The Coupon Bin

Check out this awesome bag!

2009-04-17T21:20:00.003-05:00

My friend created this bag for a contest to win $1000 at Kroger! Isn't it awesome?

Click HERE to vote for Shannon!

Town Hall for Hope with Dave Ramsey - FREE Event!

2009-04-15T13:41:00.002-05:00

Connect with families across the nation for a truly radical message: HOPE.

Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event!

Join us for this free event April 23 at 8:00 p.m. EDT in one of the thousands of venues across the country as we stand together to reignite the fire of hope!

Click here to find a venue near you!

$15 off ANY PURCHASE at NY&Co this weekend!

2009-04-10T17:08:00.003-05:00

This is one I've never seen but am soooo excited about! $15 off ANY purchase at NY&Co April 10-12. If you shop today (Friday) you can get a free charm bracelet with any apparel purchase.

Think hubby will take me by the mall on our way out of town tonight? Not likely, but maybe I can make it over there on Sunday after dinner!

FREE Nursing Cover - Pay only $7.95 shipping!

2009-04-10T08:40:00.006-05:00

This is a GREAT deal for nursing covers! I've been wanting one since my littlest was born, and I'm soooo tempted to buy one. Just not nursing anymore. Hard to justify that one! LOL

Udder Covers is offering a free nursing cover with the promotional code "onefree" while supplies last. These retail at $32! Only blue and pink left. These are going quickly, so grab yours now!

FREE Food for April!

2009-04-06T20:30:00.001-05:00

Head on over to The Centsible Sawyer to check out some great deals on fast food this month! Lots of yummy treats to enjoy!

Diapers, diapers, and more diapers!!!

2009-04-06T19:45:00.005-05:00

Diaper Deals!

I was blessed enough to stock up majorly on diapers last July at Walgreens. I had diapers that lasted me through February, then I moved on to $3 or so sale packs at CVS. I'm just about to run out of my last pack of those, so I was really happy when I saw some great deals to be had this week!!! Time for me to stock up again!

CVS:

If you are in need of diapers anyway and are just getting started at CVS, this is a good way to start your Extra Care Bucks (or ECB) collection!

Spend $25 get $10 ECBs when you buy these baby products:

$10 CVS brand mega pack diapers, 34-52 ct, or kids pants, 40 ct
$3 Johnson's baby powder, lotion, oil, wash, bath, no more tangles, 6.5-15 oz or shampoo 13-20 oz.
$10 Huggies jumbo pk diapers or Pull-Ups (excludes overnights)
2/$10 Enfamil or Similac ready to feed formula 32 oz (excludes Alimentum & Nutramigen)
2/$4 CVS brand wipes
$5 Huggies wipes mega pk, 184-216 ct.
$5 Playtex spill-proof 9 oz cups, 2 pk, VentAire bottle 9 oz, diaper genie toddler refill or 8 oz drop-ins 100 ct

Here are two ideas...
2 $10 packs of Huggies
1 $5 refill pack of Huggies wipes
- (2) $1.50 Huggies Diapers, Any Package - 03-01-09 SS (or a home mailer coupon if you get those) OR if you printed out the $3 Huggies Natural Fit coupons a while back, those would work too
- (1) $0.75 Huggies Wipes coupon PRINT HERE
=$25 - $3 (diapers q's) - $0.75 (wipes q) = $21.25 and get back $10 ECB
OR
=$25 - $6 (diapers q's) - $0.75 (wipes q) = $18.25 and get back $10 ECB

If you have CVS brand q's, you could do the same as above with CVS brand diapers instead of Huggies diapers, using your CVS brand q's instead of Huggies q's and get a deal pretty close to the one above.

Of course, don't forget your $/$$ off CVS coupons if you have any!

Walgreens:

Walgreens store brand diapers are on sale 2 for $9 this week.
Go to the pharmacy and ask for one of their $50 savings books.
It has a $2 off coupon for Walgreens diapers.

Final Cost: $2.50 each!

Ask for your coupon back so you can use it again. They don't usually keep the store coupons because they don't need them.

Thanks for the tip, Denise!

Huggies:

Finally, Huggies just came out with a new line of diapers. To get your free sample (a 3 pack of size NB, 1 or 2!) and a valuable coupon, go HERE and sign up.

Thanks for the tip, Ellen!

This should get you started on a good stockpile of diapers!

