Wordless Wednesday: Another photoshoot???

Coupon Stash

I've mentioned before that when I first started couponing I was disappointed because I just didn't have many coupons for the things I wanted to buy. I'd end up buying things just because I had a coupon for them, and not because I actually needed them. Now, after a few months of actively couponing, I have a large stash of coupons built up. That coupon stash allowed me to get a great deal last night at Target.

Target is currently running a special (through Saturday 12/12 I believe) on Holiday-scented Glade candles and plugins (you can check out the weekly ad here for more details). Each of these products is on sale for $2.50 (I believe regularly priced at that very least $2.99), and if you buy five you get a $5.00 Target giftcard. While getting a $5.00 giftcard is great, I was able to make the deal even better because I had several Glade coupons in my stash. Here is what I got for a total of $14.50 (before coupons and Target's giftcard offer):

• 4 Glade candles (4 x $2.50 each=$10.00)
• 1 Glade scented oil candle (1 x $2.50 each=$2.50)
• 1 3-pack of Glade scented oil candles refills (1 x $2.50 each=$2.50)

I had two coupons for $1.50 off if you buy two Glade candles. I also had a coupon for a free 3-pack of Glade candle scented oil refills if you buy a Glade scented oil candle. My coupons for these products totaled $5.50.

• 2 x $1.50 off coupon (for every two candles)=$3.00 off
• 1 x $2.50 off coupon (a free 3-pack of Glade scented oil candles refills)=$2.50

So, my price for all six of these items after coupons was $9.00 ($14.50-$5.50). On top of that I got a $5.00 Target giftcard for buying the five qualifying items. It is like I got all these products for $4.00!

****UPDATE**** Thanks to a blog reader, I found out I can get a $5.00 rebate for these items too! Once I get my $5.00 rebate, it will be like I earned $1.00! Can't beat that!

Broccoli and Cauliflower

I'm grouping these together because they were both bought and prepped similarly. I prepped both the broccoli and cauliflower from frozen rather than fresh. I like the flexibility that buying frozen provides, because I'm not under a time limit to make them immediately. In both cases, I boiled the veggies, and cooked them a little longer than I would if I were eating them so that they would be extra tender and blend more easily. I had no issues blending them in the food processor, but they did need to be blended a bit longer than some of the other produce because of their texture. The cauliflower and broccoli both froze well, and Ella like both of them.

When I was blending the cauliflower in the food processor, I thought it looked amazingly like mashed potatoes. Not long after I made the cauliflower I was watching The Biggest Loser and they suggested replacing mashed potatoes with cauliflower. I might just have to try it! :)

Frustrated

Days like today make me realize the purpose behind this blog in the first place. Tonight we had a Christmas party at our home. I LOVE entertaining and having everyone over, but honestly sometimes (ok, most times), I just don't start preparing for everything early enough.

I've been slowly going through my living room/kitchen area throughout the week, trying to organize, clean out, and babyproof all at the same time (I've been wanting to do this regardless of having the party or not). I've been very happy with the progress I've made, but it has just taken me a lot longer than I thought it would. I was only halfway through the living room/kitchen area by this morning. There was no way I would actually be able to organize/clean out/babyproof the remaining half of the area the way I wanted before the party tonight. So, instead, as usual, things were cleaned and put away, but not the way I really wanted it done. As the day progressed, I became more and more frustrated with myself. Frustrated that I am not a very good housekeeper, and that my house was in such bad shape to begin with. Frustrated that I wasn't able to get the rest of my "project" done the way I wanted to get it done. Frustrated at how stressed I became about the whole situation.

Thankfully, I have a great husband who helped out today. I still didn't everything done the way I wanted it done, but the house looked pretty good, and the party turned out great. I had a wonderful time with my friends tonight! I really am blessed!

Addicted to Deal-Hunting and Coupons

It is funny how things can change over time. A little while back I wrote about how I've reinvented the way I grocery shop because of couponing, as well as seeking out good deals. I've gathered so many coupons that my husband and I often make decisions about where we are going to eat based on the coupons I have (and I have a lot to choose from!). With that said, I just came across this site where you can sign up to receive coupons from Whataburger from now until Christmas. I couldn't resist! While I won't be eating Whataburger every day until Christmas (especially if I want to accomplish this goal), it sure is nice to have more coupons! :)

On a slightly different subject, have you checked out Swagbucks? I recently signed up for this site where you can earn Swagbucks simply by searching from their site (which is powered by Google and Ask.com). You then redeem the Swagbucks for things like Amazon giftcards. I haven't been using it for very long, but I already have almost enough for a $10 Amazon gift card. To get started, click the banner below!

Wordless Wednesday: What? I'm ten months old???