So I am one of those people that doesn't really like to try new things unless I know that someone has tried it and liked. Well sometimes when you are couponing you find a deal on a new product that you just can't pass up. So I went out on a limb a few weeks ago when Publix had the new Philladelphia Cooking Creme on sale AND I had a coupon that made it $.50. I had never tried it...didn't know anyone that had tried it..and the only person that I had ever talked to about it was this nice lady that was standing in front of it talking about how she couldn't believe there wasn't a coupon for it that she had seen (I gave her 2 that I had)!!!
Tonight I was feeling adventurous after my deals at Walgreen's and I decided I would make a chicken pasta with it tonight. I cooked 3 chicken breast in some olive oil and garlic, chopped it up and added some pasta and a good bit of green peas and mixed in a whole container of the Italian Herb Cooking Cream. It was AMAZING!!!! When it heated up and mixed with the chicken/pasta/pea mixture it coated everything with just the right amount of sauce. I added a little salt and pepper when I served it and it was TASTY!!! I really wish that I would have had some parmesan cheese that I could have added to the top but even without it it was yummy!
Part of couponing is trying different and new products Especially the ones that you can get for $.50!!! So from time to time as I find something at a great deal and give it a try I will post about it whether I liked it or not!! You guys let me know if these types of posts are something that you would like to read!!!
Happy Shopping- Saving- and Cooking!!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friends and Family Day at Walgreen's
Happy Thursday Couponers!!!
This morning when I got to the office I was greeted by a coupon sitting on my desk. It said 15% off at Walgreen's today only. I so wish that I could have gotten to my blog to tell you all about it so that you could have printed one for yourself!!! It was Friends and Family day today at Walgreen's and with the coupon you could get 15% off your entire purchase and 20% off of Walgreen's brand items. This totally made my morning (thank you Meredith!!!!).
So these are the transaction that I did:
Transaction #1
Total Saved: $15.00
Total RR: $9.00
Transaction #2
Total Saved: $17.50
Total RR: $7
I did use the $5 RR from the first transaction but I totally forgot that if I used the $4 RR on this transaction I wouldn't get the other $4 RR for the 2 Colgate toothbrushes. THANK GOODNESS I had a coupon friendly cashier that knew this so that I didn't waste my $4 RR!!! So I have a ton of stuff and $11 in RR for next week.
So for $30.58 I was able to get 21 items AND walk out with $11 to spend next week. The Colgate Toothbrushes were FREE after the RR!!!!
I love Walgreen's!!! Especially when I go to one that understands their policies and has a very helpful and friendly staff!!!
Here is a picture of my goods!!! Sorry it is missing the Diet Dr Pepper but like I said I was having a coughing attack!!!
Have you gotten a major deal at Walgreen's lately? Leave me a comment and let me know!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!
This morning when I got to the office I was greeted by a coupon sitting on my desk. It said 15% off at Walgreen's today only. I so wish that I could have gotten to my blog to tell you all about it so that you could have printed one for yourself!!! It was Friends and Family day today at Walgreen's and with the coupon you could get 15% off your entire purchase and 20% off of Walgreen's brand items. This totally made my morning (thank you Meredith!!!!).
So these are the transaction that I did:
Transaction #1
- 2- Dove Deodorant
- 1- Dove Shampoo
- 1- Dove Body Wash
- 1- 2 pack of Dove for Men soap
- 2- Colgate 360 Toothbrushes
- 2- Chinet Plates (10 plates per pack)
- 1- Diet Dr Pepper (I was having a coughing fit!!!!)
Total Saved: $15.00
Total RR: $9.00
Transaction #2
- 2- Skintimate Shave Gels
- 3- Lady's Speed Stick Deodorants
- 4- Snickers Eggs
- 2- Colgate 360 Toothbrushes (these really should have been in transaction 1 but I messed up)
- 1- Dividers with Pockets (for the binder overhaul taking place this weekend)
Total Saved: $17.50
Total RR: $7
I did use the $5 RR from the first transaction but I totally forgot that if I used the $4 RR on this transaction I wouldn't get the other $4 RR for the 2 Colgate toothbrushes. THANK GOODNESS I had a coupon friendly cashier that knew this so that I didn't waste my $4 RR!!! So I have a ton of stuff and $11 in RR for next week.
So for $30.58 I was able to get 21 items AND walk out with $11 to spend next week. The Colgate Toothbrushes were FREE after the RR!!!!
I love Walgreen's!!! Especially when I go to one that understands their policies and has a very helpful and friendly staff!!!
Here is a picture of my goods!!! Sorry it is missing the Diet Dr Pepper but like I said I was having a coughing attack!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!
New Lunchable Coupons on Cooking with Kraft
Attention Moms!!!
A new coupon went up on Cooking with Kraft today that can be used at Publix for $1.00 of Lunchables!!!
Cooking with Kraft
This coupon will go great if your Publix has Lunchables for 2/$4 instead of the normal 2/$6!!! That brings them down to $1 each!!!
Happy Shopping and Saving!!!
A new coupon went up on Cooking with Kraft today that can be used at Publix for $1.00 of Lunchables!!!
Cooking with Kraft
This coupon will go great if your Publix has Lunchables for 2/$4 instead of the normal 2/$6!!! That brings them down to $1 each!!!
Happy Shopping and Saving!!!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Time to reorg the Coupon Binder
WOW! I thought that they way that I had my binder set up was perfect for my couponing needs. Tonight as I was going through it and pulling coupons for my grocery shop this week I was like...this isn't working. I think my binder might be too small. For those of you that have seen it I know you all just said NO WAY! So I am in the process of reorganizing my binder.
