I just love Jodi over at "Never Pay Retail Again"! She has some great tips, searches out some great deals and has fun ideas on how to save money, and have fun doing it!
I loved this that she just posted on her Facebook Page:
"Want to save $144.56 per year? Here's how-- if you use 2 boxes of pasta per week (retail price: $1.79) you spend $186.16/year. If you buy those same 104 boxes of pasta ONLY when that pasta is BOGO with a $1/2 coupon you will spend $41.60/year on that SAME amount and brand pasta. That's it-- it's THAT simple-- buy the... SAME items as ALWAYS but only buy them when they're at a fabuLESS price!"
Makes perfect sense to me! Thanks Jodi for putting this together to show how simple saving money can be.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day Tidbits
Just a couple reminders of things that go along with all the info out this week for Earth Day.
~ Remember to get your bag tag at CVS this week for $.99 and earn an ECB of $.99 making it free. If you attach it to a reusable bag and use that bag each time you shop at CVS - you will earn a $1.00 ECB every 4th time you shop (remember to have the cashier scan your tag before you pay). I have earned about $3 so far the last few months by using mine
~ Several stores offer discounts when you bring your own reusable bags ~ $.05 does not seem like much, but it adds up and as far as I know, all stores allow you to use ANY reusable bag, not just one specifically bought from that store, so go ahead and use that Harris Teeter bag at Target! I do!
~ Earth Fare will no longer be using plastic bags so remember to bring your own bags there when you shop, or you will be carrying your groceries out in your arms! ;o) Also, concerning Earth Fare, have you signed up for their newsletter? If not go HERE and do so. Each week, they send you an email newsletter with deals for the week and sometimes here are great coupons attached. This week's coupon is for a free reusable bag with a purchase from the bulk food section. I have not made it there yet, but will be headed there before this deal is over because they are offering 20% off that bulk food purchase also - love me some great tasting trail mix! Just have to hide it from the kids ;o)
~And last, but not least, a tip that I have found to be a great money saver as well as a cut back on the amount of waste in my trash can is to use cloth napkins. We were tossing out TONS of paper napkins each day because the kids would throw them out even if they used their shirt sleeve instead at the dinner table. So, I went to Ross and bought 3 packs of 12 washcloths for $3.99 each and we use those instead. I keep them rolled up pretty in a basket on the buffet and whoever is responsible for setting the table lays one out for each place at the table before we eat. Then afterward, they just get tossed in the wash with whatever load I am doing next. I have cut down tremendously on what I was spending on napkins and paper towels and feel good that not so much trash is ending up in my can each week.
Have a great week and as you celebrated Earth Day (or what's left of it now) remember to give thanks and praise to the One that created our Earth for us! Praise God for His works are amazing!
~ Remember to get your bag tag at CVS this week for $.99 and earn an ECB of $.99 making it free. If you attach it to a reusable bag and use that bag each time you shop at CVS - you will earn a $1.00 ECB every 4th time you shop (remember to have the cashier scan your tag before you pay). I have earned about $3 so far the last few months by using mine
~ Several stores offer discounts when you bring your own reusable bags ~ $.05 does not seem like much, but it adds up and as far as I know, all stores allow you to use ANY reusable bag, not just one specifically bought from that store, so go ahead and use that Harris Teeter bag at Target! I do!
~ Earth Fare will no longer be using plastic bags so remember to bring your own bags there when you shop, or you will be carrying your groceries out in your arms! ;o) Also, concerning Earth Fare, have you signed up for their newsletter? If not go HERE and do so. Each week, they send you an email newsletter with deals for the week and sometimes here are great coupons attached. This week's coupon is for a free reusable bag with a purchase from the bulk food section. I have not made it there yet, but will be headed there before this deal is over because they are offering 20% off that bulk food purchase also - love me some great tasting trail mix! Just have to hide it from the kids ;o)
~And last, but not least, a tip that I have found to be a great money saver as well as a cut back on the amount of waste in my trash can is to use cloth napkins. We were tossing out TONS of paper napkins each day because the kids would throw them out even if they used their shirt sleeve instead at the dinner table. So, I went to Ross and bought 3 packs of 12 washcloths for $3.99 each and we use those instead. I keep them rolled up pretty in a basket on the buffet and whoever is responsible for setting the table lays one out for each place at the table before we eat. Then afterward, they just get tossed in the wash with whatever load I am doing next. I have cut down tremendously on what I was spending on napkins and paper towels and feel good that not so much trash is ending up in my can each week.
Have a great week and as you celebrated Earth Day (or what's left of it now) remember to give thanks and praise to the One that created our Earth for us! Praise God for His works are amazing!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Southern Savers is one of my favorite sites!
