Wags June 19-25

There is not much interesting at Walgreens this week, but lets try to find a bargain anyhow.

Gatorade G-Series Fit, buy G1 1.50, G2 1.00, and G3 2.50, get 5.00 mail in rebate form wyb all 3 in 1 transaction 

Gillette Fusion razor 9.89, get 5 rr, limit per transaction
   4.00 Gillette Fusion coupon

Applied Nutrition calcium 10.00, get 10.00. limit 1 per transaction
   1.00 Applied Nutrition calcium coupon in the box

filling in with Royal gelatin .19 when necessary.

The calcium is a great deal this month. I purchased 3 last week. Each time I was able to use the 5.00 coupon in the summer savings booklet.

The first time the cashier pushed it through.
The second time the store manager approved it using a price modification.
The third time the community manager approved it using a price modification. He then proceeded to tell me how bad I was for using the coupon. He followed me around the store harassing me. He even told me to return the calcium because the transaction was unethical. Remember this is the SAME transaction he approved just minutes ago. He said it is wrong for me to make money on a product and that I am cheating the manufacturer. He also said that his store manager should have never approved it, but the store manager only did it to please the customer!!! Like that was a bad thing.
Since when is pleasing the customer a bad thing????
My only response to everything this man said was, "Thank you for clarifying your coupon policy." And I said it over and over with a great big smile. I refuse to argue with such a person.

***Update***
I just received a telephone call from Walgreens. He apologized for this man's behavior. He will personally take care of this situation. He also told me that he and Walgreens value coupon shoppers, as long as we coupon correctly.
I love when a company listens to their customers and rights the problem. I will happily shop at Walgreens from now on.
***

I am happy to have used the 5.00 coupon three times, but I will not push it anymore. It is still a good deal with the 1.00 coupon. I am satisfied with that.

Happy shopping. I hope you find deals that work for you this week at Walgreens.

Rite Aid Jun 19-25

These items are on my Rite Aid list for this week.

Zantac 24-30 count 7.99, get 2 up, limit 4
   2.00/1 video value coupon
   5.00/1 Zantac coupon
   1.00/1 Zantac coupon

St Joseph aspirin 1.50, get 1.50 up, limit 2

Colgate toothpaste 2n1, max....  2.99, get 2,99 up, limit 4
   1.00/1 Colgate Max coupon

Samy Fat Foam hair color 8.99, get 5 up, limit 2
   5.00/1 video values coupon
   3.00/1 Samy fat foam coupon

GE Reveal light bulbs 2.50, get 2.00 scr wyb 10.00

Happy Shopping!
I hope you find some great deals.

 

CVS June 19-25

What am I buying at CVS this week?

Colgate Total, MaxClean, 360 toothbrush 2.79, get 2.00 eb, limit 2
   1.00/1 Colgate MaxClean coupon

GUM Periobalance lozenges 28 count 15.99, get 15.99 eb, limit 1

GenTeal, Acquify, Clear Care 8.79, 3.00 eb, limit 1
   1.50/1 GenTeal coupon, ext Jun 30
   1.00/1 Acquify/Clear Care coupon, exp July 15

L A Looks gel 2.99, get 2.00 eb, limit 1
   1.00/1 L A Looks coupon

PowerBar Enery or Protein Bites 2.49, get 2.49 eb, limit 1

PowerBar, MetRx, and other supplement bars b2g1f
   b1g1f MetRx coupon, exp Jul 31
   b1g1f PowerBar coupon, exp Jul 31

Hershey Bliss 9oz 5.99, get 5.99,  limit 1
   1.00/1 Hershey Bliss bag coupon, exp June 26

Gas Card deal, get 10.00 gas card wyb 30.00 selected items
will probably be a combination of these items
   Ocean Spray Juice 2/5.00
   Hawaiian Punch 2/5.00
   Pop Tarts 2/4.00

Happy Shopping!
I hope you find all the deals you are looking for.

How Much Does One Really Need?

I enjoyed some time with friends the other day. When they called and invited me to share dinner with them, I was delighted. As I was writing the time on my calendar, I thought of a question I was so sure they were going to ask me. The question is "Are you alright and is there anything you need or we can help you with?"

I thought of that question over the next few minutes. I smiled as I the answer came in my mind.

"I am alright. I am more than alright, I am blessed.
I have everything I need. I have my home and my provisions. I have a dear mother and amazing son. I have my faith and my testimony. What more could a girl possibly want (besides a loving husband). I have good friends and I am cheerfully involved in my church and community."

I have joy.
True joy that comes from living a simple life of faith, family, and friends.

Walgreens Jun 12-18

There are a few free or almost free buys this week. Yeehaw!

