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

Birthday Extravaganza On a Coupon Budget: Part.1

Today my little man turned 5!  I cannot believe how quickly five years has gone by...and in just a few more short days my other little man will turn 3...time moves too quick.  Here are my little guys at the start of Preschool just two weeks ago...can you believe?!?!?!  Sometimes I wish I could just stop time...when the going gets rough I just remember to take it all in and enjoy the ride because it is over before you know it.

I love to make a huge deal of my boys' birthdays.  They are the biggest and best things in my life and I want them to look back with fond memories of their birthdays and to always know and feel how special they are.  Every year I have to reel myself in from going crazy with goodies...this year, I have made some improvements.  I have been doing a lot of baking lately and experimenting with some yummy cupcake recipes.  Instead of ordering a cake, I made the boys S'Mores cupcakes.  Jax was intent on having a Cars 2 cake...so we compromised with Cars 2 cupcake cups and decor picks....he took it pretty well:)

I am also going to have my first go at making cake pops.  I am pretty stoked about it, we will see how it goes. 

The hubs and I planned a fun filled day today on a tight budget.  In the end, we only spent $40 for a huge day of fun and made some unforgettable memories.  Logan had school this morning, but after we picked him up around lunch time the festivities began.  Our first stop was Brookfield Zoo.  It was a gorgeous day and with most of the kiddos back in school the zoo was nice and quiet and we could get up close to check out all of the animals.  I packed a nice picnic lunch to save money at the zoo...the place can be a fortune if you don't plan ahead.  We also had our free passes from my Meijer Coke deals at the beginning of summer still hanging around, so we only had to pay $9.00 to enjoy a day at the zoo...stinking parking fee:(  

Here are a couple of snapshots of the boys enjoying the day.

The highlight of the zoo had to be the bear habitat and the the polar bear named "Hobson".  He was so cool and loved to swim for all of the kiddos.  He got up close to the glass and side-stroked by for all of the little ones to see...the hubs and I were just as excited as the little ones.  We stood and watched this awesome bear for a good 15-20 minutes.

After the zoo, we made our way to Giordano's for some yummy pizza.  The hubs had done a survey and scored a $25 gift certificate to Restaurant.com, so we used it to purchase a $25 gift certificate to Giordano's. We were able to get an awesome meal complete with a pizza just for the boys, our own deep dish, drinks and an app for $24 with tip.  Jax was super excited he got to pick his own toppings and didn't have to settle for our choices.

After stuffing ourselves with pizza, it was onto the next fun-filled adventure...the place all parents loathe and all kids adore...Toys R' Us.  I dislike Toys R' Us for a multitude of reasons, but I signed my kiddos up for their birthday club so every year they each get a coupon for $3/$3 purchase and they get to go and pick out a small toy for themselves.  We also chip in a buck or two to help them out.  Jax knows the power of a coupon in this house and was super excited to have and use his very own.  We gave the boys a spending limit of $5 each.  Logan had no trouble picking out a pack of Matchbox cars...but the decision was a little harder for Jax.  he finally settled on a pack of Matchbox cars as well.  Our total OOP was $4.96.  The boys also each got a birthday crown and balloon too.  I think they thought they had hit the jackpot.

Could he be any cuter??

I love the expression on Logan's face

We finally made it home at around 8 and still had a little more celebrating to do.  We got out the cupcakes, the big "5" candle and sang and off-key version of Happy Birthday.  Good times:)

Our neighbors, Grandpa Dick and Grandma Joan and Lauren, came over to enjoy some cupcakes with us and bring the kids some goodies for their birthdays.  The boys had a blast and capped of the night with their newly acquired cars.

It was such an awesome day.  In the end, we spent a total of about only $40 for a fun filled day packed with all sorts of goodies.  Our q's saved us over $65....we cut the cost of our day by over half!  The boys had so much fun, I swear they probably thought we spent a million bucks...lol.

I will leave you all with this...the perfect sentiment for today.  It really is a Good Life.  Stay tuned as our birthday extravaganza continues...

Friday Finds

I ventured out to Target for a birthday gift for my niece and picked up some nice little extras to put in my care package to the tornado victims as well as some overage to cut down the cost of my other goodies.  Here is what I picked up:

• 11 22-ct. Carefree Pantyliners $10.67.  Used 11 Target q's for $0.01 packages = $0.11
• 4 Revlon Nail Clippers $9.36.  Used 3 Target q's $2/1 and 2 manufacturer q's $5/2 = $6.64 MONYMAKER
• 1 Revlon Nail Buffer $2.99.  Used $2/1 = $0.99
• 1  package Revlon Nail files $1.47.  Used $2/1 = $0.53 MONEYMAKER
• 1 toddler swim shirt $8.00
• 1 small caddy $1.00
• 1 Polly Pockets gift set $13.28 (on clearance)
• 1 green bathroom caddy $2.99

Got another $0.10 off for using reusable bags.  Grand total was $21.58.  I saved $30.66 in coupons.  All of the pantyliners and nail clippers were added to my tornado victims care package.  The box is almost full and ready to be shipped.  Just gonna add a few more goodies for those in need.

