Sunday, January 31, 2010

CVS & Walgreens

CVS

I only had one transaction at CVS this week, but I had to go to 2 different CVS Stores to find the Dove Men's Body Wash. Let me add that I hate finding fill in items. I usually just pick up what is closest to the register and then when I leave I always think about something else that would have work as a better fill in.

Started Out with $12.00 in Extra Care Bucks.
Transaction #1 - Colgate $2.99 - $0.75 coupon
Dove Men's Body wash 2 at 5.49 -$1.00 and $1.25 coupons
CVS Hand Sanitizer $1.49
Total OOP- $2.01 out of this Tax was $1.55

I received another $12.98 in Extra Bucks

Walgreen's

Started out with $4.00 in Register Rewards.

Transaction #1 - Kellogg's Rice Krispies - 2/$5.00 -$4.00 Register Reward
Total - $1.50
Got Back - $2.00 in Register Reward

Transaction #2 - Russel Stovers Heart -$0.29
Vitamin Lip Stuff - $1.99
Used - $2.00 Register Reward from transaction above
Total - $0.51
Earn $2.00 Register Rewards for next time.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Couples Budgeting Together

Frugal Chick and I have periodic budget meetings usually one every two or three months. We set up budget amounts for groceries, gas, eating out, CVS (Frugal Chick loves CVS extra bucks, her ability to use CVS extra bucks is so legendary I intend to dedicate a future blog post on the subject.), fun money, Christmas gifts, home projects, insurance, meds and hair cuts. In our meetings we discuss how we will divide up the income we earn between these and other monthly expenses.
I keep the books and reconcile our accounts while Frugal Chick actually makes the purchases. In our meetings she explains to me what purchases cost and why a particular item needs to have more or less budgeted to it. I explain to her how much income we have and what her proposed changes to the expenses will do to the over all budget. We then discuss the option and come up with a revised budget.
We try to work it like a corporation and call ourselves BS Incorporated after our first initials and for other reasons.
We make sure we both understand what is our savings and checking accounts and what our changes will do to the monthly totals before we end our meeting. We always dedicate some money to savings and have an emergency fund and I would suggest these two things to anyone else. This process sounds complex, but after a few meeting the prep time should be less than thirty minutes and the meeting should never go more than about twenty minutes. After twenty minutes one or both partners will have lost interest and minds will wander.
This process keeps us on the same page and working toward the same objective. We both know how much income we bring home and how it is being spent and applied. I feel this process greatly reduces our arguments over money, and could work for any couple that commits to it. If a couple has the same financial information and compromise together to form common financial goals there really will not be much to argue over, financially speaking. As far as, arguing over the remote and laundry your on your own.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Walmart Deals

I don't usually shop at Walmart. It seems to suck the time and money out of my life.

But Money Saving Mom has listed a lot of good deals at Walmart this week. I may actually have to go get some of these.

I love reading Money Saving Mom because she is just so inspiring.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

My Coke Rewards


For several years, I just ignored these little codes inside the 12 packs of Coke and Dasani that I purchased every month or so. I can't tell you how many points I tossed in the trash.
After I played the McDonald's Monopoly game last year and one 50 points I decided to start collecting. My goal was to just get a magazine subscription. Now my goal is to see how many points I can get by the end of the year. One thing is that Accounting Dude and I would like to go to the Coke Museum in the ATL and we can get tickets with our reward points.
Now that I have seen the fun items I can get with my rewards I have started collecting points from my mom, brother, and people at work. They are all willing to give me their points instead of seeing them go into the trash.
Why I like the My Coke Rewards program:
1. Easy to get and accumulate points
2. Easy to enter them into an online account
3. Wide variety of prizes to collect.
What I don't like about the My Coke Rewards program:
1. Hard to read the codes
2. Some prizes seem to be listed in a high value amount for what they are.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Publix 01-24-2010

Savings Summary
Vendor Coupon $10.59
Store Coupon $2.88
Advertised Special Savings $16.39
In-Store Special Savings $1.69

Total Savings $31.55

Total Spent $30.97

Outstanding Deals - digigornos pizza - Free Coupon
Waffel Mix - Special in store $.50
Hallmark Cards $0.99 each - used two $0.99 off a Hallmark cards

Friday, January 22, 2010

Food For Thought Friday

Since we are trying to clean out our pantry, I have made things that I normally don't make.

