Tuesday's CVS Trip

Tuesday Joe and I also stopped into CVS to pick up some great coupon deals.  We had an AWESOME trip, and I did do two transactions to make the most of my ECB's.  Here's how it went down...

Transaction #1: 
1-24 ct Cool Mint Zantac $10.79 - $1.80 Sale - $2/$10 CVS Stomach Coupon - $4/1 MC - $8.99 MIR = FREE + $6 Money-maker!
1 Jumbo pk CVS Size 1 Diapers $9.29 - $2.30 Sale - $3 ECB's = $3.99
1-10 ct Zarbee's Seasonal Relief $9.99 - $2.99 Sale - $1/1 MC (from previous sample pk) - $7 ECB's = FREE + $1 Money-maker!
6 Reese's Eggs $0.99 ea - $0.24 ea Sale - BOGO Free Sale x 3 - $1/3 MC x 2 = 6/$0.25
+ $0.45 Tax
- $14 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.68, Earned $10 ECB's and $8.99 MIR!

Transaction #2:
2 tubes Physician's Formula Concealer $9.79 ea - 20% off CVS Coupon $3.92 - $7/1 CVS Coupon - $10 ECB's wyb 2 = 2 FREE + $1.34 Money-maker!
+ $0.94 Tax
- $7 ECB used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.60, Earned $10 ECB's!

Total Spent: $5.28
Total Earned $20 ECB's and $8.99 MIR!

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 03/26/2014

Here are a few of the AWESOME deals this week at ALDI...

• Weds. 03/26 ONLY: SimplyNature Fresh 85% Lean Organic Grass Fed Ground Beef 1 lb $4.49 ea
• Organic Baby Carrots 16 oz $1.29 ea
• Organic Grape Tomatoes 10 oz pkg $1.89 ea
• Avocados $0.79 ea
• Multi-Peppers 3 pk $1.99 ea
• Mini Cucumbers 14 oz $1.29 ea
• Grapefruits $0.39 ea
• Pears 28 oz $1.49 ea
• Mangoes $0.79 ea
• SimplyNature Apple Multi-fruit or Apple Banana Fruit Squeezies 12.7 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Yogurt Squeezies Mixed Berry or Strawberry Banana 4-3.5 oz pouches $3.69 ea
• SimplyNature Pancake Mix Oatmeal or Whole Wheat 16 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Unsweetened Apple Sauce 46 oz $1.89 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Brownie or Vanilla Cake Mix 15-15.25 oz $2.99 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Black Beans 15 oz $0.89 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Sharp Cheddar 8 oz block $3.49 ea
• SimplyNature Shredded Cheese Mexican or Mild Cheddar 8 oz $3.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Toasted Oats Honey or Original 9-10 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Reduced Fat 2% Milk $3.39 ea
• SimplyNature Organic 100% Apple Juice 64 oz $2.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Wildflower Honey 12 oz $3.19 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Diced Tomatoes 28 oz $1.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Free Range Chicken or Low Sodium Chicken 32 oz $1.79 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Salsa Hot, Medium, or Mild 16 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Uncured Pepperoni or 4 Cheese Pizza 13.2-13.3 oz $3.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Fruit Bars Chunky Strawberry, Creamy Banana, or Creamy Coconut 10 oz $2.69 ea
• Fit and Active Sugar Free Preserves Assorted Varieties 13 oz $1.99 ea
• Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen French Bread Pizza Three Meat or Extra Cheese 11.75-12.5 oz $1.99 ea
• Clancy's Garden Veggie  Crisps Jalapeno Ranch or Tomato Basil 4.5 oz $1.49 ea
• Sweet Additions Monk Fruit Sweetener 2.82 oz $2.99 ea
• Millville Chewy Yogurt Granola Bars Assorted Varieties 6.1 oz $1.79 ea
• Easy Home Heavy Duty Black Shelving $39.99 ea
• Easy Home Toilet Seat with Soft Close Round or Oblong $14.99 ea
• Easy Home Multifunctional Shower Head Assortment $12.99 ea
• Stout Stuff 10 piece Garage Starter Kit $24.99 ea

For more information about shopping at ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Chocolate Chip PB Oatmeal Bars

My husband's favorite flavor combination if you haven't guess by now is peanut butter and chocolate.  If it resembles a PB cup, he's there.  So, I try to make things that include the two ingredients, and if I can add something healthy in the mix like oatmeal, I count that as a double win!  These Chocolate Chip PB Oatmeal bars are tasty, and very filling.  They have plenty of sweet without being candy-like, and actually have a more savory taste from the PB, which I like.  The bars whip up quick, bake for only 20 minutes, and then get topped with a fast and tasty glaze, so go make yourself some, like right now...

