Smellyann Strikes Again

Sundays In My City: Homebound In Homestead

It may be Monday, but no matter, because I'm always late. I'm linking up again with Unknown Mami and her posse on Sundays in my City, so come along as we explore what Team Odette did all last week when lack of gas - and funds - kept us around the ol' Homestead homestead. I promise to visit and comment back, too - though it may take me a month, I'll do it! Swears.

Cooking. Did I show these already? I forget. Sorry, if so. Anyway, I promised to take the load off Rob - and give Chloë something to tally on my side of her chart - so last week I made some seasoned vegetables for all of us and this:

pork steaks, for the rest of the family, 'cept me. (I don't do mammals. Somehow, some way, I'm going to become a full-on vegetarian again by the end of 2013, but it's hard when I have such high protein requirements, thanks to my gastric bypass surgery.)

We had no salt, no seasonings (the veggies came pre-seasoned, heh), and no fat, oil, lard, margarine, butter, you name it, you got it? So I quickly texted my former home-ec teacher of a mother-in-law, who suggested I cut the fat off the meat and render that first, then cook the meat in it. Brilliance! It worked like a charm. And even in that state, Rob pronounced it delicious and entirely edible enough to make again. Thanks, Mamacita!

That was Sunday. On Monday night, we came home from I-don't-know-where hungry, and I whipped up some healthy lettuce and chicken salad spinach wraps for Rob and me, while he made some pasta for the mouths under the kids' upturned noses. Poo-poo on them; the wraps were delishamus.

We've been walking every day still, and each day we encounter new flowers. This flower, on Tuesday, was the first yellow hibiscus I'd seen. It was the 29^th anniversary of my mom's death that day, but I was determined not to cry. Guess what, I actually succeeded, thanks to my drugs I'm guessing.

Every day, we go down to the lake across from our place. Well, almost every day. Rob wants to fish here, but the sign says no way, José. I don't think he'll listen. And gators? No way can my kids walk down to the lake by themselves. I've already lost one kid; I'm not giving the rest away.

Some of the eggs have hatched! This mama Muscovy duck had 12 ducklings. Twelve! 

Chloë and sibs have been determined to spot a gator since we moved down here. Fortunately, they've been unsuccessful so far. I want to go down to the Everglades and rent an airboat. I've never done that before, and I know it's fun. Surely we'll spot some gators that way.

It took me a week, but I finally spotted an ibis. I was the last one. Why is this significant? The mascot of my alma mater, U-Miami, is Sebastian the Ibis, of course!

We have seen several instances of Muscovies mating, so we've had to explain, yet again, all about the birds and the bees to the kids. It's an ongoing conversation, and we have an Open Door policy where that is concerned, so it's cool. I found it interesting to note that the drake bites the female on the back of the neck while he's mounting her, much like a male shark bites a thickened part of flesh on the back of a female during their dance of looove.

And not to be outdone, this Mama Muscovy sported no less than 20 following ducklings that afternoon. Twenty!!

On Wednesday, the hibiscus turned out to be a beautiful pink rose. And not only that, but:

check out the gorgeous orchids on this tree! Real ones, too, no matter how fake they looked; I checked. We diverted from our usual path that day and walked to the next neighborhood over. I was bored to tears and dying for a change of scenery, after all.

Knitting. I've kept up my pledge to knit for the highly-allergic Vinnie, though I don't have much yarn with me until our stuff gets here on Tuesday from the movers. A little colorwork this time, using an unraveled coat I never finished making for Sophia four years ago, and some yarn of Stephanie's that was used in another project for her boys.

On Thursday, we decided to take the short walk up the road to get some free groceries with coupons I'd gotten. We stopped along the way to peer into the canal, where we spotted turtles, fish - and numerous shopping carts. Who throws a shopping cart into a canal, for Pete's sake?!

I was aMAZED at the Publix, where not only did I get my items for free, but the coupons scanned above the cost of the items, and I got overage. I figured they would just make me buy something additional to eat that up, but no! They totaled it out, opened up the cash drawer, and gave me the money! Hello, ring-a-ding-ding! That's so unusual, and I bet you dollars to donuts it's not the official coupon policy of the store, but arguing was useless with them. So I took it and clicked my heels together with glee. 

Sophia, wearing my straw hat from Miss Lisa, picked up what she called a blade of wheat and said, "Look, Mama, I'm a cowgirl!" Oh, the cute.

On our way back home, we spotted these palm trees full of coconuts. Except, on closer inspection, they weren't coconuts at all, I guess. I don't know what the hell they are, but ... palm fruit, I guess?

So this was my haul: A $6.59 bag of organic sugar, a $5.99 bottle of organic raw blue agave, two Michael Angelo's family-size meals, and a large Diet Coke from the deli - all of which, they paid me over a dollar to take home. Nice, huh?

I'm part of Michael Angelo's team of taste-and-tell bloggers, so they provided me with the coupons for the free products to try. We got the chicken parmesan and the vegetable lasagna, both of wish were SOOOO good. I kid you not. Have you had their frozen foods? I would definitely buy these again, but you know me, they gotta be on sale and have a coupon to match! ;)

One of Chloë's agents back in Virginia called Thursday to say they wanted to submit her for a lead role in a TV show! They said she was perfect for the part, and you know, I may be biased but, I wouldn't doubt it! The kid has charm and personality to spare. Look at that sass!

And she looks so much like her daddy, it's nonsense. Fingers crossed, Chloë!!

Friday was not my day. It was payday, yet my card kept getting declined every where I went. Turns out there was fraud on our account... I had to cancel about a dozen mystery shops for the weekend, along with a host of other plans. Big bummer. We had to hang around the 'hood even more. Here's silly Sophia dressing up as both her mom and her dad, simultaneously.

For the first time in January, while he was visiting my dad, Jack had a grapefruit. Surprisingly enough, my picky boy LOVED it with a heavy dose of sweetening, so he kept prodding his sisters to try one, too. (Neither Rob nor I are big fans of the fruit.)  So when we grocery shopped Friday morning - after, of course, having to call the bank yet again to release the hold on my card so I could pay for mah dang groceries - I bought them each one to try. What would they think? I wondered.

That was Sophia's reaction to her first bite. Ha! She cracks me up. So went Chloë's first bite, too. Needless to say, the grapefruit is now wrapped in Saran wrap in the fridge, since Jack only wanted a few bites. And yes, I sweeted it with that better-than-free organic sugar ;)

Meanwhile, on Saturday night after Rob made us omelets for dinner, Jacky helped out with the dishes. Since he is a Little Person, he needs to jump up on the counter in order to reach the faucet. I'm so proud of this kid; nothing holds him back from doing what he aims to do, despite his small stature!

And finally, since we're still more-or-less homebound, here is one last shot of "The Tweens," Cupcake and Muffin, acting as bookends over the kitchen sink. Pretty girls, they.

As always, thanks for stopping by! See you again real soon, y'hear?

Fin.

Missions Links From Smiley360

In the spirit of sharing, I have a few things to tell you guys about, from my current Smiley360 missions. (Smile.ly is kinda like BzzAgent, for those who know it.)

First, there's the Orajel survey. Take the survey for a chance to win a $200 gift card. I know I could use that! Woohoo!

 

Next up is Children's Mucinex, of which I received a sample in the mail to use for when my kids got sick. Only, they never got sick, so the movers packed it up in our shipment of household goods. Of course, right away, my kids got sick, and I don't have it! What's a mom to do? Well, like you, I can use this coupon here to get more. I hope it works!

Finally, we have Campbell's Slow Kettle style soups. I was given a sample (and have since bought more), coupons, and even a warm and fuzzy pair of socks to wear! Fun. If you'd like to try it, there is a $1-off printable coupon here. Let me know what flavor(s) you try, if you do! SO delish.

That's it for now, folks! Try, and tell me how you liked these!

Fin.

Fun Family Splurging - On The Cheap

I've been doing a lot of mystery shops again lately, so we have been out and about as a family frequently. On Thursday, I had stacked about seven shops back-to-back, and I did not relish the idea of going back home, tired and worn out, to a messy, half-packed, midst-of-moving house. So I broached the idea of getting a hotel room for the night to Rob, and he was all in! So I went on the Hotels.com app on my iPhone and booked us a room at The Aloft in Chesapeake for a heavily discounted price.

We had actually never heard of The Aloft, so we had no idea what to expect, but all five of us were delighted and impressed! It was a really neat hotel, with great service (say hi to Justin for us if you go - the night clerk at the Front Desk) and awesome details. We liked it so much, and the off-season rate was so great, we ended up staying for two nights!

While I rested, and then worked on mystery shop reports, Rob took the kids to the hotel pool two or three times. Sophia is swimming like a little fishy now - okay, like a puppy, since she still doggy-paddles for the most part - and does wonderfully in the water.

Meanwhile, even Jack has finally decided to start swimming! Yay, Buddy! He can't go too far, or for too long, but it's a start. On the other hand, Chloë is still quite timid in the water and barely manages to jump in from the side... but I know she'll get there.

On the second night, I stopped by the bar to get drinks for Rob and me. However, the bartender (hey, Lisa!) was closing, so I got him a bottle of beer to go and ordered this Bahama Mama for myself. It was delish. And strong. I got so plastered by the third sip! Thankfully alcohol hits me hard and fast, and gets processed by my new system just as quickly, so it had worn off almost by the time I got back to our loft and needed to work on reports!

After my buzz wore off, I was quite thirsty, so I asked "my favorite child" to get my Coke out of the fridge. Naturally, all three of them decided they were that child (and they were right!), so they went, giggling, together to the fridge and fetched it, delivered it, and presented it with smiles as a team. Love my funny gang! ♥

On Saturday morning, before we had breakfast and checked out, I went to the pool to see the latest swimming exploits and knit (and, okay, snooze some more) while the kids swam with Rob. I loved the atmosphere in there... definitely want to return to another The Aloft in the future. Sometime.

On Monday, Steph and Tim babysat for us while we went out for a date/mystery shop at a restaurant bar. We went to the Walmart around the corner from the restaurant afterward, ostensibly to pick up a load of cat food, but we were looking around and came across a whole bunch of super-duper clearanced toys that we knew the kids would love. When we went to pick them up from Stim, we left their new toys in their car seats and let them discover them upon returning to the van. What joy! What glee! What fun! Here is Sophia's newly updated Lalaloopsy collection, with April Showers (the newest one) in the center.

On Tuesday, en route to lots more shops and other errands, we all found ourselves very hungry for dinner. So, we took advantage of the Kids Eat Free special that day at Chili's and had a really inexpensive dinner, with Rob and I getting the combo dinner and all three kids eating for nada. The chips and spicy corn guamacole were SO good!!

And yesterday (Wednesday), we had LOADS of fun. While Rob and Jack went to Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach to get Rob a haircut, I took the girls to Sunshine Smiles, A Kids' Spa around the corner. I had given Sophie a gift certificate to spend $20 there (which I'd actually gotten for FREE on LivingSocial!) for Christmas, and it's just taken this long to get time to get her in there. The girls were so hilarious during the visit.

For her money, Sophia was able to get a manicure and make two lip glosses (an experience she shared with her big sis), and the first thing she did after the way-awesome Michelle set her up was soak her nails and hands. She sighed dreamily during this experience. Goof!

Michelle quickly realized that Sophia was going to be quite a little wiggle worm during her mani - as she ALWAYS is, but even more so because she was so excited to be there - and she and I kept bursting into laughter about Sophia's hilarious antics and attempts to stay still. Such a goose. Here, she was having some kid crap (glue, maybe?) removed from her hands.

Sophia happily looked on as Michelle painted her nails a lovely shade of sea blue-green (my favorite color!) that Chloë helped her pick out. Poor Michelle had to touch up her nails about five or six times, because she would NOT STOP MOVING!

I love her cute little pudgy baby hands - the only thing about Soap that's still wee, I'm afraid - and her pretty nails. 

