Ok, so I went on my coupon shopping adventure and I have to tell you, it was MORE than worth the time I put into it!  I had stated earlier that I wasn't going to CVS today, but decided to drop by.  From what I've read, there will be better savings for next week (flyer out on Sunday), so I'll use my 25% off then!  Most of what I got today wasn't anything I needed, but I WILL need.  So, I'm stocking up now while there is a good sale at the store AND I have a manufacturers coupon.  Several of the items I purchased were completely free - like toothpaste.  We go through toothpaste big time in this house and it isn't cheap.  Needless to say, I don't have to buy it for awhile The whole point of shopping like this IS to stock up on items you use.  I'm not going to buy things that I don't use unless I get them for free.  At that point I'll decide if I want to try it out, or donate it. Either way, its worth getting it if its free!

Here's how my savings panned out today:

Savings at Walgreens:

Total Value of Items Purchased	$45.86
Total Cash Back or Register Rewards	$  3.00
Total I paid	$25.26
SAVINGS	$20.60

Savings at CVS:

Total Value of Items Purchased	$43.49
Total Cash Back or Extra Bucks	$ 4.99
Total I paid	$22.08
SAVINGS	$16.42

I think I did pretty good for my first try!  Just think how much I'll save in a grocery store.  I plan to try that out next week.  If you get a chance, let me know how you think I did - it would be much appreciated!  Have a great rest of the day

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I know I said yesterday that I would finish up my coupon binder and post some pictures of it, but it just didn't get finished last night!  We had a very busy day yesterday and once I sat down with my glass of wine to enjoy Bones, I had a phone call(s) from a couple of old friends.  After our 3 way call was over, I just didn't feel like doing anything else with it!  Promise, it will get done today.

BUT - I'm gathering all my stuff right now to go on my first "shopping trip with coupons adventure".  I decided to start slow, because this is all so new to me and confusing as all get out!  So, I'm starting with Walgreens and CVS.  I'm going to lay out my plan here, then after I've gone on my shopping trip, I will post again with results!

First and foremost, learning the coupon lingo is very difficult - so I keep referring back to my coupon lingo cheat sheet. I've included a copy here - thanks so much to both The Coupon Game and The Frugal Coupon Mom for posting all of this valuable information.  Without these two sites, I would never be able to make sense of all of this!!

So here are my plans for coupons today. I found it easiest to go to one of the sites above and copy/paste the items that I want to buy OR have the coupons for.  These places are great because they list the exact deal from the store, along with any coupons you could possibly get/have.  They break it down by actual price vs coupon then give you a bottom line price. I've gathered all my coupons, printed my lists for each store and I'm ready to go!  Just know it took me quite awhile since (1) I'm new to this (2) My binder isn't finished   Once that is done, I'm sure it will go much faster!  Anything in RED means the item will be free after all coupons/rebates.

Walgreens

Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer, 16 oz
Price BOGO $2.49 - 2 $1/1 Printable = Pay $.49/2 ($.25/each)
or
Price BOGO $2.49 - $1.50/2 Printable = $.99/2 ($.50/each)

Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, 4 oz
Price $3.49 - $2.50/1 ESQ - $1.50/1 March All You Magazine Q = FREE + $.51 overage
or
Price $3.49 - $2.50/1 ESQ - $1/1 Printable or $1/1 All Well & Good Coupon Booklet = FREE
or
Price $3.49 - $2.50/1 ESQ - $.75/1 from 2/22 SS = Pay $.24

Advil PM Liqui-Gels, 16 ct or Caplets, 20 ct
Price $4.49 - $2/1 Printable = Pay $2.49 (Receive $2 RR)
Final Price $.49
or
Price $4.49 - $1/1 Printable or $1/1 from 3/8 RP = Pay $3.49 (Receive $2 RR)
Final Price $1.49

Aquafresh Toothpaste, 6.4 oz - Weekly Flier Q
Price $.99 - $.75/1 Printable = Pay $.24

Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste, Whitening or Enamel Shield, 4.2 oz
Price $2.49 - $1/1 Printable Whitening = Pay $1.49 (Receive $1 RR)
Final Price $.49

Electrasol Gelpacs or Powerball Tablets, 20 ct or Jet Dry, 8.45 oz
Price $3.99 - $.50/1 from 2/8 SS (exp. 3/8) Electrasol = Pay $3.49 (Receive $1 ESR)
Final Price $2.49

Garnier Fructis Hair Care, 2-13 oz (excludes Serum, 5.1 oz)
Price $2.99 - $2/1 ESQ - $1/1 from 3/8, 2/8 or 1/4 RP = FREE

Gillette Fusion Gamer Manual or Power Razor
Price $8.99 - $4/1 from 2/8 P&G = Pay $4.99 (Receive $4 RR)
Final Price $.99

