Nabisco Rebate

I stopped by Albertson's today because I had some doubles that were going to expire tomorrow. I didn't really know what deals I was going to get seeing that Albertson's is a little on the weak side of sales now a days. Anyway, while I was there I looked at the Nabisco snacks and found that the 100 calorie snack packs had a peelie on them for 55 cents off of one. That was a better deal than I had with my coupon booklet I received in the mail. Anyway, you have to buy 10 boxes (all in a single transaction) and can submit for a $20 rebate. Here is what it came out to be:

10 boxes of 100 calorie priced at 2/$6 $30

Had 10 $.55/1 peelies $5.50
Had 3 doubles $1.65

Total out of pocket $22.85
Submit for $20 Rebate (rebate was in a booklet I received in the mail)

Total $2.85 for 10 boxes of 100 calorie snack packs all for less than the price of one!!


**Oh and just a side note....the lady that was steeling the peelies off of the boxes and not buying them is seriously annoying me!! She told me that she tells her kids to go get them, 'at least 4 per kid'. Come on, use coupons the way they are intended!!! I was a little annoyed.

Modbe is going out of business....

It's not really swimsuit season here in Utah, but maybe you should check out their sale since they are marked down pretty low.... go here and check them out!

Richard Paul Evans...$15 for 20 Books!

***UPDATE: I received mine already this week. The hesitation that came from comments I read about not receiving theirs in time last year is gone. I guess they learned from last year!!

So Check this out.....BUT HURRY!!!

Free books

Dear Readers,

Last year was a very difficult time for many of my readers, so I offered something to help make Christmas giving easier: Free copies of The Christmas Box. It was a huge hit and we went through more than a quarter million copies in about five weeks!

This year I am giving away what I have left. (There are only about 50,000 copies left.) If you would like these free books, don’t delay! They won’t last long. This is the offer: One free box containing 20 paperback copies-of my #1 International Bestseller, The Christmas Box ($100 worth of books) for just the price of shipping, boxing and handling, $15 ($35 in Canada). You may use these books as stocking stuffers, neighbor gifts, teacher gifts, church gifts, visiting teaching, bible class, student gifts: whatever you want them for. All I ask is that you not resell them. And, I hope you still plan to share my book THE CHRISTMAS LIST with those you love.

Order three or more boxes and we’ll add a FREE copy of Paul Cardall’s national bestselling music CD: THE CHRISTMAS BOX. This beautiful piano music will lighten up your home for the Holidays for years to come. HELP YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Notice: Due to external constraints, we are currently not taking any orders. This offer should be available within the next 72 hours, so please check back soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.

You may order up to ten boxes. Or copy this link and send it to your friends and family.

http://www.richardpaulevans.com/order_boxset.html

Important: This offer is only good while supplies last. WHEN THEY ARE GONE THEY ARE GONE. So please order immediately.

I wish you an early Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy my new book The Christmas List.

- Richard Paul Evans

Giveaway at SlavetoSave

Snuggle Me'z Review & Giveaway! {ends 11/23}

Slavetosave Baby Shower Bash Giveaway #28:

Snuggle Me'z!

Snuggle Me'z was started by the owner, Alisa. "Just like all busy parents today, we found ourselves juggling the roles of mother and father of two wonderful boys, two full-time careers and all the thousands of other things that go on from day to day. We wanted to find a simple way to take out our new bundle of joy without blankets falling off, dragging down the grocery store aisles, or the elements of the world interfering with his sleep. That doesn’t seem like too much to ask for but there was nothing on today’s market to satisfy our needs."

"I sat down with my husband Kevin and developed Snuggle Me’z™, a fun, new, completely functional way to travel with your little ones all in the comfort of their own infant car seat. On our first trip out as a new family we were getting all sorts of compliments and requests for this unique product. Kevin and I knew we were on to something special and decided to inquire on producing a new car seat cover for active parents just like you."

How Does It Work?

• You can use your Snuggle Me'z with or without the blanket attachment.
• The blanket can be rolled up and secured with velcro tabs.
• When you are ready to use it, unroll it and place it between the carseat shade and handle.

Buy it!
Purchase a Snuggle Me'z car seat snuggler for $98.

Win it!
Snuggle Me'z has offered one lucky winner a Snuggle Me'z car seat snuggler in their choice of color!

Go here to enter!

Up and Monster's Inc.

