Josh & Anna

If you know about the Duggar family from TLC then you know about Josh and Anna. If you wanna know more or are just bored or looking for a little religous inspiration, check out their site here.

My Stash

This is 1 of 2 cabinets on the bottom of my entertainment center. This one is composed of mainly giftables (items i don't need/use that i will most likely gift to people or donate w/the except of at least 1 sense & spray, haven't any room in next cabinet and don't need to open it right now). Mainly candles/ good smellin things, toothpaste, buddies soap, etc.

This is the other entertainment cabinet, I use this as my back stock space for non-bathroom items; like cleaners, candy, foil, dish soap, air freshener/or refills, etc. The baggie is full of my back stock makeup, items i don't need to open because i have one already opened or have too many of like items open (like lip gloss or eye shadow).


This is my main storage area for personal items, this my cabinet in the bathroom. A few items (to the front right of Gillette hair products) are items that i'm using (slowly). To the rear of the cotton balls I have a walmart bag stuffed with various cold/flu medicines and cough drops, as well as a stack of pain relievers. To the back left of the Gillette is a lot of shampoo/conditioners, several shaving creams, couple liquid body soaps, & Listerine (only thing open in that area is 1-Listerine that i use to refill a smaller body of Listerine that i keep by the sink).



This is our towel cabinet in the bathroom (i love our bathroom cuz it's huge). This houses 2 bottles of contact cleanser (probably won't even use the 2nd before it expires so might have to give/donate it), 1- box of q-tips, a stack of dove soap bars, & under the peroxide is 2 tubes of crest. The plastic box is my homemade first aid kit (various first aid items, band-aids, left over bandages from surgery, creams and stuff).


*These photos do not include some stash items like my husbands deodorant, eyes drops, glade scented oil candle refills, or food items. (although my stock of food is smaller than non-food items)

Baby Moment

I'm currently having one of those moments where I think I want a baby. Of course that would only happen by a miraculous force from God since I just got my shot this morning lol. But Last night I was fiddling around on the internet and was at Target.com; so I had to check out the baby junk. They have some cute things and even like high end stuff. Like I saw a few onesies for over $22. I mean COME ON, cute-totally, but a baby only wears that stuff a few months right and they may even stain it all up so it wouldn't be worth passing along to future babies or friends w/babies. And I could buy myself some Walmart jean or A few super clearanced items at Old Navy or a t-shirt from one of my fav shops. Something that should last ME a lot longer than a baby. I don't think that is selfish, just a better way to spend $20. But if someone else wanted to take their own $20 and buy my future baby something over priced and super cute, be my guest! I'm too frugal a person to do it myself.

:)

P.S. I did do a tiny bit more shopping at Old Navy and bought a 49 cent pair of baby socks. Couldn't say no....

Hot Coupons and Deals!

• If you want some fiber infused muffins, try out these Fiber One $1/1.
  (haven't tried'em yet but will soon)
  
  
• You like Italian Food? Try Bertolli Oven Baked meals $2/1.
  (we tried the chicken parm one the night before Thanksgiving and it was Delicious! Alittle pricey but with the $2 off 1 coupon it is a nice more affordable treat, FYI 1 kit only feeds 2 adults so my family had to buy 2 but we had some leftovers; still cheaper than Olive garden or Macaroni Grill. Rent a movie and make it date, maybe get some garlic bread here or here or some home baked Pillsbury here)
  
  
• Need some Cleaning supplies?
  Get awesome scrubbing bubbles, shout, and more here.
  Or for those trying to be more earth friendly, check out Seventh Gen coupons here.
  
  
• Head over to Linens'n'Things to check out their closeout clearance deals and BOGO's. (They don't have alot but they do have some nice bedding left)

• KY Yours and Mine $5/1, buy it at Walgreens and use their Easysaver coupon too or go to CVS this week and next and get $10 ECB, which would make it about $10-5 (depends where ya go) Or use at Walmart, at mine it is $17.??

Old Navy Deal!!!!!!!

