~~~~~STOCKPILE, BABY!~~~~~

TIME TO STOCK UP ON SKIPPY PB AND RAGU AT WALGREEN'S!!! BUY ANY COMBINATION OF EIGHT FEATURED ITEMS, GET $8.00 REGISTER REWARD GOOD TOWARD YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.

(5) JARS OF RAGU SPAGHETTI SAUCE 3/$5.00
(3) JARS OF SKIPPY PEANUT BUTTER 3/$5.00
---------------------------------------------------
TOTAL: $13.04

REGISTER REWARDS $8.00

LIKE GETTING ALL 8 ITEMS FOR $5.04....OR EACH ITEM FOR $0.63....LOVE IT:)
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE KIDS IN DIAPERS, THE REGISTER REWARDS WILL WORK TOWARD THE HUGGIES JUMBO PACKS LISTED AT 2/$18.

HUGGIES 2/$18...TOTAL WAS $19.83 AFTER TAX.

LESS THE $8.00 REGISTER REWARDS (FROM THE ABOVE PURCHASE)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUT OF POCKET=$10.83...NOT SHABBY FOR TWO PACKAGES OF HUGGIES!
PLUS...REGISTER REWARDS GOOD ON NEXT PURCHASE...$4.00=SWEETNESS:)

WHAT DEALS DID YOU FIND THIS WEEK? WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM!

Helpful Links

Here is a super helpful site when it comes to CVSing! I tend to forget it's there and do my own thing and then sometimes kick myself for missing out on some great deals! Check out "i heart cvs"...it's the best!http://www.iheartcvs.com/

If you need some help matching up all of those coupons to the sales in the circulars this week...check out http://www.couponmom.com/ and click on "grocery deals by state". You will then be able to find your state followed by the store that you like shopping at. Then the "Coupon Mom" does the work for you.

This one is for all you mom's who love going out to eat as much as I do! http://www.kidseatfree.org/ It's a database that lists the restaraunts in your area that offer free dining for kids. Can't beat that!

Gotta give credit to my friend, Jara, on this one. http://mommyswishlist.blogspot.com/ Mommy's Wish List tells you where to get it, and how NOT to pay for it! Awesome, huh?! Thanks, Jara!!!
http://coupons.com/ is a great place to print online coupons. They are usually different from the ones that come in the papers! I am going crazy here trying to get hubby to replace the ink cartridge in the printer!!! Missing out on some great deals!

What are your favorite links???

September Totals Are In!!!

If you have not purchased this.....

let it be the LAST thing that you charge on that pathetic little piece of plastic. Let me guess...you're all, "I don't have time to read, Julie Brown!" Well guess what, sister? I don't even LIKE reading! So, go download the audio version onto your IPOD that you probably CHARGED and listen to it in that vehicle that you love making payments on every month while you are driving your kids to private school. Okay, well maybe that's my dirt... Anyhow, let's cut to the chase. Like I told you in my first blog post, we started this little adventure in January 2009. It has now been 9 months and we have decreased our total debt by $14,207 so far. And honey, it ain't no cakewalk! I LOVE to shop. I LOVE to go out to eat. I LOVE getting my hair and nails done. It is an extremely humbling experience. But, I value things more now. I see things from a different perspective and I find myself 100 percent more faithful in a God who provides. I no longer "buy things with money you don't have to impress people you don't even like" as I've heard ole' Dave say over and over. It's so hard, but you have to stop caring what people think and do what is best for your family. I can't wait to see what's in store for us...and for YOU! Please keep me updated on your success...it's all about the little victories. They keep me going when I want to throw my hands in the air and say, "forget it!" GO. BUY. THE BOOK.

Walgreens??? Yep, Walgreens!

A couple great finds at WAGS this week.... Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner, OR Styling Products on Sale $2.99/get $2 Register Rewards back=$0.99 - minus $1 off coupon makes it FREE. *Limit 1 per transaction. (The beauty of Walgreeens is that they do not require any type of member card which allows you to purchase more than one throughout the week.) Mak B. was out of mousse...so this was perfect!

