Club Coupon Blog Page

Free Ragu from CommonSenseWithMoney.com

2009-09-07T08:52:00.002-04:00

I follow Mercedes over at Common Sense With Money closely. She is very thorough and accurate! She works her tail off to help us stay the most informed! Thank you Mercedes!

Right now she is giving away 6 months worth of Ragu pasta sauce! That's awesome!

Go here to check it out and enter:

$6.00 off pork "The Other White Meat" w/purchase of Kingsford and other item listed

2009-06-01T18:10:00.002-04:00

I just came across this coupon from GatherRoundtheGrill.com

Get $6.00 off pork when you purchase 13.5lbs of either Kingsford or Kingsford Match Light Charcoal and one (1) of the following:

Ball Park Franks,
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
Glad Product, KC Masterpiece
Vlasic pickles or relish

Now it is also showing a picture of the Wet Ones logo so I'm taking a wild guess that those would work too even though they aren't actually printed on the list. That or I'm missing some which wouldn't surprise me either :)

I know right now there is the Free KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce when you purchase Kingsford and the Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing coupon that is out there. Personally I would love to see Vlasic come out with another one of their kickin' coupons like that had last summer. What was that like $1/1 or $1.50/1 or something. It was awesome I do know that.

Anyways, happy grillin y'all!

HELPPPPPPP! What is the name of that web site??

2009-05-27T06:34:00.002-04:00

OK I have been digging around on here for several hours trying to find this grocery saving web site! I used to be a member to The Grocery Game but I'm trying it on my own. I have to admit it has me very spoiled with their lists and having the ability to pick what I want to print or not. I can easily say I have learned more from blogs like Money Saving Mom and Common Sense With Money and also Money Saving Methods but there's something about having that list. I've tried A Full Cup but kind of turned off because I have to print the whole list and it's huge. If someone knows the secret to not printing the whole list please share. BUT a while back I was surfing and came across another club similar to Grocery Game. It's not the Shopping Angels (at least I think that's one of them). This one has a name like Rebate something or Receipt something..... UGH. I didn't pay that much attention to it at the time because I was in the GG. If anyone has a clue what I'm talking about (cause I sure don't!) please leave a comment below! It would be greatly appreciated!

Meijer shopping suggestions

2009-05-16T17:06:00.002-04:00

It absolutely never fails that I have issues when shopping at Meijer. Most of the time it is with checking out but I have seen several times that they are out of items that they have listed on sale. ESPECIALLY on the 10/$10 get the 11th for free sales! You know your going to have the sale weeks in advance if not months....... why exactly does a mega store run out of items! And please don't tell me it's because some couponer came in and wiped the shelf out. I worked for a mega liquor/party store in this town for years and years and they had a huge buying capability so I can only IMAGINE what kind of inventory mega stores can keep! As far as customer service goes for this store I have had 2 cashiers that were every truly helpful with checking out and not be resentful of my coupons! I truly believe the attitudes are lack of trainging on the MANAGEMENTS part but still customer service is a big seller with me. Today I learned of a policy that Meijer is moving to (at least it's going to be new with the store I shop) and I have a feeling it's going to toss what customer service there is at Meijer right out the front doors. According to a couple of employees cashiers are soon to be put on some kind of a point system for speed and accuracy. This tells me that they are going to have NO patience for someone like I was today with probably 75 different coupons. One employee mentioned a number but I didn't catch it. I just know when I start getting that nervous twitch it's not a good thing :) So if the impliment this plan I have a feeling I will be saying good bye to Meijer. Which to Walmarts benefit since they greedly accept coupons (catalina's) from other stores as long as it's a manufactuer coupon. SO IF by some slim chance that someone from Meijer corporate is smart enough to slink and slither through all of these shopping blogs... hope you catch this one! OH and because I just want to cover my tushy no I'm not an employee or ex. employee, nor does anyone in my family work for Meijer.

A kewl newly found blog for Target shoppers!

2009-05-16T17:01:00.004-04:00

Unfortunately we don't have a super Target here in Lexington because from what I'm seeing they put out some pretty good deals! We do have two Targets in town, one clear over in Hamburg Place which considering my entire driving radius of my home is MAYBE 2 miles (Yeah like I'm driving clear over there) and then one not too far down the road from us. I haven't utilized their sales and clearance yet but I just found a new blog called Attention Target Shoppers. Now as usual I'm probably one of the last to know about this site but wanted to share the love anyways :) There appears to be some really good information on there and if it helps someone out then TAD DAH! Now the reason I'm gaining interest in Target deals is because I'm getting REALLY annoyed with Meijer and looking for some alternative if at all possible. That's another blog though!

Swiffer Refill Rebate

2009-04-26T07:46:00.002-04:00

I know this has been posted before but better late than never. I knew I had seen it. It's spring and a lot of the cleaner deals have started "springing" (haha I crack myself up!) up all over the place! This link will take you to the Swiffer Refill Rebate being offered through May 15th. I have no clue who has the deals this week and I think I may have already missed the Walgreens deal. If you happen to know of a good deal on the refills let me know please!

CVS 4/19 weekly deals

2009-04-19T07:26:00.000-04:00

Weekly ECB Deals
Act Rinse 18oz $3.79 get $2 ECBs (limit 2)Use $1/1 from the 4/19 SS insertPay $0.79 cents after coupon and ECBs
Aveeno Skin Care, Hair Care or Sun Care Products (Priced as low as $6 and $7) Earn 10 ECBs wyb $25 of products on pg. 9 (Limit 1)Use $2/1 Printable HERE.-$4/20 CVS Beauty Coupon emailed to most cardholders
Deal Idea
Buy 3 @ $6 and 1 @ $7 = $25-$4/20 CVS Beauty Coupon-$6 when you use three printable coupons= $15 Out of Pocket and get $10 ECBs back
Bayer Aspirin Quick Release Crystals 4 ct $2 get $2 ECBs (limit 1)FREE after ECBs
Benefiber, Gas X, or Maalox (psa $5.29) Earn 10 ECBs wyb $20 (limit 5)
Deal IdeaBuy 4 Benefiber @ $5.29 = $21.16Use (4) $2/1 coupons from the 2/29 or 4/5 SS insertsPay $13.16 out of pocket and get 10 ECBs back
Crest Pro Health Toothpaste 4.2oz, Rinse 250ml,Oral B Floss 27-55 yds or Super Floss 50ct $2.88 get $2 ECBs (limit 2)Use .75/1 or $1/1 Crest coupon from the 4/5 PG insertFREE or pay $0.13 cents each after coupon and ECBs!
Edge Infused Comfort or Hydrate Shave Gel $2.89 Earn 2.89 ECBs (limit 1)FREE after ECBs
Buy 3 Tresemme (3/$10) get $5 ECBs (limit 2)Use (3) $1/1 printable couponPay $2 for 3 bottles after coupons and ECBs
Weekly Non ECB Deals
L’Oreal Eye Shadow or Liner BOGO (psa at $3.89)Use $2/1 or $1/1 from the 4/19 RP insertFREE or pay $1.98 for two, depending on your coupons
Rimmel Lip Products BOGO (psa $2.99)Use $1/1 from the 4/19 RP insertPay $0.99 for two after coupons
Monthly CVS Deals
Accu-chek Aviva Diabetes monitoring kit $9.99 Get $9.99 ECBs (Limit 1)FREE after ECBs
Buy 1 Natural Dentist ($6.99) Get $4 ECBs (Limit 5)
Buy 2 = $13.98Use (2) $2/1 printable coupons = $9.98-8 ECBs received for buying 2 = $1.98Submit for $10 Mail In Rebate when you buy 2FREE plus $8.02 in overage after coupon, ECBs and Mail In Rebate
Buy 3 Mentos Gum ($1.29) Get $1 ECB (Limit 5)Use (3) $1/1 coupons from the 3/29 SS insertFREE plus $0.13 cents overage after coupons and ECBs

Campbell's soup $1/2 printable coupon

2009-04-19T07:13:00.001-04:00

Coupon Mom in WNC posted this:
www.campbellskitchen.com follow the link on the right side to print a $1.00/2 coupon. Try hitting the back button on the browser and you should be able to print 2. I haven't tried it yet so I won't say for sure.

Walgreens Deals 4/19

2009-04-19T07:10:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Mercedes for compiling these lists as always. Be sure to check out her blog over at CommonSenseWithMoney.com

The deals are a bit soft at Walgreens this week. Here are the best deals I see at Walgreens next week. Don’t understand any of the lingo I used? Please check my FAQ page for help.
Weekly Deals
Revlon Cosmetics on sale BOGO (reg Price as low as $4.79)Use two $2/1 coupon from 3/15 SS insertPay as little as $0.79 for two after coupons
Post Trail Mix Crunch Cereal 2 for $5Use $2/1 printable couponPay $0.50 each after coupon
Johnson’s Body Care (softwash and softlotion) $3.99Use $2/1 from 4/19 insertsPay $1.99 each
Reach Toothbrush and floss $0.99 after in-ad couponUse $3/2 coupon from 3/15 SS insertFREE plus $1 in overage after coupons
Hershey Bagged Candy 4/$10Get $5 via ESR when you buy 4 bagsUse $1/1 coupon from 3/1 SS insertPay $1 for four bags after coupons and ESR
Register Reward Deals
Aveeno Nourish Hair Care 2/$13, Earn $3 in RR when you buy twoUse $2/1 printable couponPay $6 for two after coupon and RRSkintimate Save Cream $2.99, Earn $2.99 in RR when you buy oneFREE after Register reward
Edge Infused or Energy Shaving Gel $2.99, Earn a $2.99 RR when you buy one (although it’s been printing a $3.50 RR all month long)FREE after RR
Mitchum Deodorant $2.99, Earn a $2 RR when you buy oneUse $0.75/1 coupon from 3/22 SS insertPay $0.24 each after RR and coupon
Pledge multisurface Cleaner 2/$7, Earn a $1 RR when you buy twoUse $2/1 printable couponPay $1 each after coupon and RR
Monthly Deals
One a Day Multivitamin Drink Mix $1.49$4.47 Buy three One A Day Multi-Vitamin Drink Mix (2 ct) $1.49 each-$4 when you use $4/2 coupon from 3/22 SS insertPay $0.47 plus tax out of pocket and get back $1.49 via EasySaver Rebate #1FREE plus $1.02 in overage (Thanks NWA Deals)
On sale this week: Buy $10 in Physicians Formula Organics Wear Make up, Get $10 via ESR rebate #6Physicians Formula Organic products on sale 40% offGet $10 back via ESR rebate when you spend $10 or moreUse $1/1 coupon from 3/22 SS insertPay $1.99 after coupon and rebate
On sale this week:Skintimate and Edge Shaving Cream $2.99-$3.49Earn a $2.99 or $3.49 Register reward when you buy oneFREE after register reward
Chapstick Natural or True Shimmer Lip Balm $1.99Earn a $1.99 register reward when you buy oneFREE after register reward

A little fishing practice

2009-04-15T06:41:00.003-04:00

Easter Sunday Art and I took Sarah out to Jacobsons Park to try out some new fishing poles. He decided it was best to just let her test out her new Disney Princess fishing pole with only the little rubber sinker that came with it. I'm very grateful for this as I ended up getting smacked in the forehead with the sinker SEVERAL times! I would recommend parent's doing this with any new little fisherman they may have! It was still quite chilly on the water and originally we went to one end of the lake where the wind was coming off the water! HOLY COW THE WORMS FROZE! We ended up at the other end of the lake and had a good time! Sarah thought she was quite the stuff as she "cast and caught" those fish! Considering our location was most certainly not prime fishing Art did pretty well with 5 Sun fish and 1 small Catfish. The park ended up getting jammed up with families but it was still a wonderful inexpensive outting for the family! The worms I think cost $2.79?

Round steak.... a cheap replacement for shoe leather

2009-04-15T06:06:00.004-04:00

Ok so the title made you look! Growing up in our house good steak was rare (literally) in our household. We just couldn't afford it even then. Now days it's a big treat for us to have NY strip, Ribeye or even Flank steak. The Flank steak is simply because I can remember this being priced as a CHEAP piece of meat and now days they pass it off as a prime cut HA! I will be dadgummed if I'm going to pay $6lb for something I know should be more like$3lb! Ya still gotta beat the meanness out of it!

Anyways, a couple of weeks ago I caught 2 nice big round steaks on deal and grabbed them up. Below is one of the recipes I used (last night) with a little flair I added to it. PLEASE REMEMBER the key to round steak is to let it simmer on very very low heat and slowly. Patience is very important with this cut. I usually let this cut simmer for about 2 hours.

SMOTHERED STEAK
(taken from Southern Living 1979 Annual Recipes and adjusted)
Pound the meanness out of 1 good size round steak (don't ask the size I don't remember and it really doesn't matter, they are all pretty good size). I usually cut it up into several pieces to fit into a large skillet. Dredge through seasoned flour (last night I used garlic powder, onion powder and McCormicks Montreal Steak grill seasoning, I got the McCormicks at Krogers yesterday for .25). Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat and brown meat on both sides.

