Staples Deal UPDATE!

It has come to my attention that some people are buying the Staples Paper Deal that I posted below but not following it by buying $100. worth of paper and expecting they will get the Staples Rewards cash back. I thought I made it pretty clear in my post that I bought $100.+ in order to get the 10% Rewards for the quarter ending tomorrow. If you do not buy $100. worth of paper or ink or toner cartridges for the quarter you do not get the 10% rewards per their information on their Rewards Site which is here:


http://www.staplesrewardscenter.com/SORC/UserManagement/Login/LearnStaplesRewards.aspx


I don't want anyone to miss out on the Staples Rewards Amount. Although the deal at $1.00 a package after the Staples Rebate is a great deal also!

To clarify further, the Rebate will be a check. The Rewards check is only good on merchandise in the Staples store.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Crockpot Brown Sugar Chicken on Rice( My DIL's Recipe), Green Beans

Tuesday: Leftovers from Monday

Wednesday: BCT Crescents http://kittytigerskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/03/recession-buster-blasts-12-bct.html made with Crescent Dough from here: http://livinglifereal.blogspot.com/2009/03/crescent-rolls.html, Salad

Thursday: Homemade Pepperoni Pizza

Friday: No Fry Mustard Chicken Tenders http://4hatsandfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/09/no-fry-mustard-chicken-tenders.html

Corn and French Fries

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Tilapia, Broccoli, Baked Potatoes

Phoenix on the Cheap!

This picture was taken at the Desert Botanical Gardens where we are members. We visit frequently because of it's beauty and serenity.

KC over at Desert Deals Diva made me aware that there was a Phoenix on The Cheap site
which lists all kinds of deals and cheap places to go. So for those of you in our beautiful State of Arizona, here is the site:

http://phoenixonthecheap.com/

CVS & Walgreens!

I didn't see much at Walgreens or CVS today. However, I was up and out early for the few things that were good deals. Here they are:


Walgreens:


1- Chapstick Naturals - $ 1.99 and I received a $ 2.00 Register Reward


1- Physicians Formula Organic Makeup - $ 12.99 - Used $ 2.00/1 Peelie = $10.99 and I will submit for a $10.00 + 10% Easy Saver Rebate


3 Easter Mini Sticker Books - 3/$1 with In Ad Coupon


2 Peeps - $ .39 each with In Ad Cpn


1 bag of Sugar Free Halls Cough Drops - $ 1.69 - used Free Mfrs. Cpn = Free


Total including tax out OOP was $ 15.83 which I paid with Walgreens Free Giftcards and I will receive $ 11.00 back in ESR and I received a $ 2.00 RR.



CVS:


1 Glad and Sense Spray Kit - $ 5.99 - Used $ 1./1 CVS CRT Cpn and $ 3./1 Mfrs. Cpn =$ 1.99 and I received a $ 1.00 ECB


1 Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber Kit - $ 2.99 - Used $ 2.75 IP Cpn = $ .24


1 - 500ml Listerine on sale for 50% off or $ 2.14 - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 1.14


1 Softsoap Ensemble Refill - $ 3.99

Used $ 7.00 in ECB's

Total was $ .81 which I paid with a Free CVS prescription Giftcard so nothing OOP. I could have done this better if I was paying attention. She had to give me back the $ 1./1 Softsoap Cpn so I could use the ECB's that were expiring. If they had had any of the Softsoap Ensemble Soap Pump I could have gotten that with the $ 2./1 coupon and then received my $ 4.00 ECB. I will get another later in the week. If anyone has an extra Mail In Rebate Form for the Softsoap Ensemble, I could sure use one.

What a Deal at Staples!

Sorry about the picture! For some reason, blogger won't let me turn it the right way. DH went alone to get casual slacks today. He told me last night that he was going to J. C. Penneys to get a couple of pair of Dockers which were on sale there. So I found him a 15% off coupon. This morning he changes his mind and decides to go to Eddie Bauer. My sister had just called me from New York and so I didn't go with him! He came home with 2 pairs of Dockers from J.C. Penneys because he said that Eddie Bauer didn't have any slacks that he liked. I was thrilled because not only were the Dockers on sale but I had given him the coupon last night. Well, do you think he took it with him? NO!!!!! His reasoning: I didn't think I was going there! AARGH, MEN! So I went back to J.C. Penneys with the receipt and the coupon and of course they honored it. The difference was $ 8.76. Moral of this story: Never let men shop alone! Fortunately, the store is not too far from me and I stopped on the way home and did this fabulous Staples Deal:

17 reams(500 count) of Staples Printing Paper( must be Item # 554638) - $ 6.99 each = $118.83 - Used an Office Depot(they take competitors) Printable Coupon for $15.00 off a

$100. purchase = $ 112.19

There is an Easy Saver Rebate that prints out for $ 5.99 for each ream - No Limit. I applied for the rebate online. The reason I bought 17 pkgs. was so that my subtotal after coupon would be $ 103.83 before tax. I did this so that I would get the 10% Staples Rewards back after reaching $100. in paper purchases for the quarter ending 3/31. Staples deducts the coupons so I had to make sure that my subtotal was over $ 100.

So if I have calculated this properly, I will get $ 101.83 check back from the Easy Saver Rebate and a $ 10.18 back from Staples Rewards. With tax I paid $ 112.19, so I will have paid $ .18(all tax) for 17 reams of paper. I was just getting low on all the Free paper I got a year ago. This was perfect timing!

If you don't have a Staples Reward Card, you can sign up for one. The rebate is explained here- the first one:

https://www.stapleseasyrebates.com/promocenter/staples/validator

Necessities OR Not???

So many people have lost their jobs because of the economy and can't find new ones. Seniors, who have retired, have lost up to 50% of their portfolios that they rely on for day to day expenses. My son worked a job fair at his very prestigious college this week. He told me the number of students graduating this year who attended tripled from last year. He also told me the number of companies who attended the job fair was down about 50. Many, many of this year's graduates will continue on for their Masters Degree because there just aren't any jobs.

All of these aforementioned things got me thinking about all of the products that we buy that really are not necessities. We all know that when we can't get food, personal and cleaning products cheaply or free that it is usually cheaper to make them from scratch. All you have to do is google whatever you need and many recipes come up.

But what about all the substitutions that we can make in our daily lives that will save us money in the long run? Of course, the best course of action is do without the product all together and many times I have done that. But when we can't there are alternatives. Here are some of them:

1. Disposable diapers are very costly. I used cloth diapers, diaper pins and rubber pants for both of my sons. Every morning I could be seen hanging a load of diapers on the clothesline. I saved a fortune over buying disposable. The only time I did buy them was for traveling or going out for the day.

2. Disposable wipes can be replaced by washcloths or homemade wipes.

3. Regular dishes and glasses can replace paper plates and cups.

4. Use a plastic cup for each member of the family in the bathroom instead of paper bathroom refills.

5. Paper napkins are so easy but it is just as easy to wash cloth napkins.

6. Rags made from old clothes or towels can be used instead of costly paper towels. Use newspaper sheets to wash windows. I also use dish towels in the kitchen.

7. There are disposable wipes for everything. Use a rag and cleaners or polishes instead.

8. Trade that sponge for a dishcloth.

9. I used a gold permanent washable filter in my coffeemaker rather than purchase disposable filters.

10. All those store plastic grocery bags can replace purchased garbage bags.

11. My hand can opener works just as well as an electric one and it saves electricity.

12. Use cloth handkerchiefs instead of Kleenex.

13. Plant perennial flowers or bulbs instead of annuals that need replacing every year.

14. Consider planting fruit trees instead of regular trees. I loved having a cherry tree in my yard in N.Y. It gave us many, many pies.

