My Pink Tree

As most of my close family and friends know I'm having a lot of vision issues because of my little condition. I'm still steady on losing weight, exercising, staying on my medication, keeping a positive attitude, and never giving up on hope. That being said, I am also brave enough with my vision in a weakened state to be bold enough to enjoy every little pleasure that sight has to behold without reservation. 

It may sound a little backwards or whatever, but I am totally focusing on the decorations this year. Yes, it will cut into my gift giving budget but I'm loving each and every decoration I SEE!! I caved in and am going back to letting the family have their real tree up this year and making the huge family outting of the tree farm and all the shenanigans that our family does with the live tree. For the trade off they have (of course they didn't know there would be a trade off, lol) my own individual artificial tree.

My tree is a little 3 ft. white tree, decorated with pink or a weird off set purple/pink ornaments (that bless the staff at Menards help me know the difference between pink and red, since I can't see that difference right now). And I even found a wonderful set of PINK lights to go on the tree. It is my very own pink tree, and I kid you not I cry everytime I look at it. I truly love this little tree.

Anyone who knows me may ask why pink? I'm not a girly girl. My daughters were not girly girls. I am surrounded by testosterone, I even have 3 grandsons that I wouldn't want any other way. So why go with pink?

Pink = Strength, at least in my mind.

This tree represents to me: all the women who have fought breast cancer or any cancer and won or went on to rest because they had the strength, all the women who have carried a child and lost that child because they had the strength, all the women who raised children whether they gave birth to them or not because they had the strength, all the women who had to fight twice as hard in a man's world because she had the strength, all the women who stayed in abusive relationships and the ones who got out because they had the strength, all the women who like them or not are strong role models for women- Cher (I listen to her daily right now, she's like a cup of coffee for me), Madonna, Rosie, Oprah, Ellen, Goldie Hawn, these women have stood some battles through the media throughout time have the strength. It takes a special strength in being a strong woman and pink feels fitting to all the strong woman. 

So to all the strong women out there...I thank you. I know I'm strong...because I am a woman. And with the holidays of thankful and hope upon us I proudly display my little pink tree. 
 

Grocery Shopping in Sandusky (Sept. 5 & 6)

I'm going to be honest this is where I will be doing the majority of my families grocery shopping this weekend. There's a lot that has to be done for my family at the different stages of our lives and I can get quite a bit done in Sandusky. Yes, it's a bit of a drive but it's more than worth it for us. 

Kroger-(they have a shopper's card that you can load digital coupons on from home. )

• Currently this week there is a Buy 5 and save $5 off instantly so when I give you the price on these it's going to be after the 5 is bought. The 5 items can be mixed and matched, and there is more in the store than even what the ad shows.
• Red Raspberries 6 oz. $.99
• Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios $1.49 after you buy 5 plus there is paper cpns out there
• Gain 50 oz. laundry detergent $4.99 after you buy 5 plus cpn
• Capri Sun including roaring watering $1.49 after you buy 5
• Miracle Whip $2.49 after you buy 5 plus newspaper cpn
• Tide Pods $3.99 after you buy 5 plus newspaper cpn
• Dawn Dish Soap $1.99 after you buy 5 plus newspaper cpn
• Pantene Shampoo $2.49 after you buy 5 plus cpn
• Broccoli crowns $.99
• Powerade 8pk $3.49 after you buy 5
• 4 pk kraft mac n cheese bowls $2.49 after you buy 5
• Nutella 16 oz. $2.49 after you buy 5
• Sargento cheese $2.29 after you buy 5 plus cpn
• Mr. Clean Muscle/Febreeze air effects $1.99 after you buy 5 plus cpn

Then of course I go fill up at Kroger fuel with my fuel perks.

Meijer's  (mobile coupons)

I'm only just starting to shop at Meijer's so I'm learning, but there is some pretty good deals I added to my phone this week. Since I'm in Sandusky I will pop in and check it out.

