Bringing My Cheapness Into Mortality

This is the coolest thing ever.  A Biodegradable Urn.  Why didn't I think of this?

My husband and I have difference of opinions when it comes to our bodies after death.  I want to be cremated and scattered wherever.  It doesn't matter - throw me in the trash if you want.  He wants to be buried with a coffin, tombstone and the whole 9 yards. We did not discuss this prior to marriage.

Anyways, I think it's a waste of space and money to bury someone traditionally.  This idea is cool though - they take your ashes and make you into a compostable urn that grows a tree!  How freaking cool is that!  No creepy cemetery for my family to visit.  No obligated flowers or decorations on a tombstone.  Just plant me in the backyard and water me every now and then if I look like I'm dying.  If that's too creepy for my kids, they can just go bury me in a park or something.  I won't care - I'll be dead!  I love the thought of repurposing my body though!

In addition, I'd love for my kids to take the money that they would have spent on a plot, coffin and tombstone and go on vacation or do something fun with the money.  Maybe it's morbid sounding, but that just sounds like such a better investment and more fun than a big wooden box and big stone, doesn't it?  

Now I'm off to change my will.  CLICK HERE if you want more information on becoming a tree when you die!

Betty Crocker Mac & Cheese: My Review

I found this gem at the grocery store last week and thought I'd write a review on it.  Why?  Because even though we don't all admit - we all LOVE Kraft Mac & Cheese.  Betty Crocker has some balls trying to top the master.  At least I think so.

This box was a whopping $1 at Stop & Shop.  Bonus:  it has a Box Top which equals 10 cents for the school of my choice!

The major difference in this Mac & Cheese is that it requires more measuring & more monitoring.  You cook the noodles in with the cheese powder packet and a cup of water and a cup of milk.  So you have to make sure you are stirring it or it will burn.  

12 minutes later:

Mac & Cheese is ready to be served with processed pieces of crappy chicken.  But I tried some of this orange deliciousness that my kids love.  It's really good!  Bravo Betty Crocker.  

So if you don't mind a little more work in preparing this, it's actually pretty good.  I was not paid or contacted by Betty Crocker to write this.  I'm just babbling on the internet for no real reason.  Grab a box the next time you are at the store!  

How DID Homemakers Do It All?

Homemakers of the 1950s.  They did it all - cleaned the house, took care of their 6 kids, always looked presentable.  How did they do it?  Oh yeah, Facebook & Pinterest wasn't around in the 50s.  

Oldies but Goodies: Getting The Most Out of Your Purchases

See those boots.  They are mine.  I bought them in 1997.  I was 17.  I worked at Bob's Stores.  They were on the clearance rack.  I had an employee discount.  16 years later - they are still trucking.  A ton of stuff has happened in my life since 1997, so I might be wrong, but I want to say I paid $18 for them.

Don't you just love it when something lasts a long time?  And gets a ton of use?  You can't say that about many things these days - but I'm so happy and proud of my Columbia boots.  I have never bought another pair of boots (well - unless you count the ones the Marines made me buy).  Here's to another 16 years.  I love you Columbia boots!

  

So You Want To Win A Radio Contest: Some Tips & Tricks

I have this odd hobby/talent/obsession/"I don't know what you'd call it, really" - I like to win radio contests.  I have won so many, I kind of lost count.  The hobby started back in high school - I won tickets to some Zootopia or similar concert from Z100 out of NYC.  I was 17.  The concert was at Jones Beach.  My mother wouldn't let me go.  I was mad.

Since then, I have won a few random things here and there.  These are the ones I remember:

-  A 6 foot sub from Subway.

-  A hot dog fun pack from Ball Park.

-  Tickets to see Adam Lambert.

-  Tickets to a Red Sox Opening Day party.

-  A $1,000 gift card to the store Roster.

-  A Katy Perry CD.

-  Puffkins from a Hallmark store.  (They were like Beanie Babies).

-  Lift tickets to a ski place.

-  Dinner for 2 at a local restaurant.

-  Tickets to some band out in Seattle (I forgot who - I Craig's Listed them for $120)


But my latest win takes the cake:  I won tickets to see Bon Jovi's dress rehearsal concert at Mohegan Sun which is tomorrow tonight.  Blizzard or no Blizzard, I will be there.  I love Bon Jovi.  This is great.

Some people just think I'm lucky.  I think I'm not.  There are a few tricks I use (and yes, some of them seem psychotic).  I like to share the love - because if I am really lucky - I'll still win even if I share what works for me.  I'm not a hater.

-  First and foremost, save the radio station's number in your cell phone.  It also doesn't hurt to memorize it by heart.

My Favorite Boston Area Stations and their Contest Lines:

Mix 104.1 - 617-931-1234

Kiss 108 - 617-931-1108

AMP 103.3 - 617-931-1033

-  If it's a contest that you REALLY want to win - know when they are giving out the prizes.  If you really want to win, I suggest setting alarms on your phone to remind you that it's almost time to call.  I did this with Bon Jovi:

They were giving away tickets on the 20s - so I knew when my alarm went off, to start listening.  Know what the typical station rules are for the callers - Mix 104 is always the "14th Caller".  Kiss 108 is usually the "108th Caller".

-  Be persistent.  Just keep calling.  I don't believe there is any rhyme or reason to how the DJs answer the phones.  Sometimes they are fast.  Sometimes they are slow.  I've been caller #8 on my 3rd call to the station at times and like my most recent call to get Bon Jovi tickets, I was lucky #14 on my 27th try to the station.  Keep calling until you hear the winner starting to be announced.

