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Home > Archive: June, 2011

Archive for June, 2011

jicama

June 30th, 2011 at 10:05 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 553.80
RX total = 174.64
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 935.63

Ran errands this morning - library, post office, walgreens, safeway and food pantry.

I dropped two bags of grandma's books at the library for donations. I'm not sure how come they came to me, but mom handed me a box and said I could do what I wanted with them. They were like new, but when I checked on half.com they were only selling for .75 each. It's not worth my time to list and deal with them for that, so I decided to just donate them.

At walgreens I spent $10.33 and got back $11 in RRs. I got 3 6-packs of Dove men's soap for $6 each. I used 3 $4 coupons making them $6 plus taxes. When you buy $18 worth of Dove you get a $6 RR back. When you buy $20 worth of merchandise and use your AARP card you get an RR of $5 back. So I borrowed mom's AARP card and got 2 bags of Russell Stover sugar free candy to get over $20. I'll give one of the packs of soap to mom as thanks for using the card.

At Safeway I got a head of celery, a huge jicama and 4 tomatoes. I used a $1 off $5 produce coupon and a $2 off produce coupon that I got from buying Wish Bone salad dressing. I spent $2.80.

I've been reading about some recipes for jicama and decided to try making jicama chips tonight for supper. I'm going to try both frying and baking them to see what they are like. I will have enough leftover to make a few more recipes too. They didn't have any small ones so I could just try it.

At the food pantry they told me they just keep getting more and more customers. I would have thought it would be better by now, the economy isn't that terrible around here.

I finished reading my book The Linz Testament by Lewis Perdue. Adventure - pretty good.

X-men movie

June 29th, 2011 at 10:07 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 538.80
RX total = 174.64
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 920.63

I took my youngest niece to see the X-men movie using two of the free movie tickets I got last week buying cereal. The price of the movies has gone down, it was only $5 for the matinee. We both really liked the movie.

We went to Wendy's for lunch and I paid with a discounted gift card - $11.46. She didn't want any junk at the theater, which surprised me because she has a big sweet tooth. I went to Walmart for a few things on the way home and got her an ice cream sandwich for a $1.

I got another prescription transferred to King Soopers - spent $5.81. Instead of giving you $25 to use on groceries, they changed their program and now give you $1 off per gallon of gas. Not as good of a deal for me, since I only fill my tank up once a month and have 6 prescriptions. Safeway has a prescription transfer deal I'll have to check out instead.

I finished reading the library book Hold on Tight by Stephanie Tyler. Romance - very good.

farmer's market

June 25th, 2011 at 09:35 pm

I've been getting up early, (for me about 8:30), so I can walk while it's still cool. This morning it was already over 70 by then so I will walk this evening. I went to the Farmer's market instead. They were passing out samples of local grown cherries and tomato slices w/salt. OMG the tomatoes were so good, so were the cherries - great marketing ploy :0. I ended up buying both and spent $9.25 - pricey but local and so good - worth it.

Mom called and wanted to go out to lunch so we went to Texas Roadhouse. I had a burger and salad - spent $9.55 using a discounted gift card to pay.

I finished reading my book Nightmare in Pink by John D. MacDonald. Mystery - very good.

bruises everywhere

June 23rd, 2011 at 07:35 pm

between moving my furniture for the carpet installation and helping my sister move the last 2 days I have bruises everywhere. The top of one leg is one massive bruise - maybe 8 inches across and 4 inches wide. I have them all over my legs, my stomach (from balancing boxes), my arms - it's ridiculous. I'm not that sore, but did take an Aleve last night when I got home.

I got all my cashed in rewards in the mail this week, I was starting to wonder, it had been quite a while.

I finished reading the library book Burning Prey by John Sandford. Mystery - very good.

carpet is done finally

June 20th, 2011 at 08:53 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 501.83
RX total = 174.64
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 883.66

The carpet installers installed the rest of the carpet downstairs on Saturday. I'm so glad it's done. I think the first crew did a much better job though. The seams are more visible downstairs and the carpet doesn't look like it's completely straight although you really have to look to notice it.