Glade Air Fresheners, Plugins Scented Oil Lasting Impressions, 1.4 oz or Sense & Spray Kit
Price $7.99 - $4/1 ESQ - $4/1 from 2/8 SS or $4/1 March All You Magazine = FREE

Irish Spring Body Wash, 15 or 18 oz
Price $4.49 = Pay $4.49 (Receive Catalina Q for FREE Irish Spring Body Wash for use on your next purchase)
Final Price $4.49/2 ($2.25/each)

Right Guard or Dry Idea Antiperspirant/Deodorant, 2.25-4 oz (excludes aerosol, clinical, and professional strength)
Price $2.99 = Pay $2.99 (Receive $2 RR)
Final Price $.99

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails
Price 2/$3 - 2 $.50/1 from 3/8 RP = Pay $2/2 ($1/each)

Skintimate or Edge Shave Gel, 7 oz
Price $1.99 = Pay $1.99 (Receive $1 RR)
Final Price $.99

Smart Balance Butter Spread, 15 oz
Price BOGO $2.99 - $1/2 from 2/1 RP = Pay $1.99/2 ($.99/each)

Walgreens Extra Strength Headache Relief, Quick Gels, 20 ct
Price $2.99 (Receive $2.99 ESR)
Final Price FREE

Dry Idea Antiperspirant/Deodorant, 2.25-4 oz (excludes aerosol, clinical, and Professional Strength)
Price $2.99 - $2/1 Printable Roll-On variety, if included = Pay $.99/1 (Receive $2 RR)
Final Price $1.01 Money Maker!!

CVS - Not going today, but waiting until 3/14 so I can use my additional 25% off coupon on my whole purchase!

Dry Idea, 2-4 oz

Price $2.99/1 - $2/1 Printable = Pay $.99/1 (Receive $2 ECB)

Final Price $1.01 Money Maker!!

Arm & Hammer 2X Liquid Laundry Detergent, 32 loads
Price BOGO $6.99 - 2 $1/1 Printable = Pay $4.99/2 ($2.50/each)

Colgate Total, 4.2 oz
Price BOGO 2.79 - 2 $1/1 Printable or $1/1 All Well & Good Coupon Booklet = Pay $.79/2
CVS Brand Vitamin D-400, 100 ct
Price $2.99 (Receive $2.99 ECB)
Final Price FREE

Palmolive Dish Soap, 10 oz
Price $1.49 (Receive $1 ECB)
Final Price $.49
*Limit 2 offers per CVS card

Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste, 4.2 oz, Rinse, 250ml or Oral-B Floss, 27-55 yds
Price $2.99 - $1/1 from 2/8 P&G = Pay $1.99 (Receive $2 ECB)
Final Price FREE + $.01 overage!

I'll be back later today (hopefully) to report on my success!  For now, here is your quote for the day, fitting for Friday the 13th!

“It is bad luck to fall out of a thirteenth story window on Friday”  LOL!

Happy Friday

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Today I'm just going to talk a bit about some deals I've found while doing some research and also a few tips from a friend of mine on Facebook.  I asked for her permission to post a few tips because I think they are great!

Tips from Facebook Friends:

1. Sears -  If you have little kids, you should buy clothes (especially shoes and jeans for boys) at Sears using the Kidvantage program. If they wear holes in the knees or hineys, you can trade them in for a new pair in the exact same size. The hand-me-downs are always brand new if you have other kids. Also, when she went to trade in shoes, she found that if she picked a trade-in pair off the clearance rack, they usually didn't mind if she got a bigger size!  She didn't have to buy new shoes for nearly 3 years!
2. Walmart - Wal-Mart will honor any other store's sale ads. So, you can save a bit of time by taking the sale paper with you to Wal-Mart and getting the same cheap prices other places have.
3. Aldi - Is usually cheaper than any of the grocery stores' sale prices
4. Freebies - Have you ever visited http://freakyfreddies.com ? They have the best links for freebies on the web!
5. Vonage - She went with Vonage phones ages ago and love the cost savings we get with it.
6. Eating Out - If she and her hubby eat out, they split an entree - for two good reasons: no one needs that much food and it's cheaper, too!

All great tips - thanks to my anonymous Facebook friend!

