Shelf Reliance gives stuff away {really!?}

So go to Shelf Reliance's blog { http://www.shelfreliance.com/blog/index.php/2009/07/10/free-friday-pantry-72/ }, leave a comment {read the rules first} and get an entry. Add their blinky to your blog and comment that you did it and another entry. NIICE.

They are calling their giveaway "Free on Friday" *guess why*.

Sonic = Summer!

So Sonic has a "Happy Hour" for half off drinks...a great time to grab a summertime Route 44 and chillllax. Anway, grab this link, insert your email adress and that's it. You will be emailed a coupon for their new "Chiller" for 99Cents. {yay cheap}

http://www.sonicdrivein.com/chillout

Random chance for a free thing?

Ok, so bloggers who are promoting their businesses often give away samples from their stores that are soon to be replaces with new samples.

They will choose a random person who has left a comment on their blog, and wa-la! A free item.

www.katicupcake.blogspot.com is doing just such a thing.

First entry, just comment on her quilt....say it is cute, even that it's not {why would you if you want to win it though ;)}

The second entry is to use it on your blog, and send people her way....

so get on comment, say JoAnn sent you, and THEN use it in your blog. entry. entry. entry.

what could it hurt?

could make an awesome gift {think save money!}

Sale frustration....

Ok, I keep waiting for a true "EPIC" sale.....

Good thing I am not holding my breath! It seems that manufacturers are having a hard time letting a good sale happen. I have been couponing for a year on the 4th {not terribly long} and so I am not 100% sure that this problem isn't a case of the typical late summer price points, but OI!

The best thing I have managed to do is

#1, take the paper {or make friends with people who take the paper but don't coupon}
#2, print the coupons online {check www.pinchingyourpennies.com}
#3, use the random doublers that are in the paper

{HINT HINT....there are going to be doublers in tommorrows paper. July 8th)

photo shoot on the cheap...will elaborate.

So really what happened here is I had Olivia's pics done, and really can't afford to pay for every print of everything I loved, and knew it before I went. Soooo, I made nice with the wonderful business women in Rigby and took some pics of my own at Annie's Attic, and the Quilt Shoppe!

Sales for 5/20-5/27 09

Pinching your pennies does a lot of great work! They really research the sales! When you go to their website, www.pinchingyourpennies.com usually there is a small pop up that asks you to sign up for their newsletters. DON'T {X} out of it, sign up. No junk mail there, what you will get is two types of newsletters, one containing the shopping lists for area stores {i.e. Albertsons, Smiths, Broulims} the other is for fun online savings. TOTALLY worth it.

These are the deals I have found so far this week, most from PYP, some from friends giving me their scoop.
Couponing had come to a stand still as I can only do so much, but have started again.

Lightbulbs at Broulims are 99 cents, we have a coupon for those that will make them free. {yes they are taking the coupon for over the amount ~ my Mum bought hers all in one trip with NO snags. My aunt did it also and they just wrote 99cents on the coupon and she was also on her way. The light bulbs are for 1 GE florescent bulb over by the Pharmacy}

Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce is on sale 10 for 10 dollars and we have coupons from 5/10 papers that are for a dollar, once again FREE.

Smiths has Quakies rice snacks for a dollar and with coupon ...you guessed it....FREE!

New Sales are up...

Smiths has their Kelloggs Cereal on sale, after printable coupon they will be 88 cents a box. Each coupon group can be printed twice per computer.

Here is the link for the Pinching your Pennies link: http://www.grocerysmarts.com/idaho/lists/indexg83ro1.php?s83mi2

Scroll down to Kelloggs and then print "group A" twice!

Albertson's Sale 5/6 - 5/12

Here is the page for the preview.

http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120976

Fast Food Coupons

Hey, if you don't use your fast food coupons, i.e. this weeks Burger King coupons here is an idea.

Give them to day programs that facilitate care for the physically and mentally disabled. They are glad to have them and it helps bring the cost of care down for their families. Besides they get to know that someone cares!

5/3 paper

There is a coupon in the 5/3 Sunday Paper for Easy Mac buy one get one free . They have been offering them on sale at Albertson's periodically so you might get a screaming deal on those. The coupon is in the Parade insert. Good for emergency after school snacks or anything on the run.

Provident Living Storage Item?

This is a great price for one of those crank lamps/lanterns. Thought I would share.


Black $10 shipped
Excalibur "Weather Channel" Crank Lantern Black - H701BK-WC UPC: 00755482870121 List Price: $49.99 You Save: (80%) $40.00 Our Price: $9.99 Shipping: FREE Buy.com Total Price: $9.99 Buy.com LINK

SWINE FLU!!!? WHAT NEXT!?

You might not know this but my DH's degree is actually geared toward epidemiology (the study of the spread of disease). So this new Swing Flu epidemic is really peaking his interest.

I know this isn't coupon clipping, but DOES fit in the provident living category, and here are tips that he shared with me along with a grain of salt so to say.

The way this is passed is the same as the traditional flu bug, and that is NOT through the air. The flu can live on surfaces for a long time having been spread by a carrier and then along comes a healthy person touches that object and then scratches their eye and there you have it...transmission.

So the BEST form of protection is something that is pretty simple. WASH YOUR HANDS. KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR MOUTH NOSE AND EYES (and your kids' too) AND LASTLY SANITIZE SURFACES WHEN IT IS REALISTIC.

