Darlene's Savings Blog

Welcome Old Fans!

2011-08-06T15:55:00.003-04:00

I'd like to give a shout out to all my Facebook and Twitter followers who have joined my personal blog from my old job at Saving Money Network. I greatly appreciate the loyalty and promise to continue to post great deals and tips!!

Thanks again!!

Free Cat Food from Meijer

2011-05-07T18:25:00.001-04:00

I loved this week's sale on Purina One Cat Food. It was on sale for 2 for $4.00. There are $2.00 off one box coupons available - so I was able to stock up. I made a couple trips and did not clear the shelf until the last day of the sale. I still have coupons left so on the last day of the sale, I went and got a rain check to use with the rest of the coupons. You can't beat free!

My Thoughts about TLC's Extreme Couponing

2011-04-25T01:02:00.001-04:00

I have watched all the episodes of TLC's new series "Extreme Couponing" and I have mixed feelings about it. First off, it should not be viewed as a 'how-to' coupon show. The people featured on these shows have been at this for a while and know how to work the system. In the real world, no one is allowed to make 18 individual transactions in one visit, or purchase sixty some mustards at one time. Every store I've been in sets limits and will not honor your coupons, which in my opinion is exactly how it should be.

However, as much as it rather disgusts me that the featured people are getting away with coupon abuse, I do enjoy the show in that it has given me some new ideas and tips. If not for the show, I would have not checked out the site Weusecoupons.com which is a great site! They also showed one shoppers coupon categories list in her coupon binder, which inspired me to redo my coupon binder to be better organized.

So in the words of one of my favorite sitcom themes: "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and there you have the Facts of Life!"

Shopping with Coupons at the Drugstores (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid)

2011-04-24T03:34:00.003-04:00

How I Got Started Shopping Drugstores

I started shopping drugstores with coupons when, just like you, I did a little research online, and discovered other couponers saving lots of money on everyday item. I started by doing just a deal or two a week until I became comfortable using coupons and "Rolling" my Extra Care Bucks and Register Rewards, etc., and using them and coupons as if they were cash. It takes some planning but you too can get everyday items for free or really cheap.

I've learned the key is moderation

Once you get started couponing at the drugstores, trust me it can get a little intense. Unfortunately, I lived in a rather small town when I started couponing back before couponing was a national series on TLC, so there was just a few of us in town that couponed on a "more informed level" then others and I ran into a few snags along the way.

At first, since I was getting things for free, I would often get extra coupons and make several trips each week stocking up on something like free or cheap shampoo. I was stocking up to the point where I was not only running into town and making several trips, but also clearing shelves and taking 5 or 6, or more bottles at a time. I remember one time there was such a good deal, I purchased a shopping cart full of Herbal Essences shampoos and only paid a few dollars for all of them along with coupons and catalinas.

I've since set some priorities. I don't take more than I really need and I don't clear shelves anymore. I am considerate to my fellow deal shoppers. My only exception to the rule is if it on clearance or it is late in the day on the very last day of the sale.

I've also learned that cashiers and managers often misunderstand couponers. I have been asked to leave both a CVS and a Meijer because of big couponing trips. Both stores actually told me they would refuse to sell me anything more because I was getting too many things for free. I had to contact their corporate offices and received apologies from both companies. I never got in an argument or yelled, but it was an awkward situation to be put in when I was doing nothing wrong. I think with the increase in coupon users, cashiers and managers are becoming more coupon friendly then they were a few years ago.

Stayed tuned this week, when I walk you through how to start shopping the drugstores effectively and maximizing your savings.

My Meijer Freebies

2011-04-22T03:27:00.008-04:00

Sorry for no pictures. I put things away without even thinking about it. Meijer was sooo busy today. I picked up:

1 - Meijer Multi-Purpose Contact Solution ($4.99) <-- no bargain here - just needed this

2 - Lysol Cleaning Wipes Tubs (3 for $5)

1 - AirWick Freshmatic Starter Kit ($7.35)

Minus:

2 - $1.50 off Lysol Cleaning Wipes (via facebook) coupon

1 - $4.00 AirWick Freshmatic coupon (adjusted to $3.35)

1 - mperks $4.00 off any AirWick Freshmatic

1 - $5.00 mperks bonus coupon (some people got $.50, or $2, but I got $5!)

