Bozeman, Montana

Picking out a pumpkin with Aunt Rachel & James.

Lustre, Montana

The Family

Lily, Mommy, & Maggie enjoying the cold Montana air. :)

Hobson, Montana

The Family

Lily loves the fresh Montana air!

She also LOVES "Bear" (yes, this is the dog's name)

Salt Lake City

On our way to Montana!

Don't worry...

FYI - I won't be posting much for the next couple of weeks because we are getting a lot of family time in right now. Check back the last week of October. :)

Try it for FREE

Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaner Rebate

and a coupon here.

Kroger Gift Card Giveaway

Stretching A Buck is giving away a $25 Kroger gift card. Find out how to enter here.

Remember When...

Well, since I forgot to do this yesterday...
August 2003
This is when we lived in Spokane, WA and some of the fun we had with James!!
WE MISS YOU JAMES!! LOVE YOU BUDDY!!

Those r some serious curls... & teeth!!

Mike messing around with the camera

"Baaaa!"

Lily & one of her other most favorite things - a "Baaa!)

ALL coupon

Click here for $1 off ALL laundry detergent.
(upper right hand corner)

Lily's Favorite Things 10/7

Little Fisher-Price Piano

This was actually a hand-me-down from some friends and I finally got around to putting in new batteries. I guess it's a lot more fun when it actually plays music. Who would have thought? :)

My Favorite Things 10/7

My Lucky Jeans

I have had these jeans forever & they're still my favorite. They fit me perfectly and I even had them hemmed so they're the perfect length too (they did this at the Buckle for free & do it in such a way that it maintains the original bottom edge so you can't even tell they're hemmed). They also have some stretch/give to them which makes them very comfortable. LOVE THEM!!

Publix 10/6

BOGO Items

2 - Cheerios 14 oz. $2.15/ea
.....$1/1 MC = $1.15/ea

4 - Knorr Pasta Sides $0.80/ea
.....4 - $0.60/2 MC = $0.50/ea

4 - Uncle Ben's Brown Rice $1.30/ea
.....2 - $1/2 MC = $0.80/ea

8 - Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes $0.80/ea
.....1 - $1/1 MC = $0.20 overage
.....3 - $0.40/1 MC = FREE
.....4 - $0.35/1 MC = $0.10/ea

4 - 8 O'clock Coffee 12 oz. $2.49/ea
.....4 - $1/1 MC = $1.49/ea

2 - Halls Sugar Free Cough Drops 25 ct. $1.00/ea
.....2 - $0.35/1 = $0.30/ea


Sale Items

3 - Bird's Eye Frozen Veggies 10 oz $1.00/ea
.....$1/3 MC = $0.67/ea

2 - Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Rolls 3/$5 (not pictured)
.....2 - $1.10/1 MC = $0.57/ea

Publix Red Potatoes 5 lbs $2.99

Red Seadless Grapes $1.99/lb = $4.40

2 - Publix Coffee (Penny Item) $0.01/ea

Total Before Savings: $89.10
Total Savings: $62.07
Total OOP: $27.03

And here are my CVS deals for this week.

Be sure to check out Publix Super Savers & Money Saving Mom for more great deals.

Menu Planning Monday 10/5

Sunday - Garlic Pesto Chicken / Suddenly Salad

Monday - Veggie Soup / Rolls

Tuesday - Smoked Sausage and Beans w/ Rice

Wednesday - Red Robin (it's Mike's Birthday)

Thursday - Good Casserole

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Homemade Hawaiian Pizza (Lily loves this)


Be sure to check out Organizing Junkie for more menus.

"Good Casserole"

This is a recipe that my mom made all the time. I'm not sure where she got it from, but I don't care because it's so easy & oh so "GOOD". :)

1 lb. Fried Hamburger
1 can Mushroom Soup
1 can Peas
Mashed Potatoes (like 5 med potatoes or so)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Layer in the order listed above (beef on bottom) in a 2 quart casserole dish. Cover & bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake uncovered for 5 more minutes.

