flash's saving Blog

Trying to catch up with the doggie costs all around, and having our usual holiday cheer without spending more money.

I'm reminded of growing up in poverty, when my mother's business was first starting up. She has got to be the most frugal person I know, and we always had a storybook Christmas, even though we had no money. I mean, we didn't save money at Christmas, because we had none to save or spend. And yet, we had it all. Here are a few things she did:

Christmas tree: Free from neighborhood school after they have let out for the holidays. Usually came with decorations, as schools don't store them. In pre-teens, she picked up a used artificial tree from our music teacher, who was buying a "better one", so ours was free.

Christmas tree skirt: old sheet.

Wrapping paper: Purchased after the previous Christmas, if at all. Reused every year. If you bring the two edges together over the package and fold tightly, it forms a tight seam, tape not required except a tiny bit on each end. Unwrap carefully, fold, reuse. Smaller pieces save for smaller gifts. White Butcher paper or kraft paper, used for lining baking tins, etc., was also a fairly cheap cover; newspaper a stand-by.

Gift tags: Fronts of old Christmas cards; scraps of the wrapping paper, folded over and cut into "matching gift cards", write the name all over the blank craft paper to make a design of the name.

Breakfast: She baked stolen, tea rings, etc., for everyone sale, and kept the "imperfect" one or two for us and her relatives.

Cookies and candy: baked hundreds of dozens of cookies, made divinity, fudge, you name it, for sale and put aside a few each time for the family. Kept them frozen until Christmas Eve, so they were fresh.

Decor: Well, the house was loaded with gingerbread houses, cookies, christmas shaped lollipops, and it looked like something out of a magazine. It wasn't for us to eat, but it was still festive to be around.

Other tree decor: Popcorn balls wrapped in plastic and tied on with scrap ribbon; sugar cookies covered with royal icing then hand-painted, wrapped and tied onto the tree. Unfortunately they often were sold to people dropping by to pick up their other purchases, but there were always a few left.

Ham, Sweet Potatoes: Always bartered cinnamon rolls or tea ring or stolen or hand dipped chocolates, a pound of candy for 5 pounds of sweet potatoes, etc.

Gifts: Always the cereal box top, UPC, Kool-Aid, other offers for whatever toys we had. All of our clothing was hand-made, and scraps became doll clothes and quilts, a plastic tomato container became a dolls bed; she traded stitched doll clothes for crocheted doll clothes to round things out; even Halloween candy (received, not given out!) got wrapped with Christmas foil to become stocking stuffers.

Yule log: Since uncles were almond growers, there were always dead trees to cut down after storms, and Dad and I would set aside the best yule log to dry two years ahead.

Potpourri: who needed it? The house always smelled of fresh baked good and vanilla.

I received an email yesterday from a friend who was missing the smell of my home at Christmas, and thinking how very lucky we were to be so rich and have such a magical place during the holidays. She has no idea her family was the family my mother envied for THEIR incomes.

Cost of Christmas: Zero $
Cost of Memories: Priceless!

Yesterday my hair stylist informed/agree with me that my hair is falling out. It's always been really thick and fine, and now it's just fine. She told me about a GNC product that works well, I looked it up on a few sites and it's gotten 5 stars across the board.

So, went through eBates (5% cash back), to drugstore.com, which is having a $25 off $100 on GNC products. That's quite a bit of GNC! My GNC Gold Card expired last week, so I renewed it, getting a discount of 20% on everything, found the protein drinks and bars MD eats on sale, 25% off, so 20% off of that, then the 5% eBates and the 5% from using a dividend cashback mastercard, which gives 5% on drugstore. Plus got a few free with purchases and some other items we needed, as long as I was getting free shipping anyway.

Free gifts with purchase, well, there is always a use for them. drugstore.com always has Philosophy freebies, usually a bath gel, and they make nice gift baskets, or I use them myself. Last year there were freebies on Apple Cider and Gingerbread bath gel, which smelled nice but not exactly to soak in. So I diluted a bottle to make 10 bottles of hand soap, which replaced potpourri and candles in already crowded bathrooms, and smelled wonderful every time you washed! I had leftover concentrate, which I saved for this year. Guess I'd better get on that!

