Weekly Couponing Wrapup!

Happy Friday everybody!

Stay tuned to the end of this post for a special announcement. Oh yes, get excited =)

This weeks couponing started at CVS (where else?)...

2 Colgate 360 toothbrushes @ $3.49 each
used (2) $1/1 coupons, making each one $2.49
received $2.50 back for each one in ECBs. 
Making each one 1 cent Moneymaker!

2 Purex Crystals @ $6.79 each
1 Purex Laundry Detergent @ $6.49
On sale B1G2 Free!, making all three $6.79
used (2) $1/1 Purex crystals coupons
Making them $4.79 total. 

2 Revlon eyeshadows @ $3.39 each
on sale for B1 G1 50% off, making one $3.39, one $1.69
used (2) $2/1 man coupons
used (1) $5 off any 2 Revlon CVS coupon
Making this a $3.92 Moneymaker!

1 Nivea Skin Firming Lotion @ $2.99
1 Nivea Smooth Indulgence Lotion @ $6.49
used (2) $2/1 coupons, making them $5.48
I received $5 in ECBs back
Total: 48 cents for two lotions

1 Gillette Venus Razor @ $7.99
used $2/1 coupon, making it $5.99
received $5 in ECBs
Total: 99 cents

3 Wet and Wild Lipsticks @ 99 cents each
Used (3) $1/1 coupons
Making each one a 1 cent Moneymaker!

In addition to the $18 in coupons I used, I also used $15 in ECB and a $5 off $25 coupon.

They had to reduce my $5 off two Revlon products coupon down to $2.29 because I would have been over.

I paid just tax $2.05, and received $15 in ECB to use during my next transaction. AMAZING!

Then I went to Walgreens...

2 Ziploc Sandwich bags @ $5.50 (sale price)
used $1 off 2 coupon
Paid $4.50 total.

1 Neilcleanse Wound Wash $5

2 Crest Mouthwashes @ $8 (sale price)
used (2) $1/1 coupons, making them $6 total
Paid $6 total.

2 Revlon Nail Files $1.99 each
B1G1 50% off
used (2) $1/1 coupons
Paid 98 cents total.

In addition to the $5 in coupons I used, I also used a $5 Register Reward from last weeks transaction. Then I used $5 in Rewards points.

I paid $12.98, not bad at all!


I did two transactions at Walmart:

3 Rimmel Nailpolishes @ $1.50 each
I used (3) $1/1 coupons, making each one 50 cents
Paid $1.50 total.

2 pack of Microfiber cloths on clearance @ $3

Paid $4.81, not bad for this deal!


My second transaction was:

2 Rimmel Nailpolishes @ $1.50 each
Used (2) $1/1 coupons
Paid $1 total

Paid $1.21 (after tax)


On Thursday I took a trip over to Rite Aid to make a mistake on a deal (and get some cheap stuff too!)

2 Alba Hawaiian Lip Balms @ $3.49 each
Received $3 +Up for each one
Paid 49 cents a piece, or 98 cents total.

2 Bath Therapy packets @ $1.49 each
I thought I would be able to get the same deal on these as well, but they only work for two lip balms OR two bath therapy products. Grr.
Paid $2.98 total. (Or this could be considered a MM if you use the $3 +ups for this deal)

2 Pantene (shampoo and conditioner) $6 total
used $2/2 coupon, making it $4
Received $2 +up for this deal
Paid $1 each, or $2 total

I paid $15.08, and received $8 in +Up for next time!


Now, here's the exciting news....I have started a YouTube channel. I will be updating throughout the week with my couponing hauls as I do them.

Fair warning: I hate to see myself on camera so you probably won't see much of me. Also, I hate to hear myself on camera- but I couldn't think of a better way to share deals with you as they're happening. I also love to watch other YouTubers bring home their hauls as the week goes on, and since Fridays are kind of late- this will be my wrap-up post but I will show you the deals as they come along during the week!

