Weekly Spending Report: 12/04-10/2016

This week flew by in a flash!  I've been running around like a crazy person at work, so I had to sneak out to the store on Sunday evening, or I knew I wouldn't get there.  Since ALDI was closed by the time we got there I had to send Joe back out on Monday, and again on Tuesday for a few additional things.  But other than that I basically went from bed to work to shower to bed all week.  Needless to say, I'm tired.  I've also picked up a nasty head cold which has now migrated into my throat - ugh!  Just peachy.  Anyway, here's how my shopping broke-down this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $12.01 oop, Earned $9 ECB's (Zantac and Huggies), and $3 Ibotta* Rebate (Zantac)

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $32.58 oop, Earned $1 Ibotta Rebate (Lean Cuisine) + $5 Bonus Ibotta* Rebate (for completing 2 grocery rebates)

• Monday's ALDI Trip: $32.50 oop 

• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $12.18 oop

Total OOP: $89.27
Total Earned: $18
Total Remaining for December: $270.73
*Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!

Frugal Finds: December 2016 Edition

This month I had a very productive trip to the thrift store.  I have slowly been picking up long-sleeved shirts for myself, so that I can weed out some worn-out ones this Winter.  I also picked up quite a few nice shirts for Howard as well - I am finding out that boys are very hard on clothes. 

1 Long-sleeved Black Beaded Shirt for Me $3.99 - 50% off Sale = $1.99
1 Long-sleeved Navy and Strip Henley Shirt for Me $3.99 - 50% off Sale = $1.99
1 Long-sleeved 3T Green Dump Truck Shirt for Howard $1.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.99
1 Short-sleeved 3T Gray Rocket Shirt $1.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.99
1 Long-sleeved 3T Green and Navy Striped Robot Shirt  $1.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.99
1 Short-sleeved 4T Gray Tractor Shirt $1.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.99
1 Long-sleeved 4T Baby Gap Gray Striped Shirt $1.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.99
1 Long-sleeved 4T Fire Truck Shirt $1.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.99
1 Short-sleeved 5T Blue TMNT Shirt $3.99 - 50% off Sale = $1.99
1 Long-sleeved 5T Brown Root-beer Shirt $2.99 - 50% off Sale = $1.49
1 Long-sleeved 5T Green Hot Cocoa Shirt $1.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.99
1 Black/Gray/Red Size 4/5 Jacket $3.99 - 50% off Sale = $1.99
1 Book for Howard (not pictured) $0.99 - 50% off Sale = $0.49
+ Tax $0.03
Total OOP: $16.90
Savings of $17 or 50%!!!!

We also went to a flea market this month.  I didn't find anything for myself, but I did pick up a few Christmas presents for Howard, and one Easter basket stuffer as well.

 2 Plastic Tractors $4
1 Melissa and Doug Magnetic Animal Book $4
1 Bunny Book (for Easter) $1
Total OOP: $9

Goals Update: November 2016

I'm sorry this is so late getting up, I'm behind on a lot.  I'm on the tail end of two weeks working straight through, and to top it all off, I'm sick - Yay!  But anyway, here we go...

November was a very busy month.  Work was swamped, and things at home were just as crazy.  But we had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch with both our families (14 in all), I got some AWESOME Black Friday deals, my Christmas shopping is almost done, as is my decorating.  All that's left to do in December is my cookie baking, and we will be good to go!  I crossed a couple of goals off my list since I know what the December schedule looks like, and I'm considering them 'good enough.'  Since they're my goals, I think that's alright. 
So, here's how things are going so far for the year...

Personal:

• Lose 20 lbs (about 1.5 lbs a month) -  I have lost 15 pounds! Only 5 more to go...
• Exercise 292 days - In November I exercised 27 out of 30 days.  For a total of 279 for the year.  I'm right on track with this goal! 
• Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I did fairly well with this in November.  We've had some cold days, and instead of my hot tea, I've been having some hot lemon water, which still counts towards my goal, at least in my book.

 Financial:

• Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I shared my budget update for November here.  If you click over, you can see all of the great things I was able to stock-up on while squeaking just under budget!  This included diapers, hand soap, canned soup, produce, and a variety of other items.
• Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - I earned my 5th gift card in November!!  Only 1 more to go for this year to meet my goal!  5 Down, and 1 to go.
• List at least 10 things per month online or 120 for the year - I did not list anything in November.  I am pretty sure I am not going to make this goal for this year, but we'll see.  January - Check (23), February - no check (0), March - Check (43), April - no check (1), May -no check (0), June - no check (0), July - no check (0), August - no check (0), September - no check (0), October - no check (0), November - no check (0)
• Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - We ended up not setting up in November at our last flea market because of car troubles.  I'm okay with that, and I'm crossing this off the list for the year; 5 is still pretty good in my book!  Total for the year =5

Household:

• Completely declutter the entire house - Finished in September.
• Finish my 2016 project list - I have my project list update posted separately. I have decided to go ahead and cross this off the list as well.  There are still a few projects left, but there is NO way that they are going to get accomplished with all the crazy that we have going on this month.  I will pick the list back up in January when I have more time to work through them.  I am still SUPER pleased with what I was able to accomplish this year!  I just amazes me how things get done when you actually take time to do them 😉  I will do a post in December showing the before and after pictures, so keep an eye out for that. 

