Freeze This Moment...

CVS---Covergirl Money Maker

2011-11-01T09:37:00.001-04:00

I know I have not checked in for a while. Honestly, I have been busy with other stuff so my dealing and couponing have taken a side seat--not a back seat, just the side seat. But this deal at CVS was one I KNEW I could NOT pass up! Thanks to the Coupon Wizards, I got a great deal on make up that I don't recall reading about anywhere else. And thanks to Insert Insanity, I had enough coupons to do the deal TWICE!

Covergirl items are buy one, get one 50% off this week and also part of the Buy $30 get $10 gift card.

First transaction:
1 Illy Coffee drink (not pictured)--on sale for 2.00
2 Classic Blush (6.29 and 3.14)
2 Cheek contour blush (6.29 and 3.14)
2 single blush (4.89 and 2.44)
2 single blush (4.89 and 2.44)

I used (4) $8 off of 2 Covergirl face product coupons (P&G coupon--expired yesterday)
FREE coupon for coffee drink from coupon machine (rang up as 2.49)
I also used $1 ECB.

Total out of pocket: 2.44 (all tax)
Got back $10 gift card (I chose the CVS one, duh!)

Transaction #2:
2 Simply Ageless Foundation (15.79 and 6.29)
2 contour blush (6.29 and 3.14)
4 single blush (2 @ 4.89 and 2 @ 2.44)

Again used (4) $8 off of 2 Covergirl coupons
Used 9.99 in ECBs (they were expiring yesterday)

Total out of pocket: 9.12 (5.78 subtotal; 3.34 tax)
And got another $10 gift card.

So my total out of pocket was 11.56 but I got $20 in gift cards so I made about $9 on this deal. I also have some stocking stuffers for Christmas.

Publix~~The Breakfast Edition

2011-08-02T18:37:00.000-04:00

(sorry the picture is a little blurry...)

Today I ran to Publix for just a few things. As you can see it is mostly breakfast type stuff.

My haul today:
4 boxes of Cheerios
2 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios
3 boxes of Frosted Flakes
1 box of Apple Jacks
1 box of Cocoa Krispies
12 boxes of Poptarts
10 boxes of GoGurt
4 boxes of Whole Fruit frozen bars

Cost before coupons/sales: 112.00
Savings: 82.84 (74%)
Total out of pocket: 29.16--That averages to about 79 cents per item. Not bad.

My Publix Trip~~7/19/11

2011-07-19T13:59:00.000-04:00

Even though I was irritated, I did manage to find a few things today at Publix.

4 Yoplait Smoothie mixes~1.60/each; $1 off coupon= .60
1 Noxema bikini shaver~2.99; $2 off coupon= .99
2 Colgate toothpaste~1.35/each; 50 cent coupon (doubled to $1)= .35
5 boxes of Mini-wheats~1.64/each; $5 off of 5 boxes coupon= .64
4 boxes of Ritz Bits~1.59/each; $1 off 2 coupon= 1.09
2 bags of Eight O'Clock coffee~3.42/each; $2 off 2 coupon= 2.42
6 bottles of Hershey's syrup~90 cents each; $1 off 2 coupon= .40
6 bags of Chex Mix~1.30/each; 50 cent coupond (doubled to $1)= .30
2 boxes of jumbo shells (full price; no sale, no coupon *gasp*)~2.09
2 pr of scissors~1.00; 1.00 off coupon=FREE
3 pks of mechanical pencils~1.00/each; $1/2 coupon=2.00 for all three

Total before: 102.95

Total out of pocket: 26.51

Total savings: 76.44 or 74%

Rant from an Ol' Time Couponer

2011-07-19T13:44:00.000-04:00

This past week, I have been looking around facebook at pictures of other people's deals that they get. I admit to being a little bit jealous but the more I looked around, the more irritated I got. I mean, 40 packs of pens at one time??? Hundreds of cans of pasta??? There is no reason for that...even if you ARE donating it. There are those of us couponing in an attempt to feed our families. If you are clearing shelves, SHAME ON YOU!

My irritation grew when I ventured to Publix today with my modest list of deals to get. I found NO feta, NO Bugles, NO toothpaste!! Empty shelves. Then I see wandering through the aisles with her coupon binder in tow, a lady with at least 20 boxes of mini wheats--along with fruit snacks, coffee, and other things. (And yes, I did check to see if she had a bunch of bugles LOL).

Don't get my wrong, I like a good deal as much as anybody. But there was a time when it was thrilling--like hunting. You would literally squeal in the aisles when you happened upon something great!

I remember going to Target one day to see my favorite pricing lady, marking down toys in the big toy clearance to 75 percent and there being 3 full aisles worth!! Or walking to the holiday clearance and seeing candy left on the shelves when it hit 90 percent....or ANYTHING left at 90 percent. Now, people snatch that stuff up when it hits 30. Or how about the lists of secret stuff to look for hidden among the regular stuff.

There was a time when you could go to CVS on a Friday evening and get everything that you painstakingly wrote up in your scenarios IN ORDER without trying to work on the fly because there was no more Herbal Essence.

But not any more.

I understand that times are tough and couponing is the latest fad for some people--especially with coupon classes on every corner and TLCs Extreme Coupon show, but something's gotta give. I have heard from many long time couponers that it almost isn't worth it anymore. I think it still is we just need to bide our time. Wait it out. Like legwarmers, parachute pants, and TAB--this fad will fade and we can again triumphantly walk into a store and find shelves and shelves of clearance just waiting for us to snatch it up and take it home....just wait it out....

Look at what I got for less than $20...

2011-07-13T16:20:00.001-04:00

I made a little trip to Publix yesterday. I really like those Luigi Italian Ice things and had great coupons so wanted to be sure that I got those. Not a huge trip but a good trip. Everything you see on the table was 19.95 out of pocket.

Here is the breakdown:
2 bags of Tostitos~ 3.00/each (*gasp* No coupon...)

6 boxes of Barilla mini-bowties~ 58 cents each. I had 55 cents off coupons making them 3 cents a box

7 Luigi Italian Ice~ 1.60 each; I had $1 off coupons so 60 cents for each box (making them 10 cents per cup)

7 Dove deodorant~ 1.50/each; used 75 cents off coupons = .75/each

2 Crest toothpaste~ $1/each; used 75 cents off coupon = .25/each

6 Chow Mein noodles~ .40/each (no coupon)

Total before sales and coupons: 68.96
Savings: 49.01
Out of Pocket: 19.95

A total savings of 71 percent.

Another CVS post...

2011-07-07T10:51:00.000-04:00

I wrote up my deals early in the week and decided to go ahead and get them while I was out yesterday. I did two transactions at CVS. First, I stopped at the Magic Coupon Machine. I got my $1 ECB for quarterly savings/spending and (to me surprise) $5 ECB for beauty club spending! Wasn't watching that total so didn't know it would print. I also got several coupons--2 I used in the transactions above.

Transaction #1:
Starburst candy (got $2 off coupon from machine making it 50 cents)
2 Crossaction toothbrushes
2 Oral B Pulsar
1 Always Infinity
1 Big Chill water (it was gone before we got home LOL--got 50 cent coupon from machine)

Total before coupons: 24.47
Coupons used: 10.50
ECBs used: 11.00
Out of pocket: 6.03

Got back 11.00 ECBs to use next week.

Transaction #2~I intended to use the ECBs from Trans #1 in this one but when it came down to it, I could use ones left from the week before plus the ones printed from machine.

Herbal Essence Shampoo--got a coupon from the machine for this in addition to my mfr coupon I had
Aussie hair spray
Gillette Fusion Razor

Total before: 16.97
Coupons: 9.00
ECBs used: 7.49
Out of pocket: 1.32

Got back $5 ECBs

So I got almost $42 worth of product for basically free! I spent 7.35 out of pocket but got back $16 ECBs for use next week.

CVS Trip 6/22/2011

2011-06-22T14:04:00.000-04:00

Now that the boys are out of school, I feel like I have the time to do my coupon shopping justice. Today I bounced back into it with a few trips to CVS. Lots of good stuff at CVS this week. Be sure to check out Simply CVS for weekly deal match ups. As well as, Coupon Wizards who have a wealth of information about everything coupon! Both sites offer scenarios if you are new to CVSing to get you started. I often use these to help jumpstart my thinking through of deals. And on weeks when I am feeling a little more "mommy-brain" than normal, I copy their scenarios to use for my stuff.

On to the deals!

Today I had my deals for CVS broken down into 3 transactions but only did two.

Transaction #1:
GUM Periobalance lozenges--on sale for 15.99 (no coupons available)
I used 11.99 in ECBs from the week before and paid 4.48 out of pocket.
I left with 15.99 in ECBs to use on my nest transaction.

Transaction #2:
2 Pantene shampoo 6.97 (used $2/2 coupon)
3 Powerade Zero $1/each (used a BOGO free coupon--cashier took off pre-sale price of 1.69)
2 Honest Teas $1/each (used BOGO free coupon--again cashier took off pre-sale price 1.79)
1 LA Looks gel 2.99 (used $1 off coupon)
1 Powerbar Energy bites 2.49
1 Gain dishwashing liquid 97 cents (used $1 off coupon)
2 Revlon nail polish 4.99/each (used 2 $1 off coupons)

I also used my 15.99 ECBs from Transaction #1 and paid 4.62 out of pocket.

I got back 14.49 ECBs for next week. So basically, I got all that stuff for FREE! The CVS I shopping at was out of the Bliss candy (5.99 get 5.99 ECBs back) but said she needed to unload truck still. I might go back later in the week to get those and maybe more nail polish--although with all the Revlon deals, we have a LOT of nail polish.

On my couponing adventure today, I also stopped at Publix. We had been low on cereal and I really needed to stock up again. No picture but here is what I got.

2 Magnum ice cream bars
3 boxes of Trix
3 boxes of Cocoa Puffs
2 Golden Grahams
4 Cheerios
2 Crystal Light drink mix
1 Sandwich from deli (for my cart pusher today)
1 6-pk of Sweetwater Georgia Brown beer (for my breadwinner)

Total before coupons and sales: 65.54

Total after sales and coupons: 30.98

For a savings of 34.56 or about 52 percent. A small trip so small savings...but better than nothing.

One More Deal Post....Toys R Us

2011-04-21T17:46:00.000-04:00

When I did my big day of deal hunting, I also hit Toys R Us. I saved about 50 percent, which isn't that great but I got some things that will go in Easter baskets this weekend.

I purchased:
2 Crayola Color Wonder Color and Stow things (9.99 BOGO)
2 Color Explosion packs (11.99 BOGO)
2 Vtech Buzz Lightyear Alphaberry (15.99 BOGO)

I used:
$3 off $3 or more purchase from a birthday sign up with one of the boys
2 $2 off coupons for the Crayola
2 $1 off coupons for Crayola

I also had 2 $5 off coupons for Vtech which I intended in using but the stuff that was BOGO and more than 19.99 (required for the coupon) were not things that we would use. They were geared more towards infant. So I opted to get the Buzz Lightyear things that teach spelling, ABC order and have several games and not use my coupons.

My total out of pocket was 32.49 with a savings of 41.97. These will all be nice additions to the Easter baskets.

Publix Deals 4-19

2011-04-19T20:57:00.000-04:00

After we hit the drugstores, we stopped by Publix. Thanks to a great coupon clipping service, Coupons and Things by DeDe, I was able to get some extras. I find it cheaper to order coupons from a clipping service than to buy a bunch of newspapers. Most of the time, Savannah doesn't get the good coupons anyhow so it would be a waste. For example, we didn't get the *HOT* Nivea coupon this past weekend. That just plain stinks. But no need to complain, hopefully some coupon service will have it in and I can order a few.

I haven't been to Publix in several months. Today's trip wasn't one of my better ones but it was still good and the kids are thrilled with Pop-tarts.

12 50-ct packs of gum
6 cans of pineapple
4 Ritz Crackerfuls
2 Wesson oil

4 Duncan Hines brownie mix
2 box Triscuts
5 boxes Special K
12 boxes of Pop Tarts
2 Alexia frozen breads

Total before sales and coupons: 137.52
Coupons used: 31.60
Sales: 67.27

Total out of pocket: 38.65 or a savings of 72 percent.

Not spectacular but I just can't bring myself to use my ECBs or RRs at Publix. If I did that, then how would I get free toothpaste and shampoo at CVS? Or cheap diapers at Walgreens? Although this Publix trip wasn't my best it still got me a *high five* from the cashier, Tammie and a "Great Job" from Andrew the bagger. And I love that!

P.S. The grumpy little boy in the background is my youngest. He had just woke up from a too-short nap and really wanted to eat something. :-)

Drugstore Deals 4-19

2011-04-19T20:33:00.000-04:00

I have been MIA here for a few months. It seems that my deal shopping ebbs and flows. But when I get back into it, I get so excited and think, "Why don't I just keep up with it?" Sometimes I kick myself for not taking the time to get stuff together and other times, I just don't care. But I really do love the "high" I get from scoring something for cheap. I am definitely NOT an extreme couponer and I am not a super savvy shopper but I think that I do OK. So last week, I took a few baby steps back into the world of couponing and this week, jumped back in full force.

Today my trusty companions and I hit Walgreens, CVS, Toys R Us and Publix (we also went to Joann Fabric but not for deals).

First stop was Walgreens where I did two transactions.

First transaction was the Always and Goody hair things. I used 2 $1 coupons for the Always. I paid 7.63 out of pocket and got back $3 register rewards for the Goody's (I thought that the Always was yielding a $3RR as well but it didn't print. Probably because I got the wrong item. *shrug*).

The 2nd transaction I got 2 pks of Huggies (8.99 each) and 2 Dawn (99cents each)--those were filler since I thought I would have 4 coupons to use but really only had three. I used 2 $3 coupons for the Huggies and my $3 RR from trans #1. I got back $3 RR to use next time.

Breakdown went like this...
Total: 28.96
Coupons/RR used: 11.00
Paid out of pocket: 17.96 (not including tax)
Register rewards for later: $3

For what it's worth, I don't normally shop at Walgreens because usually I have problems with them taking my coupons or RRs not printing. I took a chance today and it worked OK--not as great as I thought it would but still OK. And I got cheap diapers.

Next stop CVS...

A small transaction because not much thrilled me this week...except the free stuff and the Covergirl since I needed make up.

Paas egg decorating kit 1.99
2 CVS Green Bag Tags .99
Edge Shaving Gel 3.29
CG Clean make up 6.00
CG eye shadow 5.89

Total 19.15
Used 2.50 coupon for CG stuff
Used $10 ECB from last week
Paid 7.99 out of pocket after tax

Got back 10.27 in Extra Care Bucks so really I made money on this transaction!! I wanted to get some of the water for 2.22 but my CVS was completely out.

Publix---January 19

2011-01-22T12:54:00.000-05:00

A little late getting my Publix stuff up this week. I shopped on Wednesday but just hadn't had a chance to post. So I will now, and will probably post again soon. Eventually, I will post a family update, just need to have some time that I can sit and do that. But for now, you are stuck with my deal posts.

I was very happy to finally get to Publix after several weeks of getting my deals together only to have other things come up to keep me away. We were running out of cereal and with Lent coming, I needed to stock up on soup for Jeff to take for lunch.

Here is what I got from last week's ad:
4 boxes of waffles (these ended up being about 40 cents each)
4 boxes of soft pretzels (50 cents a box)
2 Power of Fruit bars (all fruit frozen bars. I like them, the kids...not so much LOL)
1 Jolly Time popcorn (FREE!! On sale for $1 used 50 cent coupon that doubled)
2 Fruit Loops
1 Frosted Flakes
2 Frosted Cheerios
3Cheerios
2 Rice Krispies
2 boxes of spaghetti
8 cans of Progresso (with BOGO and coupons these end up being about 90 cents each--GREAT PRICE!)
6 cans air freshener (After sale and coupon there were about 30 cents each!)
6 bottles grape juice
2 Coffee Mate creamers (after BOGO sale and coupon *ready?* TEN CENTS EACH!! WooHoo! These will go to church for coffee hour because we don't use it here at home.)

Total before sales and coupons: 130.18
Coupons: 33.50
Sales: 60.50

Total spent out of pocket: 36.18
Saved 94.00 or 72 percent!!

I hope to do a post soon about how *I* do what I do. Again, I just need to sit down and do it.

New Year's Eve Deals

2010-12-31T21:53:00.000-05:00

Can't let good coupons expire and so you must shop on NYE. That is what I did today and was happy that I did. Two of my children and I went to CVS, Publix and Target. Our first stop was CVS. I didn't write out deals just a list of what I knew I wanted to get, my coupons and ECBs that I would get back. I was happy that they had everything in stock I wanted and it all worked out beautifully.

This trip included:
2 pk of Always pads (2 for $6)
4 Vitamin Waters ($1/each)
3 Honest Tea ($1/each)
4 Dawn dishwashing liquid (94 cents each)
1 Colgate (2.99)
1 Tone Body wash (3.88)
1 Pampers (8.99)
1 bag of chocolate covered pretzels (1.49)

Total before coupons: 34.11
Coupons used: 12.00
ECBs used: 15.79

Subtotal: 6.32
With tax: 8.37

Got back 10.00 in ECBs so basically everything was free.

Next stop was Publix. No picture because, really, those get boring. LOL But I saved 106.90 there and paid 56.82 out of pocket (and have a new cashier to add to the *avoid* list). Among the things purchased: 12 cans of Progresso soup; 8 packages of pizza rolls and various other things. Not my best but still a savings of 65 percent.

Then we stopped at Target. I had popped in there yesterday to just look around and saw that Christmas stuff was clearanced to 75 percent off. There wasn't much left but I did notice a bunch of those Wonka Exceptional bars/boxes and remembered that I had coupons for them at the house. I just hoped that the candy would still be there when I was able to get back! It seems that stuff goes very quickly now during Target clearance events.

I got 7 boxes of the Wonka chocolate. They rang up 99 cents and I had various coupons for $1 or $2 or $3 off 2 boxes. So mostly they were FREE!! The Ghirardelli bags rang up 1.74 and my coupons were $1 off 2, I think. I got 4 packages of cookies which was marked to 1.75. And a cupcake decorator for 4.48. My daughter is thrilled about this because it has a thing that allows you to fill cupcakes with different stuff. We expect great things from her now that she has this device. :-) I ended up saving 67.73. My total paid was about $35 but I paid with gift cards so it was all FREE!! (oh and Dollar Spot is labeled as 50% off but rang up 75)

I hope that you and yours have a safe and wonderful new year. And continue savings!