15. We planted blueberries along our fence in N.Y. instead of decorative bushes. They were beautiful and gave us enough blueberries for the entire year.

16. Drink water, Kool -Aid or sun tea instead of costly soda.

17. Use lemon Kool - Aid to clean the inside of your dishwasher instead of expensive dishwasher cleaners. I learned this a long time ago from my friend, Leanne.

18. If you kill live indoor plants the way I do or if your cat eats them, replace them with top quality artificial plants. Mine look just as good and I don't have to water them!

19. Use a deodorant stone instead of deodorant. Before I could get deodorant for free, I used one and it lasted a couple of years.

20. If you have no free toothpaste, use baking soda to brush your teeth.

21. Reuse free or cheap plastic forks, knives and spoons by washing and drying them.

22. Make your own firepit logs using newspapers.

23. Purchase quality cloth shower curtain liners and wash them. They will last so much longer and will be so much cleaner than plastic liners.

24. Don't use expensive printer paper to print coupons. Use the backside of junk mail.
25. Don't pay for photos. Use a digital camera and a photo printer. Staples had such a good deal( think pennies) on photo paper a couple of years ago that I am stocked for years.
26. Make envelopes from pretty magazine pages using a template instead of buying them.


I am sure you can think of many, many more than I have listed here. The real point is to think about everything you buy and what you could replace it with that will save you money.

As usual, I would love to know what your ideas are. Please leave a comment and share them with all of us!

Saving Money Today!

I have a pinched nerve in my back so I did not go out at all today. Just gingerly moving around here and getting things done. So this is what I did today to save money:

1. I ordered $ 20.00 in Free Amazon.com Giftcards from SwagBucks. These will come in handy for gift shopping. SwagBucks is a great site where you can earn points towards giftcards and other prizes by doing searches in their toolbar, shopping etc.

2. I cooked the $ .57 a lb. Whole Chicken that I purchased yesterday in my crockpot to save on electricity costs. It gave me about 5 meals worth of meat which I diced and have all ready for quick meals. I used my foodsaver to bag them up and freeze them.

3. We had so many leaves and flowers in our pool from the 50 mile an hour winds yesterday. DH cleaned the pool himself saving us from hiring someone to do it.

4. I cooked a lb. of bacon on off peak hours all at once so that we would have it for our BLT's for dinner and some ready for quick breakfasts and wraps.

5. I had no white bread for BLT's so I made a loaf in my breadmaker.

6. I watched a couple of Cable TV shows on http://www.hulu.com/. This is a great site to watch television shows that we do not have included in our cable package or if you wanted to get rid of cable TV alltogether. They also have a lot of movies that you can watch for Free.

7. Dusted all of the light bulbs since the dust can cut light output.

8. Ran a very full dishwasher using air dry on off peak hours.

9. Made a gallon of sun tea.

11. Unclogged a bathroom sink with the Free Drano I got yesterday - no plumber charges for us.

12. We always pay our credit card bill in full every month. I opened our monthly bill today and we have a credit of almost $20. due to a credit for a price reduction of $ 250. on something we purchased over a month ago that I got the company to credit us. I tried to charge as much as I could all month - gasoline, books, food, etc. and still couldn't use it all up. Nice to not have to pay this bill this month!

13. I worked on a special post for tomorrow so come back tomorrow and check it out!

14. I finally won the $4.00 Pace coupons.

As usual if you did something to save money today, please leave a comment and share it with everyone else.

Saving Money Today!

The picture isn't great! Sorry about that! I am not a great picture taker but I do try! :-)

Here is what I did today to save money today:

1. I took my navy shower this morning to save on water.

2. Hung one load of wash to dry.

3. I ran errands in a circle to save on gasoline.

4. In the picture you will see the Jamba Economic Boost- steel cut oat oatmeal with blueberries. I had an IP coupon to get it for $1.00! By the time, I got to Jamba Juice to get it, it was 12:30pm. They did not have enough for a full cup so they gave it to me for Free and told me to keep the coupon for another time. As you can see in the picture, the cup was almost full and more than enough for my Free lunch.

5. Behind the Jamba Juice container is a Spicy Jack Sandwich I picked up for DH's Free lunch. I had a Free coupon that Jack In The Box had sent me.

6. I stopped at Dollar Tree for the bunny bucket(picture) for my grandaughter for Easter. That made more sense to me than buying a basket because she can use it to play outside.

7. I went to Safeway and purchased a package of Tilapia and 2 lbs. of Fresh Strawberries. I used (3) $ 2.00 off coupons good on my order that I got doing the Aquapods deal last week.

After coupons I spent $ .77 OOP which leaves me $ 4.58 to spend for the rest of the month on groceries.

8. I went to Staples and gave them my printer toner cartridge to recycle. They put it on my Rewards card and at the end of the month, they will mail me a coupon good for $ 3.00 off any purchase coupon. They had a sign up on the wall that says they take any cartridge - ink jet or tomer for recycling now. You can recycle up to 10 a month!

9. Next was Babies R Us where I purchased this cute little top for my grandaughter. It was not on sale but by using my Rewards card I will get points towards a $ 10. reward certificate. Sometimes you just have to splurge!

10. I stopped at CVS and picked up my Free Cloth Bag which CVS sent me a coupon in my e-mail for. They did not have the bag that it showed on the coupon but they were willing to substitute this one which was fine with me. I am trying to get enough Free bags to never have to use plastic.

11. I went to Frys and got:

4 Pillsbury Pizza Crusts which were $ .75 each after $ 1.00 Instant Rebate and I used (1) $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns and (3) $ .40/1 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled - made $ .40

1 Tyson Whole Chicken on sale for $ .57 a lb. = $ 3.45

1 Drano Max Gel - $ 5.49 - Used Free Coupon = Free

Total including $ .35 tax was $ 3.40 which leaves $ 1.18 left for the rest of the month!

12. Pssst sent me a box of General Mills Fiber One Granola Bars and 10 - $ 1.35/1 Coupons in the mail!

The Best Grocery Deals This Week!

I don't know how much shopping I am going to be able to get out to do this week, so for others, here are the best deals that I see this week:


Bashas:

1 gallon of Milk - $1.49 - Limit 2

Large Raw Shrimp - $ 3.77 lb.

New York Strip Steak Bone In Value Pack - $ 3.77 lb - Limit 2

Lysol Cleaning Products - $ 2.00 each - Using various coupons and sending for a $ 3.00 on 3 Rebate http://www.lysol.com/products/product-promotions you can get the products for Free.


Fry's:

Whole Chickens - $ .57 a lb.-Limit 4 (Best Price that I have seen in along time)

Cottonelle Toilet Paper - 4 pack - $ .99 - Use $ .50/1 IP coupon here http://www.cottonelle.com/uncover_comfort.aspx = Free


Quaker Granola Bars - 4 for $ 4.00 - Use $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = Free and Send for this Quaker Birthday Kit: http://www.quakeroats.com/Libraries/pdf/BdayKitRequestForm.sflb.ashx

4 Pillsbury Pizza Crust- $ 1.00 each -one is Free so they are $ .75 each - Use $ .40/1 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled = Free

Vitamin Waters - $ 1.00 each - Use $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpns = Free


Safeway:

They have the Mix and Match Deal Again- Buy 10 products Get $ 5.00 off Instantly

2 lbs. Strawberries - $ 2.88

We are now a Public Forum Again!

