Gifts on the Sly - $66.02 worth of gifts for....$5.41 (and not a penny out of my budget)!

I had $20 in Kohl's Cash to spend AND received a 20% off coupon via email from them this morning, so off I went.  I got a great deal AND learned something.  First, the deal.

Two long sleeve shirts - one button down, one fun tshirt, 1 cool puzzle including a magnifying glass and one book.  I wasn't planning on getting everything at Kohl's, but who can pass up free!  The shirts were originally $28 and $18, but we all know I absolutely hate paying full price - they were on the clearance rack.  The puzzle was originally $9.99, but on sale.  The book was part of their charity sales - $5.  The $20 Kohl's Cash covered all but the book!  (Kohl's Cash can't be applied to the special charity items.)  


While I was there, I picked up 2 other games:

Also on sale, leaving me with only one more game/puzzle to buy for the grandsons!  Each were under $4.  I walked out of the store with all of the above, only spending $12.09.  


Shopping for birthday #1 is complete.  All I need to do is make him his card and drop it all in the mail.  


Balance left in the Gifts on the Sly bucket:  $35.16


Next birthday is my son-in-law in February.


What I learned:  Be aware of store cash and coupon policies up front!  I assumed the 20% off coupon would be applied to my whole order BEFORE I paid with Kohl's Cash or any other form of payment.  Not the case.  The Kohl's Cash is applied to the total FIRST.  The discount coupon is then applied to the remaining balance (except for the charity items, of course).  I verified this on their website when I got home.  

Gifts on the Sly

Remember the challenge?  Pay for 2012 birthday gifts without a spending plan category for it.  That means I have to use 'found money' - change from paying cash, free gift cards, etc.


When I last posted about this challenge, I had $46.37.  I've been using the debit card instead of cash a lot lately, but I am adding $0.88 in change to that amount.  That brings the total to:


$47.25


I also have $20 in Kohl's Cash from Christmas shopping last week.  It has to be used today or tomorrow, so I'll have to shop ahead, but...tossing that in the total brings us to:


$67.25!


I have one birthday in January - grandson #2 is turning 6.  Gift giving for the grandsons is typically 1 book, 1 puzzle or learning game, and 1 article of clothing.  I'm off to take care of that today, so let's see how I do!

Made in the U.S.A.

Think BIG, start small, right?  Well, I guess this could be considered my "start small" in the journey of finding items made in the U.S.A.  I mean, I personally don't have much against China, but I do figure we owe them enough money and they seem to be making the majority of our goods now.


So, from time to time, when I find them, I will be posting items I find that are made here at home - keeping and creating jobs in the U.S.A.  These posts will share the same Made in the U.S.A. title for easy finding.  I'll list the store and the manufacturer as well, so we will know where to shop and who to thank.


These companies need our support.  Of course, financially, but they also need to know we appreciate them keeping and creating jobs here!


Here are 4 small items I found while shopping for stocking stuffers for my grandsons.

Original Slinky Jr.  
Sold by Walmart
Manufactured by POOF-Slinky, Inc.
P.O. Box 701394
Plymouth, MI 48170-0964
www.poof-slinky.com


Super Miracle Bubbles
Sold by Walgreens
Manufactured by IMPERIAL TOY LLC.
North Hills, CA 91343
www.imperialtoy.com


Instant Sealife
Sold by Walgreens
Manufactured by Instant Products, Inc.
4804 Strawberry Lane, Louisville, KY 40209


Game Tablet (48 page themed)
Sold by Walmart
Manufactured by BENDON
Asland, Ohio 44805
www.bendonpub.com


Let's thank these companies and spread the word!  Time to be a bit more aware of where our money is going.

Stop and THINK about it!

How many of us just go through the motions of every day living - kind of like an "auto pilot" mode?  

How much of what you do is because it is "just what I know" or "just how it is?"

Stop and think about it.  

How much of what you do or what you think has been influenced by what you heard and/or learned during your formative years?  

How much of what you do has been influenced by commercials or various media outlets?

Don't get me wrong here.  Everything we do has been influenced by something in some way.  The point of this exercise is to determine what that influence was/is and whether you agree with it or not.  If YOU agree with it, then it becomes your point of view or your choice or what YOU want out of life.  Get it?

Now, there will always be a bit of "just how it is" in life.  For example, we - in the United States of America - drive on the right side of the road.  Why?  Because that's "just how it is." 

However, you can only use "just how it is" in certain circumstances without it becoming an excuse to leave things as they are instead of initiating change.

This type of "Stop and THINK about it" can be used in any situation - from politics to what you eat for breakfast.  

