An extra day!

It's leap day- an extra day to enjoy and get things done.
What do you have planned for today?
I am going to work out, make my cake for cake class tomorrow, clean house and then tonight we are going out w/ friends to celebrate my completion of classes!

Here's how I did w/ my February grocery/walgreen's budget:
Spent: $218.60
Would have been $481.57 without the coupons/sale price combinations :)

Project 365 update!

Photo 56:I've put 3,000 miles on my car in 8 weeks. Yikes.

Photo 57:

The amazing Atherton hotel room I stayed @ and spent many hours cramming my brain full of test information.

Photo 58:

Mallorie is an amazing friend. In the midst of my cram session, she brought me homemade lasagna and a carrot cake cupcake. I have never been so happy to have homecooked food!

Photos for day 59:

I'm done w/ coursework FOREVER!

And I came home to these a sweet note from Brandon :)

WFMW: measuring

It's WFMW!

Since I started taking my Wilton cake class, I have needed to measure ALOT of crisco/shortening.
I learned a simple trick from our class instructor:

When measuring Crisco- tear off some plastic wrap, and smush it down into your measuring cup. Then measure out your Crisco.
When level, pull @ the plastic wrap, and it comes straight out.
Also, you don't have any greasy mess to clean up!I've used this trick with other sticky/messy ingredients too, and it works like a charm.

Make sure and check out more WFMW tips @ rocksinmydryer.typepad.com

grocery prices....& oh yeah, finals.

Tonight on the news I saw an interesting report about grocery prices going up....prices on things like eggs and wheat.
I feel like this grocery price hike hasn't really affect our budget, but I figure even with coupons it will eventually. I wonder if more people will start couponing, stockpiling so that they can afford to eat what they usually do? Do you think it will affect your budget?
Something to keep an eye on while we're shopping frugally @ the store.

I got up early and drove over to Stillwater for the LAST time (at least for classes) this morning. I was a little freaked out on how to get organized for these upcoming 3 finals- but as usual, my friend Melissa helped me get squared away.
I've been in a funk all day- I am just needing to be more trusting that God brought me this far, and I just need to do what needs to be done to wrap up this semester.
I got an email from my professor- the 8:45am Thursday final- she sent us the 1st 8 essay questions to review before the exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! It's a finals week miracle :)

I haven't been a computer where I can upload my photos.....I'll update my project 365 photos once I get back home.

this week.....

I won't be around as much this upcoming week due to finals! But, come Thursday afternoon- I'm done w/ coursework forever!!!!!

I didn't do much couponing this past week- I feel like a bit of a frugal failure. The grocery store I go to across town didn't have much, so Brandon and I just went to Target and got what we needed. I still saved $10 @ Target, but it's not as fun as my $40-$70 savings at the grocery store.

What do you do on your off-couponing weeks? Do you stockpile? Do you meal plan?

Cake #2

Here's my 2nd cake :) It's strawberry w/ vanilla filling. We can't wait to cut into it!

Wii! (Photo 53)

My parents (well, Nannie and I got it for them, but that's another story!) got a Nintendo Wii last weekend, and it's a blast!

We went over to my parents house last night, and played for a few hours. Even Nannie and Papa tried.

Here's mom attempting boxing......

Photo 51 & 52

Photo 51.......a guilty pleasure :) I have never eaten @ this diner by campus. My friend Mallorie loves the place, so we went and I tried their 'famous' crepe's. Mmm- it was good!

Photo 52.....all I do is study! Only ONE MORE WEEK!

Photo 50

Seems like I'm always packing!!

Brandon has to go on a short business/training trip, so instead of staying 1 night with Chelsea in Stillwater, I'm going to stay 2.

This will be my last time to stay with Chels- the end of commuting is near!

(next week we're splurging and I'm staying at that amazing hotel on campus)

Why are we frugal?

