Shopping Online with Ebates

Remember how I confessed my hatred of bacon? Well that is just the start of my weird confessions. I imagine by the time I finish writing this blog, I will have no secrets left. I also hate shopping. I know. A woman who hates to shop.

I could never be this girl. The one who shops every day. My husband gets excited when he can get me to go mall crawling/window shopping for more than an hour. If I get something for myself he is ecstatic. Seriously. My husband loves to shop. Especially when it comes to electronics. This is one of his favorite stores to shop. He was counting down the days until the 12th and made me stay up late so he could order the new iPhone 5. Love that man. But must we check Mac Rumors before going to bed every night? I just don't get it.

I hate to shop! But I have a couple of exceptions. They are groceries, books, and shopping for another person. I know, I am unique. But there is something about having food on your shelves, a book in your hand, and the knowledge that you are going to bring a smile to someone else's face. I love it.

Source: imgfave.com via Madison on Pinterest

Today I did something unusual. I went shopping online. I have to say I almost liked it. And I bought something for myself without being prompted, goaded or bullied into it. The reason?

Ebates. They are so sneaky. They send me emails every couple of days with great deals. And every once in a while they get me. But boy, am I a hard sell. Today they got me with a 20% off coupon to a store I knew I had a giftcard for in my wallet. This store also happened to be having a sale of their own. So I got almost $60 worth for $5 from my budget. I told you I am a hard sell. And the best part? I'm getting back 2% of what I bought. Satisfied smile :D If only shipping and handling wasn't so expensive. :(

Ebates is an online website. You join for free. If you do a lot of shopping online (Ahem. Dad!) then you should probably check it out. What happens is before you log on to the site you usually shop at, you log into Ebates. Then you find the shop on one of their lists. You click on the shop name and it takes you directly to the shop's site. Boom. You do your normal shopping and Ebates will save some of the money you spent (usually 1-6%) and give it back to you. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. You just saved some money. Sometimes Ebates will even tell you coupon codes to help you save money or get you free shipping. Isn't that nice?

Ebates is a free way of helping you save a little bit of money doing your normal online shopping. As the holidays loom closer and closer, do yourself a favor and check it out. It all adds up and then you have a little extra spending money.

I like Ebates and try to remember to use it every time I shop online. I don't make a ton of money back, but I love getting checks from them in the mail.

P.S. Once you get started you can even get money from Ebates for sharing the good news with your friends. Share the love and get more money to shop. A win win situation.

Weekly Menu Plan - 9/10

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Leftover Funeral Potatoes
This last weekend we went and visited my family. My mom knows how much I love her potatoes so she sent me home with two full containers. We are slowly making our way through one container and placed the other in the freezer for a lazy day. I tried to find the recipe online, but everyone has a different interpretation and I like ours best. Look for a recipe soon. 

Tuesday: Spaghetti with sausage
One day I will learn how to make my own spaghetti sauce. Until then I will stick with the stuff they sell at the store. It was on sale, and we haven't had spaghetti in ages.

Wednesday: Taco Rice
One of my husband's favorite meals. He could probably eat it once a week. We brown hamburger meat and add taco seasoning. Then we place that meat on a bed of rice. Finally we pile on the toppings. Lettuce, cheese, salsa, and the secret ingredient, crushed Taco flavored Doritos Chips. The real reason we are having Taco Rice? Avocados are on sale and I want some of my husband's delicious guacamole. Mmmmm.

Thursday: Breakfast Potatoes and Eggs
A couple of weeks ago I posted I was going to make this recipe. I haven't yet. So in an effort to try to replicate a recipe by the Best Bites crew I am placing it on the menu again. :)

Friday: Eat Out
Mr. WB is signed up to run a race this weekend. Which means meal times will be rough. So we are eating out. 

Saturday: Stew
I love easy dinners. And this stew is perfect because you throw all the ingredients in and walk away. Best idea ever. 

Sunday: Two Timing Pasta
I really love this recipe. I also love the fact that it makes a lot of food. Perfect for inviting over one of the couples from church so we can get to know them better. (I'm waiting on one of my girlfriends to send me the recipe so you get detailed measurements. Another recipe worth adding to your rotation.)

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan? Look at some of my past posts by clicking on Menu to the left or visit the orgjunkie.

Weekly Menu Plan - 9/3

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Family Dinner
Mr. WB was in high heaven with all you can eat crab. He loves holidays! :) I need to get him his own crab cracker so I can cook some at home for special occasions.

Tuesday: Chicken, veggies, orzo, and salad
I recently learned about orzo and I have fallen in love. It adds a different element to our normal dinner rotation. I like to cook the chicken in a little bit of butter with italian seasoning. I switch up the vegetables I cook with it. Usually it contains carrots and onions.

Wednesday: French Toast, OJ
Using up extra bread, milk, and eggs in a delicious dinner. I can't wait. Recently pregnant cravings seem to be more sugar based. Last week, my husband asked me what I wanted for dinner and I said syrup. No joke. We had leige waffles. I need to learn how to make these myself. Step one: buying Belgium Pearl Sugar. Mmmm. Sugar.