Menard's (another new one for me, but they do take manufacture coupons and they are located right on 250 down from the mall)

• They are offering a $10 rebate if you spent $40 on select P&G items.
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser $2.29 + cpn
• Tide Oxi Multi-Purpose $7.99 + (there was a $4 cpn in this past Sunday paper)
• Bounce Dryer Sheets 80 ct $3.69 +cpn
• Downy Unstoppables$5.99 + cpn
• Era 96 loads $7.77 + cpn
• Tide Simply Clean 89 loads $7.77 +cpn

Target  (cartwheel, mobile coupons, print target coupons, manufacture coupons, target card gets an extra 5% off, and 5 cents off per bag when you bring your own)
No special deals per say for me out of the ad, but there is some good scenarios I've come up with on some of their everyday things that I'm out of that I will be picking up this week.

I know this isn't local shopping like I've always done, but my local has had to get bigger. I wish all of you happy shopping and fun this weekend.   

Grocery Deals in Norwalk this weekend (Sept. 5 & 6)

I don't know about the rest of you but with the start of the new school year; college supplies, high school stuff, a flat tire here, a car break down there, and extra medical bill there I need to tighten that grocery budget a little tighter still yet. So I've worked extra hard this week finding some of the best deals out there minus one major store, and I'm sure before long I'm going to need to make a run through there to see how their prices are stacking up compared with everywhere else. These are just some of the highlights of things our family stocks up on so fill free to check these stores websites out to see their deals for your family.

Some things I've added recently to help me save money is the receipt rebate sites such as Ibotta and Checkout51 from my smartphone. I also do as many mobile coupons as I can to help save time and ink, but have no fear I still print them, get coupons from magazines, and the weekly newspapers. 

Okay here is some of the best grocery deals that I've found in the Norwalk area. 

Walgreens- (mobile coupons, register rewards are like a coupon you can use on your next transaction, and you need a walgreens card to get the deals)

•  MILK the lowest I've found in 3 counties $2.69
• Epsom Salt $4.00- $4.00 register rewards
• Cottonelle toliet paper 12 pk. $3.99-cpn in newspaper

 Dollar General- (mobile coupons, you can use one dg cpn and one manf. cpn per item)

• Coke 12 pks. $3.00
• Lay's Chips $2.00
• Little Debbie snack cakes $1.50
• Gain 50 oz. laundry detergent $4.95 +cpn (get $5 off your next purchase when you spend $15 of select gain products)

Aldi-(no coupons, cards, just your own bags)

• Green Seedless Grapes $.89/lb
• Navel Oranges $1.99 for a 3 lb. bag
• Roma Tomatoes $.69 per 16 oz. pkg

Gardner's-(print cpns straight from their website & they double up to 99 cents)

• Totino's Pizza & Pizza Rolls 11/$10 sale=$.91 each
• Jumbo Green Peppers $.69 each
• Zesta Saltines $2.00

Drug Mart-(they do have a courtesy card but you don't have to have it to get the deals)

• Healthy Choice Soup $1.00
• White Potatoes 10 lb. bag $2.99
• Seedless Cucumbers 5/$5
• Yellow Cooking Onions 2 lb. bag $.99
• Purell hand sanitizer jelly wraps  $1 + cpn on 2

Schild's IGA -(no card needed)

• Nickles Bread 20 oz. loaf $1.00
• IGA microwave popcorn $1.00
• I didn't mention meat prices throughout this entire post because the prices are rough, but if you really need a steak t-bones are $7.98/lb here

Family Dollar-(grab an ad when you walk in the door for in store coupons also they have a mobile site)

• Glad Trash Bags 16-50 count $5.50 
• Lysol Wipes 35 ct $2.00
• Colgate Toothpaste $1.00+ newspaper cpn
• Clorox Smart Bleach $2.00 + online cpn= $1.00

Also on Saturday mornings there is the Farmer's Market right uptown Norwalk with all kinds of local vendors selling fresh produce and other goodies. Don't forget to stop along local fruit and veggie stands throughout your day also. You may have noticed a few items on my lists that are not "grocery", but since they come out of my "grocery" budget they get included in the grocery list. Also Dollar Tree now takes manufacture coupons there is a print limit on items, but I don't think there is a newspaper clipped coupon limit.     