Halls Refresh drops SALE $1/get $1 Register Reward back...I combined this with a $0.75 off coupon...I think that makes it less than free?!

Dawn dish liquid SALE $0.99 *limit 3* - minus (3) $0.50 off coupons...$0.49 ea. Gotta love it!

Sure Antiperspirant/Deoderant 2 for $2 - minus (2) $0.75 off coupons...$0.25 ea. (I don't use this deoderant, but I buy it when it's that cheap...it's great for charity!)

I also found Airwick Scented Oil Warmers on CLEARANCE FOR $0.49 EACH!!! I bought 2 and may go back tomorrow for more. I think I have coupons for those somewhere?!

SUBTOTAL $5.19

TAX $0.37

TOTAL $5.56

REGISTER REWARDS FOR NEXT PURCHASE $3.00

So, that's $2.56 for everything pictured. Not bad, huh?!

For all my fellow Tide with Downy lovers...this one's for YOU!

Okay, ladies...if I failed to mention it already, one of the HARDEST things for me to give up during this little "journey" of ours is my Tide with Downy. Definitely my fav guilty pleasure!!! So, forgive me if I get a little overly excited in this post...it's the little things, isn't it?! This is a GREAT week to stock up on Procter & Gamble items at CVS. There are several ways you could swing this deal, but in the end I decided to go with the Tide (which also happens to be on sale for $6). So, here's the skinny...buy $25 worth of participating P&G products, get $10 ECB's back. Below is a list of my transaction from this evening:

(4) Tide 50 oz. SALE $6.00 ea. - (4) $1.00 off coupons

(1)Bounce 2 month dryer bar SALE $4 ea. - (1) $1.00 off coupon

(1) Dawn dish liquid SALE $1 - (1) $0.50 off coupon

(3)Listerine Total Care 500ml bottle $3.99 each/get $1 ECB *limit 3 per card* - (3) $2.00 off coupons (after all is said and done this makes them $0.99ea.)

(2)Crest w/ Scope $3.99/get $1.50 ECB *limit 2 per card* - (2) $1.00 off coupons

(2)Colgate Total Whitening SALE 2/$4 - (2)$1.00 off coupons

Ready to pay? Do you have your coupons? What about your CVS card? Okay...

Subtotal: $39.95
Tax: $1.77
TOTAL: $41.72
EXTRA CARE BUCKS PRINTED AT BOTTOM OF RECEIPT: $17.50

So, I figure it like this...that's $24.22, right? Which is about what you would pay for 4 bottles of Tide if it were ON SALE for $6.00. Or, even better....$24.22 divided by 13 items = $1.86 per item listed. However you want to look at it, I say it's a great deal! Oh, and if you don't need detergent, you could stock up on Charmin TP, Bounty paper towels, Dawn dish liquid...etc. Get your ad and match up your coupons! It's a great week to stock up, not only on household item, but ECB's as well! Then, take those ECB's and use them next time for items that give you ECB's in return...making them ZERO out of pocket!

Proverbs 31

Italian Sausage Soup

Okay...I got this GREAT recipe while reading some stranger's blog! I am going to post her recipe, but then I'll tell you what I'll do differently next time...


Sautee in a large soup pot:
1 or 2 cloves of chopped garlic
A little olive oil

Add:
2 cups cooked, diced Italian sausage
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 large bag of frozen spinach*
A sprinkling of hot red pepper flakes
Sautee until heated through.

Add:
2 quarts chicken stock (I use homemade)*
Bring to a rolling boil.
Add:
1 lb of pasta (I use rotini)*
Boil ten minutes, or until pasta is tender.

Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

***Okay, so I followed her recipe, except I used mini bowties instead of rotini (because they were almost free at kroger today:) and I did NOT use homemade chicken stock because I didn't have time. Next time I will probably use 1/3 of the spinach and double the sausage that I used tonight. I ended up removing alot of the spinach because it was just too much. I only bought one package of italian sausage, but I think I'll try 2 pkgs next time. I also added some garlic salt. Oh, and I am going to use alot more chicken stock. I bought 2 of the large pour boxes and even added additional water and it really cooked down, especially after I added the bowties. We will definitely be having this again VERY soon!!! It had a GREAT flavor! Here's a pic, but it really doesn't do it justice. I'm terrible at presentation!

Super Sunscreen Savings!!!

I don't know about you, but our house we go through sunscreen like crazy! Coach Brown uses it almost every day. It really adds up quick, especially during the summer months in Texas! Our favorite is the spray on aerosol kind because it's so quick and easy and wayyy less mess to deal with. I found these Hawaiian Tropic Spf 30 cans at Dollar Tree in Cedar Hill for $1.00 each. I went to another store that same day and saw the EXACT same cans for $8.00. What a great time to stock up for next year!!! Go get some before they run out!

FREEBIES!!!!!

Okay, I know the pic isn't the greatest quality, but I picked up these items at Kroger today ALL for FREE....let me hear you say FREEEEEE....yep that's it, you got it:)


In case you can't tell what the items are: 1 head of lettuce, 1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix, a 16 ounce pkg of Oscar Meyer Turkey, Kroger 6 pack of Raisins, 1gallon of Springdale 2% milk, 1 cup Kroger yogurt, 1 box of Kroger cereal bars, and a box of english muffins.

There is a great deal going on at Kroger right now. If you buy 3 boxes of Kellog's cereal or cookies, you get the milk, the yogurt, the raisins, and the english muffins for FREE. I bought 2 Family Size (huge!) boxes of Frosted Flakes and a box of Frosted Mini Wheats. They were on sale 3/$9.00 and I used 3 $1.00 off coupons (we saved these from inside co' brown's corn pops boxes...lol) which made the cereal 3/$6.00 . Not shabby for those big family size boxes, plus the freebies! The rest, I had coupons that Kroger sent in the mail. No purchase necessary. Just free!

And, I only got about halfway done with my shopping trip...so I may have some more freebies to share tomorrow:) Thank you, and GOODNIGHT!

33 Cents Out Of Pocket!!!

I was pretty proud of this trip to CVS the other night. Here's the skinny:

2 boxes of FlaVorIce Popsicles on clearance $0.75 each

1 Gallon of Milk you pay $2.49, get $1 ECB's back

1 Pantene Hairspray on sale $2.99 get $1 ECB's back and I used a $1 off manf coupon (which made it $0.99 oop.)

1 Glade Soy Candle you pay $6.99, get $6.99 ECB's making it FREE!!! (there may be coupons somewhere for this...i didn't have time to check.)

And I needed a couple of filler items to bring my total up, so I grabbed some loufa's (sp?) and almond hand soap for $1 each.

Transaction: I handed them an ECB I had from last week's transactions for $15.19 and thirty three cents in change. They handed me: $9.50 back in ECB's!!! Pretty sweet:)

In short....GET A CVS CARD!!!

$$$SHOW ME THE MONEY$$$

So, you need cash and you need it NOW. Let's talk! Who hasn't ever found themselves in that little predicament? I'm sure those of you in education (or any other career that pays MONTHLY, ugh...) can relate to things getting a little tight towards the end of the month. Here are a couple of places that I have found reliable for paying cash on the spot for my unwanted clutter! These are also helpful in building (or re-building) your $1000 emergency fund for all my Dave Ramsey followers out there.

HALF PRICE BOOKS!!! These guys make it so easy! Load up all of those old books that are taking up space in your house! I am always in and out of Half Price in less than 20 minutes. They take much more than books! Cd's, DVDs, even your old VHS tapes! Why do you still have those??? Of course, they pay more for current best sellers and such!

