Walmart.. and a confession

I hit the Payson store today. The good news: They are fully stocked with the Dawn dish soap that's FREE with the doubled P&G coupon. The bad news: they only let you get four. But for sure it's that limit that has made it so I could get some today, so I am a happy camper.

I also grabbed a few other goodies. The Hershey's Reese's Peanut butter chips are on rollback for $1.98. Use your -$1/2 coupon to get them for $1.48 each.
I cleaned out the .88 allergy meds. I was nearly out at home and Springville had been out of stock the last two times I went. So yes, this time I was a shelf clearer...

Now the confession..
I was buying socks and underwear for James for Christmas. I do that every year. I found some Fruit of the Loom socks that were made in the USA. It was 6 pair for around $7. On the other side of the aisle, the Starter brand (made in Honduras) had 10 pair for around $8. Yes.... I bought the Starter brand. I knew it was the wrong choice even as I was doing it. Total hypocrisy. I just couldn't get past the dollar amount. What's the lesson here?
It is going to take a lot of work, for myself also, to get everyone buying American again! 
At least they weren't made in China though...  :)

Today's Savings!

Today I hit Walmart and the Wonder bread store. Can I just say how devastated I am about the fall of Hostess? I feel for all the people losing jobs and I hate to have to start making my own bread again. I know, that's selfish and lazy of me. I really do feel bad for the employees though and truly hope the company will get bought out and they will get their jobs back.
So while I was at the Wonder store, I went ahead and stocked up on what I could.

Everything in the store (which isn't much) is 50% off. I got all of this for $6. The cashier told me today is their last day. There is some bread, corn tortillas, hamburger buns and candy left.

At Walmart, I grabbed a few more Christmas things for the kids. Boring stuff like socks and such. I had to hunt a bit, but none of them were made in China. I was apparently misinformed about Fruit of the Loom. :(
It seems that only a limited amount of their products are made in the USA. I couldn't find any that were. :(
I got a few double coupon items.

Some of the usuals:
Carefree liners FREE w/doubled coupon
Frigo cheese sticks $3.48
-.50/1 doubled= 2.48
Progresso soup starters $1.48
-.50/1 doubled= .48
Gerber baby cereal $1.98
-.65/2 doubled= 1.48 ea
Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix 17.5 oz $1.98
-.50/1 doubled= .98 ea

Yesterday I hit Buy Low and found some fun deals in the clearance carts.

 Shasta soda .25 ea
32 oz Crispy Rice $1.00
Kellogg's Raisin Bran $1.00
Motts and Betty Crocker fruit snacks .50 ea
-.50/2 coupon= .25 ea!!!
The cream cheese is .99 each. Great stock up price!! It is only this low at this time of year!

I grabbed some fruit and veggies. No particularly amazing prices as it wasn't their deal day but still better prices anywhere else. 
Best deals:
Iceberg lettuce 3/$1
Broccoli .50/lb
Gala apples .69/lb

And now some musings...
I picked up a big metal desk at a school yesterday. I've made a connection with the janitor and he leaves metal that's getting junked out behind the dumpsters for me. Sure beats hauling it out of a stinky dumpster!
We'll junk most of it for scrap but James is going to use the wooden desktop and the rollers from the drawer to make me a roll out shelf for my pots and pans. How cool is that?!
I am sitting here thinking about the things that we do to cut costs while still getting the things we really want. We have to be more patient and way more creative than other people, who choose to go into debt. The patience pays off though in lack of debt stress and the ability to breathe easy, even when unexpected needs arise. We are still poor, but comfortably so. :)
I really believe, that no matter what your life situation, no matter how much debt you have and however small your income might be, if you will just apply these principles to your life, you too can live with less stress and feel more peace in your life. You won't likely be rich or have all the goodies that the rest of society thinks are so important and necessary, but you will have joy and your family will have all that it truly needs. Plus maybe a few extras here and there, like dance lessons and a monthly pizza night.
1. If it isn't on sale and/or you don't have a REALLY good coupon, DON'T BUY IT!!
2. If it is on a great sale and/or you have a REALLY good coupon, and it is something you will actually need and use, BUY AS MUCH OF IT AS YOU CAN REASONABLY USE/STORE BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
3. If you can live without it, (and be honest, you probably can!)then DON'T BUY IT!!
America's garages and attics are chock full of crap that people thought they or their kids just had to have! 
4. Reign in the impulse or crying kid buys! This generation of kids is more spoiled than any in history. Rather than giving into their every demand because we don't want to deal with a tantrum or have someone think we're a bad parent, remind yourself that YOU ARE THE PARENT! You are the boss, your child is not. You are the father/mother. Not the best friend. Not only will these pacification's waste your money, you will also be responsible for having raised a child with a lack of discipline and self control and also likely bad spending habits.Reign it in! Be tough!
5. If there is a cheaper, but still reasonable, effective and legal way to get what you want, go for it! No brand or store loyalties! That can be hard for some people if you've been dedicated to a certain retailer or even a friend's business.I know it's tough sometimes, but you have to do what is best for your family. At the same time, I strongly encourage shopping local business whenever possible as a better local economy is a benefit to all
"Use it up, wear it out. Make do or do without."
Those who lived through the depression (a situation that most of us can't even imagine the severity and devastation of) still live by this mantra, knowing too well how quickly and easily we can lose all that we have. 
You can make your situation better. You don't need anyone to bail you out or to sacrifice your self respect by supporting a government that is quickly heading towards socialism, promising to give everyone their fair share. You can stand up and take care of yourself and your family! It will require work! Sacrifice! Self control! And lots of creativity! You can do it!
That is my soap box for today! It's up to us to save our nation, my friends!

