Finally Our Kitchen is Done

Finally our kitchen remodel is finished and we are able to enjoy the simple pleasures of eating off a real plate and using a dishwasher to clean the dishes. Our remodeling projects started exactly five months ago when we started removing tile from the walls of the bathrooms using a roto hammer. We did all the demolition of two bathrooms and our kitchen by ourselves, hiring a guy from craigslist to haul away over two tons (4000 lbs) of rubble, lumber, sheetrock and old cabinets and counters.

 

Our goal was to redo the bathrooms for $5000 each, and the kitchen for $10000, for a total of $20,000 for the remodel. We actually were over budget due to having to replumb our 50 year old home's plumbing we busted in the demo. It needed to be done anyway, but we blinded didn't think of it. It is a relief to know we have brand new plumbing behind our walls though. The bathrooms ended costing about $11000 including the replumb job.

 

While we tried to be frugal by using 10% off Home Depot or Lowes coupons for all our purchases, we still got top quality stuff which costs more. At first we thought we would go inexpensive with white appliances, but then we realized that stainless is really what people want, and hopefully it won't be out of style in 20 years when we sell our house. We don't plan to do this again, so we wanted to do it right with good workmanship, quality cabinets, counters and tiling.

 

We were fortunate to have a referral for a great handyman who was able to do everything except the replumb for us. We changed plans last minute several times and he was able to work with the changes. I felt bad at first asking him to incorporate all those 2" accent tiles into the backsplash, but not enough to not do it. It took two days to tile and grout it, and its not even that large of an area. We decided since our refrigerator is only 6 years old, we'll keep it until it dies and then replace with a ss model. We designed extra space into that area to accomodate the larger models when we replace it.

Anyway, we ended up spending about $12,800 on the kitchen. Here is an approximate breakdown

 

$4100 Cherry cabinets (incl free sink base, soft close) Lowes

$2900 Granite counter top (incl free ss sink) Lowes

$3400 Labor over 100 hours for the handyman

$1400 SS Dishwasher, Microwave, Range, Kenmore Sears

$1000 Faucet, blinds, switches, lights, switchplate covers, dimmers, cabinet hardware, tiles, misc

 

Here are the ways we made it more affordable without compromising quality:

1. Saved the money ahead of time so we could take advantage of deals when it was the right time of the year. We saved a lot on the appliances at Sears with stacking deals like price matching, coupons and holiday sales.

2. We picked up our own appliances from Sears when we were ready for them to be installed. We borrowed our neighbors truck and loaded up the 3 boxes and unloaded them on our own, saving delivery and installation fees.

3. We purchased all supplies a 10% off coupon. If our handyman had to run and get something we just paid retail, no markup.

4. We gave our handyman a home depot gift card to use to pay for items he needed so he didn't have to charge them on his own card.

5. We did all demolition and cleanup ourselves by borrowing tools from our neighbor or from the handyman. We hired the handyman on a Saturday to help remove the old cast iron bathtub since it was so large. We also needed to move the shower and toilet drains in the bathroom to accomodate a new shower design which involved jack hammering the terrazzo floor through to the dirt and the buried drain. We rented the jack hammer for just 4 hours and returned it.

6. We installed simple things ourselves to save hours from the handyman - like installing the ceiling lamp, sanding, painting, lightswitch covers, cabinet knobs, installing undermount lights, put up blinds. It actually took us longer than we thought, but when we were done we were glad we didn't have to pay someone to do it.

7. We took advantage of Lowes and Sears delayed payment plans for interest free payments for 6 months (Lowes) or a year (Sears). We have the cash saved but are trying to pay back the credit with income rather than taking it from savings. This is working well and we have over half of our savings left from the budget that we might not have use for the kitchen costs.

8. When we did purchase something it was on the Mastercard or American Express card that earns points, and you guessed it we have redeemed the points for Home Depot gift cards.

