Nanny to Mommy

Today, we had to go get my dog from my mom who watched him while we were in Florida (Thanks, Mom!) And then on the way home my hubby dropped me and Sweet Pea off at our local Publix and then he went home to drop the dog off THEN came back and picked us up. A LOT of running around but now everything is back to normal and we won't have to do that kind of driving for a while. 

Anyways, Publix is having some GREAT deals. Some ended today and some are just GREAT after coupons but alas most end Wednesday. So hurry and snag these deals for yourself if you are interested!

***Please Note: My Publix does HALF price BOGOs, they accept Target, Kroger, and Ingles coupons as their competitors, and they also double coupons. Per Publix's coupon policy, if you have a BOGO manu coupon, you are allowed to use a money off coupon on the one you have to buy unless otherwise stated.

I have set up direct links to the coupons when I could. I also use Facebook coupons and suggest getting one and just using it to print coupons if you don't want to be on Facebook. Please also be aware that you can print Coupons.com and Coupon Network coupons directly from my blog now! :)

Tyson Fun Nuggets on sale @ $4.99

- $1/1 Target IP 

= $3.99

Hormel Sliced Pepperoni @ $1.99

- $1/1 Italian Tonight Publix Coupon IP 

- $0.55/1 Manu IP 

= $0.44

8 Betty Crocker Packaged Potatoes @ $1.55

- 8 $1/1 Stopping In, Stock Up Flyer (exp 9/30)

- 4 $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes from 9/9 SS

= $0.40 or $0.05 each!

4 Farm Rich Appetizers (Review and Giveaway Coming Soon! :]) @ BOGO $5.99

- 2 $3/2 Farm Rich Product IP (you can print 2 per zip code!: 90210, 63115, 85254, 14760 - I personally printed 3 but decided against using all the ink)

= $5.98 or $1.50 each

2 Gerber Graduates Melts @ 2/$5

- 2 $1/1 Gerber Yogurt Melts Snack IPs (this one has reset and I was able to print two from my one comp this time!)

= $3 or $1.50 each

6 Campbell's Chunky Soups @ BOGO $2.49

- 2 $0.50/3 IPs (there is also a $0.50/2 IP here so if your store doubles, it's a better deal!)

- 2 $2/3 Best Meals Happen At Home Email 

= $1.47 or $0.25 each

Publix Sharp Singles @ 2/$5

= $2.50

3 Pillsbury Grands Jr. Biscuit @ $1.49 (I got the wrong ones, the ones on sale are the regular Grands and they would be $0.25 each after coupons.)

- $2/3 Pillsbury Refrigerated Dough items

- $0.40/2 Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands IP

= $1.67 or $0.56 each

4 Ben & Jerry's ice cream @ $1.15 (reg price)

- 2 $2/2 Ben & Jerry's or Starbucks items (no size restrictions), Best Meals Happen at Home email

= $0.60 or $0.15 each

4 Danimals Drinkable Yogurts @ BOGO $2.69 (My coupons were for the Crunchers but they were out so they let me substitute, remember to always ask for a raincheck! :])

- 4 $0.75/1 IPs

= $2.38 or $0.60 each

2 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spreads BOGO @ $2.45

- $1/1 Promise, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Brummel & Brown or Country Crock Spread (45 oz.)  Best Meals Happen at Home email (My Publix read this as the two pack is in ONE container, make sure to ask at your store)

- 2 $1/2 IPs on any tub, stick, or spray

= $0.55 MONEY MAKER!

3 Bailey's Coffee Creamer @ $2.19 (reg price)

- 2 $1.50 Facebook IP

- BOGO Facebook IP

- 3 $1/1 Bailey's Coffee Creamer from Yellow Advantage Flyer

= $1.62 MONEY MAKER!