Christmas Eve Deal Shopping

2010-12-24T22:02:00.000-05:00

I had intended on going to Publix before Christmas Eve but we have had sick children, husband home, and other stuff going on so I delayed and delayed. I had some last minute things to get today and figured since I was going out anyway, I might as well stop at Publix. I shortened my list to only the things I really, really needed opting to not get more cookie mix or hot chocolate mix. I stuck with what I know we would use soon. I still have plenty of cookie mixes left from the last big stock up.

I think I did well today. And I LOVED that Publix had all registers open. Baggers were at all of them and they had someone who met you in line to help unload your things. The woman who was helping me actually sorted my coupons and made sure that I had the right ones. Then she handed them to the cashier, Tammie, and told her that they were all there. How wonderful! I thought we would be in line a while when we walked in but it was less than 5 minutes.

So here is the breakdown:
10 Colgate toothpastes (one sale for $1--had 75 cent coupons)=25 cents each
12 jars of pickles
14 boxes of Betty Crocker potatoes
5 boxes of Ritz
5 boxes of Triscuits
4 boxes of Froot Loops
1 box of corn pops
2 boxes of Rice Krispies
3 boxes of Frosted Flakes
2 boxes of Chex cereal

Total before sales/coupons was 150.29
Special store savings: 76.74
Coupons: 44.50

Total out of pocket: 29.05

Total saved: 121.24 or about 81% !!

I was thrilled to see less than $30 for all of that! 12 boxes of brand name cereal (14 oz boxes) would cost at least that much by themselves.

And this is what happens when Mom tries to take a picture with 2 little ones "helping"...

Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

RA Meme

2010-10-07T10:58:00.000-04:00

Kelly over at RA Warrior decided it would be nice if us RA'ers had a meme of our own. I hesitate to participate because so many of the RA'ers I know have it much worse than I. Some need days in bed because they cannot move. Some have to use canes. Some are so very ill from their medicine. And I really don't experience any of that.

Sure, when I was first diagnosed, I had days that I couldn't walk, couldn't change a diaper, couldn't even snap snaps. When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, my doctor told me that my RA factor was over 1400. No wonder I was in such pain. But then about 6-8 months later, I noticed that my pain "free" days were more and more. And now, I have more days that I feel "normal" and less days of "I can't do that..."

Why is that? Why does RA effect all of us so differently? I know I have it, my blood work proves it.

Maybe having birthed 8 children, I have a higher tolerance for pain ?? Maybe I am hurting but I just don't show it or am not honest with myself? During a conversation this week, a dear friend of mine said, "She always says she is fine, but we can tell she's not. She lies." And I thought, yes I do, but can they really tell when I am in pain?

Anyway, I thought I would go ahead and be honest here, in this meme. At least I think I will be honest. LOL

From RAWarrior.com:
This RA meme is about the things we might ask each other over coffee the first time. Together, the responses to the questions create a kind of snapshot of our lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hopefully, it will be fun and we can get to know more about each other.

How many other diagnoses (co-morbidities) do you have?
I have not gotten a specific diagnosis and no one seems to think it is important to find out. But in addition to destroying my joints, my immune system is also destroying my white blood cells. I have a white blood count of less than 1.5 usually. It isn't felty's or lupus but we don't know what it is. I see a cancer/blood specialist every 6 months or so just so that they can keep an eye on it.
When were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed October 2008. Symptoms came on right after the birth of my 8th child. Although looking back on it, I can see where some of the pains I was feeling over the years were probably early indications of RA.
How many Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments have you tried?
I took prednisone at the beginning (for about 6 months) and started plaquinel. Truth be told, I still have a prescription for the plaquinel but I do not take it at all. It was causing migraines but when I told my doctor, he said that he didn't know that to be a side effect. I stopped taking it, migraines went away. So I am taking nothing.
What kind of a reward do you give yourself after taking any medicine that you hate?
Don't take my meds.
Who helps you open doors or jars when you need it?
About 15 yrs ago, my husband worked at a retirement village. He would often come home with odds and ends from the residents there. One day he came home with this gadget that has a handle and gears. It adjusts to jar lids to help you get a better grip on them. I held on to it because I thought it was really neat. I am SO glad I have it now. It sometimes doesn't help but most of the time I can open jars with it.
What would your ultimate good rheum doc do?
Dig a little deeper into my immune system and not tell me the same joke everytime I go to see him. LOL
What’s your favorite comfort for RA?
PJs, a good movie, and just not moving.
What was the hardest think you have done since being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Realizing that I cannot do everything. I need to set limits for myself and stick to them. Doing too much leads to exhaustion and usually a flare.
What’s your biggest RA-related fear?
That I will pass this on to one of my children or that I will develop some serious complications from it.
How many pills do you swallow every day?
For my RA, none.
Something surprising that you wish insurance would cover for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients?
I don't have insurance so I guess I don't care.
What do you wish people knew about Rheumatoid Arthritis?
That my RA isn't like their aches and pains. That the weather doesn't bother me. That sometimes just touching my joints is painful.
What would you like to say to your RA? Thanks for dropping by, you can leave now. LOL

Let’s hear your responses to the RA Warrior meme!

Please write up your answers to the questions in the comments box below. Or if you have your own blog, you are welcome to take our Warrior meme to your own page. Please just link back here to give credit. Another thing you can do is write up the meme as a Facebook note with a privacy setting that says “EVERYONE can read” and then tell us about it with a link in a comment here. I can’t wait to read them.

Cheap Diapers

2010-09-25T20:26:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite deals is cheap diapers. After almost 20 years though, I am hoping that I won't NEED diaper deals too much longer. Today I went to 2 drug stores and did 3 transactions.

I haven't shopped at Rite Aid much since they took over Eckerd but I wanted to get some cheap/free diapers this week (and it is right next to my favorite liquor store so it was a win-win).

I was disappointed to see that they were out of the Pure and Natural Huggies for which I had $3 coupons. But I still went ahead with my transaction.

1 box of Huggies 19.99
1 jumbo pack of Huggies 8.99

Used $5 off $25 coupon from watching Rite Aid Value video and a $1 off coupon from also watching video on website.

Total was 24.31 and I got back $2 +UP Reward (which are like ECBs at CVS). And I will send for the $10 gift card from Rite Aid for spending $25. So I guess I could take off $12 from my total making it about $12. The jumbo pack of diapers are usually 11.99 so I could say that I got the box of diapers free.

Then I headed to CVS. Normally, when I go there on Saturdays, I am disappointed because there is nothing left or the signs are changed already. Today, the signs were changed but they still had plenty of stuff left. Another nice surprise was when I checked the magic coupon machine, I got about 10 coupons--including one for $3 off $20 purchase good for one day only! I used that one for sure!

First I got the Revlon Super Luster lipstick. It was 6.99 with $5 ECBs back! And the limit was 6 according to the paper--I heard rumors that it was unlimited! I only had 3 coupons and we don't really wear lipstick so I only got three.

Lipstick 20.98
1 Beauty charm 2.49
1 pk of gum (not pictured) 1.29

Used coupons:
$3 off $20
$2.49 off (free charm for buying $15 in beauty products)
$5 (3 Revlon coupons)
$14.98 in ECBs

Total OOP: 52 cents (I had a negative total which is why we added the gum.)
And got back $15 in ECBs for basically, this was all free.

At the next CVS, I got:
2 pks of Huggies 17.98
2 Edge Shaving gel 2.79 each
2 Dry Idea deoderant 2.99 each

Used coupons:
2 $1 off deoderant
BOGO free for the Edge (coupon value only went up to 2.75 so it was totally free. LOL)
2 1.50 for the huggies.
$15 ECBs from previous transaction

Total OOP: 8.86
Got back 8.80 back in ECBs. Almost broke even.

I used to stress if I ended the week with less ECBs than what I started with but I am finding that it is OK. I am trying very hard to get my out of pocket down. I am getting better I think.

CVS~~September 16 and 17

2010-09-17T14:32:00.000-04:00

I managed TWO trips to CVS this week. I am finding that if I am going to be more serious about my frugal shopping, I really need to set time aside each week to get my stuff together. I didn't do that this week for CVS. I threw my stuff together right before I was running out the door for a meeting. The meeting was across the street from a CVS so I knew I could stop there.

This was the first trip to CVS. I got the Tylenol Precise (5.99 get $2 ECB back); High Octane Energy Chews (1.99 get 1.99 ECB back) and Alive Vitamins (9.99 get 9.99 ECB back). I used a $2 CVS coupon for the Precise and a $1 off coupon for the vitamins. I ended up adding a pack of gum to the mix. I paid 1.18 out of pocket (which was ALL tax) and got back 13.98 in ECBs for next time.

This morning I popped in to a different CVS. I bought 4 Air Wick fresheners and a Nivea men's body wash. I had 2 BOGO coupons for the Air Wick but the cashier told me that they were limiting those to just one per customer. I thought about having her ring up two separate transactions but just did the one. So I used the BOGO coupon (2.50 off) and 2 $1 coupons for the Air Wick. I also had a $1 off for the body wash. My sub-total came to 9.49 and I was trying to use my 9.99 ECB so we added another pack of gum. LOL I paid a total of 1.88 out of pcoket (1.09 of that was tax). I got back 10.99 in ECBs.

So in total I paid 3.06 out of pocket. And I have 14.98 ECBs for next time.

Take the Good, Take the Bad...

2010-08-28T22:18:00.000-04:00

Some days you are on your game and some days you just are not. All week I had been saying that I wanted to get my CVS stuff done so that I could get that shopping done before Saturday. When I wait until Saturday, signs are changed, stuff is sold out, and I have to think on the fly to re-do my transactions--which I don't do well. I have a hard enough time trying to get the least out of pocket as it is. I wish there was some kind of program (and someone tell me if there is) where I could plug in the deals *I* want to get, what ECBs I have on hand and my coupons then I push a button and TA-DA, scenarios are worked out for me. I mean, I can follow other bloggers scenarios but I would really like to get better at doing at it on my own. I did find a blog today that has a $5 CVS challenge each week. Check it out if you are just beginning your CVS journey.

Anyway, this morning I worked out what deals I wanted to get, gathered my coupons and set out to my local CVS stores. No Blink eye drops in sight, one lone Smart Water at the first CVS (none at the 2nd), no razor...you see where this is going? My thought out scenarios were NOT going to work. I did one transaction at the first CVS then headed to the next one. As I saw more and more stuff unavailable, I just opted to do all the other things I wanted in one big transaction and be done with it.

The Bad

This is everything I purchased today.
3 John Frieda hair things
2 Glade scented oil refills
2 Glade jar candles
1 Crest toothpaste (which did not produce ECBs as I thought it would)
Bonus 2-pk of CVS wipes
1 Tylenol Precise cream (no ECBs--even though I have not reached limit)
1 Excedrin Menstrual
10 Powerade/Smart water/Fuse/Vitamin water
1 Covergirl lipstain (rang up 8.99 and did NOT give ECBs)

So out of all of that I paid 45.74 out of pocket.
I expected 26.50 in ECBs but got 15.00--I used the 5 from the first transaction on the 2nd. I was pretty disgusted at myself. I don't know if I purchased the wrong stuff or what. There was a sign with the lipstain and it should have given the ECBs IMO but who knows.

But to counter that I ran to Publix as well. I rarely shop on a Saturday at Publix but since I had coupons that were going to expire soon and with school starting, I didn't want to chance missing out on something good. I did well at Publix.

I was disappointed in the fact that the shelves were bare of some things. I mentioned this week that it was easier when everyone thought that couponing was "lame". I try not to clear shelves. If I have plans to purchase a large number of an item and I get there and there are only enough for my deals, I don't get all of mine. Today at Publix there was no yogurt and the ice cream was wiped out (I bought the last 4 so I guess *I* cleared the shelf in that case). I always try to look at the supply on the shelf and only get stuff if it looks like there is plenty. The ritz and vanilla wafers were well stocked so even though I bought 8 of each, there was a TON more.


The Good

What I got at Publix today:
5 pks of Solo cups
5 pks of Solo plates
5 bags of Chex Mix
8 boxes of Nilla Wafers
8 boxes of Ritz crackers
4 Starbucks Coffee Free ice cream
8 V8 Splash juice
6 boxes of Lipton tea bags (family size)

Total before sales/coupons: 178.99
Sales: 87.63
Coupons: 41.00

Total out of pocket: 50.36. Saved 128.63 or about 72 percent.

I hope to get my CVS stuff together early in the week. I drop my boys off at school at 8:30 and could swing by CVS right after that. I just need to be prepared. I also want to swing by Publix to see if they restock the ice cream. I really want more of that...I mean for about 49 cents/pint, I can see why the shelves were wiped out!

I need to be consistant. I want to get better at this. I need to get better at this. It just takes work and practice.

More Stocking Up at Publix

2010-08-24T19:39:00.001-04:00

One of the things I have learned from my years of frugal shopping is the importance of stocking up. When something is at a good price, you should stock up on it. That's why I have 20 bottles of shampoo or 20 tubes of toothpaste most of the time. I think now I can safely say that we are stocked up on a few more things.

Today was my largest trip to Publix ever. There were so many things that for me were good deals. I spent more out of pocket than I normally do but was still under $100 (including the 3 drinks for the helpers). And if I come in under $100 for my large family, I am doing good in my book.

I saw a sneak peek of the ad early last week, so once again I ordered coupons. This time from My Coupon Hunter. They ship from Florida so the coupons got to me quickly. I love ordering coupons online. Often when an ad match up will say that such-and-such coupon was in the Red Plum on 8-15, I will look and we didn't get it. It is kind of irritating. Ordering coupons assures me that I will get the ones I need, at the time I need them. And in the long run, it is cheaper than buying multiple newspapers each week. And for my local friends, I accept coupon donations to feed my habit.

So here is the break down of what I got this week:
7 Lysol trigger cleaners (some of these will go to church for the nursery)
2 Lysol NeutraAir (for church)
3 3-pks of Dial Soap
7 20-ct bottles of Excedrin
6 packages of Wanchai Ferry frozen dinner
2 Athenos Feta cheese
14 jars of Mt. Olive Pickles
6 pks Mt. Olive Pickle packs
6 pks of Dole fruit/gel bowls
18 boxes of hamburger/tuna/chicken helper (seems like a lot but it takes 3 boxes to feed my family)
5 boxes of cereal (still have a lot from the last 2 weeks of sales)
10 boxes of Luzianne family size tea bags (We drink a lot of tea! It is the South afterall!)
6 boxes of Taco Bell dinner (these included a bonus koolaid inside)
4 boxes of whole grain pasta
4 bags of coffee
3 box cake mix
3 cans of frosting
6 jars of peanut butter

A few of my best deals: the Dial soap was BOGO and ended up being 92 cents each. I had 35c coupons which doubled to 70c making the soap 22 cents---I just wish I had ordered more.

The Excedrin was on sale for 1.49. I had $1 off coupons making each bottle 49 cents. Excedrin is my headache medicine of choice!

The pickles after coupons averaged out to about 80 cents each jar. And the Hamburger Helper was about 50 cents each after coupons. The coffee was less than $2 and I have a mail in for a free iced coffee cup when I send in 3 upcs from the coffee.

The BIG numbers from today:
Total before coupons/sales: 333.31 (told you it was BIG!)
Sales/BOGOs: 165.15
Coupons used: 72.95

Total out of pocket: 95.21 (again more than usual at Publix but still under $100)

Total savings: 238.10 !!!! I saved 71.44% today at Publix!!!

Today my cashier was Harold. I like him. He gets excited when he sees your savings. As he wrapped up my receipt (which was taller than me), he said, "You saved 238 today!" The man behind me said, "238?!?!?" The girl behind HIM said, "What???? 238???" LOL The man looked at me and said, "I wanna shop with you sometime!" I told him I am usually there at Publix every Tuesday. :-)

CVS--August 21st

2010-08-21T19:10:00.000-04:00

I tend to wait until Saturday to do my CVS shopping and then I fuss about it because they are either sold out or have changed the signs around. I find that it takes me longer to shop than I would like because I have to "think on my feet" to re-do the transactions that I had already set up. Or I have to flip through the ad to see if the item I picked up is the correct one (or send my helper to the scanner to check prices). I really should shop earlier in the week, I know. Maybe this week.

I did three transactions. I spent more out of pocket than I wanted to because none of the CVS' that I went to had the Blink eye stuff so I missed out on those ECBs. But I did OK I guess. I have been playing the CVS game as often as I would like but I need to get back into it.

Today I purchased:
2 Starbuck's Coffee+ Energy drinks
4 cans of black olives
2 Miracle Whip
2 Crest Gum Protection toothpaste
6 Sobe Lifewater
4 Dry Idea deoderant
4 Right Guard deoderant
2 Head and Shoulders shampoo
1 Purex 3-n-1 laundry sheets
1 Gillette pro-fusion razor
1 Tylenol Precision heat pad
2 pks of gum
1 rolling laptop desk (not pictured)

Total before coupons/ECBs: 81.31
Coupons used: 41.84
ECBs used: 24.99

Total out of pocket: 19.41

I only have $2 ECB to use for next week. Not getting the Blink which I had worked into my first transaction really messed up my calculations. The rolling laptop desk was at the front of the store (my new favorite CVS LOL) at 50% off (regular 14.99). The cashier saw me looking at it and said, "Manager said I could sell that for 90% off so 1.49." I said, "I will take it!" She put it behind the counter while I was shopping. Jeff is using it right now.

My total percentage of savings today at CVS 82 percent!!!

Publix~~August 17, 2010

2010-08-17T17:03:00.000-04:00

I was smart this week. I put my Publix deals together on Saturday afternoon so that when I had time to run out, they were waiting for me. It was nice to find out I was not having company this afternoon and could run out without spending an hour or so putting my list together.

This week's haul includes:
10 boxes of Breyer's Smooth and Dreamy bars
2 Dannon yogurt smoothies
2 pks of Dixie paper plates
4 bags of Tyson breaded chicken (guess what is for supper tonight!)
4 jars of Prego sauce
10 boxes of Frosted Mini-wheat in a variety of flavors
2 pks of Stayfree overnights
2 pks of regular Stayfree (bonus pack w/ 8 free)
4 boxes of pancakes
3 pks of Idaho mashed potatoes
1 bottle of Ocean Spray blueberry juice

Total before sales and coupons: 164.91

Total out of pocket: 58.37

Total savings: 106.54 or 64.5%

I also had coupons for the pasta bogo but the coupons I had were for ones not on sale. Oh well.

