More then .50

Yesterday some one said to me " I would rather shop at one store and spend .50 extra then shop around." Please take no offense if you are reading this. NONE is meant. It just made me think about what I spend, save, and "extra travel".

As a whole I really don't travel extra. All stores are within 7 miles of me. In fact, I could hit them all up on my way to church, community group, or my parents and only travel ONE mile out of my way. Or, I could hit two of them up on the way home from taking Dave to work or picking him up. TRUST ME, after picking him up is the FAR better option. 3 children and shopping is NO FUN. It isn't so much the "can we get this? Can we get that?" It is racing to the blinky machines(coupons in store) to see who can get it first, then getting mad if someone else captured more. It is the "Are we almost done yet?" It's the pulling the cart from side to side, OR EVEN WORSE.....walking IN FRONT of the cart when I simply cannot stop in time and run over a little body. Then, to top it all off, Rohanna grabs at candy bars, or thinks she is for sale and attempts to crawl onto the grocery belt, as the boys are on the other end either trying to bag groceries, or checking out the little button that makes the little spinny that the groceries sit on at the end(ACME), go round and round. How fast CAN it go mom??? Or investigating RedBox..."It's ONLY a dollar mom."

Ok, ok, where was I? Oh yes, savings, etc. If you want to see just totals scroll down to the bottom lol.

I think the best way to describe WHY I exclaimed FIFTY CENTS??????? would be to give you my totals for the week....and what I purchased. Then you might see just why I go to THREE grocery stores(yup, 3).

You will see that meat is not on my list. That is because I stocked up last week. Same goes for milk and eggs.

ACME:
**4 Ragu(emergency dinners): 2.99 - sale price - 1.69 - .88 IF YOU BUY 4 - used 1.00/2 coupons (2 coupons)
***3 Pillsbury bread mix: 2.79 - sale price - 1.67 - .40/1(double coupons= .80/1 -had 3 coupons)
*** Smuckers jam: 2.95 - sale price - 2.00 - .25/1 (doubled - .50/1)
*** Smuckers jam - 3.39 - sale price - 2.00 - .25/1 (doubled - .50/1)
*** 1 Crisco cooking oil - 4.99 - sale price - 2.50 - 1.00/1
*** 6 Pillsbury brownie mix - 2.49 - sale price - 1.00 - .40/1 (doubled - .80/1 - had 6 coupons)
*** Eagle condensed milk - 3.49 - 2.00 sale price - .55/1 (doubled - 1.10/1)
*** 1 Pillsbury Frosting - 2.19 - 1.50 sale price - .40/1 (doubled - .80/1)
** 10 Cheese - 2.99 - sale price - 1.00

Total: Regular price - 82.18 - sale price - 37.76 - manufacturer coupons doubled(12.10) - $15.00 coupons for a deal they had last week that gave $15 of next order, AND those coupons took .90 off in tax = TOTAL PAID 6.52 PLUS I received another $5 of my next order. The items with *** added up to $20(a little over) before coupons so I got the $5 coupon.


Giant: I did 2 deals. They only double one like coupon in an order AND I was waiting on today's coupons so I could get the rest of the stuff.

#1:
Buy 8 of these items get $5 off instantly*:

*8 Green Giant frozen veggies - 1.79 each - sale price - 1.00 - .60/3(doubled - 1.20), and .60/3 (not doubled)

Uncle Ben's Long grain and wild rice - 1.95 - 1.67 sale price - .75/1 (doubled - 1.50)

3 Phila. cream cheese - 2.09 - sale price 1.25 - 1.25/3

TOTAL - Reg. price - 22.54 - sale price - 13.42 - manu. coupons - 4.55 - inst. savings - $5 TOTAL PAID - $3.03

#2

Buy 7 save $4 inst.*:

*1 Betty Crocker frosting(BC) - 1.49 - sale price 1.39 - .50/1 (doubled 1.00/1)
*2 BC cake mix - 1.29 ea. - sale price 1.00
m and m's - .79 - sale price - .50 (Dave was starving!!!!)
*2 Bakers Chocolate - 2.59 ea. - sale price 2.00 ea - 1.00/2
*McCormick peppercorn - 2.29 - sale price - 2.00 - .50/1 (doubled 1.00)
Uncle Ben's Rice - 1.79 - sale price 1.67 - .75/1 (doubled - 1.50/1)
*Keebler graham crust - 1.69 - sale price - 1.50 - .30/1 (doub. .60/1)
Hot dog relish - 1.29
4 Disposable bread tins - clearanced - .50 ea
1 wilton crayola candles - .35 (clearance)
1 squiggly candles - .67 (clearance)

