Sunday 4/10 Coupon Inserts

There were 3 coupon inserts in the paper today, 1 Redplum, 1 SmartSource and the "Take Time to Play, Preskool" insert.  And before you throw out your parade, there is a coupon on the back cover for
$2 Off 1 Covergirl NatureLuxe foundation

Redplum

• various Subway breakfast coupons
• Save $1 on any Michael Angelo's Entree 20 oz or more
• Save $.50 on any 8-16oz Michael Angelo's Entree
• Save $2 on any Nature's Bounty fish oil
• Save $4 on any Flex-a-min
• Save $1 on any Nature's Bounty supplement
• Save $1 on any Studio Line Styling product or L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style product
• Save $1 on any L'Oreal Vive Pro shampoo or conditioner
• Save $2 on any Healthy Look Creme Gloss Color
• Save $1 on any Black Flag product
• Save $1 on ONE bag of 9Lives Dry Cat Food (3.15lbs or larger)
• Save $1 on 9Lives Wet Cat Food (ONE 12-can variety pack, 12 individual cans, or THREE 4-packs)
• Save $1 on 9Lives Wet Cat Food (ONE 12-can variety pack, 12 individual cans, or THREE 4-packs)
• Save $1 off any Sprayway product
• Save $.75 on any ONE Carnation Breakfast Essentials product
• Save $1 on any 2 Mars Easter products (specific varieties listed)
• Save $1 with the purchase of 1 Folgers Coffee 3oz or larger, excludes Folgers Gourmet Selections K-Cup portion packs
• Save $1 witht he purchase of any 1 bag of Folgers Gourmet Selections coffee, excludes K-Cup portion packs
• Save $4 on any 1 Zyrtec product
• Save $2 on any Visine-A product
• Save $2 on any Visine Soothing Wipes product
• Save $1 on any Visine product
• Met-Rx B1G1 Free Bar
• B1G1 Free Mach3 disposable, Sensor3, CustomPlus3,GoodNews disposable razors
• B1G1 Free Fixodent Denture Cleanser
• $2 Off any Covergirl lipperfection product
• Save $1 on your next purchase of Real Simple magazine
• Save $1 on Carbona Silver Wipes
• Save $1 on any Carbona carpet cleanser
• $.75/1 Snuggle Fabric softener
• $1.50/1 All Free clear Oxi-Active laundry detergent
• $1 off any one ALL laundry detergent
• Save $5 on the Hamilton Beach Stay n Go personal cup pod coffeemaker
• Save $.50 when you purchase any 2 packages of Keebler Ready Crust pie crusts
• Save $1 on any size Truvia natural sweetener

