Getting Ready For The New Year...

Sorry that I haven't been around much lately. I've been a busy little bee. Between working, and the Holiday's, and updating my Home Management Binder and my Bill Organizer , I haven't had a chance to blog about anything. So I'll play catch up and let you know about everything I've been doing. First off, I ended up making 2 big batches of hot chocolate mix, 2 big batches of chex party mix and 8 loaves of pumpkin-cream cheese bread for Christmas gifts for the family. And I was totally shocked, because I had made the Chex Party mix mainly for all of the kids in the family and made the pumpkin bread for the adults, but as it turned out the kids LOVED the bread and the parents ended up eating the Chex Mix. lol. Anywho, I'm glad they all enjoyed it. Next, I updated my Home Management Binder. I had to make a new Emergency Number's sheet because of Dr. changes etc., I printed off new calenders and filled in a few appointments for January, I updated the daily chore sheets and cleaned out the My Work Schedule section. Then, I got my Bill Organizer ready for the New Year. I didn't have to do much to it, but I have filed all of 2007's bills and added a new calendar to that binder. I also want to add that if there is anyone reading this that could use some organization in their lives, you should definitely try the binders. They have worked wonders for us!! I am also in the process of putting together a Home Management Binder for my mom. Her's will be a lot different than mine. I'll share that with you guys when I finish it. So, what else have I done. I have taken down all of the Christmas decorations and put them away. I've put in a LOT of mandatory overtime at work. I haven't done any couponing since my last post. Well, I think I've covered everything. Catch ya later!

$143.28 Worth of Groceries/Bath & Body Products For $86.19

No pictures...wanted to hurry up and get everything put away and get off of my feet for a while, but I wanted to share some of the deals I got tonight from Kroger and Meijer. I have tried to share with you which insert I got my coupons from...sometimes it's hard to remember though lol. Anywho, hope this helps.

Krogers:

• 2 bags Kroger brand Pretzels $1.39 each=$2.78
• 4 pkgs Fleischman's Yeast $1.00 each= $4.00
• 4 bottles Snapple $1.00 each = $4.00
• 2 Cottonelle toilet paper $2.00
• Betty Crocker Frosting $1.50
• 2 gallons Kroger whole milk $5.16
• 3 pkgs Armour Meatballs $7.50
• 2 pkgs. Fresh Express Salad Mix $2.00
• 2 Kroger shredded cheese $3.58
• Reddi Whip $2.00
• Morton salt $0.64
• French's Worcestershire sauce $1.06
• Bisquick 40 ounce box $3.59
• Kroger brand peanut butter baking chips $1.50
• Duncan Hines cake mix $1.00
• 2 Mueller's lasagna noodles $3.18
• 10 lb bag potatoes $2.48

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS: $47.97

COUPONS USED:

• YEAST: $0.45 OFF 1 IN 12-7 SS=$0.40 CENTS FOR 4 + I GOT BACK $2.00 IN CATALINAS.
• SNAPPLE: USED 4 $0.75 OFF 1 12-14 SS DBLS TO $1.00 OFF 1 = 4 BOTTLES FREE
• 2 PKGS. COTTONELLE T.P. USED 2 CPNS $0.50 OFF 1 12-14 INSERT = 2 FREE PKGS.
• BETTY CROCKER FROSTING USED $0.55 SCUTS CPN AND $0.50/1 CPN FROM 12-14 SS = FREE
• 3 PKGS ARMOUR MEATBALLS USED 3 $0.55/1 CPNS DBLS TO $1.00/1= $1.50 A BAG =$4.50/3
• 2 FRESH EXPRESS SALAD MIXES MARKED DOWN TO $0.99 USED 2 $0.55/1 CPNS = 2 FREE BAGS OF SALAD MIX
• REDDI-WHIP USED 1 $0.50/1 CPN FROM 12-14 SS= $1.00/CAN (COULD HAVE BEEN $0.50/CAN BY USING THE SCUTS E-CPN IF I HAD ANOTHER CPN
• FRENCH'S WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE USED $0.55 SMART SOURCE MACHINE CPN. = $0.51/BOTTLE (THIS KROGER DIDN'T DOUBLE THAT CPN.
• BISQUICK: USED $1.00 SCUTS CPN AND $0.60/1 CPN FROM 12-14 SS = $1.59/BOX
• 2 MUELLER'S LASAGNA NOODLES: USED $1.00/2 CPN FROM RECENT INSERT...NOT SURE WHICH ONE BUT CAME TO $1.09/BOX

TOTAL AFTER CPNS: $26.97

Meijer: Since Meijer only allows you to double 2 coupons of the same item, I enlisted the help of my DH and we did all this in 2 separate transactions. But, I'll just add everything together.

