September 30, 2009

My Publix Trip


I've been wanting to post about my Publix and Walgreens trips, but my darling husband has been on the computer for days it seems like, so I'll be posting them today.

Here's my Publix trip for this week:

NY Dip'N Sticks BOGO $3.29 x5
-$.40/1 coupon (doubled) x5
=$.85 each
Eggo Waffles BOGO $2.39 x6
-$1/2 coupon x2
-$2/fruit wyb 2 Eggos x3
=$.86 each + $6 in free fruit (oranges, nectarines and apples!)
Stonyfield Squeeze Yogurt $2.99
-$2/1 peelie
Bird's Eye Broccoli $.89 (50% off) x4
Smart Balance Butter Sticks BOGO $3.49 (x8)
-$1.50/1 coupon x8
=$.25 each!!!
T Marzetti dressing BOGO $3.69
-$1/1 coupon from BG&G
=$.85
Publix Spring Water (penny item) $1.67
-Penny Item coupon
Aunt Jemima pancake mix BOGO $2.59 (x4)
-$1/2 coupon (x2)
=$.80 each
Purina One cat food $5 (on sale!) x2
-$3/1 coupon (x2)
=$2 each
Ocean Spray drink mix $2.00 (50% off) x2
Publix Diet Cola $.50 x2
Keebler cookies BOGO $3.49 (x6)
-$2/2 peelie (x3)
-$2/milk wyb 2 (x3)
-FREE Publix bag wyb 2 keebler items
=$.75 each + cheap milk
Smart Balance half gallon milk $2.50 (x2)
-$1.25/2 coupon
(-milk coupon from above)
=$.88 each
Pampers Big Box of diapers $19.99
-$1.50/1 Kroger coupon
-$3 Publix coupon
-$2 pampers coupon
=$13.49

Total before coupons and sales: $176.17
Total after coupons and sales: $59.60

Total savings of 66%

September 28, 2009

Swag Bucks- one AWESOME program




http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Alleluiamom

Swagbucks is one of my FAVORITE programs. If you haven't heard about it yet, listen up!

It works like a regular search engine, and actually is powered by Google, so it's exactly the same as using Google, except you can win 'bucks' for your searches. It doesn't happen for every search, but every few times, you get a little notification that pops up saying you earned 1, 5 or 10 swag bucks for your search. All you have to do is sign in with your account information and continue on with your business. The bucks are loaded into your account.

You can also accumulate bucks by trading in cell phones, shopping through their site, etc, but I mostly just use it to search from. You can redeem these bucks for TONS of different things, but my favorite is the Amazon Gift Card! Only 45 bucks earns you a $5 Amazon gift card, and you can use it for anything you want. I've been saving mine up to use at Christmas time for a little extra 'income' in our budget.

You can also earn bucks by referring people. For every buck someone you refer earns, you earn a buck also. It's that simple!!!

Sign up today using my referral code (please!) and you get an instant 3 swag bucks, just for signing up!

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Alleluiamom

GaGa Deal website - baby shower gifts


Baby Earth is a website that sells some of the pricier baby products, but they also have closeout and scratch and dent sections, which has some descent deals at times if you are going to buy the item anyway.
One really unique thing that they do is their GaGa deal section. They offer various baby-related items, starting at full retail, that reduce in price as time progresses. At any time, you can add the item to your cart and purchase it, but you have to outweigh the possible benefits of waiting for the price to drop vs the potential for the item to sell out before you get it.


In general, I RARELY buy anything baby/child related new, and opting instead to buy them used and preferably at yard sales. However, if you need something as a gift, this can be a really great find.
They run the deals starting at 9:00 am CST on weekdays only. Check them out at http://www.babyearth.com/baby-sale.

September 27, 2009

The joy of couponing

I don't know if I'm finally starting to get some more energy since my pregnancy started, or that I have just been so inspired by the awesome deals this week, but I am in full couponing mode!!!!! After the high of my awesome CVS trip today, the expected awesomeness of my Walgreens trip later this week (to use the coupon of course!) and my anticipated trip to Publix tomorrow, I am walking on air!

