KMart $10 gift card for NEW or transferred RX

Just a heads up, if you still have your KMart ad from this Sunday's paper, they have a coupon for a $10 gift card with a new or transferred prescription. Most of the coupons that retailers publish are only for a transferred prescription, and this one is for both!

So, if you take this to CVS with a new prescription (and you know that someone will be getting sick soon if they haven't already,) you'll get a free $10 gift card.

Just a note: you may need to remind the cashier that CVS accepts competitor's prescription coupons (I frequently have to do so, and had to do it again last night when I picked up my husband's new prescription.)

Vista Print - 140 return address labels for $3!

Vista Print frequently offers free items. They're usually not huge things, but they're worth up to $10, and you only have to pay shipping. Right now, they're offering 140 holiday return address labels for free, with shipping only around $3.

Now, we get a good amount of return address labels free in the mail from various organizations asking for donations, but they always spell our name wrong, or call me Miss instead of Mrs, and they never have both of our names on the labels.

After getting my awesome deal on Christmas cards from Kodak, I thought that it might be easier and nicer to have some return address labels to stick on the envelopes instead of hand-writing it on all 50. Plus, I was able to find a really cute label that will look great all year long, not just at Christmas. I only paid $2.95 shipping for all of them.

They also have some postcards that are free with promotion, and you could get Christmas postcards instead of Christmas cards, which would be pretty inexpensive as well. Shipping on these is around $6 for 100 cards.

Check out Vista Print and click on free products or under the category of item that you want to order your free postcards or return address labels.

Earth Fare- FREE 3 lb bag of organic apples!

I am headed to Earth Fare today or tomorrow to do my FREE pantry makeover, and I got this coupon in my email for a free 3 lb bag of organic apples!!!!!

It says 'with your next purchase', so I'm thinking that you have to buy SOMETHING, not just do the free pantry makeover, but this makes the trip well worth it!

Go HERE to print your coupon!

Kodak giving away more $15 gifts!

Last week, I posted about Kodak giving $15 in Kodak Gallery merchandise to the first million people who submitted their email address. Well, they're doing it again!

This time they're giving away 100,000, so if you missed out on last week's deal, or just want to do it again, sign up HERE.

I have gotten 4 photo mugs (Christmas presents) and 50 photo Christmas cards, over $180 of merchandise, and only paid shipping (around $25.) I'm so psyched because last year, I spent at least $25, just on our Christmas cards, and now I have four Christmas presents too!

Another long night...

Last night makes our third trip to the ER in the past few months. My husband, who has high blood pressure that he controls with medication, was experiencing symptoms of high blood pressure, even though he'd been taking his medication faithfully. We went to a friend's house to see if she would check him, and, sure enough, his blood pressure was 190/110, which is impressive, as his nurse phrased it.

So we went to the emergency room. It was a long and frustrating night, but we got a ct scan that showed no immediate danger, and after laying down in the bed for a few hours, his pressure went down. We're trying an additional medication and close doctor supervision to see if that helps get it down, and we're on the lookout for any symptoms of a more severe problem, but he seems to be doing ok. We'd love prayers though!

Needless to say, I'm beat today. I'll try to wake up early tomorrow and post some more, although there wasn't a whole lot going on today.

Kodak $15 gift expires today!

If you signed up for the Kodak Gallery $15 gift, it ends TODAY!!!! So hurry up and get those gifts together!

I signed up a few of our email addresses, and was able to get four Christmas gifts and 50 Christmas cards (which I am SOOO excited to have done.) I did have to pay shipping on all of these, but the actual items were free with the codes.

All in all, I got about $180 worth of stuff for about $25 in shipping costs.

JCPenney and Lands End $10 off of any purchase

Both JCPenney and Lands' End both have coupon codes right now that will give you $10 off of any order. You'll still have to pay shipping, which is $5-$6, but if you're going to order something anyway, or you need something, it may be worth it.

You can also sign up through EBates and get 4% back for a JCPenney purchase or 3% back for a Lands End purchase. Plus, if you haven't already signed up, you'll get $5, just for opening an account. Sign up HERE.

The code for JCPenney is SWEETS4U and the code for Lands' End is LandsEnd and the pin is 1124.

One note: the Lands' End code is only good on regularly priced items, so don't try it with clearanced things. It won't work!

Stocking up on papers

Today is one of those days to stock up on papers. I sure will be.

Other than both Huggies and Pampers coupons, the inserts also have the up to $30/1 Bayer Glucose Meter.

These meters have been on sale at CVS and Walgreens over and over again in the past 6 months, where they are free after the coupon, and then you generate anywhere from $5-$10 in ECBs or RRs. In fact, according to iheartwags.com, they will be $5 money-makers in just a couple of weeks at Walgreens, so I know that this is worth it. This is how I was able to donate about 12 meters to a clinic earlier this year, and still make around $50 profit.

