Couponing 101

I received an email from my friend Cat. She came over to my house a couple of weeks ago for Coupon 101. I typed up a "How-To" and showed her actual receipts. Then we actually went to the stores together and I showed her little quirks about each store! I would love to email you my 101!


She got the hang of it! Check out her purchases! I am so proud of my first pupil!!! Here is her email:

I am having so much fun with coupon shopping!!! Let me give you an example:
TODAY 6/24/08
Between CVS, Walgreens and Publix

24 Charmin BIG rolls toilet paper
16 Bounty paper towels rolls
5 boxes of cereal
4 boxes fruit snacks/fruit roll-ups
4 boxes Zataran's rice mixes (David's fave)
4 boxes Barilla pasta
2 bottles Hunt's ketchup
2 bottles Ocean Spray Lite Cranberry Juice (David's must have!)
1 doz eggs
2 1/2 lb bananas
1 loaf sunbeam bread
8 sticks Smart Blend butter
2 Lysol Neutra-Air sprays
1 ALL Small and Mighty 32 loads
1 ALL Ultra 32 loads
1 75ct Advil (my must have!)
2 Colgate Advanced Whitening toothpaste
1 CVS after shave lotion
1 Brut Deod 2.5 oz
1 Brut Anti-Pers/Deod 3.0 oz
1 2pk Oral B C/A toothbrushes
2 Huggies Bath/Hair Wash ( I have a new niece I will be visiting soon!)
1 Aqua Fresh Kids toothpaste
2 Ajax dish detergents


Total: 168.27 BUT........................

I PAID 40.96!!!!!!! OMGosh!!!!!!

I am loving this! Who needs a job when you have coupons??!!

Old Navy Flip Flops $1.00

I had to let those with an Old Navy know about the great sale tomorrow!
If you need flip flops for $1 check out this site!

Money Saving Mom

I am still saving money! It is so addicting! My favorite is Publix. I love watching the screen as I check out to see if I save more that I spend!

I even took my coupons to the beach. The Publix there did not double coupons, give you half off each of their buy-one-get-one items, nor would they give the best price on a 3/$5 deal. CRAZY - I am so glad we do not live there! I could not handle it!

I will not post play-by-play actions of my savings, except if it is a money making deal! Sister and I had a ball clipping coupons and shopping together! The best deal was the Shrimp Boil we had! Seafood at the beach... there is nothing like it!

We did not do so good positioning ourselves for this picture, but it is us!

These are MY People- where I come from. Ain't always pretty, but its real!!!!!

My oh my what a crew... Wouldn't you love to be my brother-in-law? He flew down Wednesday with my son. Son was at Junior University Monday -Wednesday!

I need to tell all my coupon friends out there about the free Kraft Cheese I scored! There was a coupon in the Parade Magazine Sunday - Buy three items (Kool-aid included) get a pack of cheese for free.

Kroger has Kool-Aid for 10/$1.00 (.10 Each). So I bought three $.10 packs of Kool-Aid for $.30 and I got a $2.75 pack of Kraft cheese for FREE. So of course I did it five more times with my coupons and I now have 18 packs of Kool-Aid and 6 packs of Kraft cheese singles for $1.80. Wahoo!!

Anybody want to come over for a grilled cheese? Now if I could score some cheap bread!

If you are wondering how I have SIX coupons, let me explain. I buy the Sunday Atlanta paper, bundled (Journal & Constitution) for $2.50. I also buy the Daily Paper for $1.25. Husband brings home his paper on Monday that arrives at work and Father-In-Law saves me his papers from work as well. That is six sets of papers with six sets of coupons!!!

A friend of mine has connections at the Daily Paper and we are trying to score coupons from there, but it has not happened yet...

Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's

Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's - April 29, 2008

Ben & Jerry's scoop shops give out free ice cream cones all day. This year's event, taking place on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, marks the company's 30th annual Free Cone Day. Over one million free cones are given away each year, prompting the company's ad slogan "Be One In A Million." Charitable organizations are often present at the stores each year and enjoy a significant amount of fundraising success.

What a fun Saturday!

First we went to the "Twin Sale" and I found the following for $47.50

8 pairs of size 8 jeans

4 pairs of size 8 shorts

4 pairs of capris

2 size 14 jeans

In my opinion "I racked up!"

Then we went to Home Depot to make the FREE workshop craft. It was a nascar car! They were thrilled! We saw Muffin Top's husband there with their two children!

After that we came home and had PB&j and tomato soup. Again they were thrilled!

Then we put on our PJs and I took them around noon to Brusters for a FREE Ice Cream Waffle Cone - their own cone and they did not have to share! Again they were thrilled!

