Sunday, October 26, 2008

Free Internet Radio

I love this website ~ Pandora

It is an online radio - FREE - that you can customize with your own taste of music. You can rate the songs on like/dislike. You can even buy some of them that you really like.

I enjoy the service because I can have more than one radio station to my taste - ie., I have a Holiday station for Christmas time, a regular station for whenever, and a Jazz station for when I'm in that mood. I also like it because I can enter in a song I like and it will find it, play it, and also play similar music. If they play a song I really dislike, I click on a button and they mark it and promise never to play it on my station. If I really like a song, I click another button and they mark it, find more songs like it, and play that song more often.

It is a really wonderful site and I enjoy it a lot. Try it and let me know what you think.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Free Burgers!

Click here to go to Omaha Steaks and receive 12 free hamburgers.

BONUS!

Go here first and click on the red box in the upper right corner, sign up and receive an email with a code for a $25 gc at Omaha Steaks.

Combine both deals and get $40 of meat free!!

UPDATE! The $25 gc that Geico was giving is now a $25 off $100 or more and you can not combine the 12 free hamburgers with it. Apparently, they did not expect so many people to jump onto the deal. When they first issued the $25 gc it was a simple $25 gc reward - it has now been changed to more of a coupon, although they still call it a reward. This REEKS of fraud and dishonesty on both parts.
However, both deals are decent if you buy Omaha Steaks anyways.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I have been MIA

I have been away. My husband's brother died unexpectedly last Saturday and we dropped everything to go to his mother's and father's sides. So the past week has been completely wrapped up in the necessary functions. I have returned home and hope to get the deals back on track, just give me a day or two to rest from the trip - it is 800 miles each way = 14.5 hours on the drive home, straight through. I am beat!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Publix Line-Up 10-9 through10-16

BOGO's

Classico Pasta Sauce (10 to 26-oz jar, Excl Bruschetta's)
$2.77 - (2) @ $2.77 BOGO
- 1.oo - $1/2 (Publix Q) - Toss 4 Cash coupon booklet
=
$1.77 for 2 ($.88/each)

Kozy Shack Pudding (22-oz tub)
$3.19 - (2) $3.19 BOGO
- .50 - (2) $.25/1 - Coupon in recent issues of Better Homes & Gardens, Women's Day, Family Circle
=
$2.69 for 2($1.35/each)

Lawry's 30 Minute Marinade (12-oz bot.)
$2.77 - (2) $2.77 BOGO
- 1.00 - (2) $.50/1 - 8/17 Redplum
=
$1.77 for 2($.88/each)

Lysol All Purpose Trigger Spray Cleaner (Disinfectant: Lemon Scent, 4 in 1 Pacific Fresh Scent, with Bleach; or Antibacterial Kitchen, 22 or 32-oz bot.)
$2.69 - (2) $2.69 BOGO
- 1.00 - (2) $.50/1 - 9/7 Smartsource
=
$1.69 for 2($.84/each)

New England Coffee (9 to 12-oz bag)
$5.79 - (2) $5.79 BOGO
-3.00 - (2) 1.50/1 - 10/5 Redplum
=
$2.79 for 2($1.39/each)

Scotch-Brite Scrub Sponges (Heavy Duty or No Scratch Multi-Purpose 3-ct. pkg.)
$2.89 - (2) $2.89 BOGO
-1.00 - $1/2 - 9/21 Redplum
=
$1.89 for 2($.94/each)

SeaPak Shrimp Co. Shrimp (or Salmon, Tilapia, Crab Cakes, 8 to 20-oz box, Excl Breaded Popcorn Shrimp, 12-oz box.)
$7.59 - (2) $7.59 BOGO
-2.00 - (2) $1/1 Fresh Frozen Flavorful coupon booklet @ Publix
=
$5.59 for 2($2.79/each)

Wish-Bone Dressing (16-oz bot.)

$2.87 - (2) $2.87 BOGO
-1.20 - (2) $.60/1 - 8/17 Redplum
=
$1.67 for 2($.83/each)
OR
$.75/1 - 10/05 Redplum
=$1.37 for 2($.68/each)


SALES

Air Wick Scented Oil Refill (2-ct. pkg.): $3.99
$1/2 - 9/21 Smartsource

Barber Foods Stuffed Chicken Breast (10 or 12-oz pkg.): $4.99
$1/1 - 9/7 Smartsource

Bounty Paper Towels (Select-A-Size, Prints, or White Regular Rolls, 8-roll pkg.): $7.99
$.25/1 - 9/28 Proctor & Gamble

Cascade Dishwasher Detergent (75-oz pkg.): $4.29
$.25/1 - 9/28 Proctor & Gamble

Charmin Bathroom Tissue (Ultra or Regular: Big or Mega Rolls, 6 or 12-roll pkg.): $7.49
$.25/1 - 9/28 Proctor & Gamble

