I got FREE MILK and saved over $57!

OK- OK- I KNOW - LONG TIME NO POST RIGHT? 

It was a busy end of Summer and a busy start of the school year and 

we had some medical issues going on...

No excuses- I just haven't been posting my deals as often - 

trust me I am still coupon-ing for nearly every visit to the store- 

even if only hitting the WALL OF YELLOW at HEB- I AM STILL SAVING!

OK - I find that the screenshots of the store's ad best help me to describe 

what I have done for the trip- so let me see if I can explain.

I set out to use my $7 in Extra Care Bucks 

before they expired and I HATE to let them expire! 

I had a few things I NEEDED today and a few things I got just to STOCK UP. 

First transaction - I took advantage of the revlon lipstick deal and bought two - 

getting $10 in Extra care bucks back which I used in the next transaction.  

 Then in second transaction - I got a few of their other deals like Covergirl mascara 

(I love lashblast) and sally hanson nail polish- (got new crackle style for a friend gift) 

getting $6 back - which I used in the last transaction. 

 

So for my third transaction I got a few things I needed- 

fem products- razors etc and snack stuff.

I needed snacks for girls' lunches like their buy one get one FREE

goldfish and wheat thins etc.

I always like to check out the 10 items for $10 section - since the girls 

get tired of the same "snack" stuff every week- I can change it up a bit and 

not buy large packages of say cereal - cookies and ranch flavored crackers etc.  

Especially since CVS bought them all! ;-)  

I especially like the mini chips ahoy and oreos - they go well in lunches

and are easier to repackage and stretch out over a week's time.

So I did spend some money - but not much (of my own) since I used 

$23 in CVS' money today- 

I don't feel bad about spending a little of my own. 

OH YEAH I FORGOT TO ADD MY COUPONS FROM THE NEWSPAPER-

IT COULD HAVE BEEN EVEN BETTER! 

As a rule - I don't generally buy things my family won't use 

like getting contact lens solution when nobody wears contacts - 

that was a free deal at CVS this week. 

So all of the things I bought are things I would have normally gotten -

like the mascara and nail polish and lip gloss etc.  

On to Walgreens - I like to combine the trip since it is right across the street! 

They had a great coupon for that new purex fab softener I like and also buying

infusium shampoo got you $3 back in register rewards. 

So I bought both the shampoo and conditioner -  

but split them up into two transactions 

and got back $6 for the third transaction in which I bought 

2 milk gallons which they had on sale for $3.19.

  (I used their money to buy it - well nearly - I had to pay .19c per gallon.) 

The cashier laughed and said it is always fun to see what 

people can do with the coupons and the special deals- 

she told me a man bought nearly $100 worth of items last week for about $3. 

It is always nice when the folks who work there appreciate what you 

are doing by saving $ and don't stare at you like you are stealing something.

So that is how I got FREE milk (nearly)  

and had a total savings of over $57 

by using sale items- coupons and their FREE MONEY! 

ALL on brands I like and use! 

SEE YA NEXT TIME! 

BLESS YOU

BLESS ME

Saved $38 at Target! Plus $10 in gas from CVS!

Stockpile - SCHMOCK PILE. ;-)

OK - I did actually buy a few salad dressings this time (6) - however I did not "clear the shelves" so to speak- there were plenty left for everyone else. I liked this deal cause I could get different flavors of dressing. I got ranch - cucumber ranch- italian lite and spicy italian ( good as marinade) and a raspberry vinagrette and a thousand island.

I paid .69¢ a bottle (for 6) by stacking a manufacturer coupon on top of the target deal.

Kraft 16 oz dressing was $ 1.69.  So I used 2 different coupons on each set of bottles.

      MANUFACTURER COUPON of: 
        1/2 Kraft dressing, 14 oz. +, RP 5/15 (RED PLUM newspaper insert dated 5/15) I had 3 papers- so I cut 3 coupons. 
Target Store coupon of :  $1/2 Kraft Italian salad dressing, 16 oz +, (Target coupon)  I only got got 1 set of Italians
PLUS 2 prints of "any" dressing flavor -$1/2 Kraft salad dressing, 16 oz, (Target coupon)


So each set of two had $2 off - making each bottle .69¢

Yippee- I will not need dressing again for 3-4 months - well until they expire anyway.