Total came to $.80 oop!!

--------------------------------

In a second transaction I stocked up on food for the Easter weekend. Some of the bargains I picked up were:

2 packs Orbits gum (2 free gum coupons from Seventeen magazines)

2 Duncan Hines Brownie mixes ($.10 each with 2 - $.50 coupons doubled to $1.00 off)

Free 2 liter Red Pop with coupon for buying 2 dozen eggs for coloring

2 - Birdseye Frozen Vegetables - ($.39 each after $1.00/2 coupon)

I type in my Mperks number EVERY time I go to Meijer, even if I don't have a coupon to use off of it. I'm wondering if this helped me get a $5 mperks coupon? I'll probably never know, but I have just turned it into a habit just like giving cashier's my CVS card or Kroger card.

Wordless Wednesday - April Showers Bring May Flowers

2011-04-20T18:40:00.003-04:00

Loving Meijer MPerks!

2011-04-14T15:21:00.005-04:00

I went to Meijer today to try out the Mperks on my new cell phone. I got:

12 Meow Mix cups

minus 3 - $1 coupons

2 Franks Red Hot Sauce - $.99 each

minus 2 $.50 coupons doubled to $.99 each = FREE

25 lbs Fresh Step Cat Litter - $9.99

minus $3 Mperks

minus $1.50 coupon

1 Garnier Herbalshine Hair Color - $5.99

minus $3 mailer coupon

minus $3 Mperks = FREE

2 Powereade $.79 each (meant to grab Powerade Zero for BOGO Mperks)

Minus $5 Mperks new account coupon

Grand total plus tax for all pictured was: $6.68

My Extreme Couponing Week

2011-04-09T23:49:00.005-04:00

Let me clarify, not one shelf was cleared in the making of this picture. :)

As most of you know, Meijer had Bisquick on sale for $1 a box this week. I purchased 20 coupons for $.50 off each Bisquick from online. Since my Meijer doubles up to $.50 this would make the Bisquick free. I then preceded to spend the week making several trips to a couple Meijer stores in my city. I would do several transaction at a time, because they only double two like coupons per transaction, but I would always leave boxes behind for others. Quite frankly, I would do that because not only would I feel guilty to be a shelf clearer (which I despise), but also embarassed to be getting so many at a time for free.

Total cost for all these boxes was $1.75 (the cost of the coupons). I already gave a box to my mom but needless to say I'm done buying Bisquick for quite a while. Waffles or shortcake anyone?

Kroger Run

2011-03-30T17:17:00.003-04:00

Today was the last day for my lastest Kroger ad, so I made a quick run to the store. I got:

14 boxes of pasta

2 Tuna packets

6 Vitamin waters

Total before Discounts = $21.99

Minus Mega Sale Savings = $10.00

Minus Pasta and Tuna coupons = $11.00

Grand total for all shown **drum roll** = $.99

Meijer Deals 3/20/11- 3/26/11

2011-03-18T15:41:00.001-04:00

Just got the ad for next week at Meijer. I don't think it is the greatest week they've ever had but there are a few good deals.

Fresh-like Veggies $1.00
$.50/2 coupon from 3/20 RP
= $.75 each

Oscar Meyer Lunchables are $1.00 - no coupon needed. I love these. They are great for no fuss snacks for my kids.

If you see anything that is a good price, let me know.

$1 + FREE Shipping LED Head Lamp

2011-03-13T01:20:00.002-05:00

Go HERE and you can purchase a Thinktank LED Head Lamp with adjustable head strap for only $1.00 and it has free shipping! This is the sort of thing I pick up for unique birthday gifts.

Groupon!!

