Target 9/17/2011

The kids and I spent some time in our local Target today.  We were there longer than I expected due to their remodel.  Come October, we will have a much larger grocery section and I can't wait.  I got a bunch of good deals today and even got some items for the gift closet.  One of the best deals was this U*Build Monopoly game.  It was originally $10.09 marked down to $5.04 and I had a coupon for $4.00 off any Monopoly game bringing it down to $1.04!

I got some great deals in school supplies marked down 75% and college bedding.  I also took advantage of the current Kashi buy 5 get 1 gree deal and Pup-Peroni buy 3 get 1 free deal.

Here's the breakdown of everything I got today:

Up & Up Wipes 3-pack

$4.99 - $1 off $3 up & up purchase TQ = $3.99

Kandoo Wipes (2)

$1.49 ea - (2) $1 off MQ's = $.98

NFL Notebooks (2)

Marked down to $.74 ea = $1.48

Toy Story 3 Coloring Book

Marked down to $.98

Orbit gum 3-pack

 $2.45 - $1 off 3 pack MQ = $1.45

Wonka Exceptionals Bars (4)

Marked down to $1.73 ea - (4) $1 off TQ's = $2.92

Market Place Swedish Fish 16 oz.

Marked down to $2.96

Trident Gum (6) asstd.

$1.29 (2) $.99 (4) for $6.54

-$.99 & $1.29 Buy 1 Get 1 free TQ's (2)

- (2) $2 off 3 MQ's

= $.26 for 6 packs

Market Place Potato Chips

Marked down to $1.77

Minute Maid juice boxes

$2.99 - $1 off MQ = $1.99

Juicy Juice juice boxes

$1.99 - $.55 MQ = $1.44

Ortega Taco Seasoning (2)

$.72 ea - $1/2 MQ = $.44

Ortega Taco Shells (2)

$1.59 ea - $1/2 = $2.18

Hostess Donettes

$2.04 - $.50 off = $1.54

Gold Peak Tea single

$1.49 - $.75 off MQ = $.74

Simply OJ and Simply Lemonade

$.73 ea - (2) $1 off MQ's = overage of $.54

Axe Body Spray - trial size (6)

Marked down to $.50 ea = $3.00

RE XL Twin Comforter

Marked down to $9.98 - 20% off TQ = $7.98

Kleenex To Go 3-pack

$.99- $.40 MQ = $.59

Beggin Strips

$2.64 - $1 off TQ = $1.64

Corn on the Cob Roaster

Marked down to $1.98

Disney Princess cold pack 3-count

Marked down to $2.98

Visine Advanced Relief (2)

$3.64 ea- (2) $3 off MQ's = $1.28

Index Card Box (2)

Marked down to $.25 ea = $.50

Paul Frank Pencil box (2)

Marked down to $.50 ea = $1.00

Lined Filler paper (7)

Marked down to $.18 ea = $1.26

U*Build Monopoly

Marked down to $5.04 - $4 off MQ = $1.04

Ultra Pro Baseball card inserts

$9.99

Dora Small Thermos

Marked down to $1.24

Dora Lunchbox w/water bottle

Marked down to $1.24

Dora 2-count Ice Packs (not shown)

Marked down to $1.24

Dollar spot sand tools

Marked down to $.30

Pup-peroni (8)

$2.60 ea for $20.80

-$5.20 (2 for free/buy 3 get 1 free)

-$8.00 /8-$1 off MQ's

=$.95 ea or 8 pkgs for $7.60

Kashi deal:

Kashi crackers (2) $2.79 ea

Kashi cookies (2) $2.79 ea

Kashi bars (2) $2.99 ea

= 17.14

- $2.79 buy 5 get 1 free

- $1/2 TQ's (2)

- $2 off MQ's (5)

= $.39 ea or 6 pkgs for $2.35

Lego Star Wars gaming guide for my son

$19.99 - $20 (he had to pay Mom back for that one) 

$10 off $75 Target mailer coupon 

= $81.78 - $20 from my son

= $61.78

The baseball inserts are for me for my coupons.  I've tried to find them on sale with no luck.  I'm sick of waiting for a deal so I broke down and bought them today.  The comforter is for my niece for when she heads off to college next year.  Now is the time to score some great deals on college goods if you have a senior in high school.

