Karmic Shopping Highlights

Friday my BFF, Tracy, and I racked up some girlie time shopping and grabbing some coffee and apps.  We hit up some of my favorite stores to piddle around in sans kiddos.  We also had some great shopping karma on our side and we were able to pick up some awesome finds at great prices.  I already briefed you on my "Royal" Deal, so I will get right to the other highlights.

First stop, Pottery Barn in search of some new Master Bedroom bedding.  I have been on a kick to redecorate the second floor.  We have already redone the boys' room and laundry room and I have some ideas for the office area and the hub's guitar nook, but my focus right now is the master bedroom and revamping the walk-in closet.  My color palate inspiration came to me in the form of a Kleenex box (that I purchased with a coupon of course).

Here is the basic bedding I picked up at Pottery Barn, on sale:)  I envision the walls a light gray and the bedding and decor accented with ivories, lime green and a few other surprises.  But this isn't a decorating blog, it is a coupon blog...so let's get to the deals.

A few months ago, I bought the boys' bedding from Pottery Barn Kids (I am a bit of a Pottery Barn addict) and ordered some curtains to go with it.  I had scored a $150 gift card to PBK by trading in some AMEX points we had accrued.  Well, when the bedding arrived the curtains were a no-go, so I sent them back for a refund.  About two weeks later I received a gift card in the mail for $150.  I was a little confused because my refund should have only been about $140 and I was under the impression it would go back on my credit card...so I gave them a call and inquired as to why they sent me back a gift card.

The customer service lady explained to me that they had already refunded $189 to my credit card and sent the $150 gift card back to me to make up the difference....making this a total refund of $339.  I was a bit dumbfounded by the math and informed her that I should only have gotten back about $140...that is when I got the "can you hold a moment please" response.

About 5 minutes later, she comes back on the line and explains to me that it appears they not only refunded the amount of the curtains, but also the 4 shams I purchased and the shipping charges and since it was their mistake they were going to let me keep the extra refund and the gift card.....winner, winner chicken dinner...honesty really does pay off!

So after that long rambling explaination, you can see why my bedding was such a deal...I used the $150 gift card Pottery Barn gifted back to me and found some sale bedding that will serve as the basis for my revamp.  In the end, I was able to pick up a king comforter and 3 euro shams for $155...a steal at Pottery Barn.

Next stop was Hallmark.  I am a bit of a Hallmark junkie.  I love all of the brick-a-bract and knick-knacks they have floating around there.  I am also a Hallmark Gold Crown member which rewards you for every card you buy and sends you gift checks in the mail.  If you buy in 3's, you get an extra 100 points for each 3 you buy = bigger rewards (and the $0.99 cards count in this deal).  You can sign up here if you haven't already.  I was able to pick up 12 cards (earning myself an extra 400 points) and a nice little note pad set for only $27...which is pretty good at Hallmark.  I used a $8.00 gift check, and $5/$20 purchase coupon they had emailed me as well as a coupon for a free notepad set with a $25 purchase I had received in the mail.

If you get this as a little gift, please don't be offended...it is cute and would normally cost $12.95 if that makes you feel a little better.  I ended up saving $25.95 in coupons, about 50% savings.  

On a side note, as I am perusing the cards I hear a woman ask me "do you have your coupons?"...I am thinking, how does she know I am an addict?  Is it that obvious?  Am I  marked with a big scarlet "C"?  As I turn around, she says to me "Remember me from the Meijer?".  

A few weeks ago, T went on a little Meijer trip with me to pick up some cheap Peter Pan peanut butter, some eggs for Easter and some Cheez-Its.  As we are at the self- check out, I hear a woman ask me "What are you doing with all that peanut butter and eggs?  It looks fun".  I explain I am doing nothing with it.  That I am a couponer and I am stockpiling it because it is a good deal.  She exuberantly tells me she is a couponer too and we revel in the greatness of coupons.

Back to Hallmark...she then asks me if we had received the 20% off coupon.  T and I in sync both ask, "What 20% off coupon?".  She than offers up two of the mailers as they had some extras.  We later used this coupon at the Houlihan's for some yummy apps, since it was good for a number of stores and restaurants in the Geneva Commons shopping mall.

Moral of the long-winded story...couponers stick together and I have now made a new friend at the Geneva Hallmark:)

Last stop of the night was Target, as I was in need to more hairspray...another shocker, I know:)  As we cut down the cleaning aisle, I catch that Finish Quantum Dishwashing Tabs are on sale for $2.51 and I had 4 Q's for $1.75/1 that I printed off of a Finish Facebook promotion a week back.  I was able to take home 4-10ct boxes for $3.04 ($0.76/box).  I was pleased as I was starting to run low and feared I may have to pay too much for a much needed item in our house.

At the end of the day, we had some great girlie time, some good karma and a quite a few cheap goodies to show for ourselves.  Thanks TT for always going on my coupon adventures with me...I couldn't ask for a better BFF and coupon sidekick!

A "Royal" Deal

It seems that everyone out there was offering deals in honor of Kate and Williams Royal Wedding...and Bath & Body Works was no exception.  Not only were they acknowledging Kate and Wills with a little "Royal" line of goodies, they were using coupons in observance of the extravaganza as well.

Now some of you out there may be making the equivalent of a "barf" sound right now...if you are, you can just SHUT IT (you know who you are).  I, on the other hand, am completely enamored with the Royal Wedding and all of the hoopla surrounding it.

I remembering watching Princess Diana marry Prince Charles when I was a very little girl, and I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard that she had died.  Ever since then, I have watched Prince William grow up and turn into his mother's son.  I find it all intriguing and endearing.  In the end, it really is a fairy tale wedding of a "commoner" finding her Prince and a Prince finding his Princess.

