do you ever.....

put your headphones on and hit shuffle on your music library? I haven't in a long time so I decided to tonight...gosh every song has a memory... I am going to type some as I am listening....feel free to completely skip the rest of this meaningless, not thrifty blog entry if you so desire. I won't be offended. I just feel like rambling and this is a good way to do it. LOL

Hillbilly Shoes Montgomery Gentry, this song brings me back to 19. (3 years ago...HA! ) I had a BF in the army and this was his favorite song. I loved his truck. I loved going to KY to see him but alas I did not love HIM.

Podunk Keith Anderson This is my area, where I grew up, where I live now. Basically this song is soo much like my life...it's like he wrote it about this area and the people in it.

Gunpowder & Lead Miranda Lambert you should really hear my K sing this song...she knows EVERY word but I am not sure if that is a good thing or not. LOL Fortunately she does not understand the meaning of the song....yet!

Whiskey Drinkin' Woman Nazareth this song reminds me of my dad. I can still hear my dad singing this song in the car. I was probably 5-8..IDK...wierd...whenever I hear this song I hear my dad singing it.

Rock Your Body Justin Timberlake to this very day, this song makes me laugh. I had this friend...probably 6'5" 230 ish lbs. Big guy and sooo funny. One night we were all out and he decided he wanted to dance. His roommate was macking on this girl and my friend walked up to his roommate when this song started and started touching him and sang "don't be so quick to call me gay"....I laughed so hard beer came out my nose. It was hilarious and the rest of us had to leave the dance floor but my friend was out there dancing and serenading his roommate who was 25 shades of red by the end of the song. Imagine a 6'5" bald guy with no coordination dancing like JT.....hilarious right?

Don't Blink Kenny Chesney This song reminds me of everyone that I have loved and lost...Kenny.....my BIL who died too young at age 30, My grandmother, My grandfather, Josh...my boyfriend who was killed in a traffic accident at the young young age of 21, Nicole...another traffic fatality that left behind a young son, Joel...motorcycle accident, R's grandpa, R's grandma,

Hero of the Day Metallica Reminds me of my first BF and IDK why because he hated Metallica but I think because he looked like the guy in the video...hmmmmm....IDK he was such a loser but I was 16 and exercising my independence...but I came around. LOL

If You Ever Stop Loving Me Montgomery Gentry wow...parts of this song speak to me. I LOVED seeing them in concert and if they EVER come this away again I am soooo going! It was AMAZING!!!
Hard times... Bad luck... Sometimes life sucks -ain't that the truth?!?!
That’s alright... I’m ok It ain’t nothing but another day I love that line
I been waylaid... freight trained... short changed by bigger and badder men and all I got to say is bring it on I LOVE that line...that is so me and it gives me the strength to stand up when all I want to do is lay down and let the world take over
Hard rain rough roads... so my life goes YEP

Live Like You Were Dying Tim McGraw I just love the message in this song!

Hot Mama Trace Adkins Love it! I just love the song

Me So Horny 2 Live Crew the quintessential redneck rap song...it is all just about ever bar in this area's jukebox and dj's playlist....because we are just cool like that. You should have seen me dance to this in my younger years. LOL...I had some mad dancing skills. LOL

Good Time Alan Jackson because no country girls playlist is complete without some AJ. LOL

Wicked Game H.I.M. an awesome rock remake of the original slow song!

Not Ready to Make Nice Dixie Chicks a good angry song

You oughta know Alanis Morrisette my all time favorite belt out the anger song!

Pink Aerosmith In my very first apartment, we had A LOT of parties. One night a male friend got drunk and was passing out on my pink bean bag chair. We asked him what his favorite color was trying to keep him awake and he said "pink" in the most feminine voice his deep voice could muster and we were all laughing so hard. This song reminds me of him. LOL

Poison Bell Biv DeVoe This song reminds me of the episode of Scrubs when Turk tries out for the Air band...my favorite episode ever...because Turk reminds me of R's best friend.

