Making cents of my crazy life

Ped Egg for $3.99 at Amazon.com

2010-06-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com currently has the Ped Egg on sale for just $3.99 and it ships free with a $25 purchase!

What's in the mailbox today??

2010-06-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

What a great mailbox day!

Today I got:
1 free Gillette proglide razor
2 $1/4 Buddig lunchmeat coupons
1 $5/5 Bar s products along with 3 .25/1 coupons
And my $25 gift card for redeeming rewards on from my credit card. Funny thing is that I totally forgot that this was part of my credit card rewards. lol

2010-06-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Free ice cream on Saturday June 5th!

From noon to 5 you can stop in and get either a free cone or cup of your favorite ice cream!

My daughter the frugal princess

2010-05-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

I was so very proud of my daughter today. For her birthday (which was last week) she got a gift card for $50 to Kohl's. Thank Papa & C.
I also saw they had a printable coupon for 15% off of everything so I told her that I would take her to Kohl's today so she could spend some of her $$. It was burning a hole in her pocket. lol
So as we are looking around she went straight toward the clearance rack. I am teaching her well. She picked out a shirt & a 2 piece skirt/pants set. She also picked a Zu Zu pet toy and a few other things. She ended up spending $35 saving over $60 and still has $15 to spend at a later time. She was thrilled and very proud of herself! As I was too!
I am so glad that she is starting to pick up my frugal habits. Now I just need to work on my younger daughter. lol

2010-05-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

At the grocery store do you stear clean of the discounted me & bakery section? I do know alot of people that would never buy anything marked down. Well that is so not me. I need to stretch my dollar as far as I can and I sometimes can here it scream. :)

I do know quite a few people that love the thrill of the hunt as well.

Today I had to run into my local store to pick up bread. I couldn't believe that I was out of it and yes I could have been even more frugal and cooked some up but since today is my birthday I didn't want to do much of anything but relax. lol

So as I was walking to the bread asile - which I was walking the perimiter of the store ;) I noticed a giant rack of bread products. Woo hoo! I got 2 loves of regular bread, 1 loaf of wheat bread & 2 pkgs of bagels for .50 each. I was thrilled!
I noticed that there are a bunch of different places where they have marked down items around the store. I usually look at the meat section but I because I was short on time and short on cash I just kept on going. Often I will find pkgs of meat marked down for a great price.

2010-05-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

What is Swagbucks? Swagbucks is an easy way to earn a little extra cash (through PayPal), gift cards, or prizes! Swagbucks is a search engine, just like Google, and you get "Swagbucks," or points at random. I usually get 20-50 Swagbucks a day from searching. As your Swagbucks accumulate, you can trade them in for gift cards and prizes.

What kind of gift cards and prizes? One of the most popular gift cards is the $5 Amazon gift card. It is one of the best deals.....450 points for $5. And the great thing about Amazon is that they sell just about everything and you can get FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $25 or more!

Other popular gift cards include:$5 Paypal - 700 Swagbucks
$10 Barnes and Noble e-Gift Card - 1250 Swagbucks
$15 ITunes - 1850 Swagbucks
$20 Target e-Gift Card - 2350 Swagbucks

How can I earn more Swagbucks? The most common way to earn Swagbucks is through searching but it's not the only way.

Search
Become loyal to Swagbucks, meaning use it as your main search engine! And use it often. Sometimes though when you use the search engine too much you will get a message with the rules. If this happens you will not be able to do anymore searches for 12-24 hrs.

Swagcodes
Swagbucks also releases Swagcodes to help you earn more. Usually between 5-7 Swagcodes are released each week. They can be found on the blog, Twitter, Facebook page, and on the toolbar. When you find one, just enter it in the box labeled "Enter Your Swag Code".

Refer Your Friends
This is a GREAT way to get more Swagbucks! For every friend you refer, you will get earn Swagbucks for every Swagbuck your friends earn through searching, up to 1000 Swagbucks!
Here are a few tips on how to get more referrals:

Download the Toolbar
If you use the toolbar daily, you will earn at least one Swagbuck every day. It's not much but is certainly does add up over time. Swagcodes are also released on the toolbar from time to time.

Check Out Special Offers
You can earn 2 Swagbucks daily just for browing their special offers section!

*Go to the Toolbar at the top of the Swagbucks homepage and click on "Ways to Earn"
*Click on "Special Offers"
*Click on the blue box to the right that says "No Obligation Offers"
*You will see the first offer. Click "Skip" or "See next offer" for each offer until you get a message that you've earned 2 Swabucks.

Daily Polls
You can earn 1 Swagbuck daily by voting on the Daily Poll! What an easy way to earn a Swagbuck!

Complete Special Offers
You can earn Swagbucks for completing some of the special offers as well. Many of these offers are completely FREE!

*Go to the Toolbar at the top of the Swagbucks homepage and click on "Ways to Earn"
*Click on "Special Offers"
*Scroll down to "Limited Time Offers" to find their offers.

Now you're ready to earn big with Swagbucks!!
Signup and earn 30 Swagbucks immediately!!

Super Swag bucks Friday!

2010-05-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Today is Mega Swagbucks day! That means they will be awarding higher swagbucks today! My friend earned 20 (which would be 200 nowadays) on her very first Mega Swagbucks Friday! Have you gotten one of the big ones?

Go Here to sign up to start winning your swagbucks!

A very Happy Birthday!

2010-05-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe that 10 years ago today I gave birth to my oldest daughter. 10 years!!! Where has the time gone? She is very excited to have hit the double digits. I on the other hand feel old. lol

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY!!!

I heart Target

2010-05-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

I got all my coupons ready and I was on a mission. I love Target and all the good deals I can get there. The cashier even complimented me. :) At first the look on her face when she saw all the coupons I had made me chuckle.

I spent $10.69 and saved $43.52

Woo hoo!

Mailbox Friday

2010-05-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to visit my mailbox on Friday and find a nice surprise instead of bills. :)

This is what was waiting for me :)

My Kraft pack

Kraft Summer Sample Pack - Facebook

2010-05-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

Head over here to request a Summer Sample Pack from Kraft!

"Taste what's new and delicious this summer by signing up to receive your Delicious Summer Sample Pack* for FREE from Kraft Foods. (Offer expires 5/10/10. While supplies last.)"
Getting your delicious summer pack is easy!
Step 1.) Choose your favorite Delicious Summer Sample Pack and your samples and coupons will be on their way!

2.) Sign up to receive FREE Recipes by Email, along with additional special offers and opportunities.
Special Bonus: Sample packs include a Delicious Rebate offer form: Spend $30 on Kraft Foods products from 5/23/10 through 6/13/10 and get $10 back by mail.
You have 4 sample packs to choose from:

· Fire Up the Grill
· Picnic in the Park
· Road Trip
· Backyard Campout

As you can guess this site is getting hit hard with requests so it could run slow. Also if you are unsure if your request went through you can check here

Fun summer things to do with your kids

2010-04-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

Looking for things to do with your children during the summer? I am on the look out for cheap or free things to do.

How about free movies?

See complete details Free movies in MA

2 free games of bowling everyday

See complete details Kids Bowl free at AMF bowling lanes

2010-01-04T13:44:00.001-08:00

Starting the new years off right! This is the year to really reign in my spending and get my mountain of debt paid off.

I ran into Walgreens today to pick up some items that I got for free or nearly free!

Bought:

2 bottles of Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo

2 .05 neosporin ointment

2 neosporin lip health

2 Reach dental floss

2 Reach tooth brushes

1 pkg of electrasol tabs

Coupons used:

B1G1 free toothbrush

B1G1 free dental floss

combined with reach coupon in the ad

These came out to be free!

$2.50/1 electrasol tablets

Earn $1 rr

free after register rewards

2 baby shampoo

used 2 $2 off coupons

Get $3 rr rewards back

2 neosporin ointment

used 2 $1 coupons

along with coupon in the Walgreens coloring book

Get $1 rr

make $1 on these

2 neosporin lip thereapy

used 2 $3 coupons

Total oop after rr $2.21

I saved $42.54!

2009-12-31T05:38:00.001-08:00

Having fun while saving $$

2009-11-04T05:22:00.000-08:00

Having alot of fun while getting stuff cheap. lol
I have so many glade candles from the Target promotion that my house smells really nice. lol
It's crazy because this promotion is going on until the end of December.
You don't know about the promotion you say?
If you buy 5 holiday scent glade candles you get a $5 gift card. To make it even better there are coupons in the holders. And also there are coupons out there buy a holder and get a refill free!

