Did you miss me? :)

Hi all,
  I have been feeling under the weather.  I had the flu or something, then I just wasn't feeling too inspired. I'm feeling better now, and ready to share. I have a hodge podge of things to talk about today.

  First off, Have any of you heard of smile.ly?  It is a community that you can join for free, to share feedback on products.  They offer what they call missions, which is an opportunity to send you a product, at no cost to you, try it, and share your honest opinions on that item.  You do not get paid, but you do get to try products for free, and when you share your thoughts you get smiles.  These smiles are status within the community which can lead to more opportunity to try products.  You can join from this link, which will give me some smiles. :)   Check it out, it's fun!

  Second, Publix has some great deals this week.
-Mahatma Valencia Rice 1lb bag is on sale this week for $.89. Pair that with the $.50 MQD from RP 8/29 that's an $.11 MM!

-Febreze Hawaiian Aloha Candles are on sale for $2.50. Paired with $2 MQ from PG 8/29 that's $.50

-Barilla Pasta Sauce is on sale for $1.35, pair that with the $.75 MQ from S 8/29, that's $.60.  (Buy a box of pasta, and you've got an inexpensive meal)

-Margaret Holmes Vegetables on sale for $1, paired with $.35 MQD from S 5/23, that's $.30.

-Pillsbury Toaster Strudel on sale for $1.10, pair with $1/2 MQ from GM 8/8, that's $.60!  This is a big one at our house. :)

-Pam cooking Spray on sale for $1.63, pair with $.35 MQD from S 8/29, that's $.93!  I love it when I can get the brand name stuff cheaper than the store brand, don't you?! :)

Abbreviations: M=Manufacturer
                        Q=Coupon
                        D=Doubled
                        RP=Red Plum (coupon insert from newspaper)
                        PG=Proctor & Gamble coupon insert
                        S=Smartsource coupon insert
                        GM=General Mills coupon insert

  Third, here's a great cleaning tip.  Some of you may have read a previous post about Flylady.  You should check it out, if you haven't already!  One of the cleaning tips/habits suggested that I just love, is Swish & Swipe.  Swish & Swipe is meant to be part of your morning routine when you get up and get dressed.  Basically you swish & swipe your toilet daily.  At first I thought....What? Everyday?, but I gave it a try, and it's so easy!  It literally just takes less than a minute to take your toilet brush, and swish around, then wipe down the top, handle, tank, and seats.

  Let me tell you, it was nice knowing the toilet was fresh this past week during those couple of days that I was so sick! Another tip shared on the Flylady site to help with this, is if you have one of those toilet brushes that stay in a container like I do, just squirt some shampoo, or toilet cleaner in it, add some water, and keep it in there for easy fresh swishing.  Just put fresh in it weekly.

  Also, keep some wipes (Lysol, or for you coupon savvy folks that have tons of free baby wipes), under your sink for the quick wipe down of the seats.  This is a quick simple habit that makes a huge difference!

  Do you have some great housekeeping tip you would like to share?  I would love to hear about it!

Take care,
Jennifer

Come....have A Full Cup with me!

 Hi all!
  I thought I would share with you today one of my most favorite websites, A Full Cup.  This site is full of informative tidbits on couponing. I learned so much from this site on getting groceries for free, or almost free.  You can click on the forums for each particular store you shop to learn all you can on how to best stretch your dollar at that specific store.

  Each forum will also have entries on deals you can find, or shopping scenarios to help you get started.  There are so many members who are more than willing to help answer any questions you may have.  All you need do is ask, and you will be peppered with friendly help, and advice.

  There is also a coupon database where you can search for coupons to see if any are available.  You can also jump in on trading coupons, join coupon trains, or just go to the chit chat forums.  There are forums on cooking, crafting, parenting, etc....you name it, it's there.

 The best thing about this site is that it is completely free to join. I'm not being paid to share this site with you.  I am going to get some "bling" though.  What's bling?  It's just a nifty little sparkling tag under my username to show that I shared AFC to you all.  :)  There are lots of fun ways to get some bling.  There is even a forum for celebrating your bling! :)

  It's so much fun!  Come check it out!  If you have any questions, or need some help navigating, feel free to email me.  Be sure to tell them that cpht sent you! I don't get anything for that, they just like to hear how you found out about them.

Until next time,
Jennifer

Day of Relaxation and Crochet

  I just love Sundays!  Today my DD and I decided to curl up on the sofa and do a little crocheting.  We just taught ourselves how to crochet last winter, so it's still pretty small projects for us. :) We haven't crocheted all summer.  It was just too hot for us to get in the mood.  Even though it is still hot here in the southeast, the leaves are just beginning to fall, and early in the mornings you can feel a coolness in the air.

  Today I opted for a bright yellow dishcloth for my kitchen.  I couldn't wait to try it out, and forgot to take a picture first.  So, this is a picture after it's first trial run. The picture doesn't do it justice, it's very nice and bright.  (I've really got to work on my photography skills!)

  My DD decided to surprise me with a beautiful washcloth made with pinks and purples.  Already tried that one out too! :)  It feels so soft all lathered up.  I think she did a great job!

  Nothing like using something you know you made yourself!  Do you like to craft?  Feel free to share what you like to do.  I love to see what others are working on!

  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend!

