BarGaIN sHoPPinG

You know I love a bargain! I haven't posted any lately and thought it was time. I still do grocery coupons but this post is on the wardrobe shopping!

It's really fun to walk out of a store carrying a bag full of a $10 purchase that would have cost $30+ in another store. In fact I thrive off of it. I want to go bargain shopping but also need to bargain shop. Teacher's pay and part time nurse pay don't leave much left over for clothes, shoes or just anything!


So I have documented a few of this month's bargain finds!

Goodwill is where I find most of my clothes. The above picture is from the September half off day. I love these trips because I find the most at one time and get to shop with some great friends! (Which, I will sadly say, is about to change. This was the last time Meg will be with us but Arlene and I plan to go to her Goodwill with her when we can!)

Anyway.....I found the above for myself.

The breakdown:

•  one purple with flowers long sleeve T-shirt
• one purple long sleeve dress shirt with tags! (see below pic)
• a black and white patterned knee-length dress
• one black short-sleeve sweater/cover up thing...?
• one Gap knee-length blue jean skirt
• one pair of brown Gap capris
• a pink paisley skirt
• and one turtle neck purple sweater

Have I mentioned purple is my favorite color?

dress shirt with tag....only $2.15!

In the same trip, I found Garyn some items....

He got...

• an orange football shirt (pic below)
• a long sleeve gray/blue shirt (will be an RB shirt)
• a pair of blue jeans
• a Gap long sleeve dress shirt
• an Old Navy blue puffy vest
• a set of long sleeve pajamas

I think this was his favorite and daddy's since it is TEXAS longhorn orange!

I also found a working lamp...

notice it says $3.99.....only $2 on half off day!

So my Goodwill total for all of this was $29.99! That's 15 items averaging $2 each including tax. Couldn't have gotten it all that cheap on clearance with coupons! (Which I should say is the only way I buy new clothes)

Then, I had another trip more focused on Ansley (who actually doesn't need anything!) at the Kids Planet consignment store. I like to go to consignment stores and sales but don't normally get clothes as cheap actually. However, I always find a few items that are within my price range. ( I try to not spend more than $3 or $4 on the kids clothes. Shoes and jeans are sometimes more) 

Sorry this is a phone picture.....

•  one Carter's jacket (pic below)
• one Children's Place yellow short sleeve shirt and shorts
• one long sleeve Carter's pink onsie
• one pair of Gap brown pants
• one Gymboree green and red apples outfit (pic below)
• one blue jean skirt
• and one Gymboree purple outfit

Get this: all items except the purple outfit were $1 each! This consignment shop has $1 bins that she puts things that don't sell for awhile in and I plopped down with Ansley in my lap and went through them both. I was so excited to find this outfit.....

I found the pants first noticing the cute red apples but figured for $1 I could match them with a onsie with red in it. BUT then I found the hooded shirt in the other bin! Jackpot I tell you! $1 each for a cute fall Gymboree outfit!

This is my cutie pie in the Carter's jacket. It has two little ears on the hood....love it!

Ewww....I could just eat her up!

So I spent $12+ tax on her items. The purple Gymboree outfit was on the sale rack for $4. I really have enough for her, given to us from friends, for this fall but she is a little smaller than those clothes so I have been getting some things that will fit this first part of the fall season.

So the next time you see me out and about, you can ask try to figure out how much I paid for my outfit. I love to tell people but it embarasses my husband. He always rolls his eyes when I say "Oh, I got this from Goodwill!" My Goodwill shopping helps fund his eating out addiction though! :) 

ThisWeek's $60

Found some decent deals this week to share....

Went to CVS and got the pictured items for $7.90 total with tax!

2 Old Spice deodorants, 2 Wisk laundry detergents, and a pack of gum...thought that was a good deal considering the detergents were originally $8 each. I am sure they are only $5 or $6 at other stores since CVS can mark things up a lot. But with them being B1G1 free and a $2 off coupon for both, it makes them less than $2 each. Same for the deodorants...

Also had a trip to Aldi's, $16.06, where I got bananas, milk, eggs, strawberries, tomatoes, some valentines candy and applesauce.

Then Bilo and Publix are in this picture...