  

Target trip 4/17

Here's what I got at Target today.  My subtotal was $23.27 + a $5 gift card and I got some nice deals on shirts for my kids.  I also got some free Similac that I'm going to use in a Baby Gift basket.  Here's the list:

4 Kandoo wipes $1.42 ea

$1/1 MQ from 4/3 P&G

=$.42 ea

2 Similac Sensitive $3.68 ea

$5/1 MQ from 4/3 SS

=$1.32 overage

3 Girls t-shirts $1.25 ea

3 Boys Polos $1.74 ea

1 Mens C9 Long-sleeved shirt $4.98 on sale

$2.50 Target Q

=$2.48

2 Swedish Fish $1.50 ea

$.50/1 Target Q

=$1.00 ea

2 Baby Bottle Pops $.68 on sale

4 Powerade $.79 ea

Buy one get one free

=$.79 for two

Nivea Bath Gel $3.04

$1/1 Target Q

$3/1 MQ from 4/17 RP

=$.96 overage

3 Olay Single Bars $.97 ea

$2/1 MQ from 4/3 P&G

=$3.09 overage

2 Revlon Emery Boards $1.27 ea

$5/2 MQ

=$2.46 overage

Revlon Nail color $3.36

$2 off nail color wyb Revlon beauty tools Target Q

=$1.36

2 Pedigree Good Bites treats $2.96 ea

$2/1 MQ from 3/27 RP

=$.96 ea

Carefree Pantyliners 20-ct $.99

get them for $.01 Target Q from 4/17 SS

=$.01

2 Skittles Blenders $.69 ea

$1/2 Target Q

$.50/2 MQ

=free

3 Always 28-ct (clearance) $2.77 ea

$1/1 P&G saver booklet

=$1.77 ea plus $5 Target gift card wyb 3

Not a bad night.  My cashier did miss a couple of my coupons that I didn't catch until I got home.  Unfortunately, that's the risk you take when shopping with the kids. 

Super Deal on Always Clearance at Target

I found Always Overnight Maxi Pads with Wings 28-ct on clearance for $2.77.  I bought three boxes and used (3) $1/1 MQ from the PG 4/3/11 or the RP 3/20/11.  So, I got 3 boxes for $5.31.  Great deal but it gets better.  These prompted the current $5 Gift card deal, so I paid $5.31 and received a $5 Target gift card! 

Quick Trip to Target 4/16

I took the kids in to Target today on our way to my sister-in-law's for a jewelry party.  I wanted to use some expiring coupons and check on a few deals I had read about.  For a quick trip with no real list, I was actually pretty happy with it.

• 2 Eggo waffles 2 for $4 ($1/2 MQ) = $1.50 ea
• 6 BirdsEye Steamfresh $1.02 ea ( 2-$.75/3 MQ) = $0.77 ea
• 3 Ore-Ida potatoes $2.49 ea (Buy 2 get 1 deal & $1/2 MQ)=$1.33 ea
• Physicians Formula $10.69 ($3.00 TQ & $5.00 MQ) = $2.69
• Ziploc Containers $2.10 ($.50 Target Q & $.75 MQ) = $0.85
• Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel $3.94 ($.50 TQ & $.75 MQ) = $2.69
• Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush refill $3.94 (free WYB gel) = free
• Shout spray $2.49 ($1.00 Target Q & $1.00 MQ) = $.049
• Girard's dressing $2.93 ($2.00 MQ) = $0.93
• 2 Andes Creme de Menthe chips (on sale) = $.087
• 2 Motts apple juice (not shown-put them away) = $2.04 ea

My total was $24.92 before tax; total saved was $30.68 or 56% savings.

Sometimes you want what you want

I have made a real effort since I started couponing to use what I have on hand and cut back severely on the dining out.  Unfortunately, sometimes you just want what you want.  Trust me, I went to the grocery store on my way home to pick up bread (we're out) and blackberries (on sale).  Unfortunately, I forgot to set something out for dinner tonight and nothing I had on hand sounded good.  What did sound good were Steak-Um steak sandwiches and tater tots (for the kids, of course.)  Now when I came up with this brilliant plan, dead on my feet and hungry, I could have swore that the Steak-Ums used to come in a box of 6 servings for about $4-$5.  No longer; now it's the 16 serving box for $10.99!   Yeah, I bought it.  And I also bought rolls for $2.99 and tater tots for $2.07.  Not what I would call a great shopping trip but I really don't care.   It was still cheaper than going out and I refuse to deny myself or my family for the sake of a coupon.  Yes, I'm still going to save money every chance I get but I don't want my family to feel like we can't get something unless it's on sale.  So most nights, we'll eat what we have in the stockpile and freezer.  But, on the nights we're craving something different, we'll satisfy the craving (on the cheap, of course).

