Meal Plan Monday....January 31st Edition

I'm trying to get back into writing down a Meal Plan for the week.
I run my Meal Plan here at Chez Sluggy from Sunday to Saturday....just so you know.

Here is this week's plan....

Sunday--Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Garlic Potatoes, Gravy, Summer Mix of Veggies in Pepper Sauce
Monday--Potluck Chili, Biscuits or Cornbread(can't decide which)
Tuesday--Macaroni and Cheese , Broccoli
Wednesday--Chicken Parmesan, Salad, Garlic Bread
Thursday--Leftovers-Hubs is not home for dinner
Friday--Kielbasa on Rolls with caramelized Onions, leftover Coleslaw
Saturday--Early Dinner out

Here's why I am serving some of this stuff....

Sunday-- I got a great deal on Saturday on cubed steak, $1.74lb!, so I decided to make this rib-sticker meal.  We even have a big piece leftover for some lucky family member for Leftover Friday!

 Monday--I spent an hour digging through the freezer, reorganizing and finding older things like some skillet steaks and tomatoes from the garden I froze whole and never canned.  I have a container of already cooked ground beef in the fridge to add so it's Potluck Chili time!

Tuesday--Haven't had this dish in awhile.  I've got all the ingredients, so why not?lol

Wednesday--I have some chicken cutlets to use up.  I will have to buy salad greens, but we didn't use the hamburger buns last week for garlic bread so we need to use them for this meal.

Thursday--Hopefully we'll have lots of first rate leftovers for this night.  chicken fried steak, chili, mac and cheez, and maybe some chicken parm.

Friday--I found a ring of Kielbasa in the depths of the freezer.  I have been craving this dish but won't spend $4+lb. for it and it hasn't been on sale around here.  Must remember to stock up when it goes on sale next time....  The coleslaw is leftover from Saturday.

Saturday--Eating out...probably just Hubs and I since Daughter will be off with her friends and #2 son will opt for a night home with WOW and Chicken Tenders.lol   In honor of the Chinese New Year we'll probably hit one of our fav. Asian restaurants during Happy Hour(aka discount hour).


As for what I need to buy to implement this plan?  Just some salad greens and maybe a cucumber...whatever I can find inexpensive in the produce dept. at the store this week.

Other than the perennial item on my list, milk, I don't need to buy anything else this week.
There are some Catalina Promos this week at Weis(I might do the Dog Food one)and Coupon Doublers at Price Chopper NE that might lure me out for cheap or free food items.  But other than that, immediate spending for food being eaten this week is about $8.

So what is going to be on your plate this week?

Check out Organizing Junkie's website HERE to see what other Home Cooks are whipping up this week for their families.

Sluggy

5 Times is Not Enough.....Sunday Rite-Aid Shopping Saga

With $127 worth of +Up Rewards to use between Sunday and Saturday this week before they expire, it's no wonder I did 5 transactions at assorted Rite-Aids on Sunday.
I knew that with some of the FREE after +Ups deals this week, if I wanted any of them, I'd have to get out there on the 1st day of the Sales Ad week.

First my card....

2 x Sunday paper $1.00=$2.00
1 x Sierra Mist soda w/wellness disc. 20%=$1.27
3 x Colgate Toothpaste on sale $2.99=$8.97
3 x Coricidin on sale $5.99=$17.97
3 x Afrin spray on sale $5.99=$17.97
2 x Reach Toothbrush on sale $3.83=$7.66
SubTotal....$55.84

Coupons Used
1 x $1/1 Any Purchase AdPerks/VVQ=$1.00
1 x $.55/1 Sierra Mist soda TearpadQ=$.55
3 x $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste ManuQ=$3.00
1 x $3/1 Coricidin IPQ=$3.00
2 x $2/1 Coricidin IPQ=$4.00
3 x $2/1 Coricidin AdPerks/VVQ=$6.00
3 x $2/1 Afrin IPQ=$6.00
3 x $2/1 Afrin AdPerks/VVQ=$6.00
1 x BOGO Reach ManuQ=$3.83
1 x $1/1 Reach Toothbrush TearpadQ=$1.00
2 x $1/1 Reach/Listerine AdPerks/VVQ=$2.00
Coupons Total....$36.38

$55.84-$36.38=$19.46
I used $19 +Up Rewards and put the $.46 on my Rite-Aid gift card, so $0 out of pocket.
I received $50 in +Up Rewards back....6 x $4(Coricidin and Afrin), 3 x $2(Colgate Toothpaste), 2 x $10(Healthy Heart, 1 for a $30 Purchase, 1 for the last $20 of the $50 Purchase).

$19 spent, $50 received makes this a $31 moneymaker.

**The Afrin Qs beep but can be pushed through manually.


Then on the BIL's card....

3 x Sunday paper=$3.20
2 x Stax snacks on sale $1.00=$2.00
2 x Dixie plates on sale BOGO=$3.99
4 x Edy's Ice Cream on sale $2.99=$11.96 *not pictured*
2 x Colgate Toothpaste on sale $2.99=$5.98
1 x Coricidin on sale=$5.99
1 x Afrin on sale=$5.99
SubTotal....$39.11

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $25 Purchase emailed to BIL's account=$5.00
1 x $1 off any Purchase Wellness/AdPerks VV Q=$1.00
1 x $3/2 Dixie Plates AdPerks/VV Q=$3.00
2 x $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $2/1 Coricidin AdPerks/VV Q=$2.00
1 x $2/1 Afrin AdPerks/VV Q=$2.00
Coupon Total....$15.00

$39.11-$15.00=$24.11

I used $24 in +Up Rewards and put the .11¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card, so $0 OOP.
I received $37 in +Up Rewards back(2 x $1 Stax, 4 x $2 Edy's, 2 x $2 Colgate, $4 Coricidn, $4 Afrin, $10 for the second $20 of the Healthy Heart Promo, $5 wyb $15 of the Up Your Game Promo items).

$24 spent, $37 received makes this a $13 moneymaker.

My card again, later that day.....

4 x Stax on sale $1.00=$4.00
2 x Chex on sale $1.50=$3.00
1 x NY Style Bagel Crisps on sale $1.50=$1.50
2 x Hartz Dog Biscuits on sale $2.99=$5.98
4 x Dixie Plates Bogo sale=$7.98
SubTotal....$22.46


Coupons Used....
1 x $4 off $20 AdPerks/VVQ=$4.00
1 x $1 any Purchase Wellness AdPerks/VVQ=$1.00
1 x $1/2 Chex ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $.50/2 Chex PEELIEQ=$.50
1 x .75¢/1 NY Style Crisps=$.75
2 x $1/1 Hartz dog biscuits IPQ=$2.00
2 x $3/2 Dixie Plates AdPerks/VVQ=$6.00
Coupon Total....$15.25

$22.46-$15.25=$7.21
I used $7 in +Up Rewards and put the .21¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card.
I received $15 in +Up Rewards....2 x $1 for Pet Food purchase, 2 x $1 for Hartz purchase, 4 x $1 for Stax, 2 x $1 for Chex and $5 wyb select items for the Up Your Game Promo.


$7 spent, $15 received makes this an $8 moneymaker.


Then BIL's card again.....

4 x Pringles on sale $1.50=$6.00
2 x Hartz Dog Biscuits on sale $2.99=$5.98
1 x Smuckers Jelly/Jam on sale $1.99
2 x NY Style Bagel Crisps on sale $1.50=$3.00
1 x Glad Trash Bags on sale=$3.99
2 x Motrin PM raincheck price=$2.00
1 x Excedrin w/wellness disc. 20%=$5.59
SubTotal....$28.55

Coupons Used....
2 x $1/2 Pringles ManuQ=$2.00
2 x $1/1 Hartz dog biscuits IPQ=$2.00
2 x .75¢/1 NY Style Crisps=$1.50
1 x $3/1 Glad trash bags IPQ=$3.00
1 x $6/2 Motrin PM ManuQ=$6.00
1 x FREE ITEM Excedrin Q homemailer=$5.59
Coupon Total....$20.09

$28.55-$20.09=$8.46
I used $8 in +Up Rewards and put the .46¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card.
I received $5 in +Up Rewards....2 x $1 for Pet Food purchase, 2 x $1 for Hartz purchase and $1 for the Smuckers.

