Rolling Register Rewards at WAGS....2/24

Since we were expecting a long Snow 'Event' Thursday and Friday here in PA, I hopped up to WAGS Wednesday evening to roll some RRs that were expiring on Friday.
Just in case I couldn't make it out in time.

I bought this.....

4 x Hershey's Pieces Candy Bags on sale $2.50=$10.00
1 x Gillette Fusion Razor on sale=$8.99
2 x Crest Toothpaste $2.69=$5.38
2 x Right Guard Deo on sale BOGO=$2.99
1 x Goody Hairbands=$2.99
1 x Duracell Batteries 8pk. on sale=$5.99
3 x Hydrogen Peroxide $.99=$2.97
SubTotal....$39.31

Coupons Used
4 x $1/1 Hershey's Pieces Candy Bags ManuQ=$4.00
1 x $41 Gillette Fusion Razor ManuQ=$4.00
1 x $1/2 Crest Toothpaste ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $2/2 Right Guard Deo IPQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Duracell Batteries ManuQ=$1.00
1 x WAGS In-Ad Q Hydrogen Peroxide =$1.97
2 x WAGS Feb. Booklet $1.50/1 Crest TPaste Q=$3.00
Coupons Total....$16.97

RRs Used
1 x $10(Joint Juice)
1 x $3(Schick Razor)
1 x $2(Poligrip)
1 x $2(Lypsyl)
RRs Total....$17.00

$39.31-$16.97=$22.34-$17.00=$5.34+$1.26 tax=$6.60 OOP
I hadn't planned on getting the Batteries but daughter needed them for her calculator to take the SATs in 2 weeks.  Without the batteries, I would have been OOP $1.31.

I received RRs totaling $11 for this transaction....$5 for the Hershey's Candy, $4 for the Razor & $2 for the HairBands.  I spent $17 in RRs.
The purchase of the Hershey's candy also triggered a ManuQ for $1/1 off a bag of M&Ms.  This doesn't expire until 4/21/10 so it might mean cheap M&Ms when the Easter candy goes on clearance.

I still had a $1 RR to roll so I bought.....

2 x Hydrogen Peroxide $.99=$1.98
1 x Gillette Razor on sale=$8.99
1 x Candy Bar=$.69
SubTotal....$11.66

Coupons Used

1 x $41 Gillette Fusion Razor ManuQ=$4.00
1 x WAGS In-Ad Q Hydrogen Peroxide=$1.31
Coupon Total....$5.31

Register Rewards Used
1 x $1(old RR)
1 x $5(new from Pieces Candy Bags)
RRs Total....$6.00

$11.66-$5.31=$6.35-$6.00=$.35+$.54 tax=$.89 OOP

I received RRs totaling $4 for the Gillette Razor.  I spent $6 in RRs.
I now have $10 in RRs to roll within 2 weeks.  Let's hope there are some good things I can use with RRs attached offered at WAGS in those 2 weeks.

Though the Peroxide was a bit more than the cheapest filler items I could have added to my orders in order to use all my coupons and register rewards, I'd rather spend a little more and get something I can use than some junkie thing.  I love to use Peroxide for cleaning and in the laundry!

Sluggy

Sluggy's Boring Blog Box Giveaway Week 4.....LAST CHANCE to Enter!

It's WEEK 4 of The 1st BORING BLOG BOX OF FUN GIVEAWAY of 2010!

Ok....after packing in this week's goodies, there is NO MORE ROOM for additional stuff!  So this is the FINAL WEEK to enter to win this box!

Here is what went into the Box today.....

1.  1 Pair of hunter green Men's Winter Thinsulate Gloves Size L/XL
2.  1 Box of Purevia(40 ct.) stevia sweetener
3.  1 Bag of Luden's Cough Drops(cherry)
4.  1 Bar of Dove Soap
5.  1 Tin of Sugar-Free Altoids
6.  1 Rimmel Mascara
7.  1 BOGO Dozen Eggs Coupon from the Good Egg Project Facebook Giveaway(expires 3/31/10)

To refresh your memory, here is a photo of EVERYTHING that has gone into the box over the last 4 weeks that you can win....

If this is your first time, please go read all the rules for these Giveaways on THIS POST.

Time to enter.....You can enter this week from today, February 24th through Tuesday, March 2nd at midnight EST.

1 regular entry per person per week.  Leave your name/email addy and a comment for a valid entry on THIS POST only.
MUST be a follower to enter.
MUST still be a follower at the time the the winner is posted.

There are 2 ways to get EXTRA entries each week....

