Recent Deals

March was a pretty bad month for the budget - for some reason we were way over in most every category.  But I'm determined to do better this month and so far, I've been finding pretty good deals.  Here are a few from my past few shopping trips:

From the week of March 28

Wisk ($8.39) B1G1 free
- 2 $2/1 coupons
-$2 ECB
=$2.56 for 2 (or $1.28 each)

Oral B toothbrushes ($2.99)
-2 $1/1 coupons
-$1.50 ECB
=$2.48 for 2 (or $1.24 each)

From the week of April 4

Kandoo Toddler Wipes ($1.42)
-$1/1 coupon
=$0.42

Raid Ant Traps ($2.49)
-$2/1 coupon
=$0.49

From the week of April 4

Pepperidge Farm cookies ($3.49) B1G1 free
-$1/2 coupon
-$1 Giant doubler coupon
=$1.49 for 2 (or $0.75 each)

DeerPark water, 24-pack ($3.99)
on sale for $2.99 with Bonuscard
-$1/1 coupon
-$1 Giant doubler coupon
=$0.99

MinuteMaid orange juice ($2.50)
-$1/1 coupon
-$1/1 Giant doubler coupon
=$0.50

I love when Giant gives the extra $1 doublers!  It really does make a difference.  And thanks to a dear friend who gave me her coupons too, I saved an extra $8 this week between two trips.

Granola & Galoshes

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" 
Psalm 34:8

The other day Noah and I went to Trader Joe's for the first time.  I had had some of their very yummy granola at my sister-in-law's house while we were visiting California, and I was hoping to pick up some for myself.  I was even  prepared to pay a little bit extra for it - it was that good.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a larger box for less than my usual generic grocery store brand.  I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast the past few days.  I know, the little things. . .

Even before we went to California (and first tasted the yummy granola), I had been looking for galoshes for Noah.  This has been almost a month-long search now - consignment sales, department stores, shoe stores, Craig's List. . . you name it.  No one seemed to have decent-looking galoshes in the size I needed for the price I was willing to pay.

I was just about to give up hope of ever letting my son play outside this spring, when I was visiting a dear friend's house and she pulled out a tub of things her kids had outgrown and asked me if I wanted anything for Noah.  In the very bottom of the tub was a pair of red, size 8 galoshes!  Noah and I were so excited that we walked home from her house through the yard, just so we could look for mud puddles to jump in!  I guess I need a pair of galoshes now too!

God is good, and He cares about the "little things" that we eat and wear just as much (and more) than we do.  He richly provides us everything to enjoy (I Timothy 6:17), even granola and galoshes.

Another Ordinary Miracle

"I will give thanks to You because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this." Ps. 139:14 (GWT)

Jeremy and I are happy to announce that we're expecting our second child.  Baby #2 is due September 22.  The above ultrasound picture is from our 8-week appointment, where everything checked out just fine.

I was reminded that even what's considered "normal" in the world of pregnancy and "fetal development" is a miracle from God.  The fact that we can conceive naturally (and rather quickly!) is a miracle.  The fact that our baby is now the size of a kumquat with fingernails and "hair" already is a miracle!  It may be ordinary compared to some people's experiences, but it's still miraculous.

Happy Valentine's Day!

From my sweet boys  :)

It's A Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. . .

. . . even without brown sugar.

It's been snowing most of the day, with much more forecasted for tonight.  It took me almost 45 minutes to drive the 6 miles to work because of the snow.  And my son has been full of whines, pouts and "no"s all day.  So, yes, chocolate chip cookies sounded like a good "pick me up."

Only after I started mixing the batter did I realize that I was out of brown sugar.  Grrr!  But Betty Crocker came to my rescue and told me I could substitute white sugar and molasses.  Cookies saved! And they turned out pretty well, all things considered.  They seem a little darker and sweeter than normal, but they definitely hit the spot.  Here's my recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookies
makes about 4 dozen

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar (OR 3/4 granulated sugar and 1 1/2 T molasses)
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 oz (1 bag) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.  Beat sugars, butter, vanilla and egg until creamy.  Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.  Sitr in chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Cool 1-2 minutes and remove to wire rack.

Deals - January 24

I had another good week of grocery shopping - saving over $18 at Giant (about 43%).  I only saved $7.50 at Walmart (about 27%), because I got "caught" and ran out of a few things that we had to have.  Yes, well.  My goal is to not shop again this month, which would bring me $5.22 under my goal for January.  I'm off to a good start!

Scotch Brite sponges (4)
$.84/each
-(2) $1/2
=$1.36/4 (or $.34 each)

Old Spice 
$4/2-pack deodorant
$3.50/1 body wash
-B1G1 free
=$4 for all 3

Purina Cat Chow (3)
 $3.89 each
-$2/2
-$3 off instantly
=$6.67/3 (or $2.23 each)

Pillsbury brownie mix (2)
$1 each
-$1/1
=$1/2 (or $.50 each)

I also used the coupon for a free gallon of milk that I got last week.  The milk cost $3.38, but the coupon rang up as the maximum value of $4.50!  What a blessing!

Deals - January 17

I did pretty well this week on both toiletries and groceries.  I saved almost $16 at CVS (about 60%) and over $35 at Giant (about 36%).  Here are some of the deals I found:


 






Dawn dish soap (3)
$.97/each
-$1/2
-$.20/1
=$1.71/3 (or $.57 each)

Bounty paper towels
$9.99/8-pack
-$1/1
-$3/1 (CVS coupon)
-$3 ECB
=$2.99 (about .37/roll)

General Mills cereal (4)
 $2.59 each
-$1/3
-$.55/1 (doubled)
-$6 off total purchase instantly
=$2.36/4 (or $.59 each)
plus I got a catalina for a free gallon of milk with my next purchase!

Quaker oatmeal (2)
2 for $5
-$1/1 (2)
=$3/2 (or $1.50 each)

McCormick pepper grinder
$2
-$.75/1 (doubled)
=$.50

Progresso soup (4)
$1 each
-$1/4
=$3/4 (or .75 each)

Prego sauce (2)
3 for $5
-$.35/2 (doubled)
=$2.63 (or $1.32 each)