Cat Food for a Quarter

I got a GREAT deal on cat food today! I had 2 coupons for $4/1 on Purina dog or cat food any size, any flavor. I went to Dollar General and they had Purina Cat Chow 3.5 lb bags for $4.25 each. So I got 2 bags and paid $0.50 plus tax! There are $4/1 coupons HERE and I think there might be some elsewhere but i do not remember where. Good luck getting great deals on cat food! If you come across anymore good deals, let me know!

Wacky Walgreens

I don't normally shop at Walgreens.... but this week I may have to change that! There is a new 10/30 printable out there good for May 30th only. The June ESR starts on 5/30 and the May is still going on! Triple good!

Click HERE to get the coupon! This is also detailed on The Centsible Sawyer and I found out about it from an online group that I am part of....

MAY Free After Rebate Items

Oral-B CrossAction Toothbrush - $4.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 4/6 insert
Free plus $1 overage after rebate

Orajel Kids Plaque Revealing Rinse - $5.79
Use $1/1 coupon from 1/6 SmartSource insert
Free plus $1 overage after rebate

Nexcare 3M Cold Sore Lip Treatment - $8.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 4/6 RedPlum
Free plus $1 overage after rebate

Walgreens Maxi Pads 12 or 24 pack - $1.99
Free after rebate

EARinse with SinoMarin Ear Cleansing Spray - $9.99
Free after rebate

Walgreens Standard Light Bulbs - $1.69
Free after rebate

Kickers Energy Spray - $3.29
Free after rebate

JUNE Free After Rebate Items
Multi-Betic Advanced Diabetic Multi-Vitamins, 60 pack -$9.99

Walgreens Gluco Shot, 2 oz. -$1.99

Walgreens Calcium Creamies, 75ct. -$5.99

Walgreens Water Filtration Replacement Cartridge -$6.99

Theragran-M Premier with Vitamin D or Premier 50 Plus, 130 ct. $4.99

Ecotrin Low Strength Tablets, 45 ct. up to $2.00

Now, by purchasing FAR items and using coupons, you can use the 10/30 and get a great savings AND get your rebates! Sounds like a plan to me.

Even in the midst of planning for my trip I may have to head to Walgreens tomorrow!

CVS Deals 5/18-5/24

So here it is... another CVS Superstars! I did not do as well as I would have liked this week, but.... not too shabby. I used a $25 Gift Card that I had from getting a prescription filled so even my oop was mostly not really oop!

Here it is! Only 2 of the coke 12 packs are in the pic as we had to break into those last night! #1
Venus Embrace Razor - 9.99
Herbal Essence Conditioner - 5.99
Schick Disposable Razors - 6.99
Schick Disposable Razors - 3.49 (50% off)
Licorice Candy - 2.79
Total before coupons = 29.25

There were problems with my 3/15 CVS coupon and it would not take it! Wahhhh!
Used:
1/1 Herbal Essence coupon
4/1 Venus coupon
BOGO Schick coupon (cashier entered as 3)
2/1 Schick coupon
11.37 ECB

Total oop= 9.13
got 5 ECB ( 3 from Venus, 2 from HE)

#2
2 Banana Boat Suncare - 9.99 each
Total before coupons = 19.98

Used 3/15 CVS
2 1/1 Banana boat coupons
12 ECBs

Total oop = 3.33
Got 7 ECB (Banana Boat)

#3

3 Crest Toothpaste - 1.99 each
1 Adidas Deodorant - 4.99
2 Purex Detergent BOGO - 5.99
Total before coupons = 16.95

Used 3/15 CVS
3 1/1 Crest coupons
1/2 Purex coupon
Free Adidas 4.99 coupon

Total oop= 5.94
got 7.99 ECB (3 Crest, 4.99 Adidas)

#4
2 Almay Intense i-colors - 6.99 each
1 Oral B Indicator Tooth brush - 1.99
Total before coupons = 15.97

use 3/15 CVS coupon
75/1 Oral B coupon
1/1 Almay coupon
10 ECB

total oop= 1.43
got 11 ECB (10 Almay, 1 tooth brush)

