Mars!

I am a huge fan of Mars for some great deals.  The downside is their selection is relatively small and they don't double coupons... but sometimes it just doesn't matter.  Here's some things I'll be picking up this week!

- Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks - 99 cents per pound (3 lbs minimum) - I've been accumlating chicken thigh crock pot recipes - so what better time to try them then when dinner would be less than $3???

- Smart Balance 1/2 gallon milks - $3.19 - use $1.50/1 coupon and get these for $1.69.  This includes Lactose Free!  This isn't the best price I've seen ($2.50/half gallon at Giant) - but $3.38 per gallon, that's some pretty cheap milk.  My kids blow through milk, and since Smart Balance has a long shelf life - I always keep a few in my 'overflow' fridge in the garage.

- Fiber One Cereal - $2.50 a box.  There's some 75 cents/1 floating around and last weekend had 40 cents/1.  Since Mars doesn't double, the best this would be is $1.75 a box - which isn't rock bottom for cereal but is really good for Fiber One since it runs about $4.50 a box when it's not on sale.  (There caramel flavor is amazing...  just don't eat it dry)

- Lastly - some produce!  Green Peppers are 2 for 98 cents and Baby Bella mushrooms for $1.98/8 oz.  Yum!

It's Been a While!

Sorry about that- I'll be better in the future.  Here's some hot deals at Giant this week...

- Kellogg's Fiber Plus cereal is on sale for $2.50 a box (regularly about $4.50).  Use a 70 cents off of one coupon from last weekend - which is doubled - and snag these for $1.10 a box.  I picked up 3!

- Fiber One had some great coupons this weekend!  Fiber One brownies are on sale for $3 a box at Giant - use the 75 cents off of one coupon (doubled to $1.50) and get these for $1.50 per box.  They're brand new - and new items always have the best coupons and best sales!

- Oral B Advantage toothbrushes are $2 each - and from the 4th of July weekend inserts, we have $2 off 1 Advantage toothbrush making these FREE!  They were already sold out by the time I got there- so I got a rain check and will pick them up next week.

Free Coupons (That Don't Require a Printer) and Other Fun Finds This Week

This week didnt have a ton of great deals/ coupon matchups...  but here's some good ones:

At Giant:
> Ore Ida Fries, buy 3 for $6 (must buy 3) - match with the $1 off Ore Ida Sweet Potato Fries, makes them $1 each.  (There's no printables out there - that I see - but you can sign up to get them in your in box)

> Buy 4 boxes of Kellogg's cereal, get $6 off instantly AND a coupon for a free gallon of milk.  Since you're paying full price for the cereal ($3.50-4.50), it's not a bargain unless you have coupons for the cereal.  Deal Idea:  If you have the $1 off 2 boxes coupons, buy 4 boxes of $3.50 cereal (like Fruit Loops or Apple Jacks), get $6 off, get $2 off with coupons.  Final price:  $6 for 4 boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk.

> Lloyd's Barbeque BOGO (Buy One Get One Free).  Use 2 $1 off coupons from last week's circular!

> Cascade 20 packs - $4.49 less $1 coupon (from this Sunday's paper!) - $3.49

At Mars:
> Mars is great for dirt cheap deals - just remember, they're selection is considerably smaller.  They also don't double coupons - so I generally don't use my coupons there unless their deal without the double is better than anywhere else, or the coupon is over $1.

> Mars has a great selection of produce - and their sales generally can't be beat by anyone.  This week:  get cucumbers for 50 cents each.  The next closest sale price out there is $1!  Also, Vidalia Onions are 89 cents per pound - about 1/2 of the competition

> Go any $1 off French's Worcestershire Sauce coupons left?  Mars has 5 oz bottles for 93 cents - making these bad boys FREE.  (Note:  This is their regular price - no need to run out before their sale ends!).  If you use a lot of French's products, sign up and get on their mailing list!

> Mt Olive Sweet Relish is $1 (with a $10 purchase) - use the $1 off 2 coupon from a few weeks back and get these for 50 cents each.  Note:  There is a 3 item limit at this price


> Johnsonville Chicken Sausage is $3.29, use the $1 off coupon from a few weeks back and get these for $2.29.  My store had a sign next to it with 50 cent off coupons, so even if you don't have the $1 off, you can get these for under $3!