Until next time,
Jennifer

Shopping Trip 8/25/10 - Publix

Hi all!
  I thought I would share with you my latest shopping trip.  This trip was at Publix.  Before I get started, I just have to say that before I really learned how to use coupons the best possible way, I didn't shop that often at Publix.  Even though it was the closest (5 minutes from my house) to  me, I used to drive 20 minutes away to Walmart because I could get much more for my money.  I loved shopping Publix, but they just seemed too expensive.

  Now....It's my favorite place to shop.  With their BOGOs (Buy One Get One) combined with coupons, you can get some fantastic deals.

  Note: On the BOGOs...at my Publix (and I think most all of them do it this way), the items don't ring up, first one full price, then second one free.  They both ring up at half price, so you are getting two for the price of one.  Some people don't like this.  I actually do, because sometimes (not often ;) ), I only have one coupon, and don't want to buy two.  Also, I think you get a much better deal this way.

  For example: Let's say that a bag of chips is normally $3.  In scenario #1: (this is if you only happen to have one coupon for the brand of chips) The first rings up $3, and the second one rings up $0, the total is $3.  You have a coupon for $.50 (Publix doubles the value of coupons up to $.50 everyday), which is then doubled to $1, bringing your total to $2, or $1 each.

  In scenario #2:  You only want to buy one bag of chips, because you only have the one coupon.  Publix rings their BOGOs half price, making the bag of chips $1.50.  You hand over your $.50 coupon, which is then doubled to $1, bringing your total to $.50.  That's a savings of $.50!

  Now if you had two coupons, then scenario #1 would have worked out the same.

 The main reason that I think some people don't like the ringing half price scenario, is for when they have a BOGO coupon.  In this case, if they actually did ring it up one full price, the second free, then take off the BOGO coupon, they would both be free.  Some stores will do this no problem.  Some on the other hand will not, arguing that you are only "buying one" because the second one is already free.  Some have won this argument, and gotten both for free, and good for them!  Me, I can see the retailers point of view, so I choose not to go there. :)  Unless, I know that they do this without any problems. Just feel free to ask the cashier before you shop if they will do that.  I just don't want to argue over when I can and can't use a coupon on those gray areas.  Not to say that I won't, if I feel undoubtedly that I am in the right (in a friendly manner, of course)!

Ok, onto my trip...

2 Pedigree Dentastix 2/$6
2 Dial Bar soap 3pk 2/$1.87
1 Excedrin 24ct (I think, may have been 20ct) $1.49
2 Sure Deodorant $2.39 ea = $4.78
1 Publix brand Dishwasher soap $2.59
6 Hunts diced tomato 2/$1.39 = $4.17
1 BC frosting $1.39
1 BC cake mix 2/$1.39 = $.92
2 Mt. Olive pickles 2/$2.79
1 Weber seasoning 2/$3 = $1.50
2 Peter Pan peanut butter 2/$2.47
1 Publix brand syrup $2.39

 Total before tax and coupons: $32.36

Note: M=Manufacture Q=Coupon D=Doubled SQ= Store Coupon

Coupons used:
2 Pedigree Dentastix $2 MQ  = $4
2 Dial Soap $.35 MQD = $1.40
1 Excedrin $1 MQ
2 Sure Deodorant $1 MQ =$2
2 Sure Deodorant $1 SQ =$2 (Publix will take 1 MQ, and 1 SQ per item)
2 Hunts 3/$.45 MQD =$1.80
1 BC B1 mix, and B1 frosting $.75 MQ (B1= buy 1)
2 Mt. Olive $.50 MQD =$2
1 Weber seasoning $.50 MQD =$1
2 Peter Pan peanut butter $.60 MQ = $1.20

Total after tax: $15.37  Savings: $36.35 (I calculate savings: coupons + store sales ad)

Note: While typing this out I noticed that I got an extra $1.10 off on coupons.  The Mt. Olive pickles had $.55 MQ attached to them, but I didn't take them off because, I had $.50 MQD coupons which where a better deal.  Evidently the cashier saw these and generously took it upon herself to remove them, and scanned them.  I must have been unloading still, because I would have told her I already handed her coupons for those.

  Well, hopefully I helped clear up any questions you might have about shopping Publix.  Please feel free to ask any questions, it's always nice to hear from you!

Happy Shopping!
Jennifer

What do you Repurpose?

  Hello,
  Do any of you like to repurpose?  I love to find new ways to use something.  Here are some of my favorites:

1. You know the plastic mesh bags that oranges come in?  Fold them up, and they become great pot scrubbers!

2.  I use grocery store bags for my small bathroom garbage cans.

3.  The square empty tissue boxes become storage for all my grocery store bags.  I just fill one box up, and keep it under each bathroom sink for easy access when emptying my garbage cans.

4.  The heavy duty cereal boxes that you get from warehouse stores are great to keep my paperback cookbooks in. The picture I posted shows my DD's coloring books. See how to do this here.  Even the less sturdy boxes could be used for lighter magazines.

5.  Empty jars with screw tops are great for keeping some of your wall paint in for quick touch ups.

  I read about a few other things that I want to do, but it requires some time to make them.  So, I'll have to save those for another post.  ;)

  What do you like to repurpose? Please share! :)  Add a link below to your blog to share your tips, and be sure to link back here for others to see and play along.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jennifer

P.S. Raising Homemakers in having a link up for any household tips, so be sure to check it out.