homemade deodorant part 2

I've been using a mixture of baking soda and corn starch for deodorant.  Just like when I used only baking soda, I've been wetting my pits, then rewetting my fingers and dipping them in my powder, then rubbing on my armpits again.  It feels smoother with the cornstarch, but I think just baking soda is more effective at controlling smells.  Sometimes just baking soda stings (especially if I have to reapply the same day I shaved them).  I've only had a couple days where I felt like I smelled (not just my old sweaty shirt smells).  I was surprised that on days when I started to smell, I could rinse, rub with baking soda, and rinse again, then reapply my "deodorant" and not be smelly anymore.  That wasn't an option when using regular deodorant/antiperspirant.  I think I like this natural stuff much better.  I used to have to scratch off the deodorant with my nails and use a couple soaps to get all the residue off.  The cleaning is much easier when using baking soda (with or without cornstarch).  I am hoping to try the third step of my deodorant trials - adding in coconut oil - next week.  I'll try it for a couple weeks unless I hate it and update you either way.

Coupons

I went to Safeway last week and saved a ton of money.  This is by far the best shopping trip I've ever had.  I recently attended a class in Highlands Ranch put on my Jennie from www.bargainblessings.com  I subscribe to www.thegrocerygame.com and usually come home with only things from Teri's list.  I save about 65% with the grocery game and only get 1 Sunday paper at that time (although I'm considering getting two, so I can get more of the super great deals).

I used a couple e-coupons, some paper coupons (from the Sunday paper) and some printable coupons (printed off my printer).  Jennie at Bargain Blessings shows a few super deals each week and hunts down rare coupons found on facebook and other websites to save more than anyone else I've found online.  The grocery game has unadvertised sales, so there are many more items to shop for each week.  The grocery game has a fee, but I save much more than I spend, and her site is so easy to use.  Bargain Blessings is free, but not as extensive.  Jennie gets free stuff all the time (lots of one item, too because she uses multiple coupons).

Couponing takes a lot of time and effort.  Couponing is an amazing way to save money.  I've got a great "stockpile" now (several packs of toilet paper fill the cupboard under one bathroom sink, drawers of free toothbrushes and toothpaste, super cheap razors, free cough drops, etc).  I occasionally get great deals on organic foods, cheap soaps, and convenience foods.  If it's free, I almost always get it (except when it's full of fake sugar, then I leave my coupons in the store near the item for someone who might eat that nasty stuff).

Here's what I bought.

12 cans of Campbells Soup
2 boxes of crackers (I had a free coupon for the crackers from Nabisco for being on a survey panel Kraft First Taste, I think)
1 half-gallon of buttermilk (half off cuz it was going to expire in a few days)

Everything was on sale.  When you use a free coupon for something, they give you the regular price as the price of the coupon, even though it's on sale, so I made money on the Stix.

Yes, you read this right.  I paid $2.41 for all of this.  94% savings off the regular price for all of these items.  How crazy is that?  This is typical of a Bargain Blessings trip.  There aren't a lot of items (obviously this won't feed my family of 5), but it's great for stocking up on frequently used items instead of paying full price for anything.  I might have been able to buy 2 cans of soup for $2.41 if it was regular price.  I couldn't have gotten a box of crackers or the buttermilk for $2.41.

I made 6 batches of buttermilk pancakes (we usually eat 3 batches at a time).  I also made homemade buttermilk biscuits and a buttermilk spice cake.  That used up the buttermilk before it expired.  I also found out you can freeze buttermilk, so the next time I found it on clearance, I poured it into some Ball canning jars, left 1/2 inch headspace, screwed on a white plastic freezer canning lid and put it in the freezer for the next time I need a cup of buttermilk.  It's rare that I need it, but occasionally I need some and hate to pay full price for anything!

Check out the websites above if you're interested in saving crazy amounts of money.  Bargain Blessings will work well in the Denver metro area, but she may know of a blogger close to your area that could help you at your particular stores.  Grocery Game is available in almost all areas and you can try it for free for 4 weeks.  I save about $200 each month on my food budget.  Before couponing I used to always try to shop for "deals," and bought cheap stuff so I figure I was already saving a bunch on my own, but save $200 more than I did doing it on my own.  If you are just buying whatever's on your list each week you would probably save much more.  You also have to rethink how you cook and shop.  You have to stock up on great deals when you see them and some weeks there really aren't many good deals.  Good luck and I hope you find a way to save some money!