Day 2: "Words."

Day 2: "Words" from my favorite co-worker, Aliee!

When I found out that I had to take pictures of words, I instantly thought of my co-worker's note. Her name is Aliee and she's is the sweetest girl you'll ever meet! I love working with her. Also, when we work together I tend to eat healthier cause she always brings me veggies and fruits for lunch since I always eat take out or bring the most unhealthy foods you can possibly think of. Love, love, love her!

Day 1: "Your view today."

FEBRUARY 2012 Photo A Day project.

I know that I'm only supposed to post one photo a day but I had to post two for February 1st, 2012.

It's my 4 year anniversary with a wonderful man, Chris.  I love him to death and he is really good to me. I'm very grateful to have him in my life. I love you babes!

We decided to try out a new buffet restaurant in Brampton called Wok of Fame for dinner.
Here is "My view today," Chris KO'd from dinner, haha.

In the main entrance of the restaurant there was Chinese Guardian Lions. I had to capture it because I had found them so majestic! Don't ya?!

I heard good things about this restaurant but if you ask me about my overall experience, it was good. I liked the selection of their Salad Bar, the coleslaw was tasty. The Hot Dish selection was good but they weren't fresh when I went. The live WOK cooking was great! the ingredients were fresh. What I love the most is the live TEPPANYAKI, the salmon was delicious! I went back for it twice. However, on my second round.. a different cook made it and it didn't taste the same. I didn't try the Sushi bar, I was pretty stuffed. The dessert selection is the same as Mandarin's. The Blueberry cheesecake was good.. I didn't see any fresh waffles though (insert sad face). Lastly, they offer unlimited drinks even the bottled Dole juices! (I found that amazing, lol) the coffee, tea & wine weren't but that's expected. I had a good time with Chris and it was definitely worth my $22.99. I would go back but I would prefer to go on a busy day because I know the food will always be fresh, lol. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends and family. Three thumbs up.

xoxo,

k

My $130.39 worth of donation to the Animal Shelter.

Donated to the Brampton Animal Shelter.

I am proud to say I have made my first donation to the local shelter. I got all these dog and cat foods for absolutely FREE. How? couponing. Wal-Mart even had to pay me $5 something bucks due to coupon overages, so i added more food. I can't wait to donate some more. It made me feel absolutely amazing knowing I am giving back.


A dog named Lucky just recently got hit & run, broke her jaw, her leg and her pelvis. She did very good in surgery and the shelter is in need of food and funding. I'm hoping to help out again.

My next donation is to the Men's Shelter. I've got a ton of Gillette Foaming Shave and Deodorants, lol.

xoxo,
k

I miss home.

Parents in Taiwan Airport.

Today, my parents left to go on vacation in the Philippines. We're going three weeks without our parents. I haven't been away from my Mom for more than a week since grade school. Yes, I'm a 21 year old who is very attached to her mother. Nothing wrong with that. My little brother already misses her. He prefers my Mom's bickering over mine. He says I'm too "strict." Anyways, I'm very jealous. I miss home. I miss my grandmother and the 52 cousins and counting JUST on my Mom's side. I've got plenty from my Dad's side too, lol. I wish I was able to come with. Hope you have a safe trip Mom and Dad. Have fun!


xoxo,
k

I paid $13.16 for groceries worth $89.88!

Cereals anyone? I've got 11 boxes.

Today, I decided to grocery shop. I only wanted to redeem my FREE box of Vector Cereal but I went crazy. I can never turn down a good sale and these shops just happen to have plenty! Here it is:

FOOD BASICS:
4 x All Bran Flakes Cereal 775g = $2.88 - $2 = .88 = $3.52
5 x All Bran Strawberry Medley Cereal 375g =  $2.88 - $2 = .88 = $4.40
1 x All Bran Original Cereal 525g = $2.88 - $2 = .88 = $0.88
1 x Old El Paso Smart Fiesta Hard Taco Kit = $2.99 - $1 = $1.99
1 x Toaster Strudel Raspberry = $1.99 - $1 = $0.99
1 x Hamburger Helper Stroganoff = $2.39 - $1 = $1.39
1 x Old El Paso Medium Hot Salsa = $2.99 - FPC = FREE
4 x Oasis Fruits Juice 960ml = $1.59 ea / $6.36 - FPC = FREE
1 x Betty Crocker Cream Cheese Icing = $0.99 - $1 = FREE + made 1 cent

*All Bran Cereals are $5.49 Regular x 10 = $54.90 and saved $46.10, score!

FORTINOS:
1 x Kelloggs VECTOR Meal Replacement Cereal 400g = $5.49 - FPC = FREE
2 x Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Brownies = $2.99 - FPC = FREE

Everything listed above cost $89.88 and I paid $13.16.
Yes, that's how much I paid. I've got the receipt to prove it, ha ha ha.

I am definitely proud of myself. Mom finds my couponing entertaining and my brother cannot stop telling me how badass I got so many stuff for such a low price. He's just glad he has months worth of cereals to eat and believe me, this kid goes through them fast!


xoxo,
k

Cheap is Chic.

Have you ever heard of that show called Extreme Couponing from TLC? Well, I have and I'm totally in love with it. Enter the world of bargain shoppers who have mastered the art of savings. About 98% of what they purchased were FREE. Amazing right? I mean who doesn't like freebies?

