It's been awhile.

I ate dirt.

It's been a while since I've posted about the great deals I've been getting. I recently went to CVS and through a transaction (can't remember what I got now) I got quite a few Extra Care Bucks. So I went last night to spend them on some things that I needed. I got 4 gallons of milk, 1 jumbo pack of pampers (18.00...not cheap!) and a box of tampons, used coupons and Extra Care Bucks and my total was $3.55. AND I got $2.98 back in ECB for next time. Not near as many as I had, but who can complain when you got free diapers and milk!

Today I went to Target to get a list of stuff and here is a picture of what I got for free:

38 individual cups of cereal. I think Luke will be eating one of these every morning for, well, the next 38 days =).

Also, on a side note, I made Hubby's Favorite Casserole last night. It was NOT my hubby's favorite casserole. Kyle thought it was just okay (and really, I agreed with him. It needed more seasonings....oregano, basil...something). So I asked him if I should copy this one down to make again. He didn't think so. Not really a winner at our house. So if you try it, my advice is to really season up that tomato soup somehow.

Whatever 'n stuff.

It's been just another week at the Soper house somewhat.  We've had rain every day and Wednesday evening the storms got bad enough to knock out our internet for 2 days.  My wireless still hasn't adequately recovered.  It works for about a minute at a time.  Don't really know what the deal is with that.  

Kyle: So Thursday with no internet, Kyle went outside to work and get caught up on some things outside.  Luke couldn't handle being inside while daddy was outside, so Luke got his shovel and went out to help his Daddy.  The pictures are all from Thursday.  Kyle's uncle, Steve, built him a new computer with all sorts of things I don't understand and he came over Friday morning to deliver it and help Kyle get it set up so Kyle has been messing with his new toy.  Today he is helping Traver's friend move.  We ordered a playset for Luke and it came in.  It is supposed to take 2 men 48 hours to put together.  So.  Kyle will be busy.  For, like, EVER.  We have found a place in the yard that can be seen from the bedroom, living room and kitchen windows.  Not that Luke is allowed to play outside by himself, but you know....one day. 

 Luke: Is obsessed with outside.  That's all he wants to do and all he talks about.  He is really repeating a lot of words we say and sounds we make and is pretty funny.  Luke will have his last swimming lesson this coming Tuesday.  He loves them.  He "jumps" in and will go all the way under (with my help of course).

Traver: Is still coming out here two days a week, Mondays and Thursdays.  He has started writing a blog on VTR also.  I don't know how long he's been doing that...probably forever, but I just found out the other day so Kyle and I were reading them.  A week or so ago when Traver was leaving one night after supper he said bye to Luke and Luke immediately puckered up and needed a kiss goodbye from Traver.  So sweet.  He also had a roommate ditch him and has already replaced him.  I think Traver really enjoys helping people move.  You should give him a call if you need his services *wink.

Rachel: I've been doing Body and Soul stuff.  I'm coordinating our summer boot camps so I've been getting teaching schedules together and trying to change up our workout so it won't feel like the same thing as our past boot camps.  I'm also working on getting approved by Body and Soul to teach their Power Strength classes (siminilar to Push/Pull classes if you're familiar).  The triceps song is killing me.  I don't know if I'll make it.  Ruth Ann (our Area director) says they're really tough on these and about only 1/3 of auditions get approved so we'll see.  If I never mention it again, that means I didn't get approved =).  I also went to the dentist the other day.  Please make your non-tax deductable donations to: The Rachel Soper Wisdom Teeth Extraction/Cavity Fund.  Yikes.  My wisdom teeth are scheduled to be yanked June 12th, but I put my name on their cancellation list so possibly sooner.  And I go in on the 22nd to get some cavities filled.  Fun Fun.

Good deals: I haven't posted any good deals lately, and I know you're all missing them.  I did get 5 lbs of apples free right before I went to Nebraska and yesterday I went to Target and got 10 Hershey Bliss dark chocolate bars for free and 10 snack size bags of Quaker Granola bites.  Luke really enjoys them.  I also got cheap Wheat Thins and Ritz Crackers.  I didn't however take a picture.  I appologize.  I'm such a slacker.

Note:  If you need information on where to mail your non-tax deductable check or to volunteer to help put together a playset, feel free to comment or email.  =)

More Freebies!

Move over Sal, you've got some competition in the blueberry department.

Yo, dawg. I'd like to give a shout out to all of my peeps.

We had run out of pancakes for Luke's breakfast in the freezer so we had breakfast for supper tonight. Luke loves frozen blueberries. I don't know how he feels about fresh, he's never had them. I estimate he ate at least a cups worth of frozen blueberries tonight along with his pancake.

