Frugal in Paradise: 2009-02-22

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Coco's Top Ten Free Magazine Subscriptions

I love magazines. They are full of great information and wonderful inspiration. I used to pay quite a lot of money subscribing and buying magazines (my favorites being "Instyle" & "Martha Stewart"), so I was pretty happy when I found out about free magazine subscription services.

At first, I was very suspicious and did not really expect to receive magazines even when I actaully sent an application. Then, I started receiving magazines in my mail box without any accompanying bills. I was soooo ecstatic. I am ashamed to admit it, but I was so excited that I even ordered some magazines (like "Yachting"- will I ever be able to afford a yacht??) I would never read otherwise.

Here is a list of free magazine subscriptions available right now. Personally, I cannot wait to receive "Body & Soul (I love all the magazines by Martha Stewart)," "Elle," & "Elle Decor."

I still cannot decide whether I should subscribe to Maxim. I have never read this magazine. It is a guy's magazine, yeah? Please let me know if anyone read this magazine and liked it?

1. Body & Soul

2. Elle

3. Elle Decor

4. Parents Magazine (Sign up for a new account at Startsampling)

5. Women's Health

6. Woman's Day

7. Forbes

8. Latina

9. Maxim

10. Golf Digest

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Touch of Gray - Try it for FREE

Head over to Just for Men: Touch of Gray's website right now and print a rebate form to receive a FREE box of Touch of Gray.

The rebate offer is valid until 12/31/09.

I printed and stashed the rebate form in a coupon box. I am waiting for a manufacture's coupon or register reward deal at Walgreens, so I may possibly turn this already great deal into a money-maker.

Energy Saving Tips - Refrigerator/Freezer

Photo credit: Frinkster

At the end of every month, I dread receiving a bill from an electric company. The amount we are paying for electricity is simply horrifying.

Unfortunately, we cannot prevent our neighbors from using the dryer :), so we are trying everything else we can to reduce our electricity bill.

Today, I am going to write about how to save energy on refrigerators & freezers.

The energy use of refrigerators & freezers is among the largest energy consumers in the home - approx. 500 kWh (for a newer Energy Star Model) per year. At $.25/kWh (a rate in Hawaii (Oahu) for Jan 09), a monthly cost is about $10.42. WOW!

Here are 10 tips to save energy on Refrigerator and Freezer:

1. Prevent a Door Leak - check the door seals by putting a bight flashlight inside the refrigerator (try every shelf). If you see the light through the crack, you have a door leak. You may need to install new seals - check out how. I am thinking of adding a see-through vinyl curtain to a refrigerator. I will upload a picture when I do it.

2. Maintain Temperature for the refrigerator compartment at 36 to 38 degrees & for the freezer compartment at 0 to 5 degrees.

3. Place the Refrigerator at a Cooler and Well-Ventilated Location & away from heating appliances (e.g., oven, dishwasher etc.).

4. Clean the Condenser Coils - you can find them in the back or bottom of the refrigerator. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator before cleaning.

5. Pack the Freezer Compartment Full. If you have empty space, place bottles of water.

6. Not Overfill the Refrigerator Compartment to allow cold air to freely circulate.

7. Cover Foods (esp. liquids) - moisture increase the energy consumption.

8. Thaw Foods in the Refrigerator Overnight - Help cool the refrigerator. Menu planning has made it easier for me achieve this.

9. Cool Hot Foods before putting them in the refrigerator or freezer.

10. Keep the Doors Closed as much as possible. Labeling foods in the freezer helps a lot.

Do you have any tips for saving energy on refrigerator/freezer? Please let me know.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Fabric.com - Kristle & Nancy's Birthday Sale

From now to 3/2/09 (Midnight ET), select items of cotton prints, flannels, knits, home decor fabrics are temporarily marked down up to 60% off. The sale items are personally handpicked by Kristle & Nancy, employees at fabric.com in celebration of their birthday. I am excited about this sale, because some of the items rarely go on sale. Just click the picture above.

My personal favorites;

BU-950 Stretch French Terry Floral Turquoise/Lime

$2.99/yd. (Original Price: $9.99/yd.)

* This will make a really cute bath robe.