Combine the following:
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (I shook in a bunch but didn't measure it)
Dash of hot sauce (the Montreal seasoning had a slight wang to it so I didn't add this, this time)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (again I just shook some in without measuring)
2 cups of water
About 2 tablespoons McCormick Montreal Steak seasoning - to replace this you could add black pepper, salt, more garlic and onion powder, minced onion perhaps, celery salt and so on.

Pour mixture over steak, and cover with a lid. When I say low I mean I put the heat on "simmer" and let this cook for 2 hours. If you try to push the heat up to speed things up you will only end up with something your dog won't chew on.

I added the sliced onion about 20 min. before the steak was done. This was about 1/2 of a good size sweet onion and you could use more or less. If you want your onion super tender then add shortly after starting to simmer or anytime there after. Taste the sauce about 1/2 hour before serving. If you feel like it needs a little more seasoning this is a good time to add it and it will be fine.

By the time the meat is ready to eat the flour/water mixture will have begun to make a bit of a thick sauce/gravy. If you would like more gravy add more water at the end then add a mixture of corn starch/smidgen of water and stir constantly. There is no set rule for this recipe. You could also replace the onion with sliced green pepper and it's yummy too! If you want to try this recipe but have questions please feel free to contact me! If you try it and you like it please come back and let me know!!!

I served this with mash potato's, whole corn (yes I mix my mash potato's and corn) and peas. My darling Art thought this was flat out delicious!

Coupon Preview for 4/19/09 Smart Source only

2009-04-10T06:30:00.002-04:00

Please remember that this Sunday (this coming Easter Sunday) there will be NO coupon inserts. This is pretty exciting for me though because I've been on a mission this week to try to get coupons under control!

Thanks to Mercedes over at Common Sense with Money for listing the coupons preview! Go here and you can see a full listing. I don't purchase the Lexington Herald Leader because time and again they have come up short with their coupons. I have access to the Louisville Courier Journal and love that one. Some examples of the coupons that will be offered 4/19/09 are:

Energizer batteries or flashlight $1 (5/24/09)
Huggies Pull Ups jumbo pack $2 (6/13/09)
Huggies Pull Ups jumbo pack $3 (5/16/09)
Huggies Diapers $1.50 (5/16/09)
Huggies Overnites Diapers $2 (5/16/09)
Johnson’s Baby Care wash or lotion $2 (7/20/09)
Ortega .75/2 (7/31/09)
Ortega $5 Mail in Rebate (7/31/09)
Yoplait Go-Gurt, Fizzix, Kids Cup, Kids Yogurt Drink, Yoplait TrixMultipack .35 (6/13/09)

A 2 second 2 1/2 ft. tornado has struck our living room!

2009-04-04T06:59:00.004-04:00

And now the practical joke is on me! I was in the kitchen last night working on some dinner when I heard the sound of the living room exploding! This is what I walked into! This tends to occur a couple of times a week. Unfortunately I didn't hear the warning signals before it happened! Then afterwards as "we" (Sarah and I) were picking things up she would pull 2 things out of the toy trolly for every 1 I would put in! :)

Practical Jokes

2009-04-04T06:32:00.003-04:00

First I want to say we have GREAT neighbors. Love em' like no others! They are a younger couple and Ryan is a real practical joker! You never know what he's going to come up with. We have traded jokes several times over the years.

This time however the joke is going to be on him. And I have to share it! Keep in mind we did not do this to them (although we will get blamed for it but that's ok). Well ok so I'm going to do some embellishing with a magazine or two and the much needed roll of toilet paper. Kellys father came over while they were on vacation and did some plumbing work for them as you can see. This was the left overs and I'm just hoping to be here to see the expression on Ryans face when they pull up! Poor Kelly is going to be mortified but ohhhhh I love the idea of getting Ryans goat!

More free green stuff

2009-03-26T06:25:00.003-04:00

Now if your like me the first thing you would have thought of would have been money! HAH! Made ya look :)

Actually it's free flower bulbs! BuyDirect.com has a special right now that if you purchase 80 you will get 80 free. $9.99 including shipping it appears!

Free Trees and Plants

2009-03-25T06:14:00.002-04:00

I came across this from Mercedes over at CommonSensewithMoney. This is really a kewl idea y'all. This company not only rescues unsold trees and plants at nurseries but employees people with disabilities to pack them. All you have to do is pick your plants and pay for packing and shipping! Imagine getting 2 Red Maples 15"-18" for $7.95. That's your shipping! What a way to help the economy and beautify your landscape!! Go to Free Trees and Plants and check them out!

Kroger run 3/21/09

2009-03-22T07:52:00.004-04:00

I know I am going to have friends that are going to look at the cat litter and baby wipes and say ummm just how many of these do you go through. For those friends that are still doubting Thomas's this is the perfect example of buying up on items that normally cost a small fortune. I got 30lbs of the cat litter for $1.46. For that price I can live without clumping litter!!!! And the baby wipes I actually made money on because I had a $5 off 3 q and they were on the Mega Deal last week. Between these and the wipes I bought last week at the Walgreens/Huggies Q deal we don't need wipes for some time!!!!

Total Shelf Price: $87.20
Total Savings: $57.38
Total Out of Pocket: $29.82

On a note about the toilet paper. I read yesterday on several message boards that Cottonelle 4 packs were strangely missing from Kroger shelves in the Ohio/N. Kentucky regions. Guess what. There was NO Cottonelle on our shelves and there was NO price tag to be found anywhere. For those of you that were really able to make the best of this savings while it lasted be glad!!! I do believe we may have seen the last of FREE toilet paper! I hope not but.....

Meijer run 3/21/09

2009-03-22T07:20:00.007-04:00

Total Shelf Price: $187.51

Total Savings: $136.55

Total OUT OF POCKET: $50.96

Well I wasn't able to get this posted last night. Yesterday was a busy day! We got a new couch (well new to us) from the neighbors. Ended up finding a younger couple that wanted our older one so had to wait on them. Sarah and I did the shopping yesterday. Do you know I had more older women walking past us just laughing away at my struggles with groceries and a toddler (who tends to be wild as a monkey after shopping for too long!) !!!! They thought it was down right hilarious ;) That and I'm guessing they had all been through it themselves. At Meijer yesterday I finally had to give in and use two carts to keep the miniature monkey from destroying the packages in the first buggy. Yes, it can be done if you are a contortionist.

Anyways, I can't help but think shopping was a great day savings wise. No there aren't any major meat items and NO I did not pay a dime for the Betty Crocker Warm Delights. Wouldn't have bought them if I had to pay for them :) And shhh, don't mention the additional hot sauce to Art. I just can't pass up free hot sauce for some reason!!! Yes, I know I have hot sauce issues :)Notice the single lonesome tube of AquaFresh toothpaste. That tube was the ONLY tube left in the store at the time of my shopping. I have such a beef over these stores not having/ordering enough product to handle these sales. That's another post though.

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables coupon

2009-03-21T06:53:00.001-04:00

Go to Green Giant and you will be able to print 2 .50/1 coupons. These coupons do not double but hey at Meijer this week you can get 2 boxes of veggies for .41 on the $10/10 w/11 item deal. Still not bad.

DenTek Economic Stimulus Sweepstakes

2009-03-20T22:51:00.003-04:00

Go to DenTek and enter to win a $25 gift card giveaway!

DenTek will give out one $25 Walgreens gift card every day until April 1st, 2009. On April 1st everyone who has entered the $25 give away will have a chance to win 1 of 5 Walgreens $100 grand prize gift cards. I know just how far us frugal folks can stretch $25 let alone $100!!!!

Also it looks like they have $1 coupons to print. I'm waiting for mine as I type.......
Update: I never did get these to print out.

Lack of posting 3/18/09

2009-03-18T06:40:00.003-04:00

I love blogging. I love showing off and sharing the deals that I find. I know when I first started this whole frugal shopping thing I would get so excited to find a really great blog/website that told me where to find the great deals. Actually I still get excited! However as with everything I do I tend to throw myself into it head first into the deep end. As much as I would like to blog every day about savings and tips I just can't. I work 40 hours a week outside the home, we have a toddler (Art is a stay at home Dad and a great one I might add), my Mom is disabled so I dedicate some time to her as well. Then with just all the everyday things life just gets crazy. Sarah, our toddler gets very annoyed if I spend too much time messing with coupons and the computer. I don't blame her at all. She has limited time with me and by golly doesn't want to share more than she has to. LOL one night she actually picked up a stack of coupons I had been clipping and looked me straight in the eyes and said "No Mommy, no play." Then said it again to make sure I understood that this was not coupon play time! She's such a cute little monkey! Anyways the reason I say this is I want to thank my little group of followers for sticking with me! It's nice to look on your blog and see that people are members and I appreciate you hanging with me!

Well gotta get ready to head to the office! Everyone happy shopping and great savings! I will be back! :)

CVS Spring coupons

2009-03-14T05:52:00.002-04:00

I made a trip to CVS yesterday (actually turned out good) and noticed as I went into the front doors they had a stack of what I believe is the spring coupons. I didn't see the CVS magazine anywhere just the coupons that they had set out with the rest of the weekly inserts. They were as follows:

24.7 Minerals $2.00/1
Vilogie $1/1
Vickery & Clarke $1/1
Softsoap ensembles $2/1
Blade $1/1
Veet $2/1
Oxy $1/1
Hershey's Bliss $1/1
Skin effects $2/1
Fruitopia $1/1
Cristophe $2/1

I was disappointed that they didn't have any of the $/1 CVS product q's. I usually end up using those like crazy! Anyways happy hunting everyone!

Excuse me sir but do you know you have a Purple Martin house that appears to be on steroids on your porch!

2009-03-09T22:55:00.007-04:00

I have mentioned in the past our passion for bird watching and the pleasure it brings us. I have also mentioned Flying Ace's Birdhouse's which is his site for selling his creations. I have to show off one of Art's latest creations! He was commissioned by a man to build this 60 room condo (I can't help but call it that because it is so huge!) and he finished it up yesterday!

Art is just over 6' tall so you can see this thing is quite large! He designed it completely himself after reading the specifications suggested for attracting Purple Martins. It has special rigging so the customer can raise it up to the proper height on a pole specially designed for something this large! It has a special roof making the rigging easily accessible AND each layer is it's on separate layer making cleaning and storing (not to mention carrying!, trust me I had to help move the thing this morning!) easier. I personally think it's amazing and yes I'm biased but he has a true talent for this kind of stuff.

Kreativ Blogger award! You love me!!!! You really, really love me!!! OK hold on I got carried away! JUST JOKING but Club Coupon did get nominated!

2009-03-08T11:41:00.005-04:00

Major thanks to Rachel over at Our Frugal Experiment! She has nominated Club Coupon for the Kreativ Blogger award! We really do appreciate this Rachel! Rachel, Jason and I met early one Sunday morning before Christmas at the CVS in Southland here in Lex. It's still funny to me to be shopping along and the frugal alarms start going off! Rachel and I both were staring into each other's buggies trying to figure out if the other had gotten that one particular deal we thought we were going to miss! Thanks at that time to Rachel because she let me know about some $2.00 Right Guard coupons that were hiding inside the boxes! She is a very dedicated blogger that I can always go to as a local resource! Now she has nominated us for this! YEAH!

Ok this great award comes with 2 rules:
1. You must list 7 things you love!
2. You must nominate 7 other blogs for this award!

Tough stipulations hmmm LOL

7 Things I LOVE
1. The Great Spirit above
2. My family
3. The opportunity to be a Mom and not go through life never knowing or traveling this incredible road, no matter how tough it becomes at times. (Remind me of this one when she's driving me bonkers someone please!)
4. My friends
5. The sound of laughter, my own and others.
6. Spring flowers (Yes I am suffering from cabin fever!)
7. This gift of saving to be able to provide for my family in ways I would never have expected. (It came to us through a dear friend of mine Dana G. at a time that was extremely bleak) ^5 sister!

7 Blogs I recommend

1. Pancakes/Diary Of A New American
2. Poor Coupon Clipping Teacher
3. Thrifty Shopping Everyday life of a frugal Mom
4. Saving Everyday
5. Flying Ace's Birdhouses
6. Thrifty Florida Mama
7. survival cooking, gardening, homesteading and emergency preparedness information

Please don't forget to link back to choose and let them know via email or comment that they won!

Thanks again Racheal!

Meijer Custom Coupons (Catalina's) listed in sales insert for week of 3/8/09

2009-03-08T00:07:00.003-05:00

I found this list in the sale insert for week of 3/8/09. Yes it is posted now, go here.

