CVS Deals

Here's another break in my chronological update of pictures, but I had to share my latest shopping adventures.  :)

Thanksgiving morning, I took the boys to CVS (even before Nathan was awake!) to score several of their ECB deals.  That stands for Extra Care Bucks, which are coupons to use the next time you shop there.  There were quite a few deals to get stuff for FREE, so I figured I would take advantage of it!  Here's my haul:

Mars candies - FREE after ecb
CVS AA batteries, 4pk - FREE after ecb
Balance Bar - FREE after ecb
Revlon nail polish - PAID $0.01 after coupon and ecb
Corn Chex - $0.87 after ecb
Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies - PAID $0.40 after coupon and ecb
Finish Quantum - PAID $1.00 after coupon and ecb
Kleenex Cool Touch tissues - FREE after ecb
GUM toothbrushes - FREE after ecb
Carmex - PAID $0.30 after coupon and ecb
York peppermint patties - FREE after ecb

Total Worth: $46.96 (before tax)
Total Spent: $31.70 (after coupons and tax)
Total Take Home: $32.12 ecbs to use next time

And, to make things sweeter, I spent all but $1 of my ecbs this morning.  I was 5 cents short of getting there exactly, so I figured I'd just stick with the deal scenario I created and use that dollar next time.  Here's what I got with my money:

Tide detergent - $2.60 after coupon & part of $10 gift card I earned
Puffs tissues - all FREE after coupons & part of gc
Dawn dish soap - FREE after coupon & part of gc
Duracell AAA batteries, 16pk - $6.65 after coupon & part of gc
Bounty paper towels, 12pk - $6.43 after coupon & part of gc
Welch's 100% white grape juice - $1.99 after coupon
Sodas & lemonade - $0.88 each
$10 Gift Card (not pictured) - FREE with deal from stuff I bought

Total Worth: $66.85 (before tax and CRV deposits, not counting gift card)
Total Spent: $4.46 (after coupons, ecbs, tax and CRVs)
Total Take Home: $10 gift card to CVS for next time

So, I'm pretty happy!  I spent $36.16 ($5.27 of which was unavoidable tax & crvs) for $113.81 worth of stuff, and I still have $11 dollars to spend.  The key to doing any deals is to only buy things that you know your family will use.  All of the things pictured are things we'll go through eventually before they expire (if applicable).  Not everything has to be necessary, just usable, because I'm willing to get a few treats if they're FREE!  But definitely don't get something just cuz it's free if you're not going to use it.  And always make sure you use the coupons that print off for next time, otherwise you're invalidating the "deal" you got the first time you shopped.  Happy shopping - feel free to share any deals you've found recently!

First Day of School Birthday

Growing up, I would occasionally have my birthday on the first day of school, since school always started the day after Labor Day.  Currently, where we live, most schools start in early August (crazy? yes!), but Luke's preschool stuck with the traditional calendar - which meant he started on my birthday!  Here's my little big boy all ready for his first day of preschool!  We're sending him to a small, Christian preschool three mornings a week and he's really enjoying it.  :)

Walking to school with Daddy.  Nathan decided to go in to work late that day so he could be there for this milestone.  :)  I especially like their shadows in this picture.

Wearing his name tag at school.

Silly little brother playing at home - he'll have more focused time with Mommy now that big brother is in school.

Opening birthday gifts that evening - thank you everyone!  I'm especially blessed to be a part of such  wonderful families, and to enjoy the little family God has given me to love and take care of.