Raising Older Teenagers

I've raised three of them (teenagers) that is, and truth be told it is like one giant roller coaster ride for me. I've read all kind of articles on how great it is, and how nightmarish it can be but in reality it's a crap shoot. There are tons of factors that will play into these years of course, but since I'm posting my opinion here we will go with my experience. 

I've raised my kids to be independent thinkers, meaning this: think for yourself don't just go with the flow. Now this translated during their teen years into pushing boundaries, challenging discussions on EVERYTHING, picking roads less traveled for career choices, and as much as it has pained me putting distance between me and them every now and then during the college years to make sure their views were their views and not mine. This was needed for them to grow and me.

Here is a factor that is debated at our house my last child is my son, and the other two are my daughters. My son is so different from both of them is it because he is the last child or because he is a boy? If you've ever meet him you would know it's just him, his personality, his thinking, etc. He doesn't just think outside the box sometimes I think he doesn't even see the box when solving a problem. When I asked him once if your friends were jumping off a bridge would you, his response was where's the bridge at? how deep is the water? are there bungee cords or a straight jump? (this question was just asked a few weeks ago).

My girls well they are opposites too. I am very fortunate because their opposing views on things they don't try to change the other one, but try to see things through different perceptions. The mountains that these two have climbed on their own journeys leave me in awe and amazement. 

There is no perfect book to tell you how to raise them to be great adults. Prayer daily is a must have. Communication, and yes even a little space. Let them make mistakes, teach them how to have fun doing things, unplug every now and then, especially at this age keep reminding them of basic principles, and at the end of the day sometimes it's still just a crap shoot.  



 

College Life- views from a parent

I'm delighted to present my views and perceptions on college life by a parent (myself, a non-college educated way too young to have children in college herself kind of person). I recently picked up my middle child for a 2 week break between her summer classes and preparing for the fall ones, and made some new observations. This isn't going to be one of those sappy posts. I love all my children and I'm extremely proud of them ALL, they have crossed mountains that I'm left in awe of. That being said let's get down to the rough side of reality:

• The surprise visit- don't do it!! For everyone involved parents just don't. Surprise them with money, surprise them with care packages, not a surprise visit. 
• Survival-as the first year progresses they get new survival instincts some are great, some not so much. Remember they have their own goal in mind they are doing what you taught them...going after it. Sometimes that means distant from us.
• Adults in charge- ha!! The adults that are mentoring our super young adults worry me. That being said pray for them, and in true me fashion I still draw bushy eyebrows on them in the program.  
• REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM!!- for good or bad don't forget it. I will preach this night and day always. 
• Dorms-oh for crying out loud. Your kid has wanted their own room their whole life just to get excited about sharing a dorm room at college. This topic could get an entire post by itself. Share, be courteous, have fun but not too much, pick up after yourself, use the cleaning supplies I bought you...you're wasting your breath here none of these things will happen. You should just get out the black sharpie now and put their name on all their stuff just like when they were in kindergarten. 
• Unnecessary items- there is sooooo much that they really do not need to take with them that the 'college' say to. Again an entire post just for this topic. Keep in mind you will eventually have to pick them up and it's all nice and neat now, there stuff will grow and things will not be nice and neat. All that being said there is quite a bit that the 'college' doesn't tell you that they will need. I think it all depends on your new adult.
• Condoms-don't go all bugged eyed on me. No matter what your views here is and how you raised your kid. Buy them and pack them. 
• Laundry- stay on them constantly about this.To me this is the dominant smell of the dorms and it's not fabric softener sheets.

Good luck parents!!   

The Power of a Dress

There was a dress needed emergency for my niece's Brandy daughter Nikya this week. I had 72 hours to buy material make a dress and ship it out. I succeeded, but there was some much needed reflection and inner peace that came from making this dress.

