I usually do SUPER, DUPER at CVS. I did this week too, but I didn't get a ton of stuff (but we didn't need a ton either).
Total of 2 Transactions: $11.43 (including tax)
Transaction #1 - Total: $9.83
I bought...
2 Gillette Men's Body Wash ($4.00 each = $8.00) -BOGO Free Coupon = 2 for $4.00 + I earned $8.00 extra care bucks.
1 Wisk HE ($5.99; regular $8.49) -$1.00 coupon = $4.99 + I earned a $1.00 extra care buck
Transaction #1 - Total: $1.60
2 CVS Brand Sunscreens: 2 for $10.00
I used my $8.00 + $1.00 ecb from Trans.#1; My total: $1.60 for 2 Sunscreens. Unbelievable...
Friday, May 28, 2010
Rite-Aid Bargains & Razors
Before I start...Let me say -- read to the end to see an awesome deal on Venus razor blades!This week my best bargains came from Rite-Aid. If you do not use or know about Rite-Aid's Single Check Rebate program, you must get in on this. Each week/month, they will offer Single Check Rebates for certain products. This means that you purchase the product (at full price) and then submit your receipt number online. Then, at the end of the month, they will send you a check for the total amount of money that you earned through the Single Check rebates. For instance, in the month of April, I bought several products that had SCRs. Each time, I entered the receipt on my account and just the other day, I received a check for $8.99. The checks can be used at Rite-Aid or you can cash them.
Here's how it went at Rite-Aid.
Total Amount Paid Out of My Pocket: $12.45
I bought...
1 - Cascade ($2.99 this week): -$0.50 coupon; -$2.99 SCR = Total: $0.50 money maker
2 - Febreze Air Effects (2.99 this week): -.50 coupon = Total $2.49
3 - (2 packs) Gillette Venus Vibrance Razors** ($5.49): -2.00 coupon = Total $3.49
4- NYC Nail Polish ($1.99 each; BOGO1/2 off this week): -BOGO Free Coupon (-$1.99) = Total $0.99 for two
5- Dial Soap-3pk ($2.79 each; BOGO Free): =Total: $2.79 for two 3pks
6- 2 bottle of Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil ($10.99 each; BOGO Free): -$1.00 coupon (x2) = 2 for $8.99
I also used a $5 off $25 dollar purchase coupon.
My total was $21.45 including tax. I used my $8.99 SCR from April. I only paid $12.46 out of pocket. WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!!!
Now, the best part is this. Those razors (#3 above) were a HUGE bargain. This was NOT listed in the circular, and I think it may only be at the Westminster Rite-Aid (but I could be wrong). These were on a shelf that had stuff 50% and 75% off. They are normally $10.99 a pack!!!!!!!!!!! They were 50% off which made them $5.49. Then, I happened to have a couple of $2.00 off ANY venus razor cartridges which would make them $3.49 a pack. I was so excited, BUT they aren't the exact kind that I have right now ( I have a Venus Embrace or something). I took the time to read on the back package, and it said it would fit ANY venus razor. WooooHooo...Razors are EXPENSIVE, but NOT these. It may be worth checking out your local Rite-Aid just to see if these are on sale if you use Venus!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Do you have any coupons for soap???
Today was a first! I had doctor's appointments today and Brad went with me. In between the appointments, we went to eat breakfast and then I needed to make a quick trip into Walgreen's to get some things that we needed for the house. Brad has done really well trying to adjust to this couponing thing. He is supportive, but sometimes I have to explain to him about stocking up on things that we do not necessarily need "right now", but we'll need in the future and I need to get them for FREE now. The other day he said, "Do you have a coupon for soap?? We're actually almost out of that." And he has continued to remind me DAILY that we need soap and to look for a coupon. While I didn't have a great coupon, I did find a good deal on soap. I've learned that if I use my Register Rewards (Walgreens) or Extra Care Bucks (CVS) I can still get great deals on things even without a coupon.
