Who else has a checking account that is begging for mercy after the holidays? I swear I get an eyeroll from my credit card every time I reach for it these days. It wants a break! 

 

I can definitely back off on gift purchases for the moment, as our first family birthday of the year isn't until May, but there isn't much I can do about the essentials. When we run out, we've just got to replace them!

 

Fortunately, CVS has recently released (in last Sunday's paper) $51 worth of coupon savings on all Johnson and Johnson brand products.

 

I saw it as the perfect opportunity to get stocked up on my personal favorite mouthwash, Listerine®. It was also a good opportunity to get stickers for Darah. And by "stickers" I actually mean Band-Aid® products. If you have a preschooler, then you know that those are are the coolest stickers you can get. 

 

Additionally, you might want to know about the You SAVE, we GIVE scholarship. When you purchase any Johnson & Johnson product at CVS until 1/11/14, 10 cents will be donated (up to $100,000) for 35 Nurse Practitioner Scholarships. Interested in applying for the scholarships? Check out http://minuteclinic.com/togetherwecare. 

 

So what about you? What are some essentials that you simply can't go without, even when the budget is tight?