My Stockpile

We love freebies!

     Many of you have been asking what kinds of products can I get for free or for nearly nothing.  It's a msiconception that freebies and/or rebate items are usually reject items.  A lot of the items I get for free are actual items that we would use on a daily basis.  I stock up, hence "stockpile," so we have what we need whenever we needed, or for someone else that can benefit from our "frugality."  Enjoy the pics.

My RiteAid Profit

Look at all the goodies I got from RiteAid for free!!!  And I actually make a profit of $0.01.  Hey, it may be a miniscule amount now, BUT a penny saved is a penny earned!  lol

I just love FREE stuff.

Thank You Rite Aid for providing for our family's luxurious lifestyle.

:)

Great Things Come in Small Packages

It has finally arrived, yes, the beloved Walgreens Rebate Giftcard. Great things do come in small packages. There really weren't THAT many great deals this week, not stuff we necessarily needed or really used. HOWEVER, since I got that nifty little gift card, I went coupon shopping at Wags this afternoon. I ended up purchasing:

• 4 rolls of Bounty
• 4 bags of Ghiradelli chocolates
• 2 things of tape
• Air Wick air freshner kit
• A birthday card (for sister)

These best thing is that I ended up making $1.01!!! And I get a rebate off the air freshner for this month's rebates at Wags. Life is good! I honestly do not know why this gives me such a thrill. I do like being frugal, being responsible with my family's finances. It is important to us that we have money to give back to the Lord, and money to support our family. I am slowly learning little tricks here and there to help us financial. Here are some big ones I've learned, that have worked for me:

• Always go in with a list (I list the sales price by each time, and a C if I have a coupon(s) for it.
• Have into the "Get in, Get out" mentality (Don't go to shop around; even when I do coupon shop, I do my research first. I coupon-shop for specific items).
• You're just headed for trouble if you go into a store with no list, no preparation.
• Don't shop when you're hungry.
• Get ONLY what's on the list (even my husband has to remind me of this one).
• Don't buy just because it's a "good" deal (I really don't pick up extras unless it is free, or VERY close to free).
• Don't be ashamed to ask prices and use coupons.
• Do frequent small trips, as oppose to few LARGE purchases. (I've saved quite a bit making small trips to Wags and CVS, and using the register rewards or CVS Bucks for subsequent purchases).
• Don't be lazy - look for rebates (then be patient waiting for the mail).
• I put rebate moneys back into savings until it's needed.
• Calculate an item's economicality (not sure if I made up that work, but what I mean it, which is cheaper per item - that small bottle of ketcup or the family jumbo size).
• Bigger is not always better (I used to buy TP at Costco, but there just isn't the space, and honestly, I can get TP and paper towels for pretty cheap hitting sales and coupons).
• Outside of dairy, bread, produce, there are FEW items I will buy if it's not on-sale AND I have a coupon for it.
• Self-discipline!

In closing, here's a picture of my little beauty that brought me happiness!

When Satan Attacks

Man, it's no joke that Satan will stop at nothing to ruin the joys the Lord brings us.  So I had mentioned in my earlier blog that Tim has this AWESOME interview tomorrow (hint, hint: please keep praying for him).  Anyhow, well, we certainly were attacked!  I'm driving around in a possessed car that thinks I'm trying to steal it.  I had major work/computer issues. 


Car Story
I'm absolutely cured of EVER washing my car again.  Each time I wash my car, something weird happens.  The last time my windshield cracked from top to bottom.  THIS time I went to start my car, and this weird security light flashed and wouldn't go away.  My car would NOT start.  Apparently, there was a short in the circuit, and the car thought I was trying to steal it, and wouldn't start.  Finally it started, and I made it to work today.

Work
Anything that could go wrong went wrong, as I was trying to type up my IEP, which I HAD to be on the internet for.

Result:

Oh well.  Just one of those weeks when you realize how much you need to be depending on the Lord.  :)  Will keep you guys posted on stuff, as well, as Tim's interview TOMORROW!

Oh, BY THE WAY!!!!  Natty has taken her first 2 steps today!!!!  She is such a big girl now!  :)

Major Urgent Prayer Request!

My fabulous and wonderful husband has an INTERVIEW with the director of our IT department on Tuesday (10/21) at 3:30!!!!!!!! We are SO excited!!!! We have been praying for the perfect job that the Lord has for Tim for months, years (I think). Please pray that everything will go just as the Lord has planned. Pray for Tim to be calm and confident with his answers, and give him wisdom. Please pray for the director interviewing Tim, that he would be receptive. Please also pray that we would all keep our wits about us because we are sure to anticipate Satan attacking. Thanks guys! Happy Friday!!!

Freebie Samples at Walmart

Happy Friday Everybody!!!

Check out these freebie samples from Walmart here!

_________________________

In other news, our sweet princess is fully 11 months!!!

We are so proud of her!

It's the Weekend Again

Yah!  It's the weekend again.  I really do love my job, even though things have been really crazy this past week.  We go off track in 2 weeks.  I received 3 new students in the span of 2 weeks, therefore, I have 2 weeks to hold 3 interims.  It's stressful, but it'll get done.

