The 30 Items

Here are my 30 items for the 30 days! Not sure what I am talking about, scroll down a couple posts to read about my 30 in 30 challenge!

ShoesShorts, Capris, & Pants
T-shirts & Tanks
Jackets, Cardigans, & Button-downs
Skirts and Dresses

Tomorrow morning I start wearing these 30 items for the next 30 days, creating fun and new outfits...some maybe a success and some maybe a failure!

I Did It!

Today I woke up and exercised!!!! 20 minutes of walking and I feel so good! Even though I got up early, I feel so much better having done it!
Plus, I learned that I can walk to Jungle Jim's in 20 minutes!
I also learned I need to invest in one of these!
Favorite post exercise breakfast...a banana!

The Adventure

I made a promise to myself that I was going to start exercising daily (at least 3-5xs a week). I did great for the first 2 weeks--going to the gym at our apartment or doing a video. Then I got sick, achy body and a horrible chest cold. And now I have no motivation to get up in the morning to do it!
So, I again am making that promise! I will exercise 3-4xs a week for at least 30 minutes each day.

On another fun front, I will be conducting a style experiment in August!
For 30 days, I will only be wearing a set 30 items (shoes, top, and bottoms)--pajamas and exercise clothes do not count! Accessories are endless! The idea comes from here (inspiration) and the concept is to remix the 30 items to create different looks. During these 30 days, I am also not allowed to buy any new clothes!
This should be interesting!

Coming Soon

I recently participated an ornament swap hosted by http://simplecuriosities.kimistarr.com/
I made 30 amazing ornaments and will receive many back in return! But I forgot to photograph my ornament before I mailed them. So when I receive my package I will post the photo!

Mimi

Monday was hard...to hear those words she is gone...to know I was not here to say good-bye. I rejoice in the fact that I know she is somewhere better...there is no pain and tears and she is rejoicing in that.
Tomorrow is the family wake...very difficult to see the family and say goodbye.
Thursday is the visitation.
Friday the funeral.
Very emotional days to come, but many memories and stories to share!

Mimi I miss you and look forward to celebrating with you again one day!Mimi being feisty with Zach...she was one feisty lady!


Mimi and Papa with Keith and I at our wedding
Mimi and Papa together...45 years they were married


Mimi and Papa again

Mimi with Caidan...when she first became sick she did everything she could to still help with Caidan.

Kroger 7.25.09

Original Cost: $16.07

Bought:
*Propel $1.00
*Propel $1.00
*Propel $1.00
*Propel $1.00
*VitaminWater $1.00
*VitaminWater $1.00
*Sobe LifeWater $0.99
*Sobe LifeWater $0.99
*Keebler Cookies $1.99
*Sour Cream $1.99
Donuts $1.00
English Muffins $1.00
Dr. Pepper $1.49 (not pictured)

Coupons Used:
$5.00 off for Mega Events*
$0.03 for using reusable bags
$1.00/4 Propel
$0.99 Sobe LifeWater (B1/1F)
$1.00 Sour Cream
$1.00 Keebler Cookies

Paid: $6.43 + $0.62=$7.05

Total spent after coupons: $7.05

Meijer 7,25.09

Original Cost: $23.89

Bought:
Toothbrush Cover $0.97
Toothbrush Cover $0.97
BC Frosting $0.99
Cucumber $0.34
Cookie Dough $2.00
Cookie Dough $2.00
Old Spice Body Wash $3.19
Old Spice Body Wash $3.19
Frozen Lemonade $2.50
Italian Ice $2.50
Honey Bunches of Oat $2.00
Honey Bunches of Oat $2.00

Coupons Used:
$1.00 Frozen Lemonade
$1.00 Italian Ice
$1.00 Cookie Dough
$1.00 Cookie Dough
$1.00 Old Spice Body Wash
$1.00 Old Spice Body Wash

Paid: $17.41 + $0.48 tax=$17.89

Total spent after coupons and refund: $17.89

$5.00 for One-year REAL SIMPLE SUBSCRIPTION

One of my favorite magazines, REAL SIMPLE is available for $5.00 here

I purchased mine and the first issue should arrive by the end of the month!