A few fun freebies for the mall!

2009-02-27T16:12:00.003-06:00

Deal Seeking Mom has been posting about some great freebie finds at the mall. Definitely thought this was worth passing along! Click for the coupons!

Express - Free Essential Cotton Panty in white, black, body beige, or pale pink. No purchase necessary!
Aveda - Free Sample of Aveda Men Pure-Formance Shampoo Offer good at participating locations while supplies last. No purchase necessary!
Clarins - Free One-To-One Facial Treatment Visit the Clarins counter to reserve your appointment in advance!
Aeropostale - Print out this page or bring a copy of the April 2009 Seventeen magazine to Aeropostale starting on March 3rd, and receive a free Aeropostale tank top. Thanks, Denise, at The Centsible Sawyer!

If I don't have to make it, I'll take it!!!

2009-02-24T15:23:00.001-06:00

Just thought I'd let you in on a few deals we're getting this week!

Today IHOP has a free 3 stack of pancakes per person. Just consider making a donation to the Children's Miracle Network.

Arby's has a new burger that they'd love for you to try. Just print out the coupon and purchase a drink.

Jack at Jack in the Box was hit by a bus. To thank you for supporting him and his broken head, they're giving away two free tacos per person TODAY ONLY. Just print the coupon.

Quizno's is giving away a million free subs. Register here to get a coupon in your inbox (check your spam mail). Photo ID required for redemption. I think you have to be at least 18, so none for the kiddos this time!

TGI Fridays and Ruby Tuesdays are both offering BOGO entrees.
TGIFriday's
Ruby Tuesday's Sign Up

Fill your tummies and enjoy!
Rebekah

Giveaway for Baby or Toddler!

2008-09-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Thrify and Chic Mom has the CUTEST giveaway this week! Go HERE to check out these soft and adorable stuffed bunnies from The Whimsical Stork!

A Hip-T Giveaway!

2008-09-04T17:26:00.001-05:00

Have you guys heard about the new Hip-T? I love this idea! It's a band of fabric that you wear around your waist to hide the skin between the end of your shirt and the beginning of your pants! :) To check out the giveaway, go HERE.

Cool Giveaway!

2008-08-22T00:44:00.001-05:00

Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls is giving away a Couponizer and a copy of The Coupon Mom's book to one lucky winner!
You can enter until August 28th!
Just go HERE to check it out!

Check out my new organizer!

2008-08-19T23:28:00.001-05:00

I bought this as Costco the other day. I LOVE IT! Each drawer holds a week's inserts, and I stack the circulars on the top shelf.

WOOHOOO!!! CVS Scenarios for 8/10-8/16

2008-08-10T21:33:00.005-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't blogged a lot lately to those of you who read here. Life has been hectic these past couple of weeks, and I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible around here so that it doesn't get too stressful and so that I am still spending as much time as possible with my little men. I will be back here as often as I can, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post my great deals from CVS tonight! Enjoy!

#1 transaction:
2 multi packs of Extra gum - $1 each
3 packs of Energizer batteries - $2.99 each
1 CVS sunscreen - $1.99 (did not take off the $2 for the sale, but I had q)
2 CVS hand soaps - $1.99 for 1st, $0.99 for 2nd
1 JJ Buddies soap - $0.99
-.99 JJ q
- (3) $1 energizer q 8/3SS
-$2/$10 q (Corporate told me I could use these and the skincare q's if my mgr would allow it. So far the mgrs at my stores have been fine with it.)
-(2) $2 off skincare q
-$2 Extra gum q
- $2 CVS sunscreen crt (was actually a $1 q but register read it as $2)
=$3.18 OOP

#2 Transaction:
3 packs of Energizer batteries - $2.99 each
1 CVS Sunscreen - $1.99
2 CVS lotions - $0.75 each (clearance table)
2 JJ Foaming buddies shampoo - $0.40 each (clearance)
1 JJ soothing lotion - $0.50 (clearance)
1 Playtex disposable bottle liners - $0.60 (clearance)
-(3) $1.00 energizer q's
-$2/$10
-$2 cvs sunscreen crt
-(2) $2 skincare q's
-$2 JJ Buddies q
-$1.30 (on my receipt, but I have no idea what q this is...I didn't have any more q's for this order)
=0.06 OOP
At this point, I was supposed to get a $5 ECB for the batteries, but it didn't print, so my mgr looked over my receipts and gave me a $5 bill, which I used for the rest of the OOP on my transactions tonight.

