Tuesday, January 24, 2012

13 weeks and counting...

Well, I hit the 13 week mark today and I still feel pretty rough to say the least!  I went yesterday for another check-up.  My doctor told me I could stop taking my progestrone supplement (YAY!).  I was more than happy to hear that because when I take it, it makes me feel as if I'm sitting on a merry-go-round spinning at about 50 miles an hour!  My blood pressure was good and I'm having no issues.  The only issue we're having is that they can't pick up this stubborn child's heartbeat via doppler.  SO, I'm scheduled for another ultrasound in the morning at 9am to just check to make sure that everything is okay.  My doctor isn't concerned seeing as how I've had no problems at all.  The last 2 weeks have been a little rough with Emma and I both being sick off and on and my abdominal muscles stretching apart.  Shew, it felt like someone had fence-stretchers pulling them apart in my stomach.  At times it feels like someone is taking an ax to my lower back.  Other than the normal issues of pregnancy, all is going good and I'm hoping that next Tuesday when I hit my 2nd trimester that I'll get my energy back!!!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Couponing trip: June 13, 2011

Today I went to Wags and got the following

Transaction #1:
Lysol No-touch hand soap dispenser
Dial body wash
2 fillers
Used $3/1 , and $2/1 body wash
Used $5.99 in RR from my last trip
Paid $4.77 and got $5RR
$0.23MM


Transaction #2
Lysol Toilet bowl cleaner (2)
Airwick Freshmatic ultra
Dial body wash
colgate toothbrush
2 fillers
Used $4/1 Airwick, BOGO Wags Lysol TB cleaner, and $2/1 Dial
Used $8 in RR from my last trip
Paid $10.74 and got $7RR
$3.74 OOP

Transaction #3
Airwick Freshmatic Ultra
Dial body wash
colgate toothbrush
2 fillers
Used $4/1 Airwick, $2/1 Dial
Used $10 in RR from my last trip
Paid $5.75 and got $7RR
$1.25 MM


Transaction #4
Airwick Freshmatic ultra
dial body wash
3 fillers
Used $4/1 Airwick, $2/1 Dial
Used $6 in RR
Paid $0.15 and got $5RR
$4.85 MM

My wags trip was a $2.59 MM.
I have $7RR left to use for next time. 

Then on to Rite Aid we went! 

Transaction #1
4- Soft Scrub Cleaners
2- Arm and Hammer toothpaste
Used 2- BOGO coupons for Soft Scrub, $0.75 A&H coupon
Used $3/$15 trip coupon, $4 in +UP rewards
Paid $5.23 and got $6 in +UP rewards
$0.77 MM


Transaction #2
4- AXE body sprays
2- Dial body wash
1- Bayer Advanced
Used 2- BOGO AXE coupons, $2/1 Bayer, and used $12 in +UP rewards from my last trip
Paid $8.85 and got $9.99 in +UP rewards
$1.14 MM
I will get a $1.99 MIR from Bayer Advanced.

I have $9.99 in +UP rewards left to use next time.

Here's my final talley:
TOTAL RETAIL: $168.75
TOTAL SAVINGS: $6.49
TOTAL OOP: $175.24
SAVINGS OF 104%

If you add in all of the extra +UP rewards and RR I have left to use for my next trip, I actually made over $6 and saved 104%.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

My couponing trips June 8, 2011

Well, today I went to Wags and Rite Aid to get some more good deals!!  I've been desperately wanting to start a diaper stockpile and opportunity presented itself today!!!  I got a total of 6 packs of diapers and paid virtually NOTHING!!!!!  My first stop was at my FABULOUS Wags store!!

Here's my breakdown:
Transaction #1
- Pampers diapers
- (3) Downey fabric softner
- SOBE lifewater

Used $1.50/1 Pampers coupon, $1/1 Downey and 2- $0.50/1 Downey, and $10 in RR from Monday's trip
Got $4.99 in RR
Total OOP: $3.46

Transaction #2
- Pampers diapers
- Proglide razor
- Filler: $0.49 gummy bears
- SOBE lifewater

Used $4/1 Gillette, $1.50/1 Pampers, used 2- $2 RR from Monday's trip
Got $6.99 in RR
Total OOP: $3.87

Transaction #3
- Pampers diapers
- Nivea men's body wash (2)
- SOBE

Used 2- $2/1 Nivea mens, used $1.50/1 Pampers, used $5 RR from Monday's trip
Got $3.99 in RR
Total OOP: $2.49

Transaction #4
- Pampers diapers
- Fusion proglide razor
- (2) nivea men's body wash
- (2) $0.49 Gummy worms

Used $1.50/1 Pampers, $4/1 Gillette razor, 2-$2/1 Nivea mens, used $3.99 in RR from transaction #3.
Got $8 in RR
Total OOP: $4.88

Transaction totals:
RETAIL: $105.39
TOTAL OOP: $14.70
TOTAL SAVINGS: $90.69
86%!!!!!!!!

