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.