Cheap diapers (or chocolate & movies) with Walgreens $10/$30 coupon

There’s a new coupon out for $10/$30 purchase at Walgreens, good only on Friday, May 30. At my Walgreens I just need to make sure that the total after all Walgreens coupons is $30 ~ manufacturer’s coupons can bring the total lower. If for some reason that wouldn’t work and I needed to have $30 after all coupons, I’d add in one of the free after rebate items from the Easy Saver rebate book.

Here’s how I plan to put it to use restocking our diaper supply:
Updated after shopping trip: The coupon didn’t want to go through at first, but the manager was able to get it to credit eventually. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get credit for Caregivers Marketplace, since instead of a rebate receipt they gave a printed copy of the journal log. Even without that extra $3 rebate, this is cheaper for diapers than I normally pay! The Hershey’s were now marked $2.99 each, but might still be ringing up at $2/4. Sometimes they go ahead and change the price tags for the new month a little ahead of time, but the old ones are still in the computer until the current month ends.

Given the difficulty of the rebate receipt, I think I’ll send hubby out to do the following for our 3 year old:

28.47 – 3 packs Pull-ups @ 9.49 ea
+ small filler to make $30
-10.00 WAGS $10/$30 coupon
-5.50 in manufacturer’s coupons (2-$2/1 from Pull-ups.com, 1-$1.50 from paper)
$12.97 OOP on pull-ups
- $3.00 Caregivers Marketplace rebate
$9.97 for 3 packs of Pull-ups (78 pull-ups @ $.13 each!)

$28.47 – 3 packs of Huggies diapers (@ 9.49 each)
+ small filler to make $30 so that I can use the coupon
-10.00 – $10/$30 WG coupon
- 4.00 – Huggies coupons from paper & mailer (2-$1.50/1, $1/1)
13.47 out of pocket

Then it gets better! I’ll be sure to ask for a rebate receipt and send in for 2 rebates:

$5.00 Huggies MIR - Buy 3 on same receipt, get $5 back
$3.00 Caregiver’s Marketplace rebate @ $1 per pack (will combine with previous purchase of Cottonelle wipes to get 5 items required for submission)

$6.47 for 3 packs of diapers after rebates! In size 3 diapers, that’s a cost of only $.05 – $.06 per diaper, which beats even the Parent’s Choice diapers at Walmart that we normally use ($.13 per diaper).

Another scenario that could be done is this:

$18.00 – 9 bags Hershey minis @ 2/$4, choose ones with movie points on them
1.79 – 2 Ajax dishsoap (after 7-day WAGS coupon)
.99 – 1 Colgate wave toothbrush (after 7-day WAGS coupon)
1.98 – 2 bags Chex mix (if turtle, check to make sure it rings up right)
1.19 – 2 packs Wrigley’s gum (after 7-day WAGS coupon)
1.99 – 1 Walgreens maxipads
9.95 – 5 Excedrin 24ct @ $1.99
$ 35.89
- 10.00 $10/$30 WAGS coupon
- 4.50 ESR on Hershey’s (from new June booklet begins 5/30, $1/2 top of page 3)
- .20 Ajax from paper
- 1.00 Colgate IP toothbrush
- 2.00 2 – $1/1 Chex mix IP
- 1.19 BOGO Wrigley’s gum from paper
- $6.00 Excedrin coupons (1- $2/1 IP, 4-$1/1)
$11.00 Out of pocket

EARN:
$7.70 in rebates from May Easy Saver ($5 on Hershey’s, $2 on pads)
and
$22.50 – 3 Hershey’s megamovie tickets (worth $7.50 each at our local theater)

Budget time

We’ve been busy these past couple months. Too busy! I realized the other day that it had been almost 6 weeks since I’d really sat down and balanced the checkbook. We’re lucky to be in a position right now where we can let things go for that long without having major consequences, thanks to a decision we made several years ago. At that time we were both working as teachers, and were paid bi-weekly. Twice a year we would receive three paychecks in a month instead of the normal two. Usually this went towards paying down our credit card debt, but one year we decided to do something different. Instead, we’d keep the money in our checking account and when the beginning of the next month rolled around we’d pay ALL of our monthly expenses at the beginning of the month instead of waiting for the mid-month paycheck. This was the beginning of a turnaround in the way we approached our finances.