Buy the items listed at the quantities specified and receive 27.40 in coupon savings for your next visit!Coupons may not be redeemed for cash or used at Meijer Gas Stations, Outlet Store, C-Stops, instore businesses or for online purchases.
Graduates for Preschoolers.................................Buy 3+ Get 75¢
General Foods International Coffee or Tea..........Buy 2+ Get $1
Single Cans or Pouches of Friskies Cat Food.......Buy 16 Get 50¢
Gerber 2-pks. DHA & Organic Only (1f, 2f & 3f)....Buy 7+, Get 75¢
Crystal Light Drink Mixes......................................Buy 3+, Get $2
Maxwell House 11 oz. or Larger Canisters............Buy 2, Get $2
Any Starbucks® Coffee 10 oz. or Larger..............Buy 1+, Get $1.50
Yuban Coffee 11 oz. or Larger.............................Buy 2+, Get $1
Ice Mountain Occasion Packs.............................Buy 2, Get $2
Pedialyte®............................................................Buy 2, Get $2
Dole All Natural Fruit Jars......................................Buy 4, Get 75¢
Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels Or Parfaits.........................Buy 4, Get 75¢
Juicy Juice 8 ct. pkgs...........................................Buy 3, Get $1
Friskies Dry Cat Food, Any Variety 3.15-4.15 lb. bags...Buy 2+, Get $1
Nestle Fun Size Candy Bars..........................................Buy 2+, Get $1
Nestle Minis...................................................................Buy 2+, Get $1
Nestle Wonka Take Home Candies..............................Buy 2+, Get $1
Carnation Instant Breakfast Powder..............................Buy 2+, Get $1.50
Kikkoman Soy Sauce 10 oz. .........................................Buy 2, Get 75¢
Campbell's Red & White Condensed Eating Soups(Excludes Cream Varieties) ............................................Buy 6, Get $1
French's Mustards..........................................................Buy 2, Get $1
Swanson Canned Poultry...............................................Buy 3, Get $1
Dole Tropical Mixed Fruit...............................................Buy 3+, Get 75¢
Dole Mandarin Oranges 11-15 oz..................................Buy 3+, Get 75¢
Drano Products..............................................................Buy 1+, Get 65¢

CVS week of 3-8-09

2009-03-07T23:31:00.002-05:00

Once again CVS appears to be slim on deals so far. I have to say I haven't been impressed since back at Christmas. I hate to say that because I love the CVS I shop at but ah well we must go where the deals lead us!

Thanks to Mercedes over at Common Sense With Money for posting this.

WEEKLY ECB DEALS
Buy Crest Pro-Health 4.2 oz. $2.99
Get $ 2 ECBs (limit 1)
Use $1/1 from the 2/8 PG insert
FREE or .25 cents after coupon and ECBs

Buy 3 Garnier Fructis Hair Care Products $10
Get $5 ECBs (limit 1)
Use (3) $1/1 from the 1/4 RP or 2/8 RP inserts
Get 3 for $2 after coupons and ECBs!

Buy 3 General Mills Cereal $10
Get $5 ECBs (limit 1)
Use (3 ) .75/1 printable coupons
Get 3 for $2.75 after coupon and ECBs

Herbal Essence $2.88, Get 1 ECB (limit 6)
Buy 2, use $3/2 from the 2/8 PG insert
Pay $0.76 for 2 after coupons and ECBs

Palmolive $1.49
Get 1 ECB (limit 2)
Pay $0.49 each after ECBs

Secret Flawless Deodorant $3.99
Get 1 ECB (limit 1)
Use $2/1 from the 2/22 RP insert
Pay $0.99 each after coupon and ECBs

WEEKLY OTHER DEALS
Arm & Hammer $6.99 BOGO
Use (2) $1/1 printable coupons
Pay $5 for two after coupons
Renuzit Tri Scents Starter Kit $4.99
Use $4/1 from the 2/22 SS insert
Pay $0.99 each after coupon

Zone Perfect Bars $1
Use $1/1 from the 3/1 SS insert
FREE after coupon

MONTHLY CVS DEALS
CVS Pharmacy Vitamin D 400, 100 ct $2.99
Get $2.99 ECBs (limit 1)
FREE after ECBs

Walgreens Deals 3-8-09

2009-03-07T23:08:00.005-05:00

This weeks Walgreens Deals

I normally would thank IHEARTWAGS for all the work they do but right now the link doesn't seem to be working and lately I've really gotten hooked on Common Sense With Money. Mercedes is a great blogger and she works very hard to help those of us out there trying to be our frugal best! Tara and Mercedes have a talk show over at Money for Moms. They have adjusted the time to help those of us that are a little busy during the day. LOL yeah, a little busy!

You can check out deal scenerios at Common Sense With Money as well.

COUPON DEALS
Garnier Fructis Hair Care $2.99
Use $1/1 manufacturer coupon from 2/8 Red Plum Insert
Use $2/1 from Walgreens Easysaver catalog
FREE after coupons

Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color $5.99
Use $2/1 from 12/7 RP Insert
Use $2/1 from Walgreens Easysaver catalog
Pay $1.99 each after coupons

Smart Balance Butter Spread
BOGO or 2/$2.99
Use $1/2 coupon from 2/1 RP insert
Pay $0.99 each after coupon

Butterball Chicken Broth
$0.69 each after in ad coupon
Submit for rebate #29: $5 in savings wyb $10 in select Conagra products

Glade Scented Oil Sense and Spray Starter Kit $7.99
Glade Lasting Impressions $7.99
Make sure you check out March Easy Saver Catalog for $4 catalog coupon
Use one BOGO internet printable coupon.
Use one $4/1 coupon from March All You magazine and 2/8 SS insert
Free plus overage if your Walgreens allows.

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes 2/$4
Use $1/1 coupon from 2/1 SS inserts
Pay $1 each after coupon

REGISTER REWARDS DEALS
Right Guard or Dry Idea Deodorant $2.99
Earn $2 in Register rewards when you buy one
Use $1/1 from the 2/8 SS

FREE after coupon and Register Rewards
Gillette Fusion Gamer $8.99, Earn $4 in Register rewards when you buy one
Use $4/1 coupon from 2/8 P&G insertPay $0.99 each after coupon and RR

Buy $25 in Participating Kimberly Clark products Earn $10 in RRs back
Huggies jumbo pks diapers or training pants $10
Huggies Baby Wipes $6
Kotex 2/$6
Scott or Cottonelle $7
Poise or Depends $12
Klennex facial care 3/$4

Coupon Inserts 3/8/09

2009-03-07T22:59:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Taylortown Coupon Preview for this listing. This does not appear to be an easy list to put together and very time consuming!

These are coupons that are expected to me in tomorrows inserts.

SMARTSOURCE
Air Wick Scented Oil Refills $1 on 2 (4/19/09)
Air Wick I-Motion Starter Kit $4 (4/19/09)
Air Wick Aqua Essences Air Freshener Spray $1 (4/19/09)
Air Wick Original Spray B1G1 (4/19/09)
Almay Cosmetic, any $1 (4-12-09)
Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Roll Ups, etc. .50/2 (5/02/09)
Breyers YoCrunch 100 Calorie Yogurt Multipack .75 (5-31-09) .10 each
Chex Cereals (Chocolate Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Strawberry Chex or Cinnamon Chex) $1 on 2 (4-18-09)
Cuties $1 OFF 5 lb. Box (3/31/09)
Cuties . 55 OFF 3 lb. Bag (3/31/09)
Dial Body Wash $1 on 2 (6-30-09)
Dial Multibar Pack, Foaming Hand Wash or Liquid .35 (6-30-09)
Fiber Choice $3 (4-9-09)
Fiber One Chewy Bars .50 (5/02/09)
Fiber One Complete Pancake Mix .60 (5-2-09) .10 each
Frito Lay Baked Snacks, 8.75 oz.+ or Flat Earth Baked Veggie Crisps , 6 oz.+ .55 (4-12-09) .10 each
Gas-X $1 (6-30-09)
Gas-X Thin Strips $1 (6-30-09)
General Mills Cereals $1 on 3 (4/18/09)
Good Earth Premium Coffee $1 (4-17-09)
Kens Dressing $1 on 2 (4-30-09)
Kens Lite Accents Salad Dressing Spray $1 (4-30-09)
Light n Fluffy .50 on 2 (6-6-09)
Maalox Liquid $1.50 (6-30-09)
Maalox $3 on 2 (6-30-09) .15 each
Marcal Small Steps, 6 ct.+ Bath Tissue or Paper Towels $2 (4-30-09)
Marcal Small Steps Free Single Roll up to $1 or $1 off 1 Towel, Bath Tissue, Napkins, or Facial Tissue (4-30-09) .10 each
Nature Valley Granola Bars .50 (5/02/09)
Noxzema Facial Product .50 (4-30-09)
Pillsbury Frozen Grands, Cinnamon Rolls, Mini Cinnamon Rolls, or Dinner Rolls .40/2 (5-30-09)
Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn, any .50/2 (4-19-09)
Purex Liquid Fabric Softener .55 (5-1-09)
Purex Ultra Concentrate or Natural Elements .35 (5-1-09)
Purina T Bonz Dog Snack Porterhouse Flavor $1.50 on 2 (6-10-09) .10 each
Resolve Product $1 (4/19/09)
Right Guard, Dry Idea, or Soft & Dri $1 on 2 (5-31-09)
St. Ives Elements $2 (4-30-09)
St. Ives Scrub $1 (4-30-09)
Schick Disposable Razor $1 (4-19-09)
Schiff MegaRed $3 (6/30/09)
Selsun Blue Itchy Dry Scalp $1 (6-30-09)
Selsun Blue, Selsun Blue Salon, or Naturals $1 (6-30-09)
Soft & Beautiful Skin Product $1 (4/30/09)
Soft Scrub Scrubby Pads $1.50 (4-30-09)
Spray n Wash .50 (4-19-09)
Steamfresh Meals for Two $2 (4-18-09)
Trident Gum, 3-pack $2 (5-3-09)
Trident Xtra Care Gum, single pack .75 (5-3-09) .10 each
Tyson AnyTizers Snacks $1 (6-1-09)
Tyson Bagged Frozen Breaded Product, $1 (8-8-09)
Tyson Boxed Frozen Breaded Product or Boxed Anytizers .55 (8-8-09)
Wanchai Ferry Dinner Kit $1 (5/02/09)
Welchs AquaJuice, 52 oz. .75 (6-30-09) .10 each
Welchs Light Juice Beverage, 52 oz. ? (6-30-09)
Zucol Cold Care $2 (12-31-09)

OLIVE GARDEN
$4 on 2 Dinner Entrees (4/26/09) .20 each
$2 on 2 Lunch Entrees (4/26/09) .10 each

RED PLUM
AcneFree Clear Skin System, Sensitive Skin System, Severe to Clear System, or Redness Relief $3 (4/30/09)
AcneFree Non-Kit AcneFree treatments $1 (4/30/09)
Advil Cold & Sinus, Advil Allergy Sinus or Childrens Advil Cold $1 (8/31/09)
Advil PM, 16ct.+ $1 (4/30/09)
Colace or Peri-Colace Products, any size $2 (9/8/09)
Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment $1 (4/15/09)
Garnier Nutrisse or 100% Color Vibrant Colors $2 (4/15/09)
Garnier Fructis Style Product $1 (4/15/09)
Garnier Nutritioniste Cleanser or Moisturizer $1 (5/31/09)
Goodlife Recipe Treats for Cats .50 (5/30/09)
Goodlife Recipe Dry Food for Dogs or Cats $2 (6/7/09)
Goodlife Recipe Treats for Dogs $1 (5/30/09)
Hefty Waste Bags, any $1 (4/19/09)
Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage .65/2 (4/30/09)
Johnsons Baby Product $1 (6/10/09)
Kelloggs All-Bran Fiber Bars, All-Bran Fiber Drink Mixes and/or All-Bran Rolled Fiber Wafers $1 on 2 (5/3/09)
Natures Bounty Vitamin Product $1 (4/22/09)
O-Cel-O Scrub Sponges .75/2 (4/30/09)
O-Cel-O Sponges .75/2 (4/30/09)
Pedigree Dentastix Dog Treats, any $1 (5/30/09)
Pedigree Marrobone Dog Treats $1 (5/30/09)
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars .75/2 (4/30/09)
Rice-A-Roni or Pasta-Roni $1 on 4 (5/31/09)
Rimmel Mascara, any $1 (4/30/09)
Rimmel Product, any $1 (4/18/09)
Sally Hansen La Cross Beauty Tool $1 (5/31/09)
Sally Hansen Nail Color .50 (5/31/09)
Sally Hansen Nail Treatment .50 (5/31/09)
Sally Hansen Lip Product $1 (5/31/09)
Scotch-Brite Ultra Nailsaver Absorbent Scrub Sponge .50 (4/15/09)
Scotties Facial Tissue .50/3 (5-31-09)
Senokot or Senokot-S Tablets, any size $2 (9/8/09)
Sheba Premium Cuts B2G1F up to 1.39 (6/06/09) .10 each
Smart Balance Milk Free up to $3.99 wyb Smart Balance Buttery Spread (5-21-09) .30 each
Starkist Sensations $3 (6-30-09)
Sundown Naturals Vitamin Product $1 (4/22/09)
WholeMeals Food For Dogs $3 (6/6/09)

2009-03-02T06:41:00.002-05:00

I came across an interesting blog "Thoughts on Frugal Food and Recipe" over at ThriftyFloridaMama.net through CommonSenseWithMoney.com. Definately worth reading as were the comments left for her. I'm really trying to step away from prepackaged foods. Although my check ups are good I'll be 42 this year and I think a lot of today's health problems are in part of fast food, prepackaged food and lack of exercise (Duh, like we don't already know this just by listening to our commen sense!). Art's knocking on that 40 door as well PLUS we have a growing 2 year old in our house.

Go check it out! Definately a good read.

CVS week of 2/22/09

2009-02-21T08:49:00.003-05:00

Once again from what I have been reading on blogs CVS appears to be in hibernation mode where deals are concerned. Walgreens has been kicking their butt for the most part lately so they need to WAKE UP! I personally prefer CVS because it's closer but also for customer service.

I want to thank IHEARTCVS again for compiling weeks and weeks of deals ahead of time! You guys rock!

FREEBIES
Extreme Energy 6 Hour $4.99 get $4.99 eb Limit 1 (different offer # from February deal)

Gillette Fusion Gamer, Venus Embrace or Spa Breeze $7.99 get $4 eb Limit 1(different offer # from 2/15-2/21 deal)
-$4 Gillette Fusion Razor, any P & G 2/8/09
-$2 Gillette Venus, any P&G 2/8/09

Extra Care Buck deals
7-Up 12 pks 4/$12 get $3 eb
-$1 off 1 12 Pack 7up

Accuchek Monitor $19.99 get $10 eb Limit 1

Claritin Liquigels 24 ct $19.99 get $5 eb Limit 1
-$3 Claritin

Clear Care Twin Pak or Zaditor 5 ml $14.99 get $3 eb Limit 1

Depends $11.99 get $2 eb Limit 5
Maybelline Dream Mousse Matte Foundation or Dream Matte Powder get $5 eb Limit 1 (psa $8.39)
-$2 Maybelline foundation, any RP 2/8/09

Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Lipstick and Lip gloss $8.99 get $5 eb Limit 1
-$1 Maybelline lip or lashes RP 2/8/09

Nyquil, Dayquil or Casero Liquid 2/$9.98 get $5 eb Limit 5
-$1.50 Vicks Nyquil or DayQuil, any P&G 1/18/09

Post trail mix crunch $4.79 bogo
-$2 post trail mix cruch (use 2 coupons)

Revlon Cosmetics get $10 eb wyb $20 Limit 2
-$1 Revlon Beauty Tool, any S 11/16/08
-$1 Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, any SS 11/16/08, SS 12/7/08, SS 2/8/08
-$2 off any Revlon color cosmetic product SS 2/8/09

Schick Intuition Plus $8.99 get $4 eb Limit 1
-$2 Schick Intuition or Intuition Plus Razor or Refill, any SS 1/25/09

Viva 8 pk $7.49 get $2 eb Limit 3
-$.50 off any 2 Big Rolls or ANY 1 2-pack or Larger
-$.75 Viva Paper Towels Big Roll SS 1/11/09

Additional deals
Clearasil buy one get one 50% off
-$2 clearasil ultra cvs beauty coupons
-$1 clearasil stayclear cvs beauty coupons

Lysol Neutr Air $2.50
-$2.50 off 2 Lysol Neutra Air Aerosol, 10 oz. bogo (up to $2.99) SS 1/11/09

Lysol toilet bowl cleaner $2.50
-$.75 Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner, any SS 1/4/09

Lysol All Purpose Wipes $2.50
-$1 Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, any SS 1/4/09

Lysol All Purpose $2.50
-$1 Lysol All Purpose Cleaner Trigger, Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner or Lysol Plus Bleach, any SS 1/4/09

SouthBeach bars $2.50
-$2 South Beach, Living Bars & More

Walgreen's deals week of 2/22/09

2009-02-21T08:29:00.004-05:00

Below I have listed some of the highlights for deals next week at Walgreen's. However, if your a die hard Walgreen's fan then you definitely need to check out the deals for the week of 2/22/09 here at IHEARTWAGS. They put together all the deals for weeks in advance! IF you discover a deal that hasn't been mentioned let me know at clubcoupon@rocketmail.com.

Freebies
Excedrin pain relief 20 ct or 24 ct ($1.99) get $1 RR
-$2 Excedrin Migraine 24 ct+
-$1 Excedrin Product, any 20 ct.+ SS 1/4/09

(I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS NORMAL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR OR WHAT BUT THE GILLETTE FUSION RAZORS HAVE BEEN ON DEAL FOR WEEKS!)
Gillette Fusion gamer or Venus spa or embrace razor ($8.99) get $6 RR
Buy Venus spa or embrace razor and 4 pk matching cartridges, get an additional $4 RR
-$4 Gillette fusion gamer P&G 2/8
-$2 Venus embrace P&G 2/8

♥ Hershey or Reeses 1.4-2 oz chocolate bars ($.89)
bogo w/ in-ad coupon
-$.89 off 2 Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar, Almonds or Special Dark, 1.45-1.55 oz. (bogo up to $.89) SS 1/25/09
-$.79 off 2 Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar, w/ Almonds, or Special Dark (bogo up to $.79) SS 11/9/08

Register Reward deals
get $10 RR wyb $30get
$5 RR wyb $20
Benefiber $10
Tums $4
Gax-x or Maalox or Exlax $5
Prilosec otc $19
Miralax $10
Zantac $17

Biore Skin care products (25% off) get $3 RR wyb $10
Claritin allergy relief ($19.99) get $5 RR
Dr.Pepper, 7 up, Sunkist, Canada dry 2 Liters 4/$5 get $2 RR wyb 4
Clorox, 409 or Tilex 2/$6 get $2 RR wyb 2
Nature valley bars 2/$5 get $1 RR wyb 2
Tylenol allergy or cold and sinus relief ($4.99) get $3 RR wyb 2

COUPON MATCH UPS
Arm & hammer laundry detergent ($6.99) bogo-$1 arm & hammer (use 2 coupons)

Dial Hand Soap bogo ($2.49)-$.35 Dial Multibar Pack, Liquid Hand Soap or Foaming Hand Wash, any SS 1/4/09 (use 2 coupons)

Hunts tomato sauce $.39 w/ in-ad coupon Limit 3

L'Oreal Lip and Nail Color (excludes H.I.P.)
-$1 LOreal Lip product V 2/1/09
-$2 LOreal Lip Product, any V 1/4/09
-$2 LOreal make-up, powder, blush or concealer V 2/1/09
-$3 LOreal Makeup, Powder, Blush or Concealer, any V 1/4/09

Maybelline Foundation b1g1 50% off
-$2 Maybelline Foundation New Dream Liquid, any V 2/8/09

One A Day 60 ct $7.99 (walgreens.com price)
-$6 in-ad coupon-$1 one a day
-$1 One A Day Adult or Teen Multivitamin Product, any SS 1/4/09

Oust Air Sanitizer and Glade Fabric Refresher $2.99
-$1 wyb 1 esr #31(limit 4)
-$2.99 off 2 Oust Air Sanitizer (bogo up to $3.49) SS 2/8/09
-$2.99 off 2 Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator (bogo up to $4.29) SS 2/1/09

FREE, YES I SAID FREE REYNOLDS WRAP!
Reynolds aluminum foil 20 sq ft or wax paper $.89 w/ in-ad coupon
-$1 Reynolds Wrap Foil (excludes 25sq ft) SS 2/8

Stayfree 16
-24 pk, or Carefree 40-60 pk 2/$4-$2 off 2 Stayfree Product, any (bogo up to $7.50) V 1/4/09

Coupons for Sunday 2/22/09 papers

2009-02-21T08:17:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Taylortown Coupon Preview you can go here to check out what coupons are going to be in the paper tomorrow Sunday Feb. 22nd!

Survival cooking, Gardening and Emergency Preparedness info. Very kewl blog!

2009-02-20T09:31:00.003-05:00

If you are into self sufficiency I just found a very kewl (yes I know I spell it funny, but I like it!) blog called Survival cooking, Gardening and Emergency preparedness. I think it has some super valuable information that we can all use. You might not be interested in raising Dexter cattle but I bet you could walk away with a little bit of other valuable knowledge!

Kroger 2-17-09

2009-02-18T05:34:00.001-05:00

The sales at Kroger's just haven't impressed me much lately. I've made a few good deals but nothing that drove me to blog about it. HOWEVER, yesterday I had to run in and get coffee which of course I forgot I needed last week when CVS had their deal. We squeaked through yesterday but would have been out this morning and that is a very scary picture. Anyways I started with the usual run around the back end of the store to check for close outs. Man am I glad I did! Got some great deals on pork and poultry. I have my list below. Not too bad if I do say so myself.

1 small bottle of Sweet Oil (Sarah is an ear wax factory!) 1.11
1 loaf Bunny Bread 1.25
1 box Celestial Green Tea $3.05 (this coupon came from emailing the company and telling them I like their product)
1 Budding Ham 2.19
1 Nature Made Vitamin E 3.69
1 Kroger Coffee 2.99
1 Big bundle of bananas .38lb/1.69 (marked down, time for a pudding!)
1 Smithfield pork tenderloin 4.04 (reduced)
1 Smithfield pork tenderloin 3.62 (reduced)
3.43lbs beef grinds .99lb/3.40 (reduced)
1 Perdue Fryer 3.17
1 Perdue Fryer 1.83 (there is no way this was a full grown chicken! Smallest thing I have ever seen but I only wanted to spend $5 on poultry because of the $2 coupon I had) I plan on throwing it in a pot of chicken and dumplings with other chicken!
Coupons I used:
$2 off poultry
2 $1/1 Smithfield pork product
1 Celestial Free $3.05
1 .40/1 Kroger coffee
1 $1/1 Nature Made Vitamin
1 $1/1 Budding Ham
Total Shelf Price before reductions and coupons:$63.81
MGF Coupon Savings: $7.05
Kroger Plus Savings: $34.01
Total Savings: $41.06
Total out of pocket: $22.75

It definitely pays to check the usual suspect areas for reduced pricing!

Spring will soon be sprung and it's time to start planning!

2009-02-12T17:50:00.008-05:00

Spring really is just around the corner. We are at that stage in winter where it’s sometimes hard to imagine but it is coming! The outdoor activity or our suburban wildlife is starting to become more active on the nicer days. A young bunny has taken up residency under a bush near the house, and some sparrows have been checking out a piece of “birdie rental property” under the awning (I’ll talk more about this in just a minute).

I have enjoyed bird watching for many years and Art and I are going to do everything we can to pass on that pleasurable hobby to our daughter. On a warm spring morning there is nothing more relaxing than going to the porch with a cup of coffee and just passing the time watching all the activity in the back yard. Also I find a great deal of humor in watching birds. Watching them with your children can be a great inexpensive educational tool as well. Depending on the type of birds you choose to attract you can teach them migration habits, socialization habits, eating habits and so on. Kids love helping with filling the feeders as well as being able to watch a bird family progress from moving in to a new home to raising their young. You can keep it very inexpensive so that fits right into our budget conscious minds. One thing I do recommend is to be sure your regular wild bird food has sunflowers in it. Many colorful birds love these! I like having several feeders of various size and shapes through out the yard as well as a bird bath.

A minute ago I mentioned “birdie rental property”. What on earth you ask is a birdie rental property???? It’s what I call the bird houses that Art builds. He has an amazing artistic eye for detail. Go here and you will see his "V" Wren Houses, Dutch Style Wren House and the Bluebird house. These have been built with specific dimensions by the National Fish and Wildlife Federation to attract the specific type of bird.

He also builds one of a kind, birdie rental properties that are miniature replica’s of people’s homes such as the extravagant log home that as at the top of this post. If you look at the bottom left of his main page you will see the one he built for me which reminds me of an old shack down on the bayou and it's called the Southern Chickadee. It has red lights that are solar powered and will turn on when the sun goes down.

Go on over to Flying Ace’s Birdhouses and check out his work! With spring just around the corner now is a great time to order your “birdie rental property!” Bluebird and Wren homes range in price from $8.50 - $12.00. Custom homes are individually priced as are solar powered houses. Please feel free to contact him if you have any questions at artslawncare@rocketmail.com All of his pieces include care and placement instructions. Ask him about his bat houses as well if you love bats (and yes I do, amazing little critters!)!

Free appetizer and buy one entree and get one entree at TGI Fridays

2009-02-11T06:34:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite chain restaurants is TGI Fridays! I simply love their French Onion Soup! If you go to TGI Fridays web site or go here you can print a coupon for a buy one get one free entree! Not a bad deal at all these days. Coupon is not good for Valentine's Day.

Once you have printed off that coupon go to this TGI Fridays page and sign up for your "Give Me More Stripes" card to receive member ship perks and free food. When you sign up you will be eligible for a free appetizer! I'm thinking Friday's for dinner and The Melting Pot for dessert! YEAH BABY!

Free Chocolate Fondue for 2! Check this one out!

2009-02-10T06:43:00.002-05:00

Romance and chocolate are in the air! Imagine sitting in a comfortable dining atmosphere leisurely dipping into warm chocolate fondue while enjoy the company of your loving spouse!

