Another 2010 BORING BLOG BOX of FUN GIVEAWAY is OPEN! Box #4 LAST Post ENTER NOW!

This is the 4th 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 give away 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

The box is now FULL!  This is the LAST POST for This GIVEAWAY BOX so enter now!

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

1. full sized bottle of Garnier Shampoo
2. Rembrandt Toothpaste-this stuff is expensive!lol
3. a travel Calculator/Alarm Clock
4. a bag of BLISS Chocolate with meltaway centers

So far there are NOT ALOT of Entries so be sure and enter to win this box, since your chances as of when I wrote this are darn good!


And here is a recap of everthing that is now in the box.....

Star Trek Sticker Book-this is filled with all kinds of Star Trek insignia stickers
Star Trek First Contact bubble bath
Star Trek Party Hats(visor type)
Star Trek Party Blowers
A Mesh Bath Scrubby thing
A small Bottle of Olay Body Wash
A Glade Candle
A can of Bar Harbor brand Clam Chowder from my trip to Maine last month
A Tigger Halloween Hand Towel
A Toblerone Chocolate Bar
A Nivea Lip Balm-unscented I think
A Ltd. Ed. Halloween M&M plush critter--you had to send away for this one a few yrs. ago

A full sized bottle of Garnier Shampoo

A Rembrandt Toothpaste-this stuff is expensive!lol

A travel Calculator/Alarm Clock

A bag of BLISS Chocolate with meltaway centers
16 luscious prizes ranging in value from $1.99 to $8.49!!!


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.....

Just put a comment on this POST for your entry.  Easy Peasy!

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.

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.

The DEADLINE to ENTER on this POST is Friday, October 15th at 11:59pm ET.
The winner will be announced on Sunday Oct. 17th.

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

Taking a Hiatus....Back Later This Week...Maybe

You know what they say?
That life on the internet is just one big party with your homies.
But I need to hang up my lampshade, step away from the computer and take an Itty Bitty Bloggy Break.
*Try saying that real fast 10 times!*

So I will not be posting for the next few days as I deal with issues here that need my attention.
I'm not sick or anything, just sort of burnt out and need to go off into the woods like Thoreau and contemplate my navel.
And if I am lucky, perhaps I'll find my different drummer too. ;-)

Hope to see you all again very soon!

Sluggy

$30K Savings Challenge SEPTEMBER 2010 Totals.....Not as Good but Still Saving this Month

I have posted my SEPTEMBER End of Month $30K $AVING$ CHALLENGE Totals.
Check out the side bar to your right for the specific numbers.

I have to report that we finished up September in the black....with an addition to the total!

The extra cash we were able to save in September was.......$1,165.79.

Income
We had $1,036.29 left over of DH's salary after expenses were deducted. Add in $129.50 of Rebates applied to the food expenses and you have a deposit of $1,165.79 toward the Savings Challenge!

Seeing as our monthly target is $2,500.00 to reach our Year End Goal, this month was less than half of what we need each month to stay on track.

Outgo
As for the expenses in September....we had a rather large Vet bill this month(due to our doggie that passed away earlier this month)and we had School Taxes due(our property taxes are divided up into school taxes and local/municipal taxes).  Add in the usual bills plus a fairly large credit card bill(which is paid off every month)and we didn't have as much leftover to put aside this month.  But having a couple of months where we had lower expenses let us save extra before now so we aren't losing any ground in Sept.

The Food Budget costs for September are in another post, which is located HERE.  The actual Food/Toiletries spending in September was over my $250 target but the rebates we received in September helped to cover that excess amount spent and lowered the OOP to $137.67.

Looking Ahead to October....

Looking at last October as a guideline, there is only the quarterly garbage bill coming due.  In fact, we have NO unusual non-monthly bills except this one for the remainder of the year!

Plus there is one of those 2 extra bi-weekly paychecks coming before the year is out.
Now if we can just keep some restraint with the money during the Holidays and not go hog wild with the eating out & the "Gift Bacchanalia" that this Season encourages, we'll be doing well.

On the other hand, October will see the beginning of Heating Season here however, so our electric bill will be going up. 8-(


YTD Standings....
We have a Year To Date Total of $24,087.15 in Savings.  To save $30K for the year, we need to put away $2,500 per month average, at this point in the year we need to have $22,500 saved.  Currently, we have $5,912.85 to go with just 3 months left in the year.  I can't wait to get to that financial finish line!

So how was your September financially?  Leave a comment and share with us what you did with your money, both the good and not-so good.   Do you have any tricks or tips that help you to end your month before the money runs out?    Let us know!
If you posted your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can go check you out too!