Today I bought things that weren't BOGO but that I had good coupons for such as the Stayfree. These are on sale for 1.99 and I used BOGO coupons that were in the paper. They ended up being about $1 each. I also bought the Dixie paper plates which were $2 each using 50cent coupon (doubled to $1) making them $1 each. And the yogurt smoothies were not BOGO this week but ended up being about $1 each after sale and coupon.

Last week, I was telling some friends about my Publix shopping. One friend looked at me and said, "Do you NEED all those pickles??" (I bought 12 jars of Vlasics last week.) I said, "Need? No but they will keep forever so..." I need to remember to tell her on Sunday that we only have 4 jars left! LOL People with small families don't realize that a family my size (9 of us) can eat a jar of pickles at one meal. The only jars that have lasted more than one day are the Zesty kind (which are Daddy's) and the bread and butter (which are mine).

So while you may look and say, "That's a lot of cereal!" It is if you have 4 in your family. But one box of cereal is gone at breakfast for us if all the kids have a bowl (and some growing pre-teens have 2). Don't even ASK how much milk we go through---or apples!! I need to buy a cow and an apple tree!!

Non-Coupon Deals

2010-08-11T11:11:00.000-04:00

I often hear friends who say that there aren't coupons for things they use (because they apparently don't eat cereal, use toothpaste or shampoo *giggle*) or that they don't have time to cut coupons or it just takes too long to get all that stuff together. And I agree, it does take time. And yes, we might eat more "processed" or junk food that others but it IS possible to get stuff for cheap WITHOUT using coupons. And one great example is Staples.

If you look at a Staples ad you see stuff that is "Free after EasyRebate" or for 1 cent or a very low price. I used to hesitate when things said, "After Rebate" because I would usually forget to mail something in but then I realized that most stores that offer rebates also offer the option to submit them online, without the need to send in receipts and UPC codes. My prayers were answered!!!!

Since I have the need this year to get school supplies before they go on clearance this year, I have been paying close attention to the sales at various stores. One school supply that my high schooler needs is computer paper and thankfully, Staples has had them on sale after rebate for the last 3-4 weeks. Each week, you can purchase two and submit them for a rebate.

So to prove to my coupon-deal-doubting friends, here is what I did at Staples last night.

I purchased:
5 packs of notebook paper for 1 cent each
2 reams of computer paper 4.99 each w/rebate for 3.99 each *$1/each*
1 pop-up tape dispenser 3.00 w/rebate of 3.00 *FREE*
1 pk of highlighters 4.99 w/rebate of 4.99 *FREE*
1 pk of sticky notes 5.29 w/rebate of 5.29 *FREE*
2 stackable storage totes 4.99/each (there was a coupon making them $4 but forgot it LOL) 9.98

So total out of pocket last night was 35.62
But will get back 21.26 in rebates making my total 14.36.

It took us 15 minutes from the time we walked into the store until we were in the car coming home. And then another 5 minutes when I got home to submit my rebates which really amounts to putting in 2 different sets of numbers and your address (unless you have an account already). So less than 30 minutes to save $21 and all stuff we need either for school or here at the house!

Yes, another Publix post....

2010-08-10T15:46:00.000-04:00

I promise that I will have more than just Publix posts at some point, but it seems that Publix is my saving place of choice right now. Today I focused on stock piling and back to school stuff. As I said in my previous post, our children will be going to public school so I will need stuff for either after school or packing in lunches. I again saw a "sneak peek" of the ad and ordered extra coupons from Coupons by Dede and My Coupon Hunter.

7 boxes of cereal
11 boxes of Lance crackers
6 boxes Nabisco munch packs
3 boxes of Crystal Light PureFit drink mix
8 boxes of fruit snack
12 bottles of salad dressing
2 jars of pasta sauce
12 cans of almonds
12 jars of pickles

Non-deal items:
gallon of milk; 2 cokes

Total before sales/coupons: 239.16
Discounts/coupons: 157.20
Total out of pocket: 81.96

Total savings of 65.73%

Ch-ch-change.....

2010-08-05T10:51:00.000-04:00

Lots of changes going on in our home. So I thought it was time to update all 2 of you who read my blog on what is going on with us.

Back in March, our oldest son decided he would venture out on his own. He met someone online and moved to be with her. They plan to marry next year sometime. They live in Illinois. He has found a job and seems to be happy.

Our oldest daughter, Amanda, was honored to be chosen to attend the Crossroad program at Hellenic College in Boston. It was her first flight anywhere. And actually her first time being that far from home. She very much enjoyed it. She is also now thinking about what to do after she graduates in 2011.

We decided that after 14 years of home schooling, it was time to pack up the books and send the children to public school. This was by far one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. Our 14 year old expressed an interest in going to public school. I suggested to Jeff that it might be a good idea since we were seeing how many hoops we would need to jump through to get them to college. He said that if we were going to send her, we should just send them all. And there it was, my life/identity as a home school mom was gone. I cried a lot.

Although my heart was broken, I understood that this was best for all of us. We had fallen into some bad habits with our schooling and honestly my heart was not in it 100 percent any more. We were burnt out. I tried so hard to look like those home schoolers you see in magazines or on-line but I failed over and over again. I hated it. I hated that I couldn't live up to what everyone thought I should be. People told me that they admired me for home schooling my children, when inside I felt like a failure. Oh, we did school and my children were learning but it wasn't fun any more. Deep down, I knew that I was a flop. I knew that I probably should give it up but pride made me keep moving on. In the past, I had critics. I felt like I still needed to prove myself to them, even though most of them we hadn't seen in years. I felt like if I gave up home schooling, they would all cluck their tongues and say, "See we told you you couldn't do it!! We were right all along!!"

Then there are all those home schooling friends. The ones who to your face say, "You need to do what is best for your family..." but behind your back are saying, "Those poor Newport children, being throw to the wolves of the public school system....tsk tsk tsk..." Those people who preach to you the vileness of government schools, who say the would NEVER send their children there, instead of coming along side of you to say, "You know, I am sorry for the loss of your dream."

There are also those people who just don't understand. They don't get why your heart is breaking in two. They don't understand that deep down in your heart, you think you are a failure.

It is a tough spot to be in. Critics think they were right along and don't offer encouragement; home schoolers think you are a traitor and look at you with disgust or pity; and non-home schoolers just don't get it. So I am left with my own tears and thoughts of failure.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited to see how my children will do in the public school setting. I really think that they will thrive and blossom. But when you start home schooling, you often find yourself saying, "I will be home schooling until I am 60 years old!" not ever thinking that your plans can change quickly. One day I was a home schooler, the next I was looking at the school board website for registration forms. You feel like you are losing your identiy. Who will I be when I am not, "Rebecca, the lady with 8 kids who home schools them all?

The last few weeks we have been working on their CATs and getting those scores in. It has been a relief for me to see them all do "above average" on their tests. It helps me to see I am not a complete failure!

This past week, Moriah, our rising Freshman, has been attending a program called, Summer Bridge, at her high school. She has enjoyed it and has made a few friends.

I have been busy filling out paper work, looking for school supplies and uniforms. It is exciting and yet scary. I am sure that they will do fine and once we are into the school year, my Mother's heart will heal and I will be busy with activities and such.

On top of all of that, my husband, Jeff has decided, after MONTHS and MONTHS (maybe years!) of going back and forth, to apply to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He has met with both priests at our church who have given him the A-OK. He has been working on essays and getting references. We are trying to get his application in as soon as we can so we can know for sure what we will be doing. It is a big decision to make. He will be done with his BA in December and would (God willing) start seminary August 2011. Being ever the pessimist, he doesn't think he will get in or that he will get in but the money will not be there to do it. I just ignore him. We got the ball rolling and will see what happens next.

So lots of changes happening here. Lots of stuff to get done and take care of. But it is exciting. We look forward to seeing what God has next for our family!

Do you get applause when you shop?

2010-08-04T16:24:00.000-04:00

Today when I checked out at Publix, the friendly cashier gave me a round of applause. He also encouraged my boys (I had the 11 year old and 9 year old with me) to keep learning from Mom because "she is very smart." The 11yo said, "Yea, I know!" LOL I really don't feel like what I did today was worthy of applause, it just wasn't that great but I did get stuff we use and it was cheap so I am OK with that.

Forgive the not so great arranging. I had about 15 minutes before I needed to pick up my youngest daughter from the high school and so just kind of threw the stuff up there.

Today's haul included:
2 Miracle Whip 2.18/each.
14 bags of Pizza Rolls 1.89/each.
10 boxes of Go-Gurt 1.40/each
6 boxes of Pop Tarts .97/each
16 Old Orchard 100% juice .75/each
8 boxes of Deluxe Brownie mix 2.49/each
2 boxes Reese's Puff cereal 2.49/each
2 boxes of Cheerios 2.49/each
1 smaller box of Cheerios 1.99
2 pints of Starbuck's Ice cream 1.70/each
(and 2 cokes for the helpers 1.39/each)

Total before sales/coupons: 182.18
Special sales: 88.04
Coupons used: 28.85

Total out of pocket: 65.29 or a savings of 64%

Definitely not applause worthy in MY mind but enough to make my boys (and Harold, my cashier) proud.

Publix~~July 27th

2010-07-29T09:27:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I have posted. In all honesty, it has been a while since I have been to Publix. We have a lot of stuff going on here at home and I just haven't had time to shop the deals. But we were out of cereal and since that is my favorite deal at Publix, I decided to head out this week coupons in hand.

Here is what I found:
2 boxes of Cocoa Puffs
2 boxes of Corn Chex
2 boxes of Trix
6 boxes of Cheerios
2 Stouffers family size lazagna
6 boxes of Tuna/Chicken Helper
2 Glade scented oil refills
4 Glade jar candles
2 loaves Cole mini-loaves

Total before sales/coupons: 90.25
Coupons/sales: 60.69
Total out of pocket: 29.56

Total Savings: 67%

I am already getting my things together for next week at Publix. I really need to set time aside each week specifically for working on coupons and deals. With the changes happening in our home, I am going to need it more than ever!!

Last Minute Trip to Publix

2010-06-10T11:16:00.001-04:00

Some days you just don't feel like making the deals all nice and neat on the table. So there they are still in the bags as they were brought in from the van. I thought about putting them out on the table but then I looked at the table and it was covered with random things. I just didn't have the energy to clean, then put the stuff on the table and THEN put it all away. Putting it away took some time anyway because I had been slacking in making sure things were neat to begin with so I needed to do some rearranging, condensing and stuffing. But it all fit!

Today at our local Publix, I had a new cashier. A young girl who actually stopped while she was scanning some of my things to write down something that she wanted to try. Never had that happen before. Interesting. She rang every thing up and then did my coupons. A woman came up behind us while she was ringing my coupons and said, "Wow, that is a LOT of coupons!" I couldn't really "read" her and couldn't tell if she was going to be one of people who are irritated by us couponers or if she was just interested. I smiled and said something polite and was pleased to find that she was interested in my savings and where I get my coupons and all that fun stuff. When she heard my grand total, she smiled and said, "I am really proud of you!" Awwww....

I feel like I didn't really do THAT well but things I bought are great stock pilers. For example, ketchup was BOGO this week. I ordered coupons from Coupons and Things by Dede for those. They were about 69 cents each and my 20 cent coupon doubled making them 29 cents each. I bought 10.

I also got DelMonte Fruit Chillers. My kids LOVE these. They are fruit sorbet in tubes like popsicles. Publix had them on sale for 1.79 (not BOGO). I was saving up my $1 coupons for a sale and here it was. So after coupons, I paid 79 cents each. I only got 5 because I know these are on clearance at Target as well so I will grab some there too.

Nabisco crackers were BOGO. They were 1.50 after the sale. I used $1/2 coupons so about $1 each after my coupons...for Ritz, yes! I bought 10 boxes.

Another non-BOGO thing I got was Stouffer's Family size lasagna. There was on sale for 3.99, which is really a GREAT price. I had coupons from becoming a fan of Stouffer's on Facebook for 2.50 which made the final price 1.49 each. Along with some Pillsbury refrigerated bread sticks (also on sale a Publix) we had dinner last night for less than $5!

Along with those things, I also purchased:
15 boxes of Kellogg's Cereal
6 boxes of SuperPretzel Soft Pretzels
4 Greek yogurt containers
3 YoPlus Yoguirt
4 boxes of Poptart
12 Pillsbury dough (various things)
10 Taco Bell dinner kits
2 Valley Steamer vegetables

Total: 199.76
Sales: 85.05
Coupons: 50.80

Total Savings: 135.85 or 68% (that seems to be my average most of the time).

Menu Plan Monday

2010-06-07T09:26:00.000-04:00

I usually make a menu plan each week. I find I function better when I know exactly what is coming. It is also good for making my store list(s). Sometimes I shop to the sales, sometimes I don't. This is a week when I am not. We are Eastern Orthodox and in the midst of a fasting period. But since we are recovering from a stomach virus which really wiped out the older people in the house, we are not totally fasting yet, but by next week, we should be back to our regular fasting meals.

Monday~~tuna and shells (kind of like tuna casserole)

Tuesday~~makaronapeta or as well call it at our house, "Phyllo-roni". A kind of Greek mac/cheese with phyllo-dough. I am not Greek but I like to pretend I am. LOL

Wednesday~~baked potatoes w/ topping and salad

Thursday~~taco tot casserole

Friday~~Puffy Pizza Casserole

Saturday~~Leftovers

Sunday~~potatoes, carrots, onions in crockpot

To see more Menu Plans check out Organized Junkie!!

CVS 05/15/10

2010-05-17T14:35:00.000-04:00

I waited until Saturday to get my CVS stuff again this week and once again, all the tags were set for the sales starting on Sunday. Thankfully, I brought my ad with me this time. It irritates me when the stores do that but I guess they need to get a jump on the weekly sales.

I didn't do as good as some people do. I need to work on getting my stuff together sooner in the week so that I can try to spend less money out of pocket but for now I am happy to get back ECBs and get some free stuff.

2 Pantene shampoos 2/6.97
2 Bayer aspirin 1.00/each
2 Right Guard deoderant 2.49/each
2 Crest Prohealth toothpaste 3.50/each
1 Kotex U pads 4.99
1 Huggies diapers 8.49
1 Nivea lip balm 2.99
3 Nivea body wash 5.99/each

Used 17.75 in coupons and 17.00 in ECBs and about 20.00 out of pocket.
I got back 25.99 in ECBs.

The Bayer were free because I had $1 coupons.
The Kotex were 4.99 with 4.99ECBs plus I had a coupon so basically I got paid to buy them.
Same with the toothpaste--3.50/each get 3.50 back in ECBs and I had coupons.
And also the deoderant: 2.49 each; I used a $3 off when you buy 2 coupon and got 2.00ECBs back on each one. Again, better than free.

I do miss when CVS would have deals that you could do 5 times because then I could really stock up. Now most of the deals are limit 1 or 2.

Publix--5/10/10

2010-05-10T16:04:00.000-04:00

I have found the joy of ordering coupons online. There are several places that have this service available but I have been getting mine from Coupons and Things by Dede. My coupons are send out quickly and as long as I order them early enough, I get them by the weekend. This has been helpful with Publix deals that I really want to get.

Today I made my Publix run. I don't usually have my stuff ready in order to go before the weekend so I try to go on Monday or Tuesday. Lucky for me, in Georgia, the Publix sales go from Thursday until Wednesday. The times I have gone on Wednesdays though, I have found that they are out of several things.

Today I got several really good deals that are brag-worthy! Dove deoderant was buy one, get one free (BOGO) for 2.29 which made them about 1.14/each. I had $1 coupons so final cost for those were 14 cents EACH!!

9 Lives cat food was also BOGO, each bag was about 1.99; after my coupon they were 99 cents!!

My favorite was the Hidden Valley Dressing. They were BOGO making each bottle 1.69/each. I had $2 off coupons (ordering extra for the deal) meaning that Publix PAID ME to take home the dressing!! Gotta love better than free!

Other things I got today:
4 boxes of Cheerios
4 boxes of Trix
2 boxes of Cocoa Puffs
2 boxes of Special K w/berries
15 boxes of Pop Tarts
6 bags of 8 o'clock coffee
6 bags of Tyson breaded chicken
4 boxes of Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches
4 jars of Peter Pan peanut butter
6 packs of Pillsbury ready to bake cookies

Total before coupons/sales: 253.41

Total out of pocket: 80.80 (a little more than usual but that is OK...)

Total Savings: 172.61 or 68 percent!

"You saved how much????"

2010-04-28T16:14:00.000-04:00

That was what the lady behind me in line today asked when I checked out at Publix. "You saved how much??" When I pointed to the screen, she said, "People say you can save with coupons. I just don't see how..." I smiled and said while taking my receipt from the cashier, "Like THAT!" She just shook her head. There will always be doubters. Those people who say, "There are never coupons for what I buy..." Or, "Generic is cheaper than that..." Oh really? You can buy generic cookie mix for 30 cents? Yea, I didn't think so.

I go through lazy spurts. I see the deals but just don't make it to the store. I do have seven children at home now plus 2 different auto-immune diseases so I think it is understandable that I don't get EVERY deal out there. When I go through these spurts, it seems to get compounded by my lack of enthusiasm to sort, cut, file my coupons. I have coupons here and there and every where. So earlier this week, I removed the dead desktop computer from the desk it was on and set me up a little coupon nook. Now I can sit at the desk and work on coupons. I bought a new hanging file folder to put everything in--including some household, school and church stuff.

Here is where the magic happens. And yes, that is my twitter feed off to the side of my laptop screen. LOL

I think it will work out nicely. The desk is right by the dining room table where we do school so I can sit here and work while the children do school. So, since I had a nice new set up, it would seem foolish to not do some deal shopping, right?

On Monday, I made a CVS run. I hadn't been in a while and had ECBs the were expiring that day. This is what I got (no picture, sorry): 1 Softsoap, 2 Oral B toothbrushes, 2 Nivea body wash, 2 Nivea lip care products, 2 sets of Nailene nails and 1 pk of mints (for my shopping helper). Total was 45.10 before coupons. After my coupons and ECBs, I ended up paying 9.14 out of pocket and got back 14.00 ECBs for next time. Not bad.

