Free Items at Albertsons!!

Albertsons has a couple of sales this week (through Tuesday March 23) that will get you free products IF you have the correct coupons.

Suave Women's Deodorant...on sale for $1
$0.50 off coupon (found in last week's newspaper)
This coupon will be doubled.
Final price: FREE!!

Steamfresh Vegetables (Select Varieties)...on sale for $1
$0.50 off coupon (supposed to be in tomorrow's newspaper)
This coupon will be doubled.
Final price: FREE!!

Keep in mind that if you have specific brands of deodorants or foods that you use, it would still be a great idea to pick these products up. You will get them for FREE, and you can donate them to friends, families, churches, food banks, etc. Or give your coupons to friends and let them know about the sales, so they can take advantage of FREE stuff!!

A friend's trip to Target

Yesterday I met one of my friends at Target to try to help her find some good deals. She has used coupons in the past, but is just now getting back into the habit of shopping with them. We found some great deals. She bought everything pictured below, and spent...


$25...AND she received a $5 gift card that she can use on her next trip to Target. She saved over $128.00 by combining coupons with in store sales and promotions!!

I'm not sure of every single coupon that was used, but I'll try to match them up to the best of my knowledge, so you can see if you have any coupons that will score you free/cheap deals at Target!!

4 boxes of cereal 4 for $10 (plus you get a $5 gift card when you buy 4)
minus $1.50 off any 3 Kellogg's cereals (found at www.target.com)
Spent $8.50 (but received $5 gift card)

2 4 packs of GE Reveal Lightbulbs $2.12 each
minus 2 $1.50 GE Reveal Target coupons (found at www.target.com)
minus 1 $1 GE Reveal manufacturer's coupon
Spent $0.24...$0.12 each

2 Gillette Clinical Strength Deodorant $1.79 each
minus $4 off 2 Gillette Deodorant coupon
FREE plus $0.42 overage

3 Gillette Body Wash $3.54 each
minus 2 Buy Gillette Deodorant get Gillette Body Wash free
and 1 $2 off any Gillette Body Wash coupon
Spent $1.54...$0.51 each

2 Right Guard Deodorants...trial size $0.97 each
minus $2 off 2 Right Guard deodorants found at www.coupons.com
FREE plus $0.06 overage

4 Air Wick Freshmatic Starter Kits $6 (These are regularly priced at $13.99)
minus 2 $1 Air Wick Target coupons (found at www.target.com)
minus 4 $5 Air Wick manufacturer's coupons
Spent $2...$0.50 each

1 Herbal Essence Shampoo $2.99
minus 1 $1 Herbal Essence shampoo coupon
Spent $1.99

1 Herbal Essence Hairspray $2.99
minus 1 Buy Herbal Essence shampoo, get styling product free coupon
FREE

1 Satin Care Shave Gel $0.99
minus 1 $0.55 Satin Care Coupon
Spent $0.44

Johnson and Johnson First Aid Travel Kit $0.99
minus 1 $1 Johnson and Johnson First Aid coupon
FREE plus $0.01 overage

2 boxes of BandAids ($1.77 each) and 1 tube of Neosporin ($3.89)
minus 2 $1 BandAid Target coupons (found at www.target.com)
minus 1 $0.50 BandAid manufacturer's coupon
minus 1 $3 buy Neosporin and BandAid coupon
Spent $1.93...$0.64 each

2 tubs of Betty Crocker Frosting $1.00 each
minus 2 $0.50 Betty Crocker coupons
Spent $1...$0.50 each

1 4-pack Del Monte Fruit Chiller Cups $1.89
minus 1 $1 Fruit Chiller coupon (found at www.coupons.com)
Spent $0.89

3 boxes of Jell-O $0.46 each
minus 1 $1.25 when you buy 3 participating Kraft products coupon
Spent $0.13...about $0.04 each

3 4-pack Snack Pick Pudding cups $0.96 each
minus 1 $1 off 3 Snack Pick Pudding coupon
Spent $1.88...$0.63 each

1 Crest ProHealth Toothpast ($2.99) and 1 Crest ProHealth MouthWash ($2.74)
minus 1 $1.50 off 2 Crest ProHealth products Target coupon
minus $1 off any Crest Toothpaste manufacturer's coupon
minus $2 off any Crest Mouthwash manufacturer's coupon
Spent $1.23...$0.62 each

2 Crest Scope Outlast Toothpastes $2.79 each
minus 2 $1 Crest Toothpaste coupons
Spent $3.58...$1.79 each

If you are just beginning, start clipping coupons and checking ads...before you know it, you'll be able to get some amazing deals as well!!

Great shopping Leta!!

Walgreens Deals (Beginning Sunday March 21)

This is my first attempt to try to match up Walgreens upcoming ads with coupons to try to get you the best deals! It's a bit overwhelming, so please bear with me. Again, I am only going to be listing the best deals that I see, so look through the ad yourself and see if you can find any deals that might work with your coupons!! All the coupons that I mention using will be from past weeks of the newspaper unless otherwise stated.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of good register rewards deals at Walgreens this week. I guess I've been spoiled by all the free (or close to free) items that we've been able to get the last couple of weeks.

