Hey, I know there are some much bigger giveaways out there, but I'm just getting started, so take what I got!
This giveaway will end tonight at midnight, for details and to enter, please check out this post.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Lack of (coupon) Organization is killing me!
I posted a couple of weeks ago about how my new coupon folder was already breaking. About a week later it really did break. The button that the little elastic band went around to hold it shut popped off, so now there's no way to keep it shut (short of me finding a REALLY large rubber band). I looked around locally and couldn't find any organizers that I felt would work for me. The problem is the amount of coupons I have now. Those of you who print a lot of coupons know what I mean. Holly had posted to that thread about she uses a trapper keeper type folder with baseball card storage pages. I'd looked at a few other organization methods on line and seen some that use 3 pocket to a page storage pages, in a similar folder. I decided I would go this route and managed to find those sheets on Ebay really cheap. After looking a few different styles of binders, I finally picked one up. Now I'm still waiting on my 3 pocket pages to arrive and I'm hoping once they do that I'll be happier with this system. Right now, I am SO unorganized. I've still got coupons in my old holder (the broken ones), I've got coupons in my new binder (in regular full size page protectors). In the last week I've had at least 2 times where I missed out on some good savings because I didn't have all my coupons with me. Once at the grocery store because I forgot my $/$$ store coupons (that cost me $5 in savings) and then tonight at CVS because I'd only taken certain coupons with me, only to get there and find that the items I'd planned on weren't available, so I had to adjust my plan based solely on which coupons I'd brought with me. This is frustrating! I'll be so glad to be organized again. Until then, I am keeping my shopping to a minimum just to avoid spending more than I absolutely have to.
CVS Trip 12/5
Taking advantage of the Schick / Playtex Spend $20 get a $10 ECB deal. It took me a while to find the best use of my money/coupons, as I wasn't able to do the deals I'd originally thought about - either because the store didn't have the items or I didn't have as many of the coupons as I thought I did. So here's what I ended up scoring today:
3 Edge shave gels @$2.99
1 Schick Hydro shave gel @ $3.99
1 4ct Schick Xtreme 3 razors @ $8.79
6 Reese's Dark @ .89 (B2G1 Free)
Total $25.31
Coupons Used:
$4/20 CVS purchase
$1/1 Schick Hydro shave gel
3 .55/1 Edge shave gel
$2/1 Schick disposable razors
$15.96 ECBs (from previous trips)
Total Out of Pocket (after tax): $1.88 (.70 pre-tax).
It seems that (largely due to Black Friday) I've gotten my ECBs/RR/+UP at the drugstores built up to the point where I'm basically just recycling them on each trip, and spending very little out of pocket each time. This is a great point to reach and it seems to me the wisest way to use them.
3 Edge shave gels @$2.99
1 Schick Hydro shave gel @ $3.99
1 4ct Schick Xtreme 3 razors @ $8.79
6 Reese's Dark @ .89 (B2G1 Free)
Total $25.31
Coupons Used:
$4/20 CVS purchase
$1/1 Schick Hydro shave gel
3 .55/1 Edge shave gel
$2/1 Schick disposable razors
$15.96 ECBs (from previous trips)
Total Out of Pocket (after tax): $1.88 (.70 pre-tax).
It seems that (largely due to Black Friday) I've gotten my ECBs/RR/+UP at the drugstores built up to the point where I'm basically just recycling them on each trip, and spending very little out of pocket each time. This is a great point to reach and it seems to me the wisest way to use them.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Possible Scenarios for CVS Schick Deal
Next week CVS has a great deal on Shick, Edge, Skintimate & Playtex products. Spend $20 and get a $10 ECB.