I have another HUGE reason for feeling so joyful in all of this. There are many benefits of couponing and I wanted to share some of the real life benefits of doing all of this, other than saving money!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine had a real financial blow, and found herself without any money for the rest of the month. Thankfully all her bills had been paid, but with almost three weeks left in the month and almost no groceries in the house, she was stressed to the max. I forced her to come over, raided my food stashes, and she ended up leaving with six bags FULL of food. She was extremely grateful, but really, it wasn't much of a sacrifice to me BECAUSE of all of the couponing and stocking up I had been doing.

As much as I would have wanted to, I don't think my budget would have been able to take buying six huge bags of groceries at the store for her. We just don't have an extra $150 at our disposal to do something like that. They way to really reap the benefits of couponing is to buy what's on sale, when it's on sale, and to stock up for when it's full price. Because of all the couponing I do each week, I estimate my cost for those six bags of food was about $20, which is nothing.

It was such a blessing to me to be able to help and it reinforced one of the reasons I have for doing all of this: to share. All of this couponing stuff is definately a way that I contribute to our household without an actual paycheck, but it can be so much more. By saving in this area of spending, not only are we able to be more generous in other areas of spending and sharing, but I am able to help by physically feeding someone on a moment's notice, whether that be a family moving into the neighborhood, someone with a new baby, or a friend going through a hard time. God is so good!

My CVS Trip

I am just so excited about my CVS trips this week that I really had to share!!! I made two trips (different times since I ran out of time) this week. Here are my trip totals:

Trip #1

Tide Free 50 fl oz $6 (x2)
-$1 off any Tide product (today's paper x2)
Bounce Dryer Bar $4 (x3)
-$1.50 coupon from Vocalpoint mailer (x3)
Dawn dishwashing liquid $1
-$.50 coupon from today's paper
-$10 ECB wyb $25 of P&G products (all listed above)
Gillette Fusion Razor $9.99
-$4 coupon from today's paper
-$5 ECB
Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion $7.99
-$7 ECB
- (somehow lost my Vaseline coupon before I got to the check-out, so I didn't get to use that!)
Bic multi pack lighters (on clearance from $4) $1.00 (x2)

-$5/$25 coupon printed from one of the Flu Shot CVS quizzes
-FREE $15 ECB sent to my email for nothing more than taking a short survey (I LOVE CVS! If you aren't signed up for emails, DO IT NOW!)

Total before coupons and clearance: $50.98
Total after coupons, ECBs (and FREE ECBs from email): FREE plus $8.02 PROFIT!!!!

Trip #2

Accu-Check Diabetes Monitoring Kit $14.99 (x2)
-$10 coupon (x2)
-$5 ECB (x2)

-$5/25 purchase coupon (from another of the CVS quizzes)

Total before coupons and ECBs: $29.98
Total after coupons and ECBs: FREE plus $5.02 PROFIT!!!!

Now, without the $15 ECBs sent to my email for taking that survey, my totals wouldn't have been quite so impressive, but I still would have gotten all of that for almost free, which is satisfying enough considering it's all stuff I need/use daily (or in the case of the diabetes monitors am able to easily donate to someone who needs it.) That survey was really amazing, and just goes to show how much it pays to sign up for email notifications.

Walgreens $5/$25 purchase coupon!!!!

Walgreens is releasing a $5/$25 purchase coupon to add to the great deals this week. This coupon is valid on 09/29 and 09/30 only!!!!!! Click HERE for the coupon!

Walgreens 09/27/09-10/03/09


Walgreens also has a pretty great week this week!! Check out the previous post for an additional savings coupon to use with all of your purchases!
Pond's Skincare Product BOGO psa $4.59
-$1.50/1 printable coupons here
=$0.79 each
Oral-B Advantage 1-2-3 Toothbrush $3
-$3 RR
-$0.75/1 coupon from the 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE plus overage
Dentek Tooth Picks $2
-$2 RR
-$1/1 printable here
=FREE plus overage
Herbal Essence Hair Care $2.99
-$2 RR
-$1/1 coupon from the 8/23 and 9/13 RedPlum inserts
=FREE
Buy 2 Theraflu (8.3 oz.) Liquid at $4 each, Get $4 Register Rewards
-$2/1 coupon from Walgreens Healthy Savings coupon booklet (will deduct $4)
=FREE
Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99
-$2.99 RR
=FREE

