Have you ever complained...

Today I am pondering over a decision that I made yesterday regarding complaining about an employee at a local grocery store.

Here's the scenario: I purchased something that was suppose to be on sale. After looking at my receipt, I noticed that the item did not ring up correctly. I wheeled my full buggy back into the store and asked the person behind the desk if I could go and check the price. This person waved me away with a "sure".

Now, I do not know this person, but after shopping at this same store for a long time, I have come to cringe when I know that they are the person that I would need to get help from.

Back to the story...the sale sign on the aisle for the item had expired but had not been removed. I carefully looked at the price and the sale date and headed back up to the front desk. The person was happily chit-chatting with some other opposite sex employees. Their conversation did not stop. The person came to help me but was still more interested in the "who likes who" conversation.

I tried to explain to this person that the tag had not been removed from the shelf (thinking that I would get the difference since they should have removed the tag but not going to argue if I just needed to get my money back) and all this person said was "yeah, yeah, what do I owe you".
This person didn't want to see the receipt. This person didn't try to apologize or offer to make it any better in any way. But, the conversation of silliness continued even as they were handing me my money back.

Ok. So, I walk out of the store. I walk back in to get the name of the person. Of course, the silliness conversation was still going on so instead I asked a cashier that I recognized. The person behind the counter was not a manager, just someone who is able to work there. A manager was called and I explained the situation.

I walked out feeling good that I had stood up for myself and the lack service received. But then I started having second thoughts. Have you ever complained?

In Just A Minute...

As I was looking through the bloggy giveaways I came across the Extraordinary Mommy blog that had a post on it that has really stuck with me. It is about your child's imagination. I highly recommend that every Mommy go and check it out!

But, in finding this post, I thought that I would share with you something that I wrote several years ago for our MOPS group.

IN JUST A MINUTE

“In just a minute…” I have found myself saying this way to much lately. Mostly it has been to my daughter who is anxiously wanting my attention to show me an ant who is scurrying across our floor. It might be to feel that her watercolor painting is drying but if you touch the red paint it will still come off on your finger. It might be to watch a maple tree seed fly in the wind like a helicopter. “In just a minute…” has been my reply due to so many reasons both necessary and unnecessary. Maybe I am washing dishes or drying my hair. Maybe I am emailing a friend or watching the news. But I have learned that in just a minute, the moment is gone.

I find myself thinking that I have all the time in the world to watch my children grow-I am home with them all day. I find myself thinking that I will never forget the sweet, seemingly insignificant things that my children do everyday. Then, in just a minute, I suddenly realize that my child has moved on and I can’t remember exactly how or when they stopped doing those sweet things.

Life moves so fast, take time to cherish the MOPS years before they vanish in “just a minute”. Play in the wind, touch the red paint before it dries, lay on the floor and conspire about where that ant is really going. God has given us such special gifts in our children. In just a minute, they will be teenagers, adults, parents, and grandparents. Take time to enjoy them everyday and give them the blessing of your time. –Lori Lester

How about 'em apples?

I pack my hubby's lunch, not only to try to save money but to try to get him to eat healthy and keep from getting a headache (migraines can be induced from hunger for him...). One thing that he appreciates is a good, juicy, crunchy apple. The best that I have found are Fuji apples.

Last night, on a Kroger trip, I picked him up four apples-one for the rest of the week. The whopping total-$6.09! WHAT?!!! For that amount I could have gotten at least 18 candy bars, or two bags of really good cookies, or one star bucks coffee-but I am rambling.

It is hard to try to save alot when there are certain staples that just have to be had. Kinda like a good haircut!

Do you have any expensive staples?

Cereal Deals!

I needed, well maybe not needed, some cereal this week-especially since there was a pretty good deal going on at Kroger and I had some nice coupons.

I got 8 boxes of General Mills Cereal for $10.27 or $1.28 a box.