I went to two targets today and no luck on the Monsters Inc bluray...hopefully they will get a shipment of more than 3 per store tomorrow morning.

Walgreens scenario

Walgreens Run 11/2

Transaction #1
2 Arm & Hammer 2x Laundry Detergent 26 or 32 loads 2/$6.99 (B1G1F)
3 Lubriderm Daily Moisture for normal to dry skin Fragrance Free $3.79 each (3=$11.37)
1 LED Skulls Head (Halloween 75% off Clearance Item) $1.25
=$19.61
-$1/2 PRINTABLE Arm & Hammer coupon
-$6 Using 3 $ 2/1 PRINTABLE Lubriderm Coupon
-$3 Using 1 $1/1 Walgreens Diabetes & You Winter Lubriderm Coupon will deduct $3 when using one coupon
-$9 RR
=$.61
+$1.18 TAX
=$1.79 Out of Pocket Cost
BUT I got a $8 RR from Lubriderm
=$6.21 OVERAGE from Transaction #1

Transaction #2
2 Arm & Hammer 2x Laundry Detergent 26 or 32 loads 2/$6.99 (B1G1F)
3 Lubriderm Daily Moisture for normal to dry skin Fragrance Free $3.79 each (3=$11.37)
1 Almay Pure Blend Foundation $9.99
1 Almay Pure Blend Mascara $6.99
2 12oz Plastic Halloween Cups $.08 each =$.16
=$35.50
-$1/2 PRINTABLE Arm & Hammer coupon
-$6 Using 3 $ 2/1 PRINTABLE Lubriderm Coupon
-$3 Using 1 $1/1 Walgreens Diabetes & You Winter Lubriderm Coupon will deduct $3 when using one coupon
-$9.99 for Almay Sale Ringing up as B1G1F instead of the advertised B1G1 half off!
-$9 RR
-$6 RR
=$.51
+$1.71 TAX
=$2.22 Out of Pocket
But I got a $8 RR from Lubriderm, $10 RR from Almay Foundation, & a $5 RR from Almay Mascara
=$20.78 OVERAGE from Transaction #2

Transaction #3
1 Almay Pure Blend Foundation $9.99
1 Almay Pure Blend Mascara $6.99
=$16.98
-$6.99 for Almay Sale Ringing up as B1G1F instead of the advertised B1G1 half off!
-$9 RR
=$.99
+$.60 TAX
=$1.59 OUT of Pocket
But I got a $10 RR from Almay Foundation, & a $5 RR from Almay Mascara
=$13.41 OVERAGE from Transaction #3

Transaction #4
1 Almay Pure Blend Foundation $9.99
1 Almay Pure Blend Mascara $6.99
2 Halloween Candy Baskets $.86/2
1 Highlighter $.19
=$18.03
-$6.99 for Almay Sale Ringing up as B1G1F instead of the advertised B1G1 half off!
-$3 RR
-$3 RR
-$5 RR
=$.04
+$.66 TAX
=$.70 OUT of Pocket
But I got a $10 RR from Almay Foundation, & a $5 RR from Almay Mascara
=$14.30 OVERAGE from Transaction #4

Transaction #5
6 Hunts Tomato Sauce $.80each= $4.80/6
=4.80
-$2.80 In Store Ad Coupon for Hunts Tomato Sauce
-$2 Using 2 $1/3 PRINTABLE coupon (Play Game) I was able to print off 4 from one computer!!
=FREE
Paid with $44 in RR today
Total Out of Pocket Today $6.30
Got $61.00 in RR today
TOTAL OVERAGE Today $54.70

Thanks Good or Free deals!

Price Matching at Walmart

Today was a successful trip to Walmart. My cute friend Jessica helped show me the ropes of price matching!! I thought for sure it was going to be a stressful experience with Walmart's almost no customer service policy, but it was GREAT! We had a very nice cashier and it all went pretty smoothly. After I had talked to the Walmart customer service, I wanted to see if they would take my $5 off $20 from Rite Aid. It does say "Manufacturer Coupon". They had an issue because it didn't scan, but sure enough, they took it. Too bad I didn't bring more!! My total after price matching came to $165 but I paid out of pocket $85.39 from coupons. I guess it does pay off to price match and it sure was a lot better getting fresh fruits and veggies instead of all the junk food. It also was nice to get everything at one store. Yes, I did buy store brand instead of name brand but can anyone really tell the difference?

