This Wife's Savings

Giveaway @ Jane4Girls

2009-02-03T08:01:00.002-06:00

Jane4Girls has been ever so kind to offer this giveaway for a sample of Love Butter from Carol's Daughter.

You can earn extra entries if you subscribe to Jane4Girls, or blog about the giveaway. So head on over there and get your entry in!

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/29/09

2009-01-30T17:07:00.002-06:00

2 GM Cereals - $2.50 $ $1.98
-$1/2
$2 & $1.48

2 Blue Bunny ice cream bars - $2.86 $ $3.54
- (2) $1
$1.86 & $2.54

2 Fruit Snacks - $1.50 each
-$.50/2
$1.25 each

4 BC Au gratin potatoes - $1.66 each
- (4) $.40
$1.26 each

2 16oz. blocks Velveeta - $3.56 each
- (2) $1
$2.56 each

2 Energizer AA batteries - $3 each
- (2) $1
$2 each

2 Rayovac AA batteries - $.94 each
- (2) $1
$.12 PROFIT

Kotex tampons - $2.94
-$.75
$2.19

2 Scrubbing Bubbles Value size 20% More - $2.32 each
-$3/2
$.66 each

10 Progresso chicken noodle soup - $1.50 each
- $1/2
- (2) $2/4
$1 each

Swanson Chicken stock - $2.58
-$1
$1.58

2 Juicy Juice 64 oz. - $2.57 each
-$1/2
$2.07 each

Total Savings - $22.85

2009 Savings - $107.37

Sale at Old Navy

2009-01-30T16:03:00.005-06:00

If you read any frugal blogs, you'll already know that Old Navy.com is having a deal 50% off their already low clearance items, using code "HALFOFF".

What you may not know, is that they're having the same sale in their stores, but without a code, of course.

I think it has a lot to do with the new CPSC standards. They want to get rid of all that older clothing.

Here's what I got Princess today.

Jeans - $22.50 - on sale for $11.99, additional 50% off - $5.99!
Crochet hat - $12.50 - on sale for $5.99, additional 50% off - $2.99!

Now on to the entire outfit. Here's how Old Navy & hand-me-downs helped make this whole outfit for under $15

Jeans - above - $5.99
Hat - above - $2.99
Shirt - cannot see in pic, hand-me-down
Sweater - on sale last spring at Old Navy $2.99
Boots - hand-me-downs

I love Old Navy sales!

Thrift Store Finds ~ 1/24/09

2009-01-26T08:55:00.007-06:00

Let me apologize up front for the quality of the pictures. My camera's flash quit working & all pictures I take inside are darker & blurry =( And my camera isn't even paid off.

So, one of my SIL's is getting married 2/7 and I needed a new top & the Hubby needed black shoes. Of course, being the "tightwad" that I am, I didn't go to the mall in search of the above. I went to the thrift store!

First, I found these almost New shoes for the Hubby for only $9.88!

Then I found my top, the red one for only $1.48! I also found 2 other tops for everyday wear for $2.48 & $2.98

LittleMan got another pair of Cowboy Wranglers for $$2.98, a Tommy top for $1.98 and another top not pictured, he wanted to wear to school today, for $1.48. Don't worry, I washed it first!

Princess got these pants, for future use, for $2.98, and this Reebok outfit, hung separately (?) for $2.48 each piece.

I also got Princess these sandals for $.99 and a pair of boots for $2.48

My total before taxes was $33.93.

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/21/09

2009-01-21T14:42:00.004-06:00

No coupons to use today =( And I was running out of a lot of necessity items. So I spent more than I like to. But I did find a great deal! I've found these on sale before, I was so glad to find them again.

(3) 5 lb. rolls ground beef
regular price - $10.96 each
sale price - $6.50 each
Total paid - 19.50 plus tax
Savings of $13.38 + $1.34tax = $14.72

That's 15 meals worth of meat for only $21.45!

(I'm not adding that total into my savings, as I didn't use coupons.)

Target Shopping ~ 1/14/09

2009-01-14T13:46:00.002-06:00

WalMart didn't have a single box of the Kashi Soft Cereal Bars, so I headed to Target. First thing I noticed is that a lot of the prices around my town are higher than in other frugal/money saving/coupon blogs are. But I bought them anyway.

7 boxes Kashi Soft Cereal Bars - $3.29 each; 3 Blackberry, 2 Strawberry, 2 Apple
- (7) $2 coupons
$1.29 each

Total before coupons - $23.03 before tax
Total after coupons - $9.03 plus tax

Savings of $14
2009 Savings - $84.52

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/14/09

2009-01-14T13:28:00.003-06:00

Whew what a morning! It took me forever to check out! I went to the only open register to check out, which had 2 big buggies ahead of me. Not that big of a deal since it was early and I wasn't in a hurry.
But then another cashier asked me to come to the self check out and she'd help me. I told her I had several coupons and she assured me it would be fine.
Everything rang up fine, but halfway though my coupons, the machine went wacky and registered 6 times for 1 coupon. She tried & tried to fix it, but couldn't. So she called over another lady and when she tried to cancel out the coupon, she cancelled my whole transaction!
She was really embarrassed and apologetic.
So she took me to the front of the store to ring me up. First the hand scanner kept messing up. Then when she Finally had everything scanned, the coupons had trouble going through. After 45minutes or so, it was all said and done and time for me to pay using my debit card.
Then my debit card was declined! But the second time through, it was approved. I think the machine was tired, lol! By the end, there were 7 employees huddled around us, trying to help. It was a weird experience because they were all so nice & trying to help. WalMart employees usually give me a hard time.
So it was a aggravating yet pleasant experience.
No picture though, as I was worn out from it all.

2 Cat Chow - $4.18 each
- (2) $4 coupons
$.18 each

V8 Fruit - $1.98
- $1 coupon
$.98

2 Pizza Rolls (40 ct. bags) - $2.98
- (2) $1 coupons
$1.98 each

Idohoan potatoes - $.92
- FREE item coupon
FREE

6 Buddies soap - $.97 each
- (2) $3/3 coupons
$.18 PROFIT

Betty Crocker Dessert Bowl Twin pack - $2.12
- $1 coupon
$1.12 or $.56 each

2 Rayovac 4pk AA batteries - $.94 each
- (2) $1 coupons
$.12 PROFIT

2 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - $2 each
- (2) $1 coupons
$1 each

Total before coupons - $31.04
Total after coupons - $8.12 plus tax

Savings of $22.92
2009 Savings - $70.52

More on used children's clothing

2009-01-10T11:36:00.002-06:00

CPSC released this report.

"The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards."

Great news!

Thrift Stores May Stop Selling Children's Clothing

2009-01-09T14:09:00.003-06:00

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this article. Read it in it's entirety Here.

"In what sounds like overkill, a new law may cause thrift stores to throw away huge amounts of donated children's clothing and other kids' products and stop selling them as well."

----------

This is really upsetting for me because I buy approximately 75% of my kid's clothing at thrift stores, consignments shops, etc.

Now ... what about yard sales? what about eBay? what about Etsy?

You can read about some of my great finds at thrift stores here, here, here & here.

How coupons help me clean for cheap!

2009-01-09T12:01:00.004-06:00

Just by using my coupons wisely, I have got everything in this picture for $1 or less, Some FREE!!!

Breakdown:

Cascade Rinse Agent - FREE!
Dawn Direct Foam - $1 per bottle
Dawn - $.49 per bottle
glade plug ins - FREE!
glade air freshener - $0.44 per bottle
dial soap - $0.64 per bottle
ajax - $0.90
glade fabric & air - $0.49 per bottle
renuzit - $0.50 per bottle
glade carpet - $0.92 per bottle
mr clean - both bottles for $2/ or $1 each
scrubbin bubbles - $0.08 per can
windex - $0.35 per bottle
electrasol powertabs - $1 per box
baking soda - FREE!

Total for everything in this picture? Less than $20!

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/9/09

2009-01-09T11:15:00.005-06:00

It felt good to get back to really "couponing" again!

2 Ben & Jerry ice creams (pints) $3.28 [Not Pictured]
-(2) $3 IP coupons [no longer available]
$.28 each

4 Electrasol Powertabs - $3.50 each
- (4) $2.50 newspaper coupons
$1 each

4 Johnson Buddy Soaps - $.97 each
- (4) $1 newspaper coupons
$.12 profit

4 Baking soda for fridge - $.38 each
- (2) $1/2 IP coupons
$.48 profit

2 Motrin OB 24ct. - $3.06 each
- (2) $4 IP coupons [no longer available]
$1.88 profit

4 Tucks To Go - $2.64 each
- (4) $3 newspaper coupons
$1.44 profit

Total before coupons- $42.64 (before tax)
Total after coupons- $ .64 (plus tax)

Savings of $42
2009 Savings - $47.60

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/4/09

2009-01-05T11:17:00.005-06:00

Pillsbury Pizza Crust - $2.08
-$1.10 - Pssst mailing
$.98

GM Cookie Crisp - $2.50
GM Cocoa Puffs - $1.98
-$1/2 - Mypoints coupons
We're about tired of Kellogg's cereal =)
$3.48/2 or $1.74 each

2lb. Velveeta - $5.98
-$1 - Mypoints coupons
$4.98

2 Progresso soup - $3.00/2
-$1/2 - Progresso website
$2 or $1 each

GoodLife cat food - $4
-$1.50 - Newspaper coupon
$2.50

Savings - $5.60
2009 Savings - $5.60

Starting off a New Year

2009-01-05T11:15:00.002-06:00

All totals set back to zero. I feel January will be a slow month, since we are recovering from Christmas, New Years & LittleMan's birthday, which was January 2nd.