Bilo:
Fritos
can of mushrooms
kid's toothbrush
3 cans of Chef Boyardee
3 Lean Cuisines frozen meals
2 can Pillsbury biscuits
and a 20 lb bag of Purina dog food (not pictured)

Total was only $23.14

Publix:
2 boxes Eggos
Betty Crocker cookie mix
2 boxes Fruity Pebbles
2 Healthy Choice Fresh mixers
2 4-packs of Fiber one yogurt (25 cents ea!)
3 Jello packs
1 pack of Scotchbrite sponges
and a 2 liter (penny item)
plus we got a fountain drink and 2 chocolate heart candies that were on sale

Total there was $16.65!

Grand total was $63.75

I also went to Target and bought some diapers and wipes, Garyn some shoes and 2 Cascade. I am thinking about adding this minus the shoes to next weeks.....trying to stock up on diapers and its been harder to stay in my $60 range when doing that, may need to bump it up. However, I am getting good deals on them and can't pass it up!

Hope you found some good deals and are having a good weekend. Garyn and I are at my brother's and later get to go get Tyler from the airport! Can't wait to see him!

Sweeet!

I just love a good deal.

I crave it actually...the coupon cutting and organizing can be such tedious work but when I look at the sales and make my list then head out and come home with deals it is so worth it! I can't imagine shopping without some type of deal/coupon-ing going on.

Today was the Goodwill half off sale, and though it wasn't the same without my two buddies, it was pretty sweet to come home with this:

I found Garyn 3 nylon pants for next year, a polo short sleeve, camo water-proof gloves and some Mariokart pajama pants. For Ansley, I found a flower clock, those adorable polka dot shoes, yellow bloomers, red shorts and a long sleeve shirt. I also got a black frame and best of all a Cars sleeping bag:

The excitement Garyn has found out of this is the best! He hasn't ever really seen one so I was unsure if he would think it was cool or not. He loves it and wanted his pic taken with it. Best of all, it looks brand new and was only $3.50! I barely got it away from him to wash it!

My Goodwill total was $15.01... Pretty sweet, I must say!

Kmart was doubling coupons this week, which made for another exciting trip. Although, not as exciting as it used to be since they have put so many restrictions on it. I did get some good deals though....

Contact solution, Huggies tub of wipes, 2 cereals, 2 big bags of Lays chips, Glade scented oil twin pack, and Covergirl eyeshadow all for $12 and some change. I had to add the B1G1 Lays chips though to make it $25 before tax and coupons, so that was frustrating. It still came out to a lot for just, $12 though.

(I had a pic but Tyler took the camera to HONDURAS with him today! Post on that as soon as he returns)

Also, went to Publix and Bilo, no spectacular deals that I can think of,

but I spent $25 and $20 at those places. Then $7 at Aldi's getting produce and milk.

Can't wait till next week!

Publix steals!

So I had a great shopping day at Publix getting lots of items dirt cheap!

Here is somewhat of a breakdown:
Tostitos Chips $2
2 Juice bottles $1.50 ea
2 pillsbury crescent rolls $1.26 ea
2 pillsbury pizza crust $1.26 ea
2 Pop secret popcorn boxes $1.45 ea
3 boxes Quaker Oatmeal $0.86 ea
3 Dole fruit cups $1.27 ea
Kozy Shack pudding $0.95
Tostitos Salsa $1.47
2 Campbells select harvest $0.69 ea
Avocado $1.69
3 Rotel cans $2.42 for all 3
2 Hillshire farms deli meat $1.83 each
2 Kruteaz pancake mix $.89 ea
2 Taco bell dinner kits $0.85 each
2 J & J guaze pads $0.49 each
Halls cough drops FREE

So with tax that is only $38.26!! Can't beat it!

Latest Couponing Deals....

So I haven't been doing the "This Weeks $60" as I'm sure you have noticed. I don't really have the time to detail it out (and don't think you girls are interested in reading all that anyway!) BUT I still love the deals I get each week and just want to share sometimes. I won't be listing each item price and coupons used but I plan to do some "This weeks $60" again. It most likely won't be every week, either, just those that I am excited about!

Yesterday and today was the first time in awhile that I really planned and prepared for couponing. During the busy Christmas season, I would go to one, maybe two stores, and my coupons were a mess! I have gotten them back into somewhat of an organized state now. It takes some work but I did miss it and had that "Yes!" feeling again about grocery shopping.

