Ok, I have a few savings things to catch up on...
I did another Amazon purchase thing. I wanted to get some books that had been recommended to me and were on my "to buy" list. Amazingly, after shopping around, I found it was actually cheaper to buy the books new and get an order of $25 to qualify for free shipping than it would be to buy the book used and pay for shipping individually.
Store: Amazon.com
Quest: add some books to my personal library
Purchases:
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God - $8.99
Radical: Taking back your faith from the American dream - $8.99
Letters from a Skeptic: a son wrestles with his father's questions about Christianity - $3.88
This would have been around $22 so it would not qualify for free shipping. I added on:
Washable nursing pads for $6.99
to bring my total to $28.85. Since I spend $3.85 over the $25 to save $8.08 in shipping...
Savings:
$4.23
Then... the big kicker savings... and we are getting rather personal, but this is real life with real life purchases (not like extreme couponing - who really NEEDS 100 bottles of gatorade???)
Store: CVS Pharmacy/ Medco by Mail
Quest: obtain a certain monthly med to insure Ryleigh doesn't get a sibling before we are ready for even less sleep
Purchase:
1 package - $35!!!
Feeling this was ridiculous and knowing my brain was calculating a year's worth of these costs, I looked for an alternative - our insurance company's mail order program. Through this, 1 month cost $5 (3 months at a time for $15). That is some serious savings of $30 per month!!! Now, to be fair, I will calculate only what I have save with my current purchase and will update each time I reorder until the end of the year.
Savings:
$90 (3 months purchased at $30 per month)
Then, we were going to go to Whataburger for lunch. Since the receipts print out a "do this survey and get a free whataburger" offer, I took them up on it. A free whataburger retails for nearly $3. So...
Store: Whataburger
Quest: lunch
Purchases:
Whataburger - free!
Savings:
$2.64 + tax = 2.86
TOTAL SAVINGS: $97.09
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS TO DATE: $190.89
Progress: 19.1%
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Savings!
So, today's savings is a bit more unconventional...
At walmart, I returned one of the packages of diapers (they only had the size 2 diapers and not the size 1... go figure!) and bought the correct type (which had 10 more diapers in the package) with a coupon and saved even more!
Store: Walmart
Quest: get the right kind of diapers
Purchases:
return old package
get new package
Savings:
$1 off coupon
$1.05 returned
Then... Clint needed an Otterbox for his iphone. Could have cost $44.88 at Walmart, but we went to Amazon instead - less than $20! But, shipping was about $5 making the total $25. If I put $25 worth of items in my cart then I would qualify for free shipping. So, I did some shopping and added some breastfeeding pads (glamorous, I know!) and a clearance iphone case for me. The total went to $27 and I got free shipping. $2 more saved me from paying shipping and I needed more pads anyway!
Store: Amazon.com
Quest: get Clint an Otterbox
Purchases:
Otterbox $20
Case $2
Pads $5
Savings:
$3 (I spent $2 more to avoid $5 in shipping so I saved the difference between paying shipping and buying more products)
TOTAL SAVINGS: $5.05
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS TO DATE: $93.80
Progress: 9.38%
At walmart, I returned one of the packages of diapers (they only had the size 2 diapers and not the size 1... go figure!) and bought the correct type (which had 10 more diapers in the package) with a coupon and saved even more!
Store: Walmart
Quest: get the right kind of diapers
Purchases:
return old package
get new package
Savings:
$1 off coupon
$1.05 returned
Then... Clint needed an Otterbox for his iphone. Could have cost $44.88 at Walmart, but we went to Amazon instead - less than $20! But, shipping was about $5 making the total $25. If I put $25 worth of items in my cart then I would qualify for free shipping. So, I did some shopping and added some breastfeeding pads (glamorous, I know!) and a clearance iphone case for me. The total went to $27 and I got free shipping. $2 more saved me from paying shipping and I needed more pads anyway!
Store: Amazon.com
Quest: get Clint an Otterbox
Purchases:
Otterbox $20
Case $2
Pads $5
Savings:
$3 (I spent $2 more to avoid $5 in shipping so I saved the difference between paying shipping and buying more products)
TOTAL SAVINGS: $5.05
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS TO DATE: $93.80
Progress: 9.38%
And the savings keep piling up!
