Monday, October 19, 2015

How I coupon...



Good afternoon Friends!

So I've recently been asked....

How do I coupon?

First, let me start by saying that I only coupon what my family needs and not just what I can get for free or cheap, I enjoy couponing to be able to save my family money and get the products that we need on a daily basis...I don't really have a HUGE stockpile, although my hubby has said NO MORE BODY WASH...but you know, I want to be prepared....

So, here's how I do it...I get the coupons that come in the mail (ours come on Tuesdays) and I also pick up coupons from a lovely lady who saves them from the Sunday paper....I also try to get the local major newspaper (ours is the Charlotte Observer) on Sundays...After I get my coupon books (Smart Saver (SS) and Redplum (RP), I organized my coupons...

You can save your coupons 2 different ways (I've done both and right now, I'm doing it the second way)

 1. Save your SS and RP in a folder and only cut the coupons when you need them....I did this for a while, you can keep a file folder for each month, SS And RP have dates on the binding of these books, so that helps GREATLY!
2. Cut the coupons that you NEED to use and put them in a 3 ring binder that is organized with file dividers

Once I've cut my coupons and organized them and thrown away any coupons that are expired, I go to www.southernsavers.com (this website shows on the southern grocery stores, department stores and drug stores...I live in NC) I look through all the stores that I have locally...Southern Savers does an amazing job at organizing what you can get...I don't have a printer working, so I can't print coupons right now (if you do have a printer, you can click on the link that Southern Savers provides and print 2 coupons per item per computer)...then I make my list, get all the coupons I need, check my budget and head to the store....

It can be a LONG process, but it's totally worth it, because it saves us money and we get good products for our home and family...any questions, please ask...I think that pretty much sums it up...




Thursday, October 8, 2015

Tried something new....

Hi friends!

So for many years...since I was in the Air Force...I've had back issues....only true relief have been awesome chiropractors...due to our budget right now, I haven't been able to go in a while (about 2 years...tears)...so this past Monday, we took the kiddos to a local park...while putting little man on the slide...I felt the pull in my lower back...so I've barely been walking the last couple of days...not been fun at all...my sweet hubby mentioned trying YOGA...so I did! I found a Christian Yoga Beginner Video and guess what...I really liked it! Here is the link to the video if you need it...Christian Yoga




On a funny note...little man is still nursing...so he thought it would be fun to nurse and climb through and on mommy during her stretching...life of a mommy...definitely creating my own little miracle...let me know if you try it and what you think...

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

BUDGET...BUDGET...BUDGET!

Hi Friends!

I mentioned in our previous post about our BUDGET...so I"m going to go into more detail about our budget and how we "Live like no one else, so later we can live like no one else" as Dave Ramsey says...

So I"m going to give you some back story...both my hubby and I are savers...we love thrift stores, clearance section, yard sales and just saving money...we have always had savings accounts, so when we got married...we both came into the marriage with no debt (THANK GOD)...we were in the USAF at the time, and saved a good bit before we got out (that ALL when into our house...a new electrical and heating system...FUN FUN...so no decorating and making it very homey...still working on that...8 years later...another blog post)...

Let me say, just because we both have always been savers...doesn't mean we don't struggle or haven't struggled in the past...in January 2009, we only had a small amount in our account and we went into a restaurant, we were the only ones in this local spot and the server was like are ya'll okay... and my hubby said..."We are totally trusting God...we don't have much and we didn't know where the next was coming, so we decided to trust Him completely and have our "last meal"....it might sound CRAZY and at the moment, it does to me, but at the moment, we totally TRUSTED God to help us! (Don't get me wrong, we both have wonderful family that would help us, but we try to do it all on our own...)

In December 2011, we were we both working...making it to get by...struggling like crazy...on the SAME day, both of our cars DIED...so we were already looking into a vehicle because we had a 1 year old and knew we would want more children later...that day, we went into MAJOR debt getting a used vehicle...IN JANUARY 2012, we took Dave Ramsey's FINANCIAL PEACE class and our lives CHANGED forever!!!...



Dave Ramsey encourages an envelope system (cash system)...for us, I don't do well with cash because I will spend it...so we developed this:

With our bank, we are allowed to set up multiple accounts (as many as we want...thank you USAA!)

1. We created a Bills Account...my hubby gets paid weekly...each week, we put his paycheck into this account. I have a spreadsheet created to show the bills for the week, so I open that account and see how much we need for the week for the bills...we leave that amount needed in this account

2. Next, we created a Food & Fun Account...we move any money left over from the Bills account to this account. (I'm debating to split this account to better manage this account)

3. Third, we created a Gas Account...we put our budgeted amount into this each week...

We have a debit card for each of these accounts...so essentially we have a "cash" system...

We are still paying off our van...hopefully, we will get this paid off next year...the payoff is Dec 2017...so we we will pay it off EARLY! : )

Any questions, please ask...





