The Farmer Takes A Wife (this one)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Our New Bundle!

Luke Alan *** 4/26/09 *** 13:44 *** 7lbs 11oz *** 19 1/2 in *** Nana, Gabe & Luke tonight @ our house
Nana, Aunt Jeni, Cousin Trayton & Luke
Papa & His Boys GabeMan & TJ
My sweet boys! TJ & GabeMan

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Mailbox Monday- 4/20 & 4/27


Ok. So Monday 4/20 came and went. I gathered what little I got in the course of a week- 2 things. Then forgot to take the pic. Well then Tuesday rolled around and everyday since then has been a GOLDMINE in my mailbox!

I leave for the hospital to be induced to have my new baby boy in less than 24 hours. So I am running out of time to get some things done. Thus, I rounded up and took this pic tonight. It will have to suffice until the 1st Monday in May rolls around! Then (hopefully) I will post what came since this pic was taken!

So, in a week and 1/2 I got this stuff FREE!!!

From WalMart Samples:
Always Infinity Sample w/ $1Q
Crest Advanced Seal Whitening Strips w/ $10Q
NicoDerm CQ Flyer w/ $7 Q (I know some1 who NEEDS this)
Eucerin Smoothing Essential w/ $1Q
Metamucil Berry Burst & Pink Lemonade w/ $2Q
Jergen's Natural Glow Facial Moisturizer w/ $1Q

From Safeway:
Save $1Q off ANY size pkg of Diet Dr Pepper Cherry
Q for 1 free can of Pedigree+ food for dogs
4 Weight Watchers Q's

Other deals:
Eat Better America booklet w/ $10 in Q's
P&G Home Made Simple booklet w/ over $30 in Q's
Q for 1 free single Fling candy bar & $1 off any multipack
$3 Q from Hallmark from spending money there after Chrsitmas

Magazines:
Soap Opera Digest 4/28/09
Conde Nast Traveler March 2009
Woman's Day April 2009
Maxim May 2009 (need to find some1 to give these to! Hubby DOESN'T think they are funny)

Ok, so that's quite the haul. Seriously, I got all the WalMart samples in 1 day- except the Jergen's which just came today! LOL! I wonder what my mail carrier thinks! HA HA

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Back to Safeway...

This time I really had a reason to go. I met my mom there to pick Mac up from her on their way home from the beach. Mac called me from Redmond, which gave me enough time to drive to Safeway and go in for the few things on my list. Just as I was paying, Mac walked in and took her brother from me- NICE! So I unloaded my groceries while Nana loved on Gabe and buckled him in! Which was a nice bonus to not have to pick him up and go through all of that!

So here's what I got:
(1) CapriSun Sunrise @1.99
(1) Tampax tampon 20ct @1.99
(3) Electrasol @3.99ea
(2) Arrowhead 6pk @1.99ea (plus .60 deposit)
(4) Kraft mac & chz @.59ea
(1) Pam aerosol @3.49
(3) Jollytime popcorn @1.99ea
oh...and Bananas added by son, but he was good boy! @.77
Total: $33.12
Less:.50+1+.50+.50+2.50+2.50+2.50+1+.50+1+1+2(dblr)+10(lw)=-$26.50
Total oop $7.62***Plus I got a $2 coupon from the water and another $10LW coupon!
Total savings with club card & coupons $46.51 or 86%!!!

Sunday's Steals!

Ok. Maybe it wasn't really stealing, but I did get some good snack food- which we always seem to run low on! I met my cousin and her little man, Oli @ the store and we shopped together! Gabe and Oli rode in the truck attached to Vanessa's cart (yippee for me)!



I had 2 lists ready but wanted to do 2 transactions. Luckily for us, it worked out and we got an AWESOME checker who allowed us. I had mine split in the cart, so I checked first then Vanessa. She explained to the nice lady why we were doing it this way, and she was fine and gave us both Kudos on our shopping :)~ That's always nice!



