$1 Fund

Are you a spender or a saver? I wish I could tell you that I'm a saver, but unfortunately I prefer to spend my money. I always have a list of things that I want to get which is why I enjoy couponing so much, I'm able to rack up huge amounts at the store and then decrease the amount I actually have to pay out of pocket. However, I'm always looking for ways to start saving my money. My major problem is keeping the money I put in my savings account in there.

Awhile back I came across a pin on Pinterest that showed a $1 fund. The couple threw any $1 bills they had in a bucket throughout the year and then at the end of the year had quite a bit of money that they had saved without really trying. I thought this was a great idea but wasn't really keen on the idea of having a bucket out in the open overflowing with dollar bills. So I decided to start my own version of the $1 Fund a few weeks ago.

Instead of using a bucket, I opted for a regular size envelope. This way I'm able to tuck my savings away in an inconspicuous place and still save up some cash. The key to this plan is to only place $1 bills inside the envelope. My coins go in a counting bank elsewhere and I do not hold onto larger bills. I am usually quite bad at keeping cash on me anyways, but I've been trying to make an effort to not use my debit and credit cards quite as often.

Now the only problem is, will I look like I got a second job when I try to put this all in the bank at the end of the year?! ;)

Have a great day everybody! Happy saving!

Weekly Couponing Wrapup!

Happy Friday to you!

This week I managed to snag a few good deals. I thought it was going to be a pretty slow week and didn't have any big couponing plans- but when I made a list of things I wanted to pick up that weren't necessarily 'couponing items' I was surprised by the prices I managed to get. Here we go!

At CVS I had a scenario pretty well planned out.

(Sorry, I forgot to take a picture this week-shame on me!)

4 Almay Softies Eye Shadows @ $5.49 each
on sale buy one get one 50% off
used (4) $4/1 coupons from the paper
FREE!

2 Just The Basics Cases of Water @ $2.22 each

1 Vitamin Water 2 $1.77

1 Nyx eye marker @ $9.79

I used $16 in ECBs and used a $4 off $20 which unfortunately got reduced down to 46 cents.

My subtotal was $0. I paid $1.96 in tax.

I saved $41.50 total, 100% savings! Not bad for all those items!

At Target...

1 Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder @ $1.97
used 75 cent coupon from the paper
$1 Target coupon
Cartwheel app for 20% off 
I paid 3 cents out of pocket!

2 Mossimo Dresses
used 20% cartwheel app
Paid $18.39 each (not bad for two new dresses!)

1 Goody Hair Ties @ $4.59

7 Gift Bags @ $1.25 each

11 Gift bags @ 75 cents each

2 Tissue Paper Packs @ 74 cents each

1 Double Pack of Gift Bags @ $1

I used a $10 Target gift card from a previous couponing trip. Then I paid $55.79 out of pocket.
You will see these gift bags being used in posts coming up about gift ideas!

I also went to the Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual sale to pick up a few things

2 Candles @ $22.50 each
50% off
Paid $11.25 each

2 Candles @ $12.50 each
50% off
Paid $6.25 each

1 Scrub @ $16.50
75% off
Paid $4.12

1 Shower Gel and 1 Lotion @ $11 each
75% off
Paid $2.75 each

3 Mini Shower Gels @ $5 each
50% off
Paid $2.50 each

I had an additional $10 off $40 purchase coupon. This made my total after tax $40.87.

I saved $82.63! Amazing!


Other ways I saved this week...

• I ordered a wrap around sweater from Discount Dance Supply with money I have earned through couponing apps and ebay sales. I saved myself $21.75!
• I ordered bras from Victoria's Secret during their semi-annual sale. I saved myself $25 plus shipping since I used a coupon code!
• When picking up batteries at Stop and Shop I was able to save $1.50 using a coupon and $1.30 for a deal they were having. $2.80 in savings is pretty good!

This week I saved a whopping total of $ 171.88! That's an amazing week!

I also received a few samples...

 2 Samples of Yogi tea, plus a coupon.

Dove Shampoo and Conditioner

Nature's Bounty Gummies and Ban Refresh Wipes

So many savings! How did you do this week?

Project 365: Week 23

Another week checked off for Project 365- we're almost halfway through the year!

On day 156 this little girl was all sorts of cuddly. There's nothing sweeter then a sleeping puppy.

Day 157 was free donut day at Dunkin Donuts! Gotta love a day when you can get some free chocolate! =)

Day 158 was a busy day for me- picture day at the studio I teach. It's always crazy and I'm certainly glad it's over.

