Ironing, Christmas clearance and CVS

Hello everyone! 

I let the ironing pile up (again!) So I spent part of an evening this week getting it all done while I binge watched YouTube.  There were 15 shirts to iron- 

6 blouses were mine and 9 shirts were my husbands.  

The ironing went fairly quick.  I still use this homemade version of spray starch,  

The jugs of liquid starch last a long time and I think I get the same results ironing with the homemade kind as I did with the much more expensive aerosol cans of starch.  

My original post about homemade spray starch HERE

I needed to go the bank today so I also stopped at Joanns fabric store.  Their Christmas was 75% off and all I bought was these 4 mugs.  They are big, maybe 18 ounces, and they are Christmasy but I plan to use them the rest of the winter.  The mugs were originally $5.99 each so at 75% off, all 4 mugs were $6.

I went to CVS one more time this week when I read about this deal on a Facebook group called Couponing at CVS.  The Eucerin and Aquaphor products are buy $20 and get $10 ExtraCareBucks.  

I also had a CVS app coupon for 30% all lotions.  

I actually got 2 tubes of the hand cream, my husband was already using one when I took the photo. 

I picked out products to get my total as close to $40 as possible.  

I used $29 in ExtraCareBucks I earned in previous purchases and that 30% off coupon.  

My total ended up just $1.17 and I got back $20 ExtraCareBucks and then 2 days, I earned $5 more in Beauty Bucks.  

This cold winter weather makes our skin dry and itchy so I am very happy to get all these high quality moisturizers for almost free.  

Happy new year to you all.  We are having a quiet evening at home and that suits us just fine.  

Decorating, CVS and Budget Planning

Hello everyone!  

We didn't put out a huge amount of Christmas decorations so they were easy to pack away today.   It always feels fresh to pack them away, doesn't it? 

Then, we put out a little white tree with snow themed decorations.  I enjoy the twinkle lights and this little tree is just right for now.  

CVS purchase this week

 

I spent a bigger than normal amount but it was less that I expected it to be.  Because the cashier overlooked the blades at first, my total is on 2 transactions.  

3 jumbo packs of Charmin toilet tissue

6 Pantene hair care items

3 Revlon color stay lipsticks

Gillette blades and a razor

And a box of 1/2 priced clearance cookies my husband picked out.

I spent $47.13 and got back $24 in ExtraCareBucks and will get back $5 BeautyBucks for the Pantene  and makeup.  I used newspaper coupons, CVS app and redbox coupons, and $10 ExtraCareBucks from previous purchases.  

ECBs for next week

A new year is starting and I just redid my home notebook where I keep track of bills, and spending and such.   Our budget is simple and last year I used some free printable monthly sheets from a blog and I was so happy to see she is offering updates ones for 2016.  I've printed the news and updated my book.  Her sheets worked great for us in 2015.  

Below is the link to these great printables.  They are free but she asks that you subscribe to her blog.  

I recommend both! 

2016 free printable budget planning worksheets

Some sweets cooked today

I'm trying to do everything simply and this is how I started our Christmas baking today.  

Double batches of oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies and one batch of that "crack" cracker toffee candy. 

  My husband tasted them all and gave them the thumbs up.  The oatmeal cookies are his favorite and he joked I could just put that container in our room (so he wouldn't have to share.....) 

But I packed them all away in containers we already had and put them in the freezer.  

I'll take them out later this week when the family gathers here.  

The cracker toffee chocolate candy is very simple to make and it makes a lot - I do recommend it if you're  still planning your holiday cooking.  Just look on Pinterest for the recipe and method-  lots of people have blogged about it.  

My brother's birthday was in the summer and I sent him this coupon.  He sent it back to me last week in my birthday card.  I happily filled his request while I cooked today and now his container of cookies is labeled and in the freezer too.  

Are you cooking this week?  I'm guessing most all my readers are!