Money Making Deals

I know I've been slacking off but I wanted to let everyone know about the deals I just found out about!!!

Cashbaq.com will pay you cash back by check or to your paypal account just by shopping through their site. I just scored the 2009 Entertainment book for better than FREE!!! I paid $10 for the book and in a day or 2 (according to the CEO of Cashbaq) I will have a $10 credit in my account along with the $5 I earned for just signing UP!!

Then I just saw that they have Restaurant.com offering a new code for 80% off the purchase of gift certificates through them using the code SANTA. Pair this with the cash back deal through Cashbaq, and you can get a $25 gift certificate for just $1.40 (or free if you’re new to Cashbaq – they are offering a $5 signup incentive right now)!

Kmart Super Double Coupons

If you haven't gotten enough shopping in this weekend, KMart is having their Super Double Coupons this week!!! So get those $2 coupons OUT and put to good use!

Giveaway Galores

It's that time of the year when everyone's level of generosity is at large!!! Check out Walmart's eleven moms giveaways, most of them are giving away $50 Wal-Mart Gift Cards!!! With the economy in such a downfall who couldn't use the extra help!
Here are the blogs I know of:
Deal Seeking Mom
Coupon Cravings
Keeping the Kingdom First
The "Cent"sible Sawyer
From Dates to Diapers

Restaurant.com

Well it looks like Restaurant.com has been having great success with their 80% off sales, since they keep popping up!!! Here's the latest offer, you gotta hurry it only last till Monday!!

80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code SURPRISE.Now thru 11/24/08.

For anyone who hasn't tried this yet it's a great idea for those nights that you do go out to eat. Who doesn't like to have a good steak dinner or even seafood dinner at about half the cost. Most restaurants have a 2 entree $35 minimum. So after the GC and with tip we usually spend about $20 for a $40 meal!! It fits within our budget and it's nice to get out of the kitchen once in a while!!!

Holiday Activities

With Thanksgiving next week, that means that Christmas is just around the corner!!! So Katie over at Cincinnati Cents has a full list of great holiday happenings in the Tri-State area. The best part is that most of the activities are FREE!!! Our family have been already planning on doing a few of these, the rest of the list and more at Cincinnati Cents and her Taking Time Thursday post. These are just the few that we are definately planning on doing.

Duke Energy Annual Holiday Train Display -

Kids and adults alike are sure to delight in this holiday tradition featuring 50 locomotives and 300 train cars on 1,000 feet of train track. This display will be located in the main lobby of the Duke Energy building, and opens the Friday after Thanksgiving. This spectacle will be on display through December 31st (Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m.), closed on Christmas Day.

Free Carriage Rides -

Cincinnati will offer free horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of downtown. Passengers may board at the intersection of 5th and Race Streets by the downtown Macy's. Rides will be offered on 11/29, 11/30, 12/6, 12/7, 12/20, and 12/21 from noon until 5 p.m. Final boarding for each of these days is at 4:45 p.m.

Holly Jolly Downtown Trolley -

While enjoying all the sights and sounds of the holiday downtown this season, be sure to hop on the holly jolly trolley to lighten your load. The shuttle will stop all major holiday attractions along Fourth and Fifth Streets. The trolley boards outside the Westin Hotel, across from Fountain Square every ten minutes. These free trolley rides will be offered on 11/29, 11/30, 12/6, 12/7, 12/13, 12/14, 12/20, and 12/21 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 noon - 5 p.m. on Sundays).

Tupperware

So I finally found a part time job where I can work when I want to, make great money and have FUN!! So I am asking that you take a look at my website, check out the new products, the sales, pick a day to host a party with a few of your friends, some food and earn some FREE Tupperware and you can even Join me on my new adventure!!! I will do my best to update the great sales!!

Walgreen's $5/$20

Back again!! We have it here at Walgreen's website and it is also available through coupons.com. This is the same as always, the coupon states that you must spend $20 after ALL other coupons. There are two free after rebate items this month
L’Oreal Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Radiance Perfector, 1.7 oz. $19.99

• $2 in the 10/5 Red Plum Insert (exp 12/28)

Almay One Coat Mascara $6.99

• $1 in the 8/3 Smart Source Insert (exp 11/30),
  
• $1 in the 10/12 Smart Source Insert (exp 1/31/09),
  
• $2 in the Kmart Beauty Book (exp 12/31)
  

My plan is to get the free after rebate items and use my $5/$20 to make a $9 profit!

Another idea would be to use it online through W Photo and get $5/$20 worth of pictures!

