My Adventures In Couponing

Today is the last day for Jan ECB deals and the last day of this week’s sale. (Which is typically the worst day to try to find anything since 9 times outta 10 everything is out of stock. And that’s basically what happened to me, but I still got some good bargains.

Trip 1:
Nasogel Spray 7.99 -2q =5.99
-$4 ECB

Total including tax: $2.31; Savings $6.00
*This was a January Free after ECB deal so I couldn’t believe they still had 1 on the shelf!
*I got $7.99 back in ECB plus I am sending off for a $3 rebate from this product. And I purchased one at the beginning of the month so I will get $6 back! This was a big money maker!

Trip 2:
(2)Diet Pepsi 12pk 10.38 -3.72sale =6.66 (eek!)
(1)Mt Dew 12pk 5.19 -1.85sale =3.34
(1)Tositos 3.99 -.99sale =3.00
(2)Lays 7.98 -3.98sale =4.00
(2)Stacy’s Pita Chips 6.58 -.58sale -(2)1.50/1q =3.00
(1)CVS Cough drops 1.19 -1.19cvs q = Free
(2)Extra Gum 2.58 -1.29cvs q =1.29
-16.99 ECB

Total including tax: $4.34; Savings: $33.69
*And I will get $15 in Pepsi/Lays coupons back from this deal!

I was lucky enough to get a CVS $/$$ email this weekend, however it was only $5/$40..yuck..I don’t have enough ECB and there aren’t enough items on sale that have coupons out right now so I would end up spending more just to use this coupon. Not worth it. Hopefully the next one will be better!
Now I have to go plan tomorrow’s deals! New week and new month means new ECB deals!!

Since I don’t have any deals to share today (won’t be shopping until this weekend) I decided to take a look at my stockpile today and see what items I might be running low on and what items I seriously need to take a break from purchasing. Even if it is a good deal…unless it’s free.

If you’ve noticed I haven’t purchased certain items this month. It’s probably because I have a TON already that I purchased before the beginning of the year. IE - 20 boxes of cereal…that doesn’t included the boxes that are already open! So those items I’m trying not to purchase until my stockpile is a little lower. (The funny thing is…my stockpile is a little low right now. I got rid of A LOT of stuff around Christmas and have actually cut back on some deals this year so far.)

*I have not included items that are already opened and being used as part of my stockpile. These are only items sitting on the shelf waiting their turn.

Grocery:
20 Cereal boxes
11 Betty Crocker Cookie Dough Mixes
9 Betty Crocker Cookie Icing
10 Toll House Morsels Bags
8 Lawry’s Marinade Bottles
4 Kraft Dressing Bottles
4 KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce Bottles
3 Aunt Jemima Syrup Bottles
4 South Beach Cereal Bar Boxes
7 Nature Valley Bar Boxes
4 Quaker Granola Bar Boxes
10 Rice A Roni Boxes
5 Pasta Roni Boxes
15 Martha White Corn Bread Mixes
6 Progresso Broth Cartons
4 Lipton Tea Bag Boxes
9 Progresso Bread Crumb Canisters
4 Baker’s Joy Sprays
2 Pam Sprays
6 Sargento’s Shredded Cheese Bags
7 Toaster Strudel Boxes
6 Simply Potatoes
4 Bird’s Eye Corn on Cob 12-Packs
9 Steam Fresh Frozen Corn Bags
2 Steam Fresh Frozen Peas Bags
5 Steam Fresh Green Beans Bags
9 Steam Fresh Broccoli Bags