I haven't been doing much shopping at CVS & Wags, and don't know when I'll return .. but when I do, I will still keep up with those totals too.

Christmas Savings

2008-12-16T14:07:00.003-06:00

Most of my shopping, and savings, haven't been on food or household items lately.
Like most of the rest of the country, I've been focusing on Christmas shopping.

I didn't realize until the past year or so, how much money I wasted in the early years of my marriage. I never shopped around when buying presents. I just went & picked it out and bought it. I'm so glad that I've become more frugal...

Some Examples:

The Hasbro Playskool Dream Town Rose Petal Cottage runs anywhere from $79.99 to $119.99 depending on where you look. But, I happen to find it on sale at Amazon.com for only $33.99. AND since it qualified for Super Saver Shipping, it was free shipping. AND I had an $8 credit at Amazon for some surveys I had done. I ended up paying only $25.99 OOP for the playhouse!!! [check Amazon because as of the time of this post, the price is only $29.99!!!!]
Today from Walmart.com I got: Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker for only $5, originally $26.88. Guitar Hero Air Guitar '80s Rock Expansion Song Pack for only $5, originally $14.88. American Idol Spotlight Stage Double for only $5, unsure of original price. I opted for Site to Store shipping, so shipping was free! I got all of the above for only $16.20 after tax. BUT since I had money saved up in my Paypal account from doing surveys, I used that and paid $0 OOP!
I'm a member & lover of Mypoints.com. So using my $50 Walmart gift card that I got from Mypoints, I got all the stocking stuffers for my kids with part of that. $0 OOP

So I saved approx. $75 on the playhouse & $50+ at Walmart.com & $30 on the stocking stuffers. Better than paying full price.

Walmart Shopping ~ November 10, 2008

2008-11-15T10:11:00.003-06:00

I ended up saving $11.70. Here's some of the deals I got:

5- 4 double roll pks. White Cloud toilet paper - $2 each
-5 $1 coupons
20 double rolls = 40 rolls
for $5 or $.25 per roll

2 Windex Multi Surface - $2.35 each
-2 $2 coupons
$.35 each bottle

2 Progressive soups - $1.50 each
-2 $1.10 coupons
$.40 each can

Some other deals I found:
*5 containers of Halloween sprinkles - $.25 each
*2 Halloween packs of cookie cutters - $.25 and $.50 each
*2 Halloween light up pumpkins (white) - $1.50 each [LittleMan begged for these before Halloween, but I couldn't see paying $6 each, now we have 2 for next year!]
*2 Halloween foam pumpkin kit w/ foam stickers [craft project!!!] One Pirate, One Kitty - $1 each

Walmart Shopping

2008-11-15T10:08:00.002-06:00

I haven't been able to do much saving lately, as we're on a tighter budget than normal, and I've only been buying necessities. Like Milk, Eggs, etc. That I didn't have coupons on.

However, a couple weeks ago I did run up on a great sale on 5 pound rolls of ground beef at Wal Mart.

They are usually around $9.96 each.

They were on sale for $6.50.

I bought 3 rolls.

15 pounds of meat = $19.50 plus tax

GREAT DEAL!!!

CVS Shopping ~ November 10, 2008

2008-11-15T10:04:00.002-06:00

I used my 6 Kellogg's coupons and got cereal on sale 2/$4.

6 box cereals - $12
-$6 coupons

Paid $6.96

Savings of $19.74

6 More Kellogg's Cereal Coupons

2008-10-23T09:46:00.003-05:00

Click your back button to print this $1 coupon up to 6 times!!!

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=rjnefah1098550&bt=wi&o=54148&c=KC&p=uU1wzMHO

Walmart Shopping ~ October 20, 2008

2008-10-20T14:37:00.002-05:00

A few GREAT deals at Wal Mart today...
[the Febreeze Noticeable rang up correctly this time! Yay]

2 Scrubbing Bubbles - $2.08 each
-2 -$2 coupons
$.16 for both, or 8 cents each!!!

Febreeze Noticeable - $5.97
-$5 coupon
97 cents!!!

Total before coupons - $10.13
Total after coupons - $1.13 plus tax

$1.94 OOP

Savings of $9

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 20, 2008

2008-10-20T14:21:00.004-05:00

4 boxes Capri Sun - 4/$10 (Not in picture)
Get back $3RR
=4/$7 or $1.75 per box; $.175 per drink

10 Pringles - 10/$10
Get back $3RR
10/$7 or 70 cents each

Gillette Fushion razor - $8.99
-$4 coupon
Get back $4RR
99 cents

2 Pert shampoo - $3.49 each
-$5 wags coupons
-$4 manufacturer coupons
$2.02 PROFIT

Total before coupons - $35.97
Total after coupons - $22.97 plus tax
Paid with $12RR
$13.85 OOP

RRs back $4, $3, $3 = $10RR

Savings of $35.56

CVS Shopping ~ October 20, 2008

2008-10-20T14:11:00.004-05:00

Candy - $1.29
Get $1.29ecb
FREE

2 Children's Tylenol - $6 each
-2 -$2 coupons
Get back $5ecb
$3 or $1.50 each

2 Colgate Maxfresh - $2.99 each
-2 -$1 coupons
Get back $2 ecbs each bottle
FREE

Total before coupons - $19.27
Total after coupons - $13.27 plus tax

Paid with $4ecb
and $10.41 OOP

Ecbs back - $1.29, $5, $4

Savings of $13.58

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 17, 2008

2008-10-19T12:51:00.003-05:00

2 6pk. Quilted Northern Ultra Double Rolls toilet paper - $4 each
-2 -$1 Wags coupon
-2 -$1 coupons
2 small toy cars, stocking stuffers - 2/$1.39

Total before coupons - $9.39
Total after coupons - $5.39 plus tax

$.71 on Giftcard
$5.43 OOP

Savings of $5.18

CVS Shopping ~ October 17, 2008

2008-10-19T12:44:00.003-05:00

1 Kellogg's Corn Pops $2
2 Kellogg's Rice Krispies $2 each
3 Kellogg's Fruit Loops $2 each
-6 -$1 coupons

Total before coupons - $12
Total after coupons - $6

$6.96 OOP

Savings of $19.74
I would have bought 10 boxes instead of 6. But when I was printing the coupons, my ink started running out and 4 of the coupons, you couldn't read the numbers under the barcodes. So I played it safe and didn't try to use them. =( Bummer, but I got a total of 8 boxes of cereal for only $8 this week, Not Bad!

Check out Deal Seeking Mom for all the great Kellogg's coupons!!

2008-10-15T19:15:00.001-05:00

Go there NOW! to find out how to get up to 15 coupons to go along with the CVS sale on Kellogg's cereal [2/$4]

Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

WalMart Shopping ~ October 15, 2008

2008-10-15T14:58:00.006-05:00

2 Deli Creations - $2.50 each
-2 -$1 coupons
$1.50 each

1 Kotex - $1
-$1 coupon
FREE

3 Gillette Body washes - on sale for $2 each
-3 -$1 coupons
$1 per bottle

Bandaids - $1.88
-$.50 coupon
$1.38

Tampax Tampons - $3.97
-$1.50 coupons
$2.47

3 Glade Carpet freshener - $1.92 each
-3 -$1 coupons
$.92 each

2 Mr. Clean WITH BONUS MAGIC ERASER ATTACHED TO EACH - $2.50
-$.50 coupon
-BOGO coupon - $2.50
$2 for 2 bottles & 2 erasers!!

4 Hunts tomato sauce - $.66 each
-2 -$1/2 coupons
$.16 per can

2 Campbells soups - $1.50 each
-$.40/2 coupon
$1.30 per can

2 Campbells soups - $2.48 each
-$.50/2 coupon
$2.23 per can

4 Betty Crocker potatoes - $.68 each
-4 -$.40 coupons
$.28 each
NOW I see that 2 of the coupons aren't on the receipt EERRGG =(

Glade Wisp Candle - $6.77
-$5 coupon
$1.77

Scrubbing Bubbles - $2.08
-$1 coupon
$1.08

Savings of $23.70 - should have been $24.50 =(

CVS Shopping ~ October 15, 2008

2008-10-15T14:53:00.003-05:00

While I was in CVS yesterday, I remembered the Kellogg's cereal was on sale for 2/$4. And then I remembered printing off some $1 off 1 box coupons, but I didn't have them with me. So I made a stop by CVS today. {I was already driving right by there anyway}

2 Kellogg's cereal - 2/$4
-2 -$1 coupons
$1 per box!!!

$2.39 OOP

Savings of $6.58

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 14, 2008

2008-10-15T14:40:00.005-05:00

3 Children's Dimetapp - $3.99
-3 -$2 coupons
Got back $10RR
Profit of $4.03

Zantac 8ct. - $4.99
-$5.50 coupon from Wags website
Profit of $.51

4 Renuzit Super Odor Neutralizer- $2/$2.99
-4 -$1 coupons
4/$1.98 or $.50 per bottle

4- 2lt. drinks - 2 A&W, Sunkist, Hawaiian Punch - 4/$5
got back $2RR
4/$3 or $.75 per bottle

Total before coupons - $21.94
Total after coupons - $12.44

Paid with $11RR
& $3.68 on gift card from last month's rebate
$0 OOP
Got back $10RR and $2RR

Total savings of $37.84

2 of the Children's Dimetapp had a sample of Chldren's Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewables, plus a $1 coupon for Children's Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewables.

