I Received Sad News Last Saturday.......

I received sad news last Saturday evening. My baby cousin, Sue, died Saturday afternooon unexpectedly at the young age of 59. She died while sledding with her grandchildren, daughter, and son in law. She loved being outdoors whether it be sledding with her family, skiing, kayaking and many other sports. She died while doing what she loved with her 9 month old grandaughter in her arms. Her death shocked all of us because it was so quick and so unexpected.  I was fortunate enough to have chatted with her for a couple of hours last Wednesday night. For that I will  always be grateful. She was so loving having more time with her family during her retirement. I just wish she had had more than 10 weeks.

The entire family came together for her wake and funeral this week in Clifton Park which is on the  other side of the state from me. I am so thankful to my son and DIL for letting us stay with them on a moments notice. I just wish we had had more time to spend with you and Alexa. It was comforting to be with you during our time of sorrow. I also want to thank my son and DIL here who took care of our cat, our mail, our newspapers etc. My son was also nice enough to snowblow the driveway last night so that when we returned home this afternoon, we could get in our garage. Thanks to all of you!

I will miss Sue. We were close and she was the nicest person I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. She was so kind to family and friends and she never had a bad word to say about anyone. She always had room in her home for me when I would visit from Arizona and we had some great times together. I am just lucky that I could share her 59 years with her. Rest in peace, Sue.  You are missed by so many people. 

We never know what life has in store for us, so live every moment like it is your last. I know I will as this is a huge lesson that Sue's death has taught me this week. So I will be taking some time to smell the roses and enjoy my life with DH and my family.

I will be posting after I get some much needed rest and have caught up around here. Thanks to Sunny Simple Life who sent a note because she was worried. I am fine. I just need some time.                

Rite Aid, Walgreens and Tops

I had a very busy day yesterday. I slept late because I babysat my grandson for about 8 hours on Saturday, so that my son and DIL could go skiing and out for wings. Sunday, I went to visit them late morning on my way out to shop. I never pass up an opportunity to see my grandson.

After repackaging up all the chicken I purchased,  I realized I didn't have room for all of it in my freezers.  So it was back to my son' s home so that I could put some of it in his freezer since he said he had plenty of room. My DIL was out with a group of neighborhood moms and West was down for a nap, so I spent some quality time chatting with my son. We rarely get to do that.  When I got home I ate a late lunch and started to do some reading. My DIL and grandson came to visit about 4 PM. So Grandpa and I got to play with West for about an hour. I purchased him an alphabet learning magnetic thing for the refrigerator front. He was enjoying that as you can see in the picture. 

   
So when I had a choice of spending quality time with my family or getting my shopping up on my blog, guess which won? :-) So here is the shopping I did yesterday:

Rite Aid:

3 - 12 Packs of Diet Coke - 3 for $ 10.98 - Used Free Coke Cpn which was worth $ 3.66 = $ 7.32 and I received a $ 2.00 UP Reward

3 Betty Crocker Blueberry Muffin mixes - 3 for $ 3.00 - Used $ 1./2  RA VV Cpn = $ 2.00

Subtotal with $ 1.80 Bottle Deposit was $ 11.12

Used $ 11.00 in UP Rewards

Total with tax was $ 1.00 and I recieved  $ 2.00 in Up Rewards.

Walgreens:

3 Gain Dish Detergent - $ .99  each with in AD Cpn - Used (3) $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn from P&G Cpns that came  in the mail = Made $ .03

Total which was all tax was $ .21  

Tops:

2 Scotties Facial Tissue - $ 1.00 each = $ 2.00 - Used (2) $ .50/1 IP Cpns Dbled = Free

4 Pkgs of Sugardale Hot Dogs - $ 1.00 each = $ 4.00 - Used (2) $ .55/2 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled = $ 1.80 for all  4

4 Pkgs of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - on sale for  $ 1.79 a lb = $ 29.95( This is the best  price I have seen in a long time, so I stocked!)

2 Smart Balance Spread  - $ 2.50 each = $ 5.00  - Used $ 1./2 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 4.00

8 Taco Bell Dinner Kits  - $ 2.00  each = $ 16.00 - Used ( 4) $ .75/2 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled = $ 10.00

Total was  $ 45.91.

Do You See All The Money Making Opportunities Around You? - Part 2

The above picture shows some  of the things that came in the mail on just one day last week. They were freebies. The Valspar paint sample is so I can try the sample in my guest bathroom to see how I like it  before I purchase it. It also came with a $ 5.00 off coupon to buy the paint. Thanks to:

 Mrs. G

for the tip on this. The magazine subscriptions were both free. Even if it isn't a magazine that I  would normally read, for free it's for me. That is because I get a lot of coupons that I can  use for money off from them.  The Office Depot coupons I keep and file just like my regular coupons.  I have a separate folder with pockets that I keep all of my retail store coupons  in. The pockets are all alphabetical. I keep in in the car so that it is always handy no matter where I am. None  of these items may make you a fortune but over a years time, it all adds up. Just like your grocery coupons, if you work them right they will save you money. I rarely buy anything without a coupon. It isn't actually making money but keeping money in my wallet that I would have spent. 