Sluggy

More Rite-Aid from Last Week....Truly Boring for Non Rite-Aid-iac!

Due to forces beyond my control.....yah, I'm a Rite-Aid Zombie or something....I did 3 more transactions there last week.

4 x Kleenex Tissues on BOGO sale($2.49)=$4.98
2 x Dawn Dish Soap on sale .99¢=$1.98
1 x Crest big Mouth Rinse on sale=$4.99
1 x Crest smaller Mouth Rinse on sale=$3.49
1 x Oral-B Pulsar Toothbrush on sale=$4.99
1 x Crest Toothpaste on sale=$2.99
1 x Fisherman's Friend Throat Lozenges on sale $2.49=$2.39 w/Wellness 20% disc.
SubTotal...$25.81

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $25 IPQ From newsletter subbed to earlier in the year=$5.00
1 x $1/3 Kleenex AdPerks/VV IPQ=$1.00
1 x $1/4 Kleenex ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/2 Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $2/1 Crest big Mouth Rinse ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Crest smaller Mouth Rinse ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Oral-B Toothbrush ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Crest Toothpaste ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/$10 any Oral Care purchase Wellness IPQ=$1.00
Coupon Total....$14.00

$25.81-$14.00=$11.81
Used +Ups....$10, $1=$11.00
$11.81-$11.00=$.81 OOP put on Rite-Aid gift card so ZERO Out of Pocket


Earned +Ups....2 x $3(Oral-B, big Crest Rinse), 1 x $2.50(smaller Crest Rinse), 1 x $1(Fisherman's Friend)=$9.50
The Fisherman's Friend was tagged on the shelf as being a $2 +Up but a $1 was received....ugh.
Also, the Crest Toothpaste didn't produce the $2 +Up it was suppose to, so I'll be calling R-A corporate to get my missing $3 in +Ups.

4 x Progresso Soups on sale $1.50-but one was on clearance for $.79=$5.29
4 x Old Spice Deo. Spray on sale $4.00=$16.00
1 x Ace Cold Compress w/Wellness disc.=$1.03
1 x EOS Lip Balm w/Wellness disc.=$2.79
SubTotal....$25.11

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $25 AdPerks/VV IPQ=$5.00
1 x $1/4 Progresso Soup ManuQ=$1.00
2 x BOGO Old Spice Spray ManuQ=$8.00
1 x $1/2 Old Spice items ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/$10 Beauty/Skin Care Wellness IPQ=$1.00
1 x $1.50/1 Ace product IPQ=$1.50--they didn't adjust it down
Coupon Total....$17.50

$25.11-$17.50=$7.61
Used +Ups....2 x $2, $2.50, $1=$7.50
$7.61-$7.50=$.11 OOP put on Rite-Aid gift card so ZERO out of pocket

Earned +Ups....2 x $1(every 2 cans of soup produced a Mom's Cereal $1+Ups)=$2.00
I also have $2 carried over from my first P&G purchase, added to the $16 in P&G purchased in this transaction, so $18 toward a $30 total to received another $10 +Ups.


And I had to finish off the Buy $30 of P&G deal on Saturday by buying $12 of qualifying products....

4 x Pantene Shampoo on sale $3=$12.00
2 x Tampax Pearl BOGO50%=$7.93
3 x Dawn Dish Soap on sale .99=$2.97
1 x EOS Lip Balm on sale $2.99=$2.63 w/Wellness disc.
SubTotal....$25.53

Coupons Used

1 x $5 off $25 PDF filed Q online valid thru 10/31 IPQ=$5.00
2 x $1/2 Pantene products ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/$10 Hair Care Wellness IPQ=$1.00
2 x $2/1 Tampax Pearl ManuQ=$4.00
1 x $2/1 Tampax Pearl RA Flu Booklet Q=$2.00
1 x $1/2 Dawn Hand Renewal Soap ManuQ=$1.00

1 x $1/1 Dawn Hand Renewal Soap Manu.Home Mailer=$1.00
Coupon Total....$16.00

$25.53-$16.00=$9.53
Used +Ups....2 x $3, $2.50, $1=$9.50
$9.53-$9.50=$.03+$.06 tax=$.09 OOP put on Rite-Aid gift card so ZERO out of pocket


Earned +Ups....1 x $10 for purchasing $30 in P&G items. Gillette carryover from last Sunday($2),Old Spice on 9/30($16) and Pantene today($12)=$30.

THESE TRIPS
Total Spent....$1.01(put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$107.63
SCR qualified for...$2.00(Old Spice on BIL account), $4.00(Eos Lip Balm 1 for me, 1 for BIL)=$6.00
Gift Cards earned....$0.00
+Up Rewards earned...$24.50
+Up Rewards spent...$28.00
These trips were an $2.50 moneymaker(add the SCRs to the +Ups earned--$6+$24.50=$30.50, then subtract the +Ups spent--$30.50-$28=$2.50 earned).