Good examples would be bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces etc.

The best examples would be shopping carts, your STEERING WHEEL, and things you touch a lot after being in public (what about that cell phone?)

Read up and be smart! Do what you feel is realistic for your family, and be clean.

I am so glad that I got that DEAL on Clorox last fall. (4 gallons of Clorox brand bleach and 4 spray bottles of hard surface disinfectant or disinfectant wipes for $4.00 )

Provident Living paying off? I have my supplies and don't need to run out and pay full price so I would say YUP!!!

Happy hand washing!

I found it on Eb*y.....

I have a friend that got 100 coupons for Blueberry morning for that last cereal deal a while back and MAN she stocked up! (she has 9 kids)

I asked how she found that many of ONE type of coupon and she told me her "secret"....ebay!

So last week, Smiths was running a special that put McCormick spice rubs FREE after coupons, and I thought that this might be my chance to try the ebay thing.

I paid $3.75 for 20 coupons which comes out at $.019 cents a piece. After all was said and done they arrived the DAY AFTER the sale was over. Most of the lateness was my fault as I didn't think to try ordering the coupons until Saturday in hopes that they would arrive on or before Tuesday's mail. They arrived in Wednesday's, so I can't put it against the person I paid to clip the coupons for me.

Well, now Broulim's has their McCormic spice Grinders on sale for $1.50 and now I have 20 $1.00 off coupons in my hand.

Here is the tricky part...do I use them now with the net cost being 69 cents each or hold out for a better sale with the risk that a good sale might NEVER hit before my coupons expire?!!! ( they expire June 30th)

Coupons!!!

I found this link, get yourself some free coupons mailed to you (they are P&G!!!). They won't be here in time for this sale, but you can have them around for the next one I am sure!!!

http://www.cascadeclean.com/en_US/specialoffers.do

Worth taking a trip for....

I am not listing deals that need a Red Plum coupon as it is highly unlikley anyone actually has any of them right now....

*Glaceau Vitamin water10 20 oz. FREE after coupon (look in the 4/5 Smart Saver insert)
*Duncan Hines brownie mix 19.2-19.9 oz. $0.65 after coupon ( lookin the 2/1 SS insert)
worth getting if you didn't hit the Ghidradelli deal in October
*Mission medium flour tortillas 8 ct. Limit 4 FREE after coupon (Requires in-ad store coupon. *1.00/1 printable at this link and this link )
*Kingsford Match Light charcoal $7.99.... 13.5 lb. THEN 6.00 off pork when you buy 1 Kingsford 13.5 lb. and 1 other product listed. (Includes Ball Park franks, see in-ad coupon.) If you were going to be buying meat anyway this would be like paying $1.99 for a BAG!!! My DH is anti-propane so this is VERY worth my time!


For the P&G promo look at this link: (items in the grey blocks)
http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=UT_Albertsons_Apr29_May05

P&G starts tommorrow!!!!

Albertson's is running their Proctor and Gamble in the morning!

This is the time to reallllly watch your stock on key items that are hard to find on sale (TIDE).

So the deal with P&G is:

Spend $20.00 on participating products and get $5.00 back on your NEXT purchase.

Check out the items on sale in the store @:
http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=UT_Albertsons_Apr29_May05

THEN there is a bonus apparently:

"P&G Smart Saver + Earn a coupon to save an ADDITIONAL $3 on 3 P&G products in your next shopping order when you purchase 3 participating items from the $5/$20 promo. $3 coupon is valid on your next purchase of 3 Bonus P&G products. Bonus products are: Bounty Basics, Charmin Basics, Crest Toothpaste, Gain, Herbal Essence, Joy or Pampers. Coupon prints at checkout when you purchase 3 participating products, and is valid on P&G products in your next shopping order." (quoted from the PYP web site)

Here is the complication to this sale. A lot of the coupons that are listed are RP (Red Plum) and right now in this area we are only getting SS (Smart Source) until July or so. The positive side is that on the LAST p&G sale there was an offer that if you mailed in receipts for $50.00 worth of product (before promo) then P&G sent you a savings booklet with over $120.00 worth of coupons in them. They are ALL high value coupons. They expire at different times in the year, but all of them can be used now, so it is up to you to decide if you think you can do better later in the year! Good luck!

Coupon Binders

"So what is the deal with that BINDER!?"

I get that one a lot. It is a school trapper-keeper type binder from a variety store. I bought a pretty deluxe one because it has file pockets, zipper pouches and all kinds of things that are really quite handy in the stores. What is in it? Coupons...in baseball card sleeves. Scissors, a calculator, a sharpie marker, and my lists for THAT shopping trip. I do NOT keep old recipts with me (way bulky) although I do go through them when I go home to see how my savings went.

The idea is to be organized, efficient, and fast. A big bulky mess is not going to save you any time, and might even make it so you miss a deal. Invest in a good one and if there is any feature you must make sure your binder has, make sure it has a ZIPPER!!! ( imagine 2,000 store coupons blowing in the beautiful Idaho wind because you dropped your binder - don't think it wouldn't happen!)

The following clip is from www.pinchingyourpennies.org, and contains a clip from www.youtube.com that a WONDERFUL moderator from PYP has posted. It may help you with your deciding how to handle all those coupons! Take a look! ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcbs...feature=related

KS likes the baggie method. She researches her sale, then makes her list, along with the number of items she will be buying and puts the list, and coupons in a sandwich baggie and tucks it into his jeans and she is hands free to wrestle her kiddo (s) and shop without the bulk. The disadvantage to that is IF there is a good deal she missed, she has to return later with the coupons and do it again.