Emergen-C Immune or Alert Shot Pack Booster $3.49
-$3.49 RR
=FREE
Halls Refresh Cough Drops $1
-$1RR
-$.75/1 coupon from 09-27-09 SS insert
=FREE plus overage

Robitussin DM To Go $2.49
-$2.49 RR
=FREE
Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion $6.99
-$6.99 RR
-$1.50/1 coupon from 08-02-09 RP insert
=FREE plus overage

Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99
-$6 RR
-$4/1 coupon from the 09-27-09 PG insert
=FREE plus overage

CVS deals 09/27/09-10/03/09


This week is a great week all around!!!! Some of the deals at CVS require different scenarios, but you can get some really cheap/free stuff!!!

Also, you can get some $5/$25 coupons from these locations here, here, and here. Here are the match-ups:

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion $7.99
-$7 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$1.50/1 printable here or here
=FREE plus overage

Accu-Chek Aviva Diabetes Monitoring Kit $14.99
-$5 ECBs (Limit 2)
-$10/1 coupon from the 8/23 SmartSource insert
=FREE

Gillette Fusion, Embrace, or Spa Breeze Razor $9.99
-$5 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$4/1 coupon from the 9/27 P&G insert
=$0.99

Buy $25 worth of Proctor and Gamble Products, Get $10 ECBs (Limit 1)

Bounce Bar $4
-$2/1 coupon found in the 08-30-09 PG insert
-$1.50/1 coupons from Vocal Point mailer

Tide Stain Release $4
-$1.50/1 PRINTABLE coupon
-$1.50/1 coupons found in BHG, Parents, or Cookie magazines
-$1/1 coupon found in the 08-16-09 SS insert

Tide $6
-$1/1 coupon found in the 09-27-09 PG insert
Dawn $1
-$1/2 coupon found in the 09-27-09 PG insert
=LOTS of scenarios for free or very cheap stuff here!

Fruitopia or Viologie shampoo or conditioner $1.99
-$2/1 coupon from the current Reinventing Beauty magazine from CVS
=FREE

September 23, 2009

Rite Aid diaper deal!


The blogging community is buzzing with the diaper deal this week at Rite Aid, and I just finished doing it!!! I am so happy that it worked perfectly! When all is said and done, this deal means three packages of Huggies diapers for $1 per pack! Here's the scoop, just in case you haven't heard about it already:


Huggies diapers are 3/$33 this week. Rite Aid has coupons that you can print for participating in their video program (doesn't take too long) for Huggies Diapers, and also for $5/$20 purchase. They also have a SCR for $10 wyb 3 packages of Huggies.


I bought three packages of Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers for $33

-$5/$25 purchase coupon

-$2 off Huggies Rite Aid coupon (x3)

-$3 off Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers (I got these in mailers x3)

-$10 scr for buying 3 packages of Huggies


=$3 for three packages of Huggies Diapers!!!!


Plus the total of $33 can be submitted towards the Fall Gift of Savings program Rite Aid has going right now. This purchase alone qualifies me for $5 back, and that's not including any other purchases that I have made or will make in the eligable time period (I guarantee this isn't the only purchase.) When they have deals, they REALLY have deals!


I LOVE RITE AID!!

Publix deals 09/23/09-09/29/09

I think it's been a while since I've seen some really great Publix deals, maybe because I've let my couponing go for the past few weeks, but still. This week has some pretty promising deals up! Here are some of the best match-ups, thanks to iheartpublix.

Dole Fruit, Gel or Parfait Bowls 4 pk BOGO 2.29
-$1/1 PRINT Dole Fruit Bowl in Sugar Free Gel (if included)
-$1/3 from 8-09-09 SS
-$.75/1, $1/1 Dole Fruit Bowls In Sugar Free Gel 9-13-09 SS (if included)
-$1/2 BH&G June & Sept 2009
-$1/2 Good Housekeeping, June & Sept 2009
-$.55/1, .75/2, .75/1, $1/3, $1/2 from 8-9-09 & 8-23-09 SS
-$.75/1 Tearpad
-$1/2 All You, August 2009
-$.75/2, $1/2 All You, June 2009
-$1/2 Family Circle & LHJ, May & July 2009
=(If the Sugar Free is included) $.15 each

Aunt Jemima Syrup, 24 oz bottle BOGO 3.49
-$1/2 from 8-30-09 RP
=$1.40 each

Aunt Jemima Pancake & Waffle Mix BOGO 2.59
-$1/2 from 8-30-09 RP
=$.80 each!! (so excited about this as pancakes are the only dinner that my hubby knows how to make!)