CVS Shopping ~ October 14, 2008

2008-10-15T14:28:00.003-05:00

5 Gatorade - 5/$5 SALE [Hubby's fave]
got back $3ecb
= 5/$2

4 bags candy - 2/$3 = $6 SALE
-2 -$1/2 coupons
= $1 each bag

2 All - BOGO - $6.49 SALE [Needed this Bad anyway]
-2 -$1 coupons
= 2/$4.49

2 Warm Delights - $2.19 each [wash suppose to be $1.99 each but I didn't notice til I got home]
-2 -$.50 coupons
got back $1ecb
= $1.19 each

Total before coupons = $21.87
Total after coupons = $16.87

paid with $13.98ecb
and $3.52 cash OOP
got back $3ecb & $1ecb

Total savings of $38.38

Linky Love

2008-10-09T08:47:00.003-05:00

I loved this blog of Being Frugal vs. Being Cheap

Halloween Decorating on a Budget looks great for craft time with the kids!

WalMart Shopping ~ October 8, 2008

2008-10-08T14:31:00.003-05:00

2 Chips Deluxe Cookies - $3.28 each
- $.55/2 coupon
Betty Crocker Warm Delights - $1.66
-$.50 coupon
2 Fruit Snacks - $1.50 each
-$.50/2 coupon
Snicker's Fun Size - $2.00
Skittles Fun Size - $1.92
-$1/2 bags of Fun size candy coupon
6 Johnson Buddies soap - $.97 each
-$3/3 coupons (x2)
dog bacon treats - $2.24 (both of my dog's favorites)
-$1 coupon
4 cat treats - $.97 each
-$.75 coupon each
4 cat treats - $1.07 each
-$1 coupon each
16 cups cat food - $.48 each
-$1/4 (x4)
8 cups cat food - $.70 each
-$.70 *BOGO (x4)
puff corn - $1.78
chips - $1.47

Total before coupons - $51.72
Total after coupons - $28.37

Savings of $23.35

Update on Febreeze Noticeables from Wal Mart

2008-10-08T11:30:00.002-05:00

I took the 3 Febreeze Noticeables back to Wal Mart.

I told the girl (young girl) that the price on the shelf sticker had read $5.97, but they rang up $9.97.

I barely had it out of my mouth and she handed me a slip to sign and $32.31.

I guess she was in a hurry to get me out of her face.

Walmart Shopping ~ October 6, 2008

2008-10-06T17:08:00.003-05:00

They charged me wrong for the 3 Febreeze items, it was suppose to be $5.97each, but they charged me $9.97each. I will be taking them back. I don't know how it will work out, since I used 3-$5 coupons. But if they can't give me the right price, I will be returning them...

6 Totinos Pizza Rolls $1.64 each - $1/2 (x3) coupons
4 Green Giant Steamers $1.87/2 & $1.23/2 - $1 coupon each
1 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls $1.62 - $1 coupon
Red Diamond tea bags $2.32 - $.50 coupon
4 Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta $1.25 each - $1 coupon each
2 Bertolli pasta sauce pouches $1.96 each - $1 coupon each
8 Easy Mac cups $.75 each - $1/2 (x3) coupons
3 Febreeze $9.97 each - $5 coupon each
3 Air Wick Minis $6 each - $4 coupon each
6 Johnson Buddies soaps $.97 each - $3/3 (x2) coupons
1 Nesquick chocolate powder $2.42 - $.50 coupon
2- 12 pks. Nestle water $2.50 each - $1 coupon each

Total before coupons - $97.73 (should have been $84.71)
Total after coupons - $43.73 (should have been $31.73)

Savings of $54

CVS Shopping ~ October 6, 2008

2008-10-06T16:55:00.004-05:00

1 Bic Soleil - $5.99
-$2 coupon
get $4ecb
FREE

1 Colgate Toothbrush - $.99
-$1 coupon
FREE

1 Always Infinity pads - $4.98
Get $4.98ecb
FREE

2 Colgate Maxfresh with Mouthwash Beads - $2.99 each
-$1 coupon each
Get back $2ecb each
FREE

Total before coupons - $17.94
Total after coupons - $12.94 plus tax

Paid with $12.79ecb
and $.56 cash!

Got back $12.98ecb and still have $1ecb from last week!

Savings of $21.40

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 1, 2008

2008-10-02T10:08:00.005-05:00

Walgreen's has become my favorite place to shop!!

Trans #1
Gillette Fusion razor - $8.99 (Get back $4rr)
-$4 coupon - only $.99
Oral B toothbrush - $3.99 (get back $4.50rr) weird that this is generating a high RR than the actual price, but I'll take it!
-$.75 coupon - Profit of $1.26
3 Infusium 23 products - $5.99 each - Buy3 get $8rr
-3 -$2 coupons - $3.97/3 or $1.33 each
highlighter for filler - $.24

Total before coupons - $33.69
Total after coupons - $22.94
paid with $6rr & $16.94 cash

Got back $8rr, $4rr, and $4.50rr
Savings - $21.50

Trans#2
Gillette Fusion razor - $8.99 - (get back $4rr)
-$4 coupon - only $.99
2 Huggies pull ups - $9.99 each (get $3rr when you spend at least $14.99)
-2 - $2 coupons
2 highlighters for fillers - $.24 each

Total before coupons - $31.81
Total after coupons - $23.81
paid with $8rr & $4.50rr (Made sure NOT to pay for razor with previous razor RR!!)
and $11.31 cash

Got back $3rr and $4rr
Savings - $25.50

walked away today with $28.25 OOP & $11rr for next time!
Total savings today - $47

CVS Shopping ~ October 1, 2008

2008-10-02T09:58:00.004-05:00

2 Colgate toothpastes - 2/$5
-2 - $1.50 coupons
Get back $2ecb
FREE!!

Gillette Fusion Razor - $9.99
-$4 coupon
Get back $5ecb
only 99 cents!

Covergirl foundation - $5.49
-$1 coupon
Get back $5.79ecb!
PROFIT of $1.30

Total of transaction before coupons - $21.88
Total after coupons - $13.88
Paid with $3ecb; $4.33 on gift card, $7 cash
walked away with $2ecb, $5ecb, $5.79ecb, and $1ecb for summer spending!

Savings of $14.58

WalMart Shopping ~ September 29, 2008

2008-10-02T09:45:00.004-05:00

Oscar Mayer Steam & Mash potatoes - $3.24
-$3.24 - Free Item coupon from Oscar Mayer (They also sent me a FREE potato masher!!)
2 Kraft American slices - $2.98 each
- $2.98 each - Free Item wyb 3Kraft (koolaid)
Pillsbury Pizza crust - $2.08
-$2.08 - Free Item Coupon from Psst.
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls - $3.12
-$3.12 - Free Item Coupon from Psst.
ALL YOU magazine - $2.24
3 Smart pasta - $1.50 each
-$1 (x3) coupons
6 Koolaid - $.20 each
Kotex - $1
-$1 coupon
cup of cat food - $.70
-$.70 - Free Item coupon from Wholesome Goodness
Loreal kids shampoo - $2.64
-$.75 coupon
Loreal Body wash - $1.97
No coupon, Gasp!
2pk. toothbrushes - $1.88
because my 3yo won't quit putting my 6yo's toothbrush in the toilet, lol

Total before coups - $32.97 (our tax is 8%)
Total after coups - $13.12

Savings of $19.85

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 23, 2008

2008-10-02T09:31:00.003-05:00

No Picture again, Sorry. I almost forgot about this shopping trip completely. It took me 30 minutes to find my receipt!

What I got:
10 Snapperz charms (for Croc shoes) on clearance for $.34 each (Christmas stockings!!)
watergun on clearance for $.25 (fun reward toy for my 6yo son)
Reach floss on clearance for $1
42 ct. box Omeprazyl - on sale for $19.99 (generic Prilosec OTC)

Total $26.61
Paid with $4RR, the rest cash
Got back $6RR for the medicine, which I have to have anyway

Savings of $11.73

Winn Dixie Shopping ~ September 2008

2008-09-23T09:26:00.004-05:00

My first experiences with double-coupon shopping. I'm not familiar with Winn-Dixie anymore, so I made it a very light trip.

(No Pictures)
9/18
I stopped by to just browse the store. Ended up buying a bag of things, but the best thing was... on my way to check out, I walked by a discount buggy. They had a pack of opened Always Overnight pads marked down to $3. I had a $.50 coupon, which doubled, so I paid only $2 plus tax for the pack. At the end, I had saved a total of $8.95, not bad.

9/22
2 Juicy Juice on sale for 2/$5
-$.50 coupon doubled
$4.36 OOP
savings of $2.98

I looked for other items that I had $.50 coups on, but they didn't carry a lot of the sizes I would need. And their prices are a lot higher than at Wal Mart. So even with them doubling coupons up to 50 cents, they are higher. Which really blows, because I think we all know how much I dislike Wal Mart.

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 16, 2008

2008-09-23T09:17:00.003-05:00

(No Picture)

Trans #1
Huggies Pullups - $9.99
-$2 coup
discount pen - $.34
paid with $4.50RR
ad $3.83 on Giftcard
$0 OOP
got $2RR

Trans#2
Huggies Pullups - $9.99
-$2 coup
paid with $.84 on Giftcard
$7.95 OOP
got $2RR

Total Savings of $13.50

Missing

2008-09-23T09:16:00.001-05:00

Sorry I haven't updated lately. Been working through some family issues. I haven't done a great deal of shopping lately, but I will try to get everything added today.

September 12, 2008 @ 1pm

2008-09-15T18:42:00.003-05:00

This is what the line looked like when I got gas, and this was after almost 30 minutes of waiting in line. Gas hasn't gone up very much here since then. But they are saying that everyone locally could be out of gas by Wednesday and it will probably be 2 weeks or more before anyone gets more!

That's a police officer who was there to direct traffic into different lanes! It took me a total of 45 minutes to get gas!