I also ran into Target yesterday and I couldn't believe my eyes that the Halloween was clearanced down to 75% off and there were TONS of stuff still on the shelf.
Lots of candy (which we don't need) and there are Target coupons out there for the candy to make it even cheaper. I got a bunch of stuff that wasn't even Halloween themed to put away for goodie bags for when the girls have school parties. I also got softsoap, toothpaste and the best find for us anyway was these haunted house boxes with doritos & cheetos in them. They are great for snacks for school or just for me. lol ;) I love doritos.

My Christmas shopping is almost done. I just have to pick up a few gift cards. I am so relieved. Most of the stuff I bought was on clearance. I was worried about the holidays as I lost my job a month ago. I still can't believe a month has passed by already.

I hope everyone is getting good bargains!

So much going on

2009-10-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

It's been quite some time since my last blog post. Oh My!
As of September 30th I have been unemployed. I really need to tighten the proverbial belt. I know that I can do this.
I did start my Christmas shopping and I have to say that I am proud of myself. I have been reading on some blogs that Target had some Wii games on clearance so I decided to check it out. I got 3 Wii games for the girls. I also picked up a few other gifts. All the items were on clearance.
Woo hoo.
I need to get back into the routine of menu planning.
It's starting to get colder here and I truly believe that we are in for a very LONG & COLD winter.

With God's help. All things are possible.

2009-06-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

So even though I own a smaller carpet cleaner, I decided that since I was going to be alone tonight and tomorrow, I would clean my carpets.
Well of course it's muggy as all get out but I am happy with the results.
I didn't break down and buy the very expensive carpet cleaners that go with the machine. Instead I googled a homemade version online. I was very happy becuase there was one that used oxyclean and I just so had a tub of that in my closet that someone gave me. I tried it on my laundry and I didnt' think that it worked that great. I also had some stain remover that I got a the $$ store. This recipe called for that. So I start mixing it up and put the solution in the carpet cleaner. I was skeptical at first but then I was thrilled with the result. My carpets look fantastic. I am just hoping that the pet order dissapears. With it being muggy I can really smell it.
I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Days 3-5 Challenge

2009-06-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

We have been doing surprising well. On Tuesday I went to the dentist, I was expecting to only have 1 tooth removed but it ended up being 2. Ouch! Well, not really. It didn't hurt that much until today. Which is very strange. Anyway, I didn't feel very well for the past few days because of this and I could have easily drove through the take out lane but I didn't. Hooray! We ate from the pantry.

Day 6 though I did breakdown and buy some hamburgers. I am finally in mood to eat something solid and I am by myself tonight. The girls are with their dad for an overnight visit.
Also, celebrating the last day of school and also the start of summer.

Chocolate coupons

2009-06-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

So I was more than thrilled when I opened my mailbox and there was 4 coupons from the chocolate giveaway! I am happy. And also at one of the local convience stores they had a coupon for b1g1 free candy bars. I need to run back there to pick up a few more. So I will get double the chocolate!
Who doesn't love chocolate????

Day 2

2009-06-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight we got a bit later than we normally do and I was bad and didn't plan anything for dinner. So I decided to go the quick route. No we didn't get take out instead I am making one of my girls pizza rolls and the other one is having fish sticks and tater tots.
They were both in my freezer.

Day 1 of Challenge

2009-06-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

So today was a cool somewhat wet June day. It feels more like Autumn than almost summer. So today I made some comfort food. Homemade macaroni & cheese. The girls love it. I also grilled some beef baby back ribs. Yum!

For desert we will have ice cream considering that I have a whole bunch from the deal at Shaws last week.

Freezer/Pantry Challenge

2009-06-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

We are half way through the month of June and my goal for the next 2 weeks is to only eat out of the pantry/freezer. I will only have to buy milk and bread.
The month of July will be a challenge in itself to me because usually the girls get lunch through school but for the summer they will be going to daycare during the day and they do not offer lunch. They will have to bring it from home. They do not have access to a fridge or microwave. I need to sit down and figure out my meal plan for them. This will be for the last week of June, July & August.

A fun filled day!

2009-06-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

So in an effort to make some goals not only financial but also personally there has been one goal that has been in my brain for quite awhile. Awhile back I posted about how I suffer from social anxiety and how it controls my life. I made a decision (a personal one) that I didn't want to take anymore medication than I had to so I was going to try to do this on my own. I have say that I have been getting better. I need to get myself out there in this world. Now that my girls are getting older it is harder for me to keep them contained in the house. When they were little it wasn't so bad, but growing up they are now 9 & 7 (8 in December) they want to do fun things. I too want to do those fun things but sometimes I just can't. Anyway, I have a good friend that has been helping me through this emotion roller coaster.

Anyway, not only do I want to do fun things but also fun things that are inexpensive. Now with school coming to an end and summer beginning I believe that I needed to start now. I don't want to miss my kids childhood.

And living in a great state full of history and education stuff I thought now or never! I have lived in this state all my life and have not seen many of the wonders that it holds. I live in a town that is full of historical sights, I lived her for 10 years and I haven't seen many of them. People come from all over the world to see the rock and the ship. Yes, I live in America's hometown.

So today I picked up my friend and we headed to Blue Hills. We went to the trailside museum and saw a few animals that are from this area. My girls were thrilled and so was her son. We saw otters, turtles, ducks, deer & even a turkey vulture. I really wanted to go to the observatory, and we started out trailing there but it was way too rocky and my youngest is lets just say not graceful and took a dixie before we even started up the trail. So I couldn't help but worry that she would fall and crack her head open on a rock so we decided to retreat. :(

We were headed to the beach just to sit for awhile and noticed the very large kites. We just had to stop. It was beautiful. Not only the day was beautiful but all these kites.

So I was very excited to not only get out of the house but do something fun and inexpensive with the girls. They had a great time!

Crayola challenge

2009-06-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

The Crayola Outdoor Challenge is a new program reinforcing the benefits of creative, outdoor play. Crayola is asking families to pledge time each day for outdoor creative play, with a national goal of 1 million hours.

You can sign up at http://www.crayola.com/outdoor/

These days children spend a large amount of time indoors in front of the tv, computer or video games. This is a wonderful challenge to get kids outside not only for exercise but also to use their creative imaginations.

My latest haul

2009-06-09T16:40:00.001-07:00

So there is a great cat deal going on at Shaws. If you spend $25 on selected products you get a $10 coupon on your next order. The best part is that the cost is based on the shelf price not the sale price.

I ordered coupons from my favorite site http://www.couponsthingsbydede.com/default.asp. I was impressed because I got them quicker than I usually do. She not only has clipped coupons but also complete inserts.

So after 3 transactions this is what I got:
5 skintimate shave gel
5 Edge shave lotion
Total: $0.00
They were FREE after coupons
2nd Transaction
4 bags of chips
4 tubs of frosting
4 chex mix
2 6pk of sprite
OOP: $5.94
and I also got a $10 off your next order coupon
3rd Transaction
3 ice cream
3 bertolli sauce
2 bags of chips
After using my $10 from previous order
OOP $.57
And also got a $10 oyno

So tomorrow I will do my other transactions. I have 3 more to do. I will also take a co-worker with me on my shopping trips to show her how I do it.

Frugal weekend

2009-06-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

I am so hoping for a frugal weekend and it looks like it's shaping up to be one.

We will be going to Michaels crafts for their free family event on Saturday 6/17 from 10-1. It's thumb print art. The girls will have a good time and then we will head over to Friendlys for free ice cream day.

Free ice cream day!

2009-06-03T15:16:00.001-07:00

I hope you all marked your calendars for free ice cream day at Friendlys.
You can get 1 free scoop in a cone or a cup.

June 6th from 12-5

2009-05-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

Today my oldest daughter turns 9!! I am still trying to figure out where the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday that I brought that little baby home from the hospital.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENNA!

Crazy for the ON flip flops

2009-05-23T07:49:00.001-07:00

So this morning the girls and I started out our day. My dd1 has a birthday tomorrow and got a gift certificate to Kohl's. It was burning a hole in her pocket. I was telling her that she needed to get the most bang for her buck. She did extremley well.

Then we headed over to Old Navy. I wanted to get some flip flops and I remember last year they ran out early in the morning around here. Well I wasn't sure what time the store usually opens but as I turned to go into the parking lot there was a huge crowd of people trying to get through the door at the same time. They were just literally pulling flip flops off the peg wall. It was like the Filenes Basement brial dress sale and black Friday all rolled into one. It was crazy. Even though the limit was 5 pairs per person I did see a bunch of people that purchased more than 5 pairs. As yes they were by themselves. I couldn't believe that the cashiers didn't question it. There was one lady with about 30 pairs. People were pushing and such and I thought my kids were going to get trampled and let me tell you that they held their own. I am proud of my little buggers!

