FREE at CVS

Okay, so my blog is not really for posting about things I purchase but I HAD to share this one. Through Saturday at CVS the 20 count Excedrin Express Gels are on for $1.99. You can print a coupon for $2 off HERE making it FREE!

I can't not pass that along.

CVSing and Couponing (yeah, they're verbs now)

So, I'm going to share with you my newest hobby...couponing and shopping at CVS. I know what you are thinking...she is a boring girl if this is what she finds fun. I promise I'm not boring (okay, maybe I am a little)! Don't laugh at me (Shell)!

I have always loved saving money and have used coupons for many years. While trying to get our budget under control and reading lots of money saving blogs I found girls who shop at CVS and get LOTS of stuff for free/cheap and also people who use coupons like crazy at other stores (grocery, Walmart, Target) and get TONS of stuff for free or pennies.

These bloggers believe, instead of buying things as you need it (and paying full price), you buy it when you can get it on sale and stock up. I have a very small stockpile (since I have only been doing this for a short time) but it includes tampons, 4 bottles of dishwashing liquid, 4 tubes of toothpaste, 2 stick of deoderant, 3 packages of Cascade gel packs for the dishwasher, 3 bottles of Lysol antibacterial spray and a few other things. When my friends came over a few weeks ago I was showing off my stockpile and they just thought I was crazy. When I called Michelle, one of the friends who thought I was crazy, and told her what all I got today for 99 cents. She said, "Okay, put this on your blog and tell me how to do it!" So here I go...

I got these two toothpastes and two toothbrushes for 43 cents at CVS.

Then in a second transaction I got two more other toothpastes, Always pads, Scott tissue and more dishwashing liquid for 56 cents, again at CVS.

Basically I got all of this from using Extra Care Bucks that I earned with my last transaction at CVS (they print off at the bottom of the receipt) and coupons (that my sweet older ladies from church save for me).

If you are REALLY interested in learning the ropes at CVS (it is a bit confusing at first)...you can go read this Beginners Guide to CVSing.

I'm also catching deals at other places...I have seemed to just luck up on a lot of good deals recently at grocery stores. The Cascade Gel Packs that I mentioned were marked down to $2 and I remembered having coupons for that. I ended up getting them for $1 a package. Now, instead of having to run out and get whatever is in the store when I run out of my current dishwashing powder I now have 60 gel packs waiting on me in my stockpile. A few weeks ago Bounty was on sale at a local grocery store for 89 cents. I had two $1 off coupons and purchased two Bounty paper towel rolls. Do you know they ended up paying me 7 cents after I gave them my coupons? That has NEVER happened before.

Now that I'm getting me a little stockpile going I'm starting to give to my church so it is benefiting everyone. Really, how many toothpastes can you use? Besides, they'll be on sale again :). Tomorrow I'm taking two tubes of toothpastes, the pads and shampoo/conditioner to my church. I know whoever receives that will be thankful and really all it cost me was a little time and organization.

If you are interested in more blogs where there are people even crazier than me (just joking...seem like really nice people) then you can check out...

http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/
http://carlie-whyaskwhy.blogspot.com/
http://www.dealseekingmom.com/
http://www.kingdomfirstmom.com/
http://couponcravings.com/

Let me know if you have any questions.

Okay, now you can laugh at me...

Got DirecTV and want to save some money?

Just a little tip for you...call DirecTV and explain that since gas prices have gotten higher you have been looking at your budget (I'm sure you have) and ask if there are any way they can help you.

I called and got $10 off for the next 6 months. My friend called and got $10 off for the next 12 months. I called back to see if they could help me the same way they helped my friend and I got the same $10 off for the next 12 months. That is $120 guys!!!!

The original operator I spoke with couldn't offer me more than $5 off for the next 3 months but they ended up transferring me to someone in the Retention department. They said since I had been such a good customer they could do this for me.

It doesn't hurt to ask, right? Let me know if you save any money!

Gas prices got you down?

Ugh! Is this affecting anyone else's budget or is it just ours? I cannot believe that gas prices are nearing $4 a gallon. It is costing me right at $60 to fill up my Dodge Caravan and I am getting right around 20 miles to the gallon and I get around 315 miles per tank. Ugh again...I can't think of anything more expressive to say than that, sorry.

I was reminding my in-laws that when I was in college, probably around 1997 or 1998 (yes, I know that was 10 years ago), that gas was right at a $1.00 per gallon. It would have cost me only $15 to fill up my gas tank back then...wow!

