CVS $4 off $20 for EVERYONE

If you are a CVS Deal Shopper, you know these are rare!

Click here and then click on the link listed in the Tweet!

Remember you can get a coupon for each club card you have!  Enjoy!

Check me out at www.mopsandbeyond.blogspot.com

I have the pleasure of coordinating a local moms group in Bellefonte, PA.  And with starting up again this week, I have been busy with that blog.  So check me out at www.mopsandbeyond.blogspot.com

Thanks!

Honest Tea Coupons

Great coupons for a new tea out!

Honest Tea

Print the coupon for the $.75/1 single tea and its free after doubling at Weis Markets this week!

Kellogg's Fruit Snacks $1/1

Again, if doubles - FREE

Kelloggs Fruit Snacks

Shake And Bake $.75/1

Double this coupon and its free at most stores!

Shake 'n Bake

The End ...

Well, today is the 40th day of the fast! Some days I didn't think it would come but time did fly.

When I look back, I'm not sure if I had a life changing experience but an eye opening in what I needed to change.

For instances ...

• When payday come and the cash is taken for groceries, go grocery shopping FIRST! No Target or little spending here and there. Use the money for what its for - food!
• Don't run to the store because you saw a great deal online. Sleep on it.
• Plan transactions at CVS/Rite Aid for best out of pocket expense. Going in blind can make you spend more than you wanted.
• Quit swiping the debt card without talk to the co-owner of the account about the purchase.
• Plan only a week at a time of meals and spend only the amount you have for a week's time. This way you have money for milk or McD's in the future.

I skipped home parties and bingos. I put a lot of stuff back. I did a lot of window shopping. I didn't die during the process. So I encourage you to give it a try. If not 40 days, 30 or a week. Saving money is definitely a better way to go!

6 days to go and COUNTING ...

So, its the last week. It has been hard - seriously. But to even write that makes me feel selfish. I went 40 days without shopping for 'wants' not needs and its been hard. But I knew it would be and I needed this. As I shopped, I have touched many items and put back many items to boot. I have skipped events where huge tempting sales would have brought me to deleting this blog. I avoided certain stores that are known for my reckless spending. But I have meet a new friend ...

This is my new piggy bank Hamm. He is from the Toy Story movies and I recently got him free from codes inside cereal boxes. He has been holding my savings and loose change. The look on his face cracks me up but yet remind me to back off. I don't need to reach in there just because I might go to my favorite store today. It reminds me that having cash saved is better than things.

I think Hamm is going to be good for me!

Oh .... this is hard

Ok, I have been waiting a Vera Bradley Messenger bag or backpack forever but didn't want to pay $90 for them. On eBay they were even going for $70.

But today, I get an email saying they are clearance them out at $40! ARG! And they have my favorite pattern that is being discontinued!

Isn't this pathetic. I did everything to the payment page and then came here. Because I know I set out on this quest. With 13 days to go, I'm dying! You think it would be over - the urge - but no.

So I'm getting off of here and not purchasing it. But if it is still available at 12:01 on Sunday, July 25, it will be mine. Oh goodness gracious ...

$1/1 Dan-o-nino Yogurt - makes it free at Giant PA in State College

Hey all!

Print this coupon twice for twice the free yogurt! At State College, PA, Giant doubles $1 coupons and this is always $1.93 a pack!

Enjoy

click here

Stinks at Blogging but HASN'T GIVEN UP

So, its 8 days past by last post and I'm sure some have thought, "well she lasted a while - good try" BUT NO! I have done so good this week its about time I logged it!

Today is day 19 and I'm almost half way done. I'm glad but I have also enjoyed this adventure.

These past two weeks I have caught myself just getting what I need and walking out. That's hard for me as I love clearance bins and extra sale items. But sticking to my list helped alot.

I did go to the local grocery store that doubles $1 to see what I could get free that wasn't on my list and I did well. So well I was able to share my lot with a new friend!

And at first, I said I wasn't going to buy gifts for others. Well, I have but its been because I have extra money because I have been blessed. Because I stick to my list, shop the sales, plan only a week ahead instead of two, I'm able to really save money! Its GREAT!

So, day 19, I have $80 left in my wallet, a full fridge and pantry, and no plans :) This is a big accomplishment for me! I usually have $3 and think how I can get more cash. So, this has been good for me!

Day 11: Rough Weekend

On Friday, my hubby and I took the kids to see Toy Story 3. Havyn and I saw it already but we had free passes and the movie was that good to see it twice. During the week, Havyn found an old Jessie doll I bought at a yard sale a year ago and has been playing with her a lot. The dog chewed on Jessie along with wear and tear and dirt. So Rob wanted to go get her a new one. Well, I wasn't shopping but I'll go along and help pick her out! Well that got me in the spirit of things ...

