The Debt Free Mom

Day 365!!!!!!

2010-03-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

3 years 7 months ago we took the next exit to Financial Freedom. Was it easy? Heck no! $48,000 of debt seemed an impossible mountain to climb. But we knew we had to do it. 3 years 7 months ago we were at the point that we were charging all of our groceries and gas and there was NO BIG BONUS that year coming to bail us out. Tough decisions had to be made. Cancel Cable, Sell Husbands Prized Truck, No Fancy Cell Phones, No Eating Out, Very Small Grocery Budget, Lots of Coupons, No Clothing Budget and on and on.

18 long, exciting, grueling, rewarding months we climbed the mountain. WE WERE DEBT FREE in April 2008. Relieved, excited but we knew we had more work to do. On to saving. In 10 short months because we were debt free, our tax refund and by the GRACE of GOD we had a fully funded EMERGENCY FUND....6 months of living....$20,000 cash. Wow! We had climbed that impossible mountain.

Feburary 2009 it happened. The economy was struggling and my husband was laid off. We started our journey to honor God with our finances and I know He blessed our journey and emergency fund. We were going to be okay... well at least for 6 months!

3 months later and 1/2 of our emergency fund gone my husband was employed again. Note to you readers: When calculating your 3-6 months of living expenses don't forget to include paying your own health insurane. COBRA insurance cost our family over $1000 a month while my husband was unemployed.

May 2009 my husband was employed again but for a lovely pay decrease of 39%

Our budget is tight and it is not as easy to save money with a 39% pay cut but we are slowly building everything back up.

Here is what our finances look like today:

6 Months Living Emergency Fund: $18055.55

Christmas Fund $200.52

Car Savings $86.92....I know we need to work on that one

Medical: $379.28

Daughter Preschool $215

401K: 15% of gross income...just a side note/ that is the only thing we have always done right from the beginning :) We have always put away for retirement and never touched it.

Savings Goal $1944.45...that will fully fund our 6 months Emergency Fund

Goal: To have it saved by the end of summer!

That is where we sit today. Was it worth the sacrifice? Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!! We will continue to live frugally. We have changed our family tree and will leave an inheritance to our children. Thank you God for opening our eyes.

As for this lovely blog, it has been an amazing 365 days. Thank you for all the emails. Just yesterday someone emailed me and told me that they paid off their last debt and are now Debt Free. Yea! Amen!

Thanks for coming on the journey with me.

Playskool

2010-03-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

Retails for $20.00

Marked down at Wal-Mart for $10.00

use the $5.00/1 coupon from 3/21/10 sunday insert

Final Price $5.00

Great present!

Justice for $1.79

2010-03-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Justice has lots of clearance. The above was all marked down to $2.99 plus you can print a coupon for 40% off your entire purchase here.

After my coupon each piece only cost $1.79.

If you do not live in a town that has a Justice you can shop online and use the code 774 to save 40%.

Cellfire

2010-03-13T15:51:00.001-08:00

Don't forget to load the lastest cellfire ecoupons on your card. New cellfire coupons will come out on 3-16-10 be sure to load the current ones while you can.

Click here to load them.

Why I have no clothing budget

2010-03-11T21:09:00.000-08:00

Girls Clothes Shirts Shorts Dress size 2T 24 months Lot
Item condition: --
Ended: Mar 08, 201019:04:33 PST
Bid history: 25 bids
Winning bid: US $310.52

Sorry for my lack of blogging! I have been up to my eyeballs in ebay.

But it is worth it for me in the end.

I can make some money while staying at home and have no clothing budget.

I purchased the above clothing for around $40 my daughter wore them last spring and summer and just sold them for $310.52

Will be back with deals soon :)

Target Rx Coupon

2010-03-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

Don't toss the Target ad from yesterday before you pull out the $10 Target Gift Card with any New or Transferred coupon.

Just last week a transferred a Rx from Target to Dillons and used my Dillons coupon and made $15 on my Dillons card after I paid for the prescription.

Children's Place Shirts for $2.54 + 3% back

2010-02-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

Above are the shirts I ordered my daugher from Children's Place.com. I only paid $2.54 for each plus I will get 3% back from ebates.

Thanks to moneysavingmom for the codes.

Here is how I did it:

Be sure to first go throught the ebates.com here and search Children's Place to receive the extra 3% ebate.

Shop the Winter's Last Blast

and use the following codes

SPRING22A good for 15% off entire order
FSFEB2010 good for free shipping

I would pay that price at a garge sale...GREAT DEAL!

Leftovers

2010-02-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

How much do you spend eating out?

