Thursday, November 25, 2010
last, but not least
25 - I am thankful for my mom. My GYOD she makes me completely NUTS sometimes, BUT what would I do without her? I could write for days - heck, probably months - about all the things she has done for me that I am so thankful for. I'll just hit the high notes - thanks for having me, without that there would be nothing else.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Twofer
again today - I just can't keep up!
23-I'm thankful for my extended family. This time of year I always think back to the Thanksgiving's I spent growing up traveling to my Aunt Bonnie's house where EVERYONE from my grandpa's side of the family would converge. When I say everyone I mean EVERYONE! Aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins, 3rd cousins, great uncles, great grandparents, etc! There was a HUGE "adult" table in the basement and a small "kids" table under the stairs near the washer and dryer. Teenagers and the like got TV trays to sit in recliners or on couches all over the house. There were banquet tables lining the walls and every.single.inch was covered in food. After we all made ourselves sick eating we would go across to the park and play around at the park while food was put up - then we all loaded up and headed to the bowling alley. Once we finished making fools of ourselves it was back to the house for dessert, packing up leftovers and saying goodbyes.
I wish I could help my kids make memories like that - but, we will do with what we have. Thanksgiving at a condo in Gulf Shores one year, one at my mom's, one in Hawai'i with the inlaws, one in Hawai'i at the Silver Dolphin and another at Sam Snead's. Last year they got to go to Texas and spend the week with their aunts, uncles and cousins on that side of the family and this year.....this year we are staying home. All together. Sharing the day with our friends and being thankful that we are all under the same roof; it doesn't happen that often.
24-today I am thankful for a roof over my head, hot air coming out of the vents and a full coffee pot.
23-I'm thankful for my extended family. This time of year I always think back to the Thanksgiving's I spent growing up traveling to my Aunt Bonnie's house where EVERYONE from my grandpa's side of the family would converge. When I say everyone I mean EVERYONE! Aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins, 3rd cousins, great uncles, great grandparents, etc! There was a HUGE "adult" table in the basement and a small "kids" table under the stairs near the washer and dryer. Teenagers and the like got TV trays to sit in recliners or on couches all over the house. There were banquet tables lining the walls and every.single.inch was covered in food. After we all made ourselves sick eating we would go across to the park and play around at the park while food was put up - then we all loaded up and headed to the bowling alley. Once we finished making fools of ourselves it was back to the house for dessert, packing up leftovers and saying goodbyes.
I wish I could help my kids make memories like that - but, we will do with what we have. Thanksgiving at a condo in Gulf Shores one year, one at my mom's, one in Hawai'i with the inlaws, one in Hawai'i at the Silver Dolphin and another at Sam Snead's. Last year they got to go to Texas and spend the week with their aunts, uncles and cousins on that side of the family and this year.....this year we are staying home. All together. Sharing the day with our friends and being thankful that we are all under the same roof; it doesn't happen that often.
24-today I am thankful for a roof over my head, hot air coming out of the vents and a full coffee pot.
Monday, November 22, 2010
In all my awesomeness
I can't even manage to keep up with a daily post about being thankful. For the love. MOVING ON!
21-I'm so very thankful for my job(s). At a time when a lot of people can't find one paying job I have somehow managed to find 2 (or 3 if you count Tastefully Simple!) Yes, they are both part time. Yes, one of them is seasonal. BUT, they are BOTH jobs that bring home the bacon and I enjoy!
22-about those jobs. Woosh, I am thankful for "professional development days", Thanksgiving break and parent/teacher conferences. Love those little Angels - see ya in a week kiddos!
21-I'm so very thankful for my job(s). At a time when a lot of people can't find one paying job I have somehow managed to find 2 (or 3 if you count Tastefully Simple!) Yes, they are both part time. Yes, one of them is seasonal. BUT, they are BOTH jobs that bring home the bacon and I enjoy!
22-about those jobs. Woosh, I am thankful for "professional development days", Thanksgiving break and parent/teacher conferences. Love those little Angels - see ya in a week kiddos!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thankfulness and such
over on Facebook a lot of my friends are devoting their status updates to something they are thankful for each day up until Thanksgiving. I missed that bandwagon. But I am jumping on it just in time for it to be over. Thusly I give you the things I am thankful for! I will add a new post from each day forward for my newest thankful item. Or not. Just depends.
In no particular order, I am thankful for.....
1-snooze on the alarm clock, clearly a mommy invention!
2-lunchables, again – see #1
3-pulling down a corpsman, there is not another man on the planet who would deal with me and all my medical mumbo jumbo
4-the Navy. As CUH-RAY-ZEE as it makes me sometimes, we have 3 hots and 4 cots up in this mug.
5-The Real Housewives of ANYWHERE; it does an ego good to watch those crazy biotches week in and week out.
6-heated seats – holla!
7-that my husband and I have the same game plan priority wise
8- a father who isn’t related to me by blood but by choice, does it get ANY better than that?
9-Betty Crocker Warm Delights; probably invented by the husband of a woman with hardcore PMS.
10-my hella awesome friends.
11-that I have 2 healthy children
12- Facebook; I will leave it at that
13-730pm M-F, bedtime baby!
14-for a great relationship with my baby brother, it hasn’t always been this way but I’m sure glad we figured it out.
15-the opportunity to run my own business.
16-Eskimo kisses from a 5 year old
17-the screams of “I DO!” when I ask if anyone wants to go to the store with me?
18-the boys getting a foundation in God while being educated in the 3 R’s as well ;)
19-that the Navy is so small, I know I’ll get to see everyone again!
20-that the boys are essentially self sufficient; meaning I can sleep in on a Saturday morning and not worry that they are laying around in pee-pee pants, starving, wandering the street or a host of other horrors.
In no particular order, I am thankful for.....
1-snooze on the alarm clock, clearly a mommy invention!
2-lunchables, again – see #1
3-pulling down a corpsman, there is not another man on the planet who would deal with me and all my medical mumbo jumbo
4-the Navy. As CUH-RAY-ZEE as it makes me sometimes, we have 3 hots and 4 cots up in this mug.
5-The Real Housewives of ANYWHERE; it does an ego good to watch those crazy biotches week in and week out.
6-heated seats – holla!
7-that my husband and I have the same game plan priority wise
8- a father who isn’t related to me by blood but by choice, does it get ANY better than that?
9-Betty Crocker Warm Delights; probably invented by the husband of a woman with hardcore PMS.
10-my hella awesome friends.
11-that I have 2 healthy children
12- Facebook; I will leave it at that
13-730pm M-F, bedtime baby!
14-for a great relationship with my baby brother, it hasn’t always been this way but I’m sure glad we figured it out.
15-the opportunity to run my own business.
16-Eskimo kisses from a 5 year old
17-the screams of “I DO!” when I ask if anyone wants to go to the store with me?
18-the boys getting a foundation in God while being educated in the 3 R’s as well ;)
19-that the Navy is so small, I know I’ll get to see everyone again!
20-that the boys are essentially self sufficient; meaning I can sleep in on a Saturday morning and not worry that they are laying around in pee-pee pants, starving, wandering the street or a host of other horrors.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Do you remember the time?
Do you remember the time?
When we first met? I do. It was early in the morning on Friday, October 25, 2002. I was shaking uncontrollably and you decided to hold your breath. I think it was your way of getting back at me for trying to push your big watermelon sized head OUT for so long! A “nanny-nanny-boo-boo” type thing.
When you would cuddle up and fall asleep in daddy’s arm on the couch?
When we rode out a hurricane in the bathtub? You were so easy going about it all. As if you knew what was going on, you weren’t quite 2 yet. It was like we were having an adventure though, the 4 of us – you, me, daddy and Evie crammed in our teeny tiny bathroom in Pensacola. When we moved onto the Red Cross shelter it was actually a relief! SPACE!
When you climbed up on the counter in nothing but your undies to eat Oreo’s straight out of the package?
When your brother was born and you would sit and “read” books to him over and over again? What about lying on the floor with him, one arm across his back to show he was yours? I feel sorry for the person that picks that first fight with him – they will have you to deal with.
You made your first true friend? I knew we would move and you would have to say goodbye. Through thick and thin you and Noah stuck it out together, you let the water pass under the bridge. You took it on the chin like a true “Navy brat” when we had to cross an ocean and half the country at the mercy of daddy’s job and leave your first BFF behind. It tears my heart out, but to you it is just part of the job of being a military kid.
How much I love you? So much that it hurts. I would do anything for you - take the pain away, make it all better with kisses, reassure you in your decisions and help you down the path to be the leader that I know you are.
When you promised that I could always give you hugs & kisses, even when you are 17? That you said you would never get married and move out of our house? When you told me you’d be my “little Pookie” forever?
…..that you crawled into our bed last night and snuggled right up into my arms and whispered “I had a nightmare mommy, hold me”……I will remember those times for as long as I live.
I am excited for the memories we will make in the next 8 years, but nothing will ever be as great as the day we first met. I love you little Pookie – happy 8th birthday!
When we first met? I do. It was early in the morning on Friday, October 25, 2002. I was shaking uncontrollably and you decided to hold your breath. I think it was your way of getting back at me for trying to push your big watermelon sized head OUT for so long! A “nanny-nanny-boo-boo” type thing.
When you would cuddle up and fall asleep in daddy’s arm on the couch?
When we rode out a hurricane in the bathtub? You were so easy going about it all. As if you knew what was going on, you weren’t quite 2 yet. It was like we were having an adventure though, the 4 of us – you, me, daddy and Evie crammed in our teeny tiny bathroom in Pensacola. When we moved onto the Red Cross shelter it was actually a relief! SPACE!
When you climbed up on the counter in nothing but your undies to eat Oreo’s straight out of the package?
When your brother was born and you would sit and “read” books to him over and over again? What about lying on the floor with him, one arm across his back to show he was yours? I feel sorry for the person that picks that first fight with him – they will have you to deal with.
You made your first true friend? I knew we would move and you would have to say goodbye. Through thick and thin you and Noah stuck it out together, you let the water pass under the bridge. You took it on the chin like a true “Navy brat” when we had to cross an ocean and half the country at the mercy of daddy’s job and leave your first BFF behind. It tears my heart out, but to you it is just part of the job of being a military kid.
How much I love you? So much that it hurts. I would do anything for you - take the pain away, make it all better with kisses, reassure you in your decisions and help you down the path to be the leader that I know you are.
When you promised that I could always give you hugs & kisses, even when you are 17? That you said you would never get married and move out of our house? When you told me you’d be my “little Pookie” forever?
…..that you crawled into our bed last night and snuggled right up into my arms and whispered “I had a nightmare mommy, hold me”……I will remember those times for as long as I live.
I am excited for the memories we will make in the next 8 years, but nothing will ever be as great as the day we first met. I love you little Pookie – happy 8th birthday!
Monday, May 24, 2010
I left half the zoo behind
and went to Charleston, SC last week with DevilDoc. It was kinda like the honeymoon we never had, except for I wouldn't pick Charleston, SC as a honeymoon destination typically. But, it served it's purpose for a charming and warm place to spend some kid-free time with my husband.
I won't bore you with pictures, you can head over to Facebook and check them out.
Suggestions if you plan to visit; 4 days was enough to do what we wanted and see the sights. Any extra days could have been spent at the beach or taking day trips to Savannah or Myrtle Beach.
Eat at S.N.O.B. (Slightly North of Broad) at least one, 3 or 4 times if you can fit it in! Our meal there landed in my top 3 dining experiences. Other good eats: Jim N Nicks BBQ, Amen Street (KICKIN' sweet tea!), Market Street Cafe. Get some sweets from Kilwin's too :)
AVOID O'Hare and Flynn wine bar. Crappy service - actually non-existent service. Apparently we weren't the right "type" to be in the establishment as everyone around us was helped, chatted up and delivered their check while we sat and waited to be acknowledged. We had our one glass of wine and left. I really wanted to try the cheeses, meats, oils and breads - oh well. Their loss.
DO walk the streets and take in the history. Market St., King St., Meeting St. and Broad St. Stroll along the harbor and watch the boats come and go. Visit a historic home (we went to Aiken-Rhett Home) or take a carriage tour. Eat local foods, you can have Bubba Gump and BW3 at home. Enjoy a drink, or five, from a rooftop bar.
Oh, and if you are in to INK be sure to check out Blue Gorilla tattoo on Meeting Street. I hear they do some good work *wink*wink*
I won't bore you with pictures, you can head over to Facebook and check them out.
Suggestions if you plan to visit; 4 days was enough to do what we wanted and see the sights. Any extra days could have been spent at the beach or taking day trips to Savannah or Myrtle Beach.
Eat at S.N.O.B. (Slightly North of Broad) at least one, 3 or 4 times if you can fit it in! Our meal there landed in my top 3 dining experiences. Other good eats: Jim N Nicks BBQ, Amen Street (KICKIN' sweet tea!), Market Street Cafe. Get some sweets from Kilwin's too :)
AVOID O'Hare and Flynn wine bar. Crappy service - actually non-existent service. Apparently we weren't the right "type" to be in the establishment as everyone around us was helped, chatted up and delivered their check while we sat and waited to be acknowledged. We had our one glass of wine and left. I really wanted to try the cheeses, meats, oils and breads - oh well. Their loss.
