Saturday, July 30, 2022

The Third July Giveaway is OPEN!

Who's ready for the Another Sluggy's Boring Blog Box Giveaway for 2022?!?

This is the 3rd Giveaway for July....well, a July/August Giveaway.

Let's take a look at what is in this Giveaway Box........


1 x Magnolia scented 3 piece gift set(body lotion. body wash, shower pouf)
1 x L'Oreal Elvive shampoo
1 x Nivea Sensitive and Radiant lotion
1 x KY tingling gel
1 x Ladies' Speed Stick Deodorant
1 x Werther's sugar-free drops
1 x Mentholatum cream
1 x Colgate optic white toothpaste
1 x Dove beauty bar soap
1 x Revlon eye palette(555 Moonlit)
1 x Oral-B toothbrush
1 x Revlon matte lip color(650 HD Spark)
1 x Maybelline lip balm Baby Kiss()
5 x Nail Color(Sally Hansen 359 Pretty Piggy/SH 300 Sweet Berries/Poparazzi Sugar Spun/SH 113 White on Time/SH 752 the Unred)

Close up shots of the goodies.........







Depending on where you shop, the winnings have a reg. retail value of approximately $50

Here's how this is going to work.....

* The giveaway is open to ALL readers, previous winners or not.
* There is a limit of ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY.  Come back each day to enter again.
* Only VALID entries will be posted.  A Valid entry is a limit of one per day and I MUST HAVE VALID CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOU(either you are on the Giveaway Contact List which I maintain, your comment is connected to a Google/Blogger profile which links to your email address or you email me directly(my email is in the side bar on the Blog)your email address.
IF YOU ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AND DON'T SEE YOUR COMMENT within a few days it's because I don't have your contact/email info.

From all the VALID entries I receive I'll pick a winner at random and the winner has 48 hours from when the post goes live to contact me with their full mailing address.

In your entries I'd like to hear about the best trip you ever took-where was it?, when was it?, why was it the best one?  Or what place would you like to visit that you've never been too and why?  Or the worst trip you ever took and what made it so bad?  Stuff like that.

If you are on my Giveaway emails list just leave a comment and your name(with last name initial please)to enter. If you aren't on the Giveaway emails list make sure you leave your email in your comment OR email me your email privately after you leave a comment(my email is in the side bar area under "About Me").
I'll leave this giveaway open until August 6th, Saturday at 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time(EDST).  I'll  pick and post the winner on August 7th Sunday.

*Please note these rules*
I'll post the name/ID of the winners on this blog on  and those persons have 48 hours from the time stamp on that post to contact me privately via email(my email addy is listed on my "About Me" page, as well as on my side bar).

Disclaimer--This giveaway is open to those with mailing addresses within the US only.  As the cost of postage to foreign countries has gotten too high I am sorry to say I can no longer afford to mail boxes outside the US.  These giveaways are not sponsored by any companies.  I pay for it all(the cost of items given away and the postage to mail it all)out of my own pocket.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you in your comment.

If you're not a registered Blogger User with YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION on your User page, please put your email addy in your comment or email me your email addy privately when you leave a comment so I can get a hold of you. If your Blogger associated user profile is a GOOGLE one make sure your email info is linked to your profile.

So let's get this Giveaway started. Good luck to everyone!!!

Sluggy

Friday, July 29, 2022

Frugal Friday......the July 29th Edition

Lots of cleaning and clearing out this past week at Chez Sluggy.  We are in full on clean/clear mode.

*  I have packed up 4 more Giveaway boxes for the blog.  After these go up there will be no more giveaways, at least until after we move and get settled.

*  Total stuff  sent to charity in July......45 bags of fabric, 4 boxes of books, 4 bags of clothing and 3 boxes of miscellaneous.

*  Still waiting on the ceramic studio owner to decide on when to come get the molds.  If they don't do it soon I'll open the offer up to everyone locally on Facebook.  Last resort is hiring a roll off dumpster and trashing them(hate to do that but if we have to, we will).

*  I've filled two more large bags for the Food Bank but they won't go out until next Friday.

*  The ceilings downstairs are all painted.  Now we wait for Ex-CB to get back from his vacation to help us power wash the outside of the house, hopefully next weekend.  Then we can get the house listed. 8-)))  I had hoped to get it listed before July was over but oh well.....

*  I've been using frozen foods for meals and trying my best to eat down the freezer.  I couldn't resist 1/2 price wild salmon at Aldi's though and bought 2 packages home with me. ;-)

*  We've been eating lots of leftovers and odd meals as we clear out the foodstuff.  