Tuesday, we went to Staples. There I purchased 2 20-count packs of batteries (9.99 each); 2 reams of paper (6.49 each) and 2 clearanced Bendaroos (2.50 each). Subtotal was 37.96. I used my Staples rewards from buying toner last month (11.00) so total out of pocket was 28.85. I will get back 19.98 for the batteries in Staples rewards and submitted for a rebate on the paper (10.98). So after I get those back I made 2.11 even WITH the bendaroos (which were NOT on my list).

Then there was today, Wednesday. I managed a quick trip to Publix. And got a bunch of good deals...and this time, there is a picture!

They were out of a few things that I wanted to get but I am not up to asking for rain checks yet, maybe someday but for now I am content to get what I can get. And I think I did pretty good.

10 bags of Steamfresh Veggies
2 50 oz bottles of All detergent
8 pints of Whole Fruit Sorbet
8 boxes of Fruit Chillers
3 4-pks of Yoplus yogurt
6 cans of Campbells Chunky Soup
4 packs of Pepperidge Farms Flats
10 bags of Betty Crocker cookie mix
3 boxes of Fruit Loops
3 boxes of Frosted Flakes
4 boxes of Rice Krispies

Total before coupons/sales: 167.79
Total Savings (coupons and sales): 132.11
Total out of pocket: 35.68

Total savings: 78.74%

Who says you can't save with coupons??

What To Do....What To Do....

2010-03-11T19:17:00.000-05:00

I can't imagine living in the world of a soap opera. So many decisions and problems.

For instance, you might have a son that you didn't know about and then you "accidentally" shoot him because he is fixin' to arrest you for killing your wife. But you didn't really kill your wife, your OTHER son did and you are just covering for him. So you shoot the previously unknown son, and then feel guilty for doing so. Man, now what do you do?

You try to make amends with the shot son but the non-shot son is ticked. So you tell your enforcer and his woman to get their best white casual outfits and take the non-shot son to your private island RIGHT BEFORE your other son questions him for the murder they think you committed.

See the problems that come up??

This week on General Hospital, Sonny who is out on bail for the murder of Claudia sends his son, Michael to "The Island" so that the police (and his brother, Dante) won't question him about it. The problem is that Michael doesn't want his Dad to take the wrap for the murder. Everyone fears that Michael will crack under the pressure of police questioning.

But now, Sonny, has sprung a conscious. He feels bad/mad that Dante, the son he shot, thinks poorly of him and wants to tell him that he did not kill Claudia as Dante thinks. But doing so would only put Michael in the line of fire.

So Sonny is in a predicament. He wants to protect one son but he also wants to be honest with another son. Poor guy. What will he do? Guess you will have to tune in to General Hospital on ABC to see what happens.

I am a participant in a Mom Central Campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag and other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.

Publix 2/27

2010-03-02T14:29:00.000-05:00

*No picture this time...*

I knew that there was a bunch of stuff that I wanted to get at Publix but I also knew that most of my coupons for those deals were going to expire on the 28th. So that meant--- the dreaded Saturday shopping trip. LOL I just really don't like grocery shopping on Saturdays because that is when everyone else does. I don't like crowds or feeling like I am being pushed through the store. But since I wanted to get the goods, I bucked up and just did it!

8 Right Guard deoderants
5 Green Giant Valley Steamers
8 Starkist Albacore tuna pouches
4 boxes of Golden Grahams
4 boxes of Lucky Charms
4 Knorr side dishes
6 boxes of Lipton iced tea bags
10 boxes of brownie mix
4 jars of Ragu
3 cans of Pam cooking spray

Total: 161.55
Store sales: 79.41
Coupons: 30.95

Total out of pocket: 51.19

Savings of 110.36 or 68 percent!!

The best part of all this saving is that my normal grocery list is getting shorter and shorter due to have a decent stockpile building up. And that is my goal, to stockpile so that in the end, I can lower our total grocery bill by using what we have on hand. So far it has worked out well. But I might need to get my carpenter hubby to build me another pantry. *giggle*

Sonny's Day in Court

2010-02-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

On soaps, there are often intertwined story lines and things that make you say, What??? Take for example one line on General Hospital right now.

Local mob boss, Sonny, was married to the other mob boss's daughter, Claudia. Before they married, Claudia put a hit out on Sonny, which missed and shot Sonny's son Michael. Michael was in a coma for over a year and when he came out his personality had changed dramatically. Sonny, of course, did not know that it was his own wife who had ordered the hit--even though most of Port Charles knew. Eventually, Sonny was told and it came out at Claudia's big birthday party in front of all their family and friends. Claudia in gangster fashion, took Sonny's pregnant ex-wife (and Michael's mother) hostage. In true soap style, Carly went into labor in an abandoned cabin and Claudia helped deliver the baby. Claudia who had just lost a baby herself, slipped a groove and decided that she would steal Carly's baby and make a run for it. Just as she was making her escape, Michael entered the cabin, whacking Claudia on the noggin, killing her instantly.

The grand plan of the mobster, his ex-wife and henchmen? Cover up! Of course, no one would believe that Michael, a young boy of what 17 or 18, acted in self defense since he is Sonny's son, so the big cover up begins.

Enter Dominic/Dante, an undercover NYC cop, who has infiltrated Sonny's mob family in an effort to take the mob down. Unbeknownst to the cop, he is the son of said mob boss. He finds out only AFTER he goes to arrest Sonny and Sonny shoots him. *shaking head*

Now Sonny wracked with guilt over shooting his own son, and still trying to stay one step ahead of the police in the Claudia cover up is facing his day in court. Luckily for him, Dante has told the police that he accidentally shot himself in Sonny's house. And the police believe him, yea right! LOL

Sonny is facing charges for Claudia's murder. One son, Michael, knows Sonny is taking the wrap to cover up for him. Michael even goes to the PCPD to confess to Claudia's murder, except no one believes him. Another son, Morgan, tries to get Dante to leave the police force and join the mob so that everyone will be happy. And then there is Dante, who although wants Sonny to go down for Claudia's murder, is kind of torn up about knowing that the mob boss he has hated his whole life, is his father.

Dante, of course, is called to testify. And Michael is tormented because his dad (well, we all know that AJ is really Michael's father, but whatever...) is taking the fall for him. It should be interesting to see what happens in the weeks ahead. Especially knowing that Jax has used his influence to get a high powered prosecutor to try the case.

I love General Hospital. I have always loved Sonny's tormented soul. And I really love his dimples. It is good to see that Dante inherited that trait from his father!!

Tune in to GH weekdays on ABC or SoapNet every night. Here in the east, GH is on at 3pm!!

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Seeing is Believing

2010-02-24T16:40:00.000-05:00

I am very much a visual person so I like seeing pictures of other people's deal. I guess that is why I post mine. I like to see it all on the table. Just saying 11 boxes of cereal doesn't do anything for me but seeing those 11 boxes, I can really get a feel for what people save.

So here are my Publix deals for this week. Love the Viva Italia sale that they had! Progresso Soup!!! Pasta!! Great stuff for Lent!

Here is the run-down for today:
4 pizza crust
2 frozen garlic bread
9 boxes of frosted mini wheats
2 boxes of cheerios
4 boxes of muffin mix
12 boxes of pasta
12 boxes of Zataran's bean/rice varieties
12 cans of lenten soups
9 cans of tomatoes in various styles (whole, diced, crushed, sauce)
3 bottles of olive oil
4 bottles of salad dressing
4 jars of pasta sauce
8 boxes of broth
2 bags of cheese puffs

Total before sales/coupons: 216.06
Store specials: 103.90
Coupons: 40.60
Total out of pocket: 71.56

A total savings of 144.50 or 67% !!

This more than I usually spend at Publix but the Progresso soup is a must during lent. My husband takes his lunch to work and he really enjoys the soup! The Zataran's is good too for a quick lunch on Saturday or Sunday...and no meat in those either. And who doesn't eat a ton of pasta during Lent??? LOL I know we do!!

I had to a bit of rearranging in the pantry to get everything in but I think that is a good thing. Funny thing though---we still are out of ketchup! LOL

Happy Savings!!

Back to CVS

2010-02-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

Poor picture quality, sorry. I was trying to get things cleaned up before hubby got home and did not succeed. LOL

I went to CVS today because I had some ECBs that was going to expire this week. My goal at CVS is to build my stockpile back up and just get out with SOME ECBs. I used to get so upset if I got back less bucks than I spent but realize that that doesn't really matter. As long as I have ECBs to roll, I am good.

So today I got:
1 tub of gum (needed a filler LOL)
1 Colgate toothpaste
1 Crest toothpaste
1 4-pk of disposable razors
4 Glade Sense and Spray starter kits
4 Sobe Life Water

Total before coupons: 41.96
Minus coupons used: 21.34
Total: 20.62+tax
Used 22.00 in ECBs and ended up paying 1.34 out of pocket

I got back 15.50 in ECBs to use next time and I still have 5 or 6 from last time.

The best deal was the Glade. They are $6 each. I had $4 off coupons for each one making them $2 each. If you buy $12 worth (2 Sense and Spray so $4 after coupons) you get back $4 in ECBs which makes them free!

And I added 2 tubes of toothpaste to my stash!

Another High Five at Publix...

2010-02-16T20:58:00.000-05:00

I was thinking that I would not go to Publix this week but then I saw our cereal supply dwindling (and by dwindling I mean, we were down to 3 boxes) so I decided to get my stuff together and head out. It looks like a bunch of junk but most of it will keep for a while. I also was telling my daughters that for 30 cents for 3 dozen cookies--fresh made...You can't beat that!

So here is what I got today:
5 Yoplait Fiber One yogurt
10 Pillsbury ready to bake cookies
3 Steamfresh Meal for 2 (Shrimp Alfredo yum)
4 boxes of Frosted Flakes
3 boxes of Fruit Loops
6 cans of almonds
12 boxes of fruit snacks
6 pouches of cookie mix (each pk makes 3 dozen cookies)

Total before sales/coupons: 152.04
Advertised specials: 76.73
Coupons: 33.40
Total out of pocket: 41.91

A savings of 110.13 or 72%

This coming week looks to be good at Publix as well. They will have Progresso soup BOGO!! That is my husband's favorite to take for lunch during Lent so hopefully I can score some of that. It seems that Publix has a much better variety of soup than my local (and by local, I mean across the street LOL) Food Lion.

I searched for the the older male cashier that I was told gets very excited if you save a lot but he was working the express lane so I couldn't go to him. But I did find my fave, Tammie!! She got so excited ringing my coupons. I love it when a cashier gets excited too. As we were leaving I told my girls that I just don't understand people who say they can't save with coupons. Even if you only save 25 cents, it is still worth it.

Today I was sitting at the dining room table getting my "deals" together, my oldest came out of his room, saw me and started chuckling. He said, "Some people bring their work home with them. Papers, graphs, all that stuff. And then there's you and your coupons. Look at the table, it is covered!" LOL I said, "Well, you haven't complained about the 11 boxes of Toaster Strudel or all the goodies I get with my coupons." He replied that he wasn't complaining, he just thought it was funny that couponing is my *job*. LOL

Brand Ambassador!!!!

2010-02-16T10:18:00.007-05:00

It is no secret among those who know me well that I am a big fan of ABC Daytime! I started watching ABC Soaps with my Grandmother when I was a little girl. I can remember watching Ryan's Hope while she did crochet or quilted in her living room. My love for them continued through my teen years as my brother and I skipped after school activities to watch Luke and Laura get married. We talked about characters like they were part of our family. When playing "house" in the basement, our neighbors or spouses were named Scotty, Robert, Anna, Frisco or Felicia.

As I grew older, I would go through spurts as I am sure all soap fans do. You watch every day then you come to a point when you still watch but not as much as you once did. Then a story line shows up that makes you WANT to watch! You can't wait for 3pm to come so you can see what trouble Sonny and Jason will get into next!! Or why James Franco decided to do a guest stint! LOL

Right now on GH, I am loving Lulu and Dante/Dominic. They are such a cute couple! And who doesn't love that Helena is back to strike fear in the hearts of all she comes in contact with!! Makes you wish that Stavros and Stefan would pop back in!!

So why am I talking about General Hospital when previously I just bragged about my shopping? I have been chosen to be part of the General Hospital Brand Ambassador Program through MomCentral. What a neat opportunity!! I admit I get jealous of those "BigDealMoms" on twitter. And while I might not be a Big Deal, my love of ABC Daytime has paid off!

Do you love GH? You might want to head over to MomCentral to enter the contest they currently have running. You could win a trip to LA, a tour of the General Hospital set and a walk-on role!! The contest is open until February 28th so jump over there and enter!!

Disclaimer:

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Another Successful Publix Trip

2010-02-08T20:11:00.003-05:00

I am finally getting excited about deal shopping again. It is my job as a wife to use my husband's money wisely! Just as I need to make time for my daily prayers, I need to take time to get my household in order and that includes being frugal.

Today I made another trip to Publix. I got all that you see in the picture (minus one bag of Pita chips that my store helper and I munched on while going home. LOL) for 37.38.

10 pks of yogurt
2 Ranch veggie dip
2 Sour cream
2 jars of pickles
6 mustard
4 boxes of Special K
5 boxes of crackers
2 Velveeta cheese
4 jars of peanuts
4 boxes of mac/cheese
3 bags of pita chips

Before sales and coupons: 121.88
Store sales: 53.70
Coupons: 30.80
Total out of pocket: 37.38

Two weeks ago the cashier gave me a high-five. This week, Shauna and her bagger, cheered and clapped after having me read how much I saved. LOL They told me that one of the other cashiers practically throw a parade if you save a lot! I told them that maybe next week I will go to him. LOL

Another week...another trip to Publix

2010-02-03T16:29:00.002-05:00

I didn't get too much since there wasn't much on the BOGO that we would really use. But this next week looks to be a GREAT Publix shopping week.

This trip I got:
2 bags of mozzerella bites (will be great for our Super Bowl party)
10 bags of Chex Mix (again, for party or evening snack attacks)
2 boxes of popcorne
2 bottles salad dressing
5 4-pks of yogurt
6 boxes of graham crackers in different "flavors"
11 boxes of Toaster Strudels

Total before sales and coupons: 120.03
Advertised specials: 59.08
Coupons: 25.00

Total out of pocket: 35.95

Total Savings----70% !!!

It was a great trip but sadly I had to explain to the cashier that I bought 11 toaster strudels and that the coupons were for 11. I don't know why she was so confused. I guess because 5 of the coupons said "when you buy 2" so she was thinking I needed an even number? I don't know (I had one coupon that was for just one). At any rate, I finally showed her, here are 11 boxes, this coupon goes with these two; this one goes with these two...etc.... *shaking head* Oh well, another cashier to avoid at Publix. I looked for my fave Tammie but she was not there.

Menu Plan Monday

2010-02-01T09:27:00.003-05:00

This is our last "normal" fasting week and then comes Meatfare Sunday the last day we can eat meat until Pascha in April. Fasting is supposed to be a time of drawing closer to God. We aren't supposed to think so much about the food and more about God. Not so for me, preparing and thinking about Lenten meals is so hard for me. I get stressed out and feel discouraged by the whole thing. I know it isn't supposed to be that way but for me it is. I need to try harder this Lenten season to plan our meals in advance and make sure that we have a lot of options.

I prepared my menu plan for the next two weeks (and already shopped--except for a few things):

Monday, 1st: corn dog muffins; chicken
Tuesday, 2nd: sandwiches; shepherd's pie (requested by girls to have "before Lent starts")
Wednesday, 3rd: fish stick; spaghetti
Thursday, 4th: chicken patties; turkey dinner
Friday, 5th: pizza rolls; tuna casserole
Saturday, 6th: leftovers; McDonald's--our last hamburgers before Lent LOL
Sunday, the 7th--Meatfare Sunday: Super Bowl Party---finger food type things
Monday, 8th: PB&J; potato soup
Tuesday, 9th: fish sticks; cabbage & pasta
Wednesday, 10th: mac/cheese; grilled cheese
Thursday, 11th: spaghetti o's; makaronapita (or phyllo-roni as my daughter calls it)
Friday, 12th: lunch ??; spaghetti
Saturday, 13th: leftovers

CVS 1/19 and 1/22

2010-01-23T12:03:00.003-05:00

I made two trips to CVS this week. I didn't intend to but that is what happens when you mess up on the first trip. LOL The picture above is from the first trip on the 19th after my big Publix trip.

2 bags of M&Ms
2 4-pks of Starbucks drinks
2 Pantene conditioners
2 bags of Lays chips
4 Oust spray
2 Gatorade G2
1 Sobe Lifewater
1 CVA GreenBagTag

I used a $3 coupon for the Pantene and 2 BOGO free coupons for the Oust. I forgot about the 2 50cent coupons for the G2s.

My total was 41.70 *yikes* and since I hadn't been shopping at CVS in FOREVAH, had no ECBs. So paid that much.

I got back $2; $2; $12 in ECBs--notice I did not get the $10 ECB for the Pepsi products. Apparently I miscalculated because my receipt showed that I only purchased 18.25 for it. *shaking head*

So my 2nd trip to CVS this week was (no picture): 3 Sobe Lifewaters and 1 pk of CVS Cottonballs (we needed). Total was 7.73 and I got back $1; $10 in ECBs.

For the week I got back 27.00 back in ECBs. All ready to get started for another week.

Jumping Back In With Both Feet!

2010-01-19T17:55:00.002-05:00

I did it. I sat this morning while the boys were doing school and sorted through deals, print outs and coupons. Then after lunch, I headed out to Publix. As I said before, I haven't been deal/coupon shopping in several months. I knew I needed to just jump right back in. I didn't want to just mosey back into couponing because I knew I would get lazy again. So today, I went to Publix. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Publix!! I especially love that my Publix doubles coupons! And I also love that most of the BOGO free things are right by the door in bins just waiting for me. That cuts down on my shopping time so much!

Look at all that stuff on the table! And can you believe that I spent less than $60 for all of it??? So what did I get?

4 boxes of Frosted Flakes
4 boxes of Rice Krispies
2 boxes of Fruit Loops
2 boxes of Apple Jacks
12 cans of Progresso soup (my husband takes these in his lunch and especially likes the vegetarian kind for Lent which is coming quickly)
4 bottles of V-8 Splash
2 boxes of Chewy Granola Bars
2 boxes of Popsecret microwave popcorn
2 2-pks of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spread
2 pks of Lender's Bagels
4 cans of Planters Mixed nuts
4 boxes of Cheese-its
2 jars of Hellman's Mayo
1 bottle of Fantastick cleaner
and...
13 boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks

My total before any coupons or discounts was 186.30
I saved 91.32 in advertised specials (BOGO)
I used 35.60 in coupons (including those that doubled)

A total savings of 126.92 or 68%

I paid 59.38 OOP.