Yves Rocher is also having quite a few freebies, I did order a hand cream kit since washing my hands constantly from the sick dog has pretty much stripped them. Received the crystal earrings watch set, a large bottle of perfumed lotion, a 15 piece trial size set, free shipping, a purse, a free "most expensive item on your list", etc. Plus 15% back from Ebates. So, I'm starting gifts to collect for next year.

I am careful about not getting suckered into the loss leaders, just buying things I have no use for to get the freebies that I have no use for. And I'm careful about getting a decent freebie, not just a trial size something. Drugstore.com, beauty.com, always have nice size freebies. Some of the other sites, it's like "why?".

So, trying to get back into the wise and wiser shopping mode. I did NOT appreciate that drugstore.com, which always has free UPGRADE shipping to 3 day, now wanted $4 to upgrade, and automatically put it in. I caught it and took it out, but how irritating!

Must be getting back to my cheap little self.

Okay, DESPITE spending a fortune on two dogs in the last ten days...the rest of the week we saved quite a bit.

First, well, neither of us shopped for groceries, gas, anything we normally would have. We lived out of the pantry and staples of soup and bread and frozen Healthy Choice free dinners from previous super savings.

Second, we received two rebate checks from Zyrtec Rewards, the Gillette rebate, a check from a survey, and some great coupons and freebies.

I received my offer from Zoe's Granola/Bars to "Break the Donut Rut" in the office, I was really surprised. The offer does require an office address and email, and I did email them that I was retired, but still went into some morning meetings as a consultant, sent my home address and email. I didn't expect them to send anything, and if they did, I was certain it would be a few tiny trial size bites, like the Luna bar samples are. BUT Zoe's sent a full box (12) of full-size granola bars, 12 packages of granola, each with a 50cent coupon on them, 5 coupons, 3 large post a note pads, and some other stuff. The granola is QUITE tasty. My husband doesn't like granola, and he eats protein bars only, but he enjoyed both.

Lots of offers in the email that actually did make some good buys. Things I would not have otherwise purchased, but that were such great ideas and buys....well, you see my problem.

Oops. Well, yes, we've been going through a bit. But no matter what, it seems that the last week or two before the holidays, I really get caught up in the sales and gifts. I start second guessing what I've already purchased, or find something better, or sometimes just swamp people with quantity instead of quality. Technically my shopping was done at Thanksgiving, and yet I've just found the neatest deals and gifts for hubbie, and of course the new pup needed things...

It happens every year, just like baking Christmas cookies or tea rings or drinking egg nog. It's just not festive without that last minute shopping, spending, wrapping. It's a tradition. Spending is a holiday tradition. That's a sad statement, but it's true. It doesn't "feel" like the holidays when all the gifts are purchased in sales during the year and shoping is done by Labor Day.

So, this will be my challenge this week. No more shopping! No more last minute super neat gotta have it rush it to me at all costs gadgets.

For MD, well, he hasn't STARTED his shopping yet, so he had better NOT make this HIS challenge! ;-)

Well, haven't really felt like logging on, or perhaps I just haven't wanted to deal with my spending! Shopping can't fill the void, but it does help fill in the cracks!

The new pup is doing well. He may be too smart for us. He came home Monday night, we had freezing rain/sleet/drizzle/snow for two days, yet he's already got the housebreaking down pretty well. 5 out of 5 poops outside yesterday, had to leave him in the crate while we both got hair cuts and NO messes, and I don't think he's peeded in the house in days, except this morning when he was begging for more treats, and I started ignoring his "needs" and he went over to the one training pad we have out and peed right on it. So, considering we weren't exactly TENACIOUS with him when we were all freezing in single digit weather, he's doing okay.

Still missing my sweetheart, but am realizing more and more how much pain she was in. Furious with the vet for misdiagnosing things. But I still have a hubby and my own tumor and my Dad's CHF to deal with, and I go on.

Have ALOT of Cosequin. Stocked up on sale before she got so ill. Anyone with a cat or small dog need it? Other stuff, the new orthopedic beds and toys, just trying to put everything away. Well, actually, the bed pads we've used to block off the backs of the couches. Couldn't find little Max, and he had climbed through the back of our Lazyboy couch and was under the seat! Spent two days puppy-proofing electric cords, etc. Only a 4 pound pup, yet he pulled a wrapped and ribboned 5 pound add-on weight plate 3 feet before he started to eat the paper off.