Check it out here, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any great deals!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Project 365: Week 19

This week on Project 365....

On day 128 this little (big) baby arrived, which you can see in this blog post. I put the entire thing together all by myself, which I was so proud of. I will be sharing my update with what I store on this shelving unit once my new baskets come in. (Yes! I ordered some!)

Day 129 was a rough week at work so I was thrilled to go out for Chinese on Friday night with two of my work besties. It's always nice to have a girls night out =)

Day 130 started off early with the 3rd annual Rainbow Race. I have completed this race the past two years and plan to participate every year for the foreseeable future. You can see my past posts on the Rainbow Race here and here. This year I walked the 5K with my mom which was a great, relaxing walk. It's so nice to be able to get some exercise and chat outside in the beautiful weather!

Day 131 was Mother's Day and I was so unbelievably lucky to spend it with my mom who is the best mom in the universe. Everyone seems to think that their moms are the best, but really- it's my mom =)

Day 132 I shared a picture of my music for recital. I'm so proud of my level one kids this year. They have come SO far this year and I couldn't be more proud of them. I can't wait to see them perform their dances!

Day 133 was a day that I spent my down time reading. The book I read (which I will post about soon) was one that made me cried so it was necessary to cuddle with my favorite pup =)

Day 134 I had a secret meeting...which I can't share- sorry! =)

How was your week?! 

How To Save Money: Free Samples!

Hey everybody!

I'm back with the final episode of my How To Save Money series, and this one is going to be all about free samples. I order free samples regularly because I am all about trying something for free before I pay money for it. There are several places I locate freebies every day.

Here is the list of sites I check daily:

Vonbeau

Freebie Ninja

FreebieShark

FreebeeMonster

I don't apply for every single freebie that comes available, because honestly most of them quickly sell out. Honestly, I don't have any interest in quite a few of the freebies- some are things I would never use so I don't apply for them. Sometimes I apply for ones I know I can give to family or friends because it's always nice to be able to donate to someone you care about. For example, last week I received a cat food sample in the mail and gave it to my friend who has a new kitten. Since I don't have a cat I knew I wouldn't need it but someone else in my life would!

What kinds of things can you get as free samples? Here are some of the things I've received in the mail for free lately:

Dishwasher tabs
Safety Kit for children
Perfumes
Tea
Cat Food
Dog Food
Allergy Medicine
Laundry Detergent
Energy Supplements
Lotions
Shampoos/Conditioners

There are so many freebies out there, you just have to take the time to apply for them!

Good luck applying for free samples, it's totally worth your time and energy! =)

The One by Kiera Cass

Last week The One by Kiera Cass was downloaded to my kindle and I was so excited to read this novel! 

In case you haven't heard of this series, you need to read The Selection and The Elite and catch up! 

I knew this book was going to be downloaded to my kindle last Tuesday and I couldn't wait to read it. I started reading it early in the morning before work, then in between classes at work, and spent the entire afternoon before I had to go back to work finishing it up. Yes, it took me less then six hours to finish this novel (while work was included!)

This novel starts off with the final four of the elite fighting for Prince Maxon's heart. America and the other three girls realize that the end of the selection is slowly creeping up on them. Not only is America struggling with her relationship with the other girls, she's also having to figure out her feelings for Maxon as well as avoid the king who only hates her more every day.

America and Maxon receive contact from the Northern rebels and end up meeting with them on more then one occasion. They even take a life-threatening trip outside the palace walls which ends with America getting shot. After getting stitches, America is able to recover and continue with the competition.

Despite the ups and downs of the competition, America is able to become close with the other girls. She also receives some terrible news from home which changes everything for her. 

Without giving away the ending, I will just say I was extremely pleased with how the novel finished. It ended exactly how I wanted it to. Although, the last couple chapters had me questioning what the ending would actually be!

Kiera Cass did a wonderful job with this novel and I would recommend this trilogy to anyone looking for a YA dystopian novel to read. If you loved The Hunger Games or Divergent, you should definitely pick up these books!

