How To Prepare For A Hurricane

This is what I ran out and picked up at Target and CVS and the dollar store yesterday in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.

Half and half for my coffee.
Diet Coke. (2L on sale for $0.88 this week)
Candles.  ($1 from Dollar General)
Applesauce squeezy thingies.  Just in case.  Plus, I love them.  Great to toss in a bag for a snack on the go.

Notice that my haul does not include batteries.  I searched high and low for D batteries to use in an old boom box in case of power outage.  But it seems that everyone else beat me to the punch.  Which makes sense as I went on this big search around 2 in the afternoon.

Bottom line.  I was happy as a clam.  I had a chicken in the crockpot and a big glass of wine and all my necessities at the ready.  Just in case.

How did you prepare for Hurricane Sandy?  And did your area have much damage?  I hope not!

Free Target Beauty Bag

The Target Beauty Bag, one of my favorite freebies, is available again!  I love that it comes packed full of samples and Target store coupons.  All in a cute little bag.

So hurry to snag yours today!  These go fast!!

Hostess Gift Idea

Do you bring hostess gifts?

I'm a big fan of bringing a little something when invited into a home.  If I am bringing part of the meal, I don't typically bring a gift (though do sometimes).  But if invited over, I like to take along a little sursey to let the hostess know I appreciate the hospitality.

Candy is not one I usually bring.  However, after scoring four free bags of chocolate at Target on Saturday, I decided that I could make them work as a little happy hostess gift.

These bags are pretty small.  So just handing them over as is would be rather skimpy.  But add cellophane and a bow and you are back in business.

It amazes me how much of a difference a little packaging can make.

All you need is a bag of candy, a clear cellophane bag (available online or at any craft store in the gift wrap section- don't forget your 40% off coupons!), and a length of ribbon.

Candy goes into the bag.  I had to fold over the top to get it to fit into this size bag.  Then simply tie up with some ribbon.


So crazy simple but doesn't it just make a HUGE difference?!  It goes from whatever to something special in a skinny minute.

The difference is in the details!

Target Trip. Cashier Fail, Rude Lady Behind Me, But I Still Got Deals!

I had a less than positive experience checking out at Target yesterday.

First, the cashier moved.  Like.  A.  Turtle.  Oh it was just painful.  Epic fail on my part in choosing a cashier.

Second, the cashier was beside herself thrown off when I cheerfully said I had coupons.  Like...she didn't know where to turn.  So I hand her coupons one by one.  I don't care what cashiers think they have the right to do.  Coupons are cash and I am going to hand it over in a way that makes me comfortable.  So when we get to our third coupon she decides to read the coupon like 17 times because there is just no way I should be able to use this many coupons.  Never mind that I have a pile still in my hand.

She asks if she can call a manager over.

Knock yourself out sister.  I know the coupon policy like the back of my hand.  And if stores would wise up and just train cashiers, things like this would move much faster.

Manager was like, did the system beep.  No.  Then what's the problem. 

So nervous nelly begrudgingly scans that third coupon and tells me my total.  As I am saying over and over that I have more coupons.

Oh.  She is not happy.  Like I am really just ruining her day.  I was cheerful as all get out.  Like the sun was shining over my head.  And I was having the WORST personal day.  So the fact that I was sunshine and roses to your doom and gloom should tell you something.

So I am apologizing to the woman behind me in line. 

Which is dumb because I was doing nothing wrong.  I had my coupons in order.  I was ready.  I was handing them to the cashier.  But the cashier was moving.  Like.  A.  Turtle.

This was her fault, not mine.

Well now woman in line is making faces at me.  And says...."it's like you want everything for free."

My reply was that coupons were cash.

She made a nasty face at me.

I turned my back to her and went on being sunshine to turtle nervous nelly cashier.  Then after I paid, I lingered fumbling through my purse.  I don't know why.  But I guess after the morning I just had, I wanted to halt that rude woman behind me from saying shit about me.

I eventually went to my car.  Looked at the receipt.  To find out the cashier charged me for five bags of candy.  Which of course was not the end of the world but I really do wish stores would train cashiers better.  She clearly has no clue about store policies or how to manage transactions.  I don't fault her.  I fault the management. 

Then of course on the drive home, I thought of a million snappy things I could have said to the nasty customer behind me in line.  My life is one giant You've Got Mail moment.

Joke's on her though because in the end, the candy was all free.  And the rest, well I think I did pretty well.

Total value purchased ... $22.86

Paid out of pocket ... $7.46

Percentage saved ...67%

John Frieda Deal At Target Last Week

I didn't get a chance to post this last Saturday but wanted to post anyway.  I don't think this deal is still available at Target but if you know differently, please share!

