Some of these supplies I will give to my grandchildren and others I will keep for us. The coupons that I used were from the internet: School Supplies . This is what I purchased:
5 Filler Paper - $ .20 each with Q
3- 10 packs of Just Basic Ballpoint Pens - $ .20 each with Q
3 Index Cards - $ .10 each with Q
5 Puffs Tissues( The manager substituted these for the Kids Foaming soap which they had none of) - $ 30. each
2 -24 packs of Crayons - $ .01 each ( no Q needed)
2- 10 packs of #2 Pencils - $ .01 each ( no Q needed)
Total was $ 3.42 + tax.
I was so happy about the substitution on the kids hand soap. I have plenty of soap but my stockpile of tissues is very small.
Top's has 4 Doubler coupons this week. You need to spend $15.00 to use them. Since I have spent very little money since we have started living off of our stockpile, I decided I was not passing them up. They do not come around very often. So decided I would use them on things that were a really good deal. So this is what I purchased:
4 ears of Sweet Corn - $ 1.00 or $ .25 each
4 Land O Frost Cold Cuts - $ 2.99 each - Used $ .55/1 MQ's Doubled =
$ 1.89 each
4 Keebler Granola Fudge Bars - $ 2.50 each - Used $ .75/1 MQ Doubled = $ 1.00 each and I will submit for the Try Me Free Rebate so I will make $ 1.50 on one box.
10 Diet Adirondack Soda( not all pictured) - $ .99 each - Used (5) $ 1./2 MQ's and (4) $ 1.00 Top's Doublers = $ .90 for all 10
Used $ 2.00 OYNO
Total OOP was $ 11.46 = tax and I will submit for the $ 2.50 rebate.
Next was a stop at CVS and Walgreens. This is what I purchased:
Walgreens:
1 8pk. Crayola Washable Markers ( always handy for the grandchildren) = $ 2.00 and I received a
$ 2.00 Register Reward.
Total OOP was $ 2.00 = tax but I will got a $ 2.00 RR.
CVS:
1 Bic Soleil Shimmer Razor - $ 5.99 - Used $3./1 MQ = $ 2.99 and I received a $ 3.00 ECB - Made $ .01
2 Skinny Cow Singles Candy - $ .99 each - Used BOGOF Q from today's RP = $.99 and I received a $ .99 ECB = 2 Free
1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor -$ 9.99 - Used $ 4./1 MQ( 7/31 P&G) = $ 5.99 and I received a $ 5.00 ECB = $ .99
1- 2 liter Diet Coke - $ .99 - Used $ 1.00/1 Recyclebank Q = Free
3 Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap - $ .99 each - Used $ 1./1 MQ, a $ .25/1 MQ and a $ .20/1 MQ = 1 Free, 1 at $ .74 and 1 at $ .79
1 - 59 oz. Tropicana OJ - $ 2.99
Used $ 4./$ 20. CVS Coupon
Used $10.00 ECB
Total OOP was $ .48 + 1 bottle deposit and tax. And I received $ 8.99 in ECB's!
All in all a pretty good shopping day. Please feel free to leave a comment and tell us any great deals you got today.
Today's mail brought the Honey Nut Cheerios package that I won on Maria's Blog . I was pleasantly surprised by the items which were:
- Box of Honey Nut Cheerios
- a T-shirt
- a Bee Headband ( would be cute to use for a Halloween costume )
- 2 Cereal Bowls ( my very favorite besides the cereal )
Thanks so much Maria for the opportunity.
-These are some of the things we have been doing to save money the past couple of days:
- The mail yesterday brought the free Pantene coupon that I snagged on Facebook, 3 free Coke coupons from Coke Rewards and a sample of Honey Nut Cheerios with a nice coupon.
- I signed up for lots of samples, did my points programs and survey programs.
- Chatted with my sister using the free long distance on my home phone.
- Have cooked all meals at home using our stockpile.
- Purchased some Shoe Goo at Ace so that we can glue the insole back in DH's loafers. It was $ 5.49 but I had a $ 5.00 Ace Reward so I only paid $ .49 + tax.
- Received my electric and gas bill for 31 days. I was worried about how high it was going to be because our usage was the highest since we moved here. The bill was $ 125.82 so not as bad as I thought. But I wish it would cool off more than the one day we are getting so the A/C wouldn't have to work as hard.
- Purchased a nice flameless candle that was on clearance and 4 votive candles at Pier 1 using the $10. off $ 10. coupon that I got off Facebook yesterday. After coupon I paid $ .96, some of which was tax. I have flameless candles all over my home so I will enjoy another one. The votives will be tucked away for a gift.
- On the way home from Pier 1, I passed two Wilson Farms, two Walgreen's, and a Rite Aid. At the Wilson Farms, I picked up two Lowfat Intense Chocolate drinks with Free Store Q's. At Rite Aid, I picked up 3- 20oz. Diet Cokes for free using the Free Q's from Coke Rewards. At the two Walgreens I purchased 12 little bags of M & M's and 33 Trident Vitality Gum. The M & M's were $ .49 each and I used 2- $ 1.25/3 MQ's which cost me $ .22 for each 3 or about $ .07 each. The gum was $ .79 each and I used 11- $ 2./3 MQ's which cost me $ .37 for each three gums. I was thrilled with both the candy and gum deals because I am building my Halloween stash. I have a basket that I put it all in and I have quite a bit in there already.
- Last stop was Subway where I picked up a footlong submarine for DH and I to share for lunch. I had enough points on my Subway Rewards card to get it for free.
