Still blogging...

I know I haven't posted in a while....but I have still been couponing and have a few posts in my head.  Hopefully, I will get some time in the next few days to spit a few out.  Stay tuned...until then, enjoy a little Lifehouse...that always helps my day along:)

A Shout-Out to the Junction

In the midst of trying to keep my sanity today while wading through what seemed to be an endless sea of poo (literally and figuratively), I made a quick stop into Woodman's to pick up a few odds and ends to get me through until some good deals come along.  While there, I ran into a friend who initially gave me the silent treatment for turning my back on this grocery mecca....but he came around and we had a quick catch up where he confessed to me  he was angry about my affairs with the other grocery stores.

I have to admit...I do love Woodman's.  I love their variety and they do have really low prices....on items that you cannot find anywhere else or do not have a q for but are in need of.  When I wasn't couponing so religiously, I did all of my grocery shopping there.  I was still able to save money and use my q's without having to devote my normal 15-20 hours a week to couponing hardcore.  But Woodman's does have some major downsides to a couponer.  They only let you use one printable coupon for each like item and they don't participate in the Catalina programs....these shortcomings are what led to our separation, they just weren't giving me what I needed.

Since this break-up, my visits to Woodman's have become almost non-existent except for the occasional run in for a needed item on the fly or  a stock-up here and there on items I cannot find other places.  Because of all these reasons, my friend and I have lost touch....today I was verbally reprimanded (with a side of the stink-eye) for my lack of commitment to our weekly chats.  This person I am referring to is affectionately referred to in our house as "My Woodman's Boyfriend".  He has met my BFF and the hubs knows all about "the boyfriend" and is good with it too...when we shop together they even have a little chat...lol.

So I decided I would give a little blog love to Woodman's (even though I didn't really get any deals there).  I had to breakdown and overpay for paper towels...something I really hate to do but I ran out of my little stockpile yesterday and was in major need for some.  I NEED paper towels...and I don't like the cheap ones.  I have tried to use them, I really have, but they just stink.  I know paper towels are wasteful and bad for the environment...yada, yada....but I gotta have them.  They are a must for cleaning up after two messy boys and 3 puking, pooping pets.  While I know my couponing has come a long way, I still cannot seem to figure out how to amass basement fulls like all of those nutter-butters on Extreme Couponing.  Maybe one day I will get it...so here is what I picked up at the Woodman's for a total of $22.04 OOP:

• 2 gallons skim milk $4.98
• 2 cans La Preferida Refried Beans $1.78
• 1 Taco Bell Medium Salsa $1.99
• 1 package corn tortillas $1.29
• 4 Viva Paper Towels $7.16.  Used 4 .40/1 = $5.56 (even with the q's this is a bad price...but I had to cave...I was in need)
• 1 Digiorno Frozen Pizza $5.69.  Used FB printable $2/1 = $3.69 (it was a bad day and I needed a quick dinner for the kiddos)
• 4-2 Liters Dr. Pepper 10 $4.36.  Used 4 Get 1 Free q's = FREE

I saved a total of only $7.96 in q's....sad, I know:(  So, there it is...while the milk, refried beans and corn tortillas were a good buy there was nothing phenomenal here....sorry my Woodman's BF, it's sad but true. Your store just cannot give me what I need....but it was good to see you:) 

Random Deals and House Projects

I have been flooded with a sea of coupons to clip over the last two weeks.... especially since last week's paper had 7 inserts each and I had 12 papers...you do the math.  I think I have finally managed to catch up...thank goodness, because Sunday is right around the corner again.  Life has been pretty crazy around here and there seems to be an endless stream of  "to-do's".  We just finished giving our master bath a face lift and the on-going re-do of our master bedroom is almost complete...we just need to find a nice comfy chair for our little reading nook.  Here are some picks of our newly decorated corner of the world.

I would still like to put in some much nicer bath faucets and a new exhaust fan but haven't found anything I love yet so those remain until something strikes me. The bath also needs some more decor, but I haven't come across anything else that has wowed me.  My girly and I are off to the flea market next month, so you never know what I may find there:)

Those are my fabulous lamps on either side of the bed that I scored at Home Goods a couple of months ago...and they are still FABULOUS.

