An all American Family

Free Samples / Freebies / Free

2010-01-31T17:09:00.000-08:00

No Shopping this week

2010-01-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

I won't be doing any shopping this week as bills always come first. But I am trying to get a plan together for the following week. I found that Save A Lot has coupons on their website. Some of the items are manufacturers coupons that you should be able to use at other stores and some are their store coupons. I think it is great that they are offering even more savings off their groceries. If you like to shop there and don't mind the store brand there are great coupons like .40c off a box of mac and cheese. You can go here and print their coupons.

I need to put together a list of items we have ran out of and try to find the best way to get these items while spending the least amount of money possible. I really was hoping to get my grocery bill under $50 a week. But I just don't think that is possible. Household items and personal items are so expensive and unforchanetly we need those just as we need groceries. Ideally it would be wonderful if there was a sale and coupon for every item we need every week but there isn't. Which is why stock piling I know is the best way to go, the biggest problem I run into is finding the extra money to stockpile when there are other things you need as well.

Not a exact science that is for sure. I will not give up. With God all things are possible! He will help find the way to do this for my family.

Trying to find my way back

2010-01-26T07:50:00.000-08:00

Okay I am going to get back into blogging and give it another shot. After finding out I was pregnant and battling morning sickness I gave up on it.

I still read lots of other blogs, most of them geared towards saving money. I envy a lot of these women who live in places where they double coupons. My goal had been to get my grocery bill down to $40 a week like a lot of these women do.

I realized the reason they have such low grocery bills is because they live in areas that double coupons and they so many items for free or just pennies. After a couple of months of stock piling I was finding I was still spending way too much and the items I was stock piling were household items and not edible items. So that left me in pinch when it came time to make meals.

So I have changed my thinking a little about stockpiling and shopping. I stock pile when I can and only if it is items that will come in good use. Publix is a great store for this. I try to go every week with coupons and take advantage of the buy one get one free items. This makes for some very cheap items and helps to stock up on them. One week I was able to get 12 boxes of spaghetti for like .15 cents a box.

Over the holidays I didn't pick up very many newspapers, so I am working to rebuild my coupons. And now some of the household items I had orginally stock piled such as shampoo and laundry soap need to be replenished.

I am going to look at more and more ways to try and lower our grocery bill.

Weekly shopping trip

2009-10-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am finally going to post this. Sorry but no pictures, just a brief run down. Went to Walgreens and was greatly disappointed. I had it all planned out for 3 transactions, they were out of most of the things I wanted. I wasn't feeling well and had to wing it. I spent way more out of pocket than I wanted to.

I did 2 transactions and got:
1 vaseline lotion $6.99 get $7 RR - used .50c coupon
2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaner BOGO $2.79 (had one .50c coupon and forgot to use it)
2 Morton Salt/2 Deerfield baking soda 2/$1 with in ad coupon
3 votive candles (filler items) on clearance .12c (looking at receipt now looks like 2 rang up .49c)
2 Ester-C BOGO $10.99 Used 2 $5/1 coupons
2 Zantac $8.99 get $9 RR - used 2 $5/1 coupons
2 Glade candles 2/$5 get $1 RR used 1 $3.50/1 + $1/1 coupons
1 Robitussin DM 2 pack $2.49. get $2.50 RR
2 packs stickers .24c each (filler item)
2 Nestle bags candy 2/$4 used 2 $1/1 coupons
1 pack skeleton rings .24c (filler item)

used $7.50 RR
Spent a total of $20.71 (I was mad about this)
Got $25 RR

So really with all of the RR it was still free. We ended up going back to Walgreens yesterday, I went to a different location thinking I could get some of the stuff the other store was out of but alas, no they were out too.

I could roll the RR but we decided to use them, we bought a gallon of milk, beer (for the hubby), 12 pk soda, fairy wings and a wand and head piece for the little ones halloween costume and paid all of like .23c.
So overall even though it was frustrating, we actually did pretty good.

I also made a trip to Walmart to get a few things we needed and I made a trip to Save A Lot as we needed canned goods and items to make meals out of. Since I have only been stock piling a few weeks, I haven't been able to get deals on a lot of that stuff yet to stock it up.