My next stop was at Rite Aid!!  We have an AWESOME Rite Aid and have some of sweetest gals working there!!  They just love Emma and I believe that the feeling is mutual!  She enjoys going in there too because they know her by name and love seeing her sweet smile!!  I wanted the Oral B toothbrushes but they were sold out:-(  So I settled for diapers and here's my breakdown:

I bought 2 Pampers cruisers diapers at $8.97 each!
Total $17.94

Used 2- $1.50/1 Pampers, 2- $4.99 +UP, and a $3 off of a $15 purchase coupon

Got $4 +UP

I made $2.04!!!

How awesome is that????  I GOT PAID TO BUY DIAPERS!!!!!!  Seriously people, in this day and age, as expensive as everything is, coupons can really help you to save a TON of money!!!  Since I began couponing 3 months ago, I've saved over $1320 for my family and have a HUGE donation box!!!  The donation items will be going to 2 local shelters and to our Ladies group at church to make baskets for people in the hospital!!!  Lovin' my FUN new hobby!!!!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Couponing trip: June 6, 2011

Today I took Emma and Avery couponing with me!  They only get along about 50% of the time so I was definitely in for it today!  We still had fun even though it was insanly hot:-(  Our ladies group at church is beginning to collect items again for hospital baskets so some of the H&B items will go into my huge donation box that I have at home which is currently overflowing!  Here's how I did today:

Ragu Pasta Sauce-
  I bought 24 jars of sauce
  Retail: $44.20
  Paid: $23.70
  Savings: $20.50  or 46% 
  Not the best savings, but I ran into some issues at Kroger grr..:-(

Pampers Diapers-
  I bought 2 packages
  Retail: $23.98
  Paid: $9.96
  Savings: $14.02 or 58%
  I'm VERY happy with how little I paid for diapers!!  We go through at least 30 every 5 days so the more diapers the better!!!

Ban deoderant-
  I bought 4
  Retail: $11.96
  Paid: $4.96
  Savings $7.00 or 59%
 
Gillette Deoderant- bought 2
  Retail $9.98
  Paid $4.99
  Savings $4.99 50%

Gillette shaving cream- 2
  Retail $7.35
  Paid $4.36
  Savings $3.00

Gillette Fusion Po glide razor
  Retail $12.99
  Paid $0.89
  Savings $12.10 or 93%

Gillette Body wash - 2
  Retail $9.98
  Paid $4.99
  Savings $4.99

For ALL of the Gillette items that I bought I got $10 in RR at Wags:-)  So I only paid $5.23 OOP!!

BIC disposable razors
I bought 8!
  Retail: $47.92
  Paid $7.92
  Savings $40.00 or 83%

All free & clear- 8- 50oz. bottles
  Retail $40.00
  Paid $15.92
  Savings $24.08 or 60%

Suave deoderant- 6
  Retail $7.44
  Paid $2.82
  Savings $4.65 or 63%

Zest Bar Soap
  Retail $12.00
  Paid $7.50, $0.42/ bar
  Savings $4.50
  This isn't that great of a deal but our Ladies group at church is getting baskets together for hospitals and this was the cheapest I'd found this!

Nivea body wash
  Retail $17.96
  Paid $2.00
  Savings $15.96

TOTALS:
  Retail $235.08
  Paid $75.02
  Savings $160.06

I saved a total of 68%!!  Considering that this included diapers and laundry detergent, I'm pretty happy with my total savings:-)  Of course I have to be the one who's allergic to EVERYTHING!!!  and has to use the expensive laundry soap, hence the purchase of 8 bottles!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Walmart trip 6/3/2011

   My husband and I met up at Walmart yesterday to buy a couple of shelves to help with the lack of storage space in our house!  Since my stockpile is building like crazy, we needed a little extra room!  My husband is awesome because he LOVES the stockpile almost as much as I do!  He loves the fact that whenever he runs out of something he always has more waiting on the shelf! 
   Of course I took my binder along and while waiting for him to get there, Emma and I took a stroll through the health and beauty section to see what goodies we could find!  We found some great deals and also found one thing in food that was under $1!