Blogging:

• Post at least 3 times a week - I was able to post 3 times a week in November.  All totaled I posted 13 times, just enough to reach my goal.  I need to up my game in December!
• Do a 31 day series in October  - Finished in October.
• Set up a Facebook page for my blog - Not yet, I am hoping to get this done in December.

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 - November Edition

This is my last update for my household project list.  In December I am planning to show the before and after pictures with all of you, so be on the look out for that post!  But as far as getting anything else crossed off this list before the end of the year, I have to be real with myself, and it's just not going to happen.   I work most of December, as in 21 days, almost straight though.  The days I'm not working I need to be doing my cookie baking, for us and for some orders I have from friends.  I also want to try and spend some time enjoying the season with Joe and Howard - Howard will only be 2 once.  He LOVES Christmas trees and lights, so I am looking forward to riding around looking at some with him at least one evening.  🎄  We have some other fun planned for the month as well - midnight madness at our local antique mall, various family get-togethers, and my niece is graduating from college!  Overall, it's just going to be way too busy to work on painting or steaming or gluing anything.  I do plan to pick the list back up in January when I have more time on my hands, and I will keep you posted as I finish different projects that are still on the list.

Here's how the list is looking so far...

• Bedroom: 
• Declutter 2 Dressers, 1 Chest of Drawers, 2 Nightstands, 1 Closet, and Under the Bed -- Finished in February
• Steam off the crappy boarder - Not completed.
• Re-glue the wallpaper seams - Completed in September
• Change the wall art - Not completed.

• Hall: 
• Declutter Hall Closet, Desk, and Coat Closet -- Finished in February
• Sell desk, and move in a bench -- Finished in April
• 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 - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.

• Living Room:
• Declutter 8 Cube Baskets, 1 End Table, and 3 Dresser Drawers -- Finished in March
• Finish adding pictures to our 'mural' wall - Finished in June/July. 
• Paint the letter 'R' on our 'mural' wall -- Finished in January
• Find new art for behind the futon - Not completed.

• 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 - Crossed off in September, we are going to build a new one next year.
• Paint the windows/sills/trim - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.
• 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 - Finished in September
• Go through the CD 3-drawer organizer and combine into a large CD case - Finished in June.
• Install new curtain rods and tie backs; Hang new curtains - Finished in July.
• Make a new curtain for the closet; Hang - We've decided to go with closet doors instead of a curtain.  Not completed.
• Buy new Lamp/Shade for the Dresser -- Finished in April
• Re-glue wallpaper - Not completed.
• Bring in new chest of drawers (#2) - Finished in September.
• Build new shelf (or two) above the desk; Add books to shelves -- Finished in October.
• Paint the windows/sills and the closet door frame - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.

• Laundry Room:
•  Declutter Desk, 3 Drawer Stand, Bookcase, and Closet (including stored Christmas decorations) -- Finished in March
• Touch up paint from renovation -Not completed.
• Hang art -- Crossed off in May. 
• Wash box of new-to-us toys - Finished in July.
• Buy an IKEA cube system, assemble, and organize -- Not completed.

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

What are you getting accomplished? 

November Budget Update

November was a busting-at-the-seams kinda month.  Things were crazy at work - tea, decorating, and the holiday open house.  Things were super busy at home - cleaning, decorating, baking, meal prep, our annual Thanksgiving family lunch, and Black Friday shopping.  Makes me tired just thinking about it all.  Since there was so much going on in November, I fell behind on keeping my coupons clipped and organized.  I spent more than I'd like to, but I did get a LOT of great deals, some Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers, and we hosted 14 for Thanksgiving.  I'm just glad that the money was there in the grocery envelope for me to use.  Overall I'm please with what I got, and I am hoping for a lower price-point for my spending in December!  😂

So, below is how my spending broke-down over the month of November...

• Week #1: $66.47 oop, Earned $4 ECB's, and $0.10 Mobisave Rebate

• Week #2: $89.45 oop, Earned $18 ECB's, and $0.30 Mobisave Rebate

• Week #3: $76.82 oop, Earned $20 ECB's

• Week #4: $121.05 oop, Earned $36.12 ECB's, $76 cash for Baking (added to grocery money), and $0.75 Checkout 51 Rebate

• Week #5: $102.11 oop

Total OOP: $455.90
Total Earned: $155.27
Total Remaining from November: $10 (includes money added in from baking)
*Use this link to sign up for Checkout51, upload a receipt, and get a $5 Bonus!
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Weekly Spending Report: 11/27-30/2016

I decided to go ahead and post my spending report for this week since November ends tomorrow and I doubt I will get out to do any shopping before next week anyway.  I made a quick trip out Sunday morning to pick up some produce, snack and breakfasts items, and a few things to round out our meals this week.  See below for how my spending worked out...