Rite Aid deals 10/25/09-10/31/09

Here are the best deals at Rite Aid this week:

Vaseline Intensive Care Sheer Infusion Lotion $4.99
-$1.50/1 from 8/2 RedPlum or $1/1 from the 10/18 RedPlum
-$4 Single Check Rebate
=FREE

St. Ives Elements Skin Care, Apricot Scrub, or Collagen Elastin Moisturizer $3.99
-$1/1 in the 9/20 SmartSource insert
-$3 Single Check Rebate
=FREE

GE SoftWhite Lightbulbs 2 for $2
-$2 Single Check Rebate wyb 2
=FREE

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 8-pack $0.88
-$0.55/1 coupon from the 8/23 SmartSource insert
=$0.33

Nissin Chow Mein Noodles $0.88
-$0.50/2 coupon from the 10/4 SmarSource insert
=$0.63 each

Dove Deodorant $1.99
-$1/1 coupon from 10/4 insert
=$0.99

Febreeze Fabric Refresher $4.49
-$1/1 coupon in the 9/27 P&G insert
-$2 Single Check Rebate
=$1.49 after coupon and Single Check Rebate

Almay Eye Products BOGO $6.99
-$1/1 coupon from the 8/2 SmartSource insert
-$2 Single Check Rebate
=$1.50 each

Huggies Diapers $9.99
-$3/1 or $1.50/1 from 10/25 insert
-$3 Single Check Rebate
-$0.75 caregivers rebate
=$3.99

Walgreens deals 10/25/09-10/31/09

Here are the best deals at Walgreens this week:

Simply Asia Bowls $0.89
-$0.50/1 coupon from the 8/30 RedPlum insert
=$0.39

Dickinson's Witch Hazel toner $1.99
Buy 2 and use the the $3/2 coupon here
=$0.49 each

Quaker Quick Oats BOGO $3.19 w/in-ad coupon
-$1.25/2 coupon from 8/30 RedPlum insert
=$0.97 each

Revlon Cosmetics BOGO 50% off
-$1/1 coupon from 10/11 SS insert
and -$4/1 Revlon Foundation ColorStay Mineral, Custom Creations or Beyond Natural from Walgreens October Coupon booklet

Dulcolax Balance $7
-$4 RR
-$3/1 coupon found on package
Submit for $5 rebate HERE
=FREE plus overage

Fiber Choice (10-count) or Beano-to-Go (12-count) $2.49
-$2.49 RR
=FREE

Super Poligrip Denture Adhesive $2
-$2 RR
=FREE

Dove Hair Conditioners BOGO $4.99
-$10 RR wyb 8
-$1.50/1 coupons from 10/4 RedPlum insert
=FREE plus overage

Crest Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste $2
-$2 RR wyb 2
-$1/1 coupon from 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion $6.99
-$7 RR
-$1.50/1 coupon from 8/2 RedPlum insert or $1/1 coupon from 10/18 insert
=FREE plus overage

Halls Refresh Sugar-Free $1
-$1 RR
-$0.75/1 coupon from the 9/27 insert or $0.50/1 from October All You magazine
=FREE plus overage

Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99
-$3 RR
=FREE

Robitussin DM To Go (2-pack) $2.49
-$2.50 RR
=FREE

Emergen-C Booster $3.49
-$3.50 RR
=FREE

CVS deals 10/25/09-10/31/09

Here are the best deals for CVS this week:

Halls $2
Buy 10 and get $10 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$1/1 or $0.50/1 coupons from the 9/27 SmartSource insert
=FREE to $0.50 each

Nature's Bounty Products BOGO psa $7.49
-$3 ECBs wyb 2(Limit 3)
-$2/1 coupon from 9/13 SmartSource or 10/11 RedPlum inserts
=$0.24 each

Nova Max Glucose Meter $9.99
-$9.99 ECBs (Limit 1)
=FREE

Buy $20 worth of Dove or Degree Products, Get $10 ECBs (Limit 1)

Buy $20 worth of CoverGirl products (psa $2.88), Get $8 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$1/1 coupons at 9/27 and 10/11 P&G inserts
=$0.74 each

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

Buy $15 worth of Duracell products, Get $5 ECBs
-$0.75/1 coupons from the 9/27 P&G insert

Reese's 8-packs $0.99
-$.55/1 coupon from 8/23 SmartSource insert
=$0.44

Free sample of Pampers Extra Protection diapers

One more quick post, and then I'm turning into a pumpkin. Through Walmart, Pampers is giving free samples of their Extra Protection diapers. Sometimes these diaper samples come with coupons, so it's worth checking out. At the very least, these are great for tossing in the glovebox for emergencies.

Sign up HERE for your sample!

Broccoli Mushroom Potato soup

I wanted to write a quick little follow-up to my post about using up marked down produce, and the soup was DELICIOUS!!!!!!! My kids were a little under the weather, so they didn't eat much that day, which made for more leftovers for me!!! I will be happily eating this for at least 4 lunches in the next couple of weeks (having frozen the leftovers in individual portions.)

So using marked down produce (organic too!), I made dinner night for around $5, and will be getting 4 free lunches out of it too. I am so glad that Allrecipes lets you search for recipes based on my available ingredients, because most of the time I don't know what I want to make. I just know what I have available.

Follow-up on my AWESOME Rite Aid adventures

I wrote a few days ago that I had several trips to Rite Aid planned this week, and was going to (hopefully) end up with several packs of free diapers in addition to all of their free after rebate items. Well, I finished my 6th trip tonight (YAY!) and I am proud to say that it went off without a hitch! I am going to put a lot of information in this post, and probably use a lot of abbreviations that you may not know, so feel free to ask questions!!! Here's what I did:

I listed each of the items that were free after rebate this week. I looked at the prices of the items, and matched them up with packs of diapers, so that each trip's total barely tipped $20. This way, I could use a $5 off of a $20 purchase coupon with each trip. Underneath each item, I also listed any coupons that I had for it.

From this list, I compiled 6 trips, and clearly listed each item that I would buy, the price, the coupons applied, etc. I sorted out all my coupons, and attached them to each trip's breakdown list. I put all of the trips on one master list that I took with me each time so that I could pick a different transaction or adjust slightly if one or more items were not stocked at that store. However, everything worked out perfectly.