2011-03-12T01:42:00.002-05:00

Maybe you saw the funny Superbowl commerical for this. I signed up for Groupon a couple months ago and I am loving it! If you haven't heard of it, once you register, they will email you a special deal, once a day, for local businesses. Sometimes they are even national chains. I recently purchase a Groupon for Redbox. For $1 I received 3 Redbox rental codes or $.33 a movie rental!

I encourage you to click here and try it out. Its free to sign up and you can cancel the email at anytime.

Happy Shopping!!

Cottonelle Coupon is Back!!

2011-03-12T01:04:00.002-05:00

I'm sooo excited! Its been a long time since we've seen a $.50 off 1 4-pack of Cottonelle toilet paper. Go here and you can print out several unique coupons. I was able to print off 6 coupons but others have reported only being able to print out 2 or 4.

The last time this coupon was available I was able to get free toilet paper at Krogers.

Happy Shopping!

Rue La La Nearly Free Gift Set

2010-12-09T08:18:00.001-05:00

Rue La La has Tea Forte sets today. The set above is only $15.00 which would make it nearly free if you still have your $20 credit available.

CVS: 2 FREE Dawn Hand Renewals!!

2010-10-11T08:40:00.002-04:00

I stopped at CVS today used my 2 $1.00 coupons from my Home Made Simple booklets/fliers and got two Dawn Hand Renewals with Olay for Free. The register did beep because they are priced at $.97 and the coupon is for $1.00 off. The cashier adjusted one coupon but not the other. So with tax, I paid just a few cents for both.

I haven't been CVSing in sooo long I have no ECB's. I got a little burnt out. Time for me to start building them up again though. I long for the Contour monitor days of $10 ECB's. :)

My Sunday

2009-08-09T21:52:00.003-04:00

What does any normal couponer do on a hot, steamy, Sunday afternoon? Answer: run around from store to store using the rest of her coupons that are about to expire today - of course! Here is a picture of a small portion of my take for the day. The most I paid for any one of the boxes was $.50 plus tax.

My Meijer Run This Week

2009-08-09T00:47:00.003-04:00

Okay I will be the first to admit that I could have made a lot more trips to Meijer this week and stock up, but I just wasn't in the mood to. I did manage to get several Skippy peanut butters for just a few cents. Each peanut butter cost $1.33. So:
2 Skippy Naturals - $2.66
Minus 2 $.40 coupons (doubled) - $1.60
Minus $1 catalina that prints out for buying 2 Skippy Naturals
Equals - $.03 FOR EACH JAR OF PEANUT BUTTER

(Yes, there is a mealbox coupon for $1/2 peanut butter in which I could've gotten overage, but I just wanted to fly under the radar this week) ;)

From Necessity to Recycler

2009-08-07T17:50:00.002-04:00

My new, "save a little tiny part of the earth" project: Using my extra envelopes from advertisers and old bills. I stick a sticker on the window part and viola, free envelope. (my husband thinks I'm nuts) :)

Did I go overboard? ;)

2009-08-04T10:12:00.002-04:00

There's no such thing as having too many coupons, right? LOL

I just had to share what I will be doing this week - clipping coupons. ;)

This week's Meijer Run

2009-07-31T23:09:00.003-04:00

The sale at Meijer this week was great! I got:
Meijer Milk - $1.98
Meijer Chocolate Milk - $2.05
Oscar Meyer Beef Franks - $3.58
2 Betty Crocker Delights - $2.00
2 Dole Oranges - $2.00
Aunt Millie Bread - $1.00
5 Breyers Ice Cream - $5.00
Hair Color - $6.00
2 Kashi Waffles - $4.50
Angel Soft Bath Tissue - $1.00
MINUS COUPONS:
Free Chocolate Milk WYB Gallon Milk
Free Oscar Meyer Franks
$.50 Dole coupon doubled - from a Woman's Day Magazine
$.35 Aunt Millie coupon doubled
5 - $1.00 Breyers coupons - makes this FREE
$2.00 Hair color coupon
Free Kashi Waffle coupon
$1.50 Kashi Waffle coupon
and of course if you purchase 10 of the $1 items you get the 11th free
MY GRAND TOTAL FOR ALL PICTURED & PURCHASED WAS ==== $6.82
I saved $37.18

Now at my Meijer you can only double two like coupons so then I did two more orders each for 2 Betty Crocker Delights and got them completely free after coupons.

