CRAIG'S LIST POSTING

Hey Everyone - Around this time of year and get the urge to clean out the old to make way for the new. I just spent today going through my kids toys trying to weed out what they just don't use anymore. So I just posted a bunch of toys and such on Craig's List. I wanted to give you all the opportunity to see what is up for sale. Take a look and see what you think. If you are interested, just e-mail me or give me a call. All my contact info is on each Craig's List listing.

Thanks Everyone for looking!!!!

Little Tykes Dirt Diggers - HERE
Fisher Price Lil Quad PINK - HERE
Huffy Bike - HERE

SUCKER CRAZY

My sister has gone sucker crazy making ghosts and pumpkins this Halloween season and now I seem to be following suit. Both of my kids have Halloween parties today that I needed to bring treats for. These suckers are easy to make and fun for the kids to eat. Check out my sister's post HERE to see how to make these fun suckers.

Small Transaction = Huge Savngs!

Just because you have a small transaction doesn't mean you still can save BIG.

I had to run to Target today to pick up some cookie decorating supplies at their Dollar Spot. I decided to do a little research to see what I could pick up on sale while I was there. There wasn't many sales that caught my eye, but this one HERE made me gitty. I was able to walk out of Target paying ONLY $0.50 for all 6 packages of cookies. That makes them only $0.08 a package. Not to bad for a quick little shopping trip.

EDIT: USE ZIP CODE 90210 TO PRINT COUPONS

My Hubby still doesn't believe the outcome of my shopping trip and I finally had to say to him, "If I am going to lie about something, why would it be what I paid for some cookies?" Even after 2 years of couponing I am still able to surprise him with my savings.

I HEART KOHL'S

When I started couponing over 2 1/2 years ago, I learned really quick that I could take the same couponing concept and apply it to everything I purchase. One of my favorite non-grocery stores to shop is Kohl's. Over a year and a half ago my Mother-In-Law talked me into applying for a Kohl's credit card just to get the extra savings. (I never keep a balance on this card, but I sure benefit from all the additional savings.) By shopping the sales, using coupons (found in last week's Sunday paper - sorry expired last week) and utilizing extra savings by using my Kohl's credit card, over the past 2 weeks I was able to score 8 pair of pants, 4 long shelf tees and 1 waffle iron for under $75.00. AMAZING!!! See my breakdown below . . .


Total Value - $244.81
Total Spent - $69.27
Total Saved - $175.54
Average Savings - 72%

Why I Keep the Weekly Ads

Every week on Tuesday or Wednesday I get all the grocery store ads in my mail. Do I scour the ads? No - that is what Grocery Smarts if for. However I do keep the ads just in case an "in-ad coupon" is hidden inside. In my last shopping trip, I was able to get 2 bottle of Tree Top Apple Juice for $4.00 because I used the in-ad coupon to boost my savings.


I only keep the ads until I shop, and then I throw them away when I get home. So don't be so quick to through the weekly ads out, they can add to your total savings.

CANDY STOCK-UP

There are two brand new candy coupons which I'm guessing will not be available for long. Click on the Group A icon on my side column to print a coupon for $2/1 24 oz. or larger bag of Nestle candy and $2/1 24-oz. or larger bag of Wonka candy.

I took these coupons to CVS today with a $5/$25 CVS coupon found HERE (take the flu quiz to receive the coupon) and got all my my Halloween candy for $10.96. NICE!!!! Plus, I got $5.00 back in CVS cash to use next week. Oh yeah, I was also able to use a FREE $25.00 CVS gift card I received last week for feeling my prescription with them. WaHoOoO!!!!!!!!!!!

You might not have the CVS gift card, but you can print the coupons (remember 2 per computer), take the quiz and still get a great deal on your Halloween candy.

Making a Weekly Menu

I love to make weekly menus for my family dinners. I take the time to make my menu when I am preparing my shopping list for the week. It only adds about 10 minutes to my prep time. Do I always follow my menu? No! But I usually just carry over what I didn't make into next week's menu. Here are some reasons I find it very helpful to make myself a weekly menu:

1. It helps me use up what is in my pantry and fridge
2. It helps me to know what I need to buy for the week
3. It helps me to get great dinners on the table for my family
4. It helps me not stress out about "What's for Dinner?"

Here is a sneak peak of my menu for the upcoming week

SUNDAY: Pot Roast and Mashed Garlic Potatoes

MONDAY: Pesto Chicken Pasta

TUESDAY: Inside Out Burritos

WEDNESDAY: Beef Lo Mein

THURSDAY: Aussie Chicken w/ Scalloped Potatoes

FRIDAY: BBQ Pork Chop with Baked Potatoes

SATURDAY: Left Overs