Yep, you read that right. I'm a firm believer that it's never to early to start your Christmas shopping. I shop all year long and have 3 wicker storage baskets that store my treasure trove.
This makes it ridiculously easy when the girls get that Birthday Party invite. They all know they can take a trip to the gift storage bins. Top that with trying to always have gift bags and tissue on hand too and we're talking minutes to find a gift vs. hours. WoooHoo!!!
Sports Illustrated Kids (1-year) is only $5 (normally $42.88)! That is a 90% savings! This would make a great holiday gift for a young sports fan! The first issue will arrive in 6-10 weeks, so I recommend ordering soon for it to come around Christmas. You can find the deal here
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Lowe's Kids Clinics
Lowe's has another FREE Kids Clinic this Saturday, October 10, 2009, from 10-11am. Kids can build a wooden ball toss. To register and find a location near you, go here
My girls loved these when they were younger. I'm not sure they've outgrown them actually! I think it's more they've been "forced" out by the suggested age limits. HaHa.
My girls loved these when they were younger. I'm not sure they've outgrown them actually! I think it's more they've been "forced" out by the suggested age limits. HaHa.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Walgreen's trippin'
We're really lucky to have 3 corners of strip mall that include 2 grocery stores and 3 drug stores, so next I went across the street to Walgreen's were I did 3 transactions to maximize Register Rewards.
1st transaction
(4) 6pks of joint juice 6.79each -$ B1G1 Free internet printable coupons -$3 coupon in the Oct. coupon book... these automatically muliply by the # of products you have of the item so in this case it took off $12 = all 4 for $1.58 TOTAL for all 4
(1) Robitussin DM 2pk To Go $2.49 - $1mfr cpn (get back $2.50RR)
(1) Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion $7.29 -$1.50 internet printable coupon (get back $7RR)
(1) ROC Multi Correcxion Exfoliating Cleanser $9.99 - $5 in ad cpn -$3 internet printable cpn
(3) 20sq ft Renyolds Foil 1.79 - .89cents each w/ in add cpn = .89each w/cpn
(1) Walgreens brand Pure Honey .32oz $7.49 - $3.50 w/ in ad cpn = $3.99 w/cpn
(4) Hershey's candy bars .29cents ad special (limit 4) **put in with the stocking stuffers
(3) Russell Stovers Halloween candies .59cents - .11cents w/in ad cpn (will toss these in the girls lunches one day for a fun surprise)
-$18.00 in RR that I had, total OOP w/tax 5.74
Total Retail value 63.75
Got back $9.50 in RR
2nd Transaction
(1)Clear Care Contact lens solution for OSD15, this was 2 bottles and a small travel bottle set for 14.79 **no coupon
(1) Fusion pwer razor 8.99 (get back 6 in RR)
(4) herseys candy bars on sale for .29 each (put away for a movie day)
(1) Robitussin DM 2pk To Go 2.49 -$1 mfr cpn (get back 2.50 in RR)
-$17 in RR that I had; Total OOP $7.73 and got back $8.50 in RR
Total Retail Value 34.93
3rd Transaction
(1) Vasaline Sheer Infusion Lotion $7.29 - $1.50 internet coupon (got back $7 in RR)
(1) Robitussin DM 2pk To Go $2.49 -$1 mfr cpn (get back $2.50 RR)
-$6RR from razor above, Total OOP $2.14
Total Retail Value $10.64
got back $9.50 in RR
**essentiall I paid just under $18 OOP for all the above which is what it would have cost me for the contact lens solution (with tax) alone
Now if I can just keep to this small a budget next week when milk, bread and a stock up on fruit will be needed.
