Got a rebate check from Advil, for $5.59. I purchased the Advil with a $2.00 off coupon, so I got it free, and then a little extra back.
Ordered three free hardback books from a freebie site, and will use them as a Christmas present for my brother and SIL.
Ordered free item from Hanes, and a free cookie sampler valued at six dollars.
I also received issues of three FREE one-year magazine subscriptions. All very nice magazines, esp. "Antiques" magazine. The other two are "Boating Life" and "Horse Illustrated"
Before I started reading frugal sites, I had no idea these offers existed!
Thanks to those who shared the info!

Today, at Kroger, I got six boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, two gallons of Viva milk, and four packages of Oscar Meyer weiners and the grand total was $2.00!
I added up the regular prices and it came to $39.08.
The Cheerios are on sale for 3/5, and there are coupons above the display for a dollar off on two boxes, so I used three. Then, I had Catalina coupons for two gallons of free milk with the purchase of six boxes of General Mills products. Lastly, the hot dogs are a loss leader for .99 a pkg.
This is the best I have ever done at the grocery store. The Catalina coupon is good for up to $9.00, and for some reason, they took that amount off the total, although the milk was actually a little less.
So $37.08 goes into savings!

DH bought a new lawn mower on Sunday. Today it was on sale for $30.00 less. There was a time when I would have said, "That figures" and let it go. However, I called and asked if they had a policy whereby they would refund the difference if an item went on sale within 30 days of purchase. They said, they do, and to bring in the receipt. Saved $32.00, including tax.
The moral of the story is, it doesn't hurt to ask!

That was not a misprint, we are finally getting our 2005 taxes ready to file. Still didn't do 2006 taxes either, but do have an extension for those.
I have been asking my DH for months to get the tax paperwork together. He has a full time job, in addition to consulting income, and we sold a house in Dec. 2005, so had to pay capital gains. We sent in a check that will cover the taxes, but they don't take kindly to being that far behind! I have gotten a nasty phone call from the IRS. Now,I know why Dave Ramsey calls them the KGB! The woman was really rude and, pardon the expression, snotty!

On a lighter note, I saved $51.34 on groceries this morning, and spent only $19.25. The main savings was on six boxes of cheerios, on sale with three dollars off,in coupons, and a manufacturer's coupon for two free gallons of milk. They even let me get organic milk! It was seven dollars for all. Everything I purchased was on sale, or on clearance, including pork ribs,beans, toothpaste, ice cream, and veggies. It still amazes me how much one can save on loss leaders, esp. combined with coupons.

I saved 62 per cent at King Soopers (Kroger) today. They have three boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios on sale for 3/$5.00, and have coupons nearby for $1.00 off two boxes. If you purchase three, you get a FREE gallon of milk.
When I paid my $4.00 for the three boxes and the gallon of milk, a coupon was presented with the receipt. It was for the same deal, and allows you to purchase double the amount and get two free gallons of milk. (The in-store limit was one deal per customer), so next Tuesday, I will purchase six boxes, use three $1.00 off, in-store coupons, and get two gallons of milk free. It will cost me
$7.00 for all six boxes of cereal and two gallons of milk! Love those loss leaders!
More money toward the challenge!

I hung four loads of laundry on the lines, ironed four of DH's shirts, and made Shepherd's pie, for dinner, from leftovers. I figure all that should be worth at least ten dollars.
It was 50% off, day at Goodwill, and all jeans were 99 cents. I got three great pair for myslef. All great, expensive brands. I also got two more dress shirts for DH. Both were Ralph Lauren, and they were both like new. They were $2.50 each! It has been a very productive, and frugal day.

This morning, I was thinking about all of the small things I have done to get out of debt.
Many seem trivial, but the combination of efforts add up to substantial savings.
We all want a quick fix, and that is not likely to happen. We are not going to win the lottery! We just need to chip away at debt a little at a time.
Of course, not getting into debt in the first place would be the way to go, but most of us aren't that talented.

I started tackling the debt by using the envelope system. At first, I had an envelope for every expense from food, to license plates. Now I use the envelope system for food only. I am disciplined enough to keep money for everything but food in my ING account, and I transfer money to pay property tax, etc. when needed. I prefer using cash for food, because it deters one from impulse buying. If I have a set amount in an envelope, I need to use it for needed food, not junk food, that is a want, not a need. I purposely set the amount in the envelopes low, to challenge myslef to find the best buys available.
I will shop at more than one store if there are great loss leaders any given week. I stock up when there is a great sale. I have a very well stocked pantry and freezer, so my weekly spending is kept fairly low. I spend between $125 and $175.00 a month for food. I feed three adults dinner every night, and two for breakfast and lunch.
I make my own cleaning products, including window/all purpose cleaner, shower spray, laundry stain pre-treatment and laundry detergent.
I make all meals from scratch, and we eat well. Most of what we eat is purchased on sale or at the best price available.
Furniture and household items have been purchased used. Many are antiques that we have purchased at auctions. We buy the best quality that we can afford, and by buying used, we can get great quality hardwood furniture that will not go down in value. You can buy a piece of furniture at Wal-Mart, for $100.00, but it will be made of particle board, and will fall apart with normal use. For that same $100.00, you can purchase a good piece of furniture at a yard sale or an auction that has lasted for years, so you know it will withstand daily use. Also, when you want to upgrade, you can probably get what you paid for it when you sell it.
I shop at Goodwill and thrift stores for high quality clothing at very low prices.
I see Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. every time I go to Goodwill. Many look new, and I've seen designer clothing with the original tags. Baby clothes are always 50 cents at our Goodwill. I have purchased many items with the original tags. One was priced $26.00! Lots of people get so many gifts in the same newborn sizes, the baby never gets to wear them, so they get taken to Goodwill, for people like me to buy for fifty cents! Yard sales also offer great sources for nice, gently worn clothing, but I prefer thrift stores, so I don't have to spend a lot of time driving around.

Recent books, as well as wonderful vintage books can be purchased for pennies on the dollar at thrift stores, and yard sales,if you like to collect books, otherwise there is the library.

There are numerous free activities available in most towns. Check the local newspapers for ideas.

I started all of these activities to free up money, to get out of debt. I did it!
Will I go back to my spendthrift ways? No way! I'm having too much fun and living too well to slip back into my old ways.
It is great watching my personal "wealth" grow, now that my money isn't going toward debt.

This morning, I went to Goodwill and found a few great things. I got DH a like-new Ralph Lauren dress shirt, and got youngest DD two RL t-shirts. I'm not a Ralph Lauren snob, but when the choices are Wal-Mart or RL, for the same price, it is a no-brainer.

I did laundry, with homemade detergent, and hung it on the lines. I am feeling virtuous!
I remember the days when I used to pull out the credit cards at stores like Macys and Dillards, and then groan when the bills came.
Life is definitely better now!

We went to Bozeman, MT for a three day weekend, and it ended up costing about $900.00. Yikes! Two hundred, was a charge for prossessing an elk my husband shot last fall, and couldn't pick up until last weekend. The meat went to kid # four, and his family. Three hundred was for diesel fuel for the pickup truck. Over two hundred was for a motel, and that was with a discount. Bozeman is a VERY expensive town, but very beautiful. The remaining money was spent on taking out # four and his family for five meals. They have expensive taste, when dear dad is paying! It was fun, and we don't get to see them very often, so it was an investment in "bonding" with their little one. Now, it is back to reality, budgeting, and eating out of the freezer!