Thrifty Tips for June 20, 2013

SUMMER FUN RECIPE

My favorite summer activity is bubble blowing.  In my old neighborhood, we would blow lots of bubbles and the kids would use squirt bottles or badminton racquets to pop them.  We went through lots of bubble liquid and I eventually found a recipe to make them at home.  This solution works really well with the real large wands.

Mix ingredients in a large bowl
1 cup of water
4 tablespoons of dish soap (I use Joy but Dawn works well too)
1 tablespoon of corn syrup or glycerin (you can get glycerin at the drug store I like it a bit better)

Mix everything together slowly.  Yep...that simple.  You can use the mixture right away, but I've noticed that it works even better if you give it a little while.  Our leftovers we usually put in a recycled jar for later. 

MONEY SAVING RECIPE

Albertsons has tilapia on sale this week at the price of buy one get three free.  This is a great fish for many recipes because it isn't overly fishy.  Broccoli crowns are also on sale at 98 cents a pound.  Add a couple more inexpensive ingredients and you can make this simple Lemony Tilapia with Rice Pilaf and Broccoli recipe from Hannaford.  You can also try out this Tilapia Tostada recipe from My Recipes which also shows you what items are on sale in your area!

FREE SUMMER ACTIVITY VIA APPLE

If you live near an Apple store, you might want to register your kids ages 8 to 12 for Apple's Movie Magic Camp.  It is a three day camp and just an hour and a half a day.  During that time the kids will create an original song in GarageBand on iPad and put it together in iMovie on a Mac.  The Apple Camp ends with the campers sharing their work at the Apple Camp Film Festival.  Spots fill up quickly, but I found lots of openings in the stores in Arizona.  Follow this link and then use the Select A Store feature to find an opening near you. 

WEEKEND BUILD AND GROW

Lowe's Build & Grown Clinics are going strong.  This weekend's project is a Monster's University Chest.  The classes are full for Saturday, but there are still some openings on Sunday. Sign up at this link while space is available.


FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

FreeCCM never disappoints in the free music department, and this week is no exception.  Head over to their site for six free music downloads including Bart Millard's "Power in the Blood."

FREE EBOOKS (Please keep in mind that these were free at the time of my posting.  Prices can change so always look at the price before you order.)

Elisha's Bones by Don Hoesel (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE) (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM)

Doesn't She Look Natural by Angela Hunt (AMAZON)

Remember looking up information in the Encyclopedia Britannica.   I begged my parents for it year after year, but it was just way too pricey.  They shared that the library was good enough, and no doubt, it was great, but I still longed for my own encyclopedia.  There was so much to read, look at and learn.  Right now you can get the Encyclopedia Britannica 11th edition for free for your Kindle (or Kindle app) at Amazon.  No idea how long this will last, but it is seriously pretty cool. 

LOYALTY CARD SAVINGS WITH SAVING STAR

Don't forget to check out the latest ways to save via Savingstar.  The discounts go into an account that you can apply to Paypal, Amazon and other gift cards.  

GROCERIES

ALBERTSONS 

Whole Pork Loin in the Bag or Pork Spare Ribs previously frozen $1.88 lb
Jumbo Arizona Cantaloupe 88 cents each
Fresh Keta Salmon fillet $3.98 lb
Tilapia Fillets 1 lb bag frozen buy 1 get 3 Free
Fresh Broccoli Crowns or Cauliflower 98 cents lb

FRY'S

Green Seedless Grapes 85 cents lb
Yellow Peaches 99 cents lb
Kroger Butter Select Varieties 16 oz 2.29 lb
Kroger Boneless Chicken Breasts or Thighs $1.99 lb
Sweet Corn 5/99 cents

SAFEWAY

Green Zucchini or Yellow Squash $1.29 lb
Roma Tomatoes 99 cents lb
Lean Cuisine Simple Favorites 8.5 to 12 oz 5/$10
Angel Soft Bathe Tissue or Sparkle Paper Towels $5