1st transaction
(4) 6pks of joint juice 6.79each -$ B1G1 Free internet printable coupons -$3 coupon in the Oct. coupon book... these automatically muliply by the # of products you have of the item so in this case it took off $12 = all 4 for $1.58 TOTAL for all 4
(1) Robitussin DM 2pk To Go $2.49 - $1mfr cpn (get back $2.50RR)
(1) Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion $7.29 -$1.50 internet printable coupon (get back $7RR)
(1) ROC Multi Correcxion Exfoliating Cleanser $9.99 - $5 in ad cpn -$3 internet printable cpn
(3) 20sq ft Renyolds Foil 1.79 - .89cents each w/ in add cpn = .89each w/cpn
(1) Walgreens brand Pure Honey .32oz $7.49 - $3.50 w/ in ad cpn = $3.99 w/cpn
(4) Hershey's candy bars .29cents ad special (limit 4) **put in with the stocking stuffers
(3) Russell Stovers Halloween candies .59cents - .11cents w/in ad cpn (will toss these in the girls lunches one day for a fun surprise)
-$18.00 in RR that I had, total OOP w/tax 5.74
Total Retail value 63.75
Got back $9.50 in RR
2nd Transaction
(1)Clear Care Contact lens solution for OSD15, this was 2 bottles and a small travel bottle set for 14.79 **no coupon
(1) Fusion pwer razor 8.99 (get back 6 in RR)
(4) herseys candy bars on sale for .29 each (put away for a movie day)
(1) Robitussin DM 2pk To Go 2.49 -$1 mfr cpn (get back 2.50 in RR)
-$17 in RR that I had; Total OOP $7.73 and got back $8.50 in RR
Total Retail Value 34.93
3rd Transaction
(1) Vasaline Sheer Infusion Lotion $7.29 - $1.50 internet coupon (got back $7 in RR)
(1) Robitussin DM 2pk To Go $2.49 -$1 mfr cpn (get back $2.50 RR)
-$6RR from razor above, Total OOP $2.14
Total Retail Value $10.64
got back $9.50 in RR
**essentiall I paid just under $18 OOP for all the above which is what it would have cost me for the contact lens solution (with tax) alone
Now if I can just keep to this small a budget next week when milk, bread and a stock up on fruit will be needed.
CVS Trip
CVS is nextdoor to the Alberton's so that was our next trip
There I bought
(4) 250ct CVS brand sandwich fold top bags. 2.99 on sale B1G1 50% off = $9 - *$2 cpn mention below = $7
(2) CVS brand chocolate covered nut snack bags .99cents each -$2 off cpn mentioned below = FREE
**had a CVS coupon for $2 off purchase of 2 CVS brand nuts and a $2 off $10 CVS brand purchase
So got the above for $7
(2) Frutopia 2in1 shampoo/conditions 3.99 on sale for B1G1 - (2) $2 CVS coupon on this specific items from the Reinventing Beauty mag they sell for .99cents = 2 FREE
(2) Viologie (1) shampoo (1) conditioner 3.99 on sale for B1G1 - (2) $2 CVS coupon on this specific items from the Reinventing Beauty mag they sell for .99cents = 2 FREE
(1) 4oz Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste 2.99-$1 mfr cpn (get back $2 ECB)
(2) 2pk of Tone's bar soap 1.88 - (2) $1 mfr cpn -$1 CVS coupon off any skin care (get 1 ECB back) **did one on DH's card and 1 on mine to get 2 ECB's back
(2) Neosporin Lip Health $5.49 - (2) $3/1 internet printable coupon plus - $2.50 clip free CVS coupon (monthly deal) = FREE
(2) Tylenol cold congestion multi pill pack (1/2 night med 1/2 daytime med) $6 each - (2) 2 internet printable coupons for $2 off any Tylenol cold med
(1) 100cnt Tylenol rapid release pills $ 8.50 -$1
***the tylenol purchase were $20.50 so this qualified us for $10 back in ECB's
Total Retail value (at sale prices for today, not reg. prices) $66.30
Used 14ECB's I had and paid 12.82(with tax) OOP (out of pocket) got back 13ECB's
There I bought
(4) 250ct CVS brand sandwich fold top bags. 2.99 on sale B1G1 50% off = $9 - *$2 cpn mention below = $7
(2) CVS brand chocolate covered nut snack bags .99cents each -$2 off cpn mentioned below = FREE
**had a CVS coupon for $2 off purchase of 2 CVS brand nuts and a $2 off $10 CVS brand purchase
So got the above for $7
(2) Frutopia 2in1 shampoo/conditions 3.99 on sale for B1G1 - (2) $2 CVS coupon on this specific items from the Reinventing Beauty mag they sell for .99cents = 2 FREE
(2) Viologie (1) shampoo (1) conditioner 3.99 on sale for B1G1 - (2) $2 CVS coupon on this specific items from the Reinventing Beauty mag they sell for .99cents = 2 FREE
(1) 4oz Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste 2.99-$1 mfr cpn (get back $2 ECB)
(2) 2pk of Tone's bar soap 1.88 - (2) $1 mfr cpn -$1 CVS coupon off any skin care (get 1 ECB back) **did one on DH's card and 1 on mine to get 2 ECB's back
