A Proper To-Do List

      Today's post is about forming a proper to-do list.  This is something I personally struggle with.  I try to aim for Martha Stewart perfection, and that's just not fair to myself.  And then in turn I'm very hard on myself when I don't meet these crazy goals.  So now I've decided in my fresh start I'm going to create my own version of perfection.

      I'm still branching out from my previous systems.  Today I spent some time working on a room by room task list.  I used my copy of Sidetracked Home Executives to make sure I didn't miss anything.  But decided not to list how often they should be done.  Deciding how often something should be done should be a process.  There are things you know your family needs done everyday.  So you should start with listing all your daily tasks.  Then decide how long they will take you and how long you are willing to work on these things on a given day.  Then you'll want to figure out when you'll get the rest of the tasks done (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually).  I plan to keep FlyLady's idea of a weekly home blessing, so that I can spend a few hours on one day instead of several.
      When doing this, if your really want your plan to work for you, you have to leave time for life.  You have to have time to take care of yourself and your family and just be with them.  Because deep down, that is what's most important.

      How do you keep track of what needs done?  Do you ever over-book yourself?

Pinterest Grows My Projects

      My new system became an even bigger project today.  Yep, I was on Pinterest again!  I'm going to be building myself a desk command center.  I'm going to use an old door as the back and build out from there.  I'll be adding a shelf to hold my binders, stapler and books.  Then adding a cup of some sort to hold pens, scissors and markers.  It will even give me a place to hang my clipboards and calendar.  And with adding the desk part, I'll have  a place to use all of it too.

      I got the door from my parents when they had theirs replaced.  I've been looking for an awesome way to repurpose it and making a new command center sounds perfect!  Now I've added a little more planning to this whole project, but that's usually one of my favorite parts!  Planning means you get to check out other people's awesome projects and put your own spin on things!

      Do you plan out your projects?  Or do you prefer to jump in head first?

The Beginnings of a New System

      Today I've been trying to brainstorm about what it is I really want from my new system.  What I am going to want to make it stick?  I've had a binder and a cardfile system, but they just didn't quite work for me...  So I spent some time looking around on Pinterest and rediscovered the idea of a Command Center.  You see, I know I need something that I will really want to use.  It's going to have to be functional and nice to look at.

      I looked through a few different people's versions, what all they included and how they used it.  Just so I could have a direction with mine.  "It has to work for me" has been the mantra of the day!  So here are just a few of the ideas I have come up with so far:

• Desk Calendar: To have a nice big space to list all appointments, birthdays, holidays and bill due dates with amounts.
• ClipBoards:  Right now I'm thinking I need three.  To-Do (five sheets: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seasonally, Annually), TJ's Chores ( the first two used with printed lists inside sheet protectors to be marked off with dry erase markers ) and then one for a running shopping list.  
• Recipe Binder:  For all the new recipes I've found online and printed, instead of having to search through my enormous Pinterest every time!
• Personal Management Binder:  I really did like parts of FlyLady's Control Journal.  Other than not wanting to call it a control journal... In this binder I will have divided sections for:     Cleaning Recipes (laundry soap, all purpose cleaner, floor cleaner, homemade clorox wipes, etc) , Menu Planning ( Menu Planning Sheets, list of new recipes to try), Blogging/Writing (Future blog topics & ideas), Birthdays/Holidays ( Any party plans, or gift ideas, etc), Finances (Three hole punched manilla envelope to hold bills, monthly budget), Projects (a place to compile project ideas and plans)
• Coupon Binder:  Near the shopping list  

      Those are my ideas so far.  I'm sure I'll be tweaking the plan over the next couple days as I see how I can put things together and get started on actually putting these ideas into reality.  Thank you Crystal  ( http://crystaltouchton.com/consistency-in-business-challenge-day-4/   )  for the clipboard idea!  It's brilliant!

      Do you have a command center for your family?

My Previous Methods of the unCHAOS Process

      Today I thought I'd discuss what I've tried in the past.  Have you ever heard the term CHAOS?  (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)  Well I first discovered this acronym on FlyLady's website:  (  flylady.net  ) and I knew instantly that's how I felt.  That was just a little over three years ago.  I was pregnant with Lexton and had Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  Basically I would vomit about every half hour, and continued to do so for the first half of my pregnancy.  Everything was a mess, I couldn't get any sleep and couldn't get anything done.  It was horrible.  I tried everything to calm my tummy down and get back to doing the things I needed to.  That's where FlyLady helped me.  With her system everything is broken down into teeny tiny baby steps, bite size morsels of things to get done.  Which at that time, was exactly what I needed.  And I absolutely love the idea of a control journal.   But then, I stopped feeling as sick.  I finally got to sleep at night and during TJ's naps and I just felt better.  So then her system, felt a little too broken down for me.  I felt like I needed more, to be able to do more without feeling like I was skimming her system instead of following it.  So I stopped.  And then Lexton was born and I had CHAOS again.

      A few weeks later I had everything under control, and kept it that way for a while, but then we moved, then moved again, and then again (within just a few months... Yeah I should have been a Gypsy!)  And my system fell apart.  We were in a new house and I was overwhelmed with boxes that needed put away, when I didn't have enough room to put them away.  I eventually did get it all done, and then I found out I was pregnant with Cullen, and then I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and went into preterm labor at 22 weeks.  So I was put on bedrest, for the next 14 weeks I wasn't allowed to be out of bed any more than I had to be.  Tommy would bring the boys in on the bed, so I could read to them and cuddle before they went to bed.

