Saturday, February 20, 2010
Free Sample of UnderJams Night Wear
If you have a kid who needs these, the samples are great for camping or overnights! Follow this LINK and fill out the form!
Free Sample of Tide with Febreze
Walmart.com has samples of the new Tide with Febreze. Go to this LINK and fill out the form. If you are new to this site, and you register then you will also get coupons and other samples you can choose!!
Free Hot Prints Photo Book
I love these books and let me share a great idea with this type of book. IF you have children that bring home TONS of art work and crafts from their school and you don't have the room to keep all the art, take pictures of each art piece and then add them all into a book like this!! Then you can add dates, and project names, to the book and save it for when your little one is no longer little! What a cool thing to show them when they grow up!!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Another Excellent Question...Gas and Mileage...
I had another excellent question..again, I want to post it here.
The email asked me if it's worth the gas to drive to all those different stores today just to save some money.
Here is my response:
Hi! Understand that all these stores are in a very close area to each other. They are about 25 minutes from my home, but my hometown has only one store.
If you look at just my Logli's Shopping Trip: I saved over $39.00 in coupon savings just from that store. My mileage from my home to the different stores was 36 miles round trip. If my big van gets 22 miles to the gallon, and I drove 36 miles, that means I used approximately 1 1/2 gallons of gas. Gas out here is $2.59 a gallon. So I used about $4.00 in gas..roughly.
So, would you pay $4.00 in gas to save $39.00 ( that is just my Logli's savings, I really saved more than that)? If not, then I guess it's not worth it for you. For me, since I know groceries in my home town can be okay, but not great, it's worth the $4.00 for me. :)
******************************************************************
I would love to hear how other people feel about the mileage/gas vs savings. Please post your comments!
The email asked me if it's worth the gas to drive to all those different stores today just to save some money.
Here is my response:
Hi! Understand that all these stores are in a very close area to each other. They are about 25 minutes from my home, but my hometown has only one store.
If you look at just my Logli's Shopping Trip: I saved over $39.00 in coupon savings just from that store. My mileage from my home to the different stores was 36 miles round trip. If my big van gets 22 miles to the gallon, and I drove 36 miles, that means I used approximately 1 1/2 gallons of gas. Gas out here is $2.59 a gallon. So I used about $4.00 in gas..roughly.
So, would you pay $4.00 in gas to save $39.00 ( that is just my Logli's savings, I really saved more than that)? If not, then I guess it's not worth it for you. For me, since I know groceries in my home town can be okay, but not great, it's worth the $4.00 for me. :)
******************************************************************
I would love to hear how other people feel about the mileage/gas vs savings. Please post your comments!
Grocery Shopping Day....
I haven't had a big grocery shopping trip in a long time, so today I spent the day shopping. I wanted to spend under $175....how did I do??? See at the bottom of my post. :)
Kwik Trip
3 pounds bananas
6 dozen eggs
1 bag of pretzels
1 bag of butter puff corn
2 loafs of bread
Total $11.03, but I used my shoppers hotline card so NOTHING OOP
Target
3 Valentines T- Shirts, $1.49 on clearance, can wear year round they had kittens on them, nothing Valentines.
1 French's Mustard Bottle ( FAMILY SIZE!) on clearance for $1.38 and I had a .50 cent coupon
1 Ice Scrapper/ Brush, On clearance for $1.48 I wanted one for my car
2 Bonus Pack of Palmolive Dish Soap, On clearance for $4.24, used a .40 cent off coupon and it came with $10.00 of coupons
3 Valentines pencils and erasers, The pencils were sports related and aren't Valentines related, clearance 49 cents each
2 Votive Candles Sets, 50 cents on clearance. Saving for a time when I can take a bubble bath!
7 assorted dollar spot items on clearance, 50 cents each. I will not post what they are because they will be Easter Basket Stuffers!!!
5 bags of pretzels and tortilla chips, on clearance for 50 cents each.
