The Diaper Queen of NEPA

So I printed off some more Huggies $2/1 Qs on Saturday morning and while out running errands down the mountain I found more diapers.

                     * Previous transaction pictured but it's the same.

I bought 8 more packs in two transactions.
I used the previous $10 OYNO Catalina I had left(from the two transactions on my card last week)in Transaction #1 on my son's card and paid $15.96 in Plenti Points.
$33.96-$8 in Qs=$25.96-$10 Cat used=$15.96 spent down PPs.
I earned $10 in new PPs and received another $10 OYNO Catalina for buying the diapers.

I rinsed and repeated the transaction using 4 more Qs($8 worth).
Transaction #2--$33.96-$8 in Qs=$25.96-$10 Cat=$15.96 spent down PPs.
I earned $10 in new PPs and received another $10 OYNO Catalina for buying the diapers.

That receipt also printed out the Q for the free $25 TRU gift card when you spend $50 on cdertain baby items.

But that Rite-Aid was out of TRU gift cards.

So on Monday I went up to my local Rite-Aid and redeemed the gift card Q....

Here's the score card on the diapers now, for those playing at home. lolz

Brought home.....
16 packs of diapers
2 packs of Tummy Zen
1 pack of light bulbs
1 spray deodorant

Used $77.83 in Plenti Points
Earned $45.00 in new Plenti Points
So "spent down" $32.83 in Plenti Points

For spending down $32.83 in PPs I earned....

Earned $10 Catalina(one left to spend)to use later on product
Earned $50 in TRU gift cards
Earned $3 Ibotta cash refund
Potential earnings of $80-$88 for selling the diapers once I get around to that.

I just wish I had had enough Huggies Qs to do this deal again on Daughter's card. 8-)


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Nobody is Feeling Well" Edition--

I had an unexpected visit to the doctor's on Tuesday for another abscess.  Had it cultured and on antibiotics.  The test came back indicating MRSA. sigh.   So I am Typhoid Mary around here now with the family. lolz  At least I didn't have to go into the hospital for IV antibiotics.  I've also been feeling "gunky" and lymph nodes are swollen in my neck.  Hubs and Daughter are having similar swelling and gunk.
Ah, the beginning of weather that ushers in sicknesses.....how nice.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Primo Subs take-out

2. Monday--Leftover BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Cole Slaw

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke, Rice

4. Wednesday--Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Salad
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Primo Subs take-out

2. Monday--Leftover BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Cole Slaw

3. Tuesday--Lemon Pepper Chicken w/Zuke, Rice

4. Wednesday--Cheese Ravioli in Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Salad
6. Friday--Grilled Chicken Thighs, Ginger Rice, Sugar Snap Peas
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself/Leftovers

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers and 1 night of take-out.  
Lasagna night turned into Ravioli night since someone used up my lasagna noodles and didn't tell me. lol  Hubs made the ravioli on Thursday(I made the sauce)and Daughter made the chicken thighs on Friday so I got a little help with cooking last week.
The rest of the bbq pork will now go into the freezer for another time.

Last week's grocery spending at the Bread Outlet, Weis and Shursave Markets came to $90.57.  That brings October's food spending to $270.84.

My savings percentages last week was 46.94% and the monthly savings ends up at 45.31%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).

Leftovers going into this week.......lemon pepper chicken and zuke, and 1 helping of ravioli.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Sweet Italian sausage sandwiches, baked beans

2. Monday--Homemade Clam and Corn Chowder, Rolls

3. Tuesday--Something with Mushrooms(Risotto?), Caesar Salad, leftover Garlic Bread(?)

4. Wednesday--Pork Tenderloin, Creamed Asiago Spinach

5. Thursday--Leftovers
6. Friday--Homemade Pizza, Salad
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating-Out.
Cool weather the next two days then it warms up again for the rest of the week.

What I need to buy for this menu? Nothing really.

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 great deals on food at your stores this week?


Sluggy

I'm Going to Be a Mom Again!

A doggie mom that is!
Sorry if I gave anyone a little heart attack with that title. lolz

We've been contemplating on this for months now(since about March)and searching for a good canine fit.
And we finally found one.

This photo is from when he was a younger puppy.

His name is Chester and he's a 6 months old long haired Chihuahua.
He's breeder raised, ACA registered and is a sturdy little guy with real personality.
Now I get to potty train a puppy(something I've never done before as all 7 of the dogs we've owned over the years have been gotten as adult dogs already).  This is our first "not a rescue" dog.
I tried to wait to get a shelter pet but around here it's mainly pitt bull mixes and a few beagles(strays).  The only Chihuahuas we can find are senior and I want a dog(unless they have some birth defect)who will be around awhile(we've done the Senior rescue pet twice before).

