January Totals

This month was terrific! I stayed well within my budget and that's always a great thing!

Spent 283.64

Saved 1562.56

Savings Percentage 85%

Donated $335.87

Rebates due 6.25 (plus I've earned portions of the Healthy Heart & Proctor & Gamble rebate at Rite Aid, but need a few extra dollars to hit the maximum gift card)

Many coupons expiring today!

Many coupons are expiring today so I would suggest going through your boxes and seeing what items you might want to buy using your coupons that will expire.

As I teach at my classes, in my personal opinion, it is NOT okay to use expired coupons unless you have the consent of the cashier or manager. People that abuse this hurt all of us. I've heard horror stories from cashiers of people who try to use coupons 6 months past their expiration and throw in some for items that didn't even have in their cart. You say, "well, how does that affect me"? Ever been treated badly by a cashier or you can tell they are not too thrilled with your coupon stack? It might be because they've seen a lot of people abusing them.

I must admit that I didn't always stick to the rules but I have made it my personal decision to make sure the coupons I'm using are within their expiration dates and are intended for the EXACT items I have in my cart.

A friend of mine pointed out that coupons are really a GIFT! We are one of the only countries that has the luxury of being able to use coupons.....therefore, thinking of coupons in this way, makes me so much more grateful that I am able to save so much for my family, give back to less fortunate families and educate others how they can trim costs off their monthly budget.

Happy Shopping!

Great Rite Aid Trip today

I had a great shopping trip today at Rite Aid today! I bought $262.01 worth and I paid $5.40, for a savings of 97%.

I did several transactions, used 5 off 25 coupons on each transaction (since those expire soon), use high dollar mfg coupons (6.00) and Rite Aid Video Perks coupons. The Flex-a-min and Ostio products were buy one get one free and since I was technically buying two, I was able to use 2 6.00 mfg coupons on each transaction. I snagged 10 light bulbs for free because I got a raincheck for them when they were on sale for 1.00. I'm sure I'll be donating a great portion of the glucosamine products and am glad to do it since these items ranged from 13.99-19.99 a bottle

Time to donate!

I bought many things that my family doesn't need today because I know someone at the food pantry will use them. I spent .30 out of pocket at Meijer today and am donating about 35.00 worth of food just from today's purchase. If you feel convicted to donate, PLEASE DO! My husband strongly disliked the amount of items that were piling up in our home so I find it is easier to donate weekly when the prices I paid are still fresh in my mind. My tax advisor at H & R Block (who has taken my coupon workshop by the way!) told me that you are allowed to write off how much the item rings up for on your receipt, so regardless if you paid .03, it if rings up 2.45, you can claim that full amount.

The value of the items I am donating are $104.30, I paid probably about 3.00 total out of pocket. Look how much I can make a difference with a couple dollars out of pocket, a little time, and my desire to help those less fortunate. There's no telling how many mouths this will feed and how many people will be excited at the items they can pick from!

Meijer Shopping Trip

I have to tell you that I was looking all around when I stepped out of my car this morning since the Meijer I always go to got robbed 2 days ago! But I figure the likelihood of it happened again and this soon is probably pretty slim. I do feel us moms that are loading children into carseats and unloaded our purse, groceries, etc into the car can be caught off guard so make sure you are watching your surroundings. I never thought my store would get robbed because it's in a good neighborhood but I've learned it can happen anywhere. My own mother got held up at gunpoint right outside her grocery store a few years ago around the same time of the morning the Meijer got robbed on Monday, and my mom was in the first parking space closest to the entrance of the store. They grabbed her as she had just sat down in the seat but hadn't yet closed the door. So I always lock my door IMMEDIATELY when I get in the seat....point being, we have many distractions when we shop so lets be more aware of our surroundings!

Nevertheless, I had a good shopping experience today and am geeked that I was able to stock up on sour cream, american cheese and shredded cheese. They are running a great promotion (I didn't see it marked anywhere in the store but know it's a catalina deal that runs through the 31st thanks to Macomb Money Savers)

Spent 31.38

Saved 77.90

71% savings!

Check out how much of this I am donating....that post is to follow!

