Thought of the Day

"Our choices show what we truly are far more than our abilities."

JK Rowling

WHOOGA UGG BOOT GIVEAWAY

With summer coming to an end, wouldn't it be nice to have something to keep our toes warm and toasty. Check out this great Ugg Boot giveaway.

Click on the picture above to enter and then on the right hand side of the page, click on Win Ugg Boots!

FINALLY FRIDAY

Thank goodness it is Friday!!

I am taking a vacation day and we are taking a day trip to Lazy 5 Ranch. I have heard that it is so fun and we are all excited to go. I have a reservation for the wagon ride tour at 11:30. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't rain. I'll have pictures to share soon.

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend. I will see you here on Monday!

Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) Uber Cute Brownie Buttons - Just like the name they are cute and look delicious.

2) Pizza on the Grill - I really want to try this.

3) 5 Tips for Buying Meat without Breaking the Budget - Great tips to remember.

4) How to Make a Coffee Table from a Door - I love this.

5) 10 Useful Tools for Twitter - I learned lots of new things by reading this.

6) Cous-Cous For You - This is something that I have never made but may have to try.

7) 10 Ways to Organize and Simplify Your Life - A great list to follow and take away some stress in your life.

8) Thrifty Closet Organization Saves Time and Money - I really need to organize my closet. There is some great tips here.

REMINDER - FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAYS

What is Real Chocolate Relief? Mars only uses Real Chocolate - that means it is made with 100% pure cocoa butter. Go to http://www.realchocolate.com/ every Friday through September to get FREE* Real Chocolate coupon for your favorite Mars brand. If its Mars, then you know it is real chocolate. Giveaway starts at 9am EST every Friday."

Thought of the Day

"We have to make a sustained effort, again and again, to cultivate the positive aspects within us."

Dalai Lama

FIRST PRODUCT REVIEW

I have been asked to do my very first product review!!

I'm trying to contain my excitement because I will be reviewing an item that I have been wanting all summer. I will definitely share my review with you.

My product will be coming from Teak, Wire and More. They sell everything from patio furniture to rugs. Lots of great items to choose from.

FREE $10 SHELL OR JIFFY LUBE GIFT CARD

Take a short survey and receive a FREE $10 gift card. Click here for survey.

WHAT DID YOU GET FOR FREE THIS WEEK?

This week I received lots of goodies:

Belk Coupons
$10 Instant Gift at JCP ($10 off $10 purchase)
Bodycology Lotion Sample
$10 off $50 purchase coupon at Factory Brand Shoes
FREE Working Mothers Magazine
FREE Parents Magazine
FREE O Magazine
FREE Elle Decor Magazine
FREE Betty Crocker Cookie Recipe Book
Vaseline Aloe Fresh Hydrating Body Lotion Sample
FREE Martha Stewart Living Magazine

GARDEN UPDATE

Payton filled her basket full of goodies this weekend. She was eating tomatoes off the vine.

FREE NESTLE CALENDAR FILLED WITH COUPONS

Click here order. You will receive $20 in coupons.

Thought of the Day

"Whatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right."

Daiasku Ikeda

LUNCH TODAY

Wednesday Special at Arbys

Arby's Roasted Chicken Club Free with a Drink Purchase

Total OOP - $1.55

My receipt also had an offer for a FREE Regular Roast Beef or Beef n' Cheddar if I complete a short survey!!

7 Free Ways to Stay Well - Reinvent Your Life - Your Life - MSN Lifestyle

7 Free Ways to Stay Well - Reinvent Your Life

No matter how tight your budget, you should never have to skimp on something as important as your body.

Here, how to feel great but pay nada."

GREAT PRINTABLE COUPONS

Here are some great printable coupons:


$1 off any Pledge Product - HERE
$1.50 off any Tide Stain Release - HERE

You can also find these great coupons HERE
$2 off any Coke 12 Pack at Rite Aid
$.75 off of Welch's Jelly - Should be able to find a great deal if your store doubles
$1.50 off Huggies Diapers
$3.00 off Huggies Pure & Natural Diapers
$.75 off of 3 Hamburger Helpers

and many others! You need to check them out while they are still available.