(2) Neosporin Lip Health $5.49 - (2) $3/1 internet printable coupon plus - $2.50 clip free CVS coupon (monthly deal) = FREE
(2) Tylenol cold congestion multi pill pack (1/2 night med 1/2 daytime med) $6 each - (2) 2 internet printable coupons for $2 off any Tylenol cold med
(1) 100cnt Tylenol rapid release pills $ 8.50 -$1
***the tylenol purchase were $20.50 so this qualified us for $10 back in ECB's
Total Retail value (at sale prices for today, not reg. prices) $66.30
Used 14ECB's I had and paid 12.82(with tax) OOP (out of pocket) got back 13ECB's
Up for the Challenge... tight budget for the next 2 weeks
DH (Dear Hubby) just got paid last Friday. I always pay the bills and then create a budget from what is left over. I have it down to a science and our budget is pretty consistant... until I get tossed a curve ball.
Sat. a long lost car registration bill was found. Already 3 days overdue, late charges were incurred. So her come some HARD decision making. Do I rob our savings to pay this bill or try to work it into the budget... which admittedly seem impossible.
You KNOW how expensive car registration bills are. After paying it and the late fees. I will be left with less than $90 to get through the next 12 days with IF I don't rob the savings.
I'm committed to trying not to take any funds from savings. I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.
Since couponing has led to healthy stockpiles of everything there is little that we absolutely NEED. The short list of necessities for the next 2 weeks includes, gas for my car, fruit, bread, milk, sand. bags, cold meds (as 3 out of the 5 of us have been sick) and contact lens solution. I also have 2 $25 gas cards that were gifts to us last Christmas. While those gift cards won't fill my gas guzzeling SUV's tank, they will give me enough gas to get through the next 2 weeks as long as I stay in town and don't go bee bopin' all over So. California.
My Mom's Bday was last Friday. She came through town on Sunday (on her way to Vegas) and we had already planned to take her out to a local breakfast brunch she wanted to try. That took a healthy bite out of that $90, but I did have a B1G1 Free coupon. YEAH!
The only thing we needed for this week's groceries was fresh fruit, so we picked up banana's (a staple in our house) and then I bought a huge bag of apples as they were on sale for 49cents. (nothing else was under $1 a pound)
Then I went to CVS and Walgreens were I had worked out scenarios for very little out of pocket for the contact lens solution, cold meds, sandwich bags and a few freebies. I'll share those in their own post.
Sat. a long lost car registration bill was found. Already 3 days overdue, late charges were incurred. So her come some HARD decision making. Do I rob our savings to pay this bill or try to work it into the budget... which admittedly seem impossible.
You KNOW how expensive car registration bills are. After paying it and the late fees. I will be left with less than $90 to get through the next 12 days with IF I don't rob the savings.
I'm committed to trying not to take any funds from savings. I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.
Since couponing has led to healthy stockpiles of everything there is little that we absolutely NEED. The short list of necessities for the next 2 weeks includes, gas for my car, fruit, bread, milk, sand. bags, cold meds (as 3 out of the 5 of us have been sick) and contact lens solution. I also have 2 $25 gas cards that were gifts to us last Christmas. While those gift cards won't fill my gas guzzeling SUV's tank, they will give me enough gas to get through the next 2 weeks as long as I stay in town and don't go bee bopin' all over So. California.
My Mom's Bday was last Friday. She came through town on Sunday (on her way to Vegas) and we had already planned to take her out to a local breakfast brunch she wanted to try. That took a healthy bite out of that $90, but I did have a B1G1 Free coupon. YEAH!
The only thing we needed for this week's groceries was fresh fruit, so we picked up banana's (a staple in our house) and then I bought a huge bag of apples as they were on sale for 49cents. (nothing else was under $1 a pound)
Then I went to CVS and Walgreens were I had worked out scenarios for very little out of pocket for the contact lens solution, cold meds, sandwich bags and a few freebies. I'll share those in their own post.
