It's The End Of The Year--Here's How It All Turned Out

As you can see, I spent $1,233.28 for the year. For all coupons, store discounts with my frequent shopper cards, store-specific GC that I was able to obtain free of charge, the total is $3,457.89. That represents 74% of my grocery shopping. I feel really good about how it turned out for 2009. I didn't make my challenge number, but, I came pretty darn close.

I've thrown out all the 12/31 expiring Qs so that I won't be tempted to go out to redeem "just a few more" today. It's a nasty day out and I won't be going out again except to deliver a cat to someone this afternoon. I'm going to wear blinders so that I can't see the stores as I pass by!

I'm wishing all of you a very happy new year. I hope you have big plans tonight, or, at least can stay awake long enough to greet the new year! I should talk; I'll probably be asleep by 9:00pm!

I had (10) $1 WT for meat, cheese, produce, bakery, and seafood. I used 8 of them today for various produce, meat, and cheese products. I spent a total of $12, but, used about $12 in Qs for it all. I guess I will have to go back tomorrow and use the last 2 Qs tomorrow. It's just a crime to let such good Qs go to waste. Yes, I've gone over by $27 for the year and I expect I will spend another $3-$4 tomorrow. What the heck? I've already blown my budget. I may as well go for broke.

ICK! I opened the produce drawer in my refrigerator and found long forgotten roast beef and Swiss cheese tucked away. I may have to call in the Haz-Mat team to get rid of it! I hate that! I can't believe I forgot really good food in the fridge. Well, I know I'm not the first, but, I hate to admit it, anyway.

I've already thrown out all the 12/31 expiration coupons out of my binder. Too late to trade them, not going to buy stuff just because I have Qs. There was a giant bundle of them and I thought, "How much money am I throwing away?" I know the statistics of how many coupons are redeemed as opposed to the number available, but, still, it kills me to throw them away.

I have no plans for New Year's Eve. Well, check that; I have a bottle of bubbly in the fridge and I expect to consume it tomorrow night, but, well before midnight! Early to bed, early to rise, makes you an old maid!

Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta

O.K. I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed of what I did today. As I told you earlier, I bought 25 free Qs for Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta from someone at HCW. I've looked in every WM in town. I had found it last month in a city about 35 miles away. I had to be about half-way there on business today, so, I made the trip. I really had considered just letting the Qs expire because I knew I wouldn't find 25 of them on the shelf, even if I went there. As it turned out, I made the trip today and there were EXACTLY 25 boxes of rotini on the shelf. I bought 25 boxes = $41.00 and I paid $1.23 tax on all. I'd say I spent an extra gallon of gas from my last point of business to make the trip to Dalton. Not a bad return for $2.40 of gas.

I hope this doesn't turn out to be my "white elephant." I hope I like this stuff.

Great Grocery Christmas Presents!

I received the following for Christmas:

$25 WalMart GC
$25 Bi-Lo GC
$25 Food Lion GC

My parents gave me some money, but, that goes in general revenue. I can spend that for anything (the "anything" is my trip to Hawaii in May).

The FL GC is going to be spent on 1/1/10 for cat food! Yes, that's 2 bags. The WM GC may be spent on 1/1/10 for cat litter. I have some Qs exp on 1/5/10 and I'm almost completely out. I now have an extra cat (took in a lost cat this week) to feed and fill the litter box.

Merry Christmas To Everyone!

Let's all take a day off from couponing and spend the day with family and friends. For those of you brave enough to host the big dinner, I say, "good on ya!" I just hope you paid less than full price for all the food you will be serving. Knowing you got a good deal just makes it taste better, don't you think?

On the home front, I wanted to tell you that my step-mother fell on Tuesday and broke several bones in her face. She is not well to begin with and this is a big setback for her. In fact, when she went to the ER, her BP was 235/125. It's a wonder she hasn't had a stroke,or worse, with BP that high.

My dad had chemo on Wednesday of this week. He is always in bed for a couple of days afterwards, sick and unable to do anything. He perks up just in time for the next treatment. What a roller coaster ride that must be.

I'll be enjoying Christmas breakfast with a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Somehow, I always get out of dishwashing duty! That's a real holiday!

As You Can See, I've Gone Over

I'm disappointed in myself for not being able to do this. I had to buy cat food today and I redeemed those free Freshpet Qs for my nephew. It put me over by about $5.00. I still have a $4 rebate due, but, that's not going to "balance the books" this year. I will most certainly have to buy a few more groceries this year.

It's been a wild ride this year, watching my spending and poking around through stockpile for things I'd forgotten I had.

