So the girls had today off school. Veteran's Day. I decided to get a head start with Christmas gifts and had the girls do this little craft project. Very simple and easy, although they did need a little help with wrapping the wire tightly. But I love the end result. We are going to make a hot chocolate basket for their teachers, adding a personalized, matching coffee mug, delicious hot chocolate, some chocolate to melt with the hot chocolate and a peppermint stick. These special spoons will be perfect for stirring in the ingredients. The girls are excited to give these to their teachers. All in all the gifts shouldn't cost me more than $3/teacher!
Tuesday
Day off School...Craft Project
So the girls had today off school. Veteran's Day. I decided to get a head start with Christmas gifts and had the girls do this little craft project. Very simple and easy, although they did need a little help with wrapping the wire tightly. But I love the end result. We are going to make a hot chocolate basket for their teachers, adding a personalized, matching coffee mug, delicious hot chocolate, some chocolate to melt with the hot chocolate and a peppermint stick. These special spoons will be perfect for stirring in the ingredients. The girls are excited to give these to their teachers. All in all the gifts shouldn't cost me more than $3/teacher!
Wednesday
Reagan quotes
I so suck at this.
Reagan has come up with some real doozies (sp?) lately and I have forgotten most of them b/c I never write them down and forget to post on this dumb blog.
On the way to school today:
Me: "Let's remember to be kind to anyone who says anything about Obama being president."
Reagan: (who voted for McCain b/c he had more children than Obama) Wait! Wait! Wait! You mean Obama is for real???"
Me: "Yes."
Reagan: "But he is on the tv!"
Me: " Yes, but he is still a real person. And he is going to be our president."
Reagan: "Wow! He is famous!"
Reagan has come up with some real doozies (sp?) lately and I have forgotten most of them b/c I never write them down and forget to post on this dumb blog.
On the way to school today:
Me: "Let's remember to be kind to anyone who says anything about Obama being president."
Reagan: (who voted for McCain b/c he had more children than Obama) Wait! Wait! Wait! You mean Obama is for real???"
Me: "Yes."
Reagan: "But he is on the tv!"
Me: " Yes, but he is still a real person. And he is going to be our president."
Reagan: "Wow! He is famous!"
Thursday
Friday
Cousins...
During the month of August our cousins came down to visit from Virginia. We all stayed at my aunt and uncle's lake house. It is becoming a yearly tradition and it is one that my kids look forward to every year. They always have a blast together, and fall right back into their friendships regardless of the time away from one another. I enjoy it too. As I mentionned before that my Aunt Jan and Uncle Mike have a special place in my heart. They are so kind in letting us all stay with them and they provide everything for us. They are just the best!!! And I have a renewed friendship with my cousin. Funny, we don't talk to one another apart from our visits, but I just feel a kinship with him. And Shannon, his wife, well she has become a good friend. We are very different in many ways, but we have a lot in common as well and I always enjoy our conversations.So onto the photos. I have lots, but here are a few... enjoy.
Thursday
Kids, Sports, and their Parents...
Its that time of year again. The girls are playing soccer. Bailey and Peyton are on a Pre-Challenge league together and Reagan is making her soccer debut. And as exciting and fun as it is to watch my girls play it can be so frustrating too. John and I are kind of hard on the girls when it comes to sports. I know, I know, I lose my Parent of Year award. We both have a own selfish agendas, John does it because, well, he has played, breathed, eaten, and coached soccer his entire life, what else can you expect from a Soccer Dad? I think his dream is to watch at least one, but in the ultimate fantasy it would be all three of his girls play collegiate soccer. I am sure there is a pride issue, too, that here he is an Englishman, playing and coaching soccer, surely his daughters should be natural soccer players. For me, it is more about what I didn't accomplish in my youth. Sure I played sports in High School and was pretty good. But I never played to my potential, because I was scared. Its warped, I know, but hey, we all have our quirks. So when I watch them play, in a way, I am living through them, hoping they won't do what I did. And I've watched my girls play many times and I know when they are holding back and when they are playing all out. I'm not saying they are going to be stars, but they are all pretty good players when they want to be.
