...and I make a royal mess of it! This time they only triple up to 20 coupons (isn't it normally 25?!?!?)...and of course I used 25 my first trip, so I missed out on $9.75 in savings because those coupons didn't triple. I may return those items; I can't decide. My second trip went much better, except that the Lysol toilet bowl cleaner is BOGO and I only bought one thinking it would be marked 1/2 price--but you actually have to buy 2 to get the sale price I guess because I didn't get it for 1/2 off. So that may be going back also. :(
Harris Teeter Trip #1:
+ 4 Betty Crocker cookie mixes
+ 8 Mahatma rice mixes
+ 2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaners
+ 2 Mr. Clean eraser packs
+ 8 Lipton tea bags
+ 1 Sweet Sue Chicken & Dumplings
+ 1 Sweet Sue canned chicken
+ 1 French's onions
+ 1 large Pace Salsa
+ 2 5-lb. Domino sugars
+ 4 Suave body wash
- Coupons
+ Tax
=$22.67 out of pocket, $45.41 saved, 67% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.66
*If I hadn't goofed, the total OOP *would* have been $12.92, $55.16 saved, 81% savings, $0.38 avg. cost per item.
Harris Teeter Trip #2:
+ 4 Betty Crocker cookie mixes
+ 4 Mahatma rice mixes
+ 1 Lysol toilet bowl cleaner
+ 4 Lipton tea bags
+ 4 Suave body wash
+ 2 Mr. Clean spray
- Coupons
+ Tax
=$7.84 out of pocket, $27.49 saved, 78% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.41
*If I hadn't goofed, the total OOP *would* have been $7.84, $30.28 saved, 79% savings, $0.39 avg. cost per item.
Friday, March 27
Wednesday, March 25
Quick Trips
We ran out to pick up a Craigslist item tonight (2 really cool Pottery Barn clear-view book shelves), so we ran a few errands, too.
I finally found the Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent (for dishwashers) at Target. They had a bunch, so DH and I unloaded our FREE coupons. We got 6 bottles and all we had to pay was the tax! Yipee!
Target #1 (my checkout):
+ 3 - 8.45 oz Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent ($3.14/ea)
- Coupons (3 FREE Cascade q's)
+ Tax
=$0.64 out of pocket, $9.42 saved, 94% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.21
Target #2 (DH's checkout):
+ 3 - 8.45 oz Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent ($3.14/ea)
+ 1 4-lb. bag Market Pantry sugar ($1.97)
+ 1 Archer Farms Artisan Petite Harvest Grain loaf ($0.99)
- Coupons (3 FREE Cascade q's + $1.00 off Archer Farms Artisan bread Target Q printed from gift registry kiosk)
+ Tax
=$2.64 on rebate card, $0.00 out of pocket, $9.42 saved, 78% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.53
(The rebate card is a prepaid American Express card that we got for buying a pressure cooker at JC Penney's on Black Friday.)
CVS:
+ 1 toddler fleece clogs (like crocs) marked down 90%
+ 2 Campbell's cream of mushroom soup (BOGO)
+ 2 Campbell's Tomato soup (BOGO)
+ 1 Maola whole milk
- Coupons (2 x $1.00/2 Campbell's cooking soups printable q)
- ECBs ($5.50)
+ Tax
=$0.10 on gift card, $0.00 out of pocket, $19.68 saved, 100% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.00
I finally found the Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent (for dishwashers) at Target. They had a bunch, so DH and I unloaded our FREE coupons. We got 6 bottles and all we had to pay was the tax! Yipee!
Target #1 (my checkout):
+ 3 - 8.45 oz Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent ($3.14/ea)
- Coupons (3 FREE Cascade q's)
+ Tax
=$0.64 out of pocket, $9.42 saved, 94% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.21
Target #2 (DH's checkout):
+ 3 - 8.45 oz Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent ($3.14/ea)
+ 1 4-lb. bag Market Pantry sugar ($1.97)
+ 1 Archer Farms Artisan Petite Harvest Grain loaf ($0.99)
- Coupons (3 FREE Cascade q's + $1.00 off Archer Farms Artisan bread Target Q printed from gift registry kiosk)
+ Tax
=$2.64 on rebate card, $0.00 out of pocket, $9.42 saved, 78% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.53
(The rebate card is a prepaid American Express card that we got for buying a pressure cooker at JC Penney's on Black Friday.)