*  I found money this past week!  

         
Found 3 pennies under various self-checkout machines at Walmart last Sunday.

          
Then I went to the produce market and found another penny.

Then on Tuesday I took my nephew to Aldi(someone had rear ended his car so he needed a ride)and got a quarter there as the guy who handed off his cart didn't want my quarter.

Total Found in last Week.... .29¢
Total Found This Year.....$13.94

*  I've been making a daily to-do list to keep me on track and to make sure I get sh*t done.  Some days it goes well, other days not so much.  But it's helping.

That's about all I've got for this past week.  

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

And have a good weekend!  And stay cool.

Sluggy  



Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Second July Giveaway Winner!

 There were 45 valid entries this time.  I used Random dotorg to pick the winning comment.

And the winner is...........


PMJ!


Leftovers tonight. I made chicken and rice last night so I have plenty. I have no desire to step foot into a grocery store. Using food I have on hand. Can't wait till the garden starts producing!


Congratulations pmj!

I need you to email me your full mailing address and I'll get this out to your house.  You have 48 hours from when this post goes live to get in touch.


Thanks to everyone for playing along.  I'll have another giveaway coming right up so keep your eyes peeled. ;-)


Sluggy



Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Getting Stuff Done Tuesday

 ** Today is the last day to enter the current Giveaway!  Entry closes at 11:59pm EDST.  Go HERE to enter. **


So what's been going on at Chez Sluggy?  
Yesterday was a busy day.  I've taken to doing a daily "Get 'Er Done" List trying to move forward on packing, decluttering, and anything else I need to get done to keep me motivated.  And Sissie has been keeping me accountable as I send her a text with what I get done.

Yesterday's List--

*  Clean antique sewing machine
*  Photograph it and list on FB Marketplace
*  Follow up with ceramic shop on them taking my ceramic molds
*  Bag up bisque smalls and ornament in basement and haul upstairs(Hubs to haul)
*  Box up another Food Bank donation
*  Call the Bank about getting more checks
*  Call NCL about password issue and currency issue
*  Gather and photograph stuff for 2 more Giveaways

All but the first two items got done.  go me. ;-)  I also made dinner and baked 4 small loaves of sweet breads(2 orange/cranberry and 2 blueberry).

3 bags and 1 box of smalls/ornies got hauled up for me to go through.  Not sure on how much I'll get done today as I need to take my nephew to the grocery store midday.  I was going to drive him to a job interview but that's being done on Zoom now but he still needs to go grocery shopping for himself and his father.  Yesterday somebody rear ended his almost new car so he's in a pickle right now.  Luckily his current job is walkable from his apartment.

Today's List--

*  Clean antique sewing machine
*  Photo and list it 
*  Write up Giveaway posts
*  Edit more old photos
*  Nephew to store and maybe lunch
*  Start going through bisque
*  Figure out what's for dinner(probably leftovers or Breakfast for Dinner-ie, easy)

Not a big list as that area of my back is acting up so I can't be bending and toting stuff for a few days until my back stops screaming at me.

Like Rhitter knows this whole preparing to move halfway across the country sucks.  At least she doesn't have to sell a house thrown into the mix. ;-)

What are you up to today?

Sluggy

Monday, July 25, 2022

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Old People Party Too" Edition....



Still editing photos from our trip out West and came across this one from a gas station/convenience store we stopped at before leaving Idaho.  It spoke to me. lolz

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned.....
1. Sunday--Beef Stroganoff, Green Beans
2. Monday--Lasagna, Salad
3. Tuesday--Leftovers
4. Wednesday--whatever I pull out of the freezer
5. Thursday--ditto
6.  Friday--ditto
7. Saturday--ditto

And here's what actually happened........
1. Sunday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Green Beans
2. Monday--Sausages, Pierogi
3. Tuesday--Leftovers
4. Wednesday--Fend for Yourself
5. Thursday--Subway sandwiches
6.  Friday--Leftover Stroganoff, Rice, Green Beans
7. Saturday--Chinese Take-Out

Hubs had his stiches out so can eat freely again. oh goody. lol  I didn't make the lasagna as it has been so hot here lately.  2 nights of take-out since....heat.

What got put into the freezer last week....
*  Not a danged thing yet again

What got taken out of the freezer and used...
*  1/2 of a London Broil
*  Bag of Green Beans
*  Pack of Sausages
*  Bag of Pierogi
                                                   
I spent $38.83 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week at Walmart and the Produce market.
This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $162.06 for July.  

