Melissa Makes Cents

Jewel - Amazing deals this week (more free ice cream)!

2009-11-05T19:54:00.000-08:00

Jewel has a truly fantastic Catalina deal this week - so good that I was able to get everything pictured above for $.59, plus make a $10 profit in catalinas (see the end of my post for more details on this shopping trip)! The promo is, buy $30 worth of select Unilever, General Mills, or Kimberly Clark products, and get $15 back in Catalina coupons. As I have mentioned before, the $30 threshold for these types of deals is based on whatever the products scans at before you scan your preferred card. This is the beauty of Jewel Catalina deals! And, although the deal is advertised as "buy $30, get $15," you can stack up to 3 deals per transaction, meaning that if you buy $60 or $90 worth, you will get back $30 or $45, respectively.

This promotion includes a wide variety of products, and you can get everything from Breyer's ice cream to Chex mix to paper towels for pennies on the dollar.

Here are some of the items that struck as especially good deals, plus some coupon match-ups and sample scenarios. Please note that pre-preferred card prices may vary some by store. Because of the nature of this deal, anything that has a preferred card price of half of less than what it scans for will essentially be free after the catalina. Most of the things on the list below are free (or better!) after coupons and the catalina deal.

Knorr Rice Sides @ $1.89 pre-card/$1.49 preferred. $1/3 printable coupon here or here (note on the second printable: the coupon is on pg. 2; it prints from a Save-a-Lot site, but it should be a manufacturer coupon that you can use anywhere). Also, every time I have bought these, I get a coupon for more, usually something like $1 off 4 or $2 off 8.
Lipton dry soup mix @ $1.99 pre-card/$.99 preferred. I don't think there are any coupons for it, but it's on sale for half of what it scans, so it's free after the catalina!
Green Giant Corn, Peas, or Green Beans, 11-15 oz. @ $1.29 pre-card/$.79 preferred. These make good fillers if you need something cheap to bump your total up over the $30/60/90 threshold.
Progresso Broth @ $2.99 pre-card/$1.49 preferred. Use $.50 coupon from 10/4 insert or printable coupon from Coupons.com.
Progresso Rich & Hearty Soup @ $2.79 pre-card/$1.49 preferred. Use $1/3 printable, $1.10/3 printable from Coupons.com, or the $.50/2 coupon from 9/13 or 10/25 inserts.
Progresso Bread Crumbs @ $2.99 pre-card/$1.99 preferred. Use $1/2 printable coupon from Coupons.com (good on any Progresso products except soup and broth).
Chex mix @ $2.99 pre-card/$1.69 after. Use $.50/1 coupon from 10/25 insert (good only on chocolate flavors), $.50/2 from 10/4 insert, or $.50/1 printables from Coupons.com (there are two, one is good only on chocolate flavors).
Gold Medal Flour @ $3.29 pre-card/$1.99 preferred. Use $.50 coupon from Eat Better America.
Yoplait Yo-Plus, Fiber One, or Delights 4-pk. yogurt @ $3.39 pre-card/$2.49 preferred. Use $1 coupons from 10/4 or 9/13 inserts, $1 printables from Coupons.com, $1.25 printables here and/or here, or $1 printables here, here, and/or here.
Wishbone salad dressing @ $2.49 pre-card/$1.99 preferred. Use $.75 printable coupon.
Breyer's ice cream @ $5.99 pre-card/$2.99 preferred. Use $.75 coupon from 10/18 insert or $1/2 printable coupon (note on the printable: the coupon is on pg. 2; it prints from a Save-a-Lot site, but it should be a manufacturer coupon that you can use anywhere).
Hellmann's Mayonnaise, 22 oz. squeeze bottle @ $5.39 pre-card/$2.99 preferred. Use $1/2 printable coupon (the coupon is on pg. 2; it prints from a Save-a-Lot site, but it should be a manufacturer coupon that you can use anywhere). And, make sure you get the right size and type of bottle - other varieties are included in the sale, but not all have the same pre-preferred price, which could throw off the total you need to get your catalina.
Scott paper towels, 1 ct. Mega Roll @ $1.99 pre-card/$1.29 preferred. Use $1/4 coupon from 11/1 insert.
General Mills Cereal
Cheerios, 8.9 oz. @ $2.99 pre-card/$1.88 preferred.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch, 12.8 oz., or Golden Grahams, 12 oz. @ $2.79 pre-card/$1.88 preferred.
Trix, 10.7 oz. @ $3.09 pre-card/$1.88 preferred.
Use $.55 Cheerios coupon from Coupons.com, $.55 Cinnamon Toast Crunch coupon, $1/2 coupons from 9/27 or 11/1 inserts, $1/3 coupon from 10/4 insert, or $1/2 printable coupon.

And, here are the details from my trip earlier today:

5 Progresso Rich & Hearty soup @ $2.79 pre-card/$1.49 preferred = $13.95/$7.45
5 Yoplait @ $3.39 pre-card/$2.49 preferred = $16.95/$12.45
5 Progresso chicken broth @ $2.99 pre-card/$1.49 preferred = $14.95/$7.45
12 Knorr Rice Sides @ $1.89 pre-card/$.99 preferred = $22.68/$11.88
11 Lipton soup mixes @ $1.99 pre-card/$.99 preferred = $21.89/$10.89
1 can Jewel pears @ $1 (a filler so I could use the full amount of a $5 catalina coupon)

Before preferred card: $91.42
After preferred card: $51.12
Minus coupons:
$4 off $40 purchase (Look out for these coupons - they may either print after your transaction, or you might find them lying around the check-out areas. I found this one in the bottom of a shopping cart.)
(5) $.50/1 Progresso broth
(5) $1/1 Yoplait
(1) $1/3 Progresso soup
(1) $.50/2 Progresso soup
(1) $1.75/7 Knorr sides (coupon received from buying Knorr on my last trip)
(1) $1.25/5 Knorr sides (also received on my last trip)

I then paid with $35 in catalina coupons from previous trips and $.59 in cash ($.47 of which was tax) and got $45 back in cats! And to think that I used to refuse to shop at Jewel because I thought they were too expensive...

JCPenney Rewards

2009-10-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

I recently received an email from JCPenney about their new JCP Rewards program. In my opinion, the best part is that when you sign up, you get a coupon for $10 off any purchase. Since the minimum purchase requirement is only $10, that means you could get $10 worth of free stuff! According to the email I received from them, you register a credit or debit card with your rewards account, and then you get points for purchases made with that card. When you get enough points, you can redeem them for additional $10 coupons. Go here to sign up.

CVS - Going Green Saves Money!

2009-10-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

CVS recently started a "green bag tag" promotion using tags like the one pictured above. I found mine hanging on a small display near the register at the front of the store. You buy the tag for a one-time cost of $.99 and then attach it to any reusable bag. After purchasing the tag, you will get $1 ECB every fourth time you use it. So, basically, you'll earn back the cost of the tag after 4 uses, and then it's only profit after that - plus you're reducing plastic waste! There is a "limit of one Green Bag tag use/scan per day" per Extra Care card.

Menards - Free Super Glue, Floor Cleaner, & $.79 Salsa

2009-10-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

There are several rebate deals at Menards this week. Here are the ones that stood out to me:

6-pk. Fix-All Super Glue @ $2 - $2 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2 six-pks. per household

Carpet or Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner @ $3 - $3 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2 cleaners per household

Chi-Chi's Salsa, 16 oz. @ $1.79 - $1 mail-in rebate = $.79 after rebate

Castilla Bird Feeder @ $4.99 - $4 mail-in rebate = $.99 after rebate
Limit 2 feeders per household

20' Outdoor Extension cord or 3-outlet Power Stake @ $3.99 - $2 rebate = $1.99 after rebate
Limit 5 cords or stakes per household

Prime Vision or Rally Wiper Blade @ 2/$3 (not a rebate deal, but seems like a decent price to me)

There are some additional things to be aware of concerning Menards rebates. For items that are simply free after rebate, you are required to also purchase $10 of products that are not free after rebate. However, you should be able to count items that have rebates but are not free toward that $10. If you don't want or need anything else, you could also get a $10 gift card to meet that purchase requirement. Most (maybe all?) Menards also accept competitor coupons, so if you have a coupon for money off your next order at another hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe's, you could use that to get an even better deal.

Unless otherwise noted, all rebates are submitted directly to Menards, not to each individual manufacturer, so you can submit everything all at once. Also, the rebate will come in the form of a merchandise check, which is good only at Menard's. However, you can "roll" your Menards gift checks, meaning that you can use your merchandise check from one week to purchase the rebate items for another week. By doing this, you will minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

Walgreens Highlights - Week of 10/25-10/31

2009-10-24T14:03:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I wasn't up to posting much lately due to traveling and sickness in our family, but I think things are better now, so I'm back! If you're new to Walgreens shopping, check out my post here, which explains their system and how to get the most for your money when shopping there. Here are the best deals I see for the week of 10/25:

Buy 2 Trident Layers gum @ $.99 (with in-ad store coupon)
Use (2) $.75 printable coupons or B1G1 coupon from 10/18 insert
Pay $.48-.99, get $1 in Register Rewards; final cost = $.52 profit or FREE after coupons and Register Rewards
*Note: This Register Reward (RR) deal is not advertised in the flyer, but it is an October monthly deal.

Buy (2) Sudafed PE 20 or 24 ct. or OM nasal spray .5 oz. @ 2/$12, get $3 RR
Use (1) $2 coupon from 8/2 or 10/4 insert and $4 coupon from 10/4 insert (Note: must buy at least 1 nasal spray in order to use the $4 coupon)
Pay $6, get $3 RR; final cost = $3 for 2, or $1.50 each after coupons and RR

Buy Robitussin To Go 2 ct. @ $2.49, get $2.49 RR = FREE after RR

Buy Chapstick Fresh Effects @ $2.99, get $2.99 RR = FREE after RR

Buy Dulcolax Balance @ $7, get $4 RR
Use $3 coupon on package
Pay $4, get $4 RR = FREE after coupon and RR
Submit for $5 mail-in rebate here and make a $5 profit!

Buy 1 Fiber Choice 10 ct. or Beano To Go 12 ct. @ $2.49, get $2.49 = FREE after RR

Buy 1 Super Poligrip Denture Adhesive @ $2, get $2 RR = FREE after RR

Buy 8 select Dove hair care products @ $4.99, B1G1 free = $19.96
Use (8) $1.50 or $1 coupons from 10/4 insert
Depending on what coupons you have, pay $7.96-$11.96 after coupons and get $10 RR; final cost = $2.04 profit to $1.96 for 8 ($.25 each) after coupons and RR
*Note: This RR deal is not advertised in the flyer but is an ongoing October monthly deal. Also note that the $1.50 coupon is good only on conditioner, while the $1 coupon is good on any Dove hair care product.

Buy 2 Bayer Contour or Breeze 2 glucose meters @ $14.99 (these are part of the buy $20, get $5 promo)
Use (2) $30 coupons from 10/25 insert (coupons will need to be adjusted down to the purchase price; they will not take off $30 when the meter costs $14.99)
Pay tax and get $5 RR; final cost = $5 profit after coupons and RR

You could also use the Bayer "buy $20, get $5" deal to get free vitamins:

Buy 1 Bayer Contour or Breeze 2 glucose meter @ $14.99 and 1 box 50-100 ct. One-A-Day vitamins @ $6.99 = $21.98
Use $30 meter coupon from 10/25 insert and $2 One-A-Day coupon from 9/27 insert
Pay $4.99, get $5 RR; final cost = FREE after coupons and RR

Even if you don't use glucose meters yourself, as you can see, it is sometimes financially beneficial to buy them anyway. Plus, some charitable organizations accept them as donations, so you can also help others in the process. Or, you can strip them for parts - if the meter comes with test strips, many diabetics appreciate receiving just the strips, since those can be quite pricey. I have also heard that the batteries from the meters will work in some pacemakers.

In addition to the above deals advertised in the weekly ad, the following deals were advertised in the 9/27 ad but are actually valid for the entire month of October, so you can still get them:

Buy 1 Emergen-C Booster 2 pk., 2.5 oz. @ $3.49, get $3.49 in RR = FREE after RR

Buy 1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion, 6.8 oz. @ $6.99, get $6.99 in RR
Use $1 coupon from 10/18 insert or $1.50 printable coupon (if you printed it when it was available)
Pay$5.49-$5.99, get $6.99 RR; final cost = $1-$1.50 profit after coupon and RR

Buy 1 Halls Refresh @ $1, get $1 RR
Use $.75 or $.35 coupon from 9/27 insert
Pay $.25-$.65, get $1 RR; final cost = $.35-$.75 profit after coupon and RR

CVS Highlights - Week of 10/25 - 10/31

2009-10-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

Between traveling and sickness in our family over the last couple weeks, I wasn't up to posting last week, but I think things are on the upswing now, so I'm back on the blog. There aren't a lot of freebies at CVS this week, but there are some pretty cheap items. If you're new to CVS shopping, check out my post here, which explains how to make the system work for you. Here are the best deals I saw:

Buy 1 Nova Max glucose meter @ $9.99, get $9.99 ECB = FREE after ECB

Limit 1 deal per Extra Care card

*Note: Even if you don't need glucose meters yourself, many charitable organizations accept them as donations. Or, you can strip them for parts - if the meter comes with test strips, many diabetics appreciate getting just the strips, since those can be quite pricey. I have also heard that the batteries from glucose meters will work in some pacemakers.

Buy 1 Gillette Fusion razor @ $9.99, get $5 ECB

Use $4 coupon from 9/27 insert

Pay $5.99, get $5 ECB; final cost = $.99 after coupons and ECB

Limit 1 deal per Extra Care card

Buy $20 of select Dove products, get $10 ECB

Buy 5 conditioners @ $4 each = $20

Use (5) $1.50 coupons from 10/4 insert

Pay $12.50, get $10 ECB; final cost = $2.50 for 5, or $.50 each after coupons and ECB

Limit 1 deal per Extra Card card
*Note: If you have a Walgreens, Dove is a better deal there this week!

Buy $20 of select allergy and cold remedies, get $10 ECB

Buy 3 Sudafed OM nasal sprays @ $7 = $21

Use (2) $2 coupons from 8/2 insert and (1) $4 coupon from 10/4 insert

Pay $13, get $10 ECB; final cost = $3 for 3, or $1 each after coupons and ECB

Limit 1 deal per Extra Care card

Jewel - Great Deal on General Mills Products!

2009-10-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

From 10/15 through 10/21, Jewel will be running a promotion on select General Mills products, including certain Betty Crocker, Green Giant, Progresso, Pillsbury, Cascadian Farms, and Totino's items, plus some General Mills cereals: when you buy $25, you get a $10 "off your next order" coupon (OYNO). However, the thing that makes these deals so great at Jewel is that the $25 threshold required to get the $10 coupon is based on the prices before you scan your preferred card. This can make for some truly amazing deals!

In addition to the "buy $25, get $10" promo, there is also an overlapping deal on Pillsbury refrigerated products: buy 4, get $2 off your next order; buy 5, get $3; buy 6 or more, get $4. Items that appear to be included in both promotions are crescent rolls, cookie dough, cinnamon rolls, Grands!, and pie crusts. If you satisfy the requirements of both promotions, you should get both coupons, so you could potentially get back a total of $14 if you buy the right items.

Here are some of what I consider the highlights of the promotion:

2/$4 sale price (pre-Pref. Card price = 2/$9.90, or $4.95 each)
General Mills cereal (selected varieties)
Betty Crocker fruit snacks (selected varieties)
Fiber One toaster pastries
Gold Medal Flour, 5 lb. bag

2/$5 sale price (pre-Pref. Card price = 2/$9.90, or $4.95 each)
Betty Crocker fruit snacks (selected varieties)
Pillsbury Simply Cookies, Ready to Bake Cookies, Chub Cookie Dough, or Pie Crust (selected varieties)
Yoplait Gogurt, Kids Yogurt, Yo-Plus, or Fiber One Yogurt, 4-8 pk. (selected varieties)
General Mills or Nature Valley Cereal Bars (selected varieties)

3/$5 sale price (pre-Pref. Card price = 3/$8.90)
Progresso High Fiber Soup (19 oz.), Progresso Microwave Soup (15.25 oz.), Progresso Rich & Hearty Soup (18.5-19 oz.), Progresso Traditional Soup (18.5-19 oz.)

3/$5 sale price (pre-Pref. Card price = 3/$9.50)
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, Grands!, or Cinnamon Rolls

As a general rule, my strategy when doing these deals at Jewel is to do multiple transactions, starting with the one that requires paying the least amount out of pocket but still yields the OYNO coupon. Then, in subsequent transactions (usually over the course of several days), I buy $25 worth (based on pre-Preferred Card prices) and use my OYNO coupon (s) to pay for it. If I have done my math right, I usually pay less than a dollar out of pocket after using my OYNO coupons. Then, each transaction yields new OYNO coupons, which I can use on your next transaction. If you want to really stock up and get the most for your money, you can keep on "rolling" your OYNO coupons into the same deal over and over again, until you have sufficiently stocked up on what you need. If you combine this sale with other manufacturer coupons, you can also often create overage, which I use to buy meat and other things that are harder to get good deals on. The last time Jewel had a similar deal, I got a few hundred dollars worth of groceries for a total of less than $20 out of pocket, so these deals can definitely help with your grocery budget! I have outlined a couple scenarios below that I thought might be helpful.

Buy 5 General Mills cereals, including at least 2 Fiber One and 1 Cinnamon Toast Crunch @ $2 sale price/$4.95 shelf price
Buy 1 can Green Giant vegetables @ $.75 sale price/$1.25 shelf price
Use (2) $.75/1 Fiber One printable coupons, (1) $1/2 General Mills cereals printable coupon, and (1) $.55/1 Cinnamon Toast Crunch printable coupon
Total before Preferred Card (shelf prices) = $26
Total after Preferred Card (sale prices) = $10.75
Total after coupons = $7.70
Get back $10 OYNO coupon, for a profit of $2.30!

Buy 5 Pillsbury Simply Cookies @ $2.50 sale price/$4.95 shelf price
Buy 1 can Green Giant vegetables @ $.75 sale price/$1.25 shelf price
Use (5) $1/1 Pillsbury Simply Cookies coupons from 9/13 insert
Total before Preferred Card (shelf prices) = $26
Total after Preferred Card (sale prices) = $13.25
Total after coupons = $8.25
Get back $10 and $3 OYNO coupons, for a profit of $4.75!
Note: There are also $1/2 printable coupons for cookie dough, if you don't have enough of the insert ones

Buy 5 Fiber One or Yo-Plus yogurts @ $2.50 sale price/$4.95 shelf price
Buy 1 can Green Giant vegetables @ $.75 sale price/$1.25 shelf price
Use (5) $1/1 coupons from 9/13 or 10/4 inserts or $1/1 printable coupons from Coupons.com or here
Total before Preferred Card (shelf prices) = $26
Total after Preferred Card (sale prices) = $13.25
Total after coupons = $8.25
Get back $10 OYNO coupon, for a profit of $1.75!

Another thing to watch out for: the pre-Preferred Card price is not always the same as the shelf price that is marked on the shelf above the sale sticker. Sometimes it is listed in very small print, but not always. If it's not listed anywhere, you can find a price scanner at your store (my store has them in the liquor and frozen food sections); the scanner will typically show 3 prices for an item: the regular price, sale price, and preferred price. The amount that counts toward this deal is the middle one, what the scanner calls the "sale price."

Other participating products include:

Betty Crocker cookie pouches @ 3/$5 (pre-Pref. Card price?)
Betty Crocker Warm Delights and Warm Delights Minis @ 3/$5 (pre-Pref. Card price?)
Totino's Pizza Rolls @ $3.49 (pre-Pref. Card price = $3.99)
Pillsbury Savorings @ $3.49 (pre-Pref. Card price = $4.49)
Betty Crocker Traditional Brownie Mix @ $10 (pre-Pref. Card price?)
Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes @ $1.67 (pre-Pref. Card price?)
Green Giant Boil in Bag Veggies @ $1.99 (pre-Pref. Card price = $2.29)
Green Giant Vegetables @ 4/$3 (pre-Pref. Card price = 4/$5)
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers (no sauce) @ $2.19 (pre-Pref. Card price = $2.40)
Cascadian Farm All Natural Cereals (selected varieties) @ $3.99 (pre-Pref. Card price = $4.99)

$.20 Ronzoni Pasta at Jewel!