- Last night I made homemade tacos for dinner from our stockpile. I set up all of the toppings in the center of the table. My son and West again came to dinner. West loved the taco meat. After dinner West headed for the treadmill which is something I think I should do as soon as I am medically cleared. You know he is so cute that I just had to show you a picture. Tonight DH and I will have broiled whitefish and salads made from the leftover taco toppings.
- DH mowed the lawn today and weed wacked the edge of the gardens.
- We purchased a new GPS from Tom Tom about 8 weeks ago. We already owned one that we loved but we had to buy new maps for it. The new one we purchased has lifetime maps and a larger screen. However, the maps would not load on it for us. After Tom Tom sending us a new one and they still wouldn't load right and after having talked to 8 support reps in Mexico who couldn't help us, DH was getting very frustrated. Tom Tom does not make it easy to find the corporate headquarters in the US. But DH somehow found the telephone number. He called today and talked with the President's secretary. Within an hour she had a resolution person in that office call us. He was very patient and listened to DH about all the contacts and problems he had had. When we sent the first one back, they wouldn't send a new one until they received it. So all this time we have not been able to use this new GPS. This man is expediting a new one to us with all of the maps already installed and he is upgrading the GPS to a better one that will have live traffic. It is not a feature that DH would pay for. He said he will send a prepaid shipping label with the new one for us to use to send the old one back. So I guess persistence and getting to the right people finally paid off.
- Tonight we will watch another Netflix movie.
Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what you did to save money.
I love going shopping at 8AM on a Sunday. There is no traffic and no crowds. So NOT keeping to my stockpile budget this is what I purchased:
Tops:
2 Dole Pineapples - $ 2.99 each
2 Cucumbers - $ .50 each
1 Beefsteak Tomato - $ .91
1 Earthbound Farms Organic Baby Arugula - Reduced for Quick Sale - $ .99
1 Bag of Fresh Spinach - Reduced for Quick Sale - $ .59
8- 8oz. Cabot Cheese Chunks - On sale for $ 2.50 each - Used (4) B1G1F MQ's and (4) $ 1./1 MQ's = $ 6.00 or $ .75 each ( I forgot that they would no longer take a coupon on the Free one. So I had planned on these being $ .25 each. But still a good price and we are low on cheese so even though they were $ .75 each, I purchased them.)
Total OOP was $ 15.47.
CVS:
1 Oral B Satin Floss - $ 2.99 - Used $ 1./1 MQ = $ 1.99 and I received a $ 2.00 ECB
1 Schick Hydro Razor - $ 7.99 - Used $ 4./1 MQ = $ 3.99
1 - 3 Ct. Intuition Razor Refill - $ 12.29 - Used $ 2./1 MQ = $ 10.49 and I received a $ 10.00 ECB for buying $ 20.00 in Schick Products
1 BenGay - $ 6.29 - Used $ 5./1 IPQ = $ 1.29 and received a $ 2.00 ECB
Used $ 4.00 in ECB's
Total was $ 13.76 + tax but nothing OOP because I paid with a $10.00 Prepaid Mastercard that I got free for a rebate and I used up most of the balance on a Prepaid Visa Card. I also earned a total of $14.00 in ECBS. Since there are only pennies left on the prepaid giftcards, I will have to use ECB's to pay from now on at CVS.
Walgreens:
1 Lindsay Black Olive - Used in Ad Q = $ .99
2 Scotch Magic Tape - Used in Ad B1G1F = $ 1.99 - Used 2- $ 1./1 IPQ's = Made $ .01
3 Hunts Tomato Sauce - Used in Ad Q - 3 for $ 1.00
1 Tums - $ 3.99 - used $ 1./1 MQ and $ 1./1 Walgreens IVC = $ 1.99
Used $ 4. RR from last week to pay so only paid tax.
It was 76 while I was out shopping. Much needed rain came during the night so it cooled off somewhat. It is still humid though but not as hot as it had been. The sun is out now and if that continues we will grill a pork loin and fresh sliced pineapple outside since my son and West are coming to dinner. My DIL had to fly to Florida for a business meeting in the morning. So the guys are on their own. I think I will make up potato and onion packets for the grill also and cook up that spinach.
The winner of the giveaway of the 10 Huggies Pull Up Coupons is Lucky. Congrats Lucky. I will e-mail you.
Please feel free to leave a comment and share with us any great deals you got today.
Now that I am finished with PT, I can finally get back to the money saving challenge on a regular basis. Today was a busy day for that. These are the things I did below:
- Breakfast was homemade oatmeal with blueberries mixed in
- Picked up the 500 napkins I told you about in my prior post for $ .90 + tax
- Took a large bag of bottles and cans to the Fast Cash place and got $3.80 in bottle deposit money back
- Watered my herbs because they were very thirsty
- Won free underwear from Jockey since I was one of the first thousand people in their giveaway on their Facebook page at 11AM this morning
- Lunch was cottage cheese and diced tomatoes
- The mail brought a free issue of Refund Cents Magazine. I only have an online subscription but I wrote an article for them and won cash and 2 free issues. I also received free samples of Crest ProHealth toothpaste, mouthwash and floss along with some coupons.
