I hear there's a football game this week and if you're trying to get ready for a party this week and looking for some help at the grocery store then this giveaway is for you. Jenn at Frugal Upstate is doing a giveaway for a $50 WalMart gift card and detailing all the great game day food you can get for $50! Giveaway ends Feb. 2 so hop on over and enter right now because this is definitely a Cool Idea!

Did you shop the Kroger Mega deals this week? I did and between The Grocery Game and the mega deals I only paid full price for 2 things. DH wanted pita bread for his breakfast sandwichs next week and I needed coconut for granola. Those cost me around $3.50.

I bought 30 items that were covered by the mega deals so I saved $15 from my total! I also had $5.50 in coupons and $.95 in bonus coupons and $47.89 in Kroger Plus Savings. My cellfire and shortcuts coupons didn't pull from my loyalty card because I had paper coupons for the same items but hey, I saved a total of $54.34 from the shelf price of the items I bought today!

So, what did I get? I stocked back up on some snack item for the girls' lunches and there were great deals on canned tomatoes and frozen appetizers. Yep, I love soft pretzels and Kroger's frozen pretzels are as good as it gets right now. Oh, and there are Kraft cheese coupons in the coupons.com sidebar and they are part of the mega event! It's a great double-dip!! Also, Mugs Root Beer - which is caffeine free - was only $.79 so I splurged and got a couple. I rarely have soda in the house. And to balance it out I got DH some Mt. Dew - ick.

Will there be anything to actually eat from all of this? Probably, but my planning is to work out of my pantry most of the time. I'll grab some canned tomatoes and pasta and maybe the black beans I did a couple of weeks ago that are in the freezer and we'll have something yummy. Or maybe I'll put them with some hamburger that's in the freezer and it'll be a meatloaf.

Gotta love the Mega Deals at Kroger - they are definitely a Cool Idea!

Maybe you've got some gift cards saved up in Amazon or you have some from your Swagbucks searches. Either way you'll want to hop over and take a look at this great deal from Amazon. They are offering 1-Year subscriptions to All You Magazine for $15! Seriously, there's probably $15 worth of coupons in just one month's issue of this magazine, right. In fact, Tara at Deal Seeking Mom usually lists the coupons in All You each month. Most of the time you need to subscript directly from the publisher or get this at Wal-Mart but here's another great way for us use up 'free money'.

DH is a teacher and the boys generally covet his lunches. He does take great lunches! One of the things the kids especially love about the teacher's lunches is that they get to use the microwave so the kids live vicariously through the lovely warm smells.

Today I made some meatball subs to put in the freezer so DH can just pull one out and take it. This works best especially this time of the year when school is sooo busy for him.

This is what I did:
1. A couple of nights ago I realized I had a large can - probably 28 oz. - of tomato sauce. I diced up half of a small onion and added that to some olive oil and a clove of garlic. Actually I use preminced garlic because it can sit in my fridge until I'm ready for it, ya know.
2. Once the onion and garlic were softened, I added the tomato sauce and brought it up to a boil.
3. After it boiled I turned it down to a simmer, added some oregano in the palm of my hand - and the same amount of basil.
4. Stir it up, cover and simmer for an hour or so.
5. Let it cool and put it away or use it right away.

You could just use a jar of marinara or pasta sauce but I didn't have any on hand and this can of tomato sauce was looking kinda nekkid, which was why it got doctored up a bit.

Today I got the jar of my sauce out an put it in the crockpot with a bunch of frozen meatballs from Costco and put them on low. I stirred them a couple of times over 4 hours but it wouldn't have been necessary. I did it because I know my crockpot has a 'hot side' and I didn't want those to get too hard.

Once all the meatballs were done, I opened up 8 sub rolls [also from Costco] on a baking sheet lined with foil and put 4 meatballs on each roll and added some sauce to each sandwich. Then I sprinkled shredded cheese over each. I used the shredded cheese blend that Costco has because we always have it on hand and we use it for everything but use whatever works for you. Total, I don't think used much more than a cup of cheese.

Pop these in a warm oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Let cool and wrap in plastic wrap and then put in a freezer bag before putting in the freezer. DH now has 8 lunches and it probably took me 20 minutes of total attention time today and another 20 minutes of time for the sauce.

One of the things I like about doing meals like this is that I've used item from my pantry and I'll have less overall waste of items bought. Sometimes sub rolls go bad before we eat them because they come in such a large quantity and there's only the 2 of us going through them. This way they'll keep in the freezer as part of the meal and not turn moldy! A definitely bonus and a perfectly Cool Idea!

