Forty cents is good, but free is even better!

Dillons had the Suave Shampoo & Conditioner on sale for 88 cents, and their everyday price on Cottonelle 4pks is 99 cents.

I used two .75 coupons for the Suave and a .50 coupon for the toilet paper. Since they double coupons up to $1.00, all three items were free. I paid 15 cents tax.


Ray's Apple Market had both Dawn and Joy dish detergents on a 10/$10 sale. They also double coupons. Using three 50 cent coupons, I got away with three free bottles of Dawn and one bottle of Joy for forty cents (used one 30 cent coupon on the Joy). Tax was 16 cents on this transaction.

My grand total for both transactions = 71 cents. Love it!

Mmmm...monkey bread!

When the autumn air starts turning cool and crisp, this is one of the many things I crave. It's fun to make, too.




INGREDIENTS

• 3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
   
2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Arrange pieces in the bottom of a greased bundt pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan. If using nuts and raisins, arrange them in and among the biscuit pieces as you go along.
3. In a small saucepan, melt the margarine with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the biscuits.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Do not cut! The bread just pulls apart.
   

Enjoy!

Yard sale!

Twice a year, a friend and I hit the Ft. Riley city wide yard sales. The most recent one was this last Saturday. Say what you will, but I have gotten some fabulous bargains at these sales. Here are some of my most recent treasures:














Victoria's Secret purse: $1.00
The "L" purse: 50 cents
Piggy Bank: $1.00 (I just couldn't pass it up)
Karen Neuburger super soft socks - new w/tags: 50 cents
*Dove Cool Moisture Body Wash (24 oz): $2.00
*Dove Cream Oil Body Wash (10 oz): $1.00
*Olay Creme Ribbons Body Wash (10 oz): $1.00
*Neutrogena Lip Gloss (x2): $1.00

*Brand new - purchased from a fellow Walgreens shopper














T-Fal pots & pans: $5.00 for the set

Not pictured:
Full size down comforter+matching pillow shams (excellent condition): $5.00
Sylvania television set: $10.00
Several items of clothing in great condition for cheap, cheap, cheap!
4 or 5 formal gowns for my daughters. The least I paid was $5, the most I paid was $10. I figure what she doesn't use, we can easily sell or donate.

The television set, the pans, and the comforter set I bought for a family member who left a lot of their own things behind in a recent separation. I think she is most excited about the pans. It cost me $20 for all of it. Try buying any one of those items in a store for $20. It's a no brainer!

Yard sales are notorious for junk deals, but you really can find some nice stuff. You better your chances if you can hit them on a day that is designated "city wide."

It's about to begin...

As a single mom, I am constantly looking for innovative ways to save money on expenses and to earn extra income. I am hoping to share my experiences here and to network with others who are doing the same. Some of my plans for blog topics include:

• Share the wealth posts - donating to charities and shelters
  
• Stockpile photos - I love seeing pictures of the stuff people are getting for free or for next to free
• Earning extra income from home - Who couldn't use some extra cash?
• Debt reduction - I need serious help in this department.
• Local Deals - Walgreens, Ray's Apple Market, Dillons, Target, etc...
  
• Coupons - NOT a waste of time if you know how to use them
• Money saving ideas
• Organization
  
• Recipes

I love reading other blogs that are focusing on these same topics. I have learned so much, already. I can't wait to get my own blog underway so that I can share my own experiences (good and bad) and ideas!