Here is a confession that is mind boggling to me... the first year we were married we spent at the very minimum $6000.00 in one year dining out. We ate at a nice restaurant 5 days a week at $25 a pop. We both worked and the last thing I was going to do was cook. That was also the same time in our lives that we both drove two spankin' brand new cars and lived in a house that we could not afford. Sigh.

Oh how things have changed. Our budget for dining today is $40/monthly. That means that Bryan takes his lunch to work everyday. After every dinner I pack up the left overs and freeze them so all he has to do on the way out the door is grab a container.

Which Spouse?

2010-02-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Have finacial stress in your marriage?

Maybe this will help.

Been there done that. It was not a pretty site. I have watched first hand a friends marriage go from it is over to we can do this when the right spouse started paying bills.

When I married my wonderful husband he paid the bills and was in control of everything dealing with finances. I had no clue to where to money was going. We both spent what we wanted and when we wanted. Resulting in ALOT OF DEBT.

But one day I thought to myself if anything ever happened to my husband I would have no clue to who we owed or even when the utilities were due. So I headed to the office and figured it out. Sounds easy but it took time. Turned out that I was one that needed to pay bills. My husband did a great job using Quiken and paying bills on time...but he is the spender and I am the saver.

Are you married? Is the right spouse paying bills.

Now we are a team, we make decisions together, never spend money without the other knowing and because we are on the same page and the right spouse pays the bills we are DEBT FREE.

New Cellfire Coupons

2010-02-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

New Cellfire ecoupons ready to be loaded today. Load them all! Click here to load them to your Grocery Card.

Great deals are made with Cellfire and manufacturer coupons.

Day 364

2010-02-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

Easy way to save money on hand soap. If you use a foam hand dispenser and fill half with soap and half with water.

Soap at 50% off.

Day 363

2010-02-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Papa John's has a reading program?

Stop in a store and pick up the info.The reward is FREE PIZZA for your kids....thanks Heather

Day 362

2010-02-16T02:30:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Dave Ramsey Book is Jeannine Royse!

Day 361

2010-02-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

Submit your budget to Dave Ramsey's team for a chance to see how it stacks up.
Is your budget broken? Or maybe you just need a little extra cash each month? Are you on track for the retirement you've dreamed of or have you given up on the idea of retiring at all? Whether you're a financial rock star or one small crisis from bankruptcy, you'll want to enter The 2010 Budget Fitness Challenge

I just entered!

Day 360

2010-02-16T01:10:00.000-08:00

I used go to the Grocery Store almost daily and put in my cart whatever looked good. Never planned meals and my kids did not help the bill by adding junk we did not need to the cart. But now my goal is to always have my list and coupons ready to go and if possible leave the kiddos behind :)Now I plan my meals based on what is on sale, matches coupons and sticks to her list.It does take some time and planning but it is well worth the savings.

Day 359

2010-02-16T00:10:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendar for 2-23-10 for a free plate of pancakes at IHOP. 1 plate per person.

All they ask is a donation to the Children's Miracle Network.

While supplies last

Day 358

2010-02-16T00:08:00.000-08:00

I just loaded NEW shortcuts ecoupons. Be sure to add yours.

Click here.

Day 357

2010-02-16T00:02:00.000-08:00

30 Free Gifts to Grow Points Code:

GTGPLAY2USA2010

more info on the program here

Day 356

2010-02-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Did anyone beside Heather...notice I transposed numbers and today is really Day 356 and not 365??? Darn...I hate when my human side kicks in.

So how do you stay out of debt???

Here of some things we do to ensure we NEVER GO BACK INTO DEBT:

1. Put a name to every penny of every paycheck by using a written budget

2. Save for upcoming expenses

3. I go down once a week to enter transactions into Quicken

4. Use the envelope system

5. Never use a credit card...do not even have 1 to my name

6. Big purchases must be paid for in cash.

Alright...back on track more tips and deals to come :)

Day 355

2010-02-15T11:30:00.001-08:00

How in the world is it already Day 355??? Wow time flys. Well...one more giveaway. If you would like to have this book for your collection leave a comment or email me and I will give pick one lucky reader one week from today. 2-22-10

Stay tune for my day 356 Finacial update.....

and if you have been on this jouney with me would you please email me any amount of debt you have paid off...small or large or have you saved any money??? I would love to see how much debt has been paid off and how much money has been saved :)

Day 354

2010-02-14T23:58:00.000-08:00

Before you toss the Sunday paper...be sure to find the Rx coupons.

Target=Free $10 Gift card for New or Transfer prescription

Dillons= $20 in Free Groceries for a transfer prescription

geez why did my kids get sick last week and not this week??

Day 353

2010-02-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

Yoplait yogurt at Dillons for $.34 a cup

Here is how....

