Prices Effective July 30-August 5, 2008

Frito Lay Doritos-12.5 oz 2/$4

Gatorade-32 oz- 99 cents

Dannon Yogurt- 6 oz- 2/$1

Homemaker Premium Orange Juice- 64 oz- $1.99

Van Camp’s Pork and Beans-15 oz- 2/$1

24 pack Sweetbay Brand Water-.5 liter-$3.88

Sweetbay Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs- 77 cents/lb

Red Vine Cluster Tomatoes-$1.29/lb

Assorted Smithfield Pork Chops-$1.49/lb

Red or Green Seedless Grapes-$1.29/lb

Frugal Cleaning Tips:

Isn't it amazing how over the years we have become conditioned to believe that we need a special product for each cleaning task? We need special tile cleaner, kitchen sanitizer, bathroom sanitizer, bathroom brushes, kitchen brushes, shower brushes, shower cleaners, toilet cleaners. The list could go on, and on, and on. I know that the underside of my sink is full of "specialty" cleaners that I am trying to use up.

The truth is that a few basic products and a little elbow grease usually is all that you need to do a very effective cleaning job.

To help you understand how I have come up with some of my ideas, let me share some information about how things are cleaned. There are three basic goals to cleaning: dirt removal, deposit removal, and sanitization.

Dirt Removal: Dirt is easily removed by using a simple soap. Soap works to loosen built up particles from the surface they are trapped on. Soap also breaks down the cell membranes on certain viruses and bacteria. You can usually use any "surfactant" (aka soap) product to remove dirt. You will see some creative uses below.

Deposit Removal: Sometimes soap just isn't enough. There are some things that get baked on, dried on, and stuck that require a little extra help to remove. Frequently, conventional products resort to harsh chemicals and heavy abrasives to get the job done. Baking soda is a mild, non-toxic alternative that can be used in most cases. When baking soda is not quite enough, it is amazing what a nylon scrub pad and elbow grease can do.

Sanitization: Almost everything comes in an antibacterial form. The truth is that as long as an area is carefully cleaned, you will likely only need to disinfect on occasion. The use of a mildly acidic spray will go a long way. Vinegar, when diluted, is a very safe and effective disinfectant. Don't worry, the scent fades away rapidly as it dries.

Here are some ideas for your kitchen, bathroom and laundry that will help you keep your cleaner costs to a minimum. You'll be glad to have fewer bottles and cans taking up your space.

Kitchen:

• Wring out a dish cloth after you do your dishes and use it to wipe down your counters. The pile in the dish cloth will help pick up items, and you can rinse and re-use. This will save you paper towels and cleaning spray.
• For tough gunk on the counters, pre-wet the area and then sprinkle with a thin layer of baking soda. Use a moist dishcloth to gently work in a circular motion until buildup is gone. Caution: do not use this method on granite countertops of flat-top stoves.
• Stove burner catch pans that can be removed from the stove top can easily be scrubbed using a steel wool soap pad.
• Disinfecting counters is as simple as filling an empty spray bottle with 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Spray thin layer on flat surfaces and allow to dry.
• You don't need special solution to mop either. Just put a squirt of dish detergent into the bucket and fill with warm water. Mop as usual.

• For grout or your shower/tub, see my tips HERE.
• For the toilet: squirt a small bit of cheap shampoo in the toilet and use toilet brush to clean. Flush and you have a clean toilet. If you are concerned about sanitizing, add a cup of white vinegar and allow to sit for a few minutes before flushing.
• Chrome and Fixtures: Make use of that used drier sheet to safely buff your chrome fixtures to a nice shine.
• Crevices and cracks: Dip a q-tip in rubbing alcohol to quickly and safely clean tiny areas.
• Counters: Wipe down with old wash cloth and sanitize with the vinegar/water spray used in the kitchen.
• Mirrors: Use regular water in a spray bottle and wipe thoroughly with lint-free cloth. If you prefer a more Windex-like alternative, fill an old spray bottle with 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 2 cups water. This will clean your mirrors just as well as the name brands!

