Target Pharmacy Coupon Book Giveaway Winners Announced

Who Won the Target Pharmacy Coupon Books?

Thanks so much for entering the contest, guys! I am excited to announce the winners. This giveaway makes me especially happy, because I know what this particular prize means to fellow couponers! Target coupons are AWESOME because they stack with manufacturer's coupons to get you name brand products cheap or FREE! 

This is why I always tell folks that I cannot afford store brand. (Unless it is Target store brand.. because they run awesome sales, clearances, and store brand coupons! Hollah at Target! yay!)

But back to the business at hand.  I am so happy to announce our winners:

Liz8288

Kim Newcomb

JHH

You guys now have until Wednesday, end of day, to email me at couponcouture@gmail.com to claim your prize!! These prizes are very valuable and awesome, so I will have to pick another winner for the ones not claimed after that! 

Thanks again so much, guys! 

Huggies and Pampers on Sale At Target This Week

Diapers and Pull Ups/Easy Ups are On Sale at Target:

$5 Gift Card WYB Any 3!

This week at Target:  Buy any 3 participating packages (basically the Jumbo sizes) of Pampers or Huggies Diapers or Training Pants at $8.99 a pack.

It is pretty easy to get $1.50 or $2 off coupons for either items.  SOMETIMES, you can find a stackable coupon or, rarely, a $3 off one.   

If you printed the $2 off Huggies coupon twice from Coupons.com, and you have one of the plentiful $1.50 off one pants or diaper in many Sunday papers, you can get some great savings working a straight coupon deal.

Scenario:

Buy 3 Diapers/Pull Ups, etc. (You can buy a mix of Pampers or Huggies, diapers or Pull Ups. You don't have to buy 3 of the exact same ones.)

Use 2 $2 off Coupons and 1  $1.50 off coupon. 

$8.99 a pack x 3 =  $26.97

- $3.50 for coupons

Equals  $23.47 for 3 packs, or $7.82 per pack.

Then, You Get a $5 Gift Card. IF you want to figure that back into the cost of the diapers, etc, using what my husband refers to as "fancy math", it is LIKE you paid $6.16 per pack after taking the $5 gift card into consideration.

OR You can do this deal a couple times.

You would pay $23.47 for the first three packs, after coupons.

Then you would get a $5 gift card.

Use the $5 gift card to pay for the next 3 packs, and use the same 3 coupons (just for a rough idea of what you will pay.)

Therefore, the next three packs come to 18.47 AND you get a $5 gift card back again. (called Rolling Transactions.. when you do a deal a couple times and use the rewards from one to pay for the next one.)

So, to get 6 packs of diapers (about 24ct ea pack or so) or training pants, you will pay $41.94 out of pocket, and get $5 gift card to use later.  OR, $6.99 a pack plus an extra $5 Target Gift Card to use on just about anything in store.  IF you want to use Fancy Math and apply that bonus $5 to the cost per pack, it would come out to "Like Paying $6.16 per pack."   Not having to run out and buy an emergency pack of diapers for $10? Priceless! ($6 per pack is a great idea for a baby gift... don't buy Newborn if you are gifting. Some babies come out of the womb bigger than newborn.. or grow quickly!)

Looking for Diaper or Training Pants Coupons? You can check Ebay, etc.  Or you can go HERE to Coupons.com  or HERE to Huggies' site for printables.

If you get Huggies, don't forget to clip those Box Tops For Education! Also, Don't forget to enter your Huggies Enjoy The Ride Codes into your account, or your Pampers Gifts To Grow Points.  Earn Free stuff just bc you have to put a diaper on your baby!

Target Brag: Easter Clearance and MORE!

I Saved About $60 Today at Target. 

What Could You Do With An Extra $60 a Week? 

$240 A Month? 

You Can Coupon. If You Do, You Can Get Some Deals Like I Did Today!

I got some great deals at Target today. I am going to spare you all the random details on my receipt and highlight the really good deals for you today.  And, Yes. Today I started Easter shopping for next year. Don't Tell my kids or in-laws! :)

*Disclaimer:  It is Target's official policy to Value Down a coupon if it exceeds the in-store value. For example, when I used a $2 off ANY Head and Shoulders coupon to buy the 97c travel size, the policy is for the cashier to value the coupon down to 97c off instead of taking $2 off.  Today, you will see in many cases,the computer took my coupons without beeping.. and took them for the full face value of the coupon amount. This hardly ever happens. AND I did tell the clerk that I had items that would need the coupons valued down on. She just scanned them and they all went through. So, instead of free, I got some nice overage today.  I did it on the up and up with integrity, so Cool! ALWAYS tell the clerks about these types of coupon issues upfront. IF they choose to take the coupon at full face value after that and not Value Down the coupon, then yippee for you. You did what you were supposed to do and if the computer didn't beep on the coupon, there really isnt a way to Value Down the coupon, anyway.  

I was prepared for a long check out as we went line by line to Value Down my coupons... lots were expiring, so I hurried and used them for travel sized freebies.  **overage refers to the amount I basically got paid to own something.

Here's what I snagged:

• Tide Single Load Detergent: 97c, used $1 off Any Manuf Coupon (P&G rebate book) = 3c overage!
• Wonka Exceptionals Eggs Candy: On Clearance for $1.99, used $1 Manuf Q= 99c
• 8 Boxes of Skittles Blenders Candies (movie theater size):  On Clearance for 49c ea.  Used 2 $1 off 2 Skittles Blenders Target Q, and 2 manuf coupons for 50c off 2 = $1 for 8 boxes, or 12.5c ea box
• Pringles: 2 cans at $1.57 ea, used a $1 off 2 Manuf Q= $1.07 ea
• 1 L Sparkling Ozarka Water: 69c ea, used a BOGO Manuf Q =  34.5 c ea
• Kraft Bunny Marshmallows: On Clearance 50% off = 59c
• Bagel Bites: $2.49- $1 Manuf Q = $1.49
• Nivea Body Wash: $3.04 - $3 Manuf Q = 4 c!
• Old Spice Deodorant: 97 c - $1 off ANY Manuf Q (P&G Brand Rebate book) = 3c overage!
• Olay Bar of Soap:  97c - $2 off ANY Olay Manuf Q (P&G Brand Rebate Book) = $1.03 overage!!
• Secret Deodorant: 97c- $1 off ANY Manuf Q (P&G rebate book)= 3c overage!
• Oral B Cavity Defense Toothbrush:  $1.59 - $1 off ANY Manual Oral B Toothbrush Manuf Q (P&G) = 59c
• Head and Shoulders: 97c - $2 off ANY Manuf Q (P&G Rebate book) = $1.03 overage!
• Herbal Essence Shampoo:  97c- $1 off ANY Manuf Q (P&G Rebate Book) = 3c overage!
• Band Aids (Hello Kitty): 97c - 50c Manuf Q = 47c
• Band Aids (Hello Kitty): 97c ea, bought 2, used a $2 off 2 Manuf Q= 6c overage to own both!
• Hello Kitty Band Aid (97c) and Travel Listerine ($1.47) : $2.43 for both, used a $2 off 2 Manuf Q = 43c for both, or about 22c each!
• Fur Real Friend Mini for Easter (clearanced to $3.49) and a Single Chocolate Peep (Clearanced to 49c): $3.98.  I used a Manuf Q for $2 off Fur Real Easter Friend WYB ANY chocolate Peep = $1.98 for both.  (really good, since the original cost on the Fur Real Friend was around $7!!)

I got a lot of good products and things I needed on the cheap today.  And, yes, I really did need that many Hello Kitty bandaids! We had about 3 Band Aids in the house prior to this.. now we have 40! Whew.

Here is the breakdown:


Total Pre Tax Out of Pocket Expense:  $7.52
Number of Coupons Used:  20
Items Bought:  30
Coupons Total Value:  $24.19
Pre Coupon, Pre Clearance, Original Value of All Items When Bought at Regular Full Price:  $45.01

Total Savings Today On The Items Above: About 83% or  $37.49 off Original In-Store Cost. 

*I did not list everything I bought, or all of my coupons.  This is my "highlight reel".  I actually saved about $60 with coupons this trip, and only spent $76.56, pre tax, on this trip.  That means I saved about 44% off my total today with coupons!  (I saved even more than that off original in-store costs, bc much of what I bought was on sale today)

**AND! Notice many of these deals were done without needing stackable coupons.  

It's Easter Clearance Time! Don't Forget to Take Your Coupons With You

Get Your Deals Even Cheaper Than Clearance.

Don't Forget to Use Coupons on Clearance.

I have officially started the stock up for next year's Easter. Yep. I have been snagging Easter clearance items and using coupons to make them even cheaper.  Here are some highlights and examples from my trip to Target today.

I had a coupon for $2 off WYB any PEEPS Chocolate AND the mini FurReal Friend for Easter.  

Today, the individual Chocolate Peeps was 49c

The FurReal Friend was on 50% clearance for $3.49.

So, about $4.  Then, the $2 coupon took that down to $2 for BOTH! 

Does anyone remember the Skittles Stacking coupons from a couple weeks ago? They were manuf ones for 50c off any two Skittles or Starburst items, AND Target coupons for $1 off any 2 Skittles Blenders.  The deal on the blogs was to use one manuf and one Target coupon on 2 of the register/check out Skittles blenders. They ran about 80c ea pack. $1.60-$1.50 in coupons = 10c for both the check out size ones.  

BUT! Today, the Movie Theater Box Candy size of Skittles Blenders were on clearance as "Easter Candy" and were 50% off.. or 49c ea! PRE COUPON!!  So, I had 2 of the Target $1off 2 coupons, and I had 2 of the manuf 50c off 2 copuons.  I bought 8 of the clearanced Skittles Blenders.  4 of them were FREE after the $1 off 2 Target coupons.  The other 4 were $1 total after the manuf coupons.  

Total paid for 8 boxes of Skittles?  $1, or 12c ea box of Skittles Blenders!! 

I also stopped by the Disney Outlet.  I managed to snag a $20 Bambi Easter Themed Drinking Cups set for $4 after clearance and a 10% off coupon. (The set includes 4 cups.. ) They are super cute cups, too!

Pretty awesome.  I did score some other really good non Easter,etc deals, so look for those in a post soon.  The main message here is 1. NOW is the time to stock up for future parties, holidays, or even next year's Easter.. and yes, my kids are getting mini Easter FurReal friends and Disney Store Cups in their basket next year.  and 2. DON'T forget to use coupons just because it is already on clearance.

Disney Store Freebie, Friday 4/22/2011 ONLY!

Disney Store Has Joined the Earth Day Freebies

Go By A Disney Store Tomorrow To Snag This Freebie While Supplies Last! 

Following along the lines of the Earth Day Free Reusable Shopping bag that Target had on Sunday, Disney Store has announced that you will get a FREE reusable shopping bag Friday, 4/22/2011, when you drop off 5 plastic shopping bags in store.  The limit is one FREE bag per customer while supplies last.  I am not sure what the freebie design will be.  I would get there early!

I hope they still have them when I get there! :) And I hope it is the cute Earth Day bag pictured above! LOVE it!

Springtime = Babies!

It's Spring!

Everywhere I Look, Folks Are Announcing Pregnancies!

Babies, Babies, Everywhere!

Here Are Some Of My Ideas For Frugal and Maybe Untraditional But Awesome Gifts

*Especially Good Ideas For When It Is Not a First Child.. What do You Gift When There are Plenty of Hand Me Downs?

It seems like every time I turn around these days, a friend or family member is announcing a bundle of joy on the way!  Guess Spring is that time of year! The time for babies.  On a budget? Want to give thoughtful gifts that might not be what you would view as a traditional baby gift? I have a few ideas!

1. Drugstore deals for Diapers can be plentiful. You can get a pack of diapers for $6 pretty easily if you clip a coupon and find a sale. BUT! Don't buy Newborn. Some babies wont finish a full pack of Newborn sized diapers before they outgrow them, and the hospital might provide enough of this size.

