Budget Update: September 2016

September was a very busy month full of work, events at the museum, steam shows to visit, flea markets to set up at, and just the general everyday stuff like cleaning, and laundry, and errands.  We have also started do some more structured activities with Howard, things like pom-pom sorting by color, threading beads on pipe cleaners, reading books that actually relate to the season, or places we have recently visited, and lots of coloring.  We did some of these things before, but we are trying to start 'scheduling' them more regularly.  Kind of like tot-school -- I have a BUNCH of things pinned relating to busy bags and preschool activities for toddlers, so I will be sharing some of what works for us soon (if you all are interested - let me know in the comments below).
Overall, the month went well budget-wise.  Under budget is always good, and we got a lot of great deals along the way!  Here's how my spending broke-down over the month of September...

• Week #1: $2.06 oop, Earned Zero (no picture, only purchased rubber bands and crackers)
• Week #2: $62.74 oop, Earned $1 Checkout51 Rebate, and $0.50 Ibotta Rebates

• Week #3: $89.35 oop, Earned $10 ECB's, $0.25 Ibotta Rebate*, and $0.30 Mobisave Rebate

• Week #4: $110.73 oop, Earned $13 ECB's, $0.10 Mobisave Rebate, and $0.50 Ibotta Rebate

• Week #5: $95.97 oop, Earned $15 ECB's, $0.20 Mobisave Rebate, and $0.50 Saving Star Rebate

Total OOP: $360.85
Total Earned: $41.35
Total Remaining from September: $27.14!!
*Use this link to sign up for Checkout51, upload a receipt, and get a $5 Bonus!
**Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!
 

Weekly Spending Report: 09/25-10/01/2016

This week I did a good bit of stocking up, and I got some really great deals.  There were a few things, like toilet paper, that were on my 'to buy' list, and I got lucky because they were a great deal too!  I love it when that happens.  I also came in under budget for the month, not by much, but every little bit helps.  I kept my shopping to a minimum this week, just hitting up my regular three stops - CVS, ALDI, and Giant.  We are headed to a flea market this weekend, where the internet is spotty, so I decided to go ahead and share my spending report a couple of days early.  

Below you'll see how my spending broke down...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $23.37 oop, Earned $15 ECB's ($10 Charmin, and $5 Garnier Fructis), and $0.10 Mobisave Rebate (Hand soap)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $38.52 oop

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $34.08 oop, Earned $0.10 Mobisave Rebate (Pizza), and $0.50 Saving Star Rebate (Annie's Mac and Cheese) (included, but not pictured is a large bottle of Shout carpet cleaner on clearance for just over $3)

Total OOP: $95.97
Total Earned: $15.70

Total Remaining from September: $27.14!!!