Another good shopping trip

2009-05-22T06:28:00.001-07:00

As I was going through the self check-out waiting for them to approve my coupons I was putting some trash in the trash barrel. Right on top was a bunch of cats. One of the for free bread product up to $3. Yikes, I can't believe that they threw it away.Also, as I was there a gentleman came through the sco and he was talking to me letting me know he was impressed with my coupon skills. LOL he though it was great that he kept hearing the machine say "savings".
I walked out of there spending $6.10 but should have been less but I wasn't paying attention and didn't scan one of my coupons which would have been another free shave gel.

6 packages of Bar S hotdogs
6 skintamate shave gels
2 Wheat thins
6 Hefty ziplock bags

Coupons used:
3 $1/2 hot dogs
6 .75/1 skintamate
6 .55/1 Hefty
2 $1/1 wheat thins
1 $1/2 Shaws wheat thin coupon
$3.00 Shaws coupon

Also there is a blinky machine in front of the hefty ziplock bags. It's for $1/1.

2009-05-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

I do think of myself as being frugal but am I really? I try to do things that are frugal but not all things. This is one of the big changes going on in my life. There are so many things that I have that I know that I can live without. Somedays I sit in my home and just look around and can't believe the "stuff" that I have. Sometimes I feel like I am being overtaken by clutter. So over the past few months I have been purging my home. I do have quite a bit to go.
Also last year there was a huge layoff at my job. They did keep 13 of us to continue on. One of those people will be leaving at the end of June. He is upper management. He has his hands in everything so it's making everyone a little uneasy. Who's going to take on his responsibitlites? No one knows. Great. Anyway, I am trying to put my proverbial ducks in a row. I want to pay as much of debt and get my stockpile well, stocked.
Brings me to today. My oldest daughter will be turning 9 on Sunday. Where did the time go?? Anyway, I digress. So she came home excited at the beginning of the week because they will announce her birthday on Friday over the loud speaker at school. It's also the long weekend. She thinks that she gets an extra day off because it's her birthday. LOL So then she lets me know that she wants to bring a special snack in for her birthday. At least she didn't tell me the day before or the morning of. They both do that alot so I have to stop at the store to pick something up. Drives me batty.
Well I figure that I have a whole stockpile of stuff. What to do??
Awhile back I bought the cutest cake tins. They are made by reynolds. I got stars and hearts. I got them at the $$ store. They used the star ones already so I have to work with the hearts. I asked what she wanted, cookies, cupcakes - brownies? Brownies in the heart shaped tins. Then I need a way to present them and get them to school in one piece.
So taking the brownie heart, I will put it in a plastic baggie ($ store) and in my stash of scrap paper I made a little tag and got some curling ribbon. Viola!
I hope she is happy with it.
I know that I am.

The whole thing cost me $1 to make. The brownie mix was free, as was the paper & ribbon. I only purchased the tins.
Woo Hoo!

Frugality at it's best!

A few trips later....

2009-05-20T08:29:00.001-07:00

I decided to run some errands today. I really should be in bed as I am home sick.

First stop:

I haven't been to Target in quite awhile, and today I realized why. Well one of the main reasons is that I spend too much $$ in there on clearance stuff that I really don't need but the main reason is the hassle you get from using coupons.

I have been reading what deals everyone else is getting at Target so I decided that I will go and pick up a few things. Well it seems that everything is priced higher at my local Target.

The cashier thoroughly examined every coupon and questioned every one of them. I know it's there job but come on. She was telling me that I couldn't use a mfc & a target coupon together. In the end the head cashier came over.

I bought:

3 boxes of Ritz crackers

2 boxes of 100 cal packs

2 small packets of Crystal light

2 bottles of mayo.

I paid oop: $5.16

Saved : $20.50

Most likely I won't go back there anytime soon.

Next stop: WALMART

I do like some of Walmarts prices but when it comes to the cashiers and coupons they are the pits. I need to avoid Walmart like the plague because it seems that I can't go in there without spending over $20. I have spent less but it's crazy to me.

So I wanted to pick up a couple of things. I only had 3 coupons for the stuff that I got :( so I paid $21.13.

My last stop of this little adventure was:

Shaws doubles up to .99 but they do have a limit of 6 like coupons per transaction.
So with my coupons in hand, I am off.
I picked up:
6 bottles of bbq sauce
6 packets of mccormick grillmates
12 packets of Knorr sides (rice & noodles)
2 bags of cheez doodles
2 packages of wacky mac
1 candy bar.
The candy bar I had to buy because my total was negative. LOL
So I got all this for NOTHING!. Woo Hoo! I also got a $3.00 off your next order.
The strange this is that I have done this 2 other times and I never got the coupon.

I saved $46.91

Now I am just waiting for my other coupons to come in the mail (hopefully today) and make a quick run to Shaws on the way to get the girls.

FREE Blue Bunny Ice Cream w/ Rebate

2009-05-20T04:07:00.000-07:00

I just recieved this in an email this morning.

Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, buy any Blue Bunny Aspen or Sedona Frozen Yogurt between 5/23 and 5/25, and you can receive a full refund of the purchase price.

See complete rebate details Blue Bunny Rebate Form

Form needs to be postmarked by 6/10/09!

Walgreens $5/$25 coupon

2009-05-20T03:47:00.000-07:00

There is a $5 off $25 coupon for Walgreen's!!!

Go Here to print yours.

It is valid Wed & Thurs only!

Huggies $2 coupon

2009-05-20T03:43:00.000-07:00

If you use Huggies then you will want to get these coupons!
Go Here to take the Huggies survey, once you are done you can print a $2 coupon.
(some readers are reporting that you can print it multiple times as it's a bricks coupon!)

Thanks Moneysavingmom!

Friendlys free ice cream day June 7th

2009-05-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Friendlys is giving away 1 scoop of ice cream on June 7th from 12-5.

Here

Old Navy Flip Flops $1 Saturday 5/23 only!

2009-05-19T03:13:00.000-07:00

Looks like Old Navy will be running their

$1 FLIP FLOPS SALE!!!

This saturday (May 23rd) only. So mark your calendars and get in there this weekend.

(Limit of 5 pairs per person)

2009-05-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

I was a very busy gal today. Not only with my household chores that I feel like are never ending. LOL but there were good bargains to be had.
1st stop this morning was Shaws.
6 Kraft bbq sauce $1 each
6 McCormick grill mates $1 each
3 poptarts $1.77 each
2 hot dog rolls marked down .50 ea
2 hamburger rolls marked down .50 ea
1 fajita kit $1.99
3 boxes of jello $2.00/3
6 Knorr rices $1.00 ea
1 jar of olives $1.29
3 bagels $1.25 ea
2 wacky mac $1.25 ea
4 packages of hot dogs 3/$5.00
2 bags of Wise cheez puffs $1.00 ea

Coupons used:

6 $1 bbq sauce
3 .75/2 rice coupon doubled
1 $1/2 pop tarts
1 $1/3 Shaws pop tart coupon
2 .75 wacky mac doubled
1 $1/3 jello
6 .50/1 grill mates doubled
2 $1/ hot dogs
2 .50/1 cheez doodles doubled

OOP $18.01
Savings $51.84

Next stop we actually went to Family fun day at the girls school. They had a good time. The $$ spent there went towards the PTA. So it was a good cause and it was a nice day.

Then we had to run into Walmart. It seems that I can't just run in there for a few things. Ugh! Sidenote: I am bummed out because I do read a bunch of different blogs and I see some of the good deals they get. Here the prices seem to be higher.
Anyway:
I didn't really buy much but I walked out of there spending $43.48.

28 things and using coupons. Yuck!

Then leaving there I realized that I forgot trash bags so I decided to run back into Shaws. They were having and open house with free food. It was good and the girls thought it was the best day ever lol

I picked up:
12 Knorr rice packets
5 Kraft BBQ sauces
2 Mccormick grill mates
4 cream cheese bricks

OOP $ 3.00
Savings $37.71

I really hope that there is not a super sale next week. I am done for the month other than I will have to pick up milk sometime between now and the end of the month.

2009-05-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Well it's been awhile since I posted and I sure that nobody really has missed me :( but hopefully I am back.

My pantry challenge to myself was wonderful. I used up a bunch of stuff and still had plenty of food left over. I think that besides milk I could live off my stockpile for 3 months. I love it.
Even though I haven't been posting over the last week I have been doing really good with my coupon usage. My girls are really impressed that I can save so much $$ by using coupons. I want to teach them early about money. I just wish my mom taught me. I always got what I wanted so I thought she always had $$. It wasn't until after she died that and I had to grow up fast that I came to find out just how poor we really were.
I have been through my ups and downs with frugality but I would rather live frugally then not have anything at all.
I am happy to share with my girls.

