Vacation

Just wanted everyone to know that I am in on vacation in Tennesee until Labor Day. I even left all of my coupons at home too! Last time I made a trip, I carted my HUGE coupon bin and it was really hard to shop with my kids in the stores. So, I left everything at home

I did notice that I am getting low on diapers so I think I will try the Huggies Deal on diapers at Walgreens. You can get them for 6.49 a pack and while I normally don't pay more than 2.50 a pack, I discovered I have register rewards that are going to expire tomorrow and I am able to print off a coupon down here. I hate using them when I won't get one back but I haven't been loving Walgreens lately so it's not a big deal.

Just wanted to explain my absence! Please visit the websites on my sidebar that I recommend to stay up to date on deals.

Can't wait to start posting when I get back!

Rebate update

I just added up all the rebates I'm putting in the mail today and it's actually to the tune of $120.87, I'm pretty geeked! It would have been more but I might have messed up on a Kelloggs rebate, we already threw away all the pop tart boxes and I forgot to grab the upc's off of them...oh well! 10.00 I could have gotten!

Rebates, rebates, and more rebates

I have so much money in unredeemed rebates that I decided I better start mailing them in. I have about $80 worth going in the mail today. It takes a little time but it is well worth it when you get those sweet checks!

I have told everyone who takes my class that I cash my checks and then keep the money in an envelope which is going to help pay for our annual ski trip to Northern Michigan right around Christmas time.

There's nothing better than trying products that you can get for free! It does take a little time to fill out the paperwork, but do it when the kids are in bed while you are watching tv :)

I hope to encourage all of you to start rebating yourselves to collect some extra money.

Meijer Deals this week

I've heard there are a few great buys at Meijer this week. I'm preparing to go out of town for almost 2 weeks so I'm going to try to squeeze in a shopping trip. Here are some of the best deals in my opinion:

$1.19 Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cup (regular price, will vary by location)
-B1G1 Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cups coupon (from 8-9 SS)
-$1.00/2 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon, exp 9-12
2 for $0.19 when you buy 2 with coupons ($0.81 moneymaker after checkout coupon) - Thanks, 1-2-3 Save!
**Get a $1 off your next shopping order coupon at checkout when you buy 2 to earn $0.81! A moneymaker! Buy 2 per transaction for the best savings!

$1.50 Hefty Foam Plates or Bowls or Zoo Pals Plates, Bowls, Cups or Cutlery
$0.50/1 coupon (from 5-17 or 6-21 RP) or -$1.00/2 printable coupon
$0.50 (or $1.00) after coupon

$1.50 Betty Crocker Frosting, 12-16 oz
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 8-9 GM) or printables here, here & here
$0.50 after coupon*

$2.00 Ziploc Bags: 15-20 ct freezer, 20-25 ct storage, or 15 ct produce
-$0.40/1 coupon (from 7-26 SS), use 2
-$1.00/2 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon
$0.70 each when you buy 2 with coupons*

$1.34 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spread, 2/7.5 oz tubs, 15 oz tub
-$1.25/1 coupon (from 6-28 RP)
$0.09 after coupon

$0.99 Pillbury Grands! Biscuits
-$0.35/1 coupon (from 7-12 SS) or $1.00/2 printable here or here
$0.30-0.50 each after coupon

HEALTH & BEAUTY
$1.97 Rimmel Mascara (40% off - price may vary by location)
-$2.00/1 printable coupon or coupon (from 8-23 RP)
FREE after coupon

$2.50 Pond's Towelettes, 30 ct
-$1.50/1 printable coupon or coupon (from 6-28 SS)
$1.00 after coupon

Thanks to Macomb Money Savers for the matchups!

Great Rebate Available on Blood Glucose Meter at CVS

There is a great deal at CVS this week! Their Accu-Check Aviva Blood Glucose Meter is on sale for 10.00 and there was a 10.00 coupon in this past weekend's paper. Fill out the rebate form and you should receive a 10.00 rebate check. I did call the mfg and they said there is a limit of 2 per household. So, that means you can fill 2 out with the identical name and mail them in separately.

If you are planning to buy these and need a good home for them, me and a friend were donating them to a local dr's office for patients that couldn't afford them. We are only taking the rebate paperwork out, everything else should remain sealed.