Bailey, is the one with the most natural talent. She strikes a pretty ball, she is smart on the field and doesn't get flustered. But that child is like a mouse (John's word). She is content to just run beside the ball without ever touching the thing. She won't initiate a tackle to save her life. But this child is just like me. It is like watching my life from the outside. So I am constantly hounding her about being more aggressive in soccer and in life. Poor child.
Peyton, on the other hand, isn't the most skillful, but is a worker bee, when she wants to be. There are times she is all over the field, but other times you wouldn't even notice her. So frustrating to be on the sidelines.
I can't say a whole lot about Reagan because this is first year, but she is the most aggressive of the lot. It is almost the opposite situation with her. Everytime she gets the ball she goes to goal. I almost feel like I should tell her to stop, but with all that we've gone through with the other two, I wouldn't dare.
Well, last week after practice, John was so disappointed in their behavior he really let them have it. He told them that he didn't want to watch them play if they didn't play with their heart. I felt sorry for them and thought he was too hard on them. Afterwards I told John that I didn't want them to give up playing sports because of us and that I just wanted to support them.
Yesterday we had practice. John couldn't make it b/c of a college game, but he would have loved it. Bailey and Peyton came out and played like someone had lit a match under the backside. It was like two different girls out there. It was a lot of fun to watch and I was so proud of them. I hope they can keep that fire all season. It was funny, they knew they had done well, they could feel it too and they came off the field smiling from ear to ear.
Can't wait 'til Saturday....
Bailey, is the one with the most natural talent. She strikes a pretty ball, she is smart on the field and doesn't get flustered. But that child is like a mouse (John's word). She is content to just run beside the ball without ever touching the thing. She won't initiate a tackle to save her life. But this child is just like me. It is like watching my life from the outside. So I am constantly hounding her about being more aggressive in soccer and in life. Poor child.
Peyton, on the other hand, isn't the most skillful, but is a worker bee, when she wants to be. There are times she is all over the field, but other times you wouldn't even notice her. So frustrating to be on the sidelines.
I can't say a whole lot about Reagan because this is first year, but she is the most aggressive of the lot. It is almost the opposite situation with her. Everytime she gets the ball she goes to goal. I almost feel like I should tell her to stop, but with all that we've gone through with the other two, I wouldn't dare.
Well, last week after practice, John was so disappointed in their behavior he really let them have it. He told them that he didn't want to watch them play if they didn't play with their heart. I felt sorry for them and thought he was too hard on them. Afterwards I told John that I didn't want them to give up playing sports because of us and that I just wanted to support them.
Yesterday we had practice. John couldn't make it b/c of a college game, but he would have loved it. Bailey and Peyton came out and played like someone had lit a match under the backside. It was like two different girls out there. It was a lot of fun to watch and I was so proud of them. I hope they can keep that fire all season. It was funny, they knew they had done well, they could feel it too and they came off the field smiling from ear to ear.
Can't wait 'til Saturday....
Tuesday
No more...
Well, my little one is now an official kindergartener. Last week she went one day, with a few others from her class (its called staggering), so that the could experience the class without getting overwhelmed by everything. Reagan asked me everyday from that point when she would go back. Today was the day. I haven't been as emotional about the whole thing as I thought I would be. I guess it helped that Reagan wasn't the least bit scared or nervous, she was definitely ready to go. She was held back last year b/c of the birthday cut-off. So after repeating another year of pre-school she was more than ready!
But today as I dropped her off with her sisters, I suddenly realized that never again, would I have a young one at home to spend the mornings with me. All my baby moments are officially over, and although in some ways I am glad and excited to explore what is ahead of me as a Mom of young girls, there is still a part of me that will forever miss those precious moments with my Reagan. See, she was the only one that I was truly able to enjoy her baby moments. I worked when Bailey and Peyton were babies. After Reagan was born I made the decision to quit work and stay home. I did eventually go back to work, but I continued to work from home. So she has been with me continuously (apart from a couple hours of preschool) throughout each day. I am so thankful for that time together. I'm sure I didn't appreciate it at times, but now I have those memories with me forever.
