An "oops" with a happy ending...

Ev had a home track meet yesterday. I was able to scoot out and make it just in time to see him start running around the track. He's now running the 1600 meter (one mile). I wasn't for sure...but I thought he had just started running and was on his first lap. Well...he ran and ran and ran...and then he came through the finish line and slowed to a stop where upon a I saw a bunch of teammated come running over waving their hands and yelling something to him. It was as I suspected. I guess there was some kind of mix-up with the lap-marker paddles and he thought he had run his fourth lap, but it was only three. So...he took off running like I had never seen him run before!!! He flew around that track like the wind!!! Well...he finished, got his time, some water and came walking over to me with his stuff getting ready to leave. I asked him if what happened was what I thought...he said yes. He was near tears. He felt embarrassed and ashamed. I assured him everyone makes mistakes and it was no big deal. We walked to the car and talked. I continued to encourage and support him. Then he got a grin on his face. I asked what's with the smile? He said, "Even with me stopping and messing up, coach said I had my best time ever today!" Well how about that!!! And he STILL even beat one other person!!! I said, "Ev, if you ran as fast on all your laps like you did on that last one, you'd be in first place all the time!" LOL! We had a good chuckle and he felt a little better. I'm so glad I was there for him at this meet...he's still my baby...always will be...they still need their momma...even when they're almost a teenager... :-)

And this week at Family Fare!

They had a decent deal going there...select General Mills cereals, Fiber One bars, and Chex Mix bars were 4 for $12.00...then you get $4.00 back instantly at the register. So it was really 4 for $8.00. I got the Fiber One bars and the Chex Mix bars. Paired them with some coupons I had for each product and was able to get the tally down to $5.15. Divide that by the four products and I paid only $1.29 per box. They were all regular $3.59 per box which would have put it at $14.36 for four...not bad, my total of $5.15 if I do say so myself!

They also had some pretty good B1/G1 Free deals going...Lighthouse Salad Dressing, Doritos, to name a few. Oh, another biggie...the Eletrosol Dishwasher Tablets which were regular $4.49...on sale for $3.50...paired with a save $2.50 coupon, I got it for $1.00!!!

They also had several varieties of Crest toothpaste on sale for 88 and 92 cents...without coupons! I can never pass up a deal on toothpaste when it's under a dollar, LOL!

Pretty decent savings this week here too.

Meijer...a million reasons, a single store...

Remember that ad campaign? "Meijer...a million reasons, a single store"...LOL! I'll always remember it because my oldest son was about two or three years old at the time and used to say that slogan all the time in his darling little voice! LOL!

I had a pretty decent trip this week for groceries! Some of my top picks were as follows:

Purina Kitten Chow...regular $5.99 on sale for $3.99 and I had a coupon for $2.19 off so I got it for $1.80 a bag! I got two!

Whisker Lickins Cat Treats...regular $1.29 on sale for 99 cents...use a B1/G1 Free coupon plus a Meijer 75 cents off coupon and get them for 12 cents a bag!

Then they had their Buy 10, Get the 11th item FREE sale going too.

I did pretty good overall...my tallies were as follows:

Got $92.27 worth of items.

Paid $54.00 out of pocket.

Not too shabby!

What a steal!

This was a purely awesome Target run. First I had a coupon for Save $2.00 on two Johnson's baby products. Well, it didn't say you couldn't use it on trial size...so I did! I got a free baby shampoo and a free baby lotion! Very cool!

Then they had Glade candles...regular $2.99 on sale for $2.50. Well, I had two coupons...one for $1.00 off and the other for $3.00 off two. So I bought two candles and was able to use both coupons for a grand total of $1.00 or 50 cents a piece! Yea me!

Then they had those AirWick Decoshpere air fresheners regular $3.49 on sale for $2.50. I used a $1.50 coupon and got it for $1.00!!! What a bargain!

I got $11.41 worth of items for $2.00!!! Woohoo!!! These are the kind of trips I love!

So proud of my boys...

I love my boys more than life itself.

I am so proud of Evan. I'm so thrilled he found a sport he enjoys. He is really enjoying track. He is still learning how to pace himself. He hasn't quite pushed himself as hard as he could yet. We are encouraging him, yet trying not to sound as if we're pushing him. I love going to his meets and watching him.