Cleaning/Household Supplies
19 Laundry Detergent Bottles (Full size)
8 Laundry Detergent Packs (Single Use)
8 Liquid Fabric Softener Bottles
11 Dawn
6 Palmolive
4 Liquid Cascade Dishwasher Detergent
3 Electrasol Gel Packs
6 Cascade Rinse Aid
6 A&H Essentials Multi Surface Spray
6 Fantastik Antibacterial Spray
2 Greased Lightening Degreaser Spray
2 Lysol Wipes
2 Mr Clean Wipes
2 Windex Multi Surface Cleaner
2 Windex
7 Pledge
6 Endust
3 A&H Carpet Powder
3 Glade Carpet Powder
3 Febreze Carpt/Air Deodorizer
4 Febreze Air Effects
13 Febreze Noticeables
3 Febreze Noticeables Refills
2 Glade Scented Oil Plug Ins
4 Glade Scented Oil Plug Ins Refills
2 Air Wick Lumin Air
6 Glade Scented Oil Candle Refills
3 Glade Jar Candles
4 3-pk Scotch Brite Sponges
4 Tissue Boxes
4 Ziplock Quart Freezer Bags
3 Ziplock Quart Vacuum Freezer Bags
4 Ziplock Gallon Vacuum Freezer Bags
7 Ziplock Sandwich Bags
2 Glad ClingWrap
9 Reynolds Aluminum Foil
5 Reynolds Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil

HBA
11 Womens Razors
10 Mens Razors
15 Mens Deodorant
6 Womens Deodorant
7 Womens Body Wash
9 Mens Body Wash
13 Shampoo
16 Conditioner
18 Toothpaste
6 Mouthwash
7 Band Aids
9 Tylenol PM
4 IB Profin

Like I said before I’m going to try very hard no to purchase anymore of these items right now, unless I run out of a particular flavor/size.

Tips for stockpiles:
1. Check you dates - this is the most important rule. If you won’t use it by the date, don’t buy it unless you plan on donating it or just giving it away.
2. Make sure you have room - I am fortunate enough to have lots of storage space and a wonderful husband to build more shelves. (Haha!) I am constantly rearranging things to make more room or to compensate for what I’ve purchased.
3. Don’t stockpile an item if it’s just an “ok” sale. Get the items when they are nearly free, there’s a rebate or some other store incentive for you (like getting RR/ECB back).
(I’m so bummed I missed out on the Ragu deal at Wags the other week…I only have 4 jars of Ragu left on the shelf! Maybe Publix will put the big canisters on sale B1G1 soon!)

I’ve been exploring several websites and done some research on legit ways to make a little extra $ here and there.

*NONE OF THE WEBSITES I RECOMMEND ARE SPAM!*

None of these will make you rich, but it might get you a tank of gas or even better some gift cards!  Some are time consuming, but hey all you need are a few minutes and a finger to click your mouse and you get free stuff!

Just click on these links to join. Some require an invitation so if you’d like to join just let me know and I will send you an invite! I also have some of the ads for these websites located on my page permanently so you can click on them anytime.

Paid to read ads sites:
MyPoints This is my favorite site. There are so many gift cards you can cash in on and all you have to do is read emails! Click on the advertiser and rack up the points. I have only been a member since November and I have almost 2,400 points. You can also get points for redeeming printed coupons, shopping online and searching!

Hits4Pay This site gives you $10 just for signing up. You receive emails through your Hits4Pay inbox, read them and get points. You have to reach a certain amount of $ before cashing out. Most ads pay about .02.

Swagbucks This website is so easy to use! These are basically online dollars you earn to spend at the Swag Store. They have everything from music, movies and gift cards. You can earn Swagbucks by recycling an old cell phone, doing online searches and shopping!

Points and Prizes This website is so much fun! You search for keywords on the website and in newsletters that are worth a certain amount of points. You cash in your points for prizes! So easy!

Wellness360 This site offers coupons and health advice on nutrition and fitness. You collect points by doing different things on the website then turn it into cash!

This website helps you track your diet/fitness plan. You get points by tracking your progress. It is motivational and you can win prizes.

Survey Sites:
Your2Cents You take different surveys and once you reach 30,000 you can cash it in for $10. Most surveys are worth 1,000-5,000 points.

American Consumer Opinion Surveys are few and far between on this site, but worth joining.

Opinion Outpost Fill out your profiles and they send you surveys accordingly.

SayNation Want to join? Let me know and I’ll give you a referral! You collect points that pay out into a gift card.

MySurvey Earn points from surveys and cash in for rewards. If you don’t qualify for a survey you can donate to a charity or enter to win sweepstakes!

Survey Savvy Get paid per survey!

EPoll Surveys Earn points for surveys and cash in for gift cards!

Valued Opinions Fill out surveys worth $2-5, sometimes up to $50 and cash in for gift certificates!