First up: This easy dish I hear advertised on Rotel Tomato commercial so I thought we would try it. And I had all the ingredients were in the pantry. All this recipe contains is pasta, small block of Velveeta cheese, chicken, & two cans of Rotel Tomatoes. We both really liked it, and I would definitely make it again.

Turkey Joe:
Okay, I was hungry for Sloppy Joe's. Well, I did not have any hamburger meat, but we did have some turkey meat patties. I decided to use these turkey patties to make Sloppy Joe's. I fried up the meat and used a mixture of ketchup and brown sugar to make the sauce. I would like to say that I enjoyed it, but I didn't. I did eat the leftover meat for a lunch one day, and it was much better than I thought the first time. Accounting Dude loved it and requested it again. I think I must have really really wanted Sloppy Joe's with hamburger meat.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Second Jobs

In April of 2006 Frugal Chick and I were married and we spent the year taking trips and celebrating. In 2007 my wife and I decided we needed some extra income to help with student loans and to help pay for the annual trips we both loved. It was decided I would get a second job since she was working on her Masters Degree at night. We updated my resume and sent it out cold to every CPA firm in town. We sent sixty resumes in all and only received interest from three firms. All three made offers and we choose the firm that offered the work on contract basis. We choose this firm since it was small, close to home and had an accounting software package I already knew how to use. My work was at night and on weekends and I was expected to put in at least twenty hours a week.

It is hard to go to work after supper and to give up my weekends in order to work two jobs. I just had to remember tax season only last twelve weeks and I was being well paid for my trouble. The work helps me stay sharp on matters of tax, general accounting and estate planning. I work in governmental accounting and if I did not work tax seasons my knowledge in tax and corporate accounting would slowly fade. When the time is right I would like to go into private practice and the work I do during tax season keeps me up to date on accounting issues. The tax work has and will continue to help make contacts and build a future client base.

A second job is a source of additional income to help with finances, trips, and savings for the future. It will also help to keep a person sharp and motivated regardless of their field of expertise. A second job will also increase a person’s knowledge and help make new contacts. I would recommend a trying a second job to anyone with drive, ambition and a frugal nature.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Weekly Shopping

This week I decided to do all shopping updates in one post. So here it goes:

CVS:

Had extra bucks to cover the Soy Joys. All I had to pay was tax which was $0.60 a box.
The Oust 4 at $3.99 each used two BOGO Coupons plus a $6.00 Extra Bucks. Making my total out of pocket $3.58 and I received back extra bucks of $12.00. Plus this qualifies for the SC Johnson rebate.

Target:

This weekend I got lucky because I didn't know it, but Target had marked down some of their toys to 75%. I lost my receipt, but all of these were around $10.00. They will fit great in shoe boxes at Christmas.


Publix:

This picture is missing 2 bottle of Fantastic that I also got this night.

Savings Summary : Store Coupon $12.80
Vendor Coupon $24.30
Advertised Special Savings $24.50
Advantage Buy Savings $1.49
Total Savings: $63.09

I started to clap when the woman at the register told me my told was $35.03

Walmart:

Okay, let me start off by saying we don't really go to Walmart. Accounting Dude will have to write a post one day on why we don't go to Walmart, but that is for another day.
But I had coupons and I was bored. I did pretty good because I only got the things pictured above for $2.53.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

To Rent or To Buy

I know what your thinking, "Why is Accounting Dude standing in front of a Christmas tree with a tux on?"
Well this picture was taken in December, which was the last time he wore his tux.
I know it sounds silly, but Accounting Dude owns his own tux. When we first started dating we got invited to a few balls. Balls are big in our town. He rented a tux once for a little over a $100.00 and decided that if he was going to go to many of these balls he would just buy a tux. Since investing right at $500.00 for his tux, shoes, shirt, vest, tie and cufflinks, he wouldn't get the cheap one, he has worn it to 3 balls and our wedding. He has worn the shoes one other time. He was in a wedding and had to rent a tux to match the other groomsmen. After wearing it this last time he said, "I only have one more time and then I've broke even."