I am so proud of Nathan. He is such "his own little man". There really isn't anything he doesn't like. He'll try anything and will KEEP TRYING until he gets it. He's learning Spanish. He's such a "song-bird"...sings all the time! He loves basketball. He's still my little momma's boy.

And even though they're getting older...they are still my babies.

Even if someone would have told me...I don't think anyone can explain to you how deep the love you will feel for your own children.

I really question if there was anything else in the world I was born to do...besides be their momma. There isn't much more that I enjoy than having the title...MOM.

I just wish...

I had never thought about it this way...but after sharing all my super coupon deals and money-saving tips with friends...one of my christian mom friends said to me, "You continue to be blessed!"
I had never thought about it that way.
I knew that saving money on groceries, cleaning products, toiletries, and household items was a good thing...but a "blessing"?
I had never considered it a blessing!
BUT IT IS!!!
Just at the same time Jamie lost his job...THAT is the PRECISE time I was told about SavingsAngel by a friend. That is when I learned of all these great coupon blogs.
I have been truely blessed to have certain people enter my life at the right time, share blogs and sites with me, give me tips and help educate me on the new way of life...it truely is a BLESSING!
My freezer, cabinets, and pantry are overflowing with food, cleaning products, toiletries, laundry items, etc.
I knew I was helping my family by saving money or in some cases, spending the same but bringing home 5-10 times as much...but I never thought I was being blessed!
But I am.
Thank you God for bringing the right people into my life at the right time and teaching me this new way of life!
What I just wish...
I just wish that EVERYONE out there could see the benefits of doing this!
I don't mean to sound mean or hurtful...
But in some cases, I almost feel it's a little laziness. I don't have any more time on my hands than anyone else. We all have 24 hours in the day. I work 52 1/2 hours a week. My boys are involved in church activities, band, sports, school activities, and such. We are always on the go for something.
But I MAKE the time to sit down each week and cut out the coupons, organize and file them, get online and make my lists with SavingsAngel, check the blogs, print more coupons.
It almost makes me a little irritated to hear some people say they are struggling financially but then spend needless money at the store.
Once again this week at Meijer...I watched the woman in front of me...she had probably 1/3 of what I had in my cart. I spent $50.00. She spent $135.00.
I just don't have the extra money to "WASTE". And when I have a little extra...I'd much rather put that toward a weekend get-away for my family, a new outfit, something for my boys or hubby, or the house.
I just wish everyone could see the value in this way of life.

This week at Walgreen's...

And...this week at Walgreen's...I got some decent deals...

I'll start with the best...the FREEBIES!

*They had Gillette or SatinCare shave gel with Register Rewards ($2.99) making them FREE this week! Woohoo!!!

That was the only FREEBIE this week, but there were some other great grabs as well...

*Mitchum Deoderant...regular $4.99 on sale for $2.99...use a 75 cent coupon and get a Register Reward for $2.00...you only pay 24 cents! Not bad!

*Tums Dual Action...regular $9.99 on sale for $7.99...use a coupon for $3.00 off and Register Rewards of $3.00, you only pay $1.99!!!

*Natural Instincts Hair Color...regular $9.49 on sale for $5.99...use a $4.00 coupon and you pay $1.99 (this one ended up in my KMart picture, LOL!).

*Bic Comfort Razors...regular $5.99 on sale for $4.99...use a $3.00 coupon and a $1.00 Easy Saver...you get them for $1.99!!!

*Johnson's Body Care Lotion...regular $5.99 on sale for $3.99...use a $2.00 coupon and you get it for $1.99.

These were my highlights this week...there were alot of other good deals too.

I went through and organized my closet last night by category. I now need to start looking at what I really need and what the absolute best bargain are...now that I'm running out of room! LOL! I'm doing really good stockpiling for summer. I'm proud of what I'm learning from all these websites, blogs, and friends. It's such a learning process and I admire all these gals I'm taking hints from. Until next time...goodnight!

ANOTHER trip to KMart for Double Coupons!

Well, I just had to go back since KMart only allowed 25 coupons at a time.

