My first “coupon” shopping trip

I decided to go to Safeway because I really didn’t feel up to Wal-Mart. I wonder how much more money I spent than if I had been up to facing the crowd.

I fourteen manufactures coupons from the newspaper and aisle displays and two store coupons. This new Bertolli pasta sauce was on sale for $1.50 if you bought ten (mix and match with other items throughout the store) and there was a display of $1 off coupons just sitting there for the taking. I took 7 pasta sauces and 9 coupons. I’m saving two for later. So 14 ounces of pasta sauce for 50 cents is pretty good, I think. I saved $12.25 using coupons. I also used their current special of buy ten certain items and get $5 off. This brought one kraft salad dressing down to $1.50 and I had a coupon for $1.50 off a Kraft dressing. So it was free!

Those successes had me feeling pretty good until I got to the cash register. My total purchase came to $120. I know this is a month’s worth of groceries for two people and two dogs, but it still seemed like a lot. I had made a mistake in buying the 10 correct items for one of the specials, so I was sent to customer service to sort it out. I got 3.75 back. Which, now that I think about it….oh….I guess it makes sense. Have you ever tried to read a Safeway receipt to see if you got all the deals? It is so confusing!!!! Anyway, that was the least of my mistakes. After a kind gentleman walked me out to my car and loaded up my dog food, and after I had buckled, blinkered, and left the parking lot, I realized my biggest mistake. I did not use my $10 off coupon. See, Safeway often has a $10 off coupon if you spend more than $50 in one purchase. Well, I certainly did! And I have two of those coupons that are good tomorrow and one that is good today and I didn’t pull it out at all!!!!!

I guess I just need to get organized a little bit more, and see how it all goes. Was it worth it to spend $5 and over an hour on newpapers today for a few coupons? Did I spend more because of them?

After reviewing my purchases, I saw that I didn’t get the buy one get one free deal on Lysol mix-and-match that I understood from the signage. I lost $8 there. I might go back tomorrow and complain if I have the energy.

But I don’t want to get known as the naggy penny pinching lady either. So I might not. Still, if I go back, do you think they’d give me the $10 off? Should return the cleaning products if they don’t give me the $8?

Is it all worth it? Is $18 dollars worth complaining about? Well…kind of. I mean, that could pay for gas to visit my grandma or school lunches for a week.

Adventures in coupon world…

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This is so not a crafting blog entry, but I guess it is what I’m thinking about these days as we all try to save a little money.

Coupon Clipping

I’m trying to get into clipping coupons.  In the past, I’ve clipped them, but not followed through with watching the ads and actually using the coupons.  But, with the price of groceries and other things increasing daily, I feel like I should do my best to shop frugally.

So, I started a swap on swap-bot to get me started.  Feel free to join or comment on this post with your best coupon clipping ideas.

Coupon Clipper Start-Up Kit

Click Here to View Swap on Swap-Bot

Copy the code below and paste it on your site:

<a href=”http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/33731″ title=”Coupon Clipper Start-Up Kit”><img src=”http://static.swap-bot.com/images/swaps/33731/swap.jpg” alt=”Swap-bot swap: Coupon Clipper Start-Up Kit”/></a><br><a href=’http://www.swap-bot.com’>I swap with Swap-bot!</a>

Swap Coordinator:	smilesandsunshine (contact)
Swap categories:	Food Miscellaneous Newbie
Number of people in swap:	1
Location:	International
Last day to signup/drop:	March 31, 2009
Date items must be sent by:	April 15, 2009
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
So…it’s time to save money, and so it’s time to start clipping those coupons, right? Well, I’ve decided to start clipping coupons, and I’m kind of new to this. I’m sure there are others out there who can help me get started. For this swap: Send your partner $3-$5 worth of coupon clipping help. This can include an organizer, a pair of scissors, a guide to clipping coupons, and anything else you can think of to help them get started in saving money. If you shop at the dollar store and are stuck thinking of a third thing to send, send a profile surprise. If you already have an organizer and don’t want another one, mention it in the notes below so you don’t get something you don’t need. For hearts, send some coupons that your partner can use. To make this work, add a section to your personal profile pages called “Coupons wanted” or something like that, to tell people what you shop for. Ok, I’ll ban people with recent no sends, but hopefully that won’t be a problem. Any questions? Send me a PM. Thanks!

