Target Sobe Deal

I stopped by Target this afternoon to snag up some Sobe's.  They're on sale right now 10 for $10.  BUT, when you purchase 10, you will get a $5 Target giftcard.  So really, you're getting 10 for $5.  Great to pack for lunches.

Diaper Deal

Walgreens is having Pampers (jumbo package) on sale this week 2/$10.  They are also giving back $3.50 for purchasing 2 (diapers or training pants).  I combo-ed (is that a word?) this deal with 2- $2 off Pampers coupons in this week's Sunday ad coupon insert.  After the RRs (register rewards), I got 2 packages of Pampers (4's for Nathan and Training pants for Natty) for $12.50.  I've gotten better deals, although they're slim.  This one's not too shabby!

Two Great FREEBIE Deals at Rite-Aid

If you live by a Rite-Aid, make sure you snag these two great freebie deals this week! 

• Buy 5 SoyJoy bars for $3, Get $3 back by single check rebate = final cost is FREE!

• Buy Oral B Automatic Toothbrush on sale for $5 and get $2 back through SCR PLUS use $3 off coupon from Sunday paper = final cost is FREE!

All you end up paying for both items is tax.  Pretty good deal in my book!  Enjoy!

Awesome Package Deal from the Picture People - $9!

This is an awesome opportunity to take your family out and get their pictures taken!  Save over $100 with this deal.  For only $9, get a Portrait Package ( 1- 8x10, 2- 5x7's, and 8 wallets of the same pose), 25 postcards, and $25 in Fun Cash.  Not deal to pass up, that's for sure!

Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure Blue-ray + DVD for $4.99 and possibly free at Target

I snagged this totally cool deal at Target earlier today.  Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure is on sale at Target for $19.99.  Use target coupon (Print HERE) for $5 any blue-ray purchase and stack with $10.00 Disney Movie (Print HERE).  Total comes to $4.99 before tax. 

If you normally purchase any of these items below, you'll get a rebate, making your purchase of the movie free! 

If you buy 2 Kernal seasonings, get a $5 rebate HERE.  Or a $5 rebate when you buy both the movie and Leapfrog book or game HERE.

I had a $5 giftcard so I ended up getting mine for free anyway.  Makes a great last minute gift for your princess!  Enjoy!

Check out The Thrifty Mama here for more deals!

SAVE $1.00 ON NESTLÉ® GOOD START® PROTECT PLUS® FORMULA

Go HERE for a $1 off coupon for Nestle Good Start Protect Plus Formula.

Free Sample of Gain

Go HERE to get a free sample of GAIN.

Similac and Nestle Good Start Coupons

Hi all! Well, Nathan is still incubating. Tomorrow is definitely Nathan Day though. Please keep our family and especially our little guy in your prayers. Our induction appointment is at 8 A.M.

Anyhow, I have about $40 in Similac and Nestle checks to share. I breastfeed, therefore, use neither of these formulas. I always get them in the mail, and wanted them to go to someone who could really use them. I believe they expire Nov. or Dec.

If interested, please let me know and I'll mail them to you.

YoYo Baby Giveaway!

Check out Saving in Akron's blog HERE to get the details for this AWESOME giveaway!

Ends 7/9!

Free Tide Sample

Go HERE for a free sample of Tide.  Go to the Tide Homepage and print off some valuable coupons.  Enjoy!

Free Sample of Emeril's Essence

Go HERE to grab yours today!!!

BAM!

Free Quart of Paint - Shipped!

I love keeping up with The Thrify Mama.  There are all kinds of awesome deals she blogs on.  Go here, and pick out your favorite color.  They will ship a quart to you, for FREE!  Enjoy!  I've already picked my quart out!

Free Nursing Cover from Udder Covers

Breastfeeding and need a nursing cover?  Go here to Udder Covers.  Click on shop now, and enter the code "family" for $32 towards specific nursing covers, and nursing cover sets.

Free Subscription to Oprah - 4 Issues - HURRY!

Go here to The Thrifty Mama's blog to see how to get 4 free Issues of the Oprah Magazine.  Check it out now because these will run out FAST!

Free Fischer Price DVD

Hey all you moms (and dads) out there!  Check out Living as Mom's blog post here to send off for a free DVD!  All you do is select United States and enter your shipping address!  Sweet and Simple!

Giveaway Alert!