Yay!!!!!

Kroger's Mega Sale ROCKS!!

2009-07-19T23:57:00.004-04:00

Last night, out of pure boredom, I looked over the Kroger ad and found I had coupons for several of the items in their Mega Sale. If you buy 10 items you get $5 off your order. I had a coupon for each item in this picture and ended up paying a total $2.67 for all that you see pictured. I was so happy. :)

Success!!!

2009-06-27T22:58:00.002-04:00

I held a 2-day garage sale. The weather for both days was perfect!! I sold A LOT of items and I am very happy. :) Now to put my garage back together. *sigh*

Garage Sale Time!

2009-06-20T22:03:00.003-04:00

All this week I am working on my garage sale. I am finally getting to the point of the sale that I love. I've went through most of my things and piled them out in the garage and this week I get to start cleaning and organizing the garage. The best part is the weather looks like it is going to be great all week and through the weekend.

SCORE!!

2009-06-07T13:09:00.002-04:00

I went to CVS today and they had about 6 Contour monitors in stock!! I was so happy. I picked up two and used my $30 coupons to get two $5.00 Extra Care bucks with two cards. I normally don't use two cards. In fact, at one time I had five extra care cards (one for each member of the family) and they all had extra care bucks on them. In my prime CVS days, I would hold a balance of about $60 in extra care bucks on each card. I got a lot of free and nearly free things, but the "stress" of driving to different CVS's and trying to keep the ECB rolling wasn't worth it to me.

Now, I have one primary card and I currently have just the $5.00 extra care buck on it. I used my spare card today only because it was a free $5 ECB and I had the Contour coupons. I will most likely use this extra $5 ECB within the next few days so I will be back to just the one card. The chances of me rolling the ECB on my primary card are also very slim. Again, I'm just not that into CVS anymore.

I also picked up two boxes of Shredded Mini Wheats today. They are buy one get one free and I had a buy one get one free coupon from Vocalpoint making both boxes free!

Meijer Run

2009-06-02T16:42:00.006-04:00

I went to Meijer today and got:
2 cans Dole Mandarin Oranges = $1 each - (2) $.50 Qs doubled = Free
2 boxes Nabisco 100 calorie snacks = $2.50 each - (2)$.50qs - (2) Meijer mealbox q's = $2 for both
1 box of Meijer ice cream = $2.50 - get free promotion if you buy 2 Nabisco snacks = Free
10 BAGS of McCains frozen french fries = $.64 - $.75q's = Free

GRAND TOTAL OUT OF POCKET = $2.11 !!!!!!!!

Make sure you watch your coupons - I noticed they missed one of my coupons. :( They were sooo busy today and there was an awful nasty/grumpy woman using the self-checkout next to me. I felt so sorry for my cashier because he really was doing the best he could considering how busy they were.

I will be going back to Meijer to get more free fries later this week. No, I didn't take them all, seriously, there were a ton there. I hope to get well stocked for the summer. That's an easy addition to a meal when the kids have friends over.

Kroger Run

2009-05-31T18:47:00.002-04:00

Today I went to Kroger and got:
Purina Kitten Chow - $2.07 - Free coupon = $0
2 Powerades $.88 each - $.40/2 coupon doubled = $.96/2
Bacon - $5.49 - Free coupon = $0
Poptarts - $2.08
Bread - $.75 (clearanced)
Vitamin Water - $1.00 - $.50 coupon doubled = Free
2 Shamrock Chocolate milks - $1.00 each - (2) $.50 coupons doubled = Free
Frozen Pizza - $1.00
Carefree liners - $1.00 - $1.00 coupon = Free
Juicy Fruit - $1.29 - $1.19 coupon = $.10

I also had a $1.00 off your next purchase which brought my grand total out of pocket to -----> $3.90 !!!!!

