Chick Fil A DAY!!
I was so excited for this event!!!! I recently discovered that I love love love ChickFilA. I only go for breakfast (well brunch...like 10:00) I get the chicken minis. Oooo so yummy! Jacob loves to play on the toys and ALWAYS want to go with his friend Toby.

For the promotion at CFilA if you dressed like a Cow head to tow then you got a free meal, cheesy I know. If you dressed a little like a cow then you got a free entree. So, since I'm all about the deals...

We got...

One kids meal, 2 chicken mini entrees, and Diet Coke

$1.50

Yea!! I borrowed Lexi's cow costume and made the signs for me and Jacob on the computer and using stuff around the house. Here's our signs:

Jacob's says - I love to play at Chick Fil A

It was so cute because they had a bouncer, a cow (costume:), a spin the wheel for a prize (we got a free shake & entree coupons), FIRE TRUCK, and Lowe's was there for a craft project - FREE!!!!

Playing PeekABoo with a Cow :)



Poor Toby, too scared to jump. lol.

Cute promotion, huh!

Oh the boys look so cute! Thanks for posing and showing off the project Dusty!

The only pic I have of Lexi!!! Ugh. And why can't I figure out how to flip the pic. Shoot. I'll take another pic before I return the costume and post it later.

Another Super Fun Activity in my quest for cheap entertainment. Only $1.50 + some gas. Sweet!

Princess Lexi. Good Morning!

Look at my belly mom! Can you see the phone in his hands? He's talking to my mom. Lol.

I went to CVS again today...Crazy I know. I took my sisters with me so they could each pick out a CVS skincare item for $2 or less and get it for FREE - using the coupon on my previous post.

We were there for over an hour because I was fighting with the cashier. Ugh.

My transaction wasn't working right and it wasn't giving me the deal that I wanted. The ECBs weren't printing and the cashier and I couldn't figure out why. So I said - just refund it all!!!! I didn't want the deal that bad. (Not my CVS - it was one in AZ...they are crazy!) Without going into too much detail...

They told me no - we can't refund the entire purchase. The purchase that I just made 2 minutes ago. I didn't even leave the register yet, Can you believe that? They said that they cannot refund the whole amount because I got too much savings with the coupons and wouldn't give me back my coupons either! I threw a fit - nicely - but let them know how I felt about it. We were talking about me loosing $6!! That's a lot in the coupon world. Not only was my purchase supposed to Make Me Money with my ECB's (they didn't know that) but now it was going to Cost Me Money instead. NO WAY!!!

After 25 minutes at the register I got what I wanted. AND I got the deals! (well, except one - but what's the saying, "choose your battles" ? )

Today My deals were:

4 Pert Plus - FREE (2 - $3 coupons, 2 - $2 coupons, sale price 2/$5)
2 Pretzels - .38 ($1 off of 2)
2 CVS Pantiliners - FREE ($2 coupon) + Earned $.99 ECBs
4 Olay Products - $15.50 (2 - $1 coupons, 1 - $2 coupons, 1 - $1.50 coupon) + Earned $10 ECBs.
$4 off of $20 coupon

So today's purchase...

NOT a money maker...sad face. It would have been if the Revlon deal had worked out... oh well. BUT it turned out to be not that bad - I spent about $14 and earned $10.99 ECBs. Olay products ~ pretty good deal I think. And actually I didn't spend any money OOP (out of pocket) because I had a gift card from a transfer prescription. Sweet Huh!?

I feel a little better about my fiasco now - I needed to think it through and believe it or not, blogging helps me to calculate it all out and see how I did. :) I REALLY need to go to sleep...long day. Lexi will probably be up in 2 hours, that makes me more tired just thinking about it. Almost 5 months and she's still not sleeping through the night!!! - Jacob was sleeping 8+ hours at about 9 weeks. Oh my Goodness...Jacob just started crying...poor boy, wonder why. later

Starting with CVS is SUPER EASY

Start Small....here's a great way to start earning ECBs (Extra Care Bucks) and its really easy. You can do it! You can do this deal anytime in July

1. Get a CVS Card
2. Print this coupon http://www.beautyhandbook.com/coupon_img/CVS%20Skin2.jpg (print at 50% - its really big)
3. Purchase 2 - CVS brand Pantiliners. They should have a tag that says $.99 and $.99 ECB = FREE. (Limit 2 per CVS Card)
4. At the register: Give the cashier your CVS card and your $2 off of any One CVS brand skincare coupon that you printed from the above link. It will take $1 off the first pantiliner and the overage of a dollar will automatically go towards the second pantiliner.
5. Pay with the change from the bottom of your purse - its that easy!

$$ You just earned money $$

You'll only really need to pay the tax and you'll earn $2 ECBs for your next visit. Then next time you go the goal will be to ONLY buy what will earn you ECBs for your next visit. DON'T treat your ECBs like extra cash - only use them to earn more ECBs...that will help you MAKE MONEY with CVS and get FREE STUFF!!!

