Friday, July 31, 2009

Caregivers Marketplace---AWESOME cash back program!


There is a really great rebate program available through a place called The Caregivers Markeplace. It is basically a cash back program for anyone who gives, gets, or needs care. When you purchase qualifying items, you get a portion back in the form of a rebate. AND, it does NOT cost ANYTHING! So, if you have a child at home, you are a caregiver! Wouldn't it be nice to get $.75 back on every diaper purchase for you child!? It can REALLY add up quickly, as we parents know!

Qualifying items include items from the following brands:

Huggies
Aspercreme
Nature Made
Good Nights
Pull-Ups
Gold Bond
Ensure
Cottonelle
Depends
Ecotrin
Balmex
Cotizone
IceHot
Glucerna
Kaopectate
Poise
Polident
Poligrip
Benzodent
Oscal
Comfort

For a full list of all qualifying items, go HERE to look at the rebate form.

Just go HERE to enroll! Then you can print the rebate form and begin earning cash back TODAY! Hopefully, you're like me and save all of your receipts! When I learned about this program, I simply went back through all of my receipts (a daunting task, but worth it!) and found about 14 diaper purchases that will qualify! Awesome! You can send in the rebate from once you have bought 5 eligible items (can be on different receipts), but then there is no limit to the amount you can earn! You can submit multiple times, or just save them all up and submit at the end of the year. All purchases must be made in 2009. All submissions must be postmarked by January 31, 2010. You will receive your cash back check by mail in 4-6 weeks. Easy as pie! :)

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Headed out of town...

The family and I are headed out of town for our annual trip to McCall...not sure how much of a "vacation" it will be this year, with THREE kids (two of which are under two). My husband is totally stoked (I don't think he yet realizes what this trip could possibly entail) and I, on the other hand...am terrified. Lol. Ok, so maybe I'm exaggerating a little...but, yes...I'm a bit worried about it all (call me a worry-wart if you must). I'm just hoping that I'm completely wrong, and that everything goes great and we have a blast. I definitely wouldn't miss the photo taking opportunities for anything in the world! :)

Anywho...so I will be out of town for the weekend, and therefore my blog will remain untouched. (yes, I'm sad) So you ladies enjoy your weekend and hopefully you all score some great bargains. Supposedly there will be FIVE inserts in the paper (hopefully Idaho is included for all of them), two SS, one RP, one PG, and one Kellogg's Fuel for School. So it's a GREAT weekend to stock up on papers! I would buy extra if I were you and if you're able! I'm already thinking I'm going to have to get someone to get some for me while I'm gone, in case they all get snatched up!

Alright, I'm off to bed...enjoy your weekends! Oh, and don't forget to check out the Pay it Forward Yard Sale and bake sale on Saturday! (Click HERE if you don't know what I'm talking about.) It should be GREAT!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Free stuff at Walmart!

5 - Johnson's First Aid Kit (travel size) ($.97/ea)
4 - Breyer's yogurts (one is missing from the photo, as Weston decided that's what he wanted for snack) ($.58/ea)
4 - Reach Dental floss ($1.00/ea)
1 - Starbuck's ice cream ($2.58)

I used 5-$1/1 Johnson's (RP 5/17), 2-$1/2 Breyer's IPs HERE, 4-$1/1 Reach (SS 6/14), and 1-$2/1 Starbucks (SS 6/21). My total OOP for all this? $.75! :) Savings? $13!

For tons more great Walmart match-ups, check out Hip2save!

FREE stuff at Target!

5 - 2ct Crest Advanced Seal Whitestrips ($4.99/ea)
1 - Nature's Source Bathroom cleaner ($2.69)
1 - Kellogg's PopTart (8ct) ($1.52)
1 - Baby hair accessory ($2.99)

I used 5-$5/1 Crest (PG 6/7), 1-$1/1 Target Q for the Nature's Source, stacked with a $1.50/1 Q I got in the mail a while back, 1-$.75/1 Target Q for the poptarts (find Target printables HERE or HERE) and also used my $5 gift card from the Keebler promo a couple of weeks ago. My total OOP was $.77! Talk about making a gal's day! :) I sure do love coupon-shopping. :)

Walgreens deals...more free stuff!

2 - Johnson's Head-to-toe Wash ($4.29, buy one get one 50% off)
2 - Got2B Hair products ($5.99, BOGO)
4 - Scotch bubble mailers ($.39/ea)
3 - 10ct Sheet Protectors ($.99 B1G2 Free)
3 - 5-tab dividers ($.99 B1G2 Free)

I used 2-$1/1 Johnson's IPs HERE, 2-$2.50/1 Got2B IPs HERE, 4-$.50/1 Scotch (RP 7/26), a $5 RR and 2-$1 RR from last week, bringing my OOP to $.40!!! Yay for me!

Possibly a good deal on batteries...?

I don't know much about the cost of batteries (which is amazing to me with as often as my family buys them!) so I am not sure if this is a super good deal or not, but it sure seems like it!



I found these tearpad coupons at Shopko on the display of batteries...


They have their Energizer Max batteries (8ct AA or AAA, 2ct 9volt, 4ct C or D) regularly 6.99. They are marked down to 6.49. Then on the display tag it says that there is a $2.50 rebate with the purchase of two (making them 2/$9.98 or 4.99/ea). Then there's this tearpad coupon to mail in to get a FREE movie ticket (up to $12) with the purchase of two. So...all in all you are getting 2 packs of Energizer Max batteries and a movie ticket for $9.98. Sound like a good deal to you? I haven't done any price comparisons yet (I forgot to when I was at Walmart today) to see what any other stores' prices are, so I can't guarantee it's a great price. If anyone happens to know, please let us in on it! :) Thanks!

School Supply Shopping at Shopko...

Alright, so if you have a school-age child (or even if you don't, but want some supplies for whatever reason) this is a great week to head to Shopko! I got ALL of these items pictured here for $9.10! The 20 pk markers pictured here are $3.16 alone at Walmart (I checked this morning)

18 - Spiral notebooks ($.10/ea)
2 - 5" scissors ($.99/ea)
4 - Elmer's glue ($.20/ea)
4 - 24ct Crayola Crayons ($.20/ea)
2 - Crayola SuperTips washable markers ($1.29/ea)
1 - Pencil Box ($.50)

I try to just buy whatever is at the best price each week for school supplies, and I am curious to see how much in total I spend on the supplies I actually send my son to school with. So far, he will take 1 glue, 1 box of crayons, the pencil box, and 1 scissors, which comes to $1.89. I KNOW I still have quite a few more things to get, but I'll wait until they're at a price I WANT to pay. :)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Have a dog? Want 10 cans of free dog food?