The bathroom face lift all started with this television and my saying, Let's repaint the bedroom.  When we (and I mean me) decided to repaint the bedroom, I wanted the TV mounted on this little wall.  But there was one problem, there was no stud to screw the mount into...so what do I do?  Do I move the TV to a different wall??  If you know me, you already said NO...and you couldn't be more right.  On the other side of this wall was the crappy medicine cabinet I told you that we pulled out and replaced with the hardwired, mounted make-up mirror.  It was the perfect, pre-existing hole to build out with some 2 X 4's to mount the TV to.  And then I figured while the wall already had a big, gaping hole in it we might as well do a little electrical work and that is where the make-up mirror came to fruition...it wasn't too bad (although the hubs may say a little different).  

But then I said, Well, we need medicine cabinets for all of our stuff since now we don't even have a small one....and you just know that under the cabinets is stocked with all of my little coupon goodies so there really is no extra room for the everyday stuff...the medicine cabinets were a must and I have to say they look fabulous and were worth all of the work.  We had to cut two holes in the dry wall after getting the giant 6 foot builder-special mirror off the wall in one piece, cut out parts of the exisitng 2 X 6's that ran straight through both of them and frame in two medicine cabinet openings.  

Then the existing vanity lighting that was there looked weird because there was only one fixture, so I said...You know, we really need to put in another fixture so that each cabinet has it's own fixture over it and it looks balanced.  But then I couldn't decide on fixtures so we (and I mean me) decided that we should put in recessed lighting over the vanity and that would solve that issue...did I mention how much the hubs just loves going into the attic to do projects...lol.  So a little more electircal work and poof....instant bathroom face lift.   That old, sterile giant mirror just screamed "Builder Special"...but we found it a good home a la Freecycle so no waste there....everyone wins:)

Oh....and I almost forgot the little toilet debacle.  While the hubs was on his way to Lowe's to pick up the recessed lights, I said I am going to change the handle on the toilet with a nicer one.  While doing this (what would seem to be a simple task) the toilet cracked...so we needed a new toilet.  The hubs was ecstatic about this one.  He finally got the "throne" he has been wanting...a dual-flush, chair height, elongated bowl.  I have to admit, it is quite nice and looks good too. I don't think he will ever let me "repaint" something again...next on the list is the down stairs powder room....I swear, it's just paint...well, and a new mirror:) 

In between these projects and all of the other things that unfold during a day, I have been couponing like crazy. I haven't had time to photo all of my little grabs...but I did take some snapshots of a few stellar finds at the Doms, Wal-Mart and Target over the last 2 weeks.  Target has been my favorite stomping ground lately as there has been a lot of clearance.

Here was my Doms/Wal-Mart/Target trifecta that I picked up on October 3rd:

My first stop was Doms where they were running a buy 8 save $4 sale:

• 10-2 Liters Cranberry Sierra Mist $14.90.  Saved $5.00 as part of the promo and used1 J4U q $1/2 and 3 $1/2 q's = $5.90
• 3-2 Liters Pepsi Max. Used 2 Buy 2 Cheetos get a Free 2 Liter of Pepsi Max and 1 J4U q for the same thing = $2.02 MONEYMAKER (the computer was handing out overage on this deal and who was I to say no??)
• 6 bags Cheetos snacks $11.94.  Saved $3.00 as part of the promos and used 2 $1/2 q's and a J4U q $1/2 = $5.94
• 2 gallons Skim Milk $3.98.  Used J4U personalized pricing for $1.99/gallon.

Total OOP at the Doms was $15.02 with tax and saved a total of 22.97 in q's and J4U savings.  Next stop was the Wal-Mart for a quick crab of some International Delight Coffee Creamer (I never thought I would run out of that...lol)

• 2 International Delight Creamer $3.76.  Used 2 printables .55/1 = $2.66

Last stop for the day was the Target for a free toy and some other dealios.  

