Couponing around the way

Here's a site I found tonight on Youtube.  Absolutely ridiculous how over charged American's are for their grocery items.  And why don't we get these great coupon offers???


http://mrsjanuary.com/

I am not hating at all....just insane how these coupons work around the world!!

Good Deal at Target

I am at home sick today with my sick kids (they got me sick!).  And of course it was raining all day long here in Vegas....but I had to get to the store for some more kids cough syrup.

Since Target is just down the road we all piled in the truck - even though I didn't want to step out of the house - we trudged over to Target.

I was fortunate to have my trusty coupon book with me.


The kids and I quickly ran into the store (darn rain) and went over to the cold medicine section.  Got a good deal on some day-time Robitussin for the kiddies.  I remembered my Venus and Fusion razor coupons.  Also grabbed the free bottle of Olay body soap coupon with the purchase of the Venus razor.  I really wished I felt better to look around and go through my coupons, but the kids are hacking up a storm and my fever just broke and I am sweating like a pig.

So I check out and got out of dodge....

Was very happy to see that I got my $5 gift card for the razors (didn't get to score the Quaker Oates deal, but that's okay).  I was mostly happy that I got my free bottle of Olay with the purchase of the Venus Razor!  Plus I got to use my $6 bucks in coupons for the razors. 

All in all to me that was a good trip.....even though I felt like crap and suffered for it when I got home....

Couponing in Las Vegas

I have been reading several blogs about how expensive grocery shopping in Las Vegas, NV is due to most stores not accepting "double coupons".

I do agree that our stores here are expensive.  But there are a few of us fellow bloggers, PT,ST and Couponomy, as well as mine where we are sharing our stories of shopping adventures in the Las Vegas area and how we are scoring great deals around this valley.

It does take some work, don't get me wrong, but it's very possible to feed your family and even grow your stockpile on a weekly budget for $100 with a family of 4.

I used to be one of those shoppers that just went to the store and just bought whatever.  I used to spend over $200 a week in grocery's and we ate out a few times a week as well!!

Now I set a weekly budget of $100 for my family of 4 and try my hardest to get to that goal.  I have also been taking part in the 2010 challenge from Pinch This, Stretch That and have started tracking my expenses weekly (which I have never done before).  See how my challenge is going so far here.

Good night at Albertson's

I had an "okay" night at Albertson's.  When I got there the place was a mad house!  They had no more of the cereal special's left - so I got my very first RainCheck.  That was cool.

I did score on some All Detergent though!

I got 2/50oz bottles for $1.99 each!  They honored the Manufacturers coupon in their add plus the ones I brought with me!  SWEET DEAL!

I stocked up on deli sandwhich meat also.  Got 3 pounds of meat for $9!  Packed that away in the freezer last night.

I am heading out to Von's today.  Looking to stock up on Oatmeal, Johnsonville Brats and Mayo.

I will also be heading to CVS today for some Mayo and toilet paper.

I will tackle Smith's tomorrow.  I have to make it to Kohls today cause they are having a SUPER awesome sale.

My first Smith's Shopping adventure!

WOW!

I am feeling the Coupon HIGH!!

I just got done tallying my Smith's Bill and was so excited to see my savings!  Smith's is having their 10's deal where if you buy 10 of the featured item you get an automatic $5 off your bill.

And they had some great items on this "10's deal"!!

I bought 60 items and spent $81.76.

 

I went there for 5 specific items that qualified on their purchases:

Capri Sun

Nabisco Crackers

Fiber One bars

Hormel Chili

Kraft Cheese

Now I did stray slightly - but I had a coupon for all other items.  Here is the breakdown  - not including the extra items -

Fiber1 $2.49 x10 = $24.90

Nabisco $2.49 x10 = $24.90

Hormel Chili $1.29 x10 = $12.90

Kraft Cheese $1.99 x10 = $19.90

Capri Sun $1.99 x10 = $19.90

---------------------------------

$101.90

-$25 (met 10's deal, got $5 off x 5)

----------------

$76.90

This is still a great deal - but I had some coupons to add!!

$1 off Kraft

4/$1 off Nabisco

2/$2 off 2 Box Ritz

4/$.50 off Hormel Chili

2/$.55 off 2 cans Hormel Chili

2/$1 off Capri Sun

1/$.40 off Fiber1

2/$.75 off Fiber1

---------------

$16.00

FINAL TOTAL OUT OF POCKET: $60.90 !!!

This totaled 50 items and $60.90 spent out of pocket = $1.21 per item!!  

That's amazing to me!!

