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!

Easy to Snag Deals at CVS

My Weekly Trip To CVS

A Little Late in the Week.. But I Still Worked Some Easy Deals!

Unfortunately, the way this week worked out, I got to CVS way late in the week.  Therefore, they were out of a lot of the things I wanted to do deals on.  Namely, they were sold out of the Airwick I Motions I wanted to buy (and use coupons and Extra Bucks to get paid to own) and put on Ebay this week. :( You win some, you lose some.  I am still considering this trip a win!

What's the first rule of CVS shopping?? Always scan your card at the coupon kiosk.  It is a magical thing, this kiosk and I love it.  Today, it gave me $1 off 2 Cadbury Eggs, and $2 off my whole purchase!

Here's what I ended up buying:

Kelloggs Fruit Loops- On sale for $1.66

Kelloggs Apple Jacks- On sale for $1.66

Kelloggs Raisin Bran - $1.66

Kelloggs Raisin Bran-  $1.66

(the limit on the cereal is 4 at $1.66)

Cadbury Egg- on sale for 75c

Cadbury Egg- on sale for 75c

10.9 oz Easter M&Ms-On Sale for $1.97

10.9 oz Easter M&Ms- $1.97

THen, I used the following coupons

- $2 off 2 Easter M&Ms Manuf Q (making them 97c ea!)

-$1 off 2 Cadbury Eggs CVS Q (making them 25c ea!)

-$1 off 2 Kelloggs Cereals Manuf Q (making them $1.16 ea!)

-$1 off 2 Kelloggs Cereals Manuf Q ($1.16 ea box I bought after two coupons!)

-$2 CVS Magical Kiosk Coupon!

Total SPENT Out of Pocket:  $5.72

Total SAVED in Coupons:  $7

Total SAVED in Coupons and Circular Sales:  $21.70.

Total Items Bought: 8

Total Coupons Used:  5

You can really do this. A little bit at the time, and easily!  I saved 79% off my total buy working sales with coupons!  Taking the sales prices out, I saved 55% just figuring my pre coupon total vs my post coupon total.

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!!

My Under $2 Brag for the Week

How Far Did You Make $2 or Less Go This Week?

This is My Brag. I Will Update the List as the Week Goes On

Every penny counts in this economy. Which is why I am putting together my list of super cheap deals. I want to show you that you can make your dollar go further by being super frugal and aware of deals and coupons.  Some bloggers show you the under $1 deals. I think there are some really great $2 or less deals that you could be aware of and have decided to expand my weekly list to include my $2 or less deals.

CVS:

• Crest Complete Mouthwash- Got Paid $1.77 to own
• Glide Floss- Got Paid $1.77 to own
• Herbal Essences Full Sized Shampoo- 49c
• Aussie Full Sized Hair Gel- 49c
• 18oz Irish Spring Bodywash- 49c
• Dr Pepper 2L- 75c
• Snickers Dark Candy Bar- 8c
• Snickers Candy Bar- 8c
• Dove Candy Bar- 8c

RITE AID:

• Disney Gummie Vitamins ($7+ size)- $1.40
• Disney Gummie Vitamins- $1.40
• Snickers Candy Bar- FREE

 Walgreens:

• Always- FREE 
• Cottonelle Flushable Travel Sized Wipes- 25c
• Cottonelle Flushable Travel Sized Wipes- 25c

 Krispy Kreme:

• 1 Dozen Glazed Doughnuts- FREE 

Chick Fil A:

•  Large Unsweet Tea- Free
• 4 Chicken Biscuits- Free
• 4 Yogurt Parfaits- Free
• 4 Chicken Minis, 3 ct- Free

Mc Donald's:

• Oatmeal- Free
• Oatmeal- Free
• Hamburger- Free
• Apple Dippers- Free

Target: 

