Lots of cereal

I love Sundays :) it's my shopping day!

I went to Target, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Toys R us today. However I'll only be sharing my CVS deal today :). I made like 5 mistakes at Walgreens today, it pays to read the fine print. I spent about $6 more than I should have at Walgreens. Target I got diapers, but I left my $5 gift card at home, so it wasn't how I planned it either. Walmart I didn't use any coupons, just got a few chairs for my childrens 2nd b-day party this up coming Saturday. Toys R us I did use coupons :) but I got their play house for their b-day present.

On to the CVS trip. Last night as I finished making my list of deals I wanted to get, my husband said he really wanted the Avatar movie. I saw it in the CVS ad, and though I spent like an hour making a list of all the things I wanted to get, once he fell asleep I reworked the deals and went through tons and tons of unorganized coupons - just so he can get the movie! I made it work :) This is what we got:


****Please ignore the wheat thins, I thought I bought them at CVS but I got them at Walgreens :) Oh and the milk is not in the picture, AHH! So please imagine it's there!

*Milk on sale $2.99 (used a $1/1 coupon) = $1.99
*Quatro razor $8.99 (used a $4/1 coupon) = $4.99 Got $4 ECB's back
*Irish spring body wash $2.99 (used a $.50 coupon) = $2.49 Got $2 ECB's back
*2 Oats and Honey Granola bars $2.44ea (used 2 - $.40/1 coupon) = $4.08 for both
*2 Chocolate Cheerios $2.44 ea (used 2- $.50/1 coupons) = $3.88 for both
*2 Lucky Charms $2.44 ea (used a $1/3 coupon so $.33ea) = $4.22 for both
*2 honey nut cheerios $2.44 ea (used a $1/3 coupon so $.33ea) = $4.22 for both
*Cinnamon Toast crunch $2.44 ea ($.33 off part of the above coupon) = $2.11
*Reeses puffs $2.44ea ($.33 off part of the above coupon) = $2.11
*2 Fig Newtons $1 ea (used 2-$1/1 coupons) = FREE
*1 Avatar DVD $19.99 (buy $25 in participating products get $15 off) = $4.99

Before coupons total would have been $44.38 plus taxes
After the above coupons + a $5 off $40 purchase + $8.79 in previous ECB's
Total OOP: $21.96 (taxes included)
I got $6 ECB's to spend on my next purchase

My husband got his movie, and we have tons of cereal to live off of for the next couple of months!

I got paid to shop!

I went to Target today! Surprise.

I purchased:

***The bagels are missing - oops, already put them in the pantry during this point.

*2 Merona handbags on clearance for $5 ea (used 2 -$5/1 coupons from target.com)= FREE
*3 Shout travel sized $.97 = $2.91
*Thomas Cinnamon swirl bagels on sale for $1.89 (used a $1/1 coupon from March All You) = $.89
*13 watt light bulb $2.69 (used a $2/1 Target coupon + a $1/1 manu coupon) = +$.31
*2 Degree deodorants $1.97 ea (used a $3/2 internet printable coupon) = $.94 for 2
*2 Reach floss $.97 ea (used 2- $1/1 internet printable coupons) = +$.06
*NYC lipshine gloss $1.72 (used a $1/1 coupon out of April All You) = $.72

Total: $5.09 (with out taxes)
Used the $5 GC from the scrubbing bubbles deal = $.09
Then I am going to submit for a $5 rebate for purchasing 3 shout products (does not exclude travel size)

So total: a profit of $4.91!!!


I thought I could either sell those purses in my upcoming annual garage sale, or I can keep them to use as gift bags for women's b-day presents filled with other 'girly' items.

Sometimes I just want to give up!

I had a horrid experience with Target yesterday. Yesterday morning I decided to check hip2save.com and make a target list and take the kids shopping. I came up with a really good list of items, and almost everything I was getting was close to Free.

So I went to Target, loaded my twins up in the cart, put a hand basket at the bottom of the basket and went on my way. I checked out the purses, I could have got one for $2, but I didn't like any of them and I wanted to get two to put in my garage sale if they were close to free, which they weren't. So I skipped them.

Alright well I could tell you about my detailed shopping experience leading up to the transaction, but I'll save you the boredom. Here is a picture of what I bought.