So, enough of my sappy spewing...lets get to my little "Royal" deal.  In honor of the big day, Bath & Body Works was giving away a free lip gloss or hand sanitizer from their "Royal" line with any purchase (I printed two of these q's in case my BFF wanted to do the deal...she did not...so I did it twice) and I had printed another one for a free travel size item with any purchase from Hunt4Freebies.  Now, if you are a couponer you know you want to find the cheapest thing to purchase to get this expensive item for free.  So that is exactly what I did.

Here is what I picked up for a grand total of $2.43:

I had to do three transactions to make this stellar deal.

Transaction 1:

• 1 "Royal" Hand Sanitizer $0.75 (they were normally $1.50, but they were 50% off)
• 1 "Kissed By A Prince" lip gloss $4.00.  Used printable for free item with purchase.

Total = $0.81

Transaction 2:

• 1 "Royal" Hand Sanitizer $0.75 (they were normally $1.50, but they were 50% off.
• 1 "Kissed By A Prince" lip gloss $4.00.  Used printable for free item with purchase.

Total = $0.81

Transaction 3:

• 1 "Royal" Hand Sanitizer $0.75 (they were normally $1.50, but they were 50% off)
• 1 "Dark Kiss" travel size lotion $5.00.  Used printable for free item with purchase.

Total = $0.81

Got Free Coke?

At our house, we are Coke drinkers.  We don't believe in wasting money on sub par Pepsi or RC or any of the other inferior colas...Yes, Coke is another one of my brand loyalties...and I refuse to pay full price for it.  I prefer to take it home for free or change and Dominick's makes that possible.  Here is one of my favorite coupons and it arrived in the mail today...

If you are a coke lover like myself, you can snag yourself these little gems by simply entering the Coke Rewards points on the inside of bottle caps, 12, 20 and 24-packs.  If you aren't entering those points, you are literally throwing money away.  

Every so often Dominick's will run a B2G2...sometimes it will even include free crackers or chips.  Recently, they had a B2G3...a steller deal.  This is where you want to use these coupons.  You can use them on the two 12-packs that you have to pay for, taking all of them home for just $2.00 or $0.50 each.  Since Dominick's cranks up the price of the two you have to pay for to $5.99, you have to shell out $2.00 for the 2 12-packs you are paying for as the coupons are only good up to $4.99.  Not free, but pretty stinkin' close.

If you are a Coke drinker like me, stop throwing away money and start entering those points!

A Break From Our Regularly Scheduled Program

I need to take a break from my coupon obsession to share a little bit about my other obsession...LIFEHOUSE.  If you know me, you know I am a huge Lifehouse fan...if you don't know me...you now know that I am a huge Lifehouse fan.  I fell in love with them from the moment "Hanging By A Moment" hit the radio in 2000 and have been addicted ever since.

After years of waiting to see them live, I finally made it in November to the Chicago Theater...and it was worth the wait, they were A-MAZ-ING!  Unfortunately, my best girlie who was supposed to go with me was sidelined with some family affairs...this meant that the hubs had to tag along because I wasn't gonna miss this one.  They were so good, I could have been there alone because all I was focused on was rocking out to my favorite band.

Here is a pic of the stage...I had to improvise with the Crackberry I had at the time so it's not the greatest...but I love the backdrop. 

Thanks to a tweet from my girlie this A.M. telling me about the date they are playing at Ravinia, I dropped everything and rushed to the computer to score some tickets.   We are now Lifehouse bound on August 20th.  

I am a bit ashamed to say it, but I totally missed that they were playing this date.  I had just done a stalker check on their website and the date wasn't listed.  Plus, I follow them (and my little bit of bass lovin' Bryce Soderberg) on Facebook and Twitter, and even have a Lifehouse App on my iPhone so I can follow them on the go (I told you I am a little obsessed)...and still no notices. 

I will leave you with a couple of my favorite song performances...if you aren't a Lifehouse fan...you should become one.  Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Broken (Live)

Halfway Gone (Live @ Ironworks Studios)

Hanging By A Moment(live) (the song that started the love affair)

Some of my other favorite favorites are Disarray, Take Me Away, Spin, Bridges and Quasimodo.  There are so many more I love...but I could be here all night posting them...

And in case you are wondering, I didn't have a coupon for the tickets...but having to pay full price will never stop me from seeing these guys, they are worth it.

Mr. Postman, Bring Me Some Joe?

When I came home today from getting a haircut and a trip to Target, this was waiting for me:

I belong to a website called Vocalpoint, they send out newsletters and exclusive samples, high value coupons and offers.  While I thought this mailing was pretty HOT, the goodies on the inside were even ....HOTTER..LOL.

There were 6 coupons total...one for a free pint of Breve Creamer by International Delight and 5 more for $0.55/1.  If you have read my earlier posts, you know that I just stocked up on about 17 pints of this creamer...so I don't need any for a while.  Thank goodness these don't expire until the end of July.  Hopefully Meijer will have another 10 for 10 sale somewhere around that time and I can keep my coffee-drinking hubs caffeinated in style.

In The Name Of Tide

It's no secret that I have a brand loyalty to Tide....it's also no secret that the stuff costs a fortune (and Proctor & Gamble has announced a 4% increase in its price come June).  Sometimes you need to get creative to help bring the price down on those must haves by picking up some goodies that will give you some overage to soften the blow.  Overage is a privilege and not a right, but Target is one of those stores that tends to show you some love with overage...this is only one of many reasons I love Target.....and I do LOVE Target.


Here is what I picked up at Target today.  I had to break it down into two transactions so I could use all of my coupons properly.