2009-10-11T20:51:00.000-07:00

Through Wednesday, Jewel is running a promotion to get $3 off your order instantly when you buy $10 worth of participating products. One of the items is Ronzoni Healthy Harvest pasta, which is on sale for $1/box. There are printable coupons for $1 off 2 at both Coupons.com (mine was on pg. 3 of the coupons) and here. I was able to print 2 coupons from each site by hitting the back button. After coupons and store promotion, each box of pasta is $.20 each! Here's the math for a sample scenario:

Buy 10 boxes of Ronzoni @ $1 = $10
Use (5) $1/2 coupons = -$5
Minus $3 instant savings
Final cost = $2 for 10 boxes, or $.20 each!

That is a great deal, especially for all-natural whole grain pasta! But, to make this deal even better, there is also a Upromise coupon for $1 off 2 boxes of Ronzoni Healthy Harvest, making the final cost $1 for 10 boxes, or $.10 each! The Upromise coupon will not come off at the register, but the amount will be added to your Upromise account if your Jewel card is registered with them. If you don't have a Upromise account yet, you can go here to get started. As I mentioned in my posts here and here, money earned through Upromise can be used to either save for college or pay existing college loans.

You may remember that in previous Jewel posts, I wrote that the deals that generate coupons for money off your next order work off the price before you scan your preferred card. I wanted to point out that this is not the case with the instant savings promotions like this one. These kinds of promotions are based on the sale price advertised in the ad; you will see the discount come off at the register after you scan the required dollar amount.

Check out what's free at Menard's this week!

2009-10-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

All-Purpose Paint Brushes (3" trim brush or 2" angle sash brush) @ $4 - $4 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 4 brushes per household

16' Tool Shop chrome tape measure @ $2 - $2 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 3 per household

Turtle Wax Cotton Shop Towels 12 Pack, Cleaning Cloth 16" x 12", or Chenille Wash Pad @ $2 - $2 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2 per household

ProWash Detergent or Dry Cleaner's Secret @ $5 - $5 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2 per household

Oven Mate Drip Sheet @ $3.99 - $3 mail-in rebate = $.99 after rebate
Limit 2 per household

100-ct. clear mini light set @ $1.97 - $1 mail-in rebate = $.97 after rebate
Limit 5 per household

Dash Duster @ $3.99 - $3 mail-in rebate = $.99 after rebate
Limit 3 per household

There are some additional things to be aware of concerning Menards rebates. For items that are simply free after rebate, you are required to also purchase $10 of products that are not free after rebate. However, you should be able to count items that have rebates but are not free toward that $10. If you don't want or need anything else, you could also get a $10 gift card to meet that purchase requirement. Most (maybe all?) Menards also accept competitor coupons, so if you have a coupon for money off your next order at another hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe's, you could use that to get an even better deal.

Unless otherwise noted, all rebates are submitted directly to Menards, not to each individual manufacturer, so you can submit everything all at once. Also, the rebate will come in the form of a merchandise check, which is good only at Menard's. However, you can "roll" your Menards gift checks, meaning that you can use your merchandise check from one week to purchase the items for another week. By doing this, you will minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

Free Universal Remote at Staples!

2009-10-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

This week at Staples, the GE 4-device universal remote is free after rebate! It is priced at $9.99 after the instant savings discount, and it has a $10 Easy Rebate. This could make a good stocking stuffer for someone at Christmas!

According to their ad, these rebates are both done through their Easy Rebate program. If you've never done a Staples rebate before, their "easy rebates" really are, well, easy. The rebate forms will print at the end of your transaction so you can mail it in, or you can submit it online here. Personally, I prefer to do the online submission because it's easy and I know I won't lose anything before mailing it in.

Coupon Highlights - Week of 10/11/09

2009-10-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

There are some good coupons in this week's newspaper inserts, in case you're wondering if they're worth buying or not! These are some that I think might come in handy at some point:

Ricola Natural Mixed Berry with Vitamin C supplement drops, B1G1 - These could potentially be a good deal at Walgreens (probably paired with an in-ad coupon) or at Kmart during super doubles.

Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, $1/1 - Sales and ECB offers for Revlon products cycle around fairly often at CVS, so these coupons could get you some free or very cheap make-up.

Playtex tampons, $1/1 - These sometimes go on sale for free to $.99 after ECB at CVS, so they would be free or better after coupons.

Campbell's soup/gravy coupons, various products and values - Fall and winter is the time for good soup deals, which could be even better with coupons.

Schick Disposable Razor, $2/1 - Schick 2-packs are $.99 in the CVS travel section. Use this coupon, and get them for free! Note: The register will prompt the cashier to adjust the coupon down to the total value of the products sold, so to get the most out of your money, you should buy 2.

Dentek floss, $1/1 - Dentek roll floss is still free after Register Rewards (buy 1 @ $2 RR, get $2 RR) as part of the monthly deal. Use this coupon and make a $1 profit!

Ecotrin aspirin, $2/1 - Walgreens sometimes has Register Reward deals on Ecotrin, which could be free or better after the coupon.

Select GlaxoSmithKline products, $10/3 and $7/2 - This coupon includes Ecotrin. See above note on Ecotrin.

Thai Kitchen, $.50/1 - Thai Kitchen noodle packets are $.99 at Super Kmart, so they are free after coupon there if Kmart is doubling coupons.

Walgreens Highlights 10/11 - 10/17

2009-10-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is the week to stock up on pasta sauce and peanut butter at Walgreens! Here are this week's highlights:

Ragu spaghetti sauce & Skippy peanut butter @ 3/$5; buy 8, get $8 Register Reward (RR)
Use Ragu coupon from 9/13 insert or Skippy coupon from 10/4 insert. Coupon amounts will vary highly by region - our Ragu coupons are $1.25/3, while others got $.30/1, and the Skippy coupons range from $.40/1 to $.75/1. The final cost will vary depending on what coupons you have, but here are a couple scenarios to consider:

Buy 8 Skippy @ 3/$5 = $13.36
Use (8) $.75/1 coupons = -$6
Pay $7.36, get $8 RR; final cost = $.64 profit after coupons and RR!

Buy 6 Ragu and 2 Skippy @ 3/$5 = #13.36
Use (2) $1.25/3 Ragu and (2) $.40/1 Skippy = -$3.30
Pay $10.06, get $8 RR; final cost = $2.06 for 8 total jars, or $.26 each after coupons and RR!

Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor @ $8.99, get $6 RR
Use $4/1 coupon from 9/27 insert
Pay $4.99, get $6 RR; final cost = $1 profit after coupon and RR!

(2) Huggies Jumbo Pack Pull-Ups @ 2/$18, get $4 RR
Use (2) $2/1 printable coupons (try hitting the back button on your browser and printing a second coupon on each computer)
Pay $14, get $4 RR; final cost = $10 for 2, or $5 each after coupons and RR

(2) Scope Outlast Mouthwash @ 2/$7, get $4 RR
Use (2) $1/1 coupons from 9/27 insert
Pay $5, get $4 RR; final cost = $1 for 2, or $.50 each after coupons and RR

In addition to the deals advertised in this week's ad, there are also some monthly Register Reward deals that are still valid.

Emergen-C Booster 2pk., 2.5 oz. each @ $3.49, get $3.49 in RR = FREE after RR

Robitussin DM to Go, 2pk. @ $2.49, get $2.49 in RR = FREE after RR

Dentek Roll Floss @ $2, get $2 RR
Use $1/1 coupon from 10/11 insert
Pay $1, get $2 in RR; final cost = $1 profit after coupon and RR

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion, 6.8 oz.@ $6.99, get $6.99 in RR
Use $1.50 printable coupon
Pay $5.49, get $6.99 in RR = $1.50 profit after coupon and RR

ChapStick Fresh Effects, .15 oz. @ $2.99, get $2.99 in RR = FREE after RR

If you are new to Walgreens shopping, check out my post here, which explains how the system works and how to get the most for your money at Walgreens.

CVS Highlights 10/11 - 10/17

2009-10-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

The best deals I see at CVS this week are the 3-day Halloween deals. If you're new to CVS shopping, you'll probably want to check out my post here first, then come back to this post.

3-day sale
Halloween nylon treat bag @ $.99, get $.99 ECB = FREE after ECB
Limit 1

4-in-1 pumpkin carving tool @ $1.99, get $1.99 ECB = FREE after ECB
Limit 2

Brach's candy corn @ 2/$.88

Free Herbal Essences!

2009-10-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight (10/8) through 10/12, Herbal Essences is holding a "Gorgeous Giveaway"! Each day, they will give away up to 18,750 coupons for free full-size products. To get your coupon(s), go to the Herbal Essences Facebook page and then look for the "herbalgiveaway" link. (Others have reported that it only works when you link to the form directly from the Facebook page, so that's why I'm linking to Facebook, rather than the form directly.)

Free Snuggle Fabric Softener at Ultra!

2009-10-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Remember the $3 Snuggle coupon from this week's paper? Well, this week Ultra Foods has Snuggle on sale for $2.99, so you can get it for free after the coupon! It is very, very rare to see a deal for free fabric softener, so this is definitely the time to stock up if you use it!

New Upromise October Coupons

2009-10-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

The Upromise program recently issued some new coupons that you can add to your account! This month's coupons include basic grocery and household items such as Huggies diapers, Bounty paper towels and napkins, Charmin toilet paper, Wacky Mac, and Spray & Wash.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Upromise is probably most well known as a program that helps you save for future college expenses, but it can also be used to pay down loans you already have. First, go here to register your participating store loyalty cards, then add any of the available coupons to your account. Then, when you use your store card to purchase those items, the coupon amounts will be deposited into your Upromise account. You can also register credit and debit cards with Upromise and get back a percentage of the amount you spend at participating restaurants, gas stations, stores, and websites. I think most stores that have loyalty programs do participate in Upromise, so it's definitely worth checking out! I was able to register my Kroger, Jewel, and CVS cards.

FREE Kraftmaid Idea Book!

2009-10-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Click on the link below to request a FREE Kraftmaid book full of ideas about organizing and enhancing your living space! After clicking on the link, look at the top of the page for the link that says "request idea book."

New Cellfire Coupons!

2009-10-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

Cellfire released some new e-coupons today that you can load on to your Kroger or Safeway/Dominick's card! Click here to load the coupons, or check out the widget in my sidebar. Most of the coupons are for various General Mills brands, including Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Yoplait, General Mills cereal, Nature Valley, and Progresso. There are also recent insert coupons for these products, for even more savings!

50 Free Photo Prints at CVS

2009-10-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

ETA 10/8/09: Unfortunately, the CVS Photo offer reached its limit and is no longer available.

Click on the link above to sign up for CVS Photo Center (it's free!), and you'll get 50 free prints! Pictures can be picked up in store, so you don't even have to pay shipping. It also includes free photo storage and sharing.

Menards Freebies - 10/4 - 10/11

2009-10-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

There are a few freebies at Menards this week:

Vinyl 23" x 42" mini blinds, white or ivory @ $2 - $2 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2

7 1/4" circular saw blade @ $4 - $4 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2

Jigsaw blades, 3-5 pk. @ $2 - $2 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 3

20" handsaw @ $10 - $10 mail-in rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2

Menards does have some additional restrictions on their rebates, which all come as merchandise checks good only at Menards. Go here to read more about the Menards rebate program.

Coupon Highlights - 10/4/09

2009-10-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

Reach toothbrush, Reach Access Flosser, or any Reach floss, $1/1, exp. 6/30/10

Listerine (Restoring or Total Care), $1/1, exp. 6/30/10

Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Smart Rinse, $1/1, exp. 6/30/10

Walgreens often has Register Reward deals for Listerine and Reach products, and the basic Reach floss sometimes goes on sale for $.99, so you could use these coupons to stock up on various oral hygiene products.

Pepcid, Imodium, Rolaids, Mylanta, or Lactaid, $4/2, exp. 1/4/10

Pepcid, Imodium, Rolaids, Mylanta, or Lactaid, $1/1, exp. 1/4/10

Last time I checked, CVS (and maybe other stores too?) have a 6-pk. of Rolaids soft chews that would be free with the $4/2 coupon. CVS also has occasional ECB deals on Rolaids and Mylanta.

Bengay, $2/1, exp. 1/31/10

If you use Bengay, you can use these coupons to get it for $.50 each at Walgreens this week.

Sudafed PE Triple Action 24 ct., $2/1, 4/30/10

Sudafed OM .5 fl. oz. when you buy any Sudafed product, $4/1, exp. 4/30/10

Tis the season for deals on cold medicine!

Dove (various products)

Select Dove products are on sale for 25% off at Walgreens this week, and you get a $10 Register Reward when you buy 8, so depending on the prices at your store and what coupons you have, it could work out to be a good deal.

All liquid laundry detergent, 32+ load, $1/1, exp. 11/29/09

If you shop at Jewel or other SuperValu stores, All is often part of Unilever catalina deals there, and you could get laundry detergent for free or better!

Snuggle liquid fabric softener (32+ load) or sheets (70+ ct.), $3/1

Such high-value coupons for any kind of fabric softener are very few and far between, so if you use this product, these coupons should be great for you!

Skippy peanut butter, $.75/2, exp. 11/29/09

Walgreens has semi-regular Register Reward deals that usually include Skippy, so these coupons could make for some pretty cheap peanut butter.

Fleischmann's yeast, $.40/1, exp. 1/31/10

There is currently a catalina deal on Fleischmann's at Kroger - buy 1 strip and get a coupon for $.50 off your next order, or buy 1 jar and get $1 off your next order. The strips are really the better deal here: last time I checked, they were $1.59 regular price; the coupon will double and take off $.80, and you will get a coupon for $.50 off your next order. Final cost is $.29/strip. I'd recommend waiting a while to buy this, though. At some point, the strips will probably go on sale for $1, so you would actually make a small profit after the coupon and catalina.

Campbell's soup (various products)

Soup deals are prevalent throughout the winter, so these coupons could possibly help you get some cheap or free soup.

Walgreens Highlights - Week of 10/4 to 10/10

2009-10-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

Well, the week of 9/27 was so great at Walgreens, this week has to seem a little dull in comparison. But there are still some good deals! Here are the best ones I see:

Purell Hand Sanitizer, 8 oz. @ $2.99, get $2 RR
Use coupon from 8/2 insert (could be either $.50 or $1, depending on where you live)
Pay $2.49-$1.99, get $2 RR; final cost = FREE to $.49 after coupon and RR
**Note: The ad says "while supplies last" by the Purell - I'm guessing this means that they're trying to clear out their stock or something and that supplies could already be low. So, if you really want Purell, I'd recommend getting it pretty early, probably on Sunday.

Campbell's tomato soup @ 2/$1 with in-ad store coupon
Use $1/2 printable coupon
Final cost = FREE
**Note: The coupon is for "cooking soups"; according to the Campbell's website, tomato soup is considered a cooking soup, so this coupon should be good to use here.

Wheat Thins (small box) @ 3/$3
Use $1 printable coupon
Final cost = FREE after coupon

Playtex Handsaver gloves @ $.99 with in-ad store coupon
Use $1 coupon from 5/3, 6/28, or 10/4 inserts
Final cost = FREE after coupons

Dove products (select varieties) are on sale for 25% off, and hair care products are $3. When you buy 8, you get a $10 RR. Depending on the 25% off sale prices, this could be a good deal if you have coupons for everything. I'll update this post at some point when I know more about the prices.

Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System @ $8.99, get $6 RR
Use $4 coupon from 9/27 insert
Pay $4.99, get $6 RR; final cost = $1.01 profit after coupon and RR
Carefree Pantiliners @ $.99 with in-ad coupon
Use $1 coupon found in various magazines (June issues of Ladies Home Journal, Woman's Day, and Good Housekeeping; March issues of Cosmo, Parents, and Shape; Feb. issues of Cosmo, Parents, Seventeen, Shape, and Glamour)
Final cost = $.01 profit
**Note: It's best to give the manufacturer's coupon from the magazine first, then have the cashier scan the in-ad coupon at the very end. Otherwise, the register may beep, which could make things more difficult.

(2) Bengay pain relief, 4-5 pk. patch or 4 oz. cream @ 2/$10, get $5 RR
Use (2) $2 coupons from 8/2 insert
Pay $6, get $5 RR; final cost = 2/$1, or $.50 each after coupon and RR

Also, the ad says to "ask about a flu shot and get $30 in coupons." I'm not sure what the coupons include, but I'll happily find out!

In addition to the above deals advertised in the weekly ad, the following deals were advertised in the 9/27 ad but are actually valid for the entire month of October, so you can still get them:

Emergen-C Booster 2pk., 2.5 oz. each @ $3.49, get $3.49 in RR = FREE after RR

Robitussin DM to Go, 2pk. @ $2.49, get $2.49 in RR = FREE after RR

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion, 6.8 oz.@ $6.99, get $6.99 in RR
Use $1.50 printable coupon
Pay $5.49, get $6.99 in RR = $1.50 profit after coupon and RR

ChapStick Fresh Effects, .15 oz. @ $2.99, get $2.99 in RR = FREE after RR

If you're new to Walgreens shopping, this post may not make much sense to you; you'll probably want to check out my post here, which explains the Walgreens system and how to make it work for you.

CVS Deals 10/4 - 10/10

2009-10-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

There are some good deals at CVS this coming week! To make them even better deals, go here to take a flu IQ quiz and get a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase. You only need $25 before any other coupons and ECB are scanned (just make sure they scan the $5/$25 first!), so this is really kind of like "free money" in CVS world. Here are the highlights I saw for the week of 10/4:

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste or 360 ActiFlex toothbrush @ $2.99, get $2 ECB. Limit 1
Use $1 coupon for toothbrush or toothpaste from 9/27 insert
Pay $1.99, get $2 ECB; final cost = FREE after coupon and ECB

Tone or Dial bar soap, 2-3 pk. @ $1.88, get $1 ECB. Limit 1
Use $1 Tone printable coupon or $.35 Dial coupon from 8/16 insert
Pay $.88-$1.53, get $1 ECB; final cost = -$.12 - $.53 after coupon and ECB

Bayer Breeze blood glucose meter @ $14.99, get $5 ECB. Limit 2
Use "up to $30" coupon from 2/1 insert (coupon will only take off the meter's purchase price, since it is under $30)
Pay $0, get $5 ECB; final cost = $5 profit after coupon and ECB

Johnson & Johnson's medicine, selected varieties, buy $20 worth, get $10 ECB. Limit 1
I haven't figured out a way to get it for free, but there are some scenarios you could do to get it relatively cheap, so if it's something you need right now or if you just use a lot of, it might be worth it.

Scenario #1:
Buy 4 Benadryl @ $5 = $20
Use (4) $1 coupons from 8/2 or 8/23 inserts
Pay $16, get $10 ECB; final cost = 4/$6 after coupons and ECB

Scenario #2:
Buy 2 Sudafed @ $7 and 1 Tylenol cold @ $6 = $20
Use (2) $2 Sudafed coupons from 8/2 insert or printable here (Note: printable is valid only on nasal spray) and (1) $2 Tylenol printable coupon
Pay $14, get $10 ECB; final cost = 3/$4 after coupons and ECB

Revlon nail polish @ $3.99, get $3 ECB. Limit 6
Use $1 "color cosmetic" coupon from 9/13 insert
Pay $2.99, get $3 ECB; final cost = FREE after coupon and ECB

If you're new to the world of CVS shopping, you'll probably want to check out my post here, which explains how the system works and how it to make it work for you.