Free Photo Book Till 11:59 PM PST Friday

I have been keeping an eye out for a great deal like this for Christmas presents for Grandparents!!! I usually don't watch Oprah, but yesterday was the start of her Clean Up Your House tour... so I knew I could use the tips! Then I got the best tip for my Christmas presents!!! A free 8x11 photo book thanks to Oprah and Snapfish, this offer is only available till midnight Friday!!! I will be keeping up on this tour for my house needs it and I can't imagine what I would do if Peter rang my door bell!!

Victoria's Secret Santa!

With Black Friday creeping up, everyone's starting to get their ads out and thanks to Hot Coupon World I have found a great deal at VS! The highlights on the Secret Santa is whenever you make a purchase of at least $10, between 11/01-11/30 you receive a "Secret Santa Scratch Off". Then bring that card back anytime between 12/01-12/24 to redeem it. The way you redeem it, is at the time of check out, you hand your cashier your card, and they scan it to reveal how much of an amount is in that card. The amounts are $10, $50, $100, or $500. (50,000 cards contain $100 or $500). That is the amount you receive towards your purchase. You can only use ONE PER PURCHASE, BUT, you can always separate your purchases, and receive your reward on all your purchases!

There are also some coupons still out there to help stretch that $10 purchase.

Free Garden Scrub with any Beauty Purchase
Free Panty and $10 off with any Bra Purchase

Also hear that the 7/$25 panty deal is going to start next week!!! This is my favorite of all time and due to replenish my current supply!!

Facebook Free Perfume

Clinique is giving away mini bottles of happy on Facebook!!! This would make a great stocking stuffer, teachers gift or even something for a secret santa!! Who doesn't love Happy!!

CVS Black Friday

Well I've been trying to keep up on what deals to get ready for the big shopping day of the year. I missed out last year due to a few things.... Anyway, found CVS is having a 3 day sale. There is a full lists of items after the ECB price at HotCouponWorld.com. I'm so pumped I can't wait!

Here are just the Free after ECB deals!!

5 Hr. energy drink 2 pk. = $3.99 Get $3.99 ECB ( Limit 1 )

Aussie shampoo, conditioner, or styler = $2.99 Get $2.99 ECB ( Limit 2 )
10/12 PG Aussie product $1 off

Bic Soliel single razor w/2 cartidges & shower holder = $5.99 Get $5.99 ECB ( Limit 2 )
11/2 SS Bic Razor $3 off

Colgate total toothpaste = $2.99 Get $2.99 ECB ( Limit 2 )

CoverGirl Smoothers liquid makeup = $7.99 Get $7.99 ECB ( Limit 1 )
10/12 PG $1 off any covergirl
11/2 PG $1 off any covergirl

CoverGirl Smoothers pressed powder = $5.99 Get $5.99 ECB ( Limit 1 )
10/12 PG $1 off any covergirl
11/2 PG $1 off any covergirl

Garnier Nutritioniste cleansing towelette 25ct = $5.99 Get $5.99 ECB ( Limit 1 )
11/9 RP Garnier Nutritioniste Cleanser $1 off

Gatorade G2 20oz = $1.49 Get $1.49 ECB ( Limit 3 )

Hershey King size bars = $1 Get $1 ECB ( Limit 1 )

Johnsons Soft Lotion = = $5.69 Get $5.69 ECB ( Limit 1 )
11/2 RP Johnsons Baby Product $1 off

L’Oreal Colour Juice sheer lipgloss = $6.99 Get $6.99 ECB ( Limit 2 )

Magnovox Universal Remote or Philips headphones = $6.99 Get $6.99 ECB ( Limit 2 )

Maybelline Mineral Powder or Liquid Foundation $8.99 Get $8.99 ECB ( Limit 1 )
9/21 RP Maybelline Foundation $2 off
10/26 RP Maybelline Foundation $3 off

Sally Hansen maximum growth plus nourishing nail color = $3.79 Get $3.79 ECB ( Limit 1 )

Enertainment Book Deal!

RESTAURANT.COM

We have it again!!! 80% off at Restaurant.com, guess their last sale did so well they're sharing the savings!

80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code TREATS.Valid only 10/27/08 thru 10/31/08.



80% off Savings on Dinner of the Month Club Purchase. Code TREATS. Valid only 10/27/08 thru 10/31/08.

Free Burrito

Chipotle is giving one free burrito per customer annually at participating Chipotle locations on select days:

-> Halloween October 31'2007. Come dressed as a burrito. A typical response to this requirement is to dress up in

aluminum foil, creating the appearance of a burrito still in the wrapper.

Other ideas that work or worked previously - (something of foil visible on your body).Size does not matter it can be a foil crown or a foil hat or foil wrist bands.

Other Free Burrito days at Chipotle : (All locations may not participate in this promotion)

-> Tax Day April 15. Pick up the mock tax form BurritoEZ from your local participating Chipotle restaurant before or on Tax Day. Bring in the completed form on Tax Day for your free burrito.