There is truly magic in the right dress for any girl of any age. There is something about creating something for a special loved one that is hard to put into words. You tuck special prayers and ask the Lord to guide these young ones with every stitch you take. One of a kind this dress surely is, but it's more about a young girl's "where there is a will there is a way", and a sentimental older girl's love for family.

Grocery Shopping- Week of May 19, 2014 (Huron County)

Here's some of my favorite buys of the week from our Huron county stores that I will be stopping at later on in the week.

Gardner's- Their ad runs till Sunday May 24, 2014. Make sure and check their store ad out for additional coupons. They have FABULOUS steak prices and of course Kraft product special buys this week. Check out there website for a look at their weekly ads.  

Schild's IGA- Ad runs till Sunday May 24, 2014. They also have steak on sale, and Kraft items. I will be purchasing quite a bit of produce here that they have on sale this week. I will be purchasing my "splurge" items here my favorite deli meat that is on sale this week, and Smith's Sweet Iced Tea. Two of my favorite summer favorites.

Miller's Market- This is a little special nugget in New London. We of course get their flyer in the mail and it's a hop skip and a jump to the store. They win hands down on meat prices for me and my family two weeks in a row this week. Plus they double coupons everyday up to .50 cents. Check them out at millersmarkets.net 

Aldi's- there ad only runs till 5/20. Special deals there for me is lettuce at .79 and strawberries at $1.29.

CVS- have some unbelievable good deals using the extra care bucks this week and manufacturing coupons. Don't be afraid to do multiple transactions. You must have a CVS card to get the deals, if you don't have one it only takes a second to sign up.

Walgreens- they actually have FREE items using their register rewards program this week. Great deals on sunscreen too!!

Everyone have a great weekend!!      

Memorial Day Grocery Shopping Week of May 19- Sandusky

Here it is Memorial Day weekend shopping and I'm not even close to wanting potato salad to be honest I haven't even put away my hat and glove box yet. Mother Nature hasn't been real clear what season she wants to be in so I'm unsure what outerwear I should put away, lol. All that being said here goes some of the highlights of sales out there this week. Please keep in mind some of these store prices actual end tomorrow so we will actually be getting NEW ads before the weekend hits.I'll be posting throughout the day for the huron and lorain county ads.

Meijer-sale ad runs through Saturday May 24, 2014. (yes, I know it's a superstore, but I only went on the grocery side if that helps.)

• A.1. Steak Sauce $2.99
• Lawry's Seasonings $2.49
• Ground Beef (80/20) $2.49/lb
• Sweet Corn 6/$1
• Raspberries (6 oz.) 5/$5
• Coke (24 pk) $5
• Gatorade (8pk) 2/$8 *watch for the $1 off 2 coupon hanging off some pks
• Hershey's Bars 2/$6 *plus there's a SS coupon online
• Twizzlers $1.69
• Peaches $1.88/lb     

Kroger- this is one that only last till Tuesday May 20, 2014. They are having a huge digital coupon sale that means is totally loaded straight on your card and they are big values.

• Chicken Breast $1.88/lb.
• Viva or Cottonelle $6.99 with $2 digital coupon= $4.99
• Tide $11.99 with $2 digital coupon = $9.99
• Kettle Chips $1.99 w/ $1/2 coupon
• Tostitos $2.99 w/ $1 digital coupon = $1.99
• Breyers Ice Cream $2.99 w/.50 digital coupon = $2.49
• Pringles 2/$3 w/ digital coupon = $1
• Green Leaf Lettuce .99
• Bread $1 plus .75 Ibotta = .25

Dollar General- the major sale item this week for me was the coke products $2.50 a 12 pk!!!     