- Cabot Vermont is setting up a roadshow- at Top's. The booth was at my store today. If you sign up here: Cabot to be a VIP and then go to your store when they are there, you get a prize. You have to tell them that you signed up as a VIP and they check a list they have for your name. I received a very nice, well made apron, a pen, a grocery list pad, a flexible cutting mat, some literature about their products, a $ 1.00/2 MQ for any Cabot product, and 4 - B1G1F MQ's good on any Cabot Product. All of the coupons have an expiration date of 12/31/2011. Thanks to Ann at Coupons, Deals and More for letting me know about this.
- I will be working on my grocery deal lists for the weekend for the next hour or so.
- Dinner will be whitefish, baked potatoes done in the toaster oven, and green beans.
- Tonight we will again watch a Netflix movie.
Feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you did to save money today.
Thanks to Didicoffeegirl for telling me about this deal. After my last physical therapy appointment this morning, I stopped at Top's and purchased 10 packages of Bounty Napkins that were $ 1.29 each. I used (10) $ 1./1 MQ's and ( 2) $ 1.00 OYNO coupons and paid $ .90+tax. $ .90 + tax for 500 napkins is a great price!
Did you get any great deals today? Feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us. Also don't forget to sign up for the giveaway in the prior post if you can use the coupons.
I have 10 of the above pictured coupons to give away to one person. They are $ 1.50/1 package of Huggies Pull UPS Training Pants - a jumbo pack or larger. They expire on 8/13/2011.
If you are interested, sign up on my sidebar as a follower, where it says Google Connect. Then leave a comment with your e-mail and let me know that you are now a follower. If you already follow me, just leave a comment, along with your e-mail, and let me know that. I will randomly pick a winner on Sunday.
I am not going out in this heat today. It is too unhealthy. So while I am holed up here, I am trying to figure out how and where I can use these specific coupons pictured above. I can use the Coke on a 2 liter when it is on sale for $ 1.00 or under. I received that in the mail today from Recycle Bank.
But who sells Era Detergent? Who sells the Keebler Granola Fudge Bars? Has anyone found them? Who has the best deal on to use the $1.00 off Bounty Napkins coupons?
Thanks in advance for helping me by leaving a comment with answers to my questions.
It has a been a crazy two days for us. Between Dr's appointments, legal matters, post office trip, and PT etc., DH and I feel like we are on a never ending treadmill. I just want to get off and rest. I did manage to get a couple of free things in our journeys. At Top's I picked up a Free can of Seattles Best Coffee at Rite Aid. They finally got some new stock in. I used the Free coupon. Then at Top's I picked up 4 Free Funky Monkey fruit snacks after doubled $ .75./1 IPQ's.
We got the good news today that the company who installed our sprinkler system decided not to bill us for the new solenoid and repairs. They honored it under warranty even though it happened a few days after the year.
My wireless keyboard has been eating batteries like crazy. I was going to buy a new one but decided instead to ask my son if he had a spare. Sure enough he brought me one last night. This saved me at least $30. online and $ 50. in the store.
Our air conditioning died in the van. What a time to have it go. It has been 90 here and tomorrow it is supposed to be close to 100. That is not comfortable here in the Northeast with the humidity. We have an appointment for our mechanic to look at it tomorrow. Most likely they will have to order parts. But since we only have 60,000+ miles on the car, it will be cheaper to pay to repair it than to buy a new car. The car is almost 10 years old and has no rust. It has served us well.
I made DH and I eggs and turkey bacon for breakfast. Lunch was peach salsa and whole grain tortilla chips. For dinner I will have salmon and DH will have whitefish. I will be serving it with a salad.
Today is my son's and DIL's wedding anniversary. So I will be babysitting West for the evening while they go out. DH will watch a Netflix movie for his entertainment.
I got a very nice envelope of coupons from one of my best online Western New York friends. You know who you are! Thanks so much. You were very generous with the pad type coupons that I never find in my store. I will write you later.
Last night I got word from Maria that I had won a Honey Nut Cheerio Kit on her blog. I am thrilled because we go through a lot of Cheerios in this house. Thanks Maria!
Please feel free to leave a comment and share with us what you did today to save money.
Today was one of those days that I got a "million" things done. Lots of little things that needed to be done like banking, making appointments, going to physical therapy, purchasing some Christmas gifts, cleaning up the "mess" in my planner, etc.
DH and I have been so busy in recent weeks that we have hardly had time to breathe. I am still going to physical therapy 3 times a week. I am hoping to be done in a couple of weeks. It has worked wonders for me. DH just started PT last week. So it has been a nightmare coordinating all of our appointments each week especially since we are going to two different places that are 14 miles apart. Since we only have one car, we have to plan well. But having one car is a choice that we have made to save on insurance, purchase cost,costs of maintenance and repairs, etc. Very rarely do we have weeks like this, so it works well for us. Today was one of those days where I had PT in the morning and DH in the afternoon. Yes, getting old is a pain. It seems like you are always running from one doctor to another or PT or tests. I am one who is used to seeing the Dr. once a year so this is very annoying to me. But hopefully we will get back to normal appointments soon. The cost is getting prohibitive also. But fortunately, DH and I planned well for medical costs in retirement. I just hate seeing it go out of our funds. So all of you young people out there, appreciate that you are healthy and work towards staying that way. I am relatively healthy but have had a few bumps in the road this year.
We have also saved some money today:
- Lights and TV's off for the most part. Computers off while we were at PT and sleeping the rest of the time. A/C working like crazy in this heat though. No washers, dryers or dishwashers running today. Shades drawn and blinds closed on the sunny sides of the house. I do chase the sun closing them.