I guess I should set up some rules for next year's challenge. These are the things I can think of. If you have any other suggestions, please chime in.

I will spend no more than $1,000 out of pocket.
I can use any FREE GC received to reduce spending.
I can use grocery rebates to reduce spending. If I get a rebate for buying a computer or something like that, those do not count towards my groceries.
I will certainly be using coupons for nearly everything I buy.
If I sell stockpile at a yard sale or flea market, that money reduces spending.

What else?

How Would You View This?

Last summer, I took a lot of stockpile stuff to the flea market for several weeks and sold about $450 worth of stuff. Should I have applied that money against my grocery spending? I never really thought of it that way until now. I guess it's good that I didn't do that or else I would have been tempted to spend more money on groceries. Even though I didn't count that income against grocery spending, I'm still going to come in very near my $1,200 budget. I guess in that case it doesn't matter too much.

I doubt that I will sell anything at the flea market next year. My dad has a nice trailer that hitches to his car. He is very sick and I doubt if he will be able to do the flea market thing next year. To be honest, he won't be here next summer. I guess I could do a yard sale at my house a couple of times and see if I can unload some stockpile. The flea market just gets you so much foot traffic, all at one time and in one place.

Well, did I blow it by not using my stockpile sales towards groceries?

It's Coming Down To The Wire

I have a big $2.25 left for the year. I have $6.74 expected in the next couple of weeks from rebates.

I was able to buy about $20 of dog food for my nephew for just tax. I plan to do it again next week and the last day or so of the year. The Qs expire 12/31. It's a worthy cause. He's out of work. He and his wife had been living with his parents for several months and just got into their own place this month. He's a good kid, but, not exactly focused on the future. I guess that could be said of most of us at some time or another.

I received (3) $6 checks for Purina Cat Chow today. Woo-hoo! Good stuff! And, I just blew a big chunk of my CVS GC yesterday for a small bag of cat food. Bad timing, huh? That's O.K. It'll all work out sooner or later.

I had a nice meal with my parents today. We had to celebrate my birthday a couple of days early since my dad has chemo tomorrow and that always wastes him for a few days. I'll be taking him, of course. He is usually glassy-eyed when they finish with him on chemo day. They gave me an electric blanket for my birthday. I'm luxuriating under it right now. The cats have found a whole new heat source and don't have to sleep on top of me to absorb the body heat. They all look so content.

This Offer Has Nothing To Do With Food, But, Still, A Good Premium

Need some new luggage tags? Go here: http://baggagelabel.klm.com/

I've ordered a set for myself and they are really nice.

Do You Want Free Gift Cards?

I am a member of a program in which I send all junk email and snail mail pertaining to insurance, bank accounts, mutual funds, etc. I have posted this in the past but just wanted to remind you about it. I can sign some people up as referrals on my account. Each piece of junk mail is worth X points. When you get 2,000 at the end of the month, you earn a $20 GC of your choice from gifts.com. If you are interested, or want more information, email me at vickiburtonlives@bigfoot.com. If you wish to join, I will need your name, address, and email address. It's really a great way to earn GC. I earn 2,000 points nearly every month. With all the junk mail out there for term life insurance or credit cards with "less than purr-fect" credit, you should be able to earn 2,000 every month. I do earn a few points when you sign up, but, I don't earn anything for your continued activity. I am just offering these referrals because I want to share the love. I have been a member over a year and I've raked in about $240 or so in free GC during that time. There are many choices of GC; retail stores, restaurants, CVS. It's free money, people, just for your junk mail.

I Hang My Head In Shame

I cannot believe that I did this, but, yesterday I spent $7.50 to buy some free Qs from someone over at HCW. It's not something that I need right now. It is strictly a stockpile item. I can't believe I'm down to $4.04 left and I would do something like that. Go ahead! Throw stones! I deserve it!

On the other hand, I made someone else very happy with the trade. That should be some consolation to me. Maybe I'll be rewarded for my "good deed."

I'm on the last night of my 4-night run of hotel mystery shops. I can't wait to get home tomorrow and get back to normal at my house. My animals will probably snub me for a day or so for leaving them alone for so long. Of course, my dad has been there to feed them, but, they don't consider that as having someone around.

Don't You Hate It When You Have A Free Coupon For A Product You Can't Find?

I had a fistful of the Ronzoni garden something-or-other and had looked all over town for the item. I'm out of town for a few days working and I found them in the Wal-Mart in one town. Yes! Free food! I have also redeemed some Qs for a frozen entree since my hotel rooms have fridges and microwaves. I've spent a whopping 36 cents in the past 3 days or so and feeling pretty darn cocky with $11.XX left to spend for the month!

