Friday, October 12, 2012

Why I Like Gary Johnson

If you've been listening only to the national US Media outlets you have probably not heard that Gov. Gary Johnson is running for President this election cycle along with Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.  Jill Stein of the Green Party is also a national candidate for President, as is Virgil Goode of the Conservative Party. 

Gary Johnson will possibly be on all 50 state's ballots as a choice(as well as the District of Columbia) and at LEAST 48 state's ballots, if the litigation to keep him off the ballot by the Republican Party in 2 states is successful.  He is being challenged in Michigan and Oklahoma by those state's Republican Parties because the Republican Party is scared of losing too many votes to him.  Isn't it nice how the Reps and Dems use the very deep pockets of their national committees to pay lawyers to challenge and exclude viable candidates of other parties off state ballots?


The Democrat National Committee and the Republican National Committee have succeeded so far in keeping Gov. Johnson out of the Presidential Debates, which are controlled by a private corporation founded and staffed by ex-DNC and ex-RNC executives.
The last thing THEY want is an opposing voice in the debates and competition for votes at the polls on November 6th.
We live in a Political Duopoly folks.  The RNC and DNC control the process and limit your choice of who you can vote for in ALL elections in any way they can.  One way is by controlling the media and keeping it from informing the public about having a choice OTHER than Romney or Obama.

Anyway, I digress.....

This post is about Why I Like Gary Johnson and Why I'd Prefer to See Him as President of the U.S. over either "Obamney" candidate. ;-)

1--Gary Johnson is NOT a career politician.  He is an "Outsider".
I agree with the Founding Fathers, in that they did NOT feel our government should be staffed by men who spent their working lives employed as politicians in Washington DC.  No, look back, waaaay back into our history.  Our government use to be staffed with regular men who took time off from their lives and occupation to serve and then left and went back to their 'regular lives'.  Granted, many of those men were LAWYERS in regular life(and none of them were FEMALE), but that's a rant for another time. ;-)
Now we only have career politicians.....career politicians who are rich, because you can't get elected to office in this country anymore unless you have a millionaire's volume of money to run a campaign.  It's VERY easy to exclude anyone without vast financial resources out of politics nowadays.  No wonder the only people who seek/attain high government office are among the 1% in this country!  This is NOT representative of the bulk of our citizens.

Did you know every face on Mt. Rushmore was a political outsider when they ran for President?  So don't think someone who isn't part of the "current" establishment CAN'T run this country.....they have run, they have won and they have done a good job!

Gary was a small business owner.  He served 2 terms as Governor of New Mexico, then he left and went back to his life.  He is running for President because he feels he is called to do so and there is a need for our country to go in a new direction.
Every time the media runs a poll about limiting political terms,  the majority of the public thinks it's a very good idea.  So why do these same polled people keep voting in the same old politicians and parties every election?  You tell me because it boggles my mind!

I know Ross Perot ran as an outsider, non-politician in 1992.....because I voted for him too......so go ahead and blame Clinton on me. lol   Ross Perot has some good ideas but he wasn't "Presidential" material in my book.  He was a genius business man but he lacked political depth.   Plus his running mate, Gen. Stockdale, was akin to Joe Biden.....someone who was clueless about politics and someone NOBODY wanted to see ascending to the Presidency in a crisis!

2--Gary Johnson has climbed Mt. Everest.   Actually I don't care that he's climbed a mountain.//except that it's a metaphor for living your life and not backing down from challenges.
 He's also run Iron Man marathons and other athletic pursuits.  It just shows that there are other sides to him, like you and me.  He's not "just" a politician and it's not the only thing in his life.  Plus he's pretty hot for a man of his age...have you seen him in a pair of bike shorts yet?  ;-)


3--Gary Johnson is fiscally conservative and wants to keep the Government out of your wallet.  He is for smaller government.  Less bureaucracy....less LAYERS of bureaucracy that adds to your tax bill but doesn't make any programs you pay for operate any better.  Plus he believes the government(your tax money)shouldn't be funding certain programs.
Neither Dem or Rep Candidate wants smaller government.  Both are all about big government spending....they just want to spend YOUR money on different things or in different ways, but they still want as much of your money as they can possibly get their hands on.



4--Gary Johnson is socially accepting and wants to keep the Government our of your bedroom.  He is far and away more tolerant and socially accepting than the Dems and their candidate.  Don't agree, go check out the Dems record on civil liberties.  Johnson wants LGBT citizens to enjoy the same rights as Hetero citizens.  He wants to end the War on Drugs, end the current debacle of Immigration Policy, repeal of the Patriot Act and end the Police State that our Government has created.  Those drones being used in Afghanistan?  Wanna bet they'll be coming to YOUR neighborhood in the near future to spy on you as part of the excuse that it's part of the Government's War on Terror/Homeland Security?

5--Gary Johnson is going to work to force the Government to balance the budget.  We are on our way to an economic collapse if things keep going as they are now.  Gary Johnson vetoed more Government spending bills in 2 terms than every other Governor in this country combined did!  750 line item vetoes.  He's serious about cutting the waste in government....it's not just lip service.

6--Gary Johnson advocates for the elimination of the IRS and the Federal Tax System.  He plans to replace it with the Fair Tax System.  Think about having your ENTIRE paycheck instead of what you get after the Government gets it's hands on your wages!  Think about a tax system without all the loopholes for special interest groups both private and corporate.  Think about a tax system that will essentially hand a pink slip to the Washington DC lobbyists culture. Think about a tax system that can fully fund necessary social programs and cost the working man and woman less and doesn't take from both the front end of your wages AND the back end.
I'm going to do a post on the FAIR TAX soon but until then, if you want to read up on it, go HERE.

7--Gary Johnson will demand that the FEDERAL RESERVE be audited.  Did you know that our money is NOT printed by our government, that instead it is printed by a privately held bank?  The Fed is NOT a governmental agency, it is a private bank doing business with the Federal government.  Did you know no one is allowed to see the books of the Fed outside of the board of directors?  So our country is beholdened to a private, secretive company but has little control over it?
It's all more complicated than this but basically Money is created in a Closed Loop system and is loaned to the Government which has to pay interest on this money to the privately held banks.  The interest is paid by us taxpayers in more taxes.   Between the Government debt and our debt, the bankers are raking in the wealth and we all get poorer and poorer and our government goes further into debt.  Go check on one of the many Youtube videos explaining our banking system and try NOT to panic!


8--Gary Johnson has serious experience running things.  Not only did he grow and run a successful contractor business, but he successfully ran the state of New Mexico for 8 years and left office more popular then he was when he began.  He also left the state with better better bottom line, a greatly improved infrustructure and more efficient state programs and bureaucracy.  And he did this all without raising taxes OR laying off state workers.
Governors historically have made some of the best Presidents in this country.  The skill set a governor needs is similar to that of what a president needs. We need to start looking closer at state Governors as potential Presidential candidates!  A good Governor possesses the leadership to be a Statesman and the business acumen to oversee and run our country like a successful business.