Sophia was dying to lie down on the spa lounges and let her nails dry, so she inveigled her way into that with Michelle after promising not to smudge her nails. She was sooo happy, even if she didn't also get the cucumber slices on her eyes that she also requested!

Chloë chillaxed next to Sophie and did her usual model pose when I asked to take her picture. Always preening for the camera, that one!

Finally, when the nails were sufficiently dry (and after more touch-ups), it was time to go to the lipgloss-making station. They were able to pick their own colors to add to the balm bases and put lots of glitter in there, too. Of course, both of my girly girls wanted to use shades of pink.

Glitter time!  Sophie added the pink and the silver to hers for some major sparkle.

Then, the girls were given sticks to apply their new lipglosses to their puckers. Chloë did a pretty good little job not getting it all over the place.

Sophia, meanwhile, had quite a bit of trouble getting hers just so and not glopping it all over the lower third of her face, so Mama had to step in and help her out after she wiped off the first attempt. It actually looked pretty good on her!

So that was that fun-ness, and all for the cost of just a tip to Michelle! Thanks, Sunshine Smiles!

After that, it was Jack's turn for some fun, since this is his tenth birthday month, and we are celebrating him all month long! I had $20 in gift certificates to Build-A-Bear Workshop, (five for his birthday present and the other $15 from rewards for the Christmas gifts I'd gotten from there), so I instructed Jack on from which three least pricey stuffies he could choose - after all, the goal was to go cheap or go home - and he picked a pooch!

The store employee helped him stuff his dog, and he was sooo excited to fluff him up. He worked that pedal pretty quickly!

The employee then had Jack pick out a heart for his dog, and rub it on his face for smarts, cheek for cute, etc. Jack had a ball doing this and was giggling his little peanut head off! It's so great to see him genuinely smiling, since he's kind of a grump usually!

Next it was time for an air bath to keep the newly fluffed and minted puppy clean. More real smiles from the boy!

After a bath, Puppy needed some new clothes. Jack chose the camouflage outfit, which he seems to be into lately. Like his Dad!

Daddy helped dress the easily-frustrated Jack's dog. The two of them are so cute together and have really been male-bonding a lot lately. I love to see it!

Lastly, it was time to adopt Roger, the dog, into Jack's growing BAB family. He was thrilled, and I peeked in on him a couple times during last night and found him clutching Roger tightly in his sleep.

After that, I had to do some more mystery shopping in the mall, but once again, everyone had gotten hungry. I told the kids we could grab just a little something to eat in the Food Court first, so we headed upstairs to snack on samples (hey, free belly filler) and then pick what we wanted to eat. Jack actually wanted to ride the escalator upstairs, which is unusual because he's terrified of it. And he still balked when he got over there, but then, he did it! He got on and rode up on his own (usually one of us has to carry him)! Yay, Jacky!!

Well, call us pushovers, because when we got to the top of the escalator, Cold Stone Creamery was right there, and Sophie shouted out, "Ice Cream!" Rob and I quickly conferred and decided to have an upside-down meal: dessert at the mall, then dinner later at home. The kids LOVE when we do that, of course!

We only got small (still going for cheap) kid-size ice creams for then, with one mix-in each, but they didn't seem to care. Or notice, I'm not sure which. Ice cream is ice cream, right?

After the kids had their ice creams, I wandered around the Food Court (leaving Rob with the children) to figure out what I wanted to eat. Usually, it only takes a few sample bites to fill me up these days, so I wasn't really expecting to buy anything. However, I came across Cupcake Central - and, lo and behold, it was their Happy Hour Wednesday special! Amazing cupcakes for a buck each! Sweet. (heh, no pun intended) I bought six, because I couldn't bear the thought of having an empty hole in the box. When I walked back with the box, I told the kids they were for later, but I let them have this sneak peek!

However, after a few minutes, Sophie wanted to look at hers up close, so I let her. Isn't she funny?! She kills me. And even though these were supposed to be "for later," the next thing I knew, she had peeled off the wrapper and shoved almost the whole thing in her face at once! I dropped my jaw and then died laughing, which made her laugh and spit cupcake out of her mouth all over the place. Oh, man. I was in total hysterics.  Sophie is just as nutty as I am!

I did my last shop at the mall after that, and then we headed home. Rob fed the kids some mac & cheese for dinner, while I took yet-another much-needed cat nap. 

When I woke up, the kids were getting ready to go to bed. However, Sophia got into her lip gloss again and came jokingly stomping in to the room, blurting out, "Still can't get the hang of it, Mom!" I took one look and begged her to let me take this picture. 

Ahhh... good times, good times... and y'all know I love a great deal!

Fin.

Random Schtuff Taking Up Space In My Brain Right Now

It's 0404 on a Tuesday morning, and I can't sleep - partly because I'm coming off a 5-day migraine in which I slept a TON, and partly because, well, I never sleep at night anyway. And I've got a lot on my mind right now, so prepare ye for a massive, totally random brain dump:

I'm really trying to rev up my Jafra business so that I can promote to Manager later this year. Really bad timing, considering we're going to move soon, but the exciting part is I have K joining my team soon! On the Saturday after next, we're having a Jafra spa party at her place, complete with smelly-good foot soaks, mud masks and way more, and whatever we earn at her party is going in to placing HER first order and getting her case. She's excited, I'm thrilled, and it's going to be a great send-off for me and instantly-built clientele for her. Yay!

Oops, I just realized I have two logos in that picture. Meh. It's a two-fer.

We visited my friend Saritah and her family last week, and we're going again the last week of February - along with Jenny from the Block and her kiddos, whom we haven't seen in ages upon ages. Trés fun! I have presents for both of them, so I hope I don't forget to bring 'em. Plus, Chloë is "in love" with older son Sebastian, and Sophia is "in love" with younger son Trevor, so Saritah and I are planning future double weddings. Sophie and Trevor have even locked themselves in his closet and smooched on the cheek already! What! I have to stop playing with that cute baby up there, Tempe, and pay attention to the rest of those rapscallions!

(holy huge picture that won't let me scale it down... awesome)

We're supposed to be moving to Miami right around March 1st, and I'm kind of totally freaking out about it, because we are not even remotely ready. Still to do: clean up this house, our rental, so we can move the remaining at-least-half of our crap out of the old house, which we still own, into it; get the old house cleaned up and listed for sale post-haste; set a date for the movers to come; freakin' FIND a place to live in Miami - hello, apartment managers? Returning my phone call and/or email requests for information would be a good thing, 'kay? - and, gosh, that's enough for starters. Rob thinks we won't move in time. I'm stubborn as hell about that March 1 deadline, but I'm starting to agree with him. Cue major sad face.

Oh, and considering each of us is something of a medical marvel, once we do find a place to live, I have about 27 bazillion doctors to find and appointments to make!

I have a cold. Make that aNOTHer cold. Like, my third in 2013. Plus, I'm coming off a five-day migraine (post-publish read-through realization: oh. I told you that already. Meh. It's another two-fer) in which I did a lot of lying around in bed and not much else. With that, moving, building my business and everything else, it's like, WHAT homeschooling?! so far this month. I feel pretty shit-tastic about that. Well, we'll be making up for it by doing lots of school this summer, in between beach visits and dips in the pool. 

Rob's last day in the United States Navy is on Valentine's Day! Squee! We're not having a party, since no one could be bothered to come to his 40th birthday party in August, but don't think we won't be celebrating. Horizonta---um, TMI. ;) He has been counting down the days by telling me how many times left he has to shave, cut his curly locks, press his uniforms, and so on. I think the man is excited, y'all! 

Every Sunday, we have a family meeting. Someone different runs it each time, but the agenda is always the same:

1. Calendar, wherein we go through everyone's plans for the upcoming week,

2. Compliments and appreciation, wherein every person goes around and pays everyone else some C and/or A,

3. Allowance, which is everybody's favorite part,

4. Snack, which almost always involves a drive (for me) to 7-Eleven, and,

5. Fun activity, which for the last two weeks has been a gross-out contest!

Anyway, at this past Sunday's Family Meeting, my #2 for Rob was thanking him for 20 years of service to our country, and congratulating him on his terminal leave, which starts Friday. Chloë responded by throwing her arms around Daddy and sobbing happy tears. It was a very touching moment.

I have been super busy teaching coupon classes this month. So far, I have taught one at the library, 3½ "personal sessions" at various folks' homes, and taken one friend and her daughter on a shopping trip to see how I do it in real life. Total women taught so far: eight! With at least that many more to go before we move. I'm not charging much, either, so the personal satisfaction I get from imparting my money-saving knowledge and helping these women and their families out is what's really paying me. Warm fuzzies all around!

This is just a gratuitous kids-in-the-sun photo, because I like to close with an image. There's more on my mind than all this, but that seems like enough to dump on y'all for the time-being. Can ya keep some good thoughts for us that we'll be able to get out of here and move to Miami as close as possible to our self-imposed deadline? For my sanity's sake? Thanks. Much appreciated.

Fin.

Bzz, Bzzzzz: UNREAL™ candy UNJUNKED™

Disclaimer: I received a coupon for a free package of UNREAL™ candy, along with several Buy-One-Get-One pass-along coupons in exchange for sharing my thoughts on the product with anyone I felt like, so here I am. No monetary exchange has taken place. All opinions are, and will always be, my own.

If a picture says a thousand words,... well, okay, this one actually DOES say a few, but they kind of make you sit up and take notice, right? I mean, CANDY? With nothing artificial and no corn syrup or hydrogenated oils? Either I've gotta be joking, or it must taste, well, like crap, right?

WRONG.

Check out their website, where you can learn all sort of interesting information about UNREAL™ candy unjunked™, like, well, I'll let you read their story and the FAQ, if you want (you should!), but we all know what you're most interested in finding out, don't we?

HOW DOES IT TASTE?!!

Dudes. Let me take you through each of the five varieties of unjunked candy currently on the market, and let you decide:

#1: UNREAL8™ Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat Bar UNJUNKED™

 

(Oh. I should say that I totally used two of those BOGO coupons so I could buy all five varieties, which worked out perfectly for us, a family of five, to each try one kind.)

We let Daddy go first, because it was his birthday week. Here he is Vanna White-ing his selection of candy #1.  We all watched with anticipation as he opened the wrapper, took a bite, chewed, and ... gosh, he ate some, ya dig it? So what did he think of it?

Woohoo! He likes it, he really likes it! Which, you may not realize, is actually saying a lot, since he's kind of a food snob and tends toward a rather sophisticated palate. Score one big one for UNJUNKED™!

#2: UNREAL77™ Peanut Butter Cups UNJUNKED™

Now comes the real test, folks. I mean, who hasn't had a billion peanut butter cups already, and has an opinion formed about how they should taste?

As the oldest kid, we let Chloë go second, and of course she went straight for the PB cups. She's her mother's girl, after all. She dove in much faster than her father, thank goodness. (He likes to keep us in suspense.)

She didn't even finish her first bite before flashing me the two-thumbs-up signal. I'd say that's a pretty good argument for extreme deliciosity.

#3: UNREAL41™ Candy Coated Chocolates UNJUNKED™

I know what these are. You know what these are. Everybody loves the "real deal," so how does this version stack up?

Don't ask me why Jack got bypassed and Sophia, our youngest, got to go next. I'm sure there was a good reason, but heaven help me if I can remember now what it was! ANYway, she chose the, uh, candy-coated chocolates, being quite the fan of the "regular" sort, so what did she think of these?

Two more thumbs up. UNJUNKED™ is three for three! Not too shabby, eh? And people, we like to eat, okay? If something was yucky, I'd tell ya. So far, though, not yuck. Yum.

#4: UNREAL54™ Candy Coated Chocolates With Peanuts UNJUNKED™

Second verse, same as the first (because "fourth verse, same as the third" just doesn't quite have the same ring to it), except with peanuts this time. We all know and love this guy, too. 'Least I do. But it still wasn't my turn.

