I needed milk and bread today so I decided to scout around Walmart to see if I could find any deals. I didn't do as super duper as I would have at CVS using ECB's, but I'm still pleased with my haul.

1 gallon milk ~ $3.25

1 loaf of bread ~ $1.08

2 boxes of Cocoa Pebbles ~ $1.98 each

4 Pert Plus shampoo ~ $2.88 each

1 Uncle Ben's Cajun Rice pouch ~ $1.48

4 Clean Team wipes ~ $1.64 each

2 Suave deodorant ~ $0.94 each

1 Febreze Noticeables ~ $7.88



Coupons I used were:

$1 / 2 for the cereal making them $1.48 per box

$2 / 1 Pert Plus making them $0.88 each

Free Uncle Ben's Cajun Rice Coupon = FREE

Free Febreze Coupon = FREE

$3/ 2 Clean Team coupons making them $0.14 each

$0.75 / 1 Suave deodorant making them $0.19 each

Grand Total Spent: $13.42

Grand Total Saved: $24.19

WhyFly?

This is FlyLady's list that has grown by leaps and bounds due to her special way of weaving housecleaning tips with homespun humor and daily musings about life. She has a no-nonsense approach to getting your house and your life in order. She mixes housekeeping advice with insights about life and love and anything else that is on her mind. This list is whatever FlyLady decides it should be -- it's her list. She expects subscribers to decide if they get anything out of it or not. Those who do are invited to be part of the cyber family. Those who don't are encouraged to unsubscribe. Only you can decide what is right for you. If you can't figure that much out, don't blame FlyLady!

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I was a serious "FlyBaby" several years ago. I LOVED it! My house was always clean and the drawers and cabinets were always tidy. I had SOOO much more time for the fun things in life and boy did it feel good to be home!

I fell off the wagon when I went to work part-time at my kids pre-school. That was almost 5 years ago and I'm ready to get back on track.

Today I started again! I got up and did my "Weekly Home Blessing"! This is when you get your house all fresh for the upcoming week.

What did I accomplish?

1. Made all beds - 5 of them!

2. Wiped down bathrooms - 2

3. Dusted the house - just a quick feather dust

4. Vacuumed the house - just a quick going over...didn't move furniture

5. Got the laundry started - I'll work on this thru the day until it's all done and put away

6. Cleaned the kitchen - got the clean dishes out of the dishwasher, loaded the dirty ones from breakfast, and got dinner in the crock pot!

7. Mopped the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom

So this morning I made another Harris Teeter trip. I did okay, but not as good as yesterday. They had not re-stocked the shelves, so much of what I was going back for was gone. :-(

I think I have this figured out though. Next triples, I’m going to be there at 6 AM on Thursday for day one. I have 3 cards now - mine, my hubby’s , and my mother-in-laws. I will purchase 3 orders the first day. I won’t go back on Friday so they will have time to re-stock. Then 6 AM Saturday, I’ll go back and do 3 more orders. Of course, this would all depend on the deals and the amount of coupons I have, but it’s a plan anyway ;-)

Now, on to the deals…..


Transaction #1 my card:

2 Betty Crocker Brownies - $2.39 each [-0.50 Q] = $0.89 each

1 Dial Soap 3-bar - $2.29 each [-0.60 Q] = $0.49

3 Ragu Pouch Pasta Sauce - $2.19 each [-0.75 Q] = FREE each

3 JFG Mayo $2.00 each [-0.50 Q] = $0.50 each

3 Luzianne Tea $2.99 each [-0.60 Q] = $1.19 each (these were decaf and not as good a deal)

1 Coffee Mate $1.79 [-0.50 Q] = $0.29

3 Kotex tampons $3.59 each [-0.75 Q] = $1.34 each

2 Hillshire Farm Thin Ham $3.50 each [-0.55 Q] = $1.85 each


Total OOP: $19.04
Total Saved: $51.85 ($42.71 coupons and $9.14 VIC savings)

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Transaction #2 Hubby’s card:

2 Betty Crocker Brownies - $2.39 each [-0.50 Q] = $0.89 each

3 Dial Soap 3-bar - $2.29 each [-0.60 Q] = $0.49

1 JFG Mayo $2.00 each [-0.50 Q] = $0.50 each

3 Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice 2.19 each [-0.75 Q] = FREE each

3 Kotex tampons $3.59 each [-0.75 Q] = $1.34 each

2 Suave Deodorant $1.99 each [-0.50 Q] = $0.49 each

1 Hillshire Farm Thin Ham $3.50 each [-0.55 Q] = $1.85 each


Total OOP: $15.20
Total Savings: $32.58 ($28.45 coupons and $4.18 VIC savings)
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2 Nesquick chocolate syrup $1.79 each [-0.50 Q] = $0.29 each

2 Shout on sale for $1.60 each [-0.75 Q] = FREE

3 Luzianne Tea bags $1.99 each [-0.60 Q] = $0.19 each

2 CoffeeMate $1.79 [-0.50 Q] = $0.29

3 Uncle Ben's Wild Rice $2.19 each [ -0.75] = FREE

2 Kotex Tampons $3.59 each [-0.75 Q] = $1.34 each

2 Suave Shampoo on sale for $1.00 [-0.50 Q] = +$0.50 each

Bread $1.29 (needed this - no Q)

2 HillShire Farms Thin Sliced Turkey on sale for $3.50 each [-0.55 Q] = $1.85

1 HillShire Farms Hearty Sliced Turkey on sale for $3.50 each[-0.75 Q] = $1.25

Total OOP: $9.73
Total Savings: $51.56 ($44.29 coupons + $7.27 VIC savings)

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Thanks to my mother- in-law and my own binder, I've got lots more Q's to use and I'm going back bright and early in the morning. I hope they re-stock tonight ;-)

Transaction #1:

Bic Razors 4 ct (found a bonus pack with 6!) $0.99 each
after WAGS Q and Manf. Q (bought 3)

10 ct pencils - $0.19 each after WAGS Q (bought 3)

Highlighters - $0.05 each after WAGS Q (bought 3)

Mechanical Pencils 5 ct - $0.05 each after WAGS Q (bought 3)

100 ct paper clips - $0.19 each (after WAGS Q (bought 2)

150 sheet notebook paper - $0.29 each after WAGS Q (bought 3)

Reynolds Wrap - $.034 each after WAGS Q's and Manf. Q(bought 4)

Total OOP: $7.33
Total Saved: $30.89

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Transaction #2:

Bic Razors - 4 ct $0.99 each after WAGS Q and Manf. Q (bought 1)

10 ct pencils - $0.19 each after WAGS Q (bought 3)

Mechanical Pencils 5 ct - $0.05 each after WAGS Q (bought 3)

150 sheet notebook paper - $0.29 each after WAGS Q (bought 3)

Total OOP: $2.85
Total Savings: $15.62

87 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

We live on approx. 2 acres of land and we've basically been without a lawnmower this entire season. The grass in the back yard where the children play had grown up so that they couldn't go out :-(

I was able to cut the grass today and it looks so nice! I've been weed eating some tonight. Hopefully, in a day or two things will really be in tip top shape.

Thanks OrgJunkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Here's the game plan for us this week. It seems like I plan out our menus, but our week has a way of changing during the summer. I've just learned to go with the flow ;-)

Monday: Fried Chicken Legs, Corn on the Cob, Pinto Beans and Cornbread

Tuesday: Stew Meat and Gravy, Rice, Broccoli, Biscuits

Wednesday: Hamburgers, Baked Beans, Chips

Thursday: Baked Tilipia, Wild Rice, Lima Beans

Friday: *Lasagnette (this is a quick and yummy version of Lasagna. Recipe below), Salad, Bread

Saturday: Pancakes and Bacon
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Recipe for Lasagnette:

1 lb. ground beef
1 (16 ounce) cab tomatoes, undrained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons sugar
2 garlic cloves
1 (5 ounce) package egg noodles
1 cup sour cream
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
6 green onions, chopped with tops
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Cook ground beef in skillet until lightly browned. Drain excess fat. Stir tomatoes and tomato sauce into meat. Add salt, sugar, and garlic. Simmer 5 - 10 minutes. Cook noodles; drain well and blend in sour cream, cream cheese and onion. Pour half of meat sauce into a lightly greased 3-quart casserole dish. Cover with half the noodle mixture, then 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Lasagnette can be frozen, then thawed before baking.