We made a quick trip to Publix after Walgreens yesterday and did really well. I only had one coupon and we still saved over 50% because the BOGO deals were really good.
We got:
2 boxes Ritz Crackers BOGO $3.39 - used 1 $1/2 coupon
4 Kraft Miracle Whip BOGO $3.99 ($2 a jar is a really good price)
2 Kraft Fat Free Mayo BOGO $3.99 (Also a good price for mayo)
4 cans Planters nuts BOGO $4.29 (excellent price for nuts)
We spent $22.94 and saved $24.94.

A few good coupons, samples and freebies

2009-10-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

This has been a ugh week for me. I haven't been blogging because I have been under the weather. I did think I was feeling better last night and attempted to do my shopping trips. I found out I wasn't feeling as well as I had originally thought. It didn't go very well. I will post some more details of that later.

There are coupons for six different Hasbro games at http://print.coupons.com, these will be great for Christmas gifts.

I'm sure you have seen the commercials for the "Snuggie" blanket. You can go here and register to try it for free. There is no cost whatsoever, it is a promotion they have going on. I already ordered mine, I am excited because my husband has been wanting one ever since they first came out. This would be an excellent Christmas gift for someone. They even make them for kids, but only the adult sizes are included in this promotion.

I will post more later.

Free samples and other items

2009-10-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

Here are some great free samples, coupons and freebies that I have found today.

Go here to the registration page to sign up for as a member of Juicy Juice and click the box and have a free Juicy Juice sports bottle sent you. You can also click the box to have a nutrition guide sent to you as well.

Go here to register with All and get coupons for their laundry detergent

Go here to request your free sample of Downy fabric softner

Go here to register with Similac and get a free sample and welcome packet.

If you have a newborn or will soon, or know someone who is pregnant, you can go here to request a sample (3 pk) of Huggies Pure & Natural diapers. It comes with coupons as well.

Go here to request a Huggies Pull Ups potty training kit.

Go here to request your Beech Nut next step baby food kit with coupons inside.

Go here to request a free potty training kit from Pampers

Go here to download a printable coloring book "The ABC's of Safety".

Go here to get a free Interactive Potty Training Success DVD from Pull Ups.

Go here to get a free copy of the book "Walking in Faith" by Tim Greenwood

Go here to get a free cook book kit from Morris Press Cook books

Go here to recieve a 3 piece sample of Lindt Truffles (these are my fav's) and a free DVD of Chef Quentin Ulrich's secret recipe's (includes 3 recipes).

Go here to request a free bracelet for breast cancer awareness

Dollar General summer clearance

2009-10-20T17:14:00.001-07:00

Went to Dollar General this evening to pick up some packing tape and found they had what was left of their summer apparrell for 90% off. They didn't have a lot left, lots of flip flops, they were .10c, .40c and .50c. Plus scored 3 pairs of shorts for the hubby at a $1 each. Originally $10...what a deal! If you have a Dollar General near you check out the summer clearance. Never know what good deals you may score.

Using blessings to bless others

2009-10-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

Today has been quite a day so I thought I would write about it. Was quite a chilly morning this morning and our furnace was not working. Called our landlord and he called a heating/cooling repair man to come out and fix it.

While the repairman was here, I was outside with my daughter (central air/heating unit is outside behind the house). My neighbor was outside and waved me over. "I've been wanting to talk to you" she said to me. When we moved down here our 32" TV was damaged in transit. We were using a 13" tv, they had a 19" they were not using and gave it to us.

Today she told me that they had purchased a new flat panel and no longer needed their 27" TV anymore and asked if we would like it. I said yes of course thinking that this time I would not accept it for free. The first time okay, but I didn't want to take advantage of their kindness. They refused to accept any money. So now we have a nice TV in our living room that we were given for free.

That kindness topped what I have been thinking about lately. I see couponing and saving all the money I do each week as a blessing to my family. I want to use those blessings to help others. I have been in search of food pantries, local shelters, churches who take item donations to help others.

There are things that are free or inexpensive but we don't use them. It seems a waste to throw the coupon away or let it expire when I can get the items and give them to someone who can use them. In the next month or so I know what a blessing this would truly be to people.