2 Pace Picante Salsa @ BOGO $2.79

- 2 $0.40/2 from 8/26 SS

= $1.99

Mount Olive Pickles @ BOGO $2.39

- $1/1 8/26 SS (regional coupon)

= $0.20

Publix Whole Milk

= $3.39 (Not a good price)

2 Nature's Own Butterbread @ BOGO $2.95

= $2.95

2 Publix Italian Salad Blends @ 2/$4

= $4

Minus $5 off $40 Publix Coupon mailed

Total Spent after tax and coupon savings = $33.99

Total Savings = $97.10

Percentage Saved = 74% Savings!

So how did you do? At the bottom of this post is a place for you to show your own brag worthy purchases! If you don’t have a blog or vlog, feel free to leave a comment on this post letting me know how you did shopping this week! Also don't forget to enter my giveaways. :)

Okay so I know I need to be getting my list together for tomorrow. And I have been doing that and in my search to find the best deals, I have found some GREAT deals for you! I have provided direct links to all these coupons so just click and print!

Great For Christmas (closer than you think!):

$5 Spider Man Stunt City Play Set

$3 of Play-Doh playsets

$5 off Bouncy My-Happy-to-see-me Pup

$5 off Sesame Street playset!!!!

$5 off My Baby Alive Doll

$5 off FURREAL FRIENDS toy

$5 off My Little Pony Princess

$2 off Playskool Heroes toy

$5 off Koosh Solar Recon ball Launcher

$3 off Iron Man Tri-Power Repulsor

$3 off Spider Man Hero FX Mask

Just Plain GREAT Deals:

$6/2 Schick Razors - use at Wal-Mart to score some for CHEAP!

BOGO Schick Hydro Silk Refill

Okay that's just a few. I will post all the deals that go with them tomorrow. So print now so you have them ready to go! I have to go to bed, but I wanted you all to be prepared. :)

So this vacation has been interesting to say the least. I am looking at all the awesome couponing deals I am missing and wishing I had brought my coupons but honestly that is just because I just now turned on a computer. I really have been enjoying myself even though we have had some bumps along the way.

We left at 6 am Saturday morning. We said we were going to leave at 5 but with two kids (one a 21 month old who doesn't wake up until 7:30) things are never going to go as planned. We stopped at Cracker Barrel before we really got on the road. Sweet Pea took two hour long naps. And was really good. She drank a lot of fluids and had an accident through her diaper when we reached Panama City, it wasn't time to check in yet so I had to change her at the Wendy's across the street, where we also had lunch. They didn't have a changing table in the restroom and the car was packed so we had to hide in a booth so I could change her. We did head to the beach as soon as we checked in but Sweet Pea was having none of it.
Saturday night we ate pizza in the room, we had to head back out to Publix (where I had a bad experience with the cashier), and then headed back to the condo where we promptly crashed of sheer exhaustion.

 Sunday we spent almost the entire day at the beach. Sweet Pea didn't like walking in the sand but we had to make her because everyone's hands were full carrying stuff. Once she got to our spot she loved to play in the sand. She would even dump it on to her legs. She took a 3 hour nap in her pack-n-play and had no trouble going to sleep. That night we went to Sharky's to eat. Panama City is an hour difference from our time. So although Sweet Pea wakes up between 7 - 7:30 at home, she woke up between 6 - 6:30 almost everyday so far. So dinner was eventful because I didn't take into consideration that it was almost 7pm our time by the time she was having dinner. She wouldn't eat any snacks I brought and only wanted to be held. Once the food came she was happier but of course I didn't realize the issue until Tuesday. :/ Hubby and I wanted to share a seafood platter but didn't realize everything was fried, and they were using old grease, so after looking forward to seafood, I was VERY disappointed.

 

After that we headed to Pier Park to ride some rides. Sweet Pea rode the merry-go-round and Ferris wheel. I almost had a heart attack but Daddy said she loved it.

 

Monday we had to go to Wal-mart because we were already almost out of bread and milk! But considering there are 8 people staying in our condo and everyone is eating cereal for breakfast and having sandwiches for lunch, it makes sense. Sweet Pea did even better about going to the beach and didn't cry walking on it. She still insisted on holding both hands but this was a vast improvement. She even made a friend.