Jewel Preferred Card Tent Promo - October Schedule

2009-10-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

If you've never stopped by Jewel's blue Preferred Card tent when it's in your area, I highly recommend it! The store has a blue tent that they move around from store to store, to encourage people to update the information (address, email, etc.) on their preferred card. When you update your information, you get a book with some really great coupons, including SIX for completely free items:

Free 3 lb. bag of apples
Free Culinary Circle pizza
Free 4-pk. Homelife toilet paper
Free bottle Equaline ibuprofen
Free 1/2 gal. Wild Harvest milk
Free case Jewel bottled water

Personally, unless you absolutely need the items right now, I would recommend holding on to some of these coupons for a while, to see if they go on sale buy one, get one free (BOGO). When Jewel has BOGO sales, the first item rings up at full price, and the second rings up at $0. This means that if you use the "free" coupons when the items are on BOGO sale, you will get 2 items for free! The coupon will take off the full price of the first one, and the second will have already rung up at $0. There are quite a few other coupons too, most of which are manufacturer coupons redeemable only at Jewel.

Here's the tent's schedule for October. Check it out if it's in your area!

Friday, October 2, 3pm-8pm; 145 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, IL 60098

Saturday, October 3, 10am-3pm; 150 W. Main St., Barrington, IL 60010

Sunday, October 4, 12pm-5pm; 890 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest, IL 60045

Monday, October 5, 3pm-8pm; 140 Lake St., Addison, IL 60101

Friday, October 9, 3pm-8pm; 1040 Summit, Elgin, IL 60120

Saturday, October 10, 10am-3pm; 33 E. St. Charles Rd., Villa Park, IL 60181

Sunday, October 11, 12pm-5pm; 423 E. Dundee Rd., Palatine, IL 60067

Monday, October 12, 3pm-8pm; 3535 Franklin St., Michigan City, IN 48360

Friday, October 16, 3pm-8pm; 901 S. Cottage Ave., Normal, IL 61761

Saturday, October 17, 10am-3pm; 2203 E. Oakland, Bloomington, IL 61701

Sunday, October 18, 12pm-5pm; 2103 N. Veteran's Pkwy., Bloomington, IL 61704

Monday, October 19, 3pm-8pm; 3531 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

Friday, October 23, 3pm-8pm; 446 Washington, Kankakee, IL 60901

Saturday, October 24, 10am-3pm; 6140 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Sunday, October 25, 12pm-5pm; 7900 N. Milwaukee, Niles, IL 60714

Monday, October 26, 3pm-8pm; 11730 S. Marshfield, Chicago, IL 60643

Friday, October 30, 3pm-8pm; 800 W. North Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160

Sunday, November 1, 12pm-5pm; 900 Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach

Monday, November 2, 3pm-8pm; 1501 E. Algonquin Rd., Algonquin, IL 60102

Walgreens $5 off $25 Purchase (2 days only)

2009-09-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Walgreens released a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase, good only today and tomorrow. Go here to print yours! The coupon states that it should be used after all your other coupons, so your post-coupon total would need to be $25. However, I have heard the managers at the stores near us specifically instructing their cashiers to take these coupons off first, which means you only need $25 worth before all other coupons. This can make a big difference when planning your transaction, so you may want to ask a manager at your store how they do it. If you use this coupon to buy some of the many things that are already free after Register Rewards this week, you could make a profit! Go here to read about the other deals at Walgreens this week.

Kmart Super Doubles - Over $50 Worth for $.74!!

2009-09-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

I went to Kmart on Sunday because they are doing super doubles (up to $2, so a $2 coupon takes off $4). My daughter was very excited about some of the things I got, and she insisted on being in the picture too. :) Here's what I got for a grand total of $.74!

3 Special K cereal @ $2.50 - Minus a $1 printable coupon from my sidebar for the blueberry kind and 2 coupons I found on another cereal box for $2 off 1 Special K cereal and 1 box bars and $5 instant savings for buying 5 Special K products = -$1.92 overage after doubling and instant savings
2 Special K bars @ $2.79
2 cranberry juice @ $3.99 - Minus 2 NAPR (no alcohol purchase required) winetags for $2 off any cranberry juice = FREE after doubled coupons
2 orange juice @ $2.99 - Minus 2 NAPR winetags for $2 off any orange juice = FREE after doubling
1 loaf Wonder bread @ $1.50 - Minus $.55 coupon = $.40 after doubling
1/2 lb. ham lunchmeat @ $3.99/lb. - Minus NAPR winetag for $1 off any deli meats = FREE after doubling
2 Thai Kitchen noodle packets @ $.99 - Minus $.50 coupon = FREE after doubling
1 Kool-Aid Jammers @ $2 - No coupon, but I used my overage to get it because I needed it to finish out my Nabisco back-to-school rebate
12 cans Our Family veggies @ 3/$2 - Used $1/3 any Our Family products coupon found in flyer near front of the store = FREE after doubling
2 Quaker oatmeal @ $2 - Used $1.25/2 coupon = $1.50/2 after doubling, or $.75 each
1 Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire Sauce @ $2.99 - Used $2 coupon = FREE after doubling
2 Easy Mac @ $1 - Minus $.55/1 coupon = $.90/2 after doubling; I also got these because I needed to finish out the Nabisco rebate
2 turtles (fillers I had to grab at the checkout to keep my total from being negative because I apparently miscalculated something. Isn't life tough when you "have" to grab chocolate in the check-out lane?!)

I also used a coupon for $5 off a $50 purchase that I got for signing up for Kmart's emails. I was pretty happy with my trip!

Kmart Super Doubles Deals

2009-09-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

Kmart is running a super doubles promotion again this week, although it's not advertised in the circulars and you'll probably want to check with your store to confirm their rules for this particular promotion. This round of doubles seems to be the least consistent. The one consistent thing seems to be that you can't double more than four like coupons per transaction. Some stores may require that your pre-coupon total must be at least $25, others may limit you to 10 doubled coupons per transaction, and some might say they're only doubling Proctor & Gamble coupons (although other coupons will likely still double at the register anyway). I went yesterday and got over $50 worth of stuff for a grand total of $.74! Clearly, there are some great deals! To make it even better, when sign up for Kmart's e-newsletter here, you can get a coupon for $5 off a $50 order. So, if you get $50 worth of merchandise (before coupons), you can use this coupon and get an extra $5 cushion to absorb the cost of things that were not actually free.

Food:
Special K cereal or crackers @ $2.50 - Use $1 printable for crackers or blueberry cereal (see coupons.com link in my sidebar) = $.50/box.
**Plus...buy 5 Special K and get $5 off your order instantly. Use a $1 coupon on all five boxes, and the total is $2.50 after doubling (5 * $.50/box). Subtract $5 instant savings, and you get $2.50 in overage! Note: you'll want to make sure you have enough other things in your order to absorb the overage, so you don't have a negative total.
Welch's refrigerated juice @ $2.50 - Use $1 printable (see link in my sidebar) = $.50 each
Reese's candy, anything priced under $1.10 - Use $.55 coupon from 8/23 insert = FREE
Reese's peanut butter cups bar @ $.67 - Use B1G1 coupon from 8/23 insert = 2 FREE
Hershey's Bliss bar @ $.67 - Use B1G1 coupon from 9/20 insert = 2 FREE
Lipton tea bags (small box) @ $1.19 - Use $.60 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Honey Bunches of Oats with Pecans @ $3.99 - Use $2 printable coupon (look in lower right corner) = FREE
Bumble Bee premium tuna pouch @ $1.99 - Use $1 coupon from 6/14 insert = FREE
Kellogg's cereals with fiber @ $2.25 - Buy 2 and use $2/2 coupon from 8/30 insert = $.50/2, or $.25 each
Quaker Oats @ $2 - Buy 2 and use $1.25/2 coupon from 8/30 insert = $1.50/2, or $.75 each
Nature's Pride bread @ $1.50 - Use $.75 coupon from 8/16 insert = FREE
Wonder bread @ $1.50 - Use $.55 coupon from 8/30 insert = $.40/loaf
Little Debbie chocolate cupcakes @ $2.50 - Use $1 coupon from 9/27 insert = $.50
Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire Sauce @ $2.99 - Use $2 coupon from 9/27 = FREE
Our Family canned vegetables or tomatoes @ 3/$2 - Use $1/3 in-ad coupon found in flyer at front of store = 3 FREE
Thai Kitchen noodle packets @ $.99 - Use $.50 coupon from 8/30 insert = FREE (the curry flavor is especially yummy!)

Health & Beauty
Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Products - various items, including first aid tape and trial size first aid kits, are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Kotex liners @ $1.29 - Use $.75 coupon from 8/23 insert = FREE
L.A. Looks styling gel @ $1.69 - Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Sally Hansen beauty tools - various items (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.) are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Revlon beauty tools - various items (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.) are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Visine (select varieties) @ $3.99 - Use $2 coupon from 8/2 insert and/or this printable coupon = FREE
Dove Ultimate deodorant @ $3.99 - Use $2 printable coupon = FREE
Crest Kid's toothpaste @ $2.29 - Use $1 coupon from 9/27 insert = $.29
Reach Max or One ultimate toothbrushes @ $2.50 - Use $2 coupon from 6/14 insert = FREE
Bic Silky Touch razors @ $3.49 - Use $2 coupon from 9/20 insert = FREE

Household & Cleaning Supplies
Formula 409 @ $2.50 - Use $1 coupon from 8/30 insert = $.50
Ajax dish liquid @ $1.99 - Use $1 coupon from coupons.com (use zip code 85712) = FREE
Playtex Handsaver gloves @ $1.79 - Use $1 coupon from 6/28 insert = FREE
Ziploc bags @ $2 = Use B1G1 coupon from 8/30 insert = 2 FREE
Scotch Pop-Up Tape Dispenser @ $3.99 - Use $2 printable coupon = FREE

Pet Supplies
Hartz Crunch 'n' Clean treats @ $3 - Use $2 coupon from 8/30 insert = FREE
Chef Michaels canned dog food @ $.93 - Use B1G1 coupon from 7/23 insert = 2 FREE
Cesar Bistro Canine Entree @ $1 - Use B1G1 coupon from 8/16 insert = 2 FREE
Purina Fancy Feast Appetizers @ $1.49 - Use B1G1 coupon from 8/9 or 9/13 inserts = 2 FREE

Menards - Free Furniture Cleaner/Polish and $.99 Tarps

2009-09-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Furniture Cleaner or Polish, 12 oz. @ $2 - $2 rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 2 per household

Large Blue Tarp, 9'4" x 11'6" @ $5.99 - $5 rebate = $.99 after rebate

There are some additional things to be aware of concerning Menards rebates. For items that are simply free after rebate, you are required to also purchase $10 of products that are not free after rebate. However, you should be able to count items that have rebates but are not free toward that $10. If you don't want or need anything else, you could also get a $10 gift card to meet that purchase requirement. Most (maybe all?) Menards also accept competitor coupons, so if you have a coupon for money off your next order at another hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe's, you could use that to get an even better deal.

Unless otherwise noted, all rebates are submitted directly to Menards, not to each individual manufacturer, so you can submit everything all at once. Also, the rebate will come in the form of a merchandise check, which is good only at Menard's. However, you can "roll" your Menards gift checks, meaning that you can use your merchandise check from one week to purchase the items for another week. By doing this, you will minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

Free Photo Book from Walgreens

2009-09-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Through October 2, you can get a free 5x7 photo book from Walgreens if you go here and become a fan of them on Facebook. This is not something you can pick up in the store, so you do have to pay shipping ($1.99 standard rate, according to the Walgreens website). But for $1.99, they make great Christmas gifts, especially for grandparents!

9/27 Coupon Highlights

2009-09-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

There are some pretty good coupons in this week's paper! Here are the ones that I think are most likely to be useful:

Carnation Evaporated Milk, $.50/2 - Over the next few months, we should see several deals on baking supplies like evaporated milk. I know last year, these were free after coupon during one of Kroger's mega events.

Celestial Seasonings Tea Bags, $1/1 - I used these coupons to get free tea at Walgreens last year; they could come in handy again.

Colgate 360 Toothbrush, $1/1
Colgate Total Enamel Strength or Advanced Toothpaste, $1/1
Walgreens and CVS both have frequent deals on Colgate products, so these could make for free or at-profit toothbrushes or toothpaste.

Halls 20 ct. single bag, $.35/1
Halls Refresh Hard Candy, $.75/1
Halls Refresh Sugar Free are free after Register Rewards this week at Walgreens, so you'll come out ahead with these coupons.

Hershey's Special Dark bag or Extra Dark bar or bag, 3.5 oz.+, $1/1 - These coupons could get you free or cheap candy during either pre- or post-Halloween sales.

Schick Disposable Razors, $1/1 - CVS has Schick 2-ct. disposable razors in the travel section for $.99, so free after coupon

Lea & Perrins Thick Classic Worcestershire Sauce, $2/1 - If this goes on sale, these high-value coupons could make it cheap or free.

Crest Premium Paste 4.1 oz.+, $1/1 - CVS has quite a few ECB deals on Crest, so it could be free or better after coupon and ECB.

Oral-B Pulsar, CrossAction, Advantage Toothbrushes, $.75/1 - Advantage toothbrushes are free after Register Rewards this week at Walgreens, so you'll make a $.75 profit with these coupons.

Tide, $1/1 - If you're low on laundry detergent or are brand-loyal to Tide, this is a good week to use these coupons and get it at CVS. Otherwise, you can use these coupons to get travel-size detergent at stores like Target for free.

Vicks, $1/1 - Last year, I used these coupons to get free cough drops at Walgreens; the Vicks cough drops found near the front registers are priced at $.80-.90, so they were free after coupons.

If you want to see a full list of tomorrow's coupons, go here.

Note: Not all coupon inserts are created equal - there are regional differences in the selection and wording of some coupons. Typically the bigger cities' newspapers get the "best" coupons. I get the Chicago Tribune because the coupons are much, much better than the ones in our local paper. Also, if your paper publishes an early Sunday edition on Saturday, it will probably have the same coupons in it, and will be a little cheaper at most stores. Or, if you're really just interested in a few coupons, you might want to check out a coupon clipping service like The Coupon Clippers (see my post here or the link in my sidebar), where you can pick and choose your coupons and get multiples of the things you really want.

Walgreens Highlights - 9/27 to 10/3

2009-09-26T11:09:00.001-07:00

Wow, what a great week at Walgreens! There are tons of deals this week! If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, you'll probably want to check out my post here, which explains how the system works and how to use it to get the most for your money.

Emergen-C Booster 2pk., 2.5 oz. each @ $3.49, get $3.49 in RR = FREE after RR

Oral-B Advantage 1-2-3 Toothbrush @ $3, get $3 in RR
Use $.75 coupon from 9/27 insert
Pay $2, get $3 in RR = $.75 profit after coupon and RR

Robitussin DM to Go, 2pk. @ $2.49, get $2.49 in RR = FREE after RR

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion, 6.8 oz.@ $6.99, get $6.99 in RR
Use $1.50 printable coupon
Pay $5.49, get $6.99 in RR = $1.50 profit after coupon and RR

ChapStick Fresh Effects, .15 oz. @ $2.99, get $2.99 in RR = FREE after RR

Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System @ $8.99, get $6 RR
Use $4/1 coupon from 9/27 insert
Pay $4.99, get $6 RR = $1.01 profit after coupon and RR

Dentek 55 yd. floss or 35 ct. floss picks @ $2, get $2 RR
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Pay $1, get $2 RR = $1 profit after coupon and RR

Theraflu @ 2/$8, get $4 RR
Use (2) $2 printable coupons and $2 store coupon from the Healthy Savings booklet (one coupon will take off $2 for each bottle you buy)
Pay $0, get $4 RR = $4 profit after coupons and RR
**Note: There was another Theraflu deal a few weeks ago, so some people (like me) may have already printed your limit of the Theraflu coupons. However, you can still get 2 for free just by using the Healthy Savings book coupons.

Halls Refresh Sugar Free Drops, 20 ct. @ $1, get $1 RR = FREE after RR

Herbal Essences Hair Care @ $2.99, get $2 RR
Use $1 coupon from 8/23 or 9/13 insert
Pay $1.99, get $2 RR = FREE after coupon and RR

Tip: First, do the deals that yield a profit. The Theraflu is a great one to start with, since you can potentially get a $4 RR without spending anything out of pocket. Then use those RR to buy other items that generate RR, and it will reduce (or possibly eliminate) or out-of-pocket expense! For example, if you can still print the Theraflu coupons, you could do this:

Transaction #1
2 Theraflu @ 2/$8
Minus 2 printables (-$4) and store coupon (-$4)
Pay tax, get $4 RR

Transaction #2
1 Oral-B @ $3
1 Dentek @ $2
1 Halls @ $1
Minus $.75 Oral-B coupon, $1 Dentek coupon, and $4 RR from transaction #1
Pay $.25 + tax, get $6 RR ($3 from Oral-B, $2 from Dentek, and $1 from Halls)

Then, just keep on using those RR to get as much shampoo, floss, Halls, toothbrushes, etc., as you need!

CVS Highlights - 9/27 to 10/3

2009-09-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

It's not the most outstanding week at CVS, (especially compared to Walgreens - oh my gosh!) but there are some good deals. If you are new to CVS shopping, you'll probably want to check out my post here, which explains how to get the most for your money at CVS.

3-day sale (Sun., Mon., and Tues. only)
Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion @ $7.99, get $7 ECB, Limit 1
Use $1.50 printable coupon here or here, or $1.50 coupon from 8/2 insert (although the insert coupon expires on Sunday, so use it the first day, unless your CVS accepts expired coupons)
Pay $6.49, get $7 in ECB; final cost = $.49 profit after coupon and ECB

Week-long deals:
Selected P&G products - Buy $25 worth, get $10 ECB, Limit 1
Deal includes Tide @ $6 and Dawn at $1. Personally, I probably won't do this deal, but if you need laundry detergent or are brand-loyal to Tide (I know a lot of people are), this is a pretty good deal. I'm pretty sure this is the lowest price I've ever seen on this particular brand.

Potential deal:
Buy 4 Tide @ $6 and 1 Dawn @ $1 = $25
Use (4) $1/1 Tide from 8/30 P&G or 9/27 P&G inserts and a $.25/1 Dawn, also from either of those inserts
Pay $20.75, get back $10 ECB; final cost = $10.75 for 4 bottles of Tide and 1 Dawn, or a little over $2 each after coupons and ECB

Mom's Best Naturals Oatmeal @ $1
Use $.75/1 printable coupon (you will have to answer a brief questionnaire)
Final cost = $.25 after coupon

Gillette Fusion Razor @ $9.99, get $5
Use $4/1 coupon from 9/27 insert
Pay $5.99 and get $5 ECB; final cost = $.99 after coupon and ECB
**Note: I only recommend this deal if you don't have a Walgreens nearby. You can actually make a profit on them at Walgreens this week, so I plan on using my coupons there instead.

Accu-Chek Aviva Diabetes Monitoring System @ $14.99, get $5 ECB
Use $10/1 coupon from 8/23 insert
Pay $4.99 and get $5 ECB; final cost = -$.01 after coupon and ECB
**Note: Even though you may not need a glucose meter, it can be good to buy this because it bumps your pre-coupon total up if you need to use a purchase-based coupon like $5 off $25 (like this printable one you can get for taking a flu quiz). It ends up being free after coupons and ECB, but you still get almost $15 credit toward the $25 you need to use the coupon.

Coupon Questions to Ask Your Store

2009-09-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Coupon policies can vary widely from store to store, and knowing the policies at your particular store can be very helpful so you can better plan and know what to expect. If you ask, you might be able to get a copy of the store's coupon policy at the customer service desk. And, here are some questions you can ask at your store so you can get the most for our money:

Does your store double or triple coupons? If so, up to what value do they double/triple? Is there a limit on the number of like coupons or total coupons that can be doubled/tripled per transaction? Does the store always double/triple coupons, or is it just on certain days of the week or during special promotions?
Does your store accept expired coupons? How far out from the expiration date will expired coupons be accepted?
Does your store accept internet-printed coupons? Is there a limit on the number of internet coupons that will be accepted per transaction? Is there a limit on the dollar amount or percent-of-value coupons that will be accepted?
Does your store issue store coupons that can be combined with manufacturer coupons? Many stores, including CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Meijer do this, and it can make for some amazing deals.
Does your store accept more than one like store coupon per transaction? The registers at some stores (such as CVS and Target) are sometimes set to not accept more than one of the same store coupon per transaction. It may vary from chain to chain (and even from store to store within chains) whether or not multiples will be accepted.

