Swaggrabber $100 amazon giftcard giveaway!

One of the sites that I regularly follow (and by regularly, I mean at least a couple of times a day) is swaggrabber.com. She posts a wide variety of free/cheap deals, and I almost always find SOMETHING that I could use. She is hosting a giveaway in honor of reaching 500,000 hits, and what's amazing is that she's giving away an Amazon gift certificate worth $100!!! There are many ways to enter, including posting a comment, referring someone (COUGH COUGH, put my name on your comment if you enter!!!), blogging about it, becoming a facebook friend, subscribing, etc. So go on over and check it out! And, of course, if you win, share it with me!!

http://www.swaggrabber.com/blog1.php?blog=1&title=wow-swaggrabber-has-had-500-000-hits-win&disp=single&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#c4531

Summer activities

Summer is here! That means TONS of fun, free activities for kids! Here are some of the awesome free activities that I use/want to use with my kids.

READING PROGRAMS

My kids are 1 and (almost) 3, but I start them early with the summer reading programs. Most programs allow for younger readers by letting parents do the reading to the child. It's great for them, but also for me personally because I really do well with clearly defined goals. I can have the best intentions, and I usually do, but if I don't have a specific plan, it's not gonna happen. This gives me that plan. The kids get reading time, Mama time, and usually some really neat little prizes.

• Half-Price Books

Half-Price Books is offering a summer reading program with AWESOME rewards. For every week in June and July, every child who reads at least 15 minutes a day for 5 days a week gets a $3 giftcard upon submission of the reading log. That is AMAZING! I LOVE Half-Price Books. They always have great stuff, as long as you don't mind most of it being used, which I definately don't. I actually prefer it for things like books due to the huge savings. We don't have a Half-Price Books anywhere near us, but my mother does! It's the one that I grew up with, and still go to when I visit, so my plan is to fill out the logs and mail them to her. She will take them there once a week to get the gift cards for me, and I'll redeem them when I visit in August!

Visit the Half Price Books website for more details, and for the reading logs.

• HEB READING PROGRAM

HEB is hosting a summer reading program. For each child who reads 10 books, and mails in the form, will receive a free t-shirt and possibly other prizes as well. Check it out here.

• Library's summer reading programs:

These are pretty standard in most cities. You can either count the number of books (for older children,) or the amount of time (for youngsters.) I haven't gone to our library yet to get started, but I'll be going next week for the new story time program.

STORYTIME PROGRAMS

Most libraries have story time year-round, but they get really creative during the summer! Last year, our library had some AWESOME activities. We had a weatherman from the local news program talk about storms and lightning. The K-9 police unit came with their dogs (VERY COOL) to show how the dogs were trained and how they did their jobs. A man from the local university came with his bee-keeping gear, complete with tons of photos and hands on equipment. We also had a lot of really neat crafts and activities. I, again, find that this was just as much fun for me as it was for my kids, if not more. I learned so much!!! Check your local library's website for times, events, and locations.

FREE MOVIES

Many movie theater's show G or PG rated movies on a first come first serve basis for FREE. Now, my kids aren't that great at sitting quietly for movies right now, but in this environment, it doesn't matter one bit! They can watch what they watch, and we can leave when we need to leave without me feeling frustrated at wasting a fortune on movie tickets, only to miss half of it. It's a lot more peaceful for me and a lot less pressure on them to behave for so long.

Regal Cinemas offers a summer film festival at 10:00 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer. Visit their website here for locations, dates, and movie selections: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

AMC has $1.00 movies during the summer, with the money going to charity: http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/

FREE BOWLING

Many bowling lanes around the country have joined up to offer kids two free games of bowling each day during the summer. The program that I have read about is on http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ , and unfortunately, they don't have any in my area, but I think I know that some local places that offer something similar. Try calling your local bowling alley to find out if they have a program. It's also helpful information if you are going to be doing any kind of traveling. Check the area that you're headed to. You might find a free activity while you're on the road.

FREE MUSEUMS

Bank of America offers free admission to many museums throughout the country on the first Saturday of the month for card holders. Check it out here.

Now, if you're fans of Dave Ramsey or Crown Financial Ministries like we are, you may not have the credit card to show for the free admission. Check with your local museums. Our local art museum offers free admission on Sundays all year round, and I've heard of many museums that offer something similar during off-peak hours.

