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Archive for September, 2009

Cold Morning!

September 30th, 2009 at 03:27 pm

It was 46 degrees this morning! Really cold! It was 63 in the house! I am too cheap to turn the heat on so I am all bundled up! It will soon be the kind of weather where we have to turn the heat on at night and the air on during the day!

I took DD and her friend to McDonalds last night. It was funny...I told them if they could find the IHOP coupon in the car, we would go there...so they tore it up. Didn't have one. McDonalds has free french fries on Tuesdays, but it is per order per person. So we each went to the counter and placed individual orders for our value menu food and free fries. We all ate dinner for $5! Thought that was cool!

Nothing else to report yet.

Looking Up....Again

September 29th, 2009 at 05:31 pm

Things are looking up again for the budget. I am so excited about it. I might be a little obsessed...but that is when my budget does the best...when I am obsessed. So...things are looking good through October. Still have to work on the 1st of November, since that last payday in October will have to cover those expenses.

I also found out that the minimum propane delivery is only $225. I had thought it was around $400. So that is good. I will have to fill up sooner, but at least we will have it!

Coupons and Sales: Sales and Coupons

September 28th, 2009 at 09:08 pm

I went to CVS and Rite Aid today. Did pretty good if I do say so myself. Rite Aid owes me $8! I made money there! WOW!! I could have saved an additional $3 though if I had been more organized. I think I might go back and exchange the batteries, and use the coupons...who knows if it will work or not!

Check out the spreadsheet of what I have saved! I have made some changes to it to include more information.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aoxxen7TLxGJdHhLc1lTVGY0M1QwQWFWYmlzN25zc3c&hl=en

Good News

September 28th, 2009 at 04:21 pm

My ex-father-in-law called me yesterday afternoon...I didn't answer because he seems to talk for ever about things I don't have an interest in anymore! I called him back this morning. Remember a while ago he sold me his big screen tv and refridgerator. Well, I have been sending him $30 a month toward it. He told me this morning to not worry about sending it to him anymore...he didn't need the stuff since he is living in his camper(going through divorce) and he didn't want me to pay him either. So cool! That is $30 a month that I don't have to worry about anymore!

Updated Savings

September 28th, 2009 at 02:13 am

I have saved $346 this month! It is just amazing! It has become truly an addiction. I actually went to the store in the pouring rain yesterday because .34 butter wouldn't wait until today!

Here is the link to my blog with the updated information.

http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/

I have attached a spreadsheet to keep track of the savings.

Shopping this Week

September 27th, 2009 at 07:43 pm

I didn't save as much this week because I had to purchase all of the items that we were out of. Ketchup, fabric Softner, swiffer refills. I had to buy a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't have purchased normally since it wasn't on sale.

The biggest saving this week as the country crock butter for .34 and the Honey Bunchs of Oats for .50.

Here is a link to my blog that I will update with the totals.

http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/

CVS and Rite Aid

September 25th, 2009 at 06:55 pm

I went to CVS and Rite Aid at lunch today. Here is how I did:

CVS:
Receipt #1
(4) 12 Pk sodas - 12.00
-.25 coupon

(3) Kleenux - .96/each
-.50 coupon

(1) Crest Pro Health toothpaste 2.99
-.75 coupon (2 ECB makes this .24!!)

Total = 18.64
Coupons - 1.50
ECB Received = 5.00

Receipt #2
(2) Cranberry pills - B1G1 50%
6.99 + 3.49

Total = 11.21
Used 9 ECB
Total out of pocket 2.21

Rite Aid
(2) GE light bulbs .50 each
2/4.00-3.00 in add coupon.

1 Duracell 4-pk 9 volt 9.99
11.99-2.00 in add coupon

Bic Soleil Razors 1.99(reg 6.49)
4.99 - 3.00 coupon

(2) Tag Body Spray .25 each
b1g1 50% 4.99 + 2.50
bogo free coupon - 4.99
manuf coupon - 2.00

Total: 34.72
Coupons - 20.99(inc $5 off $25)
Total check = 13.73


Total for the day:
91.19 in merchandise
-26.62 sale prices
-31.49 coupons
33.08 total out of pocket for the day
58.11 Saved!!!

The Tag and the Crest toothpast are definately the best by far. Still have Ingles and Food Lion to go to. I don't know that I will do as good since I have to purchase alot of items that we are out of and I don't have coupons for. Don't think they are on sale.

I have started a new blog to track coupon savings...http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/ check it out...

CVS and Rite Aid

September 25th, 2009 at 06:54 pm

I went to CVS and Rite Aid at lunch today. Here is how I did:

CVS:
Receipt #1
(4) 12 Pk sodas - 12.00
-.25 coupon

(3) Kleenux - .96/each
-.50 coupon

(1) Crest Pro Health toothpaste 2.99
-.75 coupon (2 ECB makes this .24!!)