Oral care

Colgate MaxFresh or MaxWhite Toothpaste $2.99 and receive a $2 Register Reward.
-Use $1 coupon (found in All You magazine)
-Or $0.75 coupon found at http://www.colgate.com/
Final price: As low as $1.99 PLUS you'll receive $2 register reward (once factoring that in it's like you are getting it for free!!

Crest 3D Mouthwash, toothpaste, or toothbrush 3 for $9 and receive a $3 Register Reward
-Use buy 1 toothbrush, get 1 free coupon
-$1 off Crest Toothpaste coupon
-$0.75 off Crest Toothpaste coupon
Buy 2 toothbrushes and one tube of toothpaste...use B1G1 free coupon and $1 off coupon.
Final price: Pay $5 and get $3 register reward...like getting products for $2 ($0.67 each)

Crest ProHealth Mouthwash $3.99 and receive a $1 Register Reward
-Use $2.00 off Crest Mouthwash coupon
Final price: Pay $1.99 and receive a $1 register reward...like getting it for $0.99

Baby Supplies

Huggies Diapers Jumbo Pack $8.99 (buy 3 and get a $5 Register Reward)
-Use $3 off 1 Huggies diapers coupon from http://www.coupons.com/ (you can print off two)
-Use $3 off 1 Huggies diapers coupon when you become a fan of Huggies on facebook
Final price: Use 3 $3 coupons, Pay $17.97 and receive a $5 register reward...like getting each pack of diapers for $4.32!!

Personal Care Products

Head and Shoulders or Pantene Shampoo $3.99 and receive a $1 Register Reward
-Use $1 off Pantene Shampoo coupon
-Or $1 off Head and Shoulders coupon
Final price: Pay $2.99 and receive a $1 Register Reward...like getting it for $1.99

Tampax/Always Products 2 for $11 and receive a $2 Register Reward
-Use $1 off Tampax coupons
-Or $1 off Always coupons
There are also various $2 coupons, but I'm not certain that they apply to the various products pictured in the ad...you might want to check your local store and see
-Final price: Pay as low as $9 and receive a $2 Register reward...like getting them for $7 (or $3.50 each)

Satin Care/Gillette Fusion Shaving Gel
-Use in ad coupon for 2 for $5
-Also use $1 off Gillette Fusion Shaving Gel coupon
-Or $0.55 off Satin Care coupon
Final price: Pay as low as $3 (for two Gillette shaving gels)...or $1.50 each

Olay Quench Body Lotion $7.99
-get Free Olay Quench In shower Body Lotion (sale Walgreens is doing this week)
-Use $1 off any Olay Body Lotion coupon
-Also use $1 off any Olay In shower lotion coupon
-Final price: $5.99 AND submit for Olay Body Quench Lotion Rebate...get $7.99 back...you'll be getting paid $2 for buying both of these products. (To learn more about this rebate check out my Olay Rebate post).

Gillette, Secret, Or Old Spice Clincal Deodorants $7.99 and receive $2 Register Rewards
-Use $1 off Clinical Strength deodorant coupon
-Or buy Gillette deodorant, get Gillette body wash free coupon
-Or buy Old Spice Pro Strength deodorant, get $4 off another Old Spice Pro Strength deodorant coupon
Final price: Will vary

Cosmetics

Cover Girl Eye Cosmetics Buy One Get One 50% off
-Use Buy one get one free coupon
-Use $1 off Cover Girl make up coupon
Final price: Will vary

Maybelline Products Buy One Get One 50% off
Final price: Will vary

Loreal Buy One Get One 50% off
-Use various coupons from $1 off to $3 off
Final price: Will vary

Medicines

Triaminic or Theraflu $3.99
-Use $1.50 off Theraflu coupon
Final price: $2.49

Ricola Cough Drops
-Use in ad coupon that will make them $0.99
-Use $1.00 off 2 coupons
Final price: $0.98 when you buy 2...or $0.49 each

Vicks NyQuil or DayQuil products $4.49 (If you buy $20 worth of Vicks products you will receive $10 in Register Rewards. If you buy $15 worth of Vicks products, you will receive $5 in Register Rewards).
-Use $1.50 off NyQuil/DayQuil Products coupons
-Use $1.50 off any Vicks Products coupons
Final price: If you only buy 1, it will be $2.99
If you are trying for the Register Rewards, Buy 5 products ($22.45), use 5 $1.50 coupons (takes total down to $14.95). You will receive a $10 Register Reward...after factoring this in, it will be like you are paying $0.99 for each item you purchased.

Advil (I'm not sure what price they begin at)
-Use in ad coupon for $3 off
-Also use $2 off any Advil product
Final price: Not sure, but if you have both of these coupons, you'll be able to subtract $5 off the starting price.