Trip #1
Huggies Overnight Diapers $8.99
-$2 coupon
Zantac 150 $8.99
-$1 coupon
-$8.99 SCR
Eos lip balm $1.99
-$1.99 SCR
Act II popcorn balls 3/$.99
-$1 coupon
-$5/$20 coupon

=$.98 cost

Trip #2
Huggies Overnight diapers $8.99
-$2 coupon
Sambucol $7.99
-$7.99 SCR
Kid's Chloraseptic $4.49
-$4.49 SCR
-$5/$20 coupon

=$1.99 cost

Trip #3
Huggies Pure and Natural $8.99
-$3 coupon
Neil Med Spray $9.99
-$2 coupon
-$3 Neil Med rebate
-$9.99 SCR
Neil Med SinusFlo $5.99
-$2 coupon
-$3 Neil Med rebate
-$5.99 SCR
-$5/$20 coupon

=$9.01 PROFIT

Trip #4
Pampers Diapers $11.99
(I use these on and off with my youngest, who has sensitive skin and has had some massive diaper rash this week!)
Little Allergies $9.99
-$3 coupon
-$9.99 SCR
-$5/$20 coupon

=$3.99 cost

Trip #5
Children's Coldcalm $7.99
-$7.99 SCR
Little Cold's Multi-Symptom $3.99
-$3.99 SCR
Huggies 8.99
(out of coupons! BOO!)
-$5/$20 coupon

=$3.99 cost

Trip #6
Blink Tears $7.99
-$3 coupon
-$7.99 SCR
Cepacol $4.99
-$4.99 SCR
Little Colds Sore Throat $5.49
-$5.49 SCR
Zucol $5.99
-$2 coupon
-$5.99 SCR
-$5/$20 coupon

=$10.00 profit


TOTAL FOR EVERYTHING = $9.05 PROFIT

Now, that took a little bit of work, although I saved time and energy by making my detailed lists, putting all the coupons together with paper clips and envelopes, and doing two loops around of the three local Rite Aids. I was able to be in and out VERY quickly, found everything I needed, and even took my kids for half of the trips with few problems. It was totally worth it!

I also have to say that while the total after rebates is profit, you do have to consider the up-front inventment needed to do something like this. This is where having gift cards to eat up most of the expense helps a LOT. I had two gift cards; one from the manager who heard my complaint, and one for transferring my prescription earlier this week. So, the up-front cost to me was minimal, and the overall profit could actually be bumped up, when you consider that I paid with free gift cards.

Using marked down produce

This week, I snagged a huge thing of organic broccoli and a thing of organic mushrooms for $.99 each at Bi-Lo. I also have half a bag of potatoes left over from a little while ago that needs to be used, so I am making soup! I'm so excited because I've wanted some really good soup for a long time and I'm finally better enough to make it!!! I found the recipe at AllRecipies.com, which is my FAVORITE site for recipes, although I am altering it a little bit. I only figured out what I was making when I searched for a recipe with my ingredients, my favorite part about the site. I know what I have, and they tell me what I can make! Here's the recipe:

2 cups chopped onion
2 tablespoons margarine
2 1/2 pounds peeled and cubed potatoes
5 cups boiling water
4 cubes chicken bouillon (I didn't have any so I'm using half broth and half water)
3 cups fresh broccoli, cooked and drained (I'm adding it in with the potatoes)
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (I'm cutting this to 2 cups)

I'm also adding in the mushrooms that I didn't use last night in the stir fry I made, and also a little milk at the end maybe to make it a little creamier, per one suggestion.

1) In a large stock pot saute onion (with the mushrooms thrown in at the end) in butter. Add potatoes, (broccoli,) water and bouillon cubes (broth for me.) Cover, bring to boil and then reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
2) Remove tough outer skin of broccoli stems and cook broccoli. Once cooked add to soup. (omitted this step because I already put in the broccoli)
3) In a blender or food processor puree half of the soup and return to stock pot. (I'm going to puree all of it.) Season with salt and pepper.
4) Add cheese and heat soup through until cheese is melted. Serve warm

The total cost for the soup will be around $5, which is what I try to keep my average dinner cost at. I'm also going to pop some garlic bread into the oven (per the request of my husband,) which will add about $.20 to the cost, making the total cost about $5.20. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Earth Fare FREE Pantry Makeover

This looks pretty cool! Earth Fare is offering a free Pantry makeover. Bring in any participating items (any brand, with any amount in it, full or almost empty) and get their healthier version for free! The following items are eligible:

Peanut butter with hydrogenated oil
Soda with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
Cereals with HFCS
Salad Dressing with HFCS or hydrogenate oils
Jelly with HCFS

Take in your almost empty versions and get some free healthier ones! Sign up HERE and print your coupon.

$.50 off of Ground Beef coupon!

A meat coupon!!!!! This is about as excited as I get!

This is a printable coupon (in a pdf file, so there's no program to download, THANK YOU JESUS!) for $.50 off any ground beef purchase. It's offered by Dinner in 20 Minutes, and apparently it's legit! I've also heard that it will double, but I haven't tried it yet.

Go HERE and put in the following code in the registration: A23568

I put in Kroger as the store, which shows the Kroger logo in the corner of the coupon. Therefore, you could use it at Kroger or at Publix, which accepts competitor's coupons, although it is a manufacturer's coupon, so it should be good anywhere.

FREE Parenting Magazine subscription!

You can get a FREE 11 issue subscription to Parenting Magazine Early Years; no strings attached, nothing to cancel, completely FREE.

I currently get about 4 magazines every month completely free like this, so I know it's legit. Click HERE to sign up for yours!

Pinecone Research is accepting applications!

