Today is the day...

Please check out my Caring Bridge post for my thoughts on today.

God Bless!

This Week's CVS Deals

Okay, I have had LOTS of questions about couponing over the past few weeks. I would like to answers these and clarify a few points about 'my" couponing.

One of my favorite things about couponing is that it is fun! I have always liked to shop, but in recent years with money and time restraints I have found that shopping (especially grocery shopping) has become a burden. I hate to see the shampoo bottle empty becuase that used to mean that I would have to find a way to squeeze that into my shopping list. Couponing has given me freedom to buy things that I preciously would not have. It allows me to SAVE money on the things I NEED and therefore opens up opportunities for me to do things like SAVE, SHARE, and ENJOY the "extra" money.

Questions Answered...YES, it takes time. I try not to let the clipping, internet browsing, and list making take time away from the important stuff like Bible study, prayer time, family time, or dog training:) However, both Justin and I can see the benefits of devoting a little time each week to this savings.

YES, I have help. I often get people who already get Sunday papers to save their coupons for me AND I have my mom help a lot. She prints coupons and has "value" cards at the same places (like CVS) that I shop. When we work together we can save more and share in the benifits!

YES, you have to spend a little money to save money. But I work hard to plan and organize the trips so that I am spending the LEAST out-of-pocket cost (OPC) as possible for the maxium amounts of item. I will not spend more than my "normal" weekly budget for groceries...and

No, I do not stockplie. At least not like you see on TV. My rule is that if I (or someone in my immediate family) cannot use the item within the next Three Months...I won't buy it. It is pointless (IMO) to spend even a dollar if the item is not useful.

So, my mom made the first CVS trip of the week for me. CVS sales run from Sunday to Sunday. However, if you call the store you might find out that the computers are already set for the sale on Saturday evening. If this is the case...you can shop early.

This was our first "haul"...

This was split into three transactions. You have to plan based on the OPC and how much ECB you will get back. For all of this (plus two cans of peanuts) we spent $13.00 and left with $9 ECB to spend on our next trip! I was after the Dove body wash which has totally helped my skin. They were on sale for $6ea so we got ALL of these items for what I would have paid just for the body wash!!!

Today, I went in for ONE deal and realized that I had another money maker on my hands. I don't have a picture so I break down the items for you.

First I bought...

(4) Airwick Double pack Oil refills (which I used all over the house) for $5 each
used (4) $1/1 coupons
(3) Airwick Oil Warmer Units
used (3) Get on Free with purchase of refills coupon
My total was $20-$4(coupons)-$9ECB= $7 out-of-pocket and got $10 in ECB plus a $4 ECB coupon that randomly prints!!! They paid ME $7 to takes these items out of the store!

Then I bought...
(1) 12pk Scotts Bath Tissue ($6.88)
used $1/1 coupon
(2) CoverGirl Lipstick (which I was in BAD NEED OF) $6each
used (2) $2/1 coupons
(2) Mars candy-filled eggs $.99ea
used $1/1 coupon
My total was $20.86-$6(coupons)-$14.00ECB=$.86

I am proud of my $7.86 "haul". The items I needed were the toilet paper and the lipstick. I got all of this for less that I would have paid for those TWO items on their own!!

Can you tell how much fun I had???

Mid Week Deals

I guess technically Monday is not mid week huh! My "couponing" week starts on Wednesday with the release of the Publix circular; so to me it seems like mid week!

Today, school released early due to the possibility of tornadic weather later this afternoon. This gave me a chance to enact the CVS/Walmart plan I made yesterday when the coupons  came out.

First, I used the info from coupondivas.com to see the match-ups from the CVS paper and the weekly coupons. I found some really good prices on things that we totally needed anyway! I did not buy ONE item that was not on my grocery list for this week!

Walmart Purchases

If you are going to REALLY coupon you must check prices! CVS had toothbrushes on sale. With the coupon I had it was going to be $5.98-$2= $3.98 for 2. But when I checked the price at Walmart it was $3.00-$2.00= $1.00 for two! That is $.50 each. I was happy as Justin needed a toothbrush and he is picky about what type he uses. Also, I found these Ziploc containers that I use everyday in Carys's lunch marked down to $1 each. I had a coupon for $1.50 off 2 which made them $2.00-$1.50=$50. That is $.25 per pack!!!