$5 off $25 purchase at CVS

2009-09-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Go here to print a coupon for $5 off a $25 minimum purchase at CVS. You'll have to take a short quiz about the flu and flu shots, and you'll be able to print the coupon at the end. Remember - these coupons are based on your total before using any other coupons. So, if you have $25 worth of items that are free after ECB and/or coupons, the $5/25 coupon basically lets you get $5 worth of other things that you need for free (I usually use this overage to get groceries, which is one of the reasons our monthly grocery bill is so low).

Note: While it may be possible to print more than one of these coupons per computer, all coupons printed from one computer will have the same unique code on them. If more than one coupon with the same code is redeemed, the register will beep and tell the cashier that the coupon has already been used.

New Cellfire Coupons!

2009-09-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Cellfire released some new e-coupons this week. Go here or check out the widget in my sidebar to add them to your store loyalty card. These coupons should work at most Kroger and Safeway affiliate stores.

Several of these coupons match up with current manufacturer coupons and/or work well with Kroger's mega event that is still going on: $1/2 Pillsbury Grands, $.40/1 Betty Crocker potatoes, $1/1 Nature Valley Nut Clusters, and $.60/2 Old El Paso products, for a start. There are also coupons for yogurt, other Pillsbury products, Hamburger Helper, General Mills, and Green Giant veggies, among other things.

Jewel - Great Kellogg's/Keebler Deal (possible $5 profit! + $70 Dell coupon code)

2009-09-23T19:24:00.002-07:00

Starting tomorrow, Jewel will be running a Kellogg's and Keebler sale that will end up being pretty sweet after coupons and the Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate. Select Kellogg's/Keebler items will be on sale for $1.50 when you buy them in multiples of ten. Participating items include:

Kellogg's cereal, selected varieties (picture shows Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Apple Jacks, and Frosted Mini-Wheats)

Keebler Wheatables, Toasteds, or All-Bran Crackers, 8-10 oz.

Keebler Cracker Packs, 10.4-10.9 oz.

Kellogg's Cinnabon Bars, 7.8 oz. (6 ct. boxes are pictured)

Kellogg's Pop-Tarts, 21-22 oz. (12 ct. boxes are pictured)

Keebler Fudge Shoppe or E.L. Fudge Cookies, 8.5-12.5 oz., selected varieties

Kellogg's Special K Snack Crackers

Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Bars, 6.3-10.4 oz., selected varieties

Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats, 6.2 oz., selected varieties

There are quite a few coupons for these items. Check out the coupons.com widget in my left sidebar for $1/1 printable coupons for Cinnabon bars and a $.55/1 coupon for Keebler sandwich crackers. There are also printable coupons here for $1.50/2 Frosted Mini Wheats and here for $.55/1 Pop-Tarts. Recent inserts have also had coupons that are good for this deal: $2/2 Kellogg's products with fiber (8/30 insert), $.75/1 Cinnabon bars (8/16 insert), $.55/1 Pop-Tarts (9/13 insert), and $1/2 for numerous products in the 8/2 insert, including cereal, Pop-Tarts, Keebler cookies and crackers, and Nutri-Grain bars. Remember that with printables, you can most likely print 2 coupons per computer by hitting the back button on your browser.

Depending on what you buy and what coupons you have, you could potentially make a $5 profit! Assuming you actually need/want these products, the best scenarios would include only coupons that take off $1 per item: the $2/2 Kellogg's and $1/1 Cinnabon.

Buy 10 Cinnabon and/or cereal and/or Pop-Tarts with fiber @ $1.50 = $15

Use a combination of coupons to take $1 off each box (let's say 3 $2/2 and 2 $1/1 Cinnabon)

Pay $5 out of pocket.

Submit receipt and UPC's for Kellogg's Fuel for School mail-in rebate and get back $10, for a profit of $5!

If you don't have enough of these particular coupons, or prefer to buy different items, you can still get everything for free or at a profit as long as you use coupons that take at least $.50 off each item.

The Fuel for School rebate was in the 8/2 insert, and it is also available here. You get back $10 for buying 10 participating items. To get the online form, go to the lower left corner of the page and click where it says "$80 in savings." You will have to create an account on the Kellogg's website, and then you should be able to download the form. Note: the 2 different rebate forms (insert vs. online) are mailed to different addresses, which makes them different offers, so you should be able to do them each once. Also, there were actually even more Fuel for School rebates this year, and the qualifying items were slightly different for some of them, so it's probably a good idea to check your form(s) before buying.

And, if you will be in the market for a new laptop soon, the deal is even better - in addition to the $10 rebate check, you will also get a $70 coupon code good toward the purchase of select Inspiron and Mini Studio laptops.

My $1.81 shopping trip!

2009-09-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

I stopped at CVS and Ultra Foods (a relatively small Chicagoland chain) Saturday night, and I got everything pictured here for a total of $1.81! I was pretty happy!

My total at Ultra was $.71! I got:

2 loaves Wonder Bread @ $.88 = $1.76 ($.33 each after coupons)
6 Pillsbury Grands biscuits @ $1 = $6 (all free after coupons)
Pre-coupon total = $7.76
Minus (2) $.55/1 Wonder Bread, (3) $1/2 Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits printable coupon, and store coupon for $3 off when you buy 6 participating Pillsbury products
Final cost = $.71

My total at CVS was $1.10, which was actually just tax:

2 packs diapers @ 2/$12.99 = $12.99
2 milk @ $1.99 = $3.98
3 Dry Idea deodorant @ $2.99 = $8.97
1 Colgate @ $2.99 = $2.99
1 Kleenex @ $.96 = $.96
2 Jack Link's @ $5.99 B1G1 = $5.99
Pre-coupon total = $35.88

Coupons I used:
(3) $2/1 Dry Idea printable coupons (no longer available - I printed these a few months ago)
$1/1 Colgate Total Advanced (9/13 insert)
$1/1 Colgate Total CVS store coupon (from in-store scanner)
$1/1 Kleenex with lotion CVS store coupon (also from scanner)
Free Jack Link's coupon (from 8/28 issue of All You magazine)
$4 off $20 purchase (CVS store coupon from a booklet I got in the pharmacy)
I also paid with $16.98 in ECB and $1.10 (all tax) on a gift card .
I got back $7 in ECB - $2 from the milk, $2 from Colgate, and $3 from Dry Idea (I went on Sat. night, so ECB deals from both this week's and last week's ad were effective).

Ultra Foods - Great deal on Pillsbury/Betty Crocker!

2009-09-20T19:24:00.001-07:00

Through Wednesday, Ultra Foods (a Chicagoland grocery store chain) is running a General Mills promotion where you get $3 off your order when you buy 6 participating products. The $3 coupon is a store coupon, which means you can also use manufacturer coupons in addition to that (I checked with customer service at our store, and they said they were indeed doing it that way).

The best deals I saw in this promotion were the Pillsbury Grands biscuits and the Betty Crocker pouch potatoes:

Buy 6 Pillsbury Grands @ $1 = $6
Use (3) $1/2 printable coupons (you will need to sign up for the Pillsbury e-newsletter if you haven't already, or sign in if you have)
Use $3 store coupon (on pg. 3 of the ad; also found on tearpads in stores)
Final cost = Free + tax

Buy 6 Betty Crocker Pouch Potatoes @ $.79 = $4.74
Use (6) $.40/1 or $.25/1 coupons from 9/13 insert
Use $3 store coupon (on pg. 3 of the ad; also found on tearpads in stores)
Final cost = -$.66 to $.24 for 6 (depending on what coupons you have)

You can also mix & match the products, which you may want to do, depending on what you need or what coupons you have. And, if your order will create overage (like if you buy 6 potato pouches with 6 coupons), make sure you have something else in your order that will absorb the overage, or you'll probably have problems at check-out.

Also, in case you are only an occasional Ultra shopper (like me), many stores are now restricting their use. There was a sign at the register last night that said they now only accept coupons up to 30 days after the expiration date. I don't shop there very often, so I'm not sure how recent the change is, but it might require a shift in shopping strategy if you're used to using any and all expireds there.

Menards - Freebies & Almost-Free Laundry Detergent

2009-09-20T12:22:00.001-07:00

Deals from Menards' Fall Catalog:

Reusable Shopping bag @ $.98- $.98 rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 10 bags per household

Tomcat 8-ct. bait blocks or 4-ct. glue traps @ $2.49 - $1.50 rebate = $.99 final cost
Limit 2 packs per household

3006 10 oz. Elastomeric Ultra Sealant @ $2.99 - $2 rebate = $.99 final cost
Limit 6 tubes per household

4-pk. window & door caulk @ $4.79 - $3 rebate = $1.79 final cost
Limit (3) 4-pks. per household

Deals from Menards' 9-20 weekly ad:

4-pk. glue mouse traps @ $2 - $2 rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit (2) 4-pks. per household

14" Plastic Mud Pan @ $4 - $4 rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 4 pans per household

Elastomeric Blacktop Crack Filler @ $3.50 - $3.50 rebate = FREE after rebate
Limit 4 tubes per household

Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent FREE after rebate when you buy (1) 1 lb. box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda @ $.75. Final cost = $.75 for 1 baking soda and 1 bottle of laundry detergent

All Natural Cleaners (all purpose, degreaser, glass, or tub & tile) @ $1.50 - $1 rebate = $.50 final cost
Limit 4 cleaners per household

Maximus Sealant (10 oz.) @ $4.49 = $2.50 rebate = $1.99 final cost
Limit 3 tubes per household

There are some additional things to be aware of concerning Menards rebates. For items that are simply free after rebate, you are required to also purchase $10 of products that are not free after rebate. However, you should be able to count items that have rebates but are not free toward that $10. If you don't want or need anything else, you could also get a $10 gift card to meet that purchase requirement. Most (maybe all?) Menards also accept competitor coupons, so if you have a coupon for money off your next order at another hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe's, you could use that to get an even better deal.

Unless otherwise noted, all rebates are submitted directly to Menards, not to each individual manufacturer, so you can submit everything all at once. Also, the rebate will come in the form of a merchandise check, which is good only at Menard's. However, you can "roll" your Menards gift checks, meaning that you can use your merchandise check from one week to purchase the items for another week. By doing this, you will minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

CVS Highlights - Week of 9/20

2009-09-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

This isn't really the best week at CVS, but there are a couple good deals:

4 oz. Wheat Thins @ $1
Use $1 printable coupon here (Firefox) or here (IE)
Final cost = free
***If you hit the back button on your browser, you will probably be able to print the coupon twice.

(2) Snickers candy bars @ 2/$1
Use $1/2 coupon from 8/23 insert
Final cost = free

Dry Idea deodorant @ $2.99
Use $2/1 printable coupon (unfortunately, the coupon is no longer available - I printed these a few months ago)
Pay $.99 and get back $1 ECB; final cost = FREE

If you're new to CVS shopping, you will probably want to read this post, which explains how the CVS system works and how you can get the best deals there.

Walgreens Highlights - Week of 9/20

2009-09-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Walgreens has some really great deals again this week! Here are the best ones I see:

Quaker Quick 1-Minutes Oats, $3.19, B1G1.
Use $1.25/2 coupon from 8/30 insert
Final cost = $1.94/2, or $.97 each

Reese's Pumpkin @ $.50 (with in-ad coupon)
Use $.55/1 any Reese's product from 8/23 insert
Final cost = -$.05 each
***Note: It works best to hand the cashier the manufacturer coupon first, then have them scan the in-ad coupon at the end. Otherwise, the manufacturer coupon may beep, in which case the cashier may or may not want to take it.

Formula 409 @ 2/$5
Use (2) $1/1 coupon from 8/30 insert
Pay $3 and get $2 Register Reward (RR); final cost = 2/$1, or $.50 each after coupons and RR

Roots of Nature Hair Care @ $6
Pay $6 and get $6 RR; final cost = free after RR

(2) Tylenol Cold products @ $5.99
Use (2) $2/1 printable coupons and the $1/1 Walgreens store coupon from the Healthy Savings booklet (the store coupon will take off $1 for each bottle)
Pay $5.98 and get $5 RR; final cost = $.98/2, or $.49 each

Thermacare Heat Wrap (single pack, trial size) @ $2.49
Pay $2.49 and get $2.49 in RR; final cost = free after RR

(2) Oral-B Indicator Toothbrushes @ 2/$4
Use B1G1 coupon from 8/30 P&G insert
Pay $2 and get $2 RR; final cost = 2 free after coupon and RR

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, you will probably want to read my post here, which explains how to get the most out of Walgreens' deals.

9/20 Coupon Highlights

2009-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

ETA 9-20: I get the Chicago Tribune, and I have typed up a spreadsheet of the coupons we got here: Chicago Tribune 9-20 inserts

There are a few good coupons in tomorrow's inserts, but honestly, it doesn't seem like an extremely great week to me. Here are the few that stood out to me as potentially being useful:

$2 off Bic Comfort3 Shaver 4-pk, Bic3 Shaver 8-pk, Comfort3 Shaver 4-pk or 8-pk, etc., exp. 11/1/09
$3 off Bic Soleil Disposable Shaver, exp. 11/01/09
These coupons could possibly make for some free or very cheap razors if there's a sale at CVS, Kmart during super doubles, or Walgreens.

B1G1 Hershey Bliss Bar, 1.3oz, up to .79, exp. 12/31/09
If there is a sale, these coupons could come in handy at Walgreens, CVS, or Kmart to get some free chocolate.

$2 off Infusium 23, exp. 10/31/09
Depending the on the price of this shampoo at your local Kmart, this coupon could make it free or cheap if your store does super doubles.

$2 off Tylenol 8 hr Product, any 24 ct.+, exp. 12-31-09
I have used quite a few of these coupons in the past to get free Tylenol at Walgreens when they have a sale.

If you want to see a full list of tomorrow's coupons, go here.

Note: Not all coupon inserts are created equal - there are regional differences in the selection and wording of some coupons. Typically the bigger cities' newspapers get the "best" coupons. I get the Chicago Tribune because the coupons are much, much better than the ones in our local paper. Also, if your paper publishes an early Sunday edition on Saturday, it will probably have the same coupons in it, and will be a little cheaper at most stores. Or, if you're really just interested in a few coupons, you might want to check out a coupon clipping service like The Coupon Clippers (see my post here or the link in my sidebar), where you can pick and choose your coupons and get multiples of the things you really want.

Coupon Myths & Misinformation...and the Truth

2009-09-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

If you use coupons for any significant length of time, at some point, you will probably encounter a cashier who may not want to accept your coupons, even if you're using a perfectly legitimate coupon in a perfectly legitimate way. Unfortunately, some stores don't train their cashiers very well when it comes to dealing with coupons, which can create frustration for customers who use them. Here are some common lines you might hear from cashiers, plus the truth about how coupons can really be used:

1) "One per purchase": This phrase is found on many coupons, and some cashiers interpret it to mean that you can only use one like coupon per transaction. However, the truth is that each item you buy is a "purchase" - this phrase actually means that you can only use one coupon per item purchased. Some coupons actually phrase it this way, which eliminates any confusion.

2) "No double couponing": Like "one per purchase," this phrase is also sometimes misinterpreted to mean that you can only use one like coupon per transaction. However, "double couponing" actually has nothing to do with the number of coupons you use per transaction - it refers to some stores' practice of matching coupon values; for instance, our Kroger doubles coupons up to $.50, meaning that a $.50 coupon actually takes off $1.

3) Coupons beeping when scanned: If a coupon beeps when scanned, some cashiers assume that you didn't buy the correct product. This can definitely be true, but not always. Sometimes coupons beep because they are not coded properly. A while back, I had coupons for "any RightGuard product," which beeped on every single stick of RightGuard deodorant I bought. At some stores, coupons will also beep if the coupon value exceeds the value of the item. This problem is usually solved by adjusting down the value of the coupon, but some registers do not prompt the cashiers to do this.

4) "You're not getting what's in the picture": Legally, what a coupon can or cannot be used on is defined by the wording on the coupon, not the pictures. However, some cashiers will tell you that they can't take your coupon unless your product exactly matches the item in the picture. Clearly, this is not true. For example, if a coupon is for $1 off any Pantene, it would be virtually impossible to include every single variety and size of Pantene shampoo, conditioner, and styler in a picture on the coupon - there is simply not enough room, so this is not a realistic expectation.

5) Coupons that equal or exceed the value of the item: Some cashiers object to coupons that equal or exceed the value of the item you're purchasing because then "you'd be getting it for free." Well, yes, you are. But that's okay! There's nothing wrong with getting it for free - you're just being a smart shopper. Coupons are really just another form of payment, since stores get reimbursed for them.

6) ____ won't print if you use coupons: Fill in the blank with Extra Bucks at CVS, Register Rewards at Walgreens, or Catalina coupons at grocery stores. If you were supposed to get some sort of promotional incentive at the end of your transaction but didn't, some cashiers will tell you that it was because you used coupons. This is not true. In reality, there are usually three main reasons why your incentive didn't print: 1) the store's system is offline or not working properly, 2) you didn't buy the correct item, or 3) the register system is not correctly programmed (if this is the case, the problem is usually chainwide and will have to be fixed by the corporate office).

If the cashier absolutely refuses to accept your coupon, you have every right to ask to speak to a manager. Managers *usually* know more about coupons, and they may be able to shed some light on the situation. Keep your cool and explain what you know to be true. If you don't want to hold up the check-out line, you can always pay and then go the customer service desk, get it straightened out, and get a refund as needed. If they still won't accept the coupons, you can also return the items if you don't want to pay full price.

It's true that using coupons does sometimes make the check-out process longer, and sometimes encounters with store personnel can be slightly stressful. However, if you use coupons a lot on a regular basis, you'll get used to it and develop a thicker skin. In my opinion, it's well worth it to spend a little extra time checking out if I can slash our grocery budget to a fraction of what it used to be!

$10 off Jr. Fashions at Sears (no minimum purchase)

2009-09-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

If you need juniors clothes, you should definitely check out this coupon - $10 off any juniors clothing purchase. There is no minimum purchase requirement, which means that you can find something for around $10 and get it either free or really cheap. You can also use the code 17SEARSAPPAREL and get the same discount online.

Free or Cheap Campbell's Soup @ Jewel

2009-09-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

Starting tomorrow, Jewel is running a promotion on select Campbell's, Pepperidge Farm, V8, Swanson, and Prego products: Buy $15, get a coupon for $5 off your next order. When Jewel runs these promotions, the $15 threshhold is based on whatever the item rings up before you scan your preferred card. This can make for some pretty great deals!

The best deals I see in this promotion are a couple different kinds of Campbell's soup.

Campbell's Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup - 20/$10 sale price; 20/$15 shelf price
Campbell's Select Microwave Soup Bowls - 4/$5 sale price, 4/$8.60 shelf price

Here are a couple possible scenarios:

Buy 20 tomato or chicken noodle soups @ 20/$10 (total shelf price = $15)
Use $1 on 2 printable coupon or $.40 on 4 coupon from 9/13 insert
Depending on the combination of coupons you use, you would pay anywhere from $0 to $8 out of pocket.
Get back a coupon for $5 off your next order, making your final cost anywhere from a profit of $5 to a cost of $3. (Even with a cost of $3, it's still only $.15/can, which is still pretty good!)