-> Leap years February 29 - Buy a burrito on Feb 29, and check at the bottom of your receipt to redeem your receipt for a free burrito, valid for 2 weeks.

-> On Homecoming and Prom nights, young women receive a free burrito if they come to Chipotle wearing their homecoming and prom dresses.

Kmart Super Double Coupons

I haven't looked into whether it's only certain Kmarts, but it looks like Cincinnati area Kmarts are trying the Super Double Coupons!!! So know the rules: Amount of credit from doubling a coupon cannot exceed the retail price of an item. No cash or in-store purchase credit will be awarded for any amount exceeding the retail price of the item. Limit 1 coupon for each item purchased. You may only purchase 4 of the same item using double coupons. Coupons do not apply to sales tax. Limit 75 coupons per customer per day. Internet coupons or copies of manufacturer instant coupons are not vaild.

Deals I see so far:

Nestle, Hershey or Mar's fun or snack 3/$5
$1/3 snack size
$1/2 bags (mars)

Beggin' Strips 4/$10
Use $1/1 or $2/1

Head and Shoulders and Gillette 2/$7
Use $2/1 coupons

For a Larger list Check out Little Miss Know it all!!

Cheap Date

My Husband and I don't go on dates much without our son for a number of reasons, but today we're going!!! He loves planes and would be in the airforce with his brothers if he didn't have a bum knee. With that said we're going to the airport, where we can sit and watch the runway traffic... Then we're headed to Red Lobster, since we have a $4 off coupon from the paper that expires Oct 31st and of course a $25 Gift Card thanks to Discover's Cash back program! Then after dinner we'll head over to Barnes and Noble Cafe for a free tall cappacino. So all in all we'll pay for gas to travel, a tip at Red Lobster and a small token for grandma and grandpa for the free babysitting!

Another upcoming dinner out will be at Taco Bell Tues Oct 28th!!! The World series actual gets us free tacos! Check it out!

I've been Tagged!

This is my first time being tagged!! So here it goes Katie over at Cincinnati Cents has tagged me today. Here are the official rules for being tagged:

1. Link to the person that tagged you , and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share seven facts about yourself.

3. Tag seven people, listing the links to their blogs.

4. Let the seven people know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Now, for seven facts about me.

1. I Love being a stay at home mom, even though I worked at least 2 jobs for 10 years!
2. I love Chocolate
3. I am a Colts fan!!!
4. My Husband and I met beating each other at a Tae Kwan Do School
5. Playing Wii with my husband is what I consider working out
6. I love taking pictures
7. God has blessed me with a wonderful family

Now my turn to tag randomly:

1. "Deal"icious Mom
2. Coupon Cravings
3. Jessica Knows
4. Leaving Excess
5. Northern Cheapskate
6. Frugal Dad
7. Economic Endeavors

Walgreens regularly scheduled weekend coupon

As has been regularly scheduled we have another $5/$20 coupon available!!! Also if your paying attention.... this is the weekend of ESR OVERLAP!!! So you can use this coupon to get Octobers 5 free after rebate items and/or Novembers 2 free after rebate. Sad to see so few free after rebate items, but you never know maybe they'll add a few more on like they have the last 2 months!!
I don't have a plan yet, but I'm planning on stopping at some point tomorrow!! We'll see how it works out!

CVS $5 Challenge

If you haven't looked into the $5 challenge at , then you should check it Out!!

I have a few transactions for this week:
TXN #1

• Gum Tooth brushes $3.99

Use $0.75 man coupon
Get $3.99 ECB Limit 5
**better than free**

• Colgate Max Fresh $2.99

$1/1 coupon in All You
Get $2 ECB Limit 2

• Excedrin Extra Strength Express Gels $1.99

$2/1 Coupon here.

Total OOP $5.22
Total ECB $5.99

TXN #2(must be sunday or monday!)

• Pumkin Pail $0.99
  

Get $0.99 ECB Limit (2)

• Brach's candy $1.29
  

Get $1.29 ECB Limit (2)
Coupon ????

• Funlight 6" smartlight $0.99

Get $0.99 ECB Limit (2)

• Excedrin Extra Strength Express Gels $1.99

$2/1 Coupon here.


(use $5.99 ECB from above)
Total OOP $0.54
Total ECB $6.53

TXN #3
Repeat TXN #1

Walgreens regularly scheduled weekend coupon

Well since WAGS keeps popping these great $/$$ coupons I feel I should stop shopping there during the week!!! Of course I got the news last night just as I returned from where other than WAGS!!! I was a little upset, but since I spent $3.26 OOP I don't feel too bad because I don't think I could spend $25 to use this coupon... but for those of you who can GO for IT!!!
Don't forget the Free After Rebate Items!!!!