-  Expect busy signals and the "da da da.  I'm sorry you're call cannot be completed at this time..."  They happen.  A lot.  Just hang up and call again.

-  If you're experienced (like me...ha ha ha) - you can try your hand at "Double fisting".  If it's something I really want and I'm extra motivated, I'll have my home phone in one hand and cell in the other.  They have different call patterns (home vs. cell).  You're pretty much doubling your chance of getting through by using two lines.

-  You can only 1 contest every 30 days.  So if you win, take a break.  Or switch radio stations.  If you're a real psycho - you could be playing all the stations all day - but that would require multiple alarms and probably a spreadsheet to keep your head straight.

Maybe you learned something by reading this.  Maybe you didn't.  Best of luck trying to win a radio contest!  They really are the most fun things in life still!  Well, that's a stretch - but they are fun.

Blogcation Time!

It's time for me to take a mini break from the blog.  Peace out until whenever.  It's time for my blogcation!

So go.  Be cheap.  Be proud.

Need a Wicked Laugh? Check Out This Video. Granny is my Favorite

Sometimes Love Outweighs a Bargain

My 5 year-old decided in August that he wanted me to make him a Halloween costume.  I said "okay" - not sure where he got that idea from.  I was actually kind of thrilled - my mother used to make me my costumes all the time as a kid.  Although I'm not super crafty, I like a challenge.  Thankfully, he picked something relatively easy:  A Vampire. 

Now this will be his 6th Halloween.  I've never let him pick his costume - why?  Well I always have just scored really nice costumes on the clearance racks in November for the next year.  And honestly - little babies & kids really don't have a huge opinion and can be easily persuaded.  I'm evil.  I know.  In fact, November 1st, 2005 was the day I first learned that I would be popping out a little boy come April 2006.  What did the husband and I do after our ultrasound appointment that day?  We went to Old Navy.  There, I found the cutest little pumpkin costume on Clearance for only $3.  I bought it.  It was my "yey!  I'm having a boy" gift and it made me happy to have that vision of a little guy dressed up as a pumpkin.  Pregnant women get giddy over little things like that.  Before long, that peanut was wearing that $3 pumpkin costume:

Of course a couple days after Halloween 2006, I found a great little lion costume on clearance for the next year - and I remember it was a whopping $2.  And my 18 month old didn't put up a fight wearing it:

After this Halloween, I nabbed a police and fireman costume at Target in November - I think they were both about $2 or $3 - and it was just pure luck that I found them in the sizes I would need for the following year.  The 2 1/2 year old was given a choice between a fireman and policeman - he chose the fireman:

Along the way, I popped out another baby.  He didn't mind one bit inheriting the lion costume for his 2nd Halloween:

I was "out of luck" the November following this Halloween with finding costumes for the next year.  But luck was on my side come Halloween time.  I found a local lady who traded me this lion costume for a bigger monkey costume.  That solved my costume dilemma for one kid.  As luck would have it, a few days before Halloween, Old Navy had a $2 costume sale - and it was a 50% off "Stuff a Bag" sale so the cashier just added the costumes to the 50% total - making them $1 each.  I picked up a tiger, lion and chicken costume.  So we once again were covered for Halloween pretty frugally:

So then it was last year - because of my awesome finds at Old Navy with the amazing sale the previous year (I buy "big"), the kids were all set:

My older son loved the tiger costume so much, he reused it and the little guy loved the chicken costume. 
So in the past 5 years, I've spent maybe $18 (if that) on 8 costumes.  And they weren't all nasty or junkie costumes either.  I've passed them on to others who have used them.  They were all well loved by the kids, myself and my wallet.

But this year - I made the 5 year-old's costume.  It's not as "good" as any of these store bought ones and it cost me between $50 - $60 to make (fabric can be expensive!  Especially when you are making a huge, draping cape!).  My son is more than happy with it.  He thinks it's "so cool" that I made it and it's exactly what he wanted - he loved picking out the colors and patterns for the fabric choices.  He thought it was so neat that I was able to make clothes - kind of a "wow!  YOU can make CLOTHES!"  He's happy.  I'm happy.  And sometimes, happiness outweighs any bargain out there. 

And for the inquiring minds, here's a really bad photo of said homemade costume:

CVS: $34 becomes .85 cents!

Total Before Savings:  $34.27

ECBs Used:  $15.99

Coupons Used:  $8.48

Cash OOP:  .85 cents

ECBs Earned:  $12.79

2 Dawn Hand Renewal 9.5 oz. - On sale for .99 cents this week.  Used 2 $1/1 MFCs from the paper, making both of these FREE!  Look at your coupons - you should have a .20/1 any Dawn Coupon and a $1/1 "Hand Renewal" Dawn coupon.  The "Hand Renewal" one DOES NOT specify a size.  It just has to be the "Hand Renewal" variety.  

2 Colgate Optic White - $3.99 each.  Used 2 $1.50/1 MFCs, making these $2.49 each, but I also earned $3 ECBs by purchasing 2 of these.

1 Rephresh Tampons - $6.79.  Earned $6.79 ECBs with this purchase.

1 Soft Soap - $2.99.  Had no coupons.  Boo.  Earned $2 ECBs for buying 1. 

1 Aussie Shampoo - $2.99.  Used a $1/1 MFC and earned $1 ECB.

1 Ritz Crackerful - $2.50.  Got a coupon at the Coupon Center for a FREE box, making this FREE! 

So in 8 weeks, I've gotten $396.77 worth of stuff for $41.22 cash out of pocket (and if you count the free $50 gift card amount, that is $91.22).  That's either a savings of 89.61% or 77% depending on how you look at it by counting my "free $50 CVS gift card".  I have $12.79 in ECBs to play around with - I will most likely go back and do the P&G deal because we are running low on toilet paper & paper towels.  It's "Spend $25, get $10 ECBs". 