Better late than NEVER! Deals for this week!

I hosted a HUGE open house at my home and that took up a good portion of my week. I went to Meijer yesterday and got $173.29 in groceries and household stuff for $70.62, that's a savings of 60%! Now, my total was higher because I bought a birdfeeder for my son that was 4.59, a clearance swimming pool that was 9.99 and a clearance slip and slide that was 7.49, so I really only spent $48.55 in groceries.

I want to tell you about some of the deals that were great!

Meijer waffles, not on sale but there is a .50 mealbox, making them .75 each

$1.50 Lysol Neutra Air Aerosol, 10 oz
-$1.50/1 coupon (from 7-12 SS)
FREE after coupon
Buy 4, use 4 coupons with this $1.00/4 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon and this turns into a moneymaker!

$1.00 Kraft Easy Mac (regular price)
-$1.00/2 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon, exp 9-12
B1G1 coupon (from July Parents, Better Homes & Gardens or Good Housekeeping magazine)
FREE when you buy 2 with coupons - Great charity donation!

$1.67 Ken's Lite Accents Salad Dressing Spray, 7 oz
-$1.00/1 coupon (from 8-2 SS), use 2
-$1.00/2 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon
$0.17 each when you buy 2 with coupons

$1.50 Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, 10 ct (9 oz box)
-$0.40/1 printable coupon here or here or here or here (print up to 2 per computer)
or coupon (from 8-9 GM)
as low as $0.24 each after coupon (after checkout coupon savings)*
Best Scenario - Buy 5 and use 5 $0.40 off coupons (the first 2 will double, the 3rd will deduct face value):$7.50 for 5 boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes-$2.80 in coupons ($0.80, $0.80, $0.40, $0.40, $0.40)Pay $4.70 for 5 boxes and get a $3.50 coupon off your next order at checkout!
Final cost: 5 boxes for $1.20! $0.24 each after checkout coupon savings!!![Get a $1.50 checkout coupon when you buy 3 boxes; $2.50 when you buy 4 boxes; $3.50 when you buy 5 or more boxes!]

$1.50 Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, 35 ct
-$1.00/2 coupon (from 7-12 SS)
-$1.00/2 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon
$0.50 each when you buy 2 with coupons

$1.25 Aunt Millie's Buttermilk or Cracked Wheat Bread, Honey Hot Dog or Burger Buns
-$0.35/1 coupon (from 5-10 RP)
$0.55 after coupon*

$1.00 Lipton Recipe Soup
-$0.60/2 coupon (from 6-28 RP)
$0.80 each when you buy 2 with coupon

$2.50 Smucker's Uncrustables, 4 pk
-$0.75/1 coupon (from 8-9 RP)
$1.75 after coupon

$0.40 Dannon Yogurt, 6 oz single cups
-$1.00/4 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon
-$0.60/6 Dannon coupon (from 7-19 SS)
$0.13 each when you buy 6 with coupons (or less!)
Best savings scenario: Buy 12 Dannon yogurts; use 3 Meijer Mealbox coupons and 2 Dannon coupons (from 7-19 SS). Pay $0.05 each when you use 5 coupons!

$1.29 Breakstone's Sour Cream, 16 oz
-$1.00/2 coupon (from 8-9 RP)
$0.79 each when you buy 2 with coupon

Thanks to Macomb Money Savers for the above breakdown, they are a great resource!

I love posting but want to make sure that people are actually reading what I'm throwing out there, leave a comment so I know and I'll be glad to post more frequently as long as I know that people are looking :)

Have a great weekend! I am going to Target first thing tomorrow morning to do some retail therapy with all my coupons. I found a bunch that are good in the travel section and I'm going kid free so this should be fun!

Remember to leave me a comment so I know there are some readers out there!

Double Coupons at Kmart??

Has anyone found out if there are double coupons at Kmart in the metro Detroit area? Let me know so I can post away...just a busy date and my husband has planned a date night for us to celebrate our anniversary.

I got behind on clipping my coupons and I've spent hours clipping, there are some good ones that if it is double coupons could score lots of freebies!

Ahhh....the joy of freebies!