Jack got to pick the peanut, um-um-um's ;) and he took the task seriously. Very. See:

What the heck?! Two more very enthusiastic thumbs up? What is going on here? Mind you, I'm sitting behind the camera the whole time, patiently (cough) waiting for my turn, expecting at least one of these dern things to, well, suck! But thumbs were popping up all over the place, and I was quite the surprised one!

So now me, at last. Guys, I am a chocolate FIEND. An aficionado. A huge lovah, if you will. So what did I think of...

#5: UNREAL5™ Chocolate Caramel Nougat Bar UNJUNKED™

Darn. Nougat. I got stuck with the nougat one. I'll say I generally don't like nougat, because I don't know what the heck nougat is. Do you? I mean, c'mon, really, you can't find nougat in anything but certain candy bars that I don't like. So I was totes expecting to be the lone hold-out on the candy-train of love we had goin' on here.

At least I looked kinda cute holding my (ick) nougat (ick) bar. Time for a taste. My answer to the camera finally pointed my way?

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! I pulled a Chloë and shot those thumbs up before I even finished chewing and swallowing my first bite! For real, this stuff is GOOD.

So, I have a confession to make: I didn't share ANY of the pass-along BOGO coupons. No, I sure didn't. I went back to the store and used 'em a couple days later, and we had some more UNREAL™ candy. PIGS, we were. ARE, because if I had more of those coupons, I'd use those, too.

So, to recap this rather lengthy post about better-for-you treats, here's what there is:

... and here's what the five members of Team Odette thought of them:

So what about you? Have you UNJUNKED™ your candy yet? Will you try UNREAL™ candy now that I've told you how freakin' good it is? If you do, let me know, and which ones, 'cause I'm nosy like that. No, really, I want to know if you like it, too, or if we're a bunch of weird healthy-candy-lovin' mutants. 'Kay?

☼

Thanks to BzzAgent and UNREAL™ candy for the yummy yum yums!

Fin.

Weekly Steals & Deals

As always, thanks go to Collin over at Hip2Save for help putting these deals together. I couldn't do it without her awesome blog. Visit this page for more information on the coupon lingo I'm using below, too.

I have been doing the deals weekly since the last time I posted, but I wasn't sure if people cared to read them every week, so I haven't been posting them. Let me know in the comments if you care (or not) one way or the other. However, I haven't been visiting Walgreens, preferring instead to stick with the deals at CVS and Rite Aid. No particular reason, other than I prefer the rewards programs of the latter two stores. Tuesday, I shopped CVS in two transactions and Rite Aid in 5, to maximize my savings. Here they are:

CVS - Transaction #1

I went into this transaction with NO ECBs, having used them on my last transaction the previous week, but I had a CVS gift card with some change on it, as well as two $5 Viggle gift cards.

Purchased in this transaction:

- (2) boxes flavored Cheerios: on sale 2/$5, used $1 Magic Coupon Machine (MCM) SQ plus (2) 50¢ MQs from MyPoints (many of my IP Qs come from there, and I get rewarded for that, so there's my referral link ;)), rec'd $2 ECBs for #2

- (4) Revlon nailpolishes: on sale $4.99 each, used (4) $1 MQs plus $3 MCM SQ, rec'd $12 ECBs for #2

- (2) 72-ct Listerine PocketPaks: on sale $2.99 each, no Qs (Rob really likes these, which is why I bought without a Q), rec'd $4 ECBs for #2

- (2) Right Guard Total Defense 5 deodorants: on sale $2.99 each, used $2/2 MQ, rec'd $2 ECBs for #2

- (2) Nivea for Men Shave Gel: $4.49 each, used (2) $2 MQs BUT DID NOT RECEIVE EXPECTED $3 ECBs b/c I PURCHASED LESS THAN THE REQUIRED $10, so I need to spend another $1.02 to get it. (Might take these back & exchange for the $4.99 items I was supposed to buy but forgot, which will total $9.98 & is close enough to generate the ECBs.)

- (2) Schick Hydro 3 Razor: $8.99 each, used (2) $4 MQs, rec'd $8 ECBs for #2

- (2) Crest 3D White Rinse 32-oz + (2) Crest 3D White Rinse 16-oz: $7.79 each & $5.79 each, respectively; used (2) $5 B1G1 $5 off MQs BUT DID NOT RECEIVE EXPECTED $10 ECBs BECAUSE I PURCHASED WRONG ITEMS & WILL EXCHANGE FOR CREST WHITENING. (OOPS)

{So as you can see, even the pros (haha, I jest) goof up once in a while, and my scenarios will be improved once I make those changes. I'll continue with my actual transactions, though, so it makes sense to all of us.}

TOTAL OOP (after the GCs mentioned above): $51.87, though I will submit for the P&G MIR of $5 on $25' worth of P&G products (Crest); TOTAL VALUE: $111.04

Transaction #2

I went into this transaction with the $28 ECBs received from #1. Generated $0 ECBs in this transaction for next week. Purchased:

- (2) Colgate Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening toothpastes, 6.4-oz: on sale 2/$2.69, used (2) $1 MQs

- (3) 2L Mt Dew bottles: 88¢ each, no Qs (for Rob; can never find Diet, dang it!)

- (4) Renuzit Adjustable air fresheners: on sale 88¢ each, used 50¢/3 and 55¢/1 MQs

- (4) BumbleBee Chunk White Tuna 5-oz cans: on sale $1 each, used (2) $1/2 MQs from Recyclebank rewards

- (4) Scotch clear packing tape rolls (I go thru a TON of pkg tape!!): on sale B1G1 50% OFF, so (2) were $3.79 and (2) were $1.89, used (4) 50¢ MQs

-(2) 3M (Scotch) Magic "Greener" Tape, $6.79 and $3.69, WHICH APPARENTLY WASN'T PART OF THE B1G1/50% DEAL, SO I'LL EXCHANGE FOR REGULAR; used (2) 50¢ MQs

- (4) Caliber Notebooks: on sale B1G1 50% BUT WERE INCORRECTLY RUNG UP, SO YET ANOTHER THING I NEED TO GO FIX (sigh), so they came out to be: $5.79/$2.89 and $4.79/$2.39, used $3/$15 MCM SQ

Again, going by actual instead of woulda-shoulda:

TOTAL OOP: $13.87; TOTAL VALUE: $75.48

* I may come back and update this post after I fix the two transactions; we'll see if I'm up for it ;) *

 ********

Rite Aid - Transaction #1

I went into this transaction with $61 (!!) +UPs from last week. Purchased:

 - (2) Arm & Hammer deodorants: on sale $2.99, paid $2.87 with my Gold-Tier 20% discount off the regular price of $3.59; rec'd (2) $2 +UPs for #2

- MagniLife Restless Leg Cream: Reg. $14.99, on sale for $11; used $2 SQ, rec'd $11 +UPs ($2 moneymaker!) for #2

- Conair 2-in-1 Style-as-you-dry curling iron: Reg. $17.99, on sale $16.99, paid $14.39 with my 20% off; used $10 SQ, rec'd $7 +UPs ($2.61 moneymaker!) for #2

- Arm & Hammer Kid's Spinbrush MyWay toothbrush: Reg. $7.49, sale $6.99, paid $5.99; used $2 MQ, rec'd $2 +UP for #2 (and made Chloë VERY happy!)

- (2) Revlon Quick Dry nail products (base & top coats): Reg. $5.75, paid $4.60; & (2) Revlon nailpolish: Reg. $4.99, sale $3.99: rec'd $3 +UP for #2 plus will get a $2 and a $4 SCR!

- (8) Wet 'n' Wild eye pencils: Reg. 99¢, paid 69¢ each, rec'd $2 +UP for #2

- (2) Lichi Meal Replacement 16-oz canisters: Reg. $9.99, paid $7.99 with 20% discount; rec'd $20 +UP ($4.02 moneymaker!) for #2

TOTAL OOP: $3.14 - $6 SCRs = -$2.86 NET; TOTAL VALUE: $99.37!

Transaction #2

I came into this transaction with $50 in +UPs from #1 (except $3 from last week, which I didn't use on #1). Purchased:

- Gillette Mach 3 Razor: Reg. $9.99, sale $8.99, paid $7.99; used $3 MQ and rec'd $4 +UPs for #3

- (7) I Love... skin & bath collection products: Reg. $7.99, sale $6.00 each; rec'd (4) $5 +UPs for #3 ($10) and next week that I didn't need today ($10)

- Arm & Hammer Kid's Spinbrush MyWay toothbrush: Reg. $7.49, sale $6.99, paid $5.99; used $2 MQ, rec'd $2 +UP for #3 (and made Sophia VERY happy!)

TOTAL OOP: $3.78; TOTAL VALUE: $76.21!

Transaction #3

I had $16 +UPs from #2 for this transaction. Purchased:

- (2) Futuro Restoring Dress Socks for Men: Reg $14.99, sale B1G1 50% off; used (2) $3 MQs, rec'd $10 +UP for #4

TOTAL OOP: $1.60; TOTAL VALUE: $31.10!

Transaction #4

I went into this transaction with $10 +UPs from #3. Purchased:

- (4) Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers: Reg $1.79, sale 99¢ each; used (2) $1/2 MQs

- (2) Haribo Godld gummi bears: Reg. $1.69, on sale 99¢ each; used (2) 30¢ MQs

- (2) Nair Precision Face & Upper Lip Kits: Reg. 6.99, sale $3.49; used $3/2 MQ, rec'd $2 +UP for #5

- (2) Nair Cucumber Melon Body/Leg lotion: Reg. $7.29, sale $3.64; used $3/2 MQ, rec'd $2 +UP for next week

- Children's Benadryl Allergy Relief 4-oz: Reg $7.49, on sale $5.99; used $1 MQ, rec'd $2 +UP for next week

TOTAL OOP: $3.45; TOTAL VALUE: $47.45!

Transaction #5

I came into this transaction with $2 +UPs (plus more for next week). Purchased:

- (2) Hershey's Simple Pleasures chocolates: Reg. $4.49, on sale $2.99; used (2) $2 MQ and $1/2 SQ

- (2) Samy Fat Foam haircolour: Reg. $9.99, sale $8.99, paid $7.99 w/ my 20% discount; used (2) $5 MQs and (2) $6 SQs ($6.02 moneymaker!!)

- Revlon Nude ColorStay Whipped Creme Foundation: Reg. $13.99, sale $9.99; used $2 MQ and $2 SQ and will receive $2 SCR

- (2) Cella Chocolate Cherry candy: Reg. 33¢, paid 26¢ with my 20% discount

TOTAL OOP: $1.67 - $2 SCR = -33¢ (!), TOTAL VALUE: $44.74!

********

So while I did okay at CVS, I think the clear winner here was Rite Aid! With the five transactions, my total OOP was: $13.64, total value was: $298.87, PLUS I'll get back $8 in SCR and came away with $14 in +UPs for next week.

NET: They paid me $8.36 to buy almost $300 worth of quality merchandise!

Dudes. I call that a WIN. ☺

Happy shopping! How'd you do this week?

Fin.

Weekly Steals and Deals

You know why I haven't posted one of these in ages? Because I haven't gone deal-shopping in ages. Between the move that never ends, not feeling well, out-of-whack finances and so forth, I just haven't kept up with it. I finally got my coupons in order on Monday, and I was about seven weeks behind! Yikes. Now, remember, those of you who want to find fault with what I buy: these are the DEALS. Not all of the food here will go in our (kids') bellies, nor is everything that does go in their tummies shown here. As for the rest, if we can't use it ourselves, because, say, it conflicts with my Jafra business, for instance, I use it for donations to Samaritan House and other charities. Ya dig?

