Special K Cereal and Crackers for just $.39 a Box!

Now that you have an abundance of Kellogg's cereal coupons, here's one way to use them: Target is running a deal this week that when you buy 5 Special K products, you'll get a $5 Target gift card.

Buy any combination of 5 Special K cereals or crackers at $2.39 each
Use 5 $1/1 coupons here, here, here, or from the 4/5 RedPlum insert
Spend $6.95 plus tax out of pocket
Get a $5 Target gift card
$0.39 per box after coupons and gift card

Thanks Money Saving Mom!

New Kellogs Printables and Free Lint Rollers!

Thanks to MoneySavingMadness for posting these deals!

Coupons.com now has several new printables that will make great deals at Walmart and CVS.

Use the $1 off any Evercare Lint Roller coupon to buy the trial size lint rollers at Walmart. They are FREE after the coupon.

Walmart currently has Velveeta Shells & Cheese for just $1.00 per box. There is a great new coupon out for $1.50 off two boxes here. Buy two boxes and pay only $.50, just 25 cents per box!

If you are a Ranch fan you'll love this $1.50/2 coupon for Hidden Valley Dressings! It's a rare find! There is another on coupons.com You may be able to print both twice!

Coupons.com also has several new Kellogg's cereal coupons which will make great deals on cereal next week at CVS. After Extra Bucks, select Kellogg's cereals will be $1.67. Use the $1/1 coupons and pay only $.67 after extra bucks.

The Rice Krispies recently were $2.50 per box at Walmart and had $1 peelies on each box for any marshmallow purchase. Buy them both, use both coupons and pay less than $1.50 for Rice Krispies and marshmallows.

We are Financial Peace University Alumni!!!

Last night was the final night of our Financial Peace University Class. I told you all that you WOULD NOT BELIEVE how much debt we were able to pay off during the 13 week course, and as promised, I am going to make that dollar amount public knowledge. I am not doing this because I feel like we need a pat on the back or recognition for what we were able to accomplish. I am simply posting this number so that everyone can see how amazing this class is and what you can accomplish by simply following Dave's seven baby steps:

1 - Put $1000 in an Emergency Fund
2- Pay off All Debt Using the Debt Snowball
3- Put 3-6 Months Expenses in an Emergency Fund
4- Invest 15% of your Income into IRAs and Retirement Plans
5- Save for your Children's College Educations
6- Pay Off Your Home Early
7- Build Wealth and GIVE!!!

I STRONGLY encourage everyone to pick up one of Dave Ramsey's books (you can get one on Amazon for $2-3) and if you are ready to change your life forever, enroll in Financial Peace University NOW!!! The next class at Prairie Lakes Church starts on June 1st and you can find out more information here. (You DO NOT need to be a member of PLC or even an attendee - anyone is welcome to take this class!) You can also go here to find a class near you.

Here it is - what you've all been waiting for! In 13 weeks, this is what we were able to do with our money:

Total put into Emergency Fund: $1000.00
Total put into Savings: $1500.00

Total Debt Paid Off (Since Feb. 1st, 2009) = $10,512.35

Now...... who is ready to sign up???? If you have any questions or need any advice, please e-mail or leave your comments!

Super Score at Walgreens and CVS!

Since we were in Cedar Falls last night for class, we decided to stop at Walgreens and CVS for a couple of quick deals. I am super-excited about our finds! Check out our deals and then read on to find out why the stop was an even sweeter deal!

Walgreens:
In order to get each Ecotrin to print out a $2 register reward, I had to do this transaction a total of 6 times. Also, since the asprin was only $2 and the coupon was for $2.25, I had to have a filler item that was at least $.25 (my kids will love these crackers!):

Transactions #1-6
1- Ecotrin Asprin, on sale for $2.00
1- Mac&Cheese crackers, $.25
-used (1) Ecotrin $2.25/1 printable
Total = $.14 (this is the tax amount for the Ecotrin)
Paid = $.14 cash
Received $12 in Register Rewards!!! (I will use these later in the week to purchase the Pull-Ups that they have on sale. When combined with (2) $3/1 manufacturer coupons, I will get two packages of Pull-Ups for FREE and get a $2 Register Reward - Woo Hoo!!!!)

