Walgreen's Adventure!

 I finally made it to Walgreen's this evening!! I was super pleased with myself! I got $92 worth of merchandise for just $33 out of pocket!! I feel so good!! I found one surprise deal there that I took advantage of which were 4oz off brand boxes of dried "Craisins" for just $1 each. There were several types of dry fruit available, but those were the only ones I was interested in.
 One of the sale items I wanted was out of stock. Not a huge surprise and not a big deal. It was the Homestyle Mac n' Cheese from Kraft. I am going to just price match it at Walmart or Target, wherever I end up first.
 I have to say how wonderful it was to be out couponing all on my own this evening. It was liberating, exciting, energizing! I look forward to my next such adventure, which will be at the D.I. and Savers second hand superstores. I can hardly wait!!
 One other money saving endeavor for this week will happen Friday. I am going to bake at least 6 loaves of bread!! That's about what I have room for in my freezers after the great deals I got on cheese today. I am super excited to bake as bread is not something I make often. What can you make at home that will save your family some green??

 Deal of the Day:

 Walgreen's

8oz Shredded Cheese 2/$3

-$1 off any 2 pounds cheese

(online coupon)= $1.25 each!

Mid Day Report

 Hectic day!!!!! And only half way down today's list! We hit the gym, I prepped everything for my facial today, bought ink refills, and hit Walmart. I used just over $19 in coupons on my order and that doesn't account for the many other things I got, which are regulars for my family, that I was able to find on sale or price match for even more savings. Here are the coolest deals/coupon tricks I found:

I used my $1/2 Taco Bell coupon for 2 Seasoning packets at $.52 each. Total paid: $.04

I used my SlimFast coupon(Buy 2 Shake Packs, Get 1 FREE Box Snack Bars) The Slim Fast was on sale for $4.98 and the register let me get a box of Meal Bars instead of Snack bars. The max value of the coupon was $4.99 and the Meal Bars cost $4.98. Just another reason why you should always try to use coupons on similar items. The manufacturer will often let you substitute! Way better value this way.

So I was going to use 2 coupons on this deal, but as fate would have it, one of the shake boxes was open and spilled it's contents all over the floor. That sucked, but it also gave me the chance to see that the box had coupons printed inside!! Yay!! So I will cut them out and use them to purchase next week's Slim Fast products at an even better deal! It'll go a little something like this:

2 Slim Fast Shake multipacks @ $4.98 ea

1 Slim Fast Meal Replacemnt Bar muliti pack $4.98

-coupon B2 G1

(2x) -$1/1 Slimfast Meal Bar Multi Pack(the register lets you use these for the shakes!)

Total Retail Value: $14.94

-coupons ($6.98)

Total Price: $$7.96  Nearly 50% off!

I'm even going to see if the register will take the -$.75/1 Slim Fast Snack Bar coupon I have. Probably won't, but it doesn't hurt to try! :)

Now I must shower and get ready for my MK appointment. After that I will head to the Dollar store and to Walgreens!

Today's Agenda!

 Today I am conquering the world! Okay, maybe not the world....
I don't know how many of you know, but I happen to have a lovely little pain disorder that makes some things, like living, kinda difficult for me. I also happen to be one of the most stubborn people in the world! I have things I want to get done and I am not going to let something silly, like some miswired nerves hold me back! Will I regret this tonight when I crash into bed? Maybe. But only physically. My spirit will yell WOOHOO!! So there! Anywho, here is my crazy agenda:

the "pool" gym

Iguana Ink

Walgreen's

the Party store

the Dollar store

Walmart

Sara's house (she's my cake lady)

Mary Kay facial w/a new customer

Post office

Make dinner

Clean both bathrooms

 Not all necessarily in that order. It all has to get done and so it is going to get done! Mmmwwwwwaaaaaahahahahahaha!!!! Forgive me a sinister chuckle. It feels like I'm setting out to do something sneaky.  :)

 I will report this evening and we'll see how it all goes!

Change of Plans...