As always, thanks to Collin at Hip2Save for helping me put together my deals! (Refer to her site, also, for the coupon - or 'Q' - lingo I use below.) I shopped Rite Aid, CVS, and Target (x2) in that order, not finding anything too impressive to warrant a Walgreens visit. Here's how I did this week:

Rite Aid

PURCHASED:

• (2) Revlon Designer Tweezers: $6.00 each, minus BOGO 50% off sale, minus (2) $1 MQ, minus $2 SQ, minus $2 SCR, minus $4 +UPs = $1 MM!!
• 0.75-oz Super Poligrip Denture Adhesive Cream: $1.99 minus $1.99 SCR = FREE!
• (2) Crest ProHealth Clinical Toothpaste 4-oz w/ BONUS Rinse sample: $3 each, minus (2) 75-cent MQs, minus (2) $3 +UPs = $1.50 MM!
• (2) Pantene shampoos & (2) Pantene conditioners: 2/$7 each, minus (2) $3/2 MQs, minus (2) $2 +UPs = $1 x 4!
• (2) Venus + Olay razors: $9.99 each, minus my gold status 20% off, minus (2) $4 MQ, minus (2) $4 +UPs = FREE x2!
• (4) Head & Shoulders shampoos: $4.99 ea., minus (2) BOGO MQs, minus $2 +UPs = $2 x4 (not stellar, but Rob needs these)
• (2) Bayer 100-ct tabs + (2) Bayer 50-ct tabs: $6.99 + $3.49 (BOGO 50% off) + $5.49 + $2.74 (BOGO 50% off), minus (4) $3 MQs, minus $5 +UPs = $1.03 MM!
• Aquafresh Extreme Clean Whitening 5.6-oz toothpaste: $1.99 minus $1 SQ, minus 50-cent MQ = 50 cents!
• (2) Biotene Mouth Rinse 16-oz: $4.49 ea., minus (2) $1 MQ, minus $3/2 SQ = $1.99 each
• (2) Crest Rinse 1-L w/ bonus toothpaste: $5 each, + (2) Crest Rinse 500-mL: $4.23, minus (2) BOGO MQs, minus (2) $3 +UPs = $1 x4!
• (2) K-Y Yours + Mine: $20.99 each, minus BOGO 50% off, minus (2) $7 MQs, minus $10 +UPs = $3.74 x2!
• (2) Oral-B 3D White Action toothbrushes: $3 ea., minus (2) $1 MQs, minus $5 +UPs = $1 MM!
• (2) Futuro Compression Stockings: $18.49 ea., minus BOGO 50% off, minus (2) $3 MQ, minus $10 +UPs = $5.87 x2!
• 3.5-oz Lanacane Spray: $5 - $5 +UPs = FREE!

TOTALS: Value = $291.13; OOP = $126.47; SCRs = $3.99; +UPs = $65; NET: $57.48 for almost $300 worth of merchandise!

CVS

•  

PURCHASED:

• • (4) Halls Warm-Ups Mocha Mint Drops: 49-cents ea., minus (2) $1/2 MQ = FREE x4!
  • (2) Carmex Lip Balms: $1.67 ea., minus (2) 75-ct MQs = 92 cts X2!
  •  (3) Dawn dish liquids: 99-ct ea, + (3) Puffs Plus tissues: 88-ct ea., minus (3) 50c MQs, minus 25c/3 MQ - $1/5 SQ = 48-ct x6!
  • (4) Olay facial cleansers: $3.74 ea. + (4) Olay body wash: $5.99 ea. - (4) B1 cleanser G1 body wash FREE MQs - $3/15 SQ - $5 ECB - $10 Olay MIR = $3.04 MM!
  • (4) Kellogg's Raisin Bran + (2) Froot Loops + (2) Apple Jacks: 3/$6 - (4) $1/2 MQ - $5 ECB = 88ct x8!
  • (2) Hellmann's Mayo: 2/$7, + Lipton Tea Bags 100-ct: $3, minus (2) $1 MQ, minus $3 ECB = $1.67 each!
  • (3) Suave deodorants: $1 ea, + (2) Suave bodywash: $2 ea, + (2) Suave shampoo & conditioner: $1.75 ea., minus (3) 75ct MQs - $4 ECB = 61 cts each!
  • Bengay 2-oz cream: $5.99 - $2 MQ - $3 ECB = 99 cts!
  • (9) Cadbury chocolate bars: $2.19 ea, minus B2G1 FREE, + Almond Joy & Reese's Fun Packs: 2/$1.98, minus $5 ECB = 92 cts x11!
  • (2) Kellogg's Frosted Flakes: $1.99 ea, minus (2) 70-ct MQs = $1.29 x2!
  • (4) small packs Nabisco cookies: 3/$4, minus (2) $1/2 MQ = 83 ct x4!
  • (4) Carefree liners 20-22ct: 99c ea., minus (4) 50-ct MQs = 49 cts x4!
  • (2) NatureMade Magnesium 250-mg 90ct: $9.49 each mi

TOTALS: Value = $231.44; OOP = $80.09; MIRs = $10; ECBs = $21; NET: $49.09 for over $230' worth of merchandise!

Target - Transaction #1

PURCHASED:

• (5) Kellogg's Nutri-Grain bars: $2.54 each - $1/3 SQ - (2) $1/2 MQ --> $5  GC for #2
• (5) Kellogg's Fruit Snacks: $1.99 each -->$5 GC for #2
• (4) Kellogg's Rice Krispies: $2.55 ea. + (1) Kellogg's Fruit Snacks: $1.99, minus $1/3 SQ, minus (2) $1/2 MQ --> $5 GC for #2
• (2) Gillette Venus + Olay razors: $8.99 ea., minus (2) $4 MQ --> $5 GC for #2
• (4) Old Spice deodorants: $3.99 ea., minus (2) $2/2 MQ --> $5 GC for #2
• (4) Olay Body Wash: $5 ea, minus (2) $3/2 MQs --> $5 GC for #2

= $30 in GCs for #2!

Target - Transaction #2

PURCHASED:

* (2) Comet Stainless Steel Powder Cleanser: $1.99 minus $1 SQ minus $1 MQ = FREE x2! (except I forgot one and have to go back for it, oops)

* (4) Merona & Mossimo tanks & tees: $6 ea, minus (4) $3 SQ = $3 x4!

* Market Pantry Fruit Snacks: $1.69 - $1 SQ  = 69 cents!

* (2) gal 2% milk: $3.09 ea. (no deals, we just needed some ;))

*(10) 6-oz Chobani Greek yogurts: $1 ea., minus (10) 30-ct MQs = 70ct x10!

*(2) Chobani Champions 4-pks: $2.50 ea. minus (2) $1 MQ, minus (2) $1 SQ = 50ct x2!

* Philadelphia Indulgence Creme tubs: $2.49 ea., minus (2) 75ct MQ = $1.74 ea (not the original deal, so I had to improvise - and they are tasty! Gonna make something yummy with them, watch)

* Aquafresh Advanced toothpaste: $1.89 - $1 SQ - $1 MQ = 11ct MM!

* USA Write Dudes Gold Wood #2 pencils: $1 - $1 MQ = FREE!

* PaperMate Eagle Ballpoint Pens: 94ct, minus $1 MQ = 6ct MM!

* (6) Bic Pens: 99cts, minus (3) $1/2 MQ = 49 cts x6!

* (3) RoseArt watercolor paint kits: 97 cts ea, minus $1/3 MQ = 64 cts each!

* (3) 2-L Coke products: $1.25 ea, minus $1/3 SQ = 92 cts x3!

TOTALS (btwn #1 & #2): $221.63 value; $82.08 OOP after MQs, SQs, ShopKick rewards, GCs from #1... and will submit for another $10 Olay MIR, too!

*********

Not bad, overall! I could do better, but since I haven't done my deals in so long, I didn't have rewards stocked up. Now I do and will go regularly again.

Hope this helps some couponing n00bs out there!

Fin.

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday IV: Tasty Tapas And Tempting Treats

If you're ever in Virginia Beach, check out Central 111 Tapas off Great Neck Blvd - it's got a sophisticated vibe, yet children are welcome. And so are Restaurant.com certificates!

Cosmos were, like, ridiculously cheap since we were there at Happy Hour. Um, I had two.

We've ordered the Tuna Tartar before; it's always delicious and never disappoints.

Likewise, the Spring Rolls are exceptional.

Jack is ALL about wings lately, so we ordered a small plate (duh) for him. For the girls, we ordered their usual cheeses platter, with crackers and fruit, but I didn't photo that for some reason.

After tapas, as usual, everyone was still hungry. I decided to use the BOGO Cold Stone Creamery coupons I've been holding onto for lo, these past eight years, and spoil the kids some more. They were, shall we say, thrilled?

Fin.

This Week's Drugstore Steals & Deals

So it's lame; I just made it on the fly a minute ago until I can come up with something better for this feature. 

I'm going to consolidate the trips as concisely as possible to make sense for you, since I had to visit each of them at least twice, if not three times, to get things corrected that weren't rung up properly or were (gasp!) my mistake. As always, big thanks to Collin over at Hip2Save for helping me put together my deals. (Visit her site for an explanation of he coupon lingo I'm using as well, if you're confused.) So let's go!

Walgreens

Two trips; four transactions (five if you count the return I had to make to re-buy the items in the bottom pic at the right prices with Qs). Details:

1. Not shown: Photo collage and 8x10 enlargement, for mi amiguita Saritah of her and her sons' baptisms yesterday, which I'll blog about later... Both FREE, for a total savings of $6.98.

2. (2) boxes Kellogg's Rice Krispies, on sale 2/$5, minus $1/2 MQ = $4.13 OOP. $6.58 Wag & Q savings. Earned $2 RR.

3. (2) boxes Rice Krispies, sale 2/$5, minus $1/2 MQ;

(2) Colgate MaxFresh 6-oz Toothpastes, sale 2/$5, minus (2) $1 MQs;

(2) Lady Speedstick deodorants, $4.29 each, on sale BOGO, minus (2) $1 MQs; and,

(1) 24-ct Zantac 150, on sale $7.99, minus $2 SQ and (2) $2 RR Qs from two weeks ago.

OOP: $13.87; $25.65 Wag & Q savings; earned $5 RRs.

4. RETURN: Zantac & Lady Speedstick deodorants, for $17.00, despite my protests that it should be less because of the Qs I used. Lucky me!

5. Repurchase of Zantac, on sale $7.99, minus $5 MQ and $2 SQ, and

(2) Men's Speedstick deodorants, $3.79 each, on sale BOGO, minus (2) $2 RR Qs from (2) and (3).

OOP: 97¢; $18.79 Wag & Q savings.

OVERALL: $1.97 OOP, $58 savings, and $3 RRs for next time. NET: $1.03 moneymaker on the above items!