I think of it this way my wedding dress cost around the same amount as his tux and I have only worn it once. So I think he is way ahead of breaking even.

My Tuesday Tip is consider the cost of renting over buying or buying over renting. In this case we made out better by purchasing the item.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Update on Challenge

Pantry Challenge update:

-Okay so I'm not doing so well on the $150.00 limit. Accounting Dude and I have talked and it is easier for Accounting Dude to budget $40.00 a week instead of $35.00 the first week and $40.00 the next week. But still we have limited our grocery budget.

- I have tried to make a monthly menu, but we don't seem to stick with that. So now I'm going to try to make a weekly menu.

- I still haven't had time to clean out and inventory the pantry.

- I don't think that I will have anything left to save towards the refrigerator.

- Lunches have been a challenge, but this week I got lucky because with sales and coupons I was able to get Healthy Choice meals for $0.50 each.

On a happier note: Accounting Dude and I think that we will try to stick to this longer than a month. We also have used several things in our freezer and made some meals we would have never before.

I'll give you another update at the end of the month.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Food For Thought Friday

We tried some more new products this week. This time it was TGIF Fridays Anytime! Mexican Style Chicken Quesadilla and Campbell's Mexican-Style Chicken Tortilla soup.
The inside of the quesadilla after I had taken a bite of it. We were both surprised at the amount of products the quesadilla had inside of it. It was very filling.

The outside of the quesadilla. I wasn't really sure about trying this because I thought it maybe to spicy, but I was pleasantly surprised that it had just the right amount of heat so that you knew that it was a Mexican dish but not so much that it burned your mouth. I would definitely have them again. Six came in the box so this will make a good Saturday lunch.

Now on to the soup. I am not usually a big soup fan, but since it has been so cold lately I decided to make it more. Also it has been on sale and Accounting Dude likes soup. I thought that this soup didn't have much of a flavor it seemed kind of boring and unmemorable. Accounting Dude said that it was pretty good which when ask to clarify that he said it was just okay not great or anything. I think I'll stick with some of Campbell's other flavors before I buy this one again.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

CVS (1-11-10)

Wow! that is a crappy picture!

Went to two different CVS today mostly looking for Christmas items marked down to 90%off.



Walgreens (01-11-10)

Purchased all of this in two differen orders.



This is actually the inside of the Nail Diva Kit. Don't you just love it?


I did learn that you have to have the same number of items that you have coupons. That has to be one of the stupidist coupon rules I have ever heard of. Mostly because I hate finding fillers.

First Order - Therma Care HeatWrap $2.49- $1.00 manufacture coupon

Nail Diva Kit $5.19

Nivia Cream $.99

Used Register Reward - $3.00, $1.00 Got Back $2.50

Total - $4.54

Total Savings $10.30


Second Order - Diva Nail Kit - $5.19

Used Register Reward - $2.50

Total - $3.25

Total Savings - $7.30





Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Saving Pennies Spending Dollars

My father-in-law likes to jokingly say to Accounting Dude and I, "Your saving your pennies and spending your dollars." In some ways that is true. Accounting Dude and I do save our pennies, but we really really enjoy spending our dollars. It is all about the choices we make.

So one of the choices we made was to go to watch the BCS National Championship game. Part of the deal was that if Accounting Dude got to go to the game I got to go to Disney Land. I enjoyed Disney Land, but I don't think as much as he enjoyed the game.
We also had to make a stop on Rodeo Dr. which I think you couldn't save any pennies on this street, but you could definately spend a lot of dollars.

