So Much To Tell

My #1 Fan

RIP

On January 2, my grandmother passed away suddenly. She was the "#1 fan" of this blog and I suspect probably my "only" reader (lol). She got such a "kick" out of all the stuff I would get for so little and free! When I didn't "post" anything she would email me to find out why. Every week she would tell me how much she enjoyed reading this blog. I just have not had it in me to post since her passing.
I wrote a post in December regarding our celebrating her 90th birthday (it was 12/10). We had a wonderful Christmas with her too!
She was an inspiration to the females in our family. She lived alone in her own home, cooked for herself, did housework, and even yard work. She played cards with her "lady friends" weekly and volunteered at the local museum and library in her town.She loved to embroider, crochet, and knit. Every year she made mittens and donated them to the schools for the children who had none.

She is very much missed!

                                                        My Life Goes On

I have been to Target MANY, MANY, times since my last blog. My cupboard in the basement, that Dave got me last summer, is now completely FULL! All of it either FREE or practically free. LOL!

Everyone got dental floss,and lotion for the girls and Axe body wash for the guys, in their stockings at Christmas.  ( I did forget to hand out the Red Cross Travel kits though LOL. Oh well there's always Easter LOL)!

Let's start with the pictures I took of just the FREE stuff I have acquired this week  :)

The Tide and Reach are 97¢ each and my coupons were for $1.00 off each so not only did I get these free I had an additional 18¢ extra off my total. The Whiska's were on sale for 50¢ each and I had BOGO free coupons which when they scanned they took off $1.00 each,  so I actually got 6 cans for free (3 not shown cause I just realized this happened -woot-woot!!)

Here again 4 items at 97¢ each and coupons $1.00 each additional savings off my bill of 12¢. The Special K were free ( orig price $3.69 each)  There is a total value of items in these two pics of $23.60 ALL  FREE!!

I got my Target card right before Christmas! Everytime I use it I get 5% off my total. Not bad!

The Hair Color was free (reg price $7.79).
Chunky Soups (reg price $1.79) on sale $1.20 each > I paid 20¢ each
Feminine products (reg price 87¢ each) > I paid 12¢ each
Suave (reg price $1.34) I paid 34¢
Olay and Tide each (reg price 97¢) > paid me 6¢
Quaker Oats (reg price $2.99 each)  on sale $1.24 each > I paid 24¢ each

Total worth $25.95 > I paid $1.86 - 5% = $1.77

Chunky Soups (reg price $1.79) on sale $1.20 each > I paid 20¢ each
Feminine products (reg price 87¢ each) > I paid 12¢ each
Sensodyne (reg price 99¢ each) > paid me 1¢ each
Yakisoba (reg price 99¢) > I paid 49¢
Cat Food (reg price 77¢ each) coupons were $1.50 each > paid me $1.46

Total worth $9.83 >  I paid $1.13 - 5% = $1.07

  Special K (reg $2.79 each) 2 boxes I paid $1.29 each & 2 boxes were free

Feminine products (reg price 87¢ each) > I paid 12¢ each
Sensodyne (reg price 99¢ each) > paid me 1¢ each
Tide (reg price 97¢) > paid me 3¢
Olay 2 pks (reg price $2.49 each) > I paid 49¢ each
Suave (reg price $1.34 each) > I paid 34¢ each
Kikkoman Sauces (reg price $1.79 each) > I paid 42¢ each
Reveal 3 way bulb (reg price $2.79) > I paid 24¢
Chips Ahoy ( reg price $1.99 each) > I paid 49¢ each

Total Worth $35.84 > $6.54 - 5% = $6.21

Reveal 3 way bulb (reg price $2.79) > I paid 24¢ each
Chips Ahoy ( reg price $1.99 each) > I paid 49¢ each
Feminine products (reg price 87¢ each) > I paid 12¢ each
Tide and Reach (reg price 97¢ each)  >  paid me 3¢ each
Halls  reg price $1.22 each > I paid 22¢ each

