Really, Kohl's, You Shouldn't Have!

Last week, my dear mother-in-law gave me one of those Kohl's promotional gift cards for $10 off any $10 purchase.  Having accidentally let the pictured one expire the week before, I was pretty excited about getting another one.

I found this adorable Carter's dress, originally priced at $22.

It was on sale for $9.90.  I took it to the cash register with a bit of trepidation because the fine print said the purchase price must be $10.  I figured it didn't hurt to see if the register would disregard the 10 cents difference.  

The card scanned with no problems, and amazingly, I didn't even have to pay tax!  I walked out of the store without even cracking my wallet.  I looked behind as I left, slightly nervous that the asset recovery team was going to make an appearance.

What's your latest frugal high?  For once, something in life really was FREE.

This Dime Did Buy

It's been a while since I've shared a frugal boast. Here's a little coupon high I had today. I paid with a dime from my change purse. The girls should be good for breakfast for awhile!

Giant Eagle:

General Mills cereal 3/$7 

Buy 3, get instant $2 savings = 3/$5

Used (2) $.85/1 and (1) $.75/1 doubled = $4.90 savings

Total = $ .10

The proof:

How I Got Free Diapers

Yesterday, I knew it was going to be a good day.

The sun was shining.  For that reason alone, it was going to be a good day.

But it got better.  First, my daughter ate her breakfast without the usual tears and excuses that accompany breakfast.  I never knew Cocoa Puffs could be so tragic.

Then, my mother-in-law came.  She usually comes on Wednesdays for a little tete-a-tete with the girls, and I run for the door.  Don't get me wrong.  I wouldn't trade being a stay-at-home mom for any amount of money, but a few hours of selfish "me time" makes me a better mom.  I assure you, it does.

Third, my hair looked fabulous.  What?! It did.  And all I did was comb it.  Don't tell me a good hair day doesn't make your world a little brighter.

Lastly, I got a jumbo package of Huggies diapers for free.  Flat-out-didn't-pay-a-dime-FREE.

So, it went like this.  I walked into Giant Eagle, and as usual, there were a few carts near the entrance with clearanced miscellany therein.  I zeroed in on three packages of diapers, Huggies Little Movers no less, in one of the carts.  They were those most ridiculous denim diapers, but hey, if the price is cheap enough, my kid can soil them just as well as the regular ones.  They were marked down to $7.49--cheap, but not jump-in-my-cart cheap.  However, I did have a couple $2 coupons that made them a good deal.  Only one package was a size 3; the others were size 5--a size I don't ever anticipate my petite Leah ever filling.

They jumped in my cart.

I got to checkout, and I was a bit bummed because my total was $34.78--a bit more than I had guesstimated.  That left me with just $25 for next week.  I paid, was walking out the door reviewing my receipt, when BAM!

My receipt says "Huggies Little Movers...........$9.99"

Um...that's not $7.49. I scan the rest of the receipt to verify that there was no price adjustment after they scanned my Advantage card.  Nope.

I make a beeline for the friendly customer service where I had just been, requesting 4 (that's right, FOUR) rainchecks.  I pretend not to notice as the nice cashier winces slightly as I step up.

I explain my problem, and without any hesitation, she scans my diapers, hands me $10.87 and says, "Have a good day!"

Oh, I will.  You bet your bottom dollar I will.

Wanna know why I got them for free?  Giant Eagle like many other grocery retailers, has an Accu-Scan Policy.  Essentially, if the price of an item rings up higher than advertised or marked, then the first item is free, and all others purchased  in that transaction will be rung up at the lower price.

$3 Wooden Chair Makeover

 Last fall, while thrifting, I came across this chair for $3... three dollars.... 3 BUCKS!  I couldn't pass it up.  Reluctantly, Ben agreed to let me buy it, but he thought it was another hare-brained idea of mine.  Admittedly, I have had a few.  

All winter, Ben kept reminding me about the "piece of junk chair" sitting in his garage.  So as soon as we were blessed with a 50-degree day, I got to work.

 OK, actually it was $2.99.

