Start Saving, Step #2

Start Saving, Step #2
Start a Stockpile!

Buy things you need, but not necessarily things you need at the moment.

Prior to my coupon-ing, I would run out of toothpaste, make a trip to the store just for that item (gas money), and buy it (at full price). <shudder>

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I now know it is ok to buy 4 tubes of toothpaste at once--especially when I am "buying" the items for free, or almost free.

Identify a corner of a closet or pantry to start your stockpiling. The best things I've learned about stockpiling:

*a) it is nice to just go get a new tube of toothpaste in my house instead of running out to buy a tube with stinky breath:-)

*b) I've found awesome deals by changing my mindset of buying what I need, but not just what I need now

*c) I've been able to donate items from my stockpile as the needs arise at church and for friends

I have a modest stockpile compared to most, but I'm building it--and highly recommend that you start this step, to start saving!

Do you already have a stockpile? Do you stockpile toiletries or food?

What are your tips to start saving? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Wordless Wednesday

Charlie's Angels
Peek A Boo.

sponsored by 5minutesformom.com

Free smell good!

...for your house! If you bought a newspaper on Sunday, you'll find the inserts had a Buy One Get One free Glade Plug in--combine with Walgreens Buy One Get One Free deal this week, and get both for free! I "bought" a couple last night at Walgreens. How can you make this deal even sweeter? Check out Common Sense With Money for more details:

http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2008/08/free-glade-scented-oil-warmers-at.html

Movie Night?

If you are looking for some free entertaintment tonight--the RedBox code is:

X4N19P

Thanks to Niki for the information--http://free2befrugal.blogspot.com/!

New to using RedBox?

Check out the details from Denise at the Centsible Sawyer here:

http://thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com/2008/06/red-box-codes-and-step-by-step-guide.html

Frugal Friday-Home Grown

In July-my husband built a box garden for herbs attached to our porch--what an awesome birthday present for me!

How has this helped us stay frugal? We just clip the herbs from the plants to add to our dinner. The fastest growing money saver? Green onions! The onions are growing in just a few days, so we always have plenty.

Are you a gardener? Any gardening tips to share for a newbie?

What's your frugal tip this week? Join in the fun at biblicalwomanhood.com!

http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/labels/Frugal%20Friday.html

Walgreens--$5 off of $20

Thanks to Mercedes at Common Sense with Money for the news--Walgreens has issued a $5/$20 coupon good for Friday and Saturday only.

Remember, your total must be $20.00 after coupons.

Check out the great scenario Mercedes put together: http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2008/08/so-hot-still-sizziling-5-off-20.html

Happy Shopping!

Need a Laugh?

Head on over to Frugal in Virginia, and check out the post by her husband...

"I Married a Couponaholic: 5 Ways Life Has Changed"

http://frugalinvirginia.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-married-couponaholic-5-ways-life-has.html

My husband read it, and could definitely relate!

Start Saving, Step #1

Some friends and family have asked for some "getting started" tips, so I'll be posting some tips I've learned.

Start Saving, Step #1

Suspend Brand Loyalty!

Before I started watching my pennies, I must admit, I was a brand snob. Only a certain brand of toothpaste, mouthwash--the list could go on and on.

I've learned to try different brands--those I can buy for pennies playing the drugstore game, and those I can use coupons on at the grocery store.

What have I learned? My former favorites have now been replaced--by less expensive, yet better brands. Most of the time these deals are still "name brands," just brands I had not tried before I started on the coupon-ing journey.

I now love Colgate MaxFresh Burst--received for under 1.00 at CVS. I was previously a Crest fan.

What are your new favorites? Have you found any gems working your deals?

Do you have any brand you can't live without?

Wordless Wednesday

Puppy Love.

hosted by www.5minutesformom.com

CVS Trip 08/18/08

2 Crest Toothpaste

1 Colgate Toothpaste

1 Schick Quattro Razor

1/2 gallon milk

1 pkg Peanut Butter Cups

1 pkg Peanut M&Ms

Total Estimated Retail: 21.00

-1 Crest Coupon

-1 Colgate Coupon (received at register)

-Razor Coupon

-4.00 ECBs

Total OOP: 9.84 on free gift card (for RX transfer)

Total ECBs earned: 7.00

Not my best trip ever, but not a bad value overall.

Looking for the deals this week? Check out the deals at Coupon Cravings!http://www.couponcravings.com/2008/08/matchmaker-monday-cvs-deals-coupon.html

My Favorite Things...

I'm participating again in My Favorite Things hosted by Fiddledeedee.