9. We returned all unused items soon after to get credit back. We have tons of receipts and we couldn't always find the right one, or the item was purchased with a gift card. The cool thing is they just scan your credit cards you might have used and it shows if you ever purchased that item and they can give you credit back if you did. If you didn't show a purchase history, they give you store credit on a gift card. Either way works for us.

Disney Give A Day Program Has Ended

The overwhelming support received for the "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." program has helped Disney reach their goal of inspiring one million people to volunteer a day of service to their communities. The program has now ended.

 

If you were signed up before they ended registration you are counted as part of the million volunteers and are still eligible to donate your time and get your free Disney Day. It may take up to two weeks to verify your volunteer activity and credit your account with the Disney voucher.

 

I'm still waiting since we completed our community service just this past Sunday.

Epcot(R) International Flower & Garden Festival Grow Your Garden Instant Win Game

Click Here to enter now. Please see Official Rules for more details.

Remember, you can enter the Grow You Garden Instant Win Game daily through April 30, 2010 for a chance to win a pair of Florida Resident 4 Day Dream Passes to enjoy the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival. Also, Disney is awarding a garden designed by Disney Horticulturists using some plants from the Festival to an eligible community organization. Be sure to nominate an eligible organization.

Visit EpcotGardenContest.com for details. Open only to legal residents of Florida who are 18 or older.
For more information on the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival growing on March 3 - May 16, 2010 click here.

Publix Recalls Seasoning Mixes

Publix Super Markets, which has more than 1,000 stores in five Southern states, has voluntarily recalled four kinds of seasoning mixes that may possibly be contaminated with salmonella.
Publix said it has taken the mixes off of its shelves and says shoppers can return them to the stores for a full refund.
The privately held grocery store operator said late Monday that the mixes were made with hydrolyzed vegetable protein supplied by Basic Food Flavors, which is based in Las Vegas.
Consumers who eat products tainted with salmonella could suffer serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly young children, frail or elderly persons and others with weakened immune systems.
Spokeswoman Maria Brous said in a statement there have been no reported cases of illness with these products.
The recalled products include all lot codes for 0.75-ounce packs of Publix Mushroom Gravy Mix with the UPC 41415-03308; 1-ounce packages of Publix Meatloaf Seasoning, UPC 41415-03408; 1.45-ounce packets of Publix Beef Flavored Stew Mix, UPC 41415-03608, and 1-ounce packs of Publix Au Jus Gravy Mix with UPC 41415-04208.

Major Food Recall for Salmonella

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating findings of Salmonella Tennessee in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas, NV. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products, such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips, and dressings. It is often blended with other spices to make seasonings that are used in or on foods.

As a former food scientist who developed low fat food products, I can attest this ingredient is in a lot of products. It may even be in products and not declared because it is a subingredient of "onion flavor" or some other minor component of a food. It is probably okay in products that will be cooked to simmering or boiling, but I would watch out for the dips that are served cold.

A complete searchable listing of the recalled products is listed on the FDA Recall List. At this time, no illnesses associated with this contamination have been reported to the FDA.

One product I recognized and had recently purchased at Publix, is the T Marzetti dips. Here is a partial listing of Marzetti lot codes. Please check the FDA listing for all the brands listed, there are lots of soups and chips listed. If you find some of these products in your pantry or refrigerator, just return them to the store where you purchased them for a full refund.

