Target, Kohl's and JcPenney's Savings!

So it has been a little while since I have posted about my savings. I'm gonna combine my past 4 trips savings :) I went to Kohl's, Target twice, and  JcPenney's.

Here is what I got:

I took closer up pictures so you could see it better :)

Target Trip 1

 

Target Trip 2

 

JcPenney's

Kohl's

The total amount for these items if I would have paid normal price (this includes sale and normal price, since some of the things I got were already on sale) : $49.20

I got all these items, for a total of... $6.89!!!

For those who hate math like me, that is a total savings of $42. 31!!

Here's how I did it!

Target Trip 1

• Del Monte (select) canned veggies on sale for .45 

• Bought 8 cans of green beans (french cut and normal cut)
  
• Used 1 Buy 8, save $1
• Used a Target Coupon for buy 6, save $1
• Paid .20 each = $1.60

• Slower Cooker Bags $1.87
• Used $1 off
• Paid .87

• Steaz Tea
• Used a coupon for a free one here 
• FREE

• Trident Gum $1.29 (The apple and pinapple is cheaper than the strawberry and orange flavor!)
  
• This was an accident , I thought I was using a save $1 on 1, but it was save $1 on 2, the Target lady pushed it through though!
• B1G1 Free
• Buy 2 Save $1
• Paid .29 for both!

• Total: $2.71
  

Target Trip 2 

• Strawberries on sale for $2.49
• $1 off 
• Paid $1.49 for a whole container!

• Apples
• On sale for .99 a pound
• Paid $1. 89

• Cat Treats
• Found one on clearance 
• Bought one at full price (1.34)
• Had $2 off of 2
• Had a $1 off 2 Target coupon
• Free! Plus .61 that went to my other stuff!

Total: $2.69

JcPenney's 

• Soap dispenar ($9.99)
  
• On sale for $5.99

• Washclothes ($9.99)
  
• On sale for $3.99

• Used a $10 off of $10 or more (got in the mail!)

Total: $1. 06

Kohl's

• Purse($40.00 normally!)
• on sale for 8.99
  

• Earrings ($12.99)
• on sale for $2.40

• Used a $10 off of $10 or more (got in the mail)

Total: $.43

I am so blessed to find these good deals! I was extremely happy to find that purse, since mine was coming apart! We also needed a soap dispenser and more washcloths!

We will be set on green beans and kitty treats for a while! lol That's what stockpiling is all about though! :)

Here's a deal that might be happening next week, it all depends if the preview of the coupon section is correct. I use a Schick Quattro razor. Supposedly there will be a $2 off coupon in this Sunday's paper. At Kroger, until next Thurs. they have it B1G1 Schick Quattro razor blades(if I'm reading the ad right!). So you can use 2 of those $2 off and save $4 (since 2 are rung up, you can use 2 coupons)! That is a total of about $5 for both!!
I'm hoping that coupon will be there, since I am in need of razor blades. I hate buying them for full price bc they are very expensive, and hardly ever have a coupon. So if you need those too, keep your eyes open for that coupon. Just in case, I'm sorry if it's not there!
Edit: (11/23)

The coupon was in the Houston Chronicle this past Sunday (22nd). It is for $2 off! So if you need razors: disposable, or refills of razor blades for Schick, go to Kroger and use up to 2 of those coupons and B1G1 free! :)

Have a lovely day!

P.S. We are going to a Skillet concert tonight!! I'm SOO excited! Artists include: The Letter Black, Decyfer Down, Hawk Nelson, and Skillet! :D

Oh Sweet Joy Etsy Shop

Over at Heather's blog Sit a Spell, (Heather had the coupon class) she has been talking about knowing where your food and where your products come from (clothes, gifts, etc.)

Well she found an Etsy shop named Oh Sweet Joy that helps not only supply low cost gifts, but also helps others!

Kim, the creator, donates 20% of what she makes off of her products to Compassion International and Love 146.

From Kim:

"I started oh, sweet joy when I needed a break from apparel. I've worked retail for years and refurbished vintage t-shirts for a while, as well. I lost my retail job in early September and started nannying for a family in town. One of the boys, Ollie, had a birthday coming up, and I wanted to make him something unique. I bought some eco-felt, grabbed some of my designer fabric scraps and went to town on a cute little owl. I loved making the little owl, so I kept making more and sold a few at a local art studio tour. Little did I know the Lord had bigger plans for this little project.