Here's what I got:

4 Boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch ($3.19 each)
2 Boxes of Cheerios ($3.79 & $2.79)
1 Box Kix ($2.59)
1 Box Trix ($2.79)

Total $24.72 before coupons/card/deal
Deal: $4 off total purchase when you buy 4 General Mills Cereal
(I used this deal twice-in two seperate transactions)
Card: $1.58 in savings
Coupons: (1) printable Cheerios coupon for 50 cents-doubled to $1
(2) $1.00 off any general mills cereal (from this post)
(1) $1.50 off any 3 general mills cereal-manuf. coupon
(1) $1.00 off any two cereals

Total Savings: $14.46!

Totally, glued to my computer, thanks to the bloggy giveaway carnival

Today started the annual Bloggy Giveaway Carnival. I have been totally glued to my computer since about 5:30 this morning looking at all of the incredible things that people are simply giving away! We are talking gift certificates to Starbucks, Target, Barnes and Noble, etc. There are also people giving away books and games and other items that they have made at home!

When I last checked, there were 383 sites to check out for giveaways. Can I just say that my mind is spinning? If you would like to check out what all of the fuss is about, go to this link. Good luck my dear friends and be prepared for your eyes to hurt!

We're going to get arrested!

Yesterday I had the enjoyment of taking my mother-in-law into Kroger with me. I was armed with coupons, including one for the Brita water filter. I really enjoy my mother-in-law's visit, particularly because she loves a good deal as much as I do!

What I purchased (sorry no picture)

1 Brita water filter $10.49
2 Bags Twizzlers (one for her, one for my sick daughter) $1.00 a piece
3 Jars Masterpiece BBQ sauce $2.09 a piece

Total before Kroger savings and coupons: $18.67
Total after Kroger savings: $11.37
Coupons Used:
$5 off any Brita product
(3) 50 cents off any Masterpiece BBQ sauce

Total out of pocket: $3.37

My mother-in-law giggled as we walked out the door and said "Hurry, let's get out of here! We are going to get arrested for "stealing" this stuff! She is so much fun!

Be sure to check out Money Saving Mom's website to see how others in this awesome bloggy saving world has done this week!

Free Brita Water Pitcher

There is a link on the Money Saving Mom site to get a coupon for $5 off any Brita water pitcher purchase. At our Kroger (in Va) the pitchers, located in the bottled water section, are marked for $10.49. I decided to buy one for my father-in-law and get it for $5.00.

When I got up to the register and scanned my Kroger card, the price on the pitcher dropped to $4.99. So I got it for free!

Click here for a link to the Money Saving Mom site to get the link for the coupon!

Like a crying baby....

Have you ever heard of a telephone ringing being related to a baby crying?...you can't help but pick it up? We don't have caller ID so every time the phone rings my heart races and I can't wait to get to it to see who it could be! Kinda like the little noise that my computer makes when I get an email. I have to go see it who has taken the time to write to me!

So, I have been trying very hard to not answer the telephone during the day when I am otherwise detained...like homeschooling, when I have finally found that moment to start playing with my ever patient daughter, when I have finally gotten my son down for a nap and my daughter in quiet time, and when we sit down to eat dinner.

What do you do?

My friend is holding a survey on her blog about this very matter. If you would like to participate, click here.

CVS success

Today I was bound and determined to walk into CVS and walk out feeling good about it. I was armed and dangerous-having coupons for almost everything and knowing exactly what I was going to buy and what to do if an item was not there.

I did pretty well...

(1) Box of wipes
(3) 24count excedrin
(1) Sunsilk Shampoo
(1) Bag of Gummy worms (for my children and well, I like them the most)

Total: $20.95
Coupons Used:
(3) $2 off Excedrin
(1) $2 off Sunsilk
(1) $1 off Huggies
(1) $4 off $20 CVS coupon

Total OOP: $9.51
ECB's earned: $8.00!

I was so excited to actually walk out of the store with ECB's in hand!

Who Doesn't Love Free Toys?!

