Coupon Adventures Week #4

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

As I began my 4^thweek as a ‘Couponer’ (I guess I could be classified as one now, right?) a few things were running through my head. On the positive end, I felt like I had established a routine regarding finding and storing coupons, looking through sale ads, matching coupons to sale items, and creating my shopping list. On the opposite end of positive, (That means negative, in case you weren’t sure.) since I began this journey I have strived to spend less than $100.00 at Meijer. My husband and I have a running joke that spending at least $100.00 is a requirement at Meijer. So far I have yet to reach this goal. I have tried couponing because I want to save money and it doesn’t seem to me that I am saving money. If I look at my receipts I am able to see the‘savings’, but I’m quite seeing the savings that I’m looking for. I have to be honest I was thinking that this may all be a waste, until I completed my transaction at Meijer and saw my total came to $90.90! ~SUCCESS! ~ I spent less than $100.00 at Meijer!

I ran across a few new things this week that I would like to caution you about. First of all, I found it very helpful to have the store ads with me while shopping. It was also helpful to have the items I intended on purchasing circled (I was able to quickly find items when needed) in the ads. Manufacturers use such similar adjectives (Such as Super pack or Mega pack on toilet paper) on their products that it can be confusing to determine which specific product is on sale. The cashier and managers were very friendly and helpful when mistakes were made. I was appreciative and impressed with the customer service at both Target and Marsh. Second, be sure to watch as the cashier scans your items. Just because items are on sale in the ads does not mean that they have been entered in the computer system. I was thankful to have my ad with me so I could quickly and easily show the cashier the advertised price. This situation was handled appropriately and corrected. Lastly, I found it helpful to estimate how much my total bill should be before going to the stores. Knowing the estimate helped to alert me that items rang up incorrectly.

Meijer:

Sale and Coupon items purchased:

Item:	Original Price:	Sale Price:	Coupon:	Savings:
Cereal	$3.99 (I bought 2 = $7.98)	3 for $10.00 ($3.33 each)	$1.00 on 2	$2.32
Hot Pockets	$2.24 (I bought 6 = $13.44)	5 for $10.00 ($2.00 each)	$1.00 on 6	$2.44
Freezer Bags	$2.59 (I bought 2 = $5.18)	2 for $4.00 ($2.00 each)	.75 on 2	$1.93
Sandwich Bags	$2.50 (I bought 2 = $5.00)	2 for $4.00 ($2.00 each)	.50 on 2 (coupon doubled)	$1.50
Deodorant	$4.09	$3.98	$1.00 on 1	$1.11
Smoked Sausage	$3.69	2 for $5.00 ($2.50 each)	.55 on 1	$1.74
Cookies	$2.49 (I bought 2 = $4.98)	2 for $4.00 ($2.00 each)	$1.00 off 2	$1.98
Fruit	$1.45 (I bought 2 = $2.90)	4 for $5.00 ($1.25 each)	.50 on 2 (coupon doubled)	.90
				Total Sale and Coupon items savings: $13.92

Sale Item Purchases:

Item:	Original Price:	Sale Price:	Savings:
Milk	$2.99 (I bought2 = $5.98)	2 for $5.00	.98
Salad	$2.99 (I bought 3 = $8.97)	3 for $5.00	$3.97
Pastry Treats	$1.79 (I bought 3 = $5.37)	3 for $5.00	.37
Apple Sauce	$1.79 (I bought 3 = $5.37)	3 for $5.00	.37
Fruit Cups	$2.00 (I bought 3 = $6.00)	3 for $5.00	$1.00
			Total Sale items savings: $6.69

Total Meijer Savings: $20.61

Marsh:

Sale and Coupon items purchased:

Item:	Original Price:	Sale Price:	Coupon:	Savings:
Bacon	$4.69	$3.69	.75	$1.75
Toaster Strudel	$2.95 (I bought 3 = $8.85)	2 for $4.00 (I bought 3 = $6.00)	.75 on 3	$3.60
Nature Valley Granola Bars	$4.19 (I bought 2 = $8.38)	4 for $10.00 (I bought 2 = $5.00)	.50 on 2	$3.88
Breakfast on the Go	$3.79 (I bought 3 = $11.37)	2 for $5.00 (I bought 3 = $7.50)	$1.00 on 1 $1.50 on 2	$6.37
				Total Sale and Coupon items savings: $15.60

Sale Item Purchases:

Item:	Original Price:	Sale Price:	Savings:
Bread	$3.19 (I bought 3 = $9.57)	Buy 1 get 2 free	$6.38
Chips	$4.29 (I bought 2 = $8.58)	Buy 1 get 1 free	$4.29
Juice Boxes	$2.59 (I bought 2 = $5.18)	$2.19 (I bought 2 = $4.38)	.80
			Total Sale items savings: $11.47

Total Marsh Savings: $27.07

Total Weekend Savings: $47.68

What I learned:

1. Bring the store ads with you. The sale prices do not always ring up correctly.

2. Read the fine print carefully on what specific item is on sale.

3. Have an estimate in mind of what your total bill should be when all is said and done.

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

 On my quest to try and conserve money I have come across another homemade cleaning product procedure . . . Homemade Dishwasher Detergent!

What to use:

Original Recipe

1 box of Borax

1 box of Washing Soda

3 cups of Epsom Salt

1 container of Lemi Shine

24 packages of lemon flavored drink

What I used

(The container I bought would not hold the whole recipe. Also I wanted to see how well I like the recipe before making a huge batch of it.)

½ of a box of Borax (I found this in the detergent aisle)

½ of a box of Washing Soda (I found this in the detergent aisle)

½ of a container of Lemi Shine (I found this in the dish detergenta aisle)

12 packages of lemon flavored drink

1 ½ cups of Epsom Salt (I found it in this in next the band aids in the first aid aisle)

An airtight container to keep it in.

An airtight container to keep it in.

The Process:

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Be careful with the Borax, inhaling the dust can be dangerous. Keep it away from children. Put it all in an airtight container. I added a hook to keep the measuring spoon on the outside of the container so I wouldn't have to fish for it in the soap. Use 1 Tablespoon per load. I have to be honest unloading the dishwasher is one of my least liked chores. I would rather do anything other than unload the dishwasher! I was super excited to unload the dishwasher after using this detergent for the first time. I couldn’t wait to see how it worked. I have only used this mix for 1 load, but I LOVE it! My dishes came out VERY clean and shiny. At this point I am not sure how many loads can be done with the batch I made. After I finish it I will update this post.

My Beginning

      
 I decided to write this Blog for a few reasons.  First of all, being a Mommy is one of the best tasks I have EVER embarked upon.  I would like to share Mommy tips that have worked in our house as well as receive tips that have worked in other homes.  Let’s face it kids don’t come with instructions and we could all use a little help now and again.  No one could have ever put into words; the joy, challenge, and feeling of pure unconditional love that come with being a parent.  I never imagined how one little boy would completely capture my heart and wrap me around his finger.  Not to mention little boy #2 managing to accomplish the same task and now finally, my most recent over taker, my sweet little girl joining her brothers in the Mommy overtaking.  Sometimes I wonder if they realize how much power they actually have over my husband and I.  If they ever figure it out I fear that we, my husband and I, will be done for!  I feel so totally blessed to be embarking upon this journey with my wonderful husband. He is not only head over heels in love with our 3 absolutely delightful (Well today I would describe them as delightful, but that changes from time to time if you know what I mean.) children, but he is also totally smitten with their Momma (me) as well.  In our home parenting can be described as a tag team sport.  There are days when all is right with the world and noting could be more perfect.  Then there are days when I feel as if I’m ready to throw the towel in and at that very moment, my Prince Charming is right there to slap me a high five and take over while I recuperate!          
 
                With all of that sappy stuff being said (Does anyone need a Kleenex now?) on to my next reason for ‘attempting’ to Blog.  I really enjoy making and creating things, especially things for my children and family.  So often I feel as if my job consumes my life and my children and family are set aside so that I can put other children’s needs in front of theirs.  You see, I am a teacher by day and a Mommy and wife by night.  Basically; I eat, sleep, and breathe CHILDREN!  The purpose of this is not to complain or seek sympathy.  The purpose is simply to set a foundation for my choice to Blog.  I have tried to utilize my love of crafting to create unique birthday parties for my children.  I believe that a birthday is a very important day.  Not only is it obviously the day that someone was brought into the world, but it is a time to show someone that you care about them and share with them how special they are.  It is one single day out a year when I strive to make an individual feel their importance.  On my children’s birthdays I strive to set extra time aside for them in hopes of making them realize how important and special they are.   I thought to myself birthdays are something I am passionate about why not share ideas that my children have enjoyed?

                I have a few other topics in mind as well, but I think it’s best to start our simply and add more as I grow more comfortable with Blogging.