Excedrin 250 ct. (I'm not sure what price they begin at)
-Use in ad coupon for $5.00
-Also use $4 off Excedrin coupon found in the Walgreens March Coupon Book
-Also use $1.50 off Excedrin coupon found in the newspaper
Final price: Not sure, but if you have all three of these coupons, you'll be able to subtract $10.50 off the starting price.

Household

Sun Laundry Detergent $3.49
-Use $0.75 coupon
Final price: $2.74

All Laundry Detergent $3.99
-Use $2 coupon
-Or use $1 coupon
Final price: As low as $1.99

Snuggle Fabric Softener $3.99
-Use $0.75 coupon
Final price: $3.24

Vanity Fair Plates and Napkins Buy 1 Get 1 Free
-Use 2 $0.50 coupons
Final price: Will vary

Hefty One Zip Bags $3.29 Buy 1 Get 1 Free
-Use $1 off 2 coupon
Final price: $2.29 (or $1.15 each)

Groceries

Hershey's or Cadbury Easter Candy 2 bags for $5
-Use $1 off 2 coupon from Walgreens March Coupon Book
-Use $2 off any 3 bags of Hershey's or Cadbury Easter Candy
Buy 6 bags ($15), use $1 off 2 coupon from Walgreens coupon book (If you give the cashier 1 coupon, it will deduct it for all 6 bags...minus $3), also use 2 $2 off 3 bags of candy coupon (minus $4).
Final price: $8...or $1.33 for each bag...Easter is just around the corner, think about all those Easter baskets that you have to fill!!

Select Mars Candy Bars $0.49
-Use Buy 2 Get 1 Free Mars Candy coupon
Buy 3 Mars Candy
Final price: $0.98...or $0.33 each

Jimmy Dean Select Frozen Breakfast Products 2 for $4
-Use $1 off any Jimmy Dean Sandwich item coupon
-Use $0.75 off any Jimmy Dean Breakfast bowls coupon
Final price: As low as $1

Planters Trail Mix 2 for $3
-Use $1 off any 2 coupon from Walgreens March Coupon book
-Use $1.50 off any Planters product coupon (Can print this coupon off when you become a fan of Planters on Facebook...print this coupon off twice!)
Final price: FREE!!

Hunt's Tomato Sauce 8 oz.
-Use in ad coupon for 3 for $1
Final price: $1 or $0.33 each

Target Deal (March 19)

I went to Target with one of my friends today. I went to help her sort through coupons and find some great deals, and of course I left with a couple deals of my own :) I bought everything pictured below, and spent...


$2.03!!

If you have similar coupons, you can do it too!!

2 Gillette Clinical Strength Deodorants ($1.79 each)
-Used coupon for $4 off 2 Gillette body washes or deodorants
Final Cost: FREE plus $0.42 in overage

2 Bottles of Gillette Body Wash ($3.54 each)
-Used 2 coupons for Buy Gillette deodorant get Gillette body wash free
Final Cost: FREE

2 boxes of Kellogg's Fruit Snacks ($1.88 each)
-Used 2 coupons for $1 off Kellogg's fruit snacks
Final Cost: $1.76 ($0.88 each)

1 10 pack of Hi-C Juice Boxes ($1.69 each)
-Used coupon for $1 off Juice Boxes when you purchase 2 boxes of Kellogg's fruit snacks
Final Cost: $0.69

I bought everything pictured above, for about the same price that I would have spent on one box of fruit snacks before coupons. Look through your coupons and see if you can do any similar deals!!

Olay Rebate...Get paid to try products!!

There are several companies that offer rebates on their products from time to time. Olay has been offering some wonderful rebates for the past several months, and they've just come out with a new one.

If you purchase any Olay Quench Body Lotion (except for the trial size) between March 19 and April 16, you can submit for a full rebate on the product. In order to do this deal you must send them your original receipt and fill out the rebate form that is found at:

http://www.olay.com/Club_Olay/march2010/images/Quench_Form_olayhome.pdf

The rebate that you receive will be for the amount you spent BEFORE coupons!! Walgreens is having a wonderful sale this coming week (beginning Sunday) that will turn this into a great deal.

Walgreens deal:
Buy Olay Quench Body Lotion ($7.99) and get Olay Quench In Shower Body Lotion free (this is a $4.99 value).

Use 1 coupon for $1 off any Olay Body Wash or In-shower Body Lotion
Use 1 coupon for $1 off any Olay Quench Hand and Body Lotion
(Both of these coupons were found in the newspaper).

Pay $5.99 (for BOTH products), and submit for the rebate.

You will receive a rebate check for $7.99 (purchase price of body lotion BEFORE coupons). With the rebate it is like you are getting paid $2 to try this product!! (And you are getting another product free from the Walgreens sale!!)

Keep in mind that even without coupons, this is a GREAT deal...after rebate you will get the Olay Quench Body Lotion free, PLUS you've received the Olay Quench In Shower Body Lotion for free from the Walgreens sale...TWO FREE PRODUCTS!!

Diaper Deal at Walgreens starting March 21

Starting Sunday (March 21) Walgreens is running a special sale on Huggies diapers.

