Thursday, May 16, 2013

CVS 25% Off In Store Purchase Thru 5.19

Here's another CVS offer.  25% Off in-store purchase.  It doesn't mention a minimum purchase; but does not include sale items.  If your an Extra Care Card holder; be sure to check your email for this offer.  You can print the coupon; or have it sent to your card. 

This offer expires May 19; so get yours fast!



The 30 % offer I received last week was used to purchase a 50' pocket hose.


Retail price:  $19.99
Discount:       $5.99
Total:           $14.00
Sales Tax:      $1.15
Total paid:    $15.15

Coupons..... where are they now?



I've been a bit disappointed in the coupon inserts over the past several weeks.  I wonder if the coupon craze of the past couple of years has lead to the decline of quality product/manufacturer coupons.  I'm sure there are people who use the products I'm seeing coupons for; but there isn't much for me and my family. 

I'm still stocked up on a few items that I don't really need more of; but I haven't even seen many coupons on those products.... like toothpaste, shampoo, soap.  Not seeing much of a savings anywhere.  Perhaps the coupon policy changes have had an affect on this as well.  No store(s) in my area doubles coupons, most stores do not allow for stacking store and manufacturer coupons.  Minimum purchases are going up.... so what's a single parent on a budget to do?  Eat beans and rice?  I think not.  I consider myself fortunate; but there are many families who are less fortunate and struggle to get by.

Could I have lost my interest?  Or could the coupon craze be declining?  Either way; I'm not going to waste trips to CVS, Walgreens, or grocery stores to save a buck.

I do have two $10 catalinas that I will be using in the next few days; so that's $20 off $60 (two separate transactions).  I just wish I had more manufacturer coupons for stuff I actually use.

Have you noticed changes in the coupon inserts lately?  Share your thoughts.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

CVS Beauty Club Members - $5.00 Coupon off $25

If you are a CVS Beauty Club Member;
be sure to check your email for $5 off beauty purchases of $25 or more. 
I got it this morning.

Stack it with manufacturer coupons for an even bigger savings.

New 2 U Resale Store - - Benefiting Meals on Wheels / Comal County

The New 2 U Resale Store is located on Landa Street in New Braunfels, Texas.  This store formerly known as "The Comal County Senior Citizens Thrift Store" serves Comal County and beyond.

They offer book, furniture, clothing, housewares, music, decor, among many other wonderul previously loved items.  I visited the store on Saturday; but unfortunately had to be somewhere else relatively quickly, so I did not make a purchase.

Proceeds from New 2 U benefit the Meals on Wheels program and other Senior Social programs.  As an individual with an aging parent in another city, I am one who supports programs for our seniors.  My aging parent is on Meals on Wheels; so I am very greatful for all that is done to support this program. It is often said "it takes a village to raise a child".... well it also take a village to take care of our seniors.  Will you help?


For more information:

Friday, May 10, 2013

Don't Waste Your Wastes -- Compost 'em by Bert Whitehead

Have you ever gone to an estate sale?  Have you gone but not have any idea what you were looking for, or even if you were looking for something.  I guess since I've been on this gardening kick; I went to an estate sale about a month or so ago looking for gardening supplies on the cheap.  By the time I was able to go, many items were already sold.  But..... I stumbled upon this book.


This has been a very informational guide that has given me great hope in composting success.  Since I'm so "cheap", I only paid 75 cents for the book and have gotten really good ideas on how to create an effective, inexpensive compost pile without making my yard look like a mess.  I already have a tumbler; but as soon as I start locating slightly damaged trash cans, I can build my own compost bin with just a little effort.  Some of the other suggestions are a little to labor intensive for lil ole me.... :) 

This is my personal copy and is NOT for sale.  But if you would like a copy, check here:  At the time of this posting there were 27 available on amazon.com.




Happy Gardening,
Blondie

Thursday, May 9, 2013

What Should I Do with this Little Table?

Recommendations Wanted


Hello all, I bought this little side table over a year ago to repurpose for my home.  Well guess what?  I never got around to doing anything with it.  It sits in is the living room, next to the recliner.  I have boring white walls, chocolate brown sofa, loveseat, and recliner, decorating is primarily of western theme. What color would you recommend for this little vintage table?

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Becoming Debt Free

In 2008 I began a journey to become debt free (except my mortgage).  I was pretty successful; but in just under a year I decided I needed a new or used vehicle.  So I bought a used 2006 Mercedes for $16,000.  Put $3,000 cash down; and traded in my Mazda 626.  So my note was around $10,000not including the extended warranty.  Within a month of taking the Mercedes home it began to have problems.  One thing led to another and I ended up trading it off for a brand new Mazda Tribute (2010).  I was upside down on the loan before I even signed the papers; but I couldn't handle the mechanical problems I had with the Mercedes.  I eventually got the balance of the extended warranty money back; but was a nightmare.