Cheap Gift Certificates

You've heard me talk about how much we LOVE restaurant.com.... here's THE SECOND time only wonderful 80% off sale!!!! That means their $25 GC are $2!!!!




36-Hour 80% off Savings on Dinner of the Month Club Purchase. Use code EIGHTY. Valid 12:00am CDT 10/14/08 thru 12:00pm CDT 10/15/08.


36-Hour 80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. Use the code EIGHTY and pay $2. Valid 12:00am CDT 10/14/08 thru 12:00pm CDT 10/15/08.

Restaurant.com

Save 70% off Dinner of the Month Club Purchase. Use the code SAVE. Valid 10/10/08 through 10/13/08.


Save 70% off $25 Gift Certificates. Pay $5 when you use the code SAVE. Valid 10/10/08 through 10/13/08.

Sale reminder

Quartley Update

I just started shopping at Walgreen's and CVS about 3 months ago. So I thought it was time to update readers on just how much I've spent and how much I've saved. For those of you who don't know me very well, I am a math person and love numbers, especially when it means I'm saving money!
So here it is:

CVS
-total cash Value: $276.45
-total spent out of pocket: $61.55

Walgreens
-total cash Value $697.16
-total spent out of pocket $216.14
-total earn in rebates $88.85

TOTAL SAVINGS of 83%!!

Walgreens is doing it AGAIN!

So if you are like me and waiting till the last minute to make your Walgreen's trip, it just paid off!! There are plenty of deals still to be had! I had 4 -5 different scenarios set up for the week, then I used some of my coupon matches at Kmarts super coupon deals!

My plan is

Oral B Cross Action Toothbrush $4.49

• $0.75 coupon
  
• Earn $4.49 in RR

SoftSoap Liquid Hand Soap (2) $0.99

• With instore Coupon
• $0.35 man coupon

Gillette Fusion Power Razor $8.99

• $4 coupon
• Earn $4 in RR

Then adding in the monthly free after rebate deals:

L'Oreal Cleanser Cream or Gel up to $6.99

• Use $1/1 Coupon

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation up to $7.49

• Use $1/1 coupon

Extreme Energy 6-Hour Shot up to $3.99

Total Before $5/$20 $26.48
I have a $5 RR $21.48
Then $5/$20 $16.48
EARN IN RR $ 8.49
EARN in MIR $18.47

PROFIT $10.48

Kmart double coupons FINALLY everywhere!!!

I'm so excited that I just want to call everyone I know to share this great news!!!! For all my fellow couponers out there this means, get out ALL those high dollar coupons. They are doubling up to $2 off coupons.... which would be $4 OFF!!! Check out the article from the Cincinnati Enquirer Savings Central and all the great deals set up by Little Miss Know it ALL.

Thanks Cincinnati Cents for the heads up and the info that if you sign up to receive e-mail alerts from Kmart, they will e-mail you a coupon for $5/$50. This could work nicely into your savings for this week.

Added Note: This is not just for Cincinnati it's at EVERY store!!!

CVS

This week was better than it has been. I only went Sunday, since I had ECB that were expiring and I was lucky enough to get a $4/$20!!

• CoverGirl Clean foundation $5.49
  Used B1G1 cpn from P&G insert
  ** Earn $5.49 ECB

• CoverGirl Blush $4.19
  Free with Foundation
  
• Gillette Fusion Razor $9.99
  Used $4 cpn from P&G insert
  ** Earn $4.99 ECB
  
• Dawn Plus Hand Renewal (2) $0.99
  Used (2) $1.00 cpn from P&G insert
  
• Dawn Ultra $0.99
  Used $0.50 cpn from P&G insert
  
• Soft Soap (2) $0.99
  (forgot $0.35 cpn but needed fillers to use up ECB)
  

Total after cpns $9.93 used $8.99 in ECBs
Total OOP $0.94
Earned $10.78 in ECB !!!

Frugal Fun

Well I must pat the backs of many of the frugal moms out there for the Birthday party tip for Geoffry today at Toys R US. I was upset because we got sidetracked and didn't get there until about 2:00pm, when most things were scheduled earlier. Fortunately our store had not been very busy so they still had everything out and TONS of coloring still to be had. My husband and I took my niece and our son and they came out with: My little Pony DVD, Thomas the Train whistles, Fire man hats (going to go GREAT with my sons Halloween costume!), Moon sand models, stickers, fun foam stars decorated and TONS of sheets to color in the future!!

Now that in itself was a good time spent with both kids, but we also had to eat lunch at some point since we ventured out into town. So we planned our day accordingly and made a quick stop at Sam's club to eat at the snack bar. There all four of us had lunch for just under $7, about the same price we would have paid ANYwhere else for one meal!!!

