I love freebies and cheapies!

Wal-Mart has some really good deals that, combined with coupons, makes for some great freebies!!  Here's what I picked up today:

I got these items for a grand total of $3.18!  If I hadn't bought the Suave Kids' "Morning Hair" spray, I would have only spent $1.26, but oh well.  Anyone who has seen Hannah's hair knows it is CRAZY and could likely benefit from some of that stuff.  Also, the band-aids and first aid kits will be totally handy this summer as the kids play outside more and more, and the other stuff...just good to have. :)  Anyway, here's how I did this:

The Nexcare bandages were on sale for $1 each.  I printed out two $1 off coupons from Southern Savers so both boxes were free.  The razors were $1.97 and I had a $2 off coupon, so those were also free (with three cents profit).  The KY jelly was $2.62 and I had a $3 off coupon, so it was also free + profit!  (That means I got $0.38 taken off the price of other items!)  The travel first aid kits were $0.97 each, and I had a coupon for $1 off WYB 2, so they were $0.47 each.  When I threw in the morning hair spray, which was $1.92, the overage from the KY & razor coupons brought down the price, so my total (with tax) was only $3.18.  Not bad for a Wal-Mart trip! :)

My friend Kelly was with me and she was laughing at me because I was totally cashier profiling.  I almost got in a different checkout lane, but when I saw this young guy at another register, I totally knew he'd be nice to the crazy lady with the coupons. :)  I was right!  The older ladies tend to be pickier and will fuss with you over coupons, reading them and double checking everything.  I mean, I never use incorrect or expired coupons, but I'd rather deal with someone who's nice and easygoing, you know?

After leaving Wal-Mart I went to the Bath & Body Works shop up at Tanger Outlets and used my coupon for a free travel-sized item with any purchase. :)  I got both of these body sprays for $5.35 (with tax), so basically B1G1free.  I rarely use more than just a quick spritz so these two bottles will last me for-ev-er.  Pretty good deal, in my opinion.

I checked out the Kroger unadvertised deals last night and printed out a list of free or less than $1 deals, so I plan to head there sometime in the next couple of days.  If you see/hear about any good deals, let me know!

Couponing Blogs

All right, guys...I have just stumbled upon a couple more awesome couponing blogs and just had to share.  They are listed on my blogroll (in the right-side column), so click on those links from time to time, or save them as a favorite on your computer!  You might already know about them, but just in case...here they are:

1.)  Couponing to Disney -- this blog is written by a coupon and Disney addict who saves so much money using coupons that she is easily able to afford yearly trips to Disney!  She has special links to learn how to save for Disney cruises or Disney park trips.  Being that Andrew is now five years old and Hannah is soon-to-be three, Disney is something that keeps coming up in conversations.  I look forward to exploring her site more and more to learn what she's doing to get to Disney. :)


2.)  Totally Target -- I loooooove Target, so seeing a whole blog set up just for Target lovers with the goal of helping them save the most money on things they need at a store they love...ahh, bliss.

As I come across new blogs/sites/deals, I will continue to post them in order to help you out!  Have a happy Memorial Day weekend, and please don't forget to stop and thank God for the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

Rite Aid & CVS!

I would totally have pictures up of the stuff I got today, but our camera is taking its last breath and refusing to work with me. :(  I had to go ahead and share my good deals today, though.

Before I get into details, I want to apologize.  The last month and a half has been I-N-S-A-N-E with the CRCT going on (our state testing here in GA) and then school wrapping up.  Ugh, so much going on, so much stress.  Its over now, though, and I am soooo ready for summer.  I hope to do much better about sharing good deals we find and, hopefully, help all of you learn a little more and save some money for your family as well. :)

So.  As usual, I visited Southern Savers on Thursday afternoon/early evening so I could check out the deals and plan out my trips.  I then spent Friday night and Saturday afternoon (when I could find a minute here or there) finding and clipping the coupons that match the deals.  In case you don't remember, I am NOT a coupon clipper.  I file every week's coupon inserts (I buy the "double coupon" edition so I have extras) in its own manila folder in a file box that has a handle on it.   That way I can clip upstairs or downstairs...wherever is more peaceful so I can focus.

