Vacation!

We're getting ready for 2 weeks of vacation!!!  The first week is to Hilton Head with my family to celebrate my parent's 40th Wedding Anniversary!!!!!!  I'm sooo excited, I can't wait to leave on Saturday morning.

The 2nd week is to Dale Hollow Lake to stay on Garett's dad's houseboat.  What fun vacations back-to-back!

I will not have computer access, and will not be updating my blog for two weeks.  Please, please come back the week of July 9th.  I'll be back on-line then. 

In the meantime, if you want some good deals, check out my favorite site:  http://www.southernsavers.com/

My Publix trip 6/23

Okay, no picture (I put the goods away too quickly and really, really don't want to take everything back out).  My total cost was $64.01 with a savings of $111.57!  That doesn't include the $30 in gift cards I'll be getting back from Kelloggs!  (which would make my total only $34.01).  :)  Here's what was on my list:

24 large boxes of Kelloggs cereal (look for the ones with the "cars" promotion so you can submit for a gift card)
2 32 ounce Powerades
8 Wetones (pop-up containers)
4 Philly Cooking Cremes
4 Solo Plastic Plates
Publix brand American Singles
Stonyfield Greek Yogurt 4 pk
Publix 24 pack water bottles

The cereal was the best deal!  After the gift cards, each box will only cost me 28 cents a box!!!!  Stock-up time!! 

I make mistakes too!! BIG ones!

Okay, so after doing this whole coupon thing for 1 1/2 years now, you'd think I'd be perfect at it...I'm not!  To show you that mistakes can still be made, my bill today at Food Lion should have been $16.52 for 20 items.  But, at checkout, my total was $33.52!!!  How was I $17 off?!!  I took my bill to customer service (don't bother with the checkout lady...the line will be long, customers will get angry, etc., etc.  Customer service is much more patient and really where you should go). 

After looking over my receipt and matching items, we discovered that I am the one that made the big, fat mistake!  I bought the wrong size of an item (the cheez-its).  She was very sweet though, let me return everything and "buy back" my coupons.  Anyway, after 20 minutes and 5 VERY cranky kids, it was finally settled.  I'll pay more attention next time, that's for sure.  :)

Recyclebank...45 free points!

Recyclebank is hosting another fun contest. This time it’s the Green Your Vacation contest. You can get 45 free points right now. Here’s how:

:Sign up for a recyclebank account if you don’t have one already.  http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=amVubnlseW5ud3JpZ2h0QHlhaG9vLmNvbQ==&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=J5348322&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-J5348322-_-referral

::Go to the Green Your Vacation Page and click on the “Travel” button at the top of the page.
::Click on the moving objects and take pledges to earn points.

Publix...nearly free cereal starting this Thursday (6/23)

See this post over at Passionate Penny Pincher for details on the Kelloggs deal to promote the new "Cars" movie:  http://passionatepennypincher.com/?p=20403

Look for the marked boxes.

Food Lion and Publix ads posted (6/22 and 6/23)

Go to http://www.southernsavers.com/ to see the Publix ad that begins on Thursday.  (look for the "acorns" for especially good deals).

Food Lion's ad is also posted.  Their sale begins on Wednesday (tomorrow).  They are still having a "mega event."

CVS MONEYMAKER this week!!! 6/19-6/25

Hurry to CVS to get this great moneymaker (no coupons needed!!!) 

Buy 2 sticks of Hawaiin Tropic lip balm @ 2.99 each.  Pay a little over $6 with tax and get $10 in Extra Care Bucks!!!!  It works...I just did it.

For those that live in St. Johns, the CVS on Racetrack had a ton on their display.  (when you walk in the doors, it is immediately to your left).  The one on SR13 did not have any, FYI. 

Yes, I know the picture is sideways...sorry.  But I'm sure you still get the gist.  :)

Extreme Couponing...How To Guide

Southern Savers just posted an excellent guide to couponing.  Well worth a read!  I don't aim to be an Extreme Couponer like on TLC, but I aim to save at least 50% on groceries and toiletries (including diapers) each week.  Do you really just want 165 bottles of mustard?!!  :)

http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/06/real-extreme-couponing-getting-started/

My CVS trip this week (6/19)

I started with $7.00 Extra Care Bucks from last week.  What I bought:

2 gallons of milk
2 tubes of Colgate Total toothpaste
1 bag of Hershey's Bliss

Transaction #1:
1 Colgate Total $2.79
1 Hershey's Bliss $5.99
Used 75 cent off coupon for toothpaste and a $1.00 off coupon for the bag of candy along with my $7.00 Extra Care Bucks from last week.  Paid $1.56 out of pocket and received $8 back in Extra Care Bucks.