The Melting Pot has various locations through out the United States and when you join Club Fondue you will receive an invitation for a free chocolate fondue for two (of course some restrictions may apply, check with your store). They are a national franchise with pretty good coverage so there is a chance you may have one near you or within a reasonable distance. Go here to see if there is a location near you. The membership is free and we know we all LOVE free chocolate! Especially warm ooey, gooey chocolate! Once you have joined you will receive an email thanking you for joining and it will have a link that will allow you to print the coupon! We haven't been yet as I just learned about this offer yesterday but I'm very excited about such a romantic evening with Daddy!

HAPPY DIPPING!

Utility bills and Community Action

2009-02-09T06:28:00.003-05:00

Let's face it, time's are tough and they are getting tougher it appears. Many of us are incredible with grocery/household needs savings. There is no doubt about the money we are able to save and create! We all need to stand up and give ourselves a round of applause because it is not easy being this diligent and getting our families trained on this savings program. Even with all this money can still run short. Especially with winter utility bills running up, up and up. It amazes me how our heating bill has jumped in the winter. We have done all the insulating of outlets and windows, yes we use the little curly q light bulbs (still haven't decided that they really save except for the fact they don't blow like traditional bulbs) and we have now gotten used to keeping the thermostat on 69 degrees. Which in my opinion simply STINKS! However, I am adjusting. Painfully and with a fight I am adjusting LOL. Yes, I am a sissy girl when it comes to being overly cold or overly hot. It's a Thyroid thing. Art and Sarah have been fine with it so that just goes to show a little of my stubbornness :)

Even with all the cut backs and saving there are people out there that when those heating bills hit $200.00 and up are running in circles trying to figure out how to make that payment. If you OR someone you know (remember the elderly) are one of those people please contact your local Community Action Council. On this page you can find your state and local offices. I can't/won't promise that they will be able to assist you because it is based on income (which again stinks because they don't take into account many other factors) BUT it's worth a shot. You might be fine with your utilities but you might know someone else that needs assistance. Please help them out with this information.

Wow have I been missing out!

2009-02-07T10:51:00.002-05:00

I just did my first Walgreen's rebate online. Man have I been missing out! It was so simple! All I had to do was register and basically submit my receipt number (everything was on the same receipt!). BADABING! Naturally I finally catch up with the regular Walgreens gang now that they are talking about changing the rebate process in April! AH WELL I know over the next couple of months I will be taking as much advantage of it as possible!!!! No hassle at all and if you choose a Walgreen's gift card instead of paper check you get a 10% bonus!

Kroger 2/4/09

2009-02-05T22:17:00.003-05:00

If your new to this world of couponing your going to look at this shopping list and think all she is buying for the most part is prepackaged stuff. If you look at other posts that are in the archives towards the bottom left you will see items that I normally buy. This was a run to have stuff that would be quick and easy for lunch (I work 40 hours a week) and Dad is Mr. Mom which means he works just as hard. It's always nice to on occasion have something that can just be tossed into the microwave. Anyways, all in all it was still a pretty good run.

2- Oncor turkey/gravy family size dinners 2.29each, .35/1
1- Huggies wipes (80 count) 2.69each, .50/1
1- Oncor Salisbury steak 2.29each, .35/1
1- Dozen Kroger large eggs 1.34each
5- Cottonelle 4pk toilet paper .99 each, .50/1
6- Perdue ground turkey .99 per pound
2- Kroger Sour Cream 1.00 each, .65/2
1- Ocean Spray cranberry juice 1.98 each, .55/1
2- Healthy Ones sliced ham 1.67 each, .75/1
1- Bob Evans Mashed Potatos (reduced) .99 each, .35/1
1- Bob Evans Chicken n Noodles (reduced) .99each, .35/1
4- Quaker Quick Oats 1.50each, 1.00/2
12- Chef Boyardee pastas .88each, .35/3
3- Grands Biscuits 1.29, .25/1
2- Lloyds BBQ Pork tubs 3.99each, .75/1
1- Nabisco Ritz Crackers 16oz 2.69, Free coupon (won from Kraft online game in Dec.)
2- Ragu Spaghetti sauce 1.58, .40/2
6- Hunts Manwich sauce 1.00, .50/2

Total Shelf Price: $107.85
MFG Coupon Savings: $23.89
Bonus Coupon Savings: $7.35
Kroger Plus Savings: $42.84
Total Savings: $74.08
Total Out of Pocket: $30.79

Free Photos thanks to Carrie at MoneySavingMethods.com

2009-02-03T21:32:00.004-05:00

People are constantly asking me how I find the deals I find. Well some I do find on my own but a lot I find through other bloggers. There is a huge community of frugal bloggers out there and several that have become stay at home Mom's. One such blogger is Carrie over at MoneySavingMethods.com. I give credit when I snag on deals from other web sites and I'm often lurking around on Carrie's. Very smart lady and she is doing what she can to help us all! This is where I have found so many free photo deals!!! Go here and you will find several links to various photo offers out there. She lists what "YOU need to look for on your end to ensure a good deal". Seriously now I know you probably have as many photos waiting to be printed as I do! Why on earth pay more for it than you have to!

Kroger/Meijer ideas for week of 2/1/09

2009-02-01T05:55:00.002-05:00

Please remember that there are more to these deals than what I'm just posting. This is just the stuff that I see out there that I'm interested in. If they were having better sales I would be more excited!

Just checking my grocery list from www.grocerygame.com (please use sarastaggs@rocketmail.com as referal) and I see the following from Meijers this week that jump out at me.

Meijer canned veggies, select varieties (probably corn, green beans, peas) .33 each
3lb onions (10/10 with 11th free, remember to mix and match these things!) $1.00
Avacado's 10/10 = $1
Aunt Mids/Newstar leaf spinach 10/10 = $1
Organic Mushrooms 10/10 = $1
Meijer frozen veggies (select) 10/10 = $1
There are other items on this 10/10 11th free deal but this is what I'm interested in. I will probably get the following
2 3lb bags of onions
2 packages of mushrooms
2 bags of spinach
2 avocado's (can't help it love em!)
3 bags frozen veggies (if they have some other stuff on the deal that is fresh I'm going for that...craving some fresh fruit salad)
That means with 11 items I will pay .90 each which comes to 9.90. Doesn't thrill me for that total but it's ok. Not sure what coupons are to be printed from www.mealbox.meijer.com but going to check that out before I go too. Those coupons can be used along with manufacturer coupons!

Also at Meijer
Pork loin 1.79lb
Chuck eye roast or stead (ewww) 2.19lb

Kroger deals
Red or Anjou pears .88lb (yummy)

This is what I see on their buy 10 get $3 off deal I have listed sale price, coupon I have, price after deal discount in that order. Remember that Wed. is Senior extra discount day as well.
Ragu Sauce 1.58, .75/2, .91 each
Manwich 1.00, .50/2, .20 each
Chef Boyardee .88, .35/3, .35 each
Kroger coffee 36oz 5.49, 5.19 each
Pilsbury Grands biscuits 1.49, .25/1, .69
I'm not sure of quantities yet on this deal (not very excited about Kroger being so stingy this week)
Also that have Purdue ground turkey (don't knock it til you try it) at .99lb

Slone's on Southland drive has 10lb bags of chicken leg quarters at .48lb. Comes to $4.80 in case your wondering :)

Sav A Lot has 5lb bags of russets for .99!
Well I need more coffee and I'm hoping to confuse you pretty well with this :) Let me know if you have any questions.

Links to freebies and coupons

2009-01-31T08:31:00.005-05:00

I want to remind you that if you have the time (yeah, yeah I know) to sit down at the computer start emailing some of the companies whose products you use on a regular basis. Tell them thanks for their great product and if you want even ask that they might mail you some paper coupons. Many companies don't publish q's in the paper but will gladly mail you some. Often they are of higher value than you find in the paper as well! If your not sure how to go about this pick a manufacturer such as Celestial Seasonings (I just received 2 .50/1 and 1 FREE coupon from them). Go to the Contact Us page. There is usually going to be a form to fill out and a space for comments. Fill this in and watch your email box. Before receiving any coupons I generally get an email from the company saying they received my comment/request and that they would mail me some. IF there is no form for your mailing addy just put your email address in the correct locations (this will be offered) and they usually email you back asking for your mailing address.

I have taken some time this morning to dig up a few freebies and links for you if you happen to peruse this blog. Check out the links below!

$2 off any Aveeno product just sign up
Free Diet Dr. Pepper 20oz or 2 liter
Earth's Best Baby Foods coupons and more!
Sure deodorant for free I had a little problem with this link for some reason
Go here for over $31 in printable money saving coupons from Right @ Home (Thanks Crystal! )
Free subscription to Women's Day go here (Thanks Crystal!)

Sorry there isn't more for now. I'm going to dig around and see if I can figure out what might be happening next week! Please feel free to drop a comment or question!

Kroger Run 1/29/09

2009-01-31T06:55:00.005-05:00

One statement I hear from "non-couponers" or newbies is "I couldn't find any coupons in the paper that I will use". What they are doing is locking themselves in a box still. I literally clip every coupon my greedy little paws come across. Mind you I have a crafting paper cutter so that speeds the process but there are still coupons that I might not use. HOWEVER, now that we aren't limiting ourselves to certain brand names clipping coupons for items I didn't think I would ever use has become more and more valuable. For example my run below at Krogers this week. I don't believe in my life I have EVER bought a can of Rotel tomato's. With the deal this week though the coupon I had for them gave me a serious BANG to reach the required 10 items. Also the Snapple. Would I have ever put that in my shopping cart if I couldn't get such a great deal on it? NO WAY! As long as I can get the item(s) for just pennies or even better FREE then sure I will include it in my deal if it helps me to obtain my ultimate goal. Below is what I purchased on the Kroger buy 10 items get $5 off your order automatically. I have listed the items with pricing BEFORE coupons and before the $5 off.

4 Snapple $1.00 each regular price $1.59 without card.
1 Rotel tomato $1.00 each regular price $1.18 without card
5 Kraft cheese (these were the ones made with 2% milk so I could utilize the blinkie q.) $1.99 ea regular price without card $4.19.

Coupons I used were:
Snapple .75/1
Rotel .30/1 (doubled to .60)
Kraft cheese .75/1

Total Shelf Price: $28.49
Total Savings: $25.14 (this includes the Kroger card discounts)
Total out of pocket: $3.35 YEAH BABY!

Now I do want to make this note on purchasing items that you normally won't use. Please don't do it if it's not truly useful to you. Will I use the Rotel tomato's in place of a can of Hunts tomato's?, sure! Am I going to spend .50 on a can of dog food? NOPE... we don't have a dog. You don't have to be stuck using only Ronzoni pasta, others are fine if the pricing is right. I hope this all makes sense and if it doesn't please feel free to email me at clubcoupon@rocketmail.com or leave a comment below and I will get back to you! If you have had a successful run at the store this week please feel free to post!

I thought the stores were crazy yesterday!

2009-01-27T19:50:00.003-05:00

this is just a quick post as much for my own entertainment as anything. So far the winter storm has mostly been ice. They say we got about 1 1/2 inches of snow last night (you folks up north can just quit laughing :) ) but the rest has a beautifully glistening COATING of ice! You know that feeling you get that is like living in an ice cube!? That's what is happening here. So far Lex. has been OK (knock on wood) but several surrounding counties are losing electric do to the trees coming down. Lex. had an ice storm come through that dropped 2 inches of ice on everything several years ago and just our side of the street was without power for 8 days. Now a lot of times there are things you can do to "make do" in that situation but my Mom was living here at the time and she is on an oxygen concentrator. Needless to say no I'm not having fun today. Anyways enough of my yabbering about our weather. I've got to do some digging around on the web to see if I can find anything that might help us all. I haven't done any shopping this week so nothing exciting happening there. Hope everyone stays warm!

Sun. Jan. something, coupons for hours and oh look it's snowing outside and we are in for a winter storm.

2009-01-25T17:14:00.002-05:00

"RUN! HURRY! THEY ARE ALMOST OUT!"
Those are the words I hear echoing in the trees when Lexingtonians see one tiny snow flake coming out of the sky! For some reason here in central KY everyone has this mad desire to go wipe out every grocery store of beans, milk, bread and toilet paper as if they are going to starve in this mighty blizzard that is about to bestowed upon us! Never mind the fact that 90% of us will get up in the morning and trudge through the dreaded 1/4" of snow that we might get lucky enough to actually have on the ground to go to work! I really do get a kick out of going to the store at times like this just to watch people! Art, my other half is from up state NY and gets a very BIG kick out of all this adventure! Oh look it's starting to stick! Better go fill up the truck! LOL
I spent about 5 or 6 hours earlier today basically clipping coupons and sorting for the binder and the one's I want to mail out on my train. The last couple of weeks I have been very blessed with friends bringing me extra inserts and somehow I was completely overwhelmed with what I had! However I am caught up (for the most part as it always seems there are some coupon gremlins hiding more from me). I've been pretty lazy today but that's ok. It's been gray outside and the three of us have just hung out together. I sat down here to dig around and see if anyone had started posting deals they had located for the week and came across this blog from Pancakes/Diary of a new American. I ended up getting lost just reading about a few adventures she has had since coming to America. I can't imagine the culture shock of actually moving to a new country although I have visited several others. The difference was that I knew I would be returning home. It sounds as though she is loving life and her family and I think that's wonderful. Check it out if your willing to look at American life through her eyes and laugh at yourself!

Tax time! Ewwwwwwwyyyyyyy!

2009-01-18T10:45:00.003-05:00

Well it is that time again. Tax time! Fortunately most of us get money back instead of having to pay which is great! But even if you are on the receiving end of the money it is still a nerve racking hassle for most people. Yes I know some people are just born tax savvy but HAH not me! Years ago I went to those services that are out there down the street. I refuse to give them any credit at all so that's why I don't mention names. Now mind you there are some time's that they SHOULD be used to help protect yourself but even then I don't agree with the national chains. I myself love Turbo Tax. I actually use Intuits free online version called Tax Freedom. It is free depending on a few different factors including yearly income but I'm sure many people fit into the criteria. I have been very successful with it and it helps me to save the most possible and find deductions that I don't know about.
There is another program from Intuit that I like called It's Deductible. This is great for tracking all forms of donations! That includes all those wonderful free shampoo's, conditioner's, deodorant and toothpastes! Did you know that that stuff is a tax deduction? I love being able to donate to charities and it's a bonus if you can deduct it! It's Deductible is based on the IRS guidelines and helps to protect YOU from being audited!
Now I'm sitting here looking at what used to be my living room and now has become tornado central (remember we have a toddler!) I still get amazed at how many different places you can find crayons! Hope everyone has a great day!

Something more than coupons!

2009-01-18T09:54:00.003-05:00

I couldn't help but laugh as I typed the title of this blog. What, there is something more than coupons? How can that be!!?? Well when I'm walking into Krogers or Meijer stores and I don't have my coupon binder the clerks get very worried about me! Actually had one ask me one time if I had misplaced it somewhere in the store and not realize it!
However today I do want to mention a web site that I think could be very helpful for many people. She also has a national radio show called The Kim Komando Show. You can find her site here. She is truly a digital goddess and guru! From free security software to explaining the latest electronics out there her site is definitely one you need to put into favorites. On this page I have found some valuable information from online jobs to making money from your photography. I know there are a few of you out there that love your camera's so I would recommend you check this out for some ideas.

Walgreens week of 1/11/09

2009-01-11T08:26:00.001-05:00

Over at CommonSenseWithMoney she has posted what looks to be the best deals at Walgreens this week.

The Best of Walgreens Deals 1/11-1/17
Sat, Jan 10, 2009
Walgreens
Some good freebies at Walgreens this week:
WEEKLY DEALS
Equal Sweetener 100 ct box 2/$5Use $2.50/1 coupon from 1/4 SS insertFREE after coupon
Aquafresh Toothpaste $2.99Use $1/1 coupon from 1/4 SS inserts or 1/1 internet printable couponUse $2/1 coupon in January ESR catalogFREE after coupons
Oust air Sanitizer on sale buy one get one or 2/$3.79 Use buy one get one coupon from 11/23 SS insertFREE after coupon
Revlon Cosmetics and Beauty tools (excludes Matte Finish products) on sale buy one get one freeUse $2/1 any cosmetic or 1/1 any tool coupon from 1/11 SS insertGet Possibly free or cheap Revlon products
Halls Cough Drops $0.99 after in-ad couponUse 0.50/1 coupon from 12/7 SS insertPay $0.49 each after coupons
Kleenex Facial Tissue $0.89 after in-ad couponUse 0.40/1 coupon from 1/4 SS insertPay $0.49 each after coupons
Ensure 6pk drinks $6.99Use $3/1 internet printable couponPay $3.99 each after coupon
Scrubbing Bubbles automatic Shower cleaner $14.99Use $3/1 coupon in 1/11 SS insertsSubmit for rebate #24 in Easysaver catalog (Get $5 back when you buy one)Pay $6.99 each after coupon and rebate
REGISTER REWARDS DEALS
Dark and Lovely Hair Color $5Get $5 back in Register rewards when you buy oneFREE after register rewards
Pepsi 12 packs 5/$15Get $5 back when you buy $15 in Pepsi productsSubmit for Pepsi rebate Thanks Andrea !Pay $2 each after coupons and get more coupon savings after rebate
I don’t think I missed anything else worth mentioning. But please share your good find if I did.

www.thegrocerygame.com information

2009-01-06T06:19:00.002-05:00

As many of you know I am a GroceryGamer (GG'er). Dana (truly one of the nicest people you will ever meet in your life and so very genuine) introduced this to me in May of last year. There is an old saying "Give a man a fish, feed him for the day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life." Well I believe Dana was sent to me so that I could learn to fish. I don't know what I would have done without her!
Back to the GG. I really think this is a super deduper tool especially for those just starting out in this mad mad coupon/savings/what am I going to get for free world we frugals live in. I've talked about it before but I want to once again bring it up. I guess I do that because if you actually utilize the lists (ahem Teresa........., yeah I'm talking about you!) it will help you to understand how easy it is to shop frugally. And if your disorganized HOLY COW is it a great tool!
First, what is the GroceryGame you ask? It is a database of store sales that are updated weekly. They compile lists for places like Krogers, Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, Meijers (I name these because they are the one's in my region). They have different store lists based on regions so it's not limited to these. CHECK YOUR REGION OUT! These lists will highlight the items that are at their lowest possible price for the last 12 weeks basically. Then they will match them up to the national coupons that are out there.
Membership runs in 8 week cycles. Regular membership is $10 for your first store and $5 for each additional store after that. HOWEVER, your trial membership is $1 for the first 4 weeks and you have access to ALL the lists of stores in your region for those first 4 weeks. Before the trial is up decide if you want to keep only certain stores and delete those you don't. This member ship literally saved me thousands of dollars last year!
They also have a message board system that is great to utilize. You do not have to be a member to access the message board so go on over there and check it out. Be sure to check out the newbie success stories!
You can get free months through referrals so if you go after reading this post please use sarastaggs@rocketmail.com as a referral! I know when I first joined I was very skeptical that you could save this much. Now look at me, I'm sitting here blogging about this at the crack of dawn, I avidly search the frugal blog spots and I carry a 4 inch binder full of coupons! AND best of all the money I have saved!

Being a new year I challenge all of you reading this blog to try out GG! You will thank me later!

Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act

2009-01-05T06:26:00.002-05:00

I received an email this morning from CommonSensewithMoney. I hadn't noticed anything about it lately which I am ashamed to admit but ah well. This is going to impact more people than we realize because anything like this has a trickle down effect. You can read (and please do so) more at Baby Cheapskate, The Simple Dollar and Blissfully Domestic. I'm sitting here looking at my daughters hand made solid wood rocking horse realizing it is now a treasure to hold on to. Not that it wasn't in the past but I know the family friend that made this himself will no longer be making these things! I need to read more about this but it's something that has me torn just from what little I have read this morning. Yes I want things tested and my daughters safety is of utmost importance. However I know how Jim makes his things and I know they are safe. Yet you wouldn't because you don't know him. Also the testing process is expensive! Something else to keep in mind is something I heard about early on in 2008. If the report I heard is correct the group that does all this testing is sorely limited to personnel. For some reason I keep thinking that there are only a handful of people available to actually do the testing. Unless something has changed can you imagine how much more backed up and behind testing is going to become???? If you know something more about this please please feel free to contact me with the information. I truly believe knowledge is power so before I can make any decisions about anything I need more information. I think there is a lot more we need to look into!

Kroger gas points

2009-01-04T07:08:00.002-05:00

Ok this is something I just noticed in my weekly Kroger ad. It's probably been there before but DOH! We are in the Lex., KY region so perhaps it may only be regional although it is probably national (I say perhaps just in case I'm wrong I want to cover myself). I knew that if you used cloth grocery bags you would get .04 off your purchase per bag but now you can get 5 "gas" points per bag. You will find it at the top of page 3 of the ad. Remember this is in the Lex. KY region :)

The P&G deal is still good as well. I think I saw a date of 1/17/09 on the advertisement in the store. AGAIN I might be wrong! I've only had a 1/2 a pot of coffee so far!

P&G/Kroger card loadable coupons ready to load!

2009-01-01T11:29:00.002-05:00

I just went over to the P&G page on Krogers. It isn't showing that the new coupons are up yet but if you log in you can get to the new loadable q's. Several of the same from the last round but some new one's too! Going to be very helpful with the P&G deals this week.

Preparations for 2009

2009-01-01T07:09:00.005-05:00

Now mind you I am one of the most disorganized people you will meet. I can sit down at a perfectly neat desk and within seconds it will look like a bomb went off! That's one thing that makes couponing so challenging but hey I most certainly haven't given up yet! I feel like a newbie I was pretty darned successful this year even if I am a work in progress!

Below are some suggestions in my feeble attempt of organizing life!

1. If you haven't done so yet I recommend utilizing the next few days getting things in order for couponing and saving this year. Go through your coupon books and pull all the expired out. I try to do this every Sun. morning before opening the paper but the past couple of weeks have been crazy. Between the families personal stock and Club Coupon I think we could have started a bon fire!
2. Check expiration dates on dry goods, frozen foods and the obvious. I don't care who you are you can get cans mixed up and pushed to the back. If by chance you do come across some and your concerned you won't be able to utilize them don't forget about your local food bank. They have been depleted greatly this year and can continue to use our help!
3. Regarding household stockpiles. If you have found you are running out of room for items it's time to rotate the shelves for sure! For those items you need to clear out check out local charities. Personally I use a local women's shelter. These items can still be counted to tax deductions as well. I will post more about this later but be SURE to get a receipt from the charity you donate to. Any of them will be glad to give you one but you usually have to request it.
4. 2009 expectations. I'm not a big fan of resolutions. I've never been able to keep them and then I let myself down. I don't like that feeling so I quit making them years ago. What I do like to do is make a list of things I would like to see take place this year. Changes that I feel I need to make in myself, budgeting ideas, household organizing or redecorating, even to the point of would I like to read more (Mommy time... wow! Now there is a new concept!). LOL ummm would that make these resolutions, yeah I suppose so but I REFUSE TO GIVE IN AND CALL THEM THAT!
Regarding budgeting and shopping for the coming year these are a few things I would like to see myself achieve.
a. Keep better track of receipts
b. Monthly out of pocket spending and saving
c. Utilize an even smaller budget than 2008
d. Staying caught up with the families personal coupons, clipping, expiring

What are some things you would like to see take place in your life this year?

Well it's time for me to move on to the next portion of my day. We still have more family coming over so more Christmas to celebrate. We are truly blessed to have such a large family and to have so much to share!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Stockpile photos!

2009-01-01T06:24:00.002-05:00

I've been skipping through blogs this morning and came across Jane4Girls800dollarannualbudget! Lets go shop at her store! I wonder if she doubles coupons? She is doing a Smart Shopper giveaway as well here. She has a YouTube video posted that explains what this handy little gadget is.

Jan. CVS FREE STUFF!

2008-12-31T22:30:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Rachel over at www.ourfrugalexperiment.blogspot.com I have some CVS info update!
Free at CVS for January!
Don't forget to use the coupons listed below so that you can actually MAKE money!
NasoGel Drip Free Gel Spray 1.52 oz. = $7.99Earn $7.99 ECBs (limit 2)Children’s Throat Cooler Ice Pops 6 ct. = $4.99Earn $4.99 ECBs (limit 2)Nutra Trim Weight Management Chewing Gum 48 ct. = $3.99Earn $3.99 ECBs (limit 2)
Coupon Links:
BOGO Throat Coolers. Get it here.
Nasgel Drip Free Gel Spray, $2.oo off. Get it here.

Sunday coupon inserts 1/4/09

2008-12-31T22:12:00.000-05:00

This is the first time in 2 weeks I have finally had a chance to sit down at the computer and dig. Woohoo HAPPY NEW YEAR! LOL if someone had told me even 5 years ago this is how I would be spending my New Years I would have laughed at them! Ah but I am loving it actually. The house is quiet and I have some time on here. It's driving me crazy trying to figure out what might happen with the ads on Sun. I didn't start getting into the coupon craze until around May of 08 so not sure how they handle the first quarter. Of course I don't know if any of us really are sure as to what is going to be happening with what all is going on with the economy! SAVING that much I do know! Every trip to the grocery store I see more people being cautious and looking for deals!

I have found that in the Cincinnati region (which sometimes reflects this area in KY) that there are going to be 5 inserts in papers. Check out Jamie over here and then just a few min. ago I found this at Taylortownpreview.com! We are going to be very busy coupon cutters this weekend!

Don't forget to check out Club Coupon! Starting Jan. 1st we will be offering 1 month free membership with the purchase of 1 month! That is up to 160 coupons for $5.00! 20 coupons per week for 8 weeks!

It's hard to believe but it's the last day of the year!

