Coupon for $10 gift card with $50 purchase at Target

 

Target is offering a $10 gift card with purchase of $50 or more coupon. Offer is not valid on purchase of Target gift cards but looks like you can get the offer with purchase of other gift cards such as the iTunes gift cards, Amazon Kindle cards (which can be used any ANYTHING on Amazon) etc.

Free $20 Statement Credit at Vente-Privee for first time members

Use this link to sign up with vente-privee. Use your Amex to make your first purchase and you'll get a $20 statement credit REGARDLESS of the amount you spend on the site (including shipping). This is a potential 'money maker' if you buy something that's less that $20 shipped in total.

I got a 4 piece children's cutlery set for $17.95 shipped. To me, this would normally be an outrageous price to pay but with the statement credit (which came quickly) it was a money maker!

You can also consider stacking this offer with the Amex gift chain promo, bring your total up to $25 (before statement credit) and take part in the gift chain offer with one purchase.

Win free stuff with the American Express Gift Chain!

If you've been an Amex cardholder before 11/27/11, sign up for the American Express Gift Chain to win prizes when you spend $25 or more (including taxes) at these online stores (valid online only):

American Eagle Outfitters [ae.com]
Bed Bath & Beyond [bedbathandbeyond.com]
Blue Nile [bluenile.com]
Dell [dell.com]
GameStop [gamestop.com]
J.Crew [jcrew.com]
Lenovo [lenovo.com]
Neiman Marcus [neimanmarcus.com]
Nike Store [nike.com]
Pottery Barn [potterybarn.com]
REI [rei.com]
Rue La La [ruelala.com]
Toys"R"Us [toysrus.com]
vente-privee [venteprivee.com]
WalMart [walmart.com]
YoYo.com [yoyo.com]
Zappos [zappos.com]

Bear in mind that you may not win with EVERY purchase but so far, I've won almost all the time.
The prizes I've won included $10 statement credits, $10 Walmart gift cards and 1 year free ShopRunner subscriptions. 


If none of the stores are to your liking, you can purchase a $25 gift card at Walmart.com. Walmart allows you to use their gift cards to purchase other store gift cards (in store) so you can 'launder' your Walmart gift card that way.

If you're new to vente-privee, you can consider double-dipping into their promo as well.

Kitchenaid Professional 600 Stand Mixer $146.49

+ tax shipped at Kohl's (after Pricematch + Kohl's Cash + rebate)

Kohl's is currently offering a 20% off code on all orders + $15 Kohl's Cash for every $50 spent.
You can get the Kitchenaid Professional 600 series stand mixer for $146.49 + tax shipped.
This is Kohl's SKU 91951141. You have to call in to get this deal.
Price match it to Sears which is currently on sale for $359.99.
Use the code CYBER20 for an additional 20% off.
Your total including shipping should come to $295.49 + tax.
Until Nov 27, you should get $75 in Kohl's Cash as well.
Then submit your mail-in rebate for $50 (+ $24 magazine refusal) and your total should be $146.49 + tax after all offers!

Free Rides on the Times Square Toys R Us Ferris Wheel for 10 Years with Mastercard

If you have a Mastercard, you can sign up for a FREE Golden Ticket for free rides on the Toys R Us Ferris Wheel in Times Square for TEN years!

Tickets are limited. Follow this link to sign up.

They will send your ticket in the mail.

Redemption instructions:

You will receive by mail (1) "Golden Ticket" 10 year pass good for (4) people to ride the Ferris Wheel at the Times Square TOYS "R" US store. The TOYS"R"US store is located at: 1514 Broadway at 44th St.New York, NY 10036 (646)366-8800. You should receive your ticket in the mail in the next 2-6 weeks. Should you not receive your tickets please contact customer service at 1-888-909-2285 You will receive by mail (1) "Golden Ticket" 10 year pass good for (4) people to ride the Ferris Wheel at the Times Square TOYS "R" US store. The TOYS"R"US store is located at: 1514 Broadway at 44th St.New York, NY 10036 (646)366-8800. You should receive your ticket in the mail in the next 2-6 weeks. Should you not receive your tickets please contact customer service at 1-888-909-2285

Terms and Conditions:

Your "Golden Ticket" will be mailed to you. Tickets are non-transferable and may not be resold or offered for sale by unauthorized vendors at any price. Rides and attractions are subject to availability and/or height restrictions. A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of 14. Value includes all state and local sales taxes, if applicable. Operational hours are subject to change at sole discretion of management. No refunds or exchanges are allowed for any reason, including the closing of the ride. This ticket is a revocable license and may be taken up. If this ticket is lost or stolen, it will not be replaced. The holder of this ticket assumes all risk and danger incidental to the ride. Management assumes no responsibility for accident or loss to any person or property resulting from, or in any way, connected to the use of this ride or of the premises covered by this license or by any means of ingress thereto or egress therefrom.

