Why ask Why...

The Fedex man thinks I'm nuts

2008-11-29T08:58:00.002-06:00

Yes, he does. You see he delivered a package to my house on Wednesday and I started screaming and hollering like I had won the lottery or something. Actually, it was

$500 dollars in Shell Gas Cards!!!!

Yes, you read that right. Now let me take a step back and tell you about it. Have you ever seen those pop ups that say you can win a free $500.00 gas card? Weeeeelllll.....I'm sure not all of them are legit, but Carrie at Money Saving Methods has found some that are. She the master at getting free money I'm telling you. I used her step by step instructions, spent about 65.00 OOP and 8 weeks later here came my gas cards in the mail.

It was such great timing for us. Many of you probably know that Chris is not working right now. Between the oilfield being slow and it being the holidays it's not the greatest time to look for work. Thank God for emergency funds.

Anyhoo, I started screaming and Chris thinks I'm nuts, but I'm now $500 dollars richer! Perfect timing with the price of gas going down ~ I can really make these babies stretch.

I'll be back later with a picture for you. I need to get dressed first don't ya think? ~ lol!

What's up!!?!!

2008-10-26T21:31:00.003-05:00

Just popping in to say Hi!!

All is well in the Faulk household ~ kids are growing right along with my stockpile :)

Just wanted to throw a few things out there for you.

First off ~ I'll be teaching an online coupon class on two different sites starting on Nov 2nd. You can log on, read and send me any questions you have. Check it out HERE starting in Nov. New topics will be posted every Sun, Tues and Thurs evenings until I run out of things to talk about ~ hehe!

Second off~ If you haven't visited Carrie's blog Money Saving Methods it's a MUST DO!! I read about her $500 Gas Cards and have been hooked ever since. She thoroughly details all the great online money making offers that I would never EVER have the guts to do. With her help (and pictures of proof!) I launched my very first offer back in Sept. I spent $78.00 OOP and I'm happy to report that my $500 Gas Cards are now showing ready to ship. By this time next month I'll be posting a pic for ya'll!!

It's really a great deal to check out and I didn't want to miss informing anyone (you know all two of ya'll that still subscribe to my now dormant blog).

I'll be back next month sometime with PICTURES of those beautiful cards!!!

ahhhh...I do miss ya'll

2008-09-22T22:10:00.003-05:00

Hi all!

I'm just sneaking in (not back ~ sorry!) I thought I'd take Ginger's advice and just pop in to let ya'll know how we're doing.

Life is crazy but that's normal here. For those of you who didn't know we live in South La. right in the heart of Cajun Country. It's fabulous ~ except for hurricane season. It makes me wish we lived at Disney World instead - hehehe.

Gustav was rough weather wise, but I was so calm the entire time. The eye passed right over us, but our home sustained no damage Thank God. We lost electricity for about 3 hours. that's much better than the rest of the family that was staying with us. Three days. My house was full and busting at the seams. All I can say is thank you Slemco for finally turning it back on. ~ Family's great but hey ~ it was THREE days!!! :)

Ike, well, that's another story. Those outer bands in the north quadrant made me want to put some of that great night time Robi I picked up at WAGS to good use :) Ike gave us some roof damage, but all is well.

Thank you to everyone who emailed me to check on us and for those of you who said you were praying! As I said I do miss blogging and perhaps I'll pop back in again from time to time.

**For those of you looking for the magazine fundraiser link I said I'd post ~
HERE it is.

Type in NOAH Band, Lafayette, La

next page click on Band

Student name ~ Cade Faulk

**If you're looking for the ALL YOU script you'll find it under Beauty and Fashion.

Thanks for all your support for the homeschool band!! ~ hope to see some of you on Thursday at the coupon class :)

It's been fun but it's time to go

2008-08-22T05:30:00.000-05:00

Well the title really says it all. I started this hobby back in March and it's been a blast, but it's time for my blogging to come to an end. It's come to a bitter-sweet ending for me.

Hubby and I have discussed this at length and we feel it's best for some things to be let go. I love my blog and I love the outlet it gives me. I love how I'm able to help others, but it's gotten to be too time consuming to continue.

