Triple Triumphs and Thanksgiving Traditions

I think this will be my last post about triple coupons for awhile.  Pamida wrapped up the Triple Coupon Event on Monday, and I was able to score some more great deals.  I failed to get a picture of all my stuff this time because I had already put half of it away before I thought to take a picture.  So just imagine another counter full of amazing deals...3 Arm and Hammer detergent, 4 3-packs Scotch Brite sponges, 12 Campbells Cream of Chicken/Mushroom soup, 1 Fisher peanuts, 2 Halls cough drops, 1 Ludens cough drops, 2 Pantene conditioners, 2 Smucker's grape jelly, 1 Theraflu cold medicine, 1 Sucret's throat lozenges, 4 Oreos, 2 3-packs Trident Layers gum...all for $10.27.  I know this doesn't seem as tangible since I don't have pictures...just know that 2 bottles of the Arm and Hammer detergent would have cost me this much!  These purchases were all from Monday.  I got another cart load of stuff on Sunday, but failed to keep the receipt or take a picture...I think all this triple coupon craziness is going to my head!
     ___________________________________________________________________________

Does anyone have any great Thanksgiving traditions?  As the kids get older, I hope to adopt some great traditions to mark each holiday by.  I remember watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade as a child and getting together with family.  The thing I remember most about Thanksgiving and the one that I have carried on throughout the years is studying the ads and making a list for the Black Friday craziness!!! 

My family used to spend the night in a hotel Thanksgiving night so we could be that much closer to all the deals.  Now Brandon and I just spend all night shopping...no need for a hotel.  Last year we started the Midnight Madness outlet mall shopping and I am hooked.  I think I am just addicted to the thrill of shopping all night!  We were able to get some great deals last year on the kid's clothes and some for ourselves as well.  I am usually able to finish up my Christmas shopping on Black Friday and don't have to brave the shopping the closer it gets to Christmas...I think the crowds get far worse and way too grouchy!  For the most part, Black Friday shoppers are in the friendly shopping mood.  I have no electronics on my list this year, so I don't plan on fighting for anything.  Good luck to those of you joining in on the Black Friday fun!

I am thankful that God has blessed me with so many things including an amazing/healthy family, great friends, and an awesome church just to name a few.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

OCC, Dr. Ogden & Surprises

This post is going to be full of random happenings around our house the past week.  With all the couponing and great deals I have been finding, I have failed to update you on the most important things in my life...my family!

Our church is taking part in the Operation Christmas Child this year and we decided to do a shoe box for a 2-4 year old girl and boy.  Landry thought it was the greatest thing ever picking out all of these toys and candy at Target...which I of course happened to be there on a day they had their "Dollar Spot" items 50% off so I loaded up the shoe boxes with great buys!  We brought everything home and I explained to Landry that we were giving these toys and candy to a little boy and girl who didn't have toys.  His 2-year-old dramatic response was, "Oh no."  I can't wait until the kids get older and they really understand the meaning behind these gifts.  We plan on making this a family tradition.

       _____________________________________________________________________________

Being the energetic boy that he is, Landry has had his share of bumps and bruises.  He received his first black eye just last week and it is still lingering.  He fell off the back of the couch shortly after we had gotten on to him for "riding" it like a horse.  I think he learnt his lesson with the fall!  Since then, he has been overly dramatic if he hurts himself and immediately requests and ice pack.  Earlier this week he came to me telling me he needed an ice pack.  I gave him one and found this...

He informed me that Elmo had fell and "bopped" his head.  Elmo was the one who needed the ice pack!  Do you think I have a future Dr. on my hands?
    ______________________________________________________________________________

I try not to use this blog to brag on my family, but Brandon did something last week that was definitely worth bragging about.  He came home Saturday from a church retreat with a dozen roses for me and a single rose for Brynley (her first ever).  This is just one of the many things I love about my husband.  We have never been much into getting each other gifts for birthday's or holidays, but he will randomly surprise me with something like this.  To me, it means so much more! 

 
Brandon, I know you will read this later and wonder why in the world I am sharing this here.  I just want everyone to know how God has blessed me with an amazing husband!!! 
      ___________________________________________________________________________

I hope everyone is having a great week.  I am already gearing up for Christmas, as you can probably tell by my new blog layout.  I put all of my Christmas decorations and trees up this week, my cards are ready to be mailed and I plan on wrapping a few gifts this afternoon.  I love Christmas!!! 

Pamida Pulls Through

Well, it proved to be another eventful coupon weekend for me.  I can't believe there have been two coupon events in a week without having to leave town!  I left Pamida with a cart load of great deals after the Triple Coupon event.

Once again, let me break it down for you since it's hard to see what all I was able to get.  The total price before my coupons was $217.27 (keep in mind this is Pamida prices, not Walmart...but either way I was able to come out way on top).