$8 spent, $5 received means I am 'down' $3 in +Ups for this transaction.

**The Smuckers jelly is on sale this week and with the month long $1 +Ups it generates it only cost $1, so I got one for the food bank.
**There is a $1 +Ups on $5 Hartz purchase this week, and Hartz items are 25% off.  The reg. price on the dog treats is $3.99, so the 25% off makes them $2.99 and you get the +Up "from the purchase of Hartz".  There must also be a monthlong or hidden +Up Deal since these generate another $1 Ups "from the purchase of Pet Treats".
**If you are trying to get to the $100 mark for the $20 Winter Resolutions +Up Reward, now is a good time to use those FREE EXCEDRIN homemailer Qs if you still have one, since Excedrin is a qualifying item.


And finally, my card again that evening.....

3 x Edy's Ice Cream on sale $2.99=$8.97
2 x Stax on sale $1.00=$2.00
2 x Funnels w/wellness disc. 20% $.95=$1.90
1 x Gillette Razor on sale=$9.99
1 x RA lip balm on sale=$.50 *not pictured*
SubTotal....$23.36

Coupons Used
1 x $1 any Purchase AdPerks/VV Q=$1.00
1 x $4/1 Gillette Razor ManuQ=$4.00
Coupon Total....$5.00

$23.36-$5.00=$18.36
I used $18 in +Up Rewards and put the .36¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card.
I received $15 in +Up Rewards back....3 x $2 Edys, 2 x $1 Stax, $2 wyb 2 Funnels and $5 Gillette Razor.

$18 spent and $15 back means I am 'down' $3 in +Ups.

**Heads up! The Gillette Razor +Up Deal is a limit of ONE PER CARD.
**The funnels are a monthlong/hidden deal.  Reg. price of $1.19 but if you have the wellness discount they are free after the $2 WYB 2 +Up it generates.

I spent $76 in +Up Rewards and received $122 +Up Rewards back.
I have $51 in +Ups to roll before Saturday night.  Both accounts have approx. $30 left to spend to get to the $100 mark for the Winter Resolution Reward.

THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....5
Total Spent....$1.60 (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$266.20
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
Resolution Reward....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$122.00
+Up Rewards spent...$76.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$214.93
 
GRAND TOTALS--February Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......7
Total Spent....$2.17 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$360.84
SCR qualified for....$0.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0.00

+UPS Totals for Feb. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 1/26.....$168.93
+Up Rewards spent....$103.00
+Up Rewards earned....$161.93
+Up Rewards left....$214.93 includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period


Sluggy

Sluggy's Birthday Boring Blog Giveaway Post #4....Time to Enter Again!

Time for Post 4 for the Birthday Boring Blog Giveaway!

If this is your first time here, get up to speed on how this Giveaway works by looking HERE.

Check out the rules.....
The Rules
1. You must be a "Follower" of my blog to enter and still be a Follower if/when you win.  Lookie on the right sidebar and press the big ol' FOLLOW button if you are not already a follower.
2.  Sorry but this Giveaway is open ONLY to those with a mailing address within the USA.  Hate to have to do that but the postal rates outside the country are KILLER.
3. 1 vote/entry per post with 1 exemption.  You can leave more than 1 comment per post but only your 1st vote/comment will count.

The 1 Exemption....You can earn EXTRA ENTRIES this way....
*If you get someone to become a Follower and enter this giveaway you can earn an Extra Entry for each person you bring on board.  You can blog about the giveaway or email people or post about it on a message board or call your neighbor on the phone....whatever way you want to recruit them, I don't care.  Just make sure that they mention in their vote/comment/entry that You(your name here)told them about the blog/giveaway and you get an extra entry that post.


As always, this is not a company sponsored or company supplied Giveaway.  Any costs associated with this Giveaway are coming out of my pocket because I'm just that kinda gal.  Please patronize our blog ads....I'm just sayin'.... ;-)


Now down to the business at hand.

Here are your 3 items to choose from today....

1. Airborne-berry flavor, 10ct.
2. Motrin PM-20 ct.
3. GasX Prevention-20 ct.


Just leave a comment on this post within the next 3 days with your choice of #1, 2 or 3.
Additional praise for me on the anniversary of my birth is welcomed but won't earn you any Brownie points for the Giveaway. ;-)

Sluggy

REBATING as an Income Stream......2010 Totals

Did anyone around here do any rebating in 2010?
Are you a casual rebater?  By that I mean, you do a rebate every now and again....you don't seek out rebates, but if you happen upon one and it makes sense to buy the product and if it's not TOO MUCH trouble(the rebate process the company makes you go through)you take the time to complete it.

Do you keep track of the rebates you send for and keep a copy of the materials you send off?  Even casual rebaters should always make a copy of the info.(receipts, forms, UPCs or other qualifiers, etc.)before they send it.  It's also a good idea to jot down on your copies what date you mailed off your rebate.

I posted last year about rebating.  You can read it HERE.  I am a low tech rebater who uses a notebook to keep track of my submissions.  For those of you who love technology, you can keep track of your stuff via spreadsheets and graphs on your computer.  It's probably less work that way, once you get the software all set up....just enter your data and it automatically calculates, etc.  I just love the feel of a pencil in my hand instead......lol

I just went through my 2010 Rebate Information.
My cash refunds amounted to $1,161.46.
   $60 of this was from doing Surveys.
   $75 of this was for Focus Group work.
   $102.35 was Ad Revenue from the blog.

This $237.35...the income from surveys/focus work/ad revenue...is taxable income.
Rebates in general are NOT taxable income.  Rebates are considered a discount on the goods you buy, it reduces your cost for the product.

My gift card refunds amounted to $563.99.
   $75 of these gift cards were won in giveaways.

So my total cash and gift cards/certificates in 2010 is $1,725.45.
This isn't counting any free items, free item coupons or $ off coupons I received.

This was my first full year of rebating.
Though looking at my paperwork I did take 4 months off from actual mail-in rebating during the spring/summer months.  I did do some online rebating but mostly it was Rite-Aid SCRebates, Blog Giveaway wins, Surveys and Facebook type freebies.
My full year of Rebating total was $1.19 LESS than my Rebating total for 2009.

My costs to rebate added up to.....
$17.60 for 40 stamps
$1.00 for a box of envelopes
The copy paper was free as I still have a ton of that Staples reams of paper deal from 2009.
As for the ink cartridge costs.....not sure how to figure that.  Estimate how many pages I copied I suppose.  I'll call that 1 cartridge(I only use black ink), so $30.

Estimated total for rebate supplies.....
$48.60.

Not a bad return on investment, huh? ;-)

There is something about rebating I don't care for.  The fact that some people can be ineligible for certain rebates because they happen to live in a certain state.
If you live in a state where you can do alcoholic beverage/other foodstuffs rebates and that state doesn't require you to purchase the alcohol, you REALLY should do these types of rebates!
Usually you can find these rebates on the alcoholic beverages('wine tags' are what the forms are called).
You will need to purchase something like $20 of meat or $10 of cookout items, etc. and the rebate will be for the whole $20 or $10 cost of the non-alcoholic items you bought.  So basically, if you don't have to purchase the alcohol, you are getting $XX worth of food or other items for FREE!
How awesome is that?
Unfortunately for me, the state of PA does NOT allow it's residents to send off for these kind of rebates.....sniff, sniff......

As for 2011.....
Since the types of food items I purchase seems to be evolving, I don't see myself sending off for as many rebates as I did the past 2 years.  That's not to say I won't continue to rebate however.
I also don't shop and buy "stuff"(non-food items except toiletries)at the rate of most of Americans, so I don't do many clothing, or other "hardlines" type of rebates.  I may qualify for a paint or other hardware store type rebate here or there as an exception to this since we have home related purchases.