In this economy, I see so many people out of work and so many others who would just like to bring in a little bit more money. Can  you start a little business to bring in some $$$$? Perhaps you can start a babysitting service or a shopping service. The baby boomers are starting to reach 65 years old  and I see a huge market in shopping for them. Can  you do their grocery shopping,  pick up their prescriptions, take them to Dr. appointments?  There are so many things this aging segment of our population will need over the next years. Can you do some tutoring? Are you an expert in a field where you can do some consulting work? DH  has done some consulting work in his field in the past. When we were first retired, a company contracted him as a consultant. DH did a few jobs for them and then decided he didn't want to do anymore. Most jobs are contract jobs so you do have to deal with self employment taxes and pay social security as both the employee and employer.  DH hasn't taken any in a number of years but was asked to take one a couple of weeks ago. Since there is no reason we can't earn all of the money we want to and it was a consulting job that he was very interested in, he took it. It only involves about 3 days worth of work at a 4 figure salary per day. Since DH was so interested in it and the pay was so good, it will help replace some of the money that we used to purchase this home. We didn't expect this opportunity but when it surfaced, it was just too good to pass up. So keep your eyes open and your imagination working, and you will see all of the possibilities.

Turn your UP Rewards from Rite Aid into cash by using them to pay for Single Check Rebate Items. That is so easy!  

Join sites like Groupon or one of the other online buying sites to double your money.  I have gotten an Amazon $20. giftcertificate for $10., a Kansas City Steaks $ 50. giftcertificate for $ 25.. etc. 

What have you done lately to bring in some extra cash?  Feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us. 

I will be blogging Part 3 in a few days!           

Menu Plan: Sunday 2/20- Saturday - 2/26

I am going to get back to menu planning. However my week starts on Sundays, so I will post it from Sunday to Saturday. Since I plan out 7 days of meals  for the week but actually make what we feel  like that day, I am just going to post the 7 days worth.


Breakfasts:

Oatmeal or Cheerios & Sliced Pears with Cottage Cheese ( 2 Meals)

Veggie Omelet ( DH) & Sunny Side Up Egg on Toast ( for me)

Blueberry Pancakes & Real Maple Syrup

Strawberry, Banana & Cantaloupe Smoothies

Whole Wheat Waffles & Real Maple Syrup

Homemade Egg McMuffins with Ham

I serve juice and  coffee with every breakfast.


Lunches:

Tuna Salad Platter

Homemade Submarine Sandwiches

Healthy Choice Soup

Tossed Salad with Turkey and Cheese (2 meals)

Chili

Egg Salad on Saltines

We drink iced tea or ice water with our lunches. 

Dinners:

Cranberry & Orange Slow Cooker Pork Loin, Broccoli ( for me), Tossed Salad ( for  DH) (2  meals)

Meatless Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce ( with veggies ground  up and put in the sauce) - SHHH! Don't tell DH!

Sirloin Burgers with tomato and lettuce and Homemade French Fries

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza, Tossed Salad

Chicken, Veggie, & Pineapple Terriyaki Stir Fry on Rice

Broiled Scallops, Asparagus, Tossed Salad & Sliced Peaches

We either have a glass of wine or ice water with our dinners. We rarely eat dessert unless it is fruit and cream.   

DH hates most veggies and  will not eat them. However he will eat salad. So I make it almost every night just so that I can get some veggies into him. I also serve him Veggie Chicken Nuggets. He loves them and has no idea that they are not chicken. I put ground up leftover veggies in sauce, meatloaf, and anything else where I can disguise them and  get away with it. Deceitful? Probably! But I look at it as keeping my man as healthy as I can. 

I will blog the next money making opportunity post tommorow.

Do You See All The Money Making Opportunities Around You? - Part I

There are so many ways to bring a little extra money into the household.  The opportunities are all around you. And no you don't have to sign up for envelope stuffing that most likely will turn into a scam.

As you can see from the above picture,  I rebate and that is what I am going to talk about today. This was today's mail. It also included the Coke 12  pack coupon from My Coke Rewards that I purchased with points.  I will change brands so that I can buy a product with a rebate. There are so many online rebate forms that you can print and send for. You can find them on other blogs, on message boards, on coupon forums, on paid refund forums, etc.  They are everywhere if you just keep your eyes open. Sometimes there will be a rebate form printed in the newspaper or a Sunday coupon insert. You will also find them in magazines. Everytime I go into a supermarket, drugstore, Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Family Dollar, convenience store, or office supply stores, I look for them. You will find them on shelves, special displays, as hangtags on the actual products, and even on bulletin boards.

When I am about to purchase something online, I first look at Ebates to see if I can get a percentage back for going through their link. If Ebates doesn't have a percentage back for the store, I will look at other sites like My Points, etc. When I can, I will use Ebates  first because I like the cash rather than the points.  

I also do the Rite Aid Single Check Rebates when there is a product that is on sale and that I have coupons for, and that I can use. I won't buy a product that we really don't use just to get the rebate.

One of the rebates that I got in the mail today was for our car wiper blades. That was done on a rebate form from the auto store. I look for rebates on clothing also, like the Sears one that came out one year for Dockers. 

When we choose our wine, liquor and beer products, we try to buy the ones with rebates. These items are so expensive that if we can get money back, it really helps.  

When Staples had a rebate on printer paper a few years ago, I bought cases for free after rebate. I am still using that paper and probably have enough for 5 or more years.

Check to see if the cellphone you are buying has a rebate.  

Ace Hardware has monthly rebates. So do many of the office supply stores!

Can you get an Energy Star Rebate on that appliance you are buying? Does your utility offer one?  Does the computer or computer software that you are buying have a rebate on it? Does that big screen TV or other electronics purchase have a rebate? Is there a rebate on that car you are purchasing?  Does that Kitchen Aid mixer have a rebate or any other small kitchen appliance that you are buying?