The first step that I actually did a few weeks ago was to add a page protector behind each section for clipped coupons that I haven't or will not file. Some of my sections have baseball card inserts with all of the coupons sorted out and others don't. So now behind each divider I have two page protectors..one for clipped insert coupons and one for printed. I have found that it is really really hard to get printed coupons in the BB card holder so I clip them (well not all of them I would be cutting for days) and keep them in the page protector.
The next thing that I plan on doing this weekend when I have more time is to look at some of my sections and either break them down into smaller sections within that section or add dividers and create new categories. I am not really sure which way I will go...I have to think on it some more.
The main thing to keep in mind when you are starting a binder is to set it up so that it works for you. After all you are the one that is using it!!!
Happy ORGANIZING!!!
The first step that I actually did a few weeks ago was to add a page protector behind each section for clipped coupons that I haven't or will not file. Some of my sections have baseball card inserts with all of the coupons sorted out and others don't. So now behind each divider I have two page protectors..one for clipped insert coupons and one for printed. I have found that it is really really hard to get printed coupons in the BB card holder so I clip them (well not all of them I would be cutting for days) and keep them in the page protector.
The next thing that I plan on doing this weekend when I have more time is to look at some of my sections and either break them down into smaller sections within that section or add dividers and create new categories. I am not really sure which way I will go...I have to think on it some more.
The main thing to keep in mind when you are starting a binder is to set it up so that it works for you. After all you are the one that is using it!!!
Happy ORGANIZING!!!
Insert Preview of Sunday
Save you change couponers!!! It is P&G insert weekend!!! In addition to the P&G there will be 1 Smart Source insert.
How many papers are you going to get?
Don't forget that most Dollar Trees sale papers!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!
How many papers are you going to get?
Don't forget that most Dollar Trees sale papers!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!
Publix this week
Howdy Couponers!
So sorry that I have not posted this week but I have had a sick child and it has been a very very busy week...and it is only Wednesday!
I have to be honest and tell you that I am not really impressed with the sales at Publix this week. I like to think that it is because my stock pile has gotten to the point that there isn't a ton that I have to add to it.
Right now there are just a few of the items that I am planning on getting:
Happy Shopping and SAVING!!!!
So sorry that I have not posted this week but I have had a sick child and it has been a very very busy week...and it is only Wednesday!
I have to be honest and tell you that I am not really impressed with the sales at Publix this week. I like to think that it is because my stock pile has gotten to the point that there isn't a ton that I have to add to it.
Right now there are just a few of the items that I am planning on getting:
- Purina Kit n Kaboddle Cat Food
- Cheetos (I am pumped about this!!!)
- Sabra Hummus (will be $.99)
- Hormel Canned Chicken
- Diapers (I have several friends that are having babies so I will get some now while I have the coupons so that I can load them up at thier showers!!!!)
- Yoplait Yogurt
Happy Shopping and SAVING!!!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tips on using Swagbucks
I posted a blog not long ago about Swagbucks and how great it was to do everyday things like search online and get Swagbucks that you can use to get gift cards and things. I may have made it sound really really simple and people may have thought oh wow...do a search...get the bucks and BAM free stuff. Unfortunately it isn't quiet that simple. On a normal day you may only be awarded points 2 out of the 10 times that you search. For that reason there are other ways that they give you point. Usually once or twice a day they will hide a Swag code somewhere on their site and award you points for finding in and entering it on the home page. There is a great site called ISZ Codes that you can subscribe to and get alerts each time a code is posted. (http://iszcodes.com/).
So please don't be discouraged if you search on www.swagbucks.com and you aren't given bucks every time. Keep trying and sign up for the code alerts. Most of the bucks that I have came from the codes not from searching!!!
Happy Searching!!!
So please don't be discouraged if you search on www.swagbucks.com and you aren't given bucks every time. Keep trying and sign up for the code alerts. Most of the bucks that I have came from the codes not from searching!!!
Happy Searching!!!
Possible HOT Walgreens Deals
Here are some of the HOT deals at Walgreen's this week:
Less: $1.50/1 Colgate Advanced Toothpaste (3/27 SS)
Or: $1/1 Colgate Manual Toothbrush (3/27 SS)
Get Back: $4 RR wyb 2
Final Price: 2 FREE!! + possible $1 overage!
Or: $1/1 Colgate Manual Toothbrush (3/27 SS)
Get Back: $4 RR wyb 2
Final Price: 2 FREE!! + possible $1 overage!
Possible HOT Deals and CVS this week
Here are some of the hot deals that I see from my research at CVS this week:
Less: $1/1 Colgate Manual Toothbrush (3/27 SS)
Or: $1.50/1 Colgate Advanced Toothpaste (3/27 SS)
Get Back: $2 ECB (limit 2)
Final Price: FREE!! + possible $.75 overage
Or: $1.50/1 Colgate Advanced Toothpaste (3/27 SS)
Get Back: $2 ECB (limit 2)
Final Price: FREE!! + possible $.75 overage
Less: $.55/1 Skintimate Shave Gel (3/27 SS & All You Mag Apr11)
Get Back: $2.50 ECB
Final Price: $.14
Get Back: $2.50 ECB
Final Price: $.14
Less: $.75/1 SS 3-27
Get Back: $1 ECB
Final Price: $.12
Final Price: $.12
Neosporin - psa. $6.49
Band-Aids - psa. $3.59
There is a scenario that you can do with this to make it totally free I think so I am trying to work it out.
Band-Aids - psa. $3.59
There is a scenario that you can do with this to make it totally free I think so I am trying to work it out.
Less: B1G1 Clean & Clear Body Wash (3/27 SS)
Final Price: $1.49 each wyb 2
Those are some of the best deals that I see out there right now at CVS but you guys know I am always on the lookout for them!!!
