2018 Reading Challenge

Once again I am doing the Popsugar reading challenge!  Probably own't finish it again, but I'm still going to have fun doing it!!  I'm also planning to try to read more books then I did last year.  I read 45 books in 2017, so this years goal is 46!  I'll list any books that I read that don't fit any category at the bottom of the list!

1. A book made into a movie you've already seen
2. True Crime
3. The next book in a series you started ~ Witch is When Things Fell Apart (bk 4) ~ Adele Abbott
4. A book involving a heist
5. Nordic noir
6. A novel based on a real person
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
8. A book with a time of day in the title
9. A book about a villain or antihero
10. A book about death or grief
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical ~ Radium Girls ~ By Kate Moore
14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
15. A book about feminism
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
18. A book by two authors
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author
21. A book with your favorite color in the title
22. A book with alliteration in the title
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title
25. A book set at sea
26. A book with an animal in the title
27. A book set on a different planet
28. A book with song lyrics in the title
29. A book about or set on Halloween
30. A book with characters who are twins ~ A Court of Wings and Ruin ~ By Sarah J Maas
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
33. A childhood classic you've never read
34. A book that's published in 2018 ~ Dark in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36. A book set in the decade you were born
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to ~ The Clothes Make the Girl (Look Fat) ~ Brittany Gibbons
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or library
40. Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges

ADVANCED

1. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school
2. A cyberpunk book
3. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
4. A book tied to your ancestry
5. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
6. An allegory
7. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
8. A microhistory
9. A book about a problem facing society today
10. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge ~ A Court of Thorns and Roses ~ By Sarah J. Maas


Books I have Read That Didn't Make the List

1. A is for Alibi ~ By Sue Grafton
2. A Court of Mist and Fury ~ By Sarah J Maas
3. A Secret History of Witches ~ By Louisa Morgan
4. 
   

2018 Book Riot Reading Challenge

I saw this challenge posted, and I thought it would be a fun one to do in addition to the one I normally do from Pop Sugar.  This one is from Book Riot!

1. A book published posthumously
2. A book of true crime
3. A classic of genre fiction (i.e. mystery, sci fi/fantasy, romance) ~ A is for Alibi ~ By Sue Grafton
4. A comic written and illustrated by the same person
5. A book set in or about one of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, or South Africa)
6. A book about nature
7. A western
8. A comic written or illustrated by a person of color
9. A book of colonial or postcolonial literature
10. A romance novel by or about a person of color
11. A children’s classic published before 1980
12. A celebrity memoir
13. An Oprah Book Club selection
14. A book of social science
15. A one-sitting book
16. The first book in a new-to-you YA or middle grade series
17. A sci fi novel with a female protagonist by a female author
18. A comic that isn’t published by Marvel, DC, or Image
19. A book of genre fiction in translation
20. A book with a cover you hate
21. A mystery by a person of color or LGBTQ+ author
22. An essay anthology
23. A book with a female protagonist over the age of 60
24. An assigned book you hated (or never finished)

2015 Reading List Challenge

So my friend Melissa found this reading challenge list…rather then challenging yourself to read X amount of books, it kind of spices things up a bit and gives you challenges for what kind of books to read.  So I am joining her on this challenge this year.  I know some of them will be easy to do, while others will be more difficult (like finishing a book you stopped reading…that's gonna SUCK haha), but I look forward to the challenge.

Here's the list!

