Deals of the Day !!!

I don't have to go in to work till this afternoon. So, I took advantage of the morning off by doing a little grocery shopping. I got the week's worth of groceries for $52, which I consider to be pretty good. And I got some exceptional deals along the way that I thought I'd share with you.

Walgreens:
Mentos gum on sale $2/2 - $1 MQ (3/1 SS) = FREE (well, you just pay tax. I pd $.16 for 2 packs)
this sale good thru Saturday

Price Chopper:
Skippy Peanut Butter on sale $.88 - $.60 MQ (1/18 RP) = $.28 each! There is a limit of 2 and this sale ends today. I plan to run in once more to get 2 more for the Harvester's bin)

Hy-Vee:
Ziplock expandable bottom bags on sale $1/2!!! - $1/2 MQ (2/22 SS) = FREE!! (again, you just pay tax. I got 18 boxes for $.72!!!! this sale also ends today, so if you have these coupons, I'd hurry in!!

Walgreens Trip 3/30

I did well at Walgreens today too...I got:

2 Reynold's wrap 20 sq ft .89 w/ WQ - $1 MQ = .11 overage, each!
1 Softsoap bodywash 3.99 - $1MQ April All You Magazine=$2.99 (PLUS Catalina for a FREE body wash oyno!! Word is this is rolling, meaning when you cash in this coupon for your free bottle this week, another freebie coupon will print!!)
2 Quaker Life cereal 2/$5 - (2) $1 IP = 2/$3 (PLUS $2 CAT for next purchase)
1 One-A-Day drink mix $1.49 - $1 MQ = .49 (will submit for ESR #1, $1.49= $1 MM)
1 Chapstick 100% Natural $1.99 (PLUS $2 CAT for next purchase)
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paid $9.38 OOP, got $4 in CATs for next time, plus the $3.99 value FREE bodywash coupon, AND will submit for $1.49 ESR, so when you total it up, it was a .10 MM!!

I LOVE IT!!! Now I just gotta go back and roll my Softsoap coupon...I know many people do several transactions at once, but the cashiers at my Wags are kinda cranky so I can't push my luck! You better believe I'll be back, though!!

Target Trip 3/30

***HOT DEAL ALERT ON PLEDGE DUSTERS!! Read below***

My Target trip this morning was kind of a pain since I got the Coupon Nazi for a cashier...I hate that!! But, I still did well. Here's what I got:

• 6 J&J Buddies soaps -- FYI: I tried to use the $3/3 and $2/2 IPs I printed a while back, and even though the barcoads matched, it beeped and she wouldn't push them thru since the "picture doesn't match what you bought"...whatever! These were .99 each - .75 TQ = .22 each (I usually only get these for free, but I won't waste my time taking them back for a little over a buck back)
• Pledge 360* dusters (like the swiffer dusters--I'd never used these before but I checked 'em out already and I really like them...especially for this price!!) Price Cut to $2.50 each - $1 TQ - $1.25 MQ (2/22 SS) = .25 each!! (there are 4 replacements in a box, or the starter pack has a handle and 2 duster pads)
  
• 1 Wrigley's gum $1.04 - 1.04 "FREE" MQ
• 1 gallon milk $2.79
  
• 1 CFL bulb (raincheck for $1) - $1 MQ = FREE
• 2 Cheetos (found in the check-out aisle) 1.29 - $1 TQ = .29 each

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$6.38 OOP !!! Yippie!!
I need to print more Target Qs for the Pledge...I'll be going back for more of these!! Oh--and in the refill boxes, there are additional coupons for Pledge products!

Snowy Saturday CVS Trip

I forgot to post about this over the weekend. We had a bit of snowy weather Saturday afternoon/evening here in KC. I was supposed to go to dinner and a movie with friends, but we ended up cancelling due to the snow/ice. However, I was already out and about so I made a mad dash to CVS before it got to bad out (that's dedication!!) Here's what I got:

2 moisturizing gloves (not pictured, oops!) .39 each
5 CVS kids body wash .29 each
7 Essence of Beauty bodywash/bubble bath/lotion/body sprays, various scents .59 each
6 bonus-pks Veet bladeless hair remover .89 each!!
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I had (2) $2 coupons for the Veet and a $2 Essence of Beauty coupon
I used 6.49 ECBs and pd $0.64 OOP!! I do see a few gift possibilities here, as well...so not too shabby, I'd say!!

