I am about to turn 33. Wow...I remember when my dad turned 30, and that doesnlt even seem that long ago. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun!! Last year I posted the following list of Birthday Freebies I got.  I thought it was worth revisiting and reminding you of all the free stuff you can sign up for so you will be ready to watch the birthday freebies start rolling in as well!

Here is what I got last year:

• FREE $30 gift certificate for a Birthday dinner from Benihana
• FREE bowl of Noodles from Noodles and Co.
• 10 FREE wings from Hooters
• $10 Free Game Play at Dave and Buster's
• A FREE Creation from Cold Stone
• A FREE Drink from Caribou Coffee
• FREE birthday Burger from Ruby Tuesday
• FREE 1/3 lb Burger (or entree or equal value) from Fuddruckers
• FREE Gourmet Burger of my choice from Red Robin
• FREE Ice Cream Cone from Maggie Moo's
• FREE one scoop Sundae from Culver's
• FREE dessert at Buffalo Wild Wings
• FREE 16 oz Julius from Orange Julius
• FREE SEPHORA COLLECTION Beautiful Eyes Kit featuring: Lash Plumper Volumizing Mascara in Black, Nano Eyeliner in Silver Green, Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Aspen Summit from Sephora
• FREE Dessert in one email and Free cookie with purchase of adult entree in another email at Fazoli's
• FREE Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity or menu item of equal or lesser value at IHOP
• FREE Grand Slam at Denny's
• FREE cookie at Brueggers
• FREE brownie Sundae from Chili's
• Birthday Surprise from Famous Dave's (what you get depends on the code in your email. My code is B08 and I called them and found out that is a free appetizer-excluding the sampler)
• Free Mini, 12 or 16 oz Blizzard when you buy a 16 oz Blizzard at Dairy Queen
• Free 12 oz Shake with any purchase at Arby's
• Free Appetizer with the purchase of an entree at Lone Star
• Buy one Pretzel Item, Get one Free at Auntie Anne's
• Buy on Entree, get one free at Fox & Hound
• Free Mousse cake with purchase of regular size sandwich at Gandolfo's
• Free Dessert with entree purchase at TGIFriday's
• $3 off any Ice Cream Cake from Baskin Robbins
• $10 off purchase of $20 or more at Mimi's Cafe
• In snail mail I got a coupon from Lofthouse cookies for a FREE package of any package of Lofthouse frosted cookies

This year so far I have gotten:

• A Sephora birthday surprise
• A Procter and Gamble coupon booklet
• A coupon from Chicken of the Sea
• A trip to Disney World with the family from my husband!! :)

Here are my favorite deals in Omaha grocery this week:

Hyvee

• Doritos or Ruffles 8.5-11.5 oz $1.88
• Pepsi Product 12 packs 4/$10 with in ad coupon
• RoTel Diced tomatoes 10 oz can 3/$3
• KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce 18 oz $.99 (Depending on where you live, there was a coupon in the 08-21-11 Super Saver insert for wither $.50 ot $1 off this item, making it either FREE with overage of a penny, or $.48)
• Van Camp's Pork and Beans 15 oz $.48
• Ortega Taco Shells (regular, whole grain 12 ct or tostada shells 10 ct) $1.77 (for theOrtega Products, you can Go to their Website and print out a coupon for $1/2 which makes these Ortega deals even better)
• Ortega Seasoning (taco, hot taco 1.25 oz or Guacamole 1 oz) $.88 (**Please see coupon note above)
• California Necterines $.99
• Delightful Farms Boneless Skinless Chicken 3 lb bag $5.99 (about $2/lb)
• Hy Vee Natural Chunk Cheese 16 oz $3.99
• Gushers $2.39 each, but there is an IN AD coupon for $4 off when you buy 4, so essentially you end up getting them for $1.39 each!!

