Frugalicious Tip of the Day…..

Did your momma ever tell you….”Just because we have it, doesn’t mean you have to use it all!”

Well, I was thinking the other day how when the shampoo bottle in the shower is just about gone….but you don’t want to drip across the bathroom floor to get a new bottle out of the cabinet….and you make due with the tiny bit that is left in the bottle…..and it works just fine!

I think that is the thought process we have to use each day — whether we are in the shower or not!

Just because we have 10 boxes of fruit gushers in the pantry doesn’t mean we have to eat a pack every 10 minutes! (Our girls love them.)

So, my message today is to practice control.

We are stockpiling for a reason. To save money. So….

Use in moderate proportions….that will make your dollar stretch just a bit further.

And, if it helps, stash your stockpile in a hidden location, so that little (or big) eyes don’t see just how many boxes of fruit gushers we do actually have……

May your night be just frugalicious!

Frugalicious Tip of the Day

Complete the Rebates / Mail in Offers!

This month, I have done a lot of rebates / mail in offers.

I have gotten several packets of coupons in the mail & today, I got a ‘HealthyOnes’ lunch bag!

It is like Christmas each day I go to the mailbox!

A Tip that I learned from my coupon class….
Keep track of the rebates submitted by having a copy of everything you submitted on file. Sometimes issues arise in the process and you might need to reference. You don’t want to be shorted a rebate because you didn’t have the original documentation!

Thanks to http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/ & http://www.katycouponers.blogspot.com/ ! Your class is paying off! $$$$$

Resisted the Urge….

Ok, I must admit that I am addicted. I guess that is the first step of overcoming an addiction, admitting it, right??

Several months ago my smart sister in law suggested I try shopping as an ‘extreme couponer’ . I laughed at the notion thinking I didn’t have the time and wouldn’t save enough for it to be worth it. But…

I must admit that now, I am addicted to saving. I guess that is the first step of overcoming an addiction, admitting it, right??

Well, I spent my budget this week. As you all can tell, I stayed under my budget! WHOO HOO!

Our pantry is stocked. We need some fresh produce — which I will buy on Sunday (the start of my new budget week).

My problem is….I have the urge to go shopping tomorrow. I have still not made my Target trip this week. I have all my coupons in order … so would it be wrong of me to go tomorrow and call that part of next week’s budget? I can hardly pass up the PopTarts at such a great price!

I have also gotten a list together for Walmart. And am itching to go — I think I am gonna be really proud of my savings!

Again, we don’t really need anything. A lot of people could survive on what we have in the house for several weeks. I really just want to go to find the bargains and be proud of my finds! We will see. I might cave and go tomorrow and call it a portion of next week’s budget, would that be so bad??

Glade B1G1 Free Coupon Printables

Here they are again! http://www.southernsavers.com/2009/02/b1g1-glade-coupons/

Thanks to Jenny at Southern Savers, the link above will direct you to the B1G1 coupons.

I used these a couple weeks ago at Walgreens. When combined with your $4 Glade Sense and Spray Coupons (use 1 B1G1 & 1 $4 off coupon) when purchasing two Sense and Sprays. Then, Walgreens has a rebate for those this month ($3 per unit – limit 4). They ended up being free!

My husband swears the Sense and Sprays are out to get him, though. I put them on the backs of the toilets in the house and he swears they spray him in they eyes when he uses the restroom!

I think it is funny! The house smells great, my husband is losing his vision, but the house smells great!! You gotta have your priorities, right??

May your day be just frugalicious!

Tip of the Day

Catalinas

That is the vocabulary word of the day. It is the coupon that prints out from the little machine next to the cash register when you are checking out at the grocery store.

A few weeks ago the hot one was a $3.50 coupon off your next purchase at Kroger when you bought 5 Betty Crocker fruit snacks.

This week there is rumors that there is one printing when you purchase Pillsbury Grands…..

I was wondering if the Catalina company would have a list somewhere of the Catalinas that print from week to week. So, I called them. (1.800.826.8766) They said the only way to know is to find POP displays where the catalina is mentioned (right by the shelf tag of the respective product) OR by having it print at the register.