(1) John Frieda Shampoo  $4.99
(1) John Frieda Conditioner  $4.99
(1) John Frieda Precision Foam Colour  $11.49
(1) John Frieda Sample Size Conditioner  $1.49

- (2) $1/1 John Frieda product  SS 6/10
- (1) $2/1 John Frieda colour product SS 6/10
- (1) $10/1 John Frieda colour product when you buy BOTH full size shampoo and conditioner Target mobile coupon
- (1) free sample size product when you buy Precision foam colour

= OOP $7.47

Total value purchased ... $22.96

Paid out of pocket ... $7.47

Percentage saved ... 67%

** Now as a couponer, I have learned to be very flexible with products.  I use most laundry detergents even though for a lifetime I thought the only thing I could ever use was Tide.  And guess what?  My super sensitive skin is fine and my clothes are just as clean!  But even I have a few exceptions.  There are two hair colors I like- one being John Frieda.  And the ONLY conditioner I use now is John Frieda.  It is hands down the BEST conditioner I have ever used.  Silky soft and fabulous!  

So this was a very exciting deal for me.  And worth posting to show that even with coupons, you can save a lot on your favorite products.

Free Samples: Garnier, Starbucks K Cups and Shout

There are some great free samples still available right now on Target's sample page.  Click here to take advantage.  The Garnier hair care and Shout wipes are awesome for summer (or any season) travel.  And we all need coffee, right?

BOGO Free Starbucks

From now until July 02, Starbucks stores located within Target stores are offering Buy One Get One Free Frappuccinos.  This offer is valid at all locations (remember though- this is for the Starbucks that are inside of Target stores only).

A sweet treat at my very favorite store!  Heck yes...that's a fun deal!

Free K Cup Sample

Hurry to snag this free sample of Brew Over Ice K Cups.

FREE Target Beauty Bag Available Again

Scoot on over to Facebook to request the Target Beauty bag again!  Woo hoo for samples and coupons and a cute bag, oh my!

Oh Target, How I Love Thee!

Oh Target, how I love thee!

I have had coupon for $10/1 Food Saver for weeks now but Target has been sold out.  They expired today so I asked if I could use the coupons on these things.  They said yes.  They were $9.99 so FREE after coupons!

I had four $2/1 Revlon Beauty tool coupons.  I need a new pair of tweezers and an eyelash curler so this is perfect timing.  Those cool blue polka dot tweezers were listed as $1.89.  Score!  Picked up a second pair (why is a single tweezing device called a pair?) because I tend to lose these things and free is fabulous.  However after paying, I realized they rang up a $6.99.  Uh-oh!  I went to Customer Service to either price adjust or return them altogether.  They were so nice to me!  The reps went to check to find that these were in fact all on the wrong rack.  So they moved them to the correct price and then sold them to me at the lower price - so refunded the difference.  I didn't ask them to do that and though it was such great, positive customer service!

I LOVE this Elf mineral blemish powder.  Online, it's $8, before shipping.  Which is honestly a very good price.  But there was one lonely package on the clearance rack for $4.25.  I've been out for a while and have not purchased because I hate paying shipping.  So this was a SCORE for me today!

Target Ibuprofen, 24 count, is regularly priced at $0.97.  You can find it in both the travel aisle and the regular pain relief aisle.  Use the $1/1 Target Ibuprofen coupon to get it for FREE!  Print this coupon quickly though as I anticipate it disappearing soon.

And finally, the most fun purchase that was regularly priced and has no coupons.  Ten colorful s'mores sticks at just $1/each from the front $1 section.  For the kids in the family this Christmas (and a few friends), I plan to give them a s'mores stick, homemade marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers.  I promise to post this in more detail in December.  I'm just super excited about having 10 Christmas gifts already figured out!

Nivea Money Maker At Target

I popped into Target yesterday too for brown rice.  This is honestly my very favorite brand of rice.  So yummy.  And at just $0.79/bag, it's crazy cheap.  Cooked, a bag makes 10 cups.  Each cup is just $0.08.  Talk about frugal!!

I cook two bags at a time.  I've mentioned it a few times but it's worth noting again.  I think those who cook a few cups of rice at a time are just silly.  What a waste of your valuable time.  Cook two bags.  Once cooled, divvy up into zip top baggies and freeze.  Simply defrost in fridge or microwave for pre-cooked rice any night of the week.  This has saved me so many times when I have a tummy ache (ditto on the dog).

I also tested out the Nivea deal.  Buy 3 participating products, totaling $5 or more, and earn a $5 Target gift card.