I really enjoyed reading Jennifer's take on why they are frugal, so I decided to steal her idea and do my own post.
You can read Jennifer's take on $ management, couponing and being frugal here: http://allthingsfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-reasons-for-all-things-frugal.html

Why am I frugal?
Well, back in July I discovered couponing. Since then, I've cut our monthly food and necessities budget from $80 a week down to an average of $30 a week. (keep in mind- some weeks are better than others! Like, $9.82 on groceries last week, when the week before I spent $50)

Since I started couponing, we've made other simple lifestyle changes to become more frugal:

• we order water to drink when we go out to eat
• we wait for clothing to go on sale before purchasing (ex- old navy and gap sales!)
• we plan more of our trips around town to save gas
• we usually eat out on 'special' nights- ex- 3.99 enchilada night
• both of us only have lunch out 1x a week (if that) w/ work friends, etc.
• We have a set budget we follow for all expenses now

Reasons why we want to remain frugal?

1. we'd like to buy a house this year, and we are saving for the down payment
2. we are credit card debt free, and plan to stay that way
3. we will need to buy Brandon a new car when his dies :(
4. I'm ALMOST done w/ graduate school- and we will have to start paying the student loans back.

Our main goal $ wise for the future is to never live above our means. Once I start working full time, I think it will be easier to over-spend and become a little bit more relaxed on our budget. But, we'll evaluate that when the time comes :)

So, why do you coupon? Or why are you frugal?

Photo 49

I haven't been to Walgreens in a while! I love the Loreal True Match makeup, and for 5.99 that's better than the b1g1 free sales they run sometimes.

Here's what I got tonight:
6 Loreal True Match make-up products- 5.99 each after instant coupon
2 Jane eye shadows- 4.49 for 2
Total before sale/coupons: $72.39
- 5 $2/1 Loreal Manf. coupons
- $1/1 Loreal manf. coupon
- 2 $2/1 Jane coupons
- $3.30 rebate gc
- $2.86 rebate gc
Total spent? $23.74

Photo 48

We decided to do a little spring cleaning today, and here's what I have to show for it-a clean master bedroom closet!
I'm so blessed to have a husband who enjoys cleaning :)

What came in the mail today.....

I passed my national boards!

I made a 640 and I needed a 600 to pass. Now, just have to finish my OSU Comp's (which I take this Friday), pass my finals next week, and complete my internship.

I'll be an offical Speech Language Pathologist May 2nd!

Frugal Friday- photo 46

Total spent: $9.86
Total before coupons & sales: $45.35 (78% savings)

6 boxes of Kellogg's cereal- FREE to $0.42 each
6 boxes of Pillsbury cake mix- $0.09/box
grapes- $1.49/lb
2 pot pies- $0.44 each
bread- $1.29
Cheez its- $1.49
Milk- (used my last $1 peelie) $1.98

Target deals!

Just got back from Target- look @ what I got for $22.86:2 Hershey's 100 calorie snack pack candy/etc.- 1.49 each
2 Hershey's Kisses- 1.29 each (i love this flavor!)

socks for me-1.49

shirt for me- 3.50

heart cookie pan-2.49

playdough pack (for when I start working)-3.49

pencils- .25 a package

red tissue paper- .50

o-cel-o sponges- .99 each

sprinkles- .99

4 pack of dishcloths- 1.49

book for Audri- .50

Total before sale & coupons: $50.72

They had some great Starbucks gift sets and a TON of girls clothes 50% off as well....if you need any of that kinda stuff, go check it out!

.

And- just a shamless picture post....

Brandon brought home these flowers yesterday and we went out to Sho-Gun's last night to eat......this was one of the best Valentine's days by far!

Happy Valentine's Day (and photos!)

What a whirlwind these past couple days have been.

Photo 44- (2/13)

I usally stay Wed. evenings in Stillwater. Brandon came over after work, and we stayed at the Atherton- this really nice hotel in the Student Union.

We've always wanted to stay there- and when we found out they had a really good commuter student rate, we jumped at the chance.

After dinner, we decorated cookies with Mallorie!

Photos for Day 45-

Brandon gave me my Valentine's card a little early- and a "cuddle bear". Too cute! We are going out to a nice dinner tonight, and I think he has more up his sleeve.......

