So, I um did a little school supply shopping today

and I totally scored! I don't have a picture, because I was a good girl and put everything away right when I got home. I'm always so excited when I get home from a big couponing/money-saving run that I've unfortunately trained my children to descend like vultures on my bags of loot. They wanted to immediately use all of the new crafty stuff, so I had to get the majority of it out of sight out of mind.

disclaimer: I started out with 2 $5 RR (Register Rewards) from last week's Walgreens' Huggies deal and I had a $2.99 ECB (Extra Care Buck).

I ended up with:

Walgreens (2 trips):
6 - scotch tape (on sale for .39 ea - used $1/3 Scotch tape manu q from 7/12 RP)
3 - 12 packs Crayola colored pencils
5 - folders (planning a really cool color project for the kids with these)
8 - white poster board
1 - 2 pk erasers
1 - 5 pk highlighters
2 - 10 pk pens
2 - 2 pk G2 gel pens
1 - paper clips
2 - hefty storage bags (BOGO $3.29 - used 2 $1/1 manu q's from 5/17 RP)
1 - toilet brush (it's a glamorous life, I tell ya)

spent: a whopping 12 cents
saved: $50.27 (of course that savings refers to the me of 3 years ago. I would never spend money like that on office supplies now. I <3 coupons.)
ended up with: 2 - $1 RRs from the gel pens.

CVS (2 orders):

2 - pkgs filler paper
2 - 10 pks pens

spent: nada
saved: $9.36
ended up with: my original $2.99 in ECB

Total spent: 12 cents
Total saved: $59.63

The past couple of weeks I've had the loveliest checker at CVS and no one waiting in line. So I've been doing two orders in a row. I just tear the ECB off of my receipt and hand it right back. I don't do back-to-back orders if there is anyone waiting, though. I just get back in line.

Even if you don't have any RRs or ECBs to start with, this is a great week to jump in. At CVS, you could just buy the 2 packs of pens - spend $1.98 (plus tax) and get the $1.98 ECB and then roll that onto one package of notebook paper - spend .02 (and possibly tax) and get the $2 ECB. Then roll that onto the 2nd pack of paper and get another $2 ECB. Then roll that onto other stuff or keep it for next week's deals.

At Walgreens the gel pens are $1 and you get a $1 RR. Buy your pens then spend the $1 RR on a bunch of the .09, .19, or .29 goodies.

Lots of yummy shopping endorphins for pocket change.

And one funny story: On Friday I did the Huggies deal and my RR didn't print. The checker said that they were having problems with the machine before I checked out, so it wasn't a surprise. She called the manager and said, "I need you to come print this RR. It didn't print and I know it should have, because this lady knows her stuff." LOVED that.

I did it.

I went and signed up for the All You Grocery Challenge. You knew I would. Wish me luck.

I'm so excited!

We visited the in-laws this weekend and happened upon a tiny farmer's market in Waxahachie. They set up along one side of the courthouse during the summer. Even though it was small, there were THREE different organic produce farmers.

And even more exciting, there were two different stands run by Mennonite families. One had produce, preserves, salsas/relishes, and baked goods. The other was selling meat AND they had 5 different options under my buy price!!! We don't need meat right now, but they are definitely where I'll be stocking up in a couple of weeks. Their farm isn't very far from where we live, so I may just go out there.

I was stoked! Grass fed, all natural, no hormones, no antibiotics chicken, beef, and pork - close to my home and reasonably priced. I picked up their flier and it says to ask about how to save 10% - I'm hoping that means they'll let us buy a whole animal in the future.

I know my in-laws thought I was even weirder than usual. I could not stop talking about how excited I was.

random - but thrifty!

1. stovetop popcorn - good. really good. We use grapeseed oil, but totally ruin the healthy by pouring real butter all over it. Really, really good.

2. Easy, cheap fun for kids - food coloring in their bath water. It only takes 4-6 drops to color it and it won't stay on their skin or stain their hair or anything. Jackson wanted "to see aquamarine - you know blue and green." 4 drops of each in the bathtub and we had aquamarine. He also wanted to add salt to make it more like the ocean, but I said no.

3. Somehow I've ended up on some mailing list that thinks I'm pregnant. I'm not. I'm getting really great diaper coupons though, so I can start stockpiling for my BIL and SIL's upcoming blessing. I also just rec'd two cans of formula in the mail. I guess I'll donate it to the women's shelter.

What random thrifty do you have going on?

school supply season is about to start!

Ok, let's get this ol' blog rolling again! I'm so excited, because it's about to be my favorite bargaining time of the year - back to school!!!

I never cared about this before I started couponing. I now know that it is a goldmine. Why? Every week the big retailers will offer different items for .01, .05, .25 - etc. It's a fabulous time to stock up on office supplies, craft supplies for your kids, craft supplies to put away for birthday gifts and party favors, etc.

Watch for crazy deals on:

• crayons
• paper
• pens
• index cards
• rulers
• scissors
• folders
• pencil boxes
• markers
• glue - glue sticks, elmer's, etc
• tape

And start watching your inserts for coupons on some of those things. I haven't paid for pens in two years.

I always stock up on crayons, glue, and scissors for kids' craft gifts. It's also a great time to keep an eye out for deals on office supplies like staplers, organizers, etc.

AND in September, they start clearancing it all out - more deals!!!