..............ExtremeSavingMom.............

2012-02-10T08:40:00.002-06:00

29 Day Challenge Follow Up

I started with Laura's PROCESS steps:

Plan of attack: Plan your project before
you start.

Remove items: Empty the space completely
so you can start from a
clean slate.

Organize into piles: One each to donate/toss/
sell/keep/relocate.
Sort like with like.

Containerize: Containers and other
storage solutions establish
limits and boundaries.

Evaluate your plan:
How is your system
working for you? What
needs to be modified?

Solve and simplify: Address anything that isn’t working for you and revise accordingly.

Smile, relax and enjoy your hard work!

orgjunkie.com

The stack of magazines in front of the closet were from early 2010. If I haven't read them by now I doubt that I will, besides the information is 2 years old already. Out they went. Tax papers and medical bills were also included those were relocated to my desk to be sorted later. Back in the 90's when they were supposed to be cool, I bought one of the round bed side tables with a glass top. Normally, it should have a cloth matching the bedding but I think I took it off a few years ago to wash it and never put it back. It never really fit beside my bed because it was so big, I could not even open the first two drawers under the bed fully. However, I have a very nice "telephone stand" that belonged to my Grandmother that I love and it fits perfectly. I switched them out and added storage drawers to keep the dogs from getting into my treasures and medication.

I used to have a shelf system against the wall at the end of the bed, however my son needed it for a while, eventually it ended up in another room. After much deliberation I decided to purchase a new one. It used to work well for organizing my stock pile of medications, toothpaste, travel size freebies, scrapbooking supplies, and such. The current system is not working the top is a mess and I cannot get to the lower boxes without having to move every thing.

Finally, I started to work my way through the piles in and around the opening of the closet. I can not work on something I can not get into. I found old purses that I would never use again and were not in adequate shape to even give away, a box of sock, a partially filled box of give away items, a bridesmaid dress from last July I am trying to sell, sewing projects, and luggage.

Thanks to Walmart and Target gift cards I had received at Christmas everything I purchased only cost me $50.00 out of pocket. I also bought a few other things that ~~may~~ will be used for compartmentalization later. I am actually surprised at how well I have done so far. Classes are going well and since I was trying to work ahead I was able to accomplish all my class work including 5 papers along with my clean up. Next week I will be tackling the closet, dresser, and dressing table.

29 day challenge.

2012-02-02T06:30:00.010-06:00

I started my 29 day challenge yesterday. Here are the before pictures. I am embarrassed to post these but it always seems to look worse in pictures so maybe it will help me get motivated. Normally I would use the start at the top method of organizing however in this case I cannot get to the top. I will have to start on the floor cleaning up enough to be able to get to the dresser and closet before the end of the month.
Closet

Dresser TV stand

Feb - Daily Challange

2012-01-31T14:57:00.003-06:00

This is the website that inspired me to "clean up" my life for good. I have gotten off to a great start but one area certainly lacking a fresh start has been my bedroom. It has become the place where I hide all the junk I clean up but don't want to part with yet. Truthfully it has become a small pathway around my bed with the walls and floor closing in on me. It is time for a small diversion 15 minutes at a time for one short month to bring peace, harmony, and health back to my bedroom.

Week 04

2012-01-27T19:07:00.003-06:00

I am still attempting to finish last week's closet organization. I have a pile of recycle still sitting, a number of old phones to drop off at the police station, and a box of light bulbs to relocate among other various odds and ends. I also have a number of coffee cups from dish sets. We use the dishes but I don't think we ever used the cups, likewise, I doubt we ever will, those will be packed and wrapped for the next donation pick up. School began last week and I am taking 2 classes for the next 8 weeks leaving little time for anything much less organizing. While cooking eggs for breakfast one morning I started to quickly sift through the cabinet over the stove. No time for a before picture. But here is the after:

I added the adjustable wire shelf. Before, everything was stacked on top of each other making opening the doors a hazard from falling food. It turned out to be a great time to tackle this area because I found bugs in the whole wheat pasta. Even they are eating healthy these days. Five or Six boxes of pasta went into the trash and all new boxes will be placed in plastic bags or sealed glass containers immediately.

Week 03

2012-01-17T11:40:00.001-06:00

Watch out Belle there may be an avalanche. That closet is stacked up to the point it is dangerous. You cannot tell by this picture but there is a 38" x 19" floor in there. The closet is over the basement stairwell, therefore it gets increasingly deeper with each shelf. The middle shelf is 2.5 feet deep and the top one is just over 3 feet deep.

We had most of the plastic containers in the closet but could never find a lid no matter how hard I tried to keep them together. We also had some in a deep drawer in the kitchen. Rani cannot believe the drawer it now empty. "Where did it go, Rani?" It is all now matched and neatly stacked in the closet thanks to Florica.

I can even step into the closet. I realized I had way to many paper plates so we will be bringing a number of those down to the camper we keep in the country for weekend getaways. Those pink tubs are full of plates and cups. Paper bowls are stacked up on the center shelf and more packages of plates are on top of a new wire shelf I had purchased years ago but could not get DH to hang. The brace can be seen in the upper right hand corner. I now have some place to hang my guest's coats.

Classes begin this week and I have chosen 2 classes this quarter. The History class looks like it will require an extreme amount of work and writing assignments. I anticipate smaller challenges for the next eight weeks.

2012-01-10T08:45:00.001-06:00

Week 2 began with a look at my daughters room. She just moved into her brother's old room in Aug when he moved out. One would think her room would not need purging or organizing in such a short time but it did. Here is the before. First was her dresser. The book shelf was a mess and vertical space was not used effectively.

The second area was her closet. We had run out of boxes and nothing was where it was supposed to be, shirts mixed with shorts, long sleeve and camis all together...

After a complete purging of her clothes we have 2 boxes of give-aways. Then during a quick run to Walmart for organizational supplies we found these great pink sterilite boxes on clearance for $3.00. We bought all they had (16). I would have liked to have gotten clear boxes to make it easier to determine what was inside but for the price I went with the pink and they match her black and pink room. Once I find my label maker I will be able to label all the boxes for easier identification.

It is much easier now for her to find what she wants and as a bonus she personally cleaned up her desk before I could even get pictures. I had planed to tackle that area my next round in her room. Hopefully she can keep this up for a while.

Out with the Old.

2011-12-30T19:54:00.006-06:00

Week 1. As is evident by the past year's worth of blog I didn't keep up very well. I am resolving this year a number of things.

1. continue classes at the university. (I am determined to finish my degree this time around I have one more year to go therefore, this will remain number one until I am finished.) I have a straight A average at this time and joined the Golden Key

International Honor Society this past year.

2. 52 weeks of Organization. I found a blog toward the end of the year which helps encourage those of us domestically challenged to take it slow and steady. Picking one area a week makes it seem like a doable task. After spending the last month decluttering while preparing for the holidays I really like the simpler lifestyle along with being able to see the top of my tables and counters. I will keep this up and hopefully report each week. With any luck I will have my car in the garage by the end of the year. I started a little early since I was off work the last couple of days. I started in Flori's room but have not finished because we ran out of boxes and I believe we could use an extend-a-shelf which I have ordered. I moved to a smaller area to help me feel like I accomplished something. I was able to purge and even have empty spaces now.

3. This brings me to my last resolution to blog about my accomplishments and set backs throughout the year in an effort to learn and grow from them. My garden was a complete failure last year due to the heat and rats. I tried, to no avail, to produce a hardy crop of anything. With any luck I will be able to report a better outcome this year.