My family is not wealthy by material means and I know what it is like as a child to have your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal come from a food bank. I know how grateful you are to have something to eat.

Lets all remember that if we see a deal for soemthing that we won't use that there is someone out there that could use it. Whether it be a food item, toiletry, household item or even a item for a pet. Lets give back and help bless others.

Printing coupons

2009-10-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

A lot of my coupon savings comes from printable coupons from various resources on the internet. Lately I have been going through a ink cartridge every other week. At $21.99 + tax that makes it an expensive investment. You have to ask yourself, am I really saving money with this?

My sister suggested I try Walgreens because they refill your cartridge for fairly cheap. I have been reluctant because we have tried *cheaper* ways of getting ink in the past and have almost ruined our printers. But for the sake of being frugal and saving money, I am going to say a prayer and give it a try.

Will let you know if it works.

Also "Common Sense with Money" had a posting on their blog about this same thing. With some great tips, you can read that here.

Publix Super Savings

2009-10-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Usually when I go shopping I like to go by myself because it is easier to focus and concentrate on what I need to get. But today we had other errands so we made it a family trip. I will say that it was good to have my husband along. He was standing at the cash register at Publix, debit card in hand waiting to swipe it and watching as the cashier rang up coupons and the total kept going down and down. It was a reassurance to me that this is way worth it. And he got to see first hand what my time spent blogging and couponing does for our family. What a good feeling!

Okay enough rattling on....here are the details of our trip:

2 boxes Toaster Strudels $1.67 - used 2-$1/coupons
6 bags Fast Fixin frozen chicken (different varaties) BOGO $5.99 - used 5 $1/1 coupons
2 4 packs Starkist Albacore white Tuna $5.99 BOGO (great price for white tuna)
2 packs Hilshire Farms rope sausage $1.99 - used Publix (from yellow flyer) $1/2 and mfr $1/2 coupons
2 packs Hilshire Farms link sausage $1.99 - used 2 Publix (from yellow flyer) $1/1 and mfr $1/2 coupons
2 containers Progresson bread crumbs BOGO $1.97 - used $1/2 coupon
4 Old Elpaso Taco seasonings BOGO .97c - used 2-.60/2 coupons
2 boxes Krusteaz blueberry pancake mix BOGO $2.19 (our area didn't get the coupon)
4 boxes Krusteaz cookie mix BOGO $2.29 - used 3 $1/1 coupons
6 boxes (3 spag. & 3 rotini) Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta BOGO $1.79 - used 3-$1/2 coupons
2 Eat Smart bagged fresh veggies $1 each
2 Nestle FF Cocoa BOGO $2.69 - used $1/2 coupon
1 bag of fresh carrot crinkle cuts $1.99
2 Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce BOGO $2.29
3 Snuggle Fabric Softner 2/$6 - used 3-$3/1 coupon
2 boxes Cherrios 2/$5 - used 2-$1/1 coupons
4 m&m 10 pk packages BOGO $6.99 - used 2-Target $1/2 + 2 mfr $1/2 coupons
Total out of pocket cost: $56.56
Total Savings: $106.56

Reusable bags at Target

2009-10-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

Found out last night at my trip to Super Target that for every reusuable bag you use for your groceries, Target will give you 5c off your order. Doesn't seem like a lot but it adds up. I wished I had brought my bags with me, most of mine are from Meijer when I lived in Michigan. Target allows you to use any stores bags so next time I will make sure they come along.

Cascade coupon booklet

2009-10-16T03:40:00.000-07:00

If you go to Cacade's website you can sign up to receive a coupon booklet full of $35 in money saving coupons. It appears that this is coupons for Cascade and their partners. Click this link: here. then scroll to the bottom and click on one of the coupons and it will bring up the registration pages. I am excited to get this one in the mail.

Walgreens-Rounds 2 and 3

2009-10-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Went to 2 different Walgreens tonight. I also went to Target so it was no big deal to go to 2 different stores. It made it easier to break up the transactions that way, plus the one store was out of some of the items I was seeking. So here is the breakdown.

I realize now that i took the pictures wrong so i apologize but here is what I purchased at the first store in two separate transactions.