$.40/6 manufacturer coupon

$.50/8 manufacturer coupon

both double

Be sure to have your cellfire and shortcuts coupons loaded.

2 cellfire $.50 each

1 shortcuts coupon $.50

When you buy 20 you get a $2.00 catalina coupon good toward next purchase.

Equals great price on yogurt

Day 352

2010-02-12T11:11:00.001-08:00

Many Great Deals at Dillons this week. Here is just one example of the Buy 10 Participating Products and save $3

So grab your coupons, load your ecoupons and head to Dillons.

Prices reflect the $3.00 off for purchasing 10

Purex (2) $2.69-$1/1 coupon from the Daytona Mailer

Final Price $4.38 for 2 but get a $4.00 coupon off your next purchase. Like getting them for $.19 each

Grands Biscuits (3) $.99 each shortcuts coupon and manufacturer coupon

Final price $.56 each

Betty Crocker Fruit Chews $1.99 shortcuts coupon and manufacturer coupon

Final price $1.29 each

Cinnamon Toast Crunch $2.39-shortcuts coupon and manufacturer coupon

Final price $1.87 each

Day 351

2010-02-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

I have 2 sick kids...so not much deal shopping being done. But while at Target last night picking up a prescription I noticed the Stawberries are on sale for $2.49 and Blueberries on sale for $3.99.

My kids love berries!

Day 350

2010-02-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

I have not done much shopping at Walgreens lately...but today I did pull out my $1.25/1 Dove Mens manufacturer coupon

Dove Mens Wash $5.99-$1.25

Out of Pocket $4.76

but received a $6.00 Register Reward

MONEY MAKER

Day 349

2010-02-09T13:26:00.001-08:00

New Cellfire ecoupons that are available Now. They expire on March 8th. Click here to load.

Day 348

2010-02-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

Be sure to take a stroll through the cleaning aisle next time at Dillons. Many of the Kroger brand cleaners were 50% off and select Scrubbing Bubbles products are marked down.

The toilet gel was marked down to $2.09 use your $1/1 manufacturer coupon Final price $1.09

and if you have the time here is a link to make Homemade Household Cleaners. I have not found the time yet :)

Day 347

2010-02-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

Get your Free 8x10 Canvas Picture ($55 value) here....well almost free just pay shipping

Thanks to kellyskorner

my mission....try to make my 3 kids take a good picture and get my free canvas :)

Day 346

2010-02-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Did you know that if an item rings up wrong at Dillons they refund you the total price?

Be sure to watch your receipts. I had an item ring up wrong and they refunded me the total price.

Be sure to watch all your receipts at all stores!

Day 345

2010-02-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to load the newest shortcuts ecoupons. Came out 2-3-10.

Remember you can only load 25 at one time.

Day 344

2010-02-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars 2-9-10 6am-2pm

FREE Original Grand Slam Breakfast

Day 343

2010-02-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to print a Great Quaker Coupon. Would match up Great with a Quaker Sale...thanks Heather

Day 342

2010-02-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Get your free sample of kashi here....thanks Heather

Day 341

2010-02-01T10:57:00.000-08:00

Some Pantene is marked down at Dillons. Keep your eye out.

Use your $3/2 manufacturer coupon expires 1/31... but Dillons takes coupons expired up to 2 weeks

Final price $.59 each

Day 340

2010-01-31T10:36:00.000-08:00

10 Item Mega Event

Buy any 10 participating items and get $5 off

List of items that have a shortcuts or cellfire ecoupon that you can match with a paper manufacturer coupon

Be sure to load shortcuts and cellfire

1. Chex Mix Free if you have coupon from coupons.com $.50/1

2. Pillsbury Toaster Strudels $.77

3. Fiber One Bars $.79

4. Nature Valley Clusters Free

5. Nestle Cookie Dough $.15

There may be more...the above is what I purchased.

List of items that I had Manufacturer coupons that matched.

Nestle Spring Water

Propel Singles

Gatorade 8 packs

Chex Mix

Goldfish

Planters Nuts

Orville Popcorn

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter

Nestle Cookie Dough

Kraft Cheese

Kraft Cream Cheese

Sister Schubert Dinner Rolls

DiGiorno Pizza

Pillsbury Savorings

Pillsbury Toaster Strudels

Crest Toothpaste

Brawny Paper Towels

Quilted Northern

Ziploc Containers

Oscar Myer Meet

Ritz Crackers

Fiber One Bars

Nature Valley Clusters

Hunt's Tomatoes

Misson Tortillas

Make your list and save money!

Great deal: Products on sale, Get your $.50 off each product for buying 10, Ecoupons, and Doubled manufacturer coupons.

