Unorganized Sales

I was away last weekend, which is usually when I organize my coupons and store lists.  So I know I missed some sales this week, but I still managed to snag a few deals.

Walgreens:
2 Lindt Excellence Chocolate Bars - on sale $2 each
1 bag Halls 2 in 1 lozenges - on sale $1

Coupons Used:
-$1 off 2 Lindt Bars
-75¢ off Halls
-$3 Register Reward

Total with tax: 39¢
(Plus I got back a $1 Register Reward)

CVS:
1 bag Brach's candy Corn - 99¢
1 Colgate Total toothpaste - on sale $2.99
2 Lindt Excellence Chocolate Bars - on sale $2.09 each

Coupons Used:
-99¢ off Brach's
-$1.50 off Colgate
-$3.99 in Extra Care Bucks

Total with tax: $1.98
(Plus I got back a $2.99 Extra Care Buck)

Giant Eagle:
4 packages Idahoan Potatoes - on sale $1 each
3 packages Purex 3-in-1 laundry soap - on sale $3.99 each
8 packages Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables - on sale $1 each
6 packages of Trident Layers Gum - $1.49 each

Coupons Used:
-$1 on 3 of the potatoes
-$3 on each of the Purex
-$1.49 on each of the Trident

Total with tax: $13.58
(Plus I got back $4 in Register Rewards)

♫ Flintstones, Meet the Flintstones... ♫

Well not really, but this is a human powered car.  You sort of pump the handle and that gives it power.  It looks like it goes pretty fast and doesn't seem to hard to steer.  I read somewhere that with multiple people it can go up to 60 mph.  They are expected to cost around $15,000.  Pretty cool.

Sharpie Liquid Pencil

Sharpie has come up with a writing implement that writes like a pen, but it erasable like a pencil.  At least for the first 3 days, after that it becomes permanent ink.  I think this would come in handy for writing in my checkbook register, or doing crossword puzzles or sudokus.  I haven't seen them in stores yet, though the article says they were coming on the market in September.

Full article: 

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/08/sharpie-reinvents-pen-with-liquid-pencil

Candles made from Oranges

You can make a candle from an orange!  You basically hollow out a half an orange, wrap a match in some thread, stick in in the orange, fill with oil and light.

Here are step by step instructions:

http://www.snowhiteblog.com/candles-oranges/

Pretty cool!

Fun with Coupons (this week)

CVS:
2 Robitussin to Go - on sale 99¢ each
2 Campbell's Tomato Soup - on sale 50¢ each

Coupons Used:
-$1 off each of the Robitussins
-$1 in Extra Care Bucks

Total with tax: 16¢

Walgreens:
Nivea Lip Care - on sale $1
EOS Lip Balm - on sale $3
Colgate Total - on sale $1.99
Tena Women's protective underwear - on sale $9.99
Glade soy candle - on clearance for 89¢

Coupons Used:
-$1 off Nivea
-$1.50 off Total
-$1.50 off Tena
-$8.50 in Register Rewards

Total with tax: $5.38
(Plus I got back $3 in Register Rewards and will get back $9.99 in rebates)

Target:
Hamilton Beach Coffee Grinder - on clearance for $13.98 (was originally $19.99)

I had no coupons but they did not have the grinder in stock, so I asked for the display model.  They told me it was an additional 30% off because it was the display and had no box.

Total with tax: $10.37

*Everything except for the candle and coffee grinder are for donations.

Fun with Coupons (last week)

Walgreens:
Emergen-C - on sale $3.49
Hylands Cold & Cough - on sale $4.99
Reese's pumpkin = 69¢

Coupons Used:
-$1.50 off Hylands
-$2.50 in Register Rewards

Total with tax: $5.60
(savings $10.10,
PLUS I got back $8.50 in Register Rewards)

CVS:
1 Reach Access Flosser - on sale $2.99
1 pack Mini boby pins - $2.49
2 Tshirts - $2.50 each
2 Lindt Dark Chocolate Bars -  $2.79 each
1 Bath back scrubber - $3.99

Coupons Used:
-$4 off a $20 purchase (CVS coupon)
-$1 off Reach Flosser
-$3 CVS coupon sent to me in the mail
-$10.79 in Extra Care Bucks

Total with tax: $1.88
(Plus I got back $2.99 in Extra Care Bucks from Reach.)