So... last night we used a coupon...
Well, backup. I have an app on my iphone where I can "check-in" to different locations and get points. I can then redeem these points for rewards. We redeemed 400 points for a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate. Last night, we enjoyed Hibachi Japanese food for practically half-price. The total with 2 entrees, tax, and tip was right at $50. Minus the $25 and we have saved more $$!
Restaurant: Tokyo Steakhouse
Quest: Eat dinner
Purchases:
Chicken dinner - $16.99
Garlic Steak dinner - $21.99
Tax
Tip
Savings:
$25 gift certificate
TOTAL SAVINGS: $25
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS TO DATE: $88.75
Progress: 8.875% towards my goal
Today I plan to exchange some diapers and use coupons on the ones I really need to further increase my savings! I'll check back in later!
Well, backup. I have an app on my iphone where I can "check-in" to different locations and get points. I can then redeem these points for rewards. We redeemed 400 points for a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate. Last night, we enjoyed Hibachi Japanese food for practically half-price. The total with 2 entrees, tax, and tip was right at $50. Minus the $25 and we have saved more $$!
Restaurant: Tokyo Steakhouse
Quest: Eat dinner
Purchases:
Chicken dinner - $16.99
Garlic Steak dinner - $21.99
Tax
Tip
Savings:
$25 gift certificate
TOTAL SAVINGS: $25
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS TO DATE: $88.75
Progress: 8.875% towards my goal
Today I plan to exchange some diapers and use coupons on the ones I really need to further increase my savings! I'll check back in later!
Friday, May 20, 2011
A Challenge to SAVE!
In light of the new TLC show Extreme Couponing and my own frugal background/ upbringing, I am going to attempt a unique challenge that will last the remainder of the 2011 calendar year.
I will endeavor to save my family $1,000 by December 31, 2011 through coupons, special offers, rebates, etc. Normal price reductions at the store DO NOT count. There must be an element of effort on my part. :)
Let the fun begin with last night's conquest and the inspiration for this challenge. How it went down...
Store: Babies R Us
Quest: Buy diapers and wipes for our little Ryleigh
Purchases:
216 ct. wipe refill $6.99
60 ct. Little Snugglers $17.99
60 ct. Little Sugglers $17.99
30 ct. Pure & natural $11.99
30 ct. Pure & natural $11.99
72 ct. wipes $2.99
Temporal Thermometer $49.99
Savings:
Buy 2 Pure & natural get $5 off
Spend $65 on wipes and diapers get $15 off
$0.75 wipes coupon
$2 wipes coupon
$2.50 diaper coupon
$2.50 diaper coupon
$3 diaper coupon
$3 diaper coupon
50% off thermometer coupon - $25 off
$5 mail-in rebate on thermometer
TOTAL SAVINGS: $63.75
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS TO DATE: $63.75
Progress: 6.375% towards my goal
Isn't that cool! Especially since my total before tax was $61.18 - I saved more than half off my entire purchase. And, since I used my rewards card, the savings will continue to pile up. The final kicker is that I had a gift card - so really, all this loot cost us nothing! But, I won't count that in the savings... :)
I will endeavor to save my family $1,000 by December 31, 2011 through coupons, special offers, rebates, etc. Normal price reductions at the store DO NOT count. There must be an element of effort on my part. :)
Let the fun begin with last night's conquest and the inspiration for this challenge. How it went down...
