Saving for our family's Dreams!

I'm Back! Sorry it's been almost a month! Walmart deals to share!

2008-12-06T15:49:00.005-06:00

I have been so busy with holidays and birthdays that I have not had a chance to post.
We have been celebrating though because we got awesome news about my dad earlier this week. He went back for a followup MRI now that his first round of cancer treatments are complete, and there are no new tumors! He has stage IV cancer, so we know it will always be there, but for right now, the cells are not active! Hurray for lazy cancer cells! Thank you all so much for your prayers and good wishes!
Anyway, here are some good deals to post!

Walmart

Twelve boxes of Kellogg's Cereal at $2.50 each
Three boxes of Poptarts at $1.56 each
Two boxes of Bagelfuls at $1.87 each
One bag of Steamers at $1
One package of Kotex at $1

Total before coupons - 37.43

Coupons Used
12 $1 off Kelloggs
Three $1 off Poptarts peelies on each box
Two $1 off Bagelfuls (Print from coupons box on this page!)
$1 off Steamers
$1 off Kotex (All You Magazine)

Total OOP - $18.43

These were all in the clearance aisle at Walmart. I don't know the exact prices before the sale, but I will give you the sale prices. Awesome!

Two bags of Wilton Halloween cookie cutters (packs of three) - $1 each
One box of fall cookie cutters - $1
Two large bottles of sprinkles - $1 each
Three small bottles of sprinkles - .50 each
Four bags of cupcake liners -.47 each

Cooking Frenzy

2008-11-15T18:16:00.002-06:00

I didn't plan it, but today turned into a day of cooking!
I went to the grocery store early this morning with plans of making chili this afternoon, and I found some awesome deals on vegetables also. I found so many organic vegetables marked down to under $1 because they had to be sold this week that I changed my menu plans. I also took advantage of the $5/10 item Mega Sale at Kroger to stock up on tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
When I came home, I decided to go ahead and get several dishes going. I browned all 10 pounds of ground beef and chopped vegetables for a while. I put together a large stockpot of chili, two crockpots of Amish Veggie Beef soup and another crockpot of spaghetti sauce.
My counters are full of crockpots and my freezer will soon be full for the winter! :)

Making Your Home a Haven- Part 2

2008-11-14T22:22:00.004-06:00

I have used this challenge as a reason to do some of my busy work that I always say I will do another day. You know what I mean! All of those things you know need to get done but somehow get pushed to the wayside while you make sure the dishes are washed and the clothes are clean. So, here is just a few of the busy projects I got out of the way this week! I really wish I had taken before pictures, but I will try to get some of the after pictures done and posted later this week.

- Soaking the children's bath toys in water and bleach to get the junk off of the toys! I did it in the bathtub so I could use the time to clean the bathtub too!
- Cleaning off my nightstand and washing my tablecloth. Unfortunately, my cat loves to lay on it, so it always has a mess of cat hair around the edges. While it was washing, I used the time to sort through all of the paper and books that have slowly piled up until there was nowhere else to even put my clock or telephone. Now it is nice and neat!
- Completely empty the battery drawer and sort them all out. I put in a silverware organizer and pulled all of the batteries out of their packages. I sorted them into the silverware slots and now I can tell how many we have of each one instead of getting down to the last batteries in the remote and having them die!
- Cleaning off the top of the refrigerator and dusting it. I have always used the top to store my crystal pitchers and vases, and they rattle when the washing machine is running. It also looks so cluttered, and drives my husband crazy. So, I found a way to put all of these items into cabinets and now it looks so neat!
- Not a big one, but found the perfect sized basket to put all of the baby's toys that seem to make their way into the living room. It is so easy to just throw them all into a pretty basket instead of trying to stack them in a corner.

This is not everything, but these are definitely the highlights. I have also signed up for the Oprah "Clean Up Your Messy House Tour" here. Peter Walsh assures us that in six months our homes will be completely organized if we will just do our homework. I will give it a shot, and in six months, we will see! I already feel better when I look at my refrigerator and my nightstand!
Also, there is a bonus! When you sign up, you get a 20 percent off coupon for The Container Store. Hurry though! The promotion ends at 11:59 p.m. CST Nov. 19.

Making Your Home a Haven - Part 1

2008-11-10T17:09:00.003-06:00

I am following along with Biblical Womanhood's Making Your Home A Haven here. I have already started working toward decluttering our home through putting things away for a spring yard sale or donating to the local St. Vincent DePaul or Christian Food Bank. This is just an incentive to get things moving!
I was excited about the progress I made today.

- Cleaned living room of all clutter to make room for the guys to put up crown moulding tonight.
- Put away the "TV House" my daughter has been playing in all summer and fall long. It is a playhouse made out of a big box that our television came in a couple of years ago. We keep it in the sunroom because that room doesn't get much use during this time of year. Now that it is time to start using the hot tub again, that room needs to be clutter free!
- Washed and folded four loads of laundry including school uniforms for the entire week.
- Cleared drying rack of dishes, loaded and unloaded dishwasher and finished washing extra dishes that didn't fit in the dishwasher.
- Prepared filling for chicken enchiladas first thing this morning after shopping trips so it could simmer all day in the crockpot.
- Shopped Kroger and Walgreens between school drop off and morning nap. Managed to get it all put away at once instead of one piece at a time all day!

Kroger Mega Sale and Quick Trip to Walgreens

2008-11-10T09:57:00.004-06:00

Walgreens

I bought six cans of Libby's canned pumpkin with a seven day coupon. You could only buy three cans per coupon, so I did it in two transactions.

First Transaction
Three cans of pumpkin (Reg. $1.79 each) at .99 each

OOP - $2.97

Second Transaction
Same as above

Total OOP - $5.94
Savings - $4.80 - 56 % savings!
Kroger
Above was purchased with the $5/10 items Mega Sale.

Eight cans of Carnation Evaporated Milk at $2 each
Two boxes of Betty Crocker Potatoes at $1.50 each
Two bags of Betty Crocker cookie Mix at $2 each
One box of Betty Crocker Banana Nut Muffin Mix at $2.50
One Quaker Oats at $1.50
One Peter Pan Peanut Butter at $2.50
One Colgate Toothpaste at $1.50
Four boxes of Zatarains at $1.50 each

Coupons Used
Four $1/2 Carnation
Two .40 off Betty Crocker Potatoes (doubled to .80) here
Two .75 off Betty Crocker Cookie Mix here
One .45 off Muffin Mix (doubled to .90) here
One $1 off Quaker Oats
One .50 off Peter Pan (doubled to $1)
One .75 off Colgate
Two $1/2 Zatarains
Total before coupons and discount was $37.
Total OOP - $6.44 or 82.6% savings!

These were items that happened to be marked down while I was in Kroger. Missing is the sippy cup my daughter has already started using!

Two French's Mustard at .60 each (Reg. $1.30 each)
One Playtex Baby Einstein Sippy Cup on sale at $2.99 (Reg. $5.19)
Package of Chicken Breasts at $2.53 (Reg. $8.50)
Package of Chicken Breasts at $3.83 (Reg. $8.97)
Package of Chicken Breasts at $4.20 (Reg. $8.20)
Package of Chicken Breasts at $6.03 (Reg. $11.76

Total OOP - 20.96
Savings - $24.26 or 54%

Total OOP for trip - $33.34
Not bad at all!

Trip to Walmart

2008-11-01T18:14:00.004-05:00

Here is a quick trip to Walmart using coupons I got here at Centsible Sawyer. I would have also had two boxes of Nestle Hot Chocolate, but you can see what happened there here.

Two boxes of Bagelfuls at $1.98 each
Two bags of Cat Chow at $4.33 each
Two cans of Progresso Soup at $1.50 each
Two Shrimp Poppers at $1.25 each
Nine Johnson's Buddies Soaps at .97 each

Total before coupons - $28.85

Coupons Used
Two $1 off Bagelfuls
Two $3 off Purina
Two $1.10 off Progresso
Two $1 off Shrimp Poppers
Three $3 off three Johnson's Products

Total after coupons - $6.69 (More than 75% savings!)

Fraudulent Coupons Again? Ugh!

2008-10-29T22:33:00.001-05:00

I took the Nestle's Hot Chocolate coupons to Walmart today and was told they will not accept them because they have to be redeemed in El Rio, TX. They said any coupon with that address will not be accepted because they cannot be reimbursed for them. The CSM told me those were to be considered fraudulent. Has anyone else had this problem?

Menu Planning Monday (on a Tuesday)

2008-10-28T12:25:00.003-05:00

I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday, so here is my menu planning Monday on a Tuesday

Monday - Chicken Ranch Wraps
Chicken, Bacon, Cheese and whatever veggies you love. Wrap them up in a warm tortilla and top it with your favorite dressing. You can use baked chicken or fried chicken strips. These are family favorites! (I put a whole chicken in the crockpot Sunday afternoon with just some water, salt and pepper and let it cook on low for about 18 hours. It is so tender this way and much cheaper than buying the boneless, skinless pieces.)

Tuesday - Buffalo chicken sandwiches, pasta salad and veggies

Wednesday - Roast, potatoes and carrots in the crockpot, rolls

Thursday - Chicken casserole (with leftover chicken from Monday's wraps), veggies and rolls

Friday - Homemade pizza with breadsticks

Saturday - Beef enchiladas and spanish rice

Sunday - Spaghetti, salad and breadsticks

Recipes for some of these can be found here. Since they are all family favorites, we eat them a lot!

Homemade Wrapping Paper

2008-10-28T09:20:00.002-05:00

Throughout the holidays, I am going to try and post about many of the holiday traditions in our home that I try to include my children in. The first one for us is always our homemade wrapping paper.
If you go to your local newspaper or printing press, you can get an end roll (the end of a roll of printing paper) for next to nothing or even free. It looks like a roll of butcher block paper. Since I work part time for a newspaper, I can take mine home for free! (It also doubles as art paper in our house).
So, I spread out several pieces across our kitchen floor and tape down the edges, and I let my daughter's imagination run free! I give her colors, paint, stampers, glue and old Christmas cards. She decorates the paper with Christmas drawings and I use these to wrap presents for family members.
This also saves money on gift tags because you can write directly on the paper. Grandparents and aunts and uncles love to get presents wrapped in this handmade paper.
The only problem is that is takes forever to unwrap presents because nobody wants to tear the paper!

$5/$20 purchase at Walgreens for Fri. and Sat. Only

2008-10-23T17:08:00.003-05:00

Well, Walgreens has done it again! They have issued another $5/$20 coupon for Friday and Saturday. And its DOUBLE DIP days! I was really sad when I didn't get to use the last $5/$25 because we were all sick and I couldn't get there, but this one is even better! This one can also be used for photo purchases!
Anyway, go here to get your coupon and make Christmas shopping a little cheaper! Also, for those of you who don't know about Double Dip days, check here to read about it at From Wags to Riches. She can explain it much clearer than me!