Total = 18.64
Coupons - 1.50
ECB Received = 5.00

Receipt #2
(2) Cranberry pills - B1G1 50%
6.99 + 3.49

Total = 11.21
Used 9 ECB
Total out of pocket 2.21

Rite Aid
(2) GE light bulbs .50 each
2/4.00-3.00 in add coupon.

1 Duracell 4-pk 9 volt 9.99
11.99-2.00 in add coupon

Bic Soleil Razors 1.99(reg 6.49)
4.99 - 3.00 coupon

(2) Tag Body Spray .25 each
b1g1 50% 4.99 + 2.50
bogo free coupon - 4.99
manuf coupon - 2.00

Total: 34.72
Coupons - 20.99(inc $5 off $25)
Total check = 13.73


Total for the day:
91.19 in merchandise
-26.62 sale prices
-31.49 coupons
33.08 total out of pocket for the day
58.11 Saved!!!

The Tag and the Crest toothpast are definately the best by far. Still have Ingles and Food Lion to go to. I don't know that I will do as good since I have to purchase alot of items that we are out of and I don't have coupons for. Don't think they are on sale.

Lost Money...so Frustrating

September 25th, 2009 at 02:53 am

I stopped and got $20 to get into the football game tonight. I was fiddling with the umbrella I bought, the chair, and a blanket. Got half way to the gate an realized that the money wasn't in my pocket. I remember seeing it in the cupholder and picking it up. But I can't find it. I have no clue where it went. I looked everywhere! As frustrating as that is, my sister has a good outlook...she said that I just believe that someone found it that needed to buy milk for their baby. So that is what I am going to think. I have found a $10 bill in the bank parking lot before and it was all I had for the week. I called the bank, but of course no one claimed it. But it was really a blessing...so I probably just gave someone a blessing.

I got gas in Jasper, which was about 15 cents cheaper per gallon. So I saved about $2 by filling up.

Got my coupons all organized for shopping this weekend. All ready to do my saving! Can't wait!

Long Week

September 24th, 2009 at 06:55 pm

It has been a long week! I have been really sick. I finally went to the dr yesterday and got a steriod shot. OUCH! The coughing has eased up, but I am still absolutely exhausted! I could lay down and go to sleep! My daughter got over it pretty quick. My DH now has it. My son only developed an ear infection. Lets hope we are done now for the year!

Tomorrow is pay day. Most things have been set up already. The only thing that hasn't is the mortgage. I am going to be making it on time and paying $25 more than the payment. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it sure feels good to pay anything extra on it! Everything else is set up through bill pay.

Went through and made my lists today for the stores this weekend. I will match up the coupons tonight. I have to buy a few necessary items, but should overall do pretty well.

Coupons Savings This Week

September 19th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

Overall this week, I got $216 worth of stuff and only spent $102! Awesome! The Biggest deal was two airwick automatic air freshners. They are $12.27 each...but they were BOGO free at Food Lion. That made them $6.15 each. I had a $6 off coupon with made one 15 cents. I also had a $4 off coupon, which made the other one $2.15. So I got both air freshners for $2.30!!! YEA!!!

First Stop: CVS
Receipt #1
Garnier Shampoo and Conditioners (3)
Cheerios (2) ($3.00x2=6) 1 off/two get 2ecb (makes it $1.50/box)
Suave Body Wash (3) (2/each) 1 off/three get 2 ECB (makes it .99 Each)
Colgate Advance Toothpaste 2.99 (1 off) get 2 ECB (makes it .99)

Total: 26.20
Coupons : -8.75
Total Check: 17.45
Received 7 ECB

Receipt #2
Clairol Nat Instincts Hair Color 5.99 (2 off coupon) received 2 ECB Makes it 1.99
Pantene Shampoo(2) 5.99 (1 off two) received 2 ecb
Dividers - not coupons
Face wash - no coupons

Total: 27.34
Coupons: -3.00
ECB: - 7
Total Check = 17.34
Received 4 ECB

Rite Aid
Kotex Panti Liners: 5.59( 1 off coupon)
Herbal Essence Sham and Cond 2.99/Each (used 2 1/off coupons)