Here is what I bought:
1 cantaloupe
1 bunch of cilantro
3 lbs of yellow onions
1 medium sized Apple vinegar
3 2 lbs of brown sugar
1 10 lb bag of white sugar
2 1 lb bags of baby carrots
1 gallon orange juice
1 dozen eggs
1 gallon milk
2 pints of sour cream
2 cans of olives
2 cans of oj concentrate
4 bottles of 20 oz Ketchup
1 Huge bottle of veggie oil
4 bell peppers
1 bag of coleslaw
1 bag of organic limes
20 yoplait yogurts
7 airwick air fresheners
4 glade sense and spray
bananas
1 case of nestle water (thought I needed it for the Purelife rebate, but I don't!! dang it!!)
8 things of Sara Lee lunch meat

Not too bad?!! I also like that it is all healthy food. We didn't even step in the snack food isle or the cereal isle....FANTASTIC!!

CaseLot sales...

I have read around on different blogs about how amazing prices are right now with the caselot sales going on. Smith's seems to have the better deals than Harmon's but at any rate I guess it is time to stock up.

Here is today's trip to Walgreen's, Smith's, and Target:

Walgreen's:
(8) 32 load Arm & Hammer laundry detergent. I love this, it is right up there with Tide! (You can probably find this cheaper, but it took a while for me to find detergent, so I am now stocking up. I shouldn't have to buy laundry detergetn fo
(2) bags of Hershey's Kisses
(2) Triaminic cold syrup
(9) chapsticks

Total out of pocket $39.40 but received $6 in register rewards.

Smith's:
Bananas @ .59/lb
Grapes @ .79/lb
4 reese's peanut butter cups
20 Mandarin orange cans

Total OOP $17.39

Target:
1 Soap Buddy
4 soy glade candles
2 scrubbing bubble toilet cleaner
2 scrubbing bubble 2 in 1 kit
9 string cheese
3 Rimmel mascara
4 wipe and go shout

I also bought a dress, a tank top, and a little outfit all on clearance totaling $15.70

Total out of pocket $27.49-15.70=$11.79

Not the best shopping trip, but I did get some free stuff. Can't complain too much I suppose!

Todays annoying Alberston's trip....

I wanted to stop by today, not only to use my doubles (which I have two more sets) but also I had an expiring catalina that I needed to use. I don't know why Albertson's has such issues with using more than one set at a time. It seriously annoys me. I can understand if there is a line of people waiting but COME ON!!! I don't get it. This store today was empty so I'm not sure why they even cared that I went more than once.

Here is what I bought
30 cans of campbell's soup
20 things of yoplait yogurt

total OOP= $4.62

total savings $37.70

Walmart....accepting other store's coupons

So, I called the Riverton store today and asked about their coupon policy. I asked if they accepted competitor's coupons and was told as long as it says manufacturer coupon on it then they will take it! (It CAN'T say Store Coupon)Sweet, so any catalina or register reward you should be able to use at Walmart. I personally am excited because I haven't necessarily found any good deals at Albies this week and have a catalina I need to use. Same with Walgreen's. Now, what to buy at Walmart!!!??!!

My new goals...

So, after talking with some friends that also coupon, I have decided that I need to be a little better in what I purchase. I need to be a little more healthy conscious. I will admit it is hard not to get the "junk" food that is practically free, but I also want my little girl (and us adults as well) to learn healthy eating habits. I was sent to a blog Deals to Meals and find that she price matches all at Walmart (which I'm not a fan of) but gets everything in one store and makes healthy meals. She is also rotating and adding to her food storage. This is my goal. I am still spending way more than I need too and I need to get back to the basics. I guess now I am accountable!!

Todays Target Run...

Here is what I got at target today. I spent $53.93 but had to purchase a sippy cup for my daughter and a dress for a gift. I saved a total of $87.58. Without the sippy cup and dress, everything came out to be about $1. Not the greatest deals, but I did get quite a bit of wipes. I also wanted to try out the bounce dryer bars. I had $2.50 coupon from vocal point plus the target coupon. Hopefully they are all what they seem to be!!
I was a little nervous because of all of the horror stories about Target and the policy that nobody seems to know, but it went pretty smoothly to say the least. A lot of coupons beeped, mostly the Target ones. I was grateful for a nice cashier!! I did hold up the entire store it seemed like. I hope I didn't get the cute cashier in trouble. The manager seemed a little frustrated that I had so many coupons.