Before we left Stillwater, we had lunch w/ my Grandbob and Grandbe. They've been married over 50 years! And we just love spending time with them.

Photo 43

Love, hugs and kisses

printable coupon

Here's a .75/1 Hostess 100 calorie pack of muffins or coffee cakes!
This would go great with Target's .75/1 Hostess coupon :)

Enjoy!
http://hostesscakes.com/100/coupon_page.aspx

(I think you may have to register w/ Hostess to acess this coupon, but it's free to register and then they'll send you these coupons)

freebies

You know how I got that box of goodies a few days ago?
I signed up for a promotion like this one! So, here's the link- go and sign up for free stuff......

http://www.cleanhomejournal.com/offers/Feb4th08/Default.aspx

From their site:
Gift Packs will be mailed April 15th

The first 10,000 people* to respond will receive a Clean Home Journal™ Fresh Starts Gift Pack, which includes the following FREE full size samples:

Glade® Air Infusions®
Ziploc® Brand Zip 'n Steam™ Microwave Steam Cooking Bags (one pack of 10 medium-size bags)
And more! Each gift pack also comes with coupons—with a total value of $20.00—for some of your favorite SC Johnson products.

Photo 42...a case of the Monday's

Every Monday, Mazzio's runs a carryout special. While I'm in school- this is our constant Monday night dinner:

1 lg. pizza, thin crust, 1/2 sausage and the other 1/2 cheese.

For $6.99 and the convience, I think it's well worth it.

On a constant side note-I can't wait for school to be done!

I think I did pretty good on my test today- 40 questions were t/f, which I stink at. But, there was no better way for me to prepare for them, so what can a girl do?

Photo 41

I'm over the stomach flu, but we stayed home from church today so I could rest up.

Brandon's got his new computer all put together....so my photo of the day is him w/ his new toy :)

coupon find

Found this coupon online this morning for $1 any 1 neutrogena facial care product @ Target. Could be a good deal....I need to go up there and price some stuff and see if they have any trial sizes!
http://sites.target.com/site/en/spot/page.jsp?title=coupon_neutrogena
Enjoy!

Photo 40

I seem to have gotten that stomach flu that's been going around. It's a beautiful day here and I haven't even left the house.....

In the mail today came one of the freebies I signed up for from SE Johnson. Over on HCW they have a whole thread dedicated to freebies- and that's where I found this link for this. Look @ what all I got! I couldn't believe it. I think this tops the $5 Wal-Mart gift card I got in the mail last month :)

Only downfall is the ziplock bags are all Christmas/Winter themed- but I'll save 'em til next year.

Frugal Feb. Friday!

I think I'm coming down with that bug that's going around...but I still did my grocery shopping for the week and plan to try and scrapbook tonight.


Here's how I did today:


Spent $54.33 for:
5-Macaroni and Cheese- .29 each
2 Sister Schubert's rolls- $1.50 each
1 Ragu- $1
2 Hot chocolates (not on sale)
Mayo- 2.29
3 Dole fruit cups- free and $1/2
2 boxes cheez-its- $1.49 each
4 glad bags- .89 each

3 lbs of ground beef- $4.20 (all the meat I got was marked down for quick sale)
1 lb. of extra lean beef already chopped up for stew, etc.- 2.57
4 boneless sirloins- $3.74

2 quaker oatmeals- free!
2 pillsbury cookie doughs- $1 each
2 pillsbury brownies- $1 each
pudding cups- $1
Eggs- 1.55 a dozen (organic)
Milk- 2.24
table salt- .49
bread- 1.99
Real Simple Magazine- $2.50


Total before coupons? $106.70

Photo 37 & 38

I'm behind on my blogging!

I only have 3 more weeks of actual graduate school classes, then my internship....then graduation on May 2nd! I can't wait! I have alot on my plate til' then.

Photos for Day 37:

When we lived in Stillwater- this was one of our favorite places to eat. I had dinner w/ Liz here tonight.....I'll miss this place!

