Spring Cleaning Day #3 Update

We have been continuing to clean all week, here is the progress that we have made in the bedroom so far...

We organized the top of the closet where we store our shoes, or in my case, some of my shoes. I also cleaned out the two bins of shoes I have under the bed and got them nicely organized as well.
This is the bottom of the closet. Nice and neat.

And this is all of the shoes that I will be selling at the flea markets this year. Most have never been worn. I think that there is about 20 pairs in the picture, my husband was more intrigued with the fact that I could actually get rid of 20 pairs of shoes and still have the variety I have to wear, than with the fact that I was getting rid of shoes -- MEN!!!

Amazing Dollar Doubler Trip to Martin's!!

I stopped into Martin's one day this week after work to take advantage of the Double Dollar Days!!! Here is what I ended up with...
3 Betty Crocker Potatoes $1.49 ea - $0.49 ea Sale - $0.40/1 MC doubled to $0.80 x 3 = 3/$0.60
3 Duncan Hines Cake Mixes $1.69 ea - $0.69 ea Sale - $1/3 MC doubled to $2 = 3/$1
3 Kool-Aid Fizz Drink Mixes $2.19 ea - $0.19 ea Sale - $1/1 MC doubled to $2 x 3 = 3 FREE
2 pkgs I Can't Believe it's Not Butter Sticks $2.49 ea - $0.49 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$2
2 Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage Rings $3.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale - $1/2 MC doubled to $2 = 2/$1.99
2 Breakstone Sour Cream $1.89 ea - $0.80 ea Sale - $0.55/1 MC doubled to $1.09 x 2 = 2 FREE
+ Tax $0.18
Total OOP: $33.03 - $27.26 Sales & Coupons = $5.77 oop!!!!!! Savings of 83%!!!!!!!

Great Walgreen's Rolling RR Trip!

This is the first time in a L-O-N-G time that everything has gone just I had planned out. Everything was in stock, and everything, as usual, went smoothly at the register (Thanks Michelle!)...
Transaction #1:
1 Poland Springs H2O $1.79 - Free wyb Dulcolax MC = FREE
1 Dulcolax $10 on Sale - $3/1 MC - $10 RR = FREE + $3 MM!
3 Reese's Dark PB Cups 3/$2.39 - in-ad C $1.22 - $0.55/1 MC x 3 = All FREE + $0.48 MM!
1 Wag's Vitamins $3 on Sale - $3 RR = FREE
1 pk 5 Gum $0.99 (Michelle earned 5 cents for me buying this from her!)
+ Tax $0.24
- $7 RR's used to Pay
Total OOP: $3.75 + Earned $10 & $3 RR's

Transaction #2:
1 Dove Conditioner Treatment $4 on Sale - $2/1 MC - $4 RR = FREE + $2 MM
1 Simply Saline $7 on Sale - $1/1 MC - $7 RR = FREE + $1 MM
1 Captain Crunch Cereal $1.99 on Sale
1 Dozen Eggs $1.69 - $0.40/1 in-ad C = $1.29
+ $0.24 Tax
- $10 RR used to Pay
Total OOP: $1.52 + Earned $4 & $7 RR's

Transaction #3:
1 Poland Springs H2O $1.79 - Free wyb Dulcolax MC = FREE
1 Dulcolax $10 on Sale - $3/1 MC - $10 RR = FREE + $3 MM
1 Dentek Floss $2 on Sale - $2 RR = FREE
1 Wag's Vitamins $3 on Sale - $3 RR = FREE
+ $0.23 Tax
- $4 & $7 RR's used to Pay
Total OOP: $1.23 + Earned $10, $2 & $3 RR's for next week!!!
Started with $7 RR & ended with $18 -- Can you say MONEY MAKER?!

Rite Aid SCR Trip

I was so happy to see the BOGO Free sale on the Rite-Aid brand of Loratadine. This is the kind that Joe takes, and we were on our last box :-( So I did a little stocking up for allergy season!
2 BIC Soleil 4 ct Disposable Razors* $6.49 ea - $1.50 Sale ea - $2/1 MC x 2 - $2 SCR x 2 = 2/$1.98
2 Clean & Clear Astringents $5.49 ea - $2/1 in-ad C x 2 - $2/1 MC x 2 = 2/$2.98 (+ I have $10.98 towards the $5 J&J SCR!!!)
2 Rite-Aid Brand Loratadine 60 ct $19.99 ea + 2 RA Loratadine 10 ct $6.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale - $5/25 Rite-Aid OTC Medication C - $1/$4 RA Brand C - $0.50/$3 RA Brand C - $0.25/$2 RA Brand C (These were from the Game of Life game RA was doing last month) = All 4 pkgs/$33.73
+ $0.30 Tax
- $3/$15 Purchase C
- $20 Gift of Savings Certificate (Finally got my total high enough to use it!)
Total OOP: $6.49, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $4 SCR & I have $10.98 of the $20 towards the $5 J&J SCR!!!!
*These Items were Donated