So I did do alittle stockup at the beginning of the month. Although my daughter was impressed with my out of pocket amount she kept commenting on Mom where the heck are we going to put all this stuff. LOL

I got a bunch of Kelloggs waffle coupons and I was hoping for a good sale before the expire. I was excited to see that they were in one of my local stores flyers. So I stopped in yesterday and picked up 6 because here they double coupons up to 6 so I will go back with the rest of my coupons and get them before the sale ends.
Then in the Shaws flyer they have Kelloggs cereal on sale with a in ad coupon. Buy 4 for $10 get $4 off. Then recently there was a bunch of Kelloggs coupons on coupons.com and also at the Kelloggs website. So I also used 4 $1 coupons on the cereal making them .50 each. I did 2 transactions because I wasn't sure if they would let me do them all together. It didn't matter anyway because they had to come over and approve my coupons.
I still have a bunch of coupons that I need to use.

I also bought a bunch of coupons from my favorite coupon website. I can't wait to get those because there are quite a few items that I will get for free after coupon.

Have a great day!

Pantry Challenge

2009-04-22T13:33:00.001-07:00

Mon - Raviolis w/garlic toast
Tues - chicken nuggets & french fries
Wed - Ham steak, mashed & corn on the cob

I did have to run into the store to pick up milk. I also got some free water w/coupons of course!

Pantry challenge continued... and other random stuff

2009-04-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Last night we had pizza night. My girls love pizza! Today I have a chicken cooking in the crockpot. I am hoping to create another meal from some of the chicken. We will see. For lunch today we will have sandwiches.
I need to run to the store to get milk either today or tomorrow but I have 1 coupon left for free milk.

The girls are suppose to be cleaning their room but so far they have been in there for 4 hrs and not much has changed. They will stay in there all day to get the job done. On a whim I started to paint the kitchen. It is now done and I feel so much better about it. I just need it to dry so I can get in there and wash the floors.

Pantry challenge for the rest of April

2009-04-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

I am issuing a challenge to myself to eat our meals out of the pantry.
I should really only need to buy milk, eggs and bread. Other than that my pantry and freezers are stocked full.
I have $10 to last me until the 2nd of May.
Can I do it? I think I can.

Yesterdays meal was fish sticks & french fries for the kids & I had a cheeseburger w/french fries
Tonights dinner was steak and crockpot baked potatoes

2009-04-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

First stop of the day.

Armed with my coupons and ready to take on the store:

I bought 66 things and paid $60.00 so that was less than $1 per item.

I did use a bunch of coupons and they usually do not give overage but this time they did. So I walked out of there with a bunch of FREE STUFF. I also used a free milk coupon. This was such a great promo! Buy 3 Kelloggs cereals and get a FREE gallon of milk and there was .70/1 coupons out there and my store doubles up to .99. The cereal was $2.00 a box and yes I have a pantry full of cereal.

From this trip I saved: $81.18

Woo Hoo!

2009-03-29T04:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a fun filled day. Although I did spend $$ yesterday it was done with frugal intentions. LOL We visited the zoo yesterday. It was suppose to be almost 60 degrees but it wasn't. At some points it was cold but we had fun. I did use a coupon for admission so we got $2 off each of ticket price.

Then we had to stop to pick up a few things at the local Shaws:
(2) Wheat bread BOGO
(1) Lemon .67
(1) Bagged Salad mix $2.00
(8) 100 Calorie packs BOGO
(1) cheese and crackers $2.00
(3) Kelloggs cereal 3$/6.00
(1) Shaws cheese curls $1.00
(5) packs of gum

Coupons used:(3) .70/1 Kelloggs - doubled
(2) $3/4 Snack mania coupons
(1) free lemon - took off .80
(5) free gum coupons
(1) Shaws $1/3 Kelloggs coupon
(1) $1 off bagged salad

I just noticed the cashier took off an extra gum coupon ($1.19) see if she wasn't flirting with bag boy she would have noticed. LOL

Total OOP: $12.73
Savings: $42.33

Also received a cat for FREE milk.

I LOVE IT. I had my friend with me that is just getting starting in couponing and she couldn't believe her eyes. My girls were thrilled. I think it was 1st time that they realized what couponing actually meant. They are 9 & 7.

2009-03-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Even though I haven't been posting I have been bargain shopping. I am still trying to reduce my grocery budget and there has been some good deals to be had.

I heard about a potential good deal on dog/cat food. There was a $5 coupon out there for Iams and Walmart has it for $5. So that would mean free dog food. Well when I went to my local Super Walmart they didn't have any so I was bummed out. So then I heard that a new flyer was coming out on 3/26 with mostly pet supplies on sale and yes the Iams was going to be $5. So I took a chance and stopped by yesterday and there they were, tucked away next to the larger bags. I got so far 16 bags of FREE dog food. Woo Hoo!

Also, my local Shaws store has been running very good deals lately. When you purchase $25 worth of products you get a $10 coupon oyno. The best part is the stuff is based on shelf price and of course most of the stuff I have coupons for making it an even better deal.

Also there are some tearpads on cracker diplays for $3/4 items. They work on the single cups of cookies. I need to get in there and stock up on some of those.
They also had a good deal (still going on) for buy 3 Kelloggs cereal and get a coupon for free milk. I now have 3 coupons for milk and will be getting another one this weekend. And I have .70/1 coupons to boot and they double here. The cereal is on sale for $2.00.

It's starting to feel like Spring around here finally. It's getting warmer and the days are getting longer. I am now looking forward to the summer grilling season and the deals it brings with it.

Happy bargain shopping.

A bargain hunting I will go....

2009-03-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

I have been slacking on not only my blog but bargain hunting.
Well after reading some blogs I got the motivation that I so desperately needed.
I dropped the girls off at school this morning and I was off... (shhh) don't tell anyone but I am home from work sick.
First stop Stop & Shop. I found out that they have Lipton 16ct tea bags for .99. There is .50 off of 1 out there. I am lucky that they double coupons here. Also S&S sent out a home flyer. Each week had a free item and a coupon for 5% off your order. So I picked up:
5 boxes of Lipton tea
1 box of Ellios pizza
2 lunchables
1 Danimals smash cups.

Coupons used:
.50/1 Lipton doubled (free)
Ellios pizza coupon (free s&s home mailer)
.55 Danimals coupon (didn't double starts with a 9)
5% off order coupon
.05 credit for using my own bag.

OOP: $4.76 saved $9.57

Next stop Walgreens.

I did stop in there the other day and they were out of most of the items that I wanted.
I did get the toothpaste (3) & paid .75/3

Today they had the Glade impressions.
2 Glade impressions
2 Aquafresh toothpastes
2 Reeses whips

coupons used:
1 esc for glade
2 glade printable coupons
1 esc for aquafresh
2 .75/1 coupons
1 $1/2 reeses whips

OOP: $3.17 saved $22.90

Next stop Shaws.
They have an awesome booklet out this month. March is freezer food month. If you can get your hands on these they are great.

There are a bunch of FREE ITEMS. They are Shaws brand items.
Steamed broccoli
bagels
french fries
lemonade
OOP $0

I have one booklet left. I am hoping that some other stores around me have them.

It's been awhile

2009-03-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I posted. With the sickness going round & round my home it's been tough. I am so ready for the warmer weather.
No school today as we are in the midst of a snowstorm. Yuck!
We have been doing really well with not spending money. We have been staying home and entertaining ourselves here.
Pre-planning my menu for the week has been a lifesaver. I have also been making most of our snacks at home. The girls have been helping me out and they are having fun and learning all at the same time.

We also started a jar fund. Any change found it goes in the jar. The girls are excited and have been keeping their eyes peeled for any change laying around.

Clothing budget and holiday shopping

2009-02-16T09:30:00.001-08:00

Back in January is a post of how to save on your clothing budget. You can read about it here. I have always looked ahead toward the next season ever since I had my 1st child. When she was born I was blessed with so many outfits that there wasn't enough days to wear them all. And now that I have 2 I try to plan accordingly. Now that they are getting older I am sure that they will start to come into some sort of style of their own. I have been teaching them the value of a dollar and I think that it is starting to sink in.
Right down the street they opened a thrift store. We went there the other day and we instantly fell in love. The prices are reasonable but I know that I can easily fall into the trap of blowing my whole budget in one visit.
Yesterday while doing some pre-spring cleaning I pulled out the totes I have of clothes for the girls. I was surprised that I had so much and yet so little for my oldest daughter. They both have plenty of summer stuff but my oldest will need some fall and possible winter items. I will have to keep my eye out.