I have 10 coupons for 1 FREE 5.5oz can of Purina Mighty Dog, any variety. I do not have a pet, so thought I would offer them to anyone with a dog who might want these..if not, I'm thinking I will just go get these and donate them to the shelter...4 of them expire on 8/4 and the other 6 exp on 9/14. If you want them just leave a comment or email me by clicking the "email me" button on the right hand side. :) If I don't hear from anyone by 8/04, I'll be going and using them myself...

Coupon Ethics Discussion...get in on the fun!

The Krazy Coupon Lady has a great discussion going on about coupon ethics. It is so great to see everyone's point of view on different areas that are kind of "gray" when it comes to couponing. So go check it out HERE and be sure to read the comments and add your own! It's pretty interesting...

FREE Crest Whitestrips at Target!



Thanks to hip2save for this great freebie alert! Use your $5/1 Crest Whitestrips Advanced from PG 7/5 on the trial size (2ct) version at Target, which is priced at $4.99! I went this morning and got 5 for FREE! Sweet! At my Target (Nampa) they were not located with all of the other trial size items...they were on an endcap near the toothpaste aisle.

Did you print your rebate for a FREE Tyson Skillet Creations Meal-kit?


If you'll remember, I told you about the mail-in rebate offer for the Tyson Skillet Creations Meal-kit HERE...

Well, unfortunately, the rebate form is no longer available, but if you happened to have printed it back then, but haven't gotten around to using it, you're in luck! The deal just got sweeter! There is now a $1/1 coupon
HERE! Now instead of just getting it free...you will make $1.00 for buying this product! Pretty neat, huh?

FREE sample of Dunkin' Doughnuts coffee!

Dunkin' Donuts. Dunkin' keeps me blogging. Try Dunkin' Donuts Coffee For Free. Get a Sample
Thanks hip2save!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Filtrete Air Filter Rebate reminder!!


Just wanted to remind you all of the $3 rebate offer on Filtrete Air Filters (1000 MPR or higher). We bought filters this weekend and I'm sending out for ours tomorrow, so thought I would post a reminder while I was thinking about it. If you haven't printed your rebate form yet, click HERE to do so...this rebate offer doesn't expire until Dec. 31st, so you have a while...

Total Blueberry Pomegranate Cereal sample!


Go HERE to get your free sample of Total Blueberry Pomegranate cereal! I have to admit that this doesn't sound like something I would probably like...but that's exactly why I LOVE free samples! You get to "sample" something without having to buy anything! Totally awesome! Of course, if you do wind up liking it...there's always coupons that accompany the sample! :) So go sign up now before this offer is gone, but don't forget to use your coupon/freebie email address!

Free Mocha Monday at McDonalds!


Stop by McDonald's today between 7am and 7pm and get a FREE 80z. hot mocha or 7oz cold mocha! Talk about a nice sized sample! This promo is going on every Monday through August 3rd. Limit one 8oz. sample per person per visit. I'm definitely getting mine today on the way back from dropping the hubby at the airport...!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Freebies in the mail last week...


These are all of the freebies (accompanied by coupons) that I got this past week...

My first (of 4) free Oprah magazine
3 free Kotex samples, including two $1/1 coupons
1 free sample of Quaker True Delights, plus a $1/1 coupon
free sample pack of Viva paper towels, plus a $1/1 coupon
A rebate check for $4.29 for the Windex antibacterial I bought a while back

Not to bad! I always sign up for freebies and samples...even if the sample itself isn't that great, they always come with coupons! :) But don't forget to use your coupon/freebie email account! Don't have one or don't know what I'm talking about? Click
HERE to find out about signing up for online offers...

Walgreen's 7/26 - FREE STUFF!


Talk about some cool free stuff! My husband and I seem to always be needing these mailer envelopes, so to get them FREE is AWESOME!


18 - Scotch Bubble Mailers (FREE)

1 - Starbucks Frappuccino ($.25 - not pictured, as I already drank it. :)

12 - Mars Candy Bars (FREE)

1 - Goody Ouchless headband (FREE + $1.00 MM - after mail-in rebate)

Total for all of these items was $17.14. I will have made $.75 after I receive the mail-in rebate check back in the mail! That crazy or what!? :)

I did this in three transactions (as there is a limit of 6 on both the mailers and the candy bars). I used 9-$1/2 Scotch Packaging products (RP 5/31) (there is also $.50/1 in the RP 7/26), 1-$1/1 Starbucks Frappucino (SS 6/21), 6-$1/2 Mars Candy bars (SS 7/26) and $1/1 Goody printable HERE. I also used the IN-AD coupon for the Mars candy and Starbucks Frappucino...don't forget the AD coupon! If you do not scan it, you will get charged full price!

Also, a note on the bubble mailers...since the mailers are priced less than what the coupon is valued at, there are a couple of ways to get around this at the register so that they will allow you to use the coupons. You can do as I did and tell your cashier before she rings you up of the overage, and she can adjust the price of the mailers to be $.50/ea so that the coupon will work (the coupon will beep if there is an overage and they will not let you use the coupon).

Or, you can do as I've read at other blogs, and get 4 bubble mailers, but only use 3 of your coupons (the $.50/1 - RP 7/26), so it should ring up as charging you $.06 for all 4 as the fourth mailer soaks up the overage. I cannot verify that this method will work, as I didn't try it, but that's just a tip I've read from other blogs. If you try it and it works, let us know!

Albertson's 7/26

I was hoping and hoping for more doublers today and was pleasantly surprised! I was able to use up the rest of my coupons for the week and get some great deals. Here is my photo and details...


