Some Money Saving!

First of all, sorry for the the backwards picture, but this is what the Macbook took and I don't know how to reverse it.

I went to Target today to use a few close to expiring coupons. Here's what I got.

4 Electrasol Powerball Tabs - 2.79 each
2 Tide Travel Size - .99
5 Clean and Clear Travel Size - .99
1 Band-Aid Trial Size - .99

1.00 off Tide, Clean and Clear, Band-aid (I had 8 coupons in all for a total of 8.00)
4 - 2.25 off Electrasol Coupons

Subtotal: .78
Tax: 1.34
OOP: 2.12


_____________

Here's my CVS deals for the week. Yes, I went yesterday morning before I went to the airport. It was about 4:30 in the morning and I didn't get the greatest return in ECBs, but I got the things I needed.
Trans 1:

1 Loreal Revitalift - 11.99

Coupons:

Loreal 2.00
2 off 10 CVS
7.99 ECBs

OOP: .20
ECBs Earned: 11.99


Trans 2:

1 Loreal Eye Shadow - 7.99
1 Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash - 2.99

Coupons:
Loreal 2.00
2 off 10 CVS
8.00 in ECBS

OOP: .20
ECBs Earned: 2.00 (It should have been 5.00, but 3.00 in ECBs didn't print. Calling 1.800.shop.cvs on Monday!)

Trans 3:

1 York Candy Pack - .88
1 Loreal Eye Shadow - 7.99
1 Crest Pro-Health

Coupons:
Loreal 2.00
2 off 10 CVS
7.86 in ECBS

OOP: .20
ECBs Earned: 5.00

Trans 4:

1 Reese Pack .88
1 Speedstick 3.99
1 Adidas 4.99

Coupons:
.75 Speedstick
1.00 Adidas
2 off 10 CVS
5.00 ECBs

OOP: 1.39
ECBs Earned: 6.99

Trans 5:

1 York Candy Pack 2.50
1 Reese's Pack 2.50
1 VO5 Shampoo .65
1 Kit Kat Pack .88
1 Nivea Body Wash 4.99

Coupons:

1.00 Nivea
2 off 10 CVS
10 ECBs

OOP: .65
ECB Earned: 4.00

Trans 6:

2 Gatorade 1.00 each
1 Mars Chocolate Pack 9.99

Coupons:
2.00 off 10 CVS
9.00 ECBs

OOP: 1.07
ECBs Earned: 0.00

Trans 7:

2 Hershey Kiss Pack 2.50 each
1 Playskool Diapers 10.99

Coupons:
2.00 Playskool
2.00 off 10 CVS
11.99 ECBs

OOP: 0.00
ECBs Earned 7.00

Trans 8:

3 Gatorade 1.00 each
1 Ellin Lavar Hair Care 7.99

Coupons:
3.00 off Ellin Lavar (CRT)
2 off 10 CVS
4.99 ECBs

OOP: 1.25
ECB Earned: 5.00

Sorry!

Sorry we didn't post last night and there are no pictures tonight!

Abbey catered a rehearsal dinner tonight.
Reed is spending the night at Lola's and Pops.
I am in New Mexico at a conference.

We're busy and sleepy.

Good night!

Peek-a-Boo

When I got home from work, Reed was still taking his nap.

It was nice to have a few minutes to just talk to Abbey without interruption.



It wasn't long before Reed woke up, though. He woke up ready to play peek-a-boo.



He really loves that game.



Reed has gotten really good at saying please. He knows to say it if he wants something. He's also learned that when we ask him a question like, "Do you want some juice?" to say "please."



Since, he is in the habit of saying "please" we have started asking him random questions like "Do you want a shot?" and "Can we give you a bike for your 16th birthday?" To each and every question, he responds "please!"

Tastefully Simple Party

For all my friends who came to my party tonight, thank you! It was great to get to hang out with everyone. If you weren't able to make the party and/or you love Tastefully Simple products, you can still order! The orders ship directly to you, so no matter where you are, it will come to you. Some of my favorites are the Garlic, Garlic seasoning, Nana's Apple Cake, and Bountiful Beer Bread (you can add Sprite instead of beer).

So, if you're in a shopping mood, or you need to order a product, go to www.tastefullysimple.com/web/shudgins to order. When you checkout, please put me down as your host - Abbey Land. Thanks! Now we can go back to your regularly scheduled Reed programming.

A Full House!

Reed decided to wake up early this morning, so he was pretty sleepy when he got to Mother's Day Out. They said that he fell asleep during lunch and didn't wake up until almost time for Abbey to pick him up.




Question: How come Reed will sleep at MDO, but he won't take as long of a nap at home?




When Reed and Abbey got home, they decided to enjoy the beautiful weather and play outside. Reed was, of course, happy to oblige. He loves to be outside.