Transaction 1:

• 1 Tide 75 oz $8.99.  Used $1/1 = $7.99
• 2 5ct. Zyrtec $5.29.  Used 2 $2/1 and 2 Target Q's $4/1 = FREE plus $1.42 overage

Saved another $0.05 for using a reusable bag.  Total was $7.24 with tax.

Transaction 2:

• 1 Tide 75oz. $8.99.  Used $.75/1 = $8.24
• 2 5ct. Zyrtec $5.29.  Used 2 $2/1 and 2 Target Q's $4/1 = FREE plus $1.42 overage
• 1 Nivea Body Wash $3.04.  Used $3/1 and 1 Target Q $1/1 = FREE plus $0.96 overage
• 1 Connect 4 Travel Game $4.99.  Used $3/1 = $1.99 

Saved another $0.05 for using a reusable bag.  Total was $9.05.

My total for both transactions was $16.29 (not too bad if you consider the cost of the 2 Tides was 17.98 before coupons and any other purchases).  I saved a total of $28.85.  I brought the Tide and body wash home for myself, the game for the kiddos and the Zyrtec for my best girlie...that's what friends are for right???  Plus, I profited off the good deed...so that one was a two-fer:)  

It Was Love At First Coupon...

My new companion-in-couponing finally arrived on Saturday.  I knew about its arrival thanks to the wonder of package tracking.  I was giddy with excitement as I ran up to the mail box to greet my new love....picture Ralphie in A Christmas Story as he rushes to the mailbox to get his Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Pin.  I snatched the envelope out of the mailbox and tore it open, adrenaline pulsing through my hands and a huge smile upon my face.  I had waited for this moment and it had finally arrived....I could now fit all of my lovely little friends together in one highly organized organizer...life was good.

Here is my new partner in crime brimming with coupons:

Here is what it looks like with the top flap closed:

I found this beauty on Etsy at Glowgirl Fibers.  A wonderful lady named Deb designs and makes these little gems and will even customize them if you need her to....and I did, as the standard width for this design was only 4 inches and I needed 6 inches.  Make sure to check her out!

Pretty In Pink

In a house filled with men, right down to the pets, I needed to create a little corner of outright "girlie-ness".  This need to go pink coincided right in line with the need to rework the laundry room so I could store more of my stockpile away.  The recent influx of cheap bleach and clearance stain release left almost no free room in the laundry room and with another coupon deal almost certainly lurking around the corner...reorganization was a must.

Here is how it turned out...

Some Schick And A Surprise

I hit up Wags for some cheap Schick razors for the hubs.  Although he is a lover of Gillette Fusion, with the help of a good friend we have persuaded him to switch to Schick due to Gillette"s history of testing their products on animals.

Wags had a good B1G1 sale on the blades and razors and there were q's in last weeks Trib to make this a pretty good buy. Wags will let you use a q on a free item as well, which is what made this deal worthwhile.

• 4-4 pack Schick 5 cartirdges $11.99 B1G1.  Used 4 $2/1 q's = $15.98
• 2-Schick 5 Razor with 2 cartridges $9.99 B1G1.  Used 2 $3/1 q's = $3.99

Total for 20 blades and two razors was $21.62.  This comes out to only a dollar a blade which is a pretty good buy.  I saved $47.97 in coupons and promotions...sweet!

On a side note, my wonderful hubs surprised my with this awesome netbook.  I have been wanting one for a while to use for my couponing, scrapbooking and homeowner association responsibilities.

This was supposed to by a Mother's Day gift, but thanks to American Express' fraud alert notifications, the surprised was ruined:(  On the other hand, at least we know it is catching large purchases and notifying us that the card is being used.  I cannot say I am totally saddened by that development as I got to enjoy my gift early.  

Thanks Gary for always thinking of me and spoiling me with awesome gifts.  I love you.

No More Room At The Inn

I carry two coupon organizers with me.  One is a larger one that holds all of my manufacturer grocery coupons and the other is a smaller organizer that is split into stores I shop at regularly with two dividers for other random store q's (never know what you will need so I pretty much save anything that looks remotely appealing).  

My smaller organizer is great for stashing the q's I am going to use on my individual shopping trips.  I am pretty methodical about making sure my coupons are pulled and coordinated with my list before I walk into a store to snatch up some deals and get my fix.  I don't want to have to fumble through George's Wallet at the check-out and risk missing a q because I didn't see it or the kiddos are running a muck.  This helps me minimize spending errors (something I HATE) and keeps the shopping moving pretty quick.  But sometimes even the best laid plans can fail and a q gets missed or my calculations are off.

This was George's Wallet as you last saw him:

He was on the verge of popping a stitch and exploding everywhere...so I decided to upgrade to a small box...

It looked big enough in the store (it is 4 1/2 inches wide on the bottom)...but when I got it home and loaded it up I couldn't get my fingers in there to pull any of the coupons out...and I still had a stack on my desk to tuck away with all of my other little friends.  I hated to admit it...I needed an even bigger organizer.

As anyone else in my situation would do, I took to the streets looking high and low....ok, ok...so I went to goggle and typed in "coupon organizer"...but I still couldn't find anything.  Then I came upon Etsy.  

I think I may have found my coupon soul mate....hopefully it will be as fabulous as I envision it to be...I found a fellow coupon lover with sewing skills to boot that is making me a custom organizer as I type this.  I can only hope that 6" is wide enough (the hubs told me to go 6 1/2...so if it is too small I am gonna hear about this forever).  

My mail order companion should be arriving soon...Stay tuned to see how our story unfolds:)

Target Randoms

I had to run and pick up some prescriptions at Target today, one of them being a new prescription.  Of course you know I had one of those little "fill a new prescription and get a $10 gift card" q's in one of my two coupon organizers (yes, I have two and I am out of room....more on that in a few).

