Holiday Budget...Do you have one?

One big reason people rack up the Credit Card bills and spend down their accounts is because they simply do not budget! I put together a simple Christmas Budget Sheet. It will help you spend less. I find when people don't have a set plan is when they spend more.

Heads up! KMart

KMart will be doing their DOUBLE COUPON Sale again!

SuperKmarts November 12-16! None in my area.

All KMarts November 30-December 6th

My friend called the Customer Service number to verify this information. Thanks Lisa!

Last time they had this they doubled all coupons up to $2! I saved a ton last time, go check out what I got. It might get ya to store up your coupons for the sale.

Shaws Super Shopping Deals + CVS

I couldn't fit everything into 1 picture so here they are:

Shaw's Transaction #1

4- Chef Boyardee $4.00
6-Healthy Choice Canned Soup $6.00
2-Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers $5.00
2-Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers $5.50

Coupons:
2- Healthy Choice Soup $1/3
1- Chef Boyardee $1/4
2- 2-Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers $1/1
2- 2-Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers $1/1
2- $5 off my order from last week

The tax was -$1.50

OOP: $2.00

Got $10 off my next order coupon

Shaw's Transaction #2

Idaho Instant Potatoes $1.39
GV Sugar $1.89
Applesauce $1.89
4- Betty Crocker Cake Mix $4
4- Select Harvest Soup $4
2- Town House Crackers $3.76
Apple Juice $1.50
5- Bird's Eye Steam Fresh $5
12- Bird's Eye Vegetables $12
2- Ghirardelli Cho. Squares $3.78 on clearance from Halloween
3-Wheat Bread $4.99

Coupons:
1-Idaho Instant Potatoes $1.39
1- Ghirardelli Cho. Squares $1/2
5- Bird's Eye Steam Fresh $1.5/1
4- Bird's Eye Vegetables $1/3
1-Town House Crackers $1/2
1- $5 off my order from last week
1-$10 off fron transaction #1

Again Tax was -$.75

OOP: $14.56

CVS:

1 Box Fruit Loops $2.00
1 Box Smart Start $2.50

1-Box Fruit Loops $1/1
1-Box Smart Start $1/1

OOP: $2.50

From Both Stores
Grand Total Savings: $99.68
Grand Total OOP: $19.06

Coupons that Printed out:
Select Harvest $1/5
Hormel Compleats $1/1
Campbell's Chuncky Fully Loaded $1/1

Are you throwing money out your windows?

You could be loosing money with out even knowing it! A few months ago I was reading a local paper that was talking about saving energy. It said that you can call your electrical provider and ask them if they will do a FREE Energy Audit. The main reason I wanted to call was because the house is drafty sometimes. They came last week and the gentleman that came was very nice and educational. He walked threw the whole house with my husband looking from basement to roof. He gave us some tips on what we could do to improve the efficiency of our house.

They also have programs like a $300 rebate for a hot water heater, that would save on oil for us. A interest free loan for efficient windows and/ or insulating the house any where from $2,000 - $10,000.

They even clanged ALL of our light bulbs to Compact Florescent Light bulbs for FREE! If you have seen the price tags on those puppies you know they aren't cheap!

Some tips you can look for:

1. Gaps and cracks: When sealing smaller air leaks to keep air-conditioned or heated air inside your home, caulks and foam sealants are the product for you:
   • Gaps up to 1/2": Caulk
   • Gaps up to 2": Latex foam sealant
   • Gaps over 2": Polyurethane foam sealant
2. Windows: You can quickly seal around windows using caulks and weather-strip tape. You can also apply window film in the winter. If considering replacing your windows, ensure your selection is Energy Star® certified.
3. Doors: As with windows, sealing around doors is quick and easy. Use caulks and weather-stripping to seal the perimeter of the door, and install a threshold to prevent air from leaking from under the door.
4. Thermostats: Invest in a 5/2-day programmable thermostat and keep heat-generating appliances several feet away, such as lamps and entertainment centers.
5. Ceiling fans: An inexpensive way to feel warmer in the winter, set fan to a low spin in a clockwise rotation when your heat is turned on.
6. Hot water: An easy way to keep your hot water at the right temperature without using lots of additional energy is to wrap your hot water heater with an insulating jacket and hot water pipes with insulating pipe foam. Be sure to follow directions for your model type (gas, oil, or electric heater.)
7. Basements: In unfinished basements, the joint between the top of the basement wall and the wooden frame is a common place for air leaks, as it is above ground on the exterior of the wall. This can be fixed by using an all-purpose sealant. Also ensure that any basement windows are properly sealed (see tip #2).
8. Ducts: Heating and cooling accounts for approximately half of your energy bill. To have your HVAC system maximize its efficiency, make sure the ducts that transfer air to various rooms are well insulated and you change the HVAC filter regularly. Duct sleeves are simply installed around exposed joints in the vent system where two pieces join together to prevent heated or cooled air from leaking out.
9. Attics: Attic fans cool hot attics by pulling cooler, outside air in and by pushing the hot air out. If your attic is not properly sealed from the house underneath, that expensive air-conditioned or heated air will rise to the attic and out through the fan. Seal and insulate your attic properly by using fiberglass rolls, foam sealants, or high performance sealants.
10. Natural shade: Planting trees or large shrubs around your home can provide shade and will prevent the hot sun from heating up your home in the summer. Shade east- and west- facing windows and air conditioning units (be sure not to block airflow with foliage). Consult a landscaping professional before planting to prevent future damage to your home's foundation.

From DAP

Also:

Wash your clothes in cold water. I like using Tide Cold Water.

Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners when possible.

Use a toaster oven in place of your oven for smaller cooking and they use less energy

Purchase EnergyStar appliances. Many times you can also get rebates
for them

If your freezer chest is not full, then place ice at the bottom to fill it up. They more space that is in it the harder it has to work to regulate the temperature.

Make sure you get your furnace cleaned at least once a year.

Bonus!

Many things are tax deductible when you make your home more energy efficient. Go see what you may be eligible for Federal Tax Credits.

CVS Trip 11/09

Transaction #1
Garnier Shampoo $2.99
St Ives Body Wash $3.99
Rimmel Mascara $6.99

Coupons
Garnier $1/1
Rimmel $1/1


Total: $10.97
ECB: $10.49
OOP w/ tax: $1.55

ECB Received:
Garnier $2
St Ives $3
Rimmel $4



Transaction #2

Hershey Bliss $3.00
Hershey Bliss $3.00
Lindt Excellence $2.00
Lindt Excellence $2.00
Palmolive $1.49
Palmolive $1.49
Smart Water $1.69

Coupons:
Palmolive $1/2
Hershey Bliss $2.50/2
Lindt Excellence BOGO

Total: $9.17
ECB: $9.00
OOP: $0.17

Transaction #3

5 Hershey Bars $2.50

Coupon:
Hershey BOGO

Total: $2.00
ECB: $2.00
OOP: $0


Grand Total Saved: $36.40
Grand Total OOP: $1.72

Shaws

Ok This week Shaw's is having a bunch of promotions! If you have one around you it is worth checking out!

Save $10 on your next visit* when you buy $25 of participating KRAFT products in a single transaction with your Shaw’s® Rewards Card from 11/7/08-11/27/08. *Coupon will print at register at time of purchase.

Save $10 off your next purchase when you buy $20 worth of these participating products with your Shaw's Card. Items found on page 3.*Coupon will print at register at time of purchase.

Save $15 off your next purchase when you buy 10 participating General Mills products. *Coupon will print at register at time of purchase.

Shaw's Coupons I got these from Justine's Grocery Brags

Make sure you have a Shaw's Card for all these great deals. If you don't have one just visit the service desk and sign up for one.

Free 8 X 10

Go check out Bargin Briana to see how you can get a FREE 8 X 10. I just ordered one and if you pick it up in the store you won't have to pay for shipping obviously.