Schick Xtreme 3 8ct - 13.99 -$5 printable = $8.99
Schick Xtreme 3 4ct - $7.99 - $3 printable = $4.99
Schick Hydro Shave Gel - $3.49 - $1 = $2.49
Edge/ Skintimate Shave Gel $2.99 - .55 - $2.44
Playtex Gentle Glide 18ct - $5.49 -$2 =$3.49
Scenario 1
3 Edge @ $2.99 = $8.97 (use 3 .55/1 Edge coupons)
3 Skintimate @2.99 =$8.97 (use 3 .55/1 Skintimate coupons)
1 Hydro Shave Gel @ $3.49 (use 1 $1/1 Hydro shave gel coupon)
= $21.43 - 4.30 coupons = 17.13 Get $10ECB = $7.13 final cost
Scenario 2
2 Playtex @$5.49 =$10.98 (use 2 $2/1 coupons)
3 Hydro Shave Gels @ $3.49 = $10.47 (use 3 $1/1 coupons)
= $21.45 - 7 coupons = $14.45 Get $10 ECB = $4.45 final cost
Scenario 3
3 Playtex @ $5.49 = $16.47 (use 3 $2/1 coupons)
1 Hydro Shave Gel @ $3.49 (use 1 $1/1 coupon)
1 Edge Shave Gel @ $2.99 (use 1 .55/1 coupon)
= $22.95 - 7.55 coupons = $15.40 Get $10 ECB = $5.40 final cost
Scenario 4
4 Playtex @ $5.49 = $21.96 (use 4 $2/1 coupons)
= $21.96 - $8 coupons = $13.96 Get $10 ECB = $3.96 final cost
Scenario 5
1 8ct Schick Xtreme 3 @ 13.99 (use 1 $5/1 8ct coupon)
1 4ct Schick Xtreme 3 @ 7.99 (use 1 $3/1 4ct coupon)
= $21.98 - $8 coupons = $13.99 Get $10 ECB = $3.99 final cost
(if you still have these, I used all mine up during all the BOGO sales lately)
The prices I listed above are based on the online prices, prices may vary in store.
What scenarios can you come up with to best use the coupons you have and end up with items you need?
Schick Xtreme 3 8ct - 13.99 -$5 printable = $8.99
Schick Xtreme 3 4ct - $7.99 - $3 printable = $4.99
Schick Hydro Shave Gel - $3.49 - $1 = $2.49
Edge/ Skintimate Shave Gel $2.99 - .55 - $2.44
Playtex Gentle Glide 18ct - $5.49 -$2 =$3.49
Scenario 1
3 Edge @ $2.99 = $8.97 (use 3 .55/1 Edge coupons)
3 Skintimate @2.99 =$8.97 (use 3 .55/1 Skintimate coupons)
1 Hydro Shave Gel @ $3.49 (use 1 $1/1 Hydro shave gel coupon)
= $21.43 - 4.30 coupons = 17.13 Get $10ECB = $7.13 final cost
Scenario 2
2 Playtex @$5.49 =$10.98 (use 2 $2/1 coupons)
3 Hydro Shave Gels @ $3.49 = $10.47 (use 3 $1/1 coupons)
= $21.45 - 7 coupons = $14.45 Get $10 ECB = $4.45 final cost
Scenario 3
3 Playtex @ $5.49 = $16.47 (use 3 $2/1 coupons)
1 Hydro Shave Gel @ $3.49 (use 1 $1/1 coupon)
1 Edge Shave Gel @ $2.99 (use 1 .55/1 coupon)
= $22.95 - 7.55 coupons = $15.40 Get $10 ECB = $5.40 final cost
Scenario 4
4 Playtex @ $5.49 = $21.96 (use 4 $2/1 coupons)
= $21.96 - $8 coupons = $13.96 Get $10 ECB = $3.96 final cost
Scenario 5
1 8ct Schick Xtreme 3 @ 13.99 (use 1 $5/1 8ct coupon)
1 4ct Schick Xtreme 3 @ 7.99 (use 1 $3/1 4ct coupon)
= $21.98 - $8 coupons = $13.99 Get $10 ECB = $3.99 final cost
(if you still have these, I used all mine up during all the BOGO sales lately)
The prices I listed above are based on the online prices, prices may vary in store.