Raising Meat Rabbits

2011-04-25T18:20:00.000-05:00

Raising Meat Rabbits

Trying to decided if I want to make meat rabbits a part of my sustainable lifestyle. I will be spending time reading and possibly building a properly secure hutch. Poultry is out due to my city ordinances even though I would like to try chickens. My sister has been selling me eggs and they are so much better than store bought, I can never go back.

Weather is finally turning, I hope.

2011-04-07T19:14:00.002-05:00

The days are getting longer 2 weeks ago snow now days in the 70's and 80's. My fingers have been itching to get into the dirt. 3 trays of veggies have been started indoors and cool weather plants stayed toasty in the make shift green house. Inside ar lettuce, arugula, carrots, peas, radishes, and brocolli.

2011-02-04T11:17:00.002-06:00

Coffee-mate party a big hit. We enjoyed coffee made fresh one cup at a time along with Vanilla Carmel and Hazelnut Coffee-mate. It was a treat for the entire office and hopefully I have converted a few new coffee drinkers to the time and money saving tricks for a delicious cup of coffee.

Busy year past and yet to come

2010-12-21T21:22:00.002-06:00

The garden did very well until the middle of the summer when it just got too hot for far to long. The tomatoes lost their blossoms and the peppers never grew much less flower. The corn, green beans and squash did OK but not great. I am willing to try again this year and plans are already in the works for next years planting. Some seeds have been purchased and others saved from last years successes.
School continues to go well for myself and both kids. We are enjoying learning new things and I hope to continue to implement new ideas for saving and sharing.

2010-06-25T16:56:00.004-05:00

One month later the garden is comming along nicely:
Before I left on vacation I planted some "surprise" melons. I am not sure what they are since they were actually growing in with the thyme I bought at HD. A couple more tomato plants and the rest were seeds. I asked DH to water them if we did not have rain at least every 3rd day. Unfortunately, he did not do it. The lima beans, cilantro, 2 red peppers, and carrots are all that came up. I replanted with some spinach, lettuce, radishes, hot peppers and green onions in hopes of a late round. This is one of the old beds which contains tomatoes from my dad, watermelon, cantaloupe, and celery. I planted the last of the eggplant seeds since they have not come up in any of the other beds yet and yellow wax beans I got on clearance.

The lettuce is just about done. I will let at least one of each kind go to seed in hopes of starting them myself next year. The bush beans are both lima and green beans and are doing well. The pole beans however have been attacked by the Japanese Bettles. I also have one tomato and 6 zucchini planted among the lettuce.

The corn in the self-watering bin started out great but has slowed down. Probably to wet, I am considering removeing the plastic to allow for more evaporation. In the tire is 3 more tomatoes from Dad. I didn't really need that many but I couldn't deliberately let them die. The brown planter contains my mint (Whoo Hoo! Mojitos all around).

The corn in the ground started much slower. When we left June 16, 2010 the biggest were about knee how. They are now waist high on June 25, 2010. I read about a 3 sisters garden like the Indians planted. Before we left I added 2-3 pole beans around each corn stalk and 2 zucchini in the spaces. I also have 2 new blueberry bushes here which I hope will force me to move this garden next year.

There are 2 tomatoes in the green self-watering container and one in the barrel. They are all doing well so far.

The herb garden along the back of the house is growing well. I have cilantro, spinach, garlic chives, basil, thyme, oregano, sage, green onions, lettuce, and more cilantro.

2010-06-08T10:56:00.005-05:00

Wow I can't believe it has been almost a year since I have had a chance to blog. So many things have happened. I decided when I turned 45 to make this the year of me. I spent the last 20 being wife and mother and not doing anything for myself. I decided the first step would be to return to college to finish my degree which I abandoned when I became pregnant. I took 3 classes per semester. It was tough but I did very well and look forward to the next school year.
I believe I also defeated the rats which took up residence in my back yard last year and ate everything I tried to grow. So far I this summer I have lettuce, spinach, green beans, lima beans, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, green and yellow zucchini, broccoli, egg plant, red peppers, hot peppers, corn, tomatoes, onions, radishes, and carrots. I also added 2 peach trees, 2 blueberry bushes, black raspberries, and a strawberry fountain to the yard along with they usual mix of herbs.
I really have not done much shopping lately except a few things here and there which were free or close to it. My coupon book has suffered from lack of attention while I attended classes and I just have not had the energy to get it back in order. I try to keep up with the websites which help me find the deals but lately we have been living off the land and the over stock I have.

Herb garden with green onions, sage, oregano, basil, cilantro, garlic chives, spinach, and lettuce. I just added thyme over the weekend. Something was eating my lettuce. I found one cabbage worn which I smushed then used the pop-up hamper to protect it for a little while. It has come back and no longer needs my protection as of yesterday.Tomatoes in the self watering container I made:

Another self watering container with corn, tomatoes in the tire and my mint in the brown planter.
Last years boxes with dirt and compost. Lettuce, beans both pole and bush, and zucchini.
The box has celery, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, and red peppers
The homemade strawberry fountain.

2009-08-13T18:56:00.003-05:00

Quick Thursday night run to Shop n Save:

0.77 Kraft EZMac/Velvetta Shells x8 -BOGO free x 3 - 1.00/2 x 4
0.44 Twix - free Q
0.48 Jello x 5 - 1.00/3 IP Q -.50/2 Q
0.60 Mighty dog food x 5 - free Q x 5
2.78 Smucker Jelly -free Q
2.25 Jiff PB - free Q
2.48 Red leaf lettuce -1.00 Q wyb OM deli meat
7.00 Oreo cake for DD15th birthday
5.48 DiGiorno x2 -1.50 x2
5.48 CA Pizza Kitchen -1.00
2.78 Yoplait Fiber One 4pk x2 - free Q - 1.35
2.97 OM Ham & Turkey -1.00/2
_____
54.45 - 10.00/50.00 Thursday - above coupons = GC 20.72 plus I received $5.00 Q for next visit and $20.00 MIR from Kraft.

The black walnuts in the box on the side were free from my Mom and Dad. I will be removing the flesh this weekend and drying them to use in salads and baking. Yummo!

2009-08-13T18:40:00.004-05:00

Weekend trip to Target:
2.50 Alexia waffle chips -1.00 MFQ
2.50 Alexia onion strips -1.00 MFQ
0.76 Jello Pudding (singles - Sugar free)
1.99 3lbs bananas -1.00 TargetQ
5.99 Amp -5.99 MFQ
0.99 Bounty towels x2 .50 TargetQ -.25 MFQ
2.70 Kotex liners -2.00 Target Q -1.00 MFQ
1.00 10 ct bic pens x2 -1.00 Target -1.00 MFQ
0.97 Dove bars x2 -BOGO free Target
0.52 Twix, 3 musketeers, snickers x12 - BOGO free Target x6 - 1.00/2 x 5 MFQ
1.24 8 ct Bic pencils x 2 -1.00 Target -1.00 MFQ
____
6.05 - 5.00 on Gift Card from previous purchase -1.05 cash -2.50 MIR for Alexia chips.

In the bag are spiral notebooks from Office Max. There are 2 on my way home. I picked up 3 notebooks at each store. They are on sale this week for .01 @ total .06

2009-08-03T20:54:00.002-05:00

We had used Schwans before but they stopped showing up so I am very glad to have a chance to order some more items from them.

