A Year's Supply Of Dog Treats

My Sadie is going to be a very happy pup when she realizes that I've got her treat situation covered for a solid year.  Between the treats I picked up at Pet Smart and these from Kmart, she's all set.  And then some.  I'm actually adding several to my donate box.  No need to be greedy or hoarderish.

So this was my first time using coupons at Kmart.  I've attempted a few other times, but as is often the case (and totally was yesterday) at Walmart, they rarely have what I set out to purchase.  It also takes a list of several items for me to work up the motivation to go in there (like Walmart).  It's just icky inside my local store. 

But it was totally worth it.  Their Begin' Strips dog treats are on sale Buy One Get One FREE this week.  And my store had tons in stock.  I had five BOGO coupons.  Making them FREE plus tax.  As I was worried about using coupons in there (I've read some blog stories of folks not having great luck at their Kmart stores.), I also picked up two packs of Tic Tacs so that I was sure to have some sort of payment outside of tax coming my way.  I am not sure why I reasoned this to be necessary but I did.  In the end, it was hands down my best coupon transaction in terms of cashier knowledge and lack of beeps.  So I was worried for nothing.  I basically paid $0.09 for each box of Tic Tacs and then flat tax on the dog treats.  Nice!

Purchased...
(2) Tic Tacs  reg. $1.09
(10) Beggin' Strips  reg. $2.99, sale BOGO

Minus...
-(2) $1/1 Tic Tac coupon
-(5) BOGO Beggin Strips coupon

Total value purchased ... $34.47

Paid out of pocket ... $1.38

Percentage saved ... 96%

FREE Downy

It looks like there are still samples available but I'd hurry hurry to snag one.  Free samples of brand new products tend to go fast.  But they also almost always include a high value coupon!  Like Downy on Facebook, click Offers and fill out your info.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

FREE Toilet Paper

Are y'all signed up to receive Staples emails?  If so, check your email ASAP to print off the $5 Staples coupon that they sent out.  Then scurry your booty over to Staples and pick up a pack of 16 rolls of toilet tissue.  Charmin Basic 16 double roll pack is on sale for $4.99 this week.  Use your coupon and not only get the pack for FREE but you will also receive a coupon for $0.01 off (which is still making me laugh).

Completely FREE toilet paper!!  Hello awesome deal! 

Price Chopper Coupon Policy : Double Coupons In The Capital Region

For those of us in the New York State Capital Region, big BIG news happened recently at our local Price Chopper stores.  We now have double coupons too!!  I am elated!  I mean, seriously, it's about damn time. 

There are some things to note though...

* 50% Rule.  This means that your coupons will only double up to half of your total bill.  After that they will be single face value.  Be sure to use your highest value coupons first so that those do in fact double.  Use your coupons valued higher than $0.99 last as they won't ever double.

* I've checked most of the Cap Region cities and it looks like we all have doubles up to $0.99.  So $1 does not become $2.  But $0.75 does become $1.50.

You can print out your new coupon policy here.  Be sure to keep it with you every time you shop!

FREE Magazine Subscription: ESPN

This is a fun one that is likely to run out very quickly.  So act fast to get yourself a FREE year subscription to ESPN magazine.  Football season is just a few months away, my friends!

FREE Sample: Dog Treats

Click the link to grab a FREE sample of A Pawfect Dog treat. 

FREE Sample: Shout Color Catcher

Click here for a FREE sample of Shout Color Catcher!

Walgreens Managers Coming Around To Coupons

So I have mentioned on here many times that Walgreens is not my happy place.  And how I have coupon drama every stinkin' time I am in there.  And how the managers don't know their own coupon policies and don't like coupon users.

But in all fairness, I feel I should give some credit to my Walgreens store managers.  I don't know if they have more coupon users and are in general more patient or if they just recognize me personally and know I am harmless but a whippersnapper when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of each store's coupon policy.  Either way, the manager who used to give me the most trouble is actually really nice to me now.  It's a very surprising shift in tides.

Now don't get the impression that I am not still totally struggling with coupons there.  Those damn beeping cash registers!  Oh and how annoying is it when the store Register Rewards don't scan?  That happens to me at Rite Aid regularly too.  Actually a few months ago when that happened at Rite Aid, the cashier told me that if it didn't scan she couldn't take it.  I asked her to type in the numbers and she said no, it had to scan.  So I said (after looking over my shoulder at the 4 angry customers in line behind me) that I had all day and would stand there until it scanned.  As it was printed at that very store, there was no excuse for it not to scan.  Girl typed in the numbers and what do you know...it worked! 