I had read on a board that CVS had marked their Perfume and Cologne sets down to 90%, but they were not marked (unadvertised sale). So while they were ssslllooowwwlllyyy finishing their cones, . we went to CVS to check it out. Again they were thrilled! Well what did I find you ask?

The MotherLoad! No one else in my little town knew about the deal, so we racked up! Boy Do We Smell Goooood! I saved a couple for gifts, but the rest we are adding to my stockpile garage sale I am planning in a few weeks!

I cleaned my closet out for the garage sale! That was no small task. My garage is going to be filled with junk and stockpile!

Tonight we have the Upwards basketball banquet (free dinner).

So overall this has been a very productive and FREE kind of day!

My Addictions Have Gone TOO Far

Okay, this is THE funniest Post I have read in a long time! It was only funny to me, because I think this is me. These two girls share a blog and one is writing about the other. I laughed so hard (Muffin top) when I read about the aspirin! Reminds me, I need to give you some of those 10 bottles to take to your parents! If you read the post and see "Drama Mama", I am publicly asking for intervention!

Husband had the day off and we had a great time! The children are out of school for Winter Break! We started off the morning at THEIR favorite breakfast spot - Waffle House. We smelled like the place for the rest of the day! We had a family bowl-a-rama on the Wii and Twin C spanked us all with FOUR strikes in a row! We made our way South and found a new laptop (on sale no less) and then ate dinner at Carabbas! Husband and Son wanted to see Spiderwick so we all went! It was a little too scary for the girls, but they made it through it. I'll let you know in the next few weeks if any "severe damage" was done to their sleeping patterns... husband managed to parallel the Bible with the movie and explain how there are really "Ogars" in our lives, those we cannot see (Satan) and how we have to put on our Armor of God daily!

Overall the day was great! We have basketball in the morning and then we are going to pickup my laptop! I cannot wait! I will be blogging all over the house now!

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Hat tip to Refundcents! Thanks!

I am not the only one who loves CVS

Do You think He had Coupons and used ECB's???

HUGE Old Navy Sale FRIDAY!

Old Navy is going to be running a huge sale on Friday with 50%-75% off their clearance prices. I love to get their jeans for $5 for the children! I am going to buy the next size up for next year!!! I can't wait! You know how I love a bargain!

Free Photography Course

I posted about an online photography course on my other blog and thought some of you may want to join in as well! it is free (of Course).
Target and iVillage are pairing up to host some photography courses online.The best part? They’re free.

Choose one or more of the three separate courses:
Digital photography techniques
Digital photography made simpler
Telling a story with photos

I’m enrolling in # 2. It looked useful and
I need to learn more about my camera!

Click here to enroll.

Thanks to Sense To Save for the lead!

Enough Cents To Save

I DID IT!

I know all six of my daily readers may not be as in to coupons as I am, so I have started a second blog. Yes, I now have two!

Enough Cents to Save

Ain't i purdy!

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Drama Mama will now be all about my family, recipes and photos!

Re-Gifting

I have never been a huge fan of re-gifting because my memory is so short! I'd probably re-gift to the same person. Besides the fact that my family is great at gift giving. I am the one who is severely challenged in gift giving!

Anyways, look at what Husband came home with last night! Don't think we won't be giving over half of that bad boy away! Teachers gifts, mailman, choir teachers... Need I go on? I don't know how well you can see the picture, but the basket is amazing! Not quite sure what I will do with it yet!
Here is the description of the "Sky's the Limit Gift Basket" Bold items will be consumed by the receiver of the basket!! :)
Wow them with this vast array of gourmet Wine Country fare. Portlock smoked salmon, Nonni's roasted garlic crackers, caviar, over two pounds of Godiva chocolate including dark and milk chocolate biscotti, dark chocolate covered almonds and pretzels, assorted Godiva chocolate bars, Italian tiramisu chocolate, caramel walnut cookies, chocolate graham crackers, Ghirardelli milk chocolate and Twilight Delight dark chocolate, lindt truffles, serving dish and items too numerous to list make this one of the season's most magnificent gifts. Gift Size 34" x 13" x 11"

By the way, I guess I should thank the Gift Giver - an Ad Agency! Maybe we should say thank you for the gift that keeps on GIVING!!!!

Kroger Three Day Sale

Starting Thursday, Dec 6th, Kroger has
2liter Cokes for $.59 (limit 10)
Ground Beef $.99/lbs
24 count water bottles $2.99
Bananas $.29/lbs

I was in there today and that is from memory, please do not quote me, but I know it is close!

PUBLIX has some great items Buy one Get one items this week!
Cheez-its, Peter Pan Peanutbutter, Grands Biscuits, Motts Apple Juice...