I took my 13yo and 11yo with me. The 11yo had never been to Publix before (I usually take the girls) so I was explaining to him that we could watch on the screen. I told him that my goal was to have my savings be a LOT bigger than the balance side. The cashier said, "This is the fun part!" as she started ringing my coupons. We kept watching as the savings got bigger and the total due got smaller. When it was all said and done the cashier, Tammie, said, "That's how you shop! You need to learn from your mama!" Then without missing a beat she lifted her hand to me and said, "THAT deserves a high-five!!" LOL Never have I had a cashier high five me before but that was pretty cool. LOL As I was leaving she said to the lady behind me, "That woman is proof that coupons work if you know how to use them!"

I knew I wanted to jump in with both feet and I am so glad I did! I came out of there with such a savers high (only a dedicated shopper would understand that LOL) that I said, "OK guys, we are headed to CVS!" LOL

2010-01-12T18:59:00.002-05:00

Wow! It has been a long time since I have updated here. I apologize for my absence. I kind of fell off the saving, coupon, blogging bandwagon a while ago and I am just now getting back on it.

I was trying to think what did it for me. Was I tired of saving money? Tired of shopping? Just plain lame? I think the kicker was when my little boys, or rather ONE of my little boys, lost my key chain with ALL my loyalty cards on it. We searched and searched and could not find it. I kept putting off canceling all of them or getting new ones issued because I KNEW it would turn up...some day. Guess what? It did, 4 months later. It was under the boys' bed, just like I knew it was. I was so happy to see those little plastic tags!

But even finding that didn't make me jump up and start deal hunting again. I think that maybe I just needed a break. I had several things happen during those months of non-saving. And when I say "non-saving" I mean, I didn't cut any coupons. I didn't read deal sites. I didn't even save the ads on Sundays to make out scenarios.

As the new year approached, I made the decision to get my coupons back in order first. I was saving inserts but hadn't cut and filed in 2-3 months. And my box was full of expireds. Each week, I would go to the grocery store and get disgusted that I didn't have any coupons for a sale and also disgusted to see how high my bill was getting.

One week as I entered the store, I looked at my girls and said, "This is the LAST week I shop with no coupons!" And that was that. I got my coupons cleaned out, new ones cut and filed. I sat with my sale papers and made my list. I was happy to see my total below $100 for the first time in MONTHS.

I haven't jumped back into CVS'ing or Walgreens yet but need to--our toothpaste stockpile is dwindling. LOL

Hopefully in the coming weeks and months, I can bore you with my shopping trips and deal shopping. I might even throw in some funny or thought provoking posts now and then.

My Biggest Grocery Savings to Date!!!

2009-08-26T18:26:00.004-04:00

I am so excited about these savings!! I actually told my 13 year old daughter that was with me, "If I save over $100, I am so bloggin' this!" We watched on the Publix cash register screen as my savings went from $30 to $40 to $70 to $90. I stood there as it got closer to $100 saying, "Come on! Come on!" And then it was done: $101.73 in savings!!! *WooHoo* I was stoked! (The cashier, not so much! LOL).

Here is what we got:
4 boxes of Cheerios
3 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios
3 boxes of Cookie Crisp cereal
5 pk of Kotex pads
4 boxes of Pyramid Lipton Tea bags
1 box of Luzianne tea bags
3 Yo-plus 4-pks
5 4-pks Fiber One yogurt
4 boxes Taco Bell dinner (an item I did NOT have a coupon for--I know, shame on me. LOL)
2 Velvetta cheese spread (mexican flavor)
2 pints Starbucks Ice cream (Caramel Macchiato kind--yummy)
2 loaves of garlic bread
2 boxes of breadsticks

I used a $5 off $30 coupon I got in the mail from Publix (I think that should make up for my not having a Taco bell q LOL).

Summary from my receipt:
Store Coupons: 9.50
Vendor Coupons: 24.65
Advertised Specials (BOGOs): 67.58

Your Savings at Publix: 101.73

Grand Total: 35.64

I just tried to explain to my husband that the Cheerios alone are 4.99 a box--I got 7 boxes of them so we could say, I paid full price for the cereal and got everything else for free. He is about impressed as the cashier was. LOL Oh well, I will bask in my savings victory!!

Honestly, I don't think I have ever saved this much on groceries. I have when buying clothes on clearance at Penneys or in the big Target Toy Clearance but on groceries, this is a new one on me.

Bird Feeder Update

2009-08-24T20:06:00.005-04:00

If you remember a long time ago I posted pictures of Alexander and my husband, Jeff making a bird feeder out of an empty two-litre bottle. For many months, no birds ever came to it. None. Alexander was quite discouraged because he was all set to look at the birds and see what kinds would come. We didn't know what to do. We knew that the birds just needed to find the feeder but we also knew that that might be skiddish since we had several stray cats hanging out on our porch too.

We managed to shoo the cats away and finally the birds came. Alexander has enjoyed looking at them and trying to figure out what they are. The birds are now used to seeing movement at the screen door and don't fly away as quickly as they did at first. Even the baby, Gregory, gets excited when he sees a bird at the feeder.

(Jeff did make the holes a little bigger for the seed to come out easier.)

Here are a few pictures of the birds we have seen.

Female House Finch

Both female and male (the red headed one) House Finch

Cardinal

We also have a family of cardinals that have been coming. It looks like a male, female and 2 babies. We need to research it a little but I think that cardinals are the kind of birds that will continue to come back to the same feeder for a long time.

We have also had a chickadee come but we haven't gotten a picture of it yet. Also the doves are starting to show up more since the other birds tend to fling the seed all over the porch looking for their favorite kind. LOL

I think that the feeder was a good project for Alexander. I felt bad that it took so long for birds to come but once they did, he was thrilled!!

Twitter Party!!

2009-07-21T08:15:00.002-04:00

Ever been to a Twitter party? They are lots of fun and full of lots of giveaways! Resourceful Mommy is hosting her bloggiversary party this Wednesday evening. Click the button to RSVP and be entered to win over 50 prizes worth over $1500!!! WooHoo!! I can't wait!!

Our weekend

2009-07-01T20:41:00.005-04:00

It started earlier in the week really when the drum went out on our laser printer and it quit printing. I ordered the part and chose Priority shipping so we could get it by (hopefully) Friday or Saturday---hasn't come yet. So we have been printer less since like Wednesday.

On Friday, dh came home and mentioned that it was warmer in here that usual. I told him that it also was very hot. But he reminded ME that the a/c shouldn't be working as hard as it is. He used to work on a/c units so he started fiddling with it and discovered that the fan motor was red hot and that was all she wrote. We were at the end of June, in Savannah, Georgia, with 10 people in our house, and no a/c. *thud* Not a major problem though because as I said, dh is handy and in his words, "It is an easy fix. Just needs a new motor."

We spend a hot night in bed but it wasn't completely unbearable. I woke up with a migraine which is typical for me when under stress.

Saturday morning, Jeff started calling supply places for a new fan motor. Now we are having a problem, it seems the supply places that would have a motor, are closed on Saturdays. Again, not a problem because Jeff's boss, Jim has a couple of window units we can borrow until Monday when Jeff can fix the a/c.

Jeff tries to call his boss but there is no answer. He is having a yard sale so not close to his phone. Jeff decides to drive out to his house. He and our oldest son load up and take off. About 10 minutes after they leave, my phones rings. "The truck died," states my husband. "Try to call Jim's house. We might need to call a wrecker."

I sigh and try his boss a few times. I call Jeff back and he says to just call a tow truck. So I find one that will take my credit card info over the phone because dh has no cash nor debit card. I call him back and tell him that help is on the way.

About an hour later, the wrecker comes with the work truck, Jeff and Jeffrey. They seem in good spirits. We all eat lunch and Jeff decides to head out to Jim's house in our van to get the window units. It is now early afternoon in Savannah, and we are pushing 90-93 in the house.

Jeff is gone about an hour when my phone rings again, "I am on my way home but we might want to see if we can afford a battery for the van. Jim had to jump start it when I went to leave." I remind Jeff that my Mother's Day gift last year was a new battery so it should still be good. LOL He says that he will see me when he gets home....BUT about 45 minutes later the phone rings again, "Van's dead. I am at Habersham and Derenne. You need to come jump me." *shaking my head*

I get our son's truck and drive to rescue Jeff and the van. We make it home...barely. But thankfully, he has the window units!!

Jeff installs one in the living room and one in the dining room. It is still hot but it starts to get a little cooler. We know where we will all be sleeping this night! In the Living room.

After the a/c units are installed, Jeff and I take the van to the mechanic who agrees with hubby, it is the alternator. Great.

For those keeping score it is: one printer, one work truck, on a/c, and one van. We are having a GREAT weekend.

We know we aren't going to be able to cook with the air out because it will make the house even hotter. So I run to the store (in my son's truck which also has no a/c) for lunch meat and other easy things. We are looking on the bright side--we get to watch movies and enjoy some time together.

Saturday night we got 3 twin mattresses and the mattress off our bed and lined them up in the living room and dining room. Our oldest 3 each got a twin, the next 4 slept on our mattress sideways, the baby was in the playpen, Jeff got the couch and I had the love seat. It was cozy and we all hoped that the person farthest from the bathroom didn't have to go because there were a lot of people to walk over to get there!

Sunday morning we all woke up and enjoyed day old donuts from the store. I grabbed the milk from the fridge to take my RA medicine and said, "Honey....this milk is warm." He came to see and sure enough, the fridge was warm. I wanted to scream!!!

Being the kind of person I am, I changed my status on Facebook to reflect our new mechanical failure. Jeff and I began to figure out a plan for getting ice and stuff to keep from losing too much. He fiddled with the fridge (since he is handy) and determined that it was (again) an easy fix. But now it was Sunday and again, no parts places were open. About the time we were trying to decide what to do, there was a knock on our door.

To our great pleasure, a friend of ours was there with 3 coolers full of ice, bottled water and cans of coke. He raided his father-in-laws automatic ice machine for us! We were very grateful.

After lunch, the mechanic called to tell us the van was fixed! And it would only cost us about 360.00. LOL Before Jeff and I could go to get that, another friend from church stopped by to deliver some chicken dinners. Sunday was our church's Patronal Feast Day---which we missed. But they were nice enough to bring us some leftovers from the luncheon.

Oh and did I mention that Sunday was also our Andrew's 6th birthday? LOL Poor kid, he gets a do-over later. LOL

Things are looking better by Sunday night: the van is fixed and the fridge is cold again but we still have no air and a broken work truck in the yard.

Monday morning, Jeff's boss picks him up for work. He has left me specific instructions for what to get from the supply place. I call the first one, they don't have the part. Second place, no they don't either. But they gave me the number of another, BINGO! They have it. My two oldest sons and I jump in the van to get the part. Success! The part is bought and we are back home.

Jeff comes home from work a little early Monday evening. He replaces the fan motor but in the process, breaks the old motor shaft in the fan blade. He tells me to go get another. Supply place closes in one hour---can I make it. Success!! I return with a new fan blade. Jeff hooks it all up, turns the breakers back on and Ta-Da...still no a/c. Crap!

He says to me that it must be the capacitor. But the capacitor they gave me with the fan motor is not the same as the one we need. So guess what I get to do Tuesday morning? And guess where we are all sleeping again on Monday night??? *sigh* At this point, I am wondering who we made mad!

Another night with all 10 of us in the living room and another day of keeping very active little boys from generating more body heat in the house.

Tuesday I go ASAP to get the new part. The guy knew immediately what I needed. He said, "Yea, this isn't supposed to look like this." LOL Jeff had told me that this part would be at least $40 (later he told me it would be anywhere from 40.00 up to 140.00). So I was prepared to pay a lot. The parts guy gave me a total of 8.82. I said, "80.82 ?? " thinking I had misheard. He said, "No, 8.82." I was so thankful!!!! And relieved!

On the way home, I called Jeff to tell him I had the part. He said that as soon as the concrete guy left, they would run home and put it on. At lunchtime, Jeff, Jeffrey and Jim, the boss, all showed up. They fixed the a/c and then enjoyed their lunch in the living room with all of us.

Tuesday night, we all slept in our own beds!! *woot*

Lest you think things are looking up, Jeff is still fiddling with the a/c because it still isn't working quite right. He is pretty sure it is the fan blade they gave us but he doesn't know how to make it work better. We are waiting on the part for the fridge and the drum for the printer still has not come in...which really irritates me.

Tonight though, I really need to focus on the positives because I am starting to get a little cranky. And why am I cranky? Because of all that happened this weekend, I was unable to get to my Publix list until this evening. Because I have been lax in getting my coupons filed, it took me a while to hunt down my bbq sauce and mustard ones. By the time I was done, it was 8:30. Too late for me to go to the store. So I am cranky! I wasn't really cranky when the a/c went out, or the truck broke down or the van...no I get cranky because I couldn't get cheap condiments!!

How lame is that????

Publix 6/23/09

2009-06-24T09:34:00.003-04:00

Does anyone else get a "high" when they get to the checkout and see how much they have saved with coupons??? I KNOW I can't be the only one. It is even better when the cashier says something like, "Wow, you did good!!" That's how I felt yesterday when I was leaving Publix.

I was holding on to cereal coupons hoping for a good BOGO sale at Publix and it paid off yesterday. So did holding on to all those Yoplus coupons.

This is what I managed to score at Publix yesterday for less than $40!!!

10 pks of Yoplus yogurt 1.25/each and I had 10 .50 q's which my Publix doubles so .25 for yogurt is pretty good, huh?

Starbuck's Ice cream 1.89/each--I only had one $1.50 coupon, not as good as .81 cents on clearance at Target a while ago but still OK.

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream 1.89/each--I can't remember but I think I had 2 $1/off coupons

4 boxes of Frosted Mini-wheats 2.10/each--used 4 $1/off coupons

4 boxes of Golden grahams; 1 box of Cookie Crisp; 1 box of Lucky Charms 1.89/each--used various coupons $1/3; $1/2; 50 cents

Nabisco Graham Crackers 2.00/each---used 2 $1 off coupons

Ritz Crackerfull Cracker sandwiches--1.37/each No coupon but they looked soooo good. LOL (And they are LOL)

2 Gallons of milk 2.79/each

3 bottles of coke--2 for my shopping helpers and one for the babysitter at home.

My Savings Summary:

Store Coupons 5.50
Vendor Coupons 17.00
Advertised Specials 46.48

My Savings at Publix: 68.98

Grand total: 35.37

In the words of Tammie, the cashier at Publix yesterday, "I love Coupons!!"

Flip Camera Give-away

2009-06-22T09:48:00.002-04:00

Andrea over at mommysnacks.net has a great giveaway going on right now. She is giving away one of those cool flip video cameras!! Be sure to check out her first ever vlog! Andrea ROCKS!!

Go here to see her review of the camera and your chance to enter.

Target Air Fresheners

2009-06-16T10:43:00.003-04:00

I meant to go to Target last week to scoop up the Special K deal and also the air freshener deals but just didn't make it. That is what happens when you have 8 children I guess. LOL Then when I saw the new Target ad for this week, I thought that I might need to get some of the new "But this get that" deals. They looked really good.

I went last night. I still had my air freshener coupons in my holder so I thought that I would check that aisle to see if they were still cheap. The shelf tags indicated that they were back to "normal" prices--11.99, 8.99, etc. So I sighed and put my coupons away. THEN.....I saw the end cap with its "Temporary Price Cut" sign!! SCORE! LOL

1 Airwick iMotion 5.99-3.00 peelie coupon=2.99
1 Lysol Nutra-Air starter kit 5.99-4.00 Q=1.99
1 Airwick Essential Oils starter kit 4.99-4.00Q=.99
2 Glade Sense and Spray 5.99-4.00Q=1.99/each
2 Glade Lasting Impressions 5.99-4.00Q=1.99/each

7 air fresheners for about 14.00 so average about $2/each. Not bad. I will add them to the stash I already have.

What does one do with a box of air fresheners?? Well, some very good friends of our are getting married next month and then 2 weeks later moving to Wisconsin so the bride can begin graduate school. Getting married, moving very far away and going to school can leave a new couple broke! So my plan is to dig through ALL my stash and make a goodie box for them. I will even ship it for them since room in their car will be minimal. Maybe between now and then I will be able to find some more stuff to bless the new couple with.

While at Target last night I also did the Huggies, Viva deal (buy 3 get $5 GC):
Pull ups 8.99-3.00=5.99
Diapers 8.99-2.00=6.99
Viva paper towels 6.99 (no Q but we needed them)
about 19.00-5.00GC=14.00
so about 4.50 average each thing--not as great as free but still OK especially since I am on the last bag of diapers from the Walgreens+$5 coupon buying spree a while ago. LOL

CVS 6/15/09

2009-06-16T10:23:00.005-04:00

Is it just me or is CVS seriously lacking in the deals lately? I went a full month without going and then ran into the "Oh no! My ECBs are fixin' to expire" problem.

Yesterday I took a trip to CVS. I had three transactions worked up but realized that I really only needed to do one to roll the expiring ECBs.

Here is what I got:
4 boxes of Kellogg's cereal (1.88/each)
2 Dry Idea roll on B1G1 (5.29/each)
2 Excedrin (4.49/each)
1 Schick Quattro (7.99/each)
2 boxes of mac/cheese (needed it for supper LOL 1.79/each *thud*)

I used 6 $1/off coupons; 2 $2/off coupons for the Dry Idea; 1 $4/off Schick and my $16 ECBs.

Total oop: 4.13
ECBs earned: $7

So I lost 9.00 in ECBs but I think I got some good deals on stuff we actually use. We discovered that my husband LOVES the Dry Idea roll on. I am glad I printed off all those $2 coupons and even more glad that they don't expire until November!

I was going to do the sunglasses deal but there were none priced lower than 9.99 at this CVS I went to so I passed on it. I will continue to look at the other ones but if I can't find any of the 5.99 ones, I will probably pass.