Anyway, there are still always issues.  AND the minute said issues pop up, there will suddenly be 30 people in line behind me.  Seriously, how does that happen every time at Walgreens?

But I do want to credit the managers and even the regular cashiers at Wags.  They have been so much nicer to and my stack of coupons lately.

All For FREE At Walgreens

So I ran up to Walgreens ready to get four Suave lotions.  But of course they were sold out already.  I mean, do people get there at the crack of dawn on Sundays?  The coupon I planned to use expired on Sunday so that deal was out.  But I am headed out of town for a week and needed to use $8.99 in Register Rewards as they would expire before I got back to town.

So I wandered around without a plan.  Really, the only thing I wanted was the lotion.  But every the good couponer, I had my binder and a flexible attitude on hand.  One can never go wrong with more toilet paper, right?  And I was nearly out of baby wipes.  I don't have a baby but I use them to remove my make-up nightly.  My theory is that if they are good enough for a cute baby butt, they are good enough for my face!

I also still had a rain check from over a month ago for those sandwiches.  The sale then was buy two for (I think) $3, and earn a $1 Register Reward.  So the rain check was written as 2/$2.  Ooooh I like rain checks!  Because that meant that they were each to ring up as just $1.  And I had a slew of coupons for $1/1.  Making them absolutely FREE. 

I also have a little Walgreen gift card because a $10 RR from a few weeks ago failed to print.  So the manager just gave it to me in a gift card.  Which worked out amazingly well for me because it meant that essentially a RR would be able to cover my tax.  I know, this was so my lucky ducky Wags moment!

Purchased ...
(2) Charmin Basic 6 ct toilet paper 
(1) Huggies Natural baby wipes refill 
(6) Oscar Mayer Sub Sandwich  reg. $3-4?? , rain check sale $1
(1) caramel *filler*  reg $0.39

Minus ...
-(1) $1/2 Charmin toilet paper
-(6) $1/1 Oscar Mayer sandwich
-$8.99 Register Rewards

OK so I am out of town and forgot to fill in these numbers before I left.  But the bottom line is that I didn't pay anything out of pocket.  I did put about $4 on the Wags gift card (was actually a RR that never printed) though. 

Let this be a reminder not to sweat the small stuff when a deal is out of stock or a register reward neglects to print.  Just get a rain check and (hopefully) a gift card and go back later.  Both actually worked out much more in my favor this way!

Happy Target Shopper

I scored a great FREE product coupon from Suave a while back but have had a tricky time finding the Suave Professionals products.  I also hang on to those free coupons for as long as possible in hopes of finding a BOGO sale or a Rewards deal.

But I was going out of town and the coupon was expiring.  So I took a chance and tried something I might never buy otherwise.  Dry shampoo.  Now I just need to get up the courage to actually use it instead of washing my hair one morning...

Oh and I read about the Advil tip on another blog.  She said that even though the coupon states that it excludes trial size, according to the company, trial size is the 3count.  Not 10 count.  So if your cashier asks, I would tell them that.  I actually had a really awesome young guy cashier who knew all about coupons because his mom has been a super couponer for like 20 years.  So he was all about me and my stack of coupons!

Purchased...
(1) Skim milk  $2.69
(1) 12oz blackberries  $3.49
(1) Glade candle  $2.99
(1) Degree travel size deodorant  $0.97
(1) Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo  $2.74
(2) Benadryl Itch Stick  $2.29
(4) Advil 10 count  $1.97

Minus...
-(1) FREE Glade Spring Collection product coupon (mailed to me)
-(1) $1/1 Degree deodorant coupon (was mailed to me with a FREE sample)
-(1) FREE Suave Professionals coupon (mailed to me)
-(1) $0.50/1 Suave Professionals Target Peelie coupon on the bottle
-(2) $2/1 Benadryl coupons
-(2) $4/1 Advil coupons

Total value purchased ... $27.36

Paid out of pocket ... $6.61

Percentage saved ... 76%

Tide And Downy On Sale At Target

I popped into Target the other day and spied not one, but two endcaps full of Tide and Downy on sale.  The Tide was marked down to $5.88 and the Downy down to $4.88.  As you can see, I did offered future customers a bit of my coupon fairy dust.  I have at least two years worth of detergent stocked up and absolutely no extra space to store more.  And even though Tide is my favorite brand, I am just not in need.  But if y'all are...this was spotted at the Latham Target.

