{Mary Kay}

I am proud to announce I am a new Mary Kay Beauty Consultant.  If anyone needs any product, please refer to my website at www.marykay.com/lauren_nix

{The Body Shop: Free Body Butter!}

The Body Shop is now offering free shipping on any purchase and they are giving you a free full-sized orange body butter, typically valued at $20!!  There is no code needed, just place anything into your cart and the body butter will be added automatically.

Plus if you go through Shop At Home you can receive cash back for shopping. 

I purchased the Cranberry Joy Two-Tone Bath Lily body pouf for a total of $3.23 (this includes tax) and will receive the body butter for free AND free shipping!!

This is a great, quick gift if you aren't wanting to spend too much.  You can buy something small and receive a $20 gift for FREE!!  This is also great for those gift exchanges everyone does for Christmas!!

{Black Friday Shopping: CVS & Rite Aid}

I decided not to get up incredibly early this morning and fight the CRAZY crowds but I did eventually get motivated to get a few things done.  I stopped by CVS & Rite Aid and REALLY racked up!!  Below are my deals....

LA Looks hair gel $2.99
5 King size M&Ms @ $1.59 each
Carmex lip balm $.99
-.30/1 Carmex lip balm, SS 11/7
Herbal Essence Shampoo $3.99
-$2 on any Clairol product, P&G 10/31
Herbal Essence Conditioner $3.99
-$2 on any Clairol product, P&G 10/31
5 Reese Cups @ $.79 each
Gillette deodorant $4.00
-$2 off Gillette deodorant, PG 10/31
Eucerin lotion $6.99
-$1 off Eucerin hand or body lotion, 2-16.9 oz, RP 11/7
CVS Toothbrush $1.99
- Free Toothbrush or shampoo sample here
Green Bag Tag
$4 ECB back when you spend $20 from the CVS Holiday book
-$15 ECB from the past couple weeks
Total out of pocket: $15.25
Total product without sales & coupons: $41.63
Total savings: $29.08
Year to date savings: $726.54
Total ECB received $39.85

2 Cottonelle refills @1.88 each
-$1 off Cottonelle flushable wipes (Rite Aid coupon) printable
-.50/2 Cottonelle Flushable Moist wipes refill 42 ct, SS 11/7
Noxema razor $3.99
-$2 from a previous pack of razors
2 Old Spice deodorants @ $2.50 each
Nyquil liquicaps $4.99
-$1.50 off Vicks Nyquil, PG 10/31
8 RightGuard deodorants @ BOGOF for $4.49
-(4) -B1G1 Right Guard or Dry Idea, RP 10/31
- $5 off $25
-$9 UpRewards from last week
Total out of pocket: $3.12
Total product without savings & coupons: $61.26
Total savings: 60.52
Total UpRewards received: $7

{CVS'n}

So it's been a while and I've been slacking on posting...but it's close to holidays soooooooo, I'll use that as my excuse.  Anyway, a short CVS run today.  I'm waiting until Thursday for the Black Friday sale to use my ECBs.

1 Old Spice deodorant $2.89
Total: $3.11
Received $1 ECB back
Total saved today: $.30
Year to date savings: $726.24

{Saving at Bi-Lo}

It's a pretty good week for sales at Bi-Lo.  I stopped in for just a few things so far.  I'll make another trip tomorrow to score another meal deal.  For all the weekly sales with coupon matchups, click here.

My transaction:
2 Martha White muffin packs @ .88 each
- .55/2 Martha White Baking Mixes, RP 8/08
 Clear Value sugar $1.98
2 Welch Concord Grape juices @ $1.75 each
-(2) $1 off Welch Juice Cocktail blend, SS 10/31
Country Crock $1.00
- .40 off Country Crock printable
      Meal Deal:
      PF Chang's Meal for Two $8.99
      - $2.00 off PF Chang’s Home Menu Meals for 2, RP 9/12
      Southern Home Instant Rice $0.00
      Southern Home Ice Cream $0.00
      Coke $0.00
Total amount for product before sales and coupons: $28.92
Total after sales and coupons: $11.64


**Remember, Bi-Lo doubles coupons DAILY!!  Take advantage of this!!**

{CVS'n}

Got some great deals and started on some stocking stuffers today at CVS =)

1st Transaction:
2 Oral B Stages Kids toothbrushes @ 4.99 each
-(2) $3.00 off any Oral B electric toothbrush, PG10/31
Total out of pocket $4.75
Total amount of product without sales and coupons $17.58 (that's without tax)
Received $4 ECB back

2nd Transaction:
Hydro 5 razor blades $8.99
-$3 coupon from my Mom
-$5.98 ECB from past weeks
Total out of pocket $.71 (This was put on a gift card, so really nothing out of pocket)
Total amount of product without sales and coupons $12.99 (that's without tax)
Received $4 ECB back

3rd Transaction:
Contour USB Glucometer $29.99
-$20.00 off Contour Glucometer, RP 10/31 or printable
-$3.00 ECB
-$4.00 ECB
Total out of pocket $5.31 (This was put on a gift card, so really nothing out of pocket)
Total amount of product without sales and coupons $74.99 (that's without tax)
Received $10 ECB back

Total savings today: $98.58
Total out of pocket today: $10.77 **A little more than usual, but that's ok**
Total savings to date: $627.66

{Victoria's Secret: Free Shipping + Free Lipgloss & Tote}

Today only, October 28th, purchase $25 or more at Victoria's Secret and receive FREE shipping with the code VS25SHIP at checkout.  Also, if you purchase select sweaters, you can receive a FREE lip gloss set with the code LIPGIFT10 AND if you purchase the Life is Pink Wish Pink Rollerball fragrance for $10 you can snag a FREE Tote with the code PINKGIFT10.