Clearance at Target

2008-10-23T08:39:00.002-05:00

Make sure you check the clearance racks at Target because when I was there this past weekend, I found so many things on clearance in the kitchen aisles. I was able to get a new stainless steel crockpot for 50 percent off, and I only paid $12.50! Love it!

Congratulations Freebies 4 Mom!

2008-10-23T08:33:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Heather at Freebies 4 Mom! She was featured on Inside Edition last night for all of the goodies she gets for free. Good for you!!!!!

Quick trip to Walmart for $2.08

2008-10-23T08:16:00.003-05:00

Two Banquet Select Meals at $1.36 each
Two Toaster Strudels at $1.88 each
One Wet Ones at .99

Coupons Used
Two free Banquet Selects (Won from Money Saving Mom)
Two $1 off Toaster Strudels
One .75 off Wet Ones

Total OOP $2.08

2008-10-22T19:24:00.002-05:00

I have always enjoyed cooking with my daughter, and as she is getting older, it is becoming easier to do. Last night, she made dinner for us with biscuit pizzas. It is very simple, but she is much more likely to eat when she feels some ownership over what we are eating. Biscuit pizzas are super easy and minimally messy for younger children. I encourage anyone to spend the extra few minutes teaching your children to cook when they are younger, and it will definitely pay off in the end.

Biscuit Pizzas

One package of biscuits
One jar of tomato sauce or pizza sauce
Mozzarella
Pepperoni or other pizza toppings

Preheat oven according to biscuit package instructions. Lay out biscuits on cookie sheet and flatten. Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni or other toppings. Cook according to biscuit package directions and serve.

Making some changes...what do you think?

2008-10-16T17:03:00.005-05:00

I know it has been quite a while since I posted, but I have really been thinking about where I want my blog to go. I have been posting about deals since summer, but I really feel like I want to add to my posts. So, I am hoping to challenge or (even inspire :P) other moms to do more for themselves without taking away from their families.
I was thinking the other night about what life was like before my children came along. :) I would sleep late on the weekends, spend hours window shopping or trying on clothes, see two movies on the weekend or even spend two or three hours at a dinner with my husband!
Now I consider myself lucky if I get to sleep past 8 a.m., spot a cute t-shirt while racing through the aisles at Target or Walmart or even get to have dinner with my husband by myself at the local Mexican restaurant.
Don't get me wrong! I am not complaining. I love my life and love my children, but on those rare occasions when I am by myself (like now at 11:30 p.m. when everyone is asleep), I try to think about what I can do in those small patches of time when I am on my own!
A couple of Christmases ago, I asked for a book called "Taking Care of the Me in Mommy" by Lisa Whelchel. You remember Lisa, or maybe you remember her a.k.a. Blair Warner, on the Facts of Life. I began reading her books a few years ago when we began considering homeschooling. She is so down-to-earth and like me in many ways, I quickly gobbled up anything she wrote.
"Taking Care of the Me in Mommy" has so many tips for taking those small snatches of time and using them to renew yourself. She makes me feel better about taking time for me rather than feeling guilty about spending 20 minutes on myself.
Last weekend, my husband came inside after working outdoors for a while, and he offered to watch my girls so I could go out with a friend for a while. The only problem was that is was already 6 p.m., I was in my pajamas and I just didn't feel like getting ready to go back out. Also, the majority of my friends are also SAHMs who can't go out at the drop of a hat.
So, instead of just passing up the offer, I took him up on the chance to watch the girls, and I locked my bedroom door for a few hours. I took a bath and used all of my bath gels and bubbles that I keep hidden from the children! I lit great smelling candles and read a stack of magazines that had been piling up for a few weeks.
After an hour in the bathtub and another hour with lotions and soft pillows on the bed, I was so relaxed that I could have just fallen into bed to watch a movie. Instead, I was so mellow and happy, I spent the next hour reading Charlotte's Web, curled up in the blankets, with my 6-year-old. It was a great night. I understood what Lisa meant when she said that mothers are better to and for their families when they take some time for themselves.
I have really been thinking about what I can do for my family to enjoy them more and enjoy my life more, so I hope to be sharing more of those ideas with you as time goes along.
I will still be posting my deals and money saving tips, but I hope to help other moms who are a little burned out! Let me know what you think or what you would like to hear about.

Makeup and More Buddies at CVS

2008-09-29T12:39:00.003-05:00

I went to CVS today armed with my Cover Girl coupons and more Buddies coupons and came out for less than $1.

First Transaction

Cover Girl Foundation at $5.79
Cover Girl Concealer at $4.79
Three Johnson's Buddies at $1.19 each

Coupons Used
Buy Foundation Get Skin Product Free
$1 off Cover Girl
$3/3 Johnsons

Total OOP - $5.99
ECBs Earned - $5.79

Total for trip - .20

Love the Johnson's Buddies!

2008-09-29T12:35:00.002-05:00

I went to Walmart today and spent .54 on 18 Buddies Soaps! I had coupons for $3/3 Johnsons products and with the price of .97 each at Walmart, I only had to pay .3 for each of them for tax! Thanks to Coupon Clippers I was able to get 10 coupons. I would have bought more soaps at Walmart, but I cleaned off the shelves!!!!!

WAGS Candy on Clearance

2008-09-26T09:36:00.002-05:00

I went in this morning to use my 5/20 coupon at WAGS and I found a huge amount of candy on clearance! I bought so many stocking stuffers for .25 and .30. There were shelves full of baskets, full of candy! Loved it! They also have Disney musical snowglobes for only $9.99. They were up on a high shelf, but there were four different kinds that I saw. I got a Mickey Mouse one for my daughter for Christmas, but I also saw a Sleeping Beauty, Disney Princesses and Winnie the Pooh. Great deal for these!

More than I bargained for at CVS

2008-09-25T15:55:00.003-05:00

I went in for Soy Joy and Alpo, but I came out with tons of hair goodies for 90 percent off! Not pictured are my daughter's Skittles which were quickly eaten and her lunch sacks needed for a school field trip.

First transaction

10 Soy Joys on sale at .50 each
One chocolate Skittles at .79
One Secret deodorant at .99
Two Alpo dog food BOGO at $1.19
Two headbands (regular $7.50 each) at .75 each
Two clips (regular $6 each) at .60 each
One mini clips (regular $4.50) at .45
Two clips (regular $5 each) at .50 each

Coupons Used
Two $3 off Soy Joy (second one adjusted down to $2)
One BOGO Alpo up to .79
One .50 off Secret MC

Total OOP - $6.26

Second Transaction

Two Alpo BOGO at $1.19
One lunchbag at $1.99

Coupon Used
One BOGO Alpo up to .79

Total OOP - 2.58

Third Transaction

One Reeses Cups 8 pk at .88
Two Alpo BOGO at $1.19

Coupon Used
One BOGO Alpo up to .79

Total OOP - $1

Total OOP for trip - $9.84 (Two of the hair clips would have cost me more than that!)

Awesome deal at CVS

2008-09-23T13:41:00.003-05:00

I was able to get four pairs of clogs for my daughter today at CVS and it cost me nothing OOP! (I will post a picture later tonight when I get a chance) The shoes are regularly $7.99 each, and they are 75% off with summer items right now! I was able to get four pairs for $8, and I still had $8 ECBs left over from my Arnicare deal last week, so it didn't cost me a dime! I love clearance sales!

Homeowners Insurance covers food loss!

2008-09-18T09:20:00.002-05:00

This is my frugal tip of the day.
I did not realize it, but my homeowners insurance will cover the loss of food in my refrigerators and freezers due to the power outage! Someone at my husband's job told him we should check into it, and indeed it does!
My policy subtracts my deductible and then pays the difference! For some people, meeting the deductible may be difficult, but I have two refrigerator/freezers and a deep freezer, and they were all full. The meat in the deep freezer alone may meet the deductible!
All I have to do is keep a list of the food I throw out and then turn it in with the approximate price value. I won't make enough to replace it all, but at least it will be something.
You should call your insurance company and check into it!

We interrupt this program....

2008-09-17T12:42:00.001-05:00

I have had no power since the weekend thanks to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike traveling across Kentucky, so I have not had a chance to post at all until today. I will begin posting tonight and set up this week's coupon contest. Talk to you soon!

Upcoming moneymaker at CVS

2008-09-13T22:53:00.002-05:00

I was looking at the upcoming CVS ad for 9/14 and I saw where the Aleve is $3.99 and paying $3 ECBs. This coupon will give you $1 off, so you can get it for -.01 after ECBs!
Also, Degree deodorant is $1.99 with your EC card, and the Degree website says there are $2 peelies on the deodorant in some stores, so be on the lookout!

Chance to win a $5,000 room from Pottery Barn Kids

2008-09-13T22:38:00.004-05:00

There is a giveaway here from Real Simple magazine with a chance to win $5,000 in supplies from Pottery Barn Kids to decorate your ultimate playroom! You can enter until Oct. 13, so good luck!

Free Subscription to Good Housekeeping

2008-09-13T13:49:00.002-05:00

Good Housekeeping is offering a free subscription to readers who purchase $20 or more in a single transaction of certain products at Kroger Family stores from Sept. 14 to Oct. 11.
Shoppers ar Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Frys, Gerbes, Hilander, Jay-C, King Soopers, Kroger, Owen's, Pay-Less, Ralph's, Scott's, Smith's and QFC will have a coupon print at the end of their transaction when they purchase the $20 of the following items:
Betty Crocker Au Gratin Potatoes, Butter Buds, Campbell's Red and White Adult Vaierty, Campbell's Select Harvest, Dreamfield's Pasta, Eggo Waffles, Minute Rice, Naturally Preferred, Private Selection, TGI Friday's Sizzling Steak Fajitas, Tilmook Cheese, Simple Harvest, Spam, Swanson Chicken Broth, Blue Diamond Almonds, Lay's Cracker Crisps, Minute Main Enhanced Juice, Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk, Pepperidge Farm Cookies, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Snyder's of Hanover Pretzels and Snacks, Aussie Opposites Attract Spray Gel, Pantene, Secret Flawless, Alli, Commit, KY Liquibeads, Oxy Acne Solutions, Tampax, Angel Soft, Brawny, Dixie, GE Energy Smart Light Bulbs, Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer, Simple Geren, Vanity Fair Napkins and Woolite Oxy Deep.

Trip to Kroger

2008-09-12T20:02:00.004-05:00

With Hurricane Ike coming through, gasoline in my town took a .48 jump today and they are rationing it to 10 gallons a person, so I tried to do all of my running while I was in town. My weekend shopping trips are on hold until this gas goes down!
So, while I was in town to pick up my daughter from school and go to Walgreens for shampoo, I made a trip to Kroger to use up some coupons before they expired. I had hoped to get some more Cottonelle, but they were out. I hope to get back to use them before they expire next week though. I could have done better if I hadn't needed the chicken, Handisnacks and the Pedialax, but those are essentials in this house! Anyway...here is today's haul.