Free $10.00 Betty Crocker Booklet

Follow this link and it should take you to a sign up page to get a free $10.00 Betty Crocker coupon booklet.

Potential problem at Walgreens on BIGI Bic Razors

Word on the street is that the B1G1 free BIC razors are ringing up 5.99 for the first one and 1.00 for the second. When you combine this with the B1G1 free coupon from the newspaper inserts, both should be free and you should only pay about ~.80 in tax. At the store in Commerce Twp on Haggerty and 14 Mile, they will not price adjust to make the first one 6.99. Even though the ad clearly states buy one at 6.99, get the second free, the computer system is not allowing the coupons to be used in the way that most of us are used to. Talks with the manager are still not getting the problem solved. Some people are reporting that their stores are ringing up 3.49 for the 3.49 and 3.49 for the second.

Just wanted to let you know that there might be a problem. Don't be afraid to speak to your manager if you encounter this. If it still isn't resolved, call Corporate. The system should ring the same way for everyone. It's unfortunate when this happens but hopefully a resolution will happen soon.

Know your rights as a consumer! No matter how long someone spent waiting on you and ringing you up, if the transaction is more than you thought and you are not willing to pay what they show you owe, ask for the item to be removed. The problem with returning it later is that you will lose your coupon to use at another store.

Please let me know if you're encountering this issue. Some of us have been known to drive 10-15 minutes to a store to do a particular deal to find out they aren't ringing properly, so be careful :) If you can get this item to come out where you are just paying tax, I encourage you to donate them if your family won't use them! I gave my friend all my coupons so we could donate them this week and the manager told her "sorry" and that it's ringing up this way and there was basically nothing he could do.

Hiller's Deals - .30 Campbells soup & more

I was looking at the ad I received yesterday for Hillers and found a cheaper price on Campbell's Tomato and Chicken Noodle soup. I was planning on purchasing it this week at CVS but found a better deal at Hillers

20 cans of Chicken Noodle or Tomato soup for $10.00 (= .50 each)
Use the $0.40/4 coupon from the 12/13 SS or 1/3 SS
Final cost is .30 when you buy 4

I also noticed that our favorite chips and salsa, Garden Fresh Gourmet (if you are local, you know the orange bag you find in the deli) is on sale for 2/5.00, that's better than the 3.50 I paid at Kroger yesterday. When I was a radio producer, we interviewed the owner on our radio show and what a nice guy. Do you know that they are the largest producer of fresh salsa in the country? Just a little tidbit!

I'll try to put together some more deals for Hillers but wanted to point this out since I met many Hiller's shoppers at my coupon class last week.

15% off everything at Kohls.com

If you like getting great deals at Kohl's, use the promo code SHOPNSAVE valid for today and tomorrow only for an extra 15% off your purchase. Orders over $75.00 get free shipping too when you use the promo code FREE2U. Let me know if you get an great deals! Not long after Christmas I got really nice Carter's fleece footed sleepers for under 5.00 with free shipping. Happy Shopping!

My Kroger Favorites Week of 1/25

These are my personal favorites and items I'll be shopping for this week:

$1.69 French's Classic Yellow Mustard, 14 oz
-$0.50 Big-Game Greats Event Savings
-$0.30/1 coupon (from 1-24 SS)
$0.59 after coupon and instant savings (when you mix & match 10 items)

$2.27 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel or Scrambles
-$0.50 Big-Game Greats Event Savings
-$1.00/1 printable coupon (IE link) (FF link), print 2 per computer
$0.77 after coupn and instant savings (when you mix & match 10 items)
Also available: $0.55/2 Cellfire e-coupon and $0.55/2 Shortcuts e-coupon (load to your Kroger card!)

