HT Super Doubles- week of January 6 - Yipee!!!

Could you hear the choir of angels at your house when the store manager told me that they were having SUPER DOUBLES next week????????  The choir was singing SOOO loudly that I had to ask him to repeat the date.  When I heard words Super Doubles - that's ALL I heard - nothing else.

It begins Wednesday, January 6 and runs through Tuesday, January 12.

A little refresher.......Super Doubles is double coupons up to $1.99, so a $1.50 q would be worth $3. Usually, there are some great hba (health/beauty aids) that are either really cheap or free.

I will post an entry with some of the best buys when I obtain the information.

In the meantime, if you have not clipped in a while (like me), go through and clip the coupons that are .99  -  $1.98.

December 31, 2009........a holiday all in itself

For us couponers, today is the REAL holiday, not tomorrow.  It's the day where ALOT our coupons expire.  It seems that in general, coupons tend to expire on the last day of the month, but we have ALOT - did I mention ALOT that expire today.

To all of my 12/31 coupons......RIP.  I will certainly miss you.

If you are going out tonight, please be safe and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Grocery Store Pics for week of 12/31

Holly Farms Boneless Chix Breast is $1.47/lb.  This is a great deal. STOCKPILE PRICE!!!
Boneless Half Pork Loin $1.00/lb.
New York Strip Steaks $4.98/lb

10 lb bag Russet Potatoes $2.88

Purchase five Special K Cereals priced at $.259 ea and receive $5 off your order instantly.  Use two BOGO IPs plus one $1 IP for the Blueberry. Link to BOGO IP:  http://www.specialk.com/sign-in/offer, Link to Blueberry IP: http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13306&zid=iq37&nid=10&bid=alk12310712028cef9f9cf10713

Here's how the transaction will look:

5 x $2.50=$12.50
BOGO ($2.50)
BOGO ($2.50)
$1/1 Blueberry ($1.00)
Promotion ($5.00)
=$1.50 = .30 each

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa is $1 each, use the $1 FLIP = FREE
http://www.4shared.com/file/185424215/468517c0/Swiss_Miss_FLIP.html






A word of warning about walking through the produce section this week.  They have a fantastic 7 layer bean dip displayed at the very front of the store (at the Robinhood Village location).  Combine the black tray and clear cover that it is housed in with the magical lights that make the cheese, green onions and black olives glisten and you've got TEMPTATION!!!!  It is $3.49/lb and you KNOW you can make it for a lot less - It's bean dip for goodness sakes!!  BUT - If you are going to a party, don't have time to make anything, that would be a real winner.

Boston Butt Pork Roast .99 lb. (This is not a stockpile price.  I have seen them go as little as .88 lb.)

Mission Torillas $1.50, use .55 IP = .40,
Link:  http://www.missionmenus.com/MissionExtras.aspx

HT Milk is $2.47

Poppycock (my new favorite!!!) is bogo at $2.07 - use the .75 q from 11/15 SS = .57
Plus - wyb ___, you will get a catalina for a free movie rental from Redbox.  I am not 100% sure about this and when it ends.  I purchased 5 bags in one transaction at Wags on 12/29 and received this catalina.  If you receive this, please leave a post and I will update this information.  Thank you!!!

Tony's Pizzas (you would think that I would be SICK of these by now, but I can't pass up free food!!!) .99, use .50 q from 12/13 SS = FREE

Tidy Cat $2.95, 20 lb bag, use $1 q from 10/4 RP (I know Charlotte got this q, but not 100% sure about Winston Salem) = $1.95

Wet Ones - The antibacterial (yellow) bottles have been reported as being .99 (ymmv), use the $1.50 q = FREE
Link:  http://www.wetones.com/wo_couponregistration.asp

T-Bone Steaks are $3.99/lb

Carolina Medium Shrimp is $3.99/lb, 43-50 count.  This is not a bad price if the heads are off.  I especially like that they are from NC.
Here's a mini-lesson on shrimp: (my family is from the coast and my grandparents used to shrimp, so I know WAYYY more than I should about shrimp)
Raw shrimp should be grey.  If you go to the seafood counter and the raw shrimp is starting to turn pink, walk away.  Believe it or not, frozen shrimp is the best.  In prime conditions, shrimp is either frozen or consumed within 6-8 hours of being caught.  My grandparents would come home after shrimping, head the shrimp, put them in containers, fill with cold water and freeze.  The water helps prevent the shrimp from getting freezer burn. That's why you usually see the frozen individual raw shrimp in a layer of ice in the grocery stores.  They dip the shrimp in water, freeze, and then bag it.  That way, you can take out a portion of the shrimp and it is not in one big  block of ice. 

There are some good deals on produce this week:
Fresh express garden salad bags, .99.  I think there are tearpads out there somewhere, but  I haven't found any.
Hass Avocados are .99 ea
8 oz white mushrooms are .99 ea
Mangos are .99 ea
1 lb cut and peeled baby carrots are .99 ea (can you imagine peeling baby carrots!?!?!?!)

and what do you know!?!?! Tonys Pizzas are on sale AGAIN for .99 each. use .50 q from 12/13 SS =  FREE

That's all folks - If I come across some other great deals, I will update this post in blue.

Do you have extra time? Get to cooking!!!!

There is a blog that I follow (mainly droul over) named ____________ (can't remember it for the life of me - I get an email when she updates her blog and she is probably taking some time off - I will fill in the blank when it comes to me. She takes three days and cooks most of her meals for the month).  Okay, on with my point......

I have a good (okay - maybe great) stockpile of groceries, including meat in the freezer.  The problem is that when I am in the mood for pulled pork, say around 4:00 in the afternoon, it is virtually impossible to take it from freezer to plate in two hours......or is it!?!?!?!

I have the week off from work and am taking this extra time to cook and freeze.  Yesterday, I made this great beef stew soup - a recipe from my neighbor Mrs. Linda.  It basically consists of cooking a roast, pulling it apart and getting the fat off and using the juice that it cooked in to creat a soup/stew.  I had a large can of tomato juice that I knew that I had for a while and used it.  I felt so good - the expiration date was 12/2009 - barely made it!!!! I added crushed tomatoes, 2 cans of corn, 2 cans of green beans and carrots.  In the past, I have added pasta, but that does not freeze well and gets a little mushy.  After I let the mixture cook for 1-2 hours, I turned the stove off and let it cool a bit.  I then filled the ball jars up to about 85% and put them in the freezer without the lids.  That gives them space to expand.  After about 24 hours, I put the lids on. This recipe ended up making 7 large ball jars.

Here is a picture of them (ignore the Tony's pizzas in the background - I haven't found anyone to donate those to yet.)

Today's project is - you guessed it - pulled pork.  It smells SOOO good cooking!!!  I will also put those in jars and cover it with the juice.  I think the juice helps with freezer burn.

Other foods that I have previously pre-cooked:

Hamburger meat:  I got a great deal on the 80% hamburger meat, which we usually don't eat, but I cooked it, rinsed it, put it in ziploc bags and froze it.  It makes for a quick baked pasta where you defrost the meat, add the sauce, cook the pasta.  You have a meal in about 30 minutes.  Also, you can add the cooked hamburger to Velveeta cheese and salsa for a quick snack.  My SIL makes this GREAT dip called Pizza Dip.  You could use it in that as well.

Chicken:  When HT had their whole chickens on sale for .49, I stocked up.  Instead of putting the whole chicken in the freezer, I cooked three chickens at a time in a big stockpot, deboned them and put the equivalent of one chicken in a ziplock bag, filled it with the juice, bagged it again - just in case - and froze them.  I make a great chicken casserole and this makes it super easy.  Plus, you could use it for home-made chicken and rice, chicken with pasta or chicken and dumplings.  I also froze the extra chicken stock in jars. Throwing that away is like throwing $ down the drain!!!

