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I mentioned earlier this year we're keeping track of how much we're saving using the 2009 Attractions Dining and Value Guide coupon book.

We used it the other night for dinner at J. Butler's Bar & Grille in Greensboro. Saved $9.

We took advantage of a buy one entree, get one free coupon at Brixx Wood Fired Pizza in Greensboro last night.

We're keeping tabs on how much we're saving using the 2009 Attractions Dining and Value Guide coupon book.

Last night, we used a buy one entree get one free coupon (up to $12) at U.S. Sushi at the Friendly Center in Greensboro. (Click here to see its location in Friendly Center.)

I had the hibachi chicken ($13.25) and my wife had the chicken curry with rice ($12.95). The bill was $14.28 with the coupon. Two thumbs up. Goes great with the ginger dipping sauce.

Order any of the 2009 Entertainment coupon books online, which feature 2-for-1 deals and other discounts in places including the Greensboro area, for 50 percent off. That means you pay $12.50.

The books have more than $13,000 in savings and include 89 dining-related coupons, 58-attraction discounts, and 175 shopping discounts.

You also get a complimentary membership card you can present at participating restaurants, hotels and car rental places for discounts.

Order the coupon books online to take advantage of the discount. Standard shipping costs an extra $2.79 and takes 10-14 business days.

We're getting one of these. I'll start keeping tabs on how much we save using this one, too.

I'm going to give co-worker Margaret Banks' suggestion regarding swapping coupons in the coupon book a shot by hosting it on this blog.

It would be similar to what's done at freecycle.org, but the focus is limited to just what's in the coupon book.

We'll see how it goes. I'm also adding a "Coupon Exchange" logo at the top right portion of the blog so it's easy to spot.

We're keeping track of how much we're saving using the 2009 Attractions Dining and Value Guide coupon book.

My wife used a $5 off coupon at CVS that you can use if you spend at least $20.

I removed the previous entry about a $10 off coupon at Vito's Italian restaurant because I found out that coupon was taken from another coupon book - we're only keeping tabs on one book.

A sneak peak regarding part of my Savvy Shopper column running Sunday:

I asked readers to tell me the craziest thing they did to save a buck to win a coupon book.

Dick Bond is our top dog.

The Greensboro resident described cooking hot dogs on his engine block during cross-country trips with his family.

Yummy.

“We had four children at the time and found that eating out, even at fast-food places, was more than we cared to spend,” Bond writes. “Therefore I would buy hot dogs, wrap them in foil, and place them on the block, drive about 50 miles or so, stop and remove them from the motor and have our feast while we drove.”

Bond might be onto something. Google “engine block cooking” and you get more than 2,500 results. There’s even a book written about the art of cooking by engine called “Manifold Destiny: The One! The Only! Guide to Cooking on Your Car Engine!”

Bon Appétit.

Other entries included chasing after coupons while dodging traffic after they tumbled onto the road and washing ziplock bags so they can be used more than once.

Good times.

To everyone who submitted an entry, thanks for playing.

Took advantage of a buy 1 coffee get 1 free deal from the coupon book at Juice 'N Java in Greensboro today.

I mentioned before I'm keeping track regarding how much we're saving using the 2009 Attractions Dining and Value Guide coupon book this year.

Yesterday, my wife used a $5 off $50 coupon at Deep Roots Market in Greensboro.