9--Gary Johnson believes in a smaller presence outside of our borders.  No more occupying foreign lands indefinitely and jumping into wars outside of our shores.  Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan and bring the troops home NOW!  Stop perpetuating the US Military Complex and spending enough on war and rebuilding countries we destroy, when we could take that same amount of money and feed every single person in American, every day.  Why do we have enemies all over the world?  Because we have become the world's bully in the guise of friendship and help.  We always know what's best for everyone....just like our European forefathers knew what was best for the native peoples in America.  And you all know how it turned out for the Native Americas in that contest!


10--Gary Johnson wants to end the War on Drugs.  It's been a disaster and a failure.  All that money wasted on nonsense.  Didn't we learn anything from Prohibition in the 1920's?  Look at what making alcohol illegal did for us......caused a rise in the Mafia in this country and untold deaths from unsafe bootlegged booze.  Legalize marijuana and control it like those other drugs, alcohol and tobacco.  This would make it safer for the general public and get it out of the hands of organized crime elements.  Not to mention being able to grow hemp in this country.  This cash crop with many applications has been banned in this country for decades due to the DEA's zero tolerance for any product related to Cannabis(and the Wood Pulp lobby which is scared of some competition).  We are missing an opportunity to grow our hemp economy both at home and on the world stage due to this crazy policy stance by our government.

11--Gary Johnson believes in truly Free Markets.  Before you tell me we live in a society/country with Free Markets I will tell you that what you think is a Free Market is not.  We live in a country of Crony Capitalism.  There is no real open market of goods and services.  We are led to believe it is, but we are spoon fed only what the "Powers That Be" want us to have....limited choices.  Especially when it comes to political choices in elected leaders, like Presidents and Congress persons.
A truly Free Market will give rise to true price competition which will drive prices down.  Imagine having medical service's costs advertised and being able to comparison shop for medical services.  Did you know that 150 yrs or so ago we DID have this kind of competition and free market?!  Back before we had a third party(insurance companies) involved in the exchange of services between provider(doctor) and customer(patient) which led to prices charged skyrocketing. 

                                This photo and caption is for SonyaAnn......lolz

12--Gary Johnson makes common sense.  Go ahead.....go listen to Johnson.  Google his name or search on it on YouTube.  Go HERE.  Then go listen to Romney and Obama.  Then tell me which one makes more sense.....which one actually SAYS something you understand and believe in and isn't just "talking the talk" to get elected.

Feel free to agree with me or not.  I'm just trying to get people to wake up and THINK about the choices they make next month when they vote.  Do some research and look at the candidates' track records.
An informed decision is the best decision.

Sluggy

"Live Free!"

Thursday, October 11, 2012

It"s Time Again for Decluttering Porn!...Or Is It?


I have so been out of it the last few months.
So out of the mood for decluttering.
And I've neglected you dear readers so so badly with my lack of decluttering porn.

So without further ado...or is that adieu?......I bring you Porn for Hoarders!

 20 x New in the Box Cherished Teddies


 2 white plastic shelving units

 A crazy goose neck standing Lamp
 Daughter in background Not included.....though some days.......


A box of Power Rangers kid's bedding(sheets, comforters, etc.)

A box of teddy bears, an electrical cord for a light-up house thing, a souvenir hat, and a pile of sheets of stickers and Christmas hangtags.
Notice the Teletubbies Xmas tags.......have I mentioned my youngest child is 16 yet?
Yes, those are "vintage" Teletubbies tags.....lol

This is all I could muster up for this donation trip.
Pathetic, yes?

I began going through my wardrobe(such that it is!)this week to change out the Summer ware for the Fall and Winter ware too.
Usually when I do this change out, I get rid of at least a small trash bag full of old items that either don't fit/are worn out/or I just don't like and don't wear anymore.
Since I stopped compulsively buying new clothes every season change, like the average American woman does, about 5 years ago, it's become harder and harder to find things to send off to a new home(or the trash if it's worn out).  I have been careful about not buying unless something truly needs replacing, and I replace with 1, not 4 more of the same item....except for when I find shoes that actually fit me.
(I have a weird foot shape/size.)
I've gotten down to a smallish wardrobe that seems right for me and my wear patterns.

But this change out?
The thought of impending economic catastrophe was looming in the back of my head as I sat and gave clothing the thumbs up or thumbs down.
As I see inflation increasing almost weekly as I hit the grocery and drug stores(and the gas pump too), I am feeling more of a need to hang onto what I have suddenly.
It's not like I have large piles of extra of things(except for pasta and toiletries)like in the old days.  If I let go of a sweater, I am developing this fear inside that once the SHTF I will have to roll a wheelbarrow full of money down to any of the clothing stores here to purchase a new one.  And the new one is made of inferior material and put together shoddily 2 continents away and won't last me any time at all equal to the number of Washingtons I'd have to put up to acquire it.

Maybe I'll feel less fearful once the election is well over and what I think is going to happen hasn't.....at least I can hope it's not going to come to pass, right?

I think for my sanity and peace of mind, I'll be holding onto my old clothes for a little while longer....just like I want to hang onto as much of my cash as I can for the time being.
So the only Decluttering Porn you'll continue to see here in the near future is of the useless crap kind.

Sluggy

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Go Right to the Source and Ask the Horse.....


Every time you turn on TV you hear some talking head poltico blathering on about how Inflation in the US is NOT as bad as everyone(meaning all of us voters, regular citizens)says it is.  Then they pull out the figures of the CPI, which is short for Consumer Price Index,  to prove to us all that we don't have a clue what we are talking about.
Not that any of these Congress persons can be bothered to actually go to a grocery store and stand in line behind someone in the Express Lane with 74 items....they have illegal immigrants hired employees to do that.
But I digress....

Our politicians tell us that Inflation is not bad or it barely exists at all.
And this ladies and gentlemen is why I know that the people who run our government is full of Horseshit!
Yes, I said Horseshit.



While the current administration is tinkering with the Unemployment Rate numbers(They find a whole pile of jobs that were never counted right after a disastrous debate performance and the Unemployment Numbers go down?  Gee is that not mighty suspicious?!), the fine folks in The Labor Statistics Dept. are cooking the books of the CPI.
The CPI, or Consumer Price Index, is used to measure inflation by tracking the prices of goods and services month to month.  The reported differences from month to month are what give them the Inflation rate that the talking anchor heads screeched about on TV.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, who are responsible for measuring the CPI, uses "a representative basket of goods and services" to chart what we pay to live our lives.  When those same goods cost more the following month, the inflation rate goes up, cost less and it goes down.  Pretty simple and straightforward, right?

Well no....not when put into the hands of governmental agencies!

