Jul. 10, 2008 - This week's savings
Finally, there were some CVS deals I could use! It has been a skimpy few weeks. I also hit RiteAid for a few things. I prefer CVS because I like to get the rebate (ECBs) right away but Rite Aid had a couple of things that will be FREE after the rebate and I can always use the rebate for other FREE deals. Here's how I did:
CVS: SP $150.83 Pd $57.49 Savings $93.34 or 61.8% ECBs earned $22.00 (I used $24.45 ECBs)
here's what I got: 4 Pringles, 2 Dawn detergents, 1 Cascade, 3 Olay body wash, 4 Olay face products, 2 Dole fruit cups, 2 Covergirl mascara, 2 CG eye shadow, 2 CG lip color, 3 Wet & Wild nail polish (for my girls), 1 Garnier eye treatment (my mom's), 1 men's sandals (dh). WOW!
Rite Aid: SP $33.23 Pd $13.70 Savings $19.53 or 58.7% Rebates $10.73
here's what I got: 3 Shampoo, 2 applesauce, 1 Venus razor, 1 Crest toothpaste
Now, if I could only get my grocery savings up. I am hitting around 30% but would like to get it to at least 40%.
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Jun. 19, 2008 - Good Deals & Great Deals
I thought I would post an update on my savings for the past week. I did really great in some things and just so-so in others.
Summary
Bath & Body - SP $167.00 Pd: $53.00 Sav: $114.oo or 68%
Walgreens #1 - SP $43.55 Pd: $18.56 savings:$24.99 or 57%
Walgreens #2 - SP $39.42 Pd:$13.42 savings:$26.00 or 66%
Bi-Lo - SP: $161.06 Pd:$107.56 savings $53.30 or 33%
Bath & Body
I went to Bath & Body last week b/c they had the antibacterial hand soap on sale (which I love). Well, they also had a great summer clearance sale going on. Not only did I get my 7 hand soaps ($21) but there was a 75% off clearance table. Of course, being in my stockpile mode, I immediately thought "Gifts". I got another 15 items for a total of 22 items. Here's the breakdown of my great deal:
Shelf price: $167.00 paid: $53.00 savings: $114.00 or 68%
I figured out that I have 5 great gifts ready that cost me $6 each. Woo hoo!
Walgreens
I hit Walgreens two times during the past 7 days. The first trip I stocked up on 2ltr Coke products and Pringles chips. I normally do not buy Cokes or Pringles but they were on sale at a good price so I splurged. Also, this trip was on Friday and there was a coupon on Walgreens website for $5/$20 good only for that day. So, combined with the mfg q's & store q's, I did pretty well:
Shelf price: $43.55 paid: $18.56 savings: $24.99 or 57.38%
My savings for my second trip to Walgreens was great but I was disappointed that a deal I was trying did not work like I was hoping. They have the Oral B 2 pk Cross Action toothbrush on sale for $5.50 with $5.50 register rewards at time of purchase. There was a mfg coupon in Sunday's paper for B1G1F (actually there were two q's). I did one transaction for two of the 2pks using the B1G1F mfg q. My RR printed and then I did a second transaction for the same along with some other items again using my 2nd B1G1F mfg q and also the $5.50 RR I had received on the previous transaction. I was hoping I would get another RR for $5.50 but did it did not print. After talking to the mgr, she said it was b/c their computer recognized the RR I used coming from the Oral B product and so it would not generate another one b/c I would essentially be getting both on this transaction for free. I should have done this deal at CVS which is giving $3 in ECBs so using the mfg q you would get $6 in ECB but only paying for 1. I know you can use ECBs for the same item you got the ECB for. I may have to find another set of q's and see if it works, even though I don't need toothbrushes( have about 12 right now).
2nd trip totals- shelf: $39.42 paid: $13.42 savings: $26.00 or 65.96%
Bi-Lo
My savings goals seem to go out the door when I go to Bi-Lo. Of course, I do most of my shopping there so my totals are a little higher than other stores. My totals for this week:
Shelf: $161.06 paid: $107.56 savings: $53.50 or 33% (this seems to be my avg for Bi-Lo)
My goal is to increase my Bi-Lo savings. I'll continue to post how I'm doing. I would love to hear your tips and ideas.