In addition to their regular week long special, HyVee also has a 1 Day Sale Thursday 9/1 that includes the following:

• 80% Lean Ground Beef $1.79/lb (sold in 5 lb roll for $8.95-limit 1)
• Dole Iceberg lettuce $.69 each
• Hy Vee OJ 64 Fl Oz $.99
• Midwest Country Fare Peanut Butter 18 oz $.99
• Hy Vee Butter 16 oz $1.99
• Midwest Country Fare Laundry Detergent 45.4 fl oz $1.48 (limit 6)
• 7 Up Product 6 pack bottles .5L 6/$10 (about $1.67 each-WOW)

No Frills Fresh

• 80% lean ground beef $1.88 (any size package!)
• Armour Meatalls 14 oz $2.99

In addition to their regular week long special, No Frills also has a 4 Day Price Buster Sale Friday 9/2-Monday 9/5 that includes the following:

• Wimmer's Natural Casing Wieners $4.99
• No Frills Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns $.77
• Our Family 36 oz Ketchup $.88
• ONLY AT THE BAKER SQUARE STORE: 7Up pr Dr Pepper Products 12 packs 4/$8.88 ($2.22 each!)

Bag N Save

• Capri Suns $1.48 (with in ad coupon when you buy 4)
• Our Family Cereal 10.7-20 oz or Oatmeal 10 ct 4/$4 with in ad coupon when you buy 4
• Pepsi, Dr Pepper, 7Up, or Coke Product 12 packs 4/$10 (limit 4)
• Sweet Yellow Onions $.88/lb
• Mr Dell's 24-32 oz Hash Browns $2.19

In addition to their regular week long special, Bag N Save also has a 4 Day Sale Thursday 9/1-Sunday 9/4 that includes the following:

• Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables $.89
• Dole Bananas $.39/lb 

Baker's (Remember their sales are almost always WITH card)

• Kroger Value Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs $1.79/lb
• Pepsi Soft Drinks 2 L $.86 each (when you buy 6-it is a Buy 4 get 2 deal)
• Pepsi or 7Up Products 12 packs $2.50 each (when you buy 4 in the same transaction)
• Kroger Cheese 6-8 oz shredded or chunk, or 16 ct singles $1.88
• Kroger Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream or Dip 4/$5 (Which is $1.25 each)
• Handi Foil Foilware Buy 2 get 1 free 
• Hot Wheels $.79

Aldi

• Red or Green Grapes $.79/lb
• Kirkwood Chicken Breasts 48 oz (3 lbs) $5.49 (that is $1.83/lb)
• Multi Colored Peppers $1.59/3pack
• Tomatoes on the Vine $.86/lb
• Pur Aqua Natural Sprinh Water 24, 16.9 oz bottles $2.99

Super Saver

• Bar S Jumbo Franks $.85
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88/lb
• Gatorade 8 pack $3.97
• Mama Lupe's Soft Taco Tortillas 10 ct $.98
• Super Saver White Bread 16 oz $.98

In addition to their regular week long special, Super Saver MILLARD LOCATION also has a 4 Day "Game Zone Savings" Sale Friday 9/2-Monday 9/5 that includes the following:

• Jack's Pizza 4/$10
• Land O Lakes Dip or Sour Cream $1.28
• Cantaloupe $.78 each

Fareway

• Nabisco Snack Crackers 7-10 oz $1.77 (If you have your Smart Source insert from 08-07-11 there is a coupon for either $.75 or $1 off. You can use with this making it only $.77-$1.02)
• Cantaloupe $.99
• Plums (red or black ) $.99/lb
• Kraft Handi Snacks $.99/4pack
• Broccoli Crowns $.99/lb
• Green Peppers 3/$.99
• Pepsi Product 12 packs 4/$10 with in ad coupon
• Powerade 32 oz bottles $.50 each with in ad coupon (when you buy 10)
• All Natural Fresh Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.99/lb
• Smoked Sliced Slab Bacon $2.99/lb
• Oscar Mayer Bacon 16 oz 2/$5 (limit 2)
• Farmland Hot Dogs 16 oz 2/$1 (limit 2) (ALso, if you Like Farmland Foods on Facebook, you can print a coupon for $.55/1 product...making this a free with overage deal...

***Remember that I generally just price match at Walmart as much as I can rather than go to all the stores separately! I LOVE being able to do that. You can also pricematch at Target, but I find it easier to pricematch at Walmart.