Some notes/tips/other ramblings:

-  The "FREE" Ritz Crackerful coupon also said that I could get some Newton Fruit Thins too.  I couldn't find these in my store but they are in the ad.

-  Live in Weymouth or Hingham?  Well I've realized this a few months back.  I live near the CVS on Bridge Street in North Weymouth.  That's my "go-to" CVS store.  It's a 24 hour store.  A few months ago, they built a new CVS right over the bridge in Hingham at the Shipyard.  Ridiculous - since they are about 1/2 mile away from each other.  I kid you not if you aren't from around here - if you are driving down 3A it's like Dunkin' Donuts & CVS central.  I love both of those places though, so I'm not complaining.  The CVS in Hingham opens at 7am on Sunday and whenever I go there to do my ECB shopping - they are STOCKED with stuff.  North Weymouth, even if I go around 8am, is sometimes already sold out of the ECB items.  I don't know if it's because it's a 24 hour store so they have REAL crazies going at like 2 am to nab the ECB deals or what.  I have also done my CVSing at the Southern Artery Quincy store (which sells out of the sale items FAST) and the Rt. 18 CVS in Weymouth (kind of iffy on their sale/ECB stockage). 

-  If you are new to the "drug store sale shopping frenzy" - my personal opinion is to pick a store and run with it.  I personally love CVS.  So I work their deals every week (obviously).  You will also find great deals at Rite-Aid & Walgreens if you know what you are doing.  I tried doing the Register Rewards at Walgreens about 2 years ago and it was such a bother for me that once redeemed, I was done.  I have a "Wellness Card" on my key ring for Rite-Aid, but I've never worked their sales.  I don't even read the Walgreens or Rite-Aid ads because I don't want to be tempted with them.  Some people do work all three - but I just find that if you stick with the one chain of your choice (factors being:  close proximity to your home/work & personal preference), you can really understand their program and work the sales each week and be stocked up sufficiently enough, and then some, for your family with hygiene products.  I'm overly confident in my understanding of CVS and how to spot the good deals that it really doesn't take me much time at all to make up my list and pump it out each week.  So if you pick one store and just learn how their program works, you can easily stock up on stuff each week just by going to that store once and using just the coupons from the newspapers.  I rarely print out coupons for CVSing.  In fact, in the past 8 weeks, I don't think I printed out a single coupon for CVS.  Between the Patriot Ledger and The Boston Globe, I get enough to work the sales each week.  Getting just The Boston Globe delivered on Sundays costs me about $14 a month and I get the Patriot Ledger delivered every day - and that costs me $8 a month.  I think that's going up to $8.55 a month, but that's fine by me.  I read these papers too - so I'm not just buying the coupons.  I like to read all about the drama on the South Shore - and call me old fashioned, but I just can't do it online. 

Proof that generic isn't always cheaper...

Ever since I really got into couponing a few years back, I quickly learned that generic is not always the "cheapest" option.  In fact, most of the time, if a name brand is on sale AND you have a coupon for it, it's much cheaper than the generic option (which typically never has coupons out for them - unless your grocery store rocks at putting out store coupons). 

Here's proof that even with NO coupons - the generic option would be the most expensive:

So what am I showing you?  Sour Cream.  16 oz. Sour Cream to be exact.  This picture was taken at the Hingham Stop & Shop just yesterday.  Here's the price breakdown if you just walked in to buy some:

Stop & Shop brand - $1.79

Breakstone's - $1.67

Daisy - $1.50

Hood - $1.50

Now Hood has $1/2 MFCs out there right now from the paper - making it possible for you to score 2 16 oz. containers for only $1 each.  Daisy usually throws out some MFCs two times a year and Breakstone's usually does a campaign ad or two throughout the year - but it's typically more for their flavored cottage cheese treats and whatnot. 

Now is this always the case?  No.  But just throwing out the friendly reminder that if you typically just grab the generic brand of products (which has no shame at all!), you actually might not be saving the money you think you may be.  But for the average Joe walking into Stop & Shop this week - their best bet would be to grab the Hood or Daisy brands. 

Say none of the sour creams were on sale - but you still had your Hood $1/2 MFC.  Hood would actually be cheaper than the Stop & Shop brand because the coupon would bring it down to $1.50 per container.  But if you only needed one container - then obviously you'd grab the Stop & Shop brand. Why drop $3 on sour cream to just throw half of it away when you could only spend $1.79 for half the amount but actually use it all?

If, for example, no sour creams were on sale and there were no MFCs out there floating around in couponland, then yes, the generic would be cheapest option. 

Now go!  Buy cheap sour cream and eat tacos all week!

Can You Dress Your Child For $40?

About a week and a half ago, the Patriot Ledger contacted me with an assignment.  To give you a little background, in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick and the lawmakers reduced the clothing allowance for needy children from $150 to $40 over the summer.  Obviously, I don't think anyone thinks this $40 could actually buy all the clothing needed for a child for the entire year - remember, here in Massachusetts - a child would need a coat, boots, mittens, hats, pants, shirts, shorts, PJs, and of course socks & underwear. 

