Friday Four

What I Watched (TV): I have to admit, I really enjoyed Glee's Michael Jackson tribute episode this week.     The "Scream" recreation was pretty amazing!

What I Read: I finally finished Bossypants!
                        Haven't quite decided which of my stack of eight I will start next :-P


What I Listened to: There are two duets I'm really digging right now:
                                  Jon McLaughlin & Sara Bareilles "Summer is Over"
                                  James Morrison & Jessie J "Up"

What I Watched (movies): I rewatched 500 Days of Summer on tv this week. It wasn't quite as good as I remembered, but Zooey and JGL are just too cute together!!

And if you don't believe me, watch this video!!

Thrifty Thursday - Feb 2

I haven't written about this before, but I feel that it IS worth mentioning that we do have a mini stockpile, with an abundance of pasta, salad dressing, popcorn, rice and toiletries. I bought lots of those when I first started couponing, and soon realized that we couldn't use them as fast as I was buying them, so we won't be buying anymore until our supply has dwindled quite a bit. That explains why you haven't seen those items on these lists so far. Just an FYI for y'all!


OP: Original price (individual)        SP: Sale price (individual)    Blue font: coupon

PUBLIX

(3) Lipton Citrus Green Tea, 16.9 oz 12 pk, OP: $5.99, SP: Buy 2 Get 1 Free ($3.99 each)
- $1.00 off (1) Lipton 12 pk 
- $1.00 off (1) Lipton 12 pk 

(4) Bird's Eye Steamfresh Vegetables, OP: $2.47, SP: 50% off ($1.24) 
- $.50 off (1) Bird's Eye Steamfresh Chef Favorites (doubled to $1.00)

(1) Claussen Dill Pickle Spears, OP: $3.29, SP: $2.00

(1) Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Pickle Spears, OP: $2.99, SP: $1.50
- $.50 off (1) Mt. Olive Pickles (doubled to $1.00)

(2) Mighty Mango Naked Juice, 15.2 oz, OP: $2.99, SP: $2.50
- $1.00 off (1) 15.2 oz Naked Juice
- $1.00 off (1) 15.2 oz Naked Juice  

(2) Coffeemate Liquid Coffee Creamer, 32 oz, OP: $3.89, SP: $2.50
- $.75 off (2) Coffeemate Creamers 

(2) Hormel Sliced Pepperoni, OP: $3.69, SP: $3.00
- $1.00 off (2) Hormel Pepperoni products

(1) Smithfield Hickory Smoked Bacon, OP: $5.79, SP: $3.34

(1) Iceberg Lettuce head, $1.49

(1) Whole White Mushrooms, $1.99

(1) Mentos Up2U Gum, 15 ct, OP: $1.28, SP: $.99
- $1.00 off (1) Mentos Up2U Gum single pack

(2) Sabra Classic Hummus, 2 oz 4 pk, OP: $3.99, SP: $2.50

(1) Celery, OP: $1.89, SP: $.99

(5) Plum Tomatoes, .92 lb, OP: $1.37, SP: $.91 (.99/lb)

Total Spent: $42.38

Total Saved: $34.39

CVS

(1) Izze Clementine, 8 oz 4 pk, OP: $3.49, SP: $3.00

- $2.00 Extra Care bucks

- $1.00 P&G Rebate Gift Card

Total Spent: Nothing out of pocket!

Total Saved: $3.49

FINAL SPENT: $42.38

FINAL SAVED: $37.88  

 

12 for '12 Update- January

SPIRITUAL: So far, I've read two more weeks' worth of Bible entries this year, so I'll have to pick up the pace if I'm going to finish by December! Jamie and I have been faithfully keeping up with our daily devotional, doubling up on some nights if needed.

PROFESSIONAL: I'm officially restarting the job search for next year on Saturday with two district job fairs. I've started the planning stages for my website, mapping out the different sections and resources I'd like to include. I started out faithfully reading my professional material, but have been a little slack the past couple of weeks as "life" has started to pick up. I'm hoping to get back into it soon.

HEALTH: I am proud to say that I have kept my 3 times a week exercise regimen for a month. Go me! This has been increasingly difficult, as I am working more often during the week, but I'm really going to try to stick with it. MyPlate has been a really interesting tool to help me with my eating habits. I plan to write a full blog about it in the next couple of weeks.

BLOG: I've definitely been writing at least twice a week, as I've started two weekly features. I'd like to write more one time features though, so if you have any thoughts on what you'd like me to write about, let me know! I'm also thinking about changing up the "Friday Four" to include a different category list each week. I'm taking suggestions for that too :-)

OTHER: I've more than stuck to my average of $50 for groceries a week, even coming in under budget most weeks. We have not started watching "Lost" yet, but hope to start soon. And I haven't looked into joining the worship choir yet, since we were contemplating the move to Charleston, but I'll make an inquiry into that soon.


There you have it. All in all, I'd say I'm doing pretty well with most of my goals. Some could be better, but I have the whole year to work on them!

How about you? How are you doing on your goals?