DO walk the streets and take in the history. Market St., King St., Meeting St. and Broad St. Stroll along the harbor and watch the boats come and go. Visit a historic home (we went to Aiken-Rhett Home) or take a carriage tour. Eat local foods, you can have Bubba Gump and BW3 at home. Enjoy a drink, or five, from a rooftop bar.
Oh, and if you are in to INK be sure to check out Blue Gorilla tattoo on Meeting Street. I hear they do some good work *wink*wink*
Friday, May 14, 2010
We found out you were coming after we lost it all. Well, I guess we didn’t know “YOU” were coming…but that a baby was on the way. Had I known you were coming I’d a baked a cake :)
Oh my little Magoo. We gave you that nickname b/c you reminded us of Mr. Magoo the cartoon character. You were born with a full head of dark hair and looked NOTHING like any of us. Everyone joked you were the mailman’s baby b/c your dad was gone to Iraq the same day I found out you were growing inside me. Yeah, THAT joke never got old.
Everyone now says you are my mini-me. I have to agree. You have attitude, you are caring, you are emotional, you are dramatic and you are intensely protective of your family. I watched old home videos – old like they were made in the 50s or something? You are ONLY 5. But, home movies of you as a 2 month old do qualify as “old”. Pookins loved you right from the start. I watched him read you books, cuddle with you and lie on the floor next to you and watch “Baby Einstein”. Nowadays; he reads you books, ends up in your bed on cold nights and sits on the futon next to you playing Wii. Not too much has changed. Just technology I guess.
You melt my heart plain and simple. Eskimo kisses, bedtime routines, tickles – all things I will miss when you move on through the years. Though you pinky swore today that you’d still cuddle with me when you are 14. I’m holding you to that. When I told you 5 year olds don’t suck their thumbs you pointed out that you are still 4 – for just a few more hours you are my baby.
Oh my little Magoo. We gave you that nickname b/c you reminded us of Mr. Magoo the cartoon character. You were born with a full head of dark hair and looked NOTHING like any of us. Everyone joked you were the mailman’s baby b/c your dad was gone to Iraq the same day I found out you were growing inside me. Yeah, THAT joke never got old.
Everyone now says you are my mini-me. I have to agree. You have attitude, you are caring, you are emotional, you are dramatic and you are intensely protective of your family. I watched old home videos – old like they were made in the 50s or something? You are ONLY 5. But, home movies of you as a 2 month old do qualify as “old”. Pookins loved you right from the start. I watched him read you books, cuddle with you and lie on the floor next to you and watch “Baby Einstein”. Nowadays; he reads you books, ends up in your bed on cold nights and sits on the futon next to you playing Wii. Not too much has changed. Just technology I guess.
You melt my heart plain and simple. Eskimo kisses, bedtime routines, tickles – all things I will miss when you move on through the years. Though you pinky swore today that you’d still cuddle with me when you are 14. I’m holding you to that. When I told you 5 year olds don’t suck their thumbs you pointed out that you are still 4 – for just a few more hours you are my baby.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The life we lead....
is so interesting. Challenging? Exciting? Stressful? All of the above? Yes, yes - that's the right answer; all of the above!
Today we conquered another "natural disaster"; it wasn't THAT bad but we'll mark it off our list nonetheless. Today, we woke up to a basement with a good 2inches of standing water - and it was still pouring outside. Thank goodness the large area rug held most of the water to one side of the basement.
So, for those keeping track - that'd be one hurricane, 2 or 3 earthquakes, a couple tsunami (warnings LOL!) and a semi-flood. I have been through tornadoes before we were married so just throw in a mudslide and I think we've got 'em all covered.
I'd post pictures but I'm too lazy to go back and forth right now because they aren't saved on my computer. You can run over to Facebook if you are my friend and take a gander :)
Tylenol, bed and heating pad...in that order.
Today we conquered another "natural disaster"; it wasn't THAT bad but we'll mark it off our list nonetheless. Today, we woke up to a basement with a good 2inches of standing water - and it was still pouring outside. Thank goodness the large area rug held most of the water to one side of the basement.
So, for those keeping track - that'd be one hurricane, 2 or 3 earthquakes, a couple tsunami (warnings LOL!) and a semi-flood. I have been through tornadoes before we were married so just throw in a mudslide and I think we've got 'em all covered.
I'd post pictures but I'm too lazy to go back and forth right now because they aren't saved on my computer. You can run over to Facebook if you are my friend and take a gander :)
Tylenol, bed and heating pad...in that order.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
I missed Wednesday
it was foreshadowing when I said I'd try to remember. Oh well, we'll try again next week.
I am so proud of DevilDoc, he has been asked to be the key note speaker at College of Lake County's Memorial day service. AND, this morning he made a presentation to the Navy League of Lake County (I think) in hopes that they will donate to the 2010 Corpsman Ball....AND THEY DID! A hefty donation too :)
I'm a proud wife today for sure!
I am so proud of DevilDoc, he has been asked to be the key note speaker at College of Lake County's Memorial day service. AND, this morning he made a presentation to the Navy League of Lake County (I think) in hopes that they will donate to the 2010 Corpsman Ball....AND THEY DID! A hefty donation too :)
I'm a proud wife today for sure!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Way back Wednesday
it's not THAT way back. And really, it isn't even my idea. I totally stole it. But if it was on TV it's not plagiarizing, right? Did I just butcher that word or what?
My point is, I love it when Whoopi does "what THE hell Wednesday" on The View and I think I'll TRY to start my own little version here. Then you all can add your own WTH's in the comments. Fun huh? It's like a participatory thing...and NHS grads who can identify the teacher who over used the word participatory wins - absolutely NOTHING, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have the memory of an elephant. Not the best comparison, but oh well.
Start thinking of your WTH's for tomorrow, it should be LOADS of laughs.
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I spent the evening at a Chuck E Cheese fundraiser for a school that I can't stand Pookins attending...because I am a SUCKER.
On the way home I stopped and bought 2 bottles of Merlot and promptly mixed them into a Samba Sangria Slush bucket ala Tastefully Simple. It is now in the freezer doin' it's thang.
Irony? I think not.
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I'm about to BURST keeping in this diggity dang secret. Oy.
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SUPER excited to finally be planning a bit of a girl's getaway with a friend. The kind of friend that you haven't seen in 2 years but you'll have the time of your lives anyway - weeeeeeeeeeee! Decisions, decisions! Napa, Tahoe, Mall of America? It's all about the dates, gotta pin down the dates.
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I'll probably need some kind of apparatus to get me out of bed in the morning. Day 1 of P90X, 1 session Ab Ripper X and a 5k on the treadmill = totally spent me. I should probably go to bed with a heating pad.
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Dear plyometrics, please be nice to us. Love, hamstrings.
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I seem to have lost my laundry fairy. If anyone sees her please direct her back to my house, it's piling up!
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I think I'll start posting my weekly to-do's on Monday and hold myself more accountable for accomlishing them.
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Oh, who am I kidding. I can just go in and erase the one's I don't get done LOL! That won't work.
My point is, I love it when Whoopi does "what THE hell Wednesday" on The View and I think I'll TRY to start my own little version here. Then you all can add your own WTH's in the comments. Fun huh? It's like a participatory thing...and NHS grads who can identify the teacher who over used the word participatory wins - absolutely NOTHING, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have the memory of an elephant. Not the best comparison, but oh well.
Start thinking of your WTH's for tomorrow, it should be LOADS of laughs.
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I spent the evening at a Chuck E Cheese fundraiser for a school that I can't stand Pookins attending...because I am a SUCKER.
On the way home I stopped and bought 2 bottles of Merlot and promptly mixed them into a Samba Sangria Slush bucket ala Tastefully Simple. It is now in the freezer doin' it's thang.
Irony? I think not.
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I'm about to BURST keeping in this diggity dang secret. Oy.
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SUPER excited to finally be planning a bit of a girl's getaway with a friend. The kind of friend that you haven't seen in 2 years but you'll have the time of your lives anyway - weeeeeeeeeeee! Decisions, decisions! Napa, Tahoe, Mall of America? It's all about the dates, gotta pin down the dates.
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I'll probably need some kind of apparatus to get me out of bed in the morning. Day 1 of P90X, 1 session Ab Ripper X and a 5k on the treadmill = totally spent me. I should probably go to bed with a heating pad.
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Dear plyometrics, please be nice to us. Love, hamstrings.
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I seem to have lost my laundry fairy. If anyone sees her please direct her back to my house, it's piling up!
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I think I'll start posting my weekly to-do's on Monday and hold myself more accountable for accomlishing them.
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Oh, who am I kidding. I can just go in and erase the one's I don't get done LOL! That won't work.
V-up, roll-up...
shut the hell up! Oh yes, you read right. P90x is making me it beotch again. I have until May 20something to get into "banquet" attire and then until June 11 to get into "formal wear". Uh, hello. I may need to cleanse again from June 1-10 :)
In other news; because me doing P90x again is news apparently? Anyway, I am off shooting the deals/coupons portions of my blog to a new home. I am currently accepting suggestions for a name. In the running, "Everywhere BUT the commissary" and "The Shopping Life of a Navy Wife". Don't forget my personal favorite, "Eff That!" :) Okay, so don't consider that last one. Leave your suggestions in the comments section or on the facebook comments where the blog posts and MAYBE you'll get a little surprise?!
Or maybe not LOL!
Do your best, forget the rest.
In other news; because me doing P90x again is news apparently? Anyway, I am off shooting the deals/coupons portions of my blog to a new home. I am currently accepting suggestions for a name. In the running, "Everywhere BUT the commissary" and "The Shopping Life of a Navy Wife". Don't forget my personal favorite, "Eff That!" :) Okay, so don't consider that last one. Leave your suggestions in the comments section or on the facebook comments where the blog posts and MAYBE you'll get a little surprise?!
Or maybe not LOL!
Do your best, forget the rest.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Attention Jewel shoppers
Heads up for my Great Lakes peeps...new deal starting at Jewel from ConAgra. More details in the following days. It runs 4/22-4/29; Lots of people have asked me to go shopping with them, this would be a GREAT time to do that! I'm sure I'll be making multiple trips to multiple stores so we can have smaller groups.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Bliggity bloggity blue
whew. Where is the time going? Seriously. I know it is SO cliche, but I am wondering WHERE is the time going?! All of a sudden it is MID-APRIL!! My "baby" is going to be 5 in a month. Five? FIVE!!! Five whole years and it seems to have passed me by in an instant. Oh what I wouldn't give to turn back the clock for just a few hours and hold him on my chest while we both drift off into lala land. I'm so glad to have so many friends who have been blessed with babies recently so I can get all kinds of baby snuggles in.
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Today I am watching my friends 2 boys while she enjoys an evening out with her husband. He is an RDC (recruit division commander, I think?) here at Great Lakes. Basically, they teach the "kids" that have just joined the Navy all the Navy "stuff" they need to know; how to fold their clothes, make their beds, wear their uniforms, eat their food, wipe their behinds. Well, maybe not the last one...but I wouldn't put it past 'em. Anywho, as you can imagine being an RDC is a very demanding job with LONG hours and little to no time off during a "push".
When they dropped their boys off tonight my phone was ringing. I let it go to voicemail; within 5 seconds 2 of the 4 boys were screaming at each other, the phone was ringing again and someone was at the door. My friend said "it's a regular day at your house!" It is so true. Sometimes I think I should put one of those revolving doors from a hotel on the front of my house. A brief glimpse into my week: brunch/playdate, cub scout meeting @ campsite, coupon brunch, "kidsit", picnic at park, Pookins early release from school, fieldtrip, grocery shopping, parent teacher conference, NO SCHOOL day!, 2 Tastefully Simple parties, Army Wives premier party and a husband on duty. OHHHHHHHH, and we are taking the boys on a daycation in there somewhere to Key Lime Cove indoor waterpark. And that wasn't even a busy week LOL!
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Sidenote; after spending last week on leave and being around the house DevilDoc has a newfound appreciation for my ability (or rather inability!) to keep it all together. He was off the ENTIRE week...I think we had an hour or two of real quality time together.
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Kind of a random post huh? I'm feeling kinda random today.
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I'm keeping a pretty awesome secret right now. Actually, more than one and I feel so honored that the people involved value our friendship enough to let me be a part of their lives.
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Shopping has been kinda slow 'round these parts the last few weeks. Which is fine because we are well stocked and really only need milk and produce. Half way through the month and I have used $49.50 of my $200 budget. On track for a very good savings month.
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DevilDoc has been asked to be the keynote speaker at the College of Lake County Memorial Day program. I'm just a smidgin' bit proud <3
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I just realized I'm supposed to be running a 5k on April 29. Yeah, about that. Probably not gonna happen. Run/walk-yes. Run it all-not so much.
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I'm really missing a friend recently. I was a bit too honest, let it all out a little too much or too quick. Let things roll off my tongue without thinking of how they sounded. I hope I didn't ruin our friendship. I'm not really sure what to do, how to reach out to this person. We both have BUSY lives, BUSY families. I got my feelings hurt, took things too personally. It's not always about me. As a matter of fact, it's RARELY about me...yet I continue to think it is. I'll have to pray on that I think. He will reveal the way to me.
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Speaking of Him. We are looking for a private school for Magoo and Pookins. In the running: St. James in Highwood and St. Johns in Libertyville. Any info?
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Pau.