When I go looking, I don't see nearly the number of rebates so far this year being offered by the usual suspects(companies)as the last 2 years.  That may change as we get further into the year but for now it's looking sparse out there in the rebating field.

I'll continue to rebate in 2011 and I'll be interested to see how this year goes and how my numbers stack up when all is said and done.

If anyone has any rebating questions, feel free to leave a comment.

Sluggy

Wednesday at Rite-Aid....Just a Few Things

I have a ridiculous amount of +Up Rewards to roll by Feb.5th when they all expire.  This week's ad, for me at least, has little that I want/need beyond the trip I made on Monday to buy Fish Oil/CoQ10 and Lightbulbs.
This is making me nervous since after that trip I still had $132 in +Ups to roll.
Egads!
Thankfully next week Rite-Aid is LOUSY with GOOD DEALS for me!!!
I've already started plotting out what I am going to get.  There will be many many trips to Rite-Aid next week.

I went back this week and used a couple of rainchecks and coupons I had that were expiring and also got some more lightbulbs using BIL's card.....

 2 x Precise Cream  raincheck price $2=$4.00
3 x Light bulbs on sale $1.99=$5.97
2 x Milky Way Bars on sale 2/$1=$1.00
4 x R-A Soup on sale .69¢=$2.76
2 x Spic N' Span Cloths on clearance .50¢=$1.00
SubTotal.....$14.73

Coupons Used
1 x $6/2 Assorted McNeil items(Precise included) ManuQ=$6.00
1 x .50¢/2 Milky Way Bars IPQ from coupons dotcom=$.50
2 x $1/2 R-A Soup IPQ from pdf sent to me=$2.00
1 x $1/2 Spin N' Span items IPQ from coupons dotcom=$1.00
Coupon Total....$9.50

$14.73-$9.50=$5.23 OOP
I used 5 $1 +Up Rewards and put the .23¢ on my free Rite-Aid gift card.
I received back $5.97 in +Up Rewards(3 x $1.99)for the Light bulbs.

So I "rolled" $5 +Ups to the 2/12 expiration date.  I now have ONLY $127 in +Ups left to roll next week.lolol
Be sure and come back next week and what me go mad trying to roll these things without buying stuff we don't need/can't use! ;-)

THESE TRIPS-1/24 & 1/26
Number of Transactions.....2
Total Spent....$.67 (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$94.64
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
Resolution Reward....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$39.93
+Up Rewards spent...$27.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$168.93
 
GRAND TOTALS--February Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......2
Total Spent....$.67 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$94.64
SCR qualified for....$0.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0.00

+UPS Totals for Feb. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 1/22.....$156.00
+Up Rewards spent....$27.00
+Up Rewards earned....$39.93
+Up Rewards left....$168.93 includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period


Sluggy

Sluggy's Birthday Boring Blog Giveaway Post #3....Time to Enter Again!

Time for Post 3 for the Birthday Boring Blog Giveaway!

If this is your first time here, get up to speed on how this Giveaway works by looking HERE.

Check out the rules.....
The Rules
1. You must be a "Follower" of my blog to enter and still be a Follower if/when you win.  Lookie on the right sidebar and press the big ol' FOLLOW button if you are not already a follower.
2.  Sorry but this Giveaway is open ONLY to those with a mailing address within the USA.  Hate to have to do that but the postal rates outside the country are KILLER.
3. 1 vote/entry per post with 1 exemption.  You can leave more than 1 comment per post but only your 1st vote/comment will count.

The 1 Exemption....You can earn EXTRA ENTRIES this way....
*If you get someone to become a Follower and enter this giveaway you can earn an Extra Entry for each person you bring on board.  You can blog about the giveaway or email people or post about it on a message board or call your neighbor on the phone....whatever way you want to recruit them, I don't care.  Just make sure that they mention in their vote/comment/entry that You(your name here)told them about the blog/giveaway and you get an extra entry that post.


As always, this is not a company sponsored or company supplied Giveaway.  Any costs associated with this Giveaway are coming out of my pocket because I'm just that kinda gal.  Please patronize our blog ads....I'm just sayin'.... ;-)


Now down to the business at hand.

Here are your 3 items to choose from today....

1. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Shampoo
2. Pantene Styler  Volume Root Lifter Gel
3. Dove Shampoo  Shine Therapy


Just leave a comment on this post within the next 3 days with your choice of #1, 2 or 3.
Additional praise for me on the anniversary of my birth is welcomed but won't earn you any Brownie points for the Giveaway. ;-)

Sluggy

More Video Fun with Sluggy

Since yesterday's post with the clip from "Kiss Me, Kate" was so well received, I have another one for you today.

My blogging buddy over at I'M SO PRETTY I FART FAIRY DUST mentioned her love of the classic film "Singing In The Rain", so I went digging for a clip to share from that film.  Here is a neat one and probably one you haven't seen very much, if at all.
Everyone knows the "Singing in the Rain" Gene Kelly number and the Donald O'Connor "Make Em Laugh" showstopper, but how about the one I found?

I just love Mr. Kelly and I stand in awe of his abilities, especially since I studied tap dancing.  It may look easy but tap takes incredible Balance to do it well.....something I wasn't born with, balance.lol
I also took lessons to learn how to roller skate and earned a Badge for it in the Girl Scouts.
Yes, you could say in my younger days I was "Hell on Wheels".....lol

As some one who has tap danced and roller skated, I will tell you that the following clip is tremendously impressive.....

Sluggy

Monday's Trip to Rite-Aid....The Heart Healthy/Nature Made Double Dip Deal

After running all over creation Monday.....don't ask!.....I stopped by Rite-Aid to check out the Heart Healthy Nature Made Fish Oil Deal.

This week the Nature Made CoQ10 and Fish Oil Supplements are giving a $16 +Up Reward when you buy $30 worth(that's before coupons but after any Wellness discount percentage you may have).
Even though the Heart Healthy Promotion isn't listed in this week's sales flyer, it has begun.  These Nature Made items also qualify for that Promotion so if you buy them this week, you can double dip the +Up Rewards they generate.

I was armed with my trusty 20% off Wellness discount and my All You 'zine Nature Made Qs so I checked it out.  If you were able to print the $5 Nature Made Qs off of coupons dotcom earlier this month, your deal with be even better! ;-)

1 x CoQ10 reg. $13.49 w/20% off=$10.79
1 x Fish Oil reg. $10.99 w/20% off=$8.79
1 x Fish Oil reg. $18.49 w/20% off=$14.79
Subtotal after 20% off=$34.37

I used these coupons....
1 x $6/1 Nature Made CoQ10 ManuQ(All You 'zine)=$6.00
1 x $4/1 Nature Made Fish Oil ManuQ(All You 'zine)=$4.00
1 x $3/1 Nature Made Any Vitamin ManuQ(All You 'zine)=$3.00
2 x $3/1 Nature Made Fish Oil AdPerks/VV IPQ=$6.00
1 x $1/1 Any Purchase AdPerks/VV IPQ=$1.00
Coupon Total....$20.00

$34.37-$20.00=$14.37

We wer also down to our last 60 watt bulb, so I also picked up 4 boxes of the LightBulbs that are on sale for $1.99 this week.  They also generate a $1.99 +Up Reward, making them free after +Ups!
4 x Light Bulbs on sale $1.99=$7.96

$14.37+$7.96=$22.33+.11¢ tax=$22.44


I paid with $22 +Up Rewards and put the .44¢ change on my handy dandy Rite-Aid gift card.
I received a $10 +Up Reward($10 wyb $30 of Healthy Heart products)and a $16 +Up Reward($16 wyb $30 of Nature Made CoQ10 and/or Fish Oil this week)=$26 in +Ups.
I also received 4 x $1.99 +Up Rewards back for the lightbulbs, so $33.96 +Ups in total.
Spent $22 +Ups, got $33.96 +Ups back.

