Target + Coupons = Love

I swear I'm not a CRAZY extreme couponer.  I don't have binders full of coupons- I have one (reasonably sized) coupon wallet.  I don't have shelves of "just-because-I-got-it-on-sale-stuff"- (I do however have a "gift closet" for small last minute gifts and we have enough LEGO gifts to last FOREVER).  I don't spend a ton of time on couponing-- I use other sites that do the work for me, like Thrifty and Thriving, The Krazy Coupon Lady and Mojo Savings.  

In the last couple of weeks, the question has come up a couple of times-- "but do you NEED or USE all of these things that you buy?"  The short answer is that I've made a pact with myself to only buy things that I have a plan for, no matter how good the deal.  If you ever see me posting about things that I bought - "just because they were on sale", please immediately hold an intervention.

Having said all that, check out my latest loot from Target:

Guess how much?  (this is my favorite game to play after a couponing trip to Target)

No.  Not $14.48.  That's how much I SAVED.  Look a little higher.  Total Payment:  $1.81!  WHAT???!!  Even I was shocked!

Here's a closer look at the stuff that I got for $1.81. (and yes-- I had to use my debit card-- I didn't have cash on me (not even $1.81).

First were the back to school (or office) supplies:

• 10 packs of Paper Mate ball point pens:  $1.02 each.  (2) $1.00 Target coupons = 2 packs for $.04
• Scotch Magic Tape:  $1.00 each.  (2) $1.00 Target coupons = 2 rolls for FREE
• 2 packs of Sharpie Markers:  marked $1.54 ea. (rang up $1.00 ea.) (2) $1.00 Target coupons = 4 sharpie markers for FREE

I must add that Ultra Fine Point Sharpie markers are my FAVORITE pens ever! (And I think we all know that I have a love affair with stationary type products).   I don't use ball point pens all that often though, so my plan for these is to donate them to a back to school drive for children in need. 

Food:

• Danimals 6 pk Smoothies $2.74.  (1) $1.00 Target coupon = $1.74

(and my favorite coupon that I use all the time - we use it alot)

• Ortega Taco Seasoning Mix $.69 each.  (1) $1.00 off TWO Ortega products = $.19 each

Health and Beauty Products:

• I had a FREE Suave Naturals Body Wash coupon (that I got from a Facebook promotion) so the body wash was FREE.
• Up & Up Nail Polish Remover:  $.99.  (1) $.50 off Target coupon = $.49

Again, we don't use body wash all that often, but I think this is a good thing to keep in the guest shower (for those who prefer body wash to bar soap). 

Toys:

• Hot Wheels Single Cars:  $1.07 each.  (2) $1.00 off ANY Hot Wheels Product = $.07 each 

So if you're following along with your calculator you're now confused (as was I when my total came up), but upon further review of my receipt I saw this:

A Manufacturer's coupon for $2.85.  

Here's what I'm guessing happened.  I bet the coupon for the FREE Suave bodywash said "up to a value of $2.85" and the cashier just put in the maximum value and not the Target price (which was $1.94) so TECHNICALLY, I made money on this one (and I wasn't even trying).  The difference of $.91 easily covers the cost of the ball point pens, taco seasoning and nail polish remover.

So there you have it.  All this:

for less than $2.00!

Have you gotten any really good deals lately?  

I can make flip flops "fancy".

How many pairs of these do you have?  I love $1 flip flop day at Old Navy.  I go every year and buy a few pair-- usually black, white, navy blue and brown (to replace the ones that I wore out last year).  I pretty much live in them all summer long.  I know they are not the most fashionable accessory, but they sure are comfy!

source

At my "new" job, we have a very relaxed dress code for summer (since our campus is pretty empty during the summer) and we are allowed to wear flip flops.   There's nothing better than cool comfortable footwear during the summer so I've embraced this.  But... I felt kinda funny wearing $1 shoes to work so... I decided to upgrade mine.

please try to look past my fugly feet and focus on the shoes.

Using a technique that I've become pretty familiar with from past projects like this:

 and this:

I created some fabric rosettes using an old black t-shirt and a fabric remnant that I had on hand.  Add a couple of beads and voila!

I promise you that in real life the hot glue isn't quite this noticeable-- especially from the distance that people look at your shoes from.   These photos just seem to really be magnifying it for some reason.

BUT, because sometimes you just want plain 'ole $1 flip flops (like for the beach or the pool), I made these removable by hot gluing the rosettes onto a piece of felt and adding some safety pins to pin them to the straps of the shoes.  kinda hard to see below, but you get the idea...

and no-- it's surprisingly NOT uncomfortable

Had I thought of this idea sooner, I would've bought a couple of black pairs and made these permanent by hot gluing right to the straps, but this is the next best alternative.