Not only is it affecting what we pay at the pump but also what we pay for things in general. I am a very cost conscious shopper and notice the prices of everything I buy going up.

Here are some things we are trying to do to save some money (and some other ideas I found online):

*Price match at Walmart...did you know that Walmart will let you bring in other stores ads and will match the price? Overall, I do believe Walmart has the best prices and when you price match on top, things are even cheaper. Last time I went shopping I price matched a ton of things like eggs, tortillas, peanut butter, milk and MORE!

*Combine trips to town...okay so some of you might live right in the middle of town and this may not be a big deal but for me it is 20 miles just to get to the nearest big town and then 20 miles back so that is nearly $8 in gas just to get where I'm going. This doesn't even take into account the 10 or so miles I may driving getting from point A to B.

*Turn off the car AC and use the vent whenever possible. This is becoming harder and harder to do with the Louisiana heat, especially with my kids in the car but when it is cooler outside (like early morning) I will just use the vent.

*3 cents off gas...did you know if you purchase a gift card at Walmart you can get 3 cents off the price of gas at the gas station in front of Walmart? I know, I know...what is 3 cents when gas is nearly $4 a gallon? It adds up!

*Don't carry around a bunch of extra stuff in your car that could weight it down. I know as mom's we carry around all kinds of stuff for emergencies...blankets for when it is cold, extra clothing, and array of strollers. Figure out what is truly necessary to keep in your car.

*Pay attention to the different octanes at the pump...the other day I was at a different gas station than I normally use. Typically the lower octane gas is on the left or right. Would you believe the lower octane gas at this Texaco was in the middle? I'm so thankful I was paying attention or I would have probably put a more expensive gas in my car than needed.

*Fill-it if you've got the money...are we the only ones that will put in $10-$15 here and there (laughable right...won't get very far with that, huh?)? It is better to go ahead and put as much gas as your pocket book will allow. If you have to stop multiple times to get gas you are wasting more of your gas by pulling to the gas station and sitting in line to get gas.

Let me know if you have any other ideas. I'm off to get the blankets out of my van :).

So...

you already know I like to shop at Walmart in the morning but I might have a sickness. Here is what I mean...

Yesterday I sat down and figured out everything I was going to cook for the next almost two weeks. I don't have foods on a regular rotation and I'm eating healthy so it is important for me to try new dishes each week. So I searched my friend's blogs and found a bunch of yummy recipes to try along with some family favorites. I started by making a list of what I will be eating for dinner each night. At the same time I make another list of what I need for the recipe and also check my cabinets so I don't buy anything that I already have. Last night, I sat down and typed the below grocery list grouping cold foods, non-groceries, etc. and also went through the sale papers of other stores since Walmart price matches.


This morning I got up at 5am and drove to Super Walmart (love this place, especially in the early mornings). Got my list and calculator and bought everything on my list plus a whole bunch of stuff I know to buy and don't have to put on a list. Two hours and two hundred dollars later I was out and on my way back home.

So...what's the problem? The sickness? Here you go...I actually ENJOY THIS! Sick puppy, aren't I?

After all that, you must be curious what I'm eating. I am linking the some of the recipe names to the blog/website where I got the recipe from...

• Chicken Breast, Roasted Veggies and Potatoes
• Linguine Alfredo
• Shrimp Tacos
  
• Pork Tenderloin, Corn on the Cob and Green Beans
• Chicken Pizza Primavera
• Chicken Breast Supreme
• Hamburgers
  
• For our Easter celebration I making Apple Dumplings and Corn Casserole
• Spinach & Almond Topped Chicken
• Soft Tacos
• Quesadillas
• Lemon Chicken with Green Beans and Potatoes

Have a super week!

Sharing Halloween Costumes...

Candy and I thought about this earlier in the season but I didn't get to post anything until AFTER I spent $36 on Halloween costumes. Costumes are SO expensive! Fortunately, my kids like to be things they can wear all throughout the year but when your kid wears, let's say a costume of Robinhood or Little Bo Peep, it will probably only be worn once.

My proposal is...If you have a costume that your child has worn in the past (and is still in good condition) that you want to share, list it in my blog comments. That way we can all share and maybe save each other some money.

I have a Spiderman costume that is a 4-6 and fits both Hayden and Parker. If you want to borrow it, you are more than welcome to, I just would need it mailed back to Oil City :).

Happy borrowing!