$1.29 Pepsi Soft Drinks, 2 liter (plus deposit)
-$0.50 Big-Game Greats Event Savings
$0.79 after instant savings (when you mix & match 10 items)

$2.49 Nabisco Snack Crackers, 6-10 oz
-$0.50 Big-Game Greats Event Savings
-$1.00/1 coupon (from 1-24 SS)
$0.99 after coupon and instant savings (when you mix & match 10 items)

$1.49 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers
-$0.50 Big-Game Greats Event Savings
$0.99 after instant savings (when you mix & match 10 items)

$2.49 Tostitos Tortilla Chips or Salsa
-$0.50 Big-Game Greats Event Savings
$1.99 after instant savings (when you mix & match 10 items)

$2.89 Tropicana Pure Premium or Trop50 Orange Juice, 59-64 oz
-$0.50 Big-Game Greats Event Savings
$2.39 after instant savings (when you mix & match 10 items)

$1.78 Hot or Lean Pockets Breakfast Sandwiches
-$0.55/1 Cellfire e-coupon (load to your Kroger card before Jan 25!)
$1.33 after e-coupon

$1.88 Dannon Yogurt, 4-6 ct select varieties
-$1.00/1 Dannon Danactive coupon (from 10-4, 12-6 or 1-10 SS) OR
-$1.00/1 Dannon Activia coupon (from 10-4 or 1-10 SS)
$0.88 after coupon

$1.99/lb Tyson Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast

$1.00 Mini Carrots, 1 lb

(Thanks, Macomb Money Savers!)

Don't forget Kroger limits you (in the Metro Detroit area) to 3 identical coupons. If you want more of an item do separate transactions, just watch that you still purchase 10 of the mix and match items to still get your savings. For instance, you might need to do 2 purchase of 10 mix and match items in order to get your coupons doubled.

CVS Deals this week

Here are some of my favorite deals at CVS this week:

Soy Joy 6 ct. box $6=$6Ecb (limit 6)
Final cost FREE!

(These are normally found in the center aisle of the store, not with the individual Soy Joy Bars)

I got 6 boxes of these bars for free and donated them! You need to do these in 6 separate transactions. I had ECB's to start with, if you don't have any, you will pay 6.00 but then get 6 boxes and end up with 6.00 in ECB's after your last transaction (hope this makes sense!)

Glade Fabric & Air 22oz. or Oust Air Sanitizer 10 oz. $3.99 = $3Ecb (Limit 3)
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Oust Air Sanitizers
Use the Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon from the 1/3 SS (there is also a $2/2 coupon found here)
Pay $3.99
Get back $6Ecb
Final Cost FREE + a $2 moneymaker!

At the stores I've gone to, the limit is actually 6. One way to check this is to look on your receipt. I've bought 6 cans of Oust and 6 cans of the Glade Fabric and Air. If you have the Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupons, buy in groups of 4 for the Oust.

The trick with some of the deals is to separate the transactions or you will end up with a large ECB and I personally prefer smaller sized ECB's.

Renpure Organics Shampoo or Conditioner Buy 1 at $6.99 and Get 1 Free
Final Cost $3.50 each (look for hangtags around this product that have a $3/1 coupon plus offer a “Try Me Free” rebate!)

Met-Rx or Pure Protein Value Packs or Single Bars Buy 2 Get 1 Free
Deal Scenario #1(based on on-line price):
Buy 3 Pure Protein bars priced at $1.89 each (3rd bar will ring up free due to sale)
Use the Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon from the 1/24 RP
Use the $1/1 coupon from All You Magazine Feb 2010 Issue
Final Cost $0.30 each!

Deal Scenario #2 (based on on-line price):
Buy 3 Met-Rx bars priced at $2.69 each
Use the Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon from the 1/24 RP
Use the $1/1 coupon from All You Magazine Feb 2010 Issue
Final Cost $0.56 each!

Ester-C Vitamin Supplement/All Sundown Vitamins Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Deal Scenario (based on on-line prices):
Buy 2 Ester-C 60 count tablets priced at $10.79 each (2nd one will ring up free due to sale)
Use 2 $5/1 coupons from the 1/3 RP (there is also a $4/1 coupon in the 1/24 RP)
Final Cost $0.40 each!

Crest Toothpaste 6.4 oz./Oral-B Indicator Toothbrush $1.99 = $1Ecb (Limit 1)
Deal Scenario:
Buy 1 Crest Toothpaste
Use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 1/17 PG
Final Cost $0.24!