Both ways work just fine, it just depends on what you want out of your couponing.

Coupon doubling

A little birdie whispered in my ear while at Albertson's that although coupon doublers have been pretty rare in the past, and pretty spread out, that latley they are hitting bi-weekly, and to keep an eye out although there is no guarantees there. If that proves to be true, and last week we had doublers, this week is doubler free, then NEXT week we might see them again.

Doublers are fun because Albertson's will double your manufacturers coupon up to a dollar, which can add up to some killer deals.

TUNA

Oh yeah, Albertson's has Sunkist Tuna in the pouches that come out at $1.50 on sale, then after the coupon ($1.50 off of three packs) it brings the price down further. However.....buy 4 Tuna at $1.50 = $6.00 - the coupon = $4.50 THEN get $1.50 off of the purchase of a loaf of bread. If you figure in the bread to the tuna price it comes out at = 75 cents a pouch. That is an ok deal. We have seen a quarter though, so not quite the price to go buy a case, but if your needing tuna.....better than retail.

New to couponing? Albertson's in Rexburg has the coupons stuck to the display. No clipping needed.

Free lip balm from Bath an dBody works!!!

Read this blog and print out the coupon if you are able to make it to a Bath and Body Works tommorrow, just buy some little trial sized thing and get a lip balm with this printable......the author of the blog claims that the C.W. Bigelow lip balm "is addicting". cHeCk iT oUt!!!

http://wantitall4free.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-lip-balm-at-bath-body-works.html

Albertson's Kraft/ConAgra Sale 4/24/09

I am down to 1/2 a box of Cascade in my pantry for automatic dishwasher detergent. Not a good thing! Anyway, I went to the PYP web site, looked up the shopping guide, and found which store had Electrasol on sale. Why? Because I had coupons (6) for $2.50 off. Broulims has their Electrasol tabs and gel packs on sale for $3.88 so I grabbed them while on my way to car pool for track. All and all it cost me $1.38 per box before tax. Not too shabby! Then after track it was off to Albertson's to see what I could find. K.S. was soooo right, there are some definite holes in their stock due to problems at the warehouse. Ketchup? nope. Manwich? Nope Bagelfuls? Nope

It made it really hard to make the Con Agra sale work since it needed to be in $25.00 increments. I didn't want to spend all my money on 25 cans of Ro-Tel, even though I wanted SOME. In the end I spent $57.62 and saved $98.64 from retail prices. Nothing that made my pennies scream by any means. I used $36.50 in coupons, and that my friends pays for the paper! The highlights of this one for me was the Kraft Salad Dressing = FREE!!! and I loaded up on Frozen Healthy Choice dinners.

I am not sure if this will be a good thing or not. It is promoted as health food, and I am not sure if my DH will try them, but right now he is eating two meals a day away from home during his work week, so it is worth a try. I paid 20 cents for the first two and 70 cents for the others because I had different coupons.

All and all I didn't really stock up on a whole lot because #1, I am replenishing product that is already on my pantry shelves, and #2, I am really crossing my fingers that we will see 33 cents for Betty Crocker again......I can hope!!!

Anyway I asked K.S. to post her shopping trip on the blog because she did WAY better than I did when she went in the a.m. she ran into some couponers that were really organized . She got a pretty good deal on flour which is always nice.


Overall, I am happy with my trip....kinda. Yogurt will be eaten as a staple in my house, and maybe the Healthy Choice will be a good thing, but overall there is a sore lack of staples on this trip, and really that should be a main focus. Thus I was disappointed about the lack of ketchup, etc that I mentioned before.

Heads up though, we might see *Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce* uNdEr a dollar sometime in the next few weeks. That is the price to beat, cross your fingers!!!

Albertson's SE Idaho Sale cHecK iT oUt!!!

http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=ID_Albertsons_Apr22_Apr28

PYP online deal

K.B found this on PYP it is a really great deal if you need a straightener.


Sexy Hair Curve Controller Straightenerwas $169.95
Now: $19.99 YOU SAVE 89%+ apply code SEXY10 for additional $10 off= $9.99
*Shipping is $5.95, unless spend over $50 then Free.

Folica.com LINK

Post Register

If you call the circulation desk and have your P.Y.P. special put onto an auto pay program they are going to offer a discount!

Right now the deal is = get your daily paper + 5 Sunday papers for $20.00

Is that worth subscribing to? The Jury is still out, if you can get a better deal let me know, but historically I have more than paid for the papers in savings.

If I go to the gas station and buy 5 Sunday papers per week, then my monthly cost will rack quickly up to $7.50 per week x 4 weeks = $30.00 a month. DEFINITELY WORTH THE SUBSCRIPTION PRICE!

NOW if you do an auto pay PR is going to drop the price to $17.00 a month. That comes down to 85 CENTS PER SUNDAY PAPER, and that is not taking into account for the paper that will come weekly. Now keep in mind the Sunday paper is NOT the only place for deals, Albertson's for example likes to plant "doublers" in inserts and odd places that can greatly increase savings!!! For example TODAY is supposed to have some GREAT coupons in the paper and it is WEDNESDAY!!!

