~15% Off @ Wal-green's!~

Print the coupon link below and get 15% off your total order at Wal-green's. Offer good today only!


http://www.walgreens.com/topic/instorespecials/friends.jsp?ban=flh1_h_family_friends

~TGI Friday's BOGO Deal!~

Hope you all had a great weekend! My baby girl had a birthday yesterday and we celebrated big time! Happy birthday to my most precious little miracle. Mommy loves you!

Below is the coupon link for TGI Friday’s to get a FREE entrée with the purchase of a second entrée. Expires 9/7. Enjoy!

http://www.tgifridays.com/fb-bogo/

~Devastating Kroger News!~

I noticed on my receipt the other day that some of my q's had not been doubled. So, today I went in for a few items and stopped by the customer service desk to ask about it. They informed me that "KROGER WILL ONLY DOUBLE/TRIPLE 1 COUPON PER LIKE ITEM...THE OTHER COUPONS WILL BE FACE VALUE"......My heart is officially broken....I literally felt like crying....Are any of you crying yet? This is a blow to my coupon plans. They are going to really make us work to stock up on items. I'm not a fan of multiple transactions and multiple trips, but they are leaving us no choice.
I asked when this went into effect and she said last Saturday. If I learn anything else, I'll pass it on.

Be blessed!

~Target $3.43~

Listerine pack
Reg. $6.99
Clearance $4.24
-$2 q
=$2.24

Johnsons
$3.19
-$1 Target q
-$1 q
=$1.19 (not my best deal, but was getting low)

10 GM cereals
$1.00
-$1 Target q
=FREE!

Retail: $20.18
Spent: $3.43
Saved: $16.75 or 83%

~$3.29 at Kroger!~

Kroger:
2 Fruit Cheerios
Reg. $3.55
Sale $1.49 (after promo deal)
-$1/2 q
=.99 per box

1 Box Cheerios
Reg. $3.13
sale $1.49

1 box Trix
Reg. $2.79
sale $1.49
-$1/2 q
=.99 per box

3 BC fruit snacks
Reg. $2.69
sale $1.49
-.40 (doubled)
=.69 per box

1 BC Cookie mix
Reg. $2.29
sale $1.49
-.40 q (doubled)
-.40 e q.
=.29

2 BC Cookie mix
Reg. $2.29
sale $1.49
-.40 q (doubled)
.69 each

Angel Soft
$1.09
-.50 (doubled)
=.09

Retail: $29.05
Total: $8.29
-$3.50 catalina from previous purchase
-$1.50 catalina from previous purchase
=$3.29 out-of-pocket!!!
*That is a savings of 89%!

~Gift idea from a reader~

I always give the same gift to all family members (we only give gifts to the kids because their number is growing and we love to spoil our nieces). One year I did muffins in a jar... all you do is buy the mason jars and ingredients for the special muffins, don't forget to decorate the jar and include recipe. It's a great, easy, inexpensive gift... good for teachers too.
Another idea was baskets with special pictures from our wedding, so for my father-in-law and his wife there was pics of us dancing with them at the reception... the frames I picked especially for each person to match their style and decor.

Tiff
************************************************************************
*Sounds like a great idea. If you have an idea you would like to share, please email me or leave a comment and I'll post it :)
Thanks Tiff!

~Plan Ahead...Christmas is coming!~

This weekend I picked up a couple of Christmas gifts during the TX tax free weekend sales. I actually start my Christmas shopping in January, yes you read is correctly...January! I have a monthly budget for "gifts/clothing" and I stay within it. I buy things throughout the year when I see them on sale or find the perfect gift. When November and December rolls around, I don't have the stress of running around everywhere or the financial strain. Christmas truly is about Jesus being the reason for the season!
Are you ready for a goal? If you have not started already, figure out a budget that you can spend (without going into debt). Divide that number by 4 (Sept., Oct., Nov. & December) and purpose to only spend that amount. The goal is to not be paying for Christmas 2009 in 2010!
I promise, Jesus does not want you to go into debt over His Birthday :)Having this set budget will make you think outside the box when it comes to gifts. You will put more thought into each gift too!
Example: I'm making my BIL a basket of all grill & home items. It is going to end up being awesome! Why? I have been collecting items each month to put in it. It will be filled with marinades, seasonings, recipes, etc. It will be an expensive "retail" gift, however we all know that I will be using some of my great deals. I will try to remember to take pics of it when I'm finished.
I'm fully aware that most people don't think to do their Christmas shopping at the grocery store. Ha! However, it is possible and fun if you think outside the box my dear couponers :) Think coffees along with chocolates and all of the many other possibilities. Items are not so random if grouped together.
I have a few other gift ideas in the making, but can't share due to some of my reader's being the recipients!
If you have any low budget, yet high quality gift ideas please let me know. I'm always open to ideas. The thing about gifts is that it doesn't matter what you spend as long as it is of good quality.
Please email me your budget challenges! I can't wait to see what you all can come up with!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy August!

