Extreme couponing.... maybe

So now that I am a WAHM (see previous post for explanation on this one) we are trying to save a little money by clipping some coupons. I don't know if you have ever seen the show on TLC, but wow those people save some crazy amounts of money, not to mention get things for FREE! Now I won't be building any stock piles or at any given time have 50 mustards on hand, but I will be saving some money and yes getting some things for FREE. Me and the hubs have been doing some research on the deals and today we had a great one! 
So here's what we got at CVS for $8.35:  2 hawain tropic chapsticks, 2 dove deodorant, 1 Pantene Shampoo, 1 Pantene conditioner, 1 24 pack of Deerpark water  (Retail value: about $30)

1st transaction:  two Hawaiian tropic SPF chap sticks       total spent: $6.40
 BUT, you get 10 Extra Care Bucks when you buy any two Hawaiian tropic products. (to use on your next transaction) So we made $3.60 on this transaction.

2nd transaction: case of 24 Deer Park water, 2 Dove deodorant, 1 Pantene Shampoo, 1 Pantene Conditioner Total spent $1.95  How is that possible you ask? here is the breakdown:

Water was on sale for $3.88, deodorant was 2/$5 and we had a coupon $1/1, Pantene was 2/$6.97 and we had a coupon $3/2.  then we applied the $10 ECB from our previous transaction.

AND we got $2 ECB for buying any two Pantene Products. So we walk away spending $8.35 out of pocket and $2 in ECB !

The best thing about this transaction is this is all stuff we need at the moment and will use. So again... no 50 mustards hanging around for no reason. You can coupon, get good deals, and get stuff for FREE with out being EXTREME. :) 

SAHM

This acronym is part of my world these days. "Stay at Home Mom". That's me! Well I guess technically I am a WAHM "Work at Home Mom". I have been home with Joey for 2 weeks now. I left the corporate world and crazy hours to be able to stay home with my little boy. SO FAR... the best decision we ever made. We have had such trouble finding reliable childcare for Joey since the time he was born. With both of us in retail (having to work weekends, weird hours, etc...) it has be very stressful. So when our last sitter told us she couldn't watch him anymore we knew we had to figure out a permanent solution.

Since I have been doing so well with my MaggieBelles business, it made sense for me to stay at home since I would still be bringing in money. Not to mention doing what I love... creating fun things AND seeing my son grow and learn everyday.

Now it's not all fun and games, there are times when it is tough being at home all the time. Kudos to those moms who have several children and have done this there whole lives. I'm still figuring it out with just 1 right now. But I am enjoying seeing Joey everyday. He learns and does something new all the time and now I am the first one who sees it. I don't have to hear a story or see a picture. They are only little once. And we don't get second chances to see them grow up. And hey maybe now I will be able to catch up on blogging...

Oh Christmas Tree

The tree is officially up! It took much longer than it ever has before. That would be because of a little guy name Joey who is capable of crawling and getting into ornaments. And when mommy does not let him get them he is very mad. lol. You can try bribing the child with every toy he has, but with there are tubs of sparkly new things good luck with him not wanting to get into it.

After it was done though and I held him next to the tree and the lights sparkled in his eyes he suddenly had the biggest smile on his face. it is one of those moments that will always be frozen in my memory. It is another one of those firsts that you only get to experience once. Of course there will be many more Christmas trees and he will smile bigger each year, but that first look will remain priceless.

So later this week, we will make sure that daddy gets up the lights on the outside of the house and the rest of the ribbons and I will of take pictures of everything. I am so excited about Christmas this year. I can't wait for Joey to get to experience the fun of all things Christmas!

Being grown up

You know you are an adult when you get excited about buying a new washer and dryer. Well that and we got an AMAZING deal on them at Lowe's. Not that we had planned on going out and spending $1300 today, but when we went to wash some clothes last night and heard the worst screeching noise and the washer smelled like it was burning, we didn't have a choice. Any of you that have children know that doing laundry is pretty much a daily thing, so being with out a wash machine for very long is NOT an option.

After looking online and going to Home Depot and BestBuy, we went to Lowe's and there it was...

The perfect washer on clearance for $599! The others we had looked at were only 4 cu feet, this one was 4.4 cu feet and cheaper!! So of course my first question was "do you have the matching dryer?" We the guy said they had them both brand new in the box, I said "we will take them"!

So not that I need any more credit cards, but they had 6 months no interest, so I applied and got approved. We will pay it off in 6 months. :)

Oh and did I mention free next day delivery and installation?? Yeah... Lowe's rocks.

They say everything happens for a reason and finding a deal like this makes me believe even more.