Living on Purpose

The sermon series at our church the last three weeks has been called "Living on Purpose." This has been extremely timely for Jamie and I as we make a big decision in the next few days. I'd like to share with you the notes I took from the sermon last week. I hope it is as helpful to you as it has been to us!

Finding Your Personal Purpose

God speaks to us through...
- a clear, compelling word
- sufficient faith

Preparation for Hearing God's Purpose 
- Be a Christian (1 Corinthians 2:14)
- Be a surrendered Christian
- Pray: Ask, seek, knock

Tools for Seeking God's Purpose
- Talk with Christian friends
      ~ wise counsel and guidance
- What do the Scriptures say?
     ~Does it violate the letter of the Scripture:? (1 John 2:3)
     ~Is it in harmony with the spirit of the Scripture? (2 Corinthians 3:6)
- What does the pattern of God's work in your life indicate? (1 Samuel 17:36)
- Is my conscience truly clear about it? (Romans 14:22)

Discerning God's Purpose
- Don't be put off by a lack of settledness (Exodus 3-4; 1 John 4:18; Matthew 26:39)
- Am I excited about it? (Colossians 2:23)
- Does my excitement or commitment deepen over time? (Acts 5:38-39)
- If you had to say "I accept or reject your offer" and write a letter of explanation, what would you say in one written to God? What would you say in a letter written to the person who made the offer?

Friday Four

What I Watched (TV): Time Warner's On Demand is showing The Closer starting with the pilot episode and adding new ones every day. In a couple of months, I will have watched the whole series!

What I Read: Tina Fey's Bossypants, some "Entertainment Weekly" issues I needed to catch up on, and lots of blogs!

What I Listened to: Dave Barnes' new single "Mine to Love" came out this week and it definitely sticks in your head!

What I Watched (movies): Hmm... didn't have time to watch any movies this week

Thrifty Thursday - January 26

OP: Original price (individual)        SP: Sale price (individual)    Blue font: coupon


PUBLIX

(6) Yoplait Original Yogurt, 6 oz, OP: $.66, SP: $.60
- $.40 off (6) any Yoplait Yogurt (doubled to $.80)

(1) Iceberg Lettuce head, $1.49

(1) Sweet Onion, .58 lb, OP: $.86, SP: $.75

(2) Navel Oranges, 1.32 lb, OP: $1.97, SP: $1.31

(2) Kiwis, $1.00

(1) V8 Fusion Smoothie, OP: $3.99, SP: $2.50
- $1.00 off  V8 Fusion Smoothie   

(2) V8 V-Fusion Juice, OP: $3.99, SP: $2.50
- $1.00 off (2) V8 V-Fusion Juice or Tea

(1) Ocean Spray Crangrape Juice Cocktail, OP: $3.79, SP: $1.90

(1) Mott's Natural 100% Apple Juice, OP: $2.99, SP: $2.00

(1) Ragu Mushroom & Green Pepper Pasta Sauce, OP: $2.19, SP: $1.10

(2) Campbell's Select Harvest Chicken & Egg Noodle Soup, OP: $2.49, SP: $1.25
- $.50 off (2) Campbell's Select Harvest soups (doubled to $1.00)

(3) Rotel Diced Tomatoes, OP: $1.49, SP: $.75
- $.55 off (3) Rotel tomatoes (Publix coupon)

(2) Campbell's Minestrone Soup, OP: $1.66, SP: $1.00
- $.40 off (2) Campbell's Condensed Soup (doubled to $.80)

(2) Welch's Fruit Snacks, 10 ct, OP: $2.79, SP: $2.00
- $1.00 off (2) Welch's Fruit Snacks

(1) Hefty Tall Kitchen Odor Block Blackout Garbage Bags, 45 ct, OP: $7.59, SP: $5.50
- $1.00 off (1) Hefty garbage bags

(1) Q-Tips Cotton Swabs, 375 ct, OP: $2.99, SP: $1.99
- $.60 off (1) Q-Tips product

(1) Mentos Spearmint Gum, 15 ct, OP: $1.49, SP: $1.00
-$.55 off (1) Mentos gum    

(1) Extra Peppermint Gum, 15 ct, OP: $1.09, SP: $.79         

Total Spent: $32.88
Total Saved: $29.35


WALMART

(1) Whole White Mushrooms, $1.78

(2) Michaelina's Beef & Peppers, $1.00

(1) Butterball Turkey Bacon, $2.48
- $.55 off (1) Butterball turkey product

(1) Midol Extended Relief, 20 ct, $4.98
- $2.00 off (1) Midol product

(2) Slicing Tomatoes, $1.87

Total Spent: $10.91
Total Saved: $2.55


FINAL TOTAL: $43.79
FINAL SAVINGS: $31.90    

Friday Four

What I Watched (TV): Alcatraz premiered this week, from JJ Abrams (producer of Lost), and it was expectedly awesome!!

What I Read: Still working on Tina Fey's Bossypants

What I Listened to: Kelly Clarkson "Stronger" ... love it!

What I Watched (movies): I think the only movie I watched this week was Wild Hogs when it was on tv. It was kind of funny :-)