About Me

I'm a working mom with a 4 year old daughter who enjoys making invitations, planning parties, decorating, scrapbooking, card making, baking and much more than I typically have time for!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Dollar Diet - A month without spending an extra dime | newsobserver.com blogs

The Dollar Diet - A month without spending an extra dime newsobserver.com blogs

Follow this blog of a writer from the News and Observer and her quest to not spend any money for the month of February (other than for absolute necessities - gas, etc.) Sounds interesting. I look forward to reading about her journey and how it works out!

Free SunMaid Fruit & Sunshine Recipe Book

Free SunMaid Fruit & Sunshine Recipe Book

You can download a free PDF or request a paper copy.

55% off wall art from Wallhogs.com

Check out this great deal on Eversave today!

Stick em up! Get $55 worth of custom wall graphics from Wallhogs.com. http://eversave.com/share/isM7

Print those Coupons!

Don't forget to print any coupons you want from your favorite coupon sites!  They will refresh on 2/1!

Free samples every day found by ALL YOU

Free samples every day found by ALL YOU

I check this site everyday for free samples! They have some really good free samples from time to time, so bookmark this link and check it out! I'll try to post some good ones when then come up.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Walgreens Deals for the week of 1/30!

Walgreens Deals from Money Saving Mom!

Here are the Walgreens deals for the week of 1/30 thanks to Money Saving Mom!

CVS Deals for the week of 1/30!

CVS Deals from Money Saving Mom!

Click on the link to see the CVS deals for the week of 1/30!  Thanks to Money Saving Mom for compiling all these deals!

4 Coupon inserts tomorrow!

I've heard there will be 4 coupon inserts tomorrow.  2 RedPlum, 1 SmartSource and 1 P&G.  Get those scissors ready - we have to replace all the coupons that are expiring on 1/31!!

$5 Coupon for Macaroni Grill

Macaroni Grill $5 Coupon
Click the link to find out more about this deal!  Just join their e-mail club and get a $5 coupon for your next visit!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Deals from Harris Teeter, Walgreens and CVS

CVS

I had $6 ECBs to roll into my purchase today.  I purchased the following:

Crest ProHealth Rinse $3.99 - $3.99 ECBs = FREE after ECBs!
Almay Makeup - Spend $10, get $4 ECBs.
  • Found a great deal - they must be clearancing out their Almay Pure Naturals - they had their transluscent matte powder 75% off - regular price is $13.99 ea - got 2 for $7.00. 
  • Also purchased a powder blush for $10.29 and had a $2 off coupon.
Spend $20 on Eucerin - get $10 ECBs
  • Bought 2 body lotions - unfortunately one was in the wrong place on the shelf and I thought they were both $10.49, but one was $8.49 so I ended up having to purchase a hand cream for $5.99 to get over the $20.
They were out of the Dove Visible Care body wash for $1.99 so I got a rain check for 2 - plus I have 2/$1 coupons so these will only be $0.99 each!

Retail Value of all items purchased: $72.96, Out of pocket: $32.47 and I left with $10 ECBs for my next purchase!  Savings of 55%.

Walgreens

I had a $2 RR and a $3 RR to roll into my purchases.  One thing of note - Apparently you are not allowed to have more coupons than you have items at Walgreens - I had 3 more coupons than I had items because I had a store coupon and 2 RR coupons in addition to a coupon for every item.  This caused many problems and I was probably in there for 30 minutes running multiple transactions and purchasing some additional items that I hadn't planned on.  But the manager and the cashier were both very apologetic and accomodating, so I'm not complaining!  Just something to note if you use multiple coupons per item.

  • Always Pads - Buy one get one 1/2 off - 2 for $5.68 and I had 2/$1 coupons so they were 2/$3.68.
  • Listerine Mouthwash (1 liter) - $5.99 ea, store coupons for $2 off each of them plus 2/$1.50 coupons = $2.49 each.
  • Purpose face wash - online these were buy one get one half - so I asked the manager and he said he'd honor it!  $9.44 for 2, plus I had 2/$1 coupons.
  • Aveeno Sensitive face wash was $7.29 plus I had a $2/1 coupon.
  • Dunkin Donuts Coffee on sale for $5.99. (unplanned purchase)
  • Burts Bees Lip Balm - $2.99 (unplanned purchase)
Retail value of my purchases: $53.23.  Out of pocket: $32.13.  Savings of 40%.

Harris Teeter

I purchased several items, but these were some of the best deals that I took advantage of.
Breakstone's Sour Cream - $1.19 - $0.55 coupon = $0.09 ea!
Bailey's Coffee Creamer - $1.50 - $1 coupon = $0.50 each
Harris Teeter Bread Crumbs - BOGO - $0.73 each
Stonyfield Yogurts - 10/$5
Newman's Own Pasta Sauce - BOGO and had 3/$0.50 coupons = $1 each
Orville Redenbacher Popcorn - B2G3 - 2@$2.99 each and a $1 coupon = ~$1 each.
Total Retail Value: $95.02 Out of pocket: $56.88 - Saved 40%!

