ZarBee's Coupon--Moneymaker at Walgreens Week of September 25

Go here and print a coupon for $1.00 off any ZarBee's product. (I found this coupon using zip code 76904 and clicking on the Health Care Category).

Next week (beginning September 25th) Walgreens is supposed to be having a Register Reward on ZarBee's cough medicine.

The deal will look like this:
ZarBee's Nighttime Cough and Sleep Drink $5.99 and receive a $6.00 Register Reward
-use coupon for $1.00 off ZarBee's
Final Price: Pay $4.99 and receive a $6.00 Register Reward

It is now officially fall, so we should be seeing a lot of deals on cough/cold medicines and Kleenex at the drug stores. When they have these deals, think about stocking up on enough products to get your family through the year...be mindful of expiration dates and please do not clear the shelves. We will see plenty of sales over the coming weeks. Nothing is worse than being sick, or having sick children, and having to go out to the store to pick up medicine. Think ahead, watch the sales, and then when your family gets sick, you'll be able to go and grab medicine you already have on hand.

Thanks Wild for Wags!

Getting Started at Walgreens

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, then you might want to consider stopping in at Walgreens tomorrow to get started earning some Register Rewards.

Remember, start small so you don't get overwhelmed.

Deal Idea:

Buy: Blistex Cold & Allergy Lip Soother $2.00
Pay $2.00 and you will receive a $2.00 Register Reward at check out.

AND/OR:

Buy: Hyland's Nighttime Cold 'n Cough 4 Kids $4.99
Pay $4.99 and you will receive a $5.00 Register Reward

You could buy both products in a single transaction and spend $6.99 (plus any tax) and receive $7.00 in Register Rewards, or you could try your hand at piggy backing the two deals. Buy the Blistex in the first transaction...spend $2.00 and receive a $2.00 Register Reward. In your second transaction, buy the cough medicine, pay with the $2.00 Register Reward you just earned. You will then owe $2.99 and will receive a $5.00 Register Reward.

Remember to start slowly at the drugstores. They can be a little confusing...but so worth it when you learn how to roll the rewards from one deal to the next.

CVS--GREAT Deal on Baby Products Starting 9/18

CVS is running a really great promotion on baby products starting tomorrow. When you buy $25.00 of participating baby care items, you will receive a $10.00 Extra Care Buck. You will need to reach the $25.00 mark BEFORE any coupons are scanned, so this can make for a GREAT deal.

Deal Idea:

Buy: 3 Huggies Slip on Diapers $9.00 each ($27.00)
-use 3 coupons for $3.oo off Huggies Slip on Diapers (found in 9/11 SmartSource insert)
Final Price: $18.00 and you will receive a $10.00 Extra Care Buck (ECB)
(If you factor in the ECBs, it will be like paying $8.00 for 3 packs of diapers...or $2.67 each)

Or you could do the following deal:

BUY: 2 Huggies Slip on Diapers $9.00 each ($18.00)
AND 3 Johnson & Johnson products $3.00 each ($9.00)
Total: $27.00
-use 2 coupons for $3.00 off Huggies Slip on Diapers (found in 9/11 SmartSource insert)
-use 3 coupons for $1.00 off Johnson & Johnson products (found here, here, here, or here)
Final Price: $18.00 and you will receive a $10.00 Extra Care Buck (ECB)
(If you factor in the ECBs, it will be like paying $8.00 for 2 packs of diapers and 3 Johnson & Johnson products...or $1.60 each)

Or you could do the following deal:

BUY: 9 Johnson & Johnson products $3.00 each ($27.00)
-use the $1.00 off coupons for Johnson & Johnson products that are listed above
Final Price: $18.00 and you will receive a $10.00 Extra Care Buck
(If you factor in the ECBs, it will be like paying $8.00 for 9 Johnson & Johnson products...or$0.89 each)

There is a limit of one per card, and as always, please double check your ad to be sure that our CVS will be participating in this deal. The ad previews are not for our local CVS, but in the past the deals have always been the same here...but you always want to check to make sure!

Getting Started at CVS

If you are just beginning to shop at CVS or Walgreens, then I encourage you to start small. On your first trip to the drugstores, plan on going in and doing just one transaction to get your feet wet.

