Free Nursing Cover!

Check out www.uddercovers.com. They sell gorgeous nursing covers for $32, but right now use coupon code COUSIN2 and you get $32 off your order, so all you pay is $8.95 shipping!

Restaurant.com 80% off sale

Restaurant.com is having an 80% off sale right now, but you must hurry. Once a restaurant is sold out, you won't be able to get this price for awhile. At full price, you purchase a $25 off gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice for $10, but right now the price is $2 plus with every purchase you get a $10 Restaurant.com gift certificate toward purchasing more $25 restaurant gift certificates. There is usually a minimum purchase at the restaurant of between $35-50, but it's still a great deal to get $25 off for only $2! A great way to try out new places, or places that are more expensive that you wouldn't usually go to. Anyway, enter promotion code CHEER at the check out to get this great deal!

9 cent photos at Walgreens

Use coupon code 9CENTS to get 50 or more 4x6 or 4x5.3 photo prints for 9 cents each at Walgreens. Must check out by Saturday, January 2.

Loving Lowes Fresh Rewards

I am loving Lowes Foods new rewards program, Fresh Rewards. Today I got 2 loaves of Nature's Own bread, 4 cans of Lowes Foods cream of mushroom soup, 1 gallon of Lowes Foods milk, and a box of Little Debbie cake snacks. My total out of pocket was a whopping 6 cents! I had a coupon to get the Little Debbie's free, as well as $10 in Lowes Fresh Rewards which, when combined with sales dropped my total from over $17 to $0.06!

Harris Teeter Triples November 4-10

Harris Teeter will be tripling manufacturers coupons up to $0.99 face value November 4-10. Hope you get some good deals!

Almost free dinner

I just had to share because I am so excited. Tonight I made dinner for my family for almost nothing. I used a box of spaghetti noodles that I got free with coupons and a package of frozen peas that were also free with coupons. I cooked the noodles and peas and then tossed them together with some olive oil and minced garlic. Volia! Dinner for the cost of 2 cloves of garlic and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add water to drink and you have satisfied bellies and a really happy cook!

PS - I know there was no protein in this meal, but we had crockpot pulled pork for lunch today so I wasn't concerned. However, had I wanted to I could have added a can of tuna to the meal that I also got free with coupons.

PPS - The pulled pork we had for lunch was another great deal. I put a pork butt that I got for $0.99/lb in the crockpot with a bottle of barbecue sauce that was free with coupons and a little water. When it was ready we ate it on onion rolls that were a great deal early in the summer and I had frozen. Now I have left over pulled pork to freeze for a future meal!

Win a 6 month supply of Kroger ice cream

Check out the contest here

Free sample of Bear Naked Granola

Get your free sample of Bear Naked Granola here

Old Navy coupons

Check out this website: www.oldnavyweekly.com. Each Thursday they update the site with new hidden coupons. You have to hunt to find them and there are only a certain number, but it's lots of fun! Coupons this week were $75 off $100 purchase, 15% off entire purchase, $10 off $50 purchase, and more! I like that they make a game out of finding the coupons instead of just letting people print them till they run out. So check it out and happy hunting!

Harris Teeter Triple Coupons Sept. 16-22

Harris Teeter is tripling coupons up to $0.99 face value again.

Mine was out of a lot of stuff, but here are the deals I was able to snatch up:

3 bottles of Tabasco Sauce $1.69 each with coupon = FREE
3 boxes of Uncle Ben's wild rice $1.99 each with coupon = FREE
3 packages of Menot's Gum $1.49 each with coupon = FREE
1 box Barilla whole grain spaghetti $1.49 with coupon = FREE
1 single serve Shamrock Chocolate milk $1.25 with coupon = FREE
1 package Wholly Guacamole $1.99 with coupon = $0.50
1 2-pack Crayola kids toothbrushes $2.99 with coupon = $0.74
1 bag Grande Tortilla chips on sale for $2.50 (regularly $3.49)

Viva single roll paper towels would have been free too, but they were sold out. However, a friend from my mommies group is a cashier there and said they would be stocking tonight and she'd get them for me, so hopefully she can get me three free rolls of paper towels :-)