Instead of always having to race home to get the paycheck deposited by 5pm on Friday so that checks wouldn’t bounce, we could deposit it over the weekend since we’d already paid for that month’s bills. It was an automatic slush fund in our accounts. When our first child was born and we dropped down to one salary, doing this was especially important. We moved cross-country and now received only one paycheck, once a month. We set it so that the September paycheck actually is used for October expenses. Having a month’s slush fund in the account is critical to avoiding overdrafts!

But we did face the temptation of spending it ahead of time, since we knew the extra money was there. For a long time I tracked our budgets with Quicken. It was thorough, but made it tough for my husband and I to stay on the same page since he’s very visual about finances.

That’s when we found a program that works well for both of us. Budget, by Snowmintcs, is available for Mac or PC.

As an envelope budgeting system, we set it up each month so that a paycheck is divided up into “envelopes” for different expenses. This can be as simple or complex as you want. For instance groceries could be set at $250 for the month. As money is spent, it’s entered under the right envelope and will show how much is left. Hubby likes it since he can see at a glance how much is left to spend in a category. I like it because I can easily have multiple accounts and sub-accounts set up and transfer between them. It’s made our regular budget discussions go much more easily.

As it was, when we took a look at the numbers from the past two months, we discovered that couponing and such paid off even in the midst of very busy months. We spent more than in a normal month in a couple categories, but gained such a good stockpile that the next couple months should come in well under budget. We won’t have to buy dishsoap till after Christmas! LOL We also have a nice rebate coming in on the Walgreens gift card that will be the equivalent of a pre-coupon month’s expenses for household items.

The Broken Crock

The package arrived in the mail just before Christmas from my mom.  I’d say that we put it under the tree, but I’m not even sure that we had a tree that year.  Christmas morning came and I anxiously opened the box, finding all the makings for a pasta dinner nestled into a stoneware crock.  Earlier that year I’d asked my mom to keep an eye open for a crock, for I had fond memories of meals served in them as a child.  The older I got, the more I found myself appreciating the things I’d taken for granted and had left behind in a cross-country move.  As I reached into the styrofoam packing peanuts to pull out the crock, however, I pulled out a triangular shaped shard.  It was  .  . . BROKEN! 

Just like me.

A week earlier I’d had a third miscarriage, and was devastated.  For a year and a half we’d been trying to start a family.  At the beginning, we thought we had it all planned out ~ when we’d conceive for the best birth date to match up with the school calendar so that I could have the best combination of maternity leave and summer vacation before returning to my teaching job in the fall.  I was confident that I could control this aspect of my fertility as easily as I’d prevented children for the first years of our marriage.  The stack of books beside my nightstand grew as I read every book our local library had on conception and pregnancy.  I was ready ~ or so I thought.

Our first pregnancy came six months after we’d made the decision to start a family and we were overjoyed.  Before I could even make it into my first doctor’s visit, it ended.  I consoled myself with the thought that “at least we know we can become pregnant” and continued on somewhat less confidently than before.  Four months later we again had an early loss.  This time I comforted myself with statistics (surely after two in a row the next one would stick!) and the thought that the timing wouldn’t have been “right” to mesh with my teacher’s schedule.  Eight long months later we conceived once again, and made it further into the pregnancy than before.  We were hopeful, despite a roller coaster of conflicting signs.  A week before Christmas, that pregnancy ended.  This time there was no confident reassurance of statistics, no self pep-talks.  A year and a half after deciding to start a family we were further away than when we’d begun.  All my best plans had failed.  I was simply . . . BROKEN.

It was at that point that I could finally lay aside enough of myself to hear that God had been speaking to me for many months, but that I’d been too sure that I knew where I was going to listen.  As I pulled shard after shard of broken crock from the packing peanuts, the tears rolled down my face.  This was me ~ I was in pieces too.  One day over Christmas break I spread newspaper out on the kitchen table, and painstakingly glued the crock back together with super glue.  I couldn’t mend my brokenness, but I could fix that crock ~ that was my thought process.  That Christmas break was the beginning of my restored relationship with God as well.

