Target Trip today

Me and my daughter went to Target today to pick up some pop-tarts and free cheese (from Money Saving Mom). We don't have a SuperTarget so, we get what we can. The pop-tarts ended up being .77 cents each and they did have the cheese for free at out regular Target. We stocked up 3 homes (mine and my 2 daughters) with 25 boxes for $19.25.

Thursday Free stuff

It has been 'one of those days'. It started out with a meeting at work. Have I ever mentioned that I hate meetings?! For the most part, IMO, they are for show and accomplish very little. I try and go in with an open mind and good attitude but, leave feeling like I just wasted hours of my time and a bad attitude that it takes all day to shake off. Enough about that..uggghh!

Free Posters EPA

Free Sample of Theracran (Be sure to include smething in all adress fields)

Zostrix Free Sample

Discover Nursing Free Samples (my daughter is a school teacher and we get these for her to share with her class when they talk about careers)

Free Scrapbooking Idea book

New 1 day Walgreens Coupon

$5/$20 Walgreens coupon good Thursday Jan. 31 ONLY

Wednesday Freebies..

Free Travel Mug answers a,c,c,d,b

Free luggage tags

2 FREE samples of the products listed from Virginia Aardvark. Those items include: Beehive Bra clip sample, Baby Wash or Diaper Cream, Baby Oil or Lotion, SPF 30+, Wash or Toner for Men, Shave Gel, Cleanser or Balancer for Women, Exfoliating Masque, or Eye Cream

A cashiers point of view

I thought this was really funny. It was a post I read ... from a cashier.

I wrote this so all yall would know what we are thinking....

This is too all the people who are thinking about, are already, or will one day become CUSTOMERS

Don't throw you money at the cashier- if their hand is out, kindly place in the palm of the hand

It's really hard to pick change up off a conveyer belt

Press "English"- I know this is America- but you got to do, what ya got to do

Take the crap out of the basket- its hard to ring up and take your crap out of the basket and keep effeciency high- Do we have to come around and empty your cart for you??

I am very skilled at scanning the MVP card. Please allow me.

Get Your Kids- If they put a candy bar on the register- I am gonna scan it

If you only have 30 dollars - don't fill up your cart where it is about to spill over and hope someone around you is gona loan you $71.84 to cover you.

Don't stand by the register after we are finished ringing you up and stare at your receit - walk away

Look for your keys by your car or by the door- there are other people who want to be rang up

I know it sucks when there is a limit put upon things- not our fault

I'm sorry that we are out of stock on something... not my department

It's a shame you don't have .02... and now you have to break a whole dollar- If we gave everyone that extra penny, think how broke we'd be

When the total is 7.09 and you only have 6.00, don't look at me and say "oh, all I have is 6.00..."... I don't care- that's when you start putting something back

If the light is OFF and we are wiping down the register- NO, we are NOT open just because we are standing there

If the light is ON and we are not standing there- someone will be right over- chances are they were doing something productive for someone else

Don't hit your kids in front of us- thats wierd.

It's really akward if we say "have a nice day" and you don't walk away- then we feel the need to walk away.

If we have no name tag, are drinking a soda, talkin on the phone, and walkin down the aisle- No, we cannot assist you in anything

Don't say "fine" before I say "how are you"

Tell us before we start ringing stuff up that its WIC- are we just suppose to guess??

Anyone can get your cigarettes for you

Stop letting your kids press the ATM buttons. geez.

The register will NOT let us ring of alcohol before 12p.m.- even if it is only 3 minutes till

I like my name too.

Don't re- bag your groceries we just got done bagging. If you don't like the way we are doing it - suggestions are always welcome

If the register says "too many coupons" accept it and move on- it was only .15 cent off your 24 rolls of toilet paper

and as always - we REALLY DO appreciate your business- it gives us our hours

Tuesday...

Free sample of Cortislim

Free Waxaway wax strips

Always Clean sample

Tide Research panel

Smart-Memo free sample

Johnson's baby products coupons

Become a Planet Protector Today!
Your Planet Protectors Club kit includes:
An official membership certificate
An official Planet Protectors Club badge
Activity booklets for grades K-3 and 4-5 A board game about recycling-->
Great adventures on the Web

Paper or Plastic?

