CVS Shopping Trip

Remember that $10 in ECBs I got last week? I was able to roll that with zero money out of my pocket this week. I had a raincheck from a few months ago when Electrosol tabs were on sale, plus extra bucks. They did not have any in stock at the time. The deal was buy at least $20 of Electrosol, get $10 ECBs. The tabs were also on sale for 4.50/box.

So, here's my deal: buy 5 boxes 22.50, used (5) 2.50/1 Electrosol mfr coupons and 10.00 ECBs = FREE! I also earned another 10.00 ECBs, which I will be rolling on Sunday to buy some Pull-ups. Here's the receipt for proof:)

You may be asking, how do I get so many coupons? Sometimes I buy multiple copies of the Sunday paper. For a while now, the coupons haven't been that great, so I've only been buying one or two. I also have two neighbors who don't use coupons and pass their inserts along to me. At my Acme, there is a free local paper that includes the Smart Source insert. If the coupons are good that week, I'll grab a few while I'm there. The Red Plum insert now comes in the mail, so there's another for free. With a minimal investment and a little time, I make couponing work for me!

Giant Shopping Trip

I don't normally shop at Giant because there's not one close by. But, if there's a super great deal I will pop in. I ran in to get two free (with coupon) items, and ended up finding another great deal.

The Oikos and Chobani Greek yogurts are on sale for 1.00 each. I had 1.00/1 coupons = FREE! There is also a deal on several items--if you buy seven of the items in the group, you get a $3.00 instant discount. So I got four Polaner, one I Can't Believe It's Not Butter baking sticks, and two ICINB tubs.

My final cost for all of the above = $3.43!

Giant's ad runs from Sunday to Saturday, so you still have time to make some deals.

Things I Love: Contigo Travel Mugs

I have been searching for a good travel coffee mug for about, oh, forever. There has always been something wrong with each one: too big for my cup holder, too small for my cup holder (falls over), doesn't keep coffee warm very long, drink opening too small/too big/too weird, and the deal breaker--it leaks.

So, I was walking through the aisles in Costco a few weeks before Christmas and saw the Contigo travel mugs. I looked at them and thought, hey, why not? To be honest, I didn't really believe the claim that that they are leak-proof and keep liquids hot for 4 hours. And, then I ate my hat.

It really works. It doesn't leak. I'm serious. Not even if you turn it upside down and shake it a bunch. I had to try it, ok? I wouldn't say that it keeps my coffee hot for four hours, more like two, and then very warm for another two hours.

It did take me a few days to get used to having to push the button to release the seal to take a drink. But, now it's second nature. Just like my coffee-filled mug is a third appendage.

I got a two-pack at Costco for about $20. If you do not have a Costco nearby, here is a list of U.S. retailers.

Unfortunately, Mr. Incredible does not like the mugs. He says they give his coffee a metallic taste. I don't agree, but just throwing it out there if you are sensitive to things like that.

Also, MamaJoss shares my love of Contigo--you should check out her review of the water bottles!

This post is linked to Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries.

Weekend Menu Update

I made three of the four things I had on the menu this weekend--success!

I ended up using this recipe for the Broccoli Potato Soup. Very similar to Jo-Lynne's, but I needed the actual measurements:) This soup is delicous, I found a keeper! I skipped the celery because I didn't have it on hand. I also used whole milk instead of skim. The recipe calls for 4 cups of potatos, but really should be cut down to 2 1/2 cups. You could also increase the broccoli for a better balance. I thought it was the perfect consistency, which is always hard for me to achieve. And, FYI, I used some homemade chicken stock from the freezer from when I made this Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot a few weeks ago (patting self on back).

The Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Pot Roast was just ok. I wasn't totally in love with it, but I'm glad I tried it!

The donuts were interesting. I'm pretty proud of myself for trying them (patting self on back again) anyway. The dough did not produce the consistency I am used to. They were ok, but not great. I'm sure as Kate says, you need to try it a few times to get the perfect (to you) result. But, I think I'm better off buying one donut at a time every once in a while. Because, really, my favorite is Boston Cream and I don't see myself getting THAT motivated anytime soon!

