Monday Savings

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $7.58 and saved $7.50, almost 50%. Cookie Crisp and Reeses Puffs were on sale for $1.99 + $1 coupon, Campbells condensed soup $.99, and Top Ramen $.16. They were out of chicken ramen, so I asked the cashier if I could get the same price on the Maruchan brand instead, and she said yes! See, it never hurts to ask.

Today at Fresh and Easy, I spent $12.96 and saved $.98. Most of the items I bought were from their everyday low price items, so the savings isn't reflected, although those items are cheaper than any where else. Their 6 pack bagels are $1.99, Orange juice $1.99, chocolate covered pretzels $1.99, and super fruit chewy candies on sale for 2 for $5.

At Albertsons, I spent $6.44 and saved $4.43. Albertsons Italian diced tomatoes and beans were on sale for $.50, and I had a rain check from last week for $.99/pound zucchini. I also bought breakfast pastries at their normal low price of $.99.

By the way, my mom just called asking me if I still had my Stater Bros. ad, and I did. She didn't check her receipt until she got home and the ground beef she thought was on sale for 3 pounds for $5.97 rang up for $9.99. As we went over every little detail of the ad, we found out her ground beef was 80 something% lean and the sale meat was 73% lean. She could've returned her meat and got the right one, but unfortunately she had already opened it and separated it and put it in the freezer! Now, she learned her lesson to always check her receipt before she leaves the store. It's too bad, especially since she asked the Stater Bros. employee which meat was on sale and he pointed her to that meat.

Friday Savings

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $5.65 and saved $16.99. Big roll toilet paper was on sale for $.50(charity), Walgreens gummy bears buy one get one free, Soft soap $.99(charity), and Dove deodorant $1.99 + 2 $2 coupons(us and charity). I've never tried Dove deodorant before, but I noticed they have one for sensitive skin, so I think I'll try it. Have any of you with sensitive skin tried that Dove deodorant before?

At CVS, I spent $1.74 and saved $12.16. Colgate Total was on sale for $2.99 + $2 extra bucks + $.50 coupon(charity), Gold Emblem jelly beans $.99 + $.99 extra bucks, and Glade air freshner $.99. I also had $9.58 in extra bucks from last time to use to pay for my purchases. I wanted to buy 2 Glade air freshners, but they only had one kind we could buy - apple cinnamon. We can't buy country garden because of my son's allergies; and we thought clean linen might be nice, but we sprayed it and at first my daughter and I couldn't smell it, but a few seconds later when we did, we both said "eww" at the same time. So, we obviously didn't buy that one. :)

Today at Walmart, I spent $59.92 and had $5.25 in coupons. The cashier announced how much my coupons were as she entered them and totaled them up. She said another woman had $60 in coupons! I told her I shop at 10 different stores in order to find the best prices, and she said it wasn't worth all that trouble to her, she just goes to the $.99 store.

At Vons, I spent $14.48 and saved $12.46. Kraft macaroni and cheese was on sale for $.69(us and charity), can fruit $.88, broccoli $.88/pound, string cheese $2.99, Hot/Lean pockets $1.69 + $.40 coupon(doubled), and 5 pound potatoes $.49. When I checked my receipt before leaving the store, I noticed the potato coupon didn't ring up. So, I went back to the cashier and he refunded me $2.50.

At Ralphs, I spent $4.02 and saved $37.89! Now that was an exciting shopping trip! Whole chickens were on sale for $.59/pound, brown onions $.50/pound, Gatorade $.69, Eggos $1.19 + $.50 coupon(doubled), and Caprisun $1.69. Plus, I earned $3 to use next time again. I also used my $3 from last time and my quarter earnings of $9.00.

Amazon Certificates

I participate in some online communities and survey sites. One of the communities, gives me a $10 Amazon certificate every month if I log in every week and participate in the community by answering surveys and being a part of the discussions. I also won $50 in a special 3 week Holiday Diary project I completed in December. I realized yesterday that I had $81 worth of Amazon certificates.

