7/31 Walgreens Haul

Drug stores are the best place to stock up on all of your personal care items such as lotion, body wash, and deodorants. I was an only CVS shopper but the past two weeks Walgreen has had better deals so I have been giving them a shot.. Their coupon policies are a little tighter but once you get a hang of it they are a great store..

Here are a couple Walgreens couponing facts:
1. Each week they have deals where if you buy an item, a certain amount of items, or a certain dollar amount of items you get back Register Rewards.Register Rewards are dollars off your next purchase and by rolling these is how you leave with a lot of product and pay barely anything out of pocket.

2. At walgreens you have to have the same amount of items as coupons including register rewards.. For instance if you are purchasing 2 body washes and you have a coupon for each then you are fine but if you want to pay for them using a register reward that you already have you must add a filler item to take your item count to 3 matching your coupon count..

3. Lastly all  Walgreens deal are technically limit 1.. .There is no place that states this but if they are having a sale where if you buy 2 dove soaps you receive $2 in register rewards and you try to turn right around and buy 2 more dove soaps and pay with the register rewards you just received you will not get another register reward at the end of your transaction. To avoid this you have to alternate transactions if you want to do a promotion more than once..

So here is what I got

Quick Walmart Haul

Last week I was pleasantly surprised to find a $5 Walmart gift card in my mailbox. My local store did a big remodel and even though it was a pain to do simple everyday shopping the store looks a lot better and is much easier to navigate. Today since I was out doing my drugstore haul I decided to stop in walmart and see what I could get for my gift card.. Here is what I got...

$3.00 Challenge.. See what I got today with just $3 in change

Today I challenged myself to seeing how much I could get with only the change in my pocket... I had about $3.33 in change starting out and visited Target and Staples in search of school supplies...

I spent about $2.50 give or take and purchased:

40 digital photo prints.. This week basic prints are 10/$1 @ Target I used a target $2/20 prints coupon = Free

4 sharpies.. Two pack sharpies are on sale for a $1@ Target and I used a target $1 off sharpie  coupon =Free

20 papermate pens .. They were on sale for 1.02@ Target, I used a target $1 off papermate  coupon= .02 each

20 mechanical pencils ... on sale @ Staples, each 5 pack is .25

pencil case .25 @ Staples

2 Rose Art glue sticks .20 @ Target

5 folders with pockets and paper slots in the middle .15 each @ Target

I must say I did good and I had change to spare... I did this to show everyone that it is easy to save money and the majority of my savings were made with no coupons at all... My son's as well as my own school shopping is about of 1/3 done and for about $2.50...

$7.50 off Cars 2 movie ticket

2 free museum tickets

9/24 is museum day click here to request your two free museum tickets... There are lots of museum to choose from in every state... **enjoy**

** Sauza Tequila Coupon **

click here to print your $2.50 off Sauza Tequila coupon

** Smirnoff Coupon **

click here to print your $2 off a six pack of Smirnoff coupon... Please drink responsibly..

$3 off Life the Board Game

click here and print your $3 off the game of life coupon.. You must like the Facebook page to print.. 

Back to school savings at staples starting 7/10

1¢ items with a limit of 2 per customer and a $5 minimum purchase!  Valid 7/10-7/13!

Arrowhead Cap Erasers 12 ct

BIC Round Stic Ballpoint Pens 8 pk

Staples School Glue 4 oz

Free Kotex sample

click here for your free sample from Kotex... Sample includes 2 Kotex tampons and 1 Kotex pad. plus a coupon...

Have Scars? Free sample of Biodermis scar treatment

click here and like biodermis's facebook page to request your free sample... They have three samples that are available and you can request all three....

Veggie Coupons

Head over to http://www.coupons.com/ and print out $1 off 4 cans of Libby's vegetables (avail at walmart) ... you can print these coupons twice so save on 8 cans of veggies... use zip code 84755

also check out zip code 77079 for $1 off 2 lunchables ( the new lunchables have fruit instead of candy so great lunch for Big Brother during the summer)

Retail Coupons 7/8/11

Check out these retail coupons.. hurry some expire soon..

