CVS Shop 8/7/11 - $4

Two bottles of Flinstone Vitamins and Shampoo and Conditioner came to just over $4 after taxes.

Flinstones - Org. $7.49 each, B1G1 1/2 plus 2 $2 off coupons from Smart Source a couple of weeks ago. Came to about $6.50 for the two of them.

Herbal Essences Org. On sale for 2/$4.97 with 2 $1 off coupons from todays Smart Source, when you buy 2 you also get a $1 EC buck!

I had a $5 EC buck coupon from a previous purchase making all four of them just over $4!

8/7/11 Target shop $65.56 before tax

Pampers Club Size (Size 4 - 128 ct, Size 5 - 112 count) $35 dollars each, $20 giftcard when you buy 2 + 2 $2 off coupons from last weeks P&G insert.

4 sticks of Dove Deodorant - On sale for $3.49, B1G1 free coupon from Sunday insert (last week I believe) and buy 4 and get a $5 gift card.

Herbal Essences Hair Spray - Org. 2.99, on clearance for .71 cents, $1 off coupon from todays Smart Source - .29 cent overage (this may not work at every Target, I only picked it up because it was mismarked for $1.68, Target generally does not do overages, but neither me nor the cashier were paying much attention)

2 Sharpeners and 1 erasers - Org. 99 cents each, on sale for .20 cents each

The Pajamas were not on sale, but I had to have them, I will keep them in the package with the receipt for the next 90 days and wait for them to go on sale lol $16.99

4 Mead Notebooks - On sale for .50 cents each with 2 $1 off when you buy any two Mead products = FREE

Papermate Pens - $1 with $1 off Papermate coupon in the Target back to school mailer = FREE

2 BIC Mechanical Pencils - Org. $1.19 on sale for .90 cents, 1 BIC B2G$1 off coupon from last weeks Smart Source stacked with a BIC B2G$1 off Target coupon from the mailer = .20 cent overage!

2 Revlon Nail clippers - Org. $2.68 each, on sale for $1.24 each with 2 $1 off Revlon beauty tool coupon from Coupons.com = .24 cents each!!

This was done is two purchases, the first being the diapers and deodorant for the gift cards, the $25 in gift cards was used on the next purchase!

Gilette FusionPro deal at CVS - ENDS TODAY

This razor is on sale for $9.99 at CVS.  There was a $4 off coupon in last weeks paper, and you get $5 ExtraCare bucks when you purchase just one!  Making this essentially $1!!

Tips and Tools to Get the Job Done PT 1

Okay there are several things you should have and should do before going shopping.

Number 1 and most IMPORTANT:

No KIDS!!

Yea we love them, but they make it very hard to take our time, concentrate and organize the way we ought to.  Believe me I have tried.  I have put things in the cart that I wouldn't have other wise, I spend half of my time telling them to be quiet, and the rest of the time rushing to get the heck out of there.  Leave them with Daddy, Grandma, Auntie, God Mommy, even your little brothers best friend.  

Next is to dress comfortably.  

Yea your 5 inch Dolce stilettos are fabulous but they are NOT for couponing in.  You never know when you might have to race down the aisle to beat the next coupon mom to the last box of cereal with that coupon that makes it free or race for the last LalaLoopsy during the Christmas rush.  

Depending on the season I prefer jeans or sweats and t-shirts and sweat shirts.  Always with sneakers.  Remember if you are wearing a sweat shirt or sweater to always have a t-shirt on underneath in case you get warm.  Key is to be comfortable.  

Be Prepared:

Keep a notebook, calculator and pen and pencil on hand.  You will want to keep track of what you are spending as you are shopping so they you know how much it should all ring up for at the register.  

Also always keep all of your coupons on you, not just what you are planning on getting just in case you come across a great deal (unless of course you are one of the crazies who dumpster dive and steal from their neighbors to steal their coupons. 

Save a tree and a little extra money at the same time:

bring in your reusable bags to every trip.  It's great for the environment, it's easier to organize in your car during big shops, and most stores (including grocery stores and Target) give back 5 cents for every bag used.

More tips to come another time!  

-Happy Saving!

7/31/2011 - ShopRite shop $7.90

 

I paid a total of $7.90 for this and got a $3 off my next purchase coupon and a free reusable bag!