This morning I came across something I'm really excited about!  I found it over on the FreeCycle site that I posted about a couple days ago. Its called "Your Neighborhood Produce".  This is a great concept and I've been looking into Grocery Co-Ops lately - but this is a Produce Co-Op.  Basically, here is how it goes - You register on the site for free, but first check to see if they have a Co-Op near you.  You pay $16 per fresh produce basket IF you want to purchase.  You are under no obligation to buy anything by registering. Your $16 along with other participants $16 are then pooled together.  They are then able to buy a large amount of fresh, restaurant quality produce by the case.  After its purchased, the produce is equally divided among the participants.   They have a calendar on the site where you can see the dates and times of distribution near you.  You pay the $16 dollars and sign up for that date.  They have one near me on 3/23, I paid this morning and I'm excited to see what I get!  I'll let you know if its worth it

This is a great tip and I found it at The Coupon Dad.  Stop using your debit card or credit card for your purchases. You lose track of what you are spending and tend to overspend.  He suggests ONLY using cash.  Very simple, but not something I do and I'm sure it will help me tone down my purchases - especially at the grocery store!

Grocery Savings & Other Miscellaneous Tips - I've talked alot about things I'm doing (or starting to do!), to save money.  While I've been reading and thinking (back up - that could be dangerous!), I realized that even though I have pretty out of control grocery bills, I have already been doing a few things right! Yeah for me!  Here are some of these things.

• Years ago I came across a great deal on the bargain meat at the grocery store.  I bought a TON because I have a lot of carnivores in my house!  I also have an old refrigerator/freezer in the basement where I can store this stuff.  If you don't have an extra, I strongly suggest you get one if you have a place to put it.  I got mine for free and its been wonderful!  Run over to the FreeCycle site and see if anyone is giving one away!  Anyway, after I bought all that meat, every time I went in, I would look for the bargain meat - sometimes I found it, sometimes not.  Then I had an epiphany!!  Talk to the manager of the meat department and just ask what time of day they primarily mark the meat down.  I did that and now, you better get there before me because I buy it ALL!  I do this at 2 grocery stores and both of my freezers stay full all the time.
• Meal plan, meal plan, meal plan - I cannot stress this enough!  With so many kids, this is something I always do.  We do not eat out, except for the occasional pizza.  With the right coupons, pizza can sometimes be less expensive to buy for so many people - especially if the kids have a ton of friends over.  I plan all my meals from the meat, to side items, etc.  I know every night what we will be having for dinner a couple weeks in advance.  In fact, I get irritated when my planned meal is screwed up by the miscellaneous ball games and extracurricular activities.  Ask my kids!  I've thrown an occasional fit about it!  I love to cook and love to see my family enjoy it.  There is nothing better than hearing your son talking about how good it smells and how good you cook!
• Meal planning leads me to the next item.  Bulk cook!  If you are going to make, lets say, spaghetti for dinner one night.  While you are cooking the hamburger for the spaghetti sauce, why not cook enough of it for vegetable soup the next night, and maybe lasagna for a few nights down the road?!  Cook it all up and freeze it in portions good for certain meals.  I do this all the time and not only does it make good sense, it saves you so much time.  Who doesn't need extra time?!

These are just a few - so I'm doing some things right.  Now I just have to get the "coupon clipping using thing" in place.  I'm getting there, and I'm getting pumped about it!  Happy Thursday

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As I stated in one of my previous posts about cutting coupons, while I was out of town last week I started making a list of things we could do to cut some costs.  Coupon cutting (and using!) is my first step.  This will be the hardest one and I'm slowly working towards it. Early this morning I started working on the other items.

• Health and Dental Insurance - Since we are unemployed and run our own business, we have to have independent health care which is very expensive.  Our premium just went up another $50 and has reached $600 a month.  Utterly ridiculous for 2 people, but we have to keep the insurance.  Thankfully, my ex husband carries the kids on his health insurance and I carry the dental for $110 a month for all six of us.  I was looking at a total of $710 a month for insurance - crazy I say, crazy!  I decided this morning to downgrade our health insurance.  Bigger deductibles, etc., but the health insurance premium went down to $397.  I really did not want to do this, but its necessary and I guess we will deal with the deductible when it happens.  Oh well, such is life, right?!
• Phone Costs - Everyone in our house has a cell phone - adults and kids.  I feel that the cell phones are a necessity these days and it makes it easy and convenient to keep up my kids at all times.  This is something I refuse to get rid of!   We all have texting and long distance as part of our plan, so there is no need to have all the bells and whistles on our home phone.  We don't have all of that, and our home phone bill is still $50 a month.  Again, ridiculous!  I can count on one hand the number of times we have actually used the home phone in the past few months.  It is literally, never used.  I would prefer to get rid of it altogether, but decided against that in case one of the kids is home alone and God forbid they have an emergency and their cell phones aren't charged (not that this would ever happen of course, right!).  I decided to get rid of the Bellsouth home phone and get digital phone through the cable company instead.  With our current plan we will only have to pay $19.99 a month and it won't change after 12 months.  This is a much better price for something we rarely ever use!
• Internet Costs - Due to the nature of our business, we need to have the best internet plan.  Web site development is not conducive to slow internet!!  Currently, we have 2 different plans - one for the kids and one just for us because we use so much bandwidth.  As of tomorrow, this will be ended.  Hubby is going to run all the new lines throughout the house and we will only have one plan with Roadrunner.  I'm cancelling the other plan at a savings of $42 a month.  It will probably make it a little more difficult in the evening when everyone is home and on the computer, but we will live!
• Cutting down on power usage - I'm going to follow the recommendations of some of my friends over on Facebook and start unplugging things that aren't being used and making sure to turn off lights and TV's when not in a room.  I have no idea how much this will save, but it can't hurt and its good for the environment to cut down on power usage!