Kroger 6.25.09

Original Cost: $45.81

Bought:
*Gatorade $1.00
*Gatorade $1.00
*Gatorade $1.00
*Gatorade $1.00
*Gatorade $1.00
*Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.97
*Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.97
*Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.97
*Betty Crocker Brownie $1.99
*Betty Crocker Brownie $1.99
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $1.38
*Banquet Sausage Links $0.92
*Banquet Sausage Links $0.92
Mt. Dew 2 Liter $1.25
Pepsi 2 Liter $1.25
Cherry Pepsi 2 Liter $1.25
Root Beer 2 Liter $1.25
Orange 2 Liter $1.25
Dr. Pepper 2 Liter $1.25
Luna Bar $1.00
Luna Bar $1.00
Luna Bar $1.00
Luna Bar $1.00
Luna Bar $1.00
Luna Bar $1.00
Luna Bar $1.00
Clif Bar $1.00
Clif Bar $1.00
Clif Bar $1.00
Clif Bar $1.00
Clif Bar $1.00
Blueberries $1.48

Coupons Used:
$6.00 from buying Daytona Deals*
$2.50 off for buying 6 designated 2 liters
$0.75/2 Brownies (Cellfire.com loaded on card)
$1.00/2 Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs (Cellfire.com loaded on card)
$1.00/2 Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs (Cellfire.com loaded on card)
$1.00/2 Brownies ($1.12 each after Cellfire.com coupon too)
$1.00 Kraft BBQ Sauce (free plus $0.30 overage)
$0.99 Kraft BBQ Sauce (free plus $0.30 overage)
$0.98 Kraft BBQ Sauce (free plus $0.30 overage)
$1.00/3 Clif/Luna Bars (organic booklet found at Kroger) ($0.67 each)
$1.00/3 Clif/Luna Bars (organic booklet found at Kroger) ($0.67 each)
$1.00/3 Clif/Luna Bars (organic booklet found at Kroger) ($0.67 each)
$1.00/3 Clif/Luna Bars (organic booklet found at Kroger) ($0.67 each)
$1.00/2 Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs ($0.33 each after Cellfire.com Coupon too)
$1.00/2 Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs ($0.33 each after Cellfire.com Coupon too)

Paid: $26.59 + $0.42 tax=$27.01
After looking at receipt I realized that $2.00 had been added on and $2.00 worth of coupons missing. I went to customer service and they refunded me $4.00.
Total spent after coupons and refund: $23.01

Bad Blogger

I have goals for this site and I am working on finding the balance to achieve those. I have posted two great shopping trips below and hope to post more this week. This weekend will be crazy as my sis and her family are in town, but I promise deals will go up!

CVS 6.22.09 (2 Transactions)

Original Cost: $12.32

Bought:
Soy Joy Bar $1.00
Soy Joy Bar $1.00
Soy Joy Bar $1.00
Soy Joy Bar $1.00
Tylenol Rapid Release $3.99
Tylenol Rapid Release $3.99
Emery Board $0.34

Coupons Used:
B1/G1 Free ($1.00) Soy Joy Bar
B1/G1 Free ($1.00) Soy Joy Bar
$3.00/2 Tylenol Products
$2.00 any Tylenol Rapid Release (CVS)

Paid: $5.32+$0.09tax=$5.41 ($5.00 ecb and $0.41 gift card)
Earned: $4.00 ecb for Soy Joy and $4.00 for Tylenol
Profit of $2.59
Original Cost: $12.97

Bought:
St. Ives Body Wash $3.99
Tylenol Rapid Release $3.99
Chapstick $0.75 (clearance)
L'Oreal Hip Eyeliner $2.12 (clearance)
L'Oreal Hip Eyeliner $2.12 (clearance)

Coupons Used:
$1.50 St. Ives Body Wash
$2.00 St. Ives Body Wash (CVS)
$1.00 Tylenol Product
$2.00 L'Oreal Hip Product
$2.00 L'Oreal Hip Product

Paid: $4.47+$0.46tax=$4.93 ($4.00 ecb and $0.93 gift card)
Earned: $2.00 for Tylenol
Total cost after coupons and earnings: $2.93

Total for both transactions $0.34! Yeah me!

