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Shared Jun 20, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s $45 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 20, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Dillons

Items a part of the Buy 4, Get $4 off instantly promotion:

1 Glad Kitchen Bags (80 ct) – $5.99, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $4.99 after coupon and sale

3 Smart Balance Butter – $1.59 each, used 3 $1/1 coupon from the 6/2 SmartSource insert – $0.49 each after coupons and sale

4 Ken’s Salad Dressing – $0.99 each, used 2 $1/2 coupon from the 5/5 SmartSource insert – $0.49 each after coupons and sale

2 Cascadian Farm Cereal – $1.99 each, used 2 $0.85/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $0.99 each after coupons and sale

2 Kraft Shredded Cheese – $1.99 each, used $0.50/2 printable (doubled) – $1.49 each after coupon and sale

2 Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel – $1 each, used 2 $0.55/1 coupon from the 6/2 P&G insert (doubled to $1) – Free after coupons and sale

1 Turkey Hill Natural Ice Cream – $2.49 after sale (We LOVE this new Turkey Hill ice cream with only 5 ingredients in it!)

1 Juicy Juice – $1.88, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.88 after coupon and sale

4 Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese – $0.99 each, used 4 $0.50/2 printable (doubled) – $0.49 each after coupons and sale

Other items:

1.13 lbs Bananas @ $0.52/lb – $0.59

1.65 lbs Sweet Potatoes @ $1.09/lb – $1.80

1 Snickers Ice Cream Bars – $2.99, used $2/1 printable – $0.99 after coupon

1 Dove Ice Cream Bars – $2.99, used $2/1 printable – $0.99 after coupon

1 Kroger Toilet Paper – $2.95

1 Tostitos Cantina Chips – $3, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon

1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99

1 Kroger Potatoes (5 lbs) – $2.29

2 Driscoll’s Strawberries – $1.77 each, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.77 each after coupons

1 Kroger Flour – $1.69

1 Nature’s Harvest Bread – $2, used $0.55/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $1 after coupon

2 Brut Deodorant – $1 each, used 2 $1/1 coupon from the 6/9 SmartSource insert – Free after coupon

1.22 lbs Broccoli Crowns @ $0.99/lb – $1.21

1.22 lbs Roma Tomatoes @ $0.99/lb – $1.21

1 Kroger Buns – Marked down to $0.49

1 Kroger Tortillas – $1.59

1.04 lbs Peaches @ $0.99/lb – $1.03

1 Cucumber – $0.59

Total with tax before coupons and sales: $112.96

Total with tax after coupons and sales: $44.37

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Cereal, Toast, Healthy Banana Muffins (I need to use up a bag of frozen bananas I found in my freezer.), Oatmeal

Lunches

Cheese Quesadillas, BLT Sandwiches, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Baked Potatoes, Homemade Mac & Cheese

Dinners

Tacos, Strawberries

Pepperoni Rolls, Tossed Salad, Green Beans

Baked Ziti (I’ll be making a few modifications since I can’t eat dairy), 30 Minute Rolls, Steamed Broccoli

Savory Crescent Chicken Squares, Tossed Salad, Fruit

Hamburgers, Homemade French Fries, Green Beans

World’s Best Pancakes, Eggs, Hashbrowns, Bacon

Steak (gift from Crystal), Texas Roadhouse Copycat Rolls (these are SO good!), Tossed Salad

Shared Jun 19, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s Target Shopping Trip: 12 items for $7.49

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 19, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Target Shopping Trip

Transaction #1

3 Stayfree Pads at $2.89 each – On Sale Buy 3, Get $5 Target gift card – used 3 $1/1 coupon from the 5/5 SmartSource insert and printable – $1.89 each after coupons

Total with tax (7.3%) after coupons: $6.44, Received $5 Target gift card

Transaction #2

2 Campbells Go Soup – $2, used 2 $1/1 Target printable AND used 2 $1/1 printable – Free after coupons

3 Jello Mixes – $0.74 each – used $1/3 printable – $0.41 each after coupon (These are great to have on hand for when we have company at the last minute.) 🙂

4 Jell-O Snack Pudding – $1.52 each, used 2 $1/2 printable – $1.02 each after coupons (My hubby loves these and I thought it would be a fun surprise for him since I rarely find a sale on them.)