This is Bilo and Publix combined. All of this was $31 dollars with tax! I mean 3 juice bottles, Gatorade, cereal, 6 yogurts, 2 packs chicken, 3 muffin mixes and more.......it would have cost at least $50-60 dollars without the coupons and sale prices. Ahhhhh......to restock and feel good about it.

I also went to Aldi, one of my favorite place to just go get those random things you need that aren't on sale (or you don't have a coupon for)....I spent $25 there on produce, chips, dog food, milk and bread, and a couple other things I don't remember.

However, one of my most exciting trips was to CVS yesterday. I didn't take a picture of this either. I did 3 transactions to use my ECBs and got a smart light bulb, jumbo pack of newborn Huggies diapers (40 ct.), 3 small Palmolive dish soaps and 2 Hydrogen peroxide bottles. I spent $8.06 total! The diapers alone were $8.99 on sale plus a $1 ECB. Gotta start saving up for Miss Ansley!

Well, there is my quick $64 spent this week. I went over some but I haven't been spending even $40 lately using up stock so I am ok with that!

Have you found any good deals lately that made you want to hop, skip and jump out of the store?!

This week's $60

Target:

Huggie's Wipe Refill pack- $3.49

Crystal Light mix- 3 for $4.91

Dog food (not pictured)- $17.98

2 toilet bowl cleaners were $6.58 but I have decided not to include them since I only buy these once a year or so..... :)

Huggies wipes in dispenser (gift) I had a coupon for $2 off so it made it $0.49

Total: $28.82

Aldi:

Watermelon- $4.99 {cause Garyn loooves it and almost carried it out of the store}

Flour- $1.39

Apples- $2.49

2 dozen eggs- $0.79 each

bananas- $0.92 (this price is soo much cheaper but they are riper and so you can't buy many at once)

bread- $1.19

2 cans baked beans- $0.59 each

Total: $14.80

Publix:

John Frieda hair products- 2 for $2

Clearasil pads- $2.83

Wesson oil- $1.32 (1 is for Nana)

Cream of mushroom soup- $0.89

Brownie mix- $0.70 (1 is for Nana)

Yo plait gogurt-$0.40

crescent rolls- $1.16 ea

Dannon Yogurt- $1.30

Total: $12.97

BiLo:Chef Boyardee cans- 5 for $4
No Yolk egg noodles- $0.75
Bic razor- $0.99
Parkay Butter sticks- $0.75 ea
Coffeemate creamer- $0.66
Milk- $3.65
Edy's Ice Cream- $4.50 for 2 {trying to lessen the Dairy Queen runs:)}
Lunchables sandwich- $1.50 {maybe Tyler will eat this for lunch instead of Subway}
Grape tomatoes- $2.50
 Baking potatoes and sweet potatoes- $4.38
Bananas {a.k.a. mananas}- $1.58

Total: $ 28.16

Grand Total $84.75
So you can see I went way over but remember this and this? I had some cushion and still didn't use all the money I had left over from the last 2 weeks. I enjoy being able to look back and have it written as to how much I spent and have left over!

This Week's $60 and cleaning

Walgreens:


Shaving cream- $2.99 OOP but got $3 ECB to use on next purchase

Nature’s Bounty men’s multivitamin- $7.99 for 2

Kashi- Heart to Heart cereal- free (got a free product coupon from vocalpoint)

Trident gum- $1.49 (not on sale just Garyn’s treat)

Total paid out of pocket- $7.73

Publix:

Welch’s juice - $1.65

Popsicles- $2

9 Lives cat food 12 cans- $1.62 for all

Hunt’s Ketchup- $0.40 each

Publix toilet tissue- Publix penny item

Stouffer’s skillet- FREE $2.5o and had a $2.50 coupon

Fiber one yogurt- $0.25

Breyer’s ice cream $2.49

John Frieda hairspray and gel- $0.99 ea

Granola bars- $0.57

GE light bulb- $0.39 !!

Newspaper

M&M cookie (another Garyn treat)

Total- $16.29!!

 

CVS:

 

Clear Care Contact cleanser- $11.99 for both plus $3 ECB

 

Bumble Bee Tuna- FREE

 

Covergirl Lip gloss- $2.50 for two

 
Right Guard- $1.49 plus $2 ECB

 

Kotex U- $3.99 plus $5 ECB

 

Crest Toothpaste- $2.75 plus $3.50 ECB

 

So when I did 3 different transactions to use ECBs on next purchase my out of pocket (oop) was only $14.86 and I have $5 in ECBs. I should have split up one and done another transaction to use those ECBs but I thought I would be able to use them on a prescription I had to pick up. But I really needed the Clear Care and that was a great price on it so I am ok with it and can use the ECBs next time!