On Saturday, I took the kids to the Centre Hall Yards Sales where deals where galore! I thought I was doing great - I didn't even spend $3.00 - but then I did set myself on a fast right?! Well, I broke it. I bought Havyn some books and Robby a little soccer toy. I didn't even think of it because it wasn't for me but for the kids (and it was only $3!!). But I need to reset here ...

My hubby suggested I restart. Good suggestion but I'm going to give this a grace period. So hopefully you will too. The big shopping day will be later this week. So I'm gearing up, focusing on purchasing items I will use for a stockpile, etc.

Day 8: Relearing how to shop!

So, on this quest of mine that I made myself do as I start to wonder why 40 days when all the clearance deals are coming out in July (thanks for letting me vent there), I need to teach myself to shop better.

I'm really good at spending all my money before the end of the month (that country song, To Much Month at the End of the Money, is my theme). So when these final days come, I find myself returning items for some extra cash or just swiping my debit card and hope my husband doesn't ask about that previous budgeted amount I went over on again.

Kara at www.practicalsaver.com recently sent out an email about my dilmea! Read on:

Andrea sent me several questions - one of here difficulties is meal planning. She plans for 2 weeks of meals at a time, but is finding herself out of money to go back and get the milk or items that she wants to stock up on during the next sale period.

Here is my opinion:

I have never been a fan of 2 week meal plans, for the same reason you described, you will still need more items as 'life happens' and you don't know if a better sale is coming in the next sale ads. I suggest making a 1 week meal plan. I do usually 4 days at a time. By the end of the 4 days, I will be needing milk or something, and that will allow me to possibly go to a different store to get what is on sale there.

We get paid every 2 weeks as well, once you get into the routine, it is quite simple to divide 1/2 your budget and spread it out. And don't worry if you spend over half one week, just don't leave it dry for the milk and extras you need to pick up.

PERFECT! I was planning on my HUGE shopping trip on Wednesday but I think I will just plan for a week and get what I need for up to 7 days!

So this is a start. But I just need to remember I don't have extra $$ to spend because I still have another week to go. So no Target or Country Stores ...

Week One OVER! 32 days to go!

Well, today is the official week mark. On Tuesday, I went to CVS and Rite Aid and spent less than $5 out of pocket so that rocked and have tons of store credit for next weeks sales.

Yesterday my kids and I went to the berry farm and they had the cutest country store (add to list of weaknesses: Target, country stores). I love all the decorations and cute sayings. Well, there were a ton of them. I walked through once and that's it. My friend Tammy and I will be back out in September so my plan is to shop then. But the old me (before a week ago), would have purchased the couple of items she saw and then would try to sneak those receipts into the checkbook log. But, I didn't. Am I proud? Yes. Am I happy? Not really - they were really cute and I know where I want them in my house! But this is the purpose of this journey - to learn more self control.

So, today I have nothing planned. Just a lazy day home with the kids. I do love being a stay at home mom and homemaker for this reason. I don't need to get dressed, be somewhere, and be gone from my kids all day. The SAHM and homemaker is a 24 hour job that I wish I could take a break from sometimes but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Day 3, 4, 5 - Not to bad ...

So eventually I had to go to the store to buy groceries and had to go to Target.

I went to talk with only 20 minutes to spare so this help me 'wondering' around. They didn't have Pampers Baby Wipes on sale for $1.97 so that was a no go. Went and got the juice boxes on sale and a box of candy for the theater (we saw Toy Story 3 - SO SO good).

Later that day I went grocery shopping. Sticking to my list until the items were completely free after coupons, went awesome! It was $50 before coupons, and only $25 out of pocket for groceries until 6/30. I went through my pantry and deep freezer to figure out meals so we can spend less this month.

So its going pretty good! I have a strong urge to go to the local grocery store that doubles $1 coupon to see what I can get free but I'll hold off. That is where I can get into trouble too. Getting alot of things for under $1 actually added up. So I would have a pantry full of stuff that I really didn't need and spent the money I just should have saved. I know $.10 toothpaste was only $.10 but when I can get it free - why pay it!

This is where I think to myself - I'll donate it! And then I donate so much, I don't donate wisely. Meaning - I spend cash on items that I didn't need to donate when I needed to hold onto the cash for other items. When I wouldn't hold onto the cash, I would be going to my hubby within 5 days of payday asking for money because we were out of food. So I wasn't shopping in a good way. That is why I'm on this fast and teaching myself to shop again.