Schwans offers FREE food to new customers

*No purchase necessary. Offer ends 9/30/09 and limited to the first 500,000 new residential/household customers (i.e., have not purchased any products from Schwan's Home Service, Inc. within the past 14 weeks) who are located in an existing route of Schwan's Home Service. Limited to one offer per residence/household and may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. Local and state sales taxes may apply. Other restrictions apply. For complete details, visit www.schwans.com/free. Void where taxed, limited, or restricted. For terms and conditions click here.

Product Qty Price Discount Total
Fully Cooked Bacon Slices

* Fully Cooked Bacon Slices
* 32 slices, 10 oz.
* #811
*
$15.49

Wine & Garlic Flat Iron Steak

* Wine & Garlic Flat Iron Steak
* 4 - 6 oz. steaks
* #483
$17.99

PHILLY BEEF STEAK

* PHILLY BEEF STEAK
* 6 - 3.5 oz. portions
* #429
$11.49

Garden Vegetable Omelet

* Garden Vegetable Omelet
* 6-3.75 oz. omelets
* #834
$9.99

BRIGHT STARTS® Bacon Singles

* BRIGHT STARTS® Bacon Singles
* 6-5" pizzas
* #875

$10.99

Total w/ tax -10.00 = 60.32 but not payable until delivery on Aug 13

2009-08-03T08:02:00.002-05:00

I intended to get to the store this weekend but I just never got around to it! I will have to go this week because we are starting to run out of fresh fruit and veggies.
One of the doctors that I work for heard a couple of us girls complaining about our increasing weight and waist lines so he proposed a biggest loser competition in the office and even put up a nice incentive. SOOOOO I am in. There are 7 of us in the office trying to live a healthier lifestyle. He has asked his friend, a nutritionist to help us through group and private emails and no one will be voted out this is just a way to help all of us live HEALTHY.
We start on Wed and I can't wait. I have regained the 30 lbs I had lost 3 years ago and I am excited to once again have a reason and the support I need to get back into shape. I have to say that my son is already complaining about the healthy food we will be eating but they are both behind me and they don't make fun of me when I workout unlike other family members. I am sure the dogs will really enjoy the extra walks also.

2009-07-29T07:41:00.004-05:00

Weekly menu:

Sunday: Chicken in the grill, corn on the cob and BC augratin pototes
Monday: Tacos
Tuesday: LO Pizza
Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, dinner rolls and salad.
Thursday: Anything that is still LO (tomorrow is trash day)
Friday: Ameghetti's King of the Hill Sandwiches, chips and cookies (free from work)
Saturday: Sloppy Joes, Green Beans, Apple sauce, Cottage cheese (Dad came over to help me hang a new light so we combined things from my pantry/freezer and Mom brought over her dinner items)

Coupons to use

2009-07-26T16:47:00.006-05:00

My first real trip back to the stores only because I had register rewared/catalinas that needed to be used before they expired. I know that for the ALL YOU Grocery Challange is supposed to only include groceries but I don't shop seperately and it is just a pain to seperate it out before I need to:

Saturday:

Walgreens trip -
1.50 NY Bagel chips 1.00Q
1.50 NY Pita chips 1.00Q
0.69 Snickers (free Q)
0.89 Kleenex x2 .50/2
2.69 Hefty One Zip Baggies x2 BOGOF (.75 x 2)
1.00 Pilot 2 Pen
0.39 10 Pack pencils x2

- 5.00 RR
Total after coupons: 1.69 (1.10 on gift card and only .59 OOP cash) Recieve another $1.00 RR

Shop N Save
0.98 MM Pink Lemonade 2 L (free wyb watermelon)
2.00 Jolly Time Popcorn x2 (1.00/2)
1.67 Pickle Relish
1.00 McCormick GM Marinade x6 (.50 x6)
2.50 Watermelon

-4.00 RR
Total after coupons 6.45 on GC $0.00 OOP

Sunday:

Walgreens:
2.69 2-3 packs Extra and Wrigleys Gum 6 total (1.00 x6)
5.00 4 Starbuck Frappacinos (1.00 x 4)
1.69 2 Mars candy bars
3.99 Goody Ouchless headband (1.00) 3.99 MIR
0.25 Walgreens tape x 2 (fillers)
6.49 Tide 2x 32loads (1.00)
-10.00 RR
Total OOP 3.91 cash

Schnucks:
1.00 Sweet Peppers x2
3.34 Lettuce
7.15 Pork Steaks (2 meals)
4.25 Bratwurst
2.00 C&H Sugar x4 (2.00 x 4 - free wyb 10 pks Kool-Aid
0.10 Kool-Aid x 40
2.10 Local Grown Peaches (4)
-4 RR
Total OOP 19.75

2009-07-26T16:28:00.004-05:00

I never did get to the store last week so we just continued to eat out of the pantry, freezer and garden.
Sunday - Pork chops, Noodles, Frozen Veggie
Monday - Veggie lasagna, salad, take and bake bread
Tuesday - Soup and sandwiches
Wednesday - Turkey breast, mashed potatoes and Frozen Veggie
Thursday - Left overs to clean out the fridge
Friday - Hot dogs, grapes, chips, veggies and dip
Saturday - Lil Ceasars Pizza (Electric went out and I just didn't feel like grilling anything) $15.92 for 3 pizzas - we only ate one.

Week 1 of the Grocery Challange.

2009-07-13T16:53:00.002-05:00

This week I only plan to run to the store later today or tomorrow before Flori's Softball game for some coffee creamer and fresh fruit/veggies for the week. Everything else has already been stockpiled so we will be eating out of the pantry. This weeks line up:
MON:Grilled Chicken Salad with dressing of choice.
TUE: Taco Bake with fresh lettuce and tomato - cheddar cheese and sour cream.
WED: Sloppy Joe on Bun with veggie salad
THU: Planned over Chicken, Frozen mashed potatoes and green beans.
FRI: Trout (caught by DH) Mac and cheese with veggie salad and mixed frozen veggies.
SAT: Homemade Pizza - whole wheat dough, sausage and cheese. Veggie salad.
SUN: Spaghetti and Meatballs, cheese garlic bread and veggie salad.

Breakfast most days include cold cereal (probably not the best choices but this week I got 10 boxes of Kellogg's cereal for free). Milk and fruit (peaches, bananas, grapes or cherries this week)

Lunch is usually left overs from the dinners or the old standby peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with pretzels or chips and fruit or cut up veggies.

Snacks include fruit and cut up veggies ( I cut up carrots, celery and sweet peppers, we like this with ranch dressing or hummus). Fruit snacks (free a couple of weeks ago) Chex Mix and Mango/Banana smoothies are some of the splurges.

All You Grocery challange starts tomorrow.

2009-07-12T20:50:00.002-05:00

All you magazine has started a grocery challenge. Spend $25 per person in your household per week on groceries for a month. So for my family of 4 this means a $100 grocery budget per week. Part of the challenge is to also include healthy options and I have also challenged us to eat a lot of locally grown items. The challenge starts July 13. I will be sharing recipes and meal ideas as I try to win $1000 grocery card:)

I am thinking that I should do very well since I already spend less than this per week now. The garden is coming along nicely and I currently have yellow squash and green beans to harvest and use this week. Tomatoes, lettuce cucumbers, zucchini and spaghetti squash are all growing great and will be ready within the next week or so. I also feed my sisters 2 boys dinner 3 nights a week so I am not sure how to count them but I am sure it won't be any problem.