I also made a quick stop at Walgreens to pick up some cheap Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.

• 1 2-ct Extra Power Magic Eraser $2.61.  Used .75/1 = $ 1.86
• 4 2-ct Original Magic Eraser $7.76.  Used 4 $1.50/1 = $1.76

Grand total with tax was $4.48 and I got back a $3.00 OYNO Catalina (Walgreens calls them Register Rewards or RR) for an end cost of only $1.48 or about $0.30 per box!

Not bad for a little Friday jaunt:)  Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy's out there...ENJOY!

Karmic Shopping Highlights

Friday my BFF, Tracy, and I racked up some girlie time shopping and grabbing some coffee and apps.  We hit up some of my favorite stores to piddle around in sans kiddos.  We also had some great shopping karma on our side and we were able to pick up some awesome finds at great prices.  I already briefed you on my "Royal" Deal, so I will get right to the other highlights.

First stop, Pottery Barn in search of some new Master Bedroom bedding.  I have been on a kick to redecorate the second floor.  We have already redone the boys' room and laundry room and I have some ideas for the office area and the hub's guitar nook, but my focus right now is the master bedroom and revamping the walk-in closet.  My color palate inspiration came to me in the form of a Kleenex box (that I purchased with a coupon of course).

Here is the basic bedding I picked up at Pottery Barn, on sale:)  I envision the walls a light gray and the bedding and decor accented with ivories, lime green and a few other surprises.  But this isn't a decorating blog, it is a coupon blog...so let's get to the deals.

A few months ago, I bought the boys' bedding from Pottery Barn Kids (I am a bit of a Pottery Barn addict) and ordered some curtains to go with it.  I had scored a $150 gift card to PBK by trading in some AMEX points we had accrued.  Well, when the bedding arrived the curtains were a no-go, so I sent them back for a refund.  About two weeks later I received a gift card in the mail for $150.  I was a little confused because my refund should have only been about $140 and I was under the impression it would go back on my credit card...so I gave them a call and inquired as to why they sent me back a gift card.

The customer service lady explained to me that they had already refunded $189 to my credit card and sent the $150 gift card back to me to make up the difference....making this a total refund of $339.  I was a bit dumbfounded by the math and informed her that I should only have gotten back about $140...that is when I got the "can you hold a moment please" response.

About 5 minutes later, she comes back on the line and explains to me that it appears they not only refunded the amount of the curtains, but also the 4 shams I purchased and the shipping charges and since it was their mistake they were going to let me keep the extra refund and the gift card.....winner, winner chicken dinner...honesty really does pay off!

So after that long rambling explaination, you can see why my bedding was such a deal...I used the $150 gift card Pottery Barn gifted back to me and found some sale bedding that will serve as the basis for my revamp.  In the end, I was able to pick up a king comforter and 3 euro shams for $155...a steal at Pottery Barn.

Next stop was Hallmark.  I am a bit of a Hallmark junkie.  I love all of the brick-a-bract and knick-knacks they have floating around there.  I am also a Hallmark Gold Crown member which rewards you for every card you buy and sends you gift checks in the mail.  If you buy in 3's, you get an extra 100 points for each 3 you buy = bigger rewards (and the $0.99 cards count in this deal).  You can sign up here if you haven't already.  I was able to pick up 12 cards (earning myself an extra 400 points) and a nice little note pad set for only $27...which is pretty good at Hallmark.  I used a $8.00 gift check, and $5/$20 purchase coupon they had emailed me as well as a coupon for a free notepad set with a $25 purchase I had received in the mail.

If you get this as a little gift, please don't be offended...it is cute and would normally cost $12.95 if that makes you feel a little better.  I ended up saving $25.95 in coupons, about 50% savings.  

On a side note, as I am perusing the cards I hear a woman ask me "do you have your coupons?"...I am thinking, how does she know I am an addict?  Is it that obvious?  Am I  marked with a big scarlet "C"?  As I turn around, she says to me "Remember me from the Meijer?".  

A few weeks ago, T went on a little Meijer trip with me to pick up some cheap Peter Pan peanut butter, some eggs for Easter and some Cheez-Its.  As we are at the self- check out, I hear a woman ask me "What are you doing with all that peanut butter and eggs?  It looks fun".  I explain I am doing nothing with it.  That I am a couponer and I am stockpiling it because it is a good deal.  She exuberantly tells me she is a couponer too and we revel in the greatness of coupons.

Back to Hallmark...she then asks me if we had received the 20% off coupon.  T and I in sync both ask, "What 20% off coupon?".  She than offers up two of the mailers as they had some extras.  We later used this coupon at the Houlihan's for some yummy apps, since it was good for a number of stores and restaurants in the Geneva Commons shopping mall.

Moral of the long-winded story...couponers stick together and I have now made a new friend at the Geneva Hallmark:)

Last stop of the night was Target, as I was in need to more hairspray...another shocker, I know:)  As we cut down the cleaning aisle, I catch that Finish Quantum Dishwashing Tabs are on sale for $2.51 and I had 4 Q's for $1.75/1 that I printed off of a Finish Facebook promotion a week back.  I was able to take home 4-10ct boxes for $3.04 ($0.76/box).  I was pleased as I was starting to run low and feared I may have to pay too much for a much needed item in our house.