When I started this whole adventure I didn't mean for it to get so big. I'm not willing to take it to the next level I guess you could say. I appreciate everyone who's been by and faithful to read. There are many other blogs that I would recommend stalking. Check out the links on the side bar.

If you live in the Acadiana area you can still look me up on Acadiana Moms.com and I will still be offering my coupon class in Sept.

Thanks again for all the love and all the new friends I've made!!

Be Blessed and Happy Shopping!!

Wal Mart is FABULOUS!!

2008-08-21T07:17:00.000-05:00

Today was a great run to Wal Mart. I found some great deals on the clearance rack. Here's the details:

3 Malt O Meal Cereals @ 1.00 each
20 Old El Paso Seasonings @ .57 each
2 Muir Glen Soups @ 1.00 each

Total $15.40

- (10) Old ElPaso 1.00/2
- (2) Muir Glen 1.00/1
- (3) Malt O Meal 1.00/1

Total OOP $1.88

I don't like them but it was so cheap!!

2008-08-21T07:08:00.000-05:00

So most of you know how much I dislike WAGS. There is just no love there ~ lol!

But I had read about the Preparation H deal on MSM and I wanted to buy the Jello, so I ran in real quick. Here's what I got:

2 Preparation H @ 3.99 each

3 popcorn @ .19 each

3 Jello @ .39 each

1 Wheat Thin @ 2.50

Total $12.22

- (2) 2.00 ESR Preparation H

- (2) 2.00 IP Qs Prep H

- Free Wheat Thins WYB 3

Total OOP $2.45

Shot in the dark

2008-08-20T15:01:00.003-05:00

Ok - so I know it's a shot in the dark but here it goes....

I know that there are alot of home school mommies who read my blog.

I'm IDSO a

Horizons 4th grade Math Teachers Guide
(preferably one where the price won't rip out my eyeballs!)

If you have one for sale please - please contact me! Thanks

carliefaulk@cox.net

I stold this I'm telling you!!

2008-08-20T08:21:00.002-05:00

Tuesday when I went to WalMart I was talking with a supervisor and a man walked up with this really nice bike. He said they bike guy was clearancing them and was selling it for $15.00!! What??? Tell me there are some more please!! He said yep - in the Garden Section.

Well off to the Garden section we go! I got back there and none of the bikes were marked. You could tell some of them had been there for awhile because the tags were faded. I've never been one to be deterred so I went and found someone to scan them for me. That someone turned out to be the Co-Manager. She was really nice. I told her what I had heard from the man up front. she said Ok - I'll sell you these for 15.00 each. Sweet!!

I picked up a great Men's Schwinn bike for only $15.00! The chain was broken, but my hubby is Mr. Fix-It so it wasn't a problem. I'm happy and so is he :)

**On a side note right after she told me this the bike guy came of lunch. He said I needed to run with it because he never would have priced it for $15.00 - he was going to mark it $75.00! Show me to the nearest check out please!!!

CVS Run

2008-08-20T07:58:00.003-05:00

As depressing as CVS was this week I still went an picked up a few things.

Contour Monitor 19.99
Colgate 3.49
Batteries @ 1.45 each
Aquify 2.99
Banana Boat Spray 8.49

Total $37.86

- 5/15 (given to me by a friend from a home mailer ~ thanks Nicole!!)
- 19.99 Monitor Q
- 1.00 Colgate CRT
- 2.99 Free Aquify CRT

- 7.00 Banana Boat Coupon (mailed to me from complimenting them!)

Total $2.53 (with tax!)

Made 10.00 back in ECBs!

What to do with all those monitors??

2008-08-20T05:47:00.001-05:00

So it's almost fall right? Well in CVS terms it's called monitor season. For some reason all the diabetes monitors start going on sale this time of year. There good prices and usually they are free after ECBs. Which is great for those of us building up our ECBs to buy Christmas presents.

There are two problems with these sales though.

The first problem is - what do you do with them? It's just plain wasteful to throw them away in my opinion. Someone out there needs them trust me!

So this is what I suggest - DONATE THEM!!!!

