Shopping & Decluttering & Donating....Oh My!

We had a busy Tuesday here.
First off I had to go have blood drawn.  The nurse couldn't find my vein so I got stuck in both arms...ugh.

Then I finally hauled this off to the local Food Bank....

7 x Feminine Pads
4 x Kids Soap
14 x Cat Treats *Not pictured
1 x Cat Litter *Not pictured
12 x Hot Sauce
2 x Pasta Noodles
2 x Pasta Sauce
4 x Peanut Butter
10 x Canned Peas
2 x Canned Pasta
3 x Barbecue Sauce *Not pictured

Donation Total....61 Items
Plus I gave them a check for $100 per my JUNE FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE pledge.

Yearly Food Bank Donation Total....227 + $100
April....78
May....88
July....61

I didn't get a chance to lay it all out nice on the table this time before it went into the car but here is what Hubs hauled up to Salvation Army....

And more on the backseat....

ALL NEW ITEMS
9 Cube World Toys
3 packs Halloween Make-up
2 Lamps
1 Set of 4 Glass Goblets
2 Boyds Glass Xmas Ornaments
2 Boxes of Beanie Baby Cards
1 Book on Tape/Audio Book
2 Matted Art Prints
1 Homer Simpson Talking Cookie Jar
1 Small Soldiers Animated Bank

USED ITEMS
5 Halloween Costumes
Metal Folding Plant Shelf
Gettysburg Army Men Set
Baseball Glove
Dog Dish
10 Theater Books
Fisher Price Pirate Ship and Accessories
8 Stuffed Animals
10 Mark Twain Books

Total Items for this Donation....62

April Total....96
May Total....72
June Total....45
July Total....107
Yearly Total to Date....320 Items.


Yearly Total for all Donations(Salvation Army & Food Bank) so far.....547 items + $100


#2 son had a sleepover last night so I had to hit the grocery store for 'necessities' like chips, pepperoni for the pizzas I made them, milk, popcorn, to the tune of $12.20.  Add in the bag of healthy chips I wanted to try(I did have a coupon) and the bag of dog food for $1.99(again, with a coupon.lol)and the bill came to $16.42.

And a trip to Rite-Aid, probably the only one for this week's sales since we have packing and stuff to do before we leave for vacation.

2 x StayFree Pads on sale $3.00=$6.00
2 x Nivea Men's Body Wash on sale $1.99=$3.98
1 x Olay Total Effects Body Wash w/20% discount=$3.99
1 x Ivory Soap 4 pack w/20% discount=$2.63
1 x Colgate Total Toothpaste on sale $3 but 20% discount greater=$2.95
1 x Reach Dental Floss on sale=$.99
1 x Reach Toothbrush on sale $3.99 but 20% discount greater=$3.59
SubTotal....$24.13

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $20 Purchase AdPerks(my only one! sniff)=$5.00
1 x BOGO StayFree ManuQ=$3.00
1 x $1/1 StayFree ManuQ(from some magazine I had)=$1.00
1 x $4/2 Nivea Body Wash IPQ=$4.00*
I x $4/1 Olay Total Effects ManuQ=$4.00
1 x Buy One OlayTF/Get One Ivory Product free ManuQ=$3.00**
1 x $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Reach Floss or Toothbrush IPQ=$1.00*
1 x $1/1 Reach Toothbrush ManuQ=$1.00
Coupon Total....$23.00

$24.13-$23.00=$1.13 OOP put on free Rite-Aid Gift Card so ZERO out of pocket

I qualified for SCR#80 $2.99(Reach Toothbrush)=$2.99
The Reach Toothbrush, Colgate Paste and Reach Floss also qualify toward SCR #556, so I have $7.53 toward the $15 needed to earn a $5 Rite-Aid Gift Card.

I also earned +UPs in the amount of $8 for this transaction....2 x $1(Nivea), $1(Reach Tbrush), $3(Colgate), $2(J&J-StayFree).
Yes, each Nivea Body Wash triggered a separate +UP in the same transaction.

*Both the Nivea and the Reach IPQs beeped as the amount of the item was 1 cent below the coupon value. The cashier had to manually imput them into the register.
**The cashier insisted on marking the Ivory Soap Q for $3.00, even though I told her twice the soap only rang up $2.63 because of my Wellness discount.  Well you can't say I didn't try....lol

So $1.13 on gift card/oop and getting back $2.99 in rebates and $8 more in +UPs to spend.
It's a fine way to start the new SCR period for August.

