The Rest of My Shopping Deals

My other transactions went off without a hitch.

2 rounds of buying Pantene 2/$7 at WAGs, with 2 $3 off MQs, got me total 4 RRs.
OOP $9.20 (incl. tax, not deducting RRs)

Took the $4 in RR to buy bacon 2/$8.
OOP $4, got back 1RR.

Took that RR plus another from last week to buy 24ct Zyrtec D and a lock for blue_wagon's gym locker. Used my $4 coupon, but couldn't use MQ because it wasn't for D. Poo. So that purchase was $23.28, so I basically got the $5.79 lock for free.

Then to Rite Aid where the woman was super patient with me. No one was behind me when I started but there was a little line when I was done. I felt kind of bad. I had wanted to grab minute rice, pet food, bread and milk to the tune of $20 because I had a $4/$20 coupon from VV, but alas, no minute rice and no skim milk, so I tabled that coupon for another time. Maybe more Zyrtec D next week. Anyways. Got 10 cans of Fancy Feast for $5, used 1 UP and got another. OOP $4.35 with tax.

Used that UP for Fructis shampoo 2/$6 (usually $4.29 each). Also used two $1/1 coupons so OOP was $3.52. No UP gained there so I'm back at neutral for RA.

But I'm pretty pleased. I got 6 bottles of shampoo and conditioner for $12.72, so a little more than 50% off normal price. I probably won't need shampoo or conditioner for the rest of the year.


Total OOP for Entire Day: $50.90
Actual value of items purchased: $121.27
Including store sales, coupons, and RR/UP, I saved $70.36 between all my transactions today!

Now, to enter everything into my budget spreadsheet...

Read more: http://notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=wir&thread=51&page=48#ixzz1AmgB3UxI

Grocery Challenge

So, I've recently joined a "Grocery Challenge" of sorts, where people try to use coupons and rewards at various grocery and drug stores to maximize the items they get for their dollar. Sometimes, the stores even pay them to take goods out! I don't know that I'll ever be that good, since I'm not going to go buy coupons, but I'm trying to do the best I can with store sales, weekly insert coupons, and coupons I can print online. Today was day one.

My plan was to go Rite Aid at lunch for Transaction 1:

Diet coke 6-pk bottles are 2/$6, and you get 1 UP (reward dollar)
Blink $7.99 (will get 7.99 Single Check Rebates (SCR), so converting part of my allergy rewards to cash)
Lady Speed Stick (my fave) is BOGO50% so I believe this will come out to about $4.50 but I am not sure
Ziplock is 2/$4, and will use a $1 manufacturer's coupon
Kleenex is BOGO, need the small boxes for my desk at work, not sure what this costs.

I might pay around $4 OOP.

Then tonight I will go to the RA near my house and use my UP on Transaction 2

Fancy Feast 10/$5. I will then get another UP

for Transaction 3

Fructis is 2/$6, minus 2 $1 coupons, minus the UP, so I will pay 2/$3.


I also have a few transactions planned for Walgreens (WAGs) if I have time before the storm hits:

Transaction 1:
Pantene 2/$7, use $3 coupon, so 2/$4. I also get 2RR (register rewards).

Transaction 2:
repeat #1, so I pay $4 again, and get 2 more RR

Transaction 3:
Oscar meyer bacon is 2/$8, use 4RR, so 2/$4. I then get 1RR

Transaction 4:
Zyrtec D is usually $22.99 or so. I have a $4 WAGS coupon, and will try to talk them into using the $4 MQ (that is for the non-D formula). I will use the RR from #3, and a RR I have from last week. No way to get Zyrtec for free, sadly.

Total OOP WAGS: $24? I will report back on how this goes...


Update:

So Transaction 1 at RA went off without a hitch.

2 6pks of diet coke for $6.60 (usually $3.99 ea, plus deposit)
2 100ct ziplocs for $3 (after using $1/2 coupon)
2 lady speed stick for $6 (BOGO50%)
Blink eye drops at $7.99 (regularly $11.49)
2 100ct kleenex for 2.49.

Normal cost: $39.01 plus tax

I used a $20 allergy rewards coupon and a Video Values coupon for another $1 off, plus the $1 ziploc, and ended up paying OOP $6.55.