Total after coupons: $20.03
I saved over $25.90 in just clearance savings
Aldi
6 jugs of cat liter
2 12 packs of soda
2 bags of corn chips
3 cans of beef broth
2 packs of garlic bologna
1 loaf of french bread
3 cans of mushrooms
3 pounds of ground turkey
4 packs of hot dogs
1 box of Graham Crackers
1 jar apple sauce
1 5 pound bag of sugar
5 boxes of mac and cheese
3 cans of Speghettios
1 bag of hamburger buns
1 box of chicken parmasian
2 boxes of salisbury steak
8 containers of frozen juice
Total: $65.91
Logli's
2 boxes of Oatmeal, on reduced price for $1.95, had $1.00 off sunday coupons)
1 bottle of Barq's Root Beer 2 liter, $1.34 and I had the $1.00 off coupon from Recycle bank
1 box of Nabisco Wheat thins Cheese, on reduced for $2.20 and I had a $1.00 off coupon
2 Taco Seasonings Mixes, .67 cents each, had a .75 cents off 2 coupon
4 Pouches of Tuna, had $1.00 off coupons, making them free
1 Yakisoba Chicken Meal, 1.09, had a 50 cents coupon that doubled
3 boxes of Klennex, .55 cent off 3 coupon that doubled
2 bottles of Gatorade, $1.10, had .50 cent coupons that doubled,
1 bottle of Dr. Pepper, $1.59, had .55 cents off that doubled ( picked up coupon at Target)
2 packages of Oscar Mayer Lunch togethers, on clearance for $1.50 each and I had a $1.50 off of two
2 packages of Round Steaks, about 1/2 pound each, they had $2.00 off coupons on them and they were on sale.
1 package of beef stew meat, about 3/4 pound, on sale for $4.31, and they had a $2.00 off coupon
1 package of pork sirloin steaks, 2.3 pounds, had a $2.00 off coupon on it
3 packages of cottage cheese, on sale for $1.79 and I had a .55 cent off coupons that doubled
3 tubs of country crock butter, on sale for $1.69, and I had .40 cent off coupons that doubled
3 4 packs of Yo-Plus Yougarts, on sale for $1.49 and I had $1.00 off coupons
2 jars of Ragu sauce, on sale for $1.50, and I had a .75 cents off 2 coupon
3 Completes Lunch meals, on sale for $2.00, I had .$1.00 off coupons
1 jar of con queso cheese, on reduced for $1.25
2 packs of hot dogs, reduced to .89 cents
1 pack of Green Giant Veggies for one, $3.59, Free After Coupon
1 5 pound bag of corn meal. On reduced for .75 cents. We gonna have corn bread for awhile!!
2 Fuze Drinks, on sale for $1.50 and I had a BOGO coupon ( picked up coupon from Kwik Trip)
3 bags of Quaker Rice Cakes Treats, on sale for $1.00, had .75 cents off each bag
2 boxes of Betty Crocker Chessy Potatoes, $1.25 reduced, had .40 cents off coupon that doubled.
Total: 75.06
Total After Coupons: $39.52
Sentry:
4 Cinnamon Rolls, On sale 2/$3.98, had the 95 cents off IP Coupons
3 Jacks Pizzas, on sale for $2.50 had a .40 cent coupon that doubled
3 bag of Reames Noodles, on sale for $1.50, had a .50 cents coupons that doubled
1 box of Chocolate Cheerios, on sale for $2.50, I had a $1.25 IP coupon
Total: 12.01 and I got a $2.00 off my next shopping trip coupon
Walgreens:
9 rolls of TP, $4.29
2 candy necklaces, clearance 16 cents fillers ( will put in easter baskets)
1 8pk of Austin Cheese Crackers, sale $1.00
2 Gordon Fillets, Lemon Pepper, On clearance for $2.39, had .50 cent off coupons
Total after coupons and RR's from last shopping trip to Walgreens: $2.15
and I got a free Red Box Movie Promo Code!! WOO HOO!
Picked up some left over apples from an event. they were going to throw them out, I offered to take them.
Now, I want this to be for 3 weeks ( 21 days) of food. Here is my menu plan.
