CVS Shopping Trip: Check your Receipt!

Several months ago, my husband had some serious health issues.  He has heart problems and will probably have to have a transplant at some point in the future.  Anyway... this meant that my time to hunt and clip coupons went to the back burner while I just tried to keep things going with the him, work, and my family. He's been doing better now since before Christmas, so I've restarted my binder (see binder setup in January, 2012 blog).  I sure hated throwing out all those expired and unused coupons!!!  But the New Year is a good time to reboot.  I did my first shopping trip this past weekend and saved over 25%.  Not great by extreme couponing standards, but HEY, it's 25% that I was able to keep to pay other bills! More on that at the end.

An old high school friend just contacted me with the idea of starting a monthly meeting of local couponers to exchange extra coupons we do not use.  I love this idea and will let you know how it goes.

As for this past weekend's coupon/reward adventure, my one lesson to pass along is to CHECK YOUR RECEIPT AFTER EACH TRANSACTION!  I was shopping the ExtraBucks deals at CVS.  They had a Proctor & Gamble deal where after you spent a certain amount on PG products, you got $10 EB that you could apply to other purchases.  There was also one for Pepsi/Mars products for $10 EBs.  In the case of BOTH DEALS for some reason the register did not record the correct totals for those products and showed on the receipt that I still needed to purchase more items to get the deal, while if you compared the circular and the receipt, I had clearly met the requirements with the types/sizes/amount of products.  Luckily the store wasn't busy and and the cashier was lovely.  In the case of THREE transactions she had to call over the manager and override the register to make it print out my coupons for $10 EBs that I need to pay for my items in the fourth transaction.  She was extremely nice and understanding as was the manager.  YEA CVS!!!

P.S. - Although my CVS store was not very busy, I made sure to let other customers with smaller transactions go ahead of me before each of my transactions.  Please practice this courtesy if whatever store you are at has limited registers open.  Taking up a register for long periods of time while you get your coupons/deals straight is frustrating for others who may complain to management.  This can cause stores to change coupon/deal rules.  Don't be the obnoxious couponer.  I guess coupon/deal manners may be a good blog for the near future.

Have a Great 2013!

Well, it's been just over a year since I started my blog and I certainly haven't been doing a great job of keeping things up.  It's just been a really crazy year with changing schools and my husband's health.  As the blog is more for myself than anyone else, I guess it isn't any great catastrophe.... but I do plan to do better this year.

I'm really looking forward to 2013 and hoping for great things or at least better things!  I have next week free other than some things that I have to do for work and cleaning around the house so I will try to get something up.

For Christmas this year, most of my presents for friends and family were terrariums that I made.  I think I'll do a blog on that with instructions, pictures, and such.  They are great to use in classes as well, so I can include some lesson ideas.

2013 will be here in just a few hours.  I hope everyone has a safe and happy time tonight and a beautiful start to the New Year tomorrow!  See you next year!!!

First they came for...

When I consider whether or not a cause is important enough for me to support, I often think of the above quote by Pastor Martin Niehmoller. He was a Protestant clergyman in Germany during the early days of the Nazi government in the 1930s. He initially supported Hitler because his mother did, but later actively opposed the Nazis. He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1937 and sent to the Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps. Allied forces liberated him at the end of World War II.

The background of the picture above is of the American Cemetery at Henri-Chappelle, Belgium.  It is where my uncle who died fighting the Nazis is buried. He was shot and died just after the battle of the bulge and not long before the end of the war.  He and many others DID stand up so that we could fight this awful evil.  Isn't it better to fight prejudice and bigotry BEFORE people have to die for it in wars? Whether or not our religious or political beliefs agree with something it is never a reason to support denying the human and civil rights of others.

Staples new teacher policy...

Teachers (specifically) have recently been notified of Staples new policy regarding limits on purchases during their special back to school sales.  Little Miss Kindergarten's blog explains the issue and why it is a problem here: http://littlemisskindergarten.blogspot.com/2012/06/dear-staples.html?m=0

I and some other have been posting on Staples Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/staples to find out more about this policy.  We would be more than happy to provide ID proving we are teachers so that we know we are not just crazy deal people looking to clear the shelves or something and hoarding the materials.  We really need those items for our classrooms. We are not asking for anything free, we simply wish them to continue letting teachers purchase more than 5 of each deal as they did last year during these sales.  Many of us teach in poor districts and need classroom sets of things that in other schools the students or school supplies. We do not mind paying out of our pockets or searching out deals.  We just feel it was offensive to single out teachers in this case.

Life and science gets in the way...