       Once Cullen was born, I decided I needed a new system, I knew I wouldn't stick with FlyLady and felt I needed something more.  That's when I discovered the Slob Sisters.  ( Pam Young and Peggy Jones     shesintouch.com   )  I ordered their book off Amazon (Sidetracked Home Executives), and the day it arrived read it cover to cover in less than an hour!  Their book lets you know you really aren't alone!  They use a cardfile system, which worked for me for a little while, and it was nice to have everything in one central compact place.  And it was also really great of them to have outlined task lists in the back of the book so when making your own you run less of a chance of forgetting anything.  But for me, having a whole bunch of little index cards staring at me to get them done, was overwhelming.  How on earth could I ever get it all done?!

      So although I have used and loved both of these systems, I couldn't seem to put them to use in the long run as circumstances changed.  So my new plan is to take a little from what I learned from each of them, and coming up with my own personal management system.

      Do you have a system you use to manage your home?

Fresh Start: Starting at the Beginning

      I've decided to give myself a fresh start.  I feel in order to do that I need to start at the beginning: determine what has went wrong in the past, decide how I will do things differently, and most importantly I need to just let it all go.  I need to let go of feeling guilty for being overwhelmed with everything when we found out Lexton is Autistic.  Let go of feeling guilty about falling behind, and let go of wanting a perfection that doesn't exist.

      My problem in the past is that I create half a plan, then jump in headfirst to get as far into that plan as I can.  Then come to a crashing stop when I realize I took on way more than I could handle all at once.  So this time, I'm starting fresh.  I'm going to develop an entirely new plan.  And really thinking about the goals I want to set to be sure they're realistic.
   
      Does anybody honestly dust everything in their house once a week?  I'm talking every knick knack, every picture, the baseboards, trim the whole nine yards?  If you do, please take a moment to pat yourself on the back!  Because although before I gave myself this fresh start, I thought it should be done.  I don't know why, but I did.  But sitting here right now, I can honestly tell you, it is NOT going to happen around here.  It's just not possible.

      So that's where I'm at, setting goals that I know I can achieve, and making a list of ideas to reach them.  I know I need a schedule, with a prioritized list.  So I'm starting there.

      Do you have a homemaking schedule?  How do you stay organized?

It's been a while...

      Well...  I have fallen off the blogging wagon...  Actually I have honestly fallen off the almost everything wagon.  As a family we have had a ton going on these past few months...  We've moved into a house almost double the size of our old one, that needs a lot of work, My husband has switched jobs, I lost my grandpa, our oldest, TJ started online Kindergarten this year, our youngest, Cullen started walking and is into EVERYTHING, and our middle son, Lexton has been diagnosed with Severe Autism Spectrum Disorder with accompanying Language Impairment (He's completely non-verbal)and Developmental Coordination Disorder.  So now our weekly schedule includes Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies as well as Lexton having two days of Early Intervention Preschool.  

       In all of that I have managed to fall behind on everything! My house, on most days looks like a tornado went through it.  I haven't had laundry all completely washed, dried and all put away since we've lived here.  (We moved in May).  I even still have a few boxes that I haven't unpacked.  On top of that, since I haven't couponed in months, my stockpile has dwindled down to next to nothing!  I've even paid full price for items that I know I shouldn't have.  
     
      So here I am... Sitting at the dining room/classroom table (I gave up my desk for TJ to have for his school computer) writing on the off chance that someone might be reading and feeling the same way I do right now, which honestly is a little overwhelmed.  But I am determined to get back on track!  I want to get back to my happy peace.  I'm done with letting life control me!  I know it's going to be a process figuring out a system that's going to work for me in this stage of my life, now that everything has so drastically changed.  But it's time to get back to basics... So, fresh start here I come!
      Anyone else on board?

10-27 Coupon Preview via sundaycouponpreview.com

10-27 RedPlum Coupon Preview
Redplum

Sunday Coupon Preview
Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!
(x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes

Advil $1/1 film coated tablets or caplets 20ct+ (12/31)
Comfeez $1/1 bath tissue or paper towels (11/30)
Degree $1/1 men’s base product (11/24) ETS
Degree $3/2 women’s motionsense or 1 clinical product (11/24) ETS
Dove Men+Care $1/1 2.7oz antiperspirant or 3oz deodorant (11/24) ETS
Dunkin Donuts $1.50/2 11oz+ coffee bags (12/31)
Fiora $.50/1 bath tissue or paper towels (11/30)
L’Oreal $1/1 Paris eye product (12/21)
L’Oreal $1/1 Studio Line styling product (12/21)
L’Oreal $2/1 Advanced Haircare shampoo or conditioner excludes 1.7oz (12/21)
L’Oreal $3/1 Advanced Haircare treatment or family size 25.4oz shampoo or conditioner excludes 1.7oz trial size (12/21)
L’Oreal $3/1 Voluminous Million Lashes Excess mascara (12/21)
M&M’s $1/1 chocolate candies 9.9oz+ (12/8) DND 
Nescafe $.50/1 Taster’s Choice single serve stick pack carton (12/22)
Nescafe $1.50/1 Taster’s Choice coffee canister 7oz+ (12/22)
Nicorette $10/1 mini lozenge 81ct+, lozenge 72ct+, NicoDerm CQ 14ct+ or gum 100ct+ (12/8)
Nivea $2/1 body lotion 6.8-21oz (11/23)
Nivea $3/2 lip care products .59oz tin, .17oz stick or .3oz tube (11/10)
Nivea Men $2/1 body lotion 16.9oz+ (11/23)
Nivea Men $2/1 face care product .33-5oz excludes shave gels or foams (11/9)
Nivea Men $2/2 shaving products 7-8.7oz (11/9)
Purely Inspired $2/1 product (1/27)
Purina $1/2 dog snacks (1/27)
Purina $2/1 4lb+ Dog Chow, Puppy Chow, Active Senior 7+, Little Bites, Dog Chow Light & Healthy or Healthy Morsels (1/26)
Purina ALPO $1.25/10 single cans dog food (12/9)
Purina ALPO $2/1 8ct+ variety pack dog food (12/9)
Purina Be Happy $1/1 cat food (1/27)
Purina Be Happy $1/1 dog food (1/27)
Purina Beneful $2/1 6lb+ dry dog food (12/8) TARGET COUPON
Purina Chow $1/1 3.15lb+ dog or cat chow dry food (12/8) TARGET COUPON
Purina Fancy Feast $1/18 Elegant Medleys or Mornings (12/27)
Purina Friskies/Lickin’s $1/2 cat treats (1/27)
Purina One $1.50 both 1 dry cat food bag AND 2 3oz wet cat food cans (1/27)
Purina One $2/1 3.5lb+ One or Beyond dry cat or dog food (12/8) TARGET COUPON
Purina Tidy Cats $1/1 14lb+ cat litter excludes Lightweight 24/7 Performance (1/19)
Purina Tidy Cats $2/1 Pure Nature cat litter (1/19)
Rimmel London $1/1 face, lip or nail product (12/31)
Rimmel London $1/1 lip product (12/31)
Rolaids $1/1 liquid bottle 12oz+ (1/4)
Rolaids $1/1 tablet bottle 72ct+ (1/4)
Sarna $2/1 anti-itch lotion (12/31)
Sensodyne $.50/1 ProNamel toothbrush (12/22)
Sensodyne $1/1 ProNamel fluoride rinse (12/22)
Superpretzel $1/1 product (11/22)
Tide $1/1 3ct+ machine cleaner or 4ct+ to go stain eraser (11/22) TARGET COUPON
Tide/Downy/Bounce $.50/1 Tide boost duo pacs, Tide detergent, Downy Unstopables, Downy softener, Bounce dyer bar or Bounce sheets excludes 34ct Bounce sheets, Tide Pods and trial size (11/22) TARGET COUPON
Tide/Downy/Bounce $1.50/2 Tide boost duo pacs, Tide detergent, Downy Unstopables, Downy softener, Bounce dyer bar or Bounce sheets excludes 34ct Bounce sheets, Tide Pods and trial size (11/22) TARGET COUPON
Tide/Downy/Bounce $3/3 Tide boost duo pacs, Tide detergent, Downy Unstopables, Downy softener, Bounce dyer bar or Bounce sheets excludes 34ct Bounce sheets, Tide Pods and trial size (11/22) TARGET COUPON
Weight Watchers $.50/1 Smart Ones frozen oatmeal (12/8) DND
Weight Watchers $1/5 Smart Ones frozen products (12/8) DND


10-27 P&G Coupon Insert Preview

Sunday Coupon Preview
Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!
(x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes

P&G Insert Coupons (Expire 11/30/13 unless noted) Most Coupons will be ETS.

