Random Ramblings

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Fun Shopping Trip

The kids and I stayed home all day today, so I went to do some errands after they were in bed. It was good to get out of the house and get some deals, and I even made it home just before it started pouring.

#1 - CVS

I got -
4 boxes Throat Coolers
2 bottles Infants Motrin
1 Garnier styling product
2 packages Stayfree pads
2 rolls Mentos (added because my total was in the negative)

I spent $.21 (my subtotal was -$.90) and saved $53.89. I also earned back more ECBs than I spent.

#2 - Target

I got -
A diaper bag on clearance (I have 2 that are way past their prime. One is ripped and one has lost the changing pad)
2 boxes Electrasol - $.75 each

#3 - Walgreens

I got -
3 Garnier products (I was going to get 4, but she made up a limit of three. The cashier said I could get the other one in another transaction, but I decided that was too much of a pain.)
3 Ben and Jerry's ice creams ('cause we really needed more)
1 box Puffs

I paid $0 out of pocket (I used a Walgreens gift card to pay the $1.39 I owed), and I saved $25.35.

#4 - Publix

I got -
5 Lean Cuisine meals $6.15 total for all 5
2 boxes Savorings - $.90 each
1 Sorrento cheese sticks - $2.00
1 Laughing Cow cheese - $1.94

My total was $12.23, and I saved $19.92.

This is What Happens When Mommy Plays Trains

I built this nice train track for the kids this morning, so I decided to get my camera and take a picture of it. Only when I was taking the picture did I notice a problem. Do you see it? There is a 4 way track with pieces only coming out of three sides. Any train that falls will certainly face destruction. Oops! This is why I normally leave the track building up to Daddy or Uncle Phillip.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Savings at Walgreens and Publix

It is definitely time for me to get back to sticking to my grocery budget after the holidays! There were 5 coupon inserts in this week's paper, so those should help me get started. Here's the shopping we did today.

Walgreens -

4 bottles Garnier shampoo and conditioner
1 Garnier hairspray
1 Garnier mousse
1 Reynold Wrap
1 Electrasol gel pacs
3 Ben and Jerry ice creams

My total was $2.44, and my savings was $42.25, which is 95% savings. I will be getting back a $1.65 rebate for the Electrasol. I completely forgot to pay with my Walgreens gift card, or I could have done even better!

Publix -

In case you were wondering if I ever buy fresh produce, the answer is yes. Although we do eat a lot of frozen vegetables and fruit as well. I still managed to save 64% even though I bought several produce items without coupons. Here's the breakdown. I spent $8.05 and saved $14.14.

1 box Publix Frosted Flakes - $.01
4 boxes Betty Crocker potatoes - $.10 each
2 cartons blackberries - $1.29 each
1 lb carrots - $.89
1 jar minced garlic - $1.99
2 boxes Kelloggs pop tarts - $.10 each

Check out Fiddledeedee for more savings at Publix.

Menu Plan Monday

Here's what we are eating this week -

Tonight - Chicken picatta, angel hair pasta, steamed carrots, salad
Tuesday - Pork tenderloin, rice, mixed vegetables
Wednesday - Homemade chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit
Thursday - Hamburgers/hotdogs, fries, applesauce
Friday - Bird's Eye Voila Meal, cheesy garlic bread
Saturday - Homemade pizza
Sunday - Lunch at Molly's house

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Yummy Snack Idea

For lack of anything better to blog about, I'll share with you a yummy snack idea that we are feasting on at Molly's house right now. Take Triscuit crackers (I just use Aldi brand knock offs), top with small square slices of mozzarella cheese, and then top each cracker with a slice of pepperoni. Microwave on a plate for 20-30 seconds until warm. Yum, yum! And before Dave beats me to it, I must admit that he is the one who gave me the idea for this snack.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Yet Another Caleb Funny and a Silly Little Girl

This morning while I was getting Caleb dressed, I told him that I needed to cut his toenails before I put his socks on. He replied, "Mommy, I need to cut my hand nails, too. My hand nails a mess!" Too funny!

This afternoon while I was gone taking Dave's parents to the airport, he set up a train track for the kids using the new pieces they got from Oma and Opa for Christmas. Later on, this is how Alexa was attired while playing with trains.