2009-06-13T09:04:00.002-05:00

I am going to declare June another no buy month. I still have a Shop & Save gift card with over $100.00 on it so I should be able to get all our groceries for the month with some left over. I have not been to Walgreens except to use up my RR and only paying around $5.00-$10.00 OOP per week. I should be done with them buy the middle of July since they are becoming harder to use and the deals are just not there.
I am down to only a month before my next vacation to ..... yup WDW. I am not looking forward to the heat but I will be spending the time with my kiddos at the beautiful Animal Kingdom Villas. (As long as they can get along). We recently had an offer for a free 3 night Disney Cruise which I just cannot pass up. So we are planning our cruise for Oct 2010 with a brief stay at Disney's Vero Beach Resort before. It looks like so much fun and I have not been to the Atlantic side beach since I was a kid. We are saving every extra dollar we can find so we can do some excursions, rent a car and just have a great time in a new place.

2009-05-15T10:48:00.002-05:00

Since Walgreens got rid of the Easy Saver Book I have just lost interest in the RR deals. I end up having to buy items I don't want or need inorder to have enough items to match the number of coupns. Plus I have been having a lot of trouble finding the items listed in stock. I have searched all week for Fish Oil with no luck. Once I use up the RR I have to the best of my ability I will probably be done with Walgreens again. (When they lost all my DS19 baby pictures from the first 3months of his life I refused to go there until last year when I found Hotcouponworld.com)

This past week I been to Target twice, Shop n Save and Walgreens.
Target 1

Target 2

Shop n Save

Walgreens

I really don't have big plans for any shopping in the next couple of weeks although I am hoping for a good meat sale.

We spent alot on our garden this year so I am hoping for a great harvest this summer. I built 4 raised vegetable beds but we could only afford dirt for 2 of them so far.
Currently I have green beans, cucumber, lima beans, lettuce and spinach comming up in bed one.
In bed 2 I have sweet peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, watermelon, cantalope.
I am working on a strawberry fountain but I need the dirt which we can't get until it stops raining.
In the older beds from last year I have a new blueberry bush, hot peppers and spaghetti squash.
My very first bed we built on the patio is now a full herb garden with cilantro, sage, lemon thyme, rosemary, parsley, green onions and chives.
As you can see I haven't been as busy shopping but I have kept myself busy in the yard.
We also bought one of the topsy turvy containers just because they are so different and cute. We have grape tomatoes doing very well in there.

2009-04-22T14:12:00.003-05:00

I know, I know. I have not been a very good blogger. I really haven't been shopping much since we got home the end of March. Other than milk and fresh fruit and veggies I have been staying at home getting my garden ready. I am building 4 raised veggie beds and fencing it in to keep the dogs' out. DH spent almost a week in the hospital only to find nothing wrong with him. I had to take DS to the urgent care center for a splinter under his nail only to find our insurance had dropped him because they did not recieve his class schedule I faxed to them in Jan. A trip to the vet with the puppy for a UTI. And I still was able to put some money in the savings for March.

We had a wonderful trip to Disney World. It was a little cooler than we expected but no real rain to speak of. The count down is on for the next trip which will be to MY favorite place Animal Kingdom Lodge for my birthday. I was able to save $89.00 on the next trip by purchasing points from someone instead of having to pay cash for the extra night.

May looks like it may be another slow month for me. I did get out this past weekend to Lowe's, Home Depot and Kmart to get in on the great sales and double Q. This is the first time DH went with me and he was amazed at how well I did.
I will try to get every updated by this weekend.

No buy March

2009-03-17T09:58:00.002-05:00

I had declared March a no buy month when I could not fit another thing in any of my 3 freezers.
So far I have done very well. DH truck needed a new ball joint, thank goodness he's a mechanic we applied that $75.00 to the household budget. I have picked up things that we need like milk, bread, fresh fruit and veggies that totaled around $30.00. Then over the weekend DS19 and I went out to get him somethings to eat while DD14 and I are out of town. That was another $30.00 for frozen chicken nuggets, mini tacos, quesadillas and ravioli.
The rest has been freebies at Walgreens. I use coupons, Register Rewards and my Gift Card so no money out of pocket there.
Then on Sunday we went to buy a spreader for the yard as well as a blueberry bush. While we were there we picked up grub killer, we are hoping to get rid of the moles in our yard by getting rid of their food source. We also found on clearance some organic potting soil and ant spray. That little trip cost us $91.00 but we got what we needed to get started on spring planting.

Total for the month $500- 75.00 - 30 -30 -91 = 274.00 so I will have money for the savings account in March.
DD and I leave in 3 days for WDW. I have a number of GC for disney that we will use for all our food and expenses on the way. I will also leave a little cash and a grocery GC for my son incase he needs anything.

2009-02-21T13:36:00.002-06:00

Thursday was another $10 off $50 day and they had a number of good meat deals so I went to work on my plan of action. I did not take pictures. I was just to tired when I got home and I wanted to get everything put away so I could make dinner. I split my order into 2 this week to get the best deal.
Deal 1:
5.00 3lb bag Tenderbird Chicken Breasts
5.00 Tennesse Pride Sausage & Biscuits (kids have been requesting these for awhile)
5.00 Seabest Shrimp x 2
5.00 Swift Beef Patties
4.68 Orange Juice (got the wrong one but to lazy to exchange it) x2
1.67 BC Frosting x 2 - .50 Q
1.67 BC Cookie Mix x 3 - .40
2.00 Pillsbury Cresent Rolls x 4 -.35
____
54.94 - 10.00 = 44.94 - coupons = 37.28 on GC bought earlier + $10.00 Catalina for next visit from the BC/Pillsbury purchase

Deal 2:
5.00 3 lb bag of Tenederbird Chicken Breasts x 2 (total of 3 allowed)
5.00 5 lb Jumbo pack of Hot dogs x 2
1.00 Hunts Manwich x 8 - .50/2
1.00 Hunts Diced Tomatoes x 8 - .40/2
1.00 Rotel Tomatoes x 6 -.30
1.00 Hunts Pasta Sauce
2.50 Pam Cooking Spray -.35
4.68 Orange Juice (again bought the wrong one but I did return one when my total was more than 50.00
_____
57.18-10 = 47.18 - coupons 41.18 - 4.80 returned juice = 36.38 on GC + $10.00 Catalina from Hunts purchases. Plus I have a friend that is sending me a MIR for $5.00 meat purchase.

How far can $20.00 really go?

2009-02-18T08:40:00.010-06:00

If you watch your sales and coupons it can actually go pretty far and it is a good thing when you have family pets! $116.00 vet bill for shots, heartworm meds and eye salve. Saturday I stopped at Aldis for the fresh fruit for the week. Strawberries and Bananas = 4.20

Then a quick stop at Schnucks. Then last night I had to take the newest puppy to the vet for shots and an issue with her eye.1.00 Kleenex x7 - .40 Q doubled to .80
1.00 Heartland WWheat Spaghetti & Disney shapes x 10 -.55 Q
1.79 Healthy Ones Luch Meat x 3 - .75 Q
6.99 5# Clementines -1.00 Q
Subtotal 30.15 w/ tax - coupons = $15.80

Running total for the month $159.69 left to go.

I have spent the last couple of days playing around with Photoshop, making iron ons for our upcomming Disney trips. Here are some of the ones we will be wearing if they meet the kids and grown ups approval:And On the last day:

Happy Friday the 13th

2009-02-13T21:38:00.004-06:00

I just love Friday the 13th. It has always been a lucky day for me. So far nothing exciting has happened but nothing horrible either.
Today on the way home I made a quick trip to WAG to pick up a few rebate items and The Gamer Razor

2.50 Windex Wipes -1.50 IP but it is not listed on the receipt so I will be going back tomorrow
8.99 Gamer Razor -4.00
3.50 Scrubbing Bubbles Gel -3.00/2
3.50 Scrubbing Bubbles Scrubber
____
12.27 on GC. I will receive 3.00 MIR and I got the $6.00 RR to use later.