> Kraft 16 oz Salad Dressings $3 for 5 (most stores run this promo with the 8oz bottles).  Use $1 off 2 Kraft Dressings and get 2 for $1.16 each

> Perdue, boneless skinless chicken breasts $1.99/lb (3lbs or more)

> Shady Brook Farms ground turkey (93% lean) $2.29 for 1.3 lbs

> Boneless eye round roast for $3.49

> Motts 24oz apple sauce $1.39

Other Ideas...
> Lately, I've been getting to Giant around 8am - just in time to see their meat selection marked down.  Any "sell by today" items are marked down an additional $1.50-2 (including off their sale price!).  These items go FAST - so you really can't get there any later than 8:30 for the best selection.  Some deals I saw:  pork chops for $1 (4 chops) and London Broil for $1.  As long as you can use it that day or have room in your freezer - why not stock up?  Lately, we've been having pork chops at 1-2 times a week.  (And if you like it with Shake and Bake, watch Mars $1 Sales - they're ALWAYS included).

> Giant Healthy Ideas magazine is FREE, loaded with great recipes AND coupons.  This week I got 50 cents off any Olivio product (states Do Not Double), 75 cents off any 2 Ragu Pasta Sauces (remember:  this will become $1.50 at Giant!), $1 off any Cottontails Baby Wipes (with $15 purchase), and $1 on any 2 Francesco Rinaldi ToBe Healthy Pasta Sauce with Omega 3.

Since Weis starts their sales on Sunday, review on their deals coming soon!

Deals and Coupons This Week!

So here's what to look out for this week...

In your Sunday paper

• Coupons for salad and apple slices!
• Skintimate or Edge Shaving Gel - 55 cents off (see Giant, below)
• Wisk $2 off (see Weis below)

Giant

• Edge and Skintimate are on sale for $1.99 - which isnt too much lower than Target's regular price - BUT with the 55 cent off coupon (doubled) - it becomes 89 cent shaving gel, which is awesome!  I had a bunch of coupons from previous weeks, so I stocked up!

Weis

• Wisk is on sale this week for $3.99. Match up with the $2 off coupon, and it's $1.99.  Not the lowest I've bought laundry detergent (I've gotten All and Purex for 99 cents) - but this is a great price for Wisk!!!

Deals this Week at Weis

In general, I think Weis has become overpriced but they occasionally have some great deals!

This week -

Cheerios (and other General Mills cereals) are 4 for $6.  If you have the $1 off 3 boxes coupon from a few weeks back, you can get 6 boxes for $7.  OR you can print off a 50 cent per box coupon, which will double (2 prints per PC).  Since Weis only doubles up to 4 coupons per order, you could get 4 boxes of Cheerios for $2 - or 50 cents a box.

Other deals...

• Split chicken breasts, thighs and drumsticks 99 cents a pound - stock up if you have any cookouts coming up!
• Red and green bell peppers $1 each 
• Ronzoni $1 (still have the $1 off coupon from a few weeks back?  These will be FREE)
• Edy's Shakes and Smoothies - 4 for $5.  In this Sunday's paper, there is $1 off of 2.  Use 2 coupons, get 4 shakes or smoothies for $3
• Newman's Own Frozen Pizza - 2 for $10.  Use the $1 off 1 from last weekend, these are only $4 each!
• Band Aids - 2 for $5; This Sunday has 50 cents off of one (which will double), making each box $1.50 (PSA - if you aren't picky about Band Aids, use the NexCare coupon from last weekend for $1 off of 2 and hop over to Walmart, where each box will then be 50 cents)
• Lysol Kitchen/ All Purpose Cleaner or Toilet Bowl Cleaner- 2 for $4, use the $1 off of 2 from this Sunday, making them $1.50 each

Happy Shopping!

Deals at Giant This Week

Some great deals this week at Giant!

Best Life Buttery Spread is still on sale for $1.50 (regular price is $3.99!).  In this week's paper - a 50 cent off any Best Life Butter product - which will double making this spread 50 cents!  Best of all...  the expiration date isn't until April 2012.  Stock up for cheap!

Save your Nesquik Coupons from last weekend?  They were 50 cents off any Nesquik product.  Individual chocolate milks are $1 this week at Giant - which makes them FREE.