Quick Rite Aid Run

I really just am not overly enamored by any of the deals this week.  I think that's in part because I have been couponing for six and a half months now.  So I have quite a bit of stock built up.  I need for very few items.  I am well stocked on hair, bath, body and cleaning supplies.  Minus fresh fruit and veggies, I could easily eat what's in my home for several weeks.  Oh sure, it might not be what I am craving at that moment.  But I have either the supplies to make food or foods themselves to eat well.  My point is that I am in a place where I can afford to not snag every deal.  And this is a very nice place to be in, my friends!

But I did want to take advantage of two money maker deals at Rite Aid this week.  I've been wanting to try the Fat Foam for months now.  I've not colored my own hair in a decade.  And I actually just had it done a few weeks ago so I will not be trying it right now either.  But as this was a money maker, I figured I would buy it now and use it later when I am finally brave enough to do my own hair coloring.  And like everyone else, I need toothpaste like I need a hole in the head.  But I think the little tuby thingy is good for traveling.  Plus, it's a money maker!  I also had several +up Rewards that I needed to use before they expired.

Oh and I am still not getting surveys at the end of my receipts!  Are y'all?  I'm rather frustrated that I have not received one in close to two months.  What's up with that??

Purchased ...
(1) Fat Foam  reg. $9.99, sale $8.99
(1) Colgate toothpaste  reg. $3.79, sale $2.99
(2) Reese's  reg. $1.89, sale $1
(2) Twizzlers  reg. $1.89, sale $1

Minus...
-(1) $5/1 Samy Fat Foam manu print coupon
-(1) $3/1 Samy Fat Foam RA VV print coupon
-(1) $0.75 Colgate
-(1) $0.50/2 Reese's RA VV print coupon
-(1) $1/2 Twizzlers RA VV print coupon
-(3) $1 +up Rewards

Total value purchased ... $23.04
Paid out of pocket ... $4.01
Percentage saved ... 83%
Earned ... (1) $5 +up from Fat Foam and (1) $2.99 +up from Colgate

Not my best trip but I wanted to get the Reese's as an extra for Father's Day and the Twizzlers for an upcoming trip.  But I used my +up Rewards before they expired and I have several to work with when I get back in town next week.

FREE Magazine: Martha Stewart Living

My very favorite magazine can be yours, FREE, for a full year.  Click the image to fill out your information and take a short survey (takes under 5 mins).  I get most of my magazine subscriptions this way.  They never ask for your credit card or billing information.  I seriously never (or very rarely) pay a penny for a magazine!

FREE Sample: Carefree Liner

Click the image to request a FREE sample of a Carefree Liner.

FREE Sample: Peanut Butter

Click the image to go request a FREE sample of Jiff To Go peanut butter from Target's sample page!  Mmmm- I LOVE peanut butter.  And thing these little individual containers are brilliant for kiddie lunches or adult snacks on the run.

FREE Sample: Bodywash

Click the image to request a FREE sample of Nivea bodywash from All You today.  Yay for fun freebies!

FREE Ham Steaks At Price Chopper

This is a fantastic deal that my fellow Chopper shoppers should all take advantage of this week!  Go here, join the club, and print off a coupon for $2/1 Hatfield Ham Steak.  They are regularly $3.29, but are on sale at Price Chopper this week 2/$4.  Making them FREE after the coupon!

I bought two and popped them in the freezer.  Not only is ham a yummy meat on it's own, but it's also a personal favorite addition to a cozy split pea soup.  So I will likely keep them frozen until fall rolls around and my constant soup cooking begins.  My small chest freezer has more than paid for itself in less than a year with the savings I've been able to take advantage of from sales and coupon.  If I had the space, I would easily justify either a second one or a large one.  Truly, buying an extra freezer has been second only to my coupon binder in regards to money saving tools!

FREE Sample

Click here to like Estee Lauder on Facebook.  Then sign up for a FREE sample of Even Skintone Illuminator.  Yay for fun FREE samples!

Walmart PAID Me To Eat Dinner

I have only been to Walmart a few times since I began couponing.  It scares me.  I just do not like them.  But it was 7PM when I left the project I was working on and I was starving.  So I gave in and bought a terrible-for-me and full of gluten frozen pizza at Wally World.  Sometimes you just have to give in to temptations in life!  And crackers for my dad who is sick.  But since I was there, I decided to test out that new coupon policy and use up some formula check coupons that I had hanging around.  This trip was far more successful than any other, actually.  The check out girl couldn't figure out the check coupons at first but then she just manually put them through.  Works for me!  Oh and I used the $2/1 Dial lotion or body wash coupons on the $0.97 body wash bottles for $4.12 overage.

Notice the Ball jar tops.  I plan to make my first batch of 2011 summer berry jam this weekend.  Mmmm!