Category	Brand Name	Description	Recalling Firm	Pack Size	Lot Numbers		UPC Code
Dip and Dip Mix	Johnny's Fine Foods	French Dip Powdered Au Jus	Johnny's Fine Foods	6oz bottles	Expiration date: 0332
Dip and Dip Mix	Johnny's Fine Foods	French Dip Powdered Au Jus	Johnny's Fine Foods	1.1oz foil packets	Expiration date: 02212
Dip and Dip Mix	T. Marzetti	Southwest Ranch Veggie Dip	T. Marzetti	15.5 ounce plastic tubs	Best By dates: APR2010F, APR2810F, MAY1610F, MAY3110F, JUN0610F, JUN1410F, JUN1910F		70200 52004
Dip and Dip Mix	T. Marzetti	Fat Free Southwest Ranch Veggie Dip	T. Marzetti	13 ounce plastic tubs	Best By dates: MAY1610F, MAY3010F, JUN0810F, JUN1210F, JUN2510F		70200 52033
Dip and Dip Mix	T. Marzetti	Spinach Veggie Dip	T. Marzetti	15 ounce plastic tubs	Best By dates: APR1910F, MAY0910F, JUN0710F		70200 52059
Dip and Dip Mix	T. Marzetti	Spinach Veggie Dip, Epinards, Trempette A Legumes	T. Marzetti	340 gram plastic tubs	Best By dates: 10AL11F, 10AL17F, 10AL24F, 10AL30F, 10MA08F, 10JN12F		70200 58843
Dip and Dip Mix	T. Marzetti	Southwest Ranch Veggie Dip, Ranch style sud-ouest americain Trempette A Legumes	T. Marzetti	340 gram plastic tubs	Best By dates: 10AL17F, 10AL24F, 10AL30F, 10MA08F, 10JN05F, 10JN14F		70200 58844

Give A Day

Today we volunteered for the Give a Day, Get a Day Disney promotion. It was the Tour De Cure sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and 500 bicycle riders hit the road for various length bike rides. We signed up to serve lunch, which was delish - Ciccios wraps and satay, plus Pollo Tropical chicken, with rice and beans. It started off chilly but warmed up nicely by the time our stint was up.

Publix Trip - I spent $0.11 today

5-Mar	42		94.4	26.26	67.76	0.38	40	savings -99.60%
Product	qty	price	subtotal	bogo	Q	TOTAL	Q#	Q details
carrot matchsticks	0	1.99	0			0
lettuce, iceburg	1	1.89	1.89		1	0.89	1	$1/1 PQ calendar march
cucumber	1	0.75	0.75		1	-0.25	1	$1 off when you get 2 krft drssing
romaine	0	1.99	0			0
strawberries 16oz	2	1.66	3.32		1	2.32	1	$1 off when you get 2 krft drssing
bananas	0	0.75	0			0
mushrooms	1	1.99	1.99		1	0.99	1	$1 off when you get 2 krft drssing
tomatoes	0	0.6	0			0
Bertolli sauce bogo	4	2.69	10.76	5.38	4.4	0.98	6	$1/2 PQ multiplymeals+0.60/1 2-14RP
Mrs Pauls Fish bogo	2	4.49	8.98	4.49		4.49
knox gelatin	7	1.39	9.73		28	-18.27	7	$4/1
milk	1	3.19	3.19			3.19
Puffs, tissue	2	1.33	2.66		2.66	0	2	B2vicksG1freepuffs 2-7pg
vicks nyquil dayquil, trial	4	1.29	5.16		8	-2.84	4	$2 or 1.5/1 vicks 2-21pg 1-17pg
arm hammer deo bogo	2	2.99	5.98	2.99		2.99
coupon		0	0		5	-5	1	$5 off $50
Baileys creamer	3	2.09	6.27		3	3.27	3	$1/1 2-28ss
steamfresh veggys 50% off	2	1.79	3.58		1.7	1.88	2	$.35/1 PQ Hlthymeals + 0.50/1 2-7ss
country crock side dish bogo	2	3.59	7.18	3.59	2	1.59	2	$1/1 print
krft cheese shredded	2	1.67	3.34		3	0.34	3	$1/2 blinkie+$1/1 TQ
salad dressing Kraft bogo	6	3.27	19.62	9.81	6	3.81	6	$1/2 TQ + $1/2 MQ + $1 off produce

 

Here's my planned shop, but actually they didn't have any strawberries so I had to throw in a couple other fillers (peanuts and carrots), and then DH wanted me to get extra cheese, so I pulled out more cheese Q's, and then found the $2/2 cheese blinkies in the store, so my final total was 0.11 OOP, saving $107.81. Used up all my knox coupons - man am I going to miss those suckers.

