Walgreens Savings

Walgreens in Howell Michigan had the pharmacy coupon books. Just sitting out at the counsel counter. Be sure to get them. I grabbed two of them.

Diaper Deals

3 packages WAGS Size 6 Pull-ups
1 ESC coupon $5 off 2
1 Pharmacy Book coupon $2 off 1

OOP 5.19 (we have 6% sales tax)

$5 Register Rewards

Did another round of size 6 diapers because we do use both. Worked just as well.

So $.19 for 3 packages of diapers.

Cereal Deals

2 boxes of Post Honey Bunches of Oats $2.50 each
$2.00 off 1 Internet Printed Coupon from any of these links.
$.50 each Total OOP $1.00
$2.00 RR

They paid me $1.00 to leave with two boxes of cereal.

Laundry Deals

Woolite $2.50
Spray N Wash $2.50

I was able to get a $1.00 Q for Woolite and a $.75 off Q for Spray N Wash here.

The Q's brought my total OOP $3.55 (6% sales tax included) but there is a MIR in the ESC for $2.00 each Rebate. So they paid me $.45 to take the two home.

Candy Deals

Now mind you, there are other deals at Walgreens on candy, but this is what I got.

Herbert's Fully Loaded Chocolate Bars $.99

This is where I pretty much messed up and just now realized it. I got two. The MIR is limit one. Oh well, on with the show.

I found WAG's brand Blue Raspberry chapstick for $.50 and grabbed two of those. Always needing that anyways.

2 Candy Bars $.99
2 chapsticks $.50

Total (Tax included) $3.04

Used $2.00 RR OOP $1.04

I thought that I'd be getting $1.98 back in MIR, but only $.99. I also have to say that those Herbert's Fully Loaded Chocolate Bars are not driving friendly, big mess, but oh so good.

Total OOP for the day: $15.88
Total RR for the day: $12.00
Total MIR for the day: $4.99

I think I did good.

I now have $10 RR to work with. I'm guessing to roll into a MIR would be a good deal.

Maybe I can save up for a pool!!!

Want to see more Drugstore Savings? Visit the "Cent"sible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas! I did find a lot of my deal ideas from here. It's worth the look.

Working Walgreens

We needed SipAhhas that before they only had, and now they don't. That changed my whole shopping trip.

I got:

2 Ragu's 3.34
2 Skippy's 6.00
1 Bertolli 5.99 (1.50 Q)
1 Lipton Green tea 2.50 (.50 Q)
2 Lunchables (2.99) got because no SipAhhas

Came to 23.81 - Q's = 21.81

Used 5 off 20 down to 16.81.

Printed off 5 RR.

Then got:

Graham Crackers 3.79
Marshmallows 1.39
Hershey's Chocolate Bars 2.50
Slip and Slide 14.99

Buy Graham Crackers and Chocolate get Marshmallows free.

Total 21.88
5 off 20
5 RR off any purchase from previous order
New total 11.88.

Slip and slide has $5 MIR as well which I already turned in.

I know this isn't the best, but I just started with Walgreens like this and I can't buy something that I can't use.

I can't wait until I can do this again.

Fleeting

Just last week, on the 10th, I mentioned that family is a fleeting resource. The day after, the 11th, was Ed's birthday. Ed was my grandfathers cousin. I only knew him as Uncle Ed. I only knew him as my Grandma's friend. The thing is I didn't know him.

The day after his birthday, the day of my Grandmothers birthday, he passed away.

I just wanted to make sure that you all know how fleeting your family can be. I lost a chance to find out many things about my grandfather as a child, what he was like, what he enjoyed, what he disliked, how he did in school, if he even went. These are things that I cannot ever get back.

Remember your family in everything you do.

Finding Your Family History and Genealogy

I believe that family is one of the most important and fleeting resources in life. You can find out how to cook from your Mom, or learn how to fish from your Dad, but there is even more that you may not have though to ask.

Jacque has her own place in space and it's just lovely. I've found so much information there. She posted quite a while ago about learning family history.

"Here is a fun way to learn a few things about your family, allowing your child/ren to learn some family history/heritage and also some reporting skills.

Have your child pick some or all of the following questions and 'interview' a family member or two - or three. It may open up lines of communication and give a sense of understanding between the interviewer and the interviewee."