Mail Bag Monday...3/30

So this past week I got some decent stuff in the mail:

• A coupon for a FREE 2L Diet Dr. Pepper (I had signed up for this a few weeks back on Coupons.com, I think)

• 2 coupons for Gain laundry detergent (I believe this was from the Walmart Freebie site)

• and a Gift Pack from BzzAgent including a Glade Sense & Spray and (5) $4 coupons for the product!! Have you heard about BzzAgent?? I'll post about it soon--this is my first "campaign" from them and I'm already impressed!! More on that later...

...all in all, a decent freebie week!

Walgreens: Deals for 3/29 thru 4/4

There are actually quite a few deals to be had at Walgreens this week, too! There's a very long list HERE that you can check out (Yes, I'm too lazy to copy it all for you!!--I'll admit it!) I also caught wind that the Softsoap body wash is printing a rolling Freebie coupon. You can check out that post HERE. Looks like we'll be busy shopping this week!

CVS Deals 3/29 thru 4/4

There are lots of deals to be had at CVS this week: FREE Easter egg dye kits, AccuCheck monitors, nail polish, vitamins and Soft Soap Ensembles (These are cute!). CHEAP jelly beans, M&Ms, Scrubbing Bubbles, Lysol, Glade, Pond's, and Fantastik cleaners. Go HERE for the best line-up of deals I've found. Happy shopping!! (You know where I'll be tomorrow !!)

Freebie Friday

How 'bout another recurring post: Freebie Friday. I'll list out all the links to free samples I've found. I think it's always worth it to request samples because sometimes they are really skimpy but other times they are decent size and include a coupon...and it only takes a minute of your time, so why not? Anyway, here's what I've found this week:

Eucerin lotion sample here
Old Spice body wash here
Zyrtec allergy here
Cottonelle samples here
Crest Whitestrips here
All Bran drink mix here

go get 'em, girls!!......

**okay, so I typed this up ahead of time, and then forgot to post it on Friday...hey--I'm new at this!!**

Friday's Shopping Trip- $16.62 OOP!!!

Take notes from the master, ladies!! It was a great turbo-shopping trip today after work. I left about an hour early, which gave me two hours to hit the stores before picking up the kids. Here's what I did:

First trip: Target
1 gum 1.04
2 Cheetos 2.58
1 Gillete body wash 2.00=5.62+tax
-MQ Gum -1.04
-TQ Cheetos -2.00
-MQ Gillette -2.00 = .85, paid on GC. Savings of 4.77, 85%!!

Second trip: Wags
5 Bic Soleil razors 17.95
3 Bic Soleil 4pk cartridges 10.77
1 gallon milk 2.89 = $31.61+tax
-8x $2 Soliel MQ -$16
-8x $2 ESC -$16 = $2.03 OOP (all tax!) Savings of $32.00, 95%

Third trip: CVS
1 Crest Pro Health 3.49
1 Huggies Clean Team refillable tub 2.79
1 gum 1.19
1 Mr Bubbles 2.99 = 10.46 + tax
-MQ bubbles -.50
-MQ wipes -.75
-MQ crest -1.00
-MQ gum -1.19
-CVS Q wipes -2.00 = $5.02-4.99 ECB= .30 OOP. Got 3.49 ECB back. Savings of $10.16, 97%

Fourth trip: CVS #2 (yeah, there's one on every corner!)
3 12pk Pepsi 11.00
1 Crest pro health 3.49
1 gum 1.19 = $15.68 + tax
- MQ crest -.75
-MQ gum - 1.19
-B2G1Q Pepsi -4.69 = $9.05 - 8.99ECB= .58 OOP. Got 5.49 ECB back. Savings of $15.10, 96%