The double dip +Up Rewards make my purchase a $11.96 moneymaker after Rewards.

If you have the $5/1 Nature Made IPQs your purchase will be even better.
And remember, you can set up more than one AdPerks/VV accounts so get your family members to go watch videos too.  This is how I have 2 of the Fish Oil AdPerk/VV Qs to use.

My store had no signage about a Lightbulb limit, but I hear there is a 6 package limit.
I bought 4 and all 4 +Ups printed.


Sluggy

Just Because.....Musical Fun on Tuesday!

Because I feel like it today.
Go watch this.....

It's a number from the classic 1950's musical film Kiss Me Kate.  When I did summer stock I was involved in a production of the stage version of this show.  It always has been one of my favorites since.  Great Cole Porter songs and a fun plot and characters.

The woman is Ann Miller. You may know/remember her as an amazing tap dancer.

Do you recognize her 3 partners are in this number?

The guy in two-toned pink is Kurt Krasznar....a well known Broadway actor who was also in a fair number of films of the 1950's and 1960's, usually in a supporting role.  You probably won't recognize him from this clip since he was heavier in most of his other films but he had a face you might know, even if the name isn't familiar.

The guy in purple is Bobby Van.  A talented dancer/singer of stage and screen and later of tv game shows(Match Game in particular).  His career was cut short by a brain tumor and he died fairly young.

And the guy in red?
Why that's none other than the legendary Mr. Bob Fosse.  Need I say more?

Great stuff!
Enjoy....

Sluggy

Sluggy's Birthday Boring Blog Giveaway Post #2...Time to Enter Again!

Time for Post 2 for the Birthday Boring Blog Giveaway!

 

If this is your first time here, get up to speed on how this Giveaway works by looking HERE.

Check out the rules.....
The Rules
1. You must be a "Follower" of my blog to enter and still be a Follower if/when you win.  Lookie on the right sidebar and press the big ol' FOLLOW button if you are not already a follower.
2.  Sorry but this Giveaway is open ONLY to those with a mailing address within the USA.  Hate to have to do that but the postal rates outside the country are KILLER.
3. 1 vote/entry per post with 1 exemption.  You can leave more than 1 comment per post but only your 1st vote/comment will count.

The 1 Exemption....You can earn EXTRA ENTRIES this way....
*If you get someone to become a Follower and enter this giveaway you can earn an Extra Entry for each person you bring on board.  You can blog about the giveaway or email people or post about it on a message board or call your neighbor on the phone....whatever way you want to recruit them, I don't care.  Just make sure that they mention in their vote/comment/entry that You(your name here)told them about the blog/giveaway and you get an extra entry that post.


As always, this is not a company sponsored or company supplied Giveaway.  Any costs associated with this Giveaway are coming out of my pocket because I'm just that kinda gal.  Please patronize our blog ads....I'm just sayin'.... ;-)


Now down to the business at hand.

Here are your 3 items to choose from today....

1. Old Spice Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant
2. Gillette Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant
3. Lady Speed Stick Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant


Just leave a comment on this post within the next 3 days with your choice of #1, 2 or 3.
Additional praise for me on the anniversary of my birth is welcomed but won't earn you any Brownie points for the Giveaway. ;-)

Sluggy

Meal Plan MONDAY.....January 24th Edition

I'm trying to get back into writing down a Meal Plan for the week.
I run my Meal Plan here at Chez Sluggy from Sunday to Saturday....just so you know.

Here is this week's plan....

Sunday--Sluggy's Beef Pie
Monday--Baked Catfish, Coleslaw, Seasoned Potatoes, Steamed Cauliflower
Tuesday--Half-Price Steaks at Logan's
Wednesday--Pasta with Meat Sauce, Salad with Walnuts/Feta/Vinaigrette Dressing
Thursday--Birthday Meal at Red Robin
Friday--Chicken Parmesan, Salad, Garlic Bread
Saturday--Leftovers

Here's why I am serving some of this stuff....

Sunday--I had a small hunk of leftover Meatloaf in the fridge that no one wanted to eat in it's present form.  I chopped it up and substituted that for the fresh Ground Beef in the Beef Pie dish.  I also had a couple of packets of Cornbread mix to use up in the stockpile.  It was Honey Cornbread so not the best choice for this dish but it was ok.

 Monday--I have half a head of cabbage and some potatoes to use up.  It will go well with the catfish I bought last week for $3.99lb.  I'll just put a bit of Mrs. Dash's Lemon Pepper on the fish and bake it.


Wednesday--We haven't had pasta in awhile here and Hubs is grumbling....he's Italian, go figure!lol  I bought a big pack of ground beef($1.88lb!)a bit ago and cooked it up into crumbles.  Half will go into the homemade meat sauce this week and the other half will go into the Pot of Chili I am planning for next Sunday.

Friday--I've got the chicken, the cheese and the Marinara sauce here.  The leftover salad greens from Wed. will serve as the base for another salad side dish tonight.  I have some whole wheat hamburger buns that are getting old so I'll use those as the base for my garlic bread.

The 2 nights eating out this week is a bit unusual for us.  The Red Robin trip is for a free birthday meal they sent me and the Logan's trip for steaks is to use some of those free gift certificates I talked about HERE.

Technically this is only a five night menu because of the eating out.
As for what I need to buy to implement this plan?  Just some salad greens and maybe a cucumber or pepper...whatever I can find inexpensive in the produce dept.*see me laugh!* at the store this week.

Other than milk, I don't need to buy anything else this week.

So what is going to be on your plate this week?

Check out Organizing Junkie's website HERE to see what other Home Cooks are whipping up this week for their families.

Sluggy

3 Rite-Aid Trips & SCR Period TOTAL RESULTS

I crammed 3 more trips to Rite-Aid in between Friday and Saturday night.

Mostly it was more free or almost free stuff after coupons, rain checks, rebates, 20% Wellness discount and +Up Rewards.....
The Dove 'Poo was .39¢ a bottle.
The Brown rice was .35¢ a bag.
The White rice was .19¢ a bag.
The Dixie plates were .99¢ a pack.
The Sierra Mist sodas were .46¢ each.
The Skittles candy was .45¢.
The Trident gum was .50¢
The Spin N' Span items, R-A coffee, Hormel chili were all free.
The Mortin PM, Precise Cream, Reach dental floss, Pilot pens,Gas-X, R-A toilet tissue and Benefiber  were better than free.

With the overages from coupons and/or +Up Rewards gotten back, a $4 off $20 coupon and putting $2.35 OOP on my free Rite-Aid gift card, I ended up paying ZERO on all this AND with $13 MORE in +Ups than when I started!

Since these deals are past I won't go into the nitty gritty unless someone asks me to post it.
I'm always willing to share the deals if there is interest.  ;-)

Here are the numbers for these trips and the GRAND TOTALS for the January Single Check Rebate Period.

THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....3
Total Spent....$2.35 (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$145.07
SCR qualified for...$3.00(BIL account)
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
Resolution Reward....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$26.00
+Up Rewards spent...$13.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$156.00

 
GRAND TOTALS--January Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......37
Total Spent....$21.00 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$1477.89
SCR qualified for....$20.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$40.00(Resolution +Up Rewards me & BIL)

+UPS Totals for Jan. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 1/17.....$143.00
+Up Rewards spent....$373.50
+Up Rewards earned....$406.00
+Up Rewards left....$156.00 includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period


To sum up, I spent $21 on a gift card that didn't cost me anything, I'm getting $20 back in cash rebates, I have $51.50 MORE in +Ups than when the Jan. SCR Period began and I have over $1400 in items to use and/or donate.

Is it any wonder why I "heart" Rite-Aid? 8-))

Sluggy

Rite-Aid Reminders, Bonehead Bank & Thanks!