They will also get some clothes for Christmas as well.
Can you believe that I am talking about Christmas already? Your probably sayins lady it's only February and we are still recouping from the holiday that just past.
Not me! I was actually planning before Christmas 08 even happened and then I started right after the new year picking stuff up. I will wait until the girls go back to school in Sept. for ideas about their big gift because they usually change their mind about 100 times.
For birthdays and holidays for 09 I am well ahead of the curve. I am very excited about this.

Grocery shopping trip #1 & 2

2009-02-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

This week Shaws is running a great deal. Buy 10 products get $10 off your next visit.

My first trip in:

2 boxes of Cookie crisp cereal
2 BC delights
4 BC frostings
2 BC cookie mixes

OOP: $7 and also got a $10 oyno

I then went back and used my coupon and picked up a bunch of stuff. I walked out paying $20 for a cart full of groceries and still have a $10 which I am hoping to use on a video for my girls.

Grocery Shopping stop #3

2009-02-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

I am trying to stock up my freezer and my pantry with the extra $$ that I have. I should be able to eat from them both for the next 2 months and then some. Only have to pick up milk, eggs & fruit. I will try to go to the bread store and get a couple loaves of bread.

I did run into Hannafords today. I usually don't go here because it's expensive and I do not believe that they double coupons.
They did have chicken on sale for .99 cents a pound which is a really good price. I picked up 3 family packages and hopefully pick up a few more to put in the freezer. We eat alot of chicken.

I have $55 left to spend for this month.
Let's see if I can do this.

Winter woes

2009-02-07T04:39:00.000-08:00

Here in the Northeast we were hit with a "snowstorm". I use that term loosely because if we are expected to have over 1" of snow it becomes a "snowstorm". This then sends a bunch of people into a panic. All the bread and milk seems to dissapear off the shelves at the grocery store. Ever since the blizzard of 1978 people here panic. In my town they closed school an hour early but, in other towns they called school off for the day. The day after the big event some towns closed the schools completely while others called for a late start.

It's finally going to warm up here this weekend I am just wishes that it would stay and melt some of this snow away. I am done already. We still have several weeks of winter to go and I am sure that it will snow again.

Another blessing for me is that they days seem to be getting longer. It used to stink when I would leave in the morning it was dark and when I arrived home it was dark but that's not the case any longer.
Come on Spring!

2009-02-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a "funny" all you moms can relate to:

This is how I am feeling as I look into my girls room. Ugh!

Menu planning week of 2/1

2009-02-01T14:05:00.001-08:00

Sun - Finger foods
Mon - Tacos
Tues - Pork chops w/mashed potatoes
Wed - Pasta night
Thurs - "Crockpot Thursday" Steak & potatoes
Fri - Homemade pizza night
Sat - Oven baked chicken w/rice pilaf

Lunches - The girls are eligible for reduced lunches so they will buy lunch at school everyday this week.
Me - I will take leftovers or a frozen dinner

For more menu planning ideas check out Org junkie

Other Ramblings

2009-02-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

Happy February 1st. Can't believe that it's February already. Actually I am happy to see January go. This year didn't start out well for me. I am not sure if I posted this on my blog but I suffer from social anxiety. Growing up I was a very social person, had a bunch of friends and was never home. Then somewhere in my late 20's it hit me. And hard it did. I pushed most of my friends away and only had a handful. I would pray and cry that I needed help in my life and I needed some friends. I sound like a loser don't I? Anyway, there were some oppertunities that have come and gone but it seems that I would sabbotage them. I get very worked up before I have to go anywhere out of the norm. So worked up that I would make myself sick and then cancel. Even though I knew that I would be fine once I got to where I needed to be. I just couldn't get past it.
Awhile ago I learned about facebook. I wasn't that interested in it. I joined so that I could print out some coupons. That was in 1997. Well for some odd reason - divine intervention maybe? I checked it out again. This was about a week ago. I have been hooked ever since. I am meeting up with friends that I have seen since I left high school. That was 20 years ago. There many "friends" that I thought wouldn't remember me but OMG they are coming out of the woodwork. I am talking to friends from different points in my life. It was such a leap of faith for me but I am happy that I did it.
I have rekindled a bunch of friendships that I thought were burnt out a long time ago. Hopefully soon we will reconnect and get together for lunch or something.

I just wanted to share my story with whomever is reading my blog. Hello if you are.

Never give up. Even when you are down and you think that He is not listening or not helping, He is waiting for the right time.

Take care & God Bless!

What a difference a week makes

2009-01-31T16:01:00.000-08:00

This past week I received my tax returns. I was thrilled and saddened. I had all of my plans set to pay off a bunch of debt and I was excited about that's until I had all the money in my hot little hands. I was overwhelmed with such emotion but, I did the right thing. I paid off a bunch of outstanding credit cards and put $$ into the bank towards my emergency fund. I also paid a few household bills and now I feel good knowing that I took a nice chunk out of my debt balance. Now I just need to stay focused and get the rest of it paid off. I am looking at a little over a year to go.

We also have been blessed with a new addition to our family.

Here she is:

Meet:

SOPHIE

Saving on your clothing budget

2009-01-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

One of the best ideas that I ever followed was buying my kids clothes in the off season for the next year. Not only do I do this for my girls clothing but also for myself as well.
I was in Walmart a week or so ago and they had a few racks with items for $1. I was excited because I bought myself 3 pairs of shorts & 2 tops and it didn't break the bank.

At first I thought this is crazy but it has helped me so much with my clothing budget. By shopping ahead, I simply mean trying to stay about a year in advance of your kids when shopping for clothes. Right now is the perfect time to be buying winter clothes for next year. Be looking for those coats, gloves, sweaters, boots, clothing in the next sizes up now, so you don't have to pay full price next winter. You can shop for them anywhere: yard sales, thrift stores, clearance racks, hand me downs.
It’s funny because I live in a small apartment and I was thinking were in the world and I am going to store this stuff? I first read about this in the Tightwad Gazette and she stored her clothing in boxes marked in her attic. I was bummed because I don’t have an attic. Well I made due with what I have. I am lucky I have 2 girls but my girls tastes are like night and day so sometimes it’s crazy because my youngest will not wear certain outfits.
So I have Rubbermaid tubs. They usually go on sale for about $5 and I am fixing to pick up a few more next week. I use them for storing everything. I label the tubs so that way I know what’s in them at any given moment.
Every season, when we switch out clothes, we go through the bins and decide what we need to "complete" the wardrobe for the season. Usually it's not much, and in fact I usually realize I went a bit overboard. Most often, it's socks, underwear & shoes/sneakers. This is also a great time to see what we need to be on the lookout for for the next season.
I find that most of my kids clothes come form Target. They usually turn their merchandise fairly quickly and due to the economic downturn they were having a great sale. It was an extra 30% off the clearance prices. I also went and picked up a few things at the Old Navy extra 50% off sale. I love Old Navy jeans for my kids. I usually have a problem finding things in my size in the stores but I was able to pick up 4 pairs of pants and some tops for the summer.

At first it’s a little overwhelming but it will be get easier. Some are afraid to do this because they are afraid that the clothes won’t fit. To be honest there was a time or 2 that my daughters clothing were a little too big for her at the beginning of the season but before I knew it she grew right into them.
Before putting anything clothing in the donate pile I will save some of the items that I feel that my daughters “might” fit into for the next year. I will continue to buy the next size up but I will also have them try on the clothing from the previous year to see if they fit.
Ever since my girls were little I always get compliments about my girls clothing. I am often asked by other single moms I know how I am able to afford the name brand clothing and then I share my secret. LOL
I would rather take up the space now paying pennies for the stuff then waiting until the actually season and paying full price for the clothing that will probably ruin within the first day wearing it.

What do you do to save on your clothing budget?

Free pancakes at IHOP on Feb 24

2009-01-21T04:16:00.000-08:00

IHOP will be giving away free pancakes from 7-10 AM on February 24 in honor of "National Pancake Day".

So make sure to mark your calendars.
Also you can visit the website to see where the nearest IHOP is to you!

2009-01-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

Old Navy is have thier annual 50% off clearance sale. It ends tomorrow 1/19. I was walking around the mall last night and thought that I would just look around. Usually they don't have my size but of course they did.

I got 4 pairs of pants and 2 tops. I picked up a few things for the girls. I left with a large bag for $25 bucks. I love thier jeans for my girls so I got a few of them on clearance.

Now they should be all set.

Depression is not frugal

2009-01-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

I am sure that most of you know this by now and I too know this but when you are feeling depressed, sometimes it just happens. I started off this year on a sour note and it just seems that everyday it just keeps piling on.
I know I am a ball of sunshine right now! I know that it's only me that can turn my life around and I have every intention to do so.