It's been a while...

It's been awhile since I have updated. I was out of town for a week and now it just seems like the sales are really slow. I did stock up on Sobe's from Smith's this week but that is about it. Albertson's looks to be the best deal this week with it's spend $25 and get $10 ONYO. There are a bunch of Conagra coupons in this months All You magazine that would match up with the Albertson's deal. I might even go buy some more magazines. We'll see.

Albertson's spreadsheet...

This spreadsheet made by Krazy coupon lady is krazy!!! It is a list of all that is on sale at albies...check it out here before you go this week....

Save $25 on groceries

Kraft is having a deal where you buy $25 worth of Kraft products in one single transaction August 7-23, 2009 and you'll get a $5 catalina plus you can submit your receipt for a $20 rebate!

Go here to get a list of participating items. There could be a possible fantastic deal with the promotion that is going on right now, especially if you have a catalina to roll over.

Thanks Utah Deal Diva.

Sweet...More deals!

So, I couldn't help myself. I think I am totally ADDICTED to couponing especially when there are such great deals out there. I HAD to stop by Smith's again. This whole double unlimited coupons is amazing...I sure hope they keep doing it! Here is what I got from Smith's. My total BEFORE my fresh values card was $103!!! Seriously, groceries are WAY over priced! After my fresh values, it came to $73.76. Total amount I spent? ...$11.58 TOTAL SAVINGS....84% plus I received $0.05 off of gas. I purchased 40 items which comes out to be about $0.29 per item.

I also couldn't help myself and go back to Albertson's. I had $15 catalina burning a whole in my pocket. Not that anyone in their right mind could use 12 things of Q-tips. I might have to start getting creative!! I spent $30 in Q-tips minus $1.80 in coupons (I only had six), minus $15 in catalina's from yesterday, and then minus $.60 in doubles. Total spent $14.66 but received $22 in catalinas. 70% savings.

Smiths and Albertson's

So today I wanted to take advantage of Smith's doubles. I might even go back. I wasn't sure how it was all going to work so I only got the tide. I also stopped at Albertson's and saved about 87%. I love days like today. I only saved about 60% at Smiths.

Trans #1
8 Wishbone dressings @ $1.67 ea	$13.36
9 Knorr Rice dinners @ $1.00 ea	$9.00
2 Fruit Snacks @ $2.00 ea	$4.00
3 boxes of cereal @ $2.00 ea	$12.00
Total before coupons	$38.36
Minus coupons	($6.00)	Wishbone coupons $.75/1
	($6.00)	Knorr rice coupons $.75/1
	($1.00)	Cheerios $1/3
	($0.50)	Fruit snacks $.50/2
	($2.00)	Doubles
	$22.86
		But get a $15 catalina to roll on your next transaction
The closer you come to $30 the better the deal
Trans #2
16 Ben & Jerry's ice cream (SMALL ones) @ $1 ea	$16.00
3 ALL liquid detergent @ $3.50 ea	$10.50
3 cheerios @ $2.00 ea	$6.00
1 gallon of Winder milk	$3.29
1/2 gallon of chocolate milk	$2.99
Total before coupons	$38.78
Minus coupons	($8.00)	B&J's $1/2
	($3.00)	ALL $1/1
You could do this one better by coming closer to $30	($0.75)	Milk .75/1
the closer you are the better the deal it is.	($2.99)	Free chocolate milk with purchase of white milk
	($1.00)	Cheerios $1/3
	($2.00)	Doubles
	$21.04
	($15.00)	Catalina from previous transaction
	$6.04
Transaction #3
4 Fruit Snacks @ $2.00 ea	$8.00
3 ALL detergent @ $3.50 ea	$10.50
8 cheerios @ $2.00	$16.00
suave deoderant	$1.67
Total before coupons	$36.17
Minus coupons	($0.75)	.75/1 suave deoderant
	($1.00)	.50/2 fruit snacks
	($3.00)	$1/3 cheerios
	($3.00)	ALL
You could do this one better by coming closer to $30	($2.00)	doubles
the closer you are the better the deal it is.	$26.42
	($15.00)	catalina from last transaction
	$11.42
Trans #4
4 Cheerios Snacks @ 1=$1.67	$6.68
1 Chex mix @ $1.67	$1.67
8 chex mix bars @ $2.50 ea	$20.00
1 suave deoderant	$1.67
Total before coupons	$30.02
Minus coupons	($0.75)	suave .75/1
	($6.00)	.75/1 chex mix bars
	($2.00)	.50/1 cheerios snacks
	$21.27
	($15.00)	catalina from last transaction
	$6.27
Transaction #5
4 ALL detergent @ $3.50	$14.00
4 Skippy peanut butter @ $2	$8.00
3 Ragu @ $1.67	$5.01
2 suave deoderants @ $1.67	$3.34
Total before coupons	$30.35
Minus coupons	($0.60)	Ragu .30/1
	($1.50)	Peanut butter .75/2
	($4.00)	ALL
	($1.50)	suave .75/1
	($2.00)	doubles
	$20.75
	($15.00)	catalina from last transaction
	$5.75
Total Out of Pocket $52.34 but saved $250 about 87%.