Pinecone Research is such an awesome program. It's a survey program, which aren't always my favorite, but this one is quick, simple, and pays immediately, unlike some programs that make you wait to hit a certain dollar amount before sending you a check. They pay $3 per survey, but you only have a couple of days from getting the email to do the survey, or you will be kicked out of the program.

They only accept people during certain times, and they are accepting applications now!!!!!! Sign up quickly because they don't hold it open for long! Sign up HERE!

$15 Gift Code for Kodak Pictures

The first 1,000,000 people who register HERE at Kodak Gallery will receive a free gift, and 300,000 of those will get a $15 gift code, towards whatever you want! This will be AWESOME for Christmas gifts or Christmas cards!!!

Plus, if you sign up with EBATES (for which you get $5, just for signing up), they will give you 20% of your purchase back. On the free $15 amount, you'll get $3 back, plus the $5 if you haven't signed up already (I've used it a few times, and love it!)

I swear this is an amazing week!

REBATES AVAILABLE!!!

image courtesy of prodoge.infospace.com




Ok, I've seen a bunch of new rebates available that look very promising, so I wanted to put together a quick little list. I'll add to it as I see more.

If I haven't said it before, I love rebates! I look at it like an extra free coupon to stack on top of the coupons/sales you already use. I've never had any trouble doing rebates, and I've frequently gotten things for free and/or made money using them.


Kraft's 'Keep the Jingle in your Holidays' rebate is now available for $10.00 wyb 10 participating products (which equals to $1 off on each item, if you look at it from the free extra coupon point of view.) Check them out HERE for more information and your form.

Real Simple Holiday Savings Program is offering a $5 rebate for spending $15 on eligable products. This is on the total of the purchase price, not including coupons, so you could get a pretty good deal in this! Check it out HERE for more details!

SC Johnson has a REALLY great one out now (and good through the end of June) that gives you $5 back for purchasing any 3 of their products. Plus, you can submit up to 3 rebates per household. Glade is one of their brands, so the Glade Fragrance Collection that was free (with profit) at CVS this week, as well as the Glade Sense and Spray that were only $1 after coupon both qualify for this rebate. This could EASILY be a money-maker!!!!!!!!!! Check it out HERE for more details.

Nabisco has a rebate that gives you $20 for buying 10 participating cookies/crackers, 5 beverages, and 5 Easy Mac single cups. I already got a bunch of these last week at Publix thanks to their awesome bogo deals, but this is good through June also, so you have PLENTY of chances to get some free snacks with this rebate! Go HERE for more details! I also have extra rebate forms if anyone needs any!

Huggies Pure and Natural sample

Huggies Pure and Natural is offering a free 3 diaper sample (which usually come with an awesome coupon as well.)

Sign up HERE to get yours!

Home Made Simple coupon booklet!

There's a new link to sign up for the Home Made Simple coupon booklet. If you've never gotten this before, it's a booklet with lots of household and cleaning coupons in it. It includes the brands Cascade, Dawn, Mr Clean, Swiffer, and Febreeze.

Sign up HERE for yours!

Rite Aid Deals 10/18/09-10/24/09

I'm exhausted from dealing with our refrigerator/freezer, which broke this weekend, and I couldn't deal with it while we were on retreat. Plus, all the start of the week stuff and putting together all my insane Rite Aid trips and coupons for the week have totally taken all my children's nap time up, so Money Saving Mom has a great post with most of the Rite Aid deals this week.

Instead of just not posting in here for you all, I'm just referring you to her site, because I'm beat! Just make sure you check it out because they have some AWESOME deals this week! Thanks for understanding!

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2009/10/rite-aid-deals-for-the-week-of-october-1824-2009.html

An ambitious Rite Aid attempt for this week!

Ok, Rite Aid has been rocking lately! I wasn't able to get there at all last week (it happens more than I would like) because there was just too much going on, but this week, I am attempting the most ambitious plan I have even formulated. *FAKE EVIL LAUGH*

I'm not going to get into it all now, because I'm sure I'll have to adjust based on product availability, but it will involve 6 (count em, SIX!) trips, 5 packages of diapers, $5/$20 and $5/$25 coupons, all the free after Single Check Rebate items, and coupons for all of those things.

If this works out as I have planned (which I have labored over for the past hour and a half,) I will make only a slight profit, but will get over $135 worth of stuff (including 5 packages of diapers) for free!!!!! My profit is not as impressive as some others', but I will be getting free diapers, which is definately worth it to me!

More to come as I start the first round of trips tonight!

Walgreens match-ups 10/17/09-10/24/09

Here are the best deals this week:

Ester C 500 mg BOGO $10.99
-$5/1 coupon from 10/4 RedPlum insert
=$0.49 each

Zantac $8.99
-$8.99 RR
-$1/1 from 10/17 insert
=FREE plus overage

Buy 3 Theraflu or Triaminic at $4.99 each, Get $8 Register Rewards
-$1.50/1 Triaminic from the 10/18 inserts
-$2/1 or $1.50/1 Theraflu from 10/18 insert (we didn't get any!!!! But I ordered some from the coupon clippers)
-$2/1 coupon from Walgreens Healthy Savings coupon booklet
=FREE plus overage

Pert Plus shampoo plus conditioner $2.50
-$2 RR wyb 2
-$1/1 from the 9/13 or 10/18 SmartSource insert
-$1.50/1 Men's Pert Plus (if included, I'm going to find out today!)
=FREE to $.50 each

Oral B CrossAction Toothbrushes $3
-$3 RR wyb 2
-$1/1 coupons from the 9/27 or 10/11 P&G inserts
=$0.50 each