Total value purchased ... $24.38

Earned (no out of pocket costs!) ... +$6.08

Yup, you did indeed read that correctly.  I walked away with cash in hand!  I made money.  They paid me to take all of that crappy food home.  Not too shabby my friends!  Odd, but good.

Coupon And Store Sale Savings At Price Chopper

I never remember to take a photo of grocery store shopping trips.  And this isn't a very good one.  I ran in quickly for a few things and took advantage of a few other deals.  But because of all my coupon shopping, I have not needed to do a big shop in a while.  I tend to just pop in for a few fresh fruits and veggies now and then but really, my freezer and pantry are full to the brim.

The bread was purchased because I had a rain check from the last time Freihoffers bread was on sale Buy One, Get TWO Free.  The raincheck was expiring in a few days and bread was on sale this week for just $2 (regularly $3.99)!  So for less than the price of two loaves, I brought home nine. 

All of the pasta (like the bread, it's for my father) was FREE with coupons!  And if coupon companies are reading (ha!), this is proof that coupons are truly great marketing tools.  I had never heard of Better Oats before couponing.  And now I buy it without a coupon when I find it on sale for $1.  It is hands down my favorite breakfast food.  And I often eat the chocolate oats for a late night snack.  Soooo yummy!

Also, I still do not see BIG savings at the grocery store.  I think in part because we tend to have higher prices in my area than other parts of the country.  In part because we do not ever have double coupon days.  And in part because I am still learning to work the system.  My goal is always 40% at the grocery store.  For the record, my goal at drugs stores is 90% or more. 

Also, there is a $0.50/2 Driscoll's coupon available on their website but I forgot to print it out before went to the market.  And as they were one of the reasons I was there in the first place, I was happy with the sale price.  But my order could have been a buck lower had I remembered to hit print!

Purchased...
(9) loaves of Oat Nut bread  reg. $3.99, sale $2
(5) Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta  reg. $1.99, sale $1
(4) Better Oats oatmeal  reg. $1.39-$1.99, sale $1
(4) boxes berries  reg. $3.99, sale BOGO
(1) box pudding  reg. $0.99, sale $0.79
(1) Dial lotion  reg. $4.99, sale $2.99
(1) Arizona iced tea  reg. $2.99, sale $2.50
(2) Crystal Light  reg. $3.59, sale $2.50
(1) PC cool whip topping  reg. $1.39
(1) package chicken sausage  reg. $4.99, sale $3.50
(1) PC orange juice  reg. 2.99

Minus...
-Rain check for bread- Buy One, Get TWO FREE
-(5) $1/1 Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta coupon
-(1) $2/1 Dial Lotion coupon
-(2) $1/1 Crystal Light coupon
-(1) $0.50/1 PC whip topping from magic coupon machine
-(1) $0.50/1 PC OK from magic coupon machine

Total value purchased ... $93.85

Paid out of pocket ... $32.49

Percentage saved ... 65.4%

FREE 8x10 Photo Collage Print

This looks like a great idea for a last minute Father's Day gift!  Go to Walgreens' website and create a photo collage.  Use the code 1FREEBIE to get it for FREE.  The chose to pick it up in the store to avoid shipping fees.

FREE Shout Wipes

I LOVE these little handy Shout Wipes!  I always have one or six with me.  And they are a must for travel when you can't wash something right away.  So go here (you have to sign up if you have not been there before) and print off the $1/1 ANY Shout coupon.  As there are no size restrictions, you can then go to the travel section of Target or Walmart and pick up the travel size for FREE!  Remember to back click until a second coupon prints too.

FREE Sample

Hurry hurry hurry over to Ocean Spray's Facebook page.  Like them.  Then click on samples.  They are giving away FREE samples of their Sparkling juice drink.  Which is yummy- I received a sample a month or two ago.  And it came with a great $1/1 coupon too.

Free French Fries At Target

I ran into Target because I had coupons for those Edy's ice cream shakes that were expiring today and I was hoping to try them.  Bonus...they were on sale for $1.25/each.  They sell for $1.99 at Price Chopper so that's a pretty good deal.  But I actually found a Target catalina coupon the other day for $1/8.  So that made for a pretty good deal.  I know a lot of other couponers get stuff like this for free but our stores don't double coupons here in the Cap Region so this was a pretty good deal.  I only even ate half of one last night as they are actually pretty big.