Colgate Toothpaste (8.2-oz box): $2.00
$.75/1 - 9/28 Smartsource

Depend Protective Underwear (Or Pads, 14 to 52-ct. pkg): $10.99
$1.50/1 - 9/7 Smartsource

Eat Smart Broccoli Florets (or Vegetable Medley, Cauliflower Florets, Broccoli and Cauliflower, Broccoli and Carrots, Vegetable Stir Fry, 10 or 12-oz pkg.): $2.00
$1/1 - 8/17 Smartsource
$1/1 - 9/28 Smartsource

Gillette Fusion Razor (or Venus Breeze, Embrace, Vibrance, Assorted Varieties, 1-ct. pkg.): $7.99
$4/1 - 9/28 Proctor & Gamble

Gillette Hair Care Products (11.5 or 12.2-oz bot.): $3.99
$2/1 - 9/28 Proctor & Gamble

Hawaiian Punch (128-oz bot.): $1.67
$1/2 - Publix Advantage Buy flier

Huggies Baby Wipes (184 or 232-ct. pkg.): $5.99
$.50/1 - 8/24 Smartsource

Nestlé Toll House Refrigerated Dough (or Cookie Mix, Assorted Varieties, 16 or 16.5-oz pkg.): $2.00
$1.50/2 - 9/14 Redplum

Poise Pads (36 to 72-ct. pkg.): $10.99
$2/2 - 9/14 Smartsource

Progresso Soup (18 to 19-oz can or 15.25-oz bowl): $1.33
$.50/2 - 9/7 General Mills
$.50/2 - 10/5 General Mills

Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Containers (2 to 8-ct. pkg.): 25% off
$1/2 - 7/27 Smartsource

Tyson Chicken (Southern Fried Breaded Chunks, Breast Patties, Nuggets, or Original or Honey Battered Breast Tenders, 10 or 13.25-oz pkg.): $3.00
$1/1 - 7/20 Smartsource
$1/1 Breaded Bagged variety - 9/7 Smartsource
$.55/1 Breaded Boxed variety - 9/7 Smartsource

Vicks DayQuil or NyQuil (LiquiCaps, 12-ct. box or Liquid, 6-oz bot.): $4.50
$.55/1 - 9/28 Proctor & Gamble

Weight Watchers Products (Muffins, Cookies, or Snack Cakes, 5.7 to 7.94-oz pkg.): $2.99
$1/2 - Coupon in recent issues of Better Homes & Gardens, Women's Day, Family Circle

Friday, October 10, 2008

CVS Deals for 10/12 - 10/18

I shall try to post the deals as I find them and have time.

For CVS, here are the ECB and BOGO deals:

ECB Deals:

Swiffer Products ~ Buy $10, get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)
$ 6.99 - (1)Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit
$ 4.99 - (1)Wet, Dry, or Dusters refills or extendable handle kits
=11.98
- 4.99 - coupon for free Duster starter kit wyb Sweeper starter kit 9/28 PG

= $6.99 oop plus tax
get $5 ecb


Dove, Caress, or Lever Products ~ Buy $10, get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)
(best deal)
$11.97 - (3) Dove Shampoo or Conditioner
- 6.00 - (3) $2 C 8/17 RP

= $5.97 oop plus tax
get $3.00 back

other deals on the Dove:
$ 9.99 - (1)Dove Pro-age or Skinvitalizer
- 3.50 - $3.50 coupon 8/17 RP

$ 4.29 - (1)Dove Energy Glow cleanser or lotion
$ 6.99 - (1)Caress, Dove, or Lever 2000 bar soaps 6-8 pk.
-1.00 - Dove coupon 8/17 RP

$6.99 - (1)Dove Lotion or Energy Glow bodywash
- 1.00 - bodywash coupon 8/17 RP or CVS Beauty Book
- 1.50 - lotion coupon 8/17 RP

$ 3.99 - (1)Dove Shampoo or Conditioner
- 2.00 - coupon 8/17 RP

$ 2.99+ Dove deodorant
Use $2 clinical deodorant coupon from 8/17 RP


Sobe, Propel, or Gatorade ~ Buy 5 for $5, get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)
$6.00 - (6) bottles
- 3.00 - (3) $1/2 from CVS Beauty Book

= $3.00 oop plus tax
get $3 ecb back

John Frieda products ~ Buy $15, get $5 ECBS (Limit 1)
Use $3/2 coupon from 8/24 SS

Nestle pure life purified water 24 pk ~ Buy 1 for $4.49, get $1 ECB (Limit 5)
$4.49 - (1) pack
- 1.00 - $1 printable coupon

= $3.59
get $1 ecb back

Cover Girl cosmetics ~ Buy $10, get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use B1G1 coupon from 9/28 PG
Use $1 coupon from 9/28 PG

Colgate Total 4 oz ~ Buy 1 at $3.49, get $2 ECBs (Limit 2)
$3.49 - (1) tube
$1.50 - printable coupon

= $1.99 oop plus tax
get $2 ecb back



BOGO DEALS:

Revlon Products
Sale price = BOGO
(2) $2 coupons from 7/20, 8/24, or 9/14 S


Right Guard Deodorant
Sale price = BOGO (regular price $3.29)
(2) $1 coupons from 8/10 S
= $1.29 for 2

All Laundry Detergent
Sale price = BOGO (regular price $6.49)
(2) $1 printable coupons
= $4.49 for 2

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Coffee!