Do you qualify for the Federal Individual Residential Energy Credit( I see this as a rebate) on energy efficient items that you may have done to your home in 2010? Go to irs.gov to see what qualifies and how much you can get back.  DH and I saved $ 1400.+  in tax because of this. Do you qualify to take the Homebuyers Credit because you contracted to buy a home by April 30, 2010 and closed on it by September 2010? You can take it only once on your 2009 or 2010 taxes. Go to irs.gov to see if you  qualify.  

Always make sure to keep track of rebate expiration dates so that you submit them on time. I also make an electronic copy of every rebate that I send for.  I scan a copy of the form, receipt(s), and UPC's  or anything else that is required. I also keep a log of when I sent them and when I receive  the check. This way if I don't get one, I can write to ask where it is.  I have only had to do that twice in the last 20 years. Both times, I got my rebate because I followed up.

By taking advantage of rebates, you can save some serious money in a year's time. So keep your eyes open!

Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what kind of rebates you send for. What  was the largest rebate you ever received? 

I Hope Everyone is Having a Terrific Valentine's Day

DH and I are.  I did a little work this morning preparing our garlic beef stew for our dinner while DH was at an appointment.  We never go out on Valentine's Day because I find the restaurants too crowded, the food mediocre, and the service terrible on holidays. So since we had a nice dinner out  last Friday evening, I cooked a nice homemade meal. We had our stew with a tossed salad, glass of red wine and some raspberry sherbert.  YUM!

I thawed a top round roast which is pictured above. Then I cut it into stew beef which is really lean because I removed all of the fat. I added carrots, celery and onions, beef broth and some other spices and let it cook in the crockpot all day:

Just before it was done, I thickened the sauce into a nice gravy. Then I served it over rice. This will give DH and I enough for two meals+. Here is the finished product with enough for two of  us:

All afternoon, we just stayed warm and watched movies on Netflix. In the mail today, "Avatar" arrived so we will most likely watch that this evening.  This is our 46th Valentine's Day together and we have enjoyed every one of them.  

I hope you all are having as wonderful a day as we are!     

$ 33.96 For All This Including HBA, Groceries, Toys, Newspapers and 50 Greeting Cards Plus I Made $37.00 To Shop Next Time!

Rite Aid is definitely the place to shop this week. Top's ad was pretty poor although I did pick up a few things. I did  not clear shelves at my Rite Aid. I had 3 Rite Aid's  on my route which are less than 2 miles from each other. I did all 3 stores and 4 orders so that I would get all my UP rewards. I also went to Walgreens and Walmart.  Unless there is a phenomenal buy, I am done with shopping for the week. This is what I purchased:

RiteAid Order # 1:

2 Dove Deodorant - 2 for $ 4.00 - Used (2) $ 2./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ .00 - Received $ 2.00 UP Reward

2 Hormel Chili - $ 1.50 each = $ 3.00 - Used $ .55/2 Mfrs. Cpn - Used .50 RA VV cpn = $ 1.95 - Received $ 2.00 in UP Rewards

Used $ 1.00 UP Reward

Total OOP including $ .32 tax was $ 1.27 and I received a total of $4.00 in UP Rewards 

Rite Aid Order # 2:

8 Dove Deodorant - 2 for $ 4.00 - Used (8) $ 2./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ .00 - Received $ 8.00 in UP Rewards

6 Campbell Soups - 2 for $ 1.00- Used (2) $ .50/3 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 2.00 for all

Used $ 2.00 in Up Rewards

Total OOP including tax was $ 1.28 and I received a total of $ 8.00 in UP Rewards.

Rite Aid Order # 3:

4 - 2 ltr Diet Coke - $1.00 each = $ 4.00 and I received $ 1.00 UP Reward

4 GE CFL Light Bulbs - $ 2.99 each = $ 11.96 - Used (4) $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 7.96 - Used $ .50 RA VV Cpn = $ 7.46 and I received $ 8.00 in UP Rewards

3 Buffalo Newspapers - $ 2.00 each minus 20% Wellness Discount = $1.60 each =$ 4.80

2 Colgate Toothpaste - $ 3.50 each = $ 7.00 = Used (2) $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ 5.00 and I received $ 7.00 in UP Rewards

1 Gain Fabric Softener - $ 2.99 Used 20% Wellness Discount = $ 2.39  - Used $ 3./1 Mfrs. Cpn = Made $ .61

1 Ben Gay Pain Relief and Massage - $ 7.99 minus 20% Wellness Discount = $ 6.39 - Used $ 3.00 IN AD Cpn = $ 3.39 - Used $ 3./1 IP Cpn = $ .39

3 Maalox at $ 5.49 each ( sale price was $ 4.99- I make out better with discount) - Used Wellness 20% Discount = $ 4.39 each = $ 13.17 - Used ( 3) $ 5./1 Mfrs. Cpns = Made $ 1.83 and I received 
$ 3.00 in Up Rewards

2 Maalox at Regular Price of $ 6.49, so I make out better with sale price of $ 4.99 each instead of 20% Wellness Discount = $ 9.98 - Used (2) $ 5./1 Mfrs. Cpns = Made $ .02 and I received $ 2.00 in UP Rewards

2 Comet Cleanser - 2 for $1.00 - Used $ 1./2 Mfrs.  Cpn = $  .00

Used $ 19.00 in UP Rewards

Total OOP including $ .20 in bottle deposits and $ 1.55  in sales tax = $ 1.94 and I received $ 21.00 in UP Rewards.