Used $5 Target gift card from Transaction #1

Total with tax (7.3%) after coupons and gift card: $1.05

Total with tax for both transactions after coupons and gift card: $7.49

See the full list of deals at Target this week.

Shared Jun 19, 2013 comment

5 Ways to Save By Just Being You

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 19, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post by Brenda from Recovered Identity

With the power of the internet comes the power of access and awareness. Everyday, we encounter pictorial ideas, free downloads, and printable coupons. We know the ins and outs of other people’s schedules, opinions, and habits.

But with this power comes extreme pressure… the pressure to implement every idea, download every free book, and print every coupon. We feel pressured to make our daily routines and habits reflect those that we read of online. All this doing and doing expends so much of our budgeted time, energy, and money that we’re left feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

Getting a grasp of who we truly are protects our budgets. It allows us to say “no” to the things that don’t jive with who we are. But more importantly, it allows us to pour ourselves and our resources into those thing that are an extension of ourselves.

Five Ways to Save By Just Being You

1. Cut down on the repinning. Pinterest is inspiration overload. Go for high quality ideas that reflect you, not high quantity. You’ll be inspired to be yourself, not someone else.

2. Be choosey in your downloads. Will you really use every cleaning schedule posted on the internet? Will you truly use every preschool pack out there?

3. Stop comparing your life to the life of big-time bloggers. They’re not you. And unlike popular opinion, they do not “do it all”.

4. Don’t be afraid to let a good deal pass you by. Save your resources for the ones that fit your lifestyle.

5. Be the superwoman you are. In all your striving, don’t forget that you’re already superwoman. Find your power and practice it daily. Leave the other powers to those who possess them.

Brenda lives in Indiana with her husband and four children, ages 8, 6, 4, and 3. She blogs at Recovered Identity about the lessons she learns as she peels off label after label to find her real self.

photo credit

Shared Jun 18, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s Walgreens Shopping Trip: Spent $6.39, Saved $48.79

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 18, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Walgreens Shopping Trip

Transaction #1

1 Kios DS Upset Stomach Relief – $7
Used $2/1 printable (I have no idea why, but this coupon actually rang up as $3/1 and my cashier went ahead and let it take $3 off.)

1 Holiday Soap (filler item) – $0.99 (It was marked down to $0.49, but in looking over my receipt afterward, it rang up as $0.99.)

Used $2 Register Rewards from my last shopping trip

Total with tax (7.3%): $3.57, Received $7 Register Rewards (for buying Kios Stomach Relief)

Transaction #2

1 H+ Care Hemorrhoid Cream – $7

Used $7 Register Rewards from Transaction #1

Total with tax (7.3%): $0.51, Received $7 Register Rewards

Transaction #3

2 Right Guard Deodorant at $4.49 each – On Sale Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Used 2 $2/1 coupon from the 6/16 RedPlum insert (There is also a $2/1 printable here.)

3 Purex UltraPacks Laundry Detergent at $4.79 each – On Sale Buy 1 Get 2 Free
Used 2 $2/1 printable (no longer available)

1 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste – $3
Used $1/1 printable

1 Reach Toothbrush (2 pk) – $2.99
Used $2/1 printable

1 Trident Layers Gum – $0.79 (The cash register wouldn’t take all my coupons/Register Rewards unless my total was slightly higher so I added this.)

Used $7 Register Rewards from Transaction #2

Total with tax (7.3%): $1.23, Received $2 Register Rewards (for buying Reach Toothbrush) and $2.50 Register Rewards (for buying Colgate Toothpaste)

Transaction #4

1 Reach Toothbrush (2 pk) – $2.99
Used $2/1 printable

2 Butterball Turkey Bacon – $1.29 each
Used 2 $1/1 printable

1 Scunci Bobby Pins (filler item) – Marked down to $0.50

1 Milky Way Bar – $0.99 (The cash register wouldn’t take all my coupons/Register Rewards unless my total was slightly higher so I added this.)

Used $2.50 Register Rewards from Transaction #2

Total with tax (7.3%): $1.08, Received $2 Register Rewards (for buying Reach Toothbrush)

Total before coupons and Register Rewards: $52.18

Total with tax after coupons and Register Rewards: $6.39 plus $4 Register Rewards leftover

See the full list of deals at Walgreens.

Shared Jun 18, 2013 comment

Swagbucks Paid for My Pressure Canner

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 18, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Becky:

I love Swagbucks! Not only has it helped us pay for 3 Christmases, it also helped me purchase my (normally over $100) pressure canner for just $6!