Fifth trip: Wags #2 (I goofed up this transaction, as you'll see)
2 box Mini-Wheats $5.00
2 box SpecialK $8!! (I didn't realize these weren't part of the 4/$10 deal-will return)
2 Glade Sense & Spray $15.98 (rain check 7.99 each)
2 Pledge Fabric Sweeper $7 (will get $2 back ESR#23)
2 Alka-Seltzer Wake-up Call $11.98
2 Alka-Seltzer 12ct $8.58
1 Wags zipper bags
1 Orajel toddler toothpaste 3.99 (will get 3.99 back via MIR)
5 Hunts tomato sauce $4 (went toward ESR#29, will get $5)
1 Wags toilet seat covers $.59 (clearance, good for the diaper bag)
1 Dixie cup dispenser $1.39 (impulse clearance buy)
1 Bic Soliel razor (don't judge, as Meredith would say!) = $72.09 + tax !!! Yikes!
-MQ Soleil -$2
-ESC Soleil -$2
-BOGO Glade -7.99
-MQ Glade -$4
-ESC Glade -$8
-2xMQ A-Seltzer -1.10
-2xMQ W-U call "Free wyb"-$11.98
-2xWQ A-Seltzer -$8
-4xMQ cereal -$3.70
-MQ Orajel -$1
-IP Hunt's -$1
-WQ Hunt's -$2.05
-2xIP Pledge -$4
-WQ baggies -$1 = $14.27-6RR = $12.86 OOP (I inteded to use a TEN $ RR but it expired 3/25!!! How did I let that happen!?!? Ugh!!) Anyway, savings of $59.23, or 82% BUT, I plan to return the $8 worth of cereal since it wasn't part of the sale and did not generate a $2RR -oops!
PLUS--I'll get $10.99 back in rebates with these purchases!

I'M A ROCKSTAR!! If anyone needs more details on any of these deals, email me. I'd be happy to fill you in on the method to the madness. I'd suggest doing the Alka-Seltzer deal. Only good thru Saturday-Hurry! Here's the breakdown:

Deal Scenario:

Purchase Alka-Seltzer Wake-Up Call (16 ct) $5.99

Plus purchase Alka-Seltzer (12 ct) $4.29

Total $10.28

Use the get Wake up call free with any other Alka-Seltzer purchase coupon from the 1/25RP

Will take off $5.99

Plus for the one you're not getting free use the $2 peelie coupon found on the boxes or the .55 coupon from the 1/25RP

Then use the $2 in ad coupon

Will take off $4 for both Alka-Seltzer products purchased

Final cost as low as 2 for FREE, plus a $1.71 moneymaker!

**Sidenote: Be sure to check your clearance sections...I've noticed they've been chalk-full of great things lately...I need to check for coupon match-ups!!**)

Easter Basket Idea

So for those of us with a Build A Bear location close by (Oak Park Mall comes to mind), here is a $5 coupon off any animal priced $10 or over. I was thinking this would be a fun activity for Jack and Mommy and Daddy to do over this snowy weekend....or else could make a great inexpensive Easter basket stuffer for some of you. They have several animals in the $10-12 range, including a cute bunny and lamb! Go check them out on the Build A Bear site!

Update on Kids Clubs

I posted HERE about local grocery stores having Kids Clubs to make your shopping experiences a little smoother.... however, I was disappointed to find that only certain HyVee locations do this. The one at 95th & Quivera does not.....this after I promised Jack he'd get some fun stuff at the grocery store...he was a good boy anyway. I was so proud. Anyway, just so you know, they told me the Olathe location at 135th & Brougham (1-1/2 miles east on Santa Fe Street off I-35) does do the club, so I think I'll be frequenting this one (as a side note, we've been to this one before and they give the kids a token to use for a free ride on the mechanical horse on the way out...always good for bribery). If you know of any stores that definitely do have a club, please leave a comment so everyone else knows too....

Calling all Topekans (Is that a word?)

Okay, I heard about this a website a while back and then forgot the link so couldn't post it. But, here it is for all you Topeka moms (all = Shannon....don't you feel special???) Anyway, this link tells you about all the fun activities coming up in Topeka. Go Here for Topeka Kids Rock!!

I HEART Arby's !!!

I love arby's and thoroughly enjoyed using the last coupon for a free Roastburger with drink purchase....lunch for under $2!! Here are a couple more coupons to enjoy:

• A free Roastburger with the purchase of fries and a drink.

• A free Roast Chicken Club with the purchase of fries and a drink.