Final Price: $1.49 each wyb 2
Those are some of the best deals that I see out there right now at CVS but you guys know I am always on the lookout for them!!!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!! HAPPY SAVING!!!!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
What a great feeling!!!
Hello Couponers!!!
I just had to share a very rewarding feeling that I had tonight. At around 4:00 this afternoon on of my kids said "Mommy what is for dinner?" Normally this question would have sent me into a fir of deciding what restaurant I wanted to get take out from and then I huge argument with the kids who didn't want what I suggested or one that wanted it and one that didn't. My stockpile saved me tonight!!! Instead of having to decide where to get take out from all I had to do was walk into my kitchen and open the pantry. I had already put a pork tenderloin out to thaw when we got home from the ball park so I knew that was out main course. I had a lot of options and was able to make everyone in my family happy without having to run to the store or run to get takeout.
There have been times on this journey that I have questioned whether my method was worth it but tonight knowing that in a matter of an hour I was able to put a yummy healthy dinner on the table made it all worth it. The small amount of time that I spend each day looking for coupons and the time that I spend preparing to shop was worth every minute to hear my son say "Mommy thank you so much for making us this yummy dinner. Can I have some more?'
Happy Shopping and Saving!!! Are you ready to hit the papers tomorrow and find the deals? Stay tuned and I hope to have some that I see posted soon!!!
I just had to share a very rewarding feeling that I had tonight. At around 4:00 this afternoon on of my kids said "Mommy what is for dinner?" Normally this question would have sent me into a fir of deciding what restaurant I wanted to get take out from and then I huge argument with the kids who didn't want what I suggested or one that wanted it and one that didn't. My stockpile saved me tonight!!! Instead of having to decide where to get take out from all I had to do was walk into my kitchen and open the pantry. I had already put a pork tenderloin out to thaw when we got home from the ball park so I knew that was out main course. I had a lot of options and was able to make everyone in my family happy without having to run to the store or run to get takeout.
There have been times on this journey that I have questioned whether my method was worth it but tonight knowing that in a matter of an hour I was able to put a yummy healthy dinner on the table made it all worth it. The small amount of time that I spend each day looking for coupons and the time that I spend preparing to shop was worth every minute to hear my son say "Mommy thank you so much for making us this yummy dinner. Can I have some more?'
Happy Shopping and Saving!!! Are you ready to hit the papers tomorrow and find the deals? Stay tuned and I hope to have some that I see posted soon!!!
This weeks haul at Publix
Happy Saturday Couponers!!!
I hope that everyone is having a great weekend!! Sorry that I didn't get an posts up last night but my whole week has been thrown off due to traveling. I did get my Publix shop in last night and this is how I did.
Spent: $144.81
Saved: $176.27
I saved more than I spent but I this week I did have several items on my list that I had to have that I didn't have coupons on. So overall not a bad week!!! This is what I got:
22-boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks (they were .89 each!!!)
2-Ocean Spray Cranberry juice blends
7- packages of Oscar Mayer hot dogs
4- packages Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Shaved Meats
2- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2- Grands Cinnamon rolls
2- Kraft block cheese
2- Doritos
1- Pepsi Max 2 L (FREE)
4- WW Ice Cream treats
2- Gortons Fish Sticks
2- Gortons popcorn shrimp
1- Tropicana OJ
3- 10 packs of Capri Suns
2- Kraft Cheese Singles
1- 2 pack of Bounty paper towels
2- 4 packs of Dole Fruit Bowls
4- Zatarain's Rice Mixes
2- Oreo Cakesters
3- John Frieda Hair Products (this is some AWESOME conditioner)
1- Wisk 2X Laundry Detergent (32 loads for $3.49)
1- 15 pound 9Lives Cat Food
3- Kraft Salad dressings
That is everything that I had coupons for....like I said I had several items to get that I didn't have coupons for!!
Last night I didn't have the best cashier at my Publix and I am seriously considering changing my shopping day back to Saturday because of it. I love Publix because they are so nice and helpful most of the time!! Last night I wasn't feeling the love...and actually felt like I was annoying the cashier by using coupons. Seems like some of their nicer cashiers are there on Saturday.
Hope you have all had a great week of savings and shopping! Comment below and tell me some of the deals that you found this week. Have questions you would like me to answer? Leave me a comment or send me an email and I will be happy to help you out in anyway that I can!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!
I hope that everyone is having a great weekend!! Sorry that I didn't get an posts up last night but my whole week has been thrown off due to traveling. I did get my Publix shop in last night and this is how I did.
Spent: $144.81
Saved: $176.27
I saved more than I spent but I this week I did have several items on my list that I had to have that I didn't have coupons on. So overall not a bad week!!! This is what I got:
22-boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks (they were .89 each!!!)
2-Ocean Spray Cranberry juice blends
7- packages of Oscar Mayer hot dogs
4- packages Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Shaved Meats
2- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2- Grands Cinnamon rolls
2- Kraft block cheese
2- Doritos
1- Pepsi Max 2 L (FREE)
4- WW Ice Cream treats
2- Gortons Fish Sticks
2- Gortons popcorn shrimp
1- Tropicana OJ
3- 10 packs of Capri Suns
2- Kraft Cheese Singles
1- 2 pack of Bounty paper towels
2- 4 packs of Dole Fruit Bowls
4- Zatarain's Rice Mixes
2- Oreo Cakesters
3- John Frieda Hair Products (this is some AWESOME conditioner)
1- Wisk 2X Laundry Detergent (32 loads for $3.49)
1- 15 pound 9Lives Cat Food
3- Kraft Salad dressings
That is everything that I had coupons for....like I said I had several items to get that I didn't have coupons for!!