Ad runs through 2-2-10 but my guess is they will run it again for another week

Day 339

2010-01-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to request your free sample....thanks to Iva

Day 338

2010-01-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

Good price on Tide at Target...

on sale for $5.99

$5.99-$1/1 manufacturer coupon exp. 1-31-10

Final price $4.99

and click here if you would like the recipe to make your detergent and save even more money!

Day 337

2010-01-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Did you receive the $1/1 Quaker Oatmeal coupon in a recent Dillons mailer?

If so make sure to use it.

Final price $.88

Day 336

2010-01-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

Dillons Deal

Coupons Used $2/1 manufacturer from paper insert and $2/1 manufacturer coupon from All You Magazine

On sale for Buy One Get on Free

Shelf Price $8.99

Final Price $2.49 each

Day 335

2010-01-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time again! New cellfire ecoupons new and ready to load today.

Click here to load them all.

Coupons are available on Cellfire for Kroger and Safeway starting
Tuesday 01/26/10 can be saved until Monday 02/08/10 and expire Monday
02/22/10

Day 334

2010-01-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

Cottonelle on sale at Dillons

Print a $.50/1 coupon at coupons.com (doubles)....remember to you can print each coupon twice

Final Price after coupon $4.99

Price without coupon and sale $7.99

P.S. There is also a coupon for Cottonelle in the 2/19/10 issue of All You magazine

Day 333

2010-01-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Easy Coupon Tip:

Does your store double coupons?

If so here is how to tell if the coupon will double in value...

If the first number is 5 the coupon will double

If the first number is 9 it won't

Day 332

2010-01-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Enter the Great Gallon Giveaway here
Enter for your chance to win FREE MILK FOR A YEAR
also when you enter you receive a coupon for free milk open to the first 125,000...thank you Iva

Day 331

2010-01-22T13:51:00.000-08:00

My two stock-up items of the week at Dillons

Tyson chicken $4.98~ 50% off

Reames Noodles~ 67% off

Great prices!

Day 330

2010-01-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

I was reading my latest All You Magazine and wanted to share all the cool ways to save money with your cell phone. Of course you know that I am to frugal to pay for a fancy cell phone...all mine does is ring and call out :)

but for those of you who can add apps to your phone be sure to check out the following right here.

Track down coupons

Compare prices

Keep tabs on your grocery bill

Budget on the go

Manage your bank account

Consolidate reward cars.

Very cool!

Day 329

2010-01-20T11:34:00.000-08:00

28 NEW shortcuts coupons were added yesterday. Click here to load them on your card. Remember with shortcuts you can only load 25 at a time.

Day 328

2010-01-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

If you are out and about stop at Target. There is clearance all over the store.

The total for the above was $9.44.

Metamucil $4.48-$3.00 manufacturer coupon=$1.48

Yes to Carrots Lip balm $2.48

Girls Shirts $2.24 and $1.74

Pantene $2.50-$1.00 manufacturer coupon= $1.50

Total with out mark-downs and coupons would of been $39.96

The lip balm itself was $9.99 original price and my total for everything was only $9.44!

Day 327

2010-01-18T17:19:00.000-08:00

This is something I am looking into signing up for.

It costs $5.00 monthly but may be worth it for someone like me!

Dave Ramsey even endorses it.

Click here to check it out!.....thanks Jennifer

E-mealz will simplify your life,
save time & money!
Makeover your mealtime &
make time for family!

Day 326

2010-01-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

Two shortcuts coupons that made for great deals.

Dillons

Kroger instant packets of oatmeal on sale for $1.50

Shortcuts ecoupon $1.00/2

Final price $1.00 each

Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers

Shortcuts ecoupon $.75 match with $.75/1 manufacturer coupon

Final Price $.89

Day 325

2010-01-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

FREE Suave deodorant at Dillons with your $.50/1 manufacurer coupon

On sale for $1.00

coupon doubles at Dillons

Day 324

2010-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Last year was the first year realized how much money we were throwing away by not doing our taxes ourselves. The last year we had help with our taxes we paid $400!!! What a waste of money.

Last year a friend recommended we use TaxACT and paid a total of $17.95.

A huge savings! We will use TaxACT again this year....thanks Tina

••Finish your state return in minutes
•Free phone, e-mail and audit support
•Certified values for non-cash donations
•Powerful tax calculators & reports

Day 323

2010-01-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

For all my fellow germ freaks!! Click here to request your free sample Gold Bonds Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer from Wal-Mart...thanks moneysavingmom

Day 322

2010-01-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

Borders online code for 33% off any ONE ITEM thru Jan. 18 2010

BMC7135K

ebates also offers a 4% cash back with Borders

Click here to visit ebates.