I use this site for coupon match ups each week for local grocery and drug stores. Jenny has a great site with lists for Harris Teeter; Ingles, Bi-Lo and Food Lion. She also lists coupon match-ups for CVS; Rite Aid and Walgreens. And, one of my favorites of her lists available: Target. Go check her site out for great tips on saving money on your grocery bill, ways to get coupons, places to find the best prices on staples each week and so much more!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Common Coupon/ List Making Abreviations
I will use abreviations often to save typing time. Here are the most common ones you may be seeing in my posts:
*SS (refers to the SmartSource paper insert of coupons) - EX: SS 3/28 refers to a coupon found in the 3/28 newspaper SmartSource insert
* RP (refers to the Red Plum insert) - same as above
*P&G (refers to the Proctor & Gamble insert) - same as above
*B1G1F - Buy 1 get 1 Free
*MFQ - manufacturer coupon
*OOP - out of pocket spent
* ECB - Extra Care Buck
*RR - Register Reward (Walgreens reward system)
*WG - Walgreens
*RA - RiteAid
*FL - Food Lion
There may be more and if there is anything that you don't understand about my abreviations, let me know. These were just a few I find myself using in the making out of my lists for this week.
*SS (refers to the SmartSource paper insert of coupons) - EX: SS 3/28 refers to a coupon found in the 3/28 newspaper SmartSource insert
* RP (refers to the Red Plum insert) - same as above
*P&G (refers to the Proctor & Gamble insert) - same as above
*B1G1F - Buy 1 get 1 Free
*MFQ - manufacturer coupon
*OOP - out of pocket spent
* ECB - Extra Care Buck
*RR - Register Reward (Walgreens reward system)
*WG - Walgreens
*RA - RiteAid
*FL - Food Lion
There may be more and if there is anything that you don't understand about my abreviations, let me know. These were just a few I find myself using in the making out of my lists for this week.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tips for CVS Shopping
In case you have never had a conversation with me about couponing, I just gotta say to start with that I LOVE CVS!! They are undoubtably my favorite drug store because they have terrific deals and its so simple to learn the "ins" and "outs" of the Extra Care Buck (ECB) system. If you are just starting out with couponing, I would strongly suggest that you start with one grocery store and one drug store and work on those until you get some experience "under your belt" and CVS would be my reccomendation for that drug store to start with. Here is a little "CVS 101" for you all:
~ CVS uses a "reward type system" called Extra Care Bucks (will refer to as ECB from here out) that prints out on your reciept. In order to "earn" these ECB, you must have an Extra Care card (like your grocery member cards - Advantage, VIC, Bonuscard). So the first thing you want to do is sign up for a card - you can do that in store your first shopping trip and use it the first time to start your ECB earning. The ECB are earned by purchasing the items that are specified ECB deals - some will be current for a week, others for as much as a month.
~ Each week in the CVS sale ad, there are item that are identified as ECB deals. They will be an item you buy for $xyz amount and then earn $xy back on making it "like paying" $z for item. So, the idea is to buy the item that are "FREE" or really close to free after ECB and then "roll" the ECB into something else. What is "rolling" you say? Rolling means taking the ECB you earned from buying one ECB deal item and using ito to buy another item that will be earn you more ECB so you will always have ECB to pay for your next purchase - ECB is really alot like "free money" that you can use in place of your "real cash money"
~ There is no limit to the # of ECB you can use to pay for your shopping trip at CVS until you get your subtotal down to just the tax on your purchase. Then you have to pay tax out of pocket (at least this is what I have found, some states are different I think depending on how sales tax works).
~ You can use coupons towards ECB items you are purchasing to make your ECB you earn back cause the item to be free or even a money making purchase.
Here is my trip to CVS this week (I had ECB from last week to spend - but if you were starting with $0 ECB, you can break down each item in its own transaction - I will show that too):
ECB Deals*
*1 Colgate Total toothpaste $2.99
*1 Clairol Hair Color $5.99 (yes, now you all know...)
*2 Pantene shampoos @ $2.99 ea = $5.98
1 box pantiliners $2.49
1 pk Easter stickers $0.25 (to keep the 3yo happy while we shopped - had stickers from head to toe by the time we were home - but it works)
Total $ 17.70
subtracted at the register:
$1 off Colgate coupon
$3 off Clairol coupon
$3 off 2 Pantene coupon
$2.49 CVS printable coupon for a free box pantiliners (got this from the machine in the entrance of CVS where you can scan your Extra Care card for coupons - I get some really good ones by doing this each time I shop)
Brings my total to : $ 8.21
Then I had the following ECBs from last week:
$3; $1; $2; $2
which I used for a total of : $0.21 plus tax of $1.29 = $1.50 out of pocket for my $17+ purchase and I had 3 X $2 ECBs print out for next weeks trip.
Here is a Newbie CVS transaction idea:
Buy 1 Colgate Total @ $2.99
Use a $1 off coupon (I got mine from my April All You mag - but think there is another out there that came in the Wednesday freebie paper in Hend Co last week or maybe a printable one online.