Kitchenaid Grain Mill Attachment +$15 Kohl's Cash for $77 + tax shipped at Kohl's

Here's another decent Kohl's price matching opportunity.

You will need to place the order over the phone only because it's an online-exclusive and you can only price match over the phone at (866) 887-8884.

You'll also need to provide them with the SKU: 91949941 (you can get the SKU by adding the item into your shopping basket).



You can view the item here (it's currently priced at $149.99 on their site). 


Best Buy is currently offering the mill for $90.70 (SKU 1971654). You can quote the SKU to the customer service rep to help speed up the verification process.

After the price match is approved, used your 15% discount code GOBBLE15 (valid until 11/27)

That will bring the total down to $77+ tax (free shipping). 

Until Nov 27, you will also earn $15 in Kohl's Cash. If you're so inclined, you can add fillers to spend a total of $100 (after the 15% off) to get a total of $30 Kohl's Cash.

Dim Sum-Style Braised Deer Tripe

This requires time to prepare. You can buy beef tripe from Asian and Mexican grocers. I have even seen big packs sold at both Walmart and Sam's Club for about $5. I believe they are all bleached.

Obviously, the tripe from our deer was green tripe so it had to be cleaned and washed well. The best way to wash it (after cleaning) is to use rock salt (I just used sea salt). This will result in a grey-ish looking tripe. Without bleaching, I don't think you can get it looking white like those available commercially.

Next, boil the tripe in salted water for about 4-5 hours, with a couple of changes of salt water in between. I have to warn you that this whole process is, well strong-smelling. "Barn-y" if you will - it will STINK.

Towards the end of the boiling, the smell will dissappear and leave what I call the 'tripe-y' smell. It's hard to describe what this smell is, you'll recognize it if you've grown up eating it.

After boiling, allow to cool and slice it into thin strips.

The following it revised from a braised beef recipe I found online. You can follow the ingredients exactly from that recipe but I used what I had on hand.

Since I had neither Hoisin sauce nor much soy sauce left, this is my version of the recipe.

Ingredients

Deer (or beef) tripe, cleaned, cooked and sliced thin

Oil  

Sauce

Dark soy sauce

Black bean sauce or paste

Sugar

Honey

Molasses

Shaoxing Wine (or dry sherry)

A few drops of Sriracha chili sauce 

Garlic powder

Garlic, peeled and minced

1 star anise

Black whole peppercorns

Five spice powder

Carrots, peeled and chopped

Chicken Stock

Salt

Corn starch (for thickening)

Cilantro (for garnish)

Method

Saute the tripe in hot oil in a dutch oven. Add the black bean sauce/paste and mix well. Add the chicken stock and the rest of the ingredients except the salt and corn starch. 

Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 4-5 hours. When everything is cooked and soft, add salt if necessary. To thicken the gravy, add water to corn starch in a separate bowl (never add corn starch to water as it will be VERY difficult to mix).  Mix until you get a paste. Add it to the stew and allow it to simmer until thickened.

Serve over rice or egg noodles and garnish with cilantro.

Amazon: Philips Norelco 1150x/40 SensoTouch 2D Electric Shaver $19.97 (after coupon & rebate)

 

This normally retails for $99.99. Clip the $30 coupon on the page then mail in your rebate.

 

 

Amazon has Zambi the Baby Elephant FurReal Friends for $20 (reg $55)

Gleaning Food for the Chickens & Compost

A couple of weeks ago, I finally got around to working on gleaning food for the chickens and compost. With chicken feed ever increasing in price, it was time to bulk up their feed with other free stuff.

I called my local Safeway and King Scoopers. No luck - Safeway was contracted to another company. King Scoopers flatly refused - they said they throw their spoilt stuff out. What a shame!

I refused to be discouraged. I called a local food pantry. The manager was pretty adamant that they didn't have any expired food stuff because they had just opened. However, if she were to come across any, she'd give me a call. After my call, something must have clicked with her because one week later, I got a call - I had a box of expired stuff to pick up! YAY!