One more thing......mashed potatoes.......you heard right.  Last year, at our work Thanksgiving luncheon, someone from our group brought a small vat of mashed potatoes from K&W.  We were cleaning up and it was time to go and no one wanted it.  I brought it home and froze it in a ziplock bag.  6 months later, I thawed it, added a little butter and sour cream and you could not tell that it had been frozen. Whenever I have potatoes that I don't think we will be able to eat before they go bad, I cook them up and add minimal milk and butter to them, so that they are a little dry.  I put them in ziplock bags and enjoy mashed potatoes later. 

Where do I get my jars?  Mainly, I save them.  I have Mom pick them up for me when she goes to Thrift stores as well.  There was a couple of weeks in a row that I  kept mentioning to her that I needed more jars.  She brought me a dozen wide mouth quart Ball jars with the lids still sealed in the box.  WOW - What a find - I asked her where she got them from and she said K-Mart - THAT'S CHEATING!!!!!!  But - her reward was my big smile (you would've thought someone gave me a million dollars ) and some of the stew and pork!!!

That's all I can think of for now. 

Drug Store Pics for Week of 12/27 - All Stores Updated in Blue

As the week progresses, sometime great deals appear that weren't originally aparent.  The ones for this week are in blue.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!  We certainly did!!!

Old Spice High Endurance 3-3.25oz or Secret Solid 2.6oz, 2/$4 $1 ECB wyb 2 limit 1.

$1/2 Old Spice Antiperspirant/Deodorant or Body Wash P&G 11/01 and 11/30 exp 12/31
B2G1 Free Secret, any P&G 11/01 exp 12/31
$.50/1 Secret, any P&G 11/01 exp 12/31
$1/1 Secret CVS Q $100 Coupon book exp 12/31
Free or MM w/ the CVS Q

Coke 2ltrs 3/$3 $1 ECB wyb 3 limit 1 = .66 ea (use the in-ad q on page 1)

Three pack of Ivory Soap is .99, use $1.00 q from 12/27 P&G (Even if you don't use this - it's a great donation item!!)  The q will beep.  The cashier should reduce the amount of the q to .99.

Oral B Cross Action Power Toothbrush is $5.00, use $3 q from 12/27 P&G and receive $2 SCR = FREE

Soy Joy bars are 5 for $3.00 with a $3 SCR on 5 = FREE

Sally Hansen Tools/LaCross Implements are bogo - use the bogo q from October or November's All You coupon for the LaCross and Sally Hansen Tools bogo q are in the December edition  = FREE

Purchase 1 Theraflu at $3.99 and 1 lipton tea at $3.59 and get $4 rrs.  Use the $2 Theraflu IP, $2 Wags q from the Healthy Savings Booklet and .50 q for the Lipton Tea from the 11/15 RP and pay about $3 OOP. 
Link for Theraflu IP: http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qibkdkp65261768&bt=wi&o=54401&c=TR&p=cJZevRMB

Purchase 2 Honey Nut Cheerios and a gallon of milk and receive $2 in rrs.  Use this IP for the HN Cheerios and it will be free!!!  Link:  http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=ql3pagt72377760&bt=wi&o=60633~60636&pt=&lang=&ws=&ct=&ci=&cl=&cp=&eb=&c=GM&p=ebc72b52-9a51-4b2c-a0c4-257a211f96d7&z=&r=&pc=&tc=

UPDATE - see below in red:  Purchase $30 in select P&G products, get a coupon for  free Tide ($8.99 value) at checkout.  See scenario below:

(2) Olay Bodywash @ 4.49 = 8.98
(2) Olay Quench Lotion @ 7.99 = 15.98
(1) Gillette Deodorant @ 3.99 = 3.99
(1) Gillette Bodywash @ 3.34 = 3.34
Subtotal : 32.29

Use:
(2) Buy Olay BW, get Olay Quench Free -15.98 (from the 11/29 P&G)
(2) $1 off Olay Bodywash - 2.00 (from the 12/28 P&G)
(1) Buy Gillette Deo. get BW free -3.34 (from the 11/1 P&G)
(1) $1 off Gillette Deo. (from the 11/1 P&G)
Total oop: 9.97 (Hopefully you have rrs that need rolling)

Get: Coupon for FREE Tide (8.99 value), submit for the Olay rebate ($15.98) $15.00 MM
Olay Rebate Link:  (limit of 2 per household) http://www.olay.com/Club_Olay/dec2009/images/Olay_HBRebate_Form_ClubOlay.pdf

I did this deal this morning and did not receive my coupon for the free Tide.  I have emailed the Catalina company to let them know that there is a problem.  I have checked on afullcup.com and, so far out of all of the members that have posted a comment on this deal, NONE have received this coupon.  Depending on the manager, some members are receiving  gift cards or either the manager is giving them the free Tide.  I was not offered this, that is why I emailed the Catalina company.  Still, without the Tide promotion, it's a good deal with the rebate.  BUT - why get jipped of the Tide when it was in the promotion???????

Coupon Insert for 12/27/09 - Proctor and Gamble only

We will only receive one coupon insert for 12/27, but it's a good one.  It will be the Proctor and Gamble insert and it appears to have some great coupons in it........just like Mighty Mouse......small, but it will save the day!!!!!

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas.......

Grocery Store Info for week of 12/23

Not much here.....

HT and LF's current sales are still in place for this week.

HT's and LF's sales run through 12/24 and the new sale runs 12/26 - 12/29.

Food Lion's current ad runs through 12/29. 

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Drug Store Picks for week of 12/20

It's a little slow this week....

CVS:

Nivea Women's Body Wash $5.99 get $5 ECBs, use $2 IP = $1 MM, limit 1
Link to IP:  http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14997&zid=iq55&nid=10&bid=alk1221101210347a670730116

Revlon Super Lustrious or Moon Drop Lip Stick $6.99, get $5 ECBs,Use $2 q from 12/13 SS =  .01 MM Limit 3


ThermaCare Neck to Arm Wrap 1 ct. $2.49 Get $2.49 ECBs = FREE Limit 5

Rite Aid:

Keep in mind that the goal at Rite Aid is to get $25 or more in items (before qs) so that you can use the $5/$25 q. For the q, go to redplum.com.  At the top of the page, in the search box, type Rite Aid.  The coupon will appear.

Air Wick Freshmatic – $4.99 (50% off the $9.99 price)
Use $5/1 coupon from the 11/15 SS = .01 MM
If you have 5 qs, you can purchase 5 of these , get an item valued at $5.05, use the $5/$25 q.  That way, your entire purchase will be free - or very close to it.  I always eye the candy while I am in line incase I need to grab a quick cheap filler.  Keep an eye on the register and hand them the $5/$25 first, then 4 of the Airwick qs.  Then, if the total is below $5, add something to get it above $5, hand them the last $5 Airwick q.

9.99/2 = 4.99 each
5 x $4.99 = 24.95
Get an item/items for $5.05
Subtotal:  $30.00
Use $5/$25 q = -5.00
Use 5 x $5 q = -25.00
Total = 0.00

OR

9.99/2 = 4.99 each

4 x $4.99 = 19.96
Get an item/items for $5.04
Subtotal: $25.00
Use $5/$25 q = -5.00
Use 4 x $5 q = -20.00
Total = 0.00

Clear as mud?  You might want to print this out and take it with you to the store.  That way, you aren't second guessing yourself.  There's nothing like the glow of  florescent lights and the glare from a cashier to make you extremely nervous.  You know what I mean, don't you!?!  Not to worry - I still get that way sometimes, but even less if I have it written down in front of me.

