More Pics of Furniture

Here are a couple of more pics of furniture I have finished. Check out the $5 chair from Goodwill. I did not do anything to it except put it at the desk. Excuse the crayon on the dresser my child thought it was a chalkboard in her younger years. I also replaced all the hardware on the furniture to match. I got the hardware from Lowes but I know The Habitat Store sells hardware.

CVS What Can I Say?

I went to CVS last night to do my weekly deal. FYI I did not go to CVS last week. Here is my deal:

2 Swiffer dry dusters 5.99 each gave back $5Ecb with $10 purchase

2 bags of Lifesavers on sale for B1G1 both bags FREE due to coupon

1 Bic Soleil refills 6.99 gave back $5 Ecb

1 Physician mascara 7.99 gave back 7.99 Ecb

1 CVS sunscreen $4.99

Coupons

$5 off $30 purchase CVS coupon (this was emailed to my by CVS)

$2 off CVS skin care CVS printable coupon

$3 off CVS skin care CRT

B1G1 Lifesaver coupon

$4 Bic Soleil coupon

I paid with 1 $2 ECB and 1 $10 ECB

OOP was $6.25

I got 12.99 in ECB back but a $5 ECB did not print out so I need to call CVS corp. and get that back. I will have $17.99 going into next week.

While I'm at it

While I'm showing you my room I am going to show you my furniture and curtains.
This dresser was given to my by a friend and it is all solid wood. I have refinished all the pieces in an antique finish.


All these other pieces were brought at Goodwill and the Rescue Mission. I have a piece of fabric to cover these doors to make it neater but I have'nt got to it yet.

The curtains and pillows on the bed are Waverly fabric. My mom and I made them.

The Rug-What a Deal!

We needed a rug in our room to stop the bed from sliding around. After picking up the bed from JC Penney we headed to Lowes. I thought I had a coupon for %10 off my next purchase only to realize that it had expired a couple days before. We were looking back by the rugs and I was looking for something inexpensive but decent. We found this rug which is an 8ft x 10ft berber area rug. The price tag was $88.00. My head starting hurting just thinking about the price. They had three to choose from and I noticed this one had a small snag on it. Of course I got a sales associate over and can you guess what I did next? Yes, yes I asked for a discount. What is my motto? If you don't ask you don't have a chance of getting any discount. I showed the man the snag and he looked at me and thought a second and gave it to me for, are you ready for this? $60.00, yes he took $28.00 off the price. Then he said, "When you get it home just cut it here." showing me where to cut, "it will be fine after that." When we got to the front to pay, the man at the cash register also told me to cut it and showed me where to cut.

If you have done the math Lowes gave us a %33 discount. The snag is undetectable now and it is up under the headboard.

The bed is up and in place

As you all probably remember, I was waiting for this bed. I waited to get the best deal possible. After about a month it finally did go on sale and I worked out some free shipping. We picked it up yesterday and set it up. Here it is! TAH DAH!

Not bad for $156.00 including tax.

Please take note of the rug. This is the next blog entry.

Disclaimer: If looking at this picture you must excuse the untucked red sheet and the unorganzied appearance of pillows.

Exciting News

I have exciting news. My ING Direct account has already made $.09. Yay! This is $.09 more than I had last week toward my camera!!

Congrats Lori on the new baby!!

What Can You Make?

I was inspired by a post on Moneysavingmom. She is always finding new and great frugal ideas. It got me thinking about making stuff inexpensively or using things found to make something decorative. I thought I would post a few things I have made around the house the past couple of years. Here gos:



This rooster shelf used to be my molding over my closet door. I removed my closet wall to make it a 6 ft opening with sliding mirror doors. I took the molding and added a piece of wood across the top, painted Free Roosters with paint I had lying around, stained over the white paint and then sanded it. If you look close you can see the black screws I drilled straight through it to hang in on the wall.

This 2nd & 3rd photo is my spice cabinet I made. The front is an old wood window. The sides are made from the side trim of my closet door and the back is chicken wire I had laying around in the garage. The windows were dug out of the garbage.

Next is the family picture frame. Again it is an old window. I simply cleaned the glass added pictures and black paper then I nailed in some cardboard on the back to hold the pictures in. I added 2 eye hooks at the top and ran picture wire to hang it up.



