But today as I dropped her off with her sisters, I suddenly realized that never again, would I have a young one at home to spend the mornings with me. All my baby moments are officially over, and although in some ways I am glad and excited to explore what is ahead of me as a Mom of young girls, there is still a part of me that will forever miss those precious moments with my Reagan. See, she was the only one that I was truly able to enjoy her baby moments. I worked when Bailey and Peyton were babies. After Reagan was born I made the decision to quit work and stay home. I did eventually go back to work, but I continued to work from home. So she has been with me continuously (apart from a couple hours of preschool) throughout each day. I am so thankful for that time together. I'm sure I didn't appreciate it at times, but now I have those memories with me forever.
Wednesday
And then the skies opened up...
and it rained...and rained...and rained. I have never seen so much rain in one day. And not just a light sprinkle, but a continuous hard rain all day and night. Some places got as much as 8" of rain.
So of course...they close the schools. Are you kidding? I was just beginning to relish in the silence and enjoy the beauty of my clean home and now...they're back, loud and messy!!! Well, one good thing, I can't work today b/c internet is down at the office. So I can be loud and messy right along with them. Enjoy your day.
So of course...they close the schools. Are you kidding? I was just beginning to relish in the silence and enjoy the beauty of my clean home and now...they're back, loud and messy!!! Well, one good thing, I can't work today b/c internet is down at the office. So I can be loud and messy right along with them. Enjoy your day.
Monday
Back Into The Swing...
School started today. And I am hoping we can get back into a routine again. Summer has been great, but it is definitely time for some structure. I am going to try once again to keep up with the blog, for any who care, but mostly for me. I have got to figure a way to carve out a little time each day for this blog. Be patient with me.
A quick moment to share. Last week while out to lunch with my girls we were discussing getting ready for school. I was telling them that I wanted them to try really hard in school and do their best. During our discussion I had said that their cousin (whom we had recently seen) did very well in school, and at the end of the school year, if he had made straight A's, his mom would let him get a mohawk haircut. Reagan, who will be starting Kindergarten next week and who has high expectations for herself as a student, looked at me very seriously and said, "Mommy, when we get home will you show me how he made his A's straight?" Too sweet!!!
A quick moment to share. Last week while out to lunch with my girls we were discussing getting ready for school. I was telling them that I wanted them to try really hard in school and do their best. During our discussion I had said that their cousin (whom we had recently seen) did very well in school, and at the end of the school year, if he had made straight A's, his mom would let him get a mohawk haircut. Reagan, who will be starting Kindergarten next week and who has high expectations for herself as a student, looked at me very seriously and said, "Mommy, when we get home will you show me how he made his A's straight?" Too sweet!!!
Yard Sale Success...and a big step for me!
This past Saturday I had my first yard sale ever. I had been going through all of our junk, I mean stuff, for the past month and pulling out the things we no longer needed or used. I was amazed at the pile as it grew and grew. John and I have never been big on keeping things and we keep it pretty simple in our house, but still I had a fair size pile of clothes, toys, and other goodies in the end. Anyways, we had told the girls that we would buy them a trampoline if we made enough from the sale. Needless to say they were very excited. Well I am happy to report that we did very well, and I ordered the trampoline today. I sold most of the big stuff, left with mostly winter clothes. (It was 95 degrees by 10am and noone was interested in looking at big heavy coats or sweaters!)
What was the big step for me? Well, as you may or may not know, I am a paper fanatic. I love paper. I have a large scrapbooking case full of papers and stickers and such for scrapbooking. In my head I always wanted to make beautiful scrapbooks for my girls. But in realty, I am the worst perfectionist and procrastinator, so I have yet to complete a book. But, I just couldn't stand the thought of getting rid of all my beautiful paper. I kept telling myself that I could use it to make unique cards for people, but yet again, I failed miserably at completing them. So...this past Saturday I sold the entire case of scrapbooking supplies in my yard sale. And as funny as this seems, I have felt a weight lifted off of me. I feel freed from the paper!! I sounds nuts, I know and I can't explain it, but it is true.