Coupons are available on Cellfire for Kroger starting Tuesday 01/26/10 can be saved until Monday 02/08/10 and expire Monday 02/22/10.

Make Tuesday Taco Night! - Save $0.50 when you buy any Old El Paso(r) product.

BC Frosting Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you buy ONE TUB any flavor/variety Betty Crocker(r) Frosting

BC Fruit Snacks Save $.50 - Save $0.50 on TWO BOXES Betty Crocker(r) Fruit by the Foot(r), Fruit Gushers(r), Fruit Roll-Ups(r) OR Fruit Roll-Ups(r) Fruit Stickerz(r)
Fruit Flavored Snacks

BC Warm Delights Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you buy ONE any flavor Betty Crocker(r) Warm Delights(r)Bowls OR Betty Crocker(r) Warm Delights(r) Minis Bowls

Chex Mix Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you buy any flavor 4.5 OZ. OR LARGER Chex Mix(r) OR Chex(r) 100 Calorie Snack

Fiber One Muffin Mix Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you buy any flavor/variety Fiber One Box Muffin Mix

Fiber One(r) Chewy Bar Save $.40 - Save $0.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One(r) Chewy Bars


Green Giant(r) vege's Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any variety Green Giant(r) Frozen Boxed Vegetables

Hamburger Helper(r) Save $.75 - Save $0.75 when you buy THREE any flavor Hamburger Helper(r), Tuna Helper(r) OR Chicken Helper(r) Home Cooked Skillet Meals

Lucky Charms(r) cereal Save $.55 - Save $0.55 when you buy Lucky Charms(r) cereal

Multigrain Cheerios(r) Save $.55 - Save $0.55 when you buy MultiGrain Cheerios(r) cereal


Nature Valley Granola Bars Save $.40 - Save $0.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Nature Valley(r)Granola Bars

NV Granola Nut Clustrs Save $1 - Save $1.00 when you buy ONE BAG any flavor Nature Valley(r) Granola Nut Clusters

Pillsbury Frozen Grands! Save $.75 - Save $0.75 when you buy any TWO Frozen Pillsbury(r) Grands!(r) Biscuits,Cinnamon Rolls, OR Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Pillsbury Holiday Cookies Save $.75 - Save $0.75 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury(r) Refrigerated Holiday Cookies

Pillsbury Italian Meal Bread Save $1/2- Save $1.00 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury(r) Italian Meal Breads (Includes any Loaves, Breadsticks, Dinner Rolls, and Pizza Crust)

Pillsbury Savorings(r) Save $1/2 -Save $1.00 when you buy TWO any flavor/variety Pillsbury(r) Savorings(r) products


Pillsbury Sweet Rolls Save $1/2 - Save $1.00 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury(r) Sweet Rolls OR Grands!(r)Sweet Rolls

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel(r) Save $.55 - Save $0.55 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury(r) Toaster Strudel(r) Pastries

Progresso(r) Soups Save $.50 -Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any flavor Progresso(r) Soups


Yoplait(r) Cups Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you buy SIX any variety Yoplait(r) Yogurt cups OR any flavor Yoplait(r) Original OR Light Smoothies


Yoplait(r) Fiber One(r) Save $1 - Save $1.00 when you buy any flavor Yoplait(r) Fiber One(r) Yogurt Multipacks

Hot/Lean Pockets Save $.55 -Save $.55 when purchasing 1 box of HOT or LEAN POCKETS(r) brand BREAKFAST sandwiches

Toll House(r) Dough Save $.55 - Save $0.55 when you purchase any (1) variety of Nestle(r) Toll House(r)Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Toll House(r) Morsels Save $.50 -Save $0.50 when you purchase any (1) variety of Nestle(r) Toll House(r)Morsels

Purina(r) Dog/Cat Treats Save $1 - Save $1.00 on two (2) packages of Purina(r) brand Dog Snacks and/or Cat Treats, any size, any variety.

Purina(r) Dry Cat Food Save $1 - Save $1.00 on any one (1) package of Purina(r) brand Dry Cat Food, any size, any variety.

Purina(r) Dry Dog Food Save $1 - Save $1.00 on any one (1) package of Purina(r) brand Dry Dog Food, any size, any variety.

Any Biore Save $1- Save $1.00 when purchasing Biore products.

Any Curel Save $1- Save $1.00 when purchasing Curel, 13oz or larger.