If the price is right...

We all have a price... I hate to admit it... Yep. I signed up for the daily paper... Here's how it went down though:
It is only a 3 month subscription. The price was $27 but then the guy gave me $15 in Macey's gift cards which I then used on today's groceries.
You know how I feel about paying for coupons but the truth is, in the winter, it gets tough out there digging in the bins. I still will when it's worth it, but it will be nice to have a guaranteed delivery through the cold months. :0)
So, off I went into Macey's with my gift cards and I did amazing things! The deals this week are fantastic! Great stock up time!!

 Western Family Chocolate Chips $1.25
Milk $1.99 (today only!!!)

 Frozen veggies .69

 Coke & Sprite 2ltr products

 Libby's Canned Corn or Green beans .44

 WF Chicken or Beef Broth .44
WF Cream of Chicken or Mushroom Soup .59
Knorr Bullion Cubes .69
Canned Water Chestnuts .44
Cupcake liners .50
Sour Cream 16 oz .99
Seriously folks!! Get in there and stock up!!!

So then I hit the dollar store. The only place to buy nuts!
P.S. Have you heard?!?!
The Spanish Fork Dollar Tree now accepts manufacturer coupons!!! Bust out your binders and see what deals you can scare up! 

This was an awesome shopping day! I have a teeny bit to do tomorrow. Stay tuned! Getting us ready for the end of the world! ;)

Deal of the Day!

It's been awhile since I've done one of these but there's a stock up deal right now that you just can't miss!

Macey's

Western Family Chocolate Chips 4/$5!!!

You have through Monday! Jump in and get as many as you have room for in your deep freezer!

Fresh Market

I made a quick stop at Fresh Market today. I totally hit a meaty jack pot!

 I grabbed a few more boxes of Barilla whole grain noodles. .88 each
-$1/2 Barrilla= .33 each!!
Land o frost deli meat 9 oz $2.19 ea
-$1/2 Land o frost= $1.69 ea
Cake Cups .89 ea
And then the good stuff!!
I hit the Clearance meat and made it big!

I got 4 of these Jenni-O turkey cutlets and tenderloins. They were just $1 each!!
I also got some nice cuts of steak and some lovely pork chops at crazy low prices!
I've mentioned before that a full freezer is more efficient. Mine will be running really well! :)
Ps. A tip from a reliable source: Meat prices are going to spike thanks to crop issues. Wouldn't hurt to stock up if you can.  

Ancient Coupons

So you know how I look for magazines in the recycling bins? Oh yeah! We hardcore divers are in the dumpsters even in the snow! :)
I found a really old, fun Woman's Day magazine from the 80's. I enjoyed the flashback to old styles.. Oh the hair-do's and shoulder pads...

Anywho, it was a good laugh. I also found a couple of really old coupons. A couple of them were marked "no expiration."

It was really fun finding these old guys. The other one I found, unfortunately was for a product that no longer exists.
Here's the thing to know: even if the product packaging has changed, even if the name is a bit different, there is still a really good chance that the coupon will be accepted. So why not try?! Plus it's just so cool using a coupon that is nearly as old as I am!
Oh the fun that waits for you in the bins!