Breakfasts:
Eggs- 4 meals
Cereal -4 meals
Oatmeal- 4 meals
Canned fruit with side of cottage cheese - 2 meals
Yogart with fruit -2 meals
Frozen Waffles- 1 meal
Pancakes - 4 meals
Cinnamon Rolls - 2 meals
Lunches: ( kids have school lunches - 15 days, so 6 days at home)
Hot dogs - 2 meals
Soup - 2 meals
Mac and Cheese - 2 meals
Mom's lunches for work ( 15 days)
Yakisoba meals- 2 meals
Completes Meals - 3 meals
Bologna Sandwich - 3 meals
Left overs from previous dinners - 4 meals
Oscar Mayer Lunch To Go's - 2 meals
Soup - 1 meal
My husband fends for himself during the week. :) Typically left overs, tuna salad, PBJ's or Bologna sandwiches. :)
Sides with Lunches:
Apples and Peanut Butter
Pretzels
Bread rolls or crackers ( with the soup)
Quaker Mini Rice Cakes
Cottage Cheese
Bananas
Dinners
Frozen Pizza - 6 meals
Salisbury Steaks - 2 meals
Speghetti - 4 meals
Chicken Parmasan - 1 meal
Beef Pot Roast - 1 meal
Chicken Breast - 2 meals
Gordon Fish Fillets - 1 meal
Pork Sirlion Steaks - 1 meal
Beef Round Steaks - 1 meal
Beef Stew in Crock Pot - 1 meal
Tacos or Walking Tacos - 2 meals
Sides:
Veggies
Rice
Potatoes
Chessy Potatoes
Rice a roni
Pasta Roni
Drinks:
Milk
Kiwi Water ( still have more of those!)
Juice
Kool aid
soda
Hot cocoa
Tea
Coffee
How much did I spend altogether? $150.65 and that includes the Kwik Trip amount which I really didn't spend out of pocket. :)
Kwik Trip
3 pounds bananas
6 dozen eggs
1 bag of pretzels
1 bag of butter puff corn
2 loafs of bread
Total $11.03, but I used my shoppers hotline card so NOTHING OOP
Target
3 Valentines T- Shirts, $1.49 on clearance, can wear year round they had kittens on them, nothing Valentines.
1 French's Mustard Bottle ( FAMILY SIZE!) on clearance for $1.38 and I had a .50 cent coupon
1 Ice Scrapper/ Brush, On clearance for $1.48 I wanted one for my car
2 Bonus Pack of Palmolive Dish Soap, On clearance for $4.24, used a .40 cent off coupon and it came with $10.00 of coupons
3 Valentines pencils and erasers, The pencils were sports related and aren't Valentines related, clearance 49 cents each
2 Votive Candles Sets, 50 cents on clearance. Saving for a time when I can take a bubble bath!
7 assorted dollar spot items on clearance, 50 cents each. I will not post what they are because they will be Easter Basket Stuffers!!!
5 bags of pretzels and tortilla chips, on clearance for 50 cents each.
Total after coupons: $20.03
I saved over $25.90 in just clearance savings
Aldi
6 jugs of cat liter
2 12 packs of soda
2 bags of corn chips
3 cans of beef broth
2 packs of garlic bologna
1 loaf of french bread
3 cans of mushrooms
3 pounds of ground turkey
4 packs of hot dogs
1 box of Graham Crackers
1 jar apple sauce
1 5 pound bag of sugar
5 boxes of mac and cheese
3 cans of Speghettios
1 bag of hamburger buns
1 box of chicken parmasian
2 boxes of salisbury steak
8 containers of frozen juice
Total: $65.91
Logli's
2 boxes of Oatmeal, on reduced price for $1.95, had $1.00 off sunday coupons)
1 bottle of Barq's Root Beer 2 liter, $1.34 and I had the $1.00 off coupon from Recycle bank
1 box of Nabisco Wheat thins Cheese, on reduced for $2.20 and I had a $1.00 off coupon
2 Taco Seasonings Mixes, .67 cents each, had a .75 cents off 2 coupon
4 Pouches of Tuna, had $1.00 off coupons, making them free
1 Yakisoba Chicken Meal, 1.09, had a 50 cents coupon that doubled
3 boxes of Klennex, .55 cent off 3 coupon that doubled
2 bottles of Gatorade, $1.10, had .50 cent coupons that doubled,
1 bottle of Dr. Pepper, $1.59, had .55 cents off that doubled ( picked up coupon at Target)
2 packages of Oscar Mayer Lunch togethers, on clearance for $1.50 each and I had a $1.50 off of two
2 packages of Round Steaks, about 1/2 pound each, they had $2.00 off coupons on them and they were on sale.