I found this awesome site, 5 mintues for mom, early this morning (12:30ish to be exact) and they are giving away some very awesome toys! Either use the link above or click on the Two Weeks Of Toys button to the left of my blog.
Good Luck!

Coupon Nightmares

Last night I was plagued with coupon nightmares. Did I have the right ones, was I at the right place with the right list at the right time? See, saving money can be bad for your health!

I saw this cartoon and I laughed my head off! If you see me like this in CVS or Kroger, please offer to get me serious mental help!

Kroger and CVS

I am not very good at this CVS thing. I did ok, but I always feel like I end up spending way too much-and I never walk away with ECB's.

So, CVS first...

1st transaction:

2 Softsoap (it really pained me to buy these but the build up of ECB's is what I was going for...)
2 24 count Excedrin

Total: $13.96
Coupons:
(2) $2 off any excedrin
(2) $1 off soft soap
Total Due: $8.46
ECB's earned: $11.98

2nd Transaction:

1 box CVS wipes
2 Huggies Ultra diapers
2 bottles Johnson & Johnson baby wash
Total Due: $26.46

Coupons:
(2) $1.50 off Huggies
(1) $2.00/2 off any Johnson and Johnson products
(1) $4 off $20 CVS coupon
ECB's used: $11.98
Total Due: $6.38
ECB's Earned: $10.00

3rd Transaction:

1 Dove Shampoo
1 Dove Conditioner
1 Huggies ultra diapers
1 Sunsilk Shampoo
1 Sunsilk Conditioner
Total Due: $23.95

Coupons Used:
(1) $1 off Huggies
(1) $3 off 2 Dove products
(1) Buy one get one free Sunsilk
ECB's Used: $10.00
Total Due: $7.16

So, I spent $22.00 and saved $64.26. I do NOT have any ECB's left though.
If anyone has any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong or how to at least feel like I am coming out ahead in the CVS game, I would appreciate it!

Then to Kroger...

2 boxes KIX cereal (free after coupons)
1 Bag Friskies (free after coupon)
1 Bag Cat Chow (free after coupon)
1 Bag cat treats (free after coupon)
2 Pillsbury breadsticks
1 box Betty Crocker potatoes
1 Cookie mix
1 Dozen Eggs
1 4 pack Cottonelle
3 Bottles windex
2 bottles Shout
1 mustard
1 gallon Milk

I had coupons for almost everything (not the eggs or milk) and I got $5 off my transaction for buying 10 participating items.

Total Due: $48.85
Total Saved: $37.86
Amount Paid: $10.99

Lesson Learned-Part Two

Today in the mail there was an envelope from General Mills, the maker of the cereal that I ruined. Wow! Are they generous! This is what was in the envelope:

2 Coupons for a free box of cereal (up to $6.00)
2 Coupons for $1 off any of the following products:
Any Big G products (cereal)
Betty Crocker Products, Bugles, Chex Mix, Gold Medal Flour, Nature Valley Granola, Pop Secret

Lesson Learned

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a ton of cereal and stashed it in my "Stash Tote" I also had in my tote a couple boxes of laundry sheets. When I opened the cereal, not only had the wonderful smell of the laundry sheets permeated the cardboard box but also the plastic outer-wrap and the cereal itself.


Lavender flavored Honey-Nut Cheerios and Kix just don't go down well.

I emailed General Mills, fully admitted that the error was mine, not theirs, but asked for help anyway. They emailed me back that since they appreciated me as a customer, they would send me coupons to replace the cereal.

The lesson to be learned-always contact the company if there is a problem. Companies are always more than willing to help to keep your business, even when the fault is your own.

Kroger, Round 2

Today I went shopping for my Kroger Round 2. I did pretty well but had to change my list often and the items that I was buying because Kroger was out of several things.

Here's what I purchased in my first transaction. I had coupons for everything that I purchased except the Goldfish crackers.

