Extreme Couponing

I was so excited to find out tonight that a new show about couponing is premiering on TLC!  It's a reality show called Extreme Couponing.  It premieres on TLC April 6 at 8:00 pm central.  I can't wait to see it!  Who knows?  Maybe we can pick up some good tips!

Check out the promo video for Extreme Couponing on TLC's site.

By the way, major slip-up.  I forgot to get my Sunday paper!  Thanks to Mrs. Shirley for the coupons she brought me at church! 

Another Day. Another Deal.

So, already my inconsistency is showing up.  Week 2.  I'm inconsistent.  Pitiful.  Spring Break is this week so I have a house full of company!  Yay!  I love it when my family comes.  Needless to say, I've been busy visiting and having a good time with them and have failed to post the deals for this week.  So, here it goes...

Kroger

• Sanderson Farms Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Tenders 1.97/lb. - I think I'm going to contact them through their website to see if they'll send me some coupons.  Kroger has this sale frequently, and it would be nice to have a coupon to go with it!  Many companies will mail you coupons if you call or email to request them.  I'll let you know how it goes!
• Kraft Cheese (Bar or Shredded) is buy 1 get 1 free
• Lays Potato Chips 1.99
• Kroger Buns and Bread 1.00
• Black Seedless Grapes 1.28/lb.
• Kroger Frozen Vegetables 1.00 - If you are loyal to Kroger this is a good deal, but the Great Value frozen vegetables at Walmart are usually around 0.88.  When shopping, I'm loyal to whoever has the lowest price!
• Kroger's March to Savings Event is going on now.  When you buy 10 participating items, you get 5.00 back.  Ultimately, each item is discounted 0.50.  There are so many items, you'll need to see what stands out for your family!  Check the deal out here.

Gardner's

• Strawberries 0.99/lb. - So excited!  My baby boy LOVES strawberries!
• Russet Potatoes 2.99 for 10 lb. bag - WARNING:  Usually they have the best deals on potatoes.  However, many times the potatoes are small, sometimes tiny.  Now, 10 lbs. is 10 lbs.  But, you have to not mind peeling a gazillion potatoes!  Check them out.  It's your call.
• Libby's Whole Kernel Corn, Cut Green Beans, or Sweet Peas 15 oz. cans - 6.00 for a 12 can case.  Fifty cents for each, but you have to buy the whole case.
• Boneless Whole Beef Bottom Round Roast 1.98/lb.
• Ground Beef (3 lb. pack) - 1.78/lb.
• Whole Boneless Chicken Breasts 1.78/lb. - This is a better price per lb. than the Sanderson Farms chicken at Kroger.  Two things though:  No. 1-There is usually more prep work to do with this chicken (like trimming fat off)  No. 2-The Sanderson Farms chicken lasts longer in the fridge because it is commercially packaged and sealed.  Again, your call.

Walgreens

• Purex Laundry Detergent 32 loads - 2.99 - Use 1.00 coupon from 3-13 Sunday paper
• Dial Nutriskin Lotion 4.99-3.00 Register Rewards = 1.99.  Use 1.00 coupon from 3-13 Sunday paper and it's like paying only 0.99!
• Herbal Essences Hair Care 2.99-1.00 Register Rewards = 1.99.  Use coupon in 3-13 Sunday paper for buy 1 shampoo or conditioner and get 1 styler free.  Like paying 1.99 for shampoo and styler!
• Irish Spring Body Wash 2/6.00-4.00 Register Rewards = 2/2.00.  Use 0.50 coupon from 3-13 Sunday paper and it's like paying 1.50 for 2.
• Irish Spring Deodorant 2/6.00-4.00 Register Rewards = 2/2.00.  Use 1.00 coupon from 3-13 paper and it's like paying 0.50 for each.
• NOTE:  If you buy both the Irish Spring Body Wash and Deodorant, buy them on separate transactions.  If you do both on the same transaction, it will only print you 1 Register Reward for 4.00 instead of 2.

Well, that's it!  Nothing too earth shattering this week.  Some weeks are better than others!  Don't forget to check out the coupon preview for this Sunday at Taylortown.  Happy Shopping!