Well, I scored the motherload at Rite Aid today with Air Wick air fresheners! Thanks to my awesome friend Kim Matson, she did this deal and told me how awesome it was! I also got toothpaste, mentos, eye drops and scotch tape for free!

Total value of products is $232
I paid out of pocket $1.51 and I will receive a $5.00 rebate!

AWESOME!

Meijer scenarios-good week to stock up on some kid friendly products!

As I mentioned a few days ago, I had a horrible experience with Meijer last week. Well, I found a few bargains and did quite a few scenarios that I wanted to share with you. I always have to do duplicate transactions and normally it's because of a catalina that will print when I buy a particular amount of a product. I do multiple transactions so I am spending the least amount of money out of pocket. Here are the items that I grabbed:

Thanks to Macomb Money Savers for this breakdown!

$1.69 Capri Sun Juice Drinks, 10 ct Original, Roarin Waters or Coolers
Buy 4 or more Capri Sun Juice Drinks 10 ct. and receive a $3 checkout coupon good on your next shopping order (between 8/9-9/5).
$0.94 each when you buy 4 after checkout savings

1/2 PRICE Snickers or M&Ms Ice Cream Novelties
-$1.00/1 coupon (from 6-7 RP)
around $1.00 each after coupon, price varies by location

$1.50 Clorox Bleach, 82-96 oz
-$0.50/2 coupon (from 8-2 RP)
$1.00 each when you buy 2 with coupon

$2.00 Dannon Danimals 6 ct drinks or 4 ct crush cups
-$1.00/1 Meijer Mealbox printable coupon
-$1.00/1 Dannon coupon (from 7-26 or 8-9 SS)
FREE after coupons!

$1.79 Kraft Cheese Singles, 10-12 oz
-$1.00/2 coupon (from 8-9 RP)
$1.29 each when you buy 2 with coupon

Here's how my transactions looked and I will explain why next to each one...

I started off with a $5 meijer coupon a nice customer let me have last week as well as $4 in Meijer cash (somehow you earn this to spend on non-grocery items, found this by the cataline machine last week)

#1
(4) Capri Suns at 1.69 each
Used $5.00 meijer coupon
Total = $1.46 and I used my gift card I received last week from the manager
This printed out a $3 catalina to use on my next purchase

#2
(4) Capri Suns at 1.69 each
Used $3.00 Catalina that just printed out on previous purchase
Total = 3.76 and I used my gift card yet again
This printed out a $3 catalina to use on my next purchase

#3
(2) Bags of Thistle Seed (Bird seed), B1 G1 Free @ 8.99
Kitchen Bags 2.99
Nectarines 2.28
Peaches 2.75
Cucumbers 3 for 1.00
Kraft Cheese (Can you believe I forgot my coupon for this?) 1.79
(2) Snickers Ice Cream Bars (50% off) 3.86
Honeydew 1.99
(2) M & M Ice Cream Bars at 2.44 each
(2) Meijer Napkins 3.00
Meijer cups 1.50
(10) Danimals Yogurts at 2.00 each

Used these coupons
(2) 1.00 off Snickers coupons
(2) 1.00 off M & M Ice Cream
(10) MFG 1.00 off Danimals Yogurt
(10) Meijer Mealbox coupons for 1.00 off Danimals Yogurt

Used my $3.00 catalina from the previous capri sun purchase and my $4.00 in meijer cash

Total = 24.78, I finished off my gift card from last week and I paid 10.02 out of pocket, I still got another 2.00 catalina for my purchase of meijer cups and napkins

#4
(2) Clorox Bleach at 1.50 each
=3.00
Used .50/2 MFG coupon that doubled to 1.00
Used 2.00 catalina from previous purchase

Total = .03 out of pocket!

Overall, I got $106.68 in merchandise, and I paid $10.02 out of my pocket ( I used the remainder of my gift card) so my total savings today was 91%!!!

