A SWEET SOUND

One of the most beautiful sounds is my kids singing to themselves. All of them sing and it's such fun when I get to hear them and they don't know it. I am sure your kids have probably done it too. Here are a couple of things that seem to happen from time to time at our house. The kids are getting ready for the day by getting dressed, brushing their teeth, etc. I will be getting ready or walk down the hall or something and then I hear it. A sweet little voice singing something and a lot of times it's made up. They will be singing as they are doing something else. They will be busy, but all the while they will be singing a little tune or humming to themselves. That to me is one of the greatest sounds in the world. You would think that maybe only girls would be singing the little songs, but boys enjoy it too. When my son sings, it's usually in the shower and he will be having himself a good ole time. I always smile to myself when I catch these sweet moments and sometimes it is a little funny.

Another sound that I enjoy and it seems to take me by surprise is a bird singing its morning song. I wake up, and as the sun is rising, I begin to hear the birds. It's a great sound to get up to and it reminds me of how awesome God is. I thank God for these precious moments.

EUREKA!!! EUREKA!!!

I have found it! I have found the tried and true way to save all the money you want. I bet you know too. Maybe you knew and forgot. Maybe you knew all along and didn't tell me. Well, it came to me that if you stay busy you will save money. You won't have time to even look at the sale papers to see if there is a deal. You can also lose weight this way because you don't have time to eat. You don't have time to buy groceries either. Of course staying busy can backfire on you and you end up eating out and that might not help you save money at all. Also, you grab whatever you need when you have the chance to go to the store. But for me, staying busy saves me money.

Did you know? The exclamation of "Eureka!" is attributed to Archimedes, who is said to have cried out "Eureka! eureka!" (I have found it! I have found it!), upon suddenly discovering a method of finding out how much the gold of King Hiero's crown had been alloyed. Hence, an expression of triumph concerning a discovery.

How about some free items or nearly free?

Sign up to get a free bag of cat food here

GET YOUR PICTURES DEVELOPED FOR FREE!!!!
I am giving the following information with a certain friend in mind. OK, certain friend, I would love for you to take advantage of what I am giving you here because this took time. Take a little time out and you could get most of your prints for free girlfriend! GO GET THOSE 300plus pics for free!!! RUN RUN RUN!!!!

Go here to get 25 free prints from Rite Aid CVS has $.10 prints this week also and you can go online to their site and sign up for some free prints. You can also get 20 free prints here at snapfish with a new account. Click here and get 40 prints free. How about here. Here too. Here is another one. Look HERE. Another one HERE and HERE and HERE
and HERE
Just be careful of the shipping. I wouldn't pay no more than about $1.50 for shipping for 10 prints because you can usually get prints for around $.15 each. Some of these sites offered prints with $.99 shipping. That's a great deal.

Chocolate Anyone? Go here to print out a $1.50 coupon for tollhouse morsels. This will be a pretty good deal I am sure.

Get a free Kashi cookie here another free chocolate dessert here

Get a free pack of Betty Crocker potatoes here

Print $2.00/1 Kashi product coupon here and use it at Bilo this week. They have Kashi products buy 1 get 1 free

Print $1.00/1 off 1 box of carrot cake box mix here and use it at Wal-Mart...should be free or close to it It also has a coupon for the cream cheese frosting

If you are really inspired you can make a little money by sending in this rebate form!

I haven't checked out next weeks deals for the drugstores. I did glance over the CVS paper, but it didn't look too interesting to me. I think you can get something free today(sat) and an all week sale is some free man's body wash with ECBS. If you don't have any ECBs, you can just buy the body wash and get ECBs in return.

Sales This Week

I haven't really seen any good deals for this week. However, my excitment to get the deals really isn't here right now either. I have been so busy that it's hard to get to the stores. I didn't even get a newspaper yesterday to get any coupons or to look at the sale papers. I haven't done that in a long time. Anyway, here are a few things that I see.

