Shaw's deals 9/18-9/24

Pretty light week for Shaw's which is just fine by me, I'll keep my money! :-)

The only item in the 3 day sale that I might think about getting is the 88 cent oranges. Since I'm overloaded with apples right now, I don't really need more fruit though.

The must have for me this week is the Cheerios deal!
All varieties are 2/$4
$1 off 2 Cheerios, or the same coupon from the 9/13 Smart Source insert. Check your Betty Crocker or Pillsbury account for a special 75 cents off one honey nut cheerios to get cereal for 50 cents!

Fresh ground beef is going for $2.88/lb in 3+ pound packs

Barilla pasta and pasta sauce are Buy 2 get 1 Free
The Pronto variety is included in this sale and are priced at $1.50 each
use this 70 cents off one printable to stock up! This is a great item to donate!

Progresso classic or minestrone soups 10/$10
Use your exclusive Betty Crocker coupon for 50 cents off one, which will double to $1.00 and pay nothing at the register!
you can also use this $1 off 3 printable

Alexia vegetables 2/$4 (I LOVE the parmesan peas!)
use this Mambo Sprouts 75 cents off one coupon to get 50 cent veggies!

Market Basket deals 9/13-9/19

I only used ONE coupon when I did my regular shopping today, now I feel twitchy :-)

~MB Boneless & skinless chicken breast $1.89/lb (any size pkg)
~MB Boneless center cut pork chops $1.99/lb
~Tons of produce on sale, I am making a big batch of veggie lasagna so I took full advantage!
~Butterball 85% lean ground turkey still $2.29
~Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls 2 pack $2.99 (I noticed in the store that the regular cans were 2/$3, cheaper than Shaw's!) $1 off 2 printable
~Muller yogurts still on sale for 5/$4
~ Birds Eye side dishes 5/$5 (9oz packages)
~Chef Boyardee canned pasta 5/$4 STOCK UP PRICE
~Ronzoni Healthy pasta 5/$5 this is a really good price for this kind of pasta!
~MB bath tissue 20 rolls, 1000 sheets $9.99
There's usually a bunch of really great non-food deals at MB and there just isn't anything sticking out at me this week. Their prices are so good anyway, you can't go wrong.
If you see anything I missed please post in the comments!

Shaw's Deals 9/11-9/17

If you'd like to get more reliable and earlier deals for Shaw's, head on over to Deals by Darlene, she gets the next week's flyer on Monday and posts a video for you to see! I use her site as a reference for most of my Shaw's deals anyway, and I love to watch her :-)

3-Day Sale 9/11-9/13

~Prince Pasta 69 cents, limit 8
~Bumble Bee tuna 88 cents, limit 4
~ Perri Italian Sausage links 2/$5

Regular Sale
none of that must buy in multiples of 6 nonsense this week, yay!

~Boneless chicken breast or thighs $1.88/lb 3+pound package (perfect timing, just used my last bit from the last sale!)
~Fresh broccoli or green peppers 99cents/lb
~Greek yogurt sale 10/$10 pretty much every brand, use the coupon database to see if your favorite brand has any printable coupons. I used all my Muller yogurts finally so I am going back to buying the large tub of plain yogurt and mixing in my own fruit.
~Kellogg's cereals, pop-tarts, fruit snacks and rice krispies treats $1.88
I know Apple Jacks and Fruit Loops are included in the "select varieties" and there are plenty of coupons in the Kellogg's Family Rewards to use!
~Progresso Traditional or Rich & Hearty soup Buy 2 Get 2 Free. There's a coupon coming out on 9/13 in the Smart Source insert for 50cents off 2, which will double to $1. I'll have to check the actual price of the soup to see if this is a good deal. 2/$5, that's an okay deal with the coupon.
~Cottonelle 12 double roll pack $4.99, use insert coupon to save $1
~Goya beans 88 cents! great deal without a coupon but use this $1 off 5 cans of low sodium beans to really stock up your cupboard.
~Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 3/$5, these are my FAVORITE! use this $1 off 2 refrigerated Pillsbury product for this deal or the 2/$4 Cinnamon or Crescent rolls, can it be Thanksgiving now?
~Puffs tissue cubes 10/$10 use this 25 cents off one Puffs product to get 50 cent tissues!

Earlier this year Shaw's started carrying Open Nature and Organics brand products, I encourage you to check them out, it seems to be the store brand organic products at reasonable prices.




 

Market Basket deals 9/6-9/12

Hope you are all having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

There were no coupon inserts in today's paper, so no need to run out and buy the paper today :-)

~Market Basket brand English muffins 6-pack 2/$1

~Barilla pasta 5/$5, use the 08/09 Red Plum $1 off 4 coupon to stock up your cabinets!

~Lean Cuisine entrees 5/$10

~Progresso vegetable soups 5/$5 use this $1 off 3 coupon for even more savings

~Silk Almond, Soy or Coconut milk 2/$5

~Lactaid milk 3 quart $3.99, if you sign up on Lactaid's website, you can print some 55 cent coupons

~McCain French Fries 2/$4, use this $1 off one McCain Smiles coupon

~Bush's canned beans 5/$4 (dried beans are always cheaper but I never use that many beans, even when I make a huge soup or stew)

~Cottonelle toilet paper 12 double roll pack $5.99

~Method hand soap, dish liquid and all purpose cleaner 2/$5, I thought you could only find this brand at Target so I was happy to see it at MB at such a good price!

~Pepto-Bismol 12 oz bottle $3.99, this stuff never seems to go on sale! I'm going to check the store brand price, but if you are brand loyal, use this $1 off 2 coupon to stock up your medicine cabinet

~Old Spice High Endurance deodorant 2/$3 and print two of these $1 off one Old Spice deodorant to make it FIFTY CENTS EACH
~Market Basket cotton swabs 375 count 99 cents, I need q-tips and this seems like a good price

WOW, I didn't think there were that many deals when I first went through the sales flyer!