If you go to the CPI site you will see that the government tracks this CPI using different items in that "market basket".
There is the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), and the CPI for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
The only difference really that I can see between the CPI-W and the CPI-U is that if one looks much worse than the other, the government can use the better one to make it's case that they are doing a splendid job with the economy.
How convenient, right?

The CPI also affects many cash flow mechanisms....meaning that if you are on a Govt. entitlement program, have a job, have insurance, etc., the numbers of the CPI affect what you pay or are paid for your work, your pension, your program payout, etc.

Then there is the Core-CPI.
This is the Holy Grail of CPIs.
The BIG ONE that our leaders use to tell how our economy is faring.

And how do I know that using this Core-CPI is horseshit?

Because the Consumer Price Index the government quotes, passes along to all news outlets and uses to generate the numbers for the inflation rate in our country omits FOOD and ENERGY.
Go google it and see for yourself....I'll wait for you.

Has that tidbit sunk in yet?
They DON'T COUNT what we pay for Food and Energy in the Inflation Rate.

Now tell me......what are 2 of the largest expenditures your average American citizen pays out for every month besides a mortgage or a rent payment?
Food--we all have to eat!
Energy--even IF you don't have to gas up a car to get to work, you have to have heating/cooling/lights in your home.

And they don't include these 2 things because of their volatility.  Prices can swing greatly due to drought for food products and OPEC issues for gas.
Yes, those categories may make the CPI swing widely some months but by excluding them the government gives a very disingenuous picture of what is really going on out in America beyond the Beltway.  It helps whomever is currently in power in DC stay there, but it's doing nothing but harm to the great masses of us average citizens out here in America.

Let me ask you dear readers.....
If you tried to buy every food/HBA item you bought last month, would your total bill be less?....the same?...or more?

If you had to buy the same number of gallons of gas for your car this month as you did last month, would that bill at the fuel pump be less?....how about the same?  No?....how much more?

Have any of your utility bills(electric/gas/cable/phone)gone up recently?  And was there an explanation of why the sudden increase?

Is what it costs you to live your live day-to-day the same or less than it was last month?

Face it America.
The People in Control of your destiny don't give a crap about you and your well being.
This goes across all political party lines folks.
It's not the Rep or Dems oppressing you.
It's those in power of BOTH stripes!


It's the great masses in American against the Ones in Power in Washington D.C. and in the Corporate Boardrooms who are in bed with the Politicians.
It's the 1%.......They are not us.
WE are NOT even on their radar except during election time!

Add in the empty headed Celebrities who are clueless that they are pawns in this game of chess.....they are so eager to be associated with politicians and the politicians are just as eager to take the stacks of cash they offer up on the Altar of  Political Power.

So the next time they start talking about the CPI on TV, feel free to ignore everything else that person says.
Because they are talking horseshit and YOU are NOT a horse's ass.

Sluggy




Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Performing Ponies

Seeing as old Joe Biden is a homeboy around these parts, I love me a good Biden joke.....ok, maybe that's redundant.





Joe Biden, the man who never met a speech he didn't steal.
I can't wait for this Debate Freak Show to start....

Sluggy

Hey Sexy Ladies.....Op, Op, Op, Opa Gungnam Style


I admit it, I have gone NUTS for these "Gungnam Style" Parodies.

Though a bit dated this one is good.....



And then there is this one......



And for all you ComicCon Fans....



Then there is this one for Trekkies....

And if men in uniform turn you on, this is for you....




And take a tour of the Philippines in this one....




And for you political peeps....



And for those of you from the Midwest.....





Sluggy

Rite-Aid This Week--Pillaging on a Monday


Well I never got around to going back to Rite-Aid again last week to do the Spend $10/Get $5 Food Deal.
WAS it $5?....maybe it was $3?!
I can't recall, it's so last week.....lol

I was SO bummed we didn't get the good Regional Ad here that I wanted to break up with my BFF Rite-Aid.
But it's a new week and I'm back.
Yes, I am a fickle BFF....

Here is what I brought home Monday evening.....


First the run down and then I'll chat a bit about it.

2 x Dove Shampoo on sale $3.50=$7.00
2 x Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus on sale $5.00=$10.00
2 x Zicam on clearance(asstd. prices)=$3.98
1 x Colgate toothpaste on sale=$2.99
2 x Fantasy Makers eyeliner glitter stuff on sale BOGO50=$4.48
1 x Thermacare heat pad on sale=$3.00
SubTotal......$31.45

Coupons Used
2 x $1/1 Dove Shampoo ManuQ(inserts)=$2.00
2 x $2/1 Dove Shampoo VV AdPerksQ=$4.00
2 x $1/1 Alka-Seltzer IPQ=$2.00
1 x $2/2 Alka-Seltzer CRT Rite-AidQ=$2.00
2 x $2/1 Zicam IPQ=$4.00
1 x 1/1 Colgate toothpaste ManuQ(inserts)=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Thermacare IPQ(coupons.com)=$1.00
1 x $3/1 Thermacare In-AdQ=$3.00
Coupon Total.....$19.00

$31.45-$19.00=$12.45 + $.24tax=$12.69
I used $12 in +Up Rewards and put the .69¢ on my Rite-aid gift card.

I received back $23 in +Up Rewards ($2 WYB2 Dove, $5 WYB2 Alks-Seltzer, 2 x $4 Zicam, $2 Colgate, 2 x $3 Fantasy Makers).

I am "up" $11 in +Ups this transaction and I grew my +Ups from $16 to $27.

And here is how each deal went down....

* Dove Shampoo is 2 for $7.  After 2 ManuQs and 2 VV AdPerkQs, I "spent" $1.00 for 2 bottles.  Looking at my receipt now I may have screwed this up?  The AdPerkQ says $2 off 2?....was it or was it $2 off 1 Dove 'Poo?  Crap!  I checked it was $2/2....oh well.  I should have paid $1 after Qs and +Ups received, but instead I got paid $1 to buy 2 bottles of  'poo.  I'll go in later this week and see about giving them back $2.  Got to time this so a manager that knows me is there though....if I try to explain this to the new lady, she's going to think I am a nut job!lolol

* Alka-Seltzer is 2 for $10 this week and gives a $5 +Ups.  There are $1/1 ManuQs from a few weeks ago and $1/1 IPQs if you didn't get them, plus some people got a receipt tape a couple of weeks ago for $2/2 Alka-Seltzers(I was among those.lol).  So $10 for 2, subtract $4 in Qs, pay $6 and get a $5 +Up back, makes this .50¢ a box.
If you still have the Load2Card $3/2 Alka-Seltzer on your Wellness card(which will automatically deduct when you buy 2), this becomes a moneymaker deal.....You pay out $3 and get back a $5 +Up.
Sadly I have already used my Load2Card Alka-Seltzer Q. 8-(

* Zicam is on sale $8.99 this week and each purchase gives a $4 +Ups.  If you luck out at your store and find the Zicam boxes that are clearanced(mine where in a basket near the front of the store filled with clearanced items), these 'should' also produce the $4 +Ups.  One of my Zicam rang up $3.32(75%off)and the other rang up .66¢.   I wasn't expecting that low of a price for some reason, and I think my inexperienced cashier hit something untoward to make that price register.  But I am NOT complaining.lol  I was happy to pay $6.64 for 2 and receive $8 in +Ups back but if the Rite-Aid gods feel I should pay $3.98 and receive $8 in +Ups back, so be it.  ;-)
So look around your store for clearanced boxes of Zicam.  One of mine was the mint spray and the other was the allergy swabs.

