Some time saving things I did this christmas break!!!

As a mom of four seems like everytime i start to clean,cook,relax or get on the phone I hear mom im hungry!!!! I am right or what. Here are some things I tried during this two and half week break i will for sure do from here on out!!!

* I got a old basket and put snacks in ziplock bags. And left out on the table...now in my house you just cant let them help them self in the pantry or a snack ends up being one eating a whole pack of cookies..lol. With the basket I picked items i didnt mind them eating up...a good way to get them to eat opened items..heres how it worked here i had some cookies in a ziplock bag in the pantry they would not eat i divided them down to snack size ziplock bags and they get gone in a heart beat.

* Then each morning i would fix up several sandwiches and cut them in fours and place in a air tight container for help your self sandwiches...the kids loved being able to get their own.

* I emptied out my ice box drawer and placed only their drinks and yogurts and such. Where everyone could reach them.

*ok personally if you coupon you prolly dont buy snack packs since you usually get the box of jello and pudding free. I got some plastic cups about twice the size of shot glasses and made individual cups of jello and pudding to put in the fridge which made it super easy for them to help their self with out making a mess.

* Pushing them to drink water I have tons of bottled water so i took straws and burned the ends closed with a lighter and poured the water mixes kool aid, crystal light etc..and placed them in a cup then it was a suprize what they were getting and they drank plenty of water.


Hope these help they take very little prep time and make the day run so much smoother more me. Def worth a shot to see if they work for you. I am sure I left out a few it so i will update.

COUPON WITH A CONSCIENCE!!!!!

Although these couponing practices are not considered fraud, they are still not right and frowned upon....

* Clearing shelves of an item ( if you need all they have check with them to see if they can order some for you )

* Buy more than you need ( dontating is fine but there are some that do not dontate and buy more than they will ever need)

* Pull peelies off items you are not buying or dont use right away ( I seen a lady the other day pulling all the peelies off and putting in her purse not even using that day)

* Grab several coupon booklets ( Walgreens runs out fast you only need on booklet you dont have to cut them just let the cashier scan the coupon in your booklet and you can use it over and over leave some for others)

* Take coupon tags off bottles you dont purchase

* Remove all the coupons from a tear pad or all the blinkies from the machine ( FYI you dont have to take the whole pad and sometimes you can ask the manager and they have more they will give you with out wiping out the whole pad. IF IT IS A COUPON YOU DONT USE IT IS NOT OK TO TAKE THE WHOLE PAD TO SELL ON EBAY EITHER.)

January All You Coupons

$2.00 on any bic muli purpose lighter
$1.00 on any 2 packages of cream of wheat (minimum 11oz)
$1.00 off Tyson Chicken Roast
$1.00 off any two kid cuisine meals
$1.00 off any lil critters product
$1.00 off any vitafusion product
$3.00 off any pronutrients supplements
$1.00 off any 2 arm & hammer laundry detergents
.50 off ricos nacho cheese
.50 off any one carnation breakfast essentials product
$1.00 off any allwhites 100% egg white liquid
1.00 off all you health and fitness issue
.99 off dulcolax 25 ct or larger
.50 off any champion dried fruit
1.00 off natures path pumpkin flax granola
1.00 off 1 dryel cleaning kit or refill
20.00 off 1 sentry safe fire safe
10.00 off 1 sentry safe fire chest
1.00 off zipfizz
1.00 off hidden summit by robyn carr

severl good articles on saving money shopping and Make smart coupon choices

Brookshires deals 11-30 thru 12-6

Bar-s Franks $1.00
Use .50 on two ( will double to 1.00)
Final price: .50 each

Hunts Ketchup $1.00
Use .35 on one found in banquet meals (will triple making it FREE)
Final: FREE

Crunch N Munch $1.00
Use .50 on two or 1.00 on two found in banquet meals
Final: .50 each

Martha white muffin mix .99
Use .35 on one ( will triple)
Final: FREE

Update on Kroger deals..that can be price matched at walmart...

Febreze air affects & set and refresh  $1.79
Use 1.00 off air affects or 1.00 off set n refresh or 1.00 any febreze with gain product
Final price .79 ( I personally have never gotten febreze this cheap)

Pepsi for .86
Use .55 on 1 2 liter ( i found on ebay)
final price .31

I missed these next two whats happening to me...lol

Gillette Body wash $1.99
use $1.00 on one body wash
final price .99 this is a decent price for you if you dont have it in your stockpile....once you get started body wash is usually free.