My Shopping Monday

Hey y'all!  I hope you all got your Sunday papers filled with coupons yesterday.  There are some good ones!  Well, I do my shopping on Mondays.  Usually.  At least, that's the goal.  Somehow, regardless of previous preparation, I end up having my day consumed with list making, coupon clipping, and last minute deal organizing.  So, this would be a good time to stop and thank my wonderful husband for watching the babies when he got in from work while I holed up in the bedroom working on my crazy list!  He truly is the best!  Anyway, I usually go shopping on Monday night after the kiddos are in bed.  I didn't realize quite how predictable I was until last week when the ladies at Kroger said, "You're here early tonight!"  Too funny!

Last week I shared the deals for the week from the Kroger and Gardner's ads.  A lot of the deals I got tonight were from those ads.  Also, I have some deals lined up from the Walgreens ad that came out Sunday, but I ran out of time and didn't make it there tonight.  Maybe we'll have "Walgreens Wednesday" this week!  (I'm such a nerd...)  I am anxious to see how the coupons and Register Rewards I have lined up go this week.  More about that later.

Anyway, the big buzz around the blog this past week has been about Kroger taking both a digital coupon and a paper coupon for the same item.  It has been confirmed here in my neck of the woods!  It works!  So, one of our fellow couponistas posted her deals she got at Kroger as a comment on my previous post.  Check it out!  Here are some of the deals I got this week (they're all from Kroger):

• Cascade Action Pacs - 0.50 digital coupon + 0.50 paper coupon that was doubled = Final cost: 2.50
• Bounty Paper Towels 8 ct. - 2.00 digital coupon = Final cost:  3.99
• 5 Totino's Party Pizzas - 1.00 off 5 coupon = Final cost:  0.80 each
• 2 packages Kroger Shredded cheese - Buy 1 @ 3.00 Get 1 free = 1.50 each
• Febreze Room Spray - 1.00 digital coupon + 1.00 paper coupon = 0.50
• Febreze Set & Refresh Air Freshener - 1.00 digital coupon + 1.00 paper coupon = 0.50
• Febreze Fabric Refresh - 1.00 digital coupon + 1.00 paper coupon = 0.99
• Pampers Wipes - 1.00 digital coupon + 1.00 paper coupon = 0.69
• 2 boxes of Gushers - 0.50 off 2 digital coupon + 0.50 off 2 paper coupon that doubled = 1.25 each
• 2 boxes Pillsbury Toaster Strudel - 0.50 off 2 digital coupon + 0.60 off 2 paper coupon that doubled = 1.15 each
• Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste - 1.00 digital coupon + 0.50 paper coupon that doubled = 0.50
• Betty Crocker Cookie Mix - 0.40 digital coupon + 0.40 paper coupon that doubled = 1.19
• Yoplait Splitz Yogurt - 0.75 off 2 digital coupon + 0.50 off 2 paper coupon that doubled = 1.12 each

I missed out on one deal because they were out!  Pizza Rolls (15 ct.) are 10 for $10.  I had 0.40 off 2 digital coupon + 0.40 off 2 paper coupon that doubled which would have made them 0.40 each.

Thanks so much to my friend who showed me some of these deals!  I had fun!  Don't forget, these Kroger sales end Tuesday night.  They sometimes carry over some of the same sales, but you never know.  Some of these sales have already been going on for a couple of weeks.  Get what you can while you can!  Have fun!

Just a Reminder

I've been hearing great things about your shopping trips!  I'm so excited!  I love a good deal!  I just wanted to remind you all about three things:

Number 1:  Most, most, most importantly, go to church to worship tomorrow!  The Proverbs 31 Wife of Noble Character provided food for her family (vs. 15) and saw that her trading was profitable (vs. 18), but she was able to do these things because she was a woman who feared the Lord (vs. 30).  Worship Him, and give Him thanks for His provision for your family!

Number 2:  Remember to get your Sunday paper tomorrow.  There are lots of good coupons this week!  If you haven't seen the preview yet, check it out here.

Number 3:  The new Walgreens ad will be out tomorrow.  You can come back here tomorrow to check it out.

Enjoy your day of worship!  I'll see you day after tomorrow for My Shopping Monday!

The Only Thing Better Than Cheap is FREE!

It's true.  The only thing better than cheap is FREE!  I don't know about you, but I love magazines.  Especially ones about babies, parenting, homekeeping, and decorating.  When Andy was born I got a free subscription to American Baby magazine.  Tonight, I ran up on a link for a free subscription to that same magazine.  So, I signed up!  I thought maybe some of you mommas out there would enjoy this too.  If you aren't a mother to young children, maybe you know someone who is that you can sign up for.  To subscribe go here and enjoy!