~Walgreen's~

4 Chinet plates
$2.99 (bogo sale)
-$2
-$2
-$2
-$1
=$1.02 overage

2 Tylenol
$4.49 (bogo sale)
-$2
-$2
=.49

candy $1.00
(I ended up having to buy the candy so that there was not an overage)

Total spent = .55!
Saved $24.76
Woohoo!

~Target Tax Free Weekend~

Nothing too exciting. I purchased these tanks on clearance for .87 each and the cereal was FREE after coupons. My grand total was $2.61!

~Kroger's Promo Sale~

*A different view

Kroger is having the "buy 10 participating items, get $5 off" sale. The prices below are the final prices after the promo deal.

10 Boxes of cereal
Reg. $2.79
sale $1.49
-$1/2
=$1 each

6 Boxes of oatmeal bars
Reg. $3.29
sale $1.99

5 boxes of Quaker granola bars
reg $1.99
sale $1.49

10 boxes of Nature Valley bars
Reg. $3.19
sale $1.99
*I had several different value q's for this product

Retail: $89.49
*Spent: $43.19
*After all of my q's and internet loadable q's

FYI: I didn't have any q's for many of the products. I just know that those are good prices and it was the time to stock up. Those bars are super easy to add to lunches. Plus the cereal makes good on-the-go snacks for my little lady.

This sale is on through Tuesday :)

~Office Max-Tax Free Weekend!~

Here are my Office Max Tax Free Weekend deals:

Office Max
9 Crayons
Reg. .99
sale .01
=.09 total

1 Washable marker set
Reg. $1.99
Sale $1.00
-20% (brown bag discount)
=.80

Colored pencils
.99
-20%
=.80

Retail: $11.89
Spent: $1.69 no tax
Saved: $10.20 or rougly 86%!

~Walgreen's 50% off Photo Books~

Use code PHOTOBOOK at checkout today and get 50% Off Everyday Photo Books! This is offer is valid today only.

If you aren't already signed up with Walgreen's Photo, you'll also get 25 Free 4x6 prints when you sign up for a new W-Photo account! This offer is valid through 8/24.

*FYI: I've already received the posters that I ordered a couple days ago. Talk about fast shipping! They look great too :)

~Awesome JCP Deal!~

I've gotten some great deals on clothing before, but never FREE!!! Today was a good day. You all know my saying "nothing beats FREE!" I was armed with a $10 off purchase home mailer coupon for JCP today along with a FREE catalog coupon (thanks to my MIL :)
2 pants:
reg. $9.99
sale $5.99 (sign in store)
*I remembered seeing them for $4.99 in the ad, so they let me have them for that.
final $4.99
no tax
Total=$9.98
used $10 mailer=FREE!!!

So, I left JCP today with 3 FREE items! I am used to leaving the grocery store with FREE stuff, but not clothing. That was AWESOME!

"It makes we want to shout...Hallelujah thank you Jesus!"

Texans...don't forget!

It's tax free weekend! The stores are already busy.
Happy Tax Free Shopping :)

~This is for all you Ann Taylor Girls!~

Print the coupon (link below)and get $20 off your purchase! Offer good today and tomorrow only!


http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBKjdV0BdYR8vB7utgc-PC5LgNy/doc.html?&email=

~FREE Scrapbook page today!~

Today at Walgreen's use code SCRAPIT and get a FREE Scrapbook page!

~20 FREE Prints Today!~

Today at Walgreen's get 20 FREE prints by using code 20FREE4ME at checkout. Be sure to ship to store to get these 20 prints FREE!!! I just ordered mine :)

I'm loving all of these Wags photo deals this week! I'm finally getting caught up on ordering all of my prints. Woohoo!

*The photo above is one of my new fav's. I made the dress being modeled.

~FREE Poster Today at Walgreen's!~

Use code FREEPOSTER at checkout. This is a 9.99 value!
I just ordered one of these for a Christmas gift :)

~Menu?~

What's for dinner tonight?

I'm trying something new tonight. I'll let you all know if it turns out good. One of my favorite restaurants serves grilled avocados with chicken, rice, beans & queso. So, I'm going to try to make it tonight. I'm sure it won't be as good, but hopefully still yummy!

Some other meals we are having this week include:
Beef Stroganoff (hubby's favorite)
Baked Pork Chops, baked potatoes, broccoli
Poppyseed chicken, green beans
Roast beef sandwiches

That is about all I know for now!