Saturday is the last day to watch your January Rite-Aid AdPerk/Value Videos or Video Values or Whatever they are called.
The new February Videos go up on Sunday and the new Single Check Rebate Period begins Jan. 26th.
NOTE***There are no items that qualify for SCRs from January 23rd-25th.  Rite-Aid is changing the SCR period to run from Wednesdays to Thursdays instead of Sundays to Saturdays.***
So hold off buying items for Single Check Rebates until Wednesday, ok?

In other Rite-Aid news Saturday is the last day to also qualifying for the $20 Resolution Reward!  Make sure if you are close to the $100 purchase requirement that you get there by Saturday night.

A new Winter Resolution Reward is on deck starting Jan. 23rd.  It will run the same as the last one....purchase $100 or more in qualifying items marked with a "Buy & Save" logo between January 23rd and February 26th and you will receive a $20 +Up Reward.
I sure hope this one runs more smoothly than the last one....

Sometimes I doubt my own standing in the Frugal Club!
First let me say that Hubs and I have had the same bank for about 24 years now.  The bank has changed names more times than I can count on my fingers since we signed up as their customers but we've had the same accounts for 24 years.
Imagine my surprise when a few months ago I started seeing a service fee on my checking account.  It wasn't much so I didn't even call them to complain.  Yah, I am lazy that way sometimes.lol

Then last month when we had to reorder checks I found a $40 check charge on the statement.
Let me say that I've NEVER had to pay for checks at this bank no matter what incarnation/name it had at the time I ordered checks.
This was the last straw!

So we went into the bank this morning handed the gal the statement with balances and told her to close the accounts and give us our money thankyouverymuch!
The manager took one look at the balances and her eyes got wide and after a couple of sputters she said, "Oh No!  You shouldn't be paying any fees with the amounts in those accounts!  There must be a mistake.  Please, let me fix this for you."

Since we had been with this bank, which from here on out will be referred to as the Bonehead Bank, there have been many, many takeovers/mergers with other banks.  I have lost track of how many bank names we've had to memorize over the years.

  Not the current Bonehead Bank or the many incarnations before it have ever gone back and looked at the accounts they had carried forward to the current incarnation.  If they had, they would have seen all the accounts they had customers in that were no longer even offered, some being obsolete up to 3 mergers ago! 
If the Bonehead Bank had made a point of going through it's account records they would have seen and hopefully contacted customers sitting in these obsolete products and offered to move them into current savings vehicles.
You would think.....

No, this Bonehead Bank just let things go and instead of letting customers know BEFORE they were charged fees, waited until the customer noticed and complained.

Things are smoothed over here.....I got my fees returned, updated the savings product, got a better interest rate AND a free deposit box to boot.
I heart free.....

With the federal regulations recently limiting what/how much banks can charge in credit card fees and the debit overdrafts, keep an eye on the bank where you have a checking and/or savings account!  In order to increase revenues, banks are now upping their fees on other services to your non-credit card accounts to make up for their losses.  Look for anything from your FREE CHECKING ending, to check fees, imaging fees, maintenance fees as well as the terms changing on your credit cards.
It will all sneak past you if you don't seek out the information, because you can bet, My Bonehead Bank is NOT the only Bonehead-esque Bank.  One day you may open your statement or go to read it online and find a nasty fee or two you didn't know was coming!

And lastly, thanks to everyone who sent me birthday greetings the last day or so.  It was so appreciated and truly made me feel loved....or at least liked. ;-)
I am so bad myself about remembering friends and family members birthdays.....it's true!, go ask them!  I should try harder, I know.

And don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway!!  Click on the link on the top of the right sidebar. 8-))

Sluggy

It's Time for Sluggy's Birthday Boring Blog Giveaway!

Ok Peoples!!!
Par-tay Time!

In honor of my birthday I am holding a Giveaway.
It's modeled on my Boring Blog Box Giveaways of last year.  You can go HERE and see what the Boring Blog Box Giveaway was all about in 2010 if you weren't around then.

We start with a box......

As for what will go into the box as prizes, I am going to let everyone who wants to win decide that.

I will post 3 items.  You dear readers get to vote on which 1 of those 3 items you would like to see in the box.  You will have 3 days to leave a comment on that post.  That vote/comment is your entry into the drawing for the box.

When the 3 days are up, that post will be closed and I'll put a new post up with 3 more items.  Again, you will leave a comment on that post which item you want me to put into the box.

We will continue like this until there is no more room for anything else in the box.
Then I'll close the Giveaway, gather all the entries and randomly pick a winner, who will receive the box of Goodies.

But Wait!
There's an extra Bonus Prize!!!
Since we try to be Frugal here, all my prizes have either been freebies or almost freebies I've gathered in my travels, just like last year.

But I wanted to include an extra special prize that was highly coveted but still cost me nothing.
I have a credit card account where I earn points and can turn them in for FREE GIFT CARDS.
So the winner of the Boring Blog Box will ALSO get to pick a $25 Gift Card to the store/restaurant of their choice from this List.....

*American Eagle Outfitters
*Banana Republic
*Barnes & Noble
*Bath and Body Works
*Bed Bath & Beyond
*Best Buy
*Bloomingdales
*Cabela's
*CVS
*Dillard's
*Fandango (movie chain)
*Foot Locker
*Gap
*Home Goods
*iTunes
*JCPenney
*Kohl's
*LL Bean
*Land's End
*Lowe's
*Macaroni Grill
*Macy's
*Marshall's
*Old Navy
*Olive Garden
*Pottery Barn
*Red Lobster
*Red Robin
*Royal Entertainment Group(movie chain)
*Sears
*Staples
*Starbucks
*Sunoco Gas Station
*TGI Friday's
*TJ Maxx
*The Home Depot
*Walmart
*William-Sonoma

Since I have to wait until the winner picks their gift card, there will be about 2 weeks until I get the card and can mail the prizes out, so the winner will need to have a bit of patience. ;-)

The Rules
1. You must be a "Follower" of my blog to enter and still be a Follower if/when you win.  Lookie on the right sidebar and press the big ol' FOLLOW button if you are not already a follower.
2.  Sorry but this Giveaway is open ONLY to those with a mailing address within the USA.  Hate to have to do that but the postal rates outside the country are KILLER.
3. 1 vote/entry per post with 1 exemption.  You can leave more than 1 comment per post but only your 1st vote/comment will count.

The 1 Exemption....You can earn EXTRA ENTRIES this way....
*If you get someone to become a Follower and enter this giveaway you can earn an Extra Entry for each person you bring on board.  You can blog about the giveaway or email people or post about it on a message board or call your neighbor on the phone....whatever way you want to recruit them, I don't care.  Just make sure that they mention in their vote/comment/entry that You(your name here)told them about the blog/giveaway and you get an extra entry that post.


As always, this is not a company sponsored or company supplied Giveaway.  Any costs associated with this Giveaway are coming out of my pocket because I'm just that kinda gal.  Please patronize our blog ads....I'm just sayin'.... ;-)



Here are your 3 items to choose from today....

1. Sarah Michaels Rose Scented Gift Set
2. Avon Naturals Vanilla Shower Gel
3. Tone Cocoa Butter Soap 2 pack


Just leave a comment on this post with your choice of #1, 2 or 3.
Additional praise for me on the anniversary of my birth is welcomed but won't earn you any Brownie points for the Giveaway. ;-)

Sluggy

Using Every Opportunity to Save on Groceries...

I had a bunch of errands to run on Thursday since we were suppose to get a snowstorm today.

I had 2 Wags RRs to spend, amounting to $3 from the Finish dishwashing tabs I bought 2 weeks ago. At first I thought I'd roll them into more RRs but there was nothing I really needed that was generating RRs this week and the thought of staying on the Wags RR merry-go-round was NOT appealing. Especially since I am on the Rite-Aid +Up merry-go-round and can't seem to get off of that one!lol

No photo but I picked up 2 liquid soaps and a jar of olives. I needed .03¢ more to get to $3 and I found 2 jars of Fluff on the clearance endcap at .39¢ each. With the tax my OOP came to .87¢.
I feel better having picked up some items I can use rather than rolling RRs and spending a bit OOP on stuff I don't really need.