Transaction #1

1 bottle Vaseline Sheer Infushion Lotion $6.99 - used $1.50/1 coupon got $7 RR

2 Ban deodarant $1.50 - used 2 .40c/1 coupons got $1 RR

4 Halloween pencils $1 (filler item)

I used $7.50 in previous RR

Total out of pocket cost: $1.91

Total savings: $13.78

RR earned: $8

Transaction #2

1 Robitussin DM To go 2 pk $2.49 got $2.49 RR

1 Halls Refresh Drops $1 - used .75c/1 coupon got $1 RR

2 packs Huggies 2/$18 used 2 $2/1 coupons got $4 RR

1 bottle Walgreens Cleanser .99c (filler item and also to remove my daughters latest artwork on the bay window seat).

I used the $8 in RR from transaction #1

Total out of pocket cost: $10.97

Total savings: $18.32

RR earned: $7.50

2nd Store:

Transaction #1

1 Gilette Fushion razor $8.99 - used 1 $4/1 coupon got $6 RR

1 Vaseline Sheer Infushion lotion $6.99 got $7 RR

3 Halloween sticker books 3/$1 (filler items)

I used the $8 in RR i earned from the 2nd transaction at the 1st store

Total out of pocket cost: $5

Total savings: $12

RR earned: $13

Transaction #2

2 packs Huggies diapers 2/$18 - used 2 $2/1 coupons got $4 RR

1 Halls Refresh drops $1 - used 1 .75c/1 coupon got $1 RR

1 Robitussin DM To Go 2pk $2.49 got $2.49 RR + coupon for $1 off

1 bottle of water .99c (filler item)

I used the $13 RR from the 1st transaction

Total out of pocket cost: $5.90

Total savings: $26.32

RR earned: $7.50

Whew!! Now I am tired. It was a lot of work, but it was well worth it. I saved my family a lot of money and my stock pile is growing fast. Tommorrow or Sat. Publix and Walmart will be listed as well.

My total savings were $70.42
My total out of pocket cost was $23.78 and $7.50 in RR towards my next trip. Amazing!!

Target Shopping Trip 10/15

2009-10-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

It was a great trip to Target tonight. I spent $46.35 and saved $42.17. Here is a breakdown of what I bought.

8 bags Chex Mix $1.99 - used 8 $1/1 Target coupons and 8 50c/1 mfr coupons.
2 bags Nature Valley Nut Clusters $2.50 - used 2 $1.60/1 coupons
2 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Trial size toothpaste .97c - used 2 free coupons
4 packages Keebler Chips Deluxe $2.04 - used 2 $1/2 Target coupons and 2 $1.50/2 mfr coupons.
4 dozen eggs .99c - used 2 BOGO coupons
2 Archer Farms premium bread $2.00 - used 2 $1/1 Target coupons
2 regular loaves white bread $1.03 each
4 bags shredded cheese $1.50 each
1 block cheese $1.50
2 Propel flavored water .50c each
2 packs bacon $2.34 each
1 Jennie O ground turkey $2.50
2 1lb ground beef $2.50 each
1 2lb container red grapes $2.99
Also not pictured is a pack of stickers (my daughter confiscated as soon as i got them out of the bag) $1, and 2 movies that were put away for Christmas. Matilda and Stuart Little 2, each $5 - used 2 $2/1 coupon.

Walgreens-Round 1

2009-10-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Made the first of probably a few trips to Walgreens this week. It is such a good feeling to walk out of the store with bags full of items knowing you spent less than half what they are worth.

This is what I purchased:
2 packs of Huggies 2/$18, used 2-$2/1 coupons, earned $4 RR
2 bottles of Scope-2/$7, used 2-$1/1 coupons, earned $4 RR
1 Gilette Fushion razor $8.99, used $4/1 coupon, earned$6 RR
1 Robitussin To Go (2pk)-$2.49 earned $2.49 RR
1 Halls Refresh-$1, used 75c coupon, earned $1RR
1 Sharpie marker-clearanced for .24c (filler item)
2 plastic sports bottles-clearanced for .32c each (filler items)

I broke this into 2 separate transactions so I could take advantage of the $3.50 in previous RR I had and also the ones i earned. Total out of pocket cost: $16.90
Total savings: $34.18
RR towards next purchase: ($7.50 For those wondering what RR means, RR stands for register rewards. These are manufacturer's coupons that print when you buy a certain item. You use them towards your next purchase.)

