Monday Shopping Madness

Went to Publix today and thought I'd share all my great savings. I love Publix. They take competitor coupons and you can stack these (or a publix coupon) with a manufacturer coupon. If you have any questions about a certain deal/item or if you have a shopping trip you want to share, post a comment or email me. Below is my 2/26 Publix trip.

2 Silk Soymilk 

1 Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Combo

Lean Ground Beef

2 Kraft Singles

3 Odwalla Juice

1 Publix reusable bag

1 Cascadian Farms Granola bar

1 Sierra Mist 2L

1 Diet Pepsi 2L

1 Sun Chip

2 Corn

3 Bananas

1 Kraft Parmesan Cheese

1 McCormick all-purpose spice

1 Red Seedless grapes

1 Publix Marshmallows

2 Dole Salad blends

6 Hallmark greeting cards

Total $28.33

Total Savings $54.47 (66% off)

Special Price Savings $18.69

Savings from coupons $35.78

Waste Not Wednesday

Earth Day is tomorrow and there are several freebies for this green holiday:

• Walgreens: $1 ink cartridge refills with in ad coupon.
• Pottery Barn Kids: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Kids get a FREE plant.
• Disney Store: Bring 6 plastic bottles or cans to the Disney store and get a FREE hat
• Free sample of Ob tampons
• Origins is giving away FREE full-sized skincare products! Simply bring in one of your current skincare items that you use right now, and you'll be able to trade it out for a full-sized sample of Origins face wash or cleanser. This was announced on their Facebook page. I would definitely call ahead at your store to make sure they're participating in this!
• Get a FREE reusable tote bag at Babies R Us with this coupon(purchase required). Plus, you'll get 25% off the clothing that you stuff in the bag!
• Are you a teacher? If so, go here to give your feedback about how you're keeping your classroom green. You'll get a FREE reusable tote bag!
• Trade in 5 plastic bags at Target, and you'll get $1 off any reusable tote bag!

Coupon Clippin' Mommy giveaway

Check out Coupon Clippin' Mommy for some great giveaways going on now.

Monday Shopping Madness

Monday Shopping Madness is a post that will occur every so often sharing shopping savings with you. I usually do my Publix shopping on Mondays. If you have a shopping trip you want to share, post a comment or email me.

Below is my 4/19 Shopping trip to Publix.

2 Milkbone Essentials Dog Biscuits
1 Stacy's Multigrain Pita Chips
2 Soft Scrub Total Kitchen
1 Bud Light 12 pk
1 Kingsford Matchlite Surefire
1 Clorox Wipes
2 Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner (BOGO)
1 Glad Odor Shield Trash bags
4 Renuzit Adjustables air freshener
2 Glade candle (BOGO)
2 Scotch Brite Sponge 3pk
2 Lindsay Olives re-closables
1 Snyders pretzel stick
1 Lo Mein noodle
2 Mission tortilla
2 Trop 50 Orange juice
1 Broccoli
2 Bananas
1 Squash zucchini
1 Kikkoman low sodium soy sauce
1 Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
3 Plum tomato
2 Apples red delicious large
2 Oranges navel
2  Hass Avocados
1 KC Masterpiece bbq sauce
2 Ben and Jerry's Ice cream pint (BOGO)
1 bag sweet onions
1 Publix whole chicken
1 package Pork spareribs

Total  $62.28

Total Savings $80.14 (57% off original)
Special Price Savings $21.03
Savings from coupons $59.11

Super Savings Sunday

Super Savings Sunday is a post that will occur every few weeks telling you how to get big savings. This week's Super Savings Sunday suggestion includes links to sales and coupon match-ups for several stores, including Publix, CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and Target. 

Freebie Friday

Freebie Friday is a post that will occur every few weeks and lets you know how to get things ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!! Sorry that this Freebie Friday post is a little late, but I went out of town this weekend and didn't bring my computer with me. This week's freebie is from Walmart. Walmart always has free samples on their website. There is no catch. I promise. All you have to do is click on the samples you want and a new page will open where you type in your address. Right now, Walmart is offering samples of Parent's Choice baby formula, Crest 3D Whitestrips, Benefiber, and John Frieda root awakening.

Free popcorn

Become a fan of Regal Cinemas on facebook and receive a coupon for a free small popcorn.

Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Thursday is a post that will occur every few weeks that will share ways on how to shop smart and be thrifty. This week's Thrifty Thursday tip is to use Hotwire when booking hotels or other travel. A friend of mine suggested using Travel-Ticker from Hotwire to get the best deals. 

Don't let your ExtraBucks expire

I was planning on going to CVS today because I thought I had extrabucks that were expiring soon. Turns out, they expired yesterday!!! I was so annoyed with myself. $3 down the drain. If you have Extrabucks check the expiration dates so this doesn't happen to you.

Another CVS tip: scan your card at the coupon center for some great coupons. Apparently people have been getting $1/1 CVS brand paper item this week and toilet paper is 2/$1 so you could get 2 toilet papers for free.

