WAGS does it again!

I haven't shopped much all week and wasn't even that interested in it. I was busy with a St. Patrick's Day party, a doctor's appointment and other things. This afternoon I decided I'd better update my coupons. Clipping and organizing coupons for two hours will certainly put you in the mood for some bargain shopping. I promised the kids a Rita's Italian Ice tonight after supper - which was great since it was FREE today! Lucky for my that the Rita's is right down the street from Walgreens. So, here's the play-by-play of my trip:

Hershey's Kissables 1.5 oz are on clearance - bought 9 of them for $.19 each (will be great in Easter baskets). Total = $1.71

Sambucol - $10.19 - $10 Easy Saver Coupon & $4 manuf. coupon = -$3.81 money maker

Pringles - on clearance for $1.10 each - bought 2 & used $.20 coupon = 2 for $2

Pantene Shampoo & conditioner - $3.40 each - 2 $1 manuf coupons = both for $1.40

Pantene Mousse - $4.07 - used buy shampoo get style product FREE coupon = FREE

Pantene Hairspray - $4.07 - used buy conditioner, get style product FREE coupon = FREE

Bee's Balm Lip Shimmer - on clearance for $2.20 each - bought 2 (I just love this and want to stock up on it)

Gilette Shampoo & Condition - $3.82 each - used 2 $2 coupons = both for $3.64 for both!

Melotonin 120 tablets - $12.74 (we just needed this)

Glade Sense & Spray - had raincheck for $6.79 - used $4 Easy Saver & $4 manuf coupon = -$1.21 money maker

TOTAL = $88.82, saved $66.14, paid $22.68 FYI - I used a $10 RR and $3.30 gift card, plus an employee discount.

Even when its a week I'm not that excited for, still Walgreens comes through for me. I hope everyone else had a great week. Post a comment so I can check it out!

Old Navy Coupon Update

Sorry to disappoint but there will be no great coupons tonight. It seems like too many people were winning the fabulous coupons. Now we can only expect to receive a $5 off of $25 coupon - not really worth much in my book. I was really looking forward to this, too - my kids need some new clothes for Spring. Supposedly they are going to reset the big coupons in April but they will be trickier to locate. So, until April.......

Old Navy Coupons

So, I'm sitting here watching my kids play wii as I look at all the clutter and toys surrounding me. But, I can't get up because I might miss the Old Navy weekly coupons. check it out! You can get a coupon for $75 off of $100 if you're quick - and I plan to be tonight. Stay tuned - and check it out at www.oldnavyweekly.com.

MY APOLOGIES!

Ok, it's confession time. I'm sorry that I've been MIA for so long. I don't have any excuses except to say that I'm tired. I know all of you Moms can relate. It just seems as though I'm constantly pulled in a million directions. I know everyone always says make time for yourself. How exactly are you wupposed to do that? I really don't get it. In the morning, I'm getting three kids ready for their day, as well as myself. Then I race to drop them off at school and to get to work where I try to be professional and get something accomplished. After I put in my 4 hours I race home to prepare lunch or to pick up kids and get some errands done. Then it's time to make supper, get my oldest child off the bus, help with homework and depending on the day, run to an after school activity or two. Then it's baths and bed. And somewhere I'm supposed to squeeze in housework, laundry, etc. I guess I get some "me" time once they are in bed, but geez, I'm exhausted by that time so I usually veg out in front of the tv or surf on-line. So, yes I'm just tired - plain and simple.


All that being said, I really would like to make a go of this blog and feel like I have a lot to share and hope you'll come along for the ride. Thanks for listening to all my ramblings! Stay tuned........

Another great chicken recipe

Many moons ago I lived in the South for a short time. While there I made some wonderful friends, one of which introduced me to Poppyseed Chicken. Since then, it has been one of my "go to" dinners when I'm just not sure what else to make. And it is actually my 8 year old daughter's favorite which means we have it at least 1-2 times per month. If you haven't tried it yet, here it is:

Poppyseed Chicken

Cook 3-4 boneless chicken breasts and cube them.
Mix with 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup and 1 cup sour cream.

Put that mixture in a casserole dish - I use an 8x11 or 9x9 whichever is handy.

Melt 1 stick of butter and mix with 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers that has been crushed. Put the crackers on top of the chicken and then sprinkle poppysee on top of the crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I serve it with a vegetable and sometimes rolls.