2.  Give a Pizza or other deliverable food Certificate.  The new parents will LOVE not having to worry about a meal or two!

3.  This sounds odd, but gift paper plates. I find these on clearance all the time (usually after a holiday or season) for about 35c a pack. (I love Target!)  I have a cabinet full of paper plates and napkins of various designs, styles, etc.  No one wants to do dishes when they have a newborn to cuddle! I never accepted offers of friends who wanted to come clean my house for me when I had a newborn. I am not sure why, but I didn't. A few packs of paper plates to keep the sink clean from the start? That I accepted!

4.  Does the new baby have older siblings? Gift the parents with things that will keep these kids busy! Cheap Dvds $5 or under, activity sets, books, etc. 

5.  CALL the new parents and offer to pick up siblings for a special outing.. library time, trip to the park or movies, whatever.

6.  Drop off food. Don't stay, just drop off food and leave.  (Unless profusely invited in...)  Call and ask if they have freezer space. Then you can make meals and freeze them. Now, the parents have easy to defrost and heat up meals that are more nutritional than microwave meals!

7.  Gift the new parents with a gift certificate for a lawn service. Even being able to call in just once to get the yard mowed could really be a big help!

8.  Consider paying for a month of Netflix or such for the new parents. They will be tired and enjoy a diversion where they can stay in jammies!

9. Always scope out the clearance areas in baby sections of stores. (yes, you can use coupons too!)

10.  Dry Cleaning Certificate.. again, not having to do laundry would be nice.

11. Maid Service Certificate... ditto.

12.  Are you good friends with the parents? Why not make them a mix cd/mp3 album of their favorite music that might be baby friendly too?  They can play soothing music for the baby, and enjoy their favorite groups at the same time. This is much easier to listen to when you are sleep deprived than the standard baby music fare. Just pick their favorite groups and find the "calm" songs and put them all on one album.  Even Mike Doughty has some soothing music! 

13.  Gift them with a Shutterfly.com certificate or some other Portrait Studio certificate.

14.  Start a mail campaign.  Send the new parents a card (anonymously or otherwise) every week.  Make it funny. Or cute. Stuff about new parenthood and babies and sleep deprivation, whatever. Give their spirits a lift, make them chuckle, or be inspirational. Having a new baby is wonderful and difficult at the same time.

15.  Gift a Diaper Wreath, or a a lovely flower wreath for the hospital door.  Or, instead of flowers, consider sending a baby sock rose bouquet! This is lovely and practical!  Diaper cakes rock, too!  Full of useful items.  You can find items like this on a budget going through Ebay, or checking out La Petite Pidge on Facebook.  La Petite Pidge will custom make items according to budget needs. (lapetitepidge@gmail.com also)



Keep an eye on Groupon and Living Social for deals where you can get service certificates cheaply. 

Consider going in with another friend or two to buy the couple something they really might want or need for the new baby.

The main thing is to be creative and frugal.  That $20 outfit might be just adorable.. but the baby might wear it once, spit up on it, and ruin it.  Plus, I kind of loved picking out most of my kids' clothes. Mainly because as soon as I knew what I was having, I would start looking for sales and stock up.  Baby clothes as gifst are lovely, don't get me wrong. But if you already have 20 onesies in that size, and your baby hits a growth spurt, you might not get $20 worth of wear out of the thoughtful and lovely gift.  $20 on a gift card to Starbucks? That is a thoughtful gift that keeps on giving! New parents need coffee and might not splurge on Starbucks for themselves if they are knee deep in paying for other needs like Pampers, etc. 

If someone would have brought me a pack of paper plates, juice boxes, fruit snacks, crayons, coloring books, a Dvd or two, and a certificate for a FREE PIZZA, I would have flipped my lid and been soo excited. My kids would have been entertained, I would not have had to worry about dishes, snacks or dinner! THAT is a frugal and AWESOME gift you can coupon for. You could easily put together something like this for less than $25!  Actually, this is a great idea for my next birthday, too! :)

Target Trip..Plus Bonus Surprise Coupons!

Quick Run To Target For a Few Necessities

AND

Hooray for Surprise Coupons!

Today's trip to Target was not a "Full Run", but rather a "we need just a few things" trip. I found some good deals AND I got bonus coupons in specially marked packages of stuff I was needing to buy anyway! Hooray for rolling the savings forward in unexpected ways.  

Here are the highlights:

I needed toilet paper. I had stackable coupons for Charmin.  These coupons took $1.25 off the pack I bought and made the pack slightly more than 25c a regular roll. My stock up price is 25c per regular roll. This pack was on sale AND was specially marked to contain bonus coupons inside on "brands you love".  I thought, ok, I like P&G, so let's do it. Here is what I found inside my toilet paper pack:  

• $1 off Charmin Mega Roll
• $1 off ANY Charmin Freshmates (Find a Travel size and it will be FREE!)$1`
• $5 off Align
• $1 off 3 Pringles Super Stack
• $1 off Metamucil
• Buy 1 Gillette Deodorant, GET 1 Body Wash FREE (exc Trial Size)
• $1 off 2 Pringles Snack Stack or Stix
• $1 off any Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap (hello FREE at drugstores!)
• $1 off Zest, Ivory, or Safeguard body wash, bar or hand soap (can we say free?)
•  $1 off Olay Body Wash or Body Lotion
• BOGO Old Spice.. it says Fresh Collection, Invisible Solid, or Body Spray, Get one Body Spray Free. It shows the Body WASH though.. so maybe a typo??
• $2 Off Gillette Body Wash (exc trial)
• $1 off Bounce Dryer Bar
• $1 off CASCADE! Super woot! this is a rare one.
• $2 off any 2 Old Spice Red Zone, Odor Blocker, or Dry Skin Defense Body Wash (this picture shows a deodorant.. weird huh?)
• $1 off Bounty Either 6 roll paper towels or 2 any size paper towels, OR any size napkins. (Hello 50c ea rolls of paper towels!)
•  
• These Expire 6/30/13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, even if you find the Charmin TP to be just barely over the stock up price, snag a pack if you like these special coupons as much as I do.  DISCLAIMER.. I have no way to know if these coupons are the same in ea pack.