I felt my first coupon cringe this evening at the store as well - my daughter wanted some frosted mini wheat's and I only had 1 coupon!  I ended up buying them, but I cringed at spending $3.31 a box!  (See you are cringing while you read this ...huh?) LOL

So had an AMAZING night - as you can see from my picture my stock pile is growing!!

Contacting companies for Coupons does work!

My DH is a huge fan of Right Guard.  He's actually a Right Guard SNOB.

Since starting on this couponing adventure I have asked him if he's willing to be "brand" flexible.  He has pretty much agreed to ANY thing I asked....with the exception of his under arm deodorant.  He only uses Original Right Guard Spray - it can't be Antiperspirant!  It has to be original

Not this:

But this:

After some discussion (and having to spend $4 dollars on 1 can) I decided to try to write to the company.  DH has never EVER used any other deodorant.  I have been with him almost 20 years and as God is my witness he's only used this brand and this scent.

So I decided to email the company after several searches for coupons turn up nothing.  I am doubtful I will hear anything back from the company...but to my surprise....this is what I received the other day:

Dear Mrs.XXXXXX

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
 
We do not maintain a mailing list which allows us to 

distribute coupons on an on-going basis. You can, however,

contact us once every 3 months to request a coupon packet.

The best source for obtaining discount coupons for our

products is through newspaper and magazine advertisements

as well as right on our labels.
 
Your coupon(s) will follow with a hard copy of this letter

via U.S. Mail, which you should receivewithin the next 7-10

business days.
 
Consumer Affairs

HOW FRICKIN AWESOME IS THAT?!?!?!?

So I will blog about what comes in the mail and of course keep my eye out for any coupons from (dial.consumer affairs)

If you have a favorite brand - I would encourage you to seek them out.  You never know what you will get!

Fresh and Easy Coupon

I don't usually post these coupons, but I just received this in my email and thought I would share:

Fresh and Easy Coupon

This is a coupon that expires in a couple of days but you can save 10$ when you spend $50.  Some stores may even let you combine this with the $3 or $5 off coupons as well.  Just depends on the store.

My stockpile is growing....is yours?

My stockpile is growing!  I have several bottles of body soap, shampoo, toothpaste, cleaners etc.  I can't believe how quickly it's growing.  I am having to make new places to store all of this stuff!

I had a great shopping night as CVS last night. 

Got:


2 PLEDGE
3 AXE products
2 VIVE Shampoos
2 RENPURES *1 free!

I took advantage of the RENPURE Organics B1G1 Free.  On the bottles they had a tag for sending in your receipt and you get $6.99 back!  So you are getting the product for FREE!

Swiped my Green Bag towards my $1 ECB **Whoo HOO





That purchase was $36.68

Coupons:
$5.75

ECB's
$13.00

Total OOP : $ 17.97, plus earned another $5 in ECB's

Pretty good!

My second purchase I got:
2 PLEDGE
1 Tube of Crest
VIVE Shampoo

Before coupons: $11.87

Coupons: $3.50
ECB's $5

Total OOP: $3.37

I was very happy.

I did notice on my first purchase when I got home and stockpiled everything and then went through my receipts that I was charged 3 times on my first transaction for the VIVE Shampoo.  Out of pure laziness of not wanting to put everything back in the bag and head back to CVS at 8pm at night, I decided it wasn't worth the $2.99 overcharge.

Lesson learned - I am double checking before I leave the parking lot!!

Also scored some great Creamers at Walgreens and some Sure deoderant.

Too bad hubby doesn't use the roll on stuff.  I have asked him to be brand flexible, but he refused to use anything but Right Guard.  So I will need to be on the look out for those coupons and stock up!  Those cans are almost $4 a piece!  ARGH!

Coupon Pressure.....anyone else feeling it?

Don't get me wrong....I am really enjoying couponing....

But

I feel this pressure.

Do I buy the item now?  Do I wait.

Will it be on sale again - or will a better deal come later and I kick myself for not saving my coupon?

I guess I haven't gone through enough coupon 'cycles' yet to know when the hit or miss factor's are established.

I am hitting up CVS today cause I have a great coupon for Axe and I get 10$ in ECB's back.

I will post that deal later.

Going Shopping!

Just saw this coupon from Confessions Blog and had to share! 

Extra 15% off everything at Khols...check it out!

I'm starting to feel like.....

Couponing is my new BFF!

It's seriously getting addicting....

I was at the Prediatricians office the other day just thumbing through a magazine and I saw a coupon for something.  Now normally I would just pass by this and totally ignore it.

But no = what did I do???  I ripped the whole page out of the magazine!

RIDICULOUS!!!

I have issues....that's all I can say!

Had to have a repeat CVS trip!

Yeah - I did it again....

Totally went to CVS last night to purchase my other 6 (12pks) of soda!  I think we are set for soda for the year!