MONTHLY TOTALS-AUGUST Rebate Period

Number of Transactions......1
Total Spent....$1.13--all put on free Gift Cards/Certificates 
Value of Items purchased....$37.21
SCR qualified for....$2.99 in cash and $0 in Gift Cards
Other Cash....$0
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0
+Up Rewards earned=$8.00

Total 'Spent'...$1.13(on gift cards)
Total Cash I'm getting Back=$2.99
Total Gift Cards I'm getting=$0
+Up Rewards left to spend=$24.00(including the $9 that didn't print last week)

Today, Wednesday, is more packing, cleaning the car EGADS!, gardening and making lists for the trip, for the kids chores and last minute checklists, cooking, cleaning, laundry and then a dip in the pool & probably a nap since nobody got much sleep here last night...hmmm, I wonder if 3 teenage boys tromping around until 3am had anything to do with that.....ya think??lol

So what do you have up on deck today?

Sluggy

For Donna....As Promised!

A few weeks ago I won a blog contest over at Donna Freedman's blog, Surviving and Thriving.
Part of my win included a cute little alien critter that says various alien-like phrases when you whack him on the head.  I sort of like that whacking on the head thing, but I digress.

I had asked Donna to autograph the Alien before she sent him packing to PA.  I have a small collection of autographs, both photos and objects.  The signatures range from famous people to the even better type of people, those I consider my friends. ;-)
I promised Donna that if she signed old green butted Alien dude I would put her/him right next to my Bruce Willis.  It's only appropriate because Donna and Bruce are fellow Jerseyites and they are both "hot" babes.

Well my Alien dude arrived late last week-Thanks Donna!-but alas, without a signature as his alien form proved to be 'unsignable'.
But he arrived holding a card attesting to his unsignability, handwritten and autographed by Ms. Freedman.  That is good enough for me and my collection!

So without further ado........Donna meet Bruce....Bruce, Donna.....

May you dwell together happily for many years to come in my dining room hutch.

Be sure to check out Donna's frugality/personal finance blog.  She's one smart tough cookie!

Sluggy

Another 2010 BORING BLOG BOX of FUN GIVEAWAY is OPEN! Box #3

This is the 3rd Sluggy's BORING BLOG BOX GIVEAWAY for 2010!

It's time again for a Boring Giveaway.
I run a Boring Blog here so why not giveaway boring stuff, right?

Just to recap, I put things in the box(mostly what I have gotten for free or almost free)each week and when the box is filled we draw a winner from all the entries received.  The stuff can range from HBA, food, toys, collectibles, home decor or books.  Someday if enough people click on enough ads and this blog makes some cold hard cash, I may add a gift card, so get to clicking already!!lol

For all you Primping Princesses, here is what went into the Box today.....

1. 1 Dove Skin Vitalizer-it vibrates!lol
2. 2 Skin Vitalizer Pad Refills
3. N.Y.C. Cherry Lip Gloss

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

Please NOTE--You MUST be a follower to enter the Giveaway.  If you aren't one, just click on the "Follow" button on the right hand side of my blog to become a follower---->


TIME TO ENTER.....

I entry per person on this POST.

When I post again about this BORING BLOG BOX GIVEAWAY, entries on this Post will be CLOSED and you can post on the New Giveaway Post and enter again.  I hope this isn't too confusing. ;-)

Here are the ways to get UP TO 2 EXTRA entries PER POST.....

1. 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. If I'm already on your Blogroll, say so in an extra comment.
2.  Blog about this 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 do each of these 2 things once per post, so that's a total of up to 3 entries per person per post.
(*Sorry M & F...no daily entries this time because of the vacation.*)

Again, you can enter on this post until I put another Giveaway Post up and then you need to enter on the NEWER Post. 
FYI if you are new here....it generally takes 4 weeks to fill the box, so there will be 4 posts(give or take)about this Giveaway where you can enter to win up to 3 times.

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

Oh yah, I pay for all the stuff in this giveaway and nobody(business or person) gives me stuff or pays me to hold them or promote their products.  I even pay the shipping just because I loves ya'll and....and.....that's how I roll!  ;-)

Happy Entering!! 

Sluggy

Lots of Rite-Aid Stuff from Last Week....And FINAL JULY SCR Period NUMBERS

I made 6 trips to Rite-Aid between 7/21 & 7/24 that I didn't post about yet.....*I hang my head in shame....for 6 trips or is it for not posting about it yet?lol*

 I had lots of $5 off $20 AdPerks Qs that were expiring on the 24th.  I also discovered a good deal using 2 of the Olay Qs from the P&G insert that is expiring on the 31st....the $4/1 Olay Total Effects and the Buy an Olay Total Effects Body Wash/Get an Ivory Product FREE(up to $3).