Wags June 12-18

Wal-Fex Allergy 5ct 3.99, get 3.99 rr, limit 1 per transaction

Blistex RPM for men 2.00, get 2.00 rr. limit 1 per transaction

Bayer Advanced aspirin 3.00, get 1.00 rr, limit 1 per transaction
    2.00/1 Bayer Advanced coupon in upcoming Jun 12 insert

Schick Hydro razor or cartridge 8.99, get 4 rr, limit 1 per transaction
    4.00/1 Schick coupon in upcoming Jun 12 insert

filler items if needed
Big Roll tp, or tuf paper towels .50 in-ad coupon
Nestle candy bars .39, limit 6
   .50/2 Nestle coupon

My transactions for Walgreens Jun 12
I sure hope it works like it should!

Transaction 1

Applied Nutrition calcium 10.00
2 Finesse 2/7.00
=17.00
use 5.00 wags coupon in jun2011 booklet
    two 1.00 finesse coupon
=10.00
pay with 10.00 rr renew life
=tax oop
receive 10.00 rr app nut, 5.00 rr finesse

Transaction 2

Schick razor 8.99
Blistex 2.00
Walfex allergy 3.99
=14.98
use 4.00 schick coupon
=10.98
pay with 10 rr app nut
=.98 +tax oop
receive 4.00 rr schick, 2.00 rr blistex, 3.99 rr walfex

Transaction 3

Bayer Advanced aspirin 3.00
Gillette fusion razor 9.89
2 big roll tp .50
=13.89
use 2.00 bayer coupon
    4.00 gillette razor coupon
    big roll inad coupon
=7.89
pay with 5 rr finesse, 2 rr blistex
=.89 +tax oop
receive 1.00 rr bayer, 5 rr gillette

I am a little OCD

OBSESSIVE COUPON DISORDER
There ought to be a support group for that, don't you think?

I could just see the meetings now......

Hello my name is Melody and I am a couponer.
Okay there I said it. I feel so much better. Don't you?
-Welcome Melody-

I hope I have come to the right place. I have a been a couponer for several years now. I really have it bad. My coupons are all neatly organized in a binder and I plan each transaction ahead of time.  I even show others how acquire products for free or nearly free with coupons.

Please help me... will I ever be sane again???

June Monthy Deals at Walgreens

June Deals at Walgreens

Applied Nutrition triple calcium supplement 10.00, get 10.00rr, limit one per transaction
    5.00 Applied Nutrition supplement coupon in Jun saving book

Finesse clean and simple shampoo 2/7.00, get 5.00 rr wyb 2, limit 1 per transaction
    1.00/1 Finesse coupon

Gilette fusion razor 9.89, get 5.00 rr, limit 1 per transaction
     4.00/1 Gillette fushion coupon

These are a few great deals that would be good to take advantage of each time you visit Walgreens this month.

Happy Shopping!!

CVS June 12-18

There are some great finds at CVS this week. Several free or moneymakers!


Zyrtec 5 count 5.99, get 5.99 eb, limit 1
    2.00/1 any Zyrtec, excludes tablets 45ct or higher and gels 40ct or higher
       This coupon was on a tearpad at one of my local drug stores
 
Bayer Advanced aspirin 3.00, get 1.00 eb, limit 1
    2.00/1 Bayer Advanced coupon from upcoming Jun 12 insert

Motrin pm 20ct 4.00, get 3.00 eb, limit 3
    1.00/1 Motrin coupon

Schick Hydro Razor 8.00, get 4.00 eb, limit 1
    4.00/1 Schick razor coupon from upcoming Jun 12 insert





Other sales to consider-

Orbit gum b1g1free, limit 6
    1.00/2 any Orbit coupon

Revlon, get 4.00 eb wyb 10.00, limit 2

Crest selected, get 5.00 wyb 10.00, limit 2

Rite Aid June 12

I love shopping at my local Rite Aid. The ladies that work there are wonderful to me. They are so polite and friendly. They are not even bothered that I use coupons, a lot of coupons, always. They have learned that I do not purchase anything unless it is on sale and I have coupon. A new store manager just arrived a few weeks ago and she is doing an excellent job at stocking the shelves with sale merchandise. No longer do I complain about out of stock sale merchandise when I fill out the $3.00 surveys. Yeah.

I clip every coupon and put it in a big binder sorted by category and then by brand. I do not know which insert any of these coupons came out of. You will need to search the coupon databases if you want that information.

Goodies and some possible transaction ideas to help you maximize your savings.