We are now a public forum again! I had so many people e-mailing me and asking to join the private blog that I felt bad when I had to say no because I had 100 readers and that is the limit. So after careful consideration and two very smart bloggers, whose blogs are here:

4 Hats and Frugal and here: Abigail's Mommy showing me how to control the annoymous issue that I had, that caused me to take the blog private, we are public again. Many Thanks to both of them!

Your Opinion Wanted!

A number of people have e-mailed me and asked me if I am ever going to take this blog public again. I have mixed feelings because of the problems I had with all the anonymous comments that I would get. On the other hand, by being public, more people can participate in the comments and we can each learn more from that!

So what do all of you think? Do you like it private the way it is? Or would you want me to take it public again and just basically ignore all the nonsense? I appreciate all of your opinions!
Leave a comment and let me know!

Pfaltzgraff! WOW!

Pfaltzgraff is having their Dollar Days Sale again! I make out like a bandit on this sale every year! Today I ordered 10 items for $ 24.95 including $ 6.95 shipping. Four of the items were silicone items that I have been wanting for me or for gifts!

Make sure that you go through Ebates and receive 6% back also! Just look for the Pfaltzgraff site on Ebates and click on it!

Happy Shopping!

Clean Out the Refrigerator Menu

My refrigerator is chuck full of cold cuts, veggies and lettuce and many other things so this week's menu will be clean out the refrigerator menu week.

Monday: Chef's Salad, Texas Toast

Tuesday: Homemade Pepperoni Pizza

Wednesday: Homemade Chicken Veggie Soup, Crackers and Butter

Thursday: Chef's Salad, Oranges

Friday: Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches

Saturday: Crockpot Chicken on Rice, Green Beans

Sunday: Ham with Pineapple Slices, Mashed Potatoes and Corn

CVS and Walgreens!

Sorry about the two pictures but I forgot the tuna and cranberries were still in the bag when I took the picture. I had some Register Rewards expiring in a few days so I used them up at Walgreens and while I was picking up some prescriptions at CVS, I found a couple other good buys. Walgreens has me pretty aggravated though because if I had known they would not take the $ 2.50 and $4.50 RR on one order I would have split the order instead of having to do a different order for the eggs even though I had 6 items and one coupon and 2 RR's. I hate it when they keep changing the rules. They tell me now that they will only take one per order. I asked the cashier to rering everything and I would split it in to 2 orders and he refused and was quite nasty about it, so I am calling corporate in the morning. UGH! So this is what I purchased:

Walgreens Order # 1:

2 Old Bay English Muffins - on sale 2 for $ 3.00

1 Box of Dried Cranberries - $ 1.00

3 cans of Bumble Bee Chunk Albacore Tuna - $ .99 each with in ad coupon

Used $ 4.50 RR

Total was $ 2.47 which I paid with a Free Walgreens Giftcard that I got from My Points so nothing OOP!

Walgreens Order # 2;

2 dozen Large Eggs - on sale for 2 for $3.00

Used $ 2.50 RR

Total was $ .50 which I paid with the same Free Walgreens Giftcard so nothing OOP!

CVS:

2 Prescriptions - $ 30.00 each - used $ 10. off Prescription Card from the Drug Company = $ 50.00

2 Fleece Throws on Clearance for $ 1.25 each

1 Supreme Plush Throw - on Clearance for $ 4.99

Total was $ 58.09 including tax which I paid with $ 49.03 worth of Free CVS Giftcards and $ 9.06 cash which I will not be taking out of my grocery budget because it was for prescriptions. I also received a $25.00 Free CVS Giftcard because they screwed up one of DH's prescriptions again and I had to make 3 trips because of it for just one prescription. It is starting to get aggravating( 2nd mistake in the past couple of weeks) but I am making out on the deal with the free giftcards minus the extra gas it has cost me for extra trips.

Safeway!

What a deal I stumbled on at Safeway! Since we live in a desert and it has started to get really hot, I was so glad to find this deal on Arrowhead Water and I have stocked for a good part of the summer. We will have plenty of cold water available everytime we go out in the car. Here is what I purchased:

Trip # 1:

10- 8 packs of Arrowhead Aquapods - $ 2.00 each = $ 20.00

Received a $ 5.00 Instant Rebate for buying 10 Products

Total was $ 15.00 which I paid with a Free Prescription Giftcard so nothing OOP! Each 2- 8 packs generates a $ 2.00 Catalina Coupon good on your next shopping order so I got $ 10.00 worth and a $ 1./2 Mfrs. Cpn.

Trip #2:

6 - 8 packs of Aquapods at $ 2.00 each = $ 12.00- Used $ 1./2 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 11.00

4 Boxes of Planters Big Bars - $ 2.50 each - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 6.00

Received an Instant $ 5.00 Rebate for the Buy 10 Deal

Used (5) $ 2.00 OYNO Cpns

Total including was $ 2.00 and I received $ 6.00 more in OYNO coupons

Trip #3:

10- 8 packs of Aquapods - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 19.00

Received $ 5.00 Instant Rebate for Buy 10 deal

Used $10.00 in OYNO coupons

Total was $ 4.00 and I received $ 10.00 in OYNO coupons

Trip #4:

7 - 8 packs of Aquapods - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 13.00

3 Boxes of Planters Big Bars - $ 2.50 each - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 4.50

Received $ 5.00 Instant Rebate

Used (5) $ 2.00 OYNO Coupons

Total was $ 2.50 and I received $ 6.00 in Catalina OYNO coupons

Trip #5:

10- 8 packs of Aquapods - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 19.00

Received $5.00 Instant Rebate

Used $ 6.00 in OYNO coupons

Total was $ 8.00 and I received $10.00 in OYNO coupons!

Analysis:

Spending $ 16.50 OOP for 43 - 8 packs of water( 344 bottles) and 7 boxes of Planters Nut Bars is a really good deal and I still have $ 6.00 OYNO coupons left! I have never gotten my summer supply of bottled water this cheaply! I am SO HAPPY!

My monthly grocery budget was $ 21.85 minus the $ 16.50 I spent today leaves $ 5.35 for the

rest of the month!

Lots of Shopping Today!

Well, I ran the route today to get most of the shopping done. This is what I purchased:

Fresh & Easy:

2 Pkgs of Loin Lamb Chops Reduced for Quick Sale - $ 5.45 and $ 5.62

1 Pkg. of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts on sale for $ 1.77 a lb. = $ 7.22

1- 10 ct. Whole Wheat Tortillas - $ 1.88

1 lb. of Tomatoes - $ .98

2 lbs. of Onions - $ .98

1 Canvas Bag - $ .99 - Used Free Fresh & Easy Bag Cpn = Free

Total Out of Pocket was $ 23.21

Fry's:

2 bags of Cheetos at $ 2.00 each - Used $ 3./2 Mfrs. Cpn = $ .50 each

2 Bags of Fritos Corn Chips - $ 2.00 each - Used $ 2./2 Mfrs. Con = $ 1.00 each

1 bag of Ore Ida Fries - $ 2.50 - Used $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled = $ 1.50

3 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel -$ 2.00 each - Used $ .35/1 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled = $ 1.20 each

1 Kroger Onion Dip - $ 1.67

2 Dozen Large Eggs - $ .88 each

1 Pepperidge Farm Texas Toast - $ 2.00 - Used $ .40/1 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled = $ 1.20

2 - 4 packs of Dannon Activia Yogurt Drinks - $ 2.50 each - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 1.50 each

3- 12 packs of Diet Coke - 3 for $ 9.99 - Used $ 1./2 Mfrs. Cpn wyb 1 Coke Zero and used $ 1./1 Coke Rewards Cpn = $ 7.99 for all 3

2 Boxes of Reduced Fat Ritz Crackers - $ 2.50 each - Received Instant Rebate of Both Free for buying 3- 12 packs of Coke = FREE

Received $ 5.00 Instant Rebate on Buy 10 products Deal

Received $ .10 cloth bag rebate

Total Out of Pocket was $ 17.92

Safeway:

6 Bottle of Fuze - $ 1.25 each - Used $ .25/1 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled = $ .75 each

1 Kraft Cracker Barrel Xtra Sharp Cheddar Cheese - $ 4.49 - Used Free Mfrs. Cpn = FREE

3 Pkgs. of Healthy Ones Deli Turkey Breast - $ 2.00 each - Used $ .75/1 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled = $ 1.00 each

2 DelMonte Fruit Naturals - $ 1.25 each - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ .25 each

1 lb. Strawberries - $ 3.00

1 Bags of Fresh Express Salad - $ 1.25 each - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ .25 each

Received $ 5.00 Instant Rebate for the Buy 10 Products Deal

Total was $ 7.02 but nothing OOP because I paid with Free Prescription Giftcard.

