Midwest Coupon Clippers

Cudding Coupons and Saving You Some Moolah


Secret to Keeping a CRYSTAL CLEAR Fish Tank… NEVER CLEAN IT!

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Secret to Keeping a CRYSTAL CLEAR Fish Tank…
NEVER CLEAN IT!

 

Yup, you heard me right…If you want to keep a healthy, clean, fish tank, DO NOT EVER CLEAN IT COMPLETELY! Why you ask? Let me explain…

When you start a fish tank, it is unestablished…YOU DO NOT have any beneficial bacteria in your water to eat the ammonia the fish produce when they go to the bathroom. That is why when you start a fish tank, YOU NEVER want to overload it with fish right away…You only add two or three for the first few weeks, depending on the size of your tank to get the beneficial bacteria built in your tank. If you completely stock your tank right away, within a short time the water will fill with ammonia, get cloudy, and your fish will die off FAST. (Imagine swimming in straight ammonia)

If you add fish to your tank slowly, it gives the beneficial bacteria time to build on the rocks in your tank, and the more and more it builds, the more and more it will eat the ammonia waste of the fish, keeping your water CRYSTAL CLEAR!

Which brings me to cleaning your Fish Tank. SO MANY people make the mistake of cleaning the plants, the rocks, and draining their tank all the way or even half of the way to clean there tank. NEVER EVER do this…You will get rid of all that GOOD BACTERIA that eats the bad!

ALL YOU have to do is get a tank siphon, clean noticeable debris with your siphon once every two weeks ONLY taking the tank down 10 percent with the water and then top it off with fresh water! YOU CAN GO YEARS having a crystal clear fish tank by doing ONLY THIS on a regular basis! Of course you still need to change your filter cartridge as suggested for your filter. In between changes, washing it off helps also.

If right now you have a VERY DIRTY tank… Clean it, BUT DO NOT clean the rocks off, you will lose all that beneficial bacteria. It would also be a good idea in this situation NOT to change the filter out if you are going to start all over. This will leave beneficial bacteria in the rocks and in the filter to give your tank a “Kick Start.”

Did you know?

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Did you know?

A few weeks ago, my 2 year old daughter got into my coupon tote,  and DUMPED ALL MY INSERTS OUT, all over the kitchen floor!!!  I was DEVASTATED!!!
I file them as soon as I get them so I know when they’re from , and use post it notes on the dividers, with the date on them…

I was POSITIVE I would NEVER be able to sort them all out and get them back in the right order….. Well, as I was sitting on the floor with Inserts all around me, I picked one up and noticed, in tiny writing on the crease, or “binding”, that there was a DATE!!!

So I looked at all of them, SmartSource, P&G, and RP, and sure enough, they all have it!!!

(pictured above, one each of RP, SS, and P&G, with the date circled in red)

I went from devastated to ecstatic in seconds!!! Other than the 2 inserts that actually flew all over, the rest took SECONDS to pick up and put back in the right place!!!

Now for those of you that already knew this, LOL YOU ARE QUICKER THAN ME!! But for those of you that didn’t,  don’t feel bad… I have been couponing for a YEAR and just found out!! I am sharing this so that everyone knows what to do in the case of the 2 year old Destroyer VS Your Coupon Inserts 🙂




Ice Balloons – How Fun & Festive!

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Ice Balloons – How Festive

Want to keep those beverages cold but avoid the dripping mess of melting ice cubes? Make some Ice Balloons for your next get together!

Simply fill your water balloons then freeze for 24 hours. Make sure to leave a little room for expansion when filling!

These work great in eliminating the mess of melting ice, labels falling off, and they melt MUCH SLOWER then ice cubes.

 




Magic Snap Pudding Pie

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Magic Snap Pudding Pie 

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 Chocolate or Butterscotch Pudding Cups
  • 32 saltine crackers (Nabisco Premium or Ritz)
  • 8 oz Cool Whip (fat-free)
  • Optional add a ½ cup of chocolate chips or chocolate shavings

Directions:

  • Place 16 crackers in the bottom of an 8X8 pan.
  • Pour half of the pudding on top of the crackers, spreading evenly.
  • Place the other 16 crackers on top of the pudding, and then pour the other half of the pudding mixture on top of the last set of crackers.
  • Top with the whole container of cool whip.
  • Sprinkle Chocolate Chips or Shavings over Cool Whip (IF Desired)
  • Cover with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Enjoy…it tastes like a pie!!

 

(Photo Credits go to TidyMom)




10 Things Your Dog Would Tell You….

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10 Things Your Dog Would Tell You….

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful: remember that before you get me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well being.
4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.
5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends. I only have you.
6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understands your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget.
8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you.
9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate,or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting to old and weak.
10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: “I cannot bear to watch” or “Let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death.
Remember that I love you!

20 Years Later…I can FINALLY Leave the House!

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20 Years Later…I can FINALLY Leave the House!

