Announcing: Simply Frugal Living!

I can't tell you just how excited I am to announce the launch of my new website: SimplyFrugalLiving.com!  The site is packed with info to help you succeed at frugal living, while keeping it simple in the process.

SimplyFrugalLiving.com provides up-to-date coupon/sale match-ups to Target and national drug stores, as well as grocery stores in the Pittsburgh area.  I teach you how to coupon, I promote great national and local deals, list the best weekly diaper deals, and offer lots of ideas for resourceful and thrifty living.  Look for posts on decorating, cooking, organic and gluten-free deals, home schooling, getting through college debt-free, home organization, hospitality, themed tea parties, and much more.

If you have been following Joyful Journeys, I encourage you to join me over at Simply Frugal Living, as I will now be using this site exclusively to post deals.  Joyful Journeys will return to its initial purpose of keeping family and friends up to date on our kids and our family's happenings.


Come on over and take a look!  SimplyFrugalLiving.com has been months in the making, and I can't believe it is finally ready for launch.  I encourage you to sign up for my free e-mail updates or get a free RSS subscription so you never miss a deal.  And I would love your feedback and insight into what would make SimplyFrugalLiving more effective!

Diaper Deals Week of March 13-19

 

These are the best diapers deals I see this week.  The prices are good through March 19, 2011.  If you know of any other great deals, please write a comment below!

Note: Look for information coming soon about the diaper/wipes deals available on Amazon Mom.  Several friends have been telling me I need to check them out, so when I have the information pulled together, I'll write a post.  Apparently the deals are amazing!


Sunday coupon circular codes:

S  =  Smart Source

PG  =  Proctor and Gamble

RP  =  Red Plum

RR  =  Walgreens Register Rewards (good toward next purchase)

EBR  =  CVS Extra Buck Rewards (good toward next purchase)

WYB  =  When You Buy

BOGO = Buy One, Get One Free

**CVS Deal Scenario

Spen $25 on these products, get $10 EBR: 

Pampers Diapers 48-96-ct, sale price $20

$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants 2/27/2011 PG Insert (exp 3/31/2011) 

CVS brand baby wipes, 2/$5

Final cost for diapers and wipes with EBR: $13

Walgreens  

Walgreens Brand Diapers, sale price BOGO

Final cost (estimated): $4.49 ea.

Rite Aid

Luvs Big Pack Diapers, sale price $16

$1 Luvs website printable

$2 UPR (good toward next purchase)

Final cost with UPR savings: $13

So, it's Kind of Busy Over Here

Just wanted to drop a quick post to let you know that I'm sorry I've fallen behind in posting of late.  I'm up to my ears in filing our taxes, finishing up the last details on my new site (!), and preparing the curriculum for my first-ever Extreme Couponing Class.*  Did I mention that I'm also caring for two very sweet and active little boys all day every day?

Speaking of the boys, I thought I'd post a few snapshots I took today...

*Northmont United Presbyterian Church
Pittsburgh, PA
Saturday, March 26, 2011
10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Diaper and Formula Deals Week of March 6-12 and Coupon Round-Up

These are the best diapers deals this week.  If you know of something I missed, please leave a comment! The prices are good through March 12, 2011.

Sunday coupon circular codes:

S  =  Smart Source

PG  =  Proctor and Gamble

RP  =  Red Plum

RR  =  Walgreens Register Rewards (good toward next purchase)

EBR  =  CVS Extra Buck Rewards (good toward next purchase)

WYB  =  When You Buy

BOGO = Buy One, Get One Free

 

Walmart 

Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers, Snug and Dry, Little Movers, or Little Snuglers, sale price$8.97

$2/1 Huggies Jumbo Pack Snug and Dry, Little Snugglers, or Little Movers 2-27S

Final cost with UP Rewards: $6.97

 

 

Huggies Snug and Dry diapers 82-112 ct, $19.77

$3.50/1 Huggies Snug and Dry diapers 60 ct. or larger   2-27S

Final cost: $16.27

Pampers Diapers or Pants, $8.98

$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Training Pants  2-27PG

Final cost: $6.98

Pampers Wipes 72 ct, $2.37

$0.50 Pampers Wipes 60 ct or higher 2-27 PG

Final cost: $1.87

Walgreens

Bonus Pack Huggies Little Movers Diapers, $19.99 (includes over $30 worth of coupons inside)

$3.50/1 Huggies Snug and Dry diapers 60 ct. or larger   2-27S

Final cost: $16.49

 

