Frugal Finds: May 2016 Edition

This month I had to share some of my Dollar Tree finds from the other day!  I think I should probably mention that I am addicted to planning -- Hello, my name is Laura and I'm a planaholic -- he, he.  While I'm sharing secrets, I also love to binge watch 'plan with me' videos on YouTube while I exercise.  Now, while I love watching people decorate their planners, it just isn't practical for me.  I do a little washi tape and some stickers to pretty things up, but I NEED a LOT of space to brain-dump my to-dos.  

3 packages Birthday-themed Stickers for my planner $3
1 package Owl Stickers for my planner $1
3 Zip-top Cosmetic cases for organizing office supplies and Howard's Flash Cards $3
2-6 count packs Ice Cream Thank you Cards $2
2 packages Page Markers for my planner $2
1-5 count pack Self-laminating Sheets for insurance cards $1
1 roll Double-sided Tape $1
1 Eye Shadow Brush $1
+ $0.84
Total OOP: $14.84

I also stopped at a Dollar Tree while we were in Hanover one day, and finally found the utensils for Howard's kitchen he's getting for Christmas!  I was really surprised to find the Little People coloring book with 8 large crayons in the back as well!  It fits perfectly in the diaper bag for when we are out and about.
1-4 pack of HEAVY Magnetic Clips $1
1-1000 count Coding Labels for my planner $1
1 Little People Coloring Book and 8 Crayon pack $1
1-8 piece Play Utensils $1
3 Boxwood Balls for filling a pottery bowl in the living room $3
+ $0.42 Tax
Total OOP: $7.42

Have any of you been to the Dollar Tree recently?
What kind of deals are you finding? 

Frugal Birthday Gift Ideas for a Two-Year-Old Boy

As you can see from the picture above, our son, Howard, did pretty good on his birthday, and these are just the presents from us!  I tried to keep in mind activities and characters that he likes, and I started gathering things before Christmas for his April birthday.  Tip #1: Give yourself plenty of time to find good deals.  We also live in a small apartment, so I try not to buy toys that are super huge, I leave those toys for the relatives who like to spoil him to buy.  This insures that he gets fewer of them.  I also purchased his gifts from a variety of stores, including Michael's and Giant; two places I wouldn't have thought to look for boy toys or gifts.  Tip #2: Shop around; sometimes deals can be found in unexpected places.  You'll also notice that he had plenty to open - 9 presents in all from just his parents.  I could have easily bought more just because it's so fun to buy your child presents, but that can get super expensive.  Tip #3: Set a budget well in advance.  I knew I didn't want to spend more than $40 on gifts for his birthday.  I figured that gave me the ability to buy a bigger/more expensive gift, or quite a few smaller gifts, depending on what deals I could find.  This made me evaluate each purchase -- Will he play with this?  Is it similar to something he already has?  How will it be stored?  Is it of good quality for the price?
Overall, I'm pleased with the presents I was able to find, and the deals I got.  Howard loved everything that he opened, and has enjoyed playing with it all.  His favorite toy is, of course, Daniel Tiger, who now has a place in Howard's crib each night.  I am hoping that you find these tips and ideas helpful the next time you have gifts to buy for a young one.
Below is a listing of what I purchased, from where, and for how much - just in case anyone is interested to see how my present budget broke down...