Day 159 I managed to get some time outside. The day was so beautiful I had to sit out on the porch and enjoy it a little bit.

Day 160, I gave this little girl a "bang trim" since her hair was getting in her eyes. Not that she can see....

Day 161. Thank goodness for this girl, she keeps me sane at work!

On day 162, I headed to a local talent show to see some of the kids I teach performer. Here are a few of them...they did such a great job! =)

How was your week?

How Do You Keep Your Car Clean?! (Q&A Style)

I think one of the questions I get asked all the time is: How do you keep your car so clean?
Well, I have a few tips on how to keep your car as clean as mine. I know I've touched on this topic before so if you are interested in reading my past posts about car cleaning and organization, they are listed below.

Spring Cleaning The Car
Quick Car Cleanup

Now that we're all caught up...here we go!

Where's all the stuff in you car?!

The truth is my number one tip to keeping your car clean and organized is to not leave things in your car. Whatever I take in my car with me comes right back out when I get home. Your car is not a storage space, so don't use it like one! This includes trash, clothing, personal items, etc. If you don't need it today then take it out.

Where does all your trash go?

Simple. I throw it away. I am a regular at Dunkin Donuts so I get those pesky straw wrappers pretty regularly, but as soon as I pass a trash can in their drive-thru or as soon as I arrive home or at work those wrappers leave my car and get thrown in the first trash can I see. I don't recommend having a "trash bag" in your car because it will cause your car to smell. Get your trash out ASAP!

I don't have time to clean my car! You must clean it all the time!

Actually I don't! If you keep up with the cleanliness of your car you won't have to spend hours upon hours cleaning it every few weeks. I try to vacuum once a week (or at least every other week). I use lysol wipes to wipe down my steering wheel and other points of contact once a week (you won't believe how dirty they get!) Then I have a small duster that I use to quickly dust down the top of my dashboard. I've also been known to lint roll the seats from time to time, but I usually do this if I'm sitting in a parking lot waiting for someone or when I'm in line at the bank drive-thru or at my beloved Dunkin Donuts!

What tools do I need?

I recommend you keep a small duster (or rag) in your car as well as a lint roller. Lysol wipes are also great to keep in your car for wiping down consoles. I bring my Dyson out to the car once a week to vacuum, and from time to time use a window spray and rag to get the windows nice and shiny.

This is my Dyson with the attachment I regularly use to clean the car. However, they now make car vacuums which are meant solely for vacuuming your car. They even plug in right inside you car!

Your car is so small of course you can keep it clean! I drive a insert your car of choice here. Or.... Of course you can keep your car clean you don't have kids! Once you have kids your car will be a mess and you won't have time to clean it!

Yes, I drive a Toyota Corolla and it's definitely on the small side. However, before my corolla I had a Chevy Blazer and it was the size of an average SUV and I'm sure I can find several people to vouch for you that I also kept that car spick and span.

As for having kids, I don't think my personality will change much. I will always value a clean car and environment. If you have a messy environment, your life will become stressful where a clean environment promotes peace. Although I don't have kids I know that people often have their kids (who are old enough) help them unload the car entirely once they arrive home. Have your kids take inside whatever they brought out to the car. If you teach them habits that allow them to be clean and organized, they will carry those habits into their adult life- which can only help them!

What about the trunk of your car?

The trunk of my car has a few items in it, but I don't use it as a storage center. Here are the items I generally keep in my car trunk.

 

• Reusable shopping bags
• Beach Chairs
• Emergency kit
• Sleeping Bag
• Ice Scraper

Yup that's it! Since I live near the ocean I like to have my beach chairs inside my car win case I decide to hit the beach on a moments notice. I also regularly use my reusable bags at the grocery store. The sleeping bag is another 'just in case' item, but I have found it to come in handy on several occasions. The ice scraper is something I hate using but is definitely necessary during Rhode Island's long winters...Finally, my emergency kit has all the essentials in case my car breaks down! 

What other storage areas do you use in the car?

I use one of the seat pockets to hold my Lysol wipes so they are out of the way but easily attainable if needed.

I use the center console between the two front seats. 

In here I store two sprays in case my car starts to smell, an alarm to set off if someone is attacking me =), and a tire pressure gauge. 

Then finally, I use the compartments on the dashboard to hold my duster, my lint rollers, my car manual and other information, and extra napkins.

That's all for this girls car organization! To see more car organization and car cleaning ideas you can check out my favorite blog ever at Simply Organized. Sam ran a week long car organization series on her blog a few years back which I thought was great!