My favorite thing is a certain pair of shoes--these shoes have not been eaten yet (see post here http://koalamama.blogspot.com/2008/08/stupid-tax.html) , and literally carried me through pregnancy, as I could not stuff my hugely swollen feet into any other pair. These shoes are not for the fashionistas--at least not the style I have. I was so fortunate to receive these as a gift from an employee. I won't keep you in suspense any longer....my comfy, dog proof selection? Crocs.

These to be exact. I'm guilty of wearing them to work, church, and anywhere else you can think of---during pregnancy daily, and occassionally even now as my feet have not shrunk to pre-pregnancy sizes.

Tell me about your favorite shoes in the comments section!

What are your favorite things? Join in the fun at http://fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com/!

Stupid Tax...

Anyone familiar with Dave Ramsey has heard or read stupid tax stories. I keep paying the same stupid tax over and over and over...when will I learn my lesson?



my dog + shoes = disaster



I must learn to hide my shoes!



The most recent pair has damage similar to the picture I've attached--only worse.



Anyone else dealing with a leather addicted dog?

Feedback? The "Teethifier"

I've been considering purchasing one of these. Any one out there in blog world had experience with one of these? Looks like it might provide some relief!

I found the product here: http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=804

Please let me know if any of your kiddos have tried this out.

Grand Openings...

We had a Babies R Us Grand Opening locally today, and that led to some great deals! My toy purchase was 88% off normal price with the grand opening deal plus 2 coupons. Great deals for birthday parties and baby showers.

I'm on the Babies R Us mailing list, so was aware of this deal--but we don't have TV (cable is too expensive, and cable is required to get reception on the regular channels in our area), so I sometimes think I miss out on the new store and promotion advertising.

How do you stay in tune with new store openings and promtions?

I'm an amateur...

but I'm learning!

I met a real live fellow coupon-er today at CVS, and I am sure I have a lot to learn. I spotted the coupon binder, and asked if that method worked well for her...since I've been thinking about converting. Little did I know that quick conversation would lead to me learning about a grocery store not too far away that doubles coupons and a pet supply store that welcomes coupons!

Ms. L gets 100 inserts per week, and can get 100 dollars worth of groceries for 10.00. I can only hope to be that good at the coupon game someday!

It was nice to meet a real live coupon-er, as most I "know" are online. Do you see fellow coupon-ers on your CVS and grocery store trips, or do you feel alone in your couponing as I sometimes do?

**Teething Bling**

I won!

I am the winner of the 15th Mommy Giveaway http://www.the-giveaway.com/2008/07/15th-mommy-giveaway.html

at

http://www.the-giveaway.blogspot.com/!

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I was so happy to hear that I'd won a necklace and bracelet from http://www.smartmomjewelry.com/index.asp.

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Baby Koala loves to chew on my necklace and bracelet--

definitely saving my shoulders and fingers from some bite marks.

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If you haven't checked out The Giveaway, I highly recommend it!

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And if you have a little one teething, hurry and get yourself some

teething bling. You'll be happy, and so will your kiddo.

Frugal Friday--Date Night!

I'm participating in Frugal Friday sponsored by BiblicalWomanhood.com. My Frugal Tip this week? Find "double deals." This week at Walgreens if you buy 4 qualifying AXE products (around 3.99 each) you receive 2 free movie tickets. I now have stocking stuffers for my nephews, and a "free" movie night out with my husband.

What are your Frugal date night ideas? Please let me know in the comments section.

Also, share your Frugal Tips this week at http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/.

Lunch Time Grocery Run

Have you picked up your copy of the All You magazine from Wal-Mart? If not, you should!

Here is what I got on my trip today:

15 packets of Kool-Aid

1 package Oscar Mayer Beef hot dogs

1 container Crystal Light

1 Kraft 12oz cheese slices

1 Kraft 16oz salad dressing

1 loaf bread

1 package lentils

1 can green beans

1 avacado

My total came to 23.54, after coupons total out of pocket 8.54--Total saved: 15.25. Percentage Saved: 63.7%!

I used 5 buy 3 Kraft items, get "x" free coupons--from the All You magazine--the first part of the list are the free items. If I had skipped the bread, lentils, green beans, and avacado I would have received the first part of the list for 3.00--for the 15 Kool-Aid packets. One Kool-Aid packet=1 Kraft item. I think this is my best "deal" at a grocery store yet.

New Look...

I have a new look for my blog! I love it. I love the colors. I love the photo. I love the designer.

My husband designed it for me.