Eight O-Clock Coffee to be exact. (PS, some of the bags have a $1 coupon printed on the inside)

I just purchased a few bags of this coffee and there was a logo on the front of the bag reading Accumul8 Rewards. If you drink this coffee, go to the website and click on the Accumul8 Rewards program and register. Enter the information near the UPC on the bottom of the package and receive 140 points for each 11.5-12 oz bag!

If you want an invite into the program, comment with your email (I won't publish it) and I will send you an email with an invite to the program. I get 35 bonus points if you sign up under me! Thank you!

Some of their information:
Members earn rewards points ("Rewards Points") by purchasing qualifying Eight O'Clock Coffee products, as listed on the Website, (“Qualifying Products”) and entering the Codes found on the packaging at the Website. Qualifying Products will be classified as: small (11.5 – 12 oz package), large (34.5 - 36 oz package) or club (42 oz package). For each Code entered from a small product, Members will receive one hundred forty (140) Rewards Points. For each Code entered from a large product, Members will receive four hundred twenty (420) Rewards Points. For each Code entered from a club product, Members will receive four hundred twenty (420) Rewards Points. Members will also earn one hundred (100) bonus Rewards Points the first time they enter a Code and thirty-five (35) Rewards Points for each friend they refer through the Website who subsequently registers to participate in the Program. Limit: One hundred seventy-five (175) bonus Reward Points per Member for Referrals

Budget update

I finally found SOBE on sale!!!! I have been accumulating $.50/1 coupons for a while hoping for a 10/$10 sale. Finally, at Bi-Lo this week. The store is no where near me, but I combined the trip with another and took advantage of the sale. They also had the French's Worshestshire that is free with coupon. I did get a raincheck too because the stock was almost gone.

Tally:
$7.00 - 7 Sobe Water
8.04 - 6 French's
36.00 - 36 Sobe bottles
=
$51.04 plus tax

my oop = $1.26 (tax only!)


The numbers:
Total budgeted for October - $100
Total spent in October - $56.74
Total available in October - $43.26

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Back on The Budget!

I am back on the $25 Grocery Challenge for the month of October.

You remember how it works, right? You get a budget of $25 for groceries only per person living in your household for the whole month. So I get a food budget of $100 for the month. Can it be done? Yes! with coupons it can!

My last Challenge was in July and I almost made it under $100 for our family. Maybe I will this time . . . but even if I don't, I know that I will have saved a bundle on my grocery bills.

I have already been shopping for October. And if I budget $25 per week, I have blown it! I went to Publix, Kroger, and Food Lion and . . .

Food Lion - 12 Bags of Viola! complete meals = cost $81.04 - after sales $41.04 - actual oop $3.04

Kroger - 20 4-packs of Cottonelle toilet paper, 2 bottles of Osteo Bi-flex $.87; 4 Glade airfresheners $1.16 = cost $69.11 - after sales $52.11 - actual oop $2.03

Publix - lots of food, including rice and pasta sides, granola bars, cheerios, and coffee = cost $332.59 - after sales $185.30 - actual oop $69.32

Total spent = $74.39
less $1.16 and $15.72 for items I purchased for others
= true oop of $57.51
But only $55.48 counts towards my Grocery Challenge

The numbers:
Amount budgeted for October - $100
Amount spent in October - $55.48
Amount remaining in October - $44.52


Yikes! Will I make it under $100?! I may have to make it a $150 budget - what do you think?

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Better Uses for Excessive Phone Books

A blog I follow, Afraid of Failing, had a recent post about an abundance of phone books. Now, I only get two at a time, but I still have a hard time throwing out my old phone books once I receive a new one. So I went to look in my cupboard where I keep my phone books. LOL! I have 9! Recycling is always an option, but I decided to find alternative uses for the extra and expired books that can help us save money.

  • Tear the pages out and use them for packing when mailing packages.
  • Papier mache'
  • It could make some interesting, but cheap, gift wrap for Christmas. (might take a little work to piece it together on the bigger gifts)
  • Recycle in a blender to make homemade paper.
  • Cut out the ads in the Yellow Pages that you use frequently and paste into a notebook for reference.
  • The thicker ones do make great "last-minute" booster seats.
  • If you stamp, use the pages to stamp you project on to catch the over-stamp, tear out and throw away.
  • Makes a decent cutting board for craft projects - not the best, but it works.
  • Makes great templates for sewing. Instead of using tissue paper for your patterns.
  • Would probably make a neat "altered book"

and don't forget:

  • It can always be used to level out the chair or table with the uneven leg.