A book with more than 500 pages-  Drums of Autumn ~ By Diana Gabaldon
A classic romance-
A book that became a movie-
A book published this year-  Devoted in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
A book with a number in the title-
A book written by someone under 30-
A book with nonhuman characters- Bound by Flames ~ By Jeannine Frost
A funny book- Fat Girl Walking ~ By Brittany Gibbons 
A book by a female author-  Time's Edge ~ By Rysa Walker
A mystery or thriller-  
A book with a one-word title-  Marked ~ By Sarah Fine
A book of short stories-  Down the Rabbit Hole ~ J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and R. C. Ryan
A book set in a different country-  Dragonfly in Amber ~ By Diana Gabaldon
A nonfiction book-  Anne Frank:  The Diary of a Young Girl ~ By Anne Frank
A popular author's first book-  Irish Thoroughbred ~ By Nora Roberts
A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet-  Revealed ~ By P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
A book a friend recommended-  Timebound ~ By Rysa Walker
A Pulitzer Prize winning book-
A book based on a true story-
A book at the bottom of your to-read list-
A book your Mom loves-  Fatal Affair ~ By Marcie Force
A book that scares you-
A book more than 100 years old-
A book based entirely on its cover-  Found (The Missing: Book 1) ~ By Margaret Peterson Haddix
A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't-
A memoir- Orange is the New Black ~ By Piper Kerman
A book you can finish in a day-  Time Echo's ~ By Rysa Walker
A book with antonyms in the title-
A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit-  Voyager ~ By Diana Gabaldon
A book that came out the year you were born-
A book with bad reviews-  Beauty's Kingdom ~ By A.N. Roquelaure
A trilogy- The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Shiver, Linger, Forever) ~ By Maggie Stiefvater
A book from your childhood-
A book with a love triangle-
A book set in the future-  Obsession in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
A book set in high school-  Redeemed ~ By P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
A book with a color in the title-  Ruby Circle ~ By Richelle Mead
A book that made you cry-  Flirting with Felicity ~ By Gerri Russell
A book with magic-  The Void ~ By J.D. Horn
A graphic novel-
A book by an author you've never read before-
A book you own but have never read-  Hotshot ~ By Julie Garwood
A book that takes place in your hometown-  Desert Heat ~ By J.A. Janice
A book that was originally written in a different language-
A book set during Christmas-
A book written by an author with your same initials-
A play-
A banned book-
A book based on or turned into a TV show-  The Outlander ~ By Diana Gabaldon
A book you started but never finished-

Books that I read that didn't fit on this list!

• The Fiery Cross ~ By Diana Gabaldon
• A Breath of Snow and Ashes ~ By Diana Gabaldon
• An Echo in the Bone ~ By Diana Gabaldon
• Written in My Own Heart's Blood ~ By Diana Gabaldon
• A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows ~ Dy Diana Gabaldon
• The Space Between ~ By Diana Gabaldon
• Stars of Fortune ~ By Nora Roberts

Here are links to some of my friends who are also participating in this challenge!

Amber ~ http://ambershiines.blogspot.com/2015/01/reading-challenge-2015.html?m=0
Angela ~ http://angievcrafts.blogspot.com/p/2015-reading-challenge.html
Jessica ~ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9761582
Melissa ~ http://melgarnerandbabyj.blogspot.com/2015/01/reading-challenge-2015.html

2015 Out Do Yourself Reading Challenge

If your goal for 2015 is to read more, then this is the reading challenge for you! There have been 350+ readers who have wanted to outdo themselves so far. Are you up for the challenge?

Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015 (books read prior to 1/1/2015 do not count towards the challenge). You can join anytime before 9/30/2015. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more in 2015 than you did in 2014. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down. Remember, the idea is to challengeyourself.
• Books can be any format (print, ebook, audio).
• Books can be any genre (fiction, nonfiction, romance, mystery, etc.).
• Novellas that are 100 pages in length (give or take), as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• To join the challenge, grab the 2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge button below and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, LibraryThing, BookLikes, etc., so as long as you have a dedicated shelf for the 2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge and your profile is not private. The point of linking up is to have a place where people can see what you’re reading.

Levels:

• Getting My Heart Rate Up: read 1–5 more books (or 250–1,499 more pages)
• Out of Breath: read 6–10 more books (or 1,500–2,749 more pages)
• Breaking a Sweat: read 11–15 more books (or 2,750–3,999 more pages)
• I’m on Fire!: read 16+ more books (or 4,000+ more pages)

***My goal for 2015 is 'Getting My Heart Rate Up', which is 1-5 more books then last year.  Last year I read 87 books, so my goal for this year is 88-92.