 

Target:

Satin Care travel- $0.44

 

Kleenex hand towels- $0.99 (I think I am going to use this in my car, they seem a little wasteful....)

 

Pamper's Wipes- $0.39

 

Total: $2.14

 

(Not Pictured and Not Counting)

Big box of Pampers- $16.99 (These aren't counting because they are for gifts, but I used a Target coupon that was for the above wipes and these, plus a coupon on each item and that's why they were both cheap)

 

Overall total: $41.02!

From the looks of these numbers I may be able to lower my weekly budget or add in gifts!

 

I cleaned the fridge today and organized it. I love when I do this, although, it is tedious. I even made a list of most of the things in the freezer so that I wouldn't keep buying items I already have 3 or 4 of, and hopefully I'll use them now that I know they are there! I have a question, too. What is the difference in the drawers as far as putting fruit in or veggies. I know there is a difference and have no idea. My drawers even have those chill adjusters, but I don't know if I am using them right......any experience out there?

 
 

I know you just were dying to see those pictures! Sorry if this is a lame post......

 

More interestingly, we are leaving soon for this mysterious trip Tyler has planned. I am ready to relax and have fun. I really don't care where we go. I have discovered that part of the reason for this trip is because Saturday afternoon he is going to a scrimmage football game somewhere a couple hours away and I was a little frustrated with him about it. We haven't had a weekend were we both were home in awhile. But it is working cause I am ok with him going now that he is surprising me with this trip.
This guy has my number, don't you think.....
And no, I didn't just complain so that he would do something for me!

This week's $60

It wasn't a big week, but that means less money!

Bilo Purchase

bananas- bought 5 actually, but 2 got eaten on the way to Publix :)

meat- on sale for $1.99 lb - $9.99

Whiskas cat treats- $0.50 ea

dog biscuits- $0.99

Cortizone cream- $2.99 (needed)

dog shampoo- $3.41 (not cheap, but needed)

strawberries $1.99

Stonyfield organic yogurt- $0.49 for all 3

carrots- $0.99

Also, bought a newspaper.

Total: $26.40

Publix Purchase

Pop tarts *w/ fiber :)- $0.50 each

Carefree pantyliner- FREE

Sara Lee buns- $1.75

Olay face wash- $0.49

Chocolates for Tyler's mom- $5.99 *

Dove deodorant- $0.15 ea (!!)

Covergirl makeup- $2.75 ea

Yo plait yogurt- $3 for 8

granola bars- $1.19

9 Lives Cat food- $1.00

potato chips- penny item

plus a $50 gas card (deal was that if you buy one you get $10 off your total)

Total- $63.18

*I don't count the $5.99 chocolates cause it is a gift and then subtract the gas card.

That means I only spent $7.17!

Target-

Pull-Ups- $5.99

$8.99 - 2($1.50 coupons)

I also bought some baby gifts and a prescription that I don't count towards my $60

Tyler made a Monday Bilo purchase- milk, sour cream, and Snuggle softener.

I have no receipt (you know guys) but he says it was almost $5.

I sent him with a $3 off Snuggle coupon that was about to expire.

So the Snuggle was close to free!

Grand total for the week: $45.11

This week's $60

Here is what all I got this week. I didn't go on Wednesday like usual, felt really weird. I went to CVS and Bilo on Monday and got this: 

My CVS purchase was the 5 body washes, diapers and 2 vitamin waters. I got all of that for $4.04!!

I had $12 of ECBs ($7 were from here). I did 3 separate transactions and got more ECBs to use on the each purchase. Also, I have $3 ECBs for the next purchase.

BiLo was a random trip. I was at CVS next to BiLo and we needed some biscuits; their bananas were 44 cents a lb last week and I needed tortillas for the Brown bag burritos. Also, the milk was on sale for $2.88 and got apples for the mini apple pies, so I just popped in and spent $15.88. I hate going in unprepared, because while that's good, its not great!

