Money Maker Alert on Olay Spa Gift Set for Christmas!

Get Started On a Gift For Christmas...

And Make a Buck! SHH!

Thanks for the AWESOME Head's Up, Couponing to Disney!

Ok, so what's better than giving a really great gift? Well.. don't tell anyone.. but getting it for free.. and making a little something in the process!

Hurry! Today, you can order the Olay Spa Gift Set from Walmart online for $9.63, shipped!

But, that doesn't sound free or money making you say... well.. here's how it works..

Step 1: Go HERE to Ebates and search Walmart.com. Click the link to shop through Walmart and ensure your 2% cash back. I love Ebate checks in my mailbox! Yay!

Step 2: Search Olay Spa Gift Set. You will see 2 options.  Pick the one you like. They are $9 today.  They say "free shipping to home after $45 in purchase." Ignore that. At the check out, the total will be $9.63 after tax and shipping will show as free.  (I know, right??!)  This is a good deal. A week ago these were $10!

Step 3:  Wait for the item to come in. THEN, when it does, fill out the form it comes with that declines the FREE SUBSCRIPTION to ALLURE magazine and wait for your $9.99 rebate!!  (But, you said give this as a gift! If you have to open it...!!  Ok. So, put it back together neatly. Throw in some other goodies like chocolates or candles or whatever the recipient likes.. and voila! Gift restored! You can make it lovely if you have to open it to get the subscription card out. Head to Dollar Tree if you need a new heat shrink basket bag!)    

*So, about 37c money maker right now? Right? 

Step 4: Wait for your Ebates check in the mail for about $1.80 back! So, just over $2 money maker! 

SuhWEET!  

This is why I HEART Couponing To Disney!  I always say let me tailor my blog to the deals you are specifically looking for and the tutorial/ethics questions you have... and let the big guys do what they do best. Because they totally rock it!

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.  

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!

Trial/Travel Sizes- Don't Pass These Freebies Up

Change Your Perspective:

"Buy" Trial/Travel Sizes

Many times I have come across folks, in conversation or otherwise, that seem to have an automatic aversion to buying Trial and Travel sized items.  The arguments are usually the same:  They run out faster. They aren't good value for the money. They are hard to store versus a traditional sized item that stands on its own more easily. ETC.

I say those of you that automatically dismiss the travel/trial sizes are missing out on some really nice deals in the long run. Should you waste that $1 or $2 off coupon on the smaller size? Sometimes, yes. It is totally to your advantage to do such a thing.

Why You Should Buy Travel/Trial Sizes:

• They can be moneymakers. If the trial size is 97c, and you have a $1 off coupon, most stores have the policy to "value the coupon down" to 97c, making the item free.  However, a lot of time, I have found clerks that don't care or pay attention (even after I make sure to point it out to them. I like to coupon with integrity.) and they accept the $1 off. You just got a 3c moneymaker.  Ok, so 3c doesn't do it for you? I just bought 2 Secret Clinical Trial sized, and one 1 load Tide. I used manuf and store stacked coupons worth $7.25. The items cost $6.12. The clerk accepted the coupons' full amounts, and these items ended up to be moneymakers for me.
• They fit more neatly on your shower racks or in drawers. You can also get bins to put in your closet to hold them.
• If you find yourself with an overstock of these items, shelters, etc accept them easily as donations to hand out to those in need.
• Certain kinds of product have readily available coupons without size exclusions that make getting them free every week a reality. This means you may never have to pay for deodorant again.
• When you are too tired to work a drugstore deal, or your coupons you have been holding "just in case" are about to expire, turning them into actual product by buying trial/travel sized is quick and easy.

When to Use a Coupon on a Trial/Travel Sized Item:

• When the item is free or a money maker, use the coupon.
• When you are working a rebate deal that does not exclude trial/travel sized items, use the coupons. For example, I recently worked a rebate offer that said "Buy $50 worth of P&G product, get a $20 rebate check." The rebate took the full pre-coupon amount towards the $50 you had to purchase. I bought TONS of trial/travel sized items for FREE.  If it was a 97c item, it took 97c off the $50 I had to purchase, even if I got the 97c item free after coupon. I spent less than $5 out of pocket working that deal, and got my $20 rebate check in the mail.
• When you have a decent coupon without size exclusion and it is about to expire, go ahead and buy a travel/trial sized item.
• When you do the math and it is really cheaper. For example, when I am stocked up with laundry detergent.. enough to last two months... I will take every $1 off any Tide coupon I can find and go buy Tide 1 load in the travel area.  Sometimes, this sized Tide is $1.12. The couponer's stock up price on detergent is 20c or less a load. $1.12 is WAY too pricey. But, if you have enough laundry detergent on hand already, go ahead and "burn" those $1 off Tide coupons on the travel size. That leaves about 12c or less, depending. 12c a load is an AMAZING stock up price! 
• When you can get nicer products that last a while FREE... and you would have to pay for generics. Every time I get a $1 off any Olay Bar, Wash, etc coupon, I take it to the travel section and get 1 bar of Olay Soap for free. Soap lasts a while, so this is one of my fave finds in the travel section.