Glade Jar Candles $2.50
-$2 RR wyb 2
-$1/1 coupon from the 10/4 SmartSource insert
=$1 each
Submit for SC Johnson Rebate

Zyrtec (30-count) $18.99
-$7 RR
-$4/1 coupon from the 9/13 or 10/11 RedPlum inserts
=$7.99

Crest Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste $2
-$2 RR wyb 2
-$1/1 coupons from the 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion $6.99
-$7 RR
-$1.50/1 coupon from the 8/2 RedPlum insert
-$1.00/1 coupon from 10/18 insert
=FREE plus overage

Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99
-$6 RR
-$4/1 coupon from the 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE plus overage

Halls Refresh Sugar-Free (20-count) $1
-$1 RR
-$0.75/1 coupon from the 9/27 insert or $0.50/1 from October All You magazine
=FREE plus overage

Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99
-$3 RR

Robitussin DM To Go (2-pack) $2.49
-$2.50 RR

Emergen-C Booster $3.49
-$3.50 RR

CVS matchups 10/18/09-10/24/09

Here are the best deals this week at CVS:

Glade Reed Diffuser or Soy Candle $6.99
-$6.99 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$3/1 coupon from 10/4 SmartSource insert or from August or September All You magazine
=FREE plus overage

Glade Sense and Spray or Lasting Impressions $5
-$4/1 coupon from 10/18 insert
=$1 each

Clean and Clear (trial size) $0.99
Use $1/1 from the 8/23 SmartSource
=FREE

Coke 12 packs 4/$13
-$3 ECBs wyb 4
=$2.50 each

Retreat

Just a little note, my husband and I are on retreat this weekend, and would appreciate prayers! Bad stuff always seems to come around when you're trying to get closer to God.

I'll still post this week's match-ups on Sunday though, so have a great weekend until then!

Pushing through

I had an opportunity last night to speak about couponing with a really great group of women during their bible study, and I had the best time! I had agreed to do this a number of weeks ago, and as the date came closer, I started to get really nervous and then I felt all of these outside forces pushing against me.

Yesterday was probably one of the most difficult days in my recent memory. I was up until 2:30 am the night before with morning sickness (BLAH!) and then my 1 1/2 year old woke up a couple of times after that, so I started out exhausted. It was raining, and the kids were cranky. They wouldn't take naps, and I desperately needed a nap!!! Then finally, when it was almost time to go, I went to the bathroom to spend 5 minutes getting ready. Afterwards, I walked into the boys' room, and found very few surfaces not covered in juice, diaper cream, or Vaseline, including the boys! I lost it, started crying, called my husband, and seriously thought about cancelling.

BUT there was no way that I was going to bail at the last minute! I took two seconds to pray in desperation, picked myself up, and got us out the door with mostly mess-free bodies and clothes.

I ended up having a GREAT time speaking with these women, my kids were very well-behaved in their nursery rooms, and my three-year-old couldn't stop talking about how much fun he had! As what usually happens when it seems like everything is against me doing something, I am so grateful that I did it and I really feel like I got so much more out of it than they did. I enjoyed sharing what I know and imparting whatever 'wisdom' I have spent the last year or so gaining through trial and many errors (many!.)

Just like when you're starting out doing something unfamiliar (like couponing,) it can be very easy to get discouraged in the situation and the temptation to bail is great, but if you press on, and push through, the reward is all the more greater for it.

FREE Happy Baby food!!

Happy Baby is offering a coupon for a free product!!! And the best part is that it's a PDF, so you don't have to download anything to get it!!!

Go here to get your coupon: http://www.newsletters.happybabyfood.com/2009/ShineALight/img/DollarOffcouponShineALight.pdf

Rite Aid Fall Gift of Savings and speaking up about bad customer service

Rite Aid has a promotion, that's about to end, called the Fall Gift of Savings. Basically, they reward you for spending money at Rite Aid.

If you spend anywhere from $25-$100+ (before coupons!!!), they'll reward you with a gift certificate! I just finished submitting my receipts, and here are my final tallies, including retail cost and cost to me:

1 Box of Huggies Diapers retail: $19.99 (cost to me: $9.24)
Rice Krispies Cereal $4.49 (FREE)
DVD-R multi pack clearanced from $12.99 (3.24)
Starburst candies $1.99 (free)
Clean and Clear facewash 6 @ $4.50 = $27.00 (FREE)
Huggies Pure and Natural diapers 3 @ $11.00 =$33.00 ($3.00)
Johnson and Johnson baby wash/lotion 5 @ 2.99 =$14.95 (FREE)

COST BEFORE COUPONS: $104.66
COST TO ME: $15.48

The above purchases qualify me for a $20 gift certificate (because my total before coupons was above $100) and the best part is that I paid for ALL of it with a Rite Aid gift card, not out of my pocket.

I have to add that this gift card is one that I had gotten from the manager after writing an email to the company about a very rude cashier who refused to take my coupons (which was 100% the fault of the cashier, the manager agreed with me) and was on her cell phone while checking me out. I know and follow the company coupon policies, and that girl was very rude and mean, especially in front of my children. I follow up in those cases. I got a very apologetic phone call back from the regional manager, and the store manager, and was sent a gift card very promptly.

Morals of this story:

1)It pays to speak up if you're treated badly (Free $30 gift card.)
2)It really pays to shop the ads and use coupons (Over $100 in products.)
3)It really, REALLY pays to take advantage of promotional offers ($20 gift certificate, which is pure profit.)