Buy 7 microwave soup bowls @ 4/$5 (total shelf price = $15.05)
Use 3 $1 on 2 coupons from 8/30 insert
Pay $5.75 after coupons and get back a $5 coupon
Final cost = $.75/7, or $.11 each

In-Store Blinkie Coupons

2009-09-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

The coupons listed below may soon be coming to a store near you! Look for most of them in blinkie machines similar to the one pictured above; a few may also be found on tearpads or in other in-store dispensers. Stores that may have them include drug stores, grocery stores, Kmart, Family Dollar, and Dollar General (and possibly others too?). It is unlikely that all these coupons will be found in any one store, but this will at least give you an idea of what to look out for.

$1.00 off any Baby Orajel teething product, exp. 4/30/10

$1.00 off any package of Frigo Cheese Heads string cheese (10oz or larger), exp. 12/31/09

$1.00 off any 2 Temptations treats for cats (2.1 or 3oz. pouch), exp. 11/01/09

$.75 off 6 or more rolls of Scott Naturals paper towels, exp. 11/01/09

$.50 off any 3 packages of Kleenex or any 1 bundle pack (not good on Kleenex pocket pack or soft packs), exp. 11/29/09

Buy 2, get 1 free (up to 1.09) any 1 NEW Pedigree+ food for dogs, exp. 10/31/09

$1.00 off any 1 Sun laundry detergent (175oz or larger), exp. 10/25/09

$.50 off any 1 Sun laundry detergent (117oz or larger), exp. 10/25/09

$1.00 off Tide stain release, exp. 8/31/10

$3.00 off any 2 Johnson & Johnson Red Cross products, exp. 12/31/09

Buy 1, get 1 free (up to 1.29) any single pack of Dentyne gum, exp. 12/31/09

$.75 off 4 or more rolls of Scott Naturals bath tissue, exp. 11/01/09

$1.00 off any Orajel toothache product, exp. 5/31/10

$.75 off any 2 Viva towels big roll packages or 1 bundle pack, exp. 10/18/09

$.55 off any Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough, exp. 11/15/09

$1.00 off any 2 Red Baron Fire-Baked Pizzas, exp. 11/1/09

$1.00 off any 1 Whiskas Purrfectly Dry or Wet Food for Cats, 10pk, exp. 11/30/09

$1.00 off any Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh chicken breast strips or cuts, exp. 10/31/09

$1.00 off any 2 packages of Kellogg's cereal (11oz.+, any flavor, mix or match), exp. 11/04/09

$.75 off 3 Pillsbury refrigerated baked goods products (excludes cookies), exp. 11/1/09

$1.00 off any Community Coffee Red bag, 12oz.+, exp. 12/31/09

$.55 off any 1 Activia drinks, 4pk, exp. 10/31/09

$1.00 off any 2 Birdseye Steam & Serve vegetables, exp. 10/31/09

$3.00 off any 10oz. candle or reed diffuser from The Fragrance Collection by Glade, exp. 12/07/09

$.55 off any 2 (3.1-3.05oz) boxes of Swedish fish or Sour Patch Soft & Chewy candy, exp. 11/30/09

$.55 off 1 Morton Season-All product, 5oz.+, exp. 10/31/09

Thanks to mysticme on HCW for the info!

Free Magazines!

2009-09-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

This site has hundreds of free trade-specific magazines available for free to people who work in those industries. The magazines cover all sorts of topics, including education, ministry, healthcare, computers & technology, sales, finance, accounting, construction & home repairs, and much more.

Here are a couple that I thought might be especially interesting:

Education Magazines Click Here
Healthcare Magazines Click Here

Click Here to browse the whole selection.

All magazines are completely free, with no shipping costs and no credit card required. If they have something for your industry, it's hard to beat free!

$5 Luvs Diapers Coupon!!

2009-09-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

When you go here and sign up for the Luvs Network, you can get a coupon for $5 off any Luvs (the coupon will come in the mail). I got this coupon last year too, and I was able to get a pack of diapers for $1.99! I'm guessing that such great coupons will go pretty quickly, so sign up quick if you need it!

Staples - Good Deals on Printer Paper

2009-09-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

Staples has a couple pretty good deals on printer paper this week, although one of them is a bulk purchase.

Deal #1:
Buy (1) 500-sheet ream of HP multipurpose paper @ $7.29
Minus $2.30 "instant savings" - $3.99 easy rebate = Final cost of $1
Limit 2 rebates per household.

Deal #2:
Buy (2) 2,500-sheet cases of bright white multiuse paper @ $24.99 = $49.98
Buy a small filler (like maybe a pencil) to bump your pre-tax total up to $50.
Minus $24.99 easy rebate on 2 and $10/50 Office Depot printable coupon* = Final cost is $14.99/2, or $7.50 each
Limit 2 rebates per household - so you could potentially get a total of 4 cases of paper for $30 and change.
*Most, if not all, Staples take competitor coupons!

That may seem like a lot of money for paper, but considering that my husband will be needing to print multiple copies of his 300-page dissertation in the coming months, I'm thinking we might need it!

According to their ad, these rebates are both done through their Easy Rebate program. If you've never done a Staples rebate before, their "easy rebates" really are, well, easy. The rebate forms will print at the end of your transaction so you can mail it in, or you can submit it online here. Personally, I prefer to do the online submission because it's easy and I know I won't lose anything before mailing it in.

Walgreens - Some Triaminics are producing $10 in RR!

2009-09-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

I bought 2 bottles of Triaminic Nighttime Cold & Cough this morning, which qualifies for the $5 Register Reward (RR) promotion. But it did not give me $5 RR - it gave me $10! Since I only paid $3 in RR + $.40 for the Triaminic to start with, after coupons, that is a profit of $7 in RR! Even if you don't have coupons, it's still a good deal (free). Others are reporting that the only kinds that produce the extra RR are the Nighttime Cold & Cough with the UPC ending with 145 and the 14 ct. thin strips in the light purple box (UPC ending in 143). If you really want the extra $5 from this deal, I would recommend doing it ASAP because I think it's likely the store may change it, since it's not actually advertised that way.

The absolute best deal would work like this:

Buy 2 Triaminic @ 2/$10
Use 2 $1.50 printable coupons (unfortunately, it looks like these are no longer available to print, so hopefully you printed them last week!) and the $2 coupon from the Walgreens Healthy Savings book, which will automatically take $2 off each bottle
Pay $3 and get back $10 in RR. Final cost = $7 profit after coupons and RR!

Kroger - Buy 10, Save $5

2009-09-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

This week, Kroger stores are running what is usually called a "mega event," where $5 is deducted from your order when you buy 10 participating items (basically a $.50 discount per item). If you combine this sale with coupons, you can often get some pretty good deals.

A couple things to remember when shopping at Kroger: 1) They always double coupons up to $.50 (so $.50 coupons take off $1), although they may limit the number of like coupons that will be doubled per transaction, and 2) Kroger stores are divided into regions, and different regions start new sale ads at different times. Some parts of the country started this deal today, while others won't start until Thursday; prices on some items may also vary.

Here are the potential deals I see:

(2) Kraft cheese (slices, shreds, chunks, or snacking) @ $1.99 each = $3.98 - $.50/bag promo discount = $2.98
Use $1 on 2 coupon from 8/9 insert. Final cost = $1.98/2, or $.99 per bag after sale and coupons

Note: There are two coupons from the same insert that will work for the cheese - one is for slices, and the other is for shreds, chunks, etc. The coupons expire on 9/15, so if you want to use them, you'll need to do it before Tuesday.

Edy's ice cream @ $2.99 each - $.50 promo discount = $2.49
Use $1 coupon from 8/23 insert. Final cost = $1.49 after sale and coupons

Juicy Juice @ $2.49 - $.50 promo discount = $1.99
Use $1 coupon from 8/9 insert (exact coupon values may vary). Final cost = $.99 after sale and coupons

Capri Sun @ $1.87 - $.50 promo discount = $1.37
Use $.75 coupon from summer 2009 issue or Kraft Food & Family magazine or $.50 coupon (doubles to $1) from the fall issue. Final cost = $.37-$1.02 after sale and coupons
***If you're planning on doing the Nabisco Pack a Kraft Smile rebate I posted about, this would be a great time to buy the required drinks.
***Some Krogers may also "double" the $.75 coupon to $1; you may want to check with your local store and find out their coupon policy.

Hot Pockets @ $1.99 - $.50 promo discount = $1.49
Use $.50 coupon from 9/13 insert. Final cost = $.49 after sale and coupons
Note: Coupon is good only on certain kinds of pizza Hot Pockets products, and I'm not 100% certain that these products are included. I recommend checking at your store to make sure.

(2) Oscar Mayer hot dogs @ $1.99 = $3.98 - $.50/pkg. promo discount = $2.98
Use $1 on 2 coupon from the 8/23 insert or this printable coupon. Final cost = $1.98/2, or $.99 each after coupon and sale

Oscar Mayer Lunchables @ $2.49 - $.50 promo discount = $1.99
Use $1 coupon from 8/30 insert. Final cost = $.99 after coupon and sale

Wheat Thins Flatbread Crackers @ $2.29 - $.50 promo discount = $1.70
Use $1 printable coupon. Final cost = $.70 after coupon and sale

(2) Philadelphia Cream Cheese @ $1.49 = $2.98 - $.50/pkg. promo discount = $1.98
Use $1 on 2 coupon from 8/9 insert. Final cost = $.98/2, or $.49 each after coupon and sale

Nestle Cookie Dough @ $2.49 - $.50 promo discount = $1.99
Use $1 coupon from 9/13 insert. Final cost = $.99 after coupon and sale

Velveeta 2 lb. loaf @ $4.49 - $.50 promo discount = $3.99
Use $1 coupon from 8/9 insert. Final cost = $2.99 after coupon and sale
*Velveeta is one of those things that I have never seen a really great sale on. If you use it, this is probably about as good as it will get.

Easy Mac cups @ $1.09 - $.50 promo discount = $.59
A while back, there were $.55/2 and "buy 2, get 1 free" tearpad coupons in many stores. If you have these, the final cost could be as low as $.04 each after sale and coupons
***If you're doing the Nabisco Pack a Kraft Smile rebate, this would be a great time to get these!

(2) Jell-O @ $1.27 = $2.54 - $.50/box promo discount = $1.54
Use $.50/2 coupon (doubled) from 7/26 insert. Final cost = $.54/2, or $.27 each after sale and coupon

Nabisco Pack a Kraft Smile rebate and coupons

2009-09-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

These booklets are out in some stores (I saw the books at Kmart and an empty display at Jewel) and can also be requested online here. They have a bunch of coupons for Nabisco cookies and crackers, plus a couple for Planter's nuts. A few of the coupons have already expired, but most of them are still good. There are also (2) $20 rebates, one good for purchases made during the last half of 2009, the other good for purchases made during the first half of 2010. The rebates require that you buy 10 cookies or crackers, 5 participating drinks (Capri Sun or Kool-Aid Jammers), and 5 Easy Mac cups. Pairing the coupons in the book with the right sale, you could likely get the cookies and Easy Mac for $.50 or less each, and the drinks often go on sale for around $2 each (better if you have coupons, of course). If you work your deals right, you could potentially spend less than $20 on everything, in which case you would come out ahead after the $20 rebate. You do not have to buy everything on one receipt, so you can pick up things here and there when you find a good deal.

CVS Highlights 9/13 - 9/19

2009-09-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

CVS has several decent deals this week. If you're not familiar with how CVS works, you'll probably want to read my post here, then come back and read about this week's deals; otherwise this post may not make much sense to you.

Jack Link's Flamin' Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
Use the free coupon from the August 28 edition of All You (available by subscription or at Walmart). These are on B1G1 sale, which means the first one rings up full price and the second one rings up at $0.00. After the sale and coupons, you'll get 2 bags for free!

Listerine Total Care mouthwash or Reach toothbrush (2-pk.) - Limit is 3 ECB deals per CVS card
Buy 1 at $3.99 and use $2 coupons from the 3/15, 4/26, or 6/14 inserts.
Pay $1.99 and get back $2 in ECB = FREE after coupons and ECB!

Dove Ultimate Clear Deodorant - Limit is 1 ECB deal per CVS card
Buy 2 @ 2/$7 and use 2 $2 printable coupons (hit the back button and you should be able to print 2 per computer)
Pay $3 and get $2 in ECB; final cost = $1 for 2, or $.50 each after coupons and ECB

Dyna Pep energy micro-shot, 2-pk. - Limit is 2 ECB deals per CVS card
Buy 1 @ $4.99 and get $4.99 in ECB = FREE after ECB!

Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, 4 oz. - Limit is 1 ECB deal per CVS card
Buy 1 @ $2.99 and use $1 coupon from 9/13 insert
Pay $1.99 and get $2 in ECB = FREE after coupons and ECB!

Purex Ultra Concentrate liquid laundry detergent, 24-32 loads - Limit is 5 ECB deals per CVS card
Buy 1 @ $3.49 and use $1 printable coupon (for Natural Elements kind)
Pay $2.49 and get $1 in ECB; final cost = $1.49 after coupons and ECB

Walgreens Highlights 9/13-9/19

2009-09-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Walgreens has some great deals again this week! If you aren't familiar with Walgreens shopping, check out my post here first, and this will probably make more sense afterwards.

1-Day Deal (good on Wednesday only)
Sign up for email updates from the Walgreens photo center and get 1 roll of film developed for free with in-ad coupon

Triaminic 4 oz. liquid or 14 ct. thin strips
Buy 2 @ $5 each and use 2 $1.50 printable coupons and the $2 Walgreens store coupon from the Walgreens Healthy Savings booklet (the cashier will only scan this coupon once, but it will take off $2 for each one). And, I was able to print 2 coupons per computer by hitting the back button on my browser.
Pay $3 and get back a $5 Register Reward (RR) = $2 profit after coupons and RR!

Edit: The Triaminic coupon is apparently no longer available. Still a good deal if you were able to print before it was taken down!

Murine Ear Drop Kit
Buy 1 @ $6 and get $6 RR = FREE after Register Rewards

Listerine Total Care mouthwash (the purple one)
Buy 1 Listerine Total Care @ $2.99 and use a $2 coupon from the 3/15 or 4/26 insert or a $1 coupon from the 3/15, 6/14, or 8/2 insert.
Pay $.99-$1.99 and get back a $2 RR = $1 profit or FREE after coupon and RR!

Band-Aids, 8-20 ct. Tough Strips, Ultra Strips, or Antibiotic Bandages
Buy 2 @ $2.49 and use 2 $1 coupons that are in red blinkie machines found by the Band-Aids in some stores.
Pay $2.98 and get $3 RR = FREE after Register Rewards

True North Nut Crisps or Clusters
Buy 1 at $3 and use $1 printable coupon
Pay $2 and get $3 RR = $1 profit after coupon and RR!

Coupon Highlights - Week of 9/13

2009-09-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

There are some great coupons in this week's insert! Here are some that I think could come in very handy:

Colgate Total Enamel Strength or Total Advanced toothpaste, 4oz+, $1 on 1, exp. 10/3/09 - These kinds of toothpaste are often featured in ECB and RR deals at CVS and Walgreens, and these coupons could net you free (or better!) toothpaste.

Crystal Light Drink Mix Products, $2 on 2, exp. 10/10/09 - I have seen small 1- or 3-ct. packs of Crystal Light To Go at several stores for $1 or less. These would be free after these coupons. In my area, CVS has Crystal Light singles for $.50, and Ultra has 3-ct. packs for $.89 each.

Hersheys Kisses, 10oz+, $1 on 1, exp. 11/30/09 - In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the drug stores often have good deals on candy, and these coupons could help you get it for less than $1 a bag, which could be a good deal if you're trying to stock up for Halloween. Or, if you wait until after Halloween, many stores will clearance the Halloween packages and you could get them pretty cheaply after the clearance sale and coupons.

Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, $1 on 1, exp. 10/18/09 - CVS often has good deals on Revlon cosmetics, and these coupons could definitely help out there.

Schick Disposable Razors, $1 on 1, exp. 10/25/09 - CVS and Walgreens (and maybe other stores too?) have 2-ct. packages of Schick razors in the travel section for $.99, so free after coupon! (Note: the coupon will beep and need to be adjusted down to $.99; CVS registers will automatically prompt the cashier to do this, but the Walgreens ones will not, so you may have to remind the cashier.)

Birdseye or Steamfresh bag, $.50 on a, exp. 10/24/09 - These veggies go on sale for $1 on a somewhat regular basis. If you have a store that doubles coupons, you could get these for free. Kroger always doubles coupons up to $.50 and I have seen this sale there quite a few times, so definitely watch your Kroger ads if you have one.

Campbells condensed soups, excludes chicken noodle, tomato, and creams, $.40 on 2, exp. 12/15/09 - Soups often go on sale as the weather gets colder, and these coupons could make for some cheap or free soup, especially if your store doubles.

Frenchs Fried Onions, 6 oz., $.50 on 1, exp. 10/25/09 - These are another item that often go on sale in the fall and winter, and if any of your stores double coupons, they could be pretty cheap after coupons.

Glade Plugins Scented Gel Warmer, B1G1 up to $2.35, exp. 10/24/09 - The drug stores often have Glade deals that could result in free or at-profit air fresheners.

Angel Soft toilet paper, $.50 on 1, exp. 12/31/09 - The 4-pk. of Angel Soft will likely go on sale for $1 at Kroger before these coupons expire at the end of the year. Depending on the size restrictions on your particular coupon, you could score some free tp with these, since Kroger will double the coupon.

If you want to see a full list of tomorrow's coupons, go here.

Note: Not all coupon inserts are created equal - there are regional differences in the selection and wording of some coupons. Typically the bigger cities' newspapers get the "best" coupons. I get the Chicago Tribune because the coupons are much, much better than the ones in our local paper. Also, if your paper publishes an early Sunday edition on Saturday, it will probably have the same coupons in it, and will be a little cheaper at most stores. Or, if you're really just interested in a few coupons, you might want to check out a coupon clipping service like The Coupon Clippers (see my post here or the link in my sidebar), where you can pick and choose your coupons and get multiples of the things you really want.

Great Deal on Old El Paso and Meat at Kroger!

2009-09-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

EDIT: It seems that the Old El Paso printables are no longer available. But if you were able to print them, here's the deal!

Through 10/4/09, Kroger is running the following promotion:

Purchase any 3 Old El Paso taco shells, dinner kits, seasoning, refried beans, or heat & serve side dishes and receive $1 off your next purchase of beef or chicken.
Purchase any 6 of the above products and receive $3 off your next purchase of beef or chicken.

There are printable coupons for $.60 off any 2 Old El Paso products. Don't forget that if you hit the back button on your browser, you can often print one more coupon per computer!

The cheapest way to do this deal would be to buy seasonings, which were $.99 last time I checked.

Buy 6 seasonings @ $.99 = $5.94
Use 3 $.60/2 coupons = (-$1.80)
Pay $4.14, get back a coupon for $3 off beef or chicken. Note that there are no size restrictions on the meat coupon, which means if you find a package that costs right around $3, you won't pay much extra for it. So, for a total of about $4.14, you get 6 seasoning packets and $3 worth of meat.

Meat is one of the hardest things to get a good deal on, so if you'll be buying it anyway, this is a good way to do it!

Note: If you've never done these kinds of deals at Kroger before, you should be aware that the coupon will print out of a small machine next to the register. It's called the Catalina machine, after the company that makes it. If your coupon doesn't print for some reason, you can call the Catalina company at 1-888-8coupon.

Free Enfamil Samples

2009-09-10T21:27:00.000-07:00

If you're pregnant or adopting, or know someone who is, Enfamil has some great free samples available: a breastfeeding support kit and a free can of formula. I breastfed exclusively for the first several months, but even I appreciated my free formula samples when I started using it to mix up cereal. I accumulated a number of full-size samples for free and never had to actually buy any at all! So, if you need it or know someone who does/will, this is one you'll definitely want to take advantage of.

Saving Money on Halloween

2009-09-10T15:27:00.001-07:00

Halloween still seems kind of far away (at least to me), but you've probably noticed that many back-to-school aisles have already transformed into Halloween aisles. Although we may not think of Halloween as an extremely expensive holiday, the cost of candy for the entire neighborhood, the cutest costume on the block, and fantastic decorations do add up. And, as with most things, you can often save more money by planning ahead and getting an early start on deal hunting. Here are some tips to cut back expenses without cutting back on fun.