Cuisinart Portable Blender System Giveaway from Recipe Lion

 RecipeLion is giving away Cuisinart's 15-piece SmartPower Compact Portable Blending/Chopping System.

This compact kitchen gadget with a 350-watt motor, will save space in your kitchen and money in your wallet. Instead of purchasing ready-made smoothies, jarred salsas, pre-made shakes and blended cocktails, blend them up in Cuisinart's custom, portable containers--complete with lids.

The blender-chopping system includes a 32-oz. blender jar, 8-oz. chopping cup and a set of four 16-oz. travel cups, all shatter resistant and dishwasher safe. The Cuisinart gadget, with a stainless steel front panel and blades, has an electronic touchpad, a Standby mode and safety interlock and auto stop features, as well as a cord storage compartment at its base. 

You can enter daily thru April 17th HERE.  Good luck to everyone and let me know if you win!

I don't wanna...

Sometimes, I just don't want to think about couponing.  I really needed to get my Easter candy this weekend but I so didn't want to deal with it.  I started looking at the sales for Walgreens and Rite Aid yesterday in order to get an early start today.  Well, the early start went out the window when we stayed up until 1:00 a.m. watching TV.  I ended up going to Walgreens (Rite Aid is a 1/2 hour drive) and got a boatload of candy.  I'll get a picture and the details later...my TV is calling.  Here is the picture I promised you:

I got the following:

• 6 bags Whoppers Robins Eggs
• 2 cartons Reese's Pieces
• 2 Reese's Eggs King-size
• 4 Peeps 5-ct
• 4 Peeps Chocolate-covered Marshmallows
• 6 Dove small chocolate bunnies
• 14 Snickers creme eggs
• 3 Butterfinger creme eggs
• 3 chocolate bunnie pops
• 3 small bags Lifesaver jellybeans
• 2 bags Easter M&M's
• Bag Snickers minis
• Bag Milky Way minis

Not pictured:

• 3 Betty Crocker corn muffin mixes
• 3 Heinz white vinegar
• Biore Pore Strips
• Biore Cleanser

I paid $34.03 with tax for everything and received $5.00 in Register Rewards and $5.00 off my next Hershey's purchase.  For coupon match-ups and deals, check out http://wildforwags.com/.

Walgreens 4/6/2011

I don't get to Wags as much as I'd like to mainly because the stores by me are always cleared out of the weekly deals by Monday.  Yes, I could go Sunday morning but that's family time and I have my priorities.  Anyway, I went in yesterday to scope out the Easter candy prices and saw some awesome clearance items.  Naturally, I didn't have the coupons I needed so I went back first thing this morning. 

Here's the breakdown:

• 2 alli 60 ct regular price $45 marked down to $12.99 (used 2-$5/1 MQ)                                     final-$7.99 ea
• 2 Crayola Color Wonder Toy Story packs $6.99 clearance price $2.99 (used 2-$1/1 MQ)         final-$1.99 ea**
• 2 Crayola Color Explosion Monsters pack $6.99 clearance $2.99 (used 2-$2/1 MQ)                  final-$.99 ea**
• 3 Licensed Projecting Flashlights (Dora and Disney Princess) buy 2 get 1 free 3/$13.98                final-$4.66 ea**
• 2 Candy-filled Blackberry phones clearance $.57**
• 1 Almay Intense eye shadow $7.99 (all Almay 40% off=$4.79) used $2/1 MQ & in-store $2/1 at Cosmetics counter  final-$.79

Final Total was $37.85 before tax

I know my number of items listed to the ones pictured is off.  My wonderful co-worker who gives me her coupon inserts every week needed items for her granddaughter for Easter.  Since her granddaughter is the same age as my daughter, it's easy for me to pick stuff up when there's a good deal going on.  She got one of each of these (**) items listed above.  She did reimburse me the $8.00 for them.

