Ahh, the sweet smell of saving money... part 2

Like I said before, (I think I said before..) I use to coupon a lot, but got out of the habit.  Recent situations required that we re-aquaint ourselves with that special form of currency!    It took me a few weeks to get myself together, but the Target frozen food/gift card deals were a great jump start!  It was a win-win!  At least for us! 

Now, last week was technically week 2, but it was really the first week I was able to really get down and dirty with the ads and printables.  Kudos to my mentors, The Krazy Coupon Lady and Totally Target!  They ROCK!  There are MANY others, too many to mention here.  Suffice it to say FB newsfeed and my email in box are rocking with deals.   My hat is off to them all!  Thank you!!!

So..  week 2 of serious couponing begins when I started Sunday out with another trip to Food Lion to take advantage of yet another pack of Pampers.  I grabbed a pack of  50 newborn pampers for $2.99 plus tax. (regular 10.99).   It looked so nice sitting next to the one I got on Saturday... ok, maybe not, humor me, ok?

Monday, I had my Pediacare coupons cut along with my Walgreens pedicare coupon with the intention of scoring 2 bottles of fever reducer for free.  Sadly, I had to pay $1.00 each because the children's dosage ran higher than the infant drops.  BUT, I still saved 11.50, so all was not lost.  SOOO.. I decided to go the next day when I was directed to better coupons from my sources.  The poor young sales clerk was totally confused with how I could stack coupons, so she had to call the manager.  Finally I walked out with (2) more Pedicare infant drops for 50 cents.   (the coupons I had were resulted in a money maker and the manager would not push it through so I had to go back to my old $1.50 off two).  So, bottom line, I have (4) bottles of fever reducer that was worth $27.00 for the bargain price of $2.63 after tax.  Not too shabby!

Well, I am not proud of this, but I could not help myself.  I got a little OCD with the Rite Aid $3.99 coupon against the $3.99 Thermacare back thingy... I could not have an odd number.  So I ended up with 20.oops.... just recounted I have 26.  Holding my head in shame, (but do know that I did not wipe out the shelves at the 5 Rite Aids I visited during the whole week), my total of (20) (26) 3.99 Thermacare Back thingy's cost me out of pocket... ZIP / ZERO dollars and ZERO cents.  Total saved: $83.79 $108.93

So in the meantime,  my other coupons for my Purex 3 in 1 detergent arrived mid week and I was oh so pleased to be able to use them with my final rain check at CVS...  Regularly 8.79 each x 10 = 87.90 plus tax = $92.30...  but my rain check was for $3.99 and I had (10) $3.00 coupons plus $8.00 in extra care bucks... my total cost out of pocket... are you ready?  $3.89 for a savings of $88.41... color me happy.   Between last week and this week, I should not have to buy laundry detergent for a VERY long time!

So, thus far, all together $214.80 $239.94 in merchandise.

$9.66 out of pocket

Total savings $205.23 $230.27 (can you say cha-ching?)

I've been checking out next weeks coupons and deals getting my game plan on.  Not really sure if I will have much to post as we are in the midst of remodeling the bathroom.  The way I see it, there will always be similar deals in a few months if I do miss them.  
Well, off to do laundry!  Have a great week!

Ahh, the sweet smell of saving money!

I love coupons.  We try not to pay retail for anything, if at all possible.  There are tricks to the trade.  As I blogged and entered giveaways, I was introduced to some amazing coupon queens!  They have taught me, via their blogs and FB posts, how to fully utilize the coupons and play the drugstore games.  I've been renewed!

Last week I was able to save oodles of money on frozen food at Target stacking coupons PLUS gained $5.00 gift cards every time I purchased any 7 frozen food items.  I banked all those gift cards and was able to use it to buy 2 video games for Wii (Zumba and Just Dance 2 on sale at Target for $29.99 each)  Well.. I don't have Zumba yet, but I do have the raincheck and the gift cards on hand when it gets back in stock! 

Speaking of stock... Our stock pile had been drawing low so I used this week to help regenerate it...

I got some amazing deals and my game plan all plotted out.  I spent under $40.00 and saved over $100.00!  Not too shabby, don't you agree?  

