Carefree Deal at Target

There is an unadvertised gift card deal at Target right now.  Buy any two of the selected products and get a free $5 gift card.  Here is the deal scenario…

Buy (2) Carefree Ultra Protection 32 ct @ $3.14 each

Use (2) internet printable coupons $1

Spend $4.28 OOP plus tax

Earn $5 gift card!!

Note on the IP coupon… normally you would have to hit your back browser a few times to print the second one.  With this one you will have to close the screen it opens to print your coupon and then select the print your coupon button again.

This is an awesome deal.  I think sales tax is like 2% so that would make it only .09 in tax so this is definitely a money maker if my calculations are right.

Target Deals - thru 09/04/10

I am planning a strategy of attack on Target for Thursday 09/02/10.  I am perusing various websites to check out the deals and here is my list of what I am going to get.

 

SoBe Lifewater (20 oz) – $1/ea
Use $0.50/1 Target Printable Coupon
Final Price = .50/ea

This deal can also be paired with the BOGO coupons that some may have gotten from playing the Sobe game this summer.  I plan on using (1) BOGO coupon and two .50 Target coupons.  These should be free… but we will see how it works.  It may only get me 2 for .50 but that still isn’t a bad price!

 

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars – $2/ea
Buy 4 Select Quaker items, get 1 FREE
Use $1/2 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars 7/25/2010 RP Insert (exp 9/18/2010)
Final Price = $1.20/ea when you buy 4 and get 1 free

 

Skippy Peanut Butter (15-16 oz) – $1.79/ea
Use $0.75/2 Skippy Peanut Butter TARGET coupon

I think there is a .60 manufacturer coupon out there too… will check my stash
Final Price = $1.42/ea when you buy 2 (only with Target coupon)

Final Price = .82/ea when you buy 2 (if you pair Target w/man coupon)

 

Colgate Dora the Explorer Toothpaste (4.6 oz) – $2.19/ea
Use $0.75/1 Colgate Kids’ Dora The Explorer Toothpaste TARGET coupon
PLUS
Use $0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste 8/29/2010 SS Insert (exp 9/18/2010)
Final Price = .69/ea

Campbell’s Spaghetti O’s – $0.50/ea (Price Cut until 9/25)
Use $0.50/2 Campbell’s Spaghettios Pasta
Use $0.40/2 Campbell’s SpaghettiO’s Pasta 8/29/2010 SS Insert (exp 10/31/2010)
Final Price = .25-.30/ea when you buy 2

 

Suave Shampoo – $0.99/ea
Use $0.75/1 Target Printable Coupon
Final Price = .24/ea

 

Wish-Bone Salad Spritzers – $1.69/ea
Use $0.75/1 Target Printable Coupon
PLUS
Use $0.75/1 Wish-Bone Dressings or Salad Spritzers Dressings
Final Price = .19/ea

 

Tom’s of Maine Kids Toothpaste (Silly Strawberry) – $2.59/ea
Use $1/1 $1/1 Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Deodorant, Body Wash or Bar Soap TARGET coupon
PLUS
Use $1/1 Tom’s of Maine Product in September 2010 All You Magazine (exp 11/22/10)
Final Price = .59/ea

 

Glade Country Spice or Cashmere Woods 4 oz Jar Candle – $2.99/ea
Use $1/1 Glade Jar Candle 8/29/2010 RP Insert (exp 9/25/2010)
PLUS
Use $1/1 Glade Cashmere Woods or Country Spice Product Target Coupon
Final Price = .99/ea

 

Bic Ball Point Pens or White Out (various) – $0.99/ea
Use $1/2 Bic Stationary Item Printable Coupon
Use $1/2 Bic Stationary Products 8/1/2010 SS Insert (exp 9/30/2010)
PLUS
Use $1/2 BIC Stationery Items – TARGET coupon (exp 9/11/2010)
Final Price = FREE when you buy 2

(I am getting the white out as I have plenty of pens now!)

 

These deals are good through 09/04/10.  I compiled my list using Stretching a Buck.  Check her out…

This is an example of being smart while doing your lists for stores to shop at.  Allow someone else to do the leg work of matching the deals and then take their list, delete the ones you don’t want, and then print your own match up.  Just save them to your favorites, but remember you don’t have to view EVERY blog out there to get the best deals… view one or two that compile the best deals and link you back to where to find the full list.  Sometimes there may be something on the original list that didn’t make it to someone else’s compiled list of what they see as the best deals for that store that week. 