I haven't tried the alli yet but I'm willing to give it a try for that price.  If anyone has used it, please let me know how you liked it.

Safeway 3/29

   Now, if you're a big fan of Safeway, pay attention because you probably won't see alot of posts for them.

   I'm not a great fan of Safeway since they quit accepting e-coupons.  Also, the two stores in my area constantly seem to screw up my coupons.  I could understand if I was handing them 50 coupons but we're talking 10-12 and they can never seem to get it right.  Now, on this trip I had an awesome cashier named Kevin who may just win me back over-but, it's still too early in the relationship to tell.

   Okay, enough of me venting and on to the trip.  Here's what I got:

• 10 Banquet Dinners 10 for $10 (used 5-$.50/2 MQ doubled)
• Tony's frozen pizza $2.79 (used free product coupon from Tony's 99 Days of More contest)
• Freschetta frozen pizza $5.99 (used in-ad cpn $3.99 each and $1/1 MQ)
• In-ad coupon for $5 off $15 of frozen foods
• $1.25 catalina from previous shopping trip

Final cost: $1.74 tax $.32 = $2.06

There were also $4.00 of coupons in the box.  Here is a list of the coupons inside.  They expire 5/31/12.

25 cents off 1 Banquet homestyle bakes
40 cents off when you buy 2 Banquet fruit pies
50 cents off 1 Banquet boneless chicken bag
$1 off when you buy 2 Act popcorn's (3ct or larger)
$1 off when you buy 2 Crunch N Munch (12oz or larger)
50 cents off when you buy 2 Chef Boyardee big can varieties
35 cents off 1 Hunts ketchup(24 oz or larger)

(thanks to Coupon Cougar) for the list of coupons

Hi, my name's Amy and I'm a dork.

Okay, so I'm a dork and I admit it.  I love reading blogs and all of the couponing websites, no biggie right?  I leave comments and enter the contests and giveaways, again, no biggie.  But, I can't tell you how excited I get when one of my comments gets recognized or I win a coupon booklet.  Case in point, and reason for my admission, becentsable.net is currently asking for tips from readers on "Spring Fashion on a Budget" and guess whose tip is featured today...MINE!  You can go here http://www.becentsable.net/2011/04/spring-fashion-on-a-budget-tip-from-a-reader.html/ to check me out in all my glory.  If you like to leave comments too, go for it!  I love reading the comments, too.

King Soopers Mega Event - Saved over 75%

One of the big things to make me a believer when I first started couponing was the Mega Events at King Soopers.  The current $5 off wyb 10 participating items Mega Event did not disappoint.  I made four different trips to get all the groceries shown here:

Here's a quick listing of how I did it.  The prices listed are after the $5.00 deduction off 10 or $.50 per item.

• 40 boxes pasta/noodles $.49  used (20) $1/2
• 3 Wholly Queso(1not shown) $3  used (3) $1.50/1
• 6 Wholly Salsa (2 not shown) BOGOF $2.99 used (3) free salsa wyb queso and (3) $1.50/1
• 9 Classico Sauces $2.49 used (3) free Red sauce wyb 2 White sauces
• 3 1-lb rolls of hamburger $2.68 used (3) $1 off wyb 2 Classico sauces
• 10 Michelina Lean Gourmet entrees $.88 used (2) $1/5
• Smucker Snak'n Waffles $2.99 used $1/1 & $1/1 e-cpn
• Tropicana OJ $2.49 used $1/1
• Eggo breakfast pizza $2.24 used $.50/1
• Kroger sour cream $1.25-we were out
• Revlon emery boards $1.49 used $2/1
• 3 Oscar Mayer hot dogs $1.49-only kind my kids will eat, my fault
• 2 Bumble Bee tuna pouches $.49
• 1 Bumble Bee Albacore pouch $3.49-grabbed by mistake
• Sandwich buns $1.29
• Wonder bread $2.19
• M&M's $.50 treat for good behavior
• Donut $.59 bribe