Transaction #7
1- gallon skim milk, $2.21
1- Ecotrin asprin, $2.00
-used (1) Ecotrin $2.25/1 printable
6- cans Campbells chicken noodle soup, $1.39
-used Walgreens in-ad coupon, $.59/can (took off a total of $4.46)
-used $1/2 printable (using both coupons made each can ONLY $.09!)
Total = $2.64
Paid = $2.64 on my Walgreens gift card ($0 out of pocket)
Received $2 Register Reward

So how could this deal get even sweeter you ask? Well, last week I was there to pick up some Post Trail Mix crunch which was on sale for $2.50 and I had a $2/1 printable, making it just $.50 a box. I had read that if you purchased five boxes, it would print out a $5 RR. They only had four boxes, so I put a box of Fruity Pebbles in there with it (same manufacturer). The items rang up and I paid, but it did not print out the register reward. Wanting to get the best deal that I could, I asked if I could just return the items and wait to see if I could get the deal to work later in the week or at a different store. The manager was very nice about it, but she was having a hard time doing the return (since I had used coupons I guess it complicated it a bit). We needed to get to class, so she told me to take the cereal with me and she would call me as soon as she knew how to do the return and then we could come back after class and do the return. She called and left a message for me while we were in class, but at that point, we decided that $4.50 for 5 boxes of cereal was still a good deal and we headed home. Well, last night she just so happened to be working again, saw me and said, "I have something for you!" After we checked out, she walked up to me and apologized for the inconvenience of last week's transaction and handed me back all four of my coupons that I had used PLUS the $4.50 that I had paid for the cereal!!!! I kindly thanked her, but explained to her that we had taken the cereal with us and that she didn't need to do that! She insisted and said that the store manager also insisted since last week's transaction had taken quite a bit of our time. Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE THAT WALGREENS?!?! I will be writing an e-mail to their corporate office today giving that store and manager Laree high praises!

CVS:
4- Trail Mix Crunch Cereal, $2.50 (sale price)
-used (4) $2.00/1 printable
Total = $2.00 (just $.50 a box!)

What deals are you planning to get this week??? Share them here!

Dave Ramsey's Town Hall For Hope

In case you missed it last night, Passionate Homemaking did a live blog-post about Dave Ramsey's Town Hall for Hope broadcast last night. (This was broadcast at churches around the country as well as on CNN Business (I think)). Anyway, one of the churches in our town actually hosted this last night but with three little kids and our favorite TV night (lame excuse, I know!) we decided not to go. After reading this blog post, I REALLY WISH that I would have been there. Here were some of the notes that she took while listening to Dave address the current state of the economy:

8:13 PM - Dave is “reading a different book” than most economists. He doesn’t believe that the government is what/who is going to “turn this thing around.”

8:19 PM - Dave is a believer in capitalism, NOT the abuse of capitalism. Business owners are to serve their customers, as opposed to draining them of their money.

8:22 PM - If you don’t serve your customers well, your business should close. You should not be bailed out. The idea that that people/businesses shouldn’t experience pain is not right. Sometimes life is not fair and sometimes it hurts. “We desperately need to love people enough to allow them to fail.” “Failure will run you towards excellence.”

8:23 PM - If you can’t fail, there’s no need to do your best. A little desperation is good for the soul.

8:27 PM - Americans need to relearn the word “NO.”

8:28 PM - Americans also need to take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Make things happen.

8:29 PM - Work like it depends on you. Pray like it depends on God. You can pray while you’re working.

8:31 PM - The diligent prosper.

8:32 PM - Is this our generation’s great depression? - Dave hopes it is, because the people of that era were permanently changed in the way they relate to money. This is no where near the great depression, nor is it even the worst recession since. For the individual, “You’re either 100% employed or 100% unemployed.” Statistics are irrelevant. Right now, though despite only 3% of American’s losing their jobs, half of American workers are afraid they will. We’ve got to stop the hysteria.

8:40 PM - Where can we invest other than the stock market? - Dave says 100% of the 15 year periods in the stock market there has been a profit. The market is artificially low right now. Don’t invest for spring, invest for the long term. Patience during a recession is a major thing. Dave continues to invest in the market, because he believes that excellent companies will be worth more in 15 years than they are today. Do you really believe they’re worth 1/2 of what they were last year at this time? Dave doesn’t - he believe it’s artificially low because of fear. It’s a blue light special for the investor.

8:43 PM - When will the value of my home rebound? - Dave doesn’t know, but believes the housing market will bring us out of this recession. We have extremely low interest rates right now AND houses are on sale everywhere. Foreclosure stats: 60% of the foreclosures happened in 5 states, there are some problem states. It’s not everywhere, it’s localized. Things are stuck, because fear is being bred in the media. These things are driven by fear, but real estate will rebound. It’s the best time to buy a house, but don’t buy one if you’re broke!

8:50 PM - At nearly 30, how do I begin to save money for retirement and education for my 2 year old son? Order of attack - Baby steps - 1) Get $1000 in the bank 2) Pay off all debt 3) Finish up your emergency fund 4) Invest with someone who has the heart of a teacher, NOT a salesperson.

8:52 PM - How do I know my money is safe at my bank? Dave doesn’t do business with big banks. He recommends with small banks and credit unions. Somewhere he can get his hands around someone’s neck.

8:57 PM - Should we still not invest in gold? Dave says - gold is a lousy investment! It’s sold on late night and makes you look like an idiot. Gold has not been used as a medium of exchange in a failed economy since the Roman empire. A barter based economy is what comes out of a completely failed economy. Gold can be the standard, but it has no intrinsic value. AND - it’s at a high right now. You want to invest by buying low. Gold is a lousy investment.