What was the big step for me? Well, as you may or may not know, I am a paper fanatic. I love paper. I have a large scrapbooking case full of papers and stickers and such for scrapbooking. In my head I always wanted to make beautiful scrapbooks for my girls. But in realty, I am the worst perfectionist and procrastinator, so I have yet to complete a book. But, I just couldn't stand the thought of getting rid of all my beautiful paper. I kept telling myself that I could use it to make unique cards for people, but yet again, I failed miserably at completing them. So...this past Saturday I sold the entire case of scrapbooking supplies in my yard sale. And as funny as this seems, I have felt a weight lifted off of me. I feel freed from the paper!! I sounds nuts, I know and I can't explain it, but it is true.
Tuesday
Memorial Day
Yesterday for Memorial Day we decided to go to Dan Nichols Park for the day. It is a great park, with many activities. So we packed a picnic lunch and headed towards the park. But as we got closer to the interstate we noticed the traffic. It was awful. I don't know if everyone was making a day of it or it were the race fans making their way home. Regardless, we decided not to join the mob. John decided he knew a back way... well you can guess where this is going... yes, we got lost. Well not so much lost as just way off track. Somehow we ended up at a State Park, Morrow Mtn. State Park, just outside of Albemarle, NC. We thought, what the heck, maybe it is just where we are meant to be. So we unloaded and found a place to eat. It was a beautiful park. Gorgeous day on the mountain. After lunch we decided to take a hike on one of the trails. It was quite steep and slippery, lots of rock. I wasn't exactly prepared for hiking, wearing my flip flops, and more than one occasion thought I might slip down the mountain. But it was fun. John, being the crazy Daddy he is, made everyone laugh by pretending we were indians hiking through (they were the original settlers on the mountain). There weren't as many things to do at this park as the other one, but we still had fun, just hanging out together.
Afterwards, one the way home we stopped off for some icecream!!! Yum.
It was a good day.
Afterwards, one the way home we stopped off for some icecream!!! Yum.
It was a good day.
Thursday
My Trips Today...
I have been holding off on my bargain trips, because I wanted to do them all in one go (gotta' save gas $$). And here's the run down...
First stop Target: Spent $19.68 before coupons and $4.13 after. I bought 4 bags of Cheetos (the big bags that hold 6 singles), 3 zone bars, 3 small bags of Archer Brand coffee, and Kraft Miracle Whip. I paid with rebate $$ that I cashed earlier so I paid nothing oop.
Second stop Walgreens: Quick stop to return a razor, received $10.66 back.
Third stop CVS: Bought (1)Tums Quick Pack 24ct, (4) Sobe Life waters, and (1)Almay mascara. Before coupons, my total was $23.83. After using my coupons and ecb's ($2.79 + $5.00) my total was $.20, which I paid with a gift card that I received from my friends. So again, nothing oop and I received $11.69 in ecb's, plus I will be sending off for a rebate on the Tum's for $4.69, so I will have come out ahead by $8.59.
Last stop Walmart: This one was a bit disappointing. I was really hoping to get a lot of great deals, but this particular store (not my favorite) had none of the items I wanted! So...
1st transaction: (8) Zyrtec 5ct. Before coupons $43.84, after $14.80, which I paid with my insurance card. 2nd transaction: (1) bottle of Juicy Juice, (1) bag of salad mix, (1) bag of pizza rolls (easy dinner, soccer tonight), (1) Rimmel nailpolish (my bribe for Reagan's patience), and (8) packs of post-it notes (its a money maker). Before total=$18.53, after=$4.53. Hey, $4.53 for dinner for 4 isn't bad at all! Paid with the $10.00 I received back from the razor.
First stop Target: Spent $19.68 before coupons and $4.13 after. I bought 4 bags of Cheetos (the big bags that hold 6 singles), 3 zone bars, 3 small bags of Archer Brand coffee, and Kraft Miracle Whip. I paid with rebate $$ that I cashed earlier so I paid nothing oop.
