Budget Boot Camp Challenge #3

Challenge #3 was to try Generics. Clair had some great tips and ideas. I am not going to lie this is the HARDEST part for me. In fact one of the main reasons I started coupon shopping to begin with was because I could get my name-brand stuff for a better deal and still buy the products I LOVE.

I am going to have to say I probably failed this challenge. I mean there are some things I just won't budge on. I know have I mentioned I am stubborn?

You will all be pleased to know that I did still make a list and followed it based on my menu planning. Hooray for small victories. I went to Smiths they are having a big sale on some things that I needed. I mostly bought fresh vegetables I stocked up on toilet paper and mayo. I just won't budge on TP sorry I have tried and it is one of those products I just can't buy the store brand. I did however buy the brand that was on sale and I used a coupon. I price matched the mayo and with the sale and my coupon it was cheaper to buy the name brand than the store brand so I stuck with my plan there. I also got a great deal on some snacks and lunch items for my kids.

Anyway I spent less this shopping trip around $78 and I saved just over $30. I felt good about that considering I got all the food we will need for the week and stocked up on some items.

Items I will buy generic: butter, some cheeses, cream cheese, milk (if the store brand is cheaper), garbage and storage bags.

Items I just won't budge on: frozen and canned veggies I have tried the generic and I just can't eat them sorry, cleaning products and laundry detergent, and as I already mentioned toilet paper.

I have found that a lot of generic items are just as good as the name-brand I have tried them and I still use them if I am out and my favorite brand is NOT on sale. I do love getting name-brand stuff cheaper than generic though. That is my favorite part of coupon shopping.

For more Budget tips visit Clair or Beth and see what the next challenge will be. Also head on over to our facebook page for our latest updates and give-aways.

How to get Urine/Sweat stains out of your Mattress

If you have kids you have pee stains I know it. If you don't lucky you or you are a liar and in denial. I have pee stains on more than one mattress. I also have sweat stains on pillows because well I sweat a.lot . It's a gift I know. I digress. Anyway I have tried many different ways to get urine/pee out of mattresses and I have been very unsuccessful so I did a google search and what do you know? Another mom had pee stains too. So I borrowed her recipe and it totally worked so I am sharing it with you. All you need are these few house-hold ingredients and a spray bottle. I bought a really expensive one (NOT) I used one I had for my kids hair. It worked great. You will need: 3 Tablespoons Baking Soda 8 ounces Hydrogen peroxide 1 drop dish soap Mix together well and use right away. My mom discovered that if it is not mixed well the baking soda will clog the sprayer. You also can't store this apparently it doesn't last in the bottle and it is no longe

Master Bedroom Makeover Board and Batten

I highly recommend a few items although you don't HAVE to have them it just makes this project go so much faster. I bought a pancake compressor with three nail guns included saved me on this project and a miter saw. I bought both from Home Depot and they didn't pay me to say that it is just where I happen to shop. I actually had this all measured out and went to Home Depot and they cut the mdf primed boards for me. However I later purchased the miter saw and was then able to cut things right here at my house. The nail gun I used is a 16 gauge gun that can shoot nails up to 3 inches. I used a 2.5 inch nail to cover the thickness of the board and wall. Ok so I recommend deciding how you want your boards spaced first and measure and mark on the wall where you want them. I tried to do every 16 inches because that is how far apart my studs were but then I realized my wall wasn't an even length and so I have some that look a little off on the ends. Lesson learned

I heart Faces Week 47~ We heart tooshies!

I am trying this again. I never win but it is fun to enter and see everyone else's photos. Go on over to I Heart Faces to see more entries.

Rudy Family Rukus~Parenting tips and humor meet in one big "rukus"

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