Rant of the Day

If you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything at all. 

I know we've all heard this as a child growing up but it is so true. Not just because you may or may not hurt my feelings but more so - I don't want you to rain on my parade. I like to think of myself as an upbeat, happy go lucky person who tries to find the silver lining in any situation. So when you come waltzing into my life with your crappy attitude I want no part of it.  I don't have the will power to keep from stooping to your level. So do me a favor leave it at home or don't come around - it is as easy as that.

Family, Family & More Family

This is my favorite time of the year. My brother and his family come into town for a few weeks and normal life seems to disappear.  What it is replaced with is no sleep, drinking, and drama - always a welcome break from my normal, mundane life. They are driving in from their new digs on Friday and our annual 4th of July picnic starts at Noon the next day. This means spending most of the evening and into the night at my Mom's house Friday, only to run home grab a couple hours of sleep and return in the morning to prepare for the party. I complain, because well...that's what I'm supposed to do but this is definitely the time of the year that I look forward to the most.

David has been practicing all of his cousin's names for the past week. He picks up this picture:

And one by one he'll go through the faces...Oooonnn, llllaaannaa, ehaan. It may be one of the cutest things ever! But of course he's the cutest as I'm sure you are all aware :)

I'll try my hardest to update during their trip here and takes tons of pictures. I'm finding I'm not as good at remembering to take pictures as I thought I was!

Rite Aid 7/3 Preview & Scenario

A couple of sales I'm interested in for Sunday:

Crest Pro Health Rinse - $4.99
$4.50 Single Check Rebate (Limit 1)
-$0.75/1 Crest Rinse (7/3 P&G)
-$2/1 Crest Rinse 946ml+ (6/5 P&G)
Final Price - $1.51 MM


Crest Toothpaste - $2.57
Buy 1, Receive $2 Up+ (Limit 2)
-$1/2 Crest Toothpaste (6/5 P&G)
-$0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste (7/3 P&G)
Final Price - $0.18 MM


Gillette Body Wash - 2/$8.00
Buy 2, Receive $2 Up+ (Limit 3)
B1G1 Gillette Body Wash (6/5 P&G)
-$1/1 Gillette Body Wash (7/3 P&G)
Final Price - $0.50 each wyb 2


Pantene Products - 2/$7.00
Buy 2, Receive $2 Up+ (Limit 2)
-$3/2 Pantene Products (6/19 SS)
Final Price - $1.00 each

John Frieda Select Products - B1G1 @ 50%
Buy 2, Receive $5 Up+ (Limit 3)
-$2/1 John Frieda Products (6/5 SS)
-or-
-$5/1 John Frieda Full Repair (6/5 SS)
Final Price - Varies

My Scenario:
(1) Crest Pro Health Rinse
(2) Crest Toothpaste
(2) John Frieda Shampoo/Conditioner (I Need to Double Check Price)
(2) Pantene Shampoo/Conditoner

(1) -$2/1 Crest Rinse
(2) -$0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste
(2) -$2/1 John Frieda Product
(1) -$3/2 Pantene Products

Use $5/$25 Wellness+ Coupon
Use $11.68 in Up+ Rewards

Total Before Savings ~ $40.21
Total OOP: $2.10
Up+ Rewards: $11.00
Rebate: $4.50

$1.72 MM for this transaction!

David is 2!!

Happy Birthday to my little boy! I can't believe he is 2 now and really turning into a very cool little boy.

We had a small birthday party for him on Saturday with some family friends and he had a blast! We setup the bounce house pool and had to kick Erin and Liz out once it got dark. David rode around on anything motorized all night and of course opened some wonderful gifts. We have so many toys that he loves that for the time being he is just loading them up in his new cozy truck so he doesn't miss out on any of them.

Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with us!

Finally got my Ecotrin

I have tried for at least 3 weeks to get this Ecotrin Aspirin from Walgreens and they have been out of stock at 2 different stores this entire time! I normally do not have inventory issues at Rite Aid so I guess this is just one more sign telling me to stay with Rite Aid.