Total OOP: $4.17
Total Savings: $23.99
Percent saved: 85%

20 free digital prints at Walgreens

Use coupon code 20FREE4ME at Walgreens online to get 20 4x6 digital prints for free. Enter the coupon code at check out and select the "pick up in store" option to get your prints totally free. If you choose to have them shipped to you, they'll be $0.12 each. I don't know when this coupon expires, so use it quickly! Happy savings :-)

Greenpoints

I just found out that you can redeem those greenpoints that you accumulate when you shop at Lowes Foods for gift cards and merchandise! I always knew you could redeem points for discounts on grocery products (I often use mine on bananas!) but now you can get gift cards to stores and restaurants, and even prizes like camera and microwaves! Check it out at www.greenpoints.com This works for all S&H greenpoints cards.

Freepeats News Story

I was interviewed by ABC 11 News about a website called freepeats where everything is free. Check out the news clip here and then join freepeats!

Don't waste your money!

Check out this article 20 Ways to Waste Your Money I know I'm guilty of a couple of these!

Retail Me Not!

Buying something online? WAIT! Check out www.retailmenot.com first to see if there's a coupon! The site is searchable by retailer, item or location. And pulls up multiple coupons with percentage ratings on how well the coupon worked for site users. Don't forget to return to the site after you use a coupon to let them know if it worked!

Barter4Kids

A friend of mine has started a new concept to the traditional consignment sale. It's a barter sale. Instead of "selling" and "buying" used children's clothing, you take clothes to trade. You receive a credit for the amount of clothes you bring that you can spend shopping for new (to you) clothes. It's a great idea! Click here to check it out.

Harris Teeter SUPER DOUBLES June 24-30

As you know Harris Teeter always doubles coupons up to $0.99 face value. Well, June 24-30 they are doing SUPER DOUBLES where they'll double coupons up to $1.98 face value. So those $1 coupons will finally double! Yippee!

Here's a link to the good deals people are posting on Hot Coupon World: http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/harris-teeter/251428-ht-super-doubles-june-24-30-confirmed-master-list.html

Happy Savings!

Harris Teeter triples savings

They're doing it again...triple coupons! Today is the first day and it goes till Tuesday at midnight. I plan on making a couple of trips because of the 20 coupon limit. Here are the results of my first trip:

2 bottles Lawry's marinades ($1.64 - $0.50 coupon = $0.14 each)
3 rolls Viva papertowel ($1.94 - $0.40 coupon = $0.74 each)
3 boxes Lipton tea bags ($1.35 - $0.50 coupon = FREE)
2 bottles French's mustard ($1.50 - $0.50 coupon = FREE)
4 6-packs White House all natural apple sauce ($1.77 - $0.60/2 coupon = $0.87 each)
1 small bottle McCormick's pure vanilla (NOT the imitation kind) ($3.39 - $0.75 coupon = $1.14)
3 bottles Mitchum deodorant ($1.98 - $0.75 coupon = FREE)
3 bricks Heluva Good cheese ($2.50 - $0.50 coupon = $1.00 each)
1 Oscar Meyer deli creation sandwich ($2.99 - $0.75 coupn and $1 HT tear off = FREE)

Total before coupons: $56.27
Total OOP: $10.55
Percent Saved: 81%

Osh Kosh Memorial Weekend Sale

Just got home from the Osh Kosh Memorial Weekend sale and I got a lot of great items! I got a coupon in my e-mail for 25% off $40 or more.

Here's what I got:
3 pairs of socks for $5.26, MSRP $14
1 pair twill cargo pants for $3, MSRP $30
1 pair twill cargo shorts for $4.05, MSRP $18
1 pair sweatpants for $1.49, MSRP $16
1 pair sweatpants for $1.49, MSRP $20
1 pair windpants for $1.49, MSRP $22
1 turtleneck onesie for $1.49, MSRP $14
1 jersey crew neck shirt for $1.49, MSRP $20
1 pair patchwork chino pants for $3.74, MSRP $26
1 pair plaid cargo shorts for 6.75, MSRP $18
1 polo shirt for $6, MSRP $16

I also got a 2-piece set of PJ's that were 50% off so would have cost $10, but when looking over my receipt I found that they didn't charge me for them. I'll have to give the store a call. This tends to happen to me a lot at this particular outlet. Guess they need more attentive employees!