LUNCH HOUR SHOPPING AGAIN - MY FIRST ZERO TOTAL

Rite Aid
1 - 3M Desk Grip Tape Dispenser - $2.49
Used $2 Coupon
1 NYC LIp Gloss - $.199
Used $1 Rite Aid Ad Coupon
Used $1 Mfg. Coupon
Total OOP incl tax - $ .79

Will Receive $2 Rebate for 3M Tape Disp.
Made $1.21

CVS
1 - Airwick Freshmatic Kit - $5.99, Used $6 Coupon
1 - Viva Paper Towels $5.99, Used $1 Coupon
1 - Revlon Mousse Makeup - $9.99, Used $1 Coupon, Received $9.99 ECBS
2 - Honey Nut Cheerio Cups - $1.00 Each, Used 2 $1 Coupons
1 - CVS Toothbrush - $1.99
Total - $25.96
Used $5 off $25 Coupon
Used CVS CRT for FREE Item - Toothbrush - 1.99
Used $9.00 Mfg Coupons
Used $1 ECB
Total OOP incl Tax - $9.15
Received $9 ECB

Got a raincheck on (4) Sharpie Highlighters for .99

**Also, next to the register there was a stack of Child Safety ID Kits for FREE. It includes a place for a picture, description, and a fingerprint page with an ink sheet. Attached is a coupon for 5 FREE 4 x 6 Prints - Expires 12/31/10

Walgreens
8 - Bic Grip Pens .50 each = 4.00, Used (4) $1 off of 2 Bic Items = FREE
1 - Nature's Source Cleaner - 3.99, Used FREE Item Coupon = FREE
Total - 0.00
My first Zero Out Of Pocket!

Thought of the Day

"Do not insist upon your own fixed ideas. If your mind is broad it can easily embrae the entire world."

Zen Master Daehaeng

TASTY TUESDAY

My sweet hubby had dinner cooking when I got home from work Friday. We had

Grilled Split Chicken Breasts (Found them Marked Down last week at Food Lion for $2.50 a pack) (Recipe Below)
Grilled Zucchini
Rosemary Potatoes - Recipe
Sliced Tomatoes - From My Garden
Garlic Bread - On Special last week at Food Lion 1.00 per bag



Grilled Chicken

1 Pack of Split Chicken Breasts
Olive Oil
Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning Grinder

Pour a small amount of olive oil on chicken. Grind seasoning all over chicken and place in a large ziplock bag. Put in refrigerator for 1 hour to marinate. Cook on grill on medium heat for about 45 minutes or until chicken is done.

FREE SAMPLE JOHN FREIDA BRILLIANTE BRUNETTE

Click here to order.

FREE SAMPLE OF BURT BEE'S ACNE SOLUTIONS

Click here to request. Hurry, I'm sure this one will go fast.

Thought of the Day

"Human potential is the same for all. I fyou have will power, then you can change anything."

Dalai Lama

FREEBIE AT CVS THIS WEEK

On Sale this week at CVS for $5.99.

There was a $6 coupon in yesterdays Smartsource for Airwick Freshmatic Ultra i-Motion Starter Kit. I asked one of my favorite CVS girls to check and make sure it was the same thing. As far as she could tell it was but wanted to check it with the register first so she rang it up and used the coupon and it worked with no problem.

The box does not state i-Motion.

FREE SAMPLE OF SOMERSAULT SNACKS

Click here for a FREE sample of Somersault Snacks in the Sea Salt Flavor.

FREE SAMPLE OF NUTLAND CRUNCH

Click here to order.

FREE SUBSCRIPTION (10 ISSUES) OF SLAM MAGAZINE

Click here to order.

FREE SAMPLE OF SUCK UP CLOTHS

Click here to order.

FRIDAY LUNCHTIME SHOPPING

Bath and Body Works

Purchased:

5 - Hand Soaps 5/$15

1 - Body Spray $12.00

Total - 27.00

Coupon (12.00)

Tax - 1.05

Total OOP - 16.05

I think the hand soaps make great teachers gifts. I normally include a set of hand towels.

Hallmark Store

Purchased:

FREE .99 Greeting Card with Coupon (No Purchase Necessary)

Total OOP - 0.00

Received Coupon for $2 off my next purchase on receipt

Rite Aid

Purchased: 4 Packs of BIC Pens 2/$1 = $2, Used (2) $1/2 coupons = FREE 1 GE Longlife Light Bulbs $2, Will receive $2 Rite-Aid Rebate 1 Fructis Shampoo $2.99, Will receive $2 Rite-Aid Rebate

Total - $ 6.99

Coupons Used ($2.00)

Tax - $ 0.49

OOP -$ 5.48

Rebates to Receive ($4.00)

Total OOP $1.48

Shoe Show

1 - Pair of Sandals for Payton - $ 17.99

50% Off ($ 9.00)

Total OOP - $ 8.99

No tax weekend in NC

Total Spent (including rebates) at all 4 places - $ 26.52

Note:

I think I had a very thrifty shopping lunch on Friday. I was happy with my purchases and all stores are in the mall so I saved on gas by not having to travel to each location.

CVS COUPON

Click here to watch a short video and then you will be able to print a $5 off $25 purchase (before coupons). As always you can find a list of the great deals at CVS this week at Money Saving Mom.

Thought of the Day

"Change begins from the moment you muster the courage to act. When you change the environment will change."

Daisaku Ikeda

Thought of the Day

"Time passes quickly and opportunity is lost. Each of us must strive to awaken. Do not squander your lives."

Zen verse