13 posts from October 2009

Yesterday was our 9th wedding anniversary.  It was not celebrated at a quiet candle lit dinner at some expensive restaurant.  It was not spent in bed the entire day watching favorite movies while snuggling. And it certainly was not spent tipsy on an exotic nude beach (damn!).  It was a Wednesday. It was a school day. We have three children. Life has to continue on.

However, we managed to really luck out when Matt's command decided his recent 48 hours of work in a mere three days warranted a day off. A rare gift in the military world.  And it just so happened they gave him yesterday off. That worked for us!   I got up at the normal ungodly hour during which the sun won't even make an appearance and did the normal pre-school routine.  I had to run up to Alyssa's school around 9am, so Matt rolled out of bed and took over care of Madilyn.  I came home quickly afterwards because Matt was waiting for me to actually spend some time with him on our special day, but come on, guys. This was Wednesday!  It was my couponing day, damn it!  I was almost shaking passing by our local stores on the way home knowing they were open and waiting for me to work my couponing magic. 

I did manage to force off the urge to food shop and went out with Matt and Madi to a great lunch at Olive Garden. Not exactly a quiet candle lit dinner but it was nice nonetheless. We were going to hit some stores like Pier One just to look around and enjoy the fact we only had one kiddo with us, but we felt our time better spent running home to put Madilyn down for a nap before the older two came home from school.  Given my tender readers (tender in both age and family relations), I will spare details and fast forward to when the older two came home from school.  Matt decided to grab the rare opportunity for a nap. However, I am not a napper, therefore, I sat there thinking, "Well, then, my ass is going couponing, baby!"  So off I went to the store. 

How did our day end?  Matt handled dinner since I was running Jules back and forth to soccer practice but we did manage to eat alone in the sunroom with a glass of wine.  Once the chaotic bedtime routine was completed, we snuggled up to watch some GhostHunters.  Unfortunately, I was passed out before the show even ended (pathetic considering it ends at 10pm), and we headed upstairs so I could collapse into bed.  These having to function at 6am mornings are kicking my butt.

Moving on to the coupon breakdown:

Our local store is once again super doubling coupons up to $1.99. Take those $1.50 coupons and make them worth $3, baby! This deal is too good to pass up and I can bet I will be there several times this week. However, for now, this is what I managed for my first trip:

--Marcal One Step 4 pack Toilet Paper: Regular is $2.99. Coupon for $1 from the newspaper. Final: 99 cents.

--Apple Jacks 12oz box: Regular is $3.99. Sale $1.88. Coupon for $1 off one box from newspaper. Final: FREE

--Uncle Ben's 6oz boxed rice: Regular is $1.44. Sale $1. Coupon for $1/2 any Uncle Ben's from the newspaper. Final: 2 boxes for FREE

--Coffeemate 16oz Creamer: Regular is $2.19. Coupon for $1/1 printed from coupons.com. Final: 19 cents

--Kraft Shredded Cheese 8oz: Regular: $2.79. Sale: Buy 4 for $6. Coupon for $1/2 printed twice from online. Final: 50 cents a bag bought four.

--Townhouse Flipside Crackers: Regular: $3.29. Sale: BOGO. Coupon for $1/2 from the newspaper. Final: 64 cents a box bought two.

--Danimals 6pack Yogurt: Regular: $2.89. Coupon for $1/1. Final: 89 cents

--Ballpark Bun Length 8 pack hotdogs: Regular: $3.37. Sale: 2/$4. Coupon for $1/2 from newspaper. Final: $1 a pack bought two

--Tollhouse 24ct. Ready to Bake Cookies: Regular: $3.00. Coupon for $1/1 from newspaper. Final: $1

--Beyer's Yogurt 4 pack: Regular: $2.49. Sale $2. Coupon for 50 cents/1 from newspaper. Final: $1

--Smart Balance Butter: Regular: $3.29. Coupon for $1/1 printed from smartsource online. Final: $1.29