I just found out yesterday that the president of our parent company had a meeting with all management. They told them that they will not be giving annual raises this year. Since being downsized in January 08 it has been a roller coaster ride. I am thankful that I do have my job.
Then the news that our president is coming in on Monday. Everyone seems to be concerned because usually when he comes in he is the bearer of bad news.

So if I find out that my company will be closing that will just be a kick in the pants for me. They will give us a nice severance package.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me that everything will be fine!

I would appreciate it!

2009-01-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

Right now we are going through a bitter cold snap. It hasn't been this cold in years. Right now it's a balmy 14 degrees. I guess the temp is going to drop tonight! Yikes!

This is how I feel today:

but wishing I was here:

I know that before my very eyes it will be summertime and I will be hoping that it would be cooler.

I know I am never happy! LOL

Have a great day!

Walgreen's trip

2009-01-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

I ran into Walgreens to get some toothpaste. I walked out with 4 tubes of toothpaste and paid .81 for them. The cashier was thrilled with my deal.
I was too!

The have a colgate coupon on the front page bogo. There are $1.50 coupons out there. Using 2 of them making them free with overage.
Aquafresh is on sale $2.99 with a coupon in the easy saver rebate book. So .99 but I also had a manufacturers coupon for 1.00/2/

My bargain shopping trip

2009-01-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

I heart Target (Tarjay)! I really do! I usually find really good bargains there.

I was reading on a webboard that Target was having a extra % off sale. They hardly ever do that so I wanted to see if it was happening at my Target. Now most of you'll know that Target moves their merchandise fairly quickly so I thought that it would be slim pickins. Well I was wrong. I was there this morning when it opened (shhhh I was on my way to work) and oh my they had a on of racks with clearance items. All the clearance stuff didn't fall into this sale.

I did buy my girls and myself some items to put away for next year. I bought them both a Christmas outfit. It's cute. A puffy skirt with a nice black sweater.

I got jeans for $2.50.

One of my goals this year is to outfit my children for $50 per season. A season to me is spring/summer & fall/winter. Some of the items can be worn at different times of the year. That would be for the both of them. My oldest daughter will need new crocs. I think that she will get these for her birthday in May from someone in the family. Then they will need new shoes & sneakers for the fall (back to school). I will keep my eyes out for marked down ones.

They are all set for the summer as I did have a bunch of hand me downs and bought some stuff from Target clearance section. I usually do like to pay more than $1.50 for shorts, $2.00 for a shirt & $3.00 for a pair of jeans.

So far I have been lucky. In the past I have gotten their shoes from the markdown section so I will have to keep my eyes open.

Freebie alert for January 14th

2009-01-13T14:36:00.001-08:00

Don't forget to go Here to get your free bottle of Suave!

What's better than free?

2009-01-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

So I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked in my bathroom closet and realized that I needed toothpaste. I haven't needed any toothpaste in so long. I have/had a plastic shoebox full of it. I was rather upset at the fact that I would have to pay for toothpaste.
That's until I saw Walgreen's flyer.

Free toothpaste. Here's the deal:
Colgate Total or Regular- B1G1 Free, $2.79 with in-ad coupon
Use 2 $1.50/1 coupons from the Sept. All You Magazine. I also have 2 coupons that I printed off the internet.
Give the $1.50 off coupon first and then the in-ad coupon to get this deal to work without any beeping from the register.Final Price: OVERAGE of $.21

Aquafresh advanced, extreme clean, or white n' shine Toothpaste-$2.99Use $2/1 coupon from the January EasySaver CatalogUse $1/1 printable coupon Here Or Use $.75/1 coupon from the 1/4 SmartSource insertFinal price: FREE-$.25

Blessings

2009-01-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

I have been very blessed in my life. As much as I think that my life stinks I then have to take a step back and think that I really wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for wonderful people in my life.

Last week at work a co-worker offered me a bag of clothing. First rule of frugality and is never turn down anything someone is giving you. You politely say "Thank you" and then you either keep it or send it on it's way. The reason being that it just takes one time to turn it down and then they usually will not offer you anything again.
So in the bag was a bunch of nice tops and they were all named brand named clothing.
Another co-worker bought her granddaughter a dress and it ended up not fitting her and she didn't want the hassle of returning it so she gave it to me for my daughter. It's cute.

Then right before Christmas another girl that sits across from me came in to work with a shopping bag with toys in it. Her mother wanted me to have them. They were from her "gift closet". She had been collecting bargains for so long and has started to declutter. So I had a bunch of barbies for Christmas presents.
Then yesterday she came in an offered me some pants that her mother bought from Talbot's. She tried to return them but they wouldn't accept them because it was beyond the return window.
I got them today and they still have tags on them. I almost fainted. They were originally $98.00 & $78.00. They were marked down but still out of my price range. Mark down prices $64.00 & $52.00. Yikes!

I just wanted to share my blessing with you all.

Menu plan for week of January 11 - 17

2009-01-11T12:57:00.001-08:00

Menu planning for the past couple of months have really helped me out. I love the fact that I know what's for dinner and my kids like it too because I have it listed on the fridge so that cuts down on the question "What's for dinner?".

Sun - Homemade pizza using a recipe for quick pizza dough *recipe can be found here Fun foods on a budget
Mon - Tacos
Tues - Mini raviolis in sauce
Wed - Ham steaks & mashed potatoes
Thurs - Oven baked chicken w/rice pilaf
Fri - Sausage, potatoes, peppers & onions
Sat - Chicken nuggets & tater tots

To see other that are menu planning this week head over to Orgjunkie

Thumbs down!

2009-01-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

Today is a snowday and the girls asked if they could try out the Gourmet girl cupcake maker that they got for Christmas. I haven't heard great things about it but I thought why not? So they got all the stuff out of the box and we sat down and read the directions. We were off.

From the get go it was not looking good.

It turned into a giant farce. The cupcake frosting thing is suppose to spin the cupcake around for you to frost it but the cupcake just kept falling off of it. It didn't very good either.

So the girls & I give this a big thumbs down! I am just glad that I didn't spend my money on this one.

Another snowstorm headed this way

2009-01-10T06:22:00.001-08:00

They are calling for another snowstorm tonight into tomorrow. The girls should be very happy. I do like when it snows as long as I don't have to drive anywhere.

Here is what I woke up to this morning on the news:

They are saying that we will get closer to the 8" side. We'll see. Sometimes they say snow and we get nothing.

I have a Target gift card so I have to run there to pick up some cat litter and some bread. That's all I need from there. So no $$ out of my pocket. Now that's exciting!

My 2009 Goals

2009-01-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking for a few weeks about what my goals for this year are. Alot of my goals are money related but I do have a few that are not.
Here they are in no specific order:

$1500 Emergency Fund
I do want a bunch of my credit card debt paid off. Right now it's $17,000. How on Earth did I let it get out of control?
I also have my car load which is $9,000.
I want most of this paid off by the end of the year.
Pay cash for our trip to Florida in December. Cash for the trip and also for spending $$.
Lose at 20lbs. I need to get up and out walking. I need to take care of myself better. I am sure that if I get out walking and eating right I can stop taking my cholesteral medication and my psoriasis will clear up.
This is a big one - I need to make some new friends. I suffer from social anxiety. It stinks :(

Simplify my life. Not only on the outside but inside too. I need to declutter my house and my mind. I want my kids to understand that they will not get handed everything. Over the years I have been blessed and I really want my children to see that.

With it only being the 1st week of the new year I was dealt with a gut wrenching blow. I know that it will be alright in the end but it still makes me worry. I know that God has big plans for me and I am going to trust in him that everything will work out in the end.

So here's hoping that "Everything will fine in 2009"!

Happy New Year!

Suze Orman's 2009 Action plan book

2009-01-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to head over to Oprah.com to get your free download of Suze Orman's new book. She was a guest on Oprah today and you can download it starting today. It will be available on the website for 1 week.

First shopping trip of 2009

2009-01-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

So today was my 1st shopping trip of 2009. I ran into Walmart. My weekly budget is $30 and I spent $35 and I didn't use 1 coupon. Ouch!
I think that I was in total shock because I was trying to add as I went along and thought that I was way within my limit. It's crazy but I hardly bought anything.
That means I will have to reduce the amount of $$ that I spend next week.
It's just really sad how expensive food costs.
This weekend I will be baking snacks to have at home.

I did it!

2009-01-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

I let my hair grow so long that I went today and had it all cut off. It's short for my standards and I am still getting used to it. I did have my hair highlighted and that has all been removed so my almost original color is back ( ;) that needs to change lol) Now you can see my gray hairs. I can't believe that when I look in the mirror I see my mother looking out at me.
Anyway, New year new me. I am going to hopfully change quite a bit about myself. I need to start exercising and eating better.
I also need to not be so afraid. You would never know it but I am afraid of almost everything. I am always worried about something bad happening. I need to get out of my funk and start making new friends and make time for the friends that have stood by me.