Bars:

1/2 c unsalted softened Butter

1/2 c Sugar (I use Raw)

1/2 c Brown Sugar

1/2 c PB (I use Creamy)

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1 c Flour (I use unbleached)

1/2 c Quick Oats

1 c Chocolate Chips (I use Milk)

Glaze:

1/2 c Powdered Sugar

2 tbsp PB (I warm mine a little to make it easier to mix)

2 tbsp Milk

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cream butter, and sugars together until fluffy.  Add PB, vanilla, and egg.  Beat until smooth.

2.) Mix together dry ingredients, except chocolate chips.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.  Stir in chocolate chips.

3.) Spread mixture into a greased and floured 9x13" pan.  Bake 20 minutes in preheated oven.

4.) Mix together glaze ingredients until smooth, and drizzle onto cooled, pre-cut bars.  Allow glaze to set slightly.  Store bars in between wax paper in an airtight container.

Linked to Homemade Mondays, the Homestead Barnhop, One Project at a Time, Thrifty Thursday, the Super Saturday Link Party, and the Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-up!

Menu Plan Monday: 03/24/2014

This week is again jam-packed with working on preparing for our little one.  I'm hoping to get about half my large 'To Do before the baby comes' list crossed off and done.  That list doesn't include my weekly cleaning, running a bunch of errands, going to the eye Dr, and working at Joe's grandfather's one day, which also all need to get done.  Needless to say, it's going to be a BUSY week!  I kept the meals super simple, since I'm 37 weeks pregnant, sometime has to give, so easier meals it is.  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal for Me, Apple Pie Bread for Joe (*new recipe)

Lunches: Leftovers or Sandwiches with Chips and Fruit

Dinners:

Sunday - Pasta with Marinara Sauce, Ground Sausage for Joe, and Garlic Bread

Monday - Smoked Ribs with French Fries (Joe's also going to smoke a chicken as well to have for lunches this week, and to put some away in the freezer)

Tuesday - Fruited Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Chips

Wednesday - Pot Roast (Leftover from the freezer) with Onions, Mushrooms, and Gravy over Egg Noodles

Thursday - Working at Joe's Grandfathers, so we'll eat out with him, where ever I have a coupon :-)

Friday - Dinner at a Friend's House!

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Extras: Homemade Brownies

Freezer Cooking Plan: Shredded Smoked Chicken, Brownie Mixes, and Apple Pie Bread

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 15

Today's challenge involveda wipe down of the TV and computer screens.  That was super quick, so I spent the rest of the day working in the nursery, only one corner left!  I thought I share the product we use to clean our TV and computer screens, instead of clean black screens :)

I delcuttered a lot of old and duplicate pictures, and misc paper trash from the nursery.  Enough to fill a whole box, definitely 100+ items, gone!

Linked to Money Saving Mom!

Review: Glade Wax Melts

I was given the chance to review the Hawaiian Breeze and Apple Cinnamon Wax Melts from Glade.  I have been an avid wax melts user for years, so I was VERY excited to hear that Glade had come out with their own.  I love the simplicity of being able to drop a cube in my wax melter on my counter, and have the house permeated with an amazing aroma.  I stuck with scents similar to ones I already used, and that I knew my husband and I would probably like.  We tend to stick with cinnamon and apples in regards to candles and such, as they cover the kitty smell we sometimes have the best.  Plus they just smell tasty.  :-)  Glade's Apple Cinnamon Wax Melt did not disappoint.  It was not overpowering, but did a great job of giving the house a nice pleasant smell.  As for the Hawaiian Breeze, I already use Glade's candles in that scent, so I knew it would be a hit.  I love the Springy-freshness it brought to the house.  Kind of like that first Spring day when you can open all of your house windows, and everything is so sunny and fresh, and it makes you smile!  Overall, I feel that the new Glade Wax Melts are a great product.  They come in a variety of scents, a little something for everyone.  They also last a good while, making them a good value as well.  And, of course, they are super simple to use, and can be used in the wax melter you already own that matches your decor - always a plus!
Let me know if you've tried the new Glade Wax Melts, and what your favorite scent is.