I have a wall bed and dad and I took it apart on Friday. What a pain. I had muscle spasms for the last 2 days in my back. Mom, dad and I put it back together this morning and it was much easier with the 3 of us.

My cleaner was supposed to come today so I only put the bed back together and hadn't started bringing anymore furniture down yet. I want her to do a good vacuuming before I do that, but she called and said she wasn't coming because she put her car in 4-wheel drive and can't get it out. Huh?

So don't know when she'll be here now. I'm competing with my sister for dad time on help moving stuff Smile She's moving tomorrow and Wednesday. I'll help out there, but that means dad can't come back till at least Thursday for me. I only have a few things I need his help with and they can wait a few days.

I did the cereal deal again yesterday. 2 more free movie tickets and enough UPC codes for 2 more $5 gas cards and finish the $10 rebate. I think I'll do it one more time tomorrow for 2 more free movie tickets, 2 more $5 gas codes and one more $10 rebate.

We took dad to Texas Roadhouse for father's day yesterday. That's the second time I've been and the steaks haven't been that good. Usually they are great. I gave him the $50 Elephant Bar gift cards and the $10 bonus card that came with them.

I finished reading my book Master of Smoke by Angela Knight. Paranormal - pretty good.

stacking deals

June 18th, 2011 at 06:21 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 496.83
RX total = 174.64
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 878.66

I went to Safeway yesterday and did some really good deals on steak, produce and cereal. The deals were better because I was able to stack them.

Safeway has a promotion when you buy a $50 gift card to penny's, lowes or Kohls you get a $10 on your next order coupon. I got the gift card earlier in the week so I had the $10 coupon.

Sirloin steak was on sale for $4.99/lb. However if you bought $20, there was a coupon for $4 off in the ad. And if you bought $25, you got a free $13 steak Knife. I purchased $25.50 worth of sirloin steaks and the steak knife. The steak knife was free and after taking off the $4 coupon and using the $10 coupon I paid $11.50 for about 8 pounds of steak. I used the knife to cut them into single serve portions and froze them. The knife was really good, usually it's a cheapy thing with these kind of promotions.

My second stacking deal was on cereal. There are several layers to this deal.

Layer #1 - Kelloggs cereal is on sale for $2.49/box. Not a great sale, but a sale.

Layer #2 - wyb 5 boxes in one transaction you get a coupon printout for a free movie ticket upto $12

Layer #3 - if the boxes have the Cars2 codes you can enter them at the Kelloggs site for $5 in visa gift cards. 4 codes = $5. Each person can enter 30 codes.

Layer #4 - some of the kelloggs cereals can also be used for a rebate offer buy 10 get a $10 mastercard.

Layer #5 - coupons, and if the coupons were printed from the swagbucks site get 10 swagbucks for each coupons used

Layer #6 - some of the cereal comes with coupons for $1 off fruit wyb 2 boxes of cereal

Layer #7 - pay with discover card and get 5% back on groceries this month.

Layer #8 - get gas points to take .10/gal gas

So based on that information I bought two sets of 5 boxes of cereal. I paid $15.91 or 1.59/box. I got 2 $12 free movie coupons. I got 2 $5 gas cards. I got 4 boxes towards the $10 rebate. I used 8 swagbucks printable coupons. I paid with my discover card. I used the fruit coupon to get $1 of cherries for free.

I plan to do this deal two more times and finish up the rebate. I gave 4 boxes of cereal to my dad, I donated 2 and gave 4 more to my sister. I expect I will donate the rest of the cereal.

The last deal was on produce.

3.18 - 2 bags Fresh Express salad
1.10 - cherries
.99 - radishes
.58 - celery
-----
5.85
-1.00 - $1 off fruit wyb 2 kelloggs cereal
-1.00 - 2 .50 q's for fresh express salad
-1.00 - $1/$5 produce
-----
2.85

I finished reading my books The Deep Blue Goodby by John D. MacDonald. Mystery - pretty good.

And African Ice by Jeff Buick. Adventure - pretty good.

more free bbq sauce

June 14th, 2011 at 09:09 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 466.15
RX total = 174.64
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 847.98

Went to Safeway's this morning and got 6 more bottles of BBQ sauce to donate to the food pantry. It is Bull's Eye brand and was free after doubled coupons.