Nutrigrain Bars:  Buy 4, Get the 5th FREE this week.  They are $2.99/pack at my local Target.  There are also SPECIALLY MARKED Boxes that have "Save $5 on Breakfast" coupons included.  There are 3 different sets of coupons and one set is randomly put inside ea box.  They are numbered "1 of 3" or whatever.   They have save $1 off 2 boxes of Kelloggs coupons, $1 off 2 Nutrigrain bars, coupons for Silk, Juice, Eggs, Produce, etc.  I LOVE using these coupons to get cereal for as low as 75c a box when I pair them with store coupons or drugstore sales.  Anyway, here is what I did:
Buy 4 Nutrigrain specially marked boxes at $2.99 ea.  Get a 5th box free. Used 2 $1 off 2 coupons.  = $10 for 5 boxes of Nutrigrain bars, or $2 a box.  That is a good price on those. BUT, now, I have more coupon books!! :)



Other Cheap Deals today:
Kandoo Flushable Wipes-  Used a $1 off manuf coupon = 42c!
Kandoo Flushable Wipes- Used a $1 off manuf coupon = 42c!
Circo Socks-  50c a pair for cute non-skid sole socks
Pink Pants (Circo)- On Clearance for $2.25. Used $1 off Circo Target Coupon = $1.25!
Earth's Best Organic Crackers for Baby-  $1.37 ea on sale. Used a $1 off 2 manuf coupon= 2 boxes at 87c each box!
Kids' Suave 3 in 1 Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner- The BIG size- $2.79-75c Target Q= $2.04.  Not such a wonderful price, but the kids are out. Bummer. Shame on me, right?? Funny.
Paul Frank Astronaut Monkey Napkins- was $3, I paid 75c on clearance. These are fun and will be great for Father's day!

4 Animal Puzzles Set for Pre-Schoolers- on clearance for $1.98 (and, it is environmentally friendly! It used vegetable dyes for the coloring, and is 100% biodegradable for quick degradation. Woot!)

In case I haven't said it yet this week.. I LOVE TARGET!

If You Can Get a Sunday Paper Today, Grab a Few!

Sunday's Paper Had Some Good Coupons.

I Went All Over Trying To Buy Extra Papers..

Everywhere Locally is/was Sold Out!

If You Can Still Get One, Pick Up a Few!

I looked at my paper yesterday. It had multiple coupon inserts, of course... and some of those coupons were really awesome!  The Pull Ups and Nivea $3 off Body Wash ones alone would make buying extra papers well worth it.  

We drove around town yesterday looking for papers. Everywhere was sold out!  IF you have a local Walmart that is still selling it.. I know Flowood Walmart sells Sunday's paper for $1 until sold out... and Flowood Walgreens sells it all week until sold out...  I highly suggest getting yourself a couple.  In fact, I called a family member and asked them oh so nicely to get me one or two more papers!

When I was at Target today, I noticed that Nivea Body Wash, the full size, is priced at $3.04.  Using the $3 off coupon, this makes your body wash 4c.  This alone is worth the paper.

*"But it isn't the type I use!"   For 4 c, it is TOTALLY the type I am using!!!

Unfortunately, my Target was SOLD OUT of Nivea wash as well.  Looks a lot like folks snatched up all the papers and went to Target first thing yesterday! I am sure I will get to use my coupons soon, though.  And if Target goes up in price on the Nivea? I am covered! I was one of the lucky ones to get a Free Beauty Coupon Book from Target in the mail.  This coupon will stack with the one from the paper! 

An Entire Holiday for 3 Kids, Including Party, For Less Than $40?

I Love the Holidays. 

Some Say I Go WAY Too Detailed With Them

I Say Couponers Can Rock a Good Holiday!

If you are new to the world of couponing and pro-actively deal seeking, it is too late for this Easter for you to pay pennies on the dollar for everything you need.  I think this post is good timing, however, to get you in the right frame of mind to get ready for next year.  Yep, next week you will be shopping for all your family's Easter needs for 2012!

Last year, I got really annoyed with the community egg hunts. You wait outside in the heat for an hour with the rest of the crowd.  There are always THOSE kids that show up and run and scoop all the eggs for the little kids.  Last year, at one egg hunt, my kids and I (my kids are all preschoolers) walked over the field after the egg hunt to put egg halves together and scoop up forgotten candy.  No, we hadn't arrived late. In fact, we were first in line for the hunt. The other kids just knocked my kids over and got all the eggs.

It was pitiful and really maddening.  So, we decided to surprise our kids with a hunt the next weekend. My husband slipped out and hid eggs on a local elementary school's Kindergarten playground.  It was perfect.. and relaxing.  

I had a plan for this year: I would throw a mini egg hunt party with a couple of other preschoolers my kids love to play with.  Then, we would have a little celebration back at my house! The plan was hatched and I had a year to get ready.

I started with the Post-Easter Clearance.  (did you realize you CAN use unexpired coupons on clearance like this??!  Seriously.  It really makes it super awesome when you can find a coupon for clearance stuff!!)

I ended up getting:

Spring Cake Mix: 50c

5 Felt Easter Baskets:  35c ea (They WERE $5 ea at Old Navy prior to clearance!)

Spring Sprinkle sets: 75c ea for 2 (were about $5!)

Candy to Stuff the Eggs: $1.88 for the HUGE HUGE 65ct bag (Skittles and Starbursts. FROM Halloween Clearance!!)

Bunny Cupcake Stand:  $1.25

Party Easter M&Ms: $1.15 ea bag, 2 bags bought at CVS Last week on sale and with $2 off 2 Easter candies coupon

Pretty Flower Paper Plates: 35c  (Easter Clearance last year!)

Bunny Marshmallows: $1

Sparkling Pear Cider:  88c (Harry and David. They closed locally and the store went 75% off plus I had a coupon!)

Cupcake Liners and Picks: 50c

Kit Kats: $2 worth

Sweet Tart Jelly Beans:  Got PAID 51c to own ($2.50 off Q, they were on sale last week for $1.99 at Rite Aid

I also used Eggs we already had, and icing, etc left from a previous bday party.