I will continue to donate items but at this time, I'm going to watch what I spend and see how I can share without going hungry myself.

Pampers Gifts to Grow Codes

Alot of new codes for wonderful free points!

Pampers Gifts to Grow Codes

Day 2 - My Jeep has a mind of her own!

Yesterday the boys and I were going to taking Wally to Petco for his bi-monthly grooming and going to run errands in town until Wally was finished. My goal was to get items I only needed at Target.

Target - that's my weakness. I could spend two hours in there, looking at all the great clearances, find amazing, cheap deals, and come out broke! So I was going to take this 40 day no shopping challenge on day two!

My good ole' Jeep Liberty (who I love because is paid off and lets me hit curbs without destroying her) must of read my mind because she broke down on exit 78b - never letting me out of Bellefonte! Oh she knows me so well. So, after the church secretary coming to save me and two toddler boys, a tow truck, and a new belt put on by a friend (who saved us $$ in labor cost), the car is home and I didn't go to Target.

I had to laugh while sitting their on Rt-220 broken down. My plan didn't go through and it was ok. So day two of my 40 shopping fast - PERFECT!

A Challenge to Myself - a 40 day fast from shopping

I LOVE to shop! Ask my dad - I would need to touch or look at anything in the store since I was in Jr. High. My mom couldn't stand it so my dad took me shopping for my prom/homecoming dresses, etc.

Before I got married, I spent my whole paycheck at the mall. Bath and Body Works, Express, American Eagle - had it all! I remember my first paycheck after I got married I planned on buying a gift for my new husband. What a smack in the face when it had to go to bills!

So 11 years later, sometimes I'm still shocked when I run out of cash to spend. A trip to Target, to the dollar store, and then eventually to the grocery store left me empty pockets. Its amazing how fast $250 can go in one day!

So, after reading about how a lady took at 40 day fast from shopping, I felt this urge to give it a try. So, here are my rules ...

1) Only purchasing items needed!

2) No purchasing un-needed items unless totally free with coupons (so no more $.10 toothpaste for a while - I do have enough to scrub all of Zion's mouths for a couple of months so this is not a need)

3) Save the $40 spending cash I receive each pay period and deposit it into a checking account.

4) Quit purchasing items for other people (more detail later).

5) Do not go to nor host events that require purchasing unnecessary items.

So, I started this on vacation in Ocean City, MD, but that was easy. I don't need a cheap t-shirt or a shell with my name on in. But today was the first day I started. Here is how it went ...

Off to Giant to pick up some groceries as we have been on vacation. I was on a time crunch so it was easy to get it and get out! I was out of coffee so I stocked up due to a BOGO sale and $4 off in coupons!

Off to Walmart to pick up trash bags that I forgot a Giant. I have 60+ $2.00 off Pamper's wipes coupons left so I check Walmart each time I go as they are $1.97 each (I make $.03 off each one!). So I wiped off the shelves (26 boxes) and picked up trash bags. As I'm walking to the front, huge clearance racks in the aisles. Cute shoes for Havyn only $3! Oh my Goddaughter would look great in this outfit for $2! But I didn't - I didn't buy anything NOR touch anything. Just saw it and kept walking. I was proud of myself and I hope I can keep this stability for the next 39 days!

Keep checking back as I blog about my 40 fast adventure!

Huggies $3/1 packs!

If you have printed these before, they have been reset! Remember to print twice from each website!!

$3/1 Huggies

$2/2 Huggies Wipes

Diaper Clearance GLORE!

Its seems that Huggies and Pampers and Luvs are doing away with the MEGA packs (the middle range package between Jumbo and Boxed). So, Rite Aid, CVS, Target, etc are clearancing them out at 50% off!

For maximum savings, print off $3.00 Huggies coupons at www.coupons.com and www.couponbug.com (print twice off each website) plus use any store coupons on top off it!

Also, the $2.00 coupon off of Pampers Wipes from Sunday's P&G insert is an awesome coupon! Use it at Target and Walmart this week for FREE wipes ($1.97 each tub) and at Rite Aid for $2.49 each (all Pampers wipes).

My stockpile is going to be packed with baby items for the summer!

Spring Cleaning - Sell It, Toss It, Donate It

All You has a great article in their July magazine about how to sort your unwanted items to see what can be donated, sold, or just tossed. Pick up the newest copy at Walmart!

This is one I am doing -

http://cellforcash.com/

Select the manufacturer and model at cellforcash.com to find out how much money you can get for your retired phone. They even pay for shipping. I'm getting $5 for my old LG Chocolate! I think I will get a chocolate coffee from Starbucks when that comes in!