So Cute!

I forgot where I found this but isn't it just adorable? They're stickers for your wall :o)

CVS

This was done in 3 transactions. Here is the summary:

Advil (75 count) $3.99
12 Sally Hansen Nail Polish $11.88
2 Colgate Extreme $5.58
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal $4.29
Honey Nut Cherrios $4.29
3 Speed Stick 24/7 deoderant $11.97
Gain Laundry Detergent $4.99
Benefiber (38 doses) $8.99
Benefiber (62 doses) $11.69
------------------------------------
Total $67.67

Cereal BOGO
Toothpaste BOGO
Coupons Used: $35.63
ECB Used: $18.00

OOP: $6.96

Chore Sticks!

Trinity and I made some chore sticks today. We both decided on 5 chores that she needed to complete each day and then we painted 5 popsicle sticks yellow and 5 stars pink, of course! I wrote the chores on each star and then glued them to each stick. I put them in a glass and they sit on our kitchen counter. After a chore is done, she turns the stick over into the glass and it reveals the words "DONE!" on the opposite side of the stick. Once all 5 have been turned over, she gets money to spend at CVS or the grocery store. She is at the age where she loves helping me with things around the house so I expect her getting very rich, lol!

Laundry Trick

Avoid the Sticky Measuring Cup. If you use liquid laundry detergent, you know it can be very easy for the measuring cup/lid to become a sticky mess. Instead of putting it back on the bottle right away, put the cup in with the clothes. Pull the cup out when you transfer your clothes from washer to dryer and you’ll have a perfectly clean, non-gunky lid to put on your perfectly clean, non-gunky bottle.

CVS

I got all this for $1.99!!!

Transaction #1
1 Swiffer Starter Kit @ $7.99 (Get $5 ECB)
1 Swiffer Refills (32 count) @ $5.99
1 CVS Body Scrub Sponge @ $2.35
Swimming Pool Dive Rings @ $3.19
Sunday Paper @ $1.50
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL $21.02
Minus
$4 off purchase of $20 or more
$2 Off CVS Brand Skincare Items
$13.49 CVS ECB's (From previous purchases last week)
$1.53 OOP

Transaction #2
1 Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal @ $2.50
1 Crest Toothpaste @ 1.99 (Get $1 ECB)
1 Right Guard Deodorant @ $6.99 (Get $5 ECB)
1 2-Pack Oral B Toothbrushes @ $6.99 (Get $6.99 ECB)
2 Bic Razor Refills @ 13.98 (Get $5 ECB)
1 Listerine Smart Rinse $3.99 (Get $3.99 ECB)
2 CVS Aftershaves @ 6.78
1 Accu Check @ $9.99 (Get $9.99 ECB)
1 Physician's Formula Mascara @$7.99 (Get $7.99 ECB)
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL $61.20
Minus
$4 off purchase of $20 or more
2 $2 Off CVS Brand Skincare Items
$2 Off Kashi Cereal
2 $4 Off Bic Razor Refills
$0.75 Off Crest Toothpaste
$47.00 CVS ECB's (From previous purchase)
$0.45 OOP

Transaction #3
4 12 Packs of Pepsi @ 12.00 (Get $3 ECB)
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL $12.00
Minus
$11.99 CVS ECB's
$0.01 OOP

CVS Challenge!

1 Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal @ $2.50

Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara @ $4.99

CVS Baby Oil @ $1.49

---------------------------------------------------

$2.00 off Kashi Cereal (Internet Printable)

$1.00 off Maybelline Mascara

$2.00 off any CVS Skincare Product

---------------------------------------------------

Total after coupons $3.98

Earned $2.00 EBC

****************************************

Check out my friend Alyssa's blog, Keeping The Kingdom First. See what you can do with $5 at CVS and post a link to your own scenario!

Friday's Frugal Tip!

Cancel your land line. Save money everyday by using your cell phone and skipping the land line. That's what we do!

CVS, My Love!

I went to CVS again today.....I just can't stay away! Anyway, here's what I got this time around!





1 Early Edition Sunday Paper
1 Father's Day Card
1 Laundry Detergent
3 Apricot Scrubs
1 Kid's Body Wash
1 Baby Oil
2 Garnier Face Scrubs
2 Exfoliating Baby Bars
2 Almay Mascaras
5 Large Packages of Candy
1 Peanut M&Ms
----------------------------------
Total Shelf Price Using CVS Card = $58.47
Total Coupons Used = $21.00
Total ECB Used = $31.99
Total Out Of Pocket = $5.48
SAVED = $52.99!!!

CVS Explained

I want to thank Alyssa for turning me on to this awesome CVS game!

My purpose for shopping at CVS is to greatly reduce our grocery bill by getting mostly all of our household products (medicines, paper products, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, feminine products, cosmetics, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, wipes, etc.) for free.

The following links are great places to start learning how this money saving game works!

Click HERE to learn what you need to do first.

Click HERE and HERE for some Q&A's about the CVS game.

Click HERE for some keys to success.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

CVS..... Again!

All this for $8.73!
Not my best, but I ain't complaining!

