Friday, July 31, 2009

Awesome CVS Coupons - All You Have to do is Ask!


Quick post to let you know about some fabulous CVS coupons that are now available. CVS is promoting their new ReadyFill service to automatically refill your prescriptions.
All you need to do to get the coupons is ask about ReadyFill & for your coupons. The pharmacy tech will probably look at you like you are nuts but the pharmacist will know what you are talking about.

The coupons aren't good until 8/2 and run till 9/12. Although the program is launched tomorrow, you should be able to get them today. Tomorrows ad will advertise the program but not the coupons, next week however 8/9 they will advertise that the coupons are available in the circular. Get yours before that happens and I imagine after that they will go quickly.

Here's what's included
2 - $4 off a $20 or more purchase
1- $4 off of diet/nutrition products of $20 or more
1- $4 off of any facial skin products purchase of $20 or more
1- $2 off any vitamin products purchase of $10 or more
1- $2 off any allergy products purchase of $10 or more
1- $2 off any oral care products purchase of $10 or more
1 -$3 off any eye care products purchase of $12 or more

Let me know if you are able to get these coupons and any creative ways you combined them with other deals to get some great buys!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Smart Ones Cheap at Target!

Target has got some Internet coupons for Smart Ones meals that are on sale this week for $1.80. There is also a coupon in the Publix booklet "Nothing Goes to Waist" for .75 cents off a smart ones pizza.
Here's how this deal worked out.

Smart Ones Pizza $1.80 each (- $1 Target Q, $.75 MC) = .05 each
Smart Ones Dessert $1.80 (- Free w/4 meals All You Mag) = FREE
Hefty Exten. Bags $3.29 (-$1 MC, -$1 Target Q w/produce) = $1.29
Apples $1.80 (-$1 off Apples) = $.80

Total = $2.29

* Now don't get the Artisans Creations pizzas pictured here, they won't ring up on sale and you'll have a big headache getting them to give you the 5/$9.00 price. It was all that was left in my Target so it worked out ok, but save yourself the headache and get the regular pizzas.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

More Free Stuff & Great Deals at CVS

Great deals on Kashi this week at CVS.
The Kashi deal lasts till Saturday so it's time to stock up.
Make sure to print out 3 Kashi coupons available HERE Or HERE.

Kashi
Heart to Heart Cereal $3.33 (-$1.50 MC)
2 Kashi TLC Bars $3.33 each (-2/ $1.50 MC)
(- $5.00 ECB on Deal) = $.16 each
Dark Chocolate Raisins $.99 each (-$1.00 CVS Q) = $.49 each
Neutrogena Makeup Remover $5.99 each (BOGO, - 2/ $3.00 MC) = FREE
15 Mentos $1 each (-15/ $.55 MC, - $5 ECB) = $.11 each
4 Flex-a-min $19.99 each (BOGO, - 4/ $6 coupons) = $4 each
Total $19.13
Total Saved $108.64

The Flex-a-min are pretty pricey & the dark chocolate raisins were a total splurge but even so I saved about 85%!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Glossary for Newbies

Quick Glossary Newbies
BOGO = Buy One Get One Free

B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free

B2G1 = Buy 2 Get One Free

B2G2 = Buy 2 Get Two Free

(You guys get the idea)
MC = Manufacturers Coupon

IC = Internet Coupon

SC = Store Coupon

ECB = Extra Care Bucks (CVS program)

Tear Off = Coupon in the Store, on a pad you tear off

Blinkie = Little coupon dispensers in stores

Peelie = Coupons you Peel off an item

All You = Magazine with many coupons available at Walmart
I'll add more as I think of them!

Pets like FREE too!


I am a big fan of PetSmart for pet food and supplies.
They price match, take competitors coupons and have a rewards program.

Here's my recent purchase...

Purina One $4.99 a bag (- MC $3 each, -$ 2 Competitor Q) = $1.33 each
Mighty Dog Can $.59 (-MC for 1 FREE Can) = FREE
Greenies $2.79 (-PetSmart Q for 1 FREE Treat) = FREE

Total $3.97

What's FREE at CVS this week?

This is was a fabulous trip to CVS!
I love their Extra Care Bucks (ECB) program.
Yes, you have to pay with real money for your initial purchase
but after that you can use your ECB to make your purchases.

