The Dinner Solution Software Giveaway
May 31, 2009 | Filed Under Giveaway, Menu Planning | 226 Comments
Updated to add: Giveaway closed. The winner is #76 Rebecca!!
I recently had the opportunity to review a tool that assists with the whole menu planning process by allowing you to plan out your meals on a calendar, organize your recipes and print custom grocery lists. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can plan out a week of meals in minutes. It’s called The Dinner Solution and it isn’t a meal planning service but rather a software program designed to simplify and speed up menu planning in a way that is totally personalized for you and your family.
For a one time cost, you purchase the software and then easily download it from their website onto your hard drive in no time at all. It comes loaded with many recipes but you also have the option of adding your own. Then from the monthly calendar you select the recipes you’d like to make each day including sides and dessert if you’d like. You can do it by the week or even the entire month. Here’s what the calendar looks like:
Once it’s filled out to your satisfaction, click on “print reports” at the top of the page to get a complete corresponding grocery list (sorted by store aisle and store name) and fridge report. I think the fridge report is a really nice added feature as it allows your family to easily see what’s on the menu that week.
Another really great feature is that this system gives you the option of doing some freezer/once a month cooking by enabling you to menu plan and print grocery lists for both traditional meals and freezer meals all at the same time. They also provide additional tools to make your freezer meal making easy including freezer labels, a freezer inventory list to post on your freezer and grocery/checklists specifically for meal assembly day.
I find it reassuring that this software was created by two moms trying to fill a need that they saw for themselves. I’ve been emailing with one of the creators and found her to be very friendly and approachable. I identified an area that I felt could be improved on (I’d like to see the ability to add to the calendar from the recipe section directly rather than the other way around) and Karin not only appreciated the feedback but said that it would definitely be something they would look at for future upgrades. Customer service is important to me.
Have more questions about the software? You can find a list of frequently asked questions and answers here.
This ultimate menu planning and freezer cooking software is available as an instant download. Available at this time for Windows only. Price $59.95.
Karin and Kristi would love to giveaway a copy of their software today to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment on this post by Thursday, June 4th at 6:00 pm PST to be entered.
For an additional entry you may tweet about this giveaway on Twitter (TinyURL: http://tiny.cc/vbcXn) and then come back and leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet.
A winner will be chosen using random.org.
For those that aren’t fortunate enough to win, a discount code has been provided and made available to Org Junkie readers. Use coupon code OJ25 at checkout to receive a 25% discount on your purchase of The Dinner Solution. This is a $15 savings!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
The Couponizer
October 16, 2008 | Filed Under Household, Menu Planning | 1 Comment
I’ve been wanting to do a review of The Couponizer for awhile now. I purchased it quite some time ago and was very pleased with this coupon system and the fact that it comes complete with everything you need to get your coupons organized today in order to start saving money immediately.
Here is a list of what is included:
- The Couponizer – a wire bound booklet with 22 pockets and 3 plastic sleeves for storing grocery and other coupons as well as gift cards.
- Your Guide to Smart Savings! – a guide by Amy Bergin, the creator of The Couponizer that includes instructions on using the system as well as tips on smart spending, using coupons and the history of coupons.
- CoupStacker – a pre-sorting mat with categories that match the pockets in the Couponizer. A real time saver when clipping!
- CoupTracker – a list pad for tracking your savings and spending.
- Shopping List
- Scissors
- Durable clear plastic carrying bag
Coupons are big business these days and provide an excellent way to reduce your grocery budget in hard economic times. With coupon systems like this one it really couldn’t be simpler. You gather all your coupons together and then do a quick sort using the sorting mat that is provided and in no time your coupons are organized by category making it fast to find the one you are looking for when you need it. And because The Couponizer comes with it’s own little carrying case you can conveniently leave it in your vehicle so it’s available when you hit the grocery store.
For a limited time and as supplies last, Amy is also including FREE, with each Couponizer system purchased, an amazing book by well-known author and television personality, Stephanie Nelson, otherwise known as the Coupon Mom (you may have seen her on Oprah recently). This 154 page book is called The Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom and believe me when I say this book is detailed. Everything you could possibly want to know about couponing is in this book.
Finally I want to share something else that sealed the deal for me that this is an exceptional company. When I ordered my Couponizer there was a problem with the shipping (due to living in Canada) and I ended up paying an unnecessary extra $20.00 in customs fees. I was disappointed and immediately emailed them to explain what had happened. Amy herself emailed me back right away and was so apologetic and didn’t even hesitate to reimburse the extra charge I paid. I appreciated that I wasn’t given a hassle and the personal friendly service shown to me meant a lot. What a class act in my book!
The Couponizer sells for $19.95 and in my opinion is worth every penny, especially if you have access and are trying to keep track of many coupons at once. It is the first shopping system to offer more than just a holder for coupons, but it is instead a whole system of tools to enable consistent savings.
It just doesn’t get any better than that!
Lily On The Fly – A Menu Planning Resource – Enter to Win!
June 6, 2008 | Filed Under Menu Planning | 238 Comments
I recently had the opportunity to review an excellent menu planning resource. It’s called Lily On The Fly. This particular product is different than any I’ve seen before for menu planning and is definitely beneficial for the visual person. This system centers around the magnetized card holder that can be displayed on your refrigerator. It includes 7 clear slots, one for each day of the week. What goes into these slots are the handy dandy menu planning recipe cards that are also provided. On the front of each card are three sections listing cooking instructions, one for the night before, in the morning and put it all together. The shopping list for each meal is right on the back on each card conveniently listed in seven general grocery store areas. Look how colorful it is:
Once you have selected 7 cards to put into the slots you have a complete menu plan for the week and when you turn the holder over you have a complete grocery list going down the back. You can then transpose the grocery list to a piece of paper to take to the store with you, take the whole holder with you or even just pull out the cards and bring them with you that way.
Another option as Lily On The Fly suggests (and hence the name) is to keep the deck of cards in your purse and easily choose recipes right in the store as you think through your plans for the next few days, and what is on sale. I love how versatile it is!!
My girlfriend struggles with traditional menu planning but really loves this system because for her she loves her recipes all in one spot rather than having to keep track of them from different sources such as various cookbooks or the internet. That’s too much hassle for her, this system streamlines the process for her.
The recipes look to be simple and easy to prepare and I love how each card shows a picture of the completed dish, a very nice touch! A list of the 36 recipes included in the starter kit can be found here. The starter kit retails for $27.95 but for the month of June you can get 15% of your order by using the code “Welcome Summer”. Additional recipes packs are also available.
Lily On The Fly is giving away a Hearty Meals for Hungry Families Starter Kit today to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment below by Tuesday, June 10th at noon pst for your chance to win. If you are not a blogger please be sure to also include a valid email address.
Happy menu planning!!
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