My excitement today...

2009-05-30T19:54:00.002-04:00

Here are pictures of the cute little chipmunk that I saved from the evil clutches of my dog. haha Actually the dog pounced at the chipmunk wanting him to play and the chipmunk climbed up the side of my house for safety. He was cute little thing though. :)

My Meijer trip

2009-05-15T23:05:00.002-04:00

I got everything in this picture for $6.23!!!
I just had to brag. ;)

Just a quick update...

2009-05-12T00:13:00.003-04:00

I'm still here!!

I'm still way too busy to post regularly but I am still bargain shopping. :)

Today I went to Walmart and picked up some Febreze starter kits on clearance for $2.00 and used a $4.00 coupon on them (no overage - bummer) and I picked up the 2oz size J&J body care lotion for $.99 and used the $2.00 coupon from SS 4/19. I bought 5 Febreze and 4 J&J and paid $.97 total for all!!

This week I am stopping my Meijer to pick up some super cheap Mac & Cheese and Kelloggs cereal. I still have about (10) $2.50 Eletrosal coupons to use but seriously - how much dishwasher soap do I need? I already have about 20 boxes of the stuff. I just hate to see good coupons go to waste. LOL

Happy hunting!

My Bloggy Break

2009-02-07T01:00:00.002-05:00

I am currently taking a break from blogging. I have been uber-busy. I am currently selling on Ebay while downsizing my entire house, in preparing to move.

I am still getting some great bargains but not posting them.

Happy Bargain Hunting!!!

Went to Kroger and CVS

2009-01-18T00:13:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to find out that Kroger is continuing their sale on some of the items from last week's ad. Today I used the last two of my $.50 SoftSoap coupons because they are still on sale for $1 each. I ended up getting 42 free SoftSoaps from Kroger and Meijer. I saved some for my stockpile but I've given at least half of my total away. Krogers also has Powerade Zero on sale for $.88 a bottle. If you use the $.40 off coupon from 1/4 SS it makes them only $.08 a bottle. Unfortunately, someone at my Kroger cleared out the red Powerade Zeros, which are our favorites, so I picked up a couple of grape flavored.

I also stopped by CVS today and picked up some $.28 Revlon eyeshadow with the $2.00 coupon from 1/11 SS. The eye shadow was clearanced at 50% off. I also picked up a new Christmas tree skirt clearanced at 90% off for $.25.

My Trip to Meijer Today - Major Bargains

2009-01-17T17:06:00.004-05:00

I love Meijer. Today I picked up:

6 - Softsoaps - $1.00 each = $6.00 total
1 - Revlon Nail Enamel -$4.24 but on sale today for $2.12
8 - Beech-Nut Let It Grow Bowls - $.99 each - $7.92 total
2 - Green Giant Steamers - $1.00 each - $2.00 total

MINUS
6 - $.50 off Softsoap q's from 1/4 SS (Had to do this in 3 transactions at self-checkout)
1 - $2.00 off Revlon Color coupon from 1/11 SS
8 - $1.00 off Let It Grow Bowls from 1/11 SS
2 - $.50 off Green Giant Steamers from 1/4 SS

GRAND TOTAL OUT OF POCKET - $.49!!!
I SAVED $17.55 in coupons!!!!!
Like I said before, I just love Meijer. :)

Blogging at the library - I'm so hip (sorta)

2009-01-14T13:23:00.003-05:00

Well today I am spending the afternoon at the library and I decided to blog because, well, isn't that what all the creative people do?

Actually I am being forced to spend time here because I have to get some Ebay work done and I need an internet connection. I can not go home because the weather is absolutely awful outside and I can not drive up our steep, slippery hill. My husband drives me around in weather like this and until I pick the children up from school, and he gets off work, I am going to camp here at the library. If I do go home I will have to trek it, in the sub-zero temperatures, through snow, and I do not feel like doing that today.

I am so thankful for my laptop.