Shaw's Deals 9/4-9/10

Quick tip: clip any coupons that are $1 or more to your MyMixx account and save yourself a print! About once a week, I go through the online coupons and change the sort to "value" so the highest is first. I clip pretty much everything I think I might possibly use. Remember that electronic coupons will NOT double and Electronic coupons will be honored over paper coupons, so don't clip anything under a dollar.

Okay, onto the deals!

Nothing struck my fancy in the 4-day sale, I hate that "you must buy 5" nonsense with the soda, I'm not spending ELEVEN BUCKS on soda!!! Alright, end of rant :-)

Regular sale items:
~Sargento shredded and sliced cheese 2/$5, use this 55 cents off 1 Ultra Thin slices = $1.40 final price each
~Ground beef continues the $2.99/lb for 4+ pound packs, great stock up price!
~Ground Turkey $2.99/lb for the Open Nature 93% lean
~Frigo cheese heads $2.99, only a good deal with this 50 cents off 1 printable coupon, $1.99 final price

Lots of deals in the When You Buy in multiples of 6 sale, everything is $1.88:
~Open Nature and Skippy peanut butter 15-16oz jars
~Weight Watchers Smart Ones, use this $1 off 3 printable for a final price of $1.55 each
~Nature Valley granola bars, use this 75 cents off one printable to get 38 cent granola bars! In case this coupon disappears over the weekend, you can use this 50 cents off two coupon instead, $1.88 is a great price on its own though!
~Hershey's baking morsels (it's getting to be baking season!)
~Galbani ricotta 15oz and fresh mozzarella go here to get a $1 off any Galbani cheese product coupon, you have to sign up but that's why you have that spare email address :-)
~Dole 4 pack fruit bowls, use the 7/26 Smart Source insert coupon to save $1 off 2 if you have it
~Xtra laundry detergent 68-75 oz bottle, use the 8/9 Smart Source insert coupon to save $1 off 2

I saved the best for last! I love a good cereal deal :-)
~General Mills cereal, select varieties

This is the list of cereals that will be included in the sale, according to Shaw’s facebook post.  I’m pointing out a few deals for you below. (credit to Deals by Darlene for this info!)

Chocolate Lucky Charms
Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch $1 off 2 Cheerios
Multi Grain Cheerios $1 off 2 Cheerios
Cinnamon Toast Crunch - use your Betty Crocker account to print a 75 cents off exclusive coupon
Lucky Charms 11.5 oz.
General Mills Cookie Crisp Cereal 11.25 – 13.4 oz.
Cocoa Puffs 11.8 oz.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Puffs 13 oz. 50 cents off 1
Golden Grahams 12 oz
French Toast Crunch - use your Betty Crocker account to print a 75 cents off exclusive coupon
Big G – Sponge Bob 10.7 oz.
Big G – Go Go Diego Go 18 oz.

There was a $1 off 3 General Mills cereal in the 8/2 Smart Source insert that includes most of these cereals.

Market Basket deals 8/30-9/5/2015

Lots of good deals that don't require coupons this week!

~ Tostitos Scoops 2/$4, since I made my own salsa I've been going through these like crazy, and they make the perfect little nacho cups!
~ Blue Diamond Almond Breeze half gallons 2/$5, if you haven't used the $1 off 7/12 SmartSource insert coupon yet, now's the time!
~ Charmin 12 Double Roll pack $5.99 use this printable coupon to save 35 cents
~Johnsonville ground Italian sausage $2.69 16oz package (I'm in the lasagna making mood!)
~ Muller yogurts are still on sale 5/$4, use this $1 off 2 coupon for  30 cent yogurt! There was also a $2 off 6 coupon in the 8/30 Red Plum insert
~Pampers jumbo pack diapers $6.99 wicked good price on its own! Use the $3 off 2 bags or one box coupon from the 8/30 P&G or use this $2 off 2 bags or 1 box printable coupon
~Reynold's aluminum foil 30 sq feet 99cents!
~Nasacort 60 dose spray $9.99 use the $4.00 off 1 coupon from the 8/23 Red Plum insert or this $2 off 1 printable
~ Secret wide solid antiperspirant 2/$4 , there are multiple printable coupons, pick your favorite! 


And since it's a new month, the printable coupons have reset! Guess what I'll be doing when I get home!

Shaw's deals 08/29/2015

Lots of deals this week so I wanted to post early!

3-Day Sale:

~ Coca-Cola 2 Liter 88 cents (limit 6), normally I wouldn't put soda deals on this blog but I try to keep some in the house for when I have house guests, and sometimes I just need a Coke to get my caffeine instead of hot tea, it happens.

~Keebler Crackers and Cheez-Its $1.99 (limit 4) wicked good stock up price without coupons, but you can save even more by using your Kellogg's Family Rewards account and printing coupons there.

~ Eastern Peaches 88cents/lb if you weren't lucky enough to have a Dad with a bumper crop :-)

Wicked good deals:

~Boneless chicken breast or thighs $1.88/lb, 3+lbs 

~Fresh ground beef $2.99/lb, 4+lbs (I missed this last time!)

~Open Nature ground turkey 93% lean $2.99

~ Puffs tissues cubes 10/$10, use this 25 cents off any Puffs product which will double to 50 cents

~Kashi cereal and cereal bars $3.29 (this is NOT a great price) BUT, you save $1 instantly when you buy two, making it cheaper than Market Basket

The Save $6 when you buy 6, mix or match sale (you have to buy 6 of the participating items to get the final price):

$1.99

~Kraft Shredded cheese use this 75 cents off 1 coupon to get 49 cent cheese!

~ Kraft singles cheese use this 60 cents off 2 to pay $1.39 each

~Quaker chewy bars, use the 8/26 Red Plum insert coupon $1 off 2 to make these $1.49 each, great item to donate!

99cents
~Kraft BBQ sauce use this 55 cents off 1 coupon to get these for FREE, plus 11 cents towards the rest of your order
~Kraft salad dressing 16oz, use the 8/2 Red Plum $1 off 2 coupon to make these 49 cents each
~Jello refrigerated pudding, use the 8/9 SmartSource $1 off 2 coupon to make these 49 cents each


Thanks to Rhechelle for helping me put the Shaw's deals together this week!