TOTAL: Reg. price 20.12 - Sale price - 17.37 - manu coup. - 5.10 - minus $4 inst. saving TOTAL PAID - 8.45

Superfresh

Herr's Tortilla chips - Reg. price 3.79 - sale price 1.89
2 Nesquik choc. milk - reg. price 2.19 ea. - sale price 1.00 - 1.00/2
Sorrento Mozzarella(1 lb) - reg. price 4.99 - sale price 1.99
2 helluva good cheese - reg. price 3.29 ea - sale price 1.64 - manu coup. 1.00/2
4 Hunts tomatoes (28 oz) - reg. 1.69 ea - sale 1.00 - manu 1.00/4, store coupon .25/1
1 A and P rootbeer(4 pk - reg. 3.99 - sale - 1.49
1 marcal toilet paper 4 pk - reg. 1.49 - sale - 1.29 - manu 1.00/1
Turkey Hill Icecream - reg. 5.99 - sale 2.99 - when you buy $15 in groceries sale 1.89 - manu - 1.00/1, store coup. .50/1
AC butter - 1.99 - when you buy $15 groceries sale 1.49

TOTAL: Reg. price 39.96 - sale price 19.32 - manu coup. 5.00 - store coup - .75
TOTAL PAID: 13.66


Earlier in week went to food auction for "vacation outting"- $20.50 - 1 mum(plant), some baskets for .25, 10 lb cabbage, box with 4 loaves pepperidge farm whole grain breads, 2 bags hearth baked rolls, 7 bags hot dog rolls, 1 bag whole wheat mini bagels, 1 bag whole wheat sandwich rolls, 3 # organic oranges, 3# bag apples, 25# box organic apples, 4 acorn squash, peach juice

Newark Farm Market - 13.50 - 1 doz XL eggs, 3 romaine hearts, 4 lb, bananas, large soy sauce, 6 # onions, bunch leeks, 1 pomegranate, 4# baking apples, 2 jalapenos


I think I save more then 50 cents.......

My trick is I stock up when things are cheaper because they only run sales on some things at certain times of the year. This way I rarely am stuck going out and buying things at full price. My cabinets are full at a fraction of the price....and I can tell you, it has saved us!!! With Dave's job change earlier this year we have no room for extras and this way we have some leeway-an occasional McDonald's run comes out of groceries.... in fact all extras do. Our grocery budget is now $70 a week and somehow it always works out.


ALL TOTAL:
Reg. Price: 164.80
Sale Price: 87.87
Manu coup - 26.75
Store coup - .75
Off next order coup - 15.00 (+.90 tax break)
TOTAL PAID: 31.66
PLUS: Earned $5 off my next order coupon

This does not include the totals for the vegetables listed above.

Over scheduled and insane!!

I hate Saturdays with a passion. Dave always works on Saturdays...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!

I try to keep busy and boy did I today!!!

Apparently I have blonde hair, and really? What can I say? "My hair made me do it?"

I made plans with my mom to meet at Babies r Us to get a shower gift. Um, yeah, real smart with THREE kids in tow. They love toys, books, clothes....EVERYTHING!!! Oh, and Kieran said, "Hey mom. They sell beds. I need a bed. My bed is getting old." Good try. No go.

If you have ever shopped a Babies r Us registry you KNOW it is not all warm fuzzy feelings with brisk efficiency. Did I ever mention I love shopping?? BUUUUT, I love shopping when I know where it is, I get it, AND LEAVE. Oh no, not with this store. First they confuse you with Umpteen numbers. "You will find this in section 42." Oh great. Oh lovely....and where may I FIND section 42??? And finally, after reading a MILLION bar codes. I found it!! I hit the jackpot!!! It's on the registry AND cute!!! "Thank God!" I loudly proclaim. I know, I am pathetic. I truly WAS begging God to just help me match those numbers so I could get the heck out of there. Another shopper looked up with a grin on her face and Starbucks in her hand. "They don't make it easy, do they?" Really, all I wanted to do at that moment is rip that Starbucks out of her hands and RUN!!!