Meijer Run for under $2.00

2009-01-11T15:22:00.004-05:00

I dodged the snowflakes today and made a run to Meijer. I bought everything in the above picture and also a couple of the Betty Crocker potatoes (used coupons for them too) and a 2-liter of Pepsi. The grand total for everything using coupons, was under $2.00.

Not everything I purchase today is in the picture. I only posted a picture of all the items I got FREE with coupons from Meijer. I had to do three separate transactions for the soap, since my Meijer only doubles two like coupons.

I also received a catalina for 70 points in Box Tops for Education!

Kroger Run - $.16 !!

2009-01-08T19:56:00.003-05:00

Today I went to Kroger and picked up:

1 - Cottonelle Toilet paper 4-pack - $.99
2 - Nesquick Milks - $1.00 each
2 - SoftSoaps - $1.00 each
2 - Powerade Zeros - $.88 each

MINUS
1 - $.50 tp coupon
2 - $.50 milk coupons
2 - $.50 Softsoap coupons
2 - $.40 Powerade coupons

all coupons doubled for a grand total of $.16 !!!!!
Unfortunately, my Kroger only lets you double two of the same coupons so...
I will most likely be doing this transaction at least once every day for the next week. ;)

CVS Run - $.01 !!

2009-01-06T08:40:00.004-05:00

I ran to CVS this morning and picked up:
2 Febreeze candles - $1.99 each
2 SoyJoy Bar 6-packs - $6.00 each
1 Garnier Conditioner - $2.99

MINUS
2 - $2 off one Febreeze candle coupons
1 - $3 off 10 soyjoy bars
1 - $11.98 ECB

GRAND TOTAL (*drum roll*) - $.01 !!
and I got back $14.50 in ECB's to use next time I stop in.

The Febreeze candles are marked $7.99 on the shelf but I price checked them. The Apple Spice, Fresh Evergreen, Cinnamon Medley, and Vanilla scents are ringing up at $1.99 - with the $2 off coupon they are FREE!!

TRIP #2
I went back and got:
1 - Covergirl Powder pack priced 50% of $8.00
2 - SoyJoy bar box - $6.00 each
MINUS
$1 Covergirl Coupon
$3 off 10 SoyJoy bar coupon

GRAND TOTAL ---> $0.00 out of pocket!!!!

No big bargains today

2009-01-04T23:26:00.002-05:00

I didn't make my usual Sunday run today. The weather was icy this morning and there were not enough great bargains to venture out. I did make it to Walmart this evening to pick up my last, nearly free with coupon, pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. The Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream is my absolute favorite!

Here is what I did today...

2009-01-02T16:04:00.000-05:00

I cleaned out the fridge!! Sparkly! Jealous!?! LOL

Bolt

2009-01-02T11:28:00.001-05:00

Last night we used some of our FREE movie tickets from the Ponds deal back in September, to go to the new 3-D movie Bolt with my littlest one. He loved it - and so did I. The hamster and the pigeons were my favorite. I know the movie has been out for quite a while, but to use our free tickets we have to trek to the 'big city'. So, if you haven't seen this movie yet - I highly recommend it. Go!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

Walmart & Meijer Run - $1.87!

2008-12-31T16:34:00.000-05:00

Today I went to Meijer and picked up:
6 - Tummy Trays - $.40 each = $2.40
2 - Mini Meals - $1.00 each = $2.00
3 - Lifesaver Bags - $1.00 each = $3.00
3 - Progresso Soups - $1.00 each = $3.00
1 - Set of Ponytail holders - $2.49
TOTAL BEFORE TAX: $12.89
minus 8 - $1.00 Q's for Tummy Trays & Mini Meals (FREE)
minus 3 - $1.00 Q's for Lifesaver Bags (FREE)
minus 3 - $1.10 Q's for Progresso Soups (FREE)
minus 1 - $2.00 Q for ponytail holders ($.49)

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET AT MEIJER (*drum roll*) - $.87 !!!

On to Walmart...