I took everything out of one etsy shop and opened another with a new focus. My husband has been encouraging me to be more focused and gospel centered in every endeavor. I couldn't really figure out what that meant until I searched my heart and the Lord revealed and reminded me what He has created me for and what I am passionate about. It took me a while to figure everything out, but the Lord has laid on my heart to bring joy into homes by using my gifts and talents to further the Kingdom and bring children hope (as silly as it sounds...one owl at a time).

One way I am accomplishing this is donating a percentage of all sales to Compassion International and Love 146. 20% of everything I make (after etsy & paypal take their generous cuts haha) will go to truly make a difference in children's lives. I couldn't be more excited about this effort, and I am so thankful that the Lord has changed my selfish heart. He has turned something that started as me wanting to make some extra spending money to something that is so much bigger than myself. He is faithful."


I love her owls! They are adorable! She also sells headbands, they are really cute too!

So if you need an idea for someone for Christmas I definitely recommend going and checking out Oh Sweet Joy! The prices are really good for the quality you recieve! The owl pictured above is only $12! Kim includes what is included in her products in the description, all of it is environmentally friendly and not harmful to little ones.  Plus right now if you buy 2 items, shipping is FREE! :D Just let her know that you want your order grouped together!

You can even order a cute owl family for $25! Which I think is so cute!

Right now  over at Heather's blog there is a giveaway where you can win the "Ollie" owl in the top picture (or the one in the middle of the family pic)

Here is what you do:

To enter the giveaway you need to have a US shipping address. The winner will be announced next Monday, November 23. There are many ways to enter and you can have up to 6 entries per person.

1. If you browse Oh Sweet Joy you can come back here and leave your name in a comment and say "I browsed".

2. Tweet about Oh Sweet Joy and then leave a comment telling us you did.

3. Become a fan of Oh Sweet Joy on Facebook then leave a comment telling us you're now a Facebook fan. Go here to become a fan.

4. If you post about this giveaway on Facebook, leave a comment telling us you did so..

5. If you post about Oh Sweet Joy and this give away on your blog you can leave your name in a comment with your blog address.

6. If you have an Etsy account and you "favorite" or "heart" Oh Sweet Joy then you can also leave a comment letting us know.

Here is the blog you need to comment on:

Heather Hendrick

I really love that Heather is helping me be informed.  I like finding companies, or people who create products which I can buy and know where they came from, and know that it benefited the person who made it!

Have a beautiful and sunny day! Enjoy this amazing weather! :)

Homemade Applesauce and other Cooking Adventures

Today I thought I would try a recipe that I found on an organic blog. No my applesauce is not organic. I bought 2 lbs of normal apples for $1.00!

Since 10:30 this morning I have been preparing the apples (peeling, coring and slicing them in quarters), and then about 20 minutes later I had them cooking. I was excited to try this recipe since you cooked it in the crockpot! I only have one other recipe for the crockpot, so I was excited!

I added cinnamon and other spices, it made our house smell SO good! :) I just got done mashing the last of the apples and now we have applesauce!! :D

I am so excited! It's a little bit chunkier than Motts, but I made it myself, from the apples I picked and prepared, so I am happy with it, no matter how weird/gross it looks! hehe

Earlier this week (on Monday) I made Baked Ziti! Just in case you don't know what that is, it's almost like lasagna, but with these type of noodles:                  
I think they are called ziti noodles, even though the box said something different.

Instead of making my own spaghetti sauce, I used the Traditional Ragu, then added Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Margarine(the spice not the butter), and pepper. The sauce turned out SO well! That was my first time using spices like that! So that encouraged me to try more with spices! I added my already browned hamburger meat, which I had frozen and simmered it. The meal turned out awesome!!

I'm on a roll! :D It's been a while since I made a meal that was gross. lol

I still have the Chicken Spaghetti mix frozen, for an easy meal. All I have to do is boil and add noodles to it. I LOVE that!

One of the blogs I check often for coupon, sales, and deals talked about freezing meals. (http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2009/11/freezer-cooking-day-the-final-results-and-come-link-up-your-posts-too.html) She actually spends one whole day preparing, making and then freezing meals for the whole next month!! She says it helps her save money, by buying in bulk and actually using what she buys, and it also keeps her family from eating out. She also gets to spend more time with her son by doing this! Another thing is even though she spends 8 hours that day in the kitchen, that is much less time if she totals the hours she would have to be in the kitchen each night preparing the meal!

I can't be that extreme...for one, our freezer is too small for that and two I don't have that kind of time right now. But I love the fact that all she has to do is take a meal out, thaw it, and cook it! So that is something I want to work on! Preparing and freezing at least one meal a week if not more!

Where did November Go?!

Wow! It is the middle of November ALREADY! WHAT! Did I accidentally hibernate for some time or did I travel to the future?! Man!