Monday night we went to Spinnaker's. All I have to say about that night was "wow". There was a patio that had stairs down to the beach and since she was pitching a fit, we took her out to walk in the sand. But since I hadn't figured out the hour difference thing, she wouldn't put her shoes back on but wanted to walk around but I was afraid she would get splinters. She pitched the BIGGEST fit. And I had to walk with her to the other room and I cried. And that made her stop because she felt bad. But then our food came and she was in a lot better mood. But it shouldn't have come to that. It makes me mad because didn't I just say stick to your child's schedule?

After that I needed a drink. So once Sweet Pea went to sleep, we left her with the in-laws and headed to Mrs. Newby's (a short walk from our condo) and had their famous Hunch Punch. Very yummy and lots of fun was had by all.

Tuesday we went shopping at a consignment shop and then went to Pier Park to the Carter's because I had a 20% off $40 coupon I had been itching to use because last year they had such great deals. They had great deals this year. Nana bought Sweet Pea a ton of cute clothes and we are very grateful. Too bad we didn't go today because Grandparent's get an extra 10% off! We also visited Starbucks.

By this time, it was lunch and nap time. I was exhausted and decided to take a nap with Sweet Pea. Then when we woke up, we headed to the beach where of course she had a blast and even buried Daddy in the sand.

That night for dinner we went to Schooner's and I decided that we should order food for Little Bit as soon as we sat down. And I am so glad we did. She did awesome. If it wasn't for them firing the cannon at sunset then she would have been perfect. But she still did amazing. And I am so glad we figured out a way for us to be able to have a peaceful meal because I was thinking we were going to have a dinner of sandwiches in the room every night.

This morning we went to the beach. There was a bit of overcast which made pictures beautiful (don't worry we still put on sunscreen). Everyone is now taking a nap or having quiet time while I update except for my MIL and SIL because my SIL had to head back home for work.


Whew, that was a long post. Maybe I should try and do daily ones from now on. Anyways, I am having fun. I have been checking in here and there but I've honestly been trying to stay unconnected as much as possible. I needed a break, although I have been cleaning up after everyone. :/ But I think that's more my OCD. HA! 

Last minute trip before we head on vacation. This trip was on Saturday because it was Hubby's only off day. I bought some freebie items that I plan on taking to Florida as well as some items to get us through the week. I can NOT believe we are leaving for Florida on Saturday! I am SO excited.

Between Target and Publix, this is what I got.

I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to review an amazing product called Toddler Mum-Mum, well I didn't test them out, my daughter did. They come in a box and a bag, plus there are two in each individually wrapped package. My daughter called them cookies (said like cookie monster).

My daughter loved them and although they don't have any nutritional value, they have 40 calories and according to my daughter are a healthy alternative to cookies. So they get two thumbs up in our book!

Baby Mum-Mum was also kind enough to give me an extra coupon to giveaway that don't expire until 6/30/2013!

 If you don't want to wait to see if you won to try them out, head over HERE and print a coupon for any Baby or Toddler Mum-Mum product! :)

All you have to do is enter the rafflecopter below. Make sure if you say you did an entry that you actually do it, as all entries are verified.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure: Although I did receive FREE coupons to test out this product, I am doing a giveaway of my own accord.

 

Not quite what you were looking for?

 

Maybe you might like these posts instead:

 

 

10 Tips for Beginner Couponers

 

 

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How to Get Coupons for FREE Without Dumpster Diving

Hello Friends! I have been scrambling my BRAIN trying to get the house together and everything packed before we go on vacation. Anyone else ever feel overwhelmed by these thing?

Anyways I randomly came across these coupons and I am pretty excited about them so I thought I would share. :)

$0.30/1 Haribo product

$1/1 Lever 2000 Bar Soap or Body Wash

$3 off any Burt's Bees Intense Hydration - Super excited about this one with the cold months coming up.