BV-805 Seersucker Plaid Remington

$1.99/yd. (Original Price: $6.99)

* Adorable for a girl's jumper skirt or boy's pants.

BV-254 Mod Girls Elizabeth Stripe

$3.99/yd. (Original Price: $9.99)

BV-249 Mod Girls Patsy Stripe Green

$3.99/yd. (Original Price: $9.99/yd.)

Shipping at fabric.com is always FREE for an order over $35.

Times Deals 2/25-3/3

7 DAY COUPON

Kraft American Cheese Singles $5.00/2

Best Foods Mayonnaise $7.00/2

Whiskas Choice Cuts Cat Food $.99/3

GROCERIES

Large Navel Oranges

$1.00/2lb.

Blueberries, 4.4 oz.

$1.99

Coral Chunk Light Tuna

$4.00/5

Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn

$5.00/2

- $1.00/2 Coupon (1/18/09 Newspaper Insert, exp. 2/28/09)

$1.00 Printable Coupon

Frugal Price: $2.00 each (wyb2)

Safeway Deals 2/25-3/3

SATURDAY & SUNDAY SPECIALS

Tyson Breaded Chicken Selections
$4.99

Russel Potatoes, 10lb. Bag
$3.88 each

Monday, February 23, 2009

Longs Drug Deals 2/22-28

GROCERIES

Reese's Whipps Bars
$.89/2
- $1.00/2 Coupon (1/4/09 Newspaper Insert, exp. 3/31/09)
Frugal Price: FREE with possible overage

Hershey's Bars
$.89/2
- FREE Hershey's Special Dark Bar wyb Hershey's Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate w/ Almond, or Special Dark Bar
Frugal Price: $.89/4 ($.22 each)

Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal

$3.29

- $1.00 Printable Coupon

Frugal Price: $2.29

Cascadian Farm Organic Granola Bars

$3.19

- $1.00 Printable Coupon

Frugal Price: $2.19

Orville Redenbacher's Popping Corn

$2.29

- $1.00/2 Coupon (1/18/09 Newspaper Insert, exp. 2/28/09)

Frugal Price: $1.79 each (wyb 2)

Smucker's Perserves
$2.69
- $.35 (1/18/09 Newspaper Insert, exp. 4/18/09)
Frugal Price: $2.34

Tabasco Pepper Sauce
$1.29
- $.50 Printable Coupon
Frugal Price: $.79

HEALTH

Caltrate
$6.29
- $1.00 Coupon (12/07/08 Newspaper Insert (SS), exp. 3/31/09)
- $1.00 Printable Coupon
- $3.00 Coupon (1/4/09 Newspaper Insert (SS), exp. 3/31/09)
Frugal Price: $3.29 or $5.29

Bayer
$4.99
- $1.00 Printable Coupon
- $1.00 Coupon (1/4 or 2/1/09 Newspaper Insert (RP), exp. 2/28 or 3/31/09)
- $2.00 Printable Coupon (Heart Advantage)
Frugal Price: $2.99 or $3.99

Airborne
$5.19
- $2.00 Coupon (1/4/09 Newspaper Insert (SS), exp. 3/1/09)
Frugal Price: $3.19

Vicks Nyquil or Dayquil
$4.69
- $1.50 Coupon (1/18 or 2/8/09 Newspaper Insert (PG), exp. 2/28 ot 3/31/09)
Frugal Price: $3.19

BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE

Q-tips
$2.99
- $.30 Coupon (1/18/09 Newspaper Insert (RP), exp. 4/12/09)
Frugal Price: $2.69

Dial Body Wash
$3.19
- $1.00/2 Coupon (1/4/09 Newspaper Insert (SS), exp. 3/31/09)
Frugal Price: $2.69 each (wyb 2)

Bic Comfort 3 Disposable Shaves
$3.69
- $2.00 Coupon (1/18/09 Newspaper Insert (SS), exp. 3/1/09)
Frugal Price: $1.69

HOUSEHOLD

Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair
$4.49
- $2.00 Printable Coupon
Frugal Price: $2.29

Pledge Muti Surface Spray
$4.19
- $1.00 Printable Coupon
Frugal Price: $3.19