Viewpoint Forum Just joined this one. You need a referral to join so let me know if you’re interested. Heard it’s really good so we’ll find out!

Cash Back:
Ebates I LOVE this website. Get $5 just for signing up! You get rebates for shopping online! Plus they offer online coupons for additional discounts!

Company Code Promos:
There are several companies that offer codes to exchange for prizes. These are a few I have used/are using.

Coke Find on coke caps or cardboard from 12pk cans.

Pounce Perks These are found inside Pounce cat treats. Save up for cat toys or even a $30 Visa gift card!

Stouffer’s Dinner Club Collect codes inside Stouffer’s packages and bid on prizes like high value gift cards each month! Or donate to a charity!

Fresh Step Cat Litter Collect the codes inside the litter package and save up for cat toys or coupons on your next litter purchase!

Enjoy the $ and prizes!!

You’ve probably noticed that some things I purchase in bulk. (Like when there is a good sale on something and I have coupons making it free or nearly free.)

One week I purchased 2 dozen eggs, 4lbs of cheese, and 10lbs of potatoes. Yes, it’s just my hubby and I…no kids, so what on earth do I do with all that food? I freeze it! I make party sized batched items and single serve sized items and pop it in the freezer! Luckily we have a deep freeze so there is room for this stuff.

Most cheese freezes great. I freeze mozzarella, provolone and Monterrey jack cheddar. I’ve learned that sharp cheddar doesn’t freeze well. I’m pretty sure that Velveeta or Feta won’t freeze well either…ew. Some things you may just have to experiment with for yourself. It’s also a personal preference. I freeze bread too, but some people thinks it tastes stale after that.

And no, I don’t freeze the eggs, but I had a LOT of baking to do since our holiday season wasn’t quite over yet. (Lot of friends/family are spread out.) So I used a dozen eggs in 1 day just from baking!

A good investment: Ziplock vacuum freezer bags!
I LOVE these things! They really keep out the freezer burn and items keep longer! I got tons of these free on my 1st KMart doubles trip so I’m well stocked for a while. I only use these on items that I need to freeze long-term. I use regular freezer bags on items I know I will use within 1-2 weeks.

I love to experiment with new recipes. I kinda just read a recipe to get the gist of measurements or servings then make it my own.

Here are 3 potato recipes I came up with from my 10lbs of potatoes:
1. Bake potatoes for 1 hour at 450 on a cookie sheet. I like to poke small holes in the potatoes also.
2. Let cool. Scoop out the middle into a mixing bowl.

*I have 3 recipes from this batch. You can do a few things with your baked potatoes. You can make: mashed potatoes, twice baked potatoes and potato skins. Then nothing is going to waste!

Potato Skins: (These freeze great and make awesome appetizers!)
1.Place shredded cheese of your choice (I prefer Monterrey Jack) on scooped out potato skin. Add bacon on top. You can use bacon bits (I prefer since it’s easier.) Or make your own bacon and chop it up.
2. Place in your vacuum freezer bags! Lay the potatoes size by size (not overlapping) in the bags. You can make a gallon size for party sized appetizers or quart size for a snack.

Twice baked potatoes: (These also freeze great!)
1. Separate a small amount of the scooped out potato parts into another bowl. Set aside for now. Add milk, butter, salt, & pepper to the original batch in the mixing bowl. I also added bacon bits and shredded cheese. Mash all together and spoon out to fill the rest of the potato skins. Again, lay the potatoes size by size in a vacuum freezer bag, not overlapping.

Mashed potatoes:
1. Don’t add bacon or cheese to the mix listed above and wha-la! You have mashed potatoes for dinner!

These are super easy! That also wasn’t the end of my potatoes!! I made homemade fries! They were excellent!