Last night I didn't have the best cashier at my Publix and I am seriously considering changing my shopping day back to Saturday because of it. I love Publix because they are so nice and helpful most of the time!! Last night I wasn't feeling the love...and actually felt like I was annoying the cashier by using coupons. Seems like some of their nicer cashiers are there on Saturday.
Hope you have all had a great week of savings and shopping! Comment below and tell me some of the deals that you found this week. Have questions you would like me to answer? Leave me a comment or send me an email and I will be happy to help you out in anyway that I can!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Prepping for Publix and Coupon Preview
I just finished prepping for my weekly shop at Publix. Looks like a pretty good week....I can't wait to load up on fruit snacks for my kids and my boys on the tee ball team!!! There is also a really good deal on Blue Bell and Weight Watcher Ice Cream treats.
Looks like there are going to be 3 inserts in the Sunday paper this week. From what I can tell it will be 2 Smart Source and one Red Plum. Super pumped about that!!! Looks like I will be making another run to the Dollar Tree this Sunday. The Dollar Tree that I went to had a TON of papers. Like any good couponer I asked the guy what they did with the papers at the end of the day and got some sad news...the newspaper company comes and gets them. Oh well at least I tried!!!
Stay tuned tomorrow night to see how I did at Publix. I hope that I can do better than last week but I can't really tell just yet!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!
Looks like there are going to be 3 inserts in the Sunday paper this week. From what I can tell it will be 2 Smart Source and one Red Plum. Super pumped about that!!! Looks like I will be making another run to the Dollar Tree this Sunday. The Dollar Tree that I went to had a TON of papers. Like any good couponer I asked the guy what they did with the papers at the end of the day and got some sad news...the newspaper company comes and gets them. Oh well at least I tried!!!
Stay tuned tomorrow night to see how I did at Publix. I hope that I can do better than last week but I can't really tell just yet!!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!
DEAL OF THE WEEK!!!
ATTENTION ALL MOMS!!!!
The deal of this week is $.89 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks!!! Today I found 8 different coupons online for them all for $.50 off of 2 which if you shop at Publix means $1. That takes them to $.89!!!
If you have kids, know kids, or like me are a Team Mom for a baseball team this is a STOCK UP price!!!
Here are some links to a few of the coupons that I found:
Target Coupons
Coupon Network
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!!
The deal of this week is $.89 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks!!! Today I found 8 different coupons online for them all for $.50 off of 2 which if you shop at Publix means $1. That takes them to $.89!!!
If you have kids, know kids, or like me are a Team Mom for a baseball team this is a STOCK UP price!!!
Here are some links to a few of the coupons that I found:
Target Coupons
Coupon Network
Happy Shopping and Savings!!!!
$5 off a $30 or more purchase from Winn Dixie
Just saw this coupon online....can work for all of us Publix and Winn Dixie shoppers!
$5 Off $30 purchase
$5 Off $30 purchase
What is a coupon database?
Good Afternoon Couponers!!!
I hope that everyone is enjoying this lovely spring weather dispite the lovely fine yellow powder that is covering everything and making us all sneeze!
Yesterday I was talking to a good friend of mine and she was telling me how upset she was that the coupon database on her site wouldn't let her print coupons that didn't come out this week. I was curious so off to the site I went to see what she meant. I have rarely used a coupon database so I was somewhat intrigued by the concept.
A coupon database is a list of coupons that can be sorted by product or date (totally depends on the site you are on and how they chose to do it) and is typically used to help couponers find coupons and what inserts or printable sites they were one or in. The common misconception it seems is that anything that is in the database can be printed and that is not the case. If you see an coupon listed in the database that says something like "SS 2-13-11" that means that it came in the Feb 13 paper in the Smart Source coupon insert. If a coupon that is in the database is printable it will have a line under it linking you to the site that you can print it from OR it will say PRINTABLE.
I hope this helps!!!! If you have questions or there are things that you would like me to blog about leave it in the comments below or send me an email!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!
I hope that everyone is enjoying this lovely spring weather dispite the lovely fine yellow powder that is covering everything and making us all sneeze!
Yesterday I was talking to a good friend of mine and she was telling me how upset she was that the coupon database on her site wouldn't let her print coupons that didn't come out this week. I was curious so off to the site I went to see what she meant. I have rarely used a coupon database so I was somewhat intrigued by the concept.
A coupon database is a list of coupons that can be sorted by product or date (totally depends on the site you are on and how they chose to do it) and is typically used to help couponers find coupons and what inserts or printable sites they were one or in. The common misconception it seems is that anything that is in the database can be printed and that is not the case. If you see an coupon listed in the database that says something like "SS 2-13-11" that means that it came in the Feb 13 paper in the Smart Source coupon insert. If a coupon that is in the database is printable it will have a line under it linking you to the site that you can print it from OR it will say PRINTABLE.
I hope this helps!!!! If you have questions or there are things that you would like me to blog about leave it in the comments below or send me an email!!
Happy Shopping and Savings!
I am back!!!!
I am finally back in the coupon swing after being on a business trip this week!!! Please stay tuned for updates on AWESOME deals that I see...I am still working on getting a list together!
Happy Savings!
Happy Savings!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Follow I Coupon My Way By Email
There is a new feature on the I Coupon My Way blog and that is the follow by email option. Enter your email address in the box below the Followers section of the blog and each time the blog is updated you will be emailed the contect of the update! Great if you are on the go out racking up the savings with your coupons!!!!
Being Flexible
Happy Sunday Couponers!!!