Costumes

Make a costume instead of buying one. Disney's FamilyFun.com website has a lot of cute ideas for homemade costumes that require fairly simple materials. Some of my favorites were a Lego block, an airplane, and a washing machine, which all required mostly things you probably already have on hand (like boxes, cardboard, plastic cups, etc.). The site also includes reader feedback about what worked, what didn't, things they did differently, etc.
Check thrift stores and/or garage sales. Many Halloween costumes are only worn one year, so a lot of used ones are still in pretty good condition.
Organize a costume swap with your friends. Chances are, most people probably have a few costumes lying around. Ask some friends and see if anyone is interested in trading.
Check your local Freecycle for anyone who might be giving away costumes.
Check online classifieds sites like Craigslist; our area also has a "for sales" group run by the same people who run the local Freecycle.

Candy

Be looking out for great deals on candy. Don't just add it to your list and go into the store, committed to buying it right then and there. CVS and Walgreens usually have pretty good deals on candy at some point during the Halloween season; you might be able to get bags of Hershey's kisses (or something along those lines) for less than a dollar a bag.
Use coupons when you buy candy. The deals at CVS and Walgreens are much better when you use coupons! Also, if your local Kmart participates in super double coupon events (they often double coupons up to $2), that could be a good time to stock up on candy if there is a sale.
Don't get your favorite kind of candy. If you get your favorite, you'll be tempted to buy more "just because." Both your waistline and your wallet will thank you if you settle for something else!
Consider giving out something other than candy. As a kid, it might seem uncool to get pencils or stickers instead of candy, but as a parent, I would appreciate a few people doing that, and it could be cheaper if you find the right deal.

Decorations

Again, consider making your own. Disney's Family Fun site also has ideas and directions for some pretty cute decorations that you can make yourself. Personally, I like the scarecrow standing on his head ("Pumpkinhead Scarecrow"). Allfreecrafts.com also has quite a few ideas for homemade crafts and decorations using common household items like flower pots and egg cartons.
Consider growing your own. If you have pumpkins or gourds this year, keep the seeds and plant them for next year. You could also use roast the pumpkin seeds and use the pulp for baking pies or breads.

Buy for Next Year, This Year
Post-Halloween sales often yield some of the best deals on seasonal items. Look for discounted costumes and decorations. If you wait long enough, many stores will mark seasonal clearance items down to 90% off regular price - although be warned that there may not be much left if you do wait that long.

Upromise - Pay Off Loans or Save for College

2009-09-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

I have recently become rather excited about the Upromise program! I had heard about it in passing and seen stickers on shelves at some stores, but for some reason had never really taken it seriously. Well, I started taking it more seriously when I realized that not only can you save for a future college education, but you can also pay off existing student loans! Not that we're not interested in saving for our daughter's education (because we most definitely are!), but my husband still has a fair amount of student loan debt from college, and at this point in our lives, that is a higher priority for us (our daughter is 2). So, I was very excited to learn that the savings from this program can be transferred to pay off loans serviced by Sallie Mae!

To get started, go here, sign up for an account, and register your participating store loyalty cards on the site. Then, add the e-coupons to your account. When you use your loyalty card to buy participating products, you will get the coupon amount credited to your Upromise account. You can also register your credit and/or debit cards with Upromise, and you will get back a percentage of the total amount spent at participating stores, restaurants, gas stations, websites, etc.

You can put the funds in a 529 plan or, after you have accumulated at least $25, you can transfer them to pay down a Sallie Mae-serviced loan. You can also donate the funds from your Upromise account to a friend or family member who might need funds for college.

All in all, I think this sounds like a great program, and I'm excited about taking advantage of it! Hopefully it will reduce Justin's loans by at least a payment or two, and I hope it helps you too!

New Cellfire Coupons!

2009-09-09T18:33:00.000-07:00

Cellfire released some new e-coupons yesterday - go here to load them on to your store loyalty card or cell phone. There are coupons for some yummy stuff - Betty Crocker Warm Delights, yogurt, Fiber One bars, Nature Valley Nut Clusters, fruit roll-ups, Betty Crocker cake, cookie, and muffin mixes, and much more!

If you missed my first post about Cellfire, go here to read more about them.

Free Do-It-Herself Home Depot Workshop

2009-09-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

If you're feeling handy or would like to learn more about home repairs, you might want to check out this FREE Do-It-Herself kitchen remodeling workshop at Home Depot. Learning how to do some household repairs/updates yourself can definitely save you quite a bit of money over time, so investing some time in a workshop like this could pay off down the road. I've always thought these workshops sounded kind of fun too, but I've never had a chance to go. If you do go, I'd love to hear what you thought of it!

Staples - Free Peachtree Pro Accounting Software

2009-09-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

If you need accounting software, this is the week to get it! Staples has Peachtree Pro Accounting 2010 free after rebate this week. It is on sale for $165 ($199-$35 "instant savings"), and you get $165 back via rebate. Also, most, if not all, Staples take competitor coupons, so if you have an Office Depot or Office Max coupon (e.g., $10 off a $40 purchase), you could use that and get an even better deal. (You will still get the full $165 rebate back.)

I know rebates in general sometimes get a bad rap, but I have done several Staples rebates in the past and have had very good experiences. Assuming this is actually a Staples rebate, not one from the manufacturer, it should work the same way. When your receipt prints, you will also get the rebate form, which you can mail in, or you can submit the rebate online at www.stapleseasyrebates.com. Personally, I prefer the online submission - it's quick and painless, and I can do it the same day so I don't forget about it. After you submit the rebate, you can also track it online to make sure it's going through okay. All in all, I think Staples has a good rebate program, and I feel comfortable using it; we have always gotten our money back promptly.

Building Your Coupon Collection

2009-09-07T01:16:00.000-07:00

As you might imagine, becoming a "super shopper" requires building up a nice collection of coupons. There are quite a few ways to get some great coupons, and I found that once I started looking for them, they're a lot more common than I thought they were.

1) Newspaper inserts: Probably the most common source of coupons is the Sunday newspaper inserts. Without these, you will definitely miss many great deals! However, not all inserts are created equal, so the trick may be finding the best inserts (or at least the coupons from them). If you are in or close to a big city, that city's paper will likely have better coupons than the local one. We get the Chicago Tribune instead of our local paper for that very reason. You might also want to try a coupon clipping service like The Coupon Clippers (see link in my sidebar and/or read my post about them here) if you want to get multiples of a few specific coupons without buying the whole paper.

2) The Internet: A second common (and rapidly growing) source of coupons is the internet. More and more companies are posting printable coupons on their websites or on coupon printing sites. One of the most popular sites is coupons.com (see the link in my sidebar); others include smartsource.com and redplum.com. I also recommend checking company websites to see if they have coupons clearly posted somewhere. And, sign up for e-newsletters from the manufacturers of products you use; many companies email printable coupons as part of their newsletters. Another thing to remember when printing coupons is that most of them are set to print a certain number per computer; if you hit the back button on your browser after printing the first one, it will often let you print one more. Most printable coupons print with a unique code on each coupon, which is designed to prevent fraud. Under no circumstances should you photocopy a printed coupon - this is considered fraud.

3) In-store Dispensers or Displays: Be on the lookout for special displays or dispensers in many stores. Many stores have red "blinkie" machines that dispense coupons. I have also found booklets and tearpads of coupons on shelves or special displays. Some of these are amazingly great coupons!

4) In or on packages: Many manufacturers put coupons on their products, often in the form of peelies (basically stickers) or hangtags. You may also find them printed directly on the packaging (like on a cereal box) or stuck inside a box.

5) Magazines: Some magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Glamour, Cosmo, and Woman's Day often contain coupons. One relatively little-known magazine that often has some great high-value coupons is All You; it is only available by subscription or at Wal-Mart. If you see a copy, it could be worth your time to check it out and see what coupons are in that month's issue.

6) Home mailers: Now, when I say "home mailers," I'm not talking about the Valpak kind of things that come in the mail - I'm talking about coupons that manufacturers send you. Many companies send out mailers with some pretty high-value coupons. I have received several mailers from Proctor & Gamble that contained coupons for a free bottle of Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse. The best (and often the only) way to get on companies' mailing lists is to ask them, so check out the manufacturers of the products you use and see if they send periodic mailings to consumers. Also, if you email companies and tell them how much you like their products, they will often send you some high-value coupons; if you try this, be sure to include your address. I usually also take that opportunity to ask them to add my name to their mailing list.

7) Winetags: Another source for some great coupons may surprise you: Winetags. Many liquor companies issue coupons for non-alcoholic products, such as meat, produce, or ice. These coupons are sometimes hanging on bottles of alcohol, but stores also sometimes just set them out in or near the liquor section. What may be even more surprising is that some of these coupons do not require an alcohol purchase, but this varies a lot by state. I am fortunate to live in a state where there are a lot of NAPR (no alcohol purchase required) winetags, and I have found quite a few really good ones (the most recent was for $3 off any grill meats). If it is indeed an NAPR winetag, the back of the winetag will say so, often in fine print. Before you redeem a winetag, however, I will warn you that some cashiers have never seen them before and aren't sure what to do with them. If you're not also buying the alcohol, they usually beep because they can't be coded for every possible kind and brand of meat or produce or whatever kind of product they're for.

8) Electronic coupons: Several stores now have coupons that can be electronically linked to your store loyalty card and will come off instantly at check-out. Kroger and Safeway affiliates (including Dominick's) have partnered with three sites that offer e-coupons: Shortcuts, P&G eSaver, and Cellfire. When you sign up at these sites, you can choose which coupons you want to load to your loyalty card(s), and those coupons will be available for a set amount of time. Jewel also offers avenu coupons. You do not get to choose what avenu offers are added to your card, although they are supposedly customized for you based on your past purchases.

CVS Deals - Week of 9/6-9/12

2009-09-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

It's kind of a slow week for the deals at CVS, but there are a couple things you might want to check out. If you're not familiar with how CVS works, you'll probably want to read my post here, then come back and read about this week's deals; otherwise this post may not make much sense to you.

LifeLock DVD starter kit (identity theft protection trial kit) @ $2.99, get $2.99 in ECB = FREE after ECB

Schick Slim Triple ST3 disposable razors for delicate skin @ $6.99
Use $3 coupon from 8/16 insert
Pay $3.99 (hopefully with other ECB!), get $4 ECB = FREE after ECB!

The ad also mentions that a $100 coupon book is available to people who get a flu shot at a CVS Minute Clinic. Unfortunately, my CVS doesn't have a Minute Clinic, so I can't get a flu shot or the coupon book there, but if your store does have one and you want to get a flu shot, you can at least get some coupons out of the deal.

Hopefully next week will be a better week for CVS shopping!

Walgreens Deals 9/6 - 9/12

2009-09-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

There are some good deals at Walgreens again this week! If you aren't familiar with Walgreens shopping, check out my post here.

Buy 5 Starbucks ice cream pints @ $3 each = $15.
Use (5) $2 coupons from 6/21 insert
Pay $5 and get $5 Register Reward (RR) = FREE after coupons and RR!

Buy (2) 2 oz. Glade soy candles @ $2 each
Use (2) free coupons from 8/9 insert, or (2) $3 printable coupons (if you don't see the coupon, put in your zip code and say all coupons within 50 miles)*
Pay tax and get $1 RR = $1 profit after coupons and RR!
*Note: If you choose to use 2 of the printables, I recommend getting 3 candles at once; otherwise, the register will beep on the second coupon because the coupon value would exceed the value of the candles. If you get a 3rd candle (bringing the total cost of the candles to $6), both coupons will go through fine, it will take off the full $6, and you'll still come out $1 ahead.

Buy (2) Tylenol 8 oz. or 24 ct. cold products @ $5.99 each
Use (2) $2 printable coupons and the $1 Walgreens store coupon from the Healthy Savings booklet
Pay $5.98 and get $5 RR = $.98 for 2 ($.49 each) after coupons and RR!

Buy (2) Reese's cups 4-4.5 oz. @ $1 each
Use (2) $.55 coupons from 8/23 insert
Pay $.90 and get $1 RR = $.10 profit after coupons and RR!

Jewel Preferred Card Tent Promo

2009-09-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

ETA 10-5-09: Click here to view Jewel's October blue tent schedule.

If you've never stopped by Jewel's blue Preferred Card tent when it's in your area, I highly recommend it! The store has a blue tent that they move around from store to store, to encourage people to update the information (address, email, etc.) on their preferred card. When you update your information, you get a book with some really great coupons, including SIX for completely free items:

Free 3 lb. bag of apples
Free Culinary Circle pizza
Free 4-pk. Homelife toilet paper
Free bottle Equaline ibuprofen
Free 1/2 gal. Wild Harvest milk
Free case Jewel bottled water

Personally, unless you absolutely need the items right now, I would recommend holding on to some of these coupons for a while, to see if they go on sale buy one, get one free (BOGO). When Jewel has BOGO sales, the first item rings up at full price, and the second rings up at $0. This means that if you use the "free" coupons when the items are on BOGO sale, you will get 2 items for free! The coupon will take off the full price of the first one, and the second will have already rung up at $0. There are quite a few other coupons too, most of which are manufacturer coupons redeemable only at Jewel.

Here's the tent's schedule for September. Check it out if it's in your area!

Saturday Sept. 5, 10a.m.-3p.m., 1759 W. Ogden Ave., Naperville, IL 60540

Sunday Sept. 6, 12p.m.-5p.m., 2540 U.S. Rt. 30, Oswego, IL 60543

Saturday Sept. 12, 10a.m.-3p.m., 107 Avenue of The Cities, East Moline, IL 61244

Sunday Sept. 13, 12 p.m.-5p.m., 2010 First St. A , Moline, IL 61265

Monday Sept. 14, 3p.m.-8p.m., 1312 John Deere Expressway., Silvis, IL 61282

Friday Sept. 18, 3p.m.-8p.m., 4650 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Saturday Sept. 19, 10a.m.-3p.m., 3220 S. Chicago Rd., Chicago Heights., IL 60411

Sunday Sept. 20, 12p.m.-5p.m., 652 Kirk Rd., St. Charles, IL 60174

Monday Sept. 21, 3p.m.-8p.m., 1320 Sycamore Rd., DeKalb, IL 60115

Friday Sept. 25, 3p.m.-8p.m., 1517 Sheridan, Wilmette, IL 60091

Saturday Sept. 26, 10a.m.-3p.m., 860 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL

Sunday Sept. 27, 12p.m.-5p.m., 1177 S. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148

Monday Sept. 28, 3p.m.-8p.m., 1500 S. Lee St., Des Plaines, IL 60018

No coupons in newspapers this weekend!!

2009-09-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

In case you're planning to buy a paper just for the coupons this weekend - don't. Since this is a holiday weekend, there will not be any coupon inserts in the Sunday paper or early Saturday editions. Just an FYI.

Cellfire E-coupons (Kroger, Dominick's, and More!)

2009-09-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

Cellfire.com is a website that offers some great electronic coupons that you can load to your grocery store card and/or cell phone (see the link in my sidebar!). At this time, the only grocery stores that I am aware of with cards linked to Cellfire are Kroger (including stores like Dillons, JayC, Smith's, Ralphs, King Soopers, Baker's, City Market, QFC, and Fry's) and Safeway stores (e.g., Dominick's, Vons, Tom Thumb). After going to their website, you set up an account and add your store card; then you can select the coupons that you want to add to your card. When you use your store card at check-out, the coupons should automatically come off at the end.

I usually add all the available coupons, just so they're there if I decide I want them. After you add the coupons, I think it's a good idea to print out a list of your loaded coupons so that you remember what all you loaded and make sure you get the correct item when you go to the store. The coupons currently on the site must be saved by 9/7 (Monday), and they expire on 9/21. If you use a Cellfire coupon in addition to a manufacturer coupon for the same item, you can save even more.

In addition to grocery coupons, Cellfire also offers discounts on other goods and services that can be loaded to your cell phone. Offers currently available (at least for my zip code) include Sears portraits, 1-800-flowers.com, and Petoskey, MI, vacations. I'm pretty sure these offers will vary by region, so check and see what's available in your area. These offers can be saved to your cell phone, and you redeem them by displaying the offer on your phone to the merchant.

I have used quite a few Cellfire grocery coupons, and they have always come off without a problem. I have personally not used any of the non-grocery offers, but the Sears portrait ones seem to come up pretty often, so I might use one of those to get my daughter's pictures taken sometime soon.

Buying More = Paying Less?

2009-09-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

One of the primary ways I have been able to slash our grocery bill so much (usually to about $10/month or less) is by employing the "buy low, stock up" method. This requires a slight shift in the mindset that most people probably have when shopping for grocery and household items. The way most people shop (including myself, up until a little over a year ago) is to buy what they need for the immediate future, then buy more when they run out. However, drastically reducing your grocery bills requires that you buy when the price is low, even though you may not need a particular item right then.

The basic idea behind the "stock up" method is that you wait for rock-bottom prices, and then you buy as much as you estimate you will need until the next rock-bottom deal rolls around. Deals come and go in cycles, and they roll around on almost everything eventually - the key is taking advantage of them when they do.

Let's take a look at how this actually plays out and how it can save you big bucks. Imagine that you find a great deal on spaghetti sauce, and your final cost after coupons (and maybe a Register Reward or ECB deal at Walgreens or CVS) is $.40/jar. That's a pretty good price for spaghetti sauce, so you buy 6 jars. Without coupons or a sale, you would have probably paid two to three dollars each, so getting them for $.40 each is a steal! You got 6 jars for approximately the same amount of money that you would have normally paid for one - a difference of about $10! However, if you only buy one jar, your supply probably won't last long enough to tide you over until the next deal, and you'll end up paying a much higher price when you need more in a few weeks. You see, by buying more when the price was low, you actually saved money. Now imagine doing that not just with spaghetti sauce, but with almost all your groceries, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and other household items. The savings will really start to add up quickly!

After you shop with this "price-based" method for a while (vs. solely needs-based, "buy it when you need it"), you'll build up a pretty good supply of many items. Having this stash will most definitely save you money, but it also provides other benefits as well. For one, it greatly reduces the number of times that you run out of something and have to go out at the last minute to get it. No more 10:00 p.m. trips to the store for toothpaste! It also makes it much easier to give to others. If you know of a need, it's so easy to just grab a bag, go to your closet, and fill it with extra toothpaste, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc., from your stash; there's no need for an extra trip to the store or worrying that there isn't room in the budget.

Your stash also serves as a sort of emergency fund. Many people (especially if you're Dave Ramsey fans) build up an emergency fund of cash that is readily available in the event of a catastrophe or job loss. If someone in your family is injured, becomes seriously ill, or loses a job, you may not have extra money or time to shop; if you have an "emergency fund" of food and household supplies, you can use that to get you through the rough spots.

Now, I will say that building good supplies of everything does take time. My experience was that stockpiles of certain items, like shampoo and toothpaste, seemed to grow almost overnight (and for free or better!), while other items, like canned veggies and fruit, were much harder to find good deals on.

It also takes time to figure out what good "stock up" prices are. I keep a sort of mental pricebook in my head, and I find that even now, I'm constantly changing it. What I thought were good stock-up prices a year ago, I would never pay now. At the same time, I have passed on deals because I thought something better would surely come along, and later regretted it because it turned out that the price on that particular item actually doesn't get much lower. It is definitely an ongoing process, with some trial and error. And, stock-up prices will be different for different people, depending partly on where you live and what stores you have. Personally, I don't pay anything for spaghetti sauce anymore because I'm pretty sure that at some point, Jewel will have a deal when it will be free. But if you don't have a Jewel, you may never find it for free, and the $.40/jar price in my example above is indeed an amazing deal.