Whole Foods announced last week that it will be phasing out plastic grocery bags by April 22, 2008 (Earth Day).

What type of bags do you use when you shop? Plastic? Paper? or Reusable?

I confess, I am a baggers worst nightmare, and seemingly the earth's too. Familiar baggers that know me duck and hide or suddenly have to go to the restroom as soon as I approach the check out.

I want all of my refrigerated/frozen items in plastic bags, 'dry' items (cans, boxes) in paper bags. Sound a little picky? I do have good reasons (good in my head, anyway) for requesting them bagged this way.

When I get home I can pull in the drive, beep my horn, and two very eager to please children (eager because it is the weekend and what 12 and 14 year old isn't going to ask to do something or go somewhere) come out and one gets plastic which goes to the frig, one gets paper and immediately knows they got the better end of the deal. Straight to the pantry they go, teasing the other because the plastic person always ends up having to clean the frig.

As if this alone isn't reason enough to harass grocery baggers, paper bags sit up nicely and keeps my cans from rolling out under the seats, only to be found the next time the car is cleaned.

I resolve to be more earth friendly. I will be getting a reusable grocery bag (or 20). Now if I can just remember to take them to the store with me. Let's see how quick the baggers scurry away when they see me coming after the first couple of times they ask, 'paper or plastic?' and I reply 'neither' and hand over 20 reusable grocery bags.

Monday's free finds

Every mom needs one of these magnets for her vehicle. free Hottest Mom magnet .

Baby Dagny... Create your own baby gift registry, email it to your friends and family, and receive a free gift!

Don't forget your Lowe's Houseplant

I got to Lowe's yesterday to use my $10 Lowe's houseplant coupon. (this is no longer available) It was the funniest thing. I was trying to go right by what the coupon said and ended up getting 2 plants free. The cashier had to call the Manager over because my coupon would not go through. The expiration date showed up on the register as 16 Jan 2008 and it clearly said 31 Jan 2008. She ended up telling me to just go get a second plant which was fine by me :)

Happy Traveling...

Traveling is expensive no matter which way you chose to go but, before making definite travel plans look at all of your options. You might be surprised to find out which way is cheaper.

AAA offers useful online travel planning services created for AAA members but, free for the general public’s use also.
Triptik is an online travel planning service where you will find details on driving trips all over the country with photos and detailed descriptions of the highlights. It also offers information on hotels along the way.
Fuel Calculator for information on how much your fuel for the trip will cost.

If you have a Skybus hub near you and also close to your final destination, flying may be cheaper. If you plan ahead you can get flights as low as $10 each way.

The best time to buy

I have a whole day to do 'nothing'. My husband has gone fishing in 20 degree weather...for the life of me, I don't understand! I guess the phone call I just got saying he caught a 21lb. fish was worth it to him. It must be a man thing because he caught it, took a picture of it, and threw it back. Heck, if I caught one that size, I would have to keep it! Just to add... we only keep fish if we are planning on eating them immediately because we have a freezer full of Tuna and Dauphin from his last deep sea fishing trip.

While doing 'nothing' I found a list of the best time of year to buy things and thought I would share it.

January
Food: Chocolate (Christmas clearance) Soda, Diet foods, Frozen finger foods
Non-food: Linens, Electronics, Computers, Small appliances, Air conditioners, Carpeting and flooring, Furniture, Winter clothes, Toys (on clearance after the holidays) Bicycles, Christmas gift wrap, Christmas decorations, Athletic shoes, Exercise equipment, Motorcycles, Houses, Boats

February
Food: Chocolate (post Valentine’s Day) Steak (post Valentine’s Day) Seafood (post Valentine’s Day) Oatmeal
Non-food: Big screen TVs (before the Super Bowl) Boats

March
Food: Frozen foods
Non-food: Boats

April
Food: Candy (Easter clearance) Eggs, Ham, Cheese, Mustard, Ready-made dough, Dinner rolls, Frozen pies, Cake mix, Cake frosting, Pie crusts
Non-Food: Electronics, Vacuums, Cookware, Tires and other car care supplies

May
Food: Hotdogs, Ground beef, Hamburger and hot dog buns, Condiments (ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, relish) Salad dressing, Chips, Ice cream, Popsicles, Frozen pies, Soda, Bottled water
Non-food: Party supplies (disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils) Grill supplies (charcoal, lighter fluid) Vacuums Cookware