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

CVS

Two trips; two transactions. Details:

(2) bags (12.6-oz & 9.9-oz) m&ms, on sale 2/$6, minus $1.50/2 MQ, earned $2 ECB;

(3) 12-packs Coke + (1) 12-pack Sprite, on sale 4/$10;

(3) L'Oréal Studio Style hair products, on sale 3/$9 + (2) L'Oréal EverSleek shampoo & conditioner, on sale 2/$12 + (1) L'Oréal Go 360 facial scrub, $4.39, minus (2) 75¢ MQs, minus (2) $2 MQs, minus $1 MQ, earned $10 ECB;

(3) Reese's + (1) Hershey's Easter candy bags, on sale 4/$10, minus $2/3 MQ, minus $2/$10 SQ, earned $2 ECB;

(4) Purina Beggin' Strips dog treats + (4) Beneful Baked Delights dog treats, on sale 2/$6, minus (2) BOGO MQs, minus (2) $1/2 MQs, earned $5 ECBs (I get these for my therapy dog, Mojo, whom I love to smithereens!);

(3) 20-oz Diet Coke bottles, on sale $1.50 when 2+ are purchased, minus (3) coupons from My Coke Rewards for FREE 20-oz bottles, which the cashier took off the non-sale price of $1.67 for...;

(1) Complete Multi-Purpose Contact Lens solution (which I need since I just got new contacts today!), on sale $8.99, earned $8.99 ECBs;

(2) 3-ct Thermacare Neck & Shoulder Heat Wraps, on sale $5.99 each, minus (2) $3 MQs, earned $5 ECBs;

(1) 3-ct Small/Med Depend Sillhouettes, on sale $3.99, minus $2 MQ, earned $2 ECBs;

(2) 9-oz Dawn + Olay Hand Renewal dish liquid soaps, on sale 99¢ each + (2) 8-pk Bounty Basic paper towels, on sale $6.49 each + (2) 9-pk Charmin Basic UltraSoft, on sale $5.99 each + 60-ct Always pantiliners, on sale $4.39, minus (2) 50¢ MQs, minus (5) $1 MQs = (2) FREE boxes Cheerios cereals;

(1) Revlon Quad EyeShadow "Seduction," $7.29 + (1) Revlon 10-ct emory boards, $3.37 (Not rung up, which I discovered later, but they told me not to worry about it when I brought it to their attention today, so FREE for me :\ ) + (3) Revlon Nail Clipper Deluxe, $2.87 each, minus $2 MQ, minus (3) $1 MQs, earned $7 ECBs;

(3) Kellogg's Special K cereals, on sale 2/$5, minus $1/3 MQ, earned $4 ECBs;

(1) CVS Green Bag Tag, 99¢, minus 99¢ SQ;

(1) 60-ct CVS Sheer bandages, $2.37, minus $3 SQ;

(25) 4x6" photo prints, $7.25, minus $7.25 SQ;

also used $10 ECB, (6) $5 ECBs, $7.50 ECB, (3) $5 Viggle (the awesome TV-watching app) gift certificates, $5 Gift Card from meeting the pharmacist, and $10 Gift Card from MyPoints.com.

OVERALL: $29.39 OOP, $156.21 in CVS and Q savings, and earned $45.99 in ECBs. NET: They paid me $16.60 to take home all of the above. WOOT!!!

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

Rite Aid

Two trips, two transactions. Details:

(2) 14-lb Arm & Hammer kitty litter, on sale $4.99 each, earned (2) $1 +UPs;

(6) 9-oz Dawn dish liquid soaps, on sale 99¢, minus (6) 50¢ MQs;

(2) 80-ct Dentyne Ice gum + (2) 80-ct Trident White gum, on sale $2.99 each, minus (4) $1 MQs, earned (4) $1 +UPs;

(2) 5-oz Haribo Gold Gummy Bears bags, on sale 99¢ each, minus (2) 30¢ MQs;

(4) Hershey's Pot of Gold boxes of chocolate (three of which I gave to Jenny from The Block, Saritah, & The Other Melanie, my "Turtle" friends, today for a little pressie), on sale $3.99 each, earned (4) $2 +UPs;

(2) 16-oz Gillette Men's Bodywash + (1) bonus deodorant on one, on sale $3.99 each, minus (2) $1 MQs, earned (2) $2 +UPs;

(1) 36-ct double-pack Scunci Hair Elastics, on sale $1.99, earned $2 +UP;

(1) K-Y Intrigue Personal Lubricant + (1) K-Y Yours + Mine (yeah baby, you know it, I said it), $20.99 each, minus $2.10 for being at "gold" level Wellness Rewards, minus (2) $5 MQs, earned (2) $7 +UPs;

(2) 25-ct Halls Defense cough drops, on sale $1.50 each, minus $1/2 MQ, minus 50¢ SQ, earned $1 +UP;

(2) 50-ct One-A-Day VitaCraves Fruity Gummy Vitamins, on sale 2/$18, minus (2) $2 MQs, minus $1 SQ, earned $5 +UPs;

(2) Rite Aid Weekly Pill Reminder containers, reg $2.99 each, on sale B1G1 50% off, very much needed!;

(4) 50-ct Mentos Curvy Bottle gum, on sale 2/$4, minus (2) $1/2 MQs, earned (2) $1 +UPs;

(1) 20-oz Pepsi Next, on sale 99¢, minus 99¢ SQ;

 also used $22 in +UPs from last time.

OVERALL: $63.20 OOP; $135.23 in RA & Q savings; earned $51 +UPs. NET: $12.20 OOP for all of the above! Not bad!

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

Stay tuned for Target deals coming up later this week!

Fin.

CVS Steals & Deals 3.4.12

WOW! Thanks to the help I got from, as usual, Collin over at Hip2Save in putting my deals together, I had an awesome trip to CVS tonight! I haven't posted my deals in a while - just too busy - but I thought I'd share this week since I need to stay up for a while anyway. I'll do the rest of the deals after we shop tomorrow.

I did the CVS deals in two transactions. Here's the breakdown:

Transaction #1:

(Sorry for my messy office; it's kind of in flux right now!) Anyway, going into this transaction, I had $40.79 in ECBs from last week's deals, another $5 ECB printed at the Magic Coupon Machine (MCM) for meeting the Beauty Club $50 limit, and I had another two $5 gift card rewards from the Viggle app (love that!). I also had a gift card, but I forgot about it, so I have it for next time... ah, well.

Deals:

*Two bags of Purina ONE cat food for $8.49 each, with two $1 MQs, PLUS 10 cans of Purina Friskies cat food on sale 10/$4.50 = $21.48 (minus the $2 Qs) -> this SHOULD have generated a $5 ECB for next time, but it didn't, so I have to call and have that added to my loyalty card. ( I just noticed, or I would've had it printed at the store.)

*14 packs of CVS Toddler Wipes @ $1.49 each + 4 packs of CVS Soft Cloths Supreme @ $2.67 each = $31.54 OOP -> this generated $10 ECB for next time, for spending $15 x 2 in CVS products

*Two individual Snickers Eggs @ 50¢ each, minus (yet another) 25¢ SQ that printed from the MCM = 2 x 38¢

*One bag of Gold Emblem 7-oz jelly beans @ 99¢ -> generated 99¢ ECB for next time

*One 24-ct Zantac 150 @ $7.99, minus $5 MQ -> generated $2 ECB for next time

*Four Febreze Noticeables Refills @ $5.79 each, minus B3G1 FREE sale, PLUS four Febreze Noticeables Warmers @ $3.59 each, minus four Buy Refill Get Warmer FREE MQs 

*Two Colgate 3-ct Value Pack @ $4.79 each -> did NOT generate $3 ECB each, but they should have per the ad description, so I argued the point and got my awesome cashier to print them out for next time =)

TOTAL OOP after all sales, MQs, ECBs, etc. = $7.88, with $18.99 ECB generated (and another $5 missing)!

Transaction #2:

 

Deals:

*Two 64-oz Welch's Cherry blend juices @ $4.79 each, minus B1G1 FREE sale & two $1 MQs = $1.40 each

*One "convenience pack" Oreo Double Stuf @ $1.50, minus $1.50 SQ from the MCM = FREE

*Two Olay facial cleansing wipes packs @ $3.99 each, minus $3/2 MQ, PLUS two Olay Body Wash @ $6.99 each, minus two B1 cleanser G1 body wash FREE MQs that somehow each took off $9.49 without beepage (!!!) = 2¢ moneymaker! AND -> generated $2 ECB for next time, AND I'm going to put this $21.96 toward the $15/$50 P&G Mail-in Rebate! Sweet deal!!

*Three Kashi GoLean bars @ $1.77 each, minus B2G1 FREE sale, minus $1 MQ = 85¢ each

After sales, MQs & SQs, and $5.99 ECB from Trans #1, my OOP was 53¢!

*****

Total OOP: $8.41, I still have $15 in ECB for next time (plus the $5 I have coming to me) and the forgotten CVS gift card, with a good chunk toward my PG MIR... and $159.13 in savings.

Best part? I checked out from 11:40-11:55 PM (gotta love a 24-hr CVS), originally did everything in one transaction and realized I didn't have enough $$ on me to cover it when she totalled my order, and we had to split it into the above two transactions so I could use ECB from #1 for #2... and my cashier was sweet as pie, didn't give me crap about it, and thought it was awesome I saved so much money.

Yeah. I love CVS.

Fin.

SavingStar - Have You Joined Yet?

Have you joined SavingStar yet? I joined a little while ago and have gleaned rewards for "clipping" e-coupons and linking them to my various loyalty cards, including CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger and Harris Teeter. Obviously, the stores will vary depending on where you live, but what you do is clip one or all of the coupons, go shopping, and then the amount of the coupon is added to your SavingStar account. You can cash out when you reach $5 in your account, which doesn't take long at all if you remember to "clip" before you shop!

It's free to join, plus right now you can be entered to win $500 in free groceries - click here for more information! Hurry up and link your cards, because the contest ends on Tuesday! I don't know about you, but I could use that prize. Let me know if you win!

Have fun clipping and shopping. ☺

Fin.

Keekoo.com - Join Now If You're A Mom OR About To Become One! :)

As you may have heard, keekoo.com has recently gone live with new member signups, and

Check it out - I'm excited to find out what's going to be offered! Aren't you?!

their amazing members‐only sales events will begin in mid‐March! Click my link above to get $10 credit when you join, and when the sales are live in March, you'll have access to up to 90% off on great deals for pregnant and new moms and their babies and children.

Fin.

Children's Advil - My Blog Spark - Coupon Link

Calling all parents!

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Children's Advil^® is there to offer the relief you and your child can depend on! Children's Advil^® provides up to 8-hours of fever relief in just one dose, relieving fever faster and keeping it down longer to help kids get back to feeling like kids again.

Click here for an online coupon link for Children's Advil.

Dye-free Infants' Advil^® is available for children ages 6-23 months and Children's Advil^® is available for ages 2-11 in four great liquid suspension flavors including Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit and Dye-Free White Grape, as well as convenient Grape Chewables.

For more information, visit us at www.childrensadvil.com.

Note: I was provided this information for Children's Advil to share with you from MyBlogSpark. I did not receive any financial compensation, other than coupons to try the product.

Fin.

Weekly Steals And Deals, Part One

So we're down to our last pennies until payday, and we have enough food and gas to get by, but what about my deals? I ended up selling a gift card I'd received on eBay in a matter of hours, so I had right about $16-17 to play with. It's with that money ONLY that I was able to snag the following goods. Pretty impressive, if you ask me. Wait, did you? Anyway.

CVS

I was able to score all this:

• 3 boxes of Cheerios
• 2 120-ct pkgs of Sweet 'n Low
• 4 boxes Quaker oatmeal packets (my kids LOVE these for breakfast in the morning!
• 2 canisters Quick Oats
• Revitalens
• 4 360º Pro-Sensitive Colgate Toothbrushes
• 4 boxes Colgate Total toothpaste
• 6 Suave deodorants
• 4 cans Progressive hearty soups
• 2 cabs Bumblebee white albacore tuna
• 5 32-oz bottles Gatorade
• 4 Suave Professional styling products, and
• 3 cans Glade room spray

for a total OOP of $17.81, which pretty much ate up my entire Paypal balance. However, I saved $118.05 among sales, Extra Bucks, and coupons, and I came out ahead between the $3 Extra Bucks I received on the last of three transactions and the $10 mail-in rebates I'm going to receive. Okay, so maybe not quite ahead, now that I do the math: my net total for all of the above is therefore $4.81. Not too shabby, considering each of those toothpastes alone retails for $5.49, right?! I'll be selling more on eBay this week, to fund my deals, so stay tuned for that if you give a rat's patootie. :P

Walgreens

Now here was where I had to get really creative, since I literally had about 30¢ or less to spend OOP. I managed to get all this:

• (16) Valentine's gift sacks
• (4) Children's Sudafed PE Cold & Cough
• (3) Disney coloring/activity books
• (3) Cepacol Sore Throat lozenges 16 ct, and
• (2) Mucinex Moisture-Smart Nasal Sprays


for a total of - wait for it - 25¢ OOP! With sales, coupons, and Register Rewards, I saved a whopping $77.22 and paid a quarter! Not bad, eh? I didn't end up with any RRs for the remainder of the deals I have to do at Wags (and there are lots), so I better get eBaying if I want to snag some more steals!

