Day 3 of the $8/day challenge!

I was trying to make it today with spending nothing since I know that eventually I will need the overage for produce or gas.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.

I started the morning off with a coffee from Starbucks.  I was running late to my first clients this morning and knew I could not make it without a cup of coffee :)  Luckily I always carry empty starbucks bags (starbucks coffee that you buy at the grocery store) in my glove compartment.  If you read the side of the bags it tells you that you can take your bag into a Starbucks and trade the empty bag in for a coffee! 
TOTAL FOR MY MORNING COFFEE: $0

I arrived home about 1pm and wanted to throw dinner into the crockpot.  I decided on Chicken Fiesta Soup because i knew I had most of the ingredients and it will last us about 3 days!!! (Check out the recipe...it is SO easy and SO delicious!!)  After reading through the ingredients I realized i did not have any Enchilada sauce...DANGIT!  I had to head out to the store and pick up my missing ingredient!
TOTAL SPENT ON SUPPER:$2.59

While I was out grabbing the Enchilada sauce, I decided to stop and buy an extra paper from last Sunday.  I try and get AT LEAST 4 copies of the Sunday paper's coupon inserts and last week I only got 3.  This may sound extreme, but this is one of the reasons I have such an amazing stockpile of "goods" and a MAJOR contributing factor of how my family can live on $8/day!!
TOTAL SPENT ON PAPER:$1.00

TOTAL SPENT DAY 3:  $3.59 ( Rollover of $4.41...Total rollover $9.81!)

Tip of the day: When planning your meals, try and think of meals that are hearty, healthy and that will feed you for more than one meal. 

80% code to Restaurant.com....Get a $25 gift certificate for $2!

If you have never ordered a restaurant.com gift certificate, now may be the time!  Restaurant.com is a website that sells gift certificates to restaurants all over the country at a deeply discounted price – $10 certificates sell for $3 and $25 certificates sell for $10. To make the deal even sweeter, they are running a promotion that offers an addition 80% off the gift certificate!  Through March 27, use coupon code DEAL at checkout and get a $25 gift certificate for $2!!!!!  *****Please remember to read the restrictions on the gift certificate as they do vary by restaurant.  Most restaurants require a minimum purchase in addition to the certificate amount****

Dusty and I use these quite often and are always amazed at the deal!  For example, a few months ago we purchased a $25 gift certificate to The Runway Grill for $2.  The restrictions on the certificate stated you had to spend a minimum of $35.  So when it was all said and done, a nice lunch for Me, Dusty and the boys cost us around $17...and that was with Tip! 

$8/day challenge DAY 2!

Day 2 of the $8/day challenge was quite interesting.  You see, it is currently March Madness..that would be the crazy time of year where Basketball is life.  Dusty informed me that there were some AMAZING games on tonight and wanted some pizza and beer for dinner (this must have been thought over a LOT considering he asked this LAST night!)  Usually this would be A-OK, but considering we JUST started this challenge I knew I would have to be creative :)..... 
A few months ago, I purchased a $10 Papa Murphy's gift card for $5 from a  daily deal website Plumdistrict.  I still had this little guy laying around and thought that this was the perfect time to use it!  Now that the pizza was figured out, I had to figure out the beer dilemma.  Although this challenge is all about going without, my husband works VERY hard to provide for this family and deserves a nice adult beverage now and again.  After much discussion we agreed on this:

That ladies and gentlemen is a F.O.R.T.Y....40 oz. Bud light. 
TOTAL for pizza and beer: $3.27 (That is NOT including the gift card....and I still have $4 left on the gc!!!)

Since I am TRYING to get back in shape,  I opted NOT to partake in the pizza party.  Instead, I decided on a salad...Unfortunately for me, we had no lettuce!!!  Thankfully, I had a coupon for a FREE bag of Dole lettuce.  One of the perks of shopping at King Soopers ALL the time is that they occasionally send you coupons for free items.  I thoroughly enjoyed my salad, especially since it was free :)
TOTAL SPENT: $0


TOTAL SPENT DAY 2: $3.27 (rollover of $4.73 + .67 (from yesterday)= $5.40 total rollover

Tip of the day: Daily Deal websites offer some amazing deals for things you use in your everyday life.  Take advantage of the ones you KNOW you will USE and opt not to purchase the ones that sound "cool"..... BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A FUTURE POST HIGHLIGHTING MY FAVORITE DAILY DEAL WEBSITES!