These are the things I've done this morning to cut costs.  I have a whole list of things to work on, but these are done OR in the process.  I'm taking baby steps, putting one foot in front of the other, and moving towards making our budget more manageable.  I'm moving forward instead of backward - thats about all I can do at the moment!

Happy Wednesday

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I came across this set of coupon tips (below) as I was cruising around the web this morning.  I've also come across alot of people trying to get you to pay for their services.  I don't know, I think I can do enough research that I can make this work myself.  It will be time consuming (especially at the beginning), but I'm committed to this.

Funny, I wrote my post yesterday about cutting coupons and Dr Phil had a whole show about it this morning.  I'll admit, I really do not like that show, but it happened to be on because we forgot to change the channel in our office to CNN!  I was glad I saw it today because the creator of The Frugal Mom website was on there. Interesting website.  Alot to read and digest, but she seemed really smart and organized.  She took an over-spending mom to Walmart for some groceries and was able to get $77 worth of groceries for about $16 - I was floored!!  That is the kind of savings I want to achieve eventually.

I took one small step towards it this morning.  I do not have a subscription to the newspaper because I read all my news online.  But, she said if you pay to get just the weekend newspaper, the savings you can get on ONE Sunday, will pay for the subscription.  I have alot of rewards points on various credit cards, so I got a subscription using my points.  No money spent really, so no big deal if it doesn't work!  She also said to ask your friends and neighbors if they use their coupons in the paper, and if not, get theirs also.  Simple idea - never thought of it.  Guess that is the reason I'm doing all this research.

The other thing she said that I found interesting is that once you get into the swing of using the coupons, if you are able to get items that you don't use for FREE -( ie: getting baby products even if you don't have a baby) - to get the items and then donate them!  What a great thing to do.  We ALL need any help we can get, so I will definitely keep this in mind while building my "coupon vault".

Here are a few of the tips I found this morning.  Now I'm off to continue my quest of cutting my grocery bill!  Happy Day to all

• Buy one, get one free. Depending on your store, you may be able to use two coupons. For example, let's say that Ziploc bags go on sale for $1.99, but they're also "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" with your store membership card. (Most grocery stores offer "membership" cards for free). At my store, I can use two $1 off coupons because I am essentially buying two boxes of Ziploc bags. Granted, my store is offering to give me one free, but that's their choice. I'm purchasing two boxes so I'm using two coupons. So, using my two $1 off coupons, I get $2 off two boxes for $1.99. In other words, I'm getting two boxes of Ziploc bags for free. (This also works with two 50 cents coupons if your store doubles coupons.)
• Free trial sizes. Would you rather pay $1.99 for a full-size deodorant or get four smaller sizes for free? Unless your coupon says "not good on trial size," "Good on 4.6 oz. only," etc., you can get almost any toiletry for free. Check the trial size bins for deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and even food. You can use them for travel or every day, give them to your local shelter, fill Christmas stockings, or make gift baskets.
• Buy this item, get a different product free. Many stores and manufacturers now offer free secondary items when you purchase two or more of selected products, such as "Buy two boxes of Cheerios, get a gallon of milk free." My store was running a special for a month: buy any two of the listed products and get a free disposable camera. I got three free cameras in one month for purchasing two containers of deodorant each time. What's more, the deodorant was free! Each of the deodorants was a trial size on sale for 99 cents, and I had several 50 cents off coupons (my store doubled them to $1 off). I got six sample sizes of deodorant and three 24-exposure disposable cameras for free.
• Stock up on in-store coupons. Many of those instant coupon feeders offer coupons, which are good for several months. Save several and then buy the product later when it's really on sale. I saved several $1 off coupons for Minute Maid Lemonade and then used them when it was on sale for $1.19. Who wouldn't want a half gallon of Minute Maid Lemonade for 19 cents?
• Look for double packages. One of my best buys was a two-pack of full-size Colgate shaving cream. They were selling two canisters, bundled in one wrapper, for 89 cents. I had a coupon for 40 cents off two (doubled to 80 cents), so I got two canisters for 9 cents total. I did this twice since I had two coupons and there was no limit on how many I could buy. So I purchased four canisters for 18 cents. Not bad at four and a half cents each!

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