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 11, 2008

2008-09-11T13:44:00.005-05:00

I wanted to check back to see if they had restocked yet, since I missed out on the Chex Mix deal. But they hadn't. I also wanted to get more Glade Fabric & Air and Visine.

2 Peeps - 2/$1 (one didn't make it to the picture)
3 Mini Highlighters - on sale - $.25 each
Schick Razor - $4.99
-$2 coup
4 Schick Refills - $4.99 each
-(4) $4 coups
Visine - $4.49
-$2 Wags coup
-$3 coup
Glade F&A - $2.99
-$1 Wags coup
-$1.50 coup
Snuggle sheets - $2.49
-$.40 coup
Printer paper - $3.99

-$10RR from Robitussin deal
$8.01 OOP

Savings of $59.15
What a great trip!

Total Saved since 8/1/08 : $745.75
CVS Savings: $295.25
Walgreen Savings: $257.47
.
.

September Savings Log

2008-09-08T16:49:00.004-05:00

September 2008

Grocery & Household Needs - $108.73
Saved this month- $162.98

60% Savings!

How much of these savings were ....

CVS - $100.86
Walgreens - $22.25

**************************
Total Savings since 8/1/2008: $686.60

CVS Savings - $295.25
Walgreens Savings - $198.31

**************************

September 2008 Spending Log

2008-09-08T16:44:00.000-05:00

September 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $25
Grocery & Household Needs - $108.73
Fast Food - $18.53

Clothing - $0

Misc - $0
Coupon sources - $6
Total - $158.26

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 8, 2008

2008-09-08T16:06:00.005-05:00

3 Robitussin - $3.99 each
-3-$3 coupons
Visine - $4.49
-$2 Wags coupon
-$3 coupon
Excedrin - $3.99
Gum Toothbrush Twin Pack - $1.99
Oral B floss - $1.49
Glade Fabric & Air - $2.99
-$1 Wags coupon
-$1.50 coupon
Crest Pro Health Mouthwash - $4.29
-$.75 coupon

-$2 RR that didn't print last time
-$10 on giftcard I won from The Coupon Game
$4.30 OOP

Received:
$10RR from Robitussin
$4.50RR from Crest Pro Health Mouthwash
$3.99 Rebate on Excedrin
Savings of $22.25

CVS Shopping ~ September 8, 2008

2008-09-08T15:53:00.004-05:00

CVS didn't have much to entice me this week.

2 Schick Disp. Razors - BOGO - $7.99
2 -$2 coupons
=4.39
paid with $3ecb
paid with $1.39 on gift card from returned lipstick
$0 OOP

Savings of - $14.99

My $3ecb from misunderstanding printed. Along with an Extracare Coupon for $5 off Zaditor.

WalMart Shopping ~ September 8, 2008

2008-09-08T15:29:00.004-05:00

Not my greatest, but I didn't want to go to the opposite side from the food. So No freebies on this trip.

Here's what I used coupons on:
2 Pizza Rolls - 2-$ .35 coups. (can't really see in picture)
making them $1.29 each
2 Hot Pocket Panini - 2-$1 coups.
making them $1.68 each
Sausage patties - $ .55 coup.
making it $1.45
Chicken BBQ - $1 coup.
it was on sale! making it $2.48
2 fruit snacks - $ .50/2 coup.
making them $1.25 each
Au gratin potato - $ .50 coup.
making it $1
2 Betty Crocker small bowls - 2-$.55 coups.
making them $1.57 each or 79 cents per bowl
4 Easy mac cups - 2-$1/2 coups.
making them 25 cents each

Total before coupons - $57.60
Total after coupons - $49.25
Savings of - $8.35

New Coupon Site

2008-09-05T17:32:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Taylortown, I've found a new (to-me) printable coupon site.

It's called Coupon Loop

Check it out!

Walgreens Update

2008-09-05T16:45:00.002-05:00

Last week I had emailed Walgreens about my 2RR I didn't receive on the Huggies Pull-ups.

On 9/4 I received a call from My Walgreen's Manager telling me how sorry he was about what happen.
And that whenever I come in to ask for him and he will make sure that they take the $2 off my next purchase.
And if I ever needed anything, just to call him and he'd do his best to satisfy me as a customer.

Why, oh why, can't Wal Mart take some notes from Walgreens, & CVS?

CVS Update

2008-09-05T15:59:00.002-05:00

I called CVS today about the Moisture Shine Lipstick that I was overcharged for.

First, they told me that the Moisture Shine was not one of the products included in the ECB deal.

So I asked why it was advertised at $5.99 with 3ecb.

He then seen that it was in the ad and told me he would add the ecbs onto my account.

I then asked about the $3 overcharge.

I told him that I didn't want the lipstick for $8.99 even if I got 3ecbs.

I was starting to get a little upset, so I just asked if I could just return the lipstick for my money back.

He said, Yes I could, if it hadn't been used (which it had not)

He then said that he would still credit my account for the 3ecbs for my trouble!

I thought that was very nice!

So I returned the lipstick, got $9.71, even though I had used a $3/2 coupon. And I will have $3ecbs printed on my next receipt.

CVS sure likes Happy Customers!

September 2008 Spending Log

2008-09-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

September 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $10
Grocery & Household Needs - $55.18 (CVS & WalMart)
Fast Food - $0
Clothing - $0
Misc - $0
Coupon sources - $0
Total - $65.18

August 2008 Spending Log - FINAL

2008-09-03T08:55:00.002-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $125.09
Grocery & Household Needs - $495.10
Fast Food - $80
Clothing - $35.87
Misc - $83
Coupon sources - $36
Total - $855.06

We'll see how much better I do in August!

WalMart Shopping ~ September 2, 2008

2008-09-03T08:25:00.005-05:00

A little trouble at WalMart too.

First, I don't understand why WalMart's cashiers have such a hard time being nice to couponers (is that a word?) 95% of WalMart workers are rude when you present them with coupons. I feel like I'd rather go to a regular grocery store and pay more in the end, just to avoid that place. I mean, can't WalMart teach their cashiers to be polite? Like at CVS or Walgreens? Maybe we should strike on WalMart??

Second, the coupon from TGI Fridays will not scan or manually go in at WalMart. I don't know about other stores, but not at WalMart. (Last week, the cashier pushed them through anyway) I know this is not WalMart's fault. It makes me ill at the TGI Friday site for releasing the coupons if they are not usable. It's makes another reason for the cashiers to be leery of IPs. I will be emailing them about the situation, if the coupons are not accepted at the next store I visit.

Now, I'm upset and won't list all the wonderful coupons I used, but you can see my savings in numbers:

Total before coupons (& after they had to take the TGI Friday items off):
$72.19
Total after coupons:
$41.57

Savings of $30.62

Items that were FREE after coupons:

2 Kraft dressing - $1.58 value each
2 Oscar Mayer hot dogs - $1.50 value each
2 Cheerios - $3.54 value each
4 Kotex - $1 value each
2 Sara Lee Bread - $2.24 value each

Items that were close to free:

Huggies Cleanteam wipes - 64 cents
8 Easy Mac cups - 25 cents each
Cinnamon rolls - 36 cents

CVS Shopping ~ September 2, 2008

2008-09-03T08:04:00.004-05:00

I am having issues (likes some other boggers) with the Test Run areas having items ring up wrong. The Neutrogena Moisture Shine was suppose to be $5.99 with a $3ecb return. Not only did it ring up for $8.99, but I didn't get my ecbs. I will be calling the 1-800 to get this cleared up and get my money back.

Trans #1
3 Pringles - 88cents each
-.30/3 coupon
4 Rice Krispie treats - $1.69 each
2 -$1/2 coupons
2 Colgate toothpaste - $2.99 each
~$2ecbs back each
2 -$1.50 coupons
2 Covergirl Wetslicks - $5.99 each
~$5.99 ecb back (limit 1)
- BOGO coupon

-$8ecb
$9.62 OOP
got back $9.99ecb

Trans #2
Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara - $5.99
~$3ecbs back
Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lipstick - $8.99 (This is where the mistake was.)
-$3/2 Neutrogena
4 Covergirl Outlast Lipcolor - $9.99 each - BOGO
2 -BOGO coupons

-$9.99ecb
$3.99 OOP
got back $3ecb

Total savings today:
$85.87

I'm very upset with the $6 mistake. I hope they get it corrected.

Wanna see what made my weekend?

2008-09-02T09:25:00.003-05:00

4 jars tomatoes
6 jars purple hull peas
6 jars green beans
6 jars homemade veggie soup

Cost to me? 0! That's right - Z.E.R.O.
My MIL canned each kid's family some of the goodies from their garden.

Yum!

Target Shopping ~ August 28, 2008

2008-08-28T13:22:00.004-05:00

Oh me. This trip was almost enough to make me stay completely away from Target. The cashier messed up somehow and 2 of my $1 coupons didn't show up on my receipt. I don't know how it happen because I watched her every second.
And another mistake was the Juicy Juice was suppose to be $1.75 each, but they rang up at $2.99 each!!
I don't know if I'll go back with my coupons, or not.

