Homemade Granola Bars

Our family eats a lot of granola bars. Ryan & the girls love them. I thought I would share a recipe we tried and Ryan really likes. The girls don't like them as much, but they don't like change or trying new things.

I found the recipe at All Recipes. I do things just a little different, but it is basically the same.

Ingredients:

• 4.5 cups oats (I used the old fashioned, not the quick)
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup butter (softened)
  
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325.
  
• Cover a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  
• Mix together oats, flour, baking soda, and brown sugar in a large bowl.
  
• In a separate smaller bowl mix together butter, honey and vanilla.
  
• Pour liquids into the oat mixture. Mix well.
• Add chocolate chip and mix.
• Spread into prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes.
• Allow to cool for 10-20 minutes.
• Cut apart and wrap in plastic wrap or put in container.

I use the aluminum foil to make it easier to get the granola out to the 9x13 pan. I also wrap the individual bars in plastic wrap. They stay good for at least a week. We usually don't have any left after that.

Kmart Trip 9/27/09

Our Kmart IS doubling coupons with a face value up to $2. I made a trip this evening.

I got everything in the picture. It should have cost me $32.16 plus tax. I paid $2.68 plus $1.12 tax.

I had a coupon for everything in the picture.

Kmart Doubles

I just heard that Kmart will be doing double coupons again the week of September 27th. I wanted to let you know so you can start getting your coupons ready.

I will post some of the deals later in the week.

WalMart Deals

I haven't posted as many deals recently, so I wanted to link to a few Walmart deals.

Check out these pages:

• Common Sense with Money
  
• Deal Seeking Mom
• The "Cent"sible Sawyer
• STL Mommy

Remember, sometimes the price varies from store to store. You may or may not be able to find all these deals.

Good Luck!

Kmart Doubles 8/30/09

I have heard that this may be the last of the Kmart Super Double Coupons for 2009. I really hope not. I have really enjoyed going to Kmart and using my coupons. But, I thought if this may be the last time, I really want to make the best of it. I made several trips today (I only live a couple of miles away from Kmart). The two transactions I am posting are my best ones ever.

1 - Ponds @ 2.50
1 - Die Hard Battery @ 3.79
2 - Visine @ 3.99 each
1 - Scrubbing Bubbles Gel @ 3.50
2 - Chinet Plates @ 3.55 each
2 - Scott Paper Towels @ 1.99 each
1 - Playtex Gloves @ 1.97
2 - Easy Mac @ 1.09 each

Total Before Coupons: $33.00 before tax

Coupons Used:
1-$3.79 Free DieHard Battery (printable)
1-$1.50 Ponds (printable)
2-$2.00 Visine (8/2 newspaper)
1-$2.00 Scrubbing Bubbles (printable)
2-$2.00 Chinet Plates (8/9 newspaper)
2-$1.00 Scott (printable)
1-$1.00 Playtex Gloves (6/8 newspaper)
1-BOGO Mac & Cheese (printable - no longer available)

Total After Coupons: $0.00 + $0.96 tax = $0.96


4 - Visine @ 3.99 each
2 - Beneful Dog Food @ 1.69 each
2 - Zip Lock Bags @ 2.00 each
4 - Glade Candle @ 3.49 each

Total Before Coupons: $37.30 before tax

Coupons Used:
$3 off a $20 purchase (printed at cash register during last doubles)
4-$2.00 Visine (8/2 newspaper)
1-BOGO Beneful Dog Food (from magazine at Kmart)
1-$1.50/2 Zip Lock Bags (printable)
4-$1.50 Glade Candles (from inside the tin)

Total After Coupons: -$0.04 + $0.79 tax = $0.75

Vocal Point

I have been meaning to tell everyone about a program called Vocal Point. I wanted to sign up and see how it worked before I told everyone about it.

It is a great program. I regularly get free things and great coupons. I recently got one of the new Bounce Dryer Bars to try for free. They asked me to review it. It was super easy. You do not have to review items, but I try to review things occasionally. Today I got a sample of Kashi Cereal, a coupon for a free box, and several coupons for $1.50 off a box of cereal.

Sign up today to become a member. It may take a little while to receive your first surprise in the mail.

Go to vocalpoint.com.

