So excited! Lots of great coupons this week & matched up with great sales at my favorite grocery store, Publix.

My awesome husband is the one who got to go this morning while I worked. For the record, I told him that I would be fine with four boxes of Jose Ole Taquitos/Tacos. I suppose when he saw the "blinkie" machine right by them for $1/1, he felt otherwise. Hence, twelve boxes. Oh well, Bradley now has after school snacks for a while. :)

So, here is the rundown!!

8 bottles of Juicy Juice ($1.50 each)

8 bottles Powerade Zero (FREE)

12 boxes Jose Ole Taquitos & Tacos ($1.50 each)

4 (4 per pk) Bic Mens/Womens Razors (FREE)

2 Degree Deodorants ($0.50 each)

2 bags Tyson Chicken Tenders ($2 each)

Total before savings: $142.13

Coupons + Sales: $106.87

Total hubby paid: $35.26

Savings of: 75%

See you all next week!! :)

Saved 72% at Publix this week!!

So I think I am officially getting the hang of this! After spending a couple hours on Wednesday researching my favorite sites, IHeartPublix.com and SouthernSavers.com - I had printed out my coupons, clipped others, organized in stacks and also on an Excel spreadsheet list, and just gotten everything together.

This was going to be my first full on, head first run into major couponing. I was so excited to go to the store after work I could barely contain myself. :)

I went to Publix and was in and out in an hour. I only bought what was on my list, and actually didn't buy two items (2 Red Baron pizzas) because they were out of stock.

So, here is my "score" this week. My best yet. Before I divulge my spendings vs. savings, let me just list what it is that I came out of the store with:

4 boxes Duncan Hines brownie mix

4 boxes Duncan Hines cake mix

4 containers Duncan Hines frosting

4 boxes Triscuits

2 boxes Special K

4 bags Lays chips

12 bags Birds Eye frozen veggies

4 bags Alexian frozen all-natural breads

4 cups Ciobani greek yogurt

4 (4 pk) cups of Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurt

2lbs Jimmy Dean sausage

4 packs Jones sausage

2lbs bananas

3 bottles of 32 load Snuggle fabric softener

6 packs Idahoan mashed potatoes

1 (5lb) bag Domino sugar

1 pack (8 roll) Viva paper towels

2 (12oz) packs Kraft sliced American cheese

2 boxes Quaker granola bars

2 (1.5L) containers Breyers ice cream

2 (8oz) containers Cool Whip

Total before savings: $203.62

Coupons + Sales: $145.96

Total I paid: $57.66

Savings of: 72%

The Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurts ended up being FREE because they were on sale for $2, and on BOGO, so they were $1 each. I had a $1 off of one coupon for each of them, so they cost me nothing. The bananas were also free w/ the coupon I had because I purchased the Triscuits. The Alexian bread was $0.70 per bag after coupons, the Triscuits were $0.25 per box after coupons, and the Breyers ice cream was $1.50/carton after the "stacked" store + manufacturer coupons I had.

Yes, my name is Kimberley and I am addicted to couponing.

See you all next week! :)

Today's Walgreens Deal...

Today Hans & I bought two Sunday papers to see what the deals were, and so we can match up some coupons. In the SmartSource & Red Plum inserts we found two great deals that went well together, as both were on sale at Walgreens!

Hans just got back (and already opened a package so I will just post a web image), but here is what he got:

In the paper we had two coupons for $3 off one package of the above razor w/ cartridges. At Walgreens they were on sale for buy one, get one 50% off and are normally $7.99 each.

Also in the paper we had two more coupons for $1 off of any two Mars Easter candies. They are on sale at Walgreens for $.029 a piece! So, this is a money maker! Four candies will be $1.16 - so the overage would be a $0.84 credit.

Hans got two razors w/ six cartridges each, and four Snickers Easter egg candies. Before using the coupons the total was $16.80.

After the coupons and sale, he walked out the door paying $4.46 - a 73% savings! He now has a good razor and blades for the next few months, and the candy was just a bonus that they paid him to take off their shelf in essence.

Coupons!

Over the last couple weeks I have started doing something I never thought I would do:

COUPONING.

I had seen an episode of "Extreme Couponing" and I never thought that could be possible saving so much. Then, I talked to some friends who coupon. I am just getting started, but the hubby and I are so excited with what we've learned and how much we have begun to save.

For example, at Publix, did you know you can use a coupon with a BOGO? I didn't. Did you know you can also use a coupon for each item in the BOGO -- even the "free" one? That was a big surprise!

Right now at Publix they have Mueller's pasta on BOGO for $1.43/2 boxes. I had a $1.00 off of 2 boxes coupon. So, I paid $0.43 for two boxes -- or $0.21 per box! (Needless to say, I bought twelve because I had six coupons)

Another example is an online coupon that is printable for $1 off of any 2 Mars Easter candies. At Walgreens they have the Snickers Easter Egg candies 2/$1. So, I got them for FREE.

