Family Finances

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Our Target Gift Card Winner!!!

    My husband, Jake, drew the name out of a cup for me.

    CONGRATULATIONS to Tiffany Frost
    for winning a

    $10 Target Gift Card!

    Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!

    An email has been sent to you with more information.

    Happy Shopping to YOU!

    Don’t forget to enter our next Giveaway, it will be posted tomorrow morning!!!

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of June 1– 7, 2011

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.   There are a lot of great deals this week at Save A Lot for $1.00, here is a delicious homemade Veggie Beef Soup recipe Blessings Multiplied – Recipe:  Veggie Beef Soup. You could pick up the vegetables and other ingredients on sale at Save A Lot this week!  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Eckrich Hot Dogs or Bologna (16 oz) – $1.00

    Carolina Ground Turkey (16 oz ) – $1.00

    Butterball Turkey Bacon (6 oz) – $1.00
    Use $0.65/1 coupon from insert 5/22 Red Plum (Expires 7/10/11)
    $0.35 each after coupon

    Gwaltney Pork Sausage (12 oz) – $1.00

    Fresh Pork Tenderloin – $3.88 per lb

    Boneless Chicken Breast – $1.88 per lb

    Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs – $0.88 per lb

    Half Boneless Pork Loin Roast – $2.49 per lb

    80% Lean Ground Chuck – $2.88 per lb

    Simmons Buffalo or BBQ Boneless Wings (32 oz)  – $6.59

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Oscar Mayer Lunchables – $1.00

    Reser’s Assorted Salads & Coleslaw – $1.00
    Use $1.00/1 printable coupon from Coupon Web
    Free after each coupon

    Minute Maid Lemonade or Fruit Punch – $1.00

    Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza – $1.00
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 5/22 Smart Source (Expires 7/31/11)
    Use $1.00/5 coupon from insert 4/17 Smart Source (Expires 7/9/11)
    Use $1.00/5 coupon from insert 3/20 Smart Source (Expires 6/11/11)
    Use $0.50/4 coupon from insert 5/22 Smart Source (Expires 8/13/11)
    As low as $0.67 each after coupon

    Totino’s Pizza Rolls – $1.00
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 5/22 Smart Source (Expires 7/31/11)
    Use $0.50/4 coupon from insert 5/22 Smart Source (Expires 8/13/11)
    As low as $0.66 each after coupon

    Banquet Dinners – $1.00

    Fisher Boy Fish Sticks – $1.00
    Use $0.75/1 printable coupon from Fisher Boy
    $0.25 each after coupon

    T. J. Farms Sweet Potato Fries – $1.00

    Party Treats Ice Cream Sandwiches (4 count) – $1.00

    Tombstone Brick Oven Pizza – $2.49

    Curly’s BBQ Pulled Pork or Beef – $3.99

    Crisp Frozen Lemonade – $1.19

    World’s Fair Sundae Cups – $2.49

    Household

    Poly Steel Sandwich Zipper Bags (50 count) – $1.00

    Joy Dish Liquid – $1.00

    Bounty Basic Paper Towels (6 count) – $5.99
    Use $2.00/2 coupon from insert 4/10 Red Plum (Expires 6/30/11)
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 4/10 Red Plum (Expires 6/30/11)
    As low as $4.99 each after coupon

    Produce

    Iceberg Lettuce – $1.00

    Fresh Tomatoes (3 pack) – $1.00

    Baby Carrots (16 oz) – $1.00

    Seedless Watermelon – $3.99

    Fresh Strawberries – $1.99

    Valencia Oranges (3 lb) – $1.99

    Vidalia Onions (4 lb) – $1.99

    Grocery

    Pringles (Original and Sour Cream & Onion) – $1.00
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 5/22 Red Plum (Expires 6/30/11)
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 5/1 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 6/30/11)
    As low as $0.50 each after coupon

    Knorr Side Dishes – $1.00
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 5/22 Red Plum (Expires 6/19/11)
    $0.75 each after coupon

    Hamburger Helper Dinner – $1.00
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 5/22 Smart Source (Expires 7/16/11)
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 5/1 Smart Source (Expires 6/25/11)
    Use $0.75/3 coupon from insert 4/17 Smart Source (Expires 6/11/11)
    Use $0.75/3 coupon from insert 5/1 Smart Source (Expires 6/25/11)
    As low as $0.67 each after coupon

    Save A Lot Apple Juice (64 oz) – $1.00

    Sundia Fruit Cups (8 oz) – $1.00

    Red Gold Ketchup (40 oz) – $1.00
    Use $0.50/2 printable coupon from Red Gold
    $0.75 each after coupon