I wouldn't mind that November is almost over, except for the fact that all my teachers have stuff due that week of Thanksgiving, since once we have a week after that, then finals! I stressed out this morning about stuff, but I prayed and I felt better :) God wants me to be in school, so He will help me do everything I need to do for it! This is all what is due in these next few weeks:
- Museum Exhibit - for Social Studies class, this is collecting stuff for a unit I'm planning to help teach the material
- Unit Plan
- Have to present a lesson from my unit plan
- Case Study
- Create a puppet (easy I know!)
- other little things!

I will get it done :)

I wanted to write about something that I discovered in another person's blog!
Sseko shoes!!

 Liz is the founder of Sseko Designs

These are the awesome women who make the shoes!

(Mercy, Mary and Rebbecca)

Here is their story:

• Sseko \say-ko\ Designs was created to help these bright young women continue their education. The Ugandan school system is designed with a nine month gap between secondary school and university. These nine months are intended to allow time for students to earn money for tuition before continuing on to university. However, in an impoverished and male dominated society, many of these young women struggle to find fair work during this time.

• Sseko Designs hires recent secondary school graduates for this nine month period to live and work together, while earning money that will go directly towards their university education. These women will not make sandals forever. They will go on to be doctors, lawyers, politicians, writers and teachers that will bring change and unification to a country divided and ravished by a 22 year-long war.

• Sseko Designs is a not-just-for-profit enterprise that recognizes the power of business and responsible consumerism to support sustainable economic development, which in turn affects a country's educational, justice, and health care systems. The goal of Sseko Designs is two-fold: provide university tuition for these promising young women through a sustainable monthly income, while also contributing to the overall economic development of Uganda.

• Although consumerism makes many empty promises, responsible and proactive consumerism has the ability to change lives. Like the lives of Mercy, Mary and Rebbecca.

One thing that I really love about these shoes, is that it helps others.You see where your shoes came from, you can put a face to the women who made your shoes. Plus these women are working in great conditions, and you can see that in the pictures and videos Liz posts. You don't have to worry if poor little children are making your shoes or anything! It's a more responsible consumer choice!

A cool thing is these shoes have interchangeable straps!!! There are many different straps to choose from, and they make different ones for the different seasons! :D

These shoes are a little more than I have ever paid for shoes, since I can get more shoes if  I get cheaper ones, but that's not always the best thing.  Anyways, depending on what strap you want when you purchase the shoes, the patterned ones are $42, and the solid color strap sandals are $40.  I am SUPER excited to get me some of these! That's what I asked Joey for, for Christmas :)
Another fun thing is that you can decide different ways to wear the straps! There are many different ways to wear the straps even if you only have 1 color/pattern.

Ok here is the website if you were wondering:
http://www.ssekodesigns.com/shop/

I think riverbend is cute!
Plus right now they have buy a pair of sandles and you get another strap for FREE!


I just wanted to let all you ladies know about these shoes, I think they are cute, creative, and I love that we can help these women to have a better life!


On another note, Burney had to spend the night at the vet's last night. To put everything lightly, he would have benefited from Activia.  We have those cardboard scratches, and he likes to eat what falls off, and...well....that caused problems. I am so thankful and blessed to have a great vet, Dr. Dietz, that manually helped Burney out. He was in no pain since he was drugged. Burney was also dehydrated because of his situation! Poor guy! I didn't expect him to have to stay overnight, but I am glad he did. I picked him up this afternoon and he was meowing!! He hardly ever meows, so I think he was really happy to see me! :) I know the other kitties missed him, and are happy to see him! He is doing much better now and I am so happy that he is!

That's all that has been going on! :)

Have a lovely night!

My Random Thoughts

As I go through my day I have really random thoughts. I've been thinking about posting them for your enjoyment. Some of these may have answers that I just don't know. So here it goes:


- In those mascara commercials, those women look like they have a broom for eyelashes. What woman wants that? I guess there are some men that like that look?

- Why does the new(ish) Snuggle bear look so creepy in those commercials!

- Why hasn't anyone in those Geico pile-of-cash-with-eyes commercials ever just pick the eyes off and pocket the cash? That's what I would do!

- What did mosquitoes eat before the fall of man, or what did they feed on? Since I am assuming they did not feed on man.

- That would have been so weird to be Eve and have no fear or disgust about cockroaches.

- If the side effects are worse than the condition the person is taking the medicine for, then why would they use your medication?

- What did moths buzz around in Adam and Eve's time? The campfire? The moon?

- How cool would it have been to see Johnny Cash, June Carter, Elvis, Sinatra and artists in those days, play live!

