I have a new blog!!!

These days I have been trying my best  to save as much money as possible and use more coupons. I have started a blog called Confrugal.  Confrugal is a place where I post deals and talk about my journey of becoming a hardcore couponer.  Please come over and join me.  I would love for you to follow me on facebook as well.  See you there.

Products I will not go cheap, or generic on. Brands I won’t Compromise on

We all love to save money. But even I, who have been dubbed a “cheapskate” by many for my refusal to buy anything full price, will  not buy some things unless they are of a certain brand.  Also this is not expensive to do since I have come to the realization that when using coupons its cheaper to buy the brand name anyway.   So I don’t look much at generic brands as much as I use to when I didn’t know any better.

Dish washing soaps – Dawn or Palmolive for me! The others are not as concentrated.

Laundry Detergent – Tide all the way. Many of the generic I tried are less concentrated. Even the once that claimed there were “2x” or “3x” in concentration.

Body soaps – Dove, Caress, and Olay. The others are not as moisturizing, more like hand washing soap.

Wipes – I don’t have a baby but I use it for my face and will not buy generic brands for that. Only Huggies or Pampers

Barbeque sauces – The generic ones are always too sweet to me. yuck! I like Kraft and KC Masterpiece.

Frozen Pizza- Either Digiorno, or Freschetta

Garbage bags: Nothing compares to Glad  and Hefty. I have tried generic and they ripped before I walked out the door and had a big mess to clean up.

Deodorant – I tried the generic versions and lets just say I didn’t lift up my arm past  12:00 PM. Lol!!! I love Secret, Lady’s Speed Stick and Degree.

Mascara- Those cheap dollar store no name brands just don’t work. For drugstore Maybelline is almost always great.

Paper towels -  Bounty and Brawny for me. the others are too thin

Electronics: I will not spend money on laptops, tv, printers or other electronics unless its a name I have heard of before and KNOW it has a good reputation, no matter how cheap it is.

Toilet paper – I’m not even  going to tell you the stories. Yuck!  But I stick to Charmin.

Mayonnaise Kraft or Miracle Whip.  The other brands just don’t look –or taste right.

Black tea – Only Lipton or Tetly. Drink the generic, and you might be asking where the tea flavor went.

Is there such thing as being addicted to Starbucks?

Starbucks is driving me broke. And I am not exactly Kim Kardashian in the money department either.   I can’t go through a  couple days without going to that hipster coffee shop.  I have been to other coffee shops, but I love their atmosphere. The calming music, cool people walking in and out, also the smell of coffee is quite enticing, almost toxic–in a good way. Even their staff are great. They gave a  great spirit and are always friendly, with the exception of one grouch at my local, but even she’s funny at times. Starbucks just seems to have a sophisticated air. I love their wireless internet. I can go there and use the computer or do whatever without being interrupted or distracted by others.  God they’re good!  They have component just right.  And the drinks of course are delicious! I think their drinks have more coffee  flavor than many competitors, and sometimes I need that.  I am here right now drinking a $5 drink and I could have spent it on something else.  But seeing everyone else with a drink while I was sitting around here made me yearn for one too.   HELLLLLLLLLLLP MEEE!  I need to look for cheaper drinks on their menu. I am trying to live a frugal lifestyle and look what happens.  I hope Groupon does a Starbucks deal sometime soon because I need all the gift cards I need to keep up with this habit.

Oh, you sneaky woman. You must be a serpent! After all my name is EVE. Lol!

I Finally Visited Chili’s

In many of my Chili’s giveaway entries, I said that I had not been to Chili’s before. Well that all changed on March 25th when I decided go and check out this restaurant to use the gift cards I earned from the blogs Energizer Bunny’s Mommy Reports and  The Thrifty Maven.  The bill ended up being $25 and some change, so both were needed. I went with  one of my girlfriends and didn’t know what to expect.  She had been there before so I was the who was new to this restaurant but I ended up really loving it.  I didn’t print out the chips and queso coupon that was in my email (big mistake). I wish I had because, I have heard and read so many raves on it. I got the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas and my friend got a Shiner Burger.  Her food looked good, although I thought the portion of fries given to her were small. There was about 10 fries, lol.  That was to be expected because I have noticed that in blog reviews of Chili’s food. She was able to finish all her meal in one sitting. I, on the other hand couldn’t even finish the whole thing, or even half. I took the rest home and ate it for dinner.  I just reheated it in my toaster oven and it was great! I really enjoyed my meal.