The $2 in ECBs will print at the bottom of your receipt - SAVE that part of your receipt in your coupon binder or wallet - if you loose it then you CANNOT use the ECBs - there's NO replacing it!

ALL FOR FREE!!! Learn How to CVS...

( Isn't my mom's wallpaper in her kitchen cute!-yup, I'm still in AZ)

Here's the BEST deal of all Today...

I earned money AGAIN at CVS!!!!

I love love love love love CVS! Again, thanks a million more times to my Buddy Cari for getting me started at CVS!!!! (So sad I missed dusty's party today - I'll be home in CA soon - playdate Friday?) Cari is so creative, she threw a Kung Fu Panda party for her 6 year old today :)

Ok here's deal-io

4 - packs of pretzles

1 - 24pack water

2 - Revlon brushes

2 - CVS brand facial cleansing clothes

1 - Gilette men's body wash/face wash (2in1 for men..so lazy)

1 - Olay Lotion

1 - Olay Cleanser

1 - Olay Ribbons Body Wash - smells SOOO yummy

Snickers, M&M's, 2 bags CVS candy.

I'll spell it all out for those who want to MAKE money shopping...

First let me say, I accidentally gave them my stack of ECB's before I used my coupons so I needed to get the Candy to bring my total up so they didn't owe me money - not allowed. I'll explain what I did wrong (at the bottom of the post) so you can prevent doing it to.

Here's how it went down. My total was - $48.34 (including the candy)

Coupons I used:

2 - $1 off two pretzels (printed from the scanning machine inside the store)

2 - $1 off Revlon Product (newspaper)

$2 off CVS brand skincare product - http://www.beautyhandbook.com/coupon_img/CVS%20Skin2.jpg (print at 50% - its HUGE!!)

1 - Gillette $1 off (newspaper)

3 - Olay coupons, total of $3.50 off I think. (newspaper)

Pack of water was free b/c I purchased $20+ in P&G products.

Here's the best part..

Once they give you your total BEFORE you hand them ANY coupons (after they scan your CVS card) give them any coupons you have that say $4 off of $20 or $5 off of $25. I call these my FREE MONEY. I had 3 that said $5 off of $25 and one that said $4 off of $20. That's $19 off!!!! Can you believe it. They stacked them all !!! Why? Because my total before coupons was like $48 - so they scanned the $4 off first, then one of the $5 off and so on...As long as the total was still above $25 they kept scanning. Yikes!! (called stacking coupons).

Where did I get those coupons? I got the $4 off of $20 from updating my info online. Just update to a new email on the CVS website and they'll send you an email with a savings code. Print it out and you can use it as many times as you want until it expires!

The $5 off of $25 - 2 of them printed at the machine in the store. You just scan your card and coupons print out. Not sure how it works - but I love it! * The other $5 off of $25 printed out at the bottom of my receipt from a previous purchase. * Those coupons are like CASH! Remember to call these FREE MONEY!

After you give them those coupons ... give the cashier your other coupons. Watch your total DROP like crazy! Once the cashier gives you a final total then its time to pay with your "cash"

Here's your "CASH"

ECBs (extra care bucks earned from previous purchases)

Gift Card - from transfered prescriptions

Cash - you know, the green stuff.

My transaction today:

Paid: $13 in ECBs, .44 in CASH (Out Of Pocket)

Earned: $17 in ECBs + $5 off $25 (FREE MONEY)

Spent $13.44 (ECBs earned from previous transactions + .44 cash)

Earned $22 ECBs and FREE MONEY

$8.56 Profit for Smart Shopping!!!

I tried REALLY hard to spell that out so you can do it too...email me if you don't understand and I'll help you out. I took my sis in law with me to teach her how to CVS and it was soooo much fun. Thanks for coming :)

Here's the order to follow at the checkout:

1. FREE MONEY coupons - ex: $5 off of $25

2. Manufacturer and Store Coupons

3. ECB's

4. CASH & Gift Cards

*Note: If you give the ECBs before your Manuf. coupons then you might be in the negative and that would really mess up your transaction. Once they scan your ECB there's no taking it back. (that's why I had to buy the candy too - closest thing to the register to bring my total to a positive number)

Lovin CVS!

Seriously - email me or call me and I'll get you started or plan a playdate! You should MAKE money from CVS too!!!! Or if you love CVS tell me your deals!

yup - my kids are sitting on the table!

Jacob really wanted his shoes in the picture. lol

My princess Lexi :)

"Take a picture of SpongeBob Mom!"

My free stuff at Target. Using online and newpaper coupons here's the list of Free stuff I got at Target. Note: I also had overage that I used to help my sis buy Mascara.

2 - 10 ct BandAids
3 - 2 ct razors
1 - gold bond body powder
1 - travel size clean&clear
2 - travel size johnson's shampoo
2 - Johnson's Buddies Soap (love that soap!!!!)

All Free + $5.43 OVERAGE!!!
What's overage? If you have a $2 coupon and the item is only .97 - then thats $1.03 to go towards another item (and tax). Yeah!!! Note: That DOESN'T work at the grocery store, g.store computers are too smart. AND - the store won't pay you the $5.43 so you need to buy more if you don't want the $ to go to waste. BUT>>>> here's a possible loophole>>>>purchase a $10 gift card too...then your total might be a few dollars but your taking home a gift card for more! I haven't tried it - but why wouldn't it work?!