I got up early this morning (Sunday) and headed to Rite Aid.  The reason I start at Rite-Aid is that its farther from church AND tends to get busier after 9 am.  The CVS I visit is not far from church, so I head to Rite Aid first, then CVS, then straight to church.  ANYWAY.  I was specifically heading to Rite Aid this morning because we were in need of TP and cat litter (which they didn't have!  ugh!), something we definitely needed.  I already had $5 +UP rewards from last week's visit, so while I knew I would spend a little, it would help having those +UP rewards to use like store credit. :)  So, here's how it went:

Transaction #1:
4 bottles of Arm & Hammer detergent: B1G1 50% off at.$6.99 each
(got 2 bottles for $6.99 each and the other two for $3.50 each)
Subtotal: $20.98
Coupons:  (2) $1 off 2 bottles of Arm & Hammer liquid detergent
+UP Rewards:  $5
Grand total after coupons and sales tax: $15.45
Received $10 +UP rewards for spending $20 before coupons on Arm & Hammer products

Transaction #2:
2 packs of 20 rolls of Scott bathroom tissue: $12.97 each
1 pack of 216 Huggies baby wipes: $6.97
1 refillable Huggies baby wipe packs: $1.99
Subtotal: $34.90
Coupons: (3) $1 off Scott bathroom tissue -- one from Rite Aid's Video Values site, two manufacturer; one $0.50 off Huggies Wipes; one $3 off $15 purchase (from code at bottom of previous week's receipt)
+UP rewards: $10 from transaction #1
Grand total after coupons and sales tax: $20.63
Received $10 +UP rewards for my next visit!

So, for a grand total of $36.08 I got 40 rolls of TP, a huge bag of Huggies wipes, a travel pack of wipes, and 4 bottles of Arm & Hammer laundry detergent.  That averages out to be $4.01 per item.  Not too shabby, I don't think!  Also, I have $10 to use next time, so that's cool, too!
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Now, for my CVS trip.  I spent less than $8 there and left with $6.99 ECB, so I was excited about that trip!  Here's what happened:

Transaction #1:
Benadryl Anti-Itch Cream (because itchy bug bites STINK!): $7.89
Used $4 ECB from last week's visit
Used $1 off coupon from last week's paper
Grand total after coupons and sales tax: $3.44
Received $3 ECB for spending at least $7 on anti-itch products

Transaction #2:
Bic Soleil Shimmer razor system: $6.99
Used $3 ECB from transaction #1
Used a $3 off coupon from last week's paper
Grand total after coupons and sales tax: $1.48
Received  $3 ECB for buying the razor


Transaction #3:
Preparation H wipes (Hey, don't judge!  Anyone who has given birth knows why I buy these!): $3.99
Used $2 off coupon (printable)
Grand total after coupon and sales tax: $2.27
Received $3.99 ECB for buying the wipes

I couldn't use the $3 ECB on transaction #3 because the total was less than $3!  Doesn't bother me, because that means I have more to use next time! :)  So, how about you?  Find any good deals this week?

Publix deals!

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to share some of the new Publix deals for this week...I will be heading out there before school in the morning (bright and early!) so I can get the freebies and cheapies before the crazies get up.  (Who am I kidding?  They'll probably be there before me!)  Anyway...if anyone is interested, Publix has the following deals going on:


Wish Bone dressing - B1G1free for $2.73 (or you can buy one for $1.36).  Use a Publix $1 off coupon matched with a manufacturer coupon for $1 off and you will pay just 36 cents!  I happen to have two of each, so I will be buying 2 bottles.

Ronzoni pasta - B1G1free for $1.39 (or one for 69 cents).  Use a manufacturer's coupon for $1 off 2, and you end up paying 39 cents for both.  I have two of these coupons, so I will be buying 4 boxes.

Chinet Napkins (40-90 count) - B1G1free for $2.15 (or one for $1.07).  Use a manufacturer's coupon for $1 off and you pay just 7 cents per pack!  We have a T-ball team pizza party coming up and I volunteered to bring paper products, so you'd better believe I will be picking these up!  I have two coupons, so I will be buying 2 packs for 14 cents. Nice!

Pedigree Dentastix for Dogs - B1G1free for $3 (or one for $1.50).  Ruby (the doberman) looooves to chew stuff and has already ruined/eaten/obliterated several yard toys and food/water bowls.  I will definitely be picking these up.  I have FOUR Publix coupons (and four manufacturer's coupons to match) that each give me $1 off.  Since they are $1.50 each and I will be using two $1 off coupons on each (meaning I get $2 off each pack), they are actually paying me 50 cents to take them out of the store.  LOVE IT.

