Stuck in the Mud

Minnesota spring weather can be quite fickle, but the last week has been a breath of fresh air (literally)! No more snow, lots of sun, relatively warm temps--I know it may not last, but I'll take it! The kids are happy to be outside again. The ground is still pretty soggy, so I think the kids got their car stuck in the mud:

End of Winter Update

I haven't updated much lately as there hasn't been a lot going on here. At the end of February my sister Melisa and her kids visited for a couple days. The kids always have fun together, and Melisa and I did some planning for our other sister Abby's bridal shower. The next weekend, Mom and Dad and Abby came up for a day. It happened to be mom's birthday, so Abby brought birthday cake and we had a nice supper together. We don't spend a lot of birthdays with family, so that was nice! The next week, Barry finally came home after working in Florida since mid-January. He brought each of the kids a gift:

Jackson doesn't look too impressed with his new cards (the dinosaur skeleton was not part of his gift).

Raina's new Etch a Sketch and Barbie movie

Remy looks at his new Diego movie

The kids have been pretty healthy all winter, only coming down with minor colds, and not missing school or requiring doctor visits. Remy is in the midst of potty training. He doesn't quite have it down, but he's doing pretty well. Ollie will be 15 months old next week. It's fun to watch his personality and sense of humor develop.

In the Mail

Getting free stuff in the mail is a lot more fun than getting bills. Recently I got a pair of tongs from a game on the Kikkoman site, a sample of Kotex products with a dress I ordered online, a sample of 3 of the new Pampers diapers with a $1 coupon, and some organic tea and pasta samples plus coupons from Eden Organics. They also sent recipes and brochures about some of their products.

Groceries

It had been three weeks since my last big grocery trip, so we headed down to Super One last weekend to stock up again. I saved $124.32 or 41% this time by shopping sales and using coupons. The highlights:

Free Jumbo pack of Huggies because I won a giveaway from Poop and Boogies.

Yakisoba noodles: $1.00-$0.50 coupons=$0.50 each.
No Yolk noodles: $0.67, can submit for rebate=FREE
Also bought Jennie-O turkey roasts for $2.99-$1/2 coupon=$2.49 each, can submit for rebate of $2.99, making each one $1.00

General Mills cereals: 4/$6, used $1 and $0.75 coupons=4/$4.25=$1.06 per box
Quaker Oatmeal Squares: $2.50-$1 coupon=$1.50
Wheat Thins: $2.50-$1 coupon=$1.50
Planters Nut Bars: $2.22-$0.75 coupon=$1.47
Stretch Island Fruitabu: FREE with coupon sent by company
Golden Double Stuf Oreos: FREE with coupon from Facebook promo
Fisher sunflower seeds: $1.29-$1 coupon=$0.29

Earthgrain thin buns: $2.49-$0.55-$1 off produce wyb Earthgrain product=$0.94
Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread: $2.49-$0.55 coupons=$1.94 each. Unfortunately, the bread rang up at $3.49 each, so if I go back soon I'll have to get my $2 back. I was also overcharged for Stouffer's Stromboli that was supposed to be buy 1 get 1 free at $3.39-$1/2 coupon=$1.20 each, so I'm owed $3.39 for the "free" one.

Chi-Chi's salsa: $1.66-$1/2 coupon=$1.16 each
Ken's dressing: $2.49-$2 coupon=$0.49
Polaner All Fruit: $2.59-$1 coupons=$1.59 each

Cottonelle 6 double roll: $2.99-$0.75 coupon=$2.24 each, or $4.48 for 12 double rolls

Purex laundry detergent: $2.99, used 3 buy 1 get 1 free coupons=$1.50 each

Dancing Baby

Wednesday's Website

Some of you may find it a little strange that I post about my grocery savings. I routinely save around 40% by buying things on sale and using coupons. Sometimes I link up to Crystal's Shopping Superstars, where other bloggers have posted their weekly savings. Some are lucky enough to have stores with double or even triple coupons, and other great promotions, and save 75-90%!
Crystal blogs at The Thrifty Mama and passes on many great deals and coupons.

A Few Groceries

We dropped Barry off in Duluth this morning so his dad could bring him to the Mpls. airport to fly back to Florida. He'll be back again in about 3 1/2 weeks. The little boys and I stopped at Super One on the way home for a few groceries and deals--

Braeburn apples: $0.25 each (limit 10)--regular price was $0.50 each

Bread: English Muffin toasting bread and Super One cottage wheat bread were $1 each; Earthgrains bread was $2.49-$0.75 coupon=$1.74

Libery Gold mandarin oranges (limit 2) and Land O'Lakes yogurt (limit 3): $0.25 each

Silk soy milk: FREE when you buy 2 Kellogg's Raisin Bran. The Raisin Bran was on sale 2/$4. I had a $1.50/2 internet printed coupon for the cereal, but apparently Super One only takes internet coupons up to $1, so they wouldn't let me use it.
Double Stuff Gold Oreos: FREE with coupon from Facebook promotion
Mocha Frappuccino: 10/$10, used $1 coupon=FREE
I saved $40.93 or 42% on my groceries today.