•  Smart Play Pad: Free from the Pamper's Rewards program. I enter codes from Pampers diapers and wipes packages online and earn points that can be used for different rewards.  Along with this program, as long as you enter one product code per month, you can earn additional rewards every quarter - like more points, or free custom address labels or photo cards, or toys, like this Smart Play Pad.  
• Curious George Christmas Movie DVD: I bought this at Target on after Christmas clearance for $4.99.  Howard LOVES George and the man in the yellow hat.  So much so that Howard has his own yellow hat. 
• Talking Daniel Tiger Stuffed Toy: I also picked this up on clearance at Target for $14.  I could have waited for the price to come down more, but I was afraid they would be gone before I got him one.  This was his 'big' gift from us, and I knew he would love it.  
• Play-Doh Sweet Shoppe Play-set: This was one of the first things I found at Giant for Howard -- Giant has an AMAZING clearance area in the back of their store.  I can always find great deals there, but I especially love it when they discount stationary supplies and toys!  This set was only $2.99!
• Play-Doh Grab and Go Refill Set: This was another clearance find at Giant, and for only $1.49!  Howard has a set of dough toys from the Dollar Tree, so we just needed some Play-Doh, and this was perfect - lots of bright colors.
• Curious George Coloring Book: I lucked out and found this at the Dollar Tree one day when I was shopping for some other birthday items (plates, napkins, etc.), so only $1!
• Daniel Tiger Coloring Book: Also just $1 -- at Michael's of all places.  I was in the check-out line waiting to buy planner items, and just happen to see these nearby.
• Mini Mr. Potato Head: I also found this at Giant, for only $0.99!  I spent some time digging in the clearance baskets for the other 2 characters that are advertised on the back of the package, but no luck.  Howard has really loved playing with this little guy, plus he's the perfect size for the diaper bag or my purse for when we are out running errands.
• Dino Train Color Wonder Set: We were shopping at 5 Below for something else, and came across this set.  Howard loves Dino Train, and I have heard wonderful things about the color wonder products, so we decided to give it a go for $5.  He loves it, and Mama loves that he can't color on the table or himself - Yay!  #colorwonderforthewin 

Total Spent of Gifts: $31.46!  

Under budget by $8.54!!!!

 

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Weekly Spending Report: 05/08-14/2016

This week I really tried to keep my spending to a minimum; there just weren't a lot of deals to be had.  Basically I picked up the few things we needed at ALDI and Giant, and the rest of the money I spent went towards stocking up on the few deals I could find - like cheap sauerkraut!  We also all came down with a cold funk, so I needed to buy more cold medicines for Joe and I.  I was also SUPER excited that I was able to find the new washi tape at the Dollar Tree!!!  I cannot wait to use it in my planner!  So, even though the deals weren't amazing this week, I still managed to find a few steals, which you see below...

• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $3.29 oop, Earned $9 ECB's ($2 candy, $2 hand soap, $2 Ziploc, and $3 shampoo), and $1 Saving Star Rebate (shampoo)

• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $33.92 oop (included, but not pictured are 8 gallons of H2O), Earned $0.50 Find and Save Rebate

• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $7.93 oop, Earned $1 Ibotta Rebate* (baby wipes)

• Tuesday's Dollar Tree Trip: $8.12 oop, Earned $0.25 Ibotta Rebate* (allergy medicine)

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $11.54 oop

Total OOP: $64.80
Total Earned: $11.75
Total Remaining for May: $265.02
 *Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!

Linked to I heart Publix, and many more! 

Menu plan Monday: 05/09/2016

I hope that everyone had a wonderful mother's day!  Mine was less than perfect - Howard and I are both sick - but we did get to spend the day together, even if we both felt wretched.  This is the first time Howard has had a cold, so he's very confused along with congested and coughing, so he's been miserable, and miserable to be around.  Then on Sunday, I came down with the funk too - yay!  I am hoping that I will be on the mend soon since I have teas this coming weekend, but only time will tell.  I am hoping to get to the store tomorrow.  Usually I am there on Sunday, bright and early, but with being sick, I'm waiting until I'm at least mobile.  I also have a doctors appointment in the morning, so I'll already be primped - might as well make the most of it, right?  #reallife  But you all came here for a menu plan, not a whine session, so here it is...