FREE SAMPLE of dry erase paint

Idea Paint is offering a free sample of dry erase paint. IdeaPaint can turn even a simple piece of paper into a high-performance dry-erase surface.

http://ideapaint.com/site/shop_home.html#sample

CVS deals 10/11/09-10/17/09

Not an amazing week, but they deserve a break once in a while. Here are the best deals:

Brach’s Candy Corn 2 for $0.88 (good through Tuesday only)

4-in-1 Carving Tool $1.99 (good through Tuesday only)
-$1.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
=FREE

Halloween Nylong Treat Bag $.99 (good through Tuesday only)
-$.99 ECB (Limit 1)
=FREE

Kashi Go Lean Cereal $3.00
Use $3/1 from the Vocalpoint Home Mailer (SIGN UP FOR VOCAL POINT!)
=FREE!

Revlon Cosmetics BOGO $1.99 and up
-$1/1 coupons found in the 10-11-09 SS insert
=FREE or cheap depending on what you choose

Walgreens deals 10/11/09-10/17/09

Band-Aids $1.99 w/ in-ad coupon
-$2/1 coupon from the Walgreens Children's activity book
=FREE

Witch Hazel Natural Toner 16 oz $1.99
-$3/2 coupon here
=$0.49 each

Healthy Choice Cafe steamers 2/$5
-$2/1 printable coupon
=$0.50 each after coupon

Buy $10 worth of Quaker Instant Oatmeal or Granola Bars at $2.50 each, get $5 RR
-$1.25/2 Quaker Oatmeal coupon from 8/30 RedPlum insert
=$1.88 each wyb 4 and use 2 coupons

Huggies Jumbo packs, Pull-Ups, or GoodNites 2/$18
-$4 RR wyb 2
-$1.50, $2.00, or $3.00 coupon from various home mailers (it pays to sign up for programs!)
=super cheap diapers!

Crest Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste $2 each
-$2 RR wyb 2
-$1/1 coupons from the 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion $6.99
-$7 RR
-$1.50/1 coupon from the 8/2 RedPlum insert
=FREE plus overage

Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System $8.99
-$6 RR
-$4/1 coupon from the 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE plus overage

Halls Refresh Sugar-Free (20-count) $1
-$1 RR
-$0.75/1 coupon from the 9/27 insert
or $0.50/1 from October All You magazine
=FREE plus overage

Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99
-$3 RR
=FREE

Robitussin DM To Go 2-pack $2.49
-$2.50 RR
=FREE

Emergen-C Booster $3.49
-$3.50 RR
=FREE

10 FREE pregnancy or ovulation tests!!!!!

Sacred Heart Mission is giving away up to 10 free pregnancy or ovulation tests to promote the health of women and babies. The form is very easy, and you can choose any combination of the two tests, adding up to 10 total.

I am so excited about this freebie!!!!! Obviously I don't need either one right now, but I will, and even at the dollar store, those pregnancy tests can add up.

www.freeopks.com

Yard Sale Saturday

It's 6:45 *yawn* and I'm pretty tired. My kids sleep in late (thank you Jesus!) for those of you who don't know me, so 6:45 is a ridiculous time for me to be awake, especially since I still have this nausea stuff going on. BUT I found what may turn out to be a really good yard sale to get baby girl stuff!!!

So, I'm off to run that way and try my luck. When I was pregnant with my last baby, I hit this MAJOR golden yard sale. They had everything boy, from baby to 2T, which is what my oldest child was about to fit into, and everything was priced $.25 and it was good quality, name brand stuff. I LOVE those kinds of yard sales!!!!!!!!

I'm crossing my fingers that this one is similar and that I can get a few really great deals. I don't want to spend much, especially since we're going to be borrowing a lot, but I like to have some of my own stuff, and I would love to have some pink accessories!

My CVS trip

So, I haven't been to CVS... yet! Here's my planned trip:

Children's Tylenol $6 (x4)
-$2/1 coupon (from our ped's office!!!) x4
-$10 ECB wyb $20 of J&J products
Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste $2.99
-$1/1 coupon
-$2 ECB

-$5/$25 purchase coupon

Total before coupons/ECBs: $26.99
TOTAL COST after coupons/ECBs: $.99

I'm very excited about the Children's Tylenol!!!!!!

Publix matchups 10/07/09-10/13/09

Ronzoni Pasta (Excluding lasagna, Manicotti or Jumbo Shells) BOGO $1.29
-$1/2 from 08-02-09 RP (exp 10/12)
-B1G1 Tearpad (If Smart Taste included)
-$1/2 PRINT (If Smart Taste included)
-$1/2 peelie (If Healthy Harvest included)
-$.75/1 All You, September 2009 (if quick cook included)
=$.15 each with $1 coupon

Classico Pasta Sauce BOGO $2.47
-$1/2 Wine Tag

Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna Regular, Light, or Thick-Cut BOGO $3.99
-$1/2 My Magazine by Kroger, August 2009

New York Style Focaccia Sticks BOGO $3.39

Fresh Express Salad Blend or Greens or Mix BOGO $3.99
-$.55/2 Fresh Express Blends or Gourmet Cafe from 0-04-09 SS
-$1/1; $2/2; $.55/1 Tearpads
-$2 off 2 Fresh Express Salad Blends & Marzetti Dressing Tearpad

Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (Excluding Organic Ranch) BOGO $3.45
-$1.50/2 Tearpad
-$1 off produce WYB Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing

Lipton Family Size Tea Bags Iced Tea Brew (Excluding Decaf) BOGO $2.65
-$1.50/2; $.50/1; $.75/2; $.60/1 from 08-02-09 RP
-$2 off Lipton Product And (1) Hellmann’s or Best Foods Mayonnaise 16.5 Oz.+ And (1) Wish Bone 16 Oz Peelie & Hangtag

Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup BOGO $1.75
-$1/2 All You, September 2009 & All You, August 28, 2009
-$2 off Hunt’s Ketchup AND Hebrew National Beef Franks tearpad

General Mills Fiber One Cereal BOGO $4.29
-$1/2 PRINT & PRINT
-$.75/1 PRINT & PRINT
-$1/3 from 10-04-09 SS & 09-13-09 GM
-SAVE $1 on OJ wyb any General Mills Cereal 8.9 oz or Larger 09-13-09 SS exp 10/11 (Publix Q)
-FREE Reuseable Shopping Bag wyb any 2 General Mills Products 09-13-09 SS exp 10/11

General Mills Fiber One Toaster Pastry BOGO $2.29
-FREE Reuseable Shopping Bag wyb any 2 General Mills Products 09-13-09 SS exp 10/11

Knorr Sides BOGO $1.49
-$.45/1 from 08-30-09 SS

Betty Crocker Potatoes BOGO $1.59
-$.40/1 PRINT
-$.25/1; $1/2 from 10-04-09 SS
-$.40/1; $.25/1 from 09-13-09 GM
-$1/2 Better At Home Booklet
-Free Publix Reusable Shopping Bag FREE WYB (2) participating General Mills Peelie
-Free Reuseable Shopping Bag wyb any 2 General Mills Products 09-13-09 SS exp 10/11

Bertolli Olive Oil: Extra Light Tasting or Classico, 17-oz bot, BOGO $6.99
-$1/1 from 09-13-09 SS
-$2/1 Tearpad

Hunt’s Tomatoes BOGO $1.39
-$1/4; $.45/3 from 10-04-09 SS
-$.75/3 All You, October 2009
-B3G1 Creative Comfort Food Booklet

Swanson Broth 32-oz ctn (Excluding Organics) BOGO $2.59
-$1/2; $.75/2; $.50/2 from 09-27-09 SS

Nissin Original Chow Mein Noodles BOGO $.89
-$.50/1; $1/3 from 10-04-09 SS & 09-13-09 SS

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn 4.8 to 13-oz box BOGO $2.99
-$1.50 off Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn (3pk or larger) and 1 M&M’s Candies (9.9 – 42 oz.) Tearpad
-$1/1 All You, August 28, 2009
-$1/2 Creative Comfort Food Booklet
-$3 off wyb two 2 liters or 1 12 pack of Fanta, Barq’s or any other coca cola product and 1 Orville Redenbacher’s gourmet microwave popcorn 3 pack or larger, any variety Tearpad
-$1/2 Kroger My Magazine
-$1/3 Blinkie

Ruffles Potato Chips BOGO $3.99
-B2G1 Tearpad

Nabisco Munch Packs Variety Pack or Single Serve or Variety Packs; or Kraft Handi-Snacks, Assorted Varieties, 12 or 15-ct BOGO $5.99
-$2 wyb any 1 Nabisco Multi-packs and any 2 beverages any Capri Sun or Kool-Aid Jammers Tearpad
-1 off wyb 1 Nabisco Cookie (any variety 5oz or larger) AND 1 gallon Milk
-$1/1 Peelie
-$1/2 Nabisco Booklet

Nabisco Honey Maid Grahams BOGO $3.99
-$1/1 Peelie
-$1/2 Nabisco Booklet
-$1/3 wyb Nabisco Honey Maid Grahams + Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows + Hershey’s Milk Chocolate 6-Pack Tearpad

Boboli Italian Pizza Crust BOGO $4.39

Dentyne Ice Sugarless Gum or Dentyne Sugarless Spearmint or Trident White Sugar Free Gum, Assorted Varieties, 60-ct bot, BOGO $3.29

Keebler Club or Town House Crackers BOGO $3.99
-$1/2 Tailgate Like A Pro
-$1/2 Peelie
-$2 off any Deli Meat or Cheese wyb (1) package of Keebler Town House Crackers 11.7 oz. or larger Tearpad
-Free Reuseable Shopping Bag wyb any 2 Keebler orKellogg’s Products Yellow Adv. Buy exp 10/9

Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt 4-pk BOGO $2.50
-$1/1 from 10-04-09 SS
-$1/1 PRINT

Red Baron Pizza BOGO $5.79
-$.75/1 Redbook, Good Housekeeping, October 2009 (walgreens Q)
-$.75/1 Woman’s Day Nov 2009 (Walgreens Q)
-$1/1 Red Baron Fire Baked Pizza from 08-02-09 SS (exp 10/10)
-$1/1 Any 1 Red Baron Singles product from 09-20-09 SS (if included)

Breyers Ice Cream 48 oz carton BOGO $4.99
-$1/2 Winn Dixie October Dairy & Frozen Food Month Flyer (MQ)

Luigi’s Real Italian Ice BOGO $2.99
-$.50/1 from 08-16-09 RP

Celentano Ravioli 22 or 24-oz pkg BOGO $3.99
-$.55/1 Peelie

Complete Multi-Purpose Solution Easy Rub Formula 12-oz box BOGO $8.99
-$1/1 from 08-02-09 RP

Halls Cough Drops Fruit Breezers, Defense, Naturals, Sugar Free or Refresh, 20 to 30-ct bag, BOOG $1.99
-$1/2; $1/1; $.75/1; $.35/1 from 09-27-09 SS
-$.50/1 Halls Refresh Hard Candy – All You, October 2009
-B1G1 Tearpad

Lysol Disinfectant Trigger Spray Cleaner BOGO $2.69
-$.75/1; $.50/1 from 09-13-09 SS
-$.50/1 PRINT

Carbona Stainless Steel Cleaner or Glass Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner or Clean & Shine BOGO $3.79

Grocery cost this week!