Wags:

Theraflu $5 (6pks, Vapor Patch or Liquid), Buy 2 and Earn $3 in Register Rewards.  Use 2 $2 qs (10/18 SS) or Printable Coupon AND
$2 Walgreens Coupon (Walgreens Healthy Savings Coupon Book) - it will take off $4 = $1 MM
IP:  http://www.theraflu.com/theraflu-products/promotions.shtml

Oral B Stages Toothbrush or Toothpaste or Crest or Zooth Character Toothbrush $2.50 ea., Buy 4 and Earn $5 in Register Rewards, use $1/2 Oral B or Zooth Toothbrush (11/29 P&G) or $1/2 Oral B Toothpaste (11/29 P&G) AND
$1/1 Zooth or Oral B Toothbrush Walgreens Coupon (Children’s Activity Book -  will deduct $1 for each toothbrush you purchase)= $1 MM.

Revlon Lip/Nail BOGO.  Pick up some of the clearance lip gloss or lipstick for $2.19, it will be bogo, use  the $2 Revlon q from 12/13 SS and you've got two items for .19 plus tax.  Yipee!!!

Kleenex Tissues .79 with IVC (q in Wags Flier), use .75 IP:http://print.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14544&zid=jj40&nid=10

Have a great week!!!

No coupons for 12/20 - Reminder to check your Wags rrs.

There will be no coupons in Sunday's paper, 12/20.  This gives us plenty of time/finger power to wrap those Christmas presents.

Just a reminder - if you received any $5 rrs from Wags over the last week and/or last few days, check the expiration date.  The ones that I received Wednesday and Thursday expire on Sunday, 12/20.  You can only use one per transaction, which may be a little tricky. 

Here are a couple of ideas.....

The St. Ives Body wash $1.49 with Wags IVC (Instant Value Q - from the Wags Flier)

Kleenex Tissues .79 each with Wags IVC - use this .75 q.  It has K-Mart's logo in it, but is a mfg. coupon and you can use it at Wags.  Link:  http://print.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14544&zid=jj40&nid=10

Revlon Nail/Lip is bogo.  If you have any of the $2 qs from 12/13 SS, this would be a great deal.  Better yet, the clearanced items are included in the bogo sale.  Purchase 2 of the clearance lip gloss or lipstick, pay $2.19 for one and $0 for the second, use a $2 q, get 2 for .19.  Can't beat that!!!

Grocery Store deals for 12/16/09

Food Lion:

BOLO for the Clorox Greenworks on closeout.  I have found that the different locations vary as to what is on closeout, but most FLs that I have been to have the toilet bowl cleaner for $1.99 and you get a .50 catalina onyo. Here is a link to a coupon for $2.00 off.  This q will not scan, but the cashier will punch the numbers in.  You can only use one of these qs per transaction. 
http://www.4shared.com/file/174460423/85f3b50b/Healthy_community_exp_12_29_09.html

FL is getting better and better each week!!  They now have a FLIP for $2 off $5 in the produce section. Link: http://www.4shared.com/file/174460957/c5077486/12_16_09_flips.html

Here's what on sale in produce: 
5 lb bag of potatoes are bogo at $1.99 (reg. price $3.99)
5 lb box of Clementines: $4.99 (reg. price: $6.99)
Hass Avacados: .99 ea (reg. price $1.19) (Murray Road FL has these for .79)
Gold Pineapple: $2.99 ea (reg price: $3.99 ea)
D'Anjou Pears reg price: $1.29 lb (reg price: $1.99 lb)
NC Sweet Potatoes: 69 lb. (reg. price .79 lb)
Here is a scenario for produce to maximize the $2/$5 produce FLIP:
   Regular Price           Sale Price
Bag of potatoes $3.99      $1.99
1 Avacado          1.19          .99
Total:                 5.18        2.98
FLIP                 - 2.00       -2.00
Total:                                 .98

If you want to be 100% sure that you are getting the full $5 in produce before the mvp price so that you won't have any issues with your FLIP, do not give them your card, ask them to subtotal the order after the produce.  I did this several times this week and had no trouble at all.

Meat: 

Brown Sugar or Apple Cinnamon Spiral Ham $1.27 lb with add'tl $25 purchase (yea right - like THAT's going to happen!!!)
Smithfield Shank Portion Smoked Ham .99 lb
Standing Beef Rib Roast $6.99 lb (reg. price $9.49 lb)
The Rib Roast has potential.  It's still quite pricy, but if you usually have this for Christmas anyway, you could get an additional $2 with the FLIP.
Link: http://www.4shared.com/file/169729813/4a5e516/12_9_09_flips.html

Cleaning:
All Laundry detergent is $2.99, use the $2 from the 12/6 RP.

Harris Teeter:

They also rock this week!!!

E-Vic special:  Leseur Peas .68, limit 1

Regular Weekly Specials:
Breakstone Sour Cream, BOGO at .99 ea.  use the .55 IP and it's FREE
http://print.coupons.com/Couponweb/Index.aspx?pid=15090&zid=cz27&nid=20
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is $1.25, use $1.00 IP:  http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qligbqu31647321&bt=vi&o=59324&c=KR&p=foN9q0Qr
This has the Publix logo on it, but it is a mfg. coupon and will scan without any problems because it is a mfg. q, not a store q.
Heluva Good Dip $1.50, use .50 q from 12/13 SS = .50
Cool Whip .99
Breyer's Icecream is BOGO at 2.79 ea.  Use the .75 q from 10/18 RP = $1.29 ea.
Bird's Eye Steam fresh is BOGO at $1.34 ea, use .50 q from 12/6 SS = .34 ea.  This is not a stockpile price. LF has them this week for $1.00, so they would be free at LF.
Sister Schubert's rolls are BOGO at $1.76 ea., use the .50 q from 11/15 SS, makes them .76 ea.

Have you found the penquin in the frozen food section yet?  If so, take a look-there may be some good matchups with this week's sale.

Lowes Foods:

Want to add a little spice to your holiday?  You can do it really cheaply at LF this week!

You receive $5 in Fresh Rewards wyb 3 McCormick Spices, which are 30% off this week.  In addition, they have a catalina deal going on:
Buy 2 get $1 OYNO catalina
Buy 3 get $2 OYNO catalina
Buy 4 or more and get a $3 OYNO catalina
Talk about double dipping!!!  This has the potential to me a MM!
Scenario:
McCormick Cinnamon (1 oz.): 1.01 x 4 = 4.04 oop
Get $5 in Fresh Rewards
also get a $3 catalina oyno
Total Net:  -$3.96

Do the deal again, use your $3.00 oyno and pay only 1.04 (plus tax)
You now have $10 in Fresh Rewards and another $3 oyno catalina

Rinse and repeat.....but.....with this being said, I tried this last night and did not get the Fresh Rewards.  I still got the $3 catalina, which made them only .29 ea.  I am going to visit customer service and check to see which ones are included on the sale.  I will update this post when I find out. The sales flyer states "selected .6 - 4 oz", but had no more details. 

