Oh Target, How Do I Love Thee...

I love Target!  I know I have said it before, but I really do love Target...they have anything you could ever want and a plethora of coupons to satisfy my every craving (did I mention my affection for all the clearance end-caps too?).  Today, I came upon a deal at Target....a deal I have been waiting for...a deal that no one had blogged about...a deal I found all on my lonesome...a deal I had been holding onto my precious coupons for.  I was so excited I almost couldn't control myself...my patience was going to pay off (sometimes good things really do come to those who wait).  Sound a little dramatic??  Of course, but I gotta be me and that's how I roll:)

Here is what I picked up at the Target today.  I had to do two transactions to make full use of all my coupons and gift cards:

Transaction #1:

• 10-4 packs Schick Quattro Dispoable Razors $69.90.  Used 5 $1/1 q's and 5 B1G1 q's ($6.99/1) = $29.90 (with tax my total came to $33.26)

I did get $0.05 off my total for using a reusable bag as well.  The icing on this cake was that for every two packs of disposable razors you bought, you got a $5.00 Target gift card...which is good as cash in my house.  So I handed over $33.26 to the cashier and in turn she handed me back $25.00 in gift cards for an end cost of only $8.26 for 40 razors (only $0.21/razor...YIPPIE)...did I mention that these are normally only 3 packs, but these were the bonus packs with an extra razor each.  Is it Christmas???  I feel like it's Christmas.

Transaction #2:

• 1-3 pack Huggies Wipes $6.49.  Used Target cat $1/1 and manufacturer q .50/1 = $4.99
• 1 swimsuit cover-up $17.48 on clearance.  Used Target q $3/1 clothing item = $14.48
• 1 Eucerin Aquafor Ointent $7.49
• 1 travel size Skintimate Shave Gel (with free razor) $1.47.  Used printable .75/1 = $0.72 (the bonus on this one is when I unwrapped it there was $1.55 worth of q's for more razors and shave gel...BONUS)
• 1 Oral-B Stages Toothbrush $2.59.  Used Target q $1/1 = $1.59
• 1 travel size contact solution $1.99
• 1-2 pack contact solution $4.59 (I had a $1/1 q that I totally forgot to use on this and that just pisses me off....but thanks to the razor high, I was able to let it go...well, sort of)

I got another $0.05 off my total for using a reusable bag.  My total before the $25.00 in gift cards was 38.58.  I paid $13.58 OOP. 

A very successful day for couponing...razors are one of those necessities that are always costly, so when I can pick them up super cheap it makes my day...I am still feeling a little coupon stoke:)

Ohhh, I almost forgot to share my little Pier 1 freebie.  They had a printable for $10/$10 purchase (no longer available).  This one was too good to pass up, so I printed it and off I went with the kiddos.  I found some cute coasters for our newly redecorated bedroom for FREE!

Back For More

On Saturday (GASP), I ventured back to the Jewel to get another round of Tide.  The price was just too good to pass up.   I had used all my cats from my previous trips, but my end cost was only $15.61 OOP for four boxes.  They were $5.49/box and I used 4 manufacturer q's for $2/1.

Next, I went down the way to Meijer.  I have to admit that shopping on a Saturday wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I don't plan on making it a habit.  I much prefer shopping during the week when the crowds are slower and the shelves tend to be stocked.  Out of all the stores I regulary shop at, I feel that my Meijer does the best job of keeping the shelves stocked...especially on sale items.  Here is what I picked up for a total of $50.69.  Not my cheapest or best shopping on this day...I was a bit disappointed with my end OOP, but such is life (at least I got some beer to wash back the tears:).

I had to do two transactions to utilize all of my mPerks q's.

Transaction #1:

• 2 Chi-Chi's tortillas $3.78.  Used 2 .50/1 = $2.78
• 1 Hormel Natural Lunchmeat $2.50.  Used mPerks q B2 Chi-Chi's tortillas, G1 lunchmeat free = FREE
• 20 Yoplait Light Yogurt $10.00.  Used 2 printables .60/8 and 1 .40/4 = $8.40.  Got back a $2.00 OYNO cat.
• 2-2 ct. boxes Barber Chicken Cordon Bleu = $7.00.  Used 2 printablews $1/1 and mPerks q $1/2 = $4.00.