As we all know, today was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick Fil A. The kids were really excited about dressing up as cows and we were ready with home made cow costumes. Then we realized that we needed masks.

We got all dressed up and went to see my Grandmother and Uncle. They had heard about us dressing up and wanted to see. My Uncle David took these pictures of us.




We got to Chick Fil A and were very glad to see lots of other "cows" joining in all the fun. We had a great time eating our yummy food and seeing all the different ways everyone dressed up. There was even a lady walking around passing out free mini sized stuffed cows with the "Eat More Chicken" sign on. She gave one to every child dressed up like a cow.



We had a great time making summer time memories. I told my kids, "I bet when you go back to school and the teacher says 'What did you do this summer?', you will be the only ones to say that you went to a Flea Circus AND dressed up like a cow and went to Chick Fil A for free food!"

They are already excited about going again next year! I plan on sending Chick Fil A an email thanking them for the free goodies and for all the fun. I hope you do, too.

Lots of folks are posting about their day at Chick Fil A. To read more, visit Money Saving Mom.

Dress like a cow from head to hoof for our 4th annual Cow Appreciation Day® (July 11, 2008) and get a complimentary combo meal

Not up for sporting the full cow look? Partial cow attire will still get you a complimentary entrée. Request a tall, cool Dr Pepper with your Chick-fil-A and complete your meal.

Send this email to your friends and come dressed as an entire herd - Chick-fil-A for everyone! Cow up and get free Chick-fil-A on July 11th at your nearest Chick-fil-A. (breakfast, lunch or dinner) from Chick-fil-A.

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First stop today was the movies! We saw "The Bee Movie". It was free for all 5 of us to see, then $1 for pop corn each and $1 drinks each. The line for popcorn and drinks was SO long. We got in line thinking they would move pretty quick and we'd still see the beginning of the movie. Not so!

I finally got out of line and told the kids I would go back for snacks after the movie started and the line thinned down. I got everyone seated and after the movie began, "D" and "K" and I went back for snacks. Again a LONG line. While waiting, "K" said she felt bad and needed to go to the bathroom. We just got into the bathroom and she threw-up all over the floor! YUCK!

We got cleaned up and told management about our mess and got back in line for snacks. By this time my 10 year old came looking for me. Anyway, a very nice lady that I was in line behind before "K" got sick was now in the front of the line. She told me to come up in front of her because there was no reason I should have to keep waiting. God, bless this wonderful woman!

We did okay in the movie but "D" got really bored. Well, that's just how it goes with 2 year olds. I know the older kids enjoyed it, but this free movie like to have killed me LOL!
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Next we went to Staples to pick up some cheap school supplies. Here's what we got:

(8) 8- pack pencils $0.01 each
(3) binders $0.25 each
(10) pocket folders $0.01 each

Total for all: $0.99!
(Each kid and I did a transaction)

I'd love to get more pencils. Each of my kids (3 in school) has to bring in 48 pencils! We might go back before church tonight. We'll see....




Then we went to CVS. I got ...

2 Dawn - 2 / $2
1 box Playtex $4.99
2 boxes CVS tampons 5 ct $1.49 each
1 CVS soap

Total: $9.97

Then I used $1.00 off Playtex
$ 2.00 off CVS purchase
$ 3.49 ECB's

Total after savings $5.47

Received $6.98 in ECB's


Our last stop was Walmart. I went to pick up some pictures, a picture album, bread and lunch meat. I ended up with the pictures, an album, 3 back packs, 1 lunch box, no bread and no lunch meat. "D" was screaming the entire time we were in the store. I knew he was hungry and I couldn't stand any more!

We hit the Subway that's in Walmart. Ugh! I did try to keep our cost down. I bought (2) foot-long subs and 2 drinks. We split the sandwiches and shared the drinks but it still cost $15.76.

I've just got to make a grocery store trip happen! Not having the things I need at home when I need them can be a budget buster!

