My purpose in CVSing...

I've been doing CVS deals for almost 9 months now. I've saved literally hundreds of dollars and have a great stockpile of toiletries and cleaning products that will last us for months. However, this week, I really had to rethink my purpose in shopping at CVS. Last week, I had a wonderful trip and made a great profit in ECB's (extra care bucks). I had lots of ecb's to spend this week to help make my OOP (out of pocket) as low as possible. However, I got frustrated when I had to purchase items that I wouldn't receive any ecb's back on so I essentially "lost" ecb's this week.

I had to really rethink my thought process on this because I wasn't looking at what I WAS able to purchase. I was merely focused on what I "lost" out on. I WAS able to purchase the Sunday paper double edition (which has frustratingly risen in price to $5!), some much needed contact solution that is expensive to begin with, tylenol products, and school supplies for only $0.11 OOP! AND, I still have $14 left in ecb's for next week.

When I was able to get over my ridiculous thought process, then I was able to see that God truly did bless me this week with my purchases and mere cents in spending. I had to remind myself that my purpose in shopping at CVS is to make enough ecb's to buy things we really need without having to spend cash on them. It's not about raking in the ecb's and bronzing them all over the house. :)

I think we are this way in real life too. We easily get caught up in moping about what we've lost in our lives, that we don't see what we've gained through God's perfect design on our life. For example, I can easily get into a wayward thinking funk by considering all that I'm "losing" out on by being a stay-at-home-mom: not interacting with adults regularly, being surrounded by child talk all day long, feeling like my "job" never gets completed because it just starts all over again tomorrow, being looked down upon by others who "work" for a living...and the list could go on and on. However, when I start clouding my vision with that kind of thinking, then I miss out on the wonderful blessings of being home with my children. In fact, when I focus my heart on loving being home, God shows me all kinds of things that I would truly be losing out on if I wasn't exactly where He wants me to be.

I know this post delved away from CVS shopping and deal finding, which is how it started out, so thank you for hanging in there. I had to go to two different CVS's to get all the items I wanted. Here's my transaction rundown for CVS:

5 pocket folders
1 Twin pack of Clear Care contact solution
2 spiral notebooks
3 Tylenol products
1 Sunday paper double edition
2 packages of pens
1 glue

Used $8 in coupons and $30 in ecb's
My OOP was $0.11
Have $14 in ecb's remaining for next week!

Ciao,
J

Old Navy and their weekly coupons...

I don't know if you've heard or not, but Old Navy puts out major coupons almost weekly right now. Some of their coupons are very high value coupons like $45 off $100 purchase or even $65 off $100! They also have lots of smaller coupons with less out of pocket too. However, the way they give them out is through a search and find website (http://www.oldnavyweekly.com) that thousands of people flock to when the coupons reset. It's not impossible to get the coupons, but you do have to be on the computer at the right time and THAT can be very difficult. A lot of people (based on comments throughout the internet) get VERY upset when they don't get a coupon. So, The Thrifty Mama wrote an excellent post about this issue and explored the idea of whether these ON coupons are truly thrifty or not. I would encourage you to read her entry and even her entire site! (I've learned so much about the coupon world through her!)

Obviously, if you are able to get one of their coupons, then you have to decide for yourself whether the out of pocket you spend is worth it for you and your family even with a high valued coupon. There have been a couple of weeks that I've been able to get a coupon, but Old Navy is not a store that I frequent regularly. However, with these coupons burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to check it out. I am working on increasing my thrifty ways in all areas of my life and so I wanted to make the best choices in what to buy. I had to really consider what was the best way to use this opportunity to get the most bang for my buck (or coupon).

I thought to myself, "I can always find a pretty dress for my sweet baby girl, but does she really need more? Or I'm sure I can find some cool, trendy t-shirts for my handsome boy, but again, his closet is overflowing with thrifty bargains that I've already found. Or I could try to purchase summer clothes for the kiddos for next year, since we already have this year's summer clothes stocked." That last idea is definitely a wise use for this coupon, but I have a really hard time estimating my kids' sizes three months down the road, much less 12 months!

