Thrifty Target Trek

This deal is only good through 5/4, so jump on it while you can!

Target has these deals where you can get a $5 gift card for buying certain things.  Here's what I did today to score quite well for myself:

I got a $5 gift card for buying 3 Scrubbing Bubbles products.  I  bought 3 BR cleaners for $9 and change. 

I "rolled" the GC onto a 2nd transaction, where I got 3 jumbo packs of Huggies (Pampers also qualifies).  They were $8.99 each, and I had 3 $1.50 off coupons, bringing them down to $7.49 each.  That made them $22.47.  Subtracting the $5 GC made them $17.47, and I got a 2nd $5 GC!!

I rolled that GC onto my last transaction, which I also had a coupon for, bringing a $17.97 purchase down to $11.47! 

This same concept will work at Walgreen's with Register Rewards, CVS with Extra Care Bucks, or any other retailer that has a similar program.  You just have to make sure they will let you "roll" these rewards to the next transaction, otherwise you have to get back in line and do it again. 

Happy Saving!!

YAY!!!!

Yesterday I made two giant steps for Gwen-kind! 

Providence is now ---- paid off!!!

NCO (Nazi Collection Organization) ---- paid off!!!

My debt-free date has now moved up into 2011 from 2012!  I can't even tell you how excited this makes me!

Now to build my EF back up and hit my snowball hard! 

Oh, and I lost 2 more pounds with my Shape-Ups!  That's just a lil icing on the cake!

Unsolicited Advice (UA)

I'm grumpy and tired today, so I'm just going to hand out some UA cuz I feel like it.

UA to the Oregon State Board of Nazis, errrr, Nurses investigator:  You are a PITA, a thorn in my side, and a general beyotch.  Go get bent and leave me the f*** alone!

UA to Dakota's psychologist:  Dude, you get paid good money.  Send her doctor the info she needs so my kid can get on meds already!  WTH??

UA to Jack, my black lab puppy:  I can't wait for your balls to get chopped off so you settle down.  Your days as a "boy" are numbered, man.

UA to my car:  You better make it another few months.  I can't afford to buy another POS yet and I am not financing a car. 

UA to our substitute scheduler:  I like you as a person, but you suck as a scheduler.  You make me want to hurl my phone into the Willamette.  Stop bugging me with every little detail. 

UA to my lawyer:  You said my papers would be ready by now.  WHERE ARE THEY???  It's a damn easy $1500 I paid you, please hurry.

UA to Madeline:  You best figure out how to STTN or you are gonna be livin with the Gypsies. 

Ok, that's all the UA for today.  Stay tuned for more UA coming soon.

The Antiversary

So last night was our 3 year anniversary (of getting together).  In the Dave Ramsey spirit, we set ourselves a $20 gift limit.  We had a nice dinner with our girls, relaxed in front of the TV, and were looking forward to the girls going to bed so we could.... celebrate ;)  
Welllll, ya gotta love Murphy.  Our 10 year old decides to roll out the at-ti-tude all evening, putting us both in a less-than-loving mood.  Then, as if in a bad sit-com, Noodle wakes up.  The kind of wake up that you know is not going to end well.  Sure enough, she's in major cling mode, and will not let us put her down.  I really hate these eye teeth.  I'll take molars any day over these :/  So Matt ended up sleeping on the couch with her, while I went to bed with the dogs.

Romantic, huh? @@

We'll try to tone it down next time.  *sigh*

10 things you say to your kids that you shouldn't say to your lover:

10.  Don't stick that in my mouth, please.
 
  9.  Don't touch.

  8.  Put that back.

  7.  No.

  6.  Watch where you put that.

  5.  That's icky.

  4.  Mommy/Daddy doesn't like that.

  3.  Please don't.

  2.  Where did you find that?

And the piece de resistance...

  1.  You don't know where that's been.

Looking forward to a new month!

After all the trials and tribulations of April, I'm very much looking forward to May.  Dakota getting straightened out on meds, me getting straightened out on meds, the divorce being done (hopefully - or at least have the papers signed), and a rebuilding of my finances. 

I will have 2 debts paid off by 5/1 and will be able to start rebuilding my emergency fund and my sinking funds, both of which I had to drain to pay for the divorce.  So my poor snowball is on hold after those two debts are gone, until I can get my coffers filled again. 

But I found this cool website that I think will save me money on the grocery front.  Monthlymealplanner.com
This site is free, which is pretty freakin awesome!  You can plan out a month of meals, choose from different recipes, and it compiles your shopping list for you.  It's missing some features that it's paid counterpart EZ Mealz has, but hey, it's free!  Who cares? 

Oh, and we got our first Signature Box from Angelfood Ministries.  They say that this box will feed a family of 4 for a week, but with the amount in there, I think we can stretch it to a week and a half!  I'm really excited about this, and can't wait to order the May box.  They change it up every month, so it's not the same old food every time.  If you are on a budget, you should really check them out!  There are no income restrictions, and anyone can order.  You wouldn't wanna show up in your luxury SUV and designer clothes to pick up the food, but they ask no questions and the food is good quality and healthy.  They even have food boxes for people on special diets and those who have allergies! 

Anyone else want a free plug for a great product or service?  I seem to be full of advertisements lately!

How do you spell relief?

I spell it M.E.D.S.  As in, Dakota will get on meds this week.  Tomorrow, in fact.  I know it's not a catch-all solution, but it will certainly be a step in the right direction.  I am looking forward to getting my girl back. 

Relief for me could also be spelled D.R  M.O.O.N.   I <3 her.  She is the best therapist e.ver.  I can't wait to see her tomorrow and tell her all my deepest, darkest thoughts.  It's nice to know there is someone I can talk to who won't judge me and won't think less of me for being a bitch. 

Yay for relief!