$5/$25 Coupon

Print this $5/$25 coupon for Rite Aid. Publix takes competitor coupons so you should be able to use it there. Also, you can print it as many times as you want. It expires 4/30.

Waste Not Wednesday

Waste Not Wednesday is a post that will appear every few weeks providing you with tips on how to live green. This week's living green tip is to bring your own travel mug to Starbucks tomorrow April 15th to receive a free brewed coffee. Read more at Starbucks' Big Picture.

There is also a free Recycling Crafts ebook available with 42 different craft projects. This would be great for projects to do with kids or for homemade gifts from the heart. I have already found one craft that I will be making.  

Time Saver Tuesday

Time Saver Tuesday is a post that will occur every once in a while giving you tips on how to save time in your quest to save money. This week's Time Saver Tuesday tip is on how to organize your coupons. I suggest writing the date on your coupon inserts and putting each type of insert in a different folder (ex. a folder for Smart Source, another for RedPlum, another for P&G, and another for store coupons). The match-ups each week will tell you which insert and which week to find it. That way you will only clip coupons when you are ready to use them. 

                          

Free Dog Treats at PetSmart

Check out Meagan's post at Frugal Fun and Fortune and find out how to get free milk bone dog treats at Petsmart.

Free Jamba Juice

Have a Jamba Juice in your area? Print this coupon to receive one free drink when you buy a drink. This deal ends 4/25 so don't wait.

Making Money Monday

Today is Making Money Monday! This post will appear from time to time showing you ways to earn money or rewards such as gift cards. Today's making money suggestion is to check out Mypoints. Mypoints is a website that rewards you for reading emails and taking surveys. You can earn gift cards to many places. This one takes a while to earn gift cards because the cards are worth more. I am saving up for a $50 Target gift card. I have about 5400 points and need a little less than 2000 more. Sign up from my facebook page so I can be rewarded as well. 

Free Hallmark kid's card

Go to any Hallmark store to receive a free Hallmark kid's card before 5/30. Choose from 9 different designs.

Spread the Savings Sunday!

Today is Spread the Savings Sunday! These posts will appear periodically with different ways for you to share savings with others. Today's spread the savings suggestion is to share this blog with your friends and family. Get the word out and help others save.

Buy one, get one free at Tijuana Flats

Tijuana Flats will be offering buy one get one free entrees tomorrow, 4/12 only. Print the coupon below and bring into participating Tijuana Flats locations.

Giveaway on Wii to a new Mii

Wii to a new Mii is giving away Wii weights on their blog. The giveaway ends Monday so go check it out.  Follow the directions to enter and you could be on your way to a skinnier Mii.

Free country music downloads

Get free country music downloads on Itunes from People magazine. This offer expires 6/18.

Free Arby's

Get a free Arby's roast beef sandwich with the purchase of a medium drink. The coupon expires Tuesday 4/13.

Free Annual Pass to Busch Gardens for children 5 and under

Get a free annual pass to Busch Gardens for children 5 and under.

Free Shopping bag

Get a free grocery shopping bag on Wednesday, 4/14 from Earthbound Farm Organic.


Also, in collaboration with Tide, GE and Coca-Cola, Target stores will give away 1.5 million reusable bags with purchase on April 18, the first day of Earth Week.

You can also mail 5 plastic Target bags to this address and receive a free reusable bag:
Terracycle
121 New York
Avenue Trenton, NJ 08638

Free Admission for Military to Sea World, Busch Gardens, or Sesame Place Parks

Military receive free admission to Sea World, Busch Gardens, or Sesame Place Parks. Military personnel and up to three dependents can receive a one day ticket, per person, per year. Check out their site for details and registration.

Low Sodium Cooking

It is very difficult to constantly eat healthy and have food with flavor. For those of you with a low-sodium diet, check out these cookbooks to add some flavor and variety to your diet.

Free Einstein Brothers

If you have an Einstein Brothers Bagel near you, check out this offer for free bagels. Become a fan on their facebook page to get your coupon.

Free Pint of Paint

Looking to do a little remodeling? Get a coupon for a free pint of Benjamin Moore paint at participating retailers.

Save with your AAA card!

Your AAA membership is good for more than just roadside assistance. You can receive discounts at thousands of local and online retailers when you use your AAA card.

Publix weekly deals

Meagan at Frugal Fun and Fortune has the Publix weekly deals and matchup for 4/5-4/14.

Where do you shop?

Post a comment and let me know where you shop. I will do my best to include the weekly match-ups for your store each week.

Personally, I love Publix and do most of my shopping there. Occasionally I shop at Target, Walmart, CVS or BJs.

Couponing Basics and Coupon Lingo

Check out Meagan from Frugal Fun and Fortune's post on coupon basics or on Supermarket secrets.

Also, here is some lingo for you:

Stacking Coupons - Stacking coupons is a term used often to describe pairing a store coupon with a manufacturer's coupon on one single item. The store coupon is a coupon that the store puts out. The store is giving you the deal. A manufacturer's coupon is like most of the ones you find in your Sunday newspaper or printable coupons online. They have bar codes and say "manufacturer's coupon" on them most of the time. The manufacturer is giving you the deal. Most stores allow stacking with no problem (Publix is great about this).