I have used my Pressure Canner hundreds of times now — it’s amazing. I know what’s going in those jars, and by utilizing sale prices on fruits, veggies and meat, I’m able to save hundreds and make healthier food for my family.

I am currently saving for a steam juicer. I can use it to preserve my own fruit juices to easily make jellies and jams.

My 2 favorite ways to earn extra Swagbucks are:

The short videos — they are easy for stay-at-home-moms to watch when I only have a minute or two — and the 1 or 2 bucks that I get for each video really add up during the course of the day.

The toolbar and search feature — it’s right there, and it’s easy to use.

Of all the online rewards programs I’ve ever tried, this one is the best and the easiest for me. I love Swagbucks, and am so glad I was referred to it.

Have you saved up and purchased something using your Swagbucks? If so, you could get a $50 gift card just for sharing your Swagbucks success stories with MoneySavingMom.com readers!

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Click here to sign up!

Shared Jun 18, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: Homemade Grape Nuts Cereal

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 18, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

HeavenlyHomemakers.com shows you how to make homemade Grape Nuts Cereal.

Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Are you married to your complete opposite financially? This post will encourage you!

Shared Jun 13, 2013 comment

Help! What do you do when you’re a saver who is married to a spender??

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 13, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Maybe you or some of your readers can help me out! My husband, while very supportive of my efforts to bring our expenses down, really doesn’t have a frugal bone in his body! Our main issue is eating out, and even if I plan ahead for such occasions with restaurant deals and coupons, when it comes right down to it, he’s rarely in the mood for whatever deal I’ve found. :-/

I’m tired of being the “Budget Nazi”! He wants to do this, in theory, but in the day to day stuff… Yikes! Help! -Amanda

Amanda, I have a good feeling you’re not alone! In fact, in most marriages, one spouse is the spender and the other spouse is the saver. Yes, opposites often attract! 🙂

In our marriage, I’m the saver and my husband is the spender. Needless to say, over the ten years we’ve been married, our completely different approaches to money have resulted in numerous disagreements and misunderstandings.

As we’ve worked through these, we’ve learned some lessons along the way. And while I don’t have a magic wand I can wave to fix your marriage, I do have some suggestions from things I’ve learned as a spender married to a saver.

Appreciate His Strengths

I used to get frustrated when Jesse would go out and spend money on what I deemed “frivolous” or “extravagant” things. And he would get frustrated by the fact that I didn’t seem to ever want to spend money at all unless it was a necessity.

It’s taken us years, but we’ve really come to appreciate the strengths that each other bring to the table. We now readily admit — and laugh about! — the fact that if we didn’t have the other to help balance us out, we’d be really lopsided.

So instead of getting frustrated that your husband likes to spend money, focus on the positive qualities he has and how his differences help bring balance to your relationship. If you start out with appreciation versus frustration, you’re well on your way to harmony in your marriage.

Discuss Your Differences

One of the greatest absences in many marriages is candid communication. A husband and wife should be able to freely share their thoughts, struggles, and hurts without fear of how their spouse will respond and without worrying what their spouse will think of them.

Marriage was designed for intimacy and this intimacy should permeate all areas: physical, emotional, and spiritual. We are to be one with each other. Nothing held back. Nothing hidden.

The more you can openly communicate about your differences and work toward understanding the other’s viewpoint, the stronger your marriage will become. Share your heart with your husband and tell him graciously and lovingly how you’re feeling about the budget and his lack of excitement with staying on track.

Then, truly hear his heart. Don’t pounce on him or try to nag and drag him along with your point of view. Listen and take to heart what he says. Ask him if he has any ideas or solutions. Conversations like this will help deepen your relationship and will allow you both to have a better understanding of each other and will go a long way in helping you to come to a mutual understanding and agreement.

A Special Word For Those Of You in Difficult Marriages

I know that some of you are already in difficult marriages right now and you would love to have this openness and oneness but your spouse has no desire for this. If that’s you, my heart breaks for you.

But as long as your spouse is alive, there is hope, so don’t lose heart! Love your spouse, give to them–even when they don’t deserve it, look for things to thank them for, and, if possible, seek marriage counseling. And focus on doing all you can to improve yourself and become the spouse for them that you would love to have yourself. Becoming a victim in a difficult relationship will never do anything good for you — or your spouse.