For those that only get Sunday Papers sometimes, or are waiting for the deal to happen before looking for the coupon here is a word of warning. It is not unusual for the coupon to be 3-4 weeks old and ALMOST ready to expire before you can use it to it's maximum potential. Thus buying a Sunday paper because there might be a good sale on the following Wednesday will NOT pay off, as you will most likely need coupons from 2-3, maybe even a month prior to the sale.

If you buy 2 Sunday papers a week and do that weekly for 4 weeks your cost is $12.00 a month. That purchase plan will give you 2 of each coupon needed, for another $5.00 a month that will give you 5 of every Sunday coupon insert, and you won't miss out on the weekly random deals.

The only way I know that will be a better deal is:

#1 find friends who take the paper that don't coupon

#2 the Rexburg Standard Journal has bi-weekly papers + 5 Saturday papers (they don't circulate on Sunday) for $11.00, but out where I live they aren't willing to deliver.


Just some food for thought!!! Happy Couponing!!!

Broulim's list 4/15-4/21

Western Family mixes, i.e. dressings, gravy etc. are going to be 3/$1.00. Thanks PYP for all of your WORK!

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfwjhhdp_5gm4w9dfz

Albertson's link for deals 4/15-4/21

Check it out:

http://pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=ID_Albertsons_Apr15_Apr21

Smith's Best Deals 4/15-4/21

Here is the link you need to figure out what will work at Smith's this week:

http://pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=ID_Smiths_Apr15_Apr21

wHen iN dOuBt

We are told from a young age that we all have something special to offer. How easy it is to think that to be something special, one must fit into a mold of what our society values.

Talents come in all forms, and although not always revealed in such a big way, we all have things to offer that might surprise and uplift those around us.

Take a moment, watch this link that I have posted here, and ponder what your personal talent that might be. Whether it be a little hidden; either to yourself or to others, or something that you might not consider a talent at all. Having watched this video I was brought to think about how sometimes we forget our own worth because of fear of the scoffing from the great and spacious building. Please watch this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

April 15th Albertson's deals

Catalina offers:
Tropicana Juice club Between 3/23 thru 6/14/09 Buy 4 participating Tropicana Premium 64 oz or Trop50 59 oz Get the 5th one FREE! Coupon will print on qualifying transaction receipt.

Additional printables:Welch's Aqua Juice 52 oz.Another B1G1 link
Save $1.00 on any Filippo Berio Olive Oil 17oz or largerlink$1/2
Kellogg’s Frosted Flakeslink$1/1
any Cottonelle Aloe & E or Ultra toilet Paper (4-pack or larger)link(Please let us know if this still works or not!)

Watch for these in-store coupons:Glaceau Vitamin water 20 oz.
They were $1 last week, too. I bought 10 and there was a $1 discount on my receipt: TG Free Powrde-Glaceu -$1.00.
I don’t know how many you need to buy or if this promo is still going on.

Lay's Sun Chips 10.5 oz.Look for tearpad coupons: Buy any two Sun Chips, get 1 bags of Lay’s FREE, up to $3.99

Look for $1/1 peelies on Sunchips Peppercorn Ranch flavor.Baked Lay's 9-11.5 oz.

Lay's potato chips 10.5-11 oz.Look for tearpad coupons to save $2 on any Frito-Lay dip wyb any two bags of Frito-Lay chipsTostitos Con Queso or Creamy Dip 15-15.25 oz.

Look for tearpad coupons to save $2 on any Frito-Lay dip wyb any two bags of Frito-Lay chips

Look for .55/1 peeliesAquafina water 6 pack 24 oz.

Look for $1/1 tearpad couponKettle Cooked chips 9 oz.Look for $1/2 tearpad coupons

Challenge butter 8 oz. cubes, spreadable, or whipped Watch for .55/1 Blinkies

COUPON DOUBLING

Ok, so here is a GREAT thing!

Albertson's has been doing random inserts in the Post Register (not sure if in the Standard Journal or not) that contain doublers for coupons.

The rule is that you can only use coupons with a value UP TO a dollar and they will match the amount on the coupon.

B.B. got Scotty's toilet paper (4 pack I think she said) for get this 17 CENTS!!! That was using her doubler with a coupon from a Sunday paper insert.

She also got Downy fabric softner for 99 CENTS!!! Screaming!!! To get that deal she used her doubler with a coupon from her DEAR Proctor and Gamble booklet that some of you may or may not have heard about. A while back if you spent $50.00 on PnG items then you could send the receipts in and get this amazing booklet full of high value coupons. It seems that it is already worth the stamp my friends!!!

Going in with K.S. this afternoon after meetings to see what other deals we can troll up!

Great deals for nursing Mom's

Thanks KM for the tip!

go to http://www.uddercovers.com/shop1.php use the code ONEFREE and you can get one of these for $7.95.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Ed and Arlene Williams are going to be doing a gardening class this Saturday at Valley Wide Co-op from 1-3 p.m. They have so much information to share, and are so happy to share it. Take the time and go learn a little!!!

Patterson's 5 MIN Chocolate mug cake

So personally my focus is on feeding a bUnCH of people at a time, but my dear cousin Jill P. posted a recipe on her blog from her mum-in-law that I think might be a lot of fun for those out there that are cooking for one or two people at a time. It is inventive, inviting, and looks incredibly indecent!!! Try it and let me know how it was! All credit where credit is due.... Jill and her dear MOL.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil ..or try real butter...worked very well

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).So we all have 5 mintues and we can make a cake and eat it to in that time so that's why this is so DANGEROUS HAHA!