Quick Food Lion Trip this Week

Joe and I also stopped into Food Lion on Sunday to get some granola bars and check out the clearance meat.
4 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars $2.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$6
1 pkg Steak discounted from $4.42 to $3.09 (I marinated these in an A1 Marinate and stuck them in the freezer for later - YUM!)
Total OOP: $9.09

CVS Trip for This Week

This week's trip to CVS was a simple one! I do love those every once in a while...
1 - 65 ct Cool Mint Zantac $20.99 - $1 Sale - $2/1 MC - $5 ECB = $12.99 (a decent price, and our stockpile has been depleted)
4 cans Lindsay Black Olives $2.49 ea - $1.61 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$1.52
3 cans Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore Tuna in H2O $2.29 ea - $1.41 ea Sale - $0.25/1 MC x 2 = 3/$2.14
1 Island Escape Shampoo* $0.99 - $1/1 CVS C = FREE + $0.01 MM
1 Gold Emblem Cookie Dough Bites (For Joe) $1.50 - CVS C $1.99 = FREE + $0.49 MM
1/2 Gallon 2% Milk $2.49
3 - 24 pks Gold Emblem bottled Water $3.99 ea - $1.11 ea Sale = 3/$8.64 (Stocking up for the Summer!)
+ Tax $0.57
- ECB's used to Pay $18.99
Total OOP: $13.86, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $5 + $1 (Green Bag Tag) ECB's for next time! :-)
*These Items were Donated

Menu Plan Monday!!!

Menu plan Monday is here! This week is going to be filled with more Spring cleaning, so I'm going to be keeping my meals rather simple :-)

Breakfasts: Cereal, Banana Bread, Yogurt and Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers, Chicken or PB&J Sandwiches

Dinners:
Sunday - Leftovers
Monday - Boli's Pizza!!! YAY :-) with Salad of course...
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Salad and Homemade Garlic Bread
Wednesday - Steak and Chicken Fajitas with Mexican Rice and Salad, maybe Corn too.
Thursday - Zuppa Tuscana with Salad and Homemade Garlic Bread
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Salsa Chicken Bake* with Salad

Dessert for the Week: Chocolate 'cake mix' Cookies with M&M's in them*
*Recipe to Follow

Spring Cleaning Day #2

Joe and I continued our Spring cleaning this week. We focused on the Bathroom last Tuesday and Wednesday. Here is what we accomplished...

Left side 'vanity' drawers before

Right Side 'Vanity' drawers before

Underneath the bathroom sink before

Left side 'vanity' drawers after - YAY!

Right side 'vanity' drawers after - YAY!

Underneath the sink after - YAY!

I also re-organized this hanger we have on the inside of the cabinet door that opens the underneath of the sink.

This Spring cleaning up and out is taking a lot longer than I thought it would, but that's okay, because anything worth doing is worth doing well :-)

How is everyone's Spring cleaning coming along?

Weekly Spending Totals!

This was a high spending week for us, as we were out of kitty litter, and for some reason, even with a sale and coupon it's still outrageous when you have more than one kitty :-) We also stocked up on whole chickens at Food Lion...
Food: $19.80
Health & Beauty: $6.53
Household: $15.84
Total for the Week: $42.22

Eating Out: $40.49 (We MUST work on this, this week!)

Last Week's Walgreen's Trip

Joe and I stopped into Walgreen's this past week to grab the one good RR deal they had, and we able to pick up a few things for resale!
4 Butterball Chicken Broths 4/$3 - $1 in-ad C = 4/$2
2 Planter's Trail Mixes $1.50 ea on Sale - $1/2 IVC - $1.50/1 MC x 2 = 2 FREE + $1.50 MM
1 Extension Cord on Clearance $0.25
1 Colgate Toothpaste $2.99 - $2 RR = $0.99
20 Metal Rulers (for resale) $0.09 ea = $1.80
+ Tax $0.49
Total OOP: $6.53 + Earned a $2 RR for next time!