After a rough start I am hoping for a quite month.

2009-02-12T17:58:00.008-06:00

After being on heavy duty antibiotics for a week I am feeling better and my Asthma seems to be under control again. I was able to get out a little and get a few deals.
2/5 Thursday: While waiting to get my Rx filled

Schnucks
1.00 Progresso Soup -1.10 IP Q
1.00 Progresso Soup -1.10 IP Q
1.88 Ricotta Cheese
1.29 Sour Cream
1.69 x 3 Smucker Grape Jam -1.00/3 I will mail in for Disney Scrapbook Kit
2.09 x 12 Bistro Rotini Meals on clearance - 6 BOGO Free Q (Great for lunch or late night snack at Disney or for DD when she is home from school)
____
20.31 (36.05 - 15.74Q)

Monday:
2/9 Sam's Club
4.88 Aquafina 32 pack (DD and I will bring this to FL in 36 days for our Spring Break Disney Trip)
10.88 Propel (DS drinks these almost every day - better than energy drink IMO)
24.87 40QT cooler (I have been wanting a smaller cooler that we can use for our summer picnics and I thought I had a $10.00 MIR for any cooler from Budweiser but I realized it expired 2/1/09 so this may go back until I can find a better deal)
____
43.62 total

2/9 Dierbergs
3.29 Coffee Mate -.50 (32 oz was cheaper than the 16 oz)
3.29 Coffee Mate - .50
4.97 2.5 lbs chicken (5 breasts)
2.99 Smucker Sugarfree Blackberry Spread -.55 Hangtag
5.11 Ground Chuck 3 lbs
6.59 London Broil ( turned out to be the best meal ever according to the kids)
3.50 Blackberries -3.50 store special WYB Strawberries
3.99 Strawberries - 2.00 Q WYB EG Bread
2.99 Earth Grains Bread -.35Q doubled to -.70
____
30.56 total after Q

Today 2/12/09:
Shop n Save they are having their $10.00 off when you spend $50.00 but I went in with no real plan (big mistake) Normally I stick right to that $50.00 or split into 2 $50.00 to maximize the deal but I was tired and didn't bring my calculator. I purchase a 100.00 GC for $90.00 (Q in the Entertainment Book) because I needed to start using up those coupons and this seems to be a month that I may have extra money.
3.39 Kashi Honey Seasame Crackers -3.39 Q
3.28 x2 California Stir Fry
1.94 x2 Uncle Bens Ready Rice -1.00/2
2.99 x2 Tyson Chicken & Steak Ready strips - .55 x 2
2.50 x2 Dole Spinach -4.50 x 2 meal deal WYB 4 above items
4.88 Wanchai Cashew Chicken dinner - 1.10 - MIR Free
3.28 x 2 Coffee Mate -1.50 x2 (coupons expired tomorrow so I had to use them)
5.00 Culinary Circle Sausage Pizza
1.25 Dr Pepper 2 L - 1.25Q WYB above Pizza
5.39 Tyson Honey Tenders -1.00Q (DS has been bugging me for these)
1.74 x 6 PopTarts 12 pack -1.00/2 x 3 (another DS request)
1.34 R&F Spaghetti 2lb package
2.50 x5 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks -1.50/5 RR from a couple of weeks ago
____
75.84 (see I went way over -10.00 final total 38.77 Not to bad I guess. Used gift card from last May.
Plus I got a $3.00 RR and .03 off my next gas purchase.

Running total for the month
$480.18 -$20.31 -$43.62 -$30.56 - $90.00 = $295.69

I have already been checking out next weeks ads and I don't see much.
I know I still have to buy the FAR items from Walgreens and I have been picking up a couple of razors this week to get the $6.00 RR. Price w/ tax 5.34 on WAG GC.
I also had a Tupperware party so I am sure I will be spending more than I should there but they had some great deals.

2009-02-09T20:53:00.001-06:00

Free Curly Fries
at Jack in the Box
Tuesday Feb 10th

Sick Again

2009-02-05T20:51:00.004-06:00

I woke up this morning and was feeling every bit of my 44 years of age. My hips and left shoulder have all been problems at one time or another in my life and when I am sick that is where I feel it. I was able to get in to see my doctor and found out I have a infection that is attacking my whole body. I had to run to Schnucks for a super antibiotic so I picked up a few things while I waited. They had over 38 items for $1.00 each:

1.00 Med Eggs x 4
1.00 Crunch n Munch x 6 - .35 doubled
2.50 Newmans Pasta Sauce x2 -.50
1.17 Tums Smoothies (clearance) x4 -1.00
1.00 Totinos Pizza Rolls x 8 - .40/2 doubled
1.00 GG Steamfresh x 9 - 1.00 (free)
1.00 BirdsEye Steamfresh x 8 - .35 doubled
1.00 Freshlike Frozen corn x 1 -1.00
-------
46.42 - 26.60 MFQ = 19.82

For the new month 500.00 - 19.82 =480.18 to go. We have no excuse for not eating our veggies now. It's a good thing I have 2 freezer/fridge and one chest freezer.

Official end of the month total

2009-02-04T10:05:00.005-06:00

Due to my credit card cut off dates I consider the 4th of the Month as the start of the month.
Offically for the month I have $146.21 left on the grocery expenses but I took the 125.05 for my son's book out since I would just take the money from savings anyway = $21.16. Plus I have $80.00 - $36.92 Tupperware purchase = $43.08 cash left from the Household budget envelope. Total to ING savings account = $64.24. Not great but at least I am going in the right direction.
I have looked at the WAG adds for the next few weeks and don't really see much that I want. I have 3- $10.00 RR and 1- $5.00 RR to use for the Free after MIR items and a new dog bed for our new puppy.
I did run out to do some Walgreens deals and we threw an impropt to Superbowl party so I will update those:

Walgreens: $7.93 (Received a $5.00 RR)

Walgreens: $10.03

Aldis: $20.00 cash (taken from Household extra cash)

Schnucks: $7.83

Tupperware: $36.92

Shop n Save $6.83 used $7.00 RR from a couple of weeks ago. I thought I had this figured to only cost a few cents but it went under by .17.

Extras:

Brad book for school $125.05
Car repair $201.13 (parts only - good thing DH is a mechanic)

2009-01-28T09:23:00.001-06:00

Because everyone can use a free soda!

www.freedietdrpepper.com

__________________

2009-01-27T09:41:00.004-06:00

Free Disney Tickers
We are sneaking in another trip to Disney since DS 19 has finally agreed to come with us for my birthday trip! We are using the rest of our DVC points for the next year but I am very excited to get my free day!

Free Disney Tickers

Free Disney Tickers

2009-01-26T07:41:00.002-06:00

This is the time of the month I usually do myself in finacially. The month is almost over and I know that I have some money left over so I usually fall prey to " Mom can I have?" But not this time. I have looked through the sale ads and have only found a few things that I can even use. I will only stop at the stores on my way home (no kids) and only get what is on my list. I have started planning a small Super Bowl Party and thanks to my brother and husband we have a ton of fish for a fish fry. My son is craving chicken wings, I will make a huge batch of those and I am hungry for pizza so I will mix up some dough and allow everyone to have fun making there own. I have everything except the chicken on hand.