By using my 20% wellness discount at Rite-Aid, I could get the Total Effects Body Wash for between $4.23-$3.99(depending on which Rite-Aid I went to).  The Ivory Soap 4 packs were between $2.79 & $2.63 as well so I could get those free with the 2nd Q.  Meaning for every pair of items I bought I either paid .23¢ for both or got both free(again, depending on which store I went to).

2 x Olay Total Effects w/20% discount=$8.46
2 x Ivory Soap packs w/20% discount=$5.58
2 x Burger King Snacks on sale BOGO=$2.19
2 x TwinLabs Energy Drinks on sale BOGO1/2=$2.98
2 x Mounds Candy Bars on sale .50¢=$1.00
SubTotal...$20.21

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $20 AdPerks Q=$5.00
2 x $4/1 Olay TE ManuQ=$8.00
2 x BOGO Ivory ManuQ=$5.58
1 x $1/2 Burger King Snacks IPQ=$1.00
1 x .50/2 Mounds Bars AdPerks Q=$.50
Coupon Total....$20.08

$20.21-$20.08=$.13 OOP put on free Rite-Aid gift card so ZERO out of pocket

There was a $5 +Up reward on TwinLabs supplements last week & the energy drinks qualified so I got a $5 +UP Reward for every 2 products I bought.  The drinks cost $2.98 and gave back a $5 +UPs so I was ahead $2.02 for every pair of drinks(1 pair per transaction).

Next up we have....

2 x Olay Total Effects
2 x Ivory Soap 4 packs
2 x TwinLabs Energy Drinks
1 x Oral B Toothbrush on sale=$2.99
1 x Cover Girl Mascara on sale=$6.99 *The variety I tried to buy that qualified for the rebate didn't ring up on sale so I had to get this one...poop!
SubTotal...$26.20

Coupons totaled...$24.26 including $5 in +Up Rewards I redeemed.
I spent $1.94 OOP put on a free Rite-Aid gift card so ZERO out of pocket.
I earned $7.50 in +UPs($5 for energy drinks, $1.50 for toothbrush).

The following day I did this....

1 x Visine Red Eye w/20% discount=$5.83
2 x Color Burst Lipsticks 40% off=$10.78($5.39 ea.)
1 x Motrin PM w/20% discount=$5.03
SubTotal...$21.64
Coupons totaled...$20.00(including a $5/$20 and a $5 +UPs redeemed)
$1.64 OOP put on Gift Card so ZERO out of pocket

I earned $7 in +Ups but only the Revlon Lipstick one printed($4).
I have a full price rebate form for the Visine so after submitting for that I'll receive $5.83 back.

I realized during the week that the 8 pack Duracell, of which the stores did NOT have but had bonus 10 packs instead were NOT qualifying for the Duracell $10 SCR.  So instead of having $20+ spent in batteries I only had $4.99 at this point, with the rebate period ending on Saturday.  So we struck out on Saturday to do 3 transactions and get enough battery credits to qualify for the rebate.

Hubs did this transaction....

2 x Duracell 20+5 packs on sale $10=$20.00
2 x Almond Joy Bars on sale.50=$1.00
Subtotal...$21.00

Coupons totaled.....$15.50(included a $5 off $20, a .50/2 candy bar AdPerks Q, a $1/1 Duracell Peelie and $9 in +UPs.
I spent $5.83 OOP put on that trusty old free Rite-Aid gift card so ZERO OOP.
I qualified for $10 Duracell SCR.

Then I did this transaction....

1 Zegerid=$10.00
2 Garnier Face Scrub=$10.38($5.19 ea. w/20% discount)
1 Nut Mix on sale=$3.99
1 Lypsyl w/20% discount=$2.39
SubTotal.....$26.76

Coupons
1 $5 off $25 wellness Adperks Q=$5.00
1 $3/1 Zegerid AdPerks Q=$3.00
1 $3/1 Zegerid In-Ad Q=$3.00
1 $3/1 Zegerid IPQ from manu. website=$3.00
2 $5/1 Garnier Face stuff In-Ad Q=$10.00
1 $2/1 Garnier Face stuff ADPerks Q=$2.00
Coupon Total...$26.00

$26.76-$26.00=$.76OOP put on gift card so ZERO out of pocket
I earned $10 in +UPs but only the Garnier printed($3).
There is a TRY ME FREE rebate on the Lypsyl so I'll submit that one for the BIL for a $2.39 rebate.

And last but not least.....

