My first coupon adventure

So getting use to this whole blogging thing is interesting...of course I can remember to facebook everyday....but blogging....I'm to new to couponing and my life just isn't that interesting lol.  So 5/15/2012 was my first "major" couponing day...I'm not sure if couponing is a word but here and with me...it is so just ignore my grammar and made up words :) My local Kroger was having a pretty nice sale so I took advantage of that...I caught a couple decent deals else where but..my big coupon usage was at Kroger so I'll start there :)
So with just the coupons I used I saved $25.73  This is before the fact that my store doubles your coupons...up to one dollar. so after doubling my coupons I saved $31.66  Obviously some/most of my coupons were for free products, $1 off or more, and even two $3.00 off!!  Also with my store plus card I saved an additional $31.47  So...what did I get?  I've noticed that most people who blog their experience take a picture of all their goodies...well I forgot that part so I'll just have to list them for you :)

2 yoplait gogurt
2 kraft cheese dinner kits (the cheese and seasoning packets...their new)
1 small box of Trix cereal
5 small bags of Goldfish...all different flavors
1 Purina 3lb cat food
1 store brand 3lb cat food
2 boxes Quaker Granola Bars
1 Quaker Yogurt Granola bar
6 Capri sun 5 Roaring waters 1- 100% Juice
1 Gal Milk (will be going back for more)
1 pack 12 stick Sargenteno String Cheese
Johnsonville smoked sausage
2 Apple Chicken sausage Johnsonville
1 Contenelle flushable wipes (42 ct)
1 18ct Always infinity pads
2 Bic Hybrid Razors (For men) with 6 changeable blades each
1store brand ketchup
1 Hormel sliced turkey
1 Hormel sliced ham
2.5 lbs of red grapes
1 Oscar Mayer Turkey Franks
2 packages of fresh black berries
30 Koolaid mixes
2 care free regular panty liners (free I must add)
4 dove chocolate bars (single serving)

My total before the store special prices and coupon/doubles????  $139.67  So I saved a total of????  $63.13

This was all with 3 weeks of cutting and collecting my coupons and researching tips as well as getting advice from a couponing friend!  One Sunday of searching my local adds for deals and matching coupons!!
One thing I have learned is that when you are searching for coupons...use zip codes from all over!  I was able to get .75 off a gallon of white milk (which my store double to $1.00)  and my krogers milk was on sale for $2.63 meaning I got a gallon of milk for $1.63...Milk is reaching gas prices :) and as much as we go through milk...at least 4 gallons a week for 4 people....I am loving this coupon!!

I may be slow at this whole blogging..for now...but if your still looking for tips and learning with me...or even sharing your tips...please share this blog and keep checking back :)

The Duggars Laundry Soap

So I thought I would take my chance on home made laundry soap.   The Duggars have shared their recipe on their website and I must say....it was very easy to make!


Here is the recipe

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!! 

courtesy of http://duggarfamily.com/content/duggar_recipes/30455/homemade_liquid_laundry_soap_front_or_top_load_machine_best_value

Now for my trial and error process of making my own laundry soap:)

These are the easy simple ingredients I used :)

Note to self...next time you grate Fels-Naptha....use a grater!!  Potato peelers take a long time :)

So I got my Fels-Naptha grated and next was to hit the stove and melt my goodies

I had read on another blog that this lady had contacted her washer maker to see if they would say whether or not this was a good laundry soap to use in a High Efficiency washer and the only thing they really said was that you shouldn't use soap that suds a lot or you may have to clean your washer more.  The lady stated that Fels-Naptha is not supposed to suds...well....it does...at least during the melting process :)

I also read on a website (again I cant remember the name) that it you put a wooden spoon over a pot of water it wont boil over

I learned the hard way that was untrue..as it did start to boil over (I caught it just in time) and found my spoon in the bottom of my pan! I swear that when I started this project that my spoon fit perfectly over my pot!!!!  Honest!!!  I thought heat caused expansion???  Guess not in this case?  Maybe because it was soap water??? I don't know! :)

Now it is time to pour the melted soap into a 5 gallon bucket, add the washing soda and the borax and fill the bucket about half full with water.  This causes a little bit of suds but it was nothing like the suds you get from dish soap.  The soap/water concoction will have a yellow tint to it as you can see in the picture above.  Mix well then fill the bucket all the way to the top with water.  Cover the bucket and let the soap sit over night to gel.  I used saran wrap and it came out fine :)

Once your soap has sat over night you can then transfer it into gallon jugs.  I saved milk jugs and washed them out with soapy water :)  For the laundry soap you only want to fill the jugs half way with soap, then the rest of the way with water.  I recommend that you use a funnel and the largest measuring cup you have.  use the measuring cup to get the soap out of the bucket then pour it into the funnel.  I used a ladle and funnel...took me a little longer :)

All in all this was an easy project!  One blog that I had read said it took the lady about 45 minutes to make it...I believe her!  Although it did take me 52 minutes...but I'm sure that when/if her soap melting started to boil over and if she turned her burner off....she remembered to turn it back on :)

I really need to see if I can find the other blog that I read more about the laundry soap from...got to give credit where credit is due :)

A few sites that may be helpful

As I begin my journey of frugalness (is that even a word), I thought I would post a few sites...for a couple reasons...1) easier for me to find while I'm beginning my research, and 2) give all of you a place to start!  Of course, number 1 being most important...have I ever mentioned that I "like"pages on facebook or find an amazing website that is full of help...save it somewhere and loose it...well no I haven't this is my first ever blog lol.  Bare with me as I figure out how this stuff works...as if anyone is reading this blog just yet :) I mean, I just "published" it 5/2/1012 and I have yet to share it with anyone...well back to sharing links

http://www.facebook.com/groups/162227257178095/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coupon-cousins/163675207028951?ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/TheCouponProject?ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/CouponsToTroops?ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/couponscom?sk=app_137656902971961
http://www.facebook.com/ShopAtHome
http://www.facebook.com/couponblender
http://www.facebook.com/CouponDivas
http://www.facebook.com/MatterofCents
http://www.facebook.com/Couponing101
http://www.facebook.com/CouponMap
http://www.facebook.com/TheCouponProject
http://www.facebook.com/CouponingforCommunity
http://www.facebook.com/MoneySavingMom
http://www.facebook.com/motherhoodonadime
http://www.facebook.com/bradsdeals
http://www.facebook.com/FreeStuffFinder

Now I have no clue if I have done any illegal "interneting" but hey they are getting free publicity and I am not hijacking their sites...just sending over some new facebook fans!   obviously their facebook pages will give you links to the actual sites...if they have one, I am just to lazy to give you all of the good deals :)