$1 off ANY Reach Total Care Floss - Could make for some FREEbies!

$1 off Soft Scrub Spray - I got some for less than $0.30 at Publix last time this coupon came out!

$0.35/1 Swanson Flavor Boost - makes it $0.79 at Publix after $1/2 Best Meals Happen at Home email

$0.40/3 Campbell's Condensed Soups - It's getting stock up time for soup! Print them before they are gone!

$1 off any Magnum 3 ct ice cream - These are YUMMY!

$0.50/1 Yoplait Fruplait Yogurt - Use the $1/2 Best Meals Happen at Home email at Publix makes them $1 each or $0.25 per cup!

$1/1 24 pack or 2 12 pack of Dr. Pepper - RARE! Get it while it's HOT!

These are all from Coupons.com. These are just the ones I liked. To see the complete list, go HERE.

I had a bunch of coupon trades come in Tuesday and Wednesday. As most everyone probably knows at this point, I am car-less. So Tuesday Hubby had the day off and he took me to Publix. Then Wednesday my friend (who usually takes me shopping at Publix on Thursday or Fridays), made a little trip for me. I didn't get a picture of my friend's trip but I did get a picture of my trip Hubby.

Tuesday trip to Publix:

14 Yakisoba BOGO @ $0.99 (You are only allowed to use 10 of the same coupon per order - I did not know this rule so they let me use them all at once)

- 12 $0.50/1 from 8/26 SS doubled and 1 $1/2 = -$6.07 overage

 Glade Oil Diffuser and Mist Starter Kit = FREE

- Used FREE coupons from #BzzKit.

1 BOX Pampers Cruisers $25.99

- $5 off Pampers cruisers from Baby Club - $10 Manu Mailed from P&G = $10.99

Total = $5.53 including tax! :D

Here is my friend's order. As payment for getting my freebies (although I wanted to get other stuff and it SUCKS that I didn't have a ride/car to get it myself), she got some cookies.

Transaction #1:
8 Yakisoba BOGO @ $0.99
- 8 $0.50/1 from 8/26 SS doubled = - $4.04 overage

4 Wacky Mac Pastas @ 2/$1.69
- 2 $1/2 IP from Facebook = $1.38 or $0.35 each

Total after taxes = -$2.71

Transaction #2:
8 Yakisoba BOGO @ $0.99
- 8 $0.50/1 from 8/26 SS doubled = -$4.04 overage

1 Double Stuff Oreo (my friend's payment) $3.15

Total after taxes = $0.22

Total after BOTH Transactions = +$2.45

I received complimentary products to provide this post. All opinions are my own.

Fall brings warm sweaters, tall boots, bright colored leaves, and hot, yummy soup.

Thanks to Progresso and MyBlogSpark, I received this awesome kit so I (well my husband) can take a wholesome lunch of Progresso's New Creamy Light Soups to work.
Not only is the water bottle super big, the lunch bag really nice, and the soup mug just cool, but the soups are AMAZING. They sent one called Light Creamy Potato with Bacon and Cheese. It tastes like a baked potato that you make yourself on a cold, brisk autumn evening - in a bowl. My husband loved it so much he used this $1.25/4 coupon and bought some more!

The other they sent was called Light Chicken Pot Pie style. It tasted like Homemade Chicken Pot Pie - again - in a bowl! :)

These two new Progresso Light creamy soups are joining the lineup of more than 40 flavorful soups that are 100 calories or less per serving and what makes them taste even better is the fact that they are only 2 points plus! (That's weight watchers lingo. ;])

Progresso and MyBlogSpark also gave me a pack to giveaway to one lucky reader!

All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter below!
***NOTE: All entries are verified and leaving a comment on this post is the only mandatory entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


“Disclosure:  The coupons, information, and gift packs have been provided by Progresso^® through MyBlogSpark.”