Hope these deals help you out!  Hoping for a lot of coupons in the paper this weekend to replace all the coupons with 1/31 expiration dates!  Happy couponing!

January Spending for Groceries and Personal Care Items

OK, January shopping is complete and this month I have saved 41% on groceries and personal care items! Retail value $875, actually spent $515. My goal is to get under $400 a month or even less! But this month I stocked up on a lot of items that were on sale. Next month, my goal is to be near $450. Hope everyone got out to get a $0.99 burrito at Moe's today! Hubby paid only $1.08 for a burrito and chips!  What a great deal!

I'll post some of the Harris Teeter, Walgreens and CVS deals that I took advantage of this week later this evening. 

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Yummy new recipe!

We had gotten a 2.8 lb. Boston Butt Roast in our CSA box a month or two ago and I had no clue what to do with it.  I found a recipe online and it was AMAZING!  Here it is!

1 (4 pound) Boston Butt Pork Roast (mine was less than 3 - it just cooked faster)
1/4 to 1/3 C. Worcestershire sauce
3/4 C. Light Brown Sugar
1 C. Apple Juice

Put the Worcestershire sauce in a separate bowl and soak the Boston Butt Pork Roast in the Worcestershire sauce.  Remove the roast from the Worcestershire sauce and coat with the brown sugar, being sure to press the brown sugar all over to form a crust.  Pour apple juice and 1/2 tsp. of salt into the bottom of a crock pot and place roast into the crock pot.  Set the crock pot on HIGH for 30 minutes and then turn the settings to LOW and cook for 8 hours. 

We shredded ours and served on buns with Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce - FABULOUS!! 

Last Day to Redeem Gymbucks!!

Today is the last day to redeem Gymbucks if you received any from your holiday shopping.  I had a few so I was able to get Sara some great 3T outfits for next winter for a great deal!  You can shop online and use them too!  Happy Shopping!

Gymboree Online

Holly Aiken (Stitch) Groupon today - save 50%!!

There is an awesome Groupon today for Holly Aiken bags - $25 for $50 worth of product at her store, Stitch, in downtown Raleigh!  Awesome deal!  Click on the link below to purchase - quantities are limited!

Holly Aiken Groupon

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Meal Planning

I am one of the first people to say that I've never been good at meal planning...and I'm usually standing in front of the refrigerator when we get home from work thinking "what am I going to make for dinner tonight?".  Well, one thing that has definitely helped my grocery bill and my organization skills is to put together a meal plan for my family.  I sat down in late December and put together an entire month of meals for January on a calendar so I know exactly what I'm making for dinner each night.  That also helps so that I know exactly what I need to purchase each week to have on hand for making those meals.  While I don't enjoy the actual planning process, it has made our lives so much easier.  Now, when I get home from work, I'm not standing in front of the refrigerator asking myself "what's for dinner?".  I know exactly what I'm cooking that night and it keeps us from eating out or just stopping by the grocery store on the way home to pick up something for dinner.  I'm already working on my menu plan for February so that I can be ready for any good deals at the grocery store since I will know what I need to buy! 

There are so many websites out there that can help you plan your meals.  One that I use is E-mealz.  They will provide you a weekly menu and shopping list for $5 a month, billed quarterly ($15/quarter).  While this service costs money, it's well worth it not to have the headache of trying to come up with new meal options for my family.  If this website doesn't appeal to you, just search on the web for meal planning websites - many will come up and just choose your favorite one!  Happy Meal Planning!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Results from CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and Harris Teeter - 1/16/11

Here are the results from my trip today!  I impressed even myself since I am still relatively new to couponing!

CVS
Purchased the following items:
2 of the Tom's of Maine Deoderants on sale for $3.99 ea.,
2 packs of Orbit Gum that were BOGO
1 CBS Ibuprophen (not on sale, but we were out) $4.99. 
Had $10 ECB to roll into this purchase and a BOGO coupon for the Orbit gum, so my total out of pocket was $4.37 and I saved $15.29!  That's a 78% savings!  And I earned $6 more ECB's from the Tom's of Maine purchase!

Walgreens
Purchased the following items:
2 Extra Gum (2/$1)
2 Pantene Shampoo (2/$7) and I had a $3 off 2 coupon.
1 Tom's of Maine Deoderant for $3.99
Didn't have any RR to roll into this purchase so I paid $10.12 out of pocket and saved $9.37.  That's a 48% savings and I earned $5 in RR from the Pantene and Tom's of Maine purchase to use on my next order.

Kroger
Purchased the following:
8 of the Bird's Eye Steamfresh veggies for $1 each (on sale 10/$10) and I had 2 of the $2 off 4 coupons.
3 Colgate toothpastes (on sale 10/$10) and I had $3 in coupons so these were FREE!
1 Orajel kids toothpaste (not on sale, but we were out)
Total out of pocket was $8.11 and I saved $18.49!!  That's a savings of 70%!!

