ON VACATION

I will be on vacation in Oak Island, NC for the next 7 days. I hope you have a great 9 days full of thrifty ways and ideas. I have my coupon binder with me and CVS is right down the street so hopefully I won't miss many great deals.

I will be back on Monday, July 13.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - PART 9

BOATING



As you see, we are lucky enough to have 2 boats. As I mentioned yesterday, my husband is an avid fisherman and has owned a boat since I have known him. I haven't been to the lake in a couple of years but we do plan on going a few days this summer. It will be Payton's first trip to the lake.



I am wrapping up my Summer Fun Series - Using What You Have. I hope you have enjoyed this series and maybe realized some things you have at home that you too can use to have fun this summer with your family.

Thought of the Day

Happy 4th of July!!!

FINALLY FRIDAY

Friday has finally arrived. I do not have to work for the next 9 days !! Yeahhhhh!


Have a great weekend and week. I will see you next Monday!

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 8

Fishing

My husband is avid fisherman. He loves to fish no matter what kind of fishing it is. Before we even starting building our house, our pond was completed. We have spent several afternoons already this summer fishing. I find it so relaxing and Payton will actually fish too if the fish are biting.

This is another way we are using what we have this summer.

Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) Summer Decorating on a Budget - Great ideas for adding some summer style to your home on a budget.

2) Getting Craft Out and About - Wonderful ideas of fun crafts to do with your kids.

3) Decorating Tools You Must Have - Great list for those do-it-yourself projects. I have all but 1.

4) Honey Citrus Dressing - Dressing that can be used for fruits.

5) Peanut Butter Cake - Sounds like a simple but delicious cake.

6) Dining Room Chair Makeover - It is amazing what some new fabric can do.

7) Summer Tie Dye Shirts - I use to love to do these when I was in school.

8) 5 Ways to Show your Patriotism Frugually - Great ways to celebrate.

REMINDER - FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAY

What is Real Chocolate Relief? Mars only uses Real Chocolate - that means it is made with 100%

pure cocoa butter. Come back to www.realchocolate.com every Friday through September to get FREE* Real Chocolate Coupon for your favorite Mars brand. If it is Mars, then you know it is Real Chocolate. Giveaway starts at 9am EST every Friday.

Thought of the Day

"Everyone is your best friend when you are successful. Surround yourself with people that you are not afraid of failing with."

Paula Abdul

Ruby Tuesday - B1G1 FREE Entree on July 4th ONLY

Click here to print your Coupon.

FREE Subscription to BusinessWeek and Golf Digest

Click here for your FREE Subscription to BusinessWeek and Golf Digest

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - PART 7

Pool Table

My husband bought a pool table soon after we built our house. When we had no children, we used our pool table almost every weekend with friends and family. In the last couple of years, we have maybe played 3 games. Recently, we have started playing more often. I am trying to use what we have instead of letting it go to waste.

Thoughtful Thursday

Remember what this weekends holiday is about and honor the veterans.

THRIFTY TIP - INEXPENSIVE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

Use flowers from your garden. This arrangement didn't cost me anything.

What Did You Get for FREE This Week?

Lots of goodies this week:



HomeMade Simple Coupon Book - Including a FREE item coupon
FREE Sample of Huggies Overnight Shorts
FREE Samples of Jack Daniels Barbecue Sauce and Thick Classic Worcestershire Sauce and $1
Coupons for each
FREE Stickers
Sonic Coupons
FREE US Weekly Magazine (Not sure why I'm getting these but they are fun to read)
Alexia Crunchy Snack Coupons and Buy One Get One Free Offer

A Set of last weekends coupons from my local newspaper as a sales promotion to order the daily news



Did you receive any goodies in the mail?

WALGREENS TRIP - 6/30/09

Purchased:

2 - Fruit Snacks - $1.00 each
3 - Walgreens Shopping Bags 3/$1
1 - Neosporin $3.99, Used $1 coupon
1 - Childrens Zyrtec $11.99, Used $2 coupon
1 - J & J 1st Aid Kit - $1.49
1 - Walgreens Peroxide - $ .34
1 - Walgreens Alcohol - $1.69
1 - Barbie Bandages - $3.79
1 - Baby Powder - $2.99
1 - Stayfree pads - $3.99

Total Amount - $ 35.60
Coupons Used - $3.00
FSA Debit Card - ($21.00) - Had to use before July 1st
OOP Total - $ 11.60

Thought of the Day

"Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use."

Ruth Gordon

FREE SAMPLE OF ZUNSPOT

Click here for your FREE Sample of Zun Spot Sun Spot Cream.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 6

Patio & Grill

We use our deck every weekend and a couple of day s druing the week. We love to eat outisde whether we are grilling out or not. It is also a great place to relax, sit in the sun, or play. Payton likes to read books or color while sitting at the table. We also enjoy having an umbrella with our table to provide some shade since we do not have any shade trees next our house.

PAYING OFF DEBT - JUNE UPDATE

Begining Debt Balance - $7,129.65
Paid - $623.47
Balance - $ 6,506.18


CVS Totals - 2 Trips
I started the month out with $4.31 in gift cards and $10.00 ECBs.
Total Items Purchased - $ 44.60
Total Saved wit Coupons & ECBs - $24.96
Total OOP - $19.64
I ended the month with $4.31 in gift cards (I keep forgetting to use this) and $11 in ECBs.

Walgreens Totals - 2 Trips
Items Purchased - $ 47.68
Total Saved with Coupons, Credits and Gift Card - $ 34.02
Total OOP - $ 2.22

Total Spent on Gas - $ 140.00 - That's $335.14 less than last month. WOW! My husband received a promotion at the beginning of the month. His promotion included a company vehicle, company cell phone, credit card, and of course an increase in salary.

Total Spent on Groceries - $ 183.01 - Average of $ 45.75 per week, 121.50 less than last month.

Total Spent on Eating Out - $ 282.91 - $60.94 less than last month. The answer I have to explain our total for eating out is ......... Convenience!!

In summary, I spent $517.48 less this month than last. I am very proud with my totals and I am continue to working hard on paying off our debit. I wish I could have used that extra money toward paying off our debt but of course we had some unexpected car repairs this month.

WAYS I SAVED MONEY IN JUNE

- Earned another $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swagbucks, $25 earned so far toward my Christmas budget
- When wanting to buy something for my home,, I have really started thinking about how I can repurpose something else for the item.


- Used coupons on every shopping trip.
- Kept all lights off as much as possible.
- Tried to control my A/C to save.
- Grilled out at least twice a week - Saved on Power.
- Friends & Family had 3 birthdays this month. I already had cards and gifts purchased. SAved money by buying gifts on sale and planning ahead.
- Continued to use samples for
shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, lotion and toothpaste
- Watched (5) FREE movies thanks to DIRECTV Free Movie Channel Weekends. Still have 14 left on DVR to watch.
- Read all emails from Inbox Dollars and took surveys to earn extra cash.
- Read all emails and completed 30 searches from MyPoints to earn gift cards.