I didn't come up with this on my own- I followed the match ups sent from Southern Savers. I do subscribe to several- but I like the flexibility of printing the shopping list and removing any coupons I don't have so I don't waste paper. They even allow you add items- like my fresh fruit and milk and bread (had a .50¢ coupon for bread too!)

I have a hard time sometimes remembering to shop my normal "list" since I am so determined to find my coupon steals! HARD to focus on both - this print list helps me to make sure I remember all of my items!

I had a similar deal on KC BBQ sauce - but all the smallest bottles that would have been .28¢ were gone- I had to get the larger bottle and it was I think .89¢. I opted to only buy 2 instead of the planned 3 (I didn't have a big need- but we will use it when grilling this summer.)

ON to CVS- I paired up a few items in their "buy $30 - get $10 in gas" section with coupons I had on hand- to get $5.00 off of my $30 spent.. and I got $10 back- so all in all it was like I spent $15 and got $30 worth. Always scan your card before you shop- I got another health and beauty $5 off coupon and that changed the way I shopped for that trip. 

I was a bit disappointed that there were not any coupons in this week's paper- perhaps due to Memorial Day holiday weekend. MAYBE double the coupons in next week's paper. I am really enjoying the concept of letting CVS buy my next papers- so I get more coupons for free. 

I am getting better- this time I combined my trip with both CVS and Target so I didn't 

waste more gas on 2 trips- takes more time- but I used my coupon for $1 off a sonic breakfast in between shops! ;-) 

All in all a great trip- saving $38 at Target. It takes time to find and cut the coupons...

but I feel it is WORTH IT! 

The trick is not to look at the inserts and start cutting. i was using the coupons i found BEFORE they went on sale or i could stack with a target coupon etc. I did save .55c or so- but if I waited I could have saved 2-3xs that amount. So now I wait. I print online ones but only if I know WE WILL use those coupons. Like yogurts and snack bars and cereal etc.  

Hope that helps!

Bless you! 

Bless me! 

Check out the blogs on the top right side and follow them to get your advance notice of Sunday's coupons!

I got paid to buy toothpaste!

Ok- so I am finally getting the handle on the stacking and the specials.
BONUS- I used my "free money" ECBs from CVS to buy another paper today.
Since I don't have a subscription... I used their money to get more coupons to save more $$.

Kinda creepy- a never ending savings circle.
I might make a habit of that on SUNDAYs when I shop.

OK- so I finally got PAID to buy something.
This toothpaste was on sale/ special with card  at CVS-
so I got ECBs which made it free and then used $1.00 off coupon
for each tube of toothpaste (limit 2)
and I actually got paid $2 to buy them!
(Well OK- I used the $2 off to buy something else-
shampoo I wanted actually- but Free money is free money!)

They would not have handed me the two bucks in cash- but I can spend ECBs the next time I shop!

Hard thing for me was DRIVING to CVS for like 8 things-
even though my toothpaste was
a deal and my deodorant was like $1 each..
I spent gas and time to drive over there..
wish I had a closer CVS. it isn't THAT far...
but far enough to make me pause anyway.

Oh yeah- I got .25¢ credit too for using my "green" shopping bag.

Over $300 worth in coupons in this week's paper!

WOO HOO!

I am learning!

BLESS YOU!

 BLESS ME!

4¢ BODY WASH!! Saved $26 at TARGET!

I was super proud of my deals today.
I snagged a Nivea body wash  for less than a nickel!
It was on sale for 3.04 at target with a $3 off coupon-
making my body wash just .04¢! WOO HOO!

I also snagged a 2 bottles of clorox clean up for about $1 each from WALGREENS!

By using a store coupon WITH a manufacturer coupon on top of a sale price! It is only
my second time to try WAGS- so far- I LIKE IT! :-)

Probably my biggest savings today was on 3 packages of diapers- TARGET ha a buy 3 get $5 gift card PROMO- so I did- then I applied a $3 coupon to 1 pkg- and 2 other $2 off to the others- making my total savings $12 on just the diapers!!

I was able to finally use a $5 off pedigree dog food coupon- HEB doesn't carry the LOW FAT kind my dog needs- and the coupon expired in 4 days! Making my bag cost only $8!

I used several coupons at TARGET today- but I was especially tickled by my .25¢ each box of nature valley granola bars- also combining a target coupon with a manufacturers coupon - I GOT 2 boxes!