I have to say, they were quite picked over.

But I did score some good deals.

Some of them included...

*Sally Hanson Emery Boards...$1.49...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making them FREE.

*Visine Eye Drops for contacts...$3.99 on sale for $2.50...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making them FREE.

*Goodlife Cat Treats...$2.89 on sale for $2.00...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making them FREE.

*Renuzit Allergan Spray...$1.79...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it FREE.

*Turtles Candy...$1.79...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it FREE.

*Clean & Clear Facial Cleanser...$4.49...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making it 49 cents.

*Rite Guard Deoderant...$4.79 on sale for $2.50...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it 50 cents.

*Wet Ones Wipes...$2.29...75 cents/$1.50 coupon making them 79 cents.

*CoffeeMate creamer...$2.29...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it 29 cents.

*Secret Deoderant...$3.69...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it $1.69.

*Listerine Total Care...$5.79...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making it $1.79.

*Welch's Grape Jelly...$2.49...55 cents/$1.10 coupon making it $1.39.

*Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies...$2.29...on sale for $1.79...40 cent/80 cent coupon making it 99 cents.

*Slim Jim beef sticks...$2.99...75 cents/$1.50 coupon making it $1.49.

I think this will be my last trip...I've used up most of my high-value coupons and they're looking pretty sparse now. What an awesome week!

KMart Double Coupon Days

This was my first trip to KMart during their Double Coupon Days since I've been a coupon clipper.

Oh boy, was it ever fun!

They are allowing up to 25 coupons per transaction per day, and any coupon with a value up to $2.00.

Some of the highlights from my trip today were:

Curel Therapy Foot Cream...$4.99...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making it 99 cents.

Jergen's Lotion...$3.79...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it $1.79.

Soft Soap...$1.09...50 cent/$1.00 coupon making it 9 cents.

Kotex maxis...$3.49...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making them $1.49. (I got 5!)

Bic Soleil Razors...$5.29...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making them$1.29.

Herbal Essence hairspray...on sale for $3.00...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it $1.00.

Lysol Wipes...$3.19...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it $1.19.

Temptations Cat Treats...$1.89...$1.00 off two/$2.00 off two...making them 89 cents each.

Oust Surface & Air Sanitizer...$4.19...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making it 19 cents.

Glade Carpet Freshener...on sale for $1.50...75 cent/$1.50 coupon making it FREE.

Temptations Indoor Cat Treats...$1.89...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making it FREE.

Johnson's Baby Soap Bars...$2.49...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making them 49 cents.

Hartz Cat Treats...$1.99...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making them FREE.

Marcal 12 roll bath tissue...on sale for $7.49...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making it $3.49.

Goodnights...on sale for $9.99...$2.00/$4.00 coupon making them $5.99.

Whiskas Moist Cat Food...on sale for 70 cents each...$1.00 off three/$2.00 off three coupon making it 10 cents for all three total! That's just right around 3 cents a can! LOL!

Pringles...$1.49...$1.00 off two/$2.00 off two making them 49 cents a can!

Nestle Tollhouse Cookies...on sale for $2.99...$1.00/$2.00 coupon making them 99 cents!

That was just today. I reached my 25 coupon limit...but there is much more I want! You can be sure I'll be going back tomorrow!

Meijer this week...

Well, being short on time...I'm not going to list all my bargains this week from Meijer...

but I did have to share my tallies.

This was one of my favorite trips looking back at my totals.

If I can save as much as I spent...I consider it an awesome trip!

I spent $46.02.

I saved $46.65.

If I can save nearly 50%...I am one happy camper!!!

Walgreen's run

My Walgreen's run was pretty good this past week...so good in fact, that I made two runs!

The best deals were their Register Rewards.

They had Scuni hairbands, Colgate toothpaste, and Fiber Choice tablets completely FREE with Register Rewards. So I got one of each at our Zeeland Walgreen's and then since I had to go to Meijer in Holland I stopped off and did it again at the Holland Walgreen's. LOL! I couldn't reisist.

Some other good deals they had was their store brand children's Zyrtec (which Nate takes daily)...it was Buy 1, Get 1 Free.