RA Transaction 1

(1) Crest Toothpaste
(2) Excedrin Extra Strength
(1) Got2Be Hairspray
(1) Little Swimmers

(1) -$1/1 Crest Toothpaste (P&G Saving Booklet)
(2) -$1/1 Excedrin (SS Printable)
(1) -$1/1 Excedrin (RA Video)
(1) -$1/1 Little Swimmers (Printable)
Used $3/15 Survey
Used $10 Up+ Rewards

OOP: $1.39
Up+ Rewards: $4.69
Rebate: $4.99
SavingStar: $2.00

RA Transaction 2

(1) Veet Wax Strips

(1) -$2/1 Veet (RA Weekly Circular)
(1) -$1/1 Veet (RA Video)
(1) -$2/1 Veet (Printable)

OOP: $0.00
Up+ Rewards: $1

RA Transaction 3

(4) Stayfree Products

(2) B1G1 Stayfree Product (SS 6/26)
(2) -$1/1 Stayfree Product (Printable)
(1) -$1/1 Any Non-Prescription Item (RA Video)

Used $2 Up+ Rewards

OOP: $0.00
Up+ Rewards: $4.00

Walgreens Transaction

(2) Ecotrin Low Dose Aspirin

(2) -$1/1 Ecotrin
Used Raincheck from beginning of June

OOP: $0.00

---

Total Before Savings: $58.39
Total OOP: $1.39
+Up Rewards: $9.69
Rebate: $4.99
SavingStar: $2.00


My Veet transaction came up funny because my coupons were worth more than the product so somehow they didn't make me pay tax which seems odd. Once I work it all out I spent $1.39 but gained $4.68 in the Rewards/Rebates so total profit was $3.29.

I've decided I really like Rite Aid's Rebates. For 1. it is really easy to redeem them and 2. I can get my cash out of my Up+ Rewards. I will definitely look at doing more of these in July.

Happy Anniversary to Me...

...and Dan :)

Today is Dan and my 4th wedding anniversary. I still can't believe that we have been married 4 years now. It really feels like just yesterday we were planning everything and getting excited for the big day.  I can't imagine being with a greater guy, I don't think it is possible actually and our relationship is better today than it ever has been. Well before I get all sappy...

Here's to a million more anniversary's with my Hubby :)

Rite Aid Addict

I'm so damn addicted to Rite Aid it really is a sickness. There was a deal on Hair Dye this week that I had told myself I didn't need and then somehow convinced myself that 1. I could use it and 2. I could use the Up+ Rewards. Ugh - it really is a sickness. Poor Dan!

(2) Fat Foam Hair Dye (Medium Brown if anyone wants one)
(1) Bag of M&M's

(2) -$3/1 Fat Foam Hair Dye
(1) -$1/1 RA VV Fat Foam Product
Used $3/$15 Survey Coupon
Used $7.48 in Up+

Total Before Savings: $22.23
Total OOP: $1.34
Remaining Up+ Rewards: $10

I increased my rewards by $2.52 so that gives me a profit of $1.18 for this transaction and for the week I'm up to $3.23. I also received a survey on my receipt so I can grab another $3/$15 coupon today!

Rite Aid 6/19

Ran to Rite Aid this morning thinking that there was no way all the stuff I wanted would actually be there. It is Tuesday morning after all. Luckily I was wrong and I had an easy and profitable morning:

Transaction 1

(2) Zantac 150
(2) Colgate MaxClean
(1) St. Joseph Aspirin (not pictured)
(1) Rite Aid Calcium

(2) -$5/1 Zantac (Printable)
(1) -$2/1 Zantac (RA Video Value)
(1) -$1/1 Colgate (SS 6/5)
(1) -$0.50/1 Colgate (Printable)
Used $5/$25 Wellness Coupon
Used $7.99 in Up+

Total OOP: $1.58
Up+ Rewards: $11.48

Transaction 2

(2) Colgate MaxFresh
(1) St. Joseph Aspirin
(1) -$0.50/1 Colgate
Rolled $6.49 in Up+ from Transaction 1

OOP: $0.85
Up+ Reward: $7.48

---

Total Before Savings: $48.24
Total OOP: $2.43
Remaining Up+ Rewards: $12.47


I had a $4.48 increase in my rewards so I walked out today with $2.05 in profit. Not bad and I think I'm pretty well stocked up on toothpaste!