- I had to read the electric and gas meters today and I am afraid our next bill will be the highest since we moved in. The most KWH's that we have ever used has been about 798. When I read this morning we had used 1005 KWH. I assume this is due to the very hot July and so much A/C being used. Even though I conserve and watch everything that I can, there isn't much we can do about the A/C. When you need it, you need it. We have actually added a dehumidifier in the basement this year so that took extra KWH's also. The gas bill was the normal for this time of year. But I am glad I read because this is an estimated bill month. That means if I don't read it the company guesses at usage. From my experience working with utility companies, they usually estimate to their benefit.
- Today's mail brought the above garbage bag and some nice coupons from Vocalpoint. I am always happy with their packages they send. I also received $12.00 in rebate checks and my Free Fortune magazine.
- I printed out some more coupons for free items that I will pick up this week. Using the backs of junk letters that I get in the mail saves me from using our good computer paper. Because of this we still are still using boxes of paper that we got free after rebate when we lived in Arizona.
- Toys R Us had a promo today that I used to place a $ 125. Christmas toy order and I got $25. off and free shipping. I also will receive a free certificate for a Leapster Explorer Learning Game because I am a rewards member. I am well on way to being half done for Christmas.
- Breakfast was oatmeal and strawberries, orange juice and coffee.
- Lunch was roast beef sandwiches.
- Dinner will be grilled smoked garlic sausages on buns with onions and peppers. We will have a little side of hot German potato salad.
- I filed my inserts and all of the printable coupons from the weekend. This keeps me organized, if I do it, every couple of days.
- Cut down two pairs of frayed jeans today and made them into shorts.
- Our Netflix cost is increasing by 60% on September 1st. So I decided to do some research to find out if I could pay less elsewhere. Since DH and I watch about 10-12 DVD's a month that they mail to us besides the streaming, no one had a better deal. So we will stay with them.
- My all purpose cleaner bottle was getting very empty. So I made more today using the recipe that is here: Homemade Cleaners .
- I have begun work again on the homemade gifts that I am giving for Christmas this year.
- DH and I will watch a movie on Netlfix tonight for our entertainment. Not going out of the house. It is just too darned hot.
That's it since it has been such a busy day for us. Please feel free to leave a comment and share with us what you did today to save money today.
I was at Walgreen's bright and early this morning. I wanted to get all of my shopping done early because of the heat. This is what I purchased:
2 Milka Chocolate Bars on sale 2 for $ 3.00 - Used (2) $1./1 IPQ's and the Walgreens $ 1./2 IVC Q = Both Free ( These went right in the freezer to use in cookies. I love cheap chocolate. )
2 Dove Men & Care Body and Facial Bars - $ 6.00 each= $ 12.00 - Used (2) $4.00 MQ's = $ 4.00 and I received a $ 4.00 RR good OYNO
My total was $ 4.00 + tax but nothing OOP since I paid with a Free Visa Giftcard. Plus I got the $4.00 RR. I am trying to get rid of some of the free giftcards that have been in my wallet forever. I still have $ 8.+ on this card. I am going to try to start rolling my RR's very week so that I can basically shop for free at Walgreen's.
Next stop was at Rite Aid where I purchased:
1 Tylenol Precise 2.5oz. Cream - $ 4.99 - Used $5.00 IPQ adjusted down to $ 4.99 = Free
1 Always - $1.00 - Used $1./1 MQ = Free
4 Kotex U - $ 1.00 each - Used (4) $ 1./1 MQ = Free
All I paid was tax which in NY is on everything except most foods and medicines. Not much I can do about tax so I am not even going to worry about it.
Then I was off to Dollar General where I purchased:
6 Shout 4 ct. Wipes to Go - clearanced to $ .50 each - Used (3) $ 1./2 MQ's = Free
I just paid tax of $ .24.
Next stop was at Big Lots. I have stainless steel pans and they are tough to make scrambled eggs in. So DH has been wanting me to get a non stick pan to make eggs and omelets in. I was so happy to see that Big Lots was having their Friends and Family 20% off coupon day today. So I picked this up for $ 6.40 + tax after the 20% coupon. DH is very happy!
Last stop was Top's. This is what I purchased:
1 Locally Grown Romaine Lettuce - 1.11 lbs. at $ 1.69 a lb = $ 2.21
1- 3.5 lb. Bag of Purina One Cat Food - $ 5.99 - Used a $ 1./1 Any Purina MQ = $ 4.99 and I will receive a $ 2.00 Star Saving credit = $2.99
1- 45 ct. Oral B ProHealth For Me Floss Picks - $ 1.50 - Used $ 1./1 MQ = $ .50
Used $ 3.00 OYNO Q
Total was $ 4.70+ tax but I paid nothing OOP because I paid with a Free Visa Giftcard. Plus I will get the $2.00 Star Saving credit.
I am glad to be done for today and back in the A/C. Please feel free to leave a comment and share with us any great deals that you got today.
I ventured outside once today and that was enough. It is so hot here. I tried to get my last 3 free Noxzema Disposable Razors at Rite Aid but they were out of stock. Yes, I do have 3 Rite Aids within a few blocks of each other. I am very fortunate.
However, I did stop at Top's where I purchased 4 bottles of Adirondack soda on sale for $ .99 a bottle and used (2) $ 1./2 MQ's making them $ .49 each. But keeping within my budget, I used (2) $1./1 OYNO coupons on them and they were free. I also picked up a package of Carefree for $ .99 and used a $ .50/1 MQ doubled which made that free.