You can use two coupons if you buy two items and they double them if it is under $.50.
Pillsbury Grand Biscuits
$1.50 each
- .35 x 2 (doubled)
-.35 x 2 (doubled)
That is $.05 cents per can!

OR
Betty Crocker Cake Mix
$1.79 per box
- .35 x 2 (doubled)
-.35 x 2 (doubled)
That is $.20 cents per box

Do you see why I clip coupons! I can't afford not to!

Organizing Coupons

I saw a good friend at the DQ today! Seeing someone at the DQ - doesn't that sound like a country song :)!

I showed her my "Dorthy-Basket" and thought I would share it with you! I also read a great post on a real cheap organizer!


I took small invitation size envelopes from WalMart and made categories. I file all food items in the front A-Z then I file all toiletries, medicines and cleaners (A-Z). I am not sure where the basket came from, but I know it was from a gift somewhere along the way (meaning I did not buy it).

When I get the sales flyer's I sit down and collect all the coupons for that store and place them in the blue file-pack. I take the file pack into the store and leave the basket in the car. I always take my basket in the car (I treat it like my purse, taking it everywhere). If I get into the store and find a clearance item and know I have a coupon, I have been known to leave my buggy and go out to the car for a coupon. May sound extreme to some, but would you throw a quarter in the trash, I think not!!! Since I am showing pictures, I thought I would share my big comfy chair where I clip and watch Oprah and eat bon-bons! I love my chair, I call it my-space!

I also wanted to share two websites that I check all the time COUPON MOM and REFUNDCENTS. You have to subscribe to Refund Cents, but I felt it was worth it!! Coupon Mom is just like the Grocery Game, but free! I hope this helps you with your coupons! I love saving money!

Deals of the Day

What a beautiful Saturday morning! We do not have anywhere we have to be!! No sports, birthday parties, no NOTHIN'! I am so relieved! This was a crazy week spent mostly on the road! Today I am praising God for soft pj's and lazy mornings!
UPDATE: I knew it was too good to be true! Daughter C just so sweetly asked if we could go to Home Depot this morning to make the Serving Tray. How do they remember this stuff? I told her we would go closer to noon...

Here are some of the best deals I can find!

At Rite Aid in the Christmas candy section, they have their Hershey's Hugs, Kisses, Dove bags on sale 5 for $10. If you buy 5 you can mail in the receipt and get $5 back, making them 5/$5. Sometimes in the circular ads you can find $1.00 off 2 coupon and if you use 2 you could get 5 bags for $3. My sister said they also have all of their TIDE detergent on sale (100oz

FamilyChristian Get .99 shipping on all orders right now, no code needed.
Also at FamilyChristian, get 40% off bestselling Christian books through this link. Dave Ramsey "The Total Money Makeover" book is $12.49 (Reg 24.99)

Redbook one year $3 after instant $5 deduction! Ships free.

$5 off $5 at FamousFootwear with code 1207593.

I met my prayer partners at Chick Fil A yesterday! They have a promo - Buy $20 in gift cards and get the calendar FREE! I got four $5 cards for the bus driver, Sunday School Teachers and the mailman!!! I will keep the calendar!
Here are the coupons in the new Chick Fil A calendar:
Jan-free chick-fil-a sand
Feb-free break. chick. bisc or soup
Mar-free 4pc kids meal w/ purchase combo
Apr-free chargrilled cool wrap w/ purchase side & coke
May-free milkshake w/ purchase
June-free water w/purchase salad
July-free 8ct nugget w/ purchase lg sprite
Aug-free chick fila salad sand
Sept-free break mini w/ purchase hash brown & coffee OR free lg pot fries w/ purchase Med coke
Oct-free 4ct chick strips w/purchase med tea
Nov-free lg coke w/ purchase sand
Dec-free gal tea w/ purchase lg nugget tray, free lgr coke

Finally Friday!

Thank you for all of your prayers and calls about my mother. She came through the surgery great. She is recovering much better this go round! She will come home from the hospital today in a neck brace. The doctor said it did look pretty bad, but that is "good" hopefully she will not be in pain anymore!

My sister and I took advantage of being in Atlanta for the day and did some light CHRISTmas shopping. Wouldn't you know there was a craft show going on at the hospital - 1 day only! Lots of cinnamon potpourri and pound cakes...

She is frantically looking for baby doll that "swims"... we hit several toy stores and Target, but did not score. Of course we found ourselves at WalGreens! Wouldn't you know, when we walked in with my "Dorthy-Basket" of coupons and her coupon pouch the cashier said "If you purchase $50 today you will receive a $20 gift card!" Enough said! The hunt was on! You can run up a $50 bill quickly with diapers! We found two bottles of Excedrin Migraine and tension headache medicine 2 for $5.75 and of course I had $2 off coupons!! She got a free roll of wrapping paper that she climbed to the top of the store to get, and a great deal on batteries for her camera (that she is getting for Christmas - hint, hint to Sister's Husband).