Sorry I've been out of the loop so long.  We are patiently awaiting Nathan's arrival.  I have one week of work left, and I'm so pooped!  It's Saturday though, and I figured, what better way to relax than post about these awesome giveaways.

Check out Baby Cheapskate here - giveaways from Yo-Yo Baby and Brilliant Bows.

Free Movie Rental

Alright, so I've been gone a LONG time.  Now that our family is more settled in, I hope to get back into this blog (just in time for Nathan to arrive).  Anyway, here is the code for Free Movie Mondays at Redbox.  Enjoy!

FM63H7

Good until midnight tonight!  Treat your family out to a movie night!

CVS Plans

Well, coming up this week, I plan to take advantage of the Kellogg's deal CVS will have going on starting tomorrow. Kellogg's cereals will be on sale 3/$10. You'll earn $5 ECBs when you buy 3 products! Print off some Kellogg's coupons if you don't have any and get the cereal for as low as 67 cents a box!

Print cereal coupons HERE.

Get a FREE 2oz Grime Fighter™ All Purpose On-the-Go Cleaner! *

Sign up here for your free sample!

Funny, but True Blog

I stumbled across this blog entry while I was blog-surfing.  It made me laugh, but the reality of it is way too true.  Enjoy it here!

Upcoming CVS Deals

Swing by Kingdom Klippers to get a sneak peek at this upcoming week's deals.

Also, turn your speakers on to enjoy some nice praise music there!

Happy Friday!

Walgreens Deals for week of 4/12

This is a blog I follow for my weekly deal trips.  I thought you guys would enjoy a sneak peek of what you can EARN money on and score awesome savings!

Couponing and Saving

I thought I'd just share how I got into couponing and how it has helped me be a better steward with the resources the Lord has provided for our family. Hopefully, my journey into the couponing mania will be something you could learn from and help your family as well.

I started couponing when I was in college. We had just moved here from Thailand (where I was born and raised). I didn't have a part-time job quite yet, and there wasn't a lot of money floating around. To help offset costs, my mom would actually mail me coupons to my dorm mailbox. Not only did I like getting mail, but I felt good being able to save. Since then, I have researched and found different blogs and sites that post money saving tips, and coupons to print off. Most stores do take printed coupons.

The first thing I learned (that hard way) was that just because I had a coupon for it, does not mean I need to buy it. I went through this phase where if I had a coupon for it, and it "seemed" like a good price, I'd get it. Now, I use a very specific list when I shop. I list what I'm buying for each store, what it's going to cost me, and what coupons I have to use that shopping trip. I use to take my coupon book with me, but I usually leave it in the car. That way I am not tempted to buy something we don't need or isn't acutally free. If I do stumbled across a 'freebie' item, i'll just run back to the car, so stop another day.

From the past few years, I've learned what items I really do not need to spend money on and can usually get them for mere pennies or free in many cases. There are:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Body wash (men's and women's)
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Cleaning supplies
• Air freshners (Spray, disinfectant, and plug-ins)
• Salad dressing (seldom, but when I can get it for free, I stock up)
• Shavers (men's and women's)
• Shaving cream (usually 99 cents or free)
• Mouthwash
• Lotion
• Medicine (seldom, but I've done it)
• Cereal bars (usually around $0.50 a box)
• Soup (campbells)

I think it was when Tim and I were engaged that I told my mom I wanted a "coupon box" like hers. Since then I've had to "expand" into a "coupon album." However, the coupon box consisted of a series of categorized envelopes for items I used (like bread, dairy, hair products, soap, etc.). My coupon-album works the same way, it just allows more room and more categories. I noticed if I was more specific, it cut down the time for me to search and file my coupons. Honestly, I can spend a good 2 hours clipping and filing coupons. I usually do it while Natty is napping or down for the night. Otherwise, I take my stuff to work and do it during my prep. The clipping and filing is a lot of work, BUT it is worth it to be able to save for your family and being able to provide what they need and beyond! Tim and I really do not eat very elaborate meals, but we are never starving. We don't always have the latest outfits or styles on, but we have clothes. We don't eat out that often, and when we do get order off of the budget meal and sometimes use a coupon as well. It's small sacrifices that has allowed us to learn to be responsible with our money and save to support our family.

