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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.