Do you have more ideas?

Friday, September 26, 2008

Dehydrators

I love dehydrators! I have had one for a long time and it finally gave out on me. . . in the middle of harvest . . . at the start of apple season.

Arrgh!

So I purchased a new one, Magic Chef, off of Ebay and my mother is getting me a Ronco - so now I will have two. Woohoo! I got mine in the mail today and already have some peppers in it. Once I have had both of them running for a little, I will give my review of how each is performing.

Dehydrating is a wonderful thing.

What I love:
  • Once the food is dried, I can put it in jars or use a Food Saver to seal it and it will keep for quite a while.
  • It takes up less space.
  • I don't have to worry about losing food in the winter when the power goes out and everything in my freezer starts to dehydrate.
  • I don't have to worry about freezer burn.
  • If I have fruits that are starting to over-ripen before they get eaten, I can toss them in the dehydrator and add to cereal or granola or cake mix later.
  • It is also great if you save seeds to plant in your garden for next year - wash the seeds and toss in the dehydrator, then store for next season.
You can use your oven to dehydrate food, but I like to use the machine itself because it keeps my oven free for supper and it is more economical.

Two of my favorite things to dry: bananas - yummm, banana chips dipped in chocolate; and apples. When I dry the apples I cut, peel, and core each apple. Then let them soak in a bowl of salt water for a minute or two, dry them off just a bit and place them in the dehydrator. I plan to use the dried apples to make old fashioned fried apple pies.

Remember, when drying food it will remove most of the water content and the food will shrink quite a bit. But you can store so much more in the same amount of space.

A few interesting reads:
http://www.budget101.com/dehydrated_foods.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2003-06-01/Choosing-a-Food-Dehydrator.aspx
http://www.seasonalchef.com/appledehyd.htm

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Christmas is Around the Corner!

I know, I know . . . I hear the groans over the internet. But seriously, Christmas is only 3 months and 1 day away!

So, on the subject of Christmas and Thrift-worthiness . . . I am giving homemade gifts this year. Money is tight, prices are high, and gas is . . . well . . . unspeakable.

So what am I doing for gifts? I am giving scarves to my female family members and food baskets for family gifts. I am still thinking of what to give the male family members. Each gift will come from us as a family and for most of the gifts, we will all have helped in some way in the creation of the gifts.

The scarves - well, I know how to crochet and basic knit/purl. But my dd is still learning so it was slow going. Until!!! I found this wonderful little "tool" in the craft department of the "store of no name." It is made by ProvoCraft - wonderful company, btw - and is affordable and easy to use. What is it, you ask? Well, it is none other than . . . the KniftyKnitter! There are actually several of these, I happened to pick up the purple one for $7.84 http://www.provocraft.com/products/detail.php?cl=knifty%20knitter&scl=&item=21-0105
but if you go here: http://www.provocraft.com/search/index.php?cl=search&actn=makitso&prd_name=All%20Products&search=nxtbck
You will see the others that are available. I love this tool so much that I have raved about it and shown it off to several people. They have liked it so much, they bought it too. My neighbor purchased the 4-pack loom set and is busy knitting away.

They are so simple and easy to use, my dd picked up the directions and she was off! So we take turns working on the scarves. We use two strands of yarn for added thickness, but you can use one or a heavy yarn. The basic scarf pattern uses a simple figure 8 on the loom. The company even has several pattern books out to make many different types of scarves. These looms can also make hats, tassels, afghans, shawls, throw pillows, and even a stuffed Bear!! I am amazed that they will create that and plan to try it to give to my smallest nieces and nephews. How does the rest of my family help with this project? They help pick out the colors, do an occasional row, and wash dishes in the evening so I can work on the scarves.

So think about the cost for a moment: Depends on the yarn of course, but I buy the Jiffy yarn and use two skeins to make one scarf - so at $1.88 per skein, that equals just under $4 after tax for a beautiful, thick, warm, durable scarf. And I even have some yarn leftover, so I am hoping to make some matching hats to go with the scarf. If it works, then I will give a scarf and hat to them and only spend $4 oop.

Family gifts - I happened upon a wonderful bounty this year - blueberries! A woman had a field full of blueberry bushes and was too ill to pick them. She agreed to let me pick all I wanted as long as I split them with her. FREE!! just lots of time picking. So I turned most of them into jam and syrup, froze some and dehydrated some. I plan to put the jam and syrup into a basket with pancake mix, muffin mix, and hopefully some homemade candies. Any ideas for this basket? I am still in the planning stages on it, but the ideas are floating around.

The Male family members - I am debating on scarves for them too. I know several men who wear them, but others who refuse. lol. So I am a little stuck. I can't give them the food basket, because I prefer it to be a family gift. So what to give to them. Please, feel free to send some ideas my way on this matter.

Are you giving homemade/handmade gifts this year? Tell me about them or blog it and send me the link.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Once a Month Cooking

Have you ever heard of Once a Month Cooking (OAMC)? It means just what it says, and it is rather interesting. I checked into it many years ago and have been intrigued with it ever since. Unfortunately, I have not done anything about it :)

Essentially, it takes 2-3 days per month to do.

The first day is a planning day - figure out what you have on hand, what recipes you want to create, and what additional supplies you will need.
The second day is a shopping day - (although if you coupon hopefully you have most of the items on hand) - on shopping day, you will need to purchase the additional supplies that you don't already have on hand.
The third day is the actual cooking day - and if you are definitely cooking for the whole month, you will need the whole day. After you prepare each dish, you package them for freezing so that all you have to do is pull out a meal from the freezer and heat it up. Simple!

One great thing about this idea is you can do it with friends in different ways to share the work. Everyone knows work is faster and easier and more fun when it is done with friends. You can plan the cooking day to be at one person's home and everyone participating converges there to cook together and share the work. Or... if you and your friend like similar recipes, you can each split the recipes you both like and double what you would normally cook for the month. Then package it up and trade out. It is always easier to do assembly line when the item doesn't change.

You don't have to do it all Once a Month - you can do Twice a Month or even Once a Week Cooking. You can work it into your schedule to cook as often or as seldom as necessary.

I am doing more research on it, again, and there are some great websites and a Yahoo group out there, hopefully I can get started on it finally once I get my hectic schedule settled.

Here are some sites to get you started (and don't forget there are a few books out there about this subject, too):

http://www.once-a-month-cookingworld.com/
http://www.frugalmom.net/once_a_month_cooking.htm
http://www.cookofthemonth.com/
http://members.aol.com/OAMCLoop/
http://www.cookofthemonth.com/

I recommend this book:
Once-A-Month Cooking
by Mimi Wilson, Marilyn S. Wilson, Mary Beth Lagerborg

Have fun checking it out! Let me know what you think.

If you already do Once a Month Cooking, tell me about it? Pros and Cons?
This blog is not just about couponing. It is about anything Thrifty. I have been very busy lately but I hope to be back to posting regularly and more diversely.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

End of the Month

Well,

I don't have all of my receipts on hand. But I did go over budget a little. My final total was $126 and change for the whole month. Even though I went over my $100 budget, I am not stressed about it. I still spent way less than I would have normally. Also, $126 for a month's worth of groceries plus extras for the following month is pretty good.

Now to figure out my next challenge.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Well - no shopping today. I did go this past Saturday, so I will add that to this post in a little bit once the pictures and things are ready.

So much to do this week! I feel as though I am falling behind. And with the food that I have been buying - lol :) I am so happy to know that I have things on hand to make meals with instead of having to worry what is in the pantry. I may not have much stocked up, but it is easier now not having to search for staples.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

July 14, 2008 (and 15th)



yeah, yeah, I know - today is the 15th. But I didn't have time to update yesterday.

So...
my friend and I went shopping again - looks like Mondays will be our carpooling shopping trips. This will allow us to take advantage of the Publix $0.01 deal, too.

Our trip:

Kroger:
Unfortunately the only Kroger near us is remodeling and half the store is done, so they were moving all the products around - took a long time for us to find what we were looking for. But, we did okay. When we walked in, I went straight to CS and asked about competitor's coupons, the girl at the desk said yes, but the store mgr said not usually - however, he allowed the Publix $5/$35 coupon.

10 Cottonelle
3 brown sugar
4 powdered sugar
2 nesquick syrup
2 nesquick drinks
2 ocello 4packs
4 Turkey Hill Teas
4 BC brownie bowls
1 Perdue perfect portion chicken - mgr special

before coupons - $41.06 + tax
less coupons - $30
total with tax - $12.65
however, then I realized they didn't use my sugar coupons and went to CS and they refunded them to me . . . less $4.55 coupons
actual oop = $8.10

total savings = $$32.96


Next Target:

I needed dogfood and Target has the 44lb for $18 less a $2C. While there, I got a 2pack of Cheerio Crunch for $4.99 less $1 coupon on my free gift card from buying diapers last week - and it had store coupons for Cheerios which were 4/$7 and I had mfg coupons - so the Cheerios
were 4/$3 after coupons - with the dogfood - I paid $19.93 total (basically I paid for the dogfood and got the 6 boxes of Cheerios for free!)

Publix:

I love Publix - did I say I LOVE Publix.? The district managers and store managers were there when we walked in - so I asked about the competitors' coupons to be sure. No Problem there.

three transactions:
first
before coupons - $40.23
less coupons - $39.85
after coupons - $0.38
total savings including sales = $44.61
total oop - $0.98

second
before coupons - $39.70
less coupons - $39.41
after coupons - $0.29
total savings including sales = $39.41
total oop - $0.81

third
before coupons - $47.56
less coupons - $37.23
total savings including sales = $50.98
after coupons - $10.33

total oop - $10.66

total oop for Publix - $11.45 (not all food though)

Total oop for the day - $39.48, which includes the dogfood

Total food oop for the day - will get back to you later after canning is done :)

The pictures are of everything except the dogfood:

Saturday, July 12, 2008

July 12, 2008

I am trying to update my blog on my latest trips. Believe it or not - no visits to CVS this week ! (faint) ok, get up off the keys and keep reading... lol

I went to a Scrapbook event yesterday and, of course, stopped by a few stores on my way.

