Should I call it a kill?....

I stopped in Target today for a 'haul' - AKA I popped in Target to focus-shop on some good coupon deals. I did well on quality brand name items I need & could use. Here's the deal:

Food Items:

V8 Fusion Juice - big bottle (2)

Kashi Crackers (2)

Kashi Cookies (3)

(Kashi Special: buy 4 get 1 FREE)

Ortega Diced Chilis (2)

Ortega Diced Jalapenos (2)

Non-Food Items:

Aveeno Sunscreen Lotion (1)

Target Brand Nail Polish Remover (1)

20# Tidy Cat Scoopable Litter (1)

Tums 24ct (1)

NexCare Bandaids (1)

Papermate Ballpoint Pens 2-pk (1)

Scotch 'Magic' Tape (1)

2 Kid shorts for Zoey (under dress shorts I found on Clearance)

Here's the stats less the dry details:

Without planning & stacking coupons: $57.27.

With Zoey Shorts (no coupons), Target & Mfg Coupons: $29.25

Take Zoey's shorts out & my total would have been ~$23.50

- That's $1.31 an item!!!

Mind you, with Zoey's shorts it's an additional 15 cents an item. I was far too lazy to take a pic of all the items DESPITE I think that's "cheezy" when people post that on the coupon sites anyhow. Either way, I was feelin' a bit like a bad-arss to score the quality brands I did at that cost.

Am I crazy for getting so excited over my Target shopping "kill?" I wanna know if I have any hiding closet coupon friends...

I Quit - sort of.....

For almost 3 years I have spent ~$15/mo. (over $500+) for my CouponSense subscription. I have recently found a plethora of websites, let alone, RSS feeds that give me all the info I need. Now, I don't really understand what RSS Feeds are....all I know is that I get LOTS of updates in my gReader & those updates keep me "pumped" & motivated to save $$$. Online I can find all the match-up deals, printable coupons, specials, catalinas & more...without paying! So saving $500+ may not sound like THAT much....but there's lots of things I could do with $500+....cute platforms & a handbag!

Anyhow, as I was saying....saving $$$. I get such a total thrill out of saving $ on things I need. (Drives me crazy to see those crazy coupon people buying all the things they don't even need.) Do understand, I am highly competitive - ask my hubby about playing Monopoly with me. Also, I don't buy all the processed, packaged foods that are many of the coupons offered. I use my coupons to buy toothbrushes/floss, deodorant, cleaners, sunscreen, scotch tape, hair product for the kiddos & more. Oh wait, I got a GREAT deal last week at Target on Morningstar Chik'N Nuggets - so I do buy some frozen goodies.

So I quit my CouponSense...and as I type my hubby is shopping cars online & stressing about getting a deal. I'm already thinking about how he can get a better deal....

Best 50 cents I've ever spent

The ol' saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure"....so true for my 5 yr old daughter, Zoey.

We recently took a trip up to Dad's ranch - 105 acres that borders Nat'l Forest near Pagosa Springs, CO. We decided to drive into town & check-out the 4th of July weekend fair - complete with pony ride, flying elephants, giant slides & of course the standard ping-pong in the fish bowl/goldfish game. On our way home (JoAnne & I had taken a separate car from Papa, Daddy & the girls), we stumbled upon the local church thrift shop. Me....always curious of these types of small shops says, "JoAnne - wanna take a peak?" Both curious, we wandered inside.

Now, when I'm alone, I truly enjoy the quiet time of sifting through racks of clothes. (This is my serious "me time".) And even though I wasn't alone - I ran through some racks quickly & stumbled upon a lil' aqua shrug....the looks of Children's Place. It looked a lil' big for Zoey but I thought she might like it & she'd grow into it. Funny thing, I liked that lil' jacket much better when I checked out - a Winnie the Pooh outfit for Karli, summer dress for Zoey & that aqua shrug. My grand total: $1.60 - that was 50 cents a piece & 10 cents for tax. I about fell over - I've shopped thrift stores in the past but this was the best deal ever.

Back at the ranch I proudly showed Zoey the treasures I found. I loved that even when I tell her 'Ganny & I stopped at a thrift shop....', she didn't blink, whine, judge or make comments. She grabbed the summer dress with flowers and spaghetti straps - held it up to herself & beamed a smile of thanks. Then her eyes bolted to the aqua shrug.....she asked, "is that for me?" She tried it on & walked so proudly showing Papa & Daddy....full on twirl to model the whole thing.

Back to the best 50 cents I've ever spent - every day since we've been home from the ranch Zoey gets her shrug & wears it proudly. The first couple days she did it I had to tell her that it was going to be about 110 degrees outside...she pouted for about 2 seconds & then understood. This morning the shrug was being modeled & I started to say something about how warm the day would be & I heard, "I know mom, I'm just wearing it 'til I go to school."

Moral: Don't ever steer away from thrift shops because you don't know the treasure you may find....for only 50 cents!

Helping Others

This is my proclamation that I am going to blog more often. I've decided though I want to share ideas that will help others save money, simple random tips & easy cooking ideas for our busy lives.

I love to Coupon....and I loved doing it before it seemed to become so popular. I literally get a high from saving money - it's awesome! Whether it's bartering a great deal or planning a grocery trip - getting the best deals gets my adrenalin going. I like nice things & saving money in other places to buy nicer things is part of the reason but I also like to save on those "nice things" I enjoy.

Currently, I subscribe to a service (http://www.couponsense.com/ ) that helps me organize & utilize my coupons with current sales. I recently found a great site, http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/ , that gives so many great ideas. The site shares not only coupon help but freebies, giveaways, etc. I'm actually considering stopping my subscription to the other service.

So, while others seem to blog on kids & life - I'd like to start sharing good ideas to help others. The subjects may vary but I hope the tips are found useful - that's my goal. And here's to my only blog follower at this time! :)

Season of Joy

Christmas has been such an enjoyable time with Pete & the girls. Zoey is thoroughly into the lights, Santa, cookies, presents & all the fun. Karli has been such a trooper too....not pulling down every xmas tree she sees & grabbing every ornament she can reach. This Xmas was more fun & I'm sure will get greater every year as the girls get older.

I can't believe it's been FAR too long since I've blogged. I seriously don't find THAT much interesting about my life or perhaps I'm too shy to "blog it". Recently, an associate asked me to write an email about my qualifications, licensing & background. I wrote it, asked him to proof it & he said I wasn't telling enough....I needed to "brag more" so know I can do the job. So round about.....I relate that to my blogging. Does that make sense?

I feel much calmer lately - still trying to be the greatest mom & wife - but calmer about life & the changes it holds. I'm trying my best to 'Let go & Let God'.