- How do the owners of huge motorcycles keep the their motorcycle up when they are stopped? They must have crazy strong leg muscles!

- I love sunflowers! Some may see them as a weed, but I think they are beautiful!

- I wonder how they came up with a frog peeing on you would cause warts.

- Thank you Jesus for fried cheese (this was when I was eating mozzarella sticks)

- I love living in Texas...bc of Whataburger. (This one changes as I think of more things that is only in Texas)

- I love it when people are nice to each other...we have a man who I call Santa Claus(he has a white beard and a belly) who lives down the road from us (we have to pass his house to leave the subdivision) and everytime he sees me or Joey (prob. any car) he waves. :) It always makes me smile!

- The Michelin doggy commercial is so cute! (The one where the Michelin man goes to find his doggy in the storm...its a cute lil tube dog!!)

- Today I drove by the horse farm...there were 2 horses on the middle of the bridge, with many behind them. I believed the horses behind the 2 were trying to get through, if they could talk English they prob. were saying "EXCUSE MEEE!! HELLO?! HEY! I'M TRYING TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE! PLEASE MOVE!" or perhaps the 2 horses in the front were giving a tour, "And here we have the creek, it has water in it usually...sometimes it gets very high! Ethel, the elder, said she once saw a gator in there! And it was as long as this bridge!" Other horses: *GASP!* hehe (Those are random thoughts I have often...if animals could talk and we understood them, what would they be saying in the different situations I currently see them in)

- Why don't they have fans on the back of vacuums. Man, once I clean the whole house I am sweating like crazy! (sorry... gross, I know!) What do the older women with hot flashes do when they need to vacuum? Just not vacuum, what if they are having company and they have to? So that is why I think there needs to be a nice little fan blowing cold air on your face as you vacuum!

I will keep adding to this list. Just for your amusement :)

Have a great night!

Walgreens Savings!

As I was checking ads on Sunday, I decided to look at Walgreens' ad. I have read on many of my money saving blogs that Walgreens runs good deals. So I decided to check on what they had.

Well I stumbled upon 2 great deals!
- One deal they had was the 2 pack of Glade Oil Refills and The new Glade Home Fragrance (I think that's what they are called, it's the new fancy Glade stuff) candles (the 4.9 oz size) were on sale for 3.99. At the register you would get a coupon for a $1.00 your next purchase. So it was like it was $2.99.
- The next deal I found was Glade Sense and Spray, Glade Home Fragrance Reed Diffuser, Glade Lasting Impressions (where it holds 2 oils and alternates the scent), and the 3 Wick candle of that new Glade line were $4.99.

Here is what I got:

- 2 Reed Diffusers ($9.99 each - $19.89 for 2)

- 2 Sense and Spray($9.99 each - $19.89 for 2)

- 1 4.9 oz. candle ($5.99 each)

- 1- 2 pack of oil refill ($5.99 each)

No I did not pay those prices, those are the normal not on sale price of each of those items!!

These items total not on sale and without coupons is: $ 51. 94

I paid: $12.92!! Plus I got $2 off my next purchases! So it was like it was $10.92!!

How did I do this? Well I'm about to tell you! :)

The reed diffusers: I had 2-  $3 off coupon! So each of those were $1.99!

The Sense and Sprays: I had 2- $4 off coupon. So I paid....$.99 for those!! How awesome is that?! :D

The candle: I had a $1 off coupon, so it was 2.99, but if you add the $1 off next purchase thing, then it was really $1.99!

The oil refills: I had a $1 off coupon so those were really $2.99, but if you count the $1 off of next purchase then they were $1.99!

So I saved almost $40!!

So now my house smells nice, and I have 2-3 Christmas gifts! :D

That was my last deal hunting for this week. Man, saving money can get addicting! So be careful and don't forget Who it is that allows you to earn that money and then allows you to find the good deals! I think it is such a blessing that I went to that coupon class!  I feel like I am being a better shopper and being more wise with the money Joey makes.

Have a great night everyone! :)

Halloween Weekend!

Wow this past week and weekend has been CrAzY!

This past week I had 2 tests and 2 lessons to teach. Doesn't sound like much, but it was a very stressful week! This weekend was crazy, but in a good way!

It all started Friday. Friday I did this:













I cut my hair off! :) I love it! It is so much easier to take care of!











Friday night I hung out with some education (major) girls. That was fun :) I made yummy bean dip and they liked it!

Let's see...Saturday:

We went to Stubb's in Houston/Clear Lake(?)
Since this past weekend was the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, tons of bikers met at Stubb's for a benefit. They paid $20 to ride and the proceeds went to a ranch for at risk children and abandoned animals. (They have the children take care of the animals).