    Woeber’s Mustard (24 oz) – $1.00

    Kurtz Sweet Relish – $1.00

    Shasta Soda (4 pack) – $1.00

    Deer Park Spring Water (3 liter) – $1.00

    Crunch & Munch Butter Toffee – $1.00

    Dippables – $1.00

    Mantia’s Pasta Sauce – $1.00

    Shelby’s Grove Sliced Peaches – $1.00

    J Higgs Pretzels – $1.00

    Chicken of the Sea Chunk White Tuna – $1.00

    Allure Zero Calorie Sweetener – $1.00

    Jade Dragon Soy Sauce – $1.00

    Kellogg’s Cereal – $1.88
    Use $1.00/2 printable coupon from Kellogg’s
    Use $1.00/3 printable coupon from Kellogg’s
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 5/15 Red Plum (Expires 6/26/11)
    As low as $1.38 each after coupon

    Hawaiian Punch (1 gallon) – $1.88

    Baumann’s Best Barbeque Sauce – $1.19

    Cowboy Billy’s Baked Beans – $0.79

    Bakery

    Mini Cupcakes (12 count) – $2.49

    Bundt Cake – $5.99

    Bakery Fresh Cherry or Apple Pie – $2.99

    Sliced Loaf Cake – $2.99

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

  • Red Lobster: 4 Course Seafood Special

    Red Lobster currently has a 4 Course Seafood Feast for only $14.99 for a limited time.

    You get unlimited biscuits plus a choice of Soup, Salad, Entree, and Dessert.

    Soups:
    • New England Chowder
    • Potato Bacon Soup

    Salads:

    • Fresh Garden Salad
    • Caesar Salad

    Entrees:

    • Garlic Alfredo Shrimp & Scallop Pasta
    • Garlic Herb Shrimp & Chicken
    • Spicy Habanero Coconut Shrimp Bites
    • Sweet Citrus Grilled Shrimp
    • And MORE Classic Favorites

    Desserts:

    • Sweet Cinnamon Doughnut Bites
    • Triple Chocolate Brownie a la Mode
    • Key Lime Pie

    The portion sizes are the same as their regular entrees.  Look for Red Lobster coupons in your newspapers coupon section, can usually get a $4.00 off 2 Dinner Entree Coupons to make this an even better deal!  Locate a Red Lobster near you!

  • Pampers Gifts to Grow – 10 Free Points

    Receive another 10 free points from Pampers with the a new Gifts to Grow code!

    This code is different from the previous codes I have given.

    Use Code:  4XGHB4HPE7PB7NK

    The code expires on June 4th so make sure to add it to your account within the next few days!

    You can save up the rewards to purchase gifts!

    For more information about the Pampers Gift to Grow Program and how you can start earning Pampers “Gifts to Grow” Rewards for your family go to Pampers Gifts to Grow!

  • Living on a Budget: Creative Cash (May Update)

    May is my fourth month tracking my Creative Cash.  What is Creative Cash?  Creative Cash is finding ways to come up with extra cash to share with others as well as work on our current goal.  I am working part time, a stay at home Mom, and wear many other hats from day to day, however, I feel that it is important to save money for our family by using coupons and buying items on sale but to earn a little money to help with the extra expenses and to share with others.  The extra amount I bring in on top of the work is what I call “Creative Cash” which means finding ways to make money creatively or with items and talents I have already.  I have tested this goal over the last couple months as I am challenging myself to make my life more simplified.   I plan to continue this goal for the remaining months of the year.  Despite the many financial obstacles that we have faced as a family we have been blessed with so much.  We believe it is important to be accountable with our finances and give to others.

    Explanation: The creative cash will be made throughout the entire month through various endeavors.  As it comes in the money is placed into our savings account and withdrawn at the end of the month so it can be split.  It is my goal to make at least $100 extra a month to help with our goals as well as share with others.  At the end of the month the money will be split 50 / 50 with half going towards our current goal we are working on (which at the moment is paying down debt) and the other half going to charity.

    May was a good month even though it was extremely active in many other areas of my life.  Thankfully I was able to save some extra cash however, I did not reach my my goal of $100.  I want to share with you the ways we did it so if you are looking for ways to make a little extra creative cash for your family hopefully we can be an inspiration in getting your creative juices flowing:

    • $23.11 – Items sold on Ebay (after fees):   The all the items sold were coupons.  I encourage you to look around at some of the coupons you get the mail, newspapers, magazines, in your stockpile, or other places and if you will not have the opportunity to use them then consider selling them for a little extra creative cash.
    • $9.51 – A portion of the proceeds from the Upstate Women’s & Home Consignment Sale
    • $29.50– A portion of the proceeds from the Taylors & Friends Consignment Store.
    • $14.90 – Other miscellaneous amounts earned  (rebates, returns, cash back,  extra money, etc…) that was added to my stash for the month.