• 1 Jean skirt on clearance for $6.24.  Used Target printable for $3/1 clothing item = $3.24
• 2 Revlon Nail Clippers $3.94.  Used Target Cat for $5/2 and 2 manufacturer q's $1/1 = $2.00 MONEYMAKER (no overage on the Target q, only the manufacturer q's)
• 2 cans Tressemme Hairspray $7.58.  Used q B1G1 = $3.79
• 1 Transformers Dark of the Moon toy $9.99.  Used printable $5/1 and Target mobile q $5/1 = FREE

I also saved $0.05 for using my own bag.  My total OOP was $9.20 and I saved a total of $20.78 in q's.  I went back the next day to pick up another free transformer and some more randomness and have gone back twice since for a grand total of 4 FREE Transformers...that's right, $40.00 worth of free toys thanks to coupons!

The next day I made another stop at the Target and picked up this tiny stash of goodies for a whopping $1.43:)

• 1 Merona t-shirt $3.74.  Used Target printable $3/1 = $0.74
• 2-4 packs Ocean Spray Sparkling Cranberry Juice $3.98.  Used 2 $1.50/1 q's from the MDA book I picked up from the Dom's a few weeks earlier = $0.98
• 1 Revlon Nail Clipper $1.97.  Used Target Cat for $2/1 and manufacturer q $1/1 = $1.00 MONEYMAKER  (no overage on the Target q, only the manufacturer q)
• 1 Transformers Dark of the Moon $9.99.   Used printable $5/1 and Target mobile q $5/1 = FREE

I saved another $0.05 for my reusable bag and my total OOP was only $1.43...$0.77 of which was tax:)  If only every trip was this cheap...I would have a lot more $$$...lol

Meijer Deals Galore

Meijer is rockin' my coupon world lately..not only have the grocery buys been really good, but they have clearance toys on clearance!!!  Just when you thought clearance couldn't get any better...they clearanced it out....I may be in heaven.  Here is a quick run down of my my last two trips to Meijer.  I am trying to get caught up on my blogging, so I cam combining things together.

Here is my trip on 9.19.11...I did three transactions for this one and you know I made some friends at the check-out...lol.

Transaction #1:

• 1 Campfire Giant Marshmallows $1.00.  USed mPerks q $1/1 = FREE
• 2 Starbucks Espresso Ground Coffee $14.98.  Used 2 $1.50/1 = $11.98.  Got back a code for a $5.00 Starbucks gift card.  End cost = $6.98
• 1 Pillsbury Breakfast Sandwich $2.00.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and manufacturer q $1/1 = FREE

I paid a total of $12.26 OOP and came home and entered my Starbucks card code on-line and added the $5.00 to my newly arrived Gold card:)  I saved a total of $6.00 in q's in this transaction.

Transaction #2:

• 1 Johnson & Johnson's Baby Naturals Lotion $4.79.  Used mPerks q $1.50/1 and a printable $1.50/1 = $1.79
• 1 bunch parsley $0.69
• 1 green pepper $1.25
• 2 boxes Trix cereal $5.98.  Used 2 printables $1/1 = $3.98
• 2 boxes Chocolate Chex cereal $5.00.  Used printable $1.10/2 = $3.90
• 1 box Honey Nut Cheerios $3.29.  Used coupon from mailer .75/1 and mPerks q $2/5 General Mills cereal = $0.54.  
• 1 Gallon Meijer Milk $2.99.  Part of the buy 4 participating cereal get a gallon of milk free = FREE
• 2 Zucchini $0.73
• 4 Kraft Mac N' Cheese $3.40
• 1 bunch celery $1.50
• 2 Chef Boyardee Cheese Ravioli $1.70.  Used .50/2 from All You Magazine = $1.20
• 1 Campfire Giant Marshmallows $1.00.  USed mPerks q $1/1 = FREE
• 2 Starbucks Espresso Ground Coffee $14.98.  Used 2 $1.50/1 = $11.98.  Got back a code for a $5.00 Starbucks gift card.  End cost = $6.98
• 1 Pillsbury Breakfast Sandwich $2.00.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and manufacturer q $1/1 = FREE
• 4 Danimals Yogurt $7.56.  Used 4 .50/1 = $5.56
• 2 Johnsonville Apple Chicken Sausage $5.98.  Used 2 $1/1 = $3.98
• 1 bag Macintosh apples $2.00
• 2 Planters Creamy Peanut Butter $3.34.  Used 2 printables $1/1 = $1.34
• 4 Kleenex Cool Touch tissues $5.00.  Used mPerks $1.25/4 and .50/3 and .75/1 = $2.50
• 2+ lbs red grapes $3.87

I paid a total of $46.97 OOP and got another code for a $5.00 Starbucks gift card that I added to my gold card:)  I saved a total of $34.79 in q's on this transactions.