Nothing Else Matters Metallica one of R and I's wedding songs
It fits us so well. Examples:
So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters
Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you

Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know

Our long overdue date

We planned to eat at the newly opened Sonic, but they were having computer issues and the line was a mile long and the employee that came to the car said it could be 1/2 hour or more before the computer system was even up again. So we opted to go to Olive Garden. Good choice. We were seated immediately, the food was excellent and we were out of there and at the mall in 1/2 hour. How great! At the mall, we wandered, it was DEAD! We went to Bath & Body works so I could get mom some of her favorite scent. $3 a bottle for the full size bottles with the clearance sale going on. Then we went to Children's place and got our due in May neice, a hoodie for $5. It is adorable. Pink and says Princess in gold lettering. We then left the mall and went to Old Navy where I got K 2 shirts for 75 cents each and our other neice a shirt for next Christmas for $1.49 and my brother a t-shirt for watching the kids for $2.25.

It was a great date. We enjoyed each other's company very much and discussed a plan for the future and R's thoughts on something that I am not planning to disclose yet as it is in the very early stages. When/if this happens, you will receive full disclosure...I promise!! R's thoughts were very positive and I was happy to hear that as we have not had a private moment to discuss it since I first found out....no I am not pregnant. LOL

Notes from our day

We went to the Bent and Dent. They had just got in restaurant grade roast beef, presliced for sandwiches. $5 for 2.5 lbs. We got one. I can make at least 2 meals out of it. We also got 4 boxes of Strawberry Toaster Strudel $1/box, Ring bologna for 80 cents a lb, Grilling ham steaks $1.50 for 3, 3 16 oz cans of Campbells Tomato soup $1/can and a case of Campbells chicken noodle soup 16 oz cans for FIL.

Then we went to Walmart for cat food and cat litter. They had t shirts clearanced out for $1 so I got one for me and 1 to put away for mom as a gift. R got some juice, and we got mac n cheese because IMO the walmart brand is great! Better than Kraft although R would disagree.

My mom gave each of the kids $1 to buy a treat. O picked a sucker and K picked a candy bar. I let K pay for her own candy bar and she got the change back to feed her piggy. We get out to the jeep and she says I gave that lady my dollar and all I got was this measly candy bar. I said welcome to the real world K. When you have kids and bills you will get very little for a lot more money. She said well then I am just not going to have kids. Then I can feed my money to my piggy and keep it! I am glad she is learning about money and the cost of things earlier. But that kid is a trip!

We will be heading out for our date shortly. I am so excited to get some time alone with my hubby!

I want to share a very informative link

regarding stockpiling. This site is wonderful and has some very useful information.

Stockpiling guide

I forgot to mention

When I was at the store today picking up our WIC stuff, they had free chex mix seasoning if you bought a box of chex cereal. I picked one up and am going to make chex mix soon!

2/1 coupon preview

Remember these can vary by region: I know mine will be different because some of these things I have never heard of. LOL. Put the majority of the coupons are accurate.