We had a lot of fun at the game and actually we were lucky enough to pay face value for our tickets. It was a fun week and I do enjoy traveling so much that I clip coupons and drive an old car in exchange for seeing the world.
I'm going to keep saving my pennies...who know where I'll spend my dollars next.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Tips on Tuesday

I know so many people hate thinking about Christmas right after it happened, but it seems to me to be one our biggest expenses for the entire year. So besides budgeting for it, I look for expensive things at a cheap price, and nothing beats free.
See these boxes were sent to my office on December 28Th. Everyone dug into the goodies inside I looked at the boxes. All I could think was that they were nice a nice size for small items. So I took them and left the goodies. I know next year they will make great gift boxes and I'll also be recycling. I guess my tip is look for unusual shaped boxes and keep them. I don't know a Christmas that hasn't gone by when either my brother or I had received a gift in a box that checks were sent in. Sometimes laughing at the box is just as much fun as the gift.
If you live in Alabama you will find this funny - This year for Christmas I received gifts in boxes from Gayffers and Parisians, both department stores that are longer in business and haven't been in years.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Publix (01-11-10)

Posted these on accident. It probably the jet lag. I'll explain that tomorrow.
Total spent: $23.49
Savings Summary: Vendor Coupons $7.00
Advertised Special Savings $9.60
Total Savings: $16.60

Good Buys: Digiorno Pizzas $10.00- $4.00= $6.00
Peter Pan Peanut Butter 2 for $2.59 - $2.00 = $0.59
Ronzoni Pasta 2 for $1.79 - $1.00 = $0.79

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Hobby Lobby

I love Arts and Crafts. I have ever since I was a little kid. Making things has always facinated me. So one of my favorite stores is Hobby Lobby. The one thing I don't like about it is that it closes at 8 p.m. I can deal with the not being open on Sunday, but closing at 8 just kills me.

I did have time to run in their one night when they had their Christmas 80%.

All the items in this picture came to $13.17. More Christmas presents for next year.

This ribbon is for my grandmother in law. She needs new bows to go on all of her wreaths at her house. She has 7 wreaths across the front of her house and 2 in the back so I was lucky to find 9 rolls of ribbon all the same color. These were orginally $9.99 a roll with 80% off.

Michael's

Some of these items were 75% off and some were 80% off. So I will just give you the total and some highlights. Total spent $20.39.


Highlights - Scrapbook paper was $9.99 and then the lady gave me 80% off making it $1.98 for 60 pages. Can you believe that?
Plush Floppy Animas were - $0.50 each.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Target

More Christmas Items - 75% off at Target. I have set a goal of filling 10 boxes for Operation Christmas Child next year, and I know that if I purchased all of the items to fill it then I would never be able to afford it. Luck for me Target has the best stocking stuffer section for little kids which fit perfect into shoe boxes. So for $11.84 I got all of these items. The Christmas ornaments will be part of some family members gifts for next year.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Hallmark

I don't know why I got these sickers I guess I just liked them. I can't remeber how much they were, but they couldn't have been that much.
I really wanted the Turkey pin. My mom had one like this when I was growing up and when I saw this I had to have it. It was only $0.50.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

After Christmas Sale

I won't say who each ornament is for because some people who read this blog may end up with them in their stocking next year.

Kohl's - $27.66

Northcutt's On Main (I love this store!) - $15.77
The purple striped ball is for on my tree it is part of Christopher Radko set of 4, but one broke and they broke up the rest of the set. Then it was marked half off so I got it for $2.25. Can you believe that?

JC Penney - $4.88

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

CVS

For some reason these lights were marked differently than the other lights in the Christmas section. The 300 count was $1.00 and all the other sets were $0.25 a piece. The bag of tea lights that you can hardle see was another $1.00. Total -$2.75.

Walgreens, CVS (1-03-100

Walgreen's -
Electrosol- $3.49 coupon used $2.50
Neosporin - 2/$8.00 coupons used 2/$3.00 off
Walgreen's - $0.99 needed because Accounting Dude is sick

Go back - $4.00 in Register Rewards

I had to go back in because I checked my receipt because I thought I was charged to much which I was. I was charged twice for the Electorsol. I went back to the girl who check out my order and she had me go in the line with manager. When I showed her the receipt and told her I was charged twice for one item. She said to me, "Are you sure you didn't purchase two?" I hadn't even made it out the door. Do they really have that many people steal Electrosol tablets? I mean with coupons and Register Rewards they paid me a penny.