There are 6 shopping days left in July.

I've earned $95.14 on Ibotta in July.
I've earned $4.49 on Checkout51 in July.
I've earned $4.00 on Coupons dotcom in July.
I've earned 4,626 points from shopping on Fetch in July.
I earned 1230 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in July. 
I've earned $16.89 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in July.

That's $103.63 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $162.06 in grocery spending so in reality it's $58.43 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 56.01% (without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for July comes in at 46.34% so far(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week....some sausages and pierogi and a hamburger.

Here is this week's "food plan".....
1. Sunday--Leftover Chinese Food or FFY
2. Monday--Chicken Parm, Squash Casserole
3. Tuesday--Breakfast for Dinner
4. Wednesday--Lasagna, almost new Pickles
5. Thursday--Applebee's for Lunch(no dinner)
6.  Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--?

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  I dug into the freezer and found some breaded chicken patties and thawed that smoked turkey breast for Hubs to slice and make sandwiches for lunch.  I bought cukes and yellow squash at the Produce Market on Sunday and will use them this week.  Whatever Saturday's meal turns out to be I'll pull something from the freezer and/or hit the store for fresh produce. If I spend anything on groceries it should be a minimal amount and my spend for the month should stay under $200.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  The deals have been nonexistent around here for all of 2022 so this is a LOL question. ;-)


Sluggy

Sunday, July 24, 2022

My Only Rite-Aid Buys for Week of July 17-23

 I only bought this on Saturday.  This is the entirety of my Rite-Aid shopping for last week.

1 x Colgate toothbrush on sale=$4.99
1 x Acidil stomach pills 25% off=$6.74
SubTotal......$11.73

Coupons Used
1 x $2/WYSpend $10 Receipt Q=$2.00
1 x $2/1 Colgate toothbrush in-adQ=$2.00
1 x $3//1Acidil peelieQ=$3.00
Coupon Total......$7.00

$11.73-$7.00=$4.73 paid for with Bonus Cash

I earned back $3 in new BC(Acidil)and I submitted to Ibotta for $2.10 in rebates so spent $4.73 and earned back $5.10 in BC/Ibotta.

I also have a Colgate Bonus Challenge and this toothbrush put me over the lowest threshold to earn BC for that challenge.

Not very exciting but it's something. 8-P

Sluggy

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Prices Never Go Down So Get Use To It

Having lived 63 years on this Earth and in this country, I've seen a lot.  As an adult I've lived through a handful of inflationary times.  The only certainty I know is that prices will continue to rise as we age.  No prices have NOT increased or gone down since the 1980's when I became aware.  That's when I got out of school and was supporting myself so when I became aware of prices and increases as it impacted my wallet. 

I am too young to have mostly been financially impacted by the recession and stagflation of the 1970's(except for the gas crisis as I was responsible for buying gas for my car that got me to school and my part time job)but the early 1980's recession hit right as Hubs and I got married and were starting out.  Low paying jobs and rising prices for housing, gas and food were evident and we struggled.

The 1987 Black Monday stock market crash had little effect on us(though the inflation rate wasn't affected by that)as we had so little money.  if any of it was even in the stock market.  1990 saw another recession which was short lived.  The Feds lowered interest rates and have held them at an artificially low rate until the last couple of years.  This was bad timing for Hubs' and mine life as the 1990's were the years we saved heavily and saw little if any return on that behavior.  Credit usage was high and easily found which hurt anyone who was all about saving money instead of spending money.

The 2007-2008 banking crisis and housing crash affected most people in one way or another and was considered the "Great Recession", the worst financial scenario since the Great Depression.  But then again, the Federal Inflation Rate doesn't include the cost of gas or food, the main 2 items that affect every consumers' bottom line.  Did you know that the Feds have a target of a 2% inflation rate per year?  Anytime the rate goes above that they monkey around with the economy to bring it back down artificially.

Overall, costs are continually going up as a general rule.  Some years they don't rise as much or may overall go down slightly but they will rise again as inflation is cyclical and manipulated by the Federal Government.  Maybe not at the current exorbitant rate we are experiences now but life just gets more and more expensive as time goes on and the years roll by.

So how do we adjust to inflating costs of goods?  Here's what I see....

1-Not buying certain items if the price is too dear.  You can always switch out your protein and veg choices to keep your food budget in check.  No more steak and asparagus every night.  Instead it's Swiss steak and green beans.  Expensive foods are now an occasional treat not an every day occurrence. 

