I decided to try this recipe to make liquid hand soap to save money and just because I wanted to learn how.  It is really easy to make and a fun learning experience.  I did the cooking portion myself, but then I let my 4 year old help with mixing it the second day.  He thought it was pretty exciting to make soap.  This recipe makes a gallon of soap for the price of a bar of soap.  Pretty cheap for liquid hand soap.  The soap works great.  It does settle a little so you will want to shake the bottle every now and then.  You can even put some in a pretty jar or soap dispenser and give as a gift.  (My sister got some for her birthday.  Hope you liked it!)  I found this recipe at Heavenly Homemakers.

Ingredients:
4 oz. bar of soap
1 gallon of water (16 cups)

1.  Heat the water in a large pot until it steams.
2.  Grate the bar of soap.

3.  Take the steaming water off the heat.  Immediately pour the grated soap into the water.  Stir the mixture, then let it sit for about 15 minutes.

4.  Use a hand mixer to blend the soap and water mixture well.  Let it sit overnight.  I do not have a hand mixer, so I put half of it in my stand mixer, then the other half until it was all mixed.

The next day, mix again with hand mixer or stand mixer and you are done.  You have a gallon of homemade liquid hand soap.

Savemore is offering a FREE $10.00 voucher if you sign up and today's deal is a BPA FREE COLLAPSIBLE WATER BOTTLE plus they are offering FREE shipping! Just go to Savemore and sign up! Your account will automatically be credited the $10.00!  There are two deals available to purchase for these water bottles that are regularly $10 each.  One deal is $5 for one bottle and the other deal is $14 for four bottles.  Either way if you are a new Savemore member you get a $10 credit to your account that is automatically apllied to your purchase.  

The collapsible water bottles are lightweight, flexible and eco-friendly. They are perfect for the person on the go as they fit anywhere including a pocket, cup holder or backpack. These lightweight portable water bottles make it easy to drink water throughout the day. Throw the bottle in your purse, briefcase or pocket and refill it as many times as you need to. The water bottle expands when filled with water. Unlike regular plastic bottles that you buy at the store, these bottles are free from dangerous chemicals like BPA, a harmful ingredient present in most plastic bottles. These bottles are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
Features

• Collapsible, reusable 15 oz water bottles
• BPA-Free & eco-friendly
• Includes carabiner clip
• Free shipping

Details:  Expires March 1, 2012. Free shipping included. Voucher will be available for redemption on 9/1, at 12pm CST. Redeem online at WaterBottle.bz. Limit one per person.  I bought the larger voucher at $14 for 4 bottles minus my $10 credit so I am paying $4 for 4 bottles.  We never seem to have enough sippy cups and water bottles so I was super excited to see this deal.   

This is a fun and simple recipe that your child will love making and eating.  My 4 year old did most of the work making these.  You can use any kind of hot dog.  We like all beef hot dogs and  Oscar Mayer turkey hot dogs without nitrites and nitrates.  




Ingredients:
1 package (11 ounces) refrigerated breadstick dough
8 hot dogs 
8 popsicle sticks
Condiments for dipping

1.  Separate dough.  Roll or pull and stretch into long ropes.  The can of breadstick dough will have 12 dough portions and you have 8 hot dogs so you can use 1 1/2 breadstick dough strips on each hot dog.  

2.  Next insert sticks into hot dogs lengthwise.  Starting at one end, wrap dough in a spiral around hot dog; pinch ends to seal.  

3.  Place at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or coated with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.  

You don't have to use the popsicle sticks if you can't find them.  We made some with them and some without them.  We used some bun legnth hot dogs too and still had plenty of dough.  

This recipe was adapted from Taste of Home's Quick Cooking magazine.

I went to Walmart today for an oil change and while there did a little shopping.  I found a couple of good baby deals.

Pampers Limited Edition Prints big box diapers marked down from almost $20 to $16.  This was a huge display in the center aisle and included sizes 1-2, 3, and 4.  
Combine with a coupon and you have a pretty good deal.

Use $2/1 Pampers Diapers coupon (PG 7/31 – Expires 8/31) OR
Use $1.50/1 Pampers Diapers coupon (PG 8/28)

For more diaper deals, check out this list from For the Mommas.  

I also found Disney Baby shampoo, lotion and baby wash for only $1.50 each.  Original price was $3.98 each.  

Get a Free Sample Poise Pads from Walmart.  

Get another Free Sample Poise Pads from Target.  You will need to scroll down a little to see this one.  

Thanks Tammy for telling me about the Target sample.  

Get a FREE Bag of Beauty Samples from Target!  Just click on Free Sample, answer a few questions and you’ll get them in 4-6 weeks!  This is such a nice sample bag.  I got this last time they had this promotion.

Thanks A day in Motherhood

Print a $1.50/1 Aquafresh Training Toothpaste coupon. This coupon is good for toothpaste or a toothbrush.  This brand is available at Target or Walmart and will be pretty cheap with this coupon.  I hit the backspace button after printing and was able to print two unique coupons.

Thanks Money Saving Mom  

I found a huge collection of Gerber 2-pack pajama sets at Target yesterday marked down from $10.99 to $2.76 each.  I bought the boys all matching pj's and a couple extras for gifts.  There are lots of kid's clothes on clearance now so it's a good time to buy ahead.  These are in season, but I often buy out of season to save money.  This fall, I will buy t-shirts and shorts for my oldest for next summer in the next size up.  The younger boys will wear mostly hand- me-downs.  

I also saved a lot of money with coupons yesterday.  I always print the Target online coupons before heading to Target.  I stack Target coupons with manufacturers coupons and save even more by using 2 coupons for one item.  I saved $7.25 using Target coupons and $11.88 using manufacturer's coupons (many of these stacked to use on the same item) bringing my total coupon savings to $19.13.  I only bought items that we needed and use on a regular basis.  You have to be mindful when you start couponing to only buy things you need.  Don't buy it just because you have a coupon (unless it's free of course).  

Sign up for free samples of Crest Complete, courtesy of Walmart.com.


Thanks Money Saving Mom

A lucky reader will win this coupon for a Free 6-pack of Enfamil Premium Newborn Nursette bottles!  Winner will be selected using random.org.  This is a Target coupon and can only be used at Target.  Coupon expires 9/30/11.  Value = $7.99

Here’s How To Enter:
NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know that you want to win.  

                                              Extra Entries
After you have commented, here are some other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

2)  For three extra entries, subscribe to my email newsletter or RSS Feed and leave separate comments letting me know that you have done this. Leave a separate comment for each entry (3 comments).  If you are already subscribed, thank you and make sure you leave comments letting me know.  You will need to activate your subscription by clicking on the link in the email that feedburner sends you.

3) Blog, Tweet or Share on Facebook about this giveaway . Make sure you come back and leave a separate comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM on Monday, September 12, 2011. Winner will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email.  If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.
 Good luck to all of you who enter!