The young lady at CVS stood there with her mouth hanging open after I purchased (7) Purex 3 in 1 detergents and (1) Pro Glide razor.  After coupons and ECB's (extra care bucks) my OOP (out of pocket) total was under $5.00. 

The nice lady at Rite Aid was equally amazed when I bough (4) Nivea Lip Care and (6) of the new Snacker candy (and 1 bag of Princess candy rings) all for nothing... zip... nadda!

At Walmart I was able to get (15) cans of Muir Glen organic tomato paste that sells for .97 each... all for total price of $3.25

Target and Food Lion are where I spent the most money... but even that was minimal compared to what I got.  Febreze Sport, Gain Fabric Softener , Nature Valley Granola bars (free),  ibuprofen, Pampers (a DEAL at 2.99 after sale price and stacking coupons).  The only unplanned purchase was the Stouffers frozen lasagna.  It came with free frozen garlic bread, free frozen Birds Eye Steamers, and free Pepperidge Farm cake.  So.. I spent and extra 11.00, but dinner is served!!

Speaking of giveaways!

Together we save is giving away a $35.00 Kroger gift card... in honor of the Cart Busting Sale Event!
Head on over there and enter all my your info for a chance to win!

HUH???

When did it become March?  Wasn't it just Christmas the other day?  My momma always told me that when I got older the days would go by quicker.  She was not lying!!  I sit here in amazment as I look at the calendar and see that I forgot to change it to March... Excuse me while I correct that little issue.

OK, I'm back now...

So.. I've been really busy both at the day job, the home front and all hours in between.  Thus, I have been really behind on my contest entering self.  I've entered the one or two here and there but really not like I was doing for my Christmas gifts!  I really need to figure out how to squeeze more time in so that I can get those gift cards, and really neat products.  I'm sitting on $30 worth of Amazon cards right now that I am saving for Christmas.  Hoping to add a whole lot more to it via Swagbucks!  (That's where I got the $30 worth I have on hold now).  If you are not swagging yet, please hit the link below and sign up!  (and yes, you will be giving me credit for doing it.. hope you don't mind!)



SO... Back to work I go... I had my 10 minute break to swallow some food down... If anyone figures out how to slow down time... let me in on it!!  At this point, I may have to give up sleep... or (smile) excercise! Just kidding!!  (not really)... I'm kidding... (no, I'm not!)

Have a great day!!  Hope to see you soon!

Chili's gift card and Fake and Bake giveaways....

Yes, I'm back to entering giveaways.  I've missed it terribly, but I was just too busy to devote the time to it.  I have the utmost respect to the blogs that do offer giveways.  Their job is hard... and one that I thought I would like, but reality set in and I tell you what... if you want writers block, try to give review after review after review..  Hat's off to you all who do offer reviews and giveaways!!!

Now to get to the point of this post.... It appears that if I want extra entries in a particular giveway at  Thanks, Mail Carrier! , the blogger is ... get this... expecting me to tell others about it!! Seriously??  Why would I tell anyone that I am entering a giveaway for  say a.... $20 Chili's Gift Card  or even... I don't know... maybe some Fake and Bake self tanning products ?  I'm just saying!  I mean ...  why would I make the odds higher?.... Because I want the extra entries, that's why!   So... don't head on over to Thanks, Mail Carrier! and tell her Cindy sent you... it won't really help you, but it will make me feel special :)

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

Let me preface by saying … yes, this is a true story, and yes it happened to me yesterday….

I was in my basement yesterday, leisurely walking on the treadmill going around 3.0 for a 20 minute mile…. I had finished a chapter of a book I was reading and did not want to start another chapter yet.  My mind was wandering the last few minutes of my routine...

I started thinking..  hmmmm … wonder if I can walk backward on this and help exercise different muscles… I’ve seen it done on Biggest Loser…  so why not try it? 

There was a flaw in my thinking….

Rather than take the time to turn off the treadmill and start slow, I simply turned myself around using the runners on the side… I stepped on the treadmill … still going at 3.0

Before I knew it I was flying off into a bunch of boxes piled behind my treadmill… 

All I could do was lay there and laugh at my stupidity!  Next time, I think I will do things a little differently...

A Can't Miss Offer!

OMG!  This program is $30.00 off through January 31st!  I'm going online and order mine now!!  Want to join me in my quest to shed the pounds?  Come on!  Let's do this together!!  Let's make muscle and burn that uhm... flab?