Tuesday, October 6, 2015

SAVING MORE...

Hi Friends!

So another trip to CVS...it was a CRAZY trip...but some GREAT deals!



Transaction 1:

2-Speed Stick Gear Gel Deodorant
    Regular Price: $5.49 each
    Sale Price: $3.99 each
       Use 2-$2.00 off coupons
       Get Back: $4.00 ECB ($2.00 for each deodorant)

$3.99 + $3.99 - $2.00 -$2.00 = $3.98  + tax = out of pocket

So I got both deodorants for FREE!!

Just a note, the Lady Speed Stick is on sale for $3.99 each, BUT YOU DO NOT GET ANY ECBs back...found that out the HARD WAY and ended up returning them once I figured it out...I received a Gift Card of $8.52

Transaction 2:

2-Right Guard Deodorant
     Regular Price: $4.99 each
     Sale Price: $3.00 (2 for $6.00)
         Use 1 $2.00/2 (NOTE: in the ad, DRY IDEA on sale for 2 for $6.00, the coupon I had was for $2.00 off 2...you have to pick...Right Guard or Dry Idea...with the coupons like they are...you can't mix and match and CVS is only allowing 1 purchase of 2 per customer)
         Use $4.00 ECBs from Transaction 1
         Get Back: $1.00 ECB

$6.00 - $2.00 - $4.00 = only pay TAX = out of pocket

So I got both of those deodorants for FREE!!

2-Dial Body Wash Products (I got 1 Dial Women's Body Wash and 1 6 pack of Dial Body Soap)
    Regular Price: $5.99 each
    Sale: $4.00 each (2 for $8.00)
        Use $1.00  off coupon
        Get Back $2.00 ECB

$8.00-$1.00 = $7.00 = out of pocket

So I got 1 Dial's Body Wash and 6 bars of Dial Soap (1 package) for $2.50 each)

$4.00 + $7.00 - $8.52 = $2.48 + tax

According to ALL my receipts: I saved $17.96 TOTAL, I had $3.00 ECBs left over...the kiddos each got a surprise for being so patient with Mommy. : )






         


Thursday, September 17, 2015

Saving More Moola...COUPONING!

Hi Friends!
   Recently, I was asked if I was an extreme couponer and I'm definitely not...also, I was asked if I got products that I don't use just because they are a good deal and no, I don't...one reason is why would I when there are those out there that need those items and I just got them because I got them for FREE just because I could and second, our budget doesn't allow for extra....I'll get more into our budget and finances in later posts...so back to my couponing trip today...


CVS (I ended up just doing 1 transaction, I had planned on 2, but I'll explain further down)

Transaction 1:

2-Theraflu
  Regular Price: $8.49 each
  Sale Price: $5.99 each
     Use (2)  $3.00 off coupons (I had one and one was printed at the CVS coupon printer)

$5.99 + $5.99 - $3.00 - $3.00 = $5.98 + tax

So I got each box of Theraflu for $2.99 each

1-Triaminic
  Regular Price: $9.29
  Sale Price: $5.99
    Use $3.00 off coupon

$5.99 - $3.00 = $2.99 +tax

2-2 packs of Pronamel Sensodyne
  Regular Price: $10.79 each
  Sale Price: $4.99 each
    Use $1.50 off coupon and $1.00 coupon

$4.99 + $4.99 - $1.50 - $1.00 = $7.48 + tax (THAT WAS THE BEST DEAL OF THE DAY!!!...Each tube of toothpaste was only $1.87)

1-Sunkist 2 liter soda
   Regular Price: $2.19
   Sale Price: $0.99
      Use $0.30 off coupon from CVS coupon printer

$0.99-0.30 = $0.69

1-30oz bottle of Purelax
   Regular Price: $19.29
   Sale Price: $12.00
 (I was going to get Miralax and use coupons, but the CVS brand ended up being cheaper for MORE...so always double check for the off brand on most products and I take my hubby who can do math in his head quickly to figure out what is better.)

So I spent $31.90 and SAVED $40.19



WALGREENS

Transaction 1
1-Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gels (Regular Price: $4.39)
1-Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush Refills (Regular Price: $4.99)
   Sale Price: 2 for $7.00
   Get Back $2 RR

So I spent $7.00 + tax, SAVED: $4.38 (Including the 2 RR)

Transaction 2
2-Windex Spray
  Regular Price: $4.49 each
  Sale Price: 2 for $6.00
  Get Back $1 RR

Use $2 RR from Transaction 1

So I spent $4.00 + tax, SAVED: $3.98 (including the 1 RR)

Transaction 3
1-Gillette Venus Swirl Razor
  Regular Price: $9.99
  Sale Price: $8.99
    Use $3.00 off coupon
  Get Back 5000 points to use later

So I spent $5.99 + tax, SAVED: $4.00

Transaction 4
2-Hefty Slider Storage Bags Gallon
  Regular Price: $3.49 each
  Sale Price: 2 for $4.00
    Use $1.50/2 coupon
1-Hefty Slider Storage Bags Quart
  Regular Price: $3.49
  Sale Price: 2 for $4.00
1-Hefty Slider Freezer Bags Gallon
  Regular Price: $3.49
  Sale Price: 2 for $4.00
    Use $1.50//2 coupon

$4.00 + $4.00 - $1.50 - $1.50 - $1.00RR (Transaction 2) = $4.00

So I spent $4.00 + tax, SAVED: $9.96

So I spent a total of $20.99 + tax and I SAVED $21.38

These deals last through Saturday evening...hope you can get some of these!