Three bottles of French's Mustard at $1.30 each
Three bottles of Franks Red Hot at $1.18 each
One loaf of Sara Lee Bread at $2
Two boxes of Rice A Roni at $1.07 each
Four packets of Taco Seasoning at .89 each
One box of Pedialax at $5.79
One box of Handisnacks at $3.49
Not pictured are two half gallons of Soy Milk at $3.68 each and one pound of deli chicken at about $6.99.

Coupons Used
Three .50 off French's Mustard (doubled to $1 each)
Three Franks Red Hot (doubled to $1 each)
One $1 off Sara Lee (Mailed to Kroger Plus customers)
Two .50 off Rice A Roni (doubled to $1 each)
Two .50 off Old El Paso (doubled to $1 each)
One $1 off Pedialax
Two $2.25 off Silk Soy Milk

Check here for the Frenchs and Franks coupons. The Silk coupon is no longer active.

Total after coupons - $20.18

Walgreens with my $10/$40 coupon

2008-09-12T19:45:00.005-05:00

I used my $10/$40 today and was able to get several good deals. I could have gotten a few more sweet ones if I hadn't needed to get Denorex anyway, but it still came out pretty well. And of course now I realize that I bought one too many Chemistry hair products for a rebate, but I am going to try and take it back tomorrow and exchange it for something else in the rebate book.
Also, my Walgreens is SUPER strict about coupons, and they won't allow us to use more than one of the same coupon per purchase unless the coupon specifically says one coupon per item purchased. If is says one per purchase, even though the corporate policy says that means one per item purchased, my Walgreens still does not allow it. Because of this, I miss out on a lot of great deals that produce Register Rewards, but I am trying to work around it.

Two boxes of 100 Calorie Oreos at $2.50 each
One box of 100 Calorie Ritz Chips at $1.79
Two South Beach Diet Bars at $2.50 each
One Robitussin at $3.99
One Dimetapp at $3.99
Two Chemistry Hair Products at $7.99 each
One Pert Plus at $4.99
One Capri Sun at $3.79
One Denorex at $7.99

Coupons Used
Two $2 off South Beach Bars (Labeled one per item purchased)
One $1 off Robitussin
One $2 off Dimetapp
One $2 off Pert Plus
$10/$40

Total OOP - $33.52
RR Received -$5 for cough syrups
Rebates Received - 17.46 for Chemistry, Pert Plus, Nabisco products (I am taking into account that I will be exchanging the extra Chemistry for some other rebate product)

Total OOP after RR and Rebates - $11.06

Coupon from CVS in the mail

2008-09-11T16:54:00.004-05:00

I received my first coupon from CVS in the mail today.
I got $1 off of Glade Fabric and Air Odor Eliminator and since it is a CVS coupon, I can use my $1.50 off manufacturer coupon as well. I think that will make it less than $1 for the bottle! :)
I already have quite a few from when it was free after coupons at Walgreens, but I can always use more!
Has anyone else received CVS coupons by mail lately?

Moneymaker at CVS

2008-09-09T12:17:00.004-05:00

This is a great one. This is Arnicare muscle rub, and it is normally more than $9 a bottle. You can buy it this month for $8.99 and receive $8 in ECBs. With this coupon, you can save $2 each time, so you can make $1.01 with each one. There is a limit at CVS of 5 per household. Enjoy!

This week's coupon contest and Menu Planning Monday all together!

2008-09-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

I am issuing a stockpile challenge to all of my readers.
Every other Friday is my grocery shopping day, so for this week, I am putting a major challenge to myself. I bought only what is essential for the next two weeks and will try to make all of my meals from my stockpile. I bought only deli chicken (for daughter's lunchbox), veggies and salad fixings. I will go to Walgreens or CVS and use gift card or ECBs to get milk when we need it.
So, the following is my menu for the next two weeksI am going to try to live almost completely off of my stockpile (and since I hadn't been planning this until tonight, this should be interesting). You will notice there is a lot of Mexican, but that is definitely our family's favorite, so they don't mind having it several times!

Anyway, on to the contest...
What creative ways can you think to plan menus around your stockpile? Leave me a meal suggestion and you will be entered for this week's contest. Good luck and good eating!

Weekday breakfasts - Cereal or Poptarts (My daughter and husband don't eat big breakfasts, and I don't usually eat it at all)

Weekday lunches - Since my daughter eats her lunch at school (usually sandwich, fruit and granola bar) and my husband eats lunch at work, I usually just grab whatever is around. Usually a deli chicken sandwich with fruit or salad.

Monday dinner - Roast, carrots and potatoes

Tuesday dinner - Taco soup from the freezer with torilla chips or Fritoes

Wednesday dinner - Chicken with Romano's Macaroni Grill mix, veggies and salad

Thursday dinner - Homemade pizza and salad with breadsticks

Friday dinner - Beef broccoli, fried rice and egg rolls

Saturday lunch - Sandwiches and chips

Saturday dinner - Beef enchiladas and Mexican rice

Sunday lunch - Grilled cheese and fruit

Sunday dinner - Beef stirfry and white rice

Monday dinner - Roasted chicken, veggies and rolls

Tuesday dinner - Crockpot Salsa Chicken (love this recipe, except I make it with boneless chicken and serve it over tortillas with cheese on top) and rice and torilla chips

Wednesday dinner - Chicken salad (from roasted chicken leftovers) and fruit

Thursday dinner - Tacos and rice or beans

Friday dinner - Upside down pizza and salad

Grocery Clearance at Amazon

2008-09-07T14:43:00.004-05:00

I have never ordered groceries from Amazon, but I know there are people out there who do, so I thought I would post this just in case! :)
Amazon is having a 55 percent Sept. grocery clearance sale. They have many items that will be reduced by 55 percent when you check out, and there were several gluten free and organic choices too.
If you order more than $25, you also get free shipping. You have to go fast though because there are limited quanities and many have already sold out.
At prices like these, I just might have to give this a shot for once and see if it is any good!
I have never heard anything bad about it, but since I have never tried it, I can't recommend it yet.
Have any of you used this service before? What did you think?

CVS trip this week (I'm slacking! Sorry!)

2008-09-07T13:06:00.003-05:00

I had a pretty good trip at CVS this week, but I had to send in several of my receipts for rebates, so I am not entirely sure how I did it! I will try to at least list my coupons used! I promise I will do better next week. This was with my mom's card and mine, and the three monitors are not pictured because I already donated them.

Four Dawn at .99 each
Three Cover Girl Lip Gloss at $5.99 each
Three Colgate at $2.99 each
Three Pringles at .88 each
Two Breathe Rights at $5.99 each (I think)
Two Freestyle Diabetes Monitors at $9.99 each
One Precision Monitor at $19.99

Coupons Used
Two .50 off dawn
Two $1 off Dawn Hand Renewal
Three $1.50 off Colgate
One $1 off three Pringles
One $10 off Precision Monitor
One B1G1 Cover Girl

ECBs earned
Two $5.99 for Cover Girl
Three $2 for Colgate
One $9.99 for Precision Monitor
Two $9.99 for Freestyle Monitors

ECBs spent
$15.99 and $5.99

Rebates Earned
Two $9.99 from Freestyles

Total OOP
$5.04

Trip to Walmart for under $25

2008-09-07T12:50:00.002-05:00

My husband swears there is a $100 cover charge just to enter Walmart, but this week I proved him wrong. I was able to get all of this at Walmart for just under $25. I don't have my exact total because the baby managed to chew up the receipt before we got to the car, but I think I can remember! Keep in mind all of these prices are approximate since I don't have the receipt anymore!

Six Voila meals at about $3.75 each
One Just Bunches at $2.50
Three Starkist Gourmet at .98 each
Two Cascade rinse aids at $3.47
Two Kotex at $1 each
One Kraft cheese, Kraft dressing, Crystal Light, Oscar Meyer hotdogs, Wheat Thins (All free)
15 Kool-Aids at .18 each

Coupons Used
Free Kraft cheese, Kraft dressing, Crystal Light, Oscar Meyer hotdogs, Wheat Thins wyb three (I used Kool-Aid)
Six $1 off Voila Meals
One $2 off Just Bunches
One B2G1 Starkist
Two Free Cascade
Two $1 off Kotex

So I spent $24.xx OOP and I will be sending in the six Voila proof of purchases for two Charlie Brown DVDs for Christmas presents. Not bad!

.36 at Kroger

2008-09-07T00:15:00.002-05:00

I paid .36 at Kroger for all of this. All I paid for after the coupons was .18 on each bottle of Franks Red Hot Sauce! See my previous post here to see what coupons to take with you for this deal!

The winner is...

2008-09-06T23:15:00.003-05:00

This week's winner is Ginny!
I am sorry this is so late in the day, but we have been out of town and I didn't get a chance to post until now. :)
I am notifying Ginny and as usual, she has until midnight Sunday/Monday to get back with me or I will choose another winner.
Thanks for all of your suggestions, and check back Monday because I have a great plan for next week's contest!
And for everyone who has won coupons in the last three weeks, I have not forgotten about you I promise! I will be mailing them all out this week!

New Johnson's Baby coupons

2008-09-06T12:21:00.003-05:00

I thought I had managed to find all of the Johnson's Baby coupons out there, but I was able to print two more for shampoo here. Have it mailed to you here.
And two more for Buddies here.
There is also one for before bed products here. And have it mailed to you here.
This one is for lotion and you can have it mailed to you here.

This week's coupon contest

2008-09-02T11:43:00.003-05:00

This week I really want to know what you are doing with all of your Kool-Aid packets, free hot dogs, free Wheat Thins, free Crystal Light, free cheese and free salad dressing!
If you have did not receive these coupons or pick them up in last month's All You, you can still participate just by telling me your favorite thing to do with one of these ingredients.
I believe I still have eight boxes of Wheat Thins, nine packs of hot dogs, about 20 bottles of salad dressing and about 70 packages of Kool-Aid. Help me!
The winner for this week's coupons will be randomly chosen on Saturday afternoon. Good luck!

Free Toilet Paper and more at Kroger

2008-09-01T19:35:00.005-05:00

I knew we could get free Cottonelle toilet paper at Kroger with the insert coupons, but I did find a printable here too. And, you can print these each month, so since Cottonelle is regularly priced a .99, this will mean free toilet paper for a really long time!
(Update-I found out during my trip today that these coupons are not for the .99 paper, but they are still a good discount.)
(Update again!-Some people at Centsable Sawyer are reporting that the Ultra coupons are working!)

Also, this coupon will give you a .50 coupon for French's mustard. It is on sale right now for $1, so free mustard too!

Soy milk can get expensive, so I was very excited when Silk put out this coupon for $2.25 off. It doesn't make it free, but it is very inexpensive this way!

This week's coupon winner

2008-08-30T12:38:00.001-05:00

The winner for this week's coupon contest is This Journey of Mine. I have contacted her and she has until midnight Monday/Tuesday (since it is a holiday weekend) to get in touch with me or I will choose another winner. Thanks for all your participation and check back on Tuesday for a new giveaway!