 

Thought I'd lay out this amazing shop at Publix on our new counter top and you can see the nice backsplash we had tiled in our new kitchen. What a great backdrop for shop pictures. (click to enlarge photo).

 

Hope you all have a great shopping trip at Publix this week.

Friday Follow 3/5/10

Welcome to the Friday Follow blog hop, get a cup of coffee and browse around. I'd love to get more followers and if you leave me a comment, I'll come visit your blog and follow.  Have a great day!

Sunday Coupons 3/7 & Kmart Doubles Event

It looks like there will be Three (3) inserts in your Sunday newspaper (unless you're getting St Pete Times which doesn't get SS)

 

1- Red Plum

1- SmartSource

1- Proctor & Gamble

 

The P&G probably has some high value coupons that are good to save for the upcoming KMart Doubles event April 4-10. During this event Kmart will let you double the coupon value up to $2.00 for up to 5 items per day per customer (bring your kids and spouses - they count as customers). It doesn't matter if the value of the coupon is greater than the item when doubled. Last year I stocked up on lots of ziplocs, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, snacks, soda and cleaning products. They accept internet printables and manufacturer coupons.

Husband Shoots Cashier in Orlando Publix

TODAY this happened.

 

The Associated Press

Published: March 3, 2010

ORLANDO - Police say a cashier who was shot inside a crowded Orlando supermarket has died.Orlando police spokesman Sgt. Patrick Guckian says 34-year-old Anicia Yankton died at a hospital early Wednesday morning. Police say her estranged husband, 62-year-old Andreau Yankton, shot her in a Publix store Tuesday night. The grocery store was open at the time of the shooting, but no customers were injured. Andreau Yankton was confronted by authorities outside the store and reportedly shot himself. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

LOOK OUT for a $5 off $50 Publix coupon

Check your junk mail today to see a Publix ad with upcoming BOGO deals, and on the front is a $5 off $50 coupon. Valid thru March 16, 2010.

Can't Find Publix Booklets?

If you're having an impossible time finding the new coupon booklets from Publix, Multiply Your Meals and Beautiful Benefits, you can simply go HERE to request them directly from the manufacturer Unilever. One the right hand side there is a link under special savings to click and get an email popup. Just email them by March 15th with your requested booklet(s), name, phone and they will mail you the booklets.

Florida Legislature Starts Tuesday

Well, since DH and I are both FL state employees, I thought I'd share the reason for our dour mood for the next 2 months. The FL legislature starts hacking away at a budget plan, trying to take away what little money we make, and cut our free medical insurance benefit, and rid us of our pension plans. HERE'S an interesting article by Bill Cotterell, also pasted below if you don't want to go to the link.

 

Bill Cotterell: State workers face a rough 60 daysDo you ever feel like people are talking about you?