Total OOP: $38.70
Total savings: $195.30
Percent saved: 83.5%

Kraft salad dressing @ Lowes Foods

16oz bottles of Kraft salad dressing are on sale this week at Lowes Foods 3/$4.98. At Lowes, you don't have to buy all 3, instead they ring up at $1.66 each. There was a coupon for $1.50 off Kraft salad dressing in one of the coupon inserts during the month of May (sorry, I don't remember which one or which week). So, if you combine the sale with the coupon, you get your salad dressing for $0.16 - a penny an ounce!

Happy saving!

"You owe me a nickle."

"You owe me a nickle." Believe it or not, that's what the cashier at the grocery store said to me last night. A nickle! That was the total sum of my bill. Amazing! Before I got into couponing I never thought I would be able to NOT spend so much money! I was making a quick stop to pick up some Kraft BBQ sauce. It was on sale for $1.29 and I had 3 coupons for $0.75 off one each. At my grocery store, coupons double up to $0.99 face value, so the BBQ sauce was basically free...I just had to pay $0.05 in tax. Yep, that's right $0.05 for 3 18oz bottles of brand name barbecue sauce. Just in time for summer cook outs :-)

Happy saving!

My HT triples deal

I just got home from shopping triples at Harris Teeter. I had more than 20 coupons so I had to do two transactions. Here's what I got:

First Transaction
1 package nestle morsels
4 jars ortega salsa
2 packages knorr pasta sides
2 boxes planters big nut bars
1 box muellers multigrain pasta
1 jar mccormick chili powder
1 jar mccormick garlic salt
1 box barilla mini pasta
3 boxes eggo frozen waffles
1 marie calendar's frozen entree

Price Before Coupons & VIC savings: $41.31
Out Of Pocket: $1.70
Savings: 96%

Second Transaction
4 jars ortega salsa
4 packages knorr pasta sides
2 bottles frenchs mustard (the 20oz ones...see next post)
2 boxes planters big nut bars
1 jar mccormick cinnamon
1 jar mccormick paprika
2 bags snyder tortilla chips
3 bags snyder multigrain chips
1 keebler ready-made pie crust
1 package 93% lean ground beef (1.03lbs)
1 box eggo frozen waffles
2 tubs breyers ice cream

Price Before Coupons & VIC savings: $69.06
Out Of Pocket: $14.87
Savings: 79%

Combined Totals
Price Before Coupons & VIC savings: $110.37
Out Of Pocket: $16.57
Savings: 85%

Be sure it's a good deal

I learned a lesson today. Just because an item is the least amount out of pocket, doesn't mean it's the best deal. I was shopping at Harris Teeter triple coupons event. I had a coupon for $0.30 off of French's mustard (any size), which tripled making it $0.90 off.

Now, they had the 8oz bottles 2/$3 and the 20oz bottles 2/$4. I reached for the 8oz bottle because after the coupon it was going to be $0.60, which was the least amount out of pocket since the 20oz would have been $1.10. But my husband stopped me and said, the 20oz is a better deal per ounce. Yes, it was more out of pocket by $0.50, but it cost me only 5.5 cents per ounce where as the 8oz bottle would have been 13.3 cents per ounce. What a difference!

8oz 20oz
Sale Price $1.50 $2.00
Coupon -$0.90 -$0.90
OOP $0.60 $1.10
Price/ounce $0.133 $0.055

The moral of the story: take your calculator and be SURE it's not only a good deal, but that it's also the BEST deal.

Happy shopping!