• Breakfasts: Bagels with Cream Cheese/Yogurt/Fruit for Me, Fruit and Grain Bars/Mini Muffins/Yogurt for Howard, Pop-Tarts for Joe
• Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, Misc Frozen TV Meals, Waffles, PB and J/Tuna Salad Sandwiches
• Dinners: 
• Sunday - Pizza Hut (Mother's Day splurge)
• Monday - Leftover Pizza
• Tuesday - Leftovers (clean out the fridge)
• Wednesday - Crock-pot Pork Loin with Sauerkraut, Crock-pot Mashed Potatoes
• Thursday - Crock-pot Meatballs and Sauce, Pasta, Salad, and Garlic Bread
• Friday - Baked Fish, French Fries, Vegetable
• Saturday - Take out

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 05/01-07/2016

This week sped by before I knew it.  I only got out shopping on Sunday, and I'm glad I went then or I wouldn't have gotten out.  We have been so busy with event prep here at the museum, and then, Howard caught his first cold three days ago.  I figured we were due soon, since he's 2 and never been sick.  Needless to say, he's miserable, and we're miserable because he's miserable - it's a horrible cycle.  He hasn't been eating or sleeping right for the past two days, and now I'm catching it.  I just hope the germs go far away and stay there for awhile.  But enough about all that, here's how my shopping went this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $12.87 oop, Earned $15 ECB's ($10 Schick, $1 Almond Joy, $1 Sure, and $3 Ziploc), and $9 Saving Star Rebates ($4 Centrum Multivitamin, $4 Centrum Gummies, and $1 Centrum)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $29.73 oop

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $40.35 oop, Earned $2.25 Mobisave Rebate (Powerbar and Bananas), $0.25 Ibotta Rebate* (Bananas)

 *Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!

Total OOP: $82.95
Total Earned: $26.50
Total Remaining for May: $329.82

Linked to Couponaholic, I heart Publix, and many more! 

Menu Plan Monday: 05/02/2016

This week I actually only work a couple of days - yay!  However, there is an event on the grounds this weekend, so we do have some prep work to do to get ready for that.  I am in charge of painting some new signs.  I like to paint and stencil, so I am enjoying that.  I am hoping that even with the rain that is expected (again), we can get to Hanover to do some thrifting on Wednesday.  Other then that, I am planning to get my coupons and email caught back up this week.  Since the week is rather laid back, I kept my meals fairly simplistic, and easy.  Why put forth extra effort when you don't have to?  Tasty food can be easy too.  So, here's what's cooking at the Rogers' house this week...

• Breakfasts: Bagels with Cream Cheese/Yogurt/Fruit for Me, Fruit and Grain Bars/Mini Muffins/Yogurt for Howard, Pop-Tarts for Joe
• Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, Misc Frozen TV Meals, Waffles, PB and J/Tuna Salad Sandwiches
• Dinners: 
• Sunday - Leftovers
• Monday - Chicken Filets Sandwiches, Baked Onion Rings, Salad
• Tuesday - Crock-pot Pork Loin with Sauerkraut, Crock-pot Mashed Potatoes
• Wednesday - Crock-pot Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Salad
• Thursday - Leftovers (Clean out the fridge)
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Dinner in the Hearth Kitchen at the Museum with Friends!

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

April 2016 Budget update

I started April out with $22.69 extra in the grocery budget, which is always nice!  This rollover from March gave me $372.69 for the month!  I was able to stock up on SO many things this month, including frozen meals, produce, shampoo, and Benefiber, just to name a few.  We ate well, and saved a ton - I love it when that happens!  Plus we ended the month with an extra $62 to put towards May!  Below are the links to each week's budget break down with more pictures, and the links to different money-saving apps I have been using and enjoying in case you want to check them out.
Here's how the weeks broke down...

• Week #1: $103.38 oop, Earned $8.75 ECB's, $1.75 Ibotta Rebate*, $0.80 Mobisave Rebate, and $1 Find and Save Rebate

• Week #2: $59.30 oop, Earned $4 ECB's, $2 Saving Star Rebate, and $5.29 CVS Gift Card

• Week #3: $68.56 oop, Earned $20 ECB's, $2.50 Ibotta Rebates*, $0.50 Find and Save Rebate, and $4 Saving Star Rebates

• Week #4: $78.68 oop, Earned $6 ECB's, $0.50 Saving Star Rebates, and $1.50 Ibotta Rebate* 

*Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!
 

Total OOP: $309.92

Total Earned: $58.59

Total Remaining: $62.77!!!

How did you do with your budget this month?  