On my route, I also stopped at Wilson Farms and picked up 1 package of Stride Gum which was free with their store coupon. I will add this to my Halloween stash since DH and I do not chew gum.
I cleaned the house this morning which took all of an hour. I also washed a load of clothes in the HE's using cold water and minimal detergent. We are trying to get away with washing one load of clothes a week. On the weeks that I have towels and sheets that does not happen.
This morning I made us French toast and bacon using all stockpile items. We skipped lunch. Dinner from the stockpile will have DH grilling strip steaks and fresh pineapple outside. I will make a tossed salad and we will have wine with dinner.
The mail brought movie cash that I won instantly on the Summer of Savings site about 10 days ago. I had totally forgotten about it until it arrived today.
I also dropped off a pile of recent magazines to my DIL. I get my subscriptions free. But if you pay for subscriptions, you should find someone to share with and it will cost you 1/2 price.
I worked on my grocery and drugstore lists for tomorrow so that I can get out shopping early.
The rest of the day, DH and I are just going to relax. Yesterday we watched a DVD "The Bucket List" and then last night on Netflix we watched " Slingblade". Perhaps tonight we will watch another movie while we stay cool.
Feel free to leave a comment and share what you did to save money today.
Keeping to my promise to only buy Free - $ .25 and produce, etc., I shopped at Wegman's today since I was at the dentist which is very close to Wegmans. This is what I purchased:
4 Boxes of North Star Popsicles - $ .99 each - Used $ .50/1 IPQ's doubled = Made $ .04
2 cans of Muir Glen Tomato Sauce - $ .99 each - Used $ 1./1 IPQ's = Made $ .02
1 Cortaid - $ 2.99 - Used $ 3./1 MQ = Made $ .01
1.19 lbs. of Local Plum Tomatoes = $ 2.37
2.10 lbs. of Cherries = $ 6.28
Used $ 1./5. Wegmans Store Q off produce purchase
Total OOP was $ 7.58. The neighborhood kids will enjoy the popsicles. Thanks Amanda from
Moms Coupon Affair for some of these deals.
I have been stockpiling for months since we moved here. Not everything that I have purchased has shown up on my blog. Just about 75% of it has. I just don't have time to do it all.
The picture above is my "cash" box. This is what I will be using to buy the majority of my food and other items for the next 5-6 months. If it isn't produce, orange juice or milk, it needs to be free or under $ .25. I use one of the databases online to check to see what coupons I can use after I scan all of the Sunday flyers. Then I match up the free and under $ .25 with my inserts. I only cut coupons from the inserts when I need them. I do have a binder with all of my printable or traded coupons in it. And I have a coupon box for the same for HBA, drugs, cleaners and makeup.
Yes, I believe that I have enough meat, fish, frozen fruits, frozen vegetables, cheese, pasta and canned goods to last me at least that long. I know I have enough HBA, drugs laundry detergent, dish detergent, other cleaning products, and makeup to last more than a year, possibly two.
You see, we will be eating from our stockpile for the most part. We will fill in with the fresh vegetables and fruits of the season. I am hoping to empty my freezer to make room for the Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas hams and all of the other goodies that go on sale at that time of the year. I definitely need to defrost it before then.
Not only will I use up we have which is my goal, but it will allow me to keep money in our savings to buy all of those goods come November. There is no sense building a stockpile if you are not going to use it and have it go to waste. I will only add the free or under $ .25 items.
In the meantime, I will continue working on my price book so that I can better get a handle on these rapidly rising prices so that I know what the best price is for the items I use all of the time. It will also give me a breather to figure out a cheaper, healthier, and better way to eat.
Now, I will have the time to post 100% of what I am purchasing and you guys can keep me accountable so that I stick to my produce, orange juice, milk, Free and under $ .25 plan. These will also be the best buys of the week.
If I run out of something that will cost more than the $ .25, I will make a substitution or make the product myself. I will post about it when this happens.
Today is July 12, 2011. Lets' see how long I can make what we have in the house last and add up how much money I actually spend on those aforementioned items during that period.
I am hoping to have my pricebook up for you to see by the middle of next week. DH and I have a very busy week for the next 10 days or so but I will try my best.
Tonight we will be eating turkey leftovers from dinner last night. Breakfast was oatmeal with peaches, orange juice and coffee again. We were busy so we never ate lunch.
Feel free to leave a comment or join me in this venture if you want to.
These are the things we did in our household today to save money today:
- Homemade oatmeal and peaches, juice and coffee for breakfast.
- DH cleaned the shower really well with a mold cleaner to prevent mold from forming. We do this every month as a preventative. Mold is hard to get rid of and very unhealthy to be around.
- Won a contest at Refund Cents. I received my check in the mail today. I also won two free print issues.
- Cleaned my baking cupboard this morning to make it more functional and to fit in all of those brownie mixes. I froze all of the brownie mixes overnight to prevent weevils and now I can put them in the cupboard. I now have enough mixes for the neighborhood cookout and to last us a year. I find it is more cost effective to buy mixes rather than the ingredients and I can make them healthier by my choice of oil and eggs or egg beaters.
- Roasted a 14+ lb. turkey for dinner. This is my quest to empty the freezer and eat from the stockpile which I will discuss tomorrow. I used my oven but on convection which takes 25% less energy. I didn't stuff it so that it will cooked faster.
- Working on our budget numbers. We do this sometime mid - year every year. If you only look at your budget or rework it in January, you could be way off track by the end of December.
