Kohl's and Five Below:

I did cut one thing out of the picture because this was supposed to be for Christmas, but I caved and gave them a game early, haha.  It was $5 at Five Below...Don't Tip the Waiter, they love it. 

Anyway, at Five Below I picked up the computer game and the Clothespins game for $5 and $4.  Not bad.



Kohl's just opened a new store nearby, and they sent us $10 in Kohl's cash to use.  I also got a $5 in Kohl's cash for signing up for their email list, and 15% off for applying for their credit card. They had Fisher Price 40% off, so I got four toys for right about $15!  Before the sale prices and coupons it would have been $53.96! 

CVS - There was one more snorkel set.  $4 for everything. 

Rite Aid - Not sure why blogger turned this on it's side.  All free (plus profit!) after UPs and coupons :o)  I had overage so I actually had to run and grab more items to be able to use my coupons.  I grabbed another binder and gave it to my mom for her coupons. 

I'm behind on updating and this is backdated so I don't remember exact prices anymore to do a detailed explanation.

All freebies!

Aladdin Do The Reuse Challenge

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Aladdin. All opinions are 100% mine.

Aladdin has created the Do The Reuse Challenge.  This challenge is a 30-day commitment by participants to give up disposable products, like water bottles, food containers/plastic bags, and paper products like cups and plates.  The more participants, the merrier, and they would love for you to take the challenge!  There will be nine families blogging about the challenge and their experiences on their website.  Would you be interesting in participating?  What a HUGE impact a challenge like this could have if word got around and many people accepted.

 

Did you know...

● Seven million barrels of oil are used to produce the disposable bottles Americans go through in one year.
● In the United States, 50 billion disposable water bottles are consumed per year; 137,000 per day; 1,585 per second.
● It costs about $165 a year to make drip coffee at home versus $636 to buy drip coffee at your local café.
● Unless we change our habits, 23 billion paper coffee cups will be thrown out in 2010.
● Nine dollars will generally cover a decent lunch out. If you buy rather than pack a lunch five days a week, you shell out about $2,350 a year.

 

This challenge actually comes fairly easily to frugal families because we already reduce the use of many of these products due to their cost.  I normally keep a few disposable type items on hand when I can get them for free or super cheap, so that I can use them for parties where lots of guests will be here, and paper towels so my mom doesn't have a heart attack when she is over (hehe, love you mom), but when it's just us here, we mostly use re-usable items.  I will gladly take the challenge!

As a bonus, if you are needing to purchase some re-usable items, by signing up for the challenge you can get discounts and free shipping on selected Aladdin products by shopping through their website, www.shopaladdin-pmi.com.

You can also check out Aladdin on Facebook , where I am sure they will be posting updates on the challenge.

PlayStation Move

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PlayStation(R) Move. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

 

 

When I was growing up, gaming was huge in our family.  Board games, video games, we were always playing something -- together, or on our own.  I have lots of fond memories of playing games with my family, late nights playing a favorite video game with my mom while everyone else was sleeping...playing a game with my brother/s and pummeling them into the ground (Competitive?  Me?  Never!  hehe!).  So fun!  My family still always seems to be playing something, the systems are just a lot more high tech now!  I really hope that my own little family can enjoy a love of games and playing together as a family too.  Right now my children are a little young for most video or computer games, but we do enjoy a few board games together, and I do think that we could start to introduce a few video games soon, to only be enjoyed as a family event. 

I know I have posted here before about how I am a liiiiiiittle bit behind the times.  We still have a PlayStation 2!  PlayStation has definitely moved on since that, haha.  I just heard today about the new PlayStation(R)MOVE.  How awesome is this??  It reminds of the Wii, which we do happen to have (thanks mom and dad!) and is SO MUCH FUN.  I *really* enjoy the different game selections that PlayStation offers so this should be great (Toy Story 3!  Lord of the Rings!  Dance Dance Revolution!  Yes, please!).  I love games that make you get up and move. It also has a BluRay player and you can stream tv shows from Hulu right to your television.  Um, awesome!   We often use our PlayStation 2 to play dvds. 