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Jun. 11, 2008 - My great CVS trip today
I made my CVS run today and did really great. I saved 83%!!! I'm still a newbie at CVS but I think I did really well. I used two different CVS cards so I could get more of the limited qty deals. Here is what I got(wish I had taken a picture):
(4) 12pk coke products
(3) CVS bandaids (finally, I've been to 3 stores and they have been out)
(1) Listerine Smart Rinse
(1) Oral B toothbrush 2pk
(4) Kotex feminine pads
(2) movie boxes of Milk Duds
(2) movie boxes of Whoppers
(2) Reese PBC
(2) Snickers
(2) 3 Musketeers
(2) bags of Dumdum lollipops
(2) bags of Pixie stix
(4) bags candy necklaces (these were on clearance for 25cents)
(1) Ped Egg (wanted to try it)
Shelf price: $80.58 OOP: $13.51 Sav: $67.07 or 83.2% ECBs earned: $24.45 
I used Qs totaling $5 and ECBs totaling $39.45. I did not get back as much in ECBs as I used but I am still happy with my trip. All the candy I bought is either for birthday party treat bags or our movie theater stash.
I was excited to see one of those scanners others have mentioned but it did not have any paper and the cashier said they didn't have any. The scanner had just been installed. I was really hoping for a great coupon to use. 
Now, if they would just build a CVS closer to me.
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Jun. 3, 2008 - CVS is great!
I had started tracking my grocery savings several months ago but stopped a while back. I recently decided to start focusing on that again. A favorite blog of mine to visit for savings tips is Money Saving Mom. I especially like to see the CVS scenerios she comes up with. So, this week, I decided to really apply myself and try CVS. I really did great on card 1. Card 2 was higher than I would have liked but I did not have any ECBs to use like I did for card 1. I have the two cards so I can get more of the limited deals. Here is how I did:
Card 1
1 Chex Mix
2 Dawn detergent
1 Listerine Smart Rinse
2 Oral B Cross Action toothbrushes 2pk
Shelf Price: $30.14 before Qs & ECBs: $20.47
Qs & ECBs used: $24.24 OOP: $1.23 Woo hoo! ECBs earned: $18.47 (earned more than I used!)
Card 2
1 Chex mix
2 Bounty paper towels
2 Charmin TP
1 Listerine Smart Rinse
1 Oral B Cross Action Toothbrush 2pk
2 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
Shelf Price: $50.91 subtotal: $37.43
Qs used: $9.00 OOP: $28.43 ECBs earned: $20.48
Summary: Got $81 of stuff for $29 (savings of 63%), earned $40 in ECBs
I still need to get the CVS Band Aids which I will use ECBs and get them back again. Gotta love CVS!!
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May. 28, 2008 - A Day at the Spa!
On Valentine's day, my dad gave my mom & I each a gift card to a spa for a day of pampering. We were finally able to schedule our day and went last Saturday. What a day it was! Imagine five hours of massaging, lotions and great service!! I started out with a full body massage, then on to my spa facial with an added lip & eyebrow wax (ouch!). I then had a spa pedicure and manicure with parafin treatments. Again, massages for feet and hands. The final touch was an airbrush tan. This was all wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Yes, I will probably do it again, just not all at the same time. I got to thinking during the massage (because it is hard for me to turn my mind off and actually relax) that I need to do these things occasionally just to remind myself to enjoy life as I go through this wonderful, amazing ride of motherhood and wife. It makes me a happier, more enjoyable person. So, next time I am feeling bogged down it is off to the nail salon or to get a fake tan!
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May. 28, 2008 - Gearing up for a new year
Plans are well under way for the next school year. Of course, my girls are not as excited as I am though since we just started summer break. We are going to travel back in time to study ancient civilizations via Tapestry of Grace, embark on the Algebraic highway by way of Teaching Textbooks and many other adventures. So far, we will be using the following:
DD (8th) - TOG Yr 1,Discover 4 Yourself bible studies, Teaching Textbooks Algebra I, Apologia Physical Science and possibly Grammar Key.
DD (4th) - TOG Yr 1, Discover 4 Yourself bible studies, Saxon 5/4, Christian Kids Explore Biology along with Considering God's Creation, BJU Reading.