*  Colgate toothpaste 4 oz. boxes on sale for $2.99.  I used a $1/1 ManuQ, paid $1.99 and got a $2 +Ups back.  Pretty straightforward deal.  Limit of 2.  Though I saw that you can do 2 Colgate items AND 2 Crest items that qualify for this deal. (Colgate toothbrushes and toothpaste qualify as do Crest clinical mouth rinse.)  However, proceed with caution here as YMMV and/or Rite-Aid can change this up at any time.

* ThermaCare wraps....another simple Deal.  On sale for $3, use $3/1 In-Ad Q and it's free.  Buy other stuff with this item and use a $1/1 IPQ for ThermaCare wraps and it's a $1 moneymaker.  These ThermaCare wraps will disappear quickly from the shelves but get a raincheck!  Cut out the In-Ad Q and have the cashier staple it to the raincheck and Rite-Aid will honor that Q when the item comes into the store again, so you still get it for free!

* Fantasy Makers and the other 2 Halloween themed make-up stuff.  The packages vary from $2.99 to $4.99(and maybe more but I didn't see any other prices at my store).  Buy 2/Get 1 50%off.  2 at $2.99/$1.49=$4.48 and you get 2 x $3 +Ups back(Deal limit is 2 +Ups per card.), makes this a moneymaker.  I got some glitter eyeliner stuff.  If I ever go to a Disco Ball again, I am all set! lol



And now the Grand Total so far for October.....

Out Of Pocket....$0.00  cash
Value of items bought.....$111.23
Savings Rate of  100%
Single Check Rebate due....$0.00
Other Rebates due......$0.00
After SCR applied, Out of Pocket.... $0.00
Savings Rate  100%

+Ups at beginning of month...$25.98+
+Ups used....$32.98+
+Ups received...$34.00+
+Ups currently...$27.00+

Sluggy


Monday, October 8, 2012

Food Spending OCTOBER Week 1, Meal Planning Week 2

 

Another Food Waste Poster from the US Food Administration during World War I

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

I never got around to posting a plan so here is what actually got served last week.....at least what little I can remember of last week.....

Sunday--Fish Fry, Chips(as in Fries), Green Beans
Monday--Meatball Subs(homemade)
Tuesday--"BRINNER" This is breakfast for dinner--hash browns, sausage, pancakes, eggs were the options.
Wednesday--Leftovers
Thursday--Corned Beef & Cabbage
Friday--Pizza(I had a gift card)
Saturday--Subway sandwiches

Not a very well-rounded diet last week.  I did dine on spinach salad for lunches myself(we won't talk about the can of ravioli that one day though).  Lunches for the others?.....you'd have to ask them. lol

We did finish up the meatballs, spaghetti and the quiche leftovers from the week before.

The weekly food spending was  a whopping $202.06!  This included reg. purchases, Daughter's spending for work lunches, some stocking up at Weis(pound-me-in-the-ass)Markets and at Big Lots.(More on that later.).
I bought 3.3lbs. of Salmon at Weis,($5.99 lb.) as well as 4 qts. of Greek Yogurt(Cabot for $3 qt.), 8 blocks of Cream Cheese(Weis brand 4 for $5.00), 11 bottles of Ocean Spray Cranberry 100% Juice($2 ea.).  I also did the Buy 10 GG/BC/ assorted brand Items, Get $4 Off Deal.  Not a great deal but I bought the items on sale and used coupons(many of which doubled to $1).  I also did the Pepsico Catalina Deal(Spend $25/Get $5 Cat Q).  Unfortunately the Cat Deals at Weis now are based on Sale price, not Shelf price, so these aren't lucrative as they once were.  But I wanted to get #2 son stocked on junk food so I don't need to buy anymore until next year!lol  As part of that deal I bought 2 x 12 packs of Lipton Tea...they were on sale 2 for $10, I used a $1/2 ManuQ AND I'll get $5 back in my Saving Star account, so in the end the tea got my almost halfway to the $25 I had to spend and the tea ends up costing $4 for both packs.(Word is that SS is taking away the total spend of any coupons so I might have to buy $1 more in Lipton tea to get my $5 back.)

And did I mention that the Catalina Q didn't print?!?!....YET AGAIN even though I was well over the $25 amount?!?!
It just seems to me that not only are the Catalina deals worse(if you can find one!)but a PITA since they never seem to work right around here.....AND I have commented before that they seem to only run them this past year or so for the most processed crap there is!  They use to have a nice mix of items to select from to fulfill these Catalinas so that you could opt for the better, less processed products....Like instead of boxed cookie mixes and Pizza rolls you could get flour instead, or evaporated milk instead of hot chocolate mix, etc.  I use to get some better items and some junky items(at the request of the kids), but more and more I find the only items they offer in these deals are junk and my food bill seems much higher when I do them...even with the Catalina figured in at the end.


I've spent $202.06 of my $400 monthly food budget so far this month and I am not too happy about it overall.

I am going into the new week with these leftovers......Corned Beef and Cabbage.  That is it!

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

This week's menu.....
Sunday--Salmon, Asparagus, Coconut Milk
Monday--Hot Dogs, Corn, Beans
Tuesday--Tuna Helper, Brussel Sprouts
Wednesday--Chicken Parmesan, Caesar Salad
Thursday--Tacos Salad
Friday--Rigatoni w/Sauce, Veg. TBD
Saturday--Leftovers
 
What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....Lettuce.   We need some fruit this week.  I'll try for $10 or less in food spending this week.
Wish me luck....lol


So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy

And The Winner Is........



We had 63 valid Entries for the Boring Blog Box Giveaway this time.
With the assistance of Random Org. I am pleased to announce the Winner of the box of Goodies is......


MARCI!

I follow by email (but I don't want to post my email here- is that OK?)


Please contact me via email Marci(email addy is on the right side bar under "About Me") with your full name and mailing address.  You have 48 hours from when this post publishes to contact me.  If I don't hear from you by the deadline, I'll draw another winner.

Thank you to everyone who played along.
I have another box almost ready to put up for the next giveaway.
Come back soon for that!