Scrubbing Bubbles Daily Shower Spray (reg $6.99 each) > I paid 44¢ each

Total Worth $31.60 > I paid $3.02 -5% = $2.87

Feminine products (reg price 87¢ each) > I paid 12¢ each
Special K (reg $3.79) > I paid $2.79 for one and the other was free
Halls (reg $1.22) > I paid 22¢
Finish Rinse Aid (reg $3.79) > I paid 34¢
Reveal Light Bulbs ( reg $4.74) on sale $2.00 > after coupons I was paid 50¢
 
Total Worth $19.07 > I paid $3.59 - 5% = $3.46
 
TODAY - I had time to wander around a bit and found some GREAT clearance.
Full size sheet set reg price $14.99 > I paid $3.74
Twin size sheet set reg price $9.99 > I paid $2.48 each ( I bought 2 sets) Total worth $34.97 > I paid $8.26

Then I wandered back where I never go LOL.( the mens dept)
Found this pack of Hanes socks for Dave reg price $6.59 >   $3.21 - 5% = I paid $3.05

These 3 whiska were actually free (if you were paying attention at the beginning of this long blog LOL)
Halls $1.22 each > I paid 22¢ each
Chips Ahoy $1.99 each > I paid 49¢ each
Finish Rinse Aid (reg $3.79) > I paid 34¢ each
Reveal Light Bulbs ( reg $6.24) on sale $4.00 > I paid $1.50
Keebler Cookies $1.99 each > I paid 49¢ each

Total worth $24.22> I paid $4.09 - 5% = $3.89

Busy, Busy, Busy............

I simply have not had time to sit and write. I have been busy with work, shopping, cleaning, decorating and trying to find some time to throw baking into it all too. LOL.
I always find time to stop at Target though ( wink, wink  ;)
Here are some of the freebies I got last week.

The Pictureka Games reg price $5.00 each, The Hungry Hippo's games reg price $5.00 each the candles reg price $4.49 each, Cottenelle wipes reg price $3.19, cat food reg price 59¢ each,  everything else reg price 97¢ each

Total value $57.82 > I paid nothing ALL FREE!!

Here are some other deals:

Chex Cereals  reg $2.99 each  > I paid  $1.50 each
Chips Deluxe reg $2.99 each > I paid 99¢ each
Campbells Soups reg 89¢ each > I paid 35¢ each
Stove Top reg $1.49 each > I paid  49¢ each
Suave reg $1.34 > I paid 34¢
Tide reg 97¢  > after coupon I earned 3¢
Cool Whip reg $1.19 each > I paid 14¢ each
Rhodes Rolls reg $2.99 each > I paid $1.49 (if you haven't tried these you're missing out they are amazing!)

Total Value $30.38 > I paid  $11.07

Going out to Target in the morning to hit another great deal or two, and finish my Christmas shopping.

Hope you have a good evening!

Apples and Target

I have not been posting regularly due to being sooo busy shopping for practically free at Target and putting up apples!
My oldest son brought me 3 bags of apples this past weekend and I just finished the last bag, (peeling, slicing, freezing). I froze 48 cups!
Next,  I need to can the few pumpkins I have gotten so far , a whole 3, had 4 but the squirrels ate on one for 2 weeks. There are 2 green ones still out there and I am hoping the squirrels will leave them to ripen.

I have become obsessed with Target! OMG! I am bringing bags and bags of stuff home for practically nothing!

Last Friday I got all this free!

Actually the Tide and Clean & Clear were priced 97¢ each , my coupons were $1.00 each so I made 24¢ there and the 2 GladePlug ins were $5.04 each and my coupons were $6.00 so I made $1.92 -- so I had $2.16 towards my other items in my cart.

 Total Value of this in the picture above is $29.48 - all for free!!

Also in my cart- I got more deals!