Have a  great day everybody!

Do you want to build a bookcase?

I just had to throw a little reference to Frozen in here somewhere =)

If you want to build a bookcase then I think you are nuts, because putting together this bookcase was so unbelievably stressful and difficult for me! Picture me lying on the floor throwing a mini temper tantrum on the verge of tears. Yeahhh I'm a treat.

Here's what happened:

The Better Home and Gardens 8 cube bookcase arrived in a huge box. I'm talking bigger then my 5'1" self and super super heavy. I cartwheeled it to the staircase and had to have help bringing it upstairs. My original plan to drag it up the stairs didn't pan out so well.

Once upstairs I pulled out all the pieces and got to work. The pain in the butt part was connecting all the pieces together. Once I would get two pieces together another one would pop apart. It was so frustrating!!!

Finally, I managed to get it to look like this...

and as of right now...this what it looks like!

I am looking for bins to put in here. The ones meant for it aren't in stock online or in any stores I can find. I can only find two or so on other websites and I want to grab eight. Even though I won't use all eight right now, I want to be able to put the same sort of bin in all of the cubbies. So now I'm on the lookout for things that will work. I will let you know as soon as I find something! =)

Hope you had a great weekend!

Weekly Couponing Wrapup

I started off this weeks couponing early and actually went back to get a few of last weeks deals at the end of last week! Sorry that these deals are no longer available, but I thought I would share what I did in case you need some ideas in up-coming weeks!

At CVS

2 Eucerin Lotions @ $5 each, or $10 total.
used (2) $1.50 printable coupons
This made each one $3.50 a piece or $7 total.

1 Covergirl Mascara @ $6.99
used $1 coupon from the paper
Paid $5.99, and received $1 ECB for next time.

2 Chocolate Gift Bags @ $4.99 each, $9.98 total
on clearance for 50% off
Paid $2.49 each!

1 Kitkats @ 99 cents each
on clearance 50% off
Paid 49 cents each!

5 Twix Easter Eggs @ 99 cents each
on clearance 50% off
Paid 49 cents each!

I paid $22.94 out of pocket and received $1 back in ECBs. Not the greatest transaction ever..but also not terrible!

At Staples:

1 Staples Ream of paper @ $7.99
used a $3.99 coupon from Staples.com
Paid $4, will receive $4 rebate back= FREE!

1 Pack of Crayola Crayons @ $4.49
Paid $4.49, will receive $4.49 rebate back= FREE!

1 Scissors @ $2

I also used a 20% off all office supplies coupon which took $1.30 off my entire order.

I paid $9.83 out of pocket and will receive $8.49 back in a rebate check- meaning these items were $1.34 total! Amazing!


At Walgreens...

2 Pantene Shampoos
2 Pantene Conditioners
1 Pantene Dry Shampoo
1 Pantene Overnight Repair Serum
@ $20 total. (on sale $3/$10)
I used two coupons for $5 off any 3 Pantene Products
I paid $10 out of pocket, and received 5,000 rewards (aka $5)

1 Softsoap Pump @ $2.99
I used $1 newspaper coupon
I paid $1.99 out of pocket, and received a $1 Register Reward back! 

I paid $13.60, but ended up getting $6 in rewards back total(through Register Rewards and Balance Rewards, so it was a great deal!

Sunday, I bounced around quite a bit from store to store to get some great deals for this week!

At CVS...

4 Palmolive 10 oz Dishwashing Soap @ 99 cents each
used two $1 off two coupons, making each one 49 cents, or $1.98 total!

5 CVS Antacid Flavor Chews @ $1.49 each
Paid $8.94, received $8.94 back in ECB
FREE after ECB's.

1 Kraft Mac and Cheese @ $1.37
will get that amount back on SavingStar
Free after rebate

1 Newspaper @$3.50

used $6 ECB and a 25% off CVS coupon (taking off 88 cents)

I paid $10.49 out of pocket, but have $8.94 to use next time!