#5
4 12 packs coke - 12.00
2 Purex Detergent BOGO - 5.99
2 Fructis Shampoos - 2.99 each
candy bar filler .79
2 Gatorade BOGO - 1.89
1 Covergirl foundation - 9.49
1 Covergirl Powder
2 Wafer Cookie Tins - 2.99 each
2 Bath Buddies - .99 each
Total before coupons = 51.89

used 10/50 CVS
1/1 Fructis
1/2 Purex
2/2 Johnsons Buddies
2.50/2 Covergirl
Free Powder with foundation (7.79)
5.99 ECB
5 in other coupons that I can't remember
(Could have used more ECBs but am saving them)

total oop= 19.14
got 5 ECB ( 3 Coke, 2 Fructis)

I walked out having spent 38.97 oop and spent 39.36 in ECBs.
I left with 15 ECBs for next week. I got 134.04 in product.

Not quite what I had planned. But with some items not available, I needed to get others to try to make my scenarios work. Some prices were also different. I still think I did pretty good! Next week.... diapers and wipes!

Check out The Centisible Sawyer to see other CVS Superstars! Also check out the Super Savings Saturday linky over at Money Saving Mom! Both of these sites list great deals and link to some of the best and most frugal bloggers on the web!

CVS Scenarios 5/18 - 5/24

I am trying to plan out my scenarios for this week. The worst thing about my one, lonely CVS store here is that if I do not get there early, all of the deals are gone. And there is no other store anywhere within a reasonable distance to try to locate more items at! So, early planning and shopping really helps. My scenarios are mostly for things we need or will use soon. Some great deals.... I have no need for. I hate buying a bunch of stuff we will not use. Sure, I could sell it at a garage sale, and some things I do. But, mostly, it just sits in a drawer. And... this week I am not seeing a whole lot of money makers. Also, I cannot find the Almay coupons. They were not in my inserts this week. My area usually is lacking the coupons I am looking for!! So.... this weeks scenarios:

#1
Venus Embrace Razor - 9.99
Herbal Essence Conditioner - 5.99
use 3/15 CVS coupon
1/1 Herbal Essence coupon
4/1 Venus coupon
= 7.98
use 7 ECB (from last week)
pay .98 plus tax oop
get 5 ECB ( 3 from Venus, 2 from HE)

#2
2 Banana Boat Suncare - 6.79 each
3 Crest Toothpaste - 1.99 each
use 3/15 CVS coupon
2 1/1 Banana Boat coupons
3 1/1 Crest coupons
= 11.55
use 11.37 ECB (from last week)
pay .18 plus tax oop
get 10 ECB (7 BB, 3 Crest)

#3
2 Almay Intense i-colors - 6.99
1 Oral B Indicator Tooth brush - 1.99
use 3/15 CVS coupon
.75/1 Oral B coupon
= 11.97
use 9 ECB (7 from #2 and 2 from #1)
pay 2.97 plus tax oop
get 11 ECB (10 Almay, 1 tooth brush)

#4
KY Yours Mine - 19.99
4 12 packs coke - 12.00
4 Purex Detergent BOGO - 5.99 on 2
2 Fructis Shampoos - 2.99 each
candy bar filler .50
use 10/50 CVS
1/1 Fructis
5/1 KY
2 1/2 Purex
= 32.45
use 17 ECB (3 #1, 3 #2, 10 #3, 1 #3)
pay 15.45 plus tax oop
get 15 ECB (10 KY, 3 Coke, 2 Fructis)

TOTALS-
Total Value = 101.95
Coupons Used = 38.00
ECB spent = 44.37
OOP = 19.58 plus tax
Ending ECB = 15.00

So. There we are. This is what I hope to be doing sometime in the next few days. I will let everyone know how it comes out on Friday as part of the CVS Superstars! Make sure to check back and see if things work out the way I want them to!

Coupons!

Wow! It looks like this week is a great week for coupons! I have to get up to the store and pick up a paper but, for a preview of what is available check out the Taylortown Coupon Preview. I like to check this to see if it is worth my money to buy the paper! LOL

Question for anyone reading this.... do you receive the paper at your home or do you purchase one at the store when you want one? I am trying to decide what is more frugal for me....

CVS Deals for 4/26 - Lots o' Loot!

