We did a fun exercise tonight writing out what each of us would purchase with $10. It started from a poster our daughter was doing of what she would buy if she "had a million dollars." The Mister thought it would be interesting to see what she would buy with $10 vs. what I would buy with $10.

My list, using coupons & sales:
4 - Glade Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator @ 19¢/each
3 - Gillette Body Wash @ 50¢/each
1 - Mott's Applesauce Cups @ 14¢
1 - Mentos Gum @ 28¢/each
2 - Dr. Pepper 2 Liter @ FREE
4 - Total Cereal @ FREE
1 - Dentyne 3 Pack Gum @ 34¢/each
4 - Pouch Tuna Fish @ 19¢
1 - Sambucol @ FREE + 1¢ Overage
1 - Loaf Bread @ $1.00
1 - Dozen Egss @ $1.00
2 - Kroger Yogurt @ 40¢/each
1 - Grapes @ 99¢/lb
1 - Container Grape Tomatoes @ 99¢/each
1 - Fresh Medium Celery @ 88¢/each
1 - Bayer Contour Blood Glucose Monitor @ FREE (+ $14.99 Rebate Not Included In Total)
4 - Kotex Pantiliners @ FREE + 21¢ Overage
2 - Mechanical Pencil @ 62¢/each

Total: $9.83 for 35 Items!



So what would YOU do with $10, leave a comment and let me know!

Thrifty Travels

We had a family situation arise that we had to travel for last week. Given the circumstances I must say that I am pleased with how frugal we were. Here are some of the things we did to save money where we could:

* Pack food to take with and bring water bottles for everyone, buying drinks and eating out can get real expensive.

* Drive at a speed to obtain optimum fuel economy. (Also make sure to have fluids topped off, clean filters, and tires at the right pressure, we did not have time to do these things given our circumstances)

* Stop every three hours to gas up, take a potty break, disperse snacks, fill up water bottles, stretch, and grab a soda or coffee for the driver only.

* Call around for the best rate attainable on a hotel. Do not always settle for the first rate that is given, they may lower the rate when they know you are not interested in the first one they gave.

* Take advantage of the hotel's continental breakfast if they have one.

* Eat a good meal out only once a day.

* Share a meal when eating out and order waters for drinks.

* Eat out somewhere that kids can eat free if you have children.

Redbox Free Code ~ Wednesday 3/18

During the month of March there will be a code every Wednesday for a free RedBox rental. Good for one night's rental, today's code is:

GTL456

Expires tonight (Wed, Mar 18) at midnight CST.

*The code can used once per credit/debit card.

Movie Monday

As usual, your RedBox promo code for free movie Monday is:

2GR4N8

Expires tonight (Mon, Mar 16) at midnight CST.

And, don’t forget “free movie Wednesday’s” in March (and April 6).

Freebie Friday

Download Jean Chatzky's new financial book, The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even The Toughest Times, for free until 10:59 a.m. ET Saturday, March 14, 2009! Oprah is offering this on her site as a free download for Oprah.com members. If you are an Oprah.com member, you'll be prompted to log in first. If you are not already a member, you will be prompted to become a member. It's free!


Campbell's Soup wants to help you grow your own soup by giving away tomato seeds. Just purchase any Campbell's condesnded soup, or grab one from your pantry, and enter the code found on the bottom of the can HERE.

Celebrate St. Patricks day with ideas from this free ebook containing fun facts, craft projects, gift ideas, recipes, and more!

Free sample of True Lemon

Free Tide TOTALCARE Sample

Free sample of Kotex Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings

Redbox Free Code ~ Wednesday 3/11

Here is todays promo code from Redbox. There will be a new Wednesday code every Wednesday in March.

JBG123

Expires tonight (Wed, Mar 11) at midnight CST.

Let's go shopping!

Today, bright and early, we were off to meet with another local couponer over a cup of coffee. It was nice having a conversation, and a meal, with another adult! It was inspiring to learn that although our local paper does not have the coupon inserts in it, we CAN get our grocery bill lower!

After having a warm breakfast we ventured back into the blizzard to come back home, grab our ads, our coupons, our lists, and venture back out to get some shopping done.



Spent: $53.01
Saved: $130.32 or 71%

In my figuring of savings I include the savings that comes with using the store's "preferred savings card," using coupons, and rebates.

Here is the breakdown of what we bought:

Albertsons:
2 Cans Swanson Canned Chunk Chicken, 2 Cartons Of Minute Maid, Bananas, 2 Bags Potato Chips, and 2 Loaves Of Bread

Walgreens:
12 Rolls Cottonelle Toilet Paper, 3 Jars Jif Peanut Butter, 3 Jars Smuckers Jelly, Aquafresh Toothpaste, Can Of Swanson Chunk Chicken, Garnier Fructis Shampoo-&-Conditioner In One, 4 Boxes Kraft Mac & Cheese, 2 Glade Lasting Impressions Starter Kits, Sambucol, Wal-zyr Tabs, Walgreens Extra Strength Quick Gels, and Axe Shampoo.

Smith's (Kroger):
12 Rolls Quilted Northern, Fruity Pebbles, 3 Boxes Hamburger Helper, 2 Cans Progresso, 2 Bags Hot Dog Buns, 2 Cans Corn, 2 Cans Sweet Peas, 2 Cans Green Beans, Can Of Swanson Chunk Chicken, Gallon Milk, Bag Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, 10 Pounds Potatoes, 2 Yellow Onions, 4 Boxes Townhouse Crackers, 2 Packages Sandies Cookies, and 2 Bags Tortilla Chips

Walmart:
Bottle of V8, Betty Crocker Cookie Pouch Mix, Good Life Cat Food, Kitten Chow, Suave Shampoo, Cascade Rinse, Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, and Box Honey Comb Cereal



The lady at our Smith's store was shocked at our total and said "No, that can't be right." Well she looked over the receipt to double check and once she realized it WAS right asked the Mister if he'd be keeping me! Haha, I love it!