Week 1's glean. Not too bad!

Expired in 2001?! Donor, you shouldn't have - really...you shouldn't...

Since the chickens don't like soupy stew-y food, I just poured all the sauce + creamy soup together and cooked some cheap rice in it. They loved it!

This week, I got even MORE stuff. With the food drives going into full swing for the holidays, I got FOUR boxes of stuff.

Of course, there was more yummy-ness including Bisquick that expired in 2000 and an opened bottle of soy sauce that expired in 2009...YUMMM!!!

It's Back! $10 off $100 Toys & Electronics purchases + $10 future credit on Amazon with Mastercard

Use code 8C65VF3Y at check out

Electronics
Toys

This also stacks with the Buy 1 Get 1 50% off Select Games promotion.

Up to 75% off Collector Edition Games on Amazon Today! 

Amazon is running a sale on Collector Edition games including:
Skyrim Collectors: $129.99
Killzone 3 Collectors: $39.99
Dead Rising 2 Zombrex: $25
Fallout New Vegas Collectors: $36.99
and more!

 Assassin's Creed Revelations $39.96 at Walmart (in-store only)

This both platforms of this brand new release are ringing up at $39.96 at Walmart stores. There are rumors that this will be $35 at Best Buy on Black Friday but $40 for a brand new blockbuster game on release date is a great  buy if you want to get the game now!  

Mastercard offer: $20 gift card for $200 online purchase

Click on the image to sign up.

* Starts 11/15/11. Ends 12/31/11 or while supplies last. Offline, PIN-based & international transactions ineligible. Gift Card quantities are limited to the first 80,000 eligible entrants & maximum 10,000 other gifts to next 10,000 eligible entrants.

Amazon Games BOGO 50% off includes new releases!

Amazon is offer games at buy 1 get 1 50% off. Includes new release games like Batman Arkham City, Call of Duty MW3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim etc! This is a good time to get blockbuster games for Christmas!

Discount shows at checkout (not in the cart).

50% off any item $30 or under at Ace Hardware (Nov 26 only)

Print your 50% off coupon at coupons.com. You can find it by clicking on the HOUSEHOLD link.

You should also be able to use it as a competitor coupon at Home Depot or Lowe's. When we used this coupon at Home Depot last year, they just give us 50% off 1 item (no price restriction)!

Pulled Elk (or Pork) Burgers

I used meat from the elk neck that was given to us. The neck was stewed in water until cooked, then the meat was pulled.

You can use your favorite barbecue sauce for this recipe but I made mine up with stuff I had on hand.

Ingredients

Pulled elk (or pork) meat, cooked
Onions, peeled and sliced
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

Barbecue Sauce

I used a mix of:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Ketchup
• Organic sugar
• Maple syrup
• Maple sugar 
• Kecap Manis (Dark sweet soy sauce)
• Salt 
• Black ground pepper

 Method

 Cook onions in a little oil until soft. Add garlic and cook until softened. Add meat and mix well. Add the barbecue ingredients, adjusting the amounts to taste. Stew on low heat for a few hours. 

Serve on burger buns.

I strongly suggest using Kecap Manis because it adds a nice flavor to the sauce. You can get it at any Asian grocer. I get mine for about $3.50 for a 21oz bottle. If you can't find it, Amazon does carry it (at an outrageous price of $21+ for two 21oz bottles)

20 AAA Duracell for $7.72 (after Coupon and S&S) + $5 Amazon credit for PRIME members on Amazon

Choose the 20 pack of AAA batteries from the link above, clip the coupon on the page, choose subscribe and save to get the pack for $7.72.

You can cancel the subscription immediately so that you don't forget to do so later!

Prime members and Prime members in trial memberships receive $5 discount after completing an order that includes Duracell batteries.

Customers who complete a qualifying Duracell purchase will receive an individual promotion code emailed to the email address listed on their Amazon.com account within 7 days of the qualifying purchase. To use this promotion code:

• 1. Add products to your Shopping Cart via the “Add to Shopping Cart” button on each respective product information page.
• 2. At checkout, please enter the promo code to apply to your order. This individual promotion code is good for 30 days after receipt of email. The $5 discount will be reflected in your shopping cart total.