The Degree was free.  I have enough now where, I only buy it if it's free.  Not cheap - free.  They were on sale for .99 cents a piece, I had 3 .75 cent off coupons which were doubled up to the price of the item. (7/31 SC)

8th Continent Soy Milk - Org. $3.79 on sale for $2.99 with 2 $2 off coupons making them .99 cents each. (8thcontinent.com)

The Splenda boxes were origionally $5.09 - on sale for $4 and I had 3 $3 off coupons (which are only good for two weeks!!)  That made them each $1.  In addition to this they had a promotion that if you bought three you get $3 off your next purchase and a free reusable bag.  Essentially they were free. (7/31 SC)

The mustard was $1 with a .35 cent coupon doubled up to .70 cents - making it .30 cents. (man. website)

I did not have a coupon for the dishsoap but it was a good price at .89 cents.

Wise Chips - Org. 3.99 - on sale for 1.99 with a .50 cent coupon doubled to $1 making it .99 cents (man. website)

International Delight creamer - $1.25 on sale from $2.49, with a 55 cent coupon doubled to $1.10 - making it .15 cents!!

The steal in this trip was the Splenda!  Sale was at ShopRite for this price.  In order to get it so cheap you have to have 3 of those coupons from the Sunday paper.  

I saved a total of $29.68 in this trip!!

Links to some of the coupons from today's shop:

http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=PXEXLH3XVGKIO

http://www.readyseteat.com/brand-coupon.do

http://www.chobani.com/coupons

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?bt=vg&tqnm=yfskcqv7201529&o=82342&c=WF&p=wRTxqSye

Sunday's Routine

Okay so today is Sunday.  My morning goes as follows:

I wake up and eat breakfast and drink my coffee, as I am doing that I am printing out my coupons for the day.  I look for them at night, but because my printer is in my bedroom I don't print until the next morning because of the baby.

I then go to the Italian deli down the street from my house and get two newspapers.  Generally I get one CT Post and one New Haven Register, but todays paper has 4 inserts and the New Haven Register only had 2 in them. 

Check all of your inserts to make sure they are there.  There is nothing worse than buying them only to realize that the coupons are not in there.

I got an extra score today, when I got home I realized that someone made a mistake stuffing the papers and one of my papers has 4 extra inserts!!!  WOOO HOOO Score me!  Especially because todays coupons are for things I use.

I then cut and organize.  I don't have a coupon binder so I put them into envelopes marked certain things.  Male personal, female personal, cleaning supplies, dental & hygiene, cat & dog, frozen goods, Target only, etc. When I am planning my shops I will then put my coupons in designated envelops with things I know I am going to buy.  For example, say I know Target has Caress on sale, if I have a Target and a Manu coupon I will put them in that folder.  It makes shopping trips quicker.

Here's todays tip for shopping:

DON'T BE THE COUPONER THAT THEY HATE.  Don't be a coupon crazy. Leave stuff for other shoppers, and make sure that you are prepared before you go in line.  This saves time and confusion.  If you have any B1G1 items, put those items last on the belt, so that if they need to find the price it is easily accessible.  If you are at a store where they are doubling coupons, give those coupons to them first, it makes it easier to make sure they are all doubling the way that they should.  Have everything prepared before you go in to make sure it is as smooth as possible!

-Happy Saving!

My Weekend Prep for Couponing - Saturday

Saturday night, after the kids are asleep I browse though my circular for next week (all of the local grocery store ads get mailed to my house on Thursday).  I check online coupons for sale items, and browse my favorite couponing websites for a heads up on the circular coupons to start writing my shopping list.

Important thing to remember when couponing is NOT to stray from your list!  Go on a full belly so those chips that are $3.99 a bag doesn't look so enticing. Write a list of what you NEED for the week first, plan meals and snacks for the week a head of time, this will prevent last minute running to the stores.  Compare that list to what is on sale at your local grocery stores, and see which store has the best deal for what you need combing coupons and sale prices.

Don't forget to look at generic.  Some generic foods taste the same as the name brand and may be a considerable amount cheaper.  For example, canned vegetables.  You can get them for as low as 33 cents a can generic on sale vs $1 dollar a can + for the name brands.  Keep that in mind as you are shopping as well.  A good deal is a good deal, made better with coupons, but even if you don't have a coupon at the end of the day it is still a good deal.

Once again I reference CouponDivas.com - they already have the ads up on Saturday so you can do your prep.

Until tomorrow I bid you farewell and happy clipping!  Tomorrow I will post my Sunday prep!

Happy Savings!  Follow on Twitter @Mommy_W - I will tweet new blogs and super deals along the way!  And please click an ad before you leave to support the blog and our advertisers.