My transaction:
1 Cotton V-Neck sweater for $19.99
1Rollerball fragrance $10.00
Lip gloss Set $FREE
Tote $FREE
Total of $24.20 with tax and shipping after I used a small gift card. 
The original total would have been OVER $60!!!  What a great deal!  A little shopping for ME and a few Christmas items out of the way all at the same time =)

{Fantastic deals at Rite Aid}

I am LOVING some Rite Aid lately!!

2 Tostitos at $3.99 each
$1 off 2 tearpad located on display
Rite Aid flushable wipes $2.99
Domino Sugar $1.99
Bayer Contour USB Meter $29.99
-$40 Bayer Contour Meter RiteAid printable
NYC Cover Stick $1.99
NYC Nail enamel - FREE with purchase of Eye, Face, Lip purchase $0.00
- (2) $1 NYC printable **Print limit reached**
2 Finesse (Shampoo & Conditioner) $3.99 **On sale for BOGOF this week**
-$2 off Finess RiteAid printable
-$2 UpRewards from last week
Total $5.15...used a gift card so nothing out of pocket
Received $2 UpRewards from the NYC products, I also received a 10% off shopping pass for reaching the next UpRewards level.
Total product without sale: $100.91  WooHoo!!!

{It's Almost Halloween!!}

I can't seem to wrap my mind around the fact that there are only 5 more days until Halloween....WOW!  That means there are only 30 days until Thanksgiving and only 59 days until CHRISTMAS.  I've got to start Christmas shopping planning ASAP!  Welcome to the most stressful wonderful time of the year!! =)

{Rite Aid}

There are some great deals at Rite Aid this week, which has been happening a lot lately.  I'm beginning to like Rite Aid ALMOST as much as I like CVS...(I did say almost) =)

My only transaction:
Cottonelle Flushable Wipes $3.29
- Free Cottonelle Wipes coupon, home mailer
-$1 off Cottonelle Wipes (AdPerk)
Scott Tissue $7.49
-$2 off Scott printable
-$1 off Scott printable (AdPerk)
4 Nivea Body Wash for Men $3.99
-(4) $3 off Nivea Men’s body wash, 16.9 fl oz, RP 10/17
-$4 off $20 printable (For earning 20 Video Credits)
-$1 UpReward from last week
$3.90....I used a gift card that I earned through MyPoints so I didn't spend any out of pocket
Total value of products $38.94
Total saved: $35.04  Woohoo!!



{Time for a BUDGET!!}

 
So....I am really, really trying to be money conscience with my everyday spending.  I am now listening to Dave Ramsey everyday through the podcast and LOVE IT!  It is SO exciting to hear people get out & stay out of debt by making some tough, but awesome decisions.  I am also listening to another couple through their podcast, Rebound Podcast.  Even though I don't have near the debt some of these people do, I still have life ahead of me and want to be prepared so that I don't have to go into debt.  I know at some point I will buy a home, have to purchase a car for Kayleigh, and hopefully (if she so chooses) pay for her education.  I'm also sure there will be a billion other "emergencies" and unplanned purchases along the way and I WANT TO BE PREPARED.  So, I'm starting NOW.  (Actually, I started about a week ago, but the point is I started!)

My online banking system has a tool called "Online Portfolio", which I LOVE.  It helps me to keep track of my spending and I can categorize transactions so I know WHERE I am spending my $$.  Also, I try to supplement my income with little side things here and there like: earning points (which are converted into cash) through taking surveys at Opinion Outpost, earning points and trading the points in for gift cards at MyPoints (which I just received a $25 Visa Gift card this week...WooHoo!!), I have turned Gold into Cash, I consign Kayleigh's clothes for a few extra bucks, SwagBucks, and I'm starting a new adventure...Secret Shopping!  I am excited to be responsible, accountable, and successful!!

Anyone else budgeting these days??



{Lunch time shopping: CVS & Bi-Lo}

I took a quick shopping trip for lunch....here is what all I got.  I ♥ coupons!!

1 Brach candy corn $.99
-.99 Brach candy corn from the magic coupon machine
2 Colgate Total @ $2.99 each
-(2) $1.50 Colgate coupons
2 Purex laundry detergent BOGOF $6.49
-(2) $3.00 Purex detergent RP 10/10
Green Bag Tag scan
Glade candle $1.91
-$1.00 CVS Glad coupon (can't remember where from)
-$5.00 ECB from last week
$.57 out of pocket and received $5.98 back from the Colgate Total
Total saved: $23.88
Year to date savings: $600.10......WOOHOO!!