Gwaltney Premium Spiral Sliced Ham, honey or brown sugar, whole or half $1.39 lb.
Baker's Joy is 1.99, use .75 q from 11/8 SS = .49
Betty Crocker Potatoes (boxes) $1.00, use .35 q = .30 or use .40 IP: http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=5S2ZUA6PWPEPO = .25
Pepsi products - 12 pack cans are buy 2 get 3 free.  They are $5.79 ea, which ends up being $2.32 for a 12 pack.
Breyer's Icecream is BOGO at 2.70, use .75 q from 10/18 RP = 1.20
Cool Whip is on sale for $1.00
Bird's Eye Steamfresh veges (select varieties) $1.00, use .50 from 12/6 SS = FREE

That's all for now folks!!!

Even I screw up sometimes......

I "lost" $18 last night.....let's all pause for a moment of silence.......$18 is a huge loss!!!

Rachel had dance last night so Wally went with me to HT to finish the deals out for the week.  He asked the classic question, "How long with it take?", I answered with another classic, "5 minutes.".

We walked in, everything was on schedule.  We checked out the clearanced bread and nothing really stood out.  We make our way to the croutons, picked up 6 bags - we were each going to check out separately.  We got the Totino's pizza and went to U Scan.  Well within the "5 minute promise".  We checked out.  Jake, my favorite U Scan cashier was there, so we chatted it up while we checked out.  Wally used his VIC card and I used my VIC card - at the same time.  Even though they are not the exact same numbers, they have our home address linked to them, so essentially they are the same account.  After I scanned all my items, I walked up to the U Scan register because I was going to give him Wally's and my coupons, as well as pay him for each order, which I predicted to be .06 each. (After they doubled, the qs were for the full cost of the items, so I was simply paying tax.)  Jake's eyes got really big.  He said, "You are not going to believe this".  He explained to me that I got the "Fresh Foods Reward", valued at $9.00 on BOTH transactions. Don't have a clue what that is and even if I was aware of that promotion, it is not my goal to receive it.  I do not "TRY" to participate in the programs....to much to track in addition to tracking my q purchases.

Let's pause for a moment.  There is no point in time where I intentionally cheat stores.  It does happen on occassion, but it is very unintentional.  Good things happen to good people and when you try to cheat a store, it will certainly come back to bite you.  Sermon over.

In this situation, me getting the $9.00 off on EACH order royally messed me up. I I actually did not benefit at all from getting it off of both orders.  I would have much rather it just come off of one order, where I had items that I did not have coupons for, say, a meat purchase.  In this case, I could not use my coupons.  My oop was going to be higher (only pennies higher), but still.  Poor Wally is standing there watching the circus and simply said "buy more stuff".  My brain interpretted this as "go get more crappy pizzas" (No offense Tonys).  I looked at him like he was an alien and he just stood there. Since I am the self-acclaimed Coupon Queen, he dare not say anything else.  We have been married for 19 years today (Happy Anniversary, Honey), he is a smart man and wants to make it another 19 years (at least I think he does). 

Jake is still in shock and we discuss how there is no way to get out of this mess so that I can get my $9 on REAL food, so I make the executive decision to use only one $.50 coupon on each order, which doubled, so I paid .12 for each order.  A normal person would be thrilled with this, but not me.  I have paid double oop than my original plan AND still have qs that I need to use.  We make another pass around the store to get more of the items so that I can use my coupons.  Of course, along the way, we see Jennifer, the produce girl, so I had to chat with her and introduce her to Wally.  Then, I had to stop by the meat counter and ask the guy how to cook the ribs that I am planning on having tonight and we finally make it back up to U Scan (way over the "5 minute promise").  THIS time, my oop was .06 for each order.  That's more like it.

Anyway - Wally is laughing at me because I truly do not think I got a good deal, but, we took a picture of it anyway.  Clean your freezer out Jenny, there are more pizzas coming your way for the youth group!!

Yes, you counted correctly.  There are only 10 pizzas in the pic above.  We realized , after we bagged all of the stuff up to take downstairs that a runaway pizza did not make it in the picture, but was at the opposite corner of the table.  After all of torcture that I had put Wally through that evening, I didn't want to make Wally take another pic.  .36 is what 11 pizzas and 11 bags of croutons costs in Missy's Coupon Land.  Too bad there's not a couple of steaks or roast listed in the pic......

Lesson of the day.....listen to your husband.

CVS, RA and Wags Deal for week of 12/14

CVS:

CVS is having a 3 day sale.  The below is good through Tuesday, December 15.

Merry Bright bows, 12 count $2.99 get $2.99 ecbs, limit 2
Merry Bright tissue paper, 20 count, $1.99 get $1.99 ecbs, limit 2
Merry Bright peel and stick gift tags, 35 - 50 count $1.99, get $1.99 ecbs, limit 2

These items are on sale all week:

4 count Advil PM .99, get .99 ecbs.  These are a little tricky to find in the store.  At my store, they were located hanging on an endcap near where the medicine was located.  You might have to ask for assistance in finding these.

Rite Aid:

Don't forget to go to riteaid.com, watch the videos and get your $5/$20 q.

Nivea Lip Treatment is $2.99, get $2.00 SCR wyb 1

Ghiradelli pouches are $1.99, use $1 IP link: http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qknqcom6283365&bt=vi&o=59899&c=DV&p=yqrsVXmH

Scenario:
4 Nivea Lip Treatments = $11.96
1 Nivea Lotion = $7.99
2 x Ghiradelli pouches = 3.98
Subtotal = 23.93
Use the following qs:
2 qs for bogo Nivea Lip Treatment from 11/1 RP = -5.98
1 q for Free Nivea Lotion wyb 3 Nivea Lip Care Products = -7.99
2 x $1 IP for Ghiradelli = -2.00
5/20 from Rite Aid's Video program = -5.00
Total:  2.96 (not including tax)
Submit for $2 SCR for the Nivea Lip
Submit for $1 SCR for the Nivea Body Lotion (not 100% sure if this will go through)
 = Grand total of -.04 (plus tax)

Wags:

Wags is really slow this week and I am kind-of relieved.  I could use a break!!!

I actually don't have anything on my list for them.  I do, however, have some of the $5 Holiday Rewards that I need to spend before they expire, and I may just pick up candy for the stockings with them.  If you received any of these last week (if you spent $25 or more), keep in mind that you can only use one per transaction.

Have a great week!!!

Makeup Clearance at Wags

Wags is in the process of  clearancing some great makeup.  I purchase the below products for a mere $2.52.  They were all on clearance for $2.19 and I had $2.00 qs. 

Please excuse the blurry receipt below, but I wanted to show you my savings. Wags advertised savings was $40.60 and coupon savings was $14.00 for a grand total savings of $54.60. WOW - who says stockpiling doesn't pay???

As I like to say "You can't beat that with a stick!!!"

I would've had eight items, but one of my favorite Wags cashier was interested in them, so I shared one of my coupons with her.  Don't be stingy with your coupons - SHARE!!!  I have some more qs on order with ebay and going to share even more - and get more cheap makeup!!

This time of year, up until about March,  a lot of stores are re-doing their makeup walls.  You can get some great deals.  Last year (Jan. or Feb.), I got 25 makeup items for about $5.00.  I had coupons for the full value of the clearanced items and just paid tax. 

This is one of the reasons that I used to clip ALL coupons and file them in my 3" binder when I first began couponing in January.  I would break out into cold sweats if I came across a great deal and didn't have my qs with me.  By summer, I had a good enough stockpile that unless the non-neccesary items were free (not including tax), I would not purchase them. Now, I don't clip everything.  I am able to walk away from the free items if I do not have the coupon with me and not feel guilty.  I may think about it a couple of times and contemplate the time/energy and gas that it would cost to go home and get my coupon, return to the store to purchase it and risk it not being there, but I don't break out into cold sweats........baby steps......it's only been a year!

