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.  

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 :)

Mindful Living Update

Well, here we are a few days into the tracking of my new adventure. I have much left to work on, but I get side-tracked easily. As I started packing up my Christmas decorations, I realized I had a LOT of gift items on hand...and not all in one place, of course! So I pulled out a tote and decided it would become the "gift holder". I also realized I had had some of the items for a long time and had forgetten about them! That lead to me starting a list of what I had on hand. I am hopeful I won't have to buy much in the way of gifts for a while.

Here's my challenge to you: take a look around your house and see what you have on hand that can be used for gift giving. These may be new items you had picked up and forgot about, books you've never read (and likely won't) or books you have read that are in near perfect shape, bath sets that still have a piece you won't use, odd mugs, etc. As you find these, put them on a list and then tuck them all away in one place. You'd be amazed at what you really have on hand!

Free (or nearly there) Gift Idea - Tasty Tea Time

Tasty Tea Time (for the tea lover - as cheap as FREE!)

At its cheapest version: Use one of your mismatched coffee mugs. Grab a half dozen or so tea bags (assorted if you have them) and place them inside the mug. Wrap in a variety of ways with what you have on hand - lace, ribbon, cloth napkin, etc.

If you have it around the house: Team it up with a small vase, a votive candle, magazine or book to enhance their tea time experience.

For a small amount of money: Pick up a more vintage tea cup/saucer set (or make it two) for them to have a matching pair to share tea time.

I've put this together for my mother. She likes tea, but cannot have the caffeine that comes in most. Being on a fixed income keeps her from splurging on herself. I grabbed a cute coffee cup from the cabinet and a few packs of many different flavors of caffeine free tea (I had these on hand as I have cut caffeine out of my diet). This was wrapped with pretty fabric and ribbon with a few magazines that needed to move on. Cost - a few minutes of my time!

Free (or nearly there) Gift Idea - Happy Memories Collection

Part of my quest is to better use what I have at hand. Gift giving is an an area that can really zap our wallets, especially when that ‘lost’ birthday invite is unearthed from its ‘hiding’ place or Aunt Sue decided to drop in for the holidays…unexpectedly! As I get a chance, I'll post some of the items I have done (or am currently working on) to get your creative juices flowing. I'd love to hear your comments or ideas in this area!

Happy Memories Collection (any age – as cheap as FREE!)

At its cheapest version: Grab a handful of your extra photos that include the recipient. On the back of each one, write a comment about the event. Tie a pretty piece of ribbon around them and you are done!

If you have it around the house: Place them in a storage box of appropriate size or even a photo album (be sure the notes can be seen or write the notes to the side of each picture).

For a small amount of money: Wrap the pictures in an inexpensive hanky or pretty piece of fabric.