So, my daughter is running out of her Sensodyne Pronamel for Children toothpaste, and absolutely no store around here carries it anymore. I looked for it online and found a 6 pack of toothpaste at Amazon. Also, my sons both need humidifiers at various times throughout the year, and we only have one - a warm mist humidifier. That's fine for now, but in the summer a cool mist humidifier would be best. So, I looked on Amazon and found a Sponge Bob Humidifier for $39.99 + a filter for about $7. My blow dryer has been acting funny for the past couple of months - it keeps turning off and on, and I can only use it if I bend down a little and hold the blow dryer in a certain way. So, I found a blow dryer on Amazon too. I spent enough to qualify for free shipping, and after using my certificates, I only had to spend $4 of my own money. Not too bad of a deal!

Monday Savings

Today I went to Vons, even though I usually only go on Fridays, because they were having a special 3 day sale. I spent $9.30 and saved $14.07, which is 60%. Farmland bacon was on sale for $2.49 + 2 $1 coupons, Yoplait Gogurt $1.77 + $.75(doubled) coupon, and Hostess $1.89.

I didn't go to Stater Bros. like I usually do because the sales prices at Vons beat the sales prices at Stater Bros.

At Albertsons, I spent $3.27 and saved $2.80. Albertsons eggs were on sale for $.99, and Welches juice for $2.29 + $1 coupon. They also had zucchini on sale, but they were all out, so I had to get a rain check. We were going to have zucchini and carrots for our dinner vegetables tonight, but I'm not sure if it will work. I only have 1 zucchini left from last time they were on sale and a bag of carrots. So, I will try and make it work.

Friday Savings

Last night at Walgreens, I spent $1.77 and saved $14.86. Campbells chicken noodle and tomato soup were on sale for $.50 + $.40 coupon(us & charity), Tuf paper towel roll $.49(charity), Reach toothbrush $2.99 + $2 register rewards + $1 coupon(charity), Walgreens soap $.33, and a rain check for Aquafresh toothpaste $.99. I also had $8 in register rewards to use from last week. This shopping trip was as interesting as last week. The cashier didn't know how to use a rain check so he had to ask someone else. The other guy showed him how to do it twice, but when he tried it on his own, it didn't work. By the time, he was done figuring it out, I knew how to put a rain check in the cash register! The coupon for the Walgreens soap was 3 for $1 and he couldn't figure out how to calculate it, so I had to tell him to ring 2 at $.33 and one at $.34. Also, only 2 of my register rewards went through, so I had to tell him to put in the third one again, because I told him I calculate everything ahead of time so I know how much the total should be. When I told my dad about my shopping trip, he said he would like to go with me sometime because it sounds like a lot of fun to shop with me!

At CVS, I spent $6.70 and saved $17.79. Colgate Sensitive toothpaste was on sale for $3.79 + $3.79 extra bucks + 2 - $1.00 coupons(charity), and Speed Stick deodorant $2.99 + $2 extra bucks + $.50 coupon. I also bought some Valentine's candy for 1/2 off. I had $3.99 in extra bucks to use from last week and $3 off $15 coupon from CVS' email.

Today at Walmart, I spent $64.25 and had $2.05 in coupons. I bought a $25 gift card for my Uncle's birthday, so my actual grocery shopping cost was only $39.25. Not bad considering my parents are coming over Sat. night for dinner. I also had a coupon from the internet for a free cleaning cloth and cleaner from the eye care center. They were out of the cleaner, so they just gave us 2 cloths.

At Vons, I spent $18.64 and saved $17.79, which is 49%. Gala apples were on sale for $.88/pound, round steak $2.49/pound, chicken of the sea tuna $.50(us & charity), and yellow onions $.99/pound. I also had to buy cheddar fried onions because they didn't have them at Walmart. There's a 10% back to schools on escrip located on the bottom of my receipt. I just entered it online and my son's high school band will receive $1.14!

At Ralphs, I spent $9.19 and saved $17.10. Gatorade was on sale for $.69 + $1 coupon, and Kraft bbq sauce $.89. You receive these prices if you buy a total of 10 items, and also you get $3 to use on your next purchase. Not a bad deal!

Monday Savings

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $9.73 and saved $10.19. Welches grape juice was on sale for $1.99, Hillshire Farms lunchmeat $1.69, and Pasta/rice a roni $.79 + a coupon for a free pasta roni. Minute Maid orange juice was also on sale, but they were out of the pulp free, so I had to get our juice somewhere else. By the way, my 4 year old remembered the scary man from last week, so he asked to hold hands with my 14 year old son(has the week off school). Fortunately, we didn't have any scary encounters this time.