Rite Aid June 12-18

Bayer Advanced 3.99, get 1.99 up, limit 1
    2.00/1 Bayer Advanced coupon in upcoming Jun 12 insert

Lysol healthy touch soap system 7.49, get 3.00 up, limit 4
    3.00/1 Lysol healthy touch coupon

Dr.Scholls foot care, get 5.00 up wyb 15.00, limit 2
    1.00/1 Dr Scholls corn, bunyon, etc coupon
    2.00/1 Dr Scholls any For Her coupon
    3.00/1 Dr Scholls orthopic coupon

Old spice deodorant 2/5.00, get 1.00 up wyb 2, limit 4
    buy1 Old Spice deodorant get1 body wash free coupon
   1.00/2 any Old Spice coupon

Sally Hanson beauty tools b1g150, get 3.00 up wyb 10.00, limit 4
    1.00/1 Sally beauty tool coupon
    2.00/1 Sally beauty tool coupon

Cover Girl b1g150, get 5.00 up wyb 20.00, limit 1
    5.00/2 natureluxe coupon

Suggested Transactions


Transaction #1
1 Cover Girl natureluxe lip balm (5.99) 5.39 10%
1 Cover Girl natureluxe lip balm (2.99) 2.69 10%
1 Lysol heathy touch 7.49
=15.57
use 5.00/2 natureluxe coupon
    3.00 lysol coupon
    3.00 survey coupon
=4.57 (use up rewards to pay this) +tax out of pocket
receive 3.00 up lysol

Transaction #2
2 Cover Girl natureluxe lip balm (5.99) 5.39 10%
2 Cover Girl natureluxe lip balm (2.99) 2.69 10%
=16.16
use two 5.00/2 natureluxe coupon
    3.00 survey coupon
=3.16 +tax out of pocket
receive 5.00 up cover girl when you complete transactions 1 and 2

Transaction 3
2 Old Spice deodorant    2.50
2 Old Spice body wash (4.99) 4.50 10%
1 Bayer Advanced 3.99
=17.99
use two buy1 Old Spice deodorant get1 body wash free   
    1  1.00/2 any Old Spice coupon
    1 2.00 Bayer Advanced coupon
    3.00 survey coupon
=2.99 +tax
receive 2 up old spice, 1.99 up bayer

Transaction 4
2-3 dr scholls products (17.00) 15.30 10%
=15.30
use 1.00, 2.00, or 3.00 Dr Scholls coupons
    1.00 RA video value coupon
    3.00 survey coupon
= varies
receive 5 up dr scholls

Good luck and happy shopping! I hope you find all the deals you are looking for.

WalMart this week Jun 4

I rarely shop at WalMart. But this week I found a few things I could get for free, soap, floss, and fly swatters.

Only one transaction.

8 Black Flag flyswatters .98
3 Ivory Soap 3 pack .97
1 Reach floss .88
1 York Peppermint Patty .50 (because I like them)
12.13 subtotal
.82 tax
12.95 total
     used
1.00 Black Flag coupon (8)
1.00 Ivory soap coupon (3)
1.00 Reach floss coupon

.95 subtotal
paid .95 out of pocket (.13 for my yummy peppermint patty +.82 tax)

The cashier was quite impressed. She said "You got all that for less than a dollar. I have to learn how to do this!"

Rite Aid this week Jun 4

This is a great week at Rite Aid for me. I got some really good deals.
My son loves the Gillette body wash. I snagged him several bottles of it and made 2.50 on the deal. Now that is my favorite kind of shopping.


I purchased just about everything on my list. I have to go back tomorrow while I am running other errands because I want to get the other 2 toothbrushes and do the veet deal again.

Transaction #1
2 Gillette body wash (5.29) sale 3.50 each
2 Physicians Formula bronzer 12.95 b1g1free
19.95 subtotal
1.40  tax
=21.35 total
     used
5.00 Physicians Formula coupons (2)
b1g1free Gillette coupon
2.00 Gillette coupon
5.85 subtotal
     paid with
4.00 up
1.85 out of pocket (.45 +1.40 tax)
received no ups, but did get 3.00 survey

Transaction #2
Exactly same as trans #1, but I used a 3/15 survey coupon. Notice the difference in tax.
2 Gillette body wash (5.29) 3.50
2 Physicians Formula bronzer 12.95 b1g1free
19.95 subtotal
1.19 tax
21.14 total
     used
5.00 Physicians Formula coupons (2)
b1g1free Gillette coupon
2.00 Gillette coupon
3.00 survey coupon
5.64 subtotal
     paid with
2.64 out of pocket (1.45 + 1.19 tax)
received 5.00 up for physicians formula, and 3.00 survey

I discovered with these two identical transactions that the 3.00 survey coupon reduces your taxable amount. That is great! I need to use one of these with every transaction.

Transaction #3 (to complete the P&G deal, get 10.00 up wyb 30.00 of p&g products)
6 Gillette body wash (5.29) 3.50
21.00 subtotal
1.26 tax
22.26 total
     used
b1g1free Gillette coupon (3)
2.00 Gillette coupon (3)
3.00 survey
2.76 subtotal
     paid with
2.76 out of pocket (1.50 +1.26 tax)
received 10.00 up for P&G products, and 3.00 survey

Transaction #4 (now with the P&G deal done I can concentrate on other deals)
2 Crest ProHealth toothpaste (4.29) 2.57
2 OralB power toothbrush (8.49) 5.99
1 Veet (6.29) 5.66, 10% wellness discount
1 Veet (4.79) 4.31, 10%
27.09 subtotal
1.90 tax
28.99 total
     used
2.00 Veet in ad coupon
1.00 Veet video values coupon
2.00 Veet coupon (2)
.75 Crest toothpaste coupon (2)
3.00 OralB battery toothbrush coupon (2)
3.00 survey
11.49 subtotal
     paid with
10 up
1.49 out of pocket (-.41 +1.90 tax)
received 5.00 up for veet, 3 up for oralb (2), 1.60 up for crest (2), and 3.00 survey
I have no idea what happened that created a negative subtotal. I wish I knew I would do it on every transaction.

