ARE YOU REALLY SAVING MONEY?

I thought I would do this post on really saving money. To start out gas is not cheap. Are you one of those that run out the the store everytime a post comes up from a deal site? I used to be. Now I have a spread sheet and plan out my trips if something comes up before my next trip it is added to my list. It will not kill you to miss a deal..that took me awhile to keep telling my self that.
     Another tip is get all you can at one store to keep from running from store to store. Not only is that draining its draining your gas tank and your time. And having your trips planned will save you time in the store and keep you from picking up items you didnt plan on.
     Just because something is on sale at a store does not mean its the best price you can get. After you coupon more you will start knowing the regular prices of your regular stores. But always research your sales never go with the first sale you see another store might have it a whole lot less. Stores will try to trick you it helps to know your prices. I have seen items that were .89 go on sale some weeks for 5 for $5. Bogo are not always good deals depending on the stores. I have seen some mark the first item up. So try to be aware of your sales.
     I hear so many say I dont buy anything with out a coupon. I got news for them there is still things i need that I will not have a coupon for all products do not have coupons out at all times. For example i need tuna fish the other day so I stood there and looked and read oz's. Size can be fooling when shopping with and without coupons. Alot of people get a coupon and say well why get the little one when I get the big one at a discount. Here is what i seen. 2 Large cans of tuna would have cost 4.56....but why get four little cans to equal the same amount well because i got 4 small cans for 2.72 and ended up with more product in the cans. So if you dont have a coupon for something do some smart shopping.
     Discounted foods. Alot of people think eww discounted meats, breads, dairy, and some veggies. Well they can be your best friends. Discounted does not mean they are spoiled they are approaching the date the store can no longer sell it as fresh. Alot of the time if you look at the date it is still several days away. Freeze it i promise it wont go bad. No however some stores will reduce some brown meat or nasty looking foods that you stay away from. Most of you know this but you can freeze bread, milk, veggies, cheese, and tons of items even eggs.
      That brings me to my last topic. When something is on sale buy in bulk I do. When egg go on sale I buy several dozens and freeze them. If I happen to find milk reduced i freeze it. Best of all I love finding bags of onions, bell pepers, and other veggies reduced usually they will stuff a bag for .99. I come home put it in my chopper and freeze in ziploc bags then when i am cooking i have my own seasoning blend without having to chop it. I could probably go on and on.
   

Preview of drugstore Freebies

You can start pulling your coupons together now and be ready for these freebies and deals from Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS that are coming up starting this weekend 7/24/11. If there is a printable coupon, you should probably snag it soon so they don't run out before the ad starts!

Walgreens:

Irish Spring Deodorant - You Pay: 2/$6
Buy 2 products and get $4 back in Register Rewards
Less: $1/1 Mfg. Coupon (SS 7/24/11 - possibly regional)
Final Price: FREE
Walgreens Brand Perfection Tampons - You Pay: $1.50
You Get Back: $1.50 in Register Rewards
Final Price: FREE

DenTek Comfort Clean Flosser - You Pay: $2.99
Less: $1/1 Dentek Product of $2 or more
You Get Back: $2 in Register Rewards
Final Price: FREE
Crest Toothpaste - You Pay: 2/$4.98
Less: $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel (PG 6/05/11)
OR: $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel (PG 7/03/11)
You Get Back: $3 in Register Rewards
Final Price: $0.24 each
Skintimate Shave Cream or Gel  - You Pay: $1.99 w/ In Ad Coupon
Less: $1.50/1 Skintimate Product
OR: $1/1 Skintimate Product (Zip 75204)
Final Price: As low as $0.49 each

CVS:

Paper Mate Grip Pens - You Pay: $1.99
You Get Back: $1.99 ECBs (limit 1)
Final Price: Free after ECBs
Bausch & Lomb Re-Nu sensitive (12 oz) - You Pay: $7.89
Less: 
$2/1 Renu Fresh or Sensitive
OR: $2/1 Renu Fresh or Sensitive Multi-Purpose (SS 6/12/11)
You Get Back: $6 ECBs (limit 1)
Final price: As low as FREE

Schick and Playtex Products
You Get $10 ECBs wyb $20 in products (Limit 1)
Try This:
Buy 2 Skintimate Shave Cream - You Pay: $2.19 ($4.38)
Buy 2 Schick Hydro Razors - You Pay: $7.99 ($15.98)
Less: (2) $1.50/1 Printable Coupon Skintimate Shave Cream
Less: (2) $4/1 Mfg. Coupon Schick Hydro Razors (SS 6/12/11)
You Get Back: $10 ECBs
Final price: FREE (Everything)

Rite Aid:

Listerine Pocket Packs or Reach Toothbrushes - You Pay:  $2.99
Less: 
$1 Rite Aid Video Values Store Coupon – (You can start watching on  7/24/11)
STACK: $0.50/1 Listerine Products (SS 4/17/11)
OR: $2/2 Reach Toothbrushes (SS 5/08/11)
OR: $2.50/2 Listerine Products (SS 4/17/11)
OR: $0.50/1 Listerine Products or Plax Rinse (SS 1/09/11)
OR: $1/1 Reach Toothbrush All You July 2011
You Get Back: $1 +UP Rewards (limit 2)
Final price: As low as FREE