Also, I've had lots of fun exploring the Deals by Darlene site the past couple weeks. She puts an incredible amount of time and passion into her website and she posts deals more regularly than I do! Please check her out and if you like to plan your Shaw's trips a few days in advance, she is the lady to help you!

Confession!

I broke my own rule of not buying something just because I had a coupon for it and a rebate...and I was punished for it!
For added insult to injury, I also had to go to Wal-Mart to accomplish this sin. The store was a zoo and the shelves were hardly stocked, I was able to find my few items and when I got up to the register realized I left my wallet in my yoga bag...at home. ARG! So when I finally got back to the store, I had to go to customer service to retrieve my items, where I was complimented on my coupon/money saving skills by the person behind me :-)

Here's what I got:

Simple facial wipes $4.96
St. Ives apricot scrub $3.87
(3) Gillette disposable razor 2 packs $1.97 each
1 box of Chex clusters $3.68
Retail total: $18.42
Coupon break down:
$3 off 2 Unilever products (face stuff)
$3 off Gillette disposable razors (3 coupons)
$1 off Chex clusters cereal
 = $13 total coupons

$5.42 out of pocket!!!

I'll also get back $3.75 from Checkout 51 (why I needed to go to Wal-Mart)
 but I just cashed out with them so it will be a good while before I hit $20 again. The Unilever coupon expired yesterday too, which was why I had to go back the same day. At least I went earlier in the day and didn't have a cart full of groceries too!

If I had thought it through, I could have saved myself the trouble and gone one of the other times I was in Seabrook this weekend. And maybe I would have realized I had enough in my Ibotta account to get a $10 gift card, even though I'm saving that up for wireless headphones. Lesson learned!

Market Basket deals 8/23/2015

My Market Basket had TONS of marked down produce today. As long as you use it up quickly, this is an excellent way to supplement salads, sauces or snacks!

~ Boneless/skinless chicken thighs $1.99/lb (any size pkg)

~New Jersey peaches $0.99/lb

~Lunchables w/drink combo $1.99, use this $1 off printable for an even better deal!

~ Perdue short cuts $2.79, use the $1 off 2 coupon from the 7/12 Red Plum insert if you still have it, or check out this website to see if they send you a coupon for it Perdue Rewards

~ Alexia frozen potatoes and onion rings 2/$5 these are my FAVE!

~Thomas' English muffins 2/$4

~ Fresh Express baby blends 2/$4 (seemed like they were all this price)

~ Pampers economy pack of diapers $29.99, use this $2 off two bags or one box of Pampers Cruisers

Shaw's Deals 8/23/2015

Here's my Shaw's roundup for this week:

~the Horizon Mac & Cheese 10/$10 deal runs through 9/10, make sure to clip the $1.10 off 2 Horizon snack time favorites and $1.10 off 2 Horizon Mac and Cheese to your MyMixx account, print extras using the links, there were $1 off 2 in the 8/9 Red Plum insert, and you can sign up for Horizon's newsletter to score a 55 cent coupon, making your mac & cheese FREE, we love free! Both my local Shaw's ran out of this item early last week so I'm hoping they have restocked by the time I get there!

~Tide 46-50 oz on sale for $5. Print this 75 cent off coupon which will double to $1.50 making the detergent $3.50. Remember, don't clip any coups under $1.00 to your MyMixx because they will NOT double, and electronic coupons go through before paper.

~ Green Giant frozen and canned vegetables 10/$10, great deal for stocking up your freezer!

~ Old El Paso seasoning packets 5/$5, Chiles, tortillas and taco sauce 2/$3, kits and salsa 2/$5 there was $1 of 3 Old El Paso in the 8/2 SmartSource insert, and until yesterday there were a bunch of printables, keep your eyes peeled for them to come back and I will update when I see them.

~ $5 off $15 Unilever purchase, with Shaw's prices it should be easy to get to $15, but there are numerous combinations you could use with coupons, just thought I would mention it!

Also check out the "broken down aisle" while you're there. I was able to get 2 big cans of Enfamil pre-made formula for a dollar each. Watch the expiration dates though, I found some expiring in November but most of them were Sept-Oct. They seem to be rotating between baby and pet stuff lately.

August Challenge and a personal message

     Life went a little sideways so I wasn't able to keep up my side of the August challenge, but I'm back on the wagon this week and wanted to share my meal plan with you. Before I get into that though, I wanted to write some words on the subject of deal chasing...
     It is very easy to get swept up in the rush of getting super great deals, and I am guilty of this. Last night I found I was getting down on myself for not getting a CVS deal that was only available on Sunday and Monday. In order to snap out of it, I reminded myself that there would be other deals. There will always be other deals! If I don't have enough money to buy FOOD, I certainly don't have enough money to buy whatever it was that I felt I missed out on. Typically, when a newspaper coupon expires, a new one comes out in the next Sunday paper. The drugstore deals tend to run in 6-8 week cycles, so I'll catch it next time. It's okay, the world will keep turning if I don't take advantage of that fantastic deal on shampoo!

      Alright, onto the August Challenge and trying to cut down to eating on $4 a day! My Dad brought me some produce from his garden, so I'll be incorporating that into my meals. I'm also trying to eat out of my pantry and freezer as much as possible to try and reduce costs. Here's my meal plan for the week:

		To Do:
Sunday
Breakfast	cereal & fruit	815am Yoga
Lunch	gathering	Service for Pat
Dinner	Leftovers
Monday
Breakfast	cereal & fruit
Lunch	PB&J
Dinner	Freezer meal	grocery shopping
Tuesday
Breakfast	cereal & fruit
Lunch	ham sandwich
Dinner	chicken chawarma rice bowl	house chores
Wednesday
Breakfast	cereal & fruit
Lunch	ham sandwich
Dinner	pizza	gym
Thursday
Breakfast	cereal & fruit
Lunch	ham sandwich
Dinner	crock pot	phone conference
Friday
Breakfast	cereal & fruit
Lunch	chicken chawarma sandwich
Dinner	Freezer meal
Saturday
Breakfast	cereal & fruit	gym
Lunch	crock pot leftovers
Dinner	chicken chawarma rice bowl

Market Basket Deals for the Week of 8/9/2015

I don't know how Market Basket does it, but they have some great non-food deals this week!