2008-12-31T06:45:00.000-05:00

This is going to be another quick post as things are winding down for the year. We have been going through expiring coupons and I think we have enough to reprint several papers :) Between what was clipped and not clipped I thought I was going to go mad! We need to be prepared for Sunday though. If I understand correctly there are going to be double inserts in the paper.
I've been doing the coupon/grocery game since around May. I have to send out a thanks to my dear friend Dana for getting all this started! She is the one that introduced www.thegrocerygame.com to me and got the ball rolling! It can still be overwhelming to me at times but I do feel like going into 2009 I have a much better grip on things. I still cring at the thought of having to deal with Walgreens and my local CVS still rocks! Next year I'm going to start taking on the challenges of Target I believe. I see so many good deals on posts and I get envious letting them slip through my hands. The store is so close there really is no excuse to let this happen!
One of my main goals this year (some of you may laugh) is getting my toddler potty trained. I was one of those mothers that thought "oh how tough can this be with daycare working with me and STUFF"! WHAT WAS I THINKING! I have heard an old wives tail that it is best to try in the spring time! If you have any tips or tricks please please please leave a comment! I so want to get out from under the cost of Pull Ups (or whatever brand is on deal).
I would also like to become more organized. HAH! I have been compared to a moth at a light at times! My head just get's going faster than my feet will go so I end up spinning in circles. However I do continue to try to improve. I just try to do too much at one time! What is really funny is I will look up and my daughter is going behind me shutting doors and shaking her head! She is ONLY 28months!
Speaking of spinning I've got to run for now. My posts are going to get back to being more informative and linking to deals to help us all out more. I want to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

Update Whew is anyone else out of breath?

2008-12-23T06:14:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted for a bit because well it's just crazy! As always I have put things off until the last min. and now the bell is ringing and I hear some lady singing in the background! Oh wait I think that might be my toddler snoring on the couch! Hey I'm tone deaf what can I say!

I did the CVS run on Sun. and it was actually pretty funny! You could spot the couponers coming down the aisle! Then you would see us checking out each others basket like "Did they find that Right Guard? That shelf was empty!" I really hope that those of you that found the aerosol Right Guard found it in the box! There were $2 coupons on the inside that made this a great money maker! Because of that CVS run I have been able to make some little extra gifts (very simple packets of homemade peanut butter roll and the cutest little ornaments I found). I hate to say it but I look forward to shopping right at the holiday or right after because of the deals!

It's going to be a bit sparse until after the holidays on here I'm afraid. I just have to step back and give myself some breathing room so that I can enjoy the holidays! I hope everyone is finding peace and the greatest of joys in their frugal holidays. Remember what is important... love, the joy of being with those you love and love you, gratitude because even in these tough times we are much better off than a lot of people, laughter and giving.

Oh really quick! I dare anyone that reads this post to do this if you haven't already! During these crazy times and very cold times this week there are bell ringers out there trying to help those in need! Please stop and ask them if they would like a cup of coffee or hot chocolate or even a soda. Trust me it is very appreciated!

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year! if I don't see you before then!

$100 Walmart gift card at Commen Sense with Money!

2008-12-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

Check it out over at Common Sense with Money There are various ways that you can enter to win! Also if you aren't interested in the gift card she has 3 other choices! What a great way to finish up your Christmas shopping!

Sales trends, lists and understanding where to shop

2008-12-01T07:02:00.000-05:00

Always remember to check out www.clubcoupon.homestead.com for those extra coupons you need!

You are now ready to begin to figure out where to shop. I strongly recommend http://www.grocerygame.com/ for the beginner. You can get a 4 week trial offer for $1. After those 4 weeks it is $10 for your first store and $5 for each store after that. This will gain you access to all the stores that are on their lists in your region. Here in Lex., KY that included Krogers, Meijers, CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens. At the end of your trial period (choose before the trial period is up) you can pick and choose the stores you want access to.

What this site does is compiles all the sales for those stores for the week. They will take the Kroger sale prices and compare them with their database and list all prices. Prices that are at the lowest that they have been for 12 weeks are indicated with blue and if an item is FREE it will be green. They also match up the coupons that have been released over the last 12 weeks that match with those sales. This makes things so much easier for you especially if your a beginner! A lot less work that's for sure! The list comes out anywhere between Mon. night or Tues. morning by 8a.m.

There are several other sites out there that have lists such as http://www.couponmom.com/ (which is free and a great site) however I have found that when I began all this GG was the easiest for me. It's very organized.

Occasionally you will have coupons that they don't have or vice versa. This happens to me when I have used the coupon at one store then another store on the list hits a rock bottom. The individual lists don't compare to each other. That's your job. Also when I get coupons directly from the manufacturer these aren't published so there is no way of them knowing this. There for I do tend to check everything on the list "just in case".

Starting out and coupon organizing

2008-12-01T06:15:00.000-05:00

One of the main questions that I am asked is "You get all this with coupons?". Be sure to check out www.clubcoupon.homestead.com for coupons!

Coupons are a very BIG part of it but they aren't all of it. I shop for items at their lowest prices and stock up so that I won't need that item again until it hits it's lowest possible price. There are always some needs items such as produce, milk (although you can freeze milk). However no more $4 boxes of cereal or $9 razors!

Sale trends tend to run on a 12 week cycle. That means an "butter" will hit it's lowest rock bottom price approxomately every 10-12 weeks. Then the "butter" will be on sale for about 2-3 weeks. Coupons tend to come out at the time of those sales or a few weeks before. In between you may see the "butter" on "sale" but it's not at it's lowest possible price so don't let it fool you. When it does finally hit it's lowest price I estimate how much my family will use for 12 weeks and combine my collected coupons for that "butter" with that rock bottom price.

For example: butter has ranged in price from $1.75 to $2.50 for 10 weeks. I have 6 .50/1 coupon. The butter hits rock bottom at $1.50 at my store that doubles coupons up to .50 (making it $1 off). I then purchase 6 packages of butter at .50 each costing me $3.00. I simply take them home and toss 5 in freezer until needed. At that point I have saved anywhere from $4.50 - $12.00 for 12 weeks.

I am addicted to anything I can get for FREE. The free things or below .50 each are things like H&B items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, razors. I find most household cleaners in this range as well. Now, because if I have extra's I can donate those items to charities. Yes you can deduct health and beauty products such as soap, shampoos, conditioners and household items from your taxes but that's another posting. Women's Centers are a great location for donating!

Coupon organizing
This can be a:
3 ring binder
flexible coupon holder
labeled envelopes

You may have to experiment a few times to get it right. I personally use a 4 inch 3 ring binder. I have it in 2 sections. First household including Health and Beauty then Grocery. Pet food goes in grocery. Everything is alphabetized. This was my second solution to organizing coupons.

The inserts I use to hold the coupons may be bought at office supply stores or even Walmart. They are base ball card holders that come in sheets and usually a couple dollars a pack. You need the seperated pockets to keep the coupons organized where you can see them and they don't mix up with each other. It will not work for you if they aren't organized because you will get frustrated and give up.

Collect
Where do you get your coupons from?
-http://www.clubcoupon.homestead.com/ Is my favorite of course! It's a membership which is different from some coupon clipping services but that makes it cheaper. For $5.00 a month you get to choose up to 80 coupons (20 coupons per week) plus access to our newsletter that comes out monthly.
-Sunday paper inserts (and yes there is a method and schedule for coupon inserts)
-Ask friends if they aren't going to use their coupons to give them to you
-You can print coupons from online at sites such as http://www.coupons.com/ and http://www.coolsavings.com/ . Be aware that some stores don't accept online printed coupons or they are strict about them.
-Go directly to manufacturer sites. Often they will have coupons to print.
-Email the manufacturers and tell them if you enjoy their product(s). We have been very successful with this. Often they send coupons that you will never see printed in the inserts.
-Download Proctor & Gamble coupons at http://www.kroger.com/ to your Kroger card. You can also download food coupons from http://www.shortcuts.com/ to your Kroger card. Recently they have come up with a way to download them through your cell phone at http://www.cellfire.com/ I haven't done this because I don't have a cell phone.

CVS, Kroger and Meijer $201.54 for $31.94

2008-11-30T08:22:00.000-05:00

I have to say I'm not disappointed in how I did yesterday. Finding the ground round at .99/lb was a super find! There's just not much you can't do with ground meat! I really was huge so I'm not going to break it down by transaction. Again I use manufacturer coupons, P&G coupons, Shortcuts.com coupons, CVS coupons and ECB's.

Totals for the day:

Total Shelf Price: $201.54

Total Savings: $169.60

Total Out of Pocket: $31.94

CVS

Shelf Price: $104.80

Savings: $100.35

Out of Pocket: $4.45

Walked out with $14.24 in additional ECB's to keep rolling!

Talk about ECB heaven!

1 Playtex tampons

1 Loreal Juicy lipgloss

1 Aussie Instant Freeze hairspray

2 Colgate Total Advance toothpaste

1 Sally Hansen Maximum Growth quick dry nail polish

2 Hershey Milk Chocolate bars (there is a story behind this and it's funny!)

1 Loreal Juicy lip gloss

1 Cover Girl Smoothers pressed powder

2 York Peppermint Patties

1 Eucerin Daily Soothing Moisture Lotion

1 Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Cleanser

1 Eucerin Redness Relief Perfecting Lotion

1 Palmers Coco Butter cream

2 CVS Make Up remover cloths

3 G2 (Gatorade) bottles

Krogers

The ground round was originally $3.99lb so that is an unlisted savings of about $19.00 that doesn't show up on the register receipt.

Shelf Price: $43.36

Savings: 32.09

Out of Pocket: $11.27

6 packages (average of 1.19lbs per package) ground round

1 Kroger shredded cheese

1 Tyson Bacon

1 Kroger Decaf Tea bags

1 Betty Crocker Frosting (Thanks to manufacturer coupon and Shortcuts this was FREE)

1 Danactive drinkable yogurt

2 Dole Iceburg salad blends

Meijer

I didn't plan on buying the Jello pudding but when I realized I had the Meijer mealbox coupon that I could stack with the manufacturer coupon I just couldn't pass the deal up!

Shelf Price: $53.38

Savings: $37.16 (This should have been $38.16 but a $1.00 q got missed according to my receipt)

Out of Pocket: $16.22

6 Containers Cool Whip

12 boxes Jello Instant Pudding

3 cans Endust

1 lb I Can't Believe It's Not Butter

1 Spray bottle I Can't Believe It's Not Butter

4 Daisy Sour Cream

1 Fresh Garlic

2 cans Meijer Cream of Mushroom soup

1 gallon Meijer milk

1 Aunt Millies whole grain bread

1 Aunt Millies english muffins

Totals for shopping week of 11/16 - 11/22

2008-11-23T12:43:00.000-05:00

This week I used sales, Proctor and Gamble coupons downloaded to Kroger card, Shortcuts downloaded to Kroger card, paper coupons and Meijer printed coupons from Meijer Mealbox.

Total Shelf Price:$340.18
Total Savings: $277.34
Total out of pocket!!!: $62.84
A little bit of time and effort involved but personally I think it's worth it!!!!

Meijer 11/22/67

2008-11-23T12:22:00.000-05:00

This took 3 transactions because Meijer has only been doubling 2 dublicate coupons at one time. I had several Del Monte $1/4 and several .30/1 low salt. Not hard to do except when you buy this much as once. The oops you notice I didn't catch until I started posting all this so too late for me to deal with it. ALWAYS check stuff as it scans!

Transaction 1
Actually I messed up because I thought the peas/carrot mix was included in the Del Monte deal but it wasn't so oops!
1 Del Monte peas/carrots
1 Mardi Gras napkins
1 Del Monte sliced beets
1 Del Monte sliced carrots
4 Del Monte cream style corn
1 Del Monte whole kernal corn
2 Del Monte sauerkraut
2 Del Monte spinach
1 Del Monte sweet peas

Total Shelf: $16.08
Total Savings: $10.33
Total out of pocket: $5.75

Transaction 2
1 Huggies Baby Wipes
1 McCormick taco seasoning
1 McCormick salsa seasoning
1 Del Monte seasoned green beans (this was an oops too because it was listed as part of the Del Monte deal)
1 Meijer parmesan cheese
1 Meijer tortilla chips
1 Argo Corn starch
1 Lipton Tea bags
1 Del Monte potatos
1 Del Monte beets
2 Del Monte carrots
1 Del Monte sauerkraut
2 Del Monte spinach
1 Del Monte peas
1 Del Monte whole kernal corn
1 Knorr soup/dip mix (free with purchase of 2 Hellman's mayo)
2 Ragu Spag. sauce
1 Hefty kitchen bags
1 3lb bag onions
1 gallon Meijer 2% milk
2 Hellman's Mayo

Total Shelf Price: $45.99
Total Savings: $23.66
Total out of pocket: $22.33

Transaction 3
1 GG frozen potato
1 Wishbone salad dressing
1 Pillsbury Frozen Grands cinnamon rolls (free from Psst membership)
1 Dole complete salad mix (Free from Dole website game)
1 Value Time black pepper
3 GG Steamers frozen broccoli
1 GG Steamers green beans
1 GG Steamers mixed veggies
1 Melitta coffee filter (non bleached)
1 GG Steamers whole kernal corn
1 Kellogs Rice Krispies
1 Kellogs Fruit Loops

Total Shelf Price: $34.12
Total Savings: $28.83
Total out of pocket: $5.29

Kroger 11/22/08

2008-11-23T11:41:00.000-05:00

Kroger's took 3 transactions because of the Philly cream cheese and an 2 coupons I had for Private Selection Ice that were going to expire 11/23. Not being sure of what the next weeks ads would be in definate I wanted the best deal.

