Still keepin' on.

Okay, so I am still here. 

Barely.

And I've become a crazy coupon lady.

Barely.

With a little help from a friend {Crystal}, I am starting to see the light.

She is the kind of coupon girl I can respect and admire.  No shelf clearing, no binders of coupons {as in more than 1}, no hours upon hours spent researching until your eyeballs bleed, no driving to 29 different stores. 

My first coupon excursion yielded 3 jumbo packs of GoodNights, 2 Right Gaurd deodorants, 2 Axe body washes, 1 Glade scented oil candle with 3 candles, and 1 bottle of Zarbee's children's cough syrup for $38. 

Anyone who buys those darned GoodNights knows what a score that is.  It's almost like paying for the diapers and getting the rest free.  All at one store.  All products we use.  Nothing we didn't need. 

I mean you could argue I didn't need a candle, but my boys and dogs stink sometimes. 

Here's the breakdown:

• joined CVS rewards program which is super easy and free
• printed 2/$2 coupons, and 1/$1.50 coupon for the GoodNights
• printed 1/$1 coupon for the Glade
• printed 1/$2 coupon when you buy 2 Right Gaurd deodorants
• GoodNights were marked down at CVS to $9
• Right Gaurd yielded $2 CVS rewards when you bought 2
• Zarbee's was $6 with $6 in CVS rewards {basically, free}
• Axe body was was marked down to $2 or something fantastic {wish I still had my receipt}
• bought everything but 1 pack of GoodNight
• after the first transaction I had $8 in CVS rewards so I went back in and bought another pack of GoodNights for FREE after my rewards and a coupon

That's it. 

It took about 10 minutes.

Now, I'm mad at myself that I HAD to go the store yesterday, and forgot my coupons.  I felt like I wasn't using free money.  Who doesn't like free money?

I will be documenting my journey more, and hopefully my savings increase. 

So, if you want to play along, and become a non-threatening, not crazy, not shelf clearing, AWESOME coupon lady...I think this may be the place for you. 

I will also sharing any helpful hints that Crystal passes on to me. 

So, this could be fun...or not.  If you get all tingly when you see your final bill, then it will be fun.  If you have tons of money, and don't need to save any, then this could be the pits.  Either way, it could be entertaining.

I also will be having a really cool giveaway coming up from Novica.  If you aren't familiar, you should check them out.  They have some really beautiful stuff!  So, stay tuned!

**POST EDIT**
One binder is okay.  I am too familiar with the need to stay organized, but I have seen woman with THREE!  Is that really necessary?  Are there even that many coupons in the world to fill 3 2+ inch thick binders.  I think not.

I am going out on a limb here and saying that with 3 binders, you are probably buying things you don't really use/need.  Is that fair?

A problem.

I have a confession.  I go to Hobby Lobby probably 3-4 times a week, average.  The thing is, I don't have an Etsy shop, I don't supplement our income in any way by crafting, I'm not a fabric hoarder, I don't scrapbook, and I don't really like their home decor items.  So, what gives?  Why do I harbor such an obsession?

Sometimes, I find myself pulling in the lot, walking in the store, and realizing I don't have a purpose.  Half the time I don't even buy anything.  If I did, it may be grounds for Jake to divorce me. If only he had such an easy out.  *wink, wink*

In my defense, it is right across the street from a plaza with Target, Wal-Mart {shudder}, TJ Maxx, Lowe's, and HomeGoods.  And, one of Rosie's and my favorite lunch spots {'Chipolte'} is right smack dab at the front of the parking lot of Hobby Lobby.  Sigh.

It's a constant internal struggle.

Am I the only one?  I think I need to know I'm not alone.  That someone out there has the same problem.  That might help.  If not, I may resign myself to sucking my thumb in the fetal position in the corner of our room.

Please, don't let that happen...

Deal.

 photo via Gap.com

Sometimes things just happen right.  God is beaming down on you, the stars align, and Gap has 40% off the lowest marked price.  

