Mama to 6~The Large Family Logistics

Money Saving Mom:

**As always, remember that if you've not updated your email address here, you can do that and print out a $4/$20 CVS coupon.**

******ECB DEALS******

Buy $15 worth of CVS baby care products, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)
Includes:
CVS-brand diapers are $6/pack
CVS-brand wipes are $2, free with the July Beauty book $2/1 coupon (if your store consider these skin care)
CVS-brand baby lotion, baby swabs, baby powder are all $2 each, free with the July Beauty book $2/1 coupon

*DEAL IDEA*
If you plan to do multiple transactions at CVS this week and have multiple copies of the $2/1 Beauty skincare coupon, buy one $2 product per transaction and use one $2/1 coupon per transaction. After you've purchased eight of these free items, you'll also get a $5 ECB!

Buy 1 Glade Scented Oil Refill Pack at $2.49, Get $1 ECB (Limit 5)
Use $1/1 coupon here
$0.49 after coupon and ECB

Buy $10 Worth of Physicians Formula Organic Cosmetics, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)--I don't think there are currently any coupons for this, but this is a great deal for those of you who prefer to use all-natural, organic cosmetics!

******NON-ECB DEALS******

Click here to print your coupon for a free American Greeting card at CVS (Thanks, Michelle!)

L'Oreal Vive Pro - on sale B1G1. Buy 2 and use B1G1 coupon from the 07/13 SmartSource insert. Get both free!

Trident Xtra Care - on sale B1G1. Buy 2 and use B1G1 coupon from the 07/20 SmartSource insert. Get both free. Plus, this should also produce a $1 ECB!

Colgate Total - on sale B1G1. Buy 2 and use two $1.50/1 coupons from August All You magazine and/or this printable coupon. Should be free or almost free after coupons.

Almay Cosmetics - on sale B1G1. There aren't any manufacturer's coupons out for this, but there is a $3/1 CRT that some are getting so make sure you check your CRT stash!

All Detergent - on sale B1G1. Buy 2 and use 2 $1/1 coupons here to get the bottles for around $1.50 each after sale and coupons!

See ad scans for this week (courtesy of Hot Coupon World). See all deals for this week with coupon match-ups here.

******JULY ECB DEALS******

 Buy 1 15-count CVS brand cleansing towelettes at $2.99, Get $1 ECBs (Limit 5)

*Deal*
Buy 1 15-count towelette at $2.99
Use $2/1 skincare product coupon from July Beauty booklet
Spend $0.99 out of pocket
Get $1 ECBs back!
Free after coupon and ECBs

Buy 1 CVS Pantiliners at $0.99, Get $0.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Free after ECBs!

Buy 1 5-ct. CVS Tampons at $1.49, Get $1.49 ECBs (Limit 2)
Free after ECBs!

Buy 2 Sure Deodorants, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 3)

*Deal*
Buy 2 deodorants at $2.79
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from 05/11 SmartSource insert
Spend $3.68 plus tax out of pocket
Get $3 ECBs back
Then, send in for B1G1 free rebate from recent insert
Free plus overage after coupon, ECBs, and rebate!

Buy 2 Trident Xtra Care Gum (Priced at $1.25 to $1.49), Get $1 ECBs

*DEAL*
Buy 2 Tridents
Use 2 $0.75/1 coupons from the August All You magazine (There's also reports of tear pad B1G1 coupons, too!)
Spend $1 to $1.50 out of pocket
Get $1 ECB back!
Free or $0.50 after coupon and ECBs  

Buy 1 Bic Soliel Razor and 1 4 ct. Cartridges, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 4)
These are reported to be priced at around $6.99 each. Buy both and use two $4/1 coupons from the 06/02 SmartSource insert.
$0.98 after coupons and ECBs

See all deals with coupon match-ups for this month here.

 "And be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5b)

Because you are a homeschooling parent, chances are your family has given up the "two-income" dream. You've probably done without in many areas including new clothes, vacations, and eating out. Have you been noticing how everyone else seems to have much nicer homes and cars than you? Have you been thinking you are being left behind?

If so, don't allow your focus to be blurred. Stand firm against the evil one and his lies. Satan comes to us in our weak moments of frustration and fatigue and tries to convince us that everyone else has it better. Maybe if you just got a "regular" job and went back to work, you could get out from under the financial burdens you have. Matthew 6:25 says, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

Trusting God for all your needs to homeschool involves a faith that will continue to be stretched. The extra expenses involved in buying curriculum and school supplies will even add more to that strain. Knowing that God will meet those needs but not always the wants is the balance that homeschool parents must find. God always provides, even if it is only macaroni and hot dogs. If we don't have the latest in fashion or the best house on the block, we still can enjoy life and the wonderful privilege of teaching our children. May we be like the Apostle Paul when he said in Philippians 4:11, "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

© 2007 Alpha Omega Publications, 804 N. 2nd Ave. E. Rock Rapids, IA 51246.