Huggies Jumbo Pack diapers will be priced at $8.99 each, and if you buy 3 of them you will receive a $5 register reward.

If you go to www.coupons.com, you will be able to print out a coupon for $3 off any 1 Huggies diapers. This website usually allows you to print each coupon out twice.

You can also become a fan of Huggies on Facebook, and you will be able to print another coupon for $3 off any Huggies.

At Walgreens buy 3 packages of diapers ($8.99 x 3 = $26.97)
minus 3 $3 off 1 coupons mentioned above ($26.97 - $9.00 = $17.97)
After factoring in the $5 register reward that you will earn, it will be like getting three packs of diapers for $12.97...or $4.32 a pack.

This is a GREAT price on diapers. Remember that if your family doesn't use diapers, there are many families that do. Print off some coupons and tell other families about this deal...or go do the deal yourself and surprise a struggling family with diapers. I'm sure many different organizations around town would be grateful for diaper donations as well. With all the money you can save using coupons, bless another family!!

Good luck!

Albertsons Deals (March 17-23)

It looks like there are going to be several good deals at Albertsons this week. I am only going to be writing about the best ones that I see, so please be sure to check your ad. I might have overlooked something, or might not buy certain products that you/your family uses.

Buy 4 Select Kellogg's cereals for $14, get an additional 3 boxes free (with in store coupon) PLUS get coupons for 3 free gallons of milk when you check out.

-Use 2 coupons for $1 off 2 Kellogg's cereals (found in the newspaper), for the 4 cereals you have to buy.

-Use in store coupon for 3 free boxes of cereal

Pay $12 for 7 boxes of cereal...plus three free gallons of milk. I usually try to pay $1 or less for cereal, but with the 3 gallons of free milk thrown in, this is a great deal!!

Buy Country Crock Spread ($1.99), get a loaf of Nature's Own Bread for free

-Use coupon for $0.30 off any Country Crock (found in the newspaper) This coupon will be tripled.

Pay $1.09 for Country Crock Spread AND loaf of bread.

Buy 10 Lipton/Knorr side dishes ($1.00 each), get 1-12 pack of Coke products and Dozen Eggs for free.

Pay $10 for everything. A 12 pack of Coke runs around $4 at most stores, so once that is factored in, this is a good deal.

Blue Bell Ice Cream half gallon $3.79

-Use $1.00 coupon found at http://www.bluebell.com/ (you will need to register on their site to get this coupon...they will occasionally email you information about new products or new coupons).

Pay $2.79 for Ice Cream

Red Gold canned Tomatoes $1.00

-Use coupon for $0.50 off 2 cans of tomatoes found at http://www.redgold.com/ (again, you will need to register to be able to print this coupon). This coupon will be doubled.

Pay $0.50 for each can (when you buy 2)

Lance Multipack Crackers $1.99

-Use $1 coupon found at http://www.smartsource.com/

Pay $0.99

Goldfish crackers (bags) $1.50

-There were $0.75 coupons found at http://www.coupons.com/ (I am not sure if these are still available), also various $0.55 coupons found inside Goldfish boxes.

Pay as low as $0.75 per bag.

Minute Rice 14 oz $2.00

-Use $0.50 coupon found in the newspaper (This will be doubled).

Pay $1.00

Progresso soups (Select varieties) $1.00

-Use coupon for $0.50 off 2 found in the newspaper (This will be doubled).

Pay $0.50 for each can (when you buy 2)

Prego Spaghetti Sauce (Select varieties) 3/$5.00 or $1.66 each

- Use coupon for $0.50 off 2 found in the newspaper (This will be doubled).

-Pay $1.16 for each jar (when you buy 2)

These are the best deals that I see at Albertsons this week. Look through your coupons and online and see if you will be able to do a few of these deals and shrink your grocery budget!

Good luck!!

Diaper Deal at CVS Next Week

For those of you with children still in diapers, I know how expensive it can be!! Starting on Sunday (March 21) CVS is going to be running a special promotion on Pampers diapers. Once again, please wait until the ad comes out to make sure that our local CVS is participating. As I said before we get the deals about 90% of the time, so I wanted to give you a head's up so you can get organized. And remember if you shop at CVS you need an Extra Care Card to get the deals. If you don't have a card, ask the cashier and you should be able to fill out a simple form right there and get your card in a matter of minutes...absolutely free! Here's the deal:

Pampers Diapers Jumbo Packs $8.97 (limit 2)
If you buy one you will be given $3.00 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs)...this will print on the bottom of your receipt and you can spend it like store cash.
There have been several coupons for $2 off 1 Pampers diapers in the newspaper the last several weeks.

If you have coupons your transaction should look like this:

Transaction #1
Buy 1 package of diapers ($8.97)
give cashier 1 $2 coupon
Pay $6.97...get $3 ECB in return

Transaction #2
Buy 1 package of diapers ($8.97)
give cashier 1 $2 coupon AND $3 ECB (that you earned from transaction #1)
Pay $3.97...and get $3 ECB in return

CVS is limiting this sale to 2 per customer, so if you try to do this deal a third time you will not get any Extra Care Bucks.