Rite Aid Order# 4:

2 Dove Deodorant - 2 for $ 4.00 - Used ( 2) $ 2./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ .00 and I received $ 2.00 in UP Rewards

1 Maalox at $ 4.39 with my 20% Wellness Discount - Used $ 5./1 Mfrs.  Cpn = Made $ .61 and I received a $ 1.00 UP Reward 

2 Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers( ate one in the car) - $ .44 each = $ .88

Total including $ .32 tax was $ .59 and I received $ 3.00 in UP Rewards. 

Walgreens:

 3 Puzzle Set Thomas The Train - on clearance for $ 4.66

1 Little Tots Fire Truck - on clearance for $ 4.66

Total including tax was $ 10.07

Walmart:

2 - 25 pack of Avery Greeting Cards - $ 6.88 each = $ 13.76 - Used (2) $ 5./1 IP Cpns = $ 3.76

Total OOP in cluding $ 1.10 tax was $ 4.86

Tops:

4 Shake N Bake - $ 2.00 each - Used (4) $ .75/1 IP Cpns Dbled = $ .50 each or $ 2.00 for all 4

4 McCain's Purely Potato Slices - $ 2.49 each - Used $ .75/1 IP Cpns Dbled = $ .99 each or 
$ 3.96 for all 4

1 Smart Balance FF Milk - $ 2.99 - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 1.99

6 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice - $ 2.00 each - Used $ 1./1  Mfrs. Cpns = $ 6.00 for 6 and I received a $ 1.00 Catalina Cpn Good On My Next Order

Total OOP was  $ 13.95 and I received a $ 1.00 Cpn OYNO

Analysis:     

I have enough deodorant to last a year or more so I won't have to bother looking for that anymore. Plus it was such a great money maker. The chili was a money maker and will get used some time when we need a meal in a hurry.  I love having Campbells soups on the shelf especially tomato which is a base for lots of different meals. DH needed Coke and this was the cheapest I could find.

The lightbulbs were a money maker and we had no CFL replacements. I like being able to pay for my extra newspapers with UP Rewards. I won't need to shop for antacids, pain relief, fabric softener, Comet cleanser, or toothpaste for a long time and they were pretty much moneymakers. I needed the peanut butter crackers so that I wouldn't go negative at the register.

I went into Walgreens looking for the Purina One that Amanda told me about. But, alas, they did not have it. However I was thrilled when I spotted these two toys for my grandchildren on clearance.  They will get added to the gift stockpile.

I could not pass up the greeting cards because they were such a great deal!

Tops ad was unremarkable except for these few things. I can always use cheap Shake n Bake plus they are still doing the gasoline point deal for using coupons. I am now up to $ .30 off a gallon again after getting gas at $ .90 off a gallon a few days ago. The milk was a necessity. 

I don't normally buy potatoes any way but fresh. However, these were so cheap and we will be grilling again in about 6 weeks, hopefully. These will be fabulous and so easy for making potato packets to grill. I just doctor them up with some olive oil and spices and make packets to grill out of foil.   

I also like to have the ready rice handy for a quick microwaveable side when we grill steaks or chicken outside. The coupon I used stated it was good on any Uncle Bens White or Brown Rice product so make sure you get the white or brown ready rice. The coupons scanned with no beeps. Also the Tops Catalina $ 1.00 was my Your Bucks for the week.

I had a fabulous shopping morning! Did you get any great deals today? Feel free to leave a comment and tell us about them.

Great Deal for Spring Painting!

DH and I have plans to paint our bathrooms and the laundry room this spring that we did not pay the professional painters to do. There is a great deal out there right now from Behr at Home Depot.

First go to Ebates and then search for Home Depot. Go find the Behr Pro Series 5 piece paint kit for $ 15.97. I ordered 2 for a total of $31.94. Then I used coupon code: BEHR75 which took $ 23.96 off my order. So I got these two kits shipped for $ 8.62. And I will get back 3% of my purchase price from Ebates .

Even if you aren't going to be painting soon, why pay full price for the utensils when you do need them. Have them on hand! 

DH's Surprise - NOT!

Many times through the years I have tried to surprise DH. Sometimes it works and other times, not so much.

Last weekend, DH was away for a night. I went to visit my family here. I enjoyed watching a show on Netflix with them which I have done many times before. That night, I decided that I wanted to get DH Netflix for Valentines Day. 

My son brought me home and checked our BluRay player and found that it would not support Netflix. We do have a Wii but decided the quality wouldn't be that good to use for Netflix. So my son helped me buy the Roku XD that we could use for Netflix or most any other service that we would want in the future. Roku was running a special at the time for $ 10. off on that player. My son determined for me that this would be the best box for us. So I got it for  $ 69.99 + shipping. I wasn't thinking clearly at the time or I  would have gone through Ebates to get $ 3.50 in cash  back.

The plan was to hide the Roku box when it came and give it to DH on Valentine's Day and have my son help us hook it up and order Netflix. Well, the best laid plan didn't work out. The Roku box was delivered to our door last Tuesday and guess who answered the door. Yup, DH did. The outside of the box showed it came from Roku and DH knew exactly what that was. So much for it being a surprise.

Our son offered to come after work last night and help us hook it up and order Netflix. I decided  that it would be nice to take him out to dinner first. Our DIL and grandson are in NH visiting family. We hadn't had a nice dinner out with only our son in years. So we all went to Finnan's for dinner. I had purchased a $ 10. restaurant.com gift certificate a while ago for $ .80. Finnan's is a sports bar with great food and good service. It was packed last night and we had to wait 45 minutes for our food but having great conversation made that time fly. After the gift certificate and a 20% tip on what the bill would have been without the gift certificate, I paid $ 48. Not bad for 3 entrees, 4 drafts and a soda. 