Happy cooking :)

~Walgreen's 25 for .25 Today!~

Today at Walgreens.com get 25 prints for .25 cents! Be sure to choose in-store pickup so there is no additional charge. I just ordered mine!

*Use code PENNY at checkout.



Thanks Maryanne!

~FREE Pink Lotion @ V.S.!~

Print the coupon below (link) and receive a FREE 1 oz. Victoria's Secret Pink body lotion! No purchase required. Please see coupon for more details.
*Would make a great stocking stuffer!

http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBKhrKvAcckdyB7uqHy-Pizp3LY/

~Crazy Kroger!~

This weekend I had a church retreat/training at a local hotel. Praise the Lord that we did not have to report until around 8:30 am this morning! Me and 2 of my students and awesome friends got up at the crack (4:40 am!) to get ready and drive to Kroger. We did not even go to bed until almost 1 am. You can imagine how I'm feeling right about now! So, we got up and I did my pre-game stretching and cheers and we were off. Yes, I really did those things....There is documentation! We arrived about 15 minutes prior to them opening. We ran into some of my other students and some other friends. It was fun! So, while we were there I got a game plan of where each was to go and where we would meet up. When the exit doors opened first, I started sprinting....Yep, sprinting and let me tell you IT FELT GOOD! I was on a mission and I was going to execute. I guess the sprinting threw my 2 girls off and the game plan went to the curb. ;) However, I must say that although it may have felt like I was sprinting away from you....I would never leave a man behind!!! (Allyssa, Tina & Jamie...that one's for you!)
It would take me days to go over my 9 transactions, so I won't. Instead, I've posted 2 pics with my grand totals. Hope you all got up early enough to get the stuff before it was gone! We went back this afternoon and there was hardly anything left. All in all it was a great day of shopping and a great day to spend with friends. Also, we got back to the hotel in time this morning for our meetings. Praise Jesus!
Thank you Jamie & Jenny for letting me go in front of you. That was such a blessing!



Below is an idea of what is in the picture since you can't tell the quantity very well. I did not list everything, but this will give you a good idea. Some of the items were more expensive (8 detergents & 2 bagged chicken).
3 Tide detergent
5 All detergent
2 Tyson bagged chicken
4 lunch meat
3 Quilted Northern
6 Reach Flossers
6 Toothbrushes
6 Gums
7 Degree deo.
Hefty trash bags
2 Welch's jelly
Welch's grape juice
6 Colgate
2 Listerine
1 Shave cream
1 Cookie Mix
1 cake icing
6 Ken's Dressing
4 Danon yogurts
2 pizzas
2 Excedrin
4 Pillsbury
2 Hair gel
7 nail polish
3 Raids
2 Carpet powder
15 pasta sides
2 Butterfinger packs
2 Guacamole's
3 Salsa
1 butter
Basically, I got 128 items for a total of.......drum roll please.........
$69.91!!!! I saved $296.15! Basically, that means I paid .54 cents per item. Woohoo! Victory and now it is time to get some sleep. Hope you brought your "A game" today and were victorious. I am so proud of my students that I have already heard from. Everyone did awesome today!
If I have not heard from you, please email me and share your success :)

By His Grace~
S
I'll leave you with some funnies around 5 am this morning in our hotel room. Enjoy!
*To the right! All good game plans begin with a pre-game warm-up! My roomie Tina thought this was too funny :)
*To the left!

~Kroger Saturday!~

Okay Texans....this is our SUPER BOWL!!! This is our 1 shot of complete and total victory. Put your game face on, scout your opponent (store), get a great game plan on paper and EXECUTE! Yes, I am married to a Football Coach! ;)
I have logged hours getting ready for this event on Saturday. Literally, I am super excited! I want to maximize every deal possible. This will include multiple trips and transactions, but that is okay. I hope to stock up on a variety of items. I will give you a play-by-play once I get it all settled here. This is big!
Are you ready for some double couponing?!!!!

*My husband offered me eye black for this event, tempting....but I think I should pass on this one ;)

Helpful hint: Just because the coupon is doubled does not mean it is the best deal. Be careful to check the prices.

Happy Krogering! If you see me and I don't see you it's because I'm in "The Zone"!

~40% off V.S.!~

Get an extra 40% off any one clearance item online at Victoria’s Secret by using the code CLEAR40. Offer good through Thursday, August 13th.

~Menu!~

Okay, I keep getting emails about everything except your menu planning. How is it going? Is it getting easier each week? Remember, meals don't have to be complicated. I try to keep meal preparation under 30 minutes. If I do anything that takes longer, my hubby has to be home to keep an eye on our 2 year old. Here are a few examples of super easy and fast meals that we will be eating this week:
Hamburgers (on the grill)
Soft Tacos w/ queso & guac.
spaghetti
steak (on the grill)
I always like to have a few "staple meals". That is something that you can whip up in no time and you don't have to read directions. Super easy and everyone likes it. For us, that is Mexican food. I can make several different Mexican meals in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Hope you all are enjoying planning and cooking your family meals.
Be blessed!