7/26/11 Staples Shop = $8.33

 

In total there are 2 reams of paper, 2 pencil cases, 2 packs of insertable dividers, 3 1 subject notebooks, 1 pack of filler paper, 1 sharpener, 1 box of pencils, 1 box of big paper clips, 1 3D pencil box, 1 pack of nice Papermate pens, and one 5 pack of BIC highlighters.

Pencil Case - $2 (it was just cool so I wanted it)

Jumbo Paperclips - Org. 1.99 on sale for 50 cents

Staples brand pencils - $1 - they do have them during their penny sales for .01 but I like these and don't want to miss them

Pencil Sharpener regular $1 on sale for 50 cents

Loose Leaf paper - 99 cents

Avery Insertible 5 pack deviders - $1.49 ea on sale for 50 cents each

3 notebooks - Org. about 1.50 on sale for 33 cents each

2 reams paper - $5.99 each with REBATES of $5.49 each making them .50 cents each

2 Twisted Erasers - 99 cents each - just because they are cool!

BIC Highlighters - $4 - with a $4 REBATE making them FREE

1 Papermate pens - Org. $3.99 on sale for $1

2 pencil cases - on sale for 50 cents

The rebates are Easy online rebates which are going to be put in my paypal account within 4-6 weeks. I also had a $5 off a $25 purchase coupon, so I am unsure if I am going to get the WHOLE $15 dollar rebate. But we shall see!

Staples doesn't show all of the original prices or how much you saved on their receipts so this presale total is a rough estimate and is probably higher.

Approx pre-tax total = $37.95 Total Savings, coupons, and rebates = $29.62 Total OOP= $8.33 (after rebates)

I will also being going to staples during their penny sale and let's see how much we can save then!

7/24/11 ShopRite shop = $19.89

No picture for this one because, well, it's too hot. lol

I bought today:
2 Boxes of AlphaBits cereal: Org. 3.69 each, on sale for $1.99 with a coupon for $1 off of 2, making them $1.50 each

Honey Nut Cherrios: Org. $3.59, on sale for $2.49 with a 50 cent coupon double to $1 making it $1.49

3 Gerber Grad bowls: Org. $1.19 with three .55 cent off coupons doubled to $1.10 making them .09 cents each.

Peter Pan Peanut Butter (i missed last weeks good sale boo): Org. $2.79 with a coupon for 50 cents off doubling to a dollar making it $1.79.

2 8th Continent Soy Milk 1/2 gallons: Org. 3.89 each, on sale for $2.99 with two $2 off coupons making them .99 cents each

2 Athenos Greek Yogurts: Org. $1.49 each, on sale for 3 for $4, with a 1 dollar off of two coupon making them about .75 cents each (available at their facebook page)

4 Kraft Shredded Cheese (Touch of Philly): Org. $3.45 each, on sale for $1.99 with 2 coupons for $1 off of 2.  (Available at their FB page)

2 Popsicle items: Org. $1.69 each on sale for 99 cents, no coupon just a good price.

1 Quart of Apple Juice = 1.77

Finally 1 box of Luigi's Italian Ice: on sale for .99 cents, There is a 50 cent coupon in the CT Post, doubled to .99 making it FREE!!

Total before savings: $56.47 - Total Savings of $36.58 - Total paid = $12.89

7/22/11 Target Shop = $24.30 pre tax!!

Total before sales/coupons and taxes was $67.38.  I paid 24.30 before taxes.

Only one thing in here was full price and that was the insulated tote with the filtering water bottle.  When you save a lot of money else where it's okay to splurge now and then.  But not too often.  The tote and water bottle were $12.99.  The bigger versions of the water bottles are $12.99 by themselves.

The dinosaur and lizard are originally $3.99 each and they were on clearance for $1.68.
The sand shovel was originally $1.99 and was on clearance for .68 cents.

The three back water squirters were originally $5.99 but they were not found in their system and were marked clearance (with ALL of their summer toys) so she gave them to me for $1. I'll take it!

Everything else I had coupons for:

Here are my coupon items.  Total pre-tax for these items are: $38.44 - I paid $6.27!!

Here is the break down:

2 Cottonelle Fresh wipe tubs: $2.24 each (not on sale) with 1 $1.25 off Target coupon off of two and one $1 off of two manufacturer coupon.  (Target coupon found at Target.com, manufacturer coupon found at Cottonelle.com) = $2.23 for two.  Essentially I bought one and got one for free.

2 Dove men's deodorant: Org. $3.99 each (includes 'free' travel size sample in each), on clearance for $2.78 and I had 2 $2 off coupons (found in the Sunday paper) making them .78 cents each!