2-growing foods yourself if you have the space and talent for it.  Gardening isn't without cost but certain crops(veggies you pay dearly for at the grocery store)are worth giving it a go if you want to bring the cost of these veggies down. (Or find a nearby farmer you can buy directly from if you are located in the appropriate area near farming communities.)

3-utilizing price books skills or couponing.  Keep a price book so you know when what you want to buy gets to it's lowest point in the sales cycle and the best time to buy it.  Use coupons if it's for something you use and get on any rebating apps that give you cash back for buying those items you want/need.

4-switching up where you shop.  Price compare and if you find what you buy overall is less at store B then switch your loyalties from store A.  Stores bet on us consumers not wanting to change were we shop.  But be careful with this one....store B may be lower for your needs than store A but if you are having to travel too far to store B, the costs in gas and wear and tear on your car may negate any savings you see on your grocery bill.

 5-wait on stock up prices on items to purchase them.  Generally you can use your price book to predict when items will drop in price.  But there are other situations that will occur when a store will have surplus of X or Y.  Find a deal on chicken in your store's meat case and you have room to freeze or you are able to can it(and you have money to spare in your budget to buy it)then pick as much of it up as you need.  Brands relabel goods and stores clearance the old packaging of goods out.  Nothing is wrong with the items so snatch up as much as you can store in your house.  

 As I see it there is not much more we can do(unless you rob a bank or win the lottery-even those solutions will only get you so far. ;-)


Sluggy

Friday, July 22, 2022

What's Going On at Chez Sluggy This Week? Frugal Friday....the July 22nd Edition

Lots of cleaning and clearing out this past week at Chez Sluggy.  Not much as far as frugality other than not going anywhere and/or spending money.

*  I made no food shopping trips or even a Rite-Aid trip since last Friday.  Hubs bought a watermelon and some rice side dish packets but that was it.  Not leaving the house is frugal, right?

*  I had Hubs take 2 boxes of books and 21 bags of fabric to Salvation Army this past week.  4 more bags of fabric are waiting to go and I'll continue to dig through my fabric stash to fill more bags to donate.

*  We used a gift card to buy Subway subs for dinner on Thursday as Hubs didn't want to deal with cooking.

* I met up with the lady who runs the auction at a local church on Monday to hands off 7 bags of new items for them to sell this coming Fall.

*  Ex-College boy came over last weekend to help me move tubs of items I am keeping into the garage, along with a coffee table Hubs refuses to get rid of(that we have never used).  I also loaded Ex-CB up with toiletries and some food items.  He's coming back next weekend to help power wash the outside of the house and I'll give him more stuff.

*  I got in touch with a local ceramic studio and they are interested in taking all my ceramic molds.  Giving them away is better than having to pay for a construction container and throwing them away.

*  I've filled two large bags for the Food Bank but they won't leave until next Friday.  That will give me more time to fill another bag too! ;-)

*  I got the closet doors by the front door painted.

Hubs just needs to realign them now.  I've got to sand down and repaint the posts on the front porch but that's my last painting assignment to go.

*  I've been using frozen foods for meals and trying my best to eat down the freezer.

*  I found NO money this past week!  Well, if you don't go anywhere you don't get a chance to find money. 8-((

Total Found in last Week.... .00¢
Total Found This Year.....$13.65

That's about all I've got for this past week.  

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

And have a good weekend!  

Sluggy  




Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Another July Giveaway!

Who's ready for the Another Sluggy's Boring Blog Box Giveaway for 2022?!?

July is here so let's have another July Giveaway!  This box is full of sample sized toiletries good for traveling.

Let's take a look at what is in this Giveaway Box this month........