Martin's Trip for this Week

Joe and I stopped into Martin's on Tuesday this week. It was a quick trip, but I think we made out very well in the deal area...
3 Welch's Cocktail Juices $2.63 ea - $0.34 ea Sale - $0.75/1 MC doubled to $1.50 x 3 = 3/$2.37
2 Texas Toast Croutons $1.43 ea - $0.18 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$0.50
2 Texas Toast Tortilla Strips $1.85 ea - $0.60 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$0.50
1 pkg Cotton Rounds $1.77 - $0.77 Sale - $1/1 Martin's C = FREE
2 boxes Crystal Light sticks $3.19 ea - $1.19 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$2
Total OOP, no tax: $22.60 - $17.23 Savings & Coupons = $5.37 oop!!! Savings of 76%!!!

Spring Cleaning Day #1

This week begins my Spring cleaning & purging! I have made the vow to serious declutter and get organized this year if it kills me, or my husband, which ever comes first ;-)

As you know, my husband and I live as caretakers in a museum, so we have an apartment as well as a laundry room and a storage room, also known as "Joe's Room."

We decided to tackle these two rooms first and we were able to accomplish everything we set out to do in one day!

These are photos of the laundry room after out cleaning/purging spree, I forgot to take before pictures, but trust me, it looks soooo.... good compared to how it looked before.

This is my nicely organized laundry detergent. See all of those Purex detergents, all FREE!!!
This little cub board I purchased several years ago, and it has held everything from scrapbook supplies to stationary. It now holds my extra dryer balls, all of my FREE dryer sheets, and my $ store Oxy clean. And of course, the glass wash board is for decor only -- I thought it looked super cute in there!

These are my 'using right now' laundry supplies. This way I have everything I need right at my finger tips.

This is a view of the whole laundry room looking in from the door. And, yes, I do know that the light is taken down and not neatly where it belongs, we are still in the process of finding a replacement. I'm not even sure they make this kind anymore. But then again, we do live in a museum...

Menu Plan Monday

It's time for my favorite post of the week! My menu this week is definitely leaning towards the easier side, as this is going to be our 'official' week of Spring cleaning. Stay tuned for up dates on that as well. But, without further ado, this week's menu plan...

Breakfasts: Cold or Hot Cereals, Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies

Lunches: Ham & Cheese, Tuna or PB&J Sandwiches with Grapes or Leftovers

Dinners:

Sunday - Pizza
Monday - Crock Pot Chicken (Recipe to Follow) with Mashed Red Potatoes and Salad
Tuesday - Chicken Casserole (made with leftover chicken, recipe to follow) and Salad
Wednesday - Parmesan Broiled Tilapia with Buttered Egg Noodles and Salad
Thursday - French Toast with Canned Fruit or Applesauce
Friday - Garlic Chicken and Pasta Bake with Salad
Saturday - Left Over Buffet

Rite-Aid Trip for This Week

This week's Rite-Aid trip was kind of a flop as I thought that I had a MIR for the Physician's Formula, and it kinda already expired :-( I'm thinking about returning them, but I'm not sure yet...
Transaction #1:
1 Reese's Cup $0.88 - $0.38 Sale = $0.50
1 Pepsi 20 oz (not pictured) $1.49
1 Physician's Formula Bronzer $14.95 - $5/1 MC = $9.95
1 Physician's Formula Eye Shimmer Strip $10.95 - BOGO 50% off Sale $5.48 - BOGO Free MC $5.47 = FREE
1 Always Pads $3.99 - $1 Sale - $1/1 MC - $1 SCR = $0.99
- $5/25 RA C
+ Tax $1.05
Total OOP: $9.98 - Expected SCR $1 - $1 Pay back for the pads = $7.98

Transaction #2
2 Eucerin Lotions $7.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale $7.99 - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$5.99
2 Huggies Wipes $3.49 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC x 2 - $1 SCR wyb 2 = 2/$3
1 Always Pads $3.99 - $1 Sale - $1/1 MC - $1 SCR = $0.99
- $3/15 RA C
+ Tax $0.60
Total OOP: $9.58 - Expected SCR $2 - $2.50 Pay back for wipes & pads = $5.08