Extra 20% off Victoria Secret Clearance!!!

Head over to www.victoriassecret.com and save an extra 20% on their clearance that is already reduced as low as 65%... Just use the promo code (XTRA20) at checkout to receive this offer...

Possibly Free cell phone covers or accessories

click here to head over to savemore.com and snag a $12 cell phone case or accessory for $6 + FREE SHIPPING... If you are setting up a new account with savemore.com they give you a $10 credit making this offer completely FREE!!! ...  There are items for the majority of phones and styles...

$25 restaurant gift cards for $2

Here is a great deal for those who love to go out to eat but aren't able to do it as much as they would love... or those who just want to save some money.. You can get $25 gift cards to restaurants for $2... All you do is search your area see what restaurants participate with restaurant.com and use the promo code (SUN) for your 80% off savings... click here to head over now and start saving on your dining. (make sure you read your restaurants requirements.. some have minimal purchase or tip requirements when using your gift card)

Start getting back to school savings now!! Items for under .40 this week only

Whether you have children, are a student or just like to stock up on stationary essentials you know back to school sales start early. As I see sales on items I will post them so keep an eye out for that...

This week at CVS snag some back to school items for under .40 each...

Exclusive $3 off nail polish coupon!!!

click here to print a $3 off coupons for Sally Hansen crackle nail polish... exclusive coupon only for the 1st 10,000 fans so hurry...

Free Sharpie's

click here to print your $1 off coupon for sharpie permanent markers at Target... Starting 7/10 a two pack of sharpies will be on sale for $1... The site will let you print two coupons so that is 4 sharpies that you can get for FREE!!! (you do pay tax so don't go in the store with absolutely nothing.. carry at least a quarter with you)

7/10 newspaper coupons

Here is a list of the coupon inserts in this Sundays paper. Keep in mind there are some regional variations..

 

RedPlum 7/10

.50/1 Cheer product (exp 8/31)
.50/1 Era product (exp 8/31)
$3 off Flex-a-min supplement (exp 8/23)

Free Touchscreen cleaning wipes

click here to request your sample of KimTech's touchscreen cleaning wipes

Friendly's Ice Cream Coupon... Hurry ends 7/10

click here to print your B1G1 3 scoop sundae coupon from Friendly's Ice Cream... Coupon expires 7/10 so hurry

Free Passes to Six Flags

click here to get more information on six flags summer thrills pass... For the price of one regular adult ticket you can enjoy the rest of the summer FREE!!! Offer expires 9/25... if you live near a six flags or frequent often this is an amazing offer... Enjoy

Rare $5.00 cereal coupon

click here for a rare $5.00 off 5 Kellogg's cereals... Paired with a good sale this can get you some really cheap cereal and you won't have to worry about purchasing anymore for a while. (use zip code 84755) ... hurry while they are still available...

Free Blockbuster express codes

Codes are available until 7/11 ... enjoy free movies on the house

Freebies 7/7

2 free quest protein bar samples
free sample of shout wipes
free sample of eucerin cream

Free Nail Polish Strips

Head over to http://www.savemore.com for an opportunity to receive free nail polish. Savemore.com is a daily deals site and they are offering a free $10 credit when you sign up for the site. Today's daily deal is $12 worth of nail polish strips for $6 and there is free shipping on this offer. The nail polish kit comes with 20 nail strips and emery board and an orange wood stick.. #happy couponing .

Free Chick Fil A

Tomorrow 7/8/11 is cow appreciation day at chick fil a... Customers who dress in full cow attire will receive a free meal (breakfast or lunch)... Dressing partially will get you a free entree... So tomorrow add a little black and white in your attire and enjoy chick fila on the house...

Chips Ahoy coupon...

click here to print your $1 off coupon for Chips Ahoy coupon...

Weekly Shopping Trip

First I want to address the reason it may seem I shop so much. Each week stores have weekly sales and these items will not go back on sale until the sale cycle comes back around. So unless you have enough of that product to last about 6 weeks you want to go ahead and pick it up... So lets see how I did...