•     

Driving Across Ohio To Get My Kids For Easter

As I get older and my family gets older it's the little things like having them all together that are absolutely priceless to me. I know all to well the sacrifices especially the girls have to make to indulge me in this. I've worked on this blog post for a week, because I get so emotional with the blessing I have in them all. I spent last Thursday & Friday driving across Ohio picking up my kids so I can see them all for Easter. Thursday I went and met dad & to get Brandon in Marietta, and Friday I went to get Madeline from college in Defiance. Yes, it's all sweet and lovely, but this particular blog post will be addressing the concerns I having in the driving longer than 20 minute distance trip. Here we go:

•  If we are paying to drive the turnpike shouldn't there be a discounted rate for construction zones lasting longer than 3 miles? Especially since fines are doubled in these areas.
• Just a thought, but for everyone involved I feel the Amish buggy's should have a lot more reflective gear placed on them for night driving.
• On holiday traveling weekends we all know there will be more people out so why why why can't we all be more patient with each other....including myself??
• Those who are in charge of designing our highways, why put an exit ramp and an entrance ramp at the exact same point of merging?
• Gas prices...I just shake my head. That being said the makers of my fine automobile did a fine job, 1 tank covered all the way to Marietta & back. 1 tank covered to Defiance and back.

We all jump the hoops of life to go after the things we want most. For me this Easter weekend it was to have my children home.

Terrific Target- Week of April 13-19

I am starting to really love taking a trip to Target with the new smartphone. There is a couple beautiful mobile coupons to make the grocery trip easier this week, and hello don't forget the awesome cartwheel app. That little cartwheel app saves you money on the things you already put in your cart, beautiful money saver. My daughter & I was talking recently about cereal prices so I've been paying attention for some deals on cereal, and came across this little deal:
*Now Target doesn't put their cereal prices online you must actually go to the store to see the actual price, but their cereals have been randomly running sale prices lately.
*There is cartwheel discounts on Frosted Mini-Wheats, and Rice Krispries, a mobile coupon of $10 off of $50 worth of groceries spent
*Target paper coupons on Fruity Pebbles, and manufacture coupons on general mills cereals, I believe Kellogg's website also has coupons on Frosted Mini-Wheats & Rice Krispries, plus there is Kashi cereal coupons out there. 

On to more "Easter" type groceries and beyond this week at Target:

• dozen eggs 99 cents
• 24 pk. water $2.50 + cartwheel
• Easter candy on sale + mobile coupon on 2 large bags
• tons of Target brand groceries that have cartwheel or target paper coupons
• *totally non-grocery item that I've had my eye on is a super cute purple purse to match my shoes

Happy Easter Weekend!!!

I Caved...Over Cupcakes

Yes, I did the unthinkable I went to a supercenter at 10pm at night over cupcakes. Why? Why? Why? you may ask...here's the story. It was my son's birthday and he was taking cupcakes in to one of his high school classes on Monday morning. It was a Sunday and my favorite local bakery was closed Sunday & Monday, some of my other runner up bakery was very pricey. I looked high and low at all the stores I could think of in the close towns. My son suggested we make them, I considered this. As time progressed on late into Sunday evening I caved, and went to the supercenter. I wasn't disappointed over the price, the convenience, or the cupcakes. I almost had myself convinced that I may have been overreacting to the supercenters. Right up until the checkout where the cashier was totally not friendly and almost tipped my cupcakes over, and the doors that I came in were now closed and I had to walk all the way back down out the other set. There was no sign posted just closed, and when I asked an employee they said 'go around' like it was no big deal.

The supercenters have their place in peoples lives and some people absolutely love them, but for me I will continue to shop my little local stores. I will probably visit the supercenters occasionally so don't have a heart attack if you see me there, but they aren't my go to stores any longer. I guess I have reached the point in my life that if I'm paying money to a store I want to be treated like a human being and since stores still treat me like that I will shop those stores.

Crossing to the dark side...or technology

I call it the dark side others call it technology, civilization, etc. I bought smartphones for the family. Yes, you heard me right. My very very patient son-in-law walked me through the process step by step. He didn't make me feel stupid about knowing so little about all the advances they had made throughout the years. He taught me how to use the features that I needed without pushing all kinds of extra things that I wasn't ready yet for. I of course wanted the "coupon" apps which I'm learning more and more about, but he literally had to start with teaching me the non slide out keyboard. The billing part wasn't the horrible thing that always took my breath away he was able to find a plan that worked for us with a special promo. I strongly encourage any of you that don't like your current phone or if I truly wasn't the last person without a smartphone let me know and I'll get you in contact with him. Thanks Casey for everything.