My monthly grocery budget was $ 62.98 minus the $ 41.13 spent OOP today leaves $ 21.85 for the rest of the month!

Saving Money Today!

1. I hard boiled 6 eggs today by bringing the water to a boil, covering the eggs and boiling water, turning off the burner and letting them sit for 20 minutes. Perfectly hard boiled eggs was the result which saves on electricity.





2. Filed coupons that my friend, Alane sent. Thanks Alane!





3. Put spaghetti and meatballs in the crockpot for dinner. I thought I was only going to have time to make meat sauce but was able to make meatballs which is DH's favorite. I cooked the pasta last night so everything will be ready for dinner when we get home from babysitting.





4. Packed some Free after coupon lunch meals and some sodas to take while we go down and babysit our grandaughter for about 6 hours to give my DIL a day out.





5. Did one load of wash in cold water and hung to dry.





6. Read recent 2 issues of Money Magazine at my son's house while my grandaughter was down for a nap. This saves me from having to go to the library to read it.


7. Received in the mail today a refund check for $ 2.50 from Windex, a Free Coupon for a Schick Intuition Razor or Refill, and two free subscriptions- Family Circle and More Magazines.

8. Got my Free list and coupons ready for the grocery stores tomorrow and a CVS run.

9. Tonight I will be re- reading a book from my own library: 1001 Ways To Cut Your Expenses by Jonathan Pond.

Alexa's Playhouse

This is my very favorite toy company: MRA Toys ! I worry all of the time about buying toys that are safe for my most precious gift - my grandaughter. This company has taken the worry away from me. I know that when I order from them, my grandaughter will be safe.

For the first time ever now, they have a blog and are offering a coupon code. You can bet that I will be stocking up for her birthday and for Christmas. Check it out here: Alexa's Playhouse

My Menu for the Week!

Our menu for the week is below and I think we are the only ones not having corned beef and cabbage this week.

Monday: Tuna Melts on English Muffins, Applesauce

Tuesday: Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry on Rice

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, Homemade Garlic Cheese Bread

Thursday: Chicken HH, broccoli

Friday: Fish Frys, Homemade French Fries and Salad

Saturday: Birthday Dinner for my DIL

Sunday: Soup Bread Bowls and Salad

Organization!

Tosha asked me the following in comments a while back:

I know that being organized is a key part of living frugally but I struggle with finding systems that work for my family. Can you share some of your methods and the most important organizational tools you have found?

I did a post back then when Tosha asked, on how I organize my coupons. I don't think that is what she was looking for. I think she wants general organization tips! I know that she has young children and I know that it is not easy to stay organized when you are so busy. But over the next few weeks, I will show some o the things that I do to organize.

One tip that really helped me when my kids were little was to sort all of their toys, stuffed animals etc. into cheap dishpans and store them on their closet shelves. It made things easy to pick up before I went to bed for the night. Dishpans can be used in other areas of the house to corral the clutter. They are so cheap at a $ store or Big Lots or even SWM.

Plasticware is a big problem to keep organized. In the first photo is my collection that I use daily. I keep them, with the covers on, in this bin which I can easily pull out of the cupboard when I need to find the right size for our leftovers. Any larger plasticware that I only use once in a blue moon, I keep in a labeled, covered tub in the garage - things like large soup containers, ones that hold a dozen cupcakes, etc. I have found, over the years, to only keep things you use on a daily basis in your kitchen cupboards so that you can function quickly and efficiently every day. Most of my large appliances are also in the garage where I can quickly grab them when I need them. The only small appliances that I keep in the kitchen are my coffeemaker, my indoor grill ( which is about to get put away for the summer season), my small food processor, Foodsaver, the toaster oven and the Kitchen Aid stand mixer and breadmaker. The last two I keep on the bottom shelf of my bakers rack so that I can grab them quickly when I need them.

The last two pictures are of my soap stockpile. The top picture is all handsoap and body washes - most of which I got for free or pennies. The other container is all bar soap. Years ago, Lever had free movie tickets in their multi packs and I bought a ton. We didn't pay for a movie for a couple of years and we went often. But all this bar soap will come in handy to make my own laundry detergent which I plan on doing when my last bottle of store purchased laundry detergent is gone later this year. I used to make it myself when I lived in NY but have gotten away from it while detergent was so cheap. Since it costs so much more now, homemade is on the agenda rather than buy it.

Both of the soap containers I keep covered under our bed. They easily slide out when I need to grab something from one or the other and they are not taking up precious space in our closets!

Tosha is this what you are looking for for ideas? Let me know. If any of you do something to keep your lives organized that you think would benefit all of us, please share in comments with everyone.

CVS!

I picked up just a few things this week at CVS. This is what I purchased:


4 - 12 packs of Diet Pepsi - on sale for $ 3.00 each - Used $ 2./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 1.00 each

1- Dry Idea Deodorant- $ 2.99 - Used $ 2./1 IP Cpn = $ .99 and I received a $ 2.00 ECB

1- Irish Spring Body Wash - $ 4.99 - Used $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 4.49 and I received a $ 4.99 ECB

1- Colgate Max Whitening Toothpaste- $ 2.99 - Used $ .75/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 2.24 and I received a $ 2.99 ECB

1 Wrigleys 5 Rain Gum - $ .99

1 Edy's Rocky Road Ice Cream( not in picture) - $ 3.99

1 Playskool Travel Wipes - $ 1.99 - Used $ 2./1 CVS Cpn = made $.01

Used $ 5./30 CVS Cpn

Used $ 4.00 in ECB's


Total including tax was $ 7.81 which I paid with a Free CVS Giftcard so nothing OOP and I received $ 9.98 in ECB's for the products purchased today plus a $ 5.00 ECB for a survey I took for a total of $ 14.98 in ECB's and I received a survey on my receipt today!


ANALYSIS:

We were down to our last 4 cans of soda and DH loves his soda so this was a good deal for us.
The gum was a filler which I can put in my Halloween stash or a gift basket. The toothpaste, body wash and deodorant were all moneymakers....need I say more? The wipes are always needed for my grandaughter and they were a moneymaker. Lastly, the ice cream is a TREAT for DH and I!

Why You Need an Appliance Fund!

A little while ago in this post: http://frugalmakescents.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-can-i-reach-my-goal.html?zx=8c86281725501204 I told you that I needed an appliance. What I didn't tell you is that I needed to replace my under the cabinet, over the stove, microwave. We knew that we could do that because we have always had an appliance replacement fund.

You ask, what is an appliance replacement fund? It is a savings account that you put a certain amount of money into every month so that when your appliances need replacing the money is there to do that. It is a set amount of $ XX.XX that you religiously put away month after month after month.