Here's my purchase.
2 Packs Bic Triumph Pens $3.99 each (BOGO w/ 2 $2.00 IC) = FREE
2 packs Pilot Pens $.99 each ($1.98 ECB) = FREE
2 Chocolate Fruit & Nut $.99 each (-$2 CVS Q) = FREE
2 Index Card Holders $.99 each (-$1.98 ECB) = FREE
Push Pins $.99 each (-$.99 ECB) = FREE
Binder Clips $.99 each (-$.99 ECB) = FREE
2 Tot Mini Staplers $.99 each (-$1.98 ECB) = FREE
2 Composition Books $.99 each (-$1.98 ECB) = FREE
1 Colgate Total $2.88 (-$1 MC, -$2.00 ECB) = - .12 MONEY MAKER
Prescription Vitamin $15 (-$25 CVS Gift Card w/ new script)
= -$10.00 MONEY MAKER
15 Mentos $1 each (-$8.25 MC, - $5.00 ECB) = $1.75 (.12 each)
2 Neutrogena Coverup $7.99 each (BOGO - 2 $3.00 MC) = $1.99 both
2 Neutrogena Lipsticks $8.99 each (BOGO - 2 $3.00 MC) = $2.99 both
Rimmell Foundation $4.50 (-$3.00 All You q) = $1.50

Total $- 1.89 MONEY MAKER!!!!

So I got all of this essentially for Free & I made $1.89. Pretty Cool. The Neutrogena deal & the school supplies deals end tomorrow so get over there as soon as you can.
You can find the Triumph pen coupons on-line at Bic, the Neutogena coupons are both in July, Aug, All You Mag and in newspaper inserts. This week there was a $2 off if you don't have the $3 off coupons from a few weeks back. Rimmell coupon is in the July issue of All You. Mentos coupons were newspaper inserts.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Awesome New Publix Coupon Booklets





Here are 3 of the latest Publix coupon booklets to be put out.

There is a Kellogg's Fuel for School booklet with great coupons for $2 off a gallon milk, fresh fruit, store brand bread, store brand coffee and more when you purchase selected Kellogg's products. The Kellogg's products you purchase are also good towards the Kellogg's Fuel for School $10 rebate offer.


The Raise Your Hands for Savings booklet has coupons from Unilever for Dove, Suave, Degree, Lipton, Bertolli, Skippy PB, Breyers, Ragu, Popsicles and Helmans products and a sweepstakes entry.


The Pet Days brochure arrived in today's mail and for pet owners it's awesome! For example I purchased a 28 pound bucket of Fresh Step Scoopable cat litter on sale for $9.29 (-$3 MC in the Pet Days booklet, - $2 Savings for All Seasons) = $4.29 for 28 pounds of premium litter.
I feel the same way about buying cat litter that I do about buying toilet paper.

These coupons go fast so you have to grab one if you see them. The Pet Days may only be available in Sunday's paper but the other 2 should be available in the store. If you don't see it in your store, call the manager or try a Publix in a different part of town.

What's Free (or really cheap) at Publix this week?


Picked up some Free fish at Publix this week. I gave away some of my coupons so I only had enough for 4 boxes. But it feels good to share the wealth!

Starkist Seasations $5.99 each - BOGO (-2 $3 off MC) = FREE
Starbucks Ice Cream $3.79 (Free item MC from Facebook) = FREE
Chef Boyardee .85 (-$1 off MC Internet) = FREE & you make .15
Alexia Waffle Fries $2.79 BOGO (- 2 $1 off coupons) = .79 for both

Total $.64


I'll definitely have to print out more of those Chef Boyardee coupons.
I love overage and those things taste great during a hurricane. :-)

Friday, July 24, 2009

Last Walgreens Run for the Week

I decided to give Walgreens one last run for & stock up on highlighters. And how could I resist another pack of those G2 pens in red? Here's the deal...

G2 Pilot Pens $1 (-$1 Register Reward) = FREE
Highlighters 3 @ .49 cents each (-$1 off 2 Bic products) = .47 for 3

I could have just picked up 2 packs of highlighters and used the coupon but I didn't want to have any kind of discussion with the cashier. It was just one of those days where you are just so tired you'd rather pay .47 and throw in the third pack than deal with a register that beeps. So I took the .02 of overage on my 3rd pack of highlighters and called it a day.

You can find that bic coupon at coupons.com and there are a couple other bic coupons out there. One for .50 on mechanical pencils and another for $2.00 on the bic triumph roller (B1G1 come this Sunday at CVS) = FREE pens!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

K-mart Double Coupons Event!

Looks Like K-mart is doing double coupons again! Here is the e-mail I received from K-mart earlier today, YIPPEEE!!!