#3 Transaction:
2 multi packs of Extra gum - $1.00 each
2 bags of Dove chocolate - $3.00 each
2 Lamisilk foot lotion - $8.29 each
-$2/$10
-$2 Extra q
-(2) $4 Lamisil q's
-$4.49 BOGO Dove q
-$3.00 ECB
-$5.00 ECB
=$0.10 OOP (from $5 bill)
Received: $5 ECB for Candy, $10 for Lamisil

#4 Transaction:
Alavert - $5.99
M&Ms - $2.00
CVS Sunscreen - $1.99
CVS Foaming hand soap - $1.99
CVS hand soap - $0.84
Skin Effects Enzyme Scrub- $6.99
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion kit - $4.00 (Clearance)
-$0.75 M&M q
-$2 Sunscreen q
-$2/$10
-(2) $2 skincare q's
-$4 Alavert mfr q
-$2 Alavert CVS crt
-$2 Skin Effects q
-$5.79 ECB
=$1.26 OOP
Received: $3 ECB for Alavert, $5 ECB for Skin Effects

#5 Transaction:
Skin Effects foaming wash - $6.99
CVS Lotion - $0.75 (clearance)
2 Gerber Breastmilk bags - $0.85 each (clearance)
J&J soothing lotion - $0.50 (clearance)
Jergens SPF tint lotion - $0.75 (clearance)
Playtex disposable bottle liners - $0.60 (clearance)
Right Guard deodorant - $0.45 (clearance)
-$2/$10
-$2 skin effects q
-$2 skincare q
-$4 Alavert mfr q
-$4.99 ECB
-$2 ECB
=$0.74 OOP
Received: $5 ECB for Skin Effects, $3 ECB for Alavert

#6 Transaction:
5 packs of Playskool baby wipes - $2.50 each
2 CVS hand soaps - $1.69 for 1st, $0.84 for 2nd
CVS Cotton Balls - $1.99
-(3) $2 skincare q's
-$2/$10
-(4) $2 playskool q's (couldn't use my last since my total was under $2)
=$1.10 OOP

#7 Transaction:
Playskool wipes - $2.50
2 Lamisilk foot lotions - $8.29 each
-$2/$10
-$2 playskool q
-(2) $3 Lamisil q's
-$3 ECB
-$5.79 ECB
=$0.29 OOP
Received: $10 ECB for Lamisil

#8 Transaction:
2 multi packs of Extra gum - $1.00 each
CVS SPF lip balm - $1.99
CVS Toddler wipes - $1.49
4 JJ Buddies soaps - $0.99 each
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion kit - $4.00 (clearance)
-$1.96 skincare q
-$1.99 suncare discount ($2 off suncare didn't automatically come off)
-$2 Extra q
-$2/$10
-(2) $2 Buddies q's
=$1.49 OOP

My Extra gum never did count toward my candy deal. I guess I need to call corporate tomorrow and ask about this.

Want to see more CVS savings? Visit the "Cents"ible Sawyer's CVS Superstars!

Out of Town...

2008-07-29T00:32:00.003-05:00

Well, we're coming to the end of our $25 Grocery Challenge this week! I'll be out of town for the next few days, so I wanted to go ahead and post my spendings. I'm pretty sure my husband put us over the mark tonight, spending a whopping $23.50. (I'll add it up in a moment!) We had a death in the family this week, and the children and I are flying out tomorrow morning to attend the funeral. Consequently, I needed some easy foods to feed my hubby while I'm gone since I only had 1 day's notice and no time to cook and freeze like I usually do when I'm away. Oh well...some things you just can't help, and I wasn't stocked up enough to handle this little emergency. I will say that I'm still pretty proud of myself! Our normal grocery budget includes our diapers, wipes, formula, toiletries, paper goods, etc, on top of food, and we budget about $350-400 a month. This month we didn't spend anywhere near that, I'm sure...even with the great new stockpile I'm getting in my garage! So, not a complete failure!

Total Available to spend for July: $75.00
Total Spent in July: $76.69 (dh's trip plus the WM trip I never added in)
Total Saved in July: $94.58 + a lot more :)

Speaking of my stockpile...and my hubby! Check out what dh made me on Sunday afternoon!