Publix - they were awful about the coupons, I almost walked out without purchasing, but they took the coupons finally and I left with 8 bottles of Downy, 6 Koolaid and 2 boxes of Wheat Thins. $??

Kroger - I asked the store manager and he said they take competitors' coupons, including Publix - so I had a Publix $5/$35 to use - best store yet! everyone was so nice there - I wish they weren't so far away. $1.55

Publix - a different one - I got 7 half gallons of Organic Valley milk, 2 bottles of vitamins, 4 revlon tool, 8 Perrier water, and something else for $5 and change.

I will update with totals, numbers, and pictures soon.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

New Friends!

I have new friends - Jes, Rosie, and Elizabeth

I met up with them at a Staples to load up on Purell, but it was sold out. We chatted for quite a while, then Jes took me to Publix to show me the ropes. They are all wonderful people, and Jes is sooo sweet - she even shared her coupons with me.

This is what I bought with her guidance:


My oop was a Whopping $0.69 (tax only)!

The cashier rang a few things up wrong - the cookies were bogo and he didn't do that - so to adjust it, he put the adjustment in as store coupons. When I mentioned it would throw my coupon count off, he said it would be okay. Well, he did have to push a few through and grumbled over that some, but I reminded him about the adjustments he put in, so he put them through. My incorrect total was $45.69 +tax less $49.18 coupons = $0.69 of tax. I don't fully understand how it happened, nor exactly what happened - but I do know if he had rung it up right - it would have been clearer.

So the interesting question : should I add the ENTIRE $0.69 to my food total? Some of what I bought was not food, but it is impossible to determine the correct amount on food :)

What do you think? I have added it to my Challenge Budget, but tell me what you think.

THE NUMBERS:
amount spent today: $0.69
amount spent in July : $22.82
original amount available to spend: $100.00
amount available to spend for July : $77.18

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Mega Food Trip!!

My friend and I just got back from an amazing shopping trip today. I will provide details after I sleep some
****
This was a 13 HOUR trip - because we went so many places and just took time to enjoy ourselves.

First Stop: STAPLES for the .01 back to school sale

The plan was to buy the maximums with each person in our group (we took our children)2-3 times each so we could get a sufficient amount of supplies. Turned out that Teachers have a different limit - 25 of each item!!!

Soooo - lol

I gave my children each $1.75 to get whatever they wanted as a learning experience.
So their totals and mine together:




pencils - 68
folders - 91
purell - 65
binders - 34
highlighters - 2

total oop for all that = $23.35
and some belongs to my mom - including one of the highlighters so less $4.99 and $1.21 = $6.20
and I will apply for the rebate on the highlighters so less $4.99
total will be = $12.16


Second Stop: TARGET

I did get diapers - but they are for my neice, so they don't count - :) At the Target dollar spot, they had black dot items 75% off !

I'm not listing any of it due to the fact that I got lots of Stocking Stuffers - but no food, so onward!

Third Stop: CVS

first:
$27.96 - (4) Soleil refils
-16.00 - (4) $4 C
=
$11.96
-11.96 - paid with ecb
=
$0
$ 1.12 - tax

$1.12 - oop
earned: $10.00 (lost $1.96)


next:
$16.14 - (6) Sure deo @$2.69
- 6.00 - (6) $1 C
=
$10.14
- 10.00 - paid with ecb
=
$ 0.14
$ 0.43 - tax
=
$0.57 oop
earned $9 (lost $1)


Next: Walgreens
only bought two Sunday papers = $4

Then: Walmart

The Walmart we went to is definitely not the greatest. I didn't buy most of what I wanted to get because their prices were high or they didn't carry it. Not a location I plan to frequent,


However, I did get a few things

It doesn't show it - but I had more Powerade which I used my coupons on and got someoverage for other things - but we drank some of the Powerade - it was very hot out.

my receipt is in never-never land at the moment but oop was around $6.56

Then the coup de'tat: Publix

first transaction:
$53.92 - subtotal
$52.00 - coupons (I didn't even get to use all of them!)
$ 1.92 - subtotal
$ 1.72 - tax
=
$3.64 oop

second transaction:
$74.83 - subtotal
$68.00 - coupons(I should have put an item from the first order in this order)
$ 6.83 - subtotal(if I had, it would have been $4.75 less - oh well)
$ 2.08 - tax
=
$8.91 oop


GRAND TOTAL: $12.55 for $128.75 saving $116.20 or a 90.5%savings!!
(although with their sales the receipts state I saved $59.90 + $79.50 = $139.40)


THE NUMBERS:

amount spent today: $19.11

amount spent in July : $22.13

original amount available to spend: $100.00

amount available to spend for July : $77.80

July 5, 2008

I will update much later - but suffice it to say I didn't buy food - I only went to CVS and cleaned up!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

July 4, 2008

Today (yesterday) was fun. We really had nothing planned other than hanging out, but a friend called up and invited us over to grill out. So we did. We had a lot of fun there and set off some fireworks after dark.