Final Transaction #5
2 Physicians Formula bronzer 12.95 b1g1free
2 Physicians Formula bronaer 11.95 b1g1free
1 Blink Tears (10.99) 7.99
32.89 subtotal
2.30 tax
35.19
     used
5.00 Physicians Formula coupon (4)
1.50 Blink coupon
13.69 subtotal
     paid with
11.00 up
2.69 out of pocket (.39 + 2.30 tax)
received 5.00 up for physicians formula, 7.99 single check rebate, and 3.00 survey

What a great shopping morning.
I paid 11.43 out of pocket (3.38 +8.05 tax)

Learning to Coupon

I have a friend who is new to couponing and would like to be guided along the way while she learns. She just started couponing last week. CVS is one of the easiest stores for beginner couponers. So here are my instructions for her shopping at CVS May 29-Jun 4. She has $5 ecb from her thermacare purchase last week.
This is a good week to build up her confidence and excitement about couponing.

And don't think for a minute that I am skipping on these deals either. I am grabbing them up as soon as I can!!

CVS May 29-Jun 4
We will be purchasing these 5 items that are on sale this week.

Mars brand chocolate bars. sale 2/$1.00, receive $1 ecb when you buy 2 bars. Limit 1

Preparation H. sale 3.99, Receive $3.99 ecb when you buy 1. Limit 1
use $2/1 coupon, if you don’t have one you can print it from here
https://www.wyethallbrands.com/special_offers.aspx

Benadryl, Aveeno, Caladryl, or Cortaid cream/gel
sale 3.99-4.19, get $3 ecb when you by $7.00 worth. Limit 1
use $2/1, get coupon here, print 2
http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=HG7HWYAGR5XT2

Bic Soleil Shimmer Razor or refill. sale 6.99, receive $3 ecb. Limit 1
use $3/1 coupon

Specific Crest toothpastes, or Oral-B Indicator toothbrush
sale $1.99, receive $1 ecb Limit 2
use $1.50/1 oral b tooth brush coupon
if you do not have this coupon from the May 1 PG insert you may want to pass on this deal.

Transaction #1
purchase-
2 Cortaid about 4.00 each
2 mars candy bars .50 each
subtotal 9.00 plus tax
pay in this order (for this transaction only)
hand to the cashier the $5 ecb first, then follow with the coupons
$5.00 ecb from thermacare purchase
2- $2/1 cortaid
OUT OF POCKET tax only (or just a few cents plus tax, depending on price of cortaid)
receive 3 ecb and 1 ecb

Transaction #2
1 preparation H 3.99
Pay with
$1 ecb from transaction #1
$2/1 coupon
OUT OF POCKET $.99 plus tax
receive $3.99 ecb

These two transactions will give you 3 much needed items for your medical supplies and a couple candy bars to enjoy on the way home for about $1.50 total out of pocket.
And you have $3 and $3.99 ecb to use next week!

You started out with $5 ecb.
Spent $1.50 oop
Ended up with $6.99 ecb.
Don’t you feel like an extreme couponer now??!!??

Now if you have the razor and toothbrush coupons you can continue to save.
OR you can just buy razor in trans 3 and pay with 3.99 ecb and 3.00 coupon for a tax only purchase.

Transaction #3
Bic Shimmer Razor or refill 6.99
Oral B Toothbrush 1.99
Subtotal 8.98 plus tax
pay with
$3.99 ecb
$3/1 bic razor coupon
$1.50/1 oral b toothbrush
OOP .49 plus tax
receive $3 ecb and $1 ecb

Transaction #4
Oral B Toothbrush 1.99
Mars candy bar .50
Subtotal 2.49 plus tax
pay with ecb first
$1 ecb from transaction #3
$1.50 oral b coupon
OOP tax only
receive $1 ecb

You have graduated to the coupon queen!
You paid a little more than $2 out of pocket and have purchased
2 cortaids, 3 candy bars, 1 prep h, 2 toothbrushes, and 1 razor.
AND have $7 total ecb for next week.

Enjoy!

Exciting Morning at Rite Aid

With list in hand and coupons ready, I arrived at my local Rite Aid at 8:40am. In my pocket was $27 ups and two $3 surveys to start my journey.