02/01/09 SMARTSOURCE
Air Wick I-Motion Starter Kit - $4.00 off any 1 (x3/15)
Air Wick Scented oil refills - $1.00 off any 2 (x3/15)
Air Wick Scented Oil Warmer FREE wyb any Air Wick Scented Oil Refill fragrance – up to $3.19 (x3/15)
Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-ups Fruit Stickerz Fruit Flavored Snacks – 50 cents off 1 (x3/28)
Chex Cereals any chocolate, honey nut, strawberry, or cinnamon $0.75/1 (ex. 3-14-09)
Citre’ Shine product, any 2 full size - $2.00 off 2 (x5/01)
Citre’ Shine product, any full size - $1.00 off 1 (x5/01)
Colgate 360 Sonic Power Toothbrush – $1.00 off any 1 (x2/21)
Colgate Kids or Adult’s Manual Toothbrush – 40 cents off 1 (x2/21)
Colgate Toothpaste, any Adult or Children’s (4oz+) – 75 cents off 1 (x2/21)
Colgate Total Advanced Whitening, Advanced Clean, or Advanced Fresh Toothpaste only 4oz+ $1.00 (x2/21)
Cottonelle Fresh or Cottonelle for Kids Flushable Moist Wipes – 50 cents off 1 (x3/15)
Cottonelle Toilet Paper – (2) 4-pks or (1) 12-pk+ - 50 cents off (x3/15)
Cottonelle Ultra or Cottonelle Aloe & E Toilet Paper (4-pk+) – 50 cents off 1(x3/15)
Cuties – 55 cents off 3lb bag (x2/28)
Cuties Clementines - $1.00 off 5lb box (x2/28)
Dannon 6oz Single Serve Yogurt Cups – 60 cents off 6 (x3/15)
DiGiorno*any unltimate pizzeria style pizza $1/1 (ex. 4-5-09)
Dole Canned Fruits - $1.00 off any 3 (x4/25)
Duncan Hines Brownies – 35 cents off 1 (x5/31)
Egg-Land’s Best Cage Free Dozen or Organic Dozen Eggs – 50 cents off 1 (x6/30)
Egg-land’s Best Eggs – 35 cents off any (x6/30)
Egg-Lands Best Hard-Cooked & Peeled Eggs – 35 cents off 1 (x6/30)
Glade 4oz Jar Candles or 2 in 1 Candles - $1.50 off 2 (x3/14)
Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator – BOGO up to $4.29 (x3/14)
Glade Scented Oil Candles Holder – BOGO up to $7.99 (x3/14)
Glade Scented Oil Candles refill pack - $1.00 off 1 (x3/14)
Healthy Ones packaged lunchmeat, deli presliced, or 1lb deli meat – 75 cents off 1 (x4/30)
Irish Spring Body Wash, any 1 (excludes 2.5oz size) or any 2 Irish Spring Multi-Bar pack (3-pk+), 50¢ (x2/21)
Kozy Shack Ready Grains product - $1.00 off 1 (x4/30) DND-5
Lime-A-Way cleaner - $1.00 off 1 (x3/29)
Lindor Truffles item 5.1oz+ - $1.00 off 1 (good from 2/1 until 5/31)
Lindor Trufles Trio 1.27oz FREE wyb Lindor Truffles Trio 1.27oz – BOGO up to $1.50 (from 2/1 until 5/31)
Lysol Disinfectant Spray 12oz+ - $2.00 off 1 (x3/30)
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes - $1.00 off 2 (x3/30)
Lysol To Go – 50 cents off 1 (x3/30)
Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends - $1.00 off 2 (x3/15)
Palmolive dish liquid, any – 25 cents off 1 (x2/21)
Palmolive Pure + Clear liquid dish soap 20oz – 75 cents off 1 (x2/21)
Rachael Ray Isaboo Treats - $1.00 off any 1 bag (x5/31)
Rachael Ray Ntruish dog food 6lb+ - $2.00 off 1 bag (x5/31)
Rid-X Septic System Treatment product – 50 cents off 1 (x 3/29)
Rid-X Septic System Treatment product – 50 cents off 1 (x 4/26)
Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites Dinner Kit - $1.00 off 1 (x3/28)
Sargento Salad Finishers or Potato Finishers – 75 cents off 1 (x3/31)
Softsoap brand Body Wash (excludes 2oz) – 75 cents off 1 (x2/21)
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap – 35 cents off 1 (x2/21)
Speed Stick 24/7 or Lady Speed Stick 24/7 (excludes 0.5oz product) – 75 cents off 1 (x2/21)
Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick Antiperspirants/Deodorants – 75 cents off 2 (x2/21)
Sucrets product - $1.50 off any 1 (x6/01)
Sugardale 1lb Bacon or Ready Bacon – 55 cents off 1 (x3/15) DND-5
Zucol Coldcare - $2.00 off 1 box (x8/31) DND-5