2 x Old Spice Swagger Body Wash
1 x Dove men's spray deodorant
1 x Dove men's Body Wash
1 x John Frieda Frizz Ease
1 x Tresemme Hairspray
1 x Suave Shampoo
1 x Suave Conditioner
2 x Tresemme Shampoo
2 x Tiger Relief Balm
1 x Dove men's Deodorant
1 x Dove Deodorant
1 x Almay make-up pads
1 x Nivea lip balm
1 x Almay Mascara(30 black brown)
1 x Rimmel Lip Gloss(140 flower power)
1 x Cover Girl eye palette(105 cafe au lait)
1 x Scunci hair ties
4 x L'Oreal day cream samples
4 x L'Oreal Face 5 minute mask sample
2 x Band-Aid Hydro Seal samples
1 x Gold Bond Aloe lotion sample
5 x Nexcare bandage samples
1 x DuraGel callus cushion
1 x Vaseline lip balm
1 x Anacin sample
3 x Hydralyte electrolyte powder samples
2 x L'Oreal revitalift cream samples
2 x Olay regenerist whip lotion
1 x Olay for eyes gel 
1 x Shoe Polisher
1 x Vanity Kit(q-tips, emery board, cotton balls)
2 x Nasal Strips(for snoring
2 x BioFreeze pain relief samples
1 x Max Freeze pain relief sample
1 x Synodrin Relief Gel sample
2 x Flexitol Heel Balm samples
1 x Gold Bond radiance renewal lotion sample

Close up shots of the goodies.........








Plus as a BONUS I am enclosing this rare diet fortune cookie......

Yes, we received this sealed empty fortune cookie the last time we went to the Chinese restaurant. lolz

Depending on where you shop, the winnings have a reg. retail value of approximately $50

Here's how this is going to work.....

* The giveaway is open to ALL readers, previous winners or not.
* There is a limit of ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY.  Come back each day to enter again.
* Only VALID entries will be posted.  A Valid entry is a limit of one per day and I MUST HAVE VALID CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOU(either you are on the Giveaway Contact List which I maintain, your comment is connected to a Google/Blogger profile which links to your email address or you email me directly(my email is in the side bar on the Blog)your email address.
IF YOU ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AND DON'T SEE YOUR COMMENT within a few days it's because I don't have your contact/email info.

From all the VALID entries I receive I'll pick a winner at random and the winner has 48 hours from when the post goes live to contact me with their full mailing address.

In your entries I'd like to hear about what's been going on in your world...or what is not going on that you wish WAS going on. ;-)

If you are on my Giveaway emails list just leave a comment and your name(with last name initial please)to enter. If you aren't on the Giveaway emails list make sure you leave your email in your comment OR email me your email privately after you leave a comment(my email is in the side bar area under "About Me").
I'll leave this giveaway open until July 26th, Tuesday at 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time(EDST).  I'll  pick and post the winner on July 27th Wednesday.

*Please note these rules*
I'll post the name/ID of the winners on this blog on  and those persons have 48 hours from the time stamp on that post to contact me privately via email(my email addy is listed on my "About Me" page, as well as on my side bar).

Disclaimer--This giveaway is open to those with mailing addresses within the US only.  As the cost of postage to foreign countries has gotten too high I am sorry to say I can no longer afford to mail boxes outside the US.  These giveaways are not sponsored by any companies.  I pay for it all(the cost of items given away and the postage to mail it all)out of my own pocket.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you in your comment.

If you're not a registered Blogger User with YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION on your User page, please put your email addy in your comment or email me your email addy privately when you leave a comment so I can get a hold of you. If your Blogger associated user profile is a GOOGLE one make sure your email info is linked to your profile.

So let's get this Giveaway started. Good luck to everyone!!!

Sluggy

Monday, July 18, 2022

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Veggies are Good for You" Edition....


I had to LOL at this and I sent it to Kim as she loves a good bakery good. ;-)

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned.....
1. Sunday--FFY
2. Monday--Fish, Sweet Potato Fries
3. Tuesday--?
4. Wednesday--?
5. Thursday--?
6.  Friday--?
7. Saturday--?

And here's what actually happened........
1. Sunday--FFY
2. Monday--Fish, Sweet Potato Fries
3. Tuesday--Fend For Yourself
4. Wednesday--Fend For Yourself
5. Thursday--Fend For Yourself
6.  Friday--Hamburger no bun, Green Beans
7. Saturday--Cheese Ravioli

Hubs was vert restricted in what he could eat from Tuesday on.  I didn't make any big meal plans as we'd be eating different things so we just made humble quick meals.  I mostly had sandwiches(BLT, Chicken)or soup unless I cooked dinner at the beginning or end of the week.

What got put into the freezer last week....
*  Not a danged thing again

What got taken out of the freezer and used...
*  Fish
*  Ravioli
* 1 Hamburger Patty
                                                   
I spent $29.47 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week at Walmart and Weis.
This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $123.23 for July.  

There are 13 shopping days left in July.

I've earned $74.21 on Ibotta in July.
I've earned $4.49 on Checkout51 in July.
I've earned $1.00 on Coupons dotcom in July.
I've earned 4,488 points from shopping on Fetch in July.
I earned 520 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in July. 
I've earned $16.89 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in July.