PYP

Dear PYP members,During these challenging economic times it is important to be on top of any and all savings opportunities available to smart shoppers. PinchingYourPennies.com does a great job of sorting thru the noise and providing a great service for anyone looking to stretch their grocery dollars. At Albertsons, we understand that you have many choices when it comes to shopping and appreciate the fact you have chosen us as your grocery store. As such, we would like extend an exclusive offer just for PYP members that can be redeemed at your local Albertsons. In order to receive this offer, you will need to fill in the required fields in the link below and include your Preferred Savings Card number https://shop.albertsons.com/eCommer...on=viewComments The Preferred Savings card is required in order to receive the offer.Please copy the entire list below and paste in the comment section of the link above. Provide a yes or no answer for numbers 2, 3 and 4. If you choose to receive TXT messages in the future, please provide your mobile phone number.1. I AM A PYP MEMBER2. Receive Special Discounts/Offers by Email 3. Receive Special Discounts/Offers by US Mail4. Receive Special Discounts/Offers by TXT message5. Mobile Phone NumberThis exclusive offer will be available to the first 5,000 members and will close on March 31st. Your coupon savings offers will be delivered by April 15th. The offer includes four “$5 off $30” coupons and two manufacture double coupons. Remember, this offer is exclusive to PinchingYourPennies.com members and is available only in Idaho and Utah Albertsons stores.
__________________

Morning Glory

I am not an expert gardener. I probably will never get a pretty sign in my yard for the most beautiful yard in the town....and I am ok with that. I would be happy with a pretty green patch with my old fashioned flowers sitting prettily in their corners waiting for someone to notice them.
I have a huge bed of lilly of the valley, pink and white bleeding hearts; tulips, iris, and day lilies galore; and a row of 17 BEAUTIFUL peony bushes. Every spring I rejoice in seeing their little starts come through the yuck in my yard, nad have an amazing show of color that makes me soooo happy! THEN up comes my nemesis. MORNING GLORY!!! I have it in my lawn, all of the flower beds, the garden in my lilac bushes, it is EVERYWHERE!!! I cringe when I go to home and garden stores and see seed packets for the noxious and vile organism. I honestly detest it!!!

I have had three years in this house and have lost the battle with it every spring. My master plan this spring in my yard was drastic, but as I have become a little sinister when it comes to my need to eliminate the STUPID weed, I don't care. I was going to ROUND UP the whole dang thing, even if it meant killing my pretty flower beds.

I do however have another plan....Tree Mama tells me she has a secret. We are going to try it and cross our fingers, I will post the plan on a later date, as I need to call her for details, but I am sick and don't want to talk a lot right now, and certainly can't go visit her for instructions but hang tight if this is something that you are battling too and we will see if the advice of the garden Masters pay off!!!

Spring time planting advice from A. W. aka "Tree Mama"

(1)As soon as the peppers put on the third leaf tranplant them deeper--up to 1/2 inch from the leaves-- in a bigger pot. They will put on new roots even on the stems and be much heathier! When they are abouat 6 inches tall, snip the bottom leaves off and put them in bigger pots again! One gallon is about right. You will be surprised at how much better they will produce for you! About Memorial day plant them outside with a hot cap or something to protect them. If you use a one gallon milk bottle, take the lid off or you will cook them! They will be crispy critters and that is all you will have!
(2)Do the same for the tomatoes!
(3) Before the snow melts go to Valley Wide in Rexburg and get a bag of fertilizer that Ed had them mix especially for people in our area and put it on the garden. As the snow melts it will go into the soil and make you garden perform much better!Love to all! Thank you again for all the goodies everyone brings, the cheery phone calls and personal visits...Thank you, Thank you. Blessings on you all!

Garden web sites

Free $20 at Springhill Nursery - Just pay shipping!
Gurneys.com (Get $20 off when you spend $40 through this link)
HenryFields.com (Get $20 off when you spend $50 through this link)
MichiganBulb.com (Get $20 off when you spend $50 through this link)
SpringhillNursery.com (Get $25 off when you spend $50 through this link)
DutchGardens.com (Get free shipping when you spend $55 through this link)
Gardeners.com

Albertson's sale 18-24th

http://pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=ID_Albertsons_Mar18_Mar24

here is the link for the Albertson's sale. Cheese will end up being cheaper than last week's Kraft promo IF you didn't have coupons to use.

I am not feeling so great, so browse through and let me know if there is anything SCREAMING and I will post it.

www.pinchingyourpennies.com

Smiths MEGA EVENT PROMO

Check out this link to the Pinching your Pennies forums in Idaho. The great deals I am seeing are the Betty Crocker Speciatly potatoes 59 cents; Colgate toothpaste is a quarter ; Dixie napkins for 49 cents; Kens salad dressings will be 50 cents (for those that missed that price on last weeks Albertson's promo); power ade will be 49 cents;and the screamer of the day QUAKER RICE CAKES = FREE. ( all with coupon + promo)

Look through the feed, join the web site, and find great deals! http://pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=ID_Smiths_Mar11_Mar17

coupon doublers

Ok, so in Sunday's paper Albertson's ran coupon doublers. What that means to you is you can find an item on sale, use a coupon, and then the Albertson's doubler (up to a $1.oo) and you get a GREAT deal. If you take the paper and get the 5 on Sunday's then you should have 15 available for you to use through March 17 ( tommorrow ). This was in the Post Register in the Sports section (C-3).