Post Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal or Just Bunches! BOGO 3.99
-$2/1 PRINT (bottom right corner of page)
=FREE

Kellogg’s Eggo Waffles BOGO 1.99
-$1/1 Peelie
-$1/2 Fuel For School Insert (expires 9/27)
-Save $2.00 on Fresh Fruit WYB 2 Eggo Frozen Waffles- Fuel For School Booklet
-FREE Reuseable Shopping Bag wyb Any 2 Kellogg’s Products- Yellow Advantage Buy
=$1.00 each plus free fruit with the fuel for school coupon (free if you can find the peelies, but I have yet to find them)

Ronzoni Pasta, 12 or 16 oz BOGO 1.39
-$1/2 8-02-09 RP
=$.20 each

Mt. Olive Sweet Relish or Pickles BOGO $2.19
-$.50/1, .75/1, $1/1 from 08-16-09 SS
-$.50/1 PRINT
=$.10 each

Yoplait Yo-Plus or Yo-Plus Light Yogurt 4 pk BOGO $2.50
-$1/1 PRINT
-$1/1 Yo-Plus or Yo-Plus Light 9-13-09 GM
=$.25 each

Smart Balance Spread BOGO $2.59
-$1/2 09-13-09 RP
-$.50/1 Blinkie
=as low as $.30 each

New York Texas Toast 13.5 oz box, Olde World Ciabatta Cheese Rolls, 10 oz box, or Garlic & Parmesan Pizzeria Dip’N Sticks BOGO $3.29
-$.50/1 Grill Like A Pro Tearpad Booklet
-$.55/1 Peelie
-$1.00/1 New York product from ?? insert (I bought mine on the coupon clippers)
=$.65 each

Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend Sticks BOGO $3.49
-$1.50/1 from 09-13-09 RP
-$1/1 Blinkie
-$1/1 PRINT
=$.25 EACH!!!!!!!

Spray ‘n Wash Laundry Stain Remover Advanced or Max with Resolve Power BOGO $2.99
-$.50/1 from 09-13-09 SS
-$.75/1 PRINT (click on save now and then look under the Fabric Care Tab)
=$.50 each

Fantastik Cleaner BOGO $2.99
-$.75/1, $1/1 from 08-02-09 SS
-$1/1 SC Johnson Booklet
=as low as $.50 each

Ore-Ida Steam n’ Mash Potatoes 24 oz pkg BOGO $3.99
-$1/1 Blinkie
=$1.00 each

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures or Hershey’s Kisses, Miniatures, Nuggets or Hugs & Kisses, or York Peppermint Patties 17 to 19.75 oz bag BOGO $5.49
-B2G1 any Hershey’s Candy Bags (17 oz – 19.75 oz) Tearpad
-$.75/1 Any Hershey’s Product Peelie
-$1/1 Hershey’s Kisses 9-13-09 SS

Purina ONE Cat Food, 3.3 or 3.5 lb bag, 2/$10
-$2/1 One Stop One Store Booklet
-$3/1 09-13-09 RP
-$2/1 Target Coupon PRINT
=FREE if your store takes Target coupons

Smart Balance Milk half gallon (lactose free is included) 2/$5
-$1.50/2 from 09-20-09 RP
=$1.75 each (pretty good for soy milk)

Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies or Wafers or E.L. Fudge BOGO $3.49
-$2/2 Peelie (picked up a bunch of these from Kroger last week!)
-Save $2 on Milk wyb any 2 Packages of Keebler Cookies
=$.75 each, plus some free milk!!

Balancing time

This pregnancy has really forced me to work on balancing my time. I have been very sick, much more so than with my other pregnancies (probably because I'm having a girl this time!) and it's forced me to let a lot of things go. I kept trying to keep this up, no matter what, but the last few weeks have shown me that I had kept this site up at the expense of some pretty important things. All in all, it doesn't take a lot of time to put things on here, but it's enough that I was pulled away from my kids, some pretty basic household stuff, etc, and it just wasn't worth it anymore. I am starting to feel a little bit better (I HOPE AND PRAY!), and so I'm going to give this another go.