- Made whole berry cranberry sauce using frozen whole cranberries that were in the freezer, water and splenda. The berries were purchased just before Thanksgiving last year when they were at their lowest price. All you do is boil the splenda and water, then add the berries. Bring back to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. It is now cooling and will get chilled in the fridge after it has cooled down.
- Didn't go out today so no money spent or gasoline used. I did my shopping yesterday that I have posted today and yesterday. Yesterday, I filled up the car with gasoline using my Top's points to get $ .40 off per gallon. I paid $ 2.399 a gallon.
- I am still working on my pricebook. It is a long slow process. Just doing a little a day.
- Lunch was cheap salsa and chips purchased at Aldi's.
- Besides only opening the door once to get the mail, I have been religious about keeping the shades on sunny windows down to save on the A/C bill. It is so humid and oppressive outside that you can barely breathe.
- Have not had any lights or TV's on today. Computers are sleeping when not in use.
- Using the sprinkler system to water the lawn which does cost but it is cheaper than having to put in a new lawn.
- Lastly, I will be cutting all of the meat off of the turkey. Then I will make stock for soup overnight in the crockpot. I will put in all of the bones and skin. Since the A/C is on, I will put the crockpot in the garage to cook overnight which will keep the heat out of the house.
Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what you did to save money today.
Walgreens:
10 boxes of Betty Crocker Brownie Mix - $ 1.00 each - Used $ .75/2 MQ's = $ 6.25
2 Smart Balance Buttery Spread - $ 2.00 each - Used $ 1./2 MQ = $3.00 for both
2 Bags of Dunkin Donuts Coffee - $ 6.99 - Used $ 1.50/1 IPQ = $ 5.49 each or $ 10.98
Total OOP was $ 20.23
Rite Aid:
1 - 4.2oz Crest Enamelshield Toothpaste - $ 2.69 - Used $ 1./1 MQ = $1.69 and I submitted for the $2.69 Single Check Rebate so this is a $1.00 moneymaker
10 Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies - $ 1.00 - Used 20% Wellness Discount = $ .80 each - Used 5 - $1./2 MQ's = $ .30 each or $ 3.00
3 Rite Aid Balsamic Vinegar - $ 1.00 each = $ 3.00
1 Finesse Shampoo - $ 2.50 - Used $ 1./1 IPQ - $ 1.50 and I am mailing in for a $ 2.00 Rebate so this is a $ .50 moneymaker
1 Pkg. Noxema Disposable Shavers - $ 2.00 - Used $ 2.00/1 MQ = Free
1 Compound W Freeze Off Kit - $ 10.99 - Used $ 2./1 IPQ = $ 8.99 and I submitted for the $ 10.00 Single Check Rebate, so this is a $ 1.01 moneymaker.
Used a $ 3./15. Survey RAQ
Used a $ 1.00 Up Reward
Total OOP was $ 14.71 and I will be getting back $ 14.69 in Rebates.
I was out bright and early this morning to Top's. This is what I purchased:
8 Bags of Wise Cheez Doodles - BOGOF ( $ 2.99) - Used $ .50/1 IPQ's doubled = 2 for $ 1.99 or about $ 1.00 a bag ( Neighborhood Cookout)
4 Carefree - $ 1.00 each - Used $ .50/1 MQ's doubled = Free
4 Marie Callender's Fruit Pies - on sale 3 for $5.00 - Used (4) $ 1./1 IPQ's = $ 2.67 for all 4( one of these is big enough for 2 of us when our sweet tooth calls)
8 Banquet Pot Pies - $ 1.00 each - Used $ .50/2 IPQ's doubled = $ 4.00 or $ .50 each ( quick lunches)
1 Dannon Greek Yogurt - $ 1.00 - and I will get $ .50 credit on Saving Star
2.10 lb. of Onions at $ 1.49 a lb = $ 3.13
1 Fresh Pineapple - $ 2.99
4 Classico Pasta Sauce - $ 2.99 each - Used $ 1./2 MQ's = $ 2.49 each = $ 9.96 and I received a $1.00 Catalina good OYNO ( Emergency stash when I am out of homemade)
4 Filippio Berio Olive Oil - $ 4.99 - Used $ 1./1 IPQ's = $ 3.99 each ( I was glad to see this because I was down to my last drop)
1 Diamond Crystal Salt Sense - $ 1.49 and I will get $ .35 credit on Saving Star ( we were down to our last drop)
4 Top's Dry Roasted Peanuts - $ 2.50 each = $ 10.00 ( DH loves a handful of these once in a while)
2 Top's Deluxe American Cheese Slices - $ 2.69 each = $ 5.38 and I received a $ 3.00 Catalina good OYNO for buying these and the peanuts. We have had no American cheese in the house for weeks.
Total OOP was $ 64.86 but I got $ 4.00 in Catalina Q's good OYNO and I will receive $ .85 in
Saving Star credit.
Excuse me while I take a day off to spend with DH. It is our 44th wedding anniversary today. If some of you were around last year, you know that we did not have a very good celebration. DH was in the hospital and almost died.
So today, we will be celebrating all of those years together by just hanging and spending the day together remembering how wonderful it has been to be together all of these years. It seeems like just yesterday that we walked down the aisle and said I do. It has been a long time that we have been together, 2 more years than we have actually been married. But it has been terrific sharing all of our dreams and watching our children grow up and become the wonderful people that they are today. Now we get to enjoy our beautiful grandchildren and that makes life really special. We have been truly blessed.