It's been a while since I've bought diapers, but I think this sounds like a pretty good deal even if you don't have coupons. If you don't have coupons, your transaction will look like this:

Transaction #1
Buy 1 package of diapers ($8.97)
Pay $8.97 and receive $3 in Extra Care Bucks

Transaction #2
Buy 1 package of diapers ($8.97)
give cashier $3 ECB that you earned from transaction #1
Pay $5.97 and receive $3 in Extra Care Bucks.

Hope this helps some of you who still have real little ones! Remember this sale will not start until Sunday, and please check our local ad before trying it...don't want you to be disappointed...but also wanted to give you time to look through your coupons, or ask friends who might have coupons to share some with you.

Good luck!!

How Coupons Work at Local Stores

For those of you who are completely new to shopping with coupons, I know it can seem overwhelming. You might not know where to begin or how coupons work at different stores. Stores are reimbursed for the face value of each coupon that you use (plus an additional processing and handling fee), so you are not taking money from the actual store. Some inexperienced cashiers might try to make you feel like you are stealing from the store when you use coupons; this is completely untrue...once they are reimbursed, they will be getting paid the same amount as if you had paid cash. (Only you are getting someone else to help pay for your grocery bill). I'll walk you through several different stores right here in San Angelo, so you won't feel so out of your element if you decide to shop with coupons.


Wal-Mart


If you are new to coupon shopping, Wal-Mart seems to be the most straight forward store to begin with.

-Wal-Mart will accept manufacturer's coupons found in the newspaper and from the internet. (When using internet coupons, never photocopy them...stores WILL NOT get reimbursed for those coupons, and it is considered fraud if you try to shop with them).

-If you happen to have a coupon that is worth more than the product you are buying (example...you are buying $0.97 deodorant and using a $1.00 coupon) Wal-Mart's policy is that they will adjust the price of the coupon down to the amount of the product you are purchasing. Some cashiers do this, and others just push the coupon through (allowing you to use the full amount). It seems to depend on the cashier.

-Wal-Mart advertises that they will price match any competitor's advertised prices. This must be from a local store and must be on the exact same product. You must bring in the store circular to show the cashier what you are price matching. They will only price match on an exact price...not a certain percent off or a buy one item get one free.


HEB


HEB is known for their meal deals and their buy one product get another product free sales. HEB is also know for all of the yellow coupons that they place around their stores. These yellow coupons are considered manufacturer's coupons and CANNOT be combined with additional coupons you might have from the newspaper or internet.

-HEB will accept manufacturer's coupons from the newspaper and/or internet. Some people have mentioned having problems getting cashiers to accept internet coupons, but I have never had a problem.

-If HEB is having a meal deal or a buy one product get another product free sale, you may NOT use a coupon on the product you are getting free (except for the yellow store coupon), but you MAY use a coupon on the product you have to buy in order to get the other item free. Example...Buy Oscar Mayer Lunch Meat and Kraft Cheese Get Macaroni and Cheese, Bread, Jell-O, and Mayonnaise for free (This seems to be a fairly common meal deal that you'll see several times a year). You could use a manufacturer's coupon (from newspaper or internet) on the lunch meat and cheese, but not one for the other items. Keep in mind that in order to get those items free you DO need to be picking up the yellow coupons throughout the store.



Albertsons


Albertsons has recently begun doubling coupons up to and including $0.50 and tripling those up to and including $0.39. I asked a lady at the customer service desk how long this would continue, and she couldn't give me a definite answer, so I am not sure if this will be a long term deal or not. Albertsons will allow you to double/triple up to 4 of the exact same coupon in one transaction. If you try to do a fifth coupon, it will not be multiplied. Example...you have 5 coupons for $0.50 off pasta. The first four will double up to $1.00, but the fifth will just take off $0.50. If you have multiples of coupons, you might think about breaking up your shopping trip into a couple different transactions.

-Albertsons also accepts manufacturer's coupons from the newspaper and from the internet.

-Albertsons often advertises 10 for $10 sales. You DO NOT need to buy 10 products to get these sales. If you buy 1 product you'll be getting it for $1; if you buy 100 products, you'll be getting them each for $1.

-Albertsons also will often run buy 1 get 1 free sales. If there is a buy 1 get 1 free sale, you may only use 1 coupon for the product you are spending money on. Technically you are getting 2 products, but their computers will not recognize the one you are getting free. Because of that only one coupon will be accepted. (Keep in mind that this is for the San Angelo stores; if you live in another city you might want to check with your local store).



Target

-Target accepts manufacturer's coupons from the newspaper and the internet, but they also will accept Target coupons that can be found at http://www.target.com/ and are occasionally found in the Sunday newspaper. (Note not all coupons on target.com are Target coupons...Target store coupons will clearly say at the top of the coupon next to the expiration date...Target web coupon).