I decided early this month that I was going to try my hand at couponing. Yes, just regular couponing. I wish I could get everything for free like the Americans do. They have stores in their community that will double (sometimes triple!) the value of coupons. Coupon policies here in Canada are very different. Is it possible to be an extreme couponer in Canada? Yes, you can be an extreme couponer in Canada. You just won’t be able to get the same types of deals as those in the US.

I have definitely learned a lot about couponing the past couple of weeks. First, find coupons. The Sunday paper is always a great source to find some. Then you wait until there is a great sale (There are websites that will post weekly coupon match ups with Store deals) and that’s when you pull out your coupons. I also learned that having a list is a great tool. Otherwise, you will find yourself walking up and down the aisles. To save yourself some money, always shop with a list and never buy anything that is not on there. I learned this before I decided to try couponing. I like to cook and grocery shop. I found that without a list, I tend to buy unnecessary products that likely go to waste. Another thing to do is always check the clearance section. This morning I was bored and decided to go to Wal-Mart. Yes, I go to there when I'm bored. I'm sure people do too, ha. This was the very first time I got things for FREE. So imagine my excitement. Things didn't exactly go smoothly though.

Everything I purchased today. Missing: the Bananas, lol.

Before I left to go to the store, I made sure I calculated the deals. When I got to the cashier I was so darn confident of my coupons. The cashier had no knowledge whatsoever of their store coupon policy. After ringing my entire order, she was baffled that my coupon value exceeded the price of my items therefore Wal-Mart had to OWE ME. Amazing right? The cashier didn't think so. She got rude and I fired back telling her she should know how to do her job! (You should see how many screw ups she made on my receipt.) So, she calls the manager to come help her. Four managers later, my order was processed the right way. Sad, I know.

Out of the 4 managers only 1 actually knew the policy! The first 3 didn't know squat and thought they can just say YES OR NO because they're managers. Well guess what? I came prepared. I happened to have the Wal-Mart Coupon Policy printed out! (I'm terrified of public embarrassment so I did my research, lol.) Of course, I felt so damn good handing the print out to the store managers. Policy says: When coupon value exceeds the price of the item: • the excess amount can be given as cash or can be applied toward the basket purchase, at the customer's choice. How freaking wonderful is that?  As I was leaving, I saw the same 3 managers talking about if I hadn't added more items, they would've owed me! LOL, let me tell you. It was great.

My total was over $21 and guess how much I paid? $2.50. Yes, you read right. I'm quite happy knowing I only paid under $3. My order consisted of:
8 x Olay Body Lotion (Travel size) @ $1.57/ea = $12.56 - 3/$2 coupon and 1/$5 WUB3 = $1.56 (saved $11)
3 x Gilette Shave Foam (Travel size) @ $1.27/ea = $3.81 - 1/$5 WUB3 coupon = $0.81 (saved $3)
10 x Fresh Bananas @ $1.37/lb = $2.75 - $2.75 - 1/free 2lbs of Bananas coupon from Kelloggs = FREE
Total Paid = $2.50, Total Savings = $18.75

See all the voids the cashier made? lol.

I also went to Shoppers Drug Mart and purchased Crest Vivid 3D White Toothpaste that is normally $3.96that was on sale for $2.99 - $0.75 coupon = $2.63 including tax. Also went to Rexall and purchased 4 x Adidas Men & Women Deodorant @ $1.47 (Regular $4.99) = $5.88 - 2/$2 coupon = $1.88 (saved $4.) I paid $7.49 for everything I purchased today and I saved $48.55. Yup. I'm proud of myself.

To my conclusion, I honestly think couponing is a great way to save money. I mean who in the right mind would disagree? Those coupons are money. I used to be scared and embarrassed to use them but after watching that show I was totally amazed. If they can do it, I can do it. Cheap is Chic. I pride myself for being considered a good shopper. I mean, don't you feel happy when you save money? I definitely do. Money doesn't grow on trees.

DermaGlow Free Products!

DermaGlow Eye Lift and Foaming Cleanser

Today, I woke up very late. The first thing I do is go to the kitchen to find something to eat. Guess what I found? My mom quietly debating whether she should open up the box these products came in before I even got to them. Such a curious woman. Finally, she realized I was in the room. Like a kid on Christmas Morning, she quickly handed it to me and demanded me to open the box quickly! Oh mother.

I had forgotten all about DermaGlow sending me free samples. I signed up on Sheinspiresme's website in the hopes of winning a free trip to Varadero Cuba and they were sending out free samples of DermaGlow. No Purchase Necessary. Also, they ask you to write a 500 word story about Who Inspires You. Of course, my dear Mom. I honestly thought the samples were going to be in small sachets and mini bottles. To my surprise, I found a regular sized bottle of Foaming Cleanser and the Eye Lift Roller when I opened the box. Total score!

Anyways, I am huge when it comes to Skin Care. I started using the Clarisonic (Which I love btw! I'll write about that later) and the Gentle Cleanser that came with it last week. I'll do a product review on this sometime in the future when I decide to use it. Unless my Mom tries them before I do, LOL. To get your free samples, click here. Offers last until May 1, 2011.

xoxo,
k