• A free Fruitea with purchase of any full price sandwich

• A free Chocolate Malt Shake with purchase of any Roastburger at full price
  

Walmart Deals!!

I don't know how your Walmart is about taking coupons. I find it's a "ymmv" (your mileage may vary) basis, depending on which cashier you get. Personally, I look for Misty at the I-435 & Shawnee Mission Pkwy location. She's great!! She loves to see how much you can save. If you feel like braving the big box company...here's a list of current coupon match-ups. Go see how much you can save!!!

New Game Coupons

Check out RedPlum.com and Coupons.com for some great money-saving-coupons for Hasbro games...there are $5 coupons for Sorry! Sliders, Twister Hopscotch, Gator Golf, Elefun, and Guess Who? Extra. I'll be checking upcoming circulars for sales to match these with. The Target website shows their pricing for these games between $18-$23. Walmart's prices are about the same. If anyone finds these at a bargain price somewhere, let me know...these could make for some inexpensive birthday gifts when your kids get invited to parties...

Mail Bag Monday...

I thought I'd create a new recurring post, each Monday that reviews what freebies, rebates, and deals I've received in my mailbox during the previous week. Some weeks are pretty lame, others awesome, but it's always fun to report what you get for nothing!!

This week I got our Hooked on Phonics Pre-K Activity Pack. I think I emailed most of you about this deal when I found it online. These regularly go for about $49; I got this for $14.95, shipped! I'm saving it for Jack's 3rd b-day in September. I think he'll love it. It's very cute with activity books, CD-rom, DVD, etc.

That's all I got in the mail this past week...next week may be pretty uneventful, too. I haven't been requesting free samples as much lately as I have in the past. I better get back into it!

Target Deals March 23

So I was brave and took the boys out for a trip to Target today. I knew I may be pushing it...Hank was acting tired before we left and by the time we were done shopping, he'd been pushed past his limit. Jack was hungry and wanted to eat at the little 'food court' area and ended up sitting on his piece of pizza, making a huge mess. It was good times. But, I did manage to score a few good deals, at least. I got:
1 pk steak
1 pk stew meat
5 mini artisan breads
1 pk gum
6 CFL lightbulbs
5 bags cheetos
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Total before coupons : $41.52
After MQs, TQs, and Rainchecks: $5.90 !!!!
Total savings of $35.62, or 86%!!!

What really made me sick, was that a peanut butter sandwich, small drink, and personal cheese pizza at the food court cost me. $6.50!!--More than everything I had just bought! (I guess that's the beauty of saving so much...I don't have to feel bad about purchases like that...I still left the store having only spent $12.40, including lunch!)

Oh-I had planned to pick up a couple Schick Quattro/Intuition razors for the $5 GC deal, but alas, they were cleaned out...dang!! Guess I'll have to check back later in the week...

Has anyone else gotten any fab deals this week?? Lemme know!!

Big Savings on Disney's BOLT

Go here to print a coupon for $10 off Disney's BOLT on Blu-ray or $5 off regular DVD. It comes out on Blu-ray this Sunday, March 22 and DVD on Tuesday, March 24. Check your circulars this Sunday. Word on the street is that the new releases generally start around $13.99 at Nebraska Furniture Mart and you could PM at Walmart, stacked with these savings to get a great deal on a great movie...
Thanks, Nicole, for this great deal alert!!

Local Grocery Stores KIDS CLUBS!!

So I've heard about some of the local stores having kids' clubs but I've never really looked in to it...I saw in the latest Price Chopper ad a blip about their club and how to sign up so I looked into Hy-Vee's as well, one that I had heard about before. I personally try to NOT take the kids with me when I shop, but sometimes it is unavoidable...these clubs seem like just what I need to keep a 2-yr-old in check during our trip... Here's what I found out:

Hy-Vee:
Children qualify from infant to 12 years of age. I guess the way the program works, is that you sign up at Customer Service and then they give you a name tag that they can wear in the store. When they wear this name tag they can:

• Get a FREE drink in the cafe
• Get a FREE cookie from the bakery
• Get a FREE sucker from the pharmacy
• Get a FREE balloon from the flower shop

At that point you are also placed on their mailing list and will be notified of upcoming FREE kid's events at the store... worth checking in to....