2009-01-23T08:44:00.002-06:00

OK! I am sick of being sick! I have been fighting a cold off and on since the day after Christmas. Between the kids and work there is always someone sick and reinfecting me! I have not been truely sick in years but this year I am worn out. Thank goodness I have all kinds of cheap cold medicine. I have started taking vitamins, I have tried Zicam, Theraflu and Tylenol cold at various times within the last 4 weeks.
We have only 58 days until our next Disney Trip!!!! I have two rental cars booked right now since my car is older and not running great right now. I have a midsize car and a compact reserved so I am trying to decide if I want the comfort of the larger car or the economy of the smaller car. I have rooms booked with my Hilton and Holiday Inn points that offer free full breakfasts. The travel agent will make the final payment the beginning of Feb and put in our room request for the 70's section at POP Century. I am surprising Flori, shhh don't tell her, with a lunch before we leave at Akershus, Norway, Epcot. It is a character lunch with a number of the princesses and they have her favorite, salmon, for an entree option.
There haven't been any real deals at the grocery stores this week and I have plenty stockpiled so I haven't spent any money there. I will try to post my Walgreens deals later today. We had a new store open in the area and they have a coupon good for $3.00/$10.00 so I have made a number of trips there. I also made a quick stop at Aldi's for fresh fruit and veggies.

2009-01-17T12:41:00.016-06:00

Family: Last month right around Christmas time I was watching the news and saw that one of our local salon's Show Me Stylz was having a buy a $50.00 GC for 1/2 price deal. I had not cut my hair for 3 years before I cut it in Oct and gave it to Locks of Love and made a donation to Mutts n Stuff. I had money left over at the end of the month and decided after looking at their website that I would like to keep my hair short and find a permanent salon. This morning Flori and I had appointments at 9:00 to get hair cuts; what was I thinking it is cold and early. We love them and are very happy with our new find. Since we arrived 20 minutes early they were able to take us right away and start all of our days early. We were done in plenty of time to hit the stores on the way home. We were home in time to have a yummy lunch of Potato Soup from JANE4girls $800.00 annual budget. It turned out very nice and has become a keeper.

Diet: Recipe taken directly from Jane4 girls
Easy Instant Baked Potato Soup from a stockpilers pantry.

1 Can Carnation evaporated milk
1 can Butterball chicken broth (I used about 1 1/2 cups of my homemade broth)
1 pouch Hungry Jack instant potato flakes or about 1 1/4 cup (All those Betty Crocker .20 boxes came in handy here - there are 2 bags per box)
chives
cooked bacon

serves 3-4

Crumble cooked bacon in a pot. Add chives and cook over medium heat until chives are limp. Add one can chicken broth and one can water. Stir in one packet instant potato flakes. Once combined remove from heat. Stir in condensed milk. Return to heat and heat until warmed through.

Add cheese and sour cream...delicious. We also had some of the Garlic bread and black berries I bought this morning.

Budget:
I had to take the puppy to the vet yesterday for more shots and Hartgard which comes out of the monthy budget 34.25 Visa. Then I ran over to Shop n Save to get my $7.00 RR from Thursday I had to talk to the manager but I got it!

Sam's Club
4.87 Frozen Broccoli Florets 4lbs - this is the only broccoli that I like so we stick with it.
10.96 Beef Loin 3.74 lb red tag
7.36 Pork Loin 3.43 lb red tag
6.82 Butter Quarters 4 lbs
5.53 Whole Black Pepper Corns we ran out earlier this week
5.47 Cheese balls (the kids love them)
Total 43.26 cash

Dierbergs 1: I had to split up my Dierbergs order because they will only double up to 3 .40 or less coupons.
1.34 Texas Garlic Toast x 3 - .40 doubled
.99 Fresh Black berries x 2
1.94 Sargento Cheese x 3 - .40 doubled
1.24 Mama Lucia's Breakfast Pizza x 3 - .35 doubled
Total 9.11 Visa

Dierbergs 2:
3.19 Farmcrest Milk 1 gallon 2% - 1.00 wyb SL bread
1.39 PF Skim Milk 1 - 1.00 wyb SL bread
2.50 Welchs Light Juice x 2 - 1.00
1.34 Texas Garlic Toast x 3 - .40 doubled
1.94 Sargento Cheese x 3 - .40 doubled
2.50 Keebler Cookies x 2 - 1.00 IP
0.99 Fresh Black berries
1.24 Mama Lucia's Breakfast Pizza x 3 -.35 doubled
1.49 Sara Lee Soft & Smooth whole grain bread x 2 - 1.00 found these tucked into and around the bread.
1.00 4 Kiwis

Total after Q 19.21 Visa

Target:
9.59 Puppy Chow 17.6 lbs x 2 - 3.00 IP
19.79 Dog Chow 44lb + Marley and Me bonus 4 lbs x 2 - 4.00 IP receive $5.00 GC on @
Total 49.58 used 25.00 GC from Christmas + 22.27 Visa

Remaining budget for the month 244.38 - 35.46 on the S&S GC = 208.92 with 1/2 the month to go. I decided to count the GC because when this one runs out I will have to buy a new one with the grocery budget so I want to start putting away the amount I spend toward the next card.

2009-01-16T08:51:00.002-06:00

Free Coffee at Oberweis today:
I have been wanting to try there IceCream and today just may be the day.
The puppy needs to go to the vet for shots, Walgreens is calling and I have to deliver AVON tonight so I may have to stop at Oberweis as well.

Thursday Grocery deals

2009-01-15T19:04:00.006-06:00

General: It is very cold in St. Louis due to an Arctic Front the high today was 1 degree. The last time it was this cold was 2001. But in typical St. Louis fashion it will be in the 40's by Saturday. We are trying to stay warm at work where I sit by the window. The thermometer I have was reading 56 degrees so I am moving a little slow. The restrooms are being remodeled so we have to go to another floor and the boss decided to lock the door to our office today because of threatening patient. What a pain!

Budget: Our Shop n Save occasionally has a store coupon on Thursdays good for $10 off when you spend $50.00 this is like receiving a 20% discount off the top. I usually will work out one or two orders to take advantage of these deals. I had 2 worked out but when I realized some of my coupons were expired, items were too high and some items were out of stock I quickly cut it down to one order of only the best deals. I think I did well:
2.20 Jack's Frozen Pizza x2
1.00 Hunt's Ketchup x 4
2.50 Pam Cooking Spray (Olive Oil) x 2 - 1.00 IP
2.50 Healthy Choice Steamers x 2 - 1.00 IP
3.00 Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers x 2 -1.00 MFQ
1.67 Orville Redenbacher Microwave Popcorn x 2 - 1.00 IP
1.00 Healthy Choice Soup x2 - .55/2 blinkie
1.00 Rotel Tomatoes x 5
2.00 Captain Crunch Cereal x 5 - 3.00/5 MFQ
4.27 9 Lives Cat Food - 4.27 free MFQ
2.00 Kellogg's Fiber Plus Bar - 1.00 RR from last week + new one for next purchase
Subtotal 53.29 - 10.00 - 15.00 RR from last week - 14.82 Q = Total 10.99 on GC from last May.
I was supposed to receive another $7.00 RR for buying $30.00 Hunt's - HC... but I didn't get it so I will have to stop on my way home from work tomorrow to get it.

Busy Weekend almost over.

2009-01-11T17:46:00.005-06:00

Saturday Jan 10
Family: Flori and the Purple Spirits had a couple of Basketball games. They played the same team twice and were able to pull out two wins and got the gold metal. I was happy because that meant going home early. Had they won one and lost one we would have had another game.
On the way home we stopped at 3 Walgreens to try and finish up the deals from the week.
Today Flori and I went to see Bride Wars with our 2 free movie tickets. (Last month Home Depot had a special gift card that allowed you to buy the $25.00 GC - Dad's Christmas present- and receive 2 free movie tickets from Fandango.) We really liked the movie. Only out of pocket was our tub of popcorn $7.75 which we get refilled as we leave to enjoy later or tomorrow.