--Smithfield Bacon: Regular: $5. Sale BOGO. Coupon for 55 cents/1. Final: $1.40

--Arm and Hammer HE Detergent 50 oz: Regular: $5.49. Sale: BOGO. Coupon for $1/2 printed from company's website. Final: $1.74 bought two

--Quilted Northern 12 pack Toliet Paper: Regular: $9.50. Sale: $6.99. Coupon for $1 from newspaper. Final: $4.99

Total without sales or coupons: $73.20
Total with just in store sales: $46.89
*Total with sales AND coupons: $19.52*

Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary to my best friend, my love, my everything.....

XOXO

Taken from a post I wrote last year (slightly tweaked of course):

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The leaves begin to change, pumpkins adorn porches, the local park advertises their haunted ghost tour...it's Fall and I can't help but be whisked back 13 years when it all began.  Little did we know back then, as young infatuated teenagers, what life had in store for us.

Although we had gone to middle school together and knew of each other, Matt and I never hung around with the same group of people so we were virtually strangers to each other.  Junior year of high school rolled around and while I was out with a guy he knew, Matt and I ran into each other at a local diner.  He came over to talk to my friend who, shortly after we arrived, had to go make a quick phonecall. Matt smiled and slipped into the empty booth across from me and started talking. I can't tell you what he wore (although I am guessing it was a sleeveless t shirt and that damn denim jacket he practically slept in) or what exactly was said since all words jumbled together in my mind as I became lost in his long silkened Pantene hair and chiseled jawline, but I remember distinctly being quite taken by his charm especially when I foolishly spilled an open creamer I was playing with on the table.  Of course I felt clumsy and embarrassed but, without missing a beat, he simply wiped it up without even acknowledging the incident and kept on with the conversation. It was such a simple act but one that has stuck with me for over a decade. 

The following week was one of innocently flirting in the halls or during lunch in the cafeteria.  He would come kneel by our lunch table to talk to some mutual friends and I could feel my heart flutter each time he was anywhere near me.  The real turning point for us came when the local YMCA camp held their annual haunted hayride.  We were both set to volunteer that year and although I was scheduled to be the dead bride riding a horse around the field and he was a tourguide in black cloak attire, a few days into the event, we found ourselves asking for reassignment--Freddy Krueger and his victim it was.  Matt got to chase me from a cabin into the path of the wagon and kill me--repeatedly.  I know, the romance is just heart warming isn't it?

The details and events of the next couple of years are ones I will spare you during this particular entry but I will say some were incredibly endearing--a chapter straight from a romance novel--while others were unspeakably difficult--an after school special gone terribly wrong.  There is no denying our lives did not follow the traditional path nor did we do things in the expected order, but, nonetheless, here we are, 13 years, 3 beautiful daughters, an obnoxiously huge mortgage and cheerio laden mini van later--just as in love and infatuated as ever.  I can not even remember myself without him.  It should, perhaps, frighten me a little to realize I wouldn't truly know myself without him, but it doesn't.  How can such a thing frighten me after we have practically grown up together and shared so much?  He is the love of my life, my best friend, my charming Freddy Krueger--my everything. 

Here's to knowing each other back when we both had six pack abs and still wanting each other now when they are long gone....Love you, baby. XOXO

Today is Wednesday--my designated couponing day. I only hit one store today, very quickly, before going to the library with Madster. It was our local store that does double coupons up to $1 on Wednesdays (meaning a $1 coupon is worth $2).   I spent very little time preparing and very little time shopping. Awesome. 

I was able to swing $26.33 of items for $7.43 AND earned $2 of my next shopping trip--that was just a random printed at the register deal. Again..awesome.