Food Lion Trip this Week

Food Lion was a pretty easy and quick trip this Sunday. I mainly went for the cheap bottled water and chickens, but grabbed a few other things while I was there...
2 - 24 pks Food Lion H2O $4.29 ea - $1.79 ea Sale - $1/1 FLC x 2 = 2/$3
2 Whole Chickens $7.61 & $6.60 - $3.66 & $3.17 Sale = 2/$7.38
6 boxes Hamburger Helper $1.65 ea - $4.62 Sale - $0.75/3 MC x 2 = 6/$3.78
+ Tax $0.30
Total OOP: $14.46

CVS Trip for this Week

Joe and I went to CVS Sunday to use the $5/30 CVS C that I was emailed and to get all of the ECB deals for this week. It really turned out to be a GREAT trip :-)
Transaction #1:
1 Colgate Toothpaste* $4.89 - $0.90 Sale - $1/1 MC - $3.99 ECB = FREE + $1 MM!
4 Stayfree Pads* $3.69 ea - BOGO Free MC x 2 ($3.69 ea) - $2 ECB x 4 = 4 FREE + $0.62 MM!
1 CVS Travel Advanced Healing Lotion $1.49 - $2/1 CVS C = FREE + $0.51 MM!
1 Electric Razor 75% off $10 (this is for Joe's Grandfather, so he'll pay us back for picking this up for him)
+ Tax $0.60
- $5/30 CVS C
- ECB's used to Pay $11
Total OOP: $4.46, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $11.99 ECB's & will get paid back $10 for the razor.

Transaction #2:
6 Dawn Hand Renewal Soaps $1.99 ea - $1.03 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 6 = 6 FREE + $0.24 MM!
4 - 12 pks Coke Zero Cans (Not pictured) used a rain check to make the $3.25 ea = 4/$13 - $3 ECB wyb 4 also part of the rain check - 2 Free item MC ($3.25 ea) = 4/$3.50!
2 boxes Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats $4.49 ea - $2.52 ea Sale - $1/2 MC = 2/$2.94
1 CVS Purelax $8.99 - $1 Sale - $2 ECB = $5.99
1 Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste* $4.89 - $0.90 Sale - $1.50/1 MC - $2 ECB = $0.49
+ Tax $0.98
- $5/30 CVS C
- ECB's used to Pay $9
Total OOP: $6.66, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $7 ECB's for next time!!!
*These items were donated

CVS Trip #3

I made a quick trip into CVS on Saturday to use up my last few coupons before the end of the sale.
2 Fruitopia Shampoos $2.99 ea - $0.49 ea Sale - $2/1 CVS C x 2 = 2/$1
2 Viologie Shampoos* $3.99 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $2/1 CVS C x 2 = 2/$1
1 CVS Hand Soap $1.99 - $2/1 CVS C = FREE + $0.01
+ Tax $0.12
Total OOP: $2.11, paid with FREE gift card :-)
*These items were donated

Tuna Burgers - Recipe with Pictures!

These Tuna Burgers were super simple to make and tasted really good. If you like tuna, and you like sandwiches, give this one a try! First combine all of your ingredients in a mixing bowl (except butter & buns):

1 c Soft Bread Cubes (about 2 slices of bread)

1/2 c Bisquick

1/4 tsp Pepper

1 tbsp Dijon Mustard (next time I think I'll let this out)

2 Eggs, slightly beaten

8 Medium Green Onions Finely Chopped (about 1/2 c)

2 Pouches of Tuna 7 oz ea (Light or Dark - I used 3 cans of tuna which was 15 oz)

2 tbsp Butter/Margarine

4 Buns

4 tbsp Dill Dip (I bought pre-made at the store)

Next, mix ingredients together until they are well blended.
Then you want to form your patties and fry them in the butter. The recipe called for 4 patties, however, when I make this again, I would definitely make at least 6 patties. These were huge! Cook 10-12 minutes, turning the patty over once.

Serve the Tuna Burgers on the buns and topped with the dill dip. We had seasoned french fries with ours. YUMMY! Leave me a comment if you try this recipe out and let me know what you think!

Food Lion Shopping - Meat Finds!

Joe and I stopped in to Food Lion on the way home one evening this week, and as always I was perusing the meat section looking for markdowns, and I stumbled upon these two beautiful packages of steaks! The 2 pk of Griller Steaks were marked from $7.31 down to $5.12 & the 6 pk of Eye Round Steaks were marked from $4.20 down to $2.94. Total Spent: $8.06!