I decided to do a last minute run to CVS tonight as I had ECBs that were close to expiring. I went not expecting much as most of the good stuff would probably be gone by this late in the week. Sure enough, the Soft Soap Spa was MIA. But, I did good!! LOL Here is a picture of my "loot" for this week.
I did two transactions and actually got kind of confused. The checker was new and actually took some coupons that I didn't think he would.... so I did better than i should have for going in without a clear plan and then not finding what I was looking for!! I went in with $14.50 in ECBs and this is what I did....


Transaction 1:

2 Alavert 18 ct - RP 10.99 each, Sale 6.99 each
3 Boost 6 packs - RP 9.99 each, Sale 6.99 each
1 Freestyle Lite Glucose Monitor - RP 74.99, Sale 10.00
1 Herbal Essences Shampoo - 3.99
1 Herbal Essences Conditioner - RP 3.99, Sale BOGO
3 Zone Bars - 1.49 each
1 20 oz coke - 1.39


Total Before Sales = 140.78
After Sales = 54.80


Coupons Used -
$10/50 CVS
$2/1 Alavert CVS
2 $4/1 Alavert
$1/1 Zone Bar
3 $3/1 Boost
$3/2 Herbal Essences
$10/1 Freestyle Monitor
Total Coupons - $43

Total After Coupons = $11.80

Used 2 $5 ECBs and did not check my balance before giving over a $4.50 ECB. I had a negative before tax balance.


Total oop = $1.10
ECBs earned - 8 on Alavert, 2 on Zone Bar, 10 on Boost
The 10 for the monitor did not print, I have to call the 1800 #.


Transaction 2:

3 Alavert 18 ct - RP 10.99 each, Sale 6.99 each
1 Garnier Nutritioniste Towelettes - 5.99
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner - RP 5.89, Sale 3.33
1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo - RP 3.99, Sale 3.33
2 Reeses Cups - RP .79, Sale .50
1 Reeses Pieces - RP .79, Sale .50


Before Sales Total = 51.21
After Sales = 35.12


Coupons Used -
$10/50 CVS
3 $4/1 Alavert
3 $1/1 Garnier
$4/20 CVS Beauty
Total Coupons = $29

Total After Coupons = $6.12

Used 2 ECB from previous transaction.


Total oop = $5.46
ECBs Earned - 12 on Alavert, 5 on Garnier


TOTAL for BOTH transactions =

oop - $6.56
ECBs spent - $16.50
ECBs Earned - 35 plus 10 pending


NOT BAD! LOL


Now I have to decide if I am trying to go back tomorrow to get this weeks deals or wait until after May 1 and double dip the trip... or skip this week altogether. It depends on what great deals I find.


Check out other great CVS deals at The "Cent"sible Sawyer as part of her CVS Superstars! Also, you can check out even MORE great deals at Money Saving Mom with her CVS linkage!

Tomorrow I am making Gift of the Faerie's Bread and also Claudia's Big O Bread.... I will keep you posted! I leave you with a picture of the devil's spawn looking innocent and sweet... hard to believe he is such a boy! LOL

Making Money Through Blogging?

I have seen the little buttons on several blogs that I frequent. The Pay per post button? I'm sure you've seen it, too. So, I figured I would check it out. The problem that I have come across with this so far is that I do not qualify for any of the offers. Because I have a low google ranking. Google ranking? Who knew that google ranked you according to how often people searched for your blog? Or how often people linked to your blog. If this is what I have to wait on, I may never get to make money this way! LOL My blog is just not viewed enough, I guess.

And that's OK. I like my readers and I like the way my blog is. So.... I may never get a chance to blog for money.... oh well! LOL

BUT.... the Free Money Exchange link is still working! Check my post here for more info. They have extended this until May 15th, so if you have not gotten your $25 for free yet.... now is the time to act! So far, I have made about $70 this way. My DH and I both got $25 for signing up separate accounts, I got $10 for referring him and I got $10 for referring someone else. I'm not sure who because y'all didn't tell me, but that's OK! LOL Thanks!

Money is so weird. You need it to survive in life. You need more to make your life more comfortable. You need even more to make your life great.... or so the world leads us to believe. I know that I need money to buy books. Really. That's my one vice.