That said, if you are in an abusive relationship, please seek immediate help. Do not put yourself or your children in danger. Email me if you don’t know where to turn and I’ll do my best to put you in contact with someone who can help you.

Devise a Plan

Once you’ve taken time to focus on his strengths and talk openly with each other, it’s time to devise a plan of action. I can’t tell you exactly what this will be because no two couples are alike. What might work for us probably won’t work for you.

Only you both can figure out what works best for the two of you. However, the one rule you must follow when it comes to creating a plan is that it must be based upon mutual agreement and compromise.

If you are not drawing up the plan together and both agreeing together about it, your spouse is going to feel like they have no voice. And they are probably also going to feel miserable trying to stick with your plan.

3 Keys to Successful Spender/Saver Marriage Harmony

1. Stop Trying to Make Your Spouse Something They Aren’t

Spenders need to spend money. It’s not because they are necessarily extravagant; it’s because of how they are wired. We savers need to accept this and stop trying to squeeze the spenders into our little frugal box. (It sounds so basic, I know, but it’s hard for a saver to understand how it can be fun or exciting to spend money!).

At the same time, spenders also need to accept that savers want to have a plan for the money and that it can freak us out if they spend money without a plan. (Or maybe that’s just me?!)

2. Set Up a Cash Envelope System

The cash envelope system has worked beautifully for our marriage because once we both agree on the cash envelope amounts, I don’t have to worry that when Jesse spends money it’s putting us over-budget. On the flip side, the cash envelope system has relieved a lot of stress and potential frustration for Jesse since it provides him with money to spend. 🙂

We purposefully added some extra cushion into some of the budget categories that Jesse likes to spend more on so that it gives him more wiggle room. If you don’t have any extra wiggle room in your budget, then this might not be an option. But as soon as it is an option, do it. You’ll find that it results in a lot less tension in your marriage.

If your husband specifically likes to spend money on eating out, budget extra for the eating out envelope and discuss letting him be completely in charge of it each month. If he wants to spend it on a nice dinner out, that’s his choice. Don’t cringe over his choices. Accept them excitedly knowing that he’s in control of that envelope and it’s his to choose how it is spent.

3. Create a Blow Category

I highly recommend that you budget for a blow cash envelope for each of you. This is cash that can be spent on whatever you like… be it a treat, something for your hobby, or to put into savings for a larger ticket item.

For a spender, this greatly reduces the stress of sticking with a budget since they get splurge money allotted to them every month! For the saver, this greatly reduces their stress because they know that whatever their spouse is splurging on isn’t blowing the budget.

What advice and suggestions do you have for Amanda? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Shared Jun 13, 2013 comment

Katie’s Dillon’s Shopping Trip: Spent $9.76, Saved $44.29

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 13, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Katie sent me the details of her shopping trip at Dillon’s yesterday. I was so impressed that I thought I’d share it with you all:

2 Pampers sensitive tub wipes $0.99 each, used 2 coupons $0.50/1 doubled = FREE
2 Pampers fresh scent tub wipes $0.99 each, used 2 coupons $0.50/1 doubled = FREE
3 Satin Care shave gel $1 each, used 3 $0.55/1 doubled = FREE
1 Secret Deodorant $1.29, used $1/1 coupon = $0.29
2 Secret Expressions Body Sprays $2.49 each, used 2 $1/1 coupons = $2.98
2 Denali Old Spice Deordorant $2.49 each, used 2 $1/1 coupons = $2.98
3 Gillette Body Wash $2.99 each, used 3 $1/1 coupons = $5.97
1 Old Spice Body Wash $2.99, used $1/1 coupon = $1.99

Used $5 Catalina from last week
Before Dillon’s card and coupons: $54.05
16 items with the save $4 when you buy four took off $16
Paid $8.17 + $1.59 tax = $9.76

Great job, Katie!

Shared Jun 13, 2013 comment

Get a copy of Taken, Risk, and Unleash for just $5.99 each

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 13, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Brock Eastman, co-author of one our family’s favorite Imagination Station books, found out we love the Imagination Station books so he asked if he could send us one of his other books. And I’m so glad he did!

From the moment I picked up Taken, I was pretty sure it was going to be a book Kathrynne would enjoy. Boy, was I right!