DH and I are so lucky that we found each other on that Labor Day weekend in Lake George, many, many years ago. I knew that day that I would marry him. He was so special and still is to this day.
So I will be back tomorrow. But now I am off to enjoy a cup of coffee and breakfast with the love of my life!
I went to the bank this morning to deposit a wad of rebate and survey checks. My extras money has now grown to $ 67.11. However, I spent $ 6.75 including tax for extras this morning at Wegmans which was on my route. So I now have $ 60.36 tucked away for extras.
At Wegmans I purchased 6 Newmans Own Organic Peanut Butter Cups. They were $ 1.19 each and I used $ .50/1 IPQ doubled to make them $ .19 each. I also bought a $ 5.99 piece of fresh salmon. I used a store coupon for $ 1.00 off so paid $ 4.99.
My subscribe and save order for a case of Fancy Feast for kitty came today. This was the cheapest price I could find. I paid $11.70 for 24 cans.
I did two loads of laundry using the HE washer and cold water. I hung the laundry to dry.
The place where I go for my physical therapy made a mistake in billing my insurance company. Because of that my insurance refused to pay even though it been appealed. I was going to owe over $2,000. out of pocket. Because it was their error, the physical therapy place is eating the bill and has given me a letter stating that my $20. in co-pays for my last 5 visits pay my bill in full. Meanwhile they have resubmitted to the insurance company properly and I am awaiting authorization to continue. DH and I have had a lot of trouble with providers billing improperly since we moved here. I told DH that I swear we have a target on our backs. It is so frustrating to see the inefficiency and having to fight just to get bills paid properly.
Meanwhile, the sprinkler company came to repair our system this morning and found that the main solenoid had gone bad. They replaced it. They told us to wait and see if we get a bill or if they decide to cover it under warranty. Here is hoping since we have only used the system about 15 times since it was installed.
Today was clean the house day so that took up about 2 hours. I used homemade cleaners, microfiber cloths and the swiffer.
DH mowed the lawn. Now we are watering with the sprinkler system. We haven't had rain in about a week and there doesn't seem to be any in sight. The lawn is so thirsty.
I cut all of the coupons from a stack of magazines and filed them. I also filed all of my IP coupons. My binder is all up to date.
I had enough Swagbucks to order another Amazon gift certificate. I am saving these in my account for Christmas gifts.
Last night we cooked 10 chicken breasts. We had Shake N Bake ones along with broccoli and corn for dinner last night. Tonight I will cut two of the smaller ones up and throw them in a salad. The rest will get made into chicken parmesan tomorrow night.
That's it for today. I am off to relax until dinner time. Be sure to leave a comment and share with us what you did to save money today.
Today was a quiet day. I stayed home all day while DH did an appointment and got his hair cut. It was sunny and beautiful all day. So DH and I took advantage of sitting outside and enjoying it. I really needed a down day. For the past 72 hours I have only gotten 6 hours sleep. For some reason, I seem to have insomnia and lay awake most nights unable to sleep. Then I get up and do some reading to see if it will put me to sleep - no luck.
Last night we went to my son's home and watched a
beautiful fireworks display from the comfort of his backyard. Every year, his neighbor puts on a huge one and we get to watch with no crowds and no traffic to get there. Here is sample:
So today, I did easy things to save money:
- Took a CVS survey for the Advisor Panel and received $5.00 in ECB's. I am thrilled about this since I am trying to get back into CVS shopping. With these ECB's and the one from yesterday, I now have $6.00 to roll next week.
- Cut and filed printable coupons so that my binder is all up to date.
- Continued working on my pricebook.
- Perused Ebay for a while and cheaply purchased some coupons( S&H for time used to cut them) for things I use all the time.
- Received a $3.00 survey check in the mail along with my free Woman's Day magazine.
- Used two free sample boxes of cereal for breakfast this morning.
- Used a free sample of moisturizer when I was getting ready for my day.
- We had some whole wheat pasta all cooked in the refrigerator so I made a meatless pasta salad with fresh tomatoes, cheese, and black olives for dinner.
- Made a 24 ounce bottle of Good Seasons Italian Dressing so that I could use some as dressing for the salad.
- Read a book this afternoon for some entertainment while DH continued reading his history novel on the Kindle.
- Kept all lights off today and will until dark. I did run the dishwasher but on the water saving cycle. No wash was done.
- Our sprinkler system is giving us problems but since it is under warranty DH called to have them come and repair it this week.
- Made a pitcher of peach iced tea.
- Ordered three Coke coupons from Coke Rewards with my points.
That is about it today. Nothing really exciting!
Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what you did today to save money.
In my Fourth of July travels this morning, I passed a few places that I had lists in my purse for. So I stopped and picked up an assortment of items at different places. The roads were empty this morning; everyone must be relaxing or up at the Lakes.
At Petsmart I used the Petco coupon for a free can of Fancy Feast. Right down the street, I used another one at Petco. So they were both free.
At CVS, I picked up the limit of 5 - 2 ltr. Diet Cokes at $ .69 each. I also had a Free coupon for the Hersheys Air Candy Bar but they were out so they substituted a Free Hersheys Dark Chocolate Bar.
Since I gave my DIL a whole lot of my dish liquid stockpile, I decided to pick up the Dawn after $ .25 coupon for $ .74. And I picked up the Oral B Advantage Toothbrush for $1.00 after $2.00 MQ but I received a $1.00 ECB. I also had a $3./$15. coupon print on my receipt so I will try to use it next time. I am just getting back into CVS shopping.