Not the paranoid who goes to a football game and thinks the players are whispering about him in the huddle or the prickly defensiveness of George Costanza on the old "Seinfeld" show. It's just that sometimes we have an entirely reasonable expectation that we, or whatever we're doing, might be drawing a little more attention than we'd like. Well, if you're a state employee, your antennae should be abuzz in the next 60 days. Florida legislators are convening the 2010 Session Tuesday, and they have to close a gap, estimated as high as $3 billion, between state revenues and expenses.
Tax increases are out, this being an election year, so there's no realistic hope of new revenues. That leaves expenses to be cut and, this being an election year, there's no more politically popular place to start than with the government payroll.  Some Republican women in the House and Senate got things started last week. Rep. Marlene O'Toole of Lady Lake and Debbie Mayfield of Vero Beach proposed making all state employees pay for health insurance. They said taxpayers could save about $56 million if all employees, from the governor to the Selected Exempt workers, paid $50 a month for single coverage or $180 for family insurance.  There's a major fairness problem with that. About half of the estimated 35,000 employees now getting paid-up health insurance were moved out of Career Service by ex-Gov. Jeb Bush's "Service First" initiatives in 2001 and reclassified into the Selected Exempt Service. The deal was, they gave up Career Service job security and got "free" insurance in return — whether they wanted that deal or not. If they're going to pay premiums now, it would seem that fairness dictates they be moved back to Career Service. The trouble with that is, it's the positions that were reclassified, not the people, so you couldn't logically extend Career Service protection to some SES employees — the ones who were moved in 2001 — and not all of them.  And besides, nothing is forever. If an SES employee took the job in 2006, knowing paid-up insurance was a perk, there was no guarantee that it would be ever thus. Times change, and so do budgets. Also, if the $25,000-a-year administrative assistant in Career Service can pay for insurance, it's hard to say the six-figure judges and department heads shouldn't. Legislators and their staff would be included in the everybody-pays bill.  Politically, for legislators who go back home and run for re-election this summer, it's impossible to justify free insurance for any state employees when constituents are struggling to make ends meet. Across the Capitol, Sen. Ronda Storms of Valrico has proposed a 5-percent pay cut for all employees earning more than $65,000 a year. Her bill includes a provision that employees taking the whack can't get bonuses to make up the cut. That seems like a taunt — "Hey, we're onto that old trick; don't cut your pay 5 percent, then give yourself a $3,250 promotion to break even."  The Storms bill could be a starting point. They could amend it up to $75,000 or $80,000 or lower the cut to 3 percent or 2 percent — or, for that matter, make it 10 percent and drop the threshold to $35,000. Senate Bill 2282 just gets the discussion going. Last year's budget called for a 2-percent pay cut for employees earning more than $45,000 a year. Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed that, but, all things considered, state workers shouldn't count on the governor riding to the rescue again. He didn't propose any layoffs, pay cuts or furloughs in the budget he sent to the Legislature on Jan. 29. But House and Senate committees treated the governor's recommendations as just a starting point — more like a kid's wish list sent to Santa — and lawmakers will send him their own priorities by May Day.  Downstairs, meanwhile, the lady who would be governor has proposed thinning the herd in middle management. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink figures her agency has about five frontline workers for every manager, and she wants to widen that ratio to about 7-to-1. Spread through all the state agencies, Sink figures, such a standard would save the government nearly $300 million. Her plan doesn't require legislative action and would be accomplished by not replacing SES and Senior Managers when they leave and reorganizing some functions under fewer bosses. But it shows the belt-tightening attitude prevalent in the Capitol in this recession-stricken election year. Speaking of which, that's another active idea down here in Florida — cutting from the budget any authorized positions that have been vacant six months. Never mind that the reason these jobs stay vacant so long is that you can't find qualified people at the salaries the state is willing to pay. State employment is not exactly the scapegoat of budget cuts. With revenue and politics being what they are, the cuts are inevitable and layoffs are looming. Don't take it personally, legislators seem to be saying. It's just a natural consequence of the times.

Sometimes It's Not Worth It

So there's a deal now at Walgreens. They have Purex laundry soap for $5.99 and it's BOGO for a Megasaver deal good for a month. It means you get FREE Purex when you use your Purex BOGO coupon (2-24 RP). But only if the store manager and clerk understand to just ring in the price they will be getting reimbursed for the coupon. We all know that you can stack a store BOGO deal with a manufacturer BOGO coupon, and get both items free. But not at my local Walgreens in Temple Terrace. Mr Rivera the store manager insists you have to PAY for one (but the coupon doesn't count as paying). I tried to explain and asked if we could call another store so he could verify it's a valid purchase. He refused. We left. DH was fuming and plans to call 1800WALGREENS tomorrow to spout off about Mr Rivera's attitude problem. 

Friday Follow 2/26/10

I love these blog hops, it's a great way to discover wonderful new blogs. Browse around and follow me, and I'll check out your place too.