Old Navy currently has 1/2 off all clearance, just enter the promo code HALFOFF at checkout. This is a 5 day, online only deal! This how i got my good deals last time, check'em here.
Go to Old Navy Now!

Bible Verses

For those of you who believe in Jesus Christ, a few verses...

For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18(NIV)

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. --- Matthew 28:28

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. --- Romans 15:13

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. --- Psalm 46:1

Verily, verily, I say to you, He thatbelieves in me has everlasting life.--- John 6:47

Birth Verse

This is my Birth Verse:

Romans 8:18 NIV
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

This is my husbands:

Romans 8:5 NIV
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.


Want yours? Go here.

What's for Dinner?

Tonight my family is having Stove Top Easy Chicken Bake. I've made this at once before but I usually make a few slight changes, such as:

• Instead of using raw chicken I used pre-cooked chicken (tonight I used some chicken i cooked the night before for teryaki chicken wraps, just made double so i only had to cook it once). I would suggest using left-over chicken from a roast or turkey. Or canned chicken.
• I also do not use frozen veggies. I used 1 can of green beans, 2 cut & cooked carrots, & 1/2 cup frozen corn.

But it may be possible to make this a "pantry" meal (everything from the pantry or dry storage goods). Just use canned meat and veggies, you might be able to leave out the sour cream or replace it with some evaporated milk maybe or dry milk (i might try using 1/4 cup to try out so not to have too much liquid). Then you could stalk up on this so you could have it at anytime and nothing would be a risk for spoiling if you lost electricity.

Here is one of my Favorite recipes. I don't know where I got it but I love it. I'm sure their are different versions but if you like a slightly sweet savory beef and noodle dish, try this one.

Beef Paprika

1/4 cup shortening

2 lbs beef stew meat/ cut up

1 cup sliced onion

1 small clove of garlic, minced

3/4 cup of ketchup

2 tblsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tblsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp paprika

1 1/2 cup water

2 tblsp flour

1/4 cup water

3 cup cooked noodles (i use 1 pk wide egg noodles)

1. Melt shortening in large skillet; add meat, onion, & garlic. Cook and stir until meat is brown and onions are tender.

2. Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, paprika, & 1 1/2 cups of water.

3. Cover and simmer 2-2 1/2 hours.

4. Blend flour & 1/4 cup of water (cold water!), stir gradually into meat mixture.

5. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute.

6. Serve over cooked noodles. (if you don't like noodles try rice)

Makes about 6 servings

Walgreens 1/28

$18.91

First I have to say 3 items i did not plan to get but I did have a coupon for 2 (BOGO) and the husband had to have his fav popcorn. Had i left them out my total would have been so low, i can not imagine!

First Trip:
2- Frosted Flakes
1- Indiana Kettled Popcorn
4- Royal Puddings
4- Degree Men's Deoderants
1- W brand sandwich size ziplock bags (50 ct)
1- W brand gal size ziplock bags (20 ct)
1- W brand antibacterial soap
2- Glade sense thingy
2- Puffs tissues
Total after sales/coupons----------------------- $12.27
(i think the lady rang up the BOGO coupon wrong, she put $4 but the sense glade thing was 9.99, so it should have been about $6.27 i think, not going to deal w/it, still good deal)

Second trip:
2- 1L listerines
1- Wbrand quart size ziplock bags (25 ct)
Total after sales/coupons-------------------------$6.64
Plus I got back $4.50 to spend on my next purchase.

Total savings (according to receipts)-----------$49.06
Total spent --------------------------$18.91

CVS 1/28

Got:
1- Gillette shampoo (4.99/ get back$3)
1- Gillette Cond (4.99/ get back $3)
2- Almay foundation pads 50% off (spend $10/ get $5 back)
Coupons used: $6
ECBs used: 15.50
Cash:$ 1.44
ECBs got back: $6

Note I did not receive my $5 almay ECB, going to call or something tomorrow, do u think it is because i paid with ECBs instead of cash, I spent over $10 on Almay products (even after my Almay coupons)..... will repost results.... <I went into to CVS today and they Forced the ECB to print, so all is good and I tried to KY URS & Mine and the deal worked,total cost $5>

the Duggars

Have you ever seen that 17 kids and counting show? About the Duggar family? They aired the episode with the oldest Duggar kid getting married last night and i watched it. I find thi show uplifting and inspirational. Although I don't know how they do it and i know I couldn't. It is comforting to know that people can do it in this orld today. And with times getting tougher on us all, this tv program shows me that with God all things are possible...