• Laundry: Most wash can be done in cold water. Unless you are running a very soiled load, give it a try and see if you can do this. Also, try cutting your detergent use by using half the amount recommended. This will usually work just as well as using the full amount.
• Spot Treatment: Fill a spray bottle with 1/4 cup of laundry detergent and two cups of water. Use this spray to pre-treat stains. For set in or difficult stains, apply straight laundry detergent to stain and allow to sit before washing.
• Fabric Softening: Vinegar is an excellent sanitizer and softener. If you have a Downy ball, you can put a small amount of vinegar in it and throw it in for the rinse cycle. Your fabrics will be safely softened, without a vinegar smell.
  

I get questions all the time. "How do you do it?" some ask.

Or other folks say, "I could never do as well as you."

The truth is, I am not the best at this. I have just developed a system that works for me over time. I want to share with you over the next few weeks a week by week guide on how to makeover your shopping habits. It might help to take baby steps rather than to jump in with both feet.

So here is week 1:

Week 1-Starting out Slowly

1. Set your grocery budget
2. Prepare a menu for the week’s meals. (Remember: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks)
3. Prepare a grocery list for the entire week. The goal is to go grocery shopping one day for the whole week. Go to the ATM or bank and get cash for your grocery trip. This will help you control your spending.
   
4. Go to your regular grocery store only (don’t try to shop the huge deals yet, you may get overwhelmed).
5. Purchase ONLY the items on your list. No impulse buys, no matter how good a deal it is.
6. Put the items away immediately in the fridge, freezer, etc to make sure they stay fresh.
7. Follow your menu.
8. Lather, rinse, repeat.

See, that was easy!

Join me next Monday for Week Two of Grocery Savings Baby Steps!

Thanks to all who entered. This giveaway is now closed.


This week I am so excited to be able to give away the book The Complete Cheapskate by Mary Hunt.

This book is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in building up their frugal knowledge. I have a copy in my personal library and have found it to be very enlightening.

Here is how the giveaway works. Please let your name and email contact info in the comments section. Along with your contact information please make a content suggestion for this blog. It could be a product you would like to see reviewed, a topic you would like to know more about, or any home-related topic you may be interested in. Please be specific!

A winner will be drawn at random on Saturday, August 2nd and announced on this page. Please pass the word along! You have until midnight on Friday August 1 to enter.

Thank you to Kristin at BeCentsAble for letting us know about the RedBox free movie codes good this weekend!

• THX0708
• FUJI26
• BREAKROOM

Some days I feel as if looking through upcoming CVS ads is a little bit like Christmas!

I particularly love to find out ahead of time about the monthly deals.

Thanks to many wonderful bloggers and forums, we get lots of advance information.

My thanks go out to Erica at IHeartCVS for posting ad scans for the August Monthly Deals.

Thanks also go out to Erin at Coupon Cravings for previewing next week's deals. I for one will be stocking up on the razors and picture DVDs!

Then looking ahead to the week of 8/10, thanks again for the ad scans, Erica!

We have lots of Publix news this week, folks! First, remember to check out the circular online for your area.

Organic deal matchups are in abundance at Fiddledeedee.

If you are in the market for paper supplies, check out the details of a Publix/Kimberly Clark joint venture and get a $5 gift card for stocking up on paper supplies. Details HERE. (Thanks Marin!)

Get details on getting Horizon Organic Yogurt for 18 cents a cup!

And courtesy of Fiddledeedee:

Buy One Get One Deals
Deals with Printable Coupons
Deals with Manufacturer's Coupons

Spot any hot deals? Let me know!

Cherrypicking. This is one of the longest practiced traditions of the frugal. What is cherrypicking, you may ask? Cherrypicking is the practice of perusing sale papers for the best deals and then only purchasing the items that are loss-leaders (designed by the store to bring people through the door hoping they will purchase things that are not on sale).

In this day and time of high gas prices, it may not be in your best interests to spend the time and gas to drive all around town for your savings. Luckily many stores practice price matching!

Price matching is a technique that allows you to take your local store circulars to any store that pricematches, purchase the exact item advertised in the ad, and the pricematch store will honor their competitor's price! Wow, what a time and money savings!

The only store in my area that pricematches is Walmart. Here is what their corporate website says about their pricematch policy:

"Our goal is always to be the low price leader in every community where we operate. Our customers trust us to have every day low prices ... there's no need for "special sales." Should a competitor in the area have a special sale price on a product through a circular advertisement, the customer may bring that printed ad into the store and we will honor it for the same item. " Walmart Corporate Policy

Our local Publix doesn't price-match, per say, but they do accept all competitor coupons, meaning that when Albertson's puts out a $5 of an order of $50 or more coupon in their circular, I can bring it to whichever store has the best deals and use it there.