Of course the day gets even BETTER! My dad had told me about the fair in my brother's town this weekend. I found in the Friday paper that today they would be having free rides, thanks to the local casino (at least they're giving back to the community) for a time period. So on our way home we decided to stop and see what was going on. The rides were free from 12-5pm and a live band that my husband enjoyed. We got there at 3pm, giving the kids plenty of time to ride the rides over and over. I can't wait to post some pics, I just have to figure out how to get them off our cell phones!

Now your thinking WOW that was a lot of stuff for one day... then we headed home and saw that one of our friends was out in his yard with his two horses and kids. So we made a stop to say hi and the kids ended up going for short horse rides and my son got to ride on a 4-wheeler with his dad.

WHEW hooo we all had a great day!!! and I'm still on a buzz from everything we did all day on $7!!!!

WALGREEN'S

Wooo hooo I'm Loving Walgreen's this month!!! Haven't even been into CVS more than once and don't know that I did more than just that...
Here is now the Second $/$$ that Walgreen's has put out this month!!! And to top it off it's a $5/$20 on the weekend that the Easy Saver books overlap!!! If you haven't gotten the MANY free after Rebate items... this is the TIME!

Children's Clothing, Toy and Equipment Sale

Toys! Toys! Toys! DVDs, videos, games, climbers, kitchen items, strollers, beds, shoes, coats, summer wear, books, baby items, too many to mention!


For those of you in the Cincinnati area, this should be worth checking out if you're looking for gently used toys and clothes. The Tri-State Multiples group is have their sale to assits higher order multiples families experiencing financial hardship.

About the Sale:

October 11th 8:30 am to Noon

Princeton Community Middle School

11157 Chester Road

Cincinnati, OH 45246

• Items are new or gently used. Matching clothing is available in sizes starting at newborn to children's size 10+. Come early for best selections.
  
• Admission is $1.00.
  
• We accept CASH ONLY.
  
• BYOB = Bring Your Own Basket to carry all your great finds as your arms can get tired rather quickly. We try to provide some but often run out.
  
• Come early for best selection.
  
• All sales are final.

House Party

I first heard about House Party from a Deal Seeking Mom. I have applied for a few parties and was finally chosen for the Living Green House party. As I have never been chosen I'm trying to figure out what we might do for this green living theme. Since it's early October we can hopefully be able to use our beautiful back porch and enjoy some fresh air! With less than 2 weeks to go we're tight on time and of course always watching the budget!

IKE

Well we are hoping that the effects from Ike are about through!!! We lost power Sunday for 12 hours, then Monday night for about an hour and then today we were out for about 6 hours....
After my weekend with my Walgreen's trip I didn't find much at CVS or Walgreens to get me out of the house. Of course there's also the fact that most of Cincinnati has been out of power this week, we are fortunate that we've only been out a few hours here and there. We are also so fortunate that the weather has been wonderful, we defiantly feel for all those down south that have had to deal with IKEs aftermath in the sweltering heat!

Just wanted to post an update since we have power at the moment! May make a trip to Walgreens at the end of the week after the little man and I have a MOPS picnic in the park!

For Meijer deals check out Cincinnati Cents.

For WalMart deals check out Deal Seeking Mom

Kroger's

So since I was already out I stopped at Kroger's and took FULL advantage of the Buy 15 participating items and get $3 off your transaction... Total Value of $29.83 Total OOP $9.63 (which I used a gift card earned through P&G) so Actual oop $0.o0! LOVE FREE GROCERIES!!

Deals for the week

So I guess I should take back that I didn't think there was much going out for this week. Here is my first trip to WAGS! I plan to go back sometime today or tomorrow and use the $10/$40 coupon to get most of the Easy Saver Rebate items as well as some more Robitussin, Candy and Chex Mix!! Total OOP $2.42 which was mostly tax!

WALGREEN'S

So it has come to my attention that there are deals worth making the haul out to WAGS this week, wish I would have been prepared and known this when I was already out twice this week...

Colgate Freshmax Toothbrush--$2.99
Use $1/1 manufacturer's coupon
Use $2/1 September EasySaver coupon
Free after coupons!

2 Dove chocolate bars--$3 with in-ad coupon
Use $1/2 EasySaver coupon
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 09/07 RedPlum insert
Free after coupons!

Nestle Fun Size Candy at 2 for $4
Use $1/2 instant value coupon from Easy Saver Rebate catalog
Use 2 x $1/1 printable coupon
Get 2 bags for $1!

Oust Surface and Air sprays are on sale 2/$6 this week.
If you have a B1G1 coupon and the $1/1 coupon, you can get them free!