This last picture is the crowing touch, my Christmas decorations. My Christmas decorations are very inexpensive and give a pretty good punch to our yard. The small christmas trees on the left are tomatoe cages that I have stacked up and added lights to. The christmas package in front of the trees is a wire basket that is a garbage find I simply added lights to it. The deer on the right are 2 x 4 saw horses, another garbage find. I jig sawed and nailed a head and neck onto them and then wrapped them in white christmas lights. The wreath on the top is a grape vine wreath I found at Michaels very very cheap and wrapped green lights. to it.

I have had a love and hate relationship this week

I have had a love/hate relationship with CVS this week. I love CVS for only having to put out $3 in cash for all of my stuff this week, but in the same breath I hate CVS because I had to use all $32 in ECB's this week.

This week I actually needed some stuff that was not giving back ECB's. I know, it's very sad. I only have $12 left for next week.

Here is my deal:

3 bottles of Citracal B1G1 1/2
1 CVS sunscreen

1 CVS swabs

2 Revelon nail polishes B1G1 1/2 price

It's Nice to be Nice!

As most of you know we eat so many Lenders bagels here at my house and I should really have stock in the company. Since we eat so many, and coupons never last, I decided to email the company to see what would happen. I emailed about 1 1/2 weeks ago and never heard anything back. When I emailed I, first, praised the company for their product. Secondly I asked for coupons. This past Thursday, in the mail, I got a nice letter thanking me for using their product and along with the letter I got a coupon for one free pack of bagels. Yay!

Remember *If you don't ask you don't have a chance of getting it*

No Krogering This Week

I am sorry and happy to say that I did not go to Kroger this week. I am glad to report that I went to Wal-Mart with Tracy and we both got some printer paper for .97 per pack.

Persistence and Patience Paid Off

Wow! I guess waiting does pay off. I have been wanting a bed frame from J.C. Penneys for about a month or two now. It was marked $149.00 and when I went to the store to get free shipping the lady said it had went up in price to $199.00. What had happened is J.C. Penney had a sale so they marked the bed up to $199 to give free shipping. This was not a good deal for me. After the sale the bed came back down to $149 but then was out of stock. I was bummed, but waited and waited and waited checking the website weekly.

Today I went on the site because I got an email for free shipping. Low and behold there was my bed in stock! I jumped up and down and then clicked to see if it was in stock. Again I jumped up and down and set to work getting free shipping. I was able to get my bed frame today delivered to the store for $156. including tax and free shipping. Yay!!

Here is the link if you want to see it

Unexpected CVS Trip, Maybe I Need More of These

My battery in my digital camera died so I needed to get a battery. I can't bare to step into CVS and not have a deal worked out. This was a good one!

Sherri and I also figured out why my deals never line up with hers and why it seems I always get more ECB's back then she does. I read on a blog awhile back that you can use a CRT (Cash Register Tape Coupon) AND a $3 off $15 or a $4 off $20 purchase coupon on the same deal. See my deal below and I will demonstrate. Just to let you know I did a $50 deal tonight.

6 boxes of Nature Valley granola bars 3/$10

1 Duracell Battery charger $14.99

1-4 pack of Duracell Power batteries $2.99 (The tag said $5.99 but are scanning for $2.99)

2 CVS cotton swabs $3.19 each

2 Brut deoderants $3.19 each

Total before coupons $52.13

coupons used (here is where I worked some magic)

6 granola coupons .65 each

$10 off $50 CRT coupon

$5 off $30 printable coupon (CVS sent in email today)

$5 Duracell battery charger coupon (CRT from last deal at CVS)

$2 CVS skincare coupon (printed from the centsible sawyer )

.75 Brut coupon

.55 Brut coupon

$1 Duracell battery coupon

I used $20.96 in ECB's

I got back $20.00 ECB's

Total OOP in cash $2.98

I did have a problem with this deal though. I thought the Duracell batteries were 5.99 and then ended up being $2.99 so I need to go back and buy another small pack of batteries and I will receive another $10 in ECB's

I went to CVS today (Friday) and got my $2.99 pack of Duracell X Power batteries and another CVS cotton swabs. The total OOP $3.39

Total ecbs back today $12

I now have $32 in ECB's for next week.

Today is my 9th wedding anniversary and my hubby surprised me with these flowers today.

UMMM, I think I Did Good at CVS This Week

Yeah, I think I did pretty good at CVS this week. Read on and leave me a comment if you agree.

I will be sharing my deals on money saving mom this week.
For Your Information- I checked with CVS tonight about buying a CVS gift card with my ECB's and it is not allowed. The queen of CVS, Sherri, came up with the idea of getting a gift card and then paying all out of pocket CVS transactions with the gift card. Of course we are trying to figure out how to work a deal to get one.
Tonight I did 4 transactions. The receipts were flying every which way. I used previous earned ECB's on all my transactions tonight.

