Kerrie-Koupon Kueen (in training!)

B2B Thrift Store Sale

2010-03-12T11:18:00.005-06:00

Everything at B2B is a dollar anyway. But they are having a one day sale tomorrow, where everything is 50% off! Everything in the store is 50 cents!

ONE DAY ONLY SALE!

Remember to shop B2B Last Chance store tomorrow,
Saturday March 13th for amazing deals.

Everything in the store only 50 cents!
We are offering 1/2 off our everyday low price of $1 per
item throughout the store. This is one sale you won't want to miss.
Shop B2B Last Chance located at 11425 S 72nd Street Saturday, March
13th for spectacular savings!

Why are these clearance sales always when I don't need to go into town?!!

24 Issues of All You Magazine for $20!

2010-03-11T11:25:00.009-06:00

If you don't know about All You magazine, it's a great magazine filled with high value coupons! It also has some great frugal tips and recipes. I love reading through mine. Well you can get 24 issues for $20! That's 83 cents an issue (43% off news stand price)! If you use one or two coupons from the magazine per month, it pays for itself! Not to mention all the great tips that will help you save money! Go here to order. (Type in ID "225T7XC" and search "All You" and search by Item Name) If you already have a subscription, right now would be a great time to renew! (Ends March 22) There are other magazines at a really great price too. Woman's Day-34/$20, Family Circle 20/$20, Time 84/$30, and lots of others!

They also have some great merchandise too, so look around before you checkout!

Make Your Own Furniture!

2010-03-10T09:04:00.005-06:00

Do you love the furniture from stores like Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and other expensive furniture stores? Yesterday, a friend had posted about Knock Off Wood on facebook.

So I took a look around yesterday and I love this site!! She shows you how to make the furniture you see in these catalogs. I love looking through my Pottery Barn catalog and dream of the day that I can somehow afford some of the pieces I see. But now I can! She has plans for dining room tables, bookcases, those huge entertainment centers, beds, kids furniture and more. She even shows you how to make those cute Pottery Barn play kitchen sets! She also has a few of her own designs. And what's great about making it yourself, is that you can customize it to fit your needs or style. One reader even shrunk an entertainment center to fit her needs. I can't wait until we buy our own home again! I'll be putting my husband to work! ;)

Here is a couple of her projects...And of course there are much more and much bigger projects you can do too! I'm in love!

Here is her bragging board filled with pictures of her fans' projects using her designs.

Shopping Lists 3/7-3/13/2010

2010-03-08T11:23:00.004-06:00

I've discovered a new Target list. This week, I'm featuring The Krazy Coupon Lady's Target list. She's very detailed and lists every coupon out there that you can use. Although, I'm not too thrilled with the sales at Target this week. I would recommend you still look at Pocket Your Dollars for the On-Going Deals.

Huggies Little Movers or Little Snugglers Jumbo pack Final Price: $5.49
Johnsons Baby Final Price: $2.00
Dial Liquid Hand Soap, 7.5 oz Final Price: $0.49
Buy 1 Always Infinity, Buy 1 Tampax Pearl, 36 ct Pay: $9.98, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card Final Price: $2.49 each, when you buy 2 ($0.069 each)
Buy 2 Tampax Compak Pearl, 40 ct Pay: $10.28, Receive $5.00 Target Gift CardFinal Price: $2.64 each, when you buy 2 ($0.066 each)

via Pocket Your Dollars

Buy 3 Oral-B Advantage Toothbrushes, Crest Whitening Expressions or Plus Scope Toothpaste, or Glide Floss Final price: $0.44 each after coupons and Register Reward
Buy 4 Post Cereal Final price: $0.50 each after coupons and Register Reward
Reach Toothbrush or Floss and Listerine Mouthwash Final price: Three free after coupons
Colgate Total Toothpaste Final price: $0.40 each after coupons
Hamburger Helper Final price: $0.74 each after coupon

I'm not too thrilled with the featured items at Aldi, but it's still the first place I go when I go grocery shopping and then, whatever I can't find there, I just go buy at Target. Of course it would be my luck that the featured items are mostly Italian stuff. We just went and I had some of that stuff on my list!

And Aldi is featuring Easter stuff and toys this week. My kids are not into Zhu Zhu pets, but they have them for $5.99 which I think is a good price.

For the Aldi list, go to Cincinnati Cents.

Frugal Tip: Extending the Life of Your Magic Eraser

2010-03-02T10:28:00.003-06:00

I think most moms know the amazing cleaning power of Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. It truly is magic. This is the best cleaning product I've ever used! Well my husband was looking around the internet and found this little tip on how to make your Magic Eraser last longer. You can cut it up and use only what you need! I just cut mine in half and use it until it's no good. But you can cut it up smaller if you'd like. When my husband told me about this, I was like, "Duh Kerrie!" Why didn't I think of that?

A Font Custom Made with Your Handwriting for FREE!

2010-02-26T10:25:00.006-06:00

I just downloaded all of the fonts from Kevin and Amanda.com's Fonts for Peas. They are super cute and FREE! Now I wouldn't recommend downloading all the fonts unless you know how to delete fonts. I'll have to figure that one out, because now I have too many fonts. There is a button on the side bar that you can click to download all of them. Make sure you read the directions on how to do it here. If you love your handwriting or someone else's, you can send her a handwriting sample and she'll create a font for you for free! If you click at the top of the page on "free scrapbook fonts" there are even more fonts you can get for free. They also have plenty of free advise on how to change your blog on their regular blog. She's self taught in HTML! Amazing!

**3/12/10-the link in the text isn't working for whatever reason, and my computer won't let me fix it right now. So make sure you click on the button to get to the site.

OMGosh! I Bought Something Brand New!!!

2010-02-26T10:08:00.004-06:00

I've been really good about buying either second hand clothes or clearance clothes for my kids. But today I bought an Easter dress for my 5 year old and paid $16.50 for it! I actually felt really bad about it. So, I guess that's a good thing. I've changed my way of thinking. Before I would just go to Walmart or Target and buy what ever I needed for them. It was just easier. I also bought my three year old a dress for Easter a few weeks ago, but it was only $7 so I really didn't feel all that guilty. But I'm keeping my receipts, just in case I find something cheaper between now and then. But I don't know. These dresses are really cute? And it's so hard to find dresses with sleeves. Even brand new. Even here in Nebraska for Christmas, my choices were limited. I was really surprised that most of the Christmas dresses were sleeveless. But I guess it doesn't really hurt to splurge here and there, right?

Another Bill PAID!!!

2010-02-25T12:18:00.005-06:00

Well it's official. Our van has been paid off! Man, I'm good! All I had to do is TOTAL THE VAN!!! Yep, if you haven't heard, we wrecked the van on our way to New Orleans (from Nebraska) to visit family. We drove all night and at five o'clock in the morning, I slid on ice in Jackson, Mississippi and totalled the van. Yes, I was driving! Of course! And it makes total sense that I had to leave Nebraska and slip on ice in Mississippi! So, what a great start to our vacation. We were three hours away from my parents house and luckily, my dad had spent the night at my brother's apartment which made him a tad bit closer. But when my dad was halfway we realized we all weren't going to fit in their SUV. So my mom borrowed a friend's Expedition and came and got us. She so graciously lent us her vehicle for the week too, so we all could fit and go places together. But man what a gas guzzler! So anyway, we had to rent a van to get back to Nebraska and we're all safe and happy to be in our own beds!

Luckily our van was worth what we owed on it. About 2 1/2 years ago, we financed 100% and the extended warranty. So we actually financed more than what it was worth. We even get new car seats out of the deal! (car seats and seat belts are one time use items, so if you ever get in an accident, make sure your insurance replaces the seat belts and car seats).

So, now what are we going to do? Well, when we got home, Sunday night we tried to fit the two car seats and booster seat into the back seat of the car and they fit! We just need to buy a seat belt extender so my daughter can reach the buckle. So since my husband works in the small city that we live in, we are not going to get another vehicle. And when the weather gets better, he can ride his scooter. The tentative plan is to get the credit card paid off (which will be paid off soon with our tax rebate) and we are going to try and get my student loans paid off which will hopefully be in a year. And then we will hold off aggressively paying down our debt and start saving for another van. That is, if I can convince my husband to start trying for a fourth. If we decide not to, then we can deal with the car and just continue paying down our debt.

Hospitals PAID 7/09

Credit Card #1 PAID 9/09

Credit Card #2

Auto PAID 2/10

My Student Loans

Hubs' Student Loans

Rental House Mort.**

Total Debt:

2/10-$142,255.49

12/09-$154,071.71

9/09-$156,116.37

9/09-$157,596.49

3/09-$164,336.93

**we owned our own home and had to move and decided to rent it out. We are currently renting until we know where we want to settle down permantly.

Read "The Total Money Makeover"

2010-02-23T09:45:00.001-06:00

If you are tired of paying creditors and want to live a better life financially, you need to read Dave Ramsey's "The Total Money Makeover." I had my husband pick this book up for me at the library right before our vacation last week and I read it in 2 days! He shows you how to create wealth by using the income you already make. Which includes getting out of debt and paying for everything in cash, even vehicles! This isn't a get rich quick scheme, but a way to show you how to build a better life for yourself using what you have. It's really motivated me to get out of debt as fast as I can! We are going to do whatever we can to get there. We totalled our van a week ago and luckily we're getting enough to pay it off. So now that we know our booster seat and two car seats will fit in the back of the car we are going to just use the ONE car for now. That's how extreme we are going and how serious we are about it. Although I have been aggressively paying down our debt for almost a year now, this book has really motivated me to get rid of our debt and as fast as we can. I'm sick of the bills and the interest! It kind of makes me mad at myself for some of the choices I've made in the past. Live and learn I guess.

"The Total Money Makeover"

The Dave Ramsey Show on Fox Business Network via Hulu.com
The Dave Ramsey Show on Radio

Have you read this book? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Shopping Lists: 2/21-2/27/2010

2010-02-22T10:43:00.007-06:00

Believe it or not, these lists have taken up a huge part of my life every Monday. And a lot of times I can get them done. Then I thought, "Why am I doing this?" The lists are already done. So I've decide to share what lists I like every Monday and a few highlights from each.

Pocket Your Dollars

Highlights:

*Right Guard deodorant– As low as $0.45 each after coupon

*Excedrin (20-24 count)- 0.50 each after coupon

*Buy 1 Goody Ouchless Elastics- FREE after coupon and Register Reward

Cincinnati Cents
Highlights:
*Baker's Corner Pancake Shake-Ups (5 oz.), $0.99
*Bremer Select Vegetable or Chicken Lasagna (40 oz.), $4.99

In Good Cents
I usually like Pocket Your Dollars list, but she didn't have it up as of right now.
Highlights:
*Dole Baby Spinach, Spring Mix, or other bagged salad – $0.75 each wyb 2 after coupon
*Large Gala or Red Delicious Apples, $0.99/lb
*Market Pantry Potatoes Russet or Red – 5 lb bag, $1.99
*General Mills Cereals – As low as $1.75 each after coupon
*Charmin Big Roll Bath Tissue – 36 pk, As low as $13.99 each after coupon

Sales and Deals to Look Out for in February

2010-02-08T10:11:00.002-06:00

Sales/Deals:
National Canned Food Month-
Canned Veggies
Canned Fruit
Canned Tuna
Canned Beans
Cherry Pie Filling

National Hot Breakfast Month Promos-
Kellogg's, General Mills, Post, Quaker, etc
Hot Cereal
Eggo's
Waffles
Syrup, etc

Heart and heart-healthy products
(American Heart Month)
Aspirin, supplements, low cholesterol oils, and spreads, etc.

Westminster Dog Show this month-
Dog Food
Eukanuba
Pedigree
Purina
Iams

Valentine's Day promos-
Chocolate (also Celebration of Chocolate Month)
Valentine's Candy
Condoms (also nation condom week)
KY, Monistat, etc
Hershey's
Hershey Kisses promos

Chinese New Year Promos-
Soy Sauce
Teriyaki
Canned Water Chestnuts, bamboo shoots
Crunchy noodles
Ramen
Stir Fry

Clearance Items:
Valentine's Day Candy
Candy, Chocolate

Occasions:
Valentine's Day
President's Day
National African American Heritage Month
Chinese New Year
Women's Heart Health Day
Groundhog Day
Susan B Anthony Day

Other Promotions this Month:
Canned Food Month
Great American Pies Month
National Cherry Month
National Children's Dental Month
National Fiber Focus Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Snack Food Month
Various Potato Occasions

Get Yourself Out of Debt Series @EADFL

2010-02-04T12:32:00.006-06:00

I just got finished reading Engineer a Debt Free Life's "Get Yourself Out of Debt" series. It really helped to re-motivate me. They have managed to pay over half of their $200,000 debt in just a few years. They recommend some good books and shows to watch as well as a link to a "snowball" calculator to help you pay down your debt. It's a really good read and I really recommend you read it. You can pop in on their Old Navy chat room on Thursdays and ask Money Savin' Mama any questions you want. She's in there all day, but gets on and off throughout the day chasing a 2 1/2 year old and a new baby. But just leave a question and others might help you or when she gets back, she can help you.

Frugal Tip: Teaching Your Child to Read

2010-02-03T09:05:00.011-06:00

Well this is kind of a frugal tip I guess. Last Spring, I used "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" to teach my four year old how to read. I have several friends who have used it and love it. I paid about $18 for it a couple years ago, but it now sells for $15 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble (right now it's about $15 at Barnes & Noble, but regular price is $17.60). I had bought the Hooked on Phonics for Pre-K and didn't like it and it was about $40 I think. And she wouldn't even be reading at the end of it. This is a parent version of the SRA system that is used in a lot of schools. In fact, it's the system that is being used at my oldest's school. And my sister said she remembers it being used when we were kids (but I don't remember). What I love about this book is that it's scripted for you. It even tells you how to correct your child. I had to adapt a little bit for my daughter, but not much. They claim that you can use this with a very bright 3 1/2 year old and any average 4 and 5 year old. And they also claim that lessons only take about 20-30 minutes and at the end they will be reading at a 2nd grade level. For my daughter, at the very beginning, the lessons only took about that long, but as we got further along, the lessons took longer. But I think it had something to do with my daughter. If it was hard she wanted to give up, and she's a very hard child to correct. She's never wrong! ;) And I think they are actually reading on a 2nd grade level when they finish the recommended reading list (not at the end of the lesson book). As "easy" as this book was, it was still very hard. But it was so worth it. My daughter entered Kindergarten this school year and was tested on a first grade reading level (we didn't finish the book list due mostly to our move). So it worked. What I love best about this system is that it teaches your child to sound out words. My daughter will see a word she has never seen before and as long as it follows all the "rules" she can sound it out! I'm amazed by this book and that I was actually able to teach my daughter to read. I'm a horrible teacher, so if I can do it, you can do it!

Don't forget: You can get the book for free if you search the web through SwagBucks or rate websites through iRazoo (by collecting "bucks" or points to exchange for Amazon gift cards).

Other teaching tools I recommend (but is not necessary for learning to read with this book):

Baby Einstein Alphabooks

My oldest learned her letters just after she turned 2 using these (she didn't even know the alphabet song yet)

Amazon ($12.95) & Barnes & Noble ($11.99 and it's on sale right now)

If you order through Barnes & Noble you can get a 4% rebate by ordering through Mr. Rebates or 8% through Shop at Home

Leap Frog Letter Factory
My oldest watched this for two weeks straight and learned her letter sounds, but you may have to correct a few. Like for R. They teach "eerr" and not "rrrr).
Amazon ($8.99)
The one pictured is the one I used, but it looks like they have a newer version. Maybe they corrected a few of their sounds. ???

(This is strictly my opinion. I was not compensated by any of these companies, nor have I recieved free products from them.)

Have you used any of these products? How did you like them?

Walgreens Deals 1/31-2/6/2010

2010-02-01T11:20:00.004-06:00

Here are my picks of deals that can be found at Walgreens this week.

Prices may vary by region.

Freebies are in RED.

Post Shredded Wheat Cereal $1.00

Use $2/1 Post Raisin Bran, Shredded Wheat or Grape Nuts Cereal printable coupon

Final price: Free after coupon (buy two boxes and you’ll get both free)

This Weeks Registar Reward Deals:

Buy 1 Bayer Contour Meter at $14.99, Get $10 Register Rewards

Use $30/1 off Bayer Breeze 2 or Contour Meter from the 10/25 Red Plum insert (coupon’s value will be adjusted down to $14.99)

Spend $0, get $10 Register Reward back

Final price: Better than free after coupon and Register Rewards**

**Donate the meter to charity

Buy 1 Scalpicin at $5.99, Get $5.99 Register Rewards

Use $1/1 Spalpicin printable coupon (Internet Explorer version) or (Firefox version)

Spend $4.99, get $5.99 Register Reward back

Final price: Better than free after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Blink Tears at $7.99, Get $7.99 Register Rewards

Use $1.50/1 Blink printable coupon

Spend $6.49, get $7.99 Register Reward back

Final price: Better than free after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Zicam (10-count) Cold Sore Swabs at $10, Get $7 Register Rewards

Use $3/1 coupon found on the product or $1/1 coupon from the 10/25 Smartsource insert

Spend as little as $7.00, get $7 Register Reward back

Final price: Free after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 2 Advil Pain Relief at $4.49 each or Thermacare Heat Wraps at $5.99-$7.99, Get $5 Register Rewards
.

***Deal idea #1***

Buy 2 Advil PM at $4.49 each

Use two $2/1 Advil PM printable coupons

Spend $4.98, get $5 Register Reward back

Final price: Free after coupons and Register Rewards

***Deal idea #2***

Buy 2 Thermacare heat wraps at $5.99 each

Use two $3/1 Thermacare printable coupons

Spend $5.98, get $5 Register Reward back

Final price: $0.49 each after coupons and Register Reward

Buy 2 select Cookies, Crackers and Treats at $2.50 each, Get $2 Register Rewards

Keebler Cookies 11.5oz-16oz; Cheez It Crackers 7.5-9oz; Rice Krispie Treats

Buy 2 and use two $1/1 Keebler’s Fudge Shoppe Cheesecake Middles printable coupon (Internet Explorer version) or (Firefox version) or

Use $1/2 Keebler Crackers and/or Sunshine Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers from the 12/13 Red Plum insert

Spend $3.00, get $2 Register Reward back

Final price: As low as $0.50 each after coupons and Register Rewards

Month Long Register Reward Deals

Buy 1 Vitamin Schtick Lip Care at $1.99, Get $1.99 Register Rewards

Spend $1.99, get $1.99 back

Final price: Free after Register Rewards

This deals were found from a list that was put together by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars.

Target Deals 1/31-2/6/2010

2010-02-01T10:19:00.004-06:00

Here are my picks of deal that can be found at Target this week.

Prices may vary by region.

Freebies are in RED

Sobe Lifewater $1.00
Buy 2 and use buy one, get one free printable coupon Internet Explorer version or Firefox version

Plus, use two $0.50/1 Target printable coupons

Final price: Two free after coupons

Clorox Green Works Cleaning Products—prices start at $2.28

Use the $2/1 peel-off coupons found on specially marked packages

Final price: As low as $0.28 after coupon

SoftSoap Ensemble Refills $2.49

Use the $2/1 peel-off coupon found on specially marked refills

Final price: $0.49 after coupon

Cheese Nips are on a price-cut for $1.50 (until 2/13)

Use the $1/1 Nabisco coupon from the 1/24 Smartsource insert

Or buy two and use $2/2 printable coupon Internet Explorer version or Firefox version

Final price: $0.50 each after coupons

Wish-Bone Salad Spritzers—$1.62 (on price cut at many stores)

Use the $1/1 coupon from the 1/31 Red Plum insert

Final price: $0.62 after coupon

Campbell’s Chunky Chili $1.25

Buy 3 and use $1.50/3 printable coupon

Final price: $0.75 each after coupon

Dannon Yogurt 4- or 6-packs $1.89

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/10 Smartsource insert

Final price: $0.89 after coupon

Buy 2 bags of Tostitos at $2.50 each, Get free dip

Buy 2 chips and dip, then use the $1/2 Tostitos Chips & Dip Target printable coupon

Plus, use the $1/2 manufacturer coupon from the January issue of All You magazine (it is sold at Wal-Mart or by subscription)

Final price: $1.00 each after coupons and free dip

Dove Men + Care Bonus Packs (includes 4-pk soap & small Body wash) $3.99

Use the $1.75/1 coupon from 1/31 Red Plum insert

Plus, use $1/1 Target printable coupon

Final price: $1.24 after coupons

Buy 3 select Graco baby items, Get $100 off at checkout

Buy Graco Element Pack n Play for $109.99,

Plus, buy Graco Cozy Dinette Highchair for $79.99,

Plus, buy Graco Alano Travel System for $159.99

Final price: $249.97 for all three after instant discount

Gift Card deals:

Buy 2 Huggies Diapers at $18.99 each, Get $5 Target gift card

Use two of the following coupons:

$1.50/1 or $1/1 from 1/17 Smartsource insert or

$1/1, $1.50/1 or $2/1 printable coupons or

$1.50/1 or $3/1 printable coupons (from Target’s site) or

$3/1 manufacturer-issued coupon from the Cub Foods weekly sales flyer (if you live in Minneapolis)

Plus, use two $3/1 Target-issued Snug and Dry coupon from 1/3 Smartsource #2 insert (if you buy Snug and Dry)

Spend as little as $25.98, get $5 Target gift card back

Final price: As low as $10.49 each after coupons and gift card

Huggies Pull Ups or Pampers Easy Ups at $19.99 each, Get $5 Target gift card back

Use two $2/1 Huggies Pull Ups from 1/17 Smartsource insert and/or $2/1 printable coupon

Plus, use two $2/1 Target coupon from 1/3 Smartsource #2 insert

Spend as little as $31.98, get $5 Target gift card back

Final price: $13.49 after coupons and gift card

New On Going deals

Tabasco Sauce—price check on small bottle?

Use $1/1 Tabasco coupon from 1/31 Smartsource insert (exp 3/14)

Final price: Close to free after coupon

Cottonelle Aloe & E 12 Pack $6.49

Use $1/1 printable coupon in Internet Explorer version or Firefox version

Plus, use the $1/1 Target printable coupon

Final price: $4.49 after coupons

Olay Regenerist Cleanser 5 oz $5.49

Use $3/1 coupon from 1/17 Proctor & Gamble insert (exp 2/28)

Final price: $2.49 after coupon

These deals were found from a list that was put together by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars. You can view her complete list as well as older on going deals.

New Blog Name??

2010-01-29T11:38:00.004-06:00

I've been considering moving my blog over to wordpress. Not quite sure. But first I want to change my blog name to something more relevant. I originally started this blog to post showoffs for family, but then quickly changed it to a frugal blog to help others. I'm very stumped. I have a few ideas, but I don't really like them. Do you have any ideas.

A few themes I want to incorporate:

Debt-free living (although I'm not debt free yet, that is my goal and one day I will be and hopefully still have this blog.
I'm not perfect at this. I'm still learning and as I find things I want to share them.
Great deals. Since my main theme is debt free, I mostly want to include basic need items. And then a few just really great deals. Like maybe for gifts of something. After all I don't want you to go into debt by following my blog?

I think that's it. What do you think?

Oh and I'm testing out homeschooling this summer. And if I end up doing that, I might share some products I like. Researching this stuff is very hard and people will tell you what they use, but don't tell you anything about it. I don't know. We'll see.

Stock Up on Baby Supplies at Target.com!!

2010-01-28T09:01:00.007-06:00

Stock up on diapers, wipes, food, formula, and toiletries at Target.com. Buy 3 save 10%, buy 4+ save 15%! And if you spend $50 you get free shipping! This also includes the store brand stuff. Last time they had a similar sale I bought 4 packages of the Up & Up diapers and because my total was $50 before the 15% discount, I still got free shipping. You can also combine things to get the discounts. For example: If you buy 2 pkg of diaper, 1 wipes, and 1 formula, you still get the 15% discount.

Plus get cash back when you order through an Online Rebate program!

Cashbaq: 5%

Mr. Rebates: 4%

Ebates: 3%

Upromise: 2%

These rebates are usually paid quarterly, and most of these will give you $5 just for signing up. And Upromise is credited to your account, to save for college or to pay off student loans. If you have any questions, just leave me a comment. To get cash back you have to go to these sites first then click on the Target link. You won't get credited if you do not go to these sites first.

Thanks EADFL

**Updated: One of EADFL's reader left a comment with a code for an additional 10% off code: WH2TEBMD I'm going to try it to see if it works, then I'll let y'all know.

**Ok, it totally worked! I got 8 packs of Up and Up diapers for $82.14 before tax. For size 6 that is 17 cents a diaper!! If you need a smaller size it's even cheaper per diaper! I went through CashBaq, clicked on Target's link, order 8 pack of diapers, automatically got the free shipping and 15% off, and then I entered the promo code for an additional 10% off!! Sweet! (plus I'll get about a $4 rebate credited to my Cashbaq account which means I paid about $78, 16 cents a diaper)

Thrift Store Sale!

2010-01-28T08:27:00.005-06:00

If you are in the Omaha, Nebraska area, there is a great consignment store, Bigwheels to Butterflys (yeah I know, Butterflies is spelled wrong. Maybe they just thought it looked better. ???). They have two locations. One in Omaha and one in Papillion. Across from the Papillion store there is B2B Last Chance. This is the clearance store where everything is a dollar! I just bought a bunch of stuff there a few weekends ago. Anyway... The B2B store is having a sale where everything is 50 cents!!!

"We need to make room for our spring and summer collection, so we are offering
1/2 off our everyday low price of $1 per item throughout the store."

11425 S 72nd Street

Papillion, NE 68046

402-884-5010

Even though my son is in 24 month clothes, it will be worth it to find stuff for at least up to 5T.

**Opps, Forgot to say that it's this Saturday and Sunday.

Deals for this week

2010-01-25T11:26:00.002-06:00

I'm not feeling very well today. My three year old had strep throat this weekend and a cold, so I probably caught it from her. I just want to go to bed. So go to these links for deals this week.

Target & Walgreens: Pocket Your Dollars
Aldi: Cincinnati Cents

Geaux Saints!

2010-01-25T08:24:00.008-06:00

This sucks! We just moved away this summer!

New Orleans has been waiting for this for a long time. For those of you who don't know, the Saints have never been to the Super Bowl since they were founded in 1967. And I think they've only had a handful of winning seasons. The Saints have the best fans in the NFL and their loyalty has finally paid off! (For those of you who don't know, "Geaux" is pronounced "Go")

GEAUX SAINTS!!

So my question now is, who are you rooting for?
Make sure you vote at the top of the side bar!

WHO DAT!

Mega SwagBucks Day

2010-01-22T10:41:00.003-06:00

Just a reminder. If you are searching the web through SwagBucks, today is Mega Swag Bucks Day. Which means you could earn SwagBucks in increments of 10, 20, 50 or 100! Redeem your bucks for prizes including e-gift cards from Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Alice.com and lots of others. You can even get cash paid through Pay Pal. If you want more information on SwagBucks read my post here.

You can also earn prizes by rating websites through iRazoo. Learn more about iRazoo in my post here.

FREE Valentine's Day Cards

2010-01-20T12:04:00.002-06:00

I posted this on my personal blog last year and it looks like it still works. Download them at SnapNFonts. I think they are soooo cute!

My Newly Recovered Chairs

2010-01-19T12:21:00.011-06:00

I think it's pretty obvious that my husband and I bought our kitchen table before we had kids. It's a glass top with fabric covered chairs. Nearly seven years and three kids later.... They were looking pretty gross! Even though my youngest is still in a high chair, he's managed to pull down a few cups and cereal bowls that the girls have left on the table.

So my husband was off yesterday and we covered them. We had this fabric for a very long time. We were going to recover a glider, but had no idea how to do it, so we just threw a blanket over it and called it a day. So we used that fabric to cover the seats of the chairs. I'm so excited. They look almost like new. Don't they look nice?....

In case it's not obvious, the left is the before and the right is the after. ;) Pretty gross, huh? Now I don't have to be embarrassed when people come over! My five year old came home from school and didn't even look at them. She puts her hand on the seat and immediately looks down and noticed the "new chairs." I just thought it was funny that she noticed the new fabric by touch.

I would still like a new set, but we're not at the point where we can replace anything right now. Even buying it used. And if we do decide to finally get rid of this set, we should be able to get a few extra dollars out of it when we sell it.

Aldi Deals 1/17/10

2010-01-18T12:51:00.002-06:00

Here are my picks of "highlights" that can be found at Aldi this week:

Lunch Mate Thick Sliced Bologna, $0.99

Kid Cuisine Chicken Nuggets Meal, $1.89

Reggano Lasagna Noodles, $1.29

Reggano Farfalle or Tri-Color Rotini, $0.79

Reggano Linguine or Angel Hair Pasta, $0.95

PurAqua Purified Water (24 ct.), $2.79

They have lots of other special purchase items too. They have bath related products this week. faucets, shower head, shower curtains, rugs, towels, facial products, and make up. Go to Cincinnati Cents for the complete list.

Walgreens Deals 1/17-1/23/10

2010-01-18T11:58:00.004-06:00

I'm so excited that our Walgreens in town is opening this week! It was supposed to be about October! Does anyone know how I can find special deals for a store opening?

Here are my pics of deals that can be found at Walgreens this week. Prices may vary by region.

Week long sales (non-register rewards)

Hershey’s Candy 4-4.5 oz. 2/$3
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 1/10 Smartsource insert (if these are included in sale) and
Use $1/2 coupon from the Walgreens January Coupon Booklet (found at the front of the store)Final price: Free after coupons

Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks $0.99
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 1/10 Red Plum insert
Final price: $0.24 after coupon

Lindsay Olives $0.99 after in-ad coupon
Use $1/2 printable coupon
Final price: $0.49 after coupons

Planters Peanuts $1.99
Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from 12/13 Smartsource insert and
Use $1/1 coupon from Diabetes & You coupon booklet (should take off $2)
Final price: $0.49 each after coupons
**Submit for Kraft Keep the Jingle in Your Holidays rebate

Bayer Aspirin 24-36ct 2/$3 after in-ad coupon
Buy 2 and use $1/1 coupon from 10/25 Red Plum or 1/3 Smartsource insert
Final price: $0.50 each after coupons

Welch’s Grape Jelly 2/$3
Use $1/2 coupon from 1/3 Smartsource #1 insert
Final price: $1.00 each after coupon

Week long Register Reward Deals

Buy 2 Wet Ones at $2.00 each, Get $1 Register Reward
Buy 2 and use two $1.50/1 printable coupons
Spend $1.00, get $1 Register Reward back
Final price: Free after coupons and Register Reward

Vicks Products: Buy $20 worth of products, Get $10 Register Reward
Available coupons include:
Buy 2, get free Puffs facial tissue coupon from 12/27 Procter & Gamble insert
$1.50/1 Nyquil or Dayquil coupon from 12/27 Procter & Gamble insert
$2/1 coupon from the 1/17 Procter & Gamble insert

Scenario (requires multiple coupon inserts):
Buy 4 Dayquil and/or Nyquil products for $5.00 each
Buy 2 Puffs tissue
Use four $2/1 coupons from the 1/17 Procter & Gamble insert
Use two buy 2, get free Puffs coupons from the 12/27 Procter & Gamble insert
Spend $12.00, get $10 Register Reward back
Final price: $0.33 each ($2.00 total) after coupons and Register Reward

Buy 2 Jergens or Curel at $6.00 each, Get $5 Register Reward
Use $3/2 Jergens coupon or two $2/1 Curel coupons from 12/6 Smartsource insert or two $1/1 Jergens printable coupons and
Use $1/1 Walgreens Curel coupon from Diabetes & You coupon booklet (should take off $2)
Spend as little as $6.00, get $5 Register Reward back
Final price: As low as $0.50 each after coupons and Register Reward

Buy 1 Nivea Hydrating Shower Gel at $4.99, Get $2 Register Reward
Use $2/1 coupon from 1/3 Red Plum #2 insert
Spend $2.99, get $2 Register Reward back
Final price: $0.99 after coupon and Register Reward

Buy 2 Pampers Diapers or Easy Ups at $10.00 each, Get $3 Register Reward
Use two $2/1 coupons from 12/27 Procter & Gamble insert
Spend $16, get $3 Register Reward back
Final price: $6.50 each after coupons and Register Reward

Month Long Register Reward Deals

Buy 2 Bayer Glucose Meters, Get $5 Register Reward
Buy 1 Bayer Contour Meter $14.99 (UPC Code: 3 0193 715101 9)
Buy 1 Bayer Breeze Meter $14.99 (UPC Code: 3 0193 144001 0)
Use two Bayer Breeze2 or Contour Meter $30/1 coupon from 10/25 Red Plum insert
Spend $0, Get $5 Register Reward back
Final price: Better than free after coupon and Register Reward
****Donate these to charity!

Buy 2 Neosporin Antibiotic ointment .5oz for $4.00 each, Get $3 Register Reward
Buy two and use two $1/1 Neosporin printable coupons
Plus, use one $2/1 Neosporin coupon from the Walgreens Children’s Activity Book (will deduct $4)
Spend $2.00, get $3 Register Reward back
Final price: Better than free after coupons and Register Reward

Buy 2 Neosporin Lip Health Products for $4.00 each, Get $3 Register Reward
Buy 2 and use two $3/1 Neosporin Lip Health printable coupons (IE Link) (FF Link)
Spend $2.00, get $3 Register Reward back
Final price: Better than free after coupons and Register Reward

January Produce

2010-01-13T12:44:00.002-06:00

Produce in Season:
Anjou Pear
Blood Orange ~ New
Bok Choy ~ Waning
Bosc Pears ~ Waning
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celeriac/Celery Root
Celery
Chard
Collard ~ New
Comice Pears ~ Waning
Daikon ~ Waning
Fennel ~ New
Fuertes ~ Waning
Grapefruit
Green Cabbage
Greens-including stir-fry mix
Haas Avocados ~ New
Kale
Kiwi
Kumquat
Leeks
Lemons ~ Peak
Mandarins/Tangerines ~ Peak
Mushrooms, Wild
Nap Cabbage
Navel Oranges ~ New
Onions, Green ~ New
Potatoes, White ~ New
Rhubarb, Hothouse ~ New
Rutabaga ~ Waning
Savoy
Spinach
Squash, Butternut ~ Waning
Sun choke
Turnips ~ Waning
Zutano Avocado ~ Waning

Sales and Deals to look out for in January

2010-01-13T12:28:00.002-06:00

Sales/Deals:
Oatmeal (it's national oatmeal month)
Quaker products

New Years Resolutions
Diet Foods and products-
New Year, New You type promos
Healthy Choice
South Beach
Lean Cuisine
Yogurt
100 Calorie Packs
Special K
Right Bites
Smart Choice

Winter Health
Cold Medicines
Pain Relief
Health products
Vitamins

Soup, Chili, "warm you up" type foods

Super Bowl Party Foods-
Soda
Chips
Dips
Cheese
Sandwich items
Crackers
Snacks

Cleaner/household items (winter cleaning, organization, storage)

White sales/home items

Furniture

Special promotions introducing new product lines, especially-
Hair color
Make up
Beauty products
Bath products

Clearance items:
Calendars, planners, anything dated items (these go "out of date" quickly after 1/1)
Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's party supplies
Wrapping paper ribbons, bows
Ornaments
Candles
Winter Clothing, coats, gloves, hats, boots, etc.
Computers
Home Gym equipment and gear

Occasions:
New Year's Day
National Lose Weight/Feel Great Week
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Super Bowl Sunday (I know it's in February this year, but is it sometimes in January?)

Other Promotions this Month:
Bread Machine Baking Month
National Candy Month
National Egg Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Meat Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Slow Cooker Month
National Soup Month
National Wheat Bread Month Prune Breakfast Month

Aldi Deals 1/10/10

2010-01-11T14:34:00.000-06:00

This past weekend, I've discovered Aldi. I love it! The cheapest I've been able to find milk is for about $2 a gallon (or $1 for a half gallon). I got it at Aldi for $1.50! I bought 8 gallons of milk, 12 single yogurts, 6 bell peppers, 3 pounds of apples, onions (don't remember how much), 2 dozen eggs, cream cheese, sour cream, 2 cans of Spaghetti O's (off brand), 3 cucumbers, tangerines, and 2 bunches of bananas. I think that's it. All I spent was $32.36! I probably would have bought more, but thought I could get it cheaper at Target or Walmart. I was wrong.

So with that said, here are my picks of deals that can be found at Aldi this week:

Apples (3 lbs.) - $0.99
Navel Oranges (4 lbs.) - $1.49
Breakfast Best (Eggs, Sausage, & Hash Browns) - $0.99
Appleton Brown & Serve Sausage Links - $0.89

For the complete list visit Cincinnati Cents.

You will either have to bring your own shopping bags or purchase them on your way out. Either way, you will have to bag your own groceries. They have a table set up so you can do that. Sometimes they will have boxes to put your stuff in. And make sure you have a quarter. You'll have to have one to access the carts. But you'll get it back when you link back your cart with the others. They have some name brand items, but don't feature them and they don't take coupons.

Target Deals 1/10-1/16/10

2010-01-11T11:55:00.003-06:00

These are my picks of deals that can be found at Target this week.
Prices may vary by region.

Buy 2 Vaseline Men’s Body & Face or Sheer Infusion Lotions for $5 each, Get $5 Target gift card

Buy 2 and use two $1/1 coupons from the 12/13 Red Plum insert [That is, if you can more than one set of inserts per week]

Spend $8.00, get $5 gift card back

Final price: $1.50 each after coupons and gift card

Buy 2 select Kellogg’s Special K items, Get a free 10-ct Kellogg’s Special K fruit crisps
***Deal idea***

Buy Special K bars for $2.39

Buy Special K crackers for $2.39

Buy Special K Fruit Crisps (will be free)

Use the $1/2 Kellogg’s coupon from the 1/3 Red Plum insert

Plus, use three $1/1 Special K Bars, Crackers, Crisps Target printable coupons

Final price: just $0.26 each after coupons

****Don’t forget that you can get a $10 jeans voucher if you buy 5 specially marked boxes of Special K products

Kashi GoLean Crunch Cereal $2.75

Buy two and use the $3/2 peel-off coupon found on select cereal boxes

Plus, use two $0.75/1 Target printable coupons

Final price: $0.50 each after coupons

GE Reveal 4-pack 60 watt Lightbulbs $2.00

Use the $1.50/1 printable coupon [Target coupon-so if you've already used it like I did last week, it won't be there]

Final price: $0.50 after coupon

Yoplait Yo-Plus Multi-Pack $1.50

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/3 General Mills insert, $1/1 printable coupon, printable coupon or printable coupon

Final price: $0.50 after coupon

Fiber One Yogurt Multi-packs $1.50

Use $1/1 printable coupon, printable coupon or $0.50/1 coupon from 1/3 General Mills insert

Final price: As low as $0.50 after coupon

Lean Cuisine Meals $1.89

Buy three and use three $1/1 Target printable coupon (you’ll have to access multiple computers to print three copies)

Final price: $0.89 each after coupon [I don't know why she says to print up three, I'm sure you can get only two]

Tylenol Multi-Symptom Rapid Release Gels $4.99

Use $2/1 printable coupon

Final price: $2.99 after coupon

New On Going Deals

$10 Gift Card with New or Transferred Prescription

Redeem this printable coupon at the pharmacy

Final price: $10 free after coupon [I've heard of people transferring prescriptions from pharmacy to pharmacy to get these kind of deals]

Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo (travel size) $1.07

Use the $1/1 printable coupon that does not exclude travel size (IE) or (Firefox)

Final price: $0.07 after coupon

Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese–price reduced to $1.00 to $1.09 per box

Use $0.50/1 printable coupon

Final price: $0.50 to $0.59 after coupon

Buy two 2-pack Axe Body Wash Gift Sets for $5.00 each, get $5 Target gift card (through 2/7)

Buy 2 and use two $1/1 printable coupons

Spend $8.00, get $5 gift card back

Final price: $1.50 each after coupon and gift card (since it is a two-pack that’s like $0.75 per bottle of body wash)

$10 Johnson & Johnson Rebate Scenario

Buy 1 Aveeno Moisture Lotion (2.5 oz.), $3.29

Buy 1 Aveeno Baby Item, $4.99

Buy 2 Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Scrub, $3.54

Buy 2 Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair (1.7 oz.), $4.49

Buy 1 Aveeno Nourish Hair Care, $6.49

Use two $2/1 Aveeno Body or Baby Product printable coupon

Use two $2/1 Clean & Clear Product printable coupon

Use two $2/1 Lubriderm Body Lotion printable coupon

Use one $2.50/1 Aveeno Nourish Hair Care printable coupon

Spend $16.33, then submit for $10/$30 Johnson & Johnson mail-in rebate

Final price: $0.91 each after coupons and rebate

These deals were found from a list that was put together by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars. You can find the complete list there and a list of previously listed on going deals.

FREE Cookbook

2010-01-07T08:01:00.003-06:00

Read, print or save this soups, stews and chilis cookbook from Betty Crocker for free. It's about 90 pages of recipes!

Thanks Carrie from Pocket Your Dollars.

FREE Store Brand Formula!

2010-01-06T20:13:00.003-06:00

Get a coupon for a free can of Store Brand Formula at StoreBrandFormula.com. They ask for your 3 favorite stores, so it looks like they will try and give you a coupon for your first pick and if not then go down the list. Make sense?

Thanks PYP!

Unadvertised Deal at Walgreens (possibly up to $7 money maker!)

2010-01-06T12:11:00.003-06:00

When you purchase any 2 oz, 4.9 oz or 10 oz Glade candles or reed diffusers, you can earn Register Rewards.

Deal:

Purchase 2 and earn $3.00 in RR

Purchase 3 and earn $4.00 in RR

Purchase 4 and earn $5.00 in RR

Here is a deal scenario:

$10.00 4 Glade Soy Candles

- 6.00 2 coupons from 11-22-09 SS ($3.00/2)

- 5.00 Register Rewards

_____

- $1.00 ---- so make $1.00!

If you happen to have the $2.00/1 coupon from the 11-15-09 Parade Magazine, you can make this deal even better:

$10.00 4 Glade Soy Candles

- 3.00 $3.00/2 coupon 11-22-09 SS

- 4.00 2 - $2.00/2 coupons from Parade Magazine

- 5.00 Register Rewards

_____

- $2.00 ---- so make $2.00!!!

And, since you purchased 3 items, you qualify for the SC Johnson Rebate and will get $5.00 back by mail -- thus making you as much as $7.00 on this deal!!

Thanks KC Penny Pinchen' Mama!

Second Hand Clothes

2010-01-06T09:42:00.002-06:00

Just something that was on my brain....

I used to be very turned off by second hand clothes for my kids. When I had my first in May 2004, of course, everything was brand new. Then my second daughter was born in December 2006. I still really didn't use my oldest's clothes because they were born in two different seasons. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my son that I started to change my feelings about second hand clothes. I met someone at this private library where I used to live. They used to do playdates every once in a while during the summer. This lady I met had a sister who had twin girls and was looking to get rid of some clothes. So we exchanged numbers, then I had my son, and I thought she forgot about me. Well she called me and brought the clothes to my house for me. I was super excited. It was really nice clothes too. Lots of Old Navy, Gap and The Limited, Too. Almost everything was name brand stuff. That was the beginning I guess. Anyway... What got me thinking about this, is that I was going through my son's clothes last weekend and noticed that unless someone else bought it, all his clothes are second hand. With the exception of one or two shirts that I bought when I had a $50 off $100 coupon from Old Navy. So, I'm pretty proud of myself. I've come a long way.

Thanks for listening.

Target Deals 1/3-1/9/10

2010-01-04T12:03:00.004-06:00

These are my picks of deals that can be found at Target this week. I have grouped the coupons for this list at the bottom.

Prices may vary by region.

Freebies are in RED.

GE Reveal, 4-pack 60 watt Lightbulbs $2.00

Use the $1.50/1 Target printable coupon

Final price: $0.50 after coupon

Campbells Select Harvest Soups $1.25

Buy 3 and use the $1.50/3 printable coupon

Final price: $0.75 each after coupon

Buy 10 Weight Watchers Smart Ones, Get $5 Target gift card

***Deal idea***

Buy 10 Weight Watchers Smart Ones for $1.89 each

Use $5/10 printable coupon (IE) or (Firefox)

Spend $13.90, get $5 Target gift card back

Final price: $0.89 each after coupon and gift card

Finish Quantum $3.49

Use the $2.50/1 coupon from the 1/3 SS insert

Final price: $0.99 after coupon

General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios $2.39

Use $1/1 printable coupon

Final price: $1.39 after coupon

Ziploc Containers $2.33

Buy 2 and use $1.50/2 coupon from the 11/15 or 12/6 SS inserts

Final price: $1.58 each after coupon

****Product qualifies for $5 SC Johnson rebate

Pepsi Product 12 packs $3.00

Use the $1/1 Target printable coupon

Final price: $2.00 after coupon

(just for you Amee!)

Tag and Tag Jr. software $9.99

(Tinker Bell’s True Talent, Curious George Color Fun + More)

Use the $4/1 coupon from the 1/3 Parade Magazine and/or...

$4/1 LeapFrog Tag Book printable and/or...

$2/1 LeapFrog Tag Junior Book printable

Tag Book Final price: $5.99 each after coupon

Tag Jr. Book Final price: $7.99 each after coupon

(Kerrie here-just to let you know there is also a $5 rebate for the Tinker Bell Tag book, if you buy Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure. So you can get it for $0.99! $5 MIR wyb Tinker Bell + any Tinker Bell book or game from LeapFrog printable)

On going deals

Rolaids $1.53

Buy 2 and use $4/2 coupon from Red Plum #1 insert (exp 4/3)

Final price: Two free after coupon

Band-Aids Travel Size $0.97

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/3 Red Plum #2 insert (exp 3/31)

Final price: Free after coupon

Johnson’s Buddies Soap (in baby section) $0.97

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/3 Red Plum #1 insert (exp 3/15)

Final price: Free after coupon

Reach Dental Floss $1.12

Use $1/1 coupon from Red Plum #1 insert (exp 1/31)

Final price: $0.12 after coupon

These deals were found from a list that was put together by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars. Click the link for the complete list, including old on going deals.

Target.com (you can print twice)

Singles (you may have to register):

$1/3 Campbell's Chunky Soup printable
Use $5/10 printable coupon (IE) or (Firefox)
$1/1 Honey Nut Cheerios printable (Deal Seeking Mom had this as $2/1, but I think it might print off two coupons. If you know, let us know. I'm out of paper today!)

Coupons.com (Remember to print them twice!)

$4/1 LeapFrog Tag Book printable (and/or)
$2/1 LeapFrog Tag Junior Book printable (and/or)

Inserts:

$2.50/1 Finish Quantum Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs, exp. 1-31-10 (SS 1/3/10)
$1.50/2 Ziploc Containers (SS 11/15/09) (and/or)
$1.50/2 Ziploc Brand Containers (SS 12/6/09) (and/or)
$4/1 Tag Books (1/3 Parade Magazine) (and/or)
$4/2 Pepcid, Imodium, Rolaids, Mylanta or Tucks Product, exp. 4-3-10 (RP #2 1/3/10)
$1/1 Band-Aid Brand Product (RP #2 1/3/10)
$1/1 Johnson's Baby Product, exp. 3-15-10 (RP #2 1/3/10)
$1/1 Reach Dental Floss or any Reach Access Flosser, exp. 1-31-11 (RP #2 1/3/10)

**(and/or) means that there are multipule coupons out there. You can use just one or use all of them.

What are your goals for this year?

2010-01-01T08:15:00.003-06:00

A new year means new promises to ourselves. What I want to know... What are your financial goals for this year?

Do you want to start your plan to get out of debt?
Pay off a bill?
Start couponing?
Buy everything second hand?

What ever it is I want to know. Maybe you thought of something that I didn't and I or someone else would like to add to our lists.

Here are some of my goals for this year:

Although I think I've come a long way, I still want to be better at couponing. It's still pretty challenging for me.
I want to hit up yard sales and thrift stores more often. My goal is to find at least one or two good items a month to use as gifts for birthdays or Christmas.
I want to get the last credit card paid off. Hopefully I'll be able to do it when we get our tax refund and be able to put a little toward savings. I really don't know how renting out our old house will effect that.
Last month I thought of etching stuff and selling them on Etsy.com. So I want to get that started within the next few months and put the profits toward our savings. I want to really build up a good emergency fund before I start putting too much extra into our debt. If something happens I want to be able keep up with the bills and I don't want to go into any new debt. Which leads me to my next one...
No new debt! and...
Building up our emergency fund.
Get rid of our Disney Rewards Credit Card. My husband and I have decided to cash in our Disney Dollars and get the Upromise Credit card. Although my daughter really wants to go to Disney World and has been saving her pennies for a couple years now, I don't think that a trip to Disney is in our near future. Which is a little disappointing. (I'll tell you more about this detailed plan later)
Build up our three month supply of food. Our church encourages us to have a few months supply of food just in case. And I want to extend this to other things like hygiene stuff.

As for this blog. I hope to continue to post more things to help others and inspire others. If it's not something I would buy, I'm not going to post it. There are so many of those kinds of blogs and sites where they just post everything! I want to filter those out for you. Only post the neccessity things or if it is super cheap for the non neccesities. Make sense?

So now it's your turn. Please leave a comment as to what your financial goals are this year.

Walmart Deals 11/31/09

2009-12-31T08:11:00.003-06:00

Here are my picks of deals that can be found at Walmart. Looks like there are some pretty good deals right now. Yay! No driving 45 minutes for me!

C&H Brown Sugar (1-lb.), $1
$0.45/1 C&H Sugar printable (regional)
$0.55 after coupon!

Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix, $2.34
$1/2 Aunt Jemima Mix or Syrup, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 8/30/09) and/or...
$1/2 Aunt Jemima Mix or Syrup, exp. 4-30-10 (RP #2 1/3/10) and/or...
$1/2 Aunt Jemima Mix or Syrup printable
$1.84 each after coupon!

Cuties Clementine Oranges, $4
$0.55/1 Cuties, exp. 1-6-10 (SS 12/6/09)
$3.45 after coupon!

Blueberry Special K Cereal, $3
$1/1 Special K Blueberry Cereal printable
$2 after coupon!

Rold Gold Pretzels (1-lb.), $2.50
$1/2 Rold Gold Pretzels printable
$1 after coupon!

Natures Pride Honey Wheat Bread, $1.97
$0.75/1 Nature’s Pride Purchase printable
$1.22 after coupon!

Ivory Soap (3 ct.), $1.18
$1/1 Zest, Ivory or Safeguard Body Wash or Bar Pack, exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/27/09)
$0.18 after coupon!

Neosporin Lip Healthy, $4
$3/1 Neosporin Lip Health printable (IE) or printable (FF)
$1 after coupon!

Always Infinity Pads (28 ct.), $6.97
B1G1 Always Infinity, exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/27/09)
$3.48 each after coupon!

Always Cleansing Cloth (40 ct.), $3.17
B1G1 Always Pad, Clean or Feminine Cleansing Cloth, exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/27/09)
$1.58 each after coupon!

Stayfree Pads (16 ct.), $2
$1/1 Stayfree Product printable (IE) or printable (FF)
$1 after coupon!

All Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent (50 load), $5
$2/1 All 2x Ultra or Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent, exp. 1-10-10 (RP 12/6/09)
$3 after coupon

Tide Stain Release Duo Pac (50% More Limited Time), $5
$3/1 Tide Stain Release (Larger Sizes or any Limited Time Offer Pack) , exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/27/09)
$2 after coupon!
I've always wanted to try these!

Glade Aerosol Spray, $0.97
$0.75/2 Glade Aerosol Sprays printable
$0.60 each after coupon!

Similac Advanced Early Shield Formula (23.2 oz.), $21
FREE Similac Right Now wyb 2 Similac SimplePacs, exp. 1-15-10 (SS 12/13/09)
$14 each when you buy 3!

Pull Ups Training Pants, $8.97
$2/1 Huggies Pull-Ups Training Pants printable
$6.97 after coupon!

Pampers Diapers, $8.97
$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants, exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/27/09)
$6.97 after coupon!

These deals were found from a list that was put together by Deal Seeking Mom.

I started to do the groupings for y'all, but my computer is acting up and my kids are driving me crazy while I do this. I might try and do it later for y'all.

Refurbished Wagon

2009-12-29T10:45:00.007-06:00

I bought this wagon a few months ago at a garage sale for $5. Some of you might remember it. It was from one of my first posts. My wonderful husband fixed it up for our 16 month old son for Christmas. He loves it! He couldn't stop climbing in it and he was even pulling his 5 1/2 year old sister in it. My husband only spent a couple of dollars on red and black spray paint and used sandpaper, wood and wood stain we already had.

Before...

After...

It just goes to show that you don't have to spend a lot of money on a great gift and it doesn't even have to be brand new! We had four other gifts for our kids that we found at thrift stores. I hope this next year I can find more great finds like this to give my kids for presents.

End of the Year Debt Analysis (2009)

2009-12-28T10:22:00.004-06:00

Credit Card #1 PAID 9/09
Credit Card #2
Hospitals PAID 7/09
Auto
Rental House Mort.**
My Student Loans
Hubs' Student Loans

Total Debt:

12/09-$154,071.71

9/09-$156,116.37

9/09-$157,596.49

3/09-$164,336.93

Not bad for less than a year. I'm pretty surprised. For those of you who don't know, my husband had lost his job at the end of March. Right after I made a plan to get out of debt. So I didn't even get to start it. He was out of a job for 2 months and finally was able to get rehired, but for a lesser position, making less money, and we had to move ourselves 1,000 miles! Then we had to pay rent here and our mortgage on our home until it was rented out. So, I'm so glad we didn't get behind on all our bills. (If you are a new reader, make sure you read our story and find out all the drama that happened around the time when my husband lost his job. When it rains it pours!) Looking at my husband's student loans, I found out that they haven't budged since the last time I looked at the balance. Not even one cent! So all we are doing is paying interest. But I think it's due to double the payment probably within the year, so I need to hurry up and get a couple of these paid off so I can afford that payment!

**Our old house we lived in before we had to move. We are currently renting ourselves until we know if we are going to stay here for a while or move somewhere else.

Target Shopping List (12/27-1/2/10)

2009-12-28T07:44:00.002-06:00

These are my picks of deals that can be found at Target this week. And I've grouped the coupons below for this list with the wording from the coupons so hopefully they are easier to find.

Prices may vary by region.

Freebies are in RED.

Campbell’s Chunky Soup (bowls or cans) $1.50 each
Buy three and use $1.50/3 printable coupon
Final price: $1.00 each after coupon

Buy 3 Coke Products (12 pks) for $3.33 each, Get free 8 pk of Powerade
Buy 3 12-packs and the 8-pack of Powerade
Final price: $2.50 each after sale

Archer Farms Ham Steaks—estimated price $2 for a small one
Use the $2/1 Target Archer Farms Ham coupon
Final price: Free or close to it after coupon

Green Giant Fresh Broccoli—priced as low as $0.99 at some stores
Use the $1/1 Green Giant Fresh produce Target coupon printable coupon
Final price: Free or close to it after coupon

New 0n going deals (go to Pocket Your Dollars for the older on going deals)

Tide travel size $0.97
Use $1/1 from 12/27 Proctor & Gamble insert
Final price: Free after coupon

Ivory Soap (single bar) $0.97 (can you confirm if this price is correct?)
Use $1/1 from 12/27 Proctor & Gamble insert
Final price: Free after coupon

Mott’s Apple Juice 64 ounce $1.79
Use $1/1 Target printable coupon
Final price: $0.79 after coupon

Morning Star Farm Products—on temporary price cut in most stores to $2.99
Buy two and use $2/2 Target printable coupon
Plus, use two $1/1 printable coupons (IE) or (FF)
Final price: $0.99 each after coupons

(This is an abridged list that was put together by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars)

Coupon List:

Target.com:

Single Printables (may or may not have to register):

Inserts:

$1/1 Tide Product, exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/27/09)
$1/1 Zest, Ivory or Safeguard Body Wash or Bar Pack, exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/27/09)

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T14:22:00.002-06:00

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas. I'll be back on Monday hopefully. It's been a crazy couple weeks trying to finish up Christmas presents to ship out, my daughter's birthday, my son going from two naps to one and then two kids being sick. And I'm still not 100% feeling better. I'll promise to be a better blogger! That is, if my computer decides it wants to cooperate!

Merry Christmas!

Free Christmas DVD

2009-12-22T10:27:00.002-06:00

I don't know why I didn't think about posting this sooner. But you can get a free copy of Joy to the World. I think if you order in now you can still get it before Christmas. When you click the link, you will see other DVDs, but just go to Joy to the World and fill in your information.

Shopping Trip 12/12/09

2009-12-19T12:47:00.003-06:00

It's been kind of a slow week for the blog this week. My five and three year old both have been very sick this week. My three year old on her birthday too. Poor baby. And then I wasn't feeling well all week. Finally yesterday I was feeling much better. Anyway, that's why I hadn't been posting anything this week.

It's been a while since I've been shopping. With my coupons anyway. I'm still trying to get the hang of all this. I think what makes it harder is that I have to drive 45 minutes to go to stores that have sales. All we have where I live is a Walmart. I hate how they don't do sales! Anyway...

We went to Super Target....

4 cans Betty Crocker Frosting $1.36: MQ = $0.86 each
1 box Keebler Flips + 4 Fudge Stripe Cookies $2 ea.: MQ + $5 GC = $0.40 each
Glade Products, 4 @ $2.50 + $2.99: MQ + $5 credit = $0.40 each (I didn't realize that one of them was $2.99 and not part of the gift card deal, so when I told her that I should have gotten a gift card for them, she checked that I had five Glade products and just gave me a $5 credit on by bill)
Hormel Compleat $1.84: MQ = FREE + $0.16 overage!
2 Command Hooks $2.49: MQ + TQ = $0.49 each
Charmin $11.99 + Bounty Paper Towels $9.99: MQ + $5 GC = Charmin $9.24 + Bounty $7.24
2 Kodak Fun Saver Disposable Camera $3.89: TQ = 2 FREE + $2.22 overage!
2 Mussleman's Totally Fruit $1.54: MQ = $1.14 each (I'm sure I had $1 off coupons for these, but it only took off $0.40 ????)
+ the $0.20 for my reusable bags

And then a few other things that I had to get for birthday presents and other things:

Up & Up cotton swabs
Disney CD player
Disney Fairies Beauty Kit
Barbie
Hello Kitty Necklace and earrings
Hello Kitty Backpack Clip

I think she might even accidentally gave me an extra $5 off. I'm not sure. Maybe the Kodak camera coupon. And whenever I do the gift card deals, I always do those first in a separate transaction so I can go ahead and use it right away. With little hands always finding their way into my wallet, I'm sure I'll lose them! :)

Spent $77.67 Saved $63.91

45% Savings!

Since I'm new to the area, I'm still trying to find the good grocery stores to shop at. A friend told me about Russ's Market and I think I'm in love with this store now! Great service too! We weren't sure if we should have tipped the guy who brought out our groceries for us though.

10 for $10 Sale:

10- 1/2 gallons of milk
Roma tomatoes ($0.92)
4 Oscar Mayer Lunch meats
10 Michelina's frozen entries: 2 $1/5 MQ = $0.80 each
6 Knorr Sides $1/3 MQ $0.83 each (should have been $0.67 each. He missed one of my $1/3 coupons)
5 Imperial Margarine
1 loaf of french bread
3 Lipton Onion soup or dip mix

+ Bird's Eye Frozen Veggies $0.79 each: MQ = $0.67 each (should have been $0.54 each, but he missed another coupon!)

+ Roast Beef deli meat $4.58 (not on sale)

Spent $46.82 Saved $43.07

48% Savings

And then I saved $0.04 a gallon (I think $.40)

Walgreens Deals 12/13-12/19/09

2009-12-14T12:20:00.003-06:00

Here are my picks of deals that can be found at Walgreens this week. I have a list of coupons need for this list at the bottom.

Week-Long Deals (Non-Register Reward)

Lubriderm Lotion –on sale 20% off

Use $2/1 coupon from 10/11 Red Plum insert

Plus, use $1/1 coupon from the free Diabetes & You booklet (ask for one at the pharmacy counter)

Final price: $0.03 after coupon (assumes full price was $3.79)

Campbell’s Gravy 2/$1

Buy 4 and use in-ad coupon

Plus, use $1/4 printable coupon

Final price: $0.25 each after coupon

Lindsay Olives $0.99

Buy 2 and use in-ad coupon

Plus, use $1/2 Lindsay Olives printable coupon

Final price: $0.48 each after coupon

Progresso Soup $0.99 each

Buy 3 and use $1.10/3 printable coupon or

Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 Progresso Soups, exp. 12-19-09 (SS 10/25/09)
Buy 4 and use$1/4 Progresso Soups, exp. 12-19-09 (SS 10/25/09) , $1/4 Progresso Soup, exp. 1-9-10 (GM Everyday Saver 11/15/09)
Buy 1 and use $0.25/1 Progresso Rich & Hearty Soup, exp. 1-30-10 (SS 12/6/09) Final price: As little as $0.62 each after coupon

Select General Mills Cereal $1.99

Use $1/1 any size box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms or Trix printable coupon for IE or printable coupon for FF

Final price: $0.99 each after coupon

Week-Long Register Reward Deals

Buy 1 Complete Multipurpose Solution at $7.99, Get $7.99 Register Rewards

Use $1/1 coupon from 10/25 Red Plum insert

Spend $6.99, get $7.99 in Register Rewards back

Final price: Better than free after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Gillette Fusion Razor at $8.99, Get $4 Register Rewards

Use $4/1 coupon from 11/29 Proctor & Gamble insert

Spend $4.99, get $4 Register Rewards back

Final price: $0.99 each after coupon and Register Rewards

Dimetapp 4oz 2/$10, Earn a $3 RR when you buy two

Use $2/1 printable coupon

Pay $3 for two after coupons and register rewards

This is from a list that was put together by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars.

Coupons you will need for this list:

Walgreens:

Campbell’s Gravy (in ad, buy 4)
Lindsay Olives (in ad, buy 2)
Lubriderm-$1/1 coupon from the free Diabetes & You booklet (ask for one at the pharmacy counter)

Inserts:

$2/1 Lubriderm Body Lotion, Cream or Ointment, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 10/11/09)
$0.50/2 Progresso Soups, exp. 12-19-09 (SS 10/25/09)
$1/4 Progresso Soups, exp. 12-19-09 (SS 10/25/09)
$1/4 Progresso Soup, exp. 1-9-10 (GM Everyday Saver 11/15/09)
$0.25/1 Progresso Rich & Hearty Soup, exp. 1-30-10 (SS 12/6/09
1/1 Complete Blink-n-Clean Lens Drops or Contacts Lubricant Eye Drops, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 10/25/09)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor, exp. 12-31-09 (P&G 11/29/09)

Coupons.com:

$1.10/3 Progresso Soup printable

SmartSource.com:

$1.10/3 Progresso Soup printable

Singles (you may or may not have to register):

Walgreens is a little bit harder to do. But I like it this way. I wish the other sites that I check would do it this way! Next week, I might try and do the complete lists.

Target Deals 12/13-12/19/09

2009-12-14T08:12:00.004-06:00

This is some of my picks of deals that can be found at Target this week. I'm also trying something new. This weekend, I was trying to gather printable coupons and had the hardest time trying to figure out which coupons came from what source, so I can just print them all at the same time to save paper. So today, I'm taking my picks and catagorizing the coupons for you. I'm putting all the Target coupons in a group, and if there were some from Coupons.com, they would be in a group, and the inserts are in a group. There is also a group for single print coupons (you can only print one at a time) and you may or may not have to register for these. I hope this helps. It sure is going to help me. I might try and do the entire list, not just my picks. What do y'all think? Do you like this? Do you think others would like this too?

Prices may vary by region.

Freebies are in RED

Weekly Deals:

Del Monte Canned Vegetables $0.50
Buy 4 and use $1/4 printable coupon
Final price: $0.25 each after coupon
Or….
Use $1/8 in 11/15 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $0.38/ea when you buy 8

Grade A Eggs (dozen, large) $0.99
No coupon needed, this is a sale price
Final price: $0.99 with sale price

Kraft Cheese (7 or 8 oz blocks or shreds) $1.67
Buy 2 and use $1/2 in 11/15 Red Plum or 11/22 Smartsource insert
Final price: $1.17 each after coupon

New On Going Deals:

Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Cocoa $1.19
Buy two and use the $0.50/2 coupon from the 11/15 Smartsource insert
Plus, use two $1/1 Target-issued printable coupon
Final price: Better than free after coupons

Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup $0.58
Buy 4 and use $1/4 printable coupon
Final price: $0.33 each after coupon

Cheez-It Crackers (9 oz) - $1.99.ea
$1/2 Keebler Crackers or Sunshine Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers, exp. 2-7-10 (RP 12/13/09)
Final Price = $1.49/ea

Thanks to Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars. You can find other's at her blog and you can find the older on going deals there too.

Coupons you will need for this list:

Target Printables:

Single Printables (you may or may not have to register):

Inserts:

$1/8 Del Monte Fruits, Vegetables, Tomatoes or Fruit Cup Snacks, exp. 1-10-10 (RP 11/15/09)
$1/2 Kraft or Cracker Barrel Natural Cheese, exp. 12-31-09 (SS 11/22/09)
$1/1 Kraft Velveeta Cheese, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 11/15/09)
$0.50/2 Swiss Miss Cocoa, exp. 12-31-09 (SS 11/15/09)
$1/2 Keebler Crackers or Sunshine Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers, exp. 2-7-10 (RP 12/13/09)

I'm also going to try this with Walgreens too, but I have a child home sick today, so it might be a while. Let me know if you want me to do this for other stores.

Mega SwagBucks Day

2009-12-11T12:03:00.002-06:00

Don't forget to do your searching through SwagBucks! You can earn in 10, 20, 50 or 100 increments.

What is SwagBucks? You can earn Bucks just by searching online, which most of us do any way. It only takes 45 bucks to earn a $5 Amazon e-gift card. And you get 3 bucks just for signing up to get you started. You can also earn bucks through SwagCodes. You can find them in the toolbar, newsletters, blogs, swidgets, etc. It's super easy!

Also earn points by rating websites with iRazoo and earn Amazon e-gift cards. Find out more about it here.

Earn Free Prizes or Cash by rating websites through iRazoo

2009-12-11T11:37:00.003-06:00

This is very similar to SwagBucks. If you sign up for iRazoo, you can search the web then click on websites to rate them. You get eight points per website, but you can earn an additional eight points if you write a comment (just make sure you write the comment before you rate the site. I had to learn that lesson the first time I did it). So you can earn 16 points per website you rate. iRazoo will give you 50 points just for signing up to start you off. You can earn a $5 Amazon gift card in 10 days, which is a little faster than SwagBucks. But if you do both, you can earn about $25 in Amazon gift cards a month (depending on how much you search and rate), maybe more. I think that's better than taking surveys! If you have any other questions just email me at kouponkueen (at) gmail (dot) com.

Tag Reading System Books $5.99! (possibly free)

2009-12-11T09:31:00.003-06:00

If you have a Tag Reading System, Amazon has books for it for $5.99! They also have others on sale for a good price too like $7.99 and $9.99. They also have other toys on sale too.

Thanks EADFL

And if you have been searching the web with SwagBucks and rating websites with iRazoo, you could be getting these for free by buying up Amazon gift certificates with your bucks or points.

Daily Deals + up to 7% cash back! (Possible money maker on crocs!)

2009-12-10T08:45:00.005-06:00

I found another online store that does daily deals:
Crocs Deal of the Day (chickadee flip flops $4.99, plus others)

Save even more by buying through an Online Rebate Program and get $5 just for signing up:
CashBaq 5%
Mr. Rebates 7%
Ebates 4%
Shop at Home 7%
(the five dollars will cover the price of the shoes, then get 7% back!)

Other Deal of the Days
Target Daily Deals (Fisher-Price Elmo Live $39.99, plus others)
Disney Store's Deal of the Day (Create-Your-Own Fleece Throw Blankets starting at $9.99)
Walmart's Value of the Day (Tom Tom GPS $89)
JC Penny Daily Deal (Sterling Marcasite & CZ Set $39.99)

Cash Back Programs:

Target:
Upromise 2%
CashBaq 2%-5%
Mr. Rebates 4%
Ebates 5%
Shop at Home 5%

Disney:
Upromise 3%
CashBaq 2%
Mr. Rebates 4%
Ebates 3%
Shop at Home 5%

Walmart:
Upromise 1%
CashBaq 2% - 5%
Mr. Rebates 3%
Ebates 2%
Shop at Home 3%

JC Penny:
Upromise 3%
Mr. Rebates 2%
Ebates 3%
Shop at Home 3%

Please email me if you have questions about these online rebate programs. kouponkueen (at) gmail (dot) com

Target Deals 12/6-12/12/09

2009-12-07T09:30:00.002-06:00

Here are a few of my picks of the deals that can be found at Target this week from a list that was put together by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars.

If you have problems at Target, you may want to take a copy of Target's price matching policy and Target's coupon policy.

Prices can vary by region.

Freebis are in RED.

Buy 2 Quaker Oatmeal Squares (16 oz), Oatmeal (10 pk), and selected others $2.75, Get Free Tropicana or Trop50 Orange Juice (64 oz)
Buy two Pancake mix (if included from sale) and use two $1/1 printable coupons or
Buy two granola bars and use $1/2 printable coupon or $1/1 True Delights from 12/6 Red Plum insert (if True Delights are included from sale)
Plus use $1/1 Trop50 printable coupon
Final price: As low as $1.25 each plus free orange juice after coupons and sale

Betty Crocker Frosting $1.36
Use $0.50/1 printable coupon and printable here and from 11/15 GM insert
Final price: $0.86 after coupon

Nestle Morsels $2.00
Use $1/1 printable coupon (after registering)
Final price: $1.00 after coupon

Buy any Hasbro game $10 or more, get Hasbro card game free
Buy Hasbro game valued at $10 or more, then choose Scrabble Slam!, Rook, Monopoly Deal, Go Fish! or Pictureka as your card game
Use corresponding Hasbro game printable coupon or $5/1 Boggle from 12/6 Parade magazine within Sunday paper
Plus, use buy one select Hasbro card game, get one free coupon from 11/15 Parade (or was it USA Weekend?) magazine
Final price: Price varies, but you’ll pay for the board game and get two card games free
***Deal idea***
Buy Boggle for $12
Buy 2 Scrabble Slam!, Rook, Monopoly Deal, Go Fish! or Pictureka card games
Use $5/1 Boggle coupon from 12/6 Parade magazine within Sunday paper
Use buy one card game, get one free from 11/15 Parade magazine within Sunday paper
Final price: $7.00 for all three games

Gift Card Offers

Buy 5 selected Keebler and Sunshine snacks at $2 each, Get a $5 Target Gift Card (Buy specially marked packages to get a $10 toy voucher too)
Cheez-It Crackers. Use $0.75/1 printable coupon (after registering and if included in sale)
Pecan Sandies Crackers. Use $1/1 printable coupon (after registering and if included in sale)
Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies. Buy 3 and use $1/3 Keebler cookies printable coupon or $1/2 printable coupon
Keebler Flip Side Crackers. $1/1 printable coupon if included in sale
More Keebler printable coupons (available after registering)

Buy 5 Glade Plug Ins Oil Refill (1 pk), Candle (4 oz), Scented Oil Candle Tin, or Oil Candle Refills (4 ct) for $2.50 each, Get a $5 Target Gift Card
***Deal idea***
Buy 1 Scented Oil Candle Holder
Buy 2 Scented Oil RefillsBuy 2 Jar Candles
Use Buy 1 Scented Oil Candle Holder, Get 1 Free Refill Pack coupon from 12/6 Smart Source insert and
Use $2/2 Scented Oil Candle Refills from 12/6 Smart Source insert and
Use $1.50/2 Jar Candles from 12/6 Smart Source insert
Spend $6.50, get $5 Target gift card
Final price: $0.30 each after coupons and gift card

Buy 2 Similac Advance with Early Shield, Sensitive or Isomil Formula (23 oz) for $21.49, Get a $5 Target Gift Card
Use two $2/1 Target-issued coupons from 11/15 Smartsource insert
Plus use any manufacturer-issued coupons you may have been mailed
Plus you can pay with any Similac checks you may have been mailed
Spend $38.98, get $5 Target gift card (assumes you don’t have any manufacturer-issued coupons)
Final price: $16.99 each after Target coupon and gift card

On Going Deals (new this week)

All Small & Mighty or 2x Laundry Detergent (travel size) $0.97
Use $2/1 coupon from 12/6 Red Plum insert
Final price: Free after coupon
**Coupon will likely make the register beep since it is higher value than the product

Snuggle (travel size) $0.97
Use $2/1 coupon from 12/6 Red Plum insert
Final price: Free after coupon
**Coupon will likely make the register beep since it is higher value than the product

older deals

Purina Friskies Party Mix Cat Treats $1.24
Buy 2 and use $2/2 coupon from the 11/15 Smartsource insert (exp 2/14) and stack with
$1/2 Target-issued printable coupon (exp 12/26)
Final price: Better than free after coupons

Purina Whisker Lickin’s Cat Treats $0.88
Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from the 11/15 Smartsource insert and stack with
$1/2 Target-issued printable coupon (exp 12/26)
Final price: Better than free after coupons

Rolaids 3-pack $1.57
Buy 2 and use the $4/2 coupon from 10/4 Red Plum insert (exp 1/4)
Final price: Two free after coupon

Cesar Bistro Entrée
Use Target-issued buy one, get one free coupon from 10/18 Red Plum insert (exp 12/31) and stack with
Manufacturer-issued buy one, get one free printable coupon
Final price: Two free after coupons

Hormel Compleats $1.89
Use $2/1 coupon from October issue of All You magazine (exp 12/14)
Final price: Two free after coupons

Dove Deodorant (travel size) $0.97
Use $1/1 coupon from 10/4 Red Plum insert (register will likely beep because item is valued less than coupon. Cashier should manually adjust the coupon value down to $0.97) (exp 12/27)
Final price: Free after coupon

St Ives Lotion (travel size) $1.00
Use $1/1 coupon from 11/15 Smartsource insert (exp 12/31)
Final price: Free after coupon

Airwick Freshmatic starter kit $4.99
Use $5/1 coupon from the 11/15 Smartsource insert (exp 12/27)
Final price: Free after coupon

Rayovac Alkaline Batteries (2-pack in dollar spot) $1
Use the $1/1 coupon from 10/18 Smartsource (regional) (exp. 8/21)
Final price: Free after coupon

Hefty One Zip (with travel size items) $1.00
Use $1/1 coupon from 11/1 Red Plum insert (exp 12/31)
Final price: Free after coupon

Renu Contact Solution (travel size) $1.67
Use $2/1 printable coupon (registration required) or $1/1 printable coupon here
Final price: As low as free after coupon

Renu Contact Solution (travel size) $1.67
Use $2/1 printable coupon (registration required) or $1/1 printable coupon here
Final price: As low as free after coupon

All Small & Mighty $1.00 (travel size)
Use $1/1 printable coupon after registering here
Final price: Free each after coupon

Joint Juice $1.00
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Final price: Free each after coupons

Honey Bunches of Oats Pecan Bunches $2.24
Use the $2/1 printable coupon
Final price: $0.24 after coupon

Del Monte Canned Vegetables (14-15 oz) $0.66
Buy 8 and use $1/8 in 11/15 Red Plum insert (exp 1/10)
Plus, use $1/6 Target-issued printable coupon (exp 12/12) or
Buy 6 and use $1/4 Target-issued printable coupon (exp 12/12)
Final price: As low as $0.33 each when you buy 6 ($0.41 each when you buy 8) after coupons

Quaker Oatmeal Cups $1.00
Buy 2 and use $1.25/2 coupon from 8/30 Red Plum insert (exp 11/30)
Final price: $0.38 each after coupon

Select Command Hooks $2.49
Use the $1/1 Target-issued printable coupon and stack with
$1/1 manufacturer-issued printable coupon
Final price: $0.49 after coupons

Kellogg’s All Bran Crackers $1.99
Use $1.50/1 printable coupon
Final price: $0.49 after coupon

Musselman’s Totally Fruit $1.54
Use the $1/1 printable coupon here
Final price: $0.54 each after coupon

Frugal Tip: Family Pictures (and edit for free)

2009-12-04T09:47:00.002-06:00

It really is a good investment to spend money on a nice digital camera. You can take as many pictures as you want. If you take 200 pictures, there has to be at least one good one. Of course it's always nice to get a professional to do it, but I know when I go to Sears and get my kids' pictures taken, I can easily spend at least $150 (I like to get the CD so I can post them on my personal blog and then into my blog book)! If going to a professional is just not in the budget, but you want family pictures, have a friend take them for you. You can use your camera or if your friend has a better camera see if you can use theirs. Offer to take their family photos in exchange. And if you have a nice camera and don't need a family picture, you can always just take you kids by themselves if you need a picture for whatever reason (i.e. Christmas Cards). I find some of the best pictures on in nature or next to really old buildings. For my Christmas card pictures this year, I took my kids into the woods. I dressed them "formally" and the pictures came out awesome. The best time to take pictures is when it is overcast outside. I wouldn't recommend going out when the sun is blazing unless that is the only time you can do it. I did have to pose them so I could get a decent group shot to send out, but the best pictures are the ones that you let happen naturally. Just let your "subject" walk around, do their own thing and click away. Sometimes the funny faces or the crying faces turn out to be my favorites. It doesn't matter if you take 500 pictures. It's not going to cost you anything to take more pictures. I think we took 260 in probably about a 20-30 minute time frame with my small kids. You can download Picasa 3.5 for free to edit your pictures. I have Adobe to edit my pictures and can't figure it out. I find this to be much easier. I even used it to create my header on my blog. For Thanksgiving, my uncle used my camera to take a family picture, but it was crooked. I was able to straighten it out through Picasa. Just remember to copy the picture and re paste it into your folder before you edit. Just in case you mess up, you still have the original. I did that recently! Opps!

Do you have any tips to take better pictures?

FREE 140 Personalized Holiday address labels

2009-12-03T12:24:00.003-06:00

Do you need free address labels to go with you free photo cards?

You can get 140 free personalized holiday address labels! All you pay is shipping & handling of $2.99. To get your free 140 address labels, go to VistaPrint. Then click on “Holiday” on the left side, and then “labels”.

Also, when you are checking out, VistaPrint may try to offer you other “upgrades”. Upgrades will add to you total cost. When you’re done, you will have 140 customized holiday labels!

I personally will not be taking advantage of this offer. I don't know if I'll be at the same address next year and can print my own cheaper than the shipping costs. But they definitely won't be as cute as these here! Maybe they will offer it again next year. I know Vista Print offers a lot of freebies from time to time.

Thanks EADFL

Frugal Tip: Christmas Cards/Pictures/Letter

2009-12-03T11:01:00.003-06:00

Last year for Christmas we were really struggling. I love to send out Christmas cards and send pictures and write a letter, but didn't have the money to do it. So I put pictures into our Christmas Letter and put a cute border around it and I had my Christmas letter with pictures. I just picked a few pictures of the family from the past few months and from a few significant events from that year. I probably went a little overboard with the pictures, but I LOVE pictures! I just made the word document into three columns and placed the pictures in and sized them. Before I put them into the document, I copied the photos I wanted to use, cropped them and saved them to a different folder to make them easier to find. (Sorry, I can't remember exactly how to get the pictures in the the document. I have to play with it. But I think you go to "insert" and do it from there). I was in love with this letter. And I'm sure it was fun for people to receive and see all those different pictures of the kids.

(Of couse, this is if you are not able to take advantage of the free photo cards deal)

FREE: 50 Photocards & 100 4x7 prints

2009-12-03T10:06:00.006-06:00

Supposedly this code is still working. Use promo code newbaby at SeeHere.com for 50 free photo cards and envelopes. My sister used this code Monday and paid about $3 for shipping. When I did mine a couple weeks ago I had free shipping too and I was able to do 5x7's (not sure if you can still get the 5x7's, but I saw someone post that they got the smaller ones, but it's worth a try if you want the 5x7's) . I was very surprised how quick I got them too.

What I love about these photo cards is that I can add how many pictures I want, where I want them, how big and what angle. Same thing with the messages. Super cute! I'm glad I was able to do these. We were wondering what we were going to do for Christmas cards this year. I think my husband was pretty impressed.

Also, if you are new to SeeHere, you can get 100 4x7's for free using promo code prints.

If this code is not working, Later, I'm going to post a frugal way to do Christmas cards/pictures/letters.

FREE UP Soundtrack HURRY TODAY ONLY!

2009-12-03T09:02:00.004-06:00

Download the soundtrack from UP 100% FREE! Use code latimesdisney (case sensitive). Expires today, December 3rd at 11:59PM! Thanks to Carrie from Pocket Your Dollars. This would be a nice frugal present for any kid. Put it on a CD for your child to bring to school to his/her classmates! Just print up a cute cover and a cheap jewel case (or really, even the paper sleeves would work). Super cute!

Breast Feeding Cover $8.95 SHIPPED

2009-12-02T15:50:00.002-06:00

A friend of mine on facebook just told me about this great deal. At UdderCovers.com they have these cute breastfeeding covers for $32. But if you use the promo code babykiss you get $32 off. All you pay is the shipping and handling. My friend said that she paid $8.95 for it. Somtimes the codes can be case sensitive (just learned that last week!) so try it this way first then, if it doesn't work try it all caps. Leave a comment if you've had difficulties and figured it out. Thanks Ruth!

JC Penny Deal of the Day + $5 Free + CASH BACK

2009-12-02T12:37:00.000-06:00

The other day I posted about online stores who have daily deals. I found out that JC Penny has it too. Just go here.

Also get cash back by shopping through an Online Rebate Program.
Upromise 3%
Mr. Rebates 2%
Ebates 3%

Here are the other deals of the day:
Target Daily Deals
Disney Store's Deal of the Day
Walmart's Value of the Day

Cash Back Programs:
Get $5 just for signing up for most of these.

Target:
Upromise 2%
CashBaq 2%-5%
Mr. Rebates 4%
Ebates 5%

Disney:
Upromise 3%
CashBaq 2%
Mr. Rebates 4%
Ebates 3%

Walmart:
Upromise 1%
CashBaq 2% - 5%
Mr. Rebates 3%
Ebates 2%

December Produce

2009-12-02T11:06:00.001-06:00

Produce in Season

Anjou Pears
Berries: Cranberries~Waning
Bok Choy
Bosc Pears~Peak
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts~Peak
Carrots
Cauliflower~New
Celeriac/Celary Root
Celery
Cherimoya~New
Comice Pears~Peak
Currants, Red
Daikon Radish~Waning
Dates, Fresh~Peak
Fuerte Pears
Grapefruit~New
Haas Avocados~New
Kale
Kiwi
Kumquat
Lemon
Mandarins/Tangerines~Peak
Mushrooms, Wild~Peak
Napa Cabbage
Nuts: Walnuts, Chestnuts
Oranges, Navel~New
Parsleys
Parsnip~Waning
Quince
Red Cabbage
Rutabaga
Salad Mix
Savoy Cabbage
Spinach
Squash, Winter~Waning
Sunchoke
Sweet/Yams~Peak
Turnips~Peak

Cash Back with Ebates

2009-12-02T09:46:00.003-06:00

I signed up for another Online Shopping Rebate Program at Ebates. It works the same as the others. You shop at online stores through their site and you get cash back! And you get $5 just for signing up! And what I love best about these kind of sites is that you can click on what ever store and it will tell you what kind of sales are going on and promo codes!

Here are a few of the stores you can get cash back from by shopping through Ebates:

Target 5%

Walmart 2%

Old Navy 10%

Snapfish 12%

Kohl's 4%

Macy's 5%

Barnes & Noble 8%

Hear are a couple others that I've signed up for:

Cashbaq

Mr. Rebates

It's good to sign up for a few. Some offer better percentages back and one online store might be on one, but not the other.

Sales and Deals to look out for in December

2009-12-01T11:58:00.000-06:00

Sales/Deals

Christmas dinner/Holiday party foods
Party/Deli platters
Cold Cuts
Sour Cream, dips
Crackers, chips
Soda
Ham
Stuffing mix
Potato mix
Butter
Fresh Potatoes
Gravy
Bread/rolls
Frozen Pies
Green Beans
Fried Onion
Cream Soups
Broth
Pie Filling

Baking Supplies
Flour
Sugar
Butter
Cream
Cake Mix
Brownie Mix
Muffin Mix
Breads
Pie Crust
Marshmallow
Whipped Cream

Wrapping paper, cards, ribbon, bows, tape

Egg nog
Party Supplies, paper plates, napkins

Clearance Items:
Post Thanksgiving clearance
Fall decor and craft clearance
After Christmas clearance

Occasions:
Hanukkah
Winter Begins
Christmas
New Year's Eve
Kwanzaa

Homemade Gift: Etched Glass

2009-12-01T10:44:00.003-06:00

Sorry the picture isn't better. It's kind of hard to get a decent picture of it.

I did this for four presents last year. They were a big hit and now I love making Christmas gifts. They are frugal and so much more personal. I etched some casserole dishes for my parents, my husband's mom, his dad and step mom, and brother's family. I bought a four pack of dishes for around $30 at Walmart. The cream, I bought (Armour Etch) at Hobby Lobby. It is $20, so make sure you bring a 40% coupon. You can get them in the paper or you can sign up for their weekly ad and get them sent to your email. I had a hard time finding it in the store. If I remember correctly, it's by glass panels to make stain glass. So basically I got 4 gifts for $42 (that's with the 40% Hobby Lobby coupon. I'm sure you can find this at Michael's or other craft stores and I know Michael's has 40% coupons every once in a while). And I have a lot left over for other gifts. I also made a bank for my nephew for his birthday using a KraftyBlok I found at Hobby Lobby. It's kind of like those glass blocks or bricks that you find in bathrooms. That's the best way I can describe it. My friend that told me about this says that she etches her name on all her casserole dishes so when she makes a meal for someone or brings a dish to a potluck, she knows she will get her dish back!

**************************
Here are the directions from the bottle:

1. Cover the glass or mirror with Contact brand vinyl. Next, trace your design through carbon paper onto the vinyl [or you can use stencils to trace in on]. Cut out the design with a hobby knife and peel off pieces of the vinyl to create a stencil. Where the vinyl is removed will become the etched design when you are finished.

2. Overlap the outside edges of the stencil with masking tape to protect he surrounding glass from the etching cream.

3. Apply a thick layer of Armour Etch Cream brushing up and down, then left and right to spread the cream over the entire stenciled area. Allow etching cream to remain on glass 5 minutes.

4. Wash off all traces of Armour Etch Cream with ordinary tap water. Remove the vinyl and thoroughly clean the glass using window cleaner.

**************************

To make life easier you can use a Cricut, if you have one, and use that to cut out your vinyl. I was going to do that this year with my mom's but when we pulled it out, the cord was missing.

I've also monogrammed a vase. And at my sister's request, I'm etching glass bowls for my nephew for Christmas. (I found clear glass bowls at Walmart for a $1 each!) Another project I've thought of, but haven't done yet, is etching a mirror. Just glue a ribbon on the back with a bow to hang it. Perfect for a little girl.

This is permanent. Some people think that it is just a film that makes it look like etched glass, but it's not. It's really etched. When I'm washing away the cream, I can feel pieces of glass. So be careful!

Daily Deals

2009-11-30T13:12:00.003-06:00

Just a reminder to check your daily deals at a few websites.

Target Daily Deals
Disney Store's Deal of the Day
Walmart's Value of the Day

Disney's isn't doing it today, but they will start back on it tomorrow.

Do you know of any other site that has a daily deal?

Don't forget to go through an Online Rebate Progam!

Target:
Upromise 2%
CashBaq 2%-5%
Mr. Rebates 4%

Disney:
Upromise 3%
CashBaq 2%
Mr. Rebates 4%

Walmart:
Upromise 1%
CashBaq 2% - 5%
Mr. Rebates 3%

20% off and FREE Shipping from Gap Stores Today Only Plus CASH BACK!!

2009-11-30T10:59:00.000-06:00

Today Only! 20% off + Free Shipping on $0 from Gap, Banan Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime & Athleta. Enter code MONDAY.

Get Cash Back too when you shop through an Online Rebate Program! (Upromise is credited to your account to either save for college or pay down student loans)

Old Navy:

Upromise 5%

CashBaq 3%

Mr. Rebates 3%

Gap:

Upromise 5%

CashBaq 1% (3% kids and maternity)

Mr. Rebates 3%

Banana Republic:

Upromise 5%
CashBaq 1%

Mr. Rebates 4%

Piperlime:

Upromise 6%

CashBaq 1%
Mr. Rebates 3%

Athleta:

Upromise 4%
CashBaq 1%

Mr. Rebates 5%

Target Deals 11/29-12/5/2009

2009-11-30T09:33:00.002-06:00

Here are a few of my picks of Deals that can be found at Target this week from a list that was put together by Carrie @ Pocket Your Dollars.

If you have problems at Target, you may want to take a copy of Target's price matching policy and Target's coupon policy.

Freebies are in RED

Week Long Deals

Kellogg’s All Bran Crackers $1.99
Use the $1.50/1 printable coupon
Final price: $0.49 after coupon

Pepsi 12 pks $3.00
Use $1/1 Target-issued coupon
Final price: $2.00 after coupon ($0.16 per can)

Week Long Gift Card Deals

Buy 4 Bertolli Meals at $6.00 each, Get a $5 Target gift card
***Deal idea***
Buy 4 meals for a total of $24
Use four $2/1 printable coupons (you’ll need to access two computers to print four copies) and stack with
Four $1.50/1 Target coupons from the 10/25 insert (we did not get this coupon in MN)
Spend $10, get $5 gift card back
Final price: $1.25 per meal after coupons

Buy 1 Oral B Pulsonic Toothbrush for $49.99 (regular price $66.99), Get a $10 Target gift card
Buy 1 and use $10/1 coupon from 11/15 Parade magazine that came within Sunday paper
Spend $39.99, Get $10 Target gift card back
Plus, submit for the $15 manufacturer mail in rebate
Final price: $14.99 after coupon, gift card and rebate

Buy 1 Wii Game System for $199.99, Get $20 Target gift card
(Wii game system includes system, remote, nunchuck & Wii Sports Game)
Plus, use Target-issued printable coupon for free Nintendo Wii Nunchuk controller free with Wii game system
Spend $199.99, get $20 Target gift card back
Final price: $179.99 for the system, remote, Wii Sports Game & 2 nunchucks

On Going Deals

New This Week:
Purina Friskies Party Mix Cat Treats $1.24
Buy 2 and use $2/2 coupon from the 11/15 Smartsource insert (exp 2/14) and stack with
$1/2 Target-issued printable coupon (exp 12/26)
Final price: Better than free after coupons

Purina Whisker Lickin’s Cat Treats $0.88
Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from the 11/15 Smartsource insert and stack with
$1/2 Target-issued printable coupon (exp 12/26)
Final price: Better than free after coupons

Airwick Freshmatic starter kit $4.99
Use $5/1 coupon from the 11/15 Smartsource insert
Final price: Free after coupon

Buy 2 Nivea Lip Care products $2.49 each
Use the buy one get one free coupon from the 11/1 Red Plum insert (regional)
Plus, use two $1/1 Target coupons from the 10/11 Red Plum insert (exp 11/30)
Final price: $0.25 each after coupons

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Tubs $1.87
Use $0.75/1 Target-issued printable coupon and stack with
$0.75/1 manufacturer-issued printable coupon (IE) or manufacturer-issued printable coupon (FF)
Final price: $0.37 after coupons

Select Command Hooks $2.49
Use the $1/1 Target-issued printable coupon and stack with
$1/1 manufacturer-issued printable coupon
Final price: $0.49 after coupons

Snow White DVD $19.99
Use $5/1 printable coupon
Final price: $14.99 after coupon

Older Deals:
Rolaids 3-pack $1.57
Buy 2 and use the $4/2 coupon from 10/4 Red Plum insert (exp 1/4)
Final price: Two free after coupon

Cesar Bistro Entrée
Use Target-issued buy one, get one free coupon from 10/18 Red Plum insert (exp 12/31) and stack with
Manufacturer-issued buy one, get one free printable coupon
Final price: Two free after coupons

Hormel Compleats $1.89
Use $2/1 coupon from October issue of All You magazine (exp 12/14)
Final price: Two free after coupons

Arm & Hammer Toothpaste (travel size) $1.07
Buy 2 and use $3/2 coupon from 8/16 Smartsource insert (exp 11/30)
Final price: Two free after coupon

Dove Deodorant (travel size) $0.97
Use $1/1 coupon from 10/4 Red Plum insert (register will likely beep because item is valued less than coupon. Cashier should manually adjust the coupon value down to $0.97) (exp 12/27)
Final price: Free after coupon

St Ives Lotion (travel size) $1.00
Use $1/1 coupon from 11/15 Smartsource insert (exp 12/31)
Final price: Free after coupon

Rayovac Alkaline Batteries (2-pack in dollar spot) $1
Use the $1/1 coupon from 10/18 Smartsource (regional) (exp. 8/21)
Final price: Free after coupon

Hefty One Zip (with travel size items) $1.00
Use $1/1 coupon from 11/1 Red Plum insert (exp 12/31)
Final price: Free after coupon

Tide Travel Size $0.97
Use $1/1 from 11/1 Proctor & Gamble insert (exp 11/30)
Final price: Free after coupon

Renu Contact Solution (travel size) $1.67
Use $2/1 printable coupon (registration required) or $1/1 printable coupon here
Final price: As low as free after coupon

Beech Nut Stage 3 Homestyle Fruit
Use “Try me free” coupon from 8/2 Smartsource #2 insert (exp 12/31)
Final price: Free each after coupon

All Small & Mighty $1.00 (travel size)
Use $1/1 printable coupon after registering here
Final price: Free each after coupon

Joint Juice $1.00
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Final price: Free each after coupons

Honey Bunches of Oats Pecan Bunches $2.24
Use the $2/1 printable coupon
Final price: $0.24 after coupon

Up & Up Baby Wipes Tub (72 ct) $1.29
Use the new $1/1 Target printable coupon (exp 12/5)
Final price: $0.29 after coupon

Quaker Oatmeal Cups $1.00
Buy 2 and use $1.25/2 coupon from 8/30 Red Plum insert (exp 11/30)
Final price: $0.38 each after coupon

Musselman’s Totally Fruit $1.54
Use the $1/1 printable coupon here
Final price: $0.54 each after coupon

Aveeno Oatmeal Bath 1.5 oz or Anti-Itch with Calamine Lotion $2.99(these are found in the First Aid isle)
Use $2/1 printable coupon
Final price: $0.99 each after coupon

I'm Back

2009-11-30T09:06:00.003-06:00

Last Tuesday we drove through the night from Nebraska to Louisiana. It's been five months since we've moved and we wanted to spend Thanksgiving with our family. The only person we told was my dad. We surprised everyone else. It was great! My daughter thought we were moving back and didn't want to come home. :(

How was y'all's Black Friday? My sister in-law and I woke up early to catch some of the deals. We didn't wait in line. If we couldn't get it, then we didn't need it. But now I'm pretty much done with Christmas shopping. I need one more gift for a relative and maybe a couple small things for the kids. Last week I bought a Razor scooter for my daughter using the 20% off coupon in Target's Toy Coupon Book. I wasn't suppose to use the coupon for that particular scooter, but the cashier forced it through for me, since I told her I really didn't want the Barbie one (which I was willing to buy, if I couldn't use the coupon on the one I wanted). So I paid $23.99 for it (originally $29.99). Not too bad. But then I came home and found a website for the Black Friday deals and noticed that Target was going to have it for $17! I packed it for the trip to Louisiana just in case, but forgot the receipt! My sister in-law told me that as long as I had my card that I paid with, they would be able to take it back. So on Black Friday I grabbed the scooter and went ahead and paid for it and if I needed to return that one, I would. Then we went to Walmart to get some things there (which took forever!). We went back to Target and I returned the scooter no problems. I look at my receipt and noticed that they gave back the full $29.99. Of course I wanted to be honest on the told her that I had used a 20% off coupon on it. She told me that the computer knows what it's doing and not to worry about. So I paid $10 for my scooter (b/c I got back tax that I never paid too). How awesome is that?! I'm guessing that since the cashier forced it through, it wasn't attached to the item.

Free Photo Book! ($40 value)

2009-11-25T14:25:00.004-06:00

I'm sure everyone has heard about this deal already, but I just wanted to let y'all know the code still works! I just did mine.

For those of you who don't know, you can get a free photo book with free shipping from PhotoWorks! Code is BONNIE. When you go to the website, just click on "As seen on The Bonnie Hunt Show" It's the only thing that is blue, so it should stand out. It's for the first 25,000 and this was first reported on Monday so I was sure these would have been gone by now. So hurry and get yours today! Code is valid through December 7, 2009 or when 25,000 have been redeemed.

What are you looking forward too?

2009-11-24T12:20:00.002-06:00

Have y'all been able to look at some of the Black Friday ads? What are y'all excited about? What are you going to get or want to get? What time are you getting up Friday morning to stand in line? Just curious!

Target Christmas Shopping 11/18

2009-11-24T07:42:00.003-06:00

I forgot to tell y'all a little bit about my Christmas shopping at Target, that I did last week. Not everything I bought was on sale or had a coupon, but I think I did pretty good.

Spent: $192.20 Saved $77.99

40.6% Savings

Not too bad. And I'm almost done!

I would have taken a picture, but they are Christmas presents, and I do have family that read this. :)

What Online Coupon Codes Do You Want to See?

2009-11-23T16:19:00.002-06:00

What online stores are you interested seeing online coupons from?

Let me know and I'll do my best to find them.

Walmart Deals 11/22

2009-11-23T10:38:00.003-06:00

Here are my picks of deals you can find at Walmart this week from a list that was put together by Bargain Briana.

*Prices can vary by region*

Frozen Whole Turkey, $0.40/lb (Limit 2 per customer)
Green Giant Canned Vegetables, $0.50/each
Stove Top Stuffing Twin Packs, $1.50
Great Value Brown ‘n Serve Rolls, 12 ct. $0.75

Betty Crocker Potatoes, $0.78
*$0.35/1 Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes, exp. 1-16-10 (SS 11/22/09)
*$0.35/1 Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes, exp. 1-9-10 (GM Everyday Saver 11/15/09)*$0.40/1 printable from SmartSource.com or Coupons.com
*$0.40/1 printable
*$1/1 printable IE or FF
Final Price: as low as FREE (depends on if your store will adjust down a coupon!)

Heinz Gravy 12 oz., $0.75
*$1/3 printable
Final Price: $0.41/each

Vanity Fair Napkins 100 ct., $1.97
*$1 off Vanity Fair Plates or Bowls AND Vanity Fair Dinner Napkins, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 11/8/09)
Final Price: $0.97/each

Pillsbury Pie Crust, $2.25
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust, exp. 2-6-10 (GM Everyday Saver 11/15/09)
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust, exp. 2-13-10 (SS 11/22/09)
*$0.50/2 printable from SmartSource.com or Coupons.com
Final Price: $1.75/each

Philadelphia Cream Cheese, $1.18
*$1/2 Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 11/15/09)
Final Price: $0.68/each

Nestle Toll House Morsels, $1.78
*$0.50/1 Nestle Toll House Morsels, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 11/1/09)
*$1/1 printable
Final Price: as low as $0.78/each

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls or Sweet Rolls, $1.50
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 12-5-09 (SS #1 9/13/09)
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 12-26-09 (SS #2 10/4/09)
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 1-16-10 (SS 10/25/09)
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 1-30-10 (SS 11/8/09)
*$0.25/1 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 2-6-10 (GM Everyday Saver 11/15/09)
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 2-6-10 (GM Everyday Saver 11/15/09)
*$0.25/1 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 2-13-10 (SS 11/22/09)
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, exp. 2-13-10 (SS 11/22/09)
*$0.50/2 printable from SmartSource.com or Coupons.com
*$0.40/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Sweet Rolls, exp. 2-6-10 (GM Everyday Saver 11/15/09)
*$0.40/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Sweet Rolls, exp. 2-13-10 (SS 11/22/09)
*$0.40/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls, exp. 1-9-10 (SS 10/18/09)
*$0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet R4olls, exp. 1-16-10 (SS 10/25/09)
*$0.50/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls, exp. 12-5-09 (SS #1 9/13/09)
*$0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls, exp. 12-26-09 (SS #2 10/4/09)
*$0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls, exp. 1-30-10 (SS 11/8/09)
Final Price: as low as $1.25/each

Have you noticed any great deals at Walmart recently? Like a really great clearance and maybe a coupon to match with it?

Target, Really?

2009-11-23T09:57:00.004-06:00

If you haven't read what's happening with Target and their price matching and couponing policy read all the details here at Common Sense with Money. Apparently the coupons on Target's site will not tell you if they are a Target Coupon or Manufacturer coupon, nor will it tell you when it expires. It will once it's printed, but that could waste a lot of ink and paper. I foresee Target losing a lot of business due to this. I myself have to drive 45 minutes to get to Target and I usually pick up other things when I'm there. With this new attitude Target has about couponing and price matching, I'm not really sure if it would be worth my time to go. Heck, it's not like there is a Target in every town like Walmart is. Target needs understand that they need to make people happy to get them to go out of their way to go shop there. Target needs new advisers if you ask me. I can almost guarantee I will be shopping at Target less often. It's just not worth it anymore.

What are your thoughts about the every changing Target policies?

Target Deals 11/22-11/25/09

2009-11-23T08:15:00.004-06:00

Here's a few of my picks from Target this week from a list that was put together by Stretching a Buck. Make sure you check out Target's Price Matching and Coupon Policy. They have changed it once again this week.

*Prices may vary by region, so check your ad to confirm prices.*

Freebies are in RED

Del Monte Canned Vegetables (14-15 oz) - $0.45/ea
Use $1/8 11/15 Red Plum insert
PLUS
Use $1/6 Target coupon here
Final Price = $0.20/ea when you buy 8

Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (14 oz) - $0.49/ea
Use $0.25/4 in 11/8 Smart Source insert
Final Price = $0.43/ea when you buy 4

Betty Crocker Potatoes - $0.79/ea
Use $0.35/1 in 11/15 GM insert or 11/22 Smart Source insert or
Use $0.40/1 here
Final Price = $0.39-0.44/ea

Ritz Crackers (Snow Flake, 16 oz) - $2.79/ea
Use $1/1 in 11/8 Smart Source insert
PLUS
Use $1/1 Target coupon here
Final Price = $0.79/ea

GE Reveal Light Bulbs (select 4 pks) - $2/ea
Use $2/2 Target Coupons here (if it is still available)
PLUS
Use $1/2 here or in 10/4 Smart Source insert
Final Price = $0.50-1.50/ea when you buy 2

Huggies Diapers (super mega packs) - $16.99/ea
Use $3/1 Huggies Pure & Natural here or in 10/25 & 11/15 Smart Source inserts
Use $1/1 Huggies Diapers in 10/25 & 11/15 Smart Source inserts
Final Price = $13.99-15.99/ea

Pampers Diapers (super mega packs) - $16.99/ea
Use $1.50/1 in 11/1 P&G insert
Final Price = $15.49/ea

Santa Buddies Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack - $19.99/ea (released 11/24)
Use $10/1 here
Final Price = $9.99/ea

ONGOING DEALS:

Rayovac Batteries - $1/ea (in the Dollar Spot)
Use $1/1 in 10/18 Smart source insert
Final Price = FREE

Hormel Compleats - $1.89/ea
Use $2/1 in October All You magazine
Final Price = FREE

All Laundry Detergent (travel size) - $1/ea
Use $1/1 when you sign up here
Final Price = FREE

Tide Detergent (travel size) -$1/ea
Use $1/1 in 11/1 P&G insert
Final Price = FREE

Rolaids (3 pk) - $1.57/ea
Use $4/2 in 10/4 Red Plum insert
Final Price = FREE when you buy 2

Dove Deodorant (travel size) - $0.97/ea
Use $1/1 in 10/4 Red Plum insert
Final Price = FREE

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta - $1.19/ea
Use $1/2 here
Final Price = $0.69/ea when you buy 2

Hefty One Zip Bags (with travel size items) - $1/ea
Use $1/1 or $1/2 in 11/1 Red Plum insert
Final Price = FREE or $0.50/ea when you buy 2

Mr. Potato Head Spud Buds (Christmas) - $5.99/ea
Use $5/1 Spud Buds here
Final Price = $0.99/ea

Have you noticed any great deals at Target recently? Like really great clearances and maybe a coupon to match up with it.

Snapfish Online Codes + up to 13% CASH BACK

2009-11-21T07:34:00.006-06:00

There are quite a few codes for Snapfish right now. Perfect for those holiday cards, photos and gifts. And if you sign up you can get 50 prints and a gift for free.

50% off all Photo books-code HOLIDAYBOOKS-exp. Nov. 24, 2009
20% off Catalog Items-code HOLIDAY09-exp. Dec. 31, 2009
25% off Photo Cards-code 25CARD2009-exp. Jan. 31, 2010
30% off Calendars-code 30CAL2009-exp. Jan. 31, 2010
FREE Shipping on $30+ orders-code SNAPFISH-exp. Nov. 30, 2009

Make these deals even sweeter by ordering through an Online Rebate Program and get cash back!

Plus get a $5 bonus for signing up with Cashbaq and Mr. Rebates!

25% off $100 @ Old Navy.com

2009-11-20T13:37:00.002-06:00

Get 25% off $100 or more with online code ONSAVE15 at Old Navy.com

Expires 11/24/09!

Earn Free Prizes or Cash by Searching Online!

2009-11-20T11:35:00.004-06:00

I was trying to figure out what to blog about and decided that since I have a few new readers, I'll write about SwagBucks. SwagBucks is a great way to let you earn prizes and cash by searching the web. What you do anyway! All you do is sign up for SwagBucks, they give you 3 just for signing up. And when you are going to use a search engine to look for something online, you go through SwagBucks. The results are through Google and Ask. I know most people use Google anyway so why not get paid to search online? To make life easier, I've downloaded the toolbar and I just search from my toolbar. I earn about 3-4 bucks a day and if I buy $5 Amazon e-gift cards (which is probably the most popular prize), I average about $10 a month. They also have Target, Barnes & Noble, cash through PayPal and other gift cards and prizes. You can also earn bucks through SwagCodes. Sometimes you can find them through twitter, facebook, newsletters, blogs, swidgets or through the toolbar. When you find one, you copy and you go to their website and enter it in there. I know someone who was able to buy a laptop on Amazon by buying up Amazon e-gift cards with their bucks within a few months. It's really easy. Even if it takes you a while to accumulate bucks, you're really not doing anything extra for them, so why not do it? Sign up today to find out how easy it is to earn SwagBucks!

Click here to begin earning FREE prizes today!

Walmart's Black Friday Ad

2009-11-18T16:35:00.002-06:00

The previous site doesn't have Walmart's ad, but this one does.

Black Friday (at) gotta deal

But the other site I have posted will have scanned pictures from the ad on Monday.

Black Friday Ads

2009-11-18T15:44:00.000-06:00

I just found a site where you can preview most Black Friday ads.

BFads.net

There are some really good features too, like creating a shopping list.

Frugal Tip: Homemade Glass Cleaner

2009-11-18T13:25:00.003-06:00

I have three kids and a glass table, so I think I might be a little bit of an expert when it comes to cleaning glass! LOL! We go through a lot of glass cleaner I found this recipe that works pretty good.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

1 cup water

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 tbsp white vinegar

All you do is add the ingredients in a spray bottle and your done.

Easy!

Veggie Tales Nativity $10.98 SHIPPED

2009-11-17T15:43:00.005-06:00

I just had to share this with y'all. I am a big Veggie Tales fan, even before I had kids. I just thought this would be a great nativity set for the kids to play with.

Get the VeggieTales nativity for just $9.99 plus $.99 shipping!

VeggieTales Nativity Playset $19.99

Item: 973999

Use coupon code 1256899 to take $10 off!

Thanks Pinching Your Pennies

New Target Coupons and Match ups.

2009-11-17T11:47:00.001-06:00

Target has some new coupons available. Here are the new ones along with some match ups and an updates shopping list put together by Stretching a Buck.

$1/6 Del Monte Canned Vegetables (pair with $1/8 in 11/15 Red Plum insert)
$1/1 Dole Bagged Salad (pair with $1/2 here)
$1/1 Nabisco Family Sized Crackers (pair with $1/1 in 11/8 Smart Source insert)
$1/2 Ocean Spray Juice (64 oz)
$0.50/1 Pepperidge Farm Stuffing (pair with $1/2 here)
$1/2 Pop Secret Pop Corn (pair with $1/2 in 11/8 Smart Source insert)
$0.50/1 Wasa Crackers
$1/1 Market Pantry Bakery Pie
$1/1 Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals Crackers (pair with $1/1, $1.50/1 or $2/1 in 11/1 Red Plum insert)
$1/4 Del Monte Fruit Products
$0.75/1 Folgers Coffee (pair with the $1/1 in the 11/8 Red Plum insert!)
$1/1 Pepsi 12 pack
$1/1 Ritz Crackers (pair with $1/1 in 11/8 Smart Source insert)
$0.50/1 Argo Corn Starch (pair with $0.40/1 or $0.50/1 in 11/8 Smart Source insert)

Updated Deals:

Del Monte Canned Vegetables (14-15 oz) - $0.45/ea Use $1/8 11/15 Red Plum insert PLUS Use $1/6 Target coupon here Final Price = $0.20/ea when you buy 8

Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail (64 oz) - $1.98/ea Use $1/1 Target coupon here (expires 11/17) orUse $1/2 Target coupon here Final Price = $0.98-1.48/ea

Pepperidge Farm Stuffing (14-16 oz bags) - $2.50/ea Use $1/2 here PLUS Use $0.50/1 Target coupon here Final Price = $1.50-2/ea

I looks like you can't get these through a coupon generator yet, and according to Stretching a Buck, now you can only print up two per coupon, per computer. I don't know if that will be the case when they show up on a generator.

Free Sample: STACY'S® SIMPLY NAKED Pita Chips + Two Free Issues of All*You

2009-11-17T11:21:00.004-06:00

Get a free sample of STACY'S® SIMPLY NAKED Pita Chips from All*You magazine. You can also get two free All*You issues to preview. Or just decline and get you free sample.

**You can also get a $1 off STACY'S® SIMPLY NAKED Pita Chips through All*You.

Shop Mr. Rebates for cash back on online purchases.

2009-11-17T10:32:00.004-06:00

I signed up for Mr. Rebates yesterday. It's just like Cashbaq. If you shop through their site, you can get money back on your online purchases. If you are going to sign up for an Online Rebate program, it is best to sign up for a few. Some sites will give you more money back than other sites. Just a little advise: If you are signing up for a couple of of these, I made a spreadsheet with the stores I shop at and what percentage I get back for each Rebate Program. Makes easier to decide who to go through. Oh and the best part about these sites. When you click on the store, it tells you what coupons, sales and deals that site has going on. Cashbaq even had that Walmart had Maternity clothes on clearance. (Oh and I didn't know this when I signed up, but I'm noticing that you can get $5 bonus just for signing up)

This is some of the comparisons I've done so far:

Online store*Upromise*Cashbaq*Mr. Rebate
6pm.com______*______5%_______5%
Children's Place_3%_____3%_______3%
Old Navy______5%____3%_______3%
Target________2%___2%-5%_____4%
Walmart______1%____2%-5%_____3%

Of course there are a lot more online stores to choose from.

Also sign up for:

Upromise

Cashbaq ($5 bonus just for signing up!)

Consignment Shopping 11/14

2009-11-17T08:15:00.007-06:00

If you are in the Omaha, Nebraska area, a friend of mine told me about a really great consignment store, Bigwheels 2 Butterflys. I'm not really an experienced consignment store shopper. I really don't have time to try and find a good one. But I know that the prices can be ridiculous for used clothes. There are two of these stores in the area and across from the one in Papillion is their clearance store, B2B Last Chance, where everything is $1. My friend said she came out of that store with two bags of clothes for her baby girl and paid $25 for everything. I didn't find much in that store. I was looking for specific things, but I did find a couple of flannel footie pajamas for my 15 month old son. We went across the street to the regular store and I found this cute suit for my son for $4.50.

Then my husband found a Dora DVD for my almost 3 year old for $2.50 and an Elmo thingy for $4.50. She loves Dora and even though it's an Easter DVD, she won't care. She also loves Elmo and this particular toy, one of her speech therapists in Louisiana had it and she loved it. Then we found the Peek a Blocks Hippo (I think that's what it's called) for $6 complete with blocks! It looks brand new too. So we got that for my son for Christmas.So between the two stores I spent about $22 on everything! Not bad! I was looking for formal looking dresses for my girls, but they said once they are put out on the racks, they are pretty much gone. The next time I need clothes, I'm definitely going back.

$6.49 Shoes from 6pm.com

2009-11-16T12:37:00.003-06:00

6pm is having a pretty good sale on shoes this week.

There's a couple other sales going on this week too.

**If you order through Cashbaq you can get a 5% rebate paid through paypal. Plus you get $5 just for signing up.**

How to get the toys you want from the Target Toy Coupon Book

2009-11-16T11:02:00.000-06:00

If you haven't seen Target's Toy Coupon book you can print it here. You may also be able to find them at Target in the toy section. I tried to get the Fisher Price Little People Airport the other day and the employee told me that the toys in the coupon book go fast. We went about noon and she said they had six of them that mourning. She told me that I can call and ask if they have any instock and if they do they can hold it for me for 24 hours. I don't know if everyone knows this, but I didn't. So I'd thought I'd share this little tip with y'all. Hopefully I can get it this week!

Walgreens Deals 11/15-11/21/09

2009-11-16T09:15:00.000-06:00

My favs from a list put together by Carrie @ Pocket Your Dollars.

Freebies are in RED.

Lindsay Olives–$0.99 after in-ad coupon
Buy 2 and use in-ad coupon for sale price and stack with
$1/2 printable coupon
Final price: $0.49 each after coupon

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers–2/$5
Buy 2 and use two $2/1 printable coupon
Final price: $0.50 each after coupon

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish $1.50
Use $0.75/1 printable coupon
Final price: $0.75 each after coupon

Skippy Peanut Butter $1.50
Use $0.75/1 coupon from the 10/4 Red Plum insert
Final price: $0.75 after coupon

Register Reward Deals (RR)

Buy 1 Ricola Mixes Berry Cough Drops (19-count) at $1, Get $1 RR
Use $0.50/1 coupon in the Walgreens Healthy Savings Coupon Booklet (ask for it at the pharmacy counter)
Spend $0.50, get $1 RR back
Final price: Better than free after coupon and RR

Buy 1 Aussie Hair Care product at $2.99, Get $2 RR
Use $1/1 coupon from 10/11 P&G insert
Spend $1.99, get $2 RR back
Final price: Free after coupon and RR

Month-Long Register Reward Deals

Buy 1 Almay Pure Blends Foundation at $9.99, Get $10 Register Rewards
Final price: Free after Register Rewards

Target Deals 11/15-11/21/09

2009-11-16T06:57:00.002-06:00

These are my picks form a list that was put together by the Krazy Koupon Lady and Stretching a Buck.

Chinet Plates 72ct 9″ or 32ct 10″ $4.74
print each twice for total of 4 coupons
$1.00/1 (IE) any one Chinet Product – (bricks.coupons.com)
$1.00/1 (FF) any one Chinet Product – (bricks.coupons.com)
$1.00/1 Chinet Classic White, any – (mychinet.com)

if Chinet Casuals are included, print these twice as well:
$1.00/1 (IE) – Chinet Casuals, any – (bricks.coupons.com)
$1.00/1 (FF) – Chinet Casuals, any – (bricks.coupons.com)

Scenario:Buy 2 Chinet Plates 9.48
Use 2 $1.00/1 coupons
Pay $7.98, Receive $5 Gift Card
Final Price: $1.24 per pack after gift card savings!

Del Monte Canned Vegetables $0.45
$1/8 11/15 Red Plum insert
Final Price: $0.33 each

Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes $0.79
$0.40/1 – Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes – (coupons.com)
$0.40/1 – Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes – (smartsource.com)
$0.40/1 – Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes – (boxtops4education.com)
$0.40/1 – Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes – (pillsbury.com)
Final Price: $0.39

Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup $0.49
$1.00/4 – Campbells Cooking Soups (familytime.com)
Final Price: $0.24

Reynolds Wrap $2.50
$1.25/1 from 11/15 SS
Final Price: $1.25

Ocean Spray Cocktail $1.98
$1.00/1 – Ocean Spray Cocktail Drinks 64oz – TARGET ex. 11/17 – (afullcup.com)
Final Price: $0.98

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables $1.50
$0.50/1 – Green Giant Frozen Bagged Vegetables – (coupons.com)
Final Price: $1.00

Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 8 oz $1.19
$1.00/2 from 11/14 RP
Final Price: $0.69

Kelloggs Rice Krispies, 12 oz (& select others) $2.75
$1.00/1 Kellogg’s cereal, 11.2-oz+, Target Coupon
$0.75/1 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal (10oz or larger, any flavor)
$1/1 in 11/8 Red Plum insert
Final Price: $0.75-$1.00

Do you know of any other deals in the ad or that are not in the ad (i.e. clearance items, etc.)?

Lesson Learned!

2009-11-13T13:09:00.002-06:00

I haven't bought Parent's Choice diapers since my oldest was a baby. She is now 5 1/2. I hated them, but I can only remember not liking them for their fit. Last week I needed diapers and didn't want to spend $20 for Huggies (I don't like Luvs), and I didn't want to drive 45 minutes to Target for the Up and Up's, so I bought the Parent's Choice diapers. Big mistake. They leak like crazy! My son woke up in the middle of the night one night soaked from head to toe. My almost 3 year old took a two hour nap in them yesterday (she's potty trained and only wears diapers while she sleeps) and she woke up from it completely soaked and a huge puddle in her bed. These are the only product of Parent's Choice that I don't like. I've bought a lot of other Parent's Choice stuff in the past, including formula and I'm ok with those products. But they need to change those diapers! Now I'm stuck with them because that wouldn't be very frugal to throw those daipers away. :)

$0.49 Leap Frog Alphabet Pal!

2009-11-12T16:29:00.002-06:00

I was in EADFL 's chatroom and someone mentioned that Toys 'r Us is going to have the Leap Frog Alphabet Pal on sale for $10.49 Friday and Saturday only. If your Target will price match, take the ad into Target and use the $10 off Target coupon!

Final price $0.49!!!

Does any one know if they will accept a printed out version of the ad?

Old Navy Thrusday

2009-11-12T08:06:00.002-06:00

It's Thursday once again! Don't forget to check out Old Navy Weekly to search for some amazing coupons! Remember, no one knows exactly when Old Navy is going to update. Just keep refreshing the page every once in a while.

To increase your odds at finding a high value coupon, go to Engineer a Debt Free Life's chatroom. Sometimes I like to go in there and just chat. It's a great way to find out different ways to save money. Money Savin' Mamma is in there from time to time through out the day. She has some great secrets to saving money! I'll be in there later today. I want to clean the girls' room today (looks like a hurricane went through there!). So I'll be pretty busy today. Good Luck!

What Couponing System Do I Use?

2009-11-11T13:34:00.002-06:00

Currently I use the "no clipping system." It's where you take your inserts and write the date on the front and catalog the coupons and only cut the ones you need. Right now this works best for me because I have to go shopping with my kids and I can't bring the big book of coupons with me when ever I go shopping. And I can't really be spending my time looking around the store looking for clearances and other things anyway. I have to drive at least 45 minutes, so my kids are already tired of it by then. I think when the kids are in school and I can go shopping by myself, I might clip all my coupons and still catalog them so I'm not so overwhelmed by the sea of coupons. Here is a couple of videos from The Obsessive Shopper to teach you how to coupon. I'm a visual learner, so these videos and her step by step explanation were great to help me learn. Also visit her site to get the complete "System".

She also has an spreadsheet you can download for free to catalog your coupons, price list, savings tracker.
("this tracking form" for spreadsheet).

Gathering your coupons:

Little People Nativity-$21.07 SHIPPED

2009-11-11T09:57:00.004-06:00

2009 Little People Nativity

Item: 1253401

reg. $39.99

sale $29.97

-33% off one item with code 1265151

$0.99 shipping

Total $21.07 shipped!

@Family Christian Stores

Thanks Pinching Your Pennies

I'm not sure when this sale and code is ending so order now. This is after Christmas cheap!

Coupon Lingo/Abbreviations

2009-11-11T09:31:00.001-06:00

Just so you aren't confused here is some of the abbreviations and lingo used with couponing.

Sunday inserts:
P&G = Procter & Gamble Sunday insert
RP = Red Plum
SS = SmartSource
V = Valassis

2009 Coupon Insert Schedule

When I list the store deals and refer to a coupon from a Sunday insert, the information on where to find the coupon is in parentheses. For example,(SS 12/14/08) would indicate that a coupon came from a SmartSource insert that was distributed in the 12/14/08 Sunday newspaper.

Coupon lingo:
$1/1, $1/2, etc. = One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. = Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
BOGO = Buy one item get one item free
B2GO = Buy two items get one item free
Blinkies = Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat = Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints
CRT = Cash register tape, usually used when referring to CVS coupons that print with receipt
ECBs = ExtraCare Bucks, CVS loyalty rewards system
ESRs = EasySaver Rebates, Walgreens monthly rebates program
FAR = Free after rebate
IPQ = Internet printable coupon
IVC = Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens’ store coupons found in ads and ESR booklet
MFR = Manufacturer
MIR = Mail-in rebate
OYNO = On your next order
OOP = Out of pocket
Peelie = Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA = Prices starting at
RRs = Register Rewards, Walgreens’ Catalina coupons
SCR = Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
UPC = Universal Product Code, bar code on a product
WT = Wine tag, no alcohol purchase necessary to use these coupons
WYB = When you buy
YMMV = You mileage (or manager) may vary, some stores may allow you to do a deal, some may not.

This list was put together by Deal Seeking Mom.

Here is a couple that I use:

TQ = Target Coupon
MQ = Manufacturer Coupon

Zales 24 Hour Sale

2009-11-11T09:22:00.003-06:00

Zales is having a pretty good 24 hour sale right now. They have 24 items starting at $29. There is a good bit of stuff under $100 and there is even a good bit under $50. I wouldn't be posting this if I didn't like the jewelry under $50. Make sure you use code SPECIALDAY.

A couple of my favs under $50:

Want to make this deal better?

Order through Cashbaq and get 3% back and $5 bonus just for signing up!

Frugal Tip: Cutting Men/Boy's Hair Yourself

2009-11-10T13:38:00.000-06:00

My husband needs a haircut about every 3-4 weeks! It gets bad. It was getting way to expensive for him to get it cut every month. So at the beginning of the year we decided that I would start doing it. I think we had decided it long before that, but I was too scared. It took me a while to figure it out, but I'm pretty good at it now. It's not perfect, but I'm getting there. I've never done a child yet. My son is about 15 months old and he's just getting to the point where he needs a hair cut. I've been waiting until I can go get his pictures taken, but he keeps getting these horrible scratches on his face (Boys!). So sometime at the beginning of the year my husband finally bought clippers. He only paid about $15 for it at Walmart, so it paid for itself in one haircut! It came with complete instructions. I kind of do it differently, but hey, it comes out good anyway. They tell you to start from the bottom and work your way up, but I like doing it from the top and working my way down. Luckily I don't need to use scissors on my husband. He is fine with me using the one inch on top.

eHow's instructions:

Step 1
Find an easily cleaned location to cut a man's hair. If you're accessible to a patio or sidewalk, consider clipping the hair outside. If not, it's O.K. to clip inside but do so on a hard surface such as tile or wood floors.

Step 2
Protect the man's clothing by using a barbershop cape around his shoulders. Use a towel if you're not able to use a cape.

Step 3
Determine the style of cut and length the man wants. Attach the size adjustments to the clippers for different lengths. If he wants a clean cut to the scalp, you're not going to need to use an attachment.

Step 4
Begin on the side of the hair, and work the clippers straight up and back. Work in sections to achieve different length cuts by changing the attachment after you're finished in one section. If you're not using attachments and cutting one length, work slow and evenly in sections to maintain control over the clippers.

Step 5
Move to the back of the head and clip the hair straight up.

Step 6
Trim the base of the neck by using the clippers straight down. Clip to where the shirt collar would come to for an even, clean look.

Step 7
Remove the cape or towel and brush off excess hair.

***I tried to find a video on YouTube, but there are so many and I couldn't really find one that showed how to do it completely without scissors. But there are many videos, so if you want to do it, you can just search through YouTube and find on that you like.

Cash Back for Shopping Online Through CASHBAQ!

2009-11-10T10:44:00.005-06:00

I just signed up for CashBaq. It's automatic rebates for shopping online. I just bought four boxes of Up and Up Diapers from Target, got 15% off for ordering four, and got free shipping because my order was over $50 before the discount. Then I get a 5% rebate. You can have the payments go directly to your PayPal account or you can have them send you a check! How sweet is that? Just go to your favorite online store through CashBaq and it will tell you what kind of discounts are going on, click on it and the discounts are automatically taken off! And you get a $5 bonus just for signing up!

Here is a few of the the online stores you can get cash back from:

1%-5%

6PM

QVC.com

Borders

Target

Walmart

Oldnavy

5%-10%

Famous Footwear

GNC

10%-15%

Skype

NurtriSystem

Proactive Solutions

20%-50%

Match.com

Chemistry.com

Restaurant.com

There are a lot more stores. Check it out and see if your favorites are listed!

Disney's Up and Monster's Inc Deal Sweetened!

2009-11-10T09:37:00.006-06:00

Yesterday, I posted about this deal at Target:

UP Blu-Ray Combo Pack $26.99 & Monsters Inc Blu-Ray $26.99
Buy both combo packs and price match them with the Best Buy weekly ad that has them priced at $23.99 for Up Blu-Ray Combo pack and $18.99 for Monsters Inc. Blu-Ray for a total of $42.98
Use the $10/2 Target coupon and stack with
$8/1 Monsters Inc. printable coupon (IE) or printable coupon (FF)
Final price: $12.49 each after coupons
****You may also consider doing these rebate offers when you buy something in addition to the movies. $5 rebate back when you purchase 2 Kernel Season’s products or $4 rebate when you purchase a select pasta item.

Now you can get a $10 coupon for UP here.

Go to Target:
Price Match UP for $23.99
Price Match Monster's Inc. for $18.99
Use Target coupon for $10 off when you buy both.
Use MQ for $8 off Monter's Inc.
Use MQ for $10 off UP
$7.49 each!

Then you can do the rebates below to save more!

$5 Kernal Seasons mail-in rebate
– $1/2 Kernel Seasons printable

$5 Birds Eye Voila mail-in rebate
– $1/2 Birds Eye Voila printable

$4 Pasta and a Movie mail-in rebate
– $1/2 Ronzoni Pasta printable

Disney PJs-$5! Ends Tonight

2009-11-09T21:59:00.003-06:00

Get Disney PJ's for $5! Seven styles to choose from. Hurry! It ends tonight! Looks like the Disney Store has daily deals. I'll keep y'all posted if I see something good. (Just a side note: If you go through Upromise you can get a 3% credit to your account!)

Target Deals 11/8-11/9/09

2009-11-09T11:06:00.005-06:00

This list is compiled by Carrie at Pocket Your Dollars.

This is an abridged list. Check out Pocket Your Dollars for more.

Freebies are in red!

Prices could vary by region.

Week-Long Deals

Duncan Hines Cake Mix—price match Rainbow Foods $0.88 (otherwise $0.97)

Buy 2 and use $0.55/2 coupon from the 10/11 Smartsource insert and stack with

One $0.50/1 Target printable coupon (coupon says limit one per transaction, although some stores allow you to use multiples)

Final price: $0.36 each after coupons (or $0.11 each if you can use two Target-issued coupons)

Mr. Potato Head Spud Buds (Christmas) $5.99

Use $5/1 Spud Buds printable coupon

Final price: $0.99 after coupon

Herbal Essences Conditioner (12 oz) $2.99

Buy 2 and use “buy one, get one free” coupon from the 10/11 P&G insert

Final price: $1.50 each after coupon

Cheez-it Crackers (13.7 oz) $2.50

Buy 2 and use $1.50/2 from the 10/4 Red Plum insert

Final price: $1.75 each after coupon

Mr. Potato Head $6.99

Use $5/1 printable coupon

Final price: $1.99 after coupon

Aveeno Baby Care (5 or 8 oz) $3.50

Use $1/1 printable coupon

Final price: $2.50 after coupon

Pictureka Flipper–price match with the Kmart Ad $14.99

Use the $5/1 Target coupon (if your Target allows Target coupons on a price match. Not all stores do) and stack with$5/1 manufacturer printable coupon

Final price: $4.99 after coupons

Barbie and The Three Musketeers DVD—price match Toys R Us as $9.99

Use the $5/1Target coupon

Final price: $4.99 after coupon (read both footnotes below)

**Some folks report seeing peel-off coupons on the Barbie DVD packages for $5 off if you get a second select Barbie movie. Barbie: A Christmas Carol is included in the list and is also $9.99 at Toys R Us, so you can get a second movie for $4.99

**The Barbie DVDs (and other select Barbie products) come with a code you can enter at http://www.blogger.com/www.barbie.com/pinkticketparty. After entering your code, you’ll be brought to a window where you can print off a coupon for $5/1 Mattel Barbie Toy (Minimum pre-tax purchase price of $14.99). Stack that with the $5/1Barbie Target coupon for a great deal

Clue: Secret and Spies Game–price match with the Kmart Ad $14.99

Use the $5/1 Target coupon (if your Target allows Target coupons on a price match. Not all stores do) and stack with

$5/1 manufacturer printable coupon

Final price: $4.99 after coupons

LeapFrog Alphabet Pal $19.99

Use $10/1 Target printable coupon

Final price: $9.99 after coupon

LeapFrog My Puppy Pal $14.99

Use Target printable coupon

Final price: $9.99 after coupon

LeapFrog My Pal Scout–price match Toys R Us ad $14.99

Use the $5/1 Target coupon

Final price: $9.99 after coupon

UP Blu-Ray Combo Pack $26.99 & Monsters Inc Blu-Ray $26.99

Buy both combo packs and price match them with the Best Buy weekly ad that has them priced at $23.99 for Up Blu-Ray Combo pack and $18.99 for Monsters Inc. Blu-Ray for a total of $42.98

Use the $10/2 Target coupon and stack with

$8/1 Monsters Inc. printable coupon (IE) or printable coupon (FF)

Final price: $12.49 each after coupons

****You may also consider doing these rebate offers when you buy something in addition to the movies. $5 rebate back when you purchase 2 Kernel Season’s products or $4 rebate when you purchase a select pasta item.

LeapFrog Tag System $39.99

Use $10/1 printable coupon and stack with

$10/1 Target printable coupon

Final price: $19.99

Ongoing Deals (New to the list)

Up & Up flushable toddler wipes (48 ct) refill pack $0.97

Use $1/1 Target coupon

Final price: Free after coupon

Ben 10 Alien Force Creations Challenge $24.99

Use the $5/1 Target coupon and stack with

$2.50/1 manufacturer printable coupon

Final price: $17.49 after coupons

Fisher Price Little People Discovery Airport $39.99

Use the $20/1 Target coupon

Final price: $19.99 after coupon

Ongoing Deals (Previously listed)

$0.05 Credit on Your Order for Each Reusable Grocery Bag

Bring your own bags into the store and receive a $0.05 credit for each one

Buy 5 Glade holiday candle products (candles, warmers + more) for $2.50 each,

Get a $5 Target gift card

You can also buy up to 10 Glade items in the same transaction and get up to two $5 Target gift cards. Promotion runs through 12/26

***Deal idea**

Buy 5 Glade Scented Oil Candle Christmas Tins

Buy 5 Glade 3 pack Scented oil candle refills

Use five $1.50/1 coupons found inside the tins and stack with

Plus, use five “Buy oil candle holders, get the refill pack free” printable coupons (print limit 2 per computer) or from the 11/1 Smartsource insert

Spend $5, get $10 in gift cards back

Submit for three separate $5 SC Johnson rebate for another $15 back

Final price: Better than free after coupons

****If you buy special edition Glade products you can download free holiday music

Rolaids 3-pack $1.57

Buy 2 and use the $4/2 coupon from 10/4 Red Plum insert (exp 1/4)

Final price: Two free after coupon

Cesar Bistro Entrée

Use Target-issued buy one, get one free coupon from 10/18 Red Plum insert (exp 12/31) and stack with

Manufacturer-issued buy one, get one free printable coupon

Final price: Two free after coupons

Hormel Compleats $1.89

Use $2/1 coupon from October issue of All You magazine (exp 12/14)

Final price: Two free after coupons

Arm & Hammer Toothpaste (travel size) $1.07

Buy 2 and use $3/2 coupon from 8/16 Smartsource insert (exp 11/30)

Final price: Two free after coupon

Fancy Feast Cat Appetizers $1.29

Buy 2 and use “Buy one, get one free” from 9/13 Red Plum #1 insert (exp 12/31) and stack with

“Buy one, get one free” Target-issued printable coupon (exp 11/21)

Final price: Two free after coupons

Dove Deodorant (travel size) $0.97

Use $1/1 coupon from 10/4 Red Plum insert (register will likely beep because item is valued less than coupon. Cashier should manually adjust the coupon value down to $0.97) (exp 12/27)

Final price: Free after coupon

Skintimate (travel section) $1.47

Use $1.50/1 coupon from October’s Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies Home Journal or Woman’s Day (exp 12/31)

Final price: Free after coupon

Rayovac Alkaline Batteries (2-pack in dollar spot) $1

Use the $1/1 coupon from 10/18 Smartsource (regional) (exp. 8/21)

Final price: Free after coupon

Johnson’s Buddies $0.99

Buy 1 and use $1/1 coupon from 9/13 Red Plum #2 insert (exp 11/22)

Final price: Free after coupon

Freshpet Select Homestyle Product

Use “Try me free” coupon from 9/13 Smartsource #1 insert (exp 12/31)

Final price: Free after coupons

Hefty One Zip (with travel size items) $1.00

Use $1/1 coupon from 11/1 Red Plum insert (exp 12/31)

Final price: Free after coupon

Tide Travel Size $0.97

Use $1/1 from 11/1 Proctor & Gamble insert

Final price: Free after coupon

Select Archer Farms Bakery items $1 or more

Use $1/1 Target printable coupon for bakery item (exp 11/17)

Final price: As low as free after coupon

Renu Contact Solution (travel size) $1.67

Use $2/1 printable coupon (registration required) or $1/1 printable coupon here

Final price: As low as free after coupon

Beech Nut Stage 3 Homestyle Fruit

Use “Try me free” coupon from 8/2 Smartsource #2 insert (exp 12/31)

Final price: Free each after coupon

All Small & Mighty $1.00 (travel size)

Use $1/1 printable coupon after registering here

Final price: Free each after coupon

Joint Juice $1.00

Use $1/1 printable coupon

Final price: Free each after coupons

Kotex pantiliners (price check??)

Use $1/1 Target-issued coupon from 10/25 Target insert and stack with

$1/1 manufacturer printable coupon (IE) or printable coupon (FF)

Final price: Close to free after coupons

Reach floss (select varieties) $1.12

Use $1/1 coupon from 6/14 (exp 5/31/10) or 10/4 (6/30/10) Smartsource inserts

Final price: $0.12 after coupon

Honey Bunches of Oats Pecan Bunches $2.24

Use the $2/1 printable coupon

Final price: $0.24 after coupon

Degree Products

Buy Degree Fine Fragrance deodorant for $3.29 and

Buy Degree Fine Fragrance body mist for $3.29 and

Use two $1.50/1 manufacturer-issued printable coupons here IE or Firefox and stack withTarget-issued $3/2 printable coupon

Final price: $0.29 each after coupons

Quaker Oatmeal Cups $1.00

Buy 2 and use $1.25/2 coupon from 8/30 Red Plum insert (exp 11/30)

Final price: $0.38 each after coupon

Fiber One Bars (2-pack found near registers) $0.87

Use the $0.40/1 coupons from 10/4 Smartsource inserts (exp 11/28)

Final price: $0.47 each after coupon

Kraft Marshmallows $1.02

Use $1/2 Target printable coupon (exp 11/17)

Final price: $0.52 after coupon

Musselman’s Totally Fruit $1.54

Use the $1/1 printable coupon here

Final price: $0.54 each after coupon

Jimmy Dean Scramble Bowls $2.29

Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from 8/30 Red Plum insert (exp 11/30) or

Buy 1 and use $0.55/1 coupon from 10/4 Red Plum insert (exp 1/31) and stack with

$1/1 Target printable coupons

Final price: $0.74 each after coupon

Aveeno Oatmeal Bath 1.5 oz or Anti-Itch with Calamine Lotion $2.99

(these are found in the First Aid isle)

Use $2/1 printable coupon

Final price: $0.99 each after coupon

Del Monte Fruit Chillers $2.00

Use $1/1 printable coupon

Final price: $1.00 after coupon

In a Slump!

2009-11-09T07:45:00.000-06:00

One of the reasons I started this blog is to help me stay on track. Now that I have a few readers, I feel like I have to succeed because I have people watching me and it is helping. I just get discouraged at times. This past week has been one of them. Will I ever be able to get out of debt? At this point it seems like it will never work. I just can't see it. With a family of five, it seems like what ever extra money we do have, needs to go somewhere else. I've been thinking this past week, that I really can't wait to get our tax refund check back so we can get the ball rolling on paying down our debt and hopefully I will have a more positive outlook on the future. But then I remember about our house in Louisiana that we are renting out. I have no idea what that is going to do as far as taxes go. I guess we will see. I have finally gotten back on the ball as far as finances go. Ever since the move, I just couldn't get organized. That might be one of the reasons I'm feeling the way I'm feeling about all this. I'm finally starting to see the big picture again and although paying down our debt has always been on my mind, it's front and center now. I've also been thinking about Christmas too and wanting to go to Wyoming for Thanksgiving and wondering how we are going to do all that. So there has been a lot on my mind lately. We just need to get through the next few months without getting into more debt. I was watching Raising Sextuplets on WE and the doctor was telling the father/husband that if he could get through the holidays with out gaining weight, he was OK. He wasn't worried about him losing wait at this time, he just didn't want him to gain anything. I guess that's what we all need to think about this season. Not getting deeper into debt. So that's my goal this holiday season. No new debt! Thanks for listening! Just a little blog-therapy here. It helps! :)

Homemade Butter

2009-11-06T10:37:00.006-06:00

This is a great activity for your kids. I remember in school, making homemade butter for our class Thanksgiving party. We'd put the heavy whipping cream in baby food jars (I had no idea what was in the jar at the time), and we'd all sit in a line outside and take turns shaking. Then we had homemade butter for our rolls. Now that my daughter is in Kindergarten, I started thinking about it and I think I might do it with my kids this holiday season. In fact, we have an ice cream maker that is a ball, and I can just put it in that and let my kids kick it around the backyard for a half hour. But you can use baby food jars too. In fact, if this is something you want to do regularly, it might be a good idea to put them in smaller jars like baby food jars, and freeze them and only have a little out at a time. I found a video on YouTube. I know I'm a visual person.

Ingrediants:

Heavy Whipping Cream

Salt (optional)

Pour heavy whipping cream in clean jar. Shake for 20-30 minutes.
Strain butter. Liquid is butter milk, so you can save it for later or for another recipe.
Put butter back in jar, add water and shake.
Strain butter. Do not keep this liquid.
You can knead in salt if you like.

If you can't view the video, just go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rZ1JUMSmDk. Hope that helps April!