Thank you for contacting Kmart regarding the Double Coupon Event. This event is for select participating Kmart locations from August 16-22, 2009 for coupons up to $2 with purchase of $25 or more in grocery and drugstore merchandise.

Grocery and drugstore items include: all food items, health & beauty, baby diapers, household cleaning supplies, detergents, paper goods, shampoos and other beauty items, over the counter medicines such as Tylenol, aspirin, etc. Participating stores only.

Amount of credit from doubling a coupon cannot exceed the current retail price of a single 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. Only 1 coupon will be doubled per item. You may only purchase 4 of the same item using double coupons. Excludes Buy One, Get One offers, Kmart Savings coupons and Kmart Store coupons. Coupons do not apply to sales tax. Limit 10 coupons per customer per day.

Offer excludes products prohibited by law, including but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medication. Not valid on non-merchandise, federal or state regulated items, prior purchases, Lands End, Sears merchandise rung on Sears registers within Kmart and kmart.com. In the event of a return, coupon savings may be deducted from the refund. Exclusions apply. Please see store associate for details. Sears Holdings (Kmart) reserves the right to modify or cancel this program at any time.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate your business and value you as a Sears Holdings customer. We certainly hope you will continue to make Sears Holdings your choice for quality and value.

Sincerely, Elizabeth A.,
Retail Customer Care

So start getting those coupons ready! Swap, trade, buy extra papers, whatever you have to do but come up with a plan. It says limit 10 coupons per day per person, so bring your hubby, wife, 12 year old, whomever to make these deals happen!

Drowning in CVS First Aid Kits!

I'm done with J&J First Aid to go Kits! I finally got my last $5 in ECB for the Band-aid promotion. I've been giving out First Aid to go Kits to everyone, family, friends, co-workers. I guess I can attach a chocolate bar to them and give them out at Halloween! So here's the final run down on this purchase (it was actually 2 transactions but I'm just lumping it into one.)

13 First Aid to go Kits $12.87 (- 13 $1.00 off J&J coupons) = FREE
2 Chocolate Almond snacks $.99 each (-$2.00 off CVS coupon) = FREE
First Aid Tape $2.99(-$1.00 off J&J coupons) = $1.99
First Aid Gauze $3.49 (-$1.00 off J&J coupons) = $2.49

Total $4.48
ECB back $10.00

I got all this and made $5.52 cents more in ECB than when I walked in.
I needed the tape and the gauze so I figured it was a good time to stock up.

I've got a few $1 J&J coupons left so leave me a comment if you are interested.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

My Own Personal Cereal Bailout

If you have a Target in your area check out their on-line store coupons. They change them up every week. They are very easy, no download coupon program needed, just click and print. They really are fabulous and helped me get this wonderful deal you see here.

4 Kashi Go Lean Cereals $1 each (- 4 $1 off Target IC) = FREE


4 Kashi Heart 2 Heart Cereals $1 each (-4 $1 off Target IC) = FREE


2 Breyers YoCrunch $.57 each (-$1 off any 2 Breyers IC) = $.14


1 Crystal Light $2.79 (- $1 off any Crystal Light All You mag) = $.79


Total $ .93

You can get the Breyers coupon at their website & you should be able to print 2. You can use it on any 2 Breyers products. The most fun about this shop was how excited the woman behind me in line was about it!!!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Buying Band-aids for Toilet Paper

I have a pet peeve. I hate buying toilet paper. It's literally flushing your money down the toilet. The whole idea of it makes me cranky. I always put off doing it until we need it because I can never find it cheap enough. Even when it's BOGO with coupons I still cringe at the idea of paying for it. Today however I think I found a deal I can live with. So I decided to take advantage of the $10 I got in ECB yesterday buying free first aid kits. Here's what I got...

Transaction #1
Neosporin Spray $6.29 (-$1.00 MC, - $5.00 ECB) = $.29
4 First Aid Kits 3.96 (-$1.00 MC) = FREE
(no overage cashier adjusted last one to .96)
2 chocolate almonds $.99 each (-$2.00 CVS) = FREE + .02 overage!
Used $5.00 ECB
Total oop $.27
Total ECB printed $5.00

Transaction #2
3 packs of 12 double rolls of CVS TP $5.00 each
Used $3 off of $15 in CVS merchandise
Used $10 in ECB (band-aid profit)
Total oop $2.00

Bottom line, I got more first aid kits that I'll ever need, got that cool Neosporin spray thing, more free nuts and I paid under .06 a roll for toilet paper...
Even I can live with that.