You could even make it a road trip if you can find one within an hour or two, for a very cheap day! We're about an hour and a half from Columbia, SC, and we know lots of friends who ALWAYS have free guest passes to the zoo there, plus there's a children's museum that offers $1.00 admission for anyone on the second Tuesday of the month during certain hours. Those two things combined equals one HUGE day of fun very inexpensively, especially since we always take our own lunches/snacks with us.

LETTERBOXING AND GEOCACHING

I've read in a number of places about these two fun activities that have gained a lot of popularity in the recent past. They are basically treasure hunting, but in these games, you leave the treasure for others to find.

• Letterboxing

Letterboxing.org explains, "Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly-accessible places and post clues to finding the box online on one of several Web sites. Individual letterboxes usually contain a log book, an often hand-carved rubber stamp and may contain an ink pad. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox's stamp on their personal log book, and leave an imprint of their personal stamp on the letterbox's logbook." Go to Letterboxing.org to get started.

• Geocaching

Geocaching is very similar in design, but you need a hand-held GPS to find this treasure. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Check out Geocaching.com to get started.

For additional ideas, go to Family Fun Magazine's website, one of my favorite magazines for... family fun! Here's their link to summer ideas: http://familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/minisite/summer-main-ms/

Baskin Robins free ice cream for volunteering

Baskin Robins is giving away free ice cream cones to anyone who serves their community by volunteering. Sign up here to get yours! Coupons will be sent July 13th.

My New Keyboard!!!!!

My keyboard has been impaired for quite some time now, more than likely due to my adorable, yet very enthusiastic, children. The problem is that the space bar didn't work, not well at least.
It finally got to the point where I couldn't stand it anymore.

I found that the trick was to press the space bar VERY SLOWLY, but firmly, and even then, it would only work about 20% of the time.

Now, this may not seem like a huge deal, but, for example, in this post, I have used the space bar, so far, 94 times. Given the fact that with the work that I described, it still only worked about 20% of the time, those 86 spaces more than likely would have taken me 470 space bar attempts.

I am very happy to report that last night I bought a new keyboard, and I have never made better use of $13 EVER! By the way, the keyboard pictured is not the one I bought, but only because my husband wouldn't let me and it would probably encourage the kids to 'play' on the computer more, but isn't it cute?!

$3.00 off Coppertone printable coupon

I have had some problems in the past with printing coupons from certain coupon sites (ie, backdoor virus from downloading coupon.com software, had to wipe the hard drive, etc), so I, sadly, miss out on a lot of printable coupons. Here's a really good coupon for Coppertone suncare, which I've read should be BOGO at Walgreens in 2 weeks. This is an easy print, with the amount of ink left in your printer being the only restriction. Print now, and save later!

Click HERE !

Making Freezer Jam

I was just asking my grandmother about canning, especially for making jam, and we discussed the benefits of canning vs freezing. She thought that, especially for something like jam, it's easier to freeze if you have the room. Today on moneysavingmom was a guest post on this exact thing, freezing jam and how to do it! Click below for this neat post.

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2009/05/freezer-jam-tutorial-by-hannah-and-abby-from-safely-gathered-inthis-is-a-fast-and-easy-way-to-make--delicious-jam-to-store-in.html

Arby's Free With Purchase summer promotion

Arby's is offering various 'free with purchase' promotions every Wednesday this summer. The following is a schedule of their giveaways, courtesy of swaggrabber:

MAY
27 - Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase

JUNE

3 - Free Iced FruiTea with any sandwich purchase

10 - Free Roast Chicken Club with any soft drink purchase

17 - Free Regular Sidekickers® with any sandwich purchase

24 - Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase

JULY

1 - Free Regular Beef 'n Cheddar with any soft drink purchase

8 - Free Orange Cream Swirl Shake with any sandwich purchase

15 - Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase

22 - Free Roastburger with any soft drink purchase

29 - Free Iced FruiTea with any sandwich purchase

AUGUST

5 - Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase

12 - Free Roast Chicken Club with any soft drink purchase

19 - Free Iced FruiTea with any sandwich purchase

26 - Free Regular Beef 'n Cheddar with any soft drink purchase

Rite Aid Giftcard w/Transferred RX

Many drug stores offer giftcards for transferred prescriptions. Most are $25 giftcards per prescription, which is FREE MONEY.

In the past, I've trasferred my husband's monthly prescription from pharmacy to pharmacy, getting giftcards, and I have enjoyed the free money. However, it's a pain in the butt. It takes FOREVER for the transfer to happen, and I've found that the staff isn't always very nice to me, probably due to the extra hassle.

