How I Pinch A Penny

My husband recently upgraded his iPhone so you know what that means!!!!!  I GET THE HAND ME DOWNS!!  I truly have no problem getting the technology hand me downs.  It doesn’t mean as much to me as it does him and I don’t have NEARLY the use for them as he does.  His job revolves around technology so much that there is no getting out of it.  Trust me, we have tried!

So as soon as I was gifted with his cast off iPhone I went to work customizing it for myself.  This included updating the apps so that I could have all the kiddie apps on one page, adding some foodie apps, couponing apps and a few other freebies I could find.  Then there I was the subject of the black cover.  It was simple and nice but that is where it stopped.

I wanted something girly but not girly like every other girl in the world had when she wanted to ‘personalize’ her iPhone.  So I put the creative juices in motion and this is what I came up with.

Things I used:

Opaque phone cover. This one is flexible. Found it at Target.

iPhone (duh)

Fabri-Tac I like this because once it dries it is still flexible.  You could also use frey check but it will be stiff and scratchy.  If you have a choice use the Fabri-Tac.

Sharp scissors

Fine tip pen.  It doesn’t need to be washable.  I will explain later.

Pretty fabric. I used 100% cotton.  It doesn’t have to be cotton but it should be thin enough that it won’t pop your flexi cover off due to the bulk.  **note this fabric is different from the one in my first picture.  I used this purple/green/brown dot for blogging demonstration purposes.  BONUS! I have 2 custom covers depending on my mood. (yeah right!  Like I have time to change a cover on my iPhone!)

I started by placing the fabric pretty side touching the inside of the flexi cover.  I found the darker and more vibrant the fabric the prettier and bold the finished product will be.  But it is all up to you.  It depends on the look you are going for.  Check the placement of the pattern and adjust to your liking.

Next use your fine tipped pen.  This is the one we have in our house.  If you are in the same field of work my husband is in you will understand why we have these pens in quantity and only in colors of black and red.

Now you are ready to trace around the inside lip of the flexi cover.  I skipped the bottom edge where the plug in power cord is and traced around the power port itself.

Don’t forget to trace around the ear bud port and the camera lens.  Very important if you are wanting to use ear buds or take a picture.  I did not  trace around the mute switch.  It just wasn’t worth my time and attention.  For as little as I use it and for as thin as the fabric is I was happy to just use my fingernail to flick it on and off as needed.  But it is up to you.  I will not be over your shoulder telling you to trace it or not.

Now you are going to trim on the INSIDE of your pen marking.  This way you will have a better chance of a snug and neat fit once you are finished with your crafting.  Be patient and take your time.  DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERS AND EAR BUD PORTS!!  You traced them for a reason.

Now you are going to do a dry fit.  Place the fabric in the flexi cover with the ‘pretty’ side touching the flexi cover.  Then shove the  phone in there.  It may take a few tries to get it just as you had it when you were tracing.  There is some shifting of the fabric when the phone is going in.  Be patient and know it takes a couple of tires.  This will be the hardest part of the whole process.  If you can get through this part you will be golden.  Promise.

Next you are going to check for fit.  When this one went back it the bottom corner tucked itself  in different than when I first did the tracing.  No problem.  Give it a trim and I was all set to go.  Be sure to check your ear bud  port and the camera cut out.  I did make my camera cut out a bit bigger than I had traced just so I was sure that if there was shifting it wouldn’t get in the way of the lens.

I don’t have a photo of this next step but you are going to apply a thin bead of the Fabri-Tac on all raw edges.  Don’t forget to do the ear bud and camera cut outs.  This is where cutting the camera hole bigger helps.  Some times the glue is bigger than you were expecting.  I like to give leeway on this part.

So there you have it. My interpretation of a customized iPhone cover. Made with minimal expense and it is truly mine. I would love to see what you come up with!!

*I am no way associated with this website nor have I received compensation for this post.*

I don’t know about you but in my life when people have a baby, there is a death in the family, some one is in the hospital or is just plain in need people who care about them take food.  (Yeah comfort food!) Chances are there is more than one person who cares and wants to take food.  So therefor a schedule that needs to be created.  Being the CS precisionist that I am I am ALL ABOUT a schedule!!  Make a chart, fill in a calendar, make a spread sheet.  Sounds like fun to me!