Crafting With Daddy

2009-05-18T15:51:00.002-04:00

Alexander is our crafter. Along with Moriah, he loves to create and draw and all that good stuff. He is always collecting things and wanting to make stuff. His latest thing is making "people" out of coke bottles. He will tape yarn to the lid for hair, tape paper on for clothes and set them up to play with. When I cleaned their room a few weeks ago, I found a bunch of these people. LOL

My parents were here this past week and Grandpa sprang for coke in 2-liter bottles. When we emptied them, Alexander asked if he could have them. Grandma asked what he would make with it and he told her, "People." She went on to explain how MY Grandma Boring (my Dad's mom) would make bird feeders out of them. His eyes lit up. Something that Alexander likes as much as crafting is birds! He immediately asked if we could do that.

After googling "bird feeder from 2 liter bottle", we found a set of instructions that would work. Then for the next 24 hours, he asked constantly when we would make it. LOL CONSTANTLY! LOL

On Saturday, he talked Daddy into making the feeder part with him. Mom told him that we would get the bird seed on Sunday (We didn't--I was ill. But I told him tomorrow for sure. LOL).

Daddy is a construction worker so of course he got out the drill to make the holes for the skewers and seed to come out. I figured that Jeff would just do it himself but then I heard, "Hold it right here so you can feel how it is. OK now pull the trigger..." LOL So Alexander got to drill the holes himself. Then they added bamboo skewers for the perches. We still have not gotten the bird seed but will since Alexander asked every five minutes. LOL

I will post a picture of the finished product.

CVS 5/16/09

2009-05-18T15:42:00.003-04:00

There haven't been many great deals that I have been wanting to get. But cereal? Yup, that is one that I will run for. With 8 children, we go through a lot of cereal. So when the Kelloggs was on sale for $2 and I had $1 coupons, I decided to get some. But since my parents were here this weekend, I could only manage one trip.

4 boxes of cereal $2/each
1 Bayer Quick Crystals 2.00
1 Schick Quattro for Women 8.99

Used:
4 $1 coupons
$5 ECBs (I was running low on ECBs)

Paid 10.65 oop

Got back:
$2 ECB for Bayer
$4 ECB for Schick
and...
$10 ECB for doing a survey a few weeks ago *woot*

Not bad. I need to get back into my blogging and dealing. So many distractions and just pure laziness.

Publix 4/8/09

2009-04-08T19:50:00.004-04:00

I am really beginning to LOVE Publix!! Even though today they were out of some of the BOGO stuff (mainly cereal), I still managed to get quite a bit and save a lot too. I also didn't remember until I was done getting my list and coupons together that Publix's ad doesn't switch until Saturday rather than Thursday like normal. But I still went on since I had some coupons I wanted to use that were expiring soon.

4 Lipton family size tea bags BOGO
4 Wheat thins Artisan crackers BOGO (and I had BOGO coupons--they were all free!!)
2 Breyer's Ice cream BOGO
4 Kraft Mayo BOGO
2 Kraft Dressing BOGO
4 Emerald Almonds BOGO
4 Swanson Broth BOGO
2 Ragu Pasta Sauce BOGO
6 I Can't Believe it's Not Butter BOGO
2 Chex Mix BOGO
2 English Muffins BOGO
2 Cake mixes BOGO
2 Mentos gum (priced 99 cents and I had $1 coupons)

Non-dealy things:
1 Cake frosting (but I did use a q LOL)
1 melting chocolate (my 16yo is making a dessert)
18-pk Coke (cans)--they were 4.99 and had $1 coupon on them so 3.99
Bag of Sugar--on sale 1.99 used coupon

So from the bottom of my receipt:
Vendor coupons: 22.61
Store coupons: 4.25
Advertised Special Savings: 59.82
Advantage buys: 1.00

My savings at Publix today: 87.68

Total out of pocket: 44.87

My favorite part of today's trip was when the cashier and bagger both said, "Wow, you did GREAT!" I hear the often at CVS (LOL) but it is nice to hear other places too.

And in all honesty, this is only my third serious couponing trip to Publix...and I think I am hooked. I never shopped there before because it seemed so expensive, but now that I am learning how to shop the sales better with the help of many blogs and other ladies. I am really starting to LOVE Publix!!

To see more Publix SuperSavers, check out FiddleDeeDee!!

A Non-Deal Post

2009-04-04T20:02:00.004-04:00

Originally, this blog was going to be for deal posting only but I have found that I just can't keep up with more than one blog. I have the other one still up but it has not been updated since November.

For those of you who may have popped in here from elsewhere, let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I am Rebecca. I live in Savannah, Georgia with my husband of 19 years, Jeff. He is a construction worker and full-time student working on his English degree. He blogs too but rather infrequently. He is the witty and deep one of the family. But right now, most of his time is spent working 8 hours then coming home and working on school for 4-5 hours. We met in New York right out of high school. We lived in Kissimmee, Florida for several years before moving to Georgia.

We are the proud parents to 8 great kids. Our oldest, Jeff Jr, just turned 18 this past December. Oddly, I was more emotional when my oldest daughter turned 16 than I did when he became an adult. He works full time with Jeff is the construction business. He is thinking of going to tech school in the fall or spring. Right now he is working on his GED.

Next in line is our 16yo daughter, Amanda. She is the second mom in the house. She is a great help with the little boys. She also loves to write and bake. Her latest obsession is Broadway musicals. Our next step with her is to get her driving permit.

The third child is Moriah. She is 13. She is different from Amanda yet in some ways very similar. She is our fashionista. She LOVES purses and going shopping. She is truly a girly-girl. Where Amanda doesn't really care about wearing make-up, Moriah asks all the time when she will be allowed. She also is my crafter. She likes to knit, stamp and bead.

I love both my girls. They are so special to me. They are truly growing into lovely young ladies. I can't wait to see where God takes them from here.

Timothy is our fourth child. He is 10 years old. He loves his family. He is the one who will bring me water when I am sick or offer a hug when I am down. He also loves his video games. LOL He is also Jeffrey's shadow but Jeffrey doesn't mind and THAT I love. Timothy has recently discovered a love for reading and is reading just about everything he can get his hands on.

Alexander is next. He is 8 and shares a birthday with Moriah. Alexander is so very sensitive. He collects roly-poly bugs but the thousands (well it seems that way LOL). He likes to draw and color. He has said for a few years that he wishes to be an artist when he grows up.

(Only three more left LOL)
Andrew is our 5yo and first red-head. He is a sweet boy. It took him forever to potty train but he is still a sweet boy. LOL He loves Legos and playing on the playstation. He is pretty "active" and can often be found running back and forth in the living room battling invisible bad guys.

Symeon is 3 years old and our 2nd red-head. LOL He is so cute. LOL I know I am probably biased but he is!! But he is a rough and tumble little boy. He is ALL boy. He can be very shy or he can be very loud---just depends on his mood.

And lastly we have Gregory. Gregory will be one on April 17th. He is trying to walk--well, he walks if no one is looking at him. He has two volumes: loud and louder. He just likes to "talk" loudly. He is a cutey too.

If you lost count, that is 6 boys, 2 girls. We didn't really plan a large family but I am very happy that God chose to give me one.

We don't have any inside pets. We have a cat, Baby, that was given to us by Andrew's Godfather. He is an outside cat now who has taken a "wife" and fathered 3 kittens with more on the way. *shaking head*.

Other things of interest about our family...
I homeschool the children and have from the beginning.

We are Eastern Orthodox and attend a Greek parish. My husband is an Ordained Subdeacon and teaches the Jr High Sunday School class. My oldest 2 boys serve at the altar. I am a member of the ladies group, Philoptocos Society. I serve on the board and am in charge of special coffee hours.

I like to sew and crochet although since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis this past October, I haven't done much of either. I am not a good cook--well, I can be a good cook, I am just too lazy. LOL I know that my family appreciates when I cook well and add new things to the menu so I should do that more.

We are a family that loves football, basketball, hockey--any sport really, EXCEPT Nascar and baseball. Our favorite though is football and in the fall we can be found watching the Gators or Buckeyes on Saturday and who ever we can catch on Sundays.

My latest obsession is couponing. I have always used coupons but in the last year or so, I have REALLY gotten into it. LOL Jeff says that I am like an addict and when people bring me their coupons he jokes that they are "feeding my habit" LOL I got into shopping CVS a little over a year ago. My girls are usually with me when I hit CVS or do any clearance shopping. They know that if toothpaste is more than 50 cents--we are NOT getting it. LOL We laugh at 15 or 30 percent off clearance at Target.

I love reading other blogs about deals and shopping. I am a fairly new twitterer and I am on facebook. If you want to read more of my boring life or to see pictures, pop over to my old blog and take a look around.

In addition to deal posts, I will add some of our life stuff and I will try to not be boring. If you read this far, thanks and I hope you stick around.

Publix 3/25/09

2009-03-25T20:21:00.003-04:00

After a couple of disappointing trips to my local Publix, I thought about giving up. But whenever I see the BOGOs that they have each week I think, I really should try again. So today I did...and had a MUCH better trip.

Not everything I got was BOGO but was advantage buys. My husband and oldest son, who work together in construction, told me today that they are tired of granola bars for breakfast (no, I do NOT get up and cook them breakfast every day LOL). Thankfully, Publix has yogurt on advantage buy and I had lots of matching coupons.

Here is what I got today...

4 bags of Fast Fixin's Popcorn Chicken (BOGO--5.99 each)

2 bags of Doritos (no q's; no sale--needed for working men's lunches)

2 Knorr Pasta Alfredo sides (BOGO--1.59 each)

3 Minute Maid Rice (ad. buy 2/$4)

2 Dannon 6 pk yogurt (3/$6)

5 Dannon Danimals yogurt (3/$5)

4 Dole Parfait bowls (BOGO--2.25 each)

3 cokes (one for mom; one for coupon holder and one for babysitter) 1.39/each

Total before coupons: 51.06

Used coupons: 17.10

Total:33.96

The bottom of my receipt says I saved: 41.42 at Publix today!! That includes coupons, sales and stuff.

If I didn't need the chips or the cokes...my total would have been about $20!!

That is a MUCH better Publix trip!!!

Check out FiddleDeeDee for more Publix Super Savers!

CVS 3/21/09

2009-03-21T21:57:00.002-04:00

I must be out of practice with CVS. I am looking over my receipt as the pictures loads and realise that I didn't get the $2 ECB for the Dry Idea and must have gotten the wrong toothpaste since I didn't get the ECBs for it either. This CVS that I go to on Saturdays, usually has all the signs down by then so it is kind of a guessing game and trying to match the ad with what is on the shelf. LOL

But what I did get...

5 Dove deoderant (2 for $7)

2 Dry Idea roll on deoderant (2.99)

1 Spongebob Band-aid (3.49)

1 Neosporin to go (6.29)

1 Kotex lightdays (3.99)

1 Colgate Maxfresh toothpaste (3.49)

1 Bic Soliel

Used:

2 1.50/2 Dove q's

1.25/1 Dove q
.50 Bandaid

1.00 Neosporin

1.50 Kotex coupon (CRT from CVS)

2 2.00 Dry Idea

2.00 Bic

13.99 in ECBs

Total oop: 23.45

Got back 13.00 ECBs and 3 CRTs

Walgreens 3/21/09

2009-03-21T21:49:00.002-04:00

This is what I got at Walgreen's today.

4 pks of Walgreen brand diapers (2 for $9)

3 pks of Reach floss (3 for $9)

Sambucol (12.99)

Wal-Zyr Allergy med (3.99)

Irish Spring body wash (4.99)

I used an Irish Spring BW free coupon.

$10 EZQ from Wags for Sambucol + $4 printable

$3 off 3 Reach coupon

$20 RR from Huggies deal last week

Total oop: 15.96

Total Savings thru Wag advertised and mfg q's: 57.45

Now that I look closer at me reciept, the floss didn't ring up $3--it rang 4.49/each. And I didn't get the RR for them. So it should have been less I think.

Oh and I will send in the rebate for the allergy meds and those will end up being free.

Menu Plan Monday

2009-03-16T08:05:00.005-04:00

This week I did something BOLD and planned meals for TWO weeks!! WOW!! I know in my mind that I do so much better making a menu plan. I don't know why I resist. We spent a lot of money on fast food last week and I KNOW it is because I didn't make a good plan. So this last week, I sat down and made a plan for two weeks.

You might notice that there is a lack of meat in my menu. We are Greek Orthodox and are in the midst of Lent which means fasting from meat and dairy. We do allow dairy. We also eat more fish than is allowed. I could go into all the reasons but that is really between us and our spiritual Father. *grin*

Nothing fancy here...

Monday, the 16th: Tuna and Shells from Rachael Ray

Tuesday, the 17th--St Patrick's Day: Cabbage and potatoes--might try some soda bread too

Wednesday the 18th: French Toast

Thursday, the 19th: Potato soup

Friday, the 20th: Spaghetti

Saturday, the 21st: Chinese take out

Sunday, the 22nd: Pot luck at Church-corn casserole, pbj, corn salsa

Monday, the 23rd: salmon patties, mac/cheese

Tuesday, the 24th: pancakes

Wednesday, the 25th: Fish, Greek Pasta salad

Thursday, the 26th: ramen noodle stir fry

Friday, the 27th: spaghetti

Saturday, the 28th: ?? Older 3 Children will be at a Lenten Retreat so we might do something special with the remaining 5.

To see more Menu Plan Monday, pop over to $5 Dinners who is hosting this weeks round up.

Publix--3/10/09

2009-03-13T20:57:00.003-04:00

Quick Publix post for you.

I rarely shop at Publix. The first big trip I did there, the cashier took my q's first and then looked at each on and matched each one with the product on the coupon. It took for.evah. So I was leary of going again but I had those Frosted Flake q's ($1/2) and Publix had the BOGO. I also had 50 cent Banana Nut Cheerio q's (which my Publix doubles) and those are also BOGO. So I braved it again.

They were out of the cheerios. So bummer. And I didn't think to get a raincheck. But as you can see, I got the Frosted Flakes. And threw in some Hellman's which were also BOGO and I had 60 cent coupons for them.

I think I did OK---4 boxes of cereal and 2 mayo for less than $10.

I decided that for me, I will just shop the BOGOs at Publix if I have good q's. Or for double coupon things. Publix prices a quite a bit higher--especially their meat. But double coupons and BOGOs---I am SO there!!

For more Publix Super Savers...check out FiddleDeeDee!!

Walgreens x2

2009-03-13T20:44:00.004-04:00

I went to Walgreens twice this week (and might try to go one more time). I laid out my plan and hoped that I wouldn't get any cashier's who would scrutinize every move and coupon.

First trip I purchased:

2 pks of Huggies diapers $10/each

1 pk of wipes $6

1 Irish Spring Body wash 4.49

1 Sambucol Cold and Flu 12.99

1 Walgreens Extra strength headache med. 2.99

Used: 21.75 in coupons

OOP: 27.97

Got $10 RR back; free body wash catalina and will mail in the 2.99 for the Extra strength

The next trip:

1 Irish Spring 4.49

2 20 oz Cokes 1.49 each

1 Axe Men's Shampoo 5.99

1 Sambucol 12.99

3 pks of Huggies 10.00/each

Used: 25.98 in coupons (including the body wash cat. and a BOGO Coke q)

OOP: 34.21

Got another $10 RR for the diaper deal but my Irish Spring didn't roll--that's OK

I will also mail in the 5.99 Axe shampoo

Out of these deals I think the best is the Sambucol. Regular price is 14.99. It is on sale for 12.99. There is a $10 ESQ at walgreens and I had $4 q's. That's a money maker!!!

I have $20 in RR to use this week.

To see what other people did this week at various drugstores...Check out http://thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com/2009/03/drugstore-divas-313.html And be sure to send congrats to new mom Denise over there!!

Using a Coupon Database

2009-02-19T15:38:00.004-05:00

In the past few years I have found that I can reduce my grocery bill by using coupons. I also found that using a database like this one at HotCouponWorld is a big help. It took me a little while to get the hang of using it but it is a great tool.

You can search for coupons for a certain item. You can even search by source or store. Searching by store is helpful for those who don't have a lot of stores to choose from and don't want to wade through a lot of information. The coupon database is also helpful in finding where the printable coupons can be found.

You can also trade for coupons that you might need that someone else doesn't. You might wonder why you would want multiple coupons for something. If something that you use is on sale, multiple coupons will help you stockpile that item at a low price. For example, for the last few weeks several stores have had Progresso Soup on sale. Food Lion had it for $1 a can; Walgreens had it for 1.25; even Target had it on sale for 1.40. This is something I stockpile for Lent for my husband's lunch. (He claims that the Lentil soup is THE best he has had. LOL). I had several coupons from inserts that came in my paper and some that friends brought me, plus several printables. I was able to get a bunch of soup for anywhere from 25 cents to $1 a can!!

Speaking of Target and printables, you simply MUST check out the Target Coupon Generator at HotCouponWorld. If you print coupons on-line, you know that some sites print one coupon per page. Or print a coupon on the top and then the bottom has a recipe or ad or something on it. If you print multiple coupons (which you should), you end up with a lot of wasted paper and ink. The Target Coupon Generator prints multiple coupons on one page--you can even print more than one of the SAME coupon!

Using the example of the soup again, let's say that on the Target Coupon Generator there is a soup coupon and I have manufacturer coupons for soup, I can use BOTH at Target. At most stores, you can combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon to get even more savings---pair those with a store sale and you are on your way to really saving!!

There are so many resources out there to help you lower your grocery bill. It is a shame not to use them. I am not as good as some people who might be able to feed their families for less than $50 a week but I am getting better! I think that feeding my family of 10 for less than $100 a week proves that! LOL

While you are at HotCouponWorld using the coupon database and the Target Coupon Generator also check out the many resources that they have complied there for you.

Survey Sites that Pay!!!!

2009-02-11T10:12:00.003-05:00

In today's economy, I think we are all finding that every little bit counts! One way to earn a little extra cash or gifts is through online survey sites. If you are like me, you cruise a lot of blogs and see people mention this site or that site but you wonder, "How do I know that I won't get a ton of spam?" or "How do I know this site is legit?" Wouldn't it be nice to have a list of tried and true survey sites? And have that list complied by people you can trust? Well, guess what? Now there is!!

HotCouponWorld has made a list of 19 survey sites!! These sites are legit! They are a good way to earn extra money because they really do pay out! And even better, you won't get bombarded by a ton of spam---although some sites still send a little, you won't be overwhelmed.

Something I have done to help with spam and to keep on top of my surveys is create a separate email (from a free site like GoogleMail or Yahoo) just for surveys.