Deals at Giant This Week

Had a great trip to Giant this week - my final bill was $53.16 (before coupons and sales $101.73). Here's some highlights:

• Best Life Buttery Spread: - Regular $2.49, sale $1.50 - $.50 coupon (doubled) - Final Price:  $.50
• Sunny Delight Punch (large) - Regular $1.69, sale $1 - $.25 coupon (doubled) - Final Price:  $.50
• Chi Chi's Whole Wheat Tortillas - Regular $1.89, sale $1.74 - $.50 coupon (doubled) - Final Price:  $.74
• Spray n Wash - Regular $2.79, sale $2 - $.75 coupon (doubled) - Final Price $.50
• New York Garlic Bread Sticks - Regular $2.99, sale $2 - $.75 coupon (doubled) - Final Price $.50
• Smart Balance Fat Free Milk (1/2 gallon) - Regular $3.99, sale $2.50 - $1.50 coupon - Final Price $1 (this coupon is in this week's paper!!!)

Happy Shopping!

Coupon Preview for this Sunday!

We have 3 sets of coupon inserts coming this weekend!  Be sure to check out the full preview here – just note, you may see some differences and values due to the region.  

Remember, using coupons is like a poker game… You need to know when you play your winning hand.  It may take some time for the good sales to come to match these… it’s important to save them and be organized!

Like what you see?  Pick of multiple papers to maximize your savings.  And if you didn’t know – buy them at Dollar Tree.  They’re only $1 there! 

Here’s what I am clipping…

RedPlum


All laundry detergent 28 loads or larger Save $1.00/1 (7/17) All is regularly on sale for less than $3 a bottle – this coupon could get it at $2 or less!  The lowest price I've ever paid for All is 99 cents a bottle...  It can be done!!!  :)

Ball Park products any Save $1.00/2 (7/1)

Johnson’s baby or Johnson’s natural product no buddies 1oz to 4oz Save $.50/1 (8/15)

Kellogg’s cereals 8.7oz or larger Save $1.00/3 (7/17)

Millstone Coffee 10oz or larger prepack bag, 1/2 lb or more bulk or K-Cup portion packs Save $1.50/1 (8/31)

Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce, salsa, lemonade, marinade, popcorn or cereal Save $.50/1 (7/30)

Newman’s Own Salad dresssing Save $.75/1 (7/30) I love $.75 coupons since my Giant doubles coupons up to $.99.  If I watch the sales – I could get this for free.

Nivea for men face care product or TWO shave gels (0.5 fl oz – 7 oz) Save $2.00/1 (7/30)

Nivea for men body wash (8.4 fl oz- 16.9 fl oz) Save $2.00/1 (7/30) Target recently had this item on sale for $2.50 – and it’s fabulous body wash.  Save the coupon for the next sale and maybe get it at 50 cents.  Cheaper than Suave or even generic!

Organic Valley flavored or regular half & half and soy creamer Save $1.00/1 (6/30)

Perdue Frozen fully cooked product Save $1.00/1 (7/31)

Perdue refrigerated breaded product Save $.50/1 (7/31) This would be $1 off at Giant - and they have some new Cars chicken nuggets I know my kids would love

Snuggle fabric softener liquid or dryer sheets Save $.75/1 (7/17) Again- this is really $1.50 if you use it at Giant.  Or – go to Walmart.  While they don’t double – they have a great selection of smaller (40 load) dryer sheets at around $1.87.  With this coupon, you’d get it for a little over a dollar.

6-5 P&G

$1.50 Pampers Diapers or Pants (7/31) Pampers are always on sale for about $8.99.  With this coupon – you could make that $7.49

$1.50 Pampers Cruisers , Swaddlers or Extra Protection Diapers (7/31)

$1 Oral B Pro-Health For Me CrossAction or Pulsar Manual Toothbrush (7/31) Keep a close eye on sales – this toothbrush could come to your house for free!

$1 Crest Pro-Health For Me Toothpaste (7/31)

$5 Crest 3 D White 2 Hour Express, Professional Effects, Advanced Vivid 14 ct, Vivid, Stain Shield Gentle Routine Whitestrips ETS (7/31) Not something I would normally buy- but since it’s $5, I’ll keep it and watch the Target clearance section.  

$2 Oral-B Pulsar Manual Toothbrush (7/31) Again, likely a future free toothbrush in your future

$3 Oral-B Adult or Kids Battery Toothbrush (7/31) My kids love electric toothbrushes.  Enough said.

75c Crest Toothpaste 4 oz or more or liquid gel (7/31) Remember- this would be $1.50 at Giant – and Crest is normally on sale in the $1.50 to $2 range.  A great buy!