Here is the breakdown:

Marcal One Step 250ct napkins--Normal: $3.00. Sale $2. Coupon $1 doubled to $2=FREE

Crest 6.4oz Toothpaste-Normal: $1.79. Sale $1. Coupon $1/2 doubled to $2/2=2 tubes for FREE

Yoplait Fiber One 4 pack yogurt: Normal: $2.99. Sale $2.19. Coupon $1 doubled to $2=19 cents

Campbells Chicken Noodle and Tomato Soup: Normal: 85 cents. Sale 69 cents. Coupon 40cents/4 doubled to 80 cents/4=49 cents each bought 8 using 2 coupons

Pillsbury Cres. Rolls: Normal: $2.19. Sale: $1.67. Coupon: 50 cents/2 doubled to $1/2=$1.16 each bought two

Pillsbury Ready to Bake Cookies 24ct: $2.79. Sale: $2.50. Coupon: $1/2 doubled to $2/2=$1.50 each bought two

(Also used a $2 off next trip coupon earned last week from taking a survey)

Now you ask--what was my good deed of the day?  Welp, as fate would have it, I was waiting in the parking lot, in my van, for one of those peppy looking blond housewives to back out her fancy lil mid sized SUV so I could proceed forward.  She was having some trouble though and kept having to pull forward to right herself.  All of a sudden she smacked into a parked tiny silver Nissan sedan. She rammed on the gas which caused her to leave quite the mess of black paint on this lil silver car not to mention royally messing up his front passenger side.  She hesitated for a moment and then took off at top speed.  I sat there a moment going, "OMG!' and watched as the Nissan continued to rock back and forth on its wheels from the impact.  I then took off after her and committed to memory all I could about her car and the plates until she pulled into traffic on the main road and sped off.  I wrote it all down, wrote down his make and plate # and went back into the store. The poor guy was in check out and came over to customer service when he heard the annoucement for the owner of the car to come on up. I gotta say, he took it well..until I said, "It's not really THAT bad..."  He then collasped his head onto the counter and groaned.  I gave him all the info I had as well as my name and number incase he wanted me to file a witness report.  Unfortunately, the store does not have cameras installed outside. He thanked me sincerely, firmly shook my hand then headed out to survey the damage. 

Man, did I feel badly for him.  I am doubting he feels the stop off at the store was worth the double coupon savings today.... 

I just could not help it. I lacked the ability not to go.  I had to go back to our local store one more time and do the super double coupons. 

Ok, ok..we all need a hobby right? ;)

You can see a trend this week..yogurt. I have a drawer full now but all the expiration dates are far off and welp, we go through it fast.

So the total today? $28.74 worth of stuff for $4.94. A savings of 85%

Yeah some of it is "junkie food" but hey, I am rewarding myself ;p  I've been buying healthy stuff all week. And to answer the question before you ask, this took me almost no time at all. Just the time to clip and drive to the store 1 1/2 miles up the road.

Final breakdown? (my price first then normal price)

3 Mars candy bars--FREE (.89 a piece)
Toaster Strudels-FREE ($2.79)
Beyers Yogurt: 50 cents bought two (2.49 each)
Toll House Cookies: 50 cents (3.49)
Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs: .69 bought two packs (3.37 each)
Yoplus Yogurt: .59 ($2.59)
Yoplait Delights: .59 ($2.59)
Danimals Smoothies: .89 ($2.89)

So my final totals for this week using coupons?  It would have been $153.86, but I only paid $47.80 and it covered things from detergent to health food to food staples to some "goodies". That is a savings of $106.06 on things we buy on a regular basis.  I can easily see why some people become obsessed with this!

 

Our local store's double coupon up to $1.99 week was too good not to go back a second time so I went today for a few things. 

