Saturday, December 6, 2008
I'm Back! Sorry it's been almost a month! Walmart deals to share!
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
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Cooking Frenzy
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! :)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Making Your Home a Haven- Part 2
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.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Making Your Home a Haven - Part 1
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
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!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Trip to Walmart
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!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Fraudulent Coupons Again? Ugh!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Menu Planning Monday (on a Tuesday)
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
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!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
$5/$20 purchase at Walgreens for Fri. and Sat. Only
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
Congratulations Freebies 4 Mom!
Quick trip to Walmart for $2.08
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
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Making some changes...what do you think?
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.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Makeup and More Buddies at CVS
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!
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!!!!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
WAGS Candy on Clearance
Thursday, September 25, 2008
More than I bargained for at CVS
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!)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Awesome deal at CVS
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Homeowners Insurance covers food loss!
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!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
We interrupt this program....
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Upcoming moneymaker at CVS
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
Free Subscription to Good Housekeeping
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.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Trip to Kroger
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
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
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Coupon from CVS in the mail
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?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Moneymaker at CVS
Monday, September 8, 2008
This week's coupon contest and Menu Planning Monday all together!
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
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Grocery Clearance at Amazon
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!)
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
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
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!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
The winner is...
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
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.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
This week's coupon contest
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!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Free Toilet Paper and more at Kroger
(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!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
This week's coupon winner
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Update on Kmart Cereal Rebates
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
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Free Cereal at Kmart
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!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Menu Planning Monday
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
"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.
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
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!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Walgreens this week (Baby stuff on clearance)
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!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
And the winner is...
Friday, August 22, 2008
Answers to your questions....
* 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.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
All You Subscription
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
This week's coupon contest...
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!
Monday, August 18, 2008
WOW at Kroger!
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!!!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Facebook Coupons great at Kroger
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
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!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Just My CVS!
This week's Drugstore Runs
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...
Friday, August 15, 2008
No More CVS Internet Coupons! Ugh!
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?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Coupons in Woman's Day Magazine
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
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
$5 CVS Challenge
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
I Won! I Won! I Won!
I spent $4.04 and was able to donate several things around the community. See here.
Thanks to BeCentsAble and Coupon Cravings!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
This week's coupon giveaway
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.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
This week's winner is....
Walgreens again!
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.
Friday, August 8, 2008
This week at CVS
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.