Angel Food

Angel Food Ministries, ever heard of it?
I've participated in it off and on for the last 1 1/2 and it seems to be a pretty decent deal and the food is good quailty. It's idea is to provide a box of food for $30 but it's value is double. To help other have a balanced diet. They also have add on specials which often include boxes of steak, produce boxes, and easy heatable meals (geared toward the eldery).
They even take EBT. If you are looking for a one-a-month bargian, that even changes the items monthly, give it try. No income stipulations and they are deliivered through churches all over the country. You don't have to be a church member, just be able to pay in advance and show up 1 saturday a month. And you can stop at anytime, skip a month if it isn't appealing or money is tight.
Check'em out.

Redbox

Got a redbox moving vending machine near you? Get a free 1 day rental with this code here at the thrifty mama (thanks!)
Don't know if you have a redbox near ya, go here to find out.
The code is only good until midnight (57VH9L).

Frugal Tips?

If you don't know me personally then you don't know how our family is being affected by the economy. We moved to Orlando last Sept (from TN, but were Floridians prior to that); since then my husband has been unemployeed due to not enough jobs - too many people looking for one. He's been everywhere from retail stores, high end hotels, and resturants like Applebee's (is former job in TN) to Wendy's. He's had less than a handful of call backs/interviews and needless to say no one has offered him a job. So a few months into living here we went of food stamps. Our food stamps are coming to an end pronto. We have no employment, I'm trying to become a nurse (student in college). And if it were not for my mom and dad, I don't know where or how we'd even have the money for food, let alone paying bills like car insurance.
So I thought it might be nice to think of some frugal ideas to save money, like on food and stuff. I'm looking for tips I guess. I know I'm not the only one who is struggling or could cut back alittle (or alot).

Got any frugal Tips? Recipes?

Here's my first Tip

Since hamburger helper is affordable we are eating more of it. I'm not a huge ground beef lover, I do enjoy the occasinaly cheese burger or meatballs; So when I make Ham. Helper I use 1/2 lb. ground beef instead 1 pound. I think this balance is better (though others might not). It means with 1 lb of meat I can make 2 boxes of helper or 2 seperate meals.

Home

This is where I used to live, I moved out the first week of Sept 2008 and lived there about 2 years. I kinda miss it. Would be sort of nice if I could go back, since life was better....Check out my old home. My bedroom has the blue one of course.

Pictures!!

Ok so this one isn't too good, but I was to lazy to scan it onto my computer, maybe eventually.....Can you believe that was 10 years ago?
Here is Zoey, one of my 4 animals, i mean members of the famly! (he's a boy)

Here are some cupcakes I made Today.

Well they aren't really cupcakes, I made them with my martha white muffin mix and just put some white icing on them. I used:

1- martha white pound cake muffin mix

1- chocolate chocolate chip muffin mix

1/2- betty crocker whipped vanilla icing

There were 3 more but Rob ate 2 1/2 and I ate a 1/2 to "taste"

Pretty good, taste like a cupcake for sure!
But that's for dessert, dinner is gonna be sirloin steak with sweet buttered corn and a rice/veggie mix thing. (Sorry i'm cooking it now, so no pic)

Shopping 1/23

Some of the loot from Walgreens...
------------------->



Albertsons (grocery store)

2- Martha White Muffin Mixes
6- Campbell's Chunky Soup
1- Dog Treats
1- Heavy Cream
1- Bull's Eye BBQ sauce
2- Hormel beanless chili
1- Chicken Legs 12ct

Total after coupons/sales---------------------------------------$16.34
Total Saved---------------------------$17.94

CVS

3- Hallmark cards
1- CVS brand 30 ct cough drops

Total---------------------------------$4.26
Had a coupon for free cough drops----$2.97 remaning
Paid with $3 ECB--------------------------------------------total $0
Got back $3 ECB
Total Saved-------------------$4.26