Kmart - 2nd Trip 8/16/09

Here is what I got on my 2nd trip of the week:

2-Ziploc Bags @ $2.00 each
4-Glade Plug In @ $1.95 each
4-Glade Candle Tin @ $3.49
1-Ajax @ $1.99
1-M&M @ $1.25 (not shown - needed to keep the kids happy)

Coupons Used:
$3.00 off a $20.00 purchase (printed with my receipt)
$1.50 off 2 Ziploc Bags (printable)
$1.00 off Glade Plug In (from inside previous package)
$1.50 off Glade Candle Tins (from inside previous tin)
$1.00 off Ajax (printable-use zip 85712)

Total Before Coupons: $29.00
Total After Coupons: $1.21 + $0.99 tax = $2.20

You can find a list of some of the great deals in the following blogs:

• Money Saving Mom
• Common Sense with Money
• Coupon Clippin' Mama
• It's Hip 2 Save

Kmart - 1st Trip 8/16/09

I have been so excited about the Kmart double coupons. I went on Sunday. Here is what I got:

3-Axe Body Wash @ $4.29 each
1-AA Batteries @ $6.00
3-Purex 3-in-1 @ $5.50 each
2-Toilet Gel Cleaners @ $3.50 each
2-Fresh Brush Toilet Cleaner @ $4.50 each

Coupons Used:
$5 off a $50 purchase (printable)
3-$1.50 off Axe (printable)
3-$1.50 off Purex (from tearpad)
2-$2.00 off Gel Cleaner (printable)
2-FREE Fresh Brush when you buy Gel Cleaner (from 8/2 SS)

Total Before Coupons: $51.37
Total After Coupons: $12.37 + $2.66 tax = $15.03

I received a $5 coupon off my next order of $5 or more for buying the Purex. I should have received a voucher for a free movie ticket for buying 3 Axe products.

I waited around while they tried to figure out why it did not print. They returned everything and rerung the order. It still did not print. There was a sign. They finally took my name and number and I was told they would call when they figure it out. It is Tuesday and I still haven't heard from them. I went back to the store today and all the signs are gone. I am not sure if I will get my free movie voucher or not.

You can find a list of some of the great deals in the following blogs:

• Money Saving Mom
• Common Sense with Money
• Coupon Clippin' Mama
• It's Hip 2 Save

Walgreens Trip - 8/11/09

I made a trip to Walgreens this morning. Here is my first transaction.

1 - Colgate Toothpaste @ $2.99
1 - Glue Stick (not pictured) @ $0.99

Total: $3.98

Coupons Used:
$1.00 off Colgate
$2.00 in Register Rewards (from another day)

Total after coupons: $0.98 + $0.10 tax = $1.08
I also earned a $3.00 Register Reward
In my second transaction I got:

2-Reach Toothbrushes $3.00 each
1-Listerine @ $3.00
4-Bic Pens @ $0.50 each
1-Huggies Wipes @ $2.79

Total: $13.79

Coupons Used:
1-$3.00 off 3 Listerine & Reach (from newspaper)
2-$1.00 off 2 Bic pens (from last week's newspaper)
1-$2.00 off Huggies Wipes (found in booklet at Walgreens)
$3.00 in Register Rewards (from 1st transaction)
$3.00 in Register Rewards (from another day)

Total after coupons: $0.79 + $0.84 tax = $1.63

CVS Trip - 8/11/09

I made a quick trip to CVS this morning. Here is what I got:

2 - Huggies Diapers @ $9.00 each
1 - Deodorant @ $4.49
1 - CVS Aspirin @ $1.99
1 - St. Ives Scrub @ $1.49

TOTAL: $25.97 plus tax

Coupons Used:
1 - $5.00 off a $25.00 purchase
2 - $3.00 off Huggies
1 - $1.99 Free CVS Aspirin
1 - $1.00 off any St. Ives Product
$4.00 in Extra Care Bucks

TOTAL After Coupons: $7.98 + $1.33 tax = $9.31

I also earned $4 in Extra Care Bucks to use next time.

CVS Coupon

CVS has a coupon available on their website. You can get a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase for taking a quiz testing your health IQ. It doesn't matter if you answer correctly or not. They are advertising for their ReadyFill for prescriptions. You can print the coupon at the end of the quiz. Go HERE to take the quiz and get your coupon.

K-Mart Trip - 7/11/09 - Trip 3

Tenth trip of the week:
1-20 oz Water Bottle @ 3.49
2-Softsoap Hand Soap @ 1.50 each
2-Dry Idea Deodorant @ 3.29 each
2-Visine @ 3.99 each
4-GM Cereal @ 2.50 each
1-Kelloggs Cereal @ 3.79

Total Before Coupons: $34.84

Coupons Used:
2-$1.00 off Softsoap (printable-no longer available)
1-$1.00 off Rubbermaid (from recent newspaper)
1-$1.50 off 3 GM Cereal (found at Kmart)
1-$0.55 off Cheerios (printable)
1-$1.00 off Kelloggs Cereal (from recent newspaper)
2-$2.00 off Dry Idea (printable-no longer available)
2-$2.00 off Visine (printable-not sure where)

I got $4.00 off by buying 4 GM Cereals.

I used the $3.00 coupon I earned from THIS TRIP.

Total After Coupons: $2.18 + $0.66 tax = $2.84

K-Mart Trip - 7/11/09 - Trip 2

Ninth trip of the week:
2-Soft Soap Body Wash @ 3.99 each
2-Pantene Shampoo @ 3.34 each
2-Pantene Shampoo @ 3.33 each
1-Sparkle Paper Towels @ 2.99
1-Angel Soft Toilet Paper @ 1.45
3-Pampers Diapers @ 9.99 each

Total Before Coupons: $55.73

Coupons Used:
2-$2.00 off Soft Soap Body Wash (printable-no longer available)
1-$2.00 off when you buy both Sparkle & Angel Soft (printable)
3-$2.00 off Pampers Diapers (from 7/5 newspaper)
2-$2.00 off Pantene (from 7/5 newspaper)
2-$1.00 off Pantene (from newspaper)

I used the $14.00 coupon I earned from THIS TRIP.

Total After Coupons: $7.08 + $1.94 tax = $9.02

I earned a $10.00 off $10.00 or more valid 7/15/09 - 7/31/09.

K-Mart Trip - 7/11/09 - Trip 1

Eighth trip of the week:
1-Ponds Towelette @ 6.65
1-Huggies Wash Cloths @ 3.34
2-Huggies Lotion @ 3.33 each
1-Degree Deodorant @ 2.33
1-Dove Deodorant @ 2.34
1-All Laundry Detergent @ 4.79
2-Huggies Diapers @ 9.99 each
2-Ragu Sauce @ 1.99 each

Total Before Coupons: $50.07

Coupons Used:
1-$1.50 off Ponds (printable)
3-$1.00 off Huggies Bath & Body (from 4/19 newspaper)
1-$0.75 off Degree (from 6/21 newspaper)
1-$1.00 off Degree (from 6/17 newspaper)
1-$1.00 off All Detergent (from recent newspaper)
1-$2.00 off Huggies Diapers (printable)
1-$1.50 off Huggies Diapers (from 6/21 newspaper)
1-$1.00 off 2 Ragu (printable - not sure where)

I also used a $14.00 coupon I earned on THIS TRIP.

Total After Coupons: $12.57 + $1.65 tax = $14.22

I also earned a $14.00 coupon off my next order of $14.00 or more.

K-Mart Trip - 7/10/09

Seventh trip of the week:
1-Ponds Towelette @ 5.89
1-Huggies Wash Cloths @ 3.34
2-Huggies Wipes @ 1.99 each
4-All Laundry Detergent @ 4.79 each
1-Huggies Diapers @ 9.99
1-Scott Paper Towels @ 8.75

Total Before Coupons: $51.11

Coupons Used:
1-$1.50 off Ponds (printable)
1-$2.00 off Scott (printable-no longer available)
3-$1.00 off Huggies Bath & Body (from 4/19 newspaper)
4-$1.00 off All Detergent (from recent newspaper)
1-$2.00 off Huggies Diapers (printable)
(*the cashier did not apply all my coupons to the correct product, so they did not all double correctly)

I also used a $14.00 coupon I earned on THIS TRIP.

Total After Coupons: $12.79 + $1.96 tax = $14.75

I also earned a $14.00 coupon off my next order of $14.00 or more.

K-Mart Trip - 7/9/09 Trip 2

Sixth trip of the week:
My mother-in-law went with me to Kmart. She did this transaction for me.

1-Pampers Diapers @ 9.99
1-Pampers Extra Protection @ 10.99
2-Pantene Shampoo @ 3.34 each
2-Pantene Shampoo @ 3.33 each
1-Pantene Styling Serum @ 6.49
1-Pantene Styling Balm @ 5.39
1-Sparkle Paper Towels @ 2.99
1-Angel Soft Toilet Paper @ 1.45
1-Cascade Rinse @ 3.89

Total Before Coupons: $54.53

Coupons Used:
2-$2.00 off Pampers Diapers (from 7/5 newspaper)
4-$2.00 off Pantene (from 7/5 newspaper)
2-FREE Pantene Styler wyb Shampoo(from 7/5 newspaper)
1-$2.00 off when you buy both Sparkle & Angel Soft (printable)
1-FREE Cascade Rinse

I used a $5.00 off a $50.00 purchase printable HERE.

Total After Coupons: $8.42 + $2.96 tax = $11.38

I earned a $10.00 off $10.00 or more valid 7/15/09 - 7/31/09.