This week for groceries, I went to Kroger and to Publix.

I spent about $20 at Kroger (I can't find my receipt or I would have specifics!!!), mostly on fruit, ice cream, cheese, and snacks for my husband's lunches.

Now, on to Publix. I went to Publix today and got the following:

Cheez-its BOGO $3.99 x4
-$2/2 peelie coupon x2
-FREE publix bag wyb two participating items
Stonyfield YoSqueeze yogurt $2.99 x1
-$2 peelie coupon
Oscar Meyer Bologna BOGO $3.39 x1
Sorrento Cheese Sticks $3.00 x4
-$2 peelie coupon x4
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls $1.00 (sale) x3
-$.75/3 blinkie coupon
Cascadian Farms Granola bars BOGO $3.99 x1
-$1.00 peelie coupon
Cascade dish detergent $3.99 x1
-$1.00 coupon
Old Orchard Pom/Blueberry juice $2.00 x1
-$.50/1 coupon tag (doubled)
Krusteaz Muffin mix BOGO $2.69 x2
-$1.50/2 Kroger coupon
Hamburger Helper BOGO $1.99 x1
V8 Fusion BOGO $3.99 x2

Total before coupons/sales: $69.99
Total cost: $24.09
Total saved: 74%

This week I spent a total of about $44 on groceries, which is unusual for me, but I'm pretty happy with this unusual!

Walgreens trips so far this month...

Ok, so I am not done going to Walgreens for all of their amazing free items this month, but I wanted to post how well I am doing so far. Here's a breakdown of what I have gotten and what my estimated totals are:

Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion (hard to find around here, or I would have more!) x2
Gillette razors x3 (my father-in-law loves these)
Theraflu liquid x6
ChapStick Fresh Effects x3
Halls Refresh x4
Emergen-C x4
Oral-B toothbrush x3
Dentek floss picks x2
Robitussin x1

Total so far (estimate): FREE plus about $19.50 profit

I know it sounds ridiculous to say, but it would have been better if I had kept up with my couponing better in the weeks before last, or if my insert had gotten a couple of coupons that I didn't get in my area. All in all, I'm pretty happy, especially since I've spent very little out of pocket for the actual cost of these items, and all of these are things that I can use, or have someone specific to give them to.

Walgreens deals 10/04/09-10/10/09

Playtex Gloves $0.99 w/in-ad coupon
-$1/1 coupon from 6/28 SmartSource insert
=FREE

Sudafed PE Children's 4 oz $6.99
-$3/1 in-ad coupon
-$2/1 coupon from the 8/2 SmartSource insert
=$1.99

Dove Deodorant $2.24
-$10 RR (wyb 8)
-$1/1 coupon from 10/4 RedPlum insert
=FREE (wyb 8 and use 8 coupons)

Purell Hand Sanitizer 8 oz $2.99
-$2 RR
-$0.50/1 coupon from the 8/2 RedPlum insert
=$0.49 each

Schick Quattro Razor or Cartridges $8.99
-$3 RR
-$4/1 coupon from the 8/23 SmartSource insert
=$1.99

Crest Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste 6.4 oz $2
-$2 RR wyb 2
-$1/1 coupons from the 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE (wyb 2 w/coupons)

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion $6.99
-$7 RR
=FREE

Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor $8.99
-$6 RR
-$4/1 coupon from the 9/27 P&G insert
=FREE plus overage

Halls Refresh Sugar-Free $1
-$1 RR
-$0.75/1 coupon from the 9/27 insert or $0.50/1 from October All You magazine
=FREE plus overage

Chapstick Fresh Effects $2.99
-$2.99 RR
=FREE

Robitussin DM To Go (2-pack)$2.49
-$2/50 RR
=FREE

Emergen-C Booster $3.49
-$3.50 RR
=FREE

CVS deals 10/04/09-10/10/09

Here are the deals at CVS this week:

Don't forget about the surveys at the following links, as they have $5 coupons upon completion: (Sorry, but I can't get my links to work right!)

http://minuteclinic.com/flu/#meteor=JXDuwhtVqaq
http://www.cvs.com/flu/?WT.mc_id=FH_092109_CVSHome_Flu
http://www.minuteclinic.com/flu/#meteor=Niln-faHkug

Bayer Breeze 2 Glucose Meter $14.99
-$5 ECBs (Limit 2)
-up to $30 off coupon from 2/1 insert or 3/22 insert
=FREE plus overage

Dial, Tone, or Coast Soap (2-3-pack) $1.88
-$1 ECB (Limit 1)
=$.88

Colgate Toothpaste or Acti-Flex Toothbrush $2.99
-$2 ECBs (Limit 1)
-$1/1 coupon from 9/27 SmartSource insert
=FREE

Revlon Nail polish $3.99
-$3 ECBs (Limit 6)
-$1/1 coupon from 9/13 SmartSource insert
=FREE

Arrid or Arm & Hammer Deodorant $1.99
-$1 ECB (Limit 1)
=$0.99

Buy $20 worth of select Johnson & Johnson Products, Get $10 ECBs
-$3/2 Tylenol coupon from the 9/13 SmartSource insert
-$2/1 Tylenol coupon from the 7/26 SmartSource or 8/23 or 9/20 RedPlum inserts

Happy Anniversary time!

My husband and I celebrated our 5th anniversary this weekend, and celebrated by going away for a few days without the kids!!!!!!!!!!!! *gasps* It was a wonderful time, entirely too short, and I hope that we can do it again soon, although with another baby on the way, I don't see that happening.

Anyway, I've been out of commission for a few days, so here are this week's deals coming up!