Sluggy

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Let's Have Some Fun Today!


First off, I am an equal opportunity "making fun at " person.
Here are a bunch of videos/clips parodying the current political scene.
It's all in good fun and to get you laughing for a change.

First off, the future of our country rests in the hands of people like this?  Please say it isn't so.......





Here's one of my son's favorites......he IS 16 you know so it's annoying as piss!lol....


Then there's this gem....




So much for objectivity in the media....



And here's an early song for Christmas.....




And before you watch the last video, go watch the original one first.  You need to know that Gungnam is a district of Seoul Korea that is like the US's Beverly Hills.  This context helps you enjoy the parody below it even more.......




Now go enjoy this one.....



Now I am off to go learn the Invisible Horse Dance....

Sluggy

Friday, October 5, 2012

Don't Forget to Enter......Last Days!

Just today and tomorrow left to enter my Giveaway so get to it!

Now why would you refuse to let me send you all this?





Just go HERE, read about it and enter.

You could be the next lucky recipient of a Box of Boring Swag but not if you don't enter!
Don't make me beg ya....... ;-)

Sluggy

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Have It Your Way?

Since I don't have to think for myself anymore when it comes to the big choices(thank you Democraps and Repugnicans), I will now worry abut what I CAN control in my life.

Yesterday while I was out "not-so-much pillaging Rite-Aid",  I stopped in at Burger King to pick up #2 Son something to hold him over until after Marching Band Practice.   I also got myself a Whopper Jr(no cheese ever!).
Have you SEEN how small the Whopper Jr. has become?  Can I borrow a line from Seinfeld and say Major Shrinkage??

But wait......here's what I found when I took the top of of my bun......not the misshaped fake tomato in the middle, but around the perimeter.....


No actual onion on the interior of my sandwich, just along the edge!

Here is a close-up......

                                        
                                           And here it is laid on the top of my sandwich.....


KILLER TOMATOES have NUTHIN' on my KILLER RING OF ONION!

Seriously Burger King?   Seriously?!?


Sluggy                                                                                                                                       



The Fall of the Roman Empire Anyone?


".… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses."

--Juvenal  Roman Poet and Satirist




Sluggy

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Rite-Aid Trip......Rotten Week Here

Well we didn't get the awesome Regional Ad, dagnabbit!
No free Compleats, no almost free Shampoo for me.....boo hoo.
I know EVERYONE is crying  at my little pity party, right? lol

So here is what I cobbled together......


2 x Lay's chips on sale 3/$6=$6.00
2 x Hormel chili on sale 2/$3=$3.00
1 x Nutter Butter cookies on sale=$2.99
3 x Milky Way candy bars on sale B2G1Free=$1.98
1 x Gas-X on sale=$4.99
6 x Puffs facial tissue on sale 4/$5=$7.50
1 x Dawn dish soap on sale 4/$5=$1.25
1 x RA brand magic eraser on sale 4/$5=$1.25
SubTotal.....$28.96

Coupons Used
1 x $1/2 Lay's Chips IPQ(Common Kindness site?)=$1.00
1 x $1/2 Hormel chili ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Nutter Butter cookies(Facebook)=$1.00
1 x B2G1Free Milky Way bars IPQ=$.99
1 x $1/1 Gas-X item IPQ=$1.00
1 x $2/1 Gas-X VV AdPerks Q=$2.00
1 x $1/6 Puffs tissue ManuQ(sunday's insert)=$1.00
Coupon Total....$7.99

$28.96-$7.99=$20.97 + .06¢tax=$21.03
I used $20.98 in +Up Rewards and put the .05¢ OOP on my Rite-Aid gift card.
I earned $11 in new +Up Rewards(2 x $2 Puffs/Dawn wyb4, $2 Gas-X, $5 wyb $10 in select food items).  I also have $1.99 tracking toward another $5 wyb $10 of select food items Deal.

I ended up spending "down" $10 in +Ups with this order.
I got junk foods for #2 Son, cookies for us all, 3 candy bars for my secret stash, and facial tissue/soap/eraser cleaner thingy/gas aid we need or will need soon.
The best deal was the Gas-X.  After sale, Qs and +Up it gave back, it was free.

There is almost free Right Guard bar soap in the regular ad but of course, my tiny store had none.  But the shelf of Right Guard Body Wash was OVERFLOWING with product?  What is up with that Rite-Aid!?!?  I did get a raincheck though so I'll cross my fingers that more soap comes in before my Q expires.

I might go down to another Rite-Aid and see if they have any chili so I can do the $5 +Up wyb $10 food again(limit is 2 deals on that one).
Otherwise, I'll just hang on to last week's $5 in +Ups and try to roll it next week before it expires.

Were you lucky enough to get the Regional Rite-Aid ad supplement this week in your area?  If you did, go ahead and tell me about it and rub it in.......sniff, sniff......I can take it.......


And now the Grand Total so far for October.....

Out Of Pocket....$0.00  cash
Value of items bought.....$45.83
Savings Rate of  100%
Single Check Rebate due....$0.00
Other Rebates due......$0.00
After SCR applied, Out of Pocket.... $0.00
Savings Rate  100%

+Ups at beginning of month...$25.98+
+Ups used....$20.98+
+Ups received...$11.00+
+Ups currently...$16.00+

Sluggy




$20K Savings Challenge....SEPTEMBER Update

As promised, this will not be pretty. 8-(

Ok, here is my SEPTEMBER Savings Challenge Update post for 2012.
This post is NOT about bragging or showing off.  It's just what we are able to save given our income and being able to hang tough against "unconscious" spending.  Ok....not so much this month, but in general. lol

Just to update, My Savings Goal for the Year in 2012 is $20,000.  It's well below what I've saved in previous years I know.  But we also have a goal of paying for 4 home improvement projects at Chez Sluggy this year.  We plan on cash-flowing these projects with the additional money we save and/or our income tax refund.
Our background info--We are a family of 5(kids are 21-16)with one living away from home.  We have 2 dogs. We own 4 cars at present and live in/own free & clear a 4 bedroom house in a small town.

On to the September report.....

I have posted my SEPTEMBER End of Month $20K $AVING$ CHALLENGE Totals.
Check out the side bar to your right for the specific numbers.

I have 2 goals each month.....
The 1st is to actually finish each month in the black and not the red.
The 2nd is to hit the targeted savings amount of $1,666.67.

I have to report that we finished up September in the RED!
The extra cash amount we ended the month of September with?.......Negative $153.54
So we went backwards and are now $153.54 further away from our goal for the year.
meh.

Income
We had -$236.86 left over from our income after our monthly expenses were deducted.
Luckily we had a Stock Dividend, a car insurance Reimbursement and some Bank Interest to offset this net loss for September.  This combined $83.32 brought our net less down to -$153.54 for September.
Yes folks, the loss could have been worse without this little bit of income.