~Purex laundry detergent 43.5 - 50oz bottle $1.99, great price on its own but if you have the $1 off coupon from the 8/2 Red Plum insert only 99 cents!
~ Bic Soleil Bella razors $4.99, combine with the $3 off coupon from the 8/2 Smart Source insert to get yourself some $1.99 wicked good razors.
~Crest toothpaste 6.4oz (that's the big one) 2/$3 use this 50 cents off one printable to pay just a buck a tube!
~Lysol products are on sale, comparable to Shaw's, so I'll have to see what coupons I have, at least I don't have to buy 6 items at Market Basket though!
~Miralax 8.3 oz bottle $8.99, you'll beat Target and Walmart by over $1.50 and if you have the coupon from the 7/26 Smart Source insert you'll save another $2!

There were multiple pages in the flyer with fresh produce specials, one page devoted to organic and local farms. This is a great time of year to take advantage of the local produce and stock up your freezer or can your favorite fruits and veggies.

Shaw's Deals for the Week of 8/9/2015

Seems like I'm running low on everything this week and of course money is extra tight because I spent way too much at Home Depot! Good thing I have my coupons to help bring my out of pocket costs down in times like these!


Continuing with their HUGE Anniversary Sale this week, here's what I'm looking at as a good deal.
Must buy in multiples of 6 (mix or match) for the final sale price items:
~Muller corner yogurts, 39 cents each
~Store brand canned corn, green beans or peas: 49 cents each
~Lysol wipes 35 ct or toilet cleaner: 1.49 (use 8/2 SmartSource coupon for even better savings)
~Lunchables snack packs and Oscar Mayer P3: 99 cents
~Jif peanut butter, hazelnut spread or Jif whips: $1.49 (I know I've seen coupons floating around for these too!)
~Vlasic pickles $1.49

Things you don't need to buy in multiples of 6 and look like a good deal:
~ All laundry detergent 50 oz or 24 count multipacks $2.50 (there is a printable in the Red Plum coupons for $1 off any All product, I will post the link as soon as I figure it out!)
~ Snuggle fabric softener or sheets $2.50 (same as above, and I need dryer sheets!)
~Tidy Cats Lightweight litter 8.5 lb $7.99, and there's a $3 peelie coupon on the litter, final price $4.99!!! (I love beating Walmart's prices by a bunch, just so you know)
~ Old Spice and Secret deodorant $2.79, use printable coupons 75 cents off one Old Spice or 75 cents off one Secret which will double, final cost $1.29!

~Chicken breasts or thighs: $1.77/lb but you have to get the big 3+ lb package.
~ Ground beef 80% lean: $2.99 4+ pound package (I hardly ever buy ground beef anymore because it has gotten so expensive, but at this price I might stock up my freezer)
~ Red, Yellow or Orange peppers or cucumbers: $1 (hmm, stuffed peppers anyone?)

Deals for the week of 8/2/2015

This week begins my August challenge of eating on $4 a day. I will keep myself accountable by posting how much I spent on food with specific breakdowns.

Shaw's

Shaw's is having their "Huge Anniversary Sale" and has a few great deals:
~ 99cent pint blueberries, although this is peak picking time around here, if you aren't able to go to a farm and pick your own, this is a cheap alternative.
~Fresh Express salad blends 2/$3, you must buy 2 for this price
~Hefty Zip storage bags 2/$3 (there was a $1.50 off 2 in today's paper) or you can try to print this 50 cent off one coupon here, which will double, making your storage bags 50 cents! (update: this coupon didn't double for me today 8/3 but did on Saturday, so maybe try the coupon on the Hefty website or the coupon insert)
~Puffs facial tissues (the cube size) are 10 for $10, print this 25 cents off one coupon, to pay 50 cents a box.

Part of the Huge Anniversary Sale has a "buy 6 items" caveat, and some of the deals are fantastic, but just remember to buy in multiples of 6! You can mix and match items, as long as it adds up to 6, you're good! The items will ring up at their sale price and the $3 "bonus" will come off at the end of your transaction. This is a little different than how they usually run sales, so I wanted to warn you ahead of time.

~Muller corner yogurts, sale price $0.89 (after promo $0.39 each)
~Essential Everyday corn, peas, or beans, sale price (after promo $0.49each)
~Kraft salad dressing 16oz, sale price $1.49 (after promo $0.99) there was a 75 cent coupon in the 6/14 Smartsource insert, that will double and make your dressing 24 cents each! There were peelies on most of the bottles, $1 off 2, still a great deal even without coupons.
~ Birdseye Steamfresh veggies includes the new flavor full and protein blends varieties , sale price $1.99 (after promo $1.49)

There are a bunch of others, take a look at the flyer online to find your best combo. Or better yet, check out this new resource I found, she does a great job finding coupons in other places too! Deals by Darlene this link will bring you right to the Shaw's deals page.

What I bought at Shaw's:
Muller yogurt 6 0.89 $5.34
 frozen veggies 3 1.99 $5.97
 bread 1 0.99 $0.99
 Anniversary sale 1 -3.00 -$3.00
 coupons 3 -1.00 -$3.00
Total     $6.30

I haven't made it to Market Basket yet and I didn't get their flyer this week so I will update tomorrow with what I bought there!