2- Kleenex 4pk- 2.99 - on sale for 2.54each
2- .50 coupons = 2.04ea pk, or 51cents per box
1- Huggies baby wipes - 2.44
1- .50 coupon = 1.94
2- Juicy Juice 8pk. - 2.99each - was suppose to ring up 1.75ea
2- $1 coupons = 1.99each -eerrrrg
4- Vitamin water - on sale for $1 each = 4.00
3- Satin Care - .99each
3- .55 coupons = .44 each
4- All - .99 each
4- $1 off = .04 overage
1- Dove deodorant - .99
1- .75 coupon = .24
1- Lysol Healthy Touch - 4.99 - on sale for 2.48
1- .75 coupon = 1.73
1- Dial body wash = .89
1- .60 coupon = .29
2- Dove beauty bar soap - .97 each
2- $1 coupons = .06 overage
4 Clean & Clear - .99 each
4- $1 coupons = .04 overage
1- Tresemme hairspray - .99
1- $1 coupon = .01 overage
8 Ziploc bags = 1.00 each
4- $1/2 coupons = .50 each
1- 2pk. Garnier Fructis shampoos - 2.99 - on sale for 2.54
1- 2pk. Garnier Fructis conditioners - 2.99 - on sale for 2.54

Of course, 2 of the $1 coupons didn't show on the receipt, so my total was 32.45 after coupons

Sales & Coupons saved me $24.54
Mistakes with coupons & misprice cost me $4.49
I won't be going back to correct the $2.48 mistake on the Juice, it's not worth the gas. I will however think twice before I go back to Target for coupon shopping.

August 31, 2008 Newspaper Coupons

2008-08-27T20:46:00.002-05:00

Well, here it says No Issue on the coupon list. But here, it lists coupons from Proctor & Gamble. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I still don't understand why it said No Issue, lol.

Savings Log

2008-08-26T16:04:00.002-05:00

August 2008

Grocery & Household Needs - $462.65
Saved this month- $499.08

52% Savings!

How much of these savings were ....

CVS - $194.39
Walgreens - $176.06

August 2008 Spending Log

2008-08-26T16:00:00.001-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $105.08
Grocery & Household Needs - $462.65- CVS, Walgreens, Walmart
Fast Food - $80
Clothing - $35.87 - $17.75 Consignment this week
Misc - $83
Coupon sources - $30 - 4 Sunday Newspapers this week
Total - $796.60

Walgreen Shopping ~ August 26, 2008

2008-08-26T15:43:00.004-05:00

Pullups - 9.49
Prep H - 3.99
6 Dawn - 1.99ea - 11.94
2 Trident gum - 1.49ea - 2.98
4 Glade Plug-Ins - BOGO - 4.79/2 - 9.58

Coupons used:
1- $2 Pullups
1- $2 Wags coupon on Prep H
1- $3 Prep H ($1 overage)
3- 99cents Wags on Dawn
6- 50cents Dawn
1- 99cents Wags on Trident
2- 75cents Trident
2- BOGO Glade (Making them FREE!)

Used $4RR & $8.98 OOP
I was suppose to get $2RR for Pampers, but it either didn't print, or she didn't give it to me. I will try to contact Walgreens to find out what to do.

Total saved today - $42.86

CVS Shopping ~ August 26, 2008

2008-08-26T15:30:00.003-05:00

A whole lot of the items on my list were not stocked. Dang those storms lately that kept me at home!

What I did get:
4 Softsoap, on sale for 99cents each - $3.96
2 Ajax, BOGO - $1.79
1 Playtex Sport - $4.99

Coupons used:
4- 35cent coupons on Softsoap
1- $1 on Playtex Sport
I had 2- 20 cents coupons on the Ajax, but the receipt showed one as a coupon, one as a purchase, which essentially means neither came off. I don't know what happen.

Used $5.79ecb & $2.96 OOP
Got back $3ecb for the Playtex
Savings of $16.18

**After reading some other blogs about the $2/$10 and realizing that the coupon said, One per customer, not One per transaction, I've decided not to use it anymore. I just don't feel it's right.

Don't head out for multiple newspapers next Sunday...

2008-08-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

Just a heads up...

According to Taylortown Preview, there will not be any coupons in the August 31, 2008 newspaper!

[Because of Labor Day]

Coupon Giveaways

2008-08-24T09:47:00.002-05:00

Well I guess I didn't get the news out there, that there was a coupon giveaway! Dixie- email me your address to one.mom.in.alabama (at) gmail.com and I will send you the Dog-related coupons. I'm also adding the ones from today's newspapers, so it will be well over $50. Hope your friend enjoys them.

I will try this coupon giveaway again, this time I will get the news out there!! First I need to go back through the coupons and see what date I need to set the deadline. More news later.

Tots 2 Teens shopping

2008-08-23T12:00:00.011-05:00

This morning I went to Tots 2 Teens Consignment Sale, it was their 1/2 off day. I got some really cute clothes!! Look at what I got for only $17.75!!

Gap- Princess had the top to match these

Old Navy outfit
Gap
Gap outfit
Gap skirt/Janie&Jack top
Ralph Lauren
Tommy shirt for LittleMan
Gap for Niece#4
Gap for Niece#5

About the Peter Pan PB

2008-08-20T14:04:00.003-05:00

In my last post, I mentioned I used some coupons on Peter Pan PB.

I've been waiting on a sale all this month. [Since the coupons were in the August All You magazine, I haven't had them long.] But they were going to exp. on 8/31, I wanted to use them. And $1 for PB isn't bad.

But remember, just because you have coupons that are about to expire, doesn't mean you have to use them.

So what if they expire, there will be more along. Maybe the next go round, there will be a good sale.

As for the coupons after they expire? Overseas Military families can use expired coupons on their base for up to 6 months after the exp. date. For more information about sending your expired coupons to Military families, click HERE.

Walmart Shopping ~ August 20. 2008

2008-08-20T13:43:00.004-05:00

I had a few things I needed to pick up from Walmart, so I had a quick look through my coupons to maximize my time in the store.

Here's what I got:
4 Gummi Savers - .58 cents each
2- BOGO coupons
3 TGI Friday Frozen Snacks - $2.98 each
3- $3 off coupons
4 Peter Pan PB - $1.98
4- $1 coupons
5 Vitamin Water- on sale for 5/$5
5- 50 cent coupons
1 Wet Jet refill - $3.78
1- 50 cent coupon
1- 50pk sheet protectors- needed from my coupon binder & household notebook - $3.67
1- tomato - .67 cents
1- head of lettuce - .98 cents

Total - $18.78
Saved - $17.16 - 48%

Coupon Giveaway #1 (Cat) - ENDED

2008-08-19T18:20:00.006-05:00

[This is my very first giveaway!]

Coupon Giveaway #1 - Cat related Items

What I have for you to win, is over $12 in coupons for Cat-related items. Some of the coupons are for completely free items, no purchase necessary.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this thread before ... midnight Central Time- Saturday August 23, 2008. I will use a random generator to choose a winner and announce it on this blog on Sunday August 24, 2008.

If you don't mind, post about this giveaway on your own blog! Thanks & Good Luck Everyone!

Coupon Giveaway #2 (Baby) - ENDED

2008-08-19T18:20:00.005-05:00

Coupon Giveaway #2 - Baby Items

What I have for you to win, is $14.50 in coupons for Diapers and other Baby-related items.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this thread before ... midnight Central Time- Saturday August 23, 2008. I will use a random generator to choose a winner and announce it on this blog on Sunday August 24, 2008.

If you don't mind, post about this giveaway on your own blog! Thanks & Good Luck Everyone!

Coupon Giveaway #3 (Dog) - ENDED

2008-08-19T18:20:00.004-05:00

Coupon Giveaway #3- Dog-related Items

What I have for you to win, is over $50 in coupons for Dog-related items. Some of the coupons are for completely free items, no purchase necessary.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this thread before ... midnight Central Time- Saturday August 23, 2008. I will use a random generator to choose a winner and announce it on this blog on Sunday August 24, 2008.

If you don't mind, post about this giveaway on your own blog! Thanks & Good Luck Everyone!

$3 TGI Friday Frozen Snack Coupon

2008-08-19T12:50:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Budget Help$, who tells us......

"Enter TGI Friday's Awesome BBQ Sweepstakes and you will receive the coupon "Save $3.00 on any one TGI Friday's Frozen Snack". You will also be able to print as many as you like which is great because they are good through December 31, 2008."

CVS: 08/31 - 09/06 Weekly ECB Deals

2008-08-19T11:49:00.003-05:00

CVS: 08/31 - 09/06 Weekly ECB Deals - Go Here

For August's Monthly ECBS deals, go HERE

thanks to i heart cvs

Some of my favorites:

Tylenol Extra Strength or Rapid Release BOGO (20-24ct)
Covergirl Outlast Lip or AquaSmoothers face makeup BOGO ($4.99-9.99)
Rice Krispie treats -$1.69 - Great for those of us who still have some $1/2 coupons left!
Neutrogena Lip $5.99 - $3ecb (limit2)
Covergirl Wetslicks AmazeMint $5.99- $5.99ecb! (limit1)
Gillette Venus Embrace (Breeze or Vibrance) $9.99- $3ecb (limit1)
select Colgate toothpastes $2.99- $2ecb (limit2)
Accu-chek Aviva or Compact Plus $9.99- &9.99ecb (limit1)
Kleenex $2.19 BOGO
Dawn 110z. I can't see the sale price, ANYONE KNOW??? I have several coupons!

CouponMom Giveaway

2008-08-19T11:31:00.003-05:00

I just entered a contest at CouponMom and thought I'd let you all in on it.

You know I just started my coupon binder this month. But I would still LOVE to win this contest, to give myself another experience with coupon organization.

Many people use this system and love it. As much as I love my binder, who knows? The Couponizer may be even better!

Spending Log...