I know this is kind of a Taboo Topic, but I had to share this with all of you! I have literally suffered for 20 plus years when it is “That time of the Month” for me. Once I turned about 16, my menstrual cycle got so heavy, when it was that time, I could barely leave the house the 2nd and 3rd day of my cycle. No matter which SUPER PLUS Tampon I used (and yes I tried them all) I would flow through within a matter of a half hour, Even after my doctor put me on Birth Control to try and help manage it.

For 20 years, the only Tampon that would make it even bare able with a Maxi Pad on at the same time was Tampax Super Plus. (With these I could at least last an hour, sometimes two until I flowed through)

Recently (and yes, it was because I had a coupon for them and found a really good sale) I decided to try U Kotex. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I keep asking myself, “WHY DID I NOT TRY THESE SOONER?” I have been using U Kotex Super Plus  now for the last three months, and it is the first time in my life I can go and do what I want when I want during my Menstrual Cycle! YES, EVEN on my heaviest Days!

If you have suffered like I have, Please, Give U Kotex a try, You will be happy you did, I guarantee it! I have not been endorsed in anyway from U Kotex for this blog post, I wanted to write this post because their Tampons have truly made a HUGE difference in my lifestyle and wanted to share this with you all!

You can get a $1/1 Coupon HERE right now!

 

 

Cutting the Apron Strings – Do I have to?

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Cutting the Apron Strings

Above is my baby, my only baby… Alex. In one month Alex will be graduating High School and will be starting college in Fall. I honestly can not tell you were the time has gone, It seems like just yesterday his Father and I were taking him to his first day of Kindergarten.

Well, the time has come to let him spread his wings and fly and start a whole new chapter in his life, Time for Mom to “Cut those Apron Strings.”  Am I ready for this? NO, If it was up to me, I would be tucking him in my Apron Pocket and keeping him there FOREVER!

I have gradually been trying to prepare myself for this for the last few years. But guess what? IT HAS NOT WORKED! As the months have been passing, it is not getting any easier, and now that it is ONLY A FEW MONTHS AWAY, it is getting really hard!

Now…You would think he is going hours, or even a state away…he is not, he will only be about 25  minutes from home, which is STILL NOT MAKING IT ANY EASIER.

His father and him like to joke with me about it, seeing as I have informed them talking about it is “Against the Household Rules,”  Which actually charges them all the more to see my reaction. Just little things through out the weeks, like “Alex you should take that for your dorm room” from his Dad, or “Mom I will miss your cooking every night.” from Alex. (Now this would be sweet in most cases, but this is him being a little pain in the butt because when it comes to cooking, I am no Rachel Ray.)

I have ALWAYS been very involved in Alex’s life, and I will be the first to admit, sometimes to involved. I am one of those Mama Bear’s who is VERY PROTECTIVE of my cub, I always have been and ALWAYS will be! I always know where he is, who he is with, and what he is up to. I was one of those Mom’s who would have wrapped him in bubble wrap if I could have. He did not learn to ride his bike until he was almost eight because I was afraid he would hurt himself, YUP that is me!

When we went for his orientation we were told “DO NOT call them, let them call you!” The moment they said this, My husband and Alex both looked at me. I am pretty sure I even laughed out a little giggle at this thought, I can GUARANTEE YOU that will not be the case! lol.

How am I going to handle this? I am not sure yet…But I do not really have a choice do I? I am sure there will be A LOT of tears, A LOT of phone calls, and A LOT of Dinner Visits up in Oshkosh!

What do I know? I know I have one AMAZING teenager, who if still attached to my “Apron Strings” or Not is going to turn out to be one AMAZING Man someday. The string on the Apron may be getting much longer, but it will always be there, because he will ALWAYS be my baby!

“Well, today I didn’t do it…”

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(Photo Source – Unknown)

“Well, today I didn’t do it…”

A man came home from work and found his 3 children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn around garden, The door of his wife’s car was open, as was the front door to the house and no sign of the dog, walking in the door, he found …an even bigger mess.

A lamp had been knocked over, the throw rug was against one wall, In the front room the TV was on loudly with the cartoon channel, the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel… She looked up at him, smiled and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, ‘What happened here today?’

She again smiled and answered, ‘You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world do I do all day?…

”Yes,” was his incredulous reply..

She answered, ‘Well, today I didn’t do it.’

Source: Unknown. This photo and writing is circulating Facebook. To funny not to share!

http://www.midwestcouponclippers.net

http://www.facebook.com/WisconsinCouponClippers

 




Shop the Sale/Coupon Cycles

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Shop the Sale Cycles at YOUR Grocery Store

Do you buy your groceries as you need them? Or do you shop your stores Sale Cycle? Have you noticed in your couponing efforts, certain coupons come out at certain times of the year? This is a GREAT example of how the stores sales run also. Certain sales, at certain times of year!