8/3 Update: I knew Shaw's regular prices were near ridiculous and here is yet another example,HAHA!
I've been waiting for Craisins to go on sale at Shaw's because there are a bunch of 50 cent off 1 printable coupons. A regular 5oz bag is $2.99 at Shaw's. Market Basket sells them for 3 for $5, which is $1.67 and CHEAPER than the store brand! I got one bag for now and I'll stock up when I have a little more breathing room in my budget.
I forgot to grab a flyer but you can find it online. Jif peanut butter is on sale 2/$3 and so are the Hefty slider bags. There is a cereal deal with in-store, but they say that you can't combine coupons, not sure how it works.
Another great resource for the Market Basket flyer with coupon match ups is here: http://thecentsiblefamily.com/market-basket-coupon-match-ups/

Here's what I ended up buying today:
mushrooms 1 1.69 $1.69
craisins 1 1.67 $1.67
apples 1.81 0.99 $1.79
sour cream (greek yogurt) 1 3.69 $3.69
pizza 1 4.69 $4.69
canned food 2 0.67 $1.34
coupons 1 -2.50 -$2.50
   Total  $12.37

Discounted Gift Cards

It's one of those money-saving tactics that I always forget about. With a little foresight, your savings can really stack up!
I have used Card Pool for buying discounted gift cards for about the past year and I must say, I wish I had picked up on that little trick a lot earlier. There are other sites, Raise, Gift Card Granny etc, but Card Pool was the most straight forward.

Here are two examples of places you can really save a bunch with discounted gift cards:

Home Depot: I own my home, so I go to Home Depot at least once a month. There are always projects to be done and supplies needed. Right now, Card Pool has their gift cards with a 7% discount, but I have gotten them at 10% before. When I know I'll be going to Home Depot in the near future, I will look on Card Pool and pick the gift card closest to what I think I'll spend. I then ask my neighbor friend who is in the military if he will go with me to grab the items needed.
Example: 
$100 gift card, paid  $93
Purchased $100 worth of products, with military discount used $90 of my Gift Card
Total savings = $17 or 17%


Target: With all the discounts and coupons Target offers, you can save even more with discounted gift cards. Personally, I would buy discounted gift cards for Target when I am planning a larger purchase. Remember, to get the 5% REDcard discount, you have to pay with your REDcard. Only buy discounted gift cards for Target when the discount exceeds 5% to get the most bang for your buck.


Restaurants tend to have a higher discount than retail stores, so it might be worthwhile to purchase one or two to your favorite chain restaurant for special occasions, travel, vacations or those often occurring "I just don't feel like cooking and need a treat" days.

AND, the cherry on the sundae! I use my 5% cash back rewards credit card to purchase the discounted gift cards and rack up more points. I have the option of getting cash back or using it for other merchandise or gift cards, and since I pay off my credit card every month, I use those points to get free gift cards.

If you're thinking about buying a discounted gift card and decide to give Card Pool your business, please use my referral code to get $5 off your first order. I will also receive $5 in Card Pool credit :-)
http://refer.cardpool.com/v2/share/6192665213118795816

Deals for the week 7/26/2015

CVS

I finally get to post about a truly free item that only requires you to have a CVS ExtraCare card and a printable coupon!
Here's how you do it:
1. Print this $2 off Colgate Mouthwash coupon before you go to the store (you might print 2, I bet there will be other deals next week!)
2. Scan your ExtraCare card when you walk in the store, it will spit out a bunch of coupons at you, I'm serious, like a yard long with the coupons. The first one should be for $2.79 off Colgate Total mouthwash 33.8 oz. (update, this is a misprint! it should be for the 16.9oz size)
3. Go grab the correct mouthwash from the shelf and bring it to the register. They weren't marked at my store as being on sale but you can scan them at the coupon kiosk to double check.
4. Scan your ExtraCare card again, hand over your 2 coupons and receive the magical receipt that says Total: $0.00
5. Optional: do a little happy dance

CVS is also running their special promotion where you get a free reusable bag and a 30% off coupon for almost anything with the CVS brand. This might be a good time to stock up on store brand pain relief, first aid items, or household necessities.

Shaw's

I hope you were able to take advantage of the Kellogg's 3-day sale!
~ Green Grapes 97 cents a pound! WOOHOO, toss 'em in the freezer for a healthy treat!
~ Yoplait 6oz yogurt, 20/$10 (you don't have to get 20!) and use this 50 cents off 5 printable coupon which will double to $1.00, 30 cents each if you get 5!
~ There is a whole page of stuff that is 79 cents if you buy 10, mix or match. A few things that stuck out at me as being a good price were: Chef Boyardee cans or cups, Starkist solid white tuna, a variety of Greek yogurts, Green Giant boxed veggies and Hunt's canned tomatoes or pasta sauce.
~Perdue fully cooked refrigerated breaded chicken, $2.50 for 12oz package. This is an unadvertised deal through Labor Day! I get the cutlets and make super quick and easy chicken parm. There was a 75 cent coupon in the 6/14 Red Plum insert, if you use that, it will double to $1.50 and make them A DOLLAR!!! Guess what's on my meal plan this week :-)

Market Basket

~ Perdue breaded chicken (same as above) $1.99 per package, this is a better deal if you don't have the newspaper coupon.
~ Perdue chicken breast short cuts $2.99 7oz package. I usually buy fresh or frozen chicken breasts and cook them myself, but I'm also a realist. I'm usually hungry when I get home from work so these can be a lifesaver thrown on a salad or in some sort of stir fry. Still cheaper than ordering out!
* While I was navigating the masses, I noticed that the fully cooked Perdue frozen chicken was on sale for $5.99. I can't find it anywhere in the current or previous flyer but it was marked "sale item". This is $2 cheaper than Shaw's sale price! There's a good variety of items too.
~ Hefty trash bags $5.99, there are some things I won't buy the generic brand of, and trash bags is one of them. If Hefty is your brand, this is a great price!



Did you score a great deal? See something I missed? Please post in the comments!

Stock up on cereal at Shaw's (3-day sale)

I don't usually post about the 3 day sales items for Shaw's because they start on Friday and end on Sunday, which is when I'm collecting information for the week's sales. This is an exception because the deal is THAT GOOD!

Here's the wording from the flyer:

Kellogg’s Cereals 12.2-15 oz., select varieties Rice Krispies Treats 4.68-6.2 oz., 8 ct., select varieties Fruity Snacks 8 oz. Pop-Tarts 21-22 oz., 12 ct.

4/$4 MUST BUY 4 LIMIT 8

Details:

4/$6 MUST BUY 4 after 3 Day Sale WICKED AWESOME 3 DAY sale Friday, Saturday & Sunday. July 24th through July 26th

Price Valid 07/24/15 - 07/26/15

The "select varieties" cereal include these four only: Frosted Flakes, Corn Pops, Apple Jacks, and Fruit Loops.

You can reduce your out of pocket by joining Kellogg's Family Rewards and printing the $1 off 3 cereals and $1 off 3 Pop-Tarts.

Checkout 51 has $1 on 2 Fruit Loops and $1 on 2 Pop-Tarts offers.

Even without coupons or rebates, a dollar a box on cereal is pretty darn good!

Rice Krispies Treats, Fruit Snacks and Pop-Tarts, a dollar a box is a great price too! These are all excellent items to donate to your local food pantry. With the kids out of school and limited access to free lunches, grocery budgets are even tighter this time of year.

Deals and Steals! 7/21/2015

Target

I think the clearance section is pretty much cleaned out, but check back to see if new items have been added to the shelves. They often don't mark the clearance items, you just have to ferret them out and use the price scanner across the aisle.

The big deal at Target this week is the 4 packs of Kraft mac & cheese cups for $0.75!  Go stock up!

Shaw's

Not the healthiest item, but might save you a trip to Dunks when you're craving an iced coffee, and it's FREE
Print this $0.80 off Iced Coffee coupon, which will double to $1.60!
On your way into the store, stop and grab the Big Book of Savings, on the front there is a store coupon for $1 OFF Any ONE (1) International Delight Iced Coffee 64 oz.
These are on sale 2/$5 this week, so if you only buy this one item, your total will be ZERO, I love it when that happens!
Keep in mind that Shaw's store coupon policy only allows one store coupon, so you may need to break up your order if you want more than one.

Staples

Get their mobile app and get this coupon 
http://stpl.mobi/cb/access/crp/shEcucH6Pur3/spn.jsp?p=T1WX60A-9BFFQMM-E5O6OO

Free box of 12 Poppin Signature ballpoint pens. No purc. necc. It's easy. Just pick your pens up and show this coupon at checkout. Valid in store only.
Coupon code:	9838 6210 3651 1758
Ends: 7/25/15

How to make out like a bandit at Target

Seriously, I feel like I'm stealing sometimes when I leave my beloved Target!
If you do a little work and make a plan, you can get items like razors and body wash for free or pennies. 
Here's how you do it:

#1 Cartwheel - after you sign up on a computer, print your bar code. Your bar code is basically like a store rewards card and no matter how many changes you make to it, it stays the same. You can even use the app to add deals on your phone while you're in the store and have the cashier scan your bar code when you checkout.  My phone is fickle, I don't trust it, so I keep my printed bar code in the envelope with the coupons and my list. The cartwheel offers seem to update almost daily, so keep an eye out towards the end of the week for big percentages to pop up for only a few days. You are allowed to use each offer on up to four items, but you can use your Cartwheel up to six times per day.

#2 Target printable coupons - Target has recently updated their coupons to include most of the printable coupons you would find on coupons.com, plus you can search and sort them. The Target store coupons are mixed in there, so you will have to do a little digging for the items you want. The feature I really like about this new combination is I can print both Target and Manufacturer's coupons on the same page. For example, there is a Target coupon for 75 cents off 49-ct or larger Carefree liners and a manufacturer coupon for $1.50 off two Carefree products. I can type Carefree in the search bar, both coupons pop up, select and print! You can stack coupons and use 4 of each per shopping trip.

#3 Manufacturer's Coupons - use printed or newspaper coupons and get the full value! BOGO coupons have been deducting the full amount and applying any overage to the rest of your order. No cash back, but hey, some of those BOGO coupons are big money. I usually print at least one BOGO coupon whenever I see it and wait for a sale.

#4 Gift Card offers - this is where it gets a little more complicated, but you can totally do this! During the Personal Care promotion, I was able to get $40 worth of products for a little over $8. Target always has gift card offers for buying $x amount or buying # of a certain item. Combine this with coupons and you can work it so they pay you to take items out of their store. You have to really look for the best combination and do some math on the fly, but would you rather pay $10 or $2 for razors or body wash? I have yet to see limits on gift card offers, but I'm sure they will implement them eventually. 

#5 Reusable bags
You will get five cents for each reusable bag you use!

#6 Target REDcard
Save 5% off your purchase at the register by using your REDcard. They now offer a debit card which links to your checking account, so you don't have to worry about opening another line of credit or making payments to another bill. 

Order of operations:
#1. Have the cashier scan everything first, they will issue gift cards if prompted. 
#2. Scan your cartwheel bar code, then coupons. The register will do the work for them, but you can catch wrong prices as they go through instead of trying to figure out your receipt after.
     ~ If you are breaking up your order into multiple transactions, let the cashier know up front. Most cashiers are very good and even encouraging your savings, but if you get a newbie it can be very overwhelming and they will end up calling a manager over. 
 
Other tips for successful Target adventures:
~ Find out when your store gets their truck so you can plan your trip when they are fully stocked.
~ Go during a quiet time of day if you can. Saturday afternoon is usually a zoo. 
~Target likes to put things on clearance and not mark anything or put signage out. There are price scanners in every department, use them to your advantage.
~ If you know someone that works at Target, ask when things will be going on clearance. And then let the rest of us know :-) Target has some of the best clearance section finds I've ever seen, but it gets cleared out so fast!

If you know a trick I missed, please share in the comments! So far I've had really great luck at Target and every store employee was pleasant.

Cooking up an August challenge!

Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a day

A perfect and irresistible idea: A cookbook filled with delicious, healthful recipes created for everyone on a tight budget—and a cookbook with a strong charitable component: With every copy of Good and Cheap purchased, a second copy will be given to a person or family in need.

I ordered this book about 6 months ago and just received it in the "mail" today. You can either order a copy on Amazon via the link above for about $12, or you can download the FREE PDF here. Receiving the cookbook reignited my fervor to stick to my budget and be better about meal planning. Honestly, even with the help of coupons and sales, I don't think I could eat on $4 a day, but I think I could come close! After delving into the book at bit, Leanne Brown gives tons of tips and tricks on saving money on your grocery bill, and you don't have to print or use a single coupon. The main point is to learn how to prepare food, and keep basic staples on hand so you can throw a healthy meal together quickly.