I hope everyone got the inserts out of the paper today and found some good deals!!! I actually went to the Dollar Tree today and got three extra papers. I had no idea that the Dollar Tree sold papers until 2 of my coworkers gave me the tip after I blogged about buying coupons. So now that I have ordered coupons now I will see how getting multiple papers a few weeks in a row works out.
So on to the topic of being flexible. I had a friend post a comment that she only found two coupons in Smart Source for things that she used. This is actually something that I have heard a lot. The other common phrase is "I only use (insert product name here) or "I am very picky about (insert product name here)". Part of couponing is being flexible and being willing to try new things. One of my areas of brand loyalty was laundry detergent. I have been a Gain user for many many years. I don't even think that I ever thought about changing until I started couponing. About three weeks ago Purex 3 in 1 sheets were on sale for .99 at CVS. I looked at the container, sniffed the sticker on the front to see what it smelled like, and thought for .99 I can give it a try. My daughter has very sensitive skin so I have to be pretty careful with changing stuff on her but for .99 if I had to stop using it I was okay with that. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this laundry detergent now! They smell great and are so easy to use. Purex has some awesome coupons and CVS loves to put it on sale!!! Another great Purex product is the Fabric softener crystals that they just came out with that you can also get really cheap at CVS right now. It was actually while I was folding a load of laundry right out of the dryer and smelling that wonderful smell from the crystals that I decided to do this blog!!!
Several of the Extreme Couponers mention having one item that you don't compromise on. A lot of people say it is toilet paper, for some it is tooth paste. Right now because of how I am doing my stock pile I don't really think I have just one, but I am still able to get things are dirt cheap prices and sometimes even free. I like to think that there is nothing wrong with trying new things when they cost less than a dollar. Like the Silk Chocolate Soy milk that I got this weekend for .50, my daughter loves it and calls it her special milk!!! So if you just can't stand the thought of using something other than Charmin don't worry! You can compromise on other things and then when the sales cycle for Charmin comes around again you can load up!!!!
Please Please Please let me know what questions you might have or things that you would like me to blog about!!! Just leave it in the comments below!!!
Happy Shopping and Saving!!!!
I hope everyone got the inserts out of the paper today and found some good deals!!! I actually went to the Dollar Tree today and got three extra papers. I had no idea that the Dollar Tree sold papers until 2 of my coworkers gave me the tip after I blogged about buying coupons. So now that I have ordered coupons now I will see how getting multiple papers a few weeks in a row works out.
So on to the topic of being flexible. I had a friend post a comment that she only found two coupons in Smart Source for things that she used. This is actually something that I have heard a lot. The other common phrase is "I only use (insert product name here) or "I am very picky about (insert product name here)". Part of couponing is being flexible and being willing to try new things. One of my areas of brand loyalty was laundry detergent. I have been a Gain user for many many years. I don't even think that I ever thought about changing until I started couponing. About three weeks ago Purex 3 in 1 sheets were on sale for .99 at CVS. I looked at the container, sniffed the sticker on the front to see what it smelled like, and thought for .99 I can give it a try. My daughter has very sensitive skin so I have to be pretty careful with changing stuff on her but for .99 if I had to stop using it I was okay with that. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this laundry detergent now! They smell great and are so easy to use. Purex has some awesome coupons and CVS loves to put it on sale!!! Another great Purex product is the Fabric softener crystals that they just came out with that you can also get really cheap at CVS right now. It was actually while I was folding a load of laundry right out of the dryer and smelling that wonderful smell from the crystals that I decided to do this blog!!!
Several of the Extreme Couponers mention having one item that you don't compromise on. A lot of people say it is toilet paper, for some it is tooth paste. Right now because of how I am doing my stock pile I don't really think I have just one, but I am still able to get things are dirt cheap prices and sometimes even free. I like to think that there is nothing wrong with trying new things when they cost less than a dollar. Like the Silk Chocolate Soy milk that I got this weekend for .50, my daughter loves it and calls it her special milk!!! So if you just can't stand the thought of using something other than Charmin don't worry! You can compromise on other things and then when the sales cycle for Charmin comes around again you can load up!!!!
Please Please Please let me know what questions you might have or things that you would like me to blog about!!! Just leave it in the comments below!!!
Happy Shopping and Saving!!!!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Sweet Deals I see coming at Walgreens and CVS starting tomorrow
Good Morning Couponers!!! It looks like we have a gorgeous weekend on tap here and I hope that you do to wherever you are reading this!!
So I was doing a little research online this morning and it looks like there are some SWEET deals coming this week at the drugstores. One I know is going to make some of my friends happy!!!
At Walgreen's you can get FREE SNICKERS EGGS!!! Stephanie I hope you are reading this! There should be a coupon in the Sunday Red Plum for $1/ 2 which mean 2 eggs are totally free!!!!
So I was doing a little research online this morning and it looks like there are some SWEET deals coming this week at the drugstores. One I know is going to make some of my friends happy!!!
At Walgreen's you can get FREE SNICKERS EGGS!!! Stephanie I hope you are reading this! There should be a coupon in the Sunday Red Plum for $1/ 2 which mean 2 eggs are totally free!!!!
Friday, March 18, 2011
New site that is AWESOME!!!
For all my readers in the South I have to tell you about a site that someone at work told me about. It is called Southern Savers and I have to say it is becoming my favorite match up site. They pretty much have the same match up that IheartPublix has but they have a feature that allows you to print off the items that you want to get. When you print the list it even groups them by the area of the store that they are in. I did notice when I was doing a side by side comparison that Southern Savers had a few more printable coupons listed than IHeartPublix did but overall they were the same. I do love that print list feature!!!
Check it out and tell me what you think or tell me what your favorite site is!!
Happy Saving!!!
Check it out and tell me what you think or tell me what your favorite site is!!
Happy Saving!!!