I do however still beat myself up when I don't make it to the grocery store before the sale ends to get free items.  There are hungry people out there and I can't get out of the car in the rain or am too tired to stop on the way home from work to get the free food?  SLACKER!!!!  Okay, I'm working on this........(to plan better and stop earlier in the week).

Don't know how I got on THAT tangent, but that's all for now.

Grocery Store deals for 12/9/09 - Updated

See update in HT section below.

Food Lion:
Here we come Food Lion - deals this week are not as good as the chicken deal several months ago, but not too shabby!!!

FLIPS: (Food Lion Internet Printables - memorize this - even Wally knows what this means - I quizzed him last night!!!) Remember - FLIPS are Food Lion qs, not mfg. qs. You can use these on the pre-sale (pre-mvp) price. See scenarios below.

$2 off $6 in Produce, $2 off $10 in Butcher's Brand Beef Products

Gala Apples $1.29 lb (reg. $1.99 lb)
Navel Oranges 4 lb bag $2.49 (reg $4.99)

Scenario:

Purchase 3 lbs of Gala Apples and 1 banana = $2.12 after FLIP
Regular Price: 
3lbs x $1.99 = 5.97
Banana = .25
Total = 6.22
This gets you to your $6.00 before MVP price

Sale Price:
3lbs x  1.29 = 3.87
Banana = .25
Use $2 off $6 FLIP = - 2.00
Total:  $2.12

Another Scenario using the Oranges:

Regular Price:
1 bag oranges = 4.99
.75 lb apples = 1.50
Total = 6.49

Sale Price:
1 bag oranges = 2.49

1 lb apples = .65
Total = 3.14
FLIP = - 2.00
Total = 1.14

Get the idea?  You will benefit the most with the q by seeking out items that are on sale and using the pre-sale price to get to the $6. 

Same goes for the meat.  The roast is on sale this week for $1.99.  The ad does not list the regular price for the meat, so I could not do a scenario on this.

FL is also having another 3 day sale, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out foodlion.com for more details.  The only thing that really caught my eye was the FL bacon for .99.

Also, don't forget about the Bakery/Deli FLIP  for $3 off $10 that expires at the end of the month.  If you need a quick dessert or deli meat, this will really come in handy.  The deli Virigina ham and Honey ham is on sale bogo this week.  This will give HT's buy 2 get 3 free a run for it's money!!!! See below for the "math".

Regular Price
2 lbs ham $5.49 x 2 = 10.98

Sale Price:
2 lbs ham $2.75 x 2 = 5.50
FLIP = - $3.00
Total = $2.50 for 2 lbs of ham

That does have HT beat!!


Here is the file for the FLIP for this week: 
http://www.4shared.com/file/169729813/4a5e516/12_9_09_flips.html

Flip for $3 off $10 in Bakery/Deli:
http://www.4shared.com/file/169754268/91eb2b42/3_off_10_deli_bak_exp_12_29_09.html


Harris Teeter:

Evic Specials:
Dole Frozen Fruit .99, use .75 q from 11/1 SS = FREE (limit 1)
Green Giant Boxed Veges .68. Purchase another one at .99,  use the .50/2 IP from coupons.com and you will pay .67 for 2 boxes.

Update:  More Evic Specials:
HT canned green beans, corn or peas .33, limit one (darn)
Pillsbury Easy Frost .99, use .40 q from 11/8 RP (limit 1 - darn again!)
$3.00 of wyb 1 pkg of HT Reserve Angus Flank or Flat Iron Steak (limit one - do I need to say it again!?!?!)  Don't really know if this is a good deal or not.  It's worth checking on!!!

Also, keep your eyes open for the penguin in the refrigerated/frozen section.  That handsome dude is a 5' free-standing cardboard host of coupons.  I heart him. 

Weekly Sale:

Deli Meat/Cheeses, 8 oz. prepackaged are buy 2 get 3 free at $4.49 each.  You will get 5 packages for $8.98 = $1.80 per pack.  These freeze VERY well. Limit 10 packs.

Tony's Pizzas are on sale for $1.00.  .50 q in 10/4 SS.  FREE
 Cool Whip .99, use .55 IP = FREE
Jello Pudding .69, use .55/2 = .28/2
Link to IPs:  http://print.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14703&zid=us85&nid=20
These have the "Redeem at Publix" printed on them, but they are mfg qs.  You should not have a problem.
Also, for the Jello - just an FYI:  Walgreens has the Royal brand on sale for .33 for the pudding (no coupon required) and the gelatin is 5/$1.00 when you use the Wags in-ad q.

Apples are on sale for .99.  FL has the better deal, but if are not planning on going to FL this week, this is a good price.

Lipton Family size 24 count tea is bogo at $1.34 each.  Use the .50 q from 11/15 RP, makes it .34 ea.

That's really all that excites me this week at HT, so far.

Lowes Foods:

Nature's Own White Wheat Bread is BOGO, make it .99 each
Boston Butt Pork Roast:  .99/lb

I Tunes Giftcards:  Buy 2 $15 GCs, get $5 in Fresh Rewards, or 1 $25 or 1 $50, get $5 in Fresh Rewards.

Recap on Fresh Rewards:
Fresh Rewards are cards that are printed and presented to the customer when they meet advertised purchase requirements.  They are printed in $5 incriments and good for one month.  You can roll them on themselves (use them on the same promotion that you received them from) - except for the I Tunes GC above.  You are not able to use a coupon or giftcard of any kind when purchasing these GCs - you must use your debit or credit card.

That's all folks!!!   Have a great week!!

CVS, RA and Wags Deal for week of 12/6

CVS:

Three Day Sale, Sunday - Tuesday, 12/6 - 12/8

Essence of Beauty Bath & Body Items $4.99, get $4 ecbs (limit 2)
Merry Bright Mini Ornaments $1.99, get $1.99 ecbs (limit 2)
Merry Bright Santa Hats $3.99, get $3.99 ebs (limit 2)
These Merry Bright items are very low quality, but, if you need to roll your ecbs, this is a great way to do it!!!

All week sale:

Zantac $8.99, get $8.99 ecbs.  Hopefully you still have a $5.00 IP or, if not, there was a $1.00 q in the 11/15 SS.
$1.00 MM
Emergen C 2 pack $3.99, get $3.99 ecbs

Rite Aid:

Old Spice Deal:
Old Spice Deoderant x 4 = $8.00 ($2 ea)
Old Spice Aftershave or Cologne x 1 = 8.99
Old Spice Body Spray x 1 = 4.99
Airwick I Motion x 1 = 5.00
Subtotal:  26.98

Use:  2 qs for $1/2 deoderant - 2.00
         q for free Aftershave or Cologne wyb 3 deoderants - 8.99
         q for free Body Spray wyb 3 deoderants - 4.99
         (all of the Old Spice qs are in the 11/29 P&G)
         q for $5.00 Airwick Motion (11/15 SS) - 5.00
         q for $5/25 purchase  - 5.00
         Link for $5/25: http://offers.riteportal.com/760/ecoup_S525.pdf

Total:  $1.00
But wait - there's more!!! Submit this for the SCR (single check rebate program found at riteaid.com) and you will receive a $1.00 rebate!!!

FREEEEEEEE

Walgreens:

Intuition Razors are $6.99, get $3 rrs, use $2 q from 11/22 SS = $1.99 ea
Triminic Strips are 2/$10, get $5 rrs.  Use the $3 q from the 12/6 SS and the $2 q from the Healthy Savings Book (found at Wags)
$5.00 MM!!