June
Food: Ice cream, Popsicles, Soda, Bottled water, Iced tea mix, and bags
Non-food: Tools (around Father’s Day)

July
Food: Hot dogs, Ground beef, Hamburger and hot dog buns, Condiments (ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, relish) Salad dressing, Chips, Ice cream, Popsicles, Soda, Bottled water, Iced tea mix and bags
Non-food: Grill supplies (charcoal, lighter fluid) Party supplies (disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils) Furniture

August
Food: Cereal, Breakfast bars, Peanut butter, Jelly, Lunch meat, American cheese, Yogurt, Chips, Snack cakes, Cookies, Ice cream, Soda, Bottled water, Iced tea mix and bags, Drink boxes
Non-food: Pool supplies, Outdoor toys, Outdoor furniture, Bathing suits, Summer clothes, Summer shoes

September
Food: Cereal, Breakfast bars, Peanut butter, Jelly, Lunch meat, American cheese,Yogurt, Chips, Snack cakes, Cookies, Hot dogs, Ground beef, Hamburger and hot dog buns, Condiments (ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, relish) Salad dressing, Canned fruits and vegetables, Soups, Broth, Frozen pies, Soda, Drink boxes
Non-food: Grill supplies (charcoal, lighter fluid) Party supplies (disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils) School supplies, Large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers) Cars, Lawn mowers, Grills

October
Food: Canned fruits and vegetables, Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, cranberries) Soups, Broth,
Non-food: Large appliances, Lawn mowers, Grills, Tires and other car care supplies

November
Food: Turkey, Butter, Cheese, Baking supplies, (flour, sugar, yeast chocolate chips, baker’s chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, cooking oil) Pie crusts, Ready-made dough, Dinner rolls, Frozen pies, Cake mix, Cake frosting, Pie filling, Spices, Nuts, Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, cranberries) Oatmeal, Candy (Halloween clearance) Marshmallows, Soup, Broth
Non-food: Aluminum foil, Plastic wrap, Disposable baking pans, Cookware, Electronics, Tools,Carpeting and flooring.

December
Food: Ham, Butter, Cheese ,Baking supplies (flour, sugar, yeast chocolate chips, baker’s chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, cooking oil) Pie crusts, Ready-made dough, Dinner rolls, Frozen pies, Cake mix, Cake frosting, Pie filling, Refrigerated cookie dough, Spices, Nuts, Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, cranberries) Oatmeal, Soda
Non-food: Disposable baking pans, Aluminum foil, Plastic wrap, Electronics, Computers, Carpeting and flooring, Tools, Toys, Winter clothes, Cars, Motorcycles

The love of books

I saw these (LightWedge) on Oprah right before Christmas and I WANT ONE! I love reading when I go to bed but, I hate when I get just about ready to fall asleep and I have to turn the light off. I am wide awake then and ready to read some more. Also, the perfect gift for any avid reader. We travel quite a bit and our trips are on average 6hrs each way. My son has a book light that he reads with but, I am thinking this would also be great for him to use when we are traveling.
The perfect book light A revolutionary new book light for nighttime reading. Patented LightWedge technology directs all the light only on the page you are reading, without bothering someone sleeping next to you. The larger-sized LightWedge Original is ideal for hardcover books and large paperbacks. Whether reading in bed, reading on a plane, or reading in a car, the LightWedge book light is the perfect accessory for all readers and an ideal gift for travelers. 40 hours of light from 4 AAA batteries (not included) Measures 6.75” x 9.25” and weighs only 8.5 oz. with batteries.

I am also getting this book The Sister Knot by Terri Apter, for my daughters to read. (Of course, I have to after they read it on here)

Why We Fight, Why We’re Jealous, and Why We’ll Love Each Other No Matter What
Breaking new ground in women’s psychology, an exploration of the intricacy, friction, and love in the bonds between sisters.

If anybody has a boat loving husband, or anybody else for that matter like I do, you need this Free subscription to Go Boating Magazine. Of course 2 boats are not enough...we always have to be on the lookout for new and improved.

Elle Decore Magazine (free) I love getting decorating ideas from this magazine.