And, then, in a moment of wonderful inspiration, my sister-in-law, Beth announced that she was going to stock up on socks, undershirts, and underwear for her family in their next sizes. Kids always need those items of clothing and our kids are obviously always growing, so PERFECT idea! This was also during the time that Old Navy had all men's clothes for 50% off! So, my sweet husband also got all new socks, undershirts and underwear for super CHEAP. I paid about $1.27 for each package of socks and underwear. I honestly can't think of a cheaper way to purchase these items that I personally choose not to buy used no matter how gently worn. :)

Two other ideas to use quality coupons from Old Navy (or any clothing store for that matter) in a thrifty way, would be to purchase new beach towels for summer swimming [Beth's idea, again!] and to purchase Christmas presents with clothing items that can be used in layering during winter months. The Christmas idea is always a helpful one for me so that (A) my Christmas shopping gets done earlier than Christmas Eve and (B) the money that I'm spending on Christmas doesn't all have to come out of one month's budget or paycheck. Hooray!

I would love to hear from you on more ways you've been able to use Old Navy coupons (or another clothing store) in a frugal way. Please feel free to leave your ideas and suggestions in the comments section of this post.

Ciao,
J

Draw Me Near

I am doing a bible study with my mom and two sister-in-laws right now. It's a study written by Nancy Douglas called Draw Me Near. It has truly been the most amazing bible study I've done in years. I grew up in a Christian home and I've done regular bible studies throughout my life (with a big gap in the middle...but that's for another post someday). However, I have to say that God has opened my eyes and heart more in this study than any other study I can remember. Not to minimize this bible study, but it could be that God prepared my heart knowing I'd be delving into this study of His word. So, He had me at the right time and place to hear these words of conviction. And, of course the conviction that God gave Nancy when she wrote this study. :)

It's sad how easily we get caught up in the rut of life...thinking we are doing okay. I go to church, I pray at meals and bedtime, I teach my children bible stories, I know where my bible is, I tithe regularly, I support missionaries, I pray for friends and family and even enemies occasionally, I can quote bible verses and perhaps I even volunteer at my church. Sounds good, right? Sounds better than a lot of people you can think of, right? I'm saved...going to heaven and not hell because I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was ten and meant it. I'm doing okay. I'm doing good. Status quo is gravy.

However, this study has really opened my eyes to seeing how easily I can get complacent with my spiritual walk. I get lazy in my daily bible readings or prayer time. I get bogged down in my "real life" to focus too much on God. I've got other things that I "need" to spend my time and energy on. All the while, ignoring the One who created me in His image. Who longs for me to turn to Him in every aspect of my life. Who patiently waits for me to realize how much I do need Him and that I truly do desire to be close to Him. God is such an amazing God. I am so unworthy of His perfect love and grace, yet in His perfect will, He continues to Draw Me Near.

Hallelujah! :)

Homemade Tortillas

I love tortillas especially homemade ones which are considerably cheaper than store bought. (And, have a better taste...in my opinion.) We grilled up 5 lbs of bbq chicken over 4th of July, so I was trying to decide what to make with all that yummy chicken. Tonight, we are going to have bbq chicken quesadillas with mozzarella cheese, onions, and peppers served on homemade tortillas. Here's my recipe that I adapted from Cooks.com.

Homemade Flour Tortillas

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup lukewarm milk

That's it! That is all the ingredients you need. Easy as pie...no, that's not true...these are WAY easier than pie crust! :)

In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the oil to the lukewarm milk and whisk together briefly to incorporate. Gradually add the milk to the flour mixture and work in a sticky dough. You can use your hands or I just use a fork. Place dough onto a flour dusted surface and knead for about 2 minutes until the dough is no longer sticky. You might have to add a tad more flour but not much. It's a pretty dry dough. Return dough to the bowl, cover with a damp cloth and allow to rest for 10-20 minutes. This makes the dough easier to roll out.



Divide dough into 8 balls of equal size. I use a pizza cutter to evenly divide the dough and then roll into 8 balls. Cover them with the same towel and let them rest for another 20 minutes. Don't let them touch each other or they can stick together.



Preheat a dry skillet or griddle on medium.