So two Thursdays ago, the Patriot Ledger gave me $40 and gave me the assignment to see how much I can get for a 5 year-old boy for back-to-school clothing.  Since I was leaving Saturday morning for vacation, I was in a serious time crunch.  I didn't want to say I couldn't do it - I love this kind of stuff. 

I tried a couple of my "go-to" places for cheap clothes:  Marshalls, Old Navy, Macy's, Children's Place, etc.  Even with all the "back-to-school sales" - there really isn't any good cheap finds right now though.  Throughout the year, I've been able to find pieces of clothing under $2 at these places.  It's not unusual - but at this particular season, with everyone shopping, you aren't going to find the "great steals".  Now granted, the paper didn't say I had to find great steals - they just wanted to see how much one can get with $40.  I, unfortunately, didn't have the luxury of time.  I checked Craig's List - "free" or "cheap" clothing isn't so easy to find when you are actually looking for it.  So I had to broaden my horizons.  Here is how I did:

Total for all:  $40.67



Walmart in Weymouth

1 pair of sneakers - Clearanced for $5.00

1 6 pack of underwear - $5.27

1 new polo shirt - Clearanced for $3.00

Total:  $13.27

Goodwill in Quincy 

1 pair of jeans (The Children's Place) - $3.99

2 khakis (The Children's Place) - $1.99 ea

1 sweatshirt (Gap) - $1.99

1 button down shirt (American Eagle) - $1.99

2 long sleeve shirts - $1.99 ea

Total:  $15.93

Dollar Tree in Quincy (next to Kamman)

2 3-pair packs of socks - $1 ea

1 pair of gloves - $1

1 winter hat - $1

1 scarf - $1

4 t-shirts - $1 ea

Total:  $9.00

This brought my total to $38.20.  About two months ago, I scored a winter coat at Old Navy.  I added this in put me just over $40 (I'm not sure if the paper will feature this article of clothing since I don't have the receipt and it wasn't purchased in the time frame they gave me.)

Old Navy

1 winter coat - Reg. $29.99, Clearanced for $2.47

Total of all four purchases:  $40.67

Things I learned:

-  August is NOT a good time to go clothes shopping.  All the clearance is picked over or is non-existent. 

-  When you are on a budget, the best thing to do is make a list of essential items (kind of like a grocery list!).  That is what I first did with this assignment.  I wanted to score at least 5 pairs of socks, 5 underwear, 1 pair of sneakers, 3 pants, 3 shorts, 5 t-shirts, 5 long sleeve t-shirts, 1 sweatshirt, 1 sweater, 3 pairs of PJs, 1 coat, 1 pair of boots, 1 hat, 1 pair of gloves & 1 scarf.  To me, this just seemed like a good starting point of "essentials" for a kid.  That way, even if I found a killer deal on shirts, if I used too much of my money on shirts, I wouldn't have enough left to cover other items. 

-  Goodwill can be a good place to find some decent pieces.  For kids clothing, all jeans are $3.99 but all other pieces are $1.99.  You have to pick through the racks though as the clothing is not separated by sizes.  Some stuff is good, some stuff is gross.  Unfortunately, the pickings are slim.  I got the only three pair of pants that would fit a 5 year-old boy.  If another person went there that day or next, they probably wouldn't find any pants for a little boy.  It's really hit or miss and I got lucky. 

-  The Dollar Tree is a great place for winter garb.  It really isn't out yet.  I lucked out finding some pieces tucked away in the woman's underwear at the Quincy store.  Start looking for hats, gloves and scarves at your local Dollar Tree in October. 

-  When you want (or need) cheap/free clothes, you really can't find them.  Like most things in life - when you actually need something - it's much harder to find it when just browsing and whatnot. 

-  If you are on a budget for clothing, and have the room, I highly recommend what I do.  I have 3 big Rubbermaid containers in my attic.  Throughout the year as I find great deals, I just buy them and throw them in the bins.  Then with the change of seasons, I go through my stash (which feels like Christmas to me).  Why this works for me:  a.  Boy #1 (he's 5 now) has always been true to size.  At 6 months, he was wearing 6 month clothing, at 2 years old, he was wearing 2T.  Now at 5, he's wearing 5T and a straight 5.  Also, I have Boy #2 (who is almost 4).  He reuses all the clothes.  Although he's a year and a half younger, he's a little beefier so he's always been about 1 size below Boy #1.  b.  I have the room for this.  If you are tight on space, this might not be an option for you and that's okay.  c.  I have boys.  They don't care as much about what goes on their bodies as girls do.  As they get a little older, I'm sure they'll start developing their own opinions and whatnot and my method won't work anymore.  Why this doesn't work for me:  Since I love scooping up bargains, I find that I usually have "too much" stuff when the time comes.  As of now, I am pretty stocked up through size 6 clothing and am working on finding size 7 bargains now.  My first son won't wear these clothes for another 2 years.  A little odd, yes, but that's me. 

-  While at the Walmart in Weymouth (which is one of the smallest Walmarts I have ever seen), I noticed there was a bunch of clearance.  Kids sneakers, TONS of girl clothing, some boy clothing, a TON of baby clothing.  Then I hit up the Walmart in Quincy the next day.  The clearance rack was a joke.  It was practically non-existent.  Kids shoes:  NONE on clearance.  These two stores are maybe 3 miles apart.  I've also noticed in life - the clearance racks at all stores - in more affluent/less busy towns are much more stocked than those in the city or more middle-class towns.  For instance, when Old Navy goes clearance crazy, the store at the Hingham Shipyard is packed nicely with great finds.  I'm never disappointed there.  But if I hit up the Old Navy in Hanover - which is much more busy with mall traffic, I never find anything there. 