The Excedrin deal was EXCEPTIONAL. With their sale and the coupons I had...I ended up scoring two bottles for 40 cents each. They were regular $4.99...how awesome is that?!?

Another bargain was the Chex Mix...I nabbed that for 49 cents after a sale and coupon!

I got a really good deal on Kleenex tissues and aluminum foil too.

My totals for the day were:

I got $55.08 worth of merchandise for...

$10.61...

How awesome is that!!!

A blessed Easter...

We had a really great Easter. The boys had spent the entire weekend at geeg and papa's house. Friday they came and got them and they went out to Long John Silver's and The Air Zoo. I hear they also got Hungry Howies and had a bonfire one night. And then church on Easter Sunday.

Jam and I got alot done while they were gone. We did alot of errands and then we mulched around the entire perimeter of the house. We also had a couple quiet dinners out as well!

Sunday we all went down to mom and dad's house for dinner. We had fun. The kids all had their annual Easter Egg Hunt.

When we came back, the boys got their baskets at home. Besides their usual candy/goodies...Evan got 7 little pots of flowers/herbs/veggies (he is our gardener) and Nate got a little Brown Sugar Puppy from Build-A-Bear Workshop.

We had beautiful weather and a very blessed day!

More free and cheap deals this weekend!

Ran a few more errands today with some great coupons...
Ran into Target...and had the funniest experience.
They recently lowered the price on Dry Idea deoderant to $2.00. So I printed off two coupons for $2.00 off! I got two for FREE! Woohoo!
Then I was able to snag another Johnson's baby product coupon for $2.00 off two products...and I searched it over and it didn't say that it excluded trial size...so I got a baby shampoo (at 97 cents) and a baby lotion (at 97 cents)...making them both FREE as well.
The funny part was...my whole purchase for all four things was ZERO out of pocket...except for tax. I'm sure my cashier wasn't appreciating me at this point, LOL.
It was kindof funny because when she scanned the Johnson's coupon...it said $2.00 off two products...well they were only 97 cents each. And I full well realize that Target is one store that only gives you off what the product is priced for...no money back. That's good enough for me. So the cashier looked at the coupon...she stopped...she read...she re-read...she scowered it some more...and read it again...I mean she looked up and down! She probably spent 2-3 minutes on this coupon. Finally she says, "You know I can't give you the full two dollars on this"...and I said, "Of course, I realize that. You just take off the 97 cents it's worth." She was thoroughly disgusted. LOL! I was super chipper and friendly and happy with her. LOL!
Then I went to WalMart and took advantage of the deal they had going with Rice Krispies and marshmallows. They have Rice Krispies for $2.50 and if you use the $1.00 Kellogg's coupon that takes it down to $1.50 (a good deal in itself). Well the box also has a peelie for a $1.00 off a store brand marshmallow...so if you get the Great Value brand...you get them FREE! Cereal and marshmallows for $1.50 total! Not bad!

One of my personal best trips to Target!

I need to start off first by first thanking Diane and also Deal Seeking Mom for these tips!

This was one of my best Target shopping trips yet. I'm still learning this whole couponing thing, but I'm getting better each week! LOL!

I had a really good trip today...some of my bargains included...

**Vitamin Water...regular $1.00...$1.00 coupon...FREE

**Johnson's Baby Lotion...regular 97 cents...$1.00 coupon...FREE

**Johnson's Baby Shampoo...regular 97 cents...$1.00 coupon...FREE

**Axe Body Wash...regular 97 cents...$1.00 coupon...FREE

**Johnson's Buddies soap...regular 97 cents...$1.00 coupon...FREE

**Market Place Fruit Snacks...regular 89 cents...$1.00 coupon...FREE

**Aveeno Baby Gift Set...on clearance for $2.54...$1.00 Target coupon/$1.00 man. coupon...54 cents

**Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner...regular $2.74...$1.00 Target coupon/$1.00 man. coupon...74 cents

**All Small & Mighty...regular $4.54...$1.00 Target coupon/$2.00 man. coupon...$1.54

**Hershey's Bliss Chocolates...on sale for $2.99...$1.00 Target coupon/$1.00 man. coupon...99 cents

**Cheetos...regular $1.29...$1.00 coupon...29 cents

**Pop Secret Popcorn...regular $2.29...$1.00 coupon...$1.29

**Dove Body Wash...regular $3.99...$1.00 Target coupon/$1.50 man. coupon...$1.49

**Betty Crocker Warm Delights...regular $1.52...$1.00/2 Target coupon/50 cent man. coupon...77 cents each

My totals were:

I got $36.31 worth of items for $12.19.