Grocery Shopping Weekend April 4-6

As most of you know things have been a little hectic around my house over the last week, sorry for the delay in blogging for those of you who appreciate my humor and all. Alas it is that time again for my household to endure the grocery stores. I must admit I am behind in my coupons and am not posting every possible deal that can be found out there. (Of course this is minus all the mobile coupons & deals out there as well.) I will get back to serious business here in the next few weeks. Here goes for the stores I will be shopping in the Huron County area:

I need to stress that while I have been in our local stores I have been finding some great not advertised deals as well. This week I will be leaving a little more wiggle room to the budget for these deals.

Starting out in New London this weekend at Miller's there sale ad runs through Sunday, April 6th. They also double coupons up to 50 cents daily. The meat sale they are having this week is definitely what is pulling me in. 

• Boneless Chuck Roast $3.69/lb 
• Boneless Chuck Steak $3.79/lb
• Fresh Pork Steak $1.99/lb
• Western Style Ribs $1.89/lb
• **These are family packs only!!!**
• Powerade $3.99 (8 pk)

Gardner's in Norwalk in having a $1, $2, $3, $4, $5 sale this week. If you follow the ads you'll notice that a lot of stores follow the same type of items on sale, but here are some extra special deals that jumped out at me.

• Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix $1
• 7-up Products 4/$10 *must buy 4
• **This is wonderful deal if you are needing to stock up for summer outings.**
• There is an entire ad of great deals to look through and find what you need for your family.  
• They also have a VIP text club- the number and message is at the bottom of their ad.

Schild's IGA- this store has been nothing but pleasant surprises for me. They are having a special Saturday sale also with special deals.

• T-Bone or Porterhouse Steak (Sat. only)
• Butterball Ground Turkey (Sat. only) 
• Sugardale Sliced Bacon (Sat. only)
• Trop50 orange juice $2.88
• Kretschmar Smoked Virginia Ham $4.88/lb...sliced to order in the deli
• IGA individual pizza 89 cents
• IGA garlic bread 2/$3
• They are having a great pb & jelly sale also especially if you buy both.

I've already posted the Aldi ad for this week, which I will be shopping at, but a very nice price on bananas this week at 39 cents/lb.

CVS has mailed out special coupons for card holders and I believe it is time for the quarterly rewards to come out so make sure and scan your card when you enter the store. Special buys this week is Pepsi products, and tons of Easter candy that you can pair with coupons. Also CVS jelly beans 88 cents.

Walgreens has lots of make-up deals, cleaning products, dog treats, candy, and a very special favorite of mine....eggs. Who would have thought, but I was excited to see eggs at $1.29.


Family Dollar has crystal light packets on sale this week, and Tide among many other items. Don't forget to use your Tide coupons. 


Dollar General is a hot little gem this weekend. They have a $5 off $25 purchase coupon that was either at the bottom of a previous receipt or you can print one out on their website. They also have items on sale right now that will match nicely with the coupons already out circulating right now.

• Hefty trash bags $5...plus a $1cpn 
• Shout Color Catchers $2.50...plus a 75 cent off 2 cpn
• Herbal Essence Body Wash $2.50...plus a $1cpn
• Gain 50oz. $4.95...plus a 50cent cpn

My last little store is the charming Drug Mart where there is also a ton of deals. Shampoo, Candy, and lots and lots of produce. My family is picky about their produce, and this little store has surprised me with a delightful selection and very nice quality. I was really impressed. *Don't forget to pick up a coloring sheet so your little one can enter the coloring contest.                    

Did I Survive Without Shopping Walmart?