Transaction #2:

• 1 bunch parsley $.69
• 1 lemon $0.67
• 1 dozen x-large eggs $1.74
• 12 packages M&M's $8.88.  Used 6 .75/1 = $4.38.  (The peanut ones have a movie ticket promo on them and I have only entered one code and won $3.00 off my next movie ticket...I have almost made my money back and I have special treats for the boys for vacay)
• 1 package organic mushrooms $2.00
• 2 packages Red Star yeast $1.98
• 1-6 pack Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss $7.79
• 4 Eckrich Sausage $9.16.  Used 2 $1/2 = $7.16
• 1 pint blueberries $1.50
• 4 Old Orchard Natural Blends Cranberry Juice $6.67.  Used 4 printables $1/1 = $2.67
• 2-2 ct. boxes Barber Chicken Cordon Bleu = $7.00.  Used 2 printablews $1/1 and mPerks q $1/2 = $4.00.

I also used the $2.00 cat I got from the previous order.  I saved a total of $31.47 in clipped q's at Jewel and Meijer and over $53.00 if you include the preferred card savings and store promos.  There's always next week...

The Tide Has Come In...

Jewel has a little Catalina extravaganza going on over there this week, so I made a pit-stop Friday night to pick up some of the goodies along with some of the 3-day promos, particularly the Tide (we all know how loyal I am to Tide).  Here is what I picked up for $21.54 OOP:

I had to do three transactions to maximize my cats and use them all up so I could pay as little OOP as possible.  

Transaction #1:

• 3 boxes Pop-Tarts $5.00.  Used printable q $2/3 = $3.00.  Got back $1.00 Cat
• 4 tubes Crest toothpaste $6.00.  Used 4 .75/1 = $3.00.  Got back 2 $1.00 and 1 $2.00 Cat for a $1.00 MONEYMAKER
• 2-4 pack Danimals yogurt = $4.00.  Used 2 $1/1 = $2.00.  Got back $1.00 Cat

Total was $8.61 with $6.00 back in Cats.

Transaction #2:

• 3 boxes Pop-Tarts $5.00.  Used printable q $2/3 = $3.00.  Got back $1.00 Cat
• 4 tubes Crest toothpaste $6.00.  Used 4 .75/1 = $3.00.  Got back 2 $1.00 and 1 $2.00 Cat for a $1.00 MONEYMAKER
• 2 Fresh Express bagged Romaine Salad $2.56.  Used 2 $1/1 printables (no longer available) = $0.56
• 1 Fresh Express bagged Spinach Salad $1.28. Used $1/1 printable (no longer available) = $0.28
• Bunch of bananas = $1.24

Used $6.00 from the previous transaction and got back another $5.00 in Cats.  Paid $2.71 OOP.

Transaction #3:

• 4-40 load Tide powder detergent $21.96.  Used 4 $2/1 q's = $13.96

Used $5.00 in Cats from the previous transaction.  Total OOP $10.22 (stinking tax)....not bad for 160 loads of Tide.  

I have no qualms with using the powder.  I feel it cleans just as well as the liquid and I never have an issue with it not dissolving.  Since I went pretty late in the day, I was only able to pick up 4 boxes because the shelves were already empty.  I think I will go back tomorrow and pick up 4 more....even without the $5.00 in Cats to knock the price down, $13.96 is a good price for 160 loads of Tide.  I didn't really need the toothpaste, but since they were going to give me $2.00 to take home 8 tubes, I couldn't pass it up...now I am stocked for about a year...I think we will need all that toothpaste with the plethora of Pop-Tarts that has come our way.

Target Freebies...Round Three

The hubs was supposed to have off today, but the call for overtime came and we can always use the extra cash...so off he went to work which left me with some free time today to make another pit stop at Target.  The boys and I ran some errands after swim lessons this morning and stopped at our favorite bulls-eye before wandering home.  Here are the freebies and cheapies we picked up today for $13.93 OOP:

• 6-10 packs Papermate Pens $6.00.  Used 6 Target printables $1/1 = FREE
• 2 Scotch Tape $1.00.  Used 2 Target printables .50/1 = FREE
• 2-1 lb. containers of strawberries $3.58.  Used 2 printables .50/1 Driscoll's product = $2.58
• 2 Lipton Secrets Onion Soup Mix $ 2.58.  Used 2 printables $1/1 = $0.58
• 2-20 count Tampax Pearl $ 7.98.  Used Target q $1/2 and manufacturer q $3/2 = $3.98
• 1 Swiffer Dust & Shine $3.49  Used $1/1 from P&G mailer = $2.49
• 1 Swiffer Duster Starter Kit $4.49.  Used $1/1/ from P&G mailer = $3.49

I think I am officially out of tape q's...for now...and I didn't need anymore pens, but the hubs can always use them for work.  I saved a total of $16.00 in q's.  I think I am done with Target for the week...maybe...

