Life with me...

As you can tell from the lack of posts- things have been BiZe here. School is back in. So far so good. All 3 kids like their teachers (C loves his and we can tell why!) and they seem to holding their own. Cooper has given Mrs Janice a run for her money! (Playing with water in bathroom, telling a child he ruined his day, spilling his lunch everywhere, pinching another child...sigh... I better start saving up for her a nice Christmas present LOL).

I am working M-Th 8:30-2 (my co-worker is a slave driver LOL jk Jennifer). Really work is going pretty good- 4 days is a LOT and I was worried about how behind I would get but lets face it my house is never clean and I am too cheap to give up my frugal ways the only thing suffering is this blog- oops) Plus the kids are precious and they love me. I am their fave teacher ever (right Jennifer? LOL) C has started football (2x week) plus we have Scouts and will be adding in drama and art soon. We had pedi appts and got EBs PsychEd retsults and both C and lilC had/have bday parties to attend and there was a church consignment sale (I got to preshop thanks to Shelia, thanks again! - and I am excited there 2 more this week!) and we had Panthers box tickets (due to sitter issues I skipped it. Mr J. took a coworker to help him hobnob) and of course couponing.

Dang, why am I always behind? You would not believe my couponing mess right now. On the positive side though I went to HT Thrs night (I needed the ad since we do not get the Wed paper. I normally plan/post of my evic but hte 10 boxtops was over my head. I am a visual person). Then I returned Friday morning and did 4 more transactions (w/ Cooper) and on Saturday afternoon I did 2 more. (Planned on more but I did not make it back up there sans-kids). Then today I did 2 more (w/ all 3 kids). My total OOP is now @ $44 for almost $500 in groceries. If I can keep my kidlets out of the pantry (not looking good) we will be stocked for a while and that is not including next week's triple coupons! WooHoo! (I so need to be filing instead of blogging but I am already down from 200 daily readers to 40 so I thought I would check in with you loyal few 1st).

Oh and did I mention I did the Target deal 2x and made $6? I also hit the CVS on Thrs night and Walgreens on Sat. My Wags suggestions are on the comments part of this post. It is not too late for any of those deals but the Robo. so go get yourself so mouthwash and visine! As for CVS I am so hoping they stop their Friday ad "trial" I cant seem to get the ad outlined and to you in a timely manner. I know this week I will buy milk there and use the FL Nabiscio cookie coupons and I will of course do the Excedrin but I cant remember what else. I will try to post this week's deals later tonight.
For those of you not sure what I am talking about grocery wise see my HT post. All 4 of the Catalina deals (GGVeggies, PSPocorn, NVGranolaBars and BCFruitSnacks) stack on top of the $4 off 10. Plus you can get Pillsbury fridge products, OEPaso, BC Baking products (with Lowes coupon) and more. The Catalina and Lowes coupons work in to triples but auto $4 eands on Tuesday. If you do not coupon but want a deal I would opt for 5 GG Veggies and 5 PSPopcorn. You will pay $8.2x+ tax and get $6.50 OYNO not bad for $1.75OOP with NO coupons! Another good deal is if you have the Lowes ad do 6 BC Fruit Chews and 4 BC Brownies or Muffins. You will pay $10ish and get back $3 or $3.50 (my brain is tried). So is you do both for @ $9 you can get 20 items! Not bad for you non-couponers!
Well thats all folks. I gotta go put our roast in and you need to go to the store! (Don't forget your rainchecks!)

Weehhh what a week!

This week I had a job interview for a preschool job (I accepted! I will be assisting my friend Jennifer who will now be known as Boss Lady - till I think of something better) we had one Psychologist appt, one Pedi appt, one OBGYN appt, Football twice (including one post game pizza party), a hospital visit with Wonderful Wendy and "moms taxi" ran six camp carpools and drove Carson half way to SC to spend the weekend with our family


Somehow I did manage to get some Starbucks, Sushi and Shopping in (ok more than "some" shopping ) ... Rack Room, Karousel Kids (awesome finds!), Old Navy, Kohls, Justice, Target, Lane Bryant (40% off plus 2xRWD) good thing the mall is not near me huh? and of course I shopped Walgreens and CVS (do I ever miss CVS?) I don't know my total OOP for the week (who wants to know that when money is flying in every direction BUT yours! LOL) but I saved a lot (a concept that Mr J still does not get...sometimes it take $ to save $) in fact I made $$ at CVS where I purchased 2 Children's Advil, 1 Fleet Pedia-lax, 4 bags of Dove Dark Chocolates, 10 Gold Peak Teas and 3 12pk Coke. (I used $21.28 in MQ ($8 of it from my coupons.com sidebar!), (3) $2 CVS coupons and $1 CVS crt) My total profit after ECB is right at $2. WooHoo!