Foam Craft for all the kids $1

Stickers for Craft $1

Total Spent  $15.40 for a really great Easter Party for 5 kids!  

Also, this weekend we celebrated the Bunny coming.  We have a crazy schedule this week and had to move it up a week.  My kids got one HUGE basket to share.. Each kid got an item or two that is specifically for them, and then they got a bunch of "community property" items that they divided up between them quite fairly!!

The total spent on stuff for this basket was about $18. 

In this huge basket the kids received:

Little People figurines, a Tag (Leap Frog) Bunny book, a Little Critter Easter book, a Mickey Mouse Cartoons DVD, 4 Mr. Men Plush Toys, 3 Mr. Men figurines, Mr. Men Stickers,  2 bendy bunnies, 3 chocolate bunnies, assorted candies, a couple packs of jelly beans, and more! *all items in the basket were BRAND NEW from the store. I didn't pull a fast one here. (Not saying that second hand is not as good... just explaining where I got mine!  Hint: The DVD was FREE through Disney Movie Rewards program...)

Full price would have run me $64+ for all the items in the basket.   I like the $18 I spent over the year much better.

Total Price for Easter Gifts and Party for my family of five and a few friends:  $33.40 plus tax.  

I can live with that! 

It is really funny, because people are always amazed at what I can put together on the cheap for my kids at the holidays.  Those same people raise their eyebrows at me when I leave Target with a buggy full of clearance Halloween candy!  That candy is AWESOME. Usually, there is plentiful candy left at Halloween clearance time... and it usually expires in 1-2 yrs from when you buy it.  I use it for everything from Garage Sale Freebies to hand out when I sell my resale and drugstore overstock items, to stocking and Easter Basket fillers.  It is great.

My handy tip for planning a holiday a year in advance? Start a small box. Clearly label it EASTER or whatever.  AS SOON AS YOU GET BACK FROM THE STORE, everything you bought for that holiday goes STRAIGHT INTO THE BOX! This is a must so you don't clutter stuff and so you can easily find it when the holiday rolls around.  If you cant find it and miss the chance to use it and even have to buy more to replace it when the items are full price, it was a waste of time, effort, and money no matter how cheaply you got it.  

**The same principle goes for my Ebaying.. I buy my stock a year ahead during post-event clearance.. like backpacks at the back to school clearance.... and clearly label the boxes I store them in until the next year when I can get more money for the items.

Happy Easter, or Whatever you celebrate!  And Remember, next year's holiday planning and shopping starts a week from today!

Target Pharmacy Coupon Book Winner Announced

Who Won the Latest Giveaway:

A Target Pharmacy Coupon Booklet with

More than $45 Worth of Stackable Coupons??

You never know who you are going to meet when you are out and about on a couponing mission...

This is especially true for my latest follower whom I met in CVS earlier today...

Congratulations, Donna, on winning this giveaway! I will be contacting you via email to find out where to send your prize! What a great way to introduce you to Target.

Also, THANKS SO VERY VERY MUCH to the good folks at D'Iberville, MS Target for supplying this week's giveaway. You guys, as always, rock and I LOVE my Target!!

Don't forget to head to your Target this Sunday for your FREE Earth Day Reusable Tote. Every time you use this tote at a Target, you will get 5c off your purchases. (limit of free totes is one per customer and you must buy something, anything to get it while supplies last on Sunday). 

Get Paid to Shop at Target.. 5c at a Time!

Head to Target on Sunday..

They are Giving Away FREE Reusable Tote Bags for Earth Day!

This Sunday, Target is giving their shoppers free reusable tote bags, one per customer, in honor of Earth Day.  They are FREE with ANY Purchase. 

When you use a reusable tote bag at Target, you get 5c taken off your total for each bag you use that's reusable.  When you snag this FREE Earth Day tote, you will get "paid" 5c every single visit you use this bag.  Yep. Get this FREEBIE, and keep getting paid to shop at Target, a nickel at a time.  (Hey, it all adds up!!)

They did this promotion last year for the free bag.  I LOVE mine. And, I love a good freebie that keeps on going! Use this bag 10 times, and you save yourself enough to splurge for a 50c candy!

So, don't forget to swing by Target on Sunday!

Winners of the Unclaimed March Giveaways Prizes!

And the Many Winners Are....

I am so thrilled with the responses I got from the March Giveaways:Unclaimed Prizes Giveaway.  I got some great reader questions and requests in my inbox. 

But, you all want to know who won, right??

Based on the order I received emails.. the winners for the FREE MC DONALD's Treat Booklets, each containing   12 Free food items are:

Jennifer H. 

And

Debbie Jo

The winners of the FREE PUREX SOFTENER CRYSTALS VOUCHERS are:

Jamie V.

And

Tammy E.

And, who won a bonus FREE CHICK FIL A Food Item?

Jamie V. 

Jamie is twice lucky this time! And, as I did not specify which food item Jamie is getting, Jamie will be getting an email from me to choose an item from a list of options I am sending.

Congrats to all the winners! Please email me at couponcouture@gmail.com and let me know where to mail your prizes. Otherwise, I will pick one of the other emailers at random to claim your prize!

Don't forget to enter my latest giveaway HERE. It is for a Target Pharmacy Coupon Booklet worth $45+.  This giveaway closes on Friday at 5PM.

*The winners have been contacted by email, also.

Puzzler: What is the TRUE Cost of Free?

What is the True Cost of FREE?

And, How Good is that Deal, Really?

Whether you are working a rebate deal, doing a drugstore freebie, participating in a consignment event, or joining a warehouse discount club, you need to look at the true cost.  Follow the dollar. Then, make an informed consumerist decision.

When I first started couponing and doing rebates, etc.., I made a few rookie mistakes.  I didn't look at the overall big picture on what I was doing and spending to save a buck or even make a buck.