Day 321

2010-01-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

New Cellfire coupons today!
Load them all right here... you never know when you will get a surprise savings!

Coupons are available on Cellfire for Kroger and Safeway starting Tuesday 01/12/10 can be saved until Monday 01/25/10 and expire Monday 02/08/10

Day 320

2010-01-11T19:11:00.001-08:00

I'm not going all green on you but I thought if I can recycle and be rewarded for it I would give it a try. It is super simple. All your recyclable material goes in one cantainer and it is that easy.

I signed up for RecycleBank in October. Two of my friends signed up early 2009 and found that it pays for itself in rewards. So I jumped on board. I received the 1st 3 months free.

Click here it see your city participates.

and a Money Saving Tip

Share Trash Service with a neighbor.

Day 319

2010-01-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

Money Saving Tip:

How long can eat out of your pantry before you have to go the store?

I am currently being creative with meals. I have not been shopping for a week and still have a few meals I can come up with. That means that this weeks grocery money can go straight to savings!

Day 318

2010-01-09T13:05:00.001-08:00

Two new codes for 1 FREE night DVD rental.
ABTS25
SNSV25

also BREAKROOM and DVDONME should work if you have not used them yet.

Day 317

2010-01-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

To save money I have decided that if I can prep produce in 5 minutes or less I will stop buying produce that has been washed and chopped.

Cooking is not on my list of things I enjoy. I usually spend the extra $$ and buy the produce already washed.

NO MORE...IT COSTS TWICE AS MUCH!

Day 316

2010-01-07T17:43:00.000-08:00

Preschool, Football, Baseball, Dance, Swim Lessons, Basketball

those are the activities that my kiddos are involved in throughout the year that add up to be $100's a year.

Soooo....what do I do to offset the cost???

I work once a week for 3 hours at a gym where parents drop off their children while they work-out.

Benefits

#1 It pays for my children's extra activities

#2 I can bring my children with me

#3 Free membership

Day 315

2010-01-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

Walgreens Deal

Take the above coupon with you to Walgreens to get close to FREE Finish....coupon was from the Sunday's insert (1-3-10)

Finish on sale for $3.49

Manufacturer coupon $2.50

Final price $.99

and get back $1.00 Register Reward

With Tax and after Register Reward

Final price $.21

Great Deal original price was over $6.00

Day 314

2010-01-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 27:17 says it well: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”
We need one another to be sharp. If you have not read about my accountability partner you can here. Tina was my saving grace when we hit rock bottom. She was able to set me straight! My world changed when she said looks like you have enough money for everything but two things, gas and food. I got mad....that was ridiculous. We made too much money not to be able to pay cash for food and gas.

It is a New Year...a New Decade.

If one of your New Years Resolutions is to become debt free, change your family tree, set yourself free, take control of your finances I believe it is a great idea to have someone to hold you accountable. Maybe it is your spouse, maybe a friend. Find someone in your life who has always been responsible with their finaces. Here is a hint... it is probably not the people who are driving brand new cars and always have the latest and greatest. I bet it is the person in your life who drives a lovely great used car :)

Make this your life changing year and then pay it forward!

Day 313

2010-01-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

Click here to read some finacial advice from the FlyLady....thanks Anetta for sharing

Day 312

2010-01-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

My best deal of the day was at Target.

Goldfish are on sale for $1.66

I used my $.75/1 coupon printed from coupons.com awhile back

Final price $.91

Day 311

2010-01-02T06:49:00.001-08:00

Do you have Christmas pictures to print?

If so click here to get them for 1 penny each.

Just be sure to checkout by 1-7-10 and use the code NEWYEAR50

Day 310

2010-01-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

What are your finacial goals this year?

Ours are to save, save, save.

Goal #1....our 6 months savings is 75% funded. Goal: Fund last part of 6 months savings. Our goal is to have a full 6 months of expenses saved.

Goal #2....We are currently saving 5% for retirement...once our 6 months savings is in place our goal is to save 15% of our income for retirement.

Are your finances a train wreck?

If so make it a goal to sit down and figure out where you stand to the penny.

How much debt do you have?

Who do you owe and how much?

Make your monthly budget?

How many months would it take to become debt free?

Start to free your self from the chain from debt in 2010!

Day 309

2009-12-31T07:12:00.000-08:00

Check out Dillons all new digital coupons here

Day 308

2009-12-30T09:08:00.000-08:00

Dillons has extended their P&G Sale for another week

Buy $25 of participating Proctor and Gamble and save $5.00...no limit to savings

Above is what I purchased: (most of my coupons were from this past Sunday's P&G insert)

Walgreens also has a similar P&G sale this week.

