The Sales Are Amazing This Time of the Year

I know I've been missing in action for a week or so.  A number of things have kept me from my keyboard.  One of which this is the season that super sales are happening and I've been scouring the stores to find good deals.  I have found a number of them - some for Christmas gifts.  I won't remember some of the deals but I can start at the Yankee Candle with a coupon for buy two candles, get two free.  Daughter number three and I went and split the cost, each of us walking away with two holiday candles.  It happened on that day they were giving a free votive with any order so we each received a free candle.  (I bought a small item in addition to the split order.)

A local grocery store is having  double coupons up to $2.00 which, of course, I had to take advantage of.  Armed with two $2.00 coupons as well as a few $1.00 coupons I came away with two free large tubes of toothpaste, two boxes of herbal tea at .50 each, free granule honey, (new item on the market), and olive oil for $3.39.  What I like about this store is if they have a BOGO item only one can be purchased at half price.  The oil was half price with a doubled.55 cent coupon.

Out of pocket cost for these six items was 4.39. 
I know there are people who can do quite a bit better,
but I'm satisfied with the deals I got.

We also went to a fabric store that was having 70% off many items.  I picked up two one yard remnants for a total of $1.87.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them yet, but ideas are forming.

The remnant on the bottom is the material that's used
to make fancy dancy kitchen towels.  I'm thinking of
trying m hand at making a couple of those for gifts.

A look through the 70% off rack at Penney's netted two high quality men's shirts for a little over $15.00.

Michael's was on the band wagon with the 70% sales so I picked up 8 pounds of 'gourmet' coffee for  $2.10 each, two which were dark roast.  Those are for me!

I bought a few pieces of clothing from WalMart, but most of them are being returned.  For anyone who's interested they have camis for $1.68.  The sizes are not consistent so instead of fighting it, most items will be returned.  I'm keeping the camis for extra warmth during the winter months.

I had an appointment yesterday and while waiting I did my list for the grocery store, with coupons in hand.  The lady who signed me in showed a bit of interest in the coupons stating that she was unable to take time to coupon and save money.  So this was my chance to jump in and explain to her that she didn't have to be an avid couponer.  To begin by looking only for one type of coupon.  Then as she becomes familiar with that routine, she could move on if she wanted to.  I offered her the address to this blog with the hope that she has a few minutes to check it out.  Our conversation ended at my end explaining how any dollar saved is one that's in her wallet, not a store's.  If you have joined us, I welcome you with open arms and hope there is information here that you can find useful.

Now for a couple frugal hack recipes  to help keep your life simple and hold your cash close.

Confectioner's Sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2T(ablespoons) corn starch
Wiz the ingredients in a food processor until they reach the powdery consistency of confection sugar.  (Icing sugar)

Sugar Sprinkles
Granulated sugar
Food coloring for the desired color
Mix ingredients well in a bowl.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread the sugar evenly.  Place in a 350F oven (180C) for 10 minutes.  Let cool.  Store in a closed container.

To close I'd like to leave my reader's with this quote that left an impression on my heart.  I don't know where it came from, so I can't give any credit for it. Maybe a reader will know more than I do.

Just for fun!  The fall decorations on the front porch.
The air has a crisp feel to it so all is well in this
part of the world.

'You look in your neighbor's bowl to see if they have enough, not if you have as much as they do.'

How profound.