Hot deal on Tyson Chicken Breasts

I had to post about an amazing deal on boneless skinless chicken breast at Kroger. They are 1.87 per pound and I scored 15 packages today and with my coupons they were all under 2.00 a package. If you take your coupons to the Howell location (they might limit you to one transaction of just 3 like coupons, so you could potentially do 6 packages of chicken) you will get them for under 1.00 a package. There was a coupon for 1.00 off in the Smart Source insert I believe on 8-2 and then a .50 off recently too (they are orange coupons). You could do 3 of the 1.00 coupons and 3 of the .50 coupons or take all of your coupons ( I had 15 total) to your local Kroger and stock up. Under 30.00 for 15 packages of chicken ain't bad!!!

Testimonial from a class participant!

I received this through my blog and wanted to make sure everyone saw this! People still do not believe me that you can save such incredible amounts using coupons!

Hi Dawn!!
Welcome back!! I had the pleasure of going to your coupon class at Keller Williams about a month ago and what a blessing it has been. I am actually having so much fun shopping now, who would have thought! I have never stock piled before so did as much as I could this week with all of the awesome deals and just have to tell you how great I did. My total OOP expense was $280. 06 and my total purchases were $945.69, for a total savings of $672.07. Plus should be getting about $70.00 in rebates!! Just had to share with you and let you know how wonderful and helpful your class was!! Thank you so much!!

I am doing a class this Monday in Livonia at the Keller Williams office, anyone interested in attending should send me an email so I can get you the details!

Totals from today's Meijer visit

I was anti-Meijer for a very long time b/c their lines were always dreadful, well, you just can't beat their deals! Even though I had a bad experience today, my totals are still impressive!

$221.90 worth or products and I paid $71.47 out of pocket, that is a savings of 68%!

In the past, I was spending 125-150 a week on groceries, so this is a very big savings to only spend this much and get everything I need. This is actually about 25.00 higher than I normally spend but I needed basic items for recipes and baking that I didn't have coupons for.

Target has been hitting the mark lately!

I am smiling as I report an update to my Target gift card purchases!

I started with a gift card that had 20.00 on it from transferring a prescription ( I transferred that prescription just yesterday to CVS and scored a 25.00 gift card from them!)

To date I have bought:
$433.36 in merchandise!

I returned something a few days ago and so my gift card balance went up to just over 26.00, as of yesterday my card still has on it $20.82! I will be receiving $30 in various rebates from my purchases.

I captured this latest round of deals by hitting the motherload in Crest Whitestrips and buying more Olay Quench lotion.

I would have never dreamed in a MILLION years that you could get this much!

Want to find out more, please inquire about my coupon classes. I need some enthusiastic women to spread the word for me!!

A BAD day at Meijer turned into a GOOD day!

Well, I ventured off to Meijer this morning on a quick (or what I thought was going to be quick) grocery run. I had all my stuff organized and had figured out that I needed to do 7 transactions to get all my deals. I was told by the u-scan ladies that the regular clerks wouldn't mind at all if I walked up with that many transactions. So, I selected a guy that I didn't think would give me any grief....WRONG! I forewarned him that I had many transactions and a lot of coupons. I immediately had him questioning me about it and he finally said he wouldn't do more than 3 transactions. He wasn't rude with his words but he simply wasn't going to let me do 7 transactions. I explained to him that I was in a hurry b/c my son had a graduation ceremony at one of his summer camps and I was due to be there in like 10 minutes. He let me do 3 transactions, I had to load up the rest of my packed cart and go over to u-scan, resort everything and do my own transactions. I was so mad, mostly because I knew I was going to be late for my son. The u-scan clerk was fabulous and was a great help but told me there was no reason in the world that I should have gotten turned away.

Sure enough, I show up for the ceremony very late and missed the entire thing, my son getting his certificate and was the only mom out of 50 kids not there. I almost cried and the topper is that I paid a babysitter today so I could shop and go to this special day with my son, both were ruined b/c this guy wouldn't do his job.

I promptly got home and phoned the manager. He was wonderful and said that I should not have experienced that and it is absolutely no problem separating transactions. He gladly offered to give me a $25 gift card for my trouble and assured me that they would speak to the gentleman so this doesn't happen again. I told him that I got so frazzled that I missed giving the u-scan lady a bunch of coupons ($8.60 worth) and he said to come in and they would adjust my bill.

I went back in this afternoon and not only did he NOT verify that all my coupons were for items I purchased, he took my word for everything and just handed me a $10.00 bill for all the coupons I neglected to give them earlier, then gave me my $25.00 gift card. TALK ABOUT GREAT SERVICE!