Now I get $7.99 in SCR back, and I got $1 UP. Not bad for a newbie!

99 Things Update

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment	9/25/2009
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment	9/18/2009
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment	9/18/2009
research and buy shed-Spring	backyard	3/10/2010
dig up garden spot	backyard	5/25/10
brick garden-spring	backyard	5/25/10
trim edges of yard	backyard	5/25/10
find place to buy dirt	backyard	9/13/2009
schedule dirt delivery	backyard	10/5/2009
buy rocks?	backyard	10/17/2009
research and buy patio furniture	backyard	4/18/10
Get firewood, stack nicely	backyard	9/26/2009
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard	10/10/2009
Regrade flower bed	backyard	10/11/2009
Research tulip planting	backyard	10/8/2009
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard	4/18/10
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard	5/25/10
plant bushes along back of house	backyard	5/25/10
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard	10/17/2009
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom	10/9/2009
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom	9/12/2009
install hooks for robes	bathroom	9/12/2009
clean white couch	master bedroom
call Windsor	boiler	9/14/2009
car inspection	car	9/12/2009
Get runner	dining room	10/17/2009
Get rug for dining	dining room	2/5/10
hang pictures in dining room	dining room	10/5/2009
research chandeliers	dining room	5/10/10
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room	10/17/2009
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances	9/15/2009
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard	9/10/10
dig out front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
clean front closet	hallway	10/1/2009
shelves in office closet	My office	10/18/2009
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway	10/1/2009
call Slomins	house	9/25/2009
research STAR tax break	house	9/22/2009
buy plants	house	10/17/2009
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house	NA
buy halloween decorations	house	9/26/2009
get nice nightlights	house	9/29/2009
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house	12/12/09
Pop open the chapagne	house	12/31/09
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming	10/12/2009
create housewarming invitations	housewarming	9/14/2009
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
send invitations (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
Paint kitchen	kitchen	9/20/2009
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen	9/12/2009
buy organizers	kitchen	9/14/2009
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen	NA
clean toaster oven	kitchen	10/1/2009
clean coffee pot	kitchen	9/19/2009
install dishwasher	kitchen	11/6/2009
pick up dishwasher	kitchen	10/30/2009
create meal plan for September	kitchen	9/18/2009
create meal plan for October	kitchen	10/5/2009
research microwaves	kitchen	5/15/10
clean island	kitchen	10/12/2009
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen	9/19/2009
wash all sheets and towels	laundry	9/19/2009
Get rug for living room	living room	10/4/2009
hang pictures in living room	living room	10/31/2009
find couch art	living room	10/18/2009
pick up console	living room	9/19/2009
install surround sound	living room	9/26/2009
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining	10/5/2009
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom	9/20/2009
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom	9/1/10
stain nightstand	master bedroom	10/11/2009
hang Renoir	master bedroom	9/20/2009
find art for bedroom	master bedroom	6/18/10
hang mom's painting	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Paint my office	My office	9/13/2009
Get rug for my office	My office	NA
Put up curtains in my office	my office	9/20/2009
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office	NA
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office	11/11/2009
file papers	my office	11/11/2009
clean shelves in office	my office	9/26/2009
clean blinds office	my office	9/20/2009
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet	9/26/2009
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs	5/5/10
wash banister	dining room	9/12/2009
assemble grill	backyard	9/13/2009

2011

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since I posted last. Well, actually I can, because it's been a crazy year. Lots of wedding planning, an absolutely AMAZING wedding and honeymoon, getting kittens... you can see where I might have gotten sidetracked from blogging. As 2011 approaches, I am glad to be *thisclose* to being fully vested in our retirement plan at work. I am keeping an eye out for other job opportunities that will give me more challenges and new knowledge, although the benefits here are going to be hard to leave. We are also beginning financial planning for starting a family, which we hope to get started on in a year or two. So my primary goal for 2011 is:

PAY DOWN DEBT.

Our CapOne card is about $12k, and I want to get that down to $6k by this time next year (if not lower). We did pay off both Chase cards this year, and have about $1k on my Citicard. I also want to keep paying a little extra on our car loan.

