DIY Wine Kit {Checking Off the Kitchen Challenges List}

diy wine kit sicilianos

I’m so excited about the nice surprise I got for my birthday! Thanks to The Bubba and a wine making kit from Siciliano’s Market on Lake Michigan Drive in Standale, I’ll soon be on my way to crossing another task of the 2011 Kitchen Mini-Challenges list. (I really need to get going on the rest since we’re now half way through the year!)

I’ll keep you posted on the process with photos and videos in case you’re interested in trying it, too.

Have you made your own wine before? Do you have any insider tips for me?

Victoria’s Secret: FREE Shipping (ends 6/9) & Cash Back

Through Thursday, June 9, 2011, get FREE shipping on any Victoria’s Secret order of $25.00+

1. Shop through Ebates for 2% cash back, log in (or create an account for a $5 sign-up bonus!), type endless.com into the search box, and shop through the new window that opens. *If you’re not familiar with Ebates or Shop at Home, please read this tutorial on cash back sites.

2. Use code SHIP25VS for FREE shipping on orders of $25+

It’s a great chance to pick up some 5/$25 panties or clearance items from the semi-annual sale without paying shipping!

3 HOT Deals for West Michigan: Botox, Yoga, Boat Cruise

Three of the daily deal sites have deals worth mentioning today. **While you have to purchase the deal today, you may redeem them at any time (before their expiration date).**

Today’s Groupon deal is $100 for 2-month supply of Latisse or 20 units of Botox at Skin Solutions in Walker, part of the Grand Rapids Opthalmology family.

Today’s Groupon side deal is $5 for 3 games of bowling, shoe rental, and a small soda at Park Center Lanes in Wyoming, Mi.

  • If you already have a Groupon account, go here.

Today’s LivingSocial deal is a $42 for 8 yoga or tai chi classes at From the Heart Yoga on Wealthy St.

Hop In Deals: $55 for a sunset cruise aboard the Port City Princess in Muskegon.

See today’s Groupon, Seize the Deal, and LivingSocial for YOUR city here.

Thanks for clicking through my links. Please see my disclosure policy.

Meijer: Best Grocery Deals thru 6/11

Meijer SupercenterLook for stockpile prices at Meijer by stacking the Meijer Mealbox coupons with manufacturer coupons for big savings. Using this strategy, I’ve purchased Ortega Black Beans FREE, Ortega Salsa $0.25/jar, Campbells Cream cooking soups FREE or $0.05/can, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Sticks $0.19 ea, etc.  If you’re not familiar with mPerks, read my post here.

Here are the best prices at Meijer this week. I won’t personally do all of these deals for the $25/wk Food Budget Challenge. They’re just what I see as the best values for healthier choices in the ad.

Best Prices this Week:

Shedd’s Country Crock Spread, 15 oz $1.33
Use (2) $0.40/1 coupons from 5/22 RP
Also use $1/2 Meijer Mealbox coupon
Final Price $0.43 ea wyb 2

10 for $10, Get 11th FREE:

Old Orchard Frozen Concentrate
Use $1/4 printable coupon
Final Price $0.75 ea wyb 4

Meijer Split Top Bread
Use $0.25/2 mPerks digital coupon
Final Price $0.88 ea wyb 2

Hormel Sliced Pepperoni
Use $0.35/1 coupon from 5/8 SS
Final Price $0.65

Pedigree Wet Dog Food, 22oz
Use B3G1 FREE coupon from 5/1 RP
Final Price $0.75 ea wyb 4

Red, Yellow or Orange Bell Peppers
Greenhouse Living Lettuce, 7oz
Flat or Curly Leaf Spinach, 10oz bag
Baby Carrots, 1 lb
Greenhouse Cucumbers
Large Mangos
Meijer Organic Whole White/Baby Bella Mushrooms
Meijer White Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns
Mueller’s Pasta, select varieties
Meijer Croutons and Salad Dressing
Puffs Facial Tissue Cubes

Good Values:

Hoffman’s Chunk Cheese $3.00
Tyson Frozen Chicken Breasts/Tenders, 40oz bag $5.49
Meijer Yogurt Singles $0.40 ea
Meijer Frozen Fruit $2.50

Note: I shop from the Grand Rapids, Michigan circular. Our stores do not double coupons.

Not sure about the coupon lingo? Don’t have enough coupons? Order some. Still need help? Look here or ask me in the comments!

Shop Meijer.com – Higher Standards, Lower Prices

Family Fare: Best Grocery Deals thru 6/11

fam fare

Save on Spartan brand items with the Turn to Spartan coupons valid at any Spartan store (Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s, Tom’s Food, Glen’s Market).

Here are the best prices at Family Fare this week. I won’t personally do all of these deals for the $25/wk Food Budget Challenge — they’re just what I see as the best value on healthier choices.

Best Prices:

Family Fare is a donation location for WZZM 13′s Food for Families. Please give, West Michigan.

Dannon Yogurt singles 10/$4 (must buy 10)
Use $0.40/6 coupon from 5/15 SS
Final price $0.36 ea wyb 10

Spartan Thin Crust Frozen Pizza $3.99
Use $1/1 Turn to Spartan coupon
Final Price $2.99

Buy 8 participating Clorox/Glad products, Save $5 Instantly:

KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce $1.50
Use $1/1 coupon from 5/15 SS
Final Price $0.50 (FREE + $0.12 money maker if you buy 8 products)

Hidden Valley Salad Dressing 16 oz $2.50
Use $1/1 Farmhouse Originals coupon from 5/15 SS
Final Price $1.50 ($0.88 if you buy 8 products)

Glad Zipper Bags, Containers, or Press & Seal $2.50
Use $1/2 coupon from 5/22 SS
Final Price $2.00 ea wyb 2 ($1.38 ea if you buy 8 products)

Glad Trash Bags $6.99
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 5/1 PG
Final Price $6.24 ($5.62 if you buy 8 products)

Clorox Bleach, select $1.67
Final Price $1.05 if you buy 8 products

Good Values:

Spartan Sliced Cheese $1.88
Spartan White Bread & Buns $1.00
Spartan Refrig. Tortillas $1.00
Head Lettuce $0.99 each
English Seedless Cucumbers $1.00
Butterball Ground Turkey $2.50
Spartan Chicken Breast or Thighs $1.00/lb value pack
Spartan Natural Peanut Butter 16 oz $1.59 (my best price on Skippy Natural is $1.19)
TopCare Full Line sale – 25% off

Note: Our Grand Rapids area stores do not double coupons.

Not sure about the lingo? Read this. Don’t have the coupons you need? Order some. Still need help? Look here or ask me in the comments!