We finally get to leave......oh wait, the girl ahead of us got a THOUSAND(you can only say million so many times) jars of baby food....ALL shoved in a bag. She needed to return something else, then buy the food and a few other things... really?? WHO buys food at Babies r Us??? Not even at a good sale price. Well, besides, obviously, her. (No offense meant if you do BTW.)

Next was WalMart to get tissue paper, bows, and a card. Then the Dollar Store since we needed a cute bag, Wawa for a sub, the zoo(whole other story), lunch on the run, and a 12 mile trip that took AN HOUR!!!! Baby Shower for 30 minutes, then off again so my mom could get my sister from work and I could get Dave from work(only 5 minutes late I might add.)

You know what makes me even crazier???? I made cornbread(from scratch) and apple crisp tonight when I got home. Dave can wash the dishes(Actually, he is awesome - he already is.)

Deals, Steals, and Headaches

Starting off....I have a massive headache. You would think all my dealing today would override a headache, and yes, I have an over abundance of painkillers to choose form to ease this thing BUT I hate taking meds....any meds.

So, on to the stealing and dealing. I love taking my husband grocery shopping etc. when I get exceptionally good deals. His common remark when we leave is "Are you sure no one is following us out? It feels like stealing." Don't worry - it isn't.

Today I hit up Superfresh. I am sure their preferred goal was to get me in and get me buying other things....like meat(oh wait, I did), dessert, etc. Their deal was if I buy 1 ragu($2, 1 can't believe it's not butter($2- by the way, I LOVE their cooking/baking sticks), and 1 wishbone salad dressing($2) they would GIVE me 1 loaf italian bread, 1 fresh express salad mix, and 1 box of pasta. You got it - $6!!!!!! So I had coupons for the three "purchase" items - 1.00/2(2) and 1.25/2. I also grabbed a 2# roast marked down to 3.50. Including my extra purchases of sauce, butter, and dressing I came out $12.84. No dessert....OOPS!!!

I know what's for dinner tonight!!!

For lunch I am utilizing my ACME steals - campbells soup at hand and cinnabun snack bar. YUM!!!! I bought ten kelloggs items and 10 soup at hands for $8.40.

Happy Anniversary!!

Davide and I have been married 8 years today!! It seems so long and yet so short. I can't believe it has been 8 years but yet it has flown by in a whirlwind.

Fighting through our first year of marriage-college, two jobs, and very little money-I remember having $10 for groceries MANY weeks and getting a value bag of chicken($4)and a 10 lb bag of potatoes($2) for the week's meals from WalMart, while Dave had the meal plan for breakfast and lunch through college and my lunch was courtesy of the deli at work.

Our second year-a first pregnancy, morning sickness and classes, and health issues. Our main money bringing job gone. (Oh to have known couponing then!!!)

Our third year, Davide and I graduating, Eann learning to walk. Davide's career(not his major) and our big move to Albany, NY to an apartment I had never seen. That year we also were pregnant with Kieran and I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease and told I had a 1 in 4 chance of ever bringing him home.

Fourth year, Kieran was born and life was calmer. Dave and I were in a wedding for friends(then friends). I still have the dress, they no longer have the marriage.

Fifth year, we moved to Vermont, another step up for Davide and a stinky move for me. That summer we found out we were SURPRISE!!!!!! Pregnant again. It was not planned but we were so excited. We went away for our 5 year anniversary and didn't do anything pregnant women aren't suppose to do. Three weeks later it was all over. We received the devastating news that we were now mommy and daddy to an "angel". We grew, we learned, we changed our perspective on life. 9 months later we decided whatever happened happened and a few weeks later we found we were going to have another baby.

Sixth year, we travelled to my parents' alot. (6 hours and pregnant is NOT fun). My sister was getting married and I was matron of honor-a very pregnant matron of honor I might add. I was the blueberry on stage in the 4 inch heels(Nuts? Yes. Fell? No.) Shortly before Christmas we had Rohanna, our last precious little miracle. Three months later we made yet another move. We no longer have a six hour drive to my parents-that was the last six hour drive to and from Vermont!!!!

Seventh year, was full of ups and downs. Dave's new job wasn't the easiest, and our house situation turned into a nightmare. Our family was healthy and we were happy...for the most part.