SmartSource

• Save $1 on a 4-pack tray of Chobani Champions
• Save $.50 / 1 box any flavor Chex Mix Treats, Golden Grahams Treats, or Milk 'n Cereal bars
• Save $1/2 boxes Cheerios cereals listed
• Save $.50 / 1 box Chex cereals listed
• Save $.35 / 1 ReddiWip
• Free Duncan Hines Cake Mix with purchase of 2 Duncan Hines frostings or Amazing Glazes
• Save $.50 / 1 Duncan Hines brownies
• Save $1 / 1 package of Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals snacks
• Save $.50/1 Dixie Crystals product
• Publix - Get a FREE Huggies Baby Wipes tub wyb 1 box of Huggies diapers
• Publix - Save $2 / 2 packages of Kleenex facial tissue
• Publix - Save $2 / 1 package of Kotex Pads, Kotex Lightdays pantiliners, or Kotex Security tampons
• Publix - Save $2 / 2 Clorox toilet bowl cleaners
• Publix - Save $1/1 package Viva towels, bundle pack (4pk or larger)
• Publix - Save $3 / 1 package of Pull-Ups training pants or Goodnites Underwear
• $1/2 Sauer's Spices, extracts & food colorings
• $1/2 varieties of Sauer's seasoning mixes
• Save $.30 on French's Classic Yellow mustard
• Save $.50 on French's Spicy Brown, Honey, Horeseradish, Honey Dijon or New Dijon mustard
• $1 Off any Freschetta multi-serve pizza
• Petsmart - Save $5 on any bag BLUE natural dog or cat food
• Petsmart - Buy 5 cans Get 1 FREE on any BLUE dog or cat wet food
• Save $1 on ANY Sea Best bagged product
• Save $.50 on the purchase of any 1 size Mazola oil or spray product
• Save $.75 when you buy any FRENCH's French Fried Onions
• Save $1 off any Silk half gallon (exp April 30, 11)
• Save $1 off any Silk half gallon (exp May 13, 11)
• Save $1/2 Bob Evans refrigerated sides
• Save $1/1 Edward's Singles 2-pack
• Save $1/1 Spice Hunter product
• Save $.55 / 1 Senaca Oatmeal & Fruit 2-pack
• Save $.55 / 1 International Delight pint
• Save $.55 / 1 International Delight 24ct box
• Save $1/2 International Delight quarts
• Save $1 on French's Dijon Mustard
• Buy 1 bag Birds Eye Voila! Family Size, Get 1 FREE Birds Eye Steamfresh Family Size Vegetables
• Save $.50 / 2 DOLE Pineapple or Tropical fruit
• Save $3 on any BIC Flex4 Razor 3pk, BIC Flex3 razor 3pk, BIC Comfort 3 Advance razor 4pk, or BIC Hybrid Advance razor
• Honeybaked Ham - $5 off any bone-in half ham
• Honeybaked Ham - $3 Off The Mini Ham (serves 4-7)
• Honeybaked Ham - $5 Off Boneless Ham bundle
• $2 Off ColorStay Aqua mineral make-up or any Revlon face product
• Save $1 on any ALMAY cosmetic product
• Save $3 on any two Jergen's Natural Glow moisturizers
• Save $1 on any Jergen's Natural Glow moisturizer
• Save $1 on any REVLON nail enamel
• Save $1 on Colgate
• Save $.50 on any kids toothpaste from Colgate
• Save $.50 on any kids toothbrush from Colgate
• Save $2 on any one Hawaiian Tropic sun care product
• Save $.35 on any one Comet spray or Comet soft cleanser product
• Save $2 on any Non-Drowsy Claritin
• Save $5 on Any Non-Drowsy Claritin
• Save $7 on any Non-Drowsy Claritin (this week only)
• Save $1 on any 1 Pyrex product
• Save $1.50 wyb 1 Reynold's Wrap foil AND 1 Reynold's Parchment Paper
• Save $2 on Biotrue multi-purpose solution
• Save $4 on a 2 x 10oz pack of Biotrue multi-purpose solution
• Save $2 on 2 3oz or larger packs of Waggin' Train dog treats
• Save $15 on any Philips Flexcare+ or Flexcare toothbrush
• Save $10 on any Philips Sonicare toothbrush
• Save $5 on any multi-pack of Philips Sonicare brush heads
• Get any Airwick Warmer unit FREE wyb any scented oil refill
• $1/1 AirWick Scented Oil twin refill pack or 2 single refills
• $2/1 AirWick Freshmatic Compact Odor Detect Starter Kit

Take Time to Play Coupon Insert

If you haven't already picked up today's paper for the coupons, and you have Easter basket's to fill for little ones, you might be interested in this special coupon insert that was in today's paper.

Take Time To Play (Playskool)

• Save $5 on one ALPHIE toy
• Save $5 on your total Weebles purchase of $20 or more
• Save $5 on your choice of one Sit 'n Spin, Busy Ball Popper or Step Start Walk 'n Ride toy
• Save $5 on your total Chuck & Friends toy purchase of $25 or more
• Save $5 on one Crazy Crane Stunt set or Tumble Tower
• Save $3 on the purchase of one Play-Doh 24 pack or one Play-Doh Sesame Street Cookie Monster's Letter Lunch
• Save $3 on the purchase of one Baby Alive Splash 'n Giggle or Sips & Cuddles
• Save $5 on the purchase of any one Easy-Bake Microwave & Style kit
• Save $5 on either one My Little Pony Princess Celestia or one My Little Pony Twinkling Balloon playset
• Save $3 on your choice of one Mini Doll in Purse (19129 Asst), Twirling Flowers Fashion Doll, or Story in a Box (19160 Asst)
• Save $3 on one Monopoly, Connect 4, Guess Who?, Operation or Sorry! game
• Save $3 on one Bop It, Bop It Bounce or CuponK game
• Save $4 on one Scrabble Flash or Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition game
• $1 Off of 3 bags of Hershey's Kisses, Reese's, Hershey's miniatures or York candy (10oz or larger)
• Save $5 on the purchase of one Thor's Lightning Hammer (#93865)
• Save $5 on the purchase of one Iron Man Armor Chargers (#29571)
• Save $3 on the purchase of any one Iron Man 2 toy from Hasbro
• Save $5 on your choice of one Blythe Doll with Pet or Blythe Scooter
• Save $5 on the purchase of any one Nerf N-Strike Blaster ($19.99 and up)
• Save $2 on the purchase of any Snuggimals or Furry Frenzies Deluxe Pets wyb any PEEPS chocolate product