*P.S.  Don't forget the preview of the coupons that will be in this Sunday's paper is up at Taylortown Preview now.  Just view the insert preview for 3-13-10.

Deal Day!

Well, here in my neck of the woods, the new ads are out for the week at Kroger and Gardner's.  I'm such a nerd.  I get excited to see what kind of sales there are going to be for the week.  I actually do my shopping on Monday, so I won't be able to take advantage of these sales until then, but I'm still excited!  Just a quick side note:  It will save you more money to plan your weekly menu around what is on sale that week.  This is easier for some than others.  I have a hard time because our family are really picky eaters.  But I try!  Speaking of menu, plan one!  Planning a menu for the week allows you to only buy the food you are going to need for specific meals.  It cuts down on impulse buys at the store.

Also, I forgot to mention that a great source for coupons is All You magazine.  You can only buy this magazine at Walmart.  It is filled with coupons!  It helps to look in the table of contents of the magazine where they have a list of the coupons in that issue.  If it has some you'll use, buy it!  It's worth it.  It is $2.49 at Walmart.  It's a fun magazine to read too with great articles on saving money and home organization.

ANYWAY...the deals of the week!  These are just a few that hopefully you can use.  Be sure to look at the ads yourself to find more specific deals for your family.

Kroger

• Half gallons of milk 3 for $5 ($1.67 each) - Always do the math!  Buying the half gallons is cheaper this week than the gallons.  A gallon is $3.88 while 2 half gallons will be $3.34!
• Boneless Pork Loin $1.97/lb.
• Strawberries $2/lb.
• Kroger cheese is B1G1 free (buy one get one)
• General Mills cereal (select varieties) $2.18-Get coupons for various varieties here.  This may or may not be a great deal depending on the size of the box of cereal and if there is a coupon for the kind you want to buy.  Check it out!
• Totino's Party Pizzas $1- Get a coupon for $1 off 5 here.  If you buy five, you only pay 80 cents each!
• Hamburger Helper 97 cents - If you have already been getting coupons in the paper, you should have a coupon from a couple of weeks ago for 75 cents off three boxes.  Use that coupon and get three boxes for 72 cents each.
• Charmin Bathroom Tissue 12 double rolls $5.99 - My friend Tara reminded me about digital coupons you can download at Kroger's website.  If you have a Kroger card, you can sign up on their website to download digital coupons directly onto your Kroger card.  Be aware, these coupons will not double.  You can download a digital coupon there now for $3 off 12 double rolls of Charmin.  You'll get 12 double rolls for $2.99!
• Bounty Paper Towels 8 rolls $5.99 - Download a $2 off coupon from Kroger for these paper towels and get them for $3.99.  50 cents a roll!  The bargain paper towels can't beat that!
• Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks (Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers, etc.) $1.99 - Get a coupon for 50 cents off two boxes here.  Last time I went to Kroger, certain coupons I had printed they wouldn't double.  If the coupon just says "Manufacturer's Coupon" at the top, it will double.  If it says "Do Not Double or Triple", it won't double.  Seems obvious, but in the past it seems like they doubled them anyway.  So, this coupon may or may not double.  Just check the top of it when you print it out.
• Hostess Snack Cakes or Muffins $2.50 - These are normally $3.
• Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunch Meat $3.33 - Go to the Hillshire Farm site, participate in their offer, and receive 2 $1 off coupons.  Final price is $2.33.

Gardner's

• Fresh Ground Beef (3 lb. package) $1.78/lb. - The last couple of weeks this has been $1.98/lb.
• Large Cantaloupes $1.79
• Yoplait Yogurt 50 cents - Get coupon here for 40 cents off 6

Walgreens

• Softsoap Refills 2 for $11- When you buy 2, you get $5 back in Register Rewards which is a coupon good on your next shopping trip or transaction at Walgreens.  Like paying 2 for $6.
• Softsoap Body Wash 2 for $7 - Buy 2 and get $5 in Register Rewards.  Like paying 2 for $2.

*Note about Register Rewards - This only benefits you if you will use the Register Rewards on a future purchase.  Otherwise, the coupon is just wasted.

Well, hope you can use the deals and save some money this week.  Happy Shopping!