If you understand how the Stores Sales Cycles work which usually pair up pretty good to the Coupons that are released, you will be able to build a  nice stockpile in no time!

Currently as I type this, It is almost Summertime, Which means Coupons for Condiments are coming out soon, (Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, Mustard, etc.) which is good for my family, because we only have three bottles of  BBQ Sauce left from last Summer. Did I mention all the BBQ Sauce I bought through out last summer I did not pay ANYTHING for, and in fact many were $$MoneyMakers$$ when I paired a good sale with a Doubled Coupon.

YOU CAN DO THIS ALSO! Start shopping the Sales/Coupon Cycles and you will save a GOOD AMOUNT on your Groceries each year!

January: January is usually the Month for Diet and Health and Wellness! You will see a lot of Diet Foods, Granola, Vitamins, etc. January is also Super Bowl, Which means you will find Coupons for Dips, Chips, Crackers, etc. With it being the Winter Months, you will also still see Hot Beverage Coupons, like coffee, tea, hot cocoas, and so on.

February: February is a HOT MONTH! Valentines Day, National HOT Breakfast Month, and National Canned Food Month! Expect to find Chocolate Coupons, Waffle, Breakfast Sausages, Aspirin, and lots and lots of Canned products, Fruits and Veggies especially.

March: March is National Frozen Food Month and time for SPRING Cleaning! You will find a large variety of Frozen Meal Coupons, Pizza, Frozen Veggies, Popsicle and More. You will also find many Cleaning Supply Coupons and sales to match. GREAT time to stock up on these if you have the room! Watch your sales, and you can get them for next to NOTHING!

April: April is a little slower when it comes to coupons! You will see some Egg Coupons, Candy Coupons, Organic Foods and Kosher product coupons, but when it comes to April, it is a slower month for Coupons.

May: MAY IS HOT! You will start to see the Condiment Coupons, Sun lotion Coupons, Bug Spray Coupons, Soda and bottle water coupons, WAIT THERE IS MORE… Hamburger and Brat Coupons (Grilling time) baked beans, hot dogs, paper and plastic plate coupons! You get what I am saying! It is also Cinco De Mayo, so watch for Tortilla and Salsa Coupons. I LOVE MAY COUPONS!

June: June is National Dairy Month. It is time for Milk, Cheese, Ice Cream, cottage cheese, and many, many more. These items are a little harder to stockpile…but REMEMBER you can freeze Milk and Cheese!

July: July is a continuation of June. A LOT of meat coupons, condiment, items like that. GREAT time to have a FoodSaver on hand!

August: August means BACK TO SCHOOL, which means you will find GREAT Sales on School Supplies and even Coupons to use on them! At these prices it is the perfect time to stock up for the year! Let’s face it, those pencils the kids go through FAST! Back to school also means “Lunch box” items go on sale! Juice boxes, Snack Packs, Peanut Butter, Fruit Snacks, and so on.

September: September is a continuation of Augusts Back to School sales, AND lets add Tomato Items. Spaghetti Sauces, Soups, Canned Tomatoes.  Time to stock up for those colder days and be ready to make Spaghetti and Chili!

October: October means it is time to get ready for the baking season! During October you will see lots of Sugar, Flour, baking powder, baking soda, etc. Coupons. You will also start to see Gravy Coupons, Stuffing Coupons, more of these starting to pop up.

November: November is the time for Seasonal Sales and Coupons. Baking items, Holiday Foods, Crackers and Snacks, Turkey, and more. (IF you are going to stock up on Flour, FREEZE or Refrig. it to keep away the pantry moths)

December: In December you are still going to see the “Holiday” sales, but you are also going to start to see cold cuts, soda coupons, and “celebration” type sales and coupons start to come out. I always stock up on my chips and jars of dip during this time.

10 Ideas to Reuse Plastic Shopping Bags

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I know there are several times when I shop that I forget to take one of my re-useable shopping bags so I end up getting another plastic bag.  I now have a plastic bag collection, so I decided to search if there were things around the house that I could use the bags for(besides recycling them at the store) and here are some of the uses I found.

1. If you know how to crochet you can use the plastic bags same as you would yarn to create a rug (which would be great for a mud room), purse, tote bag, etc.  Pretty much anything you can make using yarn you can use plastic bags as a replacement. Click here to go to eHow

2.  You can use them as packing filler in packages rather than newspaper or packing peanuts.

3.  Keep some in your car to cover muddy shoes.

4.  Great to keep in a diaper bag to wrap used diapers before throwing away.

5.  Use them to line a kitty litter box to speed up cleaning.

6.  You can use them to stuff both shoes and purses to help them hold their shape while being stored.

7.  Use them to cover outdoor plants.

8.  Use them to cover your hands to pick up dirty or sticky items.

9.  Use them to cover the table for kids arts projects.

10.  Put ice in  bag for a quick ice pack.

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