Visine--$3.99
Use $3/1 coupon from August All You magazine
Stack with $2/1 coupon from September EasySaver booklet (page 19)
Free plus overage after coupons!

Chex Mix--on sale for $0.99
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Free after coupon

Speedstick--on sale B1G1 (reg. price $3.99)
Use 2 $1/1 printable coupon--not all stores allow the use of 2 coupons on a B1G1 sale
$0.99 each after coupon

Schick Razor--on sale for $4.99
Use $3/1 coupon 08/03 insert
$1.99 after coupon

Buy 1 Crest 500ml Pro-Health Rinse at $4.49, Get $4.49 in Register Rewards
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 08/31 P&G insert
Free plus overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 2 of the following products, Get $5 Register Rewards
Buy 3 of the following products, Get $10 Register Rewards

Advil PM--$6.99
Advil Liquigels--$6.99
Advil Pain Relief--$6.99
Dimetapp--$3.99
Robitussin--$3.99

*BIG Money-Maker Deal!*

Buy 3 Robitussin at $3.99 each
Use 3 $3/1 printable coupon
Spend $2.97 plus tax out of pocket and get $10 in Register Rewards Back
Free plus approx. $7 in overage after coupon and Register Reward!

I'm glad to see that Walgreens has added a few more EasySaver rebates for the month of September. Actually, these are repeats from last month that if anyone was like me no store had them in stock, but you can get them this month!

*BUY Living Solutions Bags at $5.99, GET $5.99 rebate (limit 1)

*BUY Living Solutions Bags at $9.99, GET $9.99 rebate (limit 1)

*BUY Pert Plus 2in1 up to $4.39, GET up to $4.39 rebate (limit 1)
Use the $1.50/1 coupon from the 09/07 SmartSource insert
or the $2/1 coupon from the 08/03 SmartSource insert

Reflection

This last has been a slow week. Mostly spent catching up on lost sleep (not blogging) from the long holiday weekend. My husband competed in a local singing competition on Friday and Saturday evening. He lost due to a very unfair point system, they tried to have it like American Idol where the audience can vote but with money instead of phone calls, so the winners were the people that raised the most money. So in the end it was not a talent show, just a fundraiser for the local chamber of commerce. Needless to say we were disappointed, as were the judges, since it ended up being a waste of their time to have even judge the talent. Unless the system changes, we will not be involved next year. If you would like you can check out his EXCELLENT performance from the finals.

I didn't get out much last week and don't see that there are any deals worth getting out for this week... So here's to hoping that we'll see some great deals in the next weeks adds!

WALGREEN'S

Gillette products buy 3 get $3 RR

Use 3 coupons from P&G saver September

½ off INK WGN in ad coupon

Walgreens Products B1G1

Ibuprofen 100ct

$2 off coupon in the coupon book from the pharmacy

Mucus Relief 30 ct

$3 off coupon in the coupon book from the pharmacy

Acid Controller 25 ct

$2 off coupon in the coupon book from the pharmacy

(I got this book at a WGN just by looking around the pharmacy area, but the recent commercials say you get the book just for asking about their prescription savings plan)

CVS for the week

CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint $5.99

Use $1 coupon P&G saver September

Get $5.99 ECB (limit 1 per household)

OVERAGE $1 after ECB

Colgate 4oz. $2.99

Use $1.50 coupon here or from ALL You

Get 2 ECB (limit 2 per household)

OVERAGE 51¢ after EBC

Pantene Pro-V Shampoo, conditioner, styler or treatment 3/$9.99

Use (2) $2 coupon P&G saver September

Use Free style product coupon w shampoo and conditioner purchase

Get 2 EBC (limit 3 per household)

1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 styling product for $0.66

NON EBC DEALS

Head & Shoulders 2/$9

Use (2) $2 coupon P&G saver September

Dawn 99¢

Use 50¢ coupon P&G saver September

Covergirl Outlast Lipcolor $4.99-$9.99 B1G1

Use B1G1 coupon P&G saver September

2 FREE with coupon

Pringles 88¢

Buy 3 and use 30 off 3 coupon P&G saver September

Makes them 78¢ each

OOP $16.97 EBCs Earned $9.99 totaling $6.98

Without the pringles it would total $4.64 meeting the $5 CHALLENGE!!!

CVS $5 Challenge

So far this week I'm still working on my CVS trips, but I did make a quick trip to use a few coupons that were getting ready to expire.
1 Dawn @ $0.99 used $0.50 coupon
1 Covergirl Wetslicks Amazemint @ $5.99 used $1 off coupon
total $5.48
used 5 ECB to make my Total OOP $0.61 (w/ tax)
Got $5.99 ECB BACK... $0.51 profit
These same coupons are in this weeks P&G saver!