Second stop Walgreens: Quick stop to return a razor, received $10.66 back.
Third stop CVS: Bought (1)Tums Quick Pack 24ct, (4) Sobe Life waters, and (1)Almay mascara. Before coupons, my total was $23.83. After using my coupons and ecb's ($2.79 + $5.00) my total was $.20, which I paid with a gift card that I received from my friends. So again, nothing oop and I received $11.69 in ecb's, plus I will be sending off for a rebate on the Tum's for $4.69, so I will have come out ahead by $8.59.
Last stop Walmart: This one was a bit disappointing. I was really hoping to get a lot of great deals, but this particular store (not my favorite) had none of the items I wanted! So...
1st transaction: (8) Zyrtec 5ct. Before coupons $43.84, after $14.80, which I paid with my insurance card. 2nd transaction: (1) bottle of Juicy Juice, (1) bag of salad mix, (1) bag of pizza rolls (easy dinner, soccer tonight), (1) Rimmel nailpolish (my bribe for Reagan's patience), and (8) packs of post-it notes (its a money maker). Before total=$18.53, after=$4.53. Hey, $4.53 for dinner for 4 isn't bad at all! Paid with the $10.00 I received back from the razor.
Friday
Triple Coupons...Again!
Okay, don't laugh, but I am tired. Couponing is so much fun, but it can truly wear you out!! I think I am going to take a week off. This week Harris Teeter was tripling their coupons, so I had to work those deals. And though I didn't do as well as I had hoped, I still did pretty good. In the end after three trips (One for Mom), I bought $261.73 worth of groceries and paid 86.63. I might try and go back once more for the free stuff. But I dunno.
Anyways, I was pleased with my over-all savings this week. Got a lot of goodies in the mail, too. I usually get something everyday now, some type of sample of coupon. And I recently got my emergency car kit, that I ordered through iMommies.com, which was completely free. Check out IMOMMIES.COM for some great moneysaving bargains. I have been able to receive an IPod Shuffle, speakers for my IPod, and the Emergency Tool kit absolutely free thanks to her.
Anyways, I was pleased with my over-all savings this week. Got a lot of goodies in the mail, too. I usually get something everyday now, some type of sample of coupon. And I recently got my emergency car kit, that I ordered through iMommies.com, which was completely free. Check out IMOMMIES.COM for some great moneysaving bargains. I have been able to receive an IPod Shuffle, speakers for my IPod, and the Emergency Tool kit absolutely free thanks to her.
Cinco de Mayo
Monday was Bailey's 9th birthday. It was also Zoo Fieldtrip Day for Peyton's class. So we decided to combine the two and let Bailey skip school and join the fieldtrip. Our entire family was able to go to the zoo for free!! Whoopeee! It was an absolute gorgeous day, perfect weather for the zoo. It was a lot fun, but we were all worn out by the end. Afterwards we went out to dinner to a Mexican Restaurant to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!! So we asked the staff to sing "Happy Birthday", so they brought a huge sombrero along with dessert. After singing they pushed the dessert into her face, she thought it was hilarious! Then, of course we came home to open presents. Lots of fun. The best part is Daddy's gifts. Every year John puts together a special basket of goodies. It is full of kinds of goodies and the girls love it. Very neat, I think. They will remember it forever. All in all it was a great day.
But I just can't believe my little Bailey girl is now 9!! We have truly hit the 'tween' stage. It is amazing how it just kind of kicks in. It is a challenge, and I am really curious how the teen years are going to be. Three girls in the teens together?? God help us.
Tuesday
My quick trips...
I had decided that I wasn't going to make any CVS runs this week, but after reading about a few really good ones I decided to make a quick trip. So today I ran out quickly while the girls were at a friend's house this afternoon. First off, Walgreens. Now, I am fairly new to the whole Walgreens Register Rewards so I was a little wary. But it worked great!! I bought $60.17 worth of stuff (various make-up and razors), paid $3.95 oop and received $20 RR (register rewards) to use towards my next purchase. I am going to try this deal again and buy some necessary cleaning and paper products. Hoping to be able to use my RR to pay and receive more in the end. Will see.