12 Pillsbury Pizza Crusts
5 Bottles of Windex
1 Shout
2 Cans hormel chili beans
1 Ziploc storage bag
5 Goldfish
4 Tidy Cat Liter

Total Due: $78.57
Amount Paid: $18.98

2nd Transaction

3 Cottonelle 4 pack toilet paper
1 pack Tyson Chicken breast
1 2-pack strip steaks (splurged a little but they were on sale)
1 single strip steak (splurged a little more)
4 packs Kraft shredded Mozz. cheese
2 packs Kraft singles
1 pack tater tots
1 New York Texas toast
2 6-pack yoplait yogurt for kids
2 Pillsbury pizza crusts
1 KC masterpiece BBQ sauce
1 (desperately needed!) tub of Tums
1 Jar Peanut butter

Total Due: $71.62
Amount Paid: $39.19

So the total due for both transactions together
was $150.19
and I paid $58.17
a savings of $92.02!

Saving on car repair

My husband can fix just about anything. I wanted to share how he saved us some money this evening on car repair. We have had our share of this lately...

This dreary, drizzly morning we sadly had to say goodbye to my husband as he headed off to work once again. It is funny how routines change so easily and we get used to having him home everyday. And what a blessing that he has a job where he gets a spring break!

My two year old son, who wakes up before the roosters even dare crack an eyelid, and I were standing at the dining room window watching my husband pull away. It is our custom for who ever is available to stand at a window and wave and yell “goodbyes” and “love you” until the car has disappeared from sight and the car horn being blown in farewell just becomes an annoyance to our neighbors. We opened the window and bid him farewell. He responded back through the car window that he rolled down.

I stood at the window discussing the weather with my son waiting for my husband to pull out of the driveway. He didn’t. Instead he pulled back in. I asked him what was wrong and he said that the window would not go back up. Now this, is a problem. We quickly got him on his way in the gold car and left the poor old green car in the garage.

After bedtime, he went to work. He is a jack of all trades, you know. My husband constantly amazes me with the abilities that he has. He can figure out how to fix the inner workings of almost any machine-our washing machine, which just died was 35 years old. It washed my husband's diapers when he was a baby. How did it survive so long? My sweetie tinkering with it.

I went to check on him several times and had to giggle. He would leave the “surgical” area of the car, walking around with his grease covered hands held up in the air, just like a surgeon who is afraid of getting his scrubbed hands dirty. He pulled and poked. I was his trusty assistant, there to hand over his “surgical equipment”…flashlight, pliers, thingy-mabob (yes that is a technical term).

At the end of the surgery, the window was up. It might not be completely fixed but the surgery was a success! And he saved us a ton of money!

Kroger Ad this week

I live in Virginia and this is what our ad looks like this week...I know that some regions had different sales. The deal is that if you buy 10 participating items, you get $5 off your purchase, and you can get this deal 3 times per transaction, not card.

I hope that this helps a little!

Kroger, Round 1

I am calling this round one because I will be heading back again soon....

I did this in four transactions so I will list them by transaction. For the first one, I had coupons for everything! It was very exciting. I went prepared with a list of 30 items, all on the "Big 10 Deal" that they have going on. I then went up and paid, tied my bags, and headed back into the store. The same happened with the second transaction. The third was the one for items that I did not have coupons for and was expecting it to cost more.

1st transaction:

3 bags of cat treats (coupons for "try me free" in paper)
3 bags of cat food (free coupons "try me free" in paper)
1 spicy French's mustard (free with purchase coupon in paper)
These items above were not included in my 30 items

10 Lipton Rice/pasta sides
13 Betty Crocker Pouch Cookie Mix
2 Welch's squeezable Jelly
5 French's Mustard

Total Price $73.01
Total Paid $1.40 (now let me just tell you that it was hard to hold in the big Woo-hoo!)