 First, I removed the old caning, which was sagging and torn at one corner.  This was the hardest part of the entire project.  I used my screwdriver to pry the caning away from the frame.

 After an hour or so of work, it was all clean.  I then measured the seat base.  Ben cut a piece of 1/2" plywood to my seat dimensions to cover the gaping hole and provide a base for the cushion.

I then spray-painted a coat of primer and numerous coats of black.  The wood was old and dry, so it took a number of coats (probably 3 or 4) before it was evenly and thoroughly covered.  I bought the cheap flat black  spray paint at Home Depot for $.99 each, and the primer we already had.

 I bought this foam sheet at Jo-Ann's with a 40% off coupon.  I think I paid about $3.50.  Using my wood base as a guide, I cut the foam to size.  I also beveled the edge of the foam.

 I bought this snow cover blanket from the clearance section for $2.97.  It is 100% polyester, which is incidentally, the same as quilt batting, only gads cheaper.  The only difference that I can tell is that the snow blanket has little sparkles weaved into the material.  I only used about 1/5 of the package.

 Here is a side-by-side of the snow blanket (left) and low-loft quilt batting (right).  The batting was thinner, but otherwise identical.

 Layering my fabric face down, then two sheets of snow/batting, beveled foam, wooden base, I pulled it tightly to the back and stapled it down using a staple gun.

 I turned it over after a few anchoring staples to make sure the fabric was positioned squarely.  This upholstery fabric was also a clearance bin find at Jo-Ann's for $4.50.  I used about half of it for this project.

 To finish the corners, I made a pleat by pinching the excess fabric down in the middle.  I stapled the middle down first, then crossed each side over the middle, pulling it as tight as possible before stapling.  I kept pulling it tight and stapling down on the bottom side until it was uniformly taut.

Ben helped me anchor the seat to the chair frame with L-brackets.  We only used four, but it seems plenty secure.

 I love how well it matches the piano stand Ben made for me last year.

Another benefit is that I don't have to drag a chair from our kitchen table in order to practice, and we now have enough chairs to accommodate two guests for dinner!

Total Project Cost: approximately $15

I'm linking up to Weekend Wrap Up Party and Beneath My Heart.

Rite Aid Run!

I've been making brave attempts to do some frugal shopping without a car and with 2 children. 

I walked to Rite Aid today with Grace in the jogger stroller and Leah in a sling.  I came home with Grace in the stroller and Leah in the sling, and ALL of the 37 items pictured above (oops! forgot to include the clearanced crayons and notebook that I used to bribe Grace!) either piled in the storage pocket of the stroller or in my re-usable shopping bag on my shoulder.  It was a good thing Rite Aid is only a couple hundred yards from our condo.

Here's what I got:

(3) Kleenex $2 each - $1 VV - $.50 MQ = $1.50 each

(1) Cottonelle wipes $2 - $.50 MQ = $1.50

(4) Oatmeal canisters = $.49 each on clearance

(1) Bounty Paper towels = $.88 - $1 MQ = $.12 MM

(2) Celestial Seasonings tea = $.92 each on clearance

(3) Skippy peanut butter = $.74 each on clearance

(3) Noxzema razors $1.99 each - (3) $2 MQ = 3 FREE

(1) Starbucks coffee $2.37 on clearance - $1.50 MQ = $.87

(1) NatraTaste sugar = $.72 on clearance

(4) Fiber One bars = $.99 each on clearance

(2) Nature Valley bars $.99 each on clearance - $.75 MQ = $.61 each

(2) DelMonte fruit cups = $1.99 each

(4) Dial soap packs = $2.99 BOGO - (4) $.35 MQ = $1.15 each

(2) NYC nail polish $1.99 BOGO - BOGO MQ = 2 FREE

(2) Covergirl lip gloss $4.65 BOGO - (2) $1 MQ = $1.32 each

Rite Aid crayons = $.12 on clearance

Notepad = $.32 on clearance

Total $26.08

Used $23 in +UP Rewards earned from previous transactions

Paid $3.08 with a Rite Aid gift card earned from previous deals/transactions

Received $11 in +UP Rewards on future purchases

Essentially, deducting $11 earned in +UP Rewards from the $26.08, I paid $15.08 for all of the items above!

