what's in your mailbox today?

It's always a good day when I get freebies in my mailbox instead of just bills.  Today I got Tide pods, a Keebler jumbo fudge bar, Gevalia coffee, and a coupon for Fresh Takes for free along with another coupon for $1 off.
We've tried the Fresh Takes cheese and breadcrumbs.  Pretty yummy.

4 State Parks in 2 days

If you were wondering where I've been since I haven't been posting hot deals we went to 4 state parks in about a day and a half.  I guess 2 weren't really parks as much as historical points of interest.   We have been all over southern Missouri this weekend.
We started at The Trail of Tears State Park.

We have some Cherokee blood in the family so it's part of our history.  The kid just did a report on the Trail of Tears.  We tied in his knowledge to part of the actual trail.

Then we stopped at the Bollinger Mill and Covered Bridge State Site.  The mill was closed by the time we got there but we did have fun checking it out and walking the bridge.  It is one of four left in Missouri.
Then today we visited Elephant Rocks State Park.  Erosion has removed loose earth to expose these giant boulders known as elephants.  Dumbo is the largest one. The kid had a little too much fun climbing these boulders.  Scared the heck out of me.
We ended our 2 day journey with a visit to Fort Davidson State Historic Site.  The kid said he wanted to see a fort.  He was somewhat disappointed that there wasn't a fort in the sense that he was thinking.  The Union held this fort throughout the war when they evacuated the fort they blew it up so that they could deny the Confederates any spoils.
It was a long but satisfying time.  Fun mixed with history.
I am going to sleep well tonight.

1 month down....

It's been a month since I started this crazy blog experiment.  I'd have to say so far so good.  I don't seem to get many comments but apparently you are following my crazy antics.  I've had over a 1100 page views.  I had no idea what to expect when I started this but it's amazing to me that 1 person can reach so many.  I'm pretty impressed.
If you had told me 3 years ago that we could live on what we now live on I would have told you that you were crazy.  There is no way we can live on that!   Some days I look at it positively and others not so much.
One way I do this is by clipping coupons.  Yes it does take time.  Time to learn and time to clip and sort.  I use a binder to keep my coupons organized.  If you don't want to do this then you can organize them by day and source.  For instance  3-4 smart source.   Just write the date on the front of the coupon insert.  You can file them in hanging files or stack them in a box.  Whatever works for you.   All the blogs and match ups usually tell you where to find the coupon.  Then you just need to find and clip only what you want.
I clip and sort.   The reasoning is simple for me.  If I don't do it this way I usually miss deals.  I don't know what I have if I don't clip.  I may be in the store and find an unadvertised deal.  I can just flip through my binder to see if I also have a coupon.
For the most part I do not take my binder in the store.   I only take it in if I don't know exactly what I'm buying.   Normally I have a specific list with all my coupons clipped to the list.
Find what works for you.   I know I used to be embarrassed to take my binder in the store.  I bought a binder with a strap that helps. BUT you may miss deals by not bringing in your binder.  I keep mine in the car at all times so if I find a deal I can go get what I need.
You can always find your coupons in a binder.  You can sort them anyway you want.  Mine is by section of the store.  Freezer, cooler, cereals..etc...   I started with a tiny 1/2 inch binder and baseball card holders.   I had the binder and dividers from the boy's old school stuff.  It doesn't have to be pretty.  You just need to be able to find your coupons.
I took a little time tonight to clip and sort last Sunday's coupons.  I usually clean the binder out every month to remove expired coupons.  
I love checking out in front of older ladies.  They are usually impressed to see my pre and post totals.  Makes me laugh when I don't have a good transaction and the lady behind me thinks I did so well.  Hehehe. If I don't save 50% it's not a good day. We used to spend approximately $800 a month on groceries and household items.  I would estimate that we are under $300 now and this includes a stockpile that we never had before.
What would you do with the money you saved if you cut your grocery budget in half?   Pay down debt?  Go on vacation?  Save it?

Blahs

As far as I'm concerned the recent deals have been ho hum.  Hopefully my luck changes tomorrow when I hit up Schnucks.  I will post if I find anything good.  I'm hoping they still have the Beneful dog meals.  The dog really likes those.  She's such a spoiled brat.  

Another great deal there this week is the new Kraft cheese and bread cumb mix. Fresh Take.  Looks like they are on sale for $2.  When you buy 2 use 2 $1 off coupons and get a catalina coupon for another $1 back.  Making them $.50 each.  