And a funny one... Homer Simpson Bumper Sticker

More Samples and Coupons for Saturday

When my daughter and I went shopping Friday she filled up a couple (more like 3 or 4) grocery bags to take home with her (from my pantry). Lo and behold, she comes back to visit with a grocery bag in her hand wanting to know if I, by chance, offer cash refunds. If not, she would be ok with just swapping it out with something else. (She is a hoot!)

What was it she was wanting to get rid of? Quaker Oatmeal (Weight Control). Blah! Maybe you just have to have a taste for it but, nobody in my house will eat it either. Maybe if I mix it with Regular Quaker Oatmeal, that they love, it will get ate but, I would hate to end up having to throw out the regular kind if it makes it taste bad.

$1 coupon Senseo Barista Coffee

Save $1.00 on SofTouch™ personal lubricant

Free Sample of Airborne-on-the-go


Advil Free Sample and $2 coupon


Get a Free Metamucil Berry Burst! Sample

Aquafresh Sample and Coupons


Astroglide personal lubricant sample


ID Personal Lubricant Sample


For some reason there is a lot of Personal Lubricant in this post and I am not quite sure how to make the transition to pet food ... feed the dog first? :)


Get a FREE 4-oz. sample of BLUE Spa Select DOG Food plus $2 off a purchase


Get a FREE 4-oz. sample of BLUE Spa Select CAT Food plus $2 off a purchase

Tylenol $1coupon

Lots of free samples and coupons for Saturday

Surprise someone special with a fun little trial of Clinique Happy, the wear-it-and-be happy fragrance favourite. You can even add your own personalized message—and we’ll get it all there in time for Valentine’s Day

Great for homeschooling...Order a FREE Braille Bug alphabet card. It features all the letters of the alphabet in braille, a system of raised dots that are used for reading by people with no sight. Great for kids! Teachers can order these cards in bulk, too. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Nicky's® Folders make paper folders obsolete! FREE Sample of Nicky's® Folders

Contact Us and Request a FREE Click Fastener Sample Pack

Walsh Envelopes Company Free Samples

Please fill out the form below and we will send you a sample key tag

Purex Ultra Concentrate Free Sample

FREE 7-DAY SUPPLY OF MOVE FREE® ADVANCED (I love this stuff)

Request a Free Sample of AZO Standard

AZO $1coupon

Estroven® Products Coupon

Vitaballs Vitamin Gumballs $1 Coupon

Shopping Trip

I made a trip to Walgreens today with my daughter. We got...

1 Puffs tissue
2 Jane powders
4 Jane liquid make up
4 (4pack +2) Bic Soleil razors
2 (4 pack) Bic Comfort 3 razors
7 Nutrigrain Snacks

= $19.32

Our next stop was Harris Teeter. I rarely shop there because they are overpriced on just about everything but, this week they are having a pretty good B1G1 sale. I only purchased what was on sale AND I had a coupon for. We looked like we were supplying a homeless shelter when we got finished.

I had $83.56 in VIC savings and $115.66 in coupons tendered.

My total spent was $121.86

Bumbo Seats are the best!

Fill in your details to request a FREE sample of Harvest Highrise Tubing and Vine Cord! Be sure to include your shipping details in the message box. Harvest highrise Tubing & vine Cord is the perfect addition to any garden! It helps keep your plants up off the ground & away from those bothersome insects

K-PAK Ultimate Repair at-home regimen Free Sample

Rhinaris Nasal Moisturizer Free Sample

Natural Solutions Receive FREE product samples & coupons from Natural Solutions! Scroll down & check off the boxes to request the FREE samples or coupons your interested in receiving. Then click 'Request Product Info' button & fill in your details on the following page to receive your FREE samples & coupons.

Betty Crocker $1 Coupons

Kotex Free Sample

Schick Quattro Free Sample

Anybody who has a baby needs one of these! I have a Bumbo Baby Seat for my grandaughter and it is wonderful. Money well spent! We use it as a booster seat for eating instead of a bulky highchair, and sitting on the floor while we play so she can see everything from our position. I wish they had been around when my children were babies.

Promise activ™ SuperShots® 500 free samples per day starting at 9:00am PST

Economic Stimulus??