I also want to say, that I've only done this because my husband only has one prescription that he takes each month. I've read over and over about the dangers of having multiple prescriptions at different locations due to the inability to detect possible drug interactions. It's VERY important for pharmacists to know ALL of the drugs you are taking.

That being said, I learned a few months ago that CVS accepts competitor's RX coupons. This solves both of these problems, allowing all of the drugs to be at the same location, and taking out the hassle of constantly transferring prescriptions.

Rite Aid has a coupon for $25 w/a transferred prescription, good through 06/30/09. You can use this at Rite Aid, or at any pharmacy that accepts competitor's coupons.

Click HERE for the coupon.

Publix matchups 05/27/09-06/03/09

Here are the Publix match-ups for this week:

Thomas English Muffins 12oz BOGO $2.99

-$.50/1 from 05/03/09 SS insert

-$3/3 Peelie

=$.50 each

Hershey's Candy Bars 6 pk BOGO $3.99
-B2G1 Hangtag

-$1 WYB Nabisco Honey Grahams, Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, and any Hershey's Chocolate 6 pack

Spray 'n Wash Laundry Stain Remover 12 or 22 oz bottle or4.3 oz stick BOGO $2.99

-$.50/1, $1/1 from 05/03/09 SS insert

-$1.50/1, $1/1 from 05/17/09 SS insert

-$.75/1 PRINT

=FREE-$.88

Fantastik Cleaner BOGO $2.50

-$1/1 SC Johnson Right at Home Booklet

-$.55/1 tearpad

=$.25-$.70

Taco Bell Home Originals Dinner BOGO $2.69

-$1/1 All You June 2009

-$1/1 Peelie

=$.35

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner BOGO $1.19

-B3G1 PRINT

Uncle Ben's Country Inn Rice BOGO $1.49
-$1/3 from 05/10/09 RP insert

-$1/2 PRINT

Yoplait Go-Gurt Yogurt 8 pk BOGO $2.79

-$.35/1, $1/2, $1/1, $.75/2 from 05/10/09 ss insert

-$.75/2 PRINT

French's Classic Yellow Mustard 8 oz BOGO $1.39

-$1/1 blinkie

-$.35/1, $.50/1, $.30/1, $.75/1 from 05/10/09, 03/29/09, or 01/18/09 ss inserts

-$.50/1 PRINT

=FREE

McCormick Black Pepper 4 oz BOGO $3.59

-$1/1 from 04/05/09 or 05/10/09 RP inserts

-$1/1 tearpad

=$.80

Crystal Light Drink or On the Go Mix 10 or 12-oz canister or 10 or 14-ct box BOGO $3.99

-$2/2 Crystal Light PRINT

-$1/1 Crystal Light PRINT

-$1/1 Kraft Food & Family Summer Issue

-$.50/2 Tearpad

=$1.00

Ken’s Steak House Marinade or Buffalo Wing Sauce 16-oz bot BOGO $2.79

-$1/1 from 05-03-09 SS insert

-$1/1 Hangtag

=$.40 each

Nonni’s Biscotti 4.7 to 6.88-oz box BOGO $2.99

-$1/1 from 05-03-09 SS insert

-$1/2; $1/2 from 02-22-09 SS insert (exp 5/31)

=$.50

Armour Vienna Sausage 6 pk BOGO $3.29

Crystal Farms All Whites 14 or 16 oz ctn BOGO $2.50

Curly's Baked Beans with Pork BOGO $3.99

Diner's Choice Mashed Potatoes BOGO $3.69

Electrasol Finish Dishwasher Detergent 20 or 32 ct BOGO $7.79

Emerald Deluxe Mixed Nuts BOGO $5.79

Entenmann's Little Bites BOGO $4.29

Gatorade Thirst Quencher 64 oz BOGO $1.97

Kodak power Flash camera BOGO $8.29

La Famigla DelGrosso Pasta Sauce 26 oz BOGO $7.99

Nabisco Chips Ahoy! Cookies BOGO $3.79

Original Rangoon Crab Rangoon 15 oz BOGO $7.99

Purina Beneful Dog or Puppy Food 4 lb bag BOGO $5.49

Quaker Cereal BOGO $4.49

Quaker Oatmeal to go Breakfast Bars BOGO $3.19

Starkist Gourmet Choice Tuna Fillet 4 pk 4.5 oz can BOGO

Dunkin' Donuts free sample

Publix 05/12/09-05/27/09

Here are the best deals at Publix this week courtesy of iheartpublix:

Oscar Mayer Beef Franks 16 oz BOGO $3.99
-$1/2 from 05-10-09 SS
-$1/2; $1/1 Blinkie
-Any ONE Store Brand Hot Dog Buns Free WYB (2) Packages Of Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs Tearpad
-$1/1 in Kraft Food & Family Summer 2009

=$1.50 each plus a free package of buns

Kraft American Cheese Singles 12 oz BOGO $2.59
-$1/2 PRINT
=$.80 each

Edy’s Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt BOGO $4.99
-$2/1 FLIP PRINT

=$.50 each

Aunt Jemima Breakfast Entrees 5.25 to 6.8 oz box BOGO $1.79
-$1/2 from 05-03-09 insert
-$1/4 Blinkie

=$.40 each

Kraft Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip Dressing 32 oz BOGO $4.29
-$1/1 PRINT
-$1/1 from 04-26-09 SS
-$2 off Produce WYB 2 participating Kraft Products - Kraft Dressing (16 oz), Kraft Mayo Mayonnaise or Miracle whip Dressing (24-32 oz)
-$2 off Fresh meat /poultry when you buy Kraft Dressing (16 oz) and any Two other participating products. Participating products are A.1., Kraft BBQ Sauce, Miracle Whip, Kraft Real Mayo and Kraft Dressing.
-$1/2; $1.50/2 Peelie
-$1/2 Miracle Whip Traditional Family Recipes with a Twist
-$.75/1 Miracle Whip in Kraft Foof & Family Summer 2009

=$1.15 with best coupon, plus money off on meat/produce

Kraft or Seven Seas Dressing or Good Season 14 or 16 oz BOGO $2.99
-$1/1 PRINT
-$2 off Produce WYB 2 participating Kraft Products - Kraft Dressing (16 oz), Kraft Mayo Mayonnaise or Miracle whip Dressing (24-32 oz)
-$2 off Freshpoultry/meat when you buy Kraft Dressing (16 oz) and any Two other participating products. Participating products are A.1., Kraft BBQ Sauce, Miracle Whip, Kraft Real Mayo and Kraft Dressing.
-$1.50/1 from 05-10-09 SS
-$1/1 Tearpad
-$1/1 in Kraft Food & Family Summer 2009

=FREE with best coupon

Kraft Barbecue Sauce BOGO $1.39
-$.35/1 peelie
-$.75/1; $1/2 from 05-03-09 SS
-$1/1 PRINT
-$2 off Fresh meat /poultry when you buy Kraft Dressing (16 oz) and any two other participating products

=FREE

A.1. Steak Sauce, Assorted Varieties 10-oz bot BOGO $4.19
-$1/1 PRINT
-$2/1 from 05-10-09 SS
-$2 off Fresh meat when you buy Kraft Dressing (16 oz) and any two other participating products.

=$.09 each with best coupon

Kellogg’s Pop Tarts 8-ct BOGO $2.39
-$1/2 from 04-05-09 RP
-$1/1 Peelie

=$.20 each with best coupon

Mueller’s Pasta 12 or 16-oz pkg BOGO $1.29
-$1/3 PRINT
-$.55/2 from 3/01/09 SS

=$.37 each

Ragu Pasta Sauce 16-26 oz jar BOGO $2.19
-$.30/1 $.60/1; $1.25/3 $.60/2 from 05-17-09 insert
-$1/3; $.30/1 1.25/3 from 04-05-09 insert

=$.50 each with best coupon

Helluva Good! Dip 12-oz tub BOGO $2.00
-$.50/1 from 5/17/09 insert
-$.50/1 PRINT (thanks Lisa)

=FREE with doubled coupon

Nabisco Baked Snack Crackers or Wheat Crackers 7 to 10-oz box BOGO $3.25
-$1/1 Wheat Thins PRINT
-BOGO Wheat Thins Artisans from 03-15-09 SS

=FREE with best coupon

Pedigree Denta Stix for Dogs or Jumbone 6-7.4 oz BOGO $3.79
-$2.50/1 from 04-19-09 RP
-$2.50/1 PRINT
-$1/1 Blinkie
-$1/1 from 03-08-09 RP

=FREE with best coupon

Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8-oz tub 4 for $5.00
-$1/2 PRINT
-$.75/1 Sundried Tomato & Basil Or Spinach & Artichoke Flavors Only PRINT
-$.55/1 Cheese Loves Company