Harris Teeter:

Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice Coupon

click here to print out your $1 off two welch's sparkling grape coupon... great for non drinkers and anyone who loves the taste of Welch's grape...

Half Priced Red Box movies Every Wednesday

click here for more information on getting .50 off your first nights rental every Wednesday at your local Red Box... Simply reserve your copy online and receive the discount when you check out at a Red Box location... This offer is only valid until July 27th so hurry ...

Ovaltime Coupon

click here for a coupon for Nestle Ovaltine...

Dave & Buster Coupon

click here for a $10 of game play coupon from Dave & Buster's

Johnson's $2 coupon

click here and like Johnson's Baby to print a $2 off baby daily face and body lotion coupon...

Nestle Baking goods coupons

click here and sign up for verybestbaking.com to receive exclusive coupons on Nestle baking items such as cookie dough, evaporated milk and chocolate chip morsels. You do not have to sign up for their newsletter but it would let you know when they have new coupons available. make sure you press back space and refresh to print a second time...

Freebies

Free sample of  Quaker Oatmeal Squares... click here and like Quaker's facebook page for a free sample of their oatmeal squares. Limit is one sample per household per day so go back as many days as you like until they are all out.

VTech Coupon

click here for a 5.00 off any Vtech Cars 2 item

Disney Wii game on sale *today only**

Disney Epic Mickey Wii game is on sale from 39.99 to 17.99 today (JULY 4TH) only... Great item to start your Christmas collection with.. click here to check out this offer...

Newspapers...

Even though this is a holiday weekend there was a P&G savers booklet in this weeks Sunday newspaper.. Each week I go through my newspaper and take out each coupon booklet along with any circulars. I also check through the newspaper to make sure there aren't any hidden coupons on the pages.

Weekly Shopping Trip

So the gist of couponing is saving money while you shop... You can't collect a plethora of coupons and not go to the grocery store and buy things. So let's put it all together...

The first thing you have to do is find "your store." You want to pick a store that is in your area, has regular sales and has a good coupon policy. Personally I shop at Harris Teeter and Walmart.

Harris Teeter has a GREAT coupon policy.  They double coupons up to .99 everyday, so a .75 coupon doubles to 1.50 everyday. They also have promotions such as super double where coupons up to 1.98 double making a 1.50 coupon double to 3.00; and triple coupons where all coupons up to .99 triple so a coupon of .75 triples to 2.25... At Harris Teeter you can only use 20 doubled coupons per day. You can go every day and 20 of your coupons will double if you like but it has to be after 7am (Harris Teeter is open 24 hrs so the register turn to the next business day at 7am). Any amount of coupons past 20 will be applied to your order but at face value. They also have a restriction of 3 like coupons per order this is in place so no person can clear the shelves which I love.

 Harris Teeter has weekly specials that they advertise in a circular, as well as unadvertised deals that you find in the store. They also have an Evic program that allows you to load coupons to your customer card that can be stacked with your manufacturers coupons. Lastly they have Evic sales that are only available to those customers who receive their newsletter (this week I purchased Pampers jumbo packs at the Evic sale price of 5.99. Applied an Evic coupon of 1.50 off and a manufacturers coupon of 1.50... Do the math 5.99-3= 2.99 for a jumbo pack of diapers #ASteal).  Visit Harris Teeter's website for their full couponing policy and this weeks sales.

Freebies

I don't know about you but I *heart* anything that's FREE. In the game of couponing there are so many things that end up being free. Free toothpaste.. Free dish washing liquid... FREE MAKEUP!!! Those freebies come from the "grocery game" but I also get freebies for just bein me...

Enfamil Coupon ***All Gone***

If you have a new baby you understand how expensive it can be... There are programs out there to help such as WIC but I personally have to supplement more formula because Baby Boy eats more then the program gives. I have only seen coupons for Enfamil Enfagrow a formula for toddlers but today I lucked up and found a 5.00 off any Enfamil coupon. Simply click here and use the zip code 30305 and you will be able to print this coupon. Usually you can print 2 of each coupon but this rare coupon is only allowing one print.. #happy couponing

STOCKPILING

A hot topic in couponing is stockpiling...