My sis in law went and got a few things free. Will try and get a list from her to share, but won't be able to post til the a.m. Pretty last min. but totally worth the panic button if you can get stuff FREE.

Every day low price...WINCO

I am not a huge fan of WINCO, but there are times that I can't beat the prices. This is something that I don't see getting a better price for in the near future....BROWN SUGAR.

50 lbs for $24.50 (PLEASE let me know if you can do better than that!)

The trick will be in keeping THAT much sugar fresh. A couple 5 gallon buckets with the air tight seal should do the job.

Standard Journal

In the Standard Journal's effort to become more coupon friendly they are announcing today:

New Easy Pay Subscription

One paper on Tuesday
One paper on Wednesday
Five papers on Saturday

$11.75 per month

To start your subscription call the Standard Journal at 356-5441 and ask for the New Coupon Subscription Offer.

Walmart Case Lots

Walmart in Rexburg had a price list for their case lot sale. The sale starts March 7th-21st. I believe this will be in Idaho Falls also. The following is the list that they had....however they didn't include the quantites for any of the items. I tried calling this evening and the manager had already left. So I have to wait until tomorrow to find that info out. But here is the list of what they will have. They also had a disclaimer on it that the prices might change slightly.
ITEM Price for the case
GV Whole Kernal Corn $13.00
GV Cut Green Beans $13.00
G French Cut Green Beans $13.00
GV Chunk Light Tuna in water $28.00
GV MD Pitted Olives $10.50
Campbell's Spagettios $13.50
GV Long Grain Rice $31.50
GV Dry Pinto Bean $31.50
GV Spaghetti $16.50
GV Elbow Macaroni $10.00
GV Chicken Noodle Soup $11.00
GV Cream of Mushroom $11.00
GV Cream of Chicken $11.00
GV Tomato Soup $11.00
Kraft Mac and Cheese $14.00
Hormel Chili no bean $13.50
Hormel Chili w/bean $10.50
GV Chicken Broth $10.50
GV Tomato sauce $10.00
GV Petite Diced Tomato $10.50
GV Wide Egg noodles $15.50
GV Extra Wide Egg Noodles $15.50
GV Chicken Breast $18.75
Hormel Spam Lunch Meat $20.00
GV Apple Juice- 96oz $10.00
Hunts Spaghetti Sauce Meat $9.00
Garlic Herb $9.00
Traditional $9.00
Mushroom $9.00
Maruchan Instant Lunch-chicken $3.00Maruchan Ramen***
$3.50Van Camp Pork Beans $14.50
GV 25lb Sugar $9.50
Capri Sun Asst. $7.00
Campbells Chunky Soup-asst $16.00
Chef Boyardee-mini Ravioli $17.50
GV Applesauce $13.00
GV Ketchup $10.00
GV drinking Water $2.45
GV Peanut Butter $25.00

This weeks Albertson's deals

Here is the link for the Alberston's deals from Pinching Your Pennies @ http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/

http://pinchingyourpennies.com/coupons/store_sales.php?id=ID_Albertsons_Mar04_Mar10

There are a few great things in there, the web site will tell you where to find the coupons if they were in inserts, or give a link for printables.

After promo's and coupons:
Pringles 65 cents
Gillette body wash 99 cents
Crest toothpaste 88 cents

P&G / Quaker Promo
spend 20 get a $5.00 catalina check for your next purchase

ANOTHER MENTOS DEAL

This time the deal is at Broulims. Their Mentos Mints are on sale for $.99, they accepted the gum coupons today with NO issue, I had 10 $1.00 off coupons, and 5, $ .45 off coupons. The total came out at $2.50 for 15 packages of mints. This worked at the Broulims in Rigby. YAY!!! ( I think the sale is over today....they still have them in stock - Albertson's does NOT ) Good luck!!!

The joy of a rain check...

Albertson's had their Mento's gum packs on sale a few weeks ago. My Mom couldn't get hers because they didn't have the gum in stock. She simply asked for a rain check, and she put it into her purse.

Now the sale is for 10 packages of gum for 10 bucks. Ok, so not a FAB deal, but ok. Add the fact that she had 45 cents off coupons makes it worth buying some....HOWEVER in today's paper the Smart Source popped out a $1.00 coupon, with 2 coupons in each insert. She gets 5 Sunday papers thus giving her 10 coupons....she can take that rain check in, and add her coupon and PRESTO...she has free gum. The store doesn't lose money, because they get the money back from the manufacturer. AWESOME. She will have to pay tax ONLY. Can't beat that!

Christmas Shopping....

A little early yes. HOWEVER I picked up some toys on Friday evening at the Walgreen's on 17th street in AMMON. They have all of their Christmas toys on sale 75% off. I got some really good things. So I covered 2 birthdays, and 1 Easter, and the best part is I got some things to donate for the Bishop's Christmas drive we will be doing. I did my part and spent PENNIES on the dollar. I even found some things that would be appropriate for boys 12-15 years old, and that is a HARD age bracket to shop for.

Just a thought if you are in the giving mood!!!

Getting that years supply of food...