For the longest time I felt guilt about the crock.  I didn’t want anyone to know that it had broken (even fibbed to my mother when I called to thank her for the gift!), and tucked it away in a cupboard.  As God has put me back together these past few years I’ve come to realize the powerful gift He has given me, and what a tangible reminder of that the crock is.  It’s going to be moved from its hiding place in the cabinet and set out in the open as a reminder to me of just how powerful God’s healing hand is in our lives.

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Note:  This post has been surfacing for some time.  This powerful story of broken pottery and healing is the inspiration for putting my story into words.  If you haven’t yet read the story of little Audrey’s short life and her parents’ faith throughout it all, bring a box of tissues and prepare to have your heart touched. 

Cheap thrills!

We scored a wonderful coup at the local HyVee today: Dannon yogurts marked down to 10/$1! I’m planning to freeze a few to use in smoothies later this summer. The dairy manager was actually thanking me for purchasing several boxes, since he said he’d just have to dump them if they didn’t sell. Between that and the 4/$1 Egg Beaters (which can be frozen) it was a CHEAP shopping trip!

104 items for $21.69!

Here’s the breakdown:
72 Dannon Fruit on the Bottom yogurts on super sale 10/$1 = $7.20
16 cartons Egg Beaters on super sale 4/$1= $4.00
1 Lays chips $1.77
2 Knorr side dishes $2.00 – $.50 coupon = $1.50 (.75 each)
3 Pillsbury cake mixes (birthday season here!) $2.64 – $1/3 coupon = 1.64 (.55 each)
3 frostings = $4.14
3 Suddenly Salads $3.00 – $.90 in coupons = $2.10 (.70 each)
1 Weber Grill seasoning $ .99 – .50 = $.49
Solo Heavy Duty plates 44ct (for birthday)$2.77 – $2.00 coupon = $.77
Bananas = $1.40
Returned 3 milk bottles for $4.50 deposit credit

At Walgreens I took advantage of the today’s $5/20 purchase coupon and stocked up on clearance feminine products (total of $.94 for 4 10-packs of maxis and 2 46-ct liners after Easy Saver coupon and manufacturer’s coupons).  Also got 2 bottles of Purex, s’more makings, pringles, paper plates, (free!) 2.x oz Edge shaving gel.  Total to be paid was $10.52, and I put that on my gift card from last month’s rebates.  Woo-hoo!

Housework with toddlers

One of the best tips that I received when my daughter was not yet crawling was to set aside at least one low cabinet or drawer in the kitchen that could be filled with pan lids, plastic containers, bowls, spoons, etc. that are safe for play. This cabinet has made it possible for me to cook countless meals and actually get dishes done while the kids are awake! All other drawers/cabinets are off limits, and they’ve adjusted to this pretty well after being redirected to their special cabinet. The items inside are ones that we don’t use for cooking (or use VERY seldom), so I don’t wash items are each play.

Some days the 3 year old “helps” with dishes and gets lots of practice pouring water into various size containers, as well as rinsing. We learn to clean up spills right away when they happen, and the importance of pouring water only over the sink. Other days the “toys” of choice are the plastic pitchers, wrapped 3-packs of bar soap, or metal lids from concentrated orange juice.

This morning while I did a big load of dishes, my 1 year old played in the cabinet and rearranged big magnets on the refrigerator while his 3 year old sister played with play dough at the kitchen table. We had the chance to practice patience as she waited for me to finishing rinsing sets of dishes before I could help open a new can, roll a ball, etc.

And when they both started to get a little fussy right before the dishes were done, I began singing. This often is just enough of a diversion to buy me a few more minutes, and helps them learn new songs. Today the song we did was “Rise and Shine…..Arky, Arky.”

What are some of your tricks for getting things done around the house with little ones around?