I was so proud of his handiwork, and once we filled it up, we both stood back in awe. This is the most "stuff" we've ever paid so little for!!! :)

Hope you all have a fabulous week! I'll see you Sunday!

And the winner is....

2008-07-22T15:01:00.000-05:00

Tasha Via!!!

Congrats, Tasha!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment! You all had wonderful advice, and I am going to print them off and take them to dinner tonight to read as we celebrate!

Tasha, if you will email me your address, I will get your book in the mail tomorrow.

Thanks, everyone!!!

Great Walgreens Deals - OVERAGE!

2008-07-20T08:27:00.012-05:00

Time to grab some milk or a newspaper or other necessities at WAGs! We have overage this week!

Cutter bug spray (1 oz bottle) - 2/$3
-$1 ES (Walgreen's q in the front of the store)
-$1 mfr q (6/15 SS)
=FREE + $0.50 overage!

Cutter wipes - $0.99
-$1 ES
-$1 mfr q (6/15 SS)
=FREE + $1.01 overage!

Maalox JR - on clearance for $3.19
-$2 ES
-$2 mfr q (6/1 SS)
=FREE + $0.81 overage!

PLUS...Walgreen's DOUBLE DIPPING!!!

Also July 25-26 are double dip days (YMMV). I've never tried it at my store, but I will this week! Here's why:

DIAPERS!!!!!

There is a $5/2 q in the August ES book. There is also still the $5/2 q in the July ES book! PLUS, all this month you still get a $5 RR wyb 3 packs!!! Remember, the ES q's will adjust to give you savings on each pack of diapers, so if you buy 3 packs, you will get $2.50 per q off each pack, including the 3rd pack!

5.99 x 3 = 17.97
-7.50 July
-7.50 August
OOP $2.97 PLUS $5 RR

Y'all, that is $0.99 a PACK! Are you GETTING THIS??? :) Don't try to roll the RRs though. It won't work. Keep your RRs for different transactions unless you are on your last transaction of diaper. You CAN use the RRs to pay for the diapers...it just won't spit out any more RRs if you do. And only 1 RR per transaction, so split up your packs! Also, if your store doesn't set out the August ES books early, you can try printing them online.

Side note: You might want to try the next size up since I've heard AND experienced that the WAGs diapers run a bit small.

Here are several other double dip deals that you might want to try:

The Walgreens Infant Formula Double Dip
3 cans formula ($13.99) $41.97
Less July IVC -7.50
Less Aug IVC -7.50
$26.97 +tax OOP
PLUS $5 RR (the same deal as the diapers, so don't try to roll these with the diapers either!)

Thanks, UrbanMama from HCW!

The Dove brand chocolate bars Double Dip Money Maker!
They are on mega saver through July 26th for $1.50.
$3/2
-July ES $1/2
-Aug ES $1/2
-$1/2 dove bars q from insert
$0.50 OVERAGE on each bar!

Thanks, satcook from HCW!

More Double Dips!

L'Oreal Natural Match Hair Color
$9.99
$9.99
-$5 MFG
-$5 MFG
-$5/2 - July IVC
-$2/1 - Aug IVC
-$2/1 - Aug IVC
-------------------------
$.98 + tax for two boxes of hair color.

Thanks, pokesfan from HCW!

Welchs 100% Juice 14oz
$3.08/2 ($1.54 ea)
-July ES $1/2
-Aug ES $1/2
=$1.08/2 or $0.54 each OOP

M&Ms
July $1/2
Aug. $1/2

Lipton Green Tea Bottles
July $2/2
Aug. $2/2

PediaSure Nutripals
July $2
Aug. $1

Benefiber 60-114 Caplets or 38-125 dose Powder
July $2/2
Aug. $2/2

Benadryl 48 pk or 8oz liquid
July $1
Aug. $1

Tylenol Severe or Multi Symptom 48 pk
July $1
Aug. $1

Lamisil .42oz to 1oz
July $5
Aug. $3

Claritin ONLY on the reditabs, 30 pack
$2.00 July
$5.00 August

Thanks, bumpkin6107, justmeagain, and supercheap at HCW!

PREVIEW: August CVS Deals

2008-07-20T07:43:00.007-05:00

I Heart CVS has posted all of the August monthly deals for CVS. There is not too much I'm interested in! I'm hoping I can get some good weekly deals throughout the month. Here are the few I will be checking out. To see the whole list, visit I Heart CVS.

