Relevant Blogging Conference

I am so excited!!!  Next weekend, Oct. 21-24, I will be attending my first blogging conference, The Relevant Conference in Hershey, PA!

When I first heard about this conference, it appealed to me because it was small (limited to 200 attendees), Christian-based, and an easy drive from my home.  However, attending the conference seemed like a pipe dream for a relatively small blogger like me. 

I decided to simply put the issue in God's hands.  I asked that if he wanted me to go, He would make it happen.  Very quickly after I first prayed, he did just that, enabling me to get a ticket.  Since then he also provided me with two wonderful bloggers as roommates and carpool buddies and even a partial sponsor for my hotel and transportation costs!

So next Thursday, baby Gem and I will load up our minivan with Lacy and her little one and Laura and we'll be heading to Hershey!  I won't be blogging during the conference, but I'm sure I'll have much to share when I get back.  My hope for the conference is that it will improve this blog as a service to my readers and  help me to use my blogging as a blessing for myself and my family.

Wegmans Deals: 10/10-10/16

New Deals:

Green or Red Seedless Grapes - $.99/lb.

US #1 NY State Apple Tote - $.89/lb.

Pillsbury Cake Mix (18.25-18.9 oz.) - $.88

Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies (7.2-7.75 oz.) - $1.99
Use $1.00/1 printable coupon
Final Price: $.99

Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Bowl - $1.25
Use $.50/1 printable coupon (doubled) or buy 2 and use $1.00/2 coupon from 8/29 RP insert
Final Price: $.25-$.75

Nestle Tollhouse Refrigerated Cookie Dough - $2.49 (through 10/30)
Use $1.00/1 coupon from 10/03 RP insert or buy 2 and use $1.00/2 printable coupon
Final price: $1.49-$1.99

Oscar Mayer Lunchmeat (Ham and Turkey, 10 oz.) - $2.69 (through 10/30)
Buy 2 and use $1.00/2 coupon from 9/26 SS insert or printable
Final Price: $2.19 each

Irish Spring Deoderant Soap Bar, Original (6.4 oz.) or Lever 200 Soap Bars, Refreshing, Original - $.99

Crest Premium Toothpaste (6.2 oz.) - $1.99
Use $.75/1 from 10/10 PG insert or $.50/1 from 9/26 PG insert (doubled0
Final Price: $.99-$1.24

Ongoing Deals:

Produce -
Wegmans US #1 Russet Idaho Potatoes (5 lb. bag) - $1.99
Winter Squash - $.99/lb.
Wegmans US #1 3lb. Bagged Apples - $.2.49

Grocery -
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (8.4-8.7 oz.) - $1.99
Buy 2 and use $1.00/2 coupon from 9/19 RP insert or printable
Final Price: $1.49 each
Zatarains Rice Mix (6.3-8 oz.) - $.99
Buy 2 and use $.75/2 printable coupon or buy 4 and use $1.00/4 from 9/19 RP insert
Final Price: $.61-$.74 each
Wegmans All Purpose Flour (5 lbs.) - $.99 (Limit 2)
Nestle Tollhouse Morsels (10-12 oz.) - $1.69
Buy 2 and use $1.00/2 printable coupon
Final Price: $1.19 each
Ziti, Spaghetti, or Thin Spaghetti (16 oz.) - $.69
Wegmans Fruit Bowls - $1.69
Use $1.00/1 coupon from filling a prescription
Final Price: $.69
Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup (10.75 oz.) - $.50
Buy 2 and use $.40/2 coupon from 8/29 SS insert (doubled)
Final Price: $.10 each
Wegmans Canned Vegetables (14.5-15.25 oz can) Cream Style Corn, Whole Kernel Corn, French Style Green Beans, or Cut Green Beans - $.39
Wegmans Tomato Sauce, Puree, or Crushed Tomatoes (28-29 oz.) - $.69
Campbell's Chunky Soup (18.6-19oz., excludes Chili and Full Loaded) - $1.25
Use $1.00/2 or $1.00/5 coupon from 8/15 SS insert or $1.00/4 coupon from 9/12 SS insert or various coupons here
Final Price: $.25-$1.05 each
Wegmans Macaroni and Cheese Dinner (6-7.25 oz.) - $.33
Wegmans Hot Dog or Hamburger Rolls (8 ct./14 oz.) - $.99
Maxwell House Coffee (10.5-11.5 oz.) - $1.99
Buy 2 and use $1.00/2 printable coupon
Final Price: $1.49 each
Coca-Cola (2 liter) - $.99

Refrigerated -
Wegmans Gallon Milk - $1.99-$2.24
Dannon Danimals and Danonino Yogurt - $1.99 (through 10/30)
Use $1.00/1 from the 8/15 SS insert
Final Price: $.99
Yoplait Delights - $2.49 (through 10/30)
Use $.50/1 coupon from 08/08 SS insert (doubled)
Final Price: $1.49
Pillsbury Cinnamon, Danish, or Crescent Rolls (8-13.9 oz.) - $1.99
Use various coupons here, here, and here and from 10/03 GM insert
Final Price: as low as $1.50 each
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits - $1.79
Buy 2 and use $.30/2 coupon from 8/08 SS insert or printable (doubled)
Final Price: $1.49 each

