Unexpected Money Maker, Free Dinner & More

This week I had my coupons ready to use at Walgreens.  It was a deal I found at momsbyheart.net:

Kotex Pantiliners 64 ct. $3.79, B1G1 50% off = 2/$5.69
Earn $2 RR
-$2/2 Kotex printable
Final Price: $0.85 each

My Walgreens ended up being out of them but today I was in Kroger (not my usual grocery store) getting some milk and saw a container with Kotex liners on sale for $1.  I grab 2 boxes so I could use the coupon I had in my purse—thinking they would be free.  Well, it ended up Kroger had the same catalina deal (like Walgreens RR) and I made $2 on the 2 boxes.  I ended up going back home and printing some more coupons and also finding some $1/1 coupons, too.  Due to this unexpected deal, by the end of the day this is what I bought:

2 Containers of Milk (Reg.$3.99, Sale $2.97)

1 Wheat French Loaf (Reg. $1.99, Sale $.99)

2 Loaves of Wheat Sandwich Bread (Reg. $3.99, Sale $2.99)

28 Boxes of Kotex Liners 22 ct (Reg. $1.49, Sale $1)

16 Boxes of Kotex Liners 14 ct (Reg. $1.49, Sale $1)

1 Bag of Flour ($1.77)

1 Pkg of Chicken Thighs (Reg. $7.62, Sale $5.43)

1 Oikos Greek Yogurt (Reg. $1.29, Sale $1)

I ended up spending $1.15 (pre-tax) but with an additional 13 $2 catalinas off your next purchases, so bottom line I walked out after paying the little I did with $26.  This means minus my payment I ended up making $24.85 (pre-tax).  There was a little work—I had to do a lot of separate orders to earn the catalinas and use them on my other items.  It was the time of day there weren’t many customers and it only took 30 minutes so I think it was worth it.  The total cost of these items purchased at regular price with no coupons would have been $91.21 (pre-tax) and I ended up making $24.85 instead paying.  WOW!!!

With all I got I made some homemade mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, yogurt and a delish simple dinner.  The yogurt will last the family for at least a week for breakfasts and frozen yogurt pops.  We had a delish free dinner tonight and I will figure out something to make using the fresh ricotta cheese.  Below is my FREE dinner:

Caprese Salad (homegrown tomatoes & basil, homemade mozzarella cheese from milk)

Green Beans—homegrown

Chicken Thighs-free from deal

Hope you accidentally (or on purpose) find some great deals this week.

Diaper Drive

Today I hit the jackpot at CVS for a diaper drive with my daughters' American Heritage Girls troop.  I have been watching momsbyheart.net $10 stockpiling challenge (check it out--I love her blog) and saw this deal plus I had a few extra coupons.

I first bought 6 Huggies diapers--1 diaper was on clearance. I had 2 newspaper manufacture coupons ($3.00--8/18SS), 4 printable manufacture coupons ($2.50 if you share with 3 friends), 6 CVS coupons ($3.00). I was going to check out with an additional $6 ECB, a $10 off $50 CVS coupon (printed out at bottom of previous receipt), and a $5 off $25 Huggies CVS coupon  (accidentally found on cvs.com when I was linking my card for double rewards).  I ended up not having enough spent to use my $6 ECB--so what did I do I spent more :) Remember you can only print 2 coupons from each computer--we have 4 computers and a friend printed some for me.  Also, if I would happened to snag the $1.50 Ibotta deposit I would have made money--it is gone now though.

I ended up buying 4 M&Ms tubes, 2 M&Ms packages that were B2G1 and gave him 3 B1G1 M&Ms coupons (tearpad from Kangaroo). Sale was totaled and the total pre-tax still was not higher enough.  So what do you think I did--grabbed a Diet Dr. Pepper (with no coupon).

Finally the total was higher enough.  Totally pre-tax:  11¢

So bottom line I got lunch not a healthy one (M&Ms & Soda), after school Friday treat for my kids, and diapers for the diaper drive for 11¢ and tax.

