Deal of the Day: Prep Coat from Old Navy?

This is another adorable item that makes you say ... "Does it come in my size?" It could be "yours", if you wear a 5T or smaller, for $24.50. I'd go with the red one. How about you?

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: There are tons of great deals on outerwear right now. Have you taken advantage of any of them?

Favorite Things: Do You Doodle?

I heard about this book today when my friend posted a request on Facebook for gift ideas for a 6 year old boy. Thanks to Rachel! One of her friends suggested this book called Do You Doodle? It looks amazing -- a great gift for a kid or a kid at heart. I think this Santa is going to order a few copies because I might need one for myself!

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What is your go-to book for gift giving?

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: $300 Grocery Challenge -- October, Week 4

We had $90 left in the October grocery budget and I spent $87.87 today. I was pleased especially since I stocked up on a few things that will get us through most of next month as well: coffee, Windex, Shout, Advil (free with coupon!), flat of bottled water (free with coupon!) and hand soap ($.79 with coupon!). I also got some cake and brownie mixes that were on a super sale, plus a 6 pack of beer for my husband.

Here's the other stuff on my list:
granola
cheerios
yogurt
apples
bananas
corn
wheat bread
muffin mixes
milk
cheese: cheddar and mozzarella
everything for carnitas, including 60 corn tortillas for $1.69 with coupon
goldfish
and a few other things I can't remember

Our dinners for the week are carnitas, homemade pizza, pasta with meat sauce, paninis and soup, tamales/burritos, and more carnitas! We've got the usual peanut butter, yogurt, fruit, and pretzels/goldfish for lunch and lots of muffins, smoothies, and cereal for breakfast.

Now it is time to start thinking about November ... Should I try for $300 again?

Cheap and Cheerful Cooking: Crockpot Carnitas

Yum. And double yum. My friend Erin passed along this recipe and it was super easy, super cheap, and super tasty. We doubled it and it fit nicely in our large oval crockpot. We omitted the red peppers but I am sure they would be delicious, too. Serve with lots of chips and salsa and your favorite Mexican sides.

Ingredients

•2 pounds boneless country-style pork ribs or pork shoulder (You can cut it up in to 2 inch pieces in advance or leave it in several large chunks.)
•2 teaspoons salt
•2 teaspoons ground black pepper
•2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
•1/2 large onion, cut into 4 pieces
•1 avocado, halved, pitted, sliced
•Fresh cilantro sprigs
•Sliced red bell peppers (optional)
•Corn tortillas

Directions

•Toss pork in bowl of slow cooker with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to coat. Place onion pieces atop pork. Cover slow cooker and cook pork on low setting until meat is very tender and falling apart, about 6 hours.
•Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to cutting board. Discard onion pieces. Using fingers, shred pork; transfer carnitas to platter. Place avocado slices, cilantro sprigs, and sliced red bell peppers, if desired, alongside. Wrap corn tortillas in damp kitchen towel; microwave until warm, about 1 minute. Serve carnitas with warm tortillas and tomatillo salsa.

Does it get any better?

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: Got lids?

I can't let October pass by without talking about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My grandmother died of breast cancer in 1986 so this is a cause near and dear to my heart. Yoplait Yogurt's Save Lids to Save Lives program has donated more than $25 million dollars to the cause!

I've always been a fan of Yoplait but had not been motivated to save lids. Well, I've changed my tune. After reading through the materials sent to me by MyGetTogether, I am now motivated to add my lids to this important effort.

I made myself several envelopes with the Save Lids, Save Lives address so I can just pop in my lids after I enjoy my yogurt. For the cost of a stamp, I can do my part. Also, you can find out more here.

Here's the address. Make your envelopes today!

Save Lids, Save Lives
P.O. Box 420704
El Paso TX 88542-0704

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What is your favorite Yoplait flavor? (I love Harvest Peach and Pina Colada!)