Interested in pricematching at your store? Here are my best tips for successful pricematching:

1. Make sure you bring the competitor's ad into the store with you. Circle the items you plan to price match so that they are easy to see in the ad.
2. Be very careful to purchase the exact type and size indicated in the advertisement.
3. Place all price match items together on the belt so that you don't miss items or have to go back to fix a price.
4. Let the checker know that you will be price matching and be ready to point out each item in the ad as it is scanned.
5. Smile and say "thank you." to the checker. It goes a long way to build good will.
6. If you get resistance from the checker, present your printed copy of the store's price match policy. If the matter is not resolved that way, politely ask to see the manager. If, in the end, you keep getting resistance, be polite, and call the store's corporate office for ultimate satisfaction. But above all, be courteous!

For more Frugal Friday tips, check out Biblical Womanhood!

Minimizing Monday is quickly becoming my favorite carnival to participate in by far! I am LOVING getting rid of so many things. It is intersting, though, that it has been blogging about it that makes the difference for me. Who knew?

If you are interested in seeing what I purged from my closet last week, check it out HERE.

Happy Minimizing Monday.

This week we focused on the kitchen and WOW! Look at my breakfast bar! It is covered with all sorts of things.

I loaded them up in the trunk of my car and brought them to work for my co-workers to look through first and see if they can use any of the things I am finding new homes for. How fun is this?

Wi-Fi. It works for me.

Even as I write this I am loving the wi-fi technology that allows me to write this from a coffee cafe. The wireless technology lets me roam nearly anywhere I would like, and as long as I have a laptop along, I can access the net.

What is wi-fi? Wi Fi is a technology that allows devices (in my case a laptop) to connect to other devices without wires. It works in many capacities, but most commonly for people to use the internet without being tied to a desk.

Where can you find wireless connection? A place that has wireless internet available is commonly called a "hot-spot". Many public buildings, airports, and some shops are now offering free wireless internet connection to their visitors. This can make it easier to keep up with daily tasks, fun reading, and emails.

Wireless technology is also available for home users too. Imagine being able to sit anywhere in your house and upload pictures to be developed. Or be sitting by the pool and emailing your college best friend. Wireless technology really is a gift!

However, there are a few things that anyone using wireless technology needs to know.

When using a public hotspot (one that is not in your home or office), you need to be careful of what you choose to do. This might not be the best time to access all of your most sensitive banking and financial information. The reason is that most public hotspots are unsecured. What this means is that anyone within range of the hotspot can log in and use it. This leaves folks using the network potentially vulnerable to data theft if their computer is not properly protected with firewall software.

When setting up a home network, make sure that you secure your network. What that means is that every computer that connects to your network must use a special code to gain entrance. The good news is once you set up your computer on your network, you should not have to re-set the code. You will always be able to connect.

This is important for several reasons. The first is it keeps people from "stealing" your wi-fi. Wondering why your connection is not running as fast as it used to be? It might be the neighbor kid downloading a bazillion songs over your connection. Remember, it is not only your "bandwidth" they could be using, but your IP address. If someone uses your network to do illegal activities, it could bring unwanted visitors to your door asking questions. So it is definitely in your best interests to secure that network! Fortunately it is not too difficult!

For more information about what Wi Fi is, check out Wikipedia.
Want to know more about how Wi-Fi works? Check out HowStuffWorks.
Want to know where your local hotspots are? Check HERE.

For more Works For Me Wednesday articles, check out Rocks in My Dryer!

Cleaning Dirty Grout Without Harsh Chemicals:

Supplies

• Box of Baking Soda
• Old Parmesan Cheese shaker (optional but makes a great baking soda dispenser)
• Old toothbrush
• Scrub brush
• Small bucket or large cup to rinse away baking soda
• Small cup to make baking soda paste in

1. Mix baking soda and water to form a medium-thick paste in a small cup.
2. Apply to tile and grout using large scrub brush and work in circles to clean the large areas.
3. Dip the toothbrush in the baking soda mix and use for detail cleaning.
4. Fill your large cup/small bucket with water and rinse surfaces until clean.