Price Chopper:
Go here to sign up with your Chopper Card online. With this program you get an entry into a monthly sweepstakes, a birthday treat, as well as a coupon each month for each child to redeem for a free item at checkout. Personally, I like the HyVee program better, but still worth signing up for at least....

I'll have to check with Hen House to see if they have a program, too!!

Are any of your kids already signed up for these programs? Lemme know!!

CVS April Extra Value Book - Lame...

You can go here to preview the Extra Value Book for April which shows the ECB deals available throughout the month. Again, only one freebie--a glucose monitor!! (They have been really stingy lately!) I didn't see much that looked fantastic...but maybe a deal will emerge with some of the upcoming inserts....

RUN!!!--Dont Walk--To Walgreens!!

I noticed last night that the Soleil razors and cartridges are clearanced to 3.59 each!! Now, this does not seem to be the case at all locations, but if you are lucky enough to spot these prices at a store near you, then this is the scenario to get them for FREE!!

Soleil Razor (razor, 2 cartridges, and holder) OR Soleil 4pk replacement cartridges, clearanced to 3.59 - $2 MQ from the 3/15 SS, PLUS -$2 ESC = $0.41 overage!!

Today I got:
8 Soleil Razors
2 Soleil Cartridges
1 Wal-zyr 5ct
1 Gallon Milk
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Total before coupons: $46.00
After coupons: $6.00 OOP, PLUS I'll get $4.39 back for ESR #14 (3.99 + 10% for applying it to my GC), so really this transaction cost me $1.61 (which is a steal for a gallon of milk!)
$40 savings, or 97% off!!!

Don't worry, folks...I was nice and left a few at this location: 135th & Antioch. Go stock up-- 'tis the season for smooth legs!!!

It Pays to Make Yourself Heard

Last week I had a bad experience at Walgreens, involving the Huggies RR deal. I purchased 3 packs of diapers at $10 each. The promo was by $25 worth of select products, get a $10 RR. This kind of promo always refers to your total BEFORE manufacturer coupons. My total dropped to $23 after Qs and I was told my the mgr that this is why the RRs did not print (in other words, she didn't know how the promo is supposed to work, or she did and just didn't care to rering my purchase at another register to get them to print). I was all fired up because the cashier was rude to begin with, and then I left with a purchase that wasn't as good of a deal as I had expected. I called corporate and left a message since it was the weekend. I called the catalina company yesterday (they can track your purchase by the info on the receipt and tell if your RR should have printed!!) Yes, they told me, my purchase DID qualify. They are sending a $10RR in the mail...but it takes up to 10 weeks to receive! EEK! Today the mgr from the store I had visited called me about the matter. I ran through the scenario with him. He was very appologetic and offered to give me a $10 store credit (on top of the $10RR I have coming to me) to make me happy and keep my business. I had planned to return those diaper since I didn't get the RR associated with them. But now, with my two $10 credits coming, I made it an even better deal than I had intended in the first place. It always pays to make yourself heard!!!

Huggies Wipes Coupons

Be on the look-out for 75 cent Huggies wipes coupons hidden inside packages of those Gentle Care diapers you may have gotten last week. I discovered mine right as I was throwing the empty packaging in the trash. I'm sure there's a decent sale coming up for these... OR if you are like me, you could pair this with a CVS $2 CRT for Huggies wipes, scoring a free tub!

Walgreens Trip 3/19

I ran into Wags on the way home from dinner with the girls last night, taking full-advantage of the no-kids situation. I scored
1 Listerine mouthwash 500mL
1 Reach Ultra Clean Toothbrush
1 Reach Ultra Clean floss, 30ft ..... these three products on sale 3/$9 - $3/3 MQ = 6 OOP, plus get 6 RR wyb 3 products!
2 Glade Lasting Impressions, currently priced at 9.99, I had raincheck for 7.99 from last week. Used 1 BOGO Q, 1 $4 MQ, and 2x$4 WQ, making these an overage of $4!!

My total before coupons: $29.76
After Qs: $3.93!!
That's a savings of $25.83, or 86%!!! Oh, but I got that $6 RR for buying the Listerine/Reach, making this deal a Money Maker of $2.07!!

