If you know me, you probably know that I love my food vacuum sealer (my favorite is the FoodSaver). These are great for keeping foods super fresh in the freezer for way longer than traditional zipper bags.
And since buying in bulk in generally the way to save the most on meats and produce, having a vacuum sealer handy is great for staying frugal while keeping your food fresh.
Did you also know there are some pretty fun ways to use your vacuum sealer other than just sealing foods? Here’s a list of 6 creative ways to use yours!
Ways to Use a Vacuum Sealer:
1. Seal Your Bulk Foods
Okay, so the most obvious way to use your vacuum sealer is to keep food fresh in the freezer. Buy in bulk, separate your items into portions, and seal them in a bag (I like to use these from Amazon). This can keep foods fresh up to five times longer than ordinary storage in a freezer.
2. Seal Up Chip & Snack Bags
Keep your snacks crunchy by sealing the bag when you’re finished. Try not to use the vacuum feature (it would probably crush fragile items like chips), but simply use the seal function instead.
3. Seal Your Toiletries
There’s not much worse than getting to your destination when traveling to find that your lotions and shampoos have opened up and soaked into your clothes. Seal your bottles up and they’re guaranteed to stay closed without any leakage.
4. Seal Important Things
Going camping or having a lake day? Seal up money, licenses, and more to create a safe and waterproof pouch.
I’ve always recommended purchasing your swim attire after the Summer is over, but Lands End is running a 30% off friends & family coupon this week that you can use on top of sales!
If you need a suit this is a great sale, and a great brand to buy. I’ve always loved Lands’ End for swim suits, they last the whole season if not longer and they have more modest choices (important in my book).
Get an extra 30% off with code PAL30.
Note: the 30% off coupon is good on the entire site, so checkout the sale sections for other great deals.
Lands’ End Swim Suit Deals
Girls Swimsuits starting at $12.60 (reg. $25+)
Boys Swim Wear starting at $12.60 (reg. $25+)
You can also get great deals on Women’s tankini tops and Men’s rash guards.
Coupon ends 5/16.
See more online deals!
Stride Rite is offering select sneakers for $24.99, regularly $55.
Check out all the options but be sure to shop soon so you get your favorite styles and sizes! Some are regularly $55 or more so this is a fun savings.
Here are some for $24.99:
Offer valid through 5/21. Shipping is FREE.
See more online shopping.
Many of you know that I am not a successful menu planner. We have tried on and off and tend to fail because we change our minds the day or week of. It’s not because I don’t like the idea, it’s mostly lack of time and lack of creativity. On my own though, I tend to rotate through the same 7-10 meals and folks get tired quickly.
We are trying something new in our house and I want you to join me! I found Eatathome.com and love their very inexpensive Menu Plans and Recipes. We get a month’s worth of recipes at a time and can pick and choose from them the things we would like to make.
They also offered a coupon code for any one that wants to try it with me.
Use code SSAVERS to get 25% off.
EatatHome.com makes 3 different meal plans: Traditional, Slow Cooker/Instapot, Whole Foods
The awesome part is that for the same price you get all three meal plans! It will make things easier shopping list wise if you stick to one menu for the week, but from week to week you could totally switch it up. The big reason to only switch week by week is that they give you a shopping list of what to buy for all your meals that week (for me that means what to grab from the pantry) and for many folks that’s going to be a huge time saver.
This is a glimpse of the shopping list for next weeks meals. The tiny number tells me what meal it’s for (as does the color but when you print black and white the tiny little number helps) and then you see how much you will need for each meal. You’ll need to add them together but generally they are all less than one package from the store so it’s not crazy math.
I’m sticking with the Traditional Meal Plan this week and next week.
Join Me in a Challenge
I want you to join me in a one week challenge of eating at home and having a stress free evening with no crazy moments of figuring out what’s for dinner!! Whether you use this meal plan with us, or make your own I encourage you to join in. Starting next Monday May 15th, lets aim for a week of eating at home!
This is a huge way to save money and time! Think about how much you’ll save on your budget if you manage a week with no dining out?
We’ve got a new Publix ad available 5/10-5/16 or 5/11-5/17. There are deals on Yoplait, Knorr, Duncan Hines & more.
This is just a short glimpse at all the deals in the ad, head over and check out the entire ad and start gathering your coupons.