 

 

Menu Monday

Menu Plan Monday

Monday – Turkey Tacos, yellow Mahatma rice and toppings

Tuesday – chicken and pasta with choice or red or alfredo sauce served with broccoli

Wednesday – Chick Fil A (weekly tradition after dance class)

Thursday – Fish, brown rice and veggies

Friday – Sunday we don’t need to plan any meals because the holiday weekend has been taken care of for us (YAY!)

 

I am going to try and add one meal each week that is fish of some sort.  I will need to start looking up more recipes for this as I am very limited on my general knowledge of how to cook it differently and there is nothing worse than repetition (unless of course you’re speaking of Chick Fil A)!  I really like grilled salmon so I’m hoping this is okay with hubs as I could eat this every night of the week.  That and tuna… mmmmm….

Enough day dreaming about food for me.  This is our menu for the week and is a super easy one since I am back in school.  I’m hoping that I can start pinning some other things down each week to make a better routine.  Example, Wednesday is Chick Fil A, Thursday is fish and maybe Tuesday I’m hoping to turn into crock pot night.  This will be nice especially with colder weather (hopefully) headed our way soon.  That will take care of three of the five during the work week.  Monday’s I can prepare for pretty easily on Sunday and Friday I’m not too worried about life because I have the following two days off so I don’t mind cooking on those nights.  HOWEVER, with school back in swing I will need to cut time where I can. 

Remember two of the best ways to cut time in the kitchen is to cook ahead and RECYCLE!

More on that later.

 

HT Trip

I have been lax about posting recently and I’m sorry.  Life has been uber busy but I will try my hardest to get everything going again. 

I didn’t do as great as I normally do but because I had to get some stuff like trash bags, wood floor cleaner and toilet paper.  However, I spent $57.18 and saved $44.28 so not too bad.  This is what I got…

 

Box Hefty trash bags 6.99 - .55 = 5.89

4 boxes Barilla on sale $1 ea – (2) $1/2 coupons = .50 each ($2.00)

HT Grated Parmesan cheese 2.39

(2) French’s Honey mustard sauce on sale $2.00 each – (2) .75 coupons = .50 each

(2) Planter’s unsalted peanuts for 3.29 each – (2) .75 Planters grove coupons = 1.79 each

(3) cans Dole fruit @ 1.00 each – (3) .50 Dole coupons for the fruit in the produce section = free

HT Syrup 1.87

Shamrock milk (individual size) for 1.00 - .50 coupon = free

Ground Turkey (4 – 1 lb rolls) for 7.99

(2) Hillshire Farms lunch meat 3.89 ea - .55 coupon = 2.79

Bag baby carrots for 1.79

HT Cranberry juice for 2.97

(3) bottles apple juice for .97 each

4 pack tomatoes for 2.97

Murphy’s floor cleaner for 4.95 - .50 coupon = 3.95

Nature’s Own wheat bread for 1.74 - .75 coupon = .24

Gallon milk for 3.19

Charmin Big Roll (12 rolls) for 8.99 – 8.00 Prilosec coupon = .99

2 L diet coke for 1.59

12 pk diet coke cans for 4.99

 

I also used a $5 off $40 purchase coupon that I had and unfortunately it was my last one L but I don’t think I did too bad with what I got.  I had to get the trash bags, floor cleaner, toilet paper, syrup, and parmesan cheese.  I was finally able to go shopping last night after hubs got home which he was late.  I pulled into the parking lot of HT at 8:19 and was home by 9:00 so time wise I did good.  I was in and out because I just wanted to get home and in the bed.

Granted the 12 pack of Diet Coke is not a necessity but I buy them at work so I figured in the end it would save me a bit of money, especially over a period of time.

How did you do this weekend?

 

 

General Mills Deal from HT

If you buy 20 participating General Mills items from Harris Teeter in one order it will automatically deduct $6.00 from your order.  You can pair this with another Catalina deal that will give you $$ off your next order too! 

 

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks

Buy 3 get $1 OYNO

Buy 4 get $2 OYNO

Buy 5 get $3 OYNO

 

Nature Valley or Fiber One bars

Buy 3 get $1.50 OYNO

Buy 4 get $2.50 OYNO

Buy 5 get $3.50 OYNO

 

I will put up a link once I learn how to use the Google Documents so you can see the awesome spreadsheet I did on these deals.