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $59.59 oop (included, but not pictured, are 8 gallons of H2O)

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $42.52 oop

Total OOP: $102.11
Total Earned: Zero
Total Remaining from November: $10
 

Weekly Spending Report: 11/20-26/2016

This week was a little crazy with gearing up for Thanksgiving and Black Friday deals, but we made it through.  I did most of my shopping on Monday, but I did end up going back out on Thanksgiving to grab the few freebies they had at CVS.  Which, by the way, I am noticing get to be fewer and fewer each year.  I was still able to get some great deals though.  I also picked up everything that we needed for our family Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday.  We hosted 14 people.  It was a lot of work, and my gravy never thickened, but we all had such a wonderful time with each other!
Anyway, without further ado, here's how my spending broke down this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $16.07 oop, Earned $12.99 ECB's, and $0.75 Checkout 51 Rebate* (Tissues)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $90.28 oop (included, but not pictured, are 8 gallons of H2O)

• Earned $76 from Baking Pies - Added to the Grocery Money for this month
• Thursday's CVS Trip: $14.70 oop, Earned $23.13 ECB's

Total OOP: $121.05
Total Earned: $112.87
Total Remaining for November: $36.11 + $76 made from baking = $112.11
*Use this link to sign up for Checkout51, upload a receipt, and get a $5 Bonus!

Linked to I Heart Publix, and many more!  

Tot School Activity of the Month: Fall Sensory Bin

I wanted to hop on and share a quick little activity that Howard has been LOVING this Fall - a sensory bin.  There are a variety of these all over Pinterest, but I thought that I would share our version with you all as well.  You can pretty much buy everything that you need from the Dollar Tree, or you might be able to use what you already have on hand.  

First off, you need a container that seals.  I used an old Tupperware-style container; you want it to be wide and shallow so it will be easier to work with.  You also need popcorn kernels.  I used some old red ones that I had on hand that were too dry to pop.  I know they sell these in bags at the Dollar Tree as well.  Lastly, you need things to go 'searching' for.  Some have used leaves, I used mini ornaments, but any small item will work.  I hid the ornaments amongst the kernels, and then let Howard 'find' them, and he LOVED it!  So much so that he would want me to re-hide the ornaments so he could 'find' them again.  He played happily for probably 30 minutes the first day, and he still loves it.  

*A note though, PLEASE SUPERVISE your child when they are doing this activity.*  

Howard is only 2 1/2, but I explained that they are not to eat, and that we had to be careful not to spill the kernels out.  He was like 'okay mom, I get it, now let me find my ornaments.'

As you can see, he had a blast!
 

What fun activites are you doing with your toddler this Fall?

Menu Plan Monday 11/20-26/2016: Thanksgiving Edition

It's going to be a V-E-R-Y busy week around here -- I have baking orders being picked up on Tuesday, Wednesday I need to prep for our family Thanksgiving dinner and tidy up the house, Thursday we will host lunch for about 13 people, Friday we will be gone all day shopping the deals, and Saturday we'll be decorating our home for Christmas.  You can bet your bottom dollar that come Sunday I will be relaxing in a bubble bath come Howard's nap time.  😉  Since we have such a large meal planned for Thursday, and the inevitable leftovers for Friday and Saturday, I kept things simple for the beginning of the week.  Here's what's cookin' at the Rogers' house...

• Breakfasts - Pop-Tarts, Mini Muffins, Fruit and Grain Bars, Fruit, and/or Bagels + Cinnamon Rolls on Thanksgiving
• Lunches - Leftovers, Misc. Frozen Meals, Sandwiches, Salad, and/or Canned Soup
• Dinners - 
• Sunday - Snacky dinner (no one was really hungry after our big lunch at Texas Road House)
• Monday - Taco Salads

• Tuesday - Taco Salad Leftovers or Pizza

• Wednesday - Crock-pot Pork Loin, and Baked Potatoes
• Thursday - Thanksgiving Meal: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Dressing, Gravy, Corn Pudding, Green Beans, Sauerkraut, Rolls, Pumpkin Pie, and Chocolate Pudding Pie, and of course some Cool Whip for on top of dessert.  
• Friday - Thanksgiving Leftovers
• Saturday - Thanksgiving Leftovers

For AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

What's on your menu this week? 

Weekly Spending Report: 11/13-19/2016

This week I made a super-quick shopping trip in Monday night.  I wouldn't have gone out, but there were some good deals at CVS this week on things that we use everyday, and we needed a few things at ALDI and Giant to make it through the week.  Nothing major, just stuff like produce and bread, but since I already had to go, I picked up a couple of deals while I was already out.  Joe sat in the car with Howard since he fell asleep on the way there, so I was able to pop in and out speedy-quick!  

Here's how my spending broke-down this week...

• Monday's CVS Trip: $15.63 oop, Earned $20 ECB's

• Monday's ALDI Trip: $27.97 oop

• Monday's Giant Trip: $29 oop

• Friday's Kohl's Trip: $4.22 oop (Saved $26!) (no picture, just a candle and a tiny wreath)

Total OOP: $76.82
Total Earned: $20
Total Remaining: $157.16

Linked to I Heart Publix, and many more!