MrsFrugalista

January, 2010 Goal Update

2010-01-30T22:36:00.001-05:00

I am still making progress which is the goal here. December was a little tough, and we had a little set back with the holidays. But, Bringing back up the debt payoff to 6.6% now. The one thing I did though at the end of last year was start a Christmas, 2010 Christmas savings fund, which I'm progressing nicely toward. I'm *hoping* by June for it to be fully funded!

I would love to pay off one debt every month. However, I'm not sure if that is realistic. One education debt is almost paid off, only need to pay $51 more dollers so that will paid probably next week and that is one down.

End of January,2010 standings:

Debt Payoff: 6.6%
Emergency Savings Fund: 34.8%
Christmas 2010 Fund: 33%

Financial Aspirations for February,2010:

Pay off debt "N"
To get Debt Payoff to 8% paid off by the end of February,2010
To build emergency fund to 45% funded
To build Christmas 2010 fund to 44% funded

Slowly but steadily, I'm getting it done!

Walgreens Info

2010-01-30T10:37:00.001-05:00

All About Walgreens

You can find some Free and almost free items at Walgreens. But, maybe you don’t know how to “play the game”. I am here to help and show you how to do it!

REGISTER REWARDS (I usually refer to them as RR)

Register Rewards are coupons from the Catalina machine that print after you make a qualifying purchase in the same transaction. Most RRs are good on your next purchase. This how you will get items for free or almost free.

For example: This week Pert Plus for Men is on sale 2/$5, if you buy 2 you will get a Register Reward for $2, that is good on your next purchase. However, I have 2 coupons for $1.50 off each purchase for Pert Plus for Men. So, initially I will be paying $2 for 2, which by itself is a good deal. However, if you have Register Rewards from a previous transaction, like I do for the Pepsi deal, I am paying 0 out of pocket! So, that is free shampoo for my dear husband!

How you play the game

You will want to read the flyer every week. The goal is to combine the items that are on sale, with your coupons, and the Register Rewards. That is how you get the good deals. Also, when you find really good deals, go back and repeat the transaction and stock up. When you can score items for free or for pennies on the dollar, it is worth the extra trip. Plus if you don’t need the items yourself, think about donating them. Many Domestic Violene Centers would greatly appreciate toiletries, canned foods, and other items.

Register at Walgreens
Weekly Ad

My Passion

2010-01-30T09:41:00.000-05:00

You know what keeps me going and inspires me every day?

You know what causes I support?

House of Ruth

Domestic Violence Center

Living Water International

Its never too late

2010-01-30T09:26:00.000-05:00

In life, every day gives you a second chance. It is never late to start over or to transform your life. I know that from personal experience. That can be taken in many different ways. I know that in my life, I was given a second chance 18 months ago. With that being said, I learned that I would live a life I could be proud of and to help others and share my experiences so that others may learn from my mistakes. We cannot go back and erase the past or change things from the past. All we can do is live in the present and focus on the future.

Sometimes, life is a struggle. That is normal. People struggle every day. Some people struggle financially to pay the bills. Some people struggle emotionally, and it is a battle just to get through the day. Some people just struggle. That is life.

I think it is so important to live a life you can be proud of. Make wise decisons that will impact your life positively and impact those around you in a positive manner. Help others. Reach out to someone. You never know what a very small gesture, could mean everything to another person and could be the stepping stone to a life transformation.

I challenge you to evaulate your life. Set your priorties. Realize what is truely important. Let things that don't matter go. Forgive others. Work harder at improving your life in whatever area needs improvement. Don't give up.

I really hope in my life that I can help others.

Just remember, it is never to late.

Shopping At Old Navy

2010-01-27T23:53:00.000-05:00

Old Navy is having a wonderful sale right now and with my employee discount (I work there part time) it makes the deals even sweeter!

1st Transaction:

1 infant cordoroy hat and 6 pairs of socks

Guess What I paid????