I still have yet to be able to USE my PUREX softener coupons- every time I go.. they are totally OUT- NEW PRODUCT!

I saved $26 in coupons at Target this trip- spending just $36... that is a pretty great savings!

Nearly 50%! 

SO NEXT WEEK MAYBE I CAN HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER SAVINGS!! 

Also at CVS on SATURDAY night I was able to snag free deodorant for Brett! ( I know I know I am sooo boring Shopping on a SAT night!? RIGHT???) BTW- if you are unsure call your local CVS to see when the Sunday's paper circular goes into effect- Stone Oak is 9pm- and Bulverde Road is MIDNIGHT Sat evening- can you guess where I was headed at 9pm on Saturday? STONE OAK!
I will tell you most of the crowd was "last minute" BEER shoppers- they don't have much patience for a lady with 10 coupons in her hand!? :-) Normally I would go at 5:30 am - when I first wake up- but it was after all EASTER SUNDAY!


BLESS ME
BLESS YOU

DEAL OF THE DAY! 3 Scotch tapes for.99¢

OK- I ventured out into the "UNKNOWN LAND OF WAGS" - er- Walgreens.
I am also learning all of the "terms" the coupon queens use.

I followed the advisement of the coupon queens I follow (links on the right) and only attempted to shop
ONE store for awhile till I got my bearings.  I chose CVS. Walgreens has a similar "bucks" back program- but you do not have to sign up for anything... it is simply automatic when you buy special "deals" in store. They also have a booklet of coupons up front with a month worth of savings that you must pick up and hold on to. There was a coupon in the circular from the paper- but she just scanned it off of her "copy" she held on to near her register.

Walgreens had a BUY 1 GET 2 deal on rolls of scotch tape ($1.99) - not a bad deal in itself.
However- my advisors to the right over there sent out an update and I found that there was also a SCOTCH manufacturer coupon that could be added to that as well- so VIOLA! I got 3 rolls of tape for .99¢ - well- tax made it $1.06.

That was the only thing I bought- I only went because I was planning a trip to CVS - and they were right across the street from each other! ;-) I did walk the store to see layouts and product branding to try to remember WHO SELLS WHAT!?

 I'm learning!

ON TO CVS- I got FREE EASTER GRASS and a FREE Egg Decorating kit - WOO HOO- I LOVE FREE! I also got 2 free bag tags- They encourage you to bring a green bag - ANY recycled bag to shop with- so they don't waste plastic bags on you. Each bag tag that is scanned for your trip makes .25¢ credit- and every 4 trips you get that $1 back in ECB bucks- just for using a "bring it yourself" bag.. NOT BAD. They had a buy one get one deal- I got an ECB credit for each one that I bough (2) so they were FREE!

I did learn about multiple transactions- if I had split my trip into 3 "shops" I could have used the ECBs I got  that day- on my very next "ring up" purchases. As it was I made one larger purchase and they all spit out at the end- oh well- I can use them all next time ($14 worth.) I bought some new make ups that I needed to get since we are headed into SUMMER color- I tan quickly and easily- so I always have a summer and a winter shade. I bought with the in store deal- buy $10 get $3 ECBs.  I combined coupons from the manufacturer for many of them and made them about 1/2 price. I also bought 2  lightbulbs for .99¢ each- regularly $5 each. I don't need them NOW- but when I do need them I will have them and for the lowest price - not the uh oh I have no lightbulbs go to HEB and buy them full price...
:-)
I also bought a "stock pile" if you will shampoo and conditioner for .77¢ each! Bryndall loves the flowery smells on new shampoo flavors!  I WOULD have bought my first tubes of FREE toothpaste- I was ready to buy 4 (free) - since I had the stacking coupons- but the size that would have been free (4ozs) was all sold out (early bird gets the worm.) I decided not to buy tubes for $1 each for food pantry- I have like 6 tubes of toothpaste already in my bathroom. So - I USED THE TAPE I JUST BOUGHT FOR .99¢ at WALGREENS (stop laughing) and I taped the extra coupons I had on the boxes to bless someone else! SOMEONE will appreciate it! ;-) I know it is silly to go shopping really early in the morning- but I wake up at about 5am anyway- HEY People do it on black friday every year right!??   Next time I plan a FREE shop on toothpaste I will aim to go 6AM SUN MORN - when the circular deal is first in effect!