But, when you look at it, so many people are sucked into working sooooo hard and for such long hours, just to make that extra money.... and then they never get to enjoy it because they are always either working or exhausted! Take my life, for example....

Before we moved to Mississippi, both my husband and I worked full time. I worked as a Fiscal Supervisor over a Gift Shop in a hospital. I grossed about $29, 000 a year (I had just gotten a raise) but only brought home about... $800 every 2 weeks. Insurance on all of us came out of that, breakfasts and lunches at the hospital came directly out of my check, taxes and incidentals. So, $400 a week. DH was working construction at the time and was bringing home about... $400 a week. I think. It all depended upon how much they worked. It was never dependable. So, figure we were making about $800 a week between the two of us. That's approximately $3200 a month. How come we were in trouble financially? That seems like A LOT to me, now. Really. We are bringing home about $1650 a month right now. So, moving to MS cut our monthly income by half. Why are we better off?

Well, when we were in FL, I was paying daycare for one baby. I was also concerned with clothing for myself as I was working in a professional environment. DH had to have work clothes and shoes as well. And money for lunches for him. And I definitely did not shop frugally. I had no time to clip coupons or bargain shop. And we did a lot of shopping at specialty stores, going out to eat and shopping for THINGS.

Our bills are actually higher now than they were in FL. But, that is because we have a larger family. We lived in a 2 bed/ 1 1/2 bath apartment in FL and paid $600/ month for it. Here, we live in a house that has 3 1/2 baths, 4 split plan bedrooms and a master bedroom, an office and a library, a spare room and a separate living room and kitchen. The house is huge. We pay $750/ month for it.

We have medicaid for the kids and receive help from the state through WIC and also food stamps. The food stamps are minimal. We get $240/ month in FS. Our other bills are higher as well. Right now, for all of my utilities I am paying approximately $800/ month.

So, our total income (including FS) is $1890/ month. Our outgoing is approximately $1550/ month. That leaves us with $340/ month, right? Now, figure out gas. Luckily, we live only 3 miles away from DH's job. Gas wise, I only need to fill the tank up about every week and a half. Right now, it takes approximately $60 to fill up. So, lets estimate and say I am spending about $50/ week on gas. That's $200/ month. That leaves me with $140/ month. Figure that out expenses for the kids, such as diapers, wipes, toiletries, etc. usually run us about $75/ month. And then figure in additional groceries and non food shopping. And that's not counting things like old credit card debt that we are trying to pay off.

Yeah.... now you see where I am every month. Broke.

That is why I have been struggling so hard to make ends meet. And working the deals at CVS and using coupons and.... trying to make money online! LOL

We sat down one day and figured out how much I could make going to work. AND how much it would cost us. Because I was feeling like I needed to contribute to the bills in some way. And that maybe going back to work would help out. sigh.... Daycare for 2 kids in diapers would cost us about $300/ week. That's the best price I could find. Add in extra gas, lunches and clothing expenses. And then look at the fact that we would lose Medicaid, WIC and Foodstamps if I went to work. The best i could figure was that it would cost me about.... $1700/ month to go to work. That means I would have to be making at least $425/ week after taxes just to break even. Then, look at the fact that the best job I could find when we first moved here was as an Assistant Manager at a dollar store. Making $7 an hour. hmmmm..... I think I would be paying to work.

Basically, besides the fact that I would be paying to work, the reasons that I have stayed at home with the kids is that we want them raised by us. Not by a daycare. And not by strangers with different ideas of morality and different ideas of what our children should learn.

With all of this financial breakdown, the one thing that has not been factored in is the amount of love and happiness in our life. We are happier now than we have been in years. Even scraping by with little to no money for extras. Even with having to borrow money from our parents for anything unexpected. Even with DH working long hours and being tired and never being able to help out around the house.

We are happy. Our children are happy and well cared for. My teenager has someone at home every day when she gets home to make sure she is OK. To make sure she knows that she is accountable to someone for her actions and that someone is aware of her and loves her. My toddler with speech problems is able to have in-home therapy every week and I am able to work with him daily on the issues he has. My baby never wonders where I am. I never miss those special moments. First steps, first teeth, first dance, first anything. Or tenth anything for that matter!

Yes, there are times that I regret making this move. And there are times that I would give my eyeteeth to back in the work force. Where all I had to worry about was someone else's money. And there are times that I am pulling my hair out, trying to make it through each day with my sanity intact. But...... I am so glad we are where we are. I am so glad that we made the decisions that we did. I am so glad that I am able to stay home with my children.

And so, being that I am glad I am at home.... I still want to contribute to our household finances. And that is why I am spending time on sites where you get paid to click and trying to get paid for my blog. And clipping coupons. And trying to get a damn good bargain for everything I buy... it's my job. And I think I am getting pretty good at it!

So, while I am trying to do one of my "jobs" and earn some money, I do want to try to keep this blog a little seperate. I may do one day a week geared specifically to discussing bargains and frugality. And keep the other days for other things. Now, to decide which day.....

Coupons, Frugal Shopping and a Recipe!

Bina asked yesterday where I get my coupons. Well, all I can say is "Thanks Mom!" LOL But, seriously, my mom mails me all of the coupons she gets in her paper that she does not use. And any that her friends or my other family members give her. I also get the Sunday paper every week. There are usually at least one or two coupons in there worth the cost of the paper. I also check out many different online resources for printable coupons. AND I recently signed up to get the coupon inserts mailed to me at home. UPDATE: This is not valid... it is just the ads and not the coupons! Darn... You can sign up for this here. I joined a couponing group on Yahoo that does coupon"trains" where you get about 50 coupons in the mail and take what you can use and replace with ones from your own stash. That is starting soon. I like this idea as different coupons are available in different parts of the country.

I know. So many of the coupons are for things you won't use! Or, in my case, the store brand is cheaper than buying a name brand with a coupon. For food, sadly, I have found this to be true. BUT. Sometimes you come across a really great deal. For instance, Wally World has Birdseye Steam Fresh vegetables on sale for 2/$2. I had a coupon for $1 off when I bought two. So, I got 2 bags of the broccoli for $1. Not bad. Definitely worth it to me!

The way I do it, right now, is that I cut out every single coupon I find in the paper or that someone sends to me. I have two little expandable coupon files, one for food items and one for nonfood items. I separate the coupons by category (dairy, meat, canned goods, dish soap, paper goods, etc) and file them away. I am in the process of creating a database on my computer of all of my coupons so that it is easier to know what I have and what is about to expire. Right now I just try to go through them periodically and throw out the expired coupons. I recently found out that military families overseas can use expired coupons so I will be saving these from now on and finding out where to send them.

Each week when the sale papers come out I take a look at them. I usually already have my menu planned for the week. If there is a really good sale for an item that I have a coupon for I might go and get that. It depends on the deal. Usually I would then incorporate that item into my menu for that week or the next. Sometimes I find such a good deal that I stock up on something and don't need to buy it for months. Recently I found Triscuit crackers on sale for 2/$1. I bought 4 boxes and will not buy crackers for at least 3 months now.

I also visit several different websites that lay out the deals for you and tell you what coupons are available online in conjunction with these deals. The sites I visit almost every day are: Money Saving Mom, Thrifty Florida Mama, Fiddledeedee, Centsible Shopper, The Centsible Sawyer, More Than Enough, The New Frugal Mom, Mommies With Cents and Freebies 4 Mom. There are other sites I visit too but these are the ones I try to hit every day without fail. Thanks to Jessica for sending me links to several of these! Many of the deals are overlaps but not all of them. It is worth checking out! Money Saving Mom has links on her site to many different couponing sites.

It takes some time to get the coupons together and check the ads and sites. But the more you do it the faster you get. Everybody has a different system. I am still working on mine. My best advice is just jump in and give it a shot! And MAKE A MENU for the week! It is an invaluable tool to being frugal and getting good deals. In fact, I am about to begin making up my menus on Wednesday instead of Monday because that is when the sale papers come out! That way I can shop from the new sales each week for my menu.