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Today I am watching my friends 2 boys while she enjoys an evening out with her husband. He is an RDC (recruit division commander, I think?) here at Great Lakes. Basically, they teach the "kids" that have just joined the Navy all the Navy "stuff" they need to know; how to fold their clothes, make their beds, wear their uniforms, eat their food, wipe their behinds. Well, maybe not the last one...but I wouldn't put it past 'em. Anywho, as you can imagine being an RDC is a very demanding job with LONG hours and little to no time off during a "push".
When they dropped their boys off tonight my phone was ringing. I let it go to voicemail; within 5 seconds 2 of the 4 boys were screaming at each other, the phone was ringing again and someone was at the door. My friend said "it's a regular day at your house!" It is so true. Sometimes I think I should put one of those revolving doors from a hotel on the front of my house. A brief glimpse into my week: brunch/playdate, cub scout meeting @ campsite, coupon brunch, "kidsit", picnic at park, Pookins early release from school, fieldtrip, grocery shopping, parent teacher conference, NO SCHOOL day!, 2 Tastefully Simple parties, Army Wives premier party and a husband on duty. OHHHHHHHH, and we are taking the boys on a daycation in there somewhere to Key Lime Cove indoor waterpark. And that wasn't even a busy week LOL!
----
Sidenote; after spending last week on leave and being around the house DevilDoc has a newfound appreciation for my ability (or rather inability!) to keep it all together. He was off the ENTIRE week...I think we had an hour or two of real quality time together.
----
Kind of a random post huh? I'm feeling kinda random today.
----
I'm keeping a pretty awesome secret right now. Actually, more than one and I feel so honored that the people involved value our friendship enough to let me be a part of their lives.
----
Shopping has been kinda slow 'round these parts the last few weeks. Which is fine because we are well stocked and really only need milk and produce. Half way through the month and I have used $49.50 of my $200 budget. On track for a very good savings month.
----
DevilDoc has been asked to be the keynote speaker at the College of Lake County Memorial Day program. I'm just a smidgin' bit proud <3
----
I just realized I'm supposed to be running a 5k on April 29. Yeah, about that. Probably not gonna happen. Run/walk-yes. Run it all-not so much.
----
I'm really missing a friend recently. I was a bit too honest, let it all out a little too much or too quick. Let things roll off my tongue without thinking of how they sounded. I hope I didn't ruin our friendship. I'm not really sure what to do, how to reach out to this person. We both have BUSY lives, BUSY families. I got my feelings hurt, took things too personally. It's not always about me. As a matter of fact, it's RARELY about me...yet I continue to think it is. I'll have to pray on that I think. He will reveal the way to me.
----
Speaking of Him. We are looking for a private school for Magoo and Pookins. In the running: St. James in Highwood and St. Johns in Libertyville. Any info?
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Pau.
Monday, April 12, 2010
I now pronounce you man and Navy
CPO birthday, Easter weekend, NCAA Final Four and re-enlisting in the Navy - what more could you ask for in one weekend?!
The whole fam-damily made the trek to the Hoosier State on Easter weekend for DevilDoc's re-enlistment in the Navy. It was a bittersweet celebration (NOT!) for it is the LAST RE-enlistment we will be making. Plans are to join the darkside in the near future via commission.
We ate copious amounts of Steak n Shake and Cracker Barrel even though both are available to us in Great Lakes. Why? I have no idea. We did not leave central Indiana without our Greek's pizza fix...man o man, they got some good pie.
Thank you to everyone who made the weekend so wonderful; our family, our friends and the 2 million basketball fans in downtown Indianapolis :)
The whole fam-damily made the trek to the Hoosier State on Easter weekend for DevilDoc's re-enlistment in the Navy. It was a bittersweet celebration (NOT!) for it is the LAST RE-enlistment we will be making. Plans are to join the darkside in the near future via commission.
We ate copious amounts of Steak n Shake and Cracker Barrel even though both are available to us in Great Lakes. Why? I have no idea. We did not leave central Indiana without our Greek's pizza fix...man o man, they got some good pie.
Thank you to everyone who made the weekend so wonderful; our family, our friends and the 2 million basketball fans in downtown Indianapolis :)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Baby Deal at Jewel!!
Ok, GL friends...lots of you have little 'uns so here's a deal for you. Thank you CouponersWanted for the list of participating products!
Buy $30 in baby products receive coupon for $10 off your next order of baby products.
Similac:
Isomil Advance Ready to Feed Advance 32oz.
Similac Advance Ready to feed Advanced 32oz.
Similac Organic 23.2 oz powder.
Isomil Advance 23.2oz powder.
Similac Advance 23.2oz powder
Similac Sensitive 23.2oz powder
Similac Sensitive RS 23.2oz powder
Similac Advance Organic Ready to feed 32oz.
Pampers
Baby Dry Big Packs or Jumbo(Sizes 1-6)
Extra Protection Jumbos(Sizes 4-5)
Underjams Jumbos Size 7
Swaddlers Big Packs or Jumbos (Sizes 0-2)
Cruisers Big Packs or Jumbos (Sizes 3-6)
Easy Ups Big Packs of Jumbos ( Size 4-5)
Huggies
Natural Care Baby Wipes (fragrance free) 360 ct.
Soft Skin Baby wipes refills 320 ct.
Snug and Dry Diapers Big Pack (Sizes 3-6)
Little Movers big Pack (Sizes 3-6)
Pull Ups Big Pack (2T-4T)
Goodnites Sleep Pants (S-XL)
Baby Basics
Diapers Club Box (Sizes 3-5)
Baby Formula Soy 25.75 oz.
Johnson & Johnson
Bedtime Washcloths 14ct
Baby Lotion Original and Vanilla 15oz
Baby Oil 14oz
Baby Oil Gel Original and Cocoa Butter 6.5oz
Baby Cream 8oz
Baby Powder 15oz
Baby Shampoo 13-15oz(Original, Lavender, Detangling, Extra Conditioning)
Body Wash Original ,Vanilla Oatmeal 15oz
Johnsons Leave in Conditioner 5oz.
Bubble Bath 15oz
Misc.
Boost Kid Essentials (Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry)
Playtex WetOnes 40 ct. Canisters(Original, Scented, Citrus)
Gerber
Second Food Puree 7 oz. ALL fruit and vegtable varieties (does not include organic)
Graduate Puffs(All)
Graduates Crackers
Graduates Lil Crunchies(All)
Graduates Lil Entrees(All)
Graduates for Preschoolers Healthy Meals(Pasta Primavera w/chicken, Pizza pasta w/turkey, Southwest Rice w/chicken)
Buy $30 in baby products receive coupon for $10 off your next order of baby products.
Similac:
Isomil Advance Ready to Feed Advance 32oz.
Similac Advance Ready to feed Advanced 32oz.
Similac Organic 23.2 oz powder.
Isomil Advance 23.2oz powder.
Similac Advance 23.2oz powder
Similac Sensitive 23.2oz powder
Similac Sensitive RS 23.2oz powder
Similac Advance Organic Ready to feed 32oz.
Pampers
Baby Dry Big Packs or Jumbo(Sizes 1-6)
Extra Protection Jumbos(Sizes 4-5)
Underjams Jumbos Size 7
Swaddlers Big Packs or Jumbos (Sizes 0-2)
Cruisers Big Packs or Jumbos (Sizes 3-6)
Easy Ups Big Packs of Jumbos ( Size 4-5)
Huggies
Natural Care Baby Wipes (fragrance free) 360 ct.
Soft Skin Baby wipes refills 320 ct.
Snug and Dry Diapers Big Pack (Sizes 3-6)
Little Movers big Pack (Sizes 3-6)
Pull Ups Big Pack (2T-4T)
Goodnites Sleep Pants (S-XL)
Baby Basics
Diapers Club Box (Sizes 3-5)
Baby Formula Soy 25.75 oz.
Johnson & Johnson
Bedtime Washcloths 14ct
Baby Lotion Original and Vanilla 15oz
Baby Oil 14oz
Baby Oil Gel Original and Cocoa Butter 6.5oz
Baby Cream 8oz
Baby Powder 15oz
Baby Shampoo 13-15oz(Original, Lavender, Detangling, Extra Conditioning)
Body Wash Original ,Vanilla Oatmeal 15oz
Johnsons Leave in Conditioner 5oz.
Bubble Bath 15oz
Misc.
Boost Kid Essentials (Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry)
Playtex WetOnes 40 ct. Canisters(Original, Scented, Citrus)
Gerber
Second Food Puree 7 oz. ALL fruit and vegtable varieties (does not include organic)
Graduate Puffs(All)
Graduates Crackers
Graduates Lil Crunchies(All)
Graduates Lil Entrees(All)
Graduates for Preschoolers Healthy Meals(Pasta Primavera w/chicken, Pizza pasta w/turkey, Southwest Rice w/chicken)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
For Gretchen
I know I need to pick up where I left off down there with the Jewel tutorial, but right now I need to get up "Gretchen's cheat sheet" LOL!
Kraft buy $20 get $5
4 cream cheese blocks 10.36/5.16
2 wheat thins 8.38/4.98
1 capri sun 2.19/1.99
=20.93/12.13
-4.10 in MQs
=8.03 pay with cats/ybs; get back $5 Kraft cat and $1 cream cheese cat
Other items on my list
Coffemate $1ea and 0.75yb wyb 2
Jewel sugar $1.88ea and 1yb wyb 2
BOGO McCormicks grinders 3.25ea
Marinated salmon portions 3.99ea
all laundry detergent (not sure of price) 1.25yb wyb 1
3 boxes of Kelloggs cereal = free gallon of milk
BOGO Oberweiss choc milk :)
Probably another Kraft deal with Capri sun and cheese :)
Hope that helps, let me know if I can be more specific.
Kraft buy $20 get $5
4 cream cheese blocks 10.36/5.16
2 wheat thins 8.38/4.98
1 capri sun 2.19/1.99
=20.93/12.13
-4.10 in MQs
=8.03 pay with cats/ybs; get back $5 Kraft cat and $1 cream cheese cat
Other items on my list
Coffemate $1ea and 0.75yb wyb 2
Jewel sugar $1.88ea and 1yb wyb 2
BOGO McCormicks grinders 3.25ea
Marinated salmon portions 3.99ea
all laundry detergent (not sure of price) 1.25yb wyb 1
3 boxes of Kelloggs cereal = free gallon of milk
BOGO Oberweiss choc milk :)
Probably another Kraft deal with Capri sun and cheese :)
Hope that helps, let me know if I can be more specific.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Pogue ma'hone!
Ok, not really...unless your my brother and reading this LOL! Ha!
Sunshine glorious sunshine, OH HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU! Please don't leave me again, promise? My mood has been drastically improved in the past 2 days which solidifies my belief that I do indeed suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
There hasn't been a lot to blog about here recently, besides deals and shopping. DevilDoc is STILL in school and I am STILL going crazy missing him and being the primary parent figure. He was planning to take the week of spring break off from work to get a break but OF COURSE every other person in the clinic already asked for time off...and well, we ARE still the low man on the totem pole. I am hoping he can at least get a couple days off for a break; I dunno how he goes to work every morning and deals with all the BS and then goes directly to school afterward. When he comes home he sets up camp at the kitchen table and studies until 11 or 12 o'clock - then to bed to be up by 5am and back at work. THIS MAN NEEDS A BREAK!
That's all really...except in case you didn't know Magoo wants to see "Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid" LMAO!
Sunshine glorious sunshine, OH HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU! Please don't leave me again, promise? My mood has been drastically improved in the past 2 days which solidifies my belief that I do indeed suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
There hasn't been a lot to blog about here recently, besides deals and shopping. DevilDoc is STILL in school and I am STILL going crazy missing him and being the primary parent figure. He was planning to take the week of spring break off from work to get a break but OF COURSE every other person in the clinic already asked for time off...and well, we ARE still the low man on the totem pole. I am hoping he can at least get a couple days off for a break; I dunno how he goes to work every morning and deals with all the BS and then goes directly to school afterward. When he comes home he sets up camp at the kitchen table and studies until 11 or 12 o'clock - then to bed to be up by 5am and back at work. THIS MAN NEEDS A BREAK!
That's all really...except in case you didn't know Magoo wants to see "Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid" LMAO!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Friends and neighbors
I'm gearing up for a coupon exchange brunch tomorrow; I've got my expired coupons all gathered up to trade. I put together some goodie bags from my "house party" a couple of weeks ago to give away and I have a HUGE manila envie filled with coupons to trade (baby stuff, cat stuff, stuff we don't use). I'm excited to see old friends and meet new ones, to learn more about saving money and share what I know and of course...to 'nuggle on some babies!
Here's a little sumpin' sumpin' to chew on 'til I get back - we are gonna talk about Jewel next, so get your Jewel Preferred Card. You can get it online or in the store. Once you've got the number (you can print out a temporary card when you register online) head on over to Catalina Marketing to sign up for "YourBucks". It's a special promotion at Jewel right now in conjunction with Comcast - at least that is what we think anyway.
Get yourself all organized for Jewel, the new sales flyer comes out tomorrow so I'll be back to hook up the deals!
Here's a little sumpin' sumpin' to chew on 'til I get back - we are gonna talk about Jewel next, so get your Jewel Preferred Card. You can get it online or in the store. Once you've got the number (you can print out a temporary card when you register online) head on over to Catalina Marketing to sign up for "YourBucks". It's a special promotion at Jewel right now in conjunction with Comcast - at least that is what we think anyway.