Outgo
The usual along with large irregular bill AND an unexpected/unplanned for expense converged on September to make it our worst month for savings since I can remember.
As for the expenses this September......

HERE are the GOOD THINGS
* The school taxes were paid and planned for so the money was there.
* The credit card bill decreased by $250.85.
* The cash withdrawals went down $550.

HERE are the BAD THINGS
*  The water bill went up $26.62-this was mostly due to Hubs closing the pool for the winter.
*  The electric bill went up $5.42.
* 2 unexpected car repairs totaling $1,551.75. Yah, THAT was the real bad ones.

The Food Budget costs for SEPTEMBER are in another post, which is located HERE.

YEAR-TO-DATE GRAND TOTAL.....
With 9 month behind us, our Savings Grand Total for 2012 is at  $16,215.75.
Not only did we NOT save the $1666.67 we need to each month in September, but we lost $153.54 toward the goal that we had saved up to this point.
Luckily though, we had a few "better than our monthly goal" months so far so we are still on track to get to our $20K mark by the end of 2012.
With 9 months done, we should be at $15,000.03  saved for the year, so we are still $1K+ ahead.

At this point, I need to come up with $3,784.25 for the rest of the year to make my $20K goal.  This breaks down to $1,261.42  per month for the next 3 months.  Unless something untoward happens we should be able to meet this goal.

As for a look ahead at OCTOBER.......

*  No irregular bills are due this month.
*  Normal bills only are expected.
*  We have a trip to take so there will be some additional spending but it will not affect the budget.  Any cash needed for that will be taken out of the money I saved in 2011 for my Savings Challenge.


So how was your September financially?
Did you spend less than you made?
Did you stay within your budget or not?
How much did you save in September?  Did you use it to pay down debt or build your Emergency Fund?

Even if what you are able to save each month doesn't look like a lot of money, figure out what percentage of your income you saved.  You might feel that it's a more substantial amount in those terms!
We saved 12.71% of our take home income in August.  My goal is to shoot for 50% each month.
Our heavy expenses in August had us fall short of my goal.

Leave a comment and share with us what you did with your money, both the good and not-so good.
Did you have debt you were able to pay on?
Did you pay off a car, a house or a credit card?
Did something financial blow up on you last month?
What are you doing financially to change your life?

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

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

SEPTEMBER 2012 Budget Results....Food & Toiletries Spending




Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for SEPTEMBER 2012.

I have posted September's totals on the right side bar under Total Grocery Savings for 2012 and updated the Yearly Totals.
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 for the Totals Summary.

My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Pet Supplies, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods & tax where applicable.We are a family of 5(3-4 at home this month)& 2 dogs. No kids under 16.
******************

BREAD OUTLET
OOP   $20.89
Value   $73.21
Savings  71.46%

BIG LOTS
OOP   $15.12
Value   $21.79
Savings   30.61%

GERRITY'S
OOP   $7.00
Qs/Ads  $2.45
Value  $9.45
Savings  25.92%

RITE-AID
OOP  $38.65
Qs/Ads/+Ups/Gift Card  $523.23
Value  $561.88
Savings   93.12%

SHURSAVE STORES(small local independent affiliated stores)
OOP  $138.18
Qs/Ads  $93.06
Value  $231.24
Savings  40.25%

WEIS MARKETS
OOP  $204.76
Qs/Ads  $158.14
Value  $362.90
Savings  43.58%

I don't track Rite-Aid's +Ups here, nor 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 RECEIVED IN September
Rite-Aid Single Check Rebate for July
Total...$6.00

GIFT CARDS and CERTIFICATES
TOTAL Value of Cash/Store Checks/Gift Card Rebates Received...$0.00

COUPONS and FREEBIES
Nothing.

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were the Rite-Aid at 93.12%,  the Bread Outlet at 71.46%, and Weis at 43.58%.  l shopped at 6 different stores this past month.


TOTAL Out of Pocket........$424.60
TOTAL Coupons & Store Sales Savings...$808.95
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased............$1,233.55
TOTAL Savings of...................................65.58%

TOTAL Out of Pocket after Rebates received this Month......$418.60
TOTAL Savings after Rebates of..........................66.07%

This closes out the September spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....

I went into September with $400 budgeted for food/toiletries for the month.  I obviously blew through that mark plus another $18.60.   I know I did a bit too much stocking up on a few things and I bought a few too many snack foods for #2 son.  It's nothing I can't live with though.
My grocery savings hovered at below 45% for September.  I used very few Qs this month.  This lack of coupon usage seems to be a theme with me lately.  I do still buy on rock bottom price(or at least very good sale price) but don't find Qs much here for food items I want/need to buy.

 
LOOKING AHEAD TO OCTOBER......

I will be keeping my food budget at $400 for October.  We don't have any special dinners or holiday food spending this month.  I've already bought the Halloween candy to give out, but that came out of another pile of money that isn't the Food Budget anyway.
I'm going to try to cut back on spending a little this month but I'll leave the $400 budget in place since I now give Daughter a portion of the food Budget each month for her to buy convenience foods to take to work for her meal there.  The portion she spends is unpredictable so far.  I'll try to keep track the next few months to see if I can pin down how much it needs to be monthly and adjust my spending accordingly.
Hopefully I'll have a little leftover from my budget when the month is over but it is not guaranteed.

How did you do in September with your Food Budget?
Did you stick to it?
Did you find any good rock bottom prices to stock up on groceries?

Please leave a comment or link to your post and let us hear about your progress!  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

Monday, October 1, 2012

Judy's BACK & Precious is Still MIA!




We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog post to bring you breaking news......Judy is Back!

You can go find her here at When I Get Where I'm Going.
Tell her Sluggy sent ya! ;-)

In other news.....Precious's  Frugal Makes Cents blog is still showing that "Invited Readers Only" Message.  Has anyone gotten invited to read her blog and/or has anyone heard from her that she is ok?
We would appreciate knowing if you have, thanks!

Now I need to go outside and wrestle with a massive green bean vine or seven!  The vine is done producing beans so it's time to tear it out before it starts decaying and kills my allergies.(I am allergic to dead leaves.)
Then there are Rite-Aids to pillage........*sigh*....my work is never done. ;-)

I might or might not be back later with my Meal Planning Post today.
If not then I'll get it up on Tuesday.

Don't forget to enter my Giveaway HERE.  You can enter it daily until it closes on Sunday, October 7th at 11:59pm.  There are $50+ worth of toiletry products in there so get going!!  You gotta be IN IT to WIN IT.  ;-)

Sluggy


Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Boring Blog Box Giveaway.....FINAL WEEK TO ENTER!

Time for another......

Sluggy's BORING BLOG BOX GIVEAWAY!
Here's how it works.....
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.

Week 4  and here is what went into the Box today.....