I purchases 6 (12pks) for $10 (used 10ECB's)
1 bottle of Dawn Dish Detergent for $.96 (used $.50 coupon) so only paid $.46!

I paid a total of $10.54 out of pocket and received back $11 in ECB's...thanks to my Green Bag scan! 

WHOO HOO

Loving this CVS adventure. 

I am going to brave Walgreens tomorrow - just not comfy with the RR - Register Rewards. 

Wish me luck!!

My CVS shopping adventure!!

Had a great shopping adventure today at CVS!!

I spent a total of $18.82 out of pocket today and got some great stuff!

Deal #1

6 (12) packs of Pepsi product purchased (received $10 ECB's)

Coupons Used:
$1 Manufactures Coupon
$4 ECB's
$5 CVS print from iheartcvs - Thank you!

Total $10 out of pocket

Deal #2

1 Clairol Hair Coloring $5.99
2 Airwick iMotions $4.99 each
1 Nivea Body Soap $6.99

Coupon's Used
$4 ECB's
$4 Off Airwick Purchase, paid $.99!
$4 Off Airwick Purchase, paid $.99!
$2 Off Clairol Hair Coloring, paid $3.99
$2 Off Nivea Body Soap, paid $4.99

This transaction cost me $8.82, and I received $2 back in ECB's.

I was very happy about these transactions and I think I will be taking advantage of a few more items this week to build my stock pile.

Good Deal's

Last night at Fresh and Easy I was able to get some great deals on a few items:

Soy Sauce $.75 each, I purchased (2)
Hoisan Sauce $1.25 each, I purchased (2)
Red Hot Sauce $.40 each, I purchased (2)
Tylenol Meltaways $1.15 each , I purchased (2)

All of these items were 50-75% off!

So of course I stocked up!

Check your local Fresh and Easy to see if they have any specials!

The Plan of Attack for Sunday 1/17 at CVS

If you haven't seen the CVS add yet for Sunday  -  I feel horrible for you!

There are some great deals, not to mention the chance to double your Extra Bucks (4% vs 2%).

The first thing I plan on getting for that day is the Soda special:

6 (12pks) Pepsi products for $20

I know that sounds high - but you get $10 ECB's back!  That's like paying less then $2 bucks a 12 pack!

Plus I have $4 bucks in ECB's and a $1 off at least 4 (12 pks) of Pepsi product.

So technically out of pocket - I will only be paying $15, and getting back $10 ECB's. 

Technically then, I am only paying $.83 cents a 12 pack!  That's an amazing deal!

Especially with our vacation coming up soon - and some of the Holiday's (St. Patty's, Easter).  We will be well stocked up for Soda!!

So Excited!

Have you SEEN the new CVS add that came out today????

SOOOOOO Excited!

Earn 4% back?


Very cool!


Can't wait to comb through the add and plan my attack!

Am I only blogging about Coupons now....?

It does seem this way......and by looking at my last few posts.....yep....I am hooked on the coupon game!!

But I always said I would do this blog as my way to talk about what's going on in my life.....so right now the Coupon thing is very exciting to me!!

My good friend PCA (Personal Coupon Advisor) has brought it to my attention....and I admit, this is what my blog is focused on right now.

The Thomas Family will be going on a big vacation in April and right now we are in hard core Save mode as we don't want to put any of our vacation on a credit card.  Well in order for us to save the cash needed I am becoming a CW - that's Coupon Warrior for most you city folks -

Since we will be driving our vehicle we will need to purchase new tires for it which will be about $900 bucks.   We are going to be gone for at least 2 weeks, staying in motels and eating out.  Not to mention Gas! For just our motels and eating expenses alone I am budgeting at least $1200.  For Gas I am saying no less then $700.  So to be safe our goal is to have at least $2600 in cash while on vacation.

We do have our tax returns coming up, but we don't usually get back as much since we like to have more money throughout the year, instead of getting a bigger check once a year.

That will be at least $1000.

And I still need to save up for medical expenses since at my work my deductable went up from $750 last year to $1050!  I want to get that saved up ASAP so that I already have the money set aside...and if we don't use it all then we will add it to our Christmas fund at the end of the year.

So as you can see we have a lot of money to save up before we go on vacation....which is why these great couponing deals are a must have for me right now.

I think I will though be posting how my budget saving is going.

We did have about $200 saved from the last check for the tires - but....Hubby got sick and we had to take him to the ER....so about $175.00 bucks later...turns out he has Gall stones!  I thank God we had that money set aside or that would have gone on a credit card.  Which is something we aren't using in 2010 either. 

Lot's to do...very little time!

Great night at Walgreens!