If you have any more questions for me about car cleaning and organization (or anything else) feel free to e-mail me or leave them in the comments section. Have a great day everybody!

Brunette Ambition by Lea Michele

A few weeks ago I  saw Lea Michele on The Dr. Oz show and heard she had written a book so I thought I would give it a try.

Brunette Ambition by Lea Michele is an interesting array of personal stories, information about some of Lea's favorite things and tales from her professional life. I have always liked Lea Michele. I thought she had a beautiful voice and felt so sad for her when her on screen/off screen boyfriend Cory Monteith passed last year. I wanted to read her personal stories and hear about her life from the only view that really matters, her own.

I enjoyed quite a few of Lea's stories. She shared quite a bit about her childhood and her rise to fame on the Broadway scene. I also liked reading about her experiences on Glee and what a typical day on the set was like for her and the other actors. I also liked hearing about her personal life in Los Angeles. Lea appears to be an extremely private person with a low-key lifestyle. I think I would get along with her really well, seeing that she prefers to have a low key night at home over a wild night at  the club. 

The only part of the book I wasn't a huge fan of were the sections where she shared recipes. Lea shared recipes for her daily meals, face masks, etc and I just wasn't looking for that in this book. I wanted to read more about her; not what she eats!

Overall, I would say if you are a huge fan of Lea Michele this is a great book to read. If you are just somewhat a fan I would still read it but I don't think it's worth the money of actually purchasing it. If you aren't a fan of Lea Michele, I wouldn't read this because it really is mostly about her.

Have you read any books you weren't 100% sold on lately?

May Birchbox Review

Since I received my Birchbox a little bit late last month my review is a little late as well- but I'm ready to share my reviews with you, so here we go!

This first bloom candle is wayyyy too floral for me. The candle itself is nice enough, but I don't care for the scent at all. I am not in to floral scents, I prefer to have something a bit lighter but it was still nice to get a candle inside my box since it's something I've never received in a Birchbox before! 

I like this Cotz product but wasn't really impressed with it. It didn't mess with my skin, but also didn't do anything really great for it. I wouldn't purchase a full size of this product but would try it again if I got it for free.

I had previously used Beauty Protector products, but not these particular ones. I liked the shampoo and conditioner, they had a great scent and seemed to work fine in my hair. I didn't particularly love them. The conditioner didn't make my hair as soft and silky as some other conditioners do, but it was pretty good. I wouldn't purchase these in full size only because I have other products that I like better and are able to get for free.

I wasn't sure about this Pixi lip product because I am pretty much exclusively a Burts Bees chapstick girl. I wasn't a huge fan of the color I received but the product was nice enough. My lips felt a little dry but they always seem to when I use anything except my Burts Bees.


So that's all I received in my box this month! Remember, if you received a Birchbox you can review it on the website in order to receive 10 points for each product you review! The points add up quickly and you can use them to purchase items in the Birchbox store!

Have you tried any new products recently?

Weekly Couponing Wrapup

Before I start with my couponing wrapup- I just wanted to remind you that today is National Donut Day- so head out there and get your free donut! I will be getting mine at Dunkin Donuts =)

It was a pretty slow week couponing for me, I wasn't really feeling most of the deals out there so I just picked up a few things.

At CVS...

1 Gillette Venus Razor @ $7.99

used $3/1 coupon

Paid $4.99, received $2 back in ECBs.

3 Gelusil Chewables @ $2 each, $6 total

used three $2/1 coupons

Paid $0

1 Colgate Toothpaste @ $3

used $1 man coupon, and $2 CVS coupon

Paid $0

I also used a $4 ECB in this transition.  I paid $2.18 ($1.19 was tax), received $2 back in ECB. 

At Walgreens....

1 Colgate Mouthwash @ $3.49

used $1/1 coupon

Paid $2.49, received $2.50 back in Register Rewards

I paid $2.73 total (including the 24 cents in tax) and received $2.50 back in Register Rewards.

Not bad deals at all!

For freebies in the mail this week...

Another kit from U By Kotex= free pads.
I also received two small bottles of Listerene: One to my house and one to my dads PO Box.

A small sample of Eucerin lotion.

A sample of Rachel Ray cat food (and coupon) which I will be giving to my friend with a cat.

I applied for this because my mom loves birds and I thought it would get a good laugh- but she handed it over to my dad which I thought was even more hilarious =)

Did you get any great deals this week? I plan on doing quite a bit of couponing next week in order to restock my stockpile and get more items for a family friend in need.

Have a great weekend everybody!