Menu Plan Monday for week 1/4

2009-01-04T16:31:00.000-08:00

Monday - Oven baked chicken w/ rice pilaf

Tuesday - Sloppy joes over mashed potatoes

Wednesday -Chicken nuggets & tater tots

Thursday - Spaghetti

Friday - Steak in gravy over white rice

Saturday - ??

Creative in the kitchen

2009-01-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

So this past week I had my menu all planned out but Murphy came to visit. It seemed that I must have a memory lapse or something because there were 2 different meals that I thought that I had the items to make, it turned out I didn't. Then 1 other night I needed tomato soup and for some reason I felt the need to check the expiration date. I am glad that I did. It was expired and I was bummed out.
I had hamburger that I took out to make dinner for the night. What was I going to do? I will make tacos. I started to brown the hamburger and I was reaching in the pantry for the seasonings and the shells. What no shells? Great!
Then I remember that I bought some white corn nacho chips (restaurant style). I also awhile back bought some block cheese for cheap so I shredded that and it was in the freezer. I took that out to defrost.
Viola! We had taco meat over the nacho chips covered with shredded lettuce and cheesem
My kids loved it! I guess this is how we will be eating tacos from now on. LOL

What have you done creatively in the kitchen lately?

SmartShopper giveaway

2009-01-01T14:37:00.000-08:00

Head over to jane4girls800dollarannualbudget
She is having a giveaway.
She is giving away a Smartshopper. Which is an electronic grocery lister.
It's looks great!

I can't believe that I did this.

2008-12-31T04:04:00.001-08:00

I just can't believe I did this. I put my account in the red. I am so mad at myself. These past couple of months $$ has been really crazy because between myself and my girls being sick and I didn't have personal/vacation time left so I had to take them unpaid so that really put a crimp in my lifes plans. That is why I know it's so important to have an emergency fund.
So I had to send my rent check and was hoping that he would get it on today (Wed) and cash it then. That way my paycheck would be in my account and everything would be great. Well he got it yesterday and cashed it. So it made my account negative and then it bounced my daycare checks (2 of them). Now I am just waiting for them to apply the overdraft fees. $35 a pop. I could pull my hair out of my head.
I have been so good about making sure that I never bounced a check and making sure that I always had a cushion in my account

It's a Noreaster again!

2008-12-31T03:58:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR???

If today is any precursor for the new year then I think that we are in for a wild and crazy ride.

So I know that we were expecting snow but the other day it was minimul amounts but this morning I am watching and I see this:

Yikes! Then they are calling for snow on Sunday night. There is a winter storm warning in effect. They say it's going to snow until 9 pm tonight and they will not change anything in regards to Boston's First Night.

I can do this! I can do this!

2008-12-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

I just need to keep on telling myself this! Last night I sat down and started with my 2009 budget. All was looking good until I REALLY sat down today and worked on it. Oh my! I want to pay a large portion of my credit card debt so that will be less of a burden on my worried mind. I have always been frugal but I was a fair weather frugalite. Now, I have to get down to business. If I want my plan to flourish I need to tend the garden.

I want 2009 to my year of lifting this burden of debt off my shoulders.
I will definatly need some encouragment along the way.

Is anyone else working on their budgets? Let me know and we can send words of encouragement.

Menu plan for week of December 29th

2008-12-28T16:51:00.000-08:00

I have some leftovers that I need to use up this week. I would hate to through it away.
Tomorrow I will be bring lunch. Yup, a turkey sandwhich. This is probably what I will bring all next week (which is only 3 days).

Monday - Ham & scalloped potatoes ( had to have mashed taters tonight too) I thought I had instant scalloped taters. I want to try to make them from scratch.

Tuesday - Sloppy joes w/mashed potatoes

Wednesday - Crockpot pizza

Thursday - Beef in gravy in the crockpot over white rice

Friday - Breakfast for dinner

Saturday - Chicken & rice pilaf

2008-12-28T06:57:00.001-08:00

Wow! I can't believe how quickly the holidays have come and gone. The girls had a great time. This Christmas the presents were scaled way back (here anyway) and the girls didn't even realize it. They loved everything they got. We spent the morning together and had breakfast. Then their father picked them up and they had dinner with him and his family. My kids are blessed but they came back with so much stuff. I hardly have anywhere to put it.

They did get this:

A Wii. We love it. We have been using this all weekend. My arms and legs hurt.

Now that this year is drawing to a close I am looking forward to 2009. I have so many plans for the new year. Many of them revolve around frugality and declutting not only my home but my life.

I hope that you join me in this journey of not only taking care of my children, my budget but also myself.

It's finally here!

2008-12-25T05:10:00.000-08:00

Awesome MySpace Comments & Myspace Layouts

I am so very tired. The girls had a great time opening their stuff. I was up until 2 am trying to put together a dollhouse. I finally got it put together only to figure out that the walls were on the wrong sides. Yup, I had to take it all down. That was 2 1/2 hours of my life wasted.
I will attempt to put it together when the girls are gone. Their father will be picking them up to go have Christmas dinner and open presents with his family.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday!

Not prepared - Very unfrugal

2008-12-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

Being unprepared is very unfrugal. We all know this.
Over the past couple of days I have received quite a few gifts from the people I work with. Since there is only 13 of us left. Many of them I didn't know very well until the whole shake up of the company.
I wasn't prepared.
So I ran out to CVS and picked up a few things. Luckily for me a bunch of the stuff was marked 50% off already. I picked up a few ornaments and some candy. I spent $15 off my gift card. That's $15 I should have spent on milk. I have been buying my milk with my gift certificates.

Next year I will plan better. I will make sure that I have some gifts in my car for those unexpected occurances. I could have not bought them anything and then I would have felt very badly.
Why do we feel bad when we get a gift and feel as though we need to reciprocate?

Tracking my grocery spending

2008-12-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

I have been saving my reciepts since the beginning of the year and then I figured I would put them in a spreadsheet to see what I have been spending over 2008. I am probably missing a few of them but after looking at my total of roughly $1500 for the year I figured I spend about $30 a week on groceries for the 3 of us.
I am hoping to either stay the same or go lower with my grocery budget for 2009. I have started to make a bunch of stuff from scratch and also menu planning. We usually do not eat out very often but I will also include that in the my grocery budget.

I was just reading another blog where her grocery budget is $800 for 4 of them and she stayed within her budget with $$ left over. That's awesome.

Snow day

2008-12-19T05:58:00.000-08:00

It's Friday before the start of a 2 week school vacation and we are still in our pj's awaiting for the storm to start. I can't remember the last time it snowed in December here. This much to boot too. I do wish it started late tonight or even tomorrow so I wouldn't have to miss work but I am glad to be home with the girls today. (Ask me in a few hours lol).

Although most are couting down to Christmas and as you can see my tree count down me too, but I am also counting down till the end of this year. This has been the most difficult year I have had in along time. It has been a roller coaster ride since the 1st of January and I am hoping that 2009 will bring about change. Alot of change. So I am gearing up for that.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

2008-12-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

Last night we attended my oldest daughters holiday chorus program. This is her first year in chorus and she loves it. I was amazed when the kids started singing. They were wonderful. I started to get teary eyed which happens all the time. I just remembered when I was younger and in chorus and to look out into the audience and see my mom there. As my daughter took her place on the stage I could see her looking around with uncertainty in her eyes as she thought that I may have left her until she spotted me sitting in the 3rd row back on the end. She was waving frantically and a big smile came across her face. She sung her little heart out and she was so proud. I was proud of her too!
My youngest on the other hand couldn't cared 2 bits about any of it. They started 1 note and she was ready to go home. lol
Today some of the people I work with brought in their gifts as alot of them will not be in until after the new year.
I do work with a bunch of great people. Today I got new comfy slippers.
A beautiful waterford ornament and the lady I work with knows me so well. Over the past couple of months I have been so sick. I have had 8 sinus infections in this year alone. They finally have ordered me to have some tests done for it. So she bought me this eye cover that you can either freeze or heat up. It has fragrances in it. I am so excited.
I also got a box of chocolates.

Now I just have to figure out how in the world am I going to get the barbie house home for Christmas?

Can you believe?

2008-12-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it's only 7 days before Christmas. I have to pick up 1 more gift and I am dreading going into the mall. It may not be so bad but you just never know. I hate crowded places and of course the gift certificate comes from a place that is only at the mall.