Classes no longer mattered. They just muddled together.

Third period was my favorite class. Chorus. My best friend was in there. Her brother-in-law worked at the Pentagon and we had just learned it had been hit as well. My friends prayed together as a group. Our Choir Instructor let her leave to try and call her sister. Fortunately he was out sick that day.

Final period our class went to the Library to watch the footage. I felt exhausted arriving to the Library. I had been a long emotional day. But then watching the footage of the men and woman helping save others, I felt selfish. I was no longer tired.

My Father came to pick me up that day. Others had already left for the day. We went home and watched and waited. It was agonizing. And I cried. I had no idea why I was crying at the time. But I know now I was crying for all those people and their families. And the people trying to save them.

I was young and self-centered back then. It was the first time in my life something outside of my own existence had impacted me. And although I wasn't involved, how could I not look at those images and not be impacted? How can I still look at those images and not be impacted? How can anyone?

Other Quicklist Helpful Tips:
*Start preparing to pack a few days before you travel. Keep a running list of things to take, or put items out on a table or dresser as you think of them.

*Use a diaper bag with a waterproof lining and a shoulder strap.
*Be prepared for leaky diapers and baby spit-up if you are traveling by airplane: Tuck an extra outfit or two for your baby – and an extra shirt for you – into your carry-on bag.
*Prevent leaks by packing medicines and toiletries in resealable plastic bags.
*Pack each of your baby's outfits in its own zipped plastic bag so you don't have to hunt around for tiny socks, shirts, and so on.
*Take your camera, battery charger, and an extra memory card.
*Take the phone number for your baby's healthcare provider in case you have questions while you're on the road.

 Congratulations. You are now going on a trip with a child. It is no longer a vacation. But you will still have a blast!

 Did I miss anything? Leave me a comment letting me know what is something you ALWAYS remember to pack. :)

GREAT trip today! I decided against the porterhouse steaks. I thought it would be best to save the money towards vacation. Where we will eat yummy seafood everyday! :D

So just guess how much I spent for all of this? Just guess.

Here is the breakdown of what I bought:

6 Velveeta Shells and Cheese @ $2.35

- 2 B2G1 Publix Cooking with Kraft IPs - 2 $1 IP (today was the last day!) - 2 $1/2 Manu IP = $5.40 or $0.90 each

4 GoGo Squeeze Applesauce BOGO @ $2.59

- 4 $0.50/1 IP doubled from Facebook = $1.18 or $0.30 each

6 Maruchan Yakisoba BOGO @ $0.99

- 6 $0.50/1 doubled from 8/26 RP = $3.03 MoneyMaker!

1 Kraft Fresh Take @ 2/$4

- 1 $0.50/1 IP doubled = $1

4 Bailey's Coffee Creamer @ 2/$3

- 4 $1/1 from 8/5 SS = $2 or $0.50 each

3 Nabisco Grahamfuls BOGO @ $4.19 (my Publix does not do TRUE BOGOs)

- 1 B2G1 IP - 1 $0.75/2 from 8/5 SS - $1/2 Target IP = $2.44 or $0.81 each

2 Magnum 3ct Ice Cream Bars BOGO @ $3.99

- 2 $1/1 IPs = $1.99 or $1 each

2 Publix Creamcheese @ $0.99

- $1/2 Target IP (my Target will take competitors store brand coupons) = $0.98

1 Old El Paso Taco Mix @ $0.79 (reg price)

- $0.50/1 IP doubled = $0.21 MM! (Wish I had two but my computer messed up. :/)

4 Beechnut Fruities @ $0.99 (reg price)

- 2 $1/1 IP - 2 $0.75/1 IP = $0.46

6 Knorr Sides BOGO @ $1.29

- 2 $1/3 IP - 2 $1/2 Publix IP - 1 $0.50/2 Target IP = $0.37 or $0.06 each!