Since the toy clearance is so stellar, I have started my Christmas shopping early....and I am saving a ton.  We have over 12 kiddos to buy for and toys are expensive.  Here is what I picked up with all of my groceries:

• 2 Lalaloopsy Pets $25.18.   (These were originally $17.99 marked down to $12.59).  Saved $6.30 with the additional 25% off = $18.88
• 6 Toy Story 3 Dual Action Figure Packs $32.94 (These were originally $21.99 marked down to $5.49).  Saved $8.22 with the additional 25% off = $24.72
• 2 Handy Manny construction sets $9.98.  (These were originally $9.99 marked down to $4.99).  Saved $2.50 with the additional 25% off = $7.48

I spent a total of $55.06 with tax on these ten toys...ONLY $5.50 per toy!  My total savings on the toys with all of the discounts was $136.83.  If I can keep this up, we may not be bankrupt after Christmas this year...fingers crossed.

I head back to Meijer the next day to get more coffee and some free sparkling water...and of course some more cheap toys:)  Here is what the 20th looked like:

Transaction #1:

• 2 Starbucks Espresso Ground Coffee $14.98.  Used 2 $1.50/1 = $11.98.  Got back a code for a $5.00 Starbucks gift card.  End cost = $6.98
• 6 Ice Mountain Sparkling Water W/ Lemon $4.74.  Used 4 printables $1/1 and 1 $1/2 = FREE and got back $2.00 OYNO cats = MONEYMAKER
• 4 Zucchinis $1.21

I saved a total of  $8.00 in q's and waalked away with a $2.00 OYNO cat and another $5.00 Starbucks gift card.

Here are the toys I took home with me as well:

Transaction #2:

• 1 Mille Borne card game $3.66.  (This was originally $5.24 marked down to $3.66).  Saved $0.91 with the additional 25% off = $2.75
• 1 Chuck Truck $4.99.   (This was originally $9.99 marked down to $4.99).   Saved $1.25 with the additional 25% off = $3.74
• 1 Sesame Street Elmo Kinex Blocks $5.49.    (This was originally $10.49 marked down to $5.49).   Saved $1.37 with the additional 25% off = $4.12
• 1 Zoobles Figurine $6.99.    (This was originally $9.99 marked down to $6.99).   Saved $1.75 with the additional 25% off = $5.24
• 1 Zoobles Toy Set $9.99.    (This was originally $19.99 marked down to $9.99).   Saved 2.50 with the additional 25% off = $7.49
• 1 Cars2 Ramp Racing Set $10.49.    (This was originally $14.99 marked down to $10.49).   Saved $2.62 with the additional 25% off = $7.87
• 1 Lalaloopsy Pets $12.59.   (These were originally $17.99 marked down to $12.59).  Saved $3.10 with the additional 25% off = $9.44

I also used the $2 OYNO from the sparkling water.  I spend $41.90 OOP including tax for 7 toys...ONLY $5.99 per toy!  My total savings on the toys with all of the discounts was $50.53...WOOHOO!  By buying clearance toys on clearance I saved almost $200...that is a HUGE savings...I didn't even realize how big it was until I added it all up now for this post...I am rockin' some coupon stoke right now...lol

Off to bed kiddos, it is late and I need some sleep.  Tomorrow is my 7 year wedding anniversary and the hubs and I are actually getting out on a date...YAY:)

Almost...Free Target Trip

We stopped at Target the other day to pick up my loaves of free bread with the q's that were in the Wednesday paper.  I also needed a couple of other things so used up some Revlon q's to get the overage.  here is what I took home for a grand total of $6.57 OOP:

• 2-4 count Travel Size Shout Wipes $0.96.  Used 2 .55/1 = $0.14 MONEYMAKER
• 2 Archer Farms Honey Wheat Bread $5.58.  Used 2 Target q's for free bread from the 9.21 papers = FREE
• 1 Dozen large Market Pantry Eggs $1.89.  Used Target q .50/1 = $1.39
• 3 packages Revlon Nail Files and 1 Nail Buffer = $8.60.  Used 2 Target q's $5/2 and 3 $1/1 manufacturer q's = $3.00 MONEYMAKER
• 1 Rimmel Mascara $5.69.  Used $2/1 printable = $3.69
• 1 Purina Whisker Lickins cat treats $0.99.  Used mobile Target q $1/1 = $0.01 MONEYMAKER
• 1 TresSemme hairspray $3.79