CVS:
+ 1 toddler fleece clogs (like crocs) marked down 90%
+ 2 Campbell's cream of mushroom soup (BOGO)
+ 2 Campbell's Tomato soup (BOGO)
+ 1 Maola whole milk
- Coupons (2 x $1.00/2 Campbell's cooking soups printable q)
- ECBs ($5.50)
+ Tax
=$0.10 on gift card, $0.00 out of pocket, $19.68 saved, 100% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.00
Where can I buy Cascade?
...specifically 8.45 oz Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent???
I have several FREE coupons to try it, but I can't find it anywhere!!!
Where have you found it?
I have several FREE coupons to try it, but I can't find it anywhere!!!
Where have you found it?
BzzReport: My review of Afrin PureSea
I am a BzzAgent. Check out the website here to find out more about becoming an agent. It is a marketing network that relies on word of mouth referrals. That means, as an agent, you get samples of products or coupons for products to try out in hopes that you will like them and spread the word. See more of my BzzReports here.
I posted yesterday about receiving my 3rd BzzKit (and don't forget, there are still giveaways left!). I have to admit that even though I was excited about it, I was a little apprehensive, too. I have never tried a nasal rinse before. It is different than a nasal spray--which I have tried-- in that you hold your head tilted over a sink, press the applicator on the Afrin PureSea bottle, and let the fluid flow through the upper nostril and out the lower. Then repeat with the other side.
I will admit it did make me cough for a second and I could taste the salty water in my throat, but after the intial shock of it, I have to say that I really liked it. My nose feels fresh and clean. This is something I think I will really like because during winter and pregnancy, my nose gets SO dry and it bleeds all the time because of it. I think this rinse is just what I need because it is hydrating! I love that it is just natural sea water, too, so I don't have to worry about harming my unborn baby with chemicals or drugs when I use it.
Have YOU tried Afrin PureSea yet? What was your experience?
I posted yesterday about receiving my 3rd BzzKit (and don't forget, there are still giveaways left!). I have to admit that even though I was excited about it, I was a little apprehensive, too. I have never tried a nasal rinse before. It is different than a nasal spray--which I have tried-- in that you hold your head tilted over a sink, press the applicator on the Afrin PureSea bottle, and let the fluid flow through the upper nostril and out the lower. Then repeat with the other side.
I will admit it did make me cough for a second and I could taste the salty water in my throat, but after the intial shock of it, I have to say that I really liked it. My nose feels fresh and clean. This is something I think I will really like because during winter and pregnancy, my nose gets SO dry and it bleeds all the time because of it. I think this rinse is just what I need because it is hydrating! I love that it is just natural sea water, too, so I don't have to worry about harming my unborn baby with chemicals or drugs when I use it.
Have YOU tried Afrin PureSea yet? What was your experience?
Tuesday, March 24
New BzzCampaign: Afrin PureSea!
I am a BzzAgent. Check out the website here to find out more about becoming an agent. It is a marketing network that relies on word of mouth referrals. That means, as an agent, you get samples of products or coupons for products to try out in hopes that you will like them and spread the word. See more of my BzzReports here.
I received my 3rd BzzCampaign materials in my mailbox yesterday. This one is for Afrin PureSea hydrating nasal rinse. I'm excited to try it because it is completely natural--made from 100% purified sea water and nothing else.
Stay posted for my upcoming review of the product!
In the meantime, I have some $3.00/1 coupons to give away for you to try this product. I also have 3 Palmolive Pure + Clear samples + $1.00/1 coupons left to give away.
If you are interested in either or both, just post a comment along with your email address. I'll send you my address so you can send me a SASE (or you can paypal me $$0.74--the cost of a stamp plus pp fees). As soon as I receive your envelope or your pp, your sample and coupon will be on their way to you!
I received my 3rd BzzCampaign materials in my mailbox yesterday. This one is for Afrin PureSea hydrating nasal rinse. I'm excited to try it because it is completely natural--made from 100% purified sea water and nothing else.