Well anyways, I'm done writing for now.  The paper gave 5 women all $40 to see how much kids' clothing they could get for that amount.  They gave us a set age & gender.  The story should appear in this weekend's edition.  I'll share a link when it comes out - I'm interested in seeing what the other women scored.  Oh - and all this clothing is being donated to charity.  Thanks Patriot Ledger!

So what do you think?  Can you dress your child for $40 a year?  Is this a reasonable amount set by the state to help needy children? 

Keurig: A Bargain or Not? (And recent prices of K-Cups)

I love my Keurig.  Over a year ago, I swore I wouldn't "Keurig" it up - but I did.  Mostly because my mother bought me a machine.  So I used it.  For the first three days, it was great and I was already addicted.  Around the 6 day mark, I realized that my machine was defective.  It was possessed.  If I pressed the button, it wouldn't brew my coffee although it said it was.  Then I'd try again and it would brew two cups in one.  Something was not right.  So I brought it back to Bed Bath & Beyond - they took it back, but they were out of stock.  I had to wait about a month for their next shipment.  So I went back to my traditional cheapo Mr. Coffee the next morning.  I was not amused.  It was that day, I realized that I turned into a "coffee snob" in about a week's time.  I, the lady who once prided myself on being able to drink Folgers & Maxwell House and having it taste "great" now had the attitude of "What is this crap?  Give me back my Green Mountain Coffee!"

That day I went to BJ's and bought their verson (which was great because it was about $5 cheaper than Bed Bath & Beyond's - but came with 80 K-cups or something astronomically high like that).  It is now my best friend.  Back then (last Spring) - I, of course did a price break down of K-Cups. Back then, the average K-Cup was about .42 cents.  A great deal was about .37 cents each and the "oh crap, I ran out of coffee, I just need to go buy some, NOW!" ran me about .48 cents each. 

Well coffee prices have risen.  The average K-cup is about .50 cents or a little higher.  At BJ's, you can score them for just under .50 cents each. The best way to know if you are getting a good price is to figure out the cost per K-Cup (Psst...there really isn't a significant difference in many stores).


BJ's.com - BJ's.com has 160 boxes of K-Cups for $84.99.  There is free shipping.  This equates to .531 per K-Cup.

BJ's the Store - My BJ's has boxes of 80 K-Cups.  Sometimes they are $34.99 for the box, sometimes they are $37.99 depending on variety.  At the $34.99 price, you are paying .437 per K-Cup.  At the $37.99 price, you are paying .474 per K-Cup.  With recent coffee prices going up, these 80 count boxes may be up to $39.99 a box now - making it .499 a K-Cup.

Coffeeforless.com - First, go through Ebates to get 2.5% back on your purchases here.  There is free shipping for orders $50+ here.  Grab a case of 96.  These are mostly $56.  Use code deb to score 10% off.  This brings it down to $50.60 (still qualifies for free shipping).  Cost per K-Cup is .527.

Bed Bath & Beyond - A lot of the 18 packs are sold at $11.99.  Use your 20% off coupon to nab it for $9.59.  Cost per K-Cup is .532.

Green Mountain Coffee - Coffee Express Members:  Set up a recurring order that gets automatically shipped.  Pretty much, 4 boxes of 24 (96 K-cups) will cost about $55.96.  Price per K-cup:  .58

Of course there are other outlets out there to purchase K-Cups.  But these are just the ones I have used.  So back to my question - is it a bargain or not?  I personally am going to go with "yes".  Why?  Well if you saw my picture up on top of this post - I love Iced Coffee.  So I have a few of these reusuable cups.  I just fill the cup with ice, brew my K-Cup in it, add my Splenda and cream - and voila - an Iced Coffee that costs less than .60 cents - and I personally believe it tastes better than Dunkin' Donuts (but there are new Dunkin' Donuts K-cups out there!) - which, if I stopped for a medium iced coffee, would cost me about $2.32 with tax.  And usually before my Keurig, I would stop through Dunkin' Donuts about once a day for an afternoon iced coffee.  So now, I'm saving about $1.72 by just doing it myself - and, for you tree hugging readers, saving the cup from going into the trash or recycling bin.  Could I do this with a traditional coffee maker?  Yeah, but it's more work.  And in case you don't know, I can be pretty lazy at times.  Also - it's just completely great to just roll downstairs and get that first cup of coffee in about 14 seconds after putting that K-cup in. 

So what's your take?  Is the Keurig worth the price, or is it just an overpriced fad? 

Hoping to Save $100K+ On My Mortgage

"Bargain Hunting", saving money, and being cheap go far beyond the grocery/retail stores & coupons.  Today, I'm going to touch base a little on how an average person can save a ton of money if they pre-pay their mortgage just slightly every month.

I won't go into many details about my personal mortgage - I think the general consensus in the country (world?) is it's tacky to do so.  I personally don't have many issues with it though.  If a friend or neighbor wanted to talk actual figures about personal finance - I would be happy to divulge the information.  I think we live in a world where nothing is "normal" and I think people assume things about how much things costs, how much people get paid, how much people pay for certain items just because in most of these cases, the only example we have is what we pay/get paid for things.  I have no shame in admitting we're pretty poor! 