1. Pre-moisten the surface
2. Shake a light layer of baking soda over all surfaces
3. Scrub with large brush, use toothbrush for detail work.
4. Rinse
5. Smile because you have a nice clean bathroom without harsh chemicals!

I have had a very frustrating weekend. Our computer died (but in it's defense, it was 11 years old), we replaced it, and then had to get a printer that worked with the new computer. Then I had a bit of a rough CVS visit that led me to seriously contemplate going on a CVS fast for a month or too, or at least completely cutting out one of the stores I frequent.

But then I had a moment where my perspective was challenged. Because of careful planning, we had money enough in our emergency fund to be able to replace our PC without going into debt over it. Interestingly enough, it just so happened that the exact type of computer we had previously discussed as a good replacement computer was on an incredible sale the day after our computer gave up the ghost. So we were blessed with a solution that met our desires and our immediate need for a computer. (Only in America could a computer be a need).

The real gut check came yesterday when I found out about a family in our area who was in need of food. Because of the awesome deals that I have been able to take advantage of over the last few months, I was able to assemble a large box of food and toiletries for them. What a blessing to be able to help!

I don't share this with the intention of getting recognition for the deed done, because the joy of being able to share abundantly is more than enough reward for me. I am sharing this to challenge you to maybe think a little bit different about your bargain hunting or stockpiling. You definitely can bless your family by your careful shopping, but you can generously bless families who are hurting.

So here is my challenge. Take a moment today and bag up or box up some things from your stockpile and bless someone else with them. Then please share your story with me. I can't wait to here how it goes!

Read more Gratituesday entries at Sweet and Simple.

Today's code for a free movie at any RedBox location is TW87WR.

Unfamiliar with RedBox? Read my post explaining it HERE.

Check out this week's circular online at CVS.com.

Check out some deal scenarios HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE (Thanks to Lavonne, Jennifer, Carlie, Crystal, and Erin )

Check out the awesome matchups of this weeks deals with printable coupons compiled by Erin at Coupon Cravings.

The coupon giveaway winners are:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:53 49
Timestamp: 2008-07-19 15:06:33 UTC

Amy from "Escape to Thought"

and

Singin4Him

I have contacted these two winners and they have until midnight tonight to respond with an address to mail the coupons to.

Thank you all so much for entering!

Just a reminder in case you haven't entered my coupon giveaway. The giveaway closes at Friday, midnight. I will choose 2 winners at random and announce them on Saturday here on this blog. Click HERE to get more details and to enter!

I am slacking this week, but did want to make sure that you had links to the great coupon matchups for Target and Walmart since new deals come out on Sunday.

Remember your School Supply Deals at:
Walmart
Office Depot


Thanks goes out to Jennifer, Crystal, and Denise!

The Publix circular is ready to be viewed for this week HERE.

Here is the link to Marin's excellent coupon match-ups for this week's Publix deals.

And thanks always to Sarah at Fiddledeedee!
Check out:
Deals with Printable Matchups
Deals with Manufacturer's Coupons
Buy One Get One Deals

Also, remember that Publix is running another Kraft promo where you can get a $10 gift card to JcPenney (up to 3 cards per household). Get the Details HERE.

Here are my major deal matchups:

Dole Salad BOGO $3.49
Use 2 internet printables of $1 ea to get both bags for $1.49= 0.75 cost per bag of salad!

Mott's Applesauce Jars BOGO $1.79
Use 1 $1/2 internet printable to get both jars for $.79, or a cost of approx $.40 per jar!

Special K Cereal Bar BOGO $2.99
Use $1/1 coupons from Vocal Point (sent in the mail to those participating in the program) to get both boxes for $.99 or a cost of $.50 per box!

Get up to $3.99 back by mail on any Pert Plus Thick 'n Full, Revive & Rejuvenate or Dandruff Dismissed product from February 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009.

Use either the $2 or $3 Pert Plus coupons from recent newspaper inserts to make this a moneymaker!

Look for a peelie rebate form on bottles of this shampoo. I found my bottle with peelie at Publix. Enjoy!