A relaxing and peaceful day altogether.


We ran to Walmart for buns and I got carried away and didn't think and bought something. A good deal though, corn has been expensive lately.
corn = 4/$1 x3 = $3 + tax= $3.09
This will provide part of 2-3 meals

ETA * Thanks Jen - I was half asleep when I entered my totals, so yes I forgot the tax :)


THE NUMBERS:
amount spent today: $3.09
amount available to spend for July : $21.91
amount spent in July : $3.00
amount saved in July : $0.00

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Free Planter's Nuts

Follow the links - remember, you can print 2 coupons from each link(most of them, some are only 1) - that make 10 coupons!

And BTW - if you don't want them, print them out and send them to me, please!


http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rgbkdcp51873126&bt=wi&p=3L6NrDxJ&o=53034&c=KT

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rfqjagt5091847&bt=wi&o=52991&c=KT&p=sB3gL4QS

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rfxrbvg93628257&bt=wi&o=52990&c=KT&p=6I7jTfsH

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rgagfdr7418652&bt=vi&o=53175&c=KT&p=dMRQXmKO

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rgaefen95289792&bt=vi&o=53032&c=KT&p=7NiaXGQH

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rgalcop64055725&bt=wi&o=53032&c=KT&p=7NiaXGQH

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rf4gbto4747736&bt=wi&o=53032&c=KT&p=7NiaXGQH

http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13903&zid=xh20&nid=10

July 3, 2008

Today - I didn't do anything today. I am still planning my trip and sorting my coupons and cleaning my house (and playing on the computer- shhh). Still nothing oop. Don't get your hopes up! I still have 28 days to go, my dh will be home soon - and he eats a lot - and I have to go grocery shopping. So my total will drop - I just hope I do good when I do it.


THE NUMBERS:
amount available to spend for July : $25.00
amount spent in July : $0.00
amount saved in July : $0.00

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

CVS trip

A true Zero OOP!

Almost impossible to accomplish because we are taxed on everything here.

My Card:
$ 13.96- (4) CVS Exfoliating cloths @ 3.49 each
- 8.00 - (4) $2 CVS coupons (she didn't want to do separate transactions)
=
$ 5.96
paid with two $3 ecbs (one marked down to $2.96)
=
$ 0.00
and NO tax

Zero oop

spent : $6.00 ecb
earned : $11.96 ecb
profit of $5.96


Mom's card:

$ 0.99 - CVS panty shields
$ 8.97 - (3) CVS makeup cloths @ $2.99 ea
=
$9.96
- 6.00 - (3) $2 CVS coupons
=
$3.96
used a $4 ecb marked down
=
$ 0.00
and no tax

Zero oop again!

spent : $4.00 ecb
earned : $0.99; $8.97 = $9.96
profit of $5.96

woohoo - I may get used to this - I don't ming losing a few pennies, especially since they were free anyways.

Savings = $23.92 or 100% savings

Day 2 - July 2, 2008

Well - I was up very last night (this morning) but was able to get up in time to take the kids to the Free Movie our local theatre has each Wednesday during the summer. The only problem with it, is that so many people go, you have to be there an hour before it starts an in line to get a seat - first come, first served kind of thing. However, we got the watch Alvin and the Chipmunks for free - and brought bottles of water and a fruit snack from home - so Zero oop.

Then a quick trip to the library - where the kids turned in their time and received tickets and vouchers for Free Food! A stop for Free Pizzas from some of their vouchers.

Then to CVS - where I got the facial cloths (I will post my transaction later) using coupons and a $3.00 ecb and spent $0.00 oop - no tax that round.

Heading to BBW shortly to use coupons for Free items and take advantage of their 75% off sale.

*Went to Bath & Body Works to use some free coupons. Got 7 bottles of 2 oz lotion; 1 bottle of body splash; 2 tubes of antibacterial hand lotion; 1 lip tint; and 1 breathe body lotion
total sale price = $20.00 +tax
total oop = $6.42
All these items were on sale and I have no clue as to their original price, but I saved $13.58 and savings of 67.9%
(this doesn't count towards the grocery deal though - it isn't food or edible and it is for Christmas presents)

For food today:
breakfast - cereal
dinner - kids had free pizza from the library reading program - I had a slice of each pizza
supper - Bertolli pasta from my Wags deals last week

THE NUMBERS:
amount available to spend for July : $25.00
amount spent in July : $0.00
amount saved in July : $0.00

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

How to figure your Savings Percentage

to get your total savings on a deal:

add together all your original price
add together your oop
subtract oop from original
equals amount saved

then divide amount saved by original price
move decimal over two spots
viola!
your savings percentage!