I feel like I am getting cheated according to the NYTimes article. (partial post follows)
It seems as if $75,000 is some magical number to them. I did not get the 2001 rebate because of my income and, being a single parent at that time my child support was greatly reduced (from over $700 a month to $131 a month for 4 children. Why? 'Because I had excessive income'. So, I worked more to make up the difference and got to spend less time with my children. With 4 children, who has excessive income?!
I am married now but, it looks like it is going to affect us once again. If a couple earns over $150,000 thier rebate would be reduced by 5 percent for each $1,000 in income. Why? Didn't I pay more taxes than somebody earning less than that?!
Yep, I am feeling a little cheated!

Full rebates of up to $600 or $1,200 would be paid to individuals earning up to $75,000 adjusted gross income or couples filing jointly and earning up to $150,000. Above that, rebates would be reduced by 5 percent for each $1,000 in income. Rebates would be reduced by $50 for each $1,000 in income, meaning a couple with no children earning $174,000 would have no rebate. A single mother of two children earning $50,000 and paying at least $600 in taxes would receive $1,200 —a $600 individual rebate and $300 a child. A married couple with three children earning $100,000 and paying at least $1,200 in taxes would receive $2,100 — a $1,200 rebate and $300 a child.

Samples and Coupons

Paul Mitchell sample
Members Mark baby formula (1 day sample)
Allure magazine freebies
Save $2 on JOHNSON'S® products designed to relieve your baby's dry skin
Take a Health and Wellness Quiz and receive $1.25 coupon off Enviga (the new Coca-Cola product)
Quaker Simple Harvest sample
Murad
Reach Access Flosser
All Natural Skin Care Products

Packaging Sells!

Brand name does not always mean a better product. When comparing a brand name product with a generic product- look at the manufacturer of each. In a lot of cases, generic products are indeed made by the same company as the brand name (more expensive) one.

Both products are the same except for packaging.

With the generic version... thinner (less expensive) paper may have been used on the labels. Lower quality (less expensive) grapics may have been used on the labels. Thinner (less expensive) cardboard may have been used. Millions of dollars less are spent in advertising. All of this adds up to savings to the consumer.

Many people believe brand name means higher quality so, companies market to that mindset. By packaging the same product as a 'generic', companies are marketing to a wider variety of consumers.

Shop smart!

Baby Steps

The best way for me to approach saving money this year is by taking baby steps and keeping up with everything I spend money on. The easiest thing to look at is how much I spend every day at work on drinks and food. Needless to say, wasted money because I could have easily brought something from home instead of going to the cafateria which is overpriced to begin with. That alone is at least $20 a week just for lunch. I also get 2 breaks at work which I spend $1 for a bottled soda at each. Yikes! Do I really drink that much soft drinks?! (Ok, this will help with the diet too) We get free bottled water and coffee... I think I can live with that.
That is my first baby step and I can actually live with it!

If anybody is lucky enough to have a Sara Lee outlet nearby, they have the best Strawberry, Pecan, and Chocolate pies on sale right now for $2.99. (The reason they are in the outlet is because of packaging misprints)

Stocking up

I did quite a bit of shopping this weekend and got some really good deals at the stores. However, I have 2 daughters that each have their own home who get better deals than me. Their idea of a good deal is coming over to see what I got and what they need from it. I can't complain though because they are the best daughters ever. Needless to say, it may be time to start stocking up again.

Staples is having a 50% off sale online.

When I order anything online I do it through EBates so I can get a % of my purchase price back.

Receive you free sample of Fiber One Caramel Delight Cereal

Become a Heinz Product Tester.

Welcome to Fun Being Frugal

I decided to start the new year off right and keep track of all my spending for the entire year. This actually scares me to no end because I enjoy spending money. The good thing is... I like saving money on the 'everyday' things me and my family use and need so I will have more to spend on the fun things.

We are lucky on one aspect. Retirement is right around the corner (6yrs for my husband and 8yrs for me) and I would like to think we are prepared for it. We will both be 50 when we retire from our current jobs and my youngest daughter will be 20 at that time.

The only major purchase I forsee this year is possibly a new automobile. I would like to see the one I have last another year since I do not have a car payment but, I don't think that will happen.
My goal is to get all of my debt paid off this year. (not including my house)

I invite you to join me through this journey.