So, we are finding our way back to the world of our daily lives. I'd better get back to finding coupons and freebies and SAVING that retirement instead of spending it on pain. Much better to spend on FUN.

Thank you again to all.

Thank you all so much for your kind words.

The bills for ER and euthenasia came today. They don't waste any time on that end! Still quite a shock, taking having her given a clean bill of health FINALLY, then to send her off for a refill and never see her again. I do miss her!

She was an "oops" purchase following a miscarriage 14 years ago, when we learned I couldn't have children. We ended up playing with some pups to cheer ourselves, and one curled up in my lap and came home with us. She's been my baby ever since.

Now I have a new little man curled up in my lap. And PetSmart costs, doggie pads and rug cleaning solution and TOYS AND TOYS AND TOYS. I've never had a corgi, but he certainly is a bundle of love and energy. Now different vet bills and expenses, and learning experiences.

The Puppy Kit they gave us came with a tiny greenie, and of course I thought it was a chew toy, GREATLY needed, not an edible toy......green poops on my white carpet. Running out to get ANOTHER bottle of pet stain remover. Last pup was housebroken in three days. Sigh. Feel free to post helpful suggestions on this one!

Not quite sure how I will handle the "gifts" the dog bought her Dad...silly little things, like a remote meat thermometer and skid-proof shoes for walking her on the ice. I've had to put away all her gifts, the new coat and treats that are much too big and not quite right for the digestive track of a pup.

At least MD hasn't fed him a burrito. THAT happened when we brought our first dog home, and I was at work. Got a call asking what I used to clean the rug...

Still waiting to hear how long my father has. Been a rough Christmas. But, again, it's a time to rejoice at the GOOD things and wonderful times. And I rejoice in the wonderful comments I received from each of you.

Now to hit the freebies and coupons and find PUPPY gifts!

Thank you so much.

Well, yesterday was horrible. The pup was too ill to even have a biopsy, she had cancer everywhere and our vet just hadn't caught it when we noticed various symptoms. It was SUCH a hard decision, and I miss her. But I had to do what was best for her, and she was just so sick.

So, hubbie brought home a puppy. Spent today scrubbing down the house and puppy-proofing all the little chewy look-what-I-found things. Put our other dogs things away for now. Savings, well, none that I would count. Grace, perhaps, survival. Distraction definitely keeping up with a 8 week old. Nothing like our old pup, except in the eyes.

So, no posting on savings and ideas today. Thank you for the well wishes.

I posted this in the discussion forum, but realized that's really just a debate going on between two members. So, I'll stick to keeping my thoughts in my journal!

I am retired at 40 and living the life on no retirement (until we reach that age), and caring for two elderly parents on SSI/Medicare.

Self-coverage of medical insurance without government assistance is expensive, right now hubbie and I each pay $500 a month WITHOUT prescription coverage.

SSI, whether or not it is there in 10, 20, or 50 years is not as much of an issue as the medical coverage under SSI.

Right NOW, many people on SSI can barely stretch their monthly check to cover their medical insurance. Under SSDI or SSI, yes, they receive Medicare. Medicare plan A covers hospitalization ONLY, and if you are "fortunate" to qualify for part B, they cover HALF of your medical, just doctors and tests, no meds or eyes or dental. To make up the difference, you must buy a Medigap plan, which is Aetna or BlueCross, etc., and covers the other HALF of what Medicare ALLOWS (i.e., no scripts, dental, eye). MEDICAP ONLY CONTRIBUTES TO WHAT MEDICARE ALREADY ALLOWS. A Medigap insurance plan is around $250 a month, although if you want to go the HMO route, there are a few lower, and some are up around $500 A MONTH.

Now, add in the Rx. Medicare Part D covers a small amount, then nothing until you reach "catastrophic" coverage needs. So, you can pay a premium to cover a small amount of meds on the chance that you MIGHT need meds later, or you can try to find a plan that will cover your meds if you are ALREADY at catastrophic leves (i.e., you already know you will zip past the donut hole and into full coverage). Insurance companies don't want to cover a known loss.

So, if you are LUCKY enough to have SSI and Medicare, you will need ALL the SSI check to cover the Medicare/Medigap/PlanD, plus some.