Cuisineart Elite 12 cup Food Processor for $119.99 or LESS

I've been waiting for a deal on this processor for a while. Costco now has it for $119.99 after instant rebate in store or online. This is normally $149.99 in store (at $149.99, it's the cheapest I've found anywhere). If you're not a Costco member, I believe they'll charge you 5% extra. Offer is valid until Nov. 27, 2011.

If you're willing to do a little legwork, you can get an even better deal at Kohl's. Bring a printout of the online price & your Costco coupon book along with you to show that the Elite is indeed on sale. If you don't have one, you can get it from the Costco member desk.

I wasn't able to get Kohl's to price match the $119.99 price but they were willing to match the $149.99 price. Stack on the 30% off coupon from the Kohl's brochure (you'll need to have a Kohl's charge card to use the 30%).  That brings the total down to $104.99 + tax. 

PLUS you'll get $20 Kohl's cash (until Nov 14, 2011).
PLUS there's a $10 Kohl's gift card mail-in rebate offer.

Effective price (after Kohl's cash + gift card) = $74.99 + tax

If you have a Kohl's charge but got a lower coupon % off in the brochure, you can try using a copy of mine here. I can't guarantee that your store will accept it but it doesn't hurt to try (they've accepted copies at my store).

If you don't have a Kohl's charge, you can open one in store and currently get 20% on the spot. If you don't want to do that, you can also try using the 20% off Linens and Things competitor coupon (normally found in the Sunday paper).

Plum District: $50 Lock n Lock voucher for $20.70

Plum District is offering a $50 Lock n Lock voucher for $23.

Use code fabulous for an additional 10% off bringing the total down to  $20.70

Use my link and get an ADDITIONAL $5 Plum District credit with purchase.

Kindle Fire $189 + $10 off $50 on a future purchase if you use Mastercard (valid Nov 9, 2011 only)

Amazon is offering $10 off $100 electronics and toys if you use code WLG2FB7X and pay using a Mastercard. You will also get a $10 off $50 credit on a future purchase.

Eligible Toy Items
Eligible Electronic Items

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

This is a modified recipe from King Arthur Flour. I didn't have nuts or molds so I just used what I had on hand and they still turned out delicious!

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1 cup soft butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
• 1 large egg
• 2 1/2 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

Filling

• 1 1/2 cup chopped semisweet chocolate or chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup heavy cream 

Method

1) To make the cookies: Beat together the butter, sugar, cocoa, salt, and flavorings for several minute, until well combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.

2) Add the egg and beat for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is fluffy.

3) Stir in the flour and nuts.

4) Cover the dough, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Towards the end of the chilling time, preheat the oven to 375°F.

5) Roll dough out and cut shapes out with a cookie cutter. 

6) Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until they appear set. Allow cookies to cool.

7) While the cookies are cooling, make the filling. Heat the cream until steaming; a microwave works well here. Add the chocolate, stirring until it melts. Reheat briefly on low heat if the chocolate doesn't completely melt. Cool until the mixture thickens somewhat, whisking often.

8) Spread a bit of the chocolate on of half the cookies. Let them sit for a few minutes to partially set up, then top filled cookies with unfilled cookies, to make sandwiches.

String of USB-powered 20 LED Christmas Lights from Best Buy - $0.01

Best Buy has released a string of 20 color-changing LED Christmas lights (USB-powered). These come packaged with their gift card. You can get them for almost free! According to my store, $0.01 is the minimum amount you need to add to the card to get these. You can add more money to the gift card if you wish.

It gives a nice festive touch to my Betta setup

Elk Stew

Some of our elk meat scraps were turned into stew. You can substitute beef stew chunks instead.

Ingredients

Cubed stew meat
1 onion, peeled and diced
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3-4 potatoes, peeled and diced
Stock (I used elk stock but you can use meat or vegetable stock)
Heavy cream
Oil or butter
Salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg powder to taste
Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Method

In a stockpot, melt butter/heat oil. Add onions and cook until slightly browned. Add meat and allow it to brown slightly. Add the other ingredients and enough cream to make a nice consistency. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. Stew until all the ingredients are soft.

Serve with Parmesan cheese.

25% off + free shipping at Hasbro Toy Shop

Use code FSFAM11 at

Applies on sales and clearance items as well

SALES/ SPECIAL OFFERS 

CLEARANCE

Target 6 pack 23.4oz Enfamil Premium Infant Formula Powder Tubs for $104.99 
 Free shipping

Target has 6 packs of Enfamil Premium Infant Formula Powder Tub - 23.4 oz. for $104.99 today. Free shipping. Take an extra 15% off when you buy 2 or more PLUS an extra 5% when you use your Target Red card.