2 - Ritz Crackerfuls ($.50/ea)
5 - Mentos Gum (FREE)
9 - Breyer's Pints ($1.00 for ALL)
1 - Filippo Berio Olive Oil ($2.99)
4 - Whole Fruit Fruit Bars ($.25/ea)
Plums (.98/lb)
Total these items should have cost was $51.59. I paid $10.21 (mostly for the plums and olive oil). I saved $41.38 or 80%! Here's how:
Trans #1
1 - Mentos Gum ($1.00)
1 - Filippo Berio Olive Oil ($4.99)
1.24 lb plums ($.98/lb)
I used 1-$.55/1 Mentos from SS 6/21, $1/1 Filippo Berio printable, and 2 doublers, making my OOP $4.21.
Trans #2 & #3
2 - Mentos Gum ($1.00/ea)
Used 2-$.55/1 Mentos and 2 doublers making my OOP $.00
Trans #4
4 - Whole Fruit bars ($2.50/ea)
Instant $3.00 savings for spending $10, plus used 4-$1/1 Whole Fruit Bars (RP 6/7) and 2 doulbers, making my OOP $1.00
Trans #5
4 - Breyer's Pints ($1.00/ea - I got a raincheck for 9 of them when they were on sale last week for $1.00)
I then used 2-$1/1 Breyers printables plus two doublers, making my OOP $.00. I also received a cat for $4 off of 5 Breyer's products.
Trans #6
5 - Breyer's Pints ($1.00/ea)
2 - Ritz Crackerfuls ($2.50/ea)
I used my $4 off of 5, and paid $1.00 OOP for all five pints, plus received another $4 off 5 cat! I also used 2-$1/1 Crackerfuls (SS 7/12) and two doublers, so paid $1.00 OOP for those.
There ya go! I still need to post my trip from Wednesday...totally spaced it! So I'll get to working on that...Have fun with your doublers!

Great to know!

This was a guess post on athrifymom by Lori at Moms by Heart . It's awesome info and great to know! I just had to pass it on!

"From year to year, there are several fairly reliable seasonal sales centered around special events. During these times, stores will mark certain items down to rock bottom prices in order to get you in the doors. These items are known as loss leaders. Here is a schedule of monthly loss leaders, along with monthly clearance items. For those of you who are seasoned frugal shoppers, please leave a comment if there is something I missed."

January Loss Leaders:
1) New Year’s Resolutions – low fat brands, healthy food and diet products
2) Super Bowl Party – snack food, soda, sandwich items
3) Storage items and organization products
4) Medicine – cold and pain relief, vitamins
5) White sales
6) Chili, soups, stews
Clearance items:· Dated items: calendars and planners· Christmas and New Year’s party items· Winter clothing, jackets, hats, boots· Christmas baking products (sprinkles, cookie/candy molds, etc)

February Loss Leaders:
1) National Canned Food Month – special deals on canned goods
2) National Hot Breakfast Month
3) Valentines Day – candy
4) Chinese New Year – Chinese food products
Clearance items:· Leftover Christmas toys are discounted up to 75%·
Winter clothing·
2/15 on: Valentines baking products (sprinkles, special packaging, etc)

March Loss Leaders:
1) Frozen food month
2) Spring cleaning items
3) Easter food items
4) Gardening supplies
5) National Peanut Month
6) March Madness – sports drinks, soda
Clearance Items· Frozen novelties are repackaged, old packaged products are reduced

April Loss Leaders:
1) Earth Day – organic and environmentally friendly items, energy savers
2) Easter items
3) Auto Maintenance
Clearance Items:· Easter baking products (sprinkles, cookie/candy molds, etc)

May Loss Leaders:
1) Memorial Day – think barbeque and picnic products
2) Cinco De Mayo – Mexican food
3) Mother’s Day items
4) Auto Maintenance

June Loss Leaders:
1) National Dairy Month
2) July 4th promos begin – outdoor barbeque/picnic items
3) Camping supplies, sunscreen, insect repellant

July Loss Leaders:
1) July 4th promos continue – best prices on BBQ, picnic items
2) School supplies
Clearance Items:· 4th of July baking products (sprinkles, cookie/candy molds, etc)· Summer clothing· Toys· Patio furniture & outdoor decor items

August Loss Leaders:
1) Back to School deals – lunch foods, school supplies, backpacks, lunchboxes, cereal, peanut butter and jelly
Clearance Items:· BBQ equipment, charcoal,· Sunscreen· Insect repellant

September Loss Leaders:
1) Back to School deals continue
2) Tomato products – look for Ragu and Prego coupons and deals
3) Baby items
4) After Labor Day, deals on BBQ and picnic supplies
5) SoupClearance Items:· Bikes· Gardening supplies

October Loss Leaders:
1) Halloween products
2) Baking season begins
3) Apples, pumpkins and related products
Clearance Items:· Toy clearances make room for Christmas items

November Loss Leaders:
1) Thanksgiving dinner foods
2) Baking goods
3) Coffee, tea, cocoa

December Loss Leaders:
1) Holiday party food
2) Baking supplies
Clearance Items:· Fall décor items 75%+ off· Fall baking products (sprinkles, cookie/candy molds, etc)

More doublers!

You will find two inserts in your paper today one SS and one RP. As if that's not good enough on it's own...you'll also find THESE!!! TWO doublers that are valid 7/26-8/04!!
(I hear that in the Press-Tribune, there are THREE on page A12 and supposedly these are valid only 7/26-7/28)

Another coupon that's worth mentioning is this one...
2 steak dinners for $10.98 at Sizzler! Talk about a cheap date night! :) I thought that was pretty neat!

What a great start to the day...


I can't begin to tell you how awesome it was to wake up this morning and walk outside to see this wonderful pile of 6 newspapers awaiting my arrival. :) If you missed my post about the "athriftymom" special that The Statesman is doing right now, go HERE to check it out. You do NOT want to pass up this deal. I am now getting SIX Statesmans delivered to my door every Sunday and, get this...it's costing me LESS than when I would go to the newsstand and pick up 5 Press-Tribunes! Crazy, I know, but true! Something you should definitely check into if you do not already have a newspaper subscription! I don't know if this deal is still going on or, if so, how long it will be so hurry!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Free Chocolate Friday


Don't forget to sign up HERE to receive a coupon in the mail for a free Mars candy bar! You do have to register, so don't forget to give them your coupon email address! You can register up to 4 email addresses per Friday and each household can receive up to 4 coupons throughout the whole trial period (September 25th). It's only for the first 250,000 entries, so go NOW and get your free candy bar! Good luck!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Coupon Vocabulary

The "coupon vocab" page is up! I'm still missing a couple of pictures, but I'll add them soon. Just thought I'd let you all know so that you could check it out and let me know what you think! Let me know if you think of anything to add! Click on "Coupon Vocab" up there in the navigation bar under my title...:)

Pay it Forward Yard Sale....Don't Forget!