Total Wal-mart Bill = $1.50 :)

CVS

This was my first attempt at REAL couponing at CVS. I have been using my mom's CVS card for years. I decided that we might both need to get in on some deals so I got my very own today:)

I decided to try my hand at "stacking" my purchases to get the most reward points that I could. I must say that if I had been in need of laundry detergent or toilet paper I think I could have left with a profit. But, I was not so I settled for these deals. 

In my first transaction, I bought (2) Irish Spring Bar soap and (1) Softsoap hand wash re-fill. These were 3/$9 and I got $3 Extra Care Bucks to spend on the next transaction. 

My next transaction was Dawn ($.99-$25 coupon=$.74), (2) Listerine $3.48-$2.00/2=$1.48/2), Bounty Paper Towels $5.98, (2) Ziplock Bags $6.00-$1.50=$4.50/2) MINUS $3.00 Extra Care Bucks

Total for both CVS Transactions $18.70 

I figured up how much all of this would have cost at the lowest regular price. At the very least, I saved $18.35...which means that I paid HALF of what I would have normally paid if I had shopped at one store (walmart) with no coupons! That may not seem like much savings but it is about 1/2 of a tank of gas for me. As much as I drive that is awesome!

Also, I stated this in my last post, but some of these items allow me to stock-pile items that I won't need to buy in the near future (ex. bar soap). I bought two 8pks for the price it would cost be to buy one normally which means (a) I did not spend any extra out-of pocket money and will SAVE by not having to buy it until I can get a super good deal on it in the future! Remember... 

I did not buy ONE item that was not on my grocery list for this week!

REAL Couponing...Week One

Okay, so I have been playing around with coupons for months...maybe longer. I would casually go though the Sunday paper and clip what I think I might use and put them away until I need them. I have read over and over how you can really save (even make) money for your family by really researching and using the coupons to get the maxium for your dollars. I began to think about the extra money that I could put in savings, use for family outings, or better yet give to help others if I would just simply put the coupon system to work.

If you do not like planning...don't even bother with coupons. If you are not careful you will end up buying things you don't need or even spend MORE money my not looking for the best price/deal...shopping around.

One thing that helped me decided to go for this "life-style" was when I lucked-up on a few websites that help with the planning. These sites help to put the deals right at your fingertips and make is easier to get organized.

I suggest that you start clipping coupons a few weeks before you want to begin super-saving. See, the manufacture coupons ALONE won't save you very much. You need to use the coupons when the items are on sale and in combination with other coupons to get the greatest discount. There are many different ideas about ways to organize your coupons. I don't like the binder method because I don't want to be in the store flipping through coupons. I have an according folder I keep all my coupons in...by week. Before I shop, I compare sales prices with the coupons I have and place the coupons I need for each store in an envelop. I also take along coupons of items that I "might" use if the price is right.


I am not going too deep into the vocabulary in this post. You can read up on this on the websites I give you and soon you will know the lingo. If you have questions about each store's coupon policy you can goggle that or check their website, but you need to know...

Wal-Mart: 

• will take mfg coupons only (can be printed from online), 
• matches any competior's advertised price except BOGO

Publix: a

• ads run Wed-Wed and 
• they have great BOGO (can use TWO coupons; one for each item), 
• they have great 10/$10 buys and you DO NOT have to but 10 to get them for $1!,
• they STACK coupons or allow you to use a store + mfg coupon, the accept competitor's coupons, 
• they double all coupons up to $.50 (so a $/50 coupon is really worth $1.00 off!)

CVS:

• has great sales!!, 
• ads run Sun to Sun, 
• has a rewards club that gives you extra cupons, 
• has Extra Bucks that you earn on product and can spend on anything in store

Before I show you this week's buys I want to give a disclaimer. I am a coupon newbie. I have short-term as well as long term goals for couponing. This week, I did not spend any more $$ that I usually do for shopping. I did however "stock-up" on some items so that in the near future...I will be able to have lower weekly grocery bills :) yeah!!!

Week One: Publix

One two items here were purchased that were not "on sale" or with a coupon, or BOTH!

Gain: on sale $9.50, coupon $3 =$7.50

Motts: BOGO 

Scotts 12pk TP: on sale $7, coupon $1.50 = $5.50

Slim Jim's: on sale 2/$6, 2 coupons $1 = $2.00 ea

Dove's new Body Wash: on sale $5.19, target coupon $1.50, mfg coupon $1= $2.69

Luzianne Tea: BOGO

Publix Ginger Ale: BOGO= 2 for $.86

Del Monte Fruit Cups: 10/$10, 2 $1/2 coupons = $.50 each

Juicy Juice: $1.50/2 coupon = $2.25 each

Truvia Sweetener: on sale $1,99, coupon $.50 (which doubles)= $.99

Publix Bread= $.89

Grapes= $1.99/lb

Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat: $1.00 coupon = $1.98

Toaster Strudel: coupon $1/2

Cantaloup= on sale 2/$3.00

Ballpark Franks= on sale 2/$6, coupon $.50 (which doubles) = $2.50 each

Kraft Cheese: On Sale 2/$4, target coupon $1.50/2, 2mfg coupon $.50 each (which doubled)= $.25 each

Boston Butt: on sale $2.39/lb

Cresent Rolls: coupon $.50/2

Shrimp: on sale $4.99/lb

Ragu Spaghetti Sauce: BOGO

Spaghetti noodles: $.79

Alfredo noodles:$.99

Success Rice: coupon $1.00/2

DentaStix: publix coupon $1.00, mfg coupon $1.00= $1.34

All together I spent $120. I saved $89.19!!!

I am happy. I could have gotten a better deal on the Scott's TP if I watch the CVS sales (I still have a coupon and I am watching!) but we needed TP! I could not tell everyone to stay on the toilet until the sale!!

A Few things I learned this week...

**Check prices: ex. DentaStix are $2.49 at our Walmart. The price was $3.34 at Publix. Without the "competitor" coupon it would have been cheaper for me to get these at WM than Publix.

**Stock Up: avoid buying things you don't use or need. But if a good deal on an non-perishable comes up...snatch them! (ex. spaghetti sauce)

**Don't be too brand loyal. Sometimes you have to "switch brands" to save. Don't forget to check the store brands they may be cheaper than the name brand WITH a coupon!

Sites you need to visit:

The Krazy Coupon Lady

My Four "Big" Meals for the Week are:

Spaghetti with toast and green beans/or salad

Garlic Shrimp Linguine with cheese grits and salad

Homemade HotPockets (using crescent rolls) Ham & Cheese

Pot Roast with carrots, onions, and potatoes

Must Love Dogs...

In our family, we believe that you must love dogs!

I know some folks are "cat people" but to me there is nothing quite a nice as having a Fido to love!

I think you must love dogs because...

Dogs Love You

Dogs Follow You

Dogs Explore with You

Dogs Wait for You

Dogs Ramble with You

Dogs Make You Wonder About Things

Dogs Entertain Themselves When You're Busy

Dogs Look for Ways to Make You Happy

Dogs Play Make-Believe Without Ever Questioning Your Sanity

Dogs Want to Work For the Price of a Petting

Dogs Just Make You Feel Good Inside

All These Things...

These words have been in my heart a lot the past few days. 

We have just closed out the scheduled services for our Spring Revival at church. From the atmosphere, I feel like revival is far from over! This is true for me especially! I was so touched by each and every service and am grateful for having experienced each blessing.

Matthew 6:33 states "But seek first the kingdom for God and His righteousness, and all these things hall be added to you."

That's a well know verse. I mean it is probably right up there with one of the first scriptures I memorized. Remember in this post when I confessed to you guys that I had been selfish and tried to control various aspects of my life. Knowing full well that God was hoping I would just give it all to Him to work out? And then in my last post I took the time to tell you how blessed I was for the peace that God had put in my heart. 

Now I feel its time to reveal a little more about what God is doing in my heart. If you go back a read blogs from the past several years you will see that over and over I have made statements like :"God is about to move" or "changes are in store for my family." I was reading over these this weekend and I was struck by the fact that some of those times (although I was fully expecting God to move) I did not ALLOW Him to much of anything. 

