Have you ever heard of the Amateur Gourmet?

This food blog is one of the most fun I’ve read in a while. Adam D. Roberts has been writing it since 2004. He infuses his writing with easy wit and bits of useful information. His blog has garnered several media mentions and blog awards.

Adam shares his own recipes, how to guides, restaurant reviews and more. God ig around and you might just find yourself coming back again and again.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

The savvy CVS shoppers I know make it a point to visit and shop there at least once a week. Last week, there weren’t many deals, except for candy. So that’s what I stocked up on to generate a decent amount of Extra Care Bucks (ECBs). Here’s a summary of last week’s transactions:

Transaction 1 from last week

Items:
several bags of assorted candy and chocolates, reg. price $24 , on sale for $17.50
3 x Kotex products, reg. price $11.97, on sale for 3/$7.50
2 x Tom of Maine’s deodorant, reg. price $10.98, on sale for 2/$5.98
1 pack Scott paper towels, reg. price $9.99, on sale for $4.99
1 pack Pampers diapers, reg. price $17.99, on sale for $12.99
2 x Maxwell instant coffee, reg. price $7.89, on sale buy 1 get 1 free
1 bag marshmallows, $1.29
SUB-TOTAL = $58.14

Coupons:
2 Kotex manufacturer coupons ($1 each) – $2.00
1 Kotex manufacturer coupon – $.75
1 Pampers coupon – $1.00
used ECBs – $7.00

Total after savings = 47.39
Tax = $1.47
Out of pocket expense = $48.86
New ECBs generated = $5.00 (candy)

Transaction 2 from last week

Items:
4 x Johnson and Johnson allergy medicines, reg. price $6.49 each, on sale for $5 each = $20
3 CVS brand medicines, $15.47 total
SUB-TOTAL = $35.47

Coupons:
1 CVS brand coupon ($2.50/$12.50) – $2.50

Out of pocket = $34.95
New ECBs generated = $10.00 (for Johnson and Johnson products)

For the first transaction, I miscalculated and ended up being $2.50 short of getting another $5 in ECBs so I went back for another trip:

Transaction 3 from last week

Items:
more bags of candy and chocolate, reg. price$51, on sale for $35.50
2 x Crest toothpaste, reg. price $5.58, on sale 2 for $3.98
1 pack Bandaids, reg. price $3.29, on sale for $2.99
1 CVS brand medicine, $4.79
SUB-TOTAL = $47.26

Coupons:
2 x Crest coupons ($1 each) – $2.00
ECBs used – $15.00

Total out of pocket after savings = $30.26
New ECBs generated = $22.00 ($20 from candy + $2 from Bandaid)

****

My out of pocket expenses were a little high last week, but I got medicines and candy that we always buy anyway. And I now have enough candy to last us until Halloween! The ECBs I have left from last week were put to good use yesterday.

Pay close attention to this one, because there is still time left to duplicate these deals this week:

This week’s Transaction 1:

Items:
2 x Dawn dishwashing liquid, reg. price $1.99 each, on sale for $.88 = $1.76 for 2
2 x Crest toothpaste, reg. price $3.29 each, on sale for $2.49 = $4.98 for 2
2 x Oral B toothbrushes, reg. price $3.49 each, on sale for $2.49 = $4.98 for 2
2 x Covergirl make-up, reg. price $8.99, on sale buy 1 get 1 free = $8.99
2 x Sure deodorant, reg. price $2.69, on sale B1G1 = $2.69
2 x Magic tape, reg. price $2.79, on sale B1G1 = $2.79
2 x pencil pouches, reg. price $3.99, on sale B1G1 = $3.99
2 x erasers, reg. price $1.79, on sale B1G1 = $1.79
1 instant energy drink, $4.99
2 x large bottles of Pert plus shampoo, $5.99, special manager’s price B1G1 = $5.99
1 greeting card = $3.99
SUB-TOTAL = $46.94