2 Liberte yogurt @ 10/$8

- 2 $0.30/1 IPs doubled = $0.40 or $.20 each

- $5 off $40 Publix Coupon

Total Spent = $10.67/$9.42 before taxes (I actually had a $10 gift card from an earlier promotion and I didn't have cash so my friend gave me the $0.67, so FREE to me! HA! :D)

Total Saved = $69.24

For a grand total of 88% Savings!

I have my Kroger trip in the morning and I am not looking forward to it. (EDIT: 9/8 - Receipt says I saved 31% but that doesn't include Manger's Special items and Rain checks items. I had two Rain checks I used today. But I got a good deal of meat and produce! :]) But I feel I did good today! ;D Below is a place where you can share your savings. It doesn't have to be just from Publix!! :) Also please don't forget to enter my Progresso Recipe Starters Giveaway and don't forget to vote for my Gerber Baby! That's it! Have a GREAT weekend! :)

I was fortunate to be able to review the Progresso Recipe Starters line thanks to Progresso and MyBlogSpark. They are a new line of products that involve very little work for a yummy gourmet meal!

 I decided to make the Creamy Lemon Chicken.


Looks awesome right? Well it was. You could taste the lemon without the overbearing sour taste that can sometimes come from them. 

Easy, peasy cooked chicken!

I used the recipe that you can find online HERE. The chicken was juicy and the sauce was creamy but not watery. We added veggies as a side as well. And I had to use whole wheat flour but it turned out great! And what makes this recipe even more tasty was the fact that it was so easy to make!

Progresso and MyBlogSpark also gave me a Progresso Recipe Starters kit to giveaway!

Here is what you could win! Not only will you win everything here, but also a $10 Visa gift card to use to buy your other ingredients with.

Can't wait to see if you won? Click HERE for a $0.65 off coupon!

Enter the Rafflecopter below. You MUST leave a comment, all others are extra entries. BUT ALL ENTRIES ARE VERIFIED! If you just say you do any entry and did not verify it, ALL your entries will be removed and you will be disqualified. This is the only way to make it fair for everyone. Thank you and I hope you understand.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The information, products and Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ gift packs were provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

 

Not quite what you were looking for?

 

Maybe you might like these posts instead:

 

 

10 Tips for Beginner Couponers

 

 

How to Get FREE Stuff Without Being a Blogger

 

 

How to Get Coupons for FREE Without Dumpster Diving

It's that time of year again! Gerber Generations Photo Search! Sweet Pea could win a scholarship if she wins her milestone. Please help us win by voting daily and share your vote on Facebook, Twitter, re-Blogging this post, Goggle + this post, pinning on pinterest, where ever and whenever! We would greatly appreciate it!

This is a Facebook application. So if you don't have Facebook, get one just so you can vote for my Sweet Pea! :D

You can click on the image above or HERE to vote for her. You have to click 'VOTE' from there and then please share! :)

This week's Wednesday's Weekly Weigh-in will also be Motivational Monday since I apparently took it off for Labor Day. I am still at a plateau and that is probably because of Dragon*Con and eating WAY unhealthy. But since I mentioned Dragon*Con, this weeks (LATE) Motivational Monday is:

Rock your inner NERD!

 I love Dragon*Con. Even in the huge mass of people, I feel safe. It is where I belong. I am so grateful that my husband and LDOD introduced me to the awesomeness that is Dragon*Con.

Dragon*Con is a place where everyone gets together and it doesn't matter if you a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, or just there to party...or even a random Auburn fan, you are welcomed.

While waiting in the ridiculous line to get our badges, the hubby and enjoyed conversations with people of all fandoms and nationalities. People that didn't necessarily agree with our politics but listened to our point of view and were respectful throughout the entire conversation. 

I sound so cheesy when I say this, but: Why can't everyday be like Dragon*Con? And everyone be like Con-goers?

Don't be afraid of who you are.

As the wise Dr. Seuss once said:

"Be who are and say what you feel, because those who mind, don't matter and those who matter, don't mind."