There were SO many bikers there! At least a couple of hundred! They had a police escort down 45 to Galveston! It was neat to see all those bikes, mostly Harleys. Then we went to Galveston. Oh my gosh! Bikers, everywhere!!! Joe, Joey's dad, wanted me to see the strand and what it becomes, the only way you can get through is on a motorcycle. Well he has one, so I got to ride on the back!!! It was scary at first, but I loved it!! Don't worry we both wore helmets, and the highest speed he got was 40mph. :)
But back to my story. The strand Sat. had two rows of bikes on each side. One row behind the other on each side. It was handle-bars to handle-bars! With just an aisle for bikes to go through the middle! It was such an awesome sight! Well some of it was....there were a lot of leather skin ladies that were under-dressed for their age. That was gross. There were SO many people on the strand though!

Supposedly Jesse James was supposed to be there (He is Sandra Bullock's husband and owns/began West Coast Choppers) but we didn't go and walk around.

Here are some pictures I took of all the motorcylces:

This was a bank's parking lot, it was FULL of bikes.

On the left you can see some of the bikes lined up. This wasn't even on the strand. It was on a street near it! It looked like that on the right side too!


As we drove by the strand and these were all the motorcycles that drove by us.


Here you can see a glimpse of what the Strand looked like!

Needless to say it was SO fun!


Saturday night:
Trick-or-Treaters! We had a good amount. It didn't take long to get low on the candy. Of course I was being generous with the amount given out bc I didn't know how many children we would get. I stopped in time though to save us some candy! :D

Today:

Today was crazy! We went to church, and (lil) Rachel came home with us so she could work on her project and use our color printer. Well after church we went to Best Buy and contemplated wither or not to buy a new color printer since our's was broken in a way that we couldn't use 2 of the 3 features. We decided not to, bought some ink for our one we had and went and got lunch and went home. Well got home and needed more ink than we thought. I went to Kroger to get good deals, then swung by my mom to pick up some stuff. Joey decided to go ahead and get another printer. So he went and got it, set it up and it didn't work right. So at 5:30, which we were to go to dinner with my mom and grandma (for my granny's birthday) at 6, Joey went and returned it quickly. We left the house at 6:20, and went to eat with them. While Rachel finished her stuff, then Mary came to pick her up. We visited for a while then they left. Then I am doing a load of laundry now!

Man! If you are still reading, I got a great deal at Kroger! :)

Here it goes:

- 2 Snuggle Fabric Softners

- 2 Ricola Cough Drops

- 2 Ball Park hot dogs

- 2 Birdseye Steamfresh Corn on the Cob

- 2 Break and Bake Pillsbury Cookie Dough

- 1 Aussie styler

- 1 Pepperidge Farm Garlic Bread

All this totals normally to: $ 35.83

I got it for:

$7.66! Savings of $28.17!

How did I do this?

-Kroger is having a sale buy 10 (participating items) and get $5 off instantly

- I had 2- $3 off 1 for Snuggle, which were 2.49 when you bought 10 things. So I got those FREE!!!

- I had a coupon for buy 1 get 1 Free for the cough drops, which were .50, so I got 2 for $. 50

- I had:

- $1 off of 2 for the hot dogs

- $1 off of 2 for the cookie dough

- $1 off Aussie hair products

- .40 off of Pepperidge Farm, which doubles to .80

- 2- .50 off 1 on Steamfresh Veggies

Basically everything I bought I had a coupon for! Then the prices were cheaper when you bought 10 items. Then I got the $5 off at the register!

Those 2 Snuggle fabric softeners would normally cost almost as much as my whole total today!

Another great deal I got the other day at Walmart was on those Glade Candle Tins. I have many of those buy a tin and get a refill pack for FREE! So at Walmart I had that coupon and then found a $1.50 off the tin inside the candle tin. It cost me $.75 for BOTH!!

I bought other things too and saved $6.75 there.

I also found some really cute and cheap fall decorations for our house at Target and the Dollar Tree!

At Target I bought:

This was seperate pieces, each were 50% off of $2.50! (1.25 each!)

Then at Dollar Tree I got:

I found some leaves to go into this glass vase! It might be hard to see, but I bought 3 packs of leaves, but I only used 2. I didn't know how many it would take, so I got 3 just in case! Those were each $1.00! It looks really nice, you wouldn't know that's where they came from unless you went to the store and saw them or read it on here :)

I am really happy with my fall decor!

Alright, time for me to go to bed! I am so tired!

Have a great night! Enjoy that extra hour of sleep! :)