 The following transaction (1) would have cost at regular price 44.01 + 3.08 tax = $47.09

I bought 8 assorted Revlon tools at 40% off for a total of $11.21 (money maker, get $4 ups, wyb 2 tools)
And I bought 2 Proglide razors at (reg 13.29) $9.99 apiece. $4 coupon on each.
total $23.19 plus $1.82 tax

paid with $3 off 15 survey
2 $1 video values
and $17 up rewards
= $4.80 out of pocket

received $26 up rewards, $5 ups for each razor, $4 ups for each 2 tools.
26.00 - 23.19 = $2.81 Profit.
Even after paying $1.82 in tax it is still a $.99 Profit.


That was the first transaction. Here is the second.

2 Raid sprays (5.49) $2.99 each
4 Crest (4.29) $2.99 each, $1.50 coupon each
3 Profoot (9.99) $5.00 each, $1.00 coupon each, $2.00 video values
7 carefree (1.69) $1.00 each, $.50 coupon each
2 Breathe Right $5.99, $5.99 coupon each
Phys Formula $13.95 each b1g1free, $5.00 coupon each, $2.00 video values
5 Excedrin (5.49) $1.99 each, $1.00 coupon each
$75.82 - $42.48 coupons = $33.34 plus tax 2.32

paid with $3 off 15 survey
and $28 ups, the ups I just earned above
$4.66 out of pocket

earned $12 ups, $2 for raid, $8 for crest, $2 for profoot
Regular price for transaction 2 is $136.57 + 9.56 tax = $146.13

Not bad at all. Only $4.66 out of pocket for $146 of products.

Then I noticed that the breathe right counted on the $5 ups for $25 allergy promo. I had 2 more breathe right coupons. So I proceeded with transaction 3.

I purchased 2 breathe right for $6.49 each.
Regular price $12.98 +.91 tax = $13.89
Used coupons for $5.99 each.
$1.91 out of pocket, $1.00 + .91 tax
Received $5 ups

Final total from all 3 transactions
 207.03 Regular Price
   11.37 Out of Pocket
   21.00 ups to use next purchase
     3.00 survey to take
   10.00 scr

No matter how you want to add these figures. This was a great shopping day!

Yea! Turnips From My Garden

What am I going to do with them?
Saute them of course!

This is a delicious recipe. It is very easy and a wonderful side dish at dinner.
But who wants to wait until dinner to eat these yummy turnips. Not me, I had this for lunch with some homemade bread. Yum.

The turnips come out so sweet and tender. Try this with other root vegetables like, carrot, rutabaga, and radish.



Turnip Saute
Makes 2-3 servings

4 small turnips, julienne
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
½ cup onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
2 Tablespoons margarine, or oil

In large nonstick skillet add turnips, onions, peppers, and margarine.
Slowly saute over medium/medium low heat about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The vegetables should not be browning at this time, only becoming tender. Cooking them slowly like this brings out the sweetness in the turnip and onion.

Add garlic. Saute about another 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Vegetables should now brown slightly.
Sprinkle with parsley. Saute 1 more minute.



Note:
The minced garlic is so small that it cooks very quickly. If you add the garlic at the beginning, it may burn.


I usually cook my smaller turnips and save the larger ones for fresh eating.
Turnips can also be shredded and added to a lettuce salad or mixed with cabbage in coleslaw.
Any way you want to serve them. I love turnips!

Learning to Dehydrate

There are many things I want to learn and dehydrating is near the top of the list.

I was able to acquire a lot of sweet Vidalia onions at a really good price.
This morning I chopped some of the onions. Enough to fill all nine trays in the Excalibur dehydrator. I am so thankful to my friend for letting me borrow it.

I am very anxious to see the result. Hopefully they will turn out really dry and crisp and ready to store.

Piano Practice

     This year I am trying to learn all the hymns in the LDS hymnbook. I am learning seven songs each week. There are 341 hymns to learn and at seven each week it will take me an entire year. This is quite a challenge and one that progresses quickly. Each week I move on to the next set of hymns even if I have not mastered they hymns from the previous week. Doing this forces me to keep moving forward instead of getting stuck on a hymn that is too difficult for me at that time.

     What a difference a couple months makes. The first few weeks I could only learn about four of the seven hymns for the week. But these last couple weeks I have learned all seven hymns. Maybe the difference was that I have improved my sight reading or playing skills, but it was probably that the hymns were simpler for those two weeks.

This is my hymn schedule for the year.