While I was waiting on those, I took a wander through Target hand-in-hand with my specially selected Target coupons hoping to find their better halves.  Here is what I picked up:

I had to do two transactions so I could use all of my coupons.

Transaction 1:

• 2 tubs Lysol Wipes $1.89.  Used 2 $1.50/1 q's = $.78
• 1 bottle Method Disinfectant $1.48 Clearance.  Used .50/1 Target Mobile Q = $0.98
• 1 15W CFL bulb $1.62 Clearance.  Used $2/1 Mobile Target Q = FREE
• 4  packages Revlon Emery Boards $1.47.  Used 4 Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 package Revlon Emery Boards $1.27.  Used Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 5ct Allegra $6.78.  Used Target Q $2/1 and Manufacturer Q $5/1 = $0.22 Moneymaker
• Green plastic bin $2.99
• 8 ct wash clothes $3.49

Got $0.05 for using a reusable bag (FYI: Target takes off $0.05 off your order for every reusable bag you bring in and use...in case you didn't know).  Total was $6.74 with tax that I paid with my newly acquired $10 gift card.

Transaction 2:

• 1 package O-Cello Sponges $1.89.  No Q, but I couldn't hold out any longer
• 2 tubs Lysol Wipes $1.89.  Used 2 $1.50/1 q's = $.78
• 1 package Revlon Emery Boards $1.27.  Used Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 2  packages Revlon Emery Boards $1.47.  Used 2 Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 Revlon Nail Clipper $1.59.  Used Target Q $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tool = FREE
• 1 5ct Allegra $6.78.  Used Target Q $2/1 and Manufacturer Q $5/1 = $0.22 Moneymaker
• 1 bottle Tide Stain Release Spray $4.49.  Used $2/1 from the Tide mailer and sample I just received.  unfortunately it wasn't on sale...but we got stains, so I had to =$2.49
• Green plastic bin $2.99
• 8 ct wash clothes $3.49

Got another $0.05 for using a reusable bag.  Total was $12.69 with tax. I paid $3.26 on my gift card and $9.43 OOP.  I saved a total of $39.17:)

I made another quick pit stop at Wags for some free toddler toothpaste; On sale for $1.99.  Used 2 $1/1 Manufacturer Q's and 2 Wags $1/1 Q's.  Since Logan still can't figure out it is better to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it, I still have to buy this overly priced version...so I take a good freebie wherever I can find it cuz it is hard to get the toddler stuff at a good price.  I ended up with two toothpaste and one chocolate covered marshmallow egg to eat up my $0.02 overage (they were out of all the other little items on my list) for a grand total of $0.70.  Not quite free, but at least I got a little snack out of the deal:)

Free Time = Coupon Time

Originally I didn't think I would have time to do my Monday coupon jaunts because Jax had a play date scheduled, but thanks to Mother Nature and her "gift" of cold and rain I was able to squeeze in some quality time with my coupons....and my boys:)

Our first stop was Wags:

• 2-6 packs Scott Naturals Paper Towels.  Used 2 Wags q's $1/1 and 2 Manufacturer q's $1.50/1 = $5.00
• 3 rolls Scotch Tape.  Used Wags Q B1G2 and 2 Manufacturer q's $1/1 = FREE

Wags allows you to use a coupon on a free item, as does Jewel...more on that in a few:)  I am not a huge fan of Scott products, but I have to choose my battles...so I give a little on brand loyalty with my paper towels so I can maintain other loyalties to my favorites like Peter Pan peanut butter, Angel Soft toilet paper, Degree Deoderant and Tide.  In order for me to keep within a budget, I found I need to sway on some things to hit the mark and paper towels was just one of those things.  Total OOP was $5.89 with tax and total coupon savings was $10.98.

Next stop, Meijer.  I know I have said it before, but if you haven't signed up for Meijer's mPerks....you should!  Right now they are giving you a $5 off a $5 purchase q just for signing up...what are you waiting for?  I was also lucky enough to find one of those little gems waiting to be claimed under my mPerks offers...and it was perfect timing.  

Meijer had Angel Soft on sale for $4.99 for 12 double rolls.  I had two $0.50/1 q's and used my mPerks q for $5/$5...I brought home 24 double rolls for only $4.38....A STEAL!  

We hit up Target for some Close-To-Free Goodies.

• 6 Bottles Nivea Body Wash $3.04.  Used 6 $3/1 q's = $0.24
• 2 Bottles Nivea Body Wash $3.99.  Used 2 $3/1 q's =$1.98
• 1 Connect 4 Travel Game $4.99.  Used $3/1 q =$1.99
• 3 Pampers Kandoo Toddler Wipes $1.42.  Used 3 $1/1 = $1.26

Total OOP was only $8.20 with tax....I love Target:)

Last stop...Jewel.  It was like Christmas over at my Batavia Jewel.  All sorts of goodies for low, low prices.  I have some shopper loyalty to my Batavia Jewel ladies.  They are awesome, friendly, funny women who are always willing to help and never get annoyed at my stacks of q's....thanks Ladies for your patience:)

I had to do two transactions at Jewel so I could take home two insanely cheap hams.