That number is also the one that you would call if the store cannot fix a situation where the Catalina didn’t print for some reason or another.

I will keep you posted, and if you hear confirmation of the Pillsbury one — be sure to post a comment!

May your day be just frugalicious!

Randalls & Walgreens

Ok…here goes nothing. I had a great day today finding all kinds of bargains….

I stopped at Walgreens & Randalls today. Here is the breakdown:

Walgreens:

41 boxes of Reynolds Wrap — $1.69. Used Walgreens coupon to get .89 price. Then used 39$1.00 coupons. I didn’t need 41 coupons b/c of my overage on the other coupons.

2 Ladys Speed Stick Deoderant — clearanced to $1.79. I used a .75/2 coupon.

You might ask, what the heck are you going to do with 41 freakin’ rolls of Reynolds Wrap. Well, to that, I say — have you looked at the prices for that stuff lately? It is nearly $10 for 200 sq ft at Randalls — that is the sale price. So, I say if I can stockpile when it is free I will!

Another question you might ask is how I got so many coupons. Well, I traded for 20 of them. And the other 20 I bought off of ebay. They were .99 + .75 for shipping.

I also added in the Deoderant to take up some of the overage w/ the Reynolds Wrap.

Total OOP at Walgreens: $.11 (that is cents, not dollars) plus $1.74 for the ebay coupons = $1.85 OOP for total project!

Total Savings: $75.95

At RANDALLS:

I went in looking for a Blue Bell Deal…… There wasn’t one….but, I found some other deals!

I was hunting for the .89 red seedless grapes (mind you I had two kids (5y & 3y) in a big blue ‘fun cart’ as they like to call it…..and a 7mth old strapped to me……). The grapes were sold out….so, I got my first rain check! Thanks http://www.katycouponers.blogspot.com/ & http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/ for shedding the light on the rainchecks!

Anyway, I was in the produce area waiting on someone to tell me they didn’t have any more grapes. My eyes spotted the caramel dip! I love that stuff. It was marked 75% off — final price $1.00. There were Point of Purchase coupons on the display for $1/1 container of the caramel dip! So, I got 6! YIPPEE! The kicker was that right next to it was a coupon for $2 off apples when you buy two caramel dips. I turned around and saw bags of Fuji Apples for $1.97!

Here is what I got:

2 – Safeway Sugars (1.85 each)

4 – Apple Juice (.99 each)

2 – McCormick Seasonings for Fajitas (on sale for .79 ea. used a .25/2 coupon final price .42 each)

2 – Mission Tortillas (3.19 each)

6 – Caramel Dips (FREE when I used the POP coupon)

3 – Bags of Apples (FREE + overage when I bought the 6 caramel dips)

TOTAL OOP: $13.74

Total Savings: 75% / $42.19

We left Randalls and headed straight to Jack in the Box for their two free tacos — Aubrey ate them like crazy!

FOR THE DAY TOTAL OOP: $13.85

Cellfire Coupons Loaded

I just loaded my newest cellfire coupons!  They are a must as you shop at Kroger!  Remember, they only work ONCE and they DO NOT double.

May your night be just frugalicious!

Up for a challenge, anyone?

Southern Savers is one of the blogs I have been following. She is offering a cool drawing that ends Friday!

I signed up and hope to win! I definitely love a challenge!

This style of shopping is so fun! If someone would have told me 3 years ago, heck 3 months ago that I would be shopping like this and having sooo much fun, I would have not believed them!

Go to Southern Savers and check it out!

May your night be just frugalicious!

Everyone Loves A Free Taco or Two!

Today at participating Jack in the Box Restaurants you can redeem this coupon for two free tacos!  Thanks for the headsup Affluent Pauper !There are a bunch of other links to coupons for free food on the blogs that I follow.  Be sure to check them out.  They are located on the left of my blog!

May your day be just frugalicious!

Frugalicious Tip of the Day

How do you stay organized doing couponing?

The hardest part of saving is continually staying organized!

There are many ways to do it…..I will give you mine as an example! Feel free to add a comment and describe your ‘method of madness’ !