It is also important to know the coupon policies of stores you go to. Here are a few in a nutshell:

• Costco - only accept their store coupons AND formula checks
• Walgreens - accepts store coupons and manufacturer's coupons combined
• Target - accepts both store and manufacturer's coupons
• Albertsons - accepts competitor's coupons

It is important to be knowledgable where you shop and how you can save there. Well, bascially that has been my journey to where I am today with couponing. I am, by no means, an 'expert' on couponing. I follow many blogs of older, wiser moms who are doing the same thing to support their families. Mostly importantly, I want our family's way of living to be glorifying to the Lord. I want to be responsible with what He's given me, no matter how much it may be.

I intend to update this blog with some pictures of the old "coupon box" and my current "coupon album" when I get around to it. I'll also post a blog with a list of different blogs I follow to get weekly deals.

Intro to CVS

A lot of people have been asking me about "CVSing,"so I thought I'd give a run down of how to get started and how it works.

First, you need to sign up for an Extra Care card.  This is like a store-loyalty card.  It doesn't cost you anything, completely free to join.  It's not a credit or anything like that.  Go HERE to read up about the Extra Care program. When I first started, I couldn't believe it.  Your store is going to give me money to shop there?  COOL!

Basically, you can earn a percentage back from what you spend.  Also, each week there are items that you can get Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) back.  These are coupons that will print out at the bottom of your receipt.  Once you start earning ECBs, you can use them towards your next purchase.  

 

This is an example of a coupon that would print out at the bottom of the receipt.  Notice, this one says $1 off a specific item. 

This is an example of an ECB.  It says $18 Extra bucks - that  means you have $18 to use towards your next purchase.

Don't ever throw away ECB's.  They are bacially money in coupon form.

Each weekend, I go through the Sunday ads.  We only get the Sunday paper for coupons.  If I hear it'll be a good week for coupons, I'll buy an early edition.  To save money though, we just get 1 Sunday paper.  In the paper, you'll see the CVS ads.  Here is an online version.

 

This is an example for a situation to earn ECBs.  This says you buy 2 and pay $5.  However, you'll earn $2 back (at the bottom of your receipt), so it is like paying $3 for 2 tubes of toothpaste.

To increase your savings, you can also use manufacturer's coupons or store coupons.  For example, if you had two 75 cents off coupons for Colgate Total, you could use that and actually spend $1.50 for 2 tubes of tootpaste.

Well, kinda in a rough nutshell.  That is CVSing.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Free Sample of Huggies Pure and Natural

Go HERE to sign up for free sample of Huggies New Pure & Natural diapers.  Available is sizes NB, 1, and 2.

Some Deals at WAGs

• Oust - $2.99 (use $2 manufacturer's coupon - I think it was last Sunday's paper & Get $1 back in Rebate = Free
• Galde Impressions - $5.99 (use $4 manufacturer's coupon & Get $2 Rebate) = Free
• Betty Crocker - On sale 2/$3 (use 2 $0.50 off tub of frosting & get $1 in register rewards) = 2/$1
• Garnier Fructis - One sale 3/$10 (buy $20 worth and get $10 rebate - use 6 $1 off shampoo/conditioner) = 6/$4 (I only have 3 Garnier coupons, so might not do this one.)
• Au Gratin - 2/$3 (use $1 off TWO coupon) = 2/$2
• Colgate Total - $3.49 (Get $3.49 in register rewards & $0.75 off coupon) = Free

Transaction #1

• Buy Au Gratin, Colgate, and Betty Crocker = Earn a total of $4.49 RR's (Out of pocket = $7.49 before tax, earn $5.49)

Transaction #2

• Buy 6 Garnier products and use $3.49 RR's, then file for $10 rebate (Out of pocket = $10.51, get $10 rebate, file cost $0.51)

Transaction #3

• Buy Oust and Glade, use remaining RR's (use $1.00 from Betty Crocker), then file for rebate. (Out of pocket = $1.98, get $3 rebate, earn $1.02)

Tip: Breaking out transactions keeps you immediate out of pocket costs down.

Update on Diaper Deal!

Go to coupons.com to print off 0.75 off of a pack of Huggies wipes to use at the CVS diaper deal! Wish I had waited a day. Oh well. OH, and the wipes are on sale for $5 (NOT $6). Yay! What kinds of deals have you gotten?

Huggies Diaper Deal!