Purchased:
(2) Nivea Creme tins  reg. $0.97, sale $0.87
(1) Nivea 1.7 oz  reg. $3.59

- (2)* $2/1 Nivea lotion 5/6

= OOP $1.33

Total value purchased ... $5.53

Paid out of pocket ... $1.33

Percentage saved ... 76%

Earned ... $5 Target Gift Card

Also, this is the first time I've purchased those creme tins and I am in LOVE.  They are fantastic.  I get such dry hands and that stuff is much thicker than regular lotion.  Sort of in between a lotion and a body butter.  So this turned out to be a total winner of a deal for me!

* OK I should not have been able to use two coupons.  I pulled them out and realized as much so started to put the second coupon back in my wallet.  The cashier saw me and said she thought I could use a second coupon.  I let her try and it didn't beep.  However, after I got home I double checked and the coupons do in fact read that they are to be used on 1.7 oz or larger.  Even with only using one coupon, this is still a Money Maker and you will save 40%.

AMAZING Savings At Target...Including FREE Food Savers, Gelato and Starbucks!

Wow!  That's all I can say about my trip to Target today!  Wow, wow, wow!!


Purchased ...
(1) Revlon Nail File Set  reg. $1.27
- (1) $2/1 Revlon Beauty Tools *marked down to $1.27/1
= Out Of Pocket FREE!

(2) Mio Water Flavors  reg. $3.84, sale $3.79
- (2) $1/1 Mio Water coupon
= OOP $2.79/ea

(1) Driscoll's Blackberries  reg. $3.59, sale $2.49

(4) Bananas  reg. $0.24/ea

(1) Skim Milk Gallon  reg. $2.79

(1) Dannon Activia 4pk  reg. $1.99
- (1) $1/1 Dannon Activia 4pk
= OOP $0.99

(1) Talenti Gelato  reg. $4.49
- (1) Free coupon
= OOP FREE!

(2) Starbucks ground coffee  reg. $7.99
- (2) $1.50/1 Starbucks coupon
- (1) $5/2 Starbucks Target coupon
= OOP $3.99/ea when you buy (2)

(2) Starbucks beverages  reg. $1.99
- (2) FREE with purchase of Starbucks bag coffee peelie found on each bag!
= OOP FREE!
* my cashier said these are not great so it's a good thing they were free

(2) Food Saver Handheld  reg. $19.99
- (2) $10/1 Food Saver coupon
- (2) $10/1 Food Saver Target coupon
= OOP FREE!

(2) Food Saver Bags  reg. $8.99
- (2) $2/1 Food Saver Bags coupon
- (1) BOGO Free Target coupon
= OOP $2.50

I saved around 80% at Target today!  And I am sooo excited to try the Food Saver on things like cheese and meats!  Perfect for my coupon-aholic self.  Oh and how fun to get the bonus freebie of those Starbucks drinks- I didn't even expect those.  I LOVE couponing trips like this!!

Sweetest Baby Gift : Ribbon Ruffle Socks Tutorial

I know this blog is about coupons but I think this is a fun (old) post to share from my main blog.  Years ago I did a tutorial on how to make ribbon ruffle baby socks.  They can be made a rock bottom prices too.  Over the last year there have been so many opportunities to buy kiddy socks at Target for nearly free.  And every crafter has ribbon scraps hanging around the house.  Take a glance and let me know if you give it a try.  I promise it will be the EASIEST sewing project ever and it is sooo inexpensive (possibly even free) to make!

Click here for a full, easy to follow tutorial with step by step photos!

FREE Every Man Jack Product

Wow- this a fun offer.  Just click the image to request a coupon for a FREE Every Man Jack product.  They are sold at Target stores according to their website.

New Target Mobile Coupons

Check your smartphones, coupon-tastic friends!  Target just released more mobile coupons and they include...

* $1/1 Oscar Mayar bacon

* $0.50/1 Nabisco snack item (Honey Maid graham crackers or Nilla Wafter cookies)

* $0.50/1 Nabisco crackers (Wheat Thins, Triscuit or Ritz)

* $1/1  64oz Market Pantry refrigerated juice

* $1.50/1 Robitussin Peak Cold cold relief item

* $3 off Merona women's apparel item (no min purchase price but does exclude intimates and swim)


You are only allowed to use these coupon once.  I will also note from personal experiences that if you have more than one item in your transaction using a phone coupon, it can be an extra big pain and they sometimes need to scan your phone twice and call a manager or three to figure it out.  The Merona apparel coupon is the most appealing to me and should make for a free pair of sock maybe (they wouldn't be considered intimate I don't think) or a nice discount from a clearance/sale item. 

Let me know how you make these fun coupon work to your shopping advantage!

