Bloom and Harris Teeter SCORE!

It's been a long time since I have posted! I'm trying to get back into the game again and I think today's shopping trip gave me the boost I needed. I was able to purchase all of this for just $68.05!!

This does not include the 2 packs of Gatorade in the garage. I saved a TON of money by taking advantage of the triple coupon deal at Bloom and the double coupon deal at HT.

CVS Deals

Here's how I did:

Trans #1:
One AccuChek Monitor $9.99
Used $2/$10 Q
Spent: $8.39
Got back $9.99 ECB's


Trans #2:
6 bottles Suave kids shampoo $12.00
Used 3 $1/2 Q's
1 Nice & Easy hair color $5.99
Used $2/1 Q
Used $9.99 ECB's
Spent: $3.15
Got back $4.00 ECB's

Trans #3: (Hubby's CVS card)
1 AccuChek Monitor $9.99
Spent $10.49
Got back $9.99 ECB's

Next CVS (up the street)

Trans #1:
4 Suave Kids Shampoos $8.00
2 Suave Hairsprays $4.00
Used 2 $2/3 Q's
Used $4.00 ECB's
Spent: $4.40
Got back $4.00 ECB's

Trans #2:
1 CoverGirl AmazeMint Lip Gloss $5.99
2 Colgate tooth paste
Used 2 $1/1 Q's for toothpaste
Used $9.99 ECB's
Spent: 10 cents
Got back: $5.99 ECB's

Trans #3:
2 Febreeze Noticeables Starter Kits $6.99 each
Used 2 $5/1 Q's
Used $4.00 ECB's
Spent: 48 cents

How do you think I did? I could have probably worked them a little better, but I'm doing my best!! I'm just happy to know that we have enough shampoo for the kids to get through the next 5 months!

Why I Love Thrift Stores

Today, I made a quick stop at the local thrift shop in my town. I love this place - they have SO much to choose from, it's well organized, and the prices are right.
My little one found a cash register complete with paper money and change for $2.90. I found this:


It's a large ceramic pumpkin with a large 4 wick candle inside. I didn't even realize that it once held a candle - I just thought it would be cute for fall decor. I took my find home and washed it. When I turned it over I couldn't believe my eyes - $75.00!!! Who in their right mind would pay $75 for a candle??
It was also signed on one side so I decided to do a little research. Turns out it was a candle that was carried by Bath and Body Works last year and was extremely popular (I still can't believe anyone can pay that kind of money for a candle...)

My price? $6.90. Yeah, baby.

FREE COUPONIZER!!!

She’s at it again! Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls has another AWESOME giveaway – this time it’s a Couponizer! This is a great coupon organizing system that can help you get all of your coupons and store cards in order, thus helping you to stretch those dollars even more! She is also including a copy of Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom by Stephanie Nelson. This book is very handy in helping you become a smarter shopper!

If you are interested in this treat, rush over to http://www.frugalmommyof2girls.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment with your email address and a hot tip on saving money.

check out the Couponizer's site to learn more about this product:
http://www.thecouponizer.com/

Fantastic Giveaway!

Frugal Mommy over at Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls has a sweet giveaway!

If you win this giveaway you will get: Sweet Pea Linen / Room Spray, 8oz Tommy Girl Lotion, Citrus & Sage Candle, Herbal Goat Milk Soap!


From her site:

Sweet Valley Candles offers 100% soy wax candles & lotions, all natural handmade soaps, linen/room sprays and other goodies! Please take a look at her site and see all the wonderful and natural items she offers!

check it out here:
http://www.frugalmommyof2girls.blogspot.com/

I saved 10% on my car insurance by switching to...

We've all seen the commercials about checking out the "other guy" when it comes to our car insurance. I did that some time ago, and the little lizard has been good to my wallet. But there are always a few ways to save even more money on your car insurance...

-Call and ask for special discounts. If you have more than one car on the policy, you can usually save up to 25% on your bill.

-If you change jobs or work locations and are closer to home, it pays to see if they will give you an even deeper discount. I did just this and they knocked $60 per year off of my bill!

So tell me: What are some of the tips you use when trying to save money on insurance?

Cute Kid Picture

No, she's not eating sand...it's a triscuit. ok, a sandy triscuit.

Dave Ramsey $10 Deal

Now through September 2nd, Dave Ramsey is offering quite a few of his books, CD's and DVD's on his website for just $10. I am a fan of his teachings and recommend them highly. Check out his site:


Click on "Online Store" (left side of the screen)

A few suggestions:

The Total Money Makeover book
DVD - Cashflow planning
Designer or Deluxe Envelope System (we have used thses before and they are great!)

