This one's for Brazil--well, part of it, anyway

Happy Spring! I know Spring doesn’t “officially” start for a few more days, but after what seemed like a never-ending Winter, we are gladly soaking up a few rays around here!

It’s Wednesday and that means penny item at Publix. Here’s a picture of my haul:

The total I paid was $21.96. I saved $66.92. Try to guess the penny item from the picture, before you see the tally below.  No cheating!   

• 10 Green Giant frozen veggies BOGO $1.79 (2 $1 off 2 coupons from Pssst!, 6 $0.50 coupons-- that doubled to $1 from here) = 8 FREE + overage & 2 at $.40 ea [I'm good with that :)]

• 2 100-count Ziploc sandwich bags 2 for $5 ($1.25 coupon from paper) = $1.88 ea (or 2c/bag, which is why I reuse them sometimes, but we'll talk about that another day...)
• 2 Pantene shampoos $3.99 each ($1/2 Publix 'March Into Savings' coupon + 2 $1 coupons from paper) = $2.49 ea
• 5 Zone protein bars 10/$10 (5 $0.55 coupons from paper) = $0.45 ea
• 3 tubes Colgate toothpaste 10/$10 (3 $0.75 coupons from paper) = $0.25 ea
• 1 John Freida hair color [I know, you can't believe I'm nearly 40 with 4 kids and color my hair. It's honestly just for volume. ;)] $11.99 ($5 Target coupon + $2 'March Into Savings' --MIS--coupon) = $4.99
• 4 Betty Crocker boxed potatoes 10/$10 (2 $0.50/2 coupons from paper) = $0.50 ea
• 2 Sundown vitamins $4.79 & $5.99 ($6/2 'MIS' coupon + 2 $1 coupons from paper) = $1.39 ea
• 5 Publix brand salad dressing-- the penny item for the week

So why is this post for Brazil? We have some friends who are missionaries there. Many things we take for granted and can get for free or nearly free, cost a bundle where they are hard at work, spreading God's Word. I made a promise to myself (and to God) that anything I could get for free or nearly so, I would donate to some cause: shelter, food pantry, etc.

Over the next few months, I will be challenging our Sunday School class to gather as many non-perishable items as they can to send to Brazil this summer, when my girlfriend's parents visit. If they are giving a portion of their lives to serve my Lord, the least I can do is try to make their lives a little easier. You GO, Nick & Amy! We are so proud of the work you are doing for the cause of Christ! :)

I hope that the time you're spending clippin' is leading to some fantastic savin', so God can allow you to be a blessing to others!