1 Olay Total Effects w/20% discount=$3.99
1 Ivory Soap 4pack w/20% discount=$2.63
2 Garnier Shampoo on sale=$6.00
1 TwinLabs Energy Drinks on sale=$2.98
1 St Ives Face Wash on sale=$3.49
1 Liquid Plumr on sale=$3.49
1 Cover Girl Mascara on sale=$6.99
2 Coke 6packs(for our trip)=$6.00 **Not Pictured
SubTotal...$35.57

Coupons Used
1 $5 off $25 wellness AdPerks Q=$5.00
1 $4/1 Olay TE ManuQ=$4.00
1 BOGO Ivory Product=$4.99**
2 $1/1 Garnier IPQ(manu website)=$2.00
2 $1/1 Garnier hair product AdPerks Q=$2.00
1 $2/1 St. Ives face product=$2.00
1 $1/2 Cokes In-Ad Q=$1.00
$4.50 in +Ups used($3Garnier & $1.50 OralB)=$4.50
Coupon Total....$25.49

$35.57-$25.49=$10.08+$.29tax=$10.37OOP put on free Rite-Aid gift card so ZERO out of pocket
I earned $7 in +UPs($1 Garnier, $1 Liquid Plumr, $5 Energy Drinks).

**My total should have been higher, as it looks like the cashier took off the full price of the Olay product($4.99)instead of the Ivory product($2.63).  So I got a serendipitous $2.36 extra off my purchases this time.
In addition.....I've spent over $30 in Olay/Pantene/Cover Girl/Secret, Venus products so I can send for the $10 off $30 rebate that runs until the end of Sept. HERE.


Totals for these 4 days....
Number of Transactions....6
Value of items purchased...$203.05
Money Spent.....$19.67--all put on Gift Cards so $0.00 out of pocket
+Ups Earned....$32.50($10 of it didn't print)
SCR qualified for...$2.00-Cover Girl(since I already added in the $10 Duracell earlier this week)
Other rebates....$18.22


FINAL MONTHLY TOTALS-JULY Rebate Period

Number of Transactions......18
Total Spent....$28.58--all put on free Gift Cards/Certificates 
Value of Items purchased....$669.87
SCR qualified for....$35.98 in cash and $30 in Gift Cards & 1 pack of diapers
Other Cash....$29.27(I put the $3.40 refund here.)
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0
+Up Rewards earned=$61.50

Total 'Spent'...$28.58(on gift cards)
Total Cash I'm getting Back=$65.25
Total Gift Cards I'm getting=$30.00
+Up Rewards left to spend=$16.00(including the $9 that didn't print)


Sluggy

Monday Afternoon Drinks and Sit Down

It's been a busy morning here at Chez Sluggy.

It's time for a brief sit down before tackling some more chores around the house....so grab a drink and a chair.

Hubs is home from work on vacation so we are trying to get some things done....phone calls, tying up loose ends of things, like dealing with the govt. bureaucracy in regards to his mother, dealing with the high school Young Scholars Program(seniors who take college courses while in high school), and finding a missing shoe for #1 son.  Just 1 shoe is missing and we can't seem to locate it.  He's suppose to attend a wedding next weekend out near camp and Hubs is dropping off his dress clothes when he goes to pick up daughter on Thursday.  I guess I'll have to get involved in this Search & Rescue Mission shortly.....
Men will give up 4 seconds after looking for something and ask the woman in their lives where something is that's misplaced.  Why do all men think that a uterus is an internal tracking system?!?

Because the humidity broke finally, #2 son and I went to storage this morning and dug through boxes and I've come up with more donation items for Salvation Army.  I also found some more boxes of toys for eBay come September.

I also discovered that I do indeed need to do the Flea Market one more time.
This will happen after the kids go back to school in September, after Labor Day Weekend when the weather is a bit cooler.  Hubs says Sept. and don't wait until Oct. like last year because we froze our butts off then.
Even though lugging everything there is a hassle I'd much rather do that than set up in the garage and have to sit there all day waiting for people to come and buy stuff.  It goes much faster at the flea market...sell for 4 hours and bug out by noon!

The big news is that we are leaving Friday for a vacation...yay!!  I REAL vacation this year.  I can't wait!!
The trip was sort of last minute scrambling to put together but we found a place to stay plus we'll be staying with friends for part of it too.  The 1st part of the trip we are staying in an RV so I need to get bed linens, cooking items(pots, dishes, utensils, etc.)as well as coolers and food packed(thank you stockpile!lol).  First I need to empty my car out from this morning and take a load up to the food bank too.

With all that needs doing I don't know how I'm going to fit in a trip to Rite-Aid this week!lolol

I've got a ZEVIA soft drink review and giveaway on deck but with leaving town, that will be put on hold onto I return since I won't have internet while I'm away. 

But stay tuned later today for a new BORING BLOG BOX GIVEAWAY to start....woohoo!  I can start that one now and just hope Marilyn & Frances don't crash Blogger's system while I am away...lolol ;-)

Sluggy