O...M...G!

I really had absolutely NO idea how to explain my shopping trips today other than with a big, loud, "O...M....G!" I got to work this morning and my mom gave me maybe the coolest shopping news since I started this couponing experiment a little more than 18 months ago. Marsh, a local grocery store, was going to be tripling all coupons up to $1 this Friday-Monday. There were a few rules....1. Only 2 of the same coupon would triple. 2. No overages.


With that, I set my plan in action. I've been watching this Extreme Couponing show on TLC since it started and I've found it interesting that most of the people only have 10-20 actual items they buy, but the quantity is so out of control it's ridiculous. I am a single girl and I have no need for more than 5-10 of most items (yes I bought a couple hundred boxes of pasta for free, but I donated them so I don't count that!) so I don't consider any of my shopping trips to be extreme or over the top in the least.





I headed to Bargain Briana (my favorite for Marsh match ups) and looked up the best deals for the week. I printed and clipped what I needed to then headed to Marsh after work! This is my first transaction with about 20 minutes of planning and "winging it" at the store with the coupons I already had clipped in my coupon organizer.


This transaction includes 8 packages of hot dogs, 2 packages of breakfast burritos, 2 bottles of BBQ sauce, 2 bottles of salad dressing, 3 pasta sauces, 2 jamba smoothies, 2 pasta sides, 4 packages of gum, 2 tubs of lunch meat, 2 candybars, 2 dog treats, 2 packages of cheese, a lunchable, bacon, deoderant, sour cream, Helluva good dip, Mrs. Dash, 6 pack of popcorn, snack crackers, Franks red hot sauce, tortillas, chips, and Seventh Generation cleaner.


Total retail cost: $129.92
MFR Coupons Savings: $32.40
Bonus coupon savings: $62.85
Fresh idea savings: $24.49
Total savings of $119.74 (93%)


Total paid out of pocket: $10.18


I came home and went through all my coupons then decided to go back tonight because my mom had heard a cashier talking at another location about how they might end the promotion early because they were going broke! Duhhhh you gave me $62.85 in my first transaction...of course you're going broke! So I clipped from my newspaper coupons and back I went. Here is a picture of my 2nd trip.

This transaction includes 8 cans of Alpo, 4 Diet cokes, 4 packages of hot dogs, 2 buffalo wing sauces, 2 Worcestershire sauces, 2 packages of paper plates, 2 smoothies, 2 cottage cheese doubles, 2 tubs of lunch meat, 1 breakfast burrito package, 2 Asian sauces, ketchup, granola bards, 2 bags of chips, Tabasco, 2 salad dressings, fig newton cookies, instant cafe latte, laundry detergent, frebreeze, seventh generation cleaner, instant lunch, individual size pizza, dog treats, a Rubbermaid container, a thin crust pizza (not pictured...in my tummy :), and 2 packages of Aunt Millie's hot dog buns (not pictured).

Total retail value: $143.24
MFR coupon savings: $33.25

Bonus coupon savings: $64.69

Fresh idea savings: $27.67

Total savings of: $125.61 (88%)

Total out of pocket cost: $17.63

Total from both transactions: $27.81

HOLY COW!!!! This is by far and away the best and most extreme shopping trip I have ever had. I did get a lot of hot dogs, but about 3/4 of them are already in the freezer so I can enjoy them throughout the summer and fall. I got all 12 packages of them for free so you can't beat that for summer grilling and cookouts! I am going to go over my grocery budget for the month by about $5, but that is more than ok with me to get this many items for dirt cheap prices!

How Much Can I Save in a Year-April Update

Well my April update is a little late, but here goes nothing! I actually took the month off from a lot of shopping because I did an eat from the pantry challenge. I spent $10 a week and just got fresh foods or dairy products. I went over by $2.18 one week, but overall I did save money quite a bit by using up some of the pantry. I pretty much only bought extra things if I could get them for free or under $0.25 each. With as much working as I was doing after my actual job (reffing and coaching), I did find myself picking up dinner out a little more often which sucked so I am going to try to work at that a little better this month. So far, I have only been out to dinner twice in May and have cooked at home the other nights. It's my hope that I will be able to keep this up despite my busy schedule this month.