One more thing, it is easy to plan for living on your own invested retirement. It is quite another to actually have to start withdrawing money to pay expenses once you've retired. We never had a GOAL to retire at 40, but it happened. It's good, but not as easy as it sounds.

We spent 3 hours with the pup in ICU today. Really she seems to be doing pretty well. Fed her a can of Mighty Dog by hand (or fingers) and some water, got her calmed down a bit. Hubby and I are in a bit of a disagreement about what will happen after the biopsies tomorrow. So, we will wait.

Dad, well, can't get a straight answer out of anyone, but don't know that they have one.

I did find a new savings that should add up quite nicely.

When I had the mammogram, I spent a good bit of time SCRAPING the Secret off of my underarms. The mammowipes just weren't cutting it, and they were picky about getting all traces off. I had a small trial of Dove in my purse, so used it afterwards, and WOW. Silky, smooth, gentle smell, and NO GUNK.

So I dug out my sample of Dove shampoo and conditioner. My stylist would have a heart attack, he makes sure I buy Biolage and MAtrix and KMS and Keratase, none of which particularly work well for my hair, or my allergies, or my budget. So I have maybe 30 large bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Quite a few different deodorants, too. LOADS of pomenades and mousses and gels and anti-friz and extra curl and stuff that makes my hands peel! HUNDREDS of dollars, and I don't like any of it.

Well, the Dove worked beautifully! Hair is soft, silky, shiny, which is surprising because I have fine thick wavy uncontrolable hair that only my hairdresser can seem to work with. I picked up a bottle, and it is maybe $3, when Keratase is $40 or more. So, I'm switching and seeing what happens, and hopefully the savings will add up quickly!

Well, MD and I are getting ready to visit the dog in ICU. Hoping I can stay upbeat for her. She is so sensitive.

I can't believe how many areas of my life she touches. Trying to select gifts and wrap them, I always buy her gifts, toys, treats. This year she was getting gift cards for Boston Market (she loves chicken!). Her new beds are here, ready for her to use. Piles of dog freebies for her to try. Coupons.

Just planning our Christmas Eve and day, we always add something to the menu that SHE will like, piroski or CHICKEN something. Trying to come up with the menu, choose gifts, go through catalogs, even just cleaning the house and her hair and little wet paw prints, it's just in my face that she might not be coming home.

So, today will probably not be the routine cleaning and workout and getting ready for the holidays. I may just come back and lose myself in moderating the freebie/coupon section and searching down NON-puppy freebies.

Every Christmas is a crisis. MD's cancer and emergency surgery, my sisters cancer and emergency chemo/surgery/radiation, etc., my father's CHP, my own assault, seems like there is a crisis every year that just wants to drag me away. But the season is for REJOICING, and giving, and sharing. So, I choose to REJOICE for the good times we've all had, REJOICE that MD had a 1% survival rate and is still here, REJOICE that I am still here and able to help everyone else through these times. GIVE the dog food and treats to the local shelter, GIVE my husband anything he wants for the holidays, be it baking or gifts, or just time. GIVE my fahter my love, phone calls, love.

It's not easy, but this is my goal for the day, for the week. Not exactly a SAVINGS challenge, but it's still a challenge.

Well, Dad is doing a bit better with his CHP. Still trying to work out his medicare and new meds. I was happy to find that Toprol XL not only has offers on their website, but excellent information on his condition that I forwarded to my family. Everyone is struggling to understand what is going on, and what the prognosis is. This all just came up out of the blue. Still on stand-by to rush out there. But at least I can do these little things out here to try to help, even though I can't fly out there right now.

Just little things, but it helps to do SOMETHING.

I should look through my email alittle better.

I signed up for the Zelnorm and Zyrtec rebates and received coupons by mail. I used them. Zyrtec automatically sent another, but nothing from Zelnorm. So many of these deals are one time only. I had an email from their newsletter, but it didn't SAY Zelnorm, so I didn't open it until now. Clicked the link to their site, answered three questions (do you, did you, will you continue to) and received a message that they will automatically mail me my next savings voucher rebate coupon. No forms to fill out again, etc. NICE.

So, guess I should actually pay more attention to the newsletters I sign up for. I do try to screen them for offers that others might be interested in, especially for my family, but for me, I rarely take the time.