Speaking of menus... Jessica mentioned that my Hamburger Gravy and Rice sounded pretty good. SO, here is a recipe. The closest I can get anyway since I don't follow a recipe! LOL

1 pound lean Ground Beef ( You can use less or more and have no effect on the recipe really... it depends upon how much actual meat you want in the gravy)
1 onion, minced
Minced Garlic
salt
pepper
Worcetershire Sauce

Cook all of this until the meat is browned, drain and return to pan. (I use a LARGE electric skillet for this)

Add to meat:
2 packs of Knorr Vegetable Soup mix (this has all kinds of dehydrated veggies in it)
Sometimes I might add some dried or canned mushrooms as well
Enough Water to cover the meat and make as much gravy as you want.

Bring to a boil and add Beef Boillion (I use Better than Bouillion) to taste.
Thicken with cornstarch and water slurry to make a thick gravy.
Add pepper to taste. (We like a lot)

Spoon over cooked white rice and enjoy!

I like this recipe because it is an all in one. The veggies are right in the gravy. The Knorr mix is a little expensive so I am looking for alternatives. My family would eat this once a week if I cooked it!

So, there you go. I am still refining my coupon system and learning every single day how to be more frugal and save money. It's an ongoing process but the least I can do to contribute to our household finances!

CVS Deals of the Week and Walgreens Frustrations

OK. Last night I hit CVS. I really worked the deals this week. Here it goes...

First Transaction
1 32 oz Heinz Vinegar @ 1.99
2 Glucerna multi pack Shakes @ 10.49 each
Total before coupons - 22.97
Used 2 coupons for $10/1 on the Glucerna (!)
Used one ECB for $3 from last trip
Paid $1.40 Out of Pocket (oop)
Got back $5 in ECB AND my quarterly ECB printed for $11.50

Second Transaction
1 12 pack of Barqs Rootbeer Reg 4.69 on sale for 3.50
2 Lady Speed Stick 24/7 Deodorants Reg 3.29 each on sale for 2/$5
1 11 oz Palmolive Dish Soap Reg 1.59 on sale for .99
1 Fantastik Spray 32 oz Reg 3.79 on sale for 2.99
3 Scrubbing Bubbles 16 oz Reg 3.19 Each on sale for 2.99 each
1 Shout 22 oz Reg 3.39 on sale for 2.99
2 Softsoap Spa Radiance Body Wash @ 4.99 each
3 small Gift Bags (Essence of Beauty Product) @ 1.49 each
1 Garnier Fructiss Smoothing Milk @ 4.39
1 Garnier Nutrisse Towellete @ 5.99
1 Garnier Hair Dye @ 7.29

I used 1 of the $10/50 coupons I had. I then used a CVS coupon for $2 off of any hair dye purchase. I had coupons for many of the other products and had ECBs from last week and from the previous transaction. I saved a total of 60.22 on this transaction with sales, coupons and ECBs.

I paid oop $2.49 for this transaction.
And I got back $27.98 in ECBs for next time!

So overall on this trip I got $85.68 in products and only spent $3.89 oop!! Pretty darn good!

I don't need anything else for a while as far as toiletries go. I will make a trip next week as I have a 4/20 coupon that expires on 4/13/08. I will work the deals again and hopefully do just as well!

I went to Walgreen's this morning to get my free ink refill but my local store does not do the refills! Darn it. Now I will either have to drive to the other Walgreen's or not get the deal....

Saturday Savings

Made a quick trip to CVS today to get some last minute deals taken care of.

I bought:

1 Clear Care contact solution
1 Reese's King size candy bar
2 Tresemme Conditioners
1 Tresemme Shampoo
1 20 oz Pepsi
3 Playskool Baby Wipes 240 count each

This equals $49.10 after tax.
I used coupons and ECBs and sale prices equalling a savings of $38.56.
I paid out of pocket $10.54.
I brought home $17 in ECBs for next trip. I also got 2 coupons for $10/50 and one for $2 any hair color purchase. I also have a mail in rebate form for the Clear Care. SO I will get back the full purchase price of that.

Not too shabby. I may not have to buy wipes for the next three months.

I also made a quick stop at Winn-Dixie. They have Rayovac Batteries on sale 10 for $10. The way WD does it, you don't have to buy 10 to get the deal. It is just $1 each. So, I took my coupons and bought 6 packs of AA batteries (6 count) and only spent $2.58. I can never have too many batteries. I saved $21.94.

That's it for savings today.

I will be back later with another post... along one I have been working on. I just wanted to get the savings update out of the way! LOL