Here are places I have personally donated to in the past:

Free clinics
Health clinics
Nursing Homes
The local Diabetes Foundation
Missinonaries (they take them over seas)

So don't throw them away!!!! Put them to good use ~ plus some places will give you a receipt so you can use it as a tax deduction (just a thought for those of you who itemize.)

Second problem - monitor season makes managers and cashiers antsy and suspicious. Not all manager and cashiers though, but many. They don't understand why we're buying them and it's understandable.

I had a conversation with my local DM and this was one of the subjects that came up. He was wondering what we do with them. Mine personally go to someone my MIL knows who takes them to Mexico for a clinic there.

The reason it makes managers suspicious also is returns. I don't know how many times I have to say it but IF YOU MAKE MONEY ON IT DON'T RETURN IT!!!!

It's cheating the system. It makes bad relationships between you and the managers. It makes the rest of us couponers look bad. It's unethical.....there are just so many reasons the list could go on and on. For a more detailed answer on CVS Returns check out this.

Bottom line - you got it for free and they paid you for it. Don't return it please. Donate it.

Tabloid Tuesday Thoughts

2008-08-19T15:56:00.004-05:00

Okay ladies! It's Tuesday!!!! Time for the tabloid review :)

I'm in a great mood, my pounding headache has finally left and I got some FABULOUS deals today. One that is particularly funny and exciting. I'll be sharing it with you tomorrow. I still need to take pics and stuff (oh and mow the lawn .....why can't the lawn mow itself?) ~ lol!!

But - back to the tabloids. A few good deals I'm going to be working this week.

Super 1

Whole Watermelons $3.98

Food Club Mac and Cheese 5/$1.00
Food Club biscuits 4/$1.00
(remember if you are price matching @ WM they will match their brand for Super1's)

All Small and Mighty (32 loads) $2.98
use the $1.00/1 All insert Q (I need to find mine!!)

Albie's

Big Campbell's Mega Sale, but no Q matches that I see.

Conagra Sale~ buy 20.00 and you save 5.00
*Only think I saw great was the Peter Pan @ 1.50 (final price)
They are probably 2.00 each so you'd have to buy 10

10 Peter Pan @ 2.00 each = 20.00
minus 5/20
minus (10) $1.00/1 Coupon (from the All you)
Total OOP $5.00

Not bad but you'd have to order some PB Qs now!!

Also - the General Mills Cereals are 6/$10.00
Use (3) 1.00/2 Qs and come out with six boxes of cereal for $7.00.

***If you wear your LSU Jersey on game day you get an additional 10% off. Am I the only one wondering about UL? helllooooo!???

Adrien's

Surfine Tomato sauce 6/$1.00
good to PM @ WM.

Plums .79 cents/lb

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.88/lb.
I also will PM these.

**Note when price matching chicken. Always buy the large family pack - it has 5lbs in it. Also it helps it by the price on the ad you do the multiplication for them. The cashier will have to figure it out anyway so I like to just write it out for them. Like this:

Have fun and let me know if I missed something!!!

From the Husband's Mouth

2008-08-18T15:45:00.004-05:00

I just read the funniest post by a husband about his couponing wife. It's a must read I'm telling you! I'd even print it out and give it to hubby. I'll be he can identify!! ~ lol!

Head over HERE and check it out!

Thanks to MSM for the link.

Sunday Sales Review

2008-08-18T07:35:00.004-05:00

Blah.......I have the shopping blahs this week. Nothing at all looks good.

I was sitting here thinking back to last year. If I remember right it's a funky time of year. It's the in between time. Most of the summer clearance is gone or picked over and I'm loaded up on cheap school supplies. Now I'm just waiting for them to start clearancing out before the Black Friday sales. Oh ~ I can't WAIT for Black Friday!!

So back to the paper. I was terrible - TERRIBLY disappointed in the inserts. We didn't get nothing here. How I wished we had gotten the Sarah Lee FREE bread coupon. But it wasn't to be. I was able to pick up 10 off Ebay this morning for only $4.00. 40 cents a loaf sounds like a good deal to me :)

CVS and WAGS are not inspiring me either. Well - WAGS has .39 cent Jellos. I need to run in and see if they carry Wheat Thins. Then I could buy three Jellos and use my Free Kraft WYB 3 Q.