I usually do my couponing either by myself or with other people who are there for the same reason because (as fun as it can be) it can be a little mind-boggling sometimes. But today I had Brad with me! I have to say that he actually did really good. He just quietly watched me work the magic.
I usually don't do so great at Walgreens, but I think I did today. Here's how it went.
Transaction #1:
Gillette Body Wash (regular price $5.49) - 2 @ 4.49 each = $8.98
Buy one, get one free coupon - 4.49
Total for 2 Body Washes = 5.12 (including tax)
I also earned 4.49 in register rewards (so you could look at it as if I got it for FREE).
Transaction #2:
Dial 3 pk of soap $2.79
Dial 3 pk of soap $2.79
Hefty One Zip bags $3.29
Hefty One Zip bags $3.29
Windex Wipes $2.50
B1, G1 Free Dial -$2.79
B1, G1 Free Hefty -3.29
Coupon for Dial -0.35
Coupon for Hefty -1.00 on two
Coupon for Windex -1.00 on one
Register Rewards - 4.50 (from Transaction #1)
Total on Transaction #2: $2.33 (including tax)
Total for today at Walgreens: $7.82(including tax) for $25.30 (including tax) of products!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I usually do my couponing either by myself or with other people who are there for the same reason because (as fun as it can be) it can be a little mind-boggling sometimes. But today I had Brad with me! I have to say that he actually did really good. He just quietly watched me work the magic.
I usually don't do so great at Walgreens, but I think I did today. Here's how it went.
Transaction #1:
Gillette Body Wash (regular price $5.49) - 2 @ 4.49 each = $8.98
Buy one, get one free coupon - 4.49
Total for 2 Body Washes = 5.12 (including tax)
I also earned 4.49 in register rewards (so you could look at it as if I got it for FREE).
Transaction #2:
Dial 3 pk of soap $2.79
Dial 3 pk of soap $2.79
Hefty One Zip bags $3.29
Hefty One Zip bags $3.29
Windex Wipes $2.50
B1, G1 Free Dial -$2.79
B1, G1 Free Hefty -3.29
Coupon for Dial -0.35
Coupon for Hefty -1.00 on two
Coupon for Windex -1.00 on one
Register Rewards - 4.50 (from Transaction #1)
Total on Transaction #2: $2.33 (including tax)
Total for today at Walgreens: $7.82(including tax) for $25.30 (including tax) of products!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Blessed Assurance
Today was a day of mixed emotions. My great Great Uncle Luke's funeral was today. He had battled cancer for a while now. On Monday, he went to be with the Lord. He wanted this to be a time filled with joy because he was excited about being with Jesus. I'm also sure that Uncle Luke is loving being with his mom again!! Sarah sang "Blessed Assurance" today at his funeral and it was such an appropriate song!
Even though he wanted it to be a happy time (and it primarily was), it is natural for there to be tears. My Great Uncle Larry preached his funeral. I can't imagine preaching my own brother's funeral, but he did a great job. I really enjoyed hearing about the stories that he told about my sweet uncle. It made me realize once again how much we take for granted -- that the people with love and care about will always be here with us. It became real to me once again today that that isn't the case, but we can always treasure the memories. I have always been a "memories" person. I love to hear stories, have pictures to document things, etc... Today brought back that appreciation. I have often wanted to write a book (not anything formal) about stories from our family. To start, I was thinking immediate family (cousins, etc...), but as a I sat listening today, I thought that it would be such a loss not to have all those stories recorded somewhere. I should start this project, but it seems like a daunting task right now. There are hundreds of stories just from my Nana's children and grandchildren. Then, to think about her 7 siblings and all their stories -- whew... but I do believe it would be something to treasure. Maybe I can get a family project going???
Anyway -- as I sat at his funeral today, these are the things I remembered and thought about my Uncle Luke...
* Being the flower girl in his wedding (also learned that his wife waited 21 years to marry him while he took care of his mom...what a woman!) and receiving a pink precious moments Bible from them. I love that Bible.