CVS 10/5

Transaction #1

Always Infinity Pad 14ct $4.98
Bic Soleil Razor $5.99
.....$2/1 MC
Colgate Max Fresh $2.99
.....$1/1 MC

Used $10.96 ECBs
OOP $0.18
Earned $10.98 ECBs
.....$4.98 ECBs Always Infinity
.....$4.00 ECBs Bic Soleil Razor
.....$2.00 ECBs Colgate Max Fresh



Transaction #2

Vitamin Water $2.29
Bic Soleil Razor refill $5.99
.....$2/1 MC
Colgate Max Fresh $2.99
.....$1/1 MC

Used $8 ECBs
OOP $0.38
Earned $8.29 ECBs
.....$2.29 ECBs Vitamin Water
.....$4.00 ECBs Bic Soleil
.....$2.00 ECBs Colgate Max Fresh

CRTs that printed on Transaction #1 receipt:
.....$1 on 2 gold emblem nuts, pretzels, or crackers
.....$1 on 3 individual CVS Brand Toothbrushes
CRTs that printed on self scanner:
.....$1 on 2 gold emblem nuts, pretzels, or crackers
.....$1 on 3 individual CVS Brand Toothbrushes

Be sure to check out Money Saving Mom for more savings.

CVS 10/4

Transaction #1

2 - Command 3M Medium Hooks 2/$5
.....2 - $1/1 MC
4 - 3M Lint Rollers 56 ct 2/$5
.....4 - $1/1 MC
2 - Sunsilk (Shampoo & Conditioner) 2/$7
.....2 - $1/50/1 MC
1 - CVS Vit. D 120ct $2.99
2 - Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap $0.99/ea
.....1 - $1/1 MC
.....1 - $0.50/1 MC
1 - Gillette Fusion Razor $9.99
.....1 - $4/1 MC

Used $17.78 ECBs
OOP $5.83
Got back $14.99 ECBs
$5.00 ECBs for $15 of 3M products
$2.00 ECBs for Sunsilk
$2.99 ECBs for CVS Vit D
$5.00 ECBs for Gillette Razor
Also got a CRT for a free $25 giftcard with new or transferred prescription (I may actually use this ??)



Transaction #2
This is the one I actually went back to CVS for today because I saw it on Deal Finding Mom. I didn't have the $3/$15 coupon, so I ended up paying a little more, but it was still a good deal.

1 - Pampers Jumbo Sz 5 (30 diapers) $9.99
.....1 - $1.50/1 MC
3 - Cristophe Protect & Shine Spray $4.99
.....3 - $5/1 Peelie (I found on Cristophe in the store today)
1 - Cristophe Leave-in-Conditioner $4.99
.....1 - $5/1 Peelie (I found on Cristophe in the store today)

Used $7.99 ECBs (from Transaction #1)
OOP $1.06
Got back $5.00 ECBs (from spending $15 on Cristophe)
Also got a $1.00 ECB CRT

Dunkin' Donuts

99 cent lattes (sz small)
Weekdays 2-5pm
Now through 11/11/08

Find a store here.

CVS 9/29

6 - Bags Fun Size candy bars $2.50/ea
2 - Gillette Shampoo $4.50/ea
1 - Covergirl Foundation $5.49

Coupons:
4 - $1/1 Fun Size Nestle MC
1 - $1/2 Fun Size Nestle MC
2 - $2/1 Gillette MC
1 - $1/1 Covergirl MC
$5 off $25 CVS coupon

Used $14 ECBs
OOP $0.79
Earned $12.75 ECBs

Be sure to check out CVS Superstars for more savings.

Kroger 10/3

Transaction #1

2 - Glade Flameless Wisp Candles $8.99/ea
..... BOGO MC x1
..... $3/1 MC x1
6 - Glade Gel Warmers $1.79/ea
.....BOGO MC x3

Total Before Savings: $30.44 (including tax)
Total Savings: $17.36
Total OOP: $13.08
+ $20 Catalinas to use on next transaction ($2 for each Glade Warmer & $4 for each Flameless candle)


Transaction #2
(my store doubles coupons $0.50 and below)