Transaction #1
(4) Emerald Almonds @$4ea
(2) Kraft mac & chz @.59ea
(2) Baked Lays chips @3ea
(1) Sunchips @3
(2) Quaker mini rice snacks @$2.29ea
Total $30.76
Less:1.01+1.50+1.50+.55+.55+1+1+1+2(dblr)+10(lw)=-$20.11
Total oop $10.65***And I got another $10 LW coupon to use next on this
**Total savings Club card & coupons $36.84 or 78%**

Transaction #2
(2) Kraft mac & chz @.59ea
(4) Bertolli Pasta pouches @$2ea
(3) Green Giant 10oz veg @$2
(1) Green Giant valley fresh @2.50
(1) Green Giant 24oz bag veg @$3.49
18 pack eggs @$2.89 (not part of LW)
(5) Healthy choice frozen meals @$1.99ea
Total $34.01
Less:1+1+.60+.75+.75+1+1+1+1+2(dblr)+10(LW)=-$20.10
Total oop $13.91***And I got a $10 LW coupon and (2) $2 coupons from the Bertolli's!! $14 off next transaction!
**Total savings club card & coupons $43.66 or 76%**

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Friday's Finds!

Friday was a pretty busy day here for me. I had a non-stress test @ the hospital @ 10 (my normal appts are Tues & Fri @ 10 every wk). The hospital is implementing a new computer system, so the the last few weeks checking in has been a LONG process! It took me 35 minutes Friday, all but 5 minutes of that was wait time! UGGG! So by the time I got out out of the hospital I felt like half of my day had been wasted! Geesh!

Before I went to the hospital I made a 5 minutes stop @ Safeway to get my 1st score. Diapers and some Oreo Snack Stix.

And after I was done @ the hospital I made ANOTHER 5 minute run to Safeway for 2nd score, a few grocery items (I really was gonna get more diapers, but they were out of the size 3 I needed).

***I will list my scores @ the end of the post***

I was supposed to stop by our seed company and pick up a check for wheat that we sold on Tuesday. Duh...totally forgot. Remembered when I was just a few miles from home. I was in such a hurry to get home to relieve Wayne from Gabe so that he could get back to work- that I forgot! Doesn't take much these days I tell ya! LOL! So then I had to back-track all the way back to get the $!

Got home and Wayne had just put Gabe down for a nap. Then he asked if I needed to go to Redmond for anything. Of course I knew what he was getting to. He wanted me to take that money we just got up to pay on our Farm Operating Loan! Little did he know I was going to go on Saturday (today) to get out of the house and pick up the things I needed!

When I got home it was about noon. Gabe was asleep so I left him that way! There is no way you can put that child in the car when he is already sleeping and expect him to stay that way! And I had 6 stops I needed to do while in Redmond. So I left him to nap and got everything ready. I had to do some quick book work and cut the check to take in. Then the matter of making my list of what I needed to do and in what order! LOL! Was trying to make the most of my time the quickest I could cause some little boy I know only has so much patience!

Anyway, I ended up having to wait on Gabe to wake up for quite awhile! But it worked out. We left the house @ 1:45. Drove to McDonald's and got us some lunch, cause neither one of us had eaten. Then on the way to the school to get Sissy, we saw Nana on her way back to work for lunch. Pulled over on the side of the road for a few minutes and chatted. Then onto Sissy! He was excited to see her, which is ALWAYS a bonus! Here is where I made my first & second oopses! I had to go to 2 banks before I left town! Didn't happen and luckily I remembered once I got to Redmond!

Stop #1 Safeway
Stop #2 Albertson's
Stop #3 Farm Credit Services
Stop #4 Columbia River Bank
Stop #5 Wet Willy's Car Wash
Stop #6 Walgreens
Stop #7 Wells Fargo
Stop #8 WalMart

So those were my stops, should have been 6, but at least I didn't have to go out of my way to make it to the 2 banks! By far the most important things I had to do!

So my trip to Safeway before the hospital:
Huggies size 3 144-ct $29.99
Oreo Snack Stix $2.99
Total $32.98
Less:1.50+1+1(dblr)+10(LW)+5(pledge CAT)=-$18.50
Total oop (out of pocket)=$14.98***plus got $10 cat***
Saved $23.30=62%

Safeway after the hospital:
(4) Healthy choice fresh mixers @$2.50ea
(6) Uncle Ben's Whole Grain Brown rice @ $2.50ea
(2) Oreo Fun Stix @$2.99ea
(3) Uncle Ben's Ready Rice @ 2.39ea
(4) Taco Bell Refried Beans @$1ea (to get a $3 CAT)
Total $42.15
Less:1+1+.75+.75+.75+1+1+1+2(dblr)+10(LW)=-$19.25
Total oop=$22.90***plus got $10 cat & $3 cat***
Saved $37.35=62%

Safeway in Redmond:
Huggies size 3 144-ct diapers $29.99
Vitamin Water $1.05
Total $31.04
Less:1.50+.50(dblr)+10(LW)+3(Tacobell cat)+4(pledge cats)=-$19
Total oop=$12.04***plus got $10 cat***
Saved $23.39=66%