Old spice deodrant .99
use 1.00 on two old spice
final price .49 each for deodrant

You have till tuesday to get these prices or price match them.

A few good Dollar General deals!!

Hefty one zip on their $1.00 isle
Use $1.00 on 2 coupon expires 9/30/11
Final price .50 each   ( you can order these really cheap on ebay)

Degree 1.00 also on $1.00 isle
Use .75 on one degree
final price .25 each ( good stock up price these you can also get on ebay pretty cheap)

Spic n Span 1.00 on $1.00 isle
Coupons.com 1.00 on 2
final price .50 each

Frenches Worcestershire Sauce  1.00
Use .75 off coupon
final price  .25

Brut deodrant 1.00 I havent spotted these at mine
Use 1.00 off coupon
Final price... Free


They also have some stackable printable on their page as well

1.00 on 2 clorox toliet bowl cleaner stackable with the 1.00 on 2 Manf one. ...could make a good deal last week they were 1.75

$2.00 bayer coupon stackable with $2.00 off manf....thats $4.00 off one bottle

Brookshires Deals 8-31 thru 9-6

Iceberg head lettace  $1.00 each

Kraft BBQ sauce  .79 each

Bread .89 each

Zatarains 10 for $10 use .50 on two Internet printable which will double to get them for .50 each

Fresh express salad  1.50 use 1.00 off coupon for .50 salad.

Walgreens freebies so far.

Here are your Walgreens Freebies so far...

Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm $1.50
Get $1.50 RR
Use recent $.50 Carmex printable (no longer available)
Final Price: Free or $.50 Moneymaker!

Oral-B Complete Deep Cleaning Toothbrush, Crest Complete Deep Clean Toothpaste or Glide Floss 2/$5
Get $3 RR
Use 2 $1 Toothbrush from 8/28 P&G
Use 2 $1 or $.75 Toothpaste from 8/28 P&G or 7/31 P&G
Use 2 $1 or $.75 Floss from 8/28 P&G or 7/31 P&G
Final Price: As cheap as 2 Free!

Estroven Dietary Supplement 28 ct $10
Get $10 RR
Final Price: Free!

Crayola Crayons 24 pk $1
Get $1 RR
Final Price: Free!

Coming Soon Another Coupon Mommie Giveaway!!!

Keep an eye out on the blog for a Giveaway Soon!!

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

Brookshires & Brookshire Brother deasl

BROOKSHIRES MANSFIELD AREA

Banquet Fruit pies 2 for $1
use $0.40 off 2 ( that will double)
Final Price - $0.10 each Wow stock up price

Free food club milk and imperial butter wyb 10 knorr rice sides @ 10 for $10
Use your .50 on 2 only one will double but for free milk and butter makes it worth it

Ragu sauce 2 for $4 wyb 1 you get 1 barilla pasta free
Use $0.50 off one Ragu
Final price 1.00 for ragu and barilla pasta


Tide to go pen 1.99
use 1.00 off ( cheaper at walmart)
Final $0.99

BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS

Angel Soft 1.00
Use 0.55 off one
Final $0.45 each

Louisiana fish fry .99
Use 1.00 off 2
Final .98 for 2

Store coupon policies.

http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

http://www.familydollar.com/documents/pdfs/couponpolicy.pdf

 http://www.dollargeneral.com/OurStores/Pages/CouponPolicy.aspx

http://www.brookshires.com/brookshire_cnt/couponsacceptancepolicy.html

http://www.brookshirebrothers.com/index.php/coupon-policy


http://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/generalhelp/coupon_policy_main.jsp

http://content.riteaid.com/stores/CustomerCouponAcceptancePolicyAugust2010.pdf

Brookshire Brothers Deals 5-25 thru 5-31

Del monte Ketchup $0.69

Bar S Franks 5 for $5
use $1.00 off 1 Bar S Product
Final Price - FREE

Ritz $1.99
Use $1.00 off one
Final Price $0.99

Heluva Good Dips 2 for $3
Use $0.55 off 1
Final Price $0.95 each

Betty Crocker Potato Mixes 5 for $5
Use $0.50 off 2
Final Price $.75 each

Louisiana fish, shrimp or chicken Fry mix $0.98
Use $1.00 off 2
Final Price $0.48 each

Brookshires Deals 5/25-5/31

Kraft BBQ sauce 18 oz $0.89
I dont have a coupon for that size but a good price

Kc Master piece BBQ sauce $0.99
Use $1.00 of any bbq or marinade
Final Price - FREE