• Circo Jeans with Stitched Hearts- $2
• Circo Jeans with Stitched Hearts- $2
• Cascade Pacs, Dragon Fruit Scent- $1.99
• Glade Premium Room Spray- 50c
• Glade Premium Room Spray- 50c
•  1 Load Tide Detergent- was Paid 31c to Own
• Secret Clinical Travel Sized- was Paid 31c to Own
• Secret Clinical Travel Sized- was Paid 31c to Own
•  Loaf of Market Pantry Whole Wheat Bread- 61c
• Shredded Cheese- $1.30
• Shredded Cheese- $1.30 

*The bummer on Target was that I had a $5 off any women's jeans mobile coupon. They had plenty of $4.98 clearance maternity jeans. Those would have been free, or even paid 2c to own. I was tired, I had already gotten my milk jug, and when I tried to call my preg friend, my phone glitched. So, I passed on this deal. In hindsight, I should have just bought some and put them on Ebay... live and learn. As you have seen in my posts from time to time, there will always be a "duh" moment.  :) Oh well. My wins outweigh the duhs so I am cool with that.

The week is still ongoing. I will update this list as it goes on. I plan to get some more good Chick Fil A Freebies this week!  

My Trip To CVS This Week: I Saved More Than $37, Spent About $3

Last Night At CVS I Saved More Than 92% 

And I Only Spent  $3.10

My husband needed some hair gel, so I decided to head out to CVS. Since I was going to spend about $3 on the hair gel, anyway, I figured I might as well make that $3 go further. As in more than $40 worth of product further... Yep, I did have to do it in 4 transactions. And, Yes. I did start with $5 in EB made in last week's run to the store. (Remember? I bought a Schick Hydro Razor for less than $2 and got $5 EB back...which I used last night.)

Here's what I did:

Transaction Number 1:

• Herbal Essences Shampoo- Bought one at the 2/$5.97 price

• Aussie Hair Gel- Bought one to go with Herbal Essences 2/$5.97

           Used a BOGO Coupon and saved $2.99. Then, got $2 EB.  So, It was like paying 98c for BOTH, or   49c EACH for the Gel and Shampoo.

• Irish Spring Bodywash, 18oz- Bought one at $2.99

            Used a 50c off coupon, and got $2 EB.  So, it was like paying 49c.

Then, I paid using my $5 EB from last week.  This took my total down to 47c! After Tax, my total was $1.10 and I received $4 EB.

Transaction Number 2:  

Glide Clinical Floss-  $3.49

             Used a $1 off Manuf Coupon

             Used $2 EB from previous transaction

I paid 73c after tax, and got $2.50 EB back.  Depending on how you look at it, I got paid $1.76 to own floss.

Transaction Number 3:  

Crest Pro Health Complete Mouthwash-  $3.49

              Used a $1 off Manuf Coupon

              Used $2 EB from first transaction

I paid 73c after tax, and got $2.50 EB back. Depending on how you look at it, I got paid $1.76 to own mouthwash.

Transaction Number 4:

Dr. Pepper 2 L- $1

              Used a 25c peelie coupon I found in the store, so it was 75c.

Purex 3in1 Sheets, 20 loads-  On sale for $3.99

              Used a $1 manuf coupon, so $2.99

Chex Hot and Spicy Snack Mix-  $1 (a splurge!)

CANDY DEAL:  2 Snickers, 1 Dove. They are on sale for 99c ea, buy 2, get 1 free

               The magic coupon kiosk in store gave me 50c off 2 Snickers store coupon, and a coupon for 25c off a Dove candy bar.  At 99c each, buy 2 get one free, that made the candy bars about $1.25 for 3 after these CVS store coupons. BUT I also had a BOGO manuf coupon that took another 99c off. So, about 25 cents for 3 candy bars, or 8c a bar!

I used the $5 worth of EB I got in the Floss and Mouthwash transactions. After the coupons I listed here, and the EB I used, my pre tax total was a NEGATIVE 2 CENTS!!!!!  After tax, this transaction was 54 c for everything!

