Kelly's Thrify Tips

Saving on Energy:

First things first...I received a call from a wonderful lady who said that it is not a good idea to close vents in unused rooms as it can make your system work harder, and we definitely do not want that! I would say that I am going to follow the professional advice on this one (she works for a heating and cooling company). So I am going to follow her advice and keep to keeping our temps at 68 degrees in the winter. Lots of people do suggest closing vents so you may want to speak to someone in heating and cooling and get their advice. :)

Other ways to save on the energy...

-- Dress warmer during these chillier months.

-- Use heavy curtains in the winter months to keep drafts out.

-- Open up and let the sun shine in on those sunny days.

-- Drop some energy use during the week by having a TV less night. Read a book, play games with the whole family. This is a great way to save energy and do something positive for the whole family by spending that time together.

-- Turn that tap off when brushing your teeth. Most people know this, but how many people actually do this? I still have to remind myself. This is not the same as when you wash your hands though. Proper handwashing technique involves using RUNNING water which you can see here at this link from the Mayo Clinic: Hand Washing- An Easy Guide

-- Run dishwashers and washing machines on full loads.

-- Add steam to your air by using humidifiers, boiling some water on your stove (be sure to not have it where any children can get to it), open up the bathroom door after a shower to let the steamy air out. Humidity keeps the air warmer.

-- As I mentioned before use draft stoppers. Last week, I left a lot of links to how to make your own. Of course you can buy them too.

-- Wash clothes in cold water. Of course use hot for those things that really need to be sanitary like underthings and towels.

-- We use the miocrowave to heat up hot water. It takes up less energy than the stove.

Now how about doing something good for others?

I talked this morning about the Lunchables Lunch Note Promise campaign. This is the deal. You promise to put an encouraging note in your child's lunch box, and they will give a free meal to a child in need up to 100,000 promises and meals. They are up to 35,668 promises at the time I post this. I just checked out the Lunch Note Promise map. This tells you how many promises have been made in each state. So far, Arizona has 532 promises. Wouldn't it be cool to really bring that up? All YOU have to do is go to their website and make the promise. Think of how cool this will make your kids feel: Lunch Note Promise

Free Music:
I am a huge fan of iTickets.com. Not only do they list Chrisitian concerts and events in the area, but they have a free music download every week! This week they have TWO songs, Rolling Stone by Out of Eden and Alive Again by Matt Maher. You do have to register to do the download. Link: iTickets

How about TEN free songs? Go to the Creation Festival Tour website to download TEN songs free. This is via Itunes. They have downloads for Jars of Clay, Jonny Diaz, This Beautiful Republic, Thousand Foot Krutch, VOTA, B. Reith, Kathryn Scott, Blue Tree, Don Poythress and Brian Doerksen. That is a lot of songs. Link: Creation Fest

Are you interested in more free music? FreeCCM.com has music right now from MercyMe, Derek Webb, and VOTA. Their music changes a lot too so don't forget to keep checking back with them. Again, you do need to register. Link: FreeCCM

Still want more free music? Check out one of my favorite sites: Hear It First. They have amazing Christian music news, artist interviews, videos, CD previews, contests and free music every week! Membership is totally free and completely worth it. I get emails just about every week with free song downloads. I also thrive on the CD previews! Link: Hear It First
Ohhhh! I forgot to add that they are having an awesome CD giveaway right now too! You can win a CD a day for a year. Again, this is a site you will need to register with so keep that in mind.

Want an email for all these contests and special sites. You can get free email from Gmail. That way you will have a designated place for newsletters etc. :) Link: GMAIL

Now a quick loook at sales:

Fry's 49th Anniversary Truck Load Sale -
Fry's has so many amazing things on sale this week, you simply have to go check it out. Here is my top three.
-- A MUST for my house - Chunky Soup - Select varieties 99 cents each limit 24!
-- Fry's canned veggies- Select varieties as well 50 cents each
-- Healthy Choice or Marie Calendar Entrees - Part of the buy 10 deal - Just $1.67!
-- Fry's Broth- Select Varieties 50 cents (great time to stock up for your holiday meals)

Safeway -- COUPON REMINDER- Safeway has a huge coupon deal going on where coupons from 20 cents to 99 cents will become $1.00!!!!
-- Large Green asaparagus 99 cents a pound (GREAT DEAL)
-- Lucern 1 Gallon milk $1.37 (limit 2)
-- Rancher's Reserve Beef Bottom Round Roast $1.99 lb

Albertsons -- COUPON REMINDER - 50 cents (doubled), 33 cents (tripled), 25 cents(quadrupled)
-- 93% Lean Ground Beef $1.67 pound
-- Boneless Pork Sirloin Chops $3.99 lb buy 1 get 1 free!!!!
-- 5 for $5 Sale on items including Chunky soup (limit 5), Sargento Shredded Cheese (limit 5), Coffee Mate 16 oz (limit 5) and more items.

Coupon Deal - Check out The Real Meal Deal buy five of any of these frozen foods:
Van de Kamps Seafood
Lenders Bagels
Aunt Jemima Breakfast
Hungry Man Dinners
Duncan Hines Oven Ready Brownies
Mrs. Paul’s Seafood

Print out the form and send in your receipts for $5 in coupons!