I am just about finished purchasing all the necessary curriculum to start the new school year.  Here is what we are going to use for Alexis ( I will post the other kids later today and tomorrow, or else I would be sitting here all day!) :)

Alexis- Grade 9   (YIKES!!) :

Bible: Children's Ministry International (I know it is up to 6th grade, but it is a curriculum that all the kids can do!)

Science-Apologia Biology

Math-Saxon Math Algebra 1, and Key to Algebra

History: undetermined (any recommendations?) We were thinking about using Heroes of History. 

English: At this point I want her to finish the green book for LLATL.

Foreign Language: Latin-Song School Latin.  (This is being used for all the kids)

Music: Piano

Art: Feed my Sheep

Writing: Undetermined.  Possibly Writing Strands.  She loves to write stories.

***Any recommendations?  Am I missing something? ***

If you will be moving soon you can click here and sign up to get a coupon for 10% off your purchase at Home Depot! 

I highly recommend The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook.  I have made numerous recipes out of this cookbook and they are all delicous!  Here is one recipe-

Blueberry Pie

2 cups sour cream

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup sifted flour

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. almond extract

2 eggs

1 unbaked graham cracker pie crust

2 cups canned, ready to use blueberry pie filling ( I used fresh blueberries blended in the blender).

1/2 cup whipped cream

Combine first six ingredients; beat well and pour into pie crust.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.  Remove from oven and spread with blueberry pie filling.  Cool and refrigerate.  When chilled, spread whipped cream on top. 

Free sample of Enfamil formula

Free Dove samples

Free sample of Alaway eye drops (for itchy eyes) plus $5.00 coupon

Free sample of Arm and Hammer toothpaste

Free sample of Pollen Power bee pollen

Sometimes it's not the words you say, but how you say them that can encourage or dishearten your children. Proverbs 12:18 says, "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." We as parents must guard the words we choose to say as we homeschool our children. Phrases like "good job" or "I really like the way you did that!" are great motivating tools to use with your children.

Unfortunately, we get lazy in our attitudes and think we can say whatever we want to our children and not affect them. My son brought this to my attention one day while I was speaking to a friend on the phone. I overheard him say to his sister, "I wish mom would use her telephone voice when she is talking to us!" Ouch, that hurt! I realized my son noticed a difference in the choice of words I used and the kindness inflected in the tone of my voice when talking with someone other than him.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. If our families are the ones we love the most, we need to talk with the loving words that will bless instead of discourage them. When our children do not understand a new concept being taught, correction needs to be done in a gentle and loving manner. Using words that make them feel inferior or slow is something we must avoid at all costs. Allow them the dignity to be wrong.

Don't ruin the atmosphere in your home with thoughtless remarks. Nothing will destroy your success in homeschooling quicker than phrases like "Are you still working on that?" or "I don't know why you do not understand this. Your brother learned this right away." Ask for God's grace each day to fill your speech with His words and to show the love that will help your child be successful in their studies. Proverbs 16:24 says, "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."

© 2007 Alpha Omega Publications, 804 N. 2nd Ave. E. Rock Rapids, IA 51246.

I am making this recipe today to have for dinner.  I found it in the Living the Country Life magazine.  It sounds really yummy! I don't know if you would consider it a frugal meal unless you happen to purchase the meat on sale.

Classic Pulled Pork 

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with jalapenos

1 can (16 ounces)tomato sauce

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup vinegar

2/3 cup ketchup

1/4 teaspoon hot-pepper sauce

1 bone- in pork butt or shoulder roast (about 6 lbs)

12 hamburger buns

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees in medium size saucepan, combine tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and hot-pepper sauce.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat. 

2. Trim pork of excess fat.  Place pork in a large cooking bag; brush with 1/2 cup of the ketchup mixture.  Seal foil bag tightly.

3. Place pork in bag in large shallow baking pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 3 hours.  Remove from oven; carefully open bag.  Let stand about 30 minutes or until cool enough to handle.  Using forks or your hands, pull meat into shreds, discarding excess fat.  Place in large oven-safe serving pan.  Stir in remaining ketchup mixture.  Serve on buns.  Makes 12 servings.  