Hymns I have learned are bold

Week            Hymns  

Mar 1-7        1     2     3     4     5     6     7
Mar 8-14      85   86   87   88   89   90   91
Mar 15-21    169 170 171 172 173 174 175
Mar 22-28    253 254 255 256 257 258 259
Mar 29-31    337 review

Apr 1-7         8     9     10   11   12   13   14
Apr 8-14       92   93   94   95   96   97   98
Apr 9-21      176 177 178 179 180 181 182
Apr 22-28    260 261 262 263 264 265 266
Apr 29-30    review

May 1-7        15   16   17   18   19   20   21
May 8-14      99   100 101 102 103 104 105
May 9-21      183 184 185 186 187 188 189
May 22-28    267 268 269 270 271 272 273
May 29-31    338 review

Jun 1-7        22   23   24   25   26   27   28
Jun 8-14      106 107 108 109 110 111 112
Jun 9-21      190 191 192 193 194 195 196
Jun 22-28    274 275 276 277 278 279 280
Jun 29-30    review

Jul 1-7        29   30   31   32   33   34   35
Jul 8-14      113 114 115 116 117 118 119
Jul 9-21      197 198 199 200 201 202 203
Jul 22-28    281 282 283 284 285 286 287
Jul 29-31    339 review

Aug 1-7        36   37   38   39   40   41   42
Aug 8-14      120 121 122 123 124 125 126
Aug 9-21      204 205 206 207 208 209 210
Aug 22-28    288 289 290 291 292 293 294
Aug 29-31    340 review


Sep 1-7        43   44   45   46   47   48   49
Sep 8-14      127 128 129 130 131 132 133
Sep 9-21      211 212 213 214 215 216 217
Sep 22-28    295 296 297 298 299 300 301
Sep 29-30    review

Oct 1-7        50   51   52   53   54   55   56
Oct 8-14      134 135 136 137 138 139 140
Oct 9-21      218 219 220 221 222 223 224
Oct 22-28    302 303 304 305 306 307 308
Oct 29-31    341 review

Nov 1-7        57   58   59   60   61   62   63
Nov 8-14      141 142 143 144 145 146 147
Nov 9-21      225 226 227 228 229 230 231
Nov 22-28    309 310 311 312 313 314 315
Nov 29-30    review

Dec 1-7        64   65   66   67   68   69   70
Dec 8-14      148 149 150 151 152 153 154
Dec 9-21      232 233 234 235 236 237 238
Dec 22-28    316 317 318 319 320 321 322
Dec 29-31    review

Jan 1-7        71   72   73   74   75   76   77
Jan 8-14      155 156 157 158 159 160 161
Jan 15-21    239 240 241 242 243 244 245
Jan 21-28    323 324 325 326 327 328 329
Jan 29-31    review

Feb 1-7        78   79   80   81   82   83   84
Feb 8-14      162 163 164 165 166 167 168
Feb 15-21    246 247 248 249 250 201 252
Feb 22-28    330 301 302 303 304 305 336

Even if I do not learn all the hymns this year, it is still a very worthwhile goal. No matter how many learn, my skills will improve and my confidence will grow. I do expect as the months pass that I will be able to go back and learn the hymns I am struggling with now.

It's Shopping Day! - I love Rite Aid

What fun it is to shop at Rite Aid. I get almost everything for free. Coupons are the most amazing things. I am able to make money each time I shop! Yippee!

3 9-Lives 4 packs
1 Skittles Egg
2 Gillette Razors
3 Lysol Wipes
2 Swiffer Pad Refills
2 AirWick Sprays

Regular Price - 57.18 + 4.00 tax = 61.18
But do I ever pay regular price? NEVER!

43.62 Sale Price
38.42 Coupons, manufacturer and store
  5.20 Subtotal before tax


Paid with 3.00 off 15.00 survey coupon and 2.00 up+ rewards.
    .20 total merchandise cost
  2.81 tax
  3.01 out of pocket

Earned 11.00 up+ rewards printed on receipt.

 7.99 PROFIT

It's Shopping Day! - Rite Aid - 15 items for only 12 cents

I love getting things for free. It is best way I have found to provide for my family and build up a reserve. The cost of everything is going up. I try very hard to reduce the costs to my family for the things we need. I describe myself as ultra-frugal. I am a smart coupon shopper and take advantage of deals when they present themselves.

Yesterday morning's shopping trip at Rite Aid is an example of how I use coupons to get the things I need for free. Okay, almost free. It cost me 12 cents plus tax.

Gillette Body Wash was on sale for 2.99 with 2.00 ups rewards. I bought 2 of these and used 2 buy one get one free coupons. You can attach one manufacturers coupon to each item you purchase.

Right Guard Deodorant was on sale for 40% off. I purchased 4 of these and used 4 buy one Right Guard product and get one Right Guard Body Wash for free coupons. The deodorants were bonus packs with a free body wash attached. 

Complete eye solution was on sale for 7.99 with a 7.99 single check rebate. I purchased one of these using a 1.00 off coupon.

Total products purchased
6 full size body washes 
4 small size body washes 
4 deodorants
1 eye solution

Regular Price: 59.29 + 4.15 tax = 63.44
But whoever pays regular price?

  45.05 sale price
- 24.94 coupons
- 12.00 up rewards used
=  8.11 subtotal before tax
+  3.15 tax
= 11.26 out of pocket
-  7.99 single check rebate
=  3.27

This 3.27 includes 3.15 in tax, leaving the cost for all products just .12.
Tax is part of product costs. I have to pay this so it is included in my calculations.