Its been close to 3 years of budget busting; but I am determined to pay the Tribute off early.  So I'm back on the debt free journey again.  I read the book below as well as "Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey.  I'm here to tell you it works (if you follow the plan, and stick with it). 

My personal copy.


Here's how you can get an updated copy!




Or check out "The Total Money Makeover"



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

A little more gardening......

Grow Bag and Self Watering Containers



Pictured here are the other two gardening methods I am trying as mentioned on my "Gardening" page.

As of today, only one container plant is still living.  A recent storm resulted in a pretty overwhelmed cucumber plant that just gave up.  The other container has a very nice developing tomato plant which I started from seed.  Its almost time to add more growing mix for a sturdy stem.  I learned how to put the self watering container together by watching videos on Youtube and by researching multiple search engines.

In the back area are two other tomatoes planted directly in Schulz Garden Soil bags.  They appear to be doing well. 


Monday, May 6, 2013

Backyard Raised Bed 5.5.2013


Pictured above is the raised bed portion of my garden.  Currently this part of the garden consists of: 

  1. in the foreground there are 6 sweet bell pepper plants, 2 zuchinni ,4 marigolds, one living potato, and green onions that you can't really see;
  2. in the back area is 1 jalapeno, 2 yellow squash, 2 marigolds, 4 tomatoes (hard to see on the left), and 3 cucumber (to the right). 
I designed the planting layout so that the squash would be to the west of the garden so they would be less likely shade the smaller plants.  However, now that Spring has sprung; I determined over the weekend that the neighbors house and large tree shades the entire garden area in late afternoon and evening.  Perhaps by full summer the shade will be a blessing.  It seems the garden gets just shy of 6 hours of full sun per day.  I just hope that's enough to give my family a least a little harvest.

Comments welcome.

Blondie


Friday, May 3, 2013

H.E.B. P&G Roundup ... get $10 Coupon with $30 Purchase

Yesterday I visited my local H.E.B. for a special P&G Roundup deal they have a few times a year. 

I took advantage of this deal by purchasing 4 bottles of Tide @ $7.54 each for total of $30.16 ($30 minimum).  I used 4 of the $2.00 off yellow "M" coupons to bring that total down to $22.16.  I bought a few other items as well; so my total out of pocket was a bit more.



After checkout I was rewarded with my $10 catalina. 



Now that may not be the best deal on laundry soap; but I've developed quite a fondness for Tide.  So for me it is a really good deal.

The $10 catalina can be used between May 15 - 28 on purchases of $30 or more.  I'm a little concerned about it being a "B" coupon; because H.E.B. has changed their coupon policy by not allowing the stacking of coupons.  I will more than likely apply that coupon for items like meat and produce.



Thursday, May 2, 2013

Jalapenos growing in my raised bed.



This is my first Spring garden; and I'm happy to say the jalapeno pepper is doing really well.  This is the only jalapeno pepper plant I bought as a seedling.  It was planted in late March (Good Friday).  The soil in the raised bed is Schultz Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables.  I water almost daily and I sprinkle a weekly feed mix once a week.  The weekly feed mix consists of the "Mittleider Method" nutrient mix with 13-13-13 fertilizer and epsom salt.  I'm very excited about my little peppers and look forward to figuring out what to do with them.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

FREE McWrap Coupon.... all used up


I got this in the mail a couple of weeks ago.  A co-worker brought hers to me as well and today I will use my last one for a free McWrap. I recommend the chicken and bacon. Who doesn't love bacon right? With ranch dressing on the side. Yummy!

CVS Trip 4.30.2013 - Only Paid $.60 Out of Pocket

I had really good savings at CVS on Monday. 
What I Purchased:
  • 2  Lady Speed Sticks @ $2.49 each with Card
  • 1 Zyrtc 10 MG Tab 5 Ct @ $6.00
  • 1 Gallon Oak Farms Milk @ $3.49
Total:  $14.47

Coupons I used:
  • CVS Coupon $2.50 off 2 deo
  • MQ $6.00 off Zyrtc
  • MQ BOGO Lady Speed Stick $2.99
  • 25% CVS Coupon $.88
  • Oak Farms Milk $.50
  • ECC  $1.00
Total Saved:  $13.87

My total out of pocket for this transaction was $.60
That's a great bargain in my book.

Introduction to Blondie's Bargains

Hello, and welcome to Blondie's Bargains blog.  This blog is intended to share my adventures in saving, whether it be home, gardening, couponing, thrift shopping, or any other accomplished effort. 

I am a single parent of two with a full time job; a home with a big yard.  My interests change so one day posts may be about gardening, the next day they may be about couponing.  The next... who knows.  My wish is that I had more time to spend on craft activities; but taking care of those I love is quite time consuming.  I hope you enjoy my little stories and I welcome comments (positive please lol).

My original blog with blogspot was under the name BlondiesBoutique; however, I have given up my business interests to concentrate on family.

God Bless,
Blondie