Oh, and the penny item this week is Publix Spaghetti Sauce!  You can bet I will be picking up some sauce for a penny! :)

So anyway, I didn't want to keep these super-fabulous freebies/cheapies to myself...Go HERE to see the whole list of Publix deals and print some coupons if you want to head out and pick up some things yourself!

Happy couponing!

Rite-Aid Deals!

I had probably my best Rite-Aid visit *ever* this afternoon!  I had my kids with me so it was a bit crazy and chaotic, but still...I got out with a great deal of savings!  For all the items you see at the left, I paid a total of $22.28!  I walked out with two water guns and two boxes of Goldfish crackers that I did not plan on buying, but hey...it kept the kids happy so it was worth it! :)

So anyway, for those interested, here's how I did it...

Transaction #1:
Purex - $1.97
Aleve (80 count) - $12.99
Motrin PM (3 bottles) - $5.99 each
Water guns (2) - $0.99 (on sale - B1G1 free)
Subtotal (before coupons/+UP rewards):  $33.92
Coupons/+UP rewards used:
$1 off Purex
$2 off Aleve
$1 off Motrin PM products (used 3 of these)
$3 off a $15 purchase (Rite-Aid coupon, printed after taking the customer service survey...look on the bottom of the receipt to find out how to get these!)
$3 off $15 purchase (yep, used 2!)
$1 off non-prescription purchase...printed from Rite Aid's Video Values website (http://riteaid.adperk.com)
$1 off non-prescription purchase (yep, I had two!)
10% off for having 125 wellness+ points
$5 +UP rewards from a previous visit

GRAND TOTAL (after sales tax): $13.33!

I also received $10 +UP rewards for spending $25 (before coupons) on Motrin & Aleve products, so you could say I got away with spending $2.13 for all those items!

Transaction #2:
(2) packs of Huggies Pull-Ups - $10 each
Subtotal (before coupons/+UP rewards): $20
Coupons/+UP rewards used:
$2 off Huggies Pull-Ups
$2 off Huggies Pull-Ups
$3 off $15 purchase
$10 +UP rewards from transaction #1

GRAND TOTAL (after sales tax): $4.13!

I also got back $5 +UP rewards for spending $20 (before coupons) on Huggies products!

Transaction #3:
(6) tubes of Aquafresh toothpaste - $2.50 each

(I plan to donate these to tornado relief efforts through my church...I wouldn't normally buy 6 tubes of toothpaste!)

(2) Goldfish crackers mini-boxes - $0.99 each
Subtotal (before coupons/+UP rewards:  $16.98
Coupons/+UP rewards used:
(4) $1 off Aquafresh product
$3 off $15 purchase
$1 off non-prescription purchase
$5 +UP rewards from transaction #2

GRAND TOTAL (after sales tax):  $4.82!

Again, I received $5 +UP (to save for my next visit) for buying $15 worth of Aquafresh products!

So...anyone else have good luck out there today?  Please share your stories and tips for savings!

Why I love Rite-Aid

*Disclaimer:  I have not been paid a single penny for the following rave review of Rite-Aid.  The coupons and super savings I earn every week are enough, but dude...if anyone out there wants me to do a commercial?  I am your girl!!

Rite-Aid is quickly becoming my favorite store.  Neck & neck with CVS, in fact.  At times I just can't decide which one I love more.  Today, though, I'm feeling the love for Rite-Aid and just have to share.

Rite-Aid has a program (the wellness+ program) which is set up much like CVS' Extra Care program.  You sign up, get a card that you put on your keychain, and you're off.  The +UP bucks are like store credit, also very much like ECB (Extra Care Bucks) at CVS.

What I especially love about Rite-Aid, that sets them apart from CVS is the fact that they have this awesome website (the video values site, found at http://riteaid.adperk.com).  The coupons you find here can be combined with manufacturer coupons to save even MORE on the items you buy.  Another awesome thing about Rite-Aid is that at the bottom of every receipt, they print a code to use to earn $3 off your next $15 purchase.  I have used more of these than I can count, and its awesome. I love that there are so many ways to save money at Rite-Aid.  Their customer service is always top-notch, too.  My most visited CVS is great -- they know me by name in there and are always so patient with me and help me figure out how to best arrange my transactions so I same the most money -- but not every CVS is awesome.  I've had some experiences where I felt like I was an annoyance and they were not helpful at all.  Not so at Rite-Aid.  No matter which store I visit, I always feel welcome and everyone is always so helpful and patient with me and my coupons. :)

I happen to have an awesome trip planned for tomorrow, so stay tuned for an update on how well I can do!