I hope you where able to have a great shopping trip also.

Canning Class Completed

Yea! I completed the Preserving Food at Home - A Self Study course offered by the University of Georgia. Now I can't wait to put into practice the things I learned.

Even though this is a short class, just a few hours, I found it to be very informative.
I learned about preservation methods, general canning, how to and why to acid can, and how to and why to low-acid can.

I invite all of you to take this class also. I am sure there is something you can learn also.
You may take this class yourself at http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/.

2011 Goals

Who says goals have to be set only on January 1?

Wintertime is the most difficult time of the year for me because of health conditions. Spring brings new life to the earth and to me. So it just makes sense in my own little world that March 1 is the more reasonable goal setting time.

Personal Learning and Development
Stay busy and focus on doing good and helping others
Learn to play every song in the LDS hymnal, all 341 of them
Learn alto part to every song in LDS hymnal
Learn to preserve by dehydration and bottling
Learn to propagate a variety of plants
Join YMCA for exercise and social interaction

Home
Keep house clean Everyday - quit skipping days (this is the most difficult for me physically)
Increase food and water storage

Garden
Remove cedar and bradford pear trees along driveway
Prepare fence row (8'x250') for perennials and shrubs
Prepare perennial wildflower triangle at fence/road/pole
Plant climbing vines at both power poles - I hate vines, but this is the only option here
Prepare Orchard area, up to half acre
Built 5 more Raised Beds for vegetables
Build Perennial Herb Raised Bed
Have something edible growing in my garden every day
                   
Purchases
Dehydrator
Canning/Bottling supplies

I am a few weeks into some of these goals already and will be posting updates the beginning of each month.

72 Hour Kit - Foods

Today I am catching up on some blogs I follow. Being without internet got me a little behind.

I was over at Food Storage Made Easy responding to the 72 hour kit content request. So I thought I would share my kit here as well.

My 72 hour kit requires No Cooking. You never know what living conditions an emergency will bring you. Therefore cooking or heating something may not always be an option. Everything in my kit is a simple open and eat item.

Being stressed you may want to eat to satisfy your discomfort rather than your hunger. This is not a time to pack foods you are unfamiliar with (like those all-in-one food bars you find in some ready-made kits). Do you really want to eat 6 bites of some strange food bar 3 times a day for 3 days? That would be enough to put me over the edge in an already crazy environment. You need your very favorite foods in your 72 hour kit. The ones you eat on a regular basis.

Food in my 72 hour Kit-
9 - bottles of water
6 - bottles/boxes of juice
6 - cereal bars
1 - box/sleeve of crackers
1 - jar of peanut butter
3 - pudding cups
3 - fruit cups
3 - cans of vegetables, like peas and carrots
3 - cans of  pork and beans
6 - fruit roll ups

I know this may seem like a lot, but you may have to live off it for more than 3 days. Could you in good conscience sit there and eat if someone beside you had no food? I would have to share.
This kit is a generous amount for 1 person for 3 days.
But it is only a sparse amount for 1 person for 5 days or 2 people for 3 days.

Because of the short shelf life of crackers and cereal bars, this kit must be rotated and eaten every 6 months.
I carry this in a backpack with other needed supplies.

Wednesday Wonders

Garlic and Potatoes... I had just about given up on these.
But this morning during my early morning walk through the garden, I saw both poking their heads up.

I have a couple new inground beds this year. And wouldn't you know that the garlic in the mostly clay new south bed has produced a lot of  little green shoots. I hope they are happy there. They are growing between Knock Out roses. It has rained so much these last couple days that a garlic clove has floated up out of the ground. It was a beauty with half inch long roots. He quickly was helped back into the ground again.

I have more garlic (all planted the same day) in a raised bed with rich black soil. Now just how many garlic do you think have come up in this little square of heaven they live in? Dozens? Of course not. One, just one. ugh.

This is my first year to grow garlic. It seems this has turned into an unexpected comparison trial on garlic. I wonder which will produce better?

Oh My, I Won!

My internet has been out for over a week. It has been a frustrating week because so much of what my family does requires research online. When I checked my email, the first thing I saw was a notification that I had won the Burgundy Buttons giveaway from Cluck Cluck Sew. Yea!! I immediately jumped up and down and forgot about the previous week's frustrations.

Thank you to Allison over at Cluck Cluck Sew for hosting a Burgundy Buttons giveaway. I am so excited about winning the gift certificate. I stayed up way too late last night designing a lap quilt just for this Burgundy Button fabric.

Check out Cluck Cluck Sew and Burgundy Buttons for wonderful ideas and great fabric!!!

Canning Class

I was raised with the attitude there is always something new to learn about everything. Never stop learning.