Get yourself all organized for Jewel, the new sales flyer comes out tomorrow so I'll be back to hook up the deals!
Friday, March 12, 2010
"More on that later"
In yesterday's post I wrote "more on that later" by the $3.80 in eCoupons I used for ONE Nature Valley nut clusters. Here's how that works....eCoupons come out a couple times a month, I think? Honestly, I am not sure how often but it seems like A LOT! So, everytime they come out I load them to my card....remember I said LOAD EVERYTHING even if you think you will NEVER USE IT!
I loaded nut cluster eCoupons 3 times and they hadn't expired yet, so when I bought that one bag it took off ALL 3 that I had loaded PLUS it took of 2-.40/1 Nature Valley granola bars. Not sure WHY it does that granola bar thing, but it does. So, my $1 bag of nut clusters (b/c I bought 5 of the participating products) actually EARNED me $2.80 which in turn brought my total purchase down! That $2.80 in overage helped cover the asparagus and some of the Fruity Pebbles.
Make sense?
I loaded nut cluster eCoupons 3 times and they hadn't expired yet, so when I bought that one bag it took off ALL 3 that I had loaded PLUS it took of 2-.40/1 Nature Valley granola bars. Not sure WHY it does that granola bar thing, but it does. So, my $1 bag of nut clusters (b/c I bought 5 of the participating products) actually EARNED me $2.80 which in turn brought my total purchase down! That $2.80 in overage helped cover the asparagus and some of the Fruity Pebbles.
Make sense?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Getting everyone on the same page
I don't want to re-invent the wheel here. You can see along the right side of my page LOTS of links to different bloggers and coupon sites that I use regularly. I don't want to do what they do, I'd like to focus on my own niche...the military shopper :) So, I hope to help you stretch your grocery budget even further every month by bringing you deals from the GREAT LAKES area!
I highly encourage you to make a price book from the commissary of the items you most commonly buy. I did this so I can compare the sale prices of the local stores to the regular prices at the commissary...then I can figure out the coupons, store sale savings and money back for buying particular items.
New ads/sales start on Thursdays, so today is PERFECT to jump right in. Let me tell you about Dominick's first.
Dominick's
Before you even get started LOOKING at the deals, GET A DOMINICK'S card! The little one that attaches to your key ring. You can print out an application online and fill it out at home or you can just go to the customer service desk at the store and get one.
Once you have it, go load eCoupons. There are several different types of eCoupons; shortcuts, Cellfire, P&G eSaver and coupons.com that will also allow you to print (you must have a coupons.com account to log in and load your Dominick's card).
Have I lost ya yet? Hang on, you'll get it...I promise. If I can do it, anyone can do it!
I know you are looking at all those coupons thinking, "I don't even USE half this stuff". Don't worry about it right now, just ADD EVERYTHING! Trust me.
Now let's look at the ad. If you are reading this on Wednesday night and looking at the ad it is still for last week. Wait 'til tomorrow to see the new ad - which is the one I am going to be talking about.
The big hulabaloo at Dominick's this week is the Buy 5 Save $5 promotion.
Buy ANY combination of 5 participating items with your Fresh Values Card (Dominick's card) in a single transaction between March 11-17, 2010, and SAVE $5 or more instantly!
Group One
- Eating Right cut vegetables 12-oz. package. Selected varieties.
- Eating Right salad blends 5 to 12-oz. package. Selected varieties.
- Fresh Express salad blends 4.5 to 12-oz. package. Selected varieties.
- Marie's pourable dressings 11.5-oz. bottle. Selected varieties.
- POM Wonderful tea 16-oz. Selected varities.
- Monterey mushrooms 10-oz. OR whole & sliced white button mushrooms 8-oz.
NO LIMIT! The more you buy, the more you save!
I'm not going to insult your intelligence by spelling out every.single.sale.item. So, look at the ad while you follow along.
There is another "Buy any 5 Save $5" mix and match sale with cereals, fruit snacks and granola bars. Check in store to see LOTS more than just the brands/types pictured. Remember, you MUST BUY 5 of these items to SAVE the additional $5!
Another great deal going on right now at Dominick's is the "CHILL" deal because it's frozen food month :)
Buy $25 in participating products (thanks slickdeals!)and receive a $10 coupon to use on your next purchase of frozen food. (Choose frozenfood-upc.pdf from that link). Your total must reach $25 on Fresh Value card prices BEFORE taxes and coupons! SO, if you have some super awesome coupons (AND e Coupons) you could really bring your total down and still get that $10 coupon.
I'll give you a "for instance" on this particular deal. DevilDoc likes the Yoplait smoothie things. (A) they don't carry them at the commissary and (B) they are WAAAAY too expensive without some kind of deal. Last week they were 2/$6 AND included in the CHILL promotion. I bought 6 of them ($18) and added some other items to get to my $25 mark. I used $6 in coupons ($1/1) to bring my total down. I also had coupons for those other couple items I bought to get to the $25. When all was said and done I spent $16 (after coupons) and got back a $10 coupon to use on my next frozen food purchase. A VERY good price for that particular item and a BONUS because I got a coupon to use next time :)
Once you start "collecting" coupons you will REALLY see your savings skyrocket. The BEST part about Dominick's?! FOR NOW, they take expired coupons up to a year!! Yes, you read that right...you can use coupons up to a year AFTER their expiration date. I say "for now" because some stores may give you flack about it while others may not even bat an eyelash. Just keep that in mind :)
I would scan in my receipt from today to show you an example (and I probably will do that later) but I am tired so I'll just break it down for you!
4 Betty Crocker fruit snacks @1.99 = 7.96
-1.50 eCoupons
1 Betty Crocker fruit shapes@1.99 = 1.99
-.40 eCoupons
1 Nature Valley nut clusters@2.50 (saleprice)
-3.80 eCoupons!!!!! (more on that later)
4 Fruity pebbles@2.50 = 10.00 (saleprice)
1 4lb bag frozen Safeway chicken breast@8.99 (sale price)
-1.00 eCoupon
.92lb asparagus@1.99lb = 1.37 (saleprice)
SAVE $5 instantly on 5 fruit snacks
SAVE $5 instantly on 5 cereal/granola
-$10 CHILL coupon from my Yoplait deal I talked about above
-.50/2 fruit snacks
-1.00/2 fruit snacks
-1.00/asparagus
-1.00/1 nut clusters
Total $3.01 (of which .40 was tax)!
AND, there are special promotions going on right now with the fruit snacks and select POST cereals called "Catalinas". They are called this because the marketing company who runs the promotions is called "Catalina Marketing". Google it to find out more specifics. You may see little white tags on the shelf at the store saying "Save $1 when you buy 2" or something of the like. Typically, the savings increases with the number of items you purchase. For these particular deals POST) I bought 4 cereals so I got a coupon at the end of my order for $3.00 off my next order total and for fruit snacks) I bought 5 so I got a $3.50 coupon to use off my next order total.
I paid $3.01 BUT received $6.50 in coupons to use next time...so REALLY they PAID me to bring the groceries home to the tune of $3.49!
For more in depth information on catalinas and basic couponing in general I HIGHLY suggest checking out
Jill Cataldo. She also holds couponing classes ALL OVER the state. I haven't been to one yet, but I am going to keep trying!
Hope that gives everyone a jumping off point. I know it is A LOT to digest; take it SLOW! Ease into it! It is NOT for everyone and it does take time and patience. It works for my family and I have FUN doing it.
Feel free to leave a comment or send me a note with any questions.
***Disclaimer-I do not make ANY guarantees on the amount of money you will save on your grocery bill. I share my experiences with you in hopes that you can make the most of your grocery budget.
As always, MAD props to the peeps over at CW who allow me to follow them and learn the way of the Jedi.
Monday, March 8, 2010
And away we go
CORRECTION!! THIS ENDED 3/10....HOPE YOU GOT YOUR POPCORN :)
Per request...an easy one:
Ok, I’ll start ya off with something easy. Jewel has a promotion going with ConAgra (and a few other) products through 3/14…but we’re keeping it simple; so here ya go:
Buy $25 in ConAgra products and recveive a $10 coupon to use on your next order. For NOW the $25 is based on the price the item scans at the register BEFORE your preferred card.
So, right now Orville Redenbacher (which is included in this ‘deal’) is ring price 3.59 preferred price 1.69. This is what is called a “good spread” between the ring price and the preferred price.
So, buy 7 popcorn at 3.59 = 25.13 plus tax. Use (3) $2 off 2 boxes coupons from www.save-a-lot.com (go to printable coupons, it should let you print it 5 times) . Your preferred price total will be $11.83 MINUS your $6 in coupons = $5.83 plus tax and you get back a $10 coupon to use on your next purchase. You just got PAID to take popcorn home
***These are the UPC codes for the popcorn varities that will work towards this deal:
ORVILLE REDENBACHER
2700048244 ORVILLE REDENBACHER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048856 ORVILLE REDENBACHER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048363 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048372 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048741 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL NATURAL 8.60 OZ
2700048855 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL SIMPLY SALTED 9.90 OZ
2700048206 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BTRY SLT & CRCKD P#1 6.20 OZ
2700048207 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BUTTERY GARLIC 6.20 OZ
2700050000 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL LIME AND SALT 6.21 OZ
2700048539 ORVILLE REDENBACHER POUR OVER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048540 ORVILLE REDENBACHER POUR OVER CHEDDAR CHEESE 9.30 OZ
2700048250 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048648 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048288 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP BUTTER 4.90 OZ
2700048198 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP KETTLE CORN 4.90 OZ
2700048223 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP KETTLE CORN 8.60 OZ
2700048478 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048596 ORVILLE REDENBACHER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 9.00 OZ
2700048606 ORVILLE REDENBACHER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048289 ORVILLE REDENBACHER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 6.00 OZ
2700048187 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CHEDDAR CHEESE 7.60 OZ
2700048589 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CHEDDAR CHEESE 9.00 OZ
2700048393 ORVILLE REDENBACHER KETTLE CORN 9.90 OZ
2700048200 ORVILLE REDENBACHER KETTLE CORN 6.40 OZ
2700048862 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CARAMEL 13.00 OZ
2700048102 ORVILLE REDENBACHER TENDER WHITE 9.90 OZ
2700048391 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SWEET N BUTTERY 10.50 OZ
2700048402 ORVILLE REDENBACHER ULTIMATE BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048403 ORVILLE REDENBACHER HOMESTYLE OLD FASHIONED BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048404 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CORN ON THE COB 9.90 OZ
2700048590 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SPICY NACHO 9.00 OZ
2700048742 ORVILLE REDENBACHER LIGHT BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048357 ORVILLE REDENBACHER 12/4 1.6OZ HERB & OIL
My tip, scan your items FIRST to make sure you hit $25 BEFORE TAX!!!! Then scan your preferred card for the discount.
***Thanks to Barb09 et al. at CW for this information.
Per request...an easy one:
Ok, I’ll start ya off with something easy. Jewel has a promotion going with ConAgra (and a few other) products through 3/14…but we’re keeping it simple; so here ya go:
Buy $25 in ConAgra products and recveive a $10 coupon to use on your next order. For NOW the $25 is based on the price the item scans at the register BEFORE your preferred card.
So, right now Orville Redenbacher (which is included in this ‘deal’) is ring price 3.59 preferred price 1.69. This is what is called a “good spread” between the ring price and the preferred price.
So, buy 7 popcorn at 3.59 = 25.13 plus tax. Use (3) $2 off 2 boxes coupons from www.save-a-lot.com (go to printable coupons, it should let you print it 5 times) . Your preferred price total will be $11.83 MINUS your $6 in coupons = $5.83 plus tax and you get back a $10 coupon to use on your next purchase. You just got PAID to take popcorn home
***These are the UPC codes for the popcorn varities that will work towards this deal:
ORVILLE REDENBACHER
2700048244 ORVILLE REDENBACHER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048856 ORVILLE REDENBACHER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048363 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048372 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048741 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL NATURAL 8.60 OZ
2700048855 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL SIMPLY SALTED 9.90 OZ
2700048206 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BTRY SLT & CRCKD P#1 6.20 OZ
2700048207 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL BUTTERY GARLIC 6.20 OZ
2700050000 ORVILLE REDENBACHER NATURAL LIME AND SALT 6.21 OZ
2700048539 ORVILLE REDENBACHER POUR OVER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048540 ORVILLE REDENBACHER POUR OVER CHEDDAR CHEESE 9.30 OZ
2700048250 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048648 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048288 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP BUTTER 4.90 OZ
2700048198 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP KETTLE CORN 4.90 OZ
2700048223 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP KETTLE CORN 8.60 OZ
2700048478 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SMART POP MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048596 ORVILLE REDENBACHER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 9.00 OZ
2700048606 ORVILLE REDENBACHER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048289 ORVILLE REDENBACHER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER 6.00 OZ
2700048187 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CHEDDAR CHEESE 7.60 OZ
2700048589 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CHEDDAR CHEESE 9.00 OZ
2700048393 ORVILLE REDENBACHER KETTLE CORN 9.90 OZ
2700048200 ORVILLE REDENBACHER KETTLE CORN 6.40 OZ
2700048862 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CARAMEL 13.00 OZ
2700048102 ORVILLE REDENBACHER TENDER WHITE 9.90 OZ
2700048391 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SWEET N BUTTERY 10.50 OZ
2700048402 ORVILLE REDENBACHER ULTIMATE BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048403 ORVILLE REDENBACHER HOMESTYLE OLD FASHIONED BUTTER 9.90 OZ
2700048404 ORVILLE REDENBACHER CORN ON THE COB 9.90 OZ
2700048590 ORVILLE REDENBACHER SPICY NACHO 9.00 OZ
2700048742 ORVILLE REDENBACHER LIGHT BUTTER 8.60 OZ
2700048357 ORVILLE REDENBACHER 12/4 1.6OZ HERB & OIL
My tip, scan your items FIRST to make sure you hit $25 BEFORE TAX!!!! Then scan your preferred card for the discount.