75c Oral-B Satin, Glide Floss 30M or more, or Glide Floss Picks 30 ct or higher (7/31) At $1.50 value, this could be free

B1G1 CrossAction Manual Brush – up to $3.99 (7/31)

$2 Venus refillable razor or pack of disposable razors (7/31) Venus razors are EXPENSIVE.  Recently, I found my Giant has Venus Breeze sets on clearance for $4.50.  With this coupon, (if you can still find them!), that would be $2.50.  Although, if you use a lot of razors, it pays to figure out the price per razor in the bulk sets at BJs or Costco (generally the $40-50 range) instead of buying these packs.

$1 Secret Clinical or Natural Minerals deodorant ETS (7/31)

$3 Two Tampax Pearl or Compak Pearl, 18 ct or higher (7/31) Target likes to run sales on Tampax that give you a $5 gift card when you buy 2, around the $5 per box range.  If we see that sale again, these 2 boxes could cost you around $2 – total.

$1.50 Two Tampax, 18 ct or higher (7/31)

$2 Gillette ProSeries Skin Care product (7/31)

$4 Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor (7/31) Walgreens has these for $9.89 this week with a $5 Register Reward for a future purchase … making this razor 89 cents!!!

$1 Gillette ProGlide or Fusion Shave Prep (7/31)

B1G1 Gillette Bodywash, ets, uo to $4.99 (7/31)

$.25 Charmin (7/31)

$.50 Downy Liquid Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets (7/31) (This is $1.00 at Giant!!!)

$.25 Cascade (7/31) Keep in mind - if you coupons dont say they exclude Trial Sizes - it means that INCLUDE them.  While 25 cents or 50 cents (doubled) doesnt take a lot off of Cascade, it could get you a great price on a travel size to take with you on summer vacation.  Target occasionally carries trial sizes of the gel packs, which include about 3 or 4.

$1 Cascade Rinse Aid (7/31)

$1 Bounty Napkins (7/31)

$.35 Tide (7/31) Keep in mind - if you coupons dont say they exclude Trial Sizes - it means that INCLUDE them.  While 35 cents or 70 cents (doubled) doesnt take a lot off of Tide, it could get you a great price on a travel size to take with you on summer vacation.

$1 Tide To Go (7/31)

$1 Tide Stain Release Product (7/31)

$3 26-50 oz Powder, 15-34 ct DUO Pac or 36-68 oz liquid Tide Stain Release (7/31)

6-5 Smartsource

A1 Steak Sauce or Marinade 10oz+ Save $1/1 (7/3) Watch the sales near 4^th of July when A1 regularly shows up for $1 a bottle.  This bottle could be free!

Ban Solid Save $.75/1 (7/31) I don’t use Ban but it goes on sale a lot and is cheap.  This coupon could end up being a money maker- and a donation to a Food Bank.  I think I’ll keep it.

Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Mixes Save $.50/2 (7/30) (This is $1.00 at Giant!!!)

Bic Flex4 Razor 3-pack, Bic Flex3 Razor 4 pack Save $3/1 (7/17)

Bic Comfort 3 Advance Razor 4 pack, Bic Hybrid Advance Razor Save $3/1 (7/17)

Colgate Toothpaste 4 oz+ Save $.75/1 (6/25) Crest is ALWAYS on sale for $1-2.  At a $1.50 value, you could get it for free or even make money!

Colgate Adult or Kids Manual Toothbrush excluding Colgate Plus or Extra Clean Save $.75/1 (6/25) (This is $1.50 at Giant!!!)

Dan-o-nino Dairy Snacks 6 or 12 pack Save $1/1 (7/31)

Danimals Save $1/1 (7/31)

Excedrin 20ct+ Save $.75/1 (7/16)( This is $1.50 at Giant!!!)

Excerin 80 ct+ Save $1.50/1 (7/16)

French’s Dijon Mustard Save $.75/1 (9/30) Another potential money maker since this is routinely on sale for $1 and this coupon would be $1.50 at Giant.  Who wouldn’t buy Dijon mustard if you got paid 50 cents for every one you bought?  

Nexcare Save $.55/1 (10/31) Walmart usually carries these around the $1 per box range – making these CHEAP.

Old El Paso Tortilla Stuffers Microwavable Meal Save $1/1 (7/30)|

Resolve Laundry Pre-Treat Save $.50/1 (7/17)  (This is $1.00 at Giant!!!)