Eggs are on sale for .99

Stay tuned for details on the Wags 4 day sale!!!

Hallmark $5.00 Printable Coupon

Hopefully, you've gotten at least one of the wonderful green Hallmark $5.00 coupons in one the magazine subscriptions that you receive. I get about 8 magazines a month, most of them free (I sign up for the trial issues and/or free issues).  I remember there being one in the Oprah and Martha Stewart December issues.

Now, you can print two of them.

Here's the link (you may have to copy and paste this into your address bar):  http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qljgbza47489132&bt=wi&o=60552&c=HL&p=IPoV13vu

After you print one, click on the back button and it will print again.

Since Hallmark can be a little pricey, this will really come in handy.  Keep in mind that you can use these on anything in the store.  I picked up a bday card and a Yankee Candle Tart and paid about $1.40.  They also have candy - some stores even have truffles in a case that you can pick out and have them box up.  This would be a great teacher's gift.

Enjoy and don't forget.......SHARE the candy......unless you are having a bad day, then at least wait until you get into the car to eat them - don't eat them in the store - that's just tacky!!!

Gillette and Febreeze Deal at CVS - Plus BOLO for Scanners!!!

I think they have installed scanners in all of the CVS stores!!!  Previously, they were only in the newer stores, but the University Road and Yadkinville Road location now have them.  They are in the front of the store, on an endcap near the registers.  Scan your CVS card every time you go in and it will spit out CVS coupons.  These can be combined with mfg qs. 

A new discovery (aka, I'm still recovering from Thanksgiving and discovered this later than normal.)

Gillette Deal:  Spend $25, get $10 in ecbs. See scenario below:
3 Gillette deoderants at $5.49 ea: 16.47
3 Gillette body wash at 4.99 ea:   14.97
Subtotal                                         31.44

Use 3 $1 deoderant qs                   -3.00      from the 11/1 P&G
Use 3 free shampoo wyb deod     -14.97     from the 11/1 P
Subtotal                                         13.47

Use $5/30 (from Medicare quiz    -5.00
 at cvs.com)

Total OOP                                       8.47
Receive $10 in ecbs

Hopfully you have a $10 ecb to roll.  If so, get a filler.  There was some Curel lotion that was half price, for $3.00 that I picked up.

The Febreeze Deal: Spend $15, get $5 in ecbs

Febreeze Air Effects are $2.50 each, purchase 6.  Use 6 qs from 11/29 P&G.
Use $3/$15 (if you have one), Total is $6.00, get $5.00 ecbs.

Good Luck!!!

Wags deals for the week of 11/29

I am focusing on Wags this week....Let me say, unless you REALLY REALLY need any of the below items, I would not put much effort into preparing.  Inventory has been really low this week.

Children's Activity Book:  CAB:  A coloring/activity book usually located near the pharmacy or with the other children's coloring books.  It costs $1.00 and has Wags qs in it.  You do not give the cashier the q, just show it to them, they will punch in the code and you keep the book.  I know for a fact that the Reynolda store and the Robinhood Village store are out of them, but I have not checked at other stores this week.

Nivea Lip Product is on sale for .99.  Purchase 4:

4 x .99 = 3.96

bogo q from 11/1 RP = -1.98

Nivea 13.5 Lotion = 7.49

Q for free Nivea 13.5 Lotion = -7.49          (q is for free Nivea 13.5 Lotion

Total: $1.98 for 4 nivea lip and lotion          wyb any 3 Nivea lip careproducts
Score!!!                                                          from the 11/1 RP.)

 

"Character" bandaids (Dora and Sponge Bob) are on sale for 2/$3 get $1 rr.  Use the $2 q from the CAB and get them for free (register will automatically adjust the q - no overage).  DONATION!!! and $1.00 MM (with rrs)

Various Glade items are 2/$5, get $1 rrs.  There are blinkies out there for a free refill pack wyb any Glade Scented Oil Candle holder.  Makes them $1.50 for 2 after q and rrs.

Ecotrin 45 count is $1.99 with Wags in-ad q.  There is a q from the 10/11 RP for $10/3 or $7/2 Advantage Brands and Ecotrin is one of them.  See the below scenerio:
Purchase 3 Ecotrin at $3.59 each
also purchase other items totaling at least $4.03
Use the $10/3 mfg q
Use the $1.99 Wags in-ad q.

Buy 4 of the "kid's dental care", 4/$10, get $5 rrs.  Use 4 of the the $1/2 toothbrush q from 11/29 P&G, use $1 q from the CAB and it become as $1 mm after rrs.

Sweet n Low is bogo this week at $2.49 for 2 (we happen to be out of this at our house).

Also, keep an eye open for great deals on Revlon "Beauty Tools".  There are several Revlon tools that are clearanced AND we have mfg qs  (11/15 SS) AND there is a $1 q in the Wags December Q Book, located at the front, with the sales flyers.  I purchased two ceramic nail files last night for $1.59 each, used 2 $1.00 qs, 2 $1 Wags q, bought a .10 pencil, used a $1 rr and paid .72 oop.  My total savings on that order was $10.06. 

It is helpful to know when the trucks come in when the inventory is low, like it is this week.  I know the Robinhood Village location's truck comes in on Tuesdays and I am fairly confident that the Reynolda location is ths same. 

Good Luck!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday Events

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Ours was spectacular.  We started the day off biking at Salem Lake, came home, put everything in the oven and ate - very well and a lot.  After the food settled, the kids and husbands played football outside and us girls sat on the screened-in deck talking.

So, don't think the husband shops?  This next story that I am going to tell you is going to save me from the shopping "look" for an entire year......you know, the one where you come home from shopping after several hours with only a handful of things....

Paceline Bicycles has gone out of business (RIP).  Beginning on Black Friday, specifically at 10:00 a.m., they were having a liquidation sale.  My husband (Wally) and brother-in-law (Mark) were going to the sale.  Keep in mind, they live in VA and they were planning on going back home after the sale.  My siser-in-law (Ellen) and I decide to do a little shopping (emphasis on "little").  We passed by Paceline at 9:45 and there was a line out of the door to get in.  I immediately called Wally and let him know.  Ellen and I were on our merry way.  I was very careful to take EVERY back road as to not get caught in the mall traffic.

By about 11:00, we are finished shopping and are STARVING!!!!  We call the boys.  They are in line - don't expect to get out until about 1 or 1:30.  WHAT????? I look at my clock again to make sure that I'm reading the current time correctly.  Whatever - I'm not standing in line....there were no lines where WE went shopping.  But, still we are starving.....

Being the good wives that we are, we went home to check on the kids.  Waited and waited - still starving......we must have lost 2 lbs waiting on them!!

They finally got home and we were off to Mi Pueblo.  6 baskets of chips, an unfortunate story and 3 beers later, our food came. 

The unfortunate story:  The bikes were 40% off and everything else was 50% off.  The walked through the store a couple of times, got what they wanted and then the "final pass" through the store was what killed him. There was barely a line just before the "final pass", but afterwards, it was very long.......very very long.   They stood there, contemplating.........it's not that bad......it will start moving soon.  After an hour, they felt like they were committed and couldn't leave.  They stood in line in the hot store, in the hot sun by the window and FINALLY got to the register at about 1:45. They ended up saving a little over $100 each.  He "can't" tell me what he got - with Christmas approaching.  They were tired little puppies by the time we ate.  Ellen and Mark decided to stay that night, and, as a result, we were able to get another meal in before they left!!!

In Paceline's defense - they are a bike shop - why would they ever need more than one register? 

Hope you had a fantastic Black Friday!! Hope it was better than Wally and Mark's!!