(Thanks, Hip2Save)!
Please note that this list is just my favorites for the week. I try to buy things when they are SUPER-INEXPENSIVE! So there might be other deals that will be great buys to you!

Ivory Soap FREE At CVS this week!

I already got this deal a few weeks ago but if you like to stock up on soap, here's a great freebie for you!

Ivory Soap 3 pack $0.99
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 12/27 PG
Final Cost FREE!

If you are brand loyal, I encourage you to buy as many as you can and donate them!

(Thanks Hip2Save!)

Coupons at work!

A friend/reader of mine shared with me her totals for January so far and I am truly amazed! Check it out.....

Spent $204.00

Value of products $3,336.00

Savings 93%

Way to go!!!

Rite Aid Deals this week

I've seen a few things that I like at Rite Aid this week that are good to grab! This isn't a complete list of deals but items that I personally think are priced well.

Quilted Northern Bath Tissue Double Roll 12 pack $6.49
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 1/24 RP
Use the $2/1 Rite Aid Video values coupon found here
Final Cost $3.49!

Nature’s Bounty/Sundown Vitamins or Supplements/Flex-a-min Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Deal Scenario (based on on-line price):
Buy 2 Flex-a-min Super Glucosamine 2000 Plus Tablets 60 count priced at $13.99 each (2nd bottle will be free due to sale)
Use 2 $6/1 coupons from the 1/3 RP (there is also a $4/1 coupon in the 1/24 RP or found here: IE or Firefox)
Final Cost $1 each!

( I got tons of supplements at CVS last week for free, it was great, this can be a great donatable item since these items are really expensive and people can't normally afford these extras if they are struggling)

Maybelline Cosmetics 40% Off
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate #61 when you purchase 1 Maybelline Mascara
Deal Scenario (based on on-line price):
Buy 1 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara priced at $4.89 (my store price was 5.19, so these totals might vary slightly) (should ring up at $2.93 due to sale)
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 1/10 RP
Use the $1/1 Rite Aid Video Values coupon found here
Get a $2 SCR
Final Cost FREE + a $1 moneymaker!

Skintimate or Edge Shave Gel 2/$4
Get a $1 Single Check Rebate #50
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Edge Shave Gels
Use 2 $0.75/1 coupons from the 1/10 SS
Final Cost $0.75 each!

Airborne $4.99
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate #37
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 1/17 SS
Final Cost $1.99!

Comtrex Cough & Cold $3.99
Get a $1 Single Check Rebate #10
Use the $1.50/1 coupon from the 12/6 SS
Final Cost $1.49!

Coke and Coke Products 2 liter bottles 4/$5
Use the $1/4 in-ad coupon
Final Cost $1 each!

7-Up or Diet 7-Up 2 liter bottles 3/$3.99
Use the $1/3 in-ad coupon
Final Cost $1 each!

Aquafresh Toothpaste and Toothbrushes Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Deal Scenario (based on on-line price, store prices do vary a little):
Buy 2 Aquafresh Advanced Triple Protection 2X Whitening Toothpaste priced at $3.69 each (2nd one will ring up free due to sale)
Use 2 $1/1 coupons found here (there is also a $0.75/1 coupons from the 1/3 RP)
Final Cost $0.85 each!

Jif Peanut Butter/Welch’s Grape Jelly/Kudos Bars/Mom’s Best Oatmeal 2/$4
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Welch’s Grape Jellies
Use 2 $0.55/1 coupons from the 1/3 SS
Final Cost $1.45 each!

(Thanks, Hip2Save)

There are some other deals but they are a bit complicated and require multiple transactions. Don't forget to take your $5 off $25 coupon found here. I normally print off a bunch and keep them in my purse. These do expire soon but they are bound to come out with another one soon. And remember, use can use the $5 off $25 before all your other coupons so it's like getting $5.00 in merchandise in free! I snagged lots of Pampers for around 1.00 a package this past week since I used that coupon!

Meal Planning

I am curious how my fellow couponers plan their meals? Do you plan ahead based on the sales for the week or do you try to plan according to what you have in your pantry?