Not only was I able to stock-pile a little more meat in my freezer, I also did some freezer "cooking." Well, actually freezer prep. I took the round steaks, sliced them up, put 2 steaks worth in each of three bags, left one plain and then put olive oil & fajita seasoning in the other two. So I have 1 pk for stroganoff, and 2 ready for fajitas! The 2 griller steaks I was going to slice up as well, and then I thought they might actually be good to just eat as steak. So I poured some A1 Marinade into a bag, added the 2 steaks, and made another easy to prepare meal! I love being able to get inexpensive meat as well as cutting out some dinner prep time in the process!!! How do you save money on the proteins in your diet?

CVS Trip #2

Stopped into CVS again yesterday to get some more cheap shampoos and Snickers bars and decided that I would go ahead and use a rain check while I was there...
3 Snickers bars $0.89 ea - $0.39 ea Sale - $1/3 MC = 3/$0.50
1 Viologie Shampoo* $3.99 - $1.49 Sale - $2/1 CVS C = $0.50
1 Fruitopia Shampoo $2.99 - $0.49 Sale - $2/1 CVS C = $0.50
1 Glade Sense & Spray Refill $3.99 - $1.49 Sale - $1/1 CVS C - $4 ECB (already had made part of the purchases towards this) = FREE + $2.50 MM
1 Physicians Formula Bamboo Face Powder $9.99 + 1 Physicians Formula Bamboo Compact $6.99 - $3.50 Sale (BOGO 50% off) - BOGO Free MC ($6.99) $5 ECB - $3.49 MIR from Here = Both FREE + $2 MM!!!
+ Tax $1.05
- $6 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $4.54, paid with FREE gift card & Earned $9 ECB's and $3.49 MIR!!!!
*These items were donated

Martin's Awesome Coupon Trip!

I also stopped by Martin's on my home from work earlier this week, and I was able to score some AWESOME coupon deals -- I love it when that happens :-)
2 Lysol All-purpose Cleaners $2.46 ea - $0.46 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$2
2 Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaners $1.99 ea - $0.20 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$1.58
2 Frigo Sting Cheeses $4.19 ea - $1.19 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$4
2 Green Giant Steamers $2.29 ea - $0.62 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$1.34
1 Heluva Good Sour Cream $1.95 - $0.66 Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 = $0.29
1 Hallmark Card $0.99 - $0.10 Bonus Savings - $0.50/1 Martin's Coupon = $0.39
+ Tax $0.39
Total OOP: $25.19 - $15.20 Savings & Coupons = $9.99 oop!!!!! Savings of 60%!

Walgreen's Trip this Week

I stopped into Walgreen's this week after work, and I think I got some pretty good deals...
Transaction #1:
1 Colgate Toothpaste* $3.99 - $1/1 MC - $4 RR = FREE + $1.01 MM
2 Wag's Wax papers $1.99 ea - $1.10 ea in-ad C = 2/$1.78
3 Geisha Peaches $1.99 ea - $1.20 ea in-ad C = 2/$1.58
1 Rimmell Mascara 50% off $3.99 - $3/1 MC = $0.99
1 Rimmell Mascara 50% off $3.49 - $3/1 MC = $0.49
+ $0.80 Tax
- $3 RR
Total OOP: $5.75 + Earned $4 RR

Transaction #2:
2 boxes Sudafed Shower Steamer Tablets $4.99 ea - $2/1 MC x 2 - $5 RR = 2/$0.98
1 Reese's Egg $0.39 on Sale
+ Tax $0.63
- $4 RR
Total OOP: $3 + Earned $5 RR for next time!
*These items were donated

CVS Trip for this Week

Joe and I stopped into CVS earlier this week to grab up the ECB deals, here's what we ended up with...
Transaction #1:
3 Snickers Bars $0.89 ea - $0.39 ea Sale - $1/3 MC = 3/$0.50 (+ counts towards an ECB)
3 Glade Scented Oil Candle Holders $3.49 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $2/1 MC x 3 = 3/$1.50
1 Glade Scented Oil Candle Holder with a Candle $6.39 (not sure why this rang up this price and no one there did either???) - $2/1 MC - $4 wyb $10 = $0.39 (+ $3.89 towards another ECB)
1 Fruitopia Shampoo $2.99 - $0.49 Sale - $2/1 CVS C = $0.50
1 Viologie Shampoo* $3.99 - $1.49 Sale - $2/1 CVS = $0.50
2 Right Guard Deodorant $4.49 ea - $2.24 ea Sale - $2/2 MC - $2 ECB wyb 2 = 2/$1
1 Aussie Shampoo* $4.59 - $1.60 Sale - $1/1 MC - $1 ECB = $0.99
1 pk Gillette Mach 3 Disposable Razors $9.49 - $3 Sale - $2/1 MC - $2 ECB = $2.49
1 Gold Emblem Wasabi Almonds $0.99 - $1/1 CVS C = FREE + $0.01 MM
+ Tax $1.31
- $5/30 CVS C
- $10 ECBs used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.67, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $9 ECBs & a $5 SC Johnson Rebate!