Eighth year, has by far been our best. We are settled in a new home-hopefully for a few years, have wonderful new friends, and even more growth behind us. Dave's job has been a struggle and has really taken a hit on us, but all in all, together, this is the best life has ever been for us. We have 3 healthy children and I think we are more in love then ever.

Happy Anniversary Davide!

FREE Movie Tuesday and Wednesday

Last week we went to our first free movie of the summer. Talk about "cheap" summer fun!!!! The kdis and I went to see Curious George. I think we actually took the kids to see it when it first came out in theaters for a special treat. It is even better FREE :D.

Remember to check out your local Regal to see if they have free kids movies at 10 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!

I hear that some AMCs are also doing $1 kids movies on Wednesdays. So if you can't get one free maybe you can get them cheap!!

Mushrooms

I do not like mushrroms by themselves. In salads, sure, and most of all fried!!! Use to be the only mushroom I would eat is a white button. Use to be the most mushrooms Davide would eat....NONE!!!

Then we discovered Crimini or Baby Bellas. THEY ARE SO GOOD!!! We have gone from having mushrooms 3-4 times a year to 6 times in the last week alone. I totally recommend them.

I made a yummy mushroom soup and chicken with them last week, fried with onions for steak, Dave put some in "gourmet" mac and cheese, and this morning I fried them up and put them in scrambled eggs. It still amazes em what a yummy flavor they add. I will never go back to white buttons.

I highly suggest that if you live near a mushroom farm, you take advantage of their retail and try them out. We got 3# for $6!!!!!! It was a great deal, helped our local farm, and added some nutrition to our meals. You DO know they are really good for you, right?

Oh, and Kieran LOVES them plain. He would eat them like candy if I let him. I am not quite there yet.(For those who don't know, he is almsot 4 years old)

Rabbits

We have been invaded by rabbits...wild rabbits AND domestic rabbits.

Apparently the Latin American men "across the way" love rabbits......as pets. They have BEAUTIFUL rabbits...BIG rabbits......UNCAGED rabbits. My kids love them even though they can't touch them. I love them...just not in my yard. Each morning there is another one out there. I am pretty sure that mommy and daddy rabbit love each other waaaaaaaaayy-too-much because those rabbits are MULTIPLYING FAST!!!

I am not sure my poor little row of lettuce(7-8 plants) stand a chance. They are about 4 inches tall and I think the rabbits are gonna catch that beautiful scent of lettuce soon and my lettuce will go bye-bye.

Let me tell you, when that day comes.......

.....I WILL HATE RABBITS.

Time

You know, a minute seems so small. Just 60 seconds, no big deal. An hour and a half just went by and I didn't accomplish much. I can't believe it went that fast!!! But then, the day goes SO SLOW. I feel like I just wait out the day for Dave to get home and it goes on Foreeever!!!

It makes no sense to me. If 1.5 hours goes so fast why does the day go so slow???

Take it up a notch. The day goes so slow BUT my kids are getting big so fast, and the year is almost half way done already!!! I just don't get this at all. I mean, Eann is SIX already!! Kieran is anxiously awaiting FOUR, and Rohanna is 18 months. I told her she was suppose to stay little longer but she laughed(for real).

When I am old, what will happen? Will I look back at time and wonder where did it go? Will I wonder what I did with all that time I had? I hope not. I hope that those slow days make memories for someday when I look back on how fast it all went.

Soooo, what memory are we going to make on this slow day??

Free Mustard!!!

LOL!! I am SO stocked on mustard....Superfresh(southeastern PA, NJ, Delware) are tripling coupons this week. With several .75 coupons for French's mustard, and the fact that somehow those lovely coupons gave OVERAGE on the triple, I not only received them free but the money went toward my other purchases. SWEET!!! I have Yellow, mustard, spicey brown, AND honey mustard......"only" 5 bottles altogether.

My Superfresh bill?? $96.20(before sales)
$73.00(after sales)
$20.84(after triple coupons)
And I received $3.00 off my next trip.

WOOHOO!!!!