1 package of beef stew meat, about 3/4 pound, on sale for $4.31, and they had a $2.00 off coupon
1 package of pork sirloin steaks, 2.3 pounds, had a $2.00 off coupon on it
3 packages of cottage cheese, on sale for $1.79 and I had a .55 cent off coupons that doubled
3 tubs of country crock butter, on sale for $1.69, and I had .40 cent off coupons that doubled
3 4 packs of Yo-Plus Yougarts, on sale for $1.49 and I had $1.00 off coupons
2 jars of Ragu sauce, on sale for $1.50, and I had a .75 cents off 2 coupon
3 Completes Lunch meals, on sale for $2.00, I had .$1.00 off coupons
1 jar of con queso cheese, on reduced for $1.25
2 packs of hot dogs, reduced to .89 cents
1 pack of Green Giant Veggies for one, $3.59, Free After Coupon
1 5 pound bag of corn meal. On reduced for .75 cents. We gonna have corn bread for awhile!!
2 Fuze Drinks, on sale for $1.50 and I had a BOGO coupon ( picked up coupon from Kwik Trip)
3 bags of Quaker Rice Cakes Treats, on sale for $1.00, had .75 cents off each bag
2 boxes of Betty Crocker Chessy Potatoes, $1.25 reduced, had .40 cents off coupon that doubled.
Total: 75.06
Total After Coupons: $39.52
Sentry:
4 Cinnamon Rolls, On sale 2/$3.98, had the 95 cents off IP Coupons
3 Jacks Pizzas, on sale for $2.50 had a .40 cent coupon that doubled
3 bag of Reames Noodles, on sale for $1.50, had a .50 cents coupons that doubled
1 box of Chocolate Cheerios, on sale for $2.50, I had a $1.25 IP coupon
Total: 12.01 and I got a $2.00 off my next shopping trip coupon
Walgreens:
9 rolls of TP, $4.29
2 candy necklaces, clearance 16 cents fillers ( will put in easter baskets)
1 8pk of Austin Cheese Crackers, sale $1.00
2 Gordon Fillets, Lemon Pepper, On clearance for $2.39, had .50 cent off coupons
Total after coupons and RR's from last shopping trip to Walgreens: $2.15
and I got a free Red Box Movie Promo Code!! WOO HOO!
Picked up some left over apples from an event. they were going to throw them out, I offered to take them.
Now, I want this to be for 3 weeks ( 21 days) of food. Here is my menu plan.
Breakfasts:
Eggs- 4 meals
Cereal -4 meals
Oatmeal- 4 meals
Canned fruit with side of cottage cheese - 2 meals
Yogart with fruit -2 meals
Frozen Waffles- 1 meal
Pancakes - 4 meals
Cinnamon Rolls - 2 meals
Lunches: ( kids have school lunches - 15 days, so 6 days at home)
Hot dogs - 2 meals
Soup - 2 meals
Mac and Cheese - 2 meals
Mom's lunches for work ( 15 days)
Yakisoba meals- 2 meals
Completes Meals - 3 meals
Bologna Sandwich - 3 meals
Left overs from previous dinners - 4 meals
Oscar Mayer Lunch To Go's - 2 meals
Soup - 1 meal
My husband fends for himself during the week. :) Typically left overs, tuna salad, PBJ's or Bologna sandwiches. :)
Sides with Lunches:
Apples and Peanut Butter
Pretzels
Bread rolls or crackers ( with the soup)
Quaker Mini Rice Cakes
Cottage Cheese
Bananas
Dinners
Frozen Pizza - 6 meals
Salisbury Steaks - 2 meals
Speghetti - 4 meals
Chicken Parmasan - 1 meal
Beef Pot Roast - 1 meal
Chicken Breast - 2 meals
Gordon Fish Fillets - 1 meal
Pork Sirlion Steaks - 1 meal
Beef Round Steaks - 1 meal
Beef Stew in Crock Pot - 1 meal
Tacos or Walking Tacos - 2 meals
Sides:
Veggies
Rice
Potatoes
Chessy Potatoes
Rice a roni
Pasta Roni
Drinks:
Milk
Kiwi Water ( still have more of those!)