Transaction 1:

• 3 boxes Nestle Snack Size Drumsticks $4.00 each.  Used 3 $1/1 q's = $ 9.00
• 2 boxes Mrs. T's Pierogies  $3.49 B1G1.  Used 2 $1/1 q's = $1.49
• 2 boxes Jif Corn muffin mix.  2/$1
• 1 Lawry's Marinades  $1.  Used 2 .50/1 q's = $0.50
• 1 64 oz. Minute Maid OJ $2.5.  Used 1 $1/1 q's = $1.50
• 1 8.5lb Shank Ham $12.29.  Used $9/1 ham with $20 purchase Jewel Q = $3.29

I also had a $2 off a $25 or more purchase Jewel q that I threw into the mix.  My OOP was $15.15 and I got back a $4 ONYO Cat for the ice cream purchase to roll into my next transaction.

Transaction 2:

• 3 boxes Haagen-Dazs Drumsticks $4.00 each.  Used 3 $1/1 q's = $ 9.00
• 2 boxes Mrs. T's Pierogies  $3.49 B1G1.  Used 2 $1/1 q's = $1.49
• 1 Lawry's Marinades  $1.  Used 2 .50/1 q's = $0.50
• 1 64 oz. Minute Maid OJ $2.5.  Used 1 $1/1 q's = $1.50
• 1 8.5lb Shank Ham $12.56.  Used $10/1 ham (Dominick's Store Q) with $20 purchase = $2.56

I also had another one of those handy dandy $2/$25 to bring down the cost as well as my $4 Cat.  My OOP was $9.39 and I got back another $4 OYNO Cat and a surprise Cat for a $20 gift certificate to Red Envelope compliments of Haagen-Dazs.  Check it out...

I spent a total of $24.54 OOP at Jewel and left with $4 for my next trip and a $20 gift certificate (almost broke even)...not too shabby for a whole lotta ham, ice cream and a small gift.  

Believe it or not, it was easier to plan out those savings than to come home and try to cram anything else into our already bulging freezers (We have a small chest freezer and two standard refrigerators with freezers).  If I blog about anymore frozen goodies, please call me out on my insanity.  I am going to have to start stashing my groceries at the neighbors...

P.S.  I made a quick drive-by at another Wags and picked up more free tape and $0.50 bribes for the kiddos....total OOP $1.40 with tax.

This Beacon Is Not A Ray of Hope...

This Sunday's paper had a plethora of coupons in it.  Almost a Christmas in April...complete with snow.  There were two Smartsource inserts and two Red Plum inserts, enough to pacify my addiction for at least several days...if I could only get my hands on them.

For the second weekend in a row, my newspaper delivery person (and I use the word "delivery" loosely) has failed to deliver my second Sunday edition of the Tribune (I am supposed to get two copies delivered on Sundays).  He (or she) instead likes to leave me The Beacon in place of the Tribune...a paper to which I have never had a subscription nor do I want one (and why would I when I keep getting it for free?).  It's almost like the Beacon is his fall-guy.  If he can't remember what paper I get...he just throws the Beacon out there to take one for the team.  Does he really think The Beacon will pacify me and I will forget his many shortcomings as a paper delivery person?  He doesn't know me at all...

In case you are wondering, these mis-delivery occurrences aren't just reserved for a Sunday assault on my coupons.  They usually occur at a rate of about every third day.  I don't tend to care too much about the others, as they don't tend to have around $100 dollars stashed in the advert section, but I have begun reporting them since they are no longer isolated instances.  Sometimes he will redeliver the paper, sometimes he won't.....and sometimes he will leave me another Beacon...

This Sunday he again failed to leave my second copy of the Tribune.  When I looked out the window and saw only one had arrived,  I felt an overwhelming sense of anger and resentment towards my delivery person.  Don't they know it is Sunday???  For Pete's sake, it's like Santa doing a drive-by and forgetting to toss the presents down the chimney!   

Now I was going to have to attempt to get a redelivery of the Tribune and this involves making a phone call (sometimes several) to a far off land (and I'm not talking the North Pole).  I could only hope all my dialing wouldn't result in another Beacon.  Now I do not mean to offend, but I hate when I call for assistance and my phone call gets transferred to a call center several thousand miles away.  I ask you, how the heck is it helpful to talk to someone in a completely different country about a paper that I am supposed to get delivered in Illinois?  I want to talk to someone in Illinois about my paper in Illinois, is that too much to ask?!?!?!  They don't give a hoot about my paper and my yearning for coupons.  They probably think I am some loon.  Far fetched?  Maybe not...but I digress.  They just calmly recite their pre-formulated responses, assure me one will be redelivered in an hour and send me on my way.

Well, this Sunday I demanded someone call me back.  Low and behold, the phone rings and the area code says"312", could it really be???  Someone who lives in Illinois is calling about my paper in Illinois???  I was more than willing to discuss my unfulfilled delivery needs.  I was like a nutter-butter on a therapist's couch.  I went on and on and on and on about my paper and the missing coupons.  I told him all about my delivery person's shortcomings and I believe I even used the word "inept"  A little much?? Possibly.  But they are my coupons and I want them now...

This morning this was attached to my paper:

Now, I have already drawn the conclusion that my delivery person is, in fact, a total idiot.  But come on, really?  Do you think I am going to believe that someone is stealing my paper and leaving a Beacon in it's place?  Or better yet...replacing my redelivery with yet another Beacon?  

Does he really think this insert is really going to restore my faith in his delivery capabilities and make me reconsider the fact that he isn't screwing up my morning papers, but that they are being stolen by a Beacon-wielding thief???  I can only conclude that he is far dumber than I had first thought.  But as my father-in-law says, "It doesn't take all kinds, there just is."  No truer words have ever been spoken.  