So here is a thought ... manufacturers run sales in 12 week cycles. So in theory if Tide is going to be on sale through Associated Foods, it won't be again for another twelve weeks. Why do you care? Because you don't want to pay RETAIL!!!

So what do you do when you don't have the money to splurge and stock up for a 12 month supply of a product? What if it is something that you aren't sure if you will use a lot of, or afraid it will go stale or "bad"? What if the sale is a good sale, you need the product, but you are hoping for an amazing STEAL?

Figure what you might use in a 3 month period and strive for that, until you have a better idea of how much you need, what it should cost, and if you like the product.

It's just a thought on strategy.

Also if you don't have a lot of room, it might help to buy non essentials in 12 week cycles when trying to maximize the use of your space. It would be a questionable decision to forgo your long term food storage for a years supply of fruit snacks, and chalk it up to lack of storage space.

LANE BRYANT

K so Lane Bryant makes a nice jean for plus sizes that is tailored to how you are shaped rather just the waist size. They are WONDERFUL jeans, but a little on the high end for price. They are running a promo right now to get them instead of the normal price of $49.50, they are $29.99 and then if you spend more than $75.00 they ship for free. Great deal. THEN there is a couple of web codes that are good until the 5th of March 15% off is ( 000155922 ) and the other one (the one I used) takes off a dollar amount for each increment spent i.e. $25.00 off of $75.00, I didn't write it down, (sorry) but it is the one I used. I did it, and it came out FABITY FAB FAB FAB! They came out right around $20.00, and they will fit AND they will be long enough for me to wear with boots! (rare!)

RED PLUM

Ok, if you read previous posts, or are a PYP follower, you may know that some things have been going down with the Post Register. #1 they are pulling their Monday publication #2 they raised their prices and #3 they lost their Red Plum insert which for couponers it is a MAJOR deal.

Well, apparently enough of us wrote to red plum and they have agreed to renew their contract with the Post Register (YAY!!) The down side is that is going to take until JULY for it to get back into circulation. (NOT SO YAY) However Red Plum does have printables and there is a slim chance they might show up in the mail until then. We will see.

Childrens Place Web Code

If you are in the market for kids clothing, www.childrensplace.com has a "Monster Sale" that they do occasionally. Right now through March 8th if you add a web code at check out ( SA29) then you can have an additional 15% off of your purchases on sale or not. There are some really cute clothes out there, and I got some AWESOME deals on the last monster sale I hit. (see previous post)

TCP Monster Sale

My sister in law and I have gone together again for a Childrens Place Monster Sale, after getting 50% off the sale prices, and then having web codes for additional discounts, we came out rEaLly good.

This shopping order covers, baby gifts, 4th of July outfits, Christmas, Easter, and some clothes that just are needed.

I was really dissappointed, because a top that I ordered for the Liv to wear for the 4th was short shipped and I am out of luck there. bUmMEr. Oh well, win some, lose some.

Here is the break down: ( if no note, then they were for daily wear)

Item Orig. Retail Sale Price Our Price
boys fleece zip up (Christmas) $12.50 $3.99 $3.39
toddler cuff socks $2.50 $.74 $.63
toddler pajamas $16.50 $4.99 $4.24
infant stretchies (baby gifts) $10.50 (we bought 13) $3.49 $2.97
2 girls tee's $9.50 $2.99 $2.54
3 boys tee's (one a birthday pres) $8.50 $2.99 $2.54
girls sunglasses (July 4th) 2/$5.00 not on sale $2.15
boys fleece pullover $14.50 $4.99 $4.24
2 girls sweaters (Easter/family pics) $ 14.50 $4.99 $4.24
fleece pants $12.50 $3.99 $3.39
2 velour tops $9.50 $2.49 $2.12
big girls striped tee (4th of July) $9.50 $6.99 $5.94
boys tie (Easter/family pics) $7.50 not on sale $6.38

of course then, there is shipping $5.00 and tax $5.73......grand total spent......104.26 retail would have been 309.50 before tax and ship....so we SAVED $205.24 off of retail. And get this it could have been better because my Place Points havent' recharged for the year yet, or it would have been another $10.42 off of that. PLUS I am a perks member...for every $75 I spend, I get a $10.00 gift card to TCP back. Not to shabby.


Ok so the real reason I post this is to answer those that doubt that buying ahead can save you money. Buy Christmas EARLY, buy ahead for holidays ALWAYS, and keep people in mind when you are in a sale, you might find a really fun birthday gift that you might not otherwise be able to afford. The baby stretchies are an example.....my sis in law knows 12 people who are having babies in the next few months. She isn't particularly close to any of them, but she can give them all a thoughtful gift without breaking the bank. NICE! And she gets to have the fun of giving it too!

RED PLUM

My dear Kar!

Thanks for getting this information it makes my day! (WOOT)

Basically she called and asked Red Plum why they were pulling their contract out of SE Idaho, and this is the response they gave her:

Recently in certain markets, RedPlum began delivering its coupon booklet through consumers' mailboxes for free along with their weekly grocery circulars and other savings and deals. Through the mail, the RedPlum insert will now be able to reach more households than in the past in these markets. We realize the importance of making these essential savings available to as many people as possible. Because of the print schedule it may take 4 – 6 weeks for delivery to begin.

In addition, you may visit www.redplum.com to view local and national offers and print online coupons.