One last thing that will make it much easier for you to build up supplies of things you will use is if you are willing to be brand-flexible. If you are truly and completely brand-loyal to certain things, the deals on your particular preferred brand may not roll around as often as you need the item. For instance, in over a year of heavy-duty couponing, I have never seen a deal that will net free Head & Shoulders shampoo, so if you're 100% committed to that particular brand (or another brand that never seems to get the best deals), you will likely end up spending more money. Fortunately for me, my husband is perfectly happy with his free Gillette shampoo.

Once you start shopping with the "buy low, stock up" method, I would also warn against the tendency to cross the line into hoarding. I recommend trying to figure out how quickly your household goes through various products, and then "stock up" by buying what you will need to get through to the next great deal. If you end up with 50 bottles of shampoo in your closet, that's probably taking it too far, and it's time to give some away.

Building up your stash will take some time - it takes time to figure out how quickly you go through things and to watch the sale cycles to know how often different deals do roll around, but you will catch on! When I started using coupons and and shopping like this, I never imagined that we would be able to reduce our expenses by so much. Believe me, if we can do it, so can you!

Save even more at Walgreens!

2009-09-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

Look for this booklet at your Walgreens stores. My store had them on the rack with the weekly ads; I think some stores also may have them laying on the checkout counters. The coupons in the book are all Walgreens store coupons, which means you can combine them with a manufacturer coupon and get some really great deals. The best one to use this week is for $2 off Theraflu: Buy 1 Theraflu @ $4.99, use a $2 printable coupon and the $2 Walgreens store coupon, pay $.99, and get a $3 Register Reward, for a profit of $2! (If you aren't familiar with Register Rewards or the Walgreens system, check out my post here.)

The coupons are all good for the rest of this year, but there are a couple others that I think could be useful in the near future: $2 off Triaminic and $1 off children's Tylenol or adult cold, sinus, or allergy Tylenol. When I was at the store the other night, I noticed that both of these products had signs advertising a month-long deal to get a $5 Register Reward when you buy 2. I think it's very likely that they will go on sale before the end of the month, so if you combine a sale with a manufacturer coupon, the Walgreens store coupon, and the Register Reward, it could make for even more cheap or free cold medicine. Tis the season for the best deals on cold medicine, so these coupons can definitely help you stock up for very little money.

A couple other notes about Walgreens store coupons in general:

When you use a store coupon, the cashiers do not need to keep them for their drawer, so you can just get one book and use the same coupons over and over again.
If you buy multiple items in one transaction (let's say, 2 bottles of Tylenol), the cashier will only scan the store coupon once, but it will take off the coupon amount for each bottle purchased.

The Coupon Clippers

2009-09-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Arguably the best (and most common) place to get coupons is the Sunday newspaper inserts. But, sometimes there may be only one or two coupons that you actually want in a given week, or you might live in an area of the country that doesn't get a lot of the "good" coupons in the local paper. One service that you might find useful is The Coupon Clippers (see link above or in my sidebar). It's pretty simple - you go to the site, select the coupons you want, they clip them for you, and you pay shipping and handling. There is a $3 minimum order, but if you consider the fact that you get to hand-pick your coupons (and should therefore like and hopefully use everything you get) vs. buying a whole paper when you really only want a few coupons, it could be a worthwhile thing. Please feel free to post your feedback if you try their service!

CVS Advisory Panel

2009-08-31T22:38:00.000-07:00

Several months ago, I signed up for the CVS Advisory Panel, and I think it has turned out to be a pretty worthwhile thing. The purpose of the panel is to get consumer input about CVS products, ads, stores, and services. Every few months or so, I have gotten a survey to fill out; it usually only takes about 10 minutes, and I have gotten $10 ECB each time. I think that's a pretty good deal! It's free to join. Click here if you're interested!

Super Shopping at Jewel (and other SuperValu stores)!

2009-08-31T20:11:00.000-07:00

When I first moved to the Chicago area, I visited Jewel once and pretty much decided to never go there again because I thought they were way too expensive. I still think their prices are higher on a lot of things, but I've also learned one big secret that can make shopping at Jewel very worthwhile, and this is their Catalina deals that are "buy $X worth of certain products and save $Y on your next shopping trip." A good example is this week's "Buy $25 worth of ConAgra/Kellogg's products and save $10 on your next shopping trip." When you buy enough qualifying merchandise, a coupon will print out of the Catalina machine next to the register that is good for money off your next order. What often makes these deals absolutely wonderful is that the $25 qualifying purchase is based on the price of the items before you scan your preferred card. This makes for some truly amazing deals!

To see how this works, check out these deals this week on Wesson oil and Kellogg's cereals:

Buy 6 Cocoa Krispies @ $4.35 (price before preferred card) = $26.10 (if you want another kind of cereal, I would check the price first; this was the only kind I price checked)
Preferred card price = $15 (6 @ $2.50 each)
Minus (3) $2 off 2 coupons from this week's paper = (-$6)
Pay $9, get back $10 coupon to use on your next order.

If you wanted, you could use that $10 to get more cereal (plus $1 of something else as a filler so you can use the full amount of your $10 coupons), which would give you another $10, and the cycle just goes on and on and on...

You could also take your $10 and do this...

Buy 5 Wesson oil @ $5.45 (price before preferred card) = $27.25
Preferred card price = $12.50 (5 @ $2.50 each)
Pay $12.50 (or $2.50 cash + $10 in coupons from a previous order) and get back $10 in coupons
Final cost = $.50 each

It's possible that there are some other great finds hiding in this deal somewhere. If you find any more, let me know...I love to hear about other people's great shopping trips :)

Similar deals also run at other stores owned by the SuperValu chain, including Albertson's, Acme, Save-a-Lot, Shop 'n Save, Bigg's, Cub, Lucky, and probably some others.

In addition to using coupons and taking advantage of "$$ off your next order" deals, another way to save at Jewel is with avenu electronic coupons. Avenu coupons are tied to your preferred card and instantly deducted at the register; they are considered store coupons, so you can combine a manufacturer combine with an avenu discount. Avenu offers are supposedly customized based on your shopping habits, but I'm not 100% convinced of this. Go here to check out your avenu offers.

And, just in case you still aren't sure that Jewel's catalina deals are worth it, I paid a little over $20 out of pocket over the course of a week or two during the last couple deals they had like this, and I came away with over 20 boxes of cereal, 20 cans of fruit, 7 large jars of applesauce, several loaves of bread, 7 frozen pizzas, a couple bags of cheese, numerous cans of vegetables, a couple bottles of syrup, 2 boxes of crackers, 4 bottles of mayo, a package of lunch meat, a head of lettuce, some bananas, several bottles of salad dressing, a couple bags of salad, several packages of hamburger, 4 boxes of mac & cheese, 3 Easy Mac, more yogurt than I could possibly count, 2 Macaroni Grill dinners, 4 packages of onion soup mix, frosting, cake mix, a few Knorr side dishes, 5 bottles of laundry detergent, several packages of Klondike bars, and cartons upon cartons of Breyer's ice cream (I took at least 15 to work and gave several more to friends, and we still have quite a few in the freezer). I will also get $45 back in rebates from Kraft and Tombstone for all this, so I actually made a pretty decent profit!

Kmart Super Doubles - Week of 8/30

2009-08-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, some Kmarts are doing Super Doubles again this week. Participating stores will double coupons up to $2, so coupons with a face value of $2 or less will double up to the price of the item (they will not double to more than the cost of the items covered by the coupon). Coupons greater than $2 are redeemed at face value. You cannot double more than 4 like coupons, and your pre-coupon total has to be at least $25. Depending on the store, they may limit your total number of doubled coupons to either 10 or 25.

There is also another perk to go along with this already great promotion. Go here and you can print coupons for free items based on your pre-coupon total of "health, beauty, food, and consumable" items; these include a free 4-pk. of AA or AAA batteries with a $25 purchase, a free American Greetings card with a $20 purchase, and a free roll of paper towels with a $15 purchase.

Note: When printing coupons from the internet, you can often print two of each coupon by hitting the back button on your browser.

There are lots of great deals to be had! Here are some that get you free or really cheap stuff (please remember that prices can vary by store):

Food:
Velveeta Shells & Cheese cups @ $1.19 each - buy 2 and use the buy one, get one (B1G1) coupon from 8/9 insert; the coupon will double and make both FREE
Welch's squeezable jelly @ $2.19 - Use $.75 printable (see link in my sidebar) = $.69 each
Welch's refrigerated juice @ $2.79 - Use $1 printable (see link in my sidebar) = $.79 each
Reese's cups (8-pk.) @ $1 - Use $.55 coupon from 8/23 insert = FREE
Reese's peanut butter cups bar @ $.79 - Use B1G1 coupon from 8/23 insert = 2 FREE
Lipton tea bags (small box) @ $1.19 - Use $.60 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Honey Bunches of Oats with Pecans @ $2.50 - Use $2 printable coupon (look in lower right corner) = FREE
Bumble Bee premium tuna pouch @ $1.99 - Use $1 coupon from 6/14 insert = FREE
Post Trail Mix Crunch @ $3.79 - Use $2 printable coupon = FREE
Smithfield bacon @ $3 - Use $3 printable coupon (sign up on their site, and you should get to print the coupon at the end) = FREE
A-1 steak sauce @ $3.50 or marinade @ $2.99 - Use $2 coupon from 8/16 insert = FREE
International Delight coffee creamer @ $2 - Use $1 printable coupon = FREE
Del Monte Fruit Naturals @ $1 - Use $1 off 2 coupon from 7/12 insert = FREE
Tyson fresh chicken (prices vary) - Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert; it will take off $2, which could make for some cheap chicken, depending on the package you get.
Easy Mac cups @ $1 - Use B1G1 coupon from the July issue of Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, and/or Good Housekeeping = 2 FREE
Coffee-Mate creamer @ $2 - Use $1 printable coupon = FREE
Wrigley's Spearmint, Big Red, Doublemint, Juicy Fruit, or Winterfresh gum @ $1 - Use B1G1 coupon from 6/28 insert = 2 FREE
Eclipse Gum @ $1 - Use B1G1 coupon from 6/28 insert = 2 FREE

Health & Beauty
Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Products - various items, including first aid tape and trial size first aid kits, are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 5/17 or 8/2 inserts = FREE
Kotex liners @ $1.29 - Use $.75 coupon from 8/23 insert = FREE
Vaseline lotion @ $2.50 - Use $1.50 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Skintimate (travel size) @ $1.99 - Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
L.A. Looks styling gel @ $1.69 - Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Sally Hansen beauty tools - various items (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.) are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Revlon beauty tools - various items (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.) are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = FREE
Visine (select varieties) @ $3.99 - Use $2 coupon from 8/2 insert and/or this printable coupon = FREE
Dove Ultimate deodorant @ $3.99 - Use $2 printable coupon = FREE

Household & Cleaning Supplies
Chinet plates @ $3.79-$4.49 - Use $2 coupon from 8/9 = FREE to $.49
Swiffer duster starter kit @ $3.99-$4.79 - Use $2 coupon from 8/2 P&G = FREE to $.79
Ajax dish liquid @ $1.99 - Use $1 coupon from coupons.com (use zip code 85712) = FREE
Scrubbing Bubbles toilet gels @ $3.50 - Use $2 printable coupon = FREE
Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush Max starter kit - If you buy the toilet gels, you can get the Fresh Brush kit for free using the coupon from the 8/2 insert
Nature's Source cleaner @ $2 - Some of these have $1 peelie coupons on the products = FREE
Playtex Handsaver gloves @ $1.79 - Use $1 coupon from 6/28 insert = FREE
Ziploc bags @ $2 = Use B1G1 coupon from 8/30 insert = 2 FREE
Renuzit Odor Neutralizer @ $1.89 - Use $1 coupon from 7/19 insert = FREE
Scotch Pop-Up Tape Dispenser @ $3.99 - Use $2 printable coupon = FREE
Lysol Neutra Air spray @ $2.66 - Use $1.50 coupon from 7/12 insert = FREE

Pet Supplies
Hartz Crunch 'n' Clean treats @ $3 - Use $2 coupon from 8/30 insert = FREE
Chef Michaels canned dog food @ $.93 - Use B1G1 coupon from 7/23 insert = 2 FREE
Cesar Bistro Canine Entree @ $1 - Use B1G1 coupon from 8/16 insert = 2 FREE

Please feel free to post a comment if you find any other great deals this week!

CVS Deals - Week of 8/30

2009-08-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

There are some good deals at CVS this week! Who doesn't love $.99/gal. milk? Here are the best ones I saw:

Glade Fragrance Collection soy candle or scented oil reed diffuser @ $6.99, get $6.99 in ECB = FREE. Limit 1.
Use the $2 printable coupon here or $3 printable coupon here (if it doesn't show up at first, put in 45435 as the zip), and make a $2-3 profit!

Dean's milk @ $1.99, get $1 in ECB = $.99
Note: Milk deals vary a LOT in different parts of the country, so check your local store's ad to see if they are running this deal.

Bounce Dryer Bar @ $3.99, get 1 ECB = $2.99. Limit 2.
Use $2.50 coupon from Vocalpoint mailer and get it for $.49 after ECB.
If you're not familiar with Vocalpoint, check out my post here.

Clairol Loving Care hair color @ $4.99, get $2 ECB = $2.99.
Use $4 coupon from 8/2 P&G insert and make a $1 profit.

Gold Emblem Gummi Sharks or Cookie Dough Bites @ 2/$2, get $1 ECB when you buy 2. Limit 1.
I often get CVS coupons for $1 off 2 Gold Emblem candy items, so these would be free after the coupons and ECB.

Bayer Contour glucose meter @ $14.99, get $5 ECB.
Use $30 coupon from 2/1 or 3/22 inserts (note that this coupon will only take off the actual price of the item, $14.99, NOT $30). Get the meter for free and make a $5 profit in ECB!

Eggs @ $.99 (Note that prices on things like eggs often vary by region, so your store may be different.)

If you're new to CVS shopping, check out my post here, which explains the ECB system and how to get the most for your money there.

I went to CVS last night and took advantage of some of these deals. Some CVS stores actually start Sunday's ad the day before, so I often shop there on Saturday night, partly because it fits my schedule better and partly because it cuts down on the number of trips I make to the store. So, this trip includes some of this week's deals, plus some from last week. Here's what I ended up with:

1 Glade candle @ $6.99
2 gal. milk @ $1.99 each
2 Glade Sense & Sprays @ $5 each
2 Speedstick deodorant @ $2.49 each
1 package cotton swabs @ $2
5 pkgs. Nabisco cookies @ $1 each
6 Poise liners @ $2 each
4 Carefree liners @ $3.79 each
1 Clairol Loving Care @ $4.99
1 mega pack diapers @ $10.49

Total before coupons = $75.59
Minus $2 Glade candle printable coupon (see link above)
$4 Glade Sense & Spray from 8/23 insert
Free Glade warmer peelie (-$4.99)
(2) $1.50 Speedstick printable coupons (go to coupons.com and put in 33907 as the zip)
(2) $1 on 2 Nabisco cookies (from a Kraft back-to-school booklet I found at Kmart)
(6) $2 Poise printable coupons (I don't think these exact coupons are still available)
$1 on 2 Carefree and (2) $1 off 1 Carefree printables
$4 Clairol hair color
$2 off $10 CVS brand purchase (for diapers and cotton swabs)
$1.50 Speedstick CVS store coupon
$2 Lady Speedstick CVS store coupon
(2) $1 off any Glade air freshener CVS store coupon
$5 off any $25 purchase (printable coupon available when you go to www.cvs.com and
take a quiz about prescriptions and their ReadyFill program)

Post-coupon total = $28.10 + $2.36 in tax = $30.46

Paid with $29.89 in ECB and $.57 in cash. I got $34.15 back in ECB ($3 from Poise, $15.16 from Carefree, $6.99 from Glade candle, $2 from Clairol, $2 from Speedstick, $1 from milk, $1 from cookies, and $3 from Sense & Sprays). I think this is a pretty good example of my basic overall CVS strategy: Buy things we use when they're at the lowest possible price (even if we may not need it right then), and use any overage to get things we need immediately (milk and q-tips) or that I rarely find great deals on (like diapers). Sometimes this does mean buying things that I may not especially want (like Glade or hair dye), but I can give those things away, and they give me extra money that I can use toward things like diapers.

CVS Intro - You can make it work for you!

2009-08-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in getting the most bang for your buck, one of the best stores to shop at is CVS. If you’ve never played the “drugstore game” before, you might be thinking, “Really? But their prices are so inflated on everything!” Well, in many instances, that’s true. However, they also have promotional programs that often net you free products, and when you use coupons, you can often make a profit! Read on to find out more about how to take advantage of all the wonderful deals to be had at CVS…

The Extra Care Bucks Program
One of the reasons CVS is such a great place for bargain shopping is their Extra Care Bucks (ECB) program. ECB are coupons that print on your receipt tape after you pay. I like to think of them as “CVS money.” These coupons have no minimum purchase requirement, and they can be used on almost anything in the store. They do exclude things like alcohol, stamps, prescriptions, lottery tickets, and gift cards, but they can be used on pretty much any general merchandise, including toiletries, OTC medicine, household supplies, and groceries.

Each week, CVS offers ECB rewards on a number of items, and there are usually at least 1-2 things that automatically give you back the full purchase price in ECB’s, making the item “free” after ECB. Each ECB deal has a limit listed in the ad, usually somewhere between 1 and 5; this is the number of times you can do each deal per Extra Care account. For example, in the picture above, composition books are on sale for $.99, with a $.99 ECB, limit 2. If you buy 2, you will pay $1.98 and get back $1.98 in ECB. You can buy 3 or more if you want, but you will still get only $1.98 in ECB, unless you have multiple Extra Care cards. (Note: You must use a CVS Extra Care loyalty card to get any ECB; they will not print unless a card has been scanned. If you do not have a CVS card, you can get one at your local store or on the CVS website.)

Now, after you have your ECB in hand, what I do NOT recommend is turning around and immediately using those ECB to buy other random things. I have found that one of the keys to maximizing savings at CVS is to “roll” your ECB. This means that you use your ECB to buy other things that generate ECB, then use those ECB to buy other things that generate ECB – over and over and over again. I use ECB and coupons to pay for as much of each transaction as possible, usually aiming to pay less than a dollar out of pocket each time, and get back approximately the same amount (or more) as I spent. If you don’t “roll” your ECB, you’ll end up paying out of pocket with real money (not CVS money) each time, and your overall expenses will ultimately be quite a bit higher. I spent between $20-$30 on my first major CVS trip in June 2007 and have been paying mostly with my ECB ever since. I almost never pay more than $2 of “real” money.

Over time, deals on pretty much everything will cycle around at some point. Out of my initial investment at CVS, I have netted countless cleaning supplies, almost any toiletry item imaginable, household supplies like paper towels and batteries, and groceries, especially cereal and milk. If you are truly going to make the most of this program, it may require a slight shift in mindset. It may mean buying certain things at a time when you don’t really need them – I buy them anyway because there will be a time when I DO need it, and I would rather buy it when it’s free than pay full price for it later.

Using Coupons at CVS
As you saw above, it is often possible to use the CVS Extra Care program to get things for free. When you use coupons along with this program, you will see your savings multiply even more. For example, a couple weeks ago, Revlon Mineral Mousse make-up was $9.99, with a $9.99 ECB reward (= “free”). A few weeks before that, there was a manufacturer coupon in the Sunday paper for $1 off Revlon. So, with the coupon, it cost $8.99, you get back $9.99, and you make a $1 profit.

In addition to manufacturer coupons, there are also CVS store coupons. CVS store coupons are available from a few different sources, such as magazines, tearpads, and flyers found in the store. Most of mine come from the in-store scanner, which prints coupons when you scan your CVS card. Not all stores have these scanners, but they often give some pretty good coupons, so take a look around your store and see if you can find one. CVS corporate policy allows one CVS store coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item. For example, when I bought the Revlon a couple weeks ago, I also had a store coupon for $2 off any cosmetics. I used both the store coupon and the manufacturer coupon, for a total of $3 off; I paid $6.99 (in CVS money) plus tax (in real money) and got back $9.99 (also in CVS money), for a $3 CVS-money profit.