Publix

I spent $45.?? . I would have spent a dollar less but I left one of the juicy juice coupons on the printer! Makes me so mad when I do that!

Don't have time to individualize all this, and I'm sure not everyone cares, but I got:

2 Starkist tuna packets

1 loaf Sara Lee Bread

1 taco seasoning

3 Hunts Tomatoes

3 Rotel cans

1 black beans

2 Mission tortillas (20 packs)

Digiorno Pizza and bread sticks

4 Juicy juice bottles

Cottonelle 12 pack

2 Tostitos (they were BOGO and coupon for Kettle chips free)

Kettle Chips

Salad mix

Milk (already drank a gallon in 3 days)

and a bag Pedigree dog food-not pictured

So my total was $64.??

I  obviously went over but last week I had right at $5 left so I was right on.

Hope you found some good deals!

This Week's $60

I am going to start posting my weekly grocery deals! I want to share how much (or little) I can spend each week. I know not everyone is into coupons, but we all love a good deal right?? Well, its part of my richest life now, so to know more about me, coupons are in there somewhere!

I have said before that we are trying to save money for trips, home improvements.....there are many reasons. I have set my weekly grocery amount to $60 and each week spend that, more or less. I , now, am using cash as much as possible and if I don't spend it all I save it for next week. Therefore, my monthly total is around $240 (depending on # of weeks in the month). However, the accountability of this will be great!

So here is this week's $60!

This is the Publix purchase

I got all that you see for 21.97!!

• 
  
  Cascadian Farms granola bars-$0.99
• 
  
  Cascadian Farms frozen fruit x 2 - $0.99 ea
• 
  
  Fiber One value pack -$1.95
• 
  
  Snyder's Pretzel -$1
• 
  
  Sun Chips-$1.95
• 
  
  Pull-Ups- $ 6.49
• 
  
  Egg Beaters - $0.67
• 
  
  Healthy Harvest Noodles -FREE
• 
  
  Pillsbury Toaster Strudel - $0.7 
• 
  
  Huggies Wipes -$3.49
• 
  
  Yoplait yogurt-$0.25
• 
  
  Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner x2 $0.20 ea
• 
  
   Windex Cleaner x 2 $0.20 ea
• 
  
  Shout spray $0.20
• 
  
  Hormel Chili $1.79
• 
  
  Newspaper- Publix penny item coupon and insert $0.50
• Publix Penny Item was the 3 Paper towels pack -$0.01

note: I am also sending in for a rebate for $5 back for buying 3 SC Johnson products (scrubbing bubbles, windex and shout)

Bilo Purchase

I got this for $14.94

• 
  
  Trix Yogurt $1
• 
  
  Hormel Chili x 2 - $1.68 ea
• 
  
  Classico Sauce x 2 Alfredo and Tomato sauce $0.98 for both
• 
  
  Hormel Natural Lunch meat x 2- $0.90 ea
• 
  
  Strawberries- $1.99
• 
  
  Milk- $2.88
• 
  
  Bananas- $1.34

Target~ Not pictured

• 
  
  Kandoo wipes- $0.65
• 
  
  Johnson's baby facial sunscreen- $5.99

  total= $7.53

CVS~ Not pictured

• 
  
   Hershey's chocolate bags x 3 $9 OOP
• 
  
  Colgate Toothpaste $ 1.99 OOP

total= OOP $ 12.29 and $7 worth of ECB to use next time.

PLUS- Hershey's is doing a rebate were you get a free movie ticket for buying 4 bags of candy! (I already bought one bag for Easter) The candy total was $9.00 (wish I was able to get it more on sale but this is Garyn's potty treat right now, i.e. if he pottys he gets a piece of chocolate. We have gone from suckers to chocolate)

Therefore, this week's total is $56.73 plus a future movie ticket and $5 rebate.

Kmart Doubles!

This week has been fun for me because Kmart is doubling coupons up to $2 making items up to $4 off!! Oh, how much this excites me and probably makes me weird!

I can tell you, though, that I am not the only one. I went on Monday, it started on Sunday, and there were soooo many things already gone that were free when coupons doubled. One day and they had been wiped out!! BUT I still found lots of good deals!

The picture below is my total purchase after 4 trips, yes 4, there was a 5 coupon limit per day.

Garyn kept saying "cheese" when I was taking the picture so he is in the picture and he is my best deal of all!!! ;)

Of course, its hard to tell everything but I got 25 items for 27.47 + tax!