At Walgreens, I picked up the $ 4.99 BIG Roll Toilet Paper. I used a $2.00 register reward so paid $2.99. I figured that was a great price for 12 - 1000 sheet rolls. I also used the IN AD Q for Milky Way bars at 2 for $ 1.00. I purchased 4 and used (2) $ .50/2 IPQ so paid $ .25 each for each them. SHHH! I know there is one missing :-)
At Dollar General, I picked up 4 bags of TGI Friday snacks. They were $1.00 each but after using (2) $ 1./2 IPQ's I paid $ .50 a bag.
The TGI Friday snacks, soda and the candy bars will be stockpiled for a cookout.
DH and I will be grilling strip steaks and potato and onion packets outside today. I will make a tossed salad. We will enjoy a cocktail while the food is cooking and just relax. It is sunny and the sky is so blue today. Just a gorgeous 4th of July. We realize just how lucky were are to be Americans and to have been born in such a wonderful country. Enjoy your celebrations!
There was absolutely nothing that I wanted at the drugstores this morning. It was not worth my gasoline to drive to them for free toothbrushes. I already have all I need. So I did some Top's stockpiling. This is what I purchased:
10 Boxes of Top's Microwave Popcorn - $ 1.00 each - $ 10.00
2 Boxes Orville Redenbacher Pop Up Bowl Popcorn - $ 2.99 each- Used 2 Free MQ = Both Free
2 - 40ct. Salada Tea - $ 1.99 each - Used (2) $ .75/1 MQ Doubled = $ .49 each
2 Top's Orange Juice - $ 2.00 each = $ 4.00
2 cans of Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys - $ .89 each = $ 1.78 - Used Recylcebank Q for 2 Free Cans= Free
7 Boxes of Tyson Anytizer Boneless Wings - $3.00 each - Used (7) $1.00/1 MQ = $ 2.00 each or $14.00
8 Roll Package of Bounty Paper Towels - $ 7.99 - Used $ 5.00 Bounty Facebook Q = $ 2.99
4 Boxes of Duncan Hines Brownie Mixes - $ 1.25 each - Used $ .50/1 IPQ Doubled = $ .25 each.
4 Coffemate Creamers - $ 2.00 each - Used $ .55/1 IPQ Doubled = $ .90 each
Total OOP was $ 36.95.
Analysis: Popcorn and Popsicles go on sale in July every year. I have found this is the best time of year to stock on these things for a year. I got popsicles a few weeks ago and today was popcorn. Top's had a good stockup price and I also used the 2 Free Coupons that Con Agra sent me because we didn't like the O.R. Natural Popcorn. It was flavorless. So now I am set until next July.
I can always use tea and this was a great price. DH has orange juice for breakfast every morning. Coupons have been pretty much non-existent. This was a very good price so I got two. We will use it by the expiration date which is the end of August. Why pay full price for more when I need it?
DH and I are considering having a neighborhood cookout next month. The anytizers will keep people happy until we eat and the brownies will make a cheap dessert.
Our cat's canned food was gone. So I picked up these free cans while I look for a good sale.
We barely use a roll of paper towels every two months. I like microfiber for most jobs. Since I won the $5.00 off Bounty coupon, I purchased this 8 roll pack which will last us more than a year.
I am always stocking on creamers when they go on sale. I have 24 containers now which will last us about 6 months.
Did you shop for any great deals today? Feel free to comment and share with all of us.
Since we had no spaghetti sauce left in the freezer, I decided it was time to make a big batch today. So first I went out to my container garden and cut fresh spices - basil, coriander, parsley and oregano. They were washed and added to canned crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste,minced garlic, minced onion, a little olive oil and some balsamic vinegar. I decided to try this Recipe except substituting what items I had on hand. DH has been taste testing and he says it is perfect.
Next I cooked up about a pound and a half of ground sirloin and added it to the sauce. It will be simmered in the crockpot for about 8 hours. We will have some on angel hair pasta for dinner and the rest will be divided up into 2 person servings for future meals and then they will be frozen.
The mail today brought the above goodies: a full size container of Downy Unstopables from Vocalpoint and some Garnier samples. I also received my free Forbes Magazine which I am about to go read.
West and my grandson came to visit this morning. I played with West while my son helped DH repair the alarm system. We had a false alarm recently so they repaired one of the window contacts. That saved us a $100.+ repair call.
I have also been working on my drugstore and grocery lists for tomorrow. There really isn't much that is a great deal this week except microwave popcorn which I will be stocking on. There will be a P&G insert in tomorrow's paper. However, I have decided not to purchase any extras. If I decide I need extra of a particular coupon, I will order them from a coupon service.
We ordered "The Takers" from Netflix and it arrived today. So that will be our entertainment tonight after our walk.
Our lawn service came last Thursday to fertilize and put down weed killer. This the first time that we have been able to kill the weeds since we had a new lawn put in. DH let the weed killer work for a couple of days and now he has the sprinkler system running to wash in the fertilizer and give the lawn, trees and flowers a good drink.
It is a pretty quiet day here. We do have the central air conditioning on but it really hasn't been running much even though it is a hot day outside. I did change the filter on the furnace since it is the beginning of the month. No laundry or dishwasher will be run today. No lights on until dark. DH is just watching one TV - the tennis and now the car race. I am about to turn my computer off. Plus we have not used any gasoline today since we are not going anywhere.
Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what you have done today to save some money.