Tide:

Coupon used: $1/1 manufacturer coupon

Price after coupon $11.00

Tampax:

Coupon used: Buy One Get One Free

Price After Coupon: $2.75 each

Old Spice and Secret Deodorant

Coupons used: Buy 2 Old Spice Deodorants Get One Secret Deodorant Free, $.25 Secret doubled to $.50, and $1/2 Old Spice and $.50 esaver coupon found here

Price after coupons $1.63 each

Charmin

Coupons used: $1.00 esaver coupon found here and $.25/1 doubled to $.50

Price after coupons $8.50

Crest

Coupon used: $1/1 manufacturer coupon

Price after coupon $1.50

Red Zone Body Wash

Coupons used $1/2 manufacturer coupon

Final Price $3.00 each

$5 off $25 applies to total before coupons

My total before coupons was $53.96

My total after coupons was $37.40

My total after the $10 savings was $27.40

That equals out to be only $2.74 for each item I purchased

Day 307

2009-12-29T13:43:00.000-08:00

New cellfire ecoupons out today. Load them all here!

Just today I had a surpise when I checked out at Dillons. I used an ecoupon that I forgot I loaded and saved $.65

Day 306

2009-12-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

A Great Website dedicated solely to children’s items.

Great place to buy or sell.

Check them out here.

Day 305

2009-12-27T22:58:00.000-08:00

Heads up...I will not have time to show what great deals I find on Proctor and Gamble products before the sale is over....so head over to Dillons with your P&G coupons

Dillons ad is good 12-27/12-29

When you purchase select Proctor and Gamble items you save $5 off $25

Be sure to your P&G Electronic ecoupons are loaded on your Dillons card. You can load them here.

Day 304

2009-12-26T18:21:00.000-08:00

Have an Old Navy Gift Card??

Old Navy after Holiday Sale

60% of Winter Styles

Starts 12-27-09

One week only

Day 303

2009-12-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Merry CHRISTMAS

Easy tip for today.....make sure you make time once a week to go over your finances. Even though today is Chirstmas...Friday is my day to make sure everything is entered in Quicken and updated.

Day 302

2009-12-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to print your FREE Fresco Taco from Taco Bell.....thanks to moneysavingmom

Day 301

2009-12-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Dillons has many health and beauty products marked down.

This is just one example of a great deal

Original price $7.59

Marked down to $4.59

Use your $2/1 coupon

Final price $2.59

many Cover Girl products are marked down also...

for example foundation is marked down to $2.49 and you can use your $1/1 coupon for a Final price of $1.49

Day 300

2009-12-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

Dillons Deal

Final Price after $1/1 manufacturer coupon= $3.99

Saved $3.00 with sale price and coupon

Day 299

2009-12-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

$.88 Quaker Cereal at Dillons

I had $1/1 quaker coupons that came from the inside quaker oatmeal boxes. Great Price!

Day 298

2009-12-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

Take a small break and read the following.

No Money Saving Tip Today, Just a Great Reminder.

Merry Chirstmas, Dara

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt
to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Day 297

2009-12-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

Internet Drug Coupons Site

Click here for hundreds of coupons for prescription and non-prescription drugs and medicine for pets....thank you Heather

Day 296

2009-12-18T12:43:00.000-08:00

Cutie California Clementines 5 pound box on sale at Super Target until 12-20-09

for $4.99

Use your $1.00 manufacturer coupon

Final price $3.99

Day 295

2009-12-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

Where is your Thermostat Set?

We keep ours at 69 degrees in the Winter.

My goal is to decrease it to 68 degress.

Bet my family does not even notice ;)

1. When you’ll be out for an evening, turn down the thermostats. If you’ll be away for a weekend or more, lower the thermostats to 55 F. You’ll save on heating without risking a freeze-up of your water pipes.

2. Whenever you can lower your thermostat dramatically for a few days or more, you’ll save a little on the operation of the refrigerator and freezer, which won’t need to work so hard to maintain their cool.

3. How low can your thermostats be set? At our house, we’ve gotten accustomed to 68 F as a comfortable norm. Reduce the heat just 1 degree at a time and try it for a week. Each 1-degree drop for an eight-hour period reduces your fuel bill percent. Gradually, you might be able to down 3 or even 4 degrees comfortably and save a chunk of money.

4. Try turning down the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees at night, and then turn it up again in the morning when the coffee is brewing. If you can get used to that, you’ll save 5 to 10 percent of your heating bill.