1. Irish Thoroughbred ~ By Nora Roberts
2. The Void ~ By J.D. Horn
3. Marked ~ By Sarah Fine
4. Timebound ~ By Rysa Walker
5. Time Echo's ~ By Rysa Walker
6. Time's Edge ~ By Rysa Walker
7. Flirting with Felicity ~ By Gerri Russell
8. Shiver ~ By Maggie Stiefvater
9. Linger ~ By Maggie Stiefvater
10. Forever ~ By Maggie Stiefvater
11. Ruby Circle ~ By Richelle Mead
12. Obsession in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
13. Found (The Missing: Book 1) ~ By Margaret Peterson Haddix
14. Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl ~ By Anne Frank
15. Fatal Affairs ~ By Marcie Force
16. Bound by Flames ~ By Jeannine Frost
17. Desert Heat ~ By J.A. Janice
18. Revealed ~ By P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
19. Redeemed ~ By P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
20. Fat Girl Walking ~ By Brittany Gibbons
21. Orange is the New Black ~ By Piper Kerman
22. The Outlander ~ By Diana Gabaldon
23. Dragonfly in Amber ~ By Diana Gabaldon
24. Voyager ~ By Diana Gabaldon
25. Drums of Autumn ~ By Diana Gabaldon
26. The Fiery Cross ~ By Diana Gabaldon
27. A Breath of Snow and Ashes ~ By Diana Gabaldon
28. An Echo in the Bone ~ By Diana Gabaldon
29. Written in my Own Hearts Blood ~ By Diana Gabaldon
30. Devoted in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
31. Beauty's Kingdom ~ By A.N. Roquelaure
32. Hotshot ~ By Julie Garwood
33. The Space Between ~ By Diana Gabaldon
34. A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows ~ By Diana Gabaldon
35. Stars of Fortune ~ By Nora Roberts
36. Down the Rabbit Hole ~ By J.D. Robb and others

52 Week Money Challenge

Last year around New Years I saw the 52 week money saving challenge being shared, but we didn't do it.  This year when I saw it being shared I printed it out and took it to my hubby to show it to him because I really wanted to do it.

The way it is set up, there are 52 weeks in the year and you save money each week.  Week 1 is $1, Week 2 is $2 etc until you hit Week 52 at $52.  In the end, you wind up saving (either in a bank account, or where ever you keep your savings) a total of $1,378 for the year.  Some people talk about doing it backwards, so you are saving more now, and less during the holidays when money usually gets tighter for people.  We're trying to go backwards, but I did a print out that has check boxes on it, so if need be we can skip around each week and check them off as we do them.  I also saw an alternative that has you save $26.50 each week of the year, and you still save $1,378 for the year.

We have a savings account and a high interest savings account (that account is our out of site, out of mind money that we are stashing for major emergencies, like for our house).  We are transferring the money we are saving right into the high interest savings account.  We did our 1st deposit on Friday!  I am excited to do this, it will be a great addition to our savings account, every little bit helps!  I personally don't think it matters if you go in order, as long as you make the commit and do all the deposits.

Is anyone else doing this challenge?

2013 Outdo yourself reading challenge

I am also participating in The Book Vixens Outdo yourself reading challenge.  The challenge here is to read more books then I did last year.

Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime.Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2013 than you did in 2012. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down.
• Books can be any format (bound, ebook, audio).
• Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

Levels:

     Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
     Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
     Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
     I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

If you would like to join in you can sign up here.

I personally am going for the "Getting my heart rate up" level in this challenge, to read 1-5 more books then I did last year.  Last year I read 63 books, so my goal in this challenge is to read 64-68 books.