*Kandoo wipes $1.65 (used a $1/1 coupon) = $.65
*Fantastik scrubbing bubbles cleaner $2.04 (used a $.75 coupon) = $1.29
*2 Scrubbing bubbles soap scum cleaners $2.49 ea (used 2 - $.75 coupons) = $3.48 for both
*Scrubbing bubble 2 in 1 starter kit for the toilet $6.29 (used a buy any scrubbing gel coupon get the 2 in 1 starter kit FREE or up to a $6.10 value) = $.19
*Scrubbing bubble toilet gel $3.94 (used a $1/1 coupon) = $2.94
*Buy 3 scrubbing bubbles products excluding toilet gel and automatic shower cleaner Get a FREE $5 Target Gift card (this is where the problem comes in and I'll talk about that in a minute) = FREE ... or not!
*13 Watt light bulb $2.69 (used a $1/1 manu coupon + $2/1 Target coupon)= + $.31
*Lysol Kit $9.99 (used a $4/1 manu coupon + $1/1 Target coupon) = $4.99
*Fusion razor $4.99 (used a $4/1 coupon) = $.99
*2 itch releif Benadryl sticks (used a $5/2 coupon)= my cashier adjusted this down so + $.02

My total should have been $14.20 plus taxes = $14.99.... but WAIT!!


After I got home, I realized hmmm for getting so much stuff almost free my total was a little high. So I calculated it ... by hand, and found out they CHARGED me for my FREE $5GC!!! So about 5 hours later, I went back with my husband and children and spent 30 minutes arguing with 2 customer service girls, and 1 "Assets protection manager". The first customer service lady said "we didn't charge you" I said "Well can you explain to me why when I total everything but the $5 GC that was supposed to be FREE I get $14.99 instead of $19.99 (what I was charged)?" She didn't even answer me, she slammed the door and went to the floor and got another customer service lady. So she said "we didn't charge you for it" and again I asked "can you explain how I get a totally different total?" She said "Well let me calculate it for you"... ok... wait five minutes, she gets the same thing. Well I thought it would be done, I thought they would realize their accidental mistake and they would give me my $5 back, and everyone would be happy. But no, she had to ask another lady The assets protection manager. She seemed really nice at first, and I thought finally someone who will understand my receipt and give me some answers. She said "let me go print out your detailed receipt from my computer"... ok so two or so minutes later, she came out. "We didn't charge you for your $5GC, this $5 coupon didn't go through, so we owe you a coupon and nothing more, it's just a $5 coupon!". I said "Um, that still does NOT explain why I'm getting a totally different total when you ring up everything BUT the gift card!!! If the coupon didn't scan, that means that it didn't scan, so that wouldn't effect my total on which I paid for!" To make a VERY LONG STORY SHORT... she refused to give me my $5. My husband was even fuming and he's not one to get mad about anything! They said on several different occasions that we scanned a lot of coupons that didn't want to go through. So basically she was calling me a liar, and a thief. I was so upset, still am. I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but I have nothing but troubles when I shop at target with coupons. So we tried to call corporate when we got home, to no avail since they close at 6pm. So my husband called today, and they ALSO said that they didn't charge us for the $5 GC. Do you readers out there see my receipt? Do you see where they took my $5 GC off, because I sure don't! I won't be offended if you point it out to me. However, for my "hassle" they are sending me a $5 GC. Still, both my husband and I are a little upset, because they are treating us like we did something wrong, when we did not. I don't understand why they can't calculate that 'detailed receipt' I'm sure it would come up with the same total! If the 'detailed receipt' is such a big difference (it supposedly showed the $5GC being taken off, it did not on my receipt) why don't we all get 'detailed receipts'? So, sometimes I want to give up! However, I'm not letting them keep me from scoring some great deals. See after all that hassle I got all of that for $4.99! How? Well my total was $19.99, subtract the FREE $5 GC, subtract the $5 they over charged me (which resulted in another $5 GC), and a $5 rebate I'm going to send off for.

In other news, the same day I went to Walgreens with the $2.50 RR I had from Sundays trip and got:


*2 boxes of rice krispies on sale for $1.99 ea. (Used a $1.50/2 coupon) = $2.48
I had to have a filler item so I bought
*1 pkg of m&m's on sale for $.69
Gave them my $2.50 in RR's and my total OOP was: $.67

I also went to Toys R Us where they were having two of their leap frog fridge magnets 50% off. I had 3- $5 off coupons.


*Fridge Farm Magnets on sale for $9.99 (used a $5/1 coupon)= $5.40 with taxes
*Fridge recorder on sale for $9.99 (used a $5/1 coupon)= $5.40 with taxes
*Fridge phonics letters not on sale $20.99 (used a $5/1 coupon) = $17.31
Total OOP: $28.11
The fridge farm I'm giving my niece for her first b-day as one of her presents. The other two are going to my son and daughter for their second birthday! Great buys in my opinion!