Harris Teeter
Purchased many things - I'm going to list some of the best deals I got today.  Almost everything I bought was on some kind of special or sale.
Did the B2G3 Progresso Sale (got 10 of these) $1 coupon made these about $1 each.
2 boxex of banana nut cheerios (2/$5) had a $1 coupon for 2 made these $2 each.
When you bought 2 Duncan Hines brownie mixes (2/$4) you got a cookie mix free.
Pantene Shampo (2/$7) and I had a $3 off 2 coupon.
Blue Bunny Ice Cream (3.19 each) had a $1 coupon = $2.19
2 Sargento shredded cheese (2/$4)
3 CoffeeMate Creamers - 3/$5
2 of the 7th Generation 100 oz laundry detergent - $8.99 each and I had 2 $1/1 coupons made these $7.99 each.
Orville Redenbacher Popcorn $2.67 each and I had a $1/1 coupon = $1.67.
Total out of pocket for everything I purchased was $97.16 and I saved $67.35.  This is one of my most successful trips to Harris Teeter without Super Doubles and I saved 41%!  Not great I know, but since I'm new to all this, I'm cutting myself some slack.  41% off is better than full price, right??  RIGHT!!!

Deals for this week

Here are some of the deal I plan to take advantage of this week.

Kroger
  • Steamfresh Veggies - 10/$10 - I have 4 of the $2 off of 4 so that makes these $0.50 each!  A great deal.
  • Colgate Toothbrushes and Toothpaste - 10/$10 - I have 3 coupons for toothpaste that makes them FREE and one coupon for a toothbrush that makes it $0.25.
Harris Teeter
  • Progresso Soups are Buy 2 Get 3 FREE - I have a $1.00 Coupon off 4 = $1.02 each when you buy 10!
  • Northland Juice are Buy 2 Get 3 FREE - I have a $1.00 Coupon off 2 = $1.46 each when you buy 5.
  • Pantene Hair Care are 2/$7 - I have a $3 off coupon on 2 so that makes these 2/$4.
  • Blue Bunny Ice Cream is BOGO - I have a $1 coupon off 1 so this will be $2.19.
  • Orville Redenbacher Popcorn is BOGO - I have a $1 off coupon which makes these $1.67 when you buy 1.
  • Banana Nut Cheerios - 2/$5 - I have a $1 off 2, which makes these 2/$4 or $2 each, which isn't great, but better than nothing.
  • Fiber One Bars are 2/$5 and I have 2/$0.50 off coupons which makes these 2/$3.
  • Pillsbury Cresent Rolls are $10/10 - I have a $1/2 coupons which makes these $0.50 each.
  • Also, Seventh Generation Products are still on sale and I have coupons left over from Super Doubles, so I may pick up a few more of these since they are still a good deal.
CVS
  • Orbit Gum - BOGO - I have a BOGO coupons which makes 2 of these FREE!
  • Progresso Soup is 4/$5 - I have a $1 off 4 coupon which makes these $1 each.
  • Tom's of Maine Deoderant is $3.99 with $3 ECB - Limit 2, makes these $0.99 each
Walgreens
  • They also have the Tom's of Maine deoderant for $3.99 with an $3 RR = $0.99 Limit 1
  • Pantene is 2/$7 with a $2 RR and I have another $3 coupon makes these 2/$2 Limit 1
  • Extra gum is 2/$1
I'll post my totals when I get back!  Have a fun shopping!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

This year, I resolved to track our grocery and personal care spending so I can see what I'm spending and what I'm saving.  Thanks to Faye Prosser from WRAL for sharing the spreadsheet she uses to track her grocery budget.  I have attached mine with the 2 trips to the store I've made so far this year.  My goal for the rest of the month?  Not to spend more than $100 more dollars on groceries and personal care items.  Since I've built up my stockpile and I've been following my January menu plan, I think I can do it.  I hope I can come in under $100...we'll see!

2010 Grocery Savings Spreadsheet

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome to my blog, where I hope to be able to share some things my family is doing to save money.  We recently found out that our company is merging with another and our jobs may not be as secure as we would hope.  I have always used coupons and tried to save money wherever I could in our budget, but in light of this new information, I have decided to really buckle down and get serious about couponing.  I recently took a couponing class and learned a lot about how to match the sales with coupons to really save the most money.  Now, I hope to put this into practice to be able to save our family as much as possible just in case the best of situations does not emerge from this latest news. 

Last year, my husband and I decided after watching Food, Inc. that we wanted to start purchasing our meats from a source that did not use harmful antibiotics or growth hormones, so we signed up with a local meat CSA.  In addition, we began purchasing our dairy, eggs and produce from a local consortium that delivers to our house every week.  These decisions do drive our grocery bill higher than just purchasing from the grocery store, but these were decisions we made for our daughter and our health, so we have to find ways to save more at the grocery store to make up for it. 

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and that you find information that I post here helpful to you in some way!