OLD Navy $20 Gift Certificate for ONLY $10

Go HERE for this GREAT offer!! Hurry… Every time Groupon runs this deal, it runs out!!!

Old Navy 50% Off Gift Certificate HERE.

"I miss your blog..."

"You know what - I miss it too".

This was a conversation I had this evening with a friend / former colleague that I happened to run into at happy hour.

She likely missed reading about deals and coupons...I miss posting that, but mostly I miss me. This blog is part of my identity.

Over the last few months life has changed drastically. Most of the changes have been positive, although none have been without a concerted effort towards adjustment. Six animals down to two (silly to some, but if you know anything about me, you know that my animals are as important to me as any other living being on this earth); big house on a plot of land traded for a 550 square foot apartment in the city; the illusion of a family replaced by the reality that in this world, one can only depend on themselves (true story).

That doesn't even touch my new job as a project analyst for a government contacting agency. One word describes my profession - CRAZY...albeit in a good way. It gives me purpose.

Learning has been key in this phase of my life. The last three months have felt like three decades, spent learning how to care for my family, animals, my AMAZING friends, and somewhere in that mix, me.

I have decided that from this day forward, I will post more. Vague, I know. It's a promise to myself to put the Blackberry down and be Tina, even if for just a few minutes every now and then.

A promise to you and to me.

Thank you Michelle.

Tina

A note to all of my wonderful followers....

I know I haven't posted anything lately. I have been through so many changes in the last month that I don't even know where to begin.

First and foremost, my husband decided that he wanted a divorce. This is most definitely the hardest thing I have ever been through in my life. I still don't really know why, but picking up the pieces and moving on is not a short or easy process.

I've moved into an amazing apartment in South Tampa, about 10 minutes from my new job...which is another change.

I absolutely love my new job (even though I miss my old one terribly). The people I am working with have been so supportive and took me in as family right away. The job is not easy, but I really could not be more grateful for their kindness, support, and faith in me during this time.

I get a lot of flack for blasting my life on the internet, but I don't really care. My life is an open book and my heart is an open heart. I live to help and love people and that's always who I am going to be.

What I am most grateful for is my friends and family, who have kept me going through all of this. There are so many days where I just can't bare the thought of getting out of bed (though I don't sleep well at all right now), and they have been there for me so much. I'm a very fortunate girl to have so many wonderful, caring, and amazing people in my life.

I can't say exactly when I'll be posting Frugal, Fun, & Fabulous stuff again because I just don't know. I will though- please hang tight and don't un-follow me. I am here, and I will be better...one day.

If you read this, thank you, and I am sorry. This will be the only post about my situation- I've started a new blog for that: Story of a Divorcey.

Thank you all for bearing with me right now. I love that you read my blog and love all of you!

Tina

HUGE Deposit to the cruise fund!

It's been a while since I've posted about a deposit to the cruise fund. Not because I haven't been saving though! I'm so excited about the deposit today because it's the biggest one yet.

My previous company offered a referral bonus if you referred someone who was hired and stayed with the company for at least 6 months. After taxes I was left with $1,100 from that to add to the fund.

I traveled to Georgia last week. I drove up to give my cousin my older car (I got a new one), and flew back. To make a long story short, I was bumped from two flights but offered $400 for each flight as an airline credit, so that's $800 found!

Another large portion of today's deposit is a payout of unused vacation time I had- $850.

In the past couple of weeks, I saved the following amounts at various stores:

Publix: $108.18

CVS: $83.84

Old Navy: $52.38

Kroger (during my trip to GA): $8.44

That brings the total for today to $3,002.84, $271.01 OVER what I needed!! :)

Amount needed: $ 3,238.00
Amount "found"
Deposit #1: $ 183.33
Deposit #2: $112.00
Deposit #3:$59.36
Deposit #4: $47.75
Deposit #5: $163.09
Today's Deposit: $3,002.84
Remaining: None!!

We cruise on September 3, so any amounts found / saved between now and then will go straight into savings, just in case we go over budget.

Free P'Zone from Pizza Hut!

For this week only, you can get a FREE P’Zone from Pizza Hut when you like them on Facebook. Just click on the “Get You P’Zone” tab, you will have to place your order online to get the FREE P’Zone.

My meal plan for the month

Yes, you read that right. I'm planning a meal plan from now through the end of the month. I really need to clear out my pantry and freezer, so this is based on what I have on hand and what I'll be stocking up on this week at Publix.

I'm not going to assign specific days to the meals, so I have the flexibility to make what I feel like having that day.

As a bonus, this will also help save a ton of cash for our upcoming cruise!!