Deals!

There is an advantage to getting the Early Sunday paper on Saturday! The Early Sunday paper had a $1/1 Ban solid deodorant coupon!! So I went to Walgreens and scored 3 more Ban deodorants and Schick shaving cream all for $.46!!

*I used the in ad Walgreens coupon making each deodorant $.99
*I used 2 Internet printable $.75/1 Ban deodorant coupons
*I used $1/1 Ban solid deodorant coupon
Plus I used my $3 Register rewards from my last Sunday purchase making all of this $.46! :)

Today I went shopping at Walgreens again and I got:
*Oscar Mayer ready serve bacon on sale for 2/$4 (used 2- $.75 coupons) = $2.50
*Kotex U pads $3.49 get $2.50 in Register rewards. (used $1/1 coupon) = $2.49
*Nature Valley snack bars used the in ad coupon making it $1.99 (used $.40/1 coupon)= $1.59
*Pull ups $8.99 (used a $2/1 coupon in the April Walgreens book and a $2/1 manu coupon)= $4.99
*Houston Chronicle $2
*3 reusable Walgreens bags with in ad coupon making them 3/$1

Total with tax :$15.27

I was kind of bummed about my shopping trip. I only took $20 to shop at Walgreens and CVS which only left me with $4.73! So off I went to CVS!

At CVS the first thing I do is scan my CVS card at the coupon machine. You can scan it a total of 2 times per day I do believe. At least that's how many times I got to scan it today. It did not spit out any coupons that I wished to use today, but they don't expire until the 25th.

At CVS I got:

*2 boxes of strawberry nutrigrain bars on sale $2/5 (used a $1/2 coupon) = $4
*Oak farm milk on sale for $2.99 - when you buy a gallon of milk and 2 kellogs products you get $3 in ECBs (I used a $1/1 coupon for the milk)
*Colgate Total $2.99 (used a $1/1 coupon in All You mag) = $1.99 (Got $2 ECBs)
*Schick shave gel $2.79 (Got $1.80 in ECBs)
*4 cans of bumblebee tuna on sale for $.49 = $1.96
*1 CVS Green tag $.99 (got .99 in ECBs)

Before coupons my total would have been $16.72 plus taxes. I gave them my $3 in coupons and I gave them $12.99 in previous ECB's (from last Sunday) I had one more ECB worth $1 but I would have lost $.20, so I just paid them....

OOP total: $.80 AND I GOT... $7.79 in ECB's this trip to use on my next purchase! :) The cashier said "Wow, you're good at this, I guess you know you have all of this coming to you (talking about the ECB's)". It was nice to actually have a cashier be excited about the deals I get! All of my annoyance from the Walgreens trip faded away, I was super happy with this CVS trip.

Clear out the Clutter Challenge #3

So this week I'll be starting on Challenge #3, which is the master bedroom! Clean out the closets, the dressers, yeah, even under the bed. I don't know about you, but ever since I put a bed skirt on my bed, I've been bad about shoving stuff under there... you know, like when you were a kid and you just wanted to go outside or go do something and your mom would say "not until you clean your room". So this week I'll be working on that challenge. I'll post before pics after I get the laundry out of the baskets, and my bed made and all of that :) Or maybe I won't... maybe just of the closets! :D So I guess since my master bath is in my bedroom I have to clean that out too! Pictures coming soon.

And more samples!!

They are rolling in! It feels like I'm getting something in my mail box every day for FREE! :) Let me just tell you the Ritz crips are kind of weird. My husband is a fan, and so are my children. Me not so much.

Don't forget to look for coupons when you open your sample packs :)

Clear out the Clutter Challenge: Pics

Ok, here are the final results! It has gotten messy already since I've cleaned it out. Scratch that, since my husband and I cleaned it out :). I can't forget him, he helped me out tremendously. I did not take pictures of the closets, because we didn't get rid of a lot, at all!!

Bye bye sweet camera!

Oh how I'm going to miss my Nikon D90 and 50mm 1.4 lens!!! I already miss it! I decided to sell all of my photography equipment/extras because it's worth a lot of money and I don't use it for a business, just as a hobby. I figured I could use a point and shoot for a couple of years while we pay off our debt. I know in my heart I made the right decision. We already paid off a credit card with part of the profits. So one credit card down, and several more to go! A step in the right direction for sure. One day I'll have another DSLR... one day. I did get a new point and shoot with part of the profits to last me a couple of years. So hopefully it will not let me down.

I'm so happy to have a credit card gone though! It's an awesome feeling, saving that $15 to go towards the next credit card in line per month... plus whatever extra money we have which the last time I calculated it, it was around $260!