6 Idahoan potatoes
4 Kellog's Nutri-Grain bars
2 Smucker's jelly
2 Pamper's Kandoo wipes
4 Ziploc bags
2 Blistex chap stick
1 Carmex
5 Reynold's aluminum foil
4 Nestle chocolate chips
2 Glade air freshener
1 Garnier face wash
3 travel-sized Johnson's baby shampoo
2 Arm & Hammer baking soda
2 Miracle Whip
1 Planter's cashews
2 Betty Crocker frosting
2 Betty Crocker cake mix
2 Green Works dish washing soap
1 Dawn dish washing soap
2 travel-sized Degree deodorant
1 Puffs tissue
2 Cheerios
2 Reach toothbrushes
1 Oral-B toothbrush
1 CoverGirl blush
1 CoverGirl lip gloss
1 CoverGirl pencil sharpener
2 Garnier conditioner
1 Garnier shampoo
2 Febreeze air fresheners
1 Chloraseptic throat lozenges
1 Glade candle holder
1 Garnier hair putty
1 Garnier hair spray
1 Garnier spray gel
1 Suave deodorant
1 Crest toothpaste
1 travel-sized Olay body wash
1 travel-sized Tide

That is 73 items total for...$23.20!!!  I saved $194.07!!!  Break it down by cost per item, and it averages out to be $.32/item.  Either way you look at it, I got some amazing deals. 

For those of you interested, I am going to be putting together information to possibly teach some coupon classes at my church sometime in the near future.  When I compile all this information together, I will be posting information on here for all of you.  I started out with some suggested blogs from a friend and look where it has taken me!  The sky is the limit...or maybe when your cabinets are stocked full!!!  I hope everyone has a great week ahead of them.  God bless!

Brought to You by the Letter P

I decided to sum up my week with this title because it has been highlighted by three things that all start with P.  And, I am in the letter themed mood after taking the kids to see Sesame Street Live this week...which they both loved.

PAMIDA...I am gearing up for yet another great coupon event.  This coming Sunday and Monday our local Pamida is having TRIPLE coupon days, up to and including $1.00 coupons!  Not double, but TRIPLE.  For those of you who don't know, Pamida is a very small town version of Walmart.  And by very small, I mean about 1/16 the size and double the prices.  However, when you take into consideration TRIPLE coupons there are still some great deals.  I set out on Wednesday to "scout" it out and start organizing my coupons.  This leads me to my second "P"...

PUKE...It was one of those proud moments as a mom in which I was almost congratulating myself as I was strolling through Pamida.  I had brought a snack and paper and pen for Landry to keep him entertained in the cart and Brynley pretty much entertains herself.  Everything was going smoothly until...clean up in aisle 3!  Landry threw up anything and everything he might have ate over the past week all over himself, the cart and the floor.  I stood there in shock until a lady came by and asked if I needed help.  I sent her for some paper towels and proceeded to clean up the disaster.  So much for "scouting."  I headed home with a sick child in tow.  Needless to say, I cleaned up several messes and did several loads of laundry over the course of 24 hours.  I'm just hoping it's all over and that the rest of us don't get it.

POTTY...Last week I talked about potty training Landry and asked for any reader tips.  Low and behold, Landry woke up last Friday morning and said "no more diaper."  So, I broke out the big boy underwear and set the "pee pee timer" every 30 minutes.  We made it through the day with only one accident and a very proud mommy!  He has done great ever since and is even starting to tell me when he needs to go.  He's only worn a diaper during nap time and bed time.  I have even ventured out of the house several times.  I think I have to thank Toys R Us for sending out their toy book a couple of weeks ago, because Landry found a drum set in there that he wanted.  We told him that if he started going potty on the big boy potty we would get him the drums.  I think it all clicked in his mind...trade the diaper for drums...deal!  I'm thinking a trip to Toys R Us is in store for us this month.

Well to wrap up my story of "P's," I am a very PROUD mommy.  Landry amazes me every day with the things he learns and says.  Brynley is starting to get up on all fours and rock back and forth....I know it is only a matter of time until she will be all over the place.  I am thankful for healthy kids and a loving husband. 

In honor of Veteran's Day, thank you so much to all the troops out there who fight to ensure our freedom.  God bless!

Summer Fresh Savings

Summer Fresh is having Double Dollar Days this Sunday through Tuesday...meaning they double coupons up to and including a $1.  When I found this out last Wednesday, I immediately began going through my coupons and planning out my trip.  I headed to Summer Fresh early Sunday morning before church armed with my large stack of coupons.  I split my purchases up into two transaction because I had 2 $5 off $50 Summer Fresh purchase coupons.  Here are a few pictures of all my loot.