Places to find Coupons online

A good friend of mine was just sharing a neat website with me yesterday, so the first thing I wanted to do was share this information with everyone I can. Then looking through my usually blog role I came across this wonderful post at Coupon Cravings that has already said what I was getting ready to post...

Kroger

Well it's BACK the mix and match 10 for $10 and the 4 12pks for $11, buy 4 Get the 5th Free. Rumor has it that Coke will be increasing their prices after this week....

Also in the Cincinnati area Buy any one of the following items: Tide, Bounty Basic paper towels, Pringles, Herbal Essences Hair Care, Old Spice Body Wash or Gillette Disposable Razors with your kroger card between 8/24-9/13 and be automatically entered to win 4 tickets to one of the 8 bengals home games this season.

This deal is sweetened with Pringles and Basic paper towels on sale 10/$10!
Also Tide 20-32 loads are on sale for $5.99 ($1 cpn through P&G saver to add to your plus card)
Old Spice Body Wash 2/$7
Gillette Disposable Razors $5
Herbal Essences Hair care 3/$8

So they are all on sale this week, plus the P&G saver coupons and my favorite out of this week is the $1 off/ coke zero 12pk coupon from vocal point! Getting 5 12pks for $6 opp!

Click here to check out your local Kroger ad.

Freebies for the Week

Cascade® Complete All-in-1 formula here.

Tampax® Pearl here.

Kotex® pads, liners and tampons here.

Wholesome Goodness™ by Meow Mix® here.

Playtex® Sport® tampons here.

New Bounce® Awakenings^TM here.

Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub here.

Slow week

So I thought I would join the rest of the money saving bloggers and make sure I post all the greatest deals, but I never seem to have time to post. After I read all the great deals and set out my plan for the week my sons nap time is UP!!! I've been trying to catch up in the evenings after he goes to bed for the night, but it's been a bad week.

So my new plan is to try to leave short comments to links of the best list of deals I find, which looking into things it could be awhile before I see many great ones, due to the lack of deals at CVS and Walgreens. Of course the end of the month is coming so we'll have to see what great freebies are going on next month!

I have a post about my great deals from last week, but haven't been able to get my pic on it... I will share it without the pic ASAP. As far as this week I made one trip to Walgreens and one to Krogers! When I got home from my Kroger trip last week and saw they were still having the great $5/$20 Nestle product I had to go back for MORE!! My best deal was Purnia dog chow ON SALE for $15 and 2/$5 Juicy Juice with $4 coupon here on the dog food and (2) $1 coupons here for the Juicy Juice. So with the $5/$20 and coupons my total was.... $9 saving more than 50%. I did this deal last week too, so we now have enough dog food for a few months!

A must read for any couple...

So here I am a beginner at CVS, Walgreen's and Kroger dealing and along comes a husbands view of what we frugals are to our husbands... Check it out!

New Saving Site

So the Cincinnati Enquirer has developed a new site savingCentral with Melissa's Picks. It has a few blogs with local deals. There is also a map of the area with pin points of garage sales as well as gas prices throughout the Cincinnati area! I'm excited to learn more about it. Of course they also have a link to cincymoms.com, another great site to find information, deals and advise! Check it out!

Woot.com

If you are ever looking for random electronics, you need to check out woot.com. Every day they have random things cheap, once they're out the sale is done. Some days if they sell out early they will have another product, otherwise just one product a day. If sales aren't great the price will sometimes lower as the day goes on... Gotta love cheap tech stuff especially for all the men in our lives!

My first deal post

So I have been saving due to my new found info from fellow bloggers and this week has made me so proud that I've got to share my success. In my picture and along with a few Pillsbury items in the fridge I have over $90 worth of items from CVS, WAGS, WalMart and Krogers and my total out of pocket is $1.46 after coupons and the available rebates!!!

My husband is just starting to get used to my tactics but he is enjoying their benefits! He's even talking about building me storage units so I have a nice place to store all of our goodies!

Suze Orman

I knew nothing about Suze Orman until I saw her on Oprah. I absolutely LOVE her! I love that she knows what she's talking about, she's been there done that. I love her straight forward attitude, I'm not one to beat around the bush I rather get to the point and get it over. Most people don't realize that most of the time the truth hurts, mostly because when someone need to hear the truth it's the LAST thing they really want to hear.

I must say that we have never been in horrible financial trouble, but I gain perspective on how easily it can happen. By no means are we debt free or free of financial stress. We have been blessed that we have all the things we need and most of the things we want. So we listen to Suze and try to keep on the right track. So we're able to enjoy life as long as the Lord lets us!