I have a binder — it is RED — so I don’t forget it anywhere! (my first weekend of couponing I had put so much time and effort into getting organized. I ended up leaving my coupon organizer in the cart at Walgreens. I nearly cried when I figured it out. Chad ran there and retrieved it! Thank goodness…..) So, be sure to get one you will not forget somewhere!

I have divided it into sections and labeled each section: pantry items, canned goods, cereal, snacks&desserts, drinks, baby items, adult medicine, toiletries, cleaning supplies, restaurants, etc.

Here is what I do.
CLIPPING / FILING
Usually I end up with about 6 copies of the coupons from the Sunday paper.
I clip everything. I make a pile of coupons to give/trade. These are coupons that I know that even if it were FREE, I wouldn’t want it…..
Then, I file all the coupons I have clipped into my binder. I use baseball card sleeves to organize within each section. I got mine at Office Max. I have heard that the 99 Cent store carries these as well!

PREPARING
When I prepare for the shopping trip, I take an envelope (I use the ones that come in my bills — that I don’t use b/c we do online bill pay) Thanks to Stephanie at www.katycouponers.blogspot.com for this helpful hint!

Each store I shop at has an envelope.
I jot down the shopping list on the outside of each envelope. Inside the envelope goes the coupons I need for the shopping trip.

SHOPPING
As I place items in the cart while shopping, I take the coupon from the envelope and place it into the cart — it helps my brain remember what I have left to get!

I always have my binder with me — whether it is in the store with me OR in the car. Because, there are many times that you will find an unadvertised sale or Clearance merchandise that I know I have coupons for…..so, you never want to miss out on FREE or nearly free stuff b/c your coupons are at home!

CHECKING OUT
This is the hard part. Mostly b/c the checkers go too fast for me! I try to give them a few coupons at a time. I always check my receipt before I leave the store. EX: The other day at Kroger I had 2 – $3 off coupons for diapers….he checker only scanned one! I went straight to Customer Service and got my $3 cash back!

I hope this helps everyone!

May your day be just frugalicious!

Dawn Internet Printables

I have a friend who will go unnamed….that doesn’t like clipping coupons from the Sunday paper….she would rather find them on the internet and print them to use! So, here you go, my friend! If you need some Dawn products, there are several internet printable coupons here!

Also, if you are a ‘sweepstakes’ kind of person…..there is one to enter using that same link!

May your day be just frugalicious!

2.22.09 Shopping Finds

We headed out to do our weekly shopping today. I wasn’t able to get a picture, but I will try to paint a pretty one for you! Here are the highlights of the trip. YMMV depending on store and location.

Target: (total spent: $41.22 / total saved: $33.46 ) Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Crackers register at A FULL CUP to print TARGET coupons (used $1 Target Printable from A FULL CUP) Final price was .67 – .89 per bag. Prices varied depending on variety.

Dollar Spot. They had a bunch of goodies marked 75% off. I scored Strawberry Shortcake tattoos, lip gloss, magnets and books. These will work great for goodie bags at one of the girls’ next birthday parties. These items were all .25 each!

Bounce Dryer Sheets were $8.99 for the huge box. They were part of that promotion when you buy two you get a $5 gift card. So, we got two – I also had two .25 off coupons.

99 Cent Store: (total spent: $9.16) We picked up two extra copies of the Sunday paper for extra coupons & Some Sara Lee Bread! Both were, of course, .99 cents!

Kroger: (total spent: $31.42 / total saved: $30.02) We scored at Kroger today. Here are the items they either paid us to take OR that were super cheap: 3 – Loreal Kids Shampoo clearanced to $1.09 used 3 – .75/1 coupons 2 – Huggies Clean Team Foaming Soap clearanced to $.79 used 2 – $1/1 coupons made them FREE w/ .21 overage. 4 – Huggies Detangler Spray $.89 used 4 – $1/1 coupons made them FREE w/ .11 overage 1 – Cheerios Snack Mix $2.00 ea used cellfire .60/1 AND .50/1 paper coupon. Final price .40! 2 – Wrigley Gum Packs FREE w/ coupon from this Sunday’s inserts. 1 – Totinos Pizza Rolls $1.99. Used Shortcuts .50 AND .35/1 Paper Coupon FINAL PRICE $.44 1 – Toaster Strudel $2 ea. Used Shortcuts ecoupon .50/1 AND .35/1 paper coupon FINAL PRICE $.45 1-Venus Razor clearanced to $3.50. Used eSaver coupon for $2 off & paper coupon for $2.00. MADE .50!