We are now in the calm before the storm. It was a beautiful cold day here but the sun was out and now tomorrow we will be bombarded with snow. They are calling for up to a foot in some places. Ususally where I live (on the coast) we don't get much snow as we are closer to the water but not this time. We will be getting walluped and then after that storm leaves on Saturday a new one comes in on Sunday night.

Some recipes

2008-12-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

I usually make this in the oven but when I am pressed for time I throw it in the crockpot.
I have really no recipe that I follow.
I use sweet italian sausages and I cut them up in 1" pieces. I use kitches scissors to do this.
Potatoes cut up skins and all
1 small pepper
1 small onion
1 tbs of oil or you can evoo.
I also sprinkle garlic powder and pepper.

Mix all together so that everything is coated.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hrs. I usually put this on this morning and it's done when I get home from work.

If I am cooking it in the oven, cover with tin foil and bake @ 350 for 45 min and then uncover and bake for 15 min. The top will get browned.

My kids came up with the name.
1 can of crescent rolls
I mix butter and garlic powder and spread on the crescent rolls and roll up so when they cook it sorta looks like little knots.

Menu for week 12/15

2008-12-14T15:13:00.000-08:00

Sun. - Roastbeef, mashed taters & hm rolls

Mon. - Breakfast for dinner

Tues. - Sausage, peppers, onions & taters in the crockpot

Wed. - ? need a quick meal as the girls have religion class and then off to the holiday chorus program for dd1

Thurs. - Pasta w/garlic knots

Fri. - homemade pizza

Sat. - "crazy night"

I was a busy lady today

2008-12-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

I have been very busy today baking.
It seems that this month is turning into a crazy one money wise.
My daughter and I had a good time yesterday. We went to lunch at Friendlys (her choice) and then off to the mall (yikes) to Build a bear. The mall was very crowded but BAB wasn't. I was surprised. She got a doll, an outfit and some clothes. She picked up a Christmas present for her sister and they have a promotion going on, which they changed it since I was last there a few weeks ago but anyway, I got 2 $10 gcs for $10. They will go in their stockings or a little something extra for them. I had a few certificates and a coupon and at first they were not going to let me use them all at the same time. I did speak up and said that they let me use all of them last time. I spent $70 for crying out loud. They let me use all of the coupons and in the end it cost me $18. Not too bad. I also had a $10/$10 at Old Navy so she picked out a pair of pants and a shirt. Cost me $5 for the outfit. Not bad as I really like ON clothes. They hold up well.

So knowing that I have hardly any money for the rest of the month because it's spread really thin, I wanted to make sure that I had snacks and such for the girls for the week.
So, I have made some cookies using a cake mix. I have never had these but OMG they are delicious. I used a devils food cake mix and sprinkled powdered sugar on them. Yum! My kids love them. I know they will be snack of choice.
I also made some oatmeal fudge bars, chocolate covered popcorn and bread machine rolls. My favorite. They remind me of the ones they used to serve us at school for lunches.

I can't believe it's 11 days until Christmas. Yikes!
I have 1 more gift to pick up. A gc for my nephew.
Then I am done. I just have to put together the large gift. I think they will be happy.

Shaws deals

2008-12-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

I ran to the supermarket last night and I got some pretty good deals.
They have Kellogg's cereal 3/$8 with an ad in coupon for $3/8 and I combined those with 8 $1 coupons.
They also have split chicken breast for .99 a lb with store coupon for $1 off.

I am getting my coupons and stuff ready to take my baby girl out for a day of frugal fun.
I have to run into CVS to pick up some items.

7 years ago today....

2008-12-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

7 years ago today, from the moment that you took your first breath you have kept me on my toes.
I am sure that there will be many more fun filled days ahead.

Happy 7th Birthday my baby girl!

I love you!

Mom
xoxoxoxoxo

2008-12-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

I have to say for the most part I work with really nice people. Alot has happened over the past year work wise.

Back story- Last Sept. we were told that we were shutting down completely. We lost a large contract. The first round of layoffs were in November, right before the holidays. The 2nd one was the end of January. I was part of that group. There were others that were staying until May to complete some tasks. 2 weeks before my end date I was asked to stay until the end of Feb. I agreed. End of February came and they asked me to stay until May. This is when the place shutting down completely. Now we went from over 50 employees to 13.

Then one cold day in March we all had to attend a meeting. We were then informed that we had a job going forward. We still have no certainty that the company will stay open and for how long but as long as I stay I am eligible for a nice severance package and with the economy the way it is, I am not going anywhere just yet.

So now present day, the 13 of us are doing the jobs of the others that were before us. There have been bumps in the road but for the most part, most have stepped up to the plate.

Everyday they tell me how greatful that I chose to stay with them.

One of the woman there made this lovely swag for me:

It's wonderful. It reminds me of something that my mother would have done. I love homemade things. I think it makes a home feel homey. It's not that I am not creative because I can do anything if I set my mind to it. I just need to be more organized and prepared.

That will be one of my goals for 2009. I have come across many blogs that show how to make beautiful things old treasures and also using the $ store stuff.

So many ideas with no $$. Reuse & repurpose. Another goal!

2008-12-10T17:49:00.000-08:00

Wed. December 10

I ended up spending some $$ today. I bought my daughter some cookies to take to school tomorrow for her birthday snack. You can't send anything homemade to school anymore. The cookies cost me $5.
I then broke down and bought chinese food for dinner. That was $15.
Could have lived without it? Of course.
Focus I say, focus.

2008-12-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

Tuesday December 9

No $$ spent today.
We both brought our lunch today and peanut bought lunch at school.

Getting ready for peanuts birthday on Thursday.

2008-12-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 8

Sent the girls to school with their milk & lunch ticket money. Princess B took $2 & Peanut took $4 other than that $$ no other $$ was spent today.

Princess B brought lunch today. Her favorite bagel & cream cheese
Today was our holiday luncheon. So I got a free lunch. Woo hoo! It was alright.

Menu for week of 12/7

2008-12-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

Sunday - Steak w/macroni & cheese

Monday - Oven baked chicken w/rice pilaf

Tuesday - Hot dogs & tater tots

Wednesday - Pasta w/garlic knots

Thursday - Peanuts 7th Birthday - Her request - Breakfast for dinner

Friday - The girls will be having dinner at their friends and also a sleepover

Saturday - not sure yet

First snowfall of the season

2008-12-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

It looks so beautiful outside. Here is a picture after our first snowfall.

The girls just got back from going with their cousin to a holiday party. They had so much fun. My oldest even sat on Santas lap. In all her 8 years of life she has only sat on his lap once.

Sunday December 7

I had to run out today and pick up cat litter. I spent $3.25.

2008-12-06T17:39:00.000-08:00

December 6 -

Today was morning with Santa. The girls had a good time.
I had a budget of $20 and I stuck to my budget.
I also took $$ out of the atm to go to the grocery store. I had $25. I went to 2 stores and stayed within that amount.
It wasn't until I ran into Walmart that I blew my budget. Not much but enough. Ugh! I spent $20 there and 1 item was a present.
I did get free lunch today too when I dropped the girls off with their father at work.

2008-12-05T16:07:00.000-08:00

December 5th -
No $$ spent today.
I brought my lunch today but a lady I work with offered me a free sandwich. She was going to Burger King and had some bogo coupons. Not very healthy but it was good.

I did run into TRU to get a candle topper for my daughters cake. I picked up 1 Christmas present and a birthday present. I used a coupon for $3 off a $3 purchase and I used a gift card so no $$ out of my pocket. My daughter loved her gift. It is from her Papa.

Tomorrow I do have a bunch of running around to do.
We have morning out with Santa so I will be spending $$ there. It costs $3pp to get it and the proceeds go to the PTA. They have crafts and goodies & this year they have a little shop for the kids to buy presents and nothing is over $2. They also have the book faire.
I have a budget of $20 so we will not visit the bookfaire. They can ask their dad for $$ for that.

Then I will drop them off with their dad for the night. I was debating on wether or not to stop at Kmart for the doubles. I think I may just pass. I was going to buy the cereal only and they probably have run out by now. The sale ends tomorrow. We will see how I feel tomorrow.
We need to stop by the bread outlet to get some bread if they don't have bread marked down at the grocery store.

Rather excited

2008-12-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

One of my 2009 resolutions is to live life on less. As I was driving home from work tonight I noticed a sign lit up in an area where it has been dark for years - since Kmart left our town.
It's a Savers thrift store. I can't wait for it to open.

Also my daughter got a birthday gift today from her aunt. It's a gift card to Build a bear where we are going on her special day. So it will be less money out of my pocket. She should be able to get a good haul with her gc from her aunt, a coupon from the birthday club, a coupon because we belong to the stuff club and thanks to Papa we get 2 rewards certificates and coupons.
She will be thrilled.