That's $79.70 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $123.23 in grocery spending so in reality it's $43.53 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 42.72% (without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for July comes in at 42.35% so far(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week....
ravioli in sauce
Here is this week's "food plan".....
1. Sunday--Beef Stroganoff, Green Beans
2. Monday--Lasagna, Salad
3. Tuesday--Leftovers
4. Wednesday--whatever I pull out of the freezer
5. Thursday--ditto
6.  Friday--ditto
7. Saturday--ditto

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Nothing as far as I know.  I'm sure I'll need to go to the grocery store for something this week but have no clue what at this point.
I've got a small smoked turkey breast in the freezer I want to roast this week.  Hubs will have lunch sandwiches most of the week from that and it will help empty the freezer too.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  The deals have been nonexistent around here for all of 2022. 


Sluggy

Friday, July 15, 2022

Frugal Friday....the July 15th Edition

So here are the frugal things that happened here at Chez Sluggy this past week.......

*  I only made 1 food shopping trip and it was to Walmart and I spent $24.48. I did get $18.48 in Ibotta rebates even though I just bought things we needed or were free that I could give to the food bank.

*  I had Hubs take a box of food/toiletries to the food bank and 2 boxes of items to Salvation Army this past week.  I already have started gathering 2 more boxes of donations for both places.

*  I used some free gift cards at Ocean State Job Lot to procure 10 storage tubs.  I've spent some time filling 5 of them this past week and storing them in the garage.

*  I received 2 x $5 rebates from Blue Diamond almonds via virtual gift card.  Offer is valid until the end of August and you must buy 2 cans per transaction and submit a photo of your receipt to their website.  The information is HERE.  There is also a sweepstakes running too and if you do the rebate you get entered into that as well.

*  I called the lady from the Church auction we got to each Fall to see if she wanted a donation of gift and toiletry sets to sell.  An emphatic yes! and I'll be handing it all off to her on Monday.

*  Hubs had dental surgery on Tuesday so my meal plan has been nonexistent this week.  We've been eating whatever we have here mostly.  Strange meal combos but we are getting fed and eating down some of our supplies.

*  I had my nephew come over this past week and gave him lots of food and toiletries from the stockpile.  He was hesitant to take so much but I told him if he doesn't take it now it's going elsewhere so we can move.

*  I got out the Christmas presents I've collected so far this year.  I've wrapped and separated all the items for my nephew, my two sons and their wife in one case and their SO in the other case.  I'll give them everything before we move with instructions not to open anything until Christmas so I don't have to pay to move all this and then SHIP it back here! lolz

*  I also gave Sissie a bag of goodies and shipped Kim a box.  These were their early Xmas presents and less to move. '-)

*  I purposely did NOT redeem a free $10 gift certificate to one of the online plus size clothing shops I had.  There is nothing I want/need to buy right now plus that $10 would cover shipping with a couple dollars left over to go toward an item.  Just didn't make sense to use it.

*  I rolled and/or converted some Bonus Cash that was expiring this past week at Rite-Aid.  Just slowly spending it all down as we get ready to move and there are no R-As near where we plan to go.

*  I found a $5/$15 Smokey Bones coupon and gave it to one of my Rite-Aid friends who likes that place since I'm not going to use it.  I also brought her some toiletries on one of my trips to R-A this past week.

*   I found money this past week! 

                
Found this penny last Sunday in the parking lot at Ocean State Job Lot.


Then I found these two dimes on the floor in front of the register on Tuesday at Rite-Aid.  On the way out of the store I found the penny on the sidewalk in front of the door.


This penny was found near the register at Rite-Aid again on Thursday.

Total Found in last Week.... .23¢
Total Found This Year.....$13.65

That's about all I've got for this past week.  

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

And have a good weekend!  

Sluggy  

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Some Rite-Aid Shopping This Week *Update*

 I went to Rite-Aid on Tuesday and bought this..........