The best part of the story is yet to come. I realized I had Meijer cash to spend so me and the kids did some more shopping and scored some good deals! As I was checking out at the u-scan machine, I noticed the lane next to me had an overflow of catalinas that had printed out and the patron didn't even notice. Some of them were for baby items so I asked if she was going to take them and she said no, to help myself. I am about the exit the store when I noticed there was a $5.00 off your next purchase that had printed. I took a few steps and then my guilt sunk in, I immediately got her attention and explained that this coupon had printed and I wanted to be honest about it and not rob her of 5.00 off her next bill. To which, she said "no, you keep it, I don't shop here that much". Being honest does pay off! I also found some crumpled up Meijer cash so me snooping in the next lane earned me $9.00 in free stuff at Meijer! How awesome and I have the $25.00 gift card to offset my purchases as well!!!

Target Gift Card

I wanted to challenge myself much like my friend Laura at Sharpen Your Scissors to see how much product I could get out of a 20.00 gift card I received from Target (and it was for transferring a prescription!).

To date I have gotten:
$215.43 in products and I have a whopping $26.13 left on the gift card ( I returned something so I'm ahead of where I started, YIPPEE!)

I will receive a rebate from Kelloggs for $10.00, a rebate from Oil of Olay for $20.00 and I will get .75 from Caregivers marketplace!

So, how did I get this much? Well, I hit up the travel section hard one day and used all my coupons that applied to items that did not exclude travel sizes. I bought a bunch of pop tarts, tons of travel size olay body lotion, and I got the fabulous deal on the Crest Whitestrips (and was paid overage so I purchase a jumbo pack of diapers which I had a coupon for!).

I challenge you all to this fun little game I've started for myself!

FABULOUS deals at Rite Aid this week!

These are the deals I scored at Rite Aid yesterday! I had two great gift cards that I used up and am waiting for another one to come in the mail from last month's rebates! I did borrow this text from Hip to Save, gotta give props to my FAVORITE site ever!

Werther’s Original Caramel Chocolate Candies $2.99
Get a $2.99 Single Check Rebate #146
Use the .55 coupon from the 4/26SS
Final cost FREE + a .55 moneymaker!

Crest Pro Health Toothpaste $2.79
Get a $2.79 Single Check Rebate #124
Use the 1.00 coupon from the 8/2PG
Final cost FREE + a 1.00 moneymaker!

Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner $2.99
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate #6
Use the $1 coupon from the 7/12RP
Final cost FREE!

Gillette Venus Razor $7
Get a $5 Single Check Rebate #127
Use the $2 coupon from the 8/2PG
Final cost FREE!

ReNu MultiPurpose Solution 8 oz Bottle Twin Pack $9.99
Get a $9.99 Single check Rebate #3
Use the $2 coupon from here
Final cost FREE + a $2 moneymaker!

GE Soft White Long Life Light Bulbs $2
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate #151
Final cost FREE!

Duck Brand EZ Start Frustration Free Tape $1.49
Get a $1.49 Single Check Rebate #69
Final cost FREE!

Zantac 4.99
Get a $4.99 SCR and submit for an additional rebate through Zantac for another $5
It’s free + a $5 moneymaker!

After my coupons and using all my gift cards I did these transactions twice (on separate receipts) and spent a total of 13.66, I will receive $72.50 in rebates, making everything free with a $58 profit!

This is one of the best weeks I have ever seen at Rite Aid!!

CVS is the place to be these days

I have had incredible luck at CVS lately. Each week, I am scoring all the school supplies for free! I've only had to spend minimal amounts in tax and have a huge stockpile now! Be sure to hit their 3 day sale because it's a winner! I find it is easiest to go with your ad in hand because many of the stores don't have the yellow tags on each item so you need a picture to match up with the item. My son won't use all of the items I've gotten so I'll either hold on to them or donate them! Nothing beats FREE, right?

Sorry for the long absence!

I went on vacation and got some wonderful deals last week but not many that were duplicable to my readers. I scored some great overage at Target with Crest Whitestrips but it took many times and I didn't want to send any of you on a wild goose chase!

Thanks for your patience!