Suave 99¢ - I paid 24¢

Gillette Body Wash $3.54 each - I paid $1.54 each

Lysol $3.39 - I paid 89¢

Axe Body Sponge $3.49 - I paid $2.74 (plus got that bottle of Axe Body Wash free BOGO)

Yakisoba 99¢- I paid 47¢

Revlon Emery Boards $1.27 - I paid 27¢

Total Value $17.21 > I paid $5.53 (after the $2.16 overage from above)

Hyvee was having a sale that day too:

The Quaker Granola Bars (3pks) were $1.00 each - I paid $2.00 for all 5 boxes
Banquet Fruit Pies were 39¢ each I got 10 = $3.90 - I paid  15¢ for all 10! (not each ALL 10 FOR 15¢)
Kraft cheese on sale 2 for $4.00 - I paid $1.00 each on 5

Total Value (sale prices) $18.90  > I paid $7.15

Target again (last Sunday):

Suave Shampoo reg 99¢ - I paid 24¢
Tide Bottle reg $7.49 - I paid $3.49
Glade Spray reg $2.89 - I paid 89¢
Vaseline Lotion reg $2.69 - I paid 69¢
Alpo reg 89¢ each - I paid 38¢ each
Right Guard 2 pk reg $4.00 - I got for free
Glade motion Sensor reg $5.04 - I made 96¢ after $6.00 coupon
Land o Lakes on sale 83¢ each - I paid 38¢ each
Tide pkt, Pantene shampoo, conditioner and 2 Reach Floss 97¢ each after coupons I made 15¢

Total Value $36.73 - I paid $9.11

Then again on Tuesday ( I said I was obsessed) LOL!

Glade Carpet reg $1.99 each - I made 1¢ each after coupons

Suave $1.20 each - I paid 45¢ each

Gillette Body Wash reg $3.54 each - I paid $1.18 each

Vaseline Lotion reg $2.99 - I paid 49¢

Tide pkts 97¢ each - I made 3¢ each after coupons

Reveal 3 Way Bulb reg $2.51 - I paid $1.01

Reveal 4pk reg $3.44 - I paid 50¢

Hersheys reg $3.79 - I paid 50¢

Total Value $38.75 - I paid $9.30

The other day I got a package in the mail. I was really suprised when I opened it up and found a full size Hamburger Helper, along with a sample cereal  and coupon.

Thanks for stopping in. Have a good evening!

A Target Run

Yesterday we did what we now refer to as "a Target Run". LOL.

I got these FREE! Actually I made money on these: Tide are 97¢ each and coupons were $1.00 each (3¢ profit each). The Glade starter kit was $5.04 and the coupon was $6.00 (a 96¢ profit!). The Oreo's were just free.

Vaseline Lotions $2.99 each - I paid $49¢ each
Glade Sprays $2.34 each - I paid $34¢ each
Glade Carpet Powder $2.89 - I paid $1.14
Suave 99¢ each - I paid 24¢ each
Gillette Body Wash $3.54 - I paid $1.54
Right Guard 2pk $4.00 - I paid $1.00
Yakisoba 99¢ - I paid 49¢ each
Friskies Treats reg $1.49 on sale $1.34 - I paid $34¢ each
Total Value $40.14 > I paid $7.82

Earlier we had stopped at Wal- mart where I got 2 bottles of Gain free and 1 can of cat food free.

The Gain was 97¢ each less the $1.00 coupon on each netting me a profit of 6¢ LOL.

The cat food was 60¢

The Dentasticks were $2.98- I paid 98¢

Total Value $6.12 - I paid  $1.58

Junkyard Finds

Dave had a "find" this week! Yep another Wilton pan! Just needed a good wash!

I started aggressively attacking the clutter in the basement and around the house. We are hopefully having a yard sale in the next 2 weeks. Whatever is left over will be donated. I need to make room in the basement. We are planning to put a water closet (toilet & sink) in. We also are replacing the drain pipe under the floor to the main line. Yes a major project for the winter.