3 jars of 4C parmesean cheese @ $1.99 each
-(3) $2.00 4C cheese coupons SS 10/10
4 can DelMonte corn @ .75 each
-(2) $1 off 2 Delmonte vegetables  RP 9/19
2 X-14 Toilet bowl cleaners @ .67 each
-(2) $1 off any X-14 product  SS 7/25, SS 9/19
2 Mr Clean Magic Erasers @ $1.19 each
-(2) .75 Mr Clean Magic Erasers from Decor Done Right home mailer
2 Marth White muffin mix @ $1.00
- .55/ off 2  RP 8/08
2 Marcal facial tissue
-(2) Free Marcal facial tissue SS 10/10
2 Mentos Gum @ .99 each
-(2) $1.00 SS 10/3
$.98 out of pocket
Total Savings: $32.34

Total out of pocket for today......$1.55  Have I mentioned I LOOOOOOOOOOVE coupons!!



{New pictures....as promised}

As I've said before....I LOOOOOOOVE B&W photography!  So, most of these are black and white...but I did throw a little color in there!  Happy Fall!!



{Fall: It's REALLY here!!}

It's finally starting to feel like FALL!!!  Yay!  I really do ♥ this time of year.  Beautiful colors, fun decorations, parties, yumm-o food, & those Oh-so-wonderful smells....mmmmm!!

I'm hoping to have all of my fall decorations out by the weekend...maybe we'll start figuring out what kind of pumpkin we will have too.  Hopefully pictures to follow at some point....

{Redbox: Free Movie Monday}

YAY!!  I ♥ Free Movie Mondays!!  Mondays are always super crazy & super busy for me at work, so there is nothing like going home and relaxing with a FREE movie.

Redbox.com offers a free movie code on the first Monday of every month. Join the redbox text club and get a promo code good for a free rental on the first Monday of every month.

The hardest part about this is deciding what to watch =)

{CVS'n}

It's a pretty good week at CVS.  For all of the deals, click here.

Here's what I bought this week...

Transaction #1
Renu Multi-purpose contact solution $7.99
Green Bag Tag scan
-$1.50 ECB from summer spending
-$6.00 ECB from last week
.99 Out of Pocket.  Received $7.99 ECB for the contact solution & $1 ECB for my Green Bag Tag
Saved: $9.40

Transaction #2
Jack-o-lantern $5.99
-$5 coupon that printed from the machine
Revlon nail color $3.99
-$1.00 Revlon coupon found in store
Hydro-5 Razor
-$4 Hydro coupon from 10/3 SS
-$8.99 ECB from above
$1.08 Out of Pocket  Received $8 ECB for the razor and nail color
Saved: $21.47

Total out of pocket: $2.07
Total Saved: $30.87
Total Saved Year-to-Date: $569.23

{Food Lion}

I haven't been shopping at Food Lion much lately...but I couldn't pass this deal up!!

2 boxes Ronzoni pasta BOGOF $2.24
-(2) .55 Ronzoni printable
2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese BOGOF $2.00
6 packages of Kraft shredded cheese BOGOF $2.79
2 packages of Kraft singles BOGOF $2.38
Chicken tenderloins - Free because they didn't ring up now that I look at my receipt
-(2) $5/5 Kraft products
$5.58 out of pocket

{Bojangles: FREE Biscuit}

Get a FREE Sausage, Steak, Country ham or Cajun filet biscuit when you sign up for Bojangle's E-Club.
Yumm-O!!!

{Rite Aid}

I REALLY had to stretch my mind this week at Rite Aid because I had I had $10 in UpRewards that were going to expire on Saturday...So, thou shall not waste free $$$.  This weeks transaction....

Oxiclean powder $3.49
-$1.00 Oxiclean SS 9/19
Tums $2.99
-1.00 Tums Rite Aid AdPerks 
-1.00 Tums printable 
Harvest Leaf candle holder $2.99
Aveeno shampoo $5.99
-$4.00 Rite Aid AdPerks 
-$1.00 Aveeno home mailer
 2 Stayfree 32 ct @ $2.99 each
-(2) $1.00 printable 
2 Halls coughdrops @ $2.69 each
- BOGOF in ad coupon
-.50 Rite Aid AdPerks 
4 Kleenex anti-vital BOGOF @ $2.49
-.50/3 Kleenex Facial Tissues or One Bundle pk, SS 8/15
-$1/3 Rite Aid AdPerks
-$5 off $25 Rite Aid AdPerks
-$10 Up Rewards from 2 weeks ago
Total out of pocket $3.80 & I received $3 UpRewards back
Retail price of products before tax $44.78
Total Savings: $40.98

{CVS'n}

Super short week at CVS this week according to me...here goes!!

Brach Candy Corn .88
Bounce Dryer Bar $3.99
-$2.50 home mailer from VocalPoint
Green Bag Tag scan
-1.80 ECB from last week
$.95 out of pocket
No ECBs this week...but it was a slow week for me.
Total saved today: $6.81
Year to date Savings: $562.42