Did You Hear What I Hear?

Yup... I'm gonna be a Gigi again!  Linz will have two under two... hmmm  should prove to be an interesting journey for her!  Congrats Linz and David!  I'm sure Russell will be a great big brother! 

Just Married with Coupons: Charmed Design 1012 - $25 Gift Certificate Giveawa...

Just Married with Coupons: Charmed Design 1012 - $25 Gift Certificate Giveawa...:
Enter for your chance to win a $25 certificate to use towards your purchase... I've picked out what I want!!

Giveaway from GameStop and Todays Mama!

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
  --  hmmm that is a good one.  I wish that we could all be together.  Part of our family is going to visit inlaws for Christmas.
2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?
  -- We started a new tradition last year.  Everyone comes over and has breakfast (egg casserole, of course), and after breakfast we see what each other has stuffed in our stockings. (we all bring little goodies to put in each others stocking ;)
3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
  -- I would say a cruise vacation for me and my family
4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
  --  we go look at the "tacky" lights in town.  It is a huge thing for us!
5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
   -- uhm... Sorry and Chinese Checkers! (aging myself, I think)
6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
  -- NO opening gifts until after breakfast!! (Santa stuff is excluded!)
7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?
 --  I think a cabin int he mountains would be awesome!  Esp if it snowed!
8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?
Duh!
XBox 360 250 GB with Kinect
Nintendo Red DSi XL Bundles
Super Super Mario Bundle - with Free Charge Station!

Only 8 Days Left To Order Your Letter? An interveiw with Santa's Secretary!

I decided to ask Holly from Santa's Secretary why they shut down so early in the season.  The holidays are just getting started!  Here is our interview:

Me:   Hello, Holly! First,  I want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me..

Holly:  You are most welcome!  I am always glad to talk about Santa's Secretary!

Me:  Some people are wondering why Santa's Secretary site shuts down so soon. 

Holly:   I'm so glad you asked, Cindy.  You see, it is the only way that we can ensure that no child's letter is received too close to Christmas.  Sometimes Santa needs to remind them to correct some behavior.  If they get the letter too close to Christmas, they don't have time.  It's just not fair!

Me:   Well, that does makes good sense!  But still, to shut down at the end of November?

Holly:  What people may not realize is that I work out of a satellite office.  Keep in mind that it takes about a week to ten days for a letter to get turned around once it is sent to Santa to sign.  After it leaves our hands, we lose complete control over it.  The post office does a fabulous job, but sometimes things happen and the letters get lost.  When we allowed the site to be open up to mid December, the week before and up to Christmas Eve  we would receive frantic emails from mothers looking for their children's letters.  It broke our heart. From that point on, we  decided to shut the site down at the end of November.  We just don't like to take the chance that a child won't get their letter from Santa in time.  This way, if a letter does gets misdirected, it can quickly be resent out in time to be received before Christmas!

Me:   From a business standpoint, does that not affect your sales?

Holly:  Yes, it does affect sales, but this is the bottom line; it is about the children and keeping them excited and believing in the big guy.  He needs that Christmas spirit to help him get around the world in time!

Me:  Well, I know you are busy and I don't want to tie you up any longer, Holly.  Thank you again, for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions.

Holly:  You are most welcome!  And Cindy, I see Malia has been doing really well since her motivation letter in October!  Don't forget to order your follow up for her!  You only have 8 more days!    Merry Christmas everyone!!

Me:  Merry Christmas to you as well!   Thank you for the reminder, Holly!  I'll get right on that! 

Well, there you have it folks!  Holly, from  Santa's Secretary, cleared up that nagging question!  You have 8 days left to get your orders in!

Lenovo laptop givaway at Dear Crissy

 I entered Dear Crissy  Can’t Wait til Christmas Lenovo Laptop Giveaway and hope to win a $799.00 IdeaPad!

One would wonder why I would try and win such an awesome gift... HA  the answer is in that sentence!  It's an awesome gift!  I like to work with different medias and Lenovo can handle my habit!

So.. in order to earn 10 extra entries, I finally caved in and agreed to blog about it!  So.. you peeps know the rules..  If you decide to enter the giveaway then you have to reference my your email address so that if you win, she can notify me you :)   Your email addy is love2bgigi at  gmail dot com in case you forgot!