• 4 Mentos gum (stocking stuffers) @ 0.74/each = $2.96 used 2 $1.00 off 2 cpns from a 12-14 insert? = $.96/for 4
• 4 boxes Betty Crocker Potatoes for $4.00 - 4 $0.35/1 cpn from 12-14 SS = $1.20 for 4.
• 2 bottles Suave lotion (part of my moms Christmas gift...smells sooo good) $2.98/each = $5.78 for 2 - (2) $1.00 off 1 cpns from recent insert? = $3.78 for 2 or $1.89 each
• 4 bottles Suave body wash (2 of the men's for the boys and 2 of the women's...another part of moms gift) $1.99 each - 4 $1.00/1 cpns = 0.99 each
• 4 BIG Bottles Franks Red Hot Sauce (the guys drink this stuff lol) $3.29 each $13.16 for 4 minus (4) 0.50 off 1 cpns = $9.16/4
• Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough $2.50 minus $1.50 cpn from our last trip to meijer = $1.50
• 2 Mrs. T's Pierogies $1.36 each = $2.72 minus $1.00 off each = 0.36 each
• 4 cans Crisco Spray @ $1.94/each = $7.76 minus $1 off 1 cpn from 11-9 RP = 0.94 each
• 8 cans Campbell's cream of soups @ $0.60/can minus $0.30/4 cpn and $0.25/4 cpn = $0.46 a can
• 4 cans Campbell's cream of soups same as above with the $0.25/4 = $0.48/can
• 4 loaves of Aunt Millies buttermilk bread @ 0.88/loaf = $3.52 (this is really good bread!!)
• 2 New York Brand Dip-n-sticks 2/$4 minus (2) $0.40/1 cpns = $1.20 each or $2.40 for 2
• 4 boxes Betty Crocker Muffin Mixes @ 3/$5 or $1.67 each minus (4) $0.40/1 cpns = %0.87/each or $3,48 for 4
• 4 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides @ $1.00 each = $4.00 minus (2) 0.75 off 2 cpns = $0.50 each or $2.00 for 4
• 2 bags Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers $0.79/each - (2) $0.50 off 1 = FREE
• 1 Bottle Dawn Plus dishwashing liquid (this is a pretty good size bottle) @ $2.49 minus $0.50 cpn = $1.49
• 4 boxes of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes @ $2.00/box = $8 for 4 minus (4) $1.00/1 cpns = $4/4 boxes
• (3) 6 packs of coke for $11.00 no cpn :(

I think I got everything...The total before coupons was $95.31 AFTER COUPONS: $59.22

And just a quick FYI...Wal-Mart has rolled back the prices on some of their ink cartridges. I picked up mine for $17 which is normally $20. Worth checking into.

Gifts From The Heart...

Every year for the last 4 or 5 years, I have given the same Christmas gifts to everyone on my list. My mom would get a handmade jewelry set, and everyone else would get baskets with Hot Chocolate Mix, marshmallows (with the little poem about snowman poop attached to it), and a mug for each recipient. The baskets have always been a hit (and the kids LOVE it) and around the first of December, all of these jars start coming back for refills. Last year, I tried something a little different for my Uncle and my Father in Law. I made the usual Hot Chocolate gift baskets, but added a couple of other mixes. There were flavored oatmeal packets, various spice mixes & chili seasoning mixes (sitting inside a man-size cereal bowl) added to their baskets. They loved it!! This year, they're in for a treat. Along with their hot chocolate, I'll be throwing in some homemade Chex Party mix in a jar and some Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Bread . If you haven't tried this recipe, you need to. It's the best pumpkin bread I've ever eaten! There are sooo many wonderful gifts that can be handmade. Here is a list of some of those gifts:

1. QUICK BREADS:



2. BEVERAGE MIXES:



3. SEASONING MIXES AND GIFTS IN A JAR: Here is just one of the many sites with lots of gifts in a jar recipes
   
4. BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS: There are lots of websites out there that show you how to make homemade bath salts, lotions, bubble baths, etc. Wouldn't this make a wonderful "SPA" Type basket. Put a few of these items, some candles, a relaxing CD and a pair of fuzzy slippers in a big basket along with a big plush towel and washcloth set. Who wouldn't love to receive this!
5. EASY QUILTS AND FLEECE BLANKETS:
6. FLEECE SCARVES
7. HANDMADE STOCKINGS
8. THEMED GIFT BASKETS: There are soo many theme baskets that you can make. Take a look around your department stores/grocery stores for ideas or search the web. The possibilities are endless. I noticed some on my last trip to Meijer. There were "movie" baskets filled with popcorn and movie type snacks and there were bath and body baskets. Which were really nice...but WAY OVERPRICED!
9. HANDMADE ORNAMENTS: I love handmade ornaments!
10. HOMEMADE JAMS AND JELLIES

The list could go on and on, but you get the idea. Start thinking now of all the different things you could make for everyone on your list for next Christmas. Trust me...they'll love it!!

ANOTHER FREE MAGAZINE OFFER

Go HERE to get 5 issues of Cosmopolitan for FREE...no strings attached! Better Hurry though, these offers don't last long!!

GET YOUR P&G COUPON BOOKLET

Purchase $50 worth of P&G Products between Dec. 14 and Jan. 31 and receive a $120 coupon savings booklet by mail. Go HERE for more details and to print out your form.

My 2nd Trip to K-Mart and A Quick Trip to Kroger's

4 Boxes Kellogg's cereal (4/$10)
3 Gillette Men's Body Wash (Finally!) ($11.97)
1 Pledge Multi Surface Wipes ($3.50)
1 Pledge Multi Surface Dry Cloths ($2.50)
2 Cans Glade Air Fresheners ($1.19 each)
1 Bag Hall's cough drops ($1.34)
1 Bottle Tylenol gel tabs ($3.99)

TOTAL OOP AFTER CPNS: $5.52 Not Bad!!!


I wanted to get a few things at Kroger's during their 1pm-9pm sale, and ended up getting a few other things as well. This is how my trip to Kroger's went:

KROGER'S:

• 6 loaves of Arnold's Honey Wheat and Whole Wheat bread ($2.99/loaf and you BOGOF used 6 $0.55/each which doubled to $1.00 off each = $0.50 a loaf
• 3 bags M&M's @ $1.68 each = $5.04
• 4 half gallons milk $5.00
• 4 half gallons chocolate milk $3.96
• 2 pkgs Hot Pockets $4.00 used $0.50 off cpn for Hot Pokets Ultimates...wasn't sure if if would work for regular hot pockets, but it did. total for 2 was $3.00
• 4 dozen eggs @ $0.77 each $3.08
• 3 cans Kroger's peanuts @ 0.99 each = $2.97
• 3 bags Mike Sell's potato chips @ $1.49 each = $4.47
• 2 Tennessee Pride sausage gravy @ $1.00 each used 2 $0.55 cpns = FREE
• Cottonelle toilet paper 0.99 used 0.25 cpn + 0.50 shortcuts = FREE
• 3 boxes Kleenex tissues @ $1.00 each - 1 cpn for 0.50 off of 3 = $2.00 for 3 boxes.
• Kroger brand Fish Sticks @ $4.94 ($1.65 off of the regular price)
• Mt Olive Kosher Dill Spears $1.99 - (0.55 cpn from smartsource machine. It said do not double but it doubled anyway.) = $0.99

TOTAL OOP $34.91 for 37 ITEMS...

Tonight was supposed to have been a quick trip so I just brought the coupons that I was going to be using but while I was there, I took note of a couple other things that are some pretty good deals with coupons (kicking myself in the rear for not bringing my coupons with me!!):

Sunsilk shampoo and conditioner is marked as a "closeout buy" for $1.68 each. Use the $2.00 off 2 coupon and get this for $1.36 for both French's Worcestershire sauce is $1.39 regular price use 0.50 printable coupon (when I find where I got it, I'll post it here) after doubled = 0.39 and Texas Toast croutons are marked down to $1.69/bag use the 0.55 cpn/dbld = 0.69 a bag. So, Saturday I will take my sweet ole time and go down EVERY aisle to see what I can find!