At Albertsons, I spent $11.88 and saved $7.29. I didn't do as well on the savings because my son didn't tell me he was out of toothpaste until last night, so I just had to buy it here(it's much cheaper at Walmart). Country Crock margarine was on sale for $3, and Yoplait 10 for $5 + $1 coupon. If I didn't have the $1 coupon, I wouldn't have bought the yogurt, because Walmart's brand yogurt is always $.40.

I went to the Dollar Tree today for a Valentine's Day card for my husband and a birthday card for my uncle because their cards are always only $.50! I also bought some moon pies for $1 because Walmart's snack cakes have gone up to $1.18.

I went to Fresh and Easy to buy their orange juice for $1.99 - everyday low price, and also bought some fruit jellies and chocolate covered pretzel bits. The last two weren't on sale but only cost $2.99 and $1.99, so they're not bad prices.

Friday Savings

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $.95 and saved $13.50! Ocean Spray juice was on sale for $2.99 + $2 register rewards(charity), aluminum foil $.69(charity), Sweethearts $.79, Barbasol $.99(charity), and Right Guard Body Wash $4.99 + $1 instant coupon + $3 register rewards(charity). I also had $8 in register rewards to use from last week. There were several other items on sale, but since this is a brand new Walgreens, they don't have a lot of products in stock. So, I was only able to get a rain check for one of the items. By the way, since they're a new store, most of the employees are new too, and aren't always sure about what to do. The Right Guard that I bought had an instant coupon on it, and the cashier didn't remove it, which I didn't realize until I had walked out the door. I walked right back in and she didn't know what to do, so she asked a manager. He wasn't sure, so he asked another manager. It took him awhile to figure it out, but he refunded the product then rang it up again using the coupon. Well, since it had register rewards, it printed again. I told him I shouldn't receive it twice, but he said he would just throw it away and since I was so patient with them, I could just have it. So, I ended up with an extra $3 in register rewards!

At CVS, I spent $4.99 and saved $15.46. M & M's were on sale again 2 for $5 + $1 extra bucks + $1 coupon, Stride Spark gum $.99 + $.99 extra bucks, and Quaker Oatmeal 2 for $5 + $1 coupon + $1 coupon + $2 extra bucks. I also had $3 in extra bucks to use to pay for the purchase.

Today at Walmart, I spent $73.66 and had $3.87 in coupons. This trip was a little more than average because I needed to buy pork chops for $15.55 and my 4 year old's Valentine's present for $16.97.

At Vons, I spent $14.57 and saved $18.81, which is 56%. Pepperidge Farms cookies were on sale for $1.88, asparagus $.99/pound, and Lucerne ice cream $1.99. Last week at another store, asparagus was on sale for $1.99, which I thought was a good price, but $.99 is even better. So, we are going to eat asparagus this week too!

At Ralphs, I spent $3.89 and saved $3.73. Broccoli and cauliflower were on sale for $.88/pound, and Colgate toothbrush for $.98(charity).

Monday Savings

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $6.81 and saved $5.48. 5 pounds of potatoes was on sale for $.75, Gatorade for $.75, Stater Bros. ketchup $.99, and Suave deodorant $.75. There was a scary man behind us while we were checking out and he creepily said something about my potatoes, but I couldn't understand him. His voice scared my 4 year old son and myself, so when I noticed the man was only buying a big bottle of alcohol, I had my son stand closer to me, and hold on to my while I finish unloading the cart(story continues in the next paragraph about Smart & Final).

At Smart and Final, I spent $10.92 and saved $1.95. Asparagus was on sale for $1.99/pound and gala apples for $.69/pound. I really saved more money, because I bought 25 pounds of rice for only $7.99. This is around the regular price for a 10 pound bag of rice at Walmart. Now, carrying on the story from the above paragraph: While checking out here, my son looked at the man behind us and loudly said, "The man behind us isn't scary, Mommy." The man looked at me funny, so I had to explain to him what had happened at the previous store we had been to. Luckily, he chuckled. Kids are great, but sometimes embarrassing!

At Albertsons, I spent $4 and saved $4.58. Kraft mayonnaise and miracle whip were on sale for 2 for $4.

I Made A Huge Mistake - Handmade With Love Winter Giveaway

I just realized I made a huge mistake about the Handmade Winter with Love Giveaway! I misstated the winner - the winner I said was actually #108, not #105. You know how when your computer is processing, sometimes it "jumps." Well, mine did that, right now while I was counting back the comments and I realized, I had the wrong winner. I am still going to give the tote bag prize to #108 Sapsmama(because I already emailed her), and I will email the real #105 katklaw777 and offer her an equivalent prize from my Etsy store.