8:59 PM - Think outside the box! Look it up for yourself! Think for yourself. We the people are the healing agent of the economy. Not the government.

9:07 PM - What actions should we take now towards retirement? Dave says - don’t panic and get silly. That’s when you get conned. Be slow and steady. In the Tortoise and the Hare, every time the tortoise wins. Go slow and steady. Get out of debt. Get your emergency fund in place. If you’re over 50, you can supersize your IRA investments.

9:12 PM - When will the job rate get better? Dave doesn’t know. Job loss is the symptom not the cause of the economic problem. When the economy gets better, jobs will be created. Making up jobs will not fix this. The bad news is, if you’re unemployed traditional work is going to be difficult to find. BUT you have to get your chin up. Your attitude is important going into interviews. Don’t wait on the economy to get better. Rethink your career track. This is your opportunity to fly and be free. If you can adjust your attitude, you can adjust your altitude. Spread your wings and fly. Is it scary? Yes! Start flapping your wings!

9:14 PM - How close are we to a cashless society? With the government in its current state many people are panicking and thinking doomsday thoughts. The day of the Lord’s return is not known by any man. While you are here, until then - those who plow should do so in hope. Keep plowing.

What to do if you’re struggling with hope:

1. GET UP! TAKE ACTION! GET MOVING! Don’t be at home watching Oprah. Get out there! There’s a great place to go when you’re broke: To work! It’s an ATTITUDE! Activity is going to be your answer. Be proactive. Happen to things! Don’t let things just happen to you.
2. Don’t participate in loser talk! Your income will be within 10% of the average income of your closest 10 friends. Be careful what you listen to. The books you read and the people you meet will make all the difference. Be a reader. Don’t have the “spirit of Eeyore.” Fill your brain with good stuff. “I read the Bible and read the newspaper, so I can tell what both sides are doing.” - Zig Ziglar.
3. Begin to give again! If not your money, your time. Go serve - nursing homes and soup kitchens are a good place to start. Get your eyes off of yourself. This will help restore your hope.

If we as churches and individuals get our acts together, WE THE PEOPLE could “GIVE” the government right Out of Business.

“Hope is in the nailed scarred hands of Jesus!”

If you haven't done so already, I STRONGLY URGE you to pick up a book by Dave Ramsey. You can find one on Amazon.com for as little as $2 or $3 dollars! Michael and I are in our last week of his 13 week course, Financial Peace University. The average class at our church that has taken this course has paid off over $5700 in debt and saved $2500!!! In just 13 weeks! If you know Michael and I, you know that we are both pretty competitive, right? You will NEVER guess what our TOTAL DEBT PAID is!!! I almost didn't believe it when we tallied up the numbers the other night! On Monday, our last night of class, I am going to post how much we have paid off and how much we have saved......any guesses???? Trust me, you are ALL going to want to take this class when you find out!

Great Post by Hip 2 Save!

I just wanted to share this post by my favorite blogger, Hip 2 Save! Seems fitting since some of us have been treated pretty poorly this week for using coupons! Read on for some inspiring words....

My thoughts on the Coupon World!

Southern Savers has taken the time to write some excellent posts on how to use coupons correctly, the coupon redemption process and the list goes on! I have learned so much from what she has written and actually feel more empowered now walking in to a store with my coupon binder in tow! I feel that the more knowledgeable we are in this area, the more confident we will be.

I remember when I first started out couponing. I was so timid and nervous. My hands would be shaky and sweaty as I handed over my coupons. If the coupon beeped I'd almost have a heart attack. I'm sure you get the picture. Anyway, my point is that I wasn't that knowledgeable about coupons at the time and whatever a cashier said I believed.

When you start using coupons on a regular basis it can be in a way like a part time job. In my opinion, though, it's definitely a fun part time job and the added benefit is that it also pays like one... possibly even more! Coupons ARE like cash! When you use a $1 coupon you're putting $1 back in your pocket. You are paying yourself. Think how fast that can add up.

If you're a newbie couponer, then know this: You HAVE to learn it all, like reading a book. It takes time and practice, but once you get the hang of it--there is NO turning back. It will be smoothing sailing from there... at least for the most part!:) You'll feel so confident and empowered. If you are a stay at home mom you'll still be providing for your family! You just can't beat that. What a rewarding career to have. Yes, career!

If you're new to the whole couponing world and even if you're not- go check out all the wonderful posts Southern Savers has written. You'll be amazed at all the great information you'll come away with!

My Weekly Shopping Trip....with Three Kids in Tow!