$1.84--including Tax!!! The socks were only $.22 a pc! Awesome Awesome!

This is one of the outfits I got... This outfit cost a total $17.24 The pants were $12.75 (normally $29.50) which is about 60% retail. The shirt was only $4.49 (normally $26.50!!!)--so really about a 82% off retail!

Other goodies I got...

Blue floral blouse for $6.29 (normal price $26.50)
Diva Trouser Style Jeans $8.54 (normally $34.50)
The Flirt Jeans $10.12 (normally $34.50)
Smocked blue blouse $2.68 (normally $24.50)
Pair of pajama bottoms (not that I needed them, but I am a little addicted to comfy pjs!) $2.47 (normally $15.00)

If I would of paid full price (which I never do!!!!) it would $211.50+ tax!!!!

But, I only paid $38.51

That is a total savings of 82%!!!!! Wowser!!!!!!!

My Walgreens Shopping Trip 1/26/10

2010-01-26T18:08:00.000-05:00

Here's the deal...

I bought 6~12 pks of pepsi for $20. I paid $20+tax

Received $10 Register Reward. After RR, its only $1.66 each 12 pk! What a deal!

Free Subscrption to Forbes Magazine

2010-01-25T15:34:00.000-05:00

No credit card required!

http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/forbes_celeb_em/sg_forbes_pg1.htm

CVS Challenge by Mrs Frugalista

2010-01-25T10:48:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the inspiration Kingdom First Mom

Here is my deal for CVS this week, at least so far! :)

1 Crest Toothpaste $1.99 and receive 1 ECB back

2 Dove Ultimate deoderant at 2/$7
Use 2 $2 off coupons for Dove Deoderant and receive 2 ECBS back

Totals:

$1.99+$3.00=4.99 OOP
-.50 ECB Reward from the fall
Grand Total OOP $4.49
and I'll receive 3 ECBS for next shopping trip!

Happy Shopping All!!

Printable Coupons

2010-01-22T00:04:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday, all!

Here is a list of some printable coupons, as well as newsletters you can sign up for to get more coupons!

Country Crock-$.50 off 1 coupon; You can print two.
http://www.countrycrock.com/Promotions/

Dove Men+Care products; $1/1
https://secure.dove.us/mencare/Registration.aspx?utm_source=demcoupon&utm_medium=demcoupon&utm_campaign=2010_q1_dove_mencare

Spin for your skin
http://content.dove.us/dimensions/matchmaker.aspx

Various Dove coupons
http://content.dove.us/dimensions/coupons.aspx

Dove Diminsions—Register to access the following:

• Exclusive coupons

• Free gifts and special promotions

• The latest beauty news and features

• Tips, quizzes and much more!

https://secure.dove.us/dimensions/register2.aspx?DD_SessionUID=501b09e8-51e6-4481-bdae-faf161387a85

Lever2000 coupons
http://www.lever2000.com/Coupons.aspx

Degree Women

https://ssl.unilever.com/degreewomen.com/Women/Ultraclear-Coupon-SignUp.aspx

Sign up for Klondikes newsletter… should get coupons in there!
https://ssl.unilever.com/klondikebar.com/Freezer/Newsletter.aspx

Sign up for Popsicles newsletter and for special offers
https://ssl.unilever.com/popsicle.com/Sign-Up.aspx

Hellmans Mayo Print $.75/1 coupon
http://www.hellmanns.com/promotions.aspx

Caress—sign up for their mailing list
http://www.caressskin.com/ce/default.htm

Step 2: Stop Adding to new debt

2010-01-18T22:12:00.000-05:00

So, it is a new year and you want to change your ways and transform your financial life. As I've stated before, you must follow some steps.

I will go over step 2: Stop Adding to debt.

So, what does that mean exactly?

You will want to stop using your credit cards. Pay cash instead. I know that may be hard to do, as it is so much easier just to "pay later". I honestly believe that if you don't have money to pay for it in cash (or debit card) than you shouldn't buy it at all!