3 12-Packs of Coke
1 12-Pack of Sprite
2 Nivea Body Washes
2 Nivea Shave Gels
7 Bags of Candy
2 Snickers Bars
2 Dove Body Washes
2 Dove Deodorants
1 Dove Body Wash

SHOPPING SUMMARY
Total Purchased $60.56
Total OOP $8.73
Total Saved $51.83
Average Savings 86%

Frugal Friday

Top 10 Ways To Start Living The Frugal Life

Ready to give the frugal life a shot? Here are ten simple ways to get started:

1. Befriend the Library
Buying books and movies gets expensive, and even renting can add up. Take a trip to your local library; you'll find all of the latest books and movies available free of charge.

2. Clip Coupons
Take the time to clip coupons for the grocery items that you buy regularly, and shave an easy 25 percent off of your weekly grocery bill. Want to save even more? Find a grocery store in your area that doubles coupons and make that your store of choice.

3. Eat Out Less Often

Eating out is fun, but far more expensive than eating at home. Challenge yourself to eat at home more often.

4. Switch to Online Bill Pay
Save yourself a stamp and avoid late fees by paying your bills online. You can pay direct to your creditors, or set up automatic bill pay with your bank.

5. Group Errands
Reduce your gas bill by grouping your errands and only driving when you need to. For even more savings, consider biking or walking when you don't have far to go.

6. Make Your Own Cleaners
Homemade cleaners work just as well as store-bought cleaners and at a fraction of the price. Stock up on basic cleaning agents like vinegar and baking soda.

7. Seek Freebies
Freebies are fun and budget-friendly. Look online for a wide-array of free offers and enjoy a mailbox bursting with goodies. Like to try new products? Then, this is a particularly good savings strategy for you.

8. Wash in Cold
Cut your electric bill substantially by washing your laundry in cold water. Your clothes will still come out clean, and your hot water heater won't have to work nearly as hard.

9. Flip a Switch

Reduce your electric bill even further by turning off lights and other electronics when they aren't in use. It may seem like a small thing, but you're sure to see the difference on your next electric bill.

10. Change Your Own Oil
Skip the quick lube, and change your own oil. You'll reduce your tab to the price of oil and a filter, and maybe even save time too – quick lubes aren't always as quick as the name suggests.

CVS, I Love You!

I got all this for $3.13!!!

Thanks to Alyssa, I am learning ways to save so I can put God's kingdom first. Saving money like this allows me to give even more to my church! "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34)

1st Transaction
2 Listerine Smart Rinse @ $6.98
2 Oral B 2-Pack Toothbrushes @ $13.98
2 Bags of Chex Mix @ $2.00
Total $22.96
MINUS
$4/$20 Coupon
$3/$15 Coupon
$2.00 Listerine Coupons
$2.00 Chex Mix Coupons
$8.98 EBC
Total OOP $2.98
Earned $6.98 ECB, $13.98 ECB

2nd Transaction
8 Dawn Ultra @ $8.00
2 Huggies Bath Wash @ $6.98
1 Package of Balloons @ $1.19
1 Gilette Power Fusion Razor $9.99
1 Secret Deoderant @ $3.99
Total $30.15
MINUS
$4/$20 Coupon
$4.00 Gilette Coupon
$1.00 Dawn Coupons
$1.00 Secret Coupon
$20.00 EBC
Total OOP $.15
Earned $4.00 ECB, $4.00 ECB, $3.99 ECB, $4.00 ECB

3rd Transaction
4 4-packs Duracell Batteries @ $11.96
3 Bottles of Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner @ $10.00
2 8-roll Bounty Paper Towels @ $11.98
1 CVS Liquid Nutrition 6-pack @ $6.99
1 Orajel @ $6.49
Total $47.42
MINUS
$4/$20 Coupon
$3.75 Duracell Coupons
$3.00 Pantene Coupon
$20.98 EBC, $15.69 Return
Total OOP $0.00
Earned $10.00 ECB, $3.00 ECB

4th Transaction
2 Packs CVS Bandages
2 Cartons CVS Cotton Swabs
Total $11.96
MINUS
$3/$15 Coupon
$8.96 EBC
Total OOP $0.00
Earned $8.00 ECB, $1.99 ECB

$19.04 in ECB to spend on my next trip!

SHOPPING SUMMARY
Total Purchased $112.49
Total OOP $3.13
Total Saved $109.36
ECB Used $58.92
ECB Earned $59.94
Average Savings 97%

Is It Just Me Or.....

Do you dread changing the toilet paper roll even though it only takes seconds to do?

The Difference in Being Frugal, and Being Cheap

What is the first word that comes to mind when I say the word frugal? Cheap? Most people tend to incorrectly associate being frugal with being cheap, when in fact they are two entirely different ways of looking at financial life.

Frugal- prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful; thrifty.
Cheap- stingy; miserly.

Frugal: Buying ground beef on sale for a cookout.
Cheap: Making the burgers so tiny McDonald’s would be proud.

Frugal: Searching the internet for vacation deals.
Cheap: Staying in a cheap motel in a questionable section of town only for the price.