Children's Advil Infant Drops .5 oz or liquid 4 oz (age 2-11) 5.79 get 5.79 ECB,limit 1 Free after ECB
-Advil, Childrens, $1 off Any

NutraNail nail hardener or Bullet Proofing Your Nails, buy any get $3 ECB, limit 5 (not valid on trial size)

Buy CVS/pharmacy Eye Make up remover 6.4 oz, get 1 ECB, limit 5

Buy $15 Neutrogena, get $5 ECB, valid on Rainbath 8.5 oz, body oil 8.5 -16 oz, or
specialty bath 2-6.7 oz, limit 5

Buy any Bikini Zone, get 2 ECB, limit 5 (picture shows ultra soothing after shave lotion, anti bump shave gel, creme, or facial buffer)
-Bikini Zone, $1 off 1, $3 off 2

Buy Oxy Shave Cream 5.2 oz or Face Wash 6 oz, get 2 ECB, limit 5
Oxy Product, any $1 (12-31-08) V 5/4/08

Buy Right Guard Professional Strength Deod 1.8 oz, get 3 ECB, limit 5

Buy any Hylands Homeopathic Remedy Product listed ( Sleep aid, leg cramps, restful legs, stress relief 32-50 ct, for kids cough syrup 4 oz, complete flu care or sniffles n sneezes 125 ct) get 2 ECB, limit 5

Buy Aquafresh Revive White Trays 4 ct, get 3 ECB, limit 5
Aquafresh White Trays Revive $1 (8-31-08) SS 6/1/08
- $5 Aquafresh White Trays

2 OB Tampons 40 CT get 5 ECB, limit 5
o.b. Product, any $1.50 (9-5-08) V 6/29/08
-O.B. Tampons, $1.50 off

Baby Orajel Teething Medication .18 oz-1 oz or Swabs 12 ct get 2 ECB, limit 5

Baby Magic Baby Lotion or Hair and Body Wash 15 oz, get 1 ECB, limit 5

CVS/ Pharmacy Alcohol or Peroxide Wipes 40 ct, get 1 ECB limit 5

CVS/ pharmacy Itch Relief or First Aid Spray 3 oz, get 2 ECB, limit 5

2 Fuse 18 oz, or Gold Peak 16.9 oz tea, get 1 ECB, limit 5
BOGO tearpad exp 8-31-08
.50 cent tearpad exp 8-31-08
$1/2 tearpad (I found at Albertson's recently)

I hope once I have done some price matching that I can work these into my scenarios!

Anniversary Giveaway! The Seven Year ITCH!

2008-07-18T23:56:00.004-05:00

My 7 year anniversary is July 21...this coming Monday!!! My title was just a joke. I have an amazing husband and an amazing marriage, and I'm not feeling any itching! :) In honor of our anniversary, I'm going to offer my very first giveaway!

Ellie Kay's 1/2 Price Living: Secrets to Living Well on One Income is a fantastic book to get you well on your way to saving money in all kinds of ways! Ellie Kay was my introduction to saving money on groceries and, unbeknownst to her, has helped strengthen my marriage by teaching me how to save money which lessens the stress in my household! In this book, she talks about how to cut your food bill, your debt, vacation expenses, housing expenses, and clothing costs in half...AND double your giving!

Now, here's what you do:

Give me your very best advice about marriage! Whether you've been married for 1 week or 50 years or even if you're not married but still have a tidbit of wisdom to pass along, participate! From now until Monday night at 11 pm CST, you can leave a comment on this post, including your marriage advice/wisdom, to be entered into the contest. If you write a little bit about this giveaway on your blog and include the link you can have an extra entry! Just leave another comment on this post with the link to your post. If you don't have a blog you can get an extra entry by emailing at least 3 friends about this giveaway and email it to me along with your friends (scgirl816@gmail.com). Just leave another comment on this post letting me know that you emailed me and your friends. Don't forget to add this link to your email!

I will choose a winner on Tuesday using Random.org. If the winner doesn't reply to me by Wednesday, I will randomly choose another winner. Good luck, and have fun!

P.S. If you aren't the lucky winner, you can still grab a copy of Ellie's book at Amazon.com. Check out the link over to the left of this page!

FREE Book at Borders!