Target

Oh, so technically I didn't do any deal shopping at Target, but I did manage to get some money back on things that had rung up wrong at the register, so that'll help me score more deals, yes? Also, I wanted to mention that if you haven't signed up for SavingStar yet, you should do that as a couponer, because you can easily activate online savings and cash out for rewards. That's not a referral link; I don't get anything if you join except the joy of helping you save. You can cash out for $5 Amazon.com gift cards after reaching $5 savings, for example - I just did that last week.

The catch is, you have to register your stores' loyalty cards to make sure that you get the credit, and since Target isn't one of those stars, I had to make a return here tonight that I had bought mistakenly thinking I'd get credit for it. Duh! So I'm going to make that same purchae (InStyle magazine, which will make it free after $2 MQ and $2 Savingstar) at Rite Aid, since CVS seems to be out all the time... Anyway, blah blah blah. Take home message: Sign up for SavingStar, AND always check your receipts at least when you get home, if not right there at the store or in your car, because they DO make mistakes, and usually not in your favor. M'kay? 

(Another couponing tip: instead of going to Coupons.com to print out your coupons, do it from MyPoints.com or Swagbucks.com to get extra bonus points for printing and redeeming the exact same coupons you'll find at the former site. I get lots of MyPoints for that! Though I'm thinking of switching to SB for my internet printables...)

Farm Fresh

It may be silly to post this one little thing, but I just wanted to point out for you local shoppers that you can sign up for emails from Farm Fresh and go to their Facebook page to print out coupons, often for free products. Thanks to Collin's posting on Hip2Save, I found out that latter bit recently, and I snagged a coupon for this free bag of Fresh Express salad just in time (they have short half-lives, so be quick) to have myself a yummy dinner tonight! (Salad is one of those weird things I can eat a lot of; strange, because I wouldn't think of it as what we in the gastric bypass world call "slider foods.") Anyway, free salad - and it was right next to Target, so gas savings, too. Score!

More deals coming later in the week.... stay tuned. :D

Fin.

Friday Fragments

Hey, y'all, link up with Mrs. 4444s if you're fragmenting today!

☼

My husband texted the following to me, but he didn't ID which kid said it, so I can't give proper credit (my Mommy senses tell me it was 6yo Sophia, though): "Unicorns are real. They're just fat and gray and we call them rhinos." I was out shopping when I got his text, and I split a gut laughing and had to share it with the other person shopping near me, lest they think (correctly) that I was loony! Too funny!

☼

I shared this gorgeous yarn I received from The Knitting Goddess (in the UK, so shipping took what seemed like forEVER) the other day on Wordless Wednesday, but it's so beautious, I wanted to see it again. Hehe. Tell me those aren't some luscious colors?! I'll be using these for hexipuffs on my Beekeeper's Quilt. Why haven't I started yet? That's a darn good question. I will today, I think.

☼

My husband's alarm has been going off for 45 minutes now (it's currently 0645). Why don't I wake him up, you ask? Because. It's IMPOSSIBLE to rouse that beast. Hence the 45 minutes. Are you easy or difficult to awaken? Most of the time, I'm hard to wake, too. I don't sleep well or often, but when I do, I want to stay that way, thank you!

☼

My gardening friend, Miss C., was a guest presenter at my Daisy meeting yesterday, and while I was editing the pictures, this one popped up as the first one. Yes, that's MY kid disrupting the group, not in uniform (she had it on but yanked it off, as she always does) and being a total goose. Sophia!! She is such a pill. Or as Miss C diplomatically put it, "She's spirited." Oh, I'm so glad I'm the Leader, because I'd be mortified if she behaved that way for others meeting after meeting (and she does). Argh!

☼

As far as what Miss C. did with the girls, she read them the next chapter in our yearlong story (aka our "Journey," "Between Earth and Sky) and then talked to them about how plants clean the soil and air. She then gave them a project that I'm sure we've all seen before, if not done a time or two: made pinecone bird feeders with peanut butter and birdseed. However, her yard had a dearth of pine cones but plenty of gum balls, so she brought those instead, and they worked great to clump up with PB and seeds. Sophia rushed right home and tied hers to her special 4th birthday tree, out front, and waited immediately for the birds. And did they come! Mostly gulls and crows (?) or some sort, but we're hoping for something a little more exciting colorful. Anyway, it was a great meeting, and I'm glad we did it!

☼

Jack, who will be 9 in a month and a half or so, has been asking for his own digital camera like his sisters for ages. I mean, forEVER (I used that one already, right? So what) - and I found a killer steal on one for him the other day. I'm even going to get $40 back in rewards for it, making it an even sweeter deal. I didn't pay a cent for it, because I am one of those crazy coupon deal girls, when I get the chance, and I'm so ecstatic about both (a) the fact that I'm going to make him SUPER happy and (b) my great deal, I just had to share it with you!

☼

Speaking of deals, kids and birthday presents, I got a robotic penguin toy for Sophia of a Plum District deal the other day, too, as she is a penguin fanatic. I mean, she is nuts for them. She likes all birds (and bugs!), but penguins are her absolute favorite. So yay me for scoring goodies - with slick deals - to make their upcoming birthdays fantabulous! (She'll be 7 a month after Jack's birthday; my gosh!!!! I can't even stand it that my baby will be that old. I wish I could make another one or three. Hehe.)

☼

So I've had that iron transfusion, confirmed with the oncologist/hematologist that I do NOT need to continue taking oral Fe supplements daily, and yet I still get so dizzy I almost pass out when I stand up half the time. What gives? My blood pressure is on the low side, but still within normal range. It's wicked annoying. I mean, if I'm gonna get that dizzy, can't I have the fun of passing straight out, already? That would make for a much more interesting fragment, at least. I did it once, in 8th grade. I was the talk of my class. What fun! Haha.

☼

By the way, if you're a frequent www.Amazon.com shopper (hello, Swagbucks money!) and you know about their Prime free shipping but don't want to lay out the moolah to pay for that service, here's something I scored that you might want to know: If you have an .edu email address - even if you're a college alum! - you can sign up for Amazon Student and get free Prime shipping! I've been taking loads of advantage of that sweet deal, since I do get tons of Amazon GCs from Swagbucks, surveys and other things I do on- and off-line to save a buck, and it is Teh Awesome. Check it out. Rats. I just went to go link you to Amazon Student here, and the free offer is now gone and replaced by a half-off deal. Still, better than $79, right?

☼

It's 0708. Hubby finally woke up. Just keeping you updated, since I knew you were in suspense about that!

☼

If you're at all interested in Native American culture, be sure and check out my post here about our field trip last Saturday to the Mattaponi ("matt-upon-AYE) Indian Resevation 90 minutes north of here. It was cool as all-get-out, and I can't wait to go back up in June for their annual Pow-wow. Worth a read, I'm told!

☼

And, as long as you're here and I'm in demanding begging mode, answer my Aloha Friday questions, will ya? I'm nosy interested. And I like strikethrough.

☼

I've been struggling with constant, daily migraines the past few weeks again, so schooling has been sketchy lately. Anyway, a recent day last week was quite warm, but rainy. Once the rain cleared, I was ready to get up out of the house and go for a walk to get some exercise for my and the kids' young bodies. Instead of just walking, though, we did a lot of running and jumping and splashing in the ubiquitous mud puddles around our neighborhood lake. It was too fun, and Chloë declared it, "The BEST rainy day EVER!" I had to agree. Sometimes, you just gotta be a kid again, right? We were so soaked (and muddy), we jumped right into warm showers when we got home. But what a memory that should make for all of us!

☼

Guess I'm out of fragments for now - lucky you!! I'm off to email my Girl Scout troop about Thinking Day, which is coming up. It's a day when we think about the Girl Scouts and Guides around the world, every year, and we always participate. Anyway, blah blah.

☼

Have a great week! 'Til next time...

Fin.

Monday Steals And Deals - Week Of 1/29/12

I'm going to keep this short again, in the interest of, well, you, and maybe getting some sleep, since I have my 3-year gastric bypass check-up in the morning... I will say that I spent a lot more money OOP than I usually do, because we had grocery needs and wants, and it was payday. :P So here goes:

CVS

Transaction #1: Total $31.94; Savings: $15.74; GC rec’d: $10 CVS

Transaction #2: Total: $91.73; Savings: $110.06; ECBs: $28.87

Rite Aid

Transaction #1: Total $106.28, wellness + savings: $25.20, coupon savings: $81.18, MIR: $10; +UPs: $29

NOTE: Need to return $59.57 worth of Centrum products and re-buy $29.97 worth, and get $10+UP back

Walgreens

Transaction #1: Total $46.93; Savings: $124.57; RRs: $15

Transaction #2: Total: $12.15; Savings: $9.75; RRs: $10

Transaction #3: Total: $7; Savings: $4.79: RRs: $8

Target

Transaction#1: Total: $200.25; Savings: $136.98; Target GCs: $15

NOTE: Should get back $17.20 from mis-rung prices, additionally*

********

If you have any questions about my deals - not that anyone ever does - feel free to ask in the comments. :)

Happy shopping!

Fin.

P.S. Thanks go to Collin at www.hip2save.com, as usual, for helping me with my deals!

Friday Fragments

Link up here if your thoughts are all over the place and you think Mrs. 4444 and pals have just gotta read 'em anyway!

☼

I've been grateful to have a pretty low-key week both at home with the kids and extra-curricularly, since I'm still nursing a weeks-long migraine. It's a baddy. I need to call Neurology today to get back into the headache clinic. I was supposed to call Tuesday, but I haven't even been able to bear being on the phone for five minutes. Thankfully, the children "get it" and have been pretty hushity-hush when Mom is begging for them to be quiet. All three of them get migraines, too, so they're able to empathize, sadly for them.

☼

Anyway. I did manage to do some extensive deal-shopping and save (even make!) a few bucks this week, but that's about all I've left the house for, other than driving a friend to work one night.

☼

No one's answered my Aloha Friday question yet - won't you? - so I'm thinking people either don't get the question or I'm the only such weirdo. Now that latter thing wouldn't surprise me, nor does the confirmation of it smart, but it'd be nice to know that someone out there knows what I mean and has a similar feeling!

☼

Oh, I know what's happened since last Friday! On Saturday, my son Jack's Cub Scout pack ran their Pinewood Derby race, and he won first place for both his Bear den and the overall pack. Woohoo! Three years running, he's taken home a trophy (or two) and headed to the District race, coming up in March. You can see his grins here, if you'd like.

☼

Also, that night, I took my Daisy troop - and Chloë went with her Junior Girl Scout troop - to a local museum for their environmental activities and exhibits. I haven't blogged about that yet; perhaps I will after this, 'cause I'm wide awake this early morning and yet not energetic enough to, y'know, fold the dozen or so loads of laundry taking up space over yonder. It was fun, and I think they learned a few things, but my Assistant Leader and I both agreed it probably wasn't worth the cost. Meh. Whatcha gonna do, barter over Girl Scout programs? I don't think so. But we probably won't do that one again next time.

☼

So that's me for the week. Usually I can blather on 'til the cows come home, but my head aches, and if I told you anything else, it would likely be a complete fabrication!

Have a great weekend!

Fin.