I saw a SC Johnson rebate offer and got super excited. It was buy any 3 SC Johnson items and get a $5 rebate check by mail.  It was my first rebate. I realized that SHOUT! Wipes from the travel section are SC Johnson. I had 55c off one coupons (3) in my binder. AND, the wipes were only $1.09 ea.  We use these all the time.  I had picked up one set of those wipes for something else already. So, I found that receipt. I got so excited I grabbed my coupons and the kids and went to Target. Target is a 15+min drive.  So, I bought two more sets of wipes and got a couple other items I hadn't really needed before next week's Target trip.  I ended up spending $1.73 after tax on the SHOUT wipes for the rebate.  But I was getting a $5 check back! What an awesome moneymaker, right?

No.

Here's why:  

$5.00

-1.73 (cost of the items)

-$2.50 (gas to go there and come back since I ran out when I didn't need to go just to work the rebate.)

- 40c (stamps)

-5c (envelop)

___________

32c moneymaker

Yeah, I got the items free and got paid to own the items. But it was one of those aha moments. To get them free and to make 32c, I had to take an HOUR out of my day to run to the store, get the items, wait in line, and then come home. For 32c and 3 travel packs of SHOUT wipes.

That was not using my time or resources to the best of my abilities. It was a wake up call. Now, I look at the big picture and follow the money.

You can and need to take this philosophy to every deal you do and money you spend to get a better bargain.  My husband takes it to extremes and says "That $1 you just spent on the candy bar could have been $16 in retirement money".  He is right, to an extent. But I wont take it that far.

I will take it as far as evaluating our need for a discount warehouse membership.  I have a family of five to cook and provide for. If I say we don't need a discount membership, chances are you are throwing your money away to have one too.  One of my friends is like "BUT you SAVE 50c  a week on milk ALONE!"  Do you know how many gallons of milk you would have to buy to make, say, a $30 annual membership fee pay for itself? More than 60 gallons of milk.  That's BEFORE you start to save on milk. And, you can coupon for milk (Kelloggs and others put out save $1 on milk WYB cereal, etc)  You can use drugstore rewards on milk.  But, you interrupt me, But they sell more than milk.  I get that. That super cheap box of diapers you buy in  bulk? That is about 3 packages worth right? So you just lost the chance to use up to 6 coupons on that box of diapers.  Now, you have to take what the savings on that box of diapers is and subtract out the coupons you could have used. Then, you get a real savings.  Take that real savings and put it towards the membership fee.  I am telling you.. if you would only coupon, it would be more beneficial in most cases.  If you pay $30 for a savings membership.. make sure you are saving MORE than that $30 annually AND more than coupons would have saved as well.  Personally, I like to keep my $30 upfront in an interest bearing account at the bank than hand it over.  **Disclaimer.. you will totally find me in a warehouse savings club from time to time. Our local one has Churros. Hot fresh yummy ones. AND, 87c huge fountain sodas.  BUT, I did NOT pay for my membership. I got it for free.  And I do think there are redeeming qualities to such a club.  Like the $16 awesomely decorated, yummy cakes.  And, the rotisserie chickens are larger and cheaper. Most of the items in such a club are not worth the membership fees. BUT if you are NOT going to coupon and you  get such a membership for FREE.. well.. I will look the other way and munch my churro.

When looking into consignment events, or even having your own yard sale, consider the cost of it all. What are the fees? How much are the supplies to price your items? How much to rent a table for your own sale? Advertising? Signage? Etc.  It all comes with a dollar mark. What are you hoping to make vs how much time you are going to put into getting it ready vs how much you will spend/be charged to make that money?  

What about that pricey family membership to the zoo, waterpark, museum, etc.. even if they are having a sale... How many times would you have to go before it paid for itself? What is the true cost in terms of items you might purchase when there (souvenirs), food, gas, etc to go?  Make sure it will be really worth it before you commit to the money for it.

Beware the FREE:

Once upon a time, my husband did freelance work in exchange for a year of free dance lessons for our child.  We had never done dance before. We did not have the money for such a pricey extracurricular and would not have done dance had this opportunity for a trade out occur.  So, we were like YAY free dance!  By the end of the year, we paid more than $1000 for our naivete. Free dance did not mean Free dance class uniform, free tap shoes, free ballet shoes, two free costumes, free "cheapest" dance class photo package, free souvenir book from the recital, free venue fee, free tickets to the recital or even free teacher gift at the end of the year.  Also, the gas, time and of course, fast food trips after class (I promise my kids love veggies).  No, we paid for each of those things. It was more like we got the monthly tuition waived for the work my husband did.  Had we realized the real cost up front, we would not have done that trade out that year.  $1000 so a 3 yr old can have an extracurricular is too steep for my couponing heart.  Now, if she had been older and begging for class.. that's one thing. And while she did have fun, she didn't become BFFs with anyone in class and doesn't remember a lick of dance now.

The main point here is to follow your money. Follow it and it might lead you down the magical path to moneymaking scenarios.  But don't get hooked on what looks like a good deal upfront.  And, calm down when you see a deal you are excited to work.  Don't waste the gas and time. Work such things into your route.  I have learned that rookie mistake. :)  Work Smarter, Not Harder too!

Sale Match Ups For This Week

Here is Your Handy, Easy to Reference 

Guide of Links to the Best Deals of the Week

Want to know where I go to help me make my POA for deal hunting this week?

 

I have collated my favorite links for this week's deals here:

1. Love Target as much as I do? Check out this week's under $1 deals HERE and a more comprehensive best deals and match ups HERE.  (thanks, Couponing to Disney and Totally Target)
2. Walmart has a few deals HERE for you to check out. (thanks, Couponing to Disney!)For
3. For the CVS Deals, go HERE.  Some of the circular deals are only good through Tuesday, so I say go today if you didn't go yesterday! There are some good deals and moneymakers this week! Also, don't forget to scan your CVS Membership card at the magic coupon kiosk.. you might make your deals even sweeter! (thank, Couponing to Disney)
4. This week, Wild for Wags has split their deals up.  Go HERE to check their ideas on the best deals and scenarios for Walgreens this week.(thanks, Wild for Wags!)
5. Love Rite Aid? I am beginning to...  Check out what Kristin at Couponing to Disney has found for Rite Aid this week! Go HERE.