Target Freebies....Round Two

On Tuesday the 19th I headed back to Target for some more freebies and cheapies.  Here is what I picked up for $11.93 OOP:

• 12  Vitamin Water $12.00.  Used 4 Target printable for B2G1 = $8.00
• 1-6 pack Smartwater $5.54.  Target promotion, buy 10 Vitamin Water get a 6 pack of Smartwater = FREE
• 6 Travel Size Wet Wipes $5.94.  Used 6 Target printables .50/1 = $2.94
• 2 Scotch Tape $1.00.  Used 2 Target Printables .50/1 = FREE

You know I couldn't pass up more free tape!  I saved a total of $13.59 in store q's and promos.  All the bottles of water are for our vacay.  One of my many quirks is the need to have several open beverages floating around at any given time (I like a little variety, what can I say?)....and vacation is no exception.  Thank goodness out hotel room has a mini fridge:)

Christmas In July

I am a Christmas junkie....I plan for Black Friday like it's a sport and go full throttle from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas arrives. I love everything to do with Christmas...the decorations, the gift giving, the Christmas Walk, the baking, the time with family, the excitement of my kiddos....and Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments.  I am already a Hallmark addict to begin with, and these ornaments just put me right over the edge.  I am also a Gold Crown Member, Hallmark's frequent buyer program, which rewards me with...go figure...COUPONS!  Here is this year's ornament catalog:)

I get uber-excited when the Keepsake Ornaments are released in July and I quickly begin to evaluate and select the ones that will join my collection and the many others that I will gift.  I think my obsession with these ornaments all began in 2000 when my friend Rob gifted me an ornament with the likeness of my beloved cat Hayride and the first in the Snowball and Tuxedo  series of which he still gifts to me 11 years later.  Here's this years soon-to-be addition:

I am very particular about my ornaments.  They are meticulously removed from their boxes one-by-one and hung on the tree and when Christmas draws to an end they are returned to their snug little homes to await next year's festivities.  No one else is allowed to take them from or place them in their boxes...sound a little crazy? Perhaps, but they really are keepsakes.  I am appalled at the fact that people throw their boxes away.  Geesh people, how can you be so careless with these little gems?  (ok....did anyone else just have a Can't Hardly Wait flashback with Melissa Joan Hart and the yearbook clip?)

This past weekend was the 2011 Ornament Premiere and you just know I had to go in and scope them all out.  I picked up my 2011 Keepsake Ornament Catalog and entered the a little drawing they were holding in honor of the premiere....and I won an ornament:)

It wasn't my favorite of the three potential prizes, but beggars can't be choosers, right?

Here are a few of my top picks this year:

2nd in Christmas Cupcakes Series

4th in Making Memories Series 

I started this series for Gary a couple of years ago

Beaker's Ode to Joy.

He is my favorite Muppet and this ornament sings and is HYSTERICAL!

      

Fisher Price Retro Toys

I started collecting these for the boys two years ago...you know I cannot stop now:)

   

Cars Ornaments

Every year Santa leaves the boys some ornaments from Cars.  

Who would've thought he had a hunkering for Hallmark Ornaments too...lol

Phineas and Ferb

I don't know if this one is more for the kids or the hubs:)

    

Family Ornaments

I remember getting a Hallmark Daughter  ornament every year when I was a little girl, so I started the tradition for my own kiddos....and us too.

Target Freebies....Round One

I just love back to school time...there are always good freebies and cheapies to be had.  This year Target has sweetened the deal with all of the printables that are perfectly matching with their sales.  Here is some of what I picked up at Target today:

Unfortunately, my trip to Target this go around ended up costing me about $90.00.  I needed a slew of diapers as I have ran out of my stockpile and have not come along on a good sale...so back to the Target diapers I go...

I did manage to pick up some more free Zantac and the two $0.50 pillows to stuff my custom made shams that should be on their way over the boarder from Canada.  I cannot wait to see them in the master bedroom along with their curtain counterparts. The bedroom is coming along well, now I just need an awesome comfy chair for my little reading nook and some motivation to start on the bathroom.