Juice
Kool aid
soda
Hot cocoa
Tea
Coffee
How much did I spend altogether? $150.65 and that includes the Kwik Trip amount which I really didn't spend out of pocket. :)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Are you a member of the PINK nation?
Free Sample of Berres Brothers Coffee
Free Sample of Berres Brothers Coffee. Go to this LINK and sign up. You will need coupon code 21 RR . You will get some samples of their coffee and their catalog. They sell their coffee at our local supermaket and my husband loves the smell when we go through that aisle! So I am really looking forward to these samples!!
Right Guard Total Defense 5 IP Coupon
Being Debt Free...not Impossible...
I recently recieved an email from someone who challenged me. They said that people don't really live like me and become debt free. I am not going to get into the details of the email, but I am going to comment here on my blog. You can skip over this post if you are just looking for the deal posts.
We, in the last 9 years, have had major changes in our lives. My husband spiral fractured his leg about 5 years ago the same week we had our second child. Then, I went through college. We bought a house, on top of $50,000 in credit card, lawyer bills and living expenses, we also had a ton of medical expenses and some college costs. We knew we had to really work hard if we wanted to be debt free and have money for a future. IF you want to be debt free or have a savings for your future, and you don't make much money, you have to make some serious changes in your paradigm. You need to decide if you REALLY, REALLY want to be debt free. This is a lifestyle change and choice, it's not magic.
Here are the major things we did.
1.Transferred all balances on our credit cards to zero percent offers. This gave us time to work on the balances. WE DIDN'T USE THE CREDIT CARDS! If we didn't have the money, we had to figure something out!
2. Used coupons and stockpiled. If there was a good sale, we bought what we would need for 6 months. Papertowels, shampoo, light bulbs...anything that wasn't perishable, we stockpiled it cheap!.
3. We took things that were offered for free. Many times we were offered things, and we took them. If we didn't need them, we would find someone who could. People began to learn that we would take used things. I found neighbors who would give me beautiful hand me down clothes. I found a church member who would give me hand me down work clothes. We were always gracious and thankful for someone helping us. Don't turn your nose to used items, everything is used after you take it home from the store! ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU to the person who is giving something!
4. We found support. I joined online forums to discuss frugal ideas and learned grocery shopping senerios!
5. GIVE UP ON NAME BRANDS!!! After working in the grocery business for years, I know the tricks of the trade. Many name brand companies sell to ALDI's and other generic brands. So, many times the products taste the same!!! You can cut down a lot of your expenses just by trying generic.
6. Any extra money, put towards debt. My husband and I did odd jobs. Petsitting, babysitting, computer work, cleaning...anything for some extra money. That money went to pay debt.
7. Do everything possible to NOT get behind on the bills. If your late fee is $15.00, and you are late 6 months of the year, you are paying an extra $90.00 a year to get NOTHING!!! This means plan your budget!! Also, think about this if it's 3 or 4 late bills each month!!!
8. We got rid of satillite. Yes, it was drastic at first. But it saved us $65 a month!! And it helped us become better readers and board game players. :) Also, you aren't being tempted by advertisments for things you JUST HAVE TO HAVE!!!!
9. We took care of our cars. A big major expense that isn't typically budgeted is when the car breaks down.
10. Refunds!! Do the good refunds! Menards, Walgreens, etc. I made over $400 in cash back last year!!
11. Tax Refunds. Any money you get back should be put on the debt. That "extra" money is not for you to buy something else, pay off what you already bought!