P.S. Oh! I've been asked about my iron transfusion last Friday. It went great! It took forever, and I was humbled as I was by far the youngest patient in there and, judging from the bald and be-wigged heads of the others, probably the healthiest, relatively speaking. It took about six hours, so I did a little knitting, a bit of chit-chatting with the nurses and other patients, and mostly, I napped. I probably snored and drooled; okay, I know I did, but I didn't care then, and I don't care now! Ah was tarred. If it weren't for the migraines, I'd be feeling like Superwoman now, I think. That infusion made a huge difference. I'm already looking forward to the next topping-off in 4-6 months. Hee! Iron-piggy, me. Thanks for your concern, askers out there! Now cross your fingers I'm able to donate blood tomorrow afternoon; I'm O-neg and feel it's my duty, but I've been deferred every time I go in for a year now! Ayee!

This Week's Steals & Deals

I'm going to keep this short (ish), so if you want the details on anything, feel free to leave me a comment, and I'll be sure and help you out. See previous posts in this category for the lingo I use. As always, muchisimas gracias to Collin at Hip2Save for her help in putting my deals together!

Rite Aid

 

You can see my totals if you click to embiggerate the pictures, but I'll give you a few more details: These deals were purchased in two days, because in the top picture from Tuesday, I left the house with barely over a buck-fifty! I still managed to snag all that, basically paying only tax, so I did okay, eh? Overall:

I did three total transactions. My actual OOP was $3.86 for the above (yep, that's all I spent!) for $150.89' worth of merchandise. Plus, I'll get $15 back in rebates, and I received $18 in +UP rewards. NET for over $150xx = -29.14! Pretty good week at Rite Aid, I'd say!

Oh, wait, add another $4 to that NET (well, subtract, I suppose, for a total of -33.14, because I'm going to get a gift card in the mail for a coupon they refused to accept, since Rite Aid employees I encounter in this area are NOT well-versed in their coupon policy, and I had to call corporate. Ugh. But hey, I'll get it back regardless.)

(Note: All of that candy and gum goes in a lockbox, for special treats, occasions and yes, rewards; we don't load the kids up on all that junk all the time! Almost all of it I buy because it's either (a) free, (b) a moneymaker, or (c) a "filler" item to meet my coupon:item ratios, which you can read more about on Collin's site. Or ask me, whatevs.)

CVS

Hehe. Lame, I know, but I took the pictures, put away the groceries, and then uploaded the photos to find out the CVS one(s) had disappeared. What the?! I wasn't going to unpack everything from the fridge and pantry, so you can see what I purchased in the list above.

Deets: Single transaction, OOP $23.24 for $84.85' worth of goods, getting $16.99 back. For all that, I spent $6.25. Not negative, but when you add the three drug stores together, I still come out ahead. ;)

Walgreens

 

Details: (4) separate transactions. Why? Because if you buy something that generates Register Rewards, it will only print ONE RR for ONE of the items/deals, and I wanted at least four of those Flurry protein bars, there. The Butterfingers were used as filler items so I could use a $2 RR from last week to buy two of them in two separate transactions. Okay, so Rob could: I sent him up front to do the first two trans. while I kept shopping. He was all, "I don't have to do "deals," do I?" I was like, "Um, yeah! But you can do it!" And I kept it simple, and he did great. Anyway, the rest of the deets:

OOP spent: $15.39 for $83.83' worth of merch, and I got back $23 in RRs. NET total: -$7.61! Sweet. Could've gotten LOTS more at Wags, but they were out of a lot of my 'deal' things. I may or may not try again before the week is up; we'll see how I feel when I'm out & about.

Target

I haven't been doing big Target runs in a while, because we simply haven't had the money (I've been doing a lot of Schwan's lately for groceries), but I had two weeks' worth of deals worked out, and I wanted something to show for it, dang it! Obviously, that there is a lot of stuff, and it's hard to see all of it, so the totals are going to be higher than for the drug stores. Especially since Tar-jay rarely kicks back money into my hands for the following week, like ECBs, RRs, and +UPs. (Love those!)

Details: (1) transaction; spent $183.82 OOP with $94.09 in coupons, and I should've gotten about $5 more that he didn't ring up... but I don't have the time or energy to go back and haggle over it. I should call and all that, but really, Target is getting less and less coupon-friendly, and I don't want to get known as a trouble-maker there for that, know what I mean?  Still, saving almost a hundred bucks isn't bad, especially considering all I was able to get.

Anyone need some mustard? :P

So that's it... good luck with your deals, smart shoppers!

Fin.

Friday Steals and Deals

I didn't get to hit Target or the grocery stores yet, because time is short, so I'm a little "eek" about the fact that we don't have a turkey or most of the fixin's yet for Thanksgiving, but I have faith that it'll all come together in time. Anyway, last night, the fam and I ran around doing the deals at the stores o' drug. Ready? Yeah? Good. Here we go again:

RITE AID

Transaction #1:

I bought these probiotics because (a) I'm supposed to be taking them (aren't we all?) and (b) they're worth $22.99, were on sale for $15, and then shot back out $15 in Wellness +UP Rewards, so basically FREE!  I had a $15 +UP from last week, but I forgot to hand over that one first, so long story short, I paid $5.75 out of pocket after my other +UPs were scanned and then got back $15 for #2.

Transaction #2

 

The above is worth $75.51, but after sale prices and coupons, I paid just $6.61 OOP. I got back $16 in +UP Rewards and will get $4.99 in SCRs (visit Hip2Save for all my deal-savin' lingo, if you don't know it already!).

So overall, I spent $12.36 OOP at Rite Aid for $99.25 worth of merch, and after rewards and SCRs, my net spending is -$8.63. Yup, they paid me to get all of the above! Plus, those 17 bottles of nail polish and gum go into the Christmas gift bin. Not bad, hey?

☼

CVS

Transaction #1

CVS was running a great deal: Spend $30 in select merchandise and get a $10 gift card in return. I saw the three Discovery Kids animated lamps, above, in the ad, and knew they would make perfect, fun night lights for the kiddos. At $9.99 each, though, I would fall 3¢ short of the $30 mark, so I added the Cottonelle to the transaction to make my $30, as it was part of the select merch. And we needed TP. And it was on sale and I had an MQ, so it was on my list anyway. SO! After sales and coupons, I spent $29.25 OOP for the above and got my $10 CVS (you could choose others, but it made sense to choose that, right?) GC back. I saved $11.90 on sales and coups, plus another $30 if you count the "value" of $19.99 marked on the lamps.

Transaction #2

The Ghiradelli bars will make great stocking stuffers - if'n I don't eat them first, but I definitely won't touch the raspberry ones, so those will go to Rob, because ew - and we needed everything else, above. After coupons, sales, ECBs and the GC from #1, my OOP was $32.74, and I got back $2 for the shaving cream in ECBs. Not my best "take," but I saved $55.30, so it was all right.

Total value of both transactions was $129.19; OOP was $61.99, for a net of $59.99 after the $2 back. Not bad, plus more for Christmas pressies!

☼

WALGREENS

I did all of the above in one transaction, because (a) the store was closing in 20 min, and (b) my $8 in Register Rewards had expired 4 days earlier. BOO! I'm going to see if I can't recoup my losses, but I'm not holding out too much hope for that.

Total value: $88.94, OOP was $22.13, for a net of $20.13 after the $2 RRs I got back for the Scunci clips, which, with the SpinBrushes, will make more great stocking stuffers. The veggies and sparkling grape juice will be great for the hollerdays, too. If I hadn't wasted those $8 RRs, my net woulda been just $12.13. Stink.

☼

I'll be back after I do some other work (mystery shopping reports, emails, an' sech), with another post. Unless I fall asleep...

Fin.

Halloween Steals and Deals

Argh. I already had this post half-typed up when Firefox decided to crash and lost the whole thing, which is supposed to be auto-saved but wasn't. Cue extreme aggravation on my part. Buuuut, since a bunch of my pals are getting into couponing, I've decide to re-create the post, with a few changes. Namely, I'm going in reverse order to make it more interesting for me to write (I'm lame like that), and I'm going to add the forthcoming list of my (and many others') couponing abbreviations for the newbies' sake. For information on where I got my coupons, you'll have to refer to the bloggers I reference below.

Also, keep in mind your prices will vary according to store and region, as will coupon values (we seem to get the lower values when there are variances).

Abbreviations I use:

MQ = manufacturer coupon

SQ = store coupon

MIR = mail-in rebate

OOP = out of pocket

RRs = Walgreens' Register Rewards (no sign-up needed)

SCRs = Rite Aid's Single Check Rebates

+UP = Rite Aid's Wellness Plus Rewards

ECBs = CVS' ExtraCare Bucks

*If I left any out and used them below, let me know in the comments!*

As always, thanks go to Collin at Hip2Save for helping me with the drugstore & Target deals, and to Lori a.k.a. The Coupon Consultant for helping me with the grocery store deals. Thanks, ladies!

Walgreens Deals

To minimize my OOP expense, I did Wags in 4 separate transactions, as detailed below:

Transaction #1 Details:

*40 prints picked up after ordering online the night before, thanks to coupon code provided on Hip2Save (DRUGSTORE40, but not sure if it's still valid) = FREE

*Swiffer Duster Starter Kit: On sale $4.49, used $1 MQ = $3.49

*28-oz Mr. Clean Multi Surface Cleaner: On sale $2.99, used 75¢ MQ = $2.24

*15-ct Cascade Action Pacs: On sale $3.99, used 50¢ MQ = $3.49

*10-ct Tide Stain Release Boosters: On sale $3.99, used $1 MQ = $2.99

*Febreze Noticeables Dual Refill: On sale $5.24, used $1 MQ = $4.24

Total OOP w/ tax: $17.49

Total Q & sale savings (photos not included): $19.10

RRs received for later: $5.00

Transaction #2 Deets:

*(2) Puffs Plus boxes: On sale 99¢ each, used (2) 25¢ MQs = 74¢ each

*(7) cans Febreze Air Effects in various flavors: On sale $2.61 each, used (7) $1 MQs = $1.61 each (and yes, we need these smelly-goods, because we have 4 stinky cats!)

Total OOP w/ tax: $13.76

Total Q & sale savings: $16.06

PLUS, $5 RR received for later.

Transaction #3 Deets:

*Schick Quattro 4-ct refill: On sale $8.99, used $4 MQ = $4.99

*(2) Crest Pro-Health 4-oz toothpastes: On sale $3.50 each, used (2) $1 MQs = $2.50 each

*(2) Colgate MaxWhite 6-oz toothpastes: On sale 2/$3.50, used (2) 50¢ MQs = $1.25 each

Total OOP w/ tax: $13.46

Total Q & sales savings: $18.46

RRs received for later: $10

Transaction #4 Deets:

*(6) 18-pks Trident gum in various flavors: $1.39 each, used in-ad SQ which deducted $4.20 and made them 69¢ each + (2) $1/3 MQs = 36¢ each (into the kids' treasure box they go for "reward days")

*(2) Intense Dark Ghirardelli bars: 2/$4 sale, used $1/2 MQ + $1/2 SQ = $1 each!

*(2) Crest Pro-Health: On sale 2/$7, used (2) $1 MQs = $2.50 each!

*(2) Colgate MaxFresh toothpastes: On sale 2/$3.50, used (2) 50¢ MQs = $1.25 each!

*(4) boxes Cheerios cereal: On sale 2/$4, used (2) $1/2 MQ = $1.50 each!

*(2) Glade Lasting Impressions thingies: On sale $6.99 each, used (2) $3 MQs + $1 SQ (which deducts $2 b/c I bought two) = $2.99 each!

*(2) Starbucks Frappuccino 4-packs: $6.99 each, used in-ad SQ which deducted $4 to make them $4.99 each + $2/2 MQ + $2/2 SQ = 75¢ per bottle ($2.99/pk), which is a great price for these drinks, and Hubs loves them!

*(2) Gorton's Shrimp Bowls: On sale 2/$5, used $1/2 MQ + $1/2 SQ = $1.50 each!

*(4) SoBe Lifewaters: On sale 4/$4, used $1/4 SQ = 75¢ each!