What scenarios can you come up with to best use the coupons you have and end up with items you need?
Publix Trip 12/3
I hit Publix in two parts today, so that I could maximize my coupon usage.
Purchased:
12 Cans of Old El Paso refried beans (and yes we are going to eat all those) @ 4/$5 = $15
1 Old El Paso taco seasoning @ $1.16
8 Idohoan mashed potatoes @ 2/$1.25 = $10
2 Silk soy milk @ 2/$5 = $5
2 Farm Rich frozen snacks @ 2/$6.99 = $6.99
2 A&H baking soda @ .75/e = $1.50
2 Krusteaz cookie mixes @ 2/2/$2.20 = $2.20
1 Coffeemate @$1.25
1 32oz Publix yogurt @ $1.89
2 6oz Publix yogurt @ 2/.89
3 Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese @ $2.59 = 7.77
Total $53.65 (based on sale prices) or $79.38 based on full retail
Coupons Used:
8 .50/1 Old El Paso
2 .75/3 Idohoan Potatoes
2. 40/1 Idohoan Potatoes
2 $1/1 Farm Rich frozen snacks
1 $1/1 Coffeemate
1 $1.50/2 Kraft Homestyle M&C (Publix coupon)
1 $2/2 Kraft Homestyle M&C (Target Coupon)
1 BOGO Kraft Homestyle M&C
1 .50/2 A&H baking soda
1 .55/1 Krusteaz cookie mix
2 $1/1 Silk Soymilk
2 $1/1 Silk (Publix coupon)
Total Out of Pocket (pre-tax): $13.90 == Savings of 74% based on sale price, or 82% based on retail.
My husband tells me that when he hears things like this, it turns him on.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Read My Feed Weekend is the weekend blog hop for those who like to save money. Be sure to check out this list of blogs, especially the top 3 (host) blogs, they are great.
Money Saving Mode - our story
So back in September I started this blog. Hubby and I had gotten fed up with our spending habits and with the knowledge that we could be putting a lot more in savings, if we just spent less. At that point we did two things:
1. We signed up for Dave Ramsey's FPU class at a local church.
2. We started working on a budget
I have to say we were probably the most gung-ho people in the class when it started (and may still be). We've learned a lot; even having been an avid listener of Dave's show for the last 7+ years, I was amazed at how much I've learned. We now only have 2 weeks left and thanks to couponing, shopping sales and stocking up, we will be cutting out shopping budget back yet again when we revisit our budget this weekend.
When we initially started out we had a set budget for groceries. I didn't consider all the stuff I buy at the drug stores to be "groceries" so I was still paying for them with our debit card. After the first month, Paul had me include those with the grocery envelope. He had even adjusted the budget to give me a little extra in that envelope to cover those things. I told him it wasn't necessary, we could just leave the grocery budget where it was and I'd also buy the drugstore deals out of that same amount.
This month we'll be cutting that amount by 25%, and hopefully it will be at 50% by the end of the year. Or original plan was to put 75% of my income into savings and it's looking very much like by the end of the year we'll be able to put my full paycheck into savings. This is just so amazing to me. Not only that, it's been really fun.
We first started trying to do a budget several years ago when we first got married and all it led to was stress and anxiety. It took us a while to really get on the same page with what we wanted and what we were willing to do/ give up to get there. It was really funny when it happened because we both wanted the same thing and were worried the other one wouldn't be on board. It's amazine what can happen when as a couple you are both shooting for the same goals. We've added about $5 to our emergency fund in just over 2 months. While there's still stress in not knowing what will happen with his job at the end of the year, it's a lot less stressful when we know we have the money in the bank to get by for a while.