Reed had a fun time blowing "bobbles." He was being a little greedy with the wands though! He wouldn't let Abbey have one.




Tonight, Abbey hosted a "Tastefully Simple" party, so Britton, Mr. Danny, and Mr. Brandon all came to hang out with me and Reed in the family room. Raleigh was also here, but she preferred to stay downstairs.



There were a lot of people here, and Reed was so sleepy!



After playing a while, he decided it was time to go to bed. I fell asleep, so I didn't get to eat any of the Tastefully Simple food!



But, thankfully, I woke up and was able to blog!



Answer to question from a comment from a reader. You do multiple transactions so you can use the $2 off $10 as often as possible. Doing 5 transactions, means I saved $10 off my purchases yesterday. Make sense?

Laughter Fills the Air! ( AND Look What CVS Gave Us)

Reed woke up and was ready to go this morning. Problem is, there was nowhere to go and gas is just too expensive to be wasting on needless trips. By the time that I got home today the gas stations were all at $4.25 a gallon.



Many of the gas stations were out of gas. Abbey has to meet her mom this week between our houses, so I went ahead and filled up her tank. She had half a tank and it was still $50.00!



When I got home, Reed and Abbey were outside playing in the backyard. Reed was laughing and playing. Abbey went in to work on supper while Reed and I headed to CVS and Kroger to get a few items.



A few days ago I called CVS corporate to ask about the "Arnicare Gel" that was advertised in the monthly circular, but it was not ever in the store. Saturday, the district manager called to tell me that she would have me 5 bottles in the store on Monday. So, Reed and I had to go pick them up.



When we got home from our errands, we had delicious enchiladas that Abbey made. Then, we had to clean up because Abbey is having a "Tastefully Simple" party here tomorrow. Reed also did his part helping unclean. He was mostly happy, although he did end up in time out twice due to bad behavior.



The first time, I put him in time out and when he got out, he didn't want to have anything to do with me. The second time it was Abbey and he preferred me afterwards.



Despite the few "tense" moments, Reed was hilarious tonight. While we were cleaning the family room, Reed thought I was chasing him and he was literally squealing with delight. At once time, he was laughing so hard he could hardly catch his breath.



We went for a walk after cleaning and the weather was absolutely beautiful! It is so nice right now!




______________ CVSing on Monday ___________________




Trans 1:

Purex: 2.99
Purex: 2.99
Arnicare Gel: 8.99

Coupons:

Purex: 1.00 off 2
Arnicare: 2.00
2/10 CVS
10.00 ECB

OOP: .29
ECB Earned: 10.00

Trans 2:

Purex: 2.99
Arnicare Gel: 8.99
Reese Cup: .50

Coupons:

Purex: .50
Arnicare: 2.00
2/10 CVS
8.00 ECB

OOP: .24
ECB Earned: 9.00

Trans 3:

Purex: 2.99
Arnicare Gel: 8.99
Reese Cup: .50

Coupons:

Purex: .50
Arnicare: 2.00
2/10 CVS
8.00 ECB

OOP: .24
ECB Earned: 9.00

Trans 4:

Arnicare Gel: 8.99
Stayfree: 3.99

Coupons:

Arnicare: 2.00
2/10 CVS
8.00 ECB
1.00 ECB

OOP: .20
ECB Earned: 10.00

Trans 5:

Arnicare Gel: 8.99
CVS Baby Wipes: 2.00

Coupons:

Arnicare: 2.00
2/10 CVS
3.00 ECB
3.99 ECB

OOP: .20
ECB Earned: 8.00

TOTALS

OOP: 1.17
ECBs Used: 41.99

ECBs Earned: 46.00

Difference: (2.84) - CVS paid me 2.84 for all that I bought today!

Oh Happy, Happy Day!

Reed woke up in an extremely good mood today. He was laughing and talking!



But, before I go any further, I wanted to explain that the red mark below Reed's nose is from where he fell into the corner of the chair and he has a little carpet burn!



Aunt Ava sent Reed a card for his 1 year Reediversary. It was a really nice card, but the only problem is that the music didn't play! The card was broken!



So we went to CVS and bought Reed a new card that worked. Reed loves his new card.



Before we went to church this morning, Reed had to get a little dance time in.



Reed had a good time in church. He had fun in his classes and then came home and took a nap. He was in such a good mood today that he was laughing and playing and talking to everyone that he saw.



Tonight, Reed had a fun time in church to. His teachers said that he was very good.



We have a REALLY busy week this week.



Reed was really surprised that we are going to have a busy week, because he thought every week was busy for us!



"So, you're telling me that this week is going to be busier than last week. Sheesh!"

Saturday Scribbles

Reed woke up really early this morning. 6:30! It was way to early for us. We fixed a can of cinnamon rolls and got ready for the day. Abbey is planning a rehearsal dinner for Tamara's brother and we had to go buy some groceries for the event.