 So the day has not completely gone how I planned. Nothing new! We went to the gym, I delivered my Mary Kay products, deposited money in the ATM, and hit our local recycling bins. I scored big time!! So many great coupons!! I've spent most of the day clipping and filing!
 I wasn't able to get any shopping done today but my husband has agreed to give me a couple of hours tomorrow evening to get it done without distraction. It will be quite an endeavor! I have at least four stores to hit at this point, not only to get the super deals on my list, but also to get ready for my son's birthday party on Wednesday. I'm tired just thinking about it...
 Our kitchen remodel is coming along. The sink is up and running again. Sadly, we weren't able to recycle our old faucet. And it's really too bad because it was an expensive one. I would've liked to have found a great deal online, but the hubs just wanted it hooked up, so he found one at Home Depot that will do the job. He is not quite on the deal train with me, but is probably even more concerned about money than I am. We have yet to come to a meeting of the minds but I hold my tongue since I am the one who started the kitchen project ahead of schedule... :)
 My plan for the upcoming birthday party will include appetizers and desserts. Here are the things I plan to make at home:

Fruity Cereal Marshmallow Bars

Cheesy Bean Dip w/ chips

Homemade Graham Crackers

Pudding Pie

Jello Pie

Mini meat pies

 We shall see which ones I end up getting done. It will be an adventure! I should probably do a veggie tray of some kind. It all depends on what deals I find. :)

 What great dessert idea can you put together made ONLY with ingredients you have on hand?? Food for thought. ;)

All fired up!

 I am sooo excited for the morning! I'm going to hit my ink jet refill place in town and then get my printer working on all the great coupons available online right now!
 Around lunch time I will hit the recycling bins; you need to give people time to get their papers over to the bins. Being patient is so tough! :)
 Once I have all of my coupons gathered, I will hit Walgreens and Rite Aid. At first glance it didn't look like there was much at either store this week, but on further inspection, I have discovered that both of them have some pretty amazing deals on things I really need right now and some things that I would love to stock up on. How cool is that?!
 I plan to leave the kids with the hubs while I set off on this. One, I need some me time badly!!! Plus, if I am going to really jump back into this and do it right, shooting for the ultimate haul, I just can't afford the stress and havoc of bringing the kids! It is better for all of us this way!!
 Oh, and other than baby wipes (which I HAVE to buy tomorrow), from here on out, I won't be buying anything that isn't on sale or associated with a great coupon! I know it can be done!! And even the wipes I will buy where I know I can get the best deal. I refuse to waste anymore of my family's Disneyland money paying full price! :)
 We ate dinner with my in laws tonight and they were kind enough to save me their circulars. Yay!! I also hit my mom in law's donation pile, as per usual. You can do what I do!! Just ask people where their donation piles are. You know everyone has one. One gal's junk is often my treasure! I have found some of the greatest things this way and I am not ashamed of it! And your friends and relatives will actually be grateful because you are taking out their "trash." Remember, they were getting rid of it anyway! :)
 I am so excited to report on tomorrow's adventures! 'Nite!

News

 A couple other little tidbits:

Until 9pm tomorrow night, Old Navy has an amazing sale going on: 80% off select Clearance items!!! Worth checking out!!

Also, in today's circular coupons, the one I am most excited about!
$3.00 off Huggies Diapers!!

There isn't a ton going on at Walgreen's or Rite Aid this week. I'm not going to even bother with Walgreen's. I will make a quick trip to Rite Aid however and grab a few things. My plan is to get $14 worth of products for $5. I know, not amazing. Like I said, this week isn't full of possibilities at this point. We shall see what else I might find though. You never know what unadvertised surprises you will discover at the store!

My new favorite show!!!

Late last night I found my new FAVORITE show on TLC!! It is called Extreme Couponing and wow!! I have so much to aspire to!!! Bubbling up inside me are dreams of hauling out $500 worth of merchandise for under $10 payment! It was out of control!! The best part of it though, was this woman in California who climbs into recycling bins with her little boy to retrieve coupons. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!!! And I don't even climb in. So next time you see me reaching half my body inside the deposit window to retrieve valuable coupons, don't turn away in embarressment! I have yet to really embarress you!!! ;)
ps. This same dumpster diving woman in CA has around $45000 in stockpiled groceries and household products in her home.... so there!