2 orders of Enfamil Premium Infant Formula Powder Tub - 23.4 oz. (6 Pack)
= $104.99 x 2 = $209.98 -(15% discount when you buy 2+)
= $178.48 -(5% Target card discount)
= $169.56 for 12 tubs

If you have manufacturer coupons or rebate checks, you should be able to bring them in together with your receipt to your local store and apply the coupons to your order (within 14 days of the order). Check with your local store to make sure they'll do that for you.

Pei Wei B1G1 Entree

Pei Wei is running a B1G1 entree. Go to peiweimarket.com and enter your email after watching the video.

$25 American Express Statement Credit

Purchase at least $25 at a small business on Nov 26 using Amex and Amex will issue a $25 statement credit. You can register all your Amex cards (supplementary cards counted as a separate statement credit offer last year). The best places to take advantage of this offer is to purchase gas at a family-run gas station, at non-chain restaurants, or liquor stores.

Register all your cards on Facebook.

Support small businesses on American Express's dime!

50% off 1 book at Barnes and Noble (online or in store)

Like B&N on Facebook and you will get a 50% off the list price of 1 book (in-store or online)

How To Make a Comfrey Poultice

• Chop a few comfrey leaves up then place the leaves in a clean bowl
• Pour hot (but not boiling) water over them
• Allow the water to cool (save the water for watering your plants)
• Once cooled, remove the leaves and squeeze out the excess water.
• The mash can now be used on the skin
• Many sources warn against applying comfrey onto broken skin - only apply on unbroken skin. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should consult their physican before using comfrey internally or externally.

The Amazing Healing Comfrey!

I have to include a post of Comfrey's healing properties (external use only).

David bruised himself when the bow scraped across his arm and it was hurting quite a lot so we decided to do an experiment with comfrey's famed healing properties. I made a comfrey poultice and we applied it to the more bruised part of his arm (leaving the less bruised half uncovered to serve as a control).

Many sources warn against applying comfrey onto broken skin - only apply on unbroken skin. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should consult their physican before using comfrey internally or externally.

The results after a mere 10 hours was quite impressive. See the pictures for yourself:



Before



After - You can even see where the comfrey-bandage applied more pressure to the skin

Note that the FDA has banned the use of comfrey for internal human consumption. They believe it causes liver damage. However, it is great for compost, livestock fodder and external healing (as the photos show). It is an invasive plant to plant with caution. I will write a post on comfrey soon.

Amazon has LA Noire (xbox) on sale for $20

Elk Steak Fajitas

After our deer hunt, our neighbor sent us home with a package of elk steaks, elk trim (for the chickens) and and the elk neck. This is what we did with the steaks:

Ingredients

Elk, chicken or beef steaks cut against the grain, into strips
Onions, peeled and sliced
Avocados, skinned, pitted and cubed
Chedder Cheese, shreaded
Tomatoes, diced
Home-made yogurt or sour cream
Green Chili (optional but highly recommended)
Montreal Steak Seasoning, garlic powder, cracked black pepper, salt to taste
Tortillas

Method

Lightly brown the onions in a seasoned cast iron skillet. Season one side of the steak strips with Montreal Steak Seasoning. Season the other side with a mix of garlic powder, black pepper and salt.

When the onions are softened and slightly browned, add the steak strips. Pan fry until done.

Place a portion of the meat and onion mix onto a tortilla. Sprinkle some chedder on top - it will melt a little over the meat. Add avocados, tomatoes and top with yogurt/sour cream and green chili.

Verdict: The yogurt actually compliments the flavor of the elk wonderfully. I recommend it over sour cream.

Where to buy: I used 505 green chile sauce which is delicious on it. You can get it at most stores, even Walmart but so far, the cheapest place I've found it sold at is Costco ($7+ for a large jar). It's still expensive so green chili sauce will be a project in the near future!

I also get a big pack of La Favorita tortillas from Costco. They're $2.99 for a big pack there versus buying a small pack of Mission Tortillas for about the same price at a supermarket like we used to.

6 packs of Similac 23.2 oz for $100 shipped

Abbot Nutritution has 6 packs their 23.2 oz formula for $100.
Use code FRIEND0209
You can also try code Sim30OFF but it seems to work only on ready to feed formula.