Publix Deal of the Day

By far my best shopping trip at Publix ever! Receiving the news that my husband lost his job on Friday was another shocking blow to our family so buying groceries took on a whole new plan this week. God is in control and we are taking it one day at a time continuing to learn and lean upon Him. I am so thankful that I have been learning how to use coupons and how to get the best deals. This is by far my best deal! Today I purchased four bags of Nut Clusters, a gallon of Milk and a loaf of fresh still warm French Bread. Without coupons this would have cost my family $18.96; however, with my trusty coupons and sale items we paid just .15 cents!!! Yep! Just .15 CENTS!!! I used coupons from all over the place today! I used the coupons I found a few weeks ago at Food Lion which were store coupon so I was able to match with manufactured coupons, a milk coupon from Bi-Lo and a $4 off $15 coupon from Rite Aid (its gone but you can use this one for $5 off $25), then I used the $4 Publix coupon for Nature Valley items which I found on the Publix website. It ends today but if you hurry you can go get some deals too using these coupon.
Since Publix also had the $4 coupon for General Mills products I went ahead and purchased these four boxes of Chex mix so I can make some goodies for Christmas. They had Frosted Flakes Cereal on sale for just $1.99 and I used the $1 off Target Coupon found here making them just .99 cents per box. Then they had BOGO free butter and I had .55 cent coupons so I used two since I purchased two items. This total was $29.98; however, with coupons I paid just $2.83!!!

I spend $48.94 but paid just $2.98 with a savings of $35.96

Create A Plan

Last week we were busy cleaning out and getting the house in shape for the upcoming holidays. I tackled our "computer room" which sounds fancy but we live in a small 1000 sq ft home with no garage and no attic space so we converted one room to a storage area and work room. It was way out of control so I spent time getting it organized and it feels so good to have it all clean and ready for storing all the extra Christmas groceries and wrapped gifts. Christmas can be overwhelming when I start thinking about gifts. meals, decorating, the added expense, family coming to visit and on and on. I must admit, until I create a plan I can get qoite overwhelmed. If you wait until the week before Christmas to start planning then you are really going to be stressed out. Some people love that last minute rush but not me. This past week I created a plan so things can get into prospective and I can start working the plan. The following are a few steps I took this week to get myself organized:

1. Create A December Schedule of Events - I take an empty calendar and start writing all the activities for the month. I include family fun times too like going to see the Christmas lights, decorating the tree, outdoor decorating, shopping day, gift wrapping evening, fill out Christmas cards...etc Just don't get so organized that you are not flexible. Plans change and things get added so remember your calendar is not set in stone its just a guide.


2. Create A December Menu - Life gets so busy this time of year so if you have your meals planned all the way through the new year it will make things sooo much easier. Since we have family gathering for about 8 days at Christmas I plan the menu send it to my family along with a schedule of activities for the week. I used to stop the planning a few days after Christmas but now I take it all the way through the new year so I don't feel like I am planning again after Christmas and neglect the New Year activities. I get it all done in one swoop.


3. Create A Gift Giving List - A few years ago Hallmark had these cute little binders that helped you organize your Christmas. In the binder was an area for gift giving. Since I shop all year long for Christmas I love having a spot to write down what I purchased. I don't know about you but if I don't write it down I'm not going to remember. So keeping a list of what I purchased and who its going to keeps me from over buying in one area so I don't end up with 20 girl gifts and no guy gifts! You can create your own binder or notebook by making categories like menu, gifts, Christmas card list (include addresses so you're all ready), family wish list...etc

With just a little planning and a little organization you can have a great holiday with a lot less stress. One day our children will be grown and will have families of their own, as much as I want to put a stipulation in their wedding vows that they will be at our home on Christmas I know that will not fly so I've decided to cherish every holiday that we have them home.

Michaels Coupon

Time for more coupons from Michael's. This week I'm concentrating on making more gifts for my family for Christmas so this coupon is going to come in handy. I hope is helpful for you too. Go here to print your coupon it good through November 7, 2009. Go here to see all the free demos Michaels is hosting for November and December. I love the little snowman pot.

Christmas Planning Week Two

Last week in our home we started to really concentrate on gift giving. I was able to make a few gifts (which I can't show you because the recipients are looking! tee hee!!!) We also started the kids thinking about what they are going to do for others this holiday. To start our youngest found some wooden photo frames that he is painting for Grandparents and our oldest decided he is going to make our Christmas cards this year so he started on those and they are beautiful. They cleaned out their closet and donated a big bag of toys to a cherity. They loved cleaning out their closet, they found treasures they did not remember they had. This week we are going to continue on working on gift giving. Below are some ideas that might spark some gift giving ideas for you too.

This Weeks Top 10 Low Budget Gift Giving Ideas:

1. Clearance Section - This week I ran into our local Dollar General store to get a few items and I founds some really cute cloth duffel bags for just $2! I am going to take them to the local shop and have my nieces monogram placed on them (which will cost me $9). Keep an eye open because stores are wanting to move merchandise so you can find some great deals. I already dropped off the bags so I'll show you a photo when I get them back.



2. Christmas Ornaments - Have you seen the beautiful ornaments out this year! Wow! I was looking at some last week at the local dollar stores and I was surprised to see they were only $1-$2. A few years ago my Mom stared giving all the kids an ornament every year with their name on it. We just purchased a few paint pens and do it ourselves. The kid love it and year after year its so special to pull them out of the box and see a love note from Grandma. One day they are going to be very special for our boys.