Stay posted for my upcoming review of the product!In the meantime, I have some $3.00/1 coupons to give away for you to try this product. I also have 3 Palmolive Pure + Clear samples + $1.00/1 coupons left to give away.
If you are interested in either or both, just post a comment along with your email address. I'll send you my address so you can send me a SASE (or you can paypal me $$0.74--the cost of a stamp plus pp fees). As soon as I receive your envelope or your pp, your sample and coupon will be on their way to you!
Updating March Totals
Luckily I made lots of extra money this month with my 2 days of unexpected babysitting and all of my DS and CL sales. Unfortunately, I don't count that money in my budget so I am going to have to look at this ugly red number until the end of the month! :(
Eating Out:
+ $14.49 K&W Cafeteria 3/1
+ $15.62 Schlotzsky's Deli 3/1
+ $22.87 Cracker Barrel 3/4
+ $7.84 Wendy's 3/4
+ $5.66 Bojangles 3/4
+ $8.84 ColdStone Creamery 3/5
+ $14.64 Little Caesar's Pizza 3/5
+ $12.52 Salsa Fresh 3/9
+ $18.31 Bojangles 3/10
+ $3.65 Burger King 3/12
+ $4.73 McDonald's 3/14
+ $13.73 Cosmic Cantina 3/16
+ $4.69 Cook Out 3/17
+ $14.48 Salsa Fresh 3/18
+ $7.53 Baja Burrito 3/19
+ $24.08 Red Robin 3/20
+ $7.94 Bruegger's Bagels 3/23
Total as of 3/23: $201.62
Services:
+ $1.17 USPS 3/3
+ $5.72 USPS 3/4
+ $7.07 USPS 3/7
+ $28.56 USPS 3/10
Total as of 3/23: $42.52 (shipping costs for things sold on DS)
Groceries:
+ $5.70 Harris Teeter 3/2, saved $5.59, 50% savings
+ $5.75 Food Lion 3/3
+ $10.49 Great Harvest Bread Company 3/9
+ $48.06 Kroger 3/10, saved $15.36, 24% savings
+ $17.42 Food Lion 3/11
+ $1.01 Harris Teeter 3/11, saved $4.00, 80% savings
+ $12.24 Harris Teeter 3/11, saved $12.60, 51% savings
+ $0.00 Rite Aid 3/11, earned a $25 gift card
+ $40.40 Kroger 3/15, saved $17.31, 30% savings
+ $0.00 Rite Aid 3/16, saved $6.02, 100% savings
+ $0.00 CVS 3/16, saved $12.84, 100% savings
+ $1.16 Harris Teeter 3/17
+ $23.45 Papa Spud's Organics 3/20 (home delivery)
+ $13.33 Harris Teeter 3/20
+ $10.31 Kroger 3/21, saved $7.80, 43% savings
+ $12.17 Kroger 3/21, saved $20.80, 63% savings
+ $0.00 CVS 3/21, saved $45.40, 100% savings
+ $26.84 Food Lion 3/22, saved $1.58, 6% savings
+ $24.90 Earth Fare 3/23, saved $0.85, 3% savings
Total as of 3/23: $253.23, saved $150.15, 37% savings
Merchandise:
+ $32.00 Target 3/1 (wedding shower gift + 2 $1.00 dog collars)
+ $5.33 Ollie's Bargain Outlet 3/5 (Super Hero straw cup for DS)
+ $57.09 Gap Credit Card 3/10
+ $124.76 Michaels 3/22 (photo frames for all our new photos of DS), saved $12.99 with 10% coupon + sale savings of $109.87 for total savings of $122.86
- $21.34 Michaels 3/22 (they charged us for one too many frames)
Total as of 3/24: $197.84, saved $122.86, 38% savings
Grand Total as of 3/24: $695.21
Saved as of 3/24: $273.01 (28% savings)
Total left for March: $-195.21 (ouch!)