***Thanks to Barb09 et al. at CW for this information.
What would you like to see?
First off, let me say SORRY for being gone for so long. My laptop finally met its maker and I had to scurry out and buy a new one. I CANNOT even get it to START so I lost ALL MY BOOKMARKS and my budget spreadsheet :( I am hoping DevilDoc can persuade one of the IT guys at the clinic to hand out some free advice *insert eye fluttering here* pretty pretty please?
Anywhose, I've had LOTS of peeps in my little circle asking me "HOW do you DO THAT?!" and I've promised to share. I think THIS is the perfect place to share, but I want to know - what would you like to see? There are a few options:
I can put up some easy deals with readily available coupons that you can get your feet wet with.
I can put up MY shopping plan for Jewel, Dominick's or both.
You can suggest any variation of the above and I will do my best.
So, what would you like to see?
Disclaimer: I in NO way, shape or form purport to be any kind of coupon wizard. Sometimes I can come up with a deal on my own, but usually I have tweak deals I've seen on the net to suit my family. Remember, what I buy might NOT be what you buy so the deal won't work for you. Just a reminder before we get started :) And, as always, THANK YOU CW...without you I would NOT be able to "do what I do."
Anywhose, I've had LOTS of peeps in my little circle asking me "HOW do you DO THAT?!" and I've promised to share. I think THIS is the perfect place to share, but I want to know - what would you like to see? There are a few options:
I can put up some easy deals with readily available coupons that you can get your feet wet with.
I can put up MY shopping plan for Jewel, Dominick's or both.
You can suggest any variation of the above and I will do my best.
So, what would you like to see?
Disclaimer: I in NO way, shape or form purport to be any kind of coupon wizard. Sometimes I can come up with a deal on my own, but usually I have tweak deals I've seen on the net to suit my family. Remember, what I buy might NOT be what you buy so the deal won't work for you. Just a reminder before we get started :) And, as always, THANK YOU CW...without you I would NOT be able to "do what I do."
Friday, February 12, 2010
I haven't stopped shopping...
I've just been super busy getting back into the swing of being a single parent. DevilDoc is "back to school" and I am trying to cover all the parenting bases, it's no new thing to me but I'm a tad out of practice. A couple more weeks and we should be in the groove.
I hit Target and Jewel yesterday for some sweet deals, ready?
First we'll do Target. They are running a bunch of "buy X, get a $5 gift card".
TRANSACTION # 1
Gillete Razors, buy 2 get a $5 gift card
3-Gillette Venus Embrace
used 3-$2/1 MQ for -$6
used 3-free Olay body wash ($5.49) when you buy Venus Embrace for -$16.47
1-Gillette Fusion
used $4/1 for -$4
Earned $10 in gift cards ($5 for 2 Venus and $5 for Venus/Fusion combo)
TOTAL $17.96 before tax
TRANSACTION # 2
1-Reese's pieces bag SALE $1.49
used $1/1 MQ
used $1/1 Target Q
1-York pieces bag SALE $1.49
used $1/1 MQ
used $1/1 Target Q
JUST REALIZED she didn't charge me for my 3rd bag of candy...oops!
5-Quaker oatmeal express $1.02/ea (gift card deal!)
used 2-$1/1 MQ (that's all I had)
3-Lightbulbs 4 pack SALE $2.09
used 3-$1/1 MQ
used 3-$1.50/1 Target Q
Single lightbulb SALE $0.49
used $1/1 MQ
used $1.50/1 Target Q
Earned $5 gc from the oatmeal deal
Total $4.79 before tax which I used the gift card from above to pay with :)
NO OUT OF POCKET COST!!!!
So $17.96 at Target AND I have $10 in gift cards to use!
Jewel-Osco
4-PictSweet frozen veggies @1.99/ea
Pref card @0.99/ea
6-ACT II popcorn @3.38/ea
Pref card @1.00/ea
3-Fisher fusion nut mixes @2.59/ea
Pref card @1.49/ea
3-$1/1 MQ
2-Coffeemat creamer @2/$1
1-$1.50/2 MQ
I used a $6 cat and $4 cat from Walgreens :)
Total before tax $0.93!!
Oh, it was sooo much fun! I still have to hit Dominick's but just didn't have time or energy yesterday. I'm thinking probably on Sunday since we will be without children...I'm gonna drag DevilDoc along with me so I can show him how I shop :)
Happy Valentine's day everyone!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the blogs and message boards listed on the right-hand sidebar for helping me save money and showing me the ropes!!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sick and tired of being sick and tired
ick! I hate the sickness...I'd rather just puke and be done, but nooooooo! I have to have the stuffy nose, itchy throat, watery eyes kinda sickness. Day 2 and hoping that day 3 brings an end to it! I have stuff to do dang it!
Speaking of stuff to do. Uh, I haven't been doing so much of the P90X. One, because I have felt like doo-doo - two, our copy of the program is all fricked the frack up and works when it damn well feels like it and three, I've been down right exhausted getting used to the single parent schedule again.
So, I ordered a NEW copy of P90X and it arrived TODAY *jump for joy* and on MONDAY I will be starting ALL OVER! Which is fine with me, BRING IT beotch. I am also going to try my darndest to get on board with the meal planning they provide, but with just the boys and I home for dinner 4/5 nights during the week it's hard to cook salmon, tilapia and lemon pepper chicken when they'd just as soon have a bowl of froot loops or some grilled cheese. We'll see how that progresses.
I need to take more pictures. Random thought.
And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank not only all those blogs listed down there on the side for helping me understand this whole "super-couponing" thing but more specifically the ladies over at Couponers Wanted. They are full of information and resources! They really know how to make you feel welcome and give you the help that you ask for. Thanks gals!
Onto tonight's shopping adventure. I think I missed posting an adventure..oh yes, one to CVS. It wasn't grocery related so that's probably why.
Let me share my abbreviations before we get started.
Shelf=the regular selling price.
Card=preferred card price.
MQ=manufacturer coupon.
SQ=store coupon.
CAT=catalina coupon that prints at the end of an order at some grocery stores for $XX off your next order.
Instant=instant savings when you buy a certain # of a product
EQ=electronic loaded coupon, which you can find here, here and here. Also, if you have a Upromise account you can load coupons and the savings will go into your account instead of coming off you bill (at least that is how I understand it.
Buckle up, here we go!
Jewel-Osco
$1.39/ea when you buy 5 participating Quaker products; here's what I did
6 granola bars
Shelf: 19.14
Card: 11.94
MQ: $3
4 boxes instant oatmeal
Shelf: 15.96
Card: 7.96
MQ: $4
Instant on 10items = $6
I paid 6.90
2 skippy peanut butter
Shelf: 6.50
Card: 3.00
MQ: 1.00
I paid 2.00
2 I can't believe it's not butter
Shelf: 5.90
Card: 3.00
MQ: 1.00
I paid 2.00
Coffeemate
Shelf: 1.79
MQ: 1.00
I paid 0.79
Wheatables
Shelf: 4.29
Card: 1.88
MQ: 1.50
I paid 0.33
Sara Lee bread
Shelf: 2.99
Card: 1.69
I paid 1.69
Slim fast bar
Shelf: 0.99
Card: FREE
MQ: 1.00
I paid: -1.00 :)
Mountain High vanilla yogurt
Shelf: 3.59
Card: 2.19
MQ: 1.00
I paid: 1.19
I also had a $5 CAT and a $2 CAT.
Total Shelf Price: 60.15
Total card savings: 33.70
Total MQ: 20.50
I paid: 6.95 not including tax; 88.63% savings.
Moving right along to Dominick's
Trix cereal
Shelf: 3.49
Card: 1.88
EQ: 0.55
MQ: 1.00
I paid 0.33
Lucky Charms
Shelf: 3.99
Card: 1.88
EQ: 1.10
MQ: 1.00
I paid: -0.22 (yes, they gave ME $ to buy the cereal)
2 Doritos
Shelf: 7.98
Card: 5.98
SQ: 4.00
I paid 1.98
4 Ragu
Shelf: 7.96
Card: 5.00
SQ: 2.00
MQ: 2.00
I paid: 1.00 (or 0.25/ea!!)
4 La Victoria Salsa
Shelf: 11.96
Card: 8.00
MQ: 8.00
I paid: 0
Angel soft
Shelf: 1.79
I FORGOT MY MQ!!!!
I paid: 1.79
2 Milk
Shelf: 4.98
Card: 3.98
I paid: 3.98
1 choc milk
Shelf: 1.99
Card: 1.99
MQ: 1.99
I paid: 0
2 Trop50 OJ
Shelf: 6.78
Card: 5.00
MQ: 2.00
I paid: 3.00
Shelf: 49.92
Card: 14.42
SQ + MQ+EQ: 23.64
I paid: 11.86 not including tax; savings of 76.24%
ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN DOLLARS & EIGHTY SEVEN CENTS OF GROCERIES FOR
$18.87
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Naysayers
Don't hate the player, hate the game LOL! I've had some people...no names...questioning my ability to be saving as much money as I am doing our grocery shopping. Some even going to so far as to accuse me of not supporting the military way of life b/c I am shopping less and less at the commissary. As far as I am concerned, the commissary is not supporting US by supplying over-priced products, incoherent policies and the teeny-tiniest of selection!
So, for my naysayers....I give you the comparison from this evening's shopping trip.
2-pkgs barilla pasta
I paid 1.98
Commy price 2.98
2-pkgs crescent rolls
I paid 0.19/EACH
Commy price 1.64/ea
2-pkgs pillsbury breadsticks
I paid 1.29/ea
Commy price 1.75/ea
2-pkgs pillsbury cinnamon rolls
I paid NEGATIVE 0.11 cents each! Yep, they paid me to take those cinnamon rolls out the door!
Commy price 1.75/ea
2 boxes gogurt
I paid 1.54/ea
Commy price ON SALE 1.75/ea reg price 1.89/ea
2 pkgs sargento sliced cheese
I paid 0.99/ea
Commy price 2.29/ea
I also received a coupon for $4 off my next purchase at Dominick's.
The total amount I paid out of pocket was 10.29 which includes 0.41 tax.
Had I shopped for the same items at the commissary it would have cost me 17.62 WITHOUT the surcharge...with is 0.05/item and I wouldn't have gotten a coupon to come back and shop again!
Essentially that trip cost me 6.29 vs. 17.62 an 11.33 difference. I could have bought TWICE the amount of items at Dominick's for the same price I would get ONE set at the Commy. Sad isn't it?
So, for my naysayers....I give you the comparison from this evening's shopping trip.
2-pkgs barilla pasta
I paid 1.98
Commy price 2.98
2-pkgs crescent rolls
I paid 0.19/EACH
Commy price 1.64/ea
2-pkgs pillsbury breadsticks
I paid 1.29/ea
Commy price 1.75/ea
2-pkgs pillsbury cinnamon rolls
I paid NEGATIVE 0.11 cents each! Yep, they paid me to take those cinnamon rolls out the door!
Commy price 1.75/ea
2 boxes gogurt
I paid 1.54/ea
Commy price ON SALE 1.75/ea reg price 1.89/ea
2 pkgs sargento sliced cheese
I paid 0.99/ea
Commy price 2.29/ea
I also received a coupon for $4 off my next purchase at Dominick's.
The total amount I paid out of pocket was 10.29 which includes 0.41 tax.
Had I shopped for the same items at the commissary it would have cost me 17.62 WITHOUT the surcharge...with is 0.05/item and I wouldn't have gotten a coupon to come back and shop again!
Essentially that trip cost me 6.29 vs. 17.62 an 11.33 difference. I could have bought TWICE the amount of items at Dominick's for the same price I would get ONE set at the Commy. Sad isn't it?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Gettin' crazy around here!
DevilDoc went back to school last week and I became the new den leader of Pookins Tiger Cub pack or den or whatever it is called. I have NO clue what I am doing, can ya tell? So, basically I am a single parent AGAIN! I totally have the hang of it but DANG, doesn't mean I have to like it.
I fell off the P90x wagon over the weekend, but I will get back on and add a week to phase 1 for good measure...BRING IT! Did some deal shopping last night, wanna know what I got?
Jewel-beef top round roast, 1lb. carrots and bag of cereal
reg 12.85
paid 7.74
Savings 60.23%
Target-3 first aid on the go kits and 3 travel band aid packs
reg 5.82
paid .20 (tax)
Savings 100% :)
Walgreens-2 pert plus shampoo/body wash 2-sure deodorant
reg 14.36
paid 2.56 plus got a $2 coupon off next purchase!
savings 86.07%
I got this nifty little budget spreadsheet that already has all the formulas plugged in so all you do is add your expenditures. It shows how much you saved in coupons, store savings and total savings $$ wise and % wise. Love it! Check it out here.