Many moons ago, the husband and I bought a house.  Well, it was just shy of 3 1/2 years ago - not that many moons.  We'll probably never move again - mostly due to the fact that it would be nearly impossible to pack up all our crap.  We're also very comfortable.  Anyways, when we first got our initial mortgage, I was ecstatic at the rate.  With our old loan, and just the "minimum" payments made every month, we would have paid $225,907 over the course of 30 years on interest.  YOWZERS!  At that time, our payment was $8 shy of a "solid figure" (meaning, ending in 00).  So every month, I thought I was big and bad and would pay $8 extra dollars to our mortgage. 

I never really thought about refinancing.  I was happy where we were at.  However, thanks to Facebook, I'm friends with a guy I went to high school with - who is a gung ho mortgage lender.  He posts rates and whatnot from time to time when they are good.  So one morning, he posted a rate that his office was giving out to some people.  With some quick math and a handy dandy online mortgage calculator - I realized I would be a fool not to refinance.

Refinancing sucked.  It took over 60 days.  I had to find paperwork I wasn't even sure I had (I'm not very organized).  I even had to write letters explaining why other lenders checked my credit report recently (I shopped around - if I was going to drop a few thousand on fees and whatnot to refinance, I wanted the best rate with the best people).  It was much different than our experience of buying a house back in 2003 - when we were able to close in only 6 days with no money down at all - you know, the glory days when they threw out mortgages to anyone like candy in a parade. 

Well it finally happened.  We closed back in December.  With the new mortgage, we shaved $179 off our minimum monthly payment and if we only pay that payment - we will only pay $154,905 over the course of 30 years in interest.  Essentially (not completely, because we did have 3 years of payments at the higher rate), a savings of  $71,002 in interest over the course of 30 years.  Since times are fine, financially speaking, I've actually just been paying our old payment to our new loan.  An overpayment of $187 a month.  If I can continue this, we will only pay $109,617 in interest on the loan.  Essentially, a savings of $116,290 from only paying the minimum payment on our initial loan - and a savings of over $45,000 on my current loan of just paying the minimum payment.  An added bonus, with just $187 more a month, our 30 year mortgage will be paid off in 22 years, 2 months.  Also - if times do get tough - I do know that I can find an "extra" $187 by lowering our mortgage payment down to the minimum payment. 

Obviously there are many things in life to save for - education, retirement, emergencies, vacations.  Sometimes, you just have to weigh your choices and figure out what is important to you.  I'm not a complete fool - I know a lot of people would have a hard time to just pony up an extra $187 a month to their mortgage.  Heck - I know there are people who don't even have any extra money for any type of savings.  But, if you are ever in a position like me - where you are used to paying a certain amount and get to refinance - consider keeping up the old payment.  Especially if you pretty certain you are going to be at your home for a long time.  Or - if you want to knock some time off your mortgage - just round up to the "solid figure."  Every mortgage and rate is different - so if you want to check how extra payments will effect your personal situation, click THIS CALUCLATOR FROM BANK RATE to input your own information.  Lastly, there is NOTHING wrong with just paying your minimum monthly payment.  Tons of people do it.  You don't need to bend over backwards to try to pre-pay your mortgage.  It's just a quirk I have and passing along the information in case anyone is interested. 

Want to know how you compare to other homeowners?  Did you know the average US mortgage is $1295. The average MA homeowner's mortgage payment is $1781.  The average Alabama homeowner's mortgage payment is only $913.  I have zero idea if these figures include taxes & insurance (I would not make a good research assistant)  - but you can see - there is a lot of disparity about what is "normal".  Same would hold true if I threw up figures from the average mortgage payment in Newton, MA vs. Lowell, MA.  I'm sure they are VERY different.  

My Odd Soft Side

So this blog is taking a real odd turn after about a year of putzing around.  I promise to get back to posting about grocery store coupon savings eventually.  Maybe.  I'm not good at following through a lot of times. 

One thing about being cheap, for me that is, isn't so much that I don't want to spend money - I just want to make sure that I am getting the most value out of my dollar.  This was apparent 2 weeks ago. 

So here's a crazy thing that happened to me.  I'm a Yankees fan.  I live about 6 miles to the border of Boston.  So for the die hard Red Sox fans, I'm kind of like a Nazi.  Another quirk about me - I love radio contests.  Honestly, I've probably won about 2 dozen things off the radio in my 31 years of life.  No joke.  Well back in March, I won 2 tickets to a Red Sox opening day party.  Oh joy.  Since they were playing the Yankees though, I thought it would be great to go.  Unfortunately, when we found out the time - due to work, school, life, etc. - the husband and I couldn't make it.  Boo Hoo.

Well 3 days later, I got a call from the radio station.  Apparently they raffled off a $1,000 gift certificate to the store Roster (located at Natick Collection, Legacy Place & Faneuil Hall).  Who won?  Me.  They specialize in Boston area sports team apparel.  No Yankees t-shirts to be had there.  I'll be honest - I could not fathom spending $1,000 at a "non-necessity" store.  Overwhelmed doesn't even describe the feeling I felt. 




So we went off to Natick.  We hit up the Roster there where I picked up a t-shirt and hat.  Total:  $64.99.  The cashier informed me that another store in the mall was owned by them and my gift certificate could be used there too.  The store is All-Stars.  And I was excited to see that a 10% coupon printed on my receipt for All-Stars. 

So we went down to All-Stars.  I had this bright idea to make up a gift basket to donate to my son's school to be raffled off.  My budget for this was about $200.  Even in the grand scheme of things - even with $200 donated, I still have to spend $800 - which again is not really registering in my head because it's just a lot of money to spend on Red Sox crap - oh I mean stuff.