Also, I am reading that if you already have a PlayStation 3, you can upgrade it to PlayStation Move for just $99 with the Move Bundle Package!  Way better than having to buy a brand new system, nice move on that one PlayStation! 

Visit PlayStation(R)MOVE and learn about the new PlayStation®Move!

 

I received a copy of Barbie's new movie Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale in the mail a few days ago.  I was SO excited because for one, I have always been a "Barbie Girl," and I really love these movies (I'm such a nerd, I know)...but also because Ava has been asking for it...so what a nice surprise to have it show up in my mail box free just for being a Modern Mom Insider. 

The girls and I watched it together snuggled up in my room (NO BOYS ALLOWED, haha) and they loved it.  I thought it was really cute too.

I snatched up my camera and asked the girls what their favorite parts were after it was over (keep in mind, we watched it riiiiiight before bed time, so they were running down by that point...).   And also, you can't help but laugh at Charlotte.  Seriously.  This kid.  Hahaha...

Rite Aid today...

4 Reach toothbrushes
1 Listerine Pocket Pack
5 Johnson & Johnson soaps/shampoos/lotion

Total out of pocket after coupons/UP rewards was $4.42.  A little on the high side for me, but really not bad for the J&J products alone, I'd pay $1 each with no problems if I was running low.
 

The real kicker though, was for buying this stuff, I got back $26 in UP rewards!  I only used $5.50 in paying for this transaction because that was all I had.  I made a nice profit, totally happy with the transaction, even with the "high" out of pocket.  :o)

Mail!

Coupons, Downy sample, book to review from Book Sneeze, and a Bzz Kit for Elmers and X-Acto!  Awesome!

Ran in to CVS today to get the free after coupons/ECBs Tylenol Precise, and they were out of stock.  I did swipe my card at the "magic coupon machine" and got a $1 off any lotion purchase, and they were on sale for .99, so, free!

I got these in the mail from General Mills and My Get Together!  I will be hosting a party to serve up some Hamburger Helper and share some coupons.  Fun!

I thought I'd share a few with one of you too!  Just leave a comment (make sure you leave a way to contact you) if you're interested and I will choose a winner on the 25th (the date of my get together)! 

I just entered my girls in the Soft Scrub Upside Down contest!

I'd love it if you'd vote for them!

You can vote once per day until October 22!  

I promise I didn't forget! 

The winner of the 9 Lives giveaway is...

Entry comment number four!

Nikkidoodle94 said... We've got Tucker, Patches (a calico, how original I know lol) and Kenji 

 

 

Congratulations!  I'll be contacting you to get your shipping information in just a moment.

Thanks for entering everyone!  

I have another giveaway up my sleeve for later this week, I hope you'll stop by and enter.

Well, this *would* have all been .90, but then dh threw a roll of $4.99 tape into my order and declared his mission for the day (to mess me up) was complete.  Hahaha...

Sooooo...  yeah.  :o) 

This cost me . 32 at Rite Aid!

I thought it would be $0, but I didn't know that Rite Aid wouldn't adjust their UP rewards down, so I was a penny short to use one...I grabbed the cherry cordial that was .33 to bump my total up.

I used a $5 UP reward, and got $3 and $1.50 in UP rewards back, as well as a $1 rebate for the Crest.  I thought I would get $1 for the Shout but I mis-read, and I needed to buy two to get $1.  Ah well, we all make mistakes.  :o)  Still a profit!

Mail!

Nexus samples and 50 prints each for my husband and I for signing up for Snapfish!  They even had free shipping!  :o) 

I *love* thrift stores!

All of these books are in amazing condition (some look like they've never even been read) and were .59/each for the soft covers, and .99 each for the hardcovers.  Unless I have Border's rewards or Amazon gift cards to get books for free, this is about as good as it gets for me and getting great deals on books.

Rite Aid.

I spent about $10 on all of this...6.35 + 5.45 (two transactions...tax included in totals)...but got back $6 in UP rewards, $3 in a rebate check, and a $10 gift card! $7.20 profit after making back what I spent!  :o)  Not bad for just getting started at Rite Aid.

2 Right Guard
1 Boudreaux's Butt Paste
2 Kendall bandages
3 Crest/Arm & Hammer Spinbrushes
1 Crest/Arm & Hammer refill pack
1 Gain dish detergent
3 Air Wick
2 Finsh dishwashing systems

 CVS:


14 Sobe Lifewaters - Free!

2 flip flops - .75/each

candy bar - .45

2 sets of fabric drawers - $5/ea

:o)  I didn't use any ECBs on this because I wouldn't get any back and I just didn't feel like starting out the next week without any, lol...so I paid something like $12 for all.

Mail!  Coupons, a pack of gum, and a free onDemand movie from our cable company!

Two FREE previously viewed DVDs from Blockbuster!  Got these for doing surveys with eRewards :o)

CVS.

Transaction 1:

 

I ended up paying .95 out of pocket for all of this.  I used $5 in ECBs to pay with in addition to my coupons, and I got back $5 for the Excedrin, .99 for the gum, and $1.99 for the High Octane chews.  All in all, counting my out of pocket, $2.03 profit. 

Transaction 2:

Paid $0, used a $1.99 ECB, got a $1.99 ECB back.


Transaction 3:

I paid .55 out of pocket, used $15.98 in ECBs and I got a $10 ECB.  I definitely "lost" ECBs on this one, but still, .55 out of my own pocket for 10 shampoo/baby wash/lotions and two pairs of flip flops?  Not bad!  And I'm still left with $10 in ECBs for next week. 

At least I got something cool for making that ridiculous video for Johnsonville awhile back, haha  ;o)

Hopefully there is a Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale soon!

9Lives

I found a package on my porch today from My Blog Spark! 

I opened it to find some goodies for His Royal Highness, Jack. 

My Blog Spark was gracious enough to send me a bag of 9 Lives cat food for him to try out, a cute little food scooper, a few toys, picture frame magnets, and two coupons!  Keep reading for a giveaway!! :o)

9Lives® wants pet parents to know they can feed their cats the food they love while providing them the nutrition they need with the 9Lives Advanced Nutrient System, which is sure to help keep your cat –and your budget – happy.

Did you know, a survey of feline pet parents across the country commissioned by 9Lives found that 94 percent of cat owners are confident they feed their felines the most nutritious meals possible. However, nearly half (48 percent) admit they’ve fed their cats table scraps – which do not provide the essential nutrients cats need – an average seven times per month. Additionally, only 30 percent know that giving your cat milk may not be a healthy practice due to the common incidence of lactose intolerance in adult cats.1  I don't give our cat milk, but I must admit that I did not know that! 

Additional findings include:

• 23% of American pet parents think it’s beneficial to keep their cats on a purely vegetarian diet, while actually it may be harmful.2
• There are a number of foods that feline parents assume are healthy for cats, but are actually not advantageous to their health including root vegetables (73%), green tomatoes (54%), and raw potatoes (50%)3

1http://www.emersonanimalhospital.com/538169.html
2Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press, 2006.
3http://www.vetpetmd.com

In an effort to educate pet parents about the common misperceptions of proper feline nutrition, 9Lives is committed to raising awareness to this issue by providing advanced nutrition for all cats. With the 9Lives Advanced Nutrient System, feline parents everywhere can rest assured knowing their cats are getting the essential nutrients they need to help promote healthy skin and coat, strong muscle growth and a healthy immune system among other benefits.

Check out http://www.9lives.com/ for more feline nutritional information, and I recommend signing up for their newsletter to recieve information on promotions and coupons!



Would you like a chance to win a prize pack for your feline friend? 