Since it's kind of hard to see what all I purchased in these pictures, I will break it down for you by the items and the price I paid per item before coupons

1 pkg. mini Oreos ($1.99)
1 pkg. mini Nutter Butters ($1.99)
4 pkg. Cheese Nips ($1.99)
2 pkg. Mentos gum ($1.19)
1 gallon skim milk ($2.89)
1 gallon 2% milk ($3.65)
1 Lysol toilet bowl cleaner ($2.29)
1 Lysol antibacterial wipes ($2.29)
1 Lysol kitchen cleaner ($2.29)
2 Renuzit air fresheners ($1.29)
5 rolls Bounty paper towels ($1.09)
2 Snuggle fabric softeners ($4.31)
1 Jimmy Dean sausage links ($2.49)
1 Jimmy Dean sausage patties ($2.49)
1 pkg. thin bagels ($1.00)
2 bars Olay soap ($2.89)
1 Secret deodorant ($1.55)
2 Fresh Gourmet salad toppers ($2.29)
4 Eggo waffles ($1.50)
1 box Honey Nut Cheerios ($2.50)
8 pkg. Libby's fruit cups ($2.00)
4 boxes Kellog's fruit snacks ($2.00)
1 box Nestle cocoa ($1.00)
1 pkg. Kraft marshmallows ($1.09)
4 snack size chips ahoy ($.49)
4 cans Red Gold rotel ($1.19)
6 cans Red Gold diced tomatoes ($1.00)
1 pkg Dole romaine lettuce ($1.99)
1 Colgate toothbrush ($2.57)
1 Colgate toothpaste ($1.50)
3 Crest toothpaste ($1.50)
2 Reach dental floss ($1.39)

Total before coupons....$135.87.  And after coupons.........


$21.56!!! 

That's right I saved $114.31 and got all of these groceries for $21.56!!!  I love coupon shopping.

Early Christmas Present

I am so excited about the great deal I just received, so bear with me if I sound overly enthusiastic about it.  I know that I have promised to share with you guys some money saving tips.  Well, here is a great one just in time for Christmas!

I recently blogged about Shutterfly Christmas Cards and all the new designs they have to offer this Christmas.  Truth be known, I do love Shutterfly.  However, I was doing somewhat of an advertisement through them because of a blog post I stumbled across on Stretching a Buck.  For my fellow bloggers out there, just follow the Stretching a Buck link to an amazing Christmas card deal through Shutterfly.  As part of a promotion they are doing for bloggers, you will receive 50 free photo cards just for following the instructions on the link above.  I know it sounds too good to be true, but believe me it works!  You do need to allow a week or so to be approved, write a post about Shutterfly and receive your free code.  Just make sure to follow the instructions on the link and through the emails you will receive from Shutterfly.  It is so easy.  I chose the following Christmas card priced at $2.39 each in the 5x7 flat stationery option.

Times $2.39 by 50 and my total came to $119.50 plus tax and shipping.  After entering my code for 50 free cards...I paid only $8.61 for tax and shipping!!!  I would advise you to jump on this deal now if you are interested so that you can be sure to receive your cards in a timely manner.  I mentioned earlier how I love Shutterfly...after this deal I really love Shutterfly!

Halloween Bargains

I know it may seem weird to follow my last post (Christmas) with a Halloween post, but I had promised some pictures of the kiddos in their costumes.  I was able to find Landry's horse costume on a garage sale in the spring for $3 and the cowboy hat for $2.  You can't beat a $5 costume that was so cute and he wears the hat all the time.  I purchased Brynley's leopard costume after Halloween last year at Gymboree for $7.  Once again, it pays to buy clothes ahead for kids.  My kids have pretty much stayed true to size, so this has made it very easy for me.  Now is the time to be looking for Halloween costumes for next year.  I have already bought Brynley's costume for next year...I found it on a garage sale for $2 and just could not pass it up.  Costumes are usually only worn once and not for a very long period of time.  If you can find them on a garage sale you can't go wrong!

You can't see it, but she has a tail!

This is the only picture I got of his tail.

Two posts in one night...I am getting way ahead of myself.  I think I will go bask in the election victories!

Christmas Cheer

The hunt for the perfect Christmas card has already begun at our house.  Each year I try to find the perfect picture and card design to use for our Christmas cards.  This year, I am loving some of Shutterfly's new designs.  I used Shutterfly last year to print pictures to include in some Christmas cards I had purchased previously.  I have always been satisfied with the quality of their pictures and the speed in which you receive your order.  One thing I love about Shutterfly is the variety of cards and photo cards available to choose from.   They have everything from classic to contemporary cards.

I love the classic colors.

What a fun idea!

Another thing I love about Shutterfly is their variety of religious Christmas cards.  I like my cards to read Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays!  Here are a few of my favorite religious designs.

Be sure to check out Shutterfly's website to see what's on sale or cash in some of your Pamper's Rewards to get your cards free!  Just looking at all the Christmas card options has put me in the Christmas mood!  I can't wait to get my cards ordered and to see what cards you all choose to send out this year.  I'm already excited to go to the mailbox!