Second Transaction:

1 Box Betty Crocker Potatoes
2 Boxes Ziplock Bags
2 Betty Crocker Pouch Cookie Mix
1 Excedrin
1 Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
1 Domino Sugar
1 Mustard
1 bag of goldfish crackers

Total $26.22
Total Paid $4.56

When I checked out on this transaction, there was a coupon left by another customer for $3 off any 3 Johnson baby products. I scooped this up, with permission of course.

Third Transaction

3 Johnson & Johnson Suds Bars (thanks to the coupon!)
Bread
1 Betty Crocker cookie mix
2 Goldfish crackers
Apples
Yoplait Yogurt for Kids
1 bag of carrots
Ham
5 Betty Crocker Cake Mixes
1 Mustard
1 Ziplock Bag
1 Gallon of Milk

Total Due $46.02
Total Paid $20.36

4th Transaction (forgot about having to make dinner-oops)

1 can Kroger green beans
1 can Kroger peas
One package Tyson Chicken

Total Due $6.89
Total Paid $3.06

Total Due for all purchases: $152.14
Total Paid: $29.38
Savings: $122.76

***The total amount due is reflective of prices with the Kroger plus card.

Stock Up at Kroger this week girls!

I get the flyer for Kroger's a little earlier than most people and I am super SUPER excited! They are having a 10 Item Mega event!
For every 10 participating items that you purchase, you will receive $5 off your order and you can have three of these 3 rewards per transaction. So, you can buy 30 items and receive a total of $15 off your order. I haven't checked my coupon stash yet but this looks to be really good!

Some highlights:

Final Cost $0.50 (with $5 off)

Gold fish crackers
French's mustard
Betty Crocker Cake mixes
Lipton Sides (rice, noodles)
Excedrin
Hormel Chili
Haagen Dazs Icecream

Final Cost $1.00 (with $5 off)

Cheetos
Fritos
Scott Paper Towels
Betty Crocker Pouch Cookies
Peter Pan Peanut Butter
Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies
Cheez-it crackers

Final Cost $1.50 (with $5 off)

Hot Pockets
Dole Fruit (in jars and cups)
Shout
Kraft Cheese & Slices
Clorox Wipes

Final Cost $2.00 (with $5 off)

Domino Sugar
Chips Ahoy Cookies
Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs
Welch's Grape Juice
Crisco Oil
Dawn Dish detergent
Breyers Ice Cream

So, you can purchase 10 of any of these items, in combination, and receive them at the price mentioned and you can get 3 rewards per transaction. Now is the time to search your coupons!

Also, Kroger has their Tyson Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast on sale for $1.88 a pound

I saved $136.15 at Kroger! ***

***I ran into my dear friend Sherri during my trip at Kroger. We were one aisle apart when I heard her excitement over the soap that was on clearance and we hung out together for the rest of our trip. We probably spent an extra hour just looking for deals and chit-chatting but it was a ton of fun!

This was a great stock-up and save week for me! This was a WOO-HOO week! I actually made two trips so this is them both combined. The totals shown include card/coupons/discontinued discounts.

12 boxes of cereal (8.40 total for all boxes)
*Total normal price $31.90. I paid an average of 70 cents per box- savings $23.50

Dawn foaming pump & refill (3.88 total for both)
*Total normal price $9.78-savings $5.90

15 Colgate toothpastes (2.00 for all boxes)
*Total normal price $28.35-savings $26.35

2 Colgate toothbrushes (50 cents for both)
*Total normal price $3.66-savings $3.16

8 2packs of soap (5.64 for all/70 cents per box average)
*Total normal price $20.32-savings $14.68

9 packs of chicken breasts (25.83 for all packs/$2.87 package average)
*Total normal price $71.27-saving $45.44

I purchased some other things too, some on special and some not. I had some really great coupons, including some given to me by a stranger. I also found some wonderful closeouts!

Total before Kroger card and coupons: $203.87
Total card discounts: $90.76
Total coupons: $45.39

Total paid for 62 items: $67.72
Total savings: $136.15