Things to Consider When Buying Travel/Trial:

• Make your life easier:  point your travel/trial sized items out to the clerk when they are checking you out.  Most coupons "beep" when you try to use them on trial/travel sized items. Pointing the items out can save you time and aggravation later when the coupon beeps and the clerk has to verify whether or not you have the item(s) on your ticket. They have to verify by scrolling through your purchase on the computer, or they (you) have to dig through all the bags to find those small items to prove you bought them.  Most clerks are so happy that you saved them time and aggravation that they will usually just automatically accept your beeping coupons after this.
• Make sure you KNOW what the coupon states in the fine print. Make sure it does NOT exclude the trial/travel sizes or specify a larger size.  
• Know and carry the store's coupon policy with you.  When you are using coupons on trial/travel sizes, it is very important to know the store's policy ahead of time. Most stores will value the coupon down if it is worth more than the cost of the trial/travel item.  Some stores, like Walmart now, will allow coupon overage, thus ensuring a few moneymakers in your buggy. When I was really green at couponing, I went to use a $1 off Johnsons coupon on a 97c Johnson's Buddy Soap.  The clerk REFUSED my coupon, stating that the purchase had to be MORE than $1 to use the coupon. I was annoyed, but didn't know the policy for sure. So, I went and grabbed another Soap and bought both for 49c ea after the coupon. Still a decent deal. But when I got home and called my coupon mentor, she laughed at me a teensy bit.  I should have known the policy and stood my ground. Their policy was to value the coupon down and give me the item free at 97c off. The clerk was wrong. Often, especially since then, I have found that the clerks really don't know their own policy. 

WHEN YOU GET A CLERK THAT DOESN'T KNOW THE POLICY AND/OR GIVES YOU A HARD TIME:

1. Explain their policy to them nicely. THEN
2. Offer to SHOW them their policy. THEN
3. Politely Beg to Differ when they say they know the policy. THEN
4. Ask for a manager to come clarify the issue so you know the actual policy for in the future. (See, you are being nice and putting it on yourself. We all know YOU know the real policy. While the manager is walking over, pull out your copy of the policy. The manager will come get the story on the issue. 9 times out of 10, they will tell the clerk you are right. Because we know you are. Couponers study the policy better than clerks most times. If you stay nice and pleasant, it will be easy to get your coupons accepted. Or easier, anyway.  You do coupon with integrity, after all.  If you get an attitude, no amount of being in the right will help you. The manager will go along with the clerk if you tick them off.)

So, give Trial/Travel sizes a chance!
I haven't had to pay for Head and Shoulders, Secret, Olay Soap, etc in a very long time!

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!

 

 

Blog Launch Party Giveaway

The Drawing for the Prize Pack
is Just Around the Corner.

Tuesday We Will Announce Our Winner!

I don't know about all of you, but I am getting pretty excited about the drawing that is at the beginning of next week.  You guys are so great! We have had 552 blog views since our first post this month. 

By now you all know the terms of the contest: Get an entry into the prize drawing for every new post you leave a comment under.  Pretty easy! Then, I will have a random drawing and announce the winner sometime in the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 1.   

Currently, the following readers are entered to win the drawing. The number next to their name responds to the number of entries they are getting, thus far.  Keep commenting to get better odds. And, if you haven't been leaving a comment, hurry and do so! You don't want to miss out on this prize pack.

The Chubee Chick Diaries-  1

Summer -  18

Jenn- 2

Laura-1

Velma - 1

Tammy - 1

Stephanie -1

*You will notice comments from a "John". He doesn't get any entries because he is affiliated with this blog.  Sorry, John!

What the Grand Prize Winner Will Receive:

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

Update on the P&G Olay, Pantene, Venus, etc Rebate Checks

The P&G "Ladies" Brands Rebate Checks are Going Out

I Got Mine Friday!

Did you all work the P&G Rebate a couple months ago? The deal was you had to buy $50 worth of participating P&G brand products (Venus, CoverGirl, Olay, Pantene,etc) and you would receive a $20 rebate check.  I LOVED this rebate offer! Like many, you got credit for spending the pre-coupon amount, AND travel sized items counted towards the rebate! I worked some really great CVS deals and ended up spending $2-$4 out of pocket to qualify for the rebate. Yes, I got $50 worth of great P&G brand items for between $2-$4.  That was a wonderful deal in and of itself.  

Then, Friday, I received my $20 rebate check in the mail. I deposited it today.  I made more than $16 in profit to own those items.  

