The Coupon Monster

// April 2nd, 2010 // Couponing, Organization, Time Management

I’ve been trying to organize my coupons so I won’t be missing out on any fantastic deals. On more than one occasion, I’ve gone to the store, seen something on clearance, and thought, “Hey, I have a coupon that will make that free!” before realizing that the coupon, in fact, is in a big ol’ pile on my dresser, and not in my purse, where it would do me some good.

I have a tip for you when organizing your coupons: Do not wait until 3 months worth of coupon inserts pile up before trying to organize them. You will lose your ever-lovin’ mind. I have actually gotten to the point where I am excited to find out a coupon has expired, because I can get rid of it (and send it to military families who can use expired coupons on base).

I’ve decided I’m just going to take the organization in baby steps. Maybe by the time the Bear is in college, I will have my coupons clipped and filed.

At least I managed to begin the process, which will make the shuffling less time consuming in the meantime.  I’ve also gone through my Homeland ad, and pulled coupons that will make for lots and lots of cheap stuff and freebies.  I am kind of excited about posting pictures of tomorrow’s shopping trip.

I still need to make a grocery list for things I know we need . . . like stuff to make dinner.  I’ve burned through my freezer meals, and it’s time to build the stash back up again.

If you’ve got a good freezer meal, feel free to post it here or shoot me an email through the contact form.  I’m kind of getting tired of the same ol’ things.

2 Responses to “The Coupon Monster”

  1. Charissa says:
    April 3, 2010 at 2:52 am

    This isn’t a meal, per se, but it freezes/thaws beautifully, and is six kinds of awesome. Great as a dipping sauce for grilled chicken; or add to vegetable and/or chicken stir-fry, serve over noodles or rice, and top with dry-roasted peanuts. Note that you’ll lose some heat in the freezing process (couldn’t find a way to say that without the hated pun), so adjust hot sauce accordingly.

    THAI-STYLE PEANUT SAUCE

    2-4 cloves fresh garlic, peeled
    1 c chicken stock
    2 t fresh ginger, grated*
    1-2 T sriracha hot sauce
    1 T soy sauce
    ¼ c light brown sugar
    1-1½ c creamy peanut butter
    1 lg lime, halved and seeded
    1 T sesame oil**
    Chicken stock

    Place garlic, 1 c stock, ginger, chili sauce, soy sauce and brown sugar in food-pro fitted with chopping blade***; process until garlic is finely minced. Add peanut butter. Pulse until smooth. Juice lime halves over mixture, including pulp. Add sesame oil and process to incorporate. Add chicken stock, as needed, to achieve desired consistency. Adjust seasonings to taste.

    * I usually use this in lieu of fresh… if it’s available in CheyWy, you should be able to find it or its equivalent pretty much anywhere: http://www.gourmetgarden.com/us/product/view/Ginger

    ** If using noodles, omit from sauce and toss hot (al dente) noodles with sesame oil

    *** A blender will work, but can bog down when adding peanut butter. Immersion blender is a good alternative.

    I’m told this also makes a fabulous cold noodle-salad, but haven’t tried it. (“Some have great stories, pretty stories that take place at lakes with boats and friends and noodle salad. Just no one in this car. But, a lot of people, that’s their story. Good times, noodle salad.”)

    Amen.

  2. Nicci says:
    April 3, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    This sounds yummilicious, and I like the different alternative uses for it. I don’t know what on God’s green earth sriracha is, but I’m sure I can find it. Whether or not I can find a coupon for it or not, well, that’s another story.

    Ah . . . boats and lakes and friends. Once up on a time, we had a Waverunner and friends with a boat. Those were the days. I should totally live on a lake and wear ponytails and cutoffs every day. Maybe I’ll open up a bait shop in the back of my cabin on the lake, and that’s how I’ll work from home. Except I don’t have a cabin on the lake. So while I’m dreaming, let’s just say I should have a beach cottage and a cabana boy . . . yeah, that’s it.

    Wait–how did I get from peanut sauce to beachfront property?

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