Friday Deals

Since Monday is going to be a busy day around here, I hit up my weekly deals early.  My first stop was Jewel...and this was a stellar trip!  Here is a pic of what I took home:

• 26 Fuze drinks B1G1 at $0.99.  Used 11 $1/2 Q's and 1 B4G2 from a Jewel mailer = $0.13 moneymaker
• 18 Idahoan Instant Potatoes (great for a quick meal) $0.49.  Used 6 $1/3 = $2.82
• 1 package Jewel Cream Cheese $0.99
• 1 McCormick Grill Mates seasoning $1.29.   Used $1/1 =$0.29
• 2 pounds Jewel Butter $1.99 each =$3.98
• 1 package Oreos $2.49 (no coupon, but on sale and my favorite...I splurged)
• 1 Jello Temptations $1.99.  Used a free coupon from a mailer = FREE

Total cost was $8.19...a steal.  I saved $41.47 in manufacturer q's and store promotions.  A total savings of  84%.  I also love these Fuze drinks, but refuse to pay for them because I know I can get them free if I am patient.

Next stop was clothes shopping for the boys with Aunt T.  I am pretty partial to the Children's Place (another one of my brand loyalties).  I like the style and quality of their clothes and if I use my coupons wisely, can usually pick the boys up some nice things for a reasonable amount of $$.  I also belong to their Place Perks Rewards program, which gives you money back on purchases and higher value store q's.  Here is what I picked up for the boys:

I was able to get the kids 4 pairs carpenter jean shorts; 4 pairs sweat shorts; 1 pair plaid shorts; 1 pair swim trunks; and 7 t-shirts.  A total of 17 items for $80.60 with tax.  That comes out to only $4.74 per item.  I used a total of $70.59 in coupons and another $20 on an AMEX gift card that Gary picked up for free by signing up for an email newsletter (FREE $$$).  My total savings was $90.59 (or 53%)...almost $100 dollars!

Last stop was Meijer....not my best shopping trip, but I am still ok with it...I guess they can't all be $8.19.  Here is what I stopped into Meijer for:

• 6 jars Peter Pan Peanut Butter (I am very loyal to Peter Pan) $10.  I used 6 .50/1 printables and 2 $1/3 Meijer store coupons = $5.00 or only $0.83 a jar
• Bananas $1.24 (for my sick little man at home)
• 2 Gatorade for $2.98 (also for my sick little man...no q's)
• 4 boxes Cheez-It crackers $10.  Used 4 $1/1 q's and one store Cat for $1/$3 purchase = $5 or only $1.25 per box.
• 4 Dan-o-nino Yogurts $1.89.  Used 4 $1/1 q's = $3.56
• 1 egg dying kit $1.99 (no q)
• 4 Philadelphia Cooking Cream Cheese $10.  Used 4 $1.50/1 and 4 .50/1 store q's =$2.00
• 2 dozen eggs = $1.76

My grand total was $24.51.  I really hate spending over $20 in any given shopping trip.  I don't know why, but I feel like I am overspending at a grocery store if I exceed that limit.  I know that may sound a little nutty to some, but what can I say...I am a little nutty:)  

I saved a total of $36.90 in q's and store promotions.  A total savings of 60%.  Not my best savings, but I am usually pretty happy any time it is over 50%...and considering I actually bought some things without q's, not too bad.

My total spending for the day was $113.30.  If I hadn't used any q's or store promotions (i.e. frequent buyer cards), I would have spent $282.26...that is over double.  

Now don't you have the urge to grab some scissors and start clipping??????

Mr. Postman, Bring Me a Coupon

So in an earlier post I said I get at least a coupon in the mail everyday...most times its several.  Today I got free product and coupons.  I just love it when a company wants you to try their new product...that means they are usually eager to give it away and sales on those items tend to be pretty good.

Last week, Tide was giving away free packages of Stain Release tablets to the first 150,000 fans to request one on Facebook....and winner, winner chicken dinner...I GOT ONE:)  It arrived in the mail today and had a 10 pack of stain release tabs (a must with 2 boys), one load of tide and a $2 coupon...LOVE IT.

Tide is one of those products I am loyal to.  Other things I will sway on to some degree, but I love Tide.  I have tried the others and they just don't make the cut.  The only problem is Tide is expensive and Proctor and Gamble are pretty stingy with the coupons for Tide....so I have to take my wins when I can get them.  A couple weeks ago, I picked up the powder version of stain release for $0.64 per 26 oz. container...A STEAL!  I brought home 9 of them.  I almost did a happy dance in the aisle.

It is late, so I am off to bed....but I scored some more good deals that I will blog tomorrow so check back!

Easter Goodies on a Coupon Budget

With Easter poking its bunny ears right around the corner, there has been no shortage of candy coupons in the weekly inserts....and we now have no shortage of free easter candy.  Good thing Jaxon saw the dentist before Easter and not after...he would be appalled.  Check it out....all for only the cost of tax (the state has to get their bit even when you get out of paying yours):

12 M&M plastic eggs

18 Dove Chocolate Bunnies

34 Snickers Eggs

I, of course, cannot just give the kiddos candy for Easter.  I need to throw some other good stuff in those baskets but you know I don't want to have to pay retail for it.

I always clip the "Get a free $10 gift card when you fill a new prescription at Target" coupons.  You never know when you will get sick or need to fill a prescription.  I also love that Target has a ton of $4 prescriptions, which turn these coupons into money makers.  

It just happened that Gary had to get his deviated septum fixed, and wouldn't you know I profited off his surgery?!?!?! (Does that sound a little harsh?  No worries, he got the painkillers and I got the gift cards) I filled $10 worth of prescriptions and got back $30 worth of gift cards...a $20 moneymaker!!  I took this $20 in free money and bought the following to fill my kiddos baskets:

4 travel Crayola Color Wonder kits

2 Disney Easter boxes

2 Sponge Bob note books

2 chocolate covered Peeps

6 Matchbox cars

2 packages Easter grass

2 Hershey's Solid milk Chocolate Bunnies

1 set Crayola Pip Squeaks Colored Pencils

1 set Crayola Pip Squeaks Color Wonder markers

I used 5 $1/1 Crayola Color Wonder Product and $1/2 Chocolate Peeps.  I also went over to Michaels and bought the Crayola colored pencils so I could use one of their 40% one item coupons to cut the cost of those in almost half.  