Give rebates a try! You just might start making a little extra money doing them. 

The P&G Rebate Books are being Mailed!

My P&G Brands Rebate Book of Coupons 

Worth More than $110 in Savings Came in!

I got this HUGE padded envelop in my mailbox yesterday from P&G. I was pretty excited to see what it was. Then, I laughed. Because it was just a small coupon book in that big envelop.  That small coupon book was such a welcome sight, though! This coupon book has more than $110 worth of P&G brand coupons in it! There are several of each kind and include: 

• $1 off Any One Tide (I will use most of these for FREE 1-Load packs in the Travel Section, and keep one or two in case of a really good deal. If I don't see such a deal, I will buy more free loads right before they expire.)
• $1 off Gain Detergent or Fabric Enhancer
• $1 off any One Downy
• 50c off Bounce
• 50c off Dawn (which would make the dishsoap 50c or less during a drugstore sale!)
• $1 off Cascade
• $1 off Gain Dish Soap (Again, less than 50c or even FREE during a sale!)
• $3 off Swiffer Wet Jet
• $1 off any Duster/Sweeper (Swiffer)
• 50c off any Swiffer Refill
• $1 off any Charmin MegaRoll
• $1 off Bounty Towel 6ct or Higher
• $1 off Pampers Diapers
• $1 off Luvs Diapers
• $1 off 8pk or Larger Duracell Coppertop
• $1 off ANY TWO PRINGLES (look for the snack size, or a sale for super cheap Pringles!)
• $1 off Iams dry pet food (dog or cat)
• $1 off any one Pepto-Bismol
• $1 off Metamucil
• $1 off any Always
• $1 off any Tampax
• $1 off any CREST Toothpaste or gel 4.0oz or larger
• $1 off any Crest Mouthwash, 946mL or larger
• $1 off any Oral B Manual Toothbrush
• $1 off Olay Facial Moisturizer
• $1 off Pantene Conditioner WYB Pantene Shampoo
• $1 off one Herbal Essences or Aussie Product (Get it free by looking in the Travel section!)
• $1 off any Head and Shoulders (free in travel section!)
• $2 off Clairol Hair Color
• $1 off CoverGirl
• $1 off Olay PCC or Lotion
• $1 off Venus Embrace
• $1 off any Secret (Travel!)
• $1 off any Old Spice Deodorant (Travel!)
• $1 off Old Spice Body Wash (Travel)

These coupons are awesome. They will make for several nice freebies. But, you say, if you buy travel sizes, you have to keep buying them. What I do is I keep the coupons in case of a deal or promotion. If I don't see one to my liking, I go pay for travel sized items with them. The travel sizes come out free, or pretty close to it. Yes, I have a shelf in my bathroom dedicated to such items. Yes, I have to go to that shelf more frequently to get a new one to use than if I had bought larger sizes. But, really. When it is free, why would I mind that? Plus, the travel sizes fit nicer on my in shower shelf rack than the larger ones that always topple over.

How did I get such a lovely coupon rebate book? Periodically, P&G brands will release a rebate form. You have to spend somewhere between $50 and $100 (Pre-coupon amount!) on participating P&G Brands. Then, you circle those items and their prices on your receipts and mail those receipts in! This is one reason why it is a good thing to keep your receipts! Often, a rebate will come out for an item I recently worked a deal on. All I have to do is thumb through my receipt envelop for the right one, and mail it in! Easy! And, if you were to use lots of coupons to get travel sized items for free, you would have already had that much $ towards the rebate done.. for free! If I used 5 $1 off coupons for participating items, and the items themselves each cost $1, my out of pocket would have been $0. BUT I would have gotten credit for $5 worth!  (Pre-Coupon amount).

Did you get the rebate book? Work with a friend and swap for the coupons you each want and need! Cooperate!

Good couponing!

Contest Reminder

Stats are in:  You Guys are Reading Me!

Now, Get Yourselves Entered to Win our Launch Party Giveaway!

The statistics are in. You all are reading me, with anywhere from 20-60+ views per post entry. On average, my posts are read 40 times by you guys! Thanks so much!  Of course, this is a modest blog, just really getting going.  I am so appreciative of the support...even if you all are not leaving comments.

However, you can't win the Launch Party prize drawing if you don't enter! As a refresher: every new post you leave a comment under is one entry into the drawing to win our grand prize.  Comment as much as you like.  The first comment you leave under a new post is the one that gets you an entry into the random drawing we will have on Feb 1st.  

The Prize Pack: 

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

 

So, since you are viewing the blog and keeping up with me, anyway, might as well leave a comment and get a chance to snag this really great pack!

*ALL of the items in the pack are brand-new in never opened packaging. AND, the best part, every single item on his list was FREE after couponing!!!! 

Thanks again for keeping up with me! Good Luck to all of you entrants in the giveaway!