Transaction #2:
2 - 3 pks Orbit Gum $2.99 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$1 (+ Counts towards a ECB)
1 Viologie Shampoo* $3.99 - $1.49 Sale - $2/1 CVS C = $0.50
1 Fruitopia Shampoo $2.99 - $0.49 Sale - $2/1 CVS C = $0.50
1 Glade Soy Candle $9.99 - $3.99 Sale - $3/1 CVS C + 1 Glade Sense & Spray $9.99 - $3.99 Sale - $4/1 MC - $4 ECB wyb $10 = 2/$1 (+ $5.89 towards another ECB)
1 Cover girl Outlast Lipstick* $9.99 - $1.99 Sale - $1/1 MC - $3 ECB = $4
4 Betty Crocker Warm Delights $2.29 ea - $1.30 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC x 4 = 4/$1.96
1 Gold Emblem Wasabi Almonds $0.99 - $1/1 CVS C = FREE + $0.01 MM
+ $1.18 Tax
- $5/30 CVS C
- $10.95 ECBs used to Pay
Total OOP: $1.18 (Just Tax!!), paid with FREE gift card + Earned $7 ECBs & have the 2 items needed to finish my other $5 SC Johnson Rebate
*These items were donated

Really Small Rite-Aid Trip This Week

Some weeks they have it, and others they don't. This week's deals at Rite-Aid were pretty slim for me, as you can see from the above picture...
2 Johnson's Pure Cotton Q-tips 500 ct ea $2.99 ea - $1/1 in-ad C x 2 - $1/1 MC (past newspaper) x 2 = $0.99 ea or 2/$1.98
+ Tax $0.35
Total OOP: $2.34, paid with FREE gift card. Even the cashier was pretty impressed with this transaction! Remember, just because the in-ad coupon has Johnson's baby shampoo and body washes on it doesn't mean that's what you have to buy. The coupon states any Johnson's product, well, these Q-tips are made by Johnson's, so they count, and the coupon scanned with no problems at all. Just an FYI!

My New Bathroom Floor!!!

I just want to tell everyone about my NEW, BEAUTIFUL bathroom floor!! Isn't it just gorgeous? Now, some of you are probably thinking, yeah new fake wood linoleum, but if you would have seen it before, you would understand my delight :-) Many thanks to the Maintenance guys at the Museum for doing such a wonderful job!!!

Menu Plan Monday!

Well, it's time for another Menu Plan Monday, my favorite time of the week! This week should be pretty sedate compared to the past few; so hopefully some relaxing will come into play too...

Breakfasts: Bagels with Cream Cheese, Hot or Cold Cereals, Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies

Lunches: Leftovers, Grilled Cheese & PBJ Sandwiches

Dinners:
Sunday - PB&J Sandwiches with Chips and Dip, yeah, I know, not real nutritional, but very tasty none-the-less
Monday - Tuna Burgers* with French Fries
Tuesday - Chicken Spaghetti* with Homemade Garlic Bread & Salad
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Homemade Scalloped Potatoes with Ham & Steamed Broccoli
Friday - Salsa Chicken Bake* with Salad
Saturday - Possibly going Out, but we'll see...

Treats for the Week: Blueberry Muffins & Homemade PB M&M Cookies

*Recipe & Pictures to Follow
**For other great Menu Plans visit OrgJunkie Here

Spending Totals for this Week

This week Joe and I did a LOT better in out spending than we did last week! YAY :-)

Food - $11.64
Household - $2.12
Health & Beauty - $2.33
Total OOP: $16.09!!!!!!!

Eating Out: $29.33

How did you all do this week? Stay within your budget or go a little over?

Rite Aid Trip #2 - Free Renu, CG & Candy!