Month to date my overall savings rate is 56%...not bad, but not where I want to be. Striving for 70% next month.
I fell off the P90x wagon over the weekend, but I will get back on and add a week to phase 1 for good measure...BRING IT! Did some deal shopping last night, wanna know what I got?
Jewel-beef top round roast, 1lb. carrots and bag of cereal
reg 12.85
paid 7.74
Savings 60.23%
Target-3 first aid on the go kits and 3 travel band aid packs
reg 5.82
paid .20 (tax)
Savings 100% :)
Walgreens-2 pert plus shampoo/body wash 2-sure deodorant
reg 14.36
paid 2.56 plus got a $2 coupon off next purchase!
savings 86.07%
I got this nifty little budget spreadsheet that already has all the formulas plugged in so all you do is add your expenditures. It shows how much you saved in coupons, store savings and total savings $$ wise and % wise. Love it! Check it out here.
Month to date my overall savings rate is 56%...not bad, but not where I want to be. Striving for 70% next month.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Updating from the pantry
Thought I should share some of my scores this week and update on our progress doing the From the Pantry Challenge.
Wednesday I hit up a new store, Super Fresh Market in Waukegan. Ridiculous dirt cheap prices on produce! And they had the ever elusive Yoplait strawberry mango frozen smoothies (b/c you just can't get GOOD fresh strawberries right now).
2.83lb gala apples @0.69lb 1.95
2.66lb bananas @0.29lb 0.77
2.11lb grapes @.99lb 2.09
3.35lb navel oranges @0.49lb 1.64
2 frozen smoothies @2.99 5.98
MINUS $2 coupons
Total 10.65 :)
Jewel Osco
There were a couple deals expiring that I wanted to get in on, so we scooted through on our way home from MOPS.
MaltOMeal cereal
reg 2.90
pref 1.49
i paid 0.75 (0.75Q)
slim fast bar
reg 0.99
pref card FREE
slim fast bar
reg 0.99
i paid NOTHING ($1Q)
I had purchased some cheese as well b/c I heard it was generating a catalina..but it didn't. So I returned it and I ended up walking out the door with 1.50 more than I came in with!
Commissary
10 Naked juice @1.85ea
10.85
2 $1Qs
2 cascadian farms frozen fruit @2.50ea
5.00
2 $1Qs
2 bags frozen generic mixed fruit @1.79
3.58
Total 24.55
less $10 mail in rebate for Naked Juice
14.55 :)
$23.70 total for today plus the $48 running total is $71.70 with 8 days left in this pay period.
BUT,
the TRUE deal of the day was
FREE all detergent and Nivea body wash!
4 32oz small & mighty all; price matched at Target to 1.99 ea. I had 4 $2 off coupons! Paid tax :)
2 Nivea body wash 2.99; $1 target Q and $2 manf Q (I had 2 of each!)
Glide dental floss 0.97, I had $1 manf Q
Stay tuned......
Wednesday I hit up a new store, Super Fresh Market in Waukegan. Ridiculous dirt cheap prices on produce! And they had the ever elusive Yoplait strawberry mango frozen smoothies (b/c you just can't get GOOD fresh strawberries right now).
2.83lb gala apples @0.69lb 1.95
2.66lb bananas @0.29lb 0.77
2.11lb grapes @.99lb 2.09
3.35lb navel oranges @0.49lb 1.64
2 frozen smoothies @2.99 5.98
MINUS $2 coupons
Total 10.65 :)
Jewel Osco
There were a couple deals expiring that I wanted to get in on, so we scooted through on our way home from MOPS.
MaltOMeal cereal
reg 2.90
pref 1.49
i paid 0.75 (0.75Q)
slim fast bar
reg 0.99
pref card FREE
slim fast bar
reg 0.99
i paid NOTHING ($1Q)
I had purchased some cheese as well b/c I heard it was generating a catalina..but it didn't. So I returned it and I ended up walking out the door with 1.50 more than I came in with!
Commissary
10 Naked juice @1.85ea
10.85
2 $1Qs
2 cascadian farms frozen fruit @2.50ea
5.00
2 $1Qs
2 bags frozen generic mixed fruit @1.79
3.58
Total 24.55
less $10 mail in rebate for Naked Juice
14.55 :)
$23.70 total for today plus the $48 running total is $71.70 with 8 days left in this pay period.
BUT,
the TRUE deal of the day was
FREE all detergent and Nivea body wash!
4 32oz small & mighty all; price matched at Target to 1.99 ea. I had 4 $2 off coupons! Paid tax :)
2 Nivea body wash 2.99; $1 target Q and $2 manf Q (I had 2 of each!)
Glide dental floss 0.97, I had $1 manf Q
Stay tuned......
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
When did I grow up?
8 years ago today I married my true soul mate. That's right; 8 years ago DevilDoc and I stood side-by-side in the chapel of the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and said "I do". The next day we ate lunch at Cheesecake Factory and had our wedding dance on the top of the parking garage at Ceasar's Palace.
Through the years...
January 20, 2002-Wedding portrait
2003-re enlistment and one of the WORST pictures of me EVER!
2004-family photo just before 2nd turn to Iraq
2005-just home from Iraq and a VERY pregnant me!
2006-freedom! Hilton Waikaloa Beach Resort & NO kids!
2007-a night out
2008-July 4th celebration (that's Bob from Pass the Chopsticks fame!)
2009-admiring my Chief at Khaki Ball
2010
We'll have to wait and see what it brings us!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Going strong
on both the "pantry challenge" and P90x. Today was day 8 of P90X and it was SO much easier than last week! I am actually looking forward to the rest of the week...I hated the workout today, I don't like pushups. I don't do them right and I have bad wrists which just makes it even worse. I do my best though, and forget the rest ;)
There was still a killer deal at Dominick's today that I couldn't pass up! The granola bars were still 99cents so I grabbed 3 more and they had the strawberry cream cheese variety of toaster struedel marked down to $1.59 from $3.18, I had 2 $1 off coupons and an e-coupon on my Dom's card for 55cents off...all together: 3 boxes of granola bars and 2 boxes of toaster struedel for $3.71; total savings $8.55 or 70%. We'll see what else pops up this week.
So far for the 2nd pay period I am around $48 I think! The only thing I think we might run out of is cereal and pancake mix...hopefully I can stretch it out!
There was still a killer deal at Dominick's today that I couldn't pass up! The granola bars were still 99cents so I grabbed 3 more and they had the strawberry cream cheese variety of toaster struedel marked down to $1.59 from $3.18, I had 2 $1 off coupons and an e-coupon on my Dom's card for 55cents off...all together: 3 boxes of granola bars and 2 boxes of toaster struedel for $3.71; total savings $8.55 or 70%. We'll see what else pops up this week.
So far for the 2nd pay period I am around $48 I think! The only thing I think we might run out of is cereal and pancake mix...hopefully I can stretch it out!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Saving money is my new hobby
it makes me giddy like a school girl.
Tonight I went to Jewel-osco and Dominick's to scoop up some deals..this is what I got for $41.78:
And this is how I got it:
I have started following coupon/savings blogs and printing coupons at home from internet sites. I match up my coupons with good sales in the stores and only buy what is rock bottom or free. I'm spending WAY less than at the commy. I'll get links up in my blog roll to the blogs I am following and I'll do another post with links for places to print coupons.
First I went to Jewel-Osco. At Jewel-Osco I do separate transactions to take advantage of the catalinas I earn. Catalinas are the little coupons that print out at the end of your transaction telling you that you can save $xx.xx off your next purchase. I went to the back of the line twice when people got behind me so I didn’t make a big scene at the checkout.
I did this deal b/c I heard it generated a catalina, I didn’t realize it was select products purchased get you the catalina. I didn’t buy the right stuff BUT I did get a $2 customer service survey coupon on my receipt so it all evened out!
The deal was supposed to be buy $4 in Contadina get $3 catalina for next purchase
4-contadina
Reg 4.06
$1 MQ
I paid $3.53 w/tax
Then there is another catalina deal for Kraft products, buy 5 qualifying products get $5 catalina off next purchase.
5-Breakstone doublers (cottage cheese/peaches)
Reg 1.24/ea=6.20
Pref 1.19/ea=5.95
I paid $6.05 with tax and got a $5 catalina for next purchase
20-Yoplait
Reg 0.68/ea=13.60
Pref 0.50/ea=10.00
$5 catalina (from kraft deal)
$1 MQ
I paid $4.18 w/tax and I got a $2 catalina for next purchase
TOTAL SAVINGS $9.60
Jewel is also running a 10 for $10 promo on certain items
Mission tortillas
Reg 1.98
Pref 1.00
$0.75Q
4-Lunchables
Reg 1.20ea=4.80
Pref 1.00=4.00
5# clementines
Reg 7.99
Pref 3.77
1.89lbs Gala apples
Reg 1.95/lb=3.69
Pref 1.00/lb=1.89
1.58lbs Fuji apples
Reg 1.95/lb=3.08
Pref 1.00/lb=1.58
Regular price $21.54
Pref price w/tax $12.45
2-$2 catalinas (from above Yoplait and previous trip Yoplait)
0.75 MQ
I paid $7.70
TOTAL SAVINGS $14.05
JEWEL-OSCO report
Regular price $45.25 without tax
I paid $21.46 with tax - over 50% off and ALL THINGS WE USE REGULARLY
Dominicks
They don’t do catalinas, at least I haven’t seen any yet..but I just started!
Quaker granola bars
Reg 2.99
Pref 1.99
Super special 0.99
2-True delight bars
Reg 3.49/ea=6.98
Pref 1.99/ea=3.98
I forgot to get two other super specials coupons!!
$1 MQ
I paid $2.98
Caribou coffee
Reg 9.99
Pref 4.99
$2 ecoupon
$2 MQ
I paid 0.99
18ct eggs
Reg 2.29
Pref 1.89
Super special 0.99
Kids smoothie
Reg 1.39
Pref 0.69
Healthy life bread
Reg 2.99
Pref 1.99
$0.55 MQ
I paid 1.44
6-Jennie-O 20oz ground turkey
Reg 5.49/ea=32.94
Pref 2.50/ea=15.00
6-$1 MQ
I paid $9.00
3-Avocados
Reg 5.97
Pref 2.64
Reg price $66.09
I paid $20.32 (should have been $18.32!!)
TOTAL SAVINGS VALUE $45.77 or 70%
So tonight, I purchased $111.34 worth of groceries and I paid $41.78…
TOTAL SAVINGS 63%
Uh huh, I feel good.
Tonight I went to Jewel-osco and Dominick's to scoop up some deals..this is what I got for $41.78:
And this is how I got it:
I have started following coupon/savings blogs and printing coupons at home from internet sites. I match up my coupons with good sales in the stores and only buy what is rock bottom or free. I'm spending WAY less than at the commy. I'll get links up in my blog roll to the blogs I am following and I'll do another post with links for places to print coupons.
First I went to Jewel-Osco. At Jewel-Osco I do separate transactions to take advantage of the catalinas I earn. Catalinas are the little coupons that print out at the end of your transaction telling you that you can save $xx.xx off your next purchase. I went to the back of the line twice when people got behind me so I didn’t make a big scene at the checkout.
I did this deal b/c I heard it generated a catalina, I didn’t realize it was select products purchased get you the catalina. I didn’t buy the right stuff BUT I did get a $2 customer service survey coupon on my receipt so it all evened out!
The deal was supposed to be buy $4 in Contadina get $3 catalina for next purchase
4-contadina
Reg 4.06
$1 MQ
I paid $3.53 w/tax
Then there is another catalina deal for Kraft products, buy 5 qualifying products get $5 catalina off next purchase.
5-Breakstone doublers (cottage cheese/peaches)
Reg 1.24/ea=6.20
Pref 1.19/ea=5.95
I paid $6.05 with tax and got a $5 catalina for next purchase
20-Yoplait
Reg 0.68/ea=13.60
Pref 0.50/ea=10.00
$5 catalina (from kraft deal)
$1 MQ
I paid $4.18 w/tax and I got a $2 catalina for next purchase
TOTAL SAVINGS $9.60
Jewel is also running a 10 for $10 promo on certain items
Mission tortillas
Reg 1.98
Pref 1.00
$0.75Q
4-Lunchables
Reg 1.20ea=4.80
Pref 1.00=4.00
5# clementines
Reg 7.99
Pref 3.77
1.89lbs Gala apples
Reg 1.95/lb=3.69
Pref 1.00/lb=1.89
1.58lbs Fuji apples
Reg 1.95/lb=3.08
Pref 1.00/lb=1.58
Regular price $21.54
Pref price w/tax $12.45
2-$2 catalinas (from above Yoplait and previous trip Yoplait)
0.75 MQ
I paid $7.70
TOTAL SAVINGS $14.05
JEWEL-OSCO report
Regular price $45.25 without tax
I paid $21.46 with tax - over 50% off and ALL THINGS WE USE REGULARLY
Dominicks
They don’t do catalinas, at least I haven’t seen any yet..but I just started!