 

Here is what I got and the coupons I used…

 

(6) Betty Crock Fruit Roll ups @1.50 ea = 9 – (3) .50/2 coupons = 6.00 (2 IP & 1 man coupons)

(3) Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Bars @ 2.50 ea = 7.50 – (3) .50/1 coupons = 4.50 (2 IP & 1 man coupons)

(2) Nature Valley Granola Bars @ 2.50 ea = 5.00 – (1) .75/2 coupons = 3.50 (man coupon)

(2) Lucky Charms @ 2.50 ea = 5.00 – (1) 1/2 coupon = 4.00 (man coupon)

(2) Cocoa Puffs @ 2.50 ea = 5.00 – (2) .55/1 coupons = 2.80 (2 IP coupons)

(2) Cinnamon Toast Crunch @ 2.50 ea = 5.00 – (1) 1/2 coupon = 4.00 (man coupon)

(3) Macaroni Grill Dinner kits @ 3.50 ea = 10.50 – (3) .75 coupons = 6.00 (3 man coupons)

 

My order took $6.00 off for buying 20 General Mills products

 

Total OOP = $25.57

 

Got back $3.50 OYNO and $3.00 OYNO coupons

 

So could  say $19.07 for the order or .95 each!

 

 

Walgreens Picture Deal of the Day

Today’s special is one free folded card.  Walgreens deal of the day is only good for today and they are having one each day through Saturday, August 21^st.  Check out their website to grab this deal.  Good idea for a birthday card for someone and if you can have this done at the store instead of shipped to you then it would be COMPLETELY free!

RDU's Groupon Today

Today’s Groupon for RDU is $50 worth of clothes from Gap for $25!  You don’t even have to use it in Raleigh, but just any Gap Store in the US.  Go here to check it out and score a great deal on some clothes!!!

Dove Spinning Wheel Game

Dove also has a spinning wheel game that you can spin three times daily and see if you win anything.  I’ve tried and no luck, BUT you do get to print out some good coupons afterwards so it’s worth the shot.  You do have to register and I always make sure to “shorten” my name by dropping a few letters because if I see anything in the mail or in my email to the shortened version of my name then I know it’s not anything that needs my immediate attention. 

Check out the Dove Game!!

Hellman's Wheel

Hellman’s mayo has a “wheel” you can spin online three times per day to win various things.  I have played for the past two days and nothing yet, but hopefully you can win something.  Worth a shot anyways as you really don’t have anything to lose!  You have to register the first time, and it only took me a second or two, and then you have to sign in each time, but luckily you don’t have to remember any password!  Let me know if your luck is better than mine.

Hellman’s Spin Game

Groupon

Check out Groupon to get some great deals on stuff near you. You can get discounts on all kinds of things, basically the power of buying by the masses. I even signed up for a city that we are visiting next month to have a cheaper vacation and go to some awesome restaurants for a fraction of the cost!

HT Trip Super Double Trip #2

I went again to HT for their super double promotion on Sunday 08/15/10 and this is what I scored…

·         (4) Emerald Trail Mix @ 1.67 each – (2) 1.50/2 coupons = .68 for all four

·         Nestle Quik Powder @ 3.45 – 1 coupon (off the four pack but works on this) = 1.45

·         (2) Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix @ 2.50 each – $1/2 coupon = 3.00

·         (6) Ragu Pasta Sauces on sale BOGO @ 3.35 each – 1.25/3 coupon = 7.55 (1.26 ea)

·         (2) Uncle Ben’s rice (flavored box kind) @ 1.00 each – (2) .75 coupons = Free

·         Gillette Custom Plus Pivot razor 10 pk @ 7.49 – 4 Gillette Mach 3 coupon = 3.49

·         (2) Gillette Fusion Shave Gel @ 2.99 each – (2) 1 coupons = 1.98 (.98 each)

·         (2) Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles @ 2.59 each – 1.50/2 printable coupon = 2.18 (1.09 each)

·         (3) Minute Made Frozen Lemonade desserts @ 3 for $4 – (3) .75 coupons (frozen minute made novelty) = Free

·         Tyson chicken breast tenders (box) @ 3.75 – 1 coupon = 1.75

·         HT Sugar Snap Peas (frozen) = 1.67

·         HT Green Peas (frozen) = 1.67

·         HT Mixed Veggies (frozen) = 1.66

·         HT Baby Limas (frozen) = 1.66

·         HT Baby Bud Broccoli (frozen) = 1.97

·         (2) Pillsbury Simply Biscuits 10 ct @ 2.00 each – (2) 1 internet coupon (off the simply dessert ones) = Free