Publix - awesome deal on Tidy Cats cat litter!

So I think everyone that knows us knows that we have three adult cats in the house, one of which just gave birth to FIVE kittens one month ago.  Needless to say, when I spotted this awesome deal on Tidy Cats cat litter, I jumped on it like white on rice!

This week, Publix has a deal that's nearly unbelievable.  10-lb bags are B1G1 free for $2.49 (making them $1.24 apiece).  Combined with the $1.10 off coupon I found on Southern Savers, that price comes down to 14 cents per bag.  I went to Publix this morning and was able to get SEVEN bags for a grand total of 98 cents!

The easiest way to tell you how to find the coupon to print is to send you over to Southern Savers, look for the "Coupon Database" icon, and then search for the Tidy Cats coupon.  Print as many coupons as you can!  We were able to print 7, obviously, between our desktop computer, Chris' laptop, and my laptop.  (Many coupon sites have limits on how many times you can print a coupon...printing from several different computers kind of tricks the website, since the print request is coming from different IP addresses.)

If you're a cat owner, this might be one deal that is definitely looking into! Good luck!  Please share if you are finding any more awesome bargains out there!

Back to Bargain Hunting!

Ahhh...After a week off due to no coupons in the Easter Sunday paper and a serious lack of exciting deals, I am happy to say I was able to make a couple of very nice visits to CVS and Rite-Aid this morning. :)

Once again, Chris got the kids up and ready while I went and did my shopping before church.  My first stop was Rite-Aid (after picking up this morning's double coupon edition of the paper, of course).  I had three transactions this morning.  All in all I spent $12.88 and saved $26.42!  Here's what I got:

My first transaction went like this:
Charmin (16 rolls):  $7.49 w/card
Nivea Self-Tanning Lotion:  $9.99
Coupons:  $2 off Nivea lotion, $10 +UP rewards from previous visit
Grand total:  $6.70
Got back $5 +UP rewards for buying the Nivea self-tanning lotion.

Second transaction:
Gillette Fusion Powerglide Razor:  $9.99 w/card
Dove Men's Deodorant: $3.99 w/card
Coupons:  $4 off Gillette razor, $5 +UP rewards from trans. #1
Grand total:  $5.96
Got back $3 +UP rewards for buying the deodorant AND $5 +UP rewards for buying the razor!  That's $8 back for after spending just under $6!!

Third transaction:
Raisin Bran: $1.99 w/card
Corn Pops: $1.99 w/card
(2) Powerade Zero drinks: $0.88 each w/card
Lance Cheese & Peanut Butter crackers (6 pack): $1.00 w/card
Excedrin Extra Strength (24 count): $1.99 w/card
Coupons: $8 +UP rewards from transaction #2, B1G1 free Powerade Zero, $0.55 off Lance crackers, $1 off 2 Kellogg's cereals, $1 off Excedrin 20-24 count
Grand total: $0.22

After I finished up at Rite-Aid, I headed down the street to CVS!  Once again, I had three transactions.  I spent a total of  $18.11 and saved $27.26!  Here's what I brought home:

First transaction:
Colgate MaxFresh toothpaste: $2.77 w/card
Ivory Soap (3 pack): $0.99 w/card
Coupons: $1 off Colgate toothpaste, $0.50 off Ivory soap
Grand total: $2.52
Got back $2.77 ECB for buying the toothpaste

Second transaction:
(2) Schick Intuition razor cartridges: $11.99 each
Coupons: $2 off Schick Intuition cartridges, $3 off Schick Intuition cartridges, $6 ECB from previous visit, $2.77 ECB from transaction #1
Grand total: $11.89
Got back $5 ECB for buying $15 worth of Schick products

Third transaction:
Cascade dish detergent: $4 w/card
(2) Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 2-packs: $3 each w/card
Coupons: $1.50 off 2 Mr. Clean products, $0.50 off Cascade item, $5 ECB from transaction #2
Grand total: $3.70
Got back $3 ECB to save for my next visit!

 Yep, after a couple of weeks off, it feels good to be back in the game. :)  How about you?  Any good deals you've found?