I saved a total of $21.78 in q's...I also got my hands on another free bread q and picked up another bag of cat treats for free today:)

A Few Wags Dealios

Wags hasn't had a ton of sales that have appealed to me lately, but I have picked up a couple odds and ends here and there.  Here are my last two trips:

Transaction #1:

• 8 packages Skittles candy $ 4.67.  Used 4 printables $1/2 = $0.67
• 3 packages Huggies Wipes $ 14.97.  Used 3 Wags q $2/1 ans 3 manufacturer q's .50/1 = $6.47

Total OOP was $9.04 ($1.57 was tax...blah)

Transaction #2

• 1 packages Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers $8.99.  Used $3/1 = $5.99.  Got back a $2.00 RR for my next trip.

Total was $6.73 OOP....I would have done this transaction first, but thought they were out of the size 5's...saw a package in an obscure place as I was going out the door.  I saved a total of $15.34 in q's during this Wags trip.

I made a pit stop for some canned soup a few days ago and used the RR I had from my diaper pick-up:

• 3 Cans Cream of Mushroom $4.17.  Used Wags q for .60/1 (limit 3) and printable q .40/3 = $1.97
• 3 Cans Cream of Chicken $4.17.  Used Wags q for .60/1 (limit 3) and printable q .40/3 = $1.97

I also used my $2 RR to take OOP total down to $2.02.  I know this one was a bit of a snoozer...but a deal is a deal...I have some Meijer toy steals coming up that are a bit more exciting than this...stay tuned.

A Mail Goodies Update

I haven't posted about my little mail goodies in a while.  They have been rolling in almost everyday.  Here are some pics of a few that have joined the ranks within the last couple weeks.

This is the best goody that has arrived in a long time.  It was a box from Bob's Red Mill.  Four full size bags of quinoa, hot cereal, honey oat granola and 7 grain pancake and waffle mix.  It also included a sample of Almond Butter...YUMMO.  The retail value on this goody is over $10.00.  

Next week, cam this little gem...2 q's for 2 free  twix bars and $1/1 gallon of milk.  We drink about 5 gallons of milk a week in our house....and milk q's are far and few, so I was ecstatic when this one arrived:)

This isn't really a coupon (but does come with some discount perks...lol)  I finally drank enough coffee using my re-loadable Starbucks card that I have now received my GOLD card....totally geeked about this:)

These goodies all came yesterday.  I got some Bath & Body Works q's. a free Swiffer Duster 360, a q for a free pint of Open Nature Ice Cream from Safeway (Dom's) and a gift check from  Hallmark to use during ornament premiere.  I am totally excited about the last one....hopefully I will win an ornament at this one like I did at the last one...lol:)

A Lifehouse Interlude

Just a few tunes from my favorite, rockin' boys:)

Halfway Gone

The Joke

Disarray (one of my FAVS)

Today is just a little Lifehouse music needin' kinda day....later:)

Birthday Extravaganza Pts. 2, 3 & 4

So the boys ended their birthday week celebrations with a visit to Grandma & Grandpa VanDerMolen's, celebrations with Grandpa Dick and Grandma Joan, Medieval Times with Aunt T, Aunt Bobbi, Uncle Aaron, Brooke, Grandma, and Poppa and a final stop at Jump Zone....plus a plethora of presents.  I am EXHAUSTED...and thankful that the boys' birthdays are over with. I need a whole other year to rest up for the next ones.  I am so thankful for all of the people in our lives who love and care for us like family.  We really are blessed to have such wonderful neighbors, friends and family.

Here is a recap of the past week...you may need a nap after reading this...LOL.

On Wednesday we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa VanDerMolen's for a yummy dinner and, of course, lots of presents.  Grandpa is notorious for buying the gifts that you would never, ever buy for your own kids because you would never, ever want them in your house....and this year was no different.  Grandpa got Jax a remote control dog...he loves it.  The rest of us, including the dog and two cats, not so much....