When we got home, my son hooked up and activated the roku box and helped me order the unlimited Netflix. The unlimited lets you choose movies and TV shows online and get unlimited DVD's through the mail. It is $ 9.99 a month but we did sign up for a one month free trial. This time I remembered to go through Ebates and will get $8.50 cash back.  

Some would say this is not a very frugal purchase for an austere budget. The roku box was not cheap and Netflix will cost us $119.88 + tax and any other fees involved for a year. However for us, it is a frugal purchase. We never go to the movies at night because the cost is $ 9.00 per ticket. We could go during the week in the daytime and pay $ 4.50 per senior ticket. We just don't like going to the theater. Too noisy and we have been annoyed too many times by people talking on their cellphones.  We also don't like crowds. So we have rented movies at our local video store at approximately $4.00 a movie.  But we have to drive about 18 miles round trip to go get them and then return them. We could go to Redbox but they rarely have the movies in that we want to watch. So at $ 4.00 a movie, not even counting the gasoline involved, if we watch 30 movies and shows a year, it will pay for itself. I know DH and I will watch a lot more than 30! I already have our queue set up for the TV and for DVD's to be mailed, so I am sure that there is a DVD in the mail to us already. 

Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand will work for us because we can enjoy the movies in the privacy of our own home and have whatever we want to watch at our fingertips. It won't take long before the roku box pays for itself. Amazon Video on demand has free coupon codes once in a while so that will be cost effective. And believe me when I tell you we will get our money's worth from Netflix. TV is about to go into reruns for the summer. Although it seems like many weeks this season have also been reruns. DH and I watch a few programs at night but  there are not many that interest us. So we can watch movies when we want. 

I am a multi tasker when the TV is on. I am not one to just sit and watch the movie. I am usually filing coupons, doing paperwork, etc. while the TV is on. Our home has the morning room, kitchen,  and family room open to each other. So I can actually work in the kitchen while watching the TV. 

Also, they have so many children's movies available, that it will be nice to have those choices when my grandaughter comes to visit and when my grandson gets older. I also won't have to run out and rent movies when my son and DIL visit because we will have them at our fingertips.

 So tonight will be movie night in the comfort of our own home with a bowl of popcorn and beverage of our choice. I think this was a wonderful idea for a Valentine's gift for DH and me too. We will enjoy it immensely!             

I Promised At The Beginning of The Year That

I promised you at the beginning of the year that I was going to try to spend as little as possible on the things we need in 2011. What I hadn't planned on was getting so sick that some of my frugality had to go out the window in January. That is why my grocery bills were over $500. for the month. I never want that to happen again.

Now that I am feeling better, I will start posting my thoughts on austerity and the money saving challenge . In case you don't remember my post, here it is:

Austerity and The Money Saving Challenge

So I am starting fresh today and I hope you will hold me accountable and that someone can also learn something along the way.

This morning I fixed us cantaloupe wedges, cheese omelets, orange juice and coffee for breakfast. Once I had put the dishes in the dishwasher, I took the last 1/2 of a cantaloupe and used my melon baller for the fruit and put it in a Ziploc.  The cantaloupe was starting to get soft and I did not want to waste the fruit. I have put this bag of cantaloupe in the freezer and will use the melon in our next smoothies along with other fruits.

Then after taking my navy shower and getting dressed, I headed out the door to run many errands that had been piling up. I was also hoping to spend as little as possible on the things that were on my list. I think I did pretty well. Everything I purchased is in the first picture. I also made a stop at our bank to get some cash and cash a bunch of rebate checks that had been sitting on my desk for a while.

Then I shopped these places:

Walgreens:

2 Bags of SweeTart Lollipops - $ 2.00 each = $ 4.00 - Used $ 1./1 IP Cpns = $ 2.00 for both (a treat for my grandaughter next time I see her)

2 Bags of Hersheys Dark Chocolate Pieces - 2 for $ 5.00 - Cashier Scanned a Booklet coupon for $ 2.00 off - I  used a Walgreens IP Cpn for $2./2 = $ 1.00 ( DH and I need our healthy dark chocolate a couple of times  a week) 

Total OOP including $ .79 tax was $ 3.79  

Petsmart:

1 - 7lb. Bag of World's Best Clumping Formula Cat Litter - $ 7.49 and I will send for a TMF Rebate that just started today

1 Bag of Purina One Smartblend Cat Food - $ 5.99 - Used $ 5.00 Mfrs. Petsmart Cpn = $ .99

2 Bags of Purina One Chicken and Oatmeal Formula - on sale for $4.74 each - Used (2) $ 2./1 Mfrs. Cpns and the cashier also scanned  a $ 2.00 off coupon that was on one bag( even though I let him know that I already had 2 coupons for this)  = $ 3.48 for both bags

2 Bags Purina Friskies Treats - $ 1.40 each - Used (2) $1./1 Mfrs. Cpns = $ .80 for both bags

1 - 20 lb. Box A&H Double Duty Clumping Litter - $ 7.00 - Used $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 6.00 and I can submit for a $ 6.00 Rebate

Total OOP was $ 21.63 including $ 3.41 in sales tax but I will get $13.49 back in Rebates.

I was very low on cat litter, treats ( cat gets a couple every night before bed), and cat food. This was the cheapest way I knew to purchase them. By combining a sale, coupons and rebates, I get it all for about $ 4.73 excluding tax.