Albertson's:
I had a CAT for free milk from Kellogg's transaction earlier in the month that expired on Saturday (today).
Skim Milk $3.79
Fat Free 1/2 & 1/2 $1.79
Total $5.58
Less:3.79
Total oop=$1.79

Walgreens:
Mac did 2 transactions that were identical
#1 Scunci 18pk hair bands $2
Paid with a $2 RR and got another $2 RR back!
#2 Scunci 18pk hair bands $2
Paid with a $2 RR and got another $2 RR back!
Me #1
(2) Splenda 100ct packets $7
Oust Air Fresh $3.99
Total$10.99
Less:3+2=$5
Total oop $5.99...was gonna pay with RR but didn't have enough items! I actually had some bic soliel razors for 1.79 each with a $2 Q, but the Q had expired, so I had them taken off! Transaction gone wrong! And I had $7.50 in RR that expired Saturday (today) so I had to go back and find a deal!
Me #2
(5) degree trial size deo @.99ea
(1) dove trial size deo @.99
(2) secret trial size deo @1.29 ea
Total $8.52
Less:.75+3.50RR+3RR+1RR=-$8.25
Total oop .27***Plus I got $6 in RR for buying 6 Dove products***
**So on today's run I spent all my RR that were gonna expire and I got $10 more in RR for next month!!!**

WalMart
Transaction #1
There was a post yesterday about some El Monterrey Tornado frozen burritos with a peelie to try for free. So I ventured over, and found them!
(1) Tornado $2
Will get $2 back by MIR (mail in rebate)

Transaction #2
(7) Kotex Lightdays @$1ea
(2) Axe trial shower gel @.97ea
(2) Suave normal size deo @.94ea
(3) Olay 2pk bar soap @$2.48ea
Bandaid Brand blister bands @3.67
Dentek Floss Picks @2.00
James Patterson Book #7 @10.43
Glucerna cereal @3.94
Bolt DVD @19.96 (treat for Sissy)
(3) Monster truacks @3.27
(2) Airheads Exreme @.64
Total $69.35
Less:$23.60
Total oop $45.75***which isn't really bad at all! Considering that each child get a treat and so did mom! $45.75-$10.43-$19.96-$3.27(x3)=$5.55 oop for the rest of the stuff! Woo Hoo! And most of the rest of the stuff will go to a food closet/shelter! :)~

OK! I needed to blog and I feel better! So I have 1:30 to get some stuff done! DH said he would be in @ 12 to check my progress! Better make sure I have some progress to show! HA HA!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

My Safeway Scores!

In our neck of the woods Safeway started a new promotion today that goes through May 5th. It's called Living Well, Feeling Great. From here on out I'll be referring to it as LW. Whenever you purchase $30 of participating items (before any mfr q's are deducted) you will receive a $10 coupon to use on your next purchase.

I wanted to make a quick trip today when I took Mac to CCD. So right after I dropped her I headed back to the other side of town. The items on transaction #1 were not essentials, but were easy to figure prices and get the best bang for my buck.

(4) All Small & Mighty- 4@ $4.49each
(4) Capri Sun- 4@ $1.99each
(5) Chef Boyardee- 5@ $1each
Total: $30.92

Less:
(4) All coupons@ $2each=$8
(2) Capri Sun q's@ .55each=$1.10
Safeway Doubler @=$2
Total: -$11.10

***All in all, including SW Club sales & coupons, I saved $29.09 or 59%***
Total oop $19.82 and I got a $10 coupon to use about 45 minutes later!

Transaction #2 (figured out while I was sitting in the church parking lot waiting for Mac)

(5) Huggies Diaper Wipes 184 count- 5@ $5.99each
(1) Chef Boyardee ('cause I needed .05 more to get to $30)- 1@ $1each
(5) Rice a Roni ('cause it was a Tax Day Special)- 5@ .89each
Total: $35.40

Less:
(5) Huggies q's@ .75each=$3.75
(2) RiceaRoni q's@ $1each=$2.00
Safeway Doubler @=$2.00
$10 LW Coupon @=$10.00 (from Trans #1)
Total: -$17.75

All in all, including SW Club sales & coupons, I saved 36.04 or 66%***
Total oop $18.54 and I got ANOTHER $10 coupon to use on my next trip!