2008-08-19T10:45:00.003-05:00

Things I've learnt so far this month, from my Spending Log & Coupon/Stockpile Journey

I spend Way Too Much on fast food. I will be trying to leave for shopping right after we eat, that way we won't be hungry. My plan is to pack a "car snack bag" filled with some snacks/drinks that would hold us over. And possibly some sandwiches in a cooler, if I know we are going to be gone too long.
Getting started stock-piling is not easy. It's sometimes hard to watch money goes towards something I don't need Right This Minute. Even if it's pennies on the dollar compared to full price. In time, I know I will reap the benefits. Just getting started though, whew.
I've saved more this past week than I have in previous whole months. I can't believe I've saved over $400 in Grocery/Household items so far this month!
Making the decision to start my Coupon binder was a Great Idea! I know exactly where to find coupons, can view them quickly and it makes me "feel" organized.
I plan to expand my Spending Log. That will help me see how much of my savings is: [a] just CVS [b] just Walgreens [c] other grocery/household (not including all other categories, ex. Clothing)
After talking with a good friend [who I think should start blogging too=) ] about her recent trip to Sam's club, I think I may give it another try. [After all, it has been YEARS since I've been inside a Sam's.] But only if I can find my coupon that entitles me to a free visit, or if I can find another one. I want to make a trial run before I decide whether or not it's worth the yearly membership fee, and the gas to drive all the way to B'ham. It will definitely be a once monthly or so trip.
Not all coupons are worth using. If it's a product that I don't usually use and wouldn't miss, getting 40cents off $4.99 isn't worth my time. Unless I can work up a really good deal at CVS or Walgreens. =)
You shouldn't wait til mid-week to go to CVS/WAGS. You will miss some of the deals, because ... they will be out. Yes you can sometimes get a rain check, but when I have my transactions already planned out, it messes everything up when something isn't stocked.
People will either be Amazed at your savings, or totally Resistant. Don't ask me why someone wouldn't want to learn how to save money. I'm always amazed when I read other blogger's savings stories. And if I can help one person start their savings journey, then I've done something good!

My current breakdown

(I will start fresh in September with more categories)

Spent on Grocery/Household - $416.17

Saved on Grocery/Household- $420.91

50% SAVINGS!

August 2008 Spending Log

2008-08-17T18:55:00.002-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $65.04 - $15.02 this weekend
Grocery & Household Needs - $416.17 - CVS, Walgreen, WalMart, Princess'es birthday cake
Fast Food - $61.01
Clothing - $18.12 - Old Navy & Kohls this weekend, I had a $10 off $10 purchase at Kohls
Misc - $83
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $85.13
Coupon sources - $24 - 4 Sunday Newspapers, 2 All You magazines
Total - $782.47
Available ECBs/RRs - $10.79/$4
Saved this month- $453.31

Walgreen Shopping ~ August 17, 2008

2008-08-17T17:30:00.004-05:00

3 Ragu Sauce - $5
3 Skippy PB - $5
2 Ban Deoderant - BOGO - $3.49
Bic Soleil Refill - $5.99
4 Dove Shampoos - BOGO - $4.99/2
2 Dove Conditioners - BOGO - $4.99/2
-$1.20 Skippy
-$.40 Skippy (I accidentally handed her 4, but it went through) - making them $3.40
-$.75 Ragu
-$.25 Ragu (same with the Ragu as the Skippy) - making them $4
-$8 Dove - making all 4- $1.98
-$2 Wags coupon on Bic Soleil refill
-$3 Bic Soleil refill - making it $.99
-$2 Ban - making them $1.49
=$14.22 OOP
Savings- $37.07
Got $4 RR for buying 6 of the Ragu/Skippy deal

Wanna see more Walgreens (and other drugstore savings)? Check out The Centsible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas!

CVS Shopping ~ August 17, 2008

2008-08-17T17:09:00.006-05:00

Trans #1
2 Glade - 88cents each
1 Bandaid Ultra - 4.49
1 Neo to Go Spray - 6.99
-$2/$10
-$.88 Glade BOGO coupon - making them both $.88
-$1 Neosporin - making it $5.99
-$1 Bandaids - making them $3.49
-$8ecbs
$ .54 OOP
Got back $5 ecbs
Savings- $13.90

Trans #2
2 Sunsilk Shampoo - BOGO - $4.29/2
2 Sunsilk Conditioner - BOGO - $4.29/2
4 Sunsilk Styling Cremes - BOGO - $8.58/4
-8- $1.50 coupons ($12) - making all 8 only- $5.16
-$2/$10
= $4.37 OOP
Savings- $31.16

Less than $5 OOP for the entire trip & walked away with $10.79 in ecbs (I had $5.79 prior that I didn't use) TOTAL SAVINGS TODAY- $45.06

Wanna see more CVS Savings? Visit the Centsible Sawyer's CVS Superstars!

Coupon Preview

2008-08-15T14:11:00.006-05:00

There's some good coupons in the up-coming Sunday newspaper. Not as great as the past 2 weeks, but good enough that I will still be buying 4 papers this week. Look at my faves:
(exp. dates)

Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bread FREE up to $3.89 (9-7-08) - This alone is worth the cost of the newspaper!

Sunsilk Crème or Styling Aid, any $1.50 (10-12-08)
Sunsilk Shampoo or Conditioner, any $1.50 (10-12-08)
CVS has "ALL Sunsilk Hair Care [4.29-4.49ea]" BOGO this week - With 2 coupons you can get 2 bottles for $1.29-1.49 - Great Deal! Stock Up!!!

LOreal Eye Product, any $1 (11-9-08)
LOreal Lip Product, any $2 (11-9-08)
Save these and watch for BOGO deals at CVS & Walgreens!!

Russell Stover Internationale or Private Reserve, 3.95 oz.+ B1G1F (2-28-09)

Dove Hair Care Product, any $2 (11-17-08) - Walgreens will be having these a Buy 1 for $4.99 Get 1 Free sale starting 8/17 - Would make it $1 for 2 bottles

Dove Skin Vitalizer, any $3.50 (11-9-08) Walgreens will be having this on sale for $9.99 with $3RR making it $3.49 after RR

Skippy Peanut Butter Product, any 15 oz.+ .60 (11-9-08) Walgreens will be having a sale 3/$5, and get $1.50RR - After coupons & RR they will be $1.70 for all 3 jars

Check Taylortown Preview for a complete list of this week's coupons!

CVS Weekly Ad Over-lap

2008-08-15T12:42:00.004-05:00

CVS has moved their ads from the Sunday paper to the Friday paper starting this week. With this being the first week, and according to the dates on both of the ads, you get both this past week's deals and this new week's deals all at the same time. But for Friday and Saturday only! On Sunday, you will only be able to get the new deals. And it probably won't happen like this again!!!

This would be a great time to work up some deals!!!

August 2008 Spending Log

2008-08-13T16:38:00.003-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $50.02
Grocery & Household Needs - $282.38 - CVS, Walgreen, WalMart
Fast Food - $49.08
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $83
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $85.13 - Omeprazole & 3 RXs this week
Coupon sources - $14
Total - $598.61
Available ECBs/RRs - $13.79/0
Saved this month- $324.18

Walgreen Shopping ~ August 13, 2008

2008-08-13T16:12:00.005-05:00

3 boxes of kleenex - 0.89ea with wags coupon
Bic Soleil Razor - 5.99
Omeprazole 42ct - 19.99
4 Covergirl Eye shadow - BOGO - 2.99ea
4 Loreal Eye shadow - BOGO - 3.99ea
2 Aquafresh toothpastes - BOGO with wags coupon - 2.19
14 pks. Bic Pens - 2/$1 - 7.00

-$ .50 kleenex - making them $2.17
-$2 wags coupon Bic Soleil &
-$2 Bic Soleil manuf. coupon - making it $1.99
-$4 Covergirl - making them $1.98
-$8 Loreal - making them FREE with .02 overage
-$1.50 Aquafresh - making them $0.69
-$7 Bic Pens - making them FREE
Total - $30.94
Savings of $64.51
And I will get a $5 rebate on the Omeprazole, which I have to have anyway...

Wanna see more Walgreens (and other drugstore savings)? Check out The Centsible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas!

CVS Shopping ~ August 13, 2008

2008-08-13T16:01:00.006-05:00

**editted ~ I accidentally had $2/$20 listed as the coupon I used, but it was $2/$10

3 Huggies Pull-ups - 26.97
1 Alavert 12ct. - 5.99
1 Children's Advil - 5.79
-$2/$10 CVS
-$6 Huggies
-$4 Alavert
-$1 Advil
Paid with
$12.50 ecb
$15.41 cash
Savings of $43.20
ECBS Earned:
$5 Huggies
$3 Alavert
$5.79 Advil
$13.79 Total Ecbs for next week

Also my free gift printed, I got a CVS toothbrush ($1.99 value) FREE

I wanted to do the Lamisil/Lamisilk deal, but my store was out of Lamisilk and I misplaced my 2nd Lamisil coupon =( I would have gotten both products for free, and came away with $2 more ECBs than I did.

Wanna see more CVS Savings? Visit the Centsible Sawyer's CVS Superstars!

Blockbuster Deal

2008-08-11T12:51:00.003-05:00

blockbuster.com

Use promo code augappreciation to get $10 off a $10 or more purchase on pre-viewed videos.

And if you opt for first class shipping, it's free shipping.

I just got Transformers & Simpsons: The Movie for $5.39 each. Minus my promo code, and plus tax, I paid 85 cents OOP!!!

August 2008 Spending Log

2008-08-11T12:13:00.004-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $50.02
Grocery & Household Needs - $161.28 - ran out of cat food & bread
Fast Food - $44.23
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $83 - 10 local newspapers (25cents each) b/cuz my daughter's picture is in it for her birthday tomorrow, & 1.99 for shipping on a Kraft Singles Saver Offer that gets me a "Saver" to store my cheese slices in.
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $37.78
Coupon sources - $14 - 4 big newspapers this weekend
Total - $425.31
Available ECBs/RRs - $12.50/0
Saved this month- $210.93

Fast Food

2008-08-09T13:02:00.004-05:00

I had no idea I was spending that much on fast food! In my defense (lol) I have went shopping on more days than I usually do. But I know that is just unacceptable.