This is a great casserole to take to a covered dish or to a friend in need. It's guaranteed to put a smile on someone's face. I forgot to take a picture of the casserole so here's a picture of my hubby's plate that's waiting for him to enjoy tonight after work. I hope you and your family enjoy it as well!

Wags, How I Love You!!!

Thanks to my mother-in-law who babysat for me, I was able to stop by my two Walgreens stores on my way home from work today. While the one store was out of most everything I wanted, I was still able to get a pretty good haul:

Store #1:

Transaction #1:
3 packs of Huggies diapers at $8.50 each (w/employee discount) - three $5 coupons = total of $10.50. Paid $10.50 OOP but received a $10 RR. Total cost for 3 jumbo packs of diapers is $.50 !!!!

Transaction #2:
Duracell AA on sale for $5.09 - $1 coupon = $4.09
No Nonsense pantyhose - 2 pair at $3.82 each, B1G1 - two $1 coupons = 2 pair of pantyhose for $1.82
Colgate toothpaste for $2.97 - $2.50 wags coupon - $1.50 manuf. coupon = -1.03 moneymaker
Coffeemate creamer for $2.49, B1G1 wags coupon - $1.50 manuf. coupon = 2 creamers for $.99
2-20 oz Coke, $1.35 each - B1G1 coupon = $1.35 for both bottles of Coke
Fructis Shampoo, $2.54 - $2.00 wags coupon - $1 manuf. coupon = -.46 moneymaker
Planters cashews - bought 2 cans at $5.94 each, B1G1 wags coupon - Free Planters coupon = 2 cans of Planters for FREE!!!
TOTAL OOP = $7.26; TOTAL SAVINGS $34.02

STORE #2 - only 1 transaction (they didn't have much)

Colgate toothpaste for $2.97 - $2.50 wags coupon - $1.50 manuf. coupon = -1.03 moneymaker
Fructis Shampoo, $2.54 - $2.00 wags coupon - $1 manuf. coupon = -.46 moneymaker
Glitter markers - on clearance for $1.86 (for Easter basket)
TOTAL OOP = $2.02; TOTAL SAVINGS $7.03

RECAP OF TODAY'S SHOPPING:

OOP = $19.78
TOTAL SAVINGS = $57.31
and I still have my $10 register reward to use next time!

So, how did you all do?

IF IT'S FREE, ITS FOR ME!!!!

Since I started this new journey of frugality a mere two months ago, I began signing up for things via the internet - free magazines, free samples, free anything I thought I could use. I am still amazed every day when I go to the mailbox. Approximately 5 days out of 7 I can count on having something "free" in there. It's great! My kids love it because they LOVE mail. And I am constantly surprised because I forget what I've signed up for. This is a picture of what came "free" in today's mail. I love it!

We don't travel very much but next time we do go away, I'll be ready! Every May our church has a basket social and people make up all sorts of baskets which are sold in a chinese auction style. It's tons of fun and raises a lot of revenue for our church. I usually do some sort of "kid" themed basket since that's what I know but this year I'm doing two household basic baskets. In this tough economy I think they will be wildly popular. I'm thinking of one basket of cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper - all the result of my frugal shopping, of course. And, the other basket will be a bath basket with some of my extra shampoo, soap, razors, etc. I am so excited about this! Not only will I be able to use some of my stockpile which is growing weekly but I'll be able to do something for the church we love. Sounds like a win-win.

I'll be sure to post a picture of the baskets once they are done. What does everyone else do with their excess?

Walgreens - making the best of what they've got!

OK, so as happy as I was with Walgreens this week - I was also a little disappointed. There are only two Walgreens in my area - one is about 10 miles from my house and the other is about 15 miles from my house. I stopped at the one closest twice last week trying to do some of the deals you keep seeing around the internet. Well, they were out of Blink Tears both times and out of enough Dove on each occasion, aslo. All that being said, I was still happy with what I was able to snag:

Clairol Hair color x 4
1.86 - $2 coupon = -$.14 overage
1.86 - $2 coupon = -$.14 overage
1.20 - $2 coupon = -$.80 overage
1.20 - $2 coupon = -$.80 overage

Excedrin Menstrual gelcaps $5.09 - $4 wags coupon - $2 mfg coupon = -$.91 overage

2 pair No Nonsense pantyhose at $3.65 each - B1G1 and $1 coupon = $2.65 for 2 pair

2 Burt's Bees shimmer lip balm - it's on clearance and although I didn't have a coupon, I bought 2 because I LOVE them and thought it was a good deal = $3.22 each.