Walgreens

3- Ragu pasta sauce
1- Skippy chunky peanutbutter
1- Kleenex
1- Q-tip 500 ct
2- Dove Deorderant
1- Orajel Cold sore cream
1- 15 pk water
1- herbal essence shampoo (clearanced)
1- 24 oz Pantene Shampoo
1- 24oz Pantene Conditioner
1- Infusium leave-in-treatment 16 oz
1- Caress body wash
1- Revlon Matte eye shawdow
1- Crest Pro-Health night toothpaste

Total after coupons/sales--------------------------$48.06
Total savings --------------------------$32.25
received $15 RR (Register Reward, money for new purchase)
will receive $13.48 in mail-in-rebate =MIR
Total 48.06
- RR 15.00
-MIR 13.48
total----------$19.58 ------------------------------------$19.58


Total Spent (after rebates, RR received)------------------------------$35.92

Wow

I got my first follower!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPY!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks meggie! My first friend and my first follower!

Old Navy..

Look what I got inthe mail! I got all this from Old Navy online. Awesome Deal!!!!!

3- tops

1- pair of flip flops

1- very light cardigan

total-------$12.45

w/ tax/shipping------$20.72

yes, i like yellow, goes well my pink hair hehehe

Freebie and Printable Coupons

- Free Ocean Spray Juice Here (thanks moneysavingmom!)
- New Printable Coupons Here (thanks Southern Savers!)

I enjoyed this post, one of my favorite bloggers (msm or moneysavingmom), it's about how she takes 1 day makes up a bunch of stuff to freeze and eat later. Stuff that most of us spend $$ buying ready made in the store or already frozen. Why not save some dough and make it too?!?
(I believe this is a 5 part post, check'em all out!)
Pobably going to do a little shopping tomorrow, so look out for some posts...

CVS 1/20

So i had to use my expiring ECBs and this is what i got
my card:
3- V-day cards
1-Indian Jones movie
2-Allergy packets of pills CVs brand
total---------------------------------------$35.54
paid with 33.36 ecbs, 2.18 cash
got back 10.58 ECBs
(i know it's not a very greta deal i only got the over-priced movie because i had $14 in ECBs left to spend ((had to borrow 10 ecb expiring next week)) and i honestly didn't need anymore household cleaners, food, shampoo...ect....and what i did want, they didn't have, and it was a non-usual item, just speciality so i can't ever get it. ie. no raincheck)

rob's card:
10-8 pks moutain
(i wanted some sierra mist but they were out)
total----------------------------------------------------$20
ECBs used----------------$9
cash----------------------$11.??
ECBs got back------------$10

Check out her stash

I was reviewing my fav blogs and someone posted new photos of their stash of items. See it here, it's pretty amazing!
Also If you want a free signature item at Bath and Body Works this week, go here to moneysavingmom.com to find out more and get the printable coupon!

Inauguration Day...

My spanish class was canceled because if the Inauguration. But i think my math class was still on. But since it was just a test for the county or school (non graded but would get 10 bonus points) and i would have had to wait 1 1/2 hours, I ditched. Yeah i feel sorta bad but I did a few errands and got home in time to see the inauguration. I would be just about to leave math now, but instead i'm going to get on through my day, starting with workin out (i had to buy some cheap jeans because several pair are too tight...not happy). I think i may have thyroid prob or maybe my birth control is causng the weight gain because I have gained weight and I don't really understand how I've put on that much....anyways...not my fav topic..................

