Cats on Tuesday

Last week I had to skip COT due to exhaustion and not any new pics of the babies.  We are back this week:
For more, go to http://www.gattinamycats.blogspot.com/

Top Pic:  Minnie
Middle and Bottom:  Humpty Dumpty and Thumper at bath time

Eating From the Freezer/Pantry---End of Month Totals

As the Eat from the Pantry Challenge winds down, here is how I did at the stores.  My goal was not to stop shopping entirely but to use up a lot of what I had and only buy produce, the occasional meat, and stock up on good sales coupled with coupons.



Total Shelf Cost: $348.39                                         

Monthly Budget: $200.00


Total Coupon Savings: $87.12                                Variance: $9.31

Total Discounts: $78.24

Total Savings: $165.36

Amount Paid (after rebates): $190.69 

Savings Rate: 47.46%                         Amount Paid (exc. Rebates) $190.69

So, I am in UNDER budget; for that I am REALLY excited!

CVS Deals Jan23

This CVS trip was not as lucrative as I'd like, but still it was not bad.  Before coupons the total was
$22.46.  I used a $10 ECB and a 1.50 ECB.  It came down to $12.08 and I got back a $3.99 ECB.  My son was having a big time chips and salsa craving, so there you have it.

Cats on Tuesday

For more cat pics, head over to Gattina's.

Below:  Lovey, Thumper, and Snowflake on Momma's bed---Lovey is still wearing his Christmas collar to give him some color. (I have been known to step on him in poor lighting or the dark. :(  ).

Thumper washing his thumb

This is common EVERY night:  Snowflake, me(my legs are between them.), and Humpty Dumpty on the sofa

and.....Thumper and Humpty Dumpty curled up together on the couch---no room for humans!

More Than Free at CVS

Sunday I went to CVS for my weekly trip and basically did the same deal as last week.  I had $11.89 in  ECBS from the Pepsi and other deals  last week AND 2 Orbit B1G1 Free coupons.  Before coupons my total was $22.58.  I had $14.47 in coupons with the ECBS and Orbit.  I paid $8.11 but got back $10 in ECBS for the Pepsis you see above!  You have to love more than free!

Eating From the Freezer/Pantry: Mid-month Update

I decided since it is the 15th of the month, I would see where I stand in my Eat from the Pantry/Freezer Challenge.  This is my budget and what I've spent so far:

Total Shelf Cost: $182.55                              
Monthly Budget: $200.00

Total Coupon Savings: $44.50 
Total Discounts: $30.20



Amount Paid  $107.85 :  This includes a $37 trip to Petsmart for cat litter and a huge bag of dog food.  Do I count pet food?  I don't know, but I do.

 

Walmart Trip

I thought I made it pretty well at Walmart today.  Before coupons, the total was $36.14; after coupons, it was $23.45.  The breakdown:
5 boxes of Kashi cereal
1 5 lb. bag of Idaho potatoes
1 bag of apples
1 5 lb. bag sugar
1 3 pk of yeast
1 bag of Hall's cough drops

I had $9 off the Kashi from coupons I got in the mail from Vocalpoint.

Cats on Tuesday

Cats on Tuesday are cat lovers who write about their cats once  a week.  Go here  for more pictures.


Below:  This is my FAVORITE picture of the brothers.  They and Snowflake had taken over the couch.  I used this on my Promethean Board at school, and  a student asked if I put them like that.  Pullleeezz...No one tells a cat what to do!

Above:  Miles in my spot before bedtime

Week 2 of the Pantry Challenge

I am beginning week 2 of the Pantry Challenge issued by Jessica.   I am thrilled to say I have not set foot in the grocery store in ONE WEEK!

We have used frozen fish, potatoes, fresh broccoli, leftover taco meat I had frozen, and tacos.  Keep in mind we are gone at lunch, so this is for dinner.  I take leftovers for lunch, and my son chooses not to eat lunch.

Sunday at lunch I pulled out flour tortillas, frozen brown rice, shredded cheese, and a partial can of nonfat refried beans.  I had never made burritos, but it took about 5 minutes to assemble and then nuke in the microwave.  We enjoyed them and there are plenty of the ingredients left to do it again later in the week. 

Are you in the Pantry Challenge?  If so, how is it going?

CVS Pepsi Deal

Buy 6 Pepsis at CVS this week and get a $10 ECB.
I had a $5 ECB, so I paid $15 plus 1.05 in tax.  I got back a $10 ECB, so that amounts to a little over $1 for each `12 pack.

100%CVS Savings

I went back to CVS today with 2 $1.00 internet coupons for Xtra and 2 $1ECBs.  They were priced at $1.99 each.  The cashier adjusted the second ECB to .98 so I paid just .21 for the tax!  (My CVS registers will not accept ECBs that exceed the pre-tax total.)

Frugal Friday

I used to spend a LOT of money on lavendar vanilla scrubs at Bath and Body Works.  Over the Christmas holiday, I found a recipe online for a homemade scrub that I find just as good-----and I had ALL the ingredients already.  I started with my old Bath and Body Works jar, which I had kept in case I found a good recipe.

To it, I added olive oil and sugar until it was soupy.  Then, a few drops of lavendar oil from my health food store.  Voila---

What's on Your Plate

I love omelets for breakfast when I have time to devote to them.  This one was made with 3 egg whites (I don't like the yolks.), 1/4 cup cheese, diced broccoli stalks, sweet potatoes, and onions.  I used nonstick cooking spray and my Rachael Ray cookware.  It was yummy and filling.

Eating From the Freezer/Pantry

Jessica over at http://www.lifeasmom.com/ is hosting this year's Eat From the Pantry Challenge.  Here are my freezer and pantry as I begin this quest to use what I have and spend very little this month.

I already have white chicken chili and potato soup in the containers.

Meat-wise I have flounder and perch.

Veggies galore

Cats on Tuesday

Cats on Tuesday are cat lovers who write about their feline babies on Tuesdays.  For more, head over toGattina's.

Snowflake can not decide which bookbag to take to school.

Humpty Dumpty on the left chased Snowflake up the cabinets.  They are fierce rivals.

Lovey and Miles trying out the dog bed; it's cozy!

My sweet brothers!!!!

.73@CVS

CVS breakdown after church:
I went in armed with $13 in ECBs.
Each 1 liter bottle of Listerine rang up $5.00.  The gum was 3 for $2.  Total prior to ECBs:  $12 plus tax of .73.  I handed over $12 in ECBs.  Out of pocket I paid .73!  I got back $6 in ECBs!