Transaction #2
1 Colgate Total $2.79
2 Gallons of Milk $3.39 each ($6.78)
Used one 75 cent off coupon for toothpaste and the $8 Extra Care Bucks from Transaction #1.  Paid $1.00 out of pocket and received $2.00 back in Extra Care Bucks for next week!

Vocalpoint

I am a member of vocalpoint.com and have, big surprise here, received a lot of coupons for free items from them.  The latest offer is from Motts for Tots.  You can follow this link to learn more and sign up to get some free stuff!!!

www.vocalpoint.com/mottsfortots

Recyclebank

I get a lot of coupons through Recyclebank.  You can join here:  http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=amVubnlseW5ud3JpZ2h0QHlhaG9vLmNvbQ==&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=J5348322&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-J5348322-_-referral

Walgreen - Getting Started

Some of you may need a "getting started" guide for Walgreens as well.  They have something similar to CVS but theirs is called RR (Register Rewards).  Walgreens can be a little confusing at first, but don't let that scare you.  You need to have an item for each coupon you use and a Register Reward will count as a separate coupon if you plan to redeem one.  (I know, I just confused everyone...please check out the guide). 

See here for a good getting started guide:
http://www.southernsavers.com/getting-started-guides/guide-to-walgreens/

CVS - How to start

I think that some of you don't know where to start at CVS and are confused by some of the terms in my post (EB or ECB for Extra Care Bucks) and what they mean. 

Please check out this "getting started guide"
http://www.southernsavers.com/getting-started-guides/how-to-cvs/

She also has a great video that is very helpful here:
http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/02/cvs-shopping-a-beginners-guide/

A Cook-Out for Less...

This weekend we're hosting a cookout with friends.  We'll have 8 adults and 12 kids (not counting the baby).  Here's how we're putting it on for not too much money:

*Each family is responsible for their own drinks and one side dish or desset

What we're providing:
1.  5 pkg. Oscar Mayer Selects Premium hotdogs (on sale a while back & stacked Qs)  $.80 each = $4.00
2.  5 pkg. hotdog buns (haven't found a good way to get these cheap...any suggestions)  $1.29 each = $6.45
3.  Homemade Potato salad (red potatoes = $3.59/bag, Egg = $.85 (1/2 a dozen), Mayo ($1.00), Onion $.25, Mustard (free)= $5.69
4.  Veggies and dip (sour cream = $2.09...YIKES!, ranch packet $1.67...double YIKES, carrots $.89, broccoli $2.00)= $6.65
5.  5 pounds of Grapes = $4.95
6.  3 boxes of Caprisuns for the kids = $5.00 (I'm SOOO not pouring drinks when I'm enjoying my beer...)
7.  Brownies (not sure if I'll end up making...someone is already bringing dessert, but I'll add it in just in case)...$.50
8.  Jar of Relish = $.50
9.  Catsup = free
10.  Mustard = free
11.  Jar of Dill pickles = $.60

Soooo, for everything (ok, ok, I'm not including the price of beer in the party total...let's face it, I'd be drinking it anyway, so it's not an "additional" cost for me).  :)  For food, we'll spend just $34.34!!!!  Less than a trip to a restaurant for us.  Not bad for what is sure to be a fun evening.  :)

$1.00 or less deals at Publix and Kroger

Southern Savers has the $1.00 or less deals posted along with coupon links for the sales this week!
http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/06/1-or-less-deals-publix-bi-lo-kroger-and-harris-teeter-616/

Walgreens - 6/19 - 6/25

Not a great week at Walgreens.  I think I'll skip it this week.  There is one freebie if you're interested:


Free:

Gatorade g series fit get $5 Mail in Rebate wyb all 3:  prime $1.50, perform $1, recover $2.50

CVS - 6/19-6/25

WHAT A GREAT WEEK AT CVS! 