The service was also superb. Our waitress was great! She  came to our table at least 5 times to check on us. And she refilled our drink three times she was very attentive. I amazed because I have never received that type of service before.

I enjoyed my first time at Chili’s and cant wait to go again! I don’t have a camera, but I couldn’t leave you guys seeing this post with no pictures, so I just took them from the Chili’s website. They are better than nothing, but I really need a camera.

Pictures taken from Chilis.com

Pictures taken from Chili’s Website

Question for Giveaway Bloggers

I don’t know how many people read my blog, or if any, to be honest. But I hope someone will stop and read this post and get my answer. I want to know from giveaway bloggers, what you think contestants in giveaway should do when we win the same prize from multiple blogs. This has happened to me several times, and whenever I answer the blogger I feel a sense of guilt like I should say no I can’t accept it and sometimes do say I have won before, sometimes I do not. But does it bother you when people win the same prize from like two, three, other blogs? Sometimes a prize is so good, I enter in other blogs, to maximize my chances. But of course it can result in me winning from a few of them.

KFC @ More And More

KFC is not a place I eat at often because Im a bit of a clean eater, but when I do have an “off day” I do eat there occasionally.  I love their corn. So sweet and buttery. It was so good. And the mashed potatoes were also yummy.  More and More is giving away 2 $50 gift cards to two lucky winners.

Olay @ Piece of Me

Olay has a new skin care line called Fresh Effects which is designed  to keep your skin sparkling fresh so you look and feel unstoppable. It comes with a lot of things from a  cleanser, to a bb cream. And it has wipes as well, something for everybody. Piece Of Me is giving away a $25 Walmart gift card so you can buy stuff from the line./

Olive Garden @ Minnesota Mama’s Must Haves

 

The blog Minnesota Mama’s Must Haves  is giving away $75  Olive Garden Gift Card.  I might be the only person in this country who have never been to the Olive Garden or any of the Darden Restaurants. I definitely need to change that.  Even after I won a gift card from her blog a few months back, I have yet to use it.  I heard its great and would love to try it. I love Italian food and I heard their salads and bread sticks are so good. Maybe that will change if I can win this giveaway!

AT&T @ The Coupon Challenge

AT&T have now introduced AT&T text alerts which is a new way to save by receiving discounts, rewards and offers via text message when they are near participating retailers and brands. The program is opt-in, location-based text message alerts that allows AT&T customers nationwide to save money with relevant offers from nearby retailers. The Coupon Challenge is giving away $50 $50 Visa gift card

Whole Foods @ The Coupon Challenge

I love Whole Foods. Im particularaly impressed by the fresh meat you can buy there and the food court. Its a great place to buy lunch for work and the food is very tasty. Theres a lot of variety in premade food and dont forget about the skincare products and oils. The Coupon Challenge is giving away TWO $25 gift cards to whole foods to some winners.

Olive Garden @ The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug

The blog The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug  is giving away $75  Olive Garden Gift Card.  I might be the only person in this country who have never been to the Olive Garden or any of the Darden Restaurants. I definitely need to change that.  Even after I won a gift card from her blog a few months back, I have yet to use it.  I heard its great and would love to try it. I love Italian food and I heard their salads and bread sticks are so good. Maybe that will change if I can win this giveaway!

Shrimp Spring Rolls @ She Scribes

She scribes is giving away a great prize — a year-long Sam’s Club membership, a coupon organizer, a discount SeaPak coupon and a weekly meal planner guide. I have never been to Sam’s  club, but there is one in my area so hopefully I win so I can become a member