So I decided to give grandma a break this week and see if I could do this whole day-long, super-couponing shopping trip with all three kids in tow. I'm not going to sugar-coat it and say it was all rainbows and butterflies, but we managed fairly well. The hardest part about this was that I went to SIX different stores, and it is a challenge trying to get three little kiddos across the parking lots and into the stores safely. You know how this goes, right? I say, "Hold hands." They say, "We don't want to hold hands" or "She's not holding my hand right" or "He's walking too fast"....the list of responses could go on. (Anybody know when this ends?) After four stores, we took a break and met Dad for the Pizza Hut lunch buffet to re-group and re-energize. The kids enjoyed a special lunch out (not something we do often) and we were able to finish up by mid-afternoon...just in time for the boys to catch a snooze on the ride home. Check out the pictures and comments below to see how we did!
Walgreens:
2- Trail Mix Crunch Cereal, $2.50 (sale price)
-used (2) $2.00/1 printable
1- Peter Pan Peanut Butter, $1.79 (clearance price)
-used (1) $1/1 MFC found in May All You! magazine

Total = $1.79 (put on my Walgreens Rebate Gift Card, so $0.00 out of pocket for me today!)


Fareway:
1- white bread, $.99 (I'm going to try and make my own croutons with this?!?!)
3- bananas (Glad that is all I got! Just you wait......), $.64
3-Fastco cottage cheese, $.99 each
2- Fastco frozen peas, $.88

Total = $6.36


Aldi's:
1 - bag of oranges, $1.99
1- bag of apples, $2.49
1-box cheese crackers, $1.29
1- jug cranberry juice, $1.99
2- cheese slices, $.99 each
10- bags of bananas, $.29 each!!!! You may be wondering WHY I would buy so many bananas, but my kids LOVE them! Most of them still look pretty good and we will eat a few before they go bad, but then I will let them get all brown and gross looking and then freeze them to use later. My kids LOVE banana bread, banana muffins and strawberry banana smoothies!

Total = $12.58

Hy-Vee:
4- jars spaghetti sauce, $.68 each
1- 2lb. bag baby carrots, $1.77
1- light sour cream, $.58
-used (1) Hy-Vee coupon found in weekly ad

Total = $5.07

Target: The big-daddy of the day! (Notice my little helper in the pic - she helped carry in and put away ALL of the groceries when we got home!)

Transaction #1:
Purchased 6 Glade Soy Candles, $5.99
-used (6) $4/1 printable (Sorry - these are all gone now!)
Total= $13.41
-Received (3) $5 Target gift cards (weekly special: buy 2 candles, get a $5 gift card)

Transaction #2:
Purchased 2 Cottonelle 24 Double Roll Packs, $12.79 each
-used (2) $1/1 MFC (got one in May All You! magazine and one in the mail)
-you can find a $.50/1 coupon here (should be able to print twice)

Total = $25.02
-Paid with $15 in gift cards and $10.02 cash
-Received $5 Target Gift Card (another special, buy 2, get a $5 gift card)

Transaction #3:
5- Huggies wipes, $1.99 on sale
-used (1) $.75/1 printable (no longer available)
-used (4) $1/1 printable (no longer available)
-you can find a $.50/1 coupon here
1- Pampers wipes, $1.99 on sale
-used (1) $1.50/1 MFC (not sure where I got this one)
4- Johnsons Buddies, $.97
-used (4) $.75/1 Target coupons
2- Nabisco Teddy Grahams, $1.52
-used (2) $1/1 Target coupons
4- Fiber One bars (small, by registers) $1.03
-used (4) $1.35/1 printable ($1.28 money maker!)
6- Market Pantry fruit snacks (small, by registers), $.89
-used (6) $1/1 Target coupons ($.66 money maker!)
2- Dole spinach, $1.99
-used (2) $1/1 Target coupons
3- Dole lettuce, $1.69
-used (3) $1/1 Target coupons
4- A1 steak sauce, $2.09
-used (2) $2/1 printable (no longer available online, but it was in PDF format so I could e-mail it to you - just ask!)
12- Kraft Easy Mac cups, $.77
-used (6) $1/2 printable (no longer available)
-tried to use (6) $1/2 Target coupons, but the cashier wouldn't let me.
4- Yoplait Go-Gurts, $2.00 on sale (This was Macy's choice for treats at school today)
-used (2) $1/2 printable

Total before coupons = $63.41
Total coupons = $43.75
Total after coupons = $19.66
Used $5.00 Gift card from Transaction #2, paid $14.66 cash

As I mentioned before, the cashier wouldn't let me use my $1/2 coupons for the Easy Mac cups. I had a long line behind me and three impatient children, so I went ahead and got them. These are not something that I would normally buy, but because they were supposed to be free after coupons, OF COURSE I would pick them up! I politely went to customer service to ask why I couldn't use the coupons and told them that if I in fact couldn't use the coupons, that I would simply return the Easy Mac and be refunded the $6.00. Well of course she had to call over a manager and who do you think it happened to be? That's right....my best manager friend ever (the one who first yelled at me, then last week told me they changed their coupon policy back). I'm pretty sure she was not excited to see me, but after I was VERY POLITE to her and explained to her why they SHOULD accept these coupons, and if she would not, that was fine, but I would be returning them, she AGREED to let me use them! Cha-ching! Free Easy Mac for the Roberts kiddos!!!! She then POLITELY (but I'm pretty sure she was fuming inside) handed me back over $6.00. So, my New total for transaction #3 - $8.66!!!! - NOT BAD, huh?????