CVS
Exedrin-free with ECBs ($3.99)
Purex

RITE AID
L'oreal facial cleanser $5.99 Rebate of $5.99 ends up being FREE
Suave shampoo $.99 Rebate of $1.00 ends up being FREE
Xtra Laundry Detergent $1.99 use 9/7 coupon and pay $.99
GE light bulbs $4.00 use $3.00 coupon in ad and pay $1.00
Dove shampoo and conditioner BOGO use 2 $2.00 coupons from 8/17 and pay $.49 for 2
Crest $2.99 rebate of $2.00 use coupon from 8/31 ends up being free or $.24
Glade air freshner
$.99 buy 2 use 9/14 coupon and pay $.99 for both

You Know It Doesn't Take Much To Entertain

This is kinda sad really. Actually, it's funny. Our small town of about 2000 is getting a new store. Guess what store? The Family Dollar. The grand opening is tomorrow. My kids have been watching the construction of this store from it's humble beginning. From the time they moved the house that was on the land(a house that my grandfather and aunt lived in at one time, so I know it from the inside out) to placing the merchandise in the store. The funny thing is that my kids have planned to go to the grand opening! You should hear the discussions in the van. Well, I guess we will definitely make it a point to attend tomorrow. This is the town that made the news when we got a Burger King and an ATM! So, what's new in your neck of the woods?

The Day of Firsts

Today is Phil's first day at his new job!YAY!
Today is the first day Phil and I prayed together before he left for his new job
Today is the first day Phil doesn't have to take the recycling bin to the road because he had to leave so early
Today is the first day I only have to work 1 1/2 hours
Today is the first day of cubscouts
Today is the first day I can homeschool by myself
Today is the first day I read my devotion in several days (shame on me)

Maybe today is the first day of our new "normal". It may take getting a little used to, but I am so thankful Phillip has a job. I don't mind that he has to leave alot earlier than before. I know it will be different and I will have to learn to juggle the kids around in the evenings from here to there sometimes with out him. Tomorrow Michael has a football game that he won't get to go to and that is a little sad for me, but we will adjust.

MEET THE FLINTSTONES

I know many of you must have watched the Flintstones in your younger years, but have you watched it lately? That show is hilarious. I can't believe some of the comments that are on there. I loved that show when I was young, but I am sure I had no idea of what some of that stuff was about. Today Fred was sad because he never received a letter from any of his friends. Wilma said it was probably because half of his friends couldn't write and the other half couldn't read. WOWWOWWOW!haha. Our kids are watching this stuff? Well, I have been letting them and let me tell you they love it just as much as I did growing up. I still love it. We came home after church and it was just Phillip and me. We sat down with our lunch and watched 2 episodes. I haven't decided yet if it's something the kids shouldn't watch because of the sarcasm or the little hidden remarks, but I am sure they hear stuff from other shows as well that I don't know about. For example...SPONGEBOB! I TRY to limit that as much as I can. Well, if you haven't watched the Flintstones in a few years maybe you should. We have a Netflix account and got it through that. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? DON"T YOU WANT A GOOD LAUGH?

SAVINGS GALORE

CVS (thanks to money saving mom blog)

Buy 1 L’Oreal Age Perfect, Revitalift or Skin Genesis at $5.99, Get $5.99 ECBs

Buy 1 Right Guard Sport, Xtreme, Soft & Dri or Dry Idea: $2.99, get $2 ECBs (Limit 5)Use $1/1 Right Guard coupon or $.75/1 Soft & Dri or Dry Idea coupon from 7/13 or 8/10

Buy 1 Right Guard Professional Strength at $6.99, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 3)Use $1/1 coupon from 7/13 or 8/10 SmartSource insert$0.99 after coupon and ECBs!

Buy 1 Act Dental Rinse at $4.49, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 1)Use $1/1 coupon from 8/3 SmartSource insert$1.49 after coupon and ECBs!

Buy 1 Renuzit Tri Scents at $7.99, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)Use $3/1 printable coupon $1.99 after coupon and ECBs!


Chex Mix--on sale for $1. Use $1/1 printable coupon. Free after coupon.
Colgate Toothpaste--on sale B1G1. Use 2 $1.50/1 printable coupons or $1.50/1 coupons from All You magazine. Get two free or close to free after coupons. Use 2 coupons from 9/7/08 insert also.
Trident Xtra Care--on sale 2/$2. Use 2 $.75/1 coupons from 8/1 issue of All You magazine. Only $.25 each after coupons.
Alavert--on sale for $5.99. Use $4/1 printable coupon. Just $1.99 after coupon.
See all deals for this week along with coupon match-ups here.