There is my Daughter's dog to consider but she's pretty laid back and she was raised with cats so we think she'll just think Chester is a new cat due to his size.....until he starts humping her leg. lolz
There also was a Pomeranian we considered but having been 'Hua parents before we felt more comfortable with a 'Hua.

More photos to come after we pick him up next week. 8-)

Sluggy

Frugal Friday.....October 13th Edition

Here's the frugal stuff I did this week.........most of it involved saving while spending money.

*  Did a Rite-Aid Deal yesterday which I talked about HERE.

*  Hit both my usual grocery stores this week for loss leaders.

5 lbs. of potatoes for .99¢
4 lbs. of sugar for .99¢
5 lbs. of flour for .49¢
1 lb. pasta for .88¢(plus will get a .50¢ rebate so .38¢ OOP)*not pictured

I picked up meats with instant discount stickers--
4.81 lbs. chicken thighs for .76¢ lb.
1.38 lbs. ground beef for $2.81 lb.(85% lean)
1.35 lbs. sweet  Italian sausage for $1.89 lb.

I also picked up some produce deals 50% off--
2 x bagged salad kits for $1.99 each
1 x large clam shell of spring mix greens for $1.74
1 x 1 lb. whole mushrooms $1.99

And 1 frozen food item, a Shrimp Toast appetizer, for 50% off Plus it had a $3 off sticker on it so this $8.99 item was $1.49 OOP.  We'll save it for the Holidays when we entertain and need nibble type foods to set out.

* Weis(PMITA)Markets had a Mix and Match 6 select items, Get $3 off Instantly deal which included the Minute Maid OJ last ad.  I got 3 Minute Maid OJ cartons on sale for $1.99 each and earned another $2 OYNO Catalina which is good until 1/5/2018.(I already had bought 2 toward the 5 cartons I need to earn this Catalina in a previous week.)
This makes 2 of these Cats I have so far.  I am hoping to get another sale on MM OJ before the year is out, stock up on 5 more OJs, which will give me $6 in store script to spend in December at Weis.

* Hubs wanted to replace our ladder(ours is old and not very safe to use anymore)so he researched online for the best deal on what he required, located the ladder at Lowe's and I gave him a $100 Lowe's gift card I earned with c/c points to go purchase it.

* Hubs wanted to have a lunch out this week(we were both getting a little stir crazy)so I found a coupon to a local restaurant to apply to the bill.  The Q brought the bill down enough to cover our tip.

* Since retiring we've gone over the budget/bills/money and Hubs has decided he wants to eat out a little more than we have been(regular eating out, not trip eating out)so I am finding ways to do this on the cheap. (See previous item.)  I just bought a $30 voucher for a local restaurant for $15.  Paying less than market price for a meal helps keep Eating Out costs lower.  I just have to remember to use this before Dec. 31st as it expires then.

* Since we were out down the mountain we hit the Bread Outlet.

I would much rather pay $1 a package there than even sale prices at the grocery stores.
This lot cost me $3.

What did you do that helped you be frugal this week?


Sluggy

Rite-Aid Porn....This Week's Moneymaker Haul!

So here is what I did at Rite-Aid this week.  It sure pulled me out of my funk at least for awhile and it was fun since the Deals worked without a hitch! 8-)))

I started with a $5 off $50 purchase Catalina Q that spit out last week when I picked up an Rx.
There is a diaper deal($10 Cat wys $30-limit 2 per card to pair with sale prices this week, IPQs and $10 in Plenti Points earned when you also spend $30), a bonafide double dip with the PPs and Catalina.
These diapers also triple dip with a spend $50 on select items/earn a $25 Toys R Us gift card.
In order to get the $10 Cat wys $30 to print twice I have to break up the diaper buying into two transations.  I also need to spend $50 on one of these transactions in order to use that $5 of my order Cat.
I get to the store and they only had size 5 diapers so I made sure I could exchange them for other sizes once they get more in(size 5 don't sell locally as well as smaller sizes).

I had with me.....
a Rain check(for Tummy Zen)
2 x $2/1 Tummy Zen Qs
8 x $2/1 Huggies Qs(also had 2 x $2/1 Load2Card Qs attached to my account but these sometimes don't work so I make sure I have enough IPQs to do the Deal instead too)
1 Free Item Dove Q(thanks Chris!)
$5 off $50 Purchase Catalina attached to my Wellness card

Transaction #1

4 x Huggies diapers on sale $8.49=$33.96
I used 4 x $2/1 Huggies IPQs.....$33.96-$8.00=$25.96
I spent $25.96 of my Plenti Points to pay.

I earned $10 back in new PPs and a $10 Catalina good on my next purchase, making my Plenti Points "spent down" by $15.96.(I used the $10 Cat in the second transaction so that's the second $10 Cat in the photo for illustration purposes.)
And I had $33.96 tracking toward the $50 needed to earn the $25 gift card.

Transaction #2(I need to spend $50 in this one before Qs.)

4 x Huggies diapers on sale $8.49=$33.96
2 x Tummy Zen(rain check for $2.50)=$5.00
1 x GE light bulbs on sale=$7.99
1 x Dove Deodorant spray 20% Wellness disc.=$6.63
SubTotal........$53.58


I used the $5 off $50 Purchase Catalina
$53.58-$5.00=$48.58

I used $18.63 in Qs(4 x $2/1=$8 diapers,2 x $2/1=$4 Tummy Zen, $6.63 Free Dove Q).
$48.58-$18.63=$29.95

I used the earned in Transation #1 $10 OYNO Cat.
$29.95-$10.00=$19.95

I paid with $19.95 in Plenti Points.
I earned $15 in new PPs($10 wys $30 diapers, $5 wyb light bulb).
$19.95-$15.00=$4.95
I am $4.95 "down" in PPs now.

But...
I earned another $10 OYNO Catalina.
I earned a free $25 Gift Card(for spending $50+ on select items that qualified).

I earned a $3 cash rebate for the Tummy Zen purchase on my Ibotta account.
I have 8 bags of diapers I can sell on the local yard sale site for between $40-$44 so my cash back potential is between $43-$47 total.

Spent down PPs by $20.91 total on both transactions in exchange for $3 cash in rebates, $10 store script, $40-$44 in cash and a $25 gift card.  So basically I just exchanged $20.91 in PPs for between $43-$47 in cash, $10 in more Rite-Aid products and a $25 gift card meaning I am "up" $22.09-$26.09 in cash and $35 in various store script.(Rite-Aid and Toys R Us).

I also have another $17.92 tracking on this account toward another $50 to earn a second $25 TRU Gift Card if I choose to do the gift card deal again(which I probably won't unless I can put together $32.08 in spending on qualifying items that costs me much less than that in my Plenti Points).

Then I got a reloadable AmEx gift card.............I heard it was giving double the Plenti Points back that it was suppose to.

I put $10 on the card(the minimum you can)and paid that plus the $2.95 fee=$12.95.

And as you can see it credited me with 2 x 500 Plenti Points or 1000 PPs(equal to $10 in PPs).

The limit on the AmEx card deal is two EXCEPT that after doing it once it showed as having reached the limit.  That's ok by me. 8-)
The cashier ran over to the gift card rack and bought one too after we saw that it gave double the PPs.
She then called her sister to tell her to go buy one at her local store and as I was leaving the store the cashier was telling all the customers at the checkout about the "deal" and telling them to go get a card too. lolz
* Be aware that you have to pay with cash to buy these AmEx cards and can't use a debit or a credit card.*

So I spent $12.95 and I got $20 back($10 in PPS and $10 in gift card credit)making me $7.05 "up" on the Deal.
A few caveats about these reloadable AmEx cards....
1. AmEx is accepted as less stores than Mastercard/Visa/Discover.  The card inside the packaging is a temporary card that needs no activation.
2. Though the card is good for about 5-6 years from purchase after 30 days AmEx starts charging at $4.95 fee to keep the card balance active so be sure to use whatever you load on that card within 30 days.
3. I have been told that in order to reload the card(that's free to do)you need to register the card and jump through hoops which some folks find a PITA to do.  Though reloads are free there is that $4.95 monthly fee thing.

I went into this knowing all the negatives and I only put the minimum amount on the card so it will be used up quickly.  And I don't plan on reloading it, especially if it will cost me $4.95 a month to carry a balance.
Basically I did this(X 3 Wellness accounts I have access to)to earn $7.05 in Plenti Points on each account.  This will come in handy(having lots of free PPs on each card)come Xmas shopping/Black Friday time when all those Rite-Aid Deals are available for the Holidays.

The only hitch is that I have to hold onto the diapers until I can exchange them for smaller sizes before I can sell them but I can live with that temporary hiccup.

Not a bad day's work, right?  8-))

Sluggy