To recap:

$3.10 got me 3 full sized candy bars, 2L Dr Pepper, 20 load Purex 3in1, Chex mix, Glide Clinical Floss, Crest Complete Mouthwash, Herbal Essences Shampoo, Aussie Hair Gel, and Irish Spring Bodywash.

All items were FULL SIZED.

To those of you that think couponing is not worth it, please reconsider. I am always telling folks I cannot afford generics. This is a good example of why.

My Weekly Drugstore Brag

I Had Drugstore "Bucks" That Were Expiring..

So, This Weekend, I Went to 3 Drugstores.

I highly recommend here to pick one drugstore each week and go work those deals. It is madness to go to a billion different stores a week to get the cheapest best deals. Ok, so it isn't madness. It is kinda smart. But with several children, it is often more trouble than it is worth to drag them in and out of so many stores every week. Especially since I have been couponing long enough to have a nice little mini "store" of my own to shop out of for free. Out of toothpaste? I just go to my bathroom closet. But, since being sick with the flu, an unprecedented event occurred.. all of my drugstore "bucks" were expiring in one day!! So, three drugstores it was.

1. Rite Aid:  Most of the deals I wanted to work, they were out of. That was a bummer. And, I was a little scattered. I totally turned into "that lady" at the check out.. "what??! I am 30c shy of getting the full value of my +Up rewards? Ok.. let me see what you have in the circular.."  If you have a +Up rewards buck for $2, but your pre tax amount is $1.70, and you use the +Up anyway, you lose the remaining 30c value. So, I found a 88c Snickers bar with a 88c back +Up reward to add onto the bill.  I spent $1.39 out of pocket and got $2.88 in +Up Rewards Bucks back.  I bought 2 Disney Gummie Vitamins, $7.29 each at BOGO, 1 Altoids at half off at 99c, and the 88c Snickers.  Even though the Disney Vitamins were BOGO, it is the store's policy to allow you to use a manuf coupon on each of them. So, I used $2.50 in coupons on the Disney Vitamins making them $4.80 for two after bogo and coupons. I used $6 worth of +Up bucks to pay also.   The Disney vitamins had a $2 +Up attached, and of course, the Snickers had the 88c back.  
2. CVS:  I had $4 EB expiring to spend.  I decided to work the Schick Hydro Razor deal where you get $5 EB when you buy one Schick Hydro razor.  The razor was $8.49. I used a $2 off manuf coupon. Then, I used the $4 EB.  My total was $3.08 after tax.  I spent $3.08, and got $5 EB back.  Also, the razor came with 10 Free MP3 Song Downloads. 
3. Walgreens:  This was not my best brag. The main reason is that I really needed to break my transactions but was too tired to deal with doing that. I spent more out of pocket than I needed to by $5.  Oh well. I have the "bucks" to use next time now.  

I bought at Walgreens:
Taco Shells   $1.99
Always:  $2.99 (-$1 manuf, and I got $2 back, so "Free")
Cottonelle Flushable Wipes: I bought 2 packs at 99c each. Then, I got $1.50 in "bucks" back. So, 25c a                                         pack after bucks back.
Play doh Valentines Set: On clearance for $1.25 for a huge bag of mini Play Doh tubs.
Pampers:  I bought a pack of Pull Ups and a pack of Diapers for the 2/$20 deal. Then, I used two $2 coupons which made them 2/$16. Then, I got $3 "bucks" back, which made them 2/$13, or $6.50 a pack. Not the best price I have gotten lately, but $8 a pack is reasonable on these, so I will take $6.50 a pack! 
My total was $25.18, and I have $6.50 to spend another time.  Usually, I would break the transactions up to spend the least amount of money out of pocket. I would have ended with having spent only $18.68. 


 This was my first trip to Walgreens to do a deal like that, and the lady at the check out was a trainee. Also, there was a line.  As a couponer, I try to pick and choose my battles. It is how I get special treatment sometimes from the employees at CVS.. you know.. the ones that give me the circulars a week ahead of time sometimes... 