Other than that, I spent today (yes, a Saturday) in class.  I've sat in #2 of 4 Saturday seminar classes for my Level II credential.  I have to say, this one was a little bit better than the last.  I at least got answers to questions I had regarding the last seminar's work.  Now, I will hopefully get everything turned in correctly in a couple weeks.

Natty has been growing like a weed.  She will turn 1 in just over a month.  I am amazed at the extent of her understanding and vocabulary.  This is just a list of some of the words/things she understands:

• She will clap her hands when asked (don't even need to show her any more).
• Kitty
• Papa
• "Nam" - Thai for "water"
• Noodle
• Uh-oh
• Mom, Dad, Da Da, Ma Ma
• Ni-ni (Night Night)
• Hi
• She gives kisses (to me the most :) )
• She hugs (a lot) - she's such a cuddle bug.
• She stares "intently" at things and points to inviduals in pictures.
• She knows voices (mostly mom and dad).
• She recognizes people in photographs.

Needless to say, I believe we have quite a smart cookie on our hands.  I have never really been one to believe in "GATE" students.  Gifted, mayber, Gate, not so much.  But that's a debate for another time.  All I know is that we have one very smart and special girl on our hands.  I know we intend to foster whatever is that stimulates her brain.  We love her very much and cannot wait to see how she continues to grow.

Another exciting thing about having another weekend is that i am now 2 weeks away from going off track.  I am so glad that our school is still following the year round schedule.  I really covet time I have with Natty.  I rush home each day to be with Tim and her.  It's hard that most of the time I come home to say good bye to Tim, as he leaves for work.  For Natty's sake though, we do it knowing it'll be best for her.

Well, I hope everyone else is doing great.  Will be posting on my weekend deal finds later on.

Why I Like CVS

So lately, I have joined the CVSing, WAGing, and Riteaiding worlds of frugal spending.

Of those three, I enjoy CVS the most.  That is mostly because I can usually get the most freebies and save the most there.  I've tried to put a $5 limit each time I go.  I'll go about once a week to snag the weekly deals.  I usually do pretty good.

I was really excited that the Always freebie that I found is free at CVS.  There was actually a sign up for a limit of 1 rebate per household, but when I rung it up (I already had coupon for $4.98, so I figure I'd get another free box even if I don't get the coupon), it popped out another coupon!  So I've gotten 2 free boxes of Always so far.

For my trip this morning, I also got a thing of Lady Speedstick, 2 bottles of propel gatorade, and 2 bottles of ice tea.  Got ECB (Extra Care Bucks) back, and spent $4.  I actually got almost $9 back in ECB's, so I actually made $5!  Woo Hoo!

People ask me if it's confusing keeping track of all the deals.  Not really.  Usually I will browse through all the Sunday ad's at my inlaws and make my shopping list for CVS, Walgreens, and Riteaid.  I'll take out the coupons I need for each store, and put everything together.  That way when I go, everything is set.  I don't "shop around."  I got in with my list, and I come out with just what I needed.

I guess so might say it's a hassel.  With the way the economy is though, I take it as being more responsible with my family's finances.

Prayer Request

Please pray for our little Princess Nattaya.  She is sick, well, has been, with a cold and cough for the past couple days.  Overall, her spirits are really high.  I just feel bad that there is nothing much we can do to speed the process of her getting better.  She has been such a great trooper.  My husband and I would GREATLY covet your prayers. 

It was so incredibly hard to leave for work today.  I usually try to leave work before Natty wakes up.  Today, of course, she's awake.  On top of that, she is sick.  I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but I couldn't help feeling it all the way driving to work.  3 PM can't come soon enough today.

Here's a picture of our princess...

We love her so very much!

We can't wait for her to turn 1 in less than 2 months!

My New Shopping Companion

Those of you who know me well, know I'm always out for a good deal. Now, in attempts at finding the best deals, I've done everything from clipping coupons, scour Sunday ads, begged other people's coupons (no I'm not ashamed - desperate to stretch pennies perhaps), etc. I've tried many different ways of organizing my coupons - because I end up with tons each week, and yes, I do use tons. When I get groceries, I will save AT LEAST 65% of my grocery bill. I DO NOT pay for shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel, or toothbrushes anymore - this is simply because I can almost always get them for free, and when I can I stock up.

Well, with that background, I've gone from envelop sorting, to a little pocket file, to a little recipe box...it was just too difficult to weed through my coupons though. So in an attempt to save more time (and essentially money), I created my own version of a basic coupon organizing album. It's really simple. You take take a plain photo album. Figure out what categories you shop for. Label each tab with its corresponding category. I'd leave quite a few spaces if it's a category that usually purchase often, or have a lot of coupons for. For me, it's air freshner, cleaning products, lunch meat, paper products, and beauty products.

Below are some pictures of my "coupon" album. I acutally find this less awkward than my original blackbox. Surprisingly, I've received less stares.

Always Infinity Freebie

Guess what!  I found this freebie ALL on my own!  Those of you who know me well know that I am always researching for deals and freebies online.  Usually I don't get to take credit for finding a deal, BUT I found this one on Walgreens, where I frequent on a weekly basis to scout out the freebie or nearly freebie deals.  So, to enjoy your free sample of Always Infinity, click here.  Enjoy!  And THANK YOU Walgreens!