Just a reminder, I have 2 giveaways ending this week-one ending TONIGHT. They are both powered by Rafflecopter so they should be easy to enter! Check them out:

The other day I told you about how you can have Santa send a little note to your kiddos for free through Tiny Prints. Well, I just thought I would share what we got in the mail yesterday with you:



The kids were SOOO excited! Armour (my 5 year old) was running around the house yelling "I am on the GOOD list!! YESSSS!!!" I had to point out that it said to "Keep up the good work" so he would have to still work to stay there. He then said "Yeah Yeah, I know, but for now I am just happy I am there!!!"

In case you missed how to do this, here is the info again:

1. Like Tiny Prints on Facebook.

2. Click on the "Santa Cards" tab on the left and follow the instructions from there!

Have fun with this one! I sure did!

I am trying to be a better kid (or old lady as it may be). I want to do things better-have a cleaner home, write a better blog, help my kids to be the best they can be in school and sports, lose all the "baby weight" I have put on over the years...Boy am I failing.

Often my husband has said that he wants to be able to do his very best at what he is doing all the time, but with medical school, a family, and church responsibilities, he felt like he was only barely passing at everything. I know how he feels right now...Today has brought with it it's own challenges...But the big picture things are the ones I am trying to focus in on and get motivated to do...

Here are the goals I made for the next few weeks and how I am doing:

1-Get my house CLEANED UP before we go to Disney World...it is messier than ever and I have a long way to go...we DID get lots of laundry caught up, the messiest room (the girls bedroom) MOSTLY done, and the kitchen is pretty good...now on to the other billion things around here.

2-Work out and lose this weight-make it a priority-so I bought a family YMCA membership and have been going 3+ times a week. I am doing OK on this one, but it is not getting any easier to work out or to go...sigh...(I am losing some weight though)

3-Get some freezer meals made for us and for my sister in law who will have her baby in the next week...not even started

4-Get some great deals up on this blog each day...with all else going on it has not been everyday-I am sure you noticed.

5-Help my kids transition into school. Well, after day 2 where one kids barfed all over the class and another had a fight, it was uphill from there. We still have some adjusting to do, but at least my Kindergartner doesn't cry each time he gets on the bus in the morning anymore...that's somethin' right?!

6-Prepare and pack for DW-um...no, not done...

Maybe getting this all in writing and posted will make me more accountable...let's hope so because with a 5 month old on his 5th (or 6th?) ear infection and my lack of sleep, I feel unmotivated to do anything today...anyone else feeling that same lack of motivation?

My cousin, Laura shared this link on Facebook yesterday and it was far too funny to keep to myself. I have not laughed this hard in a long time! Please go read these 15 Funniest Autocorrects. There is some swearing in this (consider yourself warned). It is HILARIOUS!

Go read the 15 Funniest Autocorrects. You can thank me later!

Just a reminder, I have 2 new giveaways up. They are both powered by Rafflecopter so they should be easy to enter! Check them out:

A fantastic Carmex Picnic Pack giveaway ending on 8/31.

A wonderful NUK Trendline bottle giveaway ending on 9/5.

It has been a while since I posted about one of my favorite things, Swagbucks. So, new readers might wonder what it is. Basically it is a search engine. Why, you ask am I Searching on Swagbucks rather than somewhere else?! Well, it is because you can earn points, or "Swag bucks" which you can put toward prizes or gift cards. AND today, as with EVERY Friday, is Mega Swag Bucks day! That means more chances to earn more Swag Bucks (which will earn you gift cards or prizes faster!!)! So, make sure to use Swag Bucks for all your searching needs today! I know I will be using Swagbucks all day!

If you have not joined yet, click on my referral link here and start earning Swag Bucks with me! This is a GREAT time to join-with Mega Swag Bucks going on today!! As an FYI, I have made $170 in Amazon Gift cards so far and I have 675 Swagbucks which is enough to get a $5 Amazon Gift card and still have 225 Swag Bucks left. (450=$5 Amazon card).

If you are new to Swag Bucks, please read my explanation of Swag Bucks here. And my explanation of the changes to Swagbucks here.

So, you can get a code for a FREE Redbox movie tonight! You just need to go Like Redbox on Facebook. Then click on the "America's Movie Night" Tab on the Left. The follow the instructions to get the code for a free movie (must be used today)!

Thanks to one of my FAVORITE bloggers Counponing to Disney for alerting me to this fine freebie!!