Here is what I got in April for free or less than $0.25!




6 pouches of Starkist Tuna-$1.00 each- (6) $.50 coupons (double)=6 free

Seventh Generation paper towels- $.89 on clearance-$1 coupon= FREE + .11 overage

Suave deodorant $1.06-.50 coupon (doubles)=$.06

2 tubes of Crest toothpaste-$1.00 each-(2) .50 coupons=2 FREE


2 Reach toothbrushes $1.00 each- $2/2 coupon=2 FREE

3 Reach floss-$1.00 each- (3) $1/1 coupons=3 FREE

Vasaline Sheer Infusion lotion-$1 on clearance-$1/1 coupon=FREE

Head and shoulders trial size shampoo $.97-$1/1 coupon=FREE


Degree deodorant $.97-$1/1 coupon=FREE

Heinz ketchup $1.99-$2/1 coupon=FREE

Grey Poupon $1.12 on clearance-$.50/1 coupon (doubles)=$.12



Well that's it for now. I promise I will get back to posting a lot more once school gets out in 10 days!

Murphy pays a visit

Well it has certainly been awhile since I last posted. As much as I hate to admit it, things have been a frenzy around here and I have had very little free time to find awesome deals and even more so to post. First an update: Job is going great! Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. In the one month since my last post, things have completely broken around my home! I blame that crazy guy named Murphy...him and his crazy laws. First my water heater needed to be replaced because my water pressure and hot water production was ummmm zero....cold showers are NOT fun! Murphy hit #1. Then we had some thunderstorms roll through one Sunday night in late February...weird I know, but they took out the motherboard on my refrigerator. Murphy hit #2. And now I patiently await Murphy hit #3....hoping so very much I can fool the sucker into only getting me twice. It has cost an arm and a leg, but what do you do? You thank Dave Ramsey for instilling the "emergency fund" idea into your head...or at least that is what I am doing! My emergency fund is pretty pathetic until I can ref some more soccer games to pad it back up so I'm hoping Murphy gives me a bit of time to recover! Has Murphy hit anyone else lately?

And now for some FANTASTIC DEALS I've gotten lately! I had some great luck this week at Kroger with a ton of free products after sale, $5 off instantly with the purchase of 10 items, and coupons. Don't believe me....see for yourself :)

There are 30 boxes of free pasta and 8 cans of Red Gold tomatoes. All were completely and utterly free. They are on sale yet again this coming week so I plan to return to Kroger to get about 30 more. You are probably thinking I am sounding like those INSANE people off the "Extreme Couponing" show on TLC because I plan to buy 60 boxes of pasta (but they're free right...)

I promise you that as absolutely extreme as it sounds, I have a plan for all that al dente goodness. Here it goes:

20 boxes of various pasta saved for me in my Ikea containers in the pantry-check out a pic of my pantry with the containers here

10 boxes of various pasta for my sister who is a poor college student at Butler (GO DAWGS!!!)

10 boxes of various pasta given to my best friend and her husband

20 boxes to the food shelter at another friend's church

One thing I have discovered about myself lately is how powerful this tool of couponing can be. I have taught co-workers about it and I feel blessed that I am sharing my knowledge with others. I told one of my co-workers today about the free pasta deal at Kroger. She is a struggling single mother of two teenagers who works 2 jobs to support them because she does not want to take federal assistance. She got insanely excited to find out about a deal like this and thanked me multiple times for telling her all about it. I told her where to find the coupons and explained the details of the deal. Now not only is this knowledge feeding me, my sister, my best friend's family, and some people who will receive the food at the food bank, it is benefiting a single mother and her family. She will more than likely share the deal with her friends as well. It is our own little version of pay it forward. I love the power of people, ideas, and frugality on our society. I am truly blessed to have found this way of life and how much it has taught me about being a wise steward of what we're given! In what ways do you feel blessed to have the knowledge and power of frugality?