My freebie run for tonight. I broke even. Usually I can make money, but tonight, this was all just free. Quite a haul, so I'm proud of myself. Here's the rundown:
6 toothpastes
1 slimquick energy drink
10 Zone protein bars
4 Mentos gum
2 packs (a 10 and a 12 pack) of Razors
2 dish soaps
1 Travel huggies wipes
3 packs of panty liners
2 body washes
1 conditioner
2 mouses
5 Johnson's Buddies kids soaps
2 Cascade Crystal Clean Dishwasher spot free rinse
1 mascara
1 bottle of Vitamin D supplements
1 Soft and Dry deoderant

Well.

Turns out, I'm about the only one who loves my deal finding posts, so I'm compromising. I'm still posting my deals--I mean they're just too exciting to not share! but I'll be sure to include at least one Luke story to make it worth your time, my 3 avid readers. But the good part is at the end--so there!
The following I got at Walmart with coupons for free: Jet Dry (5.97 value), Can of DelMonte diced tomatoes, 2 liter Diet Dr. Pepper, and Windex. The following I got at CVS. I paid 2.97 out of pocket and got 8.97 in extra bucks. 2-6hr energy drinks, 2 boxes granola bars, 2 small boxes Wheat Thins, 2 Toothpastes, 1 razor, 4 toothbrushes, 1 conditioner and 2 infant tylenol's. Luke's recent croup, cold and then brush with death--I mean teething, greatly deminished our supply.

Luke said his first word a few weeks ago: Car. Since then he's added book and apple. He can also roar like a lion. I'll try to catch him on video and post it. It's so cute. And he loves to play Ring Around the Rosie. Sometimes it's hard for him to fall down and he really has to work at it, but you can see he was successful in this attemp. We're looking forward to visits from my mom and dad (well, really they're visiting my Pappaw and Grandma Key in Ponca City, but I think it counts!) and from Michael, Audra and baby Girl, and Solomon. Can't wait to see you all!

Rachel's Couponing Tips (especially for Michael)

This post is going to stink if you don't care about how I get all my free stuff.

Keep in mind, that I am a complete amateur, and I really am not very good at the whole couponing thing. First I'll list my tips, and then some things that I've done to make things easier for me. Also, it really helps to live near a CVS. That's where I'm finding my best deals. Walgreens has some good 'uns, but it's no CVS.

1. Clip every coupon from the Sunday paper ect. and save them in an organized fashion. (All You magazine usually has a ton of coupons and is many times worth buying just for the Qpons)

I keep my Coupons in a make up bag I found at Target. I used the small size envelopes and taped index cards vertically in them to make my category holders. I have the following categories: Baby, Bags, Baking, Bread, Canned goods, Cereal-Post, Cereal-Kellogs, Cereal-General Mills, Cereal-Other, Cleaning-Laundry, Cleaning-Kitchen, Cleaning-Misc., Condiments, Dairy, Frozen, Hygiene-Feminine Care, Hygiene-Body Wash/Lotion, Hygiene-Hair Care, Hygiene-Make Up/Face Care, Hygiene-Oral, Hygiene- Razors/Deoderant, Meat, Medicine/Supplements, Mexican, Refrigerated, Seasoning/Spices, Pasta/Rice, Paper Products, Snacks, Miscellaneous, CVS, Resturaunt, Target, Walgreens, Other

It's a lot of categories, I know, but it helps to not get a bazillion coupons in one slot. It makes it much easier to find this way. I didn't used to have all these categories, but found I needed more as time went on and I accumulated a larger coupon stash.

2. Be lazy.

I have a Google Reader account. It is invaluable to me. There are tons of great bloggers out there who are willing to do all the hard work for you. I subscribe to many blogs and follow them on Reader. Reader tells you when there is a new post to any of your subscribed blogs. Many posts I'm not interested in, as they may be telling me about deals at stores that I don't have access to. (Boy do I wish we had a Publix grocery store around here!). Here are the "frugal" blogs I follow: http://babycheapskate.blogspot.com/ http://budgethelpers.blogspot.com/ http://www.couponcravings.com/ http://www.kingdomfirstmom.com/ http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ http://thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com/ http://thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com/ http://www.swaggrabber.com/blog1.php http://www.5dollardinners.com/

The women who write these blogs keep track of practically every coupon available and match them up with sales, deals, other offers etc. I let THEM tell me what will be free at CVS after Extra Bucks and coupons with sales etc. They also will have LOTS of links for Internet Printable coupons, that you can print right from home. If you're a mom of a baby, the babycheapskate blog tells me every week where the best prices on diapers are. She'll also let me know if it's a stockup opportunity (really great price per diaper). Since following that blog, I haven't bought diapers for more than the stockup opportunity price. It's great.