1.  Crest Clinical Mouth Rinse
2.  2 x Johnson & Johnson Soap Buddies bars
3.  Visine Eye Rinse

If this is your first time, please go read all the rules for these Giveaways HERE.  *As always, if you are located outside the US, you CAN enter and win but weight restrictions/shipping costs may mean your prize box will contain less items.*

***Time to enter.....You can enter on this Giveaway post until the end of this Giveaway which will be October 7th at 11:59pm Eastern Time.

1 entry per person per day on THIS POST.
Leave your name/email addy and a COMMENT on this post.  

This week I want to hear about if you put up any fruits or vegetables, as in canning.  What type of foods do you can.  How long have you been canning?  Do you do both water bath and pressure canning?
Me?....I put up Pepper Relish this year.  Years past I've also canned assorted jams and tomatoes.  I only know how to do water bath canning as I've never had access to a pressure canner.

You can come directly to this blog post or find it through the link on the right side bar to leave 1 comment per day.  The current Giveaway Post will be linked right at the top of the side bar.

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.

There are 2 ways to get 2 EXTRA entries on this and each new Giveaway Post.......

1. Put my blog on your blog's Blogroll.  Leave an extra comment for this entry on THIS POST with the URL of your blog so I can go check it out. **If I'm already on your Blogroll, say so in an extra entry comment once each week of this giveaway.
2.  Blog about this Giveaway on your blog with a link to this post.  Leave an extra comment for this entry on THIS POST with a link to your blog post so I can go view it.  You can do this extra entry once each week of this giveaway.

Remember-this Giveaway ends nest Sunday,  October 7th at 11:59pm Eastern Time.  I will draw a winning entry randomly from all valid entries received on Monday, October 8th and post the winner.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond via email.  If they don't I'll pick another winner at random until someone claims the prize.

Here is everything that is now in the box that's up for grabs.....Yes, you get it ALL!

1 bottle of Garnier Fructis Shampoo
1 Dog Frisbee (from Purina Fit & Trim)
1 box of Reach Dental Floss
1 tube of Colgate Toothpaste
1 Air Wick air freshener
1 Halloween miniature stuffed M&M plush
3 sample sized products--Colgate wisps, Eucerin lotion, Pledge wipes
1 tube of Pepsodent Toothpaste
1 Oral-B battery powered toothbrush
1 Scotch pop-up wrist tape dispenser1 Crest Clinical Mouth Rinse
2 x Johnson & Johnson Soap Buddies bars
1 Visine Eye Rinse
That's over $50 in total retail value.  Don't believe me?.....go check out the prices in the stores. ;-)


Any questions on the Giveaway?  Just email me.

Happy Entering!! 

Sluggy

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Finishing Up This Week at Rite-Aid


Ok, since it's Saturday, the last day of the sale so nobody needs/wants to see the big honking long breakdown of what I bought and what I paid, etc. PLUS.....after the week I had, the week of buying and returning crap because I couldn't figure out which toothpaste qualified to which deal(Yes! I am THAT dense some days.), I don't even think I can remember how it all went down. 
So I am just doing 1 big lovely photograph and summing up the totals for what turned out to be 7 separate transactions over the course of 4 days.

But first.....to refresh your memory of what I bought on Tuesday.....


And now, for your viewing pleasure, as Paul Harvey would have said, "Here's the rest of the story.".....


7 tubes of Crest Toothpaste
6 boxes of Kotex Tampons
6 bags of Brach's Sugar Crack
4 sleeves of Incense
2 packets of Sashet
2 Oral-B Toothbrushes
2 bottles of Scope
1 box of R-A brand Tea Bags(only $1!)
2 bottles of Nexxus Shampoo
2 bottles of Clean & Clear Face Wash
4 tubes of Olay Cleaners (thanks Sheila!)
I also got a blue step stool(a house full of short people can always use another step stool)on 75% clearance that isn't pictured.  It qualifies for the $5 wyb2 items Gracious Living SCR EXCEPT I can't find any more Gracious Living items to buy to get to 2 items purchased to get the rebate.  It was honestly the LAST Gracious Living item in a 4 store area.  bleh.
But I'm keeping it anyway....

Total spent OOP......$3.09 put on my Rite-Aid gift card
Total value of items....$173.71
Total +Ups used.....48.00+
Total +Ups gotten.... 59.98+
Total +Ups left.....25.98+
Plus I got $1.50 cash back after a transaction when a coupon was missed.
AND the $20 Nexxus purchase will get me a $5 cash rebate from SavingStar.

I think I actually spent more than $48 in +Ups but my head hurts already from staring at these receipts so I am going to call it all good and leave it at that. lol
I just know I have $25.98 in +Ups left now & I didn't spend any cash. 8-)

I am so done with Rite-Aid this week!
Next week for me will be light--some lunch meal thingys for Hubs, some Puffs facial tissue, dish soap, Comet, Herbal Essence shampoo, chili, chips, R-A brand paper towels....on second thought, next week might not be so light!lol
I don't see anything that will be free so far.   Just cheap and/or cheaper than getting it at the grocery stores here.

Have you decided what you'll be popping into Rite-Aid for next week?


And now the Grand Total so far for September.....

Out Of Pocket....$38.65  cash
Value of items bought.....$561.88
Savings Rate of  93.12%
Single Check Rebate due....$10.00
Other Rebates due......$3.00
After SCR applied, Out of Pocket.... $25.65
Savings Rate  95.43%

+Ups at beginning of month...$18+
+Ups used....$160+
+Ups received...$167.98+
+Ups currently...$25.98+

Sluggy

Is It October Yet?



September has kicked my butt in the financial realm of things.
When we finally bid it adieu on Monday, I won't be longingly looking back at it....no siree!

I am known far and wide for my skinflint ways.
But even as uber frugal as I can be, the expenses were out of hand for September!
The ones that I could plan for I did, but there were unplan-able ones as well.
It all converged into the Perfect Storm and wiped my budget out!
ugh

Yes, having a month where you bring in LESS than you need to spend happens.
Even too me.....
Shocking I know, right?!?! lol

But you know what?
It's not the end of the world around here.

Mostly because we don't make a habit of it.
We don't spend every blessed nickel we make each month, every month.
We put aside a nice chunk of our income each month.
So that when something happens in any given month....like this one!.....we have money to spare to get us past the ugliness of spending more than we made in September.

Having a bad month or three can happen, even if you do everything right.
Having bad months happen on a regular basis though, means you need to rethink what you are doing with your money.

Sometimes the Universe IS out to get you.....and sometimes you are your own worst enemy and create your own problems by not planning and sticking to that plan.

The take away for me on September?
Using it as a reminder that given the choice, living below ones means is always the best plan.
And how!

Well everybody come on back in a few days when I have to do my Savings Challenge Post for September and you can gawk at just how badly the month was for our finances.