At the end of the day, we had some great girlie time, some good karma and a quite a few cheap goodies to show for ourselves.  Thanks TT for always going on my coupon adventures with me...I couldn't ask for a better BFF and coupon sidekick!

In The Name Of Tide

It's no secret that I have a brand loyalty to Tide....it's also no secret that the stuff costs a fortune (and Proctor & Gamble has announced a 4% increase in its price come June).  Sometimes you need to get creative to help bring the price down on those must haves by picking up some goodies that will give you some overage to soften the blow.  Overage is a privilege and not a right, but Target is one of those stores that tends to show you some love with overage...this is only one of many reasons I love Target.....and I do LOVE Target.


Here is what I picked up at Target today.  I had to break it down into two transactions so I could use all of my coupons properly.

Transaction 1:

• 1 Tide 75 oz $8.99.  Used $1/1 = $7.99
• 2 5ct. Zyrtec $5.29.  Used 2 $2/1 and 2 Target Q's $4/1 = FREE plus $1.42 overage

Saved another $0.05 for using a reusable bag.  Total was $7.24 with tax.

Transaction 2:

• 1 Tide 75oz. $8.99.  Used $.75/1 = $8.24
• 2 5ct. Zyrtec $5.29.  Used 2 $2/1 and 2 Target Q's $4/1 = FREE plus $1.42 overage
• 1 Nivea Body Wash $3.04.  Used $3/1 and 1 Target Q $1/1 = FREE plus $0.96 overage
• 1 Connect 4 Travel Game $4.99.  Used $3/1 = $1.99 

Saved another $0.05 for using a reusable bag.  Total was $9.05.

My total for both transactions was $16.29 (not too bad if you consider the cost of the 2 Tides was 17.98 before coupons and any other purchases).  I saved a total of $28.85.  I brought the Tide and body wash home for myself, the game for the kiddos and the Zyrtec for my best girlie...that's what friends are for right???  Plus, I profited off the good deed...so that one was a two-fer:)  

Target Randoms

I had to run and pick up some prescriptions at Target today, one of them being a new prescription.  Of course you know I had one of those little "fill a new prescription and get a $10 gift card" q's in one of my two coupon organizers (yes, I have two and I am out of room....more on that in a few).

While I was waiting on those, I took a wander through Target hand-in-hand with my specially selected Target coupons hoping to find their better halves.  Here is what I picked up:

I had to do two transactions so I could use all of my coupons.

Transaction 1:

• 2 tubs Lysol Wipes $1.89.  Used 2 $1.50/1 q's = $.78
• 1 bottle Method Disinfectant $1.48 Clearance.  Used .50/1 Target Mobile Q = $0.98
• 1 15W CFL bulb $1.62 Clearance.  Used $2/1 Mobile Target Q = FREE
• 4  packages Revlon Emery Boards $1.47.  Used 4 Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 package Revlon Emery Boards $1.27.  Used Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 5ct Allegra $6.78.  Used Target Q $2/1 and Manufacturer Q $5/1 = $0.22 Moneymaker
• Green plastic bin $2.99
• 8 ct wash clothes $3.49

Got $0.05 for using a reusable bag (FYI: Target takes off $0.05 off your order for every reusable bag you bring in and use...in case you didn't know).  Total was $6.74 with tax that I paid with my newly acquired $10 gift card.

Transaction 2:

• 1 package O-Cello Sponges $1.89.  No Q, but I couldn't hold out any longer
• 2 tubs Lysol Wipes $1.89.  Used 2 $1.50/1 q's = $.78
• 1 package Revlon Emery Boards $1.27.  Used Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 2  packages Revlon Emery Boards $1.47.  Used 2 Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 Revlon Nail Clipper $1.59.  Used Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 5ct Allegra $6.78.  Used Target Q $2/1 and Manufacturer Q $5/1 = $0.22 Moneymaker
• 1 bottle Tide Stain Release Spray $4.49.  Used $2/1 from the Tide mailer and sample I just received.  unfortunately it wasn't on sale...but we got stains, so I had to =$2.49
• Green plastic bin $2.99
• 8 ct wash clothes $3.49

Got another $0.05 for using a reusable bag.  Total was $12.69 with tax. I paid $3.26 on my gift card and $9.43 OOP.  I saved a total of $39.17:)

I made another quick pit stop at Wags for some free toddler toothpaste; On sale for $1.99.  Used 2 $1/1 Manufacturer Q's and 2 Wags $1/1 Q's.  Since Logan still can't figure out it is better to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it, I still have to buy this overly priced version...so I take a good freebie wherever I can find it cuz it is hard to get the toddler stuff at a good price.  I ended up with two toothpaste and one chocolate covered marshmallow egg to eat up my $0.02 overage (they were out of all the other little items on my list) for a grand total of $0.70.  Not quite free, but at least I got a little snack out of the deal:)