* Him being so proud of me graduating from college. I can remember the hugs and special congratulations he kept giving me.
* His love for plants. I think I have inherited some og this from that side of the family. I have a very special hosta in my hosta garden now that belonged to him. I will always treasure it. P.S. Uncle Luke would LOVE that it has a big Clemson Tiger paw beside it. I'll get a picture ASAP. I am sure that he will be spend a lot of his time in the gardens in heaven (and fishing, of course).
* Being a Clemson fan!!! He loved the Tigers. Even a few days before his death, my cousin Sarah wore an Alabama shirt when she went to see him. He kept making comments about the shirt, so she ended up having to go to the bathroom and turn the shirt inside out. He LOVED the Tigers. He was smiling today when Sarah (who truly is a Clemson fan but just bought the shirt on a trip to Alabama) sang at his funeral with her Clemson earrings in!
Overall, today was a huge blessing to me. I am so thankful for the wonderful family that I have.
Even though he wanted it to be a happy time (and it primarily was), it is natural for there to be tears. My Great Uncle Larry preached his funeral. I can't imagine preaching my own brother's funeral, but he did a great job. I really enjoyed hearing about the stories that he told about my sweet uncle. It made me realize once again how much we take for granted -- that the people with love and care about will always be here with us. It became real to me once again today that that isn't the case, but we can always treasure the memories. I have always been a "memories" person. I love to hear stories, have pictures to document things, etc... Today brought back that appreciation. I have often wanted to write a book (not anything formal) about stories from our family. To start, I was thinking immediate family (cousins, etc...), but as a I sat listening today, I thought that it would be such a loss not to have all those stories recorded somewhere. I should start this project, but it seems like a daunting task right now. There are hundreds of stories just from my Nana's children and grandchildren. Then, to think about her 7 siblings and all their stories -- whew... but I do believe it would be something to treasure. Maybe I can get a family project going???
Anyway -- as I sat at his funeral today, these are the things I remembered and thought about my Uncle Luke...
* Being the flower girl in his wedding (also learned that his wife waited 21 years to marry him while he took care of his mom...what a woman!) and receiving a pink precious moments Bible from them. I love that Bible.
* Him being so proud of me graduating from college. I can remember the hugs and special congratulations he kept giving me.
* His love for plants. I think I have inherited some og this from that side of the family. I have a very special hosta in my hosta garden now that belonged to him. I will always treasure it. P.S. Uncle Luke would LOVE that it has a big Clemson Tiger paw beside it. I'll get a picture ASAP. I am sure that he will be spend a lot of his time in the gardens in heaven (and fishing, of course).
* Being a Clemson fan!!! He loved the Tigers. Even a few days before his death, my cousin Sarah wore an Alabama shirt when she went to see him. He kept making comments about the shirt, so she ended up having to go to the bathroom and turn the shirt inside out. He LOVED the Tigers. He was smiling today when Sarah (who truly is a Clemson fan but just bought the shirt on a trip to Alabama) sang at his funeral with her Clemson earrings in!
Overall, today was a huge blessing to me. I am so thankful for the wonderful family that I have.
Monday, May 10, 2010
What I Don't Pay (Much) For...
I just got finished organizing my coupons for this week. Now, this process took a lot longer than usual because my Nana brought me a HUGE stack of coupon inserts that we had gotten through my subscription that goes to their house AND from other people. It took me over an hour last night to cut them all out and stack them into categories. Then, I got tired and went to bed -- leaving them all over the couch and in the floor.
Today, when I got home, I decided to put them in my notebook and get ready for "couponing" this week. As I was organizing, I started to think about the stuff that I pay very little or nothing for. Here's my list of what I don't pay (much) for:
1. Deodorant -- if you watch for sales and combine your coupons, you can get it for nearly free!
2. Toothpaste -- I usually won't pay more than .50 for toothpaste!
3. Body Wash -- I rarely pay more than $1.00 for it.
So far I have found that those are the biggest areas that I save. If I have to pay money for the items, it is very little. Most of the time when you include extra care bucks (CVS) or Register Rewards (Walgreens) - I don't spend much at all!!! The trick is waiting on a really good discounted price and then combine with coupons and rewards from the store!!