Now, for the challenge! I've let my grocery budget slip lately and I need to reign that back in. I'm going to challenge myself to get as close as possible to $4 a day for food, or $30 a week ($2 wiggle room for treats) while sticking to a healthy eating plan. Here's what a typical weekday looks like for me right now:
 Breakfast 
 Cereal $0.33
 Fruit $0.33
 Almond Milk $0.25
Total  $0.92
Lunch 
 Frozen meal $2.00
 Apple $0.50
 Yogurt $1.00
 Snacks $1.00
Total  $4.50
Dinner 
 Protein $0.75
 Grain $0.31
 Veggie $0.25
 juice $0.17
Total  $1.48
Total Day  $6.90

I usually allow myself $50 a week for groceries, but that includes supplies for the furkids and all those things that food stamps doesn't cover like toilet paper and shampoo. For the month of August I will be diligent about meal planning and recording how much I spent on just food for human consumption. I don't have any major life events happening in August, and it's a super month for fresh veggies. The challenge for me will be committing to cooking in the summer. I have a feeling I will be doing some freezer meals, crock pot dinners and some batch cooking on the cooler days.

So what do you think? Want to join me in this adventure? You can download the free PDF to get you started with meal planning, maybe order the book later when your budget allows, and post your progress in the comments after I post my weekly update? I think we can learn from each other through this, but I'm happy to get it rolling!
I will still post weekly deals, as a separate post.

Target diaper deal

Here’s how the deal works:
Buy:
(8) up & up Diapers Giant Pack, $24.99 = $199.92
(1) up & up Baby Wipes Tub, Unscented, 72 ct. $1.89
-$1.50 Target printable coupon 1.50 off With purchase of both up & up™ baby care items • Boxed diapers and • 72-ct. or larger wipes 
Total out of pocket = $200.31
Get Back:
 $40 Target Gift card for $200 in baby items
 (4) $10 Target Gift cards for purchase of 2 up & up diapers

Don't have $200 to lay out on diapers this week? You can dial this deal down a bit.
Buy:
(5) boxes of diapers @ $24.99 = $124.95
(1) package of wipes @ $1.89
- $1.50 Target coupon
Total out of pocket: $125.34
Get Back:
$20 Target gift card for $125 in baby items
(2) $10 gift cards for purchase of 2 up & up diapers

There are other promotions for Pampers and Huggies (the above combo was the least out of pocket that I could find), combined with printable coupons, you can really stock up if you have the funds!

You’ll get FREE shipping with this deal and, if you’re a REDcard member, you can save an additional 5% on this order.

This offer ends 7/11.

Additional note: food stamps and WIC do not cover diapers and wipes. Food pantries, shelters and other charities LOVE getting Target gift cards to help those in need or to buy their own miscellaneous supplies.

You could also use the gift cards you earn to buy more baby items and earn more gift cards with less out of pocket money.

Happy saving!

Deals for the week of 7/5/2015

Market Basket

Great stock up sale on Pampers diapers and wipes!
The economy packs (104-168 count) are a "special purchase" this week for $29.99, that's $17 less than Wal-Mart and Target. HOLY SMOKES!
The 192 count of Pampers wipes are also on sale for $4.99.
Check out your favorite coupon printing site, there are multiple coupons available to print as well as newspaper coupons.
special note: food stamps and WIC do not pay for diapers and wipes

Always pads on sale 2/$5 use this $1.50 off 2 printable coupon, or the $1 off one newspaper coupon for an even better deal.

Shaw's

Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad 10/$10 (you don't have to buy 10) and use this printable 50 cents off 2 it will double to $1 making each box 50 cents. I personally love to use these and doctor them up with veggies and bits of cheese for a cool summer side or lunch.
General Mills cereals, select varieties, 4/$10 (you don't have to buy 4) so $2.50 a box. Use this printable 50 cents off one box of original Cheerios it will double, making your Cheerios $1.50 a box. Not the best deal, but still cheaper than the store brand :-)
select varieties = Cheerios, Honey Nut, Medley Crunch, most varieties of Chex, Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Wanted to try and get these up earlier so you could decide if it was worth buying the newspaper. There is only one P&G insert today, but the diaper coupon might be worth buying multiples if you want to stock up.
I encourage you to comment any deals you've found that I haven't mentioned here. I only post deals that I know for certain will work.
Happy shopping!

Update 7/1/2015

Hey all, sorry for the lack of posts recently, I got busy with life and participating in Relay for Life.
Since it's already Wednesday, here's my quick picks :)

Shaw's has 12 can packs of all Coke products on sale 5/$10, limit 5. You don't have to buy 5 to get this price and the stores are pretty well stocked so you can get what you need without a rain check.
Blueberries are on sale for 97 cents a pint, limit 2. This is cheaper than picking them yourself!
Bulk chicken packs are $1.77/pound, minimum 3 pound package.

Market Basket has started carrying gallons of the Almond Breeze almond milk. They were $3.99 at my store in Seabrook, and if you use this printable $1 off coupon you'll be getting your almond milk for the same price as the half gallons.



And since today is the first of the month, printable coupons have refreshed! Go print 2 of every coupon you think you might use from each computer.

Deals for the week of June 14th, 2015

Target

Another great freebie at Target with printable coupons!
Head over to http://coupons.target.com/ and print 2 of the $3 Nivea body wash coupons (looks like these coupons are already gone, updated 6/15)
And print $3 off two Nivea body wash
= TWO FREE body washes ($3.99 each, regular price)

This purchase will also count towards the $5 gift card with $20 personal care purchase promotion.

Market Basket

~ Blueberry pints 2/$4 (even better than the Shaw's BOGO last week!)
~ Special K cereal 2/$6, this didn't seem like a great deal until I realized it was for the larger 14.7-18oz sizes. There's also a brand new printable 50 cents off ONE Special K Red Berries
~ Schick Quattro Shavers $4.99, combine with this $3 off one or $7 off two printable coupons to get a great deal. And you might as well get some free shaving cream while you're at it with this printable Buy razor, get shave gel free
There's also a Schick promotion to get 2 free movie tickets with the purchase of 2 Schick razors, more details here

Shaw's

~Cherries $1.99 a pound (these are my "treat" food when they go on sale)
~ boneless chicken breast is $1.88 a pound, but you have to buy the 3+ package for that price
~ Weight Watchers Smart Ones $1.88 each
~ Almond Breeze gallons $4.49 (price until July 9) and use this printable $1 off Almond Breeze almondmilk
~ Simply Lemonade is on sale 2/$5 until July 9, use this printable for 75 cents off which will double to $1.50, making it a buck a bottle!

Did you find a great deal? Post it in the comments :-)

13 essential items you never thought to donate to those in need

Original article here , I have copied the meat and potatoes below:


There are items we all use daily that we would never think to donate. Besides the resilient canned food items and secondhand clothing, think about those extras that are necessities to many of us, yet luxuries to those who frequent donation centers for their basic needs.
Along with your regular donations of food and clothes, consider dropping off one of these essentials next time you hit the donation center. Consider it added insurance that your donation definitely made an impact on someone's life.

1. Toilet paper

Toilet paper is often the first item to go at donation centers. It’s a constant need that is rarely ever filled. Bring a couple of wrapped rolls on your next giving trip, and you’re guaranteed to make a difference.
Consider donating: Unscented rolls of toilet paper in large and small quantities.

2. Small bottles of bath essentials

Bathroom products such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and deodorant are toiletries many of us take for granted. Small bottles save space and make it possible for someone without regular shelter to stay clean while relying on public rest areas for bathing. Just make sure the products you purchase still have an intact seal.
Consider donating: Allergy-friendly brands of soap and deodorant.

3. Dental hygiene essentials

Dental access is often blocked for those who can’t afford health insurance. To help people in need keep their teeth healthy and pain-free on their own, donating dental supplies is a must.
Consider donating: Toothbrushes and toothpaste for normal and sensitive teeth.

4. First-aid items

Especially for people impacted by homelessness, bandages are often needed but not easily accessible. Help those in need keep their wounds properly cared for by donating sealed first-aid essentials.
Consider donating: Band-Aids, ointments, medicated wipes and ace bandages.

5. Pads and tampons

When period products go on sale, buy a few extra boxes to donate. These necessities get to be an expensive, unavoidable monthly cost for many families, making them ideal donations. Plus, no one should ever have to worry about access to feminine hygiene.
Consider donating: Pads and tampons for all scenarios and body types. Think heavy, light and moderate needs.

6. Diapers

Babies get plenty of love in the clothing donation department. But other non-recyclable needs, such as diapers and the extra accessories needed to make a happy baby bottom, are few and far between. Even assistance programs like WIC and SNAP don’t cover diaper costs, so they are in constant demand.
Consider donating: Diapers for all ages, especially for older children, as well as baby wipes and baby powder.

7. Underwear and socks

Sure, you donate your gently used clothing to charity, but underwear and socks don’t get a second life. Consider spending a few bucks to help out those who can't afford the cost.
Consider donating: Large packs of plain underwear and socks to get more impact for your buck.

8. Spices

If someone is solely shopping at a food pantry for necessities, his or her food may end up bland without something to spice it up. Accidentally buy two containers of pepper? Donate one. The extras matter.
Consider donating: The most common spices, such as salt, pepper, thyme, paprika and cinnamon.

9. Blankets

Blankets are strategic items to donate, even when it’s not the dead of winter. Check your local temperature at the coldest point of the night — if the weather reads a temperature you wouldn’t want your thermostat reading, consider donating a blanket.
Blankets are a much-needed necessity for those living without proper access to heat, including those sleeping on the street.
Consider donating: All-weather blankets, or blankets made of wool or fleece.

10. School supplies in the middle of the school year.

Donation centers get a surplus of school supplies at the beginning of every school year, but in the middle of the year, supplies run low. Pencils become stubs, math notebooks are on their last pages and backpack seams rip.
Help out by donating school essentials when kids need them most.
Consider donating: Notebooks, pencils, erasers and sturdy backpacks.

11. Gently used bicycles

Have an old bicycle in good condition? Consider donating it as a form of transportation. A reliable bicycle could mean a free and fast commute to and from work for a person struggling to make ends meet.
Consider donating: A bicycle that is already in running condition, with a bike lock for security.

12. Old cellphones

If you're on a regular cellphone plan, chances are you upgrade your device for a fee every year or two. Instead of piling up devices in a drawer, consider donating all but one backup phone. Your old phones still have a little life in them for people who can’t easily get an upgrade or don’t have a phone for emergencies.
Consider donating: A modern phone with little wear and tear.

13. Sturdy bags and boxes to easily carry goods.

If you have too many reusable bags piled in your closet, donate a few to your local food pantry. Bags make carrying items a lot easier for families who might rely on public transportation or walking to get their donated essentials.
Consider donating: Large bags with some integrity and strong stitching, or boxes with built-in handles.

Deals for the week of June 7th, 2015

Shaw's

~See previous post for Cheerios deal, all varieties are included in the sale except for the +protein variety.
~Chobani and Mueller yogurt on sale for 79 cents each when you buy 10 participating items (I bought my yogurt for the week and some frozen veggies to make the 10). There are printable coupons for Chobani for $1 off 3.
~Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are BOGO, even the organic varieties. I got the Dole pints of blueberries for $4.99, one for this week, one for the freezer. 

Market Basket

~Almond Breeze 2/$5, this is my favorite almond milk and this is the same price as the store brands.
~Langer's PLUS juice 2/$4
~Bananas $0.39/pound (they were all very green at my store, so I'm going to check back later this week)

Target

Schick Slim Twin 12 count razors $5.99 each	$11.98
Target Coupon on 2	-$3.00
Target net price	$8.98
Cartwheel offer %	20.00%
in dollars	-$1.80
Manufacturer's coupon on 2	-$7.00
Total paid at register	$0.18

 
link to MFG coupon here, print the Target coupon from the website, this is an awesome item to donate!


Did you find any incredible deals this week? Please share them in the comments.