CVS-
I have my gift card for the year and I think I'm going to LOVE it. Also my store got a new coupon scanner machine and this worked out great because I got my quarterly Extra Bucks to start with.
Colgate 360 toothbrush - $2.99
GE Light Bulb - $2.99
2 Nivea Lip Stuff - $6.98
1 Nivea Body Wash - $6.99
Total Before Coupons - $19.95
Coupons Used - $4.03 Extra Bucks - $10.50
Total Out of Pocket - $2.71

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Tips on Tuesday

Today's tip - how to extend the life of expired coupons by passing them on. Apparently troops stationed over seas can use them for up to 6 months after the expiration date. OCP NET is just one of the organizations that will help you with this. Just think of all the troops you will be helping.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Sunday Shopping (1-03-10)

Can you believe it is 2010. I can't! Wow were did 2009 go?

First up Publix -
Savings Summary - Vendor Coupons $8.00
Store Coupons $9.00
Advertised Special Savings $10.07
Advantage Buy Savings $0.029
Your Savings at Publix - $27.36

Total Spent - $21.21

Good Deals in this order -
Olay Regenerist $3.99 x 2 used 2 $1.00 off coupon and it qualifies for a $15.00 mail in rebate.
Scotties Tissue on sale $0.99 used $1.00 off coupon
Wonka Candy - $1.00 used $1.00 off coupon
Glade Candles (2) - $5.99 each used 2 Publix $4.00 coupons and 1 $3.00 off coupon on two.


Rite Aid -
The Grinch was on sale for 75% off making it $3.25
Zyrtec - $18.99 used $4.00 coupon and it qualifies for a $4.00 single check rebate.
I used a $10.00 off Rite Aid coupon.
When I get back the $4.00 single check refund my total will be $4.25

Target -

Christmas clearance 75%- a bunch of stuff for $7.43 most of which will go into my Christmas boxes.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Phillips Crabcakes and Campbell's Sweet Red Pepper Soup

Apparently, I posted this picture without writing anything about it. I know you probably thought this was pretty odd.
So this is what the post was suppose to be about. Accounting Dude and I thought it would be fun to give you our opinion about new products that we try. We both would love to be food critics, but since we aren't and we have blog you, our readers, will get to hear about this. It will make trying new products fun. By the way we paid for these products.

We will start with the Phillips crab cakes. The worst thing about these were finding them at Publix. I got them when they were on sale BOGO and then I had another $2.55 in coupons making them extremely cheap. Accounting Dude and I both love seafood, but crab cakes are not one of my favorite things. I usually find them filled with breading and very little meat, this was not the case all with these Phillips crab cakes. They were filled with tons of crab meat, big chunks. Both Accounting Dude and I would love to have them again. We were both surprised at how good they were and we wanted more, which is always a good sign.
The soup is Campbell's V8 Sweet Red Pepper soup. We have had other V8 soups that we like so we thought that we would try this soup. This Sweet Red Pepper soup reminded both of us of tomoto soup both in taste and texture. We both thought that we could eat this again, but we would prefer to eat tomato soup instead. There just wasn't much to say about it we tried it and we just weren't impressed with this soup.

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year New Financial Goals

Financial Goals for 2010:

  1. Limit our grocery spending to $60.00 a week. This will mean that we will have to eat out of the pantry more, and making a weekly menue.
  2. Purchase a $100.00 gift certificate at CVS and see how we can make it last. Our goal is to make last until the end of June. In July if this gift card is used up a new $100.00 can be purchased.
  3. Have a least 1 yard sale.
  4. List at least 10 items on eBay.
  5. Keep working through the Baby Steps.
  6. Fill at least 10 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. I love this organization.
  7. See how much change we can collect each month. Our goal is $350.00
  8. Save up and purchase a new refrigerator. I'm tired of buying a bag of ice everyweek, and this should also save on energy.
  9. Save up and purchase a new dishwasher.
  10. Save up and expand the patio.
  11. Save up and fence in our backyard.

And the biggest Goal - Save up and purchase a new car.

Let's see how many of these goals Accounting Dude and I can reach this year.