Jergens Lotions Save $1 - Save $1.00 when purchasing full size Jergens (excluding Jergens Natural Glow).

Root Awakening Save $2 - Save $2.00 when purchasing any Root Awakening product, 6 oz - 8.45 oz)

Select BAN Items Save $.75- Save $0.75 on Ban solids and roll-ons.

There you go! Hit the side bar and put then on your Kroger-family store loyalty card so they are there when you go shopping and you don't have to worry about it which is definitely a Cool Idea!

A month ago I received several bottles of ULTRACEPT Antiseptic Handwash to test so that I could report out how I liked it. I've just gotta say that it's nice to find something that will keep my - and my kidlets - hands free of germs without peeling the skin right off.

ULTRACEPT is non-greasy and non-sticky and in a nice change - it actually moisterizes. Pretty amazing. There are a lot of amazing things about ULTRACEPT.

• It kills 99.9% of germs instantly
• Lasts for 6 hours
• Is used by surgeons and clincians because of the awesome germ control

Currently ULTRACEPT™ Antiseptic Handwash is available at ultracept.com, pick up a few 3-packs and enter the code ULTRABZZ to save 10% on your order. Then share the love, not the germs!

You'll love the size of these bottles. Toss one in you purse, one in the car and one in the diaper bag. ULTRACEPT is definitely a Cool Idea!

*I received samples to try as a Bzzagent but this review are entirely of my own thoughts and likes.

I had another grocery mystery shop Thursday night and since I consider the fee that I'm paid to be 'free groceries to me' I sometimes splurge on yummies that I don't otherwise usually buy. Like Chicken Salad from Ukrop's. This chicken salad is AMAZING. It's also expensive - $8.99 for 15 oz. See why it's a treat, but it's all white meat, and creamy and still full of flavor.

As a rule I try to remember to check out the manager's specials in each department. I also check out the dairy products that are being marked down because of their sell by date and I check the overstock/ seasonal racks. This is where I found my bonuses this week.

I'm not sure why baby products were on here but I'm appreciative. I got a refill packages of 128 Huggies Natural Care wipes which are usually $5.25 for $2 each. I picked up two. I also saw Boudreax's Butt Paste, the $4.25 tube, marked down to $1. If I don't need it then I can pass it along to someone or donate it to the women's shelter but it's just not allowed to pass up a deal like that! Seriously.

I also scored a handful of Knorr's Vegetable Soup Mix for $.75 which will make some yummy dip for later in the week. I hear there's a football game coming up.

I saved nearly $10 on baby products alone and no one has ever had too many baby wipes. So lesson to us all to make sure to make to at least make a pass by these random racks in your grocery store. You never know what you can score and getting stuff you need for a drastically reduced price is such a Cool Idea!

Wow! This is such a Cool Idea that I'm just gonna mention this up front.



The Frugal Map was created so that people could search for a blog that met their category, style, or store preference anywhere around the country. Right now there are 35 bloggers listed in the map but that will be growing as more people submit their blogs to this new map. So hop on over and give it a try. Keep an eye on it and I'm sure you'll see it grow and flourish because this is just the kind of thing that is going to help us all.

Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner are teaming up once again to support Save the Children's U.S. Programs, dedicated to helping children living in poverty in the United States.

Their new Spin & Win game gives you the opportunity to win gift cards for spending quality time with your tykes - whether it's curling up with some new books, starting a craft project or taking in a family flick. They're giving away a prize every day. Plus, you could also win a brand new Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer, with time-saving features that give you more time for the important things in life.

Best of all, every time you play, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children, as part of their $250,000 commitment to support Save the Children's CHANGE program, dedicated to providing nutritious snacks and promoting healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty in the United States.

I have a kitchen full of Frigidaire appliances and would love to replace the washer and dryer soon. Maybe. We'll see. Because these appliance are truly cool. Energy efficient. Cool features. Can fit in tight places and still let me stuff them to the gills. Oh, and did you notice they come in cool colors. I did. Apparently they got the memo. Thank you.

Helping kids is always a Cool Idea and when a great company decides to do it again and again, well, I want to let everyone with ears know that I think this is a very Cool Idea.

They say 3 points make a trend! Woohoo. Wonderful Wednesday is back to being a trend here at What A Cool Idea! I hope there are some great things here for you.

Get your free McCafe from McDonald's every Wednesday. Offer is good until the end of February.

FREE Taco Fresco from Taco Bell.

Well, not a great week but there are a couple of things to keep us until next week and you can't beat free food that is definitely a Cool Idea!