Also, when I got home, I realized I could have gotten two free Snickers bars. I had a coupon with me that was a BOGO Snickers coupon. When I was at Rite Aid and got one 88c Snickers, and got 88c back, I could have gotten two Snickers, paid 88c for both using the BOGO coupon, then gotten the 88c back per the +Up deal.  See, it happens to all of us sometimes! :)  


How did you do last week?






 
 

The Best Deals and Coupon Match Ups for This Week

Looking for a Handy Link Guide to the Best Deals of the Week?

Don't Pore Over Those Circulars.. Here's a Handy Linked Guide to Those That Have Already Figured Out the Best Deals for You!

As I try to do most week, I have grabbed links to some of the best deals match ups for you for this week.  Looking at crowded circulars can be frustrating sometimes. Now, all you have to do is follow a link from here to some of my fave blogs and you will find some great deals scenarios.  Some are handy and printable even!  Happy Deal Hunting this week!

• For some good Target Deal Scenarios, go HERE to Totally Target's site.  
• A Walmart shopper? HERE is a list of the Under $1 deals as found by Kristin at Couponing to Disney.
• CVS is a fave of mine. I love the folks that work at my location.  I like to check out this list HERE before I go. Some are free, some are moneymakers! Thanks, Kristin!   Also, let us know if you get some good coupons at the kiosk scanner in store.
• Coupon Katarina has some good deals up HERE for Rite Aid. I have recently started doing Rite Aid deals. I have had mixed luck. The deals I find are really great. However, my location seems to be inadequately stocked on the deal items.
• Again, I really like how Kristin at Couponing to Disney lays out the deals. So, go HERE for a link to her list on the Walgreens deals.

Anyone need information on deals to a store not listed? I will try to hunt those down for you guys, too!

Let us know what deals you are working this week.

Weekly Deals Links

The Deals for the Week:

A Handy Blog Link Guide 

Most of the blogs have posted their best deals scenarios and guides for this week's sales, freebies, and under $1 items.  Here is a quick reference guide to link some of my favorites together in one spot.  Also, today ends February, with March starting tomorrow. This means you want to go around to the coupon sites online and print your favorites before they swap out with the new month. Also, check around for new coupons. Let us know what you find!  

My Coupon Printing Destinations:

www.target.com

www.coupons.com

www.redplum.com

• Target Deals Under $1 are HERE.   A more comprehensive list of Target Deals are featured on Totally Target's blog HERE. 
• CVS deals with printable shopping checklist are HERE.  I would like to point out that this blog had the CVS circular for this week posted 2 weeks ago! Yes, I am bragging a little. That was such an amazing thing to get handed.. Anyway. I would like to thank Kristin at Couponing to Disney for allowing me to post a link to my CVS circular on her FB wall. If you don't follow Kristin already, you need to! 
• HERE are some deal ideas for Rite Aid. 
• Looks like the MoneyMakers are at Walgreens this week! Go HERE to check them out. 

If I only go to two stores this week, you will find me at Target and Walgreens.  

ALSO! Remember, try really hard to use your "Rewards Bucks" from the various drugstores to work other "Rewards Bucks" deals to keep the savings rolling into each other.  If you can use bucks from previous weeks to work money makers deals, even if you don't need the items, this is a good idea.  IF it wont cost you anything out of pocket, you will "make money", have more product, AND trade in your expiring bucks to get "fresher" bucks back.  Don't need the items you make money to own? Give them, trade them, or sell them!

You will notice I didn't post grocery stores or Walmart.  Our grocery stores don't do all the crazy good deals that other stores like Publix/Kroger do.  So, you will have to take your bargain binder in with you if you find yourself in a grocery store this week. You can still get some really good deals, you just have to hunt around for them.

Also, as far as Walmart is concerned.. our local one is not so couponer friendly. Plus, their prices are usually way high to me. Unless you want to go to the hassle to ad match?? I sure don't. Seems like if you have the $3 off Gain Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets coupon, you might be able to get those for free at Walmart.  