1. Blog about my Giveaway on your blog or on a Message Board.  Leave an extra comment for this entry on THIS POST only with a link to your blog post or the message on the board.  You can earn an extra entry each week by reposting about the Giveaway.
2. Put my blog on your blog's Blogroll.  Leave an extra comment for this entry on THIS POST only with the URL of your blog. You can earn an extra entry each week by keeping my blog on your roll.

I'll number all the entries from each weekly Giveaway post and use random generator.org to pick the winner.

I have to say there are NOT many entries at this point, so be sure and enter as the odds are pretty good! ;-)

Any questions?  Just email me at slugmama@yahoo.com

Happy Entering!! 

Sluggy

Frugally Spending What I Saved Last Year

So what is Sluggy going to do with that $23K she saved last year?
Here is what we've done with $10K of it.....

We bought a car!

Hubby's commuting car was a 2000 Kia Spectra.  We had bought that in 2001, used obviously.  We've been tracking the maintenance costs(gas mileage, repairs, etc.)on it the last 2 years.  It finally got to the point where we were pouring more $ into it than we were realizing a benefit from driving it.  It had over 150,000 miles on it and was coming up on needing work in the $1K+ range at the end of 2009.

So hubby started researching and seeing what was available locally used.  He found this 2006 Chevy Malibu.  It was part of a rental fleet and only had 29K miles on it, had good maintenance records and a clean CarFax report.  It's a bit larger than the Kia so will be a bit more comfortable to drive, which is important for hubby.  But it gets the same good gas mileage as his old car.  It will also hold 5 passengers so we all can fit in it if need be.

I just abhor spending money on cars to begin with and I absolutely will NOT buy a new car!
Why take the financial hit for buying a new car that depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot?  If you think Chanel or Clive Christian fragrances are expensive, try the price tag on "new car smell"!lol

While I'm not happy about spending this money, it is something we needed.  And by waiting and saving up and paying CASH we did NOT take on a car loan!  This car costs $10K cash.  It will not end up costing us over $12K because we took on a car payment of $340 a month for the next 3 years at a 6.83% interest rate.

Now we just have to decide what to do with the Kia.  We run our cars into the ground but this one still has a bit of life left in it.  Even though it won't benefit us much on next year's taxes we'll probably donate it rather than junk it for parts.

Sluggy

Meal Plan Monday.....February 22nd Edition....Use it Up Week

Last Week's Menu Postmortem...
The Pork Chop and Fish meal didn't happen so are moving to this week's menu. The only leftovers I am starting the week with are the Baked Chicken and homemade Clam Chowder.  The chicken will reappear in a Casserole this week and the Chowder I'll finish off for lunch.

Between my stock-ups and the bad weather predicted this week, I'll be staying out of the grocery stores again this week.  I do have some Weis Catalinas expiring this week so I will have to go once to use those up.

Here's what I will be serving our family of 4 this Week.....our household presently consists of 2 adults and 2 teens at home.  No children under 13.

This week is all about using what I have and incorporating leftovers.
MONDAY--#2 son's Birthday meal out!
TUESDAY--Spaghetti and Meatballs(freezer/stockpile), Salad, Garlic Rolls(fridge)
WEDNESDAY--Chicken Casserole(leftover/stockpile), Broccoli(freezer)
THURSDAY--Hot Dogs(freezer), Rolls(leftover), Beans, Sauerkraut(leftover), G. Beans
FRIDAY--Fish and Stuffed Clams(freezer), Mixed Veggies in Cheese Sauce(freezer)
SATURDAY--Sloppy Joes(freezer/stockpile), Rolls(leftover), Corn(freezer)
SUNDAY--Pork Chops(freezer) with Plum Glaze(stockpile), Noodles(stockpile), Mixed Veggies(freezer)
SNACKS/DESSERTS--Cantaloupe and Applesauce(stockpile), Birthday Brownie(stockpile), Ice Cream

LAST WEEK'S FOOD SPENDING
$10.87 was spent on food last week.  $4.89 at the local independent grocer for milk that hubby picked up & $5.98 at Price Chopper when I went to use my Catalinas.  Except for that trip to PC I was successful in staying out of the grocery stores...yay!lol
I have exactly $2.42 left in my Feb. food budget, unless some more rebates come in this week.  Between that cash and $17 in Catalinas it looks like I'll be able to get through Feb. without going over budget. I could do this menu without buying anything, but I'd like to get some more salad veggies(red cabbage, cuke) to augment the salad.  Other than that we'll need milk and fruit this week.
I'll be using my remaining Weis Catalinas expiring this week to obtain these things so my OOP should be close to zero.