K-Mart Trip - 7/9/09

Fifth trip of the week:
2-Huggies Diapers @ 9.99 each
3-Huggies Wipes @ 1.99 each
1-Cottonelle Toilet Paper @ 7.00
2-Skintimate Shave Gel @ 1.99 each
1-Scott Paper Towels @ 8.75
1-Ponds Towelettes @ 5.89

Total Before Coupons: $51.57

Coupons Used:
2-$1.50 off Huggies Diapers (from 6/21 newspaper)
3-$1.00 off Huggies Bath & Body (from 4/19 newspaper)
1-$1.00 off Cottonelle (from sample)
2-$1.00 off Skintimate (printable - no longer available)
1-$2.00 off Scott Paper Towels (printable - no longer available)
1-$1.50 off Ponds (printable - coupons.com)

I also used the $14 coupons I earned on THIS TRIP.

Total After Coupons: $13.62 + $1.95 tax = $14.57

I earned a $14.00 coupon off my next order of $14.00 or more.

K-Mart Trip - 7/8/09

Fourth trip of the week:
1-Degree Deodorant @ 2.34
1-Dove Deodorant @ 2.33 each
4-Huggies Wipes @ 1.99
4-All Laundry Detergent @ 4.79 each

Total Before Coupons: $31.79

Coupons Used:
1-$1.25 off Degree (from 6/21 newspaper)
1-$1.25 off Dove (from 6/17 newspaper)
4-$1.00 off Huggies Bath & Body (from 4/19 newspaper)
4-$1.00 off All Detergent (from recent newspaper)

I also planned to buy 2 packages of Huggies diapers. I had 2 $3.00 coupon that I knew would not double. The cashier would not let me use all my coupons because the limit is only 10. I thought they would only double 10. So this trip did not turn out like I planned.

Total After Coupons: $11.16 + $1.68 tax = $12.84

I also earned a $3.00 coupon off my next order of $3.00 or more.

K-Mart Trip - 7/7/09

Third trip of the week:
2-Axe Shampoo @ 4.89 each
1-Axe Shower Gel @ 4.29
1-Cottonelle Toilet Paper @ 7.00
2-Dove Deodorant @ 3.99 each
1-Huggies Overnight Diapers @ 9.99
3-All Laundry Detergent @ 4.79 each

Total Before Coupons: $53.41

Coupons Used:
2-$2.00 off Axe Shampoo (printable - no longer available)
1-$1.50 off Axe Shower Gel (from newspaper-not sure which one)
1-$1.00 off Cottonelle (from home mailer)
2-$2.00 off Dove Deodorant (printable)
1-$2.00 off Huggies Overnight Diapers (from 6/21newspaper)
3-$1.00 off All Detergent (from recent newspaper)

I also used a $10.00 off a $50.00 purchase I received by signing up for a Sears MasterCard.

Somehow I ended up getting an extra $1.00 off.

Total After Coupons: $11.43 + $2.16 tax = $13.59

I also earned a $14.00 coupon off my next order of $14.00 or more.

K-Mart Trip - 7/6/09

Second trip of the week:
4-Kraft Mac & Cheese @ 1.00 each
1-Starbucks Frappuccino Coffee Drink @ 2.00
3-Huggies Wipes @ 1.99 each
1-Sparkle Paper Towels @ 2.99
1-Angel Soft Toilet Paper @ 1.45
1-Kotex Liners @ 1.29
1-Pert for Men @ 3.49
1-Reach Floss @ 1.49
1-Renuzit @ 1.89
1-Neutrogena Cream @ 7.29

Total Before Coupons: $31.86

Coupons Used:
1-Buy 3, Get 1 Free Kraft Mac & Cheese (not sure where this is from)
1-$1.00 off Starbucks (from 6/21 newspaper)
3-$1.00 off Huggies Bath & Body (from 4/19 newspaper)
1-$2.00 off when you buy both Sparkle & Angel Soft (printable)
1-$0.75 off Kotex Liners (from 6/14 newspaper)
1-$1.50 off Pert for Men (from 6/28 newspaper)
1-$1.00 off Reach Floss (from 6/14 newspaper)
1-$0.75 off Renuzit (from 5/17 newspaper)

I also used the $7.00 coupon I earned on my 7/5/09 trip.

Total After Coupons: $3.61 + $0.54 tax = $4.15

I also earned a $1.00 coupon off my next order for buying the Kraft Mac & Cheese. It states:
Buy 4, Get $1.00
Buy 5, Get $1.50
Buy 6 or more, Get $2.00

I am not certain, but I think this coupon will double. I will try it and let you know.