As for my hip problems - there are good days and bad days! The medicine is no "wonder drug" that is for sure!

Have a good evening!

36 Coupons Used At Target

I handed the cashier 36 coupons at Target today! LOL. Most of them she had to enter manually since they would not scan. The people behind me seemed disgusted and moved to another register! LOL. So what I saved $47.38!

Most of this was free and some I got paid to buy LOL.

9 First Aid Travel Kits  97¢ each - coupon $1.00 each,  made me 27¢

6 Hello Kitty Band Aids 97¢ each - coupon $1.00 each,  made me 18¢ 

5 Clean $ Clear Face Wash 97¢ each - coupon $1.00 each, made me 15¢

Reach Floss 97¢ each - coupon $1.00 each, made me 6¢

4 Right Guard Deodorants 97¢ - coupon $1.00 each, made me 12¢

Chef Boy Ar Dee reg $1.02 each, on sale 78¢ each - coupon $1.00 each , made me 44¢

Campbells Soup reg $1.79 each , on sale $1.50 each - $1.50 coupons = free

Wishbone Dressing reg $1.89 each, on sale $1.50 - $1.50 coupons = free

Suave reg $1.09 each, on sale 89¢ each - coupon 75¢ =  14¢ each

Snack Packs reg $1.02 each, on sale 84¢ each - coupons $1.30  = 41¢ each

Vaseline lotion $2.99 each, - $2.50 coupons = 49¢ each

Gillette Mens Body Wash $2.99 - $2.00 coupon = 99¢

Ragu Pasta Sauce reg $1.87 each, on sale $1.50 each - $1.10 coupons = 95¢ each

Bic pens one pack was free.

Total Value $51.67 > I paid $5.38

A BIG THANK YOU to Totally Target for the match ups!

A trip to the grocery store today to buy only "sale items" and "weekly needs" was a pretty good deal too!

Del Monte Ketchup reg $1.98 each  - ad matched 68¢ each (Fareway)

Golden Delicious Apples reg $1.79 lb - ad matched  79¢ lb  (Fareway)

Skinner Spaghetti reg 99¢ each - ad matched 50¢ each (Super Saver)

Tostito's reg $3.29 each - ad matched for $1.98 each (Super Saver)

Rotella's Wheat Bread reg $2.69 each - ad matched 88¢ each (Super Saver)

CH Brown Sugar reg $2.38 - ad matched $1.58 (HyVee) - coupon 50¢ = $1.08

Spin Blend reg $2.69 - on sale $1.88 - $1.00 coupons = 88¢ each

Total Value $31.38 > I paid $13.14

My son and his girlfriend stopped in and I sent them home with a First Aid Kit for the car and some Band- Aids! LOL

Have a good evening!

Sunday Deals

I am still only buying the sale items and weekly needs, since I am trying to dwindle our "stockpile" before it gets too old.
So today was minimal at the grocery store but still BIG savings.

Folgers reg price $8.98 each > I paid $4.98 each

Skippy reg price $1.98 each > I paid 98¢ each

Farmland sausage reg price$1.78 each > I paid $1.00 each

Total worth $29.04 > I paid $15.92

We did a Target run this evening (it is only 1 mile from our house).

Pillows reg price $4.99 each > I paid $2.00 each

Bagel Bites I paid 24¢

Bic pens 2 packs - free

Tide 2 packs they paid me 3¢ each.

Total worth $16.14 > I paid $4.24

These Tide singles I have been accumulating and putting away for our next vacation. They are great! They are flat and can slip into your baggage and take up no room like a bulky bottle will. We did a lot of laundry last year when we went to ocean, that sand gets into everything. Next year I will be prepared with my "freebies"!

                                                              From the Garden
Yesterday I noticed this yellow finch on my Zinnia's. I had to take the picture from the bathroom window through the screen. It wasn't too clear.

I went into the living room to try and get another picture with the zoom on my camera through our picture window (that has no screen). I looked out and to my dismay it was gone and as I started to put the camera down I realized it was right in front of me!

