It's been slow going

Not much has been happening on the coupon front these past couple of weeks which is fine because I have totally been preoccupied with the Master Bedroom redo.  I have picked up some awesome finds and cannot wait to see it all come together! Here is a sneak peak of a few:

I know my coupon lull is the calm before the storm of July 4th sales.  I am taking the time to rally the troops in preparation for the big sales.  I have cleaned out the coupon organizer and kept up-to-date on all my printables...now I sit and wait.   Holidays are always a good time to stock up on paper goods, soda and hot dogs...we'll see what else is up for grabs next week.

I have gotten some little fixes here and there.  I picked up two sets of sheets for the boys at Target on Tuesday for $13.98 a set for fulls....not too bad.  They were on clearance for $18.98 and I had two Target printables for $5/1 Home bedding.  They were originally $37/set so I was happy with my $23 savings on each or $46 total...WOOHOO!  ALWAYS print a coupon if you have the slightest inkling you can use it.  They often disappear even though their expiration dates may be far off and you will end up kicking yourself later for not printing it when you could.

On an end note...my paper man has been on his best behavior and my Beacon-Wielding Thief has taken a little siesta....but I am awaiting his return, he surely won't stay away forever.  I think my hubs is missing The Beacon, he asked me if I wanted to get a subscription when we got a post card in the mail offering up the Friday and Sunday edition for only a $1/week for 26 weeks.  In return, they will give you a $10 Home Depot gift card so in the end it only costs $16.  My thoughts on this, Why would I pay for a paper I already get for free?  I'm just saying....

Curse you Paper Man....Curse You

I am still baffled at how my paper man manages to screw up my daily deliveries.  I must say, I never viewed paper delivery as a complex and challenging job.  After all, it's not like he has to ride by on is Schwinn and flick my papers from his bicycle basket...but I am learning that you have to contend with all sorts of challenges.  The most challenging obstacle still seems to be....get ready for it...The Beacon Wielding Thief (cue music "dun, dun, dun").

***Side Note*** Does anyone remember the show "Get A Life"?  It was on Fox back in the day.  I picture my paper man to be something very similar.  Here is the opening montage to spark your memory...

I have to admit, he did manage to beat the thief and get me my papers for two and a half weeks straight (maybe the thief was taking a little vacay perhaps?).  But last weekend....the thief returned.  On Saturday he left me a Chicago Tribune in place of my Sun-Times....an attempt to throw us off his trail?  Maybe.  When we called for a re-delivery (or second attempt at a proper delivery) we got yet another Tribune.  The thief must have been anticipating this move and waited patiently in the bushes.

This was not the last we were to hear of the thief this week.  On Sunday...he struck again.  Snatching my Sun-Time and leaving his trademark calling card...The Beacon (cue music again "dun, dun, dun).  The hubs called for a second attempt...but it wasn't meant to be and my Sun-Times never arrived...or did it?

The hubs called again on Monday....on Tuesday our Sun-Times arrived and looked like this...

In case you cannot read his writing, it says "Do Not Steal This Paper".  And of course, it was complete with my favorite orange warning label (cue "Danger Will Robinson" sound effects).

So the saga of The Beacon Wielding Thief continues.  

A So-So Monday

I was off as usual this morning to get my Monday morning coupon fix.  I made a total of four stops.  First stop, Jewel:

Not much to be had (I did pick up a two coupon books with Coca-Cola q's in them to use at my Meijer stop), my grand total was only $6.71.

• 3 lbs Vadalia Onions $2.00
• 1 3/4 lb red grapes $2.58
• 2 bags Rold Gold Pretzels $3.98.  Used $2/2 = $1.98

Next stop, Doms.  Some pretty good shopping over there this week....usually Doms is my least favorite store to shop at, but a deal is a deal.