You can find out her ideas on what question to ask here and even more about her homeschool here.

Genwriters has some resources for you and your child/ren to use and help in the writing of their history. They explain how:

"It may be hard for a child to envision a grandparent as a child, but stories about life "way back when" help a child to connect to the family."

Michigan's Histories, Arts and Libraries article on Children's Genealogical Research has some great ideas to get started as well.

Above all remember to have fun with it.

Why do I want to Homeschool?

My oldest son is 9 years old. I believe he is very bright and very capable of many things. He loves Pokemon, Star Wars, Bionicle, and Transformers right now.

The public school he attends participates in AR (Accelerated Reading). The title is deceiving. It is not for Accelerated Readers. It is mandatory for all students to read books that are approved and take a test to receive AR points for each book. Each student must have so many points per marking period. March is Reading Month, this month he is required to have 16 AR points. An idea for how points are assigned is as follows:

Magic Treehouse Series Books 1 point,
Magic Treehouse Merlin Missions Books 2 points.
Many others .5 points.

He has already read almost all of these books. You can only read a book once for points, that is for your whole education, not just year. This is actually a good idea. My argument is that only certain books are approved. The things that he is interested in are not approved. If I allow him to read what he is interested in, he'll have his nose in a book all day. If I tell him to read what is required by school, there is a huge fight.

I don't want a fight.

I will occasionally joke that I am the Homework Nazi. That is because I was titled that by many of our family members. I believe that education is very important and I will not do his work for him. I will help him to know how to do his work. I don't really want to be a Homework Nazi. I want my children to understand the process in which to find an answer to a question.

I don't want a fight.

He is required to do a Science Fair Project using the Scientific Method, due by April 4th. That is not really a bad thing, because then he can learn the process of the Scientific Method. He also has a large Planetary Report that is due March 20th. That really is an OK thing as well. My issue is how the two are in the same time frame. I personally think that this is too much for my 9 year old child to do at the same time. Let's break this down, do a little bit each day. He works better with me next to him, helping him in each step. After getting home at 4:30, dinner at 6:00, dishes afterwards, bed at 9:00, and regular homework, a little bit is very time consuming for a 9 year old. We fight.

I don't want a fight.

In math he is working on long division, he hasn't mastered his multiplication tables. So it is difficult to come up with the answers when you don't know the facts. When you know how to do something, but cannot because you do not have the right supplies, it is very frustrating. We fight.

I don't want to fight.

So why would I want to keep my child home to school him? We would be doing all the other things that they do in school, along with reading (but no AR, a book of his choice in his age group and reading level), handwriting, science, mathematics, history, hands on, crafts, computers, library and field-trips.

We would have from 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. Not that we would be working the whole time, I even know that. We'll have more flexibility. We can work at a pace that is good for him and myself. I can be certain that he understand the concept before moving on and forcing a future failure.

$100 ToysRUs Gift Card Giveaway

Over at Kidazy, they are giving away a $100 USD gift card to ToysRUs!

I'm already creating my shopping list. I can't wait to win. (I say that like I just know I will, huh?)

Anyone can enter and entering is so easy. Just pop over there to see how.

While you are there, don't forget to check out all the wonderful products they are talking about.

Saint Patrick's Day and Easter

This month seems to be already a blur and it hasn't even really started. So many things are happening. Personally, I have a few days to celebrate myself, birthdays, anniversaries, closing of our new home. But on to the fun stuff.

As everyone else knows St. Patrick's Day is coming up. What a perfect time to discuss the history of none other than the Patron Saint of Ireland. Don't forget to let your children know that March 17 isn't just for wearing green and getting pinched if you don't. Remind them of the fun of a treasure hunt (OK a trivia hunt, but close enough).

Cindy over at Skip to My Lou featured a fun St. Patricks Day craft that her 11 year old son made. At Kaboos, there are a few more ideas to tempt you pinching fingers. I wish you lot's o' luck in you St. Patrick's Day Crafts.

Ahhh, just one short week later, as many of us know, Easter is early this year. Another holiday to learn from. Here is some history of this day. Here you can find how the date to celebrate it is. Here is several games. Here are some activities.

I've got to admit, I've fallen head over heel's for jennwa's site Ramblings of a Crazy Woman. Her children and her have made the most adorable Easter Wreaths, I love these heart felt Easter Cards, but don't forget these beautiful Napkin Rings, guaranteed to bring you all together at the dinner table.