Here's what I got:
* 7- boxes of Curad bandaids $0.96
    used 7- $0.50/1 coupon (? insert 5/22)
    FP: $0.46 each

* 3- bottles of Vaseline intensive hand cream $1.87
    used 3- $1/1 coupon (? insert 5/22)
    FP: $0.87 each

* 2- Skintimate shave gels $1.42
   used 2- $0.55/1 coupon (? insert 5/22)
   FP: $0.92 each
  ~ This particular coupon included the trial size, so that's what I got:-)

*2- Edge shave gels $1.42
  used $0.55/1 coupon (? insert 5/22)
  FP: $0.92 each
 ~ This coupon also included the trial size, PLUS I got a FREE razor with each one:-)

*1- Garnier root lifter $2.86
  used $1/1 Garnier styling product (http://www.coupons.com/)
  FP: $1.86
  ~ I bought this mainly because my hair has NO volume and it needs a little help!   Plus I had a coupon which made this deal even sweeter!!

*1- 3 bar Zest bath soap $2.47
  used $1/1 3-bars (? insert 5/22)
  FP: $1.47 or $0.49/bar

*1- 10oz. Kikkoman soy sauce $1.66
  used $1/1 printable
  FP: $0.66

My total retail price for everything was $25
My total OOP: $13.50
My total savings $11.50

It's only about a 47% savings which isn't as high as I wanted it to be, but I did get several things and only paid more than $1 for 2 items!!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Walgreens deals for 6/5/2011 - 6/11/2011

* All Laundry detergent 28-40 loads & Snuggle fabric softner, 60 sheets or 30 loads 2/$7
    - use 2- $1/1 All laundry detergent (RP 6/5)
    FP: 2/$5

*Scott Toilet paper $6.99 with in-ad coupon Limit 3
   - stack store coupon with $1/12 rolls or more Scott toilet paper (peelie inside toilet paper package)
   FP: as low as $5.99

* Revlon cosmetics BOGO 50% off

* Gatorade 5/$5 with in-ad coupon

* Get $3 in RR wyb $10 or more of the following items: 
  Downey fabric softner (use $0.50/1 P&G 6/5)
  Bounce dryer sheets or dryer bar
  Tide stain release (use $1/1 P&G 6/5)
  Cascade dishwasher detergent (use $0.25/1 P&G 6/5)
  (all of the items listed above are $3.99 each)
  Select Swiffer, Mr. Clean, and Febreeze items (25% off)

* Duracell coppertop batteries $2.99 get $1RR
   FP: $1.99
   use $1/1 (P&G coupon book Spring 2011)

*Tone body wash, right guard deoderant, Dry Idea deoderant, Got2B styling products, 3-pk Dial bar soap or hand soap- BOGO free

*BIC razors $5.99  get $2RR
  - use $3/1 (SS 6/5)
   FP: $0.99

*****HOT DEAL!!!!!!!*****
 ~ NIVEA MEN'S BODY WASH 2/$7 Get $2 RR
   - use 2- $2/1 Nivea men's body wash (RP 6/5) 
   FP $1/2

* Ban deoderant $1.49 with in-ad coupon Limi 4
 - use $0.75/1 (SS 6/5)
  FP: $0.74 each

*Sally Hansen Nail treatments, nail color, skin or lip care, or beauty tools BOGO 50% off
  - use $1/1 nail color (http://www.coupons.com/)
  - use $2/1 lip care (http://www.coupons.com/)

* The Wags ad says this is a HOT buy, I don't really agree because I've seen it much lower but here it is:
  Garnier Fructis Hair care 4/$14 get $4 RR limit 1
  - use $1/1 shampoo, conditioner- ETS (RP 6/5)
  - use $1/1 styling product (RP 6/5)

* Dove hair care 3/$12 get $4 RR limit 1
  FP: 3/$8

* Herbal Essences $2.99 get $1RR limit 1
  - $1/1 (6/5 not sure which insert)
  FP: $0.99 each

*Reach Dental care 2/$5 get $3 RR=  FP 2/$2

* Omega Smart Super Critical Ultimate Fish Oils 30ct. $10
  get $10RR
  FP: FREE

* SOBE lifewater 20 oz. $0.99
  get $0.99RR
  FP: FREE

* Healthy Women Soy Supplement $8
  get $8RR
  FP: FREE

* Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor $9.89
  get $5 RR
  - use $4/1 (P&G 6/5)
  FP: $0.89

*Pampers diapers $8.99
  get 1 RR
  - use $1.50/1 (P&G 6/5)
  - use $2/1 from (Wags infant care booklet- register code 5521)
 FP: $4.49

*Pantene Hair care 2/$7
  get $1RR
  -use $1/1 (P&G 6/5)
  FP: 2/$5

*Dawn dish soap 10.3oz. $0.99
 - use $0.25/1 (P&G spring coupon booklet)
 FP: $0.74

* Tide laundry detergent $6.49
  - use $0.35/1 (P&G 6/5)
  FP: $6.14

* Bounty Paper towels $6.49
  - use $0.25/1 (P&G 6/5)
  FP: $6.24

Happy Couponing!!!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Good deals at Rite Aid 6/5/2011 - 6/11/2011

BOGO:
Kellogs cereal
Airwick/NeutraAir Freshmatic, Oxi Clean max force/ spray, Scott single roll toilet paper

* Pampers diapers $8.97  $2 UP rewards limit 2 per household
  - use $1.50/1 coupon (P&G 6/5/2011)
  Pay as little as $5.47 OOP

* $5 in UP rewards wyb $20 of Covergirl cosmetics

* Bounty paper towels- 8 rolls/ Charmin toilet paper 12 rolls  $6.97
   - use $0.25/1 Bounty (P&G 6/5)
   - use $0.25/1 Charmin (P&G 6/5)
  pay as low as $6.47
  It's not the best deal, but if you need it the unit price would be $0.81 cents/paper towel roll and $0.56/toilet
paper roll

*Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styling products $2.99
   -use $1/1 (RP 6/5)

* Pantene Shampoo 2/$7  get $2 UP rewards Limit 2 UP
   - use $1/2 (P&G 6/5)
   pay $2 each

* John Frieda Hair color $9.99 
  - use $3/1 (SS 6/5)

* John Frieda stylers $4.99
  - use $2/1 (SS 6/5)

* Nice N' Easy Hair Color $8.99 Get $1 UP rewards Limit 2 UP
  - use $3/1 (P&G 6/5)

* Oral- B Cross Action Power toothbrush $5.99 get $2.99 UP rewards Limit 4 UP
  - use $3/1 (P&G 6/5)
  After using the coupon and getting the UP rewards your total OOP is $0!!!

* Venus razors or refills $8.99  Get $3 in UP rewards Limit 2 UP
  - use $2/1 (P&G 6/5)

* Colgate Toothpaste and Toothbrushes $2.50
  - use $0.75 (SS 6/5)
  These WILL go lower!!!  But if you need them it's still an o.k. buy. 
  FP: $1.75

* Blink Tears $7.99 get a Single check rebate for $7.99
  FP: FREE!!

*Get $5 in UP rewards wyb $15 of Tugaboos diapers, training pants, mega pack diapers, or overnights

* Stacy's Pita Chips 2/$5
  You pay $2.50 each 
  This is cheaper than most other stores and I LOVE these!!!

* Get $10 in UP rewards wyb $30 of the following items:
   - Prilosec OTC $25.00
   - Old Spice fresh collection, Secret Flawless, Secret Expression, Gillette invisible solid, or Gillette/Old Spice body wash  2/$7
   - Gillette Disposable razors BOGO 50% off
   - BUY Any Gillette Proglide, Fusion, or Venus cartridge and GET Fusion or Satin Care Shave gel for FREE
   - Duracell coppertop or ultra batteries $5

GREAT BUY ALERT:
* Crest Toothpaste, Oral-B stages toothbrushes $2.57 get $1.60 in UP rewards
   - use $0.75/1 Crest toothpaste (P&G 6/5)
   FP: as low as $0.22 

* Aquafina 24 pack bottled water $3.99 get $1 UP reward
  FP: $2.99 or $0.12/bottle

Get $5 in UP rewards wyb $20 of Physicians Formula Bronzer products 
   - They're all BOGO free

Get $2 in UP rewards wyb 2 of these items which are all BOGO free:
  - Dial, Coast, or Tone bar soap
  - Dial hand soap or hand sanitizer
  - Dial body wash
  - Right Guard body wash

Get $10 in UP rewards wyb $30 of Aveeno skin, bath, first aid, sun care, or baby care items

Get $10 in UP rewards wyb $30 of Neutrogena skin, bath or sun care products