Leave a comment and let me know your cat's name! :o) 

I will leave this giveaway open until Friday at 8pm.  Any comments after that will not count.  Make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you and get your information so My Blog Spark can send you your prize pack.

Good luck!

Yayyy, I won!

Thank you to She Saved for hosting this giveaway!  I won five coupons for free International Delight coffee creamer.  We *love* International Delight so my husband and I were excited to get these in the mail. 

Christmas shopping!

I just got three months of free Amazon Prime so I was browsing to see what was on sale, and I found a big PJ Sparkles play set for $6.99!  Then, I figured I'd better find another one to make it even and found another one for $11.99 (it's been marked up to $16.99 now).  A little more than I wanted to pay but they were still free to me because I used Amazon GiftCards that I got for doing surveys! ;o)

I also added on four of those little Dover sticker books because the girls love them.  If you order four you get four for the price of three too.

After my gift cards I paid .80 for all!  I can live with that. :o)

Woot...Disney store is offering free shipping today, with code FREESHIP, and they have a lot marked down (check the outlet category too!). Just picked up four things for Christmas, for $20...before sale prices (even with free shipping)? My total would have been $50.

I am slowly making a dent in my Christmas shopping.  Last year I was more or less done by now thanks to Kmart's 50% off clearance toy sale.  I heard they were doing that this year but I wasn't able to make it over to check it out.  I have been shopping all year long of course, but I do still have a bit more to do.  I am not sure I will make it to spending $100 total between my two girls this year like I was able to last year (we'll see!  I need to add up what I've already spent), but at least it will be spread out and not "bam" all at once.  :o)

Walgreens:

2 Trident - $1/ea...used a $1/2 store coupon and a $1/2 mfr coupon = both free
1 Carmex - $2.  Got a $2 Register Reward.

Paid $2.

1 Charmin - $2.99 with In Ad coupon.  Used a $1 mfr coupon. 
2 Toy Story coloring books - $1/2
2 Trident - $1/ea, used a $1/2 store coupon and $1/2 mfr coupon. = free

Used the $2 RR, paid $1 and tax.

Sooooo $3 plus tax for Charmin, two coloring books, chapstick, and 4 packs of gum.  Not too bad, better than just paying $3 for the TP, lol.  :o)

I decided I'd try my hand at Rite Aid and see if I can handle adding them to my weekly routine, lol.  I am thinking I like CVS better, but that's just because I am not used to Rite Aid yet.  I'm sure I will get the hang of it and be able to make it work for me if I keep at it.

I had a few more items worked out for my plan, but I ended up having to get a few rain checks. 

I did three transactions.

T1:

• Pantene - $4.  Used a $2 coupon.  Paid $2.12, got back $2 UP reward.

T2:

• Nivea for Men - $3.  Used a $1 coupon, and the $2 UP reward from T1.  Paid $0, got back another $2 UP reward.

T3: 

• 2 Diet Pepsi - $1.59 each.  Used a Buy 1 Get 1 Rite Aid coupon and a Buy 1 Get 1 manufacturers coupon.  This was supposed to be Pepsi Max but they were out of stock.  The cashier felt bad they were out of stock on so many other items I had wanted to purchase she just said get whatever Pepsi.  The coupons didn't beep though.
• 1 Nivea Lip Care - $2.99.  Used a $1 coupon.  $1.99. 
• 1 Reese's - .88  ...purchased because I was one cent short to use my $2 UP reward...I guess they don't adjust those down the way CVS will.  Next time I will be prepared to make sure my total isn't too low.  Though, it wouldn't have been if they'd had everything I wanted, lol.

Used my $2 UP reward.  Paid .89, got a $1 UP reward, and will be getting back $1.99 in a Single Check Rebate for the Nivea. 



All in all, not too bad I guess, $3.01 out of pocket for all of the above (value of $10.04), but still have a $1 reward and $1.99 coming back to me for the rebate.