=$.75 each with best coupon

Glad Cling Wrap 100 square feet 2 for $2.00
-$1/2 from 04-05-09 RP
-$1/2 Tearpad

=$.50 each

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Products (various prices)
-$2/2 any J&J Red Cross First Aid Items PUBLIX Q
-$3/2 Tearpad and Blinkie
-$1/1 from 5/17/09 P&G

=FREE with possible overage, depending on what products you pick

BOGOs

Deli Iced or Green Tea 1 gal BOGO $2.39

Medium Shrimp Ring, Medium Cooked Shrimp and Cocktail Sauce, Shrimp 12-oz, Sauce, 6-oz, 18-oz package BOGO $11.99

Lay’s Potato Chips 10.5 to 13.25-oz bag (Excluding Baked!, Light, and Natural) BOGO $3.99
-Save $2.00 on any Lay’s 15 oz dip with purchase of 2 bags of Lay’s potato chips any flavor/varieties 11 oz or larger Tearpad
-Save $1.00 on Produce WYB One (1) Bag of Lay’s Potato Chips Tearpad
-$2 off Sara Lee Buns or Bread when you buy any two (2) 9.5 oz or larger bags or Lay’s Potato Chips and/or Frito’s Corn Chips or any one (1) 36-count Multipack Sara Lee Bread Teaprad
-$2 off WYB Any (1)Frito-Lay Baked Snacks 8 3/4 Oz. + Bag And (2) Lay’s Brand Potato Chips, Any 10 1/2 Oz. + Bags Tearpad
-$1 off bread WYB Lay’s Potato Chips, Any (1) Bag And (1) Bag Of Sunchips Snacks Tearpad

Mr & Mrs. T Drink Mix 64-oz bot BOGO $5.99

Curly’s Chicken or Pork with BBQ Sauce, 18-oz tub BOGO $5.69
-$1/1 PRINT

=$1.85 each

Blackberries, 12-oz pkg BOGO $4.99

New England Coffee, Assorted Varieties, 9 to 12-oz bag BOGO $5.79
-$1/1 PRINT

=$1.90 each

Kraft Cheez Whiz Cheese Dip 12 or 15 oz BOGO $3.89
-$3 off Pasta WYB 2 of the following: Velveeta Pasteurized Processed Cheese (32 oz & larger) Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese (8 oz) Cheez Whiz Process Cheese (15oz) Tearpad

=$1.95 each

Popsicle Ice Pops or Fudgesicle or Creamsicle 21.6-39.6 oz BOGO $3.99

Contessa Shrimp Scampi 10-12 oz BOGO $6.79
-$1.50/2 PRINT

=$2.65 each

Freschetta Pizza 12.6=30.5 oz BOGO $5.99
-$1/1 from 03-01-09 SS

=$2 each

Farm Rich Cheese Sticks or Mozzarella Bites, Quesadilla Slices, or Panini 20- 28-oz BOGO $7.69
-$.75/1 PRINT
-$1/1 Family Circle, Hallmark, Woman’s Day, LHJ February 2009

=$2.85 each with best coupon

Cole’s Garlic Bread, Breadsticks or Garlic Toast 9-16 oz BOGO $2.79
-$.50/1 PRINT

=$.40 each with doubled coupons

Bagels, 4-ct BOGO $1.59

Quaker Instant Grits 12-pk, 12-oz box BOGO $2.79

Aunt Jemima Syrup 24 oz BOGO $3.79
-$1/2 PRINT
-$1/2 from 05-03-09 RP

=$1.40 each

Lender’s Bagels, Assorted Varieties, Pre-Sliced, 6-ct bag BOGO $1.79
-$1/3 Blinkie

=$.56 each when you buy 6

Mt Olive Pickles 16-46 oz or 4-pk 3.7 oz BOGO $2.79

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix, Assorted Varieties, 19.8 to 22.5-oz box or Dessert Bar Mix, 19.5-oz box BOGO $2.69
-$1/2 from 05-10-09 insert
-$.50/2 PRINT
-$.50/2 PRINT
-$1.00 off Publix Ice Cream WYB 2 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix
-$1/2 Tearpad