1. Hot Rocks ~ By Nora Roberts
2. Time Was ~ By Nora Roberts
3. Time Changes ~ By Nora Roberts
4. A Discovery of Witches ~ By Deborah Harkness
5. The Unquiet ~ By Robb, Blayney, Gaffney, Langan, McComas
6. Shadow of Night ~ By Deborah Harkness
7. Sleeping with Paris ~ By Juliette Sobanet
8. Scared Stiff ~ By Annelise Ryan
9. Calculated in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
10. Naked in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
11. Glory in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
12. Immortal in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
13. Rapture in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
14. Ceremony in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
15. City of Bones ~ By Cassandra Clare
16. City of Ashes ~ By Cassandra Clare 
17. City of Glass ~ By Cassandra Clare 
18. City of Fallen Angels ~ By Cassandra Clare
19. City of Lost Souls ~ By Cassandra Clare
20. The Clockwork Angel ~ By Cassandra Clare
21. The Clockwork Prince ~ By Cassandra Clare
22. The Clockwork Princess ~ By Cassandra Clare
23. City of Lost Souls ~ By Cassandra Clare
24. City of Bones ~ By Cassandra Clare
25. City go Ashes ~ By Cassandra Clare
26. City of Glass ~ By Cassandra Clare 
27. City of Fallen Angels ~ By Cassandra Clare
28. Only His ~ By Elizabeth Lowell
29. Only Mine ~ By Elizabeth Lowell
30. Only Love ~ By Elizabeth Lowell
31. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty ~ By Anne Rice
32. Beauty's Punishment ~ By Anne Rice
33. Inferno ~ Dan Brown
34. House of Night : Marked ~ By P.C. Cast
35. House of Night : Betrayed ~ By P.C. Cast
36. House of Night : Chosen ~ By P.C. Cast
37. House of Night ~ Untamed ~ By P.C. Cast
38. Houe of Night ~ Hunted ~ By P.C. Cast
39. House of Night : Tempted ~ By P.C. Cast
40. House of Night : Burned ~ By P.C. Cast
41. House of Night : Awakened ~ By P.C. Cast
42. House of Night : Destined ~ By P.C. Cast
43. House of Night : Hidden ~ By P.C. Cast
44. Chasing Justice ~ By Danielle Stewart
45. 3 Sisters ~ By Susan Mallery
46. Return to Willow Lake ~ By Susan Wiggs
47. Deep Water ~ By Jayne Ann Krentz
48. City of Bones ~ By Cassandra Clare
49. City of Ashes ~ By Cassandra Clare
50. City of Glass ~ By Cassandra Clare
51. The Homecoming ~ By JoAnn Ross
52. Thankless in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
53. The Vu ~ By Hannah Gordan
54. The Executive's Decision ~ By Bernadette Marie
55. The Homecoming Masquerade ~ By Spencer Baum
56. The Bridegroom Wore Plaid ~ By Grace Burrowes
57. Naked in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
58. Glory in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
59. Immortal in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
60. Rapture in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
61. Ceremony in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
62. Dark Witch ~ By Nora Roberts
63. Finding Pride ~ By Jill Sanders
64. A Discovery of Witches ~ By Deborah Harkness
65. Shadow of Night ~ By Deborah Harkness
66. Vengeance in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
67. Holiday in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
68. Conspiracy in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
69. Vengeance in Death ~ By J.D. Robb

Well, the year is done and I made it to 69 books, my goal was to read 63-68 so I surpassed it by 1!  I can't wait to see what the next year brings!

2013 150+ Book Challenge

Ok, I know I didn't reach 150 books last year, I only got to 63, BUT that was better then the year before!  The challenge does just that, it challenges me, and it makes me read more, so I am doing it again.

So, once again this year I am joining in the 150+ book reading challenge sponsored by My Overstuffed Bookshelf.

DETAILS/RULES:

1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 thru December 31, 2013. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

6. When you sign up under Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

If you would like to join in too, you can do so by clicking here.

1. Hot Rocks ~ By Nora Roberts
2. Time Was ~ By Nora Roberts
3. Time Changes ~ By Nora Roberts
4. A Discovery of Witches ~ By Deborah Harkness
5. The Unquiet ~ By Robb, Blayney, Gaffney, Langan, McComas
6. Shadow of Night ~ By Deborah Harkness
7. Sleeping with Paris ~ By Juliette Sobanet
8. Scared Stiff ~ By Annelise Ryan
9. Calculated in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
10. Naked in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
11. Glory in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
12. Immortal in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
13. Rapture in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
14. Ceremony in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
15. City of Bones ~ By Cassandra Clare
16. City of Ashes ~ By Cassandra Clare
17. City of Glass ~ By Cassandra Clare
18. City of Fallen Angels ~ By Cassandra Clare
19. City of Lost Souls ~ By Cassandra Clare
20. The Clockwork Angel ~ By Cassandra Clare
21. The Clockwork Prince ~ By Cassandra Clare
22. The Clockwork Princess ~ By Cassandra Clare
23. City of Lost Souls ~ By Cassandra Clare (yes, I read it again)
24. City of Bones ~ By Cassandra Clare
25. City of Ashes ~ By Cassandra Clare
26. City of Glass ~ By Cassandra Clare
27. City of Fallen Angels ~ By Cassandra Clare
28. Only His ~ By Elizabeth Lowell
29. Only Mine ~ By Elizabeth Lowell
30. Only Love ~ By Elizabeth Lowell
31. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty ~ By Anne Rice
32. Beauty's Punishment ~ By Anne Rice
33. Inferno ~ By Dan Brown
34. House of Night : Marked ~ By P.C. Cast
35. House of Night : Betrayed ~ By P.C. Cast
36. House of Night : Chosen ~ By P.C. Cast
37. House of Night : Untamed ~ By P.C. Cast
38. House of Night : Hunted ~ By P.C. Cast
39. House of Night : Tempted ~ By P.C. Cast
40. House of Night : Burned ~ By P.C. Cast
41. House of Night : Awakened ~ By P.C. Cast
42. House of Night : Destined ~ By P.C. Cast
43. House of Night : Hidden ~ By P.C. Cast
44. Chasing Justice ~ By Danielle Stewart
45. 3 Sisters ~ By Susan Mallery
46. Return to Willow Lake ~ By Susan Wiggs
47. Deep Waters ~ By Jayne Ann Krentz
48. City of Bones ~ By Cassandra Clare
49. City of Ashes ~ By Cassandra Clare
50. City of Glass ~ By Cassandra Clare
51. The Homecoming ~ By JoAnn Ross
52. Thankless in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
53. The Vu ~ By Hannah Gordan
54. The Executive's Decision ~ By Bernadette Marie
55. The Homecoming Masquerade ~ By Spencer Baum
56. The Bridegroom Wore Plaid ~ By Grace Burrowes
57. Naked in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
58. Glory in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
59. Immortal in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
60. Rapture in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
61. Ceremony in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
62. Dark Witch ~ By Nora Roberts
63. Finding Pride ~ By Jill Sanders
64. A Discovery of Witches ~ By Deborah Harkness
65. Shadow of Night ~ By Deborah Harkness
66. Vengeance in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
67. Holiday in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
68. Conspiracy in Death ~ J.D. Robb
69. Vengeance in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
70. 
    