AMAZING Giveaway

My friend Cara is celebrating ONE YEAR of being in business. CONGRATS Cara and Bubble and Bows Boutique.She is holding the BEST giveaway EVER. For rules, details, and a peek at her awesome products, follow this link.
http://bubblesandbowsboutique.blogspot.com/2009/06/happy-anniversary-giveaway.html
GL…although I really hope I win. My wishlist is all ready!!

A Simple Mouse

So, we all have mice at one time or another.....right?

Well, I thought I was lucky. First 9 months living here-NO MICE!!!! Woohoo!!!

Then, we got the mouse from you-know-where. This mouse.....
Peanut butter, cheese, bird seed, chocolate(I mean, I like chocolate a mouse MUST, right??) oh, and some older gentleman said roast beef works like charm-worth a shot, right???

Night 1. Awaken to rustling noises in our bedroom. A mouse most obviously. He went from a box in our room to the laundry pile, back and forth, back and forth. I could hear the claws on the carpet. No, we did NOT get any sleep. so, considering I am so nice, and didn't want to KILL the thing just get it out of my house, we bought one of those little cube thingies the mouse goes in and then you can take him umpteen miles away....just to make SURE he doesn't find his way back, you know?

Didn't work. How could it NOT??? Two sleepless nights later, run to Kmart and get these little round traps. The mouse goes in, something happens, and no more mouse. No blood and guts, no gruesome sight. Wonderful-it is a two pack. We strategically place them in the mouse's path. Didn't work.

NO SLEEP FOR 1.5 WEEKS!!!!!!

So we got the sticky glue traps. Wonderful, right?? I am that horrific person who makes that poor little mouse suffer. Three nights, it didn't work. The next night we awaken to this horrific sound of metal being slammed. We didn't know what to think until the next morning when we thought must be the mouse got caught and flipped over the trap on himself. Well, think again. Much too short a story. He had somehow gotten a metal hose washer stuck to it and FLIPPED IT OVER!!! Oh, and he chewed his way off the thing-1/4 of it was shredded on the floor with mouse poop all around. Maybe we scared him off??? LOL!!

So we got smart and got the regular traps, after all, everyone says they always work, why not just stick to what has always worked.....oh, and have you tried peanut butter??(If I EVER hear someone ask me that again...well, maybe they can have some peanut butter:) ) We stuck it right in front of the hole he chewed in the wall. Next morning the trap was over a foot away!!!!! Still set. Next night, another glue trap right in front of the hole, anchored down with some of our prior trapping methods. the darn thing shoved IT half way across the floor behind the washer.

We are well into week 4 AT LEAST . I can't take this!! We have discovered FOUR holes in walls..how many more are behind big items??

We have resorted to the item I hate-POISON!! Please don't tell me how horrific I am. I hate the stuff but you know what? I also hate that this mouse is potentially bringing diseases into my house and keeping me awake more then a newborn would.

Day 1, none gone.
Day 2 a little gone.
Day 4(or night) Dave hears a noise. Peers behind washing machine, and a little nose is poked out of the hole, attempting to pull the empty poison box into his hole-little too small. Dave comes back to bed.
Fast forward.....this hideous sound of claws on the floor and bumping around wakes us up. Dave opens the door, screeches a very manly screech :), and slams the door shut.
Tells me there are TWO fighting on the floor. Lovely, just lovely, all I need is my little boys walking out in the middle of 2 poisoned mice fighting-sounds dangerous to me. We are talking and I ask him just how big ARE these mice.
He says: oh, you know, big.
Me: HOW BIG????
Him: What do you consider big?
Me: HOW BIG????!!!!
Him:You don't want to know.
Me: Davide, you better tell me how big those things are!!!! Are they rats??
Him: I don't know. How big are rats?
Me: Were they this big? (Holding hands apart about a foot)
Him: No, not that big.
Me: Were their bodies THIS big??? (holding hands apart about 6-8 inches)
Him: yeah, about.

MY GOSH, I HAVE RATS IN MY HOUSE!!!! If you know what this past year has been like then you know I apparently live in a Halloween House. What next??? I don't feel safe and my stomach feels like crap. I want out and I want out NOW!!!!

So, tonight, we are setting rat traps with poison on the other side. One way or another they will be gone. If they aren't dead tonight I will not be here tomorrow. I will not live this way. This morning Dave and I were ready to pack our house and put it in storage until we can move lol. Yeah, it is that bad.

Now, give me a minute while I try to get the heater working AGAIN.......