"LIVE" with Martha

For those of you who know me, you already know, but for those who don't.... I HEART Martha Stewart.  ALOT.

I strive to be more like her - my favorite acronym is "WWMD" (What Would Martha Do).  My family calls me Martha Jr.  She is ridiculous, lavish, over-the-top and has lots of helpers. What's not to like about that!?!?!

I have the most fortunate opportunity to speak with her on the phone.  NO KIDDING!!!!  As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I listen to Martha Stewart Radio to and from work the week of Thanksgiving.  I left the office on Monday, tuned in as usual, and she was hosting the Turkey Hotline.  Keep in mind - most of the time, there are semi-famous/important chefs that are hosting the show, but that afternoon Martha was hosting.  I called...........the "screener" picked up on the second ring.  My heart fell into my stomach.  She asked what question I had, I told her and she put me on hold.  As you may suspect, I already knew the answer - I just wanted to talk with Martha.   Approximately 7 minutes later, I was "LIVE" with Martha.  I asked my question (wasn't that important/difficult), and we exchanged our schedule for Thanksgiving Day.  Just in case you're going to NYC and want to see her, she will be walking around Central park mid-day - after brunch, of course.  I was SOOO nervous.  When I got home, I told Rachel that I was "walk down the isle" nervous.  Had to explain that one to the 13 year old. 

The unfortunate part about this is that no one that I knew personally was listening.  I was going to try to call or text Wally and Rachel, so they could listen, but I didn't want to accidently hang up.  That would've been terrible!!!

To make up for it, I spent most of the evening calling everyone that I thought would REMOTELY care and told them.  I am off cloud 9 a little more today, but still, very excited.  I am the only person that I know that has spoken with Martha. WOW!!!!

The next thing on my list is meeting her in person.  I'm going to add that one to my "Bucket" List.

Wags picks for 11/22

Abbreviations used in this post:
ECBs = Extra Care Bucks
IP = Internet Printable Coupons
MM = Money Maker
q = coupon
rr = register reward
RP = Red Plum
SCR = Single Check Rebate
SS = Smart Source Coupon Insert
Wags = Walgreens
wyb = when you buy
$1/2 = $1.00 off of 2 items

Better get  your deals done early this week with the holiday coming up.  I would be interested in hearing what type of Black Friday deals you are aiming for - either post or send me an email.  There is not much we need, so I'll probably sit this one out - but I'm not promising anything!!!

The best deal this week is the cracker deal at Wags.  Purchase 5 boxes of Nabisco Crackers and get $3.00 in rrs. That makes them $1.70 each.  But wait, if you bought multiple papers, you can get them for free!  Use the 5 x $1 q from 11/8 SS, making them $2 for 5 boxes.......but wait, there's even more!  If you act now, and your store has the Diabetes and You Booklet, there is a $1/2 boxes q in there, making them -.50 for 5 boxes.  See below for more details.
5 boxes x $2 ea =                    $10.00
5 x $1 q from 11/8 RP =          -  5.00
4 x $1/2 q from Diab. Book =  -  2.50
Total OOP:                                  2.50
Get:  $3.00 in RRS                   -  3.00
Net                                            -    .50 (aka - Money Maker)

Think that's a great deal - it gets even better!!!  Do this deal twice, submit the receipt for the "Put a Jingle in your Holidays" Nabisco promotion and you will get a $10 rebate.  Who says that it doesn't pay to stockpile/coupon!?!?!  Those crackers are paying me $10.50 to eat them!!!! Well, not all of them, at least 5 boxes will be donated which means......you got it - Nabisco is paying ME for the needy to eat crackers......SWEET!

Here's the link to the rebate form: http://www.kraftfoods.com/SiteCollectionImages/ImageRepository/Sept_09/Kraft_Holiday_Crackers.pdf


There are also some IPs at the Kraft website, but it's $1/2.  Not as free, but still a great deal!

A couple of other deals that are worth noting at Wags this week:

Hershey's Holiday Minis, Bells or Kisses are 2/$5, get $1 rr wyb 2 bags.  Use the $1/2 q from 11/8 SS, making them $1.50 per bag after rr.

The Starbucks Icecream is on sale for $2.50, use $1 q from 11/15 RP.

Select Harvest soup is $1.25.  Did you happen to print off the $1 IP?

CVS: 

Not much going on there this week but a couple of deals:

Tums are $3.99, get $1 ECB. Pick up the $100 q book (from the pharmacy I think - I haven't even gotten mine yet!).  Use the $2 q from there and the $1 IP, Link: http://www.tums.com/ - CORRECTION - Print limit has been reached - but still only $1.00 net - if you need them.

Complete Contact Solution: $8.99, get $8.99 ECBs, use $1 q from 10/25 RP. 
$1 MM

No one in our family uses contact solution, so this will be donated.  This is a great example of "rolling" and "growing" your ECBs.  Hopefully, you already have ECBs and your oop will be low. 
For example - I have a $10 ECB that will expire on Friday, 11/27.  I am going to scour through the black Friday ads and, if there is nothing that I see that I want/need, I will use the $10 in ECBs on this and add a little something else that I want/need. 

Rite Aid:

Rite Aid has started their "Gift of Savings" program (began on 11/22, ends on 12/24)

Spend $25-50, get $5 back
Spend $51-100, get $10 back
Spend over $100, get $20 back

This is before qs.  When they had the fall version of this, I spent about $43 oop (getting SC rebates for $38) and got a $20 check to be used at RA.

It is valid on most items.  See Riteaid.com for more details.

The Benevia (nutritional beverage) is $7.99, get $7.99 SCR, use $5 IP and it becomes a $5 MM!!!  Link:  http://www.gobeneviacoupons.com/

That's about all for this week!

Shopping for Thanksgiving/Weekly Groceries

I went a little crazy on Sunday and actually spent about $32 on groceries. 

Sam's Club: $7.00
10 lbs potatoes
Apple Cider

Lowes Foods:  $10.81
Sweet Potatoes for Thanksgiving
2 x Tennessee's Pride Sausage
2 x Land O' Lakes Butter
3 x Breyer's Icecream (a necessity)

Harris Teeter: $14.85
2  4 packs of Crab Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms
Large bag of reduced mushrooms
4 bananas
3 apples
1 celery
1 Butternut Squash
4 boxes instant Jello pudding
2 pkgs. Chinet napkins
1 Tropicana OJ E-Vic special for $1.77

When I go into HT, I always check the "reduced" section in produce.  I happened to go first thing Sunday morning and they were putting stuff out.  The lady brought out 4 - 4 packs of crab stuffed portablleo mushrooms.  They were .79 for a 4 pack.  OMG....I picked up 2 of the 4 packs and confirmed with her that I could NOT freeze them.  I wanted to buy ALL four really, really bad.  It was ALL I could do not to buy all four packs.  I would gladly have them for lunch one day this week, but we have stuff going on at work and my lunches are spoken for. This is one item that is not "donatable", so that was not an option. Oh well......we enjoyed them for dinner Sunday night and will have the remainder on  Monday night.

I got the butternut Squash for free!!!  When I walked into the store, they had a sign up for butternut squash, $1.29.  I have been wanting try it and thought I would get one.  I spoke with the produce lady about how to prepare it and she was very helpful and friendly (as she always is). When I got to the register, it rang up per lb, not each.  I told the cashier that I did not want it.  I would have tried it for $1.29, but not for $4.93 (just imagine how many of the mushrooms that I could have gotten for that!?!?!?)  I suggested that she check the sign and change it to per lb. and she said that she would.  She voided the item off, walked it back over to produce and her and the produce lady (I have GOT to get her name) looked at the sign.  Sure enough, it was not marked per lb. The produce lady brough the squash back over to me and put it in my cart.  I told her that it was not necessary, but she insisted. I was very pleased, but not surprised.  HT's customer service has always been excellent, especially at this store.