Slamology

This past Friday Dan and I hit the road with some friends to travel to Slamology, a mini truck show in Indianapolis, IN. The total road trip start to finish covered just about 1300 miles. All in all I'm happy that I went. Dan and I got to spend a lot of time together which was wonderful. We never fought, never argued, just truly enjoyed each other's company. The trip itself was tough though. On the way out to IN we had an issue with Dan's truck twice, including the brakes and the front something or other. It rained almost the entire time we were there. Saturday during the day we had a good 5 hour stretch that was beautiful but had to literally run when a storm came rolling into the fairgrounds. Other than that it was either pouring or drizzling off and on.

There were some cool trucks out there. A 2 door magnum, an older Dually that Dan fell in love with, and some pretty clean s10's. They had also just paved the road outside of our hotel so there were some drag and burnout sessions going on. Friday more so than Saturday since the cops seemed to be a staple at the hotel Saturday night.  There was a White Castle across the street from the hotel so of course we had to try it, along with the Japanese Steak House (yuck).

We started back around 1pm on Sunday after being in Indy for under 48 hours. We were rolling down the road when Dave's truck broke in Wheeling, WV about halfway home. Stuck is never fun but all of us made the best of it, playing quarters and flip cup. This morning Dave's Dad had come to pick his truck up and we hit the road again. Dan and I finally made it home by about 5 this afternoon. I really was anxious to get home, David had a little episode this morning of home sickness so the last drive today seemed to take forever!

Like I said, glad that I went and spent time with Dan but I don't see myself doing that again anytime soon! So happy to be home with my little family!

Little Rite Aid Trip

Ran to Rite Aid for a quick trip since this weeks sale wasn't stellar. One plus was the Axe deodorant on sale so I'm thinking I will go back later in the week and get more.

(1) Gain Dish Soap
(1) Bayer Advanced
(2) Axe Deodorant
(1) Arm & Hammer Toothpaste

-$0.50/1 Gain Dish Soap (January Booklet?)
-$2/1 Bayer Advanced (Printable & 6/12 SS)
BOGO Axe (5/22 RP)
-$1/1 A&H Printable
Used $3/15 Survey Coupon
Used $6.59 in Up+

Total Before Savings: $17.02
Total OOP: $0.90
Remaining Up+ Rewards: $7.99

So with the increase in Up+ rewards I actually turned a profit of $0.50. Plus there is a mail in rebate for the Bayer so add another $1.99 so total profit for this trip is $2.49!

Sunday Already?

How is it Sunday already? I haven't been home for more than 5 minutes since I left for work Friday morning. I'm ready to be home today though. I have work to do around the house in the hopes that we (read:I) can get everything packed and ready to go by Wednesday night.

Dan still has a lot of work left to do on his truck which means it will be just David and I most of the week. It makes getting a lot of house work done quite a chore. I swear he waits until I clean the windows to come and lick them.

Still really excited to go next weekend. We got our nails done yesterday and practiced making an Orange Crush which went really well. Now if my iPhone would just show up I would be all set to go.
Here's to hoping the next 4 days fly by.

Countdown Begins

1 Week until we are off on a road trip to Indianapolis! I'm so excited to get going and I'm sure it will be one hell of an adventure. We are planning on stopping every 2 1/2 hours (although Dave says his truck won't make it that far) for a little adventure in different towns or cities. I'm not sure how it will all work out but gambling, eating, drinking and shenanigans will most likely all be involved.