For a complete deal match up head over to Clippin with Carrie.   

I am planning on doing some more cleaning projects with more homemade cleaner recipes later this week.   We have been busy lately.  Our youngest is getting ready to test for his black belt so things have been a little hectic around here.  We are hoping he passes so we can slow down for a bit.  

I've also been busy baking bread.   When the kid told me we were out of bread the other day, I told him that's why I baked bread.  Can you tell my kids always have had store bought bread?  I am getting it down pretty good.  I only have to glance at the recipe now just to double check myself.  This is definitely a plus.  This way I can turn this out faster.  I have growing boys.  They try to eat me out of house and home on a daily basis.  

It's been a challenge to do more things from scratch when you also have a full time job.  But I feel it is totally worth it.  I know what I'm putting into their food and what I am not putting in.  And did I mention it is so yummy?!  I think I just need to invest in more bread pans so I can make more at one time.  I have done 2 batches this week.  Growing boys!  Even worse,  teenage growing boys!  

Well another day is done.  We shall see what tomorrow brings.  

What was your first freebie?

My first freebie was toothpaste.  This was my Aha! moment.

If I can get toothpaste for free, which I used to pay $4 for, what else can I get?

My free toothpaste came from Walgreens.  If you watch their ads you will notice something called Register Rewards.  Register Rewards are coupons that will print at the register when you purchase an item.  

This toothpaste was on sale for $3 with a $3 RR.  Which means I paid $3 OOP (out of pocket) but got $3 back to use on a future purchase.  Register Rewards are considered manufacturers coupons and they do have an expiration date.  

Then I found out how to make money on a purchase!   So imagine the same scenario.  Then add a coupon. 

Toothpaste is on sale for $3 and it has a RR for $3.  If I have a coupon for the toothpaste I can use that when I buy the item.  Buy your toothpaste with say a $1 coupon.  I pay $2 for the toothpaste and still get a $3 RR.  

Money maker!  

Another way to make money on items is Walmart.  They will accept coupons for items even if the coupon value exceeds the value of the product.  

For instance.  If I have a coupon for Panko breadcrumbs for $3 and the price of breadcrumbs is $2 at Walmart.  They will give you the $1 back.   Or you can buy other items you need and use the overage towards that.   Beware at Walmart though.  Their policy allows this but unfriendly and unwilling cashiers can really put a tangle in your day.  Ask for the manager.  They do allow it.   I've had good experiences and bad with this.  The reason it is allowed is how a coupon works.  When you hand over a coupon to a store they will send it in for a refund from the manufacturer.  They get the face value of the coupon and 8 cents.  So they are not losing money.  

What do you love to get free?  

About me...

I just wanted to do a little back tracking to fill you in on who I am and why I'm doing this.

I was just like so many Americans 3 years ago.  I was living way beyond my means.  We have the credit card bills to prove it.  The hubby had a good job.  Our bills were paid but we were still living paycheck to paycheck.  Then comes the housing market collapse.  Hubby lost that nice job that he had worked so hard for.  He still does not have a full time/ regular job.  

We lost our main income.  I have a run of the mill job.  It was never meant to pay our bills.  It was our extra income so we could do the little things people like to do.  Go out to eat,  take the kids to the movies and the mall.   What not.  

As much as I'd love to live in the ignorance of 3 years ago, I am to some extent thankful for this life changing situation.  I now know that when hubby gets a steady income we will be much better off.  We will not return to spending $200 a week at the grocery store and Walmart.  Nor will we charge today for the promise of future monies that may not be there.  

I had been a coupon clipper for many years on and off.  The problem with most coupon clippers is that you clip it then go to the store and buy it right away.  What you need to do is hold on to that coupon until you get a sale on that item.  That is always a winning combination.  Sale + coupon= buy!   Ideally, you want to buy enough for 3 months.  Sales usually come back around in that amount of time.  

This strategy changed our lives.  In fact, it saved our home.  We are still in our home after 3 rocky years.  The fight is not over by any means but we are still fighting.  We are still afloat.  

I have many people ask how I do it hence this blog.  It is not for everyone but everyone will hopefully learn something.  If you can apply even one thing in your life then I have succeeded.  I can't expect everyone to become extreme couponers but you can definitely still save money at the grocery store.