Here is what my little goodies above cost me:

• 12-10 packs of Bic pens $6.00.  Used 6 $1/2 manufacturer printables = FREE
• 4 Travel Size packs of Wet Wipes $3.98.  Used 4 .50/1 Target printables = $1.98
• 1 box Snackwell's Caramel Corn snack packs $2.79.  Used $1/1 Target printable and $1/1 manufacturer q from mailer = $0.79
• 5 rolls Scotch Tape $2.50.  Used 5 .50/1 Target printables = FREE

I spent around $4.00 with tax for all those goodies.  Now I have pens to get me through another year and some more free tape (not that I needed anymore...but free tape seems to be my kryptonite.  I just cannot resist it and it is the one item I will excessively stock up on despite knowing that I couldn't possibly need anymore...and now they have them in pink dispensers!  What's a girl to do?!?!?!)  

The Snackwell's and travel size Wet Wipes are both for our upcoming vacay.  And let's face it, I am a neat freak with two boys...I am constantly cleaning up some sort of mess, so I rarely turn down Wet Wipes.  I have them stowed everywhere!

I have some more tape q's burning a hole in my organizer, so back to Target I go with a stop at my favorite Hallmark to pick up the free ornament I won from a drawing at the 2011 ornament debut.  I am a Hallmark and Keepsake Ornament junkie...I think I might need a second tree this year to fit them all on...

Toilet Paper Extravaganza

The pickings have been slow at Jewel and Dominick's lately, but Meijer has been satisfying my coupon cravings.  Here is what I picked up on Friday the 15th for a total of $56.13 OOP.

I had to do two transactions to utilize all of my q's and the people behind me in the self-checkout were none to pleased.  In all fairness, I did give fair warning....it's not my fault if they don't take them seriously.

Transaction #1

• 8-6 packs Angel Soft Double Rolls $18.96.  Used 8 .50/1 q's = $14.96...that's only $0.31/roll!!!
• 1-2 pack Viva Paper Towels $ 2.03. Used .50/1 = $1.53
• Bunch of bananas $1.30
• Dozen extra large eggs $1.74
• 1 quart whole milk $1.74
• 2 Chi-Chi's tortillas $3.78.  Used 2 .50/1 q's = $2.78
• 1 Hormel Naturals Lunchmeat $2.98.  Used mPerks q buy 2 Chi-Chi's tortillas, get 1 Hormel Lunchmeat free = FREE
• 3 boxes Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats w/ Fruit In The Middle $8.82.  Used 3 $1/1 vocalpoint q's = $5.32
• 1 box Keebler Granola Bars $2.99.  Used printable .75/1 = $2.24
• 3 packages Fruit of the Loom socks $11.97.  Instant $10 savings when you purchase any combination of Keebler or Kellogg's items over $10.00 = $1.97
• 1/2 Dozen peaches $1.90
• 3 lbs butter $7.50
• 3 Loaves Wheat Bread $3.00
• 1 International Delight Creamer $1.50.  Used Vocalpoint q for free creamer = FREE

I also had an mPerks q for $2/$2.00 purchase.  My total for this transaction was $46.88.  I saved a total of 56.19 in store q's, manufacturer q's and store promotions.  I picked up all the butter, eggs and milk to whip up some cupcakes for a family bridal shower.  They turned out superb:)

Transaction #2:

• 4 boxes Keebler Granola Bars $11.96.  Used 4 printables .75/1 = $ 8.96
• 3 packages Fruit of the Loom socks $11.97.  Instant $10 savings when you purchase any combination of Keebler or Kellogg's items over $10.00 = $1.97

I had another mPerks q for $2/$2.00 purchase that brought the total down to $9.25.  I saved a total of 18.60 in store q's, manufacturer q's and store promotions.

I had a total savings of $74.79...almost 60%...YAY...especially because I was able to stock up on socks and picked up a couple of boxes of my new favorite cereal (the mixed berry ones are AWESOME) and I stocked up on Angel Soft toilet paper...another one of my brand loyalties.  

Stay tuned for an office freebies extravaganza over at the Target...I just cannot seem to turn down free tape! 

Vacation Junk Food Stock-Up

This week is pretty slow in the deal department.  Not much out there that is catching my eye.  But I am an addict in need of a fix after all and I can always get a fix at the Target where there is always something I can add to my stockpile.  Target is at the top of my list of favorite stores....ok, it is my favorite store.  You can pretty much find anything there, there is always clearance...and the best part...you can stack manufacturer q's with the plethora of Target q's that are here, there and EVERYWHERE.  You can print them, clip them and await their arrival in the mail.  Target is my Cheers...where they really do know my name.

