Checking My Pulse

Yes, I still have a heartbeat!

I apologize to my loyal readers for my massive absence, live is hard yo.

I'm gonna rock this April recap update, bullet point style.

Just got these in the mail a few weeks ago, loving the Brooks Trance!

• Running - Working at getting my mileage back up and improve the speed at the same time.  Magically ran 2 miles back to back at 9 minutes per mile, this is fast for me...be impressed.
• Homecoming - Welcomed my baby brother back to the USA from Kuwait.  Sadly, had to do this remotely from Jersey, but he is home and that's the important thing!



still makes me laugh.

• Easter - Rocked out a nice little Easter.  Missed my family bunches the entire day, but bonus points go to my parents for mailing my Easter basket!!  It included instructions to return it. 



Not a specific tornado, just a tornado

• Tornadoes - Watched helplessly as tornadoes ripped through my homeland, so very happy that none of my family and friends were hurt or lost.  Also, realized that I miss storm season.



OKC - Memorial

• April 19th - Remembered the 168 lost, 17 years ago...Proud forever and always to be an Okie.



Citifield

• Baseball - Being forced to watch way too many baseball games on TV, but actually enjoyed seeing one in the reals.  GO METS!  and Royals...maybe they will have a good year soon...

• Mexican Food - I miss this yummy food, so we tried a place in downtown JC.  It wasn't that great and 3 hours later it was even worse.  We hit the food poisoning jackpot!  Winners!



pre hair cut crazy hair

• Sophie Jean - Little lady got her self a nice haircut, she's ready for summer and a visit from the family! 



he actually bought this jacket, in blue.  good lordy.

• Husband - We're trying to get ourselves ready for the Jersey Shore *insert fist pump here* and have been trying to take in less crappy food.  So far, so good.  Let's see if we can keep this up!



Killian with his awesome Aunt Layna

• Mr. Killian - Let me tell you something, this little dude has put up more of a fight in almost 5 months that most of us will over many years of our lives.  Honestly, I'm humbled each time I read a facebook update, read a blog post, or see a picture of his precious little face.  I can't wait to see him make his journey home, grow up, and just keep rocking our socks straight off.  Who needs socks anyway?! 

Okay kiddos - I'll make a promise to try and update my wee little blog a bit more often.  I have some exciting things on the to do list, so maybe I'll entertain some people in the process.

My New Favorite Store

When you read the title of this post I'm sure you assumed that I would be telling you all about some super cute clothing store, maybe a neat place to find awesome home decor pieces, heck...I probably would have guessed it to be a shoe store.  Ahh....shoes....

If you follow me on facebook you might have seen this link ...

Krazy Coupon Lady - Brag Lounge 

This should serve as a hint ... my new favorite store just happens to be....

Yes, CVS is where I prefer to spend my lunch hour these days.  The checkers know me by name and I actually use a cart.  I'm hardcore.

Since I've been spending all my time at the local pharmacy hang outs I've been slacking on the blog here.  I haven't forgotten about it, but between my full time job, my part time job, couponing, working out, and the social life I claim the husband and I have the blog has taken a bit of a backseat.  Sorry kids.

That being said, I'll post my greatest shopping trip EVER on this blog before it makes its way to the Internet bragging lounges!

Let me break down the madness of CVS for you step by step. 

Step #1 - Sign up for the Extra Care Card - it is their free store loyalty card.

Step #2 - Clip your coupons - newspapers and online alike!

Step #3 - Learn how to work the Extra Care Buck (ECB) system

Step #4 - Figure out where to store your haul!

Transaction #1

3 boxes - Kellogg's Special K Cereal - Used a $1.00 off coupon making the total $6.50

1 box - Complete Multi-Solution Contact Solution - $8.99

Total: $15.49 - Used $4.00 and $3.00 ECB from a trip last week, a $2.50 ECB from my quarterly rewards (you'll automatically get these), and $5.00 Gift Card from Viggle!

Paid: $1.52 with tax, received $8.99 ECB (Contact Solution) and $4.00 (Kellogg's Products)

Transaction #2

3 boxes - Kellogg's Special K Cereal - $7.50

2 boxes - ThermaCare 2 count HeatWraps - Used 2 $3.00 coupons making the total $5.98

Total $13.48 - Used $8.99 ECB and $4.00 ECB (from previous transaction)

Paid : $0.49, received $5.00 ECB (ThermaCare) and $4.00 ECB (Kellogg's Products)

Transaction #3

3 boxes - Special K Breakfast Bars - $7.50

4 12-packs - Diet Coke $10.00

Total: $17.50 - Used $5.00 ECB and $4.00 ECB (from previous transaction)

Paid: $9.20 with tax, Received $4.00 ECB (Kellogg's Products) for next visit

The retail value of all the items is $85.34, sale prices added up to $53.47, but I paid just $10.72 out of my pocket today!!  A total of about 88% savings off of the retail price! 

It actually gets better, I signed up for a wonderful website called SavingStar.  You load your store loyalty card info on the website and they offer money back to you when you purchase certain items.  Right now (until April 4th) if you purchase $20 of Kellogg's products they will give you $5.00, and yes, this can be deposited directly into your bank account!

Since I will be receiving $5.00 cash money, technically the total for my entire purchase today will drop down to $5.72!! Nearly 94% savings!!!

I mentioned Viggle earlier - this is an app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.  If you have any of these devices and you ever turn on your TV you must download this app!  You simply check in when you're watching TV, earn points, and redeem them for awesome gift cards!   If you're interested give me your email address and I'll send you an invite!  In less than 6 weeks I have earned $35 in gift cards to CVS.  They also have GC's to Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Starbuck, iTunes, etc!