CVS: (total OOP: .13) True North 100% Natural Nut Snacks are clearanced for $1.75. Used $1/1 coupon Final Price .75 EACH! Venus Embrace $7.99 on sale used $2 coupon AND got $4 ECBs back! Final Price: $1.99 Nabisco Wheat Thins & Ritz Crackers B1G1 Free Sale. Used $2/2 coupons made them $1 per box.

TOTAL SPENT: $81.93 YIPPEE! Less that $100! We will see what the rest of the week brings!

May your evening be just frugalicious!

Tuckerbags Giveaway

Frugal & Fabulous is giving away Tuckerbags reusable grocery bags! I entered, you should too! Go here to enter: http://tinyurl.com/ab72qk

Home Solutions News – More Coupons

I am trying to find coupons for stockpiling on dishwasher detergent. Here is a site that I found. You can sign up and have access to several different types of coupons.

http://www.finishdishwashing.com/news-and-offers.php

A Few Good Finds Today!

We were out for a few errands this afternoon and this is what we found:

Randalls:

Ragu for .99 cents! (Thanks Aimee!) I had a coupon for .50/2 jars of Ragu. So, I got 2 jars for .98 cents!

AND

While I was there, I spotted TRIDENT gum B1G1 FREE. They were priced at $1.49 each. I knew I had .75/1 coupons. So, it ended up being a tiny moneymaker! I used 6 coupons and got 6 packs of gum. Randalls gave me .03 cents to take the gum! YIPPEE! This is so fun!

AND

Walgreens has Pringles for .45 cents. I had .30/3 coupons. We found 18 cans of pringles and paid $6.30 each. That is .30 per can! The did have to override the price b/c the cans were not ringing up as signed in the store. And, the nice manager gave me a cooking time. Crush the pringle chips and bread chicken….he said it was super yummy!

Hope your day was just frugalicious!

Frugalicious Tip of the Day

Did you know that USPS rates will soon be going up? On May 11th a first class envelope will cost you $.44 to mail! Yikes! It seems like yesterday that I remember paying $.29! So, now is the time to stockpile your FOREVER STAMPS! So either head to the post office OR purchase them online. Their rates are good FOREVER!

May your day be just frugalicious!

Just Frugalicious

$100 weekly budget

If you know me….you know that I don’t like to mess with money….do bills…make invoices….etc. I would rather be creating somewhere or doing something that doesn’t require numbers! I guess that is the ‘visual’ person in me!

So, when Chad and I agreed to a $100 budget per week for groceries AND household goods. I said, “OK, I think I can do it….” But, I hate keeping track of it. Well, this coming week, I am going to buckle down and really do it!

My ‘budget’ week will run Sunday thru Saturday.

I will take $100 out of the bank on Saturday night. This is the cash I will use throughout the week.

Let’s see if I can do it!

Erin @ http://www.jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/ has given me hope that it can be done! We will see if I can do it!

I will keep you posted throughout this week!

Frugalicious Tip of the Day

Learn how to barter your talents / services / stockpiles.

This will significantly decrease your OOP!

For example:
I am a photographer. I have bartered for several things: custom clothing for my girls (www.ragstoribbons.com) AND childcare with a lady that has an inhome daycare AND most recently I have hooked up with zoeysmom and am working on bartering some coupons I need. All of this is in TRADE for my photography services.

Right now….I am looking for someone to barter haircuts for pictures!

May your day be just frugalicious!

Red Plum / Smart Source Inserts 2.22.09

Thanks so www.slickdeals.net here are the coupons that will be in this week’s paper:

Knowing this early does several things….you can plan on how you will execute your shopping trips to get the best deals….and you can know how many copies of the inserts you really want…

Enjoy!