And FYI-- my new favorite nail polish color is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in 'Grey Area'.  You may remember seeing it first in this post.

There you have it-- a FREE upgrade to $1 shoes (I had all supplies on hand).  My kinda deal!  And I love them!  (obviously-- check out all the exclamation points)

What are your thoughts on flip flops in the office?

I love my family for putting up with my CRAZY.

For the Fourth of July, I had visions of an elaborate picnic at a park with a beach -- I'd have all the time I needed to get the picnic set up while the hubs and the kids played at the beach and they'd be in awe of the spread when they came back ready to eat.  After lunch we'd frolic and play and leave at the end of the day with that 'good tired' feeling after a long day of fun.

I carefully planned and gathered my materials in the days leading up to the fourth.

And then because of circumstances beyond anyones control, our plans changed.  We would still be picnicing at a park-- just not one with a beach (no biggie) and we would be under much more of a time crunch  (hmmm...)  Well-- I already had all of my "supplies" packed up and ready to go so... I did it anyway.

Things went off pretty well (although at a more stressful pace than I would've liked) and without a hitch.  Well almost....

at least the skinned knee was at the end of our day just as we were packing up

Here's what I came up with minus a few details that didn't quite make it up in time as people were hungry and wanted to actually start eating-- the nerve! :)

Fourth of July-- crazy momma style!

We just had your (easy to transport) picnic basics-- hot dogs, turkey burgers, chips, lettuce salad, pasta salad ...

Recognize some of my great finds from my last bargain hunting adventure?

and desserts.  

 Yes- I brought books as a styling prop and No- my husband was not psyched to find out that we had lugged books as styling props with us.   But they sure do look good right?  :)

And remember these?

My original plan was to hang them from the trees so they could blow in the breeze, but there the trees weren't in the right spot (again-- what's wrong with mother nature not having trees where I want them) so I strung them up like a banner instead.

How cute are these pinwheel cupcake toppers?  I used this tutorial except I used thumb tacks instead of straight pins because that's what I had on hand.  Use what ya' got!  Took about 20 minutes-- so cute!  (and don't worry-- I glued the thumbtacks in so that no children could stab themselves on sharp objects)

TIP:  Another little trick (seen above).  I just cover my "lacy" cake stand with different coordinating ribbon for each party- like I did here.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out in the end.

And after all was said and done, we were only able to get one picnic table so I had to deconstruct the whole thing so that we actually had a place to eat.  :)

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend!

I used to be a little snobby.

While I'm compiling my Independence Day picnic photos I thought I'd leave you with another post to hold you over.  (because I know you're holding your breath in anticipation)

I'll admit that before I began my career as a cheapskate, I used to think thrift stores were gross.  And some are, but there are so many wonderful hidden treasures in them.  I understand that they are not for everyone, but with a little post-purchase cleaning and lots of hand sanitizer you can find some really cool things.  And you only purchase things that are within the scope of repair, cleaning or refurbishing that you WANT to do so... what's the harm in looking?

I am super psyched with my latest finds-- totaling $5.84.

The two plates are actually pretty large.  (note: apple below to show size of plates)  I liked the color- a mustardy yellow.  Truth be told I was thinking of using them during football season for Steelers games (Go Black and Gold!) but they can also be used during fall for Thanksgiving or for other harvest related affairs.  $1.00 each.

I couldn't help myself when buying this jar.  I had 4th of July on the brain and thought it was just too perfect for the picnic I was planning so... even though I really didn't need an empty jar-- it was only $.50 and it makes me happy so...

 

I am in LOVE with this lazy susan-- also purchased mostly for the 4th.  It's so nautical looking to me and it's SUPER functional because besides being a turntable, the navy blue part is rubberized so condiments won't slide around on it when it turns.  Plus-- blue and white work for so many events-- Memorial Day, Independence Day,  a whole host of college/high school events (like SU or UCONN sporting events and Nonnewaug high school graduations), and of course any nautical themed parties that could be in our future  - who knows?  Totally worth it for $2.00.

oh, and I forgot to mention since it's rubber, plastic and metal it's also totally washable (unlike my wooden lazy susan)  BONUS!

with condiments:

and in action:

And I love picking up fabric remnants at a bargain price.  These were 3 for $1.00.  I have promised myself that I WILL learn to sew in the near future so I'm working on a little fabric stash.  Plus the pink and the black I know I can use to make some more fabric necklaces, broches or embellishments etc.

how fun is that stripey fabric?

I love my local Goodwill.  Have you checked out your local thrift shop lately?