Pay $1.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB back
Buy 2 Pantene Shampoo/conditioner @ $2.99 ea
Use a $3/2 coupon that came in Sundays Proctor and Gamble coupon insert = $2.98
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.98 + tax and get
$2 ECB back ($1 for each Pantene)
Buy 1 Clairol hair color for $5.99
Use a $3 off coupon from same insert as above = $2.99
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB for next week
Total out of pocket: $3.96 + tax - $2 ECB for next week = $1.96 + tax for about $15 worth of stuff
~ Use the CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid deals each week and you will always have plenty of free toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, razors, mouthwash, deodorant to use and many other items for just pennies!
~ Last tip: Pick up a "Green Tag" at CVS and put it on a reusable bag and each time you shop, use your own bag and have them scan your tag along with your Extra Care card and purchase and you will earn $1 ECB every 4th trip. I have earned $1 each month by doing this. Not much, but it paid for those stickers I bought up there....;o)
~ CVS uses a "reward type system" called Extra Care Bucks (will refer to as ECB from here out) that prints out on your reciept. In order to "earn" these ECB, you must have an Extra Care card (like your grocery member cards - Advantage, VIC, Bonuscard). So the first thing you want to do is sign up for a card - you can do that in store your first shopping trip and use it the first time to start your ECB earning. The ECB are earned by purchasing the items that are specified ECB deals - some will be current for a week, others for as much as a month.
~ Each week in the CVS sale ad, there are item that are identified as ECB deals. They will be an item you buy for $xyz amount and then earn $xy back on making it "like paying" $z for item. So, the idea is to buy the item that are "FREE" or really close to free after ECB and then "roll" the ECB into something else. What is "rolling" you say? Rolling means taking the ECB you earned from buying one ECB deal item and using ito to buy another item that will be earn you more ECB so you will always have ECB to pay for your next purchase - ECB is really alot like "free money" that you can use in place of your "real cash money"
~ There is no limit to the # of ECB you can use to pay for your shopping trip at CVS until you get your subtotal down to just the tax on your purchase. Then you have to pay tax out of pocket (at least this is what I have found, some states are different I think depending on how sales tax works).
~ You can use coupons towards ECB items you are purchasing to make your ECB you earn back cause the item to be free or even a money making purchase.
Here is my trip to CVS this week (I had ECB from last week to spend - but if you were starting with $0 ECB, you can break down each item in its own transaction - I will show that too):
ECB Deals*
*1 Colgate Total toothpaste $2.99
*1 Clairol Hair Color $5.99 (yes, now you all know...)
*2 Pantene shampoos @ $2.99 ea = $5.98
1 box pantiliners $2.49
1 pk Easter stickers $0.25 (to keep the 3yo happy while we shopped - had stickers from head to toe by the time we were home - but it works)
Total $ 17.70
subtracted at the register:
$1 off Colgate coupon
$3 off Clairol coupon
$3 off 2 Pantene coupon
$2.49 CVS printable coupon for a free box pantiliners (got this from the machine in the entrance of CVS where you can scan your Extra Care card for coupons - I get some really good ones by doing this each time I shop)
Brings my total to : $ 8.21
Then I had the following ECBs from last week:
$3; $1; $2; $2
which I used for a total of : $0.21 plus tax of $1.29 = $1.50 out of pocket for my $17+ purchase and I had 3 X $2 ECBs print out for next weeks trip.
Here is a Newbie CVS transaction idea:
Buy 1 Colgate Total @ $2.99
Use a $1 off coupon (I got mine from my April All You mag - but think there is another out there that came in the Wednesday freebie paper in Hend Co last week or maybe a printable one online.
Pay $1.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB back
Buy 2 Pantene Shampoo/conditioner @ $2.99 ea
Use a $3/2 coupon that came in Sundays Proctor and Gamble coupon insert = $2.98
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.98 + tax and get
$2 ECB back ($1 for each Pantene)
Buy 1 Clairol hair color for $5.99
Use a $3 off coupon from same insert as above = $2.99
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB for next week
Total out of pocket: $3.96 + tax - $2 ECB for next week = $1.96 + tax for about $15 worth of stuff
~ Use the CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid deals each week and you will always have plenty of free toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, razors, mouthwash, deodorant to use and many other items for just pennies!
~ Last tip: Pick up a "Green Tag" at CVS and put it on a reusable bag and each time you shop, use your own bag and have them scan your tag along with your Extra Care card and purchase and you will earn $1 ECB every 4th trip. I have earned $1 each month by doing this. Not much, but it paid for those stickers I bought up there....;o)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Getting Started
Ok, I am just going to jump in feet first here with this blog. I have tried for years to keep up with one and have not found the time, but am determined now as so many of you all are asking for tips on couponing and cutting your grocery bills. Please let me know what questions you may have that I can try to answer. I am going to be just posting as I have time my ideas, how I got started with couponing, where my favorite places to shop are, what I am buying each week and anything else I think you all may benefit from.
Looking forward to helping my friends "Spend Less, Get More, and Enjoy the Process!"
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