I purchased:
2 - Ben & Jerry pints of ice cream - $3.28 each = $6.56
1 - Set of Ponytail holders - $2.28
TOTAL BEFORE TAX: $8.84
minus 2 - $3.00 Q's for Ben & Jerry ice cream ($.56)
minus 1 - $2.00 Q for ponytail holders ($.28)

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET AT WALMART (*drum roll*) - $1.00

Total for everything - $1.87!!! Yay!!

Free Soup

2008-12-30T15:40:00.000-05:00

Campbell's Select soup is running a promotion right now where you can text the word "select" to 467467 and they will text you back and ask for your zip and address and such. Then they will mail out a coupon for a FREE can of Campbell's Select Harvest Soup. It only took me a few minutes to text all the info. I've never tried this soup because it's rather expense - but for free, I'll give it a whirl!

Things I "lost"

2008-12-29T15:29:00.000-05:00

Well its been a few days since a tree buried my bedroom and I'm starting to find out what exactly I lost. I could remember the obvious things like the side tables and lamp and phone charger and such. But as I go on about my life it's the little things I'm discovering that I am going to miss.

Last night I went to find a couple of coupons that I ment to use before the end of the year, only to discover they were in my other purse - which was laying beside my bed. So I went to dig through the rubble and after a few minutes I found my purse - coupons intact, just very wet. I also discovered one of my fuzzy slippers in the rubble. I'm sure the other is somewhere near but I could not find him. Oh, and I found my phone.

The best discovery was a snowglobe that I was sure had perished under all the weight, but I found it without even a chip on it. I am hoping to go digging again when my husband gets home and looking for a couple of delicious smelling, vanilla soy candles that were beside my bed. Hopefully, they made it through - cross your fingers for me!

No Bargain Shopping For Me

2008-12-28T18:18:00.001-05:00

Well, normally on Sundays I am scouring the newspapers looking over the new ads and coupons and finding every bargain, but not today. I spent today sweeping, vacuuming, and then sweeping some more. Oh, and washing clothes and blankets and everything. Ick. I think I will be sweeping insulation up for the next 10 years. So no bargains to report, but my house is starting to look normal again despite the fact the contents of my bedroom are now scattered throughout the house. :(

Our "Christmas Tree"

2008-12-26T11:55:00.000-05:00

My Christmas did not go has wonderfully as planned. When a cold front moved in and the temperature dropped, the wind picked up, and down came a very large dead tree onto our house.

Thankfully, no one was in our bedroom at the time. Thankfully, thankfully, thankfully no one in our family was hurt. But now the clean up begins.

Its been a LONG winter already.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T11:54:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Our gingerbread house

2008-12-23T12:08:00.000-05:00

Our littlest one and I made a gingerbread house out of graham crackers. Here is the before picture:

And here is the finished masterpiece:

As you can tell, we used a lot of left over Easter and Halloween candy. It was a great way to empty out the candy bowl before Christmas.

Never say Hate

2008-12-22T02:39:00.000-05:00

We have an ongoing rule in our house - try not to say the word 'hate'. I think it sounds so harsh and mean-spirited. That being said, I catch myself saying it sometimes. Especially when the weather gets to be as bad as it is now. "I strongly dislike this weather" but that statement does not seem to do my feelings justice.

We live at the end of a lane that begins with a very steep hill. It's so steep, the snow plows refuse to plow it in the winter. Most of the winter my trash does not get picked up, or my packages delivered, or anything else delivered! Its very frustrating because sometimes even we can't make it up the hill!

So for the record, rule or no rule - I hate my hill right now. I love, love, love it in the summer, but this winter, I officially hate it - and the weather too!

CVS Bargains for the week of 12/21

2008-12-21T21:17:00.000-05:00

Today it was only 13 degrees outside with a wind chill that doesn't really matter because if it's only 13 degrees outside its too cold out already, right? Anywho, I did make it into CVS despite the weather. I went in the afternoon and expected to see many of the 'free after ECB' to be gone, but I was pleasantly surprised to see them all nearly untouched. I didn't feel like shopping today - and my dear husband didn't feel like me shopping today (he drove me in) - so I just grabbed the sale items that I really wanted which was the nail polish and eye shadow.