Coupons:
2 x Sure manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00 (final cost $.35 each)
1 Covergirl manu. coupon (buy 1, get 1 free) – $8.99 (final cost, both free!)
2 x Pert Plus manu. coupons ($2 each) – $4.00 (final cost $1.00 each)
2 x Oral B manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00 (final cost $1.49 plus $1.50 ECB each)
2 x Crest manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00 (final cost $1.49 plus $1.50 ECB each)
2 x Dawn manu. coupons ($1/2) – $1.00 (final cost $.38 each)
used ECBs – $20.00

Total out of pocket after savings = $8.26
New ECBs generated = $10.99 (from energy drink, Crest and Oral B purchases)
Rebate amount = $5.00 (school supplies + Pert/Sure)

After rebate, the total for this transaction is … $3.26!!!

It would have been even lower than this, but I’d forgotten I had another $2 in ECBs tucked away. I could still use that $2 coupon next time, so it’s OK.

I also had a little bonus from the very nice manager of the store. You see, the Pert Plus shampoos were the big ones, instead of the smaller bottles advertised in the CVS flyers. They’d run out of the small bottles. But the manager told me I could substitute something else for them. So I got the big Pert bottles for 1/2 off each. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring the $3 coupons I had for these, but had the $2 ones for the small bottles. Can you imagine if I had those $3 coupons? My total would have been $1.26! But the manager was really nice, so again it’s OK. The deal he gave me only makes me love my local CVS even more.

You still have time to do this deal at your CVS store. Tips: I was able to stack the B1G1 sale for the Covergirl make-up with the manufacturer’s coupon, essentially making both items free. If you have a coupon for the $5 worth of school supplies with a $5 Pert/Sure purchase, be sure to use those too.

If you want to follow the progress of my CVS experiment, I keep track of everything at the CVS Savings page on the right.

UPDATE (8-8-08):

I made a second visit to CVS this week, and it turned out to be my best run yet!

This week’s Transaction #2:

Items:
2 x CoverGirl make-up, reg. price $7.99 each, on sale B1G1 = $7.99 for  2
2 x CVS envelopes, reg. price $1.69 each, on sale B1G1 = $1.69 for 2
SUB-TOTAL = $9.68

Coupons:
2 x CoverGirl manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00
1 Covergirl manu. coupon (buy 1, get 1 free) – $7.99

Total after savings = -$0.31
Tax = $.58
Total out of pocket = $0.27

Yes, that’s 27 cents for four items! The coupons paid for part of my tax. I didn’t even use ECBs for this one. If you have these coupons, try this scenario at your store. Some stores may not allow you to use the $1 off and B1G1 coupons together, but it’s worth a try.

image used with permission via CVS Media Library

Post from: Keeping the Castle

There have been reminders going my way about the coming school year: back-to-school sales, which I’ve been taking advantage of, as you should; my son’s list of things to bring to the first day of class. Everything he needs would fit nicely in a backpack. Not so for the college student, especially one who will live away from home for the first time.

To help you along, here’s a list of basic essentials:

For your comfort:
bedsheets (at least 2 sets, one to use and one to launder)
pillows
blankets
bed risers (to increase under-bed storage)
mattress pad/cover
alarm clock
fan
night light
pajamas
storage containers

For your nourishment:
silverware
cups/glasses/mugs
plates/bowls
dishwashing liquid
microwave
paper towels
mini-fridge
breakfast food
snacks
water bottle
juice
energy drinks
quick meals
(If you are able to cook, you’ll also need cooking utensils and cookware.)

For cleaning and laundry:
laundry detergent
fabric softener
hamper
vaccum
dusting supplies
iron
ironing board
trash bags
disinfecting wipes
paper towels
multipurpose cleaner

For your hygiene:
towels
washcloths
shower caddy
shower shoes
toothbrush
toothpaste
mouthwash
soap/body wash
shampoo and conditioner
deodorant

For your health:
pain reliever
allergy relief
cold/sinus relief
bandages
antibacterial ointment
contact lens solution/eyeglass cleaner

For studying:
desk lamp
calendar/planner
pencils/pens
notebooks/binder
notebook paper/filler
calculator
desk organizer
highlighters
dictionary
tape
stapler and staples
three-hole punch
backpack
surge protector
computer and accessories

For your social life:
cell phone and charger
digital camera
memory cards
batteries
address book

adapted from Sam’s Club newsletter; Creative Commons image by Conor Lawless on Flickr

Post from: Keeping the Castle

I picked the winning comment using random.org. And the number that was picked was:

#85! Congratulations to Patti!