Total spent: $6.30 - $3.50 RR = $2.80 OOP
Total saved: $40.58

I was upset that I wasn't able to snag any register rewards, but at least I was able to get a good deal on what I could find. Now, if only I have more luck this week!
Happy Monday!

GREAT MEAL - FRUGAL & FANTASTIC!

This week I made a great dinner that was quick and easy - and tasted great, too! Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

Stew beef (I bought two eye round roasts at Weis last week, B1G1 which ended up costing $2.20 per pound)
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Cut the beef into cubes and place it into the crockpot with the other ingredients - stir and cook for 8 hours.

Make one package of egg noodles. Serve the beef stroganoff over the egg noodles and make a vegetable for the side. That's it! Now, you can't tell me that's not easy!!! And, even my pickiest eaters love it!!

Enjoy!

STEALS AND DEALS AT CVS!!

I had a great trip to CVS today. I'm sorry there's no picture but on my way home from CVS my car broke down and the rest of my plans for the day went down the drain.

Anyway, back to my CVS adventure.

1st transaction:

Gilette Fusion Power Ravor, on sale for $7.99
--used $4.00 coupon and received $4.00 ECB = FREE

Tide, on sale for $5.97
--used $1/2 coupon = $5.47

Tide, on sale for $5.97
--used $1/2 coupon = $5.47

Bounty Basic Paper Towels, 8 rolls, on sale for $5.88
--used $1 coupon = $4.88

Dawn Botanicals, on sale for $.97
--used $.50 coupon = $.47

3 Puffs tissues, on sale for $.97 each = $2.91

Charmin toilet paper, 9 rolls = FREE (they were out of the 6 roll which was supposed to be free and the manager substituted the 9 roll!!!YEA!!!) Saved $7.49

Used ECBs totalling $17.99, OOP = $5.52 and received $4.00 in ECB which actually brings my total to $1.52!!!!!! According to my receipt I saved $47.91!!!

2nd transaction:

I found Organix conditioner in the shampoo aisle with a thing hanging from it that said "Try Me for Free". The conditioner costs $6.99 and is eligible for a rebate of $6.99. So, that was my 2nd transaction. I used by $4 ECB bringing my total to 3.17 and I will receive a rebate of $6.99!!!

Now, if only fixing my car were that easy!!!!!!! Stay tuned for a Walgreens post as soon as my car is feeling better!!!

I'M SO MAD AT MYSELF!!!

I'm posting this entry with the hope that if I write it down, I won't be so mad at myself. First of all you have to understand that when I do my frugal shopping, I usually do so with three kids in tow since my husband works long hours. Now, I could go on the weekend, and sometimes do, but that's our only time to spend as a family and I do think that's more important than shopping -- shocking, I know!

So, I had to go to Walgreens today to pick up a prescription so I decided to pick up some things while I was there. I take the time to write down everything I'm going to buy because if not, I always forget. Here's how it went:

1. Glade PlugIns Refills, B1G1 - now, the only reason I purchased 4 of these is because I had a B1G1 coupon and thought they'd all be free. Well, the coupon wasn't B1G1, but rather B1 and get a warmer free! So, yes I got 2 free warmers, but paid $10.09 for 8 refills which although that may not be a bad price - it was really something I didn't need.

2. Sambucol cold medicine - not something we needed but because I could buy it for $10.19 and use the Wags coupon for $10 off plus a manufacturer's coupon for another $4 off, I decided to buy it since it was a money maker. Nice thought, but I forgot to give the cashier my $4 off coupon. Yea, I know it was still a good deal since I only paid $.19 for it, but it's just the idea!

3. Campbell's soups - Wags has a coupon in their ad for 3/$3. I bought 4 cans and had two $.40 coupons which I used, but I forgot to give the cashier the Wags coupon and ended up paying this much for each can: $1.27, $1.27, $1.35 and $1.20 - UGH!!!

I guess those were the only things I tecnically "screwed up" on, but I'm so mad at myself. My bill ended up totalling $30.12 - a lot more than I intended to spend. Some of that was also because we needed some things that I just had to purchase without coupons - oh, how I hate that!

Oh, one last screw up - I forgot my coupons for True North and was so excited to see if my Walgreens had them on clearance like someone else in cyberspace reported.

I'm still fairly new to this frugal way of shopping and its just such a learning curve - I never expected that. That and the fact that I have to shop with three kids in tow makes it especially difficult. Anyone else feeling my frustration? Anyone else on a learning curve? Please post your comments and make me feel better....