Cheap people will waste resources and do whatever they have to do to get the lowest price. People who are frugal are exercising wisdom instead, by thinking ahead, and instead of taking advantage of others, usually focus on self-sacrifice to do without things that might cost them in the long run. The money they save can then be used for more long-term goals, like buying a car, a house, or donating to a charity, instead of just burning a hole in their pocket for impulse buys.

Cheap people are reactive; Frugal people are proactive.

Being frugal is a life style, or belief system, in which individuals practice both restraint in the acquiring of and resourceful use of economic goods and services in order to achieve lasting and more fulfilling goals. In a money-based economy, frugality emphasizes economical use of money in meeting long term personal, familial, and communal desires.

The way I understand it is, frugal means trying to use less goods and resources. Cheap means trying not to pay for goods and services.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Tried CVS Again!

1st Transaction

2 Freedom Lite Glucose Monitors @ $20.00

Total $20.50

MINUS
$3/$15 Coupon
$11 ECB
Total OOP $6.50

ECB Earned $20 ECB

2nd Transaction

2 Sobe Waters @ $2.00
1 CVS Medicated Pads @ $3.89
2 Colgate 360 Toothbrushes @ $7.98

1 Excedrin 24 Count @ $1.99

Total $16.19

MINUS
$3/$15 Coupon
$2.00 Excedrin Coupon
$1.00 Sobe Coupon
$6.57 EBC

Total OOP $3.62

Earned $1.00 ECB, $7.98 ECB

$28.98 in ECB to spend on my next trip!

SHOPPING SUMMARY

Total Purchased $36.69

Total OOP $10.12

Total Saved $26.57

ECB Used $17.57

ECB Earned $28.98

Average Savings 72%

CVS

I went to CVS today with both of my kids in tow. I went without a plan which isn't a very good idea, but I went anyway. It's virtually impossible to shop with 2 little ones begging me to buy them this or buy them that---I had no focus or concentration so therefore my 2nd attempt at the CVS Game wasn't anything to write home about. BUT, I'll write in my blog about it :o)

Also, I didn't start out with any ECB's.

1st Transaction:
2 Jumbo Packs Playskool Diapers- Earns $5 ECB
2 Packs Playskool Wipes
5 Rolaids (3 packs)- Earns $10 ECB

Shelf Price $47.51
Shelf Price Using CVS Card $37.93
Used $3 Coupons
OOP $34.93
Earned $15 ECB

2nd Transaction
3 CVS Liquid Nutrition 6 Packs- BOGO Value $6.99
2 Revlon Nail Polish- Earns $6 ECB
1 Excedrin 24 Count

Shelf Price $36.44
Shelf Price Using CVS Card $23.95
Used $2 Coupon, $10 ECB, $5 ECB
OOP $6.95
Earned $6 ECB

Total Shelf Price = $83.95
Total OOP = $41.88
Savings = 42.07

I currently still have $11 in ECB to spend on my next trip!

My Housekeeping Mission Statement

To provide an inviting and peaceful household environment for my family and all that enter that is conducive to living simply, loving deeply and laughing abundantly. I will make strides everyday to achieve this by practicing and teaching good daily habits and routines along with effective organizational skills. I will graciously and cheerfully serve my family and genuinely enjoy my commitment to creating a home sanctuary that is above all else pleasing to God.

CVS

I went to CVS this morning and tried to do what Alyssa does best. Notice that I said tried? Well, the items that I wanted to buy were GONE! (The items that give you ExtraCare Bucks so that the item that you are buying cost you NOTHING) Someone (Alyssa??) had swept through the entire store and bought up all of the freebies! (CVS location: N. Tarrant Parkway) So, my first endeavour wasn't as good as I hoped.

Receipt #1
1 Nexxus Shampoo
1 Nexxus Conditioner
(Buy $20 Nexxus products and get $10 ECB)

Total OOP = $27.26
Saved = $0
Earned = $10 ECB

Receipt #2
2 Sun Light Dish Soap
2 Purex Laundry Detergent
3 CVS Liquid Nutrition 6-packs (Trinity has to drink these)
1 Downy Simple Pleasures Dryer Sheets- Vanilla & Lavender (These are the only ones I will use; they smell so good!)

Used = .50 coupon, .50 coupon, $10 ECB
Total OOP = $15.46
Saved = $25.37
Earned = $0
Percentage Savings = 62% Savings

Thank you Alyssa for your inspiration!!! Check out her CVS post for newbies!

The Juice Remedy

Apple juice and white grape juice have been a staple in our home since the kids were born. I have always diluted their juice with water (1/3 juice and 2/3 water). When I discovered manufacturers selling "lite" juice, I read the ingredients and realized that what they were selling was just diluted juice! I refuse to buy watered down juice when I can just make it at home. I dilute our juice by pouring half of the juice into an empty bottle and then filling both bottles with water. Bam! This gives you two bottles of juice for the price of one! The benefits: It saves you money, you don't have to rush over to the sink when a toddler is screaming for juice, and the kids don't see you dilute it so they don't complain about how the juice tastes different. A minor drawback is that we always have two bottles of apple juice in the fridge.