The Emotional Benefits to Becoming Debt-Free

I know things have been hard on a lot of us financially lately. I just came across this article entitled "The Emotional Benefits of Becoming Debt-Free" and reading it helped renew my desire to eliminate debt from my life. Here's the site: http://simplemom.net/the-emotional-benefits-to-becoming-debt-free/

My husband and I took Dave Ramseys "Financial Peace University" course in the Fall of 2007. Since that time we committed to becoming debt free as well as not incurring any new debt. It hasn't been easy and we still have a long way to go, but we are making progress. It's been 1 1/2 years and we've managed to pay off the hospital bills for our first child's birth, pay up front the doctor and hospital bills for our second child's birth, buy a new (to us) car, and take our first vacation in 4 years without using credit cards or accumulating new debt, as well as pay cash for any other necessities during that time. Since our course began in September 2007, we have paid off almost $30,000 worth of debt. And all this on only one fast-food restaurant manager salary. We still have a long way to go, but I am very proud of us and just wanted to encourage others (and myself) that financial freedom is attainable.

I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's class to everyone, regardless of age or financial situation. If you are already debt-free, the class can help you learn how to make your money work for you, and if you are still in debt, he teaches you how to get out and stay out. Here's the site: www.daveramsey.com

Alright, I've renewed my own dedication to financial freedom through this post. I hope that my experience can help others. FREEDOM!

Harris Teeter Triple Coupons April 29-May 5

Harris Teeter is doing triple coupons again for a whole week: April 29-May 2. Check out this link for a list of great deals

http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/harris-teeter/235311-master-triples-list-april-29-may-5-first-post-updated-4-27-a.html

80% off at Restaurant.com

Check out Restaurant.com. You purchase a gift card to a local restaurant for less than the value of the card. Cards usually run $10 for a $25 card, but if you use the coupon code LUCKY by April 30, 2009, you can get a $25 gift card for only $2!

The catch, there is usually a minimum purchase required by the restaurant. I just got two $25 cards and at one place the minimum purchase was $45 and the other was $50. Still, that means I'm paying $22 and $27 for $45 and $50 respectively worth of food. The other fine print: alcohol not include, 18% gratuity added to the bill.

$0.10 digital prints at Walgreens

50 digital prints for $5 at Walgreens. Enter code FIFTYPIC at checkout. Valid thru Saturday, May 2.

Loving the Grocery Game

I am on week 3 of my 4 week trial of The Grocery Game (www.thegrocerygame.com) and I have to say, I'm impressed. I figured since I'm a stay at home mom that I'd pretty much be able to do this all myself for free so why should I bother paying for Teri's List. BUT, I have saved so much more using the list than I would have thought possible. In fact, my first week using Teri's List I saved enough money on my grocery bill to cover the fee for almost 2 years (20 months to be exact)!!! I was floored!

Interested in trying it out? A 4 week trial is just $1...so worth it! Let me know if you're going to sign up so I can send you my e-mail address to put as the referral. Yep, they have a great referral program where you can earn free weeks when your friends join!

Happy Saving :-)

Free Reusable Tote from Rachael Ray

Check it out: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/marketing/offers/kraft/index.html

Earn money by viewing ads

I just joined a new advertising group called You Data. It's so easy to set up and it's totally free. Basically, you log on to the You Data website and view ads they have taylored specifically to the personal info you put in your file. For example, since I have small children, I often view ads for things that they need. You don't have to purchase anything and they pay you to view the ads. I've been a member for just a couple of weeks and have already received two paypal deposits for view ads. About $5 just for a few mouse clicks. It hardly takes any time at all. Just log on, click a few ads and you're done.

They also have a great referral program, so if you're interested, please use this link so I can get credit for the referral. http://www.youdata.com/join/greekgeek777

Harris Teeter triples savings

Harris Teeter is doing triple coupons again. If you haven't made it yet, the sale continues through Tuesday. I made two trips this time. Here's how I did:

First Trip:
2 jars Motts all natural apple sauce
2 boxes Fiber One bars
4 packages Mahatma flavored rice
20 jars Earth's Best organic baby food (not a triples deal, but it was on sale and I had 2 coupons that did not triple)
3 boxes Jolly Time microwave popcorn
1 package Quaker rice cakes
2 boxes Lipton tea bags
1 bottle Wishbone salad dressing
1 package French's fried onions
1 box Planters big nut bars
3 jars Skippy peanut butter
2 bags No Yolks egg noodles
1 bottle Seventh Generation shower cleaner (not a triples deal, but had a coupon and needed it)
2 packages Always panty liners
1 package Halls cough drops