Publix shop that had me almost dancing in the check out line!!!!
Happy Friday Couponers!!!!
It is a SUPER happy Friday night here at my house...for me at least!!! So in an early post this week I told you that I was ordering some coupons from CouponDeDe.com in preparation for some major stockpiling items at Publix this week. I have to admit as skeptical as I was about having lots of coupons or at least one coupon for every item I am planning on buying. However after tonight I am convinced that it is the secret to massive savings.
It is a SUPER happy Friday night here at my house...for me at least!!! So in an early post this week I told you that I was ordering some coupons from CouponDeDe.com in preparation for some major stockpiling items at Publix this week. I have to admit as skeptical as I was about having lots of coupons or at least one coupon for every item I am planning on buying. However after tonight I am convinced that it is the secret to massive savings.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What the heck is Swagbucks?
I am not sure if you noticed the link in my side bar called Swagbucks but some people have asked me what it is. Swagbucks is quiet possibly the easiest way to get free stuff I have seen. We all get on the internet on a daily basis right? We all use do searches right? Swagbucks is a search engine that rewards you for searching on thier site. How do they reward you you ask? By giving you Swagbucks that can be redeemed for prizes. It is simple and easy. I have gotten several $5 Amazon gift cards and several $10 Starbucks gift cards just from searching for things using the Swagbucks site. They even have coupons on thier site that you can print and get Swagbucks when you redeem them!!! That is a WIN WIN in my book.
So check them out and give Swagbucks a try!!! Check them out using the link on the right side bar of my blog!
Happy Searching and Saving!!!
So check them out and give Swagbucks a try!!! Check them out using the link on the right side bar of my blog!
Happy Searching and Saving!!!
Expired Coupons...to trash or not?
Today I was doing some research online about couponing and I came across a program that sounded really interesting to me. I have often wondered if there was a place that I could send my expired coupons and today I found just the place!!! There is a program called Oversees Coupon Project that allows us to send expired coupons to military bases around the world because the stores on base will take expired coupons!! The Krazy Coupon Lady has a volunteer that we can send them to and she will handle filling out the custom forms for us. The only thing that they ask is that we separate the coupons into Food and Non Food categories.
I am very excited that I found this program and I hope that you are too. If you would like more information please feel free to email me or leave a comment and I will get more information to you!
Happy Shopping...Saving...and Sharing!
I am very excited that I found this program and I hope that you are too. If you would like more information please feel free to email me or leave a comment and I will get more information to you!
Happy Shopping...Saving...and Sharing!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Buying Clipped Coupons
Hello fellow couponers!
I hope that you are all having a great week and that you have gotten some awesome savings this week! Last night I was doing some planning for the new Publix ad that will be out tomorrow and I realized there are A LOT of items that are good for stockpiling on the list this week. Unlike some of the drugstores Publix doesn't do an ad preview so I was just looking around on Iheartpublix.com and found that they did in fact have the ad!!!! I was excited because that was going to help me with this next weeks strategy. I have watched Extreme Couponing at least 10 times now and the one thing that they do that I haven't mastered yet is having a coupon for EVERY item that is on sale. So my goal for this week...to have a coupon for every sale item that I purchase. Looking at my coupon binder I don't have multiples of most of the items that are good for stockpiling this week...so hmmmm what to do?
I hope that you are all having a great week and that you have gotten some awesome savings this week! Last night I was doing some planning for the new Publix ad that will be out tomorrow and I realized there are A LOT of items that are good for stockpiling on the list this week. Unlike some of the drugstores Publix doesn't do an ad preview so I was just looking around on Iheartpublix.com and found that they did in fact have the ad!!!! I was excited because that was going to help me with this next weeks strategy. I have watched Extreme Couponing at least 10 times now and the one thing that they do that I haven't mastered yet is having a coupon for EVERY item that is on sale. So my goal for this week...to have a coupon for every sale item that I purchase. Looking at my coupon binder I don't have multiples of most of the items that are good for stockpiling this week...so hmmmm what to do?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Results of my CVS shop today
I have to say I am SUPER excited to tell you all about the shop that I had today at CVS!! After looking at my list several time last night I decided to be brave and try to do a multi transaction shop just to see if I could pull it off. I got some major deals today at CVS!!
This is what I had in my first transaction:
15- 2L Cokes
2-- Purex 3 in 1 sheets laundry detergent (that is 40 loads of laundry)
1-- Irish Spring Deodorant
1-- Right Guard Deodorant
1-- Right Guard Body Wash
1-- Clean and Clear Body Wash
TOTAL SPENT: 22.54
TOTAL SAVED: 42.73
ECB EARNED: $8
This was the second transaction:
2--16 pack big rolls of Charmin
4-- boxes of Puff's Plus
TOTAL SPENT: 19.83
TOTAL SAVED: 22.79
ECB EARNED: 10.00
I had a total of 27 items and if you take off the 10.00 ECB that I walked away with that is a total of 32.37 which means I paid $1.20 per item.
I can't believe the deal I got!!! I got 32 rolls of toilet paper for around 9.00 when the sale price for 16 was $10. Making this happen didn't add any extra time my shopping prep either!!! Here is a picture of the haul:
Have you had any major deals this week? If so let me know by leaving a comment. Have questions about anything that I do or anything about this shop or things you would like me to post about? Leave me a comment!!
Happy Shopping and Saving!!!