KID TO KID....children's consignment in Arlington. Take them your gently used children's clothing, shoes, strollers, cribs, even toys! They will give you the option of cash or a store credit that is a little (maybe 10 percent) higher. Why mess with a garage sale? Too much work!

LITTLE GIGGLES....is another children's consignment in Arlington that works exactly like Kid To Kid. Little Giggles was formerly Once Upon A Child and is now under different ownership. I have only been there once, but they were great and bought several things of mine that Kid To Kid would not buy (they are getting pretty picky these days).

PLATO'S CLOSET...also a consignment shop located in Arlington. They accept gently used teens/juniors clothing. They even take men's clothing! They look for name brand items that are trendy and have probably been purchased within the last 18 months or so. So...don't take them that ugly sweater that you got for Christmas 4 years ago:)

ARLINGTON JEWELRY EXCHANGE...this is a very nice jewelry store located in the Home Depot parking lot off of Cooper St. by the mall. They buy gold and precious jewels. Go through your jewelry box and find things that are nice, that you simply don't wear. You will have to tell them up front what you would like to receive from the sell of the item. They then approach the buyer and he will make you an offer after examining the piece. It's a very simple procedure. Takes about ten minutes. PS: I do NOT recommend selling anything of any sentimental value!!! You can't get those things back.

AND THEN THERE'S THE OBVIOUS:::

*HAVE A GARAGE SALE (hate it!)
*SELL STUFF ON CRAIGSLIST (love it!)
*EBAY (I have never sold anything on ebay, but I have heard great things about selling here, especially books! Be sure and have the buyer pay shipping!)

That's Banana's!

So, I can't take credit for finding this great deal! My friend Jamie informed me that Target has printable coupons available on their website (or in store at the registry printer). There is currently a coupon for $.50 cents off 1 lb of bananas. Banana's are $.56 cents/lb. Pretty sweet! Also, in that Sunday double paper you should be buying, there are coupons for $6.00 off Airwick imotion starter kits. They are on sale right now for $5.99...making them FREE! My Target was out but you can bet I will be checking other locations! Thanks, Jamie for the GREAT deal on banana's! I'm thinking SMOOTHIES!

A Little Tip For Tuesday!

Did you know that at most stores you can use both an in store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon on the same item? Yep! Check out the pic below. I found these items at CVS today. I paid exactly $0.21 cents out of pocket:) Not free...but close! Did you buy your double Sunday paper this week? What are you waiting on?! ALSO....OFFICE DEPOT HAS SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS FOR ONE PENNY THIS WEEK!!! NO CATCH. LIMIT 3. GOT MINE TODAY! I LITERALLY HANDED HER 3 PENNIES:)

How? Very simple, actually. The Colgate is currently buy one get one free at $2.79....I had a coupon for $2.00 off any Colgate at CVS. You do the math! Next, the Listerine Smart Rinse was on clearance at the CVS closest to my house. I had a buy one get one free manuf. coupon that I combined with a coupon for $1.00 off any mouthwash at CVS. I obtained that coupon from the in store scanner at CVS that you can use up to once daily to receive extra coupons and offers. (Sometimes it will spit out coupons like $5 off any $15 dollar purchase.) My items rang up for $1.21...I handed them ONE Extra Care Buck (see prior posts) and $0.21 cents change.

A couple of good (not GREAT) deals I found today were: notebook paper at Walgreen's is $0.49 cents with the circular coupon, and backpacks are buy one get one free at $9.99 (making them five bucks each). These were mainly character backpacks for little ones. Payless Shoes (i know, i know but they have good deals!) is having their BOGO sale which includes all merchandise, even clearance! Makes for some REALLY cheap shoes.

Have a great week! Keep me posted on what GREAT deals YOU find!!!

The Essentials...

So first things first.......SHOPPING! Let me enlighten you. If you have not obtained a CVS card you must do so NOW! CVS offers "Extra Care Bucks" on several different items each week. These bucks print out at the end of your reciept after your purchase, for future use which ends up making items very inexpensive or even FREE. They also accept manufacturer's coupons which can be used in combination with the ECB's. It's a game of sorts. This weeks circular was great if you are just getting started. Especially if you have kids. Lots of back to school items are free!