Don't apply for new credit cards, lines of credit, New cars,etc... You don't need those things. Start paying off your existing debt and start increasing your savings.

If you think your car is going to "die" so to speak, in the near future... Then, start NOW saving for a car. You will feel so much better being able to buy one in cash without financing it. Your wallet will thank you,too! Really think hard and long if you really need that 2010 brand new shiny car!!

New Goal

2009-12-06T21:10:00.001-05:00

I'm going to try harder at earning money online via Pay for searches, Surveys, etc... I'm going to track my progress here. I'll create a seperate page for listing all the sites I am particpate in and document my progress.

CAPITAL ONE IS PAID OFF~

2009-12-02T19:25:00.000-05:00

Goodbye Capital One!

As of today, December 2nd, 2009 that debt is gone!!! My total debt payoff is now 6.4%!!!! Yea-hoo!!!!!

Savings and Debt Updates

2009-11-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

Its almost December, already! I began paying off the debts in October. In less than 2 months, I've already reduced my debt by 5.2%!

In November, I started the Christmas Savings Fund for 2010 and the Emergency Fund.

Christmas Fund---I've saved 13.8%

Emergency Savings Fund---I've saved 19.5%

I really am hoping by this time next year, I'll be at the 50% mark for Debt Payoff and 100% for the savings funds. I'd like to increase my savings in other areas, as well as hit my debts more agreesively.

Arby's $5.01 Giveaway

2009-11-24T20:38:00.001-05:00

Arby's $5.01 Giveaway

Posted using ShareThis

2009-11-22T21:01:00.002-05:00

I just ordered 50 photo christmas cards for only $3.19 for shipping! Amazing!

Check out Kingdom First Mom's post!!!

http://kingdomfirstmom.com/2009/11/see-here-free-custom-photo-ornament-50-free-photo-cards.html

How to Create a DEBT FREE PLAN

2009-11-21T22:39:00.000-05:00

Creating a Plan of Action

You first need to know your debts.

Take out all your credit card statements, Student Loan statements, Car Loan Statements, everything! You also may want to get a copy of your credit report. This is something you should do at least once a year, if not more.

For me, I do order it at least twice a year. Last June, I got a copy of my credit report and I was very alarmed to find a ton of stuff that wasn't mine. It was for the most part derogatory items. I found out that somehow another womans social security number was ONE DIGIT different than mine, and therefore all her information somehow got on my credit report. It took MONTHS of Online Credit Disputes and letters to get all that information removed. I did get it all removed, but it took a lot of time and effort. So, my point is---Order your credit report, and order it often! You never know what you will find!

Set Your Payoff Goals

What is your goal with paying off your debt? Do you want to be debt free in 1 year? 2 years? What do you want to pay off? What do you want to pay off first?

Get It On Paper and Organize it

You need to get all your debts listed. Find an order and list it all and the amounts due. Maybe you want, to pay the little stuff first... Maybe you would feel better paying the bigger stuff first. Some people want to pay off the debt with the highest interest first.

How Will You Accomplish your Plan?

Do you have enough funds coming in to help facilitate your payoff plan? Do you need more money coming in? Do you need to take a second job temporarily to help get your debt down? Do you need to cut down on some areas of spending?

In my situation, I decided I needed to take on a second job to help pay down my debts. Its not always easy, but I am working toward being debt free, so it is all worth it!

So, You Wanna Be Debt Free????

2009-11-21T22:38:00.001-05:00

You are swimming in debt? Stacks of Bills? No Budget?
Where to began, right?

There are several steps that have helped me began my journey to be debt free.

Make a Plan
Stop Adding to Debt
Set up an Emergency Fund
Lower Your Interest Rates
Debt Snowball
Create a Budget
Learn tricks to Saving Money and Reducing Spending

15% Off At Payless Shoe Source~

2009-11-08T20:41:00.000-05:00

Right now they are having a BOGO 1/2 off sale. Plus, if you register at: http://www.payless.com/store/ they will email you a coupon and you can get 15% off in addition to the BOGO!