Tips for saving and couponing
Another Woman's Day article from the Nov. 2009 issue. Again, I can't locate it online so I'm typing up the cliff notes version ;)
"A small amount of preparation goes a long way towards ka-ching!"
1. clip those coupons-- single best way to save at the grocery store.
Diversify and simplify where you get them. Sunday paper, printable online coupons (find a few favorite sites) Also check your supermarket circular for special store cpns.
2. do an inventory-- start with the fridge, kitchen cabinets and pantry. Then check laundry room, linen closet (if you keep stock there) and the bathroom.
itemize what you need in categories, order the way the store does it (baking, beverages, dairy, fresh produce, health and so on)
make sure you have the store flier handy when you write out our list to make note of the best deals. Jot down the size and price to avoid picking up the wrong variation.
3. Know the lingo-- You usually don't have to buy as much as your think to get the deal. Say your flier advertises 10 Breyers yogurts for $4.00. That's .40cents each. As long as it doesn't say MUST BUY 10 you can buy any amount and still get the savings.
The same holds true with coupons. If you have a coupon offer for a multiple purchase of items don't assume you have to pick up an extra or two from the shelf. Look for bundled products. Most of the time the coupon will cover the 2-in-1 packs,and generally speaking the bundle pack it typically the better savings.
4. Ask the manager about the store's policy on doubling and tripling coupon values. IF they allow stacking (store cpn w/ mfr cpn) and how much their loyalty card deducts (% wise) from your bill.
5. Don't get caught in the maze--- Don't shop aisles. Take your list and stay to the perimeters avoiding unnecessary aisles.
6. Train your eyes -- look for specially marked packages. Deals offered on the box, clearanced stickers, more product size for the same price, sample size attached to the reg. size, peel off cpns and blinking coupon displays attached to the shelf.
7. Examine Endcaps-- often special deals and discount and refund offers are displayed at the ends of aisles. But be warned ***Know your bargins. Sometimes the items are slow movers or items that expire quickly.
8. Do the math-- feel foolish bringing along a calculator. DON'T! Comparing prices is a surefire way to pare down your bill. Calculate how much your spending on a singe unit of an item and figure out which will give you the best bang for your buck.
"A small amount of preparation goes a long way towards ka-ching!"
1. clip those coupons-- single best way to save at the grocery store.
Diversify and simplify where you get them. Sunday paper, printable online coupons (find a few favorite sites) Also check your supermarket circular for special store cpns.
2. do an inventory-- start with the fridge, kitchen cabinets and pantry. Then check laundry room, linen closet (if you keep stock there) and the bathroom.
itemize what you need in categories, order the way the store does it (baking, beverages, dairy, fresh produce, health and so on)
make sure you have the store flier handy when you write out our list to make note of the best deals. Jot down the size and price to avoid picking up the wrong variation.
3. Know the lingo-- You usually don't have to buy as much as your think to get the deal. Say your flier advertises 10 Breyers yogurts for $4.00. That's .40cents each. As long as it doesn't say MUST BUY 10 you can buy any amount and still get the savings.
The same holds true with coupons. If you have a coupon offer for a multiple purchase of items don't assume you have to pick up an extra or two from the shelf. Look for bundled products. Most of the time the coupon will cover the 2-in-1 packs,and generally speaking the bundle pack it typically the better savings.
4. Ask the manager about the store's policy on doubling and tripling coupon values. IF they allow stacking (store cpn w/ mfr cpn) and how much their loyalty card deducts (% wise) from your bill.
5. Don't get caught in the maze--- Don't shop aisles. Take your list and stay to the perimeters avoiding unnecessary aisles.
6. Train your eyes -- look for specially marked packages. Deals offered on the box, clearanced stickers, more product size for the same price, sample size attached to the reg. size, peel off cpns and blinking coupon displays attached to the shelf.
7. Examine Endcaps-- often special deals and discount and refund offers are displayed at the ends of aisles. But be warned ***Know your bargins. Sometimes the items are slow movers or items that expire quickly.