Grocery Budget 07/18-07/24

Life has had me by the tail lately, so I haven't been consistent about posting my weekly grocery budget.  In fact, I haven't even been keeping very good track of my spending this month.  I blew the budget the first week of July, so this week is probably all over the budget, even though I got some great deals.  I'm blaming it on pregnancy...why not? :)

Giant Eagle: $48.23

Crystal Light: $.50 each after q (coupon)

Yogurt: $.27 each after q

Baking Cups: $1.29 each

Baking Powder: $2.79

OJ: $3.49

Peaches: $.99/lb

Apples: $1.69/lb

Romaine Lettuce: $.99/lb

Pam: $2.48 after q

Mini-Wheats: $.88/each after fuelperks! and q

Cherries: $2.88/lb

Eggs: $1.28/doz

CVS: Spent $0 out of pocket after ECBs and gift card

Zantac: $2.99 after ECB and q

Playskool wipes: $1.44 on clearance

Huggies: $3 moneymaker after FREE q and ECB

Rite Aid: $0 out of pocket after using SCR money from last month

Diapers: $4 moneymaker after FREE q, $2 SCR and $2 UP reward

Zegerid: $6 moneymaker after q's and $7 UP reward

Cottonelle: $3.99 after q's and $1 UP reward

Toothbrush: $.50 moneymaker after q and $1.50 UP reward

Olay cleanser: $2.99 after q (helped me qualify for the $30 SCR skin care rebate after spending just $18 out of pocket!)

Grocery Budget 07/04-07/11

I spent $13.12 out-of-pocket at Rite Aid for these items, but I will receive a $2 Single Check Rebate for the diapers, and I got a +UP reward of $5 on my next shopping order there!  My actual spending then was $6.12 for two jumbo packs of Pampers diapers, a package of Pampers wipes, and a large bag of Tide Stain Release.  Woot-woot!

I also went to Giant Eagle and spent $15.17 on Monday buying a few items for a dinner party that we decided to throw that evening to celebrate Independence Day with a few friends from church.  I failed to take a picture because of the haste!

Weekly Spending: $28.29

Monthly Spending: $165.97

Monthly Budget Remaining: $34.03

Grocery Budget 06/27-07/03

Giant Eagle - $56.89 

I stocked up on sugar, as I had a few $2 coupon with Kool-aid purchase.  My total was highly inflated (about $14) from two husband purchases -- the Liquid Plumbr and Raid.

Aldi - $36.23

I bought 12 pints of blueberries and 8 lb. of strawberries to last us through most of the winter (I hope!)

Giant Eagle - $17.89

The fruit was the killer on this purchase.  The wipes and diapers cost me only $5 total!  I have a serious addiction to apples with peanut butter.  I have at least one a day, and usually 2 or 3.  If this baby doesn't like those two together, it won't be my fault! :)

CVS - $8.43

(but a $1.56 moneymaker after the $9.99 Schick Hydro 5 rebate that I'm sending in!)

Marc's - $18.43?

I ran in to the store tonight because they are having a great produce sale this week.  Most of the fruit here will be used to make a fruit salad for our church picnic Sunday afternoon.

Grand Stinkin' Total: $137.68 (guess I'm not spendin' much money the rest of this month, huh?)

Grocery Budget 05/16-05/22

Let me preface this post by announcing that I FAILED my 1-hour gestational diabetes test; my score was 138, and they consider the limit to be 134.  So while I don't believe that I have GD, yet I still have to take the 3-hour test.  I do think it was a bit of a wake-up call for me though, so I am committing to eating right for the remainder of this pregnancy.  For the past 5 days, I have done well, but it is hard.  I figure if I can stick to it for 3 weeks, it should be more habitual by then.  I am increasing my food budget to $50 to accommodate for the increase in more healthful foods.  Wish me success!