Total before coupons and discounts $214.18 final total with tax = $51.44

The "Is she serious?!?!?" Look

If you have been couponing for any amount of time, you know what look I'm talking about.  If you're getting started, you will get to know this look.  This is the look the cashier gives you after she tells you you've saved $80 and the new total is $40 and you argue that it should be $37 not $40.  My husband loves this look and has to walk away to keep from laughing.  I get that most people would be thrilled to save 66% off their grocery bill, I think it's pretty darn good myself.  The problem is I gave you $83 in coupons not $80.  Lord knows, the store will turn them all in and get reimbursed for the $83 so why shouldn't I want that $3 difference!  My advice to all of you, keep a running total of your bill.  It is a lot easier to correct the error before paying than trying to prove your case to Customer Service later.  You may decide the $3 isn't worth the hassle and that's okay.  If I have a cashier that is usually great and never misses a coupon or argues with me, I don't bring up the one $1 off coupon she missed.  At that point, my rapport with her is worth more to me than a dollar.  Good cashiers are hard to find.  If you find one you like, keep track of them.  Try and find out their schedule (in a non-stalking way), let the manager know how wonderful they are, and fill out one of those mail-in comment cards if available.  This is a really nice touch because these go straight to corporate headquarters.  Make sure these people keep their jobs and keep ringing you up.

Did I mention I love Target?

Okay, so I managed to stay away from Target for one whole day.  Actually, my Target is just a regular Target but there is a SuperTarget in the neighboring town and I wanted to do some grocery deals.  I also had 10 more of the $1.50/1 Goodlife Recipe cat food coupons that I needed to use.  Here's what I got:

• 6 Lean Cuisine entrees
• Edy's Fruit Bars 
• Van De Kamp's Fish Sticks
• 2 Birds Eye Steamfresh frozen veggies
• 4 Healthy Choice entrees
• Breyers Ice Cream Bars

• 2 Dean's dips
• 4 boxes Fruit Rollups 4-count
• Philly Creme for Cooking
• Frank's Hot Sauce
• Shake 'n Bake
• Celestial Seasonings Tea bags
• 2 Pedigree dry dog food 3.5 lb bags
• 10 Goodlife Recipe cat food singles
• Soft Scrub spray
• Up & Up All-purpose cleaner
• 3 Seventh Generation dishwashing soap
• Insulated Frozen Food Bag
• Up & Up Plastic Forks
• Up & Up Plastic Spoons
• 3 Jumbo Gift Bags
• 1 Roll Wrapping Paper
• 4 Bug Nets

My subtotal was $25.96.  It would have been a lot less but I really needed a good insulated freezer bag ($4.00) and the 4 Bug nets ($1 each) will be used when we go to Lambert's restaurant, Home of the "Throwed Rolls".

Target + Me = 4EVER

Let me start by saying "I Love Target!"  Now Target and I have not always been on the best of terms.  We had a definite love-hate relationship.  I loved shopping there but hated dropping $100+ every time I set foot in a store.  Since I started couponing, our relationship has become a source of joy for me.  This is definitely one of the best trips I've ever made to Target. 

Here's what I got:

• 10 Goodlife Recipe cat food singles
• 4 HappyTot organic superfoods
• 4 Nature Made Vitamins
• Excederin
• Sally Hansen nail polish
• 3 Circo toddler's shirts
• 2 Revlon nail clippers
• Revlon emory boards pack
• Up & Up cotton face pads
• Big clear tote that everything is sitting on

And what did I spend on all of this?

$2.85 for tax! 

As you can see from my receipt, my subtotal was $0.00 before tax.  How is that possible?  The Goodlife Recipe cat food singles are on clearance at Target for $.38 and I had 10 coupons for $1.50 off any Goodlife Recipe cat food.  This gave me an overage of $11.20 to use towards the rest of my purchases.  I did spend $2.00 on ebay to get the coupons but it was worth it.  Now, we don't have a cat (my son is allergic) but my sister's cats will be very happy. 



So you want to be a blogger?

Okay, so I never thought I would be a blogger.  It's not that I don't have anything to say.  Trust me, most people can't get me to shut up!  But until I started searching for deals on different sites, I guess I didn't realize how therapeutic it can be.  It's nice to connect with other people who are a)hooked on couponing, b)dealing with a house, job, husband & kids, and c)don't take life too seriously.  So, I hope I can help you save some money while giving you a few laughs.