Frozen:
Stouffer's Lean Cuisine Entrees (8-11.5 oz. select varieties) - $1.99
Buy 2 and use $1.00/2 printable coupon
Final Price: $1.49 each
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel (10-11.5 oz.) - $1.99
Buy 2 and use $.50/2 printable coupon here, here, or here (doubled)
Final Price: $1.49 each

Meat:
Wegmans Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (Club Pack - 5 lbs. or more) - $1.99/lb.

Paper/Toiletries/Cleaning -
Wegmans Facial Tissue (65-160 ct. cube or flat) – $.79
Wegmans 8 pk. Paper Towels or 12 pk. Bath Tissue – $4.99
St. Ives (13.5 oz. Body Wash or 18 fl. oz. Lotion) - $1.99
Use $.50/1 coupon (doubled) from 07/18 SS insert or $1.00/1 coupon here
Final Price: $.99
Cottonelle Bath Tissue (12 pk.) - $4.99
Use $1.00/1 coupon from July All You magazine or 8/15 SS insert or $.50/1 coupon here or here (doubled)
Final Price: $3.99
Gillette Series or Satin Care Shave Gel (7 oz.) - $1.88
Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner - $2.99
Buy 2 and use $1.00/2 coupon from 8/29 or 9/26 P&G insert
Final Price: $2.49 each
Edge or Skintimate Shave Gel (7 oz.) - $1.50
Buy 2 Edge and use BOGO printable coupon
Final Price: $.75 each
Crest Premium Toothpaste (6.2 oz.) - $1.99
Use coupon from 8/29 P&G insert (amount varies by region)
Final Price: $.99-$1.25
Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick (1.8-2 oz., selected) - $.88
Dynamo 2X Laundry Detergent (50 fl. oz.) - $1.99
Use $.50/1 (doubled) or $1.00/2 coupon found in some 5/23, 8/15, or 10/3 SS inserts
Final Price: $.99-$1.49
Stayfree Maxi Pads (16-24 ct., excludes Adv Pro and Dri Max) - $1.99
Use $.50/1 from 9/26 RP insert (doubled)
Final Price: $.99
V05 Shampoo or Conditioner (15 fl. oz.) - $.69

My Wegmans deals are based on the Sterling/Leesburg, VA sales ad and deals that I find in the Leesburg store.

With thanks to the coupon database at Mrs. Moneysaver for help in compiling this.

My store doubles coupons up to $.50, but Wegmans' coupon policies vary by store. Find the policy at your store here.

This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering.

Menu Planning Monday

Menu Planning!  It seems like a long time since I've done this.  Baby Gem was born on August 31, which ended up being followed by two weeks spent mostly in the hospital.  After that, thanks to the wonderful women from my mom's group at church, we received enough meals that I have cooked only one or two dinners over the past month.

However, it had to end sometime, so this week I am easing back into official menu planning.  It seems a bit overwhelming to sit down and make a plan, but I know that every evening will be a lot more overwhelming if I don't plan!

As you see, I'm making easy dishes that we can eat for more than one night and not worrying too much about variety.  I'll get back in my groove of cooking again . . . at some point . . .

Breakfasts:
cereal, poptarts, oatmeal, frozen muffins

Lunches:
leftover confetti salad, coldcuts with bread or crackers, pbj

Snacks:
popcorn, chips, trail mix

Dinners:
Mon - Chili (making a huge pot), cornbread
Tues - Homemade pizza, salad
Wed - Chili baked potatoes, salad
Thurs - Frozen leftover soup, bread
Fri - Homemade pizza, salad
Weekend - We have family in town and won't need to cook. :-)

As always, check out lots of other menu plans at OrgJunkie.

Northern Virginia Groupon Deal

I thought some of my NOVA readers might be interested in one of today's DC area Groupon deals.  Today you can get $5 admission to the Corn Maze or the Moonlight Maze at The Corn Maze in The Plains on November 5-7.  (If you don't know where The Plains is, it's a little town on Rte. 66 on the way to Front Royal.)

This deal appeals to me because this time of year a lot of families I know like to visit local farms for apple/pumpkin picking, hayrides, and corn mazes.  However, a lot of farm fall activities in my area are pretty pricey.  This would get a family of four into the corn maze for $20, and even less if you have children under three.

To get this deal, go to Groupon, choose "Washington DC" and find the Corn Maze deal on the sidebar.

Note: This post contains my Groupon referral link. 

Top CVS deals: 10/10-10/16

Thanks to Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living for the best CVS deals each week.  Check out here complete list here.

Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength 4oz $2.99 (get $2.99 ECBs) Limit 2

$.75 printable
$.75 SS 10/3
$.75 September All You Magazine
= $.75 MONEYMAKER

Accu-Check Aviva Diabetes Monitoring Kit $9.99
$9.99 Manufacturer Mail-in-Rebate (look on box)
= FREE after MIR

Lindsay Black Olives $10/10
$1/2 RP 5/2
$1/2 September Family Circle Magazine
$1/2 October Cooking Light Magazine
$1 RP 5/2
= FREE – $.50 each

Quaker Quick Oats – 18 oz, Instant Oatmeal or Granola Bars – 8 to 10 ct $5/2 (get $2ECBs wyb 2) Limit 2
$1/2 Granola Bars RP 9/19
$1 Instant Oatmeal printable
$1 Instant Oatmeal or Quick Oats RP 8/29
$1 Instant Oatmeal or Quick Oats RP 9/12
$2 Instant Oatmeal printable (Thanks Penny Pinchin Mom)
= $1 MONEYMAKER – $1 after ECBs

Select P&G Products (get $10 ECBs wyb $25) Limit 1
Charmin – 16pk. $9.99
$.25 P&G 10/10
$.25 P&G 9/26
$1 Upromise eCoupon (put money toward college)
Bounty Paper Towels – 8 pk $6.99
$.25 P&G 9/26
$.50 Upromise eCoupon (put money toward college)
Downy Liquid – 52 to 60 loads or Bounce Sheets- 120ct $5.97
$.50 Bounce P&G 9/26
$1 Bounce SS 8/15
$1 Downey P&G 9/26
2x Ultra Tide or Gain or HE – 48 to 64 loads $10.97
$1 Gain P&G 10/10
$1 Tide P&G 9/26
$2 Tide October Good Housekeeping
$2 Tide October Marie Claire Magazine
$2 Tide October Oprah Magazine
$2 Tide October Redbook Magazine
= varies

Deal Idea
Buy 5 Downy or Bounce products at $5.97
Use 5 $1 coupons
= $2.97 each after ECBs

Deal Idea
Buy 1 Tide Product at $10.97
Buy 3 Downy or Bounce products at $5.97
Use 1 $2 Tide Coupon
Use 2 $1 Downy or Bounce coupons
= $3.72 each after ECBs

There are several good deals this week, especially the oatmeal - perfect for fall!  I skipped CVS last week, so I'll definitely be going this week.  I'm hoping that my CVS marks their summer clearance down to 90% off this week too; it's been at 75% off for several weeks now.

Frugal Fall Display

Autumn is my very favorite time of year, so I really wanted to dress up the outside of our house a bit for the season.  Also, all my summer flowers in pots dried up during our extended hospital stay, so the porch was not looking too good!  Time and money are both in extremely short supply these days, but I was able to come up with a little something:

I bought the mums at Walmart.  The larger pot was $2.50.  The smaller pots were on clearance for just $.25 each!  I had learned about discount plants from Lacy's guest post this summer, so when I saw the rack of mostly dried-up pots, I took a second look.  Sure enough, there were a couple of pots that looked significantly better than the others.  They were still a little wilted and brown, but from a distance, you can hardly notice.

The scarecrow was from the dollar store.  I love my new expanded Dollar Tree!

Total spent on my porch display: $4.00.

Check out Frugal Fridays at Life as Mom and Mrs. Moneysaver for more frugal ideas!

Target Clearance and CVS Deals

The baby and I went out shopping Monday night after dinner, and I got several good deals around town.  At CVS, I found two big boxes of those freezable pouch popsicles marked down to $.99 each (75% off).   They'll keep until next summer, and it will be nice to have them for hot afternoons in the backyard. 

The CVS price scanner also printed a coupon for me for $5 off any Halloween decor, costume, or accessory item, with no minimum!  I"m not into scary decorations, so here's what I picked out:

The wand set was $3.99, and the light sticks were $.99 each.  (I couldn't find items to come out to exactly $5).  However, for less than a dollar I got a future gift (wands and tiaras are always popular in a house with little girls), as well as a fun treat for Halloween.

At Target, I browsed the clothing clearance racks a bit and found these items:

The overalls for next year for Baby Gem were $3.24, and the baby outfit for my baby gift stash was just $1.50!  And don't you love the dress for Mommy???  It was just $9.98 - 75% off!  Unfortunately, I got one size too small.  I'm planning to try to exchange it tonight, hoping they still have the next size up!

Also at Target, I got these grocery items from the deals this week:
- 5 Mott's applesauce ($.75 each after gift card)
- 2 Market Pantry shredded cheese ($1.34 each after printable coupon)
- 2 Lunchables ($.50 after coupon)
- 1 bag of grapes ($.99/lb., used produce coupon)
- 1 bag caramel Hershey kisses (used register coupon from previous trip with insert coupon to get to $.99)
- 2 boxes of Huggies wipes ($.013 per wipe after coupons and gift card)

Have you picked up any great deals this week?