Wegman's:

1 Wegmans Fruit on Bottom Super Yogurt - $ .85 - Used Wegmans Free Cpn = Free

1 Celery - $ 1.99
2 lbs. of Red Onions - $ 2.99
1 Kiwi- $ .50
Used Wegmans $ 1./5. Produce Cpn so total for all produce was $ 4.48

1 Wegmans Roasting Chicken at $ .88 a lb = $ 5.28 - Used Wegmans $ 1./5. Meat Cpn = $ 4.28

.52 lb. of Fresh Scallops - $ 7.27 - Used Wegmans $ 1./5 Fresh Fish Cpn = $ 6.27

Total OOP was $ 15.03

These were good coupons that I got in the mail from Wegmans yesterday. By using them we get a meal of fresh scallops, about 5- 6 meals of chicken, a lunch of yogurt for me and produce for the next couple of weeks to add to what we already have in the refrigerator. 

This afternoon I will be making out my rebates so that they can go in the mail tomorrow. I also need to do my treadmill exercise.

We have something special happening here tonight and I will write about that tomorrow.

As usual, please feel free to leave  your comments and let us know what you did to keep more of your $$ today. 

Money Saving Challenge - February 10

I think I have had my fill of snow for this winter. I am thinking spring can't come soon enough! But I did venture out in the brutal cold today to run some errands that had to be done. These are the things that were done today to save us some money:

-  The builder had their electrical contractor replace the light over my desk in the kitchen that has been chipped since we moved in. I ended up getting a larger and brighter light out of the deal. They also had the countertop people come to fix some rough spots on the edge of our hanstone countertop. We have just a couple of small items left to be done on our 10 month checkup. I am very happy with the service dept. of the builder and how responsive they have been since we purchased this home.

- I stopped at Tops and picked up 10 more Baileys creamers with $1.00 off coupons paying about $ .66 each for them.  This gave me another $ .10 off a gallon of gasoline. When I got home, I froze them.

-  While I was at Top's I filled the van up with gasoline getting $ .90 off  a gallon. I ended up paying  $2.419 a gallon.

- Next I went to Rite Aid to pick up a prescription. While I was there, I purchased 3 more Mentos  using $ .50/1 coupons paying just $ .12 in tax.

- Last stop was at Panera Bread to pick up lunch to go. This is only the second time that I have picked up lunch there for DH and I since we moved to New York. DH and I both like the 2 for $ 6.49 deal. So we each had onion soup and 1/2 sandwich.  The total was $ 14.02 but I defrayed the cost with a $10.00 Giftcard that I got for free.  Not a bad lunch for $ 4.02!  I also remembered to ask for a member card. When I got home I registered it so the next time I go I get a free pastry or sweet.

- Our mail today brought  a free sample of Maggi Chicken Flavored Pasta Soup Mix and all of the Wegmans coupons you see in the picture. I am loving the meat, produce, fruit and seafood ones. 

- I am  getting very serious about stocking both of my freezers, the freestanding one in the basement and the one in my side by side with steaks for the summer grilling season. I do want to leave some  room for a few cheap corned beefs in March. However, corn prices are rapidly rising and this is not only going to cause ethanol prices to escalate but almost every food product also. Especially beef, milk and poultry. I have lots of turkey in the freezer but hardly any steaks. So I will be looking to stockpile them in the next few weeks so that we can at least get through the summer with cheaper steaks.  I may purchase a few whole filet mignons and have them cut up into steaks.  It is amazing how many food products are affected by rising corn prices. Anything that is fed by corn and almost all of the food products in boxes, bags or bottles have some kind of corn in them. So I have been rearranging my freezers, taking products out of boxes, etc. to make more room.   

- Made DH's Valentines Card using some of the cardstock from the kit I purchased that I talked about here:  Paper Craft Kit   These kits are going to save me a lot of money over store bought cards. 

- Washed  and dryed one load of clothes in the HE's.

- Printed a bunch of coupons today on the back side of junk letters that came in the mail. Used grayscale to save on ink.

- We are still trying very hard to save on electric and natural gas.  We are very conscious of turning things off when we are not using them. We are keeping the heat at 65 at night. However with these frigid  temperatures I don't expect my next bill to be down much. Tonight, they are saying the windchill will be -20.

- Dinner tonight was crunchy tacos for me and soft whole wheat tacos for DH. The first picture shows all of the toppings we use except for onion which I forgot to chop. The second picture is the ground sirloin cooked with homemade taco seasoning.  

- Entertainment tonight will be CSI and The Mentalist.

- I am off to do 30 minutes on the treadmill.

Please feel free to share with all of us what you did so save some $$ today. 

Tops Shopping

The roads weren't great this morning but I managed to get to Top's safely. I especially wanted to get some of the Smithfield Andouille Sausage that Alex M. told me was on sale. But alas, my store does not carry andouille sausage. Perhaps some of you other Top's shoppers can find it at the great price of $ 2.50 a lb. However I did get some great buys and used 10 manufacturers coupons to get $ .10 more off a gallon. This is what I purchased:

2- 6 packs of Diet Snapple - $ 4.99 each - Used (2) $ 1./1 Mfrs. Cpns  = $ 3.99 each or  $ 7.98

4 Bailey's Creamers - on sale 3/$5.00 = $ 6.67 - Used (4)$ .1/1 IP Cpns = $ 2.67 for all 4

4 Friendship Light Sour Cream - $ 1.50 each - Used $ .55/1 Mfrs. Cpns Dbled = $ .40 each or $ 1.60

Total OOP was $ 12.25

This is not a great  shopping week at Top's. But I freeze the creamers so that I am never paying full price and the sour cream was dated the very end of March. We can easily use that up by then. DH loves the Diet Snapple, so once in a while I get it for him when it is on sale and I have coupons.