Looking forward to hearing what works best for your family!

All Detergent .50, what a deal! ----UPDATE

I apologize for getting this to you so late but Blogger seems to be having some problems lately and it wouldn't let me post very fast yesterday. I did finally confirm that my store at 15 Mile and Haggerty will price match Big Lots actual paper ad. I was able to buy the white 3x All Small and Mighty (32oz). Vanessa was my clerk at the service desk.

Let me know if you are able to snag this deal! And again, sorry I could not confirm it sooner, it took me a few days to get down to the location where I could get a paper ad. Target will ONLY match if you have the ad which states the week the sale is on and the price. They will not match a % off an item. But they didn't have a problem with it listing 2/5.00. I have heard that they will not allow you to use coupons when they price match but my store has allowed me to use coupons both times I have price matched. Of course, your experience could differ but hopefully you can enjoy the same!

Weekly totals

Overall, I had a great week. Got lots of stuff for free! Including Nivea Body Wash at Target, Bayer Aspirin at Rite Aid, and some serious moneymakers! I've added to my stockpile items that I will be able to donate to my local food pantry which I've really felt called to do lately. I am realizing how fortunate my family is and want to share products with others that will probably feel like a luxury! Remember, I'm always looking for great pictures of items you've been able to donate so please send those to me so I can post!

My totals f0r 2010 are:

Spent $155.99

Saved $ 1076.70

For a savings of 87%!

Great deals at Rite Aid

I had a great time shopping at Rite Aid (kid-free!) last night! My initial plan was to buy Oil of Olay products and submit for the rebate but they didn't carry the cleanser I was looking for. So, I loaded up my cart with other items that were either incredibly cheap or ones that I would receive a rebate on! Before heading out to Rite Aid, make sure you print off their 5 off 25 coupon that you can find on Hip2Save. Here is a breakdown that I used and got on Hip2Save:

Crest Toothpaste 4.1 oz.; Crest ProHealth, Whitening Expressions or Plus Scope Paste, 6.0 oz.; Crest Neat Squeeze or Outlast Paste, 5.8-6.0 oz. or 7.4-8.0 oz. $2.99

Get a $1.25 Single Check Rebate #78
Use the $1.00/1 coupon from the 12/27 PG or 1/17 PG
Final Cost $0.75!

Maybelline Eye Cosmetics Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate #67 (valid when you purchase 1 Maybelline mascara)
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Maybelline Great Lash Mascaras for $5.19 each
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 1/10 RP
Use 2 $1/1 Rite Aid video value coupons found here
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate #67 (valid when you purchase 1 Maybelline mascara)
Final Cost $0.90 each!

Hall’s Cough Drops/Luden’s Throat Drops/Ricola Original Drops $0.99
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Ricola Cough Drops
Use the $1.00/2 coupon from the 1/10 SS
Final Cost $0.49!

Bayer Aspirin Coated Tablets 24 count, Children’s Chewable 32 count, Low Dose 32 count $1.99
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 10/25 RP or 1/3 SS
Use the $2/1 Rite Aid Video values coupon found here
Final Cost FREE + a $1 moneymaker! ( I was able to buy 10 because I had a lot of coupons!)

Cadbury Creme Eggs 2/$1
Use the $0.50/2 Rite Aid Video Value coupon found here
Final Cost $0.25 each!

Always Pads Always Clean 28 ct., Always Infinity 28-36 ct., Always Jumbo 38-48 ct.) or Tampax Pearl Tampons 36-40 count $6.99
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate #2
Deal Scenario:
Buy 1 Always Infinity 28-36 ct
Buy 1 Always Infinity 14-18 ct
Use the Buy 1 Always large count and Get 1 Always 14-18 count free coupon from the 12/27 PG
Final Cost $4.99 for 2 boxes of Always!

Vick’s DayQuil or NyQuil, 6 oz. or 12 ct. $3.99
Get a $1 Single Check Rebate #40
Use the $2/1 coupon from the 1/17 PG (there is also a $1.50/1 coupon from the 12/27 PG)
Final Cost $0.99!