I am a BzzAgent, and received Glade coupons to purchase the Wax Melts to try, however, all opinions expressed are my own.

Weekly Spending Report: 03/16-22/2014

This week I was able to do a LOT of stocking up for the baby.  Diapers and baby soap at CVS, and laundry detergent and baby wipes at Giant!  I also stocked us up on some more post-baby foods, including frozen pizza, and cheese slices for grilled cheese sandwiches, and of course, more bottled water.  I spent some of the money we received at the shower on the baby items, and used money from the grocery envelope for the rest.  Here's how the week went down...

• Tuesday's Target Trip: Zero oop, used Gift card to Pay. Earned $2.49 MIR
• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $5.83 oop, Earned $22 ECB's
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $20.41 oop
• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $28.96 oop, Earned $6 in Catalina coupons
• Thursday's CVS Trip: $1.95 oop, Earned $6 ECB's
• Thursday's Giant Trip (no picture, just 2 boxes Pop-tarts, 2 pkgs Kraft Singles, and Bananas): Zero oop (was $5.20, but used baby shower money to pay), Earned $2 in Catalina coupons
• Thursday's Good Will Trip (bought 3 larger sized baby outfits, all 50% off, and 1 brand new pk baby scissors, nail file, and clippers for $1): Zero OOP, used baby shower money to pay (was $4)
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (no picture, 2 newspapers, 2 pkgs Fiber One Brownies, 2 boxes Generic Zyrtec, 1 Medicated Body Powder, and 1 Snickers): $7.96 oop 
• Saturday's CVS Trip (no picture, just 1-40 ct Advil PM on clearance, and used a $1.50/1 MC): $0.74 oop
• Earned $10 ECB for completing a Survey
• Earned $23.97 from Amazon 
• Earned $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swagbucks

Total OOP: $65.85
Total Earned: $77.46
Total Remaining for March: $45.00

Linked to Couponaholic! 

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 14

Today's challenge involved cleaning the mirrors in the house (and glass doors, which we don't have any of), and organizing the utensil drawers.  Both easy enough and quick. Since clean mirrors are a little boring to photograph, I just took pictures of the afters of my utensil drawers, one for baking items

and one for cooking/prep items.

I also managed to get rid of 7 misc. junk items from around the house.

Linked to Money Saving Mom!

CVS Trip #2

It's rare for me to make two trips out in a week, but I have some serious late-pregnancy energy going on, so I decided to stop out to CVS and visit my favorite CVS ladies, and get some good deals while I was there.  Here's what I picked up...

4 boxes Kleenex Tissues $1.77 ea - $0.78 ea Sale - $1/2 CVS Coupon x 2 - $1/4 MC = 4/$0.96!

2 pkgs Stride Gum $1.57 ea - $0.57 ea Sale - $1 ECB wyb 2 = 2/$1

2 Travel Sized Eucerin Lotions $1.27 ea - $5 ECB wyb 2 (does not exclude travel sized) = 2 FREE + $2.46 Money-maker!

+ $0.45 Tax

- $4 ECB used to Pay

Total OOP: $1.95, Earned $6 ECB's!

Linked to Simply CVS!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 13

Today's challenge was a quick clean of the bathroom, and cleaning off the tops of the kitchen cupboards and fridge.  The bathroom was easy, so I got that out of the way first, then it was onto the top of the fridge.  I skipped the cupboards since ours go all the way to the ceiling.  

Bathroom after...

Top of the fridge after...

I also managed to get rid of quite a few things from our office desk, like 23 pieces of misc paper clutter - wahoo!

Linked to Money Saving Mom!