The construction side of the football stadium- the sheer magnitude of it blows me away. Where the bowl-ed out portion is, used to be a street I'd walk down to get to class, games, concerts, etc.

Day 38:

It snowed a little on my way home! Luckily, nothing stuck.

WFMW: HCW and scrapbook online shopping

It's another WFMW! And it'ss themed- our favorite web shopping sites.

My most favorite site to visit while online is http://www.hotcouponworld.com/ . I don't actually shop from this site, but I get all my information about my weekly shopping trips from it- so I think that counts. I look up Target, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and my local grocery store, Homeland to match my coupons to their weekly sales. I love it! Check out other parts of my blog to get more couponing info if you are interested.

My favorite online scrapbooking store is http://www.customcrops.com/ . I don't order much from the internet, but they have the best prices on the Cricut cartridges that I am interested in. They have very speedy shipping and I just love their customer service!




What are you favorite online stores?


Check out more online shopping info over @ http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/

ebay update

I bought this baby gap swimsuit for .99 at a local thrift store- I made a $6 profit off of it! Not bad! I can't really shop around right now w/ school winding down- but after that, I hope to get back into this ebay stuff and become a pro like Allison!

photo 36

My photos have been dull lately......Brandon has been saving $$ from his graduation (back in May) for a computer. He's really researched it out, etc. and he finally ordered the computer late last week. Today- his monitor came in!

Photo 35

It was 80 degrees here today! I couldn't believe it. Of course, tomorrow it's supposed to be 35 degrees with a chance of snow.....that's Oklahoma for you.

My photo of the day is of the football stadium. Campus has changed so much since I was a freshman- they have almost completed the football stadium upgrade, and have changed many of the buildings on campus. It makes me sad, but also makes me appreciate OSU and where I've come from. I also can't wait for football season! :)

Also, excuse the weird photo quality. My camera is about to bite the dust- it won't even turn on and the lens cover won't close. I'm going to call Sony tonight and if they can't help me, borrow my parents old camera for a while. :(

Super Bowl, photo 33

Will, Karen and Audri came over for burgers and to watch the Super Bowl. It's great having another couple friend who shares the same interests we do!

Here's Brandon and Will, being all man-ly :)

blah.

I just got my 1st 2 test grades back from last week's exams- this is the worst I've ever done in graduate school.
I think my problem is I'm just so burnt out.....I know that graduation is right around the corner. I'm just frustrated- I really felt like I did better than that.......
Sigh.

photo 33- my 1st cake!

I completed my 1st cake today! I think it turned out pretty good for my 1st one.....mine was one of the few that didn't have crumbs in the icing- I consider that a huge success :)

What do you think? I decided to go with the Valentines day theme.

Photo 32...Homeland

I haven't spent this much $$ at the grocery store in a LONG time. Look:

For $52.82 I got:

milk- $2.12

2 quaker breakfast bars- $0.50 each

2 quaker granola bars-$1 each

1 quaker oatmeal- $0.60

2 boxes cereal- one for $0.14, one for .50

1 kelloggs cereal to go- free

Digornio Frozen Pizza-$1.99

Freschetta frozen pizza- $2.99

" " breadsticks- $0.86

2 taco seasonings- free

3 guacamole- free

2 poppers- $1 each

4 TGIFridays appitzers- $6 total

2 bags Kraft shredded cheese- $2.90 total

veggie tray- $3.99

grapes (not on sale)

crisco (a BIG tub- not on sale, but i need it for my cake class)

Huggies baby wipes (for an upcoming baby shower gift)- $1.49

Texas toast type frozen bread/garlic bread- $1.40 each

Taquitos- $1.23

Ragu- $1.14 (not on sale)

Parm. cheese (not on sale)

Before coupons and sales, my total would have been: $133.60.

I saved a total of 60.5%....not too bad!

I bought ALOT of frozen goods that I don't usually have on hand. Alot of the little snacky type foods and frozen pizzas will be good on those nights where I don't have the time to cook, but it will save us from going out to eat.