I finished shopping for the children and even found wool socks and long johns for the ski trip! Target has cute Footie-pj's on sale this week for $8. Son got a pair of camo (they will be mine one day soon if he keeps growing so fast!) and the girls got skiing monkeys! Too cute!! Sister and I had a lot of fun picking everything out together! I got home around 10 pm last night and was exhausted.

I got the children up early this morning and we studied for their spelling, vocab and social studies test! Husband earned his stripes last night by taking them to the Parade! We have always gone (9 year tradition) and they were adamant about going, so he packed a picnic and blankets and away they went! I was so proud of him for going! Cold weather, screaming kids and a large crowd...I can't think of anything else he loves more! :) Thank you honey for taking one for the team last night! Momma, Sister and I thank you for your sacrifice!!!!

A couple from our home team was asked to enter an ornament into the Downtown Development Contest and they WON FIRST PLACE! WOW!! What big fun! They spent so much time on the project! It looked great! Well Done! They won a $100 gift certificate to the Downtown Restaurants that I think they are going to give to Pastor and his wife!! Maybe next year we will enter the parade and have the choir and the ornament on the float!!!

CVS has a great sale on photo enlargements:
Add two 5x7 or two 8x10 to your shopping cart, use promo code NBOGO, and you will only pay for one 5x7 or one 8x10!

Sunday's coupons!!

Many of you have asked how I find such great coupons - Sunday's paper!! This Sunday there will be three packs of coupons! Grab your neighbors if they do not clip!!!!
UPDATE:
SO MANY of you gave me a hard time about listing the coupons, I took them off! NO, I did not type all that - cut and pasted from one of my websites...that I will not be sharing with you anymore. :)

Christmas Card Photo

I finally decided on a picture for our cards. If you order 50 from Walgreens thru Saturday, December 1st and use the promo coupon THANKS at checkout, you will get 25 pictures for free. They must be the same print and you must put 50 in your cart for code to work! I got 50 pictures for $5.15!!

WOW...Who knew?

If my children are reading this, stop now or you will not have a surprise CHRISTmas morning.

Several months ago I bought a Wii from Gamestop.com. I did not buy the insurance, because I did not know about it or that I needed it. After talking to several people who STRONGLY recommended it I tried to get the Game Stop at our "mall" to insure it. They would not. So I decided the best thing to do was buy another one and sell the "old" on on ebay. So I waited at 5AM with every other cold, money savings nut to buy another one.

WHAT A RUSH ebay was!
I have never sold anything on ebay before. I did a three day listing, took my picture (because I could with my great digital camera) and thought I listed it. Yesterday I went to check on it and could not find it. I have never been so mad at myself. How do you loose a listing on ebay? (okay maybe I was this mad at myself when I left the Reba concert ticket in Statesboro and drove all the way to Atlanta for the concert without them... Another Drama Mama moment).
I finally found it in Accessories. What was I thinking? I revised it and then it started coming up with all of the ten thousand others. I listed it for $250, I really wanted $275 back so I could make up the $25 I spent on shipping on the first one. Well Lawsey-Mercie, who knew it would bring $441.00 plus $25 shipping!!!!!!!!!! I have never felt such a rush.

My long-legged friend was on the phone with me during the last 10 minutes and thought I was going to have a heart attack. I have never in all my life felt so sick to my stomach. Now I have made $166 profit to go towards the $160 worth of games and accessories I have bought! God is good...all the time...

Home Already

I browsed, I shopped, and I am home! It is 8 am and Husband is off to work. I was out the door at 5 AM. Of course we hit WalMart (highlight of this small town) and then off to the "mall." I use the term Mall LOOSELY! We have a Game Stop, Bath and Body Works and Belks, Goody's and Jacque Pen-ney's!
I obviously cannot post my finds or there would be no surprise. But I will tell you I got $1.50 six inch poinsettias at Home Depot! That was a deal! I am also pleased to say this was not the year of "one-for-you, one-for-me" either! Husband is going to get a few toys and my son will be happy about his Birthday present! That's all I can say.
We normally spend $100 on each child for individual gifts. Either all in one pop or it could be 8 Webkins. Then we buy a big group present. Fortunately I have stuck with this budget since the beginning and it seems to work for us. I do not get out of control and they are all pleased. This year will be a little more fun because $100 goes a lot further when you are spending EBC bucks and finding great deals! My family is going to have the best stuffed stockings this year. I really have some good finds for my sister and my mother!! :)
So what is on your list? Anything good we need to know about?