In the olden days we picked up the phone, called, left messages and hoped we would be able to fill all the slots.  Then e-mail came on the scene.  E-mail was very helpful.  Except when ‘reply all’ was not clicked and things were double booked.  Or when there was a participant who did not have a computer or e-mail and they had to be called to be put on the schedule.

Then my food scheduling life changed this morning.  I received and e-mail from a co-ordinator and at the end of the e-mail was a link to Takethemameal.com. Upon clicking on it I was able to see the schedule for our friend Shannon (who recently had surgery) and all the instructions that we would be typing in an e-mail or leaving on answering machines.

There is a section with notes from the co-ordinator that has special dietary/allergy instructions,  the address of our friend, and a section to fill in who you are, what date and what item you will be bringing.  All of which is printable!  At a glance all those who have signed up to bring a meal to our friend is able to see who is bringing a meal on a particular day, what that item is and contact information of the deliverer.  I love this because you can ensure that she is not getting chicken casserole 3 times in a row!

The website offers suggestions that we may not think of such as:

• Are you delivering dinner? Consider including breakfast items too!
• Consider taking your meal in a disposable container!
• Consider including some paper products with your meal to provide for easy clean up!
• Consider sending along your recipe, so your dish can be enjoyed again!

I was just so tickled to find this website I just had to share with you.  This will now be my go to site when it comes to co-ordinating meals. (luckily MOST people who are bringing meals theses days have a computer and e-mail)

Enjoy and pass it along.  Oh and you can like them on Facebook.

Chick-fil-A is coming out with a new sandwich – a Spicy Chicken Sandwich. You will want to make your reservation on Friday, May 21, 2010 (today!) for your FREE Spicy Chicken Sandwich.  There are limited number of sandwiches available at each location. Be sure to make your reservation sooner than later.

While you are there be sure to check out their fabulous Fresh Peach milkshake.  I wait all year for these to come out.  MMMMM.

If you aren’t on Twitter you don’t know what you are missing.  Twitter is a social networking site that communicates in 140 characters or less status updates, links, photos etc. From the website:

Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.

Twitter asks “what’s happening” and makes the answer spread across the globe to millions, immediately.

Twitter is a great way to find deals that are time sensitive, give aways, contests and fun tidbits of information in your community as we as around the world.

Of course the whole thing is free.  Like anything you have to sign up for an account, choose a name and password, add a photo if you want and then post your first tweet.  A tweet is a message to the world.  Or in your case a message to your followers.  Your followers are people who care about what you have to say or give or want to know your business.  Twitter is nice in the fact that if you get a stalker you can block that particular follower.  I have done this on occasion.

Something else you will see on twitter is this —> #  This is a hash tag.  It is kind of like a book mark or a way to mark tweets that have the same topic or are linked in some way.  It is also a way of looking up information on a certain topic that others have already tweeted about.  For instance, if you are looking for information on gardening you might do a search for #gardening.  Up will pop all tweet that other members have felt were relevant to gardening.

That is a short preview of what I feel Twitter is and how it can be useful to you.  So if you would like to follow me on Twitter look me up as HowIPinchAPenny .  Not only will you will get updates on this blog but you will get a peak into my every day life, quips and things I feel are ‘tweetable’.  Stuff that I just throw out there and not necessarily feel are blog worthy.  See you on Twitter!!

After a much needed hiatus I am back.  Every now and then one needs to evaluate priorities and say ‘no’ or ‘not now’ to some of them.  Unfortunately for my penny pinching friends that meant the blog had to take a break.  I am hoping you will come back to this blog and use my efforts to further your penny pinching.

Please check your local flyer to be sure they are running the same deals as my paper. Need help with the abbreviations? Click HERE to see what the HECK I am talking about!!