Update on Kmart Cereal Rebates

2008-08-28T17:23:00.002-05:00

You have to mail in the original UPCs from all of the cereals, but you can mail a copy of the receipt for the Kmart Gift Card rebate. So, if you have four more of the same type of cereals at home that you can cut the UPC off to send in, this deal will work. Luckily for me, I did, so I am able to redeem both.
Heads up though, there are only a few cereals included in the deal like Frosted Flakes, Frosted Flakes Gold, Pops, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pops, Froot Loops, Froot Loops Cereal Straws and a few more. I wasn't able to use the $1 coupons I printed, but I was able to use the $1/2 cereals that came in the Kelloggs coupon insert a few weeks ago. Not free at purchase, but very close! Plus I found Raisin Bran Crunch on clearance for $1.50 a box and was able to get six of those to use for the $10 rebate from Kelloggs. I used the $1/2 cereal coupons for this as well.

Total OOP - $13
Total Rebates to Come - $10 cash from Kelloggs and $5 gift card from Kmart

Free Cereal at Kmart

2008-08-27T21:50:00.003-05:00

I have seen the ads from Kmart that are advertising 4/$9 with a $5 Kmart MIR back, so I was on the lookout for coupons to use to make this free. I don't know yet what the specific cereals are, but here are some coupons for Kellogg's products.

Rice Krispies with Strawberries here

Smart Start and Frosted Mini Wheats here

Use four of these $1 off coupons and get it for free! Also, if you still have $10 MIR forms from Kellogg's Fuel for School promotion, use this to get $10 back! Just remember that all 10 products have to be on the same receipt!

Menu Planning Monday

2008-08-25T13:04:00.007-05:00

This is my first time participating in Menu Planning Monday, but I am hoping it will make my grocery use more efficient. I used to plan out the weeks, but it seemed like something always came up and the meals didn't get made. I am going to try harder this time!

Monday - Crockpot Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Beef Enchiladas, Mexican Rice, Tortilla chips
I like to make up a large skillet of "Mexican Beef" and keep it in the freezer for nights like this one. I just cook ground beef, onions, chili peppers, cumen, chili power and cayenne until it is cooked through. Then I freeze it in two pound batches. For the enchiladas, I heat the beef with corn and black beans and then put it into tortillas with shredded cheese. I put them into a casserole dish and cover them with enchilada sauce and more cheese. I cook them for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is good and bubbly.

Wednesday - Pizza, breadsticks, salad
We love to make homemade pizza, so it will just depend on the ingredients available in the refrigerator as to what ends up on the crust!

Thursday - Beef Stirfry, Rice, Eggrolls
My stirfry is a little different because my husband likes to have a beef broth to put on top of his rice, so make sure you read this one through before you decide if it is for you! We love it though.
To make my stirfry, I heat veggie oil in the bottom of my wok and cook chopped garlic in it until the taste is infused through the oil. Afterward, I add thin slices of beef or deer tenderloin until they are cooked almost through as well.
I remove the beef and then add a little more oil and garlic before I start cooking my chopped veggies. These depend on what I have from the farmer's market on Weds. I usually use broccoli, snow peas, onions, peppers, mushrooms and whatever else hits me.
After these have cooked enough to lose their toughness, I add back the meat and add one can of beef broth. Then I put the top on and let it simmer until the veggies are the consistency we like. I serve it over white or fried rice.

Friday - Chicken Casserole, Rice and Rolls
This chicken casserole is a favorite from when I was little. Bake about 1.5 pounds of chicken, and while it is cooking, add two cans of tiny baby peas to the bottom of a casserole dish. Mix together one cup of Miracle Whip or mayo (I prefer MW) and one can of cream of mushroom soup. Add two tablespoons of curry (or more depending on your taste) and one cup of shredded cheddar cheese. After the chicken is cooked, shred it and add it to the mixture. Pour this over the peas and then cover the top with more cheddar! (Love it!) Bake it for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. This is awesome served over white rice!

Saturday - Empty the fridge day

Sunday - Eat out at Mexican restaurant with whole family

Dessert for any of these meals includes fruit or homemade fruit juice popsicles.

Response from CVS

2008-08-25T12:55:00.002-05:00

I posted a couple of weeks ago about the problems I was having at our local CVS using certain coupons, so I emailed CVS and got my response! I am right! Yeah! Here is a copy of the response.

"Thank you for taking the time to contact CVS/pharmacy with your inquiry. I’ve provided our coupon policies. Although; all final decisions are left to the Store Manager’s discretion.
CVS/pharmacy will accept coupons printed from the Internet. They must have a legible barcode that scans at the register. If the coupon does not scan at the register, the cashier should politely inform you that we are unable to accept your coupon. We do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet.
Our registers are set to allow 1 CVS coupon and 1 manufacturer coupon per item. However, the staff should be allowing customers to use Extra Bucks in combination with other CVS coupons since these are coupons you have “earned.” In addition, similarly they should be allowing the use of “offer at the register” coupons which would be an open offer of $3 off of $15 or a certain dollar amount off of a specific item. Since our registers are programmed to only accept 2 coupons (1 CVS, 1 manufacturer) per item if the number of coupons exceed the items purchased a member of management will need to assist the cashier in processing the coupons. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
You can use coupons towards a clearance item but the coupon will be adjusted if it is more than the price of the item.
The BOGO coupon allows you to purchase 2 items and get them both for free. With the manufacturer’s coupons you can combine one with one CVS coupon. You will be responsible for any tax due.
If we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for taking the time to contact CVS/pharmacy."

So, I understand this to mean that as long as the coupons scan, which mine do, they have to accept them.

Now my problem has become having to talk to the manager with the letter because I know he is going to be irritated about the whole situation. I don't want this to become a confrontational thing, but I am afraid it will be. I am not trying to tell him his job, but I know I am right in this case.

So, how would you approach this?

This week's coupon contest

2008-08-25T08:14:00.001-05:00

Well, I received so many good questions last week that I will have coupon contests for months to come! :) The question for this week comes from a combination of people. So, what I want to know this week is how much time do you spend in a week for your couponing/bargain shopping? Do you have a certain schedule or so you just fit it in wherever possible?
Leave me a comment and I will pick a random winner on Saturday morning for a whole new envelope of coupons! Thanks and good luck!

Walgreens this week (Baby stuff on clearance)

2008-08-24T09:55:00.003-05:00

I had to put everything away already since it is for Christmas for my daughter, but I used the $5/$20 coupon and was able to get a couple of Christmas presents for her. I also found out they have been stocking the baby shelves, so there were shelves of baby items in the clearance aisle!
I bought one Crayola Color Wonder Backyardigans set for $7.99 and one Crayola Go Paint set for $9.99. I had a .50 coupon for the Go Paint set, so I still needed something to fill in $2.52 before I could use the coupon. I looked on the clearance shelves and found a huge pack of Huggies wipes marked down from $7.49 to $3.41!
There were several packs of Huggies diapers and WAGS diapers as well. There were bottle liners, onesie sets, bottles and even a breast pump on the clearance shelves! Go check out your Walgreens!

And the winner is...

2008-08-23T15:43:00.001-05:00

The winner of this week's contest is Irene. I have contacted her, and she has until midnight Sunday/Monday to contact me or I will pick a new winner. Thanks for all of your participation, and check back on Monday to see the newest questions!

Answers to your questions....

2008-08-22T20:10:00.003-05:00

When I posted this week's contest, I asked for each of you to post a question you would like to have answered. Many of these questions will be used in future coupon giveaways, but there were a few that were directed to me, so I am going to try to answer some of these here.

* What dream am I saving towards?
We are working towards paying off our debts and eventually putting an addition on our home. We would like to add a larger family room and another bedroom. I would love to have more children, but I don't think the seams of my house will hold another!

* Do I have a system for researching my deals each week?
I have a group of websites that I check which you can see on the sidebar of my blog. I also purchase several copies of the newspaper, if they are deals I will use, so I have multiple copies of coupons. I make sure to go through each of the inserts and see what is on sale before I pair them with things already in my stockpile. I also make sure that my coupon box leaves the house anytime I do. I never know when I might have the chance to make a quick pitstop or when something might be on clearance that I have a coupon for!

* Do I make money from home using a legitimate source?
For a few weeks each year, I sell Kelly's Kids clothing. This is a line of boutique-type children's clothing that is sold at home shows. I sell for only a couple of weeks each season and manage to make a good amount of money. I also am working towards making money through blogging through advertising.

All You Subscription

2008-08-21T21:45:00.002-05:00

Money Saving Mom is looking for a lower priced subscription to All You Magazine, and I have one through our school's fundraiser that comes out to be $16 for one year or $24 for 18 months. It comes out to be $1.34 per issue which is a few pennies more than the subscription she listed, but 40 percent of it goes to my daughter's Christian school. Please see here if you are interested in subscribing! Thanks!

This week's coupon contest...

2008-08-19T12:10:00.001-05:00

Apparently the post I made yesterday never went through, so here is this week's contest for an envelope full of coupons!

I am have been coming up with questions each week for my readers to help myself and other readers, so this week's question is... What would you like me to ask my other readers? What question would you love to see several answers to? It could be a home question, cooking or recipes question, parenting question...whatever you are interested in!

So, leave me a comment for your entry and I will select a winner on Saturday morning. Thanks!

WOW at Kroger!

2008-08-18T21:55:00.005-05:00

Today at Kroger was awesome!!!!!
This photo will show you exactly what I came home with, and if you will see my previous post here, you can see how I managed to do this!
I was able to get two cans of formula (remember this is normally $24.99 per can), seven packs of Orbit gum, seven tubes of Chapstick, six boxes of Bagel Bites, five California Pizza Kitchen pizzas, nine double packs of Gerber baby food and three three-liter jugs of Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice.
My total before coupons was $165.48, and I paid $40.18!!!!! Still cheaper than just the two cans of formula! I also got a $5 Catalina for my next purchase since I bought two cans of formula along with $6.50 off my next purchase of three cans, .75 off my next four packages of baby food and $1 off Pampers!
The juice will go to the food bank, the Chapstick to the soldiers in Iraq and the rest to my newly straightened pantry!
Yeah!!!!

Facebook Coupons great at Kroger

2008-08-17T16:42:00.005-05:00

If you were one of the lucky people like me who were able to print the high value coupons from Facebook before the values were reduced, Kroger definitely has some great deals right now! I just got back and was able to California Pizza Kitchen pizzas for less than .50 a piece, Bagel Bites for less than .50 a piece and Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail for less than $1 each. Vitamin Water coupons doubled to $1 off, so I paid less than .50 for each of those. I also got free Chapstick and free Orbit gum.
The cashier was amazed when my $225 total came down to $115 for all of my groceries today, and a good portion of it was due to that and the Nestle deal going on right now. If you buy $20 in select Nestle products, you receive $5 back. Lucky for me, Nestle makes our formula, baby food and dog food, so I was able to get the limit of $15 back on $60. I love it when a shopping day surprises me with even better deals than I had planned!