My total OOP was about $13.00 with tax...not to bad for some cool Easter baskets brimming with the three C's: candy, coloring and cars!  If you include the tax I had to pay on all of the chocolate I bought, I still came in under $20.00...I think that is pretty good for two awesome Easter baskets.   

But you know next year I am totally going to have to beat that!!

A little Wal-Mart Goody

While perusing my favorite coupon blogs, I came upon a potential little Wal-Mart deal over at The Shopper's Apprentice.  The Buzz Lightyear version of Operation was rumored to be on clearance for only $5.00, and wouldn't you know there was a coupon in last weekend's Sunday game insert for $3.00/1 any Operation game making these a steal for only $2.00....if you could find them.  So after dropping Jaxon off at school this morning, Logan and I stopped for eggs, bananas and tater tots at the Aurora Wal-Mart and gave it a look...but no such luck, my fellow deal seekers had already beat me to them.

But being the addict I am, I still needed my fix.  The boys and I had to head to Geneva this afternoon to make a return and get my hair cut, so you know I stopped at the Wal-Mart on Randall and low and behold there were two left on the shelf:)

Now some may label me greedy for buying both instead of just getting one and leaving the other for a fellow couponer.  But alas, all is fair in love and coupons so I snatched them both up...one for my kiddos and one for a future gift (if I gift it to you don't be offended that it only cost $2, I take great pride in that).

To make this deal even sweeter, look what was hanging on the shelf:

It's a mail-in-rebate for a free pizza when you buy any Hasbro game...and since I bought two, I can send in for two free pizza coupons.  My total for both games was $4.75 with tax and that now includes two free pizzas.

Where Do I Get My Coupons?

So people always ask me "Where do you get all your coupons?".  I get them through numerous avenues and also employ my BFF and neighbors to gather and print savings....that's what friends are for, right?

The easiest place to find coupons is the Sunday paper and the Tribune has the most and best ones in my area.  Each Sunday, I get two Tribunes and a Sun-Times delivered.  Since my rockin' neighbors also save me their inserts, I usually have a minimum of 7 copies for each insert.  Multiple inserts are key to being able to stockpile when the sales hit.  The manufacturer's want you to go out and use their coupons right away.  Most weeks, when those coupons come out, those products are not at their lowest price point yet.  So even if you feel like that coupon is burning a hole in your organizer, hang onto it and wait for a sale.  And don't throw aways those inserts, even after you have clipped what you think you  "need".  Sometimes a great deal comes along on a product and you will be "jonesing for a fix", so file them away and hang onto them until they all expire.  You maybe asking yourself, "but why, I didn't clip that coupon because it isn't something I normally buy so why would I care?".  Remember, local food pantries are always in need of donations and this is a great way to donate and help others without putting yourself in the red.  You can use your powers for good.

 I store mine in hanging file folders:

I also print coupons from the internet.  Most manufacturer coupons have a 2 print limit, but if you have access to multiple computers you can print more.  The sites I use the most are coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com and couponnetwork.com.  I also check out Meijer Mealbox and Target to print their in-store coupons.  You can use one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item, so stacking these together is a great way to save $$$$$.

While these are the two main ways I get coupons, I am always on the hunt for more....afterall, I am an addict and my coupon organizer didn't turn into "George's Wallet" on its own.  So I always keep my eyes peeled for tear pads in the stores and coupons in magazines.  All You is a great magazine that always has loads of coupons in it.  You can get it by subscription or pick it up at your local Wal-Mart.  Remember, a coupon can be lurking around any corner....you just have to be on the look-out:)

Lastly, I sign up for each store's frequent buyer card.  It is a great way to save money and get on their mailing list.  I usually get at least one coupon in the mail everyday...but more often than not, I get multiple and I have to say I get a little excited about that.  Stores like Jewel and Dominick's will let you load coupons right to your card from home for additional savings.  Meijer's mPerks savings are linked to your cell phone number.  You load these up at home and enter your phone number right at check-out to get your savings.

So that is my schpeil about coupons.  I am in no way a coupon expert and don't intend on blogging as if I am. If you want to learn how to coupon and do it correctly, check out Jill Cataldo!  She holds FREE coupon classes all over Chicago-land and that is where I learned to save me some $$$$.  You can check out Jill's Blog here and her class schedule here.  I also follow Rachel over at Mash-Up Mom.  She is also a local lady and not only does she frequently post her finds, she is entertaining too so make sure to check her out as well!

Couponing does take time, but I like to think of it as working for myself.  I cannot tell you how many times I hear, "I just don't have time to do that".  You don't have time to save money, really?!?!?!  I also hear, "There's no way I can do that".  Sure you can!!!  It's not rocket science.

Think of how hard you, your spouse or both work to bring home your paycheck(s).  Wouldn't you love to get the most for your money?  Especially as prices continue to rise and the economy is at a low, now is the time to change spending habits.  I am by no means a saint with all the answers.  Me and the hubs are always working to improve, but you have to start somewhere, right??  Give it a try, you will be amazed by how much you can save!

Now, back to my regularly scheduled sharing (bragging) about my finds....

Monday's Goodies

So Monday through Wednesday are usually the best days to shop.  All the stores in the area are running two sales and you don't have to compete with the weekend shoppers.