So... I apologize that I have not blogged much... life has been one big blur but I hope to resume my weekly grocery tips, monthly walmart with printables and Wednesday's world wide web soon... and I am still working on setting up subscriptions and Mr Linky (we all know all inattentive and non-tech savvy I am!) as well.

As always if you have any hot deals/tips please email me!

My Thrifty Thursday HT Finds!

Yesterday I stopped in HT for cash to pay the sitters (not very thrifty but needed!)and scored this extra large beach bag (the photo does not do the size justice), pitcher and 6 glasses for under $15 (75% off).
Seeing as a new beach bag was on my list and new glasses were on dh this was a Thrifty purchase and not an impulse purchase - right??? and since I am uploading pics anyway here is a photo of yesterday's garden haul (heehee) and the awesome forgotten fave bracelet that Mr J found and had restrung for my anniversary!

Wednesday's World Wide Web from my eyes...

Lets check a few out... and PLEASE add your favorite post from the last 2 weeks!

Way More 4 Way Less is Calling all Toothbrushes - a great chance for YOU to give back!

Wise Bread writes about Why He Turns Down Free Money

The Simple Dollar has 10 Tips for making budgets successful

LoveLoud has God's reply the the Buffalo Nickel auction - so cool!

NestingPlace proves once again that it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful

Check out the ThePioneerWoman's recipes, Mmmmmmm, now that is inspiring!

Saving for our families dreams NEEDS YOUR HELP! Plus she is doing a Coupon Giveaway

Being Frugal questions... Are You Under the Influence?

Spam...alama...dingdong

I have pets on the brain today. I mean I am REALLY wanting a puppy (or two). Crazy I know but I can't seem to shake it. To make matters worse on our way to swim at Trish's today we passed a lady selling a litter of CockerSpaniels puppies. Awe, so cute!
So when I saw this SPAM about a pet contest, I had to check it out... and share (who likes spam?) Ebates and SnapFish have joined together for a Cutest Pet Photo Contest! The winners with the top three photos will win Snapfish gift cards for $300, $200 and $100! I voted for the Basset! Awe... now here is the spam -
If you are not familiar with Ebates and/or Snapfish both are running "new customer" promotions.
Ebates will give you $5 for signing up in addition to their customary 1-25% rebates. Plus for every friend you refer they will give them $5 and you an additional $5.
Snapfish is offering 50 free prints to all new customers and 2 prints for returning customers. This is in addition to their current coupon code EBATES10OFF which will get you $10 off any $25 order... and of course place your order thru Ebates for an additional 10% in savings!

Blockbuster!

I have been meaning to blog about Blockbuster for a few weeks. Now I am glad I never got around to it because the news just got sweeter!
We love RedBox but find that in the summer with limited tv and 24/7 children and good ole southern HEAT WAVES Blockbuster works out to be a great deal.
Because there is no contract we join their "Total Access" plan every June and cancel every August - there store is 1 mile from our house so it works well for us (dang there was a post for Works for me Wednesday!) but they also offer online if that is your preference.
Well a few weeks back Blockbuster started a promo where your 1st 2 weeks are free ("a trial"). Well now if you pay with paypal you also get $10 cash back (after one paid month, please read restrictions). In plain English that equates to 6-10+ weeks of free movies! In order to get this deal you must register thru this link. Check it out!
If you register leave me a comment and tell us what your first rental will be and why.

What kind of shopper/consumer ARE you?