Sluggy

Friday, September 28, 2012

Today's Theme Is......




Since we were on the topic.....We were?!?!......I must update you on this globe crisis.
Is it global warming?
Is it extremist radical religious fanatics?

WORSE!

Take a look....HERE.


And then go check this out......

Sometimes I think I live under a rock.
I had no clue about this group of folks and the "Culinary Magic" they pull off online.
I showed it to my teens and they rolled their eyes and said, "Yah MOM....we've seen it like, a hundred times!  Geez.....*insert eye rolls*......"

Anyway, go have a look at these crazy Canadians and smile....or laugh out loud like I did and have a Good Friday!





Sluggy

Thursday, September 27, 2012

A Letter to Anonymous Who Thinks I am Poisoning My Dogs


Dear Anonymous Reader and Wannabe Commentor,

Thank you for reading my blog first off.
I love readers!
And thanks a lot for attempting to leave not one but TWO comments on the blog.
Comments on a blog post from 2+ years ago.

Two Comments that basically asked me what is wrong with me as a human being and accused me of being stupid and for trying to intentionally poison my dogs.

Because I buy canned mass produced dog food and feed it to my pets in small quantities, along with some kibble and the 'people' food I also use to augment their diets.

       One of my poor unfortunate "victims".  Doesn't her expression just say I am a monster?

And thank you for providing me with a website address to check out, where I can purchase other mass produced kibble and wet food for my pets, that this website says is much better nutritionally than what I buy.
Tell me Anonymous....do you profit from sales made by this website in any way, shape or form?
Or are you truly leading me onto the path of better pet nutrition for only altruistic reasons?

Is this part of a personal Crusade to make all pet owners who can't or don't or even won't spend ridiculous amounts of money on a pet feel badly?

Or do you just like to go around and tell everyone who doesn't spend $200 a month on ready-made pet foods, or doesn't want to/or can't spend all their time homemaking by-hand, food for their pets, that they are the scum of the earth?

Tell me........are you or have you ever been a member of PETA?
I bet you want to come here and liberate my dogs from my cruel and inhumane treatment right this minute, don't you?

If that would float your boat, feel free to come and get them!  And you can take over the vet bills, medications, grooming costs, the cleaning up after them costs,  as well as the food costs associated with them.

      Another mistreated animal in my care.  Somebody call the authorities!

Sorry I don't live up to your expectations as a pet owner.
But you see, I have these things called children too.
In the Family hierarchy here, spending money on the care and feeding of my children outranks that of my
animals.
The pets get adequate care, medical attention, fresh water, walks, sunshine, grooming and lots of belly rubs and ear scratches.
Oh and love too.
I think they have reconciled themselves to their awful fate so go find someone else to chastise and make feel badly.

Signed,

Sluggy--the unfit dog mother



Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Preying On the Lonely


If you are a woman out there looking for a good man, please watch this and take heed.
This is a tv news report from my area about a skanky guy who really deserves to be stung up and then authorities need to let a whole bunch of women he duped go after his "junk" with dull plastic butter knives.

If you are using the internet maybe you should rethink that online dating thing after watching this........



Sluggy

What I Bought At Rite-Aid This Week


I didn't get to the store until Tuesday night but here is what I bought......


2 x Tampax on sale $3.50=$7.00
2 x Nexxus Shampoo w/20% wellness discount $5.03=$10.06
2 x Oral-B toothbrushes on sale $2.99=$5.98
2 x Brach's candy corn on sale 2/$2=$2.00
1 x Olay Regenerist Cleanser w/20% wellness discount=$6.63
SubTotal....$31.67

Coupons Used
2 x $3/1 Tampax Radiant(from inside last 2 packages I bought)=$6.00
2 x $3/1 Nexxus item IPQ(Walmart site)=$6.00
1 x $1/2 Oral-B or Crest complete item ManuQ(P&G insert)=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Oral-B Oral Care Book Q=$1.00
1 x $1.50/2 Brach's candy items IPQ=$1.50
1 x $7 In-Ad Regenerist Q=$7.00
Coupon Total....$22.50

$31.67-$22.50=$9.17
I used $9 in +Up Rewards to pay and put the .17¢ on my Rite-Aid gift card.

I received back $7.98 in +Up Rewards(1 x $1 wyb2 Brach's, 1 x $1 wyb2 Tampax, 2 x $2.99 Oral-B).
So all this "cost" me $1.02 in +Ups.

The Tampax Radiant with this symbol and wording......


Have this inside.....


A $2/1 Tampax Radiant Q.....along with a $1/1 Venus, $1/1 Cover Girl and a $1/1 Always radiant Q.

Last time I bought these the Tampax Q was for $3/1(which are the Qs I used on this transaction).

If they hadn't made these Qs $1 less, everyone who buys 2 boxes this week can open them up and use the Qs inside to get them for FREE after getting the $1 +Up wyb2 back.  Now?  You end up paying $1 a box after the sale/Qs/+Up back on 2.  So much for my evil plan to get 8 boxes free(using my card and B-IL's card).

Curses.....thwarted again!
Well played Rite-Aid, well played...... ;-)

The plan now is to maybe do the Tampax Deal again this week, since with these Qs and after $1 +Ups I get back, they will "cost" me $1 a box.  I liked it so much better when they were FREE! lol

The definite plan is to do more candy corn.......candy corn=sugar crack!.......more toothbrushes(on B-IL's card)......and buy $10 more in Nexxus and get the $10 +Up Rewards(for buying $20 total).

And if some promised Qs from a blogging friend get here in time, more Olay Regenerist products.....because we all know how vain I am about my beauty.......snort.......

What are you buying at Rite-Aid this week?


September Grand Totals so far.....

Out Of Pocket....$38.65  cash
Value of items bought....$388.17
Savings Rate of  90.04%
Single Check Rebate due....$10.00
Other Rebates due......$3.00
After SCR applied, Out of Pocket.... $25.65
Savings Rate  93.39%

+Ups at beginning of month...$18+
+Ups used....$112+
+Ups received...$108+
+Ups currently...$14+

Sluggy

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Something To Think About.......

Hubs & I spent Saturday afternoon taking a walk.  It was a lovely day so we got some exercise and went strolling.......through a graveyard.

Yes, I am strange that way. ;-)

I took a photo of this headstone to share with everyone.
I thought it was "wonderful"........



Isn't that great?
When you go, will someone think THAT highly of you that they want to say this about you into eternity?

No recounting of his titles in life or the high station he held(if any).  This epitaph blows away the ones I've seen extolling a list of accomplishments on far grander monuments.

This one gets it right.
It's not about WHO you are/were in life, it's about how you treated those around you.
Isn't it?

I wish I had had a chance to know just how wonderful Bennett Ruddick was, don't you?! 8-)

Who would have thought I'd find an Affirmation like this in a Cemetery......

Sluggy