3. Set your limits

I say set your limits because couponing and deal finding takes time. I could make a full time job out of it! Seriously. There are many more deals to be had out there that I don't particiapte in because I only want to spend a certain amount of time going to the grocery store etc. Many of the excellent Frugal people recommend that you grocery shop at at least 2 stores. I don't do this. I don't want to be running all over the country side. I want to go one place and be done with it. So that's what I do. Could I save more money the other way? Sure. But I'm lazy. Also, when I clip coupons I only clip the ones if they meet my Yes criteria...if this product were free because I had a coupon, would I get it?

4. Don't be brand loyal.

If you really want to save the big, bucks, you can't be brand loyal. I used to be brand loyal in almost everything I bought. Now I'm brand loyal for Shampoo (since I color my hair to get rid of the grays, I need a sulfate free shampoo...usually pretty pricey). I'm not brand loyal for toothpaste, conditioner, body wash, deoderant, make up, moisturizures etc. I'm brand loyal to Bartilla pasta though. Love that stuff!

5. How I plan my trips

Throughout the week, by following blogs, I keep a spread sheet of things that are Free This Week at CVS, Walgreens, Target and Walmart. CVS alwasy has the most, followed by Walgreens, Walmart and then Target. If it's a good week and there are quite a few free things to be had, I'll make a run. If not, then I skip. I usually won't make a run if I'm only going to get 1 thing for free. There are a lot of other good deals to be had, and I do use other coupons, mostly for my regular grocery shopping etc. Once I decide to go, I usually spend about 20 minutes comparing the deals to the coupons I have etc. and decide where I'm going to go, if anywhere, besides CVS. I like to have my plan and my coupons organized before I go, becuase that makes the actual shopping trip so much easier.

Note on Walgreens:

Make sure you get the Walgreens EasySaver catalogue that comes out every month. Every month there are a few items that are completely free after rebate and others that can be free after rebate and coupons etc. You can submit your receits for rebate via the mail or internet. I like the internet, of course, because it's faster. Always choose to get your rebate in the form of a Walgreens gift card (and they can add it onto an exsisting one so you don't end up with 900 of them). When you put it on the gift card, you get a 10% bonus, covering the tax you paid on the item, plus a little profit. So really, they're paying YOU to take products out of their store.

What to do with extras? There is always a local food pantry or mission willing to take your extras. I took mom 6 bottles of Excedrin (can't take...upsets my tummy) that I got for free. I can't use them, but she can. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Another Freebie Post

...because I KNOW how much you all love to know how I scored at CVS. They PAID ME 7 + bucks to take all of this stuff out of their store. (Are you gettin' all this Michael?)

6 Johnsons Buddies

2 Hershey's Bars

1 Toothpaste

2 NutriTrim Gums

1 Gillete Fusion Razor

2 Pert Plus Shampoos

2 Gillette Conditioners

2 Pantene Conditioners

1 Head and Sholders Conditioner.

I tell you what. This CVS shopping deal kinda gives me a high. You know how when people are addicted to something...drinking, smoking, meth...what have you...sometimes they will replace that habit with another to help them break their addiction. Well, all you meth addicts out there...might I suggest CVSing as your replacement habit? Move over you rehab facilities. Rachel just had a break through.

*Kyle read this and says I'm a dork. No seconding please.

Nuttin' much

Here is Luke in his Christmas outfit from Grandma and Grandpa O. Luke's a big LL Cool J fan. When I opened the package, I just KNEW that it was goin to be way to big. Well it's not. The shirt fits perfectly...and maybe not for too much longer! But the pants he'll be able to wear for a long time. He needs pants with an adjustable waist band. Which isn't common in size 12mo. They usually break that feature out starting with 2T. The jeans Grandma Binky got him for Christmas have that though, and I LOVE it. The pants he wore to church Sunday fell down in the middle of the sermon. They DON'T have an adjustable waist.

After my bible study tonight I made a CVS run. I paid $10.73 OOP and got $12.58 in Extra Bucks. I love it when CVS pays me to take away their products. (Side note: Hickory Farms has their gift baskets up to 85% off...and you can get an additional 15% off with code SIZZLE at checkout. I made a purchase last weekend.) Brandon--feel free to go get Shanna to show off my great deal. You know you want to.

Sorry this picture is so blurry, but this is Luke's newest trick. He climbed down before I could get a better picture. He first pulled the basket out of the cupboard, then slid his chair over, and then climbed on in! He's very proud of himself.

And this is why Luke isn't ready for Crayon fun unattended. (pardon the red eye) And I'm a little depressed as it just hit me how "little boy" and not "baby" he looks in this picture.

There isn't just a whole lot new going on around here. And I kinda like it. There isn't much in the way of plans this week. Thursday Luke and I are going to try a Gymboree class for free. We're going to Play & Learn 4. It's the time slot that works best for us with naps. It's for 16-22 month olds. We're going to try it and see if they'll let him come even (using our Gift Certificate from Michael and Audra) though he's only 15 months. If not, well then I guess we'll wait until February to join. so ha.