I love it!!

Check back later...I saw some clearanced items I plan to score today...just had to come match up my coupons...

Easter Basket Stuffers

I have found several small gifts to place in Jack's Easter basket this year. I don't want to fill it up with candy and junk-food, so I've been on the look-out for cute, inexpensive trinkets. I found several things in the dollar spot at Target. If you are looking for some good ideas, I'd try there. Today I also got these two items (nerf-like balls for the pool--he loves these, and a Cars kaleidoscope), each $1. I think I'll have his basket stuffed this year for around $10. How thrifty!!

Target Deals March 15-21

I made a run with the kids today to Target. I must admit that until about a month or so ago, I really had a bad attitude about Target when it came to money. I felt their prices were high and their sales were lame. I despise their customer service when it comes to returns, and on more than one occasion over the past years, I have made a vow to never return (obviously, I never did commit to that promise). But I've recently learned that Target has a wealth of bargains, most of which begin with the online Target store coupons that you can print for various products right at home!! For years I've been paying full price for products when there were coupons right online...and I never knew it!! By combining a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon for the same item, you can rack up big savings!! Last week I scored xx bottles (I'm not revealing the number, because then you'd know just how crazy I am, but let's just say it was in the double digits!) of Renuzit carpet and room spray for FREE, and several fresh steaks and roasts from the meat dept. for about a buck per pack. This week, there are plenty of deals to be had. Today I got: **See abbreviations cheat-sheet to the left**

2 Soft Scrub cleaners - on sale for $2.50 this week, -$1 TQ -$.50 MQ = $1 each
1 Shout stain remover - $2.04 - $1 TQ = $1.04
4 bags Cheetos - $1.29 - $1 TQ = $.29 each
4 boxes Pop Secret microwave popcorn - $2.29 - $1 TQ - $.50/2 MQ = $1.04 each
3 bags PopChips (these were my splurge items, proving that coupon marketing does, indeed, work. Matt and I became hooked on these when I was getting them for .89 per bag last week with a BOGO and -$1 coupon. The BOGO has since expired, but I can't resist buying these even for $1.69 per bag!) $2.69 - $1 IP= $1.69 each
6 Archer Farms mini artisan bread loaves (in the bakery) $.99 each - $1 TQ = FREE!!!
1 pk Beef round on special for $3.20 - $2 TQ = $1.20
1 pk beef for stew, priced $1.97 - $2 TQ = FREE!!!
4 Motts applesauce, (6pk cups) $1.64 - $1 TQ - $.55 IP = $.09 each!!!!
2 bananas (no coupons!!) $.53
1 Gillette bodywash $2 - $2 MQ = FREE!!!
5 Quaker Mini Delights (6ct 90-cal packs) $2ea - 4x $1 MQ (I only had four) = $6 OOP for 5 boxes, PLUS buying five qualifying Quaker products earns you a $5 GC at checkout!
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Total before coupons: $69.86
After coupons: $23.76, PLUS I got a $5 gift card to spend next time,
Total savings of $51.10, or 73%!!

*incidentally, GE CFL single light bulbs are on sale this week for $1. They were out, but I got a raincheck; I have enough $1 coupons to get 7 of them FREE!*

I love saving money on products I regularly use!! Run to Target and score these deals for yourself!!!

Welcome!!

Welcome to my new project....THE BLOG. Several people have asked me recently if I blog about my savings strategies, and the quick answer is, "no." But I do spend a lot of time emailing friend after friend about this or that deal, how to spin it, etc. And I'm finding this method is not at all time efficient...and time is money, right? So, I figured I'd start blogging about the bargains I find. I'll post deals I think may be of interest to my frugal friends, focusing on deals that can be easily found at stores local to the Kansas City area. My disclaimer is this: Yes, I host a family blog where I write short blips about the boys and post recent pics (and, you might notice, that I'm not the best about keeping it updated these days!!). So, it only stands to reason that I may not get a chance to update daily, but hopefully at least weekly. Also, importing links and such is a different deal than just posting a pic and writing a caption, so I have a lot to learn (work with me!)...but I'll do my best!! Welcome to a whirl-wind of savings opportunities in KC!!