Hey everyone, don't forget about FabulesslyFrugal.com's "Pay it Forward Yard Sale!" I am SOOOOO SOOOOO sad that I cannot be here for it...nor can I help set up and help them get organized. We had already planned our annual family trip to McCall for that weekend. :( BUT, I am still planning on finding some things to donate...we just had a yardsale recently and got rid of a ton of stuff, so I don't know what I'll come up with, but we'll see! Any way...you guys can be a part of it too! Just click the button up there and find out more about this super wonderful event and how you can help!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

To Clip or Not to Clip....that IS the question....

Ugh...I have been tossing the idea around in my head of finally making the switch to the coupon binder. I know, I know...I said that the thought of it made me cringe (which it does)....that I have NO room for it when I go shopping (which I don't)...that I wanted the easiest route (which I do)...a number of reasons why the coupon binder just isn't for me. Here's what I DO know.... a.)my coupon pouch that I carry with me in my purse, is getting bigger and bigger and more difficult to manage. b.) it is a pain in my you know where to FIND the coupons I need quickly...especially while at the store c.)I am more and more frequently missing out on deals because I left my coupons at home d.) I just don't feel organized enough. I can't SEE at a glance what I have and don't have.

If you remember, THIS is how I currently organize my coupon inserts and some of my straggling individual coupons. I also posted THIS a while back. I had come up with a simple spreadsheet (so I thought) that would help me keep track of the coupons I had, how many, when they expire, and this was especially helpful for IP's and tearpad/blinkie coupons that I had that I didn't want to forget about. It was working great for a while and still works OK, but I am CONSTANTLY getting new coupons, both in the mail, from the internet, from the store...I just don't have that kind of time to sit and enter all the data in all the time. I get behind constantly and have a big stack of coupons on my desk that just continues to pile up, and when I finally DO get around to entering them all...it's just in time for a new stack to come in. Bleh. Soo...that's not really working out as well as I planned.

If you are not sure what I am talking about when I say "coupon binder," go HERE to learn a little more about another system of filing and storing coupons. This is the method that I think is most commonly used throughout the coupon-clipping community. Every time you walk in to Albies....you're bound to see at least one coupon-mom with her coupon-binder in tow, spread wide open across the seating part of the cart. :)

But, despite all of those things that are frustrating me...am I REALLY ready to make the jump to a coupon binder? The idea of it is great. Always have all of my coupons neatly organized and always have them with me wherever I go, so that I can always take advantage of great deals...be able to tell, at a glance, what coupons I have...have all of my materials, lists, policies, tools, etc. right at my fingertips in a ready-to-go case. It really is functional and efficient.

HOWEVER...I have to think of all of the other things that I just, honestly, don't know will work for me. I seriously don't know how I would be able to carry it around when I am usually hauling a carseat on one arm and holding a toddler (or at least his hand) with the other one...which is a chore IN AND OF itself. I simply don't have a third arm to carry it! Then, even if I DO manage to get it into the store (maybe I could bribe my 6 year old to do it?) where does it go? My 1 year old usually sits in the seating part of the cart and my infant's carseat sits in the main part of the cart where the groceries (are supposed to) go. Let me tell you...I barely have room for the stuff I'm buying as it is...and I KNOW my toddler won't hold it for me on his lap while I galavant around the store....I mean...these may seem like silly reasons, but they are issues of practicality. What good is it going to do to put the time and effort into doing the binder if in the end I am going to decide that it's a bigger pain in the you-know-where than just dealing with the overflowing purse?

Any way...I am just so at a crossroads. I actually wound up going to Walmart yesterday for some things and saw all the super-cute binders there and, on impulse, bought one. I brought it home and decided I was going to do it. That's it, I'm doing it. BUT, after the impulse of the purchase wore off....I'm just not so sure anymore. So it's just sitting there in the same plastic bag waiting to either be returned or be brought out and have the tags ripped off...

So, I ask you guys...my readers...what you have decided to do? Have any of you made the plunge to decide to make your own coupon binder? If so, how is it working for you? Is it worth it? Do you regret it? What are the pros and cons? Anything and everything you have to add would be greatly appreciated. If you haven't made the switch, have you thought about it? What are the reasons that make you want or not want to do it? I am just really struggling with this and am curious what everyone else thinks...

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Albertson's - 7/22-7/28

HERE is this week's Albertson's ad

HERE is this Idaho shopping list by PYP...

If you're new to this site and are not sure what to do with these lists, click HERE to get started saving money TODAY!

Under Construction...

I am working to update my blog design a little bit, but the process is slow-moving, as I only get a few minutes a day to devote to it, so please be patient. You will notice the new "navigation bar" at the top under my blog title...this will make it easier to navigate to the various pages of my blog, especially for newcomers. Some of the links, however, currently go to an "under construction" page, so I'll be continuously working to get these pages completed. Just bear with me! I hope to get it all finished by the end of the week...:)

Also, if you ever click a link and it doesn't work, or takes you to a wrong page, please let me know so I can get it fixed. I am good at making mistakes like that. Thanks!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Dairy Coupons Reset, AGAIN!


Just wanted to let you guys know that the dairy coupons for $.75 off any milk, $1.00 off 2lb cheese, and $.75 off any 4 yogurt cups or 1-32oz tub RESET! So go HERE and print yours off before they're gone! These make for super-cheap milk when coupled with doublers! :)

SUPER AWESOME NEWSPAPER RATE!!!


If you haven't signed up for a newspaper subscription yet, do it NOW!!! I had been putting it off and putting it off, but with THIS deal that athriftymom just posted, is TOOOOO good to pass up! I just got off the phone signing up a minute ago. There are two different deals you can do...