John Frieda Root Awakening, Frizz Ease, Brilliant Brunette, Sheer Blonde or Luxurious Volume Hair Care Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off
Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 John Frieda Luxurious Volume Lavish Life Root Booster 6.77 oz for $6.99
Use 2 $1/1 Rite Aid Video values coupons found here
Use 2 $2.50/1 coupons found here
Final Cost $1.75 each!

Spent $5.37

Saved $80.05

93% Savings!

This scenario is a moneymaker since I will get back $6.25 in a Single Check Rebate!

I encourage you to donate!

I filled 5 bags of grocery and health/beauty items for my local Food Pantry this morning. When I totaled up how much I was giving, I was amazed. There is over $130.00 worth of products on this table. I can honestly say that I paid probably no more than 3.00 (including tax) for all of this. Last week I loaded up almost $100.00 of items that I got at tremendous savings as well.

I encourage all of you to donate as much as you can. We just never know when we might be in a situation where we are reliant on a food pantry to feed our families.

I have saved a tremendous amount of money this month but I have purchased many things that I wouldn't have if they weren't free. Knowing I could donate them to someone who would benefit is well worth the time I spend shopping for the items and standing in the checkout lines!

If you have a picture of items you've been able to donate, I would love to see it!

All Detergent .50, what a deal!

UPDATE: Some people are reporting that their local Walmart and Target will not price match this deal. I will try Target first and see what result I get but it looks like this deal is going to vary.

One of my favorite websites www.hip2save.com, has a great deal listed on All Detergent. I've borrowed the text from Collin's website...

If you have a Big Lots nearby, then you’ll be excited to know that you can get killer deal by price matching their ad! Thru 1/23, they have All 2X, 50 oz. and All 3X, 32 oz. laundry detergent advertised 2/$5! Head on over to Walmart or Target with your local Big Lots ad and do a price match. They should be able to honor the 2/$5 advertised price. …AND to sweeten this deal even further, use two $2/1 coupons from the 1/3RP! Your final cost will be just $0.50 per detergent! What an awesome deal!

Did your area not get any $2/1 All coupons?
If that’s the case, you may want to head on over to eBay! It looks like you can score a lot of 10 to 20 $2 coupons for around $1 to $3 shipped.

Here is the direct link for the post

I seriously do not need laundry detergent but this deal seems excellent! .50 for 32 loads of laundry detergent? I'll take it!

Rolling your store dollars

One of my friends pointed out in the very beginning of my couponing, how she tries to "roll" her store dollars. For instance, if I get an Extra Care Buck from CVS from a product I bought that offered this reward, my best bet is to buy another product using that Extra Care Buck that will produce another Extra Care Buck.

I have already received this month over $40.00 in rebates (most were submitted in December). It's fun to cash that money and I put it in an envelope and watch it grow!

I received a $20.00 certificate from Rite Aid. I like my Rite Aid (after having to banish the one I used to frequent b/c a store employee told me that she didn't LIKE me because I used coupons!) I found another store in my area that I've become very loyal to and even if the 1st store has a product that my current store doesn't, I'd rather wait until it comes in and give the business to the store that has offered me the best customer service.

I've been seeing deal scenarios on Oil of Olay products and so I'm going to take that $20.00 certificate and roll it into a product that will again, generate a rebate check. There is a deal this week at Rite Aid. Check out this link at HIP2SAVE for more details.

If you are reading this, please leave a comment :)

I would love to know how people are reading this blog.....once I get up to 50 followers, I am going to do a great drawing.....please follow, won't you?

Updated January Totals

So far, this has been a spectacular month!

Spent $111.75

Saved $ 776.91

Savings of 87%

Great savings at Meijer

I went to Meijer today and knew it would probably be a long trip. Luckily, I knew a few of the sales clerks and they helped direct me to the person that was least likely to give me any trouble with my multiple coupons/transactions!! They had a great sale this week and I did stock up on a lot of items. One item that I've come to love is the Green Giant Steamers and almost everytime I do, the one variety I buy is low on stock. I really like the cut green beans, I prefer the whole great beans but when I can get frozen vegetables for under .30 that only require being turned on in the microwave and VOILA...well, I grab as many as possible. They were part of the buy 10, get the 11th free promotion so I got a raincheck. When your store is out of stock during a sale, make sure to get a raincheck!