It was like it came up and posed and then left.

Because of the tint on the window the picture is dim.

That's it for today.

Good Evening!

Tax Free Friday!

Today and tomorrow my state does not charge taxes on clothing. My son and I got up early to hit some stores. We left about 8:00 a.m. only to find that most the stores we wanted to shop at were not open until 9:00 a.m.
We never waited in any lines and parking was even close.We were actually surprised that there was no "mad rush" at any of the stores. I expect that will happen this evening when people have their checks and are off work. Tomorrow will probably be the worst.

First stop - Kohl's! Before leaving the house I checked my e-mail and "sure enough" there was one from Kohl's with a coupon for 15% off my entire purchase!

Tek Gear athletic shorts (orig price $20.00)> $8.00

 Atari shorts (orig $14.00) >$2.80 

 Apt 9 shirt (orig. $24.00)>  $4.80

Black shirt (orig $10.00) > $3.00

 and Tony Hawk shirt red (orig 30.00) > $17.99

Total value $98.00 > I paid $31.10 (my coupon was worth $5.49 and no sales tax which would have been $2.18)

All were on the clearance racks except the Tony Hawk shirt - it was "on sale".

On to "gordmans". Here is where we bought the most stuff and saved the most.

Black athletic shorts (orig $20.00) > $7.00

 Mecca Black shorts w/belt (orig $40.00) >$16.00

 Mecca Denim shorts w/belt (orig) 40.00 > $14.00

 Mecca jeans (orig $44.00) >$18.00

  purple shirt  (orig $28.00) >$11.00

 green shirt (orig 24.00) > $12.00

 Tap out shirt (orig $24.00) > $7.00

 Tap out shirt (orig $24.00) > $7.00

All were on the clearance racks!

                 Total worth $244.00 > I paid  $92.00 and no sales tax which would have been $6.44

They also gave me a card for 15% off any single item AND a $10.00 gift card!

That was it for clearance racks but we hit some great sales.

At K-mart we bought:

 a pack of Hanes t-shirts (reg $9.99) > $8.50

Rte 66 denim shorts (reg $22.99) > $11.49

Total worth $32.98 > I paid $19.99 no sales tax which would have been $1.40

To Shopko:

Airwalk shoes (reg $25.99) > $19.99 no sales tax which would have been $1.40

Target :

Hanes socks (reg $7.98) $5.00 but I paid $4.00 since I printed off the coupon from their website!

no sales tax which would have been a whopping 28¢! LOL

Hot Topic:

Buy one shirt get 2nd 1/2 off

Total worth $$35.00 > I paid $27.50

no sales tax which would have been $1.93

The total sales tax I saved today was $13.63

It may not seem like much but I'd say it paid for my gas and part of our lunch.

New Design

Yes I have changed the design again. I have just not been able to find something that fits me, other than the black. I think the black made it to hard for people to read so I changed to this. Let me know your thoughts.

It's Blog Hop Friday

I am checking out some new blogs today. It's fun to find new blogs. Try it just - click on a button.

                                                                I'm going to read some new blogs now. Have a good evening!

Saturday finds

I was in the area of Target today, so I used up my coupons that were expiring- today! LOL.
Not a whole lot but still better than paying full price.

I paid 24¢ (reg $2.24) for the Bagel Bites, Busy Bones $1.09 (reg $2.84), Beggin Strips $1.09 (reg $2.34), Tide (reg 97¢) They paid me 3¢ each (LOL).

Total value $10.33 > I paid $2.33

All thanks to coupons!!

I was in the area of Fareway also so I stopped for their sale stuff.

Van Camps were 4 for $1.00 with an in-store coupon,  (reg 68¢ each) Wheat bread $1.09 each (reg 2.29 each) Ball lids $2.19 each (reg $2.89 each) my coupon was buy 2 get one free so I actually paid $1.46 each, Era 32 load (not shown) (reg 3.99) on sale $2.99 I paid $1.99.