I just noticed how much junk I bought this week.  What can I say?  M&Ms make great gifts, I was getting complaints about no ice cream in the house, and I know Ben loves to have a frozen pizza now and then...

CVS: $7.15

M&Ms - $1.33 each

Toothpaste - $.75 moneymaker after ECB

Kotex - $1 moneymaker after ECB

Tums (ugh...heartburn) - clearanced to $1.32 each

Huggies - $3.49 each after ECB

Giant Eagle: $3.88

Milk - $2.38

Juice - $1.50

Giant Eagle: $27.41

Applesauce - $.83 each after q

Salad - $1 each

Pierogies - $1.67 each after q

Ice cream - FREE with the purchase of 3 pierogies

Michelina's - FREE after q

Mustard - $.33 after q

Air Crystals - $1 each after q & catalina

String cheese - $2 after q

Bananas - $.99

Ziploc containers - $.50 each after q and catalina

Totino's - $.83 each after q and catalina 

Giant Eagle: $7.35

Chicken - $5.69

Cottage cheese - $1.59 after q

Cucumber - $.79

Avocado - $1.50

Tomatoes - $1.97

Ziploc Containers - $.50 each after q & catalina

Milk - $2.38

Rite Aid - FREE with Single Check Rebate Money ($11.44)

M&Ms - $.67 each after sale and q

Huggies - $5 each after sale and q

(I also used a $5/$25 coupon, and I think somehow the manager might have taken extra money off for my M&Ms, so I think they might have actually been all free.)

Weekly Total: $45.79

Grocery Budget 05/09-05/15

This was Giant Eagle run #1.  The above cost me $4.73.  The 15 Powerade netted me $.09 towards the purchase of the bananas ($1.33) and juice ($3.49).

Giant Eagle had a sweet little catalina deal running with their Dole fruit, so I picked up all of the above for $14.94.  I used $14 in catalinas, and I picked up $6 more in catalinas.

Breakdown:

Ground Beef $1.99/lb

Dial handsoap $.35

Dial bars $2.70

Philly cream cheese minis $.50 each

Jimmy Dean sausage $2 each

Kraft Parmesan $2.49

Bananas $.49/lb

Grapes $1.79/lb

Bounty paper towels $.50 each

Mandarin oranges $.45 each

Tropical fruit $.45 each

Fruit crisp $.50

Peaches $.50 each

A friend took me to the West Side Market.  It is a really neat quasi-outdoor food market.  I had a really great time!  The market has a definite European flavor, with vendors vying for your attention offering everything from meat, pastry, cheese and breads, to exotic, as well as ordinary, fruits and vegetables.  Many of the vendors were aggressive, shouting and offering samples and discounts to lure your business.  I am looking forward to going back.  Here's what I got today:

Giant Pineapple $3

Apples (4) $2.50

Italian Sausage (1.67 lb) $3.13

Cubed Steak (1 lb.) $3.22

Popcorn (2 bags) $3.25

Strawberries (6 qt.) $5

Red potatoes (10 lb.) $6

Organic baby carrots (1 lb.) $1

Total: $27.10

Weekly Spending: $47.10

Grocery Budget...or Lack Thereof! 05/02-05/09

I have a startling confession to make.  I have not been keeping track of my grocery purchases for almost 3 weeks.  I have only taken one single grocery purchase picture in that time!  I must admit that I really enjoyed the break.  Things have been absolutely nutty around here with a week of revival meetings, a visit from my mom, child-sitting/teaching, a new curriculum, pregnancy, a busy little one, and jobs.  I just didn't have the extra energy or time to expend on calculating my grocery spending.  I didn't splurge, or even change my food spending.  I still bought almost everything with coupons, and I got several really great deals.  I just needed a little budget sabbatical.

However, I am ready to jump back into the number crunching.  I am committing to a bulk meat purchase in the next couple of weeks, and I would like to diffuse the up-front cost through my grocery budget.  I'm even thinking about doing my own little eat-from-the-pantry challenge, so I can make room for the meat.  I know I have enough in my pantry to last at least a month, if not more, so it's probably time.

