Progress.

So...now, we're down to 2 more debts -- our student loans. Sounds simple enough, but these are biggies!! Actually my husband's loan is manageable. I'll be honest, my loan is just plain dumb!! My entire college education (undergrad and grad) was FREE!!! I just took out loans to live a life that I clearly couldn't afford! Dave Ramsey would call this "stupid tax" and rightfully so!

The plan is to pay off both of these loans in the next 1.5 years. In order to hit this goal, we've decided to scale down our vacation next year (we've limited ourselves to a long weekend somewhere close). We are also looking for ways to bring in additional income...by either cutting expenses and/or actually bringing in additional $$$. I know that we can spend less on groceries - not sure where else we can cut expenses w/o going too over the top. I welcome ideas!! For additional income, I've started sewing in my spare time (www.byZanta.com) - please excuse my shameless plug!!

It's very exciting to see our plan unfolding. We still have a ways to go, but the strides we've made up to this point are VERY encouraging!!

Crossing the Car off the List!!!!

My husband and I have sent off our last check to Ford!!! On Friday, we will have officially paid off our car! Thank you, Jesus!!! I'm really not sure how to take this all in...I've never been without a car payment since I've been on the road (and that's a little over 10 years)!

To celebrate, we're going to treat the car to a washing and an oil change. :) As for us, we're going to watch the Hawks duke it out with the Cav's. :)

I think this celebration also calls for my 1st giveaway!! Details to come...

My Rite Aid Mission.

Yesterday, I was tasked with buying cold medicine for my husband. I love these missions, as I'm forced to work with what's currently on sale; I treat them as games...using coupons and buying a combination of items to get a bargain on what's really needed. Here's the deal I was able to work to get the medicine (and everything else) for FREE!!

Kotex pads, on sale for $2.99
use $1 printable from here
will receive $2 rebate
final price - FREE

2 GE Spiral light bulbs, on sale 2/$4
use (2) $1 coupons from 10/4 Smart Source insert
will receive $2 rebate
final price - FREE

Crest white scope toothpaste, on sale for $2.69
use $0.75 coupon from 11/1 PG insert
will receive $2.69 rebate
final price - $0.75 profit!!!

Robitussin, on sale for $6.99
use $2 printable from here
will receive $4 rebate
final price - $0.99

Why didn't I just buy Robitussin? I combined the other free items with the medicine to be able to use a $3 off $15 Rite Aid coupon (printable from here). My out of pocket expense came to $8.63 (tax included), but I will receive $10.69 in the form of a rebate check!! That's $2.06 in profit, which I'll take over paying $0.99 any day!! I love getting paid to shop for items I already need!

Shop and Save at Publix this week!!

This is a great week to start saving if you haven't started couponing already. These deals are good now through next Tuesday. Shop on Sunday or Monday to take advantage of their $0.01 mystery coupon.

Here's what I'll be putting in my cart on Sunday:

Kellogg's Special K - on sale for $1.99
use $1 printable coupon from here
final price - $0.99

Kashi cereal - on sale for $2.50
use $1.50 printable coupon from here
final price - $1.00

Barilla, Ragu and Muir Glen pasta sauces are all on sale (final price ranges from $0.59-$0.79 using the following coupons):
$1 Muir Glen printable from here (This is an organic blend for my healthy readers!)
$1/2 Ragu sauce printable from here

Hunt's canned tomatoes - on sale for $0.69
use $0.50/2 printable from here
final price - $0.19 each

Campbell's harvest select soup - on sale for $1.19
use $0.40/2 or $0.50/2 coupons in 9/20 or 10/4 Smart Source insert
final price - $0.69 - $0.79

Betty Crocker boxed potatoes - on sale for $0.87
use $0.40 printable from here or here or here
final price - $0.07

Nestle toll house morsels - on sale for $1.25
use $0.50 coupon in 11/1 Red Plum insert
final price - $0.25

Wise potato chips - on sale for $1.49
use $0.50 printable coupon from here
final price - $0.50

Nestle toll house refrigerated cookie dough - on sale for $1.59
use $1 printable coupon from here or here
final price - $0.59

Aunt Jemima pancakes or french toast - on sale for $1.34
use $1/2 printable coupon from here
final price - $0.84

DiGiorno pizza - on sale for $5
use $1.50 printable coupon from here
final price - $3.50

Tylenol (various types) 40-50ct. - on sale for $3.99
use $3 store coupon from Publix Green Advantage Buy booklet* (can find these in the front of the store w/ the weekly ad)
use $2 Tylenol 8 hr printable coupon from here
final price - $1 profit!!

CoverGirl Lip Slicks - on sale for $1.79
use $2.50/2 coupon from 11/1 Proctor & Gamble insert
final price - $0.54 each

Dove ultimate deodorant - on sale for $4.49 (buy 2)
use B1G1 dove coupon from Green Advantage Buy booklet*
use 2** $2 off dove printable from here
final price - $0.24 each

Kikkoman soy sauce - reg $1.79 (buy 2)
use B1G1 printable from here
use 2 $0.55 coupon can be found on most bottles
final price - $0.35 each!

Seems like a hodge podge grocery list, huh? Every week, your cart will look like this, but your pantry will soon become fully stocked. If anything, use this opp to load up for holiday cooking!

Let me know if you have any questions!

*You are able to use store coupons with manufacturer coupons!
**Most online coupons can be printed twice.

Clean Air Campaign!

Just when I thought I hit the absolute max in cost savings, God throws one more treat into my lap! Last night I was joking with my husband about how God was going to pay me back for spending money to help one of his children (one of my friends, actually). My husband smirked and said, "your payment will be waiting for you in heaven". Laughing, I responded, "No...next week!"

Well, today (out of the blue) one of my co-workers asked if I would carpool with her. That will at least save each of us $50/month but as an extra incentive, the Clean Air Campaign is offering $3/day (up to $100 totally) for using commute alternatives!

Check out their site to see if you can keep more of your money in your pocket: http://www.cleanaircampaign.com/

November Budget - Great News!

So, I came up with our budget for this month, and it looks like we're going to be sending our last check to Ford credit center on the 20th!!! :)

I don't even know what it will feel like to not have a car note. I have only been without a note one year out of my driving career (sadly, it was my very 1st year of driving), and I've been on the road for 11 years now!! It's crazy how we can be programmed to keep ourselves in the "ditch" of paying a monthly car note. According to Dave Ramsey, the car note is what keeps the middle class in the middle - putting a substantial chunk of your paycheck(s) toward something that returns little of nothing. I've been pouring money into cars for 11 years and only have 1 car to show for it! How could I have been so blind. From now on, no more financing car loans (or any other loan, for that matter)!

Who's with me???

Quik Trip - Nice Lunch Spot!!

So, I went to Quik Trip several days ago to finally check out their free sandwiches (I've been giving the free coupons to my husband since there's no telling what part of town he'll end up on his lunch hour)! While there, I came across the following website: http://www.qtwebgroups.com/

Register for this web group and for periodically answering a few questions about QT's services and products, you will be rewarded with coupons for free treats! In fact, you will receive a coupon for a free hot dog and drink just for registering!

Let's keep the free lunches going! My sandwich was quite tasty, by the way (not sure if the fact that it was free had anything to do with that)!