Exercise your brain a little bit!  Start examining what you do and why.  Keep what you decide is worth keeping and work on changing the rest.  

Almost 2 out of 3 will have to do

Breakfast was 'served' before I left the house - a packet of Emergen-C in water, a probiotic with a cup of water and instant oatmeal.  What did I notice while microwaving the oatmeal?  this brand contained milk.  *sigh*  Then it was back to bed for him and off to the office for me.  


He was on his own for lunch.  How did he do?  Chicken Salad and crackers.  Yep, crackers - as in wheat.  *sigh*


He wasn't hungry for dinner, but at least wasn't feeling as nauseous as yesterday.  When he eventually wanted food, he wanted...Ramen Noodles.  Yep, wheat.  *sigh* Add in some Powerade and another vitamin packet.


Yep, this is going to be a long road, but it has to be of a design he can live with.  So we proceed at his pace so it will be something he sticks with.


As for me, it's time I get back on a healthier road as well!

Recovering - Day 1...AGAIN

When I first learned of my son's wheat sensitivity, I did just as my prior post said.  I went through my entire kitchen and got rid of EVERYTHING I could find that had wheat in it.  I brought 2 BIG boxes of food items over to my neighbor's house.  We avoided eating out.  We attempted to find replacement things for what was tossed.  Now that was an adventure!


The 'important' items to replace were bread and macaroni and cheese.  Well, we tripped across some of both that even my dogs wouldn't eat!  Seriously!  They would sniff it and walk away.  He was very discouraged.


Finally, we found replacements that were semi okay.  Then he wanted to 'try' an occasional wheat item.  The doctors couldn't tell us exactly how much wheat or what kind would be too much for his system.  Some do okay with the occasional, while others have to avoid 99% of it. Soon, the occasional became more frequent.  He seemed to be somewhat okay for a while.  Now he is absolutely miserable again.  He will catch every bug or virus that travels anywhere near our block and then have an awful time ridding himself of it.  His immune system - between all of this and many rounds of antibiotics over the summer for another issue - has been severely compromised.  


He has only made it through one full day of school this week (and he only goes 1/2 day).  This morning was the absolute final straw for me.  He woke me about 0330 to tell me he was feeling absolutely awful again (still).  His stomach was burning so bad that he couldn't sleep.


He is 17 and about to go off to college - if he can ever feel well enough to get through high school!  I have got to find what works for him and it has to be something he can learn and take with him.  Today we start again!


The plan for day 1:  no wheat and simple, bland foods - plenty of water to help flush his system, vitamins and rest


Day 1 is never the problem...

"just" wheat sensitive

We got my son's test results back a while ago - no Celiac!  


~WHEW~ 


That means he is 'simply' wheat sensitive.  


No big deal, right?  Just avoid wheat.  Okay, here we go:

• toss out all your bread
• toss out the crackers and a lot of chips
• toss out the cookies
• toss out most of your cereals 
• toss out the Kraft Mac/Cheese and all other pasta

How are you doing so far?  You're not done yet.

• toss out any soups that have noodles, that includes Ramen noodles
• toss out the pancakes and waffles
• toss out the frozen pizzas, burritos, corn dogs, chicken nuggets
• toss out the gravy - even the homemade if it is using regular flour
• toss out all home baked goods that use the regular enriched flour or even wheat flour

Are you still with me?  One more big one.

• toss out most fast food and eating out in general without first checking which restaurant offers which foods that are okay for you to consume

Okay, that covers most of the big items.  There are many more with wheat tucked away in them that one wouldn't even think of until you have to hunt it down.  We'll get to those later.

So, how are you doing with all of this?  Imagine being 17, male and adding this to being lactose intolerant.  I don't think the word 'simple' applies here at all!

However, he is sick of being sick and tired of being constantly tired.  This is the hand we have been dealt and it is time we learn to play it to the best of our ability!

Deal of the Day x2!

Today started out like any other Use it or Lose it day off.  Then, my daughter calls and asks if I need to get a haircut.  A very odd question since we live 5 hours apart.  Turns out a friend of hers is an instructor at a new cosmetology school nearby.  Check out their grand opening special:

Well, sure I need a haircut!  Actually, I really did.  So I showered, dressed and drove a few miles up the road to get my awesome deal.  I was a little nervous about a student cutting my hair, but I only needed a decent trim - remove the split ends and even out the bottom.  I ended up with a lady about my age.  She was switching career paths after being a stay at home mom for several years.  I must say it was the best haircut I've received in over a year AND included a shampoo and blow dry - all for $1 (plus the tip I left).