Total 12.90
Coupons: -3.00
Total Check = 9.90
SCR = $3.00

Food Lion
Tyson Chicken Tenders 4.99 (2/off coupon)
Airwick freshners (2) 12.27 each bogo free (used a $6 off coupon and a $4 off coupon)(makes it about $1.15 each!!!!)
canned vegetables - .50 each (4)
Glade candles (2) 8.99 BOGO free (used $3 off coupon)(Makes it $2.50 each!!)
Quaker dipps - 2.00 each (2)
Tilipia - 4.99

total: 69.07
Store disc: 29.88
coupons: $14.00
Total Check: 25.19

Ingles:
Hamburger/Tuna Helper - (6) 1 each (used (2) .75 off 3 coupons) made them .75 each
betty crocker cake mix & frost (2.50) used 1 off coupon.
cake mix and frosting (2.50) used .50 off coupon
taco seasoning - (2).66(used coupon for 1 free)
taco shell - 1.82
grands biscuits - (4) 1.25 each. used (2) 1.00 off two coupons. (makes them .75 each)
crescent rolls - (2) 1.66 used 1 off two coupon)
dozen eggs
spider man mac and cheese(for dd)
boneless skinless breasts - 1.99/pound

Total: 60.84
Coupons: .5.91
double coupons: .75
Store sales: 21.57
total check: 32.61

So I saved $41.66 in coupons and $71.52 in store sales. Go Me!!!

Total for the month:
221.14 saved!!!

Oh and almost forgot! DD and I went to IHOP for breakfast...had a bogo free coupon. So saved $6.99!!! It has been a great coupon day!



Its A New Day...

September 17th, 2009 at 02:19 pm

Still rainy and yucky...but the sunroof is closed!!! LOL. DD woke up not feeling good this morning. I was going to take her to my moms until the ibuprofen could kick in for her head ache. But as I looked at her...she just didn't look good. I took her temp and she is running one. So we are home...not wanting to expose my 80 year old parents to the crud. BUt because of the rain, the football game will likely be cancelled so she won't miss it.

Received my check from Rite Aid yesterday for $13.49. I don't have to use that at Rite Aid do I? It has a line printed to used for any purchase at Rite Aid. But it looks like a regular check. I thought it was going to be a regular check.

Yesterday was a NSD. The first in a long while! I have prepared my cvs, food lion, ingles, and rite aid lists. This website has added the ability to create lists that will print with the coupon options.

http://www.southernsavers.com

I really like this site...it has helped me a lot!

Bad Day

September 16th, 2009 at 02:54 pm

Well...my day started pretty normal until I went out to discover that I had left the sun roof open on the car. We had torrential rain last night! The cup holders were completely flooded! Thank goodness I have leather seats, but the carpet and the mail I had left in the console were soaked!!! The receipt from Rite Aid that I need to enter of course was drenched! Hoping I can still make it out enough to enter it. There was also my SCR from rite aid in the console...it was in the middle of the stack so it didn't get too wet. My son loved it because I got really mad at him for leaving the sunroof open in his car.

Then I dropped gravy all down the front of my shirt. What was supposed to be a simple software conversion has turned out to be nightmare! This is one of those days when I need to go back to bed and start over.

Not much has changed financially. Still not sure how I am going to come up with the money...but I will figure it out. Not going to stress about it. Stress gets me nowhere.

Speaking of stress...I have started another puzzle at home. I realized that I was spending too much time on the computer, so I decided to take a break. I wasn't even on it all last night! Go Me!

Magic Eraser Addiction

September 13th, 2009 at 02:00 am

I admit it...I am addicted. I mopped my floor and thought it was clean. Just to check, I went over a spot with the Magic Eraser. YUCK!!! It was not clean at all! So...yep... I did the kitchen floor by hand with magic erasers. I tried the magic eraser mop, but it didn't do any good. I am exhausted! Feeling very impressed with myself. The kitchen and laundry room is now very clean. Since everyone has to enter through the laundry room, I am feeling very good about things...now I can start on the rest of the house! I probably need to invest in Magic Erasers....These things are awesome!

Financially, nothing has really changed. I have a lawyer calling me about a medical bill. I have been making $30 payments to the collection agency. I upped it to $50 2 months ago since that was what they told me they had to have. They sent it to a lawyer anyway. They told me at first that they coudn't accept less than $100 per month. I stuck to my guns. I can't afford that and told them so. He was going to let the lawyer know. He called back on Friday and said the lawyer wanted to know if there was anything I could do, even $75 a month. Told them the same thing...no. I was doing all I could do. I am hoping that if they decide to take it to court, the judge will consider that I have been making payments. It is what is.

I went to work this morning after taking daughter to performance. then took a long nap and then the kitchen floor. So I feel like I have had a productive day!

Not So Little Surprises!!

September 11th, 2009 at 02:30 pm

Well, I have been working on my budget and all is going well. I needed to come up with something like $180 by the 20th in order for it to work out. BUT WAIT!!!!