Giant Eagle:
Almond Breeze Milk - on sale $2.99
18 cans of Campbell's Tomato Soup - on sale 50¢ each
6 cans of Goya Black Beans - on sale 75¢ each
5 packages of Kraft Shredded Cheese - on sale $2.79

Coupons Used:
-$1 off Almond Breeze
-55¢ off Almond Breeze (this coupon was loaded onto my store card)
-$1.50 off 3 Campbell's soups (I used 6 of these)
-75¢ off 3 Goya Beans, doubled to $1.50 (I used 2 of these)
-$5 off of 5 Kraft Cheeses
-$3 Catalina

Total with tax: $14.30

:)

Giant Operation Game Made From Dominos

Someone built a working Operation Game out of Dominos.  I was nervous when I saw the cat go by, I thought he was going to come over and investigate and possibly knock down the whole thing.

Watch the video to see what happens when you fail the operation!

Oversized Furniture

An artist in LA created some very large furniture and other oversized household items.  I think it'd be a lot of fun to play on them.

Click here for original article & more pictures

Space Invaders Love Seat

This designer created a love seat in the shape of one of the little guys on the old Atari game, Space Invaders.  I wonder if it's comfortable?  I think it would be something cool to have if you had a game room.

Click here for full article 

New Home Designs for Maximum Safety

I saw this blog post on Neatorama recently and I think some of these ideas are great!  I especially love the one with the pool moat.  I wonder if we'll see any builders use any of these designs in the future.

You can check them out here: 

http://www.neatorama.com/2010/07/06/the-enemy-at-the-door/

:)

Recent Sales

I've been getting tons of random goodies to donate, and almost all of them were money makers for me!

CVS (1st trip):

Brach's candy corn - on sale 99¢

Nivea Men's body wash/shampoo - on sale $4.99

High Octane Energy Chews - $1.99

Coupons used:

$1 off Nivea Men's body wash

$6.97 in Extra Care Bucks

Total with tax: 39¢

Plus I got back $7.97 in Extra Care Bucks

CVS (2nd trip):

3 Right Guard Total Defense 5 Deodorant - on sale $2.29 each

2 Edge Shave Gel - on sale $2.79 each

Coupons used:

Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Edge Gel (-$2.75)

2 coupons for $1.50 off Right Guard

CVS coupon for $2 off a $6 deodorant purchase

$4.70 in Extra Care Bucks

Total with tax: 63¢

Plus I got back $7.80 in Extra Care Bucks (This was actually a shock.  I expected to get a $2 Extra Care Buck for 1 of the deodorants.  Usually there is a limit of 1 item that earns them.  But in this case I got $2 back for each one!)

Walgreens (1st trip):

St. Ives Body Wash - on sale $2.99
Zegrid OTC - on sale $10
2 packs Trident Gum - on sale $1 each
Vitamin Gum - $1.49

Coupons used:

$1 off St. Ives Body Wash
$4 off Zegrid
$1.49 off Vitamin Gum
$7 in Register Rewards

Total with tax: $3.83 

Plus I got $2 back in Register Rewards, and I will send for the $10 rebate on Zegrid.

Walgreens (2nd trip):

Thermacare heat wrap - on sale $2.49

2 Oral B toothbrushs - on sale $1.99 each

2 boxes Royal Jello - 20¢ each

Coupons used:

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Oral B toothbrushs (-$1.99)

$1 off Thermacare

$3 Register Reward

Total with tax: $2.30 

Plus I got $2.50 back in Register Rewards

Giant Eagle (1st trip):

Degree deodorant - on sale $2.34

6 cans Goya beans - on sale 75¢ each

5 boxes Cascadian Farms Granola - on sale $3 each

Solo Cups - on sale $2

Coupons used:

75¢ off Degree (doubled to $1.50)

2 coupons for 75¢ off 3 Goya beans (doubled to $1.50)