Total before coupons and VIC savings: $76.79
Total OOP: $25.98
Savings: 66%

Second Trip:
3 packages Stride gum
1 package Wrigley's gum
1 bag Mahatma white long grain rice
1 bag Rold Gold pretzles
1 box Quaker granola bars
3 boxes Lipton tea bags
1 jar Skippy peanut butter
4 bottles McCormick grinders (sea salt)
1 pacakage Always panty liners
3 packages approximately 2lbs each, Perdue boneless skinless chicken breasts
2.5lbs bananas
1 large avacado
1 box HT brand frozen waffles
1 bag HT brand frozen french fries
1 4pack Breakstone cottage cheese
1 tub Breakstone sour cream

Total before coupons and VIC savings: $81.78
Total OOP: $26.32
Savings: 68%

Consignment Victory!

Yesterday I went to the half price day at a local consignment sale and scored BIG! Here's what I got:

19 articles of clothing for my boys including brand names such as Ralph Lauren, Baby Gap, Carters, and Jumping Beans

4 wooden puzzles with all the pieces

1 toddler sized canvas backpack

6 books including 1 children's book in excellent condition published by Usborne Books and 5 parenting books

Take a guess at how much I paid...

$32!!! You just can't beat that!

Now, this sale is already done, but there are many more coming up in the Triangle this year. Just Google "kids consignment sales, raleigh nc 2009" and you'll get a bunch! Don't live in the Triangle? Change it to your city and see what you find!

Happy saving!

HT triples for a whole week!

Harris Teeter is doing triple coupons up to $0.99 face value for the week of Wednesday, March 25 - Tuesday, March 31. Remember there is a 20 coupon per day limit, but sometimes if you go to a different store in the same day you can get away with it.

There are lists on savvydollar.org and http://www.afullcup.com/forums/harris-teeter/184549-gda-list-ht-triples-march-25-31-confirmed.html with items that are FREE or very cheap.

Happy saving!

Article about my couponing

Here's the next part of the article they're writing about me. There will be one finaly part next Friday.

http://blog.geezeo.com/2009/03/be-set-up-for-success-part-2/

Some good deals at Lowes Foods

Just got back from a trip to Lowes and there were a couple of good deals I wanted to mention.

Knorr pasta or rice sides are on sale for 5/$5. With a $0.75/2 Q it makes them $0.25 each. Although, if Harris Teeter or Lowes ever do triple coupons, these are free so you might want to save your Qs.

Quaker mini rice cakes are on sale for 4/$5. With a $1/1 Q it makes them $0.25 each. Since it's a $1 Q, it won't double or triple, so this is a pretty great deal considering the regular price is $2.35 each!

There's also a $0.50/1 instasave coupon on their website for their new line of organic jarred baby food (sniff, sniff, they don't sell earth's best anymore) which is on sale for $0.79 each making 1 jar $0.29.

Happy shopping!

Even the experts agree

Check out this article: http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/106677/When-It-Pays-to-Pay

There are somethings you should cut back on right now, but some things you could find room in your budget for. #6 spouts the benefits of comparison shopping and couponing. Get snipping!

$0.10 digital prints at Walgreens

Enter coupon code MARCH at Walgreens check out through March 14 and get 50 digital prints for $5. Additional prints are still just $0.10 each!

Another Geezeo Article

Here's the next Geezeo article about my couponing. It describes in detail my process from newspaper to grocery store. Check it out: http://blog.geezeo.com/2009/03/be-set-up-for-success-part-1/

Free Del Monte tomatoes at Lowes

Lowes Foods has Del Monte no salt added diced tomatoes on sale this week for 4/$3 making them $0.75 each. There was a coupon in the paper recently (don't know which week) for $0.40 off one, which doubles making the tomatoes free!

Great deal on ice cream

I just got a great deal on Edy's ice cream at Food Lion. I was just running in to get some ice cream for dessert and they had a hand written sign on the icre cream freezer that said:

Edy's Ice Cream
Buy 1-2 = $4.99 each
Buy 3 = $3.99 each
Buy 4 = $2.99 each
Buy 5 = $1.99 each
Buy 6 = $4.99 each

So, of course, I bought 5 and paid the same amout I would have for buying 2. Buy 2 get 3 free is a pretty great deal!