More on Extreme Couponing Fraud

If you are interested in the potential coupon fraud issue that I've mentioned a couple of times regarding one of the participants of the Extreme Couponing show, you may be interested in checking out Mr.Coupon's blog on WeUseCoupons.  Mr. Coupon (aka Nathan Engels) was featured on the first episode of Extreme Couponing and is one of the biggest advocates I've seen for coupon ethics.  While other coupon/deal sites are more than happy to let you discuss anything you want to, WUC does more than just discourage the discussion of unethical couponing practices.

In his blog, Mr. Coupon breaks down J'aime Kirlew's segment minute by minute and creates a timeline to help you dissect the potential for coupon misuse and abuse, pointing out what coupons were available at the time of filming in comparison to what she bought, as well as other limits that were clearly stated on coupons she used, that were bypassed for this shopping trip.

Coupon Misuse may not seem like a big deal, but it's really the same as shoplifting. It steals from the store. If coupons are not used properly, the manufacturer does not have to reimburse the store for their use.  This can lead to a few different things:

1. Stores can choose to no longer accept coupons
2. Stores can and will raise prices to cover their losses.
3. Manufacturers will enforce stricter limits on their coupons (we've already seen this with many coupons now stating per transaction limits).

Don't be the reason any of these things happen, use your coupons correctly. It's really not that hard. Heck, it's a LOT harder to use them incorrectly.

Oh, and one more thing. If you missed Nathan on the first episode of Extreme Couponing, he'll be back again next week with a whole new trip.

Hobby Lobby 40% Off Coupon

Hobby Lobby has their 40% Off any one item coupon back again.  You can go here to print it out or just pull it up on your phone and show it to the cashier when you check out.

Beauty Sample Bag With Purchase at Ulta.com

Ulta.com has a bag with 12 samples of beauty products ($35 value), FREE with your purchase of $25 or more online only at Ulta.com.  There's also a printable coupon available for $3.50 off your $10 in-store purchase. (or get the discount online using code: 65807

Spending Goals: Right on Budget, For a Change, or not....

I typically do my shopping on Friday, which coincides with the start of our budget week.  Our current budget month started on 3/25, so this past Friday (4/9) began the third week of the month.  Amazingly, (if I don't buy anything else between now and next Friday - yeah right) we will be right on budget.  This is particularly amazing since this month our diets changed and it's just a tad bit more expensive to buy a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, but not nearly as expensive as my husband thought.  He wanted to raise the grocery budget to accommodate.  I wanted to prove we could eat healthy and stay within our current budget of $50/week.  So far, so good.

• 03/25 - Publix - Paid $20.05 for $49.82 in groceries (61% Savings)
• 03/25 - Rite Aid - Paid $4.04 for $75.12 in grocery & drugstore items (96% Savings)
• 03/25 - CVS - Paid $1.44 for $38.19 in grocery & drugstore items (99% Savings)
• 03/26 - Publix - Paid $4.21 for $4.39 in groceries (9% savings)
• 03/31 - Walgreens - Paid $4.19 for $17.68 in grocery & drugstore items (81% savings)
• 03/31 - Rite Aid - Paid $4.15 for $32.90 in grocery & drugstore items (92% savings)
• 03/31 - CVS - Paid $4.60 for $27.87 in grocery & drugstore items (88% savings)
• 03/31 - Publix - Paid $41.73 for $77.35 in groceries (50% savings)
• 04/01 - CostCo - Paid $9.48 for groceries
• 04/09 - Rite Aid - Paid $3.64 for $32.96 in grocery & drugstore items (91% savings)
• 04/09 - CVS - Paid $1.97 for $10.77 in groceries (86% savings)
• 04/09 - Publix - Paid $44.83 for $103.89 in groceries (60% savings)
• 04/09 - CostCo - Paid $5.39 for groceries

We've been hitting CostCo a bit more lately because of their prices on produce, mainly tomatoes and salad mix.  It's hard to determine the actual savings on things like that, I just know that it's a lot cheaper to buy these items there than it would be at Publix.