We also received 2 coupon triplers on the Price Chopper weekly flyer this week and it is right over by Wags, so I stopped by to see what I could find.  I don't usually shop there but if there is a Catalina Deal or something great to cherry pick, I will head over to take advantage. 

You can only use the triplers on insert(glossy manuQs) or teapad type coupons(no internet printed qs)so I was limited in what I could find that was cheap or free.
I ended up getting the 2 bars of Helavu Good cheese....on sale $2 each and I had a $1/2 ManuQ which tripled to $3/2, so each bar cost me .50¢.
I also got the French's fried onions....my $1/1 ManuQ tripled so the $3.59 can cost me .59¢ in the end.

The egg nog was store discounted from $3.19 to $1.19(I picked those up for the teens as a treat), and the Smart Balance sour cream was store discounted from $1.55 to $.55 each.
There was also a flyer coupon for $2 off bags of Weaver chicken parts(limit 4)which were already marked down to $5, so those were $3 each.  Breaded chicken are a mainstay of #2 son's diet, right behind Taco Bell and Ramen Noodles. For fun I attempt to poison him with veggies any chance I get....

In the end I spent $17.03 at Price Chopper. Regular retail was $38.45, so I saved $21.42 or 55.70%.
The chicken is always needed, as is any kind/type/form of cheese in this house!  The fried onion thingies I like to have on hand in the stockpile and I was out.  The egg nog was a cheap treat as mentioned before.  The sour cream is reduced fat type.  While I am not a big fan of the mouth feel or flavor of reduced fat type, it will be fine incorporated into dishes.

This seems to be the way I shop lately....a little bit picked up here, a little bit picked up there.   Gleaning the good deals wherever I can find them.  Gone are the days of going to one grocery store, once a week, every week and spending $100-$150 a pop.  I scoop up a few items at a time on my travels around town.  While it does take more time shopping this way, time is something I have. ;-)

What about you?
Do you cherry pick the sales and go to more than one store a week?
What is your average weekly count of trips to the stores?

Sluggy

Food Outlet & Rite-Aid Shopping on Monday

I'm finally getting around to posting my Rite-Aid updates for the week.

Monday, Hubs and I went out shopping for those sweaters I mentioned before. We hit 3 Rite-Aids as well, per my request.lol

Rite-Aid #1--I got 1 bag of Rice, 1 bag of TGIF Snacks and 1 bag of BK Snacks. I know the BK Snacks aren't giving a $1 +Up back but #2 son likes that kind.
After using $3 +Up Rewards, total was .13¢ put on a gift card.
I received $2 +Up Rewards back.

Rite-Aid #3--I got 3 bags of TGIF Snacks & 1 Rite-Aid facial tissue(their sign said limit of 3). After using $2 +Up Rewards, total was .91¢ put on a gift card.
I received $3 +Up Rewards back.

The weird thing at this store was the cashier didn't even ring up the R-A facial tissue and no +Ups printed of course! I am guessing here, but with all the misinformation flying around on Monday about the limits on the free paper goods, management must have told them to keep track of how many they 'sold' but not ring it up since the register wasn't giving back the correct amount of +Ups? I bet they were tired of hearing the customers complain when the +Ups didn't print, so they just gave the stuff away.lol  I'm just guessing here....

At any rate, I was down $1 on one transaction, and up $1 on the other.

At Rite-Aid #2 I did a bit more buying.......

2 x Eco-Speakers 90% xmas clearance .59¢=$1.18
1 x R-A Coffee on sale=$1.99
5 x TGIF Snacks on sale .97¢=$4.85
4 x Hormel Chili on sale $1.25=$5.00
1 x R-A 4 pack TP w/wellness discount=$.80
1 x 2lb Rice w/wellness discount=$1.19
2 x 2lb. Brown Rice w/wellness discount=$2.70
1 x Computer Mouse on sale=$2.99
SubTotal....$20.70

Coupons Used
1 x $2/1 R-A Coffee Wellness IPQ=$2.00
Coupon Total....$2.00

$20.70-$2.00=$18.70+.04¢ tax=$18.74
I used $18 +Up Rewards and put $.74 on my free Rite-Aid Gift Card so Zero out of pocket.

I received $19 in +Up Rewards back(5 x $1 TGIF Snacks, 5 x $1 Hormel Chili, $1 R-A TP, 3 x $1 Rice, $5 Mouse), making this a $1 Moneymaker.

The coffee was free after my Q, the Chili was free after +Ups, the TGIF snacks were a .30¢ moneymaker and the TP was a .20¢ moneymaker after +Ups, I got paid $3.01 to buy the Mouse after +Ups, the rice was either .19¢ for reg. or .35¢ a bag for brown after +Ups and the speaker sets were 90% off.

******************

At the Food Outlet I bought packs of Mott's single serve applesauce for Hubs lunches for .59¢, cans of Whack Biscuits for .50¢, a large bottle of Blackstrap Molasses for $2.50, 2lb bag of Powdered Milk for $1.99, boxes of blue corn taco shells for .99¢.  I also picked up some impulse buys--a Mayan chocolate coffee drink powder for .99¢ and some Jasmine Tea for .99¢.
It wasn't a very fruitful trip to the Outlet but that's how it goes sometimes. 


Now for the Rite-Aid numbers....

THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....3
Total Spent....$1.78 (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$61.47
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
Resolution Reward....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$24.00
+Up Rewards spent...$23.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$143.00

 
GRAND TOTALS--January Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......34
Total Spent....$18.65 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$1332.82
SCR qualified for....$12.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$40.00

+UPS Totals for Jan. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 1/16.....$142.00
+Up Rewards spent....$360.50
+Up Rewards earned....$380.00
+Up Rewards left....$143.00 includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period

Sluggy

My 1,000th Post & Birthday Giveaway Jamboree Celebration!

First off, thanks for stopping by to read me today!

After I posted my last blog post I noticed on my dashboard that it indicated that I had published 999 blog posts.  I don't usual keep track of stuff like that but....
WOW!
I was one post away from my ONE THOUSANDTH POST!!

The stars must be aligning themselves, I thought, because my Birthday was 3 days away(Friday the 21st) so it I held off posting until Friday I could have my 1000th post on my Birthday.
Now how cool would that be, huh?!?!

But alas.....
I went to work on this post this morning and I saw that my Dashboard now indicated that my PREVIOUS POST was #1000, not the one I was working on.
Blasted Dashboard Lag!

So I am going to ignore I saw that last bit on my Dashboard and THIS POST is the Official 1000th Post!
Yah, you all KNOW I can't keep my mouth(or fingers)still for another 2 days so that my "fake" 1000th post is published ON my Birthday, so why try to be what I am not--a patient, well mannered, quiet blogger?!

In honor of my Natal Day I am pulling out all the stops and holding a Birthday Giveaway!
It's sort of a BORING BLOG BOX GIVEAWAY but on Steroids!

You will all have to come back on Friday to find out the details.
As Oscar Wilde once said, "This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last."

In the meantime, I need to go sort through all the birthday freebie food deals in my inbox.   Yes, I'll be eating my way through this birthday.lol

Sluggy

Stuff & Nonsense

This shirt would sum up my mood lately.  January Spending Diet?
Yah....not so much!lol
I am truly sick of spending already.

Yesterday since Hubs had the day off, we took a ride down to the Food Outlet to see what goodies we could find.
You never know what cheap finds await you at the Food Outlet.  Last time I got burritos for the teens.  Odd children here...they don't like my healthier, cheaper, homemade burritos.  They want the store bought kind. Humph!