Hope you like it too!

My Favorite Things...

My favorite thing this week is the Lamaze Octotunes. I guess I should say it is my son's favorite thing, but I love it too! Each leg, tentacle, arm....(what is it when it is an octopus?) squeaks a different note when you squeeze it, so you can acutally "play" songs. It can calm my son down almost everytime he is upset. He loves music, and he loves his colorful Octopus! Does your child have a favorite toy?

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2574132

What is your favorite thing this week? Join in at www.fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com!

A new site...

I wanted to share with you a new site I've been enjoying lately http://shakethesalt.com/

I love the giveaways, fun tips, and bible verses! The blog design is colorful and fun.

Check it out! The launch party is still going on, so you'll have many chances to win great prizes.

I'm addicted...

to office/school supplies! Anyone else share my problem?

I went to Walgreens for the .99 razor deal http://koalamama.blogspot.com/2008/08/quick-walgreens-run.html , and just had to stop by the school supply aisle.

I've been considering moving to the binder coupon method, so had to buy one so I could experiment. I spend 6.00 since I had 5.00 in register rewards, but it was not a needed item.

I do this often--pens, highlighters, pencil pouches, folders, notebooks....I'm not sure why, but I just love the stuff! (Thank goodness for back to school sales--although I don't have a school age child, so I should really just WALK AWAY from the office/school supplies.)

Any fellow addicts? What's your addiction at the drugstore or grocery store? What aisle draws you in?

Quick Walgreens Run...

Thanks to Thrifty Florida Mama, I scored a Bic Soleil razor for .99 at Walgreens (normally 5.99).

Check out her site to find out how:

http://www.thriftyfloridamama.net/2008/08/walgreens-deals-for-810-16.html

My loyalties are generally with CVS, but I couldn't pass up this deal!

The Restaurant Bill...

Erin at Coupon Cravings posed a question that got me thinking...she asked...what is your far from frugal splurge?

Check out her post here:

http://www.couponcravings.com/2008/08/whats-your-far-from-frugal-splurge.html

I'll admit--in the Koala household, we wouldn't be known as frugal for many reasons. We are, however, learning to save money in many areas--though we are not "gazelle intense" (for all you Dave Ramsey fans, you know what I mean).

Our biggest problem area? Dining out. We've reduced the frequency and cost of eating out, but we still do it quite often, so I'd consider it our far from frugal splurge.

One tool for reducing our dining out bill? Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com has reduced gift certificates, with restrictions. We have a local Puerto Rican resaurant (that we love-Yum!) that participates....their restrictions? The certificate can be used on any day other than Saturday. On the recent 80% off promotion at Restaurant.com, we bought $25.00 certificates for $2.00. That's right! Two dollars. Now there's a nifty way to save some money and still get to splurge on a night out.

Share your far-from-frugal splurge at couponcravings.com.

Also, Please comment here and share with me how you save money when you dine out.

Quick CVS Trip

1 One Touch Mini Diabetic Monitor-19.99
2 Dawn Dishwashing Soaps-1.99x2, on sale for .88 each this week

-1 up to 20.00 off diabetic monitor from recent newspaper insert (this item will be donated)
-2 .50 Dawn Coupons

Total OOP: .86 on a gift card received free for transferring a prescription

Have I mentioned I love CVS?

No Extra Care Bucks earned today, but an .86 total for about 25.00 worth of items--well, it's hard to complain!
Check out http://www.thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com/ for some CVS Superstar Stories!

Finally Friday!

Hey fellow shoppers...

Sorry for the slow posting around here, baby koala is still sick.

Check out these sites for some great deal ideas and freebies:

http://www.couponcravings.com/ (has the CVS preview so you can plan your Sunday shopping trip)

http://www.kingdomfirstmom.com/2008/08/freebie-round-up.html (freebies this week!)

http://mommysnacks.blogspot.com/ (I love the Walgreens and CVS snacks at this site)

http://moneycommonsense.blogspot.com/2008/08/beat-higher-diaper-prices.html (Mercedes has some great ideas on saving money on diapers)

http://www.dealseekingmom.com/2008/08/new-cvs-coupons-expire-81008.html (some last minute CVS coupons)

Happy Shopping!

Teething--what's the verdict?

Experienced mommy's please help!

Can teething truly cause a fever? I've read differing opinions online, and would like the general consensus....

What other symptoms can teething cause?

Baby Koala is suffering from a stomach virus, but I'm wondering if teething is playing a part in the symptoms also.