Updated!

I've done some more updating around here 8)

My 150+ book challenge is up to date now.  I am slacking...a LOT....but am ahead of where I was last year at this time, so that's something at least!  I am hoping I can get more reading in over the summer.  I highly doubt that I will hit my goal of 150, but I am still going to try, you never know!  I updated the side bar too, only 15%, ouch!

There haven't really been a lot of great deals at the drug stores...at least not ones I have wanted/needed.  there have been a few things that they didn't carry, or were out of in my area.  I have updated the Walgreens post tho (since I bought something in May).  So the drug store challenges are also up to due now.

Rite-Aid $20 Challenge recap!

Ok folks, now that I have reached $20 in my Rite-Aid $20 challenge, I'm going to go over everything I got for $21.68 (I went a bit over on my last shopping trip).  It took me 2.5 months to spend $20 at Rite-Aid, and I only bought things we use/need.  Let's see what I bought and how much I saved total!!

Bought:


2 70 count lil critter gummy vites.
1 18oz ACT mouthwash
2 U by Kotex 18ct pantyliners
2 Pantene Aqua Light Conditioners
2 Revlon Nail polishes
1 Sally Hanson peel on nails
1 Biore pore strips
1 Biore Cleanser
1 Maybelline lipstick
1 Maybelline eyeshadow

Total spent:  $21.68
Total saved:  $64.66
Overall savings of 75%!

I also currently have $7 in +UP rewards to use.

Rite Aid $20 Challenge

This is where I will post all my Rite-Aid deals.  This is my favorite drug store, so I am hoping I can really make that $20 stretch....BUT with how often I shop there sometimes, I don't know how good I will do HAHA.

01/09/12 ~ 2 70 count lil critter gummy vites.  $6.79 each, they were part of a BOGO sale, so that made them 2 for $6.79, then I used a $1/1 coupon, dropping the price to $5.79, then I used a $5 +UP I had, making them $.79.  After taxes I paid $.93, saved $12.79 a 93% savings.  I also walked out with another $2 +UP, so technically I got paid $1.07 to take them out of the store!

01/15/12 ~ 18oz ACT mouthwash.  On sale for $4.49, used a $1 coupon and $3 in +ups making it only $.49!  There was a $.35 tax so my total oop was $.89, saved $5.50 for a savings of 86%!  I also walked out with a $1 +up, so it was like I was paid $.11 t take it out of the store!

02/26/12 ~ 2 U by Kotex 18 ct Pantyliners.  On sale for Buy One Get One Half Off.  Used 2 $1 coupons, paid $.40, saved $2.75, a savings of 87%.