DS tells me last night that he is close to not being allowed to charge lunches anymore at school because of his balance. Had to write him a check for $40 to cover balance plus a few more days. And I wrote a check at Ingles last night for dog food and cat food. And we needed Sudafed to fight the seasonal allergies! DH also "borrowed" some money for gas since he started a new job. I don't know that I will get it back this week. So all told, I now need to come up with $300! So I will have to do some major reconstructiong. Might have to borrow some from my mom because the items to paid can't be put off until the next payday...but I can pay her back on that next payday. UGGGGG!!! I can't wait to get to a point where I have a cushion for these surprises. I try to plan for everything, even the unexpected, but some weeks, like this one, I just can't build that "extra" into the budget.

Budget Planning Blues

September 9th, 2009 at 03:52 pm

I am hopeful I guess that I will be able to do all I want to do this month. I have put my saving shopping on hold, since we have a good supply of food in the house and no fear of running out of anything. The rest of this month is going to be tight. I get paid on Friday, already have everything set up in bill pay. The good news is that everything is going to get paid, the bad news is that on the 20th, I will be short $183. I will probably have to reduce the amount I am sending to my snoball credit card. Bummer. I have it down for $100, but may have to send $50. That at least gets me closer to the shortfall. Will see as it gets closer.

I can't wait to get all of this debt paid off. The cashflow that will be increased will be amazing! I might even be able to save something! I have roughly $375 in medical/credit card payments right now. Imagine if I didn't have that...I could make double the car payment! I could add more to my mortgage payment! I could actually build my emergency fund. I guess it is baby steps...but seeing that so many of the debts are close it exciting. I will try to update a page to show the progress I have made. I am quite proud. And I probably wouldn't have been as successful with out the support and enouragement I have found here! Thank you guys!!

Grocery Shopping

September 7th, 2009 at 06:43 pm

I did some grocery shopping yesterday...below are the results.

IGA:
Tostitos
Salsa
3 cans beenie weenies($1 each)
Pillsbury Biscuits(2/$3)
2 Texas Pete Hot Dog Chili(.50/each)
Hormel Bacon (bogo)
Daisy Sour Cream

Total $24.17
Coupons $.50(biscuits)
Total 23.67
Sale Savings = 8.69

SUPER SAVER:
Hot Dog buns .67
(2) Hamburger buns .67 each
(2) manwich 1.00/each
(3) Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs .97/each
(4) Mayfield half gallon ice cream 1.50 each
(3) Bush baked beans 1.33

total 22.43
Not sure of the sale savings as they don't break it...but saved at least 50% on the ice cream alone!

So Far I have done very well I think. I am satisfied with the amount of groceries in the house. It is so different to go to the store and just get what is on sale because we don't really need anything! Plus I was able to look at stuff that was "on sale" and say, "that really isn't a great deal...good by not great and since I don't need it, I am not getting it". I am very proud of the shopping smarts I have acquired in the last few weeks.

Bummer though...there were NO coupon inserts in the paper this weekend!!! I can't believe it! We are limited in the paper I get and I really wish that we could get the AJC...oh well.. guess I will have to keep wishing!

CVS this week

September 4th, 2009 at 01:22 am

Okay...I went to CVS with a plan...but an hour later, my plan had gone to crap. I still think I did pretty good though.

Receipt #1
Bounty Paper towels-6 pk 5.89
Secret Deodarant 3.99
Duracell 8 pk AA batteries 6.99
Duracell 16 pk AAA batteries 12.49

Coupons:
.25 off bounty
.75 off Duracell
1.50 off duracell

Total before coupons: 31.42
Total 28.92
Received 6 ECB


Receipt #2
Pantene Shampoo 3.49
Pantene Cond 3.49
Dawn .97
Soft Soap 4.99
Dove Soap Bars 7.99
Dove Body Wash 8.69

Total Before Coupons: $31.34
Total Coupons: $15
ECB Used: $6

Total check: 10.34
Received 8.50 ECB

Receipt #3
Tide (2) 5.98 Each

Total: 12.80
ECB Used: 7.50

Total Check: 4.30

Total of all receipts before coupons:75.56
Total of checks written: 43.56

Total of coupons: $32.00

That brings my total for the month to 86.25, between sale items and coupons. Go Amy..Go Amy...Go Go Go Amy

Small Purchase

September 1st, 2009 at 06:49 pm

I went to make a bagel out for lunch and realized that I am out of cream cheese! I had to go to Piggly Wiggly and get cream cheese. I had a coupon for $1 off two. I bought two for 1.99 each, got a dollar off. So they were 1.50 each. But I was sucker for the temptation. I bought an edmonds frozen pie...the singles. UGH! Just looked so good. Then I had to get milk. So the lack of planning for the cream cheese last weekend cost me $6.

Another CVS Trip

September 1st, 2009 at 03:07 pm

I went into CVS this morning to get stuff for work and noticed that they had tide on sale for 5.98($3 less). There was a coupon in the paper last week for $1 off any tide. ANd I had $2ecb. So my Tide cost me $3.40. More Saving to add to my total!