Dust your counter with flour again. One at a time, remove each ball of dough and press it out into a 5 inch circle. Using flour dusted rolling pin, roll out the tortilla from the center out, turn the tortillas 1/4 turn, roll out again starting in the center, and repeat until the tortilla measures a little less than 1/4 inch thick and is a 7-8 inch circle. (It's okay if your circle isn't really a circle...remember these are homemade not machine made!)



Transfer the tortilla to a dry preheated skillet or griddle. Cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on first side. Flip it over when it's lightly browned. Cook the other side a little less time than the first. Remove tortilla with a spatula or tongs--they do get really hot! Place the cooked tortillas on a paper towel and cover loosely with foil. (I use my tortilla warmer that we got for a wedding present almost 7 years ago...finally I have a use for it!) You can also butter the tortillas before covering.



Repeat for remaining tortillas. As you get comfortable rolling out the dough and remembering to check the cooking tortilla, then you can cook one while rolling out another. Don't stack uncooked tortillas because they will stick together. Side note: these tortillas freeze great! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag to freeze. Enjoy!

So, here's our finished dinner: bbq chicken quesadillas with bacon (for dh), mozzarella cheese, red, orange and yellow peppers, and purple onions. They were so GOOD! :)

I love getting paid to shop...

I really am not a fan of shopping. I've never liked going to the mall or window shopping. Or trying on 49 different outfits only to buy none of them. I've never been one to touch or smell everything. I'm a list kinda girl--I know what I want to get, I get it and then I'm done. HOWEVER, grocery shopping is a completely different story. I still use a list clipped with dozens of coupons, I get what I need and get out...but I love it. Especially when I get paid to shop.

Here's my trip to CVS today:
2 bottles of Dawn dish soap
3 boxes of Post cereal
1 box of panty liners
1 box of toothpaste
2 tape dispensers
1 pencil sharpener
2 Glucose monitors (which I'll donate)
1 Schick Quatro Titanium razor
1 cartridge of refills for above razor.
2 Dry Idea deodorants

Subtotal: $115.23
minus sales: $25.61
minus coupons: $75.50
minus $10 ecb's (extra care bucks--cvs coupons that act like cash)
= $4.12 OOP (out of pocket)

I walked in with only $10 ecb's and walked out with $27 ecb's for next week! Awesome!

Kroger Shopping Trip

I love Kroger especially when they have great sales. (AND, I have time to go!) Here's this week's trip:

3 Purex laundry soap
3 bags of sugar
4 boxes of fruit snacks
2 pkgs of strawberries
1 jar of Ragu
1 Santa Cruz organic lemonade
2 containers of Breyers Ice cream
3 big tubs of Country Crock
1 pkg of yeast
30 pkgs of Lemonade Koolaid
2 Velveeta mac and cheese cups
1 box Nabisco Cakesters
3 bottles of Kraft BBQ sauce
1 tub of frosting
3 cans of Manwich
1 box of Ritz crackers

Total: $78.18
minus coupons and sales: $53.39
OOP (out of pocket): $24.79

That's 67% savings! (Normally, I do more like 70-80% savings, but I had to get a couple of items that I didn't have coupons for and several coupons didn't take off the correct amount, but I missed those errors until I got home. Taking kids during their nap to the store...so not a good idea!)

Shopping is fun even on a budget when you use the deals and coupons! Woohoo!

Happy Almost 4th of July

It's been awhile so let's catch up. My dd (dear daughter) fell two weeks ago and badly hurt her arm. The doctors put it in a cast to protect it while her body healed. She is such a trooper. It didn't seem to bother her at all once the cast was on. In fact, she was running and jumping almost as soon as we got home from the doctor. No wonder she got hurt in the first place!! We returned to the doctor this week and they reexamined it with another set of xrays and declared it healed. After the first night without a cast, she's done great. No problems or issues. Praise the Lord!

Of course, this is all without insurance because of Chris' job situation and her pediatrician was not working when it happened so we had to go to Urgent Care. They were very nice, but pricey. I guess that's life with kids! Here's a picture of her total cuteness with the cast. Hopefully, this will be her only cast ever! :)

Ciao,
J