I had to run out in the rain :-( to pick up some medicine for my sicky hubby, and while I was out I stopped into Rite-Aid to get some FREE Renu, CG Make-up, and Skittles, as well as cough drops and Easter candy...
2 Renu Travel pks $3.49 ea - $2.50 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 from Here (this is actually the $2/1 MC, so you should be able to get 2 free per coupon, which I did the last time they had this sale, however, that does depend on your cashier...) = 2 FREE + $0.02 MM!
4 bags Skittles $1.49 ea - BOGO Free Sale x 2 - BOGO Free MC from Here (become a Fan on Facebook, this is also available for Starbursts) x 2 = 4 FREE!
2 Cover Girl Foundations $6.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale - BOGO Free MC = 2 FREE!
2 Cover Girl Blushes $7.49 ea - BOGO Free Sale - BOGO Free MC (took off $6.99) = 2/$0.50
4 bags Ricola Cough Drops $2.49 ea - $1.50 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 = $0.49 ea or 4/$1.96
2 Reese's Eggs $0.88 ea - $0.38 ea Sale = 2/$1
2 Mini Eggs $0.88 ea - $0.38 ea Sale = 2/$1
- $3/15 Purchase RA Coupon
+ Tax $0.99
Total OOP: $2.43, paid with Free gift card!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!

Shopper's Deals for 03/11-03/17!

Shopper's has some pretty good deals this week, especially on all of the St Patrick's Days essentials -- Go IRISH! Anyway, on to the sales :-)

Produce:

Green Cabbage $0.29/lb!

Farm Stand Bunch Celery $1.49 ea

McIntosh Apples 3 lb Bag $2.49 ea

Fresh Asparagus $2.49/lb

CA Navel Oranges 4lb Bag $3.49 ea

Meat & Dairy Items:

New York Strip Steaks $4.99/lb

Smithfield Premium Pork Spareribs $1.99/lb

Shopper's Value 4 lb bag Whiting Fillets $8.99 ea

USDA Choice Point Cut Corned Beef Brisket $1.69/lb

USDA Choice Flat Cut Corned Beef Brisket $2.99/lb

Shopper's Chicken Leg Quarters $0.79/lb

Papa Luigi 8 oz pkg Meatballs $1 ea

Carolina Pride Sausage Roll 16 oz Hot or Mild $1 ea

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat 7-9 oz $3 ea - MC (back cover of ad) = 2/$5

Dannon 6 oz Yogurt Cups $0.49 ea

Breads:

Arnold Whole Grains Breads 24 oz Loaves $2 ea

Single White Baguette 7 oz loaf from the Bakery $1 ea

Pantry Items:

Bumble Bee Solid White Tuna in Water or Oil 5 oz $0.99 ea (this is definitely a stock up Price!)

Starkist Chunk Light Tuna 5 oz can in Water or Oil $0.69 ea

Richfood Complete Buttermilk or Regular Pancake Mix 32 oz box $1.99 ea

Richfood Original or Butter Syrup 24 oz $1.99 ea

Richfood 18 oz Canister Old Fashion or Quick Oats 2/$3 or $1.50 ea

Shopper's Value 32 oz jar Grape Jelly $1.88 ea

Richfood All Purpose 5 lb bag Flour $1.89 ea (also a good price to stock up!)

Richfood 16 oz pkg Saltine Crackers $1.69

Prego Pasta Sauces 23-24 oz jars 2/$4 (Heart Smart Variety included in Sale) - $0.50/2 Heart Smart Sauces (from promo booklet) doubled to $1 = 2/$3

Mueller's Pasta 16 oz pkg $1 ea

Utz Potato Chips 3.75 oz Bag $1 ea

7UP, Sunkist, Canada Dry, etc 2 lt Sodas $1 ea

Oreo & Nilla Cakesters 12 oz box $2.50 ea - $1/1 MC (no longer available to print) or BOoreo cookie GO cakesters FREE or $1.50/1 Tear pad coupon available near packages of cookies

Campbell's Chunky Soup Regular or Healthy Request 18.6-19 oz cans $1.77 ea - $1.50/3 & $1/3 MC from Here (2 of each available) = 3/$3.81 or 3/$4.31

Campbell's 10.5-10.75 oz Cream of Mushroom & Chicken Soups $1 ea - $1/4 MC from Here = 4/$3 + Campbell's Family Size 26 oz cans of Cream of Mushroom & Chicken Soups $2 ea - $1/4 MC (from above) = 4 Family Size Cans/$7