-Target will allow you to combine a manufacturer's coupon AND a Target coupon on one product. Example...$0.75 coupon from Sunday paper for Crest toothpaste
$1.00 coupon from target.com for Crest toothpaste
These can be used together when purchasing 1 product to take $1.75 off of one tube of toothpaste. When you are able to use a Target coupon AND a manufacturer's coupon on one product you are really doubling your savings. You will often be able to get items for free or for just a few cents when you are able to use these two types of coupons together.

-Like Wal-Mart, Target's coupon policy states that if the item you are purchasing is less than the value of the coupon that they will adjust the price of the coupon down. Again, this seems to depend on the cashier...some will just push the coupon through and allow you to get the full value of the coupon, and others will adjust the price down.

-Target has recently begun offering different gift card promotions. These will be featured in their Sunday ad, and also will be posted throughout the store. These promotions will be something like this...buy 4 boxes of Kellogg's cereal and receive a $5 gift card when you check out. You will not be allowed to use this $5 gift card on your initial transaction, but can go back through the store and do the same deal again, use the first $5 gift card and in return get another $5 gift card.

-Target will also often run buy 3 items and get the 4th one free sales. These will look something like this...buy 3 bags of Ore-Ida french fries, get a 4th bag free. If you decided to do this deal, you would put all 4 bags of french fries in your cart...the 4th bag will automatically ring up free at the register. Target will allow you to use a coupon on all 4 items (even the one you are getting free).

-Target has recently started price matching as well. You must bring in a competitor's ad and check out at the customer service desk if you decide to price match. Note...if you are trying to price match something that is featured in Target's gift card sale or buy 3 get 4th free sale...you must choose between the competitor's price or Target's promotion. They will NOT adjust the price down AND give you a $5 gift card or 4th item free. Some Target's will do both, but our local one will make you choose. I've found that it is usually best to stick with Target's ad prices.

If you are just getting started with coupons, these stores are the easiest to begin with. I will post later about Walgreens and CVS. Hope some of this was helpful to you!!

Target Trip (March 16)

With three growing boys in our family, we go through food like crazy!! It seems like every time I turn around we have gone through another box of cereal or another gallon of milk. We generally go through around 4 gallons of milk a week...I cannot imagine how many we will go through when they are teenagers! I've found that on any given day Sam's has the best price on milk, but if you start watching your ads, you'll find that you might get better deals at other stores. Once you start earning extra care bucks at CVS, you can use those to put towards your milk purchases...sometimes even getting milk for free. This morning after breakfast I realized that we were on our last gallon of milk. (I sure wish I realized this when I was out running errands yesterday). I decided that instead of running to Sam's that I'd run back to Target and see if I could find some better deals on milk.

I purchased everything seen below, and spent...

$10.96 PLUS I earned another $5 gift card.

4 boxes of Frosted Flakes ($2.50 each)

minus 2 $1.00 off 2 coupons found in the newspaper

$8.00

4 gallons of milk ($2.99)

minus 4 coupons for $1 off milk if you purchase a box of Kellogg's cereal (I found these coupons in the boxes of cereal that I purchased yesterday...always check boxes before throwing them away...you might be throwing away valuable coupons)

$7.96

1 4-pack of Activia yogurt ($1.89)

minus 1 coupon for free Activia yogurt (This coupon was mailed to me from the company)

FREE

Final cost was $15.96...I paid with a $5 gift card that I earned yesterday (from the Kellogg's cereal promotion)...spent $10.96 in cash AND earned another $5 gift card.

After factoring in this gift card, it is like I spent $5.96 on everything pictured above...$5.96 would be a great price to pay for 4 gallons of milk, but I was able to buy the other items as well.

Sometimes we get into a rut when we are shopping...going to the same store because it's the one we've always gone to, or maybe going to the one closest to us. If you start planning ahead and really paying attention to prices, you'll find that you can save yourself a whole lot of money just by thinking a little differently. When stores run promotions (Extra Care Bucks, Register Rewards, Gift Cards), really think how you can make those items work for you. You'll be amazed at how much you can save, and how much fun you can have while you are saving!!

Good luck!!

A friend's trip to Walgreens

I just wanted to show you that other people are getting these good deals as well. My friend Shelli went to Walgreens and got everything pictured below and spent...

$5.77. She did three different transactions. Breaking up your shopping trip allows you to use less money out of pocket. She broke up her shopping trip, so that she was able to use the register rewards she earned to get other items free, or close to it. I just talked to her about the order of her shopping trip. I'll try to walk you through how she did these deals...forgive me if I do a couple items out of order.

Transaction #1

Colgate Toothpaste ($3.99) (This will generate a $4 register reward this week)

minus $1 coupon (found in the newspaper)

final price: $2.99

2 Reese's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups ($0.89 each)

minus in ad coupon that made them $0.49 each

minus 2 $0.55 off coupons found in this week's paper

final price: FREE (plus $0.12 in overage)

2 Sudafed ($4.99 each) (This will generate a $5 register reward this week)

minus 2 $4 coupons found in this week's paper

final price: $1.98

2 Excedrin Menstrual ($5.99 for both)

minus 1 $2 coupon found in Walgreens March coupon book (this will take $4 off...$2 for each bottle)

minus 2 $1 coupons found in the newspaper

final price: FREE (plus $0.01 overage)

Final price for everything...$4.84...PLUS she got $9 in register rewards.