Now to figure out 4th grade grammar (maybe Easy Grammar), spelling and Spanish.
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May. 7, 2008 - Anticipation
It is that time of year. We are anxiously counting the days until we call an end to this school year. I am ready to put this year behind us and move on to next school term. One of the problems with this time of year is the curriculum fairs. Something about seeing all the crisp new books and supplies that can take us on a grand new adventure just makes me want to say "We are done. Let's start something new!". I went to the GHEA fair last week with a friend. There are a few things I want to change for next year. Some favorites I am considering are:
Grammar Key - what Teaching Textbooks does for Math, Grammar Key does for Grammar! We have had a horrible time with middle school grammar. This may be the "key"
Tapestry of Grace - I think we are going to go with Year 1. I have been wanting to do a literature based curriculum for history because we love reading at our house. We can do this together!
Christian Kids Explore Biology - I think I am going to use this with Considering God's Creation. B likes to learn a variety of things so we are searching for a new elementary science.
Real Science 4 Kids - B really liked this science program but I prefer the above one.
Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for kids - these are by Kay Arthur of Precept Ministries. E did a couple of these when she was in private school last year. I am currently doing one of Kay's inductive studies in my small group. We can do these together!
So, after gathering brochures and information, you come home and spend hours on the computer researching even more. This first fair just wet my appetite for more so my friend and I are probably going to the the MTHEA fair next week. I like to go to these early ones because my local fair is not until almost the end of July and I like to have curriculum decided on, received and planned out by then and ready to start early August.
Stay tuned for what I find at the next one!
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Apr. 18, 2008 - An Amazing Love
Wow, I didn't realize it has been so long since I posted. All I can say is that everything was going well and then I hit a sort of wall. I can't pinpoint exactly what form the wall took but it caused me to stop all that I was doing: morning bible study, exercising, weight loss, blogging, etc. I am working my way back though.
My small group at church just started an inductive study by Kay Arthur, Do You Walk The Walk You Talk. Wednesday night was our first meeting on this book. One exercise we did was to list all that God blessed us with in the verses we discussed. It is really amazing and overwhelming to me how much He has done for us and all he asks for in return is for us to love Him faithfully and share His love with others. I am really excited about this study and looking forward to really digging deeply into God's Word.
In other areas, I had my spring scrapbook retreat and it was wonderful. My friend and I really put my Cricut to work. I had just gotten the software and markers that go with it for my birthday. It is even more awesome with those two additions. Now, if I could just get my desk cleaned up so I could scrapbook whenever I could snatch a few minutes. I'll try to post some pics.
School is about to wrap up for the year. We have about 4 weeks left. I am ready to put this school year behind us. I am looking at Tapestry of Grace for next year. We also need a new grammar curric for middle school. Any suggestions?
Happy Spring everyone!
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Feb. 5, 2008 - Lost another one!
I lost that pound that found it's way back last week! I am so glad. My goal for this week is 2lbs. It has been difficult this past week. Temptation has been around every corner. It's been in that corn dog box, the pototoe chips on top of the frig, the candy bars in the check out lane. My oldest dd has been a help to me though. On the way to the grocery store this weekend, I wanted to stop at McDonald's for a sundae but she did not want one so insisted we just go straight to the store. I wanted to get a candy bar in the check out lane and she said we didn't need one. God was disciplining me thru her! I see that now, but at the time I didn't. It is such a comfort to know he is there to guide me in the right direction.
Check back next week to see if I "Lost or Found"!
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Jan. 30, 2008 - Our Father will never give up
This past week has been so enlightening. If you have not read the devotional or done the Bible study, "Secrets of the Vine", I highly recommend it. It has been such a joy to read and I look forward to it every day. What has been enlightening this week is God's discipline. As parents, we don't like to discipline our children but we know that it is something we have to do when necessary. Our Father in Heaven also disciplines us. He disciplines individually and purposefully and He will not give up on us. God will continue to intervene and discipline us until we acknowledge His discipline and what needs to be done or stopped. When we hit that point and say "Ok, God, I hear you!",confess each sin and ask Him for forgiveness, the discipline stops. It just stops. God opens His arms and welcomes you back because He loves you. What really impacts me is that He NEVER gives up. His methods of discipline may increase in intensity but He never gives up.