02/26/12 ~ 2 Pantene Aqua Light Conditioners.  On sale for 2/$7 and used a $3 coupon.  Paid $4, saved 5.98, a savings of 60%.  I also walked out with $4 in +ups, so it's like I got them for free!

03/04/12 ~ Revlon nail polish normally $5.99 used a $3 coupon.  Sally Hanson peel on nails on clearance for $2.44 (I forgot my $1 coupon *sniff*).  Paid $6.08 and saved $10.35, a savings of 63%

03/04/12 ~ Revlon nail polish normally $5.99 used a $3 off coupon.  Biore Pore Strips and cleansers $5.99 each, used a coupon to buy 1 pore strip get a cleanser for free!  I also used my $4 +ups I had gotten a few days before on this transaction.  Paid $4.30, saved $19.49 a savings of 82%

03/11/12 ~ Maybelline Lipstick for $8.49 and an eyeshadow for $1.79 (they had a Buy One Get one 50% off sale)  Used a $2 MQ on the lipstick and a $1 MQ on the eyeshadow, also used a $3 +Up reward.  Paid $5.08, saved $7.80 a savings of 61%.  I also got a $3 +UP reward, so it's like I paid $2.08.



 $20.00
 -    .93
 -    .89
 -    .40
 -  4.00
 -  6.08
 -  4.30
 -  5.08
-----------
- $01.68

CVS $20 Challenge

I don't shop at CVS too often, but when I do, this is where I will share my deals.

01/05/12 ~ 6 9oz dawn dish soaps.  Normally $1.99 each, on sale for $.88 with coupons they were $.63 each.  Spent $4.19, saved $8.16, a 66% savings.

01/06012 ~ 2 9oz dawn dish soaps, same deal as a above.  4 9oz dawn hand renewal dish soaps, normally $1.99, on sale for $.88 with coupons they were $.38 each.  Spent $3.19, saved $9.16 a savings of 74%.

01/28/12 ~ 2 kotex 18 count panty liners.  Normally $1.57, on sale for $.99, with coupons they were free, just had to pay sales tax. Spent $.13, saved $3.16, a savings of 96%!
Also got 8 free 4X6 prints (still have 82 left!).  Spent $.08, saved $3.09, a savings of 97%.

 $20.00
 -   4.19
 -   3.19
 -     .13
 -     .08
----------
 $12.41

Walgreen's $20 Challenge

Here's my results for the $20 drug store challenge for Walgreen's.  I will update the post any time I make a purchase there.  Let's see how far I can make that $20 stretch!!

01/02/12 ~ 3 Loreal Studio Gel's, normally $4.99 each, on clearance for $1.29.  Used walgreens coupon booklet coupon for $2 off, which made all 3 free.  Living in California I had to pay sales tax on my items tho, so I spent $.30 oop and saved $14.97.

01/05/12 ~ 2 Clearasil Daily Face Wash, on sale for $3.79 each, used a walgreens $2, and a mq $1 coupon making each one $.79.  2 softsoaps, used walgreen coupons to make them $.99 each.   I spent $3.99, saved $14.60, a 79% savings.

02/08/12 ~ 4 .5oz Cortaid creams, on sale for $2.99, had coupons that made them free.  Spent $.94, saved $18.35, a savings of 95%.

02/15/12 ~ 2 6.8oz Got2B Magnetik Styling Gel (hair gel for Austin).  On sale for $5.99 and BOGO!  Had coupons that made them FREE!  Spent $.46, saved $13.85, a savings of 97%.

02/18/12 ~ I actually did 3 trips over 2 days, but since it's all the same product putting it under 1 post here.  50 FREE Chapsticks!  Normally $1.99, on sale for $.99 each and I had a $1 coupon in the Walgreens February monthly coupon book, making them all free.  I just paid sales tax.  Spent $3.91, saved $101.49 a 98$ savings!

03/23/12 ~ 3 Reach total care toothbrushes.  Normally $5.49, Walgreen's had an in ad coupon making them $.99 each, limit 3.  Also used 3 MQ's for $1 each, that they adjusted down to $.99 as per their coupon policy.  Paid $.23 (tax), saved $16.47, a savings of 99%.

03/28/12 ~ 3 reach total care toothbrushes.  Same deal as above,paid $.23, saved $16.47, a savings of 99%.