Another note: High dollar coupons, like the $4/1 Glade or the $4/1 Knox that I mentioned in a previous post, go VERY QUICKLY - sometimes in a day or two!!! Also, diaper and wipes coupons go REALLY FAST, so get yours printed right away!

Let me know how you did this week and what deals you were able to come up with!

Leaving Comments on this Site

It has been brought to my attention (by my loving husband) that it is a real pain in the REAR to leave comments on this site. I have taken care of the issue, and now you should be able to just leave an anonymous comment or simply type in your name in order to comment....no more Wordpress or Google accounts or whatever it was asking you all to do before. So...no pressure on my loyal readers, but I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS! (This way I know that people other than Michael, myself and my dear friend Cortney are reading this!) Thanks everyone!

Walgreens - 15% off Coupon , Today Only!

To celebrate Earth Day, Walgreens is offering a free reusable tote and 15% off coupon here. Pair this coupon with some of this week's top deals listed here and SAVE some GREEN today!

FREE Glade Candles Plus Small Money Maker at Target

Use the $4/1 Glade The Fragrance Collection printable at Target to actually earn money on your purchase!

Through 5/11 when you purchase two Glade Fragance Collection Soy Candles (4.9-oz.) at $5.79 each, you’ll receive a $5 Target gift card.

Buy (2) Glade The Fragrance Collection Candle, $5.79 ea.
Use (2) $4/1 Glade The Fragrance Collection printable
Get $5 Target gift card wyb 2
Better than FREE after coupons and GC!

I am then going to take my $15 in Target GC's (we have three computers to print from, so I can do this transacation three times to earn $15 in gift cards) and purchase two mega packs of Cottonelle toilet paper (plus I have two $1.00/1 MFCs) to earn another $5 GC that I will put towards my grocery items that I purchase this week. This should make for some VERY CHEAP toilet paper and almost free groceries! Yippee!!

I Showed You Mine, Now You Show Me Yours!

I'd love to hear about the deals that you all have been getting! If you have pictures, that would be great too! Leave a comment below and tell me what you have found or what you plan to get this week!

I LOVE SWAGBUCKS!

Have you guys heard about Swagbucks yet? It is my new favorite way to search the web. It is so simple to use and the best part is that it is powered by Google and Ask.com, so you get great search results! Here is how it works: You search the Internet through the Swagbucks site (like you would anyway) and randomly throughout the day, you will win swagbucks. These "bucks" can be redeemed for tons of cool things like Amazon gift cards, Target gift cards, electronics, mp3 downloads and MORE! Once you get started, you can invite your friends to join and guess what? When they win "bucks" so do you! Do you see how this thing can really snowball? I've heard of people earning $200 a month in Amazon gift cards just by searching through Swagbucks! (This would be a great way to purchase Christmas or birthday gifts without going broke!) There are lots of other ways to earn "bucks" as well. Just go here to sign up and start winning "bucks"! Our personal goal is to build up enough swagbucks to purchase a new computer! How great would that be? A FREE COMPUTER!!! What are you waiting for? Get Swagbucking!

Walgreens Deals 4/19 - 4/25

One a Day Multi-Vitamin Drink Mix (2 ct) $1.49
$1.49 EasySaver Rebate #1
Purchase 3 One A Day Multi-Vitamin Drink Mix (2 ct) $1.49 each
Total=$4.47
Use the $4/2 coupon from the 3/22SS
Pay .47 + tax
Get back a $1.49 EasySaver Rebate
Final cost FREE + a $1 profit!
**The reason you'll only use one $4/2 coupon is to keep the register from beeping. If you just purchase 2 your total wouldn't cover the $4 coupon and so the register would beep.

Select Hershey's Bagged Candy (8.5-9.13 oz.) 4 for $10
Get a $5 EasySaver Rebate when you purchase 4 bags
Final cost ONLY 1.25 per bag!

Hershey’s Bliss Chocolates 2 for $7
Purchase 4 for a total of $14
Use $1/2 Walgreens EasySaver coupon (will take off $2)
Plus use 4 $1 coupons from the 3/1SS
Or from here
Pay $8
Get back a $5 EasySaver Rebate
Final cost ONLY .75 per bag!

Physicians Formula Organics Wear 40% off
Buy $10 and get a $10 EasySaver Rebate
Look for $5 Organics Wear Tear pad coupons found at Walgreens
Or use the $1 coupon from the 3/22SS

Deal Scenario:
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer $12.99
Minus the 40% of sale=$7.79
Purchase 2 for a total of $15.58
Use 2 $5 Tear pad coupons
Pay $5.58
Get back a $10 EasySaver rebate
Final cost 2 for FREE, plus a $4+ moneymaker!