I have always got fast food for me & the kids after grocery shopping. It's always cheap (think dollar menu) and a good treat for every once in a while. But that was when grocery shopping was one day a week.

I will have to figure something out.

Whether it be take food with us, or shopping at a different time of the day. I know I can't hit all the stores I want in one single day ... hmmm....

I will figure it out and Conquer this Fast Food Dilemma!!!

How much I've spent on Groceries so far...

2008-08-09T12:25:00.007-05:00

As you can see from my last post, I've spent $143 on groceries & household needs. And it's only one week into the month. That looks (and sounds) really, well... bad. It is a lot more than I would normally spend, but see these points:

That total is not just food. It is all things used for personal use in the home. Anything from toothpaste, to razors, to cleaning supplies, to toilet paper, to batteries, to makeup, to pet food, etc...
I am in the beginning stages of CVS & Walgreens. I'm learning the system, I'm learning from trial and error. I've done rather well at these stores, actually.
I am in the beginning stages of stockpiling. It is impossible to get stockpiled on Every Single Thing you buy without coming OOP in the beginning. But! Just think how long it will be before I run out of cereal, or toothpaste, or snack food & have to buy it again. A long time! But I will stockpile again before I run out...
I have just moved from being a coupon user, to being an avid coupon user. And Yes there is a BIG difference. I have started my coupon binder and that alone has cost close to $25 to start. Plus I am learning all the store rules, policies & regulations.
I am going to get rebates on some of the items I have bought. When the rebate comes in, it will goes towards more groceries/household needs. So that will be less spent OOP in the future.
I feed a family of 4. One man who eats, well a lot... one boy who eats, well a lot too. And I'm a SAHM with a 3 year old at home and a 6 year old at school, I cook 3 meals a day. And sending lunch to school occasionally. And sending snack & juice to school daily.
I am still buying diapers/pullups. That alone should say something.
I have ECBs from some of my purchases at CVS, they are just like money. They will help me save on items next week, so I will spend less OOP.
If you looked at my weekly grocery bill around the beginning of the year, you would see that I would spend anywhere from $85-$150 a week. And I wasn't stockpiling Anything! I wasn't using coupons, or getting many things on sale either. And the only place I grocery shopped was Walmart.

My coupon binder is similar to the one below:

August 2008 Spending Log

2008-08-09T12:16:00.003-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $35.02
Grocery & Household Needs - $142.85 - Will have a post about this...
Fast Food - $40.15 - Ouch! This REALLY needs to STOP!
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $78.51 - Needed a book of stamps!
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $37.78
Coupon sources - $8
Total - $377.31
Available ECBs/RRs - $12.50/0
Saved this month- $210.93

Walmart Shopping ~ August 8, 2008

2008-08-08T12:49:00.003-05:00

I had planned to make another trip to CVS to get the rest of what was on my list, but didn't want to go that far from home today. I will just wait until next week to use my ECBs. So I stopped by WalMart and used their Price Match to get the following:

For My Kellogg's Rebate deal:
4 boxes of Rice Krispie's treats -saved 71cents per box with Price Match- I had 2- $1/2 coupons
6 boxes of Pop Tarts -saved 3cents per box with Price Match- I had 3- $1/2 coupons
Will receive $10 Rebate
After Price Match, Coupons & Rebate, all 10 items will cost me $2.90 plus tax

I couldn't get the Kleenex BOGO deal, as Walmart does not Price Match on BOGO deals, but was in desperate need of Kleenex, as my children's allergies have kicked in.

I got 3 boxes at $1.18each and I had a $.50/3 coupon, so they cost me $3.04 plus tax

Total spend after coupons was $17.66

Total savings [before rebate] - $8.49

CVS Shopping ~ August 6, 2008

2008-08-06T14:07:00.005-05:00

This was my very first trip to CVS since I got into coupons. I was really disappointed. They didn't have half the products on my list. So I will have to find another CVS to get my Kellogg's products for the Kellogg's rebate. [Yes I know I bought Kellogg's products at Walgreen's yesterday, but they all have to be in the same transaction, and CVS has the products I want to get, just not at the store I visited today] 4 of my coupons wouldn't go through, so she finally had to manually put them in. I was in there forever! And I used 4 BOGO coupons along with the BOGO deal on the Covergirl makeup, so all 8 should have been free. But the way the lady did it, I paid $3 more than I should have. And I didn't notice the difference until I got home. Oh well, a lesson learned I guess.

So here's what I got:

2 Crest Pro-Health toothpastes -on sale for $2.49ea - I had 2- 75 cents off coupons
2 Crest w/Scope toothpastes -on sale for $2.49ea- I had 2- 75 cents off coupons
1 Oral B Advantage toothbrush - on sale for $2.49 - I had $1 off coupon
[These 5 above items gave me $7.50 in ECBs]
1 Colgate toothpaste - $2.99 - I had a $1.50 coupon
[Colgate got me $2 in ECBs]
1 Gillette Fushion razor - on sale for $9.99 - I had a $4 off coupon
[Gillette got me $3 ECBs]
4 Pert BOGO - $3.69 each - I had 4- $2 off coupons - HAD REBATE FOR THIS
8 Covergirl makeups BOGO [9.49, 9.49, 8.99, 7.99, 7.49, 5.49, 5.49, 5.49] - I had 4 BOGO coupons, which would have made all 8 free, but ... instead I paid $3 for all 8 products, still not bad I guess

My Total saved - $88.90

My Total ECBs - $12.50

My Total OOP - $24.09

**Would have gotten the Pert Rebate - Buy $5 worth of Pert Plus and/or Sure products, get up to $5 in FREE school supplies - but I neglected to read it in it's entirety until I got home and realized you had to buy the school supplies, then they send the refund. At least I got all the Pert products for free after my coupons!! Another lesson. At least it wasn't a big mistake!

August 2008 Spending Log

2008-08-05T21:15:00.007-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $35.02 - $20.01 this week
Grocery & Household Needs - $98.10 ($71.13 this week)
Fast Food - $29.07 - Ouch! This needs to STOP!
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $70.11 - needed new printer ink this week
School Lunch -
School Misc -
Medical - $37.78 - LittleMan had to go to the doctor, he had an allergic reaction!! (plus meds)
Coupon sources - $8 ($6 on 4 newspapers, $2 on 1 magazine)
Total - $283.08 Not great, but I have stocked up on some things plus the visit to the doctor!
Saved this month- $113.54

I have added a new category. Coupon sources. Which is mainly newspapers & magazines. I also combined Grocery, Household Needs and Pets into one category.

I am headed to get LittleMan a haircut tomorrow, as he is going back to school Thursday. I then plan to hit CVS for some Great deals! I couldn't find the CVS in the town I was in today.. ??? hmmm. This will be my first trip to CVS since I started couponing.

Walmart Shopping ~ August 5, 2008

2008-08-05T20:26:00.008-05:00

All I can say is Wow! This is the first time I have saved over $20 in one visit to Walmart. I went to Walmart after my trip to Walgreens, so the main thing I noticed was .... rudeness. They didn't want to take some coupons because I had more than one of several. I had to explain the difference between a purchase and a transaction. Then they had to get a CSR over because I had so many coupons. They were not happy with me, even if they didn't say it, I could see it all over their faces. **I told the people in line behind me that I had several coupons and that it would take a bit longer because of that, just so they would know ahead of time.** I mean come on people, I am saving more than a few dollars here!!

My total before coupons & tax was $112.42. After my 24 coupons, my total was $53.63 ($8.99 was tax, Walmart taxes the full amount before coupons). My savings total $67.78! (56% saved)

What I got:

15 packets of Koolaid, for the B3 get Free deals below... (I did this deal last week too)
3 pounds of Ground beef
1 pack of B/L S/L chicken breasts
Chocolate chip waffles
shredded mozzarella cheese
Kraft American singles (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
Oscar Mayer hot dogs (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
4pk Pillsbury biscuits (50 cents off)
Crystal Light To-go (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids, also had a 50 cents off coupon!)
Big box of Ramen noodles
2 boxes of fruit snacks
Hamburger Helper (50 cents off)
Wheat Thins (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
Lasagna noodles
Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber starter kit ($2.75 off)(I also have a Rebate for this, so it will be FREE with possible 2.75 overage!!!)
One Touch Ultra Mini Blood Glucose Monitor (FREE with coupon)(will be given to my Papaw)
bag of Puffcorn
5 pks. Durex =) (FREE with $2 off each, plus 85 cents overage for all 5)
Kotex (FREE with $1 off)
V8 juice (FREE with $3 coupon, plus $1 overage!)
2 Dawn Direct Foam dishwashing liquid ($1.50 off each)
1 lg & 1 sm Cream of chicken soup
Kraft Ranch dressing (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
2 alfredo sauces
2 Great Value green beans
1 Green Giant green beans (50 cents off)
4 Glade scented oil air fresheners ($4 off each - less than $1 each with the coupons!!)
2 Equate foam hand washing liquid
hamburger buns

All in red was FREE, all in red or blue had a coupon.

Walgreen Shopping ~ August 5, 2008

2008-08-05T20:17:00.007-05:00

This was my very first purchase at Walgreen's. I was kind of nervous, mainly because it was new for me, and I couldn't find one of the items I had on my list. My list that took me quite a while to compose, with all my transactions separate, coupled with coupons, etc. I found the employees to be Extremely nice & they even told me how impressed they were with my organization! Yay for the nice Walgreen's Employees!