Today, when I got home, I decided to put them in my notebook and get ready for "couponing" this week. As I was organizing, I started to think about the stuff that I pay very little or nothing for. Here's my list of what I don't pay (much) for:
1. Deodorant -- if you watch for sales and combine your coupons, you can get it for nearly free!
2. Toothpaste -- I usually won't pay more than .50 for toothpaste!
3. Body Wash -- I rarely pay more than $1.00 for it.
So far I have found that those are the biggest areas that I save. If I have to pay money for the items, it is very little. Most of the time when you include extra care bucks (CVS) or Register Rewards (Walgreens) - I don't spend much at all!!! The trick is waiting on a really good discounted price and then combine with coupons and rewards from the store!!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Bargains!!!
I have started the coupon thing. I think it is a lot of fun. While it does take some time and organization, the rewards really pay off. I have learned a lot about this in past month or two, but I've still got a lot to learn I think.
My strategy is pretty simple right now. My first rule is that I only use a coupon on an item that is on sale or that we really need. My second rule is that I try to only buy things that we need or will need in the near future. I have to be open to "stock piling" things for the future. For instance, we have enough toothpaste, deodorant, and dish detergent to last a year probably; however, I can't pass up free, .25 cents, and .50 stuff on things that can cost $3-$5.
Last night, I got organized for this week's bargain spree. I went today and did OK. I've had better bargains, but I feel good about what I got.
My best deals were at CVS. On my first transaction I bought two Colgate Total Advance toothpastes. They were 2.99 each. I used two .75 coupons for a savings of $1.50 on two, and I used $2.00 of extra care bucks that I had left over. I paid 2.90 (including tax) for both things of toothpaste (that .09 less than the cost of 1). I earned 4 extra care bucks for these.
In the second transaction, I purchased:
1 Febreeze Air Freshener (2.50)
2 Special K Cereals (2 for $5)
2 Dawn Dish detergent (.97 cents each)
I used a .25 off coupon for one of the dawn dish detergents amd they doubled it (nice surprise), a $1.00 coupon off the two cereals, and a $1.00 coupon for the febreeze, and a $1.00 coupon for the Dawn Dish detergent (yes, you read that right -- it only cost .97 and I had a $1.00 off coupon). I had my $4 extra care bucks that I used also. For all 5 of those items, I paid $2.38. WooHoo!!!
So....at CVS today, I got all 7 things for $5.28. Less than $1.00 each.
My strategy is pretty simple right now. My first rule is that I only use a coupon on an item that is on sale or that we really need. My second rule is that I try to only buy things that we need or will need in the near future. I have to be open to "stock piling" things for the future. For instance, we have enough toothpaste, deodorant, and dish detergent to last a year probably; however, I can't pass up free, .25 cents, and .50 stuff on things that can cost $3-$5.
Last night, I got organized for this week's bargain spree. I went today and did OK. I've had better bargains, but I feel good about what I got.
My best deals were at CVS. On my first transaction I bought two Colgate Total Advance toothpastes. They were 2.99 each. I used two .75 coupons for a savings of $1.50 on two, and I used $2.00 of extra care bucks that I had left over. I paid 2.90 (including tax) for both things of toothpaste (that .09 less than the cost of 1). I earned 4 extra care bucks for these.
In the second transaction, I purchased:
1 Febreeze Air Freshener (2.50)
2 Special K Cereals (2 for $5)
2 Dawn Dish detergent (.97 cents each)
I used a .25 off coupon for one of the dawn dish detergents amd they doubled it (nice surprise), a $1.00 coupon off the two cereals, and a $1.00 coupon for the febreeze, and a $1.00 coupon for the Dawn Dish detergent (yes, you read that right -- it only cost .97 and I had a $1.00 off coupon). I had my $4 extra care bucks that I used also. For all 5 of those items, I paid $2.38. WooHoo!!!
So....at CVS today, I got all 7 things for $5.28. Less than $1.00 each.
Monday, May 3, 2010
One of my favs....
Just a quick post about one of my favorite things that makes my life a lot easier.
A few months ago I started looking at several different blogs. I found blogs about books, quilts, friends, family, couponing, etc... As I looked at more and more blogs, I found that it was hard to remember all the blogs that I wanted to check. Then, I started using Google Reader. I love it. I have it as one of the things on my Igoogle page. As soon as I log-in, I can see what blogs have been updated. It's great!!!!!!!!!!! If you like to look at blogs, this is a must-have gadget!!!
A few months ago I started looking at several different blogs. I found blogs about books, quilts, friends, family, couponing, etc... As I looked at more and more blogs, I found that it was hard to remember all the blogs that I wanted to check. Then, I started using Google Reader. I love it. I have it as one of the things on my Igoogle page. As soon as I log-in, I can see what blogs have been updated. It's great!!!!!!!!!!! If you like to look at blogs, this is a must-have gadget!!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A Garden of Love
Over a year ago, I read an interesting article in the Southern Living at Home magazine. It was about starting a flower bed in an area where the soil wasn't great without digging in the dirt. Basically you layered the ground with newspaper/cardboard, good soil, and some fertilizer. You had to let that settle for about 3 months and then you could plant. Well I did it. When it was time to plant last fall, it rained every weekend that I had free, so I never got the hosta garden planted. This spring my dad brought me a truck load of dirt and during spring break I finally got it planted. The pictures below show some of the progress. I wish I would have taken pics of the ground before I actually made it a bed. It was just a rocky, bare spot.
My Nana gave me some of her hostas. All of these in this picture came from her garden. There is something really special about that to me. When she gave them to me, she told me that would grow really quickly because they loved to be moved and split. I had no idea how quickly. They were NOT this big when I planted them. Most of them were just barely poking there heads out of the ground; some were still completely underground. This picture was one week after I planted them.
This picture is two weeks after they were planted. I was amazed at how quickly they were opening up.
And now, this picture was taken today. It has been 5 weeks and this is what they look like now. I absolutely love them. They make me happy; it's the small things in life I guess.
This picture is of a special hosta. My Nana's brother, Luke, sent it to me when she went to his house one day. Uncle Luke is battling cancer right now; it means a lot to have one of his hostas because he loves plants as much as Nana and I do.
A finally, this is my newest hosta. Nana found one that we didn't have, so of course she just had to have one; being spoiled, as we grandchildren are, she got me one too. This one is called praying hands.
Another addition to my "garden" is this gardenia that my cousin, Sarah, gave me yesterday. It smells soooo good. I hope I can keep it alive.
My Nana gave me some of her hostas. All of these in this picture came from her garden. There is something really special about that to me. When she gave them to me, she told me that would grow really quickly because they loved to be moved and split. I had no idea how quickly. They were NOT this big when I planted them. Most of them were just barely poking there heads out of the ground; some were still completely underground. This picture was one week after I planted them.
This picture is two weeks after they were planted. I was amazed at how quickly they were opening up.
And now, this picture was taken today. It has been 5 weeks and this is what they look like now. I absolutely love them. They make me happy; it's the small things in life I guess.
This picture is of a special hosta. My Nana's brother, Luke, sent it to me when she went to his house one day. Uncle Luke is battling cancer right now; it means a lot to have one of his hostas because he loves plants as much as Nana and I do.
A finally, this is my newest hosta. Nana found one that we didn't have, so of course she just had to have one; being spoiled, as we grandchildren are, she got me one too. This one is called praying hands.