The characters are fascinating, especially if you love mystery, science fiction, and high-tech gadgets. The storyline is fast-paced and packed with adventure and cliff-hangers. (Kathrynne was on the edge of her seat while I was reading aloud. She kept begging for “Just another chapter, please!”)

Because we loved Taken so much, we were excited to read the next book in the series, Risk. And once again, we were not disappointed! We’re excited that Brock has another book in the series coming out very soon called Unleash.

Get a Copy of Taken, Risk, or Unleash for just $5.99 + Shipping!

If your family is looking for a family-friendly science fiction novel, you’ll definitely want to consider getting a copy of Taken, Risk, and Unleash. Best of all, Brock has discounted all three of these books to just $5.99 each right now.

Go read more details and order your copies for just $5.99 here.

Shared Jun 13, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: Fruit Fly Trap

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 13, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

MyBlessedLife.net shows you how to make a homemade fruit fly trap.

Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!

Shared Jun 12, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s $45 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan for the Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 12, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Health Food Store

1 Organic Kale – Marked down to $0.99

1 Rudis Organic Sandwich Flatz – Marked down to $0.99

2 Grapefruit – $0.50

0.86 lbs Peaches @ $0.99/lb – $0.85

Total with tax: $3.57

Dillon’s Meat Trip

We were getting low on meat so I made a run to Dillon’s on the day they mark down meat. I was super excited to find some great prices on our favorite brands! This will keep us stocked up on meat for the next several weeks.

3 lbs Laura’s Lean Beef – Marked down to $1.99 each

1.7 lbs Simple Truth Organic Chicken Drumsticks – Marked down to $3.80

Total with tax: $10.48

Dillons

Transaction #1

I did 2 transactions at Dillons. On the first one I only bought items that were part of the General Mills catalina sale (Buy 5 participating items, Get a $5 catalina). I used the catalinas from the first transaction to buy groceries we needed on my second transaction.

6 Totino’s Pizza – $1.33 each, used 2 $1/3 printable – $1 each after coupons

4 Green Giant Sweet Potato Chips – $2 each, used 2 $0.50/1 coupons from the 6/9 SmartSource insert AND 2 $0.60/1 printable (coupons doubled to $1) – $1 each after coupons

2 Chex Mix Muddy Buddy – $2, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $1 each after coupons

2 Mott’s Fruit Snacks – $2, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (no longer available; doubled to $1) – $1 each after coupons

2 Cocoa Puffs – $2.50 each, used $1/2 printable – $2 each after coupon

2 Original Cheerios – $2.50 each, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $1.50 each after coupons

1 Multigrain Cheerios – $2.50, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $1.50 after coupon

1 Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch – $2.50, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled to $1) – $1.50 after coupon

Paid $28.64 out of pocket (total with tax), Received 4 $5 catalinas ($20 total)

Transaction #2

1 Surf Detergent (40 loads) – $2.99, used $1/1 coupon from the 6/2 RedPlum insert – $1.99 after coupon (This is normally $6.25!)

2 Suave Shampoo/Conditioner – $0.99, used 2 $1/1 printable – Free after coupons

1 Annie’s Mac & Cheese – $1, used $0.35/1 printable (doubled) – $0.30 after coupon

1 Hunts Spaghetti Sauce – $1

1 Kroger Glass Cleaner – $1.79 (We haven’t had glass cleaner in months now and I’ve been trying to make do with other cleaner but I decided last week it was time to buy actual glass cleaner since my windows are full of toddler fingerprints these days. 🙂 )

1.88 lbs Bananas @ $0.35/lb – $0.66

1 Kroger Ice Cream – $2.50

1 Cucumber – $0.59

1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99

1.24 lbs Tomatoes @ $1.99/lb – $2.47

1 Kroger Cheese – $1.50

1 Dillons Bread – $1

6 Oranges – $0.49 each ($2.94 total)

1 Garnier Fructis Hairspray – Marked down to $0.99, used $1/1 coupon from the 6/2 RedPlum insert – Free after coupon (I just used up my hairspray this morning so I was excited to find this deal!)

1 Dillons Gallon Milk – $2.98

2 Dove Soap – $1 each, used $1/1 printable – Free after coupon

Used 4 $5 catalinas from Transaction #1

Total with tax: $2.57

Total for both transactions before coupons and sales: $88.48

Total for both transactions after coupons: $31.21

Total for all grocery items: $45.26