This is what I had in my first transaction:
15- 2L Cokes
2-- Purex 3 in 1 sheets laundry detergent (that is 40 loads of laundry)
1-- Irish Spring Deodorant
1-- Right Guard Deodorant
1-- Right Guard Body Wash
1-- Clean and Clear Body Wash
TOTAL SPENT: 22.54
TOTAL SAVED: 42.73
ECB EARNED: $8
This was the second transaction:
2--16 pack big rolls of Charmin
4-- boxes of Puff's Plus
TOTAL SPENT: 19.83
TOTAL SAVED: 22.79
ECB EARNED: 10.00
I had a total of 27 items and if you take off the 10.00 ECB that I walked away with that is a total of 32.37 which means I paid $1.20 per item.
I can't believe the deal I got!!! I got 32 rolls of toilet paper for around 9.00 when the sale price for 16 was $10. Making this happen didn't add any extra time my shopping prep either!!! Here is a picture of the haul:
Have you had any major deals this week? If so let me know by leaving a comment. Have questions about anything that I do or anything about this shop or things you would like me to post about? Leave me a comment!!
Happy Shopping and Saving!!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The shop that I have planned for CVS
After much work this afternoon I have outlined a plan for a shop at CVS tomorrow. I went out tonight to do the shop but I had no idea that CVS closed so early!!!
So this is what all I am going to get with totals and EBC listed as well:
2--Charmin Ultra Soft 16 pk Big Rolls
2--Charmin Fresh Wipes
15- 2 Liter Cokes (.66 each)
1-Right Guard Deodorant
1-Right Guard Body Wash (FREE)
1- Clean and Clear Body Wash (.99)
2--Purex Complete 3 in 1 Sheets
1- Dial Nutriskin Lotion
1- Irish Spring Deodorant (2.01 OVERAGE)
2- Thera Flu trial packs (1.02 OVERAGE)
I have 11 coupons to use and $7.29 in ECB. Usually when I do to CVS they are out of something that is on my list so I am sure if I will get all of this or not. I have also found that my CVS doesn't always have some of the items even in the store. So stay tuned tomorrow night to see how I did!!
If you have done a really awesome shop this week tell me about it!!!
Happy Shopping!
So this is what all I am going to get with totals and EBC listed as well:
2--Charmin Ultra Soft 16 pk Big Rolls
2--Charmin Fresh Wipes
15- 2 Liter Cokes (.66 each)
1-Right Guard Deodorant
1-Right Guard Body Wash (FREE)
1- Clean and Clear Body Wash (.99)
2--Purex Complete 3 in 1 Sheets
1- Dial Nutriskin Lotion
1- Irish Spring Deodorant (2.01 OVERAGE)
2- Thera Flu trial packs (1.02 OVERAGE)
I have 11 coupons to use and $7.29 in ECB. Usually when I do to CVS they are out of something that is on my list so I am sure if I will get all of this or not. I have also found that my CVS doesn't always have some of the items even in the store. So stay tuned tomorrow night to see how I did!!
If you have done a really awesome shop this week tell me about it!!!
Happy Shopping!
Doing a Trial Run
Before you start couponing at a store I strongly recommend doing a trial run at the store just to make sure that you understand how things are going to work and so you can see that what you are trying to do really works.
When I started back couponing this time I started with 3 items on my list at Walgreen's. I picked items that were supposed to be good deals and that i would get Register Rewards (RR) for. True to what the match up told me I got $15 worth of stuff for $5 AND I got $3 in RR back. I was convinced that I was on to something.
So today I was going to take the plunge and try Rite Aid for the first time. I am already doing CVS, Walgreen's, Publix, and sometimes Target so I wasn't really sure about adding another store to the list but there were some really good things that were going to be free or overages. So off I went with a list that consisted of Motrin PM, Visine, and Purex Crystals. I spent $6 (I also got a Diet Coke because I was on the way to the ball park) and I got $2 in UP rewards. Nothing to really right home about savings wise but the conditions of the store really made it not worth it to me. So even thought I have $2 in coupons for them I am not really sure that I will go back.
By doing a trial run I was able to determine really quickly that I didn't really want to go back again. I like to shop in places that I feel comfortable in and I just wasn't feeling it there. No harm no foul!!!
So pick out a few items and give it a go!!
Happy Shopping
When I started back couponing this time I started with 3 items on my list at Walgreen's. I picked items that were supposed to be good deals and that i would get Register Rewards (RR) for. True to what the match up told me I got $15 worth of stuff for $5 AND I got $3 in RR back. I was convinced that I was on to something.
So today I was going to take the plunge and try Rite Aid for the first time. I am already doing CVS, Walgreen's, Publix, and sometimes Target so I wasn't really sure about adding another store to the list but there were some really good things that were going to be free or overages. So off I went with a list that consisted of Motrin PM, Visine, and Purex Crystals. I spent $6 (I also got a Diet Coke because I was on the way to the ball park) and I got $2 in UP rewards. Nothing to really right home about savings wise but the conditions of the store really made it not worth it to me. So even thought I have $2 in coupons for them I am not really sure that I will go back.
By doing a trial run I was able to determine really quickly that I didn't really want to go back again. I like to shop in places that I feel comfortable in and I just wasn't feeling it there. No harm no foul!!!
So pick out a few items and give it a go!!
Happy Shopping
Preparing to Shop
Ok...so we have our binders ready and organized. We have a plan for what we want to get a stock pile of. It is now time to shop!!! But before we jump in the car and head out to the store we still have more planning to do. What I am telling you below is just how I do it. I strongly suggest you take my plan and customize it to fit your needs.
The first step in planning your shops is to know when the store(s) that you are going to shop at run their sales. For example Publix runs from Wednesday- Tuesday. The drugstores (CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens) run ads Sunday- Saturday. Once you have that information down you know when to look for the store ad online or in the paper.
The first step in planning your shops is to know when the store(s) that you are going to shop at run their sales. For example Publix runs from Wednesday- Tuesday. The drugstores (CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens) run ads Sunday- Saturday. Once you have that information down you know when to look for the store ad online or in the paper.