Target did put out some more Internet Qs. Here's what's out that looks good there:

Kellogg's Pop Tarts - $.50/1
match up with a 1.00/2 Manufacturer insert Q

Sutton & Dodge steakhouse-quality choice Angus beef: Steak or Roast - $2.00/1
I've heard this could make for a great deal. You'll have to go and check it out.

and that's about all folks! If you saw something I skipped over please let me know!!! If not it looks like it could be a slow week for me. Let's hope the Tuesday tabloids look a little better ~ :)

Menu Planning Monday!

2008-08-18T04:05:00.001-05:00

I was going to shake it some this week, but we didn't use a few of our meals last week so I rolled them over. Check out what we have planned and then head over to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie to see what everyone else has going on.

If you've been to my blog before you know that because of my shopping days I plan Fri - Thur.

Friday - Hot Dogs and fries

Saturday - Omlets and french bread

Sunday - Leftovers (Cara and I won't be home - we're going out for a party)

Monday - Pasta Alfredo with Broccoli and rolls

Tuesday - Ham Steaks and Cream Peas

Wednesday - Fried Rice

Thursday - Hamburgers and Potato salad

and the Mary Kay goes to....

2008-08-16T23:19:00.002-05:00

rands 91 and rfhess!!!

Congratulations ladies ~ I'll be in touch soon!!

Thanks everyone for playing!

CVS Scenarios 8/17

2008-08-16T17:18:00.002-05:00

Nothing I'm jumping up and down for this week that's for sure. :(

I'm to the point where I'm just working on rolling my ECBs over and getting the things we need, like milk, bread, eggs and TP of course!

But - there are a few deals I'd like to point out to you.

Here's my plan for this week:

Deal #1

Revlon Mascara 7.99
5 Oral B Toothbrushs 1.99 each
Bread 2.49

Total 20.43

- 2/10
- (5) 1.00/1 Oral B Q (from this months P&G)
-1.00 Revlon insert Q
- 10.00 ECB

Total OOP around 2.50
make back 10.00 in ECBs

Deal # 2

Contour Monitor 20.00
Colgate Toothpaste 3.49

Total 23.49

- 2/10
-20.00/1 contour Q (bought off EBay)
- 1.00/1 Colgate Q

Total OOP about .50 cents
make 5.00 in ECBs

These are great deals, but I blew some of my ECBs last week on milk so I could use a little building.

Check me out next week sometime. I'm writing a post about what to do with all those monitors!!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

2008-08-16T08:16:00.000-05:00

What a busy weekend! Chris and I hosted a party last night, my oldest has a birthday party today and my DD has one tomorrow. I don't think we'll find time to mow the grass this weekend. :)

I hope you enjoy this song. It reminds me how blessed I am to have wonderful friends!

For more great songs head over to Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Confirmation on Chick Fil A

2008-08-15T09:15:00.002-05:00

Just an FYI for ya'll ~ I called my local Chick Fil A about the Labor Day promotion I had posted about earlier in the week.

It's a GO!!

Check out the details here.

Grocery Run

2008-08-15T09:01:00.006-05:00

Every two weeks I head to the store and do my major shopping. I always make my menu first and then my list. I like to attach my flyers and my Qs to my list (makes it easier).

This week I did good, but spent more than I have in the last few months. I'm still under budget so I'm good :) My total OOP was just at $75.00 for two weeks of groceries. This includes some items for my stockpile. I also bought some ground chuck that was clearance (this is fine to do as long as you use it or freeze it within 24 hours.) I still have $50.00 put away to work the deals and buy any fruit and veggies I'll need.

Here's what I bought:

It's quite alot so I won't be listing everything individually. However ~ I will tell you what Qs I used.

I used 19 of the Kraft Free WYB Qs. The last of my stash there. Good thing because they expire at the end of the month.

