I planned a couponing trip for after work today. As I mentioned in my previous post, I like to coupon. No, I'm not an extreme couponer, but I know how to get a good deal. Today's trip was to Dollar General. I made my plan of attack last night. I made my list and clipped my coupons. I had my coupons sorted into two seperate transactions. And to my surprise, the store had all of the items on my list! The check-out procedure didn't go as smoothly as planned. I had everything organized on my end, but the cashier wasn't familiar with "professional" couponing. Some stores (Dollar General, Target, Family Dollar, to name a few) issue store coupons. You can "stack" store coupons with a manufacturer coupon (using two coupons on one item) and use them on a sale item to get the best deal. She didn't know that you could do that. So, I got a newbie, meaning it took a while at the checkout. Also, I wasn't able to use one of my $0.40 off coupons due to their system and how they were entered. Note to self: have them take off manufacturer coupons BEFORE store coupons.
I generally feel like I have done a really good job shopping when I save 50%. My savings was only about 37% off my total for this trip. My before total is on sale prices, had it been figured on regular prices, I would have a higher percentage of saving.
Before coupons: $81.65 (Sale prices, not regular prices.)
After coupons: $51.50 (tax not included)
Total Savings: $30.15
Here's what I got!
I didn't have the Kool-Aid on my list, nor was it on sale. But, I needed it for an event next week. Just another day in my life!
So, I haven't posted anything for a few weeks! There are certain times of the year that are busier than others. From the middle of July until the middle of August is one of those times for me! The county fair and carnival is in July, that's when it all begins. While I don't have any children, I do have a niece and nephew, so there is a bit of the back-to-school frenzy. Every year we try to take my neice and nephew to a nearby water reservoir. It's the closest we have to a "beach". It's a lake with a swimming area and a sand beach. My sister-in-law and I took them this year. We spent a lazy afternoon floating in the water. The kids played and had a good time. You couldn't have aske for better weather! With the lack of rain this year the water was WAY down! I would guess by at least three feet. (Picture of the swimming area.)
A cool front came through our area this past week and set me in the mood for fall, my favorite time of year! I dug out my crocheting! With wonderful temperatures, I've set in the swing in the backyard a few evenings. Last Thursday I broke out what was left of a bottle of wine from the 4th of July. (Yeah, I know, fancy cup!) I generally don't follow a pattern when I crochet things, but I'd like to make some items to sell at our town's annual celebration on the square. I tend to start things and not finish them, so we'll see how it goes! 
My first project was Pinterest inspired. I've seen a lot of chevron patterns that seem popular and wanted to do some throws with that type of pattern. And I saw a color combination of red, yellow and turquoise that caught my eye. These are some of the photos and color palettes on Pinterest that spurred this project. I also like to try and do some embroidery on the corner of this throw, just to make it "fancy". I haven't ever attempted that before, so we'll see how that goes!
I tried to work with the colors I had. (Pictured on the left.) But, they didn't look right to me. So on a couponing trip to Walmart Saturday I picked up a different shade of turquoise and yellow. I started on it Sunday morning. (The picture on the right are the new colors.) I like it much better! This is the pattern I am using. 
This past Saturday was our county Relay for Life. I was a team captain this year of a small team. It was my mom, aunt and me. With all of our busy and hectic schedules we still managed to raise $686.26! Relay is very near and dear to me. My family has been affected by cancer many times. I have lost four of my great-grandparents, my great-great grandma, my great-aunt and great-uncle and my grandpa. My mom, dad and grandma have both been affected. And probably the one I fight for the most is my nephew. Just before his third birthday he was diagnosed with lukemia. He is now nine years old and hasn't had treatments for the last two years! (Picture of some cookies my mom made.) We sold them the night of Relay as part of our fundraising.