Cha-cha-cha-changes

Well there is much to say....I haven't posted because I have been swamped with work. I was presented with a fantastic opportunity at work that both inspires me and breaks my heart all at the same time. First let me give you a little background. There are some people who never really know what they are meant to do with their lives. For me, it became clear as glass for me my sophomore year of college while doing my teaching observation hours at Fern Creek Elementary in an EBD self contained classroom (emotional/behavioral disorders). That scatterbrained, impatient, crazy, irresponsible girl I was at 19 became the calm, cool, and collected woman I had been striving to become as an educator. I had found my calling. I was fortunate to be able to student teach in the same classroom. I left Louisville for Indianapolis after graduation and was offered a position at the high school I graduated from. I had NEVER worked a day in a high school prior to my first day of teaching and was totally outside my comfort zone, yet I found myself returning to the calm, cool, collected educator I hoped to be. At the end of my first year (where I was co-teaching), I found myself becoming scatterbrained and impatient because I was bored and unchallenged. That summer my boss approached my friend Meghan and I to start an alternative program for at risk drop outs to get them back on track. These were rough kids that most people had given up on and we were able to design a program to make it happen. I felt creative again...I was outside of my comfort zone....and most of all I felt calm and at peace with it all. The program was a success and I will be able to sit at graduation next year and actually see "the originals" (as they call themselves) walk across the stage to get their high school diplomas. I was RIFed and after a long drawn out process was given my job as the alternative teacher back for this year, although instead of splitting it with Meghan (she went to a job share) I'd be on my own. Once again I spent my time tweaking the program from last year as needed to meet the needs of the kids. Once again the program was effective and kids who had never been motivated to do well in school were being successful. Then last week, I was told I would be moving to the ED classroom because the teacher possibly being out for the rest of the year. I would be leaving my kids effective the day after....

This was the first time in my teaching career that I had ever been genuinely scared. Not for the new classroom or the new kids, but for what I knew would happen when I left my kids in the alternative program. I got donuts for the kids on Friday, cried when I told them, and spent the rest of the day playing basketball in the gym with them. I was not ok with this at first...I was upset...I mean like didn't-sleep-for-days-cried-through-two-boxes-of-tissue-could-hardly-eat upset. I made a plan of action, like the responsible girl I am should do, yet in my heart I knew only time could make my heart stop hurting. I was both excited about the new challenge and scared for my alternative kids to feel abandoned by yet another teacher. I didn't want them to feel like that and certainly not because of me. I spent last weekend buying up supplies and getting the classroom ready. By Sunday night, I was physically and emotionally drained. I walked into school on Monday ready to face this new challenge. The first week was pretty good. I missed my old kids for sure yet I also knew I couldn't focus on that or I'd be a mess. I am loving how well the students listen and how receptive they've been to the change. I'm blessed to be presented with this opportunity, yet its the first time I haven't been calm, cool, and collected about change. I'm almost there...and until I am fully there....God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

So until things slow down, I probably won't post much because things are a tad bit crazy. I hope to be back to it asap. Thanks for your prayers lately. I've definitely needed all the help I can get.

Prayer request

Dear Blogging Friends,
I am in need of some serious prayers right now. I have been presented with a wonderful opportunity and will not know for several weeks if it will actually happen. I can't share many details now, but this is something that would give me the opportunity to impact some young people in a very positive way. I am praying that God will allow this to happen as I can imagine it and I am hoping that your prayers will help too. You all have taught me so much over the past year about myself and the power of the Lord. Please keep me in your prayers as I take these new steps toward a great experience. Pray that the Lord moves the heart of others to allow me to positively impact the lives of some amazing young women.
Love and thanks,
Kels

Ice Ice Baby

It has been an interesting week here in Indy! We are covered in ICE!!!! About 2-6 inches of ice has completely covered every surface in sight...which also means snow/ice days. We've been off school since Monday!! Although I am excited to have this unexpected vacation for my birthday, I am also starting to get stir crazy! I'm hoping to be able to go out tonight with my family for my birthday dinner at Ruby Tuesday's (SALAD BAR....HOLLA!!!!).

