Learning from My Mistakes...

I am fairly new at this couponing/searching out deals stuff. Previously, I purchased whatever products I wanted whether it was on sale at the time or not. I almost never bothered to clip coupons, and when I did, I ended up getting a bunch of stuff I didn't really need because, well, I had coupon for it!

I haven't been totally savvy about all of this yet, although I have snagged a few good deals. Here are a few of the things I wish I had done differently.

*Clipped more coupons. I did OK, but there were a few items I wish I had been able to buy, yet I didn't clip more than one coupon for them.
*Waiting to submit my rebate info for Walgreens Easy Saver Catalog. I was in too big of a hurry with this, and missed out on some money-making deals. In particualr, the Glade Candles, they were offering a $1 rebate per candle, allowing up to four. If I had waited for these to go on sale, I would have come out ahead .01 per candle.
*Being too trusting of Walgreens cashiers. They caused one of my rebates, which amounted to 7.99 to be messed up so I couldn't get it. Never take their word on anying about the receipts, especially if it's "no, they will still process your rebate just fine if I scan this item in as "service merchandise." It was supposed to be shampoo!

Deals for September 14-20

This week has been a little slower for me as far as finding deals is concerned. Here is what I came up with:

Walgreens: Huggies Supreme on sale for 9.99-1.50/1 coupon -2.00 RR = 6.49 (.21/diaper)
Glade candle on sale for 1.99-1/1 coupon=.99
Bic Soleil Razors on sale 4.99-2/1 coupon-1/1 WG coupon=1.99

HyVee: Seedless watermelon 1.99 ea.
Banquet Frozen Dinners 10 for $8

Wal-Mart: Johnson's Buddies Bar Soap .97...I had a coupon for $3 off any Johnson's baby products. I bought three bars of soap, ended up paying only .11 in sales tax!

Deals for the Week

Since I am really making the effort to commit to my couponing/frugal living hobby (obsession), I am going to post my best deals for the week. I am not as good as some of the people who are able to purchase over a hundred dollars in items and pay either very little or nothing out of pocket yet, but I hope to get there someday!

Target: Luvs Family Pack Diapers- On sale for $15. I used two $1 off coupons, plus received a $5 gift card for buying two boxes. Not the best deal ever, but the cost of diapers is through the roof these days, and this is the cheapest I could get without buying generic.
My real stroke of luck came when I found an entire shelf of Febreze Noticeables on clearance. Normally 7.49, they were priced 6.45, plus I had two $5 off coupons, I also used my giftcard and spent nothing on them. I only regret not having a third coupon, then I could have bought another without spending anything!

Cashwise: Green Giant Steamers 4 for $6 plus four $1 coupons= .50 ea.
Prego Pasta Sauce: 3 for 3 coupon= $1 ea.
Progresso Soups: 8 for $10 plus four .50 off of 2= $1 ea.
Select General Mills Cereals: 2 for $4 plus $1 coup. off 3= 3/$5
Kleenix Tissue: 3 200 count boxes for $3

Creamette Macaroni: 2 lb box for .98

Since my total came to over $25, I also was able to get a free 8 oz. bag of

shredded cheddar cheese.

In the end I spent $49 for $63 worth of groceries.

Walgreens: Glade Fabric Deoderizer: on sale for 2.99, I had 2.50 coupons

Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash 4.49, got 4.50 in Register Rewards

My Wags trip cost me only .48!!!

Requiéscat in Pace, Grandpa....

We will miss you and have you in our hearts and prayers always.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei (eis) Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei . Requiéscat in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Waiting for Daddy

Elijah gets very excited when he hears Daddy pull up in the driveway. Since Brent works a rotating shift, the time he arrives home changes each week. This picture was taken at about seven this morning.

My Little Helper

Elijah decided to help out by cleaning the kitchen floor today. Using a Scotch sticky-roller thingy, he picked most of the dog hair and little bits of junk off of the kitchen floor. He also likes to help unload the dishwasher by handing me one dish or piece of silverware at a time. It takes longer, but he is sooo proud of himself. Now if only he is this eager to help out when he is a teenager!

In other news, Elijah had his 15 month well-baby checkup yesterday. He is now 31.5 inches tall and weighs 23 pounds, 1 ounce.

In the Beginning...

My first post! This should get better as I add pics, video, etc. Enjoy!