Another addition to my "garden" is this gardenia that my cousin, Sarah, gave me yesterday. It smells soooo good. I hope I can keep it alive.
The beginning...
Well, it's official. I have started a blog. I hope that this is something that I will be able to keep up with, but we'll see. I'm afraid I may be a little too particular for this type of thing because I tend to want everything to be "just right", and I'm not sure I'll ever completely get the blog they way I want it.
The first obstacle that I faced in starting this little project was the name. A name's important, ya know? For two days I have thought about the name. I wanted the name to incorporate most all of what this blog is going to capture: stories, family, my quilting projects, gardening, "couponing", adventures, etc...
So Blooming Life Stories: A Blooming Life Quilted in Love, Hope, and Memories evolved. Despite tough days or problems I may face, my life is blooming. I have a husband that is awesome, a career that I enjoy, a family that is the best, and so many blessings that I can't even begin to list them all. Getting a plant to bloom takes love, attention, and hard work and my life is just like that. There are weeds to prune and droughts to endure, but in the end -- my life is blooming.
The blooming part of the title is also symbolic for my interest in gardening. It's a part of my heritage I think. My Nana can grow anything and always has beautiful flowers. I always took those for granted because she lived with us and somehow the yard was always magically filled with flowers. I appreciate those things much more now, and I have taken interest in soaking up all the knowledge I can from her. There will be many gardening stories I'm sure. I'll probably label them "I don't know, call Nana" because that's what my husband always says when I ask questions about flowers, cooking, etc...
My life has truly been quilted in love, hope, and fond memories which I am very thankful for. I hope to share these stories and document future memories in this blog as journal that I can keep. Too many times, we neglect writing down memories and wish later that we had.
I have also started quilting. I'll share the story of how this came up one day, but right now I'll just say that this has been adventure for sure. It's one of those things that you like the idea of doing but have no idea what you're doing, so once again, I'm learning and guess who I call?? Yep, Nana. (By the way, her name is not the usual pronunciation of Nana... It doesn't rhyme with banana; the "Na" part sounds more like the slang version of "No" as in "Na, I'm not going to go".)
Finally, this blog will not be about any one particular thing, but instead I plan to document many aspects of my life.
The first obstacle that I faced in starting this little project was the name. A name's important, ya know? For two days I have thought about the name. I wanted the name to incorporate most all of what this blog is going to capture: stories, family, my quilting projects, gardening, "couponing", adventures, etc...
So Blooming Life Stories: A Blooming Life Quilted in Love, Hope, and Memories evolved. Despite tough days or problems I may face, my life is blooming. I have a husband that is awesome, a career that I enjoy, a family that is the best, and so many blessings that I can't even begin to list them all. Getting a plant to bloom takes love, attention, and hard work and my life is just like that. There are weeds to prune and droughts to endure, but in the end -- my life is blooming.
The blooming part of the title is also symbolic for my interest in gardening. It's a part of my heritage I think. My Nana can grow anything and always has beautiful flowers. I always took those for granted because she lived with us and somehow the yard was always magically filled with flowers. I appreciate those things much more now, and I have taken interest in soaking up all the knowledge I can from her. There will be many gardening stories I'm sure. I'll probably label them "I don't know, call Nana" because that's what my husband always says when I ask questions about flowers, cooking, etc...
My life has truly been quilted in love, hope, and fond memories which I am very thankful for. I hope to share these stories and document future memories in this blog as journal that I can keep. Too many times, we neglect writing down memories and wish later that we had.
I have also started quilting. I'll share the story of how this came up one day, but right now I'll just say that this has been adventure for sure. It's one of those things that you like the idea of doing but have no idea what you're doing, so once again, I'm learning and guess who I call?? Yep, Nana. (By the way, her name is not the usual pronunciation of Nana... It doesn't rhyme with banana; the "Na" part sounds more like the slang version of "No" as in "Na, I'm not going to go".)
Finally, this blog will not be about any one particular thing, but instead I plan to document many aspects of my life.
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