I grabbed 2 Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine Nail Colors (black and deep purple for me) and one L'Oreal HIP Metallic eye shadow duos (brown shades).

So my deal was:
2 Nail Colors = $5.99 each
1 Eye Shadow = $6.99 each
Minus $17.98 ECB from Black Friday sales

Total Out of Pocket = $1.06
AND I got back a $11.98 ECB for the nail color and a $6.99 ECB for the eye shadow.

I may go back and get another eye shadow if I have time since the limit is two, but only if I have time tomorrow.

Walmart.com Clearance

2008-12-20T17:33:00.000-05:00

There are few things in this house that gather the same attention from littlest one as the video games he dearly loves. That one creature would be Spiderman. I imagine when he is old enough to play a video game with Spiderman in it, he may explode from excitement. Anywho, Walmart online has a great clearance section with some awesome bargains. The key to getting the best deal is to check the site often. I usually check several times a day. They are constantly marking down the price of their clearance and once it gets to $4.00 and under, it usually gets sold out pretty fast.

I picked up a pair of a pair Spiderman shoes for my littlest one - which also comes with a comic book and a Spiderman action figure. I used the free site to store shipping and my order should be ready to pick up before Christmas at my local Walmart. All this for a grand total of $4.00!

Trade Ins

2008-12-19T02:45:00.000-05:00

At our house, we have what are different generations of video games. My oldest played video games on a different system then my youngest now does. So we had several video games and console systems that were going unused. Normally, I sell our unused items on Ebay, but video games are not the best sellers on Ebay, especially older ones.

However, we have a local store here in town that recently opened up, that takes trade ins of used video games - and for store credit. This is great for us because we still love our video games in this household.

Anywho, I was able to take a boat-load of our older games and consoles and trade them in for store credit of some new and used video games. This ReaLLy helped out my Christmas spending. Video games can be so expense. So I encourage you to look into trading in your older, unused video games. We were able to purchase several video games and videos for next to nothing!

Kohls $5 off coupon

2008-12-16T01:25:00.000-05:00

I felt rather jaded when the Kohls opened up in our town a couple of months ago. It seemed like everyone in our small, sleepy, little town got a $10 off coupon in the mail from Kohls - but me. But I recently signed up for their email alerts online, and received a $5 off coupon for my next purchase. Since I have a couple of email addresses - yep, you bet, I signed up for, and received a couple of $5 off coupons. Now, I don't recommend signing up more than once, because it does state one $5 off per household, and I don't want to ruin this deal for the next deal shopper, but I never received my $10 off coupon and using 2 of these coupons, took that chip off my shoulder. I used my coupons with in-store sale items for a couple of inexpensive, but very nice, Christmas presents. Thank you Kohls, I now will shop there without a grudge. :)

Auctiva - Don't Ebay without it.

2008-12-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me, knows I am addicted to Ebay. It is the ultimate bargain shop. I like to search for auctions that are listed wrong or spelled wrong and go places on Ebay that I can really get a great bargain.

I also sell a lot of items on Ebay for extra spending cash. I list items for my extended family and take a small cut of the profits. So here is my tip of the day - I highly recommend that anyone who lists on Ebay use Auctiva.com. It is free and gives your listings that extra touch that makes them look professional. I use it almost everytime I list. On the rare occasion I am listing a book or something very straight forward, I use the Ebay lister, but that is rare. I've found that using Auctiva does actually increase my profits. It looks like you put a lot more time and thought into your listing and I think buyers trust that more over a rushed, boring auction listing.

Trust me on this - Auctiva, Don't Ebay without it.

Re-start :)

2008-12-08T23:24:00.000-05:00

I know I have posted my many coupon successes and bargains since starting this blog earlier this year, however, I wanted a fresh start. I have also chosen a new layout to go with my re-start. I hope you like it and I look forward to sharing more ideas with all of you!