Bloom Specials 8/27 - 9/02

I received the weekly Bloom flier today in the mail, and found that it had some decent deals. Here are a few of the good deals that can be combined with coupons:

-Angel Soft bath tissue 9 mega or 12 double rolls Reg $7.86 Sale $5.99 Use the $1/2 coupon SAVINGS: $4.74

-VIVA paper towels 8 rolls Reg $8.74 Sale $5.99 Use $1/ off 3 pack coupon SAVINGS: $3.75

-Buy any 4 General Mills Cereals, Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, Nature Valley Granola Bars or Fiber One bars @ regular retail and save $6.00
Use 2 .50/2 coupons

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE DEALS

Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs B1G1
Apple Pie B1G1
Bic Soleil Disposable razors or razor refills B1G1
Keebler TownHouse crackers B1G1
Nabisco Nilla Wafers B1G1
Spring! Natural Spring Water B1G1
Emerald Cashew Halves or Mixed Nuts B1G1
Simply Potatoes B1G1
Pepperidge Farms Cakes B1G1

Put More Money in Your Pocket

If you are anything like me, you get a little obsessed when it comes to finding new and exciting ways to save money. It's truly a game for me. And to tell you the truth, I get a little sweaty palms syndrome when I am rockin' the CVS deals. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but it's true - my heart races...I get super excited...anyway...
Here are some great new ideas to help you save even more money and the stretch what you have:

Bank of America has an agreement until April 2009 with 73 museums across the country that allowes you to get in free the first weekend of every month if you show them your BOA debit, credit or ATM card. Go to www.bankofamerica.com/museums to find museums and other attractions in your area.

Check out www.cash4books.net. If you have books in good condition, type in the ISBN numbers (found on the back cover or copyright page in the front of the book) and see if you can get cash for them. Complete the transaction online. print out your prepaid mailing label, mail them out and sit back and wait for your check in the mail. Easy Peasy! (they also work with PayPal)

Source: Womans Day September 2008

Hook It Up at Staples!

Okay, for those of you who have children in school (I have one going into second grade this year) you probably already know about the stellar offers that Staples and Office Depot provide this time of year. If not, here is a list of the great deals to be had at Staples today through August 30th - don't wait! These freebies are bound to be disappearing off of the shelves at warp speed!

Here are the sales for Staples:

FREE Staples manual pencil sharpeners. Limit 3.

FREE 2-pocket paper folder. Limit 10.

FREE Staples cap erasers, 12pk. Limit 3.

Staples binder 3-hole punch $.25. Limit 3

Staples 1/2" and 1" plastic binders $.25. Limit 8.

Slider pencil case, $.05. Limit 2.

Staples clear glue sticks 4pk. $.25. Limit 3.

$30 RX gift card!!

Rite Aid is offering a $30 gift card if you transfer your prescription to them. The coupon is here
I think that CVS and Target accept these types of competitors coupons, but call your local pharmacy just to make sure! Thanks to Angel for this great info!

Back from my Mini Break

I spent a three day weekend with my sister and her family in Florida last weekend. Just me. No kids. No husband. Alone. Which I thought was going to be SO great...let me tell you that I am more attached to my hubby and kids than I imagined. I felt like I was missing a piece of me, literally. While I had a great time and really enjoyed my sister and family, I really, REALLY missed my man and my girls.
Next time I will have to bring them all with me.

Jami and I had a good time. We relaxed, did dometic things and laid around the pool....ahhh, the pool. I need one on the backyard. It was so great to see her! 2 times in 4 years is just not enough. Family is too important.

Jami, thanks for having me! I really did have a great time and hope to come back again in a few months!

Wears Red Nail Polish

Only on my toes...is that okay?

65 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

Our Little Hippie Chick

She Takes After Me

My oldest and I decided to try and make some mish-mash breakfast thing that we found in a "use what's in your pantry" recipe book. We had a lot of fun making it - we pretended to be two chefs hosting a show on the Food Network - of course I was not allowed to refer to her as anything but Chef Madi- she is very entertaining.

Please do not comment on that scary doll in the background. My youngest will NOT part with it, and for some reason it was hanging out in the kitchen. I would move it, but I am afraid of it.

And here is the finished product...however, no one is brave enough to eat this. I'm scared of it. But we still had fun baking!

Score...

I received this lovely piece of art yesterday...




FOR FREE!

Now..where should I hang it?

She's Crafty! (and she's just my type)

If you ever listented to the Beastie Boys growing up, you will understand that title.

I took my inspiration for this craft here:

http://www.graceviolet.com/2008/06/how-to-decoupage-notebook.html

And here is how mine turned out.

Ugly composition book

And After:

Not bad, huh? I gave it to my Mom as a little gift (she loves all things paper and pen). She ws impressed. I think I will have to make more...

Two Little Princesses

Sometimes they scream.

Sometimes they fight.

Sometimes they drive me nuts.

But give them a craft? They become best friends.

And I get to recharge my sanity levels.

I love you, Michaels. Especially when foam crowns and stickers are on clearance.

All of this for only $4.00!

And just look at those happy queens!

Todays Deals - Wal Mart Style

Ok tonight I was supposed to go to the gym, but I got a little blog obsessed and was reading all the good money saving entries...anyway, I got so excited that I skipped the gym and went to Wal Mart to see how well I could play the game...here we go:

Total for all of this: $71.06

I paid OOP (out of pocket): $21.00

That's right folks, $21 smackeroos! Coupons...what a wonderful thing. And it's nice to know that all of the post it tabs and powerade was free! I am impressed with my mad skills... I was even able to get some fun stuff for me---see that exclamation bottle? That is a body spray I used to wear when I was about 13...still love the smell...it was $5.00 (yikes!) but I wanted to reward myself for doing so well. Two nightgowns for the kids, some HP printer paper, All You magazine...I am on a high. Am I a nerd? Yes. Am I a nerd with a nice bank account. Yes again. I like being a nerd!