Here is my coupon match up list for Giant Food stores. I am using an add from South Central Pa. As always check your local flyer for participation. Also There are a lot of match ups for Martins. There are some great printable coupons! We also are earning those gas rewards points again! We all love those!

**ok I figured out a small ‘glitch’ in the coupon policy. I am sure I am the only one who didn’t realize the next bit of info but here goes just incase.:

They will not double multiple coupons! ex. You have $.75 off juice. It will double to $1.50 but if you had a second or third of the SAME coupon they will not double it in the same transaction. So be aware and do multiple transactions to maximize your savings!…but watch the deals where you MUST buy X in a single transaction to get the savings.

• Pepperidge Farm Bagels  2/$5
• $0.40/1   01-10-10 SS  (use 2, 1 will double)
• 2/$3.80

• Stroehmann Or Sunbeam Bread  3/$3
• No coupons found but a GREAT deal.

• Carnation Evaporated Milk  .99
• $0.50/2   01-24-10 SS, 11-01-09 RP or PRINTABLE
• 2/ $.98

• Nestle Morsels  2/ $4
• $.50/2 PRINTABLE
• 2/$3

• Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough Chub  $3.39
• $1/1 PRINTABLE
• $2.39 each

• Sun-Maid Raisins 6 Pack 2/$3
• $1/2  11-08-09 SS
• 2/$2

• Snapple Iced Tea 12 Pack  $7.99
• No coupons found but a savings of $6

• Campbell’s Select Harvest Soup  3/$4
• $1/2  01-03-10 SS (varies by area)
• 2/$1.66

• Snapple Iced Tea 12 Pack  $7.99
• No coupon found but a savings of $6

• Contadina Tomato Sauce  4/$5
• $.75/3  PRINTABLE Double?
• 3/$2.25

• General Mills Cereal 2/$5 (choose Cheerios)
• $.50/1 PRINTABLE (double?)
• 2/$3

• Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes  2/$5
• $1/2  12-13-09 RP
• 2/$4
• 2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl Cleaner  2/$5
• $1/1 01-24-10 SS (varies by area) use 2
• 2/$3

• Glade Lasting Impressions  $5.99
• $3/1  01-24-10 SS
• $2.99 each

• Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel Cleaner  $3.29
• $1/1  Good Housekeeping, February 2010 OR Woman’s Day, February 2010
• $2.29 each

• Folgers Ground  Coffee  $5.99
• $.50/1  12-06-09 RP  Varies by area
• $4.99 each

• McCormick Spice Grinders  2/$4
• $.25/1  01-24-10 RP (use 2) 1 will double
• 2/$3.25

• Polaner All Fruit Spread  $1.89
• $1/1  01-10-10 SS
• $.89 each

• Herr’s Pretzel  3/$6
• $1/1  01-10-10 RP (use one per bag)
• $1 each

• Daisy Sour Cream 3/$5
• $.60/1  12-13-09 SS
• $.46 each

• La Yogurt Yogurt  10/$5
• $1.50/12  01-17-10 SS
• 12/$4.50

• Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables  3/$5
• $1/3  01-10-10 SS
• 3/$4

• Jose Ole Taquitos  $4.99
• $1/1  12-13-09 SS
• $3.99

• Rhodes Soft Dinner Rolls  $2.29 each
• $.75/1  PRINTABLE
• $.79 each

• Romano’s Macaroni Grill Boxed Dinners $2.99
• $.50/1  01-03-10 GM
• $1.99

• Tyson Any’tizers  $3.19
• $1/1  01-24-10 SS   (varies by area)
• $2.19

• Chinte Plates  2/$4
• $1/1 PRINTABLE Print 2
• 2/$2

• Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding Or Juicy Gels  10/$10
• $.30/2  01-10-10 SS  (use multiple coupons if purchasing more than 2)
• 2/$.40

• Ortega Salsa  2/$3
• $0.75/2     01-24-10 SS
• 2/$1.50

• Solo Paper Plates  $2.29
• $.75/1  01-24-10 SS
• $.79 each

• Johnsonville Bratwurst Or Breakfast Sausage Links  2/$6
• $1/2  01-17-10 SS
• 2/$5