Sale Items:
4 - Hunt's Diced Tomatoes $0.75/ea
.....w/ $0.40/2 MC x2 + $1 off shortcuts.com Q= $0.10/ea
1 - Activia Yogurt, 4pk 2/$4
.....w/ $1/1 Kroger Catalina + $0.50/1 MC = FREE
4 - Glade Spray $1/ea
....w/ BOGO MC x2 = $0.50/ea
5 - Fuze Tea $1/ea (this gave me a $4 Catalina towards next purchase)

Marked Down Items:
2 - 1.5 lb Ground Beef 85% $2.78, $2.80
3 - Round Steak (2/package) $2.75, $2.66, $2.66
2 - Kroger Sausage Roll 16 oz. $1.29/ea
2 - Eckrich Smoked Sausage $1.79/ea
.....w/ $1/2 MC = $1.29/ea

Nonsale Items:
4 - Martha White Muffin Mix $0.99/ea
.....w/ $0.55/2 MC x2 = $0.72/ea
3 - Johnson's Buddie Soap Bars $1.09/ea
.....w/ $3/3 MC = $0.09/ea
8 - Progresso Soup $1.96/ea (thought they were on sale for some reason - oh well)
.....w/ $0.50/ea MC x4 = $1.46/ea

Total Before Savings: $57.05
Total Savings: $42.02 (this included Catalinas from Transaction #1)
Total OOP: $15.03
+ $4 Catalina for my next purchase
+ $3/3 Johnson's Baby or Desitin Catalina

Here are my other trips this week:
Target
Walmart
CVS

Be sure to check out Money Saving Mom for more Savings.

Target 10/3

Lily & I got a bunch of great stuff on clearance this morning at Target.

75% off items:

1 - 13 pc. twin dorm -in-a-bag (includes comforter, 1 sham, flat sheet, fitted sheet, 1 pillowcase, 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 4 washcloths), light pink & tan colors (perfect for Lily when she moves out of crib into a big girl bed)
.....$17.48 (marked down from $69.99)

2 - Twin jersey sheet sets (again for Lily's soon to bed big girl bed)
.....$4.98/ea

2 - Extra large bath towels, brown & pink
.....$2.74/ea

4 - 7 ft beach towels, striped
.....$2.48/ea

Other items pictured:
1 - Halloween chip/candy bowel $1
1 - Sterilite 6 qt. box $1.25 (on sale)
(I needed 1 more box for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child)

Be sure to check out Money Saving Mom for more savings.

Wow!

There was actually a decent article about Palin (VP debate) on the CNN website of all places. Shocker!!

Loving the Moment

Usually when things go silent I assume that Lily is up to no good, but not this time. I found her laying on the floor in the living room watching TV with her favorite bear, her new backpack, and her trusty thumb. This was a very rare moment for her, so it was especially sweet for me to catch. :)

Walmart 10/2

Here are the great coupon match ups that I got at Walmart today:

6 Easy Mac Singles 4/$3.00
.....w/ $1/2 MC x3 = $0.25/ea

2 Vlassic Dill Relish $1.00/ea
.....w/ $1/1 MC x2 = FREE

3 Yo Plus Yogurt $2.12/ea
.....w/ $1/1 MC x3 = $1.12/ea

5 Electrosol Gel Pacs 20ct $3.67/ea
.....w/ $2.25/1 MC x5 = $1.42/ea

3 Dove Travel size Hairspray $0.93/ea
.....w/ $2/1 MC x3 = FREE + overage

2 Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt $1.46/ea
.....w/ $1/1 MC x2 = $0.46/ea

1 Preparation H wipes 10ct $2.94
.....w/ $3/1 MC = FREE + overage

14 Green Giant Fzn Veggie Steamers $1.23/ea
.....w/ $1/1 MC x10 = $0.23/ea
.....w/ $1/2 MC x2 = $0.73/ea

2 WellPatch Pain Relief Patches $0.97/ea
.....w/ $1/1 MC x2 = FREE + overage

4 Schick Disposable Razors 10ct $1.97/ea
.....w/ $2/1 MC x2 = FREE + overage


Be sure to check out Money Saving Mom for more savings.

Remember when...

March 2004
Cross country trip
from Spokane, WA to Sandpoint, ID
The scenery was beautiful!