All in God's Plan

2008-08-17T11:37:00.003-05:00

I am a big believer in God placing us in situations when we need to be there, even if we don't understand it at the time. When I started couponing and CVSing a few months ago, it was just so I could help local organizations and also save some money at the same time.
Our family has always been very blessed and able to have what we need and most of what we want. My husband is a great provider and has always gone out of his way to take care of us. I have worked one day a week for the last five years just to be able to get out of the house and also have some play money for eating out and all of those extra treats.
However, since my Dad will soon start receiving treatments now that his tumor has been removed, I have decided to take a leave of absence from work. I want to be available to my parents and my grandparents whenever they need me. My parents have always kept my girls while I work one day, but I don't want them to have to worry about that.
So, I have a huge stockpile in my freezers and pantry that will allow me to buy only what we have to get each month. I can supplement my stockpile with fresh things and won't have to spend near as much money.
God knew what He was doing when he put it on my heart to start doing this!
Please continue to pray for my Dad and our family as we journey through this new and scary world. Your prayers have been felt and are definitely appreciated!

Just My CVS!

2008-08-16T19:48:00.001-05:00

I went to CVS in another town today while I was returning someone to the airport and was able to use all of my coupons! I guess it is just my CVS. I wrote an email to customer care and I hope to have something in print about their policies so I can take it to the manager at our CVS. He doesn't like me anyway, so this is just one more reason for him to frown when I come in!

This week's Drugstore Runs

2008-08-16T11:49:00.008-05:00

Walgreens

My Avent Bottle had already been used, along with one of the pacifiers, when this pic was taken, so they are missing!

First Transaction

Two Poptarts on sale at $1.99 each
Two Bic Pens at .50 each
Two Extra Gum at $1.19 each
Glade Fabric Cleaner at $3.49
Walgreens Activity Book at .99
One Pert Plus at $3.79

Coupons Used
$1/2 Poptarts
$1/2 Bic Stationary products
WAG Coupon for Extra to reduce to .59
BOGO Extra Gum at $1.19 (This plus above coupon made them both free)
$1.50 off Glade WAG coupon
$1.50 off Glade manufacturer coupon
$2 off Pert Plus
$5 RR

Total OOP - $1.87

Second Transaction

One Shampoo at $5.99
Two Extra Gum at $1.19 each

Coupons Used
WAG Coupon for Extra to reduce to .59
BOGO Extra Gum at $1.19 (This plus above coupon made them both free)
$5 RR

Total OOP - $1.41

Third Transaction

Four Hershey's Bliss at $3 each
Two Extra Gum at $1.19 each
BIC Soleil Razors at $5.79
Two Bic Pens at .50 each

Coupons Used
WAG Coupon for Extra to reduce to .59
BOGO Extra Gum at $1.19 (This plus above coupon made them both free)
One $1 off Bliss (Cashier would not push the other three because they were one per purchase)
$2 off Razors WAGS Coupon

Total OOP - $10.86

Fourth Transaction

Two Bic Pens at .50 each
Two Extra Gun at $1.19 each
WAGS Light Bulbs at $1.99
One Shampoo at $5.99
Two All Detergents on sale at $4 each
One Avent Bottle at $5.49
One Gerber Pacifier at $4.29

Coupons Used
WAG Coupon for Extra to reduce to .59
BOGO Extra Gum at $1.19 (This plus above coupon made them both free)
$1/2 Bic Stationary Items
$1 and .50 off All Detergents

Total OOP - $25.01
Plus $2 RR earned

Fifth Transaction

Jane Makeup at $6.99
Two Bic Pens at .50 each
Two Extra Gums at $1.19 each

Coupons Used
WAG Coupon for Extra to reduce to .59
BOGO Extra Gum at $1.19 (This plus above coupon made them both free)
$1/2 Bic Stationary Items
$2 RR

Total OOP - $6.80

Total OOP for Trip - $45.95
Total Rebates Earned - $29.75 plus 10% bonus for receiving it on WAGS gift card - $32.73
Actual OOP after Rebates - $13.22

My actual OOP would have been much better but I can't believe I left the house without a bottle and pacifier! My daughter definitely needed those so we could spend the day out and I can always use extras!

Staples

First Transaction
Two Elmer's Glue - Free with purchase!
Three Crayola Markers at .79 each
Five Notebook Papers at .45 each

Total OOP - $2.99

Second Transaction
Same as above

Total OOP for Trip - $5.98

I am putting the markers and glue away to go with Christmas presents! Yeah!

K-Mart

It is hard to see, but that is six powders, four mascaras, two ink pens, one baby toy, one Handi Snacks and two Tridents. I bought more than I usually would because I could only use one set of coupons each transaction, and since they were going to be $1 negative each time, I added a few things I knew we could use.

First Transaction

Cover Girl Makeup - $6.99
Cover Girl Mascara -$6.99
Sassy Baby Toy - $7.99
Bic Pens at .50 each

Coupons Used
$1/2 Bic Stationary Products
BOGO Cover Girl
$1 off Cover Girl

Total OOP - $7.95

Second Transaction

Cover Girl Makeup - $6.99
Cover Girl Mascara -$6.99
Two Bic Pens at .50 each

Coupons Used
$1/2 Bic Stationary Products
BOGO Cover Girl
$1 off Cover Girl

Total OOP - .01

Third Transaction

Cover Girl Makeup - $6.99
Cover Girl Mascara -$6.99
Trident Gum at $1.19

Coupons Used
BOGO Cover Girl
$1 off Cover Girl

Total OOP - .68

Fourth Transaction

Cover Girl Makeup - $6.99
Cover Girl Mascara -$6.99
HandiSnacks at $2.49

Coupons Used

BOGO Cover Girl
$1 off Cover Girl

Total OOP - $2.44

Fifth Transaction

Cover Girl Makeup - $6.99
Cover Girl Mascara -$6.99
Trident Gum at $1.19

Coupons Used

BOGO Cover Girl
$1 off Cover Girl

Total OOP - .68

Total OOP for Trip - $11.78

I also went back to KMart the next day with the three Hershey's Bliss coupons the woman did not use at Walgreens and I bought them on clearance with the coupons for $1 each. Saving those for Christmas too!

This week's coupon winner is...

2008-08-16T11:31:00.003-05:00

Anna J. is this week's winner of the coupon contest. I have contacted her and she has until midnight Sunday/Monday to get back with me or I will pick a new winner. Be sure to check back on Monday morning for next week's contest!

No More CVS Internet Coupons! Ugh!

2008-08-15T11:48:00.002-05:00

I made a trip to CVS yesterday to buy the deal on baby items by purchasing 10 packs of Playskool Wipes which were on sale for 2/$5. If all had gone well, I would have spent $4 on all of them, but alas that was not meant to be!
I would have used a $2/$10, $4/$20 Playskool CRT and 10 $1 off Playskool Wipes that I printed from verybestbaby.com. However, after everything was rung up and the cashier began to scan coupons, the shift manager told me that they will no longer be accepting any CVS coupons from the Internet except for the ones that are mailed directly to me. She said the ones that are printed elsewhere are illegal copies!
I explained that the $2/$10 came from an online magazine and the $1 off wipes came from a legitimate website, but she was not hearing any of it!
I am going to call the 1-800 number later today and see what they have to say about it, but I am so mad that I had to spend $12 extra on wipes! Still a good deal, but not anything like what I had hoped!
I think my days of good deals at CVS are quickly coming to an end!
Has anyone else had this problem yet?

Coupons in Woman's Day Magazine

2008-08-13T20:47:00.003-05:00

I just received my new Sept. Woman's Day magazine, and it had $2.85 in coupons plus BOGO Breakfast Breaks up to $2.49. I receive my free through a giveaway, but it would be worth purchasing if you use these coupons.

BOGO Breakfast Breaks
.40/2 Campbells Soups
.40/2 Campbells SpaghettiOs
$1 off Birds Eye Voila (with mail-in rebate for free children's video)
.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-Ups and other Fruit Snacks
.55 off Marzetti Apple Dip

Coupon Winners

2008-08-13T15:57:00.002-05:00

I was able to get my hands on several more "Fuel for School" coupon booklets, so I am sending one to each person who participated in the contest. Congratulations!

$5 CVS Challenge

2008-08-12T22:19:00.006-05:00

Since I can only put three transactions, and I am not sure about the rules for spending versus ECBs earned, I put this together. Hope I did it right! I hope the $5 is after ECBs earned!

First Transaction

Two packages of Playskool Wipes at $2.50 each
One Alavert at $5.99
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19

Coupons Used
2 $1 off Playskool Wipes
1 $4 off Alavert
1 $2/$10 purchase
1 $2 off CVS Skin Care

Total OOP - $3.18
ECBs earned - $3 (Alavert)

Second Transaction

Eight packages of Playskool Wipes at $2.50 each
One CVS Skin Sanitizer at $1.19

Coupons Used
8 $1 off Playskool Wipes
One $4/$20 Playskool CRT
One $2/$10 Purchase
One $2 off CVS Skin Care Purchase
$3 ECBs

Total OOP - $2.18
ECBs Earned - $5 ($25 in baby products)

Third Transaction

One Children's Advil at $5.79
9.47
One CVS Hand Lotion at $1.49
Two Colgate Whitening Toothpastes at $2.99 each
One Ice Mountain Water at $4.99

Coupons Used
$1 off Advil
Two $1.50 off Colgate
One $2 off CVS Skin Care Purchase
$2/$10 Purchase
$5 ECB

Total OOP - $2.26
ECBs Earned - $6.79

Total OOP for Trip - $7.62
ECBs Earned - $6.79

Actual OOP - .83

Giveaways

2008-08-12T18:48:00.002-05:00

These are just a few of the giveaways I entered tonight. Have fun!

Jen at The Fun House is having a great giveaway. Check it out here.

Motherhood Moment is giving away several packages. Check it out here!

There is a cool Strawberry Shortcake giveaway at Classy Mommy. Love it!

I Won! I Won! I Won!

2008-08-12T15:45:00.002-05:00

I am so excited! I won this week's Charity Challenge at BeCentsAble and Coupon Cravings!
I spent $4.04 and was able to donate several things around the community. See here.
Thanks to BeCentsAble and Coupon Cravings!

This week's coupon giveaway

2008-08-10T19:02:00.004-05:00

Since my dad's surgery to remove his brain tumor is Monday morning, I am posting this week's contest on Sunday night. For those of you who are praying for us, thank you so much, and please continue to pray as I know the following weeks are going to be hard ones for our family. Your prayers have truly been felt and we appreciate it greatly.
So, on to this week's contest, we have discussed organizing, gift giving and even early morning preparation for school, so this week I want to know what your favorite charity is to support.
Whether it is a national charity or a local one, I want to know who you choose to support and why.
Also, how do you support them? Do you give of your money, your time or your stockpile? :)
If they have a website, please feel free to include it. I want to get the information out for all of my readers about the great organizations that are available to help others.
I will start by saying we support the Christian Food Bank in our town, Pathway of Hope pregnancy care center, St. Vincent De Paul (sort of like Goodwill or Salvation Army for those who don't know), our church and the Toys for Tots drive each holiday.
I also send a few care packages a month overseas to soldiers who are serving our country. My husband is a former member of the US Army, so that is definitely near and dear to my heart. These soldiers don't only give of themselves, they choose to spend time away from their families so that we can remain with ours.
So, what charities are close to your heart? How did you choose those and how do you get your family or community involved in supporting them?
I will choose a random winner Saturday from all of my entries. Good luck and don't forget to check out the other ongoing giveaway I already have for this week here.