Stock Pile...what do I want in it?
If you watched the show Extreme Couponing on TLC you saw several huge stockpiles. I have seen stockpiles on the internet where people bought things that they never had the intentions of using. For example this one couponer had a huge stockpile of diapers and she didn't even have kids!!! If my first attempt at couponing 3 years ago I did pretty much the same thing. What did that mean for me? I threw away a lot of food and stuff that my family never used. So this time when I decided to try this again I decided that I was only going to purchase food items that I know that we would eat.
Coupons, Coupons EVERYWHERE!!!!
Q. Where do you get your coupons?
A. The common thought about coupons is that you have to get a newspaper every Sunday to get any. Getting the Sunday paper helps but it is not the only way that you can coupon. Yesterday when I went to Publix to do my weekly shop I took 42 coupons. Of those 42 only 3 were ones that I had clipped out of the Sunday paper. I had 3 that came from the Publix ad (which does come in a paper but you can also get it in the store), 2 from a Publix magazine also located in the store, and the rest were printed from various sites on line.
A. The common thought about coupons is that you have to get a newspaper every Sunday to get any. Getting the Sunday paper helps but it is not the only way that you can coupon. Yesterday when I went to Publix to do my weekly shop I took 42 coupons. Of those 42 only 3 were ones that I had clipped out of the Sunday paper. I had 3 that came from the Publix ad (which does come in a paper but you can also get it in the store), 2 from a Publix magazine also located in the store, and the rest were printed from various sites on line.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
So what exactly is a Coupon Binder?
If you have ever seen me in the store or you see me at the office lately one thing that is always with me is my big pink and black coupon binder. When I first got back into couponing I was doing a lot of research online and watching videos on YouTube and all of the great couponers in this world had a binder. The last thing that I wanted to do was lug a 7 pound book with me when I went shopping so I decided I wasn't going to use one. HOWEVER after several very long sessions of prepping to go to the store I decided it was time to take the plunge and get a binder.
Steps 1 and 2 to get you on the road to saving
Step 1: Couponing takes time...but it can be fun
So yes it takes time. I spend on average at least 30 min a day doing something coupon related. For example this how I did my coupons two weeks ago.
SATURDAY: Spent almost 2 hours getting ready to go to Publix where I saved $128 and spent $120. It took me longer because I was using a new website that had WAY more items that I was used to.
SUNDAY: Pulled coupons out of the paper and looked at the sale flyers. Attempted some match ups to see if I understood the concept.
MONDAY: Spent 30 min getting my lists and coupons ready for CVS and Walgreens. Shopped CVS at lunch. Shopped Walgreens on the way to get the kids....did great saved 30.00 and spent 10.
So if you are starting out you need to set a schedule for yourself as well. Contrary to popular belief you don't have to get the paper to coupon... most of what I used at Publix was printed and that is part of what takes time is printing the coupons. Coupon sites put out new ones almost every day which is why you have to check them everyday.
So yes it takes time. I spend on average at least 30 min a day doing something coupon related. For example this how I did my coupons two weeks ago.
SATURDAY: Spent almost 2 hours getting ready to go to Publix where I saved $128 and spent $120. It took me longer because I was using a new website that had WAY more items that I was used to.
SUNDAY: Pulled coupons out of the paper and looked at the sale flyers. Attempted some match ups to see if I understood the concept.
MONDAY: Spent 30 min getting my lists and coupons ready for CVS and Walgreens. Shopped CVS at lunch. Shopped Walgreens on the way to get the kids....did great saved 30.00 and spent 10.
So if you are starting out you need to set a schedule for yourself as well. Contrary to popular belief you don't have to get the paper to coupon... most of what I used at Publix was printed and that is part of what takes time is printing the coupons. Coupon sites put out new ones almost every day which is why you have to check them everyday.
How I got started
This is the story of how I got started couponing again! I am not even close to those people that were on TLC but I can totally see how they got to where they are with stock piles as big as they are. When Emily was a baby I did something called the Grocery Game. For $20 or something like that I could go to their website and print off a list of what was on sale and it would tell me what coupon to use with it to get it at "rock bottom prices". I did that for awhile and I had a pretty decent stock pile....of things that we never used food wise. I didn't have to buy toothpaste for almost two years...or toothbrushes either. Recently I cleaned out my pantry and was amazed at the stuff that I got rid of.
Welcome!!!
Hello Yall!
My name is Casey Hughes and I am a working mother of two small children. I have found way to make couponing work for my family without going overboard and I want to share what I have learned with all of you! So many people have asked me how I do my coupons so I thought why not start a blog!!
The main thing that people tell me is that couponing takes way to much time. I will agree that it does take time but it doesn't have to become a full time job. I work 40 hours a week, have a daughter in dance, a son that plays tee ball, I am a Team Mom, and I sing on the Praise Team at church and I still have time to coupon!!
I really hope that my blog helps answer questions without overwhelming you!!! Please feel free to email me questions at anytime about anything! If I don't know I will do best to find an answer for you!
My name is Casey Hughes and I am a working mother of two small children. I have found way to make couponing work for my family without going overboard and I want to share what I have learned with all of you! So many people have asked me how I do my coupons so I thought why not start a blog!!
The main thing that people tell me is that couponing takes way to much time. I will agree that it does take time but it doesn't have to become a full time job. I work 40 hours a week, have a daughter in dance, a son that plays tee ball, I am a Team Mom, and I sing on the Praise Team at church and I still have time to coupon!!
I really hope that my blog helps answer questions without overwhelming you!!! Please feel free to email me questions at anytime about anything! If I don't know I will do best to find an answer for you!
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