Wow-Am I really a "Real HouseMom of Douglas County"? It appears I am...I am just not totally sure what that really means...I do think it means that after the first round of competition/games on Saturday I will need to have you all go on and vote for me...if I compete...here is my issue:
I AM a real HouseMom, and as it turns out, I have 3 kids currently playing sports, and guess what? 2 of them have conflicting games at 9:30 am. So, even with Wes off work, I am not sure how we work this and have me competing from 10-noon across town...sigh...

I am sure if I do compete though you it will be hilarious to watch me try to do the things they are having the HouseMoms do. The Village Pointe website says:

The Real HouseMoms of Douglas County is a fun, fresh contest for all moms to enter! Women from around the city will compete in selected areas such as:
- Grocery Shopping/Meal Planning
- Scheduling
- Carpooling
- School Lunch-Making
- Laundry
- Youth Sports Knowledge

Um...Laundry, really-wow-I hope they don't stop by the house and see the 8 clean, dry, unfolded loads in my living room (actually I folded one this morning so we are down to 7 now...)

I am sure this will be fun, but seriously, based on these categories, I am doubting my ability to win this thing...

This message brought to you by the random thoughts of Beckee...

This may not look like much to you, but it is one of my favorite ways to use left over rice. And I ate it for lunch today. I love when I can find a way to freshen up a leftover and enjoy it again-which BTW saves me a lot of money!
This week so far, we did BBQ Chicken on Monday. We had family over, and I intentionally BBQed more meat than I needed by a couple of breasts. I served it with lots of garlic bread and breadsticks, a tomato basil salad, and (my all time fave side dish) "funeral potatoes." I am not actually sure what people call "funeral potatoes" outside my church-we call them that because they are a popular side dish to bring and serve to the family after a funeral. It is essentially a hashbrown casserole with sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheese, corn flakes and butter-easy and delectable! (If anyone wants my NOT low fat recipe for these-send me a note and I will email it to you).

So, after dinner Monday, the salad and potatoes were gone, but I had chicken and garlic bread left. On Tuesday, Wes and I cut the 3 chicken breasts we had left into strips, added some frozen (EASY) stir fry veggies and sauce, cooked up some rice and called it dinner!

We had rice left, so for lunch I made the EASIEST yummy left over rice treat/meal (I usually eat it as a dessert or treat, but today I ate it for lunch). It is my mom's recipe and I guess you could call it a poor mans rice pudding. It is just leftover rice, cinnamon and sugar to your taste and milk. Microwave for like 2 minutes and enjoy!! (My other favorite thing for left over rice is fried rice)

Tonight we are having Spaghetti and sauce with corn on the cob. I will be serving the left over garlic bread and garlic breadsticks with it!

I love "repurposing" food! It is the best when the kids have no clue they are eating leftovers!! What are your best leftover reuses?!

This is a fun little freebie for parents to make/order for their kids. You can make a personalized letter from Santa to send your kids now for FREE from Tiny Prints. It seems like a good way to remind the kids Santa is watching all year and to keep up the good work to stay on the NIce list! I just made mine and I think it will be well loved once it arrives! Here is how to get yours:

1. Like Tiny Prints on Facebook.

2. Click on the "Santa Cards" tab on the left and follow the instructions from there!

Have fun with this one!

I realized I am losing no weight sitting here blogging so I am about to go to the Y and work out, but I first wanted to share this because WOWSA!! This is the kind of freebie I like to get (I hope I get one tonight)!!
TONIGHT, August 24 at 9 p.m. (in your local time zone), Outback Steakhouse will be giving 1,000,000 FREE Steak & Potato Dinner coupons!! Yes you read that right! Go check out the countdown here or text "OUTBACK" to 27438 to get a message on your phone when the time arrives!!

In case you missed them, I have 2 new giveaways up. They are both powered by Rafflecopter so they should be easy to enter! Check them out:

A fantastic Carmex Picnic Pack giveaway ending on 8/31.

A wonderful NUK Trendline bottle giveaway ending on 9/5.

I know I have not updated the giveaways page or sidebar yet, which is why I wanted to post this and make sure you were aware of these great giveaways!!! (I will update those 2 things soon!!)