Not only are online surveys a great way to make money or earn points which can be redeemed for gifts but you might also be chosen to test new products!!

Check out HotCouponWorld's list of recommended survey sites and start earning some cash today!!

CVS 1/27/09

2009-01-30T10:29:00.002-05:00

Quick trip to CVS this week.

1 Pert shampoo

5 Gillette Shampoo

1 Blade deoderant

3 Listerine Smart Rinse

2 Mentos

3 Bayer (one was a bonus pack)

2 Kids Throat Cooler

Total before coupons: 66.84

Used Coupons: 16.54

Used ECBs: 50.00

Oop: 1.42

Earned: 37.98

ECBs I have now: 53.06

Walgreens 1/24/09

2009-01-30T10:06:00.004-05:00

This is the result of actually 2 trips to Walgreens. I don't normally shop Walgreens because everytime I have, I have had problems using coupons or RR or something. There is another Walgreens I could try but it is farther than I would like to drive and is pretty much out of the way for me.

On my first visit, I got the Ragu, Skippy, Pepsi and Kotex. I earned $21 in RR. I told the cashier, "I will be right back to use those in a minute." We took the stuff out to the car and came back in. On the 2nd visit I got the Lipton tea bags, Pantene shampoo, Kotex and Lever soap. I used several q's for all of it. After those my total was $41.xx she then tried to use my RR and they wouldn't work. She said, "You should have used these first." And I am thinking, "YOU should have put them in first since I handed them to you that way." She tried several time and they would not work. *grrrrr* So she handed them back to me. I still save almost $30 on that trip but wanted to use the RR to lower my oop. I also earned another $10 RR.

So from the two trips me oop was about $70 and I earned $31 RR. Frustrated, I decided to just go spend the RR the next week.

I stopped in on Tuesday, the 27th and got this:

6 packs of diapers. They were on sale for 5.99. I have 2 in diapers (one I need to start potty training). So this is helpful and something that I needed. I also got 3 cokes for my shopping helpers. LOL My oop was 11.26 (probably should have only gotten 5 packs but I like things to be even. LOL)

CVS 1/20/2009

2009-01-20T20:04:00.002-05:00

I had about $64 in ECBs that were set to expire today. I hate when I do that but there haven't been any decent deals at CVS or rather nothing I wanted to venture out to get. Plus we had all that sickness over Christmas and New Years. So I just held on to them until I HAD to go.

I wrote down a few things to look at but when I got there, of course, no shampoo and a few other things I was hoping to get. So here is how I did...

4 12-pks of Pepsi products
3 bags of chips
1 Clairol Hair Instincts
2 CVS allergy med
3 American Greetings cards
2 Maybelline Mineral Powder
3 Sambucol immune system support

Total before: 95.49
used 2.00 q
used 64.26 ecb
oop 30.58 (more than I really wanted to spend oop but I was flustered and in a rush LOL)

Earned: 65.08 in ECBs plus 4 computer coupons

So I actually ended up with more ECBs than I started with, which I wasn't planning on but is OK by me. Hopefully I won't sit on these ones...come on CVS give us some good deals!!!

Target Toy Clearance

2009-01-19T20:08:00.004-05:00

Sorry about the glare on the picture but you get the idea. Target is having its big January toy clearance. I had been real good about not going because we really do not need more toys but today I gave in after reading on one of my favorite messages boards that there were rumors of toys going 90 percent off!!! Anyone who knows/follows Target clearances, knows that this is unheard of! Only holidays go 90 percent off. I still had to check it out.

As my daughter and I made our way to toys I saw standing close to the toys, my favorite mark down lady!! WOOT! We moved a little quicker. I overheard her discussion over time with the manager LOL. When they were done talking, I told her that I love seeing her in the toy department. She told me where they had already been and what still needed done. I asked her about 90 percent off and she denied it. I still will check later this week. LOL

This is what I got today...

Electronic Doodle Pro 5.48

Mad Science Dinosaur kit 3.94

2 Lapdesks with stamps and such 3.74 each

Barbie with 3 puppies 4.98

Breyer Stablemates 4.98

Stormtrooper Potato head 2.74

R2-D2 potato head 2.74

Othello 2.48

Yahtzee Free for All 2.24

Zooreka 2.98

American Girl 300 Wishes 4.98

Monopoly Town 1.98

Horton Hears a Who game 4.98

Thomas the Train engine 1.72

Clipo set 4.98

Vtech smartboard 6.24

King Arthur figures 2.98

Word World Stamp kit 2.38

I also got a few shirts for 1.48 and some cereal for 1.97. So I didn't just get junk. LOL I put most of the stuff away for birthdays or namedays. I am not stupid enough to think I can hold it until Christmas. LOL

This made up a little for the lame Old Navy clearance last week I guess---although we needed pants much more than we needed toys. LOL

I told my girls that most of them are board games because when everything goes digital we won't be able to watch any TV---we will need something to do. LOL

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-19T20:03:00.002-05:00

Monday~Pizza Rolls; Hamburger Helper

Tuesday~Pigs in the Blanket; Chicken and Rice

Wednesday~Fish sticks; Spaghetti

Thursday~(Timothy's Nameday--he picks meals)~chicken noodle soup; Dairy Queen

Friday~Spaghetti O's or mac and cheese; Tuna casserole

Saturday~leftovers

For more menu plans check out orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-12T12:35:00.003-05:00

Monday~~

Lunch: leftovers

Supper: gyros

Tuesday~

Lunch: corn dogs

Supper: chicken and biscuits

Wednesday~

Lunch: spag o's

Supper: Tuna casserole

Thursday~

Lunch: pizza rolls

Supper: meatloaf

Friday~

Lunch: grilled cheese

Supper: pancakes

Saturday~

Lunch: leftovers

Supper: pizza

Target Christmas Clearance

2008-12-30T12:06:00.002-05:00

I managed to get to Target the day after Christmas. (Which was good since we have been dealing with tummy bug since then and I haven't gotten to go back yet). I didn't get any actual Christmas stuff but went for practical.

1 Swiffer holiday pack 2.49

4 Clorox wipes (3 pk) 2.49 each

3 Dawn dishwashing liquid (a big blue one and a smaller apple/cinnamon one) 2.49

4 prs of Christmas socks 2.49

2 bags of Sweetarts 1.05

8 pks of Pillsbury cookies 1.25

1 Glad Press and Seal 2 pk 1.99

1 pk foil/parchment paper holiday pack 1.99

1 pk Glad bowls (2 different sizes attached) 1.99

8 2-pks Bounty paper towels 1.49

2 bounty napkins 1.49

I saved a total of 77.83 on this trip! I knew that these things would not be there when clearance went to 75 off so I snatched them up. I will go back sometime to see if there is anything left that I "need" LOL

CVS trip 12/21/08

2008-12-30T11:56:00.002-05:00

I am slacking on my posting of deals. But honestly, I have not been venturing out too much. I did manage to make it for the last huge CVS freebie sale!! And here is what I got...

5 Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash

1 Zantac

1 Thermacare neck to arm

1 Halls Natural

1 Excedrin

2 Sally Hansen nail polish

2 L'oreal eye shadow

1 Benefiber

Total: 64.66

Coupons: 2.00

ECBs used: 60.69

oop: 2.28

ECBs earned: 64.17

Not too bad!!

Thanksgiving Shopping at CVS

2008-11-27T13:49:00.003-05:00

I knew that CVS was having a big three day sale starting today. I also knew that chances were if I didn't make it today, stuff would be sold out or I wouldn't make it at all. So this morning the girls and I ventured out to see what we could get.

2 Phillips universal remotes 6.99 each

1 Aussie leave-in conditioner 2.99

1 Aussie hair spray 2.99

1 Bic Soliel razor 5.99

1 Schick Quantro razor/trimmer 7.99

2 Colgate total toothpaste 2.99/each

1 L'oreal lip gloss 6.99

1 Garnier Face towellettes 5.99

1 Maybelline fondation 8.99

1 Covergirl smooth powder 5.99

3 gatorade G2 1.49 each

1 Sally Hansen nail polish 3.79

Total: 76.14

Used 10.50 in coupons

30.00 in ECBs

total out of pocket: 38.70

Earned 65.16 in ECBs for next time.

So I made about 26.00 profit today and I could go back and get a few more things since I did not get the max on a few of the deals. The cashier said that I had the longest receipt she had seen in a long time. LOL If I hold it over my head it still drags the floor. LOL

Still thinking about hitting Walgreens or Rite Aid today for more free stuff but might just wait. I mean we already have enough toothpaste for the next year or more. LOL And I have more make-up than I will ever wear in my life time. LOL But it sure is fun to come home and spread everything out and say, "This was all free!!" LOL

Target Glade deal

2008-11-22T09:56:00.004-05:00

If you have not checked out the Glade deal at Target, you might want to. If you purchase 4 holiday scents, you get a $5 gift card. But be warned, it will only do one per guest per transaction. (I found that out yesterday LOL).

I purchased 4 things a few weeks ago with some B1G1 coupons for the scented oil holders but since then my Target has been out of the holders.

I have a bunch of Glad coupons and since I go to Target a lot, I figure I could grab some each time I go. This week I bought: 4 scented oil refills (Cinnamon Gingerbread scent); 2 Vanilla Breeze refill with warmer; and 2 twin packs of Glistening Snow refills.

The scented oil refills are priced 2.50 at my Target. And I had 1.50 off 2 coupons.

I also used some B1G1 coupons on the refill packs.

And I got back 2 $5 GC (the nice cashier did 2 transactions for me).

So far I have $15 in GC and between Target and CVS, I have enough air fresheners to make an NFL locker room smell great! LOL

CVS this week

2008-11-22T09:42:00.003-05:00

This week I made three trips to CVS. I knew I wanted to get in on the battery deal since we tend to go through a TON of batteries. My first stop I bought 2 16-pks of AA and one 4-pk of AAA. I used 3 75 cents off coupons. My oop was a little more than I would have liked because I purchased some candy to send to a friend. :wink: But I earned 15.00 ecbs for the batteries.

The next store I went to was out of the big packs of batteries but I found one lone 16 pk of AA at the next store and also got an 8-pk. Total oop on that deal about 4.00 and I got back 15.00 ecbs again.

When I couldn't find the batteries at the 2nd store I used my "back up deal"--the glade. I had several B1G1 free coupons.

Here is my deal:

4 Glade glass accents 2.50 each

4 Vanilla Breeze refill with warmer 2.99 each

used 2 B1G1 coupon for the glass accents (minus 2.50x2)

2 B1G1 coupon for the refills (minus 2.99x2)

used 10.00 ecbs

Total oop: 3.36 (had to buy the babysitter a Mt Dew as well LOL)

Got back 10.00 ecbs (Glade deal get 5 ecbs WYB $10)

Not a bad CVS week. I noticed too that 2 of the three stores I went to now have scanners!! Woot!!

To see more CVS Superstars, check out The "Cent"sible Sawyer!!

Advent

2008-11-18T18:44:00.003-05:00

Being Eastern Orthodox, we began our Advent season on November 15th. In our family, we normally start the 40 days off well but then we kind of peter out.

When we were first Orthodox we did the Advent wreath as found in "Making God Real in the Orthodox Home" After the first few years though, we found it to be kind of cheesy. We found some Advent materials from an Orthodox publisher and started using those. This year we opted to go back to the Making God Real advent wreath with the different colored candles but adding in our own discussion and such.

I also bought an Advent Calendar from Paidea Press for this year. The kids are really enjoying it so far. We open a window in the morning when we do our regular prayers, Gospel and Saints before school.

Normally we place our wreath on the dining room table but often we would have to move it for school or eating or whatever. This year though about 2 days before the fast started, a friend of ours from church gave me a sewing machine in a cabinet. I wasn't sure where I was going to put it so had just scooted it out of the way but then thought, "Hey this would be perfect for our advent stuff!" So that is what I did.

As you can see, to the left of this is our icon corner. So far it has worked out pretty good.

The children are now looking forward to St Nicholas day (I ordered chocolate coins from Paidea as well). We decorate on December 6th--or close to it. Then we have St Herman day which is my oldest's feast day on December 13th and then on the 19th my oldest turns 18. *sigh*

December is full of stuff but I like having the Advent stuff out in the living room to help us remember what our focus really is during this time.

Target Halloween Clearance Pt 2

2008-11-08T20:21:00.006-05:00

My parents came to visit this weekend. I told Mom when she got here on Thursday that Friday morning at 8am I would be at Target for the 90 percent off Halloween clearance. She agreed to get up and go with me. LOL So we got to Target about 8:10, rushed to the back where Halloween stuff was and found....still 75% off and much to my dismay---NO CANDY! Normally, the back wall still has a bunch of candy left but not this year. I saw someone working in the area and asked about 90 percent off. She said, "Tomorrow morning." *bummer* I figured since there was no candy left, I wouldn't come back. And we would just wait for Christmas clearance. *heavy sigh*

Today, my parents left and my husband was gone for much of the day. I had unexpected company for a few hours. I wasn't itching to go to Target (shocking, I know). But then, the question came from each of the children at different times, "What's for supper, Mom?" WHAT?!?! I need to think about supper? My 2yo came to me with big smiling eyes and said, "Dit-donalds???" I gave in. Oh but wait, there is a new sub shop opened right by Target. *grin* So I said I would get subs for some and McD's for others and of course, stop in at Target but I knew that there would be nothing left. Yeah right......

That was the "nothing" I got. LOL 8 Pez dispensers (19 cents each); 3 2-in-1 lights (49 cents); one cat nip toy (39 cents); a shirt and a little candy. But my best deal was the cookies--OK I went a little overboard--I bought 8 Ghosts ones and 16 of the pumpkin ones...for 25 cents each!! *woot* They are in the freezer. I bought some when they were 50 and when they were 75 too. I didn't buy all that was there today and I did let some other people know about it. So don't think that I was being greedy.

I also got a few costumes for my boys to play "dress up" with.

My 2yo with just the Transformers mask on. Notice his shirt is inside out for some reason AND he has 2 different socks on. LOL But he sure is cute!

My 7yo as Optimus Prime and the 5yo as some sort of evil gladiator.

A clone (my 9yo) and the 2yo again

Don't know what this is but the 9yo thought he looked tough. LOL

My favorite thing about Target's new computer system is that it shows how much you saved on your trip. Today's receipt says, "You Saved 256.93"

As my girls told me when I told them, "Mom, you rock Target clearance!"

Halloween Clearance at Target

2008-11-03T19:03:00.002-05:00

That is my first haul from 50% off--well two hauls actually. Not pictured is 7 2-pks of Bounty paper towels. Normally I only purchase at 50% off what will not make it to 75% off. And normally it isn't this much...but when I ventured to Target on Saturday, I was shocked at how much was gone. I have never seen a clearance go so fast. I went back Sunday evening (for milk LOL) and there was even less so I grabbed a few more things.

Tomorrow the clearance should be 75% off and my plan is to head out to be there when they open. I didn't get any candy because I normally wait until 90 percent but I fear that I will miss out on the good stuff if I don't go tomorrow.

While at Target check out the Glade deal. If you purchase 4 holiday scented candles, you get a $5 GC. There are various coupons floating around. I bought the apple cinnamon on Saturday with B1G1 q's and found B2G1 q's and a $2 off coupon inside!! They were running low at my Target but hopefully they will get more in--I think the deal lasts until December sometime.

Also this week, you can get Kelloggs cereal and a free gallon of milk (some Targets are giving a GC). If you manged to get the $1 q's for Kelloggs it is a pretty good deal.

I love Target!!!

CVS 10/11/08

2008-10-11T20:53:00.002-04:00

I think I said last week that I was going to make an effort to get to CVS earlier in the week--well, I didn't and I couldn't find some things that I wanted. Here is what I did get...

2 Irish Spring Speed Stick deoderant
1 Bic Soleil razor
2 Soleil 4 count cartridge refills
2 CVS brand spray sanitizer
1 Colgate MaxFresh
2 Purex detergent
1 Vitamin Water

Everything gave me ECBs back except for the Purex. The Purex was on sale for 2.99 (down from 6.99) and I had coupons. I almost didn't get it but a woman ahead of me in line asked the manager if they had any in the back--they did--so I had him get me 2 as well.

Total before: 37.19

I used 6.35 in q's and 14.00 in ECBs making my OOP 18.37 but I got back 20.29 in ECBs and 4 pretty good CVS coupons. I don't think this week at CVS is anything great--which is OK, I will be busy with our parish's Greek Festival and probably will not make it to the store at all. LOL But my ECBs are all rolled into November now so that is alright.

I'm a Winner!!

2008-10-11T12:08:00.002-04:00

Look at all that great stuff!! I usually do not enter giveaways that I see on blogs simply because I always think, "I would never win" but look...the first time I decide to enter one, what happens?? I WIN!! *woot*

These are products from Kiss My Face new children's line.

I found this great giveaway over at Common Sense with Money.

I received my box yesterday and I was totally surprised at how much stuff there was. I mean I knew from the blog post what was being sent but I guess I didn't really *think* about it. LOL

My winnings included:

A set of two lip balms
A Detangler
One Bubble Wash
Two Toothpaste tubes : one with fluoride and one without
One Self foaming Hand Wash
One Shampoo and Conditioner
One Self Foaming Shampoo and Body Wash
A Whale of a Soap Set (two soaps)

All were full size products and let me tell you, they smell soooooo good! I don't think I will have a problem having the boys get a bath tonight! LOL

I just might enter more blog giveaways in the future! Real people DO win these!!

CVS 10/4/2008

2008-10-04T20:11:00.004-04:00

I missed CVS last week because my ad went from being Friday thru Thursday back to Sun-Sat--it really threw me off LOL I told my girls today that I needed to get back to going early in the week rather than waiting until Saturday to try to find stuff. The only thing I did not get on this trip that I wanted to was the Wellpatch. My CVS had one box but it only had one pad in it rather than 3. ::raising eyebrow::

Here is what I did today:

2 Sunsilk 3.50 each (1.50 coupon)--get back 2 ECBs

Covergirl Foundation 5.49 (had B1G1 free coupon--the blush was free)--get 5.79 ECBs

Colgate toothpaste 2.50 each (.75 coupons)--get back 2 ECBs

Warm Delights 2.19 each (50 cent coupons)--buy 2 get 1 ECBs (not a great deal but I love these things LOL)

Tide on sale 4.99 ($1 coupons)

Total before: 42.22

ECBs/Coupons used: 33.02

OOP: 9.20

ECBs Earned: 13.29

Not too bad I guess.