Purchased ...
(8) Ore Ida Easy Fries  reg. $0.99
(8) Edy's Smoothies  reg. $1.59, sale $1.25

Minus...
-(4) $2/2 Any Ore Ida Fries Target print coupon (no longer avail)
-(1) $1/8 Edy's Target cat coupon
-(4) $1/2 Edy's coupon

Total value purchased ... $20.64

Paid out of pocket ... $4.92

Percentage saved ... 76%

I Made Money From CVS and Zyrtec This Week

I don't shop at CVS very often.  I'm not sure why because they are a heck of a lot nicer there than at Walgreens.  But for whatever reason, the deals I've been more attracted to are at Wags.  I've actually had a bunch of ECB's expire before I got around to using them.  Ugh...it makes me ill when that happens!

So anyway, I wanted to take advantage of the Zyrtec deal at CVS this week as I was hanging on to a FREE coupon- resulting in a big BIG money maker.  Now I just need to remember to use my big ECB earnings today before they expire!

Purchased...

(1) Zyrtec 5 ct.  reg. $6.79, sale $5.99
(1) Motrin PM  reg. $5.99, sale $4
(3) Tic Tac  reg. $1.67 (buy 2, get 1 for $0.01)

Minus...

-(1) FREE Zyretec 5 ct
-(1) $1/1 Motrin PM
-(3) $1/1 Tic Tac
-(1) $3 ECB from Saturday

Total value purchased ... $19.21

Paid out of pocket ... $0.62

Percentage saved ... 96.8%

Earned ... (1) $3 ECB from Motrin

and (1) $5.99 ECB from Zyrtec

Good Mail

So all of this has arrived since I last showed you my freebie loot on May 22.  I could probably wash my hair for WEEKS with just the free hair care samples that come my way without any fear of running out. 

Of this, much I will keep.  Some I will donate (both the toddler and adult diapers for example).  Some I will give to friends (like the Secret deodorant because I have decided I don't like that gel under my arms).  Basically I keep anything I think I will reasonably use and give the rest away.  I certainly don't waste things. 

Not A Hot Week

Ugh this was not a great couponing week for me.  I was out of town until Tuesday and then was just not motivated.  When I finally made it out to pick up a few deals, I had a devil of a time at ... Walgreens.  Of course. You'd think I'd learn my lesson and just not go there.  I'm still too upset to blog about it though. 

So for now, here is my little bag of random stuff from CVS.  I cannot even remember the last time I bought lipstick so when I saw this deal floating about, I decided it was high time to get some new colors on my face.  Only time will tell as to if I actually wear them.  I ate the Snickers when I got in the car because it was 4PM and I had not yet had lunch.  And the formula was purchased to put me over the $20 mark- but I got it for free (plus tax) with the coupon.  It will be donated.

Purchased...
(1) Snickers with Almonds  reg $1.19, sale $0.75
(1) Similac  reg. $4.99
(1) Zyrtec 3 ct.  reg. $3.99*
(3) L'oreal lipstick  reg. $9.99, sale $5

Minus...
-(1) $5/$20 CVS print coupon
-(1) $3/$15 CVS red machine beauty purchase coupon
-(1) $5 (marked down to $4.99) Similac check coupon (mailed to me)
-(3) $2/1 L'oreal coupon
-(1) $4/1 Zyrtec coupon

Total value purchased ... $43.35

Paid out of pocket ... $2.59

Percentage saved ... 94%

Earned ... $3 ECB

(from purchase of $15 L'oreal items)

Basically I paid for the Snickers and tax.  Not amazing but not bad either. 


* So let me note the Zyrtec.  The $4/1 coupon reads that it excludes the travel size.  However the 3 count says nothing about being the travel size.  I purchased it as an experiment and had I known it would work, I would have refrained from buying the Snickers.  But I needed to get to $20 to use that print coupon and the Similac only took me to $19.99.  So I bought the Zyrtec to see if it would work (it did- no beeps) and the Snickers just in case it didn't work.  I am not sure though if this was a fluke or if it will work at all CVS stores.  In review...the coupon excludes travel size, not pill count.  The box does not state "travel or trial size", just pill count.  So...as the coupon lingo goes...YMMV (your mileage may vary) on that deal.

FREE Sample

Click HERE for a FREE sample of Dove conditioner.  I love these for summer travel or just to test out new products.  Plus it makes getting the mail so much more fun.

FREE Iced Tea

Wow, this is a fantastic coupon!  Click the image or link to print off two (hit back page as soon as first starts printing) coupons for a FREE 20oz bottle of Lipton Iced Tea.  Perfect for hot summer days driving around to score coupon deals!  Or save for a while to see if we can spot a BOGO sale to make it even sweeter.


Thanks I am THAT Lady!