SmartSource 2/22

Ziploc Brand Easy Zipper Bags with Expandable Bottom – 55 cents off any 1 (x4/16)
Glade Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator – $1.00 off any 1 (x4/4)
Pepperidge Farm Swirl Bread – 40 cents off any 1 (x5/22)
SoyJoy – $2.00 off any 10 bars (x5/31)
SoyJoy – BOGO up to $1.39 (x4/30)
Fiber One Toaster Pastries – 50 cents off any 1 (x4/4)
Fiber One – Original, Honey Clusters, Raisin Bran Clusters, Caramel Delight or Frosted Shredded Wheat Cereals – 50 cents off 1 (x4/4)
Cheerios Snack Mix, any size flavor OR Chex Mix 4.5oz+ OR Chex 100 Calorie Snack – 50 cents off 1 (x4/18)
Banana Nut Cheerios cereal – 50 cents off 1 (x4/4)
Ban Solid – 75 cents off any 1 (x4/4)
Ban Product – 40 cents off any 1 (4/4)
Maalox Total Relief – $1.50 off any 1 (x5/31)
Maalox Products – $3.00 off any 2 (x5/31)
Land O Lakes Eggs, any variety – 50 cents off any 1 package (x4/19) DND-5
Nonni’s Biscottie 5oz+ – $1.00 off 2 (x5/31)
(2) Pull-ups Training Pants, jumbo+ – $2.00 off any 1 (x3/21)
Remifemin or Remifemin Good Night – $2.00 off 1 (x5/22)
NatureSweet Cherry Tomatoes – $1.00 off 2 bags (x7/31)
Planters Big Nut Bars, 100 Calorie Pack Honey Maid Delight Bars, or 100 Calorie Pack Chewy Granola Bars – 75 cents off 1 box (x4/30)
Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese – $1.00 off any 1 (x5/31)
Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzel Sandwiches, 8oz+ – 75 cents off 1 (x5/31)
Stonyfield Farm Organic Yogurt 6oz cups – $1.00 off 3 (x3/31) (barcode starts w/ 9)
Rosetto Pasta – $1.00 off any 1 (x5/31) DND-5
Kotex Pads – $1.00 off any 1 (x4/18)
Kotex Lightdays Pantiliners – 75 cents off any 1 (x4/18)
Kotex Security Tampons – 75 cents off any 1 (x4/18)
Dentyne Gum, single package – 75 cents off any 1 (x4/19)
DND-5Dentyne Gum, 3pack or bottle – $1.00 off any 1 (x4/19)
(2) Rhodes Warm-N-Serve Rolls (new – in the freezer) – 75 cents off any 1 (x5/31)
Nut-tastics Guilt-Free Treats Better-Than-Ears – $1.00 off any 1 (x5/31)
Woolite Carpet and Upholstry Cleaner – $1.00 off any 1 (x5/31)
Physicians Formula Cosmetic Product – $1.00 off any 1 (x5/31)
Clearasil Vanishing or Tinted Rapid Action Treatment Cream – $1.50 off any 1 (x5/17)
Colgate Adult or Kids Toothpaste, 4oz+ – 75 cents off any 1 (x3/14)
Colgate Adult or Kids Toothbrush – 75 cents off any 1 (x3/14)
L’Oreal Vive Pro Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment – $1.00 off any 1 (x5/17)
L’Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style or StudioLine Styling Product – $1.00 off any 1 (x5/17)
L’Oreal Excellence to-Go – $3.00 off any 1 (x5/17)
Joint Juice product (Available in the Vitamin Aisle) – $2.00 off any (x4/30) DND-5
Joint Juice Fitness Water product (Available in the Water Aisle) – $1.00 off any 1 (x4/30) DND-5
Benefiber Powder – $2.00 off any 1 (x5/31)
Benefiber Stick Pack – $2.00 off any 1 (x5/31)
Benefiber Chewable or Caplet – $2.00 off any 1 (x5/31)
Pledge Multi Surface Product – $1.25 off any 1 (x4/19)
Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair – $1.00 off 1 (x4/19)
Renuzit TriScents Starter Kit – $4.00 off any 1 (x4/30)
Renuzit Super Odor Neutralizer Air Freshening Pearls or Fine Mist Spray – $1.00 off any 1 (x4/30)
Renuzit Adjustables – 55 cents off any 3 (x4/30)
Lance Sandwich Cracker or Cookie 8ct+ – 55 cents off 1 (x5/31)
Claritin Adult or Children’s Non-Drowsy, 4oz Syrup or 10ct+ – $2.00 off 1 (x3/22)
Claritin Non-Drowsy 24ct+ – $5.00 off 1 (x3/22)