Some of the best CVS store coupons are for $4 off a $20 purchase, $5 off a $25 purchase, or something similar. These are great coupons to have! The minimum purchase requirement is before coupons, so if you have a “$4 off $20” and you are already planning to get about $20 worth (pre-coupon value) of products, this coupon basically gives you an extra $4 to spend on anything else you need right then. I usually use it to buy groceries or things we use that don’t go on sale very often.

What if something is out of stock?
Stock for particularly good deals at CVS sometimes disappears quickly. If you find empty shelves at the store, ask for a raincheck. CVS corporate policy is to provide rainchecks for all regularly stocked merchandise (unfortunately, if it’s a seasonal item, you may just be out of luck). The cashier will write the raincheck for the purchase price, and will also write in any ECB that you are owed. When you redeem the raincheck, hand it over at the beginning of the transaction, and they will price adjust the item when they ring it up. Pay like normal, and they will manually print your ECB after you pay.

What if my ECB don’t print? In my experience, ECB almost always print, but there is the occasional instance where the system was not programmed correctly or I accidentally picked up the wrong item or something. If this happens, first make sure that you did in fact get the correct item. If you did, the cashier should be able to manually print the ECB for you, using the 8-digit event code listed in the ad.

Variable Policies
Some policies do vary from store to store. For example, some CVS stores accept expired manufacturer coupons; mine does not, but they DO accept expired CVS store coupons. Check with your store's manager if you have questions.

Walgreens Deals - Week of 8/30

2009-08-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

There are some great deals at Walgreens this coming week! Here are the freebies I see this week:

Theraflu - Buy 1 at $4.99 and use $2 printable coupon from the Theraflu website (look in the lower left corner). Pay $2.99 (use another Register Reward if possible, but NOT one you got from buying Theraflu!) and get back $3 in Register Rewards (RR). Free after coupon and RR!

Reach Total Care toothbrush, Total Care floss, or Ultra Clean floss - Buy 1 at $2.99 and get $2 in RR. There were coupons ranging from $1-$2 off one toothbrush or floss in the 3/15, 4/26, 6/14, and 8/2 newspaper inserts. Depending on your coupons, you could get these for free or at a profit.

Rembrandt toothpaste - Buy 1 at $5, get $5 in RR = free! The 8/2 insert had a coupon good on Listerine whitening pre-brush or fluoride rinse or any Rembrandt whitening product. If the Rembrandt toothpaste included in this deal happens to be the whitening variety, you could use that coupon and make a $1 profit.

Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners - Buy 1 at $1.99, get $1.99 in RR = free! There are quite a few coupons good for this deal, including $1 off in the 8/30 insert; the June issues of Ladies Home Journal, Cosmo, Good Housekeeping, and Woman's Day; the March issues of Parents, Cosmo, and Shape; and the Feb. issues of Seventeen, Glamour, Cosmo, Shape, and Parents. There is also a $1 off printable coupon here. Note on the printable: if you hit the back button your browser, it may let you print a second coupon.

Men's Zone 6-Blade Razor System - Buy 1 at $3.99, get $3.99 in RR = free!

Colgate 360 ActiFlex Toothbrush - Buy 1 at $2.99 and use a $.40 coupon from tomorrow's newspaper insert. Get $2.99 in RR = a $.40 profit.

Note: There are some quirks and things to remember when shopping at Walgreens, especially when dealing with RR's. For more on this, read my post here.

8/30/09 Coupon Inserts & Tips

2009-08-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Are you wondering if the coupons in tomorrow's Sunday paper are worth it this week? I think they are! There are several coupons in this week's paper that I will definitely be using (at least sometime, if not immediately) and will probably try to get extras of. Here are my favorites:

From the Smart Source insert:
Carefree Ultra Protection Product, $1 (exp. 11-30-09) - these are free after Register Rewards (RR) at Walgreens the week of 8/30. Use the coupon, and you'll make $1 in RR!
Colgate Toothbrush, .40 (exp. 9-19-09) - Colgate 360 Actiflex toothbrushes are also free after RR at Walgreens the week of 8/30. Use the coupon, and you'll make $.40 in RR.
Marcal Small Steps Bath Tissue or regular single roll Paper Towel or Facial Tissues FREE or $1 on 1 (exp. 10/15/09) - If you can find the single packs, you'll get them free after the coupon. They can, however, be kind of hard to find. In my area, I have found the single roll of toilet paper at Ultra but have not found the paper towels or tissues anywhere.
Palmolive Pure & Clear, .75 (exp. 9/20/09) - If you use this coupon at a store that will double it (like Kmart if your store does super doubles), then do the mail-in rebate listed below, you'll make a $1.50 profit. Using coupons does not typically affect whether or not you get the rebate back, so you should get the full purchase price back.
Palmolive Pure & Clear, mail-in rebate up to $2.99 (exp. 9-20-09)
Ziploc Fresh Shield Easy Zipper bags, B1G1 free up to $2.19 (exp. 10-24-09) - This coupon will be good if the bags cost $2 or less at Kmart if your store does super doubles; if you have a B1G1 free coupon for something that costs $2 or less, you can get 2 boxes for free during super doubles.

From Red Plum:
Endust Free, $2 (exp. 9-26-09) - Endust is regularly priced $3.99 at Kmart. Use this $2 coupon if your store does super doubles, and it's free!
Hefty One Zip, $1 (exp. 10-31-09) - CVS has 6- and 8-ct. boxes of Hefty One Zip bags regularly priced at $1. Use this coupon, and they're free!
Kelloggs Products with Fiber, pictured are Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Raisin Bran, Mini Wheat Bites, $2 on 2 (exp. 10-11-09) - I'm not sure how I'm going to use this coupon yet, but I think Kellogg's coupons are always good to have, if you're like our family and eat a lot of cold cereal.
Quaker Grits, $1 on 2 (exp. 12-31-09)
Quaker Instant or Old Fashioned Oatmeal, $1.25 on 2 (exp. 11-30-09) - I expect that there will be quite a few sales on hot cereals as winter approaches; the coupon doesn't expire until the end of December, so it could come in handy.
Thai Kitchen product, .50 (exp. 10-31-09) - Thai Kitchen noodle packets are regularly priced $.99 at Kmart. Use the $.50 coupon if your store does super doubles, and they're free!

From P&G:
Crest toothpaste, 4.2 oz+, .50 (exp. 9/30/09) - Crest toothpaste often goes on sale for $1 at many stores. If your store doubles coupons, this coupon would make it free. All Kroger stores double coupons up to $.50 every day, so if you have a Kroger, watch for it to go on sale there.
Tide, $1 (exp. 9/30/09) - Some stores like Walmart and Target have travel size pouches of Tide in the travel section. If the coupon doesn't have any size restrictions on it, you can get travel size laundry detergent for free.

If you want to see a full list of tomorrow's coupons, go here.

Note: Not all coupon inserts are created equal - there are regional differences. Typically the bigger cities' newspapers get the "best" coupons. I get the Chicago Tribune because the coupons are much, much better than the ones in our local paper. Also, if your paper publishes an early Sunday edition on Saturday, it will probably have the same coupons in it, and will be a little cheaper.

2009-08-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

One great source of high-value coupons I've found over the last several months is Vocalpoint. Vocalpoint is an online community that posts surveys, product reviews, and articles on various topics. Go here to sign up with them and indicate that you want to receive special offers, they will send you all kinds of fun stuff. Most recently, I have gotten an envelope full of $1 coupons for Rice Krispies, plus a coupon for a completely free box, and a $2.50 coupon and several $1.50 coupons for the new Bounce dryer bar. Other past promotions that I've gotten included Kashi waffles (a coupon for a free box, plus several $1.50 coupons), $4 coupons for Venus Embrace razors (these coupons ended up making these free after Register Rewards at Walgreens), Frosted Mini Wheats, Crest toothpaste, Kashi cereal bars, Del Monte Fruit Naturals, and probably several others.

As far as I can tell, I have never gotten spam or unsolicited mail from them - just great coupons and sometimes free samples.

Walgreens Intro - You can make it work for you!

2009-08-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite stores for bargain shopping is Walgreens, partly because they have some pretty good deals and partly because there is a Walgreens with very nice employees within walking distance of my house. If you’ve never played the “drugstore game” before, you might be saying, “Really? But all their prices are so inflated!” Well, in many instances, that’s true. However, they also have promotional programs that often net you free products, and when you use coupons, you can often make a profit!

Coupons at Walgreens
One thing makes for some great deals at Walgreens is their coupon policies. Of course, Walgreens accepts manufacturer coupons, but they also issue store coupons (if you’re not sure if it’s a store or manufacturer coupon, look at the barcode – manufacturer coupons have barcodes that start with either a 5 or a 9; if it’s any other number, it’s a store coupon). Store coupons are found in the store ad every week (see left), and also sometimes in special booklets found at the front of the store or in the pharmacy area. Walgreens policy allows you to combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon for some great deals! For example, this week’s ad contains a store coupon to get Reach floss for $.99. The coupon insert in the 8/2 newspaper insert had a coupon for $1 off Reach floss, so…free floss :)

Walgreens also sometimes issues coupons for $5 off a $25 purchase, or something similar. They actually have one available on their website right now; you can print it here. These coupons say that your total must be $25 before taxes and after all other coupons are taken off; however, the managers at my local stores instruct all their cashiers to take off the $5 coupon first. So, you may want to check at your local store to see what they do. If they are like mine and take off the $5 coupon first, these coupons also make for some great deals. If you put together an order of things that will be mostly free or very cheap after coupons (like the Reach floss this week), it’s not hard to reach a pre-coupon total of $25. Then use the $5 coupon, and you could end up paying very little.

Register Rewards
Another great thing about shopping at Walgreens is their Register Rewards (RR) program. RR’s are coupons that print out of a machine next to the cash register; these coupons are good for money off your next order, a kind of “Walgreens money.” Certain items are advertised in each week’s ad as producing RR (see the Listerine example to the left); sometimes items are “free” after RR, meaning that you get back the same amount that you pay. RR deals can be great in and of themselves, but if you have coupons, they can be even better. For example, Softsoap body wash was free after RR last week. I had printed $2 coupons from the internet, so I paid $2 and got back $4 in RR.

Now, after you get your RR, I recommend trying to “roll” them. “Rolling” means that you use your current RR to purchase something else that generates about the same amount of RR, then using that RR to purchase something else that produces RR, and so on – over and over and over again. Rolling is beneficial because it minimizes your out of pocket expenses. My basic goal for each transaction is to pay as much as possible with coupons and RR, pay very little out of pocket (usually less than a dollar), and get about the same amount of RR (or more) back. For example, last week I started with a $6 RR, and I used it to buy the Softsoap (on sale for $4, produced a $4 RR); I also added several cans of fruit so that I could use the full amount of my $6 RR. I got a $4 RR from the Softsoap. Then, one of Walgreens’ special promotions late last week was that you got a $5 RR when you bought $25 worth of merchandise. The $25 threshold was based on your pre-coupon total, so I got:

6 bottles of Tylenol (on sale for $4.49, buy 1, get 1 free)
3 tubs Huggies wipes ($3.29 each)
4 boxes Kraft macaroni & cheese ($1.49 each)

Total before coupons = $29.30
Minus 6 $2 Tylenol coupons (if something is on sale B1G1, you can still use a coupon on each one!)
Minus a $1 and 2 $.50 Huggies manufacturer coupons
Minus a $2 Huggies store coupon (takes off $2 for each tub, so -$6 total – these coupons are in special back-to-school booklets found at the front of the store by the ads)
Minus a buy 3, get 1 printable coupon for the mac and cheese (-$1.49)
Minus in-ad store coupon to get mac and cheese for $.69 (takes $.80 off all 4 boxes, so -$3.20 total).

My post-coupon total was $4.61. I paid with my $4 RR from the Softsoap and some change, and got back a $5 RR because my original total was over $25.

These transactions are part of a long chain of RR deals. I don’t even remember what my initial RR was from, but I think I got it sometime back in May, and since then, I have used RR + pocket change to get toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, cookies, cereal, pens, Glade candles, a blow dryer, deodorant, and more groceries than I can remember right now. If I weren’t “rolling,” I’d be paying a much larger percentage out of pocket for all these transactions; as it is, I’m really just paying pocket change each time, for things we’ll use.

Other Useful Walgreens Tips

It's best to have the cashier scan the in-ad store coupons last. This is because none of the other coupons (RR, manufacturer coupons, other Walgreens store coupons) will pay tax, so the register won't take them if they would make your pre-tax total be negative, even by a few cents.
If you buy more than one of an item and use a Walgreens store coupon, one coupon will take the amount off all qualifying items.
Only one RR per deal will print per transaction. For example, if I had bought 2 Softsoap in one transaction, it would still only print 1 RR. However, you can buy items for separate RR deals in one transaction, and it will print all RR.
If you use the RR you got from one deal to buy more of that same item, it will not produce another RR. So, if I used my Softsoap RR to buy more Softsoap, it would not produce another RR. However, I could use it to buy the Listerine deal pictured above and I would get the RR.
The Walgreens registers are set to not accept more manufacturer coupons than items per transaction. And RRs count as coupons. This means that if you buy, let's say, 4 items and you have a manufacturer coupon for each one, if you are going to use an RR, you will need to add another item item that you do not have a manufacturer coupon for, or the register will not accept all your coupons. I usually add something small (like under $.50 or so); items with in-ad coupons are often good choices. Walgreens store coupons are not counted in the "coupon count."

If something isn't clear or you have questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to ask questions, and I'll do my best to answer!

Attention Kmart Shoppers!

2009-08-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, Kmart started having periodic "super double" coupon events. During these promotions, they double coupons up to $2 (i.e., any coupon with a face value of $2 or less takes off double the face value). Under normal circumstances, I find Kmart to be incredibly overpriced, but they usually have some truly amazing deals during super doubles. They had super doubles this past week, and they will be having another next week. If your local Kmart is participating, I highly recommend checking it out. Tonight was the last night of the current promotion, and this is what I got:

4 Welch's juice @ $2.79 ($.79 each after doubled coupon - you can print a $1 off coupon from the link in my sidebar)
4 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter @ $2.66 ($.16 each after doubled $1.25 coupons from 6/28 insert)
3 cans cream soup @ $.89 ($.22 each after doubled coupon, which I found in the store's ad)
3 Sally Hansen nail clippers @ $1.59 (free after $1 coupon from 8/2 insert)
3 pkgs. bacon (free after coupon - go here and click on "sign up" at the top. Fill out your information, and at the end, it will give you a link to print a $3 coupon for Smithfield bacon. If you hit the back button before closing your browser window, it may let you print a second one; it let me do that on one computer but not on another one.)
2 cans Chef Boyardee (free after doubled coupon received from ConAgra in the mail)
2 loaves bread @ $.89 (no coupon, just needed bread)
2 pkgs. Bic Triumph pens @ $3.99 (free after $2 doubled coupon I printed a few weeks ago, unfortunately the coupon is no longer available)
1 box Kleenex @ $1.33 ($.23 after $.55 doubled coupon that I received from the company in the mail)
1 package Tyson chicken @ $3.32 ($1.32 after $1 doubled coupon from the 8/2 insert)
1 Revlon tweezers @ $1.99 (free after $1 doubled coupon from 8/16 insert)

I also used a coupon for $3 off a $20 purchase. Before coupons, my total was $56.68; after coupons, it was $5.97. That's a savings of almost 90%! Plus, after I paid, I got a coupon for $5 off any "book, magazine, health, beauty, food, or consumables" purchase.

Some of these deals will still be available next week, and I'm sure when next week's ad comes out, there will be even more possibilities. But with coupons, you should be able to at least get the following for free (well, you'll have to pay tax :) ):

Vaseline lotion - on sale for $3, use $1.50 coupon from 8/2 insert = free
L.A. Looks styling gel - regular price $1.69, use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = free
Sally Hansen beauty tools - various items (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.) are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = free
Revlon beauty tools - various items (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.) are priced under $2. Use $1 coupon from 8/2 insert = free
Velveeta Shells & Cheese cups - regular price is $1.19, use buy one, get one ("BOGO") coupon from 8/9 insert and get 2 cups for free*
Easy Mac cups - on sale for $1, use buy one, get one from July Good Housekeeping magazine and get 2 cups for free
Visine - some varieties are regularly priced at $3.99, use $2 coupon from 8/2 insert and/or the printable link here = free
Kotex liners (small box) - regularly priced at $1.29, use $.75 coupon from 8/23 insert = free
Dove Ultimate deodorant - on sale for $3.99, use $2 printable coupon here = free

If you've never before ventured into Kmart during super doubles, there are a few things you might want to note:

They have a lot of rules, and they often change from one promotion to the next. This time, the rules were that you had to have at least $25 worth of "grocery and drugstore purchases," you couldn't use more than 25 total coupons at one time, and you couldn't use more than 4 of the same coupon in one transaction.
Kmart also has a lot of ads. They have a monthly ad and usually 2-3 ads, all of which are valid for the week
Kmart registers are amazingly inefficient at doubling coupons. Sometimes a screen pops up and requires the cashier to select which items the coupon should apply to. If the cashier does not choose the correct items, your coupons may not double properly, or if he/she does not immediately respond to the screen, any other coupons scanned will not be taken off. I always check my Kmart receipts pretty closely because there is a lot of room for error in their system.
If you have a buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupon for something that is priced at $2 or less, the coupon will double and give you both items for free.
Not all Kmart stores participate in double coupon events. You may want to call and make sure your store is participating. If you call Kmart's corporate customer service line, they may know more about next week's doubles promotion than your local store does at this point.

When next week's ad is available, I will post a more extensive list of the good deals, but hopefully this will help you see some of the things that are possible.

What is frugal? And is it a good thing???

2009-08-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be “frugal”? Do frugal people ever have any fun? In a culture that values having the biggest, best, and newest of everything, is frugality a good thing?

In popular culture, it often seems that frugality is identified, or even equated, with being cheap. The implication is that frugal people must never have any fun, probably eat mac and cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all the time, and buy low-quality, low-cost products.

Given the subtitle of my blog, “My Frugal Adventures,” you can probably guess that I do not agree with this perception of frugality! A little over a year ago, I started clipping and collecting coupons. That was the beginning of my own frugal adventures. I call it an adventure because figuring how to do all this has actually become fun for me. It was a little stressful at first (and still is, sometimes), but after you walk out of a store having paid less than a dollar for a cart full of products you know you’ll actually use, it starts to grow on you!

As a result of my “adventures,” our spending on personal hygiene items and household supplies has been reduced to literally pennies. We have also drastically reduced our grocery budget – we now typically spend a total of $10 or less each month on groceries. And, we get quite a bit more “fun” stuff now. We currently have enough ice cream in the freezer to last a few months – and it was all free! They even paid me to take some of it. (That’s right, sometimes you can actually make money by shopping!) In my opinion, we also get higher quality products now. Before I started shopping with coupons, I often bought off brands or cheaper products; I now have cabinets, closets, freezers, and a refrigerator stocked with “the good stuff.”

Over the last several months, I have come to realize that even though frugal shopping may not cost much money, it’s also not “cheap” – it’s being good stewards of our resources. In the current economy, cutting household expenses has become increasingly important for many people. Even when the country is not in a recession, I think it still makes good sense to learn how to save money when possible. Being better stewards has also allowed us to bless family, friends, and others in our community with our excess to a much greater extent than we could have before (another great benefit!).

It has been on my heart lately to start sharing shopping tips and strategies in a more public forum, so I decided to start this blog. I won’t pretend to know everything about saving money – I feel like I’m always learning more – but I remember where I started, and I know I’ve come a long way since then. The information posted on this blog represents both my mistakes and my successes, and I hope you can learn from both. Check back here often and see what amazing deals might be hiding at stores near you. I’ll also explain promotional programs at stores like CVS and Walgreens, and how to make them work for you. And, look for upcoming posts about making the most out of your coupons, how to get the best coupons, and even how to make a profit by shopping!