I was pleased at my end result, I bought $246.38 and spent $67.83, $25.00 of that was used to buy carpet cleaning fluid for our new Bissell Spot Bot (which is AWESOME!).

I do wish we could use more than 2 identical coupons that will double. I could cut my check out time down by at least 20 minutes if I only had unlimited doubles! I never realized what a luxury it was at Kroger (until they took it away!).

I'll be sure to post my favorites of the week soon.

Totals for January to date

As I've mentioned, I want to become a lot more diligent at watching what I'm spending. The numbers speak for themselves, to date here are how things are looking for me....

Spent $96.41
Saved $373.96
79% savings

Super deals at Kroger

Today I also went to Kroger and got free Gatorade, frozen vegetables for .30 after coupons and Quaker Oatmeal for .88. It felt great saving so much. I'm going to shop at Meijer on Friday and they are having a great sale this week so I wanted to get a few quick shopping trips out of the way this morning.

Please check out Macomb Money Savers for her AWESOME coupon matchups for all the local grocery stores.

I love getting products for free, don't you?

Serious deals at Target -.69 Electrasol, $8.16 moneymaker on Rolaids, donatable items

I had a great shopping day today! One of my stops was Target and I wanted to tell you about some great deals!

I bought the 75 oz (the BIG box) of Electrasol Finish powder (rather than the gel pacs) with the recent $2.50 coupon that came in last week's paper. The coupon at first glance looks like its on the tabs only but it does say Finish on it and it went through without a problem (no beepage). I thought this was a great deal, although I do have enough dish detergent to last probably over 2 years now, but when you can get a great deal, I grab it!

Many of you might know about the moneymaker at Target for Rolaids. I have bought the packages of Rolaids at Walmart before but their computers are getting tricky at giving overage. If the item is priced under the coupon value, the system is asking the cashier if the coupon amount is valid. Target didn't blink an eye and I used my 6 $4.00/2 coupons that came in the 1/3 inserts. It said when you buy ANY 2 products listed (and rolaids was shown without any size restriction other than trial size), receive 4.00 off. They ring up 1.32 and so I made 8.16 in overage. Knowing this would probably be the case, I threw in a package of Huggies diapers that were 8.99 but I had a 1.50 coupon so essentially the diapers were free.

It's my desire to contribute more to my local area and donate a lot more items that our family either has ample stockpile of or that we won't simply use. I grabbed Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kits and Band-Aids for free today in the travel section of Target, using coupons (that didn't have any size restrictions) from the 1/3 inserts. I also had 1.00 off Kotex Hygiene Products (Target Store Coupon) and so I bought the smallest package in the travel section that were priced at 1.02.

My total before coupons was $65.37, and I paid 5.87 (3.32 which was tax), for a savings of 91%. Basically everything was free except the package of Electrasol!

Happy New Year!

I am sorry for the delay in posts but my family had a very busy December so I gave myself permission to take a slight break from the blog. But I am back and energized and am loving some of the deals I'm seeing!

I've set some new goals for my spending and downloaded a terrific tracker that I found on Macomb Money Savers. If you look through her old posts on trackers, you should be able to find it. It was a link to another person's website. I want to be accountable for every penny I am spending and I found that 1.00 here and 1.00 there at CVS, Walgreens, etc can really add up. So stay tuned for my favorite deals.

While cleaning out my 2 large coupon boxes (they are more like storage bins), some of my categories were very large. My health care section alone was over 5" wide, so I decided I need to subcategorize. If anyone is interested, I will see if I can upload it somehow. I noticed how neat one of my friend's indexes looked and I copied her idea! I took card stock and made template for tabbed index cards. I think printed out 5160 labels and once I applied the label, I put clear tape over it to add some strength. Before I used the separators that you get in the photo boxes and those tore very easily and with all the flipping I do, I needed something to hold up better. I've included a picture so you have an idea as to what I did.

I'm still hoping to add to my followers so please add yourself :)