Always $.50/1 pad or feminine cleansing product
Always $.50/1 pantiliner 30ct+
Always $1/1 Radiant or Infinity pads
Bounty $.25/1 towels or napkins
Cascade $.50/1 product
Charmin $.25/1 product
Clairol $5/2 hair color boxes
Covergirl $1.50/1 product
Covergirl $3/2 nail products
Covergirl $4/2 eye products
Crest/Oral-B $.50/1 Crest toothpastes 4oz+, Crest Rinses 458mL+, Oral-B Glide flosses 35M or Glide floss picks 30ct+
Crest/Oral-B $1/2 Crest toothpastes 4oz+, Crest Rinses 458mL+, Oral-B Glide flosses 35M or Glide floss picks 30ct+
Crest/Oral-B $2/3 Crest toothpastes 4oz+, Crest Rinses 458mL+, Oral-B Glide flosses 35M or Glide floss picks 30ct+
Dawn $.25/1 product 
Dayquil/NyQuil $1/1 Severe product
Duracell $.50/1 CopperTop, Quantum, Ultra Photo Lithium or specialty batteries
Duracell $.50/1 rechargeable batteries, charge or 6pk+ hearing aid batteries
Febreze $1/1 air effects
Febreze $1/1 candle
Febreze $1/1 car vent clip
Febreze $1/1 fabric refresher
Febreze $1/1 NOTICEables refill
Febreze $1/1 Set & Refresh or Stick & Refresh
Febreze $2/1 Home Collection candle or scented oil and wood diffuser excludes wax melts and two-piece electric wax warmer
Febreze $2/1 NOTICEables warmer pack
Gillette $1/1 product excludes foamy shave gel
Gillette $3/2 products Limit ONE shave gel/prep, body wash or antiperspirant/deodorant excludes foamy shave cream
Gillette $6/3 products Limit ONE shave gel/prep, body wash or antiperspirant/deodorant excludes foamy shave cream
Head & Shoulders $1/1 product excludes 1.7oz
Iams $1/1 dry dog or cat food
Iams B2G1 free wet dog or cat food up to $1.99
Luvs $1/2 bags or 1 box diapers
Metamucil $1/1 product
Olay $1/1 body wash, bar soap 4ct+ or in-shower body lotion
Olay $2/1 Regenerist or Total Effects facial moisturizer
Olay $3/1 facial hair removal product
Olay $3/2 facial moisturizers or cleaners excludes Pro-X, Regenerist, Total Effects, Age Defying
Oral-B $.50/1 Pulsar, 3D White, Pro-Health or Complete toothbrushes
Oral-B $1/2 Pulsar, 3D White, Pro-Health or Complete toothbrushes
Oral-B $2/3 Pulsar, 3D White, Pro-Health or Complete toothbrushes
Pampers $3/1 both 1 diapers or pants AND 1 wipes 56ct+
Pantene $.50/1 products
Pantene $1.50/2 products
Pantene $3/3 products
Prilosec OTC $1/1 product
Puffs $.25/3 singles or 1 3pk+
Puffs $.50/1 Fresh Faces 15ct or 45ct product
Scope $1.50/1 mouthwash 750mL+
Secret $1/1 Outlast or Scent Expressions excludes .5oz
Secret $2/1 Clinical excludes .5oz
Tampax $.50/1 16ct+ product
Tampax $1/1 Pearl or Radiant tampon or Pearl liner 16ct+
Tide $2/1 boost 18-37ct duo pac
Tide $2/1 detergent excludes PODS
Tide/Downy $3/2 detergents, washing machine cleaner or Downy excludes PODS
Tide/Downy/Bounce $.75/1 washing machine cleaner, Tide boost, Downy or Bounce excludes PODS
Vicks $1/1 product excludes VapoDrops and Zzzquil
ZzzQuil $1/1 product


10-27 Smartsource Coupon Preview

Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!
(/X) after coupon = expiration date
() before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes
DND5 = coupon states Do Not Double, but barcode starts w/a 5

Better Than Bouillon $.75/1 product (12/31)
BIC $2/1 3-8ct Soleil disposable razor pack (11/24)
BIC $2/1 men’s Flex 4 3ct or Hybrid Advance 3 6ct (11/24)
Boudreaux’s $1/1 2 or 3oz Butt Paste product (11/30)
Boudreaux’s $2/1 4 or 16oz Butt Paste product (11/30)
Boudreaux’s $2/1 Butt Paste diaper duty decision kit (12/31)
Buddig $1/5 2oz original or cracker snackers packages (1/31)
Buddig $2/2 original, deli cuts or premium deli items 8oz+ (1/31)
Chex Mix $.50/2 4.5oz+ (12/21)
Chock full o’Nuts $1/1 package (11/30)
Clear Care $1.50/1 cleaning & disinfection solution 12oz+ (12/31)
Colgate $.50/1 toothpaste 4oz+ (11/9)
Colgate $2/1 powered toothbrush (11/16) 
Dove Buy shampoo, get 12oz hair conditioner free up to $5 excludes trial and M+C (11/10)
Energizer $.50/1 batteries or flashlight (12/7)
Green Giant $.60/3 Seasoned Steamers or Valley Fresh Steamers frozen vegetables 11 or 12oz only (1/18)
Hills Bros $1/1 coffee (12/31)
Kauai Coffee $2/1 10oz bag (11/30)
Kleenex $.75/3 50ct+ or 1 bundle pack (12/7) ETS
Kotex $.50/1 U product (12/7) ETS
Kotex $1/2 Natural Balance Lightdays liners excludes 14-22ct (12/7)
Kotex $1/2 Natural Balance security tampons (12/7) ETS
Kotex $2/2 Natural Balance pads (12/7) ETS
LA Looks $.75/1 20 or 26oz product (12/31) DND
L’il Critters $1/1 gummy vitamins (1/31)
Midnite $1/1 product (12/31)
MJB $.75/1 coffee (12/15)
Nature Valley/Fiber One $.50/2 NV granola bars 5ct+, NV granola thins, NV soft-baked oatmeal squares, FO chewy bars or FB 90 calorie product (12/21)
Old Wisconsin $1/1 snack bite, snack stick or summer sausage item 4oz+ (1/31)
Opti-Free $1.50/1 10oz product (12/31)
Opti-Free $3/1 twin pack (12/31)
Revlon $1/1 color cosmetic (12/1)
Rips $1/2 bite-size licorice 4oz+ (1/31)
Scrubbing Bubbles $.75/1 foaming disinfectant bathroom cleaner (12/1)
Shore Lunch $.50/1 soup mix product (12/31)
Southeastern Mills $.50/2 gravy mix products (12/31)
Vitafusion $1/1 gummy vitamins (1/31)
Zegerid OTC $3/1 14ct (12/1)
Zegerid OTC $8/1 42ct (11/10)

My 10-18 Haul from Walgreens & CVS. Total Saved: $100.00!!!

          This is my haul from today, two stores: CVS and Walgreens.  I did four separate transactions.  Total out of pocket costs:  $42.42.  My total Savings:  $100.00.

Walgreens

          Two Right Guard Extreme Deodorant $4.19ea on sale BOGO

          Two 4ct Advil PM on sale $1.00

          Scott Paper Towels 6ct on sale $4.49

Use:

          $1.00/1 (in-store) Scott Q

          75¢/1 Scott Q

          Two $1.50/1 Right Guard Q

          Two $1.00/1 Advil PM Q

          

          Total Out of Pocket:  $4.65

          Total Saved:  $12.42

CVS #1

          Two Advil Cold and Sinus 20ct on sale $4.95ea (+$3.00ECBs when you buy two)

Use:

          Two $3.00/1 Advil Cold/Congestion Q

          Total Out of Pocket:  $4.57  (+$3.00ECBs)

          Total Saved  $12.08

CVS #2

          Two Ricola on sale $1.50ea

          Two Breathe Right Strips 10ct on sale $3.99ea (+$2ECBs each =$4.00ECBs)

          Two Advil Congestion on sale $4.95ea (+$3.00ECBs when you buy two)

          Bic Soleil Shave and Trim $7.99 on sale BOGO50%

          Bic Soleil 4pk $3.99 (BOGO50% price)

          Two Revlon Nail-Clippers on sale $2.85ea (+$5.00ECBs when you buy two)

Use:

          $1.50/2 Ricola Q

          Two $1.50/1 Breathe Right Q

          Two $3.00/1 Advil Cold/Congestion Q

          $2.00/1 Bic Shave & Trim Q

          $2.00/1 Bic Disposable  Q

          $1.50/$6.00 Cold Medicine CVS Q

          $3.00ECBs

          $2.00 ECBs

          25% off CVS Q  ($1.44)

          

          Total Out of Pocket:  $22.67  (+$12.00ECBs)

          Total Saved:  $35.50

CVS #3

          Four Huggies Little Movers $9.49ea (Spend $30.00 get +$10.00 ECBs)

Used:

          Four $2.00/1 Huggies Little Movers/Snugglers Q

          $5.00 ECBs

          $10.00 ECBs

          $4.00 ECBs

          $3.00 ECBs

          Total Out of Pocket:  $10.53  (+$10.00ECBs)

          Total Saved:  $40.00

Tip of the Day: Cleaning Windows and Mirrors

          If you are a couponer like me, you love saving money whenever you can.  And you recycle or throw out at least one newspaper each week.  But what if you could re-purpose said newspaper before throwing it out?  I'm here to tell you that you can!  And this little trick will save you on your paper towel budget, especially over a period of time.

          Rather than toss out your newspaper on Sunday evening, take the main pages, crumple them a little bit and use them with your normal window cleaner ( ie Windex) to clean your mirrors and windows.  Even after re-purposing them you can still put them in the recycle bin or trash!

Tip of the Day: Better Popcorn

          I have absolutely no idea why this works, but it does and I have been doing it for years.  Any time you are making microwave popcorn, before you put it into the microwave, place a mug of water in and set for 1-2 minutes.
     
          The extra moisture this puts in the microwave makes the popcorn taste better, and more of the kernels pop!  Such a simple trick!

Local Coupon Match-Ups 10/13-10/19

CVS

• Tide $5.94 use $2.00/1Q
• Scott 6pk Paper Towels $5.49 use 75¢/1Q (Spend $30.00 get +$10ECBs)
• Scott Toilet Paper $7.44 use $1.00/1Q or 75¢/1Q (Spend $30.00 get +$10ECBs)
• Palmolive 99¢ use 50¢/1Q (Spend $30.00 get +$10ECBs)
• Huggies $9.49 use $2.00/1Q or $1.50/1Q (Spend $30.00 get +$10ECBs)
• Kleenex 3/$4.00 use 50¢/3Q (Spend $30.00 get +$10ECBs)
• Hefty Trash Bags (Spend $15.00 get +$5ECBs)
• Wisk $4.99 use $1.00/1Q
• Snuggle $4.99 use 50¢/1Q
• Pantene 2/$7.00 use BOGOQ or $3.00/1Q
• VO5 79¢ use $1.00/4Q
• Garnier Shampoo & Conditioner $2.99 use $1.50/1Q
• Garnier Dye $6.99 use $2.00/1Q
• Clearasil BOGO50% use $1.00/1Q
• Bic Disposable Razors BOGO50% use $2.00/1Q
• Cottonelle 18pk $7.99 50¢/1Q (Spend $30.00 get +$10ECBs)
• Huggies Wipes $2.99 use 50¢/1Q (Spend $30.00 get +$10ECBs)
• Ricola 2/$3.00 use $1.50/2Q
• Advil Congestion or Cold & Sinus $4.95 use $3.00/1Q
• Breathe Right Strips $3.99 use $1.50/1Q (Get +$2ECBs)
• Dayquil & Nyquil 2/$15.00 use $3.00/2Q (Get +$3ECBs)