• Barilla Pasta  10/$10
• $1/2  01-03-10 SS
• 2/$1

• Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce  2/$4
• $.50/1  01-24-10 RP
• 1/$1

The holidays are at my house in full force.  Now is the time we all should be pinching our pennies like never before but I won’t be here to help you as I have in the past.  As every one does from time to time I need a break.  The coupon match up takes up a big chunk of my day(s).  I LOVE helping you save money but with the holidays in full effect I need every ounce of energy to get me through!  I will be reposting post from last year as I see fit but I need to take a blogging break.  I hope to come back refreshed and full of penny pinching ideas.  Merry Christmas!

• Turkey Hill Ice Cream 3/$6 MUST buy 3
• $1/1  11-08-09 RP  use 3
• 3/$3

• Diamond Walnut or  Pecans 16 oz bags (found in the produce section)$3.99
• $1/1  11-08-09 SS (1 allowed per transaction)
• $2.99

• Duncan Hines Cake 10/$10
• $1/2 10-11-09 SS
• 2/$1

• Betty Crocker Potatoes  4/$5
• $.35/1  11-22-09 SS
• $.55 each

• French’s French Fried Onions $2.79
• $1/2  11-08-09 SS
• 2/$4.58

• Nabisco Crackers 2/$4
• $1/1  11-08-09 SS
• 1/$2

• Apple & Eve  64oz. Cranberry juice  2/$4
• $1/2  11-08-09 SS
• 2/$3

• Musselman’s  Apple Sauces  2/$4
• $1/3  10-04-09 SS
• 3/$5

• Filippo Berio Olive Oil  $2.99
• $1/1 Printable found HERE print 2
• $1.99 each

• Sue Bee honey  $3.59
• $1/1 printable found HERE
• $2.59 each

• Swanson Broth Cartons  2/$4
• $.40/1  11-08-09 SS ( use 2) only 1 will double
• 2/$2.80

• Success Rice $1.69
• $1/1 printable found HERE
• $.69 each

• Kellogg’s Pop Tart  3/$6     MUST buy 3
• $.55 /1 Printable found HERE   (only 1 will double) print 2
• 3/$4.35

• Domino Sugar $1.69
• $.50/2  11-15-09 RP
• 2/$2.38

Vera Bradley

Dear Vera Bradley: I love your deals. I love your products. You are going to put me in the poor house!  But I will have wonderful accessories when I get there!

Just the other day I was thinking I wanted to get a new bag for fall and I was thinking about the Bowler bag.  But it was TOOO expensive for this penny pincher.  Low and behold less than a week later this pops in my inbox.  I wonder if I should think about winning the lottery.

Click the image to go get your Bowler for $28!!  Today is the last day.

If you are intimidated by a mango don’t be.  It is just a fruit.  It is yummy and juicy and full of fibrous goodness.  Wonderful to eat as is, toss it in a salad, or make a yummy fruit salsa.  Look for a fruit that is redish in color and gives slightly when pressed.

Cut down on the stem side till you feel your knife hit the seed.  Then make a cut from top to bottom in a slight “C” motion.  It will feel slightly woody when you get closer towards the seed.  The fibers are closer together near the seed.

Do the same thing on the other side.

Now lay the seed on the cutting board and cut away the edges.  This is not necessary and some find it time consuming, but you know me…always getting my pennies worth!

Now pick up the seed and use your teeth to scrape and eat all the bits of mango that is left on the seed.  MMMM sweet fiber.  This picture should give you an idea of that the seed looks like in the mango….now you know what you are cutting around. 

Take the edge pieces and filet them like you would a fish.

Cut hash marks in the mango flesh but do your best not to go all the way through the skin.

Invert the mango to make the mango pieces pop out.

Cut the yummy pieces off of the mango skin.

Congratulations to Michele (BellasMommy) for winning the $125 worth of Coupons!   I know you will put them to good use!

I thought this was fun.  Any one want to do it again?

Michele e-mail me your mailing address at howipinchapenny At GmAil DoT CoM  I will get them right out to you!  Congratulations!!