As far as shopping for groceries is concerned...shopping at one store is a thing of the past. We always buy a double Sunday paper so that we have two sets of coupons. Yes, I said coupons. Get over it! I don't enjoy clipping and filing them either, but I sure am stoked when I look at the bottom of my reciept and see how much hard earned cash I actually saved!! I tend to do most of my shopping at Kroger and Albertsons because they double and triple coupons. I do get some items at Walmart. I've never been big on Tom Thumb until this week! Now I may have to switch! All of you die hard Pepsi and Mt. Dew drinkers listen up! This week at Tom Thumb buy two 12-packs of Pepsi Products & GET THREE 12-PACKS FREE!!! YES, I SAID THREE MORE FREE plus a huge bag of Tostidos chips! Now that's what I call "All that and a bag of chips!"

STOCKPILE, STOCKPILE, STOCKPILE!!! Especially on the essentials! Stock up on things like milk, butter, eggs, bread, flour, and sugar (and do it when they are on sale at their cheapest) because then you are never "out of everything". Did you know that you can freeze milk? And bread? Just give your milk a good shake after it thaws! We go to the Mrs. Bairds Outlet stores and stock up for weeks! We usually end up spending around seven dollars and it totally fills up our freezer! They have much more than bread there, too. They carry breakfast items, pizza crusts, tortillas, etc. and they always have freebies! There is a Mrs. Bairds located in DeSoto on Hampton and one in Arlington as well. I like to stock up on things we use alot of like household cleaning items, detergent, body wash and hair products, paper towels, and of course, TP!!! It is so nice to just walk into the pantry and grab some body wash when we run out! That helps me focus on just buying groceries when I'm at the store. Trust me, it will make a HUGE difference in your bill!

Walgreens has a Register Rewards program that is very similar to CVS but doesn't require a card. I find this helpful because it allows you to do the transactions more than once. For instance, this week at Walgreens:

VITAMIN Shampoo or Conditioner is on sale for $3.99
Register Rewards (good on next purchase) $4.oo

I chose to stock up on TP this week. Check it out...

Quilted Northern Big Rolls 9 pack on sale $4.oo
(minus Manufacturer's Coupon $1.oo off)
Eggs $0.99
Quaker Oats Pancake Mix (large boxes!!) 2/$1.00 Wow!
(minus Register Rewards from the Shampoo $4.00)
TOTAL OUT OF POCKET: $1.44

Not free...but, not shabby! Oh, and I almost forgot! Walgreens has all of their sandals (didn't even know they carried shoes?!) on clearance %75 off!!! Got the cutest brown sandals for $2.50. I'm thinking about buying up several pair for Macy for next summer...they really are cute. Walgreens. Yep.

Okay, gotta run. More to come. Happy shopping, happy saving:)

Oh Lord, That You Would Bless Me Indeed...

Those simple words have crossed my lips daily for months now. The Prayer of Jabez. In January 2009 we decided to dramatically change our lifestyle and how we spend our money. Focusing on the future and what we would like to leave our children (and their children) has become priority in our home. With the help of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University we have now knocked out a whopping $11,500 in only seven short months. It has not by any means been easy, but it has been extremely rewarding. I wanted to begin blogging to share some of things that we are doing that might help someone else save a penny or two. I am here to tell you, if WE can do it...then YOU definitely can do it as well!! The most important thing I have learned (and continue to be reminded of) is that God is faithful and he will 'bless you indeed' if you just ask. That sounds like such a simple thing, but I think sometimes we get so caught up praying for other people or about certain situations in life that we forget to ask God for His blessings.

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, Lord that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain." So God granted him what he requested.
I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

It's a powerful little prayer. I challenge you to utilize it and see how God chooses to bless you. I feel as though our family has been blessed beyond measure.