Last week I told you about the new Nuk Trendline collection and I reviewed their breast pump (which is part of the collection). (You should go check out the info on that line in this post.)

I am so happy to announce that the nice people over at NUK have offered to let me giveaway a bottle from their new line!! SWEET! I love when I can share great products with you guys!

BUT before the giveaway form, let me just show you a bit about the "Evolution of the Bottle":

Now that you have seen how far we have come to get to NUK’s great line of orthodontic bottles, you can enter to win one! Just use the Rafflecopter form below.
But first, a few tips to enter on Rafflecopter:

• If you are reading this on email or reader, you will have to come to the post on the blog to enter.
• It takes just a minute to load up.
• If you don’t see the form, try refreshing the page or using a different browser
• Your browser must have Javascript enabled
• If you clear your cookies or use a different computer, you may need to complete the mandatory entry again in order to access other daily entries. If this happens, please write DO NOT COUNT in the Name section when it asks you to do the mandatory entry again. That way I know to delete the extra entry.
• The first entry will ask you to comment on this blog so if you come back another day and are unsure whether you have entered, you will be able to check the post comments for your name.
• If all else fails and it won't work, please email me and let me know so I can try to help you troubleshoot it (beckeesdeals@gmail.com)

**As it says in the Rafflecopter form: Please note that the giveaway will end on 9/6 at 12:01 AM EASTERN time. That means you have until 11:01 PM on 9/5 Central time to get in entries. Please note that winner will be picked at random by Rafflecopter after the giveaway ends!**

***Disclaimer: This giveaway was made possible by NUK and by Coyne PR. I was given information and images from them and they are providing the winner's prize. No other compensation was given, and as always all opinions expressed are my own!***

Here are my favorite deals in Omaha grocery this week:

Hyvee

• Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper $.88
• Hy Vee Sliced Bacon $2.49 (12 or 15 oz)
• Wonder Bread 20 oz Classic or 16 oz 100% whole wheat $1.48
• Hy Vee Pasta $.79 16 oz
• John Morrell Meat Franks 12 oz $.68
• Country Pride Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 2.5 lb $4.99
• Oscar Mayer Deli Shaved Meat or Chicken Strips 5.5-9 oz 2/$6
• Coke Product 12 packs 4/$11 with in ad coupon (limit 4 per customer per coupon and limit one coupon per customer)

In addition to their regular week long special, HyVee also has a 4 Sale Wednesday 8/24-Saturday 8/27 that includes the following:

• Rotella's Vienna Bread 17 oz loaf $.77 (limit 2)
• Totino's Pizza $.77 (limit 4)

In addition to their regular week long special, HyVee also has a 3 Day Sale Thursday 8/25-Saturday 8/27 that includes the following:

• 7 Up Product2 Liters $.69 (limit 4)
• Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters $.39/lb (sold in 10 lb pkg for $3.90)
• Michelina's Gourmet entrees 7.5-8 oz $.49
• Pepsi Product 6 pack 24 oz bottles 4/$11
• Hy Vee Split Top Bread 24 oz white or wheat $.99
• Hy Vee Kitchen Chicken 1/2 Price (8 piece or 12 piece)

No Frills Fresh

• Boneless Beef Rump Roast $1.99/lb
• 12 oz Dole Classic Iceberg lettuce salad mix $.77
• Keebler Club or Graham crackers 14-16 oz $1.98
• Welch's 22-32 oz jelly or jam $1.68
• Dole Bananas $.48/lb

In addition to their regular week long special, No Frills also has a 3 Day Price Buster Sale Friday 8/26-Sunday 8/28 that includes the following:

• Whole Chicken Fryers $.69/lb
• Our Family 24 pack Water $1.98 (limit 2)
• Angel Soft Bath Tissue 12 big rolls $3.98

Bag N Save

• Peaches $.99/lb
• Planter's Peanut Butter 16.3 oz $.99
• Cucumbers 2/$.99
• Green Onion 2/$.99
• Bartlett Pears $.99/lb
• Green Cabbage 2 lb/$.99
• Pickling Cucumbers 5/$.99 

In addition to their regular week long special, No Frills also has a 3 Day Price Buster Sale Friday 8/26-Sunday 8/28 that includes the following:

• Xtra 2X Liquid detergent 75 oz $1.79
• Lays or Sun Chips 10 oz $1.88
• Our Familt American Singles 12 oz $.99

Baker's (Remember their sales are almost always WITH card)

• Kroger Value Skinless Boneless CHicken Breasts or Thighs $1.79/lb
• Haas Avocados $1.28 each
• Maruchan Ramen 8/$1
• Silk Pure Almond or PureCoconut $2.79
• Baker's Bread 20-24 oz $1.39

Aldi

• Cantaloupe (large) $1.29
• Tomatoes on the VIne $.86/lb (sold in 24 oz bag for $1.29)

Super Saver

• Dozen Large Egggs $.98
• Ragu Pasta sauce 23.9-24 oz $1.38 (plus if you buy 2 Ragu sauces, you get 1 Barilla pasta 12-16 oz free!!)
• General Mills Cheerios, Golden Grahams, or Honey Nut Cheerios 12-14 oz $1.98
• Yellow Onions 3 lb bag $1.14
• Village Hearth 24 oz cottage or split top bread $1.66
• Fresh Express cole slaw mix $.87
• 13 oz Tostitos chips $1.86
• Pepsi Product 24 packs $4.78 (limit 2)
• Green Giant Vegetables with sauce 7-10 oz $.98
• Crystal Farms Shredded Cheese 7-8 oz $1.44

In addition to their regular week long special, Super Saver also has a 3 Day Weekend Sale Friday 8/26-Sunday 8/28 that includes the following:

• Pepsi Product 6 pack .5 liter bottles 4/$10
• Roberts gallon Chocolate Milk $3.38
• Frito Lays Munchies or Rold Gold Pretzels 7-16 oz $1.98
• Rotisserie Chicken $4.98
• Plums $.86/lb
• Asparagus $1.98/lb

Fareway

• Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes 4/$4 (with in ad coupon, limit 4)
• Fareway American Cheese slices 12 oz pkg $.99 (with in ad coupon, limit 1)
• Coke product 12 packs 4/$11 (with in ad coupon)
• Pepsi Product 6 pack .5 liter bottles 4/$10
• Green Peppers 2/$1
• Grape Tomatoes 2/$3

***Remember that I generally just price match at Walmart as much as I can rather than go to all the stores separately! I LOVE being able to do that. You can also pricematch at Target, but I find it easier to pricematch at Walmart.

On Monday, I told you about funny named baby products that I love. I included a picture of my baby in his "Mamaroo". Well, I realized that many of you don't know what a "Bumbo" is so I thought I would show you some pictures of my baby in his:


My little (or not so little) guy, as big as he is is actually still not quite 5 months old, and he is NOT sitting on his own yet. The "Bumbo" is a seat that helps non sitters sit up so you can do things like feed them! SWEET!

Hey there-

Did you know Downy is giving away 2 million samples of new Downy UNSTOPABLES?! Well, they are, so head over to their Facebook page, like them then click on the Unstopables link on the left side them fill out their firm to request yiour sample. I can tell you that I have tried Unstopables and LOVED them! You should get your free sample and see if you too love them!

Thanks to Merrilyn for sending me the friend request for this-I had forgotten to post it until I got that notification! Thanks Merri!

I just joined Eversave (a groupon like daily deals site). Right now through Thursday, anyone that joins gets $10 in their account! I always like to join these sites when they have promos like this! I have gotten some sweet deals by doing this on other sites!!
You too can get this $10 can too! They have deals on restaurants, spas, local activities and online shopping. Check it out: http://eversave.com/share/xXYA

***I just learned/realized you will have to use your $10 credit by MIDNIGHT on Thursday, so you will want to watch the deals like a hawk for your favorite deal to use the credit on over the next few days!***

I was just thinking about the products I use on a regular basis for my baby and it struck me how funny the names all are: a "binky", a "Blabla", a "Bumbo" and of course my "Mamaroo".
It just strikes me as funny...what other funny baby product names am I missing here?

Right now you can request a coupon for a free cup of Dannon Oikos yogurt. Just go here to request your coupon. (It will be emailed to you I believe)

Thanks Who Said Nothing in Life is Free!