Budget:
Walgreens 1 They were out of almost everything.
5.00 Benefiber X 2 - 2.00 Q x 2
8.49 Orajel Cold Sore Patches - 1.00 Q
0.99 Coffee Filters (filler)
-3.00 RR from last week
Total on GC 12.35 Received 5.00 RR. I will receive 9.34 back on WAG GC and 8.00 MIR.

Walgreens 2
9.99 Revelon Matte Eye liner -2.00 Q
5.00 Theraflu Warming x 2 -2.00 Blinkie
1.19 Extra Gum X3 - 2.67 WAG 7 day (filler)
-10.00 RR from earlier in the week
Total on GC 5.29 Received 5.00 RR. I will receive 10.99 back on WAG GC

Walgreens 3
I have been sick w/ a stupid cold (I never get sick) since right after Christmas so I decided I needed to start taking Vitamins:
7.00 Centrum Vitamins x 3 - 3.00 Q
5.00 Thera Flu Warming -2.00 Q
5.00 Benefiber -2.00 Q
3.49 Electrasol Gel Pack -2.50 Q
1.00 Socks for DD (they were cute and only 1.00 so OK)
Total on GC 21.40 however I did not receive the RR (10.00 and 5.00). The cashier asked me if I was expecting any which I was. So I have a feeling they knew the machine wasn't working. First the manager told me it was because I used Q. I showed her in the ad where it tells us to look for Q in the paper so wrong. Then she said I bought the wrong ones. But no I was correct. So she ended up putting $15.00 back onto my GC meaning I only paid 6.40 on GC. I will receive 1.65 on the GC for the Electrasol.

Today I had to spend actual money at the Grocery store
Schnucks 1
1.00 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes x 5 - .35 Q doubled to .70
1.00 Progresso Soup x 9 - 1.00/3 Q x 2 and -1.10/3 Q
1.00 Fuze Drinks x 6 - .25 Q doubled to .50
1.00 Dial hand soap x 5 - .35 Q did not double so cashier did it manually
1.00 Ludens Wild Cherry cough drops x 7 - 1.00 Q
1.00 Austin Cheese Crackers for DD (I need to stop shopping with her)
Subtotal 33.55 Total after Q 14.15

Schnucks 2
1.00 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes x 7 - .40 Q doubled to .80 x 5 -.35 Q doubled to .70 x 2
2.59 Provolone Cheese x 2
1.00 Salmon Fillet x 10
1.49 Carrots
1.00 Celery
1.00 Mentos Gum -.55/2
1.00 Dial hand soap x 3 -.35 Q again didn't double (had to go to CS received 2.25 back -triple)
1.00 Totinos Pizza Rolls x 2 - 1.00 IP
Subtotal 38.69 Total after Q 29.14 - 2.25 cash back = 26.89
I also found a Biggest Loser coupon sheet w/ up to $10.00 off so a grabbed a couple.

Dollar Store
1.00 Newspaper x 3
total 3.20

Total remaining for the month 372.48

Next week Shop N Save will have their $10.00 off when you buy $50.00 (before Q) deal so I expect to work out some deals for Thursday. I have a couple of free Q that I have been saving.

Weekly Menu
Sun: Rolladen, 3 Cheese BC Potatoes, Steamfresh Corn
Mon: CP Ham and Beans, Corn Bread
Tue: Chicken Quesadillas
Wed: Left overs
Thur: Sloppy Joes
Fri: Salmon, Noodles, Green Beans
Sat: Hawaiian Chicken, Rice, Veggie and/or Salad

Look Ma No Cavities

2009-01-08T10:07:00.005-06:00

Family: This week has been crazy. I haven't even gotten the Christmas tree down yet.
The kids and I went to the dentist Tues for regular teeth cleaning. Which turned out to be a little exciting since the bank next door got robbed earlier in the day. They announced on the news this morning that they have the person in custody. His parole officer called him in to "talk" after one of the bank tellers recognized him as a former customer (Duh dude).

Wed things started to pick up at work, all the doctors are back from vacation so I will start getting busy later this week. Flori had basketball practice so I found a few minutes to catch up on my reading. We have both been reading "New Moon" (the second book in the Twilight series) so that I can help her understand it. (She is in 7th grade but her reading is around a 3rd grade level) She has trouble with her comprehension but I really think reading this book which she loves has helped her alot. For Christmas her grandmother bought her the next 2 books. We are really looking forward to reading them.

Budget: I am hoping to get some shopping done later today since I have RR's getting ready to expire later this week and I don't see any other day to get it done. I will update this later. I didn't really feel like going out tonight but after this great trip I am glad I did. I even gave away a bunch of coupons to some nice gentleman that was looking for the Betty Crocker boxed potatoes. He was so grateful for the 6 .25 Q - I knew I wouldn't use them since I had some .35 and .40 ones that will double at Schnucks and Dierbergs next week.

Shop n Save:
10.00 Iams Dog food -10.00 Q (one free bag)
2.00 BC Fruit Snacks x4 = 8 -.50/2 x 2
2.50 Fiber One Chewy Bar (Strawberry, Oats and Almond) - 1.00 IP
1.25 Pasta Roni x 8 - 1.00/4 x 2
3.00 Kraft String Cheese x 3 - 1.00 IP x 3
2.50 Dole Lettuce x2
1.53 Bananas - 1.35 (2 free lbs bananas wyb 2 Dole Lettuce)
6.24 Beef Round Steak - 5.00 wyb 8 boxes Pasta or Rice a Roni
3.19 1 gallon of milk - 1.00 wyb Sara Lee Bread
1.99 Sara Lee Bread
10.00 Gilette Fusion Razor - 4.00 Q
Subtotal w/ tax $70.91 - Q and -$15.00 in Holiday rewards earned in Nov and Dec = Total $24.47 on GC from last May's Tax incentive. $0.00 OOP
+ recieved $15.00 on my next shopping trip for buying $30.00 worth of GM, P&G &/or Coke.

Walgreens:
5.00 Benefiber Stick Pak x 2 - 2.00 x 2
5.00 Flintstone Gummie Vitamins x 4 - 1.00 x 4 MFQ - 4.00 WAG activity book
3.49 Electrasol Gel Pack -2.50
.59 Orange fruit cups (filler)
.50 Flavor Pack Icees (filler)
-10.00 RR from last month
Total w/ tax 10.76 on GC
Received $10.00 RR and $5.00 RR + Electrasol MIR 1.50 + $8.00 MIR on Vitamins

Diet: I worked on dinner menus for the rest of the month but I will just post them on Sunday starting the next one since I am apt to change things.
For the rest of this week we will have:
Thur: Cubed steaks, mashed potatoes and green beans
Fri: CP chicken (this will be an experiment so I will wait to see if it turns out before I post the recipe), rice and broccoli
Sat: CP ham and beans w/ cornbread

2009-01-05T14:20:00.009-06:00

Whoo Hoo! only 74 more days until our next Disney Trip. This one is super budget (under $1000.00 food, transportation, one day ticket and rooms) just Flori and I we will be using our annual passes we bought in October. They have a special right now buy 4 nights get 3 free plus if you travel before March 31 you recieve a $200.00 GC. We will drive to Disney from St. Louis and stay at POP Century again - our favorite because of the free refillable cup, this is the only place that has frozen cokes YUMMO! I have already collected a number of GC for lunches and dinner. The hotels on the way will be free with all my points one way at Holiday Inn Express (free Breakfast) and one way at Hilton (free breakfast). I have a rental car reserved but I will wait and see if Doug can get my car fixed up to my standards before I decide if I will take it or pay the $200.00 to use the rental for 9 days. Disney Special

I won't have time to hit the stores today since Flori has a basketball game tonight
at 6:30. This is her 3rd year playing for Special Olympics (she made me so proud last year when not one but two other team leaders got hurt and were not allowed to play. She became the center at just under 5 foot she moved the ball well and made sure everyone on the team got a chance to shoot the ball) It makes for a busy night: home by 4:30 dinner right away 5:30 sister arrives with the kidos (whom I babysit and love doing it) we are out the door again at 5:45 for the game, home again around 8ish. Quick mini meal since the kids are all hungry then to bed ASAP or at least by 9:00 pm.