Great Coupon Day

So couponing can be very frustrating at times. The cashiers can be grumpy, you can have screaming kids, but yesterday for me was very different. It was a great day! I am fairly new at this whole thing but managed to save 87% at Albertson's!!! I spent a total out of pocket $13.75 and saved $93.47. The cashiers were nice, Albertson's had everything I needed which is sometimes a rare occasion, and my kids weren't screaming! It was a great coupon day! Here is what I bought.....

7 Mentos gum
2 McCormick pepper
11 Breyer's ice cream
4 Whole Fruit bars
5 playtex gloves
2 Bar S hot dogs
1 loaf of Granny Bread
4 boxes of Cinnamin Toast crunch
1 gallon of milk
1/2 gallon of Chocolate milk
1 dozen eggs
4 boxes of Tony's frozen pizzas

Not too shabby!!! I did this in four transactions with 3 double coupons in each one. I love days like today!

RedPlum

I got my RedPlum in the mail today...I'm really disappointed. I guess I need to call the newspaper and complain, since that is my whole reason for getting the paper...:(

I really WANT to win this....!!

Shelf Reliance is excited to offer you a chance to win the Providence Essential 72-Hour Kit. This kit includes supplies for two people.

The winner of this great prize will be ready to go with items like an AM/FM radio, a tube tent, sleeping bags, ponchos, water, and a deluxe first aid kit. You can check out the entire list of included items by clicking here. The pack is valued at $119.99. A great thing about this kit is that it’s designed for a quick getaway. It would be great to keep in the trunk of your car or in a closet by the front door, where it can be easily accessed in an emergency.

Enough chit-chat! Keep reading to learn about giveaway rules and how you can enter to win the Providence Essential 72-Hour Kit!

Each person is eligible for up to 3 entries. Each entry must be listed in a separate comment.

Entry #1 - Leave a comment and tell us which item in the Providence Essential 72-Hour Kit you think is the most useful and necessary to have in an emergency.

Entry #2 - Subscribe to this blog by clicking one of the “Subcribe to our Blog” icons, found in the right sidebar of this page.

Entry #3 - Post about this giveaway on your personal blog. The post must include a link back to the Shelf Reliance blog. In order to verify these entries, we require that you leave the address of your blog within the body of your comment OR in the blank that says “Website” in the commenting form.

The giveaway will be closed and the winner will be chosen at noon (12 pm) MST on Friday, July 24th. We will contact the winner via e-mail; he or she will have a week to respond to the e-mail and accept the prize. If the first winner does not accept the prize, a new winner will be chosen.

Only those in the continental U.S. are eligible to win. Offer excludes dealers and Shelf Reliance employees. The winner will be chosen randomly. Any entries that aren’t in accordance with the giveaway rules will be disqualified and removed.

Click here to enter.

This could be devastating....

Valassis pulling all RedPlum inserts from Utah newspapers!

Grocery coupons found in newspaper inserts have become an important money saving tool for Utah consumers. Many Utah families are surviving these tough economic times because of increased coupon use. In August, Utah consumers will lose half of these coupons when Red Plum coupon insert distribution is discontinued in the Utah market. Valassis Communications, publisher of the Red Plum coupon insert, has opted to distribute the coupons by mail. The problem for Utah consumers is that the direct mailing will be in targeted areas only. There are many coupon users who do not live in these targeted areas and will not be receiving the coupons. These mailings will also be limited to one insert per household. Many coupon shoppers currently purchase more than one Sunday newspaper to obtain more than one copy of the money saving coupon inserts. This provides Utah consumers with increased purchasing power and an effective way to combat the economic stress.