Peelies - These are coupons found on the outside of products that peel off, hence their name. One point of confusion that I have come across with many readers -- Peelies ARE indeed manufacturer's coupons. So if you go to a store with a manufacturer's coupon in hand, and then you find a peelie, you can not stack these. That would mean you are trying to use 2 manufacturer's coupons on one item. Not legal. The only time you can use a peelie with another coupon is when it is a "stacking" situation with a store coupon, as I mentioned above.

Blinkies - Coupons that pop out of little machines in the stores. Same as peelies - almost always manufacturer's coupons.

Tearpads - Coupons that are on pads in front of products. You can tear off a couple of coupons to use. Sometimes they're manufacturer's, other times they're great store coupons. It just depends! Keep an eye on what type of coupon it is, though!

Overage - This just means that your coupon value exceeds the price of the item you're buying. This happens a lot of times when you are stacking coupons as mentioned above. Some stores allow it (Publix). Other stores do not and will simply price-adjust the coupon value down to make it free.

BOGO - Buy one get one free.

ECB - Extra Care Bucks. Part of the rewards program at CVS.Read CVS basics for more info!

RR - Register Rewards. Part of the rewards program at Walgreens. Read Walgreens basics for more info!

PG - Proctor & Gamble (type of coupon insert that comes in Sunday's newspaper)

RP - Red Plum (type of coupon insert that comes in Sunday's newspaper)

SS - Smart Source (type of coupon insert that comes in Sunday's newspaper)

OOP - "Out of pocket" This is the money you end up paying after all coupons.

Rain Check - When a store is out of a deal that they advertised, you can usually get a "raincheck." It is basically a pass to come back and get the deal at a later date when the item is back in stock. It enables you to get the advertised sale price at a later date, in a nutshell. CVS even gives rainchecks for ECB deals! It's awesome!!

$1/1 - $1 off of 1 item

2/$1 - 2 items cost $1

B2G1 - Buy 2 items get 1 free (B3G1 would be Buy 3 items get 1 free, etc.)

- Thanks to Meagan over at Frugal Fun and Fortune

Publix savings 4/7

I want to introduce you to the amount of money you can save so I am sharing my latest Publix trip. This last trip was a little more than normal because I bought alot of fruits and veggies and had to get frozen chicken (I was all out and couldn't wait another week). Also, we bought a $50 BP card because there was a $10 off coupon, so $40 of my total is for the gas card.

Here's what I bought:

2 2L bottles 7UP BOGO $1.79

used 2 $1/1 coupon

(made this item free plus overage)

Publix milk $3.09

Publix boneless chicken $6.99

6 Gatorades $6

Used B4G2 Free coupon

2 bags Doritos

used $1/2 Harvey's coupon

Green Giant frozen veggies $1

used $.40/1 coupon from 2-28-10 SS

Scotties tissue $1.25

used $1/1 coupon (when you sign up, answer no)

Soft scrub kitchen $2.50

used $2/1 coupon (sign up and click on member exclusive offers)

and $1/1 target printable coupon

Celery $1.49

Squash zucchini $.91

Premium tomato $3.68

Mushrooms sliced $1.50

Oranges Navel $1.95

Bananas $.50

Apple Red delicious $1.63

Onions sweet $1.35

2 loaves Publix whole wheat bread $3.00

BP Gas Card $50

Used $10 off coupon from publix weekly ad

Used 2 $5/$25 Family Dollar purchase

Order Total $62.46

Total Savings $43.31

PS. If you are confused about the lingo, see this post about coupon basics.

Swagbucks- Earn free gift cards and more

Swagbucks is a website that you can use to earn free gift cards, such as target.com, amazon.com, etc. as well as other prizes. You use the toolbar to search just like you would on google or yahoo. Every few searches, swagbucks awards you with swagbucks which can be redeemed for prizes. I love this site. I don't do much more than I would normally do when online, but have already earned 3 $5 amazon.com gift cards in about 2 months. Awesome, right.

Sign up using this link (I will get rewarded for referring you- then you can refer your friends and be rewarded as well):

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/emarhefka

If you would like more information on how exactly swagbucks works check out this post by Meagan on Frugal Fun and Fortune (one of my favorite blogs):

http://frugalfunandfortune.blogspot.com/2010/03/swag-bucks-101-updated-edition.html

Hi Friends and family

I have recently discovered the wonderful world of couponing and saving money. There are several websites that share information about saving money, especially with the use of coupons. In the past few months I have been able to cut my grocery bill in half. Also, with all the money we are saving, we are able to do other things we enjoy, such as going out to eat (not without a coupon though). I am saving so much money and having fun doing it too. I wanted to share this with all of you since we are in such tough economic times right now. I hope that you will enjoy this blog and will find enjoyment in saving money and giving to others like I have. I will be updating at least once a week, so stop by and find out how you can save. If you are interested, please follow my blog so I know this is worthwhile. Thanks!