Detail:

3 boxes of dog treats---all free!

1 bag of cat treats- free

2 bags of cat treats- 49 cents

1 Pull-up pack--$5.99

1 bag dog food--99 cents

1 bag cat food--$1.99

1bag dog Dentastix--free

2 Scrubbing bubbles shower cleaner refills- $2 each

1 Johnson's bubble bath wash--$1.50

2 Dove deodorants---free

1 Right Guard deodorant--free

1 Contact solution- $3.15

1 Bic Soleil razors-$1.69

1 Bic Razors--free

1 Gilette men's razors--$2.00

2 Glade Sense&Spray refills--$1.50 each

1 Tampax Tampons--49 cents

1 Nivea body wash--$1.99

1 Clean&Clear face wash--$1.69

Total- $27.47 plus tax= $30.01

Kmart is a pain sometimes and their prices are normally a lot higher than others, but when they double it's worth it! I live 5 minutes away, too, so it was fine to run over there. And Tyler was home and went with me once...

Hope you have found some good deals lately!

Mud and Bargains....

This post is random....you might have wondered "what do mud and bargains have to do with each other?"

Well I must say, nothing except that they are my news for the day and will be linked by this post now... :)

We had another mud incident....

"What had happened was.." (Tyler's famous saying) we were at a RB baseball game for about 20 minutes when the Cobbles showed up. We were excited to see them. We all but got to talking, when Kenny and Tyler decide the boys can go down to the grassy area next to the bleachers. I was a little leery, but wanted to keep talking. Not 5 minutes later, Garyn comes walking up the steps looking like this:

He was saying: "Look Momma.....Look at all this....stuff (pointing to his shoe)"I was a little stunned but couldn't help but laugh. Of course, the Cobble boys come walking up the steps without a speck on them! Leave it to my son to find the mud hole. If you can't tell, it is from his waist to his shoes. It was also on his hands and jacket. Deciding there was really no way to salvage him, we headed out stopping by the bathroom to clean him up a little.

As we were walking out, Tyler is still watching the game and ignoring were he is going. I tried to yell at him but he walked strait into a mud hole. Again, notice the difference in the shoes. These men of mine....can't keep 'em clean.

Lately, I am getting more and more questions about my grocery shopping and just how I get everything for $60 give or take each week. It isn't rocket science and is just a change of technique more or less. So I am posting the details for those of you who wonder........

First of all, it looks like a mess and hard to see what all is in there so I'm breaking-it-down-for-ya:

Bilo:

Flintstones Gummy vitamins- sale price $5.16+ $1 off coupon= $4.16 (orig. $6.88)

3 Shave gels- sale price $2 + (3)55 cents off coupons= $0.90 ea (orig. $3.29 ea)

4 Blue Bonnet stick butters- sale price $0.50 ea (orig. $0.99 ea)

Stony Field 4 pack yogurt- sale price $2 + $1 off coupon printed= $1 (orig. $2.??)

Southern Home milk- 2 gallons $2.88 each

Tennessee Pride Sausage- sale price $1.99 (orig $3.49)

Kibbles and Bits 17.5 lb bag-$12.99+ $1.50 off bilo printed coupon= $ 11.49 (not pictured)

Newspaper- $0.50 for penny item coupon and has a coupon insert

Total $32.41, $17.25 savings- $6.80 from coupons

note: I wasn't real happy with this trip, but I bought things I needed without necessarily having coupons

Publix:

Strawberries- sale 2/$4+ $1 coupon when you buy Cool Whip, on pkg. +$1.75 off when you buy sara lee pound cake-publix coupon = negative $0.75

Sara Lee Pound cake- sale price $1.89 + $1 printed coupon=$0.89

Kraft shredded mozzarella- sale price $1.67 (orig. $2.99)

Fresh express salad- sale price $1.99

2 Birds Eye frozen veggies- sale price (50% off) $0.89+ $1/4 printed coupon= $0.64 ea

2 Birds Eye frozen veggies- sale price (50% off) $1.19 + $1/4 from above= $0.94 ea

Sorrento ricotta cheese 32 oz- sale price $3.00- for my Lasagna

Avocado- $1.49 - for my Baja Chicken Tacos

Baby carrots- sale price $1.29 (orig. $1.69)