Join us in telling Valassis Communications "Don't cut my coupons!"

Spread the word about this story! Get your friends and family involved. Forward the link to this page, blog about it, post it on your Facebook profile, Tweet it, whatever it takes to get the word out. We can make a difference and keep our coupons. Consumer influence has worked in other coupon markets. Let Valassis know that we don't want them to cut our coupons! On www.DontCutMyCoupons.com, you can contact companies that advertise with Valassis and let them know that you are not happy about this change. We've made a list of advertisers to make it easier for everyone to express their opinion.

Visit us at www.DontCutMyCoupons.com and make your voice heard!

Thanks. PYP

Sunday's Paper....

No new news on the doublers but there are some doublers in the RedPlum. Also, check your paper for $.99 Milk (with coupon) at Smith's!!

Automatic Doubles at Albertson's???

Possibly! More info to come July 11-16. This would be fantastic!

thanks Burpie Baby Blog.

Albertson's Doublers

Don't forget to get your doublers out of Sunday's paper!!

A-5 for Deseret News
A-9 for the Trib!

Albertson's deals...

Transaction #1

Milk $1.67
-.75 MQ
-.75 Doubler
Total OOP= .17 cents

1 tillamock block of cheese $5.99
-1.00 MQ
-1.00 Doubler
Total= 3.99

8 boxes of Mac and Cheese $1.00
-2.00 (B3G1)
Total= 6.00

1 Plantar bar $2.49
-1.00 MQ
-1.00 Doubler
Total= .49

So.... 3.99 Cheese
+6.00 Mac and Cheese
+0.49 Plantar Bars
+.17 Milk
-5.00 Instantly (Promotion)
Total OOP= $5.65

Transaction #2

10 Boxes of Kellogs cereal $19.99
-10.50 MQ
-3.00 Doublers
-5.00 Instantly (Promotion)

2 boxes of Jolly Time popcorn $4.98
-2.00 MQ
-2.00 Doublers
Total= .98
Total OOP= $2.47

Transaction #3

1 Block of cheese $5.99
-1.00 MQ
-1.00 Doubler
Total= 3.99

4 Boxes of Mac and Cheese $4.00
-1.00 (B3G1)
Total=3.00

2 Activia (4 ct) $3.98
-2.00 MQ
-2.00 Doubler
Total= overage of .02

2 mac and cheese cups $2.00
-1.00 (B1G1)
Total= 1.00

So,...3.99 cheese
+3.00 Mac and cheese
-.02 yogurt
+1.00 Mac and cheese cups
-5.00 Instantly (Promotion)
Total OOP= 2.97

Transaction #4

6 Pillsbury Brownie mixes (reduced sugar, if this is part of the deal) $6.00
-3.00 MQ
-3.00 Doubler

Need filler for tax...

Total OOP=Tax (approx. $0.36)

Free Chocolate Friday!

Go here this morning and get a coupon for FREE Mars chocolate! The site has been slow until later on in the morning, then it's pretty easy to get one! Remember- you can get 4 per household, so even if you got one last week, go and get another!

I was thinking that maybe if we do this enough, I might have enough for Halloween!!!

Need a blow dryer?!

I stopped by Walgreen's yesterday and I had read about this pink blow dryer that is on sale for $12.99 with a $10 register reward. Fabulous! Who doesn't need an extra blow dryer? They always seem to blow up in the most inopportune time. Anyway, I bought two! I got two Revlon blow dryers for $16 out of pocket and got $20 in register rewards. Perfect! It's a great deal!! Even the cashiers were running back to get them. I was laughing!! I don't know how long the register rewards will last, either through this week or through the end of the month. The cashiers didn't even know it was a rr.

I don't know if this is the exact one, but it sure looks like it!!

Free Chocolate!

Reminder: Free Chocolate!

Go here this morning and get a coupon for FREE Mars chocolate! The site has been slow until later on in the morning, then it's pretty easy to get one! Remember- you can get 4 per household, so even if you got one last week, go and get another!

Getting started with coupons!!

Okay here goes, this email might be long!!....

To start off you want to make sure that you have a newspaper for every person in your family. I believe there is a deal right now for $39 a paper. Just call the Newspaper Agency and tell the you heard about the deal and they should give it to you. I think they are pretty hard up to sale papers so it shouldn't be any hassle. (Last year I believe I paid around $80 for the year, so $39 is awesome!!). The idea is to buy in bulk, stock up, then shop from your storage before you go to the store. It will take 3-4 months to really start saving. You want to buy products that are on sale plus use a coupon.