Quaker granola bars
Reg 2.99
Pref 1.99
Super special 0.99
2-True delight bars
Reg 3.49/ea=6.98
Pref 1.99/ea=3.98
I forgot to get two other super specials coupons!!
$1 MQ
I paid $2.98
Caribou coffee
Reg 9.99
Pref 4.99
$2 ecoupon
$2 MQ
I paid 0.99
18ct eggs
Reg 2.29
Pref 1.89
Super special 0.99
Kids smoothie
Reg 1.39
Pref 0.69
Healthy life bread
Reg 2.99
Pref 1.99
$0.55 MQ
I paid 1.44
6-Jennie-O 20oz ground turkey
Reg 5.49/ea=32.94
Pref 2.50/ea=15.00
6-$1 MQ
I paid $9.00
3-Avocados
Reg 5.97
Pref 2.64
Reg price $66.09
I paid $20.32 (should have been $18.32!!)
TOTAL SAVINGS VALUE $45.77 or 70%
So tonight, I purchased $111.34 worth of groceries and I paid $41.78…
TOTAL SAVINGS 63%
Uh huh, I feel good.
Day 3 of P90X
and day 13 of Eat from the Pantry Challenge was yesterday. I'm doing much better eating from the pantry than I am with the P90X. I was feeling good yesterday and woke up this morning with legs that don't want to carry me up and down the stairs and arms that can barely buckle my seatbelt. I would gladly clean a 3rd bathroom if it meant there were one on the main floor...okay, I don't clean the bathrooms but I'm sure DevilDoc would also agree to cleaning an extra bathroom if it meant we didn't have to hobble up and down the stairs.
We are still going strong on the pantry but I must hit the store again today, if I can manage to get upstairs to take a shower and get dressed of course! New sales started today and coupled with some coupons I have and in store rewards I just can't pass it up. But, I am counting it towards the second 1/2 of the month budget since we get paid tonight :)
And lest you think all we do is workout and shop for deals I want to share some things from the kids. Yesterday Pookins came home from school all a-flutter about "Marvin Lufer King Jr." (I did help him pronounce it correctly after 10 or so tries!). He told me all about what MLK Jr. did, the speech he gave and that he died. He wanted to come home and find out how old MLK Jr. was when he died. So, we did. And when I told him that MLK Jr. was 39 he burst into tears. My birthday is right around the corner and DevilDoc JUST LOVES to tell the kids how old I will be (celebrating the 7th anniversary of my 29th birthday) and Pookins being the little math whiz that he is quickly determined that my age and MLK Jrs. age at death are very close and promptly told me I could not die because I need to live 'til infinity.
{{{Insert mommy with heart bulging out of her chest here!}}}
Then he went on with "how did MLK Jr. die"? So, I did my best to put it into 7yo words...I told him that there were people who didn't think white people and brown people could be friends so they didn't like MLK because he thought that we can all be friends. And those people were very bad and killed MLK Jr. Oh my, that really turned the faucets into high gear. He was darn near hyperventilating at this point and I had to take a few minutes to calm him down the best I could. God love him. He told me that his friend Derrick at school is brown and it's okay that they are friends. As a matter of fact, even if Derrick was purple they would still be friends, that what he said.
{{{Insert mommy doing her best to hold back the tears because she is SO PROUD of the little boy sitting next to her.}}}
Fast forward to this morning before school I had on the news and of course everything is about the tragedy in Haiti right now. Pookins was VERY concerned about the people he was seeing on TV, mumbled under his breath each and every statistic they were providing on the news and asked me for more information about earthquakes. Then he said, "what can I do to help the kids in Haiti?" My baby has such an amazing soul. Remember he did this for his 6th birthday. So today, while he is at school filling his little brain with more math, phonics and facts about MLK Jr. I am going to do my best to find SOMETHING that he can do to help the kids in Haiti. Somthing he can ACTUALLY do, participate in, be a part of...not simply sending money - though we'll be doing that by text when he gets home, but something of his own that he can say "I did this".
If you have any ideas, feel free to leave it in the comments.
Visit The American Red Cross Website for more information about the disaster in Haiti and ways you can help.
We are still going strong on the pantry but I must hit the store again today, if I can manage to get upstairs to take a shower and get dressed of course! New sales started today and coupled with some coupons I have and in store rewards I just can't pass it up. But, I am counting it towards the second 1/2 of the month budget since we get paid tonight :)
And lest you think all we do is workout and shop for deals I want to share some things from the kids. Yesterday Pookins came home from school all a-flutter about "Marvin Lufer King Jr." (I did help him pronounce it correctly after 10 or so tries!). He told me all about what MLK Jr. did, the speech he gave and that he died. He wanted to come home and find out how old MLK Jr. was when he died. So, we did. And when I told him that MLK Jr. was 39 he burst into tears. My birthday is right around the corner and DevilDoc JUST LOVES to tell the kids how old I will be (celebrating the 7th anniversary of my 29th birthday) and Pookins being the little math whiz that he is quickly determined that my age and MLK Jrs. age at death are very close and promptly told me I could not die because I need to live 'til infinity.
{{{Insert mommy with heart bulging out of her chest here!}}}
Then he went on with "how did MLK Jr. die"? So, I did my best to put it into 7yo words...I told him that there were people who didn't think white people and brown people could be friends so they didn't like MLK because he thought that we can all be friends. And those people were very bad and killed MLK Jr. Oh my, that really turned the faucets into high gear. He was darn near hyperventilating at this point and I had to take a few minutes to calm him down the best I could. God love him. He told me that his friend Derrick at school is brown and it's okay that they are friends. As a matter of fact, even if Derrick was purple they would still be friends, that what he said.
{{{Insert mommy doing her best to hold back the tears because she is SO PROUD of the little boy sitting next to her.}}}
Fast forward to this morning before school I had on the news and of course everything is about the tragedy in Haiti right now. Pookins was VERY concerned about the people he was seeing on TV, mumbled under his breath each and every statistic they were providing on the news and asked me for more information about earthquakes. Then he said, "what can I do to help the kids in Haiti?" My baby has such an amazing soul. Remember he did this for his 6th birthday. So today, while he is at school filling his little brain with more math, phonics and facts about MLK Jr. I am going to do my best to find SOMETHING that he can do to help the kids in Haiti. Somthing he can ACTUALLY do, participate in, be a part of...not simply sending money - though we'll be doing that by text when he gets home, but something of his own that he can say "I did this".
If you have any ideas, feel free to leave it in the comments.
Visit The American Red Cross Website for more information about the disaster in Haiti and ways you can help.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The good news is
I'm not going to be doing laundry for awhile. The bad news is it's because my legs feel like jell-o-y rubberbands thanks to P90X. Before I "brought the pain" I made a run out to Jewel-Osco and Dominick's to pick up some sweet deals on yogurt seeing as how DevilDoc is going through 3 a day!
Dominick's
Dole 4pack fruits
reg 2.79ea
sale 2/$4
pref card 1.49/ea
MQ (manufacturer coupon) 2-$0.75/1
I paid $1.24 each AND there is a DOLE rebate going on here and now I am 1/2 way there!
Lucerne gallon milk
reg 2.49
sale 1.99/ea when you buy 2
MQ for free 1/2 gallon choc. milk w/purchase of 2 gallons white
I paid 3.98 for 2.5gallons of milk
32oz Coffeemate
reg. 3.49
sale 1.99
MQ 1.00
I paid $0.99!
Total at Dominick's including tax $10.19 :)
Jewel is a lot easier...only got yogurt
20 yoplait yogurts
reg. 0.64/ea
pref card 0.33/ea
MQs 2-$1/6 and 1-$1/8 $3 total
I paid $4.29 inclucing tax AND got a $2 catalina for my next trip! That's a coupon :)
Today's total $14.48 added to my running monthly total of $82.57 = $97.05; I'm $2.95 UNDER budget and we are STOCKED! Might just get myself a Starbucks with that...oh nevermind, I have a giftcard!
Still doing well on the eating from the pantry but the shelves are getting BARE! We are down to ONE box of cereal that no one wants to eat except me. That's fine, but I'm not buying anymore until Februry unless it is free or VERY CLOSE to free. We are all making healthier choices and getting more creative with our food. Tonight we had breakfast for dinner with turkey bacon and it was Mmmm, mmmm good! We may be switching to turkey bacon forever!
Dominick's
Dole 4pack fruits
reg 2.79ea
sale 2/$4
pref card 1.49/ea
MQ (manufacturer coupon) 2-$0.75/1
I paid $1.24 each AND there is a DOLE rebate going on here and now I am 1/2 way there!
Lucerne gallon milk
reg 2.49
sale 1.99/ea when you buy 2
MQ for free 1/2 gallon choc. milk w/purchase of 2 gallons white
I paid 3.98 for 2.5gallons of milk
32oz Coffeemate
reg. 3.49
sale 1.99
MQ 1.00
I paid $0.99!
Total at Dominick's including tax $10.19 :)
Jewel is a lot easier...only got yogurt
20 yoplait yogurts
reg. 0.64/ea
pref card 0.33/ea
MQs 2-$1/6 and 1-$1/8 $3 total
I paid $4.29 inclucing tax AND got a $2 catalina for my next trip! That's a coupon :)
Today's total $14.48 added to my running monthly total of $82.57 = $97.05; I'm $2.95 UNDER budget and we are STOCKED! Might just get myself a Starbucks with that...oh nevermind, I have a giftcard!
Still doing well on the eating from the pantry but the shelves are getting BARE! We are down to ONE box of cereal that no one wants to eat except me. That's fine, but I'm not buying anymore until Februry unless it is free or VERY CLOSE to free. We are all making healthier choices and getting more creative with our food. Tonight we had breakfast for dinner with turkey bacon and it was Mmmm, mmmm good! We may be switching to turkey bacon forever!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday SUNday SUNDAY!!!
I'm not sure if I was more excited about football or the newspaper this morning LOL! I needed to make a trip to the commissary as we were getting pretty low on dairy stuff and I still didn't have any ground turkey!
We also fell off the wagon a bit over the weekend. Our stupid sink, dishwasher, garbage disposal were in cahoots and got all blocked up. I couldn't wash dishes, run water, start the dishwasher...NOTHING. So, I threw my hands up and off to Cracker Barrel we went. That was on Friday. On Saturday I am not sure what everyone else had for dinner because I fell into some type of minor coma during the Bengals game. The next thing I knew it was midnight-thirty and I was wide awake! BLAH. I am assuming they had sandwiches or something since I didn't notice any dirty pots and pans.
I stuck with the menu for Sunday and DevilDoc made teriyaki chicken with rice and vegetables as I was on my way home from the commissary, I had just enough time to scarf down a bowl of yumminess before I headed out the door for work. The damage at the commy today...
10x yoplait/0.50ea ($1/10Q)
2x sausage/1.99ea (.55/1Q x 2)
turkey bacon/1.50 (0.75Q)
Kings Hawaiian rolls 2.49 (1.00Q)
2x block kraft cheese 8oz/1.50
block kraft cheese 16oz/2.50
2x ground turkey/1.92 (0.75Q x 2)
frozen mixed fruit/1.79
2x vanilla yogurt/2.08 (1.00/2Q)
sour cream/1.09
turkey lunchmeat/2.49 (1.00/2Q)
yoplait parfait/1.49 (1.00Q)
YoPlus/0.99 (1.00Q) MM!
macaroni/0.75
pizza sauce/1.15
salsa/2.08
applesauce/1.99
apples/2.50
bananas/1.09
grapes/4.72
texas toast/1.72
bread/2.00 (0.40Q)
popsicles/1.49
chips/2.82 (0.55Q)
59.12 total before Qs...10.30 in Qs for OOP cost $48.82!
The commissary didn't have a few things that I was looking for; Yoplait smoothies, Dole frozen fruit....I think I'll take a trip to Dominick's and see if they carry it and to also compare their prices to the commissary. I wrote down the prices of many things I buy during a normal shopping trip, can't wait to compare! I also bought a few non-food items (dog food, cleaning stuff) that I did not include in the above total for obvious reasons.
So, that's $33.75 (previous total for the month) + 48.82 new purchases = $82.57 leaving me $17.43 until January 15 which will net us a savings of $50 on groceries for the pay period :) Makes me HAPPY!
On the menu this week:
11-artichoke & caper slow cooker chicken/rice
12-breakfast casserole
13-bruschetta chicken/garlic rolls
14-beef portabello stroganoff (using ground turkey 1/2lb)
15-skillet lasagna using other 1/2lb of ground turkey
16-kalua pork/rice/mac salad
17-frozen pizza (I have a TS party)
I have everything I need to make it to the 15th!! We *might* need a refill on milk at some point during the week but that's all.
We also fell off the wagon a bit over the weekend. Our stupid sink, dishwasher, garbage disposal were in cahoots and got all blocked up. I couldn't wash dishes, run water, start the dishwasher...NOTHING. So, I threw my hands up and off to Cracker Barrel we went. That was on Friday. On Saturday I am not sure what everyone else had for dinner because I fell into some type of minor coma during the Bengals game. The next thing I knew it was midnight-thirty and I was wide awake! BLAH. I am assuming they had sandwiches or something since I didn't notice any dirty pots and pans.
I stuck with the menu for Sunday and DevilDoc made teriyaki chicken with rice and vegetables as I was on my way home from the commissary, I had just enough time to scarf down a bowl of yumminess before I headed out the door for work. The damage at the commy today...