Gross Chocolate and Toliet Paper Roll Fun

Jennifer over at Ramblings of a Crazy Woman has the most horrible looking Upside Down Chocolate Pudding Cake, you make it in a slow cooker. I can't want to try it, it might not look very delicious but I'm sure it tastes great.

While you are over there, don't forget to check out all of her amazing crafts to do with your children. Like these Easter Bunny Napkin Rings or these Super Fast Race Cars. They look so fun. I'll have to start collecting my toilet paper rolls now.

Help for Homeschooling?

I've been talking to JoAnn, at Shiny Distractions, a little bit about home schooling. She also has another blog at Homeschool Distractions. Her latest post has helped out in so many ways.

I've learned quite a bit from looking at some other sites as well. Homeschool Help Web , and Home School Legal Defense Association I've learned about what lap books are. I've learned about different curriculums and way to make it fun for my children. I'm just curious what's everybody else's opinion on home schooling.

Do you think home schooling stops of children from socializing with other children? Do you think they're missing out on specific skills? Do you find it difficult to go on field trips that are both fun and learning experiences? What are some field trips that you can do that actually are a learning experience?

How can I make Pokemon of good curriculum to teach many of the things my child needs to learn such as Mathematics, Social Studies, History, and Reading?

One of the key things that I need to do with my son before we can start homeschooling is work on our communication. Is there a curriculum or some ways that I can do that to start off in the right direction that you can think of?

I think I have some things going already.

Peanuuuuut, Peanut Butter

I love saving money, but then again who doesn't? Come on! Admit it, you like to save money. See, I knew you did.

18 ounce Peter Pan Peanut Butter is on sale right now at my local Spartan Store for $0.79. Then there is a dollar off coupon in January 6th Sunday insert. That's free Peter Pan Peanut Butter.

Check to see if it is on sale in a store near you.

Where Tube?

I grew up with a television in the home. Not completely glued to the screen but "Little House on the Prairie" was one of my favorite shows, and I'm positive God created Saturday morning for Saturday morning cartoons. As much as I enjoyed television, I was most always found with a book in hand. Now I'm seeing televisions everywhere.

You can find a television and a shopping cart for a small fee, just for the convenience for your children. You can find a television in the checkout lines when you pay for your purchase at many stores. You can find televisions in the back seat of cars as you ride down the road or even preinstalled at the car lot.

My question is, has anyone seen a television at a gas station?

Let me tell you, I have. Do you think is it more so for convenience to keep up on the times while fueling or is it trying to get you to purchase just a little bit more gas because you are not paying attention to the pump?

And the winner is... Drum Roll Please...

It was so nice to see so many "faces" at my site. As much as I wanted to give you all a wonderful gift, it was just impossible. Since I couldn't give you all one I used random.org to chose the comment that won my giveaway. Now, I also assumed that the winner may not contact me within 48 hours. I allowed random.org to choose the first runner up and third place winner.

True Random Number ServiceRandom Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

85
109
112
Timestamp: 2008-02-04 02:27:49 UTC

First Place is 85 mama zen congratulations. Be sure to watch for my email.
First Runner Up is 109 karina Just in case mama zen does not contact me, keep an eye out for an email from me.
Third Place is 112 Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings I'm sure you know how it works, but hey, you never know, watch out for an email from me.

I had so much fun with Bloggy Giveaways Carnival: Winter '08 Edition. I'm sure that I will be participating in the next one.

Thank you all for coming to my site, and I do hope you come back.

Mandi

EDIT: I have emailed our winner. I shamefully laugh at the many typos and mispelling. Sorry about those mama zen. Congratulation.

Yeah, Free stuff...

I'm joining in the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival: Winter '08 Edition

What will you win?

(1)Melt away stress with this 24 hour moisturizing wash, new by Johnson's soft wash
(2)Melt away stress with this body lotion new by Johnson's soft lotion. Johnson and Johnson is finally making a product for an adult.
(3)LypSyl, a lip moisturizer that is made with pure Swedish beeswax, it's got organic shea butter, pure vitamins A and E and coconut oil.
(4)Secrets Of The Vine, Breaking Through To Abundance by Bruce Wilkinson, author of best-selling The Prayer Of Jabez.