RedPlum 2/1/09
Bayer Aspirin 24ct + - $1.00 off 1 (x3/31)
Breeze2 10-test discs or Contour Test Strips - $20.00 off (valid only towards patient’s health plan co-pay) (x11/30)
Breeze2 or Contour Meter by Bayer - $30.00 off (x11/30)
Gatorade or G2 Powder Packs - $1.00 off 1 box (x4/30)
Kellogg’s Fruit Flavored Snacks - $1.00 off 2 (x3/29)
K-Y brand product (E-T-S) - $2.00 off 1 (x6/30)
K-Y brand Yours+Mine or Intrigue product (E-T-S) - $5.00 off 1 (x6/30)
L’Oreal Colour Riche or Any L’Oreal Lip Product - $1.00 off 1 (x4/26)
L’Oreal EverPure Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment - $2.00 off 1 (x4/26)
L’Oreal HIP Eye or Lip product - $2.00 off 1 (x4/26)
L’Oreal Infalliable Face Product, or any L’Oreal Makeup, Powder, Blush or Concealer - $2.00 off 1 (x4/26)
L’Oreal Moisturizer or Treatment - $1.00 off 1 (x4/26)
L’Oreal Preference or Dream Blonde - $3.00 off 1 (x4/26)
L’Oreal RevitaLift product - $1.00 off 1 (x4/26)
L’oreal Skincare Products - $3.00 off 2 (x4/26)
M&M’s Premiums Chocolate Candies - $1.00 off 1 (x3/31)
Marzetti Dressings - $1.00 off 2 (x4/30)
Milk-Bone Dog Snacks – BOGO up to $4.99 (x4/01)
Nature’s Bounty Product - $1.00 off 1 (x3/15)
Neo-Synephrine*any product $1/1 (ex. 4-30-09)
Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough - $1.00 off 1 (x3/01)
Quaker Simple Harvest All Natural Multigrain Chewy Granola Bars - $1.00 off 1 box (x3/31)
Robitussin product - $1.00 off 1 (x5/31)
Scotch-Brite Ultra NailSaver Absorbant Scrub Sponge, Scrub Sponge, or Scour Pad products, $1 off 2 (x3/31)
Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend - $1.00 off 1 (x4/30)
Smart Balance Buttery Spreads - $1.00 off 2 (x4/30)
Smart Balance Cooking Oil or Pan Spray - $1.00 off 1 (x4/30)
Smart Balance Peanut Butter - $1.00 off 1 (x4/30)
Smart Balance Popcorn - $1.00 off 2 (x4/30)
Smucker’s Jams, Jellies, Preserves, or Fruit Spread products - $1.00 off 3 (x5/01)
Sparkle Paper Towels, 2-Giant Roll pack+ - $1.00 off 1 (x3/02)
Suave Body Wash - $1.50 off 3 (x2/28)
Suave Body Wash – 75 cents off 2 (x2/28)

copied from afullcup.com

My newly reorganized freezer

I *just* thought of something

Our stand up freezer is organized yet unorganized. We have veggies on one shelf, pork on another, beef on another, ground beef in the bottom. I read somewhere that a lady bought some milk crates to organizer her freezer but I got to thinking and I could do it even cheaper than that by using boxes. Then I can write on the outside of the box what is in there and it would make it soooo much easier to defrost. I could just remove the boxes and ta-da...instant defrosting and all I have to do is put the boxes back in. It would also be so much easier to find stuff and less stuff falling out to break my toe. Brilliant! I am going to start tonight!

FAR items for February that I plan to buy

the multipurpose solution. I am out so this is great timing.

Possibly the Garnier fructis shampoo.

walgreens deals for 2/8-2/14

nothing to exciting. I might be interested in getting a swiffer wet jet, if I have a good coupon.

I am also thinking that this might be a good time to get R an Axe shampoo. I love the way Axe smells and would like him to try it and it is a FAR item this month so it would be a good time to try it.

walgreens deals for 2/1-2/7

nothing interests me except for the Razors that are $2.99 after RR. That depends on the coupons that come out however!