Proverbs 3:12 ~ The Lord corrects those He loves, just as parents correct the child they delight in.
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Jan. 30, 2008 - One found it's way back
Well, last week one of those pesky pounds found it's way back. Ugh!! I was making progress but hit a roadblock over the weekend. I know I did not follow my plan over the weekend. I will not just give up though. I am back on track and intend to make up for the gain. It's funny that with my First Place bible study, we are discussing how God is the potter and we are the clay. He formed us and we should take care of what He created, ourselves. In my Secret of the Vine study, we are discussing God's discipline. I was feeling tired and just blah the past couple of days. I wonder if my feeling tired and blah isn't part of God's discipline for not following my plan like I know I should have. Tonight, I hear Him and know what I need to do. I will persevere. Stay tuned for the next installment of Lost or Found.
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Jan. 24, 2008 - Love Lifting Me
"sin is like dirt covering your leaves. It makes your branch sick and keeps you from bearing fruit. ... He won't throw you way. ... He kneels by your branch , gently cleanses you, then lifts you back up to a productive, God-honoring life. ... When we choose to languish in sin, God intervenes to motivate us to stop sinning and begin bearing fruit again. " Wow! This is from the devotional book that goes with Bruce Wilkinson's Sectrets of the Vine. After I did my bible study and prayer time this morning, It was on my heart to share this. It is my prayer that this will bless someone in some way.
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Jan. 23, 2008 - I'm at 50.3% savings for the month
I have always used coupons when grocery shopping but it was not until December that I really started taking full advantage of them. Thanks to a discussion in my homeschool group, I discovered The Grocery Game. This is a service you subscribe to that tells you each week how to maximize the sales and coupons for the best price at various stores. I have added a link on my sidebar to their website. Here are my totals for this month so far:
Shelf Price: $1,002.42
Out of pocket: $498.43
Savings: $503.99 or 50.3%
Bi-Lo helped a lot last week with their triple coupons promotion. Thank you Bi-Lo!
While at Walgreen's this week, I noticed they had regular size candy bars by M&M Mars on sale with their ad coupon 4/$1.00. Going into to my savings mode, I bought the limit of 8. I am saving these for when we go to the movies. The girls are not big on popcorn, so instead of stopping at a convenience store to get something that costs $1.00-$1.50 or even buying it at the theatre for $3-$4, I have now only paid 25 cents per candy bar. So, when you are looking at the sale papers, don't just think of immediate needs but think also of saving now for future needs.
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Jan. 22, 2008 - Did I lose it or find it this week?
I lost it!!
I am currently doing a First Place bible study with a couple of friends. We started about three weeks ago and I have lost 5.5 lbs. If you are not familiar with First Place, it combines a bible study and weight loss based on nine committments: attendance, encouragment, prayer, bible reading, scripture memory, bible study, "Live it" plan, commitment record and exercise. For more information go to www.firstplace.org. I feel confident in the exercise are now and am working on the other areas. I don't know that I will ever get the scripture memory because my memory seems to be lost most of the time.
The bible study we are doing is called Start Living. We have been studying and discussing how our bodies are temples for God's Holy Spirit. He is the potter and we are the clay. He molded us and we are the vessel he created. If we don't take care of this vessel how can we possibly do the good works he wants us to do. It is strange how this coincides with a bible study I am doing on Wednesday nights at church. I am in a small group studying The Secrets of the Vine. We have just started it and are discussing how God the Father is the vinedresser, Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We are to be more fruitful but a branch that is "unhealthy" can not be that just as a clay jar that is not in good condition can not hold anything.
Disclaimer: This is just my thoughts and ramblins on what I am reading.
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Jan. 22, 2008 - Where are we now!
Wow, a year has passed since I have updated my blog. A lot has happened in the last year. To update you briefly, here goes:
- E & B finished their year of doing time, um I mean, of going to private school. They enjoyed it but was so ready to come back home for school.
- E started pre-pointe ballet classes this past summer and got her first pair of pointe shoes (toe shoes) for Christmas.
- I've hired a replacement for me at our business two times in the last year.