Home Fries:(baked - not deep fried)
1. Leaving the skin on, slice up raw potatoes into eighths. (Kinda like steak fries but a little thinner.)
2. Put into a large bowl and add olive oil. (A little bit goes a long way so start small if you have a small batch of potatoes.)
3. Mix well, but don’t smash.
4. Add seasoning. I use Lawry’s season salt. It adds a little kick.
5. Mix well, again without smashing.
6. Bake at 425 for 10 min, flip and bake for another 10 min. (Depending on how thick your fries are, you may have to bake for 15 min on each size. If your fries are frozen, you may need to bake at 450.)
*The olive oil keep the potato moist and helps the seasoning to stick to the potato better.
*These also freeze well! I have a HUGE bag in my freezer…not sure if I’ll ever buy french fries from the store again!
*I don’t know how these will turn out if they are deep fried. You probably wouldn’t use olive oil and add the seasoning after they are cooked. Just don’t think it would turn out as tasty, but you can try it!

I made my 1st CVS trip this week. (Typically I do several transactions if they have good deals. I’m trying to hold out for the Pepsi/Lays deal until the end of the week in case I get a $/$$ q email.)

CVS:
(1)Schick Intuition Plus Razor 9.99 -1.00sale -2.00q =6.99
(1)Gillette Shampoo 5.99 -1.00sale -2.00q =2.99
(2)Pantene Restoratives Conditioner 12.58 -2.60sale -$3/2q =6.98
(2)Mentos Gum 3.38 -1.69sale -(2).50/1q =.69
-$16.79 ECB

Total including tax: $1.28; Total savings: $31.18

Dollar General
(6)Pounce cat treats 6.00 -(6).75/1q =1.50

Total including tax:$ 1.98; Total savings: $4.50
*You’re probably wondering why I purchase all those cat treats…well, they’re free or cheap and I have 4 cats. 1 that takes meds in the treats so I go through them fairly quickly. Plus there are Pounce Perks! There are codes inside the labels that are points. I have 1400 points…600 more and I get a $30 Visa GC. Nice perks!

WalMart:
(2)A&H Baking Soda 1.08 -$1/2q =.08
(1)Baker’s Joy 1.88 -1.00q =.88
(1)Ruffies Trash Bags 1.58 -.50q =1.08
(1)Cucumber =.68
(1)Bag of Carrots =1.44
(1)Bananas =.38

Total including tax: $4.11; Total savings: $2.93

Today was a very good day for grocery savings! I went to Publix and BiLo. Both of these sales are good through tomorrow.

BiLo:
(4)Martha White cornbread mix 2.36 -(2).55/2q doubled =.16
(4)Progresso Soups 9.86 -4.91sale -(2).50/2q doubled =2.91
(4)Wise chips 11.96 -4.99sale -(3).50/1q doubled =3.97
(3)Angel Soft 6pk TP 11.97 -1.47sale -(3).50/1q doubled =7.50
(1)Greeting Card = 2.99
(2)Blistex chapsticks 2.58 -1.30sale -$1/2q =.28
(2)Tropicana OJ 7.38 -1.38sale -$1/2q =5.00
(1)Hormel Pepperoni 3.79 -.80sale -.55/1q doubled =1.89
(2)Armour Meatballs 7.38 -2.38sale -(2).55/1q doubled =2.80
(1)Fresh smoked turkey breast 1lb 4.89 -.98sale = 3.91
(1)Fresh Salami 1/2lb = 2.94
-$20.00 GC for transferring Rx (I love these things!)

Total including tax OOP: $15.92; Total savings: $53.75
(It should have been $1 less, but I think one of my internet printed coupons got stuck together. I try to crinkle them as much as possible to avoid that, but it’s hard when you have an entire stack!)

Publix:
(2)Red Baron Pizzas 11.94 -5.96sale -$1/1q =4.97
(1)Toaster Strudel 2.57 -1.28sale -.35/1q =.94
(1)Hefty One Zip freezer bags 2.00 - $1/1q =1.00
(2)Apple Juice 7.18 -3.59sale -$1/2q =2.59
(2)Jolly Time Popcorn 3.98 -1.98sale -(2)$1/1q = Free
(2)Publix bag salads 4.18 -2.20sale =1.98
(2)Rotel diced tomatoes 2.58 -1.29sale -$1/2publix q -.30/1q = -.01 overage
(2)Kraft salad dressing 6.58 -3.29sale -$1/2q =2.29
(2)Halls cough drops 3.40 -1.7sale -(2).50/1q =.70
(1)Pam cooking spray 3.89 -.90sale -$1/1Publix q -.35/1q =1.64
(2)Fantastik antibacterial spray 5.98 -2.99sale -(2)$1/1q =.99
(1)Apples 3lb bag 3.69 -.70sale =2.99

Total including tax: $20.80; Total savings:$37.84

I was extremely satisfied with both of these trips! I saved so much $ and got a couple of freebies as well. I was also happy that we got fresh fruits, veggies, fruit drinks and lunch meat. Healthy items tend to be the most expensive ones so it’s great when they are on sale!
I’ll be back tomorrow with CVS, DG and WalMart.