Here's what's on my list:

Tacos
Chicken stir fry, rice, salad
Chicken sausage, pierogies, veggie
Black beans and yellow rice x 2
Chili /cornbread
Steak, mashed potatoes, veggie
Burgers / Fries
Tuna Casserole
Frozen lasagna x 2, salad
Fettuccine Alfredo, salad
Pot Roast
Breakfast for dinner (Pancakes, eggs, & smoothies)
Enchiladas, Mexican rice
Couscous Salad
Tomato Bisque, grilled cheese sandwiches
Meatball sandwiches
BBQ Chicken, baked beans, collard greens
Baked Halibut, rice, veggie
Sweet & Sour Chicken, rice

I plan on spending bout $10 a week on incidentals like fresh produce. This should use up a large portion of what I have on hand.

O.M.G.- CVS Scenario week of 8/7/11- you are not going to believe this!

I'll be honest- I haven't seen a really enticing CVS ad for a while now. As I was having my coffee and flipping through my Sunday paper, I picked up the CVS ad for this week not expecting too much. Let's just say my heart started racing when I realized how sweet this ad is.

I'm starting with 6 ECB from last week. If you don't have any ECB, you can start with $6 OOP. If you haven't gotten a paper yet go get one- NOW! :)

Also, before shopping, be sure to go by the Magic Coupon Machine to get your mystery beauty coupon.

Transaction #1:

Any L'Oreal Skin Care Products, psa $6.99
Get $10 ECBs wyb $25 (Limit 1)

Scenario:

Buy 5 skin care products @ $6.99 (for a list see HERE)

= $34.95

- 2 x $3/2 L’Oreal Skincare Products 8/7/2011 RP Insert (exp 10/2/2011)
- $1/1 L’Oreal Skincare Product 8/7/2011 RP Insert (exp 10/2/2011)

- $6 ECB

= $21.95

Earn 10 ECB

That's $2.39 per product after Q's and ECB's!


Transaction #2:

John Frieda Hair Care Products
Get $5 ECBs wyb $15 (Limit 1)

--John Frieda Collection Shampoo, Conditioner (8-10 o.) or Styler (3-12 oz.), $5
--John Frieda Collection Hair Treatments (0.5-6.5 oz.), $8
--John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Colour, $12


Scenario:

Buy (1) John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Colour at $12- LOVE THIS STUFF!
Buy (1) John Frieda Frizz Ease Styler Product at $5

= $17.00

Use -$5/1 John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Product 6/30/2011 John Frieda (exp 8/31/2011)
Use $1/1 John Frieda Frizz-Ease, exp. 9/30/11 (ALL YOU Aug '11)
- 10 ECB

= $1.00 OOP

Earn 5 ECB

Transaction #3:

Skintimate Shave Gel or Cream, $1.99

Schick Hydro 3 or 5 Razor or Cartridge (4 ct.), $8.49
Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)

= $10.48

- $2/1 Schick Hydro Razor, exp. 9/18/11 (SS 08/07/11)
- $1.50/1 Skintimate Cream Shave printable

- 5 ECB

= $1.98 OOP

Earn 5 ECB

Transaction #4:

Dove, Caress, or Lever Products
Get $5 ECBs wyb $15 (Limit 1)

-Dove Shampoo, Conditioner (12 oz.) or Styler (4-9.25 oz.), 2/$6

Scenario:

Get 2 Shampoos, 2 Conditioners, and 1 Styling product ($15 total). Use these coupons:

$1.50/2 Dove Hair Care Product printable
FREE Dove Treatment wyb Dove Shampoo or Conditioner, exp. 8/28/11 (RP 07/31/11)
2 x $1/1 Dove Hair Care, exp. 9/30/11(ALL YOU Aug '11)

= $8.50
- 5 ECB
= $3.50 OOP ($.59 per product!)

Earn 5 ECB

Transaction #5:

Softsoap Products, 3/$9
Softsoap Body Wash (15-18 oz.), Liquid or Foaming Hand Soap (8-8.5 oz.)
Get $3 ECBs wyb 3 (Limit 1)

Scenario:

Buy 3 Body Washes- $9.00

Use the following Q's (if you only had one insert that week like me):

-$0.75/1 Softsoap Body Wash, exp. 8/13/11 (SS 07/24/11 R)
-$0.50/1 Softsoap Body Wash, exp. 9/4/11 (SS 07/24/11 R)
-$1/1 Softsoap Body Wash, exp. 8/13/11 (SS 07/24/11)

- 5 ECB

= $1.75 OOP

Earn 3 ECB

That's it for now! I'll likely be posting another scenario this week after I see what the magical coupon machine gives me! :)