July Monthly Totals

My budgeted amount for groceries, household stuff, kitty food, eating out, etc. this month was $160.

CVS Shopping
Merchandise Total: $501.38
Value of Coupons Used: $340.67
ECB's/Gift Cards Used: $152.20
OOP: $17.12
ECB's Earned: $161.28
# Items: 205
# Free Items: 142

All Other Stores
Merchandise Total: $579.14
Value of Coupons Used: $412.61
OOP: $128.79
Rewards/Gift Cards Used: $54.36
Rewards Earned: $15
Rebates: $122.73
Total Cost after Rewards & Rebates: $45.42
# Items: 227
# Free Items: 130

Survey says...I stayed within budget! My goal for August is to reduce my budget to $140. We'll see how I do.

Our Special Day

Today is my boyfriend and my one year anniversary! On the one hand, I can't believe I've only known him for a year, but on the other hand, I feel like I've always known him. He's truly my best friend and the sweetest and kindest man I've ever met. We met online at a itsy bitsy website called datemypet.com -- I know, its corny! I think there are a whole 50 people on the entire website...for the entire country, but we found each other there, so it holds a special place in my heart. We clicked right from the start - he really "gets" me and vice versa. That's such a wonderful feeling and so very important in any kind of relationship. We love to do many of the same things, and I can honestly say that this past year has been the happiest of my life. Happy anniversary hunny!

Would you look at this?!?

What does he think he is?? Human? And his eyes are like that because he was sleepy, not because he's mad at me. Looks like he's going to jump out of that chair and attack me, doesn't he?

Lots of Free Shampoo

RiteAid

• 4 Loreal Hydra Gloss shampoo/conditioner (cleaned out the store...this was ALL they had left!) = $4.99 each = $19.96 - $9.98 (store BOGO sale) - two $1 RA coupons - two BOGO coupons (7/13 paper) = $2 profit! *Don't ask me why I didn't use four $1 RA coupons, honestly I have no idea! If you do this deal, try to use a $1 RA coupon for every bottle you buy. It should work and give you more overage.
• Coast soap $2.99 - $2 SCR = $0.99
• Total was $1.90 after tax

A&P

• 2 Tropicana OJ's $3.99 each, BOGO - $1 off 2 coupon (5/4 RP) = $2.99
• 3 Yoplait yogurts 2 for $5 - $0.50 coupons (tripled) = $1 each (for some reason, I thought these were going to be free. I swear, its been one of those days)
• Clearanced rolls $1.40
• Apples $3.04
• 4 Sure deodorants $1.39 - $0.75 coupon (5/18 RP -doubled only up to $1.39) = FREE
• Used $1 catalina and $5 catalina from previous Excedrin deals
• Total was $4.05
  

Beautiful Weekend

On Saturday, DBF and I went to the Skylands Botanical Garden in Ringwood NJ. It was a little late in the season for some of the flowers, but the park itself is gorgeous. Now if only someone had remembered to check the batteries in her camera and make sure they had enough juice for more than 10 pics, but we're not going to talk about that. There were amazing statues all over the property, and this one caught my eye. Say hello to Diana. (Hello Diana!) Know what's so great about Diana?? She's the Goddess of the Hunt! How appropriate is that? Plus she looks really cool.

The flower garden itself was pretty small and many of the flowers were withering in the July heat, but I managed to find a couple that were still in full bloom.
This bridge/walkway looked so cool. I felt like it was something straight out of Lord of the Rings.

We're definitely going to go back, and next time, I promise I'll check my batteries BEFORE we leave. :)

Moneymaking Sunday

RiteAid

• Electrasol $2.99 - $2.25 coupon (7/13 paper) = $0.74 - will get back $2 SCR #257= $1.26 profit!
• Crest whitening expressions $2.49 - $1 coupon (7/5 P&G) = $1.49 - will get back $2.49 SCR = $1 profit
• 4 Loreal Hydra Gloss shampoos $4.99 each, BOGO sale, BOGO coupon (7/13 paper) - two $1 RA coupons = $2 profit...hmm, I wonder if I could have used 4 RA coupons?
• Total was $1.31

DBF bought second container of Electrasol - total was $0.95 and will get back $2 rebate

A&P - thanks Dhunny for the tips!

• 5 papers $1.50 each
• 2 containers of milk $2.29 each
• 2 Colgate fresh BOGO sale - $0.75 coupon (6/29 SS) (tripled) = $1.01 overage
• 4 Suave deodorants $1.39 each - $0.75 coupon (5/18 RP, also more in today's paper) = FREE (coupons only tripled up to amount of deodorant - no overage)
• Crystal Lite to go sticks $0.99 - $0.50 coupon (from free sample) = FREE (no overage)
• Coupons used: 2 $0.75 Colgate, 4 $0.75 Suave, $0.50 Crystal Lite, $5 catalina, four $1 catalina's
• Total was $0.54!

More Excedrin

I stopped by another A&P tonight and picked up 6 more Excedrins. They are on sale for $1.99 each and there are tons of coupons out there. I also used the A&P Excedrin coupons I received on my previous transaction. My total was $0.94 and I got back $7 in Catalina's and two more $1 Excedrin coupons. I'll also submit for a $3.79 Excedrin Back & Body rebate.