This week's winner is....

2008-08-09T11:20:00.001-05:00

The winner of this week's coupon giveaway is Hotmomma! I have contacted her and she has until midnight Sunday/Monday to get back with me or I will choose another winner. Please check out my page on Sunday night or Monday morning to see the next week's coupon giveaway! Thanks for all of your great holiday gift suggestions!

Walgreens again!

2008-08-09T11:09:00.002-05:00

I made a quick trip to Walgreens yesterday to pick up some more cereal for the food bank and use up the Special K coupons I had from Vocalpoint because I don't like it anyway! I didn't get a chance to take a picture before I went to the food bank, but here is how it went.

First Transaction

Four boxes of Special K Red Berries at $2.50 each

Coupons Used
Four $1 off Special K

Total OOP - $6
Register Rewards Received - $5

Second Transaction

Three boxes of Special K Red Berries at $2.50 each
One box of Froot Loops at $2.50

Coupons Used
Three $1 off Special K

Total OOP - $7
Register Rewards Received - $5

Total OOP for Day - $13
Register Rewards Received - $10
Actual OOP - $3

We will keep the Froot Loops, but all of the other is going to the Christian Food Bank because they said cereal is one of the things they run out of the quickest.

This week at CVS

2008-08-08T09:18:00.006-05:00

This table full of goodies took me ten transactions. First off, I also had eight bottles of hand sanitizer for my daughter's school and four bottles of Excedrin that I bought for my dad and left at his house before I took the picture, so those are not included. I also put my Sure Deodorant instead of the Pert Plus in the picture by accident! :)
I normally don't ever do this many transactions at once, but my older daughter was in school and my younger was asleep in the stroller, so I went for it!

First Transaction

Two bottles of Pert Plus BOGO at $3.69
One CVS hand Sanitizer at $1.19
One CVS Construction Paper at $2.99
One CVS Scribble Paper at $2.99
Two CVS Toffee Popcorn at $1.49 each

Coupons Used

$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10 CVS Purchase CRT
$2 off Pert Plus
$2/$10 CVS Purchase
$1 ECB

Total OOP - $5.25
$5 mail-in rebate for school supplies
Real OOP - .25

Second Transaction

One Children's Advil at $5.79
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19

Total OOP - $4.28
Total ECBs Earned - $5.79

Third Transaction

Two Excedrin PM at $2.50 each
One Pampers Cruiser at $8.88
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19

Coupons Used
$1.50 off Pampers
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2.50 off Pain Reliever CRT
$2/$10 CVS Purchase
$5.79 ECB

Total OOP - $1.45

Fourth Transaction

Two Excedrin Migraine at $2.50 each
One Pampers Cruiser at $8.88
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19

Coupons Used
$1.50 off Pampers
Two $2 off Excedrin
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10 CVS Purchase
$4 ECB

Total OOP - $1.99

Fifth Transaction

One Crest Whitening at $2.49
Two Colgate Advanced Whitening at $2.99
One Children's Advil at $5.79

Coupons Used
.50 off Crest
Two $1.50 off Colgate
$2/$10

Total OOP - $9.25
Total ECBs received - 11.49

Sixth Transaction
One Pampers at $8.88
Three Dawn at .88 each
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19

Coupons Used
$1.50 off Pampers
Three .50 off Dawn
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10
$1.50 ECB
$4 ECB

Total OOP - .40

Seventh Transaction

One Pampers at $8.88
Two Dawn at .88 each
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19
One Jumbo Push Pop at .99

Coupons Used
Two .50 off Dawn
$1.50 off Pampers
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10
$5.79 ECB

Total OOP - .71

Eighth Transaction

One Colgate at $2.99
One Children's Advil at $5.79
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19

Coupons Used
$1 off Colgate
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10

Total OOP - $5.33
ECBs Earned - $7.49

Ninth Transaction

One Pampers at $8.88
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19

Coupons Used
$1.50 off Pampers
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10
$2 ECB

Total OOP - $2.81

Tenth Transaction

One Colgate at $2.99
One Jumbo Push Pop at .99
One CVS Hand Sanitizer at $1.19
Two American Greetings Cards at $2.59 each

Coupons Used
$2 off Colgate CRT
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10
$2.59 BOGO American Greetings Card

Total OOP - $2.02

Total CRTs for the Day
$2 off Colgate
$4/$20 Playskool purchase
$2/$10 CVS Brand purchase
$4/$20 Playskool purchase
$2.50 off Nuprin

Total OOP for Day - $29.49
Total ECBs Spent - $23.08
Total ECBs Earned - $24.77
Real Total OOP - $26.80

For ten transactions at all of that stuff, I am not unhappy. It is more than I would normally spend, but I got five packs of diapers and that would have been more than $60 normally!
I was also able to get the two packages of art paper for my daughter to hold as a Christmas present and also two Push Pops to hold for weekly incentives in school.
I am really pleased overall.

$5 Charity Challenge

2008-08-08T08:40:00.004-05:00

I am taking part in BeCentsable's Charity Challenge this week.
I was able to take 17 boxes of cereal, four bottles of Pert Plus and two bottles of Dawn to the Christian Food Bank yesterday for only $4.04. I was also able to take $10 in art supplies and eight bottles of hand sanitizer to my daughter's school for nothing thanks to rebates.
I was not able to get a picture because I went straight from shopping to the food bank and school, but I can tell you how I did it.
Earlier in the week, I went to Walgreens and purchased four boxes of Special K with coupons and spent $4.76. However, they gave me back a $5 Catalina, so I actually made .24.
I bought the two bottles of Dawn at CVS because they were on sale for .88 each and I had coupons to .50 off each one. Since I stocked up when they were 2/$1 in June, I definitely could stand to give a few away! Since I did ten transactions while I was there, I was able to get eight bottles of CVS hand sanitizer for nothing with my $2 off a CVS Skin Care product coupon.
Then, yesterday I went to Walmart and found Malt-O-Meal cereal on sale for $1 a bag. I have been saving the $1 off coupons for weeks now, so I had 13 of them. Since those of you who have seen my pantry know that I have no need for cereal, I gave those as well.
In this week's coupon inserts, there is a rebate form for $5 in school supplies when you buy two bottles of Pert Plus or Sure deodorant. My mom gave me her rebate form and coupons to use as well.
Pert Plus is $2.88 a bottle at Walmart, so I took four $2 off coupons and bought them for .88 each. Then I bought $10 in school supplies to redeem for rebates. I donated six boxes of 24-count Crayola crayons, one 1000-count craft sticks, a bag of art feathers and a bag of stick-on googly eyes to my daughter's kindergarten class. Her teacher is really big on art projects, so this just gives them more supplies to choose from!

I Was Chosen for a Fisher Price House Party!

2008-08-06T20:25:00.002-05:00

Hooray!!!
I was chosen to host a Fisher Price House Party. I am so excited! I am not sure exactly what toys we will be receiving, but from what I have been able to find online, this will be an awesome way to stock up for Christmas!
This is such a hectic time in our family, but I applied before everything started happening, and there is only one weekend to have it, so I think I can handle one afternoon!
I am so excited!

Walgreens Trip for under $1

2008-08-06T09:15:00.004-05:00

I picked up a few things yesterday at Walgreens. It took three transactions to use the coupons, but it was worth it!

First Transaction

Four boxes of Special K at $2.50 each

Coupons Used
One BOGO and three $1 off that I received from Vocalpoint

Total OOP - $4.76
Catalina Received - $5 (I plan to use this with the Pert Plus/Sure $5 school supply rebate from this week's coupon inserts)

Second Transaction
One Glade Pet Fresh Spray Cleaner at $2.99
One Carefree Pantiliner at .99

Coupons Used
$1.50 Glade in-store coupon
$1.50 off Glade
.50 off Carefree

Total OOP - .72

Third Transaction
One Carefree Pantiliner at .99

Coupons Used
.50 off Carefree

Total OOP - .55

Kroger Trip and more coupons to giveaway

2008-08-06T08:58:00.004-05:00

I was so excited yesterday! All of this only cost me $30.xx, and after I send in my rebate forms from this week's coupon inserts of Kelloggs, it will only be $10! I thought Kroger still had the ongoing deal with buying 10 certain items and getting $5 off your order, but that was over Saturday. If that was the case, this would have all been free!
I got four gallons of Kroger milk, four loaves of Kroger bread, four boxes of Rice Krispies Treats, four boxes of Yogo Bites, eight boxes of Eggo waffles, four boxes of Poptarts, and two bags of Keebler's cookies.
So, how did I do it? I used the insert with the $10 rebate form along with those coupons as well as several from a "Fuel for School" coupon brochure they were giving away. I picked a lot of them up, and I am going to be giving a few away. If you are interested, all you have to do is link back to this posting in your blog and then leave me a message to let me know you did it. If you subscribe to my blog, then you can have a second entry! I will pick winners in one week. Next Wednesday I will choose three winners to have these coupons! Then you can shop for next to nothing too!

Formula and Carowinds Discount winners

2008-08-04T12:51:00.002-05:00

I had two people who asked for the formula checks, so I will be giving each one of them a check for $5 off. However, I was able to contact Julie, but I do not have an address for Jennifer. So Jennifer, please get back to me with your address! Thanks!
The Carowinds discounts go to Steph. Hope you have a great time. I love that park!

This week's coupon giveaway

2008-08-03T23:16:00.004-05:00

I know it is still technically Sunday, but the little one has me still awake, so I am going to go ahead and post the contest for this week.
More Christmas themed questions, but I guess this could be considered just a gift question as well.
What is your favorite inexpensive present to give? We have done everything from baking and hand-delivering cookies to personalizing gift baskets. What is your best suggestion? And how do you get your children involved?
My older daughter, who is 6, helps me each December to bake for friends and family. "Cookie Day" is a favorite tradition around here. Hand decorated cookies with cards written in kindergarten script are definitely something for everyone.
So, what about you? What do you do?
I will choose a random winner on Saturday afternoon. See you then. Good luck!

It's Been A While

2008-08-03T12:36:00.002-05:00

Things have been pretty hectic around here while I have been waiting on my dad's surgery, but I figured blogging would help pass the time today, so here are some deals I have found that I thought you would enjoy!

More Kotex coupons here. These are for $1 off, so you can get the small pack at Walmart for free!
More Malt-O-Meal coupons here. If you take these to Walmart, you can sometimes get them for free also!
More Johnsons Buddies soaps here. Again, free at Walmart! You can also have it mailed to you here.
These South Beach Diet Drinks are free here. These are for $2 off a box, and they are on rollback at Walmart right now for $2 each.