It was a good trip- I saved $26 - plus made $14 in ECB to use over the next month at CVS.
If I had used the ECBs on that trip I would have literally saved about 50% on that trip!

I'm learning!

BLESS YOU!
BLESS ME!

2 SUPER DEALS at CVS today!

I have a lot going on this week- we are making our annual trek to the beach- for SANDFEST!

My special deals today were 3 boxes of cereal at on sale price of $1.66 - with a combined coupon for 1.50 off-- making all 3 cost about $1.16 each. NOT BAD! ALMOST got one whole box free! I will take to eat on the beach trip!

Duncan Hines Brownie mix was marked down to $1 as part of their 10 for $10 promo.
I had a .50¢ off coupon from the paper this past Sunday.. viola- just 50 pennies.
 I will make and take on our trip!

I am attaching the scan of the receipt- since I was especially proud of my savings- about %50!

I am learning! I hope you are saving money with coupons too!

BLESS YOU!

BLESS ME!

DOUBLE & TRIPLE COUPONS!

SUPER S will double coupons EVERY DAY!!  OK - I saved most of my .50¢ coupons for the usual items (like canned and frozen veggies and lunch meat) and headed over to Startzville, about 15 minutes away. I was already going there for something else- so I thought I would combine a trip. They also have these little yellow coupons that I saw at the checkout but nobody knew where they came from... they are just "around" - like the HEB "yellow wall" collection.. without the yellow wall?? Confusing!?

MY LESSON LEARNED TODAY - REALLY READ THE COUPON!!

I know I know - sounds fairly simple and folks assume you read it before filing/ planning trip etc.
HOWEVER- several of mine said DO NOT DOUBLE and let me tell ya- they DO NOT DOUBLE them! :-) NONE of my printables would scan in and they had to type in one by one.. arrggg... I had 2 people leave my line cause it took so long. OH WELL. I also practiced several of my "leave ems" by leaving a coupon for an item I was not going to buy. The poor girl at the register was just overwhelmed- she was new and not sure of anything!! She told me I couldn't use my 2nd coupon for fruit roll ups ($1.50/WYB 2) unless I bought 4 - I told her "I did buy four"- it was just a learning trip all the way around. I DID however SAVE about $8 on my purchases.. not bad!?

I found that indeed "eggs" are cheaper in the country - several items I had just purchased recently were ALOT less at Super S- brands like Borden and Folgers and Cheerios. MENTAL NOTE!!

ALSO- I can't come back this weekend - but they are doing a TRIPLE coupon (.50¢ face value) weekend. TRIPLE COUPONS!!! WOO HOO. I can't make it but I am passing it on to the folks in the area. THEY Limit 10 coupons used. HOWEVER - I saw a lady on extreme coupling that had to ring up like 8 transactions to get her special deal. I wonder if they would let me ring up twice... hmm..
let's not get stingy now. I will just take a simple double coupon on my other items. Still $1.50 off of 10 items is what $15- that is worth the gas to get there! I also plan to call them 1 x a mo or so and ask if it is a triple coupon sale yet. ( They never know till their MON staff mtg and it comes from CORPORATE)
SIDE NOTE- They were bought out last week- like literally last FRIDAY- so some plicies may change- I just hope they don't do away with the triples before I have a chance to even shop them!?

MY DEAL OF THE DAY was a can of Allen's green beans- it was marked down to .79¢ - I had a coupon from the paper for .35¢ - which I thought would double ( it was a do not double) making the can 9¢ - but instead it became .44¢! Now- it might end up at the food pantry or in a green bean casserole... but hey - .44¢ isn't half bad!

I am also collecting 2 sets of newspaper inserts from neighbors etc... so now if the websites on the RIGHT post a special "double up stacking deal" using them... I can now buy 2 instead of 1!

All in all I am learning ever single trip I take!

BONUS - A friend bought my lunch yesterday - when I met her for lunch I had a buy 1 get 1 entree coupon - so she paid for hers and my coupon bought mine.. she splurged and bought my drink!! ;-)
Thanks Wendy! We agreed to do it again next month - I will keep my eyes peeled for a B1G1 deal!

TILL NEXT TIME ...
BLESS ME
BLESS YOU