75¢ off each of the granola bars (doubled to $1.50)

75¢ off the cups ( doubled to $1.50)

$5 Catalina

Total with tax: $6.06

Giant Eagle (2nd trip):

4 packs Activia Yogurt (4 in each pack) - on sale $2 each

TGIF Quesadilla - $3.50

2 pouches Starkist tuna - on sale $1 each

Colgate Toothpaste - on sale $1.49

8 packages of Green Giant Frozen Vegetables - on sale $1 each

Half & half - $1.99

Coupons Used:

75¢ off each of the yogurts (doubled to $1.50)

50¢ off each of the tunas (doubled to $1)

$1.50 off the toothpaste

50¢ off each of the vegetables (doubled to $1)

$1 off half & half

Total with tax: $6.67

Plus I got back a $3 Catalina coupon, and I will send for a $3.50 rebate for the Quesadilla.

Office Depot:

2 reams of paper - $5.99 each

100 disc DVD-R pack - on sale $17.99

Coupons used:

$10 off a $25 purchase

Total with tax: $21.17

Plus I will send in for a $10.98 rebate for the paper.

Painting on Water

This guy drips, flicks, and swirls paint on water.  He then places paper on top of the water and the painting transfers to the paper.  When he picked the paper back up I really thought it would smear.  I would think you'd have to lift it straight up, but dragging it seemed to work just fine.  And the paintings are pretty cool.

Etsy Favorites

Things you can tell about me by looking at my Etsy Favorites:

• I like flowers (especially Daisies).
• I like trees & leaves.
• I like green things.
• I like things that are re-used (especially if it's not the original intended purpose).

Back to the Garden

I just finished reading Back to the Garden, The Story of Woodstock by Pete Fornatale.  The book "celebrates the music and spirit of Woodstock through the words of some of the era's biggest musical stars" as well as those who participated behind the scenes.

I appreciated the first chapter being dedicated to introducing the reader to everyone involved.  The musicians are household names, but the behind the scenes people aren't always as well known.

I found it very interesting to see how the people involved have different interpretations of the festival as well as various motives for being there.

The chapters are chronological through the 3 days and sort of make you feel like you are part of it.  Even though things didn't go totally smoothly, the message of peace and love got through and is still felt today.

Click on the book for more info or to purchase.

Some Recent Deals

*these deals are from the past couple of weeks*

Walgreens (trip 1):
3 Bubble Mailers ($1.99 each)
2 Greeting cards (99¢ each)
1 Greeting card ($2)
1 One a Day Men's Vitamins ($6.99)

Coupons:
-$4.80 for Bubble Mailers (making them 39¢ each)
-$1.00 for One a Day Vitamins
-$9 in Register Rewards

Total with tax: $2.66
(savings $17.60)

Walgreens (trip 2):
1 Glade Soy Candle (on sale $2.50)
1 Perfection Tampons ($1.99)
2 Softsoap body wash ($3.50 each)

Coupons:
-$2.00 for Glade Candle (making it 50¢)
-75¢ on each of the body washes

Total with tax: $8.68
(savings $7.17,
PLUS I got back $7 in Register Rewards)

CVS:
Phillips Ear bud headphones ($6.99)
2 bottles Renpure Shampoo (on sale BOGO, $6.99 for 2)
Always Infinity Pads ($4.89)

Coupons:
-$4.89 for the Pads, making them Free
-$9 in Extra Care Bucks

Total with tax: $6.11
(savings of $23.38,
PLUS I got back $6.99 in Extra Care Bucks for the headphones, and I'll get back $6.99 for the shampoo after I send in the rebate)

Giant Eagle:
6 Campbell's Select Soups (on sale $1 each )
Nature's Own Bread ($2.69)
2 Organic Valley 1/2 & 1/2 ($2 each)
3 Morningstar Farms products (on sale $3.50 each)
3 Always Pads (on sale $2.66 each)
2 Barilla whole wheat pasta (on sale $1 each)
1 Almond Breeze Milk (on sale $2.99)

Coupons:
-$1 for each of the Campbell's soups, making them Free
-75¢ for the bread (doubled to $1.50, making the bread $1.19)
-$2 for the 1/2 & 1/2, making them $1 each
-75¢ for each of the Morningstar Farms (doubled to $1.50, making each one $2)
-$1/2 Barilla Pasta, making them 50¢ each
-$1 on Almond Milk, making it $1.99
-$3 off my order (Giant Eagle coupon)

Total: $18.19
(savings $27.99
PLUS I got back a $3 coupon to use on my next order for buying the Always pads.)