• 2 Boxes Raisin Bran $1.98 (loaded J4U q for 2 Raisin Bran at $0.99/box).  Used 2 .70/1 printable = $.58
• 4 Honest Tea drinks $3.58.  Used 2 B1G1 printables = $1.78
• 3 rolls Reynolds Wrap $7.47 (loaded a J4U q for 3 rolls @ $2.49/roll)  Used 3 $1/1 = $4.47
• 1 Angel Soft 12ct toilet Paper (used a store q for $4.99/package).  Used .50/1 = $4.49
• 1 Viva 6pk. paper towels (used a store q for $4.99/package).  Used a $2/1 printable = $2.99
• 2 3/4 lbs bananas (loaded J4U personalized price $0.49/lb) = $1.38
• 1 avocado = $1.25
• 1 head iceberg lettuce (loaded J4U personalized price) = $0.88
• 8 lbs Navel Oranges $4.99
• 1 sour cream $1.49 (it was taco night hence the avocado & sour cream...plus I picked up those $0.88 tortillas last Thursday)

I also used a printable store q for $1/$5 a produce purchase.  Total OOP $23.98.

Next stop, Meijer.  I decided to do another round of Coca-Cola purchases to pick up 4 more free passes to Brookfield Zoo and some O.K. priced Coke.  Here are the other items I took home:

• 1 Pampers Wipes $2.39.  Used $1/1 q I received in the mail last week = $1.39
• 6 bottles kid's chewable vitamins on sale for B1G1 = $ 16.47
• 5 12pks Coca-Cola $15.00.  Used 2 $2/2 = $11.00

Total OOP was $30.60.  I got back a Custom Meijer Q for $8 off my next health, beauty or cosmetic purchase for a cost of only $8.47 for the vitamins or only $1.41/bottle.  This will last the kiddos for 6 months (1 bottle per month)....not to bad.  Plus, I got my second set of tickets to the Zoo.  Overall, I spent $20 on 10-12pks of Coke and 8 passes to Brookfield Zoo.  I think that is a pretty good deal and we have Coke for quite a while.

Last stop, Target...the Mecca...my Homeland...a couponer's crack.  I just cannot get enough of that big, red bullseye.  I am, after all, an addict.  I have to admit that sometimes I get a bit embarrassed as I cruise past the pharmacy perusing the clearance end caps and see all the familiar pharmacy staff looking back at me.  They must think I am a crazy shopaholic....at least I am doing it for a greatly reduced cost. 

Anyhow, here is what I picked up at my final stop for the day for a total cost of $16.96:

• 4-24 ct Up & Up Ibuprofen $3.98.  Used 4 $1/1 Target printables = FREE
• 2 Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Shower Cleaner $6.98.  Used 2 $1.50/1 printables = $3.98
• 4 Nivea Happy Sensations Lotion $20.16.  Used 4 $1/1 Target printables and 4 $3/1 q's = $4.16
• 2 Tres Semme Hairspray $6.68.  Used 2 $1/1 Target printables = $4.68
• 1 5ct Zyrtec $5.29.  Used q from mailer last week for FREE 5ct. Zyrtec = FREE (this is for my BFF...gotta help a girl out)
• 1 5ct Swiffer Duster Starter Kit $4.49.  Used target q .75/1 and $2/1 = $1.74

I also got another $0.05 off for using a reusable bag.  

Overall, not my best round of deals but I saved at least 50% or more at each of the stops I made and that equals deals in my book.  Off to bed...Happy Couponing:)

P.S.  My paper delivery man has now made it for TWO WHOLE WEEKS without screwing up my papers or leaving behind the cursed Beacon...everyone keep their fingers crossed he keeps it up!

He Actually Got It Right!

As I peered out the window this morning and saw two Tribunes and a Sun-Times at the foot of my driveway, I almost couldn't believe my eyes.  Was I seeing this right?  Had he finally succeeded?  Well wouldn't you know it...winner, winner, chicken dinner, he had!  Now, will he be able to sustain it for more than one week?  Only time will tell, but I have to honestly say I don't hold out much hope considering his past track record.

Since it is Mother's Day, the hubs took me out to breakfast at Nosh and then to do a little shopping for our room redecorate.  I was able to find a cute little table and some awesome shams.  We finished up and headed home...but of course, I had to make a small pit stop to do some couponing...just a teeny, weeny bit...it is my day after all!

