I went to CVS and saved another $8.87 and 4 extra bucks and $4 off a $20 purchase. I think I'm done making the Walgreens/CVS runs for toiletries for a while. DH and I rarely use up toiletries (I just found out that he's been using the same bottle of shampoo for like 5 years!) so getting too many is just a waste.

I also agreed to fill out what we watch with Neilson and got $30 cash from it! I was expecting a check or somethingonce I sent it back completed, but they sent cash now.

New additions: $ 38.87
Previous total: $ 218.71
Total, since 4/15: $ 257.58

Well a week-and-a-half ago, I went to CVS and saved a bunch of money combining coupons and using Extra Bucks. I was really excited about that and how much I could save. So today I decided to try out Walgreens and their rebate program.

After everything was done I spent a total of $36.08. I had $35.61 worth of coupons/savings which I’ll add to the challenge. I’ll be getting another $16.46 ($18.10 on gift card) back from the rebate, but I’ll add that when I get it. Today I got nearly $70 worth of stuff for less than $20! I could have saved (and spent) more, but I decided to only get items that we really use on a frequent basis. Like they had mouthwash on sale (and I had a coupon), but we already have a bottle and it’s lasted us forever since we never really use it.

Despite the wonderful savings, I’m sort of kicking myself because I could have saved another $3. The Walgreens add had a razor for sale with a coupon in the EasySaver catalog. Well I didn’t realize that it was an actual coupon that I needed, and not just an automatic thing like at CVS. It wasn't until I was figuring out how to send in the rebates that I realized I hadn't used the actual coupon. But I still used a manufacturer coupon so all was not lost. I just figure it was a $3 lesson on how to save money and I won’t ever make that mistake again. Besides, I’m still doing a lot better than I would have been doing.

I also got a check $5 from pinecone.

New additions: $40.61
Previous total: $178.10
Total, since 4/15: $ 218.71

DH is in the Navy, so he has the standard buzzed head. I often cut his hair myself, but every once in a while he'll get it cut by a professional. Well I cut it last night and I said something like, "well we saved $5." Well apparently I was wrong and it costs $8 to get it on base and about $10 in-town!! Holy cow, apparently I should be cutting boys' hair! So I'm adding that $8 to the challenge and never letting someone else cut it again!

We went grocery shopping today and had about $40 left in our budget. Using coupons we saved $3.10 and only spent about $30!

New additions: $11.10
Previous total: $167
Total, since 4/15: $ 178.10

I was feeling a little intimidated at first, but in less than 2 weeks I've managed to save $178!! Amazing.

I'm also excited because DH and I finally looked into Roth IRA's. We're planning on opening them AND maxing out our 2007 contributions next month!! More on this to come.

I got $15 from tutoring.

Last night we went out with friends and the bartendter/waitress gave me a mistake beer ($3) and gave us our appetizers ($6)for free!

New additions: $24
Previous total: $143
Total, since 4/15: $167

*I went shopping at CVS and through coupons and extra bucks I saved $18! Plus DH and I got a lot of the toiletries that we've been needing.

*Got a check from Pinecone for $5.

*We also got our rebate from setting up our new phone and DSL, so that's another $100!


Previous total: $20
New additions: $123
New total: $143

It is so encouraging and interesting to see everyone else's $20 challenge grow and grow. So I've decided to start it myself. I think it will be exciting to see it grow...at least I hope it will grow!

I am very tempted to cheat and add the $10 that I've already deposited from Pinecone, but since that was a while ago I'm not going to. I'm forcing myself to start at the beginning as it will make the ending that much more meaningful.

I am in awe of the others here who already have hundreds and thousands in their $20 challenge. It's also a little intimidating, but I just have to remember that many started in January and me saving anything is better than saving nothing!

With that said:
$20 Challenge total: April 15: $20