FORM –FREE 30th Anniversary Black & Decker Dustbuster wyb $30.00 in P&G products in any combination. Qualifying purchases must be made on ONE original cash register receipt from Participating Retailer, form must be from same retailer. Mail-in offer. Offer ends 3/4/09. Limit one per household. Black & Decker 7.2V Vac (model CWV7202) See complete rules at http://www.AmericasSpringCleaning.com Postmark by 3/11/09, received by 3/18/09 *NOTE- Giant Eagle’s dates for this promo is different than other stores. As of now, Giant Eagle is doing it 2/19 – 3/4. Other “Participating Retailers” will be doing it from 3/25 – 6/30. P&G Customer Service doesnt have the list yet – call in about a week. I think if your Grocery Store did the Crocs promo, you’ll be getting this one too. Be on the lookout for Tearpads with the forms and info for your store!

FORM –Get $5.00 back wyb Madagascar Escape 2 Africa DVD and 2 bags of Birds Eye Voila. Offer Valid 2/10 – 5/15. Must send in proofs of purchase.

Redplum 2/22

0.55 Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunchmeats (8 oz. or larger)
1.00/3 Uncle Ben’s Pouches
.40 Pkg. Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain Rice
.50 Any One Milky Way Brand Bag (10.5 oz. or larger)
1.00/2 Temptations Treats for Cats (2.1 oz. or 3 oz.)
1.00 Any 1 size Pedigree Jumbobone for dogs1.00 Pedigree Good Bites for Dogs
1.00/2 Carefree Products (34 ct. & above)
2.00/2 Stayfree Products1.00 Any O.B. (except trial)
1.00 Stay Matte Clarifying Foundation or any Rimmell Foundation1.00 Any Rimmell Product
1.00/1 Kelloggs Jumbo Multi-Grain Krispies, Raisin Bran Extra, Mini Wheats Little Bites, Special K Blueberry or Disney Hanna Montana Cereal (11.2 oz. or larger)
.70/1 Kelloggs Cereal (10 oz. or larger)
.70/1 Kelloggs Special K Protein or All-Bran Fiber (4 ct. or larger)
1.00/2 Kelloggs Pop-Tarts (8 ct. or larger)
1.50/2 Brawny 6 Roll or larger OR 1-12 Roll
.50 AngelSoft 6 Double roll or larger
B2Save2.00 Infants Motrin, Infants Tylenol or Simply Soothing Products (except trial size)B2Save2.00 Childrens Motrin, Childrens Tylenol Plus or Pediacare Products (except trial size)1.00 Jimmy Dean D-Lights Sandwich
.55 Jimmy Dean D-Lights Breakfast Bowl
B2G1 Starkist pouch
1.00 Olay Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser
.50 Crest 4.2 oz. or larger paste or Liquid Gel
2.00 Secret Flawless or Flawless Touch (excludes trial size)
1.00 Any Centrum Silver1.00 Any Centrum
3.00 Any Centrum Performance
1.00 Nexcare Cold Sore Treatment(Same coupon as above but says, give to a friend)
1.50 Sudafed PE (excludes trial)
1.50 Sudafed OM (excludes trial)
1.00 Johnson Body Care Product
.50 Family Size Package of Hostess Snack Cakes
1.00 Sundown Naturals Vitamin Product
5.00 rebate when you buy High School Musical 3: Senior Year Blue-Ray or DVD plus any combo of 2 participating hillshire Deli Select Lunchmeats (8 oz. or larger) or Sara Lee Soft and Smooth Bread or Buns. Visit gomeat.com for rebate form.

Lowe’s Coupon $10 off / $50 purchase

This might take a while to load, but if you have a trip to Lowe’s planned this weekend, it might serve you well to print this.

It is a coupon for $10 off of a $50 purchase. It expires 3.02.09.

Enjoy.

http://www.lowesprojectstarter.com/

Frugalicious Tip #4

Kroger has a ‘scan right’ guarantee.