Here is the breakdown:

5 Huggies Diaper(jumbo) $9.49                  $47.45

1 Huggies Diaper(jumbo) $5.99                  $5.99
                (clearance ??)
1 Diet Dr. Pepper                                             $1.60
4 M&Ms tubes $1.00(B2G1)                        $4.00                    
2 M&Ms—Free due to sale)                        $0.00
TOTAL                                                                   $59.18

 

Coupons

1 $10 off $50                                                       -$10.00
1 CVS $5 off $25 Huggies                               -$5.00
3 Manf. Huggies $2.50                                    -$7.50
3 Manf.Huggies $3.00                                     -$9.00
6 CVSHuggies $3.00                                         -$18.00
3 B1G1 M&Ms                                                   -$3.57 (took regular price of$1.19 off x3)
CVS ECB (last week)                                        -$6.00
                                                                                -$59.07
 
Total after coupons (pre-tax)                     $0.11

Happy Shopping!
Andrea

$224 worth of Old Navy Gift Cards for $161.60

Lately I usually buy most of my gift cards through Plastic Jungle or Cardpool where you can purchase gift cards at a discount (all gift cards are guarranteed).  I usually got through topcashback.com  and earn and extra 2.5%-4% on my purchase just because I got through their site.  (Cashback sites are a great way to earn extra money on online orders.)

For example a few months ago I bought some JC Penney gift cards for 30% off the retail price.  My husband just bought some things on sale in the store and he got an AWESOME deal.  I also bought a few things on sale online and used the gift card-- during this online sale I went through a cashback site to save even more.  :)

Well, Old Navy cards are hard to get on these sites because of their popularity so when I saw the recent Coinstar deal to get a $10 extra when you exchange money for a $40 gift card I went for it.  (You exchange coins for gift cards--some machine allow you to do bills, too.) I ended up buying $160 dollars worth of Old Navy cards and got $40 worth of free gift cards.  There is $200 worth of gift cards for $160 but WAIT . . . . I happened to see that when you buy gift cards at Old Navy this week you get 10-15% off.  (10%--everyone, 15%--Old Navy Credit Card holders) 

So I went to Old Navy and bought $224 worth of gift cards with my $200 coinstar gift cards (they are paper receipts and I would prefer real gift cards anyway).  I ended up having to pay $1.60 in addition to my coinstar gift cards.  Now I just need to wait for sales and coupons and I will get another AWESOME DEAL!!!

Here are a few other cashback sites I use:

mrrebates.com

ebates.com

bigcrumbs.com

The 12 Days Left Teaching Gift

Today while I was driving I started singing "The 12 Days of Christmas" and an idea popped in my head.  A fun gift basket for my kids' teachers called "The 12 Days Left of Teaching".  I thought of items I already had in my couponing stockpile and went to work putting it together.  First I made a card with all the 12 Days (using my items--you could change it up with what you have)--here my 12 days:

12 Eraser Pencils

11 Headache Tablets

10 Thank You Notes

9 Candy Canes

8 Packets of Coffee

7 Pieces of Chocolate

6 Sticks of Gum

5 Doodle Pads

4 Candles of Joy

3 Santa Tizers

2 Calorie Mints

1 Target Gift Card

 

I put each item in a celaphone bag, tied with some red and white baker's twine. Then I put a tag on each item. My tags said the following:

12 Eraser Pencils
For the students to correct their mistakes due to holiday gaze.

11 Headache Tablets
To help you get rid of those headaches due to the students ready for vacation.

10 Thank You Notes
So you can write notes for all the “lovely” holiday mugs you receive.

9 Candy Canes
Just because it s the holidays.

8 Packets of Coffee
To help you stay awake during the last few days of school.

7 Pieces of Chocolate
You always need chocolate.

6 Sticks of Gum
For your chewing pleasure.

5 Doodle Pads
To help you keep track of all the last minute things you need to do.

4 Candles of Joy
To help you relax and enjoy your day.

3 Santa Tizers
To fight off all those germs and stay well during the holidays.

2 Calorie Mints
To help you always have fresh breath and be prepared for the mistletoe.

1 Target Gift Card
So you can go and buy a little something for yourself.

 

Here is gift basket once I finished.