Eating Out:
+ $14.49 K&W Cafeteria 3/1
+ $15.62 Schlotzsky's Deli 3/1
+ $22.87 Cracker Barrel 3/4
+ $7.84 Wendy's 3/4
+ $5.66 Bojangles 3/4
+ $8.84 ColdStone Creamery 3/5
+ $14.64 Little Caesar's Pizza 3/5
+ $12.52 Salsa Fresh 3/9
+ $18.31 Bojangles 3/10
+ $3.65 Burger King 3/12
+ $4.73 McDonald's 3/14
+ $13.73 Cosmic Cantina 3/16
+ $4.69 Cook Out 3/17
+ $14.48 Salsa Fresh 3/18
+ $7.53 Baja Burrito 3/19
+ $24.08 Red Robin 3/20
+ $7.94 Bruegger's Bagels 3/23
Total as of 3/23: $201.62
Services:
+ $1.17 USPS 3/3
+ $5.72 USPS 3/4
+ $7.07 USPS 3/7
+ $28.56 USPS 3/10
Total as of 3/23: $42.52 (shipping costs for things sold on DS)
Groceries:
+ $5.70 Harris Teeter 3/2, saved $5.59, 50% savings
+ $5.75 Food Lion 3/3
+ $10.49 Great Harvest Bread Company 3/9
+ $48.06 Kroger 3/10, saved $15.36, 24% savings
+ $17.42 Food Lion 3/11
+ $1.01 Harris Teeter 3/11, saved $4.00, 80% savings
+ $12.24 Harris Teeter 3/11, saved $12.60, 51% savings
+ $0.00 Rite Aid 3/11, earned a $25 gift card
+ $40.40 Kroger 3/15, saved $17.31, 30% savings
+ $0.00 Rite Aid 3/16, saved $6.02, 100% savings
+ $0.00 CVS 3/16, saved $12.84, 100% savings
+ $1.16 Harris Teeter 3/17
+ $23.45 Papa Spud's Organics 3/20 (home delivery)
+ $13.33 Harris Teeter 3/20
+ $10.31 Kroger 3/21, saved $7.80, 43% savings
+ $12.17 Kroger 3/21, saved $20.80, 63% savings
+ $0.00 CVS 3/21, saved $45.40, 100% savings
+ $26.84 Food Lion 3/22, saved $1.58, 6% savings
+ $24.90 Earth Fare 3/23, saved $0.85, 3% savings
Total as of 3/23: $253.23, saved $150.15, 37% savings
Merchandise:
+ $32.00 Target 3/1 (wedding shower gift + 2 $1.00 dog collars)
+ $5.33 Ollie's Bargain Outlet 3/5 (Super Hero straw cup for DS)
+ $57.09 Gap Credit Card 3/10
+ $124.76 Michaels 3/22 (photo frames for all our new photos of DS), saved $12.99 with 10% coupon + sale savings of $109.87 for total savings of $122.86
- $21.34 Michaels 3/22 (they charged us for one too many frames)
Total as of 3/24: $197.84, saved $122.86, 38% savings
Grand Total as of 3/24: $695.21
Saved as of 3/24: $273.01 (28% savings)
Total left for March: $-195.21 (ouch!)
Earth Fare shopping trip
A few weeks ago, I posted about a super healthy breakfast you can make for your infant or toddler from the Super Baby Food Book. We needed some more grains and legumes for variety, so we headed to the bulk bins at Earth Fare last night.
Earth Fare 3/23:
+ 1 bottle .5-oz. Sweet Orange essential oil
+ 0.67 lb. organic pearled Barley
+ 0.77 lb organic Adzuki beans
+ 0.62 lb. organic raw Buckwheat
+ 0.23 lb. organic dark chocolate chips (okay, okay...these were for me!)
+ 0.54 lb. organic whole wheat French couscous
+ 1.05 lb. Supernatural granola (this was, too!)
+ 0.49 lb. organic Peruvian Quinoa
+ 0.84 lb. organic whole rye berries
+ 0.30 lb. nutritional yeast flakes
+ 1 large container whole milk plain yogurt (for DS and for starter)
+ 0.09 lb. organic kelp powder
+ 1.75 lb. organic Red Delicious apples (quantity: 4)
+ Tax
=$24.90 out of pocket, $0.85 saved, 0% savings
Earth Fare 3/23:
+ 1 bottle .5-oz. Sweet Orange essential oil
+ 0.67 lb. organic pearled Barley
+ 0.77 lb organic Adzuki beans
+ 0.62 lb. organic raw Buckwheat
+ 0.23 lb. organic dark chocolate chips (okay, okay...these were for me!)