Thanks to Handprints on the Wall for such an inspiring carnival! I actually got down and dirty with my closet and was able to purge the following:

• 5 T-shirts
• 4 pairs of pants
• 6 skirts or dresses
• 24 shirts
• 2 sweaters

My life as a CVS shopper has been highlighted with some AMAZING deals and some learning experiences. But I really think that I have become very spoiled by the amazing deals.

For a non-CVSer, hearing someone complain about their out of pocket expense being more than a dollar for $50 of merchandise would seem insane, but that is what I find myself doing at times. I get even more frustrated when I don't roll my Extra Care Bucks totally and have to "blow" some to get a deal, even when my out of pocket expense is very low. How silly does that make me?

Sometimes I think it is very worth it to take a step back, examine my stockpile, and think of how much these items would have cost if I had paid full price. Wow! That definitely puts things into perspective.

The object is not perfection, or to have the best "haul" from CVS every week. It isn't to compare yourself to other blogs, although sometimes it is fun to see what other people are doing. But sometimes you really do have to put it in perspective. Everyone is different, everyone uses different products, and everyone should enjoy guilt-free CVS shopping! Remember, the object isn't perfection! It is deals that work for your family. So stop worrying about getting every coupon, or every deal, and start thinking about how much this program has been a blessing. Before you know it, the summer deal drought will be over and we will be singing happy CVS songs again!

This week, my favorite thing is my Roomba Discovery. While not a frugal purchase, per say, it is one of my favorite home helpers. Two years ago, my hubby surprised me with this great tool as a gift.

What is a Roomba? The Roomba is a robotic vacuum cleaner that self directs to clean an entire room without your assistance, even under furniture!

Why do I love it? Well, because I can push a button, walk away and it will clean an entire room while I am doing something else. When the Roomba finishes its work it drives itself back to its recharging and docking station to reset.

It transitions from throw rugs to hard floors with no trouble and even has a special feature that allows it to closely follow the edges of walls and use a small brush to do detail cleaning work. How cool is that! And if you have stairs, the robot has an edge sensor to keep it from tumbling to an early demise.

So, that is why I love my Roomba! Want to see some other folks' favorite things? Check out Fiddledeedee's roundup!

Red Box, my friends, is your passport to frugal entertainment!

Tonight was our first experience with Red Box and I am happy to report that it was quick and easy.

What is Red Box? Red Box is a video rental vending machine. You walk up to it, select your desired movie from the screen, pay with your debit card, and it ejects the movie you have selected.

Where is Red Box located? Well, for us, RedBox is located inside the vestibule at our local Walmart. To find out where your RedBox is located, search HERE.

How much does it cost? The rental of each movie costs only $1 per day that you have it checked out. For instance, check out any movie any time of day, and return it to the machine before 9pm the following day and it is only $1 charged to the debit card you use to check it out. You will be charged an additional dollar for each day longer that you keep it.

Are there any good movies in the Red Box? We thought so. We rented National Treasure: Book of Secrets. They add new releases every Tuesday, and you can search their library of available movies HERE.

Can I get Red Box movies for FREE? I thought you would never ask. Of course you can! Every Monday, Red Box releases a free movie code. I will announce that free code here on this blog, and then you can take that code to the RedBox and use it to redeem your free movie. The code is only good the Monday it is released.

Remember, though, it is only free for one day, so if you keep it longer than that, you will be charged $1 per day.

Have more questions? Check out the Red Box Frequently Asked Questions.

See you back here Monday with the Free Movie Code!

Here is my scenario for less than $5 out of pocket.

Scenario

$7.99 1 x 6x8 10 page Photo Book ($7.99 ECB Back)

$9.98 1x Airwick Freshmatic Air Freshener Kit

$17.97 Total Before Coupons

-3.00 $3 off $15 CVS Printable

-3.00 Kodak Picture Maker Coupon

-4.00 Airwick Internet Printable

-4.00 Airwick Internet Printable

3.97 Out of Pocket

Get 7.99 Extra Care Bucks Back

There are a lot of great resources available early this week. Make sure you take a look at them if you love great deals. The CVS ECB deals seem to be much better this week, at least I have been having much better luck with them.

Erin has a list of links to printable coupons that correspond to this weeks deals.

Marin shares her scenarios for moneymakers.

While you are at it, check out Denise's deals, too.

And we can't forget Crystal. Make sure to check out her great advice HERE.

If you are just starting out, or are looking for some small out of pocket transactions, check out Alyssa's CVS $5 Challenge.

Lavonne is really on top of things. She has posted her take on the deals for the last two weeks of July at her blog HERE.

You can also see Lavonne's scenarios for this week.

Happy CVSing everyone!

I have decided that I would pass along some of my coupon stash to my loyal readers. I am giving away two envelopes STUFFED full of cents off, dollars off, and Buy One Get One coupons for food, beverages, medicines, vitamins, etc. Each envelope will be filled with half of the coupons.

Coupons will be mailed on Monday July 21 as some of the coupons are only good until July 31.

Please consider adding me to your blogroll or subscribing to this blog if you have been enjoying what you read here.

Leave your email address in the comments to enter for your chance to win an envelope STUFFED with coupons! Entries must be in by Midnight on Friday July 18. The winner will be announced on this blog on Saturday the 19th.

The Coupon Diva posted pictures of her stockpile on her blog today and invited readers to post pictures of their stockpiles. So here goes! My things are stored around the house in pretty much whatever empty space there is. I try to store items close to where they might be needed.

Here is my massive stockpile of paper towels and some cleaning items. Most of the cleaning items are below:

Here are the rest of the air fresheners, Cascade, wipes, sprays, etc.

Here is where I keep toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes, shampoo, and some random medicines. There are two paper boxes below (not pictured) full of things to be donated to charity at Christmas time. Most of my other items like hair stylers, nail polish, face care, makeup, and body wash and lotion are in a basket drawer tower in my bedroom and are not pictured.

This is out in my laundry area and has stain removers, laundry soap, dryer sheets, Febreeze, dish detergent, Swiffer stuff.

Here is where I have a bazillion puddings, some canned goods and some dried fruit. There is a big stockpile of plastic baggies on the top shelf.

This is the majority of the dry goods, bottles of sauces and dressings, canned goods, etc.

And last but certainly not least, cookies and cereal!

Thanks to Erica for posting ad scans of the circular for CVS on 7.27-8.02.08.

I only scanned it quickly, but it didn't look like there were barely any Extra Care Buck deals in there. I don't mean to panic, but are they phasing out our beloved ECB deals? Anyone know?

Please excuse our dust....We are working to remodel the blog today so it might look weird. Don't worry though...not going anywhere!

I am happy to report, that after only a few days of faithful entering this sweepstakes for Publix, that I won $8 off my next order! They are giving away a year's worth of free groceries plus $8 off your next Publix shopping order HERE. You can enter once a day!

Who knows, you might win like I did!

This just in! Today I received this AMAZING sheet of coupons for organic and Greenwise products at Publix. There are $20 worth of coupons on this sheet.

How did I get it? I subscribed to the FREE Greenwise Magazine that Publix puts out monthly and they just sent them to me!

Click HERE to sign up to get Greenwise Magazine delivered to your home for FREE!

The Publix deals are up for the week. Check out the AD online.

Thanks goes out to Frugonomics 101 for her extensive coupon match ups HERE.

And thanks always to Sarah at Fiddledeedee:
Check out Deals with Printable Matchups
Deals with Manufacturers Coupons
List of Buy One Get Ones

If you see a deal not mentioned here, please let me know and I will pass it along and give you credit!

Transaction #1 Publix (Wednesday)

• 1 16 oz package Vigo Yellow Rice
• 1 8 pack South Beach Whole Wheat Tortillas
• 2 bags Stacy's Multigrain Pita Chips
• 2 packs Oscar Mayer Beef Hotdogs
• 1 box frozen spinach
• 5 boxes green beans
• 2 bottles A1 Steak Sauce
• 4 bottles Kraft Salad dressing (assorted types)
• 2 bottles Ocean Spray Cranergy Juice Drink
• 1 Gal. Publix Organic Whole Milk
• 2 large cans Bush's Black Beans
• 2 small cans Publix pinto beans
• 1 16ct Kraft Singles
• 1 6ct Yoplait Kid's Yogurt
• 1 canister Publix Grated Parmesan Cheese

• 4 8oz cartons Organic Valley Whipping Cream
• 2 Bags of Publix Salad
• 5 lbs Ground Chuck
• 6 bags Birds Eye Stir Fry Vegetables
• 4 Bags assorted Publix Vegetables
• 4 boxes Kashi Vive Cereal
• 3 bottles Pert Plus Botanicals
• 1 loaf wheat bread
  

Today is nearly done, but I did want to share one very awesome tool with you.

I love getting together with my brother for many reasons, one of which is he is always finding something new and cutting edge on the web. Some new tool to make life easier or more organized. He has introduced me to blog feed readers which allow me to save time and keep up with new content on my favorite websites. This time he introduced me to an awesome goal tracking website called "Joe's Goals".

According to the website, this free web program was created by "Joe" as a means to track his progress towards developing good habits, and losing bad ones. All that is required is an email address and password to sign up. No further personal information is required. Then you can enter your goals. If you want to track your progress towards continuing a good habit, you mark it is positive, if you are trying to give up a bad habit, you mark it as negative.

The nice thing is that you mark daily whether you completed each positive habit or whether you gave in to each negative habit and it gives you a score of how you are progressing towards your goals. I know that this has already been helpful to me, as some times I can vaguelly remember how many times in a week I give in to eating candy or drinking soda, but now this is a way that I can be held accountable for really sticking to my goal.

So, if you are interested in tracking your own goal progress, take a look HERE.

Whenever I get new information I try and post the updates here. Here is some of the most recent CVS news.

For those of you who are new to CVS bargain hunting, check out the $5 scenarios to get started that Alyssa hosts.

Erin has matched THIS weeks deals with printable coupons HERE.

Lavonne has posted the deals she sees for the next two weeks HERE. Check them out to preview the upcoming deals.

Erica has posted scanned copies of the 7/20 circular HERE.

See anything of note? Let me know and I will post and give you credit!

I am surprised that I made it this far in life without owning a cast iron skillet. But with a recent camping trip we found a reason to buy one. Wow, Wow, Wow!
Now this is nothing extravagant, in fact this little 10 inch wonder was purchased for under $15 at WalMart, but what a great tool.

The cornbread last night sealed the deal. It was perfectly baked with just the right golden crisp pieces around the edges. This will definitely make a repeat appearance on our table.

The thing that warned me off cast iron for so long was that I was unsure how to care for them. The fact that you are not supposed to wash them with soap really freaked me out for a while, but I learned how to properly care for it, and now I LOVE IT.

To see how to care for cast iron, click HERE.

Want to see some more favorite things? Check out Fiddledeedee!

Here are the big advertised deals for Albertsons from Wednesday July 9th through Tuesday July 15th. For more details and other deals not mentioned here, consult the online circular.

MEAT

• Boneless Beef Chuck Roast--$1.69/lb
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts--$1.69/lb
• Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillets-$3.99/lb
• 26-30 ct Xtra Lg Shrimp--$3.99/lb
• New York Strip Steak--$5.98/lb
• Extra Lean 85% Ground Beef-$2.48/lb
• Boneless Beef Petite Sirloin Steaks--$2.99/lb
• Med. 51-60 ct Cooked Shrimp--$4.99/lb
• Boneless Pork Sirloin Roast--$1.88/lb
• Jumbo 16-20 ct Grill Cut Shrimp--$6.99/lb
• Center Cut Pork Chops Bone In--BOGO ($4.99/lb)
• Pork Baby Back Ribs--BOGO ($6.99/lb)
• Bone in Pork Steak--BOGO ($3.49/lb)
• Plumrose 16oz bacon--BOGO
  
• Boneless Beef Bottom Round Steaks-BOGO (3.99/lb)
  

• Free Capri Sun 100% Juice 10 Pack when you purchase Kraft Macaroni and Cheese 5pk with peelie coupon on macaroni pack.
• Kraft Easy Mac 6ct packages (assorted types)--98 cents/ea with in store coupon
• Dixie Crystals Sugar 4.25 lb bag (Limit 2)-$1.38/ea
• Kool-Aid Drink Mix (2qt add sugar--Limit 20)--8 cents/ea
• Kool-Aid Squeeze Bottles (6/6.75 oz.)-- 88 cents/6 pack
• Kraft Handy Snack (4/3.5 oz)-- 88 cents/4 pack
• Good Seasons Salad Dressing Packets-- 88 cents/ea
• Bull's Eye BBQ Sauce (18 oz)-- 88 cents/ea
• Kraft BBQ Sauce (16.25-18 oz)-- 88 cents/ea
• Kraft Mac N Cheese/Velveeta Shells and Cheese--$1.58/ea
• Jello Gelatin-3 for 88 cents
• Capri Sun 10 pk drinks--1.88/ea
• Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise (24-32 oz)--$2.88/ea
• Starbucks Coffee (12 oz ground or whole bean)--$8.88/ea
• Maxwell House Coffee (11.5-13 oz.)--$2.98/ea
• Eggo Waffles 19.8 oz--BOGO at $3.59
• Gulden's Mustard-BOGO
• Steak Umm's--BOGO at $4.19
• Post Cereal 13-20oz--BOGO at$3.99
• Nature's Own Breakfast Bread--BOGO at $3.99
• All Liquid Detergent 32 load --BOGO at $5.99
  

• Fresh Cherries--$2.88/lb
• Fresh Blueberries--$1.88/pint
• Fresh Asparagus-$1.88/lb
• Fresh Express Premium Garden Salads (9-12oz)-$1.88/ea
• Fresh Mangoes--2 for 88 cents

• Eggland's Best 18 ct eggs--BOGO at $3.99
• Albertson's Sour Cream 16 oz--$1.29/ea
• DanActive Drink 4 pack--2 for $4
• Dannon Activia 4 pack--2 for $4
• Albertsons Margerine-99 cents/lb
• Albertsons Whipping Cream 16 oz--BOGO at $2.99

Now, one thing I want to level with you all about. I am not into frugality for frugality's sake. I am into frugality to help maximize my lifestyle while minimizing my outflow of resources. What does that mean? It means that I don't want to over-expend my time, my money, or my talents. All of them are in limited supply, so I have to be selective in how I use them.

With that said, I wanted to share with you two of my favorite "finds" since starting my couponing and drugstoring journey.


(1) Scotch Brite Disposable Toilet Brushes

I am well aware that I could use a reusable toilet brush and vinegar or bleach, but there is something satisfying about watching the water turn blue with the soap in the throwaway brush. This motivates me, strangely enough, to clean my toilet more frequently. I have also found that since this product contains pumice and bleach that it gets my toilets exceptionally clean. This to me is a good deal. Of course I purchased my first set of these brushes for free with coupons, and have purchased the refills with dollars off coupons, but I would probably have no problem paying for these 100% myself.

(2) Swiffer Dusters with Febreeze

Just wanted to give a heads up for folks in Southwest Florida, that Publix put out $5 off $30 purchase sticky coupons in some of the local papers on Friday and Saturday of last week. The coupon is good through 7/11/08.

This seems to happen about once a month, so keep your eyes peeled for these on your papers. Can anyone confirm if these were in papers anywhere else?

And, just as if we didn't believe that Publix was the most awesome grocery store, they have another new promotion to get $30 in free gas cards. Thanks to Sarah at Fiddledeedee for posting the DETAILS.

Also, check out the Centsible Sawyer's post with some late breaking Publix deals that are good through Wednesday July 9th.

Check out the Cherry Picker's List of this week's CVS ECB Deals HERE.

This week's CVS deals and some scenarios are up at Money Saving Mom. Check them out HERE.

I have finally gotten around to posting the Publix deals for this week. These are good through next Wednesday.

Thanks to FiddleDeeDee for the hard work!
Deals with Printable Coupons
Buy One Get One Deals
Deals with Regular Coupons
Previous Publix Post

Be on the lookout if your Publix store carries Kraft Mayo With Olive Oil, this is Buy One Get One this week and the packages at my store had $1 off 1 jar peel off coupons on the packages.

With the price $3.59 BOGO, with two $1 peelies, that would make this 1.59 for two jars! Huge deal!

I am sure that with all the wonderful deals you are probably finding by now that you must wonder how long some of these items will remain fresh.

BeCentsAble compiled a great resource of all the shelf lives of some of our most frequent stockpile items. Make sure to consult this list!

Frugonomics got in early with the Publix deals this week. As I run across posts from some of my other favorite sites, I will add their insights. Enjoy the hot Independence Day Deals HERE.