Patti
Jul 30, 2008 at 6:26 pm

This magazine is wonderful. I’ve picked it up a few times, but don’t subscribe! Thanks for the chance!

I hope you enjoy this magazine as much as I do. I will send you an email about the details.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

* 101 green changes to save some green (written for small business owners, but totally applicable to the home) at Greener Assets

* No-bake Mango Griddle Scones from Baking Delights

* Turn old uniforms into a cool diaper bag, at Craftster (thanks to Tangled Thread!)

* 30 ways to use baskets for storage at Declutter It

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Even coffee-makers are smarter these days. As example is the Braun Tassimo Coffee Maker can deliver coffee, tea, espresso, hot chocolate, cappuccinos and lattes. Discs containing measured ingredients for your drink of choice are brewed perfectly each time. The secret are barcodes in the discs. The machine reads the barcode and knows the temperature, amount of water, and brewing time needed for the perfect beverage.

Products like this take the guesswork out of the perfect cup of coffee, or tea.

Spotted at Macy’s.

affiliate links

Post from: Keeping the Castle

As a blogger and an at-home mom, I not only work from home, but I’m also highly mobile within my home. Sometimes, the place where I work is my own choice, but there are times when it is dictated by my children’s mood for the day. For now, there is just no way I can seclude myself inside an office to work in peace and quiet. As a result, I’ve blogged from just about every room in my house.

While I’ve been working on setting up a space just for my files, I also found that I need a container of some sort that could move around with me. RealSimple’s Portable File Tote is just the right thing for the purpose.

This sturdy tote is a mobile filing cabinet. There’s a frame for hanging folders (as well as three folders ready to use). The top is open, which makes accessing files very easy. There are also a couple of pockets and pen loops on the inside, as well as an ID window on the outside.

I use my tote to store and carry the current month’s magazines that I subscribe to, my planner, notes about future and work-in-progress writing projects, extra sheets of paper, and a couple of pens. These files are now ready to go with me anywhere, even in the car!

If you work from home and find that you’re constantly going to your filing cabinet to retrieve items that you use often, consider setting up a portable system like this. It will save you time, keep you from misplacing papers and help you be organized wherever you choose to work for the day.

There are other similar totes out on the market. I found this particular one at Target. You can even adapt a simple tote bag to carry files.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

* Coach Soho Multi Print Hobo Bag from La Vie de Laurie

* SweetPea3 MP3 player from Mom Most Traveled

* Gifts from a Jar cookbooks (2) from The Fat Bottomed Girl

* Vintage apron from Confessions of an Apron Queen

* “Eat, Shrink and Be Merry” healthy eating cookbook from All Holiday Cafe

* Busy Body Book academic year planners (2) from That Crazy Mom

* Gift certificates from Extraordinary Mommy

* MoGo Mouse from Guerilla Parenting

* Let’s Go Green tote bag with green household products from A Mama’s Blog

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Domino is my current fave homemaking and decor magazine. I find a lot of inspiration in the pages of this magazine. If you want to win this giveaway, just leave a comment. One comment per household please.

This contest is open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2008. I will randomly pick a winner this weekend. This contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Good luck!

image via Amazon.com

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Most of these lists also include any coupons that you can stack with the store sales. Here are some of the sale lists I’ve been able to find:

Walgreens August freebies list at Money Saving Mom; scanned pages of the flyer here

CVS Weekly Deals listed at Coupon Cravings

Preview of CVS ExtraCare Savings for August at Keeping the Kingdom First

Cheap school supplies at Staples, also at Keeping the Kingdom First

Post from: Keeping the Castle