For 5 gallons of ice cream and a small container of Reddi Whip whipped cream I spend $12.18 and saved $15!!! That's a 55% savings without even having any coupons!!!

Geezeo article

Check out this Geezeo article about me and my couponing obsession. http://blog.geezeo.com/2009/02/confessions-of-a-shop-a-holic-part-1/

While you're there, sign up and enter to win $6000 for groceries, to pay down debt, or whatever! See the info at the bottom of the article.

Great diapers, great price

For those of you parents of little ones out there, have I got a find for you! BJ's brand diapers. I know, I know. Store brand diapers are terrible compared to the name brands and the price isn't worth the leaks, but if you haven't tried BJ's, you should! In a moment of desperation I bought a box because they were just so much cheaper than my regular Pampers and there was an additional coupon for $3 off. Just too good to pass up. And boy, was I impressed!

Here's the scoop on BJ's brand diapers. I have an infant and a toddler both in diapers right now. After using 2 whole cases (one in size 1-2 and one in size 3) I can attest that they are just as good as the brands that cost TWICE AS MUCH per diaper! In fact, I only had one leak the whole time and it was because I accidentally put a size 1-2 on my toddler overnight. And he's a heavy wetter! Even with a too small diaper it only leaked a little on his PJ's and his sheets were still fine in the morning.

The diapers are basic, just some butterflies to decorate them, and the tabs are not very stretchy. They feel a little stiffer than other brands, too. But, they're just as soft on the inside where they touch your little one's skin, and they don't have the added scent that other brands use that I absolutely HATE cause it makes my whole house smell like diapers.

A case costs $24.99 for 208 diapers (size 1-2) or 174 diapers (size 3). That works out to $0.12-0.14 per diaper depending on the size, and that's without the occasional $3 off coupons they mail out. Compare this to the $0.25-0.30 you'll pay for Pampers and that a savings of about 50%!

All in all, they are definitely a good bargain diaper because they are just as effective as the name brands but cost much less.

BJ's also sells hypoallergenic scented or unscented wipes. Next time I need wipes I'm going to pick up a package and I'll let you know what I think.

Kmart Asst Mgr refuses coupons

As if in response to my previous post, I just found this article where an assistant manager at the Cary store refused to complete a transaction with coupons because it was all free. Check it out: http://consumerist.com/5159424/kmart-assistant-manager-hates-your-coupons-will-not-process-your-transaction

K-mart doubles again

If you're brave enough to darken the door, K-mart is doubling coupons up to $2 face value this week (until Saturday). I'm not going because it's too far a drive for me to deal with the crappy customer service and cashiers who ALWAYS make mistakes with my Q's. Last time I went to doubles, the baby was crying so I was distracted at the check out and the cashier didn't scan one of my coupons. So not only did it not double, I didn't even get the face value and she stuffed it in her little zipper bag never to be seen or heard from again. Unfortunately, I didn't realize this had happened until I got home and was going over my reciept. Grrrrr. I think it's time to make a K-mart boycott vow. "I, Jennifer, do solemly swear never to enter a K-mart again for any reason, even if lured by double coupons and sales."

Pretty successful trip

I had to run into Lowes Foods today to get produce for the family, but ending up finding some pretty good deals. Considering I didn't have a list or my coupons prepared before I went like I usually do, I think I did pretty well. The bread we like was on sale this week and ending today, so I had to get in before that sale ended!

Here's what I got:
* 6 loaves Nature's Own Honey Wheat bread @ $1.50 each (regularly $2.40 each)
* 4 large jars White House All Natural Applesauce @ $2.00 each (regularly $2.79 each)
* 6 cans Hunts Diced Tomatoes @ $1.00 each with 3 $0.40/2 coupons that doubled making them $0.60 each (regularly $1.34 each)
* 3.53lbs bananas @ $0.69/lb
* 3lbs onions @ $1.99 with greenpoints discount making them $0.48 total
* bag of garlic @ $2.99
* 1.39lbs Braeburn apples @ $1.99/lb
* 1lb bag of whole carrots FREE
* jug of orange juice @ $2.50 (regularly $2.99)

Total spent: $32.67
Total saved: $19.00
Percentage saved: 63%

Walgreens Photo Coupon

Walgreens is offering 25 free 4x6 prints when you buy 25 4x6 prints now until February 14. Enter code TWICE at check out. If you get exactly 50 prints, it's $4.75 before tax. That works out to less than a dime a picture.