Kate's $8/day Challenge!

We, as Americans suffer from "STUFFITIS"....we all love stuff.  Some of us love purses, shoes, jewelry, makeup....Others love dining at nice restaurants, electronics,  sporting events, and cars.  We all want bigger houses, faster cars, and on and on and on.  I am no stranger to "stuffitis".  I love candles, and actually have a whole cabinet FULL of candles!  I have been asking myself lately "Do I NEED all this STUFF?????"  The answer is NO, I absolutely do not need 15 pairs of jeans.  So why do I feel the need to continue to add to my collection of "stuff"?  After much reflection my answer was simply this..HABIT.  So, My challenge to myself, my husband (bless his heart for agreeing to my crazy ideas!) and my kids was this, can we break our current habits and .....CAN WE LIVE ON $8/DAY FOR 21 DAYS??  Please be advised, this does not include our normal monthly bills (I think Chase bank would frown upon me missing my car payment because of a personal challenge!).  This $8/day includes all food/gas/activities...etc....

So please, follow along with me if you will on my $8/ day challenge.  I will try and give full details on every penny spent.  

I began my challenge yesterday March 23, 2011.  Below you will find a list of what was spent: 


The boys and I decided to let Daddy sleep in and head out o breakfast at Chick-fil-a.  Every Wednesday in March, Chick-Fil-A has been offering FREE breakfasts!  The boys and i got 3- sausage biscuits and two waters...  
TOTAL SPENT: $0

Since the playplace at Chick-fil-a was closed for cleaning (YES, they do clean those!) we headed to the Park and Story time at the library.  While there, we rented 2 DVD's and 2 books.  We also enjoyed a lovely story time and made a craft.... 
TOTAL SPENT: $0

On the way home, I realized I was out of coffee liners and had been using paper towels for the past week...So, we made a quick stop at Dollar tree and purchased 160 coffee liners :)
TOTAL SPENT: $1.04

I then had to start thinking about dinner.  since Dusty had the day off, I knew I had to cook-cook... (much different then the boys' PB&J "quick dinner")  I decided on Ham Casserole.  I had all the ingredients except the ham.  After dropping the boys at home I ventured out to King Soopers and was HORRIFIED when i saw the ham shank portions priced at $7+ !!!!!!  So, after scanning the isle, I noticed the Ham steak was on sale for $2.99!!! Phew!  I also picked up a package of Hotdog and Hamburger buns for future meals and a quart of Organic Milk marked down to $.99....
TOTAL SPENT: $6.29


After dinner,  Dusty and I decided it would be a great night to use our free blockbuster rental code and rent "The Fighter".  I REALLY wanted an icecream treat from DQ, but knew that would put us over our $8 for the day.  So, I was faced with my first "challenge" within the challenge.  I decided to come home and bake some chocolate chip cookies instead.  Needless to say, I completely forgot about the icecream as soon as i had a cookie :)
TOTAL SPENT: $0


Total spent Day 1: $7.33 !!!  ($.67 to rollover)

Tip of the day...The library is an AWESOME resource for FREE dvd's books and boredom busters...go check out your local library and see what it has to offer!!!!

Free bagel and cream cheese at Brueggers!

Hurry and print this coupon to receive a FREE bagel and cream cheese at Brueggers Bagels!  This offer is valid through This Thursday, March 24.  Coupon states "one coupon per person, per visit". 

Get your friends together and have a FREE breakfast!!! :)

For all my peeps in the Westminster area, there is a Brueggers located at 1275 East 1st Avenue # D, Broomfield, CO 80020.....That is approx. 120th and Sheridan!  They are super friendly over there and have previously donated to our MOPS group :)

King Soopers Mega-Event ENDS tomorrow!!!