First Choice:

1) 7-day subscription
(4) Sunday Only subscriptions
For a total of 5 Sunday papers ( those are the ones with with coupons in them)
All home delivered for a total of 5 Sunday papers for only $3.00 per week, or $12.00 per month (4 weeks). That means you will get 11 papers a week for $3.00, that is about .28 cents a paper. Newsstand price for one Idaho Statesman Sunday paper is $2.00!! So this is a fantastic deal home delivered.

Second Choice:

You can forgo the 7-day subsciption and do the Sunday only with a minimum sign-up of 4 papers for $.50/ea, so you could get SIX Sunday papers for the same $3/week or $12/mo! This is WAY better than even the Press-Tribune deal!

For both of these you can sign up for the 13, 26, or 52-week increments. If you're able, I would TOTALLY recommend going for the 52-week and locking in this price for a whole year! Once the subscription is up, you have to renew at whatever the current rate is!

I went with the second choice and chose to get 6 Sunday papers...now I will be getting 6 Idaho Statesmans EVERY Sunday for less than I was paying at the newsstand for the Press-Tribune AND they'll be delivered right to my door! And don't forget, once you are subscribed, if your paper is ever missing an insert, just call them that morning and they'll redeliver it to your door later in the day! How great is that!? No more getting home to realize someone stole your inserts or doublers. :)

If you want to sign up, call 377-NEWS(6397) and tell them you want the "athriftymom" special offer!

I hope you all take advantage of this GREAT deal, not sure how long it will last! Thanks to
athriftymom for scoring this for us!!!

A little shoutout...

After I score really great deals, I love to share them with my husband, just to show him that all of my dedication pays off. He is always so amazed! The other night, he even made asked me "aren't you proud of yourself? You should be." It got me thinking that, yes, I AM proud of myself. Proud of myself for working so hard to learn all of the tips and tricks that I can. Proud of myself for working so hard to do the very best that I'm capable of. Proud of myself for saving my family so much money. Proud of myself for being able to provide my family with meals, even spur-of-the-moment, without having to run to the store. There are many things I proud of myself for as I've begun these coupon adventures, but I have also come to realize how truly thankful I am for all of the people who have helped to teach me how to use this system and those who come up with all of the great deals every week and share them with us. So, I thought I would take some time ot shout out some BIG thank-yous to the ones I have come to appreciate...

First of all...THANK YOU to PYP and GrocerySmarts! All of the wonderful people who put together the shopping lists, EVERY WEEK, and who take the time to scour the web for printable coupons and all of the other many wonderful things they do. I am constantly using the forums, the lists, the tutorials (including videos), and we all just know this all wouldn't be possible without them.

THANK YOU to fabulesslyfrugal!! They always have great, useful information EACH WEEK about the latest and greatest deals. They also have some great tips and match-ups. I check this blog numerous times a day and just absolutely love it. They have great contests and giveaways, too! They are also some gals with some really big hearts...click HERE to read about (and possibly become a part of) their great fundraiser coming August 1st.

THANK YOU to athrifymom!! Another blog that I check daily for her great match-ups and I love reading about her thrifty shopping trips and getting ideas for my own trips. I also love that she gets everyone great deals on newspaper subsciptions (if you haven't gotten yours yet, click HERE for more info) and that she works with her local Albies to get even more great deals for us coupon ladies. Unfortunately, that store is a bit far for me, as I'm in Nampa, but I still think it's great that she does that. If you live in Caldwell, you can definitely take advantage of the great things I've heard about the Caldwell Stadium Albies.

THANK YOU to sheshopssmart!! I abolutely love her tutorials! She is not in my local area, so a lot of her deals do not apply to me, but I still love reading her blog. She has great, easy instructions. I also love her weekly menu plans, weekly show-and-tells, and ideas for freezing and using different foods. There is definitely a ton to be learned by reading her blog!

THANK YOU to hip2save!! This is where I find a lot of the freebies and money-makers each week. I check this blog daily, also, so as not to miss ANYthing! She also has some great match-ups each week...

So there ya go! If you haven't checked out these blogs yet, you definitely should. They have great wisdom and info to share! Thanks to all of you for all that you do!

Target 7/18


I had to go to Target to get another baby monitor (as Kennedy is a big girl in her own room now...*sniffle*) and while I was there I figured I might as well see if, by some crazy chance, they were finally stocked with Eggo Bakeshop products. I had been trying to get them for a couple weeks now, before the $1.50 price went away (as I had a bunch of the $1/1 printables that would make them $.50/ea) but they were ALWAYS wiped out. Then, I was REALLY hoping to be able to get them with the Keebler Fudge Shoppe promo to cash in on the Fuel for School Rebate (Click HERE to learn more about this rebate) So, when I walked over to the freezer aisle and saw them finally sitting there, I was super-excited! Here's what I did...

Purchased :
5 Eggo BakeShop products ($.50/ea after 5 printables for $1/1)
5 Keebler FudgeShop products (1.69-2.14/ea after 4 $1/1 printables and 1 $.55/1 printable)

Total: $11.40 plus I received a $5 gift card (as part of the Keebler FudgeShoppe promo where you buy 5 get $5 gift card). PLUS, now I will send off for my Fuel for School Rebate and recieve $10 back by mail, so all-in-all I will have paid $1.40 OOP for all 10 items, PLUS will still have a $5 gift card to use on a future purchase...pretty sweet huh? :)

Free Mocha Monday!


Don't forget to stop by McDonald's between 7am and 7pm for your free sample of a hot or iced Mocha today! I got mine last week and it was definitely yummy, not to mention adorable. I had the iced mocha and it was a miniature version of the regular sized one in a little cup with a little lid. It was so cute. Lol. I probably won't get out and about today, as the hubby has the car, but you should definitely go get yours!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Busy, busy, busy...


Sorry I haven't been posting much...been a crazy busy weekend...we got the boys' bunk beds delivered, which also entailed moving the office into our bedroom (which also means my computer is not hooked up at the moment) and giving our old office room to Kennedy. She's officially WAY too big for the bassinet! Of course, she needed a crib, and instead of buying a second, we decided it was time for Ashton to go to a big boy bed! Last night was his first night sleeping there, so let's just say I spent more time getting up out of bed and getting back in than I did sleeping! Lol. Any way, the point being, I haven't posted any blogs the last couple of days due to being busy, but when I saw THIS post on FabulesslyFrugal, I just HAD to take the time to share it with you all. These wonderful ladies are banding together for a really great cause and I thought you might all want to be a part of it...either donating items or just going to the yardsale and spending your hard-earned money knowing that 100% of it is going towards this cause! Go HERE to see for yourself how great these gals are! :)

Friday, July 17, 2009

$1 off Desitin!