    It was a harder month to set the extra aside because it was very busy and I was not able to participate in as many extra creative cash activities.  May’s “Creative Cash” total was $77.02 which means $38.51 extra that goes towards our current goal (paying down debt) and $38.51 goes towards charity.  May was the first month I didn’t hit my $100 goal but I am happy that I was able to get close to the goal and every little bit helps us get a little closer to our goals as well as helps others along the way.  I have plan of action on ways to earn creative cash in June so stayed tuned, hopefully, it will be another month where we can get closer to our goal and share with others.  Each month I do a variety activities to accomplish this goal, the items above are just the ones I did specifically in May.  I look forward to sharing more of the things that work well for our family as I do them in the upcoming months.

    I will share with you the challenges, successes, and updates as I go through this journey so you can keep me accountable or even go through it with me by participating  and sharing your story. Taking the extra time to find ways to help our family as well as invest in the lives of others is important to us.  I hope that we have been able to encourage you to find ways to come up with some creative cash for your household as well.  Obviously, each situation and family is unique so decide what works for you and go for it!  Do you know of another way to earn creative cash?   I would love to hear your idea!

    Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

    Photo by StopNLook

  • Summer Activities: Swimming Pool Set Up & Rules

    Karlie and Brina "helping" set up the swimming pool (wonder if they can even see out of their glasses)!

    We recently set up our swimming pool for the girls.  A couple years ago we bought the pool on clearance at the end of season and it has been a wonderful investment.  The girls, friends and family have enjoyed swimming in the pool and it has held up really well.  When Daddy was ready to set up the pool this year the girls were eager to help!  Once it was starting to fill they dove in glasses and all (see picture above)!

    We enjoy finding inexpensive yet fun summer activities that our girls can do together.  The pool has proven to be a wonderful source of entertainment for our girls who love to be outside on the hot summer days.  One of our concerns with having a pool is safety.  Although our pool is not huge it is very important we go over the rules every summer.  Here are our Pool Rules:

    • No Swimming without Permission of a Parent (or Responsible Adult)
    • No Swimming Unless an Adult is Physically Outside with the Children
    • When People Are Not in the Pool the Tarp Must Be On Top of the Pool at All Times
    • No Children are Allowed on the Colored Mats Around the Pool (unless they are getting into the pool with an adult present)
    • No Children are Allowed to Remove the Tarp from the Pool (they can however, assist an adult in removing the tarp)
    • No Children can Touch the Pool without an Adult Present (touching the pool can result in falling into the pool which can be dangerous)
    • All Children Must Go Potty Prior to Entering the Pool (prevents the accidents or short swim time due to  potty breaks)
    • Feet Must Be Rinsed in the Bucket Prior to Entering the Pool (helps keep down the debris)
    • No Jumping Into the Pool (when kids jump into the pool they can land on another kid or pin a kid down, this prevents these types of accidents)
    • No Leaning Over the Edge of the Pool (a kid could fall in or out of the pool)
    • No Excessive Splashing (the adult in attendance has to use judgment on this one, splashing is normal, however if you have younger and older children in the pool at the same time it may need to be monitored more closely to make sure all kids are safe and having a good time)
    • When a Pool Toy is Thrown or Falls Out of the Pool it will be Picked up by the Adult Present 1 Time (if it is thrown out a second time it can be claimed after the children get out of the pool, this helps cut down on the opps it went out again and the adult spending the next 2 hours chasing and cleaning off pool toys).
    • Once Out of the Pool A Child Cannot Re-enter for At Least An Hour (this prevents the children from getting in and out all the time which increases the risk of extra debris, emptying the pool, falling into the pool, and saves the energy for the adult since the majority of the children will require help getting in and out)

    I realize the rules can seem a little strict but over the last couple of summers we have realize the importance of having rules when it comes to the pool.  The pool is something we want to enjoy but it can quickly become dangerous if the kids don’t respect the rules.  Jake and I have had fun swimming with the girls in the pool too and have to respect the rules as well.

    Some of these rules are more “flexible” then others.  Rules such as swimming without permission or if an adult is not present will result in being band from the pool for several days.  It is not worth the risk and the kids need to know the seriousness of a pool.  We try to remind the girls of the pool rules often especially before having friends over.  Do you have any specific pool rules that I haven’t covered?