Thanks again to Totally Target and Couponing to Disney for being so comprehensive in organizing the deals for the rest of us!!! :) 

 

My Less Than $1.50 Brag for the Week

This Week, I Got Many Items Less Than $1.50 or FREE. Some Items I Even Got Paid to Own.

In lieu of a large item by item description of my weekly trip to Target, I decided to make this post about items I got for less than $1.50, Free, or even got Paid To Own.  Sometimes, it is hard to see why it is worth it to clip coupons or deal seek. It can be tedious at times.  But, items like the ones listed below are why I do this.  Last year, I saved my family more than $4000 working one deal at a time.

Here's what I did this week: 

In the mail so far, this week, I received FREE: Being Girl Tampax/Always sample pack, Secret Flawless Berry scented deodorant, a FREE Parents Magazine with a $10 off Any Baby Item Amazon.com coupon, and the week is still going on...

At Target, I got the following deals (after coupons, etc. Not going to break it down this week..)

•   Huggies Travel Wipes for the diaper bag, 47c
• Huggies Travel Wipes for the diaper bag, 72c
• Finish QUANTUM Dishwasher Tabs, 10ct (reg $5), FREE
• Shout Wipes(we use these all the time), 7c
• Tide 1 load Detergent, 12c
• Tide 1 load Detergent, 12c
• Planters Peanuts, 3oz, 24c
• Colgate, 6 oz, 44c
• Travel Size Herbal Essence Conditioner, Got Paid 3 c to own!
• Kraft Shredded Cheese, $1.29
• Kraft Shredded Cheese, $1.29
• Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, $1.50
• Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, $1.50
• Kraft Deli Sliced Cheese, $1.30

Rite Aid was pretty wonderful this week. The prices below reflect the +Up Rewards added back into the original cost.

• Colgate Sensitive, got Paid 50 c to own!
• Colgate Toothpaste with FREE Toothbrush, got Paid $1 to own!
• Gain Apple Tango Dish Detergent, Reg. Size, got Paid 13 c to own!
• Gain Apple Tango Dish Detergent, Reg. Size, got Paid 13 c to own!
• Gain Original Dish Detergent, Reg. Size, got Paid 13 c to own!

CVS deals were pretty nice too. Again, the prices below reflect the Extra Bucks added back in as reimbursement.

•  Listerine Total Care Mouthwash, Full Size, FREE

• Colgate Toothpaste, FREE
• Colgate Toothpaste, FREE

I do this weekly deals brag just to show you that you can do this! The deals this week were pretty straightforward.  The Gain moneymakers were using a $1 off coupon.. I got paid to own these instantly since they were only 87c on sale, and the computer took the full $1 off coupon amount without beeping. 

It takes a little time and effort.. but not having to pay for toothpaste, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, etc?? Totally worth it!

2 Drug Stores, 45 Minutes, And Getting Paid to Own Things I Need

This Week, I Broke Tradition 

and Went to 2 Drug Stores: 

Rite Aid and CVS 

Usually, I go to one drug store a week.  Usually, that store is CVS. This week, I went to both CVS and Rite Aid.  I am trying to work some good Rite Aid deals so I can use Register Rewards to pay for a really amazing deal I have in the works.  That will come later.. but for now, here is a summary of my trips:

RITE AID: 

As per the cicular, Rite Aid has 87 c Gain Dish Soap this week, and they have select Colgate Toothpastes on sale. These toothpastes are on sale for $3.50 this week (down from the regular $4.99). ALSO, you get a $3.50 +Up Reward to use on a future transaction with each participating Colgate you buy, limit 2.

This is my transaction:

Gain Dish Soap    .87

Gain Dish Soap    .87

Gain Dish Soap    .87

Colgate Sensitive  3.50

Colgate w/ Bonus Free Tooth Brush  3.50

• Then, I used 3 Gain coupons, valued at $1 each.  (From the P&G brands rebate coupon book I submitted for a few months ago). The computer TOOK OFF THE WHOLE AMOUNT! It didn't beep to let the clerk know to value the coupon down to 87c.  Therefore, I got PAID 13c each dish soap to take it out of the store.

