Gift Card Challenge, Week 2 Continued...

There were 2 packs of diapers left and in the right size!  I had a $2.00 off CVS coupon for the diapers and the coupon machine printed out a $3.00 coupon so it ended up being an even better deal.  The Mtn. Dew were 0.88 each and I had 2 $1/2 so they were .38 each!  The Gatorade were 2.50 each then I got 5 ECB back so it was like getting them for FREE.

 

Total Used on Gift Card: 1.49

Total Product Value Purchased: 31.31

Remaining Extra Care Bucks: 5.00
Total Used on Gift Card so far: 4.56
Remaining Gift Card Balance: 20.44
Total Product Value Purchased So Far: 89.06

Walgreens Trip-8/14

Total Spent: $14.15
Total Saved: $74.73

Not too bad.  $88.88 worth of product.  Saved 84% and got some things we needed, some cheap candy, and some Expo Markers for FREE for a friend who's a teacher.  :)

The Gift Card Challenge

I have challenged myself to a CVS gift card challenge.  I bought a CVS gift card for $25 and I am going to see just how long I can stretch it!

Here are my first two week results.
Week 1:

I broke this up into two transactions and I did have ECB to roll into this so that helped.  I am not going to list all my coupon match ups since I will not likely be posting these until after the week is over...I get my coupon match ups from SouthernSavers, so check her out if you are looking for that!  I bought a Schick Hydro Razor, a pack of Pampers diapers, Aussie Shampoo and Leave in Treatment, 3 Softsoap Bodywashes, and a bag of Gardettos.  

Total Used on Gift Card: 3.07

Total Product Value Purchased: 49.43

Remaining Extra Care Bucks: 9.00
Remaining Gift Card Balance: 21.93
Total Product Value Purchased So Far: 49.43

Week 2:

I received a coupon for a FREE CVS body wash for liking CVS Minute Clinic on Facebook and to my delight the magic red machine printed out a coupon for a FREE 20 ct. of CVS bandaids and a FREE Caramello bar.  After scanning my coupons for the body wash and bandaids, the receipt printed that I didn't owe anything and the candy bar coupon hadn't even been used yet.  So I got another one.  I planned on getting Gatorade, a razor I had a raincheck for, and Huggies Slipon Diapers but they were out of all three.  I've still got 9 ECB, and may try again for the diapers.   

Total Used on Gift Card: 0.00  (I forgot to use my card, and paid the 0.08 with change from my wallet, I'll figure it in at the end).

Total Product Value Purchased: 8.32

Remaining Extra Care Bucks: 9.00
Total Used on Gift Card: 3.07
Remaining Gift Card Balance: 21.93
Total Product Value Purchased So Far: 57.75

Transitioning

I've transitioned from working mom to stay-at-home-mom to nanny/stay-at-home-mom.  I'd be lying if I said that I didn't love the stay-at-home-in-your-jammies-watching-one-too-many episodes-of-Yo-Gabba-Gabba best.  However, watching these two sweet boys is a very close second.  I do love it.  And when I have a moment of "stress," I quickly remind myself that I am so very lucky to NOT be working anymore and getting to play all day and feed teddy grahams and peanut butter to two cutie pies instead.  I remind myself that I am lucky to be with Caleb all day.  I remind myself that I am lucky that someone else trusts me with their little.  I remind myself of how lucky these two are to have each other.  They are already best buds.  Much of the day they are taking toys from one another, Rayaan telling Caleb, "No, No, No!" when Caleb is into something he shouldn't be, or parallel playing side by side but not really "together."  But they love each other already.  Caleb gives Rayaan goo-goo eyes that say, "You are so big and cool and I want to be just like you!" and Rayaan hugs the "bebe" when he is upset or offers him a toy, then another, and another, "More!  Here bebe!"  Yep, it's a close second indeed.

Great Intentions

I take a LOT of pictures on my phone.  I take pictures of Caleb of course but I also take pictures of random things and I think, "I am going to write about this on my blog!"  And 99% of the time they don't end up here.  I don't know how Mamas find the time to blog daily, or even weekly, to be honest.  I'd like to write more often.  For myself more than anyone else really.  I like to preserve memories with words and pictures.  It just doesn't happen as often as I wish it did.  So here's a condensed blog of some things from the past couple weeks. 

The garden has died.  Chris mowed over it, except the tomatoes.  He dug up potatoes yesterday and we had a cheesy potato bake tonight.  It was pretty yummy if I do say so myself!  I hope next year we do even better with our errr...harvest!  I've made two batches of salsa.  I felt very domestic!

Chris has taken Caleb off for a couple Daddy/Son dates lately, and I have to admit, it's been nice!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being home with my boy all day everyday!  Everyday Caleb does something that makes me laugh, something that makes me think about just how lucky I am, something that makes me pick him up and squeeze him tight (even though sometimes I should leave him be and let him do whatever it is he is doing).  However, I do miss me time a little.  So what did I do last week?  A little laundry, cleaned up my kitchen, then made a pot of coffee.  I went to pour the coffee and realized that all my small black mugs were in the dishwasher and reached for this one instead. 

So what if it's August!

I made myself a peanut butter n' fluff sandwich with my new FAVORITE peanut butter!  We ordered a 6-pack from Amazon.  Heaven I tell ya!  Heaven!

And I clipped coupons.  One day I WILL be all caught up!  My binder will be full of all in date coupons, neatly clipped and filed and there will be NO piles of coupons on a table!  A girl can dream right?

If you love these pages as much as I do, head over the the KrazyCouponLady's website and print some.  They're FREE and help to keep things organized.

It's important to have some me time.  To do whatever it is that makes you happy.  Mamas need that.  And so do Daddys.  :)

Well, my baby is ready for bed which means I'm ready for bed!  I guess I will stop here and pick up later.  I will add a few pictures of my sweetheart.