We ventured out to Meijer, Dominick's and Target this morning for some goodies.  The hubs was off today so he ventured out with Logan and I.  My kiddos know the grocery routine now and every store has a bribe incentive.  Meijer has the free pony ride we can hop on if they do good shopping and Target and Dominick's have desired land yacht carts to bribe my kiddies into pleasant shopping trips.  Jewel dosen't have much to birbe them with so I usually bring along some fruit snacks to keep 'um happy.  The check-out ladies up-front are so nice and sweet and they can usually make my boys smile on some of the worst days.  Jaxon is also kept on the up and up by the promise of helping scan and bag the groceries....child labor, maybe???  LOL Now the hubs, he doesn't quite have the routine down yet and can slow the pace, but he can be bribed with beer....which we picked up at Meijer.

Our first stop was at Meijer.  Before we could even get into the store, we had to check out the big hook and ladder fire truck that was parked outside.  Logan got to meet three of the nicest St. Charles firemen who showed him all about the truck and even let him sit in the driver's seat and wear their hat.  Thanks guys for making a little boys day!

So back to the coupons....Here's is what we picked up today for our meals this week:

At Meijer I spent $11.82 with tax and brought home the following:

1 box Bisquik Pancake Mix $1.00 (used 50/1) = $0.50

9 International Delight Creamers $1.00 each (used 9 .55/1) = $4.05

1 package hot dog buns $1.00 = FREE with in store promotion (need some hot dog buns for the 11 packages of FREE hot dogs I brought home last week:)

4 1lb chubs of ground turkey meat $1.25 each = $5.00

2 packages Dole Spring Mix Salad $1.00 each =$2.00

I am sure you are wondering "how much coffee do they drink?!?!?!?!".  The International Delight and Coffee Mate creamers have a long frigde life on them and can be kept waiting for months.  These don't expire until the end of August or beginning to September.  Now that you know that, you won't be as shocked when I tell you I already had 8 in the fridge at home for a total of 17 pints.  But at $0.45 a piece, you know I am gonna stock up.

Also picked up some Summer Shandy...no coupon, but totally worth it!

Onto Dominick's total cost $12.93 with tax:

2 tubs Smart Balance Balance Spread $1.99 each with in store coupon (used $1/2) = $3.98

12 Yoplait Light yogurts $0.48 each with JFU Personalized deal (used 2 .40/6) = $4.96

1 5lb box Cutie Mandarin Oranages $4.99 (used store q for $1/$5 produce purchase and $1/1) =$2.99

4 Comet Cleanser $0.73 each with JFU Personalized deal (used 4 .25/1) =$1.92

Last stop was Target:

2 24-count boxes of Maximum Strength Zantc $7.59 each (used 2 $5/1 and 2 $2/1 target q) =$1.32 with tax.  I used my gift card I picked up last Friday from my Olay Face Wash purchase, so I paid $0 OOP (Out-Of-Pocket).

My total coupon savings for the day was $37.65!  I always love when I save more than I spend!  My total OOP cost for today's trip (not including the beer) was $24.75.  Not bad for a weeks worth of groceries.  I think  I am going to have to go back and do the Cutie's deal again.  We will chow through those oranges quick, they are so good.

Friday's Target Trip

So Friday I ventured out to one of my FAVORITE shopping grounds....TARGET.  You can get EVERYTHING at Target.  So here are some of the little goodies I picked up.

1 can of TRESemme Hairspray (if you know me, you know I use a LOT of hairspray)

1 Orajel Toothpaste

2-24 ct.  Zanatc 

4 Olay Face Scrub

My total out of pocket (OOP) was $16.63...but, I got back $10 in Target gift cards (which is as good as cash to me) for a total cost of only $6.63.  Target had a nice little deal...buy two participating Olay products and get a $5 gift card back.  And wouldn't you know that I had coupons for those cleansers making this a sweet deal.  I, of course, had coupons for everything else too! I know, that was a surprise wasn't it?  LOL

Ahhh...the Smell of Coupons in the Morning

I think Sunday is my favorite day of the week.  Not because it is a family day or a day to relax (although those are close to the top), it is the day the coupons come.  Yes, I really do get THAT excited!  And why wouldn't I?  Someone is throwing a couple of hundred dollars at the end of my driveway.  That's how I look at coupons.  If someone was printing dollar bills in the paper, wouldn't you cut them out too???  It's the same thing.  I am also lucky to have several neighbors who help pacify my coupon addiction by giving me their coupon inserts as well.  So every week, I get between 7-9 copies of each insert.  Sound a little much?  Maybe...but I am happy to report that I am nowhere as crazy as those couponers on TLC's "Extreme Couponing".  They give us couponers a bad name...but I am sure I will rant about that in a later post:)

So before I can even start clipping this weeks goodies, I need to purge my coupon organizer to make room for all my new little friends.  This is what my organizer looks like after the purge and before todays clippings.

If you are a Seinfeld fan, I like to call this "George's Wallet".  I can only hope that it doesn't explode on  a street corner and spew all my little friends into an oblivion, that could be cause for a mini-meltdown.

Since we are talking about min-meltdowns, my newspaper carrier has failed to deliver my second (yes, that's right...my second) Tribune this morning.  I have now called three times and yet no redelivery!  I think I may need a drink to calm my nerves...LOL.

Now, back to rounding up my little friends and planning our weekly field trips.

Welcome to my dirty little escapades...

At the urging of my best friend, I have decided to delve into the world of blogging.  Couponing is one of my little obsessions and as all couponers know, we like to share (by that, I mean brag) about our little deals.  So come along on my little exploits as I save my family money, occupy my time, and look for the next big deal.