Well, MD went to visit the pup and sit down with the vet. Not looking great for the pup.

We agreed before hand that only one of us would go, so I stayed here and looked into finding new food, since her diet will change if she makes it. Also coupons, everyone needs coupons right now. Found some pretty good ones, Purina, Beneful, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, large and small dog, Pedigree, Mighty Dog, some new brands and freebies I haven't heard of before. It's all posted in the Freebies and Coupons sections of the site.

Hoping that this helps us all get through this month.

Wandering through Sunday's Valassis coupons, their packet recommended a site which lists all their coupons, value, expiration dates, etc. I checked it out, and SUCH a neat feature, they have local ads, like Giant Foods, cross referenced with coupons, to actually give a spreadsheet of sale price, coupon, other specials, final price, and % savings. I LOVE IT.

I do appreciate that our paper delivers Sundays coupon inserts on Saturday. This week just SmartSource and Valassis. Not nearly as great as last weeks, but Pillsbury, Green Giant, Bisquick. The Milton Bradley board game rebate form AGAIN, I guess some people missed it the first time around. FINALLY a Berio olive oil coupon.

I usually check the web sites against the coupons -- when they put out a coupon, they often update and have other offers on their web sites. I'll post if I find anything interesting.

I definitely need to get back to adding up the holiday spending/savings and see where we are on the budget. It's hard when I find great deals, the budget seems to fade away. I really tend to get caught up in the festive BUYING in the season, too. It's not nearly as much fun shopping and saving in September as it is SPENDING in December. Tis the season!

The dog is now in ICU, waiting for surgery on Monday. We can go visit her, but I don't know that she would understand why I am leaving her there. When we kennel her, the next we see her we take her home and give her treats!

The Nolvadent finally came. Still can't believe it was $11 at www.healthypets.com, and $40 at 1800PETMEDS. Also picked up the C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for Dogs for $8, whereas my vet has been charging MUCH more.

www.NationalPetPharmacy.com had the Cosequin, 180 caps for $50, and some of the C.E.T. toothpaste and toothbrush items. The dual ended toothbrush is around 12 inches long, so she can bite it instead of hubbie. I still like Katwoman's idea for the swab, though. The vet and other sites online were charging over $50 for 90 caps of regular Cosequin, most more. www.healthypets.com is actually a bit cheaper, $40 for 180, but I didn't find it before I had already ordered. Both sites gave good service and fast delivery.

The vet keeps changing the pain/arthritis meds. Rimadyl, Tramadol (Ultram), Metacam. And the antibiotics, Clavamox and clindimycin. Nothing we can send out for cheaper scripts yet. Hopefully things will settle once she gets through this surgery.

I did break down in my sadness and bought her two new orthopedic bed/pads. Emotions and savings just don't always mix.

Well, the dog spent the night in the doggie ER, MD didn't get home until 10, and he started at the vet at 1. Now they have called and are holding her over the weekend with catheters, etc. and will do a biopsy and maybe surgery on Monday. More tests, x-rays, COSTS. She is worth every bit to me, she was my replacement baby after a miscarriage, but that doesn't mean we don't feel the costs.

I've been looking for a microfleece thick plush robe, men's extra tall and full floor length, double thick. Hah! I'm pretty good at finding my around the internet, but this is just too specific! It's not like MD has actually SEEN the item, but what he would like.

Did find a super site for gym equipment. We are upgrading and improving our home gym, but Dick's Sporting Good or Sports Authority don't carry the full range of choices and parts. So, from the super site, I found three sites I'm happy with, good prices, quality products. I did a test order from each site, and the delivery time and quality was good. I accidentally got in on a one day 20% off sale on a weight bench that had already been reduced from $500 to $200, with free shipping (at 150 pounds for the bench, that's not insignificant shipping costs) and it arrived within a week. So I placed orders for a few more things.

I am losing track of what I've bought or wanted to buy. Just too much going on between my health and my Dad's, trying to get his meds sorted out and still on standby if he turns for the worse again. And the dog.

Well, when in doubt, save.

I was pleased to hear that a package of coupons arrived safely, and hopefully will help someone else. Forgot to tell her that there were two packages, since hubby forgot a pile on the counter, so one priority mail envelope and one regular letter envelope. It's just been that kind of a week.