1st transaction
4 Nivea Men shave gels 2.99 ea
1 Listerine Smart Rinse mouthwash 3.49ea
1 CVS sheer bandaids (the 60ct works for the 1.99 ecbs its advertised as 40ct) 1.99
**coupons used
2-$2 Nivea
1-$1 off 2 Nivea
$1 Listerine
$3 off $15 purchase
---Total OOP .57

2nd Transaction
1 Schick Quattro razor 9.49ea
1 Oral B Crossaction 2 pack toothbrush 6.99
**coupons used
$3 off $15 purchase
$3 Schick razor
---Total OOP .67

3rd Transaction
4-12 pack of Diet Coke 4/$11
1 Oral B 2 pack toothbrushes 6.99
1 CVS bandaids 1.99
**coupons used
$3 off $15 purchase
---Total OOP .77

4th Transaction
Listerine Smart Rinse 3.49
2 big bags of M & M 5.99 each
**coupons used
$1 Listerine
$3 off $15 purchase
--Total OOP $1.78

I have a total of $20.96 to use for next time. Yay! I LOVE CVS!

I also found a new CVS to use that is fully stocked and really nice, shhh it's my secret.

My Walgreens Rebates Processing!

I added my Walgreens rebates last night as I posted and they are already processing! Yay! I like the online rebates.

I went and did my monthly Walgreens today. As you know I do the deals that gives me all of my money back plus overage. I like to keep my Walgreens gift card as a little nest egg, in case we run out of cash and really need something. Today my deal was this:

1 Ecotrin 45 ct low dose aspirin on sale for $2

1 Theragran-Multi vitamin $4.99

coupons used

$1 off Ecotrin

$2 off vitamins

Total off of gift card (no cash spent) $4.24

Total I will get back after rebates $8.77

I Want Coupons for Veggies

I went to Kroger today and spent $41. I did get alot of stuff though.

8 pcks of Lenders bagels $1 each

1 Philly Cream Cheese (for the shortcuts that didnt work last time)

4-1/2 gallon of ice cream

sweet potatoes

tomatoes

romaine lettuce

9 bags of frozen Kroger veggies

1 pack each of hamburger and hot dog buns

6 ears of corn on the cob

3 Franks hot sauce (the only thing I had coupons for .50 each)

I had .80 of shortcuts applied as well.

I have been going to the same Kroger for awhile now and one of the cashiers has started talking and saying hi everytime she sees me. Today was no exception. Today, though, she started telling me about her boyfriends crazy ex-wife and how she was going to the library to look up his divorce papers. She also told me his name as if I would know him. I'm thinking, "Hey lady, I'm grocery shopping with kids I really want to leave now. Are we friends? Should you really be telling me all of this information?" She was really helpful though, scanning my potatoes, corn and lettuce.

Walgreens May Rebate

I totally spaced on sending in my Walgreens rebate for the month of May. I went online tonight and was able to send it in online. This is a great thing, it will save me a stamp. Plus the May rebate has to be postmarked by tomorrow.

Camera Fund STARTED!!

I am so excited! I opened my ING account today. I also put in $100.00. I am on my way, I now only need $600 more.

The picture is from Paul Klee. The unscholarly would pronounce it (Kl-ee) but us on this site know that it is pronounced (Clay). This peace is call Dance, Monster to My Soft Song. I have always liked this picture, I don' know why. It makes me laugh when I think about a monster dancing to a soft song. This monster looks anything but gentle and romantic. Klee is a transcendentalist artist. You know he likes the dreamy, romantic stuff. This picture is actually pretty grainy, its hard to make out the man playing the piano at the bottom.

Ask For It part 2

I already posted about asking for discounts or deals click here or here to see prior posts. If you don't ask you don't even have a shot at getting a discount. What can they say? No, its just the word no. Trust me they won't come across the counter and slap you. They may want to, but they won't.

Anyway here is another little tip that I have figured out along the way. When you are asking for a discount or asking for something to be put right that you know they did wrong. Make sure, o.k. pay attention, write this down. Make sure you look as if you are not going anywhere until this is settled. I think the people working behind the counter, cash register. etc.. want to get rid of you as quickly as you want your issue resolved. If you take the stance that you are unsure or that you are wrong, you probably will not get your deal. I have had customer service and cashiers say, "I will have to get a manager for that." I always say, "o.k., I will wait right here." I might move to get out of others way but I stay close. When you are asking for something make sure (write this down) to:
#1 BE KIND-always
#2 Stand up straight
#3 Look into the eyes of the person
#4 Ask for what you want directly, no beating around the bush.
#5 If you know that you are right or have corp. policy with you, get a manager involved.