Not bad for a newbie!

It's been six years...

It's been six years since I've been saddled with a full blown all out cold.

Well...
thanks to eight little munchkins who roam my house daily...I've been awarded a doosy of one.

Normally, when I feel the slightest scratchiness in my throat, the hint of a drippy nose...I load up on Vitamin C, pop a Zucol, gargle some LIsterine and it's GONE!

Not this time. It got me...and it got me good.

And it came at a very bad time I must say. I had just gotten into my exercise routine and was doing so good! Two weeks solid of running on the treadmill and doing crunches! Now I feel like death. I am so tired. So drained. I haven't even attempted to do any of it. Which means I'll be sorer than sore when I start back up once I'm better...if I ever get better.

Ugh. It just irks me. If only people would take the proper precautions I bet we could eliminate 90% of all common colds!!!

I think that's one reason I never get sick. If I wash my hands once...I wash them 100 times a day! Honest!!!

I watch people cough and sneeze into their hands and blow their nose, then shake hands with someone, touch things...and then we get to touch them or the things they've just handled. Ewwww!!! No thank-you!!!

Call me a germ-a-phobic. I don't care. But I haven't been sick in six years!!! Proper handwashing, hand-sanitizer, bleach, Lysol...I love it all!!!

Well...I must have flubbed up somewhere this time...'cause it got me...and got me good. I'm miserable.

Until next time...
(cough, cough...drip, drip...)

This week at Meijer...

I got some great deals at Meijer this week. It STILL amazes me each week to see my total that I actually paid, the amount I SAVED, and how much it WOULD HAVE BEEN had I not used coupons and shopped from the sale flyer.

Some of my deals included...

French's Mustard...regular $1.39...on sale for $1.00...use a 50 cent coupon and get it for 50 cents!

Whiskas cat treats...regular $1.79...on sale for $1.50...use a $1.00 coupon and get them for 50 cents!

Marcal bath tissue...coupon for FREE!!! As I said, this is "environmentally friendly toilet paper" and I'm no "greenie"...but FREE?!?! Are you kidding me?!?!

Nabisco crackers...regular $2.99...on sale for $1.67...use a coupon for Save $1.00 on 2...and you pay $1.17.

FreshLike frozen veggies...regular $1.49...on sale for 89 cents...use a coupon for Save $1.00 on two...you pay 39 cents!!!

Eckridge smokey links...regular $2.99...on sale for $1.50...use a coupon for 55 cents off...and you pay 95 cents!

Bagel Bites...regular $2.19...on sale for $1.09...use a coupon for $1.00 off two...you pay 59 cents!

Campbell's soup...regular $1.00...on sale for 75 cents...use a coupon for store coupon for $1.00 off 4 and combine it with a manufacturer's coupon for 25 cents off 4...you pay 44 cents a piece.

Mott's apple juice...regular $2.59...on sale for $2.00...use a coupon for $1.00 off two...and it gets you down to $1.50.

Kraft Mayo...regular $3.85...on sale for $2.00...use a coupon for $1.00 off two...you pay $1.50!!!

King's Hawiian Rolls...regular $3.19...on sale for $2.00...use a $1.00 coupon and you pay $1.00!!!

Johnsonville sausage links or patties...regular $3.69...on sale for $2.00...use a $1.00 coupon and you pay $1.00!!!

Breyer's ice cream...regular $3.67...on sale for $2.50...use a 75 cent coupon and you pay $1.75.

Velveeta...regular $4.79...on sale for $4.49...use a $1.00 coupon and that gets it to $3.39!

Let's not forget the other great sale items they had that I didn't have coupons for...