How far can you stretch a $1 at Walgreens?

So, I ran into Walgreens to pick up a few things.
I didn't want to spend more than a $1 so here's what I came up with.

Transaction #1
Bought - Pilot G2 Gel Pens $1 (got $1 in RR=Register Rewards)
Total $1.00

Transaction #2
3 Highlighters @ .09 each = .27 cents
1 5pack of Mechanical Pencils .19
2 boxes of paper clips @.19 each = .38
3 Scotch Transparent Tape @ .39 each = 1.17
Original Total $2.01
Used $1.00 off any 3 Scotch Tape (7/12 RP insert)
Used $1.00 in RR
Total = $.01

I did exceed by budget by .01 but I think I'll let that one slide.
Tape seems to disappear around here so I was very happy with that deal.
As I was leaving Walgreens I thought to myself...
How much would this have cost me at the dollar store?

It's scary when you reach the point that you find the dollar store expensive! :-)

Sunday, July 19, 2009

CVS Money Maker! $$$$$$

So how much do I LOVE CVS right now?
I used to think CVS was an expensive drug store and it is if you aren't maximizing their Extra Care Bucks (ECB) rewards program. For dedicated CVS customers loyalty really pays off.

They are having some great deals for back to school right now and with some careful planning you can do really well shopping there.

Here are my purchases for the day. Now, with the ECB program you usually end up with multiple transactions so you don't have pay much out of pocket (oop). They can get a little complicated, but soooo worth it! So, here's my breakdown.

Transaction #1
AA 4 pack Duracell Batteries $2.99 (-.75 MC - $1.00 ECB) = $1.24
24 pack Water $2.99 (-$1.00 CVS Coupon ) = $1.99
CVS Pantyliner $.89 (.89 ECB) = FREE
10 Papermate Pens $.99 (.99 ECB) = FREE
Colgate Max White $2.99 (- $1.00 Internet Coupon- 1.00 ECB) = $.99
2- 24 CVS Pencil Pack @ $1.99 each (-1.99 ECB each)= FREE
2 - 1" Notebooks @ $3.00 each (- $3.00 ECB) = FREE
2 CVS snack nuts $.99 each (-$2.00 CVS on two) = FREE +.02 overage!
2 CVS Memo book .99 each (-$.98 ECB) = FREE
6 SOBE Life Waters $1.59 for 2 (BOGO) (-3 BOGO MC) = FREE
1 Hallmark Card $.99 (No deal just needed a birthday card :-)

Because You get your ECB at the end of your transaction I had to pay something out of pocket.
So my actual bill for this was $30.55 before tax
I used a $5.00 off $30
$1.00 CVS off water
$2.00 CVS off nuts
$1.00 off Colgate MC
$.75 off batteries
3 Free SOBE Waters $1.59 each = $4.77
$11.99 in ECB from last week
Total OOP $4.04
Total in Printed ECB $15.84

Transaction #2
2 CVS Filler Paper $2.00 each (-$2.00 ECB each) = FREE
10 Papermate Pens $.99 each (-$.99 ECB) = FREE
2 CVS Snack nuts $.99 each (- CVS coupon $2.00) = FREE

Bill $6.97
I used
$2.00 off CVS nuts
$3.00 ECB
$1.98 ECB
Total OOP $0.00
Total in Printed ECB $4.99

Transaction #3
(had to go to a different CVS to find these)
21 J&J First Aid Kits .99 (- 20 $1.00 off, - $10.00 ECB) = I made $9.21
2 SOBE Life water $1.59 BOGO (BOGO MC) = FREE
Tissues .50
Bill $22.88
Used 20 $1.00 off any J&J MC
1 Sobe B1G1 $1.59 off
.89 ECB
Total OOP $.40
Total ECB Printed $10.00

Bottom Line
I started with $ 11.99 in ECB
I spent $4.44 OOP &
Ended up with $ 24.96 ECB

So you could say I got all this stuff FREE & ended up with $8.53 more than I started with! And the week isn't over. I'm going back for my FREE picture DVD before the week is out! And by the way, anyone need a First Aid Kit? :-)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

FREE at TARGET

Quick post to share my FREE purchase today at Target.

Well, I did have to pay $.08 in tax but I was cool with that. Here it goes...

2 Cans of Mighty Dog = FREE with MC

1 Bag of Healthful Life = FREE with SC

1 Tube of Pounce Treats = FREE w SC

Happy Pets = Priceless

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Deals of the Day!