Tomorrow...Walmart deals and the Phoenix Zoo. SOOO excited.

I LOVE STAPLES!!!

As their saying goes..."That was Easy!!!"

The add on Sunday had their deals posted but how did I miss it! While I was out shopping with my mom today my sister-in-law called me with this Sweet Deal! Thanks Tenille :)

25 - hand sanitizers (.5oz)

25 - 8ct packs of pencils

25 - portfolios

4 - flexible binders (2 half inch, 2 one inch)

Guess how much...

$1.89

Nope - the period is NOT in the wrong spot. From now until the 7/9 they have all those items on sale for pennies!!! When I got to the front to pay I had in my cart: 2 sanitizers (.01 ea), 10 portfolios (.01 ea), 2 pencil packs (.01 ea), and 4 binders (.24 ea). While I was up there I asked how strict they were about the "per household" and she asked if I was a teacher. I said no (can't lie - its a flaw of mine. :) lol. just kidding. But then I said that I was in charge of Primary at church for the kids 11 and under. She said, "That counts, you can get 25 of each of these items for the discounted price". Oh my goodness!!!! I didn't get 25 binders cause I didn't want to spend the $ even though it was a good deal, but MAN~~~ $1.89. Crazy!!! 79 item from Staples. Wow. I also asked how often they have these sales and the Mgr said every time school starts. Hmmm. Once a year? I should have had him clarify.

Bath & Body Works is having great sales!! I purchased my stuff on Saturday and there's a new sale going on this week.

Check out the website - search In-Store specials

My favorite "flavor" at B&BW is Pearberry. Between my mom and I we totally cleaned them out. I was told that this is the last time that this flavor will be 'resurrected' - technically its a discontinued scent but they keep bringing it back. I love it and the product was 75% off!!! Yeah!

I paid $2.37 per body spray and $2.67 per lotion and body wash.

I would have spent over $80 (sorry lost receipt to get exact toals)

Only spent $26

Off to ARIZONA!!

I'm so excited because I'm off to see my mother today! I'm jumping in the car with a friend and splitting gas -sweet$$

I told Jacob last night that when he woke up he was going to grandma's house. Its was so funny because Heath said that while I was at my P.Mtg Jacob was walking around the house in his pjs with his backpack and shoes saying, "Lets go to grandma's house!!! Lets go see Kacie & Grama!" Love it! Remind you of someone...

"Where are we going?" "Grandma's house!"

I'll be gone for a week ....

What about shopping for deals?

Guess what? My sister-in-law Tenille is the one who got ME started shopping deals...So I'm So Excited to go deal shopping with her & my mom! We'll go to Walmart, Target, Walgreens, & CVS. Yeah!! (non parishable for me only :)

I'll be back next Thrs. - but will definately be bloggin all week!! Can't stay away!

For those that don't know - I love to shop for great deals! I have a HUGE desire to be a stay-at-home mommy and cheap living is how I do it! (Let me rephrase...my rent is OUTRAGEOUS here in Cali---but everything else is great!) I've already done the Full Time Working Part Time Mothering thing and actually enjoyed my job...but you know what...I enjoy being with my kids & being poor much much more. Its definitely NOT easier & I don't get a salary, or lunch break, or day off, or even potty breaks sometimes but I love it. I feel like in almost everything I do lately I'm stepping into the darkness & praying for the Lord to light the way. I feel so blessed.



Ok. All done with that -



Here's more deals from yesterday:
Hopefully not too confusing...Starting price: $31.47

4 huggies body wash

~4 coupons for $1 off each - from newspaper
~Get $2 ECB's for each - total $8 ECB's



1 BIC Soleil Razor
1 BIC Soleil Refill
~2 coupons for $4 off razor or refill - from newspaper
~Get $5 ECB's for buying both



1 Hand Soap
~clearance item 50% off
~1 coupon for $2 off any CVS skin care - online from CVS.com



1 pack Mexican Soup - splurge for Heath



Here's the cool part...
+ $4 off of $20 purchase from updating my online CVS card info
+ $5 off $25 from a previous purchase reward - YES they'll use them both (aka STACKING)!!
+ .50 off from scanning my CVS card at the machine thing inside the store. (I don't really know much about it, but hey, why not?!





New Total minus all my coupons: 7.63




Payment:
ECB's earned from last time I came: $5.48 (its like cash!)
My total before tax was $2.15!! After tax I payed $3.19 OOP (out of pocket!)

What makes it such a great deal?

I EARNED $13 in ECB's to use towards my next purchase + $5 off a $25 purchase!!

K - for those that aren't up with the CVS lingo....I handed the cashier $7.63 in ECB's and OOP and she handed me $18 to use for my next purchase! That's earning $10.63 payment for Smart Shopping!!!

I EARNED money from CVS shopping!! Love it.