As I was writing this out, I remembered there was one more trip that I made yesterday, that put me over budget.  I hit Kroger for a few items (mostly frozen veggies for $.87 / bag) and spent about $20.  I need to track down that receipt, which I believe is in the freezer (don't ask).

The Savings Tracker

I was showing this to my friend Katie the other day and wanted to repost it so she could grab the program, and also share it so that anyone else who hasn't downloaded it can get it.

The Coupon Project shared this FREE Savings Tracker at the beginning of the year, and I love it. I use it to enter in each one of my shopping trips and see how much I've saved. I also use it to track how much I've spent (which is as important, if not more important).  We can save money all year long but if we aren't staying within our budget goals, it really doesn't matter.

Get the Savings Tracker from The Coupon Project here.

Rite Aid Trip 04/09 - Recycling +UPs

Thinking back to a time when I actually paid close to $4 for a razor head just kills me.   Now, I have quite the stockpile of razor heads never paying more than $1 for them.  Ah, the love of coupons!

2 Fusion Proglide razors @ $9.99 each
2 boxes FiberPlus bars @ 2/$5

- $5 Fusion coupons (from have you tried this yet mailer)
- $3 Fusion coupon (from 4/3 insert)
- $1/2 FiberPlus bars
- $3/$15 survey coupon
- $10 Wellness Plus +UP reward

= $3.64 (after tax), PLUS I got $10+UPs for buying the razors (basically recycling my +UPs that were about to expire)

04-09 CVS Trip - Cereal Killer Deal

This was one of those weeks where my shopping list was really kind of vague.  There were a couple of things on the list but it was more a "check it and see if it's really a deal when you get there" kind of list.  I almost walked out with nothing until I went to look at the cereal section and saw a deal I'd somehow missed in the ad.

Special K 3/$10, get a $4ECB wyb 3

It just so happens that Special K is my cereal of choice and with the recent changes to our eating habits, cereal is now something I'm trying to stock up on (we had 0 boxes a month ago).  $3/$10 was not a good price, IMO, but 3/$6 (after the ECB) was decent.  The $2/3 coupon I had in my coupon box made it even better, as did the $6.50 worth of ECBs that the Magic Coupon Machine printed out, unexpectedly (seasonal ECB and Beauty bonus).

In the end, I paid $1.97 OOP (after tax) and got back $5 in ECB (thanks to green bag tag reward).

I'd say that's a good deal on cereal! What do you think?

Ways to Save on Wedding Gifts

With wedding season upon us, that can mean lots of gifts to buy, and those gifts can really add up.  I thought I would share my thoughts on wedding gift ideas that won't break your budget.

1. HousewaresDeals.com - keep an eye on this daily deal site as they often have houseware items that would make great gifts.  You can check their "upcoming deals" to know what deals to expect in the next week.  You'll find anything from entire sets of cutlery, china, spice racks and other specialty gift ideas.

2. Shop Their Registry - Just because they registered at a particular store, doesn't mean you have to buy it there.  Most stores now have their registries available online, look up the couple's registry then shop the items online to find a better deal.

3. Get Creative - Whether a couple has been on their own for a while or not, if they are moving into a new home they will need all the cleaning basics in one accessible place.  Start with finding a good deal on a laundry basket, hamper or trash can.  Then fill it with basic cleaning essentials that they will want as they get moved into their new home, a broom, window cleaner, floor cleaner, oven cleaner, a swiffer duster, etc. Most of these items you have coupons for already and can get a good deal on, or....

4. Use Your Stockpile - chances are you have most of the items I mentioned above in your stockpile already.  Pull from there to get them started.

5. Shop Online and Get Cashback - use sites like Ebates or Shortcuts to shop for gifts online and get cash back on your purchase.  These sites also offer special discount codes for many sites, allowing you to get a discount or free shipping and get cash back on your order at the same time.  Combine this with idea # 2 for better savings.

6. Make a Gift - if you are the creative type, then giving the new couple something from your heart will not only save you money but will probably mean a lot more to them in the long run.  While we didn't have a big wedding and didn't get a lot of gifts, the gift that will always mean the most to me is a collage of our wedding done by my best friend.  Whatever your creative method of choice, giving from the heart really does have an impact.