So I'm actually sticking to my new years resolution this year, which was to become frugal and work on the Dave Ramsey plan!

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of the clean out the clutter challenge.

Walgreens, CVS, Kohls

Today I went to Walgreens, CVS, and Kohls. I am going to start going to Walgreens, and CVS on Sundays, because if I go during the middle of the week, everything is already sold out.

Here is a breakdown of what I got.

Walgreens

Ban deodorant $.99 (with in ad coupon) matched with a ($.75/1 manu coupon)= $.24
Schick Hydro shave gel $2.99 sale (Receive $2.99 RR back) = $2.99 out of pocket.

My total for walgreens OOP = $3.23 but I received $3RR for my next in store purchase. So really those two things for $.23

CVS
Herbal Essence Shampoo and Conditioner 2/$5 (used 2- $1/1 manu coupon)=$3

2 Crest Pro Health toothpaste sale price 2/$6.98 (used 2- $1.50/1 manu coupons)=$3.98 (received $2 ECB)

1 Dove Conditioner $4.49 (used $1.50/1 manu coupon)= $2.99 (received $4.49ECBs)

1 Dial Nutriskin body wash $5.49 (used a $1/1 internet printable coupon)= $4.49 (received $4.50 ECBs)

1 pack of Kotex U pads $4.99 (used a $1/1 coupon in the All You April Mag)= $3.99 (received $1 ECB)

Pro clinical toothpaste $3.99 (used a $1/1 manu coupon)= $2.99 (received $2 ECBs)

CVS Kleenex $1.29 (Used a $1/1 coupon from the machine where you scan your CVS card) = $.29

CVS unscented wash wipes - great for the car! $1.49 (Used a $1/1 coupon from the machine where you scan your CVS card)= $.49

Total OOP after coupons and $7 in previous ECBs $16.19
ECBs gained to put towards next purchase $13.99

So really all of that for $2.20

Kohls

Capris $25.99
Clearance T $8.00
Shirt $19.99
Ladies flip flops $7.99

Used a $5 coupon for signing my e-mail up with them through their website.
Used a 15% coupon they sent me after I gave them my e-mail

Total: $52.41
Used my gift card my mom gave me for my birthday
Total spent $2.41

I had fun shopping, and I used CASH :)

Gymnastics night

It was last night, and our class starts at 6, and ends at 6:45pm. The class is about 45 minutes away, but so worth it! Our children love their gymnastics class, and sure it's an added expense and that extra $123 can go towards debt per month, but really, there is no price on the excitement on their faces when we drive up to the gym!

The one thing that is not ok is going out to eat after wards. Which we would have to do unless we want two screaming children for an hour while I cook. We get home at 7:30 and usually they are in bed by 8. So I declared Thursday nights as Crock pot night. Last night I made pinto beans, rice and cornbread. While the kids ate their lunch I made the rice and cornbread, that way it would be ready when we got home and I could just heat it up and serve. The pinto beans are delicious, and there is enough for my husband to take for leftovers on Fridays, and enough for my children and I to have leftovers for lunch. Still enough to make about one can of refried beans. Just mash it up with a potato masher like I did and freeze it until you need it! All of those meals for about $5 surely beats a $35 meal going to to eat every Thursday!

Clear out the Clutter Challenge: Pics

Ok, so I know I said that I would complete challenge 1 yesterday (Wednesday), well I didn't. I don't want to bang around a lot of stuff while my children are sleeping at night, and I had to go grocery shopping last night. So I took pictures of Challenge 1 (cleaning out your hall/living room closets), and Challenge 2 (cleaning out your kitchen area). I plan to show you before pictures today, and by Monday I should be showing you after pictures. I SOOOO do NOT want to clean out my kitchen! But it needs to be done! So here are the before pictures...

Challenge 1
Hall closet 1


Hall closet 2




Challenge 2

Shoe rack


Drawers by the refrigerator


Under the sink


Cabinet by the refrigerator


Cabinet above the counter by the refrigerator


Cabinet above the counter by the sink


Cabinet(s) above the counter by the sink/stove





Drawers and cabinets under the stove



Drawers and cabinets by the oven





Pantry


Scary huh? I forgot to add pictures of my refrigerator, freezer, baking drawer (measuring cups/spoons), and my mixing bowl/ large pot/ strainer cabinet. Eh, I am sure you're not missing anything ;). I'll take pictures before of my refrigerator, and after.

Alright, so wish me luck for this weekend. I'll need it. I HATE cleaning out the kitchen! BLECH!