 

 

Tomorrow my kids will take the baskets to their teachers even though I am one day late.  I hope they enjoy their goodies.

 



Walmart Paid Me to Shop!

Well, today I read about the new Walmart coupon policy--here are just a few highlights:

 

• Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be GIVEN or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase.
   
• “Catalinas” that are printed at our competitors’ registers, have “Manufacturer Coupon” with specific requirements printed on them, a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and a scannable bar code.

 This is major, especially since Walmart has not been coupon friendly in the past.  Well, I couldn't wait to go to test it out.  I finally got at 8 pm and I ended up making a big line at my register.  None of the managers had heard about the change but I had the coupon policy in hand.  After reading and shaking their heads they gave me $15.23.  (I will go shopping anytime at Walmart if I make money!)

 

 

 

Items bought:

• 2 strawberries
• 1 pineapple
• Bunch of bananas (4)
• Bunch of tomatoes (3)
• 2 Tropicana OJ
• 1 Gallon of Milk
• 1 Tide stain release
• 14 Gain fabric softener sheets (40 ct)
• 8 Purex Complete 3 in 1 (2 ct)
• 2 John Frieda hair spray (travel size)

Coupons Used:

• 14 $3 off Gain fabric softener (2/13 RP)
• 8 $3 off Purex Complete (2/20 RP)
• 1 $1 off 2 Tropicana  (1/2 RP or 3/6 RP)
• 2 $1.50 off John Frienda (printable)
• 1 $1 off Tide (mailer--had a $3 one but pulled out wrong one)

CASH BACK: $15.23

No rebate, no store rewards--just cold hard cash in my hand!!

 

 

Olay!!!

Well, this week I went to Target so I could make some money.  Here is what I did:

Olay Facial Wash $3.50 (Buy 2 and get a $5 gift card)
Olay Age Defying Cleanser $4.45 (Buy 2 and get a $5 gift card)

This is what I bought:
12 Olay Facial Washes -- $42.50
2 Olay Age Defying Cleanser -- $8.90
$51.40

Coupons Used (these both expired 10/31 but new P&G insert might have more):
12 $1 off Olay product
2 $1.50 off Olay product
$15 coupons

Total spent -- $36.50 and received $35 Gift Cards so reality only spent $1.40

Now I will submit the Olay $20 off $50 rebate and end up making $18.60 and I have lots of Olay products to donate to a women's shelter.

Post-its, Printers and More

This last week has been crazy with the school supplies. My daughter’s teacher needed some Mr. Scent Markers so I figured out a way to get them free and get lots of post-its. Rite Aid I just made money. In addition, I got a great mobile printer that unexpectedly made money on. (I used office depot coupons at Staples along with Avery Label coupons.) Here is what I did:

Rite Aid (3 transactions)
33 Post-it Notes (various sizes and colors)
Coupons : $65.00
Total : $32.12
Earned: $30 UP Money
Earned: $20 Back to School Rebate
After Rebates: $17.98 MONEY MAKER!!

I forgot about a few Rite Aid coupons so I could have made $10 more dollars!

Staples (3 transactions)
4 Hammerill Paper
3 Expo Writing Tablet
79 Avery Label Pads (various sizes and colors)
2 Mr. Sketch Markers
3 Pilot Frixon Pens (3 ct)
1 Kids’ Scissors (2 ct)
2 Avery Return Labels-Clear
2 Scotch Tape Rolls

Paid: $30.61 (using Staples rewards that earned from ink cartridges)
Earned: $28.46 in Staples & Frixon Pen Rebates
After Rebates: $2.15

So after Staples and Rite Aid $15.83 Money Maker!!!

PRINTER at STAPLES

My husband and I wanted to get a specific mobile printer that Staples did not have in the store so we asked the manager if we could buy it at staples.com, return it to the store and rebuy it. We wanted to do a printer exchange--he said that would be fine. So here is what happened.

Printer online cost:
$203.41
-143.03 Staples Rewards from turning in ink cartridges
-$61.37 Credit Card

Returned it and they credited everything to our Credit Card:
Credit Card: $203.41

Rebought at store:
$59.12 (Used our credit on card from staples rewards)
TOTALLY SURPRISED BY PRICE!!