I had to stop by Fresh and Easy tonight to get some items for the week and Walgreens was right next door....calling my name....

I had a few coupons (since I can't travel without them now) so I decided to stop in...

I'm happy I did!  I got a couple of sweet deals.

The only thing I didn't have a coupon for was the Charmin Toilet paprer...but it was on sale for $3.99.  I know I know....most of you die-harding-couponers are CrinGing!

But considering the fact that I NEVER used coupons before...I'm not doing too bad.

3 boxes of Kleenex $1.39 each
2 bags of Halls 2/$5
4 bottles of Sunlight Dish $1.99 each
1 6-Roll of Charmin $3.99

The COUPONS:

Kleenex $.79 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 3) - Plus $.50 off any purchase of 3 - SWEET!
Halls $.99 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 2) - Plus $1.00 off any purchase of 2 - SWEET!
Sunlight $1.99 get 1 free w/Walgreens coupon (limit 4)

So for the Kleenex I paid $.53 cents each!
For the Halls I paid $.49 cents each!
For the Sunlight I paid $.99 cents each...not an awesome deal - but I will take it.

I saved about $12 dollars over all and only paid $11.82.  So I knocked 50% off my bill.....


WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS!!!

I could have saved TONS of money - and gone on some awesome Vacations....

Well - I have been shown the light!

Albertson's Deals

I had a great day at Albertsons!  'Pinch this, Stretch That' would be proud!!

I went to Smith's first because they are having their cases sale.  I got the Hormel Chili w/beans for $10.56 (12 cans) - that's 88cents a can! Plus the Kroger Tomato Sauce for $5.99 (24 cans) - that's 24cents a can!

I did splurge -- but it was on something I was going to buy anyway --.  We purchased the "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" movie for $19.99  BUT I received $3.00 off for spending at least $30.00.

All in all - I spent $33.54 (not too bad)

Now my Albertson's was much better!!

I specifically went for the deal on Progressive Soup and the Cereal Deal.

Add had .99c cans of Progressive Soup with a 10$ purchase ( limit 4 cans).  I had 2 coupons that Albertson's honored:

Buy 3 cans of Progressive Soup - Coupon Amount: $1.10
Buy 2 cans of Progressive Soup - Coupon Amount: .50c

With this deal I was able to get 4 cans (max purchase):
4 cans at .99c each = $3.96
1st coupon - $1.10 = $2.86
2nd coupon -.50c   = $2.36
coupon doubled      = $1.86

So for 4 cans of soup I paid .46c per can!  For a soup that normally costs $2.49 each!  GREAT DEAL!! Check out the Alberston's Deals Blog Here

For the Cereal deal - I was a little bummed because I didn't read 2 of my coupons correctly and I couldn't use them.  But over all ..I didn't do too bad.

The deal Albertson's was offering was 2 for $4 on General Mills cereals.  The kids picked out their fav's (Cocoa Puffs and Cinnamon Toast Crunch).

I had a coupon for $1 off on Coco Puffs but I mistakenly grabbed the wrong one for the Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

I purchased 4 boxes of cereal ( 2 each of each kind).

For the Cocoa Puffs I received $1 off - so I only paid $1.50 each ( not horrible)

But I did pay full price for the other.

So you can see I made 2 Rookie mistakes by not reading my coupons correctly.

Not that I am blaming them, but I did have the kids with me so my concentration wasn't 100 %.  I know now that I need to leave them at home until I get more familiar with the coupon game.  I find this challenging and wish I had more time to commit to it.  I am enjoying some of the deals I am finding...and am already combing through my new CVS add!

This lady is amazing!  Here's her book:

2010 Budget Challenge - Week 1

So for my first week in the 2010 Budget Challenge I didn't do too badly.

The budget consists of $25.00 per person.  So I have a $100.00 weekly for my family of 4.

This week I had some learning challenges with CVS, but I think I am starting to get the hang of it!  I will be heading out to Albertsons today to see what deals I can get there.

Here is a snap shot of my money spent so far:

CVS: $96.41 (this does include the big mistake of the $74 purchase)

Eating out: $5.81 (I was starving!)
Fresh and Easy: $29.45
-----------------------------
$114.53

I know I am already over budget and I still need to pick up a few items today.  But for the most part, on average I was spending about $250 a week on groceries and eating out.  This week we didn't eat out once!  I had to on Wednesday night because I work late and everyone else had already ate and was at church.  But I got a kids meal and didn't eat the whole thing...Walt finished it for me.  So technically that's a savings since it fed 2 people!

I am going to try preparing some items ahead....since I killed myself this week to make dinner every night and we were practically eating before bed time.  That made me crazy!

Here's a neat book I saw on Amazon!