Deal for the month of September:
Buy 1 Arnicare Homeopathic Pain Relief Gel at $8.99, Get $8 ECBs (Limit 5)Use $2/1 printable couponFree plus overage after coupon and ECBs!

Wal-Greens

Visine--$3.99Use $3/1 coupon from August All You magazineStack with $2/1 coupon from September EasySaver booklet (page 19)Free plus overage after coupons
Chex Mix--on sale for $0.99Use $1/1 printable couponFree after coupon
Speedstick--on sale B1G1 (reg. price $3.99)Use 2 $1/1 printable coupon--

REGISTER REWARD DEALS:Buy 1 Crest 500ml Pro-Health Rinse at $4.49, Get $4.49 in Register Rewards Use $0.75/1 coupon from 08/31 P&G insert Free plus overage after coupon and Register Rewards
SC Johnson Products Register Reward Deals:
Buy 2 SC Johnson products, Get $2 Register RewardsBuy 4 SC Johnson products, Get $5 Register Rewards Buy 7 SC Johnson products, Get $10 Register RewardsShout Spray or Wipes, Fantastic, Windex Spray or Wipes, Scrubbing Bubbles Wipes--on sale for $2.49 Pledge Spray or Wipes, Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Foamer, Drano Gel, Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber--on sale for $3.79
Deal: Buy 4 Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber at $3.79 eachUse 4 $2.75/1 printable coupons (you will need to use two computers to print 4)Spend $4.16 plus tax and get $5 register Rewards backFree plus small overage after coupons and Register Reward!
Buy 2 of the following products, Get $5 Register Rewards Buy 3 of the following products, Get $10 Register Rewards
Advil PM--$6.99Advil Liquigels--$6.99Advil Pain Relief--$6.99Dimetapp--$3.99Robitussin--$3.99
Money-Maker: Buy 3 Robitussin at $3.99 eachUse 3 $3/1 printable couponSpend $2.97 plus tax out of pocket and get $10 in Register Rewards BackFree plus approx. $7 in overage after coupon and Register Reward!
Money-Maker:Buy 3 Dimetapp at $3.99 eachUse 3 $2/1 printable couponSpend $5.97 plus tax and get $10 in register Rewards BackFree plus approx. $4 in overage after coupon and Register Reward!
SEPTEMBER FREE-AFTER-REBATE ITEMS:
Buy 1 Revlon Nail Color at $4.79Use $2/1 coupon from the 8/24 SmartSourceFree plus $2 overage after coupon and rebate
Buy 1 L'oreal RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate at $16.49Use $3/1 coupon from the 7/20 SmartSourceFree plus $3 overage after coupon and rebate
Buy 1 Acid Controller Complete at $7.99 Use $2/1 in Walgreens Pharmacy BookletFree plus $2 overage after coupon and rebate
Buy 1 Nivea for Men Body Wash at $4.99 Use $1/1 coupon from 7/20 insertsFree plus overage after rebate
Buy 1 Crest Pro-Health toothpaste at $3.79Use $0.75/1 coupon from 08/31 P&G insertFree plus overage after rebate
Buy 1 LypSyl Lip Moisturizer at $1.99Free after rebate
Buy 1 Excedrin Express Gels 20-pack at 3.99 (in stores Sept. 7th)Free after rebate (Thanks, Shannon!) Buy 1 Chemistry Hair Care product at $7.99Free after rebate (Thanks, Shannon!) Buy 1 Walgreens Pitcher Filter Replacement Cartridge at 6.99Free after rebate

Wal-Mart (thanks to centsible sawyer's blog and money saving mom)