I managed to get $32.87 for $10.98

--Pillsbury Toaster Strudel--2 boxes--FREE (normally 2.79)

--ALL 50 oz detergent: $1.24 (normally $6.49)

--Smart Balance PB-$1.19 (normally $3.19)

--Yoplait Delights: 59 cents (normally $2.59)

--Stoneyfield Organic Yogurt: 99 cents (normally 2.99)

--Snuggle 50oz Fabric Softner: $2.99 (normally is $6.05)

--Old Orchard 100% Juice: $1.99 (normally is $2.99)

This weekend Matt spent his down time building a fire ring out back.  We have some pretty large ideas for this area of the yard but we're being forced to do them in stages. First up? The ring. Eventually some pavers and small stone for the area, then some nice wooden chairs, landscaping, torches, and tiki bar. We'd love to make it a real entertaining area.  But I am happy for now.  We have an official place to conduct our fall leaf burnings.

I think I need to drug test my flowers.  I planted them in May and here we are in October. I believe with our odd weather--hot days intermixed with cooler days--that they have been constantly tricked into thinking it's Spring and that they "must grow! must grow now!"  Good Lord! 

It's about time I cut them all back and mulch over them though so they can "rest" before popping back up in April.

I was so thrilled this week with my couponing. Man did some deals work out on things I needed this week!  I was even able to get some deals on vegan supplies for my brother and niece's visit this weekend.

In the first picture, I got $41.40 worth of food for $14.36.  The second shows $50.85 for $17.52. 

Ready for the breakdown?  I have put the real jaw droppers in bold font.

                                                                      ******************

--Smart Balance Peanut Butter: Normal: $3.29. Sale 2.50. Coupon $1 doubled to $2. Final: 50 cents

--Smart Balance Omega Butter: $3.29. Coupon: $1 doubled to $2. Final: $1.29 bought two.

--Activia 4 pack:$2.49. Coupon: $1 doubled to $2. Final: 49 cents

--Smart Balance Vegan Butter: $2.99. Sale $2.50. Coupon:$1 doubled to $2. Final: $1.50 bought 2

--International Creamer 32oz: $2.99. Sale: $2.50. Coupon: .75 doubled to $1.50. Final: $1

--Mueller Pasta: $1.50. Sale: $1. Coupon 55 cents doubled to $1.10. Final: 45cents each bought 2

--Wet Ones Antibacterial wipes: $2.59. Sale: $2. Coupon $1 doubled to $2. Final: FREE

--Quaker Bars: $2.99. Sale: $1.75. Coupon $1 doubled to $2. Final: 75 cents bought 2

--One dozen large eggs: $1.50. On sale. Final: 39 cents

--Maxwell House 34.5oz Coffee: $9.99. Sale/Final: $4.99

--Lunchables: $3.59. Coupon $1 doubled to $2: $1.59

--Kotex Liners: 99 cents. Coupon $1.50 doubled to $3. Final: Got paid $1

--Silk Soy Milk: $3.49. Coupon 75 cents doubled to $1.50. Final: $2

--Prego Sauce: $2.49. Sale $2. Coupon 75 cents doubled to $1.50. Final: $1.25 bought 2

--Yoplait Delights: $2.59. Coupon $1 doubled to $2. Final: 59 cents

--Gogurt: $3.49. Coupon: 75 cents doubled to $1.50 and 55 cents doubled to $1.10. Final: $2.19 bought two

--Oscar Meyer Bacon: $5.49. BOGO sale. Coupon $1.50 doubled to $3. Final: $1.25 each bought two

--ALL 50oz detergent: $6.49. Sale: $3.24. Coupon: $1 doubled to $2. Final: $1.24

--Ore Ida Fries: $3.39. Sale: $2.50. Coupon $1.50 doubled to $3. Final: $1 bought two

Total without sales or coupons: $92.25

Total with just sales: $65.04

Total value of coupons used: $33

Final Total with sales and coupons: $31.88

That's a savings of $60.37 or about 65%
 

I feel so lucky. I feel so blessed.  We went through this at the old house and now I have the joy of going through it again. Thank you so very much, Verizon.

"Good News! FIOS is now available in your area!" 

Really? You don't say. As if the the crew of men destroying my front yard wasn't clue enough....

Enjoy the pictures (you can click on them to make them larger).

I am off to make a huge "We use cable internet" sign for my front yard.