What this means is that if a product rings for an amount different from what is listed on the shelf, your product is FREE.

How this works: As I talked about before, you must be a concious shopper. I didn’t use to do this, and quite honestly, it is quite difficult to juggle three kids, a coupon binder, loose coupons, a check card, groceries, and be able to make sure that everything scans right!

But, if you happen to catch something, just take it to customer service and they will give you your cash back for your item.

This guarantee is posted at each register by the pinpad AND by customer service.

Again, the benefits of being a consumer that is aware!

……this is yet another tip I learned at the workshop with Erin http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/ & Stephanie http://www.katycouponers.blogspot.com/! If you haven’t been to one, you should do it! I learned so much!

2nd Kroger Trip of the Day — YESTERDAY

Don’t ask….

Ok, I guess I will tell the story.

I am going to tell you that I will chalk today up as a ‘newbie” couponer day.

The first trip, I forgot a couple of coupons at home — the Bounty Basic and bread….we were out of sandwich bread at our house. So, here is what we ended up with during our second trip:

6 – 4-packs of cottonelle

$1.19 each / used 3 / .50 off 2 packages coupon

final price was $.69 per package

3 – single roll Bounty Basic

$1.09 each / used 3 / .25 off single roll coupon AND 1 / esaver .25 off single roll coupon

final price was $.26 each

1 – 24 pack Ozarka water

$3.99 sale price / used 1 / .75 off coupon

final price $3.24

1 – Macaroni Grill Pasta Dinner

$4.69 sale price / used $1.00 off cellfire coupon AND $1.00 off paper coupon

final price $2.69

2 – Betty Crocker boxed potatoes

$1.67ea sale price / used $.40 off cellfire coupon AND $1.00 off 2 boxes paper coupon

final price $.97ea

1 – Wisconsin Summer Sausage

$5.99 sale price

I bought this b/c Chad wanted ‘snack’ food at the house….and he loves summer sausage & crackers. AND — SCORE there was a $4 off your next purchase of the same product. So, my next roll — which I have a friend picking up today will be $1.99! 🙂

1 – loaf white bread

$.88

NOTE: I truly hate buying cheap bread. I love the name brand stuff…. It is a sacrifice that I have made. I didn’t have any bread coupons…so, I bought the super cheap stuff!

1 – loaf wheat bread

$1.19

2 – cookies and cream candybars

$.50 sale price

used B1G1 coupon

final price $.25 ea

The girls were both with me….and I had found a B1G1 coupon. They SCORED in their mind. The enjoyed their Hershey’s Cookies & Cream bar in the car heading home!

TOTAL OOP: $26.58

Total Savings: $15.46 / 37%

Not too much to be proud of….that is my lowest savings percentage since I began doing this type of shopping. I will blame it on the summer sausage! 🙂

Kroger run this AM

I am telling you that I wasn’t joking when I said my trip to Kroger this week was gonna be really light….

4 – Cans Hunts Diced Tomatos @ .92 each

used 2 – .40/2 coupons

(kroger doubles .40 coupons — so final price for each can was .52)

3 – 4pack Cottonelle @ 1.19 each

used 3 – .50/1 four pack coupons

(kroger doubles .50 coupons — so final price was .19 per four pack)

1 – Ore Ida Steam & Mash @ 3.50

used $1/1 coupon

1 – Pillsbury Toaster Streudel @ 2.00

used .35/1 & .50 cellfire coupon

Grand total OOP: $5.61

Total Savings: $8.03 / 58%

Frugalicious Tip #3

WATCH YOUR RECEIPTS!

Since I began my coupon clipping 5 weeks ago, I have seriously been reviewing each item on my receipt when I return home from the trip. (Why wait until I return home to review it?? — Well, I usually have 2, if not three kids in tow….and I just can’t keep track of yet another thing while I am attempting to check out!)

Here are a few things I have noticed:

One trip to HEB — this was in the beginning b/c I don’t really go there anymore — unless it is for fresh produce….. They charged me three times for a package of bakery buns. I only left with one package…..

