{fyi}

I have actually been trying coupongal.net and been very happy with things I've

ordered.  Well, all except for that crazy joy dishwashing detergent fiasco.  Otherwise,

it has been without any problem.

Recently, I've ordered a CASE of the snack packs of Animal Crackers, they

averaged I think 17 cents a piece.  I've ordered my microdermabrasion kit for a significant

savings in comparison to Walmart {I researched that one out on my own and did the subscribe

& save plan}.  I've ordered cereal, mac and cheese, detergent, and today, several a packs of 20 AA batteries {I go through a ton with my flash} for $8.60 I  believe.  Scott paid $4+ for 4 when we were out on the road the other day for one of Noah's games.   I think it's hit or miss.  And, some of the things I've missed, I've kicked myself over - but, overall you can have huge savings if it's something you use anyway.  Nothing like the doorbell ringing and you have a big box of a stockpile with free shipping and not to mention what I save by NOT going into the store.

Also, a spring cleaning tip from 88.1 I heard yesterday that I am using as I type this and the house smells soooooo good......put a package of plain Koolaide Lemonade into an empty dishwasher and run it - it cleans the dishwasher and makes the house smell.........yummy. ;)

 Very inexpensive too!   

Not sure why this is posting with such big gaps and spacing......
does not look like that when I hit publish??

{coupon gal}

Coupon Gal

There is a link to Amazon for a case of Joy dishwashing detergent and it works out to

.34 per bottle.  {NON-ultra, 14 oz}

I have ordered cereal, mac and cheese and snacks lately and have been very impressed!

{new find}

And, yes, this came out of "the new budget."  It is low.

Very, very low! But, we honestly shouldn't need one more thing this week. 
{Remember $300+ trip last week}  

Now, on to the above.  I saw a similar version to this in Wal-mart, but wasn't

impressed with the design.  So, I came home and investigated

a bit.   This is what I found on Amazon.  The reviews were great

as well as the cost.   I'm just excited about not having to trim

crust every morning.   Occasionally I would cave and buy

the Uncrustables - but have you seen the calorie count in those? 

Noah loves them, but Evan refuses the store-bought ones - so

this should solve both issues, be healthier {since I control

how much of what goes into the sandwiches} and save a lot of money! 

I'll let you know!

ps....some of the reviews noted that you could make several pb&j's
at once, ziploc them and freeze them until needed.  I love that.

{BIG challenge to self}

I keep telling myself, that if others can do it, so can I.

Surely.

It's a big one.

A really big one.

After I walked out of Sam's last week, $274.00 later, I still had to

go to Wal-mart to get additional things.

That's sick really.

Our cupboards are loaded, but, really? Well over $300+ dollars in one week?

So, I started diving in different websites.  It seems that MANY families (of four) spend

 a budget of $40-50 per week on food.  The end.

The ones I was more intrigued with were not the ones

that did alot of couponing {I'm reallllly short on time right now} but that also

did not buy alot of processed foods just because they could get those at

a lower cost.   They were actually eating much healthier in their quest to

do bigger and better things with their finances than fund the Waltons.

Many of them diverted the savings toward giving, vacations, college, etc. I feel like
 my main goal is simply to be a better steward.  I informed and explained

to Scott and the boys my new plan.  I think I recall seeing three deer in the headlights
sitting in our living room.  BUT, when we discussed things we could use the
money for, they got a bit interested, albeit skeptical.  For the record,  I'm not

thinking for a second that it will be easy, but, I'm thinking it may be fun.

Maybe.

I had to make a photography run to FS tonight, so I ran by Aldi's - no

coupons required allowed.  Then, I had to stop by WM for

some Emery boards and picked up what I had forgotten at Aldi's. 

So, I've spent $22 of my weekly budget.  {I will be brutally honest, that

TOTALLY freaks me out!}  So, I have $28 to last until next Sunday. 

Here is what I got:

2 boxes of saltine crackers {meatloaf and spaghetti from all that Sam's HB meat}
1 box of juice drinks {like Capri-suns}

1 bag of dried cranberries {Amish Baked Oatmeal for breakfast, yum!} 

1 gallon of 2% milk

1 box of butter {4 sticks}

1 bag of chips for lunches

1 loaf of bread

1 box of swirl popsicles {treat for the sick one}

3 bottles of soda

4 lbs of deli-style potatoes

3.25 pounds of bananas ($1.19 total) 

For breakfast today, we had homemade monkey bread,  lunch I made beans, rolls and potatos and leftovers tonight. 

We shall see??

I may fall flat on my face, but, I've put it out there now for all to see the fall. ;)

{back to basics II}

I just scored some coupons on eBay. Just FYI. It's the laundry detergent that "takes me back to the beach" every time I get a whiff of it. But, it's a little pricey. However, I ran across the fact there were some great coupons out there. So, I just won "$40" worth of coupons for $2.26 plus .99 s/h. Much less expensive than multiple newspapers. And, we will be well-stocked for quite some time for $3.97 or less per container. Not too bad!

Also, since I will be having more time on my hands, I will be having to take an Erin 101 class very soon! She's my hero!

{christmas shopping}

It would be appropriate, after all I do still have my Christmas tree up ON PURPOSE. Scott is way past understanding that concept at this point, but he is going with it. ;)

last year I stumbled upon this by accident - but, was happy I did. I love keeping gifts on hand in my "gift closet". You never know when you may need something. And, I love just having little surprises on hand for my friends. I guess it could be considered stockpiling in the world of coupon moms. :)

But, you can go to www.aromatique.com and look over their holiday clearance selection. So far, it is just the gift sets. Last year, I missed most of those and was able to hit the jackpot on my Cinnamon Cider candles. 50% off is a huge savings when you would be purchasing it anyway!



So, my teacher gifts are taken care of for next year! yea! And, in case you are concerned about the fragrance while waiting for next Christmas - mine from last year held up perfectly in my closet.

And, I had free shipping! Even better!