Safeway is having another gift card deal. Buy $50 gift card from J.C. Penny's, Kohls, iTunes or Lowes and get a $10 coupon on your next order. I bought a penny's card and paid using my Discover card which is giving 5% rewards on groceries this month.

Also went to King Soopers and picked up another prescription. I had a $10 Target coupon and so that was added to my loyalty card to use for groceries. Spent $2.80 on the prescription. I got 3 dozen eggs for $2.98 and some radishes and celery and 2 more bottles of Santa Cruz lemonade to donate.

Yesterday I went to Walmart and got 2 travel sizes of Dial body wash on sale for .97/each. I used 2 $2 coupons and bought almost a whole can of Planters cocktail peanuts with the overage. The peanuts were 2.88 and the overage was $2.06 Smile

I finished reading the library book A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters. Mystery - very good.

free aluminum foil

June 11th, 2011 at 08:37 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 449.15
RX total = 174.64
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 830.98

I went back to Staples today and got 3 boxes of 25 sq ft aluminum foil priced at $1 each. I used my $3 coupon and they didn't even charge me tax. So all 3 for free.

Dropped off 3 bags of clothes at the Goodwill while I was over there.

Cashed in another 900 swagbucks for 2 more $5 Amazon Gift Cards.

Used a 40% off coupon and free shipping to order a cookbook from Borders. I need some more Borders gift cards and none of the 3 discounted gift card sites I use right now has them, maybe next week. I almost have enough to order a $25 one from Discover using my rewards.

I finished reading my book The Good, The Bad and the Uncanny by Simon R. Green. Sci/Fi - very good.

movie weekend

June 10th, 2011 at 08:06 pm

DirectTV has free movies this weekend on all 3 networks - HBO, Starz and Showtime. I forsee lots of movie watching this weekend.

Staples put out a $3 off your purchase coupon this week. I went today and they had Quilted Northern toilet paper on sale for $4.99/12 rolls. A very good price. I used the $3 off coupon and spent $2.15 with tax. I used an 8% discounted gift card to pay.

You can use one $3 coupon/day. I think I'll go back tomorrow. They had 25 sq ft rolls of aluminum foil for $1/each. I'll get 3 of those.

I finished reading Eve by Iris Johansen. Mystery - very good.

vacations

June 9th, 2011 at 07:14 pm

I got a rebate check for $15 in the mail for an item I got for free.

I went to mom's for dinner last night to celebrate niece's bday. She was pretty happy with her gifts. I gave her 3 books and 7 movies and mom gave her 2 books and 5 movies plus the first 7 Harry Potter movies. She's planning several movie-thon's with her friends.

She booked a flight to California later this month to vacation. It was only $190. That's a pretty good deal.

Sister is moving in with parents today for a few days and then on to Arizona for a week with other niece.

Mom and dad are on vacation on and off most of July.

I have no vacation plans this year. I'm happy staying in my house, maybe next year. I'd like to go to Maine in the fall sometime.

I finally signed up for paperbackswap. I had meant to do this for a long time, but never got around to it. I got my first trade email yesterday and mailed the book. Should get my book in the next week.

I finished reading the library book Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts. Romance - very good.

cashin' in

June 7th, 2011 at 07:41 pm

I cashed out several of my reward programs today. I ordered $45 in books from Borders and will be reimbursed by one of my shopping programs.

I order 2 $5 Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks. I should have enough bucks to get another 2 by the end of the week. I got 27 swagbucks on one search yesterday, that was pretty cool.

I ordered a $50 Amazon gift card from MyPoints.

I ordered an $80 check from my Chase credit card.

Last week I ordered a $40 Shell gas card for 20 reward points from Discover.

Total rewards this last week = $225 - the mail should be fun this week Smile

I finished reading my book The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper by John D. MacDonald. Mystery - pretty good.

Free toilet paper

June 6th, 2011 at 09:35 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 438.48
RX total = 174.64
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 820.31

I went to King Soopers this morning and transfered another prescription which gave me another $25 in free groceries on my card. I paid $7.32 for the prescription.

I had a $10/$50 coupon for Safeway but King Soopers takes them. They had their Quilted Northern toilet paper 12 big rolls on sale for $5.99. I loaded 2 e-coupons on my card - one for $1 and one for $2 off. I bought 2 packs for $12 - $3 coupons = $9 + .72 taxes = $9.72 and since I had $73 in groceries I used the $10/$50 safeway coupon to get the toilet paper for free.

I also got 3 candy bars, a protien bar and Suave professionals shampoo for free. I donated the candy bars to the food pantry and the shampoo goes to my niece. I also donated 2 jars of Santa Cruz lemonade that I got for .25/each.

The entire order was free after the $10 Safeway coupon, $20 in manufacture coupons and $43 in RX coupons. Mostly produce, and pantry basics like rice wine vinegar, jello etc.

I dropped off 8 bags of stuff at the food pantry today and cleaned off my countertops - yeah!

I finished moving things upstairs for the carpet installation except for things I use every day, like my reading lamp and table.

I went thru my closet and pulled out around 40 items to donate to the Goodwill. I'll drop that off sometime this week.

I finished reading the library book Blood Bargain by Maria Lima. Paranormal - very good.

unexpected income

June 3rd, 2011 at 09:55 pm

ytd = April 1 2011 - March 31, 2012
Coupon total ytd = 406.50
RX total = 130.78
Discounted Gift Cards = 207.19
Total = 744.47

This morning when my mom came over to walk, she gave me a sealed envelope. I asked her what it was and she said it's for you. So I opened it and it was a check for $5000. My parents have decided to start doling out some money to me and my sister before they die. I don't need it and told her to spend it on something they want, but she refused. I always feel so weird when I get money like this. I didn't 'earn' that money so it feels wrong to have it. Ah well, into the bank it goes, it more than paid for my carpet.

I think part of the reason they did it now was because my sister is buying her new house and has a lot of unexpected expenses right now and they want to help her out, so they think if they give her money, they should give me money. I keep telling them if they want to give money to my sister or my brother when he was alive, it's nothing to me, it's not my money, they can spend it however they want. Before he died they gave my brother almost 90K with the understanding it was coming out of his part of the inheritance. At least he got part of his inheritance before he died.

Mom and I went in town yesterday to scope out Costco and try to decide if we should purchase a membership. We decided we didn't think it was worth it, even if we split it. She was also looking for bday gifts for my niece so we went to Borders where I got 3 books. I'm out of gift cards so I actually had to pay $9 after a 30% discount on each book and $5 in bonus bucks. First time I've had to pay at Borders in a couple of years I think. I need to cash in some of my rewards programs and get some more gift cards.

They didn't have the book mom was looking for so we went to Mardels. I had a 30% off one item coupon that I sent her, so we both had one. She found the book she wanted, but didn't want anything else so I gave my coupon to someone in the store to use.

We went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch and mom paid, she had a coupon for 25%.

Last stop was Target where I got 8 boxes of Jello and a package of Oscar Meyer bacon. I spent $8.30 and used $5.44 in coupons.

Went to King Soopers this morning and transferred another prescription. Got another $25 in RX rewards on my card. Spent $2.40 for the prescription. Bought cherry tomatoes, celery and an onion paid with a $1 coupon and my RX money so free.

Finished reading the library book When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James. Romance - very good. Cute and funny.

ordered rest of carpet

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:29 am

The last of my discounted gift cards arrived in the mail today so I went to Home Depot and ordered the carpet for the downstairs.

Total for both upstairs and down was $4544.15

I saved ....

$200 - installation special
$491.14 - 15% discount on carpet material since they ordered the wrong pattern
$233.31 - 8% on discounted gift cards
$81.39 - 5% on amount charged to credit card for rewards
-------
$1005.84 = total saved or 22%

I have about 3 more days of making 5 trips up the stairs each day to finish getting the downstairs ready for the install.

I finished reading the library book A Taint in the Blood by S.M. Stirling. Sci/Fi - ok. I like his other books better and I'll read the sequel to this one, maybe the series will get better. He's very good at writing characters.