So when I was told about a free online class from the University of Georgia about preserving food, I jumped at the opportunity. Learning to bottle produce from my garden is one of my many goals this year. I will list my other goals in another post.

Some of you were fortunate to learn to can at your mother's side when you were young. I did not have that opportunity because my mother froze everything. So now I am excited to learn.

Go to this link to sign up for this free online class.
Preserving Food at Home - A Self Study
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will become familiar with various reasons for preserving food and how various methods preserve foods at home.
2. Participants will gain an understanding of the different steps needed for canning acid and low acid foods at 3. home to ensure the production of safe, high-quality products.
4. Participants will become familiar with the materials and equipment needed in home canning.
5. Participants will be able to identify and avoid problems with food canned at home.
6. Participants will be able to successfully preserve products by the methods presented.

This evening I went through the introduction module. The course has several modules. By completing a module every few days, I should be able to complete the course in a couple of weeks.

I Love Springtime in the Garden!

I have been in the garden every day since January 29. My goal is to have something edible growing in my garden every day. Weeds don't count.

The weather has been cool and comfortable to work in without a jacket. I wish I had a camera to take pictures of everything that has been done this spring around here, but unfortunately I will not have a camera until the middle of April. I don't think the vegetables will mind not having their pictures taken until then.

So much as been done in preparing and planting this spring. Two new in-ground beds have been prepared and one new raised bed was built. That makes a total of six garden beds with a combined total of 241 square feet. Five of them are completely full of spring vegetables. Help! I need more garden beds!

Throughout February I have planted outside snow peas, garden peas, carrots, turnips, radishes, red potatoes, yukon potatoes, garlic, chives, scallions, and onions.

Started inside are tomatoes, bell peppers, parsley, cilantro, lettuce, sweet william, and mixed wildflowers.

I was fortunate enough to receive 20 free knockout roses. They have been pruned and put in a holding bed until I can prepare the fence row for them.

The work in the garden is never done. Thank you to everyone that helps me.

It's Shopping Day!

It is that time of week again. That means another trip to CVS.
I was out early this morning running lots of errands and made time to visit CVS with my coupons and extra bucks.
Shopping List-
2 Crest Pro Health Clinical Toothpastes
1 Softsoap Bodywash
8 Softsoap Handsoap
1 Revitalens

Reg Price $45.42   
Final Price after sale, coupons, and extra bucks  $ 6.67 (includes $3.18 sales tax)
Savings of 85%
$38.75 of free product
And I have $2.00 extra bucks for next week!

All of this went into my food storage room for later use.

S'mores are good ANYTIME!

This afternoon was wonderful. I was able to attend a Baptism. We had some light refreshments afterward. I brought lemon squares (box mix) and s'more squares. Everyone kept asking me for the recipe. So here it is. Sorry I have no picture.

Golden Graham S'mores

Ingredients:

3/4 cup light corn syrup
3 Tablespoons margarine
12 ounces coating chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla
9 cups Golden Grahams cereal (one 12 ounce box)
3 cups miniature marshmallows

Preparation Instructions:

Butter bottom and sides of 9x13x2 rectangular pan.

Heat corn syrup, butter, and chocolate in 3-quart saucepan, stirring constantly until all chocolate is melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

Place cereal in large mixing bowl. Pour chocolate over cereal. Stir until most of cereal is coated with chocolate. Fold in marshmallows. Mix well.
(Do not mix cereal and marshmallows together first, because most of the marshmallows will melt when you pour on the chocolate.)

Press mixture evenly in pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Cut into small squares. Store at room temperature.
Texture is best the same day it is made.

Enjoy S'mores Anytime!

It's Shopping Day!

I hate shopping! I mean I really hate shopping.
But, I love saving money and getting items for free.

This morning it was a trip to the grocery store and CVS.
I am frugal and shop very wisely. I make a shopping list and stick to it.
I use coupons to build up my three month supply of food storage. Because of couponing my shopping dollars buy at least twice as much.

CVS
Reg Price $14.35     Final Price $3.59   75% savings   $10.76 of free products
Extra Bucks to use next week $3.99

Ingles Grocery
Reg Price $180.78     Final Price $61.18   67%savings   $119.60 of free groceries

The majority of what I purchased today will go into my food storage room for later use.

Simplify Your Life

How much do you really need to be happy? Does acquiring more "stuff" make you happier? How much "stuff" will it take before you are satisfied? I have learned through the years that "stuff" only clutters my life and wastes money. Now I am content to live a much simpler life.
I began my simple life by getting rid of my television. There was never anything on there worth watching anyway.
I then began to bake bread and other things from scratch. I would rather bake than do anything else.
Now I have a small vegetable garden. My goal this year is to have something growing in my garden everyday.

Welcome to the Simple Life in Georgia!

Simple Life in Georgia is a way for me to document my garden and preparedness experiences. I hope you will find this information interesting or helpful. I have a small property that needs transformed into something useful and attractive. This will be a never-ending but enjoyable journey.