=$.80 each

Bush’s Best Baked Beans 22 or 28 oz BOGO $2.29

Green Giant Canned Vegetables 11-15.25 oz BOGO $1.29

Near East Rice Pilaf 5.25-10 oz BOGO $2.19

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn 12-30 oz BOGO $4.89
-$1/2; $.50/1 from 05-17-09 SS
-$.50/1 from 04-19-09 SS
-$1/2 from 05-03-09 SS
-$1/3; $.40/1 from 04-19-09 SS
-$1/1 All You, May 22, 2009

=$1.45 each with best coupon

M&M’s Chocolate Candies Big Party or Large Bag, 15.9-19.2 oz BOGO $4.69

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Snack Crackers or Grahams 6.6-8 oz BOGO $2.19
-$1/2 Flavor Blasted Peelie

=$.60 each

Purina Tidy Cats Cat Litter or Box Filler 14 lb BOGO $6.99
-$1/1 PRINT
-$1/1 from 04-26-09 SS

=$2.50 each

Dixie Plates or Bowls 20-48 ct BOGO $2.99
-$1/2; $.50/1 from 05-10-09 RP
-$.35/1; $1/2 from 03-15-09 RP

=$.50 each with best coupon

Carbona Clean It! Foaming Cleaner, Stainless Steel or Smooth Ceramic Stove Top, or Clean and Shine Ceramic Cooktop, 8.4 oz BOGO $3.79

Publix Acid Reducer Maximum Strength Ranitidine Tablets, 150 mg, 24 ct BOGO $7.99

My Absence

Ok, I've been seriously absent for the past two weeks, but I have a good excuse! I've been traveling all over the Mid-west with two toddlers, and no husband! It's been CRAZY, but it was so nice to see my family, and tomorrow, we're starting our journey back south towards home. I wish it wasn't over so quickly, and can't wait at the same time. Anyway, to anyone who reads this, I'm so sorry! I promise to do better! I'll be posting Publix matchups now, as well as a couple of other little tidbits. Thanks for your patience!

FREE 8x10 photo at Walgreens

Walgreens is offering one free 8x10 photo in honor of Mother's Day. You can use the in-ad coupon, or order it online with the coupon code MOTHER. Simply upload the photo, enter the code, and then choose to pick it up instore and it is completely free! Valid 5/5/09 - 5/6/09.
Click HERE to order yours!

My Walgreens Trip 05/05/09

After Publix, I decided to stop in Walgreens for a quick trip, but ended up finding SOME MUCH AWESOME STUFF!!!! I had to post about it. Here's my trip:

Transaction 1:

Remington Rechargable Razor (my husband REALLY needed a new one, originally $29.99) $2.99
Maybelline Mineral Powder Kit (with foundation, powder, concealer, and brush, plus two $1 off coupons and two free samples originally $19.99) $1.99
-$1/1 Maybelline product
Red Plastic Tablecloth (for our upcoming firetruck themed birthday party! originally $3) $1 (x3)

Total before sales and coupon=$58.98
Total after sales and coupon=$6.98 (plus I paid with a Register Reward that I needed to use up)

Transaction 2:

Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste 4.49
-$1/1 printable coupon

Total paid=3.49, earned a $4.50 Register Reward

My Publix trip 05/05/09

I went to Publix yesterday for a big shopping trip (I needed a LOT of regular stuff,) and I was so excited about some of the BOGO deals that I got, that I decided to make a second trip tonight to stock up on the deals. Here's what I got:

Adam and Eve Fruitables Juice Boxes (we can go through juice boxes...) $1.67 (x7=$11.69)
-7 $1/1 coupons
8th Continent Complete soymilk $2.50
-$1/1 coupon (blinkie from last week)
Back to Nature Organic Granola BOGO $3.59 (x10=$17.95) THIS IS SOOOO GOOD!
-10 $1/1 printable coupons
Pace Picante Sauce BOGO $2.79 (x8=$11.16)
-4 $4/1 printable coupons
Johnson and Johnson Flexible Gauze $1.99 (x2=$3.98)
Johnson and Johnson Cloth Tape $2.69 (x2=$5.38)
-2 $3/2 coupons (blinkie out now)
-2 $2/2 Publix coupons
Publix Cocoa Butter 16 oz $3.49
-FREE Publix Cocoa Butter baby club coupon
Snyders White Tortilla Chips Big Bag $2.59 (x2=$5.18) for all the salsa!
-$1/2 Snyders chips coupon (found with beer display)

Total before coupons= $66.33
Total after coupons= $12.84

I'm pretty happy!