I have admired that dress above for some time.  Alas, it was $89.50.  My wedding dress was $225.  I could not consciously buy a $90 dress just because.  I tried to justify it.  One of my favorite people in the whole world {my cousin, Tony} is getting married in October.  There's a reason.  A 6 months away reason. But the price tag still gnawed at my sale loving soul.

I would periodically check for a markdown on-line.  It went down to the current on-line price of $79.99.  Then, I got a hold of a 30% off promo code.  Still couldn't do it.

Yesterday, my sister and I went to the mall.  For me, that doesn't happen often.  I wanted to show her the source of my anguish.  Here's where the story gets good {if you aren't asleep already}.

The dress was marked down to $30.99.  WITH AN ADDITIONAL 40% OFF THE LOWEST MARKED PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, then the story gets sad again.  They had big sizes and little sizes, but not MY size.  Sigh!  Plus, the on-line store does not honor in-store prices anymore.  Sniff, sniff.

Here's where it gets better again...a quick phone call located my size at another mall right by my house.  

Here's where it gets tragic...again.  They did NOT have the 40% off the lowest marked price.

But, this tale takes another turn in my favor.  The sales girl told me to buy one there and then, the other store would do an even exchange for the one in my size.  Ca-ching!

I am now the proud owner of a 'Tiered tulle dress' from Gap for $20.16 with tax.

  

So, to recap...wanted a way too expensive dress for an occasion 6 months away.  Practiced self-control, and decided it was out of my reach, and ended up getting it for a steal.  

Patience is a virtue, my friend.

'Haute' Time-Suck.

Okay, so I had a totally different post in mind for today, but I really wanted to share something with you.

I just found out about this new website called "HauteLook".  It's 'members' only, tres exclusive, but you can shop and buy just by following this link:  http://www.hautelook.com/invite/BGrebe818 .  Pretty exclusive, huh? {Said dripping with sarcasm}

Anywho, they have FANTASTIC deals on clothes for the whole family, toys, beauty products, and home items.  The designers/brands change often and new events are introduced frequently.

Here's a few of my current favs:

Hape Bamboo Piscari Game: $8.99

Lil' Lucca Girls' High Waisted Sailor Shorts: $25.00

Hugo Boss Unisex Sunglasses: $50.00

Lucca Couture High Waisted Skirt: $15.00

Jeffan Adam Square Lighted Outdoor Stool: $190.50 (but that's 60% off!)

These are just a few of the deals you can score.  There are soooo many more!  The kids clothes and toys are super deals!  Check it out, but prepared to devote some time.  It will suck you in!

You've been warned!

Believe it or not...

Yes, for those of you that can't read that beautiful orange tag...

those are $75 Thomas O'Brien king sheets for $18 and some change.

{insert happy dance here}

Holla!

And...

Houston, we have a ponytail.

Word tuh ya mutha!

Memories are made at Marshalls.

I hate shopping, but...

I do like scoring a deal on something I'm actually looking to buy. 

I've forgotton how incredible Marshalls is.

I repeat: I am not a shopper (internet, maybe...real life, NO), but when the mood strikes, Marshalls is fantabulous.

The funny thing is, I like fashion, and textiles, and good garments, and quality sheets, and kitchen ware but I hate going through racks.

At Marshalls you have to be in a 'I-will-go-through-these-racks-until-I-can't-see-straight' frame of mind. 

Yesterday, I went to Marshalls to get Rosie some shoes. 

She is picky as all get out, but we were lucky. 

The first pair is tacky and altogether obnoxious, but they were el cheapo and she loves them.

The second pair is for summer, and I plan on pimpin' them out a bit 'Punky Brewster' style. 

I remember, one time, when I was 8 or so, my whole family visited Marshalls, and all of the clearance was $.25 and $.50. 

**Remember that Mom?**

It was insane.

I still remember a certain sweatshirt I got that day...pale yellow with records and boom boxes all over it, and the cuffs turned back and were pink. 

It was 'Babysitters Club' hot. 

Sweet memories...sweet.