Once common myth is that when you reduce the thermostat for only a few hours it will take more heat to bring your home back up to the desired temperature. This is not so. You will save money and fuel because your heating system will not have to keep your home so warm. You will use less energy overall even when you warm up your house from a cooler temperature.

5. For greater ease and comfort, install a programmable set-back thermostat. They are available for most gas- and oil-fueled central heating systems. In this way, you can have the heat turned up before you get up in the morning and lowered just as you get into bed. You may not even notice that you are setting back your thermostat. Most of these thermostats come with two setbacks. Therefore, you can also set back the thermostat for the hours when people are in school or at work.

6. Some setback thermostats have different setbacks for weekends. If you frequently forget to setback your thermostat, the programmable setback thermostats will be a great investment. Even if you are already pretty good at remembering, these devices can frequently enable you to set back the thermostat a few extra degrees, providing you with additional savings.

7. If you heat with electricity, you can take advantage of the individual room thermostats that make it possible to shut off unused rooms and to have cool settings in some rooms and warmer settings in others. Using this feature of electric heat will definitely reduce your fuel bills. If you have a thermostat that controls a relatively large area, you should still consider a setback thermostat. You will need an electrician for this installation.

8. Do you need to talk yourself into a lower thermostat setting? Here’s an argument. Your plants are healthier in the cooler air. The health of your plants isn’t in the same league with your personal comfort? All right, you’ll be healthier in the cooler air. Your body will burn a few more calories keeping you warm, thereby helping you to lose weight and improve your general health. Besides, if you’ve already insulated and tightened your home, you will probably be just as comfortable at lower temperatures.

9. When it’s time to open the windows for a little fresh air in the spring, remember to turn down the thermostats. Those cool breezes that feel so good will send your furnace on a fuel-burning rampage unless the thermostats are reset.

10. Planning a party? Turn the thermostats down. Each guest is the equivalent of a 175-watt heater, and a large group will warm up the place without the furnace or the heating units in operation.

Day 294

2009-12-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

ACM26

Rent a DVD with the Code above

FREE FOR FIRST NIGHT

Day 293

2009-12-15T23:49:00.000-08:00

New Ecoupons now on Cellfire. These coupons are available for saving now through December 31st and must be redeemed by 1/11/2010. Nearly $30 in savings!!!
New favorites like Nestle Toll House Morsels and Cheerio's.

Load them all here!

Day 292

2009-12-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

I sat with a friend and her box of bills for the most of the day yesterday.

It took hours to go through. Bills were late, her phone was turned off. Her water is scheduled to be turned off. She has been flying by the seat of her pants for years. She has no clue where her money is going and why she has nothing.

Finally we figured out who she owed and how much and then we took out the bank statements to mill over.

Problem solved. She has everything automatically drafted from her account and had signed up for the automatic overdraft protection.

Well when you have a tight budget, living paycheck to paycheck and do not have a cushion in your account....just the smallest mistake can cause you to overdraft. The huge $30 convince fee to cover everytime you overdraft can add up to $100's of dollars.

Lesson learned for her the hard way. Remember that lovely convinence fee? It ate up her whole pay check. Not so convient!

Tip: If your budget is very tight...it is best that you pay your bills when you are ready and not use automatic withdrawl. It would of been better for her to pay the late fee with the individual companies, chose to pay the utilities and mortgage and wait to pay credit cards. Because now she is in the situation that utilities are being shut off.

Lesson Learned the Hard Way

Day 291

2009-12-13T14:51:00.000-08:00

Just in case you are not done Christmas Shopping...

Here is an online code for jcp.com

$10 off a single purchase totaling $25 or more

BJOLLY25

Day 290

2009-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

In this house my kids know we like to save money and not spend it. My 3 year old walks around with coupons in her purse. My 5 year old has a hard time when his Auntie takes him to the store and tells him to pick out anything for his birthday...because everything is too much money. My 9 year old cries at school when he breaks his glasses because he does not want me to have to spend the money to replace them.

I explain to them over and over that we have thousands of dollars in the bank... and we chose to save our money and that they never need to worry because their every need...not want will be met.

This happens around town all the time....I run into a friend or an acquaintance and they pull out their coupons to show me or promise they are paying in cash.

I am officially the Money Police!

Because we are debt free and still very focused to meet our next saving goal, once in a while we treat ourselves!

Last night we went to dinner and took our kids to the movies and spent a pretty penny. And it was okay. We are debt free, have 6 months savings, and saving for retirement.

But let me be clear during the 18 months it took us to pay off $48,000 we were INTENSE and did not treat ourselves ;) And it was all worth it!

Day 289

2009-12-11T23:49:00.000-08:00

If you love Christmas Music....