Did you get any amazing deals?

Share in the comments below...

Weekly Spending Report: 04/24-30/2016

This week marks the end of April, and the end of this month's budget.  Since I had a good bit in the grocery envelope, I took the opportunity to stock up.  I was able to get some AMAZING deals, especially at Giant!  Even better, I have money leftover to add to May's grocery money -- yay!  So, without further ado, here's what I picked up this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $4.12 oop, Earned $6 ECB's ($3 Gillette, and $3 Eye drops), $0.50 Saving Star Rebates ($0.25 Reese's, and $0.25 York), and $0.25 Ibotta Rebate (Dish Soap - any)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $21.30 oop

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $53.26 oop, Earned $1.25 Ibotta Rebates ($1 Seventh Generation Dish Soap, and $0.25 any Shredded Cheese)

Total OOP: $78.68
Total Earned: $8
Total Remaining from April: $62.77!!!

Linked to Couponaholic, I heart Publix, and many more! 

Goals Update: April 2016

 

April has been a wild month -- school tours are in full swing, the museum's open season has begun, plus there is something happening on the grounds every weekend, and that's only the work related items.  We also now have a 2-year-old running around the house, Joe's grandfather has been diagnosed with dementia and has to have round-the-clock supervision, and Joe has dental appointments almost every week (note to self - make sure to take better care of your teeth).  So, needless to say, we have been busy as the bumbles swarming on our porch.  May is going to be just as bad, but that's okay, such is life as a caretaker's wife!  With all that being said, I didn't get a whole slew of things accomplished in April.  I have a plan in place so that I can be more productive in May, so I am hoping that I can make that happen.  But, for now, here's how things progressed in April...

Personal:

• Lose 20 lbs (about 1.5 lbs a month) -  I have lost 10 pounds!  Half-way!!!  The results from the blood work indicated that my triglycerides are high, and I should eat less carbs and sugar, um, yeah, shouldn't we all?  Anyway, that is going okay.  But I'm still feeling crappy.  I go back in a couple of months to see if the diet changes have helped.   I am really wishing that I would have taken measurements before I started losing weight.  Even though I'm only down 10 pounds, I can really tell a difference in how my clothes are fitting - yay!
• Exercise 292 days - In April I exercised 24 out of 30 days.  For a total of 97 for the year.  I'm right on track with this goal!  I feel great for the most part, a little sore, but great!  I am really starting to notice how much more limber I am, and that my back and hip pain have decreased.  These are definitely added benefits that I wasn't expecting!
• Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I did better with this in April, especially towards the end of the month. I can do 3-4 bottles pretty steady, it's the 5th one that's hard. 

 Financial:

• Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I shared my budget update for April here.  If you click over, you can see all of the great things I was able to stock-up on while still staying under budget!  This included shampoos, Benefiber, frozen diet meals, and a variety of other items.
•  Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - No gift card this month, but I am on track to get another one in May.  2 Down, and 4 to go.
• List at least 10 things per month online or 120 for the year - I sold a desk this month, but that's really it.  I am hoping to sell a few sewing patterns this month on Ebay.  January - Check (23), February - no check (0), March - Check (43), April - no check (1)
• Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - No shows this month, but we have one coming up in May.  Total for the year = 2

Household:

• Completely declutter the entire house - I still have 2 areas left.  I was waiting on these until I finished some other projects, but things aren't going as I had planned, so I started chipping away at one of them this month (bookcase).  I am hoping to finish the bookcase in May and move onto the cedar chest next, then I'm done!
• Finish my 2016 project list - I have my project list update posted separately.  However, I will share that I was able to sell a desk, purchase some new lamp shades, as well as accomplish a few other things.  I shared some pictures of my progress here. 

Blogging:

• Post at least 3 times a week - I posted at least 3 times per week again in April.  All totaled I shared 14 posts in April, which averages to over 3 a week!  I enjoyed being able to share my Spring decor with you all!
  