Free Kiwi magazine subscription

Go here to sign up for a free subscription to Kiwi magazine.

Swag Bucks- an awesome program!

I wanted to talk about Swag Bucks for a minute. I am not one to sign up for all of these 'money-making programs' online, but this is a program that I had read about on multiple blogs that I've been following for a while. I finally decided to give it a try, and I LOVE IT! It is so easy, requires no extra work from me (BONUS), and I can redeem my 'bucks' for all kinds of rewards.

It works like this: sign up for Swag Bucks, and then use them as your search engine. It searches using Google, so it's the same as going through Google directly, but you can earn 'swag bucks' for your searches. I haven't been able to figure out yet which searches yield bucks, but they give you the bucks for your searches. Once you sign in to add the buck to your account, just continue with the results of your search as you normally would.

For example, this morning, I went to the Swag Bucks website, and searched 'Wondertime Magazine' (because I LOVE this magazine and I got a postcard in the mail saying they weren't going to publish it anymore.) My search earned me 1 swag buck, which I claimed by signing in, and then continued to click on the website that I was looking for. It's THAT easy! Plus, you earn bucks for referring people (hence the plug, although not totally because I really do love this program.) For each buck that someone you refer earns, you also get a buck. It's SOOOO easy!

You can also earn bucks for shopping through them, though I haven't done this, and I've still been able to redeem enough rewards to make me happy.

I've redeemed my bucks about 4 times now for Amazon gift certificates, because I am always finding books or kids' movies that I want to buy off of Amazon. They also have lots of other options, including other gift certificates, items. I just stick with Amazon because it's something that I can really use!

If you are interested in earning some free stuff for VERY little work, sign up here (and let me have the referral *smiles*). http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=319676

$4.00 Pace coupon

Pace has published a $4.00 printable coupon, good for any Pace product. These don't last long, so print yours asap. Click HERE for yours!

Apparently the print limit is 10. After you print, close the screen and click the link again to print more than once.

Walgreens 05/03/09-05/09/09

V-8 V Fusion Juice $3

-$2/1 printable coupon

=$1 each

Free 8x10 Photo Enlargement on May 6th with in-ad coupon (or when you use code MOTHER online)

Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste $4.49

-$4.49 Register Rewards

-$1/1 coupon here

or -$0.75/1 from 04/26/09 insert

=FREE

Right Guard deodorant $2.99

-$2 Register Rewards

-$1/1 coupon from 4/19/09 insert

=FREE

Pert Plus for Men $2.50

-$2 Register Rewards

-$1.50/1 coupon from 05/03/09 insert

-full rebate here if you buy a specially marked bottle

=FREE + possible profit

Listerine Total Care mouth wash $4.50 each

-$4.50 Register Rewards when you buy 2

-$2/1 coupon from 04/26/09 insert

or -$2/1 printable here

=$0.25 each

Bayer Breeze or Contour Blood Glucose Meter at $14.99

-$5 Register Rewards

-$30/1 coupon from 03/01/09 or 03/22/09 inserts (coupon will be adjusted down)

=FREE plus overage

Bayer Quick release Crystals at $2.49

-$2.49 Register Rewards
-$1 peel coupon from shelf (check!)

=FREE plus overage

CVS deals 05/03/09-05/09/09

Adidas Deodorant $3.99
-$3 ECBs

-$1/1 coupon found in the 04-05-09 insert

=FREE- Limit 3

Colgate Max Fresh or Max White $2.99

-$2 ECBs

-$1/1 coupon found in the 04-26-09 insert

or -$1/1 coupon in May All You Magazine
=FREE - Limit 2

Glucerna Shakes $4.99 + free box of Gluecerna cereal shakes

-$5/1 Glucerna cereal coupon here

-$1.25/1 coupon here

=FREE

Zantrex 3 Insta-shot 2pk $4.99

- $4.99 ECBs

=FREE - Limit 1

Kellogg’s Cereals (Frosted Flakes, Smart Start, Frosted Mini Wheats, Special K) 3/$10

-$5 in ECBs (when you buy 3)

-$1/1 coupon found in the 04-05-09 insert

or -$1/1 PRINTABLE coupons

=$.66 each

John Frieda Shampoo, Conditioner or Stylers $5
-$5 in ECB when you buy $15 worth

-$2/1 coupon found in the 04-05-09 insert

=$1.33 each -limit 1

12 Packs Coke Products $4

-$10 ECBs when you spend $20

=$2 each