Coupon savings

Six weeks ago I decided to try to get some of the good bargains with coupons that I’d been reading about online.  I began with no coupon stash, no gift cards, and just 3 stores to shop at:  Walgreens, HyVee (no coupon doubling), and Walmart.  Initially I was doubtful that I’d be able to get anywhere near the good deals that I’d read about, but I’ve found that it is very do-able to build a stockpile of groceries and household/personal supplies.

Last night was a good example.  I went to all 3 stores, and here’s what I bought:

Trip #1 ~ Walmart:  $25.93

• 104 Size 3 diapers (Parents Choice ~ we’ve found that these work adequately for us, and are much cheaper) @ $.13/diaper = $13.67
• 2 boxes Kashi waffles = $.12 each after coupons
• 6 pkgs Bertolli Premium pasta sauce = $.50 each after coupons & clearance price
• 2 bottles Juicy Juice grape juice = $.58 each after coupons
• 1 bottle Cattleman’s BBQ sauce = $.91 after coupon & will receive $1.66 manufacturer’s rebate
• 3 cans Muir Glen diced tomatoes = $.22 each after coupon
• 1 jar Vlassic pickles = $.58 after coupon
• 1 jar Vlassic relish = $.12 after coupon
• 2 trial size Old Spice bodywash = free + $.06 overage after coupon
• 3 packs Kotex pantiliners = free after coupons
• 1 box 60 Bandaids = $.88 after coupon
• 1 40-ct Snuggle fabric softener = $.87 after coupon
• 2 travel packs of Shout wipes = free + $.06 overage after coupons

Trip #2 ~ Walgreens: $22.10 (paid with rebate gift card)

• Multipurpose lighter = $1.99 after coupons + earns $1 rebate
• Curves cereal = $1.14 after clearance & coupon
• 2 packs Stayfree Maxi pads = $.59 each after clearance & coupon
• 2 Off Powerpad mosquito lamps = $2.99 each after coupons
• Barbasol shaving cream = $.99 after coupon
• 3 Joy dishsoap = .69 each after coupons
• 1 pack string cheese = $1.50
• 2 bags shredded cheddar (8 oz) = $1.50 each

Trip #3 ~ HyVee: $22.09

First off, I found some great sales in the dairy department on yogurt & Egg Beaters close to their expiration dates!  The Egg Beaters will freeze, so I may try to go back and stock up.

• 1 Dannon Activa plain yogurt, 24 oz = $.50 
• 2 4-packs Dannon Lite & Fit vanilla yogurt = $.50 each
• 12 Dannon Fruit on the Bottom yogurts (6 oz) = $.25 each
• 4 Egg Beater Whites 16 oz cartons = $.25 each
• 6 bags Birds Eye frozen veggies = $.55 each after coupon
• 1 bag Birds Eye rice w/veggies = $.88
• 1 bag Corazona chips = free with coupon

The remainder of the items were just stock ups on things we needed, along with baked potato supplies for DH to take to a picnic at work.

• 2 pack margarine = $.88
• 24 oz cottage cheese = $1.68
• 24 oz sour cream = $1.28
• applesauce = $1.99
• potatoes = $2.50
• bread = $1.49
• apples = $1.64

Not too bad for less than $50 out of my bank account!  I’m enjoying a yummy (and healthy!) egg white, cheddar & asparagus omelette for breakfast right now.  Now to get a handle on organizing my stockpiles, and I’ll be set!

Garden goodies

The first couple radishes were ready to be picked and eaten today, so my 3 year old helped pick them.  They didn’t even make it to the salad bowl ~ we rinsed them off and had them just as they were!

We’ve also been enjoying asparagus spears these past few weeks.  Most times I’ll just spritz a baking sheet & asparagus spears with cooking spray (or brush with oil), sprinkle on seasoning of choice (mine right now is a cajun spice blend), and bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 min.  They make a quick accompaniment to any meal!

Flowers are also in bloom, and it’s really starting to feel summery.  We had a late spring this year, so the lilacs have just finished and the irises are beginning to bloom.  I’m trying to spend a little time every day weeding in the strawberry bed ~ didn’t get to it last year, so things are very messy this year!  But there are quite a few young berries just waiting to ripen, if I can beat the birds to them!