05/18/12 ~ 4 Aquafresh Kids Toothpastes. Normally $2.79, on sale for $.99 and I had $1 off coupons for each one.  Spent $.31 (sales tax only), saved $11.16 a savings of 97%



$20.00
-     .30
-   3.99
-     .94
-     .46
-   3.91
-     .23
-     .23
-     .31
---------
$09.61
 

$20 Drug Store Challenge

Several of the blogs I follow have joined up to do a $20 Drug Store Challenge.  Not only are they hosting the challenge, but they are also participating, and sharing their deals.  I thought this would be fun to try. I may not be quite as good at saving money as they are, but I think I can do ok!  So here's all the info for it!

Here is how the challenge works:

•  Start with $20 set aside for each drug store you shop at.
• We will be shopping at Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS, but maybe you have another drug store you frequent, any is fine!
• The goal of the challenge is to see how long and far you can stretch the $20. 
• We will be maximizing our savings with Coupons, Rewards, Rebates and Sales. 
• Each week we will share what we buy, how we saved and what we spend. 
• You can post your trips on the linky provided each week! (or you can leave a comment about your trip)

We hope that you will join us and share how far you can stretch $20.00!

I saw several of the blogs I follow post this, but I got the info for my post from moneysavingmichelle

I will do 1 post for Walgreens to keep track of them (tho I admit, I don't shop there very often) and I'll do another post for Rite-Aid (this is where I do most of my drug store shopping) to keep them separate.


How I am doing

Walgreens ~ $9.94 left out of $20
CVS ~ $12.41 left out of $20
Rite Aid ~ -$1.68 left out of $20 ~ challenge is done

150+ Book Challenge

I am taking part in the 150+ book challenge hosted by myoverstuffedbookshelf.com.

DETAILS/RULES:

1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2012 thru December 31, 2012. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

If you would like to join in click here

1. The Mark of a Druid ~ By Rhonda Carpenter
2. Murder Over Easy ~ By Marshall Cook
3. Raven (The Raven Saga) ~ By Suzy Turner
4. Unfinished Business ~ By Nora Roberts
5. The Help ~ By Kathryn Stockett
6. Water for Elephants ~ By Sara Gruen
7. The Emerald Talisman (Talisman Series, book 1) ~ By Brenda Pandos
8. Northern Exposure: Compass Brothers, book 1 ~ By Mari Carr & Jayne Rylon
9. Always the Baker, Never the Bride ~ By Sandra D. Bricker
10. The Da Vinchi Code ~ By Dan Brown
11. The Celestine Prophecy ~ By James Redfield
12. The Hunger Games ~ By Suzanne Collins
13. Catching Fire ~ By Suzanne Collins
14. Mockingjay ~ By Suzanne Collins
15. Naked in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
16. Glory in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
17. Immortal in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
18. Rapture in Death ~ By. J.D. Robb
19. Ceremony in Death ~ By. J.D. Robb
20. The Lucky One ~ By Nicholas Sparks
21. The Last Boyfriend ~ By Nora Roberts
22. Vengeance in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
23. Holiday in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
24. Conspiracy in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
25. 50 Shades of Grey ~ By E.L. James
26. 50 Shades Darker ~ By E.L. James
27. 50 Shades Freed ~ By E.L. James
28. Loyalty in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
29. Witness In Death ~ By J.D. Robb
30. The Witness ~ By Nora Roberts
31. Judgement in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
32. Betrayal in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
33. Seduction in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
34. Reunion in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
35. Purity in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
36. Portrait in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
37. Imitation in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
38. Divided in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
39. Visions in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
40. Survivor in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
41. Origin in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
42. Memory in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
43. Born in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
44. Innocent in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
45. Creation in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
46. Strangers in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
47. Salvation in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
48. Promises in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
49. Kindred in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
50. Angels & Demons ~ By Dan Drown
51. Fantasy in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
52. Indulgence in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
53. Treachery in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
54. New York to Dallas ~ By J.D. Robb
55. Celebrity in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
56. The Perfect Hope ~ By Nora Roberts
57. Delusions in Death ~ By J.D. Robb
58. Midnight Sun ~ By Stephanie Meyers
59. Time of Death ~ By J.D. Robb
60. Three in Death ~ By. J.D. Robb
61. Big Jack ~ By J.D. Robb
62. Wild Viking Princess ~ By Anna Markland
63. Love, Janis ~ By Laura Joplin
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