- We are back to homeschooling but got a rough start because I was working almost the whole first semester. We seem to be back into the old routine now except for history. This seems to be a subject of great stress for me. I just can't seem to find something that works for us.
- We acquired two kittens, Trixie and Ann. They showed up under our front porch one day. Ann ran away and then we got Lucy, who had shown up at someone else's house.
- We have found a church home at Hickory Valley Christian Church and are really enjoying it.
- I have begun a journey to healthy living that, yes, includes weight loss.
So, I am going to record what is going on in my homeschooling, money saving, faith journeying, weight losing, scrappin & stampin life! I hope to post pictures of stamping and scrapbooking projects as well as tips for both. You can follow me on my journey to both a healthier life as well as a more spiritual and fruitful life. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride of MY LIFE!
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Dec. 16, 2006 - Update on the Tinsleys
The girls finished their first semester of school yesterday. They both did really well. Emily made star roll on her first report card and was one of 12 out of about 75 kids picked for the spelling bee. Unfortunately, when it came time for the bee, she got out on her first word. I think it was from nervousness though. I am proud of her nonetheless. Brooke has finally adjusted and gives me no problems about going to school now. She has also done excellent academically. She is in 2nd grade but they have her doing 3rd grade spelling and she is flying thru the Abeka 2nd grade math book. All of this just confirms for me that I did an OK job the last two years.
Now, when will we back to homeschooling? Maybe in january! My husband has placed an ad for my replacement and we have been getting lots of resumes in. He plans on starting interviews next week. If he can hire someone soon, we will pull the girls out at the end of January. I doubt we will be able to get this done before they start back Jan 4th. I pray that is all works out.
The girls would have no problem leaving the school and going back to hsing. I mentioned the possibility to Emily because she has really gotten into the school thing. She said she could not wait to homeschool again!
I have to admire those moms that do work full time, have kids in school and still manage to keep a clean house, cook dinner and run kids to activities. I just can't get the hang of it. After being home for the last 9 years, I can't do it all. I think it is just that my subconscious refuses to. LOL! Anyway, it will be nice to get things back to "normal" around here.
I've got to get the girls ready for Christmas pictures. I'll post an update later.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Michele
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Aug. 25, 2006 - Homeschooling no more
Well, my husband and I decided to put the girls in a private christian school. We just don't want them to have to be at the office 5-6hrs a day. While I know this is for the best for them at the time, I miss them and homeschooling them so much. I have felt like my heart is breaking when I think about someone else teaching them. The school they are attending is a small private school with no more than 12 students to a class. It is a really good school. Emily is really enjoying it and getting involved in everything. Brooke is another story. She has not adjusted well so far. We have to stick it out for the year though and then we will evaluate how it is going and what to do.
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Jul. 22, 2006 - Our visitor
This morning we had a visit from this turtle. It was crossing the street in front of our house when we noticed it. Don't worry, we live in a subdivision on a cul-de-sac road. After watching it finish crossing and enter our yard, I decided we needed to investigate it, you know, for science. I picked it up and we looked at the underside of the shell. Suprisingly, it did not pull it's head into the shell. Being a scrapbooker, I took pictures of course. I know I have some turtle stickers somewhere. We decided it was headed to the woods behind our house so we thought we would help it out and take it to the back of our house. All this time, I was thinking about how cool it would be keep it and observe it for a continued science project. I researched turtles online and found out it is an Eastern Box Turtle and probably a male because of the red eyes.
Afterwards, Brooke says "Hey, I guess we have started school!"
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Jul. 22, 2006 - What's happening now
Just to bring everyone up to date on my life, here's what is going on.
I am the mom of two girls ages 7(Brooke) & 11 (Emily). This is our 3rd year of homeschooling. This year will be 2nd & 6th grades. In addition to being a homeschooling mom, I am the girl scout leader for Brooke's Brownie troop and Emily's Junior troop as well as our girl scout area's service unit manager. Both girls are also taking dance and Brooke may be taking gymnastics again this year. I have my own business as a part-time bookkeeper and as a Creative Memories consultant. My husband is currently in the process of buying a business which I will be Office Manager and bookkeeper. Oh, did I mention I am the coordinator for an area homeschool support group? Whew! Makes me tired just typing all that.