I want to go ahead a wrap up my shopping from last week so here are the last few trips:

Target:
(2)Listerine 6.00(sale price) -(2)$2/1q = 2.00

Total including tax: $2.56; Saved $4.88

BiLo:
(1)Ben & Jerry’s Icecream Pint 4.41 -1.41sale -3.00q =FREE

OOP: .03 for tax; Saved $4.38

Walgreens:
(1)Calamine Lotion 3.99

Total including tax: $4.36; Saved: $0!!
*Sometimes you just have to buy stuff with or without a sale or coupon. This was one of those times! Poor hubby got poison ivy…couldn’t let him suffer just b/c I didn’t have a q!! That’s what q’s are for, so we can afford the unexpected necessities. (Most of the time.)

Walgreen’s: (Trip 2)
(2)Bounty paper towels 2.58 -.80wags q -(2).25/1q =1.28
(2)Windex 7.58 -3.79(B1G1F sale) -(2).40/1q =2.99

Total including tax: $4.72; Total Savings: 5.89
*I will get $3.79 back from a Windex rebate too!!

I’ll be back later in the week with Publix, CVS, BiLo and maybe WalMart and Dollar General. (Depends on how the week goes.)
I will also be posting some really great websites that I’ve found to make a little extra $ and get some great prizes!
Look for recipes in the near future as well! (Gotta do something with all the stockpile food I buy!)

KMart does double coupons anywhere from $1-3 depending on your area. My area had up to $2. I got some pretty sweet deals out of it. They limit 4 of a type of coupon and only 25 coupons per customer/day. This is where your significant other comes in very handy!

Between our 2 transactions we got A LOT of stuff for free. If there is more than 4 items, that means hubby bought 4 in a separate transaction. (I just combined the 2 to make things easier.)

My KMart will not give you “overage” on a doubled coupon, so you just get the item free. However if you purchase an item and have a coupon for more than the $2 double limit, you will get overage. IE - The item is $2.99 and you have a $3 q, you will get .01 overage since the q does not double.
I also limited myself to only a few items. I went way overboard last time in all the Double Coupon excitement and spent more than I intended, even though I saved quite a bit. It’s not always about how much you save, it’s how much you spend also.
I probably would have gotten more, but there were a lot of things that were out of stock by the time I made it during the middle of the week.
For promos like this it’s best to get there when they open on the 1st day. I have learned that most stores do not stock well and if you want the deal you have to be the 1st person there. But also try not to completely wipe out the shelves. Save some for others.

$2 Double Coupons at KMart:
(1)Revlon Nail Polish 3.17 -.66sale -$2/1q doubled =Free
(2)Revlon Nail Clipper 3.58 -(2)$1/1q doubled =Free
(2)Revlon Tweezer 3.98 -(2)$1/1q doubled =Free
(4)Revlon Emery Boards 5.16 -(4)$1/1q doubled =Free
(1)Right Guard Deodorant 2.50 -.50sale -.50/1q doubled =1.00
(8)Pounce Cat Treats 10.32 -(8).75/1q doubled =Free
(1)A&H Cat Litter 9.79 -$1/1q doubled =7.79
(1)Fresh Step Cat Litter 12.00 -1.00sale -$1/1q doubled =9.00
(1)A&H Carpet Deodorizer 2.79 -$1/1q doubled =.79
(1)Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap 3.49 -$1.50/1q doubled=.49
(1)Airwick Luminary 7.99 -3.00sale -$5/1q = -.01 overage
(2)Jack Links Beef Sticks 7.98 -(2)$1/1q doubled =3.98
(1)Slim Jim Canister 2.99 -.75/1q doulbed =1.49
-$5/50 Kmart Q