I would watch Suze's show, but since we watch what we spend we don't have cable or satellite. Most people wonder how we live without it, but I was the one on bedrest for MONTHs and it was my idea to do without. Don't get me wrong I know I watch more television than anyone should, but I truly enjoy network shows. I would watch the Food Network ALL day, and did when we could, but since we've moved I've tried to limit myself to a few hours a day. So far I am proud to say that I might watch 2-3 hours a day, some may think this is a lot, but I used to turn the TV on at 9am and turn it off around 11 pm!!! So I am glad that I have been able to make the change and give my son and family more of my time.

If you have any financial issues, problems or even complete failures please PLEASE talk to someone, the first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem.... this is true about ANY problem! Don't be ashamed to admit your problem or ask for help!

What I've done for years....

The 2009 Entertainment Book is Now Available! Order Today and Get Free Shipping!
I have bought at LEAST one of these each year for at least 5 years. Last year I think I got my money back the day I bought it, since the promotion at the time was a free $25 Gift Certificate! Then of course we've used many coupons eating out and taking our son to attractions. We love it and when we lived in another city we had one for there and one for when we came to visit our families!! Defiantly worth and we can't wait till our new one comes in the mail!

Take 50% off Dinner of the Month Club Purchase. Use the code GOODBUY. Now valid through 8-17-08.

How I got here

I want to talk about some of the blogs that have lead me on my new adventure at Saving tons of money on little things so we have more for the other things we love! When we moved I tried to find some way to get connected so I wouldn't miss all my friends. That lead me to cincymoms.com where I came across a recommended blogger Money Saving Mom. They were so right to recommend her saving skills, most of the sites I read regularly also get great info from her website. Soon I will have a list of my favorite blogs so that everyone will be able to enjoy them along with me!

A few months ago I started reading 1-2 blogs a day trying to catch onto the whole CVS and Walgreen's rave. It took me at least 3-4 weeks before I understood what was Really going on. I didn't even attempt to start shopping I just read and learned for weeks. I am very glad that I kept learning and I am still a novious and every week I feel like learn more and more with each shopping experience.

RESTAURANT.COM

For the first time ever, Take 80% off 25 Gift Certificates. Pay $2 when you use the code FIRST.Now valid through 8-10-08.


So I know I've just started, but I have to share that I love Restaurant.com and today is a HUGE reason why!!! Today ONLY Until August 10 (sale extended due to popular demand!), they are selling their gift certificates for 80% OFF Enter Discount Code: FIRST At Checkout and Hit "APPLY".
That means you can get a $25 GC for $2.... Check out that savings!!! I found this website earlier this year when I got a free one when I bought my Entertainment book online! My husband and I use these to eat out once or twice a month, and on special occasions we take people out with us! There are some restrictions, mostly you have to spend $35/2 entrees(I haven't questioned weather they mean you have to spend $35 total or at least 2 entrees) and like in our area there are only 2 restaurants that we go to, but the food is great and we love to get out every once and awhile! If you miss this deal don't worry they typically have 60% and 70% deals often.

Before the begining

So I want to start with what I was doing before I found the deals and steals from other mom's blogs. When our son was born my husband and I agreed that we didn't want to put him in daycare.... So that meant I was going to become a stay at home mom. The transition for me was not as hard as some, I was not to work at 13 weeks and then strict bed rest at 24 weeks. So I had plenty of time to get used to not working and staying home ALL day!

Once my short term disability pay ran out we knew we were going to have to make some BIG changes to stay in the black. We tried to stop eating out (we're STILL working on that one!) my husband sold his truck, then my husband got a better paying job that moved us closer to our families! When we moved we decided to go without cable or satellite. My husband found that one of his co-workers lives just a few houses down the street, they carpool and that leaves me our car :D. I always shop at Wal-Mart and Sam's, making sure to use my coupons on the things we needed.

The biggest help has been P&G Discovery center and their diaper studies. This has funded our groceries for months! Anyone in the Cincinnati area with children needs to take advantage of their program. I don't know the referral limits but feel free to contact me if you'd like information on how to get into their database.

So now I realize how much I've been missing out on!!! So here I am beginning to learn how to save by shopping CVS, Walgreen's and even Kroger's to get things for next to nothing! Hope that I maybe able to show other's what they are missing!

In the begining

I've been trying to keep up with many bloggers, with the great deals and freebies they find on a weekly basis. I have decided to throw my hat in the ring and start sharing my experiences in my small rural area. It can be a struggle to bargain shop when your 30 miles outside of the city in a SMALL town with a single grocery store and a family dollar. So I do my best to find the deals that work for me and my boys and only make 1-2 trips out a week to save on gas and there's only so much you can get done when your shopping with a toddler! SO come along and enjoy the trip!!