Here is what I picked up today for $28.05 OOP:

I hit the $1.00 Spot first and picked up some little treat bags for the boys for vacation.  They had some really cute Cat In The Hat bags and some SpongeBob and Phineas and Ferb coloring books.  A good start for a goody bag that will hopefully keep them occupied in the car for a little while.  I also picked up some sand molds for the beach for a grand total of $8.00.

Onto the rest of my goodies:

• 4-2packs Sharpie Markers $4.00.  Used 4 Target printables for $1/1 Sharpie purchase = FREE
• 1 green pepper $0.89
• 1 container sour cream $1.09
• 1 quart Buttermilk $1.79
• 3 bags Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries $5.38 after the B2G1 promo at Target.  Used a q from a Facebook mailer for a free bag = $2.69 
• 3 large boxes Pop-Tarts $7.50.  Used a printable $2/3 and a Target printable for $1/3 = $4.50
• 2 Newton Thins $6.58.  Used 2 Target printables for $1/1 and 2 q's $1/1 = $2.58
• 1-3 pack Up & up baby wipes $4.69.  Used Target printable $1/$3 Up & Up purchase = $3.69
• 3-9ct. boxes Bagel Bites $7.77.  Used 3 Target printables for $1/1 and 3 manufacturer printables $1/1 = $1.77

Certainly not the cheapest Target run in my history, but I was pretty happy with my take of goodies.  I saved a total of $23.53 in q's, store q's and store promos. 

Hopefully the deals pick up with Thursday's ads...this slow pace is starting to take its toll on me and my coupon organizer is bursting with printable dollars ready to be used.  Fingers crossed:)

Bribes (Snack) Stock-Up

I just love when Catalina deals come along and allow me to stock up on items I would normally never buy for very little OOP.  The lure of new goodies makes for excellent leverage in the bribe department.  If I had gotten to the store and done the deal before they ended on Wednesday, I would have picked all of this up for the same price plus 5 free gallons of milk.  It's true what they say, You snooze, you lose. 

Anyways, here is what I picked up over two days at my favorite Jewel for a grand total of only $13.32 after all my cats and q's plus I had $7.00 left over in cats to buy some butter and buttermilk for another round of cupcakes and some fried chicken from the deli for dinner since my stove was temporarily out of service...that's a long story that ended up with two 911 calls to the fire department, a Carbon Monoxide meter, a cleaning and tuning of the stove and a new carbon monoxide/fire alarm.

Here was my first trip to the Jewel...I had to do three transactions:

Transaction #1:

• 4 boxes Nature Valley Granola Thins $10.00.  Used 4 .75/1 = $7.18.  Got back $7.00 in cats.

Transaction #2:

• 4 boxes Nature Valley Granola Thins $10.00.  Used 1 .75/1 and 3 .50/1 plus the $7.00 in cats from the previous order = $0.93.  Got back $7.00 in cats.

Transaction #3

• 4 boxes Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies $10.00.  Used 4 .75/1 printables and $7.00 in cats from the previous order = FREE.  Got back $7.00 in cats.
• 2 bags Jay's potato chips $4.00.  Used $1/2 = $3.25

I had to go back to the Jewel to pick up the butter, buttermilk and chicken for dinner, so I did the deal two more times:

Transaction #1:

• 4 boxes Nature Valley Granola Thins $10.00.  Used 4 .60/1 printables plus the $7.00 in cats from the previous day's order = $0.78.  Got back $7.00 in cats.

Transaction #2:

• 4 boxes Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies $10.00.  Used 4 .50/1 printables and $7.00 in cats from the previous order = $1.18.  Got back $7.00 in cats.

Transaction #3:

• 2 lbs unsalted butter = $7.38
• 1 pint buttermilk = $1.39
• 8 piece fried chicken = $5.99

Used $7.00 in cats from the previous order and $1.00 cat left behind at the register that the cashier gave to me and allowed me to use (super nice of her as they can just as easily throw them away) for a total of $7.36 OOP.

Overall, I spent $10.07 on 20 boxes of granola thins and fiber one brownies...that is only an average of $0.50/box.  My overall including the chips and other misc items was $20.68.  With all my q's and card savings, I saved a grand total of $73.55.

Here is what my cupcakes for the 4th of July turned out like:

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!