So, Albertson's, Smith's, Walgreen's and Target are the main stores I shop at. I used to shop at Walmart because I couldn't afford the others but I hated it and now I am so glad I don't have to shop there anymore!! I do occasionally, but not as often as I used too. I get most of my health and beauty supplies from Walgreen's (a lot of it free!), they usually have really good deals. I also mostly shop at Albertson's, they also have the better deals as well.

The main grocery ads start on Wednesdays and go through the next Wednesday. So when you get your papers on Sunday there is a possiblity of 3 different coupon booklets (Smart Source, P&G, and Red Plum. Sometimes there are other ones as well, so keep your eye open i.e. Unilever). Take them out and write the date on the front of it with a sharpy so you can find the dates easily. Keep them in chronilogical order. Then you can go to grocerysmarts.com (enter the passport g84cht) (if you add it to your favorites after you have added the passport, you won't have to keep adding it every time you go to the website). There is a drop box of all the stores. Just click on the store you want. The products with the red stars are the better deal. The more stars the better the deal is. Five stars is the best. I don't usually buy anything that isn't a 4 or more (unless of course I need it right then). This is where I get my grocery list from. Sometimes they miss things too, so look at the ads and see if there is something you need and see if you have a coupon for that product. Most likely if it is a high priced coupon and it is on sale, it's probably a good deal.

There are also some blogs that I follow to get my FREE stuff. I check them pretty often so I don't miss out on the high value coupons. Here they are:

www.utahdealdiva.com
www.shoppingwithcents.blogspot.com
www.hip2save.blogspot.com
www.couponsdealsandmore.com
www.couponsdealsandmore.com
www.moneysavingmom.com
www.survivingthestores.com
www.goodorfreedeals.blogspot.com
www.alc-walmart.blogspot.com
www.pinchingyourpennies.com

You have to be careful though, not all of these blogs are from people in utah. The utahdealdiva, surviving the stores, pinching your pennies, grocerysmarts.com, and shopping with cents, I believe are the only ones. Prices are going to vary from state to state and region to region, even from store to store. I pretty much just get an idea of what deals people have gotten and then try to come close.

Coupon Policy:

Walmart: some stores will accept black and white coupons. Others won't. Although, no where in their coupon policy does it say it has to be in color.

Target: You can stack a target coupon with a manufacturer coupon.

On some of these blogs there are links to coupons 101. I would suggest reading about Walgreens. It is kind of confusing but well worth it.

Albertson's:

• Limit your doubles shopping trip to 3 transactions TOTAL. Albertson's original intent was for each FAMILY to have access to 1 set of doubles. They realize this is not happening, so they're limiting us to 3 sets per family. Three sets will allow us all to save a good amount of money each time, so I encourage you to adhere to this rule!


• With each set of doubles, you will have to split transactions and you may have to go to the back of the line. This really depends on how busy the store is. Use good judgement. If you're shopping at 6am, then you will probably be just fine splitting your transactions up and using them one after another. However, if it's 8pm and the store is still pretty busy, just do one at a time, going to the back of the line or even putting your groceries in the car and going back in to do subsequent transactions.


• Read your coupons well and make sure you're getting the correct item. This is a good rule to use all the time, but I guess right now, in an attempt to get more items free, shoppers are attempting to bend rules and it's not going over well with the checkers!


• Please know that managers are doing their best in educating checkers about the double coupon policies. If you get a checker that is saying otherwise, kindly ask to see a manager. Don't be afraid to do so- they would rather clear up any confusion than deal with shoppers reporting negative experiences! I know from experience that some checkers just seem to dislike shoppers who use coupons. I shop at odd times and so there's often only 1 available checker. If it's someone I know who is anti-coupon, then I just use the self-check lane! Thanks Utah Deal Diva
  

This is a lot of information crammed into a "short" email. Let me know if you are confused or if I missed something!

Good Luck!

Couponing....

So, I decided to start this blog instead of using my other one so I could let whoever reads this blog know of the great deals I have been getting. It is pretty great to see my food storage grow and grow. Even though Jake seems to make fun of me, I think that he is pretty proud of my success. Hopefully I will be able to help you too!! Good Luck!