$50 Rebate from HP for trade-in--HP will mail it to us.

(We bought a used printer on craigslist for $10 but it had 3 ink cartridges so only paid $1 with rewards from ink.)

BOTTOM LINE--Total $9.12 with Staples Rewards.
Also, the transaction converted $133.91 Staples Rewards to Credit Card credit (this was a bonus that we weren't trying to do)

Kellogg's---WOW

Well, over the past 2 days I have done 4 transactions at Harris Teeter. Here is what I got:

17 boxes of Poptarts
10 boxes of Nutrigrain Bars
13 boxes of Cereal
2 packages of Salmon Filets (for dinner)
2 jars of Peter Pan Peanut butter
1 Box of Chocolate Covered Donuts (for me just because :)


COST:
$134.87 (total before coupons)
$4.33 (after coupons and $44 Register Rewards I earned at Walgreens)

EARNED:
$40 (every 10 items received $10)
3 movie tickets (from Poptarts)
3 DVDs (from Movie Lovers Rewards on Cereal--some boxes had doubles)

This was a great deal--only thing is we don't eat lots of poptarts or sugary cereal (I bought mostly mini wheats). I guess we will have lots of poptarts for the future or some friend will enjoy them.

Also, both packages of Salmon were orginially $10 each but on sale for $3 for quick sale--I found 2 wine tags that were $1 off fish so I knew that would be dinner. Got to go and fix that fish!

Happy couponing!

5 Packs of Diapers for $4.59 or 91¢ each

This is a deal for Huggies but if you use another brand you can still get a good deal. Search for coupons on the computer or use some that you already have.

First print out your $3 Huggies coupons at these two links:

Bricks coupon
Coupons.com

For each link you can print two coupons per computer (just hit back about 3 times once the first one has printed)—try to get five coupons for the best bargain—ask friends to print if you don’t have multiple computers.

Here is how you do it and the cost if you have 5 coupons (even if you don’t—it is a really good deal.)

There are also some huggies coupons in the Smart Source coupon section in 3/21/10 N&O.
You can mail your coupons before or after you order. Include your order confirmation email printout or your Name, Email Address and Mailing Address—what you sign up at diapers.com with. For more info please look at coupon policy

Mail to:

Diapers.com
P.O. Box 1564
Montclair, NJ 07042

They will send you an email as soon as the coupons are in your account.

How to Order:
1. First make a new account for Ebates You will receive $5 for signing up and 1% cashback.
2. Find Diapers.com in the list of stores, click on it.
3. Order (5) packs of Huggies jumbo pack diapers $9.99 ea
4. Your coupons will come off if you sent them in first. (You get free shipping on orders over $49.)
5. Get $10 off using code ACDU3783 (only good for new users).

Total Paid: $24.95

Now to get the rest back!
1. Submit for a $14.97 rebate for new users only.
2. Get your $5 Ebates bonus and 1% cashback in your Ebates account!

Total After all rebates and coupons: $4.59 or 91¢ ea if you use 5 $3 coupons!!
(If you aren’t new to Ebates you’ll still get them all for $1.91 each!)

Rite Aid -- Feb. 7th-13th

Well, this is what I came up with for Rite Aid this week. Some of my buys will also make me hit my amount to received the $35 Visa Card--Enjoy and make some money.

(Don't understand Rite Aid Single Check Rebates or Wellness Program, please ask!)

SINGLE CHECK REBATES

Dove for Men Body Wash –$4
$4 SCR #52
Use $1.25/1 coupon from the 1/31 RP (MANUF)
Use $1.50/1 Dove for Men Printable Coupon (MANUF)
AND use $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in to wellness program
Pay: $.50 -$.75
($3.50-$3.25) Money Maker after SCR

Reveal 4 pk Light Bulbs – 2/$5
$2 SCR #6 (WYB 2)
Use TWO $1/1 coupons from the 1/3 SS (MANUF)
And use TWO 40¢/1 Rite Aid Video Coupons (RITE AID)
Pay: $2.20Pay
$.20 after SCR

Comtrex – $3.99
$1 SCR #10
Use $2/1 coupon from the 2/7 SS (MANUF)
AND use $2 Cough & Cold Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt
Pay: $($.01) Money Maker
($1.01) Money Maker after SCR

Vicks Dayquil or Nightquil – $3.99
$1 SCR #15
Use $2/1 coupon from the 1/17 P&G
AND use $2 Cough & Cold Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt
Pay: ($.01) Money Maker
($1.01) Money Maker after SCR

Finish Powerball Tabs 20ct, Powder or Gel 75oz – $4.49
$1.50 SCR #94
Use $1/1 coupon from the 2/7 SS
AND use $1/1 Rite Aid Video Coupons (and maybe the wellness RA coupon)
AND use $1 Household Cleaner Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt Pay $1.49
($.01) Money Maker after SCR (if you are able to use both RA coupons)

Chestal Honey Cough Syrup, Children’s Coldcalm Pellets, or Oscillococcinum – $8.99
$5 SCR #25
Use $1.50/1 or $2/1 coupons from the 1/24 RP
Use $2/1 Oscillo Products Printable Coupon
AND use $2 Cough & Cold Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt
Pay: $4.99
($.01) Money Maker after SCR




Buy FOUR Cross Action Power Toothbrushes – $24
$10 SCR #62 WYB 4
Use FOUR $1/1 coupons from the 2/6 P&G
Pay: $20
Pay: $2.50 per brush ($10) after SCR

Durex 2-in-1 Massage Gel – $6.99
$3 SCR #30Use $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in to wellness program
Pay: $4.99
Pay: $1.99 after SCR

KY Yours + Mine/Intense – $18.99
$5 SCR #2
Use $5/1 coupon from the 1/31 SS or printable
AND use $3/1 Rite Aid Video Coupons
Pay: $10.99
Pay: $5.99 after SCR




Nivea Creme, Skin Firming Lotion, Lotion $5.99
Nivea Lip Care or Nivea Body Wash 16.9 oz $2.99
SCR #56 - $5 Rite Aid Gift Card wyb $15 of Nivea
$2 off Nivea Body Lotion RP 1/3$5/2 off Nivea Body Lotion RP 1/3
$2 off Nivea Body Wash for Women RP 1/3
B1G1 Lip Care Product RP 2/7
$1 off Nivea Product RP 2/7
AND use $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in to wellness programFIND MONEY MAKING DEAL BELOW IN TRANSACTIONS!

OTHER DEALS

Purevia Sweetener – $2.99
Use $2/1 coupon from the 1/3 SS

Pay: $.99

Nivea Body Wash – $2.99
Use $2/1 coupon from the 1/3 RP (MANUF)
AND use $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in to wellness program


($1.01) Money Maker

PUTTING IT IN A TRANSACTION FOR EVEN MORE MONEY MAKING!

TRANSACTION #1
KY Yours + Mine/Intense – $18.99 (might need a filler--depends on tax)
Use $5off $20 Rite Aid Video Coupons
AND use $5/1 coupon from the 1/31 SS or printable
AND use $3/1 Rite Aid Video Coupons

Pay: $5.99
Pay: $.99 after SCR



TRANSACTION #2
4 Nivea Lip Care $2.99
1 Nivea Body Lotion $5.991 Purevia Sweetener $2.99

Use $5off $20 Rite Aid Video Coupons
AND use $2/1 Purevia Sweetener coupon from the 1/3 SS
AND use $2 off Nivea Body Lotion RP 1/3
AND use TWO B1G1 Lip Care Product RP 2/7
AND use FIVE $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in wellness program


($4.04) Money Maker (Buy something extra you want—you might only be able to use ONE $2 Skin Care Coupon—then Pay: $3.96)
($4.04) Money Maker or Pay: $3.96 and receive $5 Gift Card after SCR


TRANSACTION #3
Dove for Men Body Wash –$4
2 Reveal 4 pk Light Bulbs – 2/$5
Nivea Body Wash – $2.99
Comtrex – $3.99
Vicks Dayquil or Nightquil – $3.99

Use $5off $20 Rite Aid Video Coupons
AND use $1.50/1 Dove for Men Printable Coupon (MANUF)
AND use $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in to wellness program
AND use $2/1 Nivea Body Wash coupon from the 1/3 RP (MANUF)
AND use $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in to wellness program
AND use TWO $1/1 Reveal Light Bulb coupons from the 1/3 SS (MANUF)
AND use TWO 40¢/1 Rite Aid Video Coupons (RITE AID)
AND use $2/1 Comtrex coupon from the 2/7 SS (MANUF)
AND use $2 Cough & Cold Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt
AND use $2/1 Vicks coupon from the 1/17 P&G
AND use $2 Cough & Cold Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt

($3.33) Money Maker (Buy something extra you want)
($11.33) Money Maker after SCR


TRANSACTION #4
FOUR Cross Action Power Toothbrushes – $24

Use $5off $20 Rite Aid Video Coupons
AND use FOUR $1/1 coupons from the 2/6 P&G
AND use FOUR $1 Oral Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – expired 2/6--might not work

PAY: $11.00
PAY $1.00 after SCR


TRANSACTION #5
Finish Powerball Tabs 20ct, Powder or Gel 75oz – $4.49
Chestal Honey Cough Syrup, Children’s Coldcalm Pellets, or Oscillococcinum – $8.99
Durex 2-in-1 Massage Gel – $6.99

Use $5 off $20 Rite Aid Video Coupons
AND use $1/1 Finish Powerball coupon from the 2/7 SS
AND use $1/1 Rite Aid Video Coupons (and maybe the wellness RA coupon)
AND use $1 Household Cleaner Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt AND use $2/1 Oscillo Products Printable Coupon
AND use $2 Cough & Cold Item coupon (RITE AID) – wellness card coupon from receipt
AND use $2 Skin Care Wellness Coupons (RITE AID) – have to sign in to wellness program

PAY: $6.47 or $7.47 (if can use two RA coupons on Finish)
($3.03 or $2.03) Money Maker after SCR

So BOTTOM LINE if I am able to do all my transactions I will make $16.41, receive a $5 gift card and a $35 Visa. Great shopping for one store.

Diaper Deal -- $3.70

I did this a few days and thought I would share it with you.

Head over to EBATES (for 1% cash back) and type “diapers.com” in the search box. If you have never used Ebates you and I will receive a $5 bonus. If you would prefer not to shop through these sites, you can go directly to Diapers.com.

Add 7 packs of the LUVS Jumbo Size diapers to your cart. They are $6.99 each, and your total will be $49.93. Add something else to your cart (like Pamper Travel Wipes for $1.99) to get your total above $49 so that you can get FREE shipping!

During Checkout, enter the Referral Code “ACDU3783” to get $10 off of your order (this code is good for new customers only). You will pay right around $41 for everything.

After you checkout, head over HERE to print out the form to send in for a $14.97 rebate (be sure to read the instructions carefully!)

You will end up paying $25.95 total for 7 packs of diapers (plus you’ll get wipes)… which comes out to only $3.70 each and you don’t have to drive anywhere.

Getting LUVS diapers is the best deal because they are the least expensive, but you can also do this with Pampers or Huggies… you will just end up paying a little more out of pocket.

I just found out they take manufacturer coupons so Huggies or Pampers might be just as good deal (thouse coupons are always out there). Click to find out about use of coupons.

GOOD LUCK with cheaper diapers!

Unbelievable Savings!

I am almost glad Saturday night is here—too many good deals at Rite aid this week.
Look at what I got:

$1,098.53 Total Cost w/o Coupon
$944.20 Coupon Savings
$154.33 Total Out of Pocket

$80.00 Gift Cards Earned (Rite Aid)
$33.00 Mail In Rebates
$179.74 Single Check Rebate (Rite Aid Rebate Program)

+$138.41 I ended up making money buying all this stuff!!!

PROFIT!

My shopping is coming to a close this month due to traveling. Since I can’t sleep I thought I would calculate my savings and I can’t believe it. Look at savings for the month of May:

Cost of Products (Pre-coupon/discount): $1447.22
Total Spent (with Gift Cards/Rewards, etc): $392.78
Gift Cards/Rewards, etc Used: $122.25
Out of Pocket Spent: $270.25
May Rebates--Cash & Gift Cards: $438.53

So this is the result for the month of May: PROFIT of $168.28

This obsession of couponing/rebating is really paying off!

Shopping Spree After Vacation

Well, Thursday we returned from Disney. Even though I was exhausted I had to go shopping on Friday and Saturday to get the deals. Look at my savings:

Total Pre Coupons: $300.35
Out of Pocket Expense: $68.29 (pre-tax)
Gift Cards Earned: $35 (Target and Discover Cards)
CVS Bucks Earned: $3 (just like cash at CVS)
Rebates Earned: $30.48 (From Rite Aid--easy, just entered them on the computer)

After Coupons, Rebates and Gift Cards: PROFIT $.19

I had most of my groceries all stock except a few veggies and fruit so most of what I bought was goodies and personal/medical items:

2 Trident Gums
1 Warm Delights
3 Honey Nut Cheerios 3 BC Cookie Mix
1 Dial Soap-3 pk
2 Sunflower Chips
4 Eat Smart Chips
1 Tortilla Chips6 BC Frostings
4 Hormel Compleat Meals 2 Ortega Salsa 1 Nestle Morsels 1 Planters Nut Bar 1 Electrasol Tabs 1 McCormick Clear Vanilla 15 Vitamin Water 4 Eggo Waffles
1 Marie Calendars Frozen Meal
3 Kotex Tampons
1 Colgate Toothpaste
1 Bagelfuls Frozen Breakfast
1 Apples-5 lbs
1 Banana bunch
2 Naval Oranges
1 Cauliflower
1 Ginger Root
4 Listerine Mouthwash
1 Electrasol
1 Mini Drop Therapy
5 Ban Deodorants
1 Saltaire Kit
2 Speed Stick Deodorants 4 Huggie Wipes 1 Kotex pads 15 Special K Cereal
2 Ritz Crackers

Also, I could have had $10 more off of that but I forgot to break my groceries into $25 transactions. A few transactions I had to buy gum so the store did not owe me something.

We won't be eating or using everything I bought--evey month I donate all our extra food and personal/medical items.

Happy Couponing to You!

Cleaning House at the Grocery.....and Home!

This week I have been preparing for triples at Harris Teeter—Yipeee! As I was looking over my coupons I realized a few coupons I had would be better used this week with the sales. So today, even though I was sick, off I went. Here is what I bought

2 Lysol Bathroom Cleaner-24 oz
2 Glad Linen Air Fresher-9 oz
3 Lysol Cling Gel Toilet Cleaner-24 oz
1 Lysol All Purpose Cleaner-40 oz
1 Lysol Spray All Purpose Cleaner-32 oz
2 Lysol Disinfecting Wipes-35 wipes
2 Oat to Go Bars-6 bars
1 Wrigley’s Gum Package-15 sticks

After handing the cashier all my coupons and an about to expire Walgreens Register Reward worth $10, she told me that it was negative 78¢ so I had to buy something else. I ended up buying another pack of gum since it was easy to grab. My grand total was 54¢ for all the list above plus a pack of gum—WOW! Now I guess with all those cleaning products I need to clean house.

Saving Money

At the beginning of the year I began to use coupons. I mostly used coupons at grocery stores. My favorite store is Harris Teeter due to the fact it doubles all coupons under $1 and almost every month has four days that they triple all coupons under $1. Just an example—last week Ken’s Steakhouse Salad Dressing was Buy One Get One Free. The regular price was $3.20. In addition to the sale, I had a $1 off coupon so my final price per bottle was $.60. With such a great price I bought lots that will hopefully last this year.

The website that I started my couponing adventure with was http://savvydollar.org/ It’s a great site that is totally focused on my area. But this last week I discovered a new website about couponing - http://www.southernsavers.com/ I ended up just printing the list from the site for my local drugstores, downloaded or cut the coupons and went shopping. Below are the deals I got at Walgreens (RR are Register Rewards that act just like cash):

Walgreens Deals 3/2/09
(Three different checkouts so I could get and then use RRs)

6 Vita-Shampoo & Conditioner FREE-Rebate
Axel Hair Gel FREE-Rebate
Colgate Toothpaste $.49
2 small boxes of Ritz +$.01
3 boxes Fiber One Chewy bars $1.92
2 bags Jelly Beans $.99
Vaseline Lotion $.44 and $2 RR
Colgate Max $3.49 and $3.50 RR
3 Clorox Wipes $5 and $1 RR
Nivea Lip Gloss $.99
2 Esencia Shampoo & Conditioner Free-Rebate
Milk Gallon $2.79
2 Cottenelle Fresh Wipes $2.89
Splenda-100 count $1.94

Cost without coupons, rebates and sales: $129.92
Cost without RRs: $ 21.88
RRs (Earn on products with purchase) $ 6.50 RR
RRs (Earn on past purchases) $ 3.00 RR
Total I spent: $ 12.38

So I think my couponing is definitely saving me money. I have a goal to save $5000 this year and to give away at least 50 items. Though I think I should raise my goal as I just calculated my savings since January and it is $1824.93—Wahoo! Many times I get products free or for very little so it gives me an opportunity to help others.

That Takes the Cake

I always have to have something creative in my life. I have done a variety of things like stamping, stained glass, scrapbooking, cake and cookie decorating and digital scrapbooking. Although creating cakes can be very stressful, especially with a 2 year old who always wants to eat the cake, I enjoy it. Here are a few of my latest cakes.

Cutting it Too Close

Last night I quickly decided I needed to cut Monroe's hair so I asked him to come in from playing outside. I thought a fast haircut then off to the bath since it was already time to eat. As I quickly grabbed my clipper bag everything fell out. I picked up everything and started buzzing Monroe's hair since he was sitting so still in his chair. A second later I realized something was VERY wrong. I looked at the back of his head and then the clippers. To my disbelief the #3 blade had fell off and I had buzzed his head with just the bare clippers. He now has a big strip on the back of his head. The good thing is it is in the back of his head not the front.

In the coming weeks I am sure I will be asked, "What happened--did he have some kind of surgery?" With all our injuries from last weekend--I hurt my arm and foot and Monroe got burned. We already look like an battle-scared family so I guess a strip of hair missing just completes the package.

Teaching Writing

Yesterday a friend took my daughter to the pool while my son napped so I took the opportunity to watch “Teaching Writing: Structure and Style”. It is a seminar lead by The Institute for Excellence in Writing. I watched the first dvd and I can’t wait to teach my daughter to write. Although she is just beginning to read I am going to try to get her start on note taking—the first step in the writing process.

It makes me laugh that I am exciting about this. I was one of those people who hated English—writing and reading. I took all the easy teaches. I really did not ever write a paper until college (and I went to a very good high school). Since I am now homeschooling my daughter in the classical style I know that I will be reading a lot of the classics along with her. I also hope to learn how to become a better writer.

Whining and Complaining

Recently I accidentally came across a book titled, "Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes . . . in You and Your Kids!" by Scott Turnansky and Joanne Miller at the library. At the point I found it both my kids were whining so I picked it up. Once I started reading it I knew it was the exact book I needed to read. It focuses on teaching your kids and YOU to honor others. After reading it I believe it is the best parenting book I have ever read.

While reading the book I realized that I was the one who needed to learn how to honor others. I am the one who spoke loudly and was short to others. It seemed I always got frustrated when my way was block.

So now I am on a journey not only to teach my children how to honor each other but also teaching myself. The teaching of honor doesn't just deal with behavior but the heart. I know my heart needs to be continually looking at God change me as well as my children.

At this point I am rereading the book. I have also started "Seeds of Kindness" jars for my children. They receive a seed (or bean) when I see them honoring and being kind. We have talked about how as we are kind and honoring we are growing in God.

In addition, each time we see unkindness or dishonor we try to change the behavior and ask that person to show honor to the person they dishonored--through words or action.

Today has been a good day--both kids have been very honoring today and I haven't been loud in my responses. I pray it continues as we finish our day.