Total value $22.25 > I paid $10.64

I have quite a grocery list started for tomorrow. I am hoping I have enough tomatoes to at least put up 3 quarts of spaghetti sauce. We have been able to get a small bucket of them and I see there are maybe half dozen more out there (if they are any good). This years garden has not gone well due to ALL the rain. My squash and pumpkins are not producing fruit. I am going to attempt to pollenate them myself tomorrow. The Roma tomatoes are almost dead. I have had only 1 pepper out of 3 plants. Not many jalapeno peppers either like usual. Green beans I have harvested twice from (not many) and they are about done. The pole beans have not produced hardly anything. Cucumbers are doing fair but seem to be stunted. carrots have nice tops but nothing below.

We not only had an over abundance of rain we have had a problem with moles in the garden this year too. They did not bother it last year. They have also killed off some of the plants the shade garden I started.

I have never had a garden go so wrong on me before.

Anyway, I am going to try some new recipes for making my own Ranch dressing and Italian dressing.

If I think they are good I will share them.

It's late so I will say Good Evening!

I'm Still Around

With the warmer weather I am so much busier! When I am not at work I am usually up to something in one of the gardens I am attempting to create. Then there is the bathroom that still is not done, but, I am working on it every extra chance I get.

Needless to say, the only time I am on a computer is at work and "blogging" there is a big NO! NO!

LOL!
Also, I have had PC problems since an Microsoft "update" on 6/23/10 (anyone else?)  I restored twice. This last time I did not install the updates and it's back to working fine!

I have not been to many yard sales. There just have not been any that have looked "appealing" to even stop at. Oh well, I am trying to get rid of what I have here before I bring more in, anyway!

I had some great finds this past weekend though,

We had to run out to Menards and while there I discovered Geraniums 6 for $1.00. Then they brought out a cart while I was there of marked down planters. I got 2 for $1.00 each- already planted! The pots are worth that!

The Geraniums look real nice in my blue pots. Oh, tonight when we were leaving the house Dave looked over and said "I really like those blue pots". (That made me feel good).

We did a Target run Sunday and got some good deals too!

The Stove Top was $2.24 before coupons, I paid $1.24 normally I don't buy this, but with the coupon deals and this new flavor I wanted to try it.    The Glade was $3.49 , I paid 49¢. The Q-tips cost me 89¢ each (reg $1.89 each),  Wonka candy was $3.49 - I paid 99¢,  the Crystal Light are the bigs ones that are $3.98 each I got them on sale $2.98 each - less one $1.00 coupon, I paid $1.98! Total worth $21.20 - I paid $11.70

I have had "ugly" curtains up since we moved here 3 years ago. They were some that were left and some I had and they didn't even match. LOL. I have looked at the prices of drapes but for my big front window it would cost me an "arm and a leg" ( neither of which I am willing to part with, lol).

I was at the Family Dollar last friday and found they had some pretty "nice looking" ones for half off on clearance. They only had 3 panels,. I found another panel at their other store (funny that store only had one hmm). They were $7.50 and the valances were $4.80.  They really match the coloring of my funiture. They also look pretty nice. I took a quick pic while I had them up temporarily to see if I would like them. I think when Ifind some material I will line them. They sure look better than the old ones.  lol!

So here are the curtains that were here when we moved in (yuck plaid!)

I had to get the plaid -gone, so I used some thermal curtains that were the same color but had a design. Not real attractive either. The window faces the west, the sun just heats up the room and blinds us so bad . (I solved that problem this weekend with some window tint).

Okay don't these look much better (even though they came from the dollar store)?

Then finally here is my other deal of the weekend. All these groceries were free!

 15 cans of veggies, 4pk of yogurt and the new Kraft mac and cheese Explosion  >Total value $13.07!!!

Enough for now. Hopefully will be able to get back on schedule now. Thanks for stopping. Have a good evening!