HERE is a coupon good for $1 off Desitin Original, Creamy, or Clear...

$3 off coupon for Belly Bar...


I saw these when I was pregnant last and thought that I'd love to try them, but never did, so I don't know if they're good or not. Lol. But go HERE to get a coupon for $3 off a BellyBar product. They have shakes, granola bars, and chews...worth a try! :)

BBQ anyone?

So, I've been throwing the idea around for a while now of doing a "coupon-mom" bbq. I think it would be fun to have a get-together where we can answer any questions anyone might be having (if I can) and even trade coupons that you aren't going to use. I would ask everyone to bring a dish made from something they got a great deal with using coupons (along with the recipe to pass out if you want), the kids could all play outside in the water, and we could just enjoy some time getting to know new friends and fellow couponners. If you know someone who is or might be interested in starting to use this system, but who hasn't made the plunge yet, bring them along! Let them hear the stories of all of us who have already started saving tons of money! Maybe that will be just what they need to motivate them to get started! Any way...I'm just throwing this idea out there. I don't know if this is something everyone would be interested in, but if it is, leave a comment letting me know...if I get enough response, then I'll start planning! I just think it would be fun and, well, if you're like me, you're all for bbq's no matter when, where, or why. :)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Frog-eye Salad


After getting the super-cheap marshmallows a couple of days ago, and the great price on Dole pineapple this week, I realized there's some frog-eye salad in my future. :) This is one of my very favorite things to make for potlucks, reunions, and holidays. I thought I'd share the recipe for anyone who wants to give it a try. :) The recipe here is a REALLY big batch, but you can easily halve it for a smaller crowd. Enjoy!


Frog-eye salad

1 c. white sugar
3 egg yolks
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 c. pineapple juice
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 (16oz) pkg acini di pepe pasta (Walmart doesn't carry this, so I always get it at Albies)
2 (20oz) cans pineapple tidbits (you can use the chunks, too, sometimes I do 1 can of ea, just depends)
2 (11oz) cans mandarin oranges
3/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped (opt)
1 (16oz) pkg miniature marshmallows
1 (12oz) container whipped cream

Directions:
1. In large saucepan over low heat, combine sugar, egg yolks, flour, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Stir and cook until thickened. Remove from heat.
2. While sauce is cooking bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
3. In large bowl, combine cooked mixture with pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
4. Toss pasta with pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, and whipped cream. Refrigerate until serving.



Electrasol Tabs only $1.06 for 20pk at Walmart!

I'm sure you know about the great price on the Electrasol/Finish tabs, gelpacks, and quantum tabs at Walmart. I went today to get mine, thinking they were probably out by now...but was pleasantly surprised to find that they still had a TON! So go get yours today! I've always been a Cascade user, but for this price...it was worth stocking up on! Don't let that high value $2.50/1 coupon go to waste!


These are $3.56/ea at Walmart, but with the $2.50/1 (SS 7/12) they are only $1.06/ea! I got 7, so what should have cost me $24.92 only cost me $7.42. :) If there's 20 in each box, that makes it only $.05/wash! Sweet! :)

Albies 7/16

Man...we've had so many doublers the last couple of weeks, I'm almost looking for a break! Ok, not really, but man...it's hard to pass up deals when you're armed with a bunch of doublers, isn't it? Any way, here is my trip from today. Once again, not much on the list that excited me, considering this is the SAME darn sale practically for about the 4th week in a row! :( Oh well...I loaded up on Snapple, so I'm a happy camper...



6 - Snapple Tea 6pk ($2.50/ea)
2 - Snapple Tea 12pk ($2.00/ea)
12 - Powerade Zero ($.59/ea)
2 - Dole Pineapple ($1.00/ea)
2 - Reser's Dips (FREE)
2 - Albertson's shredded parmesan ($1.00/ea)
2 - Flavor-pak frozen stir-fry veggies ($1.00/ea)
1 - Homelife Napkins ($1.00)
Country Style Ribs, bone-in ($1.00/lb, reg $3.49/lb!) I got just over 8lbs total

Total for these items: $136.67
I paid: $38.54
Savings: $94.13 or 69%!

I did this in 3 transactions (would have been 4, but my absolute favorite cashier at my Albies always let's me use more than one set of doublers in one transaction...shhh...;) And don't worry...I didn't clean the store out of Snapple...I took one of ea of a lot of the different flavors, but DID take the last two peach teas they had (that's my fave)...probably would have gotten more, but they were out. Now I'm going to try the diet peach tea...hmm...wonder if it's as good....?

Transaction #1:
2 - Dole Pineapple
1 - Homelife napkins
2 - Snapple 6pks (instant save $2 WYB 2)
12 - Powerade Zero
2 - Parmesan cheese 8oz
1 - Reser's Dip
2 - Stir fry veggies
8lbs Ribs

Total: $31.15 after discounts
I used 2-$.75/1 Snapple 6pk (peelie stuck to the carton), 1-$1/1 Reser's product printable, and 3 doublers, making my OOP $27.25

#2
2 - Snapple 6pk (instant save $2 WYB 2)
1 - Reser's Dip

Total: $9 after discounts
I used 2-$.75/1 Snapple peelies, 1-$1/1 Reser's, and 3 doublers, making my OOP $4.50

#3
2 - Snapple 6pk (instant save $2 WYB 2)
2 - Snapple 12pk (instant save $2 WYB 2)

Total: $16 after discounts
I used 2-$.75/1 peelies for the 6pks, 2-$1/1 peelies for the 12pks (stuck to the case), and 4 doublers, making my OOP $11.00

Not as big of a savings as usual, but considering I bought quite a few things that I didn't have coupons for, but were still a great price, it's still pretty good! I got to stock up on my favorite drink, and also some drinks for my husband for when he walks his TEN MILES A DAY! (Yes, he really does. He hasn't missed a day in July, YET!) So, there ya go! That's it for me for the week, other than I have to figure out a way to use 5 more doublers...more Snapple perhaps? ;) Lol.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Awesome deal on Gillette products at Target!


2 - Gillette Body wash (my husband's new favorite)
2 - Gillette deodorant
2 - Travel size shave gel
2 - Travel size shampoo
2 - Gillette Fusion razor

I got all these items for ony $7.28 at Target!


I found these on clearance at Target a few weeks ago but never thought I could use a coupon on them! Then I read it on one of the blogs recently (sorry, I can't remember which one!) that they used the $4 coupon for Gillette Fusion manual or power razor from PG 6/7 on it, so I went back hoping there were more so I could try it myself. Sure enough...there were two left (at least that I saw) which worked for me, as I had two coupons left. These were clearance marked gift sets priced at $7.64/ea, then I used two $4/1 coupons, and paid only $7.28 for both. SWEET! :)

Albies 7/14

2 - Finish Electrasol Quantum tabs ($2.49/ea)
1 - Finish Electrasol Gelpacks ($2.49)

2 - Lindsay snacker olives ($.99/ea)
2 - Spray n' Wash triggers
($.99/ea)
4 - Jet Puff Marshmallows
($.49/ea)
5 - Pepperidge Farm Petite Twists (FREE)
2 - Alexia Crunchy Snacks ($.50/ea)

2 - Gallon Milk
($.89/ea)
1 - Weber Grill Seasoning (FREE)
2 - Reser's Baja Salsa
(FREE)
6 - Kraft Salad dressings (FREE)
About 3lbs of lean ground beef (Mostly FREE)

Wow, what a great trip to Albies! The total for all these items comes to $96.07. I paid $10.10! (Thank heavens for DOUBLERS!) That's a savings of $85.97 or 89%! One thing to remember is that you CAN combine last Wednesday's doublers from the ad with the doublers from Sunday's paper! So you can use a total of FIVE doublers in ONE transaction! That definitely helps with the Epic promo where you have to buy 10 items to get the $5 discount.

Here's my item list and breakdown of how I did this in 4 transactions using 18 doublers:

Transaction #1:
2 Finish Quantum tabs (sale $4.49)
1 Finish gelpack (sale $4.49)

2 Lindsay snacker olives (sale $1.99)
2 Spray n Wash trigger (sale $1.99)

1 Weber grill seasoning (sale $1.99)
2 Reser's Baja Mild salsa (sale $1.99)


Epic Promo (-$5.00)
Used 3-$2.50/1 Finish Electrasol (SS 7/12), $1/1 Lindsay printable
HERE, 2-$.50/1 Spray n' Wash (SS 6/14), $1/1 Weber Seasonings (I got this coupon inside the instruction booklet of our new Weber grill we just bought, but there's also the $.50/1 (SS 5/17), 2-$1/1 Reser's product printable HERE. Plus I used FIVE doublers!
Total coupons tendered: $17.00!

OOP: $5.40!


#2 4 Jet Puff Marshmallows (sale $.99)
6 Kraft salad dressings (sale $1.99)
about 3lbs lean ground beef (sale $1.88 w / in-ad coupon)


Epic Promo (-$5.00)

Used 6 $1/1 Kraft (SS 6/21), 5 doublers, and $2 off meat with purchase of 3 kraft dressings coupon (at the register).

Total coupons tendered: $18.55


OOP: $1.92!!!

#3

4 Petite Twists (sale $2.00)

1 Alexia Crunchy Snack ($2.50)


Used 4-$1/1 Pepperidge Farm (SS 6/14), $1/1 Alexia (coupon mailer) and 5 doublers

Total coupons tendered: $10.00


OOP: $.50


#4

1 Alexia Crunchy snack ($2.50)

2 Gallons Shopper's Value milk ($2.49)

Used $1/1 Alexia, 2-$.75 milk printable (expired today), and three doublers.
Total coupons tendered: $4.00


OOP: $2.28
I am not sure when the coupon for the $2 off meat expires. I didn't even look at it. But when you go to the store be sure to ask for it! The customer service desk didn't have any but the cashier did...

Monday, July 13, 2009

Name brand summer clothes for super cheap prices!


Totally scored at OshKosh today! They are having a HUGE clearance sale with many items marked $1.99 and up, plus they had coupons out, HERE (unfortunately, this coupon expires and the sale ends on Wednesday, so HURRY!) for 20% off a $50 purchase. I got tons of clothes for the kids for next summer for less than I could have gotten them at Walmart (and much cuter by the way. :) All in all I got:

3 dresses and 2 shorts for Kennedy
3 shirts and 1 short for Weston
6 shirts for Ashton

(this sale has been going on for a while now, so they were pretty picked over for shorts for the boys and stuff for Kennedy, but I still managed to reach the $50 needed so that I could use my 20% off coupon, so I paid $40.86 for all these items, which comes to just about $3.40/item. Not bad if you ask me! Now I'll just pack these away to be brought out next summer! :)

Carter's is having pretty much the same sale (I just couldn't find enough stuff in the sizes I needed to even come close to hitting the $50 mark) and you can get a coupon for 20% off a $50 purchase HERE.

Things in the mail...

Got some cool stuff in the mail this last week. A free sample of "The Lovely Collection" fragrances by Sarah Jessica Parker, a 10% off Home Depot coupon, and some Alexia Crunchy Snacks coupons (that I plan to use with doublers tomorrow!)

I pretty much sign up for anything and everything I can these days...even the free samples, as many times, even though the sample isn't worth much, the coupons that come with them ARE! Make sure when you sign up for promos, sweepstakes, freebies, samples, or coupons online that you are using your coupon/freebie email address! If you don't have one, GET ONE! :)

Have you tried Tyson Skillet Creations yet?


Don't forget about the mail-in rebate for a Tyson Skillet Creations meal HERE! Try it FREE! I can't WAIT! Mmmm...

Kellog's Fuel for School Scenarios!

I posted about this promo a while (Click HERE for details) and just wanted to let you know that moneysavingmom just posted some great scenarios to complete at Target if you haven't already cashed in on the rebate!

Target: Kellogg's Fuel for School Scenario Ideas

If you have yet to cash in on the Kellogg's Fuel for School Rebate, here are some scenarios I've worked up which you can do at Target this week. If you only have one computer to print coupons from, be sure to check out the last scenario.

*****Morningstar Farms Scenario
***** (Thanks, My Frugal Adventures!)

Buy 10 Morningstar Farms products at $3.36 each
Use 5 $2/2 coupons here OR
Use 10 $1/1 coupons here, here, and here
Spend $13.60 plus tax out of pocket
Submit for the Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate and get a $10 check back
$0.36 each after coupons and rebate check

*****Fudge Shoppe Cookies/Eggo Waffles Scenario*****

Buy 5 Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies at $2.54 each
Buy 5 Eggo BakeShop products at $1.50 each
Use 5 $1/1 coupons
Use 5 $1/1 Eggo coupons here
Spend $10.20 plus tax out of pocket
Get 1 $5 Target gift card
Plus, submit for the Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate and get a $10 check back
Free plus overage after the coupons, gift cards and rebate

*****Frosted Mini Wheats/Raisin Bran Crunch Scenario*****

Buy 8 boxes of Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheat at $1.88 each
Buy 2 boxes of Raisin Bran Crunch at $1.88 each

Use 4 $1/2 coupons here
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 6/7 RedPlum insert
Spend $12.80 plus tax out of pocket
Submit for the Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate and get a $10 check back
$0.28 each after coupons and rebate

*****Mix & Match Scenario--only one computer needed*****

Buy 2 MorningStar Products at $3.36 each
Buy 2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies at $2.54 each
Buy 2 Eggo BakeShop products at $1.50 each
Buy 4 boxes of Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats
Use 1 $2/2 Morningstar coupon here
Use 2 $1/1 Morningstar coupons here, here, or here
Use 2 $1/1 Keebler Fudge Shoppe coupons
Use 2 $1/1 Eggo coupons here
Use 2 $1/2 coupons here
Submit for the Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate and get a $10 check back
$0.23 each after coupons and rebate

Albertson's Printable List 7/15-7/21


HERE is this week's Albies ad and HERE is the printable shopping list (Thanks PYP!). Epic promo, yet again...

FREE Nestle PureLife 6pk at Walmart!


If you happened to print those $1/1 Nestle Purelife coupons (the coupon has been pulled already) then go snag yourself some free water at Walmart! They're on sale 2 for $2, so use both your $1/1 coupons and get both for FREE! My Walmart only had lemon flavor left, but that's fine by me, as that's my fave!

Free Mocha Monday!


Stop by McDonald's today between 7am and 7pm and get a FREE 80z. hot mocha or 7oz cold mocha! Talk about a nice sized sample! This promo is going on every Monday through August 3rd. Limit one 8oz. sample per person per visit. I'm definitely getting mine today!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

New to this blog or new to couponning?

If this is your first time visiting this blog or if you are new to the coupon-clipping community, click HERE to start at the beginning and learn the ropes, so that you, too, can start saving 60-80% on your grocery bill each month! No, I'm not kidding. It truly is possible. :) Start there and you'll catch up in no time!

Real Simple magazine: 1 year for only $5!!


I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am about this offer on Amazon.com! I absolutely LOVE this magazine, but have never subscribed because it was just too expensive...well, thanks to Tori at sheshopssmart, I found out I can get a 1-year (12 issues) subscription for only $5! I just signed up and wanted to pass on the info in case you love this magazine as much as I do. Even if you've never read it before, now's the chance to give it a shot...you can't go wrong for five bucks. :) Click HERE to get your subscription now!

GREAT deals at Staples this week!


Hopefully you didn't miss the coupon for $5 off a $20 purchase at Staples on the back of the ad today! If you use it the right way, it can make for some super cheap and even MONEY MAKER deals! A couple of different scenarios are as follows:

Scenario #1:
2 - Staples Photo Paper at $9.99/ea
1 - Any of the MANY $1 items (such as #2 pencils, Sharpie highlighter 6pks, or 3pk wedge erasers to name a few!)
Total: $20.98
Use $5 off $20 coupon
OOP: 15.98
Submit TWO $8.99 Easy Rebates on the photo paper and get $17.98 back in the mail for a $3 MONEY-MAKER! How awesome is that!?

Scenario #2 (thanks to hip2save):
1 - Staples Copy Paper at $3.69
2 - Staples Photo Paper at $9.99 each
Total: $23.67
Use $5 off $20 coupon
OOP: $18.67
Submit the $3.68 Easy Rebate on the Copy paper and TWO $8.99 Easy Rebates on the Photo paper (so get $21.66 back in the mail). Final cost FREE + a $2.99 profit.... Also pretty awesome!

Scenario #3 (thanks to sheshopssmart for #3 and #4)
2 8 pack #2 Pencils= .2
2 Pencil Boxes= $2
2 pack of Scissoirs= $2
2 Magic Scoth Tapes= $2
2 packs Witeout= $2
2 packs Highlighters $2
2 Packs Velocity pens= $2
1 Mini Staplers= $1
2 packs copy paper= @$3.69= $7.38
Total: $20.48
Use $5 off $20
Minus $1 for Witeout
$14.48 Out of Pocket
Mail in Rebate and get $7.36 back
Grand Total for EVERYTHING $7.12

Scenario #4:
2 packs copy paper @$3.69= $7.38
2 Staples Photo Plus 4x6 paper @ $9.99= $19.98
2 Packs #2 Pencils= .2
1 pack pens= $1
1 Stapler= $1
Grand Total $29.56
-$5 off coupon
$24.56 Out of Pocket
Mail in Rebate for $25.34
Grand Total for EVERYTHING = -$.78 another MONEY MAKER

A note on the Staples Easy Rebates...there is a limit of TWO per person, so you cannot submit more than TWO rebates. These are done online and just as the name implies...they're EASY! You don't even have to mail them anything like with most rebates. Expect to get your rebate in about 4 weeks. If you want more info about these and how they work, click HERE.

Also, there is a limit of 2 per customer on pretty much all of the sale items, so don't forget that when you plan your scenarios.

If you come up with any other great scenarios to share, please let us know! :) I'm heading to Staples tomorrow...haven't decided how I'm going to mix and match yet...hm...