Kyle went with a friend to Lake Draper (near Midwest city...not far from us, really) last Saturday and rode 4-Wheelers. He has big plans for Brandon and himself once Brandon's 4-Wheeler gets fixed. Luke likes to ride with Kyle and I up and down our street. There is just SO MUCH to point at!

Great Freebies!!

If you were impressed with all my free cough syrup, well you'll love this! I paid $6.12 for all this (including tax) and got $8.50 back in Extra Bucks.

Free Stuff

Here's a few pictures of the free stuff I've gotten lately. I've got a promising week of free stuff (more tooth paste!) coming up and I'm super excited for this Sunday's paper--5, yes 5!! coupon inserts (pass yours my way if you don't want it). Life is good. Luke is cute. Kyle bought a 4-wheeler and has killed 2 moles in our yard.

Another Great Deal!

Luke playing outside with the pecan shells and his "bucket".

So, I won't even mention the great deals I got at CVS and Walgreens this week, and skip right to the 20, yes 20! steak hamburgers I got from Omaha Steaks for $1.98.

Luke had hot dog (aka Turkey Dogs) bites today for lunch. Loved them! And since we're not putting that tiny guy on a diet anytime soon, Eat up kid!

This n That

A couple of weeks ago Luke's girl friend Hannah came over to play. She is about 2 1/2 months younger than Luke. They're almost the same size. ha. ha. They spent the afternoon stealing each others toys and not being mad about it. It was pretty cute.
A week ago Sunday, Kyle and I took Luke to the park. He had fun swinging. We know this because he smiled, unlike last time, when he didn't realize he was having a blast. We also went down the slide, but that wasn't as good as swinging. It started to sprinkle so we left a few minutes early. It was a nice evening and a nice way to spend it. AND! How cute is this picture of Luke and Kyle?

Last Thursday we went boating with the Hayes' on our new boat...The Sope Float. Luke had to wear his too big life jacket. It's a miracle the thing didn't choke him to death. And here we were worried about drowning. Luke liked the boat, he wasn't scared at all and he liked when the wind blew in his face. Luke and I are #1. So he says.
Luke and I went tubing. Kyle drove slow and we had a good time. There were lots of things for Luke to point at...the water, the sky, the trees, and other boats.
Then Kyle and I went tubing. Brandon had specific instructions that I did NOT want to be thrown off.
We spent Labor Day at Dana's. Again, Luke LOVED his dogs. He spent the day crawling around after them. They spent the day trying to escape.
My CVS deal of the week. I got all this for $0.48. Yea, that's right. Who's your daddy now?

I *heart* CVS

I know I said the next blog would be Friday, or shortly thereafter, but I just couldn't wait. I don't think I've ever been so proud of myself in my entire life.

Some of you may know, I keep up with the blog Baby Cheapskate. It keeps me up to date on sales for all things baby. Most of the posts aren't things that interest me, but the one that does is the weekly Best Diaper/Formula deals of the week post. Every week I know where Pampers are on sale and if it's a stockup opportunity or not, and if there are coupons to go with the sale or not. Due to this blog, I haven't paid more than $0.22/diaper in a long time. Yay me for saving money in this gas forsaken world! One week I learned that diapers were on sale--stockup opportunity--at CVS, and you would even receive Extra Bucks back (which is like a gift card for certain amounts of money that expire within a few weeks). So I went and bought and got my extra care card. Since then, following several links Baby Cheapskate has posted, I have begun following more money saving blogs, and coupon blogs. One of my favorites Frugonomics 101 is a great coupon clipper and uses those coupons in conjunction with sales from different stores. Every week when the new CVS sale flyer comes out she posts different scenarios, where she has bought XY&Z for only pennies OR made money with Extra Care Bucks.

These posts have led me to try some of my own budget crunching shopping extraveganzas at CVS. The first time, I saved a lot of money. This time. Well, lets just say I'm a master. Or at least was this time.

Off I went to CVS last night after Luke was asleep armed with their weekly flyer and a bazillion coupons that I had printed off the internet over the past few weeks. I made 3 transactions. I bought things that were only on sale, that I had a coupon for, got Extra Bucks back for, and were items that I buy regularly anyway.


I got 6 boxes of General Mills cereal, 4 boxes of Reduced Fat Wheat Thins, 2 packs of pantyliners, 2 packages of Double Stuff Oreos, 2 9oz cans of Cashews, and 1 big Softsoap Spa bodywash. Here's the best part. I only paid $16.51 plus I got $3.98 back in Extra Bucks to use on whatever in the next month. So really I paid only $12.53. !!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE.