Sunday, January 31, 2010

Avatar for Xbox 360 only $29.99! HURRY!

Avatar


If you want this game HURRY and go get it! It's a lightening deal on Amazon which only lasts for a limited time or until quantities run out, which they usually go super fast! It is eligible for FREE shipping with Super Saver shipping or FREE 2-day shipping for Amazon Prime members! You may still be able to get a FREE three month trial of Amazon Prime (not sure if this offer is still available). Click HERE for more info.

In today's Idaho Statesman...

Today you will find two inserts, one SmartSource and one Redplum


You will also find Albertson's doublers! Not sure what these are or how to use these wonderful little coupons? Go check out my Doublers 101 page. Need some ideas on what to do with these doublers this week? Head on over to Fabulessly Frugal to see their list of doubler ideas. You can also look at this week's GrocerySmarts list HERE.

Also, don't throw out that Parade Magazine! You'll find a high-value $1/1 Keebler Club Crackers coupon! Woohoo! This should easily make for some free crackers when paired with a sale and if your store doubles coupons!

A couple other coupons worth mentioning:

:Macy's: extra 15% off select sale and clearance 'home' products.

:Michael's: 40% off one regular priced item (valid all week) and an extra 20% off entire purchase of wall & tabletop frames, framed art & display cases. (many of the frames are already discounted 40% off!)

:JCPenney: $10 off $40 or $15 off $75 your salon retail purchase

Friday, January 29, 2010

Coupons.com--Print what you want before it's gone!!


It's that time again...the end of the month means Coupons.com could reset at any time! I would suggest heading on over today and printing anything you may want before it might be gone. You never know which of your favorite coupons will stay and which will go! Here are a few of the high value coupons you may want to print:

$2/1 Aveeno Facial Care product
$2/1 Aveeno body or baby care product
$2/1 Clean & Clear product
$3/1 RoC product
$2.50/1 John Freida Luxurious Volume product
$2/1 Healthifeet product
$1/1 Loreal lip product
$1/1 Loreal eye product
$1/1 Scotch single-use superglue
$1/1 Angel Soft 12pk double roll or larger
3/2 Glade Fragrance product
$5/1 Hasbro Game (select varieties)
$4/1 Sudafed Triple-Action 36ct
$2/1 any Aleve 80ct or larger
$2/1 Huggies
$2/1 Huggies Overnites
$1/1 Rhodes Warm-n-Serve rolls
$1/1 Nature Valley Nut Clusters
$1/1 Nestle or Wonka mini-gift exchange kit
$1/2 Nestle Crunch or Butterfinger hearts
$1/1 Birds Eye Voila!


Remember, you can print them each twice! They generally expire one month from print date, so you have a while to wait for a sale to pair them with! :) Go to Coupons.com now!

ReadyMade magazine--1 year, only $6!

ReadyMadeAre you someone who enjoys home improvement and do-it yourself projects around the house? If so, you may want to hurry on over and snag a 1-year subscription to ReadyMade magazine for only $6 at Amazon! Start a new subscription, renew an existing one, or give a gift and pay just $6 for a full year. That's an extra 50% off Amazon's regular price. This offer is good through 1/30, so hurry!

Retail Coupon Roundup

 
Wow, there are so many great retail coupons and deals for you to use this weekend, I thought I'd round them all up into one convenient location! If you're headed out shopping, be sure to print the coupons you want and take them with you!

:OLD NAVY: 30% off EVERYTHING (except gift cards) 1/29 & 1/30 ONLY! No coupon needed! If you can't make it until Sunday, you can also get 25% off when you use your Gap, Banana Republic, or Old Navy card!

:BATH & BODY WORKS: 20% off your purchase, exp. 1/31. Or use coupon code 20PERCENT online. if you shop online be sure to go through ShopAtHome to get 4.0% cash back on your purchase! Plus, if you're new you'll get a $5 sign up bonus just for registering! There is also a coupon for Get a FREE anti-bacterial soap ($5 value) with any $10 purchase that doesn't expire until 2/21.

:STAPLES: 15% off your entire purchase, (except computers) exp. 1/30

:OFFICE DEPOT: $10 off $50 purchase, exp 2/04

:BABIES R' US: If you got your $5 eGift Card from yesterday, you can print that and take it with you (this is also valid at Toys R' Us). They also have the "Great Trade-in" event going on now through Feb. 20.

:FOOT LOCKER: 25% off your purchase, exp. 1/30. Or use code FFJA328E online. If you shop online, go through ShopAtHome to get 7.0% cash back on your purchase! Plus, if you're new you'll get a $5 sign up bonus just for registering!)


:COACH FACTORY STORE: 20% off your purchase, exp. 1/31

:BIG LOTS: 20% off your purchase, exp. 1/31

:SEARS: Friends & Family event tonight at 8pm through 1/31. Find 5%-20% savings on everything in the store!

:GAP: 25% off when you use your Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy card, exp. 1/31. If you're not a cardholder, you can still get 20% off your purchase, exp. 1/30

:BANANA REPUBLIC: 25% off when you use your Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy card, exp. 1/31

:GUESS FACTORY STORE: 25% off your entire purchase, exp. 1/30

:REEBOK OULET STORE: 15% off your purchase, exp. 1/30 

:YANKEE CANDLE: (can be found at various stores) $10 off $25 purchase, exp. 1/30

:JCPENNY: $10 off $50 purchase, exp. 2/10

:PAYLESS: 15% off your purchase, exp. 2/28

:JOANN FABRICS: 50% off any one regular priced item, exp. 1/30. Also, 40% off one regular priced item, exp. 1/30 

:BORDERS: 33% off any one item! Exp. 2/01 (must be a Borders Rewards member, but it's FREE and you can sign up online HERE)

:VICTORIA'S SECRET: Go on over HERE to play the Wild Card game for a chance to win coupons, cash, or more! You may have already won the free lacy long with bra purchase coupon that everyone seemed to win the other day. 

Plus, if you plan on heading out to eat, don't forget to head to Restaurant.com and pick up a $25 gift certificate for just $2! You can print this immediately after purchasing and use it right away. You have until 1/31 to purchase at this discounted rate, but the gift certificate is good for ONE YEAR!

You can also print up this coupon for Buy One Get One FREE Premium or Light fruit smoothie at Orange Julius, exp. 2/25 

Also, you could win a coupon for a FREE lunch at Qdoba! Thanks Hip2Save!

If you know of a coupon or deal that I missed, feel free to add it in the comments section!

Bath & Body Works--20% off entire purchase!



Bath & Body Works is offering up 20% off your entire purchase in-stores with THIS coupon or online when you use code 20PERCENT now through January 31! They have a lot of fun new spring items and their Signature Collection is Buy 2, get one free or Buy 3, get TWO free!

Plus, if you shop online, don't forget to go through ShopAtHome and you'll get 4.0% cash back on your purchase! If you are new to ShopAtHome, you will get a $5 sign up bonus just for registering!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

55% off at Old Navy!? UPDATED

**UPDATE** Looks like you will NOT be able to combine the 25% and 30% off. BUMMER! Oh well...30% off is still great! And you still get the 25% off at Gap and Banana Republic, too.

Remember last week when I told you about the upcoming promotion to get 25% off at Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic when you use your card (from any of these stores)? Well, come to find out that this FRIDAY and SATURDAY ONLY, the ENTIRE STORE is 30% off! EVERYTHING except gift cards! It will automatically ring up as 30% off, so you should be able to combine that with getting an additional 25% off for using your card! Now THAT'S CRAZY! I can't wait to head over there Friday and find out! I would get there early, as that place can get CRAZY and sell out of stuff quickly when the promo is this HOT! Good luck! Even if you're not a cardholder, 30% off is AWESOME, too!

Sobe Lifewater--BOGO coupon!

You better hurry on over HERE (IE) or HERE (FF) and print your coupon for "Buy one, get one FREE" Sobe Lifewater! The print-limit for these usually gets reached pretty quickly! I LOVE these and they go on sale quite often, so should make for a good deal after coupon! Remember, hit your back button to print twice!

Thanks For The Mommas!

Staples--15% off your entire purchase!

Staples has an awesome new printable coupon available! Go HERE to print a coupon for 15% off your entire purchase (excludes computers)! This coupon is valid through 1/30.

Thanks SD!

Target--HOT deal on diapers!


Target has a pretty good deal on their Up & Up brand diapers right now! They are on sale for $6.49-$13.69 with an additional 15% off when you purchase 4 packs or more, and 10% off with coupon code URTYJLI8 at checkout. Here are the best deals:
  • 4x 56-pack of Size 1 $20 (9 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 48-pack of Size 2 $20 (10 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 96-pack of Size 3 $42 (11 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 40-pack of Size 3 $20 (12 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 82-pack of Size 4 $42 (13 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 60-pack of Size 4 $33 (14 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 34-pack of Size 4 $20 (15 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 70-pack of Size 5 $42 (15 cents per diaper)
  • 4x 54-pack of Size 5 $33 (15 cents per diaper)
So, it could look something like this:

Buy four 40-pack size 3 diapers = $25.96 ($6.49/ea)
Automatic 15% off wyb four or more = $22.07
Additional 10% off with code URTYJLI8 = $19.47
Standard shipping is free ($11.42 value)
Estimated tax = $1.16
Total paid = $20.63 for four 40-packs of diapers!

The "buy more, save more" promo lasts until February 6, but I don't know how long the 15% off code will last, so if you want in on it get them now! As low as $5/pack! That's a very good price!

If you want to shop locally or you prefer name brand diapers, don't forget you have until Saturday to get to Walgreens and pay $4.32 per jumbo pack!

Thanks SD!

Babies R' Us "Great Trade-in" Event!

If you became a fan of Babies R' Us to score your FREE $5 eGift (and if you didn't there's still time!), then you probably saw this notice on your page! Babies R' Us is having an awesome event starting tomorrow and running through February 20th! Just bring in ANY used carseat, stroller, highchair, crib, or bassinet and get 25% off any NEW car seat, high chair, bassinet, crib, play yard, stroller, travel system, or toddler bed (from participating brands)! 25% off is AWESOME! There is no limit and you can trade in as many items as you want. It also states that trade-in items and purchased items can be from different categories.

The event is designed to draw attention to the fact that certain used baby products can carry potential hazards, but are still in circulation. Visit THIS link for more info.

Foot Locker--25% off!


Today through Saturday, January 30th, you can use THIS printable coupon to get 25% off your purchase at Foot Locker! You can also get the discount online by using code FFJA328E online.

Thanks FreeSnatcher!

Babies R' Us--FREE $5 eGift card!


Go on over HERE and become a fan of Babies R' Us TODAY ONLY and after you fill out your information you'll receive an email containing a $5 eGift Card! This is valid in-store AND online.

Thanks CouponGeek

If you haven't already be sure to become a fan of Ali's Coupon Adventures on Facebook, too, while you're there! :)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ready to learn the ropes??


I mentioned last week that I was ready to try having my first COUPON CLASS! I am really excited about this, but also pretty nervous. :) I mean, I've learned a TON in the last year and feel like I've got a pretty good handle on things, but it's one thing to do it yourself...it's quite another to try to teach OTHERS to do it! Be that as it may, I'm going to TRY! This will be a totally low-key event in my home (so space is LIMITED). It will be for both novices and veterans alike and will be a place for us to all share questions and answers, best practices and tips. I do NOT claim to be an expert, but I'd love to be able to share my knowledge and experience to help YOU save YOUR FAMILY 60%-90% on your grocery bill! I will do my best to explain things without confusing everyone! :) Please be understanding and patient with me. Lol.

There will be refreshments and goodies, plus door-prizes and maybe a giveaway or two! :) I am totally excited and can't wait to meet some of my readers! Alright, so here are the details:

:WHEN:  February 6, 2010 @ 2:00pm

:WHERE: Nampa, ID (Location will be given after you sign up.)

:WHO: YOU! Due to space limitations, I am going to limit it to fifteen people. (Plus, I don't want to completely overwhelm myself!) Feel free to sign up a friend, mother, sister, other family member as well! The first 15 to email me and sign up will get to attend! If you sign up and later find out that you cannot make it, please be courteous and let me know as soon as possible so that I can open that space up to someone else in plenty of time.

Can't wait! Sign up now!

Chili's--FREE chips & queso!


Sign up for Chili's email club and they'll send you a coupon for FREE chips & queso dip! Sweet!

Thanks FreeSnatcher!

Petco printable coupons!


Go HERE to find two printable coupons for use at Petco! You'll find a $10 off $75 and $5 off $50! These expire on 1/30, so hurry!

Must present coupon and PALS card to receive discount. Don't have a PALS card? Well, you can get one FREE by signing up HERE. Now you'll be among the first to know about special offers and promotions!

Albertson's 1/27-2/02


HERE is this week's Albertson's **printable shopping list**.

Fabulessly Frugal gives us the heads up that doublers are in the forecast for Sunday! Woohoo! So, I would wait until Sunday to do your shopping if you can!

**If you're not sure what to do with this printable shopping list, click HERE to learn about using GrocerySmarts. If you're new to couponing, click HERE to go to the beginning and learn how you can save 60-90% off your grocery bill!

You can also head on over to FabulesslyFrugal to see their list of deals, including the amazing Quaker sale, complete with scenarios! Also, they give word that doublers are CONFIRMED for Sunday! Woohoo! That will make everything even better! Not sure what "doublers" are or how to use them? Head on over to my Doublers 101 page to learn more.

LAST DAY! FREE 2010 photo calendar from Shutterfly!

Today is the LAST DAY to get a FREE 2010 photo calendar from Shutterfly! Just go HERE to sign-in/register, create your calendar and use code NEWCALENDAR at checkout! You will pay shipping, though I'm sure it still makes for a good deal! I'm not sure exactly what shipping will be, yet, as I'm still creating my calendar and will order it later today.

If you order anything else through Shutterfly, be sure to go through Ebates to get 10% cash back on your purchase! (Calendar doesn't qualify, since it's FREE) You can also get FREE standard shipping on your Print order when you buy 50+ Prints with code SHIPPRINTS (this offer exp. 2/28)

New to Ebates? You'll also get a $5 sign-up bonus just for registering! Click HERE to learn more about this wonderful, FREE program where it pays to shop!

20% off at Coach Factory Store!


Go HERE to print a coupon for 20% off at any Coach Factory Store! I am soooo jealous. We have a Coach store here in Boise, but no factory store...:( Boooo....

Thanks Hip2Save!

People who do not coupon tend to think that Walmart is the cheapest place to shop, no matter what. So I thought I would do some price comparisons. Hopefully this will make you rethink that a little bit! Don't get me wrong, there are times when you can score GREAT deals and even freebies at Walmart, but generally speaking...you can almost always find better deals at your local supermarket/grocery store with their in-store promotions and sales. Here are some examples of products that we are getting at a great price by matching sales with coupons: (to see last week's "Price Check" click HERE)

 Last week I did a price comparison between a lot of items, but I got the following email:

"I can definitely see how you are saving money on brand-name items, but for someone like me who generally buys store brands, the savings don't seem to be as great. It would be nice to see what the TRUE savings are for someone who buys store brand items."

I thought this was a very good point. So, this week I thought I'd start giving both name brand price comparisons and also the comparison between buying name brand with coupons and buying store brand. This should give you a more accurate view of what you are truly saving if you are someone who generally buys (or use to buy) store brand!

Here's a GREAT example! Huggies Diapers (jumbo pack) at Walmart: on rollback for $8.97 (reg. $9.97)

Store Brand (Parent's Choice): $6.67 at Walmart. (I did compare and every size, N-6, had the same exact number of diapers in their jumbo packs as the Huggies brand) So, you save $2.30 by buying the store brand over the name brand, even without coupons. That's pretty great, right? Well, sure it is. However, this week at Walgreens, you can get Huggies Jumbo pack diapers for only $4.32/pack by combining sales, coupons, store coupon, and RR! (details HERE) So, you're saving $2.34 over the store brand at Walmart. (You're saving $2.65 over the same pack of Huggies at Walmart if you use the same $2 off coupon). I bought 6 packs for a total of $25.92. The same six packs of STORE BRAND diapers at Walmart would have cost me $40.02. I saved $14.10 or 35%!

This one was a little bit harder, because they either do not sell 12oz cans of Planters peanuts at Walmart or I just could NOT find them (I looked for a long time, even at the empty spaces where they may have been out, but none of them said 12oz.) Any way, so I don't really have a true price comparison between the actual Planters nuts, but I did do a comparison of the store brand (Great Value) brand 12oz peanuts.

 
The GV honey roasted peanuts were $2.88 for the 12oz can. At Walgreens last week I actually am going to get PAID $5.00 to purchase TEN 12oz Planters honey roasted peanut cans. Yep. They were on sale for $1.99 (already $.89 less than Walmart's price). I bought ten, used a $1/1 STORE coupon (that actually automatically took off $10.00 for buying ten cans, making them $1.00 each. Then I used five $1/2 manufacturer coupons, making them $.50/ea. I paid $5.00 out-of-pocket for the ten cans, however, I then qualified for a $10 Nabisco rebate for purchasing ten products! I'll get $10 back in the mail and will have basically made $5 to buy those ten cans of peanuts! Crazy, huh? The same ten cans of STORE BRAND peanuts would have cost me $28.80! So, this time I EARNED $5 so I essentially saved $32.80 or 117%! :)

Tostitos chips: $3.50 at Walmart

Great Value tortilla chips: $1.58 at Walmart! Wow, now that IS a big savings! You'd think that it's a no-brainer. Well, this week (and last week) at Walgreens we are able to get the Tostitos brand chips for $.98/ea! (Details HERE)

Tostitos dip: $3.48 at Walmart (they don't have a store brand of this). At Walgreens these are $.98/each, too! So...I bought four bags of chips and four dips for $7.80 after using four $.55 off coupons (wyb chips AND dip) and after factoring in the $10 RR you get back when you spend $20 on participating products.The same four bags of STORE BRAND chips and Tostitos dip would have cost me $20.24 and I wouldn't have been able to use the four $.55 off coupons. I saved $12.44 or 61%. If I had bought the same NAME BRAND chips and dip it would have cost me $25.72.

 
Tillamook cheese 2lb: $5.97 at Walmart.
Great Value cheese 2lb - $6.12! Already $.15 MORE than the Tillamook! Hm...any way, if you were to use the $1 off 2lbs ANY cheese printable (Idaho & Utah only), it would still be $5.12. At Albertsons you can often find Tillamook cheese (or other brands)on sale for $3.99, so only $2.99 after the same coupon. I bought four 2lb bricks for $11.96. The same four STORE BRAND cheese bricks would have cost me $20.48. I saved $8.52 or 42%!


I also noticed that the Great Value milk went up! It was $2.17 for a long time (at my store) and now it's $2.33! At Albies, the Shopper's Value milk is only $2.29. Not a huge difference, I know...but it just goes to show that even staples can be cheaper at places other than Walmart at times.

So, for the above items only I saved $67.86 by matching sales with coupons over what I would have paid just shopping at Walmart and buying store brand!!

How do I get all of those coupons?? Read all about why I get multiple newspaper subscriptions HERE. Are you ready to start learning how to save your family a ton of money by matching coupons with sales? YOU can do it, too...I PROMISE! Click HERE to get started.! And these are just a couple of the items I purchased at such a great price!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

BOGO 20oz Premium Fruit or Light Smoothie at Orange Julius!



Go HERE to print a coupon for Buy One, Get One Free 20oz Premium Fruit or Light Smoothie at Orange Julius! YUM. I absolutely LOVE Orange Julius! Now I have an excuse to go there! Coupon doesn't expire until 2/25.

Thanks Thrifty NW Mom!

Hmm...

Well, the goal yesterday AND today was to get some major blog posting done, however, life kind of got a little busy. We recently found out that our landlord has decided to sell our house, so we are in the process of finding a new place, whether it's renting or buying, so that has taken up a lot of my time. Then, when I do get some free time and I think "finally, I can sit down and blog..." I sit down and...well...all I want to do is relax. Lol. SO, thank you for those of you that have been able to bare with me and sorry to have bored you a little over the last few days! I'm really going to try to focus and do better! :)

Lady Antebellum mp3 album download--ONLY $3.99!

Need You Now

Amazon's deal of the day is Lady Antebellum's mp3 album "Need You Now!" I absolutely LOVE the song "Need You Now" and downloaded this entire album immediately! Can't wait to listen to the whole thing. Includes 11 songs that you get to download and listen to in a matter of seconds. :)

I got a freezer!



If you've been couponing for even just a short time, you know how quickly you outgrow your storage space and freezer space! I was actually fortunate enough that my dad had a chest freezer that he wasn't using so he let us use. It sure holds a lot, but if you've ever had one, then you know what a PAIN it is to try to get to the bottom of a chest freezer! Lol. I would have to go out with my gloves on just to be able to stand the cold long enough to get at what I was trying to reach. It was awful. So, I had been dreaming of the day that we would invest in a big upright freezer. Well, this last Saturday, my hubby just happened to glance through the Best Buy ad and notice that they had ALL freezers 15% off! So, we rushed down there at about 7pm and found one we wanted. It should be delivered on Sunday! YAY! I cannot tell you how stoked I am! Is it sad that I get so excited over an upright freezer? :) Any way, just had to share! I am sure it will be full in a matter of minutes...

Monday, January 25, 2010

Walgreens 1/24-1/30


If you are new to Walgreen's shopping and want to learn the ins and outs, click HERE for my Walgreen's 101 page.

Not too much to get excited for, except for the awesome Huggies deal I told you about a few days ago. (listed below also). However, all of my local Walgreens are already sold out of the diapers. You might want to call ahead and find out what your store has in stock. If they are out, you may want to ask when they'll get their next shipment in. Other than the diapers, though...I just may not even make a trip to Wags this week...*sigh*

:MONTHLY REGISTER REWARD DEALS:
(Remember, this is the last week to score these deals!)

Neosporin Lip Health or Antibiotic 2/$8, get $3RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Neosporin lip products
Use 2 $3/1 coupons found here: IE or Firefox
Pay $2
Get back a $3RR
Final Cost FREE + a $1 moneymaker!

Breathe Right Kids Nasal Strips (12 ct) $5.49
Use the $3/1 Walgreens coupon from the January coupon booklet
Plus, use the $1/1 coupon from RP 1/3
Final cost ONLY $1.49
**You can also score a FREE Breathe Right sample HERE!

Bayer Contour Blood Glucose Meter $14.99, get $5RR; Bayer Breeze Meter Kit $14.99, get $5RR; Buy 2 qualifying Bayer products, get $3RR
Buy 1 Bayer Contour Blood Glucose Meter (blue box) UPC: 3 0193 715101 9 for $14.99
Buy 1 Bayer Breeze Meter Kit (green box) UPC: 3 0193 144001 0 for $14.99
Use 2 $30/1 coupons from RP 10/25 (Coupons will need to be adjusted down to $14.99)
Pay $0 + tax
AND then get back two $5 Register Rewards and a $3 Register Reward
Final cost FREE + a $13 moneymaker!

Buy 2 Capri Sun or Chips Ahoy, get $2RR

:WEEKLY REGISTER REWARD DEALS: 

Buy 4 2 Liter Soda (Dr. Pepper, A&W, 7-Up, Sunkist, Canada Dry or Hawaiian Punch) 3/$4, get $2RR
Final Cost $0.67 each!

Buy 3 12 Pack Soda (Dr. Pepper, A&W, 7-Up, Sunkist, Canada Dry or Hawaiian Punch) 3/$12, get $4RR
Final Cost $2.67 each!

Buy 2 Dove Chocolates 9.5 oz. or Snickers Minis 11.5 oz. 2/$6, get $1RR
Final Cost $2.50 each!

Buy 3 or more Maybelline products , get$3RR
(All Maybelline Foundation, Powder, Concealer, Blush, Lip Color or Implements 40% Off)
Deal Scenario (based on on-line prices):
Buy 1 Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lip Color priced at $4.99 (will ring up at $2.99 due to sale)
Buy 1 Maybelline Expert Tools Eyelash Curler priced at $5.29 (will ring up at $3.17 due to sale)
Buy 1 Maybelline Expert Wear Blush priced at $5.49 (will ring up at $3.29 due to sale)
Pay $9.45
Get back a $3RR
Final Cost $2.15 each!

Buy 3 Tresemme Hair Care (Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling Products) 3/$12, get $5RR
Final Cost $2.33 each!
**Look for Tresemme products on clearance to make this an even sweeter deal.

Buy 2 Pert Plus Shampoo plus Conditioner 12-13.5 oz. 2/$5, get $2RR
Use 2 $1.50/1 or $1/1 coupons from the 1/24 SS or coupons found HERE
Final Cost as low as 2 for FREE!


Buy Secret or Old Spice Antiperspirant/Deodorant $2.49, get $1RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 1 Secret Deodorant
Use the $0.20/1 coupon from PG 12/27
Final Cost $1.29!

Buy $25 of Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers, Training Pants or Goodnites, Huggies Wipes 64 or 72 pack, or Enfamil Lipil Infant Formula 23-25 oz., get $5RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 3 packs of Huggies Diapers on sale for $8.99
Use the $1/1 coupon from the Children’s Coloring Booklet (will deduct $3)
Use the 3 $2/1 coupons found HERE (you will need to use 2 different computers)
Pay $17.97
Get back a $5RR
Final Cost $4.32 per package!

Buy $30 of select products (Dulcolax Balance, Pepto-Bismol, Benefiber, Gas-X, Maalox, Prilosec OTC, Zantac, Alka-Seltzer, and Tums), get $10RR; Buy $20, get $5RR

Deal Scenario #1:
Buy 6 Benefiber Stick Packs (16 ct) $5 each
Total=$30
Use 6 $2/1 Benefiber coupons found HERE or here: IE or Firefox
Plus, use the $2/1 Benefiber Walgreens coupon from the Diabetes and You Booklet (will deduct $12)
Pay $6
Get back a $10 Register Reward
Final cost FREE + a $4 moneymaker!

Buy 2 Robitussin or Dimetapp 2/$10, get $3RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Robitussin for $10
Use 2 $2/1 coupons found HERE
Pay $6
Get back a $3RR
Final Cost $1.50 each!

Buy 2 Select Kellogg’s Cereal/Nutri Grain Bars/Fiber One Bars/Special K Bars 2/$5, get $1RR
Deal Scenario:
Buy 1 Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch cereal
Buy 1 Kellogg’s Mini Wheats cereal
Use the $1.50/1 coupon found HERE
Pay $3.50
Get back a $1RR
Final Cost $1.25 per box (not a GREAT price, but not bad if you like this kind)

The Pepsico deal has returned! So if you didn't get in on it last week, you have another chance!
Buy $20 of select Pepsico products (Doritos, Tostitos Chips, Dip or Salsa, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Lay’s Chips, Fritos Dip 2/$5; Pepsi products 12 pack 3/$12; Pepsi products 2 liter 4/$5; Gatorade 32 oz. 5/$5), get $10RR

Deal Scenario #1:

Buy 4 Tostitos chips on sale 2/$5
Buy 4 Tostitos dips on sale 2/$5
Total=$20
Use 4 $0.55 off when you Tostitos chips AND dip coupons from SS 1/17
Pay $17.80
Get back a $10RR
Final Cost ONLY $7.80 for all the above!

:OTHER WEEKLY DEALS:

Buy 2 DiGiorno 12 inch Pizzas 2/$10 = FREE Coca Cola 2 liter bottle
Use 2 $1.50/1 DiGiorno coupons from the 12/13 SS (only good for Ultimate Toppings variety-not sure if this variety is available)
FInal Cost $3.50 per pizza plus a FREE Coca Cola 2 Liter!

Jack Link’s Jerky Buy 1 at $4.99 and Get 1 Free
Final Cost $2.50 each!

You can see more match-ups on Hip2Save's list!

I'm back!

Got the hubby off at the airport this morning and now I won't see him again until Friday night. :( *sniffle* BUT, I am back to start posting some deals for you this week! Yay!

I will start off with this great new Subway coupon you can get by "building" your own sub at the link HERE. After you build your sub, you will be sent a coupon for a FREE 6" sub when you purchase a 6" sub and a 32oz drink! Awesome!

Thanks Hip2Save!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Whew...

So, for those of you who don't know, my husband travels during the week, so I get to be home with all three kids ALONE Mon-Fri. Well, the last three months he was able to be in the Boise market and therefore stay HOME. It sure was nice having the extra help, even though most of the time through the holidays he worked crazy, long hours. This was his first week back to work after that LONG extended stay home. :( I think I managed to keep my sanity pretty well, considering. However, the kids have gone completely crazy missing him and my 2 year old has had a few meltdowns in which I was just not good enough. :( Very heartbreaking. Any way, the reason I'm telling you this is that he does get home tonight (I'll be leaving to pick him up in about 20 minutes) and I just wanted to give you a heads up that the posting will probably be minimal this weekend. Going to try to get some quality time in with the hubby and kids while he's home until he leaves again Monday morning. BUT, I will be back in full-swing Monday morning and will be working on adding more stores to my weekly match-ups so as to better serve more readers. Still continuously making changes to the site and getting it where I want it to be, but I'm getting there! Any and all input about any changes you'd like to see and things you'd like added is DEFINITELY welcome! Also, I have a few exciting things coming up! I've had enough demand over the last few months that I've decided to host a coupon "class" (if you can really call it that, as I am still learning everything myself) and you're ALL invited! I'll post more details early next week. Also, keep your eye out for a giveaway coming SOON!

Alright all, have a good weekend and I'll be back soon! I will still be posting occasionally to the Facebook page, so if you haven't become a fan yet, be sure to do so so that you don't miss any deals! Become a fan HERE.

Save money on baby food--Make your own!

Do you have a baby at home who is ready to begin or is already eating baby food? Do you spend what seems like a fortune on baby food in those cute, convenient little jars at the grocery store? Have you ever thought about making your own baby food?

When I had my first child (ages ago) I was young and didn't really know any different, so I never gave it any thought at all. I just bought the expensive little jars and went about my merry way. Well, then, when I was pregnant with my second child I was actually a caregiver for another woman's baby during the day. I was amazed that once he started eating baby food, she didn't send him with any jars. Instead, she sent these little ziploc baggies full of frozen cubes of food. At first I thought she was a little crazy, but then, after some time, I realized how amazing she was. Not only was she saving a ton of money, she was also taking it upon herself to give her baby the most wholesome foods possible. I became very interested in doing the same thing for my next baby-to-be when the time came. I did a lot of research at the time and learned anything and everything that I could so that I would do it right. I have to admit that I was actually kind of terrified. What if I did it wrong? What if my baby didn't like it? Could I really keep it up? Well, needless to say, I conquered my fears, stuck to my gun, and I did it!

Not only did my baby, in fact, love it, it helped me save money and I also got to feel good knowing that I was providing that for my child. I still buy baby food jars sometimes, because they're really convenient to keep in the diaper bag and I like buying the flavors of food that I don't generally buy, that isn't in season, or foods that don't puree or freeze well. But, now that I really have the hang of making my own food, I really couldn't imagine going back to my old ways.

It's really MUCH easier than you are probably thinking and it's not scary at all! :) For those of you who might be interested, but don't really know where to start, I thought I would provide a few tips and walk you through the procedures I use.

First things first, a few precautions:

   *Always wash your hands and use clean utensils and preparation surfaces prior to making your baby food.

   *Don't forget to wait a few days between introducing new foods to your baby. This allows you to become aware of any allergies your baby may have and know exactly which food caused it. Offer your baby the same food for about four days and if any signs of allergy appear, stop feeding your baby that food immediately and talk to your pediatrician. Once you've given your baby a few foods with no reactions, then you can start mixing them together however you wish.

   *If you do not plan to freeze your prepared baby food, use within 48 hours of making it to avoid potential bacteria growth.

   *Go HERE to learn more about safety when preparing and freezing homemade baby food.

Next, remember that you can make baby food out of pretty much ANY food. Of course, we all know about some of the foods babies under one should not be exposed to, such as honey, egg yolks, nuts, etc, but when it comes to fruits, veggies, and meats, have at it! (a list of tips will be provided later) Don't be afraid to combine flavors either! I make things like blueberry applesauce, pineapple chicken, and cheesy broccoli. Use your imagination! By making your baby's food, they are getting the opportunity to experience a wider variety of flavors and textures which will help them with their transition to table foods.

So, where DO you start? Well, you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen. If I am making a big batch of food to freeze, I will use my regular old food processor. A blender would probably work just fine, too. If you happen to have a Vita-Mix, I've heard those things are amazing. An immersion blender would work, too. If I am simply taking a portion of food from what I am already making the family, I will use my Tommee Tippee (you can get these just about anywhere)

It's a small, convenient little babyfood maker. I simply put in whatever I wish to puree, add a little bit of water, and it mixes it all up. When I'm done, the clear lid you see on top becomes the serving bowl! Tonight we had mixed veggies...

These were just frozen veggies that I first cooked. (You can use fresh or frozen foods for making babyfood, but I do not recommend using canned veggies due to possible high salt content and for other reasons I won't delve into right now) I then took a serving-size portion, let it cool a bit, and pureed it. Now, normally when I am making a bigger batch to freeze, I use my food processor, but since I was already using the Tommee Tippee tonight, I just used it to make a few batches. You will want to cook firmer fruits also, such as pears and apples. Softer fruits won't need it, like banana. So, a few tips...

*Don't forget to add a little water. (If a fruit is already particularly watery, you will not need to) This will help the food to move around as it's being pureed. It will also help it be smoother and not so thick. You can also use breast milk (that has NOT been previously frozen) or formula. However, when preparing for freezing, some choose to thin the puree down AFTER thawing based on the baby's needs. It's just up to your personal preference. You can also use the liquid the food has been cooked in to help maintain as many of the nutrients as possible, though you should NOT use reserved water from carrots for babies under 7 months due to the high nitrate level.

*Blend according to your baby's needs. If you have an older baby, you can puree it a little less by using the "chop," grind," or "mix" setting so the food is a bit lumpier to allow for some chewing. If your baby is just starting food, be sure to set it to "liquefy" or "puree."

*If you are taking a portion from the family's meal to puree, reserve that portion BEFORE adding butter, salt, etc. (You can also gradually start to add herbs/spices to your baby's food following the same "four-day trial" method you use when introducing new foods to make sure there are no allergies present after about 7 months of age)

Simply taking a serving-size portion from the family's meal is easy and hassle-free. It also lets your baby have the freshest food possible. However, by taking some time out and making a bigger batch of food, you can freeze it in serving-size portions and it will make for convenient and easy food for days to come. When I am making food to freeze, I simply cook it (I generally cook my veggies longer than I would when making them for a regular meal, so that they are as soft as can be.), puree it, and pour or spoon it into ice cube trays. Cook the vegetable/fruit either by steaming, baking, or boiling. Steaming maintains the most nutrients. Steaming, baking and boiling all allow for big batches of foods to be made at one time

I then cover the tray in plastic and freeze over night. In the morning, I pop the cubes out and put them in small ziploc freezer bags. You can put them all in one bag and remove a few cubes at a time as needed, or you can put a few cubes in each bag to have ready-to-go portions that you can take with you. I generally put them all in one bag and if I need to take some with me, I THEN put a few cubes in a separate bag to take. I then write the type of food and the date on the ziploc. I would recommend using the cubes within one month of freezing (for optimal taste and freshness) but it is safe to use within 3-4 months of freezing.


When it comes to thawing and heating the baby food, you can take out as many cubes as your baby will eat in one to two days and put it in a small container in the fridge overnight to allow to thaw. Once thawed, you can heat in the microwave in a glass bowl (I would not sure plastic, as stuff can leach into the food). Be sure to STIR the food WELL to avoid leaving any hot pockets that could burn baby. Test the temperature before serving to your baby. You can also simply thaw and heat in the microwave. Or, you could place the cubes in a small bowl inside a larger bowl of hot water to thaw and heat. It's really just a personal preference. If you thaw the food in the refrigerator, be sure to use it within 48 hours of thawing.

Another thing I do, now that my baby is a bit older I freeze whole chunks of food, such as potatoes. (I have found that there are some foods that just don't thaw well and tend to be rubbery after thawing, like carrots) I will use potatoes for this example because I was already making mashed potatoes tonight any way. :) I simply wash, peel, and cut my potatoes into bite-size pieces.


I then cook them in boiling water for about 10-13 minutes. I do not cook them until they are as soft as when I'm making regular mashed potatoes. You want them to be just SLIGHTLY more firm so that they will hold their shape and when you reheat them they will cook and soften a little more any way.



 I then drain them and let them cool completely before separating them into small freezer bags. Again I date them.


I usually make these when I am already making mashed potatoes for the family because I am already washing and cutting up potatoes any way, so I may as well do a few more. However, I cook them separately from the regular potatoes I'm making. I do this because I want them cut smaller and because I do not cook them as long as the rest of the potatoes.

There you go! The possibilities are endless. Try it. You may find that you love the rewarding feeling of going this extra step in ensuring your child's healthy growth and development. Or, you may find that it's just not for you, and that's OK, too! As long as you are providing your child with all of the nutrients they need to grow, it shouldn't matter whether the food is coming from your freezer or those cute, convenient jars. :)

:Tips & Recommendations:

*NEVER freeze food in glass unless the jars are specifically labeled as being safe to do so.

*When thawing, some foods (like squash) will become watery. If it is too watery, add cereal, mashed banana, or mashed potato to help thicken it. (It is NOT recommended to add cereal PRIOR to freezing due to potential risks of tummy upset or fat separation during the freezing process.)

*When freezing fruits, I generally add a couple of drops of lemon juice to minimize browning during freezing. This is a personal preference and any food that has natural browning that occurs during freezing is still safe to eat.

*I recommend peeling fruits and veggies prior to pureeing to minimize choking hazards. If your baby is older, they may be able to begin

*Meats ARE easy to make and freeze, however, they can get grainy when thawed, so it is probably best to wait on this until your baby is a bit better at handling textures. When pureeing meat, cut it into cubes first and use cold meat for best results.

*When using frozen veggies, check the package to see if salt has been added. If so, simply give them a quick rinse before cooking.

*Green beans and peas are difficult to puree to a truly smooth consistency. Using frozen green beans and peas tend to yield a smoother result. You may want to wait on these until baby has a better ability to handle a little bit of texture in their food.

*I just HAD to pass on this article about why cereal is NOT the best first food for your baby, according to Frank Greer, MD [American Academy of Pediatrics's Committee on Nutrition]. I had NEVER heard this before and thought it was very valuable information.

Disclaimer: In NO way am I an expert in the area of what is safe and healthy for your baby. ALWAYS check with your pediatrician first to discuss whether homemade baby food is a good and safe option for your baby. I am simply providing you with information for what has worked for me and my family and hope that it will provide some useful guidelines for you and yours. You can find expert information at the following site:

www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)

For more GREAT information about making your own baby food and even some recipes, click HERE to go to wholesomebabyfood.com

Last, but not least, HAVE FUN! Hopefully you'll come to enjoy making your baby's food as much as I do, and let's not forget that your pocketbook will be a little bit heavier! That's ALWAYS a plus! :)

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