December Giveaway Time!!!

It's December and this is the Sixteenth Sluggy's Boring Blog Box Giveaway for the year.

The Holiday Box of Goodies is a little special I think.  ;-)

Here are the goodies the winner will receive.......

1 x Gardenia Moisturizing Body Bar
3 x Hotel lotion/shampoo samples
1 x 13 oz. size jar of Nutella spread
1 x Dial hand soap pump
1 x Udderly Smooth hand cream
1 x Glade candle
2 x Crest gum detox toothpaste samples
1 x $10 Regal Entertainment movies gift card
1 x Lindt White Chocolate Peppermint bar
1 x Belgian Dark Chocolate w/Sea Sale bar
1 x Teddy Bear Christmas Ornament
1 x Papparazzi necklace w/earrings(purple stones)
1 x Lily of the Valley French milled soap
1 x Lavender French milled soap
11 x samples(Band-Aid, I-Caps vitamins, Saline Soothers, Synodrin pain cream, Make-up remover, Olay creams(2), Max Freeze topical cream, Gold Bond cream, Kirkland green tea(2))
PLUS.........

The winner can take their pick of one of these music CD sets as well---Xmas Smooth Jazz, Xmas Strings or Xmas Guitar music.

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

There is a limit of ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY for this Giveaway.  Come back every day and enter though!

Tell me what Christmas means to you(or Hanukkah or Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa or Festivus if that's how you roll instead).  What's your favorite Holiday tradition?  What do you need to make/eat for your Holiday to be complete?  Or tell us something you've done for others this year.

I'll leave this giveaway open until Tuesday, December 11th at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. On December 12th I'll mark all valid entries and use Random dotorg to pick a number and that corresponding person's entry wins.

*Please note the rules*
I'll post the name/ID of the winner on this blog on Dec. 12th and that person has 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).

If I am not contacted via email, I'll attempt to contact the winner via the email they supplied with their entry(or gave me to add to the Giveaway Data Base)and if that email is not responded to within another 48 hours I'll pick another winner.

Disclaimer--This giveaway is open to those with mailing addresses within the US only.  As the cost of postage to foreigh 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 with those Google Circles nonsense I CAN NOT CONTACT YOU as Google Circles doesn't show your contact info.

If I can't contact you then you can't win.  I am still having to disqualify entries due to this issue and I sure don't like doing that.  Thanks!

So let's get the Holiday Giveaway started.....Good Luck to all!


Sluggy

A Rite-Aid Hack You May Like & some R-A Porn

I wanted to get this posted before Wellness Wednesday(tomorrow is the first Wednesday in December remember!)in case someone out there wanted to try this hack and had a bunch of Bonus Cash they wanted to convert to a gift card.
It's a well known fact you can't pay for a gift card purchase with Bonus Cash.....or can you??

Last week I bought this on my son's card during the Friday/Saturday Friends and Family 30% Off Days.
Remember that I had $.29 tracking toward a second $50 "Beauty" spending needed to earn a $10 R-A gift card on this account and $11.66 tracking for the Spend $20 on certain PandG/Get $6 BC..........

6 x Head and Shoulders shampoo 30% discount($5.24 ea)=$31.44
4 x Herbal Essence BioRenew shampoo/conditioner 30% discount($5.10 ea.)=$20.40
1 x Kohl's gift card=$25.00
SubTotal......$76.84($51.84 of that for shampoo/conditioner)

Coupons Used
3 x $5/2 Head and Shoulders ManuQ=$15.00
2 x $5/2 Herbal Essence ManuQ=$10.00
Coupon Total.....$25.00

$76.84-$25.00=$51.84 paid for with Bonus Cash

I earned back $23 in new Bonus Cash(3 x $6 wys $20, $5wyb Kohl's gift card).
I earned the second $10 R-A Beauty gift card on this account.
I also earned back $2 in cash rebates on Ibotta($1 wyb2 HE shampoo, $1 wyb2 HE conditioner).

So I spent $31.84 of BC on 10 shampoos/conditioners and earned back $18 BC, $10 R-A gift card and a $2 cash rebate.

I also used Bonus Cash to buy a $25 gift card AND since the Kohl's card was giving $5 BC last week I also got that $5 BC as well. 8-)

**So here's the work around for using BC to buy gift cards.........

You can buy gift cards in the amount of or less than the total of the coupons you use in a transaction.  As long as the amount of the gift card is equal to or less than the total value of your coupons the register won't "see" the gift card and will let your Bonus Cash cover that cost.

I had $25 in Qs and I bought a $25 gift card.


So I did it again in another transaction on another card having too many BC.
This transaction I only had $24 in coupons so I bought a $20 Subway card and it worked again!

I bought 9 x Pantene, 1 x Hydralyte, 1 x Olay Total Effects cleanser,  1 x Carmex lip balm, and 1 x $20 Subway GC in one transaction.

$32.37 after $24 in Qs and sales tax(not counting the $20 GC cost)and I earned back $15 in BC--$10 BC(P&G Spend $30/Get $10 Deal)and $5 BC on the Hydralyte.
I earned another $10 R-A GC for the Beauty Deal.
I also earned $4 cash back on Ibotta for buying the Olay cleanser($3)and Carmex($1), so $29 back in BC/GC/Cash on a $32.37 spend and had almost enough for another $10 wyb $30 P&G Deal.

And I converted $20 in expiring BC into a Subway gift card.

I bought 2 more Olay cleansers(before this transaction)in two separate transactions and then another Hydralyte, 2 x Pantene on clearance for $2.49(also counted toward the P&G Deal) and 3 x Neutrogena lip balms in another transaction.
Those 3 transactions cost $22.93 in BC and earned me $15 in new Bonus Cash($5 Hydralyte, $10 wys $30 P&G).
I also earned $20 in cash back on Ibotta(well it's $17 right now).

Since I purchased the 3 Olays separately(so I got 30% off each and not the BOGO50% price)I am hoping that $3 Olay Total Effects Ibotta rebate comes back to my list twice.....It's come back once and I have applied and received a second of that $3 Olay rebate so far.

This item qualifies for the $4 Ibotta Neutrogena facial moisturizer rebate, up to 3 x per receipt(if it's available to you).  It's a nice little moneymaker as this item only costs between $3.49 and $3.99(before Wellness disc.)at Rite-Aid....if you can find it.

I nice way to convert BC back to cash and the Gift Card hack is a nice way to use expiring BC too.

Tomorrow is Wellness Wednesday and if your store puts out the paper R-A one day Q for this event AND you clip the same Qs to your L2C account you can potentially use A LOT of Qs so it's a good day to convert BC to gift cards.
Now I don't know if this hack will work w/L2CQ or a mix of both paper and L2CQs so maybe just use enough of the paper One Day Qs to test it.  You could get to $20+ in Qs just using the paper ones and then if you buy a gift card that is also giving back Bonus Cash this week, that's even better!

I am getting giddy just thinking about the Deals I can get on Wednesday at Rite-Aid! 8-)))

If anyone tries this gift card hack be sure and let us all know how it went.



Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The Funniest Fortune Cookie EVER!"" Edition.........

Even better than the typo on the menu at the Hibachi restaurant from last year that served "Red Snapple" on a bed of rice. Mmmm......I didn't know that Snapple was a fish. lolz

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned--

1. Sunday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself

2. Monday--Hoagies

3. Tuesday--Seafood Buffet

4. Wednesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs

5. Thursday--Chicken Tenders, Taters, Veggie TBD

6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Breakfast for Dinner(tentatively)

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself

2. Monday--Hoagies

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Turkey Casserole

5. Thursday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tossed Salad

6. Friday--Strip Steak, Baked Taters, Brussels Sprouts
7. Saturday--Marinated Pork Loin, Sugar Snap Peas, Teriyaki Rice

Sometimes the plan happens and sometimes I go rogue if I find a great deal or just aren't feeling what I had planned.
I did use up some Turkey Day leftovers making a casserole w/turkey, stuffing, carrots and Campbell's soup.  We aren't much of a turkey soup family here so this worked to use up stuff.
The Seafood Buffet didn't happen because I couldn't find the fish in the freezer and it's too cold out in the garage to dig around much.  When it turns up it will get used. ;-)

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers/fend for yourself, 1 night of Eating Out/Take-Out. Primo Hoagies had a Cyber Monday special so we indulged.

 A couple of grocery trips.....1 to the Bread Outlet($10.16), a couple of veggies at Shursave($1.98)and a small Weis shop($22.17)brought the weekly food spending to $40.31 and brought the December monthly total to $40.31 so far.

I have 28 days left in my shopping month for December.
December already?!
Seriously......

My savings percentage last week was 65.25%(without Rite-Aid trips)and December's monthly savings total comes to 65.25%(w/out R-A)so far.  The percentage is so high because there was very little grocery store shopping and a good sized Bread Outlet shop.

Leftovers going into this week.....rolls, Hawaiian rolls, some spaghetti and meatballs in sauce.

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

1. Sunday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice

2. Monday--Spaghetti, Meatballs in sauce, Salad?

3. Tuesday--Bratwurst on rolls, Potato Salad, Spinach

4. Wednesday--Beef Pie

5. Thursday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Fend for Yourself or maybe Tacos?

This week will see 5-6 new meals cooked, 1-2 nights of leftovers/FFY, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.

What needs buying for this menu? Green Beans and if I can find a bag of Salad

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  

2018 Food & Toiletries Spending.....the November Edition

Onward to November's food spending report.......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for NOVEMBER 2018.

I have posted November's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in November.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods & tax where applicable. We are a family of 4-5(4 at home this month). No "kids" under 22.

*****************

ALDI
OOP  $50.54
Value  $89.70
Savings  43.66%

BREAD OUTLET
OOP  $9.00
Value  $36.42
Savings  75.29%

DOLLAR TREE
OOP  $4.00
Value  $6.00
Savings   66.66%

GIANT
OOP  $22.56
Value  $39.86
Savings  43.40%

OLLIE'S
OOP  $17.66
Value  $45.65
Savings  61.31%

PRICE CHOPPER
OOP  $47.54
Qs/Sales  $55.45
Value  $102.99
Savings  53.84%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/BC  $1259.36
Value  $1259.36
Savings  100%

TARGET
OOP  $0.00
Value  $77.81
Savings   100%

WEIS MARKETS

OOP  $331.64

Qs/Ads  $450.71

Value  $782.35

Savings  57.61%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid and Target each at 100%, the Bread Outlet at 75.29% and Ollie's at 61.31%.  My worst savings rate was Giant at 43.40%.
Over 40% being the worst is aok with me! ;-)

I shopped at 9 different stores this past month.  

TOTAL Out of Pocket for November..........$482.94

TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales............$697.84

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.........$1180.78

TOTAL Savings of ................................59.10%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for November.....$482.94
TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales....$1957.20
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid.....$2440.14
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items........80.20%

This closes out the November food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....
Well, I did go over my $400 goal for November.  But if I take the almost $100 I didn't spend in my October food budget that more than makes up for the overspending in November.  Averaging the 2 months out I am still on target for the year. 8-)))

The monthly food spending savings percentage went UP an amazing 6.04% in November 2018 to 80.20% compared to October's 74.16% savings average.  Most of that was thanks to freebies at Rite-Aid.
The free stuff from Rite-Aid skewers my averages but without R-A I am at a 59.10% savings.  So even without R-A we are doing well on the "savings" front.

With 11 months accounted for, I have spent a Grand Total of $4747.03 on food/toiletries in 2018 which is a 74.55% savings rate for the year so far and averages out to $431.55 spent per month in 2018.   Still over my $400 per month average goal but this monthly average will go down in December as I cash out all my rebates/cash envies to apply toward the December spending.

LOOKING AHEAD To December.......
Let the Holiday games continue! Lots of cheap and free stuff was had in November.  If the deals present themselves I will continue to pick items up if it's something we can/will use or I can donate to the food bank and doesn't put me over budget.
I've got well over $550 so far in various envies/rebate apps/etc. to dump back into the food spending and I've got another few weeks to earn more so I've soooo got this!!! ;-)

If you have other ideas or guidelines you follow please leave a comment and share yours with us all.

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in November?
*  Do you track your yearly food spending?
*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons vs. buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?
*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

Is anyone out there up for tracking expenditures and trying to spend less but still eat well?


Sluggy

Puppy Cuteness for Saturday

One of our errands this past week took us to the local pet/puppy store looking for some bling for Chester.

They had this cutie out in the play area......

Alexa the Akita.
How come I always think a great name for an Akita is Evita, like in the song lyrics from "Rent"? lol

Alexa is 4 months old and quite large already.....look at those massive paws!

I sent my daughter a text with Alexa's picture and she wanted me to bring her home.....of course my daughter loves all largish dogs and wants them all too live with her.  ;-)

The pet store had gotten in some new chihuahuas too; 2 long hair males, 1 long hair female and 1 short hair female(the runt)-all the same litter.

They didn't have photos of the girl huas on their website so I asked in the store if they had the photos there.  The lady said she had them in the back.

I thought she meant she had the photos, so imagine my surprise when she carried this little cutie-patootey out......

This is Chaca.  A terrible name for an adorable 2 month old puppy.  I held her and got lots of little puppy kisses and nibbles.
And no, I didn't bring her home.  I'm not crazy enough to spend what they were asking for her...Yikes!  Not as bad as the $3500 for a French Bull Dog they had but still........

I don't think Chester would cotton to the competition of another Chihuahua.

Sluggy