·         (3) Danimals Yogurt squeeze packs @ 2.00 each – (3) 1 coupons = Free

·         (2) Tropicana Juices on sale for .8 – $1./2 Trop 50 coupons = Free

·         HT Lite Sour Cream = .99

·         HT 2.5 dozen eggs = 3.07

·         ½ gallon Vanilla Soy Milk = 2.99

·         Gallon Milk = 3.49

On top of all the coupons listed above I also had one from HT that I got in the mail for $5 off $40 purchase.  This $40 has to be your total AFTER all coupons, sales, etc.  Luckily mine was $41.27, so the coupon went through.  After all taxes and everything said and done my total was $38.66 and I saved $73.83.  That is a grand total of $112.49 so I saved 65%.  Not a bad trip, but not my best.  Either way I will still take it!

I am going back tonight armed with more coupons with a few hopes… that they have the Kraft Mac and Cheese in stock so I can get three free bags.  Also, I learned from a friend that the $1.50 Millstone coupons will work on the little bags, so this could be a great addition to a gift basket for a coffee lover.  I’m thinking maybe for my sister for Christmas… some neat coffees, new mugs and maybe a new coffee maker.  Can’t you get those free online from somewhere.  If not, maybe after getting hubs his awesome birthday present I will have some amazon gift cards left over to roll towards Christmas!  Here’s to hoping!

Hit List for Tonight’s HT Trip

·         (3) Kraft Mac and cheese – free after $1 coupon multiplies

·         (3) Millstone coffees – free without coupon multiplying so these can be used on regular weeks

·         (1) L-Arginine = $2 after (1) $1 coupon (will do two transactions so I can get two of these as they are BOGO)

·         (4) Emerald Trail Mixes = .67 after (2) 1.50/2 coupons

·         (6) Tropicana Juices = Free after (3) $1/2 coupons

I’m really hoping that I can get all of this stuff tonight.  I did notice some other stuff I could have gotten this week while I was at the store the other night that I could have gotten for free but this would have worked on a regular week (coupons less than .99 face value and sale not over this week, per the tag) so I held off getting these items but will probably throw a few in just to be able to use the max coupons allowed that will multiply per transaction (20 that will multiply each transaction/day per VIC card, so I have more than one VIC card).

Target Trip

I went to Target during lunch and this is what I scored for $4.18 total OOP

 

1 – Merona Women’s top on sale for $2.48 - $2 Merona Women’s apparel Target coupon = .48

1 – Dora the Explorer movie for $5.00 - $3 Target printable coupon = 2.00

8 pk Thank You cards on sale for .74

4 – 2 pocket folders at .15 each = .60

2 – 10 ct Bic Pens at $1 each - $1/2 manufacturer coupon - $1/2 Target coupon = Free

 

The Target printable coupon for the Merona apparel is no longer available online and only allowed me to print one when they were.  The Dora movie I am thinking ahead of Christmas (cheap stocking stuffer).  The thank you cards were a great price and I love being old fashioned and sending them to people.  I hope it makes them smile when they read them!  The 2 pocket folders I learned I would need for school.  The pens, well, you can never have enough pens. 

I did have six of the Shout travel wipes that were priced at .97 each and attempted to use the $2/2 coupon, but the coupon only took off .97 each so I’m thinking this is one of those coupons that says you must buy two but in reality it won’t beep if you buy just one.  She said I could go to the customer service counter and do my transaction there but since I was on lunch I declined because I just don’t have the time on my lunch break. 

Even though the Target coupons are no longer available online you might be able to score some good deals on their website searching their clearance items.  All of the apparel coupons that were printable from the Target website had codes on them so you could use them on their website.  Here are the codes…

·         $2 off Women’s Belt (TGTBELTS)

·         $2 off Kid’s Denim (TGTDMNKD)

·         $3 off Women or Men’s Denim (TGTDMNAD)

·         $2 off Merona Women’s Apparel this includes all bottoms per the coupon… shorts, skirts, skorts, pants and capris (TGTME2BT)

·         $3 off Merona Footwear (TGTME3FT)

·         $3 off Merona Men’s Top (TGTME3MT)

·         $1.50 off 60 ct (or more) Up & Up diapers or training pants (TGTUPUPD)

Hopefully with these you could score some great deals… let me know!