Are you an impulse shopper? Oh I am! Yes-sir-ree! I mean it totally goes against my grain to Coupon and follow Shopping Lists (ok I secretly like making list anyone around me as Black Friday nears knows this is true but I hate sticking to the list - I find it REALLY hard only buying what is on the list. I mean gourmet cheese and oreos are never on the grocery shopping list kwim?) and Budget (sigh! what is a budget, I don't want to see where all the money went that might keep me up at night!).
Don't get me wrong I get a GiddyHigh off of my savings (sumthin for nuthin!) and I try hard to not be wasteful but I really am an impulsive, impatient I WANT IT NOW kind of person. (my MFFs and my family can stop laughing - I confessed it, that is half the battle - Right?)One good thing is I fear debt (I need to fear my limited savings) otherwise I would be in a heap of trouble but the plain ole truth is there is a LOT of room for improvment. I mean I am no Dave Ramsey or Mary Hunt that is for sure! Just like my struggeling prayer life, contentment with living with in my means is a common struggle for me and one of the original goals that led me to blogging.
I read once that thrifty living does not mean "making do" it means doing what you want to do affordably. I totally do that! (meaning I afford it all, it just has been known to be a lil "creative" at times - groan!).
I used to question if I was frugal. Yes, I was/am a Fru-Gal and I LOVE a deal -I mean I really enjoy bargain hunting- and I am thrifty (at least by the above definition) but frugal ?? (unless you are comparing me to someone wasteful - he shall not be named - I was just not sure) but then I realized it is all in how you define it.
Wikipedia defines frugality as the practice of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourcefully using already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a longer term goal. Ok I got the 2nd half (Mr J may not) but I really really struggle with the restraint word - in ALL aspects of life.
Yes if I made lists of adjectives that describe me many would not jive (lazy impatient perfectionist - yeppers it is possible just like liberal christian and overbuying coupon clipping bargain hunter I am a one man demographic but that's ok, I am interesting. HeHee) and none would include the word restraint in any form. I am a complex person and simplicity (no matter how attractive it sounds while facing piles of clean unsorted laundry) is just not my bag.
I am a born and bred impulse buyer (hey GG, it's me!) maybe that is why I found this blog post so funny? (I can relate, I too self medicate by avoiding the mall and bigbox stores I can't tell you the last time I have stepped foot in the mall- if only I could avoid Naartjie online sigh)
Seriously I know I have a long way to go but I know how far I have come (pat, pat! no more high interest credit cards for me!) so hopefully some day (sooner rather than later) I will get there (or at least head in that direction at a faster pace?)
If you are reading this and you can relate, give me a holler in the mean time take my poll and share it with a friend.

Now that is a NeatO Idea!

Chief Family Officer has a great idea for inexpensive kids birthday cards! NeatO!

These Are A Few of HER Fave Things

Check out EB's fave clothing brand - Naartjie - it's on Sale!
If the website is out of your size call/email Luanna at their Glendale store - she rocks and will will do her best to find it for you!

And great news for you moms of tweener (or in our case "wannabe" tweener) girls. Justice is going on line! Be sure to register with them for future coupons!

Feed Families in Need - FREE

Denise at the Centsible Sawyer found a great way to feed families in need. Just log on to www.yourfamilytable.com and tell about the things that you do to make the lives of your family better and Country Crock will donate a meal to a family in need through America's Second Harvest. You can read more about it here including how to print a .55 coupon!

GasBuddy.com

Find the best gas prices in your area!

ugh, me the blogger, YES, I am still here! Lets see if I can get this blog rolling....

I knew when I started this blog it was likely to be added to the long list of things I start and do not continue/finish.

Perhaps if I stick to what I know... How to save $$$
Starting today I will be keeping an updated side bar of HOT DEALS

Coupon Rumor has it...
Bi-Lo will be price matching competitors (like Walmart) and take competitors coupons (like HT and Lowes!).

Now for those that could care less about HOT DEALS or coupons here is the latest Dickey news...

C is doing great in school and B is doing MUCH better. She has not had any more "episodes" (lethargic, slurring etc) and is doing good in the morning. We had lab work done Friday and have follow up EEGs in June. LilC is W I L D. He had 90% regression in the potty training department and the situation is only getting worse. He has learned to undo deadbolts and lock bathroom doors. Life is always an adventure!
I will have to post about our mountain trip. We went to Mystery Hill, Greater Foscoe Mining Company, Linville Caverns, Grandfather Troutfarm and more... I uploaded a few pics in the event I forget to post. GREAT Fun!

We booked a SURPRISE Disney trip for May. We will visit my in-laws 2 nights then visit WDW for 5 days then depart there for a 3 night vacation with my family at Harbor Island. This is where we are staying: http://www.vrbo.com/120565 Happy Bday to Carson and Blake (no party his year, which kind of makes it hard to keep the trip a surprise) Good Times!