So if you look at it this way, with the RR's I got back I only spent $9.40 out of my pocket. That is amazing! I plan on going back and doing similar transactions. I have a little one in diapers and this was a really good week to stock up on them. With the coupons and register rewards they end up being only $5 per pack, anyone who buys Huggies knows this is a GREAT deal.

Exciting week for Walgreens

2009-10-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

The deals out there for this week at Walgreens are not as exciting as they have been in the past in general. But for me it is really exciting because I was having trouble with the Walgreens near my home not giving me the RR when I used Manufacturer's coupons. So I had not been purchasing very much at Walgreens and have missed out on a lot of great deals. Well we have more than one store near by so I called another one this morning and guess what? I can get the RR and use the manufacturer's coupons. YAY!!

The person I talked to said I should acutally be able to go back to the store where I had the problem and have them fix it. I told her I talked to the manager and she wouldn't. Which doesn't matter I'm just glad there are other stores in the area where it should work. I only wish I had made the call sooner.

If you have a little one in diapers and like Huggies, this will be a good week. I am going to do several transactions at Walgreens which will probably mean a few trips but I think it will be worth it. I am just hoping they have her size of diapers there. She is in a size 6 and they are sometimes hard to find unless you go to a big store like Walmart.

I may make my first trip today. I will keep you posted with my experience and my savings. If you have found any good deals at Walgreens so far this week, please share them.

Frugal Fun

2009-10-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

My family and I attended a community wide rummage sale this morning. I bought my daughter a brandnew pair of patent leather black dress shoes with the tags still on them for $5. I also picked her up a little bag full of barbie clothes for .25c and a a bag full of stickers for .50c. The stickers have been keeping her entertained most of the afternoon.

I also got her 4 books for .25c each and we got 6 DVD's in good used shape for $13 and most of them were Disney movies (Open Season, Barn Yard, Shrek the 3rd and Over the Hedge).

I love rummage sales! As they say, one persons trash is another persons treasure. Next time I will try to upload pictures of my finds.

Relaxing with the family

2009-10-09T18:12:00.000-07:00

This evening we went up to the community pool after dinner to go swimming. It is comical to think if we were still in Michigan. I talk to our family and communicate with some via face book and it has been very cold (40's and 50's) and rainy up there for at least a week. Here it has been in the 90's and very humid. We go swimming and they have their heat on. Just kind of ironic. I miss my family and friends but know that I am not going to miss the snow while being down here in Florida.

Successful shopping trip

2009-10-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

Went shopping last night. I find evenings to be best as I can leave the little one with daddy because a 2 year old doesn't have much patience. Plus the stores tend to be less crowded in the evenings. I went to four different stores: Walgreens, Target, Walmart and Publix.

I spent a total of: $147.17 and saved $103.72. I was very happy with that. My out of pocket cost would have been lower if it wasn't for all of the things that needed to be purchased at Walmart without coupons. I am hoping that it will go down more and more each week as my stockpile grows.

I also went to CVS earlier in the week and spent $29.19 and received $13 in ECB towards my next purchase. $9.50 of that total was for some prints off my digital camera so if you minus that it brings it to $19.69. Then minus the $13 I got back and that is $6.69 out of my pocket.

I know a lot of others are able to get as good of deals or even better at Walgreens but unforchanetly our Walgreens doesn't allow you to use manufacturers coupons and get RR's.

I can't wait until the paper comes out on Sunday with the new coupons and ads, I'm exciting to see what next week brings.

First time blogger

2009-10-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

This is my very first blog. I am excited and nervous. I have been following several blogs for weeks now and am finding it to be fun and very helpful at the same time. By reading these blogs where other moms and women just like me share their experiences and resources, I have been able to cut down my families grocery bill significantly.

I created a blog of my own so that I can do the same. I want to be able to share what I have learned and am experiencing with others. Not just about being frugal but about life.