Being Debt Free is Coming Closer

I was filling in some information on our Dave Ramsey budgeting software and if we really squeeze every penny and pay each month what we did this month, it is possible that exactly one year from now, we can be debt free! Our goal is 15 months (January 2012) but how exciting it would be to finish early!

First Consignment Purchase

I've never shopped in a consignment store before now, but I must say, I'll be a frequent shopper at Bellys Babies and Beyond. We're taking a trip to the mountains this fall and Baby Bee needed some warm clothes in her current size since all of the warmer clothes we were given are 6-9 months and up. I was able to find exactly what she needed for a great deal.

I purchased:
5 long-sleeved onesies
3 hooded sweaters
3 pairs of pants
2 hats (one was still in the package)
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of overalls

all for $34.11! Most of the items were in the $2.00 range and one of the hats was only $0.50! The store was very clean and the owners are very particular about what items they accept to sell. I will definitely use my frequent shopper points card.

Fabulous Formula Find

I got a super hot deal on formula today! Publix had Enfamil Lipil on their discontinued shelf. This was the first Lipil that we were using as breastfeeding supplementation and then had trouble finding it, not realizing that it had been discontinued. Anyway, Publix marked what they had as 2 for $25.59 (25 oz can) and 2 for $13.39 (13 oz can). They only had one of the 25 oz cans but 4 of the smaller cans. On top of the special price, I had $21 in Enfamil checks. I got all of this formula for $18.58 and since we only have to use a couple of ounces at a time, it should keep us from having to buy more formula for quite awhile!

Grocery Savings

Another shopping trip to Publix yields big savings in the Bee Hive!

Sale items
Newman's Own honey mustard dressing on sale
$1.00 off plus $.75 coupon = $1.94
Newman's Own balsamic salad dressing on sale
$1.00 off plus $.75 coupon = $1.94


BOGO deals
Fig Newtons 2 packs for$3.89
Nilla Wafers 2 packs for $3.89
Coles Garlic Toast 2 loaves for $2.79
Hearts of Romaine salads 4 bags for $7.38


Power Buys
Crispix Cereal
BOGO 2/$3.99 -$1.00 coupon = 2 boxes for $2.99

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
BOGO 2/$3.99-$1.00 coupon = 2 boxes for $2.99

Raisin Bran Cereal
BOGO 2/$3.99-$1.00 coupon = 2 boxes for $2.99

Campbell's Select soup
BOGO 2/$2.30 - $1.00 coupon = 2 cans for $1.39

A freebie today! There was a sign on the shredded cheese that said 2 for $4.00 but when I got to the register, it rang up as $3.19 instead. The cashier went to verify and realized that a sign had been left on from last week's ad after the overnight restock and sign switches last night. The store policy is not to honor the advertised price but instead give the customer the item for FREE. So, there's another $3.19 in savings from today!

Total savings today: $47.06

Shopping Really is a Pleasure

I love BOGO at Publix! Baby Bee and I went shopping today for next week's menu based on the new weekly ad. There were also several items that we use regularly that were BOGO that we stocked up on even though we weren't quite in need just yet. BOGO for a box of 32 dishwasher tablets makes it so I won't have to buy more for months since I already had an unopened box still under the sink and we only use the dishwasher every other day. Mr. B's favorite brand of coffee was also BOGO so we stocked up on that as well.

Today's best power buy deals:

• 2 Lysol kitchen cleaners at BOGO plus $1.00 coupon = $1.69 or $0.85 each
  
• 2 Lysol bathroom cleaners at BOGO plus $1.00 coupon = $2.69 or $1.35 each
  
• 2 Frosted Mini Wheats at BOGO plus $1.00 coupon =$3.29 or $1.65 per box
  
• Fiber One bars 2 for $4.00 plus $0.50 coupon = $3.50 or $1.75 per box (that's $0.18 per bar!)

The breakdown:
~BOGO savings $39.19
~2 for x savings $12. 35
~coupons $7.50
Total savings $59.04