Tomorrow is the perfect time to make your first trip to CVS. Here's a game plan that you might want to consider:

First, if you don't already have an Extra Care Card with CVS, then go ahead and sign up for one. It will only take you a few minutes, and you'll be able to start saving right away.

Second, find the price scan machine and scan your Extra Care Card. If you can't locate it, then ask the cashier to point you in the right direction. You might not get any coupons on your first scan, but it's a good idea to get in the habit of scanning your card every time you shop at CVS.

Now it's time to start shopping. CVS has an Extra Bucks deal this week where if you buy select Gold Emblem Candy (Gold Emblem is CVS' store brand) (candy corn, autumn mix, or pumpkins) for $0.99, you'll receive a $0.99 Extra Care Buck at check out. Note, this sale is only good Sunday to Tuesday, and there is a limit of one of these deals per card.

Buy the candy, and you'll be on your way to shopping at CVS and rolling your Extra Care Bucks.

Remember, start small so you won't get overwhelmed.

Oh, you might also want to pick up a Green Bag Tag while you are there. This is a small tag that is shaped like a leaf. Every time you shop at CVS and bring in a reusable bag, the cashier will scan this tag. Every 4th time the tag is scanned, you'll earn an additional $1.00 Extra Care Buck.

Good luck starting at CVS! One more thing...if they happen to be out of the candy, don't forget to ask for a rain check!

Welcome!!

I gave a coupon class at my church last night, so if any of you are new to my site after attending the class I just want to say Welcome!

Public speaking is not my calling, but I know how using coupons has changed our family's finances and it is something I am passionate about...passionate enough to get over my fears of public speaking for an hour or two to try to help others understand how coupon shopping really works.

There are a few things I really want you to remember:

-Start small!! If you jump into this with both feet, then chances are you are going to get overwhelmed. Start with one store, once you get comfortable with that store then move onto another one.

-Don't feel like you need to save a huge amount of money when you are first starting out. Saving $1.00, is $1.00 more in your pocket. Give it a few weeks and you should start seeing a significant decrease in your grocery budget.

-ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use your coupons ethically. Manufacturer's do not have to issue coupons. If people begin abusing the system then coupons could become a thing of the past.

-NEVER, NEVER, NEVER photocopy a coupon. I know I mentioned this last night, but wanted to state it again. This is coupon fraud...stores will not get reimbursed for coupons that are photocopied.

-Always be kind and courteous while you are shopping. Share coupons with other shoppers, leave some on shelves for the person coming into the store later. Be friendly to your cashier. A smile and a kind word go a LONG way...this goes for shopping even without coupons. :)

-Don't clear shelves. There will always be another deal, so don't feel bad if you miss out on one.

-When you start building up a stockpile of items, keep what your family will reasonably use before the items expire and GIVE the rest away. There are so many people that are struggling right now. What a blessing it is to be able to give things away. I guarantee that if you do this, that you will be blessed more than you can imagine!

-HAVE FUN! Take a friend and go looking for deals together. Coupon shopping doesn't need to be stressful. It's a learning experience. Give yourself time and grace while you are figuring this all out.

Once again, thank you to all that came last night. I am looking forward to hearing about how you have started saving money!!

Please feel free to leave comments on the blog, or email me any questions/success stories. I would love to hear how you are doing.

Tacos--It's What's For Dinner

Taco meat is simmering on the stove.

I guess third time's a charm, right? :)

Dollar General--FREE Nivea Body Wash!

I read about this deal on Hip2Save, so I thought I'd go and see if I could find the same deal at one of our local Dollar Generals.

Nivea Body Wash for Women(8.4 oz.) is on sale for $2.00 right now at Dollar General, and if you use the coupon for $2.00 off Nivea Body Wash (found in the 7/31 RedPlum insert), you'll be able to pick it up for FREE!

I went to the Dollar General that is located across from HEB. The Nivea Body Wash was marked at $2.50 on the shelves, but rang up at $2.00. I picked up two and walked out paying absolutely nothing.

The body wash was located on the very top shelf, so it's easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. I am assuming that the body wash would be priced the same at all Dollar Generals. I know there are several in town, so if you happen to be by one, then swing by and grab some FREE body wash!

Thanks Hip2Save!