Howdy!  King Soopers has been running a a mega-event sale the past few weeks that features some great deals on stock up items!  Below is a list of the participating items in case you want to run out tomorrow and grab some goods!  I have highlighted my favorite deals in BLUE :)

*****Please remember, The prices below are assuming that you are buying 10 participating items to get the sale price.

Powerade or Powerade Zero 32oz  $ .49 

Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese 6oz  $ .49 (THIS IS MY STOCK UP PRICE!!)

Vitaminwater 20oz or Smartwater Sportcap 700ml  $ .49 

American Beauty Pasta 16oz .49

Bumble Bee Tuna 2.5oz .49 

Coca-Cola Soft Drinks 2 Liter .89  ***great for birthday parties :)

Del Monte or S&W Tomatoes 14.5oz .99

Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks 3-4oz .99 

Rice A Roni or Pasta Roni 3.8-7.2oz .79
-B3G1 MQ (1/2 RP)
=.59 each   ****If you do not have this coupon, there are some peelies on some packages of rice-a-roni!!  Keep an eye out :)

Smart Ones Entrée $1.68 each


Kraft Salad Dressing 16oz $1.79 

Dannon Yogurt 4-6ct or 24-32oz $1.68
-$1 MQ (3/6 SS)
=.68 

Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables 4ct or 10-16oz $1.89
-$1/3 MQ (3/6 RP)
=$1.56

Oscar Mayer Wieners 16oz $1.49 

Pace Picante Sauce or Salsa 24oz $1.99
-.50/2 (1/30 RP)
=$1.49

Pepperidge Farm Bread or Dessert 9.5-19.6oz $2.27

Nabisco Ritz or Snack Crackers 5.5-16oz $1.99 

V8 or V-Fusion Juice 46oz $2.78
  MQ (2/6 SS)
=$1.78

Chips Ahoy Cookies 9.5-15.2oz $2.49 

Planters Peanuts 16oz $2.49 

Totino’s Pizza Rolls 40ct $2.99
-.40/2 Shortcuts eCoupon
=$2.59 C-

Pillsbury Savorings 7.8-8.5oz $2.99
-$1/2 MQ (1/30 SS)
=$2.49

Tombstone Pizza 17.5-29.5oz $2.49

Post Cereal, Select Varieties 13-25oz $2.38
-$1 MQ (2/27 SS)
=$1.38

Post Cocoa or Fruity Pebbles Treats 8ct $2.38 

Classico Pasta Sauce 8.1-26oz $2.49


Velveeta 2lb $4.48 

Capri Sun or Kool-Aid Jammers 10ct or Dole Fruit Crisps 2pk, 4oz Cups $1.49


Chicken Wings Bone-in or Boneless 20ct $6.49 

Maxwell House or Yuban Coffee 31.5-34.5oz $7.49
-$1/2 (2/13 SS)
=$6.99

Starbucks Coffee 11-12oz $7.49 

Hungry-Man Entree 13.1-18.1oz $1.99


Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent 55-72.9oz $3.99
-$1/2 MQ (2/13 SS)
=$3.49

Fuze 16.9-18.5oz .69 

Coca-Cola Soft Drinks 8pk, 12oz Bottles or 8pk, 7.5oz Cans $2.99 

Suave Shampoo or Conditioner 22.5oz .75 

Dove or Caress Soap 2 Pack $1.49 

Melitta Coffee Filters 40ct Cone or 200ct Basket $1.49 

Q-tips Cotton Swabs 300-375ct $1.49 

Smart Balance Spread or Butter Blend 7.5-16oz $1.85
-$1/2 MQ (3/6 SS)
=$1.35
Contessa On The Stove Meal 22-24oz or TGI Friday’s Skillet Meal 24oz $5.49 

Aquafresh Premium Toothpaste 5.6-6oz $1.99
***Please never pay for toothpaste...just come to my house :)

Oscar Mayer Bologna 16oz $1.49 

Hershey’s Drops or Reese’s Minis Candy 8-10.5oz Bag $1.99
-$2/2 MQ (1/30 SS)
=.99  **Fun for Easter baskets :)