I have a wad of the free Freshpet and only found out today where to find them. I hate to spend what little money I have left for the tax on these items, but, my nephew has a big dog, doesn't have a job, and I want to help him feed the dog for a couple of weeks. I guess I will spend the rest of what I have in my budget to get his dog food for him. I've never asked him to reimburse me for whatever I've spent on him and now doesn't seem like the time to start.

I think I miscalculated a few days ago. I am only expecting $6.74 in rebates soon. I'm hoping they come in before 12/31 so I can "balance the books" with my spending and rebates received.

I'm Going To Bore You With More Cat Food News

I just sent off to Purina enough weight circles to get (3) $6 checks on my next purchases of large bags of cat food. I'm always looking for Purina weight circles, so, if you run across any, let me know and see what we can trade. Heck, if I can figure out how to trade egg cartons for eggs, I surely can figure out how to trade for Purina weight circles!

I have to admit that I didn't eat at home today. I had a Q and a GC for TGI Fridays. Enjoyed a really good meal and spent nothing out of pocket. I had gotten the GC to give as a gift to a friend for Christmas, but, we are "on the outs" and I decided to use the GC for myself. What if we make up before Christmas? Not likely. It's really hurtful as we have been best friends for 40 years, but, things change, people change, it's just gotten too hard to keep the relationship afloat. My therapist insists that she will call and make up before she needs another ride to the airport! That seems to be all she is interested in. Oops! I'm sorry. Too much information.

Just so you don't think I've changed my M.O., I have all the "fixin's" for tacos in the fridge. Once all the components are assembled, it's an easy meal.

I will be out of town Friday-Tuesday. I'll be online, though. I have 4 hotel mystery shops lined up. Dad is taking care of the animals while I am gone. I'm going to be able to see my paramour once or twice during that time. Yes, paramour. Old fashioned word, new age relationship. He is NOT a boyfriend. He doesn't qualify. We have, for 16 years, been sexual partners, nothing else. Well, I take that back. We both like baseball. That's actually the only thing we have in common. Oops! Once again, too much information! Oh, what the heck! I'm an old maid! I deserve a little recreation. Now, wouldn't ya'll just love to have a man who comes to your house, does his job, and leaves? You never have to cook him a meal, pick up his dirty socks or do his laundry. You never have to hear him snore or far*. I think I have a great deal!

Ah, well, good deals coming my way for cat food with the Purina checks I'm going to receive. If I'm lucky, my grocery store will have Purina as a BOGOF deal before long. THAT would be sweet.

A Rebate Received Yesterday

The rebate was only $2.99, but, that's a big deal when you have less than $10 for the rest of the month. I now have about $12 to spend. I also still have $65 in CVS GC and still quite a bit of free Qs to redeem. I have a lot of Freshpet that I was going to redeem for my cousin. He's having a hard time and I wanted to help him feed his dog. I can't find this item in any store around here. I admit that I haven't been to Wal-Mart yet. I really hate spending money at WM. I think I will stop in, though, and see if they have this item. It's a refrigerated item, I think. I also have several Qs for a free box of a new Ronzoni pasta called "garden" something or other. I can't find them anywhere. I've even looked in Atlanta.

I'm in "cooking mode" today. So far, I've made a lemon pound cake (my dad loves mine, or so he says!), I've prepared a pound of taco beef, and boiled 4 eggs for making tuna salad. I've used 6 items out of stockpile in addition to 8 eggs and condiments from the fridge. I realize I've fallen down on my "3 a day" use of stockpile items, but, I'm trying to make up for it all today!

Heads up! My CVS manager just gave me the news that there will be MAJOR FARs on 2/14/09. He didn't go into detail, but, told me that I didn't want to miss it. I'll see if I can squeeze a little more information about it over the next few days.

I Have An Announcement To Make

Even though I haven't made it all the way through the year yet and seeing as how I only have $9 left for the month, you may think I'm crazy, but, here it is.

2010--$1,000 oop!!

Yes, I am going to get through the entire year on $1,000 out of pocket, depending on my stockpile and any free GC I may be able to obtain. I will also use any rebates to reduce my oop. That will be rebates or refunds for grocery and related purchases. If I buy a computer and get a rebate, that wouldn't count for groceries.

Ya'll are going to have to hold my feet to the fire for the next year. I see prices going up on everything, or else, they reduce the ounces and charge the same price. I'm definitely going against the upward trend by reducing my budget, but, you know, that's what makes it a real challenge.