• Do a 31 day series in October - Not there yet.  I have been working on some ideas in my blogging journal though. 
• Set up a Facebook page for my blog - Still not done.  I looked into the process one night, and it was too much to do that close to bedtime.  I plan to get this done one day in May during Howard's nap time.  

How is everyone else doing with their goals?

Anything new or different you are trying this year?

Share some of your goals in the comments...

Household Project List 2016 - April Update

 

In April progress was very slow.  I managed to get a few things crossed off the list, and I am tortoise-ing my way through others.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?  I am planning to start either wall paper or paint in May.  I haven't decided yet.  I have all the supplies for both, so I guess I just decide the day I start and that's what I'll work on for awhile.  I am hoping that with yard sale season underway I can purchase a couple of shelves on the cheap, and maybe find some nice wall art.  So, here's how things went in April...

• Bedroom: 
• Declutter 2 Dressers, 1 Chest of Drawers, 2 Nightstands, 1 Closet, and Under the Bed -- Finished in February
• Steam off the crappy boarder
• Re-glue the wallpaper seams
• Change the wall art - In March I purchased the frames from the thrift store for just a couple of dollars, and then this month I decided to go in a different direction for the bedroom wall art.  I am going to use the frames in Howard's room eventually, so they won't go to waste.  Now I am on the hunt for a shelf at the yard sales and flea markets this Spring.  I am hoping to find one on the cheap so I don't have to buy one new from the craft store. 

• Hall: 
• Declutter Hall Closet, Desk, and Coat Closet -- Finished in February
• Sell desk, and move in a bench -- The desk is sold, and we are $40 richer!  I haven't moved the bench out yet, and I'm not sure I'm going to, but I am considering this project done!
• Build another shelf in the hall closet -- Unneeded, crossed off in February

• Bathroom:
• Declutter the Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers  -- Finished in February
• Touch up the paint (Joe and I might actually repaint the entire bathroom, as the color scheme is not great, so this will happen last, if at all - we might just wait and repaint in 2017)

• Living Room:
• Declutter 8 Cube Baskets, 1 End Table, and 3 Dresser Drawers -- Finished in March
• Finish adding pictures to our 'mural' wall
• Paint the letter 'R' on our 'mural' wall -- Finished in January
• Find new art for behind the futon

• Kitchen:
• Declutter 35 Cabinets, 1 Pantry, 1 China Cabinet, and 11 Drawers -- Finished in March   
• Get a new trashcan -- Finished in February
• Steam the wallpaper off our microwave table, and repaint it
• Paint the windows/sills/trim
• Clean out the chest freezer and defrost it -- Finished in March
  

• Nursery/Office:
• Declutter the Closet, Dresser, Desk, Chest of Drawers, Bookcase, Sewing Table, and Cedar Chest -- I've been chipping away at the bookcase, I am hoping to have it finished in May.  After that I'll move onto the cedar chest.  Slow and steady, right?
• Go through the CD 3-drawer organizer and combine into a large CD case 
• Install new curtain rods and tie backs; Hang new curtains
• Make a new curtain for the closet; Hang
• Buy new Lamp/Shade for the Dresser -- Done!  I also bought a new shade for Joe's lamp in our bedroom since the old one literally fell apart.

• Re-glue wallpaper
• Bring in new chest of drawers (#2)
• Build new shelf (or two) above the desk; Add books to shelves -- We won't be able to build shelves above the desk the way I wanted to, so I am on the lookout for a small, mostly decorative, shelf at the thrift stores and yard sales.
• Paint the windows/sills and the closet door frame 

• Laundry Room:
•  Declutter Desk, 3 Drawer Stand, Bookcase, and Closet (including stored Christmas decorations) -- Finished in March
• Touch up paint from renovation
• Hang art -- still deciding on if this is necessary
• Wash box of new-to-us toys  
• Newly added: We have decided that to make the best use of space, we are going to invest in another cube organizer from Ikea.  We need more storage, and this is the only way I can figure to get it.  We still have some measuring to do, but it will either be another 8 cube or hopefully a 16 cube if we can swing it.  We'll have to see.  

 Are any of you working on some household projects this year?

What are you getting accomplished?