Go Tip a Cow

July 11th is Cow Appreciation Day! http://www.cowappreciationday.com/

In honor of our Bovine-themed Benefactors,
it is requested that you don appropriate costumes
and make your way,
without delay,
to the nearest Chick-fil-a.

Where you will receive a tasty treat for your attire.




Thank you to http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/ for the advance heads-up

Day One - July 1, 2008

Well, not much to report. I just got back from a weekend trip and spent most of today recovering from the 20 hour drive.

However; I did find time to run to the post office for mail call (got a few rebates in) and the I went to the Recycling Center - can you say JACKPOT!! I got inserts from the last few weeks - my stack was 6 inches tall - I hope to post a picture soon - AND I got 7 of the Parade Magazines from 6.22.08 that had the Free Cheese coupons in them. So I shall be using them on my July Challenge.

For food today - lol - we had cereal that I got free last week, and I had Deli Creations that I got for $0.50 each due to markdowns and coupons on Saturday. Exciting!

I have been doing a bit of research and chatting with other Challengers on what I hope to accomplish and where I will shop this week. So I will check back in soon.


THE NUMBERS:

amount available to spend for July : $25.00
amount spent in July : $0.00
amount saved in July : $0.00

A July Challenge

I am challenging myself in July. Several other coupon bloggers I know are doing it, too. The objective is to not spend more than $25 in groceries during the month of July. The interesting part in the challenge is how many you buy for. Many who are doing it are only buying for one or two people - I am buying for 4 people. I think I am going to plan to do it for the $25, but I won't feel bad if I do it for $25 per person - that's still a great deal.

The budget amount is for groceries; not gas, prescriptions, HBA - just food items. I still plan to CVS and roll my ecbs. I am not including them as it is a grocery budget.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Wal-Mart - Free Samples

Follow this link and check it regularly. They offer several freebies by mail and they are while supplies last. They do put new ones up when they run out of current offers.

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx

FREE Coffee!

Do you enjoy a good cup of coffee? Sometimes you want just one cup and hate to make a pot? Then you should try the Senseo Coffee Maker. A single serving at a time.

Follow this link to a brief questionnaire. Once you are finished, they will ask for your email and offer you a system for shipping only = $15.00 = a great deal! You can pay by Credit Card or Paypal.

https://www.sharesenseo.com/q5/1.jsp

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Honey Nut Cheerios coupon

Honey Nut Cheerios:
"Save $1.00 when you buy Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal"
Only need to buy one and it can be any size.

More Johnson's Buddies - love them!

Free Johnson's Buddies Soap:

"$2.00 off any two Johnson's no more tangles shampoo, conditioner products OR Johnson's Buddies products"
The Johnson's Buddies Easy Grip Sudzing Bar can be found at most local Walmarts for $.94 and Kmart for $.99. CVS also has it for $.99
Print two here, then have them mailed to you from here.

Who doesn't like free stuff?!

I know I love free or almost-free. I love to get something for nothing - well, there is sweat-equity. Now, I'm not talking abot gypping someone else just to get it for free - I believe in being honest, too.

No. I'm talking about the free stuff that can be found with a bit of detective work and sometimes sweat-equity. For the purposes of this blog, I will use free samples. I spend time online searching for freebies or coupons offered by companies. Then I take a little more time to fill out their forms and then "patiently" wait for it to arrive in the mail, or sometimes the email. Granted, this takes time - and many people do not have that time. So, to help those without that time, I will be posting them here so you can take advantage of the freebies, too.

To get you started:

Thank you to Budget Helps for posting that you can get free pouch of Uncle Ben's Ready Rice! (Cajun flavor)
Click here and choose the offer for a free sample of Uncle Ben's. Then click "print coupons." Enter your address and the sample will be sent in the mail!

Thank you to Affluent Pauper for posting that Starbucks is offering iced coffee samples from June 9-13, and June 16-20 between 4-6pm at participating locations!
(Check with your local store to see if they are participating.)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Cupcake liners

Did you know that you can use cupcake liners for many things?

1 - Use them to make brownies. This is great because it helps with the crumb issues and they are single servings, AND they are all they inside brownie.

2 - Use them to serve ice cream. Adults and children alike can have ice cream this way. Scoop the ice cream into the just before serving - or even better, scoop ahead of time and refreeze on cookie tray. When its time to serve, just pull out the tray and give out the snacks

3 - Use them to hold tiny pieces. If you are taking something apart that has lot of screws, you know how those screws like to spin all of the surface - instead put them in a cupcake liner to keep them in one place. This works great for craft projects, too.

4 - Use them to serve snacks. Individual servings and easy clean-up.

5 - Use them to sprout seeds in. They are a great size for starting seeds and easily transplant when time.

first post

ok!

I am discovering how much I love blogging!