Hot Dog Day - Saturday, July 12th, 10 am to 4 pm

Join us for this annual summer event at the Zoo! Hot dogs, Pepsi, Potato Chips, Cotton Candy, Ice Cream Sandwiches, & Nutty Buddys are all just $.25 each on this day.

Child’s admission is only $1 with a limit of 4 children per adult. Show your BI-LO BonusCard and receive one free child's admission. Sorry, group rates are not available for this event.
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We've been wanting to go to the zoo this summer and this looks like a great day to go!

The regular rates are: Adults are $6 ; children 3 - 15 are $3.00 ; Under 3 Free.

By going on Hot Dog Day Saturday, for 5 of it will be :
$6 - 1 adult
$1 - over 3
$1 - over 3
Free - by showing Bi Lo card
Free - 2 yr old
$8.00 total

It would normally cost us $15 just for entry! Woo Hoo! That's a $7.00 savings!
If we each get a hot dog ,drink and chips that's $3.75 + tax.
Now add an ice cream sandwich before we leave...another $1.25 and tax.

$8.00 entry
$ 5.00 food

Total : $13! (before tax on food!)

Last night I was reading a post at Pursuing Titus 2 about having too many toys and how gift giving can create a lot of clutter in out homes. Her husband suggested giving experiences instead of more toys. I thought "Wow! This is a great idea!"

We all know the drill...it's Christmas time or birthday time or any other gift giving time and you get "that" call. It's your mother, mother in law, sister, sister in law, friend, etc.

"Hi, I was just calling to see what (enter your child's name here) would like for (enter gift giving occasion here)"

Ugh...what is there to get? More dolls, more toy cars? More Lego's, more tea sets? More stuff???

If one child gets one gift from 2 sets of grandparents, 2 aunts and uncles, a couple of friends, and of course mom and dad you've already got 8 - 10 toys coming into your house.

Now, how many children do you have? I have 4 so that would mean 32 - 40 new toys!

Now, here is how I propose to use other's money wisely. Does you child really need that many toys or would they benefit from making memories with you?

There are so many activities my kids would love to do but we don't because of the cost. We just don't have lots of extra money for all the fun things in our area.

What if your relatives gave gift cards to do the fun things you all want to do instead of getting more things? They are going to spend X amount of $$ no matter what you tell them your child wants. Why not ask them to spend it on an activity for your child?

I came up with a list of things we love to do that would make GREAT gift ideas.

• Chuck E Cheese
• Frankies Fun Park
• Gatti Town
• Children's Little Theater
• Monkey Joe's
• Roller Skating
• Bowling
• The Zoo
• Movies
  

If your child gets one of these gifts for their birthday and the other kids haven't gotten a gift yet, just put it in a safe place and when everyone has a gift card to the same place then you're ready for your outing.

Be sure to take lots of pictures and share them with the gift giver and let them know what a great time your family had thanks to their generosity!

What do you think about this idea? Would it go over well at your house? Do you have any ideas to add to the list? I'd love to hear them.

Sorry I don't have pictures :-( I didn't start out to tackle anything, but it sort of ended up that way LOL!

I need to go to the grocery store and I thought I would see what I had on hand so I would know what I needed to buy. I began with the big freezer. I took stuff out, wrote down what I had and put it back all nice and neat.

Then I moved on to the small freezer above the fridge. Same thing...took stuff out, wrote down what I've got and put it back neatly.

Well, now I needed to know what was in my pantry. Shelf by shelf I organized and wrote down what I've got.

Want to know what I found? I found that I really don't need much at the grocery store :-)! A few lunch items and breakfast items, maybe some fruit and I'll pick up some of the bargains that are to be had.

Know what ELSE I found? T-R-A-S-H! Boxes of empty stuff and stale stuff....UGH!

Now I'm off to hang 3 loads of towels out to dry and throw some more laundry in the wash. I guess then it will be time for lunch, baby's nap and hopefully when it's quite (like it's EVER quite at my house) I'll plan some dinners from the surplus in the kitchen and make a grocery list of the things I really do need. Maybe my beloved will be home at a reasonable hour and I'll scoot out to the store without the kids in tow.