I've felt incredibly guilty for not keeping up my blog after so short a time posting. Being a teacher, sometimes things just get too busy doing much other than planning lessons, setting up labs, grading, and trying to keep the family going. This year I had to prep for 3 different subjects spread over 6 classes and it was just kind of crazy at times.  I LOVE teaching, but at times it is a whirlwind!  Anyway, I hope that over this summer I can get back in the hang of blogging. I'm teaching summer school for a bit, but that isn't as crazy. *lol*  Anyway, until the next update I wanted to share a favorite Jane Goodall quote.  Teaching science is definitely my passion, and I love passing it on to all my students, but particularly to girls.  Girl science geeks are the best!

Couponing: Value Minded Resolution

My Resolution:  Use coupons on every grocery and health item shopping trip possible.  Around Thanksgiving I started gearing up to take a serious stab at couponing. I already have my binder started and have made a couple of test runs as I learned the finer points. They were very successful, so I intend to really focus on it this and report it here.  I don't intend to make this blog just about couponing in 2012, but I will include it as a feature.

These are some links that might help you if you want to get started with couponing or even if you already do it some:

"How to Organize Your Coupon Binder" (Krazy Coupon Lady, Heather Wheeler) NOTE: Instead of buying my binder and inserts, I lucked up on one at a yard sale where the guy was getting rid of his baseball card collection. Anyone into baseball cards? I have some from the 80's to go to a good home.  This is a picture of my binder.  I organize by sections in the grocery store.  Canned goods and dry goods first and moving to produce, meat, dairy, and frozen goods last since that is how I shop.  Here is a picture of my binder:

BEWARE of Coupon Clipping Services! If you're getting coupons just from newspapers or from some of the legitimate coupons online (which are free) and from manufacture websites, you are fine.. but don't pay for coupons! It is against the policy of coupon makers to sell coupons.  Watch here if you are interested:

This is one of the online coupon websites that is good:  http://www.shopathome.com/

Also, many local newspapers now over some of their coupons from the inserts online as well.  This one is from my local newspaper: http://www2.scnow.com/coupons/ and the online version of our paper also recommends http://www.dealtaker.com/ which has deals, promotions, etc. as well as coupons.

Turkey Noodle Soup

Sick of turkey but want to stretch it's value? A turkey leftover from the holidays makes a TON of this soup.  I usually put away several quarts in the freezer so that we can enjoy it throughout the winter once our feeling of turkey overload has passed.

Even once you think you've cut all the left over meat from your turkey and there isn't anymore you can do with that big bunch of bones, turkey noodle soup can stretch that holiday bird a lot further.  This can also be easily done with a leftover roast chicken.

• Place your leftover bird (bones, skin, eat, neck and giblets if you saved them... all of it) in a large pot and add water.  You don't need to totally submerge it, 3/4 of the way is fine. 
• Add a teaspoon of salt and pepper as you like. 
• Add a chopped onion, celery, carrots, and a half a head of sliced cabbage.  These are going to add flavor (and vitamins!). 
• I usually add a bit of sage and garlic as well, but any spices are up to your personal taste and what you have available.

• Bring the pot to a boil and then turn it down to simmer until all the meat has fallen off the bones.  The length of time this will take will depend on the size of your bird but an hour isn't unusual.  Just keep an eye on it from time to time and add water if necessary. 
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool.  Pour it through a colander and place the liquid stock in the refrigerator. 
• At this time you can pick out the meat from what was collected in the colander and shred it.  More than likely you will have more than enough for your soup and some to set aside for turkey salad (like chicken salad).  This can be put in a freezer bag to use later if you are tired of turkey sandwiches.

• Your stock should have cooled enough that you can skim any excess fat from the top.  You can also strain the stock through cheese cloth or even coffee filters if you wish to clarify it further. 
• Return the stock to the pot and add your collected meat to it.  Bring it back to a boil and add any vegetables that you wish. 
• Add whatever vegetables you like. I once again add sliced carrots, celery, and thinly sliced cabbage.  Anyone that doesn't like cabbage never knows the cabbage is in there because it cooks down but it adds body to the flavor and vitamins.  They swear it helps a cold as much as any chicken soup. If you feel the flavor of your soup needs a little boost, add some Swanson's fat free chicken stock (They even have organic products!). 
• Once the carrots are tender, add your final seasoning and egg noodles.

"These are some of my favorite things"...

Who can argue with a $2 handpainted basket?! This is definitely one of my favorite things that I found recently.  The closest to it I could find online is a blue one on etsy for $12, but mine is larger and nicer.  A Saturday morning out with friends hitting the estate and garage sales can be so much fun and certainly saves a lot money when trying to decorate a new home.  This one is great in the bathroom but can be used in so many ways.