Transaction #3 (Done and paid in cash by my dear daughter, Mac)

(4) Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner- 4@ $3.99each
Total: $15.96

Less:
(4) Pledge q's@ $2each=$8
Safeway Doubler @=$2.00
Total: -$10.00

Total oop $5.96 BUT I got (4) $1 coupons and (1) $5 coupon to use on my next purchase! So I really MADE a $3 PROFIT! So for my next shopping trip I will have $19! Hope I can make another good transaction!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Mailbox Monday!


This week I received quite the haul in magazines!

Maxim (as a joke to my VERY CATHOLIC HUBBY) March 09\
Maxim April 09
Martha Stewart Living April 09
Martha Stewart Living May 09
Soap Opera Digest

Other Freebies!

Huggies Flyer w (4) coupons
Old Spice Body wash w/ $1 coupon
Cottonelle moist wipe w/ coupon
Cottonelle tp sample w/ coupon

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Albertson's Easter Shopping Run 4/9

Ok, so I had this grandious plan that I was gonna get my ham free- 2 1/2 times! Well so far I have the 1/2 covered, LOL! You see, Albertson's is running a deal where if you purchase $25 (before coupons) of UniLever & Kraft (and certain other) products, you will receive and INSTANT SAVINGS of $10 toward ANY MEAT purchase. This deal can be rolled in a single transaction as many times as you have $25 worth.

In addition to that deal at Albertson's, in this last weeks' paper, UniLever had a mail in rebate up to $20 on the purchase of ANY HAM OR TURKEY when you spend $40 on SPECIFIC UniLever products (this $40 does not have to be done in a single transaction, as many times as it takes to make $40 as long as it's in the mail before the due date).

Of course I wanted to take advantage of the HUGE UniLever sale Alb's was having and do this in 1 transaction- just makes it easier. So, I needed my total to be $50. I worked meticulously on my list- playing with the numbers and finding the best coupons I had on products I would use, then going to products I would donate next.

So here are what my numbers looked like:

My total was going to be $50.94 (had it down to a science)
Figure in the $20 Spiral Ham (ended up being $20.85)
For a Grand Total $71.79

Now, take off my Manufacturer's coupons -$19.70
And my 2 Instant Savings -$20.00
And my total SHOULD HAVE BEEN ***$32.09***
BUT
Instead it was ***$42.09***

For some reason, I only got 1 INSTANT SAVINGS of $10. I asked the checker, yes indeed you can get unlimited in a single transaction. Well of course, when I decided to check out there were only 2 checkers and all the customers in the store must have decided to check out at the same time. So I had a HUGE line behind me. So I took my receipt and was told to call Customer Service. I placed the call, took AT LEAST 20 minutes! They have no idea why I didn't get the other $10 Instant Savings. So my claim has been sent to Research and they will get back to me. Cross your fingers...because I DID follow the rules!!!

Now, I will be getting $20 back from the UniLever mail in rebate. I just need to fill out the form and drop it in the mail.

Now, as far as the 1/2. Hormel has a $10 mail in rebate in which you send in a form and the UPC from any Cure 81 ham. I got the rebate from a tearpad in the store. The only thing is, they had NO MORE Cure 81 left! I did buy a Hormel Sprial Ham. So I am going to apply for the rebate anyway. The only thing they can do is not send me the money, right? And I am only out the money it cost me for the stamp. So we shall see?!

So, as of right now, I have gotten $10 off my $20.85 ham- bringing the total to $10.85. Once I get the UniLever rebate back I will have gotten PAID $9.15 to eat ham with my family for Easter! And I am not counting on Alb's giving me the $10 they really do owe me. BUT if they DID, I would get paid $19.15 to spend time with my family eating a wonderful meal and being Thankful for MY SALVATION!

Thank you Jesus!

4D Ultrasound Photos

Good Luck on guessing what these are?! LOL! Luke was less than cooperative to be VERY POLITE about the whole thing! These are the best of the shots we got. You can see some distinguishable parts in some of them, and others...well, not so lucky! Anyway, it was neat-o and I just found the DVD and CD so I thought I would post these. We went to Portland and had these done @ 30w (maybe a few days before) and I am now pushing 37 weeks! Pushing- lol, I wish!









Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Albertson's Run 4/6

So, I have only shopped @ Albertson's a few times. It is not in my town, I have to drive at least 30 minutes to get to one. And they are located on the OTHER side of town and a bad spot where you have to turn off the highway and then cross traffic @ a bad intersection to get back home. Well, my cousin has been doing this couponing thing with me. She makes stops there. Not for the big shopping trip, but for the bare basics deals they have each week. She convinced me to go with her again (the other time I was there I went with her too).