Yep, I am addicted! Here is the "score" from today:

This includes:

6 boxes pasta

4 Easter candies (free)

2 Rimmel nail polishes

2 boxes (12pk) Pop Tarts

2 bottles (32 load) Wisk laundry detergent

2 bottles (66 load) Purex laundry detergent

1 bottle (40 load) Downy fabric softener

2 Schick Intuition razors + 2 refill cartridges

2 bottles v8 Fusion juice

2 Trident gums

1 bag Lays Kettle Cooked chips

1 MIO Water Enhancer (fruit punch)

Total before savings: $88.45

Coupons + Sales: $45.25

TOTAL I PAID: $40.20

Savings of: 54%

Yes, I know I am now stocked up on detergent for the next several months. I paid only $3.99 per bottle, and they are normally between $6.99-$10.99 per bottle, depending on the brand. The razors were also a great score. They are normally $8.99 for one. They were on BOGO for $8.99/two. I had a $3.00 off coupon for each one. So, the final total for the razors was $2.99 for the both, or about $1.50 each!

As you can see, I am excited. Don't tell my husband I told you all -- but he is really into finding the deals also! There are SO many websites out there that take the weekly ads and match them up for you with the deals (I like I Heart Publix, Southern Savers, Feeding God's People, We Use Coupons, and Raining Hot Coupons, to start...) - so they take all of the guess work out of it. All you have to do is collect the coupon inserts or find them online and print them, cut them, organize, and GO! :)

That's all my "rambling" for now. Just excited! In this economy, or any for that matter, it certainly doesn't hurt to have a few extra bucks in the bank.

Kim's "Grown Up" Macaroni & Cheese

I have been on a mission recently.

I am tired of the "blue box" macaroni & cheese.

I mean sure, it is okay for the kids on occasion, but for Hans & I it just doesn't have that ooey, gooey, yummy cheese flavor I am looking for. It's just missing something (well, a lot actually).

So, for the past couple of months here & there I have been looking for a good, solid, savory macaroni cheese recipe. For adults.

I have yet to find one that stood up to all of my expectations. Many have had almost everything and they were good, don't get me wrong. None of them were able to knock me off my feet though.

So, I combined all my favorite ingredients for each of the recipes and eventually, made my own. Here it is!

Kim's "Grown Up" Macaroni & Cheese

16oz box of Rotini pasta, or Elbow pasta (your choice)

10 slices bacon

1/2 onion

2 cloves garlic

3 tbsp butter

1/2 cup flour

4 cups milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

8oz block sharp Vermont white cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp thyme

2 tsp Dijon mustard

dash Worcestershire sauce

dash hot sauce

salt & pepper to taste

-----

2 tbsp melted butter & 1/4 c Italian style breadcrumbs (for topping)

------------------------------------------------------

1. Preheat oven to 375*F.
2. Cook pasta until 2 minutes below the box directions (so if it says 11 minutes cook for 9 minutes).
3. While the pasta is cooking - slice bacon and cook the bacon pieces until crispy. Drain and reserve 2 tbsp or so of the drippings. Cook the onion and the garlic in the drippings for 2-3 minutes or until slightly translucent. Drain w/ the bacon.
4. In the same pan, add 3 tbsp butter. When the butter is melted, add the flour and cook for one minute. Slowly add the milk, cup by cup, until combined and thickened. Then, add the heavy cream. Cook on medium heat until bubbly. Remove from heat, then add the spices (nutmeg, thyme, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce). When combined, finally add all the cheeses.
5. Add the bacon/onion/garlic mixture to the cheese sauce. When combined, add the cooked pasta.
6. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with some cooking spray, then add the cheesy pasta mixture. In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tbsp butter and breadcrumbs, then sprinkle on top. Bake for 30 minutes. ENJOY!!

Happy Opening Day!!

I love baseball.

Absolutely love it.

I never used to like it until I met my husband.

And he loved the Marlins.

And I had never watched baseball.

Now I watch it.

And I love it.

So HAPPY OPENING DAY everyone!

I am going to sit at home...

With my peanuts & cracker jacks...

And watch both my teams alternately on two different channels...

...and I hope they win!

Lets go RAYS and MARLINS!!!

Worst. Blogger. Ever.

I give this award to myself because I think I am seriously the worst blogger ever! I start doing a weekly or daily blog and get through a week or two then BAM! Something comes up and I miss a few days. Or weeks. Who's counting?! :)

Anyway, my dear follower (seriously I don't think many people read this, haha) -- I will try, yet again, to update on my daily life.

I think my problem is that I think that my life can't be that interesting! Sure, I think my kids are hilarious. But would other people? Nahhhhh.

For example, as I am trying, Jake just came into the room wearing only his jeans & diaper, rubbing his belly, with a big smile saying "Cooooooookieeeee". You had to be there. (and yes, I gave him a cookie)

Anywho, I will write more, even though it may not be terribly profound. :)