Click here for FREE iTunes Holiday Sampler

Day 288

2009-12-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

Another use for vinegar:

Use instead of expensive Dishwasher Rinse Aid

I tryed it and it really works. No water spots!

Another money saving tip.

Day 287

2009-12-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

FREE SHIPPING SITES

Kohl's Free Standard Shipping when you spend $75

Kmart Free shipping on Toys $49 or more

Sears Free Shipping on Toys $49 or more

Target Free Shipping on when you spend $50 on over 125,000 items

Toysrus Free shipping on order $49 or more

Amazon Free Super Saver Shipping

be sure to check out retailmenot.com to check for online codes when online shopping

Day 286

2009-12-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

Gillette Body Wash on Sale at Dillons Buy One Get One Free

Manufacturer Coupons used:

(1) Buy Gillette Body Wash Get Deoderant Free

(2) $1.00/1 Gillette Body Wash

Final Price $1.50 each

Day 285

2009-12-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

On sale at Dilllons for $1.00

use $50/2 manufacturer coupon (doubles)

Final price $.50 each

Day 284

2009-12-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

On sale at Dillons for $1.00

Free after $.50/1 manufacturer coupon (doubled)

Day 283

2009-12-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

Manufacturer Coupons Used:

(2) Buy one Olay Quench Body Wash Get the Lotion Free

(1) $1/2 Body Wash (Expired 11/30/09, but Dillons takes expired coupons up to 2 weeks)

Final price $3.00 per bottle

My general rule of thumb: pay only $1.00 for lotion and body wash but Quench is my favorite and it was over 50% off.

Day 282

2009-12-04T16:09:00.000-08:00

Manufacturer Coupons Used:

(2) Buy One Get One Free Nivea Lip Balm

(1) Buy 3 Nivea Lip Balms Get One Nivea Lotion Free

Walgreens Lip Balm priced at $.99 each (12-05-09 is last day of sale)

The above would cost only $2.00

Dillons Lip Balm priced at $2.69

The above would cost $5.38

Great Deal the lotion it self cost over $6.00

I am this would also be a great deal at Wal-Mart

Day 281

2009-12-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time again...New Cellfire ecoupons!

Load them all here.

Looks like a handful match up with the 50% off one day only sale at Dillons TODAY 12-3-09.

LOAD THEM ALL!

Day 280

2009-12-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

More Walgreens Deals

Quaker Pancake Mix

$2.50

$2.00/1 manufacturer printed from coupons.com awhile back

Final price $.50

Dawn Soap

$.99 with in store ad coupon

$.75 manufacturer coupon (from P&G insert 11-29-09)

Final price $.24

and a BIG thank you to Michelle for sharing the following:
I just thought that I would let you know that I found some AWESOME produce deals at Target today. They had 4lb boxes of Honeycrisp apples for $2! Those are normally $2+ per pound. They also had sweet potatoes for $.25 per pound. Broccoli and Cauliflower were both $.75 per package and there were some packages that were larger than the packages that you can get at Aldi's for $1.

Day 279

2009-12-01T19:53:00.000-08:00

Walgreens Register Reward Deals

Quaker Oatmeal

$2.50 each

$1.00/2 manufacturer coupon

$2.00 Register Reward

Price after coupon and Register Reward $1.00 per box

Oral B Floss Picks and Toothbrush

$2.50 Floss Picks Tootbrush $2.79

$.75 manufacturer coupon and $1.00 manufacturer coupon

$2.00 Register Reward

Price after coupon and Register Reward Floss $1.04 Toothbrush $.50

Glade Reed Diffuser

$5.99

$3.00 manufacturer coupon

$3.00 Register Reward

Price after coupon and register reward Final price FREE

Trident Layer Gum

$1.00/with in-ad Walgreens coupon

$1/2 All You manufacturer coupon

Final Price $.50 each

...Walgreen rules:

coupons may not out number items purchased

you can stack Walgreens coupons with manufacturer coupons (use both coupons for one item)

Day 278

2009-11-30T10:03:00.000-08:00

Cyber Monday only deal. Click here for more info.

Day 277

2009-11-29T14:34:00.000-08:00

Proctor and Gamble coupons are in this Sunday's paper (11-29-09)

When using their coupons be sure to look for the P&G products that have FREE coupon books inside....worth up to $15

The packages are specialy marked.

Day 276

2009-11-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

On at Dillons for $.50

use your $.40/2 manufacturer coupon (doubles)

Final price $.10 per can

Day 275

2009-11-27T18:33:00.001-08:00

Schick Razors Buy One Get One Free at Dillons

Use your $2/1 manufacturer coupons

Final Price...if you have (4) coupons

Mens: $2.32

Womens $1.49