On to the real reason I am posting from inside my ice shelter...savings! I am one of the intelligent people who made the decision to go to the grocery store the weekend prior to what is being called Snowmagedon 2011...instead of the night before. I have weeks worth of food and a good most of it I got for free or under $1 thanks to some great sales at Kroger and coupons. I am linking up with Cait @theblessedlife to participate in her How much can I save in a year link up. I do not have the kind of planning or patience to be able to calculate how much I can save in a year....needless to say my response of "a lot" will suffice for the time being. I will however be participating every month by posting some of the best deals I've gotten for the month and a savings tip I find valuable. So here goes January!

All of these were part of the Mega Event Sale that gave you $5 off instantly when you bought 10 items (You must by in sets of 10....I bought 20)

(9) Honest Tea $.75 each- (9) $.50/1 coupons (my store doubles)=9 free +$2.25 overage

(2) Birdseye Steamfresh veggies -$1.49 each-$.50/2 coupon (doubled)=$.99 each

(1) Lean Pockets $1.60-$.50/1 coupon (doubles)=$.60 each

Silk Pure Almond Milk $1.99-$1/1 coupon=$.99

(3) Kraft 2% Milk Singles $1.49 each- (3) $1/1 coupons=$.49 each

Other sales

Wholey Guacamole $1.99-$1/1 coupon=$.99

(2) Helper products (chicken and hamburger) $1 each - (2) $.50/1 coupons (double)=2 FREE

(3) Tyson Anytizers $5.99 each -(3) $1/1 coupons=$4.99 each (Thats a $5 savings each off regular price!)

(9) Yoplait yogurts $.50 each -(2) $.50/4 coupons (double) and (1) Free cup coupon=about $.22 a cup

Plus: Free chocolate milk WYB Gallon of white milk

Ok now for a savings tip from the single girl. In order to maximize my budget at the grocery, I only buy marked down meat or poultry (or extremely good sales). In August, I found ground beef on markdown for about $.50/lb. What a great price! So I bought 20 lbs of it....$10. I came home and broke it up into 3 different size packages (1/2 lb, 3/4 lb, and 1 lb). I just finished my last package last week. I do the same with chicken and pork too. A few weeks ago I found boneless chicken thighs marked down to $.75/lb. I bought 5 packages for about $10. Just think of the stews, soups, and baked chicken dishes I can make with these. Yes I can't always predict what meat is going to be marked down, but I can plan all my meals around it. I might go a couple dollars over my grocery budget, but like the ground beef, I won't have to buy it again for several months. That kind of savings really adds up for me over the long run! It has allowed me to cut my grocery budget down to $10 or less some weeks. I am also planning on trying to spend $40 for the month of March by using stockpile stuff up and only buying fresh produce and dairy products. Hopefully I'll be able to do it!

Birthday freebies

Well lovely blogging friends, this is the week...the week of my quarter life crisis! On Thursday, I will be the ripe old age of 25. In preparation for this new step into the next quarter of my life, I figured I would share some of the best birthday freebies I have found so far! Some of these are new and some of them I have been signed up for for years!


Fazolis-free desert coupon

O'Charley's- free app for joining, special offer on your birthday

Houlihan's-free app for joining, free entree on your birthday

Macaroni Grill-free chocolate cake

Dunkin Donuts-free medium coffee on your birthday

Starbucks- free drink on your birthday when you register a giftcard

Papa Murphy's-free cookie dough for the month of your birthday

Red Robin-free burger

BD's Mongolian BBQ-not sure what this will be this year but it was free dinner last year

Ruby Tuesdays-free handcrafted burger

Red Lobster-special offer for your birthday

Quiznos-free cookie on your birthday

Arby's-free offer on your birthday

Chilis-free dessert on your birthday

I hope you get to sign up and enjoy some of these freebies when your birthday comes around. Let me know if you've found any other great freebies for birthdays lately!