MD called, they are transferring pup from the vets to a place 40 miles away to do an ultrasound tomorrow. Hearts breaking, and costs escalating.

Will have to see what comes next.

Still no word from my surgeon, so I'm assuming all is well on that front.

I did get another check from Zyrtec today, $10. That was nice. Worked a bit on cleaning out freebies/coupons. Have been through top down to food/cooking. Not quite ready to tackle health. Some of these offers are so old the domains are up for grabs. Nice to keep my mind off things, though. Not as great as going in to work, but I'm getting used to it.

Think it's time for a nice hot tub bath. Snow storm is coming tomorrow. So, I'll have plenty of at home time to deal with things.

I have to mail order my drugs? I just figured out how to reduce costs at Costco. Meds get adjusted and changed so often, I can't imagine how this is going to work.

Definitely going to be using the Dividend credit cards (citibank) to get the 5% back on drugs!

What a day. Doggie has been acting like she has a UTI, and given her other problems, seemed likely. Had to EXPLAIN to hubbie what the symptoms were, he was just getting irritated at her asking to go out every 30 seconds. He took her to the vet, they said yes, but wanted to do an x-ray$$ and now he called and she has a kidney stone or other blockage and they are catherizing her $$$.

Love my pup. Just have to find more ways to cut costs to balance the budget.

I'm supposed to change her over to canned food, too. She's only 11 pounds now. Just stocked up on her dry foods. So, the SPCA will be getting some nice donations.

Time to trim the budget!

Determing the correct plans for the different members of my family was my goal for the week.

I did go to the www.medicare.gov site and went through the find a plan link, put in all the medications and all the exact dosages, and it came up blank. Confused. I've used this site before and had great results, but that was before 11/15.

So, after fiddling with it, and it is logged down right now, I found the best way was to "find a formulary", put in all my meds, and it came back with 71 plans for one area that cover 13/13, 12/13, etc., and their rules. Surprise, you MUST use their network of pharmacies. So, it's really another glorified HMO type arrangement. HOW irritating, it's not like I don't fight to keep the prices down, now they want to send me to pharmacies that may be more expensive?

Anyway, the next steps, I've contacted Costco to see if they can share info on what networks they will be in. Now I need to pull up the "compare plans" on the medicare site and try to work through coverage. Almost everything is a medigap/medical plan, not an Rx plan, so we will have to evaluate the overall coverage versus costs for everything. GEEZ LOUISE.

But, still, made a bit of progress. Think this is all my patience will handle for one day.

I took the "internet coupons" that I had requested by mail to Giant today. They won't take any home-printed coupons or internet coupons. I asked them directly if they would take the coupons the internet site sends by mail, and they confirmed that yes, those are "verifiable" manufacturer coupons printed on verifiable paper, etc., and they took them all. RELIEF. So many coupons online and so few that can be used until now.

I am still trying to post the "request by mail" links, but bricks has personalized many of them now, so it's more difficult to help others. If you've never installed the "print" software, no problem, but it's difficult to deactive to get the mail link to show up. I am thankful to CoffeeMate for sending me the info.

More coupons, more savings!

Okay, savings wise it was a "pretty good" day. Not great, but did okay.

Picked up scripts at Costco, ACK on costs, but it's as low as I can get it (see previous entries).

I did keep my morning commitment and go through 3 grocery ads from Sunday, make lists, compare, cross check with coupons. One store had triple coupons, but only three things on sale, and cheaper at Giant which has double coupons up to 0.50, so not worth the gas to run around to different stores.

Sorted through the coupons this weekend, sent expired to military and others in response to requests. SO happy someone else can get some use out of them!

Shopping, well, did pretty well at Giant. Original bill was $220, and final was $114. I'm not happy with it, but there were some unexpected things. Airborne for this cold, $8, even with the coupon, and Batteries, buy one multipack and get one free, but the multipacks aren't cheap. And the little things, my husbands eggnog, some candied fruit for baking. And the surprises. I gave my husband our Dannon coupons last weekend to pick up the Dannon yogurt the vet prescribed, and it left them on the counter. So we needed to buy more, I asked him to grab them from where he left them...oops. Of course there were also the "oh, the vet said to feed her Minute Rice and I forgot to mention we don't have any), etc.