We are headed to Dan's parents house tomorrow to work on Dan's truck, well lets be honest the boys will work on the truck while the girls go for a mani/pedi and hopefully lounge by the pool. It always seems like we work on Dan's truck up until the moment we leave for any trip. I'll post pictures tomorrow of Dan's roll pan and new air management system thing-a-ma-jig.

Oh & hopefully my iPhone is at the house when I get back from work!! Woot!

Rite Aid Round 2 for the Week

So I decided to head back out to Rite Aid for some good deals today. I'll post a picture later but here is what I got:

Transaction 1:

(1) Cross Action Power Toothbrush

(1) John Frieda Hair Volumizer

(1) Red Bull (mega splurge for the morning)

Used $5 Up+

oop: $1.07

Up+ Reward: $2.99

Rebate: $5.00 for the John Frieda

Transaction 2 & 3:

(2) Cross Action Power Toothbrush

Rolled $2.99 Up+ Rewards through each transaction

oop: $0.36

Up+ Reward: $2.99

Total Before Coupons: $39.72

Total OOP: $1.43

Up+ Remaining: $6.59

Rebate Remaining: $5.00

So even though I lost $2.01 in Up+ Rewards (thanks to the Red Bull lol) I still ended up turning a profit of $0.85 today. That puts my weekly profit from Rite Aid to $6.51!

Happy BDay to Me

Thank you everyone for all of the birthday wishes! I had a great birthday weekend with dinner at the Steakhouse and dinner at Hemingway's. Lunch today from Chick-fil-A, cake, balloons, presents, red bull from my workmates and beautiful flowers from the best husband in the world. It truly has been a great birthday - now on to planning David's birthday party :)

1st Attempt at Rite Aid

So after a couple weeks of being disappointed with Walgreens inventory or should I say lack there of I decided to take a chance with Rite Aid this morning. Not a huge purchase but got some great savings.
Transaction #1
(1) Veet Wax Strips
(1) Veet Gel Sensitive
Oop: $1.52
Up+ Reward: $5.00
Transaction #2
(1) Veet Wax Strips
(1) Veet Gel Sensitive
(2) Dial Bar Soap 3pk
(1) Crest Toothpaste w/Scope
Use $5 Up+ from Transaction #1
Oop: $1.42
Up+ Reward: $8.60
Total Before Coupons: $33.85
Total oop: $2.94
Remaining Up+ Rewards: $8.60
I turned a profit of $5.66!!! Woot! And the cashiers were wonderful, so I will be going back :)

June, June, June!!!

June is by far our busiest month of the year! Forget Christmas & New Years, this month is full with my birthday, David's birthday, my work anniversary, our wedding anniversary and the usual yearly trip from the west coast contingent. Hmm...I guess I'm going to have to rename them now that they will be in Wisconsin. I'll work on that and get back to you. And this year we are headed to Indianapolis for a weekend to top it all off. Luckily this year I planned my time off pretty well and will have a good month of 4 day work weeks so I'll be able to enjoy the time instead of feeling like I'm rushing to get stuff done.

I can't believe that Dan and I have been married for 4 years! Ah, how time flies. It really feels like we just got married last year but nope married 4 years, been in this house for almost 4 years, David will be 2 - it all makes me feel kinda old (even though I know I'm not).

This past weekend was my Niece and Goddaughter Erin's 1st Communion. She did a great job and looked beautiful in her dress. Dan had to work so I did have David at church with me (I normally avoid this at all costs) and ended up spending most of my time in the vestibule. Luckily in the new church there are speakers and a large window (a lot like the cry room or little peoples church whatever they are calling it nowadays) so I could still see and hear while David ran around.

David received his first birthday present on Monday from our neighbors Donna and Mike. He got a big boy pool that he loves! He has been in it both days this week and with the heat I don't blame him - he's lucky I don't have a raft in there with him!

This weekend is my birthday weekend so I'm excited for Friday to be here!