8. Do the math-- feel foolish bringing along a calculator. DON'T! Comparing prices is a surefire way to pare down your bill. Calculate how much your spending on a singe unit of an item and figure out which will give you the best bang for your buck.
21 Websites that Save You Time and Money
My Mom tore out this article from the Nov. 2009 Woman's Day mag. I'm not able to find the article online so am typing out cliff notes for you.
21 Websites that Save You Time and Money
1. shoplocal.com weekly ads for stores in your community and indexed, organized and updated for you.
2. mommysavers.com coupon codes, printable coupons, freebies, bargains, support needed to live the fugal life. Articles, e-books and web videos. Plus a twice yearly "forget the Joneses" boot camp to give members practical steps for creating a budget and living w/in their means
3. bargainist.com hottest online bargains, sales, coupons and freebies. No need to join, register or pay a cent for this information
4. thecouponclipper.com coupon clipping service
5. freecycle.org the nations biggest swap meet where NO money ever exchanges hands as it's a free swap site (***I have loved freecycle for years!!!***)
6. paperbackswap.com join the club online. Registration is easy and currently free. next post books you want to swap, when you find a book you want, click order this book button. Books you receive are free and yours to keep. When others request one of your books, you accept and pay the postage to mail the book. Credits are the unit of exchange at this site. When your book is received you get a credit; which you then use to order another book for yourself.
7. zilok.com rent just about anything that you might need to use only once. Space in a garage, Guitar hero for a weekend party, power tool, a pickup truck. Or maybe you have items you'd like to rent out to make a few bucks. This is a community driven platform that allows anyone to rent or offer for rent any kind of good. Recently: patio heater, $20/day, sony camcorder $10/day, pressure cooker $6/day
8. USA.gov the official information and service site for the U.S. gov.
how to get a grant, health updates in case of flu outbreak and more... tax info, register to vote, renew your drivers license, get student fin. aid, sign up for unemployment online
9. findhow.com clear, concise instructions for all types of projects are a search away. bang trims, oil changes, repair scratches on your car, install a kitchen sink, how to draw a cartoon
10. starfall.com "this one is too good to be true. The starfall reading program is designed to be fun, exciting, and confidence building for young children as they learn to read. Similar to early reading software you install on your computer the FRE program helps teach literacy through games. The graphics, sounds and content are so outstanding you really need to check it out"
11. consumerist.com Prepare to be entertained and educated about the top consumer issues of the day. You'll find blogs that bring you up to date on the latest scams, ripoffs and hot deals.
12. lynda.com Need software training? For $25 a month you'll have access to more than 40.000 video tutorials with more than 600 online courses on a huge variety of software and design topics.
13. bighugelabs.com Imagine having full access to a custom photo lab where you ca create photo calendars, jigsaw puzzles, mosaics, trading cards and more... all from your digital photos. Site completely FREE as are the custom photo calanders.
14. dafont.com you will find fun fonts, unique fonds and handwriting. Many of the over 9,000 fonts are free
15. fixitclub.com shows you how to do ordinary household and other kinds of repairs. free online guides for fixing everything from sewing machines to fishing poles
16. budgetsimple.com FREE easy to use online budget software that will help you figure out how to get your spending on track. You don't need to give any info that will identify you personally. Designed to help people get out of debt and encourage saving.
17. annualcreditreport.com This is the ONLY place you can get truly FREE copies of your credit report (not score, though they do offer that for a minimal cost) ONE a YEAR from each of the big three credit reporting agencies. Though your reports will come from the agencies themselves (either online or through the mail, your choice) you must enter at the site to make sure you get out of paying a fee. ***Stagger your reports so you get one every four months. Then check each one carefully and dispute any info that seems inaccurate.
18. dinkytown.net more than 350 free financial calculators. Do the math on mortgages, retirement savings and planning, insurance, credit cards and more
19. bloombergs.com/invest/calculators/budget.html The budget calculators at this site may seem old fashioned because you enter your info manually as your would on a paper spreadsheet. BUT what's remarkable are the resulting easy to read charts that categorize your expenses and break down your spending so you can see what's up w/your finances.
20. discoveramerica.com Linked to tourism info for all 50 states this site offers a wealth of info in one place. Activity finder lists more than 4,000 experiences, attractions, events, museums, parks and festivals.