Old Navy clearance sale again

Take an EXTRA 50% off Old Navy Clearance!*5 DAYS ONLY--exclusively onlineDon't miss your chance to save even more on already low prices,now through February 2.Enter promo code HALFOFF at checkout.

*Offer valid on Old Navy Clearance merchandise only from 1/29/2009at 12:01 am ET through 2/2/2009 at 11:59 pm ET in the U.S.(including Puerto Rico) at gap.com, bananarepublic.com, oldnavy.com,piperlime.com while supplies last. Not valid at Old Navy Stores.Select styles and colors only. Discount applies to Clearancemerchandise only, not value of gift cards purchased, packaging,applicable taxes or shipping & handling charges. Online code limitedto one-time use only. No adjustments on previous purchases. Notvalid for cash or cash equivalent. Cannot be combined with otheroffers or discounts, including Gap Inc. employee discount. Gap Inc.is not responsible for lost or stolen coupons.Select styles only. For a limited time, while supplies last.

I failed...and more.....

ok so through today...here is what I bought:
$3.78 at grocery store
$2.11 for boone's wine ( I needed it BADLY Saturday night!!)
$0.88 diapers at Walgreens
$1.35 bottle of soda at work
$3.71 at gas station for bananas, bread and these awesome breadsticks with cheese inside
$2.38 for grapes
$1.20 for 2 donuts.
$3.58 for 2 packs of cheddarwursts
$17.12 for 5 t-bone steaks
$1.77 for 3 cans of mandarin oranges

Some things (in purple) I could have skipped. The steaks were a must buy. $3.99/lb for T-bones is awesome and we are low on steaks in the freezer so that was a must. The bread and bananas were need. The diapers, although I have quite a few packs, I needed to use my RR so that was the best way to use them.

The things I could have gone without...the grocery store stuff...shortening and margarine for a recipe. I could have just not made the cake but oh well. The wine...as much as I needed it Saturday night, I could have gone without. The bottle of soda at work I definitely could have done without but I had to work last minute and needed a pick me up after a rough night with a sick kiddo. The grapes we could have done without but the kids were dying for grapes and we haven't had any in a long time and they were on sale. The donuts...not even going to go there....moment of weakness. The cheddarwursts....we already have a bunch but they only had 2 packs left at the sale price and I never see them that cheap so I grabbed them...ate some for lunch today too. The cans of mandarin oranges....the kids really don't eat regular oranges but they love the mandarin so because they are sick and could use the vitamin C boost, I got some.

Overall, I feel crappy for not meeting my goal but I did not spend too frivolously, which was my objective. I still have one day left but since I went over...it is over. I didn't even make it to the bent and dent today. 2 sick kids, a crabby sick husband and a big mess with scheduling at work lead to me not even wanting to go. I am going to try again next week. Starting Saturday and going through Friday.

cheap dog shampoo

LOL Sheena decided to jump in the bath with K tonight. Since she was already in there I decided it was a good time for the dog to have a bath. So I wetted her down and realized I had no doggie shampoo. Crap! So I used some of the Suave that I have so much of. It worked like a charm. Sheena is soft, fluffy and smells great.

long talks and strategizing....

R and I had a long heart to heart today. He is understandably worried that his employer will be shutting the doors for good. He received a call on Monday from his boss and even though his boss is not laid off, they cut his hours down and they are operating on bare bones staff. The machine my hubby runs has not even ran in two weeks. We sat down and strategized. Because he knows I am a planner and a worrier, he figured I already had a plan in place. To his utmost shock...I do not. I am flying by the seat of my pants and hoping for a miracle. I know how much we have in savings and I know how long we could live off that money with keeping the house. What I did not know until I sat down to write out the bills tonight for this month, is that we have an additional month in our household bills account. Hallelujah!

R has been looking at other employment, really looking, but in this area there is no employment. There are retail jobs, a couple banking jobs, housekeeping at the hospital and a few other similar jobs but not jobs that R can do and support the family and for us to pay for daycare so we keep looking and hoping. At this point that is all we can do. I have been looking at a job change for myself as well. Not that I do not love my job, I do, it is just that the hours I need are not there. But I need to stay on with my employer through April in order to receive my bonus. The bonus should be between $300 and $500. That is a lot of money to throw out the window by quitting and working elsewhere now. Besides the project is starting soon and that should give me enough hours to make it worthwhile to stay. They are planning on working weekends and nights to get this project done so I know I will get the hours I want and need. The project will last "several weeks". How long is several weeks? IDK I am guessing 4-6 which would put me into March-ish for going back to only working one day a week. The bonus is estimated to be paid out around the 15th of April so if I can just stick it out that last month or so we will be sitting good. That month could be rough. IDK. I hope it turns out ok. I hate to wait for that bonus and cause financial issues, that is why I am glad we have the extra money put away.

my current plan is to continue to make my "car payment" to the savings account when it is all paid off to give us even more of a cushion. I hope I can keep on that plan because it sure would be nice to be able to put a couple hundred away each month.

the spending freeze is

going pretty well but I think I might end up going over the $30...actually I know I will because FIL has asked me to pick up some things for him. I will get that money back so IDK if I should count it or not...probably won't. But the kicker is...he asked me to go to the bent and dent...my favorite one...to get him a case of soup and some other things. SIGH...whenever I go there I end up spending money and I have yet to put gas in my car this week. Luckily I am still at just over 1/2 tank but I still have 2 days left of the spending freeze. SIGH...probably going to end up over the $30 limit...but not my much. oh well...I guess.

Next week I start on a major project at work, I will most likely be working 6 days a week again. Therefore I cannot make any bent and dent trips, nor can I make any trips to the grocery store to wander. It is going to be a busy few weeks but the money will be nice. I am sooo close to getting my car paid off. I currently owe...$2360! wow! so close yet so far away....I wish I could just have it done with now. Alas..I keep plugging away at it and it will be paid off in no time.

I am a coupon puller...and so is K

Last week when K and I were at a store, we saw $1.50/2 coupons for miracle whip. R loves miracle whip. I use a lot in the summer to make salads, etc. We grabbed a couple of the coupons since they don't expire until the end of May and guess what! this week it is on sale at a different store for $2/jar. LOL my coupons make it $1.25/jar! Awesome!


now if wonder bread would go on sale with the coupons I got the other day. LOL

Geez...

it is so hard to write about anything thrifty when I am on a spending freeze. The good thing though is that nothing I want or need is on sale at the grocery stores this week. Overall the sales ads are kind of lacking.

One nice thing about planning the spending freeze for this week is that the charity radio auction is going on. Being on a spending freeze means I can not/will not buy any overpriced baked goods. LOL

the dangers of a too full freezer

Having a too full freezer can be hazardous to your health and pocketbook:

• Items can get shoved to the back (or bottom) and forgotten about and then you have freezer burnt food...which is sometimes salvageable but most often not
• You see a great deal on something but have no room so you have to pass
• you open the freezer to get out a popsicle for your sick child and a container of frozen juice falls out from the top shelf and breaks your toe. Yeah that happened. I am serious!

What is your vice?

you know the one thing that you love that you won't/can't give up? For me...it is soda...diet coke or diet pepsi or even store brand diet cola. I don't care really I just need my diet soda.

To keep the price of my vice in check, I buy on sale or buy generic.

R's vice is beer. He likes beer. He has switched to drinking cheaper beer when we don't have the money for budwieser or the microbrews that he loves, which is quite often. Natural Ice or Natural light...both made by Anheuser Busch, are his new go to beers. $12.65 for a 30 pack with tax. Not bad at all and it lasts him quite a while.

R has another vice too...Mountain Dew. No generics will ever take the place of that so I stock up when it is on sale. Recently he has cut back his dew consumption and started drinking my diet soda! :sigh: of course he only drinks the name brand diet because in his opinoin the generic tastes funny.