Homemade Laundry Soap in Review

OK, so last night I decided I was going to make my own homemade laundry soap. After talking to my long last friend Jennifer I decided it was a great economical and "green" decision on our part. Granted, not as green as some ideas, but this is about as close as I'm going to get to a "green" laundry detergent. I am not going to resort to finding a good stream or river with rocks to beat my clothes on so this is it.

I got all of my ingredients together... My 5 gallon bucket and lid, borax, washing powder and soap.

I also got out my cheese grater (not pictured) and grate all of my cheese and put into a pot on the stove. I also had the borax and washing soda in the pot as well. I covered this with water and put it on high and stirred constantly until all of the soap melted.

20 minutes later I'm pretty much panicking because my soap is not melting. I send Jennifer a text and this is how the conversation goes...

ME: "How long does it take the soap to melt?? Its been on there 20 and still not melted"

Jennifer: "Did you grate it? It only took me about five minutes. Add more water."

ME: "Yes I grated it and aI did add more water!!! Aahhh LOL"

Jennifer: "I put mine on high not low... What is yours set at?"

ME: "Med high. Think I resolved it. Took longer because I used a glycerin soap."

Jennifer: "Yep was gonna ask you that. The glycerin cant be used in a HE washer."

ME: "FOUR LETTER WORD FOUR LETTER WORD FOUR LETTER WORD" (literally that is what I texted her!)

Jennifer: "Hmmmmm..... At me?"

ME: "No! At me for not asking first. LOL. Can I use Dove??"

Jennifer: Yes I used white bar dove and I have used jergens and ivory."

ME: "OK. Let me dump this 5 gallon thing down the sink and start over. Thankfully its cheap and I don't feel bad!!"

Here is the picture of the 5 gallon bucket of laundry soap that I labored over and then have to pour down the drain! Sadness did fill me when I did this, but still no guilt. I rinsed it with water, wiped it out, cleaned the cheese grater and pot and spoon and started all over again.

Next, I retrieved some soap from under my sink that was Dove and "normal" soap, not glycerin. However, you will notice it's a bit orange. That's because it is orange. Kind of looks like cheese and I'm pretty sure my kids think I am now cleaning our clothes with some liquid containing their favorite dairy product.










You will notice the white below the cheese like product. This is the borax and washing powder. I filled the pot with water, turned the stove on high and within seven minutes it was all successfully melted and mixed thoroughly! Much better than the thirty minute failure only a few minutes prior to the second success.

I now have a five gallon bucket of laundry soap that will need to be cut with water before I actually use it, so ten gallons worth of laundry soap with minimal effort (but only if you use the right ingredients the first go round). I was very hopefull at this point, VERY HOPEFUL that this laundry soap would work as well as I hoped. Just the cost savings alone had me excited. I put the lid on the bucket and set it aside and think about all the laundry I am going to do the next day.

Fast forward to 5:11 a.m.... Hubs is getting ready for work and for some unknown and horrible reason he is talking to me. Then, I realize he's trying to wake me up. SERIOUSLY? Then I realize that he's trying to tell me he's running late and the baby has had a blow out and would I please take care of her. I get out of bed, no longer grumpy because the circumstances were explained and even in my pre-coffee haze I realized there was some sense to why he woke me up.

I take care of the baby and instead of stripping her bed down right then and throwing the linens in the washer I figured I would let them "marinate" and the stink and stain to set in because I wanted to try the new laundry soap. I leave the baby in her pull up alone and bring her back to me. She's curious watching hubs getting his uniform on as she's normally asleep during this long and arduous process, so she wants to get down and go jabber to him. She's cute, I can't say no. He finally leaves for work and baby gets back in the bed with me and lucky me, she wants to snuggle!!! Yay!! I'm in heaven!

Not even ten seconds after he walks out the door and the room is restored to its wonderful 5:00 a.m. darkness does my little one utter two syllables and I know she's awake for the long haul... "T.B." I scream inside my head and give in and let her watch Mickey Mouse. Yes, I let the "TB" baby sit my baby so I could get a few more minutes or even seconds of sleep that I could get. Thankfully she can't get out of our bed without assistance... it's way too high.