Money Saving Challenge - February 7

This was my money saving day:

- I woke up to the noise of the roofers working to put the roof on the house next door to me that they are building. Not only was my head hurting but so was every bone in my body. Since it is snowing again, I am sure it is related. So I got up and stripped our bed, threw the sheets in the HE washer, and put on new bedding. Everytime I put the comforter on, I realize that it is too big and bulky for me to handle with my bad wrist. We have a California King sleep number bed so the comforter is huge. I have made a mental note to start looking for a comforter, at deep discount, that is less bulky and easier for me to handle. 

- Next, I filled up the Jacuzzi tub and took a long soak. The bones feel much better now. I rarely use the Jacuzzi except when I need it to help my aching bones. It saves me on pain meds.

-  I made the orange juice and fixed a breakfast of cantaloupe and omelets for us. Homemade omelets always taste so good. 

 - Time to think about what to make for dinner. So I grabbed some frozen, cooked chicken chunks from the freezer to thaw.  I made orange stir fry with those and pepper strips that I froze last fall and some onions. I served it over brown rice.

- I got a few samples in the mail today along with $ 10.00 in UPs that RiteAid promised me:

- I added them to my bin of samples that I am trying to use up. Before I open a large item of anything I check here to see if there is something I can use up:

- Today is laundry day so the sheets got washed along with all of the laundry that has accumulated during the week. It all got washed and dried in the HE's with minimal detergent and heat.

- While the laundry was running, I cleaned our master bedroom closet to see if there is a better way to arrange things. I also pulled out some clothing that we no longer need or want and put it in the donation bag.

- Knowing that I will probably go to Tops tomorrow weather permitting, I cleaned the entire inside of the refrigerator so it is organized for purchases. By cleaning, I mean washing using antibacterial cleaner and drying the entire inside.    

- Then I baked two dozen sugar cookies since the dough needed to be used up.

- I did not go out so no gasoline used.

- Lunch was the last of the chili on crackers.

- I read a few magazines that I have free subscriptions to. I put them next to my reading chair in the master bedroom when they arrive. When there is a small pile, I  read them and cut any coupons that may be in them.

-  I mailed a couple of RAOK coupon envelopes to relatives. It doesn't save me any money but maybe it will help save them some.

- I worked for another hour on one of my Christmas gifts that I am making.

- Tonight I will be watching a new episode of Castle. My DIL got me hooked on it when I went to Albany when she had pneumonia. I thank her for that because I really enjoy this show. I am also  thankful that it is a new episode. I am tired of all the reruns the last few weeks. 

- Right now, I am headed to the exercise room to use the treadmill for 30 minutes.  

With my arthritis acting up today, that is about all I could function to do. Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what you did to save money today.   

Sunday at RiteAid

Have I ever told you how much I love RiteAid? Since we are supposed to get snow, sleet and rain tomorrow, I wanted to make my trip today. I also planned on stopping at Top's but there was not a parking space to be had and plenty of people running around looking for one. I will do that after the snow.

Since I needed to replenish my cold items after being ill for so long, today was a good day to do it. This is what I purchased: 

8 cans of RiteAid Coffee - $ 1.99 each - Used  (8) $ 2.00/1 RA Cpns = Made $ .08 and I received $ 4.00 in UP Rewards

2 Hall's Cough Drops - $ 1.00 each - Used (1) $ .50 Mfrs. Cpn and (1) $ .50 RA VV Cpn = $ 1.00 and I received $ 1.00 UP Reward

1 Natural Dentist - $ 6.99 minus my 20% Discount = $ 5.59 - used $2.00/1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ 3.59

1 Mentos - $ .50 - $ .50/1 Mfrs. Cpn = Free

1 - 6 ct. Osciliococcinum - $ 8.99 - Used $2./1 IP Cpn = $ 6.99 and I will submit for an $ 8.00 Single Check Rebate(SCR)- This is a $ 1.01 moneymaker

1- 60ct. Coldcalm - $ 5.99 - I will submit for a $ 5.99 SCR 

1 - 8.45 oz. Chestal Cough with Honey Adult Formula - $ 6.99 - Used $1./1 IP Cpn = $ 5.99 and I will submit for $6.00 SCR - This is a $ .01 moneymaker

1 Garnier Cleansing Towelettes - $ 6.29 minus my 20% discount= $5.03 - Used $ 3.00 In Ad Cpn - Used $ 2./1 Mfrs. Cpn = $ .03

1 Excedrin PM - $ 1.99 - Used $ 3.50/1 Mfrs, Cpn( they gave me full value) =  Made $ 1.51

1 Excedrin Migraine - $ 1.99 - Used Free Cpn = Free

2 Spic and Span Disposable Gloves- On clearance for $ .50 each - Used $ 1./2 IP Cpn = Free

3 Buffalo News - $ 2.00 each - Used 20% discount = $ 1.60 each = $4.80

Used $ 2.00 RA SCR Check
Used $ 24.00 in UP Rewards

Total OOP was $ 1.88 including $ 1.08 in tax and I received $ 5.00 in UP Rewards and I will submit for $ 19.99 in Single Check Rebates. All in all, not a bad shopping day!   