I got a bunch of items and the total was $208.  I had so much stuff and the kids were acting a fool that I was just trying to hurry up and I DIDN'T EVEN GIVE THE CASHIER THAT 10% COUPON!!!!  I remembered it when I got in the car (and I am not crazy enough to go back in and see if they would have honored it).  Now granted, I shouldn't care because it's not even my money - but it seriously bothered me for a few days.  I mean 10% would have been $20.80 - which would have been another hat or a kid's t-shirt for my gift basket!  I think this is my true "cheap" side coming out.  I'm trying to tell myself it's not really that I'm greedy and I WANT that extra $20 in this store (because heaven knows, it pains me every time I have to make a Red Sox purchase) - but the fact that I didn't maximize the value of that purchase really kills. 

So yeah.  Call me greedy. Call me cheap.  I don't care.  The fact that I forgot that coupon will linger in my mind for a little while longer because I can be a little psychotic like that. 

With another trip to the Dedham store a day later, I ended up spending $220.87 on a donation that will be raffled off at my son's school starting this week.  Here's the final product:

I'm not sure the details of how they are going to raffle it off - the school has it.  They can do whatever they want with it. They are selling tickets all this week and will be announcing a winner next Sunday at a softball tournament.  My personal goal is to hope the school raises $500 in ticket sales for it.  No reason then I hope to maximize the $220 spent on something good that the school could use.  I'm sure the principal will tell me what the final verdict - I just hope it's nothing pathetic like $30.  That would kind of suck. 

Speaking of "doing good stuff" - I'm going to be posting about a great Giveaway I'll be hosting here in a few days.  Pretty much - if you had a free $50 to "do good" with - what would you do?  So start brainstorming and more details will follow soon!  Woohoo!

Being Cheap - & Loving it!

So yeah.  It seems that a lot of people get insulted if they are labeled "cheap".  I personally don't care if someone calls me "cheap" - these things generally don't bother me.  Besides, I can be pretty darn cheap.  I'll admit it.  I don't like spending money on myself unless I really have to.  Want an example?

This is my most favorite and most used cookbook.  I've owned it for about 10 years.  It's been in pieces for about a year.  My mother said to me recently "Why don't you just go out and buy a new one?"  So I told her that I'm not going to - but I need to go to the basement and duct tape it.  She informed me that I could get the same book for about $12.  I told her that I didn't want to "waste" the money.  Chime in her "Really, Rebecca?"  Is it really "wasting" money though?  I do use this cookbook a lot.  In the grand scheme of life - $12 really isn't much for something that does get a lot of use.  But for what ever reason, I am too cheap to buy a new one. 

But I got motivation to duct tape it:

Isn't it purdy?  It fits right in with my high-class life now.

Look - it even works like it was never damaged:

See!  Brand new!  Almost.  And I still have all the stains and water marks on the recipes I use the most so I don't have to re-crap up a new book.  Being as it's the Earth Day season - I'm also saving the Earth by not throwing this beloved book into the trash. 

Show off your "cheap" pride with your "being cheap" shame story.  It's okay.  We won't laugh at you.  At least not to your face (and that's only because this is a blog and we never see each other face to face). 

Bargain Hunted Me a KitchenAid Stand Mixer!

Well ladies - I know I've been slacking on the blogging - but I'm feeling a twinge to get back into it.  No extreme couponing for me - just me being cheap.  You know how I roll.

Well anyways, I am here to announce that I have finally arrived today!  I've been a homemaker for over 5 years now - and I just (yes, on 4/20) got my first KitchenAid Stand Mixer.  Can I get a "Woot Woot!"

So I bargain hunted this down to about $186.  It's the Artisan model.  I went with the silver color since it seemed the most high class - and I am the queen of high class.  The retail price for it at Kohl's was $359.  We all know Kohl's marks up everything though.  Well it was on sale for $299.  I had stolen $30 in Kohl's Cash from my mother - so it brought that down to $269.  Then I had a 30% off my total order coupon - which brought it down another $82.20 - making it $186.   A bonus too:  When you buy one of these suckers at Kohl's, you get a mail-in-rebate for either a free Food Grinder attachment or a free glass bowl.  I think I'm going to go with the glass bowl.
I am now officially a Homemaker. 

If you already own one of these suckers, you need to let me know awesome things to do with it.  I am still overwhelmed with this purchase.  My husband hasn't seen it yet.  He may kill me. 

House Party Review - Durex Girl Talk

Yep, this is a Bargain Becky original creation.  You ain't going to see this in any Martha Stewart magazine.

I had the pleasure of hosting a Durex Girl Talk party this past weekend.  I'm a huge fan of House Party - but sadly, I rarely get selected for parties.  In the past I've hosted a Splenda party, and Arnold Sandwich Thins party and most recently - my Condom Party!  Woohoo!  Nothing like a bunch of 30 something housewives getting together to talk about condoms - especially when virtually all of our husbands have had vasectomies.

Well part of my "party pact" included the fact that I would blog about it.  So in case you didn't know, Durex has a full line of products that can help enhance anyone's love life - it's not just condoms people.  The best part is you can find these products in your local drug or super-chain store.  This is especially beneficial for the housewife who needs a little help with whatever, but doesn't want to look like a perv going into an adult store.  So next time you are in Wally World or CVS, check out Durex's extensive line of products.  Feeling lazy?  Check them out online by clicking HERE.  Or better yet, "Like" them on Facebook at Durex USA.