Sincere regards.
Consumer Feedback Team

ETHICS

There is a person (whom may not be anonymous much longer cuz I want to strangle her) that is really screwing things up around here.

K- so Pillsbury Grands are on sale, but this chic went and bought 310 cans, then admits that it isn't all for her own use. So here is the problem. She is wiping out every Albies in the area for her own use. And then blogging about it.

PEOPLE this is what is causing problems with the area grocers. A sale is a sale, not a chance to wholesale!!! Area businesses have the right to refuse service, and if it gets to be a big panic they will start limiting quantities and services. They don't even HAVE to take your coupons.

So getting 18 items is a lot. But it is for your personal use. Picking up for your Mom isn't even a problem, but once you are purchasing BULK items like 310 CANS OF BISCUITS...think about it; it is depriving others from the chance to get the sale too. THAT my friends is unethical. Remember who you are, because that doesn't change in the grocery store!

Pillsbury Grands

Ok, so I put a can of Pillsbury Grands in my deep freeze which is set on "ICE AGE". It froze just fine, it didn't bulge or anything. So the real question is how they would do after they defrosted. Every thing turned out just fine! Worth picking them up for 50 cents or less and stocking up!!!

FREE Prints

Walgreens....LOVE THEM!

Ok free prints with check out! Why NOT!!! Here is the deal..... order prints online with Walgreens and check out 2-20-2009 and get 20 4x6 prints FREE (YUP) . All you have to do is enter a coupon code: ONEDAY at check out and go get your prints. Who wouldn't love that?!!

Here is the Walgreen's fine print:

Coupon code ONEDAY valid once per account on February 20, 2009. Online orders must include 20 or more 4x6 or 4x5.3 prints at time of checkout to qualify. Limit 20 free prints per customer. Code must be entered at time of checkout to apply discount. Does not apply toward collage prints, taxes or shipping charges. Orders must be placed by logged-in customer by February 20, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time to qualify. Timing will be determined by Walgreens server clock. Only one coupon code per order. Offer valid online only.

She's the Coupon Queen

So I am irritated with the Post Register - my local newspaper. For one reason. They are discontinuing the Red Plum coupon inserts, and then adding a syndicated columnist that is an expert on coupon clipping. Chop my foot off then tell me about running? I am OK with the column, but mad that the insert is gone. GRRR

Anyway, they listed the Coupon Queen's web sites in case you want to get some hints...

www.jillcataldo.com

www.supercouponing.com


Happy browsing!

SUV's and such

Ok, so driving and SUV today is NOT a 'good' thing. I can accept that for all the good intentions out there. The reality of my life however with 4 kids and my 3 year old nephew doesn't really make a good fit for a Prius. Besides, it would look really funny pulling a horse trailer to the arena. Even funnier if I had to tie a child or two to the top. And a mini van's just don't like having off road pin stripes on them. For now; a Suburban is the vehicle for us. Now for the hard part. Our current Suburban has 225,000 miles on it. It sits parked on the farm needing new gears in the rear end which will cost roughtly $600.00 in parts - luckily for my my DH can fix that kind of thing with a blind fold on. We will fix it, and keep it as his vehicle to take to scout camp outs, off road, and the real rough stuff, but it is just a tiny bit past dependable, and it isn't going to do a road trip anytime soon to see the DH's family. SO .... time to search for another one.

Turns out to not be so simple. We need to keep the price down, and although now is a great time to buy an SUV ( blue book went through the floor ), it seems everyone around here has wholesaled them away from our area. We are hoping to get a good deal and hopefully we will find it soon. I am driving my Dad's Cadillac, and that is NOT being so self sufficient, wouldn't ya say?

So it is time for a new kind of bargain hunt. One with a bigger price tag. Much bigger. Wish me luck!

Progresso Soup

K, so I have had a few people contact me because they want in on the GREAT soup deal from Progresso this week. I didn't have the best of luck as my computer didn't cooperate AT ALL. However the link that DID work for me was

http://progressotastechallenge.com/Progresso_Soup_Coupons.aspx

For me, the soup after coupon and Catalina, the soup came out at a QUARTER a can.

GREAT SALE!!!

When I have a plan, I can plan on everything going haywire. That is how it is with me. It is nuts! Yesterday was no different. I was supposed to meet at my friends house right after the kids hit the bus and we were going to swoop into Albertsons, get the great deals, and get out in time for my friend to be home when her kiddo got off the bus.

At the designated time, I was still trying to print off coupons off of my computer and chase Olivia around the house and get her dressed. We made it with me in no make up, but we made it none the less.

We got the deal, and got all the product planned on. Totally worth it!!!

Total spent for the trip: $58.76

Total saved off of retail? $266.87

Total items purchased: 116 items

Not to bad!

Keep in mind here that the items I bought are foods that will "fill in the cracks" and aren't staple groceries. However when a field trip comes up, or there are hungry ballerina's in the back of my Suburban or it is my turn to bring treats to soccer, or I need a snack to pack into my church bag....do I need to continue?

All in all I got 2 cases of Progresso Soup, 7 packages of Macaroni Grill dinner kits, 18 packages of Pillsbury Grands ( GET THIS!!!! THEY FREEZE!!! more on that later) 9 packages of Cheerios snack mix, 5 Mentos gum, 6 Campbells soup to go, a ton of fruit rollups and gushers, 10 packages of Toaster Strudel. That is just a guess-timate as I they are put away and might have missed something.