2008-07-18T23:37:00.003-05:00

I'm copying this directly from one of my favorite blogs... The Bargain Shopper Lady! Check out her blog!

Borders has a great deal this week! In order to get you to try their online site to store service, you can get a book or item $5 and under shipped to your local Borders book store for free. Add an item $5 and under to your cart and use code BR41925. (You should be able to do a search for book that are $10 an under. Then click a few pages down to find $5 books.) If there is a more expensive book that you have been wanting, you can also get another item for 40% off. Click that you want to continue shopping and add another book or item to your cart. Use code BC4777 for 40% off. It will apply to the second book you put in your cart. Set shipping to your local store to get it for free! If you don’t have a store nearby you an spend $25 and get free shipping to your home.

Thanks, Bargain Shopper Lady!

Shame, shame, shame on me!!!

2008-07-18T23:18:00.004-05:00

I know...I've been lazy and haven't been blogging this week. I'm sorry! No excuses...just lazy!

I did a bunch of shopping though and got some great deals!

At Kroger, I got 48 more bottles of Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner (Sale for $2.50 each, P&G deal for buy 3 get $1 off each, $3/2 q's...made them FREE). No, I don't have that much hair! We're going to be stockpiling, of course, but we'll also be donating a good bit of what we got. 14 more rolls of Bounty paper towels for free ($1 q with a 10/10 sale). 21 boxes of Pampers wipes (on sale for $2.69, P&G deal for buy 3 get $1 off each, and .50 q that doubled to 1.17 for some reason). The Herbal Essences didn't take off the tax, so I paid .48 for every 6 bottles, but with the extra .17 per box of wipes, I figure that cancelled it out! :) I need to go get some more wipes at that price! 3 boxes of Kroger pop tarts for my brother who is in Afghanistan ($10/10). Sour cream was free with a .35 q that tripled. 2 candy bars for .17 total because of overage from sour cream, I'm guessing. 8 bottles of Snapple for FREE (.50 q that doubled)!

Edited to add: Found my receipt! Changes reflected below!

Total Available to spend for July: $75.00
Total Spent in July: $37.23
Total Saved in July: $94.58 + a lot more :)

Sorry I haven't been keeping up on the savings as well. I think maybe I was overtired this week. A lot has been going on over here! I need to add one Walmart trip, so I'll do that tomorrow when I locate my receipt! Why are the WM receipts the hardest to keep track of?!?!

FREE Nail Polish at CVS!!!

2008-07-12T18:52:00.002-05:00

Sally hansen hard as nails or extreme nail color is on sale for $.99, 7/13-7/19.

buy 3 x .99 = $2.97

use $3 off any 2 sally hansen nail color or treatment beauty handbook coupon

and you should get them all for free!

Thanks to I Heart CVS for this GREAT DEAL!!!

Get your KODAK coupons ready! PLUS...NEW CVS Q!

2008-07-11T22:37:00.005-05:00

Don't forget! We have a moneymaker here!!! Get your pictures ready tomorrow...plan your books! In your 5/4 SS AND 6/8 SS, there is a $3 off Kodak Photo Book (check the details...one says instant, one doesn't). Starting this Sunday at CVS, when you create a Kodak Photo Book in the store, you get the $$$ back in ECB! These are 4x6 ($3.99) or 6x8 ($7.99) 10 pg HARDcovers! The limit is 1 per household for the 4x6 and 2 per household for the 6x8. Good time to stock up on Christmas gifts, Mom! Plus with the $3 off q, you are actually MAKING $3!!!

CVS COUPON NEWS!!! Check out I Heart CVS for a new $3 off a $15 purchase q from CVS! Expires 7/20/08. YAY!

I'm editing to add...if you buy all 3 photo books at the same time tomorrow, using your $3/$15 q along with your $3 off Kodak q, you will spend $7.97 and get back 19.97 ECB! Make $12 on this deal!!! Thanks, Nicole, for this idea!

Day 11 of the Grocery Challenge!

2008-07-11T22:26:00.004-05:00

Spent NO money on food today! The reason for this? FREE Chick Fil A!!! We ate lunch and dinner at Chick Fil A. After dinner they served free sundaes. Mmmmm! My husband even joined us for dinner...but no blackmail, I mean, picture of him dressed as a cow. :)

Total Available to spend for July: $75.00
Total Spent in July: $21.10
Total Saved in July: $94.58

FREE Herbal Essences at Kroger!