Yes, I did survive. I didn't turn to any of the other 'supercenter' stores either. I'm not going to lie it was a little harder than I thought it was going to be. I've shopped these supercenter stores for years and years you get use to certain things and change is always different and sometimes leaves you questioning yourself. I'm not the kind of person to ever take an easy path or a path heavily traveled for that matter. For those of you who know me well and know the area we live in the supercenters have become a convenient, cheaper store for us to get everything we need at one place for our larger families. How did I do, and what did I do?? Read on.

Friday night my son was on a mission to find a game from a hundred years ago it seemed so we went to Sandusky to search Game Stop stores for that, and stopped by Kroger. (See how I made the teen happy and got help at a grocery store here.) I stopped by the customer service window told them it was my first time in Kroger and I needed one of their cards and the do's and don't's of their store and coupon polices. I couldn't have asked for a friendlier and more helpful representative. Again it was a Friday night and they took time for me. I still saved 50% with sales and coupons which is great for my first time in the store. I was well pleased.

Saturday morning started early because of stores that had certain sale times. I stuck to the local Norwalk stores and to the items on my lists. I shopped 5 stores and was able to get everything I needed. My meat and produce was high quality. There was no long lines, store employees were friendly. I didn't know the lay out of the stores, but I will learn them. I spent less money, a whole lot less money. I didn't feel exhausted when I got home, I was actually ready to cook some of the food I just bought. 

My son went with me and he wanted some impulse items that I normally say yes to, but without his supercenter he couldn't find them etc. It was easier for me to say "no", which led to me explaining throughout stores why I'm taking the break. To a teenager he may not understand my reasoning, but he probably won't forget our grocery store trips this weekend either.    

Sandusky Grocery Shopping Weekend of March 21-22

I'm not as familiar with the Sandusky grocery stores so I'm walking into some new water here. I'm more than sure I will handle it. I have older teenagers and it's important that I get everything I need. I will be making my trips count because of the cost of gas, but a little planning goes a long way. I have read online about each of the stores coupon policies, but I do plan on stopping by customer service before I start shopping just to make sure I understand everything correctly.

Kroger- I owe this store my business. I have price matched their ads for quite awhile now, it's time they got my business. This is the one ad that drives me to get up early and make sure I go get my Sunday morning papers, why? Simply put, they have the food on sale my family needs especially for packing lunches, to go snacks, sports drinks, and for that matter all my son & husband's favorites. Some of the big things to pay attention to is the special price is if you buy 5 or whatever, for me it's more what is the limit on items.You will need the Kroger card for their deals.

• Frito Lay Stax Chips $1.00
• Kroger Bread or Buns $1.00
• Capri Sun $1.49 when you buy 5 participating items
• Coca-Cola 12 pk. 3/$9 *must buy 3 to get this price
• Powerade 8pk $3.99 when you buy 5 participating items
• Purex Laundry Detergent 75 oz. $2.99 (plus there is a manufacturing coupon out there)
• Tide Detergent or Gain Detergent 50 oz. $4.99 when you buy 5 participating items (plus coupon)
• Birds Eye Volia Skillet Meal $2.99  when you buy 5 participating items
• DiGiorno Pizza $4.99 when you buy 5 participating items (plus coupon)
• Kroger Popcorn Chicken $4.99 when you buy 5 participating items
• Hefty Trash Bags $6.99 (plus coupon)
• Scott Bathroom Tissue 16 Double Rolls $6.99 (plus coupon)
• Cheetos $1.49 when you buy 5 participating items
• Ritz Crackers $1.77 when you buy 5 participating items

I am really looking forward to meeting Kroger for the first time.

Meijer-has a special spring cleaning ad that I'm going to look through. I'm a big environment friendly cleaner kind of person so we will have to see what the ad has to offer.

Ollie's- I'm in Sandusky, of course I'm going to stop by Ollie's and see what sales they have going on.

JoAnne Fabric- Huge coupon sale for crafters of any kind this weekend. If you shopped their stores last week you received a 25% off your total purchase coupon for you & and a friend. They also mailed one out this week. Keep an eye out on your emails also.

Since I'm going to the "big" city for groceries I might just make the day a little special and treat myself to a special lunch. I'll let you know all about it.