2 Lysol sprays- B1G1 sale price $1.34 ea + (2) $0.50 off coupons= $0.34-35 each

Log Cabin Syrup- sale price $1.75 + $1.00 off coupon (All You magazine)

Breakstone sour cream- sale price $0.99 + $0.60 off printed coupon= $0.39 (orig. $1.85)

2 I can't believe its not butter tubs- sale price $1.29 + (2) $0.50 off coupon + $0.75/2 publix coupon = negative $0.16!

Cool Whip- sale price $0.99

Publix Ceasar salad drsg. - Penny item, clipped coupon from paper

Total- $17.33!! $33.73 savings $13.09 were coupons alone

Food Lion:

Natures Own bread- sale price 2/$3 + $0.75 off printed coupon= $0.75

Hamburger meat- $1.88 a lb., bought $6.61 package

Total: $7.96

So I spent $ 57.70 and have my weeks worth of groceries plus some...

I use http://www.southernsavers.com/ and http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ mostly for my list and coupons. Each week southern savers posts a new list for the stores and includes the coupons available. I just click the items I want and then pull the coupons out of my binder. I do print some; sometimes its while I am making the list but mostly I check the above sites a couple times a week to see what good coupons have popped up and print them then. I do take my binder into the store but already have all the coupons pulled out. Every once in a while I find something else I want or decide to get more of an item and then will need my binder.

It takes time to stock pile until you only buy the sale items plus dairy and produce. For instance, I don't need 4 things of stick butter, but I freeze it. Nor do I need 2 Lysol sprays, but I may before it goes on sale again. The coupon clipping is time consuming, but totally worth it to me. Would love to help you save some money if you have any questions! See you can do this!

(sorry so long and detailed for those of you who care nothing about coupons)

Tomorrow will be about our dinners...having lots of yummy food!

Good deal

So you all know I love a good deal..
Here are my latest deals:

HUGE watermelon for $2.99, Garyn's favorite! (added to give you a pic of Garyn mostly)

Chicken breast and tenders for $1.50/lb (sorry for the lovely pic)

Gymboree shirt for Garyn, on sale for $2.99 plus 20% off, plus my own 20% off coupon = $1.97!

I asked before purchasing to make sure that $2.99 was right...all the other long sleeves were $12.99....she said it was true...so YES! I got a brand new Gymboree shirt for $1.97!!

Then my biggest rack up:

5 pairs of pants

6 shirts

1 turtleneck sweater

4 items for Garyn

1 Lion halloween costume (not pictured)

ALL for $33 at Goodwill's half off Saturday!

Hope you all are finding some good deals out there!

Setting Goals....

I know its not the new year, but I am trying to be more productive.....so far I have been failing miserably this week. However, new recipes, money saving techniques, organizing ideas, teaching opportunities with Garyn, and money-making ideas are all fluttering around my head as of late. Not to mention, staying on top of my devotion time. Friends are inspiring me and also just knowing that Garyn is growing up fast and I need to focus on making these days great for him and us, not to put any pressure on myself though, right!? I made a "To do" list a week or so ago....a loooong one...and I have done ok with it so far. I am giving myself some slack because it is a hefty list.

One website I have really been checking out lately, and growing more in love with is moneysavingmom. There are lots of great budgeting, freebies, and coupon ideas on there that I have been looking into. You know how I am about coupons, remember this. Tyler noticed the other day that we have been getting a lot of samples in the mail......I spent maybe 45 minutes the other day during Garyn's nap filling out every free offer she has on that site. It has been fun getting them in the mail!

Anyway, no real theme to this post. Just wanted to feel you in on my doings!

For some Garyn updates...........

We have had a much better time at night the last few days. I stopped putting him completely to sleep once we had 3-4 good nights of rest and chanced laying him down partially awake. He did cry and get up out of the bed, but I would put him straight back to bed with little to say. Within no more than an hour, he has been going to sleep after being put back to bed! We have had a couple of times that he has come in around 2 am, but I would put him back in bed. He would cry a little, stomp even, but didn't keep coming to our room. I hope this sticks!

Last Friday was the football Jamboree at Finley Stadium and Garyn, as always, heard music to dance to! FYI there is a part where I thought for sure he was going to fall, just brace yourself......

Sorry it is so long, I didn't realize how much I talked in it either.

Goodbye for now!