In part 4 of my video series I explain how to “stack” coupons and how easy it actually is!
Make sure to check out all the videos on Thrifty Wifey YouTube Channel and stay tuned for next week talking about how to use coupons with sales!
Video Blog : How To Stack Coupons!
February 16, 2012 By 1 Comment
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DIY: Make Your Own Motto Art!
February 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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This guest post is provided by Crazy Daze Designs!
About the author: I’m Andi, a frugal and busy SAHW. I’m married to my best friend and I’m addicted to sweet tea and Diet Dr. Pepper. I love a bargain, love to craft and help others learn to do the same.
What you’ll need:
Blank wooden frame
acrylic paint (I used Plaid White and True Teal)
scrapbook paper
white cardstock
Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze
sponge brush
craft glue
Step 1:
Remove the glass and prime frame with 2 coats of white paint and let dry thoroughly. Then paint 2 coats of your desired color and let dry. Follow that by spraying the entire frame with the Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze. Be sure to do this in a well ventilated area like outside (my husband gets mad when I do this in the house). Let the frame dry really well before handling again, ask me how I know!
Step 2:
While that is drying, pick out a Subway Art motto that you would like to use or create something fun yourself. I found mine at Kiki Creates. You can also search “Free Subway Art” on Google for more ideas.
I was trying to use the red and teal design on Kiki Creates but didn’t realize until it printed that I was out of magenta ink. Luckily, I love the way it turned out. To make it fit in my frame, I scaled it down to size in Photoshop and printed from there. To make sure the colors show up nice and bold, print it on white cardstock. This should also help it stay sturdy in the frame.
Step 3:
This is my favorite part – embellishing the frame! I chose to make some 3D flowers and leaves using my Silhouette and then glued them to the frame. You can find some ideas to make handmade flowers on my round-up here.
How you embellish the frame is totally up to you. You can use ribbons, buttons, stickers or vinyl cut outs. Personalize it and make it your own.
You now have a completely customized piece of art for your home or to give as a gift!
Create Your Own Valentines Coupon Booklet for FREE!
February 9, 2012 By 1 Comment
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Here’s a great idea to give a FREE Valentines gift to your spouse or S/O and still have it meaningful… create a personalized coupon booklet!
I know some of you may do this and others may think it’s something for a child to do but adults can do it too and from experience, your spouse WILL appreciate it as long as you follow through with the coupons!
How it works:
Create a booklet with things you’d like to offer your spouse, it could be anything from a 30min massage to a day with no chores to something a bit more romantic, use your imagination! And during the year at anytime your spouse can “cash in” a coupon with you and at that time you do whatever is on there.
It may be a bit tiresome to think “I don’t want this held over my head for a year” but to be honest… it could be a very good thing for your marriage also, especially the romantic coupons 
I’ve created some coupon templates for you to use if you’d like, they are blank so you can write it whatever idea you’d like.
Download the Coupon Book template (PDF file)
Some ideas to use :
A romantic dinner for two
A 5 minute knock out kiss
One hour of uninterrupted free time
A weekend getaway
A romantic rendezvous of your choice
Breakfast in bed
Personal 30 minute massage
24 hours of no arguments
24 hours of no chores
A kid free day for just the two of us
A day of watching any DVD of your choice
One evening out with the guys
Expiration & Sell-By Dates Explained
January 24, 2012 By 1 Comment
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I have always had a bad habit of pouring the milk out on the sell by date and a lot of other dairy products! Dairy products in general just make me nervous when it comes to expiration. Did you know sell by dates are more about quality than safety? Without fully understanding that you could be discarding food that is perfectly safe to eat!
Fun Facts:
On average, in the U.S. we waste about 14% of the food we buy each year.
The average American family of four throws out around $600 worth of groceries every year.
The top five foods people are afraid of being unsafe after the printed date are milk, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt, and eggs.
What you need to know:
- Milk: If properly refrigerated, milk will remain safe, nutritious, and tasty for about a week after the sell-by date and will probably be safe to drink longer than that, though there’s a decline in nutritional value and taste.
- Cottage cheese: Pasteurized cottage cheese lasts for 10-14 days after the date on the carton.
- Mayonnaise: Unopened, refrigerated Kraft mayonnaise can be kept for 30 days after its expiration date or 3-4 months after opening.
- Yogurt: Yogurt will remain good 7-10 days after its sell-by date.
- Eggs: Properly refrigerated eggs should last at least 3-5 weeks after the sell-by date, according to Professor Joe Regenstein, a food scientist at Cornell University. Note: Use of either a sell-by or expiration (EXP) date is not federally required, but may be state required, as defined by the egg laws in the state where the eggs are marketed.
The “Use-By” Date
The “use-by” o date indicates the last day that the item is at its best quality as far as taste, texture, appearance, odor, and nutritional value. The decline after that is gradual. The use-by date refers to product that has not yet been opened.
The “Sell By” Date
The “sell by” date is not really a matter of food safety, but a notice to stores that the product should be taken off the shelf because it will begin to decline in quality after that date.
DIY: How To Make A Decorative Chalkboard!
January 19, 2012 By 1 Comment
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Here’s a fun craft to do to spice up your kitchen, living room, hallway, wherever you want to put it! I’ve always loved the look of a decorative chalkboard but never wanted to pay the prices I saw online so I headed to the hobby store to get some material and make it!
What you’ll need:
12×12 board (you can use whatever size you like, if you have a large board that you can cut it comes out even cheaper) – $3.99 at Michaels
Wooden frames to go around your board – $.99-$2.99 at Michaels
Chalkboard paint – $4.99 at Michaels
Acrylic paint in your choice of color – $.99 to $2.99 at Michaels
Wood Glue
Drill
Total for this project = $12 with plenty of paint to spare
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DIY: How To Make A Redneck Wine Glass!
January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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Here’s a fun craft to do that is super cheap and easy! You can typically find these Redneck Wine Glasses on sale for anywhere from $8-$15 but you can also create them yourself or as little as $2 each!
You can also use these for more than just a redneck wine glass, get creative and throw some paint or other decoratives on there and make them into candle holders!
What you’ll need:
1 – Mason Jar (find then at Dollar Tree for just $1 or by the case)
1 – Small candlestick holder (find them at Dollar Tree for just $1)
1 – E-6000 craft glue (find it at Walmart for $2.)
1 – Sanding paper (find it in your hubby’s garage)