Next I had to hit CVS. Bought $20.80 worth of stuff and paid $.34 oop (out of pocket) and received $14 ECB's. I did have to use $11 of my ECB's but still, in the end, came out ahead by $3.00.
Next I had to hit CVS. Bought $20.80 worth of stuff and paid $.34 oop (out of pocket) and received $14 ECB's. I did have to use $11 of my ECB's but still, in the end, came out ahead by $3.00.
Thursday
CVS...
This morning my neighbor and I hit CVS first thing to grab the May ECB deals before they are gone (yes, they really do go that quickly). I won't bore you with the details, but before coupons my grand total was $153.00, after it was $2.00. I received $28 ECBs (CVS cash) to use in the future, plus I have two rebates from this purchase to mail off which will give me $18.00. So, I will have made $44.00. WooHoo! Now, what am I going to do with my two boxes of Just For Men Touch of Gray?
Wednesday
Target, KMart, & Rite-Aid
Tonight was Faith Formation night at church for Bailey and Peyton and soccer practice for Reagan so while waiting for them I checked out some posted bargains from the web (http://www.afullcup.com/)
At Kmart I bought 4 General Mills cereals 4/$10. At the register I received an instant $4 rebate, plus I used two $1/2 manufacturer coupons, so in the end I paid $4 + tax for 4 boxes of cereal. These boxes ordinarily would cost approximately $3.49/box at least. I am trying to stock up cereals b/c they are great snacks for the pool during the summer. So whenever I find a bargain I try to snatch it up. Last week I was able to get 4 boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats for free!!
At Target I got three Aveeno lotions (2 small bottles and 1 trial size), two bags of Purina One dog biscuits, a Zone bar, and three Durex products. Before coupons my total was $28 (thereabouts, anyways, I can't find my receipt), but after coupons it was $2.21, plus I received a $5 Target giftcard. So in actuality I made $2.79!! How 'bout them apples?
And at Rite-Aid I bought 3 boxes of Band-Aids and 6 bags of Weight Watchers chocolates for $2.71 after coupons. Not bad, either. Without my coupons I would have paid $21.00.
I took a quick photo of the goodies, but my batteries need charging so I am hoping that I can post it tomorrow.
Oh, and since I'm bragging just wanted to add that yesterday I got four cans of veggies and a fresh box of fudge at Food Lion for $1.25 and four Renuzit Super Odor Neutralizer sprays and two boxes of Jell-o instant gelatin boxes for $.20 at Walgreens. Yeah, baby!
At Kmart I bought 4 General Mills cereals 4/$10. At the register I received an instant $4 rebate, plus I used two $1/2 manufacturer coupons, so in the end I paid $4 + tax for 4 boxes of cereal. These boxes ordinarily would cost approximately $3.49/box at least. I am trying to stock up cereals b/c they are great snacks for the pool during the summer. So whenever I find a bargain I try to snatch it up. Last week I was able to get 4 boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats for free!!
At Target I got three Aveeno lotions (2 small bottles and 1 trial size), two bags of Purina One dog biscuits, a Zone bar, and three Durex products. Before coupons my total was $28 (thereabouts, anyways, I can't find my receipt), but after coupons it was $2.21, plus I received a $5 Target giftcard. So in actuality I made $2.79!! How 'bout them apples?
And at Rite-Aid I bought 3 boxes of Band-Aids and 6 bags of Weight Watchers chocolates for $2.71 after coupons. Not bad, either. Without my coupons I would have paid $21.00.
I took a quick photo of the goodies, but my batteries need charging so I am hoping that I can post it tomorrow.
Oh, and since I'm bragging just wanted to add that yesterday I got four cans of veggies and a fresh box of fudge at Food Lion for $1.25 and four Renuzit Super Odor Neutralizer sprays and two boxes of Jell-o instant gelatin boxes for $.20 at Walgreens. Yeah, baby!
Tuesday
Another Day, Another CVS Trip...