Anyone looking for Kmart, Family Dollar, etc? Let me know. I will start adding them to the matchups super list.  Also, I am about to be able to bring you all the good Kroger deals, too.. Fingers Crossed! :) 

Because I Love a Good Giveaway... And Target...

I Am Announcing a Special Target Giveaway Worth $45+

But First a Mini Tip....

 A big part of what I do is in the form of social marketing and networking of sorts.  Everywhere I go with my Bargain Binder, I go with as pleasant of an attitude as I can muster on any particular day.  You can go armed with a frown and the official coupon policy, but that will only get you so far.. and usually you will have to fight harder to use your coupons/deals according to the store's official policy.  A smile makes it oh so much easier.  When you are going to frequent a store or business... do so in such a way that gets you a good reputation.  Coupon with integrity and a smile and it will get you much further and make getting the deals that much easier.

I try to make friendly acquaintances out of the employees where I love to shop. I am on a first name basis with many of the managers at my local Target. I LOVE my Target! (On the flip side, there are two folks that I know to avoid bc they do NOT like the couponers and always throw a frown or attitude....but overall, if you coupon with integrity, they are really great at Target)

Some of the employees at Target have even told me they are couponing now after seeing my binder.  I will have a nice talk with the managers and employees when they have questions. AND, I am always trying to sell products to fellow shoppers.. I am always like "WAIT! Don't get that one, get this one. Here's a coupon that makes it free!"   I have actually been offered a job at my local Target twice now in the past year and a half bc of my knowledge of products, location, policies, and my enthusiasm that I share with other shoppers!  

Anyway. When you walk in with a Bargain Binder, you are going to get noticed. Let them notice your smile first. That is one of the BIGGEST parts of couponing you can ever learn.

This is how I am able to offer this particular giveaway.

I was talking with one of the managers I have come to recognize and casually chat with.  Most of the managers smile when I walk in, and they even know when I am missing a kid (I shop with all my kids sometimes) and which kid I am missing! They say things like "You are usually the smiley child.. what's wrong today?"  In other words, they know us!   So, I was talking with one manager that I have come to know a little and that has come to know me a little...

She mentioned she got moved to be over the Pharmacy part time now.  I perked up here. I asked her about those ELUSIVE Magical Pharmacy Coupon Books.... I wanted to know if they had those, knew about those, or even knew how to get one.  

For those of you that don't know what I am talking about, these Coupon Books have more than $45 in savings. All the coupons in the booklet are TARGET coupons which means they are stackable with Manufacturer's coupons!  You can get cheap and free product with this booklet. They are also rare and somewhat hard to come by. I have never seen one with my own eyes before...

Until last week!!   This manager said "Oh yes! I have some. Would you like some?"  Yes, she said "some".  

So... since you hung through the story... drum roll.... 

I HAVE A TARGET PHARMACY COUPON BOOK WORTH MORE THAN $45 TO GIVE AWAY!!!!!!!

That is BIG news! I am so excited about this!  I was given one to keep, one to give away on the blog, and one to give away to a friend. 

These coupons are really great. There are coupons for everything from Allegra, Claritin, Listerine, Quaker Oatmeal, etc.  I am really digging the $3 off 20-ct Excedrin coupon.  This makes Excedrin about 59c without having a manuf coupon to stack with!   Also, there is an offer for a FREE $10 Target Gift Card When You purchase or transfer a new prescription.  Interestingly enough, there is $1 off 2 Hormel Natural Choice Deli Meats Coupon.. not complaining, but this seems to be an odd Pharmacy coupon.. 

So, to see exactly what the coupons are... you need to win it! 

Let's do a giveaway:

To ENTER:  Leave a Comment under this post.  If you are a seasoned couponer, share a tip for the beginners.. help them avoid our growing pains! :)   If you are a newbie, leave a comment about what you like about Target.

The winner will be chosen at random on Friday at 5PM and announced this weekend on the blog. You MUST claim this prize by Wednesday, April 20. These coupons expire in the beginning of June, so if you win and do NOT email me at couponcouture@gmail.com to claim your prize by Wednesday April 20, I will have to announce a new winner the next day. Sorry, but these coupons are too awesome to let expire without use! :)

Good luck! And give Target a looksey next time you have coupons and need to go shopping!

Get Target coupons HERE.. print yours and also sign up for exclusive mobile Q's sent straight to your phone!

**Maintaining a positive relationship with employees and keeping your integrity with a smile not only got me a few of these coveted Target coupon books, but also, it sometimes gets me the CVS circular Tuesdays before it comes out on Sundays... You just never know how far a good attitude will take you.. make the employees your partners not adversaries in the whole couponing thing!!

Because I Love Target, I Always Carry Their Coupon Policy

Know Your Store's Coupon Policy..

And Carry It With You

So, some of you have asked me for store coupon policies that you can print and take with you when you shop.

Since I love Target so much, and due to a specific request, HERE is the printable official Target Coupon policy.  I have a friend that actually highlights the specific parts in the policy that some cashiers seem to have trouble with.. that is a little humorous.

Only ONE TIME ever have I "threatened" to show the policy to a cashier at Target.  And I worded it as "I politely beg to differ that you know your policy. May I please show you your policy while we wait for a manger for clarification?"

They declined to view it. The manager arrived, and immediately declared I was correct.

Unfortunately for that clerk, the other manager on duty and I have known each other for 10+years and even worked together in the past.  So, I went and spoke with him about that cashier's attitude.

Luckily, I am most often seeking managers out for compliments on their store and staff.

Anywhoo.... I am going to put together an About Me section for easy contact reference, etc. AND I am going to add a coupon policy section. SO, no worries!

Enjoy your weekend!

Target Trip!

This Week I Took a LONG POA With Me

And I Found Some Great Deals.. Some I Even GOT PAID to Take Home With Me.

I Heart Target.

This week's Target Post is a bit different. When I post ALL the deals I found, etc, it can be a bit daunting to sift through it all and get the overall big picture.  This week, I am going with more of an inspirational (I hope) post that will highlight what I view as my BEST deals at Target this week.  Just using a 50c off manuf Huggies wipes coupon on wipes I needed that weren't on sale just isn't that special or interesting for this post.  Yes, it is essential to what we are doing.. saving money one coupon at a time.. but this post is all about INSPIRATION! You can do this! Here are some of the great deals you can get for yourself when you do!

