The Joys Of A Good Deal

The last month (has it only been a month?) has involved a lot of dollar-stretching, and I'm a little bit tired of it. I've made some decisions about our money situation, and they are all GOOD decisions, and it is very frustrating to not have any money to be able to implement any of the plans.

Last night, The Princess gave me a run for the money behaviorally speaking. I had had enough! So I went shopping.

I'll be honest, I went out there with the plan to buy whatever I wanted, because I was tired of scrimping and saving, and gosh darn it, there was stuff that we needed!

But once I got to Albertson's, I had calmed down enough that I decided I was going to get some deals (some of which we didn't necessarily need but WILL use) and that I was going to get them for a steal!

So I started shopping. And 43 items later, I had spent a total of $28.62. The part that stinks is that when I got home, I found coupons worth $2.35 that I could've used. Oh well! I still got some amazing deals.

Here's the list:
2 gallons of 2% milk
16 oz. Daisy Sour Cream
2 dozen Eggland Eggs
10 Frozen Dinners (for The King's Lunch)
3 (32 oz) bottles of Formula 409
1 Bag of Flat Earth Veggie Crisps
9 boxes of cereal
3 (24.5 oz) bottles of mandarin oranges
2 (20 oz.) jars of Planters Peanuts
10 bags of frozen "Steam Fresh" vegetables

Pretty good, huh?

Then I went to Wal-Mart. And I spent a little more than I was hoping to, but it really was stuff that we were running low on or things that needed to be replaced. But I successfully managed to get out of the store without a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs or even a single Cadbury Egg. So I did REALLY good. :) There just weren't any amazing deals (but there rarely are any deals at Wal-Mart - they just have lower prices in general).

Now I have to go pay some bills!

Just Say No

That's the only warning I am giving you.

http://www.levelgame.net

Oh, Virginia

The Princess "gets" to be Teacher of the Day. Basically, she and an oh-so-lucky parent (not!) get to teacher her class for an hour. The good news is that it can be on whatever we want. The bad news is everything else.

I guess she has finally decided that we are going to teach the class about Virginia. I wish, wish, wish that we had started this project earlier... because then I could've begged all of my Virginia friends to go hit up all the tourism sites and get us maps, and free bumper stickers, and whatever else they could find.

Alas, our presentation is on Monday.

I am just not looking forward to this.

Top Ten Reasons Not To Get Behind Me In Line

10. I have OCD: Obsessive Coupon Disorder
9. I'm the crazy coupon lady you've heard about. Really.
8. I save $59.22 on a $60 order. I'm trying to beat my record.
7. If patience isn't your virtue, change lines.
6. I'm protected under the Right-to-Coupon Act.
5. "Price Check"
4. Five separate receipts should do it.
3. I may be slow, but my groceries are free.
2. I have coupons, and I know how to use them.
1. This hobby is paying for my next cruise!

Just thought this was funny... found it on the 'net.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love you all, so here's a "gift" for you...

Go to: http://www.yourgiftcards.com

They will send you a $50 Visa card when you complete one offer. I have friends who have done this successfully, but this is my first time.

The offer I chose was an "Entertainment" book for a total cost of $20, with free shipping. I have wanted to get one of these for a long time, but each year I keep saying, "No, we don't have the money for that." Well, I think that we will definitely get at least $20 use from it, so I decided to spend the money.

I purchased it last night, and my offer has already been "approved" so now I am printing out my certificate for my $50 Visa card. All I need to do now is mail it and wait a few weeks for them to send me my card.

Not a bad way to make $30 and get a free Entertainment book!

I fully acknowledge that there is some risk involved. However, I trust my friends who have been completing multiple offers and getting multiple rewards. Also, I think that $20 is a great deal for an Entertainment book, especially with free shipping! So, I am prepared to pay $20, and possibly not get my Visa card. But if they are honest, like my friends say they are, then I will come out WAY ahead in the long run.

Just thought I'd let you know of a way to get a great deal on some family fun, and possibly get an extra $30 too!

Spread the love...

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

The King has procured employment.

The royal coffers shall be filled once again.

There is much rejoicing in the Kingdom.

Valentine's Day Ideas

So, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Have you thought about how you are going to celebrate with your loved one? Are you a romantic? What plans do you have for this special day?

For me, it's all about the planning. I don't know that it really matters what gift you give, or what activities you choose to do during that day... for me, it's the thought that counts. That doesn't mean what you think it means - it just means that you actually put some thought into your "gift" before hand, rather than running to the store on your way home from work because you "have to get something". This is the person that you love that we're talking about - surely you can plan something, ANYTHING, a little bit ahead of time?

Mr. Romantic has done many wonderful things for me over the years, but the number one gift that TRULY stands out in my mind was the card that he gave me when we were dating. It said "Sometime, Someday, Somewhere, Someway..."

Consider writing a love letters to your special someone. Not many of us take the opportunity to tell those that mean the most to us, how loved they really are.

If you can't bring yourself to put your words on paper, perhaps you might consider covering the bed in rose petals.

The King and I haven't decided how we are celebrating Valentine's Day this year, but if the job situation doesn't turn around soon, I think we might have to settle for a cheap date!

Whatever you choose, remember that the important part of your celebration is each other. Sometimes, just being together is enough.

Business Talk

I haven't had time to post over the past couple of days because I was busy having fun at the Creative Memories Regional Convention here in Salt Lake City!

OH MY GOODNESS... there are so many exciting new products and changes taking place. I love it! I'm really glad that I have this wonderful business opportunity - I get to have so much fun! (And the discount isn't bad either...)... oh, and the money! I like being able to earn money. (Don't you?)

I had a great time learning some new business tips, seeing the new products, and bonding with my team. Everyone is so wonderfully supportive, it's a great group! I am glad I can count them as my friends.

So now I've got to get to work... because they announced where our trip is going to be for 2009 and I REALLY want to go. You can come too... if you're willing to work for it. Who's gonna come with me to DUBLIN, IRELAND!?!

Wowee! I am SO excited!

MORE Free Rice!

I've written about this before, but I'm still having a lot of fun with this site, so I thought I'd mention it again...

Help save the world and broaden your mind with FREE RICE!

Visit Free Rice

Test your vocabulary skills, and with every word that you get right, 20 grains of rice will be donated through the United Nations to help stop world hunger.

It's free for you, and lots of fun, and you'll be making a difference.

Give it a try!

Some Days Are Like That

Before it was even 7:00 AM I had proof that today was going to be a bad day.

I would like nothing better than to sit down and have a good long cry.

It's nothing that is REALLY that disastrous. I *AM* real-io, tru-lio, OK. No need to call or send in the troops... I'm fine.

It's just that sometimes all of the teeny-tiny little things add up. And it's frustrating.

Things that are wrong:

1. It is snowing. (You'll see why this is a problem in a minute.)

2. It's "that time of the month."

3. "My" (meaning the car that I typically drive) car won't start. At all.

4. The "paper organizer" I picked up from another consultant yesterday for one of my customers has the wrong lid.

5. The consultant lives about 45-minutes to 1-hour away - under GOOD driving conditions.

6. I really MUST deliver this paper organizer (with the right lid) to my customer TODAY.

7. The King's car (meaning the car that HE typically drives) does not have anti-lock brakes.

8. It's SNOWING. And it's supposed to turn to ice.

9. I am supposed to be on the road in 10-minutes to get The Dragon to school and I desperately need a shower but instead I am choosing to vent on my blog.

10. The doctors practice new math. Make sure your speakers are on, I think this song is funny (it takes a minute to start playing, and yes, I know it's "old"...)

Be Quiet! I'm On The Phone!

Today I was on the phone. All day.

OK, I admit it. It's not quite true. This morning I was in the car. All morning. This afternoon I was on the phone. All afternoon.

Today was exhausting.

Let's just say that my insurance company and my doctor's office have screwed up BIG TIME.

I *think* we are close to getting everything straightened out.

I now have permission not to pay them anything until I receive a new statement from them. I have been promised by THREE different people that they will waive any and all late and/or finance charges that may accrue before that blessed day arrives.

I won't go into all the details of everything that is wrong with our account because it WILL make your head hurt. Trust me. However, I will tell you this: Our insurance will not pay for flu shots unless we have a chronic disease or are over the age of 65. Since none of us have either of those problems, we need to pay $25 for each shot (a total of $100 for those of you who are math impaired). Pretty, simple right? Well, apparently the billing office is a fan of new math because here is what we are being billed:

The King - $25
The Queen - $5.36
The Princess - $0
The Dragon - $48

Now, it is very tempting to go with their calculations, because ultimately I will pay less. However, I know that they will get audited at some point and find this mistake, and I will be dealing with it when I am on my death bed. Plus, my conscious would never let me sleep again - I need to be billed (correctly and accurately) the $100, before I can return to normal life.

Save me!

Did You Miss Me?

I've been around, but haven't felt much like blogging. Still don't.

There really isn't that much to write about.

The King is still job hunting. The girls are still in school. I am still busy and not accomplishing much.

But my Mom's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Mom!

The end.

P.S. I have been reading YOUR blogs... but I haven't been posting there either. I'll get back to normal soon. :)