21. mousesaver.com for everything Disney. An exhaustive collection of tips, tricks and secrets for how to get discounts on every aspect of a trip to any Disney.
21 Websites that Save You Time and Money
1. shoplocal.com weekly ads for stores in your community and indexed, organized and updated for you.
2. mommysavers.com coupon codes, printable coupons, freebies, bargains, support needed to live the fugal life. Articles, e-books and web videos. Plus a twice yearly "forget the Joneses" boot camp to give members practical steps for creating a budget and living w/in their means
3. bargainist.com hottest online bargains, sales, coupons and freebies. No need to join, register or pay a cent for this information
4. thecouponclipper.com coupon clipping service
5. freecycle.org the nations biggest swap meet where NO money ever exchanges hands as it's a free swap site (***I have loved freecycle for years!!!***)
6. paperbackswap.com join the club online. Registration is easy and currently free. next post books you want to swap, when you find a book you want, click order this book button. Books you receive are free and yours to keep. When others request one of your books, you accept and pay the postage to mail the book. Credits are the unit of exchange at this site. When your book is received you get a credit; which you then use to order another book for yourself.
7. zilok.com rent just about anything that you might need to use only once. Space in a garage, Guitar hero for a weekend party, power tool, a pickup truck. Or maybe you have items you'd like to rent out to make a few bucks. This is a community driven platform that allows anyone to rent or offer for rent any kind of good. Recently: patio heater, $20/day, sony camcorder $10/day, pressure cooker $6/day
8. USA.gov the official information and service site for the U.S. gov.
how to get a grant, health updates in case of flu outbreak and more... tax info, register to vote, renew your drivers license, get student fin. aid, sign up for unemployment online
9. findhow.com clear, concise instructions for all types of projects are a search away. bang trims, oil changes, repair scratches on your car, install a kitchen sink, how to draw a cartoon
10. starfall.com "this one is too good to be true. The starfall reading program is designed to be fun, exciting, and confidence building for young children as they learn to read. Similar to early reading software you install on your computer the FRE program helps teach literacy through games. The graphics, sounds and content are so outstanding you really need to check it out"
11. consumerist.com Prepare to be entertained and educated about the top consumer issues of the day. You'll find blogs that bring you up to date on the latest scams, ripoffs and hot deals.
12. lynda.com Need software training? For $25 a month you'll have access to more than 40.000 video tutorials with more than 600 online courses on a huge variety of software and design topics.
13. bighugelabs.com Imagine having full access to a custom photo lab where you ca create photo calendars, jigsaw puzzles, mosaics, trading cards and more... all from your digital photos. Site completely FREE as are the custom photo calanders.
14. dafont.com you will find fun fonts, unique fonds and handwriting. Many of the over 9,000 fonts are free
15. fixitclub.com shows you how to do ordinary household and other kinds of repairs. free online guides for fixing everything from sewing machines to fishing poles
16. budgetsimple.com FREE easy to use online budget software that will help you figure out how to get your spending on track. You don't need to give any info that will identify you personally. Designed to help people get out of debt and encourage saving.
17. annualcreditreport.com This is the ONLY place you can get truly FREE copies of your credit report (not score, though they do offer that for a minimal cost) ONE a YEAR from each of the big three credit reporting agencies. Though your reports will come from the agencies themselves (either online or through the mail, your choice) you must enter at the site to make sure you get out of paying a fee. ***Stagger your reports so you get one every four months. Then check each one carefully and dispute any info that seems inaccurate.
18. dinkytown.net more than 350 free financial calculators. Do the math on mortgages, retirement savings and planning, insurance, credit cards and more
19. bloombergs.com/invest/calculators/budget.html The budget calculators at this site may seem old fashioned because you enter your info manually as your would on a paper spreadsheet. BUT what's remarkable are the resulting easy to read charts that categorize your expenses and break down your spending so you can see what's up w/your finances.
20. discoveramerica.com Linked to tourism info for all 50 states this site offers a wealth of info in one place. Activity finder lists more than 4,000 experiences, attractions, events, museums, parks and festivals.
21. mousesaver.com for everything Disney. An exhaustive collection of tips, tricks and secrets for how to get discounts on every aspect of a trip to any Disney.
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