I really do love doing it and I REALLY love helping others as they try to save money, but if it becomes too much of a burden for me again, I'm going to have to bow out. Thank you those of you who keep coming, I know it must be very frustrating to see no posts.

September 14, 2009

Rite Aid deals 09/13/09-09/19/09

Rite Aid has some awesome deals this week, especially when combined with this new $5/$25 Rite Aid coupon here!!!!!!!

Airwick Ultra Freshmatic Kit $4.99
-$6.00/1 coupon from the 09/13 insert
=FREE plus possible overage

Covergirl Face and Eye Makeup BOGO
-BOGO coupon from the 8/30 P&G insert
=FREE

Suave Body Lotion $1.99
-$1/1 coupon in the 8/2 RedPlum insert
-$1 Single Check Rebate
=FREE

Buy 3 Johnson’s Baby Care Items, Get $5 Single Check Rebate
Buy 5 Johnson’s Baby Care Items, Get $10 Single Check Rebate
Buy 10 Johnson’s Baby Care Items, Get $15 Single Check Rebate

*Deal Idea* (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)
Buy 10 Johnson's Baby Care items at $2.99 each
-$5/$25 Rite Aid coupon
-$1/1 coupons here
=FREE

Act II Popcorn Balls 3 for $0.99
-$1/2 coupon here
=FREE

Choice Fresh Mixers $2.50
-$2/1 coupon here
=$0.50

Huggies Pull-Ups or GoodNites $6.99 with in-ad coupon
-$2/1 or $1.50/1 coupons here (or from various Huggies products and mailers)
$4.99 to $5.49 per package after coupons

Walgreens 09/13/09-09/19/09


Here are the deals at Walgreens this week:
True North Nut Crisps or Clusters $3
-$3 RR
=FREE plus overage

Buy 2 Neosporin at $3.99, Get $3 RR
-$1/1 coupons from the 8/2 or 8/23 SmartSource insert or $1/1 printable coupon
-$2/1 Walgreens coupon from Walgreens Children's Activity Book (will deduct $4)
=FREE plus overage

Murine Ear Drop Kit $6
-$6 RR
=FREE
Buy 2 Band Aid Tough Strips or Ultra strips at $2.49, Get $3 Register Rewards
-$1/1 coupons from the 8/2 SmartSource insert (may be a lesser coupon in some areas)
=FREE

Buy 2 Crest with Scope Toothpaste at $4 each, Get $5 Register Rewards
-$1/1 coupon from the 8/30 P&G insert
=$0.50 each
Listerine Mouthwash Advanced or Total Care $2.99
-$2 RR
=$0.99
Buy 2 Triaminic Allergy, Sinus, or Cold Relief at $5 each, Get $5 Register Rewards
-$2/1 coupon in the Walgreens Healthy Savings Coupon Booklet (will deduct $4)
=FREE plus overage

Buy 2 Softsoap Nutriserum Bodywash at $4 each, Get $4 Register Rewards
-$1/1 coupon from the 8/30 SmartSource insert
=$1 each
Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners $1.99
-$1.99 RR
-$1/1 printable coupon here or from the 8/30 SmartSource insert
=FREE plus overage

CVS 09/13/09-09/19/09


Colgate Total Advanced or Acti Flex Toothbrush $2.99
-$2 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$1/1 printable coupon here or from 8/30 or 9/13 SmartSource insert
=FREE

Dyna Pep Energy Micro-Shot 2-pack $4.99
-$4.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
=FREE

Listerine Total Care, Reach Toothbrush (2-pack), or Reach Floss $3.99
-$2 ECBs (Limit 3)
-$2/1 coupon from the 3/15 or 6/14 SmartSource insert or 4/26 RedPlum insert
=FREE

Buy $6 worth of Suave Hair and Body Products, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 1)
Buy 3 products at $2 each, use $0.75/2 coupon from the 8/2 RedPlum insert plus the Buy Two, Get One Free coupon from the 9/13 RedPlum insert
=$0.41 each after coupons and ECBs

Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color $5.99
-$2 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$3/1 from the 8/30 P&G insert
=$0.99