Maybe, Hopefully I'm Back...

Oh my have I been away for awhile!  I am so sorry!!!  Its been crazy around here (but when isn't it??)  Unfortunately Munchkin #1 was sick the week before last for 6 days!  Then 3 days later M#2 came down with the same viral infection...thankfully she only had it for 3 days instead of 6.  Then I came down with it on Tuesday while I was home with M#2, and let me tell you I haven't ever been sick like that before in my life!!  That fever kicked my butt!  I had already felt bad for my girls and then after I had it, I wanted to cry for what my little girls went through.   Talk about a rough couple of weeks around our house of love!

Now hopefully we are on the road to recovery~ :)  Now we just need to survive this 108 degree weather, wind and drought!    AND summer is about halfway over!!  Soooo here are some pics of some stuff that I have gotten made lately!

Check back to see what is going on around our crazy house of love!

Later Peeps!

~Gift Idea for a College Kid~

I know some people have been looking for different gift ideas for those recent graduates who are about to head off to college!  And I have definitely been one of those!  You see my baby cousin (well I guess he isn't actually my youngest cousin, but I do remember when he was born so he is still my baby!) just graduated from high school (hold on gotta find a tissue) and I have been postponing making his gift because then that would make the reality of him living for college even more REAL!

Of course I am going to make him something that is personalized, but I am also going to work on a supply box for him.  Because I mean we are talking about a MALE here, don't get me wrong my Dev is mature, responsible and super smart, but men or boys are not use to having to go to the store and buy deodrant or shampoo!

Now back to the matter at hand, I have all of these coupons for products that my hubby, dad or brothers do not use.  So I am going to use them to find CHEAP deals and fill Dev's box with "goodies".  I'm thinking body wash, deodrant, shampoo, maybe some detergent or cleaning supplies, and maybe trash bags.  These are necessities that he will use even in the dorm!  And of course most college kids are not too picky.

For example:  this week at Target Nivea Men's body wash is on sale for $3.04.  I have a buy 2 get one free coupon, a Target coupon for $1.00 off Nivea body wash and several manufacture coupons for $2.00 off Nivea Men's body wash.  In my first transaction I will get 3 bottles for $1.08 and in my second transaction one bottle for $0.04.  So that will be $1.12 for 4 bottles of body wash!!  Not too shabby if you ask me!  Who knows I may even use some of those Buy One Get One Free toothbrush coupons and whatever else I run across!

Just a few items I'm lookin to put in the supply box:
body wash                       shampoo                    razor
deodrant                          detergent                    razor refills
cleaning supplies               trash bags                  toilet paper
toothbrushes                     first aid kit                 paper towels
Febreze                            pain reliever              batteries

Happy gift giving Peeps!!

First "Extreme" Couponing Experience

So yesterday I had my first "stacking" experience at Target.  I compared the sale prices, printed coupons off of the Target website and coupons.com.  I also had a few others in my stash that I was going to be able to use.  I sat down with my general list that I created last week and figured out what we actually need and what I could "stock up on".  By the time I got my list together and marked what I had coupons for, which ones were on sale and what qualified for the $5 gift cards, I ended up with half of my list having coupons! 

My goal is to eventually not have to buy anything unless it is on sale AND I have a coupon (or 2).  While I was shopping there were other items on my list that I didn't have coupons for but they ended up being on sale.  That was even better!!  I ended up saving $28 in coupons and a total of $49.15 (sales+coupons)!  Oh and I left with $15 in gift cards for a grand total of $64.15 in savings!!!  Woohoo, not too shabby for my first time.  There were even several items where I "stacked" as sale price with a Target coupon AND a manufacturer's coupon.  I'm definitely thinking I can get the hang of this!

While I was shopping, I met a fellow couponer who had also started this week.  She was doing a whole lot better than me that's for sure!  Her and her husband are "couponing to Disney."  They are putting the money that they save to a trip to Disney!  Now that is a pretty neat idea.  And prior to her trip to Target, she had saved $200 this week and had already bought a month's worth of groceries!  She gave me even more inspiration to stick this thing out and give it quite a bit more effort!

I will do my best to continue to keep you in the loop of my couponing, and let you know about deals that I see out and about!!!

So happy couponing peeps!

Real Quick...

I have added a couple of pages to the top of the blog (Homeschooling & Couponing) to start out with.  There is one where I have listed websites and blogs to assist you in cutting down your grocery bill, couponing and frugalness!!!  I hope to soon have recipes, tutorials and who know what else I can find to share with you peeps!!

If you want just take a quick peak and check out the changes!  (oh & dont forget I love suggestions!!)

Also you can follow me on Facebook as I will try to share all the deals that I find!!!

Happy Friday Peeps!