We first hit Target and then headed to GFS Marketplace. It is a bulk food grocer that you don't have to have a membership too. It was really nice and clean.



After a bite at Chick-fil-a, we came home and Reed and I took a nap. After naptime, we played a while before it was time for Abbey to go to work. Reed got a little restless, so we decided to go and use some coupons I had that were expiring soon. We went and bought 5 bags of Chex Mix at Kroger for 2.00 after all the coupons, and then we went to Walmart. We bought some Glade plugins, Febreze plugins, and some razors. I also had to buy some Sunday School things. All-in-all, we used $27.00 in coupons and spent $5.00 OOP at Wal-Mart and now our house smells nice and fresh!

Now, Reed's asleep, Abbey's sleepy, and we're about to go to bed!

Gas, Sleep, and CVS

Reed had a great day yesterday and a great day today. The only problem is we were so sleepy I fell asleep with him.



I know that Super Nanny is against laying down with your kids and Tamara and Brandon offered advice on how we could get Reed to go to sleep. I did blame it on Abbey, but I must confess, I value my time with Reed and since I have to work all day, getting him to sleep is just a few more minutes that I have with him.



My Jeep was low on gas this morning, but it was too early for me to stop and get gas at Kroger. The price was 3.33 (which would have been 3.30 with my Kroger card).



When I got home from work, it was 3.99! How in the world did the price of gas rise .66 cents!?!?! in only a few hours?



THANK GOODNESS FOR MY CARPOOL! The only problem is that next week is my turn to drive!



Tonight, Danny and Megan came over for burgers. It was good to see them, because have not had a chance to hang out in a week or so.



Reed was hilarious! We were sitting in the living room and Reed decided that he would run and dance. We would sing a song and he would just dance and dance. Then we would say, "Run, run, run!" and he would take off!



He is such a happy and funny little boy! We are so blessed!



Don't forget to pray for the people in the path of IKE! That is such a horrible storm!

_________________

Here's the CVS purchases for today! Reminder: our sale started today due to the "test" ad that they have been conducting for six weeks.




Trans 1:

Aleve - 3.99

Coupons:

Aleve 1.00 Print Here
2.99 ECB

OOP: .09
ECB Earned: 3.00 (Be careful, mine didn’t print, had to call 1.800.shop.cvs)

Trans 2:

Skippy – 1.67
Skippy – 1.67
Covergirl Wetslick – 3.99
Covergirl Wetslick – 3.99

Coupons:

.60 Skippy
.60 Skippy
1.00 Covergirl
3.99 Covergirl BOGO
2/10 CVS
3.00 ECB

OOP: .67
ECB Earned: 0.00 (but this set me up to earn ECBs in following transactions)

Trans 3:

Skippy - 1.67
Kit Kat Mini Pack - .99
Reese’s Mini Pack - .99
Covergirl Eye Shadow – 2.99
Covergirl Eye Shadow – 2.99
Shout Liquid – 3.49 (no ECBs and not on sale, but we needed some!)

Coupons:

.60 Skippy
.75 Shout
1.00 Covergirl
2.99 Covergirl BOGO
2/10 CVS
5.00 ECBs

OOP: 1.29
ECB Earned: 3.00

Trans 4:

Lipton Tea Bags: 3.00
Oust Air Sanitizer: 2.50
Oust Air Sanitizer: 2.50
Excedrin: 3.99

Coupons:

.60 Lipton
2.00 Oust
2.50 Oust BOGO
2.00 Excedrin
2/10 CVS
2.89 ECBS

OOP: .61
ECB Earned: 3.99

Trans 5:

Lipton Tea Bags: 3.00
CVS Supreme Diapers: 6.99

Coupons:
.60 Lipton
1.50 CVS Diaper CRT
2/10 ECB
4.00 ECBs

OOP: 2.12 (ouch! That was a lot!)
ECB Earned: 3.00 (lipton/skippy)

Trans 6:

Pantene: 5.50
Pantene: 5.50
York Mini Pack: .99

Coupons:
2.00 Pantene
5.50 Pantene BOGO
2/10 CVS
2.49 ECB

OOP: .69
ECB Earned: 2.00

TOTALS:

OOP: 5.55
ECBs Used: 20.37
Manufacturers Coupons: 27.73

ECBs Earned: 14.99
Difference: 10.93

Total saved at CVS YTD: $3521.38

So it was a loss on ECBs today, but I bought things that I needed like Candy for coworkers, diapers for Reed, and Shout for Reed and Me (Abbey doesn’t get stains on her clothes! But the key is, that I still was able to buy things that we really needed and leave enough ECBs in my cache that I can continue to shop! You don’t always have to get ECBs to get good deals at CVS.