Tops Run

Since I was up getting my haircut and Tops was on my way home, I stopped to get $ .10 more a gallon off gasoline. The deal is, use 10 manufacturers coupons, get $ .10 off a gallon. I am loving this deal. I wish they would carry this over to next week. So this is what I purchased for the stockpile:

4 Stouffers Mac and Cheese - $ 2.49 - Used $ 1./1 IP Cpns = $ 1.49 each ( Now you know my gulity pleasure :-)

2 Philadelphia Cooking Cremes - $ 3.19 each - Used $ 1.50/1 IP Cpns = $ 1.69 each( Dying to try these)

1 Franks Red Hot Sauce - $ 1.99 - Used $ .50/1 IP Cpn Dbled = $ .99( Never can have too much hot sauce in this house)

1 Shake and Bake - $ 2.39 - Used $ .75/1 IP Cpn Dbled = $ .89

2 Muir Glen Tomato Sauce - $ 1.59 - Used $ .75/1 IP Cpns Dbled = $ .59 each

Total OOP was $ 12.40  

Money Saving Challenge - February 3

These are the things we did today to keep some money in our wallet:

- DH snowblowed the driveway instead of paying for plowing or shoveling. At the rate that we have gotten snow this winter, our snowblower will pay for itself in just three winters use.

- DH made 4 lbs. of chili this morning. His chili is a 100% meat chili - no beans. The picture was taken after he cooked all of the onions and meat and put it in the crockpot to simmer all day. The kitchen smells so good! This chili will make 6-8 meals.

- Our son and grandson are coming to dinner. My DIL is away in California on business. So since he likes DH's chili, we are having that along with long grain rice and steamed broccoli. Normally I would serve wine with dinner but I think DH's chili deserves Blue Moon Beer. We have plenty of ice cream to choose from for dessert. My son will bring my grandson's organic homemade food.  

- The mail brought DH's discount card for one of his drug prescriptions. That will save us $ 26.00 each time we fill it. I also got my free Kiplingers subscription.

- I am continuing to work on a homemade Christmas gift.  

- Went to Tops this morning to pick up a pkg. of boneless, skinless chicken on sale for $ 1.99 a lb. When I got home, I filleted the breasts and got them ready for the freezer with my foodsaver. This package will give us 6 meals.  

- While I was at Tops, I also used 10 coupons to pick up some more stockpile so that I could earn another $ .10 off a gallon of gasoline.

- I have the taxes done. So they will both get submitted tomorrow. We have a very small refund coming which makes me happy. I don't like the government holding onto any more tax money than necessary. I like earning interest on my money not letting them earn it.

- I was getting low on taco seasoning. So I made a homemade batch. One batch will last me for about 6 meals.

- Back to exercising. I was not doing the treadmill while I was sick. But I am back on it and did my 30 minutes today. It felt so good!

- The free samples are getting ahead of me. So I am planning on using them all up over the next few weeks. 

- DH and I noticed today that the heat has been set too high at night. It was at 70! YIKES. So we have reprogrammed the thermostat and now it will go down to 65 at night. No wonder our heat bill was so high the past couple of months.

- I mailed out three rebates this morning.

- I am debating on paying for Amazon Prime. I have enjoyed my free subscription to Amazon Mom but it is expiring in a few days. I am trying to figure out if it is worth it. I would love anyones thoughts on this.

- Signed up for the Free Sample of Cheez- Its via facebook.

- Mended some jeans and a top.  

- Stopped at the ATM for cash. The fee is the same no matter how much cash I get. So I always take out as much as the ATM will allow. It is cheaper for me to get cash at the ATM than to drive to the bank for it. The bank is too many miles away. 

- Made strawberry and banana smoothies for breakfast using strawberries I froze last summer when they were cheap and reduced price bananas.

- Purchased some coupons that I needed on EBay for cheap.

- Entertainment this evening will be playing with my grandson and then watching CSI and the Mentalist.

Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what you did today to save some money.  

We Need Your Help!

There is no Wegman's in the Lockport area. It is at least 26-30 miles round trip to travel to one. There is a push on to build one in the Lockport area. This would be so much closer to me than the one in Amherst.  We could use the help to let Wegman's know that we need and want one. Thanks in advance!  Could you please vote for one here:

www.wewantwegmans.com

My January Grocery and Drugstore Totals

Here are my January totals. They are higher than normal because I have been stockpiling. Let's hope I do better next month. First, I have to tell you that I do not include store card savings in my totals. I would never pay full price for the items to begin with. I could inflate my savings by using them but that would just be a lie to myself. So my shelf prices are the sale prices. The coupon savings is a total of all coupons. The rebates are what I have submitted to be returned to me for the month.

Total Shelf( sale price) Cost:  $  992.93
Total Coupon Savings:  $ 439.78
Total Rebates Submitted:  $ 57.46
Total January Grocery Total including Taxes:  $ 507.18
Savings Percentage:  50.08%  

Did you keep track of your totals in January?  How did you do?                

The Calm Before The Storm

I made a produce run yesterday so that I would be set to sit out the storm. I went for tomatoes. Every once in the while, we need one in the winter. These at Niagara Produce were the best I have seen in the area. They even tasted good and they were only $ .99 a lb. I also picked up bananas, that I forgot  to put in the picture for $ .45 a lb. The cantaloupes were just $ 1.50 each. But the buy of the day for my area was the 10 lb. bag of potatoes for $ 1.99. I don't need them right away but they will keep in the basement.  

Right now it is snowing and sleeting like crazy. We have a few inches down but with the sleet, I would imagine the roads are pretty treacherous. So we are staying put until the storm is over. I actually like days like this to do odds and ends. I use the time to clean out a drawer, a closet, organize my gift basket, etc. I don't feel like I have to rush anywhere.

How about you? Do you enjoy snow days??