I apologize to all of you for my huge mistake! This is the first time I have ever made such a mistake in a giveaway. I hope all of you forgive me.

This did make it very clear to me that I need to number my comments, that would prevent such an error in the future. I tried to number them before, but wasn't able to figure it out. If any of you know how to add numbering to the comments, please let me know. Here is my email: brendashandmade@yahoo.com

Thank you all for entering my giveaway, and again, I sincerely apologize for the error.

WINNER of the Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway

Congratulations to the winner of the Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway:

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 118
Result:
105
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

#105 is SAPsMaMa said...
I"d use the tote bag for transporting my daughter's stuff back and forth from daycare

mphin278 at yahoo dot com

I will be sending SAPsMaMa an email to let her know she won, as soon as I publish this post. She will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't receive a response, I will pick another winner.

Thank you to all of my 118 entries! Thanks for making my giveaway a success. I really enjoyed reading all of your comments about how you would use the tote bag. I hope all of you continue to read my blog, and will enjoy it.

Friday Savings

A new Walgreens opened close to my daughter's dance studio, so yesterday after I dropped her off, I walked over there to buy items from their sales flier. The walk wasn't bad, only 10 minutes each way, so I will definitely walk there every week. I spent $13.86 and saved $12.90. Walgreens liquid soap was on sale for $.79(charity), Lays Stax $.99. Mentos $.39, and Blink Tears(charity) $7.99 + $7.99 in register rewards to use next time + $1 coupon. You don't use a store rewards card to shop here, the register rewards just automatically prints out. I think I drove the poor cashier crazy with all my questions about how their system works! :)

Yesterday at CVS, I spent $6 and saved $10.75. Valentine's M&Ms were on sale for 2 for $5 + $1 extra bucks + $1 coupon, Cheezits 2 for $6 + $2 extra bucks, and Sweethearts $.88. I also had $4.88 in extra bucks to use from last time to help pay for my purchases.

Today at Walmart, I spent $64.66 and had $10.53 in coupons. I liked using all those coupons! I had a few expensive extras to buy this week, but luckily I had coupons for them. I had a coupon for $2 off Kotex pads, bogo free for Stayfree overnight pads - which was $5.28, $1 off Covergirl eyeshadow, and $1 off my son's one-a-day teen vitamins. The other couple of coupons were off small items.

At Vons, I spent $24.47 and saved $30.43. Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies were on sale for $1.67, Dole juice $1.88, Lucerne ice cream $1.99, Nabisco crackers $.99 + $1 coupon, Trix/Gogurt $1.77 + $.75 coupon, and Barilla pasta $.88.

At Ralphs, I spent $10.64 and saved $25.45. Avocados were on sale for $.47 each, Del Monte can vegetables $.49(us & charity), Kelloggs cereal $1.99 + $.70 coupon + $.50 coupon, Dinty Moore $.79, Quaker rice cakes $1.29, and Colgate toothpaste $.98 + $.75 coupon(charity).

**CLOSED** Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway

Welcome to Brendashandmade and the Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway.

Hundreds of blogs are participating in the Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway Hop! Each one is offering a themed giveaway - all the prizes are handmade treasures or gift certificates to shops that sell handmade items. There is a linky at the end of this post. After you've entered here, hop on over to the next blog on the list and keep going as long as you'd like! The more you enter, the more likely you are to win. Good luck!

Here is the prize offered on my blog(US only):



This is a canvas tote bag that I painted using stencils. The top and bottom borders are purple flowers with a yellow center and green leaves. The middle is a red heart. Both sides of the bag are identical. The canvas bag is 14" high by 13" wide.

Main Entry:

Leave a comment about what you would use the tote bag for.

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow Brendashandmade publicly on Google Friend Connect(right sidebar).
2. Like me on Facebook.
3. Subscribe to my blog via email(on right sidebar).
4. Follow me on Networked Blogs(right sidebar).

Open to US only:
Leave one comment for each entry. Giveaway ends February 6, 2011 at 11:59PM EST. There will be one winner chosen. The winner will be selected by random.org and notified by email to the email address provided in the winning comment. The winner must respond within 48 hours of the notification email, or another winner will be chosen.

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