I did not get a chance to make the ribs, so I put them in the freezer. I may save them for our Super Bowl party.

Are you hosting/going to a Super Bowl party? Whatcha making?

On the Menu

This weekend, I'm hoping to try a few new recipes. I have some fresh broccoli that I really need to use up. I also have a few potatoes that need to go, so I may try this Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup. Jo-Lynne is participating in the Tastemaker Challenge at Blissdom this year and this is one of her entries. Jo-Lynne is sweet as pie and you should really go check out her video and give it five stars:)

Also on deck is this crockpot Sun-dried Tomato and Feta Roast as recommended by Gina. I also bought ribs for the very first time and plan to try them out in the crockpot as well. A friend insists that you just put them in the crockpot and dump BBQ sauce on them. I hope they fit!

I really shouldn't, but I would like to try my hand at Kate's Homemade Donuts. Because sometimes you just need a donut. Please don't tell me it's just me.

What's on the menu at your house?

CVS = FreeVS

This week's CVS score:

6 12-pack Pepsi products 3.33 each
3 3-pack Ivory soap .99 each (raincheck price)
1 Tums 3.29
1 CVS brand travel face cloths 1.49
= $27.75

- 4.00/20.00 purchase CVS coupon emailed to me (sign up for a CVS card and then register the card online so you get these emails too!)
- 2.97 3 x 1.00/1 Ivory soap coupons (register adjusted down to actual cost)
- 4.00/1 Tums CVS coupon (check the bottom of your receipt AND scan your card at the price scanner/coupon printer to get CVS coupons) This did not adjust down, so I did get .71 overage.
- 1.50/1 CVS brand skin care product

Total out of pocket (oop) cost, including tax: $16.08 + 10.00 back in ECBs

The Pepsi was part of an ECBs promotion, buy $20 worth and get $10 ECBs. So, I earned 10.00 in ECBs to use on whatever I want at CVS! (Excludes gift cards, prescriptions and a few other things.) I will try to roll that into another purchase with ECBs again next week.

About a year and a half ago, I started couponing. Hard core. Many of you tuned out right there, right? It takes a little while to figure it all out, but I haven't paid for shampoo or toothpaste in over a year!

How? CVS + Coupons + CVS Extra Care Bucks (ECBs).

So many bloggers explain it better than me, so click below if you would like to learn more.

Tara has a great CVS 101 post. It covers the basics, plus a little more.

I always check for the weekly CVS posts from Mindi and Shannon.

When I was getting started, the CVS forums at Hot Coupon World were a huge help.

All of this is just to prove that I am not a nut job. And if I am, there are hundreds of others like me!

Movie Night(s)

Mr. Incredible and I had a chance to sit down and watch a grown-up movie together. A rarity due to 1) We don't agree on movies that often 2) I tend to hit a wall at 9:00 p.m. and fall asleep about half-way through the movie, and 3) We always seem to get stuck watching kids movies.

Recently we hit a Blockbuster that is going out of business and bought a bunch of movies. I can't remember everything we picked up, but Live Free or Die Hard was one of them. I could have sworn that we'd see this in the theater, but I was wrong. It is an awesome action movie, and Bruce Willis and Justin Long are hilarious!

My mom came over and we had all intentions of also watching a grown up movie, but instead watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Imporium with Dash. It was actually a very cute movie and appropriately rated G. Dash was not so much into it and lost interest every time there wasn't a kid on the screen. I thought it was good and reminded me a little bit of the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. One of my favorites. I was just happy to find a good family movie that's not a cartoon. I love animated films and all, but sometimes Mommy needs a break.

I also finally got a chance to watch Slumdog Millionaire. (This really was not a normal weekend--I don't usually get to watch so many movies.) I had put this on my wishlist at Swap A DVD some time ago and recently got it in the mail. Such a good movie, but many heart-breaking moments. I would definitely recommend it!

On deck are Mamma Mia!, Seven Pounds, and Disturbia. I'm also waiting for Adventureland to arrive!

Have any good movies I should add to my wishlist?