GRAND TOTALS so far-October Rebate Period

Number of Transactions......5
Total Spent....$1.52 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$192.25
SCR qualified for....$8.00
Other Cash....$0
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0

+UPS Totals for Oct. SCR Period
+Up Rewards carryover from last trip....$29.50
+Up Rewards spent....$28.00
+Up Rewards earned....$24.50
+Up Rewards left....$26.00

 Sluggy

SEPTEMBER Budget Results....Food & Toiletries Spending TOTALS

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for SEPTEMBER 2010.
I have posted September's totals on the right side bar under Total Grocery Savings for 2010.

I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in September.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom information.

These Totals include Food, Toiletries/HBA, Pet Supplies, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods & tax where applicable.We are a family of 5(between 5 & 2 at home this month) & 3 dogs. No kids under 14.

BAKERY OUTLET
OOP $20.56
Value $70.81 

Savings  70.96%

CARONE'S(small local independent store)
OOP $18.50

Qs/Ads $6.96

Value $25.46

Savings  27.33%

FAMILY DOLLAR

OOP $8.06

Qs/Ads $6.51

Value $14.57

Savings 44.68%

GERRITY'S

OOP $76.37

Qs/Ads $114.82

Value $191.19

Savings 60.06%

RESTAURANT SUPPLY

OOP $16.15

Value $29.95

Savings 46.08%

RITE AID
OOP $12.78 (whole amount put on Rite-Aid Gift Cards)=$.00 actual OOP
Qs/Ads $687.93

Value $700.71

Savings 98.17% before gift cards/ 100% savings after gift cards

WALMART
OOP $.14
Value $38.14
Savings 99.63%

WEIS (local chain Grocery store that doesn't take IP Qs in my town)
OOP $127.39

Qs/Ads $247.01

Value $374.40

Savings  65.75%


I don't track CVS's ECBs & Walgreen's RRs. They will be included when used on purchases under "Coupons".   I'll keep track of what rebates are received monthly.  Rebate money/gift cards will be considered 'income' & will go into the Food/Toiletries budget, offsetting the Out of Pocket. Cash will go immediately into the Budget kitty, while Gift Cards will be calculated in when spent.

REBATE CHECKS RECV'D. IN SEPTEMBER

Finesse Shampoo...$2.50
Focus Group Payment....$75.00
Lypsyl Lip Balm....$2.39
Pinecone Research....$6.00
Rite-Aid SCR....$40.98
Sure TMF Rebate...$2.63
Subtotal........$129.50

GIFT CARDS and CERTIFICATES

$0.00
 
TOTAL Value of Cash/Store Checks/Gift Card Rebates Received..$129.50

My best 3 Store Savings Totals were from Rite-Aid at 100%, WalMart at 99.63% and the Bakery Outlet at 70.96%.

TOTAL Out of Pocket...............................$267.17

TOTAL Coupons & Store Sales Savings...$1178.06

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.............$1445.23

TOTAL Savings of..........81.51%

TOTAL of CASH Rebates........................$129.50

TOTAL OOP After  Rebates....................$137.67
TOTAL Savings of..................................90.47%

This closes out the September spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month-

The garden was giving us an ample supply of goodies but I did stock up on some frozen veggies with a Catalina deal.  I resumed moderate use of coupons when shopping this month after not using many in August.
While I went over slightly on the budgeted $250 amount for the month, the rebates & focus group payment added to the food budget kitty went a long way to help keep my OOP under the set amount.

What's ahead for October 2010.....

Since we just got the new fridge I haven't stocked up on much fresh farm stand veggies for winter yet, but I'll be doing that in early October. 

I am setting the October 2010 Food/Toiletries Budget at $250. I am figuring $150 for regular monthly purchases and the other $100 for the stocking on farm buys and any good seasonal deals(sugar, flour, pumpkin, eggs, pork, apples, etc.)

As always, any rebates received this month will be added to the food budget spending.  I have 4 outstanding rebates due in but I have no rebates going out so these 4(plus any Rite-Aid SCRs)will probably be all the rebate money for the rest of the year.

With nine months of the year behind us, we have averaged $179.21 per MONTH after rebates on food/toiletries spending for 2010 for a family of 4-5 adults/teens + 2-3 pets.

How did you do in September with your Food Budget?  Leave a comment or link to your post and let us hear!  By sharing our struggles and efforts we can help each other stick to our budgets and learn to be better guardians of our resources.

Sluggy