I hope this post doesn't sound angry, it's not at all! I am just surprised with the excuses some people use for being unhappy and broke. The email sounded so hopeless, yet the person who is unemployeed and homeless insisted they had to "treat" themselves to things. The best treat you can give yourself in your life is being financially secure! The best thing in life is knowing you can take EXTRA wealth and share it with your church, or other worthy cause!
Recently, before Christmas, I was able for the first time, to make a large donation to my favorite charity. I am not telling you this to get accolades, I am telling you this because life CHANGES dramatically when you aren't feeling overwhelmed by debt.
Again, IF I CAN DO IT...anyone who has the will and the drive can too!!
We, in the last 9 years, have had major changes in our lives. My husband spiral fractured his leg about 5 years ago the same week we had our second child. Then, I went through college. We bought a house, on top of $50,000 in credit card, lawyer bills and living expenses, we also had a ton of medical expenses and some college costs. We knew we had to really work hard if we wanted to be debt free and have money for a future. IF you want to be debt free or have a savings for your future, and you don't make much money, you have to make some serious changes in your paradigm. You need to decide if you REALLY, REALLY want to be debt free. This is a lifestyle change and choice, it's not magic.
Here are the major things we did.
1.Transferred all balances on our credit cards to zero percent offers. This gave us time to work on the balances. WE DIDN'T USE THE CREDIT CARDS! If we didn't have the money, we had to figure something out!
2. Used coupons and stockpiled. If there was a good sale, we bought what we would need for 6 months. Papertowels, shampoo, light bulbs...anything that wasn't perishable, we stockpiled it cheap!.
3. We took things that were offered for free. Many times we were offered things, and we took them. If we didn't need them, we would find someone who could. People began to learn that we would take used things. I found neighbors who would give me beautiful hand me down clothes. I found a church member who would give me hand me down work clothes. We were always gracious and thankful for someone helping us. Don't turn your nose to used items, everything is used after you take it home from the store! ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU to the person who is giving something!
4. We found support. I joined online forums to discuss frugal ideas and learned grocery shopping senerios!
5. GIVE UP ON NAME BRANDS!!! After working in the grocery business for years, I know the tricks of the trade. Many name brand companies sell to ALDI's and other generic brands. So, many times the products taste the same!!! You can cut down a lot of your expenses just by trying generic.
6. Any extra money, put towards debt. My husband and I did odd jobs. Petsitting, babysitting, computer work, cleaning...anything for some extra money. That money went to pay debt.
7. Do everything possible to NOT get behind on the bills. If your late fee is $15.00, and you are late 6 months of the year, you are paying an extra $90.00 a year to get NOTHING!!! This means plan your budget!! Also, think about this if it's 3 or 4 late bills each month!!!
8. We got rid of satillite. Yes, it was drastic at first. But it saved us $65 a month!! And it helped us become better readers and board game players. :) Also, you aren't being tempted by advertisments for things you JUST HAVE TO HAVE!!!!
9. We took care of our cars. A big major expense that isn't typically budgeted is when the car breaks down.
10. Refunds!! Do the good refunds! Menards, Walgreens, etc. I made over $400 in cash back last year!!
11. Tax Refunds. Any money you get back should be put on the debt. That "extra" money is not for you to buy something else, pay off what you already bought!
I hope this post doesn't sound angry, it's not at all! I am just surprised with the excuses some people use for being unhappy and broke. The email sounded so hopeless, yet the person who is unemployeed and homeless insisted they had to "treat" themselves to things. The best treat you can give yourself in your life is being financially secure! The best thing in life is knowing you can take EXTRA wealth and share it with your church, or other worthy cause!
Recently, before Christmas, I was able for the first time, to make a large donation to my favorite charity. I am not telling you this to get accolades, I am telling you this because life CHANGES dramatically when you aren't feeling overwhelmed by debt.
Again, IF I CAN DO IT...anyone who has the will and the drive can too!!
New Redbox Code
RedBox Movie Code - Expires 3/14/10
v7j6d4v Good for one night free movie rental.
I haven't tested this one yet, but I wanted to let you know about it!!
v7j6d4v Good for one night free movie rental.
I haven't tested this one yet, but I wanted to let you know about it!!
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