What I got:

4 Kellogg's cereal - they were running really low on most of the ones included with the RR deal, but I got Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran Crunch & 2 Frosted Flakes (I used 2 coupons worth $1/2) $3 for all 4 boxes after RR
4 Lifesavers BOGO - (I used 2 BOGO coupons, so all 4 bags were free!!)
Angel Soft Toilet paper (I used a WAG coupon to make it 99 cents)
2 Beef Jerky 2/$5
4 Kellogg's Special K bars (I used a BOGO coupon & 3 $1 off coupons, after RR they were FREE)
2 pks Energizer "D" batteries (I used a WAG coupon to make them $2.99 each, then had 2 $1 coupons) $1.99 each
and a $1.99 candy filler, not pictured because my kids ate it!

The overall total, after sales & my Great coupons was $17.50 OOP

I got 2 Kellogg's deals worth $5RR each and went ahead and used all my RR towards other things since I do not know when I will have time to go back. {Maybe next time I will start rolling the RR on a weekly basis.} My total savings today - $41.66!! (70% savings!!)

August 2008 Spending Log

2008-08-02T17:00:00.003-05:00

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $15.01
Grocery -
Household Needs - $20.47
Pets - $6.50
Fast Food - $6.75
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $44.50
School Lunch -
School Misc -
Total - $98.23
Saved - $4.10

What a rough start to August already. I take full blame for spending too much yesterday. I was in a crabby mood and set out with the intention to blow money. Which is something I need to learn how to control. It's like eating when I'm depressed, I feel like I can't stop.
Which is why I want to log everything I spend this month. I will not include our regular bills or what my hubby spends. Mainly because he never keeps receipts and doesn't remember where his money goes.

My Breakdown so far:
Gasoline - $15.01 - I almost always run over a penny or two.
Household Needs - $20.47 - This was batteries and pull-ups for Princess
Pets - $6.50 - cat food, it's all my 2 dogs will eat, Ha!
Fast Food - $6.75 - lunch @ KFC
Clothing - $5.00 - shorts for Princess on sale at TJ Maxx
Misc - $44.50 - new cups for Princess, we just got rid of the sippy cup, other new plastic dinnerware for Princess, some notebooks on sale, all the stuff to start my coupon binder, a toy for LittleMan to give Princess for her birthday in 2 weeks
Total - $98.23
Saved - $4.10 - 2.50 coupon on pull ups, the rest is savings from not paying tax [tax-free weekend]

Make Some Extra $Money$

2008-08-02T14:40:00.000-05:00

Join Wellness360

Thrift Store Finds ~ July 31, 2008

2008-08-02T14:28:00.011-05:00

For my Hubby:

For Me:

For LittleMan:

For Princess:

For Neice#5, due in October:

This was my favorite find of the day. LittleMan has been needing some better boots, and I got these for only $3.88!

My total before tax was $44.10 What great deals!!

Saving Money on Clothing #2 - Thrift Stores

2008-08-02T14:06:00.003-05:00

I l.o.v.e. thrift stores!

Thrift stores are my main way of buying clothes.

You can get so many name-brand clothing for such a cheap price. Many of the clothes are in excellent shape. But you do need to keep your eyes open for imperfections, such as holes, tears, stains, buttons missing, zippers broken, etc.

Check with your thrift store to see when they pick up from the "ritzy" part of the neighborhood. Then go shopping there 2-3 days later. {ex. They pick up on Tuesday, Unload & Price on Wednesday, and Put out on Thursday, go shopping on Thursday.}

Also many thrift stores offer a day when they mark certain items down by 10, 30 and even 50%.

Don't be afraid to ask these question to save your self even more money!

Some thift stores are now offering New clothing also!

I am always adding posts showing my Thrift Store finds, to view them click HERE or on "Thrift Store" under my labels.

Saving Money on Clothing #1 - Sales

2008-08-02T13:57:00.002-05:00

Always check your store for a clearance/sales rack or area.

You can also go to your favorite store's websites and sign up for their email alerts which will tell you when they are going to have a sale.

Sometimes they may even email you coupons or e-coupons.

All their full-price clothing will go on sale every few weeks or so. So just keep a look out and you may be able to get your favorites for the sale price!

Saving Money on Groceries #6 - Buying in Quantity

2008-08-01T23:35:00.005-05:00

Buying in Quantity / Buying in Bulk

And I don't mean going to Sam's Club either. {Which, isn't bad, but I'm not into having to pay a membership fee just to be able to shop there. But that's another post...}

When you're using your coupons, and/or using your loyalty card, and/or using price match, you're getting a good price, right? Right.

Stock up when the items are on sale. And you will not have to pay full price on it later. You can just get it from your stockpile. Even if it seems like a lot out of pocket to begin with, it's really just paying a percentage overall.

Just don't forget that you will be continuously replenishing your stockpile. There's always a sale on something. And you don't want to run out and have to pay full price.

Saving Money on Groceries #5 - Using Price Match

2008-08-01T23:08:00.005-05:00

Using Walmart's price match is as easy as it sounds. The main thing I use price match for is Milk. Milk can range anywhere from $2.99 to $5 a gallon at any given store.

Milk at my Walmart this week was $4.20. In the Walgreen ad, I saw that their milk was on sale for $3.79.

So, when I checked out, I just showed the ad to my cashier before she rang up the milk, and I got 2 gallons for $3.79 each.

Walmart will match any competitors price, within a 50 mile radius. [Some people have said 60 miles, but I was told by an employee at my Walmart it is 50 miles for our store.]

The only deals they DO NOT match is the Buy One Get One Free deals.

So, this Sunday when you're getting your coupons out of the paper, don't forget to pull out all your locals grocery store ads and look them over. [and pharmacy ads, etc.]

Saving Money on Groceries #4 - Loyalty Cards

2008-08-01T22:51:00.005-05:00

Using a Loyalty Card

I'm not as familiar with loyalty cards as I'd like to be. The only store that I currently use a loyalty card with is Winn Dixie. And I'm learning more about CVS-ing before I start there. I do know that these stores have some pretty great deals, that you can only get if you have and use their store card.

What I've learned recently about CVS & Walgreens (Walgreens does NOT have a store card, the specials are for everyone!) is the best time to use your coupons is in conjunction with their deals. Especially their Buy One Get One Free deals.

For example, CVS is having a sale on Covergirl. Buy any Covergirl product, Get one free.

[If you're signed up at Covergirl's website, they will periodically email you coupons that you can usually print two of. ]

Here's where the fun begins. Say the Covergirl products are $7.99 each, but you get one free, so together they are $7.99. And you happen to have 2 coupons for $4 each. You can use 2 coupons on these deals! So you can get both for free.

This is just an example. Your coupons could be for $3 each and you spend $2 out of pocket. Which is still a great deal.

And it's not always on make-up.

[If I'm not wrong, I believe on the BOGO deals, you can also use any coupon for the same product that says BOGO and get 3 for the price of 1. That also could be only certain stores or cities, not sure yet.]

Even when you do not have coupons, you can score some really great buys!

But you can't get them if you do not sign up for the store's loyalty card.

This Wife's Savings

Giveaway @ Jane4Girls

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/29/09

Sale at Old Navy

Thrift Store Finds ~ 1/24/09

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/21/09

Target Shopping ~ 1/14/09

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/14/09

More on used children's clothing

Thrift Stores May Stop Selling Children's Clothing

How coupons help me clean for cheap!

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/9/09

WalMart Shopping ~ 1/4/09

Starting off a New Year

Christmas Savings

Walmart Shopping ~ November 10, 2008

Walmart Shopping

CVS Shopping ~ November 10, 2008

6 More Kellogg's Cereal Coupons

Walmart Shopping ~ October 20, 2008

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 20, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ October 20, 2008

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 17, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ October 17, 2008

Check out Deal Seeking Mom for all the great Kellogg's coupons!!

WalMart Shopping ~ October 15, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ October 15, 2008

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 14, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ October 14, 2008

Linky Love

WalMart Shopping ~ October 8, 2008

Update on Febreeze Noticeables from Wal Mart

Walmart Shopping ~ October 6, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ October 6, 2008

Walgreen Shopping ~ October 1, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ October 1, 2008

WalMart Shopping ~ September 29, 2008

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 23, 2008

Winn Dixie Shopping ~ September 2008

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 16, 2008

Missing

September 12, 2008 @ 1pm

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 11, 2008

September Savings Log

September 2008 Spending Log

Walgreen Shopping ~ September 8, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ September 8, 2008

WalMart Shopping ~ September 8, 2008

New Coupon Site

Walgreens Update

CVS Update

September 2008 Spending Log

August 2008 Spending Log - FINAL

WalMart Shopping ~ September 2, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ September 2, 2008

Wanna see what made my weekend?

Target Shopping ~ August 28, 2008

August 31, 2008 Newspaper Coupons

Savings Log

August 2008 Spending Log

Walgreen Shopping ~ August 26, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ August 26, 2008

Don't head out for multiple newspapers next Sunday...

Coupon Giveaways

Tots 2 Teens shopping

About the Peter Pan PB

Walmart Shopping ~ August 20. 2008

Coupon Giveaway #1 (Cat) - ENDED

Coupon Giveaway #2 (Baby) - ENDED

Coupon Giveaway #3 (Dog) - ENDED

$3 TGI Friday Frozen Snack Coupon

CVS: 08/31 - 09/06 Weekly ECB Deals

BlogRoll Updated

CouponMom Giveaway

Spending Log...

August 2008 Spending Log

Walgreen Shopping ~ August 17, 2008

CVS Shopping ~ August 17, 2008

Coupon Preview

CVS Weekly Ad Over-lap