Total including tax: $22.44; Total savings: $56.17
($5.51 was tax)

I have 1 trip from last week and 1 from this week so far:

Trip 1:
(2)Peanut M&M 6.98 -1.98sale -3.49/1 q = 1.51
(1)Cottonelle bonus pack 84ct wipes 5.98 -1.00cvs q = 4.98
(2)Revlon eyeshadow 13.98 -6.99B1G1F -2.00cvs q -(2)2.00/1 q = .99
(3)J&J 1st aid travel kits 2.97 -2.97/2 q = Free
-7.48 ECB

Total including tax: .49; Saved $29.91
*I got $5 in ECB back from the M&Ms and Cottonelle wipes!

Trip 2:
(8)Mt Dew 2-Liters 13.52 -3.52sale =10.00
(8)Dt Pepsi 2-Liters 13.52 -3.52sale =10.00
(1)Tide 8.99 -3.00sale -1.00q =4.99
(1)Puffs 2.15- 1.16sale -.25q = .74
(2)Excedrin Migraine 10.98 -7.00sale -(2)2.00/1 q = -.02 overage
(1)Excedrin Express Gels 5.29 -3.30sale -2.00/1 q = -.01 overage
(1)CVS Allergy tablets 4.29 -.50sale = 3.79
(2)Dawn 3.98 -1.99sale -.50/1 q = 1.49
(2)Covergirl Eyeliner 5.98 -2.50/2q = 3.48
(1)Covergirl Eye makeup 4.79
-$10/50q -10.00
-17.99 ECB

Total including tax: $11.58; Total saved: $62.23
(I forgot 2 coupons so it would have been $1.25 less…oh well. I also got back $16.79 in ECB for the Covergirl, CVS allergy tablets and the Pepsi products.)

You’re probably wondering why I’m purchasing so many Pepsi products and I will probably be purchasing more. I can’t keep Pepsi or Mt Dew in the house b/t hubby and me so it will last us a long time. I got $10 back for purchasing $20 in products (which I didn’t even pay $20) Plus there is a Pepsi promo just in time for the Super Bowl…check it out!

We’re back from vacation and wow I  have a lot of catching up to do! I got some really excellent deals over the past week including: Target, KMart, Publix, CVS, Walgreens, IZOD and Hickory Farms!! And I haven’t even done my shopping for this week yet!

Just to get you started…here are a couple of fantastic deals that I just couldn’t pass up. These are not calculated into my yearly spending/savings since they are clothing and gift items. But I wanted to share the savings with you!

IZOD:
(As many of you know this store is way over priced in my opinion, although they occasionally have a good sale on some nice things. Lucky for me I happened to be browsing the mall and picked up some awesome savings!)
The sale was 50% off original price, 50% off sale price, then an additional 20% off that sale price!!
Women’s Polo Shirt 48.00 - 24.00(50%) -12.00(50%) -2.40(20%) = 9.60
Women’s Knit Shirt 34.99 - 17.50(50%) -8.75(50%) -1.75(20%) = 6.99
Women’s Hoodie 44.99 -22.50(50%) -11.25(50%) -2.25(20%) = 8.99
Men’s Knit Shirt 48.00 - 24.00(50%) -12.00(50%) -2.40(20%) = 9.60

Total including tax: $38.43; Total Savings: $140.80
Can you believe I paid $38 for 4 IZOD shirts that would have normally cost almost $180??!!

Hickory Farms:
(Hickory Farms was having a GREAT sale on gift items. This deal is no longer available but check their website for other deals!
They are giving 85% off original price. I also had a coupon code for 15% off my total and I will receive 4% back for ordering through EBates! Pretty sweet savings!)
I don’t have the original prices on individual items since it didn’t print on my invoice.
(2)Petits Fours $4.85
(1)Ham Smokehouse Collection Gift Box $3.83
(1)Reduced Sugar Vanilla Torte $1.70
(1)Warm & Hearty Welcome Gift Box $3.18

Total including tax & shipping: $22.46 ($7.99 was s/h); Total savings: $105.00

Stay tuned for several deals over the next few days!