+ 0.54 lb. organic whole wheat French couscous
+ 1.05 lb. Supernatural granola (this was, too!)
+ 0.49 lb. organic Peruvian Quinoa
+ 0.84 lb. organic whole rye berries
+ 0.30 lb. nutritional yeast flakes
+ 1 large container whole milk plain yogurt (for DS and for starter)
+ 0.09 lb. organic kelp powder
+ 1.75 lb. organic Red Delicious apples (quantity: 4)
+ Tax
=$24.90 out of pocket, $0.85 saved, 0% savings
Recent Craigslist Buys/Sells
Here are some recent buys/sells I've done on Craigslist. This money is not included in my monthly totals, but rather used to buy things we want/need.
Buys:
+ lot of 300+ Duplo/Legos $15
+ blue bilibo toy $13
+ 2 clear-view Pottery Barn book shelves $50
Total: $78
Sells:
+ 55 Euro premium prefolds + 18 Toddler prefolds $180
+ women's clothes lot $56
+ doghouse $15.25
Total: $251.25
Trades (mine FOR theirs):
+ 2 ring slings FOR 3 Fisher Price Little People Nativity Sets
+ pair of crankypants FOR a lot of maternity clothes + $50
Total: $50
Grand Total: $223.25
(updated 3/25)
Buys:
+ lot of 300+ Duplo/Legos $15
+ blue bilibo toy $13
+ 2 clear-view Pottery Barn book shelves $50
Total: $78
Sells:
+ 55 Euro premium prefolds + 18 Toddler prefolds $180
+ women's clothes lot $56
+ doghouse $15.25
Total: $251.25
Trades (mine FOR theirs):
+ 2 ring slings FOR 3 Fisher Price Little People Nativity Sets
+ pair of crankypants FOR a lot of maternity clothes + $50
Total: $50
Grand Total: $223.25
(updated 3/25)
DIY Diaper Pail Powder
I am so excited! Of late, our cloth diaper pail has not been the freshest smelling thing to say the least. We use a dry pail and although we dunk, swish, and flush away all solids, the pail still smells a little, well...poopy. I had been using some tea tree essential oil on the cloth attached to the pail liner, but it just wasn't enough. I know you can buy pail powders online, but I really wanted something thrifty.
So I posted on Diaperswappers a few days ago about finding a do-it-yourself recipe for diaper pail powder and some mamas hooked me up with tons of good ideas.
Here's one I tried last night:
*8 oz. box of baking soda
*25-30 drops of essential oil of your choice
I had a small box of baking soda that I had gotten for free or nearly free with coupons awhile back and I picked up a .5-oz bottle of Sweet Orange EO at Earth Fare last night for only $3.14. I just went down their price list and picked the cheapest one that smelled good to me. You can use whatever scent you want though. After making this once, you can't even tell I used any of the EO, so it will really last a LONG time!
Directions:
And just as a note, you can also just use plain baking soda to do the same trick. It will be even more thrifty, it just won't smell as fresh and nice without the EO added! :)
So I posted on Diaperswappers a few days ago about finding a do-it-yourself recipe for diaper pail powder and some mamas hooked me up with tons of good ideas.
Here's one I tried last night:
*8 oz. box of baking soda
*25-30 drops of essential oil of your choice
I had a small box of baking soda that I had gotten for free or nearly free with coupons awhile back and I picked up a .5-oz bottle of Sweet Orange EO at Earth Fare last night for only $3.14. I just went down their price list and picked the cheapest one that smelled good to me. You can use whatever scent you want though. After making this once, you can't even tell I used any of the EO, so it will really last a LONG time!
Directions:
- Dump the baking soda into a bowl.
- Add 25-30 drops of EO.
- Mash with a fork.
- Let sit for about 30 minutes.
- Sift.
- Let sit for another 30 minutes.
- Sift again.
- Put into a shaker container. (I had a restaurant-style glass parmesean shaker, but a recycled plastic one would work fine, too!)
- Sprinkle into diaper pail as needed!
And just as a note, you can also just use plain baking soda to do the same trick. It will be even more thrifty, it just won't smell as fresh and nice without the EO added! :)
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