Pray for Patience? NEVER

I never pray for patiences. I know this is probably wrong, but, I dont pray for patience because I know the only way for God to work on patience is to have my patience tested. I do not want my patience tested.

Why am I bringing this up? You ask. I am patiently, trying to wait to buy my camera. I also bring this up because, finally, I was able to use my Cremora (on further review it turned out to be Coffee Mate, same difference) coupon. Here's the story if you want a recap Click . When I went to Wally World the other night I had to check their price of the Mega Size (2 lb can) and to my surprise with my coupon I paid .14 for it. I can handle that deal, so my patience on this issue paid off.

I Have Figured It Out

I think I have figured out a way to afford my camera! I am so happy, I hope it actually works. Those of you who have been reading my blog and talking to me know how desperate I am to have the Nikon D60. If you don't you can read the story here.

Every year when we get out income tax back, I take half and put it into a seperate savings account and this is our vacation money. I take the other half and put it on any debt. I have our vacation money sitting in an account making next to nothing so I am going to take it and put it into an ING savings account, they are give 3%. When I pull our vacation money out in September I should at least have a little extra for my camera. I am also going to try and put little here and a littlw there of extra money into my new account.

After CVS it WasOff to Wally World

I have not been back to Wal-Mart since that last incident but decided some of the deals were to good to pass up. The Centsible Sawyer has some great deals posted so I tried my hand. Here is my Wally World deals:

Let me first say I had a total of 42 coupons

5 Yoplate plus yogurts 4ct

8 jars of Vlasic pickles

7 cans of Bushs grillin beans

2 Kens salad dressing

1 Kraft large salad dressing

6 Schick value pack razors (free)

4 Oral B Essential floss (free)

4 Huggies Clean Team wipes

3 HP printer paper (.97 each)

3 GV frozen lemonade concentrate

1 Large Coffee Mate (.14 after coupon)

This is 44 items

---Total before coupons 75.01

--Total OOP $22.33

Now the Good News

Now the good news. I am up and running better than before and I did some shopping last night, he he.

I went to CVS first, AFTER, the tornado touched down by our house of course. I did two transactions and here they are:

1st

2 Bounty paper towels

3 Duracell batteries

coupons used

2-.25 Bounty

3- .75 Duracell

$3 off $15 CVS purchase

Total ecb used $11.49

total OOP $3.96

2nd (I should have broken this up into two transactions to get another $3 off but oh well)

2 Chex Mix

2 Dawn dish soap

1 M & M 14oz

2 Swiffer wet

1 Gillette Fusion razor

1 Listerine Smart Rinse

2 CVS 60ct bandaids (these work for ecbs-40ct is advertised)

Coupons used

2-.25 Dawn

2-$1 Chex (these were free)

1- $1 off 2 Swiffer

1- $4 Fusion

1- $1 Listerine

$3 off $15 CVS purchase

Total ecbs used $25.69

Total OOP $3.50

---Total ECB's I have for next week $22.46

The Bad News

First the bad news. I love my husband to pieces, this is not the bad news. The bad news is my hubby thinks he has to click ads online when they pop up. The ones that always get him are the ones that say, "Hurry your computer is unsafe, click here NOW." Anyway as he was surfing the net one night he clicked, and yes, download a virus. I spent about 3 days last week trying to get it going, with no luck. We have a Dell computer so I called Dell. I LOVE Dell! If you are looking for a new computer buy a Dell. I called Dell and they walked me through the repair and waited on the phone with me for 45 minutes while my computer ran through the steps. Sorry to say the repair did'nt work
:( I had to totally reinstall my Windows XP. Yep, we lost everything. All of my files and programs that I loved where gone. I even lost some pictures, I am affraid to look and see what all I lost. My heart aches to think about it right now so back to the Dell guy. The Dell support guy then walked me through the whole install. I had a total of about 2 hours with tech support. After reinstalling I was off and running only to realize I could not get back online. I dialed the Dell support again. Another fine man walked me through installing one of my drivers and then he connected to my computer and installed the rest for me.
By the way all of this support did not cost me a dime. My computer was bought in 2004 and still they did it all for free. WHOA!

Let me say again I LOVE DELL.