It's HT's policy to give you the item if it rings up incorrectly. I have had this happen only in a couple of situations and usually do not accept their offer to give it to me for free.  They have always been very apologetic about it and I feel like I'm "robbing" them anyway (most of the time).

I still have to go to Ronnie's Country Store downtown to get an onion, collards, and fatback (yes, I said fatback) but game day is running on schedule. 

The house is clean and I'm just waiting until Tuesday evening to start cooking!  My SIL and her family are coming and will be at our house around lunchtime on Wednesday. We have WAY funner stuff to do than cook (not that I don't enjoy cooking), but she shops as well/much as I coupon AND cook, so it's really fun.

Donation Reminder - Remember those in need

With the holiday season fastly approaching, please make an effort to pick up extra items while shopping for those in need.  My goal while shopping/couponing is to pick up items for .25 or less for donations.  As I mentioned on a previous post, our church has discovered a need in our community.  There is a set of HUD apartments (about 100) that is close in proximity to our church. They can use about anything that you would like to donate.  As you can expect, food is at the top of the list. Contact me if you would like to donate and I will coordinate pick up or you can drop it off directly at the apartments.

Logistically, it's very easy to give this time of year.  The Second Harvest Food Bank has donation barrels in most grocery stores. Can't get much more convenient than that!

Also, did you know that the Second Harvest Food  Bank supports programs all over the city?  I discovered a nursing home close to my work that partners with them.  I was able to drop the items off on the way to work at 7:00 a.m. and not have to drive downtown.

Don't forget the little ones.  Pick up an extra toy or two for donating while shopping.

Happy Shopping!!!

Thanksgiving Preparation (WWMD?)

Just a few words about Thanksgiving preparation at my house.  I call it "Game Day".  It's when I do what I do best - cook.  Believe it or not, I cook even better than I coupon. In order to allow the cooking experience to go smoothly, I also plan, plan and overplan.  I listen to Martha Stewart Radio on the way home every afternoon to grasp some tidbit of information that I might have missed, all the time knowing that I learned from the best (Mom) and I probably know it all, but I do get some satisfaction in yelling the answers to the stupid questions that the callers ask. Back to the planning......there is a cleaning list for the weekend before, a cleaning list for the Wednesday before and timelines........galore (sorry - I just couldn't resist that one!)  I set my table on Tuesday night and have planned (with signs, of course) what casserole dish will be used for what food and where the food goes on the table.  Martha herself would be proud. One day, she will show up at my house unannounced for Thanksgiving lunch and you have better believe that I will be ready.  Of course, that will never happen - she would call first and never show up unannounced.

In previous years, I spent about $80 purchasing the items that I need for Thanksgiving Dinner, not including the Turkey/Ham.  This year is WAYYYY different!!!  I will spend about $5-10 (not including the Turkey).  I have everything I need, except for a couple of fresh items.  I will spend some time this weekend grouping my items together to ensure that I have what I need for every dish.

Of course, the family helps out a lot.  We will all get our exercise running down to the "stockroom" to get something that I forgot.  Much better/less expensive than running to the store!

Good luck if you are cooking this year.  Hope your "Game Day" goes well!

Cereal Anyone?

So.....our minister mentioned a new need in the community that has recently been discovered and sent me an email with the details (I will post details separately).  Not wanting to waste ANY time and BARELY needing an excuse.....a great cereal deal appeared in my radar.

Target price matches.  They have only been doing this since late summer and it has taken a while to catch on.  You are required to bring in the original sales ad and there are a lot of rules (see link to Target's policy below). The sweetest thing is that Target has their own qs (IPs) that can be used in combination with mfg. qs.  Combine all three and you've got some really good deals!!!

For example......Wags has their Kelloggs cereal on sale for $1.99 this week.  There was a $1 mfg q. in 11/8's insert and there are IPs on the Kelloggs website.  There is also a Target q (IP) for $1 off any 11.2 oz or larger Kelloggs cereal (exp. 11/17/09).  You've got it!!! $-.01 for a box of cereal.

The Target q expired on 11/17, but I wanted to have more than one day to do the deal. On 11/16 I went in armed with sub-standard qs, having to use some .75 IPs instead of $1 ones.  Anyway, I paid $1.46 for 4 boxes of cereal.  Not fantastic, but that's okay (just this once).

A co-worker accompanied me to Target at lunchtime on the last day before the q expired.  The limit on the Wags ad is 4, so I bought 4 and she bought 4 (for me, of course).  We got to customer service and the associate was very nice.  She price matched them all for me and I also purchased a pack of gum. (Don't be too hard on me - it was for my DD and no, I did not have a q for it :(   )     Plus, I did not want to have a negative balance.  I gave her my qs and she looks at them, pauses and said "I can't take $2 off a $1.99 item.  I told her that she could price modify it and she just looked at me. Then I offered to take one of the Target qs back so, net, the amount would not be a negative.  She liked that idea.  I still got the pack of gum, so my total was $2.05.  She forgot to give me my bag credit of $.05 darn-it!!!!  Anyway, my friend's total was .96 (no gum)

Final Total for 12 boxes of cereal......

$3.38

Retail value - non sale and no qs:  $33.96....That's 10% of retail.

Not fantastic and not a MM, but gosh darn it - still a good deal. I know the "newly-discovered" needy group will enjoy it!

Here is the link to the Target's Price Match policy:  http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-040400

CVS and Wags picks for week of 11/15/09

Below are my picks for the week of 11/15:

Aussie Hair Products $2.99

Receive $2 in rrs

Use $1 q from 10/11 P&G

FREE

Also, this is rolling (for explanation, see "Newbies Corner" below, click on Wags.

Ricola Cough Drops (Berry Flavor) $1

Receive $1 in rrs

Use .50 q from "Healthy Savings" Walgreens book (located in the store)

.50 MM

Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice (aka kid's holday champagne) $2.50 with Wags in-ad q.

There was a $2 IP that is no longer available - hopefully you printed this???

OOP: .50

I Motion Compact air freshener is 50% off, making it 3.99

Use the $4 q from the 10/11 SS.  I haven't tried this yet.  My Wags has not restocked since the last sale.

Also, they have Christmas pencils on sale 8 for $1 with q from Wags sales flyer.  This would be a great filler if needed.

Covergirl Simply Ageless Foundation $13, Covergirl Simply Ageless Blush $10  Purchase both of these and get $10 in ECBs.

$23

-$10 Use BOGO q from 11/1 P&G

-$  1 Use $1 q from 11/1 P&G

Total oop: $12 (hopfully you have ECBs to roll?)

Receive $10 ECBS

which makes them $1 each (unless you have a $/$$ q - even better)!!

Purchase $12 in Glade products and get $4 ECBs.

Glade Sense and Sprays $6

$6 x 2 = $12

Use $4 x 2= -$8

OOP: $4.00

Receive $4.00 in ECBs = FREE

I'm finally up!!!

After a couple of weeks of playing with the format, I FINALLY have a blog!

My goal is to provide you with information regarding couponing and sales, focusing on the Winston Salem, NC area.

I would love suggestions and feedback on what you do/don't like about the blog. Just shoot me an email (found under "My Profile").

I will be adding more features, such as a "Newbies section", Glossary and a few other cool things soon.

Thanks for reading and wish me luck!!!