 

Pampers Jumbo Diapers, sale price $2/20

$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Training Pants  2-27PG

Final cost $8 for one

Enfamil, Similac, or Good Start Formula 

$19.99, limit 3 with printable coupon

Rite Aid

Huggies Sung and Dry or Little Movers Big Pack, 56-96-ct, $19.99

$3.50/1 Huggies Snug and Dry diapers 60 ct. or larger

Final cost: $16.49

 

Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers,$12.99

$1 in ad Q

$2/1 Huggies Jumbo Pack Snug and Dry, Little Snugglers, or Little Movers 2-27S

Final cost: $9.99

Pampers Cruisers Big Pack Diapers, $19.99

$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Training Pants  2-27PG

Final cost: $17.99 

Similac Baby Formula 22 oz, $22.99

$2 in ad Q

$5 Similac Baby Formula 22 oz 2-27 S

Final cost: $15.99

Similac Baby Formula 32 oz concentrated, $10.99

$2 in ad Q

Final cost: $8.99

 

CVS

Just the basics baby wipes, 140-ct, $2/5

 

Huggies or Pampers wipes 64-72-ct, $2/5 

$0.50 Pampers Wipes 60 ct or higher 2-27 PG

Final cost: $2 for one

 

Huggies Sung and Dry or Little Movers Big Pack, 56-96-ct, $20

$3.50/1 Huggies Snug and Dry diapers 60 ct. or larger

Final cost: $16.50

 

 

Target

Up & Up Wipes 264-ct. unscented or scented or 240-ct. sensitive, $4.64

 

 

Target Printables

$2 wyb any one HUGGIES® Snug & Dry Diapers

$1 wyb any one HUGGIES® Baby Wipes Tub and one Refill (180 ct. or higher)

Walmart's New Coupon Policy!

This is exciting...I've been hoping that Walmart would make some good changes to their coupon policy.  This is my favorite part of the new policy:

"Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase."



Here is the new policy:

Walmart Coupon Policy

Walmart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):

• Manufacturers' coupons
• Print-at-home internet coupons
  • Must be legible, have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them, have a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and have a scannable bar code.
• Competitors' coupons that feature a specific item for a specified price
  
  • for example, $2.99
• Soft drink container caps
• Checkout coupons
  • (also called "Catalinas") that are printed at our competitors' registers, have "Manufacturer Coupon" with specific requirements printed on them, a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and a scannable bar code.

Walmart does not accept the following coupons:

• Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
• Competitors' coupons for dollars/cents or percentage off, buy one get one free, and double- or triple-value coupons

The following are guidelines and limitations:

• Only one coupon per item is permitted.
• Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
• Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase.
• Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
• Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
• We accept the following with Customer Service Supervisor/Management approval:
  • 40 or more coupons
  • Any coupon over $20
  • $50 or more in coupons in one transaction
  
  
  Thanks for the heads up, Clipin' with Carie!
  

5 Years of Bliss

As my Facebook profile says..."5 years ago today was the dreamiest day of my life.  Todd Alexander, the man of my dreams, married me!"

I feel like one very blessed gal today.  It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since that bright, sunny day in Racine, WI when Todd and I married at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Our reception was a beautiful afternoon tea, and we honeymooned in San Diego, CA.

Our first five years of marriage have been hectic, to say the least. We've lived in three major cities: Chicago, Atlanta, and now Pittsburgh.  Happily, it seems that we are finally settled. During these first five years we've also had two children and my husband started and finished a master's program in sacred music (organ emphasis). He is now the Minister of Music at a Presbyterian church in Pittsburgh, and we are loving our life together. God has been incredibly faithful to us, and we have seen his hand of provision and direction many times.

I am blessed!  And so thankful.  I could not ask for a more loving, supportive husband, and, as our boys can attest, he is one awesome, fun, compassionate daddy!

I love you, my husband!

$50 for a Month's Supply of Meat at Sam's

If you read my Couponing 101 series in which I described how I spend $200 or less per month on groceries, you will know that I usually go to Sam's to stock up on meat once a month.  Well, when I went yesterday, I found that a lot of their meat was reduced for quick sale. I saved about 33% off each package of meat!  I brought it home, divided it up, and got it in the freezer. We're set for the month, and I spent a total of $50!

Remember, shopping this way fits into the idea of buying in bulk when you can get an item at it's rock-bottom lowest price.  You save BIG time with this method.