Thursday: Chicken Tacos
Defrosting leftover chicken taco meat from the freezer. Adding cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and fresh tortillas for an easy and healthy dinner. I need to share this recipe with you. Hopefully it gets done this week. :)

Friday: Chili and rice
Keeping it simple.

Saturday: Eat Out

Sunday: OYO Leftovers

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan? Look at some of my past posts by clicking on Menu to the left or visit the orgjunkie.

Bacon Hater

My husband loves bacon! He could probably eat it every day and be perfectly content.

Source:

I hate bacon! I really do. But I love my husband. So I buy it and cook it every once in a while. When I cook it for my husband I close all the doors in our tiny home to keep the fumes as contained as possible. I also have to change my clothes if I smell of bacon. I know. I'm weird. But my husband doesn't mind too much because it means he gets my bacon as well as his.

I can eat bacon. But only if it is nice and crispy. Mr. WB doesn't understand this, but since he loves me he puts up with it. If the bacon is not up to my crispy standards he puts it out of it's misery for me.

I've discovered the best way to cook bacon is in the oven. It's easier to clean up and you don't get bacon fat burns nearly as often. To cook bacon in your oven line a baking sheet with foil, lay the bacon strips down on it, place it in your oven, and turn the oven on to 400*. Let the bacon cook for 17-20 min. (Shorter or longer depending on how quickly your oven heats up and how crispy you like your bacon.) For more tips or pictures click here.

All this talk of bacon has your stomach rumbling. I'm sorry. I promise I have a purpose. Thank you for your patience. It will pay off.

Introducing Mom's Chowder

Ingredients: 6 - 8 potatoes, 1/2 lb. bacon (cooked), 1 c. frozen corn, 1.5 - 2 c. milk, salt and pepper.

I love this recipe because it is super easy to make, delicious, and budget friendly. I usually make this chowder when I have potatoes that need to be used quickly, there is bacon in my house, or I just want to make a quick hearty meal.

Directions:
Peel the potatoes, dice them into small wedges, add them to a pot of boiling water.
The smaller you dice them, the faster they cook. Add them gently because boiling water hurts when it splashes your skin.

Cook the potatoes until they are perfect for mashing. Drain the potatoes in a colander.
Potatoes are usually ready for mashing when you poke them with a fork and they break apart. But you don't want them to be too mushy or it can make draining them difficult. 

Pour the potatoes back into the pot. Mash them.
This job is usually given to my husband. :)

Add the corn. Gently stir in the milk.
The frozen corn should cook perfectly in the hot potatoes. Add the milk in slowly. I like my chowder nice and thick so I use less milk. Think loaded mashed potatoes. When my husband makes this recipe he adds a little more milk for a creamier soup texture. Find what works for you and your family.

Cut or tear the bacon into bite sized pieces. Throw them in the pot.
I always use kitchen scissors for this. (But then again I hate bacon.) Put as much bacon as you'd like in the pot. I usually cut off all the crispy parts and leave the wobblier parts of the bacon for my husband to snack on.

Add salt and pepper to taste.
You will need to add quite a bit of seasoning to counteract the potatoes. Please taste as you go along. There is nothing worse than an over seasoned meal.

Give it one last stir and serve.
Some people like to add cheese or green onions. But I love this chowder just as it is.

Tried my recipe? Have a tip to share? Let me know in the comments below. Thank you and enjoy!

For those of you that don't know I also blog about teaching at Life with Mrs. L. One of my teacher blogger friends is hosting a recipe linky party and I just had to contribute. See what else teachers are cooking up in the kitchen HERE.

Weekly Menu Plan - 8/27

Last week our favorite dish by far was Lion House's Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Mr. WB and I both went back for seconds!

Source: whowantsdinner.blogspot.com via Madison on Pinterest

I cannot wait to break the leftovers out on a day when I don't feel like making dinner. I totally took a page from all the tips I read on Pinterest and tried freezing my leftovers. The most delicious looking hockey pucks I have ever seen. :) Just make sure you spray the pans down before you ladle the soup in so everything pops out in one piece.

Source: themommyincharge.com via Valerie on Pinterest

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday: Mr. WB has it covered 
Can I tell you I have the best husband in the world? Because I totally do. Today he made me breakfast in bed, took me out to Indian food for lunch, and volunteered to make dinner. You know you are jealous. I love my man! 

Tuesday: Mom's Potato Corn Chowder 
Look for a recipe later in the week. It is one of my favorite meals to make. I plan to freeze the leftovers just like I did for the extra soup. Got to get ready for the baby! One frozen dinner at a time.

Wednesday: Mac N Cheese, green beans, and polska kielbasa
This time I am totally caving and making it right out of the box. Last week's recipe was not my favorite and needs some tweaking. I've discovered I don't like nutmeg in my Mac N Cheese. Must be the revolutionary in me. :)

Thursday: Chicken melts with salad
Keeping it simple and using up some of the delicious garlic bread we bought.

Friday: Italian chicken, rice, and steamed corn
Easy and healthy. Count me in. (Yes, I am aware corn is a starch.)

Saturday: Tri-Tip at The Dog House Grill
My husband begins drooling just hearing the name.

Sunday: Visiting family

Want to find more ideas for a weekly menu plan?

Visit the orgjunkie or just click on the picture below.