Walgreens 6.22.09

Original Cost: $5.88

Bought:
Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder $1.99
Aquafresh Toothpaste $3.00
York Peppermint Patty $0.89 (not pictured)

Coupons Used:
$1.00 Johnson and Johnson product (made it $0.99)
$0.75 Aquafresh Toothpaste (mad it $2.25)
$0.40 Hershey Candy Bar (Walgreens-made it $0.49)

Paid: $3.73 + $0.33 tax=$4.06 ($3.00 rr and $1.06 cash)
Earned $1.00 rr Johnson and Johnson/$3.00 rr Aquafresh Toothpaste=$4.00
Total spent after coupons and earned rr: $0.06

Wal-Mart, Meijer, Kroger 5.22.09

Meijer

Original Cost: $28.67

Bought:
Minute Maid Fruit Punch $0.99
Minute Maid Raspberry Lemonade $0.99
Minute Maid Cherry Limeade $0.99
Ortega Taco Sauce $1.19
Ortega Taco Sauce $1.19
Arm & Hammer Detergent $3.79
Corn Tortilllas $1.34
Ragu Sauce $1.25
Ragu Sauce $1.25
Ragu Sauce $1.25
Lipton Pasta Bags $1.00
Lipton Pasta Bags $1.00
Lipton Rice Bags $1.00
Lipton Rice Bags $1.00
Tortilla Chips $2.50
Queso Dip $2.50
Eckrich Hot Dogs $1.25
Eckrich Hot Dogs $1.25
Ball Park Hot Dogs $1.25
Ball Park Hot Dogs $1.25

Coupons Used:
$1.00/2 Ragu Sauce ($0.75 each)
$1.00/2 Lipton Rice/Noodle Bags ($0.50 each)
$1.00/2 Lipton Rice/Noodle Bags ($0.50 each)
$1.00/2 Ortega Products ($0.69 each)
$1.00/2 Ball Park Hot Dogs ($0.75 each)
$1.00 Ragu Sauce ($0.25 each)
$1.00/2 Eckrich Hot Dogs ($0.75 each)

Paid: $21.23+$0.44=$21.67
Total spent after coupons: $21.67

Kroger

Original Cost: $10.24

Bought:
Kool-Aid Tropical Punch $1.00
Kool-Aid Tropical Punch $1.00
Sour Cream $1.00
Cream Cheese $1.00
Dip $1.00
Green Onions $1.00
Weber Grill Seasoning $1.00
Ground Beef $3.61

Coupons Used:
$1.00 Weber Grill Seasoning (free)

Paid: $9.11+$0.13 tax=$9.24
Total cost after coupons: $9.24

Wal-Mart

Original Cost: $15.28

Bought:
Lays Chips $1.98
Lays Chips $1.98
Powerade $0.78
SmartWater $1.00
Glade Lasting Impressions Fan $5.00
Hefty Zip Bags (travel size) $0.97
Schick Razors $1.97
Shout Wipes (travel size) $0.97

Coupons Used:
$4.00 Glade Lasting Impressions Fan ($1.00)
$1.00 Hefty Zip Bags (travel size) (Free plus $0.03 overage)
$2.00 Schick Razors (Free plus $0.03 overage)
$0.55 Shout Wipes (travel size) ($0.42)

Paid: $7.10+$0.63 tax=$7.73
Total cost after coupons: $7.73

Total Weekly Shopping: $38.64 ($1.36 under budget)

Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and a gift!

Walgreens

Original Cost: $7.96

Bought:
Colgate Visible White Toothpaste $4.49
Edge Shave Gel $1.99
Chap Stick $0.99

Coupons Used:
$0.75 Edge Shave Gel (making it $1.24)

Paid: $6.72=$0.49 tax=$7.21 ($6.50 in rr and $0.71 on gift card)
Earned:
$4.50 rr for Colgate Visible White Toothpaste (making it free plus $0.01 overage)
$1.00 rr for Edge Shave Gel (making it $0.24)
Total Spent after coupons and earnings: $1.71

Wal-Mart

Original Cost: $28.85

Bought:
Magic Erasers $1.96
Magic Erasers $1.96
Glade Lasting Impressions Fan $5.00
Toilet Bowl Brush $3.13
Sponges $0.92
Acne Cream $5.97
Scott Scrub Clothes $0.97
Hefty Zip Bags $0.97 (travel size)
Shout Wipes $0.97 (travel size)
Suave Men Body Wash $1.87
Suave Men Body Wash $1.87
Mop Bucket $1.50

Coupons Used:
$1.96 Magic Erasers (Buy 1/1 Free) (making 4 erasers only $1.96)
$0.55 Shout Wipes (travel size) (making it $0.42)
$4.00 Glade Lasting Impressions Fan (making it $1.00)
$1.00/2 Suave Men Body Wash (making it $1.37 each)
$1.00 Hefty Zip Bags (travel size) (making it free plus $0.03 overage)

Paid: $18.58+$1.76 tax=$20.34
Total Spent after coupons: $20.34


I used a bunch of the supplies from the above trip to Wal-Mart and stockpiled supplies to create this:



Mop bucket ($1.50)
Toilet Brush ($3.13)
Sponges ($0.92)
Magic Erasers ($0.98)
Glade Lasting Impressions Fan ($1.00)
Scott Scrub Clothes ($0.97)
Lysol Disinfecting Spray (stockpiled)
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner (stockpiled)
Lysol Bathroom Cleaner (stockpiled)
Lysol 4-1 Cleaner (stockpiled)
Lysol 4-1 Pourable (stockpiled)
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (stockpiled)
Scrubbing Sponges (stockpiled)

So for $8.50 plus some stockpiled supplies, I created a housewarming/cross of theses from the grocery list gift for a friend who is getting married and buying her first house in July!

Meijer and Kroger 5.18.09

Because I was out of town this weekend, Saturday shopping became Monday shopping!

Kroger

Cost: $10.77
*that is Seth's hand reaching for the meat!

Coupons:
None used--even without coupons you can shop cheaply if you watch the sales!
Received $0.03 off for using 1 reusable bag

Paid: $10.64 + $0.13 tax=$10.77


Meijer

*Ocean Spray Cranberry-Pomegranate Juice (not pictured)
Cost: $23.65

Coupons Used:
$0.50 Bob Evans Sausage
$1.00 Ocean Spray Juice
$1.00/2 Ragu
$1.00 Ragu
$1.50 Kraft Dressing
$1.50 Kraft Dressing
$2.00 A-1 Sauce
$2.00 A-1 Sauce

Paid: $22.94+$0.71 tax= $23.65

Ocean Spray Juice $1.00! Kraft Dressing $0.08 each! A-1 Sauce $0.50 each!

On my way to Plano for a sister weekend!

Meijer 5.14.09

Cost: $4.11

Spent:
$1.39 Mountain Dew 20oz (not pictured)
$0.99 Aunt Millie Buns
$0.99 Aunt Millie Buns
$0.99 Softsoap Hand Soap
$0.99 Softsoap Hand Soap
$3.00 Electrasol Tablets
$3.00 Electrasol Tablets

Coupons Used:
$0.70 Aunt Millie Buns
$0.70 Aunt Millie Buns
$0.70 Softsoap Hand Soap
$0.70 Softsoap Hand Soap
$2.50 Electrasol Tablets
$2.50 Electrasol Tablets

Paid $3.55 + $0.56 tax=$4.11

Target and Meijer 5.12.09

Target


Cost: $10.14

Spent:
Teal 3/4 Sleeve Shirt $2.48
Black Lace Tank $3.74
Necklace $3.24
Banana Boat Sunscreen Travel Size $0.99

Coupons Used:
Banana Boat (any product)$1.00 (adjusted to $0.99)

Paid:
$9.46 + $0.68 tax= $10.14 on gift card

Meijer


Cost: $12.35

Coupons Used:
Kelloggs Rice Krispies $1.00
Kelloggs Corn Pops $1.00
Kelloggs Raisan Bran $1.00
Jello Gelatin Cups $1.00
Jello Pudding Cups $1.00
Hunts Ketchup $0.40
Hunts Ketchup $0.40

Cereal Boxes became $0.80 each! Jello Cups $1.00 each! Ketchup $0.60 each!
Bananas $0.27/lb!

Meijer 5.8.09

Cost: $28.77

Coupons used:
$0.50 Bounty Paper Towels
$0.50 Bounty Paper Towels

There was not a lot that we needed, so just stock up items and produce!
I did buy steaks reduced to $2.45 and 2 baking potatoes for $1.12 and watermelon chunks reduced to $0.68 making dinner tonight only $4.25!

CVS and KMart 5.6.09

KMart


Cost: $1.82

Spent:
$2.79 Arm&Hammer Cleaning Essential
$2.79 Arm&Hammer Cleaning Essential

Coupons Used:
*KMart is doubling all coupons up to $2.00 this week, the coupon amount is the doubled amount
$2.00 Arm&Hammer Cleaning Essential
$2.00 Arm&Hammer Cleaning Essential

Paid:
$1.58 +$0.24 tax
used $1.82 cash

CVS


Cost: $0.15

Spent:
$2.99 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste
$2.99 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste

Coupons Used:
$1.00 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste
$1.00 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste

Paid:
$3.98 + $0.17 tax= $4.15
used $3.49 ecbs (extra care bucks)+ $0.66 on gift card

Earned:
$4.00 ecbs for Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste