End of the Month Coupon Print Reminder

Go to coupons.com there are tons of new Loreal coupons and now a $1/2 Nestle pure life coupon.  One of my favorie waters and I can always get good deals at a store that doubles coupons up to $2.

Day 6 of the Sharp Scissors Lady Giveaway!

Today is the last day of the giveaway and today is a Target gift card!  Go here to see the many ways you can enter!

Check out Hip 2 Save!

Go check out Hip 2 Save today she has posted a lot of clearance deals that are selling out fast.  Her site is all new as she suffered the same fate I did with getting her blog deleted.

Restaurant.com 80% off order plus free $10 Gift Certificate

Pretty good deal and it ends Thursday at midnight December 31st.  Sorry I'm late on this but I am with everything this week since I just got my blog restored this morning!

Enter Discount Code: Cheer at check out and hit Apply

Go here

Please search for my previous restraurant.com for an explanation on how it works.  (Sorry since I have so much to catch up on I'm keeping most posts short and sweet for a while.)

VGs Double Deals Wk 12/25/2009

Frozen
Aunt Jemima , Original French Toast (12.5 oz.), Buttermilk Pancakes (13.75 oz.) or Cinnamon French Toast Sticks (12.5 oz.), of Equal or Lesser Value, Save up to 2.39 on FREE pkg.  B1G1 (Not sure if $1/2 coupon will from coupons.com will work but will try!)

Grocery
Stacy's Pita or Bagel Chips 2/$5.00 or $2.50 each
$1.00/1 - 11/15 SS Final Cost $.50

Snack Factory Preztel Chips Price 2/$5.00 or $2.50 each
$1.00/1 Go here Final cost $.50

Celestial Seasonings Tea , 20-24 oz. Price $2.79
$1.00/2 12/06 SS Final Cost $1.79 each when you buy 2

Garden of Eatin' Corn Chips , 9 oz. $3.29
$1.00/1 Go here Final cost $1.29

Keebler Town House Crackers , (13-16 oz.), Bistro (12 oz.), Toppers (13.5 oz.) or FlipSides (11.7 oz.); or Cheez-It Crackers (11.5-13.7 oz.) 2/$5.00 or $2.50
Various coupons available on Coupons.com

Hunt's Tomatoes , (14.5-28 oz.), Paste (6-12 oz.) or Sauce (8-29 oz.); or Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes (10 oz.) 25% off full line
$1/3 Hunts here when you play the recession payback game or $1/4 from All You Magazine Final cost will vary

Saving in the "D" Blog

Here is another great metro Detroit blog.  She started out skeptical to the whole couponing/smart saving process and is now tracking her progress.  If you'd like to see then go to Saving in the "D"

Grocery Store Roll Call Week Ending 12/25/2009

Aldi's 3 Cans of Chicken $5.07 (We will assume this is a savings of 50% as of before.)

Total Spent: $5.07
Total Saved: $5.07
Percentage Saved: 50%

CVS #1
6 Items
Total Spent $10.51 off free gift card
Saved $30.20
100% free Due to gift card total saved $40.71 (and received $15 in extracare bucks!)
Total Spent: 0
Total Saved: $40.71
Percentage Saved: 100%

Meijer
Number of Items: 31 (Including $8.00 rocksalt!)
Total Spent: $19.44
Total Saved: $39.80
Percentage saved: 67.2%


CVS #2
1 Aleril Sleeping pills $1.99
1 Oral-B Toothbrush $2.99
5 Thermacare 1 Ct $2.49 each

1 $5 off any purchase of $15 or more at CVS coupon
5 $1/1 Any thermacare item
$6.00 in Exracarebucks
Total Spent off free gift card$2.18
Total Saved: $16.50
(However still using FREE gift card so reality saved 100%) Woo hoo!
And received $16.44 in ECBs only spending 6! I'm up to like close to 25 ECBs to roll now.
Total spent: 0
Total Saved: $18.68
Percentage Saved: 100%

Grand Total Spent: $24.51
Grand Total Saved: $104.26
Percentage Saved: 81.96%

Check out the Sunday Coupon Preview

Go here Sunday Coupon Preview There you will be able to find the 2010 Coupon Insert Schedule on their toolbar. Be ready this Sunday there should be 5 inserts.  I plan to get two extra papers which I haven't done in a while.

Check out Coupon Crazy Chrys today!

She has great match ups on the pharmacies and there are some really good deals this week.  She also has a giveaway right now!

Go to Coupon Crazy Chrys

Check out Sharpen Your Scissors Today

She is a great coupon veteran and has a class starting up in Milford.  Also she has some great giveaways that she has been doing since the 26th.  So sorry I couldn't have alerted you earlier but go now!

Go to The Sharp Scissors Lady

Check out Macomb Money Savers today!

She has a great article up on building your coupon stash plus all of her coupon match-ups are up! Check them out since many coupons expire tomorrow!
Go to Macomb Money Savers

New Redbox codes

ACME25 has been working for a while now I have been able to use it with every debit/credit card.

Also if you have a redbox at a Walgreens near you, you can also try DVDATWAG. The only one I know of thus far is the Highland Walgreens on M59. Let me know if you know of any others.

I'm back!!!!

Yeah after 15 days of my blog being deleted today it has finally been restored!  Good thing I have tomorrow off I have a lot of updates to do!

New Redbox codes

GANTS9 did not work for me last night at the Kroger in Waterford MI.  And looks like on Inside Redbox a lot are having trouble with that code. 

However be sure to check your email as you were sent a one time use code just for verifying your email.  Both my husband and I got this email. Also Inside Redbox posted two newer codes to try: 

ACME26

SNSV26

I will try them out at let you know!

Also if you have a redbox at a Walgreens near you, you can also try DVDATWAG.  The only one I know of thus far is the Highland Walgreens on M59.  Let me know if you know of any others.

Check all locations here

VGs Double Deals

Macomb Money Savers does a great job with her match ups but here a few more if you can get to a VGs that doubles up to $1.  Not a whole lot of great deals but if you are planning to go there anyway you may save by avoiding a trip to another store if there are some things you need.

Dairy
Sargento Shredded Cheese 3/$6 or $2 each
$0.55/1 Sargento Shredded Cheese (various issues of All You Magazine) Final cost $.90

Frozen
Red Baron Pizza , 12" (18.15-22.63 oz.), Fire Baked Crust (19.86-21.33 oz.), French Bread (8.8-11 oz.) or Deep Dish Singles (10.88-11.7 oz.), of Equal or Lesser Value Save up to 5.69 on FREE Pkg. B1G1 $.55/1 found here (smartsource coupon will print immediately after clicking print 2 if able.)

Also $1.00/2 Fire Baked Crust or Thin Crust (10/11 SS)
$1.00/1 Red Baron Fire Baked single serve Pizzas (10/11 or 12/06 SS)
Prices will vary

Household Goods
Duracell Batteries , AA or AAA (4 pk.), 9 Volt (1 pk.) or C or D (2 pk.) $2.99

$0.75/1 Duracell Copper Top (11/22 SS) Final Cost $1.49

Angel Soft Double Roll Bath Tissue $2.99

$1.00/1 Angel Soft toilet paper, 6-double roll or larger (9/13 RP or 12/06) RP Final Cost $.99

Grocery
Filippo Berio Olive Oil , Pure, Extra Virgin or Extra Light, 16.9 oz. $4.99 $1/1 Coupon here for registering.  Final price $2.99.  (Good price to me on Olive Oil!)

Maxwell House Coffee , 10.5-11.5 oz. (excludes decaf & colombian) $4.29 B1G1
$1.00/2 (previously available on coupons.com) Final Cost $3.29 for 2!

Planters Nuts, Not all varieties available in some locations. , Regular or Lightly Salted: Cashew Halves & Pieces (9.25 oz.) or Mixed (11.5 oz.), Pecan or Pistachio Lover's (5.5-6 oz.) or Honey Roasted Peanuts & Cashews (10 oz.) 2/$7.00 or $3.50 each
$1/1 Planters nuts (I have one but when I looked in the full cup database I couldn't find a reference for it! If anyone knows where it came from please let me know and I'll update!) Final cost $2.50

Del Monte Vegetables, Diced or Sliced Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables , Whole Leaf Spinach or Sliced Carrots; or Regular or No Salt: Summer Crisp Corn, Cut Green Beans, French Cut Green Beans, Cream Style Corn, Whole Kernel Corn or Peas $.69
$1/4 here Final cost $.19 each

Del Monte Canned Fruit , Pears, Peaches or Fruit Cocktail, 14.25-15.25 oz 3/$4 or $1.33 each
$1/4 here Final cost $.83 each

McCormick Spices 25% off
$1.00/2 McCormick Spice or Extract, any 2 (11/02 RP)
$1.00/1 McCormick seasoning blend, spice or herb (12/06 RP)
Final costs will vary

Campbell's Canned Gravy 10.25-10.5 oz $1.39 B1G1
$1.00/4 Campbell's Gravies (10/11 SS)
Final Cost $.78/4 or less than $.20 each!

French's French Fried Onions $2.99
$0.75/1 French's French fried onions (12/13 SS or various editions of All You magazine) Final Cost $1.50

Health & Beauty
Gillette or Satin Care Shave Gel , (7 oz.) or Gillette Shave Foam (9 oz.) (excludes fusion gels) 2/$4.00 or $2.00 each
$1.00/1 Gillette Shave Prep (11/29 P&G) (if included in sale) Final cost free!

Breakfast
Jimmy Dean Roll Sausage, Links or Patties , Assorted Varieties, 9.6-16 oz  2/$5.00 or $2.50
$1.00/1 Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage (if included in sale) (Also various coupons in packages if you have bought these before) Final cost $.50!

VGs of Waterford is also offering various gas discount deals now that they have completed their gas station.  This week's ad advertised $.05 off per gallon for every $50 you spend in groceries. 

Free/Money Maker Nivea starting 12/20 at CVS

If you work the CVS deals here is a good one for next week.  On 12/20 and after CVS will have the Nivea Body Wash for $5.99 and you will get a $5 ECB. There is a coupon for $2 off on coupons.com so click the button to the right side to find it now so you don't miss out.  Thanks Who Said nothing in life is free?

Also Hip 2 save has some great match-ups for all the pharmacies.  Keep in mind though we in MI do not get the same ads we have a shorter ad for Walgreens.  So be sure to cross check with Coupon Crazy Chrys who is local.

Getting coupons in the mail

I have mentioned it before but Coupoing to Disney has a great campaign where she suggests 5 companies to email a day in order to get coupons in the mail.  Check it out 5 a day program.  Now obviously these have to be companies that you have tried, you want to be honest and let them know about a product you like or dislike.  She has some examples of emails she has written both compliments and complaints.  She never outright asks for coupons.  I personally do, so you can decide what method works best for you.  Many times when you do this you can expect at least one coupon for a free item.  These free coupons really lowered my out of pocket this past week when I went shopping at Meijer's and Kroger.  I actually got overage because of some of these coupons! For example Bar S sent me a coupon for $5.00 worth of any products! I used this at the Meijer 10 for 10 sale.  This sale you bought 10 items at $1 each and got an item free making each item then costing only $.90.  Well I bought 5 packages of sausage with the $5 however I also bought 10 items to get one for free making them cost only a total of $4.50 but I still got credit for a $5.00 coupon meaning I had $.50 to go toward another item. 

Also a lot of my organic coupons have coupons only sparadoically or not at all like Food Taste Good Chips, Bolthouse drinks, etc.  You can get more coupons by emailing these companies or signing up for their newsletters. 

One other thing is that you may not think signing up for samples are worth your time but remember 99% of the time these also come with coupons.  So if you haven't tried these methods yet definitely start so you can build up your coupon stash and get some free products. 

Free Weight Watchers Magazine

Several bloggers such as Hip 2 save and Couponing to Disney have alerted that you can get the Weight Watchers magazine for free!  If you are interested go here.  As for me decisions, decisions I already get soooo many free magazines.  If they could guarantee me a good smart ones coupon each week I'd do it!

Cheap Kikkoman Soy Sauce at VGs.

Check out this link here for buy one get one free kikkoman soy sauce.  This is currently priced for $1.99 at VGs and when you buy two you get at catalina for $.75 off your next order.  If you check all the details of this post it suggests that you try to print two B1G1 and purchase four bottles, then try to use a $1/2 bottle coupon for the ones you are not getting for free.  You'll notice that from the comments section some stores will not allow this however it did work for me at the Waterford VGs.  I actually purchased the Light Kikkoman sauce for $2.49 and purchased four bottles for $4.98.  Then they did allow my $1/2 coupon which doubled to $2 for a total out of pocket that day of $2.98 and I received two catalinas for $.75 off my next order for a total final cost of just $1.48 for four bottles.  Let me know if this deal works out for you!

Thanks Living Rich with Coupons!

Discounted All You Magazine subscription

All You Magazine is available exclusively at Wal-Mart or through a home subscription.  They have tons of great coupons that I love as well as health tips, exercise tips and lots of recipes.  I frequently get Lean Cuisine, Smart ones or other great coupons that I run out of quickly when they are available on-line.  It is nice to know I will have another one coming once a month!  Cover price if you buy them individually is about $2.99 I believe or about $35+ per year.  Magazines.com has the subscription for just $19.97. What is even better is that you can sign up at Shop at Home (one of the many cash back shopping portals) and get 30% cash back!  You can go to here to sign up. 
After Type magazines.com in the search field and click on one of the links to go to their site.  Type "All You" in the search box, add the item to your cart and check out.
If you are new to shop at home you will also get a $5 sign up bonus! 
Thanks Hip2save and Macomb Money Savers!

Macomb Money Savers Match ups are up!

Most of the stores for Oakland County are now up: Meijer, Kroger, VGs, Target and some preliminary pharmacy match ups.  So check it out here today.

Grocery Store Roll Call 12/11/09

CVS #1

1 Zantac Cool 24 ct - $8.99
1 Sudafed  Day/Night 30 ct $6.99
1 Bayer Breeze Blood Glucose Monitor $19.99
1 CVS Thin Lancets 100 Ct $6.99
2 Crest Toothpaste 2/$4.50

1 Coupon for $2/1 Zantac
1 Coupon for $2/1 Sudafed PE
1 Coupon for $30/1 Bayer Countour or Breeze Product (adjusted to price of product)
1 Coupon for $1/2 Crest Toothpaste
$19 in Extracare bucks

Total Spent: $6.32 (Used $1.76 off FSA account and balance on gift card paying only $4.56 with the gift card) (My husband was like you didn't spend any money you gave them a piece of paper! But in reality it was prepaid.)
Total Saved: $89.37
Percentage Saved: 93.4%
Received $14.49 in extracare bucks

Kroger (Went to Grand Blanc Kroger that doubles 3 coupons up to $1)
Number of Items: 26
Total Spent: $10.08
Total Saved: $48.24
Percentage Saved: 82.7%

CVS #2
Double Pack Renu Contact Solution - $12.99
Feminine Care Product - $19.99

Coupon $2/1 Renu Contact Solution
Coupon $5/1 Feminine Care Product
$15.99 in Extracare bucks

Total Spent: $13.47 ($7.04 on electronic gift card, $6.43 out of pocket)
Total Saved: $24.49
Percentage Saved: 64.5%
Recieved $13 in ECBs

Walgreens
Schick Trimmer Razon $6.99
2 Theraflu Sugarfree 6 pack - $10
2 Triaminic Strips - $10
1 Feminine product - $3.99
2 Walgreens Big Roll Toilet paper - $.89 (needed 3 fillers to use all my Registry Rewards and bought things I genuinely needed)

Walgreens coupon for $2 off Theraflu
Walgreens coupon for $2 off Sugarfree Theraflu (yes you can use two no problem if they have different bar codes)
Walgreens coupon for $2 off Triaminic
MFG Coupons for $2/1 Theraflu and $1.50 off 1 Theraflu
MFG coupons for $3/1 Triaminic and $1/1 Triaminic
MFG coupons for $2/1 Schick Razor
$10 in Registry Rewards

Total Spent: $5.34
Total Saved: $40.47
Percentage Saved: 86.8%
Received $16 in RR

Meijer
Number of Items: 28

Total Spent: $9.18
Total Saved: $34.03
Percentage Saved: 78.8%
(I had a few coupons for free items and with their 10 for 10 deal I got some overage I bougt a $5.99 container of salt without a coupon so I got a lot of groceries free!)

VGs (Waterford that doubles coupons to $1.00)
Number of Items: 45

Total Spent: $31.61
Total Saved: $69.19
Percentage Saved: 68.6%

Walgreens #2
2 Eucerin body lotions at $11.00
4 Gift Card boxes on clerance $.50 (fillers to use registry rewards)
Used $5/2 Eucerin moisterizers coupon
Used $16 in registry rewards
Total Spent: $4.14
Total Saved: $24.74
Percentage Saved: 85.7%
Recieved $8 in Registry Rewards

So I spent $76 and got $410.58 worth of goods and groceries, including rock salt for the driveway, tons of personal products and a lot more cold medicine! Total Savings was of 81.49%.

It's Hip to Save!: Rayovac: $1/1 Coupon=Possibly FREE Batteries!

If you need to stock on batteries here is a deal for you! Check out It's Hip to Save!: Rayovac: $1/1 Coupon=Possibly FREE Batteries!

New Coupons

I've mentioned the site printable coupons and deals before and there are a lot of new coupons posted on that site.  So if you haven't visited in a while be sure to check it out here.

Two more good recipe sites.

All Recipes

Chow.com

1 Year free subscription to Maxim Magazine

Check out out here

Free 1 Year subscription to U.S. News

Check this one out here

1 Year subscription free for Car and Driver

If you are intersted go here

Sunday Coupon Review is now up!

Check it out here!

Meijer $5 off your next $25 purchase.

Macomb Money Savers just alerted to the following coupons $5 off a General Merchandise purchase or Apparel purchase of $25 or more

or

 $5 off your next $25 food purchase

I am excited! I'm feeling like this is going to be good week for savings! 

My first giveaway is coming soon . . .

I will be having a giveaway next week! I'm excited! It is small but I have to start some where!  So stay tuned and keep checking in with me!

10 Tips to Boost Your Immune System

10 Tips to Boost Your Immune System

Posted using ShareThis

10 "Unhealthy" Foods that are Actually Good for You

This list mentions canned veggies, red meat, potatoes, avocados, dried fruit, pizza, bananas, eggs, shirmp, and iceberg lettuce.  Find out why by reading the whole article:  10 "Unhealthy" Foods that are Actually Good for You

Posted using ShareThis

85 Strategies for Dining out

Check out this great sparkpeople article 85 strategies for dining out.

Recipe Blogs

Check out some of the frugal recipes here at the $5 dinner challenge blog!  I just checked out the first couple post and have mostly everything on hand so I'm happy and about to try some of these this week!

Also have you ever wanted to try a new recipe so you search and search on the Internet and find something that sounds to die for but of course you are missing a couple ingredients? Well here is super cook to the rescue!  Directly from their website: Supercook is a new recipe search engine that finds recipes you can make with only the ingredients you have at home. To begin, simply start adding ingredients you have in the green box on the top left. The more ingredients you add, the better the results will be.


Check it out here

Check out Coupons.com today!

There are new coupons for candy and some high value cereal coupons so be sure to click the button on the lefthand side for coupons.com and print new ones!

Restaurant.com certificates 80% off

For a total of just $2, you'll end up getting a $25 gift certificate! All you have to do is enter SHARE in the promo code section.  These last for one year have some great restaurants in our area.  Just be careful to look at the fine print and make sure you are getting a good deal as many have a minimum purchase.  Also cashbaq has 25% rebate right now so be sure to go here to sign up and then order through that website.

Get Cosmopolitan Magazine 1 year subscription for free!

Check it out here

This week's Best Deals courtesy of Savings.com

Check them out here.

Check out Couponing to Disney today

Couponing to Disney has a huge list of rebates, Amazon.com deals, printable coupons, restaurant deals and more she has posted so check her out here.

It's Hip to Save!: Hooked on Phonics: Overstock Sale + Additional 50% off and FREE Shipping Code!

Check out this great deal that Hip to save just posted. It's Hip to Save!: Hooked on Phonics: Overstock Sale + Additional 50% off and FREE Shipping Code! I just bought 5 things for my nieces for under $15. So check out the deal and check the clearance and sales section. Spend some time on her site as she has posted a lot of great on-line deals today.

Grocery Store Websites in Oakland County

One thing I usually do for at least one of my stores is visit their website and create my grocery list there.  I almost always do this for Kroger, especially if I am going to the Grand Blanc Kroger on the way home where they double coupons up to $1.  This week I did it for both VGs and Kroger. 
One reason I do this is because match ups can't possibly cover all the things that are on sale, they can only highlight so many things.  I find that rarely do they let me know what is on sale in my favorite section of Kroger which is the Nature's Market (Whole Foods/Organic) section.  In addition if you email companies for coupons there will be a lot of coupons that I have that others may not and thus wouldn't show up on a match up.  Also there may be some stores you are intersted in that currently don't have local match ups for.  So check other websites but compare to the local on-line ad and be sure to familiarize yourself with their coupon policies. 
Lastly don't forget that many large chain Dollar Stores do except coupons so if you are running in for a few things it may be a good time to stock up on some lower priced items. 
So if you are interested here are the websites for the local grocery stores.  Give a try making your own grocery list on there.

Aldi

Busch's

Dollar General

Family Dollar

Hiller's

Hollywood Super Market

Kroger

Meijer

Nino Salvaggio

Oak Ridge

Plum Market

Target

Trader Joes's

Value Center Marketplace

VGs

Wal-Mart

Whole Foods

Leave me a comment if there are any others that you shop and that I should add to the list!

Macomb Money Savers Match ups are now up!

Coupon match ups are now up for most of the stores in Oakland County Meijer's, Target, Kroger, Busch's and VGs.

Check out the button on the left or go here

Stick with your financial diet - CNNMoney

Great CNN money article! When I first started telling my husbands of my results with smart shopping/coupons one thing he said was, "I hope you keep this up when things are good again!"  This article discusses the pitfalls of good economic times and suggests things we should do to not make mistakes and get back into overspending as we climb out of the recession.  Check it out here.

New Redbox Code

There is a new redbox code and per Inside redbox two people have used it successfully in MI.  So give GANTS9 a try.

Also if you haven't done so already you'll need to sign up for text alerts on redbox.com.  Sign up here.  It used to be that redbox emailed the code and they were readily available to anyone.  However now they are only sending one unique code on Free movie Mondays (the first Monday of every month) to those that sign up and this code can only be used once on that day, by that particular person.

Saving Your Cents: Saving Your Cents Presents: CVS 101: An In-Depth Guide For Shopping At CVS

Macomb Money Savers just pointed out this long but informative and helpful blog post on CVS shopping. Check it out when you get at chance at Saving Your Cents: Saving Your Cents Presents: CVS 101: An In-Depth Guide For Shopping At CVS.

VGs Article for Waterford this week says doubling everyday coupons up to $1!

This was in the Oakland Extra.  So I will have to run by there next week and see if they still have the sign up and verify!

2009 Cheapie Awards: Nominate your Favorite Money-Saving Blog and You could Win $100

Couponing to Disney just alerted me to another giveaway!  If you nominate your favorite money saving blog and both you and the blogger have a chance to win cash! By nominating your favorite blog, your nomination enters you into a giveaway of $100 (paid via PayPal or Amazon Payments). The blogger has a chance to win $150. The top 5 blogs who receive the most nominations will be entered into a finalist round starting Dec 9th.

Check out the details here.

Sunday Coupon Review is up!

Check it out here

Grocery Store Roll Call 12/04/2009

Kroger (Went to Grand Blanc Kroger that doubles three coupons up to $1)
Number of Items: 52
Total Spent: $44.50
Total Saved: $59.77
Precentage Saved: 57%

CVS #1
2 Accu Aviva Blood Glucose Monitor Kits $14.99
2 Benefiber Orange Chewable Tablets 36 ct $6.49
1 Benefiber Powder 38 DS $9.49
Used 2 $10/1 Coupons for Accu Aviva
Usted 2 $1/1 Benefiber and 1 $2/1 Benefiber Coupons
Used $20 ECBs

Total Spent: $10.25 (off CVS online gift card bought used to pay for camera and earned $15 free on-line gift card)
Total Saved: $54
Precentage saved: 84%

Walgreens
Motions Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Moisterizer 3 for $10
Fusion Razor $8.99
Glade Candle & Refill 2 for $5
Revlon Eye Brow Gel $3.29
Used $1.00/1 off Revlon Utensil
Used $1/1 Walgreens Revlon Implement
Used $3/2 Glade Products
Used $17 in Registry Rewards
Added 3 Chapsticks for $1.98 (to use my last registry reward which was set to expire that day)
Total Spent: $5.02
Total Saved: $35.55
Precentage Saved: 87.6%
Received $12 in registry rewards

CVS #2
Febreeze Air Freshener $2.50
Colgate Sonic 360 Toothbrush $5.99
Swiffer Starter Kit $9.00
Swiffer Refill $4.00
Used $.75 off one colgate sonic toothbrush
Used $1.00/1 Febreeze
Used Buy one Swiffer Starter Kit get one refill pack free
Used $10 in Extracare bucks

Total Spent: $7.03
Total Saved: $22.02
Percentage Saved: 75.8%
Received $9 in ECBs

VGs (Doubled coupons up to $1 today!)
2 Oikos $.99
Buitino's Fettucine Pasta $1.75
2 Krunchers Potato Chips $2.50
Marinated Chicken (Marked down 60%) $3.18
Pork (Marked down 60%) $.56
Beef (Marked down 60%) $2.15
Coles Frozen Garlic Bread $2.00

Used 2 $1/1 Kruchers Coupon
Used $.50Coles Coupon
Used $1/1 Buitino's Pasta

Total Spent: $9.67
Total Saved: $18.90
Percentage Saved: 66.5%

Meijer
Number of Items: 21
Total Spent: $9.14
Total Saved: $17.02
Percentage Saved: 65.1%

So I spent $85.61 (I know a lot but keep in mind I didn't really shop last week) and received $292.82 worth of household goods and groceries including two blood glucose monitors and some great hair products.  A total savings of 70.7%  I have a fully stocked freezer with lots of meat, veggies and quick meals and a full fridge with canned fruit and dairy products (yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese etc.)

Waterford VGs is Doubling Coupons up to $1.00 this week!

I can't believe it VGs is doubling coupons up to $1.00.  The cashier said just for this week until Sunday but I emailed them to verify.  She says they will have a new promotion each week so I asked what the promotion will be each week.  I will update when I find out!

Grocery Store Roll Call November Monthly Summary

November Grocery Store Summary

Well I have been hit or miss with my Grocery Store Roll Call but I finally did it! I tracked for a whole month. So here is now a summary of my results.

11/07 (Kroger, VGs, Meijer's & Pharmacies)
Spent - $60.05
Total Cost before savings: $249.85
Percentage Saved:75.9%.

11/15 (Kroger, Meijer's & Pharmaices)
Spent: $33.05
Total Cost before savings: $127.79
Percentage Saved: 74.2%.

11/22 (Aldi's Trip)
Spent: $106.80
Total Cost before savings: $282.21
Percentage Saved: 62.2%

11/25 (Made a quick run to Meijer's for bottled water, Tortilla chips and salsa for my meal and a couple other things, estimate below)
Spent: $10.50
Total Cost before savings: $14.00
Percentage Saved: 25%

So for the month of November I spent $210.85 but bought 673.85 worth of products! Total savings for the entire month 69%.

I am pretty proud of this summary and it tells me a few things.  First if you have a pretty good stock pile you don't have to be perfect.  For various reasons week 11/22 I just didn't have time to work the match-ups so I ran to Aldi's.  On 11/25 I walked into Meijer's and made a purchase without cross-checking other stores and without a coupon book.  (But I bought things on sale, got blessed with a coupon on the shelf and bought a couple store brand items.)  Another thing you can clearly see is working the Pharmacies and loss-leaders at the high-low stores (your typical grocery store) works better than shopping the everyday low price store (Aldi's, Wal-Mart) without coupons.  The numbers just don't lie! 

Lastly I am just pretty proud because based on my last post to be a "thrifty grocery shopper" according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture I can spend about $350 a month on groceries for a family of 2.  I spent only 60% of that! Not only that a "liberal grocery shopper" spends about $680 in groceries and that is close to the value of what I bought!  So I am living like a liberal grocery shopper but paying less than a thrifty shopper! I think that is a great accomplishment!

Monroe on a Budget - Grocery Shopping on a Bugdet

Very informative article.  A bit long but lots of wonderful references.  Check it out here when you get a chance! One thing I love in the beginning of the article she has a link to the United States Department of Agriculture U.S. Average costs of Food.  Check that out here. This is very intersting because I can look up for a family of 2 what is being spent weekly and monthly on groceries.  For instance it says monthly a family of my size spends 346.20 if they are thrifty, 441.10 if they are low costs, 549.20 if they are spending moderately, 687.40 if they are spending liberally.  Before I started this couponing/smart shopping craze I probably was in the low costs range, averaging about $450 a month some what less in the winter, but probably splurging more in the summer averaging it out to about $450.  It is nice to know that even then I was in the low costs range!  But at least you can check out the chart and then set a goal for your family to be thrifty or even beat that number!

Other features in the article are information on stockpiling your pantry and freezer, using different products, getting organized with your dinner plans, coupon rebates tips and tricks, sales fliers, produce, bulk purchases, and frugal recipes.  There are so many articles referenced I am just getting to some them myself so spend some time if you there if you can!

It's Hip to Save!: $100 ShopAtHome.Com Gift Card Giveaway!!!

It's Hip to Save!: $100 ShopAtHome.Com Gift Card Giveaway!!! Yes another one! Go enter this one quickly as you only have until December 6th!

New coupons on Coupons.com

Hip 2 Save has reported there a few new coupons on coupons.com.  So click the icon on the lefthand side to and check for new ones including $.55 off Lunchables.  Did you know that different zip codes get different coupons? Use zip code 64123 to get this coupon.  Also try zip code 90210 to find other coupons not available when you put in a metro Detroit Zip Code.

6 ways to boost your income

1. Share knowledge for profits

2. Franchise your way to freedome

3. Drive for money

4. Find a roommate

5. Create passive income

6. Speak for success

Check out all the details here

6 Ways to get Free Gift Cards

There are various means to get free gift cards.  The article mentions social media sites, Rack up Points (check my sidebar for many ways to do that!) The article specifically mentions my points, transfer prescriptions, spend til you get one and more. 

Check out the full article here

For the last one spending a certain amount to get an additional gift card free Making Cents Out of Life has a great list here.

I did the CVS one and if I have enough funds next week I may try the Kroger one. 

Another $100 Gift Card giveaway

Here is another fortunate blogger that is also giving the same giveaway I just posted from Couponing to Disney. Check it out here:Saving You Dinero

Win $100 Gift Card To The Retailer Of Your Choice Courtesy of Couponing to Disney and Shop at Home!

This is an awesome giveaway! Shop at Home is offering one of my lucky readers a $100 gift card to the store of their choice from their Shop at Home gift card center to a Coupon to Disney Reader! Check her out here

Macomb Money Savers: Printable Coupon: Buy One Dozen Eggs, Get One FREE - Hurry!#comment-form#comment-form

If you did not get this deal from the Good Egg Project for a Buy One Dozen eggs get a Dozen eggs free coupon check it out now at this post: Macomb Money Savers: Printable Coupon: Buy One Dozen Eggs, Get One FREE - Hurry!#comment-form#comment-form

It is just the first 10,000 and started at 10 a.m. so hurry over to take the pledge then printyour coupon!

Magazine Deals from Time Warner

These aren't free but still some good deals here

Save with Bargain Blogs by Click on Detroit

Old article but mentions some great blogs here

CVS $5 Challenge – week of 11/29

I have posted about this for but since I have some new people I thought I'd mention it again. Censtable Mama has a great way to get started at CVS. So check out here CVS $5 Challenge – week of 11/29

Gleaners Food Bank Can Drive at Emagine Theater in Novi Wednesday December 2nd

Tonight you can see a free movie at Emagine Theater in Novi when you bring in 5 canned goods!  My husband pointed this out to me so thank him.  It is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. the first 1,000 people only.  Check it out here or here for details and exact location.

It's Hip to Save!: Victoria's Secret: FREE $42 Fragrance Set w/ Any Sleepwear Purchase + Deal Scenario!

Check out this awesome Victoria Secret Deal! It's Hip to Save!: Victoria's Secret: FREE $42 Fragrance Set w/ Any Sleepwear Purchase + Deal Scenario!

Redbox Code

According to inside redbox: Looks like there is another Redbox code working for everyone this week. It looks like it is a "Shop and Save" code, so no guarantee on how long it will work, so use it ASAP.

SPNSV9

I checked the comments section and someone was able to use it in Flint MI so hopefully I can use it tonight.  The rumor is that it will only work until December 2nd. 

Budgeting 101 by Dave Ramsey

Great advise in this article. Check it out here

Coupons.com Beginning of the month reminder

Most coupons have reset today so be sure to print out some coupons by clicking on the link to the lefthand side.

Remaining match ups are up at Macomb Money Savers

So give her blog another glance today here

Sparkpeople giveaway!

Sparkpeole is offering 5 personalized Me and Goji cereal capsules to be given away.  Check out the details here

Savvy Vegeterian's Mexican Style Quinoa Black Bean Salad

I served this warm to a group on Friday and they loved it and wanted the recipe.  Check out the calorie content at this sparkpeople version here

It's Hip to Save!: Sephora: Philosophy Kiss Set ONLY $5 + 3 FREE Samples + FREE Shipping!

It's Hip to Save is now on fire with some great Cyber Monday on-line deals as well. I just bought a bunch of cosmetics for cheap. Here is here latest: It's Hip to Save!: Sephora: Philosophy Kiss Set ONLY $5 + 3 FREE Samples + FREE Shipping!

I did this deal, got a Mineral starter pack from E.L.F. and did the BEBE purfume deal as well. Why would I buy all this? Well first of all I just scored all those for under $20 and then remember the overall premise of stockpiling. By before you need when it is cheap! So some people are buying these for Christmas gifts, I have baby showers and a bridal shower coming up. So for any bridal showers I will already have a bunch of perfume and Health and Beauty products to throw in a nice bag as a gift from my stock pile. It is what I did for a wedding I just went to and I may not have been able to give a gift otherwise! So think about it and check out the deals!

Be sure to go through Ebates or another on-line shopping rebate site to save even more!

More Cyber Monday Deals Courtesy of Savings.com

Check out the link here

Cyber Monday Deals Courtesy of Couponing to Disney!

Wow! She got up at 5 a.m. this morning to post some deals and she has great details and tons up already and it is only 8 a.m.!  So check her out here.  I wasn't planning on buying anything today but may check out some Barnes and Nobles clearance deals since there is a code for 15% off one item!

It's Hip to Save!: CVS Deals 11/29-12/5

Check out this post! It's Hip to Save!: CVS Deals 11/29-12/5

Some great deals this week to get you started with some high extracare bucks and even greater if you have extracare bucks to roll. I'm glad there are a lot of deals as I have my $20 in ECBs from my camera purchase so I have to make a couple of high dollar purchases and looks like I can get a good amount in ECBs back this week!

She has Rite Aid and Walgreen's match ups as well so spend some time on her site!

Restaurant.com gift certificates available for $2!

I am a little late on this one but you still have today to order some.  You can go directly to the site here and use the code SAVE when you check out to get 80% off gift certificates.  Please see previous posts about on restaurant.com about how they work.  To really save go through Cashbaq to get even more off!  If you haven't yet signed up there is a button on my sidebar to do so. This offer is valid through midnight today 11/30/2009 so hurry!

Macomb Money Savers Match ups are up!

Check out Macomb Money Savers today! Match ups are now up for Meijer's, Target, VGs and Kroger.  Hopefully Hiller's and Busch's will be up later today!

End of the month coupon print reminder!

Today is the last day of the month so print off any coupons from Coupons.com that you would like.  There is a button on the right side bar so print them off today so you don't miss out on some that may disappear tomorrow!

It's Hip to Save!: CVS Black Friday Deals 11/26-11/28

Check this out if you haven't looked up your CVS Extracare bucks deals for Black Friday yet! It's Hip to Save!: CVS Black Friday Deals 11/26-11/28

I plan on getting the camera in the morning as soon as I can and I'm going to make out on that one. It is the Kodak EasyShare C913 Digital Camera on sale for $79.99 and you get $20 in ECBs when you buy it. Not only that I have a coupon for $10 off any purchase of $50 from the kiosk and $21 I have accumulated in ECBs. So my final costs will be $48.99+tax and then I get $20 in ECBs to go back in the evening and buy more stuff! I'm excited!

More Black Friday Information

Check out this website here

New Redbox Codes

Here is a code valid today only for a one night rental.  LLNS26
This one is also still valid:  DLLNS26
Couponing to Disney advised the following: This code was in the grocery ad for Dillon's in Wichita, KS (Dillon's is owned by Kroger). The code is valid at "select locations." good from 11/9 - 11/26.
Find more information and a location for redbox near you here

31 Sneaky Mood-Boosters

Wow check out this quote from an MSN article taken from Redbook, "researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., recently pitted the antidepressant Zoloft against exercise in a study of 156 subjects and found that 45 minutes of exercise three times a week worked just as well as the drug in treating depression and better than the drug in keeping the condition from returning. Regular moderate workouts and a healthy diet also reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue—three underlying causes of moodiness."


So here are the suggestions in the article:

1. Believe in what you're doing.
2. Eat the mood-booster-in-a-bowl.
3. Rise and shine—then get moving!
4. Plan to snack.
5. Go social, not solo.
6. Color your world.
7. Try the rhythm method.
8. Sweat—but not too much.
9. Fork up the fish.
10. Hit the shower.
11. Dress up your salads.
12. Fast-forward your thoughts.
13. Pop a pill.
14. Trick—and treat—yourself.
15. Pick up some prunes.
16. Become a control freak.
17. Drink up.
18. Get in tune.
19. Try proactive snacking.
20. Reality-check your overall goals.
21. Stop snacking on sweets.
22. Track your hidden workout.
23. Increase your B.
24. Exercise your mouth.
25. Consider a sugar cutback.
26. Compete—but only with yourself.
27. Feed your carb cravings.
28. Time it right.
29. Jettison some java.
30. Cut back on the vino.
31. Up your iron intake.

For the details and exactly what each phrase means check out the full article here

Kraft Coupons

New Kraft Coupons 5 of them go here

Thanks It's Hip to Save!

Coupons.com update

There are a lot of new coupons on coupons.com including $0.50 on one package of Dole Canned Fruit, Fruit Bowls, All Natural Fruit Jars or Frozen Fruit.  Dole canned fruit frequently goes on sale for $1.00 and fruit bowls and Jars for $2.00.  So I am excited and about to max this one out! Clicke the button to the side an print out of coupons if you haven't in a while.

Black Friday Ads

Here are some ofthe Black Friday Ads available on-line

Amazon.com Black Friday Week

Babies R Us and Toys R Us online ad

Best Buy online ad (Note most deals, the ones that are not listed as doorbusters are available on-line as well.  I always shop Best Buy on-line.)

JC Penny online ad

K-Mart online ad

Lowes online ad

Macys online ad

Meijer Thursday online ad                Friday online ad

Old Navy online ad

Prime Outlets - Birch Run online ad

Sam's Club - online ad

Staples - online ad

Tanger Outlets - Howell online ad

Walgreens - online ad

Wal-Mart - online ad

Grocery Store Roll Call 11/22/09 (Note I took a break!)

So I had a lot of things to get this week some very specific things.  I know a lot of stay at home mom's can usually spend two hours or so preparing for their shopping trips however with me working full-time and devorting another 18 -20 hours in volunteer service I work on my coupons usually daily.  Well Thursday night is usually a big night I was really tired and was having a sneezing fit from allergies.  So I decided that this week I would *gasp* go shopping without coupons.  I have posted a couple things on here before about preventing burn-out or shopping without coupons etc, so I did a week of that (well mostly I did hit the pharmacies with some as those are much shorter trips. It is easy to gather 3 - 5 coupons for those.)   I wanted a lot of produce and I was out of chicken so I stocked up on all frozen chicken (chicken tenders, strips, and breasts).  I also got frozen shrimp.  If you consider that while looking below I think I still did pretty good.

Aldi's (Again we will just take the general consensus that Aldi's saves overall about 50%)
Items purchased: 48
Total Spent: 76.36
Total Saved: 152.72
Precentage Saved: 50%

Walgreens
Items purchased: ??
Total Spent: $11.74
Total Saved: $37.05
Precentage Saved: 75.9%

CVS #1
Items purchased: 13
Total Spent: $7.63
Total Saved: $41.40
Precentage Saved: 84.4%
(Received $19 in ECBs)

CVS #2
2 Complete Contact Lens Solution $8.99 saved $1 each
2 $1/1 coupons
Used $16 in extracare bucks (I actually calculated a little wrong and should've only used $15 this actually made my total negative which it shouldn't be but the cashier pushed it through any way.  I had different denomanations so I could've asked for a $2 ECB back and replaced it with another $1 ECB and paid a little more OOP so I got fortunate on this one!)
Total Spent: $1.06
Total Saved: $20.00
Precentage Saved: 94.9%
(Received $17.98 in ECBs)

Also made a small trip to Kroger for store brand dried beans and more produce that wasn't found at Aldi's. I spent about $10 and the receipt had a saving of only $.61.

So if we take into account that Aldi's saves 50% then I purchased $282.21 for $106.80 for a total savings of 62.2%.  I now have a well-stocked freezer, a lot of fresh produce and purchased a lot of extra cold medicine and make-up. 

Subscriptions to Town & Country and Wine Spectator

Free three year subscription to Town and Country! Wow! Go here

Free one year subscription to Wine Spectator.  Go here

7 Foods that should never eat

Wow I have a lot of work to do before I can say that I eat clean.  A little scary but something to work towards.  Check out this MSN article here

Amazon.com Video Game Deals

If you don't have a Wii yet and are interested in the fitness games here is a great deal! Pad your holiday spending budget with a $50 Amazon.com Gift Card* when you purchase Nintendo's Wii console along with a Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board. Wii Fit Plus includes new fitness games in addition to all of the games that came with the original Wii Fit game. The Wii Balance Board is compatible with other great games (sold separately), so you'll get one of the hottest accessories, plus a Wii console, and $50 in future savings to boot.  Offer valid on Nov. 16, 2009, 12:01 AM - Nov. 22 11:59 PM Pacific time, when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Limit one per customer. To qualify, check out with all three of the items below in your cart. The price of the gift card will be discounted during check out.


Check it out here
 
Here is also another promotion spend $80 get $20 off purchase.  This may be my excuse to get my husband punch out and lower the cost of some other games I plan to purchase.  According to Amazon.com here are the details: Spend $80 on these select Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3 titles, and receive $20 off your purchase. Only purchases from Amazon.com as the seller and made between November 15, 2009 and November 21, 2009 will qualify for this promotion. The promotional claim code may only be used once per household. The promotional claim code will expire at 11:59pm PST on 11/21/2009. Restrictions apply.
 
Check out this deal here

Sundy Coupon Review is up!

Go here!

Test out products and get samples for free

There are many companies that will let you test out products for free.  They use the word of mouth system and would like your feedback and hope you will share your experience and coupons with others.  If this interests you try some of these sites.  Some combine surveys and point systems for you to earn more, including cash.

Bzzagent – here is info directly from their website: We're a word-of-mouth media network powered by 600,000 people. We pair consumers with products and supply digital tools that make widespread opinion-sharing easy. I like Bzzagent a lot they have a variety of things surveys, products to try, coupons, and you can view other websites on just about anything.  Recent bzzagents got a free redbox code to use and I plan on using to tomorrow.  I got a glad sense and spray to try and many coupons I will be sharing with others.  I was also invited to participate in a $20 gum taste test, however I didn't get all my tweets in on Twitter so I lost out on the cash but still ate free gum.  If you think you'd like to sign up go here

Expo T. V. Tryology – Here's what their website says about why you should join: Get heard - If you have something to say about a product and want to share it with others you've come to the right place. EXPO wants to hear your honest opinion about the things you buy and will make it available to others across the web looking for authentic consumer information. Get Rewards - Cash in points you've earned for providing consumer insights for cool gadgets and gear at the EXPO Store. Choose from gift cards, gadgets, and more. Try products - We call it "Tryology" the exclusive EXPO program where you qualify to try new products - sometimes before they hit store shelves. We'll send you the goods and then you let us know what you thought of the product in video. If you think you'd be interested go here


House Party - Here is what the house party site says they are all about: House Party™ lets people who really love something host a special event featuring a fun, free, exclusive experience sponsored by the world's leading brands.  Cool people sharing cool stuff. A House Party™ is thousands of parties happening across the country on a single day, hosted by people just like you. Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool–like a new product, hit TV show, or great cause–that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends. (Check out some of our recent events.)  You host. Everyone wins. House Party lets you share the stuff you like with the people you like, through a fantastic, free party experience. What's the catch? There is none: Our partners understand that if they share something good with the right people in a fun way, we'll all help spread the word. What's inside the party packs?  Each event has a unique Party Pack filled with all kinds of free stuff to make your party a success. We've thrown all kinds of events: TV Viewing, Wine & Chocolate Pairing, Kid-centric, you name it.
Hosts of some of our recent events have received:* Advanced copies of TV Shows, Sneak Previews of Movies, Board Games, Action-figures, Gourmet Chocolate, Gourmet Coffee Samples, Coffee Maker, Coupons, Special Offers, Party Favors, Party Decorations, Stickers, T-Shirt Transfers, Window Clings, Health & Beauty Products, Baby Products, etc. I haven't had the opportunity to host one yet but I have an application pending for a new Wii exercise game! If you would like to sign up email me here and put House Party Sign up in the title.
Vocalpoint - Here is what their website says: Vocalpoint is a community of moms who...Love talking to other people, Get energized when they are asked for their opinions, Like searching for new knowledge and sharing it with others, Enjoy making a difference in people's lives.  Vocalpoint frequently sends out coupons and free products.  You'll see others on blogs alert you to new product offers by vocalpoint frequently. I think I got a full bag of nut clusters from them.  Either them or another one of these sites! If you'd like to sign up go here.

Shespeaks - I just got Isoactive Aquafresh Toothpaste from them.  You sign up and they send you a qualifying survey for a specific product and then it arrives in three weeks.  There are also exclusive coupons and offers.  They also frequently offer samples and most samples come with coupons.  So far I like it.  If you think you are interested in joining send me an email here and put shespeaks sign up in the title.
Kraft First Taste - Here's what Kraft has to say Love to check out new products and talk about them with your friends? As a member of the First Taste community, you'll be the first to discover and learn about new Kraft products. Share great products - Spread the word about your favorite Kraft products so your family and friends can share in the fun. Give us your feedback - What do you think of our products? You'll get the chance to tell us by answering our surveys. Stir things up! - Get involved in the First Taste community and meet other people with a zest for trying new things.  You'll get products, coupons and more.  Check out this new product and then sign up Mousse Temptations by Jell-O

There are a few more and I will post them as I get emails from them.  As with other websites you sign up for you probably want to use a different email address than your normal one as you will get weekly newsletters.  Perhaps use the same one you use to receive coupons at.

Free Flash Drive and Magazines

There are a couple companies that offer magazines for free. I currently get Ebony, Essence, Shape, O, Marie Clair, Business Week, Spa, Men's Fitness for free.  No catches no extra charges.  Why do they offer free magazines?  Some use the information you provide them as parts of surveys.  Another website shared that they promise their advertisers a certain amount of readership to keep them, so when we have times like this and the economy is low they may have to give away magazines to keep that level.  They make way more money off of ads than they do off subscriptions.  This is a great offer as they are offering a flash drive and some magazines!  So check it out here

Lower Your Tax Burden For 2009

1. Itemize your deductions

2.  Apply for tax credits

3. Withhold money

4. Get a Flexible Spending account

Check out all the details in this article here

10 Most Healthiest States

MSN had an article on the 10 most healthy states to live in and Vermont tops the list! I guess we don't hvae an excuse that it is cold here in MI we have some work to do as we are number 30! However many of the southern states have us beat.  Here is the list of Healthiest States

25 Cheap Foods that are Good for you!

Protein

1. Canned salmon: $2.89 for 14.75 ounces (59 cents per serving)
2. Chicken breasts: $3.49 per pound (87 cents per serving)
3. Natural peanut butter: $3.39 for 16 ounces (42 cents per serving)
4. Canned beans: 84 cents for 15 ounces (22 cents per serving)
5. Eggs: $1.99 for a dozen large (17 cents per serving)
6. Dried lentils: 79 cents per pound (20 cents per serving)
7. Almonds: $3.99 for 9 ounces (44 cents per serving)

Fruits
8. Frozen fruit and berries: $2.99-$5.99 per pound (75 cents-$1.50 per serving)
9. Apples: 68 cents each
10. Bananas: 35 cents each
11. Grapes: $2.99 per pound (75 cents per serving)

Vegetables
12. Romaine lettuce or other hearty lettuce: $1.99 per head (66 cents per serving)
13. Carrots: $2.79 for 3 pounds (23 cents per serving)
14. Frozen spinach: $2 for 16 ounces (50 cents per serving)
15. Canned tomatoes: $1 for 14.5 ounces (28 cents per serving)
16. Garlic: 50 cents per head (5 cents per serving)
17. Sweet potatoes: $1.49 per pound (37 cents per serving)
18. Onions: 97 cents each (32 cents per serving)
19. Broccoli: $2.49 per pound (63 cents per serving)

Whole grains
20. Whole-grain pasta: $1.50 for 13.25 ounces (45 cents per serving)
21. Popcorn kernels: $2.39 for 32 ounces (30 cents per serving)
22. Brown rice: $1.49 for 16 ounces (19 cents per serving)
23. Oats: $3.19 for 42 ounces (15 cents per serving)

Dairy
24. Quarts of low- or fat-free yogurt: $2.49 for 32 ounces (47 cents per serving)
25. Gallon of skim milk: $3.04 (19 cents per serving)

Check out all the details here

Healthier Ways to Follow a recipe

Here are some smart subsitutions you can make.  Check out the sparkpeople article here

Check out Couponing to Disney's Wal-Mart match up

Couponing to Disney has updated her list several times.  There are more than a few deal scenarios and she now has 136 items under $1 and 18 free items when you use coupons.  Check out the full list here if you are a Wal-Mart shopper.

Macomb Money Savers Coupon match-ups are up!

The big match ups Meijer's, Kroger, and Target, as well as Drugstore and Aldi's deals are up.  Also when I was in the new Aldi's this week looks like they still had 1 Gallon milk on sale for just $1 although I thought that ended at the end of last month. 

Check out all the match-ups here

Four Ways to Control Your Apetite MSN article

1. Rate Your Hunger

2. Stop Mindless Eating

3. Be aware of Triggers

4. Eat Filling Foods

Check out all the details here

Black Friday Coupon Match ups

Looks like a fellow metro Detroiter is doing a great job with coupon match-ups for our area! I'm impressed! Check her out Coupon Crazy Chrys Black Friday!

Can't wait to hit CVS and Walgreens with my ECBs and RR.

Get Ready for Flatscreen T.V. price wars!

Great article on CNN Money here are some highlights: Retail experts say the sweetest deals in the coming weeks will be on smaller LCD televisions and some bigger-size plasma TVs. "We're already seeing 32-inch LCD models under $400. Typically they are $500, or more," he said. "And we're also seeing prices drop from about a $1,000 for 40-inch screens to $800." One example, Target is reportedly featuring a 32-inch Westinghouse LCD HDTV for $246 as a "doorbuster special" on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when holiday shopping kicks off in earnest.

So where will bargain hunters find the best deals? NPD's Rubin says Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Costco and online merchants will duke it out on TVs this holiday season. Finally, both Swann and Rubin strongly suggest that shoppers bag the best deals when they find them because merchants are stocking fewer number of products for the holiday season.  "In previous years, I'd tell people wait until Dec. 10th or Dec. 15th before you buy," said Swann. "This time, take it when you see it or it might not be around again."



Music to my ears and sounds like Black Friday will be good this year! Check out all the details at CNN Money

It's Hip to Save!: Restaurant.com: 80% off Promo Code Extended!

Great news if you haven't got some restaurant.com gift certificates yet it hs been extended. Details here: It's Hip to Save!: Restaurant.com: 80% off Promo Code Extended!

Thanks Hip 2 save

Savings Experiments: Can modern coupon clippers beat savers of the past?

Very good article on the basics and a slide show on some with great creative tips!  Check it out here

Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Here are some quick and healthy breakfast ideas! Check out the sparkpeople article here

10 Sneaky Ways to Get Fit and Healthy - Without really trying

This I must say is a lot of my strategy! I try to add veggies to other quick meals, walk 1 - 3 times a day here at my office, practice portion control and many other things on this list.  Check out the full list here

Four Steps to Keep Your Financial Sanity

I was sent this great email by Kathy Stokes.  Not sure the origin though but good simple tips.

Albert Einstein once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If Dr. Einstein is right, I hear from a lot of insane people who want different results from the same behavior. They are not willing to stop living on credit, but they believe that I magically can tell them how to get out of debt. Until they stop doing the same thing over and over again, they are not going to get different results.


That's not the end of my mailbag, however. I hear from countless numbers of people who are willing to change the way they are managing their money. They're seekers of financial sanity, and for them I offer these simple, yet powerful, steps.

Change your mind about credit. Stop seeing it as the way out. You know that using credit causes debt, so stop doing it. Don't allow credit to be an option as you manage the money you have and the obligations you have incurred. Instead, unload your obligations until you are able to pay for your lifestyle with less than the money you earn.

Give and save. No matter how pitiful your financial situation, you have to stop doing what you've been doing over and over again: spending all that you earn, plus more that you haven't earned yet. Here are the two magic bullets that will change your life: giving and saving. Your goal is to give away 10 percent of your income, and save another 10 percent for your future.

Create balance. Stop thinking about money and finances 24/7. You need to find time for faith and family, too. Nurture your faith by reading a Psalm from the Bible every morning and make prayer a part of your daily life. Spend more time with your kids=2 0and other family members. Nurturing other parts of your life will keep finances from overtaking your mind to the point where you are obsessed by money.

Commit to cash. You can't use credit if you don't have credit available. Get the cards out of your wallet. Cash your next paycheck and divvy it up in simple paper envelopes labeled according to your needs: rent, food, gas and so on. Place the amounts you'll need for each into the corresponding envelopes. Then, spend from these envelopes instead of using checks or cash. When an envelope is empty, you're done spending until the next fill-up.

The great thing about financial sanity is that it is a choice. You can keep doing things the way you've always done them before and keep your fingers crossed that you'll get a different result, or you can choose to change your attitude by implementing new behaviors.

15 Ways to Save Money on Healthy Eating

Many people object to "clipping coupons" thinking they will not be eating healthy.  Really is an overall strategy and a combination of many things.  There are coupons and sales on everything.  (Right now coupons.com has a coupon for fresh Dole Pineapple and I have a coupon for tomatos, yes coupons for fresh foods.)

But you must go beyond that here are the 15 things to keep in mind:

1. Don't shop on an empty stomach.
2. Plan! For couponers to save money this means plan your meals according to the sales.
3. Buy generic when it makes sense.  If you can get it cheaper and can't make it to an everyday low-price store than buy the store brand.
4. Shop alone.
5. Bring your calculator.
6. Make smart substitutions.  A thing we have mentioned before, give up those brand loyalties and use what you have on hand.
7.Buy whole foods.  Apples are cheaper than applesauce.
8. Buy in bulk when it make sense and is cheaper.
9. Shop the perimiters and not the middle of the store where most of the processed food is.
10. Eat protein without meat.  Try dried beans, lentils, sometimes you won't even notice in a soup!
11. Read ads and clip coupons.
12. Do it yourself when you can, make as much from scratch.
13. Eat what's in season.  (I have the fruits and vegetables that are in season listed on this blog!)
14. Be your own vending machine and carry-out.  Pack your own lunches, snacks, drinks and other meals.  Almost always healthier (or at least you can keep track of calories) and always cheaper.
15. Grow your own food if you can.

Check out the full details and article here

6 Risks of eating a low-fat diet

Did you know there were pitfalls to avoid when eating a low-fat diet? Thanks to the low-fat craze of the 1990s, many people still believe that less is more when it comes to dietary fat. But eating too little fat can actually hurt your health and your weight loss efforts check out all the details in this article by sparkpeople here

9 Simple Tricks to Eat Less

Some great tips to eating less (and stay within your calorie range) in this article on sparkpeople.

Check it out here

Exercise Log

I just realized I have been slacking on posting my exercise information as well as exercising itself.  This blog is supposed to be about staying lean physically and financially so I have to get back to the physically part.  So weekly I will start posting what I have done exercise-wise as well as the money I have saved.  Let me know how your exercising is going as well!

Sunday Coupon Review is up!

Check it out here

Southern Savers SuperMarket Savings

Another good article on the basics.

Southern Savers Supermarket Savings

Southern Savers - Coupon Burn Out

Southern Savers has some great articles so spend some time on her site if you haven't.  This is about what to do when you feel too burned out to cut coupons.  It is also good if you have procrastinated about getting started.  If you can't clip coupons still buy things at the rock bottom price that is where most of the savings are!  So check this out and follow the tips.

Extreme Couponing 101 Burnout

It's Hip to Save!: Walgreens: Possibly FREE Noxzema Razors!

Wow! Walgreens is the place to be this week! I have already made two trips and will be going back. Check out some of the deals below and be sure to check the Walgreens button on the side to check all the deals!
It's Hip to Save!: Walgreens: Possibly FREE Noxzema Razors!

Stretching a Buck All About Couponing Series

When I first started this after I was given an on-line class I googled new words and read everything I could. I'd here "types of stores" or "stockpile" then read a bunch of articles to reinforce that concept.  Each time I read things of course a lot of reinforced things I already new but a lot of times there were knew things. So I try to post a bunch of Couponing 101 angles from different websites that I enjoyed.  That way you don't have keep googling it yourself but will have a lot of sources you can keep reading and learn and reinforce the concepts with.

So here is another one Stretching a Buck's All about Couponing Series

How to handle Rejection - What do you say?

This was a really good article that Couponing to Disney linked to.  I must admit I learned a thing or two.  I guess I will try to work on cutting out the "Of course it's free that's what I'm getting it!" when I talk to the Bloomfield Target employees.  :)

Handling Rejection - What do you say?

She's also got some good articles on the basics.  So spend some time on her site.

How to Save Money in any Zip Code

I've mentioned Becentsable website in the past and it has some great articles check out this one here:
Great details on basics of how to save in any zip code.  For those that don't have 4 stores within a two mile radius like I do!

Restaurant.com Gift Certificates $25 for $2

Check out the deal here:
Restaurant.com

Directly from the website here are the details:
Enter Discount code: ENTREE at checkout and hit apply to save 80%. Offer valid from 11/10/2009 at 5:00 a.m. PST to 11/12/09 at 11:59p.m. PST.

Sample Sunday - Your Guide to This Week's Best Samples | Affluent Pauper#links

Sample Sunday - Your Guide to This Week's Best Samples Affluent Pauper#links

I've mentioned the Affluent Pauper before but here is a direct link to her site. I check it every other week or so for new samples that she posts. If you haven't requested these yet spend a few times each day requesting some samples and then you'll have so much fun getting your mail everyday.

Grocery Store Roll Call 11/15/2009

This week I shopped a couple of everyday low price stores I will have some very unscientific estimating so take with a grain of salt!

CVS #1
1 EARinse $7.99 (Saved $2.00)
1 Rimmel Curly Black Mascara (with bonus eyeliner) (Saved $.50)
$1/1 Rimmel Mascara
$11 in ECbucks

Received $7.99 and $4 in extracare bucks

Total Paid: $3.88
Total Saved: $14.50
Precentage Saved: 78.9%

Walgreens #1
Walgreens Peroxide $.99
Tylenol Sinus Congestion $4.99 saved $1.00
Tylenol Allergy $4.99 saved $1.00
Tylenol Cold Medicine $4.99 saved $1.00
Sudafed Triple Action PE $5.99 saved $1.00
$2/1 coupons for each of the cold medicines
$1/1 Walgreens Tylenol Coupon (deducts $3 for each)
$8 in Registry Rewards from previous transaction
Received $10 in Registry Rewards

Total Spent: $4.27
Total Saved: $27.00
Precentage Saved: 86.4%

Aldi's Foods (The general consensus is that Aldi's everyday low prices are about 50% of what you would normallly pay so that is what we will go with!)
Garden Salad $.99
Fruit Bowl mixed Fruit $1.39
3 Fruit Bowls Tropical Fruit $1.59
Vanilla Pudding Cups $.88
Applesauce Cups $.99
Total Spent: $10.61
Totals Saved: $10.61
Precentage Saved: 50%

Walgreen's #2
Number of Items purchased:10
Used $13 in Registry Rewards
Recieved $15 in Registry Rewards and bought a coloring book with various coupons

Total Spent: $6.01
Total Saved: $17.39
Precentage Saved: 74.3%

CVS #2
Clearance Peeps $.38
2 Garnier Face Products $5.99 each

Used 2 $1/1 coupon & $7.99 in ECBs

Total Spent: $3.09
Total Saved: $11.11
Precentage Saved: 77.9%

Dollar General
Laundry Basket $3.00
2 Yellow Tissue Paper $1.00
2 Greeting Cards $1.00
Used 20% everyday home items coupons available for this weekend on-line

Total Spent: $5.60
Total Saved: $1.40
Precentage Saved: 20% (Although I think it is a bit more with the price of the Laundry basket I think that would be more expensive at another store.)

Meijer's
Number of Items: 8
Used leftover on Bank of America card I received as a gift for trying an offer

Total Spent: $.6.39
Total Saved: $6.11
Precentage Saved: 48.9%

So this week I spent $33.05 and recieved $127.79 for a total precentage savings of 74.2%.  Still not too bad.  Also again I may can count more as I'm not sure of the exact savings for Dollar General in addition what I bought there was used for a gift. I took the suggestion of Hip 2 save and many other bloggers and put together a gift basket with household and personal goods that I shopped from my personal stock pile.  So the $5.60 at Dollar General were for mostly that gift.  While taking all the price tags off everything was on average worth $3 or so I probably included $80 of items in the gift but didn't pay a dime.  Also I had a baby shower and ordered two magazine subscriptions for that.  Both of these are previous savings already counted elsewhere but were used for something else and I only spent the money at Dollar General for cards and packaging.  When you consider all that I think it was a very good week!

It's Hip to Save!: "Follow Me Monday" CVS Shopping!

It's Hip to Save!: "Follow Me Monday" CVS Shopping!

Hip to Save one of my favorite bloggers for many reasons does a "Follow Me Monday" Series where she visusally has a video to teach about couponing.

So far she has:

WalMart Shopping (pretty simple), Coupon Organization, Walgreens Shopping (complicated), Target Shopping, Giving back, Rite Aid Shopping, Post-Holiday Shopping and above is her latest installment on CVS shoppping. Pharmacies/Drugstores are the most complicated, I myself avoided them for the first 4 months of my couponing but once you get into them they are the most rewarding. I walk out of there saving 75-90% and stocking up on more than enough OTC, pharmacy and Health and Beauty products.

So when you get some time check out all here videos as they will visually compliment the other tutorials you saw verbally explaining things from Couponing to Disney's website!

Her match-ups for Target, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are amazing as well.  (Although regional and prices differ.)

Cold and Allergy Season Coupons

Check out this site:

http://www.healthyseasonoffers.com/

Thanks Couponing to Disney!!

Check out Couponing to Disney today!

Couponing to Disney also has tons of printable coupons on her homepage.  She even has a new site for cold medicine that I'd never heard of!  Also check out her updated Wal-Mart deals, pretty extensive list if you shop there.  Since Kroger is pretty light this week I may be making my once a month stop to Wal-Mart this week.
Check it out here

Macomb Money Savers Match ups are up!

Check out the Meijer's, Kroger's, Target and Hiller's deals today.  Check back later to see when Busch's and VGs will be up.

http://www.macombmoneysavers.com/

Grocery Store Roll Call 11/07/09

CVS #1
Nasaflo Neti Pot $11.00 Saved $3.99
Vicks Vaporub $5.00 Saved $.49
Dayquil Liquid $5.00 Saved $1.99

$5 off any $20 or more purchase at CVS Coupon
Coupons: $1/1 Vicks product, $1/1 Dayquil/Nyquil product, $3/1 Nasaflo Neti Pot
$10 in ECBs from last transaction

Total Spent: $1.96
Total Saved: $26.47
Precentage Saved: 93.1%

Walgreens #1
2 Theraflu 6 pack on sale for $5
Comtrex Cold & Sinus on sale at $5.99
2 $2/1 Theraflu coupons
1 $2/1 Comtrex Coupon
1 $3 off ComtrexWalgreens Coupon
1 $2 off Comtrex Walgreens Instant Savings coupon (yes you can use two different Walgreens coupons at times so I made money off that transaction!)

Total Spent: $5.95
Total Saved: $12.98 (and received $3 in registry rewards from Theraflu transaction)
Precentage Saved: 54.17%

Kroger (Grand Blanc Kroger that doubles coupons up to $1)
Number of Items purchased: 42
Total Spent: $17.04
Total Saved: $90.33
Precentage Saved: 84.1%

VGs
Number of Items purchased: 5
Total Spent: $3.05
Total Saved: $11.27 (which includes meat markdowns)
Precentage Saved: 72.9%

Meijer's
Number of Items purchased: ??
Total Spent: $20.42
Total Saved: $22.12
Precentage Saved: 52% (Note I was supposed to get several Catalina coupons but none of them printed and I didn't have time to go to the service desk.  So will be emailing Meijer with a complaint.)

Walgreens #2
3 Lubiderm Lotions on sale at $3.79
2 Arizona Green Teas $0.99 on sale buy one get one free

3 $2/1 Lubiderm Lotion coupons
1 $1/1 Lubiderm Walgreens Coupon (will deduct for each item with just one coupon)
$3 registry rewards from previous transaction (which is why I had to buy the green tea I cannot be paid overage and each Walgreens coupon must have an item to match

Total Spent: $2.03
Total Saved: $12.00
Precentage Saved: 85.5%
Note (And received $8 in registry rewards!)

CVS #2
Number of Items: 13
Total Spent: $10.95
Total Saved: 27.60
Precentage Saved: 74.6% (Received $11 in extracare bucks)
(This transaction was rather large for my CVS transaction however they had a deal on Albert Culver Ethnic care products Motions, Organics, etc.  I spend money on those any way in fact a week or two ago I went into a drugstore and bought something I need for $8.  With this transaction I got 3 hair care items, toothpaste and lots of candy, some gourmet for a little more than the price I pay for one hair care item.)

I spent $60.05 and received $249.85 worth of goods which includes groceries, hair care products, gourmet candy, and lots of cold medicine for a total saving of 75.9%.

Couponing to Disney Beginner Coupon Tutorials

These are great! Check them out while you have time.  I reviewed them while I cut coupons tonight!

http://couponingtodisney.blogspot.com/2009/11/smart-shopping-parts-1-5.html

These here explain shopping at Wal-Mart, Target and CVS.

http://couponingtodisney.blogspot.com/2009/11/smart-shopping-week-2.html

Extra Money for Searching, shopping and small trial offers

There are many ways you can make a little extra cash or earn giftcards on-line by doing simple things.  The first thing you probably want to do is set up a separate email account for this.  That way all the emails come to one place.  Some of these I have mentioned in passing but here's a good list with some summaries.

Paypal – You probably first want to sign up to paypal as paypal is a way that many of the companies will pay you immediately and electronically.  In addition paypal offers it's own on-line discounts and they give you interest in the money you keep in your account.  You can find a button on the side to sign up for paypal.

There are several ways to earn cash back when you shop online:
Cashbaq – You can find codes to reduce your price of on-line shopping and then receive a small amount back on that purchase.  Once you receive a certain amount that quantity will be paid back to you.  Sign up for cashbaq here

Ebates – Exact same idea as cashbaq when you have choice you will want to see which will give you the better deal and the most cash back cashbaq or ebates. Sign up for ebates here

Mr. Rebates - Another site that will give you cash back on your purchases here

BigCrumbs - Another site that will give you cash back on your purchases here

Shop at Home - Another cash back go here to sign up

Swagbucks – Sponsored by google you get points or "swagbucks" for searches.  Instead of going directly to a website type it in here and you will get a few swagbucks per day.  Once they add up you can redeem them for various prices as well as $5 Amazon gift cards or $5 into your paypal account.  You can sign up here

Upromise – Upromise has a little bit of everything.  You can shop, add coupons to shop with, many many things.  The idea is to save money in this account for college and redeem later.  However you can save for a future child, so you don't have to have to have children to sign up.  And if you decide to shop through their site be sure you can't get a better deal at cashbaq or ebates. Click the button on the side if you would like to sign up.

Mypoints – You get points for many different things, trying trial offers, printing and redeeming coupons, and even reading emails.  The emails are advertisements and you get more points of you try them but you get a small amount for just clicking on it.  You'll get two or three a day and although it is slow eventually it will add up so you can redeem them for different types of gift cards.  Again with the shopping make sure you can't get a better deal through another site. If you'd like to sign up email me here and put Mypoints sign up in the title.

Youdata – You get paid to view advertisments.  Sometimes it is just to view a website but sometimes it could be a full ad or commercial.  Always very quick and then every Friday the balance you have is sent to your paypal account.  If you'd like to sign up click here

Be sure to sign this up for an alternate and not your main email address as you will get many emails from them.