Exploits Of A Coupon Addict

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Candy, Candy, Candy

I made a little pit-stop at Wags last Thursday the 28th for some candy...I cannot seem to pass up cheap M&M's. The peanut ones are at the top of my all-time favorite candy list. Here is what I picked up for only $2.63 OOP:

6 packages M&M's (4 Peanut and 2 Plain...I ate a package in the car for a little snack so there are only 5 in the pic...lol) $2.98. Used 3 .75/2 = $0.73
9 packs Trident Vitality Gum $7.11. Used 6 $2/3 = $1.11

The package of peanut M&M's that i noshed on in the car had a movie cash code in it and wouldn't you know, I was a winner AGAIN! I got a coupon for $3.00 off my next movie ticket....so this little candy run ended up making me $0.37 so far...hopefully the others are winners too and we can all go catch a movie for cheap:)

**UPDATE**After typing this post, I got a hinkering for some peanut M&M's and won another $3.00 off coupon....this is definitely working out. But if I keep eating the M&M's, I won't have any left for the theater..

Here is a little Iggy Pop for your listening pleasure:)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

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...

Saturday, July 23, 2011

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.

Friday, July 22, 2011

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:)