Advil Pain Reliever 20-24ct $2.49 

Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion 6.8-13oz $2.50

Lever 2000 Body Wash 18oz $2.50 

Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip 22-30oz $2.79

A1 Steak Sauce 10oz $2.99
-$1 MQ (3/6 SS)
=$1.99

Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil 35-80sq ft $2.99 

Dove or Degree Deodorant 2.6-3oz or Axe Deodorant 2.7-3oz $2.99 

Axe Shower Gel 12oz or Dove Men+Care Body Wash 13.5oz $2.99
=.99 


Gorton’s Fish Sticks or Fillets 18.2-24.5oz $3.49
-.50 MQ found in the Safeway Joy of Football booklet or $1/2 MQ (2/13 SS)
=$2.49 at best **we usually don't eat fish sticks so I have no idea if this is a good deal or not??

Finish Rinse Aid 6.7-8.4oz or Finish Dishwasher Detergent 20ct $3.49
-$1 MQ (3/6 SS)
=$2.49

Snuggle Fabric Softener Liquid 32oz $3.49 

Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic .26-.5oz $3.49
-.50 MQ (1/9 SS) or $1.50 off both Neosporin and Band-Aid MQ (2/13 RP)
=$2.49 at best

Sensodyne Toothpaste 4oz $3.99
-.75 Sensodyne Coupon  or $1 MQ (1/2 RP)
=$2.99

Kingsford Charcoal 6.3-8.3lb Bag $4.49
-$1 Kingsford Coupon
=$3.49

Pedigree Plus Dog Food 13.2oz Can or Pedigree Dog Food 22oz Can .49
-BOGO MQ (3/6 SS)
=.25 each 

Lysol All-Purpose or Bathroom Cleaner 32-40oz $2.99
-$1/2 (3/6 SS)
=$2.49 

Band-Aid Bandages 10-80ct $2.49
-$1.50 off both Neosporin and Band-Aid MQ (2/13 RP)
=$4.48 for both products

My kids LOVE the white cheddar Annies Mac-and-cheese, so at .49/box, (usually about $1.50!!!) I STOCK up with AT LEAST 30 boxes!  Also, the rice-a-roni and pasta-roni are my stock up price as well.  We do a lot of chicken and rice in this house, and with the buy 3 get 1 free (register was taking $2 off that coupon!!!!!!) the four boxes cost me a whopping $1.16!!! That is .29/BOX!!!  WHOO HOO !!  If anyone needs me tomorrow, I will be at the local king soopers stocking up ;)

Walmarts NEW coupon policy in action!!!

If you have ever talked to me about couponing, you know that I am NOT a big fan of Walmart.  I have had many a problem with using coupons at "the mart" and have actually gotten into a heated argument with management over coupons (not one of my most proud moments, it was a really bad day..... ) THANKFULLY, walmart has issued a NEW coupon policy that is super awesome!!!  If you are planning on coupon shopping at walmart I advise you print a copy of the policy found HERE.  With the new policy you are able to use a coupon that exceeds the amount of the product and apply the remaining $ to the rest of your purchases!!!  SWEET!


I thought I would try this out today since I needed some makeup and had some coupons I knew would net me an overage.  Below is what I got:

2-Gain liquid fabric softners                 $4.18 each
1-80ct. Gain dryer sheets                       $3.12
3-Purex 3-in-1 laundry sheets                $.97 each
1-Loreal True Match Foundation           $7.00
1-Fleece sweatshirt (for my Jack-Jack)  Marked down to $3!!

TOTAL before COUPONS:      $24.39

Total After Coupons:        $4.39!!!!!!!     (all prices are Pre-tax)

Since the Purex 3-in-1 sheets were priced at $.97, I used (3) $3/1 coupon that netted me a $6.09 overage to apply to my other items!!!  I will DEFINATELY be shopping at walmart again! 

****I have spoken with people who are STILL having an issue with cashiers/managers at Walmart regarding overages.  PLEASE remember to print off the policy and have it with you just in case you run into any issues!!