I used (2) 2.00 South Beach Pizza, BOGO Grill mates, 1.00/2 Hunt's Ketchup, (2) 1.10/1 Macaroni Grill Product, (2) 1.00/2 Old El Paso, BOGO Special K and 2.00/2 Fresh Express Salads.

Most of these Qs are ones I've gotten of coupon trains so I can't tell you where they are from. Sorry ya'll!! If you haven't joined a train you should defiantly consider it!

You can check out the one I'm on HERE.

Weekend Giveaway!!

2008-08-14T08:50:00.004-05:00

Yes that's right! I'm having a weekend giveaway!! It starts right now and runs thru Saturday night! I'll announce the winner on Sunday morning.

So what are we trying to win right? How about TWO nice prizes from Mary Kay, compliments of my friend Timberly?

1st giveaway

A makeup bag with the Mary Kay Bamboo and lotus lotion, spray, and body cleanser. $ 40 value

2nd giveaway

A makeup bag, 3 in 1 cleanser, age fighting moisturizer, day solution, and night solution. These are the cleaning products. It is valued at about $100.

Here's the info on how to play:

Leave me a comment! !!

All comments must be made between now and Saturday night 9PM.

The winners will be picked by the Random picker and announced Saturday morning.If you do not have a registered blog (that I can access please) please leave me an email addy so I can get in touch with you. If you do not leave me a way of contacting you and the random generator picks your number I'll have to throw it out and pick another. Sorry ya'll!!

Uhhh...I broke one of my rules!

2008-08-13T09:02:00.002-05:00

I did. I'm ashamed to say it. One of my big rules is buy everything once a week so you don't have to run to the store. Plan ahead right!? My thinking behind this is that if you run to the store you're bound to pick up more than that one item you needed. Thus resulting in overspending right?

We've recently decided to stop buying soda and junk food. We know it's not good for us.

But..... we had company. Ok - it was a cousin but still. We had the envie (craving for you Northerners) for Rice Crispy treats. As everyone knows you can't buy generic marshmallows (at least this is what my hubby says and since he makes them I don't argue too hard!)

The nearest store to our house is about three blocks away. It's called Champagne's (pronounced Shaw-pine's for you non cajun speaking blog readers) :) It's REALLY expensive. sigh.....

Well I figured if I was going - I was getting a good deal some how. Here's what I did since the Jet Puffed is a Kraft deal.

2 Jet Puffed marshmallows @ 1.49 each
(yes - I know they are .88 cents at Wal mart - please don't remind me - it was painful enough)
1 Kraft Pudding @ 1.00
Cheese slices 2.49 (freebies!)

Total 6.47

minus .50/2 Marshmallow Q
minus 2.49 for the cheese ~ Free WYB 3

Total $3.81

So it's not a great total and I paid WAY more than I normally would have, but it was better than just buying the two bags straight out at 1.49 each. Plus the pudding makes me the best mom in the whole world (at least for another day or so - hehe!)

Have no fear though. This will not be a habit I promise. My hips can't take it. :)

But my baby loves it! ~ please don't ask why he's eating it with a spoon. I couldn't figure it out either!

WAGS - Free BIC Pens

2008-08-13T06:12:00.001-05:00

I noticed that the BIC pens were 1.00/2 at WAGS this week. No limit. :)

This matches up really well with the insert Qs for 1.00/2 which make these free!! There are also printable HERE!

I went and bought 20 packs of pens and used 10 Qs. I paid .59 cents OOP for the tax. A couple of the packs I bought had a bonus of two extra pens. We defiantly won't run out of pens for awhile - lol!

CVS Trips 1 & 2

2008-08-12T19:12:00.001-05:00

I went out and hit up CVS bright and early Sunday morning!

Problem is this. I did several transactions but didn't write them down. I did them all "on the fly" so to speak. Don't be mad ~ I'm sorry!!

Since I've already thrown the receipts and the trash man has already come I'll have to just give you the highlights to this trip.

I did the Lamisil first. I rolled 10 ECBs and paid 2.00 OOP.

This transaction generated some great CRTs so of course I had to spend them. I came OOP for the rest of the items about 1.60. Not to bad. I had rolled 4 ECBs also.