2008-07-10T00:18:00.004-05:00

I had a great trip at Kroger today!

1st Transaction:

2 cans honey roasted Planters - $3.59 each (oops, thought they were 3.19!)
1 can salted Planters peanuts - $3.19
9 packs of Kool Aid - .20 each
6 bottles of Herbal Essences - $2.50 each

-$6 automatic savings wyb 3 HE at a time (so buy 3, each is $1.50)
-(3) $3 HE q's (in P&G from this Sunday)
-(3) $3 Planters q's

Total OOP = $3.65
And, get this...RECEIVED $4 on your next order Q!!!
So they actually paid me to take all that out of the store!

It gets better...

I was only testing the HE transaction so that I could do more. So I headed on back for 30 more bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Got up to the counter, and the scanner wouldn't ring it up right, so I ended up at Customer Service with this great lady helping me. Now pay attention...YMMV (remember, Your Mileage May Vary) because the tax doesn't always come off...so you may end up paying .24 per 3 bottles. My cashier said, "You're not supposed to have to pay tax" (and you're NOT!), and she took it all off and told me not to tell...so you guys don't tell either, okay? :)

I ended up with 30 more bottles out the door with ZERO money out of pocket!!!

Ain't that grand?????

Total Available to spend for July: $75.00
Total Spent in July: $21.10
Total Saved in July: $94.58

The BEST savings I got today...

2008-07-09T00:53:00.001-05:00

Today God saved my baby.

I had taken both kids shopping with me today at Staples...then we ran over to LNT to check out their 75% off sale. I was loading the baby into the car while my 3 yr old stood next to me between the front and back passenger doors. He was playing with the buttons, and I half remember getting after him about it. He shut the door and came around to stand by me, and the next thing I knew, I was shutting the back door as it clicked in my mind that the button he had been playing with had LOCKED the doors. Too late...the door was closed. The car had already been steaming hot from sitting in the sun. I took ds3 and ran inside to have them call the fire department. Back outside, a kind couple stopped to help. The woman offered me her phone to call dh who didn't actually answer until later. The man ran inside to find a hanger.

After just a couple of minutes, baby had sweat dripping down his face and arms. A few more minutes passed, and an employee came out to tell me that the fire department said it would be at least 20 minutes before they could get here...they were stuck in rush hour traffic, and no one was moving for them. (Side note: PLEASE always move to the side of the road for emergency vehicles! Even if you have to pull up on the curb...you never know who they are trying to help.) The guy who was helping me jumped in his car and sped over to the mall to see if he could find security who could help me. I thought for an instant about breaking the window, but I'm not sure where that thought went because it never occurred to me again! Another man drove up and asked what was happening. As soon as I told him, he said he would be right back, and he sped off too. That left me, ds3, and the woman standing there helpless. At this point, I started to get extremely lightheaded and blacked out a couple of times. I was terrified. All the news stories of children trapped in hot cars came flooding back to me. I had no idea how long it would take before baby was in real danger.

It seemed like forever before the 2nd man returned. He had a long rubber covered pole, and he stuck it inside my door. Turns out he worked at the Sears auto center. He had the door open within one minute.

I grabbed baby up, kissed him all over, and blew on his face and neck. Another lady stopped by the car to hand me some wipes to wet down his face. After thanking everyone profusely, I headed inside with the kids so that we could get baby into air conditioning. As soon as I got inside, I sat down on the floor to the side and completely lost it. I sobbed my eyes out, and if I could have thought to have been embarrassed, I sure would have been! I was not quiet about it! Poor ds3 kept asking me why I was crying, and I couldn't even get myself together long enough to say one word. Another kind woman walked up to me with her two children and actually sat down next to me and put her arm around me while she talked to my son and calmed me. She sat with me until I could stop crying. The employees ran every which way getting baby wet paper towels and cold water. The first couple that helped us came inside to check on baby and bought him a ball to play with. God certainly put some wonderful people in our paths today to help us.

If I had been able to think clearly through all of this, I probably wouldn't have been so panicked. I know my husband thought it was kind of silly of me to get so upset when I could have just broken the window at the beginning! I don't know where my head was...I kept thinking his only way out was for someone to figure out how to open my door! God put all the right people in the right place at the right time today, and it was so clear to me that it was His doing. So, for me, God saved my baby today...and isn't that the BEST kind of saving???