Free:
Colgate Total Gum Defense, Advanced or Enamel Strength 4 oz, Max 6 oz, or 360 Surround toothbrush $2.79 get $2 eb Limit 2
-$1 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, 4 oz+ (exp 7/2/2011) 6/12/2011 SS
-$1 Colgate Toothpaste, 4 oz+ (exp 6/25/2011) 6/5/2011 SS
Pay as low as $1.79, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks ($.21 moneymaker!)

Hershey's Bliss 8.6-9.6 oz $5.99 get $5.99 eb Limit 1
-$1 Hershey Bliss Chocolates, 8.6 oz+ (exp 6/26/2011) 5/1/2011 SS
(Final Price = $1.00 moneymaker!!!!)

 PowerBar Energy or Protein Bites 2.6-3 oz $2.49 get $2.49 eb Limit 1

Dep or L.A. Looks gel 12-20 oz $2.99 get $2 eb Limit 1
-$1 L.A Looks Product, 20-26 oz (exp 8/15/2011) 5/15/2011 SS

$1 ECB WYB (2) Kashi Go Lean, Heart to Heart Cereal, 12.4-15 oz, or TLC Bars, 6 ct., $2.50 ea. Limit 1
-$2 off Kashi product (print), Recycle Bank coupon
-$1/2 Kashi Heart to Heart product, Get More From Your Pharmacy booklet
-$1 off Kashi TLC bars, Kashi booklet
-$1 off Kashi GoLean cereals, Kashi booklet
(use (2) $2 off, makes it FREE)

Other Deals:
$2 ECB WYB (2) Pantene Pro-V Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler, 5.7-12.6 oz, $3.48 ea. Limit 1
-$3/2 Pantene product, SS 6/19
-$1/2 Pantene product, excl trial size, PG 6/05
-$1 off Pantene conditioner WYB shampoo, Proctor & Gamble $110 booklet
(use $3/2, makes it 98¢ ea.)

$2 ECB WYB (5) Vitaminwater, 20 oz, Smartwater, 1 L, Powerade, 32 oz, Fuze or Honest Tea, 16.9 oz, $1 ea. Limit 1
-.75/1 vitaminwater product, tearpad
-.75/1 smartwater product, gas station tearpad
-$1/5 Powerade ION4 or Zero, 32 oz, printable
-$1/2 Fuze Reg or Slenderize, SS 4/10
-$1 off Honest Tea product (print), Recycle Bank coupon

**Deal Idea**Buy:
(4) Fuze 16.9 oz, $1
(1) Honest Tea 16.9 oz, $1
Use:
 -$1 off Honest Tea product (print), Recycle Bank coupon
(2) -$1/2 Fuze Reg or Slenderize, SS 4/10
Total Due: $2
Get Back: $2 RR, makes it FREE

$3 ECB WYB Revlon Nail Polish $4.99 Limit 6(excludes clearance items)
-$1 off Revlon nail enamel, SS 4/10
(makes it 99¢)

FOR THE REST OF THE COUPON MATCH-UPS FOR CVS, GO TO SOUTHERN SAVERS:
http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/06/cvs-ad-coupons-619-625/

 
Other deals:




Vitaminwater 20 oz, Smartwater 1L, Powerade 32 oz, Fuze or Honest Tea 16.9 oz get $2 eb wyb 5/$5 Limit 1

Coupon Inserts for Sunday, 6/19

You will have:  1 Smartsource and 1 Redplum this Sunday.  For the complete listing of coupons, go here:  http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/06/619-sunday-coupon-insert-preview/

Food Lion, sale from 6/15-6/21

Food Lion has Red, seedless grapes on sale for $.99 a pound!  (delicious!)
Bananas are $.56 a pound.
Also, check out their "mega event."  There are a few items I plan to get when I'm picking up some more grapes next week.  I'll add them to this post when I've finished my scenario.

Welcome

I'm going to start listing some of the best deals I see each week at some local grocery and drug stores.  My lists will not be all-inclusive, I just want to point out some of the "stock-up" items! 

If you're new to couponing, I highly suggest checking out my favorite website:  http://www.southernsavers.com/.  She has excellent tutorials to help explain couponing.