CVS this week

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

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

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

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

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!!

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

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