The I quickly ran into Walmart...

2 Rimmel Nailpolishes @ $1.50 each, $3 total
used two $1/1 coupons, making them 50 cents each, or $1 total.

Tic Tacs @ $1.04
Applied for Shopmium Rebate, for $1.04
FREE after rebate

I paid $2.32 out of pocket at Walmart.


At Dollar Tree...

3 Playtex 4 count Tampons @ $1 each, $3 total
Used three $1/1 coupons
Paid 21 cents (just tax!)

My last stop on Sunday was Rite Aid.....

8 Wet and Wild Makeup Products @ 99 cents each
on sale for buy one get one half off
used 5 coupons for $1 off 1 Wet and Wild product
Paid $1.33 for all 8 items!

But, man the deals were so good this week that I couldn't not go back. So back to CVS I went...

1 Tide laundry detergent @ $2.94
used $1 printable coupon, making it $1.94

4 CVS antacid chews @ $1.49 each
received $1.49 back in ECBs for each one= FREE

10 Wet & Wild nail polishes @ 99 cents each
on sale buy 2 get 1 free
used 7 coupons for $1 off 1 Wet & Wild product
making all of them FREE! (A 7 cent MoneyMaker technically..)

1 Neutrogena Cream Cleanser @ $7.99
2 Neutrogena Facial Bars @ $3.49 each
received $10 back in ECBs for buying three.
$14.97 total, before rewards.

3 Hallmark cards @ 99 cents each
used $1.50 off 3 Hallmark cards
making them $1.47 total or 49 cents a piece.

I paid $17.59 out of pocket, and received $15.96 back in ECBs for my next trip.

Then I headed to Walgreens

2 Wrigleys 5 Gum @ $1.98 total
used Walgreens coupon, taking a $1 off
98 cents for two packs of gum!

Tecnu Cortisone Cream @ $5
received $5 back in Register Rewards
FREE!

1 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste @ $3.49
used $1.50 off 1 printable coupon 
$1.99 total

Herbal Essences Body Wash @ 49 cents

Elf Eye brush @ 49 cents

I paid $5.75 out of pocket, and received $5 back for next time!


My last transaction for the week was at CVS (yes again!)

1 Tide Laundry Detergent @ $2.94
used $2 CVS coupon, and $1 printable coupon
6 cent moneymaker!

3 Neutrogena Cleansing Wash @ $7.49 each (I couldn't find the Beauty Bars- they were all out!)
received $10 ECB back for next time.
AND got a free tote!

I used $15.96 from my last transaction towards the balance for this one.
I paid $8.23 out of pocket, and received $10 back for next time.


How was your couponing this week?! Did you get a ton of awesome items?

Project 365: Week 18

Week 18 has come and gone! Spring is finally here too, as you can see from all my flower pictures this week =)

Day 121: The cherry tree in our backyard started blooming. I love this tree- the pink flowers are absolutely gorgeous and it makes me so happy every time I look out there!

Day 122 I combined the two above pictures. The top picture is from flower shopping with my mom during the day, and then at work one of my students gave me dandelions which was so sweet!

Not an official picture but I just thought this coaster was funny!

Day 123 I was able to go out to dinner with my family to celebrate my cousin Andrew coming home from the navy after being away for a year. He leaves again soon so we will miss him terribly!

Day 124: I am still loving Once Upon a Time! It is definitely one of my favorite shows on tv lately. I watch that and Revenge on Sunday nights and love every second of both of them!

Day 125: My papa's girlfriend sent a present to me- the cutest little candle holder I've ever seen!

Day 126: I finished reading the book The One by Kiera Cass and OMG I loved it!!! I will be posting a review soon!

Day 127: I updated this wall in my room with a picture I printed a few months ago of my trip to France, as well as my new candle holder. I love the beachy feel!

How was your week?!