Oh, I didn't get my "free" eggs yesterday. It snowed here yesterday morning and I expected that no one would show up at the flea market in the snow, so, I didn't go. It is several miles away and I just didn't think it worth the possibility of wasting gas to go and find no one there. I still have 2 dozen, so, I plan to go see the egg man next Saturday.

Just for those of you who are used to snow in the winter, I can tell you that it has been many, many years since we had snow in the fall. We don't even get one snow every year, but, when we do, it's usually in February or March.

$9.21

That's all I have left for the year. I fear I will go over by a bit; however, I have $19.73 in rebates due in December (I hope!). Maybe if all the rebates come in, I wll make it. It's really important to me to be able to pull this off.

I can look back on the year and see where I could have cut back. I didn't have to buy that big bag of Glade products, even though there were great Qs for them and the $5 Target GC deal. I could have just walked away from it. I've bought way too much toothpaste, even though most of the time it has been for pennies, not dollars.

I am still leaning towards a $1,000 challenge for 2010. Tell me why I shouldn't. I'm open to your ideas.

I Blew It Today And It's Only December 3

I stopped in to buy some cat food today. Came out with over $32 worth of stuff. I guess I felt like that Stouffer's lasagna family sizes were too good a deal to refuse. I have a whopping $10 left for the year. I have about $10 in rebates due in December, but, boy, am I going to go sliding by the seat of my pants into 2010. For sure, I will be ignoring the Walgreens and CVS deals for the rest of the month.

I got all my Christmas baskets done and most have been delivered. I'm going to get the rest of them delivered tomorrow afternoon. I think my clients appreciate the thought, although they all say, "Oh, no, I can't eat that stuff!" Yeah, so what's a little chocolate in your stocking at Christmas? A moment on the lips, forever on the hips!

I can't believe that I am considering a $1,000 budget for 2010 when I can't even stay within $1,200 this year and I know prices are going up, up, up. Somebody, please, knock some sense into me!

What A Meal!

I took my dad to dinner last night. I was performing a mystery shop. Can't say where we went but he had a beautiful ribeye steak and I had an amazing fillet of salmon. His appetite is good. I'm thankful for that.

I took him to his radiation treatment today. The news is not good, but, we have high hopes. Quite frankly, the radiology oncologist was surprised that my dad was still alive. He had a lot of questions for him about his pain and how he was doing. Dad has committed to 10 radiation treatments for the next 2 weeks. After that, probably more chemo. I'm not sure, but, I think my dad is thinking of dropping out of treatment. The doctor told him today that without the radiation and chemo, he had 90 days or less. He didn't give an estimate of time if he continues with the treatments. I suspect it's not much more than that, although, I guess when you think you're making headway, it doesn't seem so bleak.

For those of you who are believers, I want you to know that my dad is ready to go. He has no fear of what may lie ahead of him after this life. I cannot be sad because I know that he will be walking streets of gold soon. To meet the Lord, to see your loved ones, it all must be so wonderful that our human minds cannot even process the glory. I have miscarried 3 times through the years. My dad will see his grandchildren before I see them!

Please forgive me for getting so off-topic. This blog is all about saving money and living on less. Sometimes, though, there are other things higher on my priority list. I hope you understand.

$47.52

Well, I have $47.52 left for the month of December to stay within my $1,200 budget for the year. I made it through November on $31, so, this should be a cake-walk. I'll have to buy a couple of bags of cat food, but, I think I can keep MY spending to a minimum. Except for a loaf of bread, I can't think of a thing I need right now. Next Saturday, I'm going to the flea market and trade in my egg cartons for 3 dozen eggs. I haven't finished the last 3 dozen I received, but, I'm thinking of baking a couple of cakes this week, so, that should take care of a lot of them.

I'm currently holding onto about $85 in CVS GC. I receive them for pharmacy refills. Oh, yeah, my store finally got a scanner! I haven't gotten anything really good from it yet, but, I'm hopeful. I'm down to $1 in ECB. I know most of you are very good at rolling those ECBs and getting more and more. I'm not really into that too much. I get what I can and use what I want. I really don't see the sense in buying items that I will never use, even if they are FAR. It just chews down my GC and sometimes I can't find something to buy to roll my ECBs before they expire. That kind of forces me to buy stuff I don't need and I don't really like that.

I was taking stock today of all my free coupons for groceries. I have close to $100 worth of them. That's a good feeling. When you get down to nothing, there's free Qs for food!

Well, it's a new month and I see good things ahead. I'm heading out to dinner in a few minutes with my dad. It's important to spend time with him other than in doctors' offices. I will keep you updated on his progress.