Did pull together the rebates and checks and eBates, which were $145, and deposited them.

So, $220 down to $114, that makes the savings starting 10/1/05 at Giant to $1327.

I know we can do better, and I am disappointed that in all the crises I just let things go. That's when we need the savings the most, for unplanned medical bills and vet bills and traveling to California for a visit or a funeral. Yet that is the hardest time to save. Guess that's human nature, but, BOO.

Feeling a bit bummed on wasting money. The holidays and family medical and my medical and the doggie and, sigh, I've lost track of shopping sales, tracking coupons and rebates, and making sure NOTHING goes to waste.

We are living on stocked up Healthy CHoice ($2 a piece on sale PLUS great coupons doubled) and Campbell's select soups which we got as freebies from the local stores clearance (previous post). That's the good news. Bad news is, well, I've asked MD to thaw meat, ground turkey most recently, twice, and I just haven't "gotten to it". I recognized the SMELL coming from the frig this morning. And fresh veggies like broccoli and asparagus don't last forever.

I was SO careful about using every scrap of everything this summer, cooking and preparing everything first thing in the morning or the night before, having it all ready to eat or throw in the oven after busy days. Now it just seems the last thing on my mind, not only the health, but cleaning house and getting decor up etc. Having a cold and a breast cancer scare and dog sick and Dad dying, normally I would take it in stride, maybe even use "savings" and "no waste" as a distraction from it all.

Of course, this is the TIME of year when spending is high, and we need to save more, tighten things up, and yet it seems the hardest time to do so.

So, I'm going to go through the ads, make a list, cross compare with coupons, refine my list and go shop WISELY. Try to be realistic about whether or not I'm going to cook from scratch, and not commit to cooking or other things that if I *don't* do will mean waste and loss. That free chicken is NOT a savings if I never cook it and it goes to the garbage.

Looked at my post, and realized I stated the savings incorrectly. Even though the OTHER sites were more expensive, I only count the ACTUAL savings from the purchase. Original price as $70, but got it for $42. I never count the shipping as a savings, it's too difficult to figure it all out.

BUT, sigh, I did use the "saved" $30 to buy another item from them, so NO SAVINGS REALIZED. Double sigh. I KNOW better than to get carried away by deals and buy more than intended, which is no savings at all. BOO.

Usually I am SO in to picking up gifts for MD. This year, it's harder with savings and because he doesn't want anything. He never does, but he always really does. This year it feels different. And we are more focused on saving than last year.

But, started with a few things. REI had a sale end of November, and I waited until I got their "final notice and here's an even better deal" to pick up a few things. Got MD a pair of Solomon winter shoes, he really needs a new pair, they were $90 last time I looked, but on sale for $40. Also needs slippers which he wears to rags and always says he doesn't need any, and they had a nice pair that were $45 for $19. I also picked up a few things in their outlet, sandals for me that were $80 now $14, and I can really use them next summer. Frees shipping. And I went through eBates, so got the 3% back. Actually, I opened the REI email and used their link, shopped, then minimized the window, opened ebates, went to REI through their site, and thanks to cookies all my deals and offers were in my cart and ready for check out. Didn't actually know you could do that, just wanted to calculate if the deal was better through eBates or the email. Got both!

NOW they emailed me a coupon, additional 20% off one item in their outlet. Tempting, but I can't think of anything else he needs. I do love to layer deals on deals.

Anyone wants to use the coupon code, it's GMHAY at the www.rei-outlet.com.

I'm not promoting eBates, I'm sure there are many great rebate sites out there!

But, eBates does offer a $5 cash signup bonus, either that you "earn" after purchases, or that you receive immediately by signing up through an invitation (as does the inviter). If you would like an invitation, let me know and I'd be happy to send it. And, you get $1 cash just for joining eversave through the eBate link!

No flames, just a friendly offer, okay?

My last deal of deals: drugstore.com and beauty.com

They are the same store, but different. I'm always surprised at the range of things they carry. Amazon.com uses them as a preferred vendor for household supplies and OTC, but go direct and get the discounts.

First, eBates gives 5% back if you go through drugstore.com, and 6% back if you go through Beauty.com. In October, eBates had 10% at drugstore.com.