1. We signed up for Dave Ramsey's FPU class at a local church.
2. We started working on a budget
I have to say we were probably the most gung-ho people in the class when it started (and may still be). We've learned a lot; even having been an avid listener of Dave's show for the last 7+ years, I was amazed at how much I've learned. We now only have 2 weeks left and thanks to couponing, shopping sales and stocking up, we will be cutting out shopping budget back yet again when we revisit our budget this weekend.
When we initially started out we had a set budget for groceries. I didn't consider all the stuff I buy at the drug stores to be "groceries" so I was still paying for them with our debit card. After the first month, Paul had me include those with the grocery envelope. He had even adjusted the budget to give me a little extra in that envelope to cover those things. I told him it wasn't necessary, we could just leave the grocery budget where it was and I'd also buy the drugstore deals out of that same amount.
This month we'll be cutting that amount by 25%, and hopefully it will be at 50% by the end of the year. Or original plan was to put 75% of my income into savings and it's looking very much like by the end of the year we'll be able to put my full paycheck into savings. This is just so amazing to me. Not only that, it's been really fun.
We first started trying to do a budget several years ago when we first got married and all it led to was stress and anxiety. It took us a while to really get on the same page with what we wanted and what we were willing to do/ give up to get there. It was really funny when it happened because we both wanted the same thing and were worried the other one wouldn't be on board. It's amazine what can happen when as a couple you are both shooting for the same goals. We've added about $5 to our emergency fund in just over 2 months. While there's still stress in not knowing what will happen with his job at the end of the year, it's a lot less stressful when we know we have the money in the bank to get by for a while.
My CVS Trip This Week
This was a two trip week to CVS. I thought I'd planned my first trip perfectly to get the $20 of select P&G products, but I missed it by $1.02, so I had to go back.
Transaction 1
4 Pantene @ $3.33 = 13.31
4 Dawn @ .88 = 3.52
2 Puffs @ .97 = $1.94
1 Suave @ .89 = .89
Local Newspaper @$1.25 ===== Total = 20.91
1 BOGO Pantene - $4.99
2 .50 / Dawn
2 .25 / Dawn
1 .50 Suave
1 $1/2 Pantene
1 B2G1 Puffs - $1.99 (both checker and I read this as BOGO)
Used $10.99 in ECB earned on Black Friday = Total OOP $1.16
Transaction 2
3 Puffs @ .97 = $2.91
2 Reeses @ $2 = $4
Coupons Used:
1 B2G1 Free Puffs -.97
1 $1/2 Hersheys/Reeses (from the magic coupon machine)
Couldn't find my other ECBs when I rant out on this transaction so paid Total OOP of $5.49
Total OOP = 6.60 ==== Received $5 ECB === Total OOP $1.60
Plus the Pantene is on the list for the $20 P&G Mail in Rebate.
Free Christmas Sampler on Amazon
Amazon is giving away a free Christmas music download each day, but there's a lot more free Christmas music on Amazon than just the daily song. Today I found the Nettwerk Holiday Sampler. I have other Nettwerk Holiday albums and they are usually quite good. This one isn't much different with songs from SixPence None The Richer, fun, Aliqua, & Butterfly Boucher. Most of the songs are standards, with Sixpence None the Richer doing "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High"; however they are done in and upbeat way that don't leave you with that "Christmas hold music" feeling. fun does a song called "Believe in Me" that I haven't heard before, and Butterfly Boucher does a new one called "Cinnamon and Chocolate". My least favorite song is Aliqua's version "Oh Come Emmanuel", which is bordering on Christmas hold music. Overall the sampler is just ok, but worth a download. It is free afterall.
More Free Christmas Music from Amazon:
25 Days of Free Christmas Music
Acorn Music Free Holiday Sampler
*Christmas Train
From Genuine House Rockin' ChristmasI'm Your Santa
from the Alligator Records Christmas CollectionChristmas Anthem - Single
More Free Christmas MP3s
on Amazon.comAnd don't miss the Free Christmas Album on Target.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)