Sorry, I don't have photos, but I do have the prize, I promise.

Who is Eligible to enter?

Everyone is eligible to enter, as long as they are in Contintental United States. Unfortunately, it is to costly for me to ship elsewhere.

How to enter?

All you have to do is to leave a comment on this post, it's that simple. You don't have to have a blog to enter this contest, but please make sure you leave a valid e-mail address. If I can't get a hold of you, I can't give you the prize.

When does it open and end?

This contest is open now. I'll leave this open all the way until Sunday February 3, 2008 at 6:00 o'clock.

I'll chose a random comment by using random.org on Monday and the rest is history.

How will I know if I win?

I will e-mail the winner at the end of the contest. The winner must contact me within 48 hours with their full name and address and I will mail you your prize. Please do not enter if you do not want to give me your name and mailing address. I cannot send your gift without it. If I do not get contact within 48 hours I will have to choose a new winner.

Be sure to click on this link to sign up for many other contests. Right now there is almost 900.

Thank you and good luck.

EDIT: I have noticed a few entrants that I cannot find an email address for. Giving your address is as easy as allowing your profile to be viewed with a valid email address until after the sweeps. You can then edit your profile to hide it again.

By doing this, you allow the other blogs that are giving away a prize to contact you if you are the winner. All at one time. You won't have to go back into each blog and add your address.

Thank you again and good luck.

EDIT: Comments are now closed. Thank you for playing. Stay tuned for the winner.

Paying it Forward

This post will be about passing on your unwanted items. Why?

Well why fill up a landfill with unstained still useful clothes? Why throw away anything that someone can really use.

I'm fond of a free program called Freecycle. You can find a Freecycle Group in your area. Each area may have different rules and regulations. For example, in my area you cannot post an animal for free. Become acquainted with your areas requirements, because there are reasoning's for these rules.

I've heard of great results using another free program called Craigslist, although I have never used it.

By way of BabyCheapskate I found a small fee program called Freepeats. This is another I have not used, but it is filling up quickly.

In addition to your passing on something that someone may need, you can also look for something that you may need.

I passed on to a new young mother all of my baby things from my last pregnancy. She was more than happy to accept my 0-3 months clothes, a swing, and many other items.

Every little bit helps.

They sprout up so quickly...

Jenn over at Frugal Upstate has a wonderful idea on how to get over the high prices of hot house veggies.

I never would have thought to grow sprouts to eat, but I've seen them sold at leading grocery stores at a pretty penny.

Jenn makes it look so easy with her how-to.

Thanks Jenn

An Amazing Rack

By way of GoodyBlog I came across this amazing spice rack at vaughnaustin. I think this may be one of the most amazing ideas out there.

If you have any other ideas, this would a great time to post a comment.

MotherLoad: The MomAdvice Cookwear

Over at MomAdvice, Amy is celebrating her birthday and as a gift from her dear hubby she gets to choose a new set of pots.

Given my pending future, information she might give for her choice will be very useful.

She also got a beautiful Cuisinart Cast Iron Pot, head over and check it out.

Signs...

So, with all the decisions and choices that are difficult to deal with, one would ask for an answer...

Too bad God's answers aren't straight forward. Too bad they can be misinterpreted. Too bad he can't just say "Dear child, go forth and just do it," or "Dear child, huddle closely."

Can these be considered as signs or answers? Or are they just mere coincidence?

1. The number that I am calling several times a day, concerning this specific situation, has the extension number of a combination of two very special numbers near and dear to my heart.

2. While driving to dinner and to meet a person concerning this specific situation on Friday, January 11, 2008, a vanity license plate proclaims, "JUSTDOIT".

Mail Center

Julie over at Declutter It! has given what seems like the easiest "how-to" for creating a mail center in your home or office.

I hope these steps to creating a mail center will help you reign in all that paper clutter that collects on the tables, counters and any available flat surface.

I will most certainly have to give this a go. It just seems so easy.

Thanks Julie.

Dirty little secrets

At Quick and Simple the Pros are giving their cleaning secrets.

Every one has one or two. The question is, are you willing to tell yours?

I have to say that my secret is that I don't really mop the bathroom. I squirt my cleaner of preference mixed with water and wipe down as I "go".