Now, that was an awesome deal in itself, right?  Had that been the only deal of the day, I'd have been happy.  However, I remembered I had a coupon from my last shopping trip at Big Lots.  Time to redeem it before it expired this weekend.  

Yes, you are seeing that right.  I walked out of the store having not spent a penny!  The coupon was for $10 off a purchase of $10 or more.  I needed a few more bath towels, but I haven't wanted to shell out a lot of money on them since the bathrooms are next on the remodeling list (and I haven't decided on colors yet).  Problem solved - grab 2 at Big Lots, apply coupon and get them for FREE!


Yep, that's how my day went :)

Taco Soup

Tweaked a recipe received from a friend.  Here's the basic:

1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can Rotel
1 can tomato sauce
1 can black beans
1 can chicken
1 1/2 cans water
1 package taco seasoning
1 package Ranch seasoning
1 tsp chili powder

Grab your crock pot, dump it all in, turn it in and let it cook!  I put the last batch on high for about 4 hours, but I'm sure it would do fine on low all day while at the office.

There's plenty of room for adjusting the spicy factor of this recipe, so find what your family likes best.  Oh, and watch those sodium levels!

How Much Sodium?

I was at the grocery store this weekend picking up the ingredients I needed for Taco Soup.  I reached for the tomato sauce.  I typically get Hunts.  As I reached, I realized they had a 'no salt added' option.  So, I grabbed one to see the difference in sodium.

Check out the difference in sodium levels!  Why would they add THAT MUCH extra salt to a product?  We all know consuming high levels of sodium is bad for our heart,  so PLEASE be aware of the contents of your food.


Of course, I grabbed the 'no salt added' version and no one noticed the difference.  Of course, I'm sure our hearts were much happier!

Re-Use: Small Plastic Bottle

By now, it should be apparent that I like to find ways to cut expenses and cut waste. Part of that process is to be creative with what one already has on hand.  Since I'm taking it easy today, I'm doing a bit of decluttering and organizing.  I started in the kitchen - as always - and came across this bottle.

Keeping it out of the trash is the important thing, since it is recyclable.  However, could it be reused before tossed out?  I left it on the counter and went about getting the laundry started. While sorting, it hit me - this is the perfect sized container for my spare buttons!  

Truly Blessed!

My brain has been on overload the past few days with things to write.  However, my fingers couldn't keep up and the wires kept crossing.  That happens from time to time and I'm sure professional writers would love to have that "problem."  However, me, not so much.  It means I either write and re-write as the stories cross over or I simply wait.  Ha, simply!  I'm not sure the English language should allow "simply" and "wait" next to each other in the same sentence!  But, that's what I chose to do this time.

I had much to say and it would have likely sparked much discussion, but I waited.  It hasn't always been my strong point, but definitely an area I have been working on.

I have found an interesting thing happens when I wait.  Something comes running out front,  big and bold!  That's when I follow.

This morning I woke with the feeling.  It was a good feeling.  A lot has been going on lately and I have been wondering if I was on the right path with some of it.  Well, it seems I am.  It is apparent there will be some road blocks and detours, but what's a road trip without those?  After being on many wrong paths, it is really nice to be even on a portion of the right path for a change!

I posted on Facebook for everyone to look for the beautiful in the day.  We've all been a bit under the weather lately and we all needed some good and beautiful.  I must admit, I needed the re-focus, but I wasn't expecting so much to be set before me.  It seemed I was faced with "beautiful" at every turn today.

The joy of sitting and chatting over a cup of tea with a friend and the kindness of a friend loaning a movie and book,

A friend driving 45 minutes to help me with crazy house projects and the pleasure of spending the afternoon with someone who "gets me."

A very nice e-mail containing a very unexpected comment from a friend to say they care and to keep doing what I do.

I am truly blessed!

I have a loving daughter who has had to make the hard decisions in life and still keeps a giving spirit about her.  I have a caring son-in-love that loves my daughter.
I have 4 beautiful grandsons that love their Grams.
I have been blessed by the addition of a loving couple to our family that cares for another grandson and allows open access.
I have a smart and caring son that I'm sure will leave his mark on this world.
I have a small army of great friends that are there to cheer me on or cheer me up and a few close friends that know enough about me to run, yet choose to stay!

Now, if that's not enough to consider myself blessed, I have a great job with a great income, a roof over my head, food in the fridge and clothes in the closet.  I have a running car - without a car payment, I have a tank full of fish to calm me when stressed and I have a decent amount of my health left about me.

I went to sleep last night praying for a sign.  Well, here's my sign.