Quick run to Publix early this morning for the new sales.
With what I spent I should have been able to buy this...
However after BOGOs, sales, coupons, etc. I was able to buy this...

Total Spent $11.90

Total Saved $53.71!!!

Here in FL Publix doesn't double any coupons.

So out of FL this would have been less.

Some of the best deals right now are

BOGO for Publix Soda (Not available in all areas) = $ .40 each

Friskees $3.99 (stack Publix Coupon $3 w/ Manufacturers Coupon $1)= FREE

Whiskas $3.00 ($2 MC) = $1.00

Coffeemate BOGO $2.57 ($1 MC x 2) = $.29 each

Purina One $5.00 ($3.50 MC) = $1.50 each

Grinders Spices BOGO ($1 MC x 2) = FREE

Band-Aid ($5 off 3 Publix Coupon, $.50 MC x3) = .03 a box

Quakes Snacks BOGO ($.55 x2) = $.95 each

Carefree products ($3/3 +.50 MC x 3) = FREE


If it's FREE it's for me!

Here's today's FREEBIE OF THE DAY, all purchased at CVS using their rewards program...

4 Honey Nut Cheerios
6X8 Photo book

I hear that you can print up to 5 of these photo books for free with your card, so I think I'll make a few more by the end of the week. They are really quite nice. Just make sure you pay for them separately or you'll have a huge Extra Care Bucks reward. Just pay for one (using your card and any ECB from last week) then use the ECB that prints out to buy your next book and so on until you are left with 5 books and the ECB for next week.

That's Ginger posing next to the photo book with her on the cover, isn't she cute. :-)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Could you eat for $25 a week?

I see so many people in the grocery store that seem to pay no attention to how much they are putting in their cart! If you are willing to buy what's on sale, switch brands, shop at a variety of different grocery stores and use coupons you'll be able to eat at home for about $25 a week per person. Seriously. And I don't mean eating Ramen Noodles everyday like we did in college. But real food!

Here's my grocery trip from earlier in the week.
All this was originally $84.00 however after discounts, manufacturers coupons and store coupons I ended up paying exactly $29.

So what does $29 buy you?


3 Publix Sodas
1 Cherry Coke Zero
2 Kashi Waffles (.47 after coupon)
6 Kashi Frozen Meals (.89 after coupon)
1 Kashi Pizza (3.00 after coupon)
2 Tubs of Smart Balance BOGO (Buy One Get One)
2 Smart Balance Milks (Totally Free after coupon)
Romain Lettuce
Tomato
2 Tubs of Potato Salad BOGO
Sour Cream
Half & Half
Starbucks Ice cream (1.79 after coupon)
Broccoli and Cauliflower
Baby Carrots
Blue Berries
Hot Dogs ($1.00 after coupon)
Hot Dog Buns ($1.00 after coupon)

The High Cost of Credit

Since our goal here is to save money I want to focus on all the different ways we can cut back. One item in our budget that can be costly, both financially and emotionally, is credit card debt. It's an absolute energy & resource drain. I think if we all had a clearer understanding of just how much purchases on credit cost us we'd be less inclined to pull out the plastic for anything we can't afford to pay off at the end of the month.

Let's look at an example...

Let's say you score a fabulous deal on the 50 inch plasma TV you've been dreaming about. You make your purchase on plastic for a total of $2,000 and your card has an 18% interest rate. You decide you can only make the minimum payment on it and the minimum payment is 2% of the debt or $40.00 that first month. If all you ever make is that minimum payment it would take you over 30 years to pay of that TV! And the TV would have actually cost you just under $8,000!!!! Not much of a bargain is it. Of course that's if you are never late on your payment in 30 years and never make it up to the default rate which is often as high as 33%!

Would you have bought the TV if the price on the sign had read $8,000?

Credit cards can be useful tools and you need them to rent a car, shop on-line or make a hotel reservation. They can also be useful in a real emergency. However, if used to subsidise purchases you can't afford or to live a lifestyle beyond your means they can force you into a life of indentured servitude.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Back to School Supplies for Under a Nickel

I know we are all in full summer mode but it's not too early to start thinking about planning your back to school purchases. The sooner you start the more selection you'll have. If you procrastinate you'll end up paying full price for everything... ouch! So get your list together as early as possible. Also, may retailers have ordered less than usual, anticipating slower sales due to the economy. Just another reason to start your shopping early.