To see more CVS Superstars be sure to check out The "Cent"sible Sawyer

Twice in One Day

2008-09-29T16:41:00.004-04:00

I have not had major problems using coupons at my favorite stores. One day last week, the cashier at Food Lion asked the manager about some I had but they were all OK. Today though was a different story. *sigh*

I only had 4 coupons I wanted to use all for the same thing, Gorton's Fish which was B1G1. I bought 4 bags and had 4 q's to use. As soon as the cashier looked at them she said, "Oh honey, we aren't going to be able to take these." Then she turned to get the manager. When the manager came over she explained that it is certain internet coupons they would not be taking. I asked if there was a way to know for sure? And she said that there were certain things that they will be looking at to determine. I said, "So it would be better to not bring in printables?"

"Oh no, you can bring them but we will just decide if we will let you use them."

I wanted to explain that I use my coupons to get the lowest price and that I shop and plan my menus based on the q's I have but there was no use. *sigh* Another one bites the dust due to fraud.

Later in the afternoon, I went to Walmart to pick up film but wanted to also get cheap chocolate chips. I again had 2 internet q's to use. My fave cashier in the garden center said that they had had a meeting just that morning saying that they were no longer taking printables. *grrr*

And another one gone...

I do the bulk of my shopping at Food Lion but I might need to venture to Publix more in order to get the good deals.

Oh well. I guess it was bound to happen. I was having a crappy day anyhow. LOL

To all of you who use coupons fraudulently, I just want to say, thanks for screwing it up for those of us who are honest and just trying to feed our families! Thank you very much!

Menu Plan Monday

2008-09-22T11:17:00.003-04:00

Still working out some kinks to my menu plan but so far it is working pretty well. Planning out my lunches is making a big difference in how our day goes and I actually think that I am saving a little money by doing it.

Monday...

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets

Supper: Roast in crock pot

Tuesday...

Lunch: Frozen pizza

Supper: Chicken and biscuits

Wednesday...fast day

Lunch: Fish sticks

Supper: French toast

Thursday...

Lunch: Corn dogs

Supper: "Pizza Things" (mini calzones)

Friday...fast day

Lunch: Mac and Cheese or sandwiches

Supper: Fish

To see more Monday Menu Plans go to: http://orgjunkie.com/

Couponizer Giveaway

2008-09-22T09:29:00.002-04:00

Head over to Common Sense With Money for a chance or three to win The Couponizer!!

CVS 9-20-08

2008-09-20T21:05:00.003-04:00

I hit CVS today after being hit or miss on it for the last few months. I have even *gasp* allowed some ECBs to expire! LOL I was going to do this trip in 2 transactions to save more money but I had a fussy baby and so just did it all at once.

L'oreal Revitalist 11.99

Adidas deoderant 4.99

Crest Prohealth 2.99

Nivea Men's body wash 4.99

V05 shampoo 65 cents

Used: 14.58 (About) ECBs and 3.75 in coupons

6.95 oop

got back 30.98 in ECBs--$6 of those were for the Revlon nail polish deal from last week or the week before that I didn't get. I wrote to CS and they were more than willing to make sure I got me ECBs.

I also got 3 coupons with my receipt.

Getting back into the groove little by little.

Menu Plan Monday

2008-09-08T08:23:00.003-04:00

I find that I do much better during the week with a plan. Since we started school last week, I have also been planning lunches to make my life easier while we homeschool. Not the most nutricious plan but it is a plan!

Monday: lunch-leftovers or sandwich; supper-pork loin

Tuesday: l-corn dogs; s-dd pick (it is her Patronal feast day)

Wednesday: l-fish sticks; s-get your own (I have 3 that need to go to volleyball by 6pm on Wed)

Thursday: l-chicken nuggets; s-sweet and sour meatballs and rice

Friday: l-pizza rolls; s-spaghetti

I don't normally plan Saturday or Sunday but I need to start at least planning Sunday. Crock-pot meals would be easiest.

Too see more menu plans check out: Organizing Junkie

Mall Savings

2008-07-18T21:05:00.002-04:00

Not only do I check other blogs for deals but I also seek them out via message boards. One of my favorites is Fishing For Deals This is a community of women who simply post what they are finding where they are so that you can check your stores. Most often I look at the Target thread and Kmart. It is also good reference to know when sales will be starting which is what I used it for yesterday. I noticed an Old Navy post mentioned 50% off all clearance.

For those not familiar with this wonderful sale, let me fill you in! ALL of the clearance stuff is an ADDITIONAL 50% off!! Old Navy usually has it twice each year; once in January and again in July. I usually go in January to load up on boys pants. In my opinion, these pants hold up incredibly well! I have six boys---I know of what I speak! In July, I just grab whatever we need at the moment--this time it was shirts for church and baby clothes.

I noticed in the post at FFD, that not all stores were having the sale so it was suggested that you call to make sure. Yesterday I called my local (and only) Old Navy. A friendly young man named, Thomas answered the phone. I said, "Can you tell me if you are having the add...." and he jumped in, "Additional 50% off clearance? Yes we are!! Come on in and get you some stuff!!" I told him I would!

Today I made my way to the mall. Our ON always has a bunch of stuff on clearance. Sometimes it is overwhelming (I know, that is hard to believe but it is true!) Today was no exception. Rack after rack of clothes. My two girls made their way to the young ladies stuff while I wandered through young mens, boys, infant and toddler. I did pretty good I think.

I tallied up what we had before we got the register so that I would know for sure--I didn't want to spend more than $60 (for 8 kids that is pretty low). At the register, I chatted with Aaron who was impressed with my "Cadillac of Strollers" I was apparently "rockin'" LOL. I found that his father had 11 children and we chatted about free babysitting and loving' my girls (me not him LOL). When he gave me my total it was about $66, then he handed me a $10 off coupon which I started to stick in my purse. He kind of quietly said, "Girl, hold up, read that...that is good from TODAY until the 31st." I smiled and said, "Oh, can I use this today???" acting very innocent. He said, "Sure, ma'am!" LOL

So in the end I purchased: 16 shirts; 1 pair of jeans; 1 set of PJs and 2 packs of socks (3 pr each) for a total of 55.38! A total discount savings of almost $72!! *woot*

After we left Old Navy our savings was not done! I remembered to bring an Aunt Annie's coupone with me so we also got 2 pretzels (B1G1). Then we sat in the food court eating our pretzels while I fed the baby.

Next stop was EB Games for the oldest son who was at home babysitting. I found 2 games he wanted for 7.99 each and another for 2.99 so everyone was happy.

CVS Saturday Deals 7/12/2008

2008-07-12T18:36:00.002-04:00

Again, no camera means no pictures. *boo hoo*

Transaction #1
4 Dawn dishwashing liquid 2/$2
2 Olay cleansing cloths 4.99/each
2 olay body wash 5.99/each

I had 4 Olay coupons but for some reason only 2 were allowed. I never had that happen before. And she rang up the lowest ones first so I didn't get as much off as I could have. And she had trouble with the $3 off $15 coupon but she punched it in.

Total coupons: 5.00
used $16 ECBs
OOP: 5.45
got $12 ECBs

Transaction #2 (different CVS)
3 Pringles $1/each
4 Dawn $1 each
3 Febreeze Air Effects 2.50/each
1 Febreeze fabric freshener 3.99

used:
2 Dawn q's; pringles q; 3 febreeze q's including the buy one get one free. Coupon total: 8.59
Didn't use any ECBs for some reason. LOL
OOP: 12.74
got back $8 ECBs

Not great but not bad either I guess. And now I have about 12 bottles of Dawn! That should last until the next time they go on sale. LOL

To see more CVS deals and Superstars check out The "Cent"sible Sawyer

Stockpile

2008-07-10T16:28:00.002-04:00

For several weeks, I have had on my to do list, "hall closet." This was a reminder to me that I needed to re-organize my stockpile and write down what we have there so that we know. I kept putting this job off because, well, other things came up, like playing on the computer and, um, well other stuff. LOL

Last night, dh came home from work and mentioned that he had cut himself at work (he works construction). When he got out of the shower he asked for a bandaid. I told him they were in the hall closet. He opened the door and his eyes grew very wide. I knew that trying to explain to him WHERE the bandaids were would be harder than just getting up and getting him one. I knew then that the hall closet job had to be done ASAP.

This is one of those posts that would be really cool with pictures showing before, during and after. But *sigh* I have no camera anymore. *sigh* I miss my camera. One of my friends suggested saving my ECBs to get a new one, which really isn't a bad idea. ::giggle::

Back to my stockpile, at one point my 15yo dd walked through the dining room where everything was sitting in nice little rows and said, "Um, are you opening a CVS?" *he he he*

Here is what I have:
19 tubes of toothpaste
4 Extra strength pain reliever
2 Advil PM
4 aspirin
2 Excedrin Migraine
5 mouthwash
5 ladies' deoderant
7 men's deoderant
2 air freshener spray
3 glade wisp candles
2 kids' shampoos
5 regular shampoo
3 conditioner
2 body wash type soap
3 big bottles of purell
3 little bottles of purell
3 face cleaner soap type things (noxema, etc)
2 hair gel
5 hand soap
3 women's razors
2 men's razors (but one is a 3-pack)
4 lip balm
9 manual toothbrushes
2 battery toothbrushes
4 packs of cotton swabs
2 boxes of PrepH wipes
3 boxes of Tums packet thingys

When my parents were here last month, I gave them several items. They take care of first aid at motorcycle events with the Christian Motorcycle Association. So I gave them the 3 glucose monitors I had along with several first aid type things. And since my dh prefers electric razors, I gave my Daddy some of the razors I had.

I am sure my stockpile is not as impressive as some others but I think this is pretty good for only doing this about 6 months or so. And now I know what I have and what we might want more of and what we DON'T need. LOL

School Supplies!!

2008-07-08T12:40:00.002-04:00

I love this time of year when I can get school supplies for cheap!!!

Until tomorrow, you can get pencils, folder and Purell for 1 penny. They also have 3 ring binders for 25 cents. Since I am a homeschooler, I have a teacher reward card, this allowed me to get double the limit of stuff. So for about $2.50 we got: 20 2-pocket folders; 4 Purell; 4 pks of pencils; and 8 3 ring binders. Since Staple's is less than a mile from us, I might make another trip this afternoon and maybe tomorrow too. LOL

I also hit Walmart school supplies yesterday. Last year, we purchased about 300 notebooks for 10 cents each--not all at once, I would get about 100 each time. We might have gotten more than 300 but I don't remember. This year notebooks are 5 cents each!! *woot* I bought 50 yesterday (total 2.50). I will probably get more as time goes on. My little boys like to draw in these and for 5 cents each---I say, Draw Away!!

I don't get a lot of school stuff until Target has its big clearance. Then we tend to load up on scissors and other stuff like that.

Not to figure out where to put all this stuff. Hmmm....

Walgreen's Take 2

2008-07-08T12:34:00.004-04:00

I wanted to do the diaper deal again at Walgreen's last week.

So I bought:
3 Scunci hair things
2 Honey Bunches of Oats cereal
1 Sunsilk shampoo
1 Sunsilk styler

I used $5 RR from the previous diaper deal and 2 Sunsilk q's

When my transaction was finished, I asked about my RR (should have been $5 for scunci and $2 for HBO). She said, "You used a coupon." I said, "Yeah, for the shampoo." She shrugged and said, "All I know if someone used a coupon yesterday and she didn't get the RR" It made no sense to me! LOL

I did the diaper deal then--3 pk of diapers. I used the q from the Easy Saver and got 7.50 off and THIS time got my $5 RR.

I still don't understand why my RR from the first transaction didn't print but oh well.

CVS 7/3/2008

2008-07-03T16:17:00.002-04:00

It has been a few weeks since I have been to CVS. There just hasn't been anything to really make me want to go. After cruisin' some other blogs and message boards I decided to try and see if I could get in on some of the hidden ECBs or ECBs that were ringing up wrong. Well....that didn't work out too good. Of course, I might have read wrong or just I mighthave just been an air head. LOL At any rate, here is my sorry pathetic CVS trip today. LOL

2 CVS pantyliners 99 cents/each
2 Dr Peppers 1.39/each
2 Mt Dew 1.39/each
1 CVS makeup cleansing cloth 2.99
1 CVS petroleum jelly 1.99
1 revlon tweezer 2.99
1 revlon fingernail clippers 2.99

I used a $2 cvs q and a 1.50 q. Then I used 14.98 in ECBs thinking that I was going to get back about 13.96. So I paid 19 cents oop and got back a whole 6.48 in ECBs. *blech* a loss of 8.50 but I guess that is OK--live and learn. I think maybe my deal from Walgreens made up for it. LOL

Walgreens 7/3/2008

2008-07-03T16:04:00.002-04:00

I have been lax in posting deals I have been getting. It just isn't as fun to post when you cannot show pictures but *sigh* my digital camera has died due to being "passed" between two of my children AND now it is missing altogether. We suspect that one of the smaller children understanding that the camera was broke, did what we tell them to do when something is broken--and threw it away. So until I get a new camera or find and fix the old one, posts without pictures will have to do.

I am still getting the hang of Walgreens but this week had a deal that I knew I could benefit from--diapers! I have 2 in diapers so every time I can save on them I do!

Today I bought:
Sunsilk Shampoo
Sunsilk style stuff
2 boxes of Honey bunches of Oats
3 jumbo pks of diapers
1 pk of batteries (not part of the deal, just something I remembered I needed when we got there LOL)

Sunsilk was B1G1 in the ad and I had Sunsilk q's--1.50 and 1.00 off so 4.29-2.50=1.79 for both
Diapers were on sale 5.99/each--I used the Easy Saver q. It took off 7.50. So 17.97-7.50=10.47
Cereal was 2 for $5 unfortunately I didn't have any q's

I paid about $20 oop and got back $7 in RR (5 for diapers and 2 for cereal). I plan to go back again at least once for more diapers. And I figure it is a good way to build up some RRs for stuff I need.

There is also the Scunci hair accessories which are 3 for $10 and get $5 RR back. That might be the next trip! LOL And of course, more cereal. LOL

CVS 6/14/2008

2008-06-14T19:55:00.003-04:00

My 2yo calls this cereal, "Bug Cereal" and he loves it! So when I saw it was a way to earn ECBs I thought, "What the heck!" I bought 6 boxes (3/$10). I used 4 $1 coupons; a $3/15 CVS coupon and a $10 ECB. I paid 3.21 oop and earned $10 in ECBs. Not bad I guess.

My second deal was derailed when the store I went to did not have the Oral B toothbrushes. They were also out of the mouthrinse so I did a little improv on the spot. I got 8 SmartWaters (1 litre each). They were on sale for $1 and in the CVS beauty booklets there are q's for $1 off 2. I also completed the swab and bandage deals. And then I found the Garnier stuff that is buy 2 get $10. I spent more oop than I would like since I only had q's for the water and for some reason I didn't have any ECBs attached with my deal sheet for this one. I will blame Mommy-brain. It ended up being 20.25 oop but I earned 13.99 in ECBs.

I started the week with 37.96 in ECBs (I used to have about $75 but a few weeks ago I let about $50 expire on accident. Yes, I was very sad and yes, I checked with all my local stores and no one would take them.). And ended with 51.95 in ECBs. Again not bad.

I am by no means an expert on this but I am learning and I have not needed to buy tooth paste in about 6 months (that doesn't mean that I haven't bought--I just haven't needed to! LOL) But to see more CVS'ing and people who really know what they are doing, check out The "Cent"sible Sawyer.

Walmart 6/10/2008

2008-06-12T09:35:00.003-04:00

I don't often shop at Walmart unless I need something non-grocery related. I find that I can do better at Food Lion or Sam's for general grocery things. Plus, Walmart is always so busy that I just don't like going there. But since I started reading at http://moneysavingmom.com/ I thought that maybe I could get at least some deals there. Above are the results of my first "coupon trip" to Walmart.

3 jars of pickles

2 trial sizes of body wash

2 4-pks of yogurt

1 dental floss

1 3.5 lb bag of cat food

index cards, box and labels--not part of the deal just stuff I needed. LOL

Total before coupons: 20.64

Coupons: 12.00

Total oop: 9.74

The pickles were 1.08-1.88 amd I had 3 $1 off coupons.

The body wash was .97 and .79--again used $1 q's

The yogurt was 1.98--$1 coupons

Dental floss was .97--$1 coupon

Cat food 3.98 and used $4 coupon

Walmart takes off the full amount rather than adjusting down like other places do so some of the things had overages.

Not too bad. I wish that more of the deals posted elsewhere had worked but prices here in Savannah are a little higher than other places I guess. I might need to do more coupon shopping at Walmart.

CVS 6/3/08

2008-06-04T12:15:00.002-04:00

2 Listerine Smart Rinses; 4 CVS cotton swabs; 2 CVS bandaid; 8 Dawn dishwashing liquid

Total before: 35.34

Q's and ECBs: 28.94

OOP: 6.40

ECBs earned: 22.96

CVS 6/2/08

2008-06-04T12:12:00.003-04:00

Jumbo pack size 1 Pampers; Jumbo pack size 6 Pampers; 2 Pampers wet wipes

Price before sales: 29.96

After CVS card: 21.96

Coupons and ECBs: 15.38

OOP: 7.70

ECBs Earned: 5.00

CVS 5/17

2008-06-04T12:07:00.003-04:00

This is a deal from May that I have had stored waiting until I could get to the computer to post. It gets busy with 8 children including a newborn. This purchase was 3 toothpastes, 4 tooth brushes, one deoderant and one glucose monitor.

Price before sales: 104.41
after using CVS card for sale prices: 37.92
coupons: 16.37
oop: 22.50
ECBs earned: 35.94

Kroger Deal

2008-06-04T12:01:00.003-04:00

I did this deal on 5/24/08 at Kroger. I bought 2 mascara, 1 blush, 2 eye shadows,2 tooth brushes, 4 shampoos, 2 tooth pastes. Total before q's 54.52. Total out of pocket (oop): 16.34 for a savings of 38.18. I love double coupons combined with sales!

First Post

2008-06-04T11:49:00.002-04:00

I am thinking of moving my blog to a place where it is easier to post and put things into categories. This might work.

I like to shop for different deals and my first few posts will be about this since I am dumping pics from my camera in anticipation for our trip to Tennessee tomorrow.

Will post more in depth stuff when I have time---I am supposed to be packing and giving hair cuts right now.