Transaction 1:
6 Philly Cream Cheese 4/$5.00
1 Kraft Cool Whip .99

Coupons:
3 .50/2 which doubled
1 Free Cool Whip with purchase of 3 Kraft items/ Philly was on list
Total Shelf : $13.39
Total Savings: $8.89
Total Out of Pocket: $4.50 (66% savings)
A Catalina printed out for the Philly purchase of $3.00 off your next order.

Transaction 2
2 boxed Green Giant limas
4 boxed GG brussel sprouts
2 boxed GG spinach
2 boxed GG peas
3 4pk Cottonelle toilet paper
1 Kroger coffee creamer
1 Kroger Mericheno cherries
1 Private Selection Wheat Bread (marked down to .99)
2 DanActive Yogurts (marked down to .75 each)
1 Friskies can cat food
1 10.5 oz Kroger marshmellows
1 1/2 gallon Private Selection Ice Cream
1 Huggies Pull Ups 29 count
1 2liter Big K Cola
1 2liter Big K Dt. Cola

Total Coupons I Used: $15.00 (this includes downloaded to Kroger card Shortcuts q's)
5 Green Giant .50/2 frozen boxed veggies
1 $1/1 Private Selection Ice Cream
2 .50/1 DanActive
3 .50/1 Cottonelle
1 $2/1 Huggies
Total Shelf Price: $48.62
Total Savings: $29.86 (62% savings)
Total out of pocket: $18.76

Transaction 3 (I had to do this one seperate because I couldn't use 2 of the ice cream coupons in one transaction)
1 Private Selection Ice Cream
Shelf Price: $2.50 (on sale 2/$5)
Total Savings:$2.49
Total out of pocket: $1.50

CVS Week of Nov. 16th - 22nd

2008-11-22T15:47:00.000-05:00

I made a couple of stops early in the week at CVS to take advantage of the Loreal deal and start rolling some ECBs I had left over. This is quite a long post so bear with me!

CVS was crazy this week and I have quite a few ECB's to roll over for next week. The week of Thanksgiving there are supposed to be some incredible deals. I'm going to be making some recommendations later today on how to make the most out of the ECBs you can gain.

11/17/08
I went in with $19.59 in ECBs (extra care bucks) and $2.51 on a gift card.

1 Loreal Age Perfect Moisturizer - $15.99
1 Glade oil burning refil - $3.99
1 Glade Plug In with fan - $7.99
Coupons and ECB's I used:
1 $1/1 Loreal
1 Glade buy one refill get one Plug in Free
$19.58 in ECB's
Total Shelf: $32.53 (remember this always includes tax)
Total Savings: $31.57
Total used on gift card: .96
No out of pocket expense and I got back $20.99 in ECBs.

11/18/08
Time for the Duracell deal and MORE Glade. This one was buy $20.00 in Duracell batteries and get $15.00 in ECBs. I lucked out with the tear pads at my CVS location and had 2 of those (save $5.00/2) to use as well as the one's from the paper which were .75/1. Now by the time I got to CVS the 8 count AA packs that were on sale for $5.99 had already been picked over and but I still did ok.

1 9V 2 count pack $5.99/1
2 4 pk Digital AA packs $5.99/1
1 Duracell Ultra AA $5.99/1 (These rang up $8.99 but the clerk discounted it to the $5.99
without me even asking)
2 Glade Oil candle burners at $5.49/1
Coupons I used were:
2 .75/1 Duracell
2 $5.00/2 Duracell Tear Pad coupon
1 Glade Buy One Get One Free coupon = $5.49
$16.99 in ECB's
Total Shelf Price: $45.89
Total Savings: $44.48 (remember she took $3.00 off one battery automatically)
Total Out of Pocket: $1.41 and I walked out again with $20.00 dollars in ECB's

11/21/08
Transaction 1
8 Glade Glass scents $5.00/2 (they had been out of these until today)
2 13oz Maxwell House Coffee BOGO free $4.99/2
1 Essence of Beauty Scrunchy Bathy Sponge thingy $2.99/1
Coupons I used:
4 BOGO Glade Glass scents
1 .75/2 Maxwell House Coffee
1 $2.00/1 Essence of Beauty item (you find these in the Rejuvenating Beauty magazine they sell for .99 which makes it a big saver) (This is also a filler that kept me from losing .99 in ECBs)
ECBs $15.00
Total Shelf: $39.65
Total Savings: $39.06
Total Out of Pocket: .59

Transaction 2
2 Glade Oil Refills
2 Glade Oil Candle Burners
2 Glade Oil Plug Ins
1 Blade solid deodorant
Coupons I used:
2 Buy one Glade Oil refill get one Glade Plug in Free
1 BOGO Glade Oil Candle Burner
1 $2/1 Blade (from Rejuvenating Beauty mag) (Filler)
ECBs $14.96
Total Shelf Price: $38.60
Total Savings: $37.43
Total Out of Pocket: $1.17
Gained $16.00 in ECBs

Transaction 3 (Another Duracell deal on another CVS card)
4 4 pack AA batteries
Coupons I used:
2 $5/2 CVS tear pad coupons
3 .75/1 Duracell coupons from Sunday inserts
$15.00 in ECBs
Total Shelf Price: $21.32
Total Out of Pocket: .58
Total Savings: $20.74
Gained another $15.00 in ECBs

Kroger 11/15/08 An unexpected super saver!

2008-11-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

I'm fortunate because Kroger's is within a couple of min. from where we live so to "drop in" and grab something really is simple. I knew we would be needing milk and of course can't stand the thought of going without my coupon binder! I knew I has 3 of the $2/1 Tylenol coupons and 3 $1/1 of the Scotch Mini Lint roller so thought I would dig around and see if I could work something up. Unfortunately the Scotch nail saver scrubbers weren't $10/10 here in Lexington. Didn't even think about taking a picture but should have because really its a great little run! And thank goodness I hadn't left my coupon binder at home!

Be sure to check out our coupon clipping service at www.clubcoupon.homestead.com

Kroger Mega Deal items - Automatic $5.00 off when you purchase 10 specified items.
4 Danactive Yogurt 4 packs
3 Scotch Mini Lint rollers - FREE after deal
1 Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release caps - FREE after deal
2 Tylenol PM Rapid Release caps - FREE after deal

Non Mega Deal items
2 1/2 gallons Kroger milk
3 quarts Dannon plain yogurt marked down to $1 each (Yogurt freezes well!)
2 8 count Yoplait Gogurt boxes marked down to .75 each (These freeze for great frozen yogurt treats)
2 Prices Hearty Bacon Pimento Cheese spreads marked to $1.25

Coupons I used:
4 $1/1 Dannon Activia Yogurts (these blinkies made them .50 each after deal)
3 $1/1 Scotch Mini Lint rollers (FREE)
3 $2/1 Tylenol (FREE)
1 .75/1 Kroger Dannon coupon (someone had left this sitting on the yogurt!)
1 $1/2 Dannon yogurt
2 .35/1 Price's Pimento Cheese spread
1 .75/2 Yoplait Gogurt

Total Price: $41.05
Total Savings: $34.11
Total Out of Pocket: $6.94
84% savings!!!!

Kroger Mega Deal

2008-11-07T17:28:00.000-05:00

I did a Kroger run on Wed. 11/5/08 with my Mom to maximize on savings with the Seniors discount of 10% . I have listed the Mega Deal items first with the coupons I used for that then the non Mega Deal items and the coupons used for those. My Kroger's will double up to .50 unless coupon states otherwise.

Kroger Mega Deal items

2 packs O-Cello sponges
2 packs O-Cello scrub pads
8 Glade candle refills
1 Pillsbury Cake Mix
1 Pillsbury Frosting
2 Smuckers Preserves
1 Hefty Storage Bag
4 Claim Jumper meals
2 Tylenol PM Rapid Release Gels
4 Tylenol Rapid Release Tablets
2 Superpretzel
14 Carnation Evaporated milk
1 Early California Black olive
1 Armour Meat Balls
1 Nestle Morsel
2 5lb package Domino Sugar
2 Land O Lake 1lb butter packages3 3bar pack Dial soap

Kroger non Mega Deal items

1 9oz package Kroger frozen spinach .09
1 Herbal Essence shampoo - free
1 Herbal Essence conditioner – free
1 Kroger flour tortilla 1.24
2 Kroger pecan twirls 2.00
1 Kroger saltines .99
2 Gillette Sensor disposable razors free
1 Pork roast 4.44
1 Hershey extra dark bar .50
2 Big K cola .69 each
2 2lb packages Tennesse Pride sausage 1.99 each - these were on close out.
1 Kroger can coffee free
1 qt. Kroger milk – not pictured 1.25
1 Kroger Nice and Soft 6 pack double roll toilet paper 2.54
½ loaf Bunny Bread .79

Coupons used:

Mega Deal

2 $1/2 O-Cello
4 Buy One Get One Free + $3/3, $2/2 (be sure to give the 3/3 and 2/2 before you hand over the BOGO’s
1 .40/1 Pillsbury Cake Mix
2 .35/1 Smuckers
1 .35/1 Hefty (this was a peely on the box)
2 .50/2 Claim Jumper meals
2 $2/1 Tylenol PM
4 $2/1 Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release
1 $1/2 Superpretzel
7 .50/2 Carnation Evaporated milk
1 $1/1 Armour Meat Balls
1 .75/1 Nestle Morsel
1 .50/1 Domino Sugar
1 .35/1 Domino Sugar
2 .55/1 Land O Lake butter
3 .30/1 Dial soap

Non Mega Deal
1 .35/1 Kroger frozen vegetable
1 $3/2 Herbal Essence
1 BOGO Herbal Essence P&G eSaver on my Kroger card
2 $3/1 Gillette Sensor 3 Razor
2 $3/1 Gillette Sensor 3 Razor P&G eSaver on my Kroger card
1 $1/1 Hershey Dark bar
1 FREE Kroger coffee
1 .75/1 Kroger Nice and Soft
1 .25/1 Bunny Bread

Now the kicker to this is $44.03 WAS NOT part of the Kroger Mega Deal.

I did 2 transactions total. That means 3 Mega Deals in first transaction and 1 Mega Deal in 2nd transaction along with non-deal items.

70 Pieces total
Total: $197.60
Total Savings: $160.64
Total Out of Pocket: $36.96

Sat. Nov. 2nd Kroger/Meijer run

2008-11-02T21:02:00.000-05:00

Today's run was Meijers (not impressive) then to Krogers. I did get Huggie's wipes for .39 for an 80 count box at Meijers. As I was headed to the baby dept I noticed a display that looked like it was left over but it still had some store coupons left on it for $1 off Huggies wipes. I grabbed one but noticed on the bottom it said not to be used with any other discount coupon. I figured what the hey I would try it anyways! At checkout I did the Meijer store coupon first on the wipes then an additional manufacturer for .50 which doubled! Whoo hoo it worked!

Meijers run:
Chuck roads 2.79lb/4.88 (red meat in this house is a treat and this wasn't too bad of a buy)
Western Style ribs 1.19lb/3.36
2 cans mushrooms .60/1.20
1 Huggies wipes 2.39
I used the 2 coupons for Huggies at 2.00 off
Total: 12.66
Savings: 2.78
Out of pocket: 9.88

Krogers. We do try to avoid boxed food as much as possible but there are times the convenience is just needed.
3 boxes Hamburger Helper
9 boxes Betty Crocker Instant potatoes
1 Quaker Quick Oats
10 Halloween decorations reduced (these were supposed to be marked down to .20 each)
1 dozen eggs
1 Jumbo pack Huggies Pull Ups
1 Kroger coffee creamer

Used the following coupons:
9/.35 Betty Crocker (These had the HH peelies for free boxes!)
3/FREE boxes Hamburger Helper w/purchase of the 9 boxes.
1/1.50 Pampers
1/.75 Quaker
1/.50 P&G eSaver coupon on Kroger card
$5.00 off automatically for Mega Event

And 7 of the 10 Halloween decorations rang up wrong so I got back $8.40 when I went to customer service to bring it to their attention. The clerk checked it out and just refunded the entire amount back for what rang up wrong!

Total Shelf: $69.15
Total Savings: $53.38
Total out of pocket: $15.77

Tell us all about it!

2008-10-30T20:51:00.000-04:00

Tell us your shopping strategies and secrets. We have some of our own.... If you are already a Club Coupon Member, tell us how you are benefiting from our service or what you would like to see on our site. We would love to hear from you.

Never heard of Club Coupon? Check us out and see what the buzz is all about!

http://www.clubcoupon.homestead.com/