First shopping day of the New Year.

2009-01-04T21:31:00.005-06:00

I found around $100.00 in my pocket today as well as a number of Target, Kmart and my Walgreens gift cards so DD14 and I headed out to get some shopping done. I will be listing my excursions and listing prices to use as a price book for myself for the year. This will also help serve as a way to monitor cycles of sales, coupons, rewards and rebates.

Dollar Store:
1.00 News Papers x5
1.00 Hanna Montana Germ Gel x1 for DD
6.41 (cash)

Schnucks:
4.35 Ground Lamb
2.88 Ground Round
2.26 Ground Pork (for Lasagna tonight)
5.35 Sirloin roast
0.75 Wax Paper
2.29 Coffee Mate Pumpkin Spice - 1.00
3.49 Coffee Mate Irish Cream - 1.00
8.26 Cubed Steak
2.00 Roland canned Artichoke Hearts
2.00 Dreamfield LC Lasagna
1.59 Ziploc (Christmas clearance) screw top containers x4 - 1.00/2
1.00 Durkee seasoning (Chicken, Steak, Pepper/Mustard, Pepper, Cinnamon) x8 - 1/2
1.00 NY Texas Toast Croutons x 8 - .50
2.00 Daisy Cottage Cheese 2% - .75
2.79 Daisy Cottage Cheese 4% - .75
48.13 = Subtotal 62.63 - 14.50 coupons (cash)

Aldis:
2.99 Shredded Mozzerella Cheese
1.99 Tub Parm Cheese
1.36 Bananas
6.59 (cash)

Kmart: Double Coupons up to $1.00
1.99 Revelon Tweezer - 1.00
1.29 Revelon Emery Boards - 1.00
1.67 Suave Solid Antipers. x2 - .55
2.89 Pedigree Breath Buster x3 - 1.00
2.99 Pupperoni -1.00
2.79 Beggin Strips x 4 - 1.00
2.50 Glade Wisp Refill - 1.00
2.99 Cottonelle Wipes x3 - 1.00
2.29 Wet Ones x3 - .75
22.15 = Subtotal 47.78 - 22.47 coupons (cash) - forgot about GC

Walgreens:
3.00 Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream x3 - 3.00 woohoo free icecream
4.00 Playtex Tampons - 1.00Q - 2.00 ES
.74 Stickers Christmas clearance for DD -filler
.60 Christmas clearance tissue paper
.49 Christmas clearance labels
5.00 Benefiber sticks x2 - 2.00 (5.00 RR)
3.49 Electrasol - 2.50 (1.50 ESMIR)
5.00 Bayer Aspirin x4 - 2.00 (10.00 RR)
2.50 Glade Candle Angel Whisper (1.00 ESMIR)
2.99 Garnier Fructis Shampoo -1.00Q - 2.00 ES (not programmed in others returned)
2.50 Kelloggs Cereal 3 Mini Wheat 1 Frosted Flakes -1.00 (3.00 RR)
-10.00 RR from last week
19.10 = (18.00 RR) [2.50 ESMIR] {8.00 Bayer MIR} WAG GC

Target:

3.25 Electrasol X3 - 2.50

9.98 Solar light set of 4 clearance (didn't need but wanted for years good price)

13.10 Target GC

For the month 500 - 83.28= 416.72 and I still have $10.00 left.

Dinner was a homemade lasagna w/ garlic bread from the freezer and salad.

2009-01-03T10:05:00.003-06:00

General Info: Well yesterday was super busy for me. I had to work but we were slow since the rest of the world was off. Anyway, I brought my coupon binder to work so that I could clean it up and reorganize for the new year don't worry I did this on my breaks. There were a ton of 12/31/08 expired coupons so the binder is pretty empty right now but today there are 5 coupon inserts so I will be busy tomorrow refilling it.

I think I found a great way to save money already. I had planned to get a few things that were good deals this weekend but upon returning home last night I realized I left my purse at work. Luckily I am on the early shift so I called one of my friends and asked her to lock it up for me (I am not about to spend another 60min driving back and forth). So I will not be driving around to much this weekend.

Family Stuff: Yesterday was Brad's birthday I can't believe my oldest baby is 19. Where has the time gone? He loves fish and Doug started fishing this summer with my brother so last night we had a good old fish fry for dinner with salad and mac and cheese. He didn't want a birthday cake but he did want one of my special Oreo cookie milk shakes (he lived on them when he broke his jaw and had it wired shut for a couple of months).
Later that night I attempted to fix our neighbors fence since they now have 2 dogs and the weeds growing on it has pulled the fence over to the point that the dogs are jumping back and forth between the two yards.

Budget: I have been trying to decide how I wanted to figure my food and household budget this year and I am going to try to cut off $115.00 from my monthly budget. If it works out we should have $1380.00 to add to savings. This portion of my budget is for all food for 4+ people including camping meals and holidays (except going "out to eat"), all household expenses including cleaning and repair, feeding 3 dogs and finally pool chemicals.

Diet: Getting back on track with South Beach I will be eating better carbs again and hopefully getting rid of all the free candy from Walgreens.

Breakfast: one of my childhood favorites "Onion eggs w/ bacon" (I made enough so that I have 3 more days worth put away)
Lunch: Doug sabotaged me and bought white castle I only had 4.
Dinner: appetizer night - salad, chicken wings, toasted ravioli, mozzerella sticks and/or what ever else I can find to make.

2009-01-01T13:15:00.001-06:00

I haven't really had a lot of time to get into blogging and social sites but I will try this year to keep up with some of my various hobbies and making myself accountable for succeeding in my goals.
1. continue to coupon my way to a debt free life.
2. lose the weight I put back on this year.
3. go back to college to get my degree.

The kids (especially DS 18 - 19 tomorrow) are no longer into soccer, soccer, soccer but I have had the name so long that it has just stuck with me. Most of my friends on the coupon, deals and disney forums know me by extremesoccermom so I will keep that besides:
extremesoccermomdisneynutcouponqueen just does not flow right. LOL !)

Last night was great fun. Flori and I went to my brothers new home and had a great time eating, drinking and play games until and past midnight. A great start to a new year. Brad went to his friends and had a good time. Doug stayed home and slept.

I spent this morning reworking the budget for the next year. Due to changes in our medical insurance I will have more money to save in case we have any medical issues that will not be covered with the new plan. My laser eye surgery from last Dec will be paid off my June and our new sofa/bed for Nico will be paid off in two months so we will have that extra money to put into savings. After spending over 20 years in our "starter" home I am ready to look at something new in a better area of town. There is a free dog park about 45 min west of our current home so I would like to start looking in that area.