3. Dollar Tree - I love this store! Some things are junk but if you keep an eye open you can find some real treasures. Mom is working on Christmas stockings so this week I was looking for inexpensive items she could add to the stockings. I found some great treasures at the Dollar Tree. A girl can't get enough make-up so when I found name brand lipstick and gloss for just $1! I tested one out and let me just say I can't wait for the stocking!!!



4. Magazine Subscription - Amazon has been offering great deals on yearly magazines. Go here to check out the deals this week and keep an eye open for a magazine someone on your list might enjoy all year long . Then be creative how you give them the gift. For instance...this year my brother wants gardening magazine so I am giving him a basket (from the thrift shop) with a plant (that I started from one of my plants), a yard decoration, a few yard tools (found on clearance), a current copy of the magazine and a note that says enjoy a year subscription. It cost me less the $20 for a great gift (including the year subscription).



5. Movie Gift Card - Cold weather is coming or in your area my already be upon you. Our boys enjoy going to the movie and we have a theater near us that they can so see a movie for just $2.25. It make for a great activity on those cold or in our area hot days. I'm going to put a gift card in a popcorn bucket (in Targets $1 section) with theater candy, glass bottle of Coke and give it to my nephews.



6. Gifts From The Garden - Often when shopping I find great containers at the thrift shop. This summer I found a resin cowboy boot that I just loved. I brought it home and my Dad put a start in in for me and it sits on my front porch. I just love it and it only cost me $.99 cents including the potting soil. Keep an eye open for discounted containers, baskets, pots and replant some of your starts and give as gifts. Even plant some herbs and give along with a new cookbook.



7. Fudge - This year I am making Cookie Cutter Fudge for some smaller gifts. Its quick and easy and will delight any recipient. Go here for the recipe. After you create your master piece put it inside a cellophane bag, tie with a beautiful ribbon and add a name tag.



8. Personalised Apron - Did you know you can purchase aprons at Sams in a triple pack? They have limited colors to choose from but if you take them to be monogrammed or add unique saying then it will make for a great gift. If you're up to it they're an easy sew too.


9. Board Games - I have seen some great prices on board games lately but my favorite place to get games is again the local thrift shop. Just about all our games have come from the thrift shop. Our shop puts them in a plastic bag but if you ask they will let you open the bag to make sure all the pieces are in the box. Usually on the back of the box it will list all the pieces that should be in the box. If we don't know how to play I will make sure instructions are in the box too. I usually pay less then $2 per game and we have a great collection. Often the boxes look new so they would make for a great gift!


10. Clothing - This past week I concentrated on one of my sisters for Christmas and I was so pleased to find her a three beautiful gifts that were brand new at the local thrift shop. I came home and looked them up online and all three pieces were valued at $169.00 and I paid only $12! We had a talk in our family a few years ago about giving and receiving thrift store items and we were all in agreement the we would love them. Its nice that I can give her a few beautiful gifts but they did not break my bank.

Okay, so that is my top ten list for this week. I hope it sparks some ideas for you and you can start shopping and saving this week too. I look forward to seeing what treasures I find this week. One thing I will be working on is making and canning Apple Butter. Come back for those details and the recipe. I would love to hear your tips for a frugal Christmas too!

Targer Shipping Offer

Target is offering FREE shipping on orders $50 or more. Go here for information and to start shopping. Remember type clearance into the search engine for even greater deals.

Toys R Us Coupons

Toys R Us has another coupon! Go here for a $5 off $25 coupon which will make for some great deals this week. Coupon is good through November 6 so make sure to print and have it on hand for that quick trip. There are also some great baby item coupon on this page as well. Happy Shopping!

Menu Planning Monday

This week is catch up week! By that I mean I am catching up on some of the meals I had planned but did not get to them and I already have the supplies. Nothing fancy just trying to uses what we have on hand. So this week on our menu is the following....

Sunday - Corn Dogs, Steak Fries and Raw Vegetables

Monday -Baked Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, Broccoli and Rolls

Tuesday - Red Beans and Rice

Wednesday - Oatmeal, Eggs, Bacon and Toast

Thursday - Potato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Friday - Tacos

Saturday - Sloppy Joes, Steak Fries, Raw Vegetables

Payless Deal of the Day!!!

This deal is for Thursday, October 29 - Friday, October 30 so you'll need to hurry! Go here to print a 50% off EVERYTHING in the STORE coupon from The Oprah Winfrey Show! This should make for a great deal of the day! Happy Shopping!!!!

Taster's Choice

In our house at Christmas we set up a small buffet that stays up all week long. We include homemade treats, candy, cookies, crackers, nuts and other goodies. We also include tea, hot cocoa, drink mixes and these delicious Taster's Choice coffee sticks. Since we're not heavy coffee drinkers its nice to have these on hand so I don't have to keep a pot of coffee going. I keep a thermal pot filled with hot water so its ready when anyone wants a hot beverage. You can go here to try these verities and maybe you will be hooked too!

Starfall

A Thrifty Mom posted this on her page and I have really enjoyed all the treasures on this site. Our youngest loves playing on the computer so I just turn it on and let him play. Go here to check out all the goodies.