Hey you Mommies and Daddies out there!  Needing diapers???  Well, you better head on out to CVS this week.  CVS is having a sale on diapers for $10 and wipes for $6.  Also, they are doing an ECB special.  Spend $25 in baby products, get $10 back in ECB's.  So...let's break it down....

• Buy 2 packages for Diapers for $10 each - $20
• Buy 1 package of wipes for $6 - $6
• Total is $26 - $10 (earned in ECB) = $16

What can you use?

• Still got that $3 off $15 coupon in your in-box?
• Manufacturere's coupons.  Ranging from $1 - 1.50 off each diaper package.
• There are also manufacturer's coupons for 0.50 off wipes.

Let's do the math....

• Total after ECB's earned back is $16.
• Take off the $3 = $13
• Take off the 2 diaper coupons ($1.5 each) and wipes coupon (0.50) = $9.50
• Submit your receipts to the caregiver marketplace and get 0.75 back for each package of diapers = $8.00
• I actually have $2 ECB's to use, so I will be getting 2 packages of Huggies and a package of wipes for $6 after the rebate from caregiver marketplace.

WOO HOO!

$1 Off Seventh Generation Product

Go HERE to sign up and receive a $1 off coupon.

Free Samples and Trials through Walmart.com

Sorry I've been away for a WHILE.  I just went back on track Monday (3/30).  It's been a chaotic week to say the least.  But, the Lord is merciful and gracious, and I have made it through my first week back on track with minimal scrapes and bruises.  =)

Go HERE to check out some current freebies and trials you can sign up for through walmart.com!

Some of the samples include:

• Good Nites Boxers for kids
• Crest Advance Seal Whitestrips
• Dog Food
• Gain

Go HERE for a sample of Eucerin.

Go HERE for a sample of Always Infinity Pads.

Go HERE for a sample of Kotex.

Go HERE to print off a coupon for Listerine.  And HERE for Listerine Kids - 2 $1 off coupons off Agent Blue and Smart Rinse.

Free song download from Eric Church.  Right HERE.

Free Sample of Total Cereal

Want some cereal? Try out some Total! Click right HERE.

$7 Off Automactic Shower Kit from Scubbing Bubblesr

Go here to print of a $7 off shower starter cleaning kit from Scrubbing Bubbles.

Sample of True Lemon

Free sample of True Lemon, right HERE!

Pedialyte Anyone? Printable Coupon

Go here to fun off a coupon for Pedialyte.  Definitely good to keep in stock for your little ones.

Jamba Juice Coupon - Oatmeal for a Buck!

Got this in the mail today!  Enjoy!  

Oatmeal for $1!

Birthday Freebies

Good Morning, almost afternoon. I stumbled across this page from a friend's friend's page. Anyway, click on the birthday cake below to a list complied of freebies you can sign up for your birthday. Great way to get access to some free meals! What a way to celebrate!

Free Sample of Cottenelle - Toilet Paper and Moist Wipes

Hey folks!  Another freebie for ya!  Go HERE for to sample BOTH Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Moist Wipes!

$3 Off Fisnish Automatic Dishwashing Products by Electrasol

Another cool coupon I found.  Go HERE and sign up to receivea  $3 off coupon. 

Free Breakfast at Mimi's!

Hey everyone!  Haven't really found too many deals out there yet.  However, I did find on one for a free breakfast at Mimi's Cafe when you sign up for their E-club.  Get the details HERE.  Enjoy!

$1.50 Off Dove Cream Oil Bodywash

Hi everybody.  Use this coupon to get $1.50 off a thing of Dove Cream Oil Bodywash.  Walgreens is doing a sale off Dove products at 25% off!

Being "Choosey"

In efforts of being frugal with the state of our economy, I've discovered that it pays to shop around.  This does take extra time and extra energy.  It even gets more complicated and tiresome with a toddler in tow, and a baby on the way.  BUT, the savings are worth it.  Below are lists of stores I frequent and hot items that I can get good deals on.

El Tapatio/Superior/Cardenas

• Fresh produce (way under $1/lb)
  
• Fruit (way under $1/lb)
• Eggs (20ct. for under $2)
• Salad (usually 99 cents/lb)
• Potatoes
• Other veggies
  

Vons

• Meat 

Staters

• Meat
• Juicy Juice (4 pk for 99 cents)
• Milk
• Bread
  

Food 4 Less

• Juices
• Rolls
• Cheese
• Cereal
• Lunch meat
  

Walgreens (WAGs)

• Diapers (Depends on rebates and RR deals)
  
• Toilet Paper (Charmin 9 pk for $4)
• Toiletries (Often free after rebates and/or RR deals)
  

CVS

• Toiletries (Usually free after ECB's)
  
• Diapers (depends on ECB deals)

Where do you find deals?