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers--$1.27Use $1/1 coupons here and here$0.27/bag after coupon! There is also a coupon in 9/07/08 iserts. TIME TO STOCKUP! Maybe time for me to see how many computers I can find!
Toaster Strudel $1.50 - $1.97Use with $1 off Printable HEREFinal Price: $0.50 - $0.97
Vlassic Pickle Relish regular price $1.12$1 off Vlassic Printable HERE (exp 12/31)Final Price: $0.12
Vlassic Pickle "Ovals" $1.38$1 off Vlassic Printable HERE (exp 12/31)Final Price: $0.38
Honey Bunches of Oats (Just Clusters) $1.98 - $2. 64$2 Printable coupon HEREFinal Price: Free Coffee-Mate $1.98$1 off Coffee-Mate PrintableFinal Price: $0.98
exp. 8/31Final Price: $0.50Honey Bunches of Oat (chocolate Clusters) $2.32Use with this PRINTABLE coupon for $2 off HERE, HERE, HERE and HEREFinal Price: $0.32
Kashi Cereal is 2/$4Sign up HERE and PRINT 2 $2/1 couponsFinal Price: FREE!!
$4 off any bag of Purina PRINTABLE HEREFinal Price: FREE + $0.03 overage!Purina Puppy Chow 4lb bag regular price $4.12 $4 off any bag of Purina PRINTABLE HEREFinal Price: $0.12

Making Money...Saving Money

If you scroll down a little, you will see that I have placed a coupon bar on the blog. If you click in the box, you will get a list of several coupons that you can print and use. For every coupon that you print and use from my blog, I will get a little money for it.

I print many coupons and use them in many stores. Actually, I use more printable coupons than the ones that come in Sunday's paper. You can find printable coupons all over the Internet and I have a list of some coupon sites on this blog. Alot of times, the actual company's website will have coupons to print. Usually, you can print the coupon two times. Just make sure that you don't make copies of the coupon because each one has a code and the store will not get reimbursed. A local grocery store, Bi-Lo, will also double these coupons up to $.60! Most of the time that is how I get great deals for groceries matched with the sale price. Wal-Mart is another place that you usually can get a good price on items if you can't wait for certain things to go on sale.

MEAT-I usually see what is on sale at what store and that is what I will base our menu around. My favorite place to buy meat is Piggly Wiggly, however I do buy it at other grocery stores depending on what is on sale.

ALDI-If you haven't tried shopping at Aldi, maybe you should check it out. Below is a list of items I often get there because the items tend to be less expensive than other stores (even when it's on sale).

milk,eggs,cheese,cream cheese,sour cream(16 oz for $.99), baking items such as sugar,flour,etc., chips (they have baked), oatmeal,grits, cereal, can vegetables (corn,peas,green beans, tomatoes), can milk, cream soups(cream of mushroom,chicken, and maybe celery), beans, flour tortillas,some spices, corn tortillas, bagged salad (I think it's still $.99), fresh veggies and fruits, some frozen veggies (not a big variety), frozen juice concentrate.
Aldi also has a variety of convenience foods that are their brand and name brands, however we usually do not buy any of it....we try to eat a little healthier than that. I am sure that it does taste good though because I know of others who buy the items.

TIPS FOR SHOPPING AT ALDI
1.Aldi's prices do fluncuate, so if you bought a bag of sugar for $2.09 last week that doesn't mean you will get it for that this week.
2.Bring a quarter to get a cart (you will get it back when you are finished).
3.Bring bags to place your items in. They do have bags that you can buy. I believe paper is $.05 and plastic is $.10
4.Be prepared to wait in line, but usually it doesn't take too long. They will only have 1-3 lines open. The best time I have went is before lunch and after.
5. Be prepared for the alse to be a little crowded (it's really not bad).
6. Be prepared to pay with cash or debit they do not take credit cards.
7. They do not take coupons.
8. Be prepared to bag your own items.

Ok, that should do it. Now you are ready, right? :-)

GO USE SOME COUPONS!!!!!

A Night To Remember

Madison celebrated her 8th birthday with a sleepover and these girls had a blast. One stated she was going to stay up alllll night, however we were very fortunate....these gals lasted only until midnight. They made 3 crafts which were sleep masks, gowns, and night shoes. The ideas came from the family fun magazine. They really enjoyed their time outside and were busy the whole night. The next day we took them bowling. Each one seemed to have enjoyed all festivities and Madison loved having a house full of friends. I can't believe Madison is 8 and neither can she. She keeps saying it seems like she is still 7. She has really matured lately.