We did succeed in getting a $5k Emergency Fund, but sadly $1k of that is going to car repairs from a little accident we had recently on an icy day. But building that back up will also be a priority.

There is still time for me to work on my novel this year, and I plan to next week in between holidays. I didn't find a literary agent...maybe in 2011.

I also succeeded in losing weight and working out more, with a total loss so far of 15 pounds. I'd realistically like to lose another 10, but right now I'm just working on maintaining during the holidays. Cooking healthier will become more important the closer we get to starting a family, but we've been doing a fairly good job of it recently. I will never love most veggies, but I'm at least finding new ways to cook them that makes them easier to go down.

So all in all, an amazing year. The only downside was losing my stepmother to complications of lupus back in April. My dad has been doing pretty well, all things considered, but I know this time of year is probably very hard for him. Just wish he lived closer by. Next year we plan on asking him to come visit for the holiday, but with his work schedule he probably won't be able to. Sigh.

Here's to 2011!!

2010

Wow. Where the heck did 2009 go? It's hard to believe that a year ago I was only starting at this job, the frightened newbie without a clue. I still feel like I haven't got a clue some days, but for the most part, all is well. One more year and I'll be fully vested with the 12% of my income the put in the 401(k)! Definitely incentive to stick around. That and the amazing insurance. But in any event, that is not what my post is to be about.

I have a lot of goals this year. Some are financial, some are not, but I believe they are all tied together in one way or another. Ultimately, they will all make me happier (I hope!).

1. Exercise regularly, thus becoming healthier and dropping 30 pounds (yes, I do have 30lbs to lose. I'm not sure where it's hidden, but it's there and I don't want it anymore!).
2. Be more focused on meal planning. And not just the usual 10 meals I rotate through. I want to find new recipes, explore new foods (even veggies), and cook at home so blue_wagon and I are healthier and happier. And save money on eating out, which we will still do occasionally.
3. I want to pay off the $750 on my Chase card. Buh-bye!
4. I want to pay off the $5000ish on my CapOne card. Some of that will be reimbursed from my freelance project (I paid for shipping, they owe me over $200).
5. I want to save up for the photographer and band for our wedding. If our parents let us pay.
6. I want to get $5000 in the Emergency Fund.
7. I want to save $10000 in other savings funds: clothing, vacation, house/pool, car, medical.
8. I want to actually finish my damned novel. And start the next one. And find a literary agent. I need to stop procrastinating and face the music. Either it gets pubbed or it doesn't. End of story. Beginning of the next one!
9. I want to get into photography again.
10. Not turn into bridezilla.
11. Have a blast at my wedding and on my honeymoon.

I guess that about covers it!

Engaged!

Twenty-six is already turning out to be a pretty good year for me! Blue_wagon proposed on our five-year anniversary, and now we're trying to plan a wedding for October 2010! Wish us luck!

Reflection on 25

Last year at this time, well, first of all, I was interviewing for a new job and thought I failed miserably, only to get called back and eventually offered the job. I was also jokingly saying how horrible turning 25 would be, that I was having a quarter-life crisis, and that I was old. As it turns out, being 25 was the best year ever! Here are some things I accomplished (or that just happened to me):

1. I saved a lot of money, and paid off some debt. I'm getting there, and learning along the way!
2. I bought a house with blue, moved in, decorated, and made it ours, all without going into horribly deeper debt (not counting the mortgage, of course)
3. Created a budget for our household and got blue on board
4. Saved for and went on a vacation with blue's family. Survived.
5. Thought really hard about working on my novel again.
6. Lost 18 pounds. Got stressed, then sick, then stressed some more. Gained back 8. Ah well. Can't win 'em all!
7. Started that new job. Trafficked 13 books through the publication process. Managed to not murder too many academics. Apparently impressed bosses enough that they haven't fired me yet.
8. Got 12% of salary put into 401(k) without me putting anything in myself (have I mentioned they have fantastic benefits?), although I do have to stay another year to get vested. I also started contributing 1% of my salary myself last month.
9. Learned the value of coupons, BJ's Warehouse, and planning out the weekly menu.
10. Got all nice and content and happy, for the most part.

Maybe 26 will be better? I'm not sure. All I know is it's not a multiple of 5, and so I'm a little skeptical.