I don't get down to the Food Outlet much as it's a long ride(see uses alot of gas!)so we look to combine that trip with other necessary shopping and we load up on the goodies we find at the FO.
Hubs wanted to get some sweaters to wear to work.  Seems they are keeping the thermostat at work lower and Hubs is getting chilled now.  He gave away or wore out all his sweaters a few years back so we hit the winter clothing clearance sale at KMart near the Food Outlet.
We found 4 nice, heavy cotton sweaters for under $35 total.
The Food Outlet was a less than thrilling outcome.  Picked up single serve applesauce for .59¢ per 6 pack(for Hubs lunch), tubes of ground chicken or turkey for $1, Blue Corn Taco Shells for $1, and some other bits and pieces.  Then Hubs snuck in a box of garbage bags for $7.99(eek!)so we dropped $32.80 in there without any real stocking up.

I dropped by a couple Rite-Aids down there as well and got a few goodies.  I'll post that separately after I get the photo taken.

Some blog business.....I've added to the right sidebar a new feature, my Monthly To-Do List.  Hopefully this will keep me from going an entire year without considering the Sewing chores I need to do.  At least now I'll have to ignore doing things IN SPITE OF it Staring me in the Face!lolz

I'll also be taking down the 2010 Grocery Spending Totals and the Savings Challenge Totals shortly.
Time to start fresh for 2011, right? ;-)

I have a hypothetical question for you all....
If  'someone' was to give away a Gift Card as a blog contest prize, for which store would YOU want to win a gift card?
Any kind of store, movie theatre chain, gas station, whatever.
Just leave a comment with your top 3 choices.

Ok, I'm off to the garage to whip my stockpile into better organizational shape.  Since I have the good fortune....cough, cough.....and pleasure of my children's company for a 4th day in a row(thank you snow day from school!), I am getting some work out of them today.

Sluggy

Free is Good, Greed is Not

So I got my Rite-Aid shopping out of the way for the week early on Sunday.

Rite-Aid has 3 items that are free after +Up Rewards this week, facial tissue, a 4 pack of toilet paper and the single rolls of toilet paper.  All are Rite-Aid brand items.
I figured if I wanted to see/get any of this stuff, I'd have to be up at Rite-Aid Sunday when they opened the doors.
Sometimes it pays to be a non-church going heathen......

Was the 1st customer in the door here.
Plenty of facial tissue boxes and single rolls and not one single 4 pack of TP on the shelf.  The manager said there is probably some in the stockroom but she couldn't locate it(it was jammed with boxes)and the person who breaks down the boxes and stocks stuff wasn't in yet to work on things.
I knew that if I came back later in the day, unless I had INCREDIBLY GOOD TIMING, I'd miss out on the TP.
So I just bought a few facial tissue and single TP rolls....

10 x TP w/wellness discount .95¢=$9.50
3 x facial tissue on sale=$3.00
Total....$12.50 +$.01 tax??=$12.51

No Coupons and used $12.00 +Up Rewards.
Used Rite-Aid gift card to pay OOP of .51¢

I received $13 +Up Rewards back, making this a $1 moneymaker.
I didn't get the memo that only $10 worth of the facial tissue triggered a special $3 +Up Reward.
If I had I would have bought 7 more facial tissues(since they were lousy with them)and gained an extra $3 +Ups.


Now free paper products is awesome!
But I just bought a 'normal' amount and didn't fill a shopping cart or something like has been reported.
If you took a store's whole stock(if they had more than just a couple rolls/packs of something)then.... Shame.
On.
You.

Unless you are destitute, you have no right taking it all.
Get your fair share and move on to the next freebie.

I could have run from Rite-Aid to Rite-Aid on Sunday scooping up free paper products but I just didn't feel the need to do so.
If you slept in on Sunday and missed out on the free paper products, be sure and get a raincheck so that if you find a spare roll/box/pack of one of these items on the shelf after this week, you can get in on the freebie.

After tucking my bit of the freebies away, I did my regular shopping......

2 x Viactiv Calcium Chews on sale $6=$12.00
2 x Ester-C packets on sale BOGO=$5.99
3 x Hormel Chili on sale $1.25=$3.75
1 x Mott's Applesauce on sale=$1.25
6 x Betty C. Muffin Mix on sale $1=$6.00
2 x Ramen Noodles on sale $1=$2.00
2 x Chow Mein Noodles on sale $1=$2.00
SubTotal....$32.99

Coupons Used
1 x $4 any Purchase AdPerk/VV Q=$4.00
2 x $3/1 Viactiv ManuQ(Sunday's paper)=$6.00
2 x $2/1 Ester-C ManuQ=$4.00
2 x $1/1 Ester-C AdPerks/VV Q=$2.00
3 x $.50/1 Hormel Chili AdPerks/VV Q=$1.50
3 x $.50/1 BC Baking Item AdPerks/VV Q=$1.50
Coupon Total....$19.00

$32.99-$19.00=$13.99
Used $13 +Up Rewards and put $.99 on my Rite-Aid gift card so Zero Out of Pocket.

Received $12 +Up Rewards(4 x $1 Chili, $2 WYB 10 $1 select food items, 2 x $3 Viactic)=$12.
This transaction "cost me" $1 in +Ups.

I transaction I gained an +Up, 1 I lost an +Up so I am even for the day.

THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....2
Total Spent....$1.50  (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$72.34
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
Resolution Reward....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$25.00
+Up Rewards spent...$25.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$142.00

 
GRAND TOTALS--January Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......31
Total Spent....$16.87 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$1271.35
SCR qualified for....$12.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$40.00

+UPS Totals for Jan. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 1/15.....$142.00
+Up Rewards spent....$337.50
+Up Rewards earned....$356.00
+Up Rewards left....$142.00 includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period

Sluggy

Clipping Service Hazards & More Free Stuff from Rite-Aid

First things first.....
I found this stuff still in my car from last Sunday's plundering of Rite-Aids.  #2 son it seems is not very thorough at emptying the car.

I've already added this stuff in my big honking "What I Bought" List and numbers from last Sunday.  I just wanted to get the photo out there too.

Onward to new business......

Because our Coupon Inserts suck here, we didn't get the $6 off 2 McNeil products coupon in last Sunday's paper.
This meant I had to enlist the aid of a Coupon Clipping Service to obtain that coupon.   The geographically closest person on eBay, with the auction ending soonest, to offer this coupon clipped was in Michigan.
I took a gamble that getting those set of coupons would mean they would actually arrive here before the Motrin PM sale ended on Saturday(1/15).
Well the coupons got here in Saturday's mail...yay!
However.......
I went out to use them that day and it ended up being a hop from Rite-Aid to Rite-Aid to collect rainchecks for the Motrin PM.
Sigh......
Seems other people also got those coupons in the mail too.

While I won't be adding to my +Up Rewards count in a raincheck situation, the Motrin PM will be $1 a box and the Precise psuedo Ben-Gay cream will be $2 a tube so I'll be able to get combinations of these products for free with the coupons.  8-)

I did buy a few things in my travels on Saturday while gathering rainchecks.
That's not to say I spent money however. ;-)

No anal breakdowns since these sales are over with now.

More free Barilla Pasta(after +Up Rewards), better than free Special K Cereal(up $2 in +Ups), better than free StayFree(up $2.50 in +Ups), and .19¢ soup, .35¢ rice, .50¢ marshmallows, and $1.89 a bag Fritos after the +Ups earned.
One store had a whole slew of Beauty Tools on 75% clearance so I picked up some righteous tweezers for .62¢ and .69¢ each.


THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....4
Total Spent....$2.32  (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$74.98
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
Resolution Reward....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$20.00
+Up Rewards spent...$19.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$142.00

 
GRAND TOTALS--January Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......29
Total Spent....$15.37 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$1199.01
SCR qualified for....$12.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$40.00

+UPS Totals for Jan. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 1/13.....$141.00
+Up Rewards spent....$312.50
+Up Rewards earned....$341.00
+Up Rewards left....$142.00 includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period

Sluggy

Lame, Lamer, Lamest......Sucky Coupon Inserts Rant

The Good News is that yes, there were actual Coupons in last Sunday's Coupon Inserts here!
The Bad News is the number and what they were for.