Friday, August 28, 2015

To Diet or Not to Diet

Hi Friends!

So for the past THREE days, my hubby and I have been on a diet (we've NEVER dieted before...so this was a huge change)...we eat fairly healthy, not health nuts or anything like that...but we cooked most of our meals and love fruits, veggies, etc...we decided to try a diet called the Military Diet (www.themilitarydiet.com)

Here's the meal plan for this diet:

DAY 1:

Breakfast

Military Diet Plan Breakfast Day 1
1/2 Grapefruit
1 Slice of Toast
2 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter
1 cup Coffee or Tea (with caffeine)

Lunch

Military Diet Plan Day 1 Lunch
1/2 Cup of Tuna
1 Slice of Toast
1 cup Coffee or Tea (with caffeine)

Dinner

Military Diet Plan Day 1 Dinner
3 ounces of any type of meat
1 cup of green beans
1/2 banana
1 small apple
1 cup of vanilla ice cream

DAY 2

Breakfast

military-diet-day-two-breakfast
1 egg
1 slice of toast
1/2 banana

Lunch

Military Diet Plan Day 2 Lunch
1 cup of cottage cheese
1 hard boiled egg
5 saltine crackers

Dinner

Military Diet Plan Dinner Day 2
2 hot dogs (without bun)
1 cup of broccoli
1/2 cup of carrots
1/2 banana
1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream

DAY 3

Breakfast

Military Diet Breakfast Day 3
5 saltine crackers
1 slice of cheddar cheese
1 small apple

Lunch

Military Diet Day 3 Lunch
1 hard boiled egg (or cooked however you like)
1 slice of toast

Dinner

Military Diet Plan Day 3 Dinner
1 cup of tuna
1/2 banana
1 cup of vanilla ice cream
They are substitutes and we only substituted the grapefruit (we're both not grapefruit fans)...
So the amazing results:
Hubby lost 4 POUNDS and I lost 3 POUNDS!
Overall, I would do this diet again, you only do it for 3 days and the 4 of the week, you eat healthy...you can do it weekly, every other week, monthly, etc...it really wasn't that bad...but I will tell you, I can't wait to drink some coffee today : ) 

Monday, August 24, 2015

Couponing Again...

So I went couponing this morning...here's what I was able to get:

Transaction 1:
 2 Windex Wipes Packets
     Regular Price: $4.59 each
     Sale: 2 for $6.00
        Used 2 $0.50 coupons

$6.00-$1.00 coupon = $5.00 without tax
Received $2.00 in Register Rewards

So I got each packet for $1.50 each, SAVED: $4.18

Transaction 2:
 2 Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gels
    Regular Price: $4.39 each
    Sale: 2 for $6.00
         Used 2 $1.00 coupons

$6.00-$2.00=$4.00 without tax
Received $2.00 in Register Rewards

So I got each box of Scrubbing Bubbles for $1.00 each, SAVED: $4.78

Transaction 3:
2 Lady Speed Stick Deodrant
   Regular Price: $2.99 each
   Sale: $1.99 each
      Used B1G1 coupon

$1.99+$1.99-$1.99=$1.99 without tax

So I got each deodrant for $1.00, SAVED: $3.99

Transaction 4:
2 Papermate Retractable Pens (4 count)
  Regular Price: $4.49 each
  Sale: $1.99 each
    Use 2-$1.00 off coupons
2 Papermate Retractable Pens (2 count)
  Regular Price: $2.39 each
  Sale: 1.99 each
    Use 2-$0.55 off coupons

So I got all 4 packs of pens for $4.86, SAVED: $8.90

Transaction 5:
I had a rain check from last week for a Playtex Sippy Cup
   Regular Price: $5.29
   Sale for $3.99
     Used $2.00 off coupon and $2.00 in RR

I got the cup for $1.00 + tax, SAVED: $4.00


(This picture is missing some of my purchases, because I gave 1 deodrant, 1 toilet cleaner, 1 windex wipes and 1 pack of 4 pens to my mom)


TOTAL I SPENT: $18.00, I got $4.00 in RR (I did use $2.00 of the RR on the sippy cup...so I have $2.00 left to use at another time), and I SAVED $25.85