Transaction #2

Remember she broke up her transaction so that she could use the $9 she just earned to help bring the cost of other items down.

2 Tylenol Cold products ($4.99 each)

minus 2 $2 coupons found on the actual products at the store

final price: $5.98

2 bottles of Palmolive dish soap

-minus an in ad coupon that made these $0.99 each

final price: $1.98

1 Green and Black Organic Chocolate Bar (not sure of the original price)

-minus $1 online printable coupon and $1 Walgreens printable coupon

final price: $1.00

1 Cadbury Egg

final price: $0.39

Final price for all of this was $9.35 (plus applicable tax). She used $9 in register rewards (from first transaction) to get this total down to around $0.35 PLUS she earned an additional $5 in register rewards.

Transaction #3

1 John Frieda Hair Care Product ($6.49)

minus 1 $2 coupon found in Walgreens March coupon book

minus 1 $3 coupon found in the news paper a couple weeks ago

final price: $1.49

3 2 liter Pepsi products ($1.25 each)

$3.75

Final price for all of this was $5.24 (plus any applicable sales tax). She used the $5 register rewards that she earned from transaction #2, and only had to spend around $0.24.

My math is a bit off from the $5.77 that she told me she spent, but I think that sales tax would take the total up to what she spent. This really goes to show that you can save money if you break up your trip into several different transaction. Use the register rewards that you earn to help pay for other items that you need.

How many items can you purchase for around $5.00??

Good luck shopping!!

New Link for the Dial Soap Target Coupon...This one actually works :)

One of my friends told me that she couldn't find the coupon for the Dial soap on target.com. I hope this link will work for you...

http://sites.target.com/site/en/spot/nat_coupons.jsp?coupon_4=show&x=51&y=19

Even if you don't have any of the manufacturer's coupons for this soap, using this $1 coupon will get you hand soap for $0.37...a pretty good deal.

Thanks Shelli!!

Target Trip (March 15)

Target is currently running this promotion:

Buy 4 Kellogg's breakfast products (various cereal and Pop-Tarts) and receive a $5 gift card at check out. You will not be able to use this first $5 gift card on your first transaction, but after checking out the first time, you can go back through the store, pick up four more Kellogg's products pay with the first $5 gift card and receive another $5 gift card for the second set of 4 Kellogg's products purchased. This is referred to as rolling your bucks/gift cards.

My husband and children go through cereal like crazy (5 to 7 boxes a week), so I am always looking for great cereal sales. I try to spend $1 or less on each box of cereal that I purchase. I ran to Target this morning, and here's what I got...

Wait...there's more, it wouldn't all fit in one picture :0)...

Side note...when I'm shopping and find a good sale, I always try to make sure that I don't clear the shelves...there are always going to be more good deals, and as a coupon shopper, it is important to leave products for other shoppers. While I was there, they were restocking shelves, so I didn't feel bad about the number of boxes that I purchased.

I spent $23.41 on everything pictured above, and I still have $6.02 in gift cards (that I earned from the Kellogg's deal) to use on my next trip there. I did this trip in several transactions. For those of you just starting, you might want to do just one transaction to get comfortable with the idea. Also, if you are just starting and don't have any coupons or access to a printer...this is still a great deal. Some of the cereals are priced at $2.50..if you buy 4 you'll spend $10, and get a $5 gift card...after factoring in the gift card it's like getting them for $1.25 a box using NO COUPONS!! This is a good price for name brand cereal!

Transaction #1

2 boxes of Raisin Bran Crunch ($2.50 each)

2 boxes of Frosted Mini Wheats ($2.50 each)

I used two $1.50 coupons from http://www.coupons.com/ and http://www.redplum.com/

After coupons, I paid $7 and received a $5 gift card.

Transaction #2

4 boxes of Raisin Bran Crunch ($2.50 each)

4 boxes of Frosted Mini Wheats ($2.50 each)

I used 4 coupons for $1.00 off any 2 Kellogg's cereals...this coupon was found in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago

4 tubes of Colgate toothpaste (price cut to $1)

I used 4 $1 coupons. These coupons were found in a coupon circular that was found at the commissary.

After coupons, total came to $16. I used my first $5 gift card to get the total down to $11. (And I also earned two more $5 gift cards)

Transaction #3

4boxes of Raisin Bran Crunch ($2.50 each)

4 boxes of Frosted Mini Wheats ($2.50 each)

I used 4 coupons for $1 off any 2 Kellogg's cereals...found in the newspaper.