If your area offers tax free shopping days for school supplies by all means take advantage of it. However if you see a deal sooner, jump right in. It may not be around by the time tax free shopping days roll around. Retailers are really competitive this year and if you know where to look you can score some fabulous deals.

For example, here's my .04 cent back to school supply purchase this week at CVS. 3 packs of pens, 2 notebooks, 2 pairs of scissors and some 8 hour Tylenol. Ok, the Tylenol doesn't exactly fit in as back to school supplies (maybe for mom & dad) but it was part of my .04 cent purchase. Pretty great deal huh? The sale ends Saturday and you'll have to be a member of their rewards program to make this deal work. Who said you can't buy anything for a nickel?

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Happiness for $1.35

People often roll their eyes when I talk about working within a budget. I always explain that it's not about doing without it's about having a plan for what you have. Budgeting is also about spending your money in a way that ultimately makes you happy. If I was to spend more than I can afford and was staring at a huge credit card bill, I would not happy. Regardless of how fabulous the item was I charged on that card.

Creativity and planning are two of your most powerful budgeting and money saving tools. For example, here's my last hurrah at K-mart's double coupons yesterday. I needed new eyeliner so I figured I'd make one last trip.

The retail price of the eyeliner I purchased was $4.59. However, using my coupons I was able to buy all of what's pictured above for $1.35 before tax.

Yes, I even had a coupon for the magazine.

Now that makes me happy. :-)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Foreclosure Scam Warning!

We'll save your home, just $5,000!
I am seeing so many clients lately that have fallen for deplorable foreclosure rescue scams. These companies make claims that they can save your home from foreclosure if you simply hand over a check upfront.

Many of these so called "rescue companies" or "modification mills" are absolutely worthless. They take your money and then you're lucky if they even make a phone call on your behalf. You'll be out money that your family could use to get current on the mortgage, relocate if necessary or purchase basic necessities. As if that wasn't bad enough you'll also be out precious time to negoitate with your lender to prevent the foreclosure.

Warning signs that you are being scammed include...

1) You are asked for money upfront before any services have been provided.
2) You are told not to contact your lender or seek additional counseling.
3) You are told to surrender the title as part of their program.
4) You are told filing for bankruptcy will cure the foreclosure.
5) You are pressured into signing something you haven't read or with blanks.

If you are facing the possibility of foreclosure I urge you to contact a HUD (Housing and Urban Development) certified housing counseling agency. You can find one in your area by clicking HERE. If you'd like more information on the government Making Home Affordable Plan click HERE. There you can use a self assessment tool to preliminarily determine if you are eligible for the program. You DO NOT have to be late on your mortgage to qualify.

Additional tools to help you
Freddie Mac Lookup tool
Fannie Mae Lookup tool
National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Friday, July 10, 2009

How much would you expect to pay for all of this?

If you said about $50 you'd be about right, $54.81 retail to be exact. Does that mean that you have to pay that much, absolutely not! If you aren't already using money saving shopping strategies there are some simple things you can do to drastically lower your grocery bill. I'm talking about hundreds or thousands of dollars a year. It's all about planning! Don't believe me... let me show you what I mean.

Here's a recent trip I made to K-mart. I've even included a picture of the receipt just for you skeptics out there!


Shopping Trip
Soleil Razor $2.50
Ben Gay Vanishing Scent $4.49
Visine for Contacts $3.99
Dove Deodorant $3.99
Panteen Styling Mousse $3.34
Bayer Quick Release $4.99
Bayer Quick Release $4.99
Lysol Spray $5.29
Lysol Spray $5.29
2 Greenworks t/b $5.98
2 Greenworks Glass $6.58
2 Playtex Gloves $3.38
Total $54.81


Total Paid $2.84 !!!!!

Times are tough out there and retailers are fighting hard for your business! As a result retailers are offering more sales and discounts than ever and manufacturers are offering tons of coupons. I got these major discounts by taking advantage of the stores double coupons offer and combining it with high value coupons and a K-mart $5.00 off $50 purchase coupon. Many of the items I purchased were totally FREE. All I had to pay was the tax. For example... Greenworks glass cleaner was $3.29. With my $2.00 coupon doubled the item is FREE. No, I won't get .71 cents back but I will get the item for free and just have to pay the taxes.

There are many fabulous shoppers out there who already use these strategies and I'd love to hear from you. Please feel free to share your good finds, coupons, ideas, bargains and more. We are all hear to learn from each other, save money and live the richest life possible!