*(2) Viva 6-pk paper towels: On sale $5.99 each, used (2) $2 MQs + $1 SQ (which deducted $2 b/c I bought two) = $2.99 each or 50¢ per roll!

*(8) cans Campbell's soup (4 tomato + 4 chx noodle): $1.19 each, used in-ad SQ to make them 59¢ each (deducted $8) - (2) 40¢/4 MQs = 49¢ each!

*Schick Quattro 4pk refill cartridges: On sale $8.99, used $4 MQ = $4.99!

*Also used $20 in RRs from Transactions #1-3

Total OOP w/ tax: $34.76

Total Q & sales savings: $108.24

RRs received for next week: $8

Bottom Line for all (4) transactions: Net OOP = $71.47, Net Savings = $161.86

(plus I think I have enough here to submit for a P&G MIR, but not sure so not included)

WIN!

☼

CVS Deals

I didn't see a lot I needed or wanted at CVS this week, so it's a 1-transactioner (I normally have several here, too). Details:

REMEMBER: Get your CVS Extra Care Card and scan it at the "Magic Coupon Machine" (MCM) every time you go in the store, because it spits out lots of good stuff!

ALSO REMEMBER: Get and USE your 99¢ "Green Bag Tag" available at the register, and use reusable bags (or no bags) instead of plastic, because you earn $1 ECB for every four trips!

*illy issimo caffé espresso can: Reg $2.49, on sale $2, used $2 SQ from the MCM = FREE (which is a good thing, since Hubs and I both agree it was NASTY. Blech!!)

*(4) Dawn dish liquids: Reg $1.99, on sale 99¢, used (2) 50¢ MQs + (2) 25¢ MQs = 62¢ each (not my best price, but we're out, so it was v. necessary)

*(2) pkgs ThermaCare Heat Wraps (ahhh, so nice, since Hubs & I both have arthritis): Reg $6.99, on sale $5.99, used $3 MQ + $1 MQ + $2.49 ECB from prior trip = $2.75 each (again, not my best price, but needed)

*(3) American Greetings cards (and by the way, have you noticed how RIDICULOUSLY expensive store-bought cards are?! OMG! I have been making my own, and now I remember why. Sheeeeeesh!): $1.99 each - $1/3 MQ (which required cards to be priced $1 or more, and the next cheapest cards were 99¢, grr) = $1.66 each! (Meh)

Total OOP w/ tax: $13.77

Total Q + Sales Savings = $17.48

ECBs received for next week: $8.00, making NET OOP = $5.77

Eh. Win? S'ok, but I've done much better. Eh.

☼

Harris Teeter Deal

(Previous HT deals from this week are posted here.)

Since I was right next to HT, I ran over after CVS to pick up this one thing, which they were out of when I visited the other day:

*Perdue Cars-themed Whole Grain Chicken Breast Nuggets (which I knew Jacky-my-boy would LOOOVE): Reg $4.99, on sale for $2.99 using HT's VIC card (get those cards and keep them together on a keyring, peeps!), used 50¢ MQ (HT doubles up to 99¢ every week, but starting today they are doing Super Doubles, so GO) = $1.99

Total OOP w/ tax = $2.05

Total Q & sale savings = $3.00

Making Son Happy = PRICELESS, so WIN!

☼

Rite Aid Deals

REMEMBER: Get and USE your Wellness+ card for lots of great savings!

Also REMEMBER: Watch ALL the Rite Aid Video Values (VV) EVERY month, and don't print your rewards until you need them, to maximize your SQ savings! Tedious but worth it; having a magazine or something in front of you helps for those longer ones. ;D

Also REMEMBER: Stop by the Pharmacy once you get to the store and pick up your $100 SQ Flu Shot booklet. You do NOT need to get the Flu Shot to get this. Everywhere it's posted, it says "No Purchase Required" to get this. DO NOT BACK DOWN. Stand Firm. They will balk, probably. Call a Manager if necessary. Call Corporate if necessary. Call ME if necessary, but get your $#%^&^ SQ booklet. ;D

Details:

(I would've done multiple transactions here, too, but I wasn't in the mood, because the manager was already annoyed at me for having been called to the Pharmacy to allow me to get the SQ booklet without getting a flu shot [see above! I scored! And I plan to ask for another next week, too, so ha!] [But at a different store. Not trying to press my luck. Heh.] [Plus, the kids were being farty poo-poo heads, and I wanted to GO.]) (Anyway.)

*(2) SoBe LifeWater bottles: Reg $1.59, on sale 99¢, used $1/2 VVSQ = 49¢ each!

*(2) TicTac big packs: Reg $1.49, on sale $1, used $1/2 MQ = 50¢ each! (into the kids' treasure box they went!)

*(4) Dawn dish liquids: Reg $1.99, on sale 99¢, used (4) 50¢ MQs = 49¢ each!

*(4) Tide 50-oz laundry detergents: Reg $9.99, on sale $5.99, used (4) $2 MQs = $3.99 each!

*(2) Herbal Essences Anti-Frizz (for my Curly Sue baby) Shampoo + Conditioner: Reg. 4.49 each (seriously? it's not that great), on sale $2.99, used (2) $1 MQs = $1.99 each!

*(2) Revlon Eyelash Curlers: $3.65 each, used (2) 1 MQs = $3.65 each

*(2) Revlon Slant Tip Perfect Tweezers: $3 each, used (2) $1 MQs = $2 each

*(2) Revlon Lash & Brow Groomer tools (yes, there is a method to my Revlon Beauty Tool madness): $4 each, used (2) $1 MQs = $3 each

*(2) Crest Pro-Health toothpaste 4-oz: Reg $4.99, on sale $2.69, used (2) $2 MQs = 69¢ each!

*(2) Lypsyl Cold Sore Relief: Reg $6.99 each, on sale 2/$3 = $1.50 each!

*(4) diff. CoverGirl Blushes (2 single + 2 contouring): $5.69 each, used (2) $8/2 MQs + B1G1 50%-off sale = 27¢ each!

*(2) Finesse Shampoo & Conditioner: Reg $3.99, on sale B1G1, used (2) $1 MQs = $1 each PLUS I have a $2 MIR, so both FREE (eventually...)

*(2) Gilette Body Wash: Reg $4.99, on sale B1G1 50%-off, used (2) $2 MQs + $1 Flu Shot SQ = $1.25 each! (Could've been 75¢ if I'd scored two flu shot books) :P

So...OOP w/ tax = $53.40

Total Q & Sales Savings = $99.20

PLUS, I received $25 in +UP rewards for these deals, and will get (2) $3 SCRs for the Revlon beauty tools, and that $2 Finesse MIR, making my NET OOP = $20.40 for $152.60' worth of goods. WIN!

☼

Farm Fresh Deals

Details:

REMEMBER: FF doubles MQs up to 99¢ every day but Wednesday, when they double up to $1.00 - which I can never make, so oh well for me!

*(6) Totino's Pizza Stuffers 4pks: On sale $3.50 each, used (6) 75¢ MQs = $2 each!

*(4) diff Prego sauce jars: on sale $1.25 each, used (2) 75¢ MQs = 50¢ each!

*(2) big pkgs red grapes: on sale 99¢/lb = $4.88 for 4.92 lbs!

*(2) pkgs ground beef: on sale $1.99/lb = $6.03 for just over 5 lbs!

*Keebler Mint Creme Middle Cookies: on sale $1.99, used 55¢ MQ = 89¢

*Rhodes frozen rolls: on sale $2, used 65¢ MQ = 70¢

* (8) Yoplait Greek yogurts (mmm!): on sale $1, used (4) 50¢/2 MQs = 50¢ each!

*Peter Pan Peanut Butter (whipped kind, anyone tried this?): on sale $2.99, used 50¢ MQ = $1.99

*Phillips Crab Cakes: on sale $6.99, used $2 MQ = $4.99 (these are good, but nothing beats Uncle Chuck the Fishmonger's crabby patties - go down to the Farmer's Market at Dam Neck and get some. TOTALLY WORTH IT.)

*(2) Carnation Evaporated Milk (hello, pie time!): on sale $1.25, used 50¢/2 MQ = 75¢ each!

*Argo Corn Starch: on sale $1.29, used 30¢ MQ = 69¢!

*Argo Baking Powder: on sale $1.29, used 30¢ MQ = 69¢!

*(4) 3-pk strips Fleischmann's yeast: on sale $1.29, used (4) 40¢ MQs = 40¢ each!

SPLURGE b/c I eat tons of them: *(2) 8-oz pkgs Wonderful Pistachios: $4.99 each, used (2) $1 MQs = $3.99 each

PLUS, I received (5) 5¢ discounts for my reusable bags, so quit the plastic, people! ;)

TOTAL OOP: $58.77

Total coupons used: $26

Total savings for sale prices: I have no clue on the planet, as Chloë used to say, because I neglected to write it down as I shopped like I usually do. D'oh!

Having a little food in the pantry and fridge, finally: WIN!

☼

Last one, finally:

Target Deals

REMEMBER: Keeping a big ol' cooler in the trunk of your car or the back of the minivan helps, when you're doing a billion deal-shopping stores at once!

Details:

*(2) Huggies wipes pkgs (not a normal 'buy' for me, but I'm going to start keeping them in the van for the plethora of spills and messes we make): On sale $1.99, used (2) 50¢ MQs = $1.49 each! (Is that a good price? I don't even know anymore. But the pkgs are preeeeeettteeee)

*(2) Wonka Exceptionals chocolate bars: on sale $1.99 each, used $1/2 MQ + (2) $1 SQs = 49¢ each! (Now, where did I put those...?)

*Hungry Jack pancake mix: on sale $1.99, used $1 SQ = 99¢!

*(2) CoffeeMate Natural Bliss Creamers for $2.39 each + (1) Coffeemate Hazelnut (regular creamer) for $1.58, used (2) $1 MQs + $1/3 SQ = $1.12 each!

*(2) 12" DiGiorno Rising Crust cheese pizzas: on sale 2/$10, used (2) $2 MQs = $3 each! (guess what we had for dinner?)

*(4) Olay beauty bars: 99¢ each, used (4) 50¢ MQs = 49¢ each!

*16.9-oz Up+Up Mouthwash: $1.44 - 50¢ SQ = 94¢!

*(4) Oral-B Essentials 55-yd floss: $1.17 each, used (4) 75¢ MQs = 42¢ each!

*Sonia Kashuk Spoolie Eyebrow & Eyelash Brush: $2.19, used $1 SQ = $1.19!

*24-ct Up+Up ibuprofen: 99¢, used 50¢ SQ = 49¢!

*25-ft² Up+Up Aluminium foil: $1.29, used 50¢ SQ = 79¢!

*100-ct Up+Up flexi straws for the kiddos: $1.44, used 50¢ = 94¢!

*3.14-lb bag 9Lives Cat Food: $3.74, used $1 MQ + $1 SQ = $1.74!

*(2) 8-oz pkgs Market Pantry block cheese: on sale $2.49 each, used $1/2 SQ = $1.99 each!

*(5) 2-L Coke products: $1.33 each, used B4G1 free SQ = $1.06 each (meh. it's ok but not outstanding, yet we drink a lot of this stuff, so I did the deal)

*(2) John Frieda Brilliant Brunette (hey, that's me!) shampoo & conditioner: $4.99 each, used (2) $2 MQs + $3/2 SQ = $1.49 each! (and this is good stuff!)

*(3) Healthy Choice Café Steamers: on sale $2.79 each, used (2) $1 MQs + B2G1 free SQ = $1.19 each!

PLUS, I received (4) 5¢ discounts for my reusable bags! Gotta love 'em!

Total OOP w/ tax: $40.22

Total Q savings: $43.20

Total sale savings: No clue on the planet, but substantial

WIN!

☼

Any questions? Yeah? Good, ask me in the comments. I love to help. =D

Fin.