2 Air Wick Freshmatic i-motion Starter Kits (price cut to $6.00...originally $13.97)

I used 2 $1 Target coupons found at http://www.target.com/ and combined those coupons with 2 $5 coupons found in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago...after coupons, these were both FREE!!

5 bottles of Dial Handsoap ($1.37 each)

I used 5 $1 Target coupons found at http://www.target.com/ and combined those coupons with 4 $0.35 coupons found in the newspaper and 1 $1 coupon found at http://www.coupons.com/. Final price FREE (plus $0.55 in overage)!!

4 travel size Tide laundry ($0.99 each)

I used 4 $1 off coupons found in the newspaper...final price FREE (plus $0.04 in overage)!!

After all coupons, the total came to $15.41. I was able to use the 2 $5 gift cards that I earned from transaction 2 to get the total down to $5.41 (And I earned an additional 2 $5 gift cards).

Transaction #4

2 boxes of Froot Loops ($2.99 each)

2 boxes of Pop Tarts 12 ct. ($2.50 each)

I used 1 $1 off 2 Kellogg's cereal coupon from the newspaper, and 1 $1 off 2 Pop Tarts found at http://www.target.com/

After all coupons the total came to $8.98. I was able to pay with the 2 $5 gift cards from Transaction 3 and received an additional $5 gift card.

My out of pocket was $23.41, but after factoring in my remaining gift card balance it is like I spent $17.39...or around $0.45 for each item. With in store promotions, price cuts, and coupons I was able to save $116.22.

Check your coupons and see what you can do...and remember, even without coupons this is a great cereal deal!! Good luck!!

CVS Trip March 14, 2010

I also went to CVS today. My goal was to not buy anything unless I had a coupon for it, and to spend less than $5. I bought everything pictured below and spent...

$3.11, AND I received $6 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) that I can use the next time I go to CVS.

6 Degree deodorants priced at $2.50 each

$2.50 x 6 = $15.00

I used 3 coupons for $3 off 2 Degree deodorant coupons found at www.dontfretthesweat.com

$15.00-$9.00=$6.00

CVS is running a deal where if you buy $15 worth of Dove or Degree products, you will receive $5 in Extra Care Bucks when you check out.

1 Herbal Essence Shampoo $2.99

I used one $1 coupon off any Herbal Essence product found in today's paper.

$2.99-$1.00=$1.99

CVS is running a deal where if you buy any Herbal Essence or Aussie product, you will receive $1 in Extra Care Bucks when you check out.

1 Herbal Essence Hairspray $2.99

I used one coupon for buy 1 Herbal Essence shampoo get one Herbal Essence styling product free from previous newspaper.

$2.99-$2.99=$0.00

I also used $5 in ECBs from my shopping trip to CVS last week.

After store promotions and coupons, I saved $28.13 and spent $3.11. After factoring in the $6 in Extra Care Bucks that I received today, it was like getting paid to take the products that I purchased home.

Look through your coupons and see if you can do some of these same deals, or look through the ad and try to come up with some of your own.

Good luck!!

Walgreens Trip March 14, 2010

I just got back from a quick trip to Walgreens. My goal was to spend less than $5 and not buy anything unless I had a coupon for it. I started out my trip with no register rewards. I purchased everything seen below and spent...



$1.64. I also received a $4 register reward for my next trip to Walgreens. I'll walk you through exactly how I did my trip, so if you have some of the same coupons you'll be able to do it as well.

4 Ore Ida Microwave French Fries ($0.99)
$0.99 x 4= $3.96
minus 2 $1.50 off any two Ore Ida products (this was an online printable coupon) = $0.96 (or $0.24 each)

1 tube of Colgate Total Toothpaste ($3.99)
$3.99-$1.00 coupon found in the newspaper = $2.99
PLUS the deal generated a $4 register reward that I will be able to use on my next trip to Walgreens.

4 Reese's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups ($0.89)
I used an in ad coupon that took the price of these down to $0.49 each (If you use an in-ad coupon, you only have to have one coupon, no matter how many items you purchase, it will adjust the price of each one).
The new price was $0.49 x 4 = $1.96
minus 4 $0.55 coupons found in today's newspaper. This gave me overage of $0.24 that I could use to lower the cost of other items that I purchased.

6 Bic Highlighters ($2.99)
Again, I used an in ad coupon that took the price of these down to $0.49 each.
The new price was $0.49 x 6 =$2.94
minus 3 $1 off any 2 Bic stationary products found in the paper several weeks ago. This gave me overage of $0.06 to use to lower the cost of other items that I purchased.

2 Bottles of Excedrin Menstrual Relief 20 count. ($5.99 for both)
I used two $2 coupons that I found at www.excedrin.com a few weeks ago (I'm not sure if they are still available).
I also used 1 $2 coupon found in Walgreens March coupon book (this took off $4...$2 for each bottle). This gave me overage of $2.01 to use to lower the cost of other items that I purchased.

After all coupons and in store promotions, I saved $37.85. I spent $1.64, and if you factor in the $4 register rewards that I received, it is like I was being paid to take home all of these products.

Good luck shopping!!