As gas and grocery prices get higher and higher we have started looking for ways to become smarter shoppers.  I have never been a “coupon clipper”.  Never searched for “special deals”, but after this email from one of my dear friends, I began to rethink my shopping strategy.  (This family of 6 was in the process of moving from TN to TX.)

Hi guys!  Greetings from Texas. I'm so amazed at what the Lord has provided for us this week for free or very cheap.  We were really down to bare bones when the movers came and I was very interested to see how the Lord provided for us to restock our pantry.  Since we're still maintaining a lovely house in Bartlett, I can safely say that our finances are going to be tighter than they have honestly ever been in our nearly 18 years of marriage.  I'm so thankful for the tools the Lord has given (thanks Cheryl for MSM!!!) to help me be wise with the way we spend money.  I'm honestly excited about the chance to simplify our living and walking a life of watching to see the Lord provide for us.  All that to say, this may not be the last of these emails.  I get so excited now about free things!! :-)  If nothing else, maybe this will encourage you guys to come to Texas and shop at HEB and CVS!!!
So without further delay, here's my list of what I got free and cheap this week.  And by the way, I'd LOVE to hear what kind of deals you guys got this week as well.  (And BTW if no one is using their Wholly Guacamole coupon, I'll take it.)
FREE this week
2 2 roll packs of 140 count Sunrise recycled paper towels
2 All small and mighty laundry soap
1 Loreal Vive shampoo
1 Johnson's soap buddy
1 Pamolive dish liquid
2 Boxes Kashi cereal
1 chocolate Silk soymilk
1 2 liter Dr. B (HEB brand Dr. Pepper)
2 boxes of Quaker chewy granola bars
1 pkg. Extra thick 25 count recycled paper plates
2 boxes HEB taco shells
2 jars La Costena salsa
1 bag salad
1 pkg. diced fresh potatoes
1 12 oz pkg Bolthouse farms mini carrots
4 16 oz pkg Kraft shredded cheese (2 cheddar, 2 mozz)
1 16 oz pkg Borden shredded cheese
1 pkg Mission flour tortillas
1 box Cap'n crunch cereal
1 9 oz. container Frito Bean Dip
6 8.8 oz pkg. Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (I love this rice!)
2 boxes HEB mac & cheese
2 Balance high protein nutrition bars
1 J&J baby shampoo (small)
1 box Barilla whole wheat pasta
2 12oz hand soap with essential oils
Really cheap this week
6 4-pack Cottonelle toilet paper 25 cents/pkg (This was at Kroger.  They are on sale for .99  The Kroger by mom's house had the coupon machine by the cottonelle that was on the tp aisle.  The coupons were for .75 off 3.  So I got 3 coupons to see if it would take off on all 3.  It did, so I went back and got 3 more)
2 Beef Tenderloin - $4.99 each Regular price is $10.99 each  This was Kroger, too
10 pkg of frozen veggies for $10 - Kroger again
2 1 lb pkg. of strawberries - .49/pkg
5 pkg of blackberries $5 - This was a sale at HEB
8th continent chocolate soymilk $1.59 - reg.$3.59 - this was a markdown at Kroger
1 1/2 gallon organic Borden milk - .99 each - markdown at Kroger
2 Tom's Natural Deodorant - $1.59 each - reg $4.19 each
1 natural lip exfoliator (I've actually been looking for this type of product)   $5-regularly $14.99
So I spent a total of $160 this week. And here's what else I got for the money...
4.5 lb pkg seasoned beef fajita meat
2 All small and mighty laundry
1 Pamolive dish soap
2 pkg. Loreal Preference hair color (Because I'm worth it...)
4 pkg post it notes
1 roll of packing tape
1 roll of duct tape
candy for the boys (sweet treat!)
3 bottles Garnier Fructis shampoo
2 bottles Garnier Fructis hairspray
2 pkg Grands cinnamon rolls
1 pkg Arrowhead Mills whole wheat flour
1 3 lb pkg sugar
1 J&J baby shampoo (small)
2 jars Ragu spag sauce
1 small bath gel with essential oils
1 small hand cream
1 12 oz liquid hand soap w/ essential oils
And I have $5 Extra Care Bucks left to spend at CVS sometime.

Thanks for reading.  Praise God with me.  If He can provide all of this for me, I KNOW He can provide anything (like a buyer for our house!)

So what’s her secret?  How’d she do that?