Coupon Insert Score Card  1/9/11


*Smart Source #1

Food Coupons-13
Non Food Coupons-37!!(Mostly for cleaning products I don't buy/use.)

Other "Stuff"
Price Chopper Ad for Light bulbs
Grandma Shoes Offer
Custom Checks Offer
Pseudo Native American Necklace Offer
Address Labels Offer
Rose Bush Offer
Sports Team Christmas Ornament Offer
Satellite TV Offer

*SmartSource #2

Food Coupons-4
Non Food Coupons-9

Other "Stuff"
1 Sweepstakes Entry Form
Mop/Vacuum Rebate Form
Weight Loss Program
Fruit Bush Offer
Another Satellite TV Offer
Another Custom Checks Offer


*Red Plum

Food Coupons-5
Non Food Coupons-7

Other "Stuff"
Eyeglass Deal Offer
Discover Card Ad
Giant PA Ad for facial tissue
Replacement Window Offer
My Favorite.....Porcelain M&M dressed as Elvis Figurine
Yet MORE Custom Checks Offer
Yet another Satellite TV Offer
Porcelain Trinket Box Offer
Jesus/Bible Verse Throw Blanket Offer
Bose Radio System Offer
"Diamond" Ring Offer
Dragon Train Offer
Porcelain Bird Figurine Offer
Pope John Paul Coin Set Offer
Another Weight Loss System Offer
Home Security Offer
Another Eyeglass Offer
A Second of the same Satellite TV Offer

Grand Total
Food Coupons....22
Non Food Coupons....53
Other Offers....32

I might make this a regular feature, just to keep track of how bad it is here and why it makes more sense to pay for clipping service.

Did any one out there get worse coupon inserts than us?
Do tell!

Sluggy

Rite-Aid Quickie.....

Yesterday was a mess around here!  We got some snow Tuesday night/early Wednesday so they closed the schools.  The poor doggies had to blaze a pathway to get their "business" done......

At least no school meant that I had captive shoveling volunteers for our way too long driveway!

Today, I had to haul my carcass up to the family doc's office to get some bloodwork slips for Daughter so I thought since the roads are good and the sun is shining today, I'd hop over to Rite-Aid.
After all....it has been FOUR DAYS since I was there last!

2 x Motrin PM(I love this stuff!) on sale $3=$6.00
2 x Fritos on sale $2.50($2.39 w/20% wellness discount)=$4.78
2 x Special K cereal on sale BOGO($4.79)=$4.79
2 x Fiber Plus cereal on sale BOGO($4.79)=$4.79
SubTotal....$20.36

Coupons Used
1 x $1 off your Order AdPerk/VV Q=$1.00
1 x $6/2 assort. OTC including Motrin PM IPQ HERE=$6.00
1 x BOGO Special K IPQ HERE=$4.79 *
2 x $1/1 Fiber Plus Cereal IPQ HERE=$2.00 **
Coupon Total.....$13.79

$20.36-$13.79=$6.57
I used $6 in +Ups and put the .57¢ on my free Rite-Aid gift card.
I received $9 back in +Ups(2 x $2 Motrin, 4 x $1 Cereals, $1 wyb2 Fritos)=$9, making this a $3 moneymaker.

*The coupon says max. value of $4.49 but the cashier insisted on writing it for $4.79.
**If you can find boxes of this cereal with the Try Me Free packaging you can get your money back using This FORM HERE when you submit the necessary paperwork.

Hopefully my coupons($6/2 ManuQ Mortin)arrive by Saturday's mail so I can get some more Mortin PM.  I was only able to print 2 IPQS for it since Hubs computer is "indisposed" and the kids won't let me use their machines to print computers dagnabbit!  The Qs are coming from Michigan and I am not hopeful the mail will get them here in time for this sale.  But Rite-Aid seems to run sales on this Motrin formula often so I am crossing my fingers there is another deal on it in the coming weeks.

When I was mucking out the place between the seats in my car earlier today I found ANOTHER receipt from Sunday's shopping rampage.  I totally forgot I had made a small transaction to test out whether the Barilla was giving 5 $1 +Ups before I bought more at my 1st store...duh!   I have updated the last Rite-Aid post Totals to reflect my spending/value of items/+Ups used/+Ups gained/etc. With the +Ups earned/used from that lost receipt, Sunday's rampage went from a $3 moneymaker to a $6 moneymaker...woohoo!   The photo and item count were correct.

Just an update for the week.....the extra Month long +Up for the Compleats has been withdrawn by the Manufacturer so if you buy it now, you'll only get the single $1 +Up.  This makes me think that next week when the Hormel Chili goes on sale, there will NOT be a double dip on the +Ups they produce.

And the Harvard Square pencils, erasers, rulers $2 wyb 2 items tags have been taken down in most, if not all stores, even though that deal was suppose to go until 1/22. 



THIS TRIP
Number of Transactions.....1
Total Spent....$.57  (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$37.52
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
Resolution Reward....$40.00(1 Me, 1 BIL)
+Up Rewards earned...$9.00
+Up Rewards spent...$6.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$141.00

 
GRAND TOTALS--January Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......25
Total Spent....$13.05 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$1124.03
SCR qualified for....$12.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$40.00

+UPS Totals for Jan. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 1/9.....$138.00
+Up Rewards spent....$293.50
+Up Rewards earned....$321.00
+Up Rewards left....$141.00 includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period

Sluggy 

Hopes/Goals for 2011

After a fairly decent result with my 2010 Hopes/Goals I am excited to move ahead with my 2011 ones.

I am going to approach things a little differently in 2011 however.

Just laying out my 10 goals and trying for a  quarterly check-in was ok but it DID allow me to just keep pushing some of the goals to the back burner each month.  I figured I'd concentrate on 1 or 3 each month but that method left many things untouched, especially the sewing goals, of which I accomplished NOTHING in 2010. 8-(

So to change things up in 2011, I am going to make up a "Things To Do" type list at the beginning of each month.  This list will have specific points on it to accomplish or make headway on in that month.

I'll have the Monthly To Do List posted on the right sidebar.  At the beginning of each month, I'll post about the current month's hopes/goals and at the end of the month, I'll do a short post mortem on the List accomplishments(or lack thereof).
As items are dealt with they will be crossed off(if I can figure out how to do that!) and/or blogged about.
Some of y'all may not find this very interesting or helpful but I'm doing it this way for me.....because at the end of the day, it's my blog and it's my way or the highway here. ;-)

 Here is a list of areas in which I want to accomplish something(a goal) in 2011.  
Some months will be heavy in one area but other months will be heavy on another, since some of the goals/hopes are seasonal(taxes, gardening, eBay).  Some of the areas will overlap.  I know I'm not explaining this very well as I am still firming the plan up in my head and inside my head?....it's pretty mushy in there.  ;-)

Here are my Topics/Hopes/Goal Areas for 2011.

1.  Paperwork
2.   Organization
3.  Money
4.  Reading
5.  Sewing
6.  Cooking
7.  Gardening
8.  Family Life/Home
9.  Giving Back 
10.  Coupon-ing


Now, the "Big Picture" Overview of my Goals/Hopes for 2011 are, but are not limited to, these.....

1. Put more Money Into Savings.
2. File all the Paperwork that needs filing  and completing it on time.
3. Declutter my entire house and garage, and storage unit(and then stop renting the storage unit).
4. Read 30 books this year, with 75% of them being non-fiction.
5. Finish ALL in progress sewing projects and alter ALL clothing that needs it or give it away.
6. Cook more foods from scratch and phase unhealthy options out of my stockpile.
7. Grow more of the food we eat or source our food from non-grocery chain stores.
8. Use my skills to step up what I do for Others.
9. Be more "in the Moment" for my Family.
10. Organize the running of my Home. 

Now I hope this is all clear as mud to you all.

So tell us dear readers, what areas of your life are you going to be concentrating on making better in 2011?
We need to know!

Sluggy