I think there are times when we need to step away from our routine, so that we can come back to it, refreshed and revived.  This was definitely one of those.  How about you?  Do you ever get tired of a certain task, but a little break re-inspires you?

Grocery Budget 04/11-04/17

At Giant Eagle I spent $19.24 on these items.

I also spent $3.25 at Target on 2 lb. of brown sugar and a bottle of reduced-sodium soy sauce.

I also received $15 in rebate money from Olay that goes into my grocery budget.

Weekly Spending: $22.49

Monthly Spending: $147.07

Monthly Budget Remaining: $12.93 + $15 = $27.93

Grocery Budget 04/04-04/10

I get the award for worst photo quality of the year here, but my camera was in the car, and it was late and I was already in my PJs, so I used the webcam on my laptop.  This was my CVS run last Saturday, after I posted the week's shopping trips.  I spent $10.13 out of pocket.  I used $9.50 in ECBs, and received $5 in ECBs back.

Who needs a car when you got a stroller?!  I carried all of this food home from the store between the stroller basket and two re-usable bags that I brought along with me.  I had Jerold, the 11-year old I am tutoring, push the stroller, and I carried the two bags.  (For the record, my pectorals were definitely feeling it the next morning.)  All of these groceries cost me $39.22.  I also have $2 in catalinas for next week.  This trip included (7) 5 lb. bags of Domino sugar, (3) 1 oz. bottles of pure vanilla.  2 boxes of pre-cooked bacon, 1 jar of Miracle Whip, 4 boxes of Smart Taste pasta, 5 jars of Vlasic pickles, 1 gallon of milk, 4 boxes of Betty Crocker brownie mix, 3 packages of Easter candy, 2 cans of dog food, and a couple pounds of bananas.

Disclaimer: Those pickles are NOT for me, even though I'm pregnant.  I do not like pickles.

I also bought $1.36 on bananas from Giant Eagle during an early morning walk with Grace.

Weekly Total: $50.71

Monthly Total: $124.58

Remaining Monthly Budget: $35.42

Grocery Budget 03/28-04/03

This is the booty from my Giant Eagle heist this week. :)  It cost me $56.16 for 73 items, including an 8 lb. ham for $17.48!!

Breaking it on down now...

The 2 boxes of Ideal were free, all 26 Steamfresh veggies were free, the ham was $17.48, the sour cream was $.15 each, the hot dogs buns were $.89. the 1.5 dozen eggs were $1.92, the chips were $2....

The bananas were $.49/lb, the bolgona was $1.50, the canned fruit was $.36 per can, the powdered sugar was $1.69, the Uncrustables were FREE, the Shout was $1.90 each, the butter was $1.75 each, the canola oil was $2 each, the milk was $2.38 each....

the paper was $1.25, the hot fudget was $3 (hubby insisted I buy him some!), the OJ was $3.49, and the Ziplocs were $.36 each!!

I also splurged and spent $17.71 for picnic items because we went to the zoo yesterday, and we packed a fun lunch!  I forgot to take a picture. :(

Weekly Spending: $73.87

Monthly Budget: $160

Remaining Budget: $86.13

Grocery Budget 03/21-03/28

Better late than never, right?  Ummm... life is in high speed right now, and I'm woefully stuck in low gear.

I spent $52 at Giant Eagle on the items above; I split my order into two, so I could use the catalinas from my first transaction on my second transaction, but my cashier wouldn't let me.  He said I had to use it on my next trip...not a big deal.  I received $10.50 in catalinas on my next shopping order.

I spent $9.39 on these diapers at CVS.  The body wash was free; I spent $11.99 in ECBs, and received $9 ECBs back.

I spent $0 out-of-pocket on these diapers and wipes, as I am still using a Rite Aid gift card loaded with Single Check Rebate money.   My total, though, was only $3.74!! I was pretty pumped after walking out of Rite Aid. I will be getting $2 back in SCR.

Weekly Spending: $61.39

Monthly Spending: $197.75

Monthly Budget: $160 - $197.75 = $37.75 overbudget