Top Publix Ad Deals
- Yoplait Go-Gurt Portable Yogurt, 8 pk. 2 oz, B1G1 at $2.50 ($1.25)
-.75/2 Yoplait Go-Gurt yogurt, Publix eCoupon
-.75/2 Yoplait Go-Gurt yogurt printable
-.75/2 Yoplait Go-Gurt yogurt, SavingStar eCoupon
(makes it 87¢ ea. after SavingStar) - Knorr Sides, 3.8-5.9 oz, B1G1 at $1.09 (54¢)
-Free $10 Publix Gift Card wyb $50 in participating Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad, Campbell’s, Country Crock., Egg Beaters., Hellmann’s, Hunt’s, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Knorr, Lipton, Manwich, Pace, PAM, Peter Pan, Pillsbury Ready to Bake!, Pillsbury, Prego, Progresso, Pure Leaf, Reddi-Wip, Ro-Tel, Swanson, V8 or Campbell’s products (exp 5/15) Rebate
-$1/2 Knorr Pasta or Rice Sides, 3.8-5.9 oz, (Publix Coupon), 4/19 Weekly Ad (exp 5/10)
(use $1/2, makes it 4¢ ea.) - Duncan Hines Decadent Cake or Cupcake Mix, 5.7-21.41 oz, B1G1 at $3.99 ($1.99)
-.75/1 Duncan Hines Perfect Size cake mix printable
(makes it $1.24) - Siggi’s Yogurt or Whole Milk Drinkable Yogurt, 4.4-8 oz, $1.33
-$1/2 Siggi’s yogurt cups printable
(makes it 83¢ ea.) - Dove Chocolate Promises, 7.94-8.87 oz, B1G1 at $4.29 ($2.14)
-$1 off Dove Promises silky smooth chocolate bag 7.94-9.5oz or (1) fruit & nut or whole fruit dipped in dark chocolate 5.5oz+, RP 05/07
(makes it $1.14) - Carefree Body Shape Liners, Always Liners, or U by Kotex Liners, 16-20 ct., $1
-.50/1 Carefree product printable
-Free $10 Publix Gift Card wyb $50 in participating Kraft, Mondelez, P&G and Pepsi items, Stocking Spree Rebate
(makes it 50¢) - Barilla Pasta Sauce, 14.5-24 oz, B1G1 at $2.69 ($1.34)
-$1 off Barilla pasta sauce, RP 04/30
(makes it 34¢) - Gerber 2nd Foods Organic Baby Food, 3.5 oz, $1
-$1/4 Gerber Grabbers or Organic Pouches printable
(makes it 75¢ ea.) Read More→
The May Target Beauty box deal just got better, you can get the box + 2 bonus boxes for just $15 total with FREE shipping! Use your RedCard and you’ll get an extra 5% off.
This box includes samples of top beauty products, which makes it a nice way to try out some new things.
How to get the deal:
Buy:
(1) May Beauty Box, $10
(2) May Beauty Bonus Boxes, $5 (limit 2 per customer)
Pay: $20
Get Back:
-$5 Target Gift Card wyb $20 in personal care products
makes it $15 shipped for all 3 boxes!
May Beauty Box Includes:
Nexxus Shampoo & Conditioner- 1 each, .3 oz
ACURE Pore-Minimizing Red Clay Mask- 1 oz
Nubian Heritage Bath Bombs- 2 ct
Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Lipstick- .24 oz
Vichy Pore-Purifying Clay Mask- .23 oz
Nexxus Vitall 8-in-1 Masque- 1.5 oz
Guess Dare Fragrance for Women- .04 oz
Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish- 1.69 oz
Bonus Box Includes:
L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Masks (Purify & Mattify, Detox & Brighten, and Exfoliate & Refine Pores)
Pacifica Facial Cleansing Wipes
Dove Refresh + Care Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo
Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
These usually sell out pretty quickly, so grab yours while it’s available.
Read More→
Need to restock the medicine cabinet? There are two new high value Aleve coupons available to print!
Head to Target and get 24 count tablets for $1.99 or grab a 50 count bottle for $2.49.
New Aleve Coupons
Coupons powered by Coupons.com
Target Deal Idea
- Buy:
Aleve Pain Reliever Tablets, 24 ct., $3.99 (reg. price)
Use:
-$2 off Aleve pain medicine, 20 ct+ printable
makes it $1.99
Publix Deal Idea
- Buy:
Aleve Pain Reliever, 50 ct., $6.49
Use:
-$2 off Aleve pain medicine, 20 ct+ printable
Get Back:
-$2 off Aleve capsules, 40-ct.+, Checkout 51 mobile coupon
makes it $2.49
more personal care coupons:
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Here’s a great Target toy deal to help you stock up your gift closet. You can save on select Star Wars toys with prices starting at $2.08.
Target Toy Deal Ideas
Playskool Heroes Star Wars Galactic Heroes Speeder Bike and Scout Trooper – $2.08 (reg. $6.99)
Playskool Heroes Star Wars Galactic Heroes Tauntaun and Han Solo – $2.08 (reg. $6.99)
Star Wars Speeder and Darth Maul – $4.88 (regularly $16.99)
Star Wars Speeder and Anakin Skywalker – $5.98 (regularly $19.99)
Star Wars Hero Mashers Episode VII Resistance X-Wing and Resistance Pilot – $8.98 (regularly $29.99)
Use your TargetRedcard to get free shipping + extra 5% off. Otherwise shipping is free on $35+ orders or you choose free in-store pick up if available near you.
Read More→
There is a new $3 off Zantac coupon available to print that makes for a fun deal at Target and Walmart! Even better, there is a Target Cartwheel that you can stack with the printable coupon and save an extra 25% on Zantac products.
This makes for an awesome price!
New Zantac Coupon
Coupons powered by Coupons.com
Target Deal Idea
- Buy:
Zantac Antacid Tablets, 24 ct., $7.59
Use:
-25% off Zantac products, excl Duo Fusion, Target Cartwheel (exp 5/13) printable
-$3 off Zantac, 24 ct.+ or Duo Fusion 20 ct.+, 20 ct.+ printable
Get Back:
-$2 off Zantac product, at Target, 24-ct+, Checkout 51 mobile coupon
like getting it for 69¢
Walmart Deal Idea
- Buy:
Zantac 150 Maximum Strength Tablets, 24 ct., $7.58 (reg. price)
Use:
-$3 off Zantac, 24 ct.+ or Duo Fusion 20 ct.+, 20 ct.+ printable
Get Back:
-$4 off Zantac product, at Walmart, 24-ct., Checkout 51 mobile coupon
like getting it for 58¢
other new printable coupons:
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