A stockpile is simply your home stock of things that your family uses regularly that you bought at rock bottom prices to avoid having to ever pay full price. There is no need to have rooms full of merchandise or move out your kids to make room for groceries. A good stockpile has about 6 weeks worth of goods, the point is "buy enough to last you till the item goes on sale again."

Not everything can be stockpiled. Things such as fresh produce, bread, and perishables are buy enough to not go bad items. But can goods, barbecue sauce, cereals, meats etc can be stockpiled. Here are photos of my personal stockpile

Retail & Restaurant Coupons...

Everyone LOVES a little retail therapy so here are some printable restaurant and retail coupons... #enjoy
** most of these coupons or codes are for the July 4th holiday so HURRY HURRY HURRY**

Ann Taylor Loft 20% off
Bath & Body Works 10 off 30 exp 7/5
Bath & Body Works free signature item trial size
Belk 10 off 30 exp 7/4

How do I use coupons

This may seem like a simple question but there is actually a science to couponing.. You have to match manufacturers coupons to store promotions and sales. This way you get groceries at rock bottom prices.. I do not pay for soap, body wash, razors, tooth brushes, dish washing liquid and the list goes on... How do you do that.. Very simple

More Printable Coupons

.75 off starbucks

1.00 off nesquick

multiple coffee mate coupons

Boost kids drink

Wheat Thins

a common myth is that coupons only come out for non-healthy products.. This could not be farther from the truth... here is a printable coupon for wheat thins.. simply click here to get 1.00 off coupon on any 2 wheat thin products... Remember to go back and refresh to print a second time..

Deals

Deals that I find or get I will post so my readers can get them if interested..

printable 1.00 off Nabisco cookies coupon when you buy 1 package of cookies and one gallon of milk (remember milk is a necessity you are always buying it anyway may as well save on some cookies) click here like them on FB and if coupon doesn't automatically come up click cookies and milk on left hand side... coupon is only good to the first 25,000 prints so get it fast.. Also remember to hit the back button and refresh to print a second time... #happyCouponing

Ok.. So how do you get started

Couponing 101... you can not coupon without coupons...

Gathering coupons is a large part of saving money. It takes time and persistence but is fairly easy. The main source of coupons comes from the Sunday newspaper. There are no coupon inserts in the weekly paper or most holiday weekends (luckily there is one insert in this Sunday's paper even though it is July 4th holiday). It takes about 6 weeks to build your coupon inventory from newspapers but eventually every post with coupon match ups will have a coupon that you have... I have a family of 4 and usually get about 2 newspapers a week which is plenty for us. There is no need to empty out newspaper bins just get enough for however many people are in your household.

Let's jump right in

While I am fully awake, the house is quiet (baby boy is down for two hours and big brother is watching his morning cartoons) I want to address couponing... I am in no way shape or form a big couponing blog. If that is what you are looking for (which eventually you should find I have multiple that I check daily) google couponing blogs and you will find hundreds. I am just a busy mother of two (I also have a wonderful fiance') who saves a lot of money and created a hobby out of clipping coupons.

Who is this "ordinary girl"

I am just that an ordinary girl... I am a mother of two amazing boys for blogging sake we will call them big brother and baby boy who keep me on my toes (especially since it is summer vacation).. I am a stay at home mom who is also a full time student. Balancing a household as well as school and a social life is something that the average woman has to deal with and that's what makes me ordinary.. I'm just like everyone else

In this blog I plan on just sharing my everyday with whomever is interested. I am not claiming to be extremely interesting but real life is interesting in itself.. I do plan on sharing whatever knowledge and "how to's" that I am good at and COUPONS COUPONS COUPONS... I am no big time blogger on coupons but it is something that I do and save a lot of money doing.. I live in an area that is not very fast paced and a lot of people ask me how to do it, so I thought it would be nice to put it all in one place