I Made Money At Target

OK I did most of these match ups here.  The Yoplait was FREE from a coupon I got from one of the freebies I post weekly.  For all 12 of those TGI Friday's meals, I paid just $0.99 TOTAL!  That's just pennies per meal.  The Poland Springs was free from a coupon.  Same with the nail polish and Aveeno lotion.  I also had $15 in gift cards from last week to use that I used.

Total value purchased ... $94.54

Paid out of pocket ... $4.35

Percentage saved ... 95%

Earned ... $10 gift card from spending more than $50

Easy and Inexpensive Gift Ideas

I thought this might be a good time to show y'all some gift ideas that have been big hits in my family over the years.  My biggest challenge is always kids from age 5-16.  I don't seem them enough to know what's cool and not cool and what they have already.  By that age they certainly have big wardrobe opinions.  And in my family, they are nearly all little boys.  A complete mystery to me.

This was a BIG hit!  I picked up lots of funky flavored sodas as well as a bottle koozie and funky straw (pack of 6 just $1 at Dollar General).  Put everything in a colorful bucket from the $1 section at Target.  Added crinkle and wrapped it all up in a big bag.  As always, click the images to see the original explanation posts.

And for the family gift exchange, a little bucket full of nips.  These are fun to make single drinks or to add to a hot bevvy during the 75 months of winter we have ahead of us.

These were other favorites.  What I called Sugar Buckets.  I bought buckets at the Dollar General.  And kiddie snacks and sweets at various stores.  Very inexpensive.  And a HUGE hit with kids.  Parents, perhaps notsomuch.  Ha. 

I love how I wrapped them and actually use this method a lot with oddly shaped gift baskets.  Take a yard of scrap fabric, place the bucket or odd shaped gift in center, and tie with a grosgrain ribbon bow.  Simple as can but but be prepared for everyone to make a big fuss over your amazing gift wrapping skills. 

Oh and last year I made initial towel wraps.  You need to know some basic sewing skills but they were pretty simple and inexpensive.  And I hope pretty useful- bath, pool, beach, etc.  Again, click the images to see better explanations of the gifts.

$10 Gift Card When You Spend $50 At Target

I just got this emailed to me from Target- yay!  I took full advantage of this the first time it was available last week.  Just be sure to hand this coupon over first- when your total is at or above the $50 mark so that you don't have to deal with beeps and explanations and frustrations.  Just click the image to print out your coupon for a $10 Target gift card when you purchase $50 or more!

FREE Lip Balm At Target

This is a fun little treat you can pick up for yourself or as a stocking stuffer this week at Target.  For FREE! 

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm  $2.99
-(1) $1/1 Maybelline print coupon
-(1) $2/1 Maybelline Target store print coupon
= FREE!

Remember that you can print out two coupons from each computer.  So you should be able to pick up one for yourself and one to share.  All for FREE at Target!

More Awesome Target Deals

Quick question before I start...

Were y'all able to purchase the two 6oz Curel lotions at $2.99/ea, use the $1/1 Q and earn the $5 gift card at Target?  I didn't try it but might give it a go tomorrow if I have time to swing back in.  I'm curious to know if anyone in the Cap Region was able to make that work.

So back to what I did snag at Target this week.  I didn't have time to photo my entire order but I did use the $10 gift card with purchase of $50 or more coupon first before handing over all my other coupons.  Worked like a dream!  Below are just a few of the highlights that I was able to purchase.  In the end, I spent @ $20 out of pocket (including a not pictured Christmas gift) and earned $15 in store gift cards. 

TGI Friday's meals  sale $1.99
- $1/1 TGI Friday's 10/23 SS
- $1/1 Target print
= FREE!

NYC nail polish  reg. $0.94
- $1/1 Target print
= FREE!

Acne Free Terminator  reg $4.99
- (2) 20% off Target print
= $3.99/each, plus earn $5 Target gift card when you buy two

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa  sale $1.19
- $0.50/2 Swiss Miss Cocoa 11/13 SS
- $0.50/2 Target print
= $0/69/each when you buy two

Lipton Pyramid Tea 20 ct  reg $1.99
- $1/2 Lipton Tea 11/13 RP
- $1/2 Target print
= $0.99/each when you buy two

Bounty Basic Paper Towel Single Roll  reg. $0.99
- $1/1 Bounty
= FREE!

Aveeno Naturals travel size lotion  reg. $0.99
- $3/2 any Aveeno Naturals lotion (I did this as an experiment)
= FREE! plus $1.02 Money Maker when you buy two
* Your mileage may vary on this one- Target's policy does not allow for overage but most of my cashiers do so I think it's different from store to store to be honest.