$1.50 Pampers Coupon

You can go HERE and request a coupon for $1.50 off a pack of Pampers. 

Freebies!

Here are some freebies/samples I've found. Enjoy!

1. Parent Choice Formula
2. Gain
3. Always Infinity
4. Kotex Pads
5. Coloring Book
6. Grill Accessories (only the first 7,000!)
7. Gift Bundle w/ Lindt Chocolates!
8. GoodNites Boxers
9. ACTIV-FLEX^™ Lightweight Cohesive Tape
10. Gorilla glue
11. Warm Delights by Betty Crocker
    

Check back because I'll add to this when I come across other ones.

Target Deal

Alright Moms! (Or Dads!) You guys better head on over to Target for their Quaker Oats products deal. I got 5 Quaker Oats products for $3.88!

Buy 5 Quaker Oats products and get a $5 Target Giftcard!
There are various products on sale:

• Chewy Bars
• Instant Cereal
• Quaker Squares

What I got:

• 3 Boxes of Chewy Bars ($2 each) - used $1 off 2 coupon
• 1 Box of Instant Cereal (sale 2/$5) - Used 0.70 coupon
• 1 Box of Quaker squares cereal (sale 2/$5) - Used 0.40 coupon
• Board book for Natty ($1)

My total was $9.88, and minus the Target gift card. So, my final total was $4.88. Without Natty's book, it would be $3.88 for the Quaker products! HOT deal!!!!

CVS Trip

Items with HOT deals

Nabisco varieties are on sale 5/$5. These are the smaller packages, which are perfect for the diaper bag for you moms out there. Use 2 -$2 off 2 coupons. Get 5/$1 (final cost)

Bic Soleil Razor on sale for $6.99, and earn $3.00 ECBs = 3.99 (final cost)
Use $2 off coupon t0 lower cost to $1.99

Irish Spring on sale for $4.99, and each $4.99 ECBs = FREE (ends TOMORROW)
Use 0.50 off coupon from Sunday's insert

Colgate Maxfresh on sale for $3.29, and earn $3.29 ECBs = FREE

Total: 20.27 - 5.50 (in coupons) - 7.99 (earned ECBs) = $6.78 (before tax)

Walgreens (WAGs) Trip

So I just got back from Walgreens.  I took advantage of the Dove and Listerine/Reach Deals.  

• Listerine/Reach currently is doing a sale on their mouthwash, floss, and toothbrushes at 3 for $9.  You get $6 in Register Rewards (RRs) back.  Your total ends up to be $3.  Use the $3 off 3 item (must get 1 mouthwash, 1 floss, and 1 toothbrush) from Sunday's insert.  These items end up FREE!  (+ tax)

• Dove is doing a sale with their items at 25% off.  They are also doing an RR deal.  Buy 4, get $2 -  Buy 6, get $6 - and Buy 8, Get $8.  There were tons of coupons for you to use in Sunday's paper too.  I got:
• 2 Deoderants @ 2.69 each, and used $1.25 off 2 coupon = 4.13
  
• 4 Body wash @ 4.49 each, and used 4 $1.50 off coupons = 11.96
  
• 1 shampoo @ 3.96 each, and used $1.00 off coupon = 2.96
  
• 1 conditioner @ 3.96, and used $1.00 off coupon = 2.96
• Total = 22.01 (before tax) - 10 RRs = 12.01 (before tax)
• Note:  I actually earned $10 instead of $8 RR's for the Dove products, so you never know what will happen!  Go to your WAGs and find out!!!
  

Welcome!

Hi everybody!  Thanks everyone who's been keeping up with our family on "Becoming Mommy."  I've finally decided to start another blog on all my shopping adventures.  I have several people who keep asking me where and how I get deals.  The purpose of this blog will be to post different deals I come across at different stores.

I trutly believe that being wise with our finances is just one of many awesome ways to glorify our Lord.  With that in mind, I am praying my adventures with shopping on a tight budge will help benefit and bless some of you guys out there as well!

Check back often, because you never know what kinds of deals I'll stumble across!