I have shown the jeans before, but I cleaned them out of their size 5 boys jeans today.  I got two pairs of boys jeans originally $12.99 on clearance for $3.24 with two Target $2 off coupons.  I got my son 4 pairs of jeans for less than $7 bucks!  That is unbeatable!

Well that is it for now.  We shall see what tomorrows paper brings us!

Have a fabulous weekend!  We are off to the beach and maybe out to watch Despicable Me on a big jumbotron out in North Haven.

Cottonelle Coupons

Cottonelle.com has a printable coupon (one per person) for .50 cent off toilet paper and 1.00 off flushable wipes.  Target.com also has a Flushable wipes  coupon ($1.25 off of two!)

You can combine them at Target for maximum savings!

7/21/11 Shop Rite Shop = $7.31

 

2 Dove deodorants: Org: 1.79, on sale for $.98, one $1 coupon and one .75 coupon doubled up to the price of them item = FREE

4 Gerber Lil Bowls: $1.19 with a .55 coupon doubled to $1.10 - making them each .09 cents for a total of .36 cents for ALL of them!

4 V8 Fusion + Tea: Org: $3.49 each, on sale for $1.99 with a $1 coupon off of each of them making them .99 cents.  A total of $3.96 for all of them!

Weaver Chicken Nuggets: Org. $5.99 a bag - on sale for $2.99.  No coupon just a really good price!

A total of $7.31 (no taxes on food in CT) $28.29 BEFORE sales and coupons = A total savings of $20.98!!!

Things to keep in mind when couponing

Number 1 and most important:  Get to know your stores coupon policies.  coupondivas.com has a great individual store breakdown.

For example, I mainly shop and Shop Rite, they have two different coupon policies as a business but each store can choose which one they want.  They have a 4 of the same coupon her person per day at mine.  Which is really dumb, TLC's show has really ruined it for others. 

My store will also double UP to .99. Also they will only double up to the cost of the item, they don't give money back, another way Extreme Couponing has ruined everything.  Still not complaining because free is free.  If you have a box of cereal for $2 and a .75 cents coupon they will double it to a $1.50 cent coupon making it .50 cents. 

Number 2:

Check the sale flyers in your paper and check out sites like CouponDivas to check out the ads, sales and what coupons you can use.  Also remember stores like Target have Target specific coupon which you can combine with manufacturer coupons.  Combine with sales if at all possible to have max savings.  For example if Caress body wash is normally $3.00 and they have it on sale for $2.50, and  Caress has a .75 cent coupon and Target has a $1 dollar coupon - combine all of those savings and get the item for .75 cents. 

Number 3:

Only buy items when they are free or close to free - stock up when you can that way you do not run out of that item and have to pay full price when needed.

There are many more tips but this is what I have for now.  Check back often for more steals, deals and tips!

7/21/11 Target Shop = $3.21

 

Cherokee size 5 boys jeans: Org. $12.99 on clearance for $3.24 & 1 $2 off Target coupon = $1.24

2 Scotch tapes: Org. $1 on sale of .50 cents with 2 .50 cent off Target coupons = FREE

Command 4 pack hooks: Org. $5.99 on clearance for $2.84 with a $1 Target coupon = $1.84

that plus tax = $3.31  a total savings of about $18!!

7/20/11 Target Shop = $8.56

 

Purchased:

Cherokee Size 5 boys jeans : Org. $12.99 on Clearance for $6.48 with $2 off Target coupon = $4.48
2 Half Gallons 8th Continent Soy Milk : $ Org. $2.84 each with two $2 off 8th Continent coupons = &.84 cents each ( http://www.8thcontinent.com )
Vaseline lotion : $2.99 with $1 off peelie coupon
4 packs Bic Cristal pens: Org. $1 on sale for .50 cent with (2) B1G $1 off coupons = FREE ( http://www.coupons.com )
2 packs Papermate pens: Org. $1 with (2) $1 off Target coupons = FREE

Total of $8.56 (including tax) from $27.67 pre-tax for an approx $19 savings!

Not bad for what little I got!

(All Target coupons are available at www.Target.com )

Gerber & Bic freebes!

There is a 55 cent coupon off of the Gerber toddler bowls.  Shop Rite has them on sale and they double coupons - making them free! 

Check them out at http://www.coupons.com

Also on coupons.com there is a Bic coupon Buy 2 Get $1 off and Target has their Bic Crystal pens for .50 cents each - also making them free!

Grand Total of $0.00

This was my Target trip today. I had coupons and they were all on sale. All legal. Multiple computers.  Grand total of $0.00