Resolve in-Wash Stain Remover Save $1/1 (7/17)

Tully’s K-Cup portion packs Save $2/2 (7/31)

Tully’s Coffee 12 oz bag Save $1.50/1 (7/31)

V8 Splash 45 oz+ Save $1/2 (7/17)

V8 100% Vegetable Juice 46 oz+ Save $1/1 (7/31)

V8 100% Vegetable 46 oz+ Save $2/2 (7/31)

Welch’s Fruit Snacks or Fruit ‘n Yogurt Snacks 3 ct, 10ct, 24 ct, or 40ct Save $1/2 (7/17)

Welch’s Fruit Snacks 40 ct box Save $1.50/1 (7/17)

Yoplait Frozen Smoothie Save $.75/1 (7/30) (This is $1.50 at Giant!!!)

 

Printable Coupons

Wow - awesome link for printable coupons!

If you've never printed coupons before...

• Be sure to know your stores policies on printed coupons.  Almost everyone takes them - but most have restrictions on any coupons offering the item for free
• You need to install something before you can print a coupon (i.e. you probably can't print coupons from work)
• You can usually print more than one coupon, however, each site has limits on the number of times a coupon can be printed from a specific computer

Free Ronzoni this week at Giant

Ronzoni is on sale for $1 per box this week at Giant.  If you don't have the coupon from a few weeks back (or just want more free pasta!), enter their sweepstakes.  At the end, you'll get a coupon for $1 off per box, making it free.

Enjoy!

Some More Tips on Getting Started

When you get started couponing - you need to have some personal guidelines.  Building up a stockpile will take time... and tolerance.  If you don't have a lot of space or the patience to get a lot of coupons, you'll be limited in what you can buy when it's on sale.

• Buy things that you know you will use before the end of the year/ in the next 6 months.  Buy what your family uses.  If it's free or a money maker - buy it but donate it to a Food Bank.  So many are struggling now- why not spread the wealth?
• Set a monthly budget.  Don't try to go from $500 a month to $5 - it just won't happen.  Aim to spend 80% of your current budget as your first goal.  If your monthly budget is $500- that means you're spending $400.  $100 is nothing to laugh at.  Once you master that, go lower!
• Set a monthly budget for couponing (included in your monthly food budget!).  There are some things you need to buy week to week (unless you have amazing freezer space) - such as milk and vegetables.  Other things you can stock up on ... and if you're not careful, you'll blow your budget just buying great deals.  My first trip couponing I was trying to cut my budget from $150 (per week) to $100 - and spent $200.  Granted, now those items are in my pantry and I dont need to buy them for a while... but I was pretty frustrated.  I try to give myself $10 a week to pick up items I dont need immediately - but will use.
• Check in mid month and see where you are against your monthly budget.  If you're over (or headed that way) - plan most of your meals from your freezer and pantry - instead of shopping- and buy only what you need
• Cut all coupons for things you use.  And if it's a good coupon - but you dont use it but could donate it -- cut that, too.  You never know what will be a money maker that can offset your purchase of items that you don't have coupons for.  My biggest mistake early one - "Oh, a coupon for deodorant.  But I just bought some and it expires before I'll need it again".  Seems logical - but what I missed was that - I will always need deoderant.  And if I can get it this week for 50 cents and save it  - it's better than spending $4 when I need it next... which will be in the near future.
• Think SHELF LIFE.  Paper towels will last forever.  A jar of mayo will not.  I buy a ton of ketchup because we use a ton of ketchup.  Well throw out a jar of mayo half full because it's expired.  I will not buy it to stockpile.

Here are some things I have saved up...

• 7 bottles of laundry detergent (All and Purex) that I bought for $1 a bottle (30-40 loads per bottle)
• 8 jars of spaghetti sauce (Barilla and Bertolli) that I bought for less than $1 per jar
• 30 rolls of Bounty paper towels that I got for less than 50 cents a roll
• 4 bottles of Zest body wash that I got for 87 cents each
• 3 bottles of Nivea shaving gel that I got for $1 each
• 1 bottle of Nivea shower gel that I made 50 cents on
• 2 boxes of Splenda that I made $1 on per box
• 2 bottles of Tabasco that I made 20 cents on each 
• 5 boxes of cereal (Cheerios, Kix and Lucky Charms) that I got for 50 cents to $1 per box
• 6 boxes of pasta (San Giorgio) that I got for free
• 2 tubes of Colgate toothpaste that I got for free

All of these will be used before the end of the year/ they expire.  