The baked chicken from last week will reappear this week in the chicken casserole. Everyone stopped eating bread for awhile so I have alot of bread from the outlet to use up now.  That's why Sloppy Joes and Hot Dogs are on the menu this week.  I might attempt Bread Pudding again for hubby too if there is still bread leftover after those 2 meals.

FOOD WASTE REPORT
The doggies where quite proficient leftover eaters this week so no waste, and I composted the veggie trimmings.

Check out ORGANIZING JUNKIE to see what other Home Cooks are serving this week.

Sluggy

The Last of the Rite-Aid & I Almost Go a Whole Week without a Grocery Store Visit

Friday night I ran out to finish some rebate stuff at Rite-Aid.

Rite-Aid #1

1 x Lysol Hand Soap System thingy=$12.99  egads!
1 x L'Oreal EverStrong Shampoo on sale=$5.99
1 x Vaseline Lotion on sale=$2.99
SubTotal....$21.97

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $20 Purchase AdPerks IPQ=$5.00
1 x $3/1 Lysol Hand Soap System ManuQ=$3.00
1 x $5/1 Lysol Hand Soap System In-Ad Q=$5.00
1 x $1/1 Lysol Hand Soap System AdPerks IPQ=$1.00
1 x $2/1 L'Oreal Shampoo ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Any Hair Care item over $1.99 Wellness IPQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Vaseline ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $2/1 Any Skin Care item over $2.99 Wellness IPQ=$2.00
Coupon Total....$20.00

$21.97-$20.00=$1.97 + $.12tax=$2.09 OOP  Put on a Rite-Aid Gift Card.
Single Check Rebates....$1 Lysol


Then to Store #2....

2 x L'Oreal EverStrong Shampoo on sale $5.99=$11.98
2 x Starbucks Coffee on sale $1.66=$3.32
2 x Luden's Cough Drops on sale $.99=$1.98
1 x Vaseline Lotion on sale=$2.99
1 x Wet N' Wild Makeup 40% off=$2.39
SubTotal......$22.66

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $20 Purchase AdPerks IPQ=$5.00
2 x $2/1 L'Oreal EverStrong Shampoo ManuQ=$4.00
2 x $1/1 Any Hair Care item over $1.99 Wellness IPQ=$2.00
2 x $1/1 Starbucks Coffee IPQ=$2.00
1 x $1/2 Luden's Cough Drops ManuQ=$1.00
2 x $.25/1 Luden's Cough Drops GOLife Q=$.50
1 x $1/1 Vaseline Lotion ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $2/1 Any Skin Care item over $2.99 Wellness IPQ=$2.00
Coupon Total....$17.50
**Checking my receipt now, somehow the Cashier rang up an extra Hair Care $1/1 Q, so I got $18.50 in Coupons instead of the $17.50 I was due.

$22.66-$18.50=$4.16 = $.15tax=$4.31 OOP  Put on a Visa Prepaid Card.
Single Check Rebates qualified for....$2 Wet N' Wild, $5 L'Oreal EverStrong Items totaling over $13(adding in the 1 Shampoo in the previous transaction)=$7 SCR

Total OOP.....$0.00
SCRebates.....$8.00

I discovered that I made a tactical error earlier this week.  I bought 2 L'Oreal Shampoos for BIL's  $5 L'Oreal SCR.  Only the EverStrong 'Poos qualify for this rebate, not the EverPure ones.  I bought 2 EverPures by mistake.  OOPs!  Since this rebate runs the full month and not just the week the 'Poo was on sale, I can take those 2 bottles back and exchange them for the right ones and get my receipt fixed so I can submit for the SCR.  What a pain....

And I almost went the entire week without setting foot in a grocery store!  What sunk me was that I had $16 in Catalinas expiring on friday night from my Kraft/Unilever trips to Price Chopper the week before last.  So I was forced to go grocery shopping....the horrors!lol
No photo but I got...
1 head of lettuce=$1.49
1 lb. of frozen squid=$4.99
2 pork loins BOGO=$9.53 (for just under 2lbs. each)
3 Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream on sale $2.99=$8.97
SubTotal....$24.98

Coupons Used
3 x $1/1 Ben & Jerry's=$3.00
And the $16 in Cats=$16.00
Total....$19.00

$24.98-$19.00=$5.98 OOP
The value on the order was $38.01 before sales.

With 1 more week to go in February I've calculated that I have $2.42 left in my $250 monthly food/toiletries budget.  Here's hoping I receive some more rebates this coming week to give me a bit of wiggle room, otherwise I'll be staying out of the grocery store for another week, except to spend those Weis Catalinas that will be expiring the 27th!

Sluggy