2 x U Kotex pads BOGO50%=$7.03
2 x Colgate toothpaste double packs=$13.98
2 x Compeed BOGOFree=$9.99
1 x Colgate Toothbrush on sale=$2.29
SubTotal=$33.29

Coupons Used

1 x $5 off $30 purchase Catalina=$5.00
1 x $4/2 Kotex ManuQ=$4.00
1 x $1/1 Colgate toothpaste L2CQ=$1.00 **
1 x $1/1 Colgate toothbrush In-AsQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Colgate toothbrush IPQ=$1.00
Coupon Total.......$12.00

$33.29-$12.00=$21.29 paid with Bonus Cash

I earned back $16 in new BC(2 x $3 Compeed, $7 Colgate double dip on the tooth paste double packs, $3 wyb2 Kotex).
I submitted to Ibotta for $10 in rebates $5 on each Compeed and $1 back on Coupons dotcom for the second Colgate double pack so $11 in cash rebates.  That makes this a $5.71 moneymaker. I forgot to add the $2.93 in Fetch rewards all this earned me to so it's now a $8.64 MM. 8-)))

This is all going to the Food Bank.

Sluggy

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

And the Winner Is.....

 I marked all valid comments and had Random dotorg choose the winner of the Giveaway Box.

And the winner is.......


D FULLER!

No plans, just trying to stay cool. No garden this year


Congratulations to D Fuller!  Now you need to email me your full name and mailing address so I can mail this box o' goodies out to you.  You have 48 hours from the time stamp when this post goes live to contact me.


Thanks for playing along everyone who did, and come back for more giveaways in the future. 8-))


Sluggy

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

House that I Might Have Remodeled lolz

Found this house while browsing Zillow.
You would think I remodeled the interior of a few of these rooms.
Can you guess why? ;-)


**It's the last day to enter the Giveaway.  Leave a comment on the appropriate blog post by 11:59 pm tonight. **

Sluggy

Monday, July 11, 2022

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Pitiful Zombie Pansies" Edition....



This poor old flower refuses to die.  It's 4 years old now.  After the first Summer when we bought it, I had Hubs put it in a black garbage bag and hang it in the garage for the Winter.  Surprisingly after all that neglect it lived to bloom another Summer.  Rinse and repeat x2 and here it is again folks!  Thus we refer to them as the Zombie Pansies.
The plastic hanger straps buster year 2 so it's hung up with some twine now.  Might look trashy but it's my yard so nobody else has to look at it. 8-P


Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned.....
1. Sunday--Breakfast for Dinner
2. Monday--Steak, Corn on Cob, Grilled Veggies, Pie, Watermelon, Almost New Pickles
3. Tuesday--Hot Dogs, Zucchini Tempura,  and leftover 4th of July stuff
4. Wednesday--Spaghetti, Meatballs, Salad
5. Thursday--FFY
6.  Friday--Bratwurst, Pierogi, Almost New Pickles
7. Saturday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches, Veggie TBD

And here's what actually happened........
1. Sunday--Breakfast for Dinner
2. Monday--Steak, Corn on Cob, Grilled Veggies, Pie, Watermelon, Almost New Pickles
3. Tuesday--Hot Dogs and leftover 4th of July stuff
4. Wednesday--Chicken Tenders, Grilled mixed Veggies
5. Thursday--Subway Subs
6.  Friday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches, Almost New Pickles
7. Saturday--I took a nap so Domino's! 8-)

I wasn't feeling the spaghetti, brats or pierogi last week so we made some substitutions.  I planned fish and sweet potato fries on Saturday later in that week, but I woke late from an afternoon nap so it was take-out pizza. yum yum

What got put into the freezer last week....
*  Not a danged thing

What got taken out of the freezer and used...
*  Frozen Grilled Veggies
*  Steak
*  Chicken Tenders(I just cooked the whole bag)
*  3 Pork Chops
                                                   
I spent $14.60 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week at Walmart.  
This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $93.76 for July.  

There are 20 shopping days left in July.

I've earned $45.73 on Ibotta in July.
I've earned $2.49 on Checkout51 in July.
I've earned $0 on Coupons dotcom in July.
I've earned 4,070 points from shopping on Fetch in July.
I earned 500 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in July. 
I've earned $8.88 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in July.

That's $48.22 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $93.76 in grocery spending so in reality it's $45.54 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 46.05% (without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for July comes in at 42.23% so far(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week....pizza, almost new pickles, watermelon.

Here is this week's "food plan".....
1. Sunday--FFY
2. Monday--Fish, Sweet Potato Fries
3. Tuesday--?
4. Wednesday--?
5. Thursday--?
6.  Friday--?
7. Saturday--?
Hubs is having a dental procedure Tuesday so I'm not sure if he'll be on a special diet(liquids and/or soft foods)for this so I'll fix him his gruel then fend for myself OR there are no diet restrictions I'll turn to the freezer and we'll have a Surprise Menu.  How does that sound?