*when you see a dollar amount and then T, that means I used a Target coupon for that amount. A dollar amount and then M is manufacturer.  To get the PRE COUPON amount, just add the coupons back into the final price, which is what I am posting here. In the first example, A&D was $3.74, then I used two coupons to make the final value 74c.   And all prices are PRE TAX.

• A&D Baby Ointment   74c ($2T, $1M)
• Circo Socks  Was Paid 30c ($1T and they were 70c on clearance)
• Mini Oreos Snack Sack   $1 ($1T off 2.. was $1.50 pre coupon on sale)
• Mini Chips Ahoy Snack Sack  $1 ($1T off 2.. was $1.50 pre coupon on sale)
• 4 Ortega Taco/Fajita/etc Seasoning Packs at 19c EACH ($1 off 2 M)
• Kikkoman Teryaki  67c ($1M)
• Kikkoman Soy Sauce  67c ($1M)
• Bisquick Shake and Pour Pancakes $1.24 (50cM)
• CoffeeMate Powder Singles Creamers 52c ($1 off 2 M)
• CoffeeMate Powder Singles French Vanilla Creamer 52c ($1 off 2M)
• Dove Men BodyWash, FULL SIZE, Was Paid 2c  ($1T, $1M, and Was On Clearance for $1.98)
• Degree Men's Deodorant, FULL SIZE, Was Paid 3c ($1T, $1M, and Was On Clearance for $1.97)
• Colgate Total, Full Size, 14c ($1.50 M, $1 T)
• Tylenol PM, 24ct AND Motrin 24ct, Was Paid 13c ($6 off 2 M)
• Visine, Travel Sized, Was Paid 3c ($2 M)
• Visine, Travel Sized, Was Paid 3c ($2 M)
• Welch's Fruit Snacks  50c (50cM)
• Welch's Fruit Snacks  50c (50cM)
• Dasani 1 L Water  39c (BOGO T)
• Dasani 1 L Water 39c (BOGO T)
• Ore Ida Tator Tots 1.66 (Buy 2, Get 1 Free In Store Promotion)
• Ore Ida Hashbrowns 1.66
• Ore Ida Country Style Hashbrowns 1.66
• Skittles Blendeds (check out counter) 19c ($1 off 2 T, 50c M)
• Skittles Blendeds (orig 69c)  19c ($1 off 2 T, 50c M)

Total for all these good deals:  13.87

To recap, for just under $14, pre tax, I walked out of Target with:

2 packs of Skittles Blended Candies, 2 Family Sized bags of Ore Ida Hashbrowns, 1 Family Sized bag of Ore Ida Tator Tots, 2 One Liter Dasani Water Bottles, 2 bags of Welsh's Fruit Snacks, 2 Travel Sized Visines, 24ct Motrin, 24ct Tylenol PM, Full Sized Colgate Total, Full Sized Degree Men's Deodorant, Full Sized Dove Men's Body Wash, CoffeeMate Powder Singles, CoffeeMate Powder French Vanilla Singles, Bisquick Family Sized Shake and Pour Pancakes Mix, Kikkoman Teryaki, Kikkoman Soy Sauce, 4 Packs of Ortega Taco etc Seasoning, Oreo Snack Sack (Family Size), Chips Ahoy Snack Sack (Family Size), a Full Sized A&D Ointment, and Super Cute Baby Socks (pink pirate ones!)

My Out of Pocket for this trip was $69.34. I saved $42.82 in coupons, etc.  My weekly budget is $120.  I bought 56 items (one of which was a $10 stroller!!!).  I used 29 coupons.  I saved a little more than 38% off my total using coupons this week at Target.  Were I to save $42.82 every week, I would save $2226.64  just in weekly groceries/necessities coupons. Keep in mind that this budget includes items such as DVDs, Gifts, some Clothes, and even my new Stroller. Also, I saved 50.66 off my weekly budget by looking for the deals that didn't necessarily need a coupon.  That savings adds another $2634.32 annually if I can keep that trend up!  That is a total of  $4860.96 projected savings for the year this year if I keep this trend going. Not bad for 3 hrs a week!! It really all adds up and makes a big difference!

*when I say I got Paid to Own an item, in this posting's case, it means that instead of undervaluing my coupon, the cashier just accepted my coupons at face value. Usually, if it is a 97c item and you have $1 off, they will override the coupon to be 97c off instead. This time, even though I was honest enough to say "Here's a $2 off, but it was $1.97", they accepted the coupon, or the computer automatically took the full value off anyway.  Thus, giving me a discount greater than the cost of the item it was being used for.  This isn't always the case, so don't get too excited. Always know your store's coupon policy and always know what the fine print and exclusions on the coupons are.  My fave managers were working today and I heart them! They know I am honest and usually take my beeping coupons no problem! 

Go To The Movies FREE With General Mills Deal

Movie Night is Always a Requested Deal in My In-Box

I LOVE the Movie Night Cereal Deals.

This One is From General Mills

This deal is straightforward like the other cereal/movie rewards deals are.  You have until August 31, 2011 to make the most of this deal.

Go HERE for the official information and terms of this General Mills/ e-Movie Cash deal.

But, essentially, buy 2 participating (look on the box label) boxes of General Mills cereals and get 1 free (up to $12) movie ticket.

*Enter both codes at one time when you are totally ready to print, or make sure you request the voucher to come via email.

**ALSO, make sure your movie theater is one of the participating ones that accept eMovie Cash by following the link on the code redemption page HERE.  

*** IF you have that printable Q for $$ off 3 General Mills items that Target had last month, you can stack that with manufacturer's coupons when you buy your cereals to make earning this deal even cheaper! 

Make this deal EVEN BETTER by printing some cheap popcorn coupons out before you go.  Check the coupon blogs for the printables that vary from week to week sometimes. OR go to your theater's website and see what rewards programs or specials or coupons they may have for you there!