The Tale of 6 Chicken Breasts

Once upon a time, if I bought 6 breasts like I did this past Saturday (around 3 1/2 lbs worth), I would have just thrown two breasts in a bag and in the freezer.  And I would think "Woohoo!  3 meals worth!"  Then I started Weight Watchers.  

I used to always use a 1 pound (give or take - I would never actually measure) of meat per recipe.  And honestly, yeah, a lot of times for dinner I would down 6 - 8 oz of chicken by myself.  But now, I find that I'm always using either 4 oz. or 8 oz. of chicken for a meal for our family  Obviously when my boys are older or if you have a bigger family, you'll have to use more.  So instead of being able to make 3 meals with those 6 chicken breasts, I now can get upwards of 9:

 

 

Ever since the New Year I've been really good about portioning up thing correctly.  I got the Weight Watchers Food Scale about a month ago and I use it on a daily basis.  It's right there next to my coffee maker which always gets used quite frequently throughout the day.  So that picture above, I took those same 6 chicken breasts and cut them up how I like.  I can prepare 4 of my 4 oz. recipes, 4 of my 8 oz. recipes and the 6 oz - well that's just the "scraps" from cutting up the meat - which is actually, in itself it's own meal (and by scraps, I don't mean all the fat and disgust - I find that most chicken breasts are 8-10 oz.  So I cut off 2 oz. and throw it aside as I'm cutting up my 8 oz.).  

I'll admit, when it comes to Weight Watchers, I'm not the best tracker.  I'm not the best water drinker.  I'm not the most scheduled person when it comes to working out (1 time some weeks, 6 times other weeks).  But one thing that I found that I do really good is measure and weigh.  I measure or weigh everything.  It's actually very easy once you get into the swing of it.  When I first started WW, I was at Ikea and grabbed an extra set of measuring spoons.  I took the ring off - so if I wanted the Tablespoon, I wouldn't have to wash every other spoon.  The Ikea ones are nice because even the 1/4 tsp. is kind of chunky and big so you don't lose it in your drawer.  I also have 2 sets of measuring cups (you can get these at the Dollar Tree).  I popped that ring off too - so that way I'm only using and dirtying the cups I actually need.  I actually leave the measuring spoons in with my silverware. 

That is my Weight Watchers rant of the week.

Current Shaw's Catalinas

 Shaw's always has some "hidden" catalina deals - little ones that will pop out anything from .75-$4.  These typically aren't advertised all that much, but sometimes come out in the form of a coupon at the register.  Money Saving Maine-iac listed the current ones she knows of.  She's Shawstastic!

Current Shaw's "Hidden" Catalinas - Thanks Money Saving Maine-iac

Bitches On A Budget Book Giveaway Comment - This Needs It's Own Post!

Yo!  I'm doing a giveaway (in case you haven't seen it) - Click HERE to enter for your chance to win a copy of the book Bitches on a Budget by Rosalyn Hoffman.

Just needed to give a shout out to everyone who has left a comment already!  They are all great!  Terre wrote quite a comment - worthy of being published as a post. Terre is from Maine.  Lots of good bloggers come out of Maine.  Well the only other two I like and know of are Money Saving Maine-iac and Broke 207.   Well anyways, check out her blog (www.savingyourgreen.blogspot.com) and this blurb she typed up!: 

I love your Blog Becky! I recently checked out the Bitches on a Budget page, and I like you was greatly impressed.


It is nice to see others like yourself out there. By that I mean I have a serious sense of getting something for nothing where others just pay full price.

I also have a great sense of humor and love to find others that can laugh at the same things as I do.

Bitches on a Budget kinda says it all.


It represents me completely because I go to the mall and bring my Pepsi in my purse. While I am at the mall I run into Victoria Secret with my coupon for free panties. Then for fun we walk down to JC Penny's with my $10 coupon and get my two shirts on that are marked down 75% off with that coupon.


I am feeling kinda hungry so I walk over to the food court and get my free sandwich with a coupon I printed out from a cool site called Bargain Becky.


While I am eating I look down at my super cute BOGO shoes and realize that my entire outfit cost less than $20, but I look twice as good as my cousin does who brags all the time about how much she spent on her everything.


Then I might pop over to Walgreens and buy some pretty make-up for $10, use a $5 off coupon and get $10 in Register Rewards and spend that along with a few coupons on some Shampoo and conditioner that makes my hair look beautiful and a cool toy for my son.


I already have all of the stuff I need to look hot at home from my previous trips to Walgreens.


My teeth are movie star white and will stay that way with my 3 months supply of free tooth whiteners.


I will add the Gorgeous Hair Shampoo and Conditioner to my collection that takes up a shelf one its own.


I think my lips feel even more beautiful and soft when I put the FREE lip gloss and lipstick on it.


I am also so talented and creative that I can look at a decor piece at IKEA and make it myself with free paint my neighbor was throwing out from their last remodel and the free learn how to do it at Lowes.


I take my girlfriends to the hottest yard sales and thrift stores to scour for bargains that others left behind.


I have to stop off at Shaw's on my way home because they will double my coupons and I will get $100 worth of groceries for my family for $24, and Shaw's will give me a coupon worth $5 so I will come back and shop some more.


After a long hard day I will lay my pretty little head down on a a pillow I got for 75% off and a cover up with a goose down comforter that I got for $1.50 at the thrift store. All snuggled and warm I will dream of the deals to be had tomorrow at the Old Navy sale.


(The above is just a creative bitchy rant and some of the information may or may not be changed to depict my complete bitchiness.)