This transaction was done on Monday. It's easier to remember since I did just one.

Alavert 5.99
Milk Straws 1.00
Milk 2.69
2 Teas 1.49 each

- minus 2/10
- minus 1.49 BOGO Tea
- minus 4.00 Alavert
- minus 4.00 in ECBS

Total OOP 1.09
made 4.00 in ECBs back

Tabloid Tuesday Thoughts

2008-08-12T15:32:00.002-05:00

Tuesday's are so much fun! I think they'd be better though if I could get my mailman to come around 11 AM instead of his normal 3pm or 4pm. Ya know he wouldn't need to do it everyday. Just Tuesdays :) Yeah - I don't think he'd do it either. sigh.........

so here's what I thought looked good today.

Starting out with Super 1

68 cent medium eggs (limit 3) - 68 cents?? woohooo!!

57 cent Bologna or Franks - .25/1 IP here

98 cent Grands Biscuits (8 count) .50/2 here and here

7/77 cents Kool Aid
(perfect if you have the Free WYB Kraft Qs from the All You!!)

.77 cent Chef Boyardee - 1.00/3 IP here
(I had trouble with the printer instalation - this one's YMMV)

Adrien's (local IGA)

.88 cent Sunny D (48 oz)

.88 cent large eggs (limit 2)

.77 cent/lb peaches or nectarines (I'm price matching these at WalMart)

Albertson's

The have a 10 for 10 running along with others but nothing with a good coupon match up. Plus some of them aren't "really" on sale. YWIM?

1.99/lb Boneless Skinless Breasts

3.99 gallon MILK!!

3 day sale Fri - Sun

5.99/lb T Bones

3.99 Large Shrimp (sold in 2 lb bags)

Piggly Wiggly

4/5.00 Ball Park Franks - there are 1.00/2 insert Qs

**The Pig in Scott has Peter Pan Peanut Butter for 1.99. If you have the All you there is a coupon for 1.00/1.

And that's all folks!! Hope some of these come in handy for ya'll!

Organizing my Time

2008-08-12T06:18:00.001-05:00

There aren't enough days in the week, weeks in a year, minutes in an hour, hours in a day....yadda, yadda, yadda. There's always something isn't it? :)

Where do I get the time to do all the things I do is a big question I got last week. Yes, shopping can be a full time job. I find with some organization I'm able to fit it all in.

Some days I wish my kids were in school so I would have plenty of time to do all my shopping with out them. But they aren't and it's something I've learned to work with. (We're one of those weird homeschooling families in case you didn't know!)

So how do I fit it all in? Well, I have a "loose" schedule.

I get up about an hour before the kids do. I check my mail, publish any comments and make sure my blog posts are ready to go for the day. Then I spend 30 minutes of "me" time on my treadmill with my ipod. It's strangely relaxing and I love it.

From there the kids are up and we're into breakfast. After that we tidy up the house and are ready for school by 9:30 or so. We school from 9:30 to noon and then have lunch.

After lunch is a variety of things. Usually we run errands a couple days a week. Others we're home cleaning up or vegging out. I try to be home by 3:00 everyday so I can have an hour of "me" time. I'll get on the computer and figure out my deals and write some posts.

Hubby is home around 5 and then we eat around 5:30 or 6. We spend the evening different ways. Usually watching a family movie, playing the Wii or playing outside.

The kids are required to be in bed by 8 and lights out by 8:30 (I'm so blessed ~ my kids go to sleep so well) This gives hubby and I plenty of time to hang out or work around the house together before bed. Twice a week he goes to the gym and works out and I stay home. This gives me more time to catch up on my blogging.

Even though it might look like I shop everyday I don't. I might do all of it on Monday and just post them over a few days as I find the time.

Organization is the key I'm telling you. My kids love knowing what's going on. They know what to expect and I don't get to many arguments from them.

So I hope this answers some of your questions. It takes discipline, but I like how everything works and there's time for everything.

Oh -and before you all ask. I clip my Qs every Sunday or Monday night. I try to get it done and finished with before the week starts. I'm usually clipping Qs while hubby watches UFC. :)

See ~ we are normal.............