Actually I hit three stores this morning. First off, Target. Some of the deals I was planning on were not there, but all in all still not bad. My total before coupons was 40.90, after it was $15.49. I got some good stuff too, like sandwich bags, zone bars, chips and cookies (John likes a particular brand of cookies and these were on sale), and Eggo waffles. I also had to throw in a coloring book for Reagan since she was being such a good sport to be dragged from store to store.
Next we hit Food Lion, not usually my store of choice, but the sales this week have been awful and I had some store coupons for Food Lion. I am just trying to get by with a few staples until tomorrow. Then I am hoping for better sales at HT. Didn't do as well there, but still got hamburger meat, and chicken as well as eggs, cheese, and milk. Before Q's total was $58.09, after $34.20.
Last stop, CVS. I had written down several scenarios for buying because you never know if the product you want will actually be there (yes, there are other people who are as crazy as I am about CVSing). Of course that was the case, but I still did okay. I bought 6 gift bags (yes, eventually I will use them), and two bottles of benefiber chewables (hey, we all could use more fiber in our diet). Again before Q total was $24.25. After coupons I paid 3.17, but I also got $20.00 ECB's (basically CVS $$) to use towards my next purchase. So, do you get what I'm doing now? I still have some learning to do, but I want to keep earning the ECB's so that I keep my OOP as low as possible. You should try it. I promise you will get addicted. I got my sis doing last week and she has already saved $$ on her baby supplies. Again check out these sites for some great starter scenarios: www.moneysavingmom.com and http://iheartcvs.com/
Next we hit Food Lion, not usually my store of choice, but the sales this week have been awful and I had some store coupons for Food Lion. I am just trying to get by with a few staples until tomorrow. Then I am hoping for better sales at HT. Didn't do as well there, but still got hamburger meat, and chicken as well as eggs, cheese, and milk. Before Q's total was $58.09, after $34.20.
Last stop, CVS. I had written down several scenarios for buying because you never know if the product you want will actually be there (yes, there are other people who are as crazy as I am about CVSing). Of course that was the case, but I still did okay. I bought 6 gift bags (yes, eventually I will use them), and two bottles of benefiber chewables (hey, we all could use more fiber in our diet). Again before Q total was $24.25. After coupons I paid 3.17, but I also got $20.00 ECB's (basically CVS $$) to use towards my next purchase. So, do you get what I'm doing now? I still have some learning to do, but I want to keep earning the ECB's so that I keep my OOP as low as possible. You should try it. I promise you will get addicted. I got my sis doing last week and she has already saved $$ on her baby supplies. Again check out these sites for some great starter scenarios: www.moneysavingmom.com and http://iheartcvs.com/
Sunday
Menu Planning
This is my worst subject. I hate cooking. I am not good at it and just don't like doing it. We eat out a lot!! Which, as we all know, can be expensive and fattening. So I am trying to do better at planning our meals ahead of time so that we won't be so tempted to just go out. And I am hoping that by posting it here it will help me to stick to the plan even more. So I will let you know how it goes. I found a site on the web that helps with menu planning, www.carriescooking.com . Anyways, here is my menu for this week.
Monday: Hamburgers, steamed broccoli, and mixed fruit salad
Tuesday: Roast, steamed veggies, and potatoes
Wednesday: Pizza and strawberries(Soccer practice)
Thursday: Fiesta Chicken (a new recipe I wanted to try)
Friday: Free night (soccer practice, we will go out to dinner afterwards)
Saturday: Tacos with rice (we have both chicken and beef)
Sunday: Dinner at Mom's (we are starting a new family tradition of eating Sunday dinner
with my mom)
Monday: Hamburgers, steamed broccoli, and mixed fruit salad
Tuesday: Roast, steamed veggies, and potatoes
Wednesday: Pizza and strawberries(Soccer practice)
Thursday: Fiesta Chicken (a new recipe I wanted to try)
Friday: Free night (soccer practice, we will go out to dinner afterwards)
Saturday: Tacos with rice (we have both chicken and beef)
Sunday: Dinner at Mom's (we are starting a new family tradition of eating Sunday dinner
with my mom)
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