Jax was really having a good time...he just wanted to get to opening the presents.  Not even the lure of cupcakes could distract from the want of diving into the presents.  We had a great night.

We did get a break from the birthday celebrations on Thursday and Friday...only to be sucked into the revamping of the master bath.  It all culminated with the purchase of a new, dual-flush toilet at 10 on friday night...Gary was rocking the Jetta home with two car seats, talk radio and a giant toilet hanging out of the trunk...we are the definition of "hip to be square"....LOL

On Saturday, it was off to Medieval Times (after the installation of the new toilet that is...)...don't worry, I used B1G1 coupons for all of our admissions, the place is a fortune!  The boys also got a joint gift in the morning.  Jax had been wanting the Imaginext Toy Story 3 Garbage Dump forever!!  He even threw a coin in the fountain at the mall on Thursday and wished for it...he was stoked!

After lunch, we headed off to Medieval Times.  I wanted to be early so we could get good seats...and it paid off.  We got to sit in the first row.  But our early arrival left us with plenty of time to wait in the lobby of the castle...where, of course, there were a ton of souvenir stands that Aunt T just couldn't pass up.  She bought the boys light-up swords...that were both broken before we went got into the arena, and had to exchange them both....it was pretty funny:)

Here are some snapshots of the night....

This is my neice, Brooklyn.  Isn't she a doll??  She is also a pro at dealing with these rambunctious boys...she can hold her ground and keep them in line too:)

Uncle Aaron was more excited to be there than the boys...LOL

We ended the night with opening some presents on lawn outside.  We had opened a few during the show, but there were just too many to get through and not enough room to open them all.

As usual...Logan was off on his own adventure and Jax was deep in conversation with Aunt T.

Sunday was Logan's actual birthday.  We got up and I made a pancake breakfast...complete with numeral pancakes.  What can I say??  I get geeked about stuff like this.

We had planned to head out to the park and playground...but it rained all day.  So we went with our alternate plan and headed over to Jump Zone for some indoor fun.  I also had a B1G1 coupon for admission:)  They were on the move so much, I barely got any pics of them.  Here are a few:)

Logan was digging the air hockey game

We stopped for hot dogs for dinner, and then came home for some more cupcakes and presents from the neighbors.  Grandpa Dick and Grandma Joan came over to hang out for a little while and check out all the little goodies.

It took forever for the little stinker to look at the camera for this pic...he was mesmerized by all the presents

So...there it is...a week of constant celebration, toys and utter exhaustion.  I am off to bed.  Nighty-night kiddos...keep an eye out for more blogs in the next few days.

Come On Down....

Clearance season is upon us...and it is a perfect appetizer leading up to Black Friday.  I LOVE Black Friday...if you look to the right of your screen, you will see my countdown clock...just a few over 60 days at this point.  The BFF and I train for Black Friday like its an Olympic event...a marathon if you will.  I am already getting stoked just thinking about it.  Here is a pic of us freezing our butts off last year outside of Kohl's:)

I will usually pick up odds and ends here and there before Black Friday, but will hold out for the big day to pick up most of my goodies...but this year I just cannot wait.  There are freebies and clearance upon clearance galore and they are pairing up nicely with some coupons...WOOHOO!  

Wal-Mart has had a ton of cheap board games over the last week...guess what everyone is getting for Christmas?!?!?  LOL, I feel like Bob Barker...I have board games coming out of my ears!  I love to pick up toys like this because they also make for perfect Toys for Tots gifts.  Here are some of my goodies that I picked up over two trips to Wal-Mart last week.

Stop #1:

• 4 Monopoly games $20.00.  Used 4 printables $4/1 = $4.00
• 1 Colgate toothpaste $0.97.  Used $1/1 = $0.03 MONEYMAKER

With tax, I paid $5.51.  A few days later, I stopped at a different Wal-Mart and found these little gems:

• 3 Toy Story 3 Connect 4 $12.00.  Used 3 printables $4/1 = FREE

Just had to pay the tax on these little goodies...I couldn't have been happier....and you know that I bought all they had...sorry if you were hoping for a few freebies of your own...lol.

Meijer is also rockin' their own toy clearance...more to come on that in a future post.