Monday after our girls were out of school I went and picked her up in my car, and we ALL went! LOL! Me, Vanessa, MacKenzie (10), Mayzie (almost 6), Oliver (2) and Gabe (2) (the boys are just 1 month apart in age). What a trip! Gabe fell asleep just before we got to Albertson's. So Mac stayed in the car with him and watched the DVD player. Mayzie and Oli went in with Vanessa. We split up inside since our lists were different.

Here is what I ended up with:

(2) Vitamin Waters
(4) Loaves of Bread
(4) Post Trail Mix Cereal
(3) Hormel Compleats Meals
(3) Kelloggs Fruit Loops Cereal
****************************
Shelf price $58.08

Savings:
Preferred Savings Card -$29.77
MFR coupons -$19.75
Store coupons (clipped from ad) -$5.08
******************************************
Total $54.60

Out of Pocket (OOP) $3.48

WOOT WOOT!!! And I got a $3 off coupon (CAT) to use on my next visit
in ADDITION to a coupon for a FREE gallon of milk on my next visit!
Did I do good or what?! LOL!

Walgreen Run 4/6

So, after we went to Albertson's we got on the road and headed to Wags. You see they are not too far from Alb's, but are located on the correct side of the highway and are VERY easily accessible!

WalGreens is still somewhat new to me. We had them in NC and CO when I lived there, but I only remember going in a few times. I have been in maybe around 10 times since I started this couponing business. I am becoming more and more familiar with how things work there. But I think we have a bad bunch of people working in our Wags. This is the only Wags for 2 1/2 hours, so it seems the Mgr and Asst do what they want. Well, my cousin finally had enough on her trip on Tuesday that I think she's gonna contact corperate. I, however, seem to have been luckier than her?! I am not really sure. We will see how my next trip in goes...

But Mondays deals follow:

(2) Betty Crocker Frosting
(1) Visine Allergy
(1) Children's Benadryl Liquid
(4) Playtex Products
(1) Chapstick
(2) 3 packs (actually 4 packs, there was a bonus 1) Schick Quattro Disp Razors
(1) Rimmel Blush
(1) Colgate Total Toothpaste
(1) Glade Lasting Impressions
(1) Gillette Shaving Gel
(4) Glade Candles
**************************
Shelf Price $92.41
Savings:
Wags Ad Savings $22.98
MFR Coupons $38.59
Out of Pocket (OOP) $30.84

Ok, so for the seasoned Wags shoppers that seems high, however I have no gift card that I get my rebates back onto. But I will next month :)

From this transaction I did receive Register Rewards (RR) totaling $9.50. These are coupons that I can use on my next visit to Walgreens. I got $1 from the BC frosting, $3.50 from the toothpaste (which I had a $1.50 Q for- so $ maker!), $2 from the chapstick (which was 1.99- so FREE), $3 from the Visine/Benadryl combo. AND some of the items that I purchased will go onto my rebate form I submit online @ the end of the month. The Glade candles and Lasting Impressions will make me $6 in a rebate. Those razors up there, I actually made $ off of! They were on sale for $6.99 x 2= $13.98. I had a BOGO- so minus $6.99=$6.99. Then I had a $4 mfr to use on the one I was paying for = $2.99. Then Wags had a Q for an additional $2 off EACH razor $2.99-$4= -$1.01! $1.01 overage to use toward my other items in my bags!

And of course, the rest of the stuff was pretty cheap, I had coupons for EVERYTHING I bought. (2) .55 Q's for BC frosting, $1 shaving gel (made it .99), playtex products (4) $1 mfr Q's and (4) $1 IVC (wags coup) made them 1.99 each, the blush was 40% off & I had a $1 Q (made it 1.09), the glade lasting impression was 5.99 and I had a Q for $4 off (after the rebate of $2, it'll be free!), I had a $3 Q for the Visine and a $1 Q for Benadryl.

At the end of the month, as I mentioned, I will file for rebate. By choosing to get the $ back on a gift card instead of by check, I will receive and additional 10% back. I have quite a few things on my rebate form already from some previous trips I have made! So I can't wait for the end of the month!

Monday, April 06, 2009

Mailbox Monday!



This week my freebies in the mail included:
Woman's Day- April 2009
Soap Opera Digest- 4/1/4/09
Glad ForceFlex 13 gal trash bag (not sure where this came from?)
Ziploc Fresh Shield (costco.com)
Start Healthy, Stay Healthy ($6 in Gerber Q's)
Signed up for some more cool stuff this week! Hopefully it'll all arrive!

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