Support artists! This wonderful dragonfly platter is by pottery artist Robbie Bell. It is a present to myself for Christmas.  Robbie and I attended the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!) together and performed in the USC Marching Band. Never once did I have any idea that one day he'd create such wonderful things.  He now lives in Florida and owns The Speckled Dog Pottery.  Check out his website, I'm sure you'll find some of your own favorite things.  I also found this red colender and catch basin for a friend of mine that is an avid cook.  I love how the handles look like leather. Completely handmade and in this great red color for Christmas, I know she'll enjoy using it all year.

Being a "band kid" I had to include the fruit in the picture as well.  The band at the school where I teach sold great fruit this year to raise money. It cost only little more than what I could get at the store but the quality is better and I know it is going to a good cause. The kids also delivered the cases to my car. Works for me!  Being able to buy in bulk I was also able to make some fruit baskets as gifts for family. Supporting arts in the schools AND getting a good deal, THATS VALUE!

Under the platter is an awesome vintage cotton spread with fringe that I found at an estate sale this weekend. It was made by Concord Mills when they manufactured them in the US. The weight is great and a steal for $5.  This one was made in the 60's but is in perfect shape and the weight of it is just right. Bed Bath and Beyond has something similar for $75, but it is imported I like the feel of these older ones so much better.

Christmas dinner is almost here and I didn't have any serving pieces for the table since all of that went up in smoke.  I was lucky to find some cut glass and crystal at the estate sale too.  The two bowls in the front of the picture below were $2 each.  The other pieces I picked up at other sales the past few weeks.  The prices ranged from 0.50 cents to $4.  I'm fairly certain that at least five of the pieces are clear depression glass (see wikipedia entry).  They may be the Miss America pattern but until I can replace my depression glass reference books, I'm just guessing.  Even if they are reproductions, they are a good value and will look good on the table.  I guess one of the only good things to come out of the fire is that I will eventually start replacing my depression glass and plate collection.  I had started when I inherited a few pieces from my grandmother and began adding to them. 

I know there seem like a lot of candle holders, but they are one of my weaknesses.  Plus we came across a family that was moving that had tons of brand new partylite candles (tapers, tea candles, and votives) for sale. I walked away with a bag of at least 40 very nice, scented candles worth probably $60 to $70 for just $7.

This black wrought iron candle stand that I found for $3 needs some pillar candles but the votives that I got a deal on look pretty nice on it when grouped together! The closest to it I could find online is this 5 pillar candle wrought iron candle stand from http://www.tranquilityvalley.com/ for $36.

I guess that is enough of my bargin hunting for now.  I have to get the grocery list together and go through my coupons.  I was VERY disappointed this morning when Ken brought me the Sunday paper.  The coupon section was missing. UGH! If any of you read the Sunday paper and just throw away the coupon inserts, I would love to have them. :-) They are also some of my favorite things!

Holiday values for an outdoor country Christmas

After losing our home to a fire, this Christmas we have had to start over with everything for holiday decorations.  Since most of our budget has gone to replacing essentials for everyday living, I couldn't just go out and spend a lot for decorations that only come out once a year.  However, where there is a will, there is a way... and I was not going to sit around with no holiday spirit!  The wreaths you see on the front of the house I found last weekend at a yard sale. A lovely woman had a huge box of 15 with all the ribbons and I was able to get them for $10. This gathering basket I found for $2 and I look forward to collecting more little natural treasures to fill it with.  It sits by the steps, ready to pick up and use.  I really enjoy my Saturday morning rounds of the yardsales with my friend Maria.  We have a good time together and it's good to have a buddy to bargin hunt with.  We almost always find some great treasures.

So far the only thing I've bought for the outside of the house are some cute little snowmen climbing their ladder to decorate for the holidays.  I say "bought" because it came from CVS but I really didn't pay anything for it. Actually I made money at the store that day.  DONT call the cops. I didn't rob the store! *lol*  I used my reward dollars for part of the transaction.  I also bought some other things that we needed (body wash, toothpaste, etc.) that they had on sale and deals for.  One of the deals were that when you bought cetain items you received $10 gift cards.  I ended up with 3 gift cards that I still have that I can spend on other things.  You can see the snowmen and the basket in this picture of the front steps. So for all of our outdoor decorations this year I spent $12 out of pocket but really I made $18.



In a few days I hope to post some pictures of what we've been able to do so far with the rest of the house for the holidays.  Also, I've always used coupons to some extent.  Since the fire it has become a renewed passion of mine and I hope to blog some about my adventures in that area.  I'm not an "extreme coupon" queen.  I doubt I'll ever have a hundred coupons of one thing and we don't have too many stores that double coupons on a regular basis, but I still save a significant amount at times and will share some of that in the future.  I dont believe in picking up items that we don't need or aren't good value, even if they are cheap... but I also don't like to pay more for things that we do need than we have to.