Well, I'm ready. I was reminded that the BEST feeling in life is when I remember that my life is not my own and I should just give it to Him already!!! That's what I am ready to do. Give Him my life. Not just my marriage, not just my talents, not just my kids, not just my money, not just my time, MY LIFE...all of it. I am at a point where I not only know but BELIEVE that I might as well not have life if I am not going to give it to Him. I mean in my head I know that I can do nothing that comes anywhere close to what He can do with me. 

I have hobbies, interest, and goals for my family. I love to live in the country. I mean, I go to neighborhoods and I think how nice the homes are but geez-louise to not be able to take the dogs out half-dressed, or allow the kids to romp partially unsupervised. Who would want to live where you could NOT hear coyotes for goodness sakes! I like to hunt. I mean, if I lived anywhere else I would have to (gasp) drive somewhere to hunt. That would seriouly limit the time that Justin and I could spend in the woods. I like to train my labs. Where could I go that I could have space not just for them to live but to train them??

Y'all may be laughing at me right now but this is seriously thoughts I have. Then I think about money. I mean, IF anything were to ever happen to mine or Justin's jobs what is out there for us to do? I mean we have to have clothes. We have to have food. We have to have all of these things...

That is when it hit me! Re-read Matthew 6:33 again!

Duh! If you start reading in Matthem 6:25 you find instructions not to worry. If God gives you a something to do to serve Him you should not stop and ask what will I eat? what will I drink? what will happen to my body? what will I wear? The end of verse 25 says, "Is not life more than food and the body more that clothing?" 

God brought me into this world. He gave me a set of abilities. He saved me (redeemed me), He set me apart for His use (sanctified me),  and He has kept me (prospered me). All things He promised He would do if I trusted Him. Personally, I think it is about time that I start REALLY living out Matthew 6:33

"Seek Ye First the kingdom of God..."

For me, right now, today, this means seeking out what direction He wants me to go. Be listening, watching, and waiting for Him to let me know what I should do and then........

Jump, go, do, be, share, love....what ever verb is approrate for the task He sets before me. 

I! AM! READY!

I will not stop to consider all these things (as listed above). I will believe...

"and all these things will be added unto you!"

Father, please help me to find what it is You have for me to do. Help me to see that nothing in life has value unless you are at the center of it. Give me strength to face those who might be negative and keep me focused on seeking FIRST Your kingdom and your righteousness. amen

Peaceful

Lately, times of turmoil have found their way into my life. Noting major...just tons of little things that when added together seem to equal stress. I know that stress is my enemy. Or maybe stress is just a weapon of my enemy. Either way I know that God has plans to prosper me. {For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11} To me, this has nothing to do with money, station in life, or even health. I think God is referring to spiritual prosperity which includes the cultivation of the Fruit of the Spirit in my life. 

I learned a long time ago that inside of me {and each soul, I believe} lies a fertile field. A place where God plans to create a mighty harvest of love, joy, peace...just to name a few. Often our sin-nature confuses us into believing that this empty field is destined to be filled with hobbies, careers, family, and even things..."stuff." Sometimes we settle in our lives for this "stuff" rather that allowing God to use this space to honor Him and therefore filling every desire with an everlasting goodness!

Of all of these things that God working out in my life I have been particularly focused on the peace that He has provided. All of the stresses that are in my life, when examined, are found to be things that I {not God} brought into my life.  The little things in life that seem to pile up and make me want to hide my head in the ground are actually works of God! Yes, I believe He is using these things to teach me to be more peaceful.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
   for you alone, LORD,
   make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Its just like I have mentioned before with trials in life, God can use everything in our lives to gain glory...if we let Him! I know that changes are coming for my family. Justin and I are standing together on faith that no matter what direction our lives are headed it is the perfect will of God. We are peaceful about the future. Actually we are kind of excited!

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

I don't want to mislead you and make you think that we never worry. Never have conversations that begin with, "What are we gonna do if..." because we do! We worry, we cry, we even stress. But that is when we pray and hold fast to Jeremiah 29:11 and know that

no matter where we live or work, 

no matter what we have to eat, 

no matter how much gas cost,

no matter how our children preform in school, 

no matter how good our retrievers are trained,

no matter if all the clothes/dishes are washed, 

NO MATTER WHAT 

our lives are in His hands! 

It is the act of trusting, of acting on faith, that honors God and makes the harvest of our lives so pleasing to Him. I am working hard to act on faith and have peace today!

So my prayer today is the words of Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.