Printer Cartridge Refill $10
Get $7.50 back with Easysaver Rebate #28 (on 1)
Final cost $2.50!

Aveeno Nourish Hair Care 2/$13=$3RR (on 2)
Use the $2 coupon from here or here-IE or Firefox
Final cost $3 each!

Mitchum Deodorant $2.99=$2RR
Use the .75 coupon from the 3/22SS
Final cost .24!

Pledge multi-surface Cleaner 2/$7=$1RR (on 2)
Use the $2 coupons from here
Or the $1.25 coupon from the 2/22SS
Final cost $1 per cleaner!

7-up, A&W, Canada Dry, Hawaiian Punch, Sunkist 12 packs 3 for $11=$5RR (on 3)
Use this $1 7-up coupon from here (will have to plant a cherry tree)
Final cost as low as 3 for $3, ONLY $1 per 12 pack!

Claritin (24 ct. liquid gels or 30 ct. tablets) $19.99=$5RR
Use the $4 coupon from the 4/5SS
Final cost $10.99!

Tums Dual Action (25 ct) $7.99=$3RR
Use the $3 coupon from here or the 3/22SS
Final cost $1.99!

Chapstick 100 % Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter, .15 oz, are on a Megasaver sale all month long for $1.99
Purchase 1=$2 Register Reward
Final cost FREE!

Select Edge & Skintimate Shaving Gel $2.99=$3RR
Final cost FREE!

Reach Toothbrush or floss .99 after in ad coupon
Use the $1.50/2 or $3/3 coupon from the 3/15SS
Final cost as low as FREE!

Natures Bounty products, buy one get one free
Use the $2 coupon from here, IE or Firefox
Or the $1 coupon from the 3/1 or 3/8RP

Deal Scenario:
Nature's Bounty Original Papaya Enzyme $3.59
Purchase two for a total of $7.18
Minus bogo sale=$3.59
Use two $2 coupons from here
Final cost FREE, plus a .41 moneymaker!

Mentos Gum is on a MegaSaver month long sale, priced at 2/$2
You will NEED to purchase 2 or else the price will be $1.49 per pack
Use two $1 coupons from the 3/1SS
Final cost 2 packs for FREE!

FREE Glade Soy candles
Check out this post for details!

Just For Men hair care products on sale for $6.49
Use the $2 coupons from here
Plus use $1.50 Easysaver coupon (on pg 11)
Pay $2.99
Plus submit for the free after rebate
Final cost FREE, plus a $3.50 moneymaker

Bic Multi-Purpose Lighter $2.50
Use the $1 coupon from here
Final cost $1.50!

Bic Soleil or Comfort 3 Disposable $4.99
Use the $1 EasySaver coupon
Plus use the $2 coupon from the 4/19SS
Final cost $1.99!

Revlon Cosmetics-buy one get one FREE
Prices starting at $4.79
Use the $2 coupons from the 3/15SS
Final cost as low as 2/.79!

Post Trail Mix Crunch Cereal $2.50
Use the $2 coupon from here
Final cost .50!

Johnson’s Body Care $3.99
Use the $2 coupon from the 4/19SS
Final cost $1.99!

Dawn Dish Detergent .99 with in ad coupon
Use the .25 coupon from the 4/5PG
Final cost .74!

Angel Soft (12 rolls) 2 for $6 with in ad coupon
Use the $1 coupon from Coupons.com
(Type in this Zip Code if the coupon doesn't show up: 85219)
Final cost $2 for each 12 pk-that equals out to just .17 per roll!

Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Cream (25% off) $3.97
Use the $2 coupon from the 2/8RP
Final cost $1.97!

Nature Valley Bars 2 for $4
Use the .50 coupon from the 3/8SS
Final cost $1.50 per box!

L'Oreal Excellence To Go Hair Color $8.99
Use the $2 EasySaver coupon
Plus use the $3 coupon from the 2/22 or 4/19SS
Final cost $3.99!

Lindt's Truffles $2.99
Use the $1 coupon from here, IE or Firefox
Or from the 2/1SS
Final cost $1.99!

Tums Quik Pak $3.99 with in ad coupon
Use the $2.25 coupon from here
Final cost $1.74!

(Thanks to Hip 2 Save for compiling this list!)

Attention Pet Owners: $8 Hills Pet Food Coupon!

Go here to print off two $8.00/1 coupons, good for any bag or case of cans of any Hill's product!
(Thanks Cortney!)

Knox Coupons - BIG Money Maker!

If you want to know how I am able to get my Walmart bill SO LOW at times, it is because of coupons like these! You can go here (print off twice) and here (must register, can print once) to print off coupons for $4.00/1 Knox product. You can find Knox gelatin packets at Walmart (by the Jello and pudding) for $1.32 each. Use a $4.00/1 coupon and you get $2.68 overage for each box that you purchase! If you want to get really crazy, you can find these coupons for sale on eBay, but I think they expire on 4/30/09, so make sure you buy them and use them ASAP!