Why I Don't Stock Up on Ground Beef - or Why I Love BJs and Costco

In general - if you use coupons and watch sales, you can do better at a grocery store than any warehouse.  For example - if you use buy diaper packs on sale (generally $8.99 is the sale price) and use a coupon for each package, your price per diaper is far less than the giant packs at Costco or BJ's.

But here are my top reasons to buy a membership!

1. Milk.  You can generally save about $1 a gallon at a warehouse.  And Costco has these cool square milk bottles that take up less space in the fridge.  Love that
2. Meat - Some things (like chicken breast) can be beat during a rock bottom sale at a grocery sale - but we use a lot of 93% Ground Beef - which runs about $4-5 a pound.  The lowest I've seen it at a grocery store lately is $3.50 - but it's $3.19 a pound at BJs.  So why stock up when I can get it fresh?
3. Gas - 10 to 20 cents off the local price per gallon every day
4. Magazines - Generally, 20% off of the retail value
5. Greeting Cards - BJs has an awesome Hallmark section - with 50% off of the retail price.  I hate spending money on Greeting Cards
6. Clothes - Polo jeans for $20 anyone?
7. Baby wipes - so the price is okay but the Kirland brand baby wipes can't be beat
8. Cakes!  My youngest son had a Cars birthday cake for his most recent birthday.  I got a 1/4 sheet cake, which would have run me $25 to 30 at a grocery store.  I got the same cake - with a better taste - for $15 at BJs.  Costco also has amazing cakes - but they don't do characters.
9. Deli Meat - My BJs has a deli counter with Dietz and Watson - that runs about $3 less per pound than the grocery store

What I dont buy at warehouses:

• Diapers (when I can avoid it)
• Laundry Detergent (I have a stockpile of laundry detergent - 30-40 loads each- that I paid $1 for.  Far better than the $12 for 100 loads price you see at warehouses)
• Most packaged foods - sure it ends up being $1 a box - but why spend $1 when you can get it free?
• Yogurt - I need flavor variety!

Getting Started with Couponing

This blog was created to help friends and family get started with couponing - so how do you actually get started and where do you get coupons from?

Here's how I do it... (although there are many ways!)

Getting Organized
To be effective at couponing, you need to be organized.  Let me emphasize - you NEED to be organized.  I used to go stopping with a sandwich bag of coupons and a dream - it does not work.  The time you spend during the week will be getting organized - but it will pay off in the end.

Here's my recommended way of getting started.  You can pick all of these up at Walmart for less than $10 - or just raid your kids' closets.  You will need:

• a 3 ring binder - preferably 3 inch.  Mine is open - but everyone recommends one that zips.  I went with the traditional binder  because it's what I had... but when I need to replace it, I'll go for the zip one.
• 2 pencil pouches (with holes) 
• 1 package of about 30 baseball card holder/ sleeves 
• a pen
• a simple addition and subtraction calculator
• a 90 page spiral bound notebook

To put it all together...

• The baseball holder sleeves are used to organize your coupons.  Make sure you organize your layout!  Mine is personal items, household items, dairy, frozen food, meat, condiments, boxed/canned goods, snacks and drinks.  Feel free to add binder dividers make it easier... I havent gotten that far yet!
• The first pencil pouch is for your calculator (to estimate your savings if you're unsure if something is a deal) and pen.  I also use it to store any Register Rewards or other "on your next purchase" coupons, so I dont forget to use them.
• The second pouch I use to save my receipts - and circle in a big marker my savings.  I like go back every month or so and add up my year to date success!  :)
• The spiral notebook - I just use it to make my grocery lists and other "to dos"

I also have a "Rock Bottom" list - which is a list of groceries I regularly buy with their rock bottom (lowest sale price of the year + coupon) buy list.  Just because its on sale and has a coupon, doesnt mean it's a good price!  I started by using one from another blog and have slowly updated it to reflect Maryland prices.

Where to get coupons?
First - let me say, if you're getting started this weekend: not every weekend has coupons.  Most do.  This weekend does not.  So dont run out and buy 30 Sunday papers.