Store: Babies R Us
Quest: Buy diapers and wipes for our little Ryleigh
Purchases:
216 ct. wipe refill $6.99
60 ct. Little Snugglers $17.99
60 ct. Little Sugglers $17.99
30 ct. Pure & natural $11.99
30 ct. Pure & natural $11.99
72 ct. wipes $2.99
Temporal Thermometer $49.99
Savings:
Buy 2 Pure & natural get $5 off
Spend $65 on wipes and diapers get $15 off
$0.75 wipes coupon
$2 wipes coupon
$2.50 diaper coupon
$2.50 diaper coupon
$3 diaper coupon
$3 diaper coupon
50% off thermometer coupon - $25 off
$5 mail-in rebate on thermometer
TOTAL SAVINGS: $63.75
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS TO DATE: $63.75
Progress: 6.375% towards my goal
Isn't that cool! Especially since my total before tax was $61.18 - I saved more than half off my entire purchase. And, since I used my rewards card, the savings will continue to pile up. The final kicker is that I had a gift card - so really, all this loot cost us nothing! But, I won't count that in the savings... :)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
5 dinners in 1 hour
I subscribe to groupon and living social and those kind of websites that offer great deals on useless things you would rarely use. Occasionally, however, a deal comes across the email universe that is tempting enough to try. 5 dinners in 1 hour is a subscription off a blog www.5dinners1hour.blogspot.com where the author Michelle composes menus of 5 dinners that can be fully prepped in 1 hour... TOTAL! Perfect for a new little family with a brand new baby.
So, we have tried 2 of the menus - LOVE!!! So easy and simple. I love opening my fridge and seeing ready made meals instead of assorted food items without any cohesion.
I'll start blogging about and reviewing the recipes as I try to get better about blogging. :)
So, we have tried 2 of the menus - LOVE!!! So easy and simple. I love opening my fridge and seeing ready made meals instead of assorted food items without any cohesion.
I'll start blogging about and reviewing the recipes as I try to get better about blogging. :)
Disappointed in myself...
As despressing as the title may be, this is not a depressing post. I'm just disappointed in myself for waiting so long to post.
See! I told you she was beautiful! :) We are so happy! She is now over 6 weeks old and growing so strong and healthy - I can only thank God for her!
We have a little baby girl!!!
Ryleigh Maerie Hoover was born Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 5:27pm weighing 6 pounds 10.7 ounces and 18 1/2 inches long. Our baby girl was beyond beautiful and we have been so blessed to have her in our lives. Enjoy some pics!
See! I told you she was beautiful! :) We are so happy! She is now over 6 weeks old and growing so strong and healthy - I can only thank God for her!Sunday, September 19, 2010
Oh Happy Day!
The news has finally broken and we are PREGNANT! Yesterday marked the end of the 13th week, the end of the 1st trimester, and the beginning of being able to openly talk about our precious Baby Smidgen.
But, Clint and I have actually known about Smidgen for a while. We found out that we were pregnant on July 22nd - the day we were leaving for our vacation. What a surprise and we weren't completely convinced - although the pregnancy test was obvious enough. We took another test while on the road on July 23rd and got the same result. So, on the long, long drive to Florida, we scheduled a doctor's appointment on August 6th after we returned. Our appointment went perfectly and the doctor confirmed that we were pregnant. We returned a few days later to meet the OB/GYN and ended up getting our first ultrasound! It was so amazing to see our little 1 cm Smidgen.
Now, we have had a couple more appointments, a TON of tests (all of which came back great - for which we are thankful), and even got to hear the baby's heartbeat a week and a half ago. Smidgen is now pushing "lemon-size" at 3-3.5 inches and should hit 1.5 ounces this week. We are so excited and are busily preparing ourselves, our lives, the baby's room, and everything for Smidgen's arrival somewhere around March 26th (our due date).
But, Clint and I have actually known about Smidgen for a while. We found out that we were pregnant on July 22nd - the day we were leaving for our vacation. What a surprise and we weren't completely convinced - although the pregnancy test was obvious enough. We took another test while on the road on July 23rd and got the same result. So, on the long, long drive to Florida, we scheduled a doctor's appointment on August 6th after we returned. Our appointment went perfectly and the doctor confirmed that we were pregnant. We returned a few days later to meet the OB/GYN and ended up getting our first ultrasound! It was so amazing to see our little 1 cm Smidgen.
Now, we have had a couple more appointments, a TON of tests (all of which came back great - for which we are thankful), and even got to hear the baby's heartbeat a week and a half ago. Smidgen is now pushing "lemon-size" at 3-3.5 inches and should hit 1.5 ounces this week. We are so excited and are busily preparing ourselves, our lives, the baby's room, and everything for Smidgen's arrival somewhere around March 26th (our due date).
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