Glucerna: High Value Coupons!!!

I printed these off a while ago, but I am pretty sure that they are still available. Glucerna is a diabetic cereal and can be found in the pharmacy section at Walmart with their other diabetic foods. The best part? It costs $3.94/box at my Walmart and the coupon is for $10.00 off two, so not only is it free, but you actually end up with overage!! You can also submit your receipts to Caregivers Marketplace to send in for $1 per box rebate by mail. This is a great money maker and it tastes great too! Cost for two boxes of cereal = $7.88, minus one $10/2 coupon = $2.12 overage, plus $2.00 in rebates. On two boxes you can actually MAKE $4.12! (Don't forget, you can print this coupon off twice, so you can actually MAKE $8.24 by buying four boxes of cereal!)

To print off the $10 coupons, follow these directions EXACTLY:

• Go here and click on Join Now in the upper right hand corner
• Enter your personal details-Make sure to type CATALINA in the promo code box
• Where it says "Are you ready to set up your Customized Meal & Exercise Plan?" be sure to choose "Yes, I'll Set It Up Now"
• Click "Create Account"
• Enter details on this page and click on "Calculate Body Mass"
• Make sure to select "lose Weight" for the option and click "NEXT"
• Fill in the required details and click on 'FINISH"
• Click on "Return to your personalized home page."
• You should now see the $10 Glucerna coupon link.
• Click on the image and you can choose to print the coupon or have it emailed to you.
• Remember to press your browser back button to print a total of two coupons.
  

(Thanks to Hip 2 Save! for posting these directions!)

For yet another Glucerna coupon, head on over here to find a $5.00/1 coupon. All you have to do is fill out some information and then you can print this baby off! (Remember to hit your back arrow after it prints the first time and then it should print off a second coupon for you as well!) Did I mention that this cereal is REALLY GOOD? Now go and get your coupons and make yourself some money!

By Popular Demand: How I Get the Deals That I Get

Okay, so from what I'm gathering, people who are reading this blog want to know exactly HOW I get my totals down so low. I had no idea that so many people would be interested in learning how to coupon, but the response has been amazing and I am thrilled to help as many people as I can! I am going to show you how I got my totals so low this week and then early next week, I will try and post some store sales and coupon match-ups so that you guys can put together your own shopping lists. Here is what I got at Target on Thursday and HOW I used coupons and sales to score some great deals:

5 - Market Pantry fruit snacks (small packages by register), $.89 - used five $1.00/1 Target coupons found here. = FREE (You can print off as many of these online Target coupons as you want.)
7 - Johnson's Buddies Soaps, $.97 - used seven $.75/1 Target coupons found here. = $.22 each
2- Dole Salad, $1.69 - used two $1.00/1 Target coupons found here. = $.69 each
2- Suave Kids Hair Detangler, $1.78 - used one $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon = $2.74 for two
6-A1 steak sauce, $2.09 - used 6 $2.00/1 manufacturer coupons = $.09 each
4-Nature Valley Granola bars, (small box by register) on clearance for $.74 - used four $.60/1 printable coupon (no longer available) = $.14 each
2-Yo-Plus yogurt, on sale for $1.50 - used 2 $1.00/1 printables (no longer available) = $.50 each
3-Tuna Creations packets, on sale for $1.33 each - used 3 $1.00/1 manufacturer coupons from the March All You! Magazine (these are found exclusively at Walmart and contain LOTS of great coupons every month - definitely worth $2.24) = $.33 each

As you can see, I am constantly keeping my eyes open for items that are on sale and then going through my coupons to see if I might have a coupon to match up with that sale. That is how you get stuff REALLY CHEAP or even FREE!

My Day-Long Shopping Extravaganza

I had one of THE BEST SHOPPING DAYS EVER!!! I shopped at 3 Walgreens stores, 2 CVS stores, Walmart, Target and Hy-Vee and man, did I find some GREAT deals! Before I start, let me just tell you that the cashiers at the Thunder Ridge CVS store and the Thunder Ridge Walgreens in Cedar Falls are so helpful and are some of the nicest people in town! Thank you, thank you, thank you to those two stores!!! Check out these pictures and the deals that I was able to find today!

CVS:
Total before coupons: $53.58
Total coupons used: $36.61
Total after coupons: $16.97
(I paid for the pop and can deposit and tax on the detergent and Softsoap - otherwise the detergent and soap were completely FREE!)

Walgreens:
Total before coupons: $67.73
Total coupons used: $53.00
Total spent: $14.73
(Almost everything was on clearance. According to my Walgreens receipts, I saved $197.76 off the original retail prices of these items!)

Hy-Vee:
Total Before Coupons: $31.13
Total coupons: $8.62
Total spent: $22.51


Target:
Total before coupons: $41.51
Total coupons used: $33.32
Total spent: $8.19


Walmart:
Total before coupons: $69.54
Total coupons and rebate: $72.44
Total spent: I MADE $2.90!