• Newspaper subscription.  This will pay for itself!!!  Groupon has had a deal 2x this year for a year's subscription to the Baltimore Sun for $10!  I get the Thursday-Sunday plan - which generally gives me 2 sets of coupon inserts per week.  Dollar Tree also sells Sunday papers (go Saturday for the inserts) for $1 - which is much cheaper than the store price.  I only pick up extra papers if the weekend inserts are great.
• Friends and neighbors!  My mom rocks - but does not use coupons - so she gives hers to me!  :) She's also in a different county- and sometimes the inserts or even coupon values are different.  Which can be a big bonus!
• Looking inside of packages - I've found great coupons inside the back of a box (like 75 cents off of Fiber Plus bars - that will be doubled!)
• Online (either through online coupon aggregaters, product websites, Target website, etc)
• All You magazine (sold only at Walmart)
• Writing manufacturers - recently I wrote a local manufacturer and told them how much my kids love their brand of French Toast Sticks.  My reward?  6 coupons - 1 for a free package, 2 for $1 off, and 3 for 50 cents off, good through the end of the year.  Since these boxes go on sale for about $1 every couple of months - if I play it right, I can turn these into 6 free boxes.  A savings of $24.  (Complaints also yield an impressive score - but only do it if it's a legitimate complaint)
• Grocery store circulars

Pick a Store

Spend some time checking out the stores near you that have the best prices ... and best coupon policies.  I ended up changing my "go to" store because of this.  I had always shopped at Weis because it's so close, I could literally walk there.  Weis prices are okay and they double coupons up to 50 cents - and then I found Giant, whose prices are comparable and sometimes less, who double coupons up to 99 cents.  This discovery has saved me tons.

Resist the urge to shop at 5 stores in a day to get the best deals available.  I tried this twice.  And spent 4 hours grocery shopping.  If there's one or two amazing deals at a store other than my normal store, I'll try to pick it up on my way home from work one day - over adding it to my weekend trip.  It's easier and I'm less likely to wander and look for other deals!

Here's the stores I shop:

• Giant
• Weis (if it's an amazing deal - it's too close not to)
• Target
• Walmart
• BJs
• Costco
• Mars 

I do not shop at all every week.  But these are the stores I know.  Also get to know their coupon policy - especially the policy on doubling!  I've linked my stores policies above.

Other Basic Rules

• Try not to shop with kids - they're distracting and expensive!  :)
• Not shop when you're hungry
• Avoid the "I'm going to swing by the store for a few things..." - plan your trips!

Recommended Reading

Coupon 101 from MyLitter

Giant - Week of May 27th

My fave's from this week:

• Heinz ketchup - $1.99 for a 40 oz bottle, use 25 cent coupon from last weekend (exp 6/19) (doubled) - $1.49 per bottle.  This stuff doesnt expire for a year... so stock up if your family loves Heinz, like mine does
• Ronzoni pasta - $1 each, use $1 off coupon  (Garden Delight only) (exp 9/10), FREE
• Welch's Juice Cocktail - $2, use 1 .75 cent off coupon (exp- 7/15), doubled to $1.50 - 50 cents per container
• Oral B Advantage toothbrush - $2, use $1.50 off coupon, exp 5/31 , 50 cents each!

Walgreens - Week of May 29th

I used to think Walgreens was the most expensive store on the planet.  Now, I'm starting to learn how to get some amazing bargains there.  Here's where you can save big this week.

• Degree Deoderant - 4 for $15 - Get $5 Register Rewards, use 4 $1 coupons (exp 6/19) or 2 Buy 1 Get 1 Free- Final price, 4 for $6 ($1.50 each) - or 62 cents each (with the B1G1)
• Aquafresh Kids Toothpaste - 99 cents (with Walgreen circular) - $1 coupon (exp 5/31) - .01 cent money maker (you need to buy something to get the 1 cent credit... they won't give it back to you)
• Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor System - $9.89 - Get $5 RR - use $4 coupon (exp 5/31) - 89 cents each

So Why Another Blog?

I've been using coupons for a while but with the rise of Extreme Couponing, friends keep asking, "Are you REALLY saving money with coupons or just hoarding stuff?".  Let me be clear - you'll never catch me rolling out of a store with 100 bottles of mustard or dog food for the dog I don't have - but I do buy things my family will use and if it's on a good price and won't expire for a while, I'll stock up through the end of the year.  So I figured - why not share it?

This blog is a Maryland focus and is really directed to friends and family...  but I am hopeful others can find some use out of it and save some money in the process!

Enjoy!