Lloyds Woodsfire entrees B1G1 Free
 Use $1.00 off coupon on each one...( depends on the price if these are a good deal)

Zatarains creole fish fry 10 for 10
Use $0.50 on 2 (this will double to 1.00)
Final Price $0.50 each

Hunts Manwich 10 for $10
Use $1.00 off 3
Final price - $0.60 each

Lawry's Marinade $1.88
Use $0.50 off one ( which will double to $1.00)
Final Price- $0.88

Jello 2 For $1
Use $0.55 on 2
Final Price - $0.23 each

French's mustard $1.50 20 oz
Use $0.50 off ( will double to $1.00)
Final Price - $0.50

My newest Coupon order :)

If you shop at rite aid...They have some good sales coming up in the next few weeks. I ordered Some $1 off two Laffy Taffy coupons which will make Free candy. I also ordered some more Baby Ruth coupons $1 off 2 which will make FREE candy bars...who dont need some candy around for the kids for summer :)

Walgreens next week

While browsing thru next weeks walgreens some goodies i seen.
6 rolls charmin $2.99 with in ad coupon
purex B1G1 (if you ordered the purex coupons for this weeks rite aid) I had some left
Pure silk shave cream $1.99 $1.50 RR like paying $0.49
Yardly soap .69 all u last month had a .30 off coupon = $0.39
 Qtips $1.99 use .60 off coupon = $1.39
Scunci hair elastics $2 with $2 rr= Free
Tone Body wash $3.99 - $2 iP oop 1.99 $3 rr= Free plus $1.01 money maker

These were just browsing thru prolly alot more deals when I sit down with my binder and match up

Brookshire Brothers Deals 5/18- 5/24 not much but a few things

Bar-S corndogs 3lb box $3.99
Bar-s website $1.00 off printable coupons Final price $2.99

Manwich sloppy joe sauce $0.79
Use $1.00 off 3 coupon Final price $0.45 each

Kraft Marshmellows $1.19
Use $0.50 off one final price $0.69

ATTEN: ALL MY COUPONING FRIENDS

While shopping today in two different stores I was stopped by people interested in couponing, which is not uncommon. Every person that stopped comapaired me to or asked was I extreme couponing. I DO NOT believe in extreme couponing. I do however enjoy watching the show for such purposes... I have seen them use several coupons that my area didn't get or I didn't know about and was able to order me some. Also you can see different ways of organization. But I do not believe in the quantity they shop in or clearing the shelves. This show has created many monsters. And the fact is most are not using couponing properly. Now you can hardly get a set of coupons from eBay with out paying the full value of the product with out the coupon. Store shelves are being cleared. So no I don't extreme coupon. Just wanted to clarify the difference in couponing and extreme couponing.

Dollar General deals

Sobe Lifewater, 20 oz., On Sale for $1
$1.50/5 Sobe Product, exp. 5-21-11 (Pepsico Moments)
Final Cost: $.70 each when you buy 5 

Hunt’s Ketchup, 24 oz., On Sale for $1
$0.35/1 Hunts Ketchup, exp. 5-31-12 (Banquet Dinner Package)
$0.50/2 Hunt’s Ketchup, exp. 6-30-11 (ConAgra Rediscover Family)
Final Cost: as low as $.65  

French’s Mustard, 8 oz., On Sale for $1
$0.30/1 French’s Classic Yellow Mustard, exp. 7-15-11 (SS 05/15/11)
$0.30/1 French’s Classic Yellow Mustard, exp. 6-10-11 (SS 04/10/11)
Final Cost: $.70 

Kraft Barbecue Sauce, 18 oz., On Sale for $1
$0.55/1 Bull’s Eye or Kraft Barbecue Sauce (Kraft Food & Family)
Final Cost: $.45 

French’s Worcestershire Sauce, 10 oz., On Sale for $1
$0.75/1 French’s Worcestershire Sauce, exp. 8-15-11 (SS 05/15/11)
$0.50/1 French’s Worcestershire Sauce, exp. 5-31-11 (SS 03/27/11)
$0.50/1 French’s Worcestershire Sauce printable
Final Cost: as low as $.25 

Chex Mix, 5.5 oz., On Sale for 10/$10
$1/2 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, exp. 6-25-11 (SS 05/01/11)
$0.50/1 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Cal. Snack printable
$1/3 Bugles, Chex Mix, or Gardetto’s Snacks, exp. 2-1-12 (Peelie)
Final Cost: $.50 each when you buy 2 

They have Spic and Span spray for 1.00
use the 1.00 off two printable you pay 1.00 for two bottles.