~Something Big Is Coming!~

I've just confirmed the rumor....Kroger is going to be having a special coupon day on Saturday, August 15th. My store did not know the details yet, only that it is something involving coupon doubles! She said they would not know all of the details until tonight. I will keep you posted. This is huge!

~Another Jack in the Box Deal!~

I guess it went over so well last week that Jack in the Box is offering the same deal again this Tuesday. My hubby took advantage of the deal last week!

Go to the link below to print your coupon for 2 FREE tacos!

http://coupon.jackinthebox.com/coupon/two-free-tacos_20090811.php

~Cash is King!~

Anytime we are going to make a large purchase, we always shop around. We have been in the market for a new mattress and decided to finally go looking last weekend. The first place we went to had a mattress that we loved and it seemed to be a good deal. We decided to go look at 2 more places before making our decision. We like to buy things from locally owned and operated establishments whenever possible. It just so happened that the owner was helping us at the first store. She gave us the price and was not wanting to budge on delivery or the frame. So, I decided to use some of Dave Ramsey's tactics and see what I could negotiate, if anything. I asked her if she was willing to offer a discount if we paid CASH, if not we would use a credit card. She came back with a price more than $50 less if we paid with cash.
So, CASH it was for our new King mattress set!

~The Crockpot Challenge~

The past 2 weeks, I have been thawing meat out on Saturday night and then putting in the crockpot before we leave for church on Sunday. Once church is over we come home to a yummy smelling house and lunch waiting for us. Not only is it saving us time and money, but it is way more healthy than eating fast food!
So, my challenge to my dear readers is to pick a day that you normally struggle with eating out (ours is Sunday after church). Once you have your day, thaw something out the night before and pop it into the crockpot and let it cook. My new crockpot has a 4 hour setting which is awesome! Make this particular day a "crockpot day" for the next month and see if it sticks. It is going to in my house! We normally are starving after church and end up eating something fast and not good. I told my cute hubby that I love feeding my little family good quality food. It really makes me happy!
Examples:
Last Sunday we had:
Whole chicken (seasoned with Garlic & onion powder)
carrots
potatoes
(everything was cooked together in the crockpot)

Today:
chicken breast (marinated in Lawry's Mesquite Lime in Crockpot)
baked potatoes (microwave)
steamed broccoli
salad

I have a crockpot recipe book that my MIL got me that I need to get out. Chicken is always super easy. I'm looking forward to the weather cooling down so that I can start making my soups too! If you have a really great crockpot recipe that you would like to share, please email me or leave a comment and I will post it.

Hope you all have a blessed Sunday!

~August 9th Coupons~

There should be 2 Smart Source & 1 Red Plum insert in the Sunday paper.

Have a great Friday!

~Kroger today~

This is not going to be a typical post for me. I usually only show the products that were good deals or free. I rarely show everything that I buy. However, I want you all to see that by couponing and stocking up, I don't have to buy much each week. This also allows me the freedom to spend the majority of my budget on fresh fruits. I usually buy fruits twice a week, so they stay fresh.


Here are the highlights:

2 Sara Lee
$2.79
*BOGO special, so 2nd was FREE!

Bacon
$5.99
*BOGO special, so 2nd was FREE!

Cheese
Reg. $2.59
sale $1.25

Ham
reg. $2.79
sale $2.39
-.55q
=$1.84

2 Fruity Pebbles cereal
reg. $2.50
sale $2.00
-$1/2 q
=$1.50 per box

2 Honeycomb cereal
reg. 2.68
sale $2.00
-$1/2
=$1.50 per box

Honey bunches of Oats
Reg. $3.38
sale $2.00
-$1 q
=$1.00

6 Lady Speed Stick
Reg. $1.99
Sale .88
-.75q
=.13 each!

2 Lever soaps
Reg. ???
Clearance $1.64
-.50 (doubled)
=.64 per 2 pack

Fruit $10.27

Retail= $65.23
Spent = $31.20

~Target today~

2 Cakesters
sale $2.04
-.75/2 q
=$1.67 each

3 Johnson's kits
.99
-$1 q
=FREE!

Degree deo.
$2.34
-$1.25q
=$1.09

Degree spray
$3.64
FREE! (wyb deo.)

Total=$4.43
Saved= over $9

~Texas Tax Free Weekend is August 21-23rd!~

Texas Tax Free Weekend is August 21-23rd. For a complete list of everything that is tax free, please see the link below. A few changes were made this year. School supplies are now included!

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html