Even if these are not things that you use, I encourage you to pick them up on your next trip and then give them to a local food pantry or send them to soldiers overseas. I keep the soaps for Operation Shoebox at Christmas or for stockings. Bless someone else with your stockpile!

And the winner is...

2008-08-02T21:55:00.003-05:00

This week's winner is Mandy. I have contacted her and she has until midnight Sunday/Monday to contact me with her address to claim her coupons. If I don't hear from her by then, I will choose another winner. Thanks for all of your information and interest and please come back Monday afternoon for the next contest!

Discounts to Carowinds Theme Park in Charlotte, NC

2008-07-31T14:54:00.004-05:00

I have two coupons for a $10 discount until Aug. 24 or a $15 discount for Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1 to the Carowinds theme park in Charlotte, N.C. This is an awesome park, but we are just too far away to use them! I will give them away to one lucky reader on Monday morning, just leave me a comment on this post with your contact information. Thanks!

Free Formula Checks

2008-07-31T14:52:00.002-05:00

I have $10 in Similac formula checks and $5 in Enfamil formula checks for a couple of lucky readers. Just leave me a comment on this post telling me which one you prefer and I will choose a winner Monday morning. Good luck!

Prayer Request

2008-07-29T20:04:00.003-05:00

I know this is totally off topic of coupons or freebies, but my dad was just diagnosed with a brain tumor and we were told today they are going to do surgery to try and remove as much as possible. If you are a praying person, I am asking that you please say a prayer for him whenever you have a chance. I completely believe in the power of prayer and I know that the Lord will heal him if we just believe!

New Look

2008-07-29T12:33:00.002-05:00

My new background is courtesy of The Cutest Blog on the Block. I found out about it through The Queen of Good Intentions. Thanks for the tip!

Free $10 at Amazon - TODAY ONLY

2008-07-28T16:58:00.002-05:00

Money Saving Mom has posted a great Amazon deal for today here. You can get a $10 credit for signing up for a trial of Amazon Prime and then cancel the trial immediately. I just used my credit to start ordering Christmas presents and only had to pay $7.49 because I had a $10 credit plus free shipping for using my Prime membership.

This week's coupon giveaway

2008-07-28T16:09:00.002-05:00

So, for this week, I am calling it Christmas in July. I want to know what you do to cut down your Christmas spending. Some of my favorite tricks are shopping for little things at Dollar Tree, using catalogs like ABC Distributing or LTD or hunting the clearance aisle. Right now I am taking advantage of the Borders deal. I have found that if I start too early I just overspend, so that is not an option for me!
So, what do you do?
I will pick a winner at random on Saturday morning for the new envelope of coupons. Remember I am including some great wyb coupons in this one too!
Good luck!

Extra Sunday Coupons

2008-07-28T08:36:00.001-05:00

Candace at The Savings Swap is reporting more than $10 worth of coupons in her USA Weekend. Make sure you give it a good look before you throw it away or recycle it!

And the winner is....

2008-07-26T10:45:00.003-05:00

This week's winner is Kimberly E.!
However, I do not have her email or a blog page to leave her a message, so Kimberly has until tomorrow at 12 p.m. to contact me, or I will pick another winner.
Check back on Monday to find out what the coupon contest will be for the week! Remember too that I am giving away some great wyb coupons that I found at Kroger. See you then!

Coupon Books at Kroger

2008-07-25T10:37:00.002-05:00

I don't know if other stores have them or not, but when I was at Kroger yesterday, I found coupon books for $24 off everyday items when you purchase certain products like Kellogg's, Keebler or Sunshine. The discounts are on back to school items like binders, store brand juice and milk or produce. I grabbed a handful of them since they don't expire until Sept. 30. I will be giving away one in my coupon giveaway next week, so check out my contest on Monday morning for a chance to win one of these great booklets!

Warning to Internet coupon users!

2008-07-23T21:44:00.002-05:00

I found out today at Walmart that two of the coupons I have been using for a while are actually fakes! I was told that Walmart can't accept them without a website because even though they scan, they can't be redeemed by the store for reimbursement. So if you have been using the Vlasic pickle $1 off coupon that is good until 12/31/08 or the $3/2 Post Its coupon (both are in PDF form), you may be using fraudulent coupons without even knowing it!That's too bad too because I was able to get a lot of free pickle relish for our food bank!

Hunts Ketchup Rebate

2008-07-23T21:30:00.002-05:00

I found a peelie for a full rebate on Hunt's Ketchup today at Walmart so be on the lookout!

This week's coupon challenge!

2008-07-21T16:08:00.001-05:00

Ok, as the mother of a formerly homeschooled six-year-old who will be starting private school this year, I am not looking forward to the hectic morning schedule. My goal is to keep all the children calm and happy so the day can be as productive as possible when she arrives at school.
So, my challenge for this week is to ask everyone how they keep their morning schedule under control. What do you do to keep your mornings running smoothly?
Even if you don't have school aged children or children who leave the home for school, most of you or your families are still on some type of schedule.
So, what is your most creative or best suggestion for keeping mornings as calm and productive as possible? I will choose a winner at random on Saturday and she or he will receive an envelope full of coupons!!!!! Good luck!

Sunday Shopping without the girls

2008-07-21T14:06:00.005-05:00

My mom had both girls for the night, so I had all afternoon to shop and take my time. I didn't get to get a picture since dh was so good to get it all put away before I had a chance! :) What a day!

CVS

First Transaction

One CVS Baby Lotion at $2
Two Glade Air Fresheners at .88 each
Eight All Small and Mighty at $6.49 each BOGO
One Johnson and Johnson Baby Lotion (Didn't realize she put that on there until I got home. Must have been left by someone else. I am returning it.)

Coupons Used
Eight $1 off All
$1 off two Glades
Two $2 off CVS Skin Product (She pushed the second one and now I know why!)
$3/$15
$15.98 ECB from Photo Books

Total OOP - 2.81

Second Transaction

Two All Small and Mighty at $6.49 each BOGO
One CVS Baby Lotion

Coupons Used
Two $1 off All
$2 off CVS Skin Product
$3/$15

Total OOP - $3.76

Kroger

Unbelievable trip due to so many wyb coupons.

Milk at $4.09
3 Minute Maid Orange Juice (Clearance) at .99 each
Two Sunny Delight at $1 each
Dog Chow at $10.49
Kroger Sugar at $1.85
2 Beef Broth at $1.09 each
Two Kroger Cream of Mushroom at .88 each
Four Kroger Black Beans at .44 each
Eight Oscar Meyer Beef Hotdogs at $3.59 each
Eight Kraft Dressings at $2.29 each
One Azteca Tortilla at $1.89
Two Mini Tapioca at $3.29 each
Cucumbers at .59
Curry Powder at $2.24
3 Lunchables at $1.25 each
Green Peppers at $1.54
Cream Cheese at $1.26
Three Blocks of Kraft Cheddar at $5.99 each
Six Wheat Thins at $4.49 each
Kroger Buns at $1.09
Red Peppers at $3
Grape Tomatoes at $2.39
Three Kroger Enchilada Sauce at .99 each
Kraft Singles at $2.69
Yellow Peppers at $2.33
Tomatoes at $1.69
Bananas at $1.37
Grapes at $2.11

Total Before Coupons - $170.57

Total after Coupons - $58.02

66 percent savings!

Other than a $2 Dog Food coupon, the rest were purchased Kraft, Oscar Meyer, Nabisco WYB coupons. I had 110 worth of those! Purchased for less than $15 on eBay!

Walmart

Five Jars of Vlasic Pickle Relish at $1 each
Two boxes of South Beach Diet Drink Mix at $2 each
Two packs of Bic ink pens at .88 each

Coupons Used
Five $1 off Vlasic Pickles
Two $2 off South Beach Drink Mix
One $1 off two Bic products (See coupons bar on right side of screen)

Total OOP - .87 (Would have been less but they didn't have any Post Its!)

Total OOP for entire day - $65.46

Pantry Coupon Winners

2008-07-21T10:33:00.003-05:00

I still have not heard from either of my coupon winners with their mailing addresses, so I am giving them until 5 p.m. tonight before I put the coupons back into next week's drawing! Contact me please!

The Final Results for the Pantry

2008-07-20T21:14:00.004-05:00

Here are the pictures of the finished product.
Thanks for all of the help and suggestions!
For those of you who have not seen the mess of my former pantry, please see here!

This is the front view as soon as you walk in. The cereal has been stacked and changed direction and several of them have been moved into the cereal containers you see on the floor.

These are the shelves above the cereal. They are grouped by product and type (Italian, Mexican, etc.). They were like that to a point before, but now it is much better.

These are the shelves to the left of the cereal shelves. The top ones have extras stacked long way and there are some baskets holding similar items that are odd shaped like crackers and baking items like sugar and flour. The canned goods on the lowest shelf have been turned on a stepping shelf that is turned longways. This way I can see what's on each one rather than searching behind them.

Below my baking shelf is the basket holding all of our potato chips. The only messy looking part is the chips that have already been opened. They are in that small box for the moment until I can use them all up!

These are the shelves to the left as you enter the pantry. They are holding all of the baking items and large machines like our bread maker and quesadilla machine.

These are the shelves on the wall to the right of the door. It was previously a mess of hanging bags and extras crammed in wherever they would fit.

These are the shelves just below the ones above. They are newly installed and hold all of the goodies that won't fit on the shelves!

I repurposed a cabinet outside the pantry that once held all of my oldest daughter's art and school supplies. She can't reach those top shelves anyway, so this was perfect to hold drinks, odd shaped machines like my George Foreman grill, etc. The shelf below that holds baking goods in Rubbermaid containers and canned goods.

This cabinet is over my new dryer. We just got a front loading washer and dryer, so there are storage cabinets below them to hold everything that used to be in this cabinet. Now it can hold all of my paper goods!

Last CVS Purchase of the Week!!!!

2008-07-19T19:55:00.003-05:00

I had one last day to get the photo books and nail polish in, so I made one more run today. Got some good deals though. I had $20 ECBs to use up, so this was a good chance to do it.
First Transaction

Two photo books at $7.99 each
One photo book at $3.99
Eight nail polishes at .99 each
One Right Guard at $3.99
One CVS Lotion at $1.49
One Playskool Wipes (Not pictured) at $3.29
One Sours Candy at $1.99
One Skittles at .79

Coupons Used
Four $3/2 nail polishes
One $1 off Right Guard
One $2 off CVS Skin Care
One $1 off Playskool Wipes
$3/$15
$20 ECB

Total OOP - $1.25
ECBs earned - $19.97

Second Transaction
One Photo Book at $7.99

Total OOP - 8.47

Third Transaction
One Photo Book at $7.99
One Photo Book at $3.99
Six Nail Polishes at .99 each
One Playskool Wipes at $5.79

Coupons Used
$1 off Playskool Wipes
$2 off CVS Skin Care
Three $3/2 nail polishes
$2/$10 CVS Products
$3/$15
$7.99 ECB

Total OOP - $3.24
ECBs earned - $11.98

And the winner is.....