Here is what I picked up at Jewel, I had to do two transactions:

Transaction 1:

• 4 boxes Magnum ice cream bars $12.00.  Used 4 $1/1 q's and the $3 OYNO Cat I picked up at Wags the other day for the Mr. Clean deal.

Total OOP was $5.21, and I got back a $4 OYNO Cat.

Transaction 2:

• 4 boxes Magnum ice cream bars $12.00.  Used 4 $1/1 q's and the $4 OYNO Cat from the previous order.

Total OOP was $4.21 and I got back another $4 OYNO Cat.  Not to bad for some awesome ice cream bars...gonna take these to my Mother-In-Laws house tonight to enjoy after a nice dinner.

Happy Mother's Day!

Will He Or Won't He....

...deliver my second Tribune tomorrow?  Or will I awake only to find a Beacon in its place?  These are the questions that have been plaguing me all day.  I am already feeling anxious about my coupon inserts' arrival (or possible lack thereof).  Will they be waiting to greet me on a beautiful Mother's Day morning or will I have to partake in what has now become a Sunday morning ritual and place an angry call to a far off land?

Either way, I will not let my inept carrier's early morning performance taint my Mother's Day.  I am going to enjoy it to it's fullest, even if my kiddos continue to carry on like the Bicker Brothers.  I know how lucky I am to have two beautiful children and a wonderful hubs.  I am just going to sit back and enjoy it all.....

But I will get my papers...oh, yes...I will get them.  After all, it is MY day...check back to see what happens....

P.S.  Aren't these photos just fabulous???  Kelly Vanderploeg took them, she is A-MAZ-ING!  You can check out her blog here.

The Beacon-Wielding Thief Strikes Again!

Sunday has arrived again...every couponer's favorite day of the week...the day that paper goodness is delivered at the end of my driveway and I get my coupon fix.  It is also now the day my inept paper carrier crushes my spirit and throws out the fall guy....The Beacon....instead of my second Tribune.  How many times must I tell this man, "I don't subscribe to the Beacon".

I have to admit, he was on a good roll, seven whole days in a row without a mis-delivery.  But alas, it just couldn't last and I am again stuck with the cursed Beacon.  I knew this would happen, I knew he would let me down again.  This relationship has to come to an end...I just cannot take the disappointment anymore.  I wish he would just up and leave instead of prolonging this emotional abuse.  The man needs counseling....ok, at the very least a delivery map.

Anyone remember the Nintendo game "Paperboy" from back in the day?  You had to get the papers at the right house or you would lose your subscribers and eventually get fired.  Maybe I am stuck in a real-life version of "Paperboy", if only this one had a reset button and I could start over.  Maybe then, I could wake up on a Sunday morning stress-free and coupon satisfied.  Instead, I am again faced with repeated calls to that far off land where they could care less about my addiction.

Overreacting you say?  Maybe a pinch, but I need my coupons and this weekend's edition has five, yes five, inserts.  Good thing I hit up Menard's yesterday for two extra copies (they sell them for only $1/paper...a good investment for the return I will surely get from this week's coupon extravaganza).

So here I sit, blogging yet again about my paper carrier's shortcomings (of which, there are many).  I sit waiting and hoping that my second Tribune will arrive...that my set of inserts will be complete with this last addition of friends.

I do know one thing for certain.  When Christmas rolls around and he leaves that little note wishing me a Happy Holidays and asking for a tip, I will have one to dole out...and it won't be of the monetary variety.

Stay tuned for another episode of "As the Paper Turns", I am sure it will be yet another drama-filled adventure.

****Update****

My paper finally arrived at around 12:30....just a little over the one hour redelivery time the hubs was promised when he called into the Tribune at 7:30 this morning.  You would think that having to drive a paper back out to a house on your route would help you remember what papers that address gets.  You would also think that having to do it at least once, if not twice, every week for almost two months would doubly reinforce that....you would think.  Unfortunately, I am of the conclusion that my paper delivery man does no thinking at all.

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.