10 Money-Saving Basics

Welcome to So, Here's The Deal!  I love finding a good deal.  It just makes my heart happy!  I'm a stay-at-home mom, so the only way I contribute to the household income is to save household income.  A penny saved is a penny earned.  (Okay, so I'm better at that with some things than with others!)  A couple of years ago one of my wonderful sisters taught me some tips and tricks about couponing that she learned from our aunt.  Since then, I've been hooked!  This blog is to share about sales, deals, and coupons I find.  Hopefully, you can use some of the tips to save money for your family, too.

I want to start with a list of 10 money-saving basics.  At least these are the basics to me.  If you know anymore, please share!  At the risk of forgetting some...

 1.  Pray.  I'm serious.  Pray for your grocery shopping trip.  Not because God is some kind of genie that will give you all of your groceries for $2, but because He is a God that cares about your need and wants you to be a good steward of the resources He has given you.  "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"  (Matt.6:26)

 2.  Be aware of weekly ads.  Look at the ads for your local stores.  I have to confess, I go to sometimes 4 different stores every week for shopping.  Not everybody can do that I know.  Walmart does price match (they will match a competitor's prices), but other stores have programs that allow you to save more money if you go to that store (more about that later).  You can check most ads on the stores' websites.  Locally, Kroger and Gardner's have ads that come out on Wednesday and last until the next Tuesday.  Walgreens' ad comes out on Sunday and goes through Saturday.  Knowing your ads lets you know sales and how to match coupons to those sales.

 3.  Be aware of rewards programs.  If you shop at Kroger, you need a Kroger card.  Not only will you save money on groceries, but you can save money on gas too.  Kroger will also send you coupons for their store in the mail.  Walgreens has a program called Register Rewards.  You don't have to have any sort of card of membership.  Every week certain items will give you Register Rewards which is a coupon for a certain amount that you can use on your next shopping trip (or next transaction).  Example:  This week they had Softsoap refills 2 for $11.  Then, you got $5 back in Register Rewards.  So, it's like paying $6 for 2 refills.  Use the $5 in Register Rewards for next week's trip or for something on a different transaction.  There are some details with this program I'll talk about on a different post.

 4.  Know where coupons can be doubled.  Doubling coupons will save you a lot of money, especially when you match them with a sale.  Locally, Kroger doubles coupons every day up to 60 cents (meaning you could save $1.20 with a 60 cent coupon).  Fred's doubles coupons up to 70 cents on Saturdays only.

 5.  Know where to get coupons.  Buy a Sunday paper.  Most of your coupons will probably come from there.  You can go here on Thursdays for a preview of the following Sunday's coupons.  Find and print coupons online.  The best site is coupons.com.  You can also google certain products for coupons.  Many name brands have coupons on their websites that you can print.  You can also find many coupons at the Pillsbury website and the Betty Crocker website.  Most printable coupons will allow you to print them twice.

 6.  Look for catalinas and blinkies.  Maybe you've noticed the little dispensers of coupons at Kroger and other places.  They are scattered among the aisles.  Those are blinkies.  Take one.  It might save you or someone you know some money.  Catalinas are the coupons that print out with your receipt when you check out.  At Kroger, they are pretty specific according to what you buy.  For instance, I will frequently get diaper coupons or baby food coupons printed out at the register because that's what I buy!  Save them for your next trip.

 7.  Just because you have a coupon, doesn't mean you should use it.  By this I mean, if you buy something that you don't normally use simply because you have a coupon, you're not saving any money.  You're spending money you normally wouldn't have.  Now, if you can replace something you normally buy with that item because it is cheaper with the coupon, go ahead.

 8.  Don't buy more than you have to.  Many people think that because something is 10 for $10 that they have to buy 10.  Nope.  Only buy what you need and get it for a dollar each.

 9.  Know your prices.  Try to have a general idea of what each of your regular grocery items cost.  This allows you to know a better price when you see it.  You can know if a particular store has a better deal or if a sale is really a good sale.

10  Match coupons with sales.  This is where you get the most bang for your buck.  Sixty cents may not seem like much, but when it gets doubled and matched with a sale, it could be huge!  Let me give you a big fat for instance:  At one point, Kroger had Suave shampoo 10 for $10.  I had a coupon for 50 cents off two bottles.  This was doubled, so I got $1.00 off two bottles.  Which resulted in me paying 50 cents a bottle for two bottles of shampoo.  Pretty nice!  There have been weeks where I saved more than I spent because of matching coupons with good sales.

Whew!  Didn't realize that was going to take so long.  I'm sure you didn't either.  Ha!  Hang with me.  It's so much fun!  (At least I think it is!)  I hope this gets you off on the right foot saving some money!