Don't forget to get your Neutrogena Clinical before 7/19!

Remember the Rite Aid deal that I told you about here? How it was a $28.00 moneymaker, blah, blah, blah... Well, I have called/visited several of the Birmingham locations only to find that none of them have it. If you were one of the fortunate few to actually get one, wow, I am proud of you!

But, if the rest of you don't want to miss out on getting to try such an expensive product for free (and make a little money while doing it) this is what I suggest. Last night I visited the McCalla CVS (Eastern Valley Rd location) and used my $5/25 from Rite Aid then my $5.00 mfg q. After all was said and done, I will make $10.00 off of the deal and I didn't have to drive far to get it.

**As far as I know, this CVS location is the only one around that accepts competitor q's. If you know of any others, please let me know!**

$100.00 worth of men's clothing for under $40.00!

Sears is offering a fabulous deal for men's clothing right now. The offer reads "Buy $50.00 in men's apparel get $50.00 in Sears come back cash." The deal runs today through June 20th & is available in stores and online.

My game plan: Beginning Sunday at CVS you can get $10.00 ecb's wyb a $50.00 Sears gift card. Go to Shop At Home & earn 5% cash back on all purchases from Sears + $5.00 if you are a new customer. Wow! I love Shop at Home. Then after your purchase arrives (if you want to be really thrifty I believe you can have it delivered to the store for pick-up for free) you have until July 20th to fill out the rebate form & mail in & receive your $50.00 come back cash.

*Come back cash must be spent on men's apparel & excludes all Lands End merchandise. Limit 1 per household. Purchase must total $50.00 or more after all discounts.

I'm thinking Fathers Day & birthday gifts...

February Saving/Spending Totals are in!

I went over my receipts and bank statements today to see what I spent in the stores this month. I didn't get it down to the dollar but I'm pretty close at $178.00 for the month. That includes all money spent on food, toiletries, and donations. We added about $120.00 worth of donations to our buckets this month. I probably spent $20.00 or less on those things. But believe me, it will make a difference in someone's life to have toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and the basic things that we take for granted*. It was worth it to drive over to CVS to pick up those $0.25 items. It's a small effort that we can all do. Make an goal for your family in March to make giving to others a priority. I guarantee you'll be glad you did! :)

Okay! Now to my favorite part! What we saved/received in February...

1 $4.00 Ronzoni rebate when you purchase "Up" on dvd
1 $2.00 RiteAid rebate
1 $19.98 Proctor & Gamble Quench lotion rebate
$205.00 cash leftover from $100.00 weekly budget

Grand Total $230.98 Yay!

*Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Weekly Publix Trip

I think that I got a lot this week for the money. No huge money makers, but everything I bought we will use.

1 Tyson Beef Pot Roast in Gravy B1G1 3.49 ea
6 boxed Ronzoni pasta 12-16 oz B1G1 .69 ea
6 Yo Plus yogurt 4 pks B1G1 1.25 ea
7 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel B1G1 1.24 ea
2 Nabisco Honey Maid graham crackers B1G1 1.99 ea
1 Bob Evans Sides, Macaroni & Cheese 2.50
3 gallons Publix brand milk 3.19 ea
1 A Day Multivitamins, Scooby gummies 25% off 4.27 ea
2.8 lb bananas .69 lb 1.95
6 Rotel diced tomatoes B1G1 .67 ea
3 Hammark Shoestring Cards .99 ea
* 9 lbs ground beef 21.19

I used:

$10.00/50.00 purchase Winn Dixie catalina Q
$2/1 Tyson Entree Publix Family Style Magazine Store Q
.75/1 Tyson IP
6 $1/1 Yo Plus SS 1/23
7 $1/1 Toaster Strudel IP
1 $2/2 Nabisco cracker IP
1 $1/1 Bob Evans Publix Family Style Store Q
1 .50/1 Bob Evans side dish IP
1 2.50/1 One A Day Publix Family Style Store Q
1 $2/1 One A Day SS 1/03
1 .55/2 Rotel blinkie
3 .75/2 Rotel Yellow Advantage Flyer Q's
3 .99/1 Hallmark card tearpad Q's
4 $1/2 lbs ground beef Yellow Advantage Flyer Q's

Total Due: $36.17, Total Saved: $78.20

* The reason I really stocked up on ground beef this week was because the yellow advantage q's will expire on 2/5, AND I will be submitting this receipt for a rebate. Purchase $20.00 of meat, get $7.50 back. Basically I paid $1.07 lb for beef.

How Much I Saved In January

As you may know, I have challenged myself to spend $40.00 or less per week on groceries/toiletries/diapers, etc...I wanted to give you a total of *cash in hand* what our family saved this month.

2 $5.00 SC Johnson rebates
1 $21.00 Rite Aid Single Check Rebate
$185.00 Cash

Total Saved $216.00

I didn't come in right on target this month...on paper. I spent a little more for things that we needed, but when the rebates continue to come in I will have spent less than $40.00 per week. I guess I'm kind of on a "flexible spending plan." I know that this month, I have sent off several rebates that total more than $100.00. One thing I have done to try to put that money into our savings account (instead of letting in dwindle away) is by getting cash back at the register every week when I do my Publix shopping. If my total is $34.00, I get $64.00 back, trying not to go over $40.00 and putting the remaining $60.00 into an envelope to deposit at the end of the month. Just an idea, maybe that will work for you too!

Great deals at CVS starting tomorrow!

Well, actually if you shop a CVS store that isn't a 24 hour location, the sale starts at 6pm on Saturday night. I just got in from my weekly visit and I had an unbelievable find!

Some M & M products and Hershey Kisses were ringing up at $0.39 per bag! This was for the 12.6 oz bag. The only thing that tipped me off that they might be different was the kisses had a snowflake print on the back of the bag, indicating that they were from Christmas. No other mention of "Christmas" or "holiday" anywhere on the packaging. As for the M & M's though, the candies were wearing santa hats, but they too, were stocked with the regular candy. I hope you have some luck at your store! BTW, there is a blinkie out (a few aisles over) for $1/2 bags. I love being paid to walk something out of the store, don't you?

Transaction #1
3 bags M & M's .39 each
8 bags M & M's 2.50 each
4 bags Hershey Kisses .39 each

I used 1 $4/20 cvs Q (email from cvs)
5 $1/2 blinkies for the M & M's
1 $7 ECB from last week
Total paid $8.77, received $10.00 ECB

Transaction #2
2 Huggies Jumbo pks 10.00 ea
1 Clean & Clear face wash* 4.99
1 gallon Barbers milk 3.79

I used 1 $4/20 cvs Q (email)
2 $2 Huggies IP's
1 $2 Clean and Clear Q 1/3 SS
1 $10 ECB from candy purchase above
Total paid $12.37, received $5.00 ECB

The 1 Clean & Clear face wash that I purchased will complete the requirement for the $10.00 Mail In Rebate, Beauty for All Ages.

Just to clarify, we will NOT be eating all of those M & M's! They will be used for Valentine goodie bags. We won't eat them all. ;)