2008-07-18T22:49:00.002-05:00

First off, thank you so much to everyone who made suggestions for my out of control pantry! If I had an unlimited budget, I would love to take advantage of all of them, but I had less than $50 to spend, and I managed to do it for about $35 so far by repurposing some items from throughout the house. I am so excited about the way it is coming together! I will be posting pictures at the end of this weekend, so come back and check it out!

I will also be planning coupon giveaways for the next several weeks, so check out my blog on Monday nights to find out the new contest!

I had so many options to choose from that I couldn't pick just one. So, the winner of Help Me Organize My Pantry is ... well, I should say the winners are....

Wendy at The Quirky Scribe and Rhonda (but she didn't leave me her address and her blog isn't public!) Rhonda, if you are out there, please email me or leave me a comment with your email. I want to send your coupons!

Here are their suggestions...
Wendy - Pull everything out of the pantry. Discard anything that is expired or donate food you know that you will never eat to a foodbank. Then group foods by like items. Get small plastic bins that will fit on your shelf. At Walmat, I got something similar to this: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=71223&PRODID=69607
Label each bin for a particular type of item (ex. canned tomato products, baking supplies, snacks, etc.). Then place the items in the appropriate containers. The containers have several advantages. They provide a more uniform appearance--I actually like looking in my pantry. Also, I can't overbuy --I have just enough room in each bin to hold what I can use in a reasonable amount of time. I also put all of my flour and sugar into plastic jars. For my cereal boxes, I got large white baskets (almost laundry baskets) and put them on the floor of my pantry. I labeled my bins with a label maker and packing tape (the labels weren't sticky enough on their own so I put the tape over them). It took me a couple of months to get all the categories worked out. For example, I originally had a general category for canned veggies but I realized that i need more space; so I broke it into several smaller categories.

Rhonda - I see you have several snack sized items & boxed foods. They take up less space if you take them out of the boxes. You can buy plastic drawers at Walmart or similar store. Put snacks in a drawer, packets of Koolaid, taco season, hot choc mix, etc in a drawer also. You will be amazed how much space it clears up. Also, how about containers for pasta? I have some old tupperwear I've had for years (earned free for having a party). I can fit 3 lbs of angel hair in the spaghetti keeper & I have containers for elbow mac, wide egg noodles, etc. You're stockpile looks awesome (I'm soooo jealous).

Yet Another Trip for Nail Polish! :)

2008-07-18T20:55:00.002-05:00

I made another trip today to get some more nail polish. I am getting as much as I can to giveaway to friends and family! So here we go...

12 Sally Hansen Nail Polishes at .99 each
One CVS Envelope at .88
One CVS Antibacterial Wash at $1.49
One Chocolate Skittles at .79
One Right Guard at $4.99

Coupons Used
$3/$15
$2 off CVS Skin Care
Six $3/2 Nail Polish (Covered $3 each although a couple rang up less than $3)

Total OOP - $1.05

Gotta Love CVS!

2008-07-18T09:58:00.002-05:00

I made another quick trip this morning while I was in town. Picked up even better deals! I will post a picture when I get home!

12 Sally Hansen Nail Polish at .99 each
One CVS Cotton Swabs at $1.99
One Playskool Big Wipes at $3.79
Four Puffs Plus for the Car (Clearance) at .19 each

Coupons Used
Four Sally Hansen $3/2
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$1 off Playskool Wipes
$3/$15

TOTAL OOP - .5 :)

Happy Day!!!!

One more trip today....SO GLAD I went!

2008-07-17T21:27:00.002-05:00

I went into town for a friend's jewelry party and had to go back to CVS for something else. Got a real surprise when I went to buy the wipes! I bought everyone they had!!!!!

12 Sally Hansen nailpolishes at .99 each
One CVS Cotton Wipes at $2.99
Six Playskool Wipes at .19 each (YES, THAT IS RIGHT!!!!) Normally $1.99 each!
Two Push Pops at $1.49 each (I think)
One Hershey Bar at .79

Coupons Used
Four $3/2 polishes (Covered three each though!)
One $2 off CVS Skin Product
Six $1 off Playskool Wipes!!!!!

All of the candies were fillers when I came up almost $4 negative after coupons! They will be great treats for our new behavior charts!

Total OOP - .71 (YEAH!!!!!!!!)

Great Day for a little dough!

2008-07-17T15:45:00.005-05:00

Had a great time in some short shopping trips today. Also had some great deals included!

Walgreens

Had to make two trips because the HP paper coupon is only good for one per transaction, and they aren't allowed to separate transactions just to use a coupon over. So, I went to lunch and then came back for some more paper!

First Transaction

Four Clorox Wipes at $2.49 each

Total OOP - $10.56
Register Rewards - $4 (They didn't print though, so the manager just gave me back $4 cash Yeah for me!)

Second Transaction

One Sure deodorant at $2.79
One HP Paper at $4.99

Coupons Used
Walgreens Coupons - $1.50 off Sure
$.99 off Paper
Manufacturer Coupons - $1 off Sure
$3 off HP Paper

Total OOP - $1.70

Second Trip

One HP Paper at $4.99

Coupons Used
Walgreens Coupon for .99
$3 off HP paper

Total OOP - $1.24

Walmart Trip

Three Kotex at $1
Two PostIts at $1.24 each
Five Pickle Relish at $1
Crest Kids Toothpaste at $2.12

Coupons Used
Three $1 off Kotex (Came with sample)
One $3/2 PostIts
Five $1 off Pickles
One 1.75 off Crest (Manufacturer Coupon)

TOTAL OOP - .31

CVS Trip

Five Popcorns at $1 each
One Playskool Wipes at $3.49
One CVS Cotton Swabs at $1.99
One Antibacterial Pen at $1.79
Six Sally Hansen Nailpolishes at .99 each

Coupons Used

$3/$15
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$2/$10 CVS Products (CRT)
Three $3/2 Sally Hansen Polish (Not active anymore)
$1 off Playskool Wipes
One free Antibacterial Pen (CRT)

Total OOP - $4.35

Total for Entire Trip - $14.06

Not bad for all of this!!!!!

Free Dressing Coupon

2008-07-16T14:25:00.002-05:00

I just got my Kraft Food and Family magazine for summer and there was a coupon on one of the pages for a free Kraft Dressing!
Other people may have gotten their magazines already, but my subscription had run out and I just renewed it last month. I am so excited! We can always use dressing during the summer! We eat so many salads it feels like we are turning into rabbits!

Warning to CVS Coupon Users!

2008-07-14T10:29:00.001-05:00

Just fair warning to all fellow CVSers, I was told by the clerk today that CVS is really cracking down on coupons to weed out fraud. She said they are going to be looking at Extra Care users that have frequent coupon use, so those days of using more than one $3/$15 or $2 off Skin Care may be coming to an end soon!

Quick trip to CVS

2008-07-14T10:17:00.007-05:00

Eight bottles of Sally Hansen nailpolish at .99 each
One Playskool Wipes at $5.79
One CVS Lotion at $1.49

Coupons Used

Four $3/2 nailpolish each marked down to $1.98
$1 off Playskool Wipes
$2 off CVS Skin Care
$3/$15

Total OOP - $1.83

Second Transaction

10 Sally Hansen Nail Polish at .99 each
One CVS Cotton Swabs at $1.99
One Playskool Wipes at $5.79

Coupons Used
$1 off Playskool Wipes
$2 off CVS Skin Care
Four $3/2 (two were reduced to $1.98 and $1.92) Sally Hansen Nail Polish
$3/$15

Total OOP - $2.54

Total for Entire Trip - $4.37

This Week's CVS Deals

2008-07-13T21:01:00.007-05:00

I didn't think there was going to be much to choose from this week, but I was able to find quite a bit to work with!

First Transaction

Three Sally Hansen nail polish at .99 each
One CVS Cupholder Wipes at .99 each
One 160 Playskool Wipes at $5.79 each
One 80 ct Playskool Wipes at $3.29 each
Two $1 items (I can't remember what they are and I left my bag at CVS! I have to go back and get it!)

Coupons Used

$1 ECB
$1 off Playskool Wipes (Peelie)
$2/$10 CVS Products (CRT)
$2 off Playskool Wipes (Internet-not active anymore)
$2.97 off Nail Polish
$3/$15

Total OOP - $3.43

CRTS printed
$1 off Edge
$1.50 off Irish Spring

Second Transaction

Five CVS Popcorn at $1 each
Three Sally Hansen Nail Polish at .99 each
One Disney Lipgloss at .75 (Clearance from $2.99)
One CVS Cotton Pads at $2.99
One CVS Storage Bags at $2.49
Two Dove Milk Chocolate Bars at .79 each

Coupons Used
BOGO Dove CRT at .79
$2/$10 CVS Products CRT
$2 off CVS Skin Product
$2.97 off Nail Polish
$3/$15

Total OOP - 5.50

Third Transaction

Three Sally Hansen Nailpolish at .99 each
One CVS Lotion at $1.49
Hershey Bar at .79 (Filler)

Coupons Used
$2 off CVS Skin Product
$2.97 off Sally Hansen

OOP - .48

Total for Trip - $9.41

Kroger paid me $5.50 to take all of this!

2008-07-13T20:50:00.004-05:00

Can you believe it? Kroger paid me $5.50 to take this off their hands!

First Transaction

Three Oscar Meyer Jumbo Hotdogs at $3.59 each
Two Oscar Meyer Bunlength at $3.59 each
Four Kool Aids at .20 each
Three Planters Nuts at $3.15 each

Coupons Used
Five Free Oscar Meyer Hotdogs with purchase of three Nabisco/Oscar Meyer/Kraft products
Three $3 off Planters with purchase of Kraft products

Total OOP - $1.25

Second Transaction

Three Planters Nuts at $3.15 each
Four Kool Aids at .20 each
Five Wheat Thins at $2.99 each

Coupons Used
Five Free Wheat Thins with purchase of three Nabisco/Oscar Meyer/Kraft products
Three $3 off Planters with purchase of Kraft products

Total OOP - $1.25 each

Total OOP for Trip - $2.50

I should have received $4 for each purchase of three Planters, but since they didn't print either time, Kroger customer care paid me $8 cash! So I left with $5.50 more than I came in with!

Ebay Part 3

2008-07-13T10:10:00.002-05:00

One thing I didn't cover in my previous posts about Ebay, here and here, was choosing the BuyItNow option.
If you find a seller who has the BuyItNow option, and you agree with the price, you have the option to purchase the item immediately instead of waiting for the entire auction to end. Sometimes an auction can go for seven days, and if you need the item for an upcoming sale, you don't have the time to wait!
When you choose BuyItNow, you will pay immediately and your item could be shipped by the next day. Great option if there is a sale coming up or if you need to purchase an item as soon as possible for a party or cookout. :)
Again, remember to always follow the safety tips I listed before and good bidding!