• I also had  a coupon for $1 off the Colagate, and 50c off the other Colgate.  Since I received $7 in +Up Rewards for buying these items, it is like I got PAID $1.50 to take these out the store.  

Summary:  I spent $5.11 out of pocket, after coupons and tax. I got $7 in Rewards to use like "cash" on my next trip to Rite Aid.  
*Ok, so WHY did I not ROLL the transactions? Why did I not buy one toothpaste, then turn around and use that $3.50 to pay for the next toothpaste? I could have done that. The thing is, you have to have $3.50 in the transaction to get the full$3.50 value.  AND, I wanted to use all my coupons. IF I had bought one toothpaste, and gotten a $3.50 UP Reward back, I could have used it to buy the other toothpaste. However, the dish soaps took off more than they were priced with the coupons. So, that would have left just the toothpaste on the transaction. The toothpaste was $3.50, but I used at least a 50 c coupon. Which made the transaction, had I done it that way, go below the $3.50 pre tax amount. I still could have used the +Up Reward, but I would have lost the extra value on it. They don't give cash back or another Reward when you use one for less than face value amount. I chose to use my coupons and get paid to own the toothpaste, rather than not use the coupons, use the +Up Reward and come out even.

CVS:

I needed some Pull Ups and Diapers. As per the circular, CVS has Huggies Pull Ups or Diapers, Jumbo packs, on sale for 2/$17.98, with $4 EB back.  (Target usually has these on sale every week for $8.99, so the CVS deal is a good one!)  I decided, IF I had to spend the $17.98 anyway, I might as well spend the same amount of money and come home with a lot more product/value by browsing the circular and working some of the other EB deals. Then, I would roll 4 transactions to get the best values for the least out of pocket cash. I went to the store at 8:20PM on a Tuesday, when it isn't busy and the cashiers are chatty. They don't mind doing 4 transactions back to back for you when it is slow! :)

1. In Transaction 1, I bought some clearance heart lollies for the girls for 50c. AND, I bought the Listerine Total Care Mouthwash from the circular. You Pay $3.99, You get $2 EB back. Also, I had a $2 off Listerine coupon (printed from Coupons.com a while back).  So, it was like I got the Listerine FREE!  Spent$2.79 OOP, after tax and coupons, got $2 EB.
2. Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste was Buy 1 at $3.79, get $3.79 in EB.  I used the $2 EB from Transaction 1.  Again, this was like FREE, or even getting paid to own as I spent $2.06 OOP, and got $3.79 EB back. 
3. Worked the Colgate Deal one more time, as the limit was 2.  I bought one at $3.79. I used the EB from the previous deal, $3.79 EB. My total was .27 c for tax.  I got $3.79 EB back. So, again, FREE toothpaste. 
4. The transaction I came to actually "do".  I bought one package of Jumbo Pull Ups, one package of Overnights diapers (both Huggies).  These were $8.99 each. Also, I had two $2 off coupons for these.  So, they were $6.99 each after coupon. THEN, I used the $3.79 EB from the last Colgate deal to pay for them.  My total came out to $11.45 for both "diapers", post tax and coupons, or  $5.72 each pack!  Pretty nice! AND, I got $4 in EB back!

Total Summary:  
I spent a total out of pocket amount of  $22.35 at both stores.  I have $11 worth of rewards to spend next week.  I saved $33.86 in in-store deals and coupons combined. It took me about 15 minutes to decide which deals to work at the drugstores and which coupons to pull out to work them.  IF you did not have any coupons and worked these deals you could have rolled the Rite Aid savings into each other. AND, once you work a deal or two like these "Rewards back" deals, you will always have some Rewards in your wallet to keep for the next week's deals. The goal is to always have some to work with so that your original money spent working the first deal keeps getting rolled forward into more savings and value with less out of pocket expense.  


