209 - I like it + An award

I got an awesome award from RawknRobynsGoneBlogWild cuz I know a thing or two about chocolate. And I'm a star pupil. ;p

I don't know how she managed to get her hands on a picture of me in a bikini... lol.

So yesterday I read Samantha's post on couponing... I'm always excited to learn how other people manage to take it to another level. I dream of one day being that person who walks out of the store with a cart full of groceries and only paying $20 for it. Sounds like a pipe dream, I know... but there are people who do it.

I already cut coupons out of the Sunday paper, and ever since I started making a list and remembering to bring my coupons with me, I have been racking up between $20-30 worth of savings (also due in part to my Kroger card). After reading Samantha's post I'm taking it up a notch. She introduced me to the Southern Savers website, and now I've seen the light. These people are serious! They have introduced me to an entirely new thought process. Now I have a spreadsheet with all the coupons, values and their expiry date so that when the Sunday circulars come out, I can see how to maximize my savings. And I'll be checking the SS website just to make sure I'm taking full advantage.

Yesterday I did my research, and this morning I put it to the test by going to CVS. Normally I don't buy much from CVS because they're a little pricey. This is because I've been doing it wrong! My total bill before coupons and sale prices was $123.58. When all was said and done I paid $63.47 and walked away with $17 Extra Care Bucks to spend on a future shopping trip, so my effective cost is $43.11. I saved $80.47 and I feel pretty good about that! I didn't have to go out of my way, there's a CVS close to my house, so it's very convenient.

Tomorrow I'm going to Walgreens to get more stuff. They have Mega Red Krill Oil tablets BOGO and I have a $3 coupon, so for 26.99 I get six months of Omega 3... nice. Won't be going out of my way to shop there either, since one is conveniently located on my way home from work... I kinda factor that in when I'm calculating savings... time and gas sort of matter...

Now I can add this tool to my toolbox, and I can save when I shop offline. For tips about how to save when doing your online shopping, you can check out one of my previous posts where I talk about rebate sites and other nuggets.

Last night's Pity Party was fun. I made buffalo chicken dip, onion dip and put out some cinnamon coated almonds... thankfully we ate it all up so I don't have to fight temptation today. I love that frickin' buffalo dip... God it's good... We sat around and chatted until close to midnight. Then after most people left, a couple of us watched Boat Trip, Eurotrip and Moulin Rouge. I was up until probably 5 am. Kristy's a tired girl today.

I haven't seen Moulin Rouge in a couple of years now... I am seriously addicted to it... Kind of like I get addicted to Amadeus, only it doesn't depress me to watch Moulin Rouge. When I first got the dvd, I probably watched it once a month... or more. I've seen in at least 20 times. Watching it last night reminded me of how great a movie it is. I sang along, I laughed, I cried... Sure, it's silly sometimes, but I like silly... you may have noticed that I'm a little silly...

And an update on my uncle: They're weaning him off his respirator and he should go home in a couple of days. I think the problem is that he was actually getting too much oxygen. Apparently whenever he would get up to go to the bathroom, he'd come back winded, and he would ask my aunt to increase the oxygen for a little while. Sometimes they would forget to turn it back down.

Thanks for your prayers.  =)