  • Walgreens: Spent $5 and Got $1.50 Back

     

    Deals at Walgreens!

    I went to Walgreens to stock up on some of their deals this week.  I spent $5.85 including tax at Walgreens this week for health and beauty purchases and received $1.50 Register Rewards back from that visit to use towards my next purchase at Walgreens.  For those of you who haven’t used Walgreens Register Rewards or Rebates here’s what I got.

    • 2 – Walgreens Pantiliners for $0.50 each (total of $1.00)
    • 1 – Walgreens Gallon Storage Bags with Zipper (20 count) for $1.89
    • 1 – Walgreens Quart Freezer Bags with Zipper (20 Count) for $1.89
    • 1 – Walgreens Sandwich Bags with Zipper (50 Count) for $1.89
    • 1 – Goody’s Extra Strength Headache Medicine (6 count) for $1.50

    The total was over $5 with tax before using discounts & coupons.  Here are the coupons I used on the five items.

    • Used $2.40 Walgreens Bag Coupon for the 3 Boxes
    • Used $0.98 Walgreens Pantyliner Coupon for the 2 Bags

    I received $1.50 ECB’s and Rebates back today:

    • $1.50 Register Rewards for Goody’s Product

    Walgreen’s Register Rewards will expire two weeks from the date they are printed so you will need to make sure to use them before their expiration date.  I always keep the ones that are expiring the soonest on top of the stack to make sure to use them first.

    Another important fact regarding Walgreen’s Register Rewards you will need to know if you haven’t used them before is you can only use 1 coupon per item.  If you use a manufacturer’s coupon for every item you are purchasing you will not be able to use any Register Reward for that transaction.   If you do have a coupon for each item then check Walgreen’s weekly ad because they will have items on sale each week for pennies up to $1 that you can use as “filler” items but they won’t raise your total too much.  Once you get started using coupons and rewards you may discover, like I did, how to purchase many of your health and beauty items for nothing or very little.  Since using coupons and reward programs I rarely pay full price for any of our health and beauty items plus I usually have extra to share with guests visiting us or to give away.

    For those of you who shop regularly at Walgreens I encourage you to share how you were able to save this week!  Although the weekly ad sales are similar every family and situation is different so you may have found items better suited to your household.  In your comment please feel free to share a link to your blog article showing us how you were able to save at Walgreens.

  • CVS: Spent $3 and Got $13 ECB’s Back!

     

    CVS Deals!

    CVS has a few good deals this week.  I was happy to stock up on some items including toothbrushes and shampoo this week while utilizing a few of my coupons.   Today I was able to get the items for $3,45 plus tax ($0.22) making my out of pocket cost $3.67 and received $13.99 ECB’s to use on my next CVS purchase.  Here is what I purchased this week.

    • 1 –  Mars 3 Musketeers Truffle Crisp for $0.50
    • 1 – Snickers Peanut Butter Squares for $0.50
    • 1 – Pantene Pro-V 2 in 1 Shampoo (Dry to Moisturized) – $3.49
    • 1 – Pantene Pro-V 2 in 1 Shampoo (Frizzy to Smooth) – $3.49
    • 2 – Oral B Indicator Toothbrushes for $1.99 EACH (total $3.98)
    • 1 –  Preparation H Wipes (10 Count) – $3.99

    Here are the coupons I used on the items.

    • Used $2.00 Preparation H Printable Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $1.50/2  Oral B Indicator Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $3.00/2 Pantene Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $5.99 ECB coupons from prior purchases

    I received $13.99 ECB’s back today:

    • $5.00 ECB’s for Beauty Club Rewards
    • $3.99 ECB’s for Preparation H Products
    • $2.00 ECB’s for Oral B Products ($1 Each)
    • $2.00 ECB’s for Pantene Products
    • $1.00 ECB’s for Mars Products

    This week I was able to save over $19 at CVS by purchasing these items and using coupons.

    When you shop the CVS sales regularly and have ECB’s that you can roll over toward future purchases the bonus ECB’s start adding up (Green Bag Tags and Beauty Club).  As you can see from my shopping trip today you don’t have to purchase a lot to save money when shopping at CVS.  Plus you can use the additional ECB’s you receive towards your next purchase.  You can pick and chose what is best for your family.

    I would love to hear your CVS shopping story for this week!  For those of you who shop regularly at CVS please share how you were able to save this week!  Although the weekly ad sales are similar every family and situation is different so you may have found items better suited to your household.  In your comment please feel free to share a link to your blog article showing us how you were able to save shopping at CVS.