CVS 1/19 and my day

So today wasn't too eventful. I do go to CVS but struggled to find a way to blow my expiring ECBs, i still have more to spend so i guess i'll stop off on my way home from school. When i arrived at CVS i scanned my card and it printed a coupon for excedrin ($1 off)and i had one Manfac. coupon for $1 off, so i got the on sale $1.99 excedrin for FREE.
10-8 pks Dew
2- king size snickers
12- GenSoy bars (clearanced)
1-Excedrin
prce after sales coupons before tax-----------------$28.83
paid with 28 ECB, 83 cents cash
Got back $11 ECBs

Probably hit up Walgreens on friday
Did some math HW but it was difficult to understand, hope the teachers goes over it more than she did the 2nd day of class. Going to Lang Lab fo Spanish tomorrow, wonder how that might go... lol.... for now i gotta make dinner (popcorn shrimp and curly fries- so healthy!). Then gonna watch The Secret Life of the American Teenager(s).

favorite TV shows

Right now I have a few shows I watch regularlly or not so reguarlly but when i'm flipping around.

Big Love

True Blood

Rock of Love Bus

Secret Life of the American Teenager

CSI (la vegas)

Real Chance at Love

Sober House

Real Housewives of OC (only cuz it's getting juicy)

Simpsons

Real World

Might be somemore but can't think, i'm bored/ procrastinating/ waiting for Big Love to start. I also am waiting for new reality tv to begin, like survivor, big brother.

I'm about to start reading the next Sookie Stackhouse book (#2) when i get a chance/break from studying. I can't believe I have to wait until summer to see season 2. I'm dying lol jk.

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Here is a recipe for sugar cookies that I made during the Holidays. They were awesome but it made alot, so next time i'm going to bake 1/2 or 1/3 and roll the rest into a log to freeze for instant cookies later. I'd recomend putting some vanilla icing on top, or before baking topping w/ unrefined sugar or colored sugar. And don't roll/slice to thin, thicker is better and softer.

Check out her loot...

So, almost everyday I check my favorite bloggers site's to see what's new or catch a new hot deal. Today i was doing that and came across a blog that I've seen before, she's a couponer too and has put some photos of her awesome stockpile, see them here.

Sunday Clipping Rituals...

So today I decided to not go out for deals. All i did was go to CVS to get another newspaper (paid with ECB but it was more than the paper so i ended up buying 6 single serving pieces of chocolate that was on clearance for 3 cents each). I clipped my coupons and sorted them but after i started organizing my wags and cvs deals i started to get "burned out" so i tucked my coupons away so i may file them later.

I also took my first quiz in government today, i'm disappointed because i got a D, i only missed 5 questions; guess i need to study more (i admit i didn't study much). They were the type of question where you think it could be more than one answer or 2 answers were really close or i didn't fully understand it until i saw the corrected answer lol. It'll only end up being 1/10 of 10% grade, nothing to cause damage.

Other than i'm gonna study some spanish, if i feel energetic i'll start my math HW, cook some dinner (not sure yet), take a bath (my legs are getting a wee hairy), and watch Big Love premiere tonight on HBO w/ my hubby. Also gotta do dishes, my turn.
Tomorrow i'm going to CVS, should post my deal-ios.

CVS 1/16

What i got at CVS:

2-Febreeze candles*
1- almay foundation liquid pad
1- olay botanicals body wash
1- neutrogena body butter
2- wintergreen altoids
1- twizzlers
total after sales/coupons------------ $15.32
- $5/$15 purchase------------------ $10.32
paid with 8.99 ECB------------------$1.33 (cash)

(ECB = extra cash bucks, you get them for buying certain products, use like money)
bonus: i can use $5.33 of the above purchases towards for P&G coupon rebate
note: Febreeze candles at normally $7.99 at CVS but they were on clearance for 79 cents*

Walgreens 1/16

Today I went to Walgreens and got a few deals, here they are:

1- birthday card
2- lysol wipes
2- lysol toliet cleaner
2- fantastic multi-purpose cleaner
2- dial yogurt hand lotion
2- Fabric softener bottles
1- sara lee bread
4- cans mushrooms
1- 400 ct. printer paper
1- electrosol tabs

total after sales/coupons------------ $15.85
will receive a $1.50 rebate check
total saved------------------------- $35.43

My First Post

I'm a girl of great asprations but I don't always obtain them. So maybe this blog will be awesome, maybe it will not. I love couponing and wil post some goodies but i have to make school first!

This is my first and for now, only tattoo. I plan on getting another in the next year or so, whenever money situation gets better.