Many, many people do not put money away for replacement appliances so when they need to replace the stove, dishwasher, microwave, washer and/or dryer, freezer, hot water tank, furnace or air conditioner, they get out that credit card and charge it. They end up paying 9, 10, 11% or more per month for those appliances month after month after month for 2- 4 years or they take a home improvement loan and pay that interest over 2-4 years. That interest accumulates 24 hours a day, even while you are sleeping!

I know, some of you are saying but I bought my appliances and took a 0% loan for 3 years. That is terrific if you pay it off in time and never pay that interest but history has shown most people do not pay it off in that time period and then all the interest is added to that loan. Businesses offer these 0% loans knowing this! Besides, in this economic climate, you won't be seeing too many 0% loans anymore.

So DH and I have been researching microwaves for a while. This week we decided that we were going to purchase not only the microwave but a stove and dishwasher, all in stainless steel so they would all match. Our stove was still working and so was our dishwasher but we have used them for about 8 years now and they were builder upgrades which is still the bottom of the heap. So before we went shopping, we researched the best appliances for us by checking Consumer Reports and doing some other online preparation. After starting at Lowe's and Home Depot, we ended up purchasing them at our favorite appliance store, Spencers. We arranged for them to be delivered and installed yesterday. The total cost to be exact was $ 2064.61 which we paid in cash. Before we went, we knew that we had more than enough in our appliance replacement account to pay for them which is the greatest feeling in the world.

So, let's make a comparison of how we paid in cash with our appliance replacement money and what it would have cost us ( besides peace of mind) if we had charged it. If we borrow $ 2064.61 for 2 years at 9%, we would have paid over the term of the loan $ 199.10 more for our appliances. If we borrowed that same amount for 3 years at 9%, we would pay $ 298.94 more. Let's use a higher interest rate of say 14% - then over 2 years we would pay $ 314.46 more and for 3 years we would pay $ 475.68 more! You can figure your own calculations using this calculator here: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/cgi-bin/apr.asp

I don't know about you but I would much rather have the bank pay me interest than have to pay interest to them. I also don't want to pay any more money than I have to for appliances. So we will always have a replacement fund!

Many of you are probably thinking but I can't afford to save for appliance replacement! You can't afford not to! Why would you want to pay more for an appliance than you have to? You know that your appliances are going to wear out so start putting a little money aside each month earmarked for that purpose. When that washing machine dies, you will be so glad that you already have the money to pay for a new one!

Our next purchase for our kitchen will be granite countertops when the time is right and we find a great deal!

Walgreens and Fry's!

Thanks to Amiyrah's comment that she left me yesterday, I was able to get in on a great deal on Glucerna at Walgreens. Thanks, Amiyrah! This is what I purchased today:



Walgreen's Order # 1:


2 Boxes of Glucerna Cereal - $ 4.99 each - Used $ 5./1 IP Coupons = Free and I received a $ 2.50 Coupon Good On My Next Shopping Order


Total Out of Pocket was $ .00 and I received the $ 2.50 Catalina coupon and can submit for a $ 2.00 Rebate from Caregivers Market Place.


Walgreen's Order # 2:


3 Boxes of Glucerna Cereal - $ 4.99 each - used $ 5.00/1 IP Cpns = Free and I received a $ 4.50 Coupon Good On My Next Shopping Order


Total Out of Pocket was $ .00 and I received the $ 4.50 catalina coupon and can submit for $ 3.00 Rebate from Caregivers Market Place.



Fry's:

3 Jars of Classico Spaghetti Sauce - $ 2.00 each - Used (1) $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled and ( 1)
$ 1./2 IP Cpn = $ 4.00 for all 3

3 Shedd's Country Crock Spread - $ 1.50 each - Used (1) $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled and ( 2) $ .55/1 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled = $ .50 each

2 Quaker Quakes Rice Cakes - $ 1.00 each - Used (1) $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn and (1) $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled = Free

2 Land O Lakes Buttery Spread - $ 1.50 each - Used $ .55/1 IP Cpns Dbled = $ .50 each

Received $ 5.00 Mega Deal Instant Rebate for Buying 10 Products


Total Out of Pocket was $ 1.50!


My monthly grocery budget was $ 67.47 minus the $2.99 I spent yesterday minus the $ 1.50 spent today = $ 62.98 left for the rest of the month!

Saving Money Yesterday and Today!

1. The tires on our van were getting soft, so added air which will give us better gasoline mileage.


2. Something that we spent almost $1600. on 30 days ago had a price reduction, so I called the company and they have credited my credit card with the $250. reduction. Since we pay our credit card in full every month and paid that $ 1600. last month and very rarely use it anyhow, I am now charging whatever I can to spend up to that $ 250. so that the credit doesn't just sit there earning no interest.


3. Received in the mail a $ 10.00 Walgreens Giftcard from My Points from doing clicks and surveys. I also received the promised Free Menu item coupon from Jack In The Box and my Free Traditional Home Magazine.


4. I had researched buying a new cover for my Franklin Covey Planner. Mine is over 15 years old and was falling apart. Since I use my planner daily it was an expenditure I wanted to spend. However, Franklin Covey online wanted $ 29.99 for the replacement plus shipping. I decided to wait for a better alternative, sale, etc. Yesterday, while I was at Super Target I stumbled across a Classic Franklin Planner on clearance for $11. 48. It had the planner pages which I did not need but the cover was perfect to replace mine. So I ended up saving over $18. plus shipping.


5. I went to SuperWalmart today and picked up some Free items: a Kashi Entree, a Cascade Rinse Agent for the dishwasher and while I was there I tried the Dr. Pepper coupon that my other stores wouldn't take and they honored it. Dr. Pepper hasn't bothered to respond to me since I called them the other day and since someone told me they used theirs at SWM, I figured I would give it a try.


6. I also went to our local Holsum bread outlet and purchased 12 English muffins for $ 2.99 and had a coupon for a Free item with a purchase so I got a loaf of Aunt Hattie's 100% Whole Grain Bread Free. I will deduct the cost of the English Muffins from my monthly budget.


7. We went to Lowes and purchased 10 new bushes and plants and 2 flowering plants for our front and backyards. I used a 10% off coupon that came in the mail to save on those. I will save my receipts in case any of them don't make it and get them replaced on their guarantee if need be.

8. I ordered two books that I have been wanting to buy for a while from Amazon.com. I had received a $10.00 gift certificate for ordering All You Magazine so I used that and a $ 3.00 Gift Certifcate that I got from doing a Very Best Kids survey. That $13.00 really helped defray the cost. These are reference books so will be added to my extensive library.

9. Cooked dinner in the microwave tonight saving on electricity.

10. I received my $ 91.28 electric bill for 29 days in the mail. It was a little higher cost wise than last years but rates have gone up twice so I was happy with it.

11. I did a load of wash using cold water in off peak hours and hung it to dry.

12. I will be running my fully loaded dishwasher tonight after 9pm also during off peak hours.

Super Target

My Super Target is a little over 20 miles round trip. Since I had another store to go to down there, I stopped and did some shopping. This is what I purchased:


Super Target:


1 Fresh Broccoli - $ 1.50 - Used $1./1 Target Coupon = $ .50

3 South Beach Living Refrigerated Wraps - $ 2.99 each - Used Free Mfrs. Cpns = Free

1 Family Size El Monterrey Chicken Enchiladas - on sale for $ 6.00 = $ 6.00 - They had a Try Me Free Rebate so all these will cost me is the price of a stamp.

4- 6 packs of Mott's Applesauce - $ 1.69 each- Used (4) $1.00 Target Coupons and (4) $ .55/1 IP coupons = $ .14 each

2 -48 oz. Best Foods Mayonaise on clearance for $ 4.33 each - Used $ .60/1 cpns = $ 3.73 each

1 Carapelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil on clearance - $ 7.64

6 Market Pantry Cream of Chicken Soups - $ .54 each - Used $ .50/2 Target Coupons = $ .29 a can

1- 60 ct. Box of BandAids - $ 1.77 - $ 1./1 Target Coupon and $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn = Overage of $ .23

1 - 8.4 oz Gillette Body Wash - $ 2.00 - Used $ 2.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn = Free

1- 8.4 oz. Gillette Shampoo - $ 2.00 - Used $ 2.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn = Free

Total Out of Pocket was $ 24.12 including tax.

My monthly grocery budget was $ 91.59 minus the $ 24.12 that I spent today = $ 67.47 left for the rest of the month!


ANALYSIS:


The broccoli was cheap after coupon and I needed a healthy veggie to serve for dinner when company comes this weekend. The South Beach Living Wraps were free and for my Houseparty this weekend. I have a busy day tomorrow and Friday so the enchiladas were purchased to be easy rather than getting fast food plus they will end up only costing a stamp.

We love applesauce and you couldn't beat this price for portions. The mayo was dirt cheap compared to what I have been paying. With lots of pasta salads on the menu as our heat ramps up out here in the desert, I stocked. I was out of olive oil and this my favorite brand and clearanced so I grabbed it. I usually make my own soup mix but this was too cheap to pass up. The bandaids, body wash and shampoo were FREE!

Saving Money Today!

These are the things I did today to save money:

1. Ran all my errands in a circle this morning to save on gasoline.

2. Made a grocery list and used coupons on my shopping in my prior post.

3. Deposited $ 10.00 Survey Check in the bank.

4. Purchased 200 Forever Stamps at the Post Office because I am stockpiling with stamp prices going up $ .02 a stamp in May.

5. Called Kraft Foods because none of my supermarkets out here will take the 3 Free Coupons that I received from the Kraft Instant Win Game because of Internet Fraud. Kraft is mailing me 3 Free Regular coupons.

6. Called Jack In The Box to complain about their Chicken Teriyaki Bowl that I picked up for DH and I to share for lunch today. I had $1.00 IP coupon that I used. I went to the drive thru, brought it home and it was 3/4's rice. It had a tsp. of sauce, 3 pieces of chicken and 3 pieces of broccoli. I was very disappointed. They are mailing me a Free Meal Coupon. It pays to complain when it is legit.

7. Called Dr. Pepper to advise them that none of my supermarkets will take the Free 2 liter Dr. Pepper coupon that I got in the mail from them because of internet fraud. They are deciding what to do about it and will e-mail me with 2 days. Then the girl that took the complaint said to me if you don't hear from us within 2 days, call us back and reference this # which she gave me. I told her I thought this was a lot of work for a Free 2 liter bottle. UGH!

8. Washed a load of clothes in cold water, using a Free detergent sample and hung the load to dry.

9. I made a homemade pizza for dinner.

10. I received in the mail today a book that I ordered for a gift that I purchased at the best price and that I used my AAA discount to get another 5% off.

11. I also received in the mail today 3 $ 25. Walgreens transfer coupons from a friend in Colorado, a Very Best Kids coupon booklet and a Target coupon booklet.

12. Won a $ 5.00 Giftcard from the Subway Instant Online Game.

13. Tonight I will be working on a Christmas gift that I am making. I want to stay on schedule with my gift making.

Walgreen's, CVS, Fry, Bashas!

I did a lot of shopping this morning along with running errands to the bank and Post Office. Sorry, no pictures since my camera batteries are recharging. But this is what I purchased:



Bashas:


10 Hunts Tomato Sauce - $ .28 each


1 Van deKamps Fish Fillets - $ 3.99 - Used $ 1./1 Bashas Coupon


Used $ 3.00 Catalina good OYNSO


Total Out of Pocket was $ 2.79 and I received another $ 3.00 OYNSO coupon for buying the tomato sauce.



CVS Trip # 1:

2 Blade Energy Drinks - $ 1.50 each - Used $ 2./2 CVS Cpn = $ .50 each

Total was $ 1.00 which I paid with a Free CVS Giftcard so nothing OOP!

CVS Trip # 2:

2 Blade Energy Drinks - $ 1.40 each - Used $ 2./2 CVS Cpn = $ .50 each

2 Gold Emblem Trail Mix - $ .99 each - Used $ 2./2 CVS Cpn = Made $ .02

Total was $ .98 which I paid with a Free CVS Giftcard so nothing OOP!

Walgreens:

4 Glade Lasting Impressions - $ 7.99 each = $ 31.96 - Used 2 B1G1F Manufacturer Coupons = $ 15.98 -Used $ 4.00 ESR Cpns = made $ .02

2 Smart Balance Margarine - on sale B1G1F = $ 2.99 - $ .55/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 2.44 for both

2 Coffemate Liquid Creamer - on sale B1G1F - $ 2.49 - Used (1) $ 1.50/1 Cpns = $ .99 for both

Total was $ 3.41 plus $ 2.57 in tax for a total of $ 5.98 which I paid with my Walgreens Easy Saver Rebate Giftcard so nothing OOP!

Frys:

2 Best Foods Mayonaise - $ 3.99 each = $ 7.98 - Used $ 2./2 Fry's Coupon and $ .60 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled = $ 4.98 for both

Total OOP was $ 4.98!

My monthly rollover budget was $ 99.27 minus the $ 7.68 spent today = $ 91.59 left for the rest of the month!

Organizing Weekend!

I will be taking today and tomorrow off to do some organizing aorund here. I hope you all have a great weekend and I will be back on Monday!

Better Late Than Never!

I finally got around to totaling up my monthly grocery and drugstore receipts for January and February. I DO NOT count store card savings because I would never pay the full price for anything so I am not saving that money. I buy on sale so there is no savings for me just by using my card between the full price and the sale price. With that in mind here are my totals:

January 2009:

Total Receipts before Coupons, ECB's, and RR's: $ 597.42

Total Store Coupons Used: $ 112.72

Total ECB's Used: $ 67.43

Total Manufacturer's Coupons Used: $ 206.42

Total Paid After All Coupons and ECB's: $ 210.85 of which $ 68.72 was paid with Free Giftcard Money = $ 142.13 OOP, a savings for the month of 76%!

February 2009:

Total Receipts Before Coupons, ECB's and RR's: $ 486.58

Total Store Coupons Used: $ 54.68

Total ECB's Used: $ 34.00

Total RR's Used: $ 24.50

Total Manufacturer's Coupons Used: $ 147.47

Total Paid After All Coupons,RR's and ECB's: $ 225.93 of which $ 44.91 was paid with Free Giftcard Money = $ 181.02 OOP, a savings for the month of 63%!

What a Deal at CVS!!!!!!!!!

I am so EXCITED! Someone on HCW( I can't remember who was the first to post it) posted that these Hello Kitty Digital Cameras were on clearance for 90% off at CVS. I saw the post yesterday and figured there would be none left today. I was so wrong! I was able to find 3 that I will use as gifts - one for my grandaughter when she gets a little older and one for each of my grand-nieces for Christmas this year! They were originally $29.99 so I only paid $ 2.99 each plus tax! So if you have little girls in your family to give them to, check out your CVS and see if they have them!

Saving Money Yesterday and Today!

Yesterday:

1. Made a double batch of spaghetti sauce and Hot Italian sausage in the crockpot. Two meals for the price of one electricity wise. I love it because it is a timesaver also!

2. Made my grocery lists picking the "cherries" from the ads, pulled coupons and drove to the stores using the most efficient route to save on gasoline.

3. We still have not turned on the A/C even though it has been hot.

4. Did some frugal research reading newsletters from 10 years ago.

5. Received in the mail a Free sample of Viva paper Towels, a coupon for a Free can of Del Monte 100 Calorie Fruit and my Free Family Circle Magazine.

Today:

1. Did one load of wash using cold water and hanging it to dry.

2. Packed a lunch to take to our DIL and son's house to babysit our grandaughter rather than get fast food.

3. We went on an outing to Build A Bear using $ 50.00 in Giftcards that we got for a Christmas present and a $ 5./50. coupon to make that money stretch even further, and stopped for ice cream at Coldstone Creamery using a Giftcard also. ( My son and DIL in New York gave us these as our Christmas presents last Christmas. They are big on giving experiences!) Doing this with our grandaughter - PRICELESS! ( Picture is of her new Bunny- Flopsey dressed in a new outfit and a new outfit to change into!)

4. Driving home after our normal dinnertime and just having to heat the leftover spaghetti, sauce and sausage for dinner in the microwave.

5. Receiving in the mail today a $ 10.00 survey check!

6. UPS delivered my South Beach Living Houseparty package. Lots of goodies inside!

7. Reading tonight for entertainment!

For All of you Amy Dacyczyn Fans!

http://blog.mlive.com/paulagardner/2009/03/div_classphotoright_smallpaula.html

Walgreens, Bashas, Safeway, Fry's!

I scanned the ads quickly this morning and did some shopping. This is what I purchased:


Safeway:


1 - 13 oz. Bag of Tostitos - $ 1.77 with In Ad Coupon

1- Simply Orange OJ - $ 1.99 with In Ad Coupon

1 Jar Classico Pasta Sauce - $ .97 with In Ad Coupon - Used $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpn Dbled = Made $ .03

1 Family Size Special K with Strawberries - $ 3.99 - Used Free Coupon = Free

1 Knorr Rice and Sauce - $ .88 with In Ad Cpn

1 Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent - $ 4.99 - Used Free Coupon = Free

1 Gortons Fishsticks - $ 4.00

Total was $ 9.34 including tax which I paid with my Free Prescription Giftcard so nothing OOP!


Walgreens:

5 Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - $ 2.00 each - Used $ 1./5 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 9.00

1 - 10 oz. Vaseline Rescue Lotion - $ 2.69 - Used $ 1.25/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 1.44 and I received a $ 2.00 Register Reward

2- 100 ct. Rolaids - $ 4.99 each - Used $ 4.00/2 Mfrs. Cpn and $ 2.00 ESR Coupons on each = $ 1.98 for both

1 Nice and Easy Perfect 10 - $ 3.59 - Used $ 5.00 Mfrs. Cpn = Made $ 1.41

1 Regular Nice and Easy - $ 7.99 - Used $ 2.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 5.99

2- 20 oz. Coke Zero - 2/$2.39 - Used B1G1F IP Cpn = $ 1.30

Used (2) $ 8.00 Register Rewards

Total with tax was $ 5.25 OOP and I received a $ 2.00 Register Reward!


Bashas:


1 Van DeKamps Crunch Fish Sticks - $ 3.99 - Used $ 1./1 Store Cpn = $ 2.99

10 Hunts Tomato Sauce $ .28 each = $ 2.80 and I received a $ 3.00 good on your next shopping order Catalina, so this is a moneymaker


Total OOP was $ 5.79 and I received $ 3.00 OYNO Cpn


Fry's:


1 bag of Sun Chips - $ 2.99 - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 1.99

2 -4 packs of Cottonelle Toilet Paper - $ .99 each - Used $ .50/1 IP Cpns = Free

Received 10% Senior Rewards of $ .40

Total including tax was $ 1.63 OOP!



My rollover monthly budget was 111.94 minus the $ 12.67 I spent today leaves $ 99.27 for the rest of the month!


Analysis:

The orange juice and pasta side which I can always use were cheap and pasta sauce was a moneymaker. You needed a $ 10.00 minimum so that is why I used the Free coupons for the Cascade and Kelloggs along with the fish that DH requested.

I am stocking on the Stouffers since it is on sale and I can use RR's to pay for it. The Rolaids I am stockpiling while they are this cheap. The one box of haircolor was cheap. I am not sure I am going to keep the other one. It had a clearance tag in front of it for $ 2.19 but rang up 7.99 and I didn't notice that while I was at the store so will check it next time I am there. I always use soda coupons and this one wasn't bad.

The fish sticks were cheap at Bashas and I didn't realize there were Super coupons till I got there. My home delivered paper did not have them. If I had known I would not have gotten the Gorton's at Safeway. You can believe I will be getting more at Bashas with that coupon.
The tomato sauce was a moneymaker and I am always using it for pizza, casseroles and spaghetti sauce.

We love Sun Chips and the coupons were peelies on the bags. I continue to stockpile the free toilet paper.

A Recipe for Hitenney!

Tatertot Casserole:


1 lb. of ground beef browned

2 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup

1/2 -3/4 cup of milk

16 oz. of tatertots

Cheddar Cheese

Put the ground beef in a layer in a 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with Pam or butter it so the food doesn't stick. Next put a layer of tater tots. Mix the soups with the milk and pour over all. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Take out of the oven and sprinkle a couple of handfuls of cheddar cheese on top. Put back in the oven till it melts! Serve.

Saving Money Today!

1. Received in the mail today 1 Free Coupon for a 2-liter Diet Dr. Pepper, My Kraft Grand Prize Winner Coupons- 1 Free Nabisco Cracker Product, 1 Free Planters Snack Product, and 1 Free Kraft Cheese Product. I also received a Free Granola Bar and my Free Womans Day magazine.



2. I was given a Free $ 50.00 CVS Giftcard for a mistake they made.



3. Transferred 1 prescription for a $ 30. Safeway Giftcard. I have never done this before but decided it does not pay to stay with one pharmacy for all our prescriptions. I am in desperate need of giftcard prescription coupons- my Safeway ran out of flyers early in the week.

4. Signed up for a Free $20. Dillyeo.com Gift Certificate.

5. Grilled hot dogs outside for dinner and put a frozen mac and cheese in the microwave saving on electricity.

6. Did a bunch of great shopping this morning using coupons and ECB's as mentioned in my prior post. I am saving a lot of Free items for gift baskets this year and the rest will be sold at a garage sale.

7. Did one load of laundry and hung it to dry.

8. I am researching a switch to Qwest internet service and Direct TV to see if we would save any money.

9. I ordered All You Magazine from Amazon.com at a great price and will get a $10. Amazon.com Gift Certificate within 1 week.

10. Even though it has been getting up to the 90's here, I do not have the A/C on. Just ceiling fans during the day and windows open at night.

11. Entertainment tonight will be NCIS!

CVS and Walgreens Again Today!

I had to go back out to CVS today since they gave my husband the wrong medicine on his refill yesterday. What a pain and it is a good thing he noticed it. For our trouble, the pharmacy manager gave us a $ 50.00 Giftcard. That made me very happy! I was also able to use a $ 25.00 coupon on the prescription co-pay so I only paid $ 5.00 for the prescription. Since Walgreens is on the way, I stopped there also. This is what I purchased today:


Walgreens:


4 Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese - on sale for $ 2.00 each

2- 100 ct. bottles of Rolaids - $ 4.99 each - Used $ 4./2 Mfrs. Cpn and $ 2.00 ESR Cpn on each = $ 1.98 for both bottles


Used $ 8.00 Register Reward


Total OOP was $ 2.78 including tax.


CVS:

1 Gillette Fusion Phenom Bonus Pack which includes the trial size shampoo and shave cream - on sale for $ 7.99 - Used $ 4.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 3.99 and I got $4.00 in ECB's)- Thanks to Sheila who frequents my blog for this deal!


2 Gold Emblem Nuts $ .99 each - Used $2./2 CVS GE Products Cpn = Made $ .02

Total including tax was $ 4.13 which I paid with a Free CVS Giftcard.



My monthly grocery budget was $ 114.72 minus the $ 2.78 I spent OOP today = $ 111.94 for the rest of the month!


ANALYSIS:


The Rolaids were a good deal and I just threw out an empty container from our last bottle of Tums. DH and I LOVE this macaroni and cheese but don't buy it very often because it is so expensive, so using the $ 8.00 Register Reward I splurged. The razor and nuts were Free!

CVS and Walgreens!

Well, I got just about everything I needed from the drugstores this morning except the Gamer Razor. This is what I purchased:

CVS:

8 White Diamonds Perfume - regularly $ 12.99 on sale 90% off = $ 1.29 each

5 Covergirl Eye Shadows - $ 3.39 each - Used $ 1.00 Mfrs. Cpn on each = $ 2.39 each and Received a $ 5.00 ECB for buying $15.00 worth

Used $ 1.98 in ECB's

Total was $ 22.88 which I paid with a Free CVS prescription Giftcard so nothing OOP and I received $5.00 in ECBS!

Walgreens Trip # 1:

1- 10 oz. Vaseline Rescue Lotion - $ 2.69 - Used $ 1.25/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 1.44 and I received a $ 2.00 Register Reward so this was a moneymaker of $ .56

1 - .50 oz. Blink Tears - $ 7.99 - Used $ 2.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 5.99 and I received a $ 8.00 Register Reward so this was a moneymaker of $ 2.01

Total was $ 8.29 which I paid with my Walgreens ESR Giftcard so nothing OOP! And I received $ 10.00 in Register Rewards!

Walgreens Trip # 2:

1 Blink Tears - $ 7.99 - Used $ 2.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 5.99

Total was $ 6.63 which I paid with my Walgreens ESR Giftcard so nothing OOP and I received and $ 8.00 Register Reward!

Walgreens Trip # 3:

1 Blink Tears - $ 7.99 - Used $ 1.50 IP Cpn = $ 6.49 and I received and $ 8.00 RR so made $ 1.51

Total with Tax was $ 7.13 which I paid with my Walgreens ESR Gifctard so nothing OOP!

Walgreens Trip # 4:

1 dozen Hickman Eggs - $ 1.99

1 Sambucol Cold and Flu - $ 12.99 - Used $ 4.00/1 IP Cpn and $ 10.00 ESR Coupon = Made 1.01

Total was $ 2.02 with tax which I paid with my Walgreens ESR Giftcard so nothing OOP!

Nothing to subtract from my grocery budget today and I ended up with $ 26.00 in Register Rewards and $ 5.00 in ECB's! Not a bad trip! :-) There is no real analysis here- when I can have fun and make money too, I am a Happy Camper!

CVS, Walgreen's, and Fry's!

Before I tell you about my purchases, I have to tell you that God was sitting on my shoulder this morning. As I was coming home from my errands, I was thinking about going to Sonic and getting the sausage and egg breakfast wraps for us for breakfast. They are on the Dollar menu and so it would only cost $ 2.00+ tax. I almost talked myself out of it because I have plenty of breakfast food here and didn't really want to spend the $ 2.00! Last minute, I decided to take a right and go to Sonic instead of going straight to my house. So I slowed to make the right at the corner. Just as I was starting my turn, I heard a deafening crash. I looked and if I had gone straight I would have been involved in an accident. The guy who was in front of me and the guy next to me before I took the right were both involved. Someone had pulled out of the gas station right in front of them and then one of them spinned out, crossed the center median and hit a car coming from the other direction. If I hadn't decided last minute to spend that $2.00, I would have been involved. The speed limit on that road is 45 but everyone goes 50! I called 911 and notified them. By the time I got to Sonic I was still shaking. On the way home from Sonic I went that way and the police were there and there didn't seem to be anybody hurt, Thank God. But there was a lot of car damage- 4 cars involved.

Now for the errands:

CVS:

3 - 20 oz. Cans of Gold Emblem Cashews - $ 5.99 each

1 Gillette Fusion Razor - $ 6.00 - Useed $ 4.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn

2 boxes of Glucerna Crunch Flakes with Strawberries - $ 4.59 each but on sale for B1G1 at 50% off- Used $ 5.00/1 Mfrs. Cpns and I will submit to get $ 2.00 back from Caregivers Marketplace.

2 Act Total Care Mouthwash Trial Sizes - $ .99 each and I received $ 1.98 in ECB's

2 bags of Gold Emblem White Cheddar Popcorn - $ 1.49 each

Used $ 5./30 CVS Cpn

Used $ 4./20. CVS Product Purchase Cpn

Used $ 10.00 in ECB's

Total was $ 2.63 which I paid with a Free CVS giftcard so nothing OOP and I received $ 1.98 in ECB's and will get $ 2.00 back from Caregivers Marketplace! The cashier would only take off $ 4.18 of the second Glucerna coupon which I found strange but I didn't argue. When I got home I saw that she had accidentally taken off the $ 5./30. CVS coupon twice so when she went to scan the 2nd $ 5.00 Glucerna Coupon, it showed I only had a total left of $ 4.18 not counting the tax. So she took off $ 4.18! I bought the wrong razor for the $ 4.00 ECB's so I will be returning it tomorrow when I pick up DH's prescription.

Walgreen's:

1- 10 oz. Vaseline Rescue Lotion - on sale for $ 2.69 - Used $ 1.50/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 1.19 and I received a $ 2.00 Register Reward so this deal is a moneymaker!

Total with tax was $ 1.41 which I paid with my Walgreens Rebate Giftcard so nothing OOP and I received the $ 2.00 Register Reward!

Fry's:

1 can of Fry's Cream of Chicken Soup - $ .99

1 - 2lb. bag of Inland Valley Tater Tots - $ 2.50

Total Out of Pocket was $ 3.49!

I am starting the month of March with a reduced grocery budget of $ 118.21 minus the $ 3.49 I spent today leaves $ 114.72 for the rest of the month.

ANALYSIS:

DH loves whole cashews which are very healthy and they very rarely go on sale for such a good price on this big can, so I stocked because of the sale and because of having the $ 4./20. CVS Product coupon. The razor deal was Free after ECBS, but I picked up the wrong one. I should have picked up the Gamer so this one is getting returned. I don't pay anything for razors if I can help it. DH also loves this Glucerna Cereal so I stocked while it was so cheap and I had the $ 5.00 off coupons. I actually will make $ 4.30 on this deal. The mouthwash were free after ECB's and we can always use mouthwash. I needed to buy the popcorn to get at least $ 20.00 wroth of CVS products and this is DH's favorite and they had 20% more per bag! I have been wanting to try the Vaseline Rescue Lotion and this was a deal that made me $ .81- need I say more! I needed both the tater tots and the cream soup for my tater tot casserole that I am making for dinner tonight. The store brand was $ .60 cheaper than the name brands and I did not have a coupon that would have made it cheaper. I only needed a lb. of tater tots but this 2 lb. bag was on sale and $ .99 cheaper than the other Name brand 16 oz. package. So I will have enough tots left in the freezer to make this casserole again. We love it!