**I want to note that I needed the Pull Ups and Diapers. To buy both at normal Target cost, sans coupons, it would have been about $18.   My CVS total was $16.57 for EVERYTHING! AND, I have $4 EB to use next week.

 

  

Ebay Special: Free Listings and More

For The Ebayers Out There:

A New Special Starts Today and Runs Through Feb 28th

Ebay just sent out the notice yesterday. Starting today, through the 28th, Ebay is offering Free Listing Fees for any starting price auction style listing. Also, as a nice added bonus, they are waiving the "Buy Now" feature fee.  This is pretty nice!  

*Limited to 50 listings. Account has to be in good standing, etc.  

Go HERE to get your auctions up and get the official terms.

As for me and mine, we will be up late tonight taking pictures and working on listings... well, after I get back from my CVS shopping trip!

Grab Your Circulars! It is POA Time Again!

Yesterday was Sunday Paper Day

Today, it is Time for Your Weekly POA!

Everyone got a paper yesterday, right? You have all gone to print your coupons from your fave sites, right? These are mine: Target and Coupons.com.

Whether you got your paper full of coupons and circulars, or not, I am going to link the best deal scenarios of the week here for you in one easy to reference spot.  Let me know if I have missed a store or deal you might be interested in.

• Go HERE for some good CVS match ups.  Some are money makers, 7 are under $1. (Thanks, Couponing to Disney!)
• HERE is Rite Aid. There are a lot of money makers on the list! Also, if you got the P&G coupon book rebate, seems like you can score some really good freebies, like the Gain dishsoap. (Thanks, again, Couponing to Disney)
• Walgreens has some super cheap Skintimate shaving cream this week, for those of you that asked!  Go HERE for that deal and many more! (Thanks,Couponing to Disney)
• For a list of items you can get for under a $1, go HERE.  Walmart does not usually put out good deals in weekly circulars. Their sales seem to be so-so to me. Locally, they are a pain to deal with at check out time for someone with a lot of coupons. IF you have a Walmart that you have good experience with and welcomes couponers, let us know! (Thanks, Couponing to Disney)
• Totally Target has a comprehensive circular deals match up list HERE. (Thanks Totally Target!)  OR, if you like the check list and simple form that Kristin at Couponing to Disney implements, the Target less than $1 deals are HERE.

I usually pick one drug store a week to shop, and I usually go to Target.  With 3 kids in tow, I have to pace myself.  There are many more bloggers that run the deals and scenarios. You have to pick a couple blogs you like and use mine to supplement them. If you do too many stores, blogs, scenarios, you will get burned out pretty quickly.

Happy Shopping! Let us know what you find out there. 

Short CVS Trip

Ten Minutes, 43 Cents Spent, and a Free Gallon Of Milk Later..

This week my CVS trip was very short and sweet. I ended up going tonight instead of last night. And, I only had about ten minutes to dash in real quick. Life happened this week, and has kind of thrown everything off a bit.

When I went to Target this week, they were OUT OF MILK! How does that happen??!  

So, I decided to dash in to CVS tonight and use my $3.99 in EB from last week to get a gallon of milk.  When I went to check out, I 60cents short of being able to get the full value of $3.99 out of my EB. The milk was on sale and came out to be about $3.35 or so. I grabbed some half off Wrigley's gum and called it good. After the tax on my freebies, I owed CVS 43 cents. Bummer. Bummer because I didnt have any cash or change on me at all.. what am I thinking this week! So, 43 cents went on my credit card. 

Anyway! I was sure glad to get free milk this week. Yay! Put the 43 cents with the almost $78 at Target, and the $13 I spent at Harry and David on some gourmet treats (I saved $20 at H&D!), and I spent roughly $92-ish for the week. My weekly food, grocery, necessity budget is $120.  Hooray for saving money.  Even if you only do a small 10 minute deals dash, like my CVS run, it all adds up and "counts"! 