Every weekday, Monday through Friday, this site posts a new homeschooling “freebie” to their site. What kind of “freebies”? Stuff like: Unit Studies… Ebooks… Audio Programs… Games… Samples… Lesson Plans… classic books… and other quality resources! This is the REAL THING.

Many of these will be products that you would normally pay for on regular websites… but on the Homeschool Freebie of the Day site, they’re 100% free… at least for that one day! Just download your copy and enjoy! It’s as simple as that!

Click here.

Cetaphil Coupons

Happy-to-Fly Natural Anti-Anxiety Formula coupon

Sleep Pretty in Pink Coupon

This is an even better deal then getting these pens at Walmart.

Bic Pens are on sale for $0.50 per 10-pack
Buy 2 and use this $1/2 coupon here -you'll get them for free!

Use $1/2 Bic coupon here  $0.76 for 20 pens

Thanks to Nicole

Rite Aid Brand Sunblock: B1G1 free
There is a $5.00 SCR when you buy 2, and there is also a coupon in for $2.00 off when you register at riteaid.com. They were priced $6.99 each last week, so the price breaks down like this:
$6.99
$6.99
=$13.98
-$6.99 B1G1 free
-$5.00 SCR (#500)
-$2.00 RA coupon
= $.01 overage


L'Oreal Vive Pro Hydra Gloss Shampoo or Conditioner: B1G1 free
There is a B1G1 coupon in the 7/13 SS (some stores may not let you do this, but it is worth a try)

Final Price: free


Revlon ColorSilk Root Perfect Hair Color: 2/$5.00
There is a $2.00 SCR (#201) that can be redeemed twice for a total of $4.00
There is a $1.00/2 MC in the 6-1 SS

Final Price: free

Crest Whitening Expressions: $2.49
There is a $2.49 SCR (#225).
There was a $.75 or $.50 off MC in the 7/6 P& G insert.

Final Price: OVERAGE of $.75 or $.50


Coast, Dial, or Tone Bar Soap/ Dial or Tone Pump Soap:$2.99
There is a $2.00 SCR(#197)
There was a $.60 or $1.00 off MC in the 5/18 SS

Final Price: free-$.39


Stayfree, Carefree or O.B. products: $2.99
There is a $1.00 SCR(#13)

Coupon Matchup:
$1.50 off O. B. in the 6/29 Red Plum insert
B1G1 free Stayfree in the 6/29 Red Plum insert

Final Price O.B.: $.49
Final Price Stayfree: $1.99 for 2 pkg.


Electrasol Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs: $2.99
There is a $2.00 SCR (#257)
There is a $2.25 off MC in the 7/13 SS

Final Price: OVERAGE of $1.26


Art Skills Poster Paint: B1G2 free

Money Saving Mom:

Kroger has their Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner on sale for 2 for $5 this week. There is also a promotion going on where when you buy any 3 participating P&G products, you get $3 off your order (up to $12 off per transaction). P&G also had a $3/2 Herbal Essences coupon in the 07/06 insert. Combining all of these deals together makes for free shampoo and conditioner!

Here's how it breaks down:

Buy 6 shampoos or conditioners at $2.50 each = $15
Use 3 $3/2 coupons
Get an additional $6 off for buying 6 P&G products
Free after coupons and promo discount!

Also, some of the bottle of Herbal Essence have a code on them for a free pedicure or manicure when you buy two bottles. Definitely be on the lookout for those. Free Herbal Essence and free pedicure or manicure? I'll take it.

It appears this is not working nationwide. If you can confirm that it is or isn't working for your area, please let us know in the comments section.**

I had good intentions.  I was going to shoot for the kids doing one subject daily during the summer.  Well, we started out good, but now we have been slacking! 

Has anyone done school in the summer and it has worked for them?  So discouraging!!!!

Well I guess it was inevitable.  Today right before leaving to take my daughter for an eye appointment (she will be getting contacts) I received an email that appeared to be from ebay.  It did not look familiar to me.  I clicked on the link and it brought me to a site that looked exactly like Ebay's login site.  I typed in my info thinking maybe I was just forgetting something and thats why I was confused.  When I typed in my information nothing happened.  Two seconds later I realized that this was not a legitimate email from ebay!  I freaked out!  Why does ebay not have a phone number to contact someone immediately?  I finally got it resolved, but my daughter missed her eye appointment today!  Who knows, maybe I was not meant to leave the house at that time.  Maybe something like this happening was more of a blessing instead of a curse? 

I get these type of internet thievery emails quite a bit.  I usually know that that is what they are though.  I hate when things like this happen, they take up WAY too much of my precious time!