Please let me know your opinion in the comments section (and share any tips for a 7 month old with a stomach virus and teething issues).....

My favorite things...

Although I mentioned this in my post below, I'm highlighting my Favorite Thing (hosted by fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com) that makes my life easier as a breastfeeding mom. It's the Gillian O'Malley nursing tank--I feel covered and comfortable. What are your favorite things? Join in at FiddleDeeDee! http://fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.target.com/Gilligan-OMalley-Long-Nursing-Tank/dp/B0010WC6GS

I won!

Mercedes at Common Sense with Money awarded me the Blog Award above. Check out her site here: http://moneycommonsense.blogspot.com/

Her money saving tips have been a blessing to me as I begin my TMMO (daveramsey.com). My little koala would also like to thank her for the baby food tips, as he has enjoyed some yummy squash and carrots as a result. http://moneycommonsense.blogspot.com/2008/07/dos-and-donts-of-making-your-own-baby.html

Thanks for thinking of me, Mercedes!

I'd like to recognize some hard working bloggers out there--I appreciate your insight into saving money and living life.

Coupon Cravings http://www.couponcravings.com/

A Garden of Blessings http://www.agardenofblessings.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Florida Mama http://www.thriftyfloridamama.net/

Leaving Excess http://www.leavingexcess.com/

Memories at Home http://memoriesathome.blogspot.com/

If you haven't checked out theses blogs, you are missing out!

Here are the rules for the winners:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.

3. Nominate at least 5 other blogs.

4. Add links to these blogs on your blog.- Don't forget this step. This is great free advertising!

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

Toolin' Up Tuesday

I'm inspired by the posts at Toolin' Up Tuesday hosted by http://www.lifeasmom.com/. The site is also one of my favorite reads! This is my first time joining (it is technically still Monday where I live, but it is Tuesday somewhere, right?).

In honor of World Breastfeeding week, I'm sharing my favorite breastfeeding tools:

Gillian O'Malley Nursing Tank--I am very modest, and this top allows me to be covered and expose only what is necessary (i.e. my stretchy skin and stretch marks aren't visible) as this top unhooks at the straps. It is much less expensive than those sold at maternity stores, and can be found at Target for about 17.00.

Here is a link: http://www.target.com/Gilligan-OMalley-Nursing-Tank-Ebony/dp/B000KLXGNC/sr=1-1/qid=1217907718/ref=sr_1_1/601-4462393-4414516?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Anursing%20tank&page=1

My Brest Friend--Strange name? Yes. Appropriate? Yes! I found this to be much more comfy for my back than trying to feed with the Boppy. The Brest Friend can be found at Babies R Us.

Here is a link: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2609109

Soothies--This might be too much information, but for me when I began breastfeeding I had a hard time--it was painful, and there were certain times that I wished for, um, numbness. Well, this product helped me achieve that cooling, almost numbing sensation. I am not sure I would have continued breastfeeding if I had not found this product. I only needed the Soothies a few times, but they were such a life saver. You can find Soothies at Walgreens for around ten dollars....worth every penny!

Here is a link: http://www.soothies.com/gelpads.html

Nursing Cover--With my nursing cover and my Gillian O'Malley nursing tank I feel pretty "covered." You can find these online or sometimes at local craft fairs. Mine is similar to this: http://nursingcovers.com/catalog.php?category=61

Bracelet--any bracelet will do, but stretchy non clasping, i.e. italian charm bracelet or livestrong bracelet would work best. Why a bracelet? For those sleepy days when you can't remember which side you last fed your little koala on....if yours is like mine he may only eat on one side at a time, and when you are in that early state I like to call the mommy haze....you may not remember.....

That covers my favorite breastfeeding tools. I'm almost 7 months into breastfeeding my son, and in the beginning was not sure I'd be able to continue, but with my trusty tools we are pressing on for now.

Today's CVS-ing...

1 Covergirl Tru Blend Foundation

2 Covergirl Blush

3 Dawn Detergent

1 Infant's Advil

1 Ultra Mini Diabetic Monitor (for Hubby's Aunt)

2 Colgate Tootpastes

Retail Value: around 60.00

Total OOP: 19.00 (on a free gift card for xferring a prescription)

Extra Care Bucks Earned: 9.79

More loot...

from last week:

4 Define A Lash Mascara
1 CVS aspirin (August Free Coupon--printed on my first August purchase)

Retail Value: $30.00

Total OOP (on a free gift card for xferring a prescription): $4.30

Extra Care Bucks earned: $20.00--thanks to iheartcvs for the hidden mascara ECB deal!