Rite Aid

• Charmin 12-16pk $6.94 use $1.00/1Q or 25¢/1Q
• Bounty 8pk $6.94 use 25¢/1Q
• Venus BOGO50% use $2.00/1Q or $1.00/1Q or $3.00/2Q
• Herbal Essences Body Wash BOGO50% use 75¢/1Q
• Mitchum Deodorant $1.99 use $1.00/1Q
• Gillette Disposables $7.49 use $2.00/1Q or $3.00/1Q
• Downy $3.99 use $1.00/1Q or $5.00/3Q

Walgreens

• Scott Paper Towels $4.49 use $1.00/1(in-store)Q & 75¢/1Q
• Scott Toilet Paper $7.49 use $2.00/1(in-store)Q & $1.00/1Q or 75¢/1Q
• Right Guard Deodorant BOGO use $1.50/1Q
• Advil PM 4ct $1.00 use $1.00/1Q
• Viva Paper Towels $5.49 use $1.00/1Q

Dollar General

• Zest Body Wash $2.75 use $1.00/1Q
• Zest Bar Soap $2.75 use 50¢/1Q

Family Dollar

• Angel Soft Toilet Paper $5.50 use $1.50/1(in-ad)Q
• Caress Body Wash $2.50 use $2.00/1Q
• Febreeze Air Effects $2.48 use $1.00/1Q

Kroger

• Butterfingers Funsize $1.98 use $1.00/2Q
• Snickers Funsize $1.98 use $1.50/3Q
• General Mills Cereals $1.99 use $1.00/3Q
• Hamburger Helper 10/$10.00 use 75¢/3Q
• Progresso Soup 8/$10.00 use 50¢/2Q
• Armour Lunchmakers 10/$10.00 use 50¢/3Q
• Charmin $6.99 use 25¢/1Q
• Quaker Chewy Bars 2/$4.00 use $1.00/2Q
• Totinos Pizza Rolls 2/$6.00 use 40¢/2Q
• Dawn Dish Soap 9oz 4/$5.00 use 50¢/1Q or 25¢/1Q
• Colgate Toothpaste 10/$10.00 use 50¢/1Q

Meijer

• Mrs. T's Pierogies 3/$6.00 use $1.50/3Q
• Tombstone Pizzas 3/$10.00 use $1.00/3Q
• Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner 3/$5.00 use 50¢/2Q
• Lysol Wipes 35ct 3/$5.00 use 50¢/2Q
• Gain Laundry Detergent $4.99 use $2.00/2Q
• Beggin' Strips 2/$5.00 use $1.00/1Q

Walmart

• Suave Professionals Shampoo & Conditioner $2.88 use $1.50/1Q

Tip of the Day: New Use for Bread

          Did you know that bread can be used to put moisture back into anything that is drying out?  If your cookies or brown sugar are getting a little hard; add a slice of bread to the sandwich bag or Tupperware bowl that you are keeping them in.  Seal back up and the next day the moisture will be back!  This is something so simple that will save you money because you won't have to throw them out and just buy new!

          Do you have any odd uses for bread?

Tip of the Day: Cleaning the Microwave.

          I love vinegar!  It has so many great uses.  Today's use involves my husband's mess in the microwave.  He never puts a cover over anything, half that time I'm lucky if he even uses a plate under his food.  It gets a little frustrating scrubbing the microwave out all the time...  Especially when he's managed to melt cheese onto the rotating plate.  But, I have found the answer!


          Vinegar!  Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 1/2 cup water.  Microwave on high for about 5-6 minutes.  Everything will wipe right out!  It's super inexpensive, there are no harsh chemicals, and it works perfectly!


          What is something unusual that you do, that makes life easier?

10-13 Coupon Preview via Sundaycouponpreview.com

10-13 RedPlum Coupon Preview
Redplum

Sunday Coupon Preview
Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!
(x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes

abreva $3/1 2g pump or tube (12/31)
Advil $1/1 children’s product (1/11)
Advil $1/1 Congestion Relief, Allergy & Congestion Relief, Cold & Sinus or Allergy Sinus product (12/29)
Advil $1/1 PM product (12/12)
Advil $1/1 regular, film coated or migraine 20ct+ (12/12)
Advil $3/1 Congestion Relief, Allergy & Congestion Relief, Cold & Sinus or Allergy Sinus product (10/27)
Aquafresh $.50/1 toothpaste 6oz+ (11/24)
Aquafresh $1/1 Extreme Clean, Advanced or Sensitive toothpaste 5.6oz+ (11/24)
Caltrate $2/1 product (12/15)
Caress $2/1 6 bar+ pack or body wash 12oz+ (11/10) ETS
Centrum $2/1 Flavor Burst multivitamin (11/30)
Centrum $3/1 regular or Silver multivitamin 65ct+ or Specialist (11/30)
Cheer $2/1 (11/30) ETS
Dimetapp $1/1 children’s product (11/10)
Dove $3/2 go sleeveless, go fresh or ClearTone or 1 Clinical Protection excludes trial size, multipacks and M+C (11/10) 
Era $.50/1 25oz+ (11/30) ETS
Gain $1/1 detergent or fabric enhancer (11/30) ETS
Gain $2/2 detergent or fabric enhancer (11/30) ETS
Garnier Nutrisse $2/1 haircolor box (12/7)
Gillette $1/1 female disposable (11/30) ETS
Gillette $1/1 male disposable (11/30) ETS
Gillette $3/2 female disposables (11/30) ETS
Gillette $3/2 male disposables (11/30) ETS
Morton $1/2 25, 40, 50 or 60lb System Saver 2 pellets (2/28)
Nestle/Wonka $1/2 halloween candy fun size bags 9.2oz+ (10/31)
Starkist $1/2 tuna creations pouch products (12/8)
Starkist $1/4 tuna pouch products (12/8)
Swiffer $1/1 Bissell Steamboost refill (11/30) ETS
Swiffer $5/1 Bissell Steamboost starter kit (10/27) ETS
ThermaCare $1/1 cold wrap 1ct or heatwrap 2ct+ (1/12)
ThermaCare $3/1 cold wrap 1ct (10/20)
Tide/Downy/Gain $.50/1 Tide PODS, Downy Unstopables or Gain Fireworks (11/30) ETS
Tide/Downy/Gain $1.50/2 Tide PODS, Downy Unstopables or Gain Fireworks (11/30) ETS
Tums $1/1 Chewy Delights Very Cherry or Smooth Peppermint 32ct (12/1)
Tums $1/1 Freshers Cool Mint or Spearmint 50ct (12/1)

10-13 Smartsource Coupon Preview

Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!
(/X) after coupon = expiration date
() before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes
DND5 = coupon states Do Not Double, but barcode starts w/a 5

Benefiber $1/1 product (12/31)
Blue Diamond $.55/1 chilled or shelf stable Almond Breeze almond milk (12/13)
Blue Diamond $.75/2 almonds 4oz+ bags (12/13)
Blue Diamond $.75/2 Nut Thins 4.25oz packages (12/13)
Campbell’s $.50/1 homestyle soup (12/8)
Clearasil $1/1 product (11/24)
Colgate $.50/1 toothpaste 4oz+ (10/26)
Colgate $1/1 mouthwash 8oz+ (11/9)
Cottonelle $.50/2 toilet paper 4pks or 1 9pk+ (11/16)
Cottonelle $1/1 upright dispenser (11/16)
Excedrin $1.50/1 100ct+ product (11/30)
Excedrin $1/1 24ct+ product (11/30)
Garnier Fructis $1.50/1 shampoo, conditioner or treatment (11/23) ETS
Gas-X $1.25/1 product (12/31)
Glade $1.50/2 Automatic Spray refills (11/2)
Glade $1/1 PlugIns Scented Oil twin refill or 2 single refills (11/2)
Glade $1/1 Sense & Spray product (11/2)
Glade $1/2 4oz jar candles, Scented Oil candles or Wax Melts products (11/2) 
Hormel $1/2 Rev wraps (12/9)
Kellogg’s $1/1 To Go breakfast shake or mix (1/31) TARGET COUPON
Keri $2/1 lotion (1/31)
Lavazza $2/1 product (12/31)
Lavazza $3/2 products (12/31)
Lysol $.50/1 disinfectant spray 12.5oz+ (11/12)
Lysol $.50/2 disinfecting wipes 35ct+ (11/12)
Lysol $.50/2 toilet bowl cleaners (11/12)
Lysol $2/1 No-Touch hand soap system starter kit (11/12)
Nudges $.75/1 bag (11/30)
Phillips Sonicare $15/1 Airfloss (11/30)
Phillips Sonicare $20/1 DiamondClean, FlexCare Platinum or FlexCare+ rechargeable toothbrush (11/30)
Phillips Sonicare $4/1 product excludes PowerUp models (11/30)
Pillsbury $.40/2 crescent dinner rolls excludes twin pack (1/4)
Pillsbury $.40/2 refrigerated breadsticks, loaves or dinner rolls (1/4)
Prevacid 24HR $2/1 product (12/31)
Prevacid 24HR/Gas-X/Benefiber $10/3 products (12/31)
Prevacid 24HR/Gas-X/Benefiber $5/2 products (12/31)
Progresso $.50/1 Recipe Starters cooking sauce (12/7)
Refresh $3/2 products (12/31)
Refresh $4/1 Optive Advanced product (11/15)
Revlon $1/1 color cosmetic (11/24)
Ricola $1.50/2 cough drop bags (11/13)
Scotch-Brite $1/1 lint roller (11/23)
Scott $.75/6+ towels rolls (11/24)
Scott $.75/8+ bath tissue rolls (11/24)
Scott Naturals $.50/1 flushable cleansing cloths (11/24)
Similac $5/2 22oz+ SimplePacs (12/31)
Smart Balance $1/2 buttery spreads (11/27)
Smart Balance $1/2 light buttery spreads (11/27)
Sunsweet $1/1 juice (12/31) DND
Tasteful Selections $.75/1 product (4/30)
Tombstone $1/3 large pizzas (10/31)
Tombstone $1/3 large pizzas (11/30)
Tree Top $.60/1 product (11/27)
Twizzlers/Jolly Rancher $1/2 snack size bags 9oz+ (10/31)
Tyson $.75/1 bagged breaded chicken strips (1/13)
Tyson $1/1 Any’tizers snacks excluding bone-in wings (1/13)
Viva $.50/1 on-the-go napkins (11/24)
Viva $1/1 6pk+ paper towels (11/24)
Wisk $1/1 45oz/24ct+ detergent product (11/24)
Yoplait $.75/2 Go-Gurt, Kids Cup or Trix multipack yogurt (12/7) (2 coupons)
Zest $.50/1 3-bar+ (11/30)
Zest $1/1 body wash (11/30)

Why and How I Meal Plan...

 
        


          Planning meals can save you a lot more money than you may think!  No more: "Oh no!  I forgot to thaw something", or "I couldn't decide, let's just order a pizza."  Or any restaurant for that matter.  It's always way more expensive than preparing a meal at home.  And when you make your food at home, you never have to worry about what's going into it.

          I try to plan our meals at least one week at a time, more if I know we have a lot going on.  That way I can just get up in the morning, look at my meal plan and get whatever I need to out of the freezer.  If I am feeling ambitious and I remember, I might even do it the night before.

         If you don't yet have a stockpile, your meal planning strategy will be a little different, and you will have to purchase a little more.  But just feel free to adjust this system to suit your family's needs.  This is just what works for my family, and I hope that this will give you an idea of how to go about starting this process and make meal planning a habit.

          Step One:  Get out a blank sheet of paper and write the dates for the next week down the left side.  I skip four lines between each day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert.

          Step Two:  Go to your freezer, fridge and pantry or cabinets.  Take stock of what you already have on hand and start with that.  Use everything you can for your meal plan for the week.  Then take a look at your local sales ads, choose things that are on sale for a great price and if you have coupons even better.  

          Step Three:  Make out your shopping list.  Be sure to include everything you need to prepare each meal on your plan.  As well as any snacks and beverages.  And be extra careful to make sure you include your basic staples, such as milk and butter, depending on your family's needs.  For example:  My family goes through about three gallons of milk per week.

           I try to only go to the store once a week.  You should also keep an easy emergency meal on hand.  This should be something that doesn't take a lot of effort or time.  My go-to favorite is french toast with sausage links or bacon.  I have a griddle, so I can usually make this in less than half hour, including having enough left over for my husband to have for lunch the next day.

           I make desserts at least once per week, usually more as it depends what I make as to how long it lasts.  For example:  A cake will last all week, whereas I'm lucky if cookies last two days.  

           It's important to include everything you plan to eat for the week.  Otherwise, not only will you not be able to stick to your meal plan, but you will also blow your budget.  In just a few short weeks, meal planning will be so easy and quick for you to do, plus you will start seeing how much you really can save.  Especially if you coupon too.  Remember you can change this to suit your family and lifestyle.

           Have a great day!  Happy Menu Planning, and as always Happy Couponing!

My Binder and How I Use It

          I LOVE my binder!  I believe I have a great system and it works very well for me.  My binder is a two-inch three ringed zippered binder, with a strap so you can carry it like a messenger bag.  Since I have been using this system; I can always find the coupons I am looking for, I always know before a coupon is going to expire and by the time I make it to the checkout; all of my coupons I am using for that store are together and very accessible.
          The front of my binder has a zipper.  This is where I keep all of my store loyalty cards.  This is also where I tend to stash my receipts for the day until I get home to file them.

          The next section is a Velcro flap that holds my pens, highlighters, dry-erase markers, and a small pair of scissors for coupon clipping on the go.  

          Inside the binder I have a zippered pencil case, sheet protectors with label tabs for each section, and of course the baseball card sleeves.

          My tabs/dividers in order are:

• Oral Care
• Deodorant & Shaving
• Personal Care
• Paper Products
• Cleaning
• Household
• Health & First Aid
• Beauty
• Boys (Kids/Baby)
• Pets
• Office
• Produce
• Condiments & Seasonings
• Beverages
• Canned & Jarred 
• Baking & Breads
• Breakfast
• Dairy
• Meats
• Frozen
• Pasta/ Sides/ Boxed
• Snacks/ Candy
• Misc
• CVS
• Rite Aid
• Walgreens
• Meijer
• Walmart
• Kroger
• Dollar General
• Family Dollar
• Dollar Tree
• Restaurants

          Every Saturday, I go through each section of my binder and get out all my expired coupons.  This is made easier by always filing them with the soonest expiration date first.
          The next step, is clipping the new coupons and filing them in their category.  I then use my dry-erase marker to note how many of each coupon I have right on it's sleeve.
          Now it's super easy to go through and look at all my coupons while I am going through the sale ads.  When I find a match-up, I just make a "C" in the ad with my highlighter, and then use an ink pen to note how much my coupon is for.
          From my coupon match-ups I make my shopping list by store.  I also make note of how many of each coupon I will need for my transactions.  Now with my list I go through and pull the coupons I plan to use and file them under the appropriate tab in the back with the store name listed.  That way as I am going through the store I can move them to the zippered pouch for use at the checkout, and if they happen to be out of something and I get a raincheck I won't have to dig through all of them, it will just stay under that store's section for next time.
          Then it's just come home and put away all my wonderful stock additions...  And start all over again on Saturday.
          This is just my process, it works for me.  Feel free to tweak it to meet your own needs.  And you can always comment with any questions, or email me at: aturtleamouseandamonkeyohmy@gmail.com
          Have a great day!  And as always:  Happy Couponing!!!