HT Triples Savings

 

Here's what I got:
2 boxes honey nut cheerios
2 BC warm delights
2 del monte 50% less salt canned corn
2 mueller pasta
2 4 pack cottonelle toilet paper
2 cans ortega refried beans
2 bottles wishbone salad dressing
2 bottles french's mustard
2 bottles powerade (yup, got my free powerade! thanks for the q's ladies!!!)
1 box celestial seasonings tea
1 tupe colgate toothpaste
1 package smithfield bacon

Total before Q's and HT savings - $61.41
Total OOP - $9.89
That's an 84% savings!!!

Get CVS ECB's for answering surveys

I just found out that CVS has an advisory panel where they will send you surveys occasionally throughout the year and "pay" you for answering them with Extra Care Bucks! You can sign up here: https://www.cvsadvisor.com/ The requirements are that you are 18 or older and you have a valid Extra Care Card. If you don't have an Extra Care Card, you can get one in store for free.

10 Things You Should Never Pay Full Price For

Check out this article: http://www.eversave.com/mc/3/articles/1080/10-things-never--pay-full-price-for?ref=275901158&zip=27527&sourceid=44355

Milk at BJ's

After I posted the $2.99/gallon price for milk at Walgreens I was at BJ's (where milk has been $3.09/gallon for skim for as long as I can remember) and it was $2.35/gallon! I couldn't believe it! I bought two so I could stick one in my freezer. Yup, that's right. You can freeze milk. Just empty about 1 cup out first so it has room to expand without bursting the container. Then, when you're ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge and it's good for about 1 week. Mmmooo!

GDA Walgreens

Walgreens is selling Pepsi 12 packs for 5/$15 this week with a $5 register reward coupon that prints when you make your purchase.

Walgreens has Pet milk on sale for $2.99/gallon, which is the best price I've seen for milk in a long time. Plus, there was a coupon for $1 off 2 gallons Pet milk in the paper either last Sunday or the week before.

When you go to the register, ask to do two transactions. Buy the Pepsi first, get the $5 RR, then buy the milk using your $5 RR and your $1 off coupon and volia! The milk's free!

PS - in case you aren't going to drink 2 gallons of milk before the expiration date, if you take a little milk out of the jug (to allow room for expansion) you can put it in your freezer for up to 6 months (fridge style freezer) or a year (deep freezer). When you thaw it, it's good for about a week.

Happy saving!

It's 2pm, do you know where your money is?

I just discovered a new website that is AMAZING! It's called mint.com and it tracks your spending for you. Best of all, it's totally secure and totally free! You add your accounts (checking, savings, investments, loans, everything) and they track your spending, send e-mail and SMS alerts when you go over your budget, and offer suggestions of where you can cut back. I'm having a lot of fun with this website. Can't wait to see where I can save more!

Double Q's at K 1/11-1/17

K-mart is doubling coupons up to and including $2 face value right now. Got some good deals, but the store was very well picked over. All in all it was worth the trip, though. Saved about 40% off my total bill.

Harris Teeter triple coupons

Shopped at Harris Teeter today during their triple coupon weekend. Here's what I got:
1 box success rice
1 box quaker instant oatmeal
1 box mueller multigrain pasta
1 bottle powerade zero
1 container argo corn starch
2 tubes colgate total toothpaste
2 tubes crest plus scope toothpaste
1 gum toothbrush
1 oral-b toothbrush
3 braeburn apples
1 organic bos pear
4 boxes eggo waffles
1 box uncrustables
1 box gortons salmon
2 boxes green giant vegetables
1 large tub HT yogurt
1 single serving container shamrock chocolate milk
1 container hillshire farms deli meat

Total before coupons and vic savings: $78.59
Total out of pocket: $19.28
Total saved: $59.31
Percent saved: 75.46%

I LOVE TRIPLE COUPON WEEKENDS!!!!!