OK... fast forward to 7:00 a.m. I'm finally up and moving... straight down the stairs to fix some coffee. This is normally already made for me, but hubs was running late. That's OK... he's forgiven already. The sweet snuggle time I got this morning was priceless! Anyways... fast forward fifteen minutes to me, coffee in hand adorned in my favorite comfy pants and one of hubs' t-shirts, standing in my baby's bedroom looking at the mess created by her digestion system. Evidently something did NOT agree with her. Looking back now I think it was the ranch dressing she asked for to dip her Chick Fil A nuggets in. That was really the only new thing she'd had.

I strip her bed and put everything in the washer. Then, head back downstairs to get some laundry soap. I find a container in the kitchen and fill it half way with the homemade laundry soap and half water and mix well. I head back up stairs and throw it all in the wash and wait to see the results.

The results... it worked wonderfully! It took all of the poopy stuff out and was clean. Very surprised and happy. I dry everything and there's even less lint in the lint trap in the dryer so it's treating my clothes better than the normal laundry detergent we use that advertises it doesn't wear your clothes out.

Im on load number three and still happy!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I am going to attempt to make my own laundry detergent tonight.  By doing this I hope to save a TON of money.  I’m even thinking about bottling it and selling some “green” detergent… what do you think?  Ha ha ha!  Seriously, I do hope it works and so far it looks like it’s going to save me a ton.  Here’s a breakdown of the cost…

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda - $2.95

Mule Team Borax - $4.65

Both after tax were $8.19

5 gallon bucket - $2.48

Lid for bucket - $.98

Both after tax were $3.73

Total OOP = $11.92

The bucket and lid were a onetime purchase that I shouldn’t have to invest in again for a long, long time.  The washing soda and borax I know I can get AT LEAST 6 “recipes” out of (if not more), so that would make it about $1.37 per recipe.  For my HE washer I should get 640 loads out of that so cost per load is .0021!!!    

I was looking at Tide in HT last night and when it goes on sale it is normally $9.97 and pair with a $1 coupon that would make it $8.97 and it gets 64 loads for an HE washer, but that’s only if you’re putting in the minimal amount of detergent, so let’s reduce the number by 25%.  I would say that would be closer to the norm.  That would make it last for 48 loads.  That is .187 per load.  Making my own is a savings of .1849 per load and I do two a night on an average night throughout the week so that would be a minimum savings per year of $134.98!

I really hope this works because any little bit helps.  I still have a lot of detergent at home that I’ve bought and will have to use, but you know what… it’s already been bought and that money is gone.  I doubt I still have my receipt to return it but I’m not so worried about that.  I will take it to the beach house my in laws bought if I like the homemade stuff so we won’t have to worry about buying any for down there.

Now, how do you make your own fabric softener or am I just wasting my money buying it to begin with?

HT Super Doubles - Trip #1

I am probably going to go to HT more than just one time during this session of Super Doubles.  Here is what I bought last night…

6 – Emerald Trail Mix (sale 3 for $5 and used 3 $1/2 emerald blue diamond coupon so .67 for all six – note the coupon was for the nuts and not the trail mix, the register did beep but they did an override without any question)
2 – Heinz Ketchup (1.67 and used $1 Heinz 57 coupon = free)
6 – Ragu Spaghetti Sauce (BOGO 3.35 and then $1.25 off 3 coupon makes 7.55 for all six so 1.26 each)
1 – Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce (2.55 and used .55 coupon so 1.45, we needed this)
1 – Chips Ahoy cookies (1.82 on sale and used $1 coupon from July all you magazine = free)
2 – Lance crackers, packs of 8 (sale 2 for $4, used $1/2 coupons so $1 each)
2 – cans of Muir Tomatoes (1.95 ea with .75 coupon = .45 each)
2 – Tropicana Juice (in the cold section, on sale for .99 and used the $1/2 Tropicana 50 coupon = free)
1 – Borden Grilled Cheese slices (sale 1.99 with $1 coupon = free, coupon from July All You magazine)
1 – Danimal 4 pack yogurt (2.00 with $1 coupon = free)
1 – Gallon milk (3.49, a must have)
3 – Butterball Turkey bacon (rain check for 2.50 paired with 1.50 butterball coupon = free)
6 – John Morrell hot off the bone BBQ chicken, in the lunch meat section (price was 4.99 but had $4 clearance coupons on them making them .99 each and then had 2 - $1 coupons and these coupons did double because the $4 coupons are not UPC specific so I paid 1.94 for all six! Or .32 each!!!)
1 – L-Arginine, one of the vitamins hubs takes (on sale BOGO at 7.99 so 3.99 for 1 and used $1 coupon so $2 for one, I normally pay $5 per bottle for this so this is a great deal and I will be going back to get more but can only buy one at a time since BOGO)

I plan on going during lunch today to grab a few items.  I will be checking on the Kraft Mac & Cheese in the bags that are sale priced at $1.99 and paired with $1 coupon to make free.  I looked for these at two different HT’s yesterday and neither one had them in stock.  I am going to get some more vitamins for hubs, more juice (can never have enough free juice plus HT apple juice is on sale for .97 if you need some that doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge), Ragu spaghetti sauce (this always makes for a quick, easy and tasty meal that is even better reheated for leftovers).  There are quite a few toiletries that I’m sure I could grab for free, but honestly… we have enough so I am going to slack up on the toiletries for a bit.  I’m pretty sure if I come home with any more toothpaste that hubs will not only threaten to divorce me, but I can see him pleading with the judge now…

“but YOUR HONOR, our home is overrun with toothpaste!  She has a sick, sick addiction to seeing how much toothpaste she can get for free… our girls are in danger because she is going to use their rooms to stock more toothpaste!” 

Yep, I can see it now!  I did have the option to get more free toothpaste last night but I passed it up for his vitamins (he should be PROUD!!).  There are a bunch of items I can get for free using the “wrong” coupons.  The Betty Crocker fruit snacks are on sale for $1.50 and they have the UPC code 16000 so the .75 Macaroni Grill dinner kit coupons will work on these fruit snacks to get them free!  I will have to grab three boxes of those during lunch. 

Then, tonight I am going to take on Super Target to see what I can get there for free/cheap.  I have printed out the coupons for the produce and steak.  Not to mention the ones for the Merona clothing items so I will see what I can’t get this evening.  I also have to go by the bank and get our allowance for the week, which by the way I kept to mine this week and did not go over.  I even bought essential oil for my new business venture I have planned out of my allowance.
 

I have fallen off the deep end.

I am really taking the plunge head first into frugality.

Pretty sure I possibly bumped my head when I jumped in head first.

I am going to make my own laundry detergent.

Yep, you heard me right… I  A M  G O I N G  T O  M A K E  M Y  O W N  L A U N D R Y  D E T E R G E N T

I spent almost two hours on the phone with a long lost friend from my childhood last night.  She wanted to learn how to do the coupon shopping thing.  I told her what our weekly budget was and it included everything including laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. and she proceeded to tell me that she makes her own laundry detergent and it works just as well, if not better, than store bought.  She has two small children and says that it works great on their clothes at removing stains, etc.  And you can even make it smell like whatever you want.  I asked if she had an HE washer, because that’s what we have and you have to buy special detergent and she said YES that it works in their HE washer without any problems.  The best part is that it only takes about 15-20 minutes and she only has to do this ONCE A YEAR!  I don’t even want to tell you the cost because I almost fell off my chair last night when she told me!

So, this weekend you can find me in the kitchen making my own laundry detergent if you need me.

FYI… this detergent is so gentle I’m sure that you could use this on baby’s laundry.

I have found two different recipes and am going to try each of them… I will let you know the results!

Christmas Planning

I am going to attempt at doing a series on planning for Christmas so it will be less stressful and hopefully a lot more enjoyable.  My goals for Christmas are…

·         Enjoy my kids and family

·         Lay back and relax

·         Not stress out about the money factor

·         Shop without it killing our checking account

·         Get as much for free as possible!

Hopefully I can get the series done and then you can see how I do it each year and I will keep you up to date on how I’m doing.

C9 Target Coupon

If you printed off the Target Women's C9 apparel (Champion) coupon then you could get a great deal on socks. Yes, I said socks... we all need them... we all wear them and they are normally the last thing you think about upgrading your current selection because face it... we think about ourselves last and during the summer if they aren't open toe'd then you're probably not thinking about putting your foot in them. So, go get some socks for .99! They are normally a three pack but have a bonus pair, so .25 each. Go get your socks women!!!

CVS 50 Pics $6

You can order 50 pictures from CVS for $6 with the code “50FOR6”.  If you choose to pick up in the store (in hours) then there will be no shipping costs! 

*Christmas Idea – pair this deal with a cheap photo album from Ollie’s or Big Lots to give to grandparents.  I personally do this for my grandparents (the girls’ great grandparents) as their walls are loaded with all of the children, grand children and great grand children alike.  It’s great to give them a book each year documenting each of our girls growing up!

Ulta Deal

If you got two papers last week there were coupons for Buy one Herbal Essence or Aussie product and get a styler (same brands) for free.  There was also a $3.50 off $10 purchase for Ulta in their weekly ad.  Herbal Essence and Aussie products are on sale for $2.50 each.

Scenario

Buy 4 Herbal Essence and/or Aussie products (two do not have to be a styler unless you get a coupon Nazi at the checkout counter but they will not beep if you buy all shampoo and conditioner) = $10

Use the $3.50 coupon first = $10 - 3.50 = $6.50

Then, use the 2 coupons for BOGO = $6.50 -5.00 (2.50 x 2) = $1.50

After tax the total is $1.62

I did this Wednesday at lunch and it did work!  This will work today and tomorrow.  The ad resets on Sunday so you must do before then.  See, good deals are not only to be had at the drug stores, so keep your eyes open and keep all coupons you come across because you never know when they will come in handy.

Side note:  Ulta does have a reward program.  These can add up quickly if you shop there regularly or buy some of your products there.  I use their makeup and by the time I spend $50 I normally have enough points to get $9 off my next purchase.  This works even better if I wait to get something in the mail that will multiply my points on a purchase (sometimes get 3x point coupons on my next purchase).

 

Three pairs of sandals for $3.98!!!

Go to JCPenny’s website and right now all shoes ship for free.  Then you have a code you can use “TEN2YOU” to get $10 off any order of $10 or more.  Your order has to come to at least $10.00, not $9.99 to use the code.  I got a pair of cute sandals for $9.99 and two pairs of flip flops for $3.99… total $13.98 - $10 = $3.98 for all three pairs.  The flip flops I actually got are solid white and solid black, not those pictured, but are the same style.  I think that is an awesome deal!

$3 Toy Deal

I played the Play-Doh Instant Win Game.  I used code KDN185UV9JN34 (copy it and then paste in).  If you don’t win the game, no big deal, you get to print out a coupon for $5 off the Play Doh Ice Cream Shoppe set.  Target has these on sale for $8 this week, making them only $3!!!!  I played and didn’t win and printed out the coupon, I hit my “back” button three times and printed it out again.  I am going to get two today at lunch and will save for Christmas.  Yes, I’m already thinking about Christmas but if you have children, nieces (or nephews) and other “littles” to buy for this would make a great inexpensive gift. 

 

Trying to look out so you can save some moolah like I do!!  LOL  Pass this one to other parents, grandparents, etc. that could use this deal!

Wishful Thinking

I have been wishing for triple coupons for quite some time now.  I have been let down twice now by rumors on the internet about triple coupons and am hoping (seriously hoping and whining) that they come this week.  I need to stock up on everything while I can.  I have school starting in two weeks and need to get what I can while I have more free time to do so. 

My goal was to have everything stocked up on to last us until the end of the year by the time school started at least in staple type stuff like toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc. but I did not get that done this summer.  I was too busy heading off to the beach and spending time with the family.  I am very thankful I did that because this is going to be a busy time of year!

·         Working full time

·         Full time school schedule (granted three of my four classes are online, but still a lot of work)

·         The eldest has dance class once a week

·         Hubs has a lot of training with the special forces team he is on this fall/winter

·         Keeping up with everything while so super busy during the week (including coupons, shopping, laundry, cleaning, etc.)

·         Holidays/Big Events (in order)… a wedding, my birthday (while not a nationally observed holiday it is one in our house), Labor Day, father in law’s 50^th birthday, nephew’s 16^th birthday, Halloween, hopefully a cruise, Hubs’ birthday, Thanksgiving, Black Friday (the best shopping day EVER), eldest’s daughter’s birthday, our anniversary, exams (yikes), Christmas, and then multiple birthdays in between that weren’t included and not to mention four birthdays within five days after Christmas!

·         Shopping for Christmas and all the birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

·         Decorating for all the various holidays (and party planning)

·         Finding Halloween outfits… this takes HOURS of preparation!

·         Cooking every night so we save money and not eat out for dinner or lunch

·         Sticking to our budget and paying bills (that is time consuming I don’t care what anyone says)

·         Trying to plan a vacation with hubs somewhere in there (hoping for a cruise!)

Whatever… there is always a lot going on and when you throw in a full time job, full time school, family life, coupons, shopping, cleaning, etc. that is a lot!