I picked up some PERT Plus at Walgreens — the sticker below it said it was $1.99….but, apparently it wasn’t — it rang up for $5.99…..I picked the wrong one….and didn’t get my best deal….so, it went back to them! I exchanged it for the baby wipes that are on sale this week!

And, you have to watch at CVS to make sure you don’t ‘reach your limit’ on ECB items! I bought one too many Colgate toothpastes this week…..So, it wasn’t FREE! So, that will be going back to CVS! There is no way I am paying for toothpaste! I only get toothpaste if it is FREE!

Oh……if I had only known all of this long before now…..

Kroger Trip Tomorrow

My list for this week is short and sweet….because, we really don’t need a lot….

And, Chad (that is my husband — for those of you who don’t know us that well)….has instructed me that ‘just because it is a great deal, doesn’t mean we need to buy it!’….. I beg to differ, and have negotiated that this week I wouldn’t buy anything else unless it was free OR if we really needed it.

He doesn’t quite get this whole ‘grocery game’ yet….but, he is catching on quick…..

I will post my ‘loot’ upon returning home tomorrow from Kroger.

Wish me luck!

Herbal Essence

If you head to CVS to get your Herbal Essence, be sure to look for bottles w/ labels talking about a free haircut w/ purchase of 2 Herbal Essence Shampoos/Conditioners.

Here is the link to the HE site that talks a bit more about the promotion!

http://www2.tlc-rewards.com/hehaircutoffer/howto

Frugalicious Tip #2

Renyolds Wrap…..

Never pay for it! You can get it free at Walgreens so many times each year! Keep all coupons you come across….and wait for it to be on sale w/ a Walgreens Coupon to boot!

Straight from my class this past Saturday….
(thanks to Zoe’s Mom at http://www.katycouponers.blogspot.com/ and jane4girls at http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/)

2.16.09 CVS Trip

Here is my CVS run today…. Mind you I had one child strapped to me….and two with their hands into everything. So, at that point, I wasn’t too concerned about my total OOP, I just wanted the deals, and was excited about all the ECBs I got!

Here it is:
2 – Colgate TTL Advantage 4oz toothpastes
4 – Herbal Essence Shampoos / Conditioners
1 – Gillette Fusion Razor (your welcome, Chad)
2 – Neutrogena Facial Bars

Coupons I used:
.75 off Any Colgate Toothpaste
$3/2 Herbal Essence Shampoos / Conditioners
$4/1 Fusion Razor

ECBs Received:
2.99 (toothpaste)
4.00 (razor)
4.00 (shampoo / conditioner)
10.00 (neutrogena)

Total OOP:
$18.49

Total ECBs:
$20.99

I did realize I reached my limit on the toothpaste….so, I didn’t get a second $2.99 ECB….So, I will take that back next time and get my $2.99 back — which will take my OOP down to $16.25!

Frugalicious Tip #1

fStraight from my cllass on Saturday….
(thanks to Zoe’s Mom at http://www.katycouponers.blogspot.com/ and jane4girls at http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/)

Always count your coupons prior to ringing up. This will allow you to verify the cashier hasn’t missed any as s/he scanned them!

Also, try not to give the entire stack of coupons at one time. Giving them in sets of several at a time helps you to know that you have given them all to the cashier & that none get lost in the process!

Katy Couponers Workshop

Yesterday I attended a couponing workshop here in Katy. I learned a lot of great stuff….and will be sharing my new knowledge in the next several weeks! I took 4 pages of notes!

I will be posting a ‘tip of the day’ throughout the next several weeks, in an effort not to overload you!

Right after the workshop, I hit CVS looking for the $1.00 wheat thins, but didn’t have any luck. So, I headed over to Kroger to get my $1.99 Blue Bell! While I was shopping there, I ran into the two ladies who did the workshop. They were super nice — and continued to give me tips each time I saw them throughout the store. They checked out the same time I did, and we chatted for a bit.

Anyway, yesterday was very informative! I look forward to sharing it with you guys!

My First Blog

Ok, so I sat this up myself! Yippee! Chad will be so proud.
This is where I will attempt to keep up with all things frugal in my life!
I hope that others will find it a place to come and gather information!

Let’s see what we can do!

Here is to some great blogging!