Grand Totals for the Day:

Total before coupons and rebates: $263.49

Total coupons and rebates: $203.99
Total spent: $61.60
Is this not reason enough to start using coupons?!?!?!?!?!?!

Target and The Ever-Changing Coupon Policy!

Okay...so you all read about how I did SEVEN transactions on Saturday right? It took me two and a half hours! Well, I was there today (Waterloo Target store) and the manager (who was very snippy with me two weeks ago) apparently recognized me (Oh my- I am THAT lady now! You know, the one that when I walk in the door, the manager and cashiers all think, "Oh....I hope I don't get that coupon lady...she is so annoying!) Anyway, she recognized me and came over to let me know that the store manager had decided that it was too much work for the cashiers to do multiple transactions, (somebody tried to tell them that.....) so they are now letting us use MULTIPLE Target coupons in just one transaction! Yippeeee!!! That will make my life a LOT easier and my trips MUCH shorter!

FREE LAUNDRY DETERGENT!!!

When I hear about a deal like this, I've just got to share!!! If you're like me, then you cringe at having to pay five or six or MORE dollars for that laundry detergent every few weeks. Well not today! If you go to coupons.com and enter zip code 44514, you will see a coupon for Purex, buy one, get one free. After you print the coupon once, hit your back arrow and you should be able to print it off a second time. It is on sale this week at CVS, buy one, get one free, so by combining the store sale and your coupon, you should be able to get two for FREE!!! (If you use both of your coupons, that is four for FREE!!!) I LOVE deals like this!!! Remember to check back later as I've got some big deals planned for Walmart, Hy-Vee and Walgreens this afternoon!

Quick? Walmart Stop

What started off as a quick stop ended up taking much longer than usual (doesn't it always take longer than usual at Walmart?) Anyway, what started off as a tiny list - 3 items - turned into 19 items! Not to worry....I had enough coupons to get 19 items for $6.31. Oh wait....I was overcharged! That's right, check your receipts before you leave the store because ALMOST ALWAYS I find that I was overcharged for something! After visiting customer service for a price adjustment (on three out of 19 items) my total was brought down to just $4.85!!



Here is what we got:

2 -Mission tortilla chips - 1.15 ea.
4 - Fresh strawberries...yummmm!!!! - 1.18 ea.
4- Knox gelatin - free plus $2.72 overage on each one!
1- Turkey lunch meat - 3.57 ea.
1 - Bologna lunch meat - 1.98 ea.
3 - Glucerna cereal - free plus 1.06 overage on each one (plus I will get $3 in rebates for these)
1- Bakery rolls - 1.50 on sale
2- whole wheat sandwhich bread - 1.47 each
1- All You! magazine (has TONS of coupons in it!) - 1.74 ea.

Total before coupons = $38.19
Total after coupons and rebate = $1.85
Total saved = $36.34

Target Deals!

Well, I knew that Target had some great deals to be had, so Macy and I headed out on Saturday to see what we could find! (Luckily daddy and the boys stayed behind, because this was one LONG trip!) As we pulled into the parking lot at Target, it was very clear that EVERYONE had left their Easter shopping until the last minute. Since it was the first nice day in a long time, we decided to park way at the end...you know...by the round-a-bout thingies....I'm talking all the way out! Deciding that I was unwilling to be hassled by any cashier about using multiple coupons in a transaction, I filled up my cart, separated all of the items into SEVEN transactions, put one transaction in a basket, parked the cart in the women's underwear section, and set out to complete my first transaction. Macy and I paid for it, carried it out to the car and returned to our cart to load up another basket full. We continued this pattern until all seven transactions had been paid for and carried out to the car. Two and a half hours later, one red slushie, a Dt. Pepsi and two pretzels later, we were finished!!! (The slushie and pretzel is worth every penny to keep a four year old happy for a 2 and a half hour long shopping trip!)



Here is what we got:

6-Pledge multi-surface sprays - .39 each
6-Cheetos (small bags by register) -.29 each
6-M.P. Artisan bread loaves - free
6-M.P. Fruit snacks (small, by registers) - free
4- Dole bagged lettuce - .69 each
2- Dozen eggs - .99 each
3 - Natures source cleaners - 1.19 each
2 - All 3X laundry detergent - 1.54 each
4 - All 3X laundry detergent - 2.54 each
3 - Hershey's Bliss chocolates - .99 each
1 - large bunch of bananas - 2.50 each
3 - gallons skim milk - 2.29 each
8 - Dry Idea deoderants - free
2 - Fiber One granola bars (small by register ) - .03 each
1- Texas toast croutons - .57
5 - A1 steak sauce (small bottle) - .09 each
1- Gillette Power razor - .92 each
1- Gillette shaving gel - .92 each

Total before coupons = $143.42
Total after coupons = $47.22
Total saved = $98.70