On the sad note, I missed my opportunity to snag the circular that starts next week. Sorry about that! I will try to get the next one on Tuesday so you guys will know if/when to use those coupons at CVS.

And the Winner Is....

Blog Launch Party Giveaway Results

AND 1st Month Blog Stats!

Wow, thanks so much for an awesome first month on the blog!  Here are some fun numbers for you guys:

618- number of blog views to date

#1 and #2 most popular posts are the Sneak Peaks at the CVS circulars

#3 popular post is the Lean Cuisine freebie offer

576 views from the US

20 views from Singapore

8 views from Canada

6 views from UK

3 views from Belgium

1 view from Germany

1 view from Denmark

53% of you guys are using Windows.

28% of you guys are using Macs

5% use I-Phones

1% use Blackberries

And, now, the moment you have all been waiting for: The Winner of the Blog Launch Party Giveaway is SUMMER!   Thanks so much for all your comments and participation! Just a refresher, Summer will be receiving:

1 Glade Sense and Spray Clean Linen Scented Starter Set 

1 Gillette Men's Fusion with Case and 1 Refill

1Scrubbing Bubbles Extend a Clean Power Sprayer

A 4.6 oz Kids' Crest Toothpaste

1 Olay Body Bar

1 Johnson and Johnson TO GO First Aid kit

 

The best part of this prize pack worth more than $30? I got all of these items absolutely FREE by couponing!  You can get your own prize pack doing the same! 

Thanks again! And, keep following my posts. I want to know what deals you guys are looking for so I can hunt them down for you.  Happy Couponing!

 

 

$12.74 for 5 Coke Fridge Packs and MORE at CVS!

I Spent $12.74, Out Of Pocket at CVS.

I Got 5 Coke Fridge Packs, $3.99 in EB, and MORE!

There really was nothing extra-fancy or special about my CVS trip last night. It took less than ten minutes to plan out, and only a couple of coupons to pull off.  Plus, I was able to grab a copy of the circular that starts on Sunday, Jan. 30- Feb 6.  (For a sneak peak, view it HERE.)

Here is what I did:

Transaction 1:

*12 pk Coke   $2.49

*12 pk Coke  $2.49

*12 pk Coke  $2.49

*12 pk Coke  $2.49

*12 pk Coke  $2.49

Total:  $15

Used $10 EB from Last Week's Deals

New Total:  $5 plus Tax! (for 5 fridge packs!)

AND, I received $5 EB from the "Buy 5 Coke Fridge Packs, get $5 EB" deal.(so, it is like I got these for FREE if you are a fan of "fancy math")

*Post tax total was $6.05, my receipt says I saved $22.45 after sale prices, EB, and coupons!

Transaction 2:

*Crest Pro-Health Rinse   $3.99

Secret Flawless Deodorant  $1.49

Stayfree    $6.49

Stayfree  $6.89

Coupons used:

$2 off Secret Flawless (got credit for full amount, so got PAID 51 cents to buy Secret!)

$6.49 off with BOGO Stayfree

$5 EB from previous transaction

Total:  $6.69 after Tax

I got $3.99 back in EB from doing the Crest Pro-Health Rinse EB deal.

"So it's like paying $2.70" If you like fancy math.

The receipt says I saved $14.99

Summary: I spent $12.74 out of pocket to get: 5 Coke fridge packs, 1 Secret, 2 Stayfrees, 1 Crest Rinse.  I saved more than $37.  I got PAID to own Secret. And, the Crest and one of the Stayfree came out free.

* refers to EB deal attached

**BUMMER confession. I had a $1 off Crest Rinse coupon at home on my dresser. Darn. I could have gotten PAID $1 to own that, had I used the coupon. Shucky darn. Oh Well. It doesn't expire until 2013.  Can't win them all.. even if you have a Bargain Binder. Don't think that $1 won't haunt me the teensiest bit though. LOL!