Aunt Millies bread...regular $3.19...for $1.50

Chi Chi's salsa and queso...regular $3.28...for $1.75

Suave, Vaseline, and Q-Tip products...Buy 4 at $1.79 and Get the 5th FREE

Butter...regular $2.44...for $1.34

Meijer biscuits, pizza crust, crescents, and cinnomon rolls...all for 99 cents this week

Arm & Hammer detgergent...half price

Lay's potato chips...half price

Just a whole lot of great deals this week!

My tally...

Paid...$88.57

SAVED...$80.18

Now that's what I like to see...when I save as much or more than I pay!!! I'm getting there...pretty darn close!

A couple deals at WalMart...

Got a couple good deals at WalMart this week. Because they don't have weekly sale ads...ya just gotta kindof watch their everyday low prices, roll-backs, etc. and keep an eye on your coupons. I got these bargains from Deal Seeking Mom this week! Thank-you DSM!

First off...I got the Barilla Piccolini Pasta...regular $1.28...with a 50 cent coupon...it's only 78 cents...not bad!

Then I some Quaker Tortillaz...regular $1.50...paired with a $1.00 off coupon...pay only 50 cents!

I have to say my favorite deal though, was the Johnson's Baby Safety Swabs...regular $1.38...use a $1.00 off coupon...and you pay only 38 cents!!! I got three of those!!!

Walgreen's bargains to be had...

Today I had a really great shopping trip at Walgreens!

Not only because they had alot of great deals...but mostly because they had EVERYTHING I wanted for a change!

A few of my highlights were...

Colgate Total toothpaste...paid $3.49...register rewards $3.49...Bonus travel size toothpaste included!!! Can't beat FREE!!!

GilletteShave Gel for the hubby...on sale for $1.99...paired with a $1.00 off coupon making it 99 cents!!!

Schick Quatro Razors...I was sure they'd be out of these but they actually had plenty! Regular $8.49...on sale for $6.99...use a Walgreens Easy Saver coupon for $2.00 off making it $4.99...paired with my $1.00 off manufacturer's coupon...leaving it at $3.99!!! Now comes the fun part...I also was able to use a BUY 1, GET 1 FREE coupon with it doubling the fun!!!...making them just under $2.00 a piece!!!

These were just some of the highlights...
My trip tallies were as follows:
Paid...$22.33
Saved...$40.99

Target run today...

I would first like to thank Diane...a fellow couponing mom whose blog I have recently been following...for pointing me toward this great deal!!!

She had mentioned that recently her Target store had Johnson's baby products on clearance. Well, I thought...what are the chances mine will too?

Well sure enough...THEY DID!

They had giant bottles of Johnson's baby shampoo...regular $2.99...on clearance for $2.54...I used a $1.00 off manufacturer's coupon...along with a 75 cent Target Johnson's coupon...making it 79 cents!!! I got THREE of them totaling $2.69 for all three...LESS THAN THE PRICE OF ONE FULL PRICE!!!

Thank-you Diane!!!

Bargains at FamilyFare today...

So I went to FamilyFare today and they had another three day sale going on. Some pretty good bargains to be had with and without coupons.

The best deal was the Kraft Salad Dressing...regular $3.45...on sale for $1.49...use a $1.50 coupon...and you get it for FREE!!! (FF doesn't give money back on overages I've learned.)
Heinz Homestyle Gravy...regular $1.99...on sale for 99 cents...use a coupon for Save $1.00 on three...and you get them for 66 cents!
Duncan Heinz cake mix...regular $1.69...on sale for 99 cents...use a 35 cent coupon and you get it for 64 cents!
Super Pretzel frozen pretzels...regular $2.99...on sale for $2.00...se a 75 cent coupon and get it for $1.25.
Some other great non-coupon deals were:
8 lb bags of potatoes...regular $3.99...on sale for $1.99.
Aunt Millie's bread, hamburger, or hotdog bungs...regular $3.19...Buy 1, Get 1 Free.
Buddig thin sliced meats...regular 89 cents...on sale for 50 cents.
Faygo 2 ltr. pop...regular $1.05...on sale for 59 cents.
Charmin bath tissue...regular $5.49...on sale for $3.99.
I thought it was a pretty good trip!