10x yoplait/0.50ea ($1/10Q)
2x sausage/1.99ea (.55/1Q x 2)
turkey bacon/1.50 (0.75Q)
Kings Hawaiian rolls 2.49 (1.00Q)
2x block kraft cheese 8oz/1.50
block kraft cheese 16oz/2.50
2x ground turkey/1.92 (0.75Q x 2)
frozen mixed fruit/1.79
2x vanilla yogurt/2.08 (1.00/2Q)
sour cream/1.09
turkey lunchmeat/2.49 (1.00/2Q)
yoplait parfait/1.49 (1.00Q)
YoPlus/0.99 (1.00Q) MM!
macaroni/0.75
pizza sauce/1.15
salsa/2.08
applesauce/1.99
apples/2.50
bananas/1.09
grapes/4.72
texas toast/1.72
bread/2.00 (0.40Q)
popsicles/1.49
chips/2.82 (0.55Q)
59.12 total before Qs...10.30 in Qs for OOP cost $48.82!
The commissary didn't have a few things that I was looking for; Yoplait smoothies, Dole frozen fruit....I think I'll take a trip to Dominick's and see if they carry it and to also compare their prices to the commissary. I wrote down the prices of many things I buy during a normal shopping trip, can't wait to compare! I also bought a few non-food items (dog food, cleaning stuff) that I did not include in the above total for obvious reasons.
So, that's $33.75 (previous total for the month) + 48.82 new purchases = $82.57 leaving me $17.43 until January 15 which will net us a savings of $50 on groceries for the pay period :) Makes me HAPPY!
On the menu this week:
11-artichoke & caper slow cooker chicken/rice
12-breakfast casserole
13-bruschetta chicken/garlic rolls
14-beef portabello stroganoff (using ground turkey 1/2lb)
15-skillet lasagna using other 1/2lb of ground turkey
16-kalua pork/rice/mac salad
17-frozen pizza (I have a TS party)
I have everything I need to make it to the 15th!! We *might* need a refill on milk at some point during the week but that's all.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
I got sucked in
to the panic of a "winter storm advisory" and made a trip to the store. And, in my rush to leave I forgot to pull my receipt off the self check out thingie!
AGH! I came home with 2doz eggs @1.24ea, 1gal milk @2.40, cheese slices @1.25 (plus coupon), butter @1.29 (plus coupon), gogurt x2 @1.89 (plus coupon), bread @1.49, 5 cans juice @0.89 and 3 sets of 3pie pans @0.80ea...I think that was it. Oh, bananas 2.16. The WHOLE reason I went in the first place was to get ground turkey. Well, apparently when there is a "winter storm advisory" everyone stocks up on turkey and chicken because there wasn't a cluckin' thing left. Cluckin' get it? There I go, crackin' myself up again. See, crackin'...get it? Oh, I gotta stop.
So, my total was somewhere around $18 after coupons and surcharge (commissary). So, that's $15.75 + $18.xx = $33.75.
Oooh, DevilDoc, Magoo, Pookins and I did head out to Sears to use our Heroes at Home gift card. We got Magoo a new pair of kicks and then we ran over to Kmart and picked up a shelving unit for the kitchen so I can have my cabinets back. It's totally ghetto fabulous and I love it.
AGH! I came home with 2doz eggs @1.24ea, 1gal milk @2.40, cheese slices @1.25 (plus coupon), butter @1.29 (plus coupon), gogurt x2 @1.89 (plus coupon), bread @1.49, 5 cans juice @0.89 and 3 sets of 3pie pans @0.80ea...I think that was it. Oh, bananas 2.16. The WHOLE reason I went in the first place was to get ground turkey. Well, apparently when there is a "winter storm advisory" everyone stocks up on turkey and chicken because there wasn't a cluckin' thing left. Cluckin' get it? There I go, crackin' myself up again. See, crackin'...get it? Oh, I gotta stop.
So, my total was somewhere around $18 after coupons and surcharge (commissary). So, that's $15.75 + $18.xx = $33.75.
Oooh, DevilDoc, Magoo, Pookins and I did head out to Sears to use our Heroes at Home gift card. We got Magoo a new pair of kicks and then we ran over to Kmart and picked up a shelving unit for the kitchen so I can have my cabinets back. It's totally ghetto fabulous and I love it.
Moving right along
on our menu plan! So far so good, no one is starving. Last night we had BBQ beef sandwiches that I made from leftover pot roast :) Go me! I also sent home 3 containers of leftovers with my buddy Karen (chili, chix dumpling soup and 1/2 the BBQ beef) since she has a husband at home 'til the 19th I figured he could eat them up quickly!
What we've got here is a cotton pickin' mess! Ugh, I HATE that I don't have a pantry in this darn kitchen. Hopefully tonight I will somewhat remedy this problem...I'm gonna buy some wire shelving that will serve as a pantry-ish type of thing.
So, we got some soup, beans, lots of tomato products, veggies, hot cocoa, rice/sides, tea, PB, spag sauce, frosting (always have frosting, never know when you NEED a spoonful!), various sauces and junk on the top shelf.
CABINET #2
This is my Tastefully Simple cabinet LOL! Lots of TS stuff; almond pound cake, brown sugar sauce, beef stroganoff, portabello soup, sweet cheeseball mixes..you get the picture (get it, "get the picture"?) Oh I crack myself up. Also snacks; chips, pretzels, chex mix, popcorn. Pasta, oatmeal, stove top, rice and granola. 3 boxes of stove top! WTH am I gonna do with that? DevilDoc doesn't like it...I will use one box in bruschetta chicken so I need to do something with 2 boxes. Hmmm....ideas?
Refrigerator angle #1
I cannot believe I am putting a picture of my fridge on the internet. Lord help me, at least it is clean! We've got crescent rolls, breadsticks, etc. in the drawer along with some cheese, carrots and rosemary. Then there is sweet tea-DON'T MESS WITH MY SWEET TEA!-Jell-O cheesecake treats :) yogurt, LOTS of various cheeses, fresh cut pineapple, lunchmeat, left over BBQ beef, salsa, eggs...blah blah blah. You can see the picture.
And the door view #2
Ricotta, jelly, ketchup, chocolate syrup, hoisin, milk, juice, creamer, sparking juice :), BBQ sauce...blah blah blah condiments.
Finally the freezer
Remember, we lost everything in our fridge/freezer right before Christmas...which is why they look so empty! Stir fry veggies, coffee, meatballs, ice cream treats and pizza. Woo-hoo, exciting. I did not take a picture of the outside freezer because IT'S TOO FREAKIN' COLD to go stand in the garage in front of the FREEZER and take a pic. Just know that there is a bag of frozen chicken breasts and maybe 2lbs. of bacon out there. That's it.
Now you can play a game...you can look at my menu and see if I actually have everything on hand that I need to make meals for the rest of the month. I'm gonna give you a hint..I don't! Like ground turkey for instance! I have one pkg. but need 2 more.
Oh, and if you have any ideas for that stove top let me know...and not just make stuffing out of it :)
I did make a grocery purchase yesterday, coffeemate was on sale 2/$3 at CVS and I had a coupon for $1.50/2 so I ended up paying $1.50 for 2 coffeemates which I think is a good price.
For those keeping track: $14.25 + $1.50 = $15.75 in groceries so far for January. I should really run out today and get some ground turkey that I need for the menu but it is SO FREAKIN' COLD I can barely type. Okay, it's not THAT cold. But it is cold enough to make me stay inside wearing my jammies and scarf with Magoo's piggies tucked underneath my legs on the couch while we watch "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" for the bazillionth time in less than 24 hours.
Whoosh, how was that for a run-on sentence? My freshman English teacher Ms. Flat would be SO unhappy.
Oh, and I took pics of my cabinets...here ya go!
What we've got here is a cotton pickin' mess! Ugh, I HATE that I don't have a pantry in this darn kitchen. Hopefully tonight I will somewhat remedy this problem...I'm gonna buy some wire shelving that will serve as a pantry-ish type of thing.So, we got some soup, beans, lots of tomato products, veggies, hot cocoa, rice/sides, tea, PB, spag sauce, frosting (always have frosting, never know when you NEED a spoonful!), various sauces and junk on the top shelf.
CABINET #2
This is my Tastefully Simple cabinet LOL! Lots of TS stuff; almond pound cake, brown sugar sauce, beef stroganoff, portabello soup, sweet cheeseball mixes..you get the picture (get it, "get the picture"?) Oh I crack myself up. Also snacks; chips, pretzels, chex mix, popcorn. Pasta, oatmeal, stove top, rice and granola. 3 boxes of stove top! WTH am I gonna do with that? DevilDoc doesn't like it...I will use one box in bruschetta chicken so I need to do something with 2 boxes. Hmmm....ideas?Refrigerator angle #1
I cannot believe I am putting a picture of my fridge on the internet. Lord help me, at least it is clean! We've got crescent rolls, breadsticks, etc. in the drawer along with some cheese, carrots and rosemary. Then there is sweet tea-DON'T MESS WITH MY SWEET TEA!-Jell-O cheesecake treats :) yogurt, LOTS of various cheeses, fresh cut pineapple, lunchmeat, left over BBQ beef, salsa, eggs...blah blah blah. You can see the picture.
And the door view #2
Ricotta, jelly, ketchup, chocolate syrup, hoisin, milk, juice, creamer, sparking juice :), BBQ sauce...blah blah blah condiments.
Finally the freezer
Remember, we lost everything in our fridge/freezer right before Christmas...which is why they look so empty! Stir fry veggies, coffee, meatballs, ice cream treats and pizza. Woo-hoo, exciting. I did not take a picture of the outside freezer because IT'S TOO FREAKIN' COLD to go stand in the garage in front of the FREEZER and take a pic. Just know that there is a bag of frozen chicken breasts and maybe 2lbs. of bacon out there. That's it.
Now you can play a game...you can look at my menu and see if I actually have everything on hand that I need to make meals for the rest of the month. I'm gonna give you a hint..I don't! Like ground turkey for instance! I have one pkg. but need 2 more.
Oh, and if you have any ideas for that stove top let me know...and not just make stuffing out of it :)
I just realized I didn't take a picture of the teeny-tiny shelf thingie in the kitchen...it is home to cereal, potatoes, more hot cocoa (hey, it was on sale during wacky Wednesday!), chips, mac n cheese and crackers. Don't judge :)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Made the first trip
to the commissary since the Pantry Challenge started. My kids are drinking milk like it is WATER! But that's okay; I'm happy to buy milk for them...especially since I just found out it is $1.99/gallon at CVS this week! I also needed bread, butter, eggs, potatoes, cheese and buns. After DevilDoc returned from the store I realized that since I had switched some things around on the menu I also need 2lb of ground turkey for this weeks menu. Oops. Guess I'll be making a trip to Wacky Wednesday after all.
Milk 2.40
egggs .94
butter 2.19 AND I had a coupon but someone forgot to use it!
cheese 2.50 I would have never spent that much, he didn't buy the off brand
bread 1.94
buns 1.60
5lb potatoes 2.00
total with surcharge 14.25
Not that I think it matters (or that you care at all) how much I spend at the grocery every.time.I.go, BUT it does help me keep track of what I am spending and hold myself accountable since everyone can see it :) Our normal monthly food spending (without dining out) is about $300. I'd like to cut that in half this month and then start stockpiling when I can combine coupons/store sales come February.
Oooh, and I need to take a pic of the "pantry", fridge and freezer so y'all can see what I'm working with.
Milk 2.40
egggs .94
butter 2.19 AND I had a coupon but someone forgot to use it!
cheese 2.50 I would have never spent that much, he didn't buy the off brand
bread 1.94
buns 1.60
5lb potatoes 2.00
total with surcharge 14.25
Not that I think it matters (or that you care at all) how much I spend at the grocery every.time.I.go, BUT it does help me keep track of what I am spending and hold myself accountable since everyone can see it :) Our normal monthly food spending (without dining out) is about $300. I'd like to cut that in half this month and then start stockpiling when I can combine coupons/store sales come February.
Oooh, and I need to take a pic of the "pantry", fridge and freezer so y'all can see what I'm working with.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Day two of the pantry challenge
and we are doing well! Typically on the weekends it is a free for all at breakfast time; everyone just kinda does their own thing. Same goes for lunch :) We are all usually doin' our own thing so it's hard to get everyone to sit down and eat lunch together. Yesterday it was a free for all breakfast and lunch and then we had taco bar for dinner; there are enough leftovers for either DevilDoc or I to have a couple tacos or a taco salad for lunch.
For breakfast today I made a Tastefully Simple berry buckle cake and DevilDoc is making sausage and cheese omlettes, bacon and toast. We also have fresh fruit and juice/milk. For lunch someone will have the leftover tacos and it'll probably be pb, turkey or cheese sammies for everyone else. On the menu for dinner is another Tastefully Simple creation hearty chicken and dumpling soup :)
For breakfast today I made a Tastefully Simple berry buckle cake and DevilDoc is making sausage and cheese omlettes, bacon and toast. We also have fresh fruit and juice/milk. For lunch someone will have the leftover tacos and it'll probably be pb, turkey or cheese sammies for everyone else. On the menu for dinner is another Tastefully Simple creation hearty chicken and dumpling soup :)
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