Pasta & Rice-a-ronis 4.7-7.2 oz $1 ea - $1/3 MC (past newspaper) = 3/$2

Knorr Lipton Pasta & Rice Sides $1 ea - $1/3 MC from Here = 3/$2

Hunts Pasta Sauce 26 oz $1 ea - $0.50/2 MC (no longer available to print) doubled to $1 = 2/$1

Richfood 16 oz bag Dried Peas or Beans (large selection available!) $1 ea

Household Items:

Charmin Basic 12 big roll TP $4.99 ea - $1/2 MC (past P&G inserts) = 2/$8.98

Bounty Basic 8 roll PT $4.99 ea - $1/2 MC (past P&G inserts) = 2/$8.98

Homelife Everyday Napkins 120 ct $1 ea

**Enjoy your shopping this Week!**

CVS Take 2

I stopped into CVS this afternoon to pick up my prescription and get a FREE $25 gift card and check to see if they had any of the FREE Dawn in stock, only 2 :-( So, I grabbed a rain check & hopefully they will get more in before the end of the month when the coupons expire. Plus, if you are going to your locale CVS make sure to check your clearance section, ours in Westminster to OVERFLOWING!!!!
2 Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soaps $1.99 ea - $1.02 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 (1 adjusted to $0.94) = 2 FREE
2 Arm & Hammer Essentials Sprays $0.75 ea on Clearance = 2/$1.50
1 Gold Emblem Ground Nutmeg $0.25 on Clearance
1 Suduko Book (Wonder who that was for...) $0.62 on Clearance
1 set of MP3 Player Speakers (also for me!!!) $3.75 on Clearance
1 roll CVS Paper Towels $1.29 - $1/1 CVS C (from the coupon machine in the front of the store, just scan you Extra Care card and out pops coupons!) = $0.29
+ Tax $0.51
Total OOP: $6.92, paid with FREE gift card!!!

Walgreen's Trip for this Week

I kept my Walgreen's trip super simple this week, as I thought the very few RR deals they had kinda stunk, and besides, who can pass up FREE floss, shampoo and toothbrushes???
Transaction #1:
2 RenPure Shampoos $6.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale - TMF Rebate (on Tag) = 2 FREE
3 Reach Toothbrushes $3 ea on Sale - $5.01 in-ad C - BOGO Free MC $3 - $1/1 MC = 3 FREE = $0.01 MM
1 Russell Stover Cream Egg $0.29 on Sale
- $6 RR used to Pay
+ Tax $0.98
Total OOP: $2.25 - $6.99 expected TMF Rebate = ALL FREE + $4.74 MM!!!

Transaction #2:
3 Reach Flosses 2 @ $3 ea 1 @ $1 (cashier had to price adjust because the in-ad C didn't ring up right this time?) - BOGO Free MC $3 - $1/1 MC - $3.34 in-ad C
+ $0.42 Tax
Total OOP: $0.08!!!!! Pretty sure I made out like a bandit on this one. Neither her nor I could figure out why the in-ad C worked fine on the first transaction and wouldn't take off the correct amount on the second. After 5 minutes of constant beeping, she just price adjusted one of the flosses for me. I guess this kind of floss might not have been put in the system correctly, so make sure you CHECK YOUR RECEIPT before you leave the store!!!

Grand Total OOP: $2.33 - $6.99 expected rebate = ALL FREE + $4.66 MM!!! I love it when I get paid to shop!! :-)

Martin's Trip for the Week

I stopped into Martin's yesterday after work to use some coupons and get some really awesome deals, like...
2 boxes Betty Crocker Brownie Mix $1.59 ea - $0.34 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled x 2 = 2/$0.50
3 bags Birdseye Steam Fresh Frozen Veggies $1.50 ea - $0.50 ea Sale - $1/3 MC = 3/$2
1 - 6 pk Jello Pudding cups $2.99 - $0.99 Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled = $1
1 - 4 pk 100 calorie Yo Crunch Yogurt $2.59 - $0.30 Sale - Free item Catalina = FREE
1.76 lbs Asparagus @ $3.99/lb - $1.76 Sale - $2/$5 Produce Martin's Coupon from Here = $3.26!
Total OOP: $20.28 - $14.52 Savings & Coupons = $5.76!!! Savings of 72% - WAHOO!!!