Giveaway: Guidecraft Moon & Stars See, Store And Take Along Toy Storage Cart (ARV $210)

Giveaway: Guidecraft Moon & Stars See, Store And Take Along Toy Storage Cart (ARV $210)

This would be great for keeping all of Malia's things in order! Ends 12/5

Malia's Tea Party

Malia had her birthday party this past weekend...  OMG look at the cake my cousin made for her!  I hated to take it apart... Amazing what you can do with cupcakes, huh!

So, we set the stage...

 Complete with a menu!

 Look at my little lady having tea!

 Even had some little men there

 Time to sing Happy Birthday!!

We had a great time!  It is so hard to believe she is three now!  Where does the time go?

Big Mama's Blog: Review & Giveaway: Bracelet-mate

Big Mama's Blog: Review & Giveaway: Bracelet-mate:

How cool is this?? I can see that I need one.. hint hint to my girls!! (43 more days till Christmas)  I hate carrying a purse, but if I had one of these I could slip my debit card and my license in it and be ready for a night on the town... ok.. maybe a trip to Wal-mart! Stop by Big Mama's and enter for your chance to win!!

RCA Small Wonder Giveaway

RCA Small Wonder Giveaway

Digital camera, anyone??
Check out Mama Must Have It and all her other Christmas Giveaways!!

GIVEAWAY: $360 Worth of Prizes to Celebrate Bird Crafts Party Blog 1st Blogversary!!

GIVEAWAY: $360 Worth of Prizes to Celebrate Bird Crafts Party Blog 1st Blogversary!!

She is throwing a huge bash to celebrate her one year blogversary!
This party animal has some great ideas!! Looking forward to her next year of blogging ;)

Thursday Blog Hop :)

A letter from Santa!

While this is not her real first letter from Santa, it is the first time she was aware of what it really was!  Her eyes lit up and she was in awe!  It was really quite exciting for me her!  This year was the first year that SantasSecretary.com offered motivational letters in the "off" months.  The letters can reinforce good behavior .. or let them know they have time to correct some questionable behavior and get back on the good list :)  Can I tell you that this little girl was sooooo excited that Santa wrote to her!! 

LOOK!! It's from the NORTH POLE!!!!

Very carefully I will rip open the envelope....

 I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!!

Look... it's a real letter.... for me!!!

Read it to me, daddy!!

 She has been mesmerized by the letter...  Santa told her how proud he was of her that she is using the big girl potty all the time....  and how she is such a big girl to sleep in her own bed and to keep up the good work!  But he also told her that she needs to work on her whining and be the big girl that he knows she can be!  He let her know that the Motor Works (from Discovery Toys) is put aside just for her if she can stay on the good girl list..  (Not sure what leverage we will use come January!)

 See!  Right there it says I'm a good girl!!

SantasSecretary.com is now taking orders for the Christmas season.   Letters ordered will be processed to arrive approximately 1-2 weeks before Christmas.  Stop by and check it out!

Halloween Fun

This was the first real year that Malia has been trick or treating.  She went last year, but was really too young to even understand what was going on.  She was ready to put her costume on at 4:00.  Yes, we had to play and romp and roll for two hours before we could even go out the door to start the festivities! 

Here is the picture journal of her night!  Allow me to narrate.....  

DADDY!!!  please don't take my picture!  We have to go!!!

 Sheesh... you'd think they would put these door bell buttons down where I could reach it!!

 I said "trick or treat"... Here's my bucket, now please add candy!

 That's it?  Seriously?

 Ok guys.. lets go.  We have a lot to do tonight!

 Huh?  What do you mean I can't have it all tonight?!

 How about if I smile real pretty and use my manners?

 Uhm.. excuse me?  What did you say?

 No, really, it's ok to eat this.. it's a protein bar!!!

 What candy?  I'm not eating candy!   (Poor Mickey keeps trying his best to get at what she has)

 It's mine! It's ALLLLL mine!

 Bedtime?  Yeah, right! 

Ok.. so that is not really what she was saying, but I like to add my sense of humor in on pictures!  I see them and stupid stuff pops out of my head!  It's a curse!