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu? Only Houdini's Ghost knows and he ain't telling.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any deals on food at your stores this week?  The deals have been nonexistent around here for all of 2022.  And to add insult to injury not only did my bread outlet close down but the Amish outlet I frequented 3 or 4 times a year is gone too.  It's a sad time here for frugal food shopping....


Sluggy

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Frugal Friday.....the July 8th Edition on Saturday

So here are the few frugal things that happened here at Chez Sluggy this past week.......

*  I only made 1 food shopping trip and it was to Weis.  I did get $9.25 in Ibotta rebates even though I just bought things we needed.

*  Used a free gift card to buy subs at Subway on my shot day as Hubs didn't deal with dinner that night.  He's been doing a lot of painting around here instead.

*  Spent a good deal of time this week cleaning and clearing out clutter instead of mindless spending and shopping.

*   I found money this past week! 


I found this penny walking out of Weis(PMITA)Markets last Friday.  That's the only place I went(other than R-A)all week.

Total Found in last Week.... .01¢
Total Found This Year.....$13.42

That's about all I've got for this past week.  

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

And have a good weekend!  

Sluggy  

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Giveaway for July is OPEN!

Who's ready for the Another Sluggy's Boring Blog Box Giveaway for 2022?!?

July is here so let's have another Giveaway!

Let's take a look at what is in the Giveaway Box this month........



1 x Mentos Clean Mints
1 x Tresemme shampoo
1 x Suave Sweet Violet Body Wash
5 x Sally Hansen nail polish(151-Warm Cacao, 014 Take the Reigns, 300 Sweet Berries, 359 Pretty Piggy, 252 Rose and Shine)
1 x Neutrogena Make-Up Wipes
1 x Oral-B toothbrush
1 x Revlon  eye shadow palette 715 Precious Metals
1 x L'Oreal Color Juice Lipstick 710 Plum Crazy
1 x Almay Skin Perfecting Make-Up 130 Medium w/SPF 25 Sunscreen
1 x Colgate Gum Protection Toothpaste
1 x Zone Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar
1 x EOS Lip  Gloss
1 x Trident cinnamon Gum
2 x Orbit Gum(1x Sweet Mint, 1x Peppermint)
1 x Japonesque Emery Boards Pack


Close up shots of the goodies.........





Depending on where you shop, the winnings have a reg. retail value of approximately $50

Here's how this is going to work.....

* The giveaway is open to ALL readers, previous winners or not.
* There is a limit of ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY.  Come back each day to enter again.
* Only VALID entries will be posted.  A Valid entry is a limit of one per day and I MUST HAVE VALID CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOU(either you are on the Giveaway Contact List which I maintain, your comment is connected to a Google/Blogger profile which links to your email address or you email me directly(my email is in the side bar on the Blog)your email address.
IF YOU ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AND DON'T SEE YOUR COMMENT within a few days it's because I don't have your contact/email info.

From all the VALID entries I receive I'll pick a winner at random and the winner has 48 hours from when the post goes live to contact me with their full mailing address.

In your entries I'd like to hear about your Summer plans(if you have any), what your garden is growing(if you have one), what you like to cook/eat in the Summer, stuff like that.

If you are on my Giveaway emails list just leave a comment and your name(with last name initial please)to enter. If you aren't on the Giveaway emails list make sure you leave your email in your comment OR email me your email privately after you leave a comment(my email is in the side bar area under "About Me").
I'll leave this giveaway open until July 13th, Wednesday at 11:59 pm Eastern  Daylight Savings Time(EDST).  I'll  pick and post the winner on July 14th, Thursday.

*Please note these rules*
I'll post the name/ID of the winners on this blog on  and those persons have 48 hours from the time stamp on that post to contact me privately via email(my email addy is listed on my "About Me" page, as well as on my side bar).

Disclaimer--This giveaway is open to those with mailing addresses within the US only.  As the cost of postage to foreign countries has gotten too high I am sorry to say I can no longer afford to mail boxes outside the US.  These giveaways are not sponsored by any companies.  I pay for it all(the cost of items given away and the postage to mail it all)out of my own pocket.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you in your comment.

If you're not a registered Blogger User with YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION on your User page, please put your email addy in your comment or email me your email addy privately when you leave a comment so I can get a hold of you. If your Blogger associated user profile is a GOOGLE one make sure your email info is linked to your profile.

So let's get this Giveaway started. Good luck to everyone!!!

Sluggy