I love getting to work outside, and find that even a few minutes a day does wonders for my soul.  God certainly knew what he was doing when he created all this beauty!

Cereal round-up

We’ve gotten quite a few boxes of free cereal lately.   We try to keep breakfast fairly healthy, so some of the boxes haven’t hit the breakfast table.  They do make a wonderful snack, however!  Here’s my impressions so far:

Post Honey Bunches of Oats Chocolate Clusters ~ didn’t try it for breakfast, but made a nice afternoon snack with just a touch of chocolate

Liveactive Cereal ~ the one with nuts is delicious!  This makes a great choice for me as a snack, since I love nuts but find that they disappear too quickly if I just keep them around.  I wouldn’t pay full price for this cereal, however.  $3 for 7 cups is more than I can justify per serving for daily snacking!

Kellogg’s Smart Start ~ this one is good for breakfast.  It’s a bit sweeter than I normally eat, but it has a good crunch to it.  I also tried it mixed with the Liveactive cereal as a stretcher, and that was tasty, too!

 

Shopping wrap-up, week of 5/11

Since Walgreens allows you to use a manufacturer’s coupon in conjunction with a store coupon (7-day in ad coupon or Easy Saver Catalog coupon), there is the potential for really inexpensive items if you combine these with a good sale.  I’m no coupon queen ~ I get most of my deal ideas from other websites.  Moneysaving Mom and Hot Coupon World are two that I frequent regularly.

This was my first Walgreen’s trip of the week:

Stayfree Maxi pads 18 ct (clearance) 3 @ $1.60 = $4.80 – $3.00 ESC = $1.80  ($0.60 each!)

(repeated this later in the week for an additional 4 bags!  Under $5 for 7 bags of pads isn’t too bad)

Colgate Freshmax 2 @ $2.00 = $4.00 – $2/2 ESC – 2 $1 mfg coupons = $0, free

Oral B Toothbrush $3.99 – $1 mfg coupon = $2.99 + earns $4.39 rebate, so free + overage

Cottonelle Fresh Wipes 4 @ 2.99 = 11.96- 2/$4 WG coupon – 2 $2/2 catalinas = $4.00,  ($1 each)

Pert Plus 2-n-1 Shampoo 2 @ 3.49 = 6.98 – 2- $1 coupons = $4.98 + earns $2.75 rebate + MIR of $3.49, so free + overage

Sunday paper = $1.25

Used a $10 RR from the P&G week.  This store actually subtracts RR & coupon values before calculating sales tax, which really made this a nice trip for some things that we’ll use and will earn back $10.63 in rebates.

Other deals this week were:

5 Diet Pepsi 12-packs for $11, will send in for $10 rebate making these about $.20 each

Sure deodorant 2@1.99 = 3.98 – 2.00 coupons – 1.99 BOGO MIR (manufacturer’s rebate) = free

4 boxes Kellog’s Smart Start cereal @ 4/$10 – 2 IP coupons $3/2 = $4 and earned $2 in RR

At HyVee I picked up several packs of Fast Fixin’s chicken on sale 10/$10 and used $1/1 coupons which made those free!  My store also had Dannon Fruit on the Bottom strawberry banana yogurt 4/$1, so I stocked up on those.

At Walmart, Live Active cereal was priced $2.98 and there are IP coupons for $3/1, which made it free ~ I got 2 boxes!

I just started into couponing a month ago with absolutely no coupon stash, no stores here that do double coupons, and have already made some good deals!  There’s lots of information online, so it’s not too difficult to get started!

Idea for freebies, samples and cheap items

My sister may be staying at a Ronald McDonald house while her little boy is in the NICU.  For parents who have a child in the hospital, it’s so nice to be able to just have an inexpensive place to sleep, eat, and shower to help relieve one more worry.  As I was looking at their website, I saw that they had a wishlist posted.  It included many of the things that I’ve been receiving as either samples or great deals:  travel-size toiletries, paper towels, laundry detergent, snacks, cereal, easy to fix canned foods, etc.   I think I’ll be taking a close look at my stockpile and taking down a donation!