Drugstore/beauty.com also saves up credit of 5% on all purchases, which you can cash in quarterly for purchases, so my October purchases are usually free.

First time visitors to drugstore get special discounts. They also regularly have other discounts. Right now free shipping with $25 order, instead of the usual $50.

Since my husband had cancer, there are quite a few things he needs that I can't buy locally, like Biotene mouthwash ($7.50 a bottle, 3 bottles a week), Biotene toothpaste, GNC protein drinks, etc.

Drugstore.com also is a partner with GNC, so the first week of every month, GNC gold card members get 20% off, in addition to whatever sales are going on.

Existing members also get "diamond deals", which are freebies or cheapies. Usually a free dental floss, or 19cent hand wipes, or discounts.

They have EXCELLENT free with purchases. Log on, and on the home page, check "deals and steals", but these are only a few. You have to hunt. On the home page, under EVERY category, check out their deals, there are always many more. Also, Beauty.com has their own set of free with purchases. All are full size. As I posted before, I ordered my mother's favorite Philosophy product for her Christmas gift and got a $45 gift set I wanted for my own gift for FREE. I've gotten full size tubes of Philosophy skin care, bath gels, etc. with purchases I would have made anyway. Buy 3 get one 1 GNC protein drinks, plus 20% off gold card, plus 5% back, plus 10% from eBates, plus FREE SHIPPING (those are heavy!!!).

ALSO, if you use a DIVIDEND cc (not Rewards, get the cash back!), drugstore.com counts as drugstore for 5% back on citibank dividend cards.

AND, for those of you with FSA accounts that you never spend, they qualify for OTC items, and drugstore.com will indicate if it is an FSA qualifier, so you can pull it out of that account instead of losing the money at the end of the year.

If you don't mind getting drugs over the internet, their prescription prices are ALMOST as good as Costco, better than any local store we have.

So, let's see...5% back quarterly, 5-10% cash back eBates, 20% GNC, 5% cash back credit card, diamond deal, free full size gifts with purchase, FSA, and often great sales.

One thing I don't like, you do have to watch the prices. Sales are good, but they do make it up other places. Potentially great savings, but you do have to be conscious of what you are paying, and not make impulse purchases.

A favorite thing, once you place an order and get on the mailing list for a site, you don't have to respond or even read everything they send. But, for quite a few sites, if you have not ordered in a year, they will send you some ridiculously good deal to get you back.

Coldwater Creek did this for me two or three years ago, when they still had their outlet, and sent me 40% off everything including the outlet. I purchased a $250 Denali blanket on clearance with discount for $30. I gave it to a charity auction, and then kicked myself when I wanted one and could not find it for a discount ANYWHERE.

Ross-Simons is traditionally great for after holiday sales, and if you have ordered from them, they will let you know when they start so you can get in quick. Tip - don't just look at the "specials" they show you when you log onto the site. Click on show all sales or clearance or whatever, and sort by price, cheapest first. Two years ago I picked up $500 of jewelry for all the women/girls gifts the following Christmas for only $45. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY.

I've only recently discovered this one, but I've really done well.

www.yvesrocherusa.com

Sign up for their email first, they will email you a code for 10% off your first purchase.

They always have 4-5 free gifts, including something nice free with ANY purchase.

Right now, EVERYTHING is 50% off. They have quite a few things for $2.

Last month I ordered about ten items, small bath and body products, for stocking stuffers and gifts. Cost was $40 before discounts. Several were BOGO and counted as full, so actual was $20. Used the 10% (down to $18)off, went through eBates for 15% !!!!!! cash back ($16), received a beautiful snowflake fleece throw, gift packaged with a bow, a large bottle of rose lotion that looks and smells expensive, and used these as gifts for my ex-SIL. Also received FREE SHIPPING, 3 NICE heavy duty gift bags with cards, and an expensive silk travel case with 3 zip compartments and matching slippers. Used that as a gift for my MIL.

so for $16, I received

Got 10% off, 15% cash back from eBates, free shipping, 4 quality gifts. And maybe a few pampered baths for myself!

Their current free offers are a CRYSTAL watch and earrings set , Free with ANY purchase, lotion, shipping discount, bag and coin purse set.

And, 15% cash back at eBates. There may be other rebate sites, also, but 15% CASH works for me.