Office Depot:
I needed a new chair, and last quarter I bought a lot of their 100% Rebate items through the Office Depot Worklife Rewards program, so I could get a large gift card to use.  I also searched around for a good coupon (found a $30 off $150+ order).

Here's the chair I bought.

Realspace® PRO™ 3000 Series Custom Fit Mid-Back Fabric Chair

Here's how much I paid:

Subtotal:  $179.99
Coupon(s):  ($30.00)
Delivery Fee: FREE
Taxes: $9.00
Reward Card:  ($152.07)
Total:  $6.92!!

Rainbow Colored River

This river looks like it has colors running through it due to the moss and algae that grow on the rocks under the water.  It's located in Columbia, South America.

Scroll through the article to see all the great pictures:
http://www.funzug.com/index.php/nature/most-colorful-river-in-the-world.html

Caristales River

Powerful Wind Turbines

There's a new type of wind turbine that rotates horizontally, which is supposed to be able to generate twice the power as traditional turbines.  They're called Aerogenerator X Vertical Axis Wind Turbines, and are expected to be completed by 2014.

You can click here to watch the video:
http://gizmodo.com/5599241/the-most-powerful-wind-turbine-doesnt-look-like-any-wind-turbine-youve-seen-before

Aerogenerator X Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Elliptical Bike

I saw this and thought it was pretty cool.  It's called the ElliptiGO 8S and it's the world's first elliptical bike.   Here's a video, so you can see how cool it is.  The best part is that it "provides a low-impact alternative to outdoor running that maintains the core running experience without the damage to the body."  Looks fun!

 Check out www.elliptigo.com for more info.

Granola Bars and Gum

Walgreens:
4 packs of Trident Gum
2 boxes of security envelopes

Used:
Walgreens in-ad coupon for envelopes, making them 59¢ a box
BOGO Walgreens in-ad coupon for the gum and
$1/2 coupons for the gum, making them 15¢ for each pack

Total: $1.88 (savings of $5.98)

Giant Eagle:
6 boxes of Cascadian Farms Granola Bars (reg price $3.49, these were on sale 3 for $10, and on top of that, for every 3 you buy, you get an automatic $3 off your order. That works out to be 3 for $7.)
5 boxes of Morningstar Farms products, $3.50 each

Used:
75¢ off each box of Granola bars, doubled, making them 83¢ a box.
75¢ off each of the Morningstars, doubled, making them $2 a box.

I get a lot of free or nearly free gum. Which is pretty handy, since I chew a lot of gum.  And I like a variety, as you can see here:

I ♥ gum!

Raw Food

Ever since I had the Raw Spinach Pesto Manicotti at The Laughing Seed in Asheville, I've been a bit obsessed with raw food.  I not only loved the way it tasted, but I also liked how it made me feel after eating it.

So tonight I prepared my first raw dish and it turned out great!  It was like pasta & sauce, only not.

I got the recipe out of a book called Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People by Jennifer Cornbleet.

I first prepared the sauce, which was:
Tomato,
Sundried Tomato,
Red Pepper,
Garlic,
Oil,
Basil,
Oregano,
Salt,
Pepper, and
Cayenne

You toss everything in a food processor and puree.  It looks just like tomato sauce and tastes delicious!

Then I took some zucchini and used a vegetable spiral slicer to make corkscrew type "pasta".  I then used a peeler to make fettuccine size strips.

Top the zucchini with the sauce.  I garnished with a few slices of red pepper.  So yummy!

I was a bit intimidated by making food that doesn't get cooked, but this recipe was so super quick and easy.  I'm excited to pick something new to try for next week.