Happy Shopping!!!

Free Online Printable Coupons Links

2009-11-01T19:34:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorites sites to print free coupons are:

Coupons

Redplum

SmartSource

I've been so busy!

2009-10-23T18:36:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to post much lately! I started working a part time job plus work my regular job+ being a wife and mother! Its a lot!

So, I'm working almost 60 hrs a week. Its tiring but It is all for paying down our debts and to get us closer to our goals!

Walgreens .30 OOP!!!

2009-10-05T21:42:00.000-04:00

This is how I am rolling this week!!!

1 Halls Refresh (1.00)
1 Chapstick (2.99)
2 Russell Stover Halloween Candy ($.78)

Total: $4.77
-.75 coupon for Halls Refresh
-$4 RR
=.30

Will receive 1.00 RR for Halls,3 RR for Chapstick

Putting Your Budget Into Action

2009-10-04T19:50:00.000-04:00

I have posted links to help you get started creating a budget. So, once you write down all your bills, your next step is to create a system so that you can keep track of paying bills. You may pay them online, through the mail, in person, that is fine. But, for me what worked for me was creating a spreadsheet of each bill and the amount and due date. Then right before the start of the month, I write all the checks, put them in the envelope and on the outside of the envelope I put a sticky note on when to mail them. But for me it is very helpful having a list of seeing what is do, the amount and what is the due date. Here is a sample:Monthly Bill Schedule. Now, that is an example, I do have a lot more bills than that!!! lol

I think it is very helpful to see what is due every month and have it to refer back to! I print it and put it up on a board in my office at home. If you have any questions, feel free to email me .

Creating a Budget Worksheets

2009-10-03T17:04:00.004-04:00

This page I will list all the links for creating a budget.

http://www.momsbudget.com/printables/householdbudgetprint.html

http://www.daveramsey.com/media/pdf/fpu_qbudget.pdf

http://www.smartcredittips.com/budg.html

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/pdf/BudgetWorksheetPost.pdf

http://www.spreadsheet123.com/ExcelTemplates/excel-personal-weekly-budget-spreadsheet.html

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/budgetformsfree-basicbudgeting.htm

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010233421033.aspx?CategoryID=CT101172321033&ofcresset=1

Walgreen Trip #2

2009-09-29T20:46:00.000-04:00

This is my 2nd trip of 4 total for Monday! Here is what I got this time:

1 Oral B 123 Toothbrush (Sale Price: $3.00-$1.00 Manufacturer Coupon)

1 Chapstick (Sale Price: $2.99)

Then I had to get some Filler Items ... So, I got:

1 Reese Peanut Butter (.69)
1 M&M's (.50)

I used 1 $4 RR from the Theraflu and $2 RR from the Herbal Essence Shampoo

Total with Tax: $.62!

Then, I received a $3 RR for the toothbrush and $3 RR for the Chapstick!

Its a Walgreens Week!

2009-09-29T18:41:00.001-04:00

This week, I've been having fun shopping at Walgreens! I will share my trips! I've been getting some great deals!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday Trip #1

2 Boxes of Theraflu Cold and Cough (On sale for 2/$8, plus get a $4 Register Rewards, and I used 2 $2 coupons found in their Healthy Savins Booklet)

1 Herbal Essence Shampoo ( On sale for $2.99, I used a $1 coupon, and received a $2 Register Rewards)

1 La Cross Smoothing Block (.99)

1 Camp Rock Activity Book ( Clearance-$.74)

1 Walgreens Childrens Activity Book (Clearance-$.25, which I bought because therer are some good coupons in there!)

Total:$8.44
Used $5 Register Rewards

Paid $3.44 Out of Pocket

Plus, I received $4 RR for the Theraflu and $2 RR for the Herbal Essence!