Yesterday

I made a quick stop at Fresh Market yesterday. I love seeing them being consistently competitive lately!

Milk was $1.99 yesterday only.
I also got these other deals that go through Tuesday:
Cheese Sticks 5.99= .24 per stick
Barilla Whole Grain or white pasta .88
-$1/2 Barilla= .33 each!!!
Land O Frost Deli meat 9 oz $2.19
-$1/2 any 2 Land o Frost= 1.69 ea

Another little tid bit I must report on:
I was so seriously depressed when the Presidential Election went down... I was just miserable. Well, one thing that always manages to cheer me up is hunting. I stopped at a recycling bin in Salem to drop off my recycling and happily found all of these books inside!

I am going to sell some of them and keep a couple for my family. The one I am most excited about:
Children's Songbook.
I have wanted this book for my kids ever since I had my first baby! I just couldn't justify spending the money. And ta-da! Here is the very book I wanted, even in hard cover! Perfect condition! My daughter hasn't let it go since I gave it to her!
Lessons learned: Patience pays off! And there is always a silver lining!

Hope lives on! 

Freebies at the gym OR "just ask!"

 So I have a Golds Gym corporate membership through my husband's work. It is an amazing deal and I am grateful for it.
 My sister and I were the Terrible Twosome at the gym before she went back east to be a nanny. I was on my own for a whole year!! Well, since she has been back, I have been engaging in a pleasantly persistent offensive, doing all within my power to bring her back into the fold; to reunite the masters of the gym!
 Finally, she has given in! She went to the gym with me today and we got her all signed up. Never one to miss an opportunity, I asked the guy doing the paper work what he could hook me up with as I've brought my sister back.
 Here's what I got:

 A nice big t-shirt and a sweat towel for my workouts. My sister also got one of the towels.
Would we have gotten anything but a handshake if I hadn't of piped up? I doubt it. Open your mouths folks!! You never know until you ask! :)
Ps. We had a lovely workout! We're back! Watch out Gold's Gym patrons!!!

Flu Shot Research

So I wanted to try flu shots for the kids this year and you know me, always looking for a deal! I found that Jean Brown & associates Research out of Salt Lake was doing a study on the current commercial flu shot and was looking for participants so I signed up the baby.
We got a call back this week and her and I drove up to get it done. The study is on the same flu shot that you get at the doctor's office for this year. They just draw the child's blood before and after the shots to see if the body is reacting properly to the immunization in order to know how to formulate the shot next year.
My baby is such a trooper and did a great job!
We have to go back up for another shot in one month and then for the final blood draw a month after that. We were paid $100 for the first visit. We'll be paid $100 for the second visit and $50 for the 3rd visit. We used the first payment to buy huge boxes of Huggies and wipes for the baby.
There are all kinds of ways out there to get what you need for yourself and your babies. Sometimes you just have to be creative!

Product Review Luvs Diapers

LUVS DIAPERS 

 I gave them a fair chance. Lesson learned; cheaper is not always better! 

  With my first 2 kids, I religiously used Huggies' Diapers. I never had a problem with them, on either my girl or my boy. With this one however, I decided to give Luvs, a much less expensive brand, a try. You know how I like saving money. 

  I quickly discovered that the supposed savings were eaten up with ruined clothing and a horrible skin rash. Every time my little girls poops, it all goes up her back, right out of the diaper.

  She also developed this horrible diaper rash just a few weeks into wearing Luvs. We treated it aggressively and it went away. Then it came back. We treated it again. Then it came back. Again and again and again. We tried several different treatments that the doctor recommended. 

  Then I spoke with my sister in law and come to find out, her baby boy had the same terrible reaction when wearing Luvs diapers. I decided right then that the battle was over. I was done! 

  My husband and I had wanted to use up the rest of the Luvs since we paid for them, but seeing my baby's angry red bum, at the point of having open sores, we decided against it and have had her laying on a bed pad all day with a bare bum. 

  My husband is off to Sam's Club with his mom to get a box of Huggies! No more of this nonsense!

Moral of the story: Cheaper sometimes equals trouble. If you have something that you know works and you love, find a way to afford it! Cut back elsewhere on things that don't matter as much! That is all I have to say about that. :)