Baby Blanket

It is spring break, so I have a chance to work on a baby blanket for one of my friends who is having a baby.  I’m using double crochet, and looping through the stitch below so it has a bit of  a lacy look to it.  I’m using the Bernat Baby Coordinates in the light blue and the blue.  Hopefully I’ll remember to take a picture when I’m done to post here.

ATC Album

I was at Rite-Aid, and I found a wallet photo album.  It said that it held 2×3 inch photos, but it really holds 2.5×3.5 inch ATCs.  Great find for $2-$3.

Go Make Something

I found a new blog to enjoy.  Check out gomakesomething.com.  I’ve downloaded a couple of their collage pages.  There are just lots of ideas, and I like the premise of the blog.

I used to be into…Swap

I used to be into… (USA)

Swap Coordinator:	smilesandsunshine (contact)
Swap categories:	Challenges Craft Supplies Handmade
Number of people in swap:	1
Location:	Regional – USA
Last day to signup/drop:	February 22, 2009
Date items must be sent by:	March 1, 2009
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
As a crafty person, I find myself going through different phases of crafting. I used to be into making beaded jewelry, but now I’m into ATCs. I used to be into making dotee dolls, but now I’m back to quilting. I tried knitting and natural yarns…but now I’m into crocheting with good old synthetic. I think you get the idea… So, here’s your challenge. List your used to….but now items below (you can list one thing or a few) in the comments section. Then, when partners are assigned, send your partner some of your old supplies that you aren’t using anymore. Also, throw in some items for their new craft love. If they are into what you used to be into, you luck out! Write a little note explaining what you used to do and what you are sending to them for their own crafting adventures. Altogether, your package to your partner must be worth at least $5-$10 dollars. Items may be used, if in working condition, but you may also purchase new items if you wish. Hearts are up to the discretion of the receiver, but do try to make it a nice package. Of course, no one likes a flaker, so I’ll be checking your profile for recent no sends before I assign partners. If need be, I’ll find angels, so please don’t hesitate to sign up if you plan on going through with the swap. Please send me a private message with any questions as I will see that more quickly than a comment below. Smiles! And happy swapping! Link to swap:  http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/31036

Organizing my craft stuff

(Tree picture disappeared)
This is the tree I am using on all of my craft tub labels. I am labeling black dishpans and other containers with tags such as: yarn and crochet hooks, fabric scraps, and ATCs and Supplies

Things to Look Forward To

As I lazed about all day on the sofa, I reflected on how I should finish some unfinished craft projects. Here are some things you can look forward to seeing from me as I work on them in the coming weeks…months…

- More of the quilt for my brother and sister-in-law
- A completed set of dotee dolls
- More ATCs
- Possibly some baking
- Another set of pillowcases
- Some baby blankets for my friends who are about to pop

Jury Duty

Tomorrow, I go to serve my country as a juror.  From what I hear, there could be a lot of waiting.  What should I bring with me?

A book?

Crochet?

Needlepoint?  Do they allow needles and scissors into the waiting room?

Wow! Look at all these ATCs!

ATCs, or Artist Trading Cards, are my latest crafting craze.  I’ve discovered clear unmounted stamps that cling to an acrylic block (also clear), and I’ve been playing around with these things all weekend.  You gotta love the three day weekend!

So, here they are!    Click on the pictures to see larger versions.

Love You With a Cherry On Top

Hello flower

Too big

The first Valentine’s

Smitten

Another Sweet Card

Sweet Nothings

A Little Easter

Cupcake

So irish

You’re So Sweet, The green version

Great Minds

Love those green stamped images.

Happy St. Pat’s Day

Sugar Rush

For You, My Valentine

Cherry Sweet

Good Ole March 17

Cheers

Laugh Tag

Lucky Me!

Hello!