Company Girl Coffee 2.12.10

Hello Company Girls! I've missed you all last Friday. I made some cafe au lait for all you coffee drinkers, topped with Cool Whip for me. One day I hope I can learn to make homemade whip cream! I didn't get any of the small things done this week. I'm aiming to buckle down and try again next week. Are you not yet a Company Girl? We'd love for you to be one! It's such a lovely group. Visit Home Sanctuary to learn more.
Yesterday, we finally made it to a Homeschool League event: Valentine's Skating Party. My daughter and husband were scheduled to skate (since I don't know how!) and they made it around one lap before she asked to get out. The girl was plenty scared seeing other kids slam into the wall! Our son is 5 and gets scared easily so I didn't sign him up to skate. But given the opportunity to take his sister's place, he gladly skated 5 laps. My husband felt great that at least one of the kids let him fulfill his Daddy duty. But he quickly got out of the stinky skates when it was all over (they still reeked even after getting sprayed with Lysol). Yuck!

It was great fun, although overwhelming with so, so many kids in one place. I told my daughter that none of these kids rode the big yellow school bus because each one had school at home like us. There's something about that school bus that still makes my kids want to go to regular school. So I hope that it resonated with her that she's not the only one missing out on the bus thing! They also enjoyed decorating and passing out their Valentine's cards and boxes. Plus, the Valentine's treats were so yummy. The only problem we had was making 80 cards to pass out! The procrastinator in me of course waited until the day before and still insisted to making them instead of just buying the premade ones! I'll know better for next time.


It's rainy, cold and dreary out here. I sure am sure wishing we had the snow our northern Virginia friends are enjoying! Driving home, we got some sleet, which looked like tapioca-sized hail to me. But it's not the same, even scarier than skating, according to my son. I sure hope the weather clears up and returns to the sunny Florida we all love. How is the weather were you are? How are you celebrating Valentine's Day?

Grocery Deals Feb 10-16

Stores post loss leader sales to entice you into the their store, hoping you'll also buy overpriced goods. The key to avoid this trap is to shop at Wal-Mart or Target (for brand specific only) where you can get all your area store's loss leader sales in one place. How? Price-matching of course! Grocery price-matching is a very easy way to get at least 50-75% off your grocery bill, especially when buying produce and meats (which rarely get coupons). As a general guideline, look for items priced $1/lb or less to stock-up. Of course, shopping at Publix is even better if you are able to get overage for other items and transfer the savings to your produce and meats. Check out this exciting video from Hip2Save!

Please visit store's website to view complete ads: Winn-Dixie(WD), Publix(PUB), Food World(FW), Greer's(G).

MEATS
FW $0.88/lb Sanderson Split Chicken Breast (stock-up & freeze!)
FW $0.59/lb Sanderson Chicken Leg Quarters (stock-up & freeze!)
FW $0.99/lb Boston Butt Roast (great price)
FW $1.99/lb Beef Shoulder Roast (great price)
FW $1.39/lb Pork Shoulder Blade Steaks (great price)
G $1.88/lb Greer's Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (great price)

PRODUCE
WD $1.79/lb Asparagus (Great price! Can you freeze this?)
G $0.99 Dole Coleslaw 14 oz
WD $0.99 Iceberg or Leaf Lettuce (like Romaine!)
G $2.50 FL Tangerines, 3lb bag
WD $0.99 Apples: braeburn, red delicious, granny smith
FW $0.88/lb Apples, gran rose (great price)
G $2.50 Russet Potatoes, 10 lb bag (great price)
FW $1.88 Onions, 3lb bag (great price)
FW $1.88 FL Natural Orange Juice (great price)
FW $0.88 bunch Collard Greens (stock-up & freeze!)
PUB 3/$1 Kiwi Fruit,
PUB $1.67 Broccoli or Cauliflower bunch
PUB $1.50 Publix Mushrooms

GROCERY
WD $1 Manwich Sloppy Joes, 15 oz
($1/2 Q ConAgra Mailer, B3G1 Q All You Jan'10 =$0.50 each)
WD $1 Hormel Chili No Beans, 11oz ($1/2Q from 1-24 SS)
FW $3.88 Community Coffee (great price)
FW $0.88 Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce (stock-up!)
FW $1 Duncan Hines Cake Mix
FW $1.99 Best Yet Vegetable Oil, 48 oz
FW $0.59 Libby's Veg, 15 oz: Cut or french style green beans, sweet peas, whole kernel or cream corn (great price)
FW $1 Allens Seasoned Greens, 28 oz can (great price)
FW $1 Jim Dandy Quick Grits 16 oz
FW $1.50 Country Best Roll Sausage, 1lb (buy Great Value)
FW $1.50 Best Yet Cheese, blocks or shreds 8oz (buy Great Value)

IN-STORE ONLY DEALS
Food World
Both Brunos and Food World carry MARCAL Brands- Napkins, 4pk Toilet Paper, Paper Towels are $1! Redeem those coupons for FREE Marcal items here!

Winn-Dixie (Thanks Southern Savers!)
WIC ALERTS: BOGO Deals will double your WIC Check Items.
Shop your WIC items at Winn-Dixie this week!
BOGO Instant Grits
BOGO Posts Honey Bunches of Oats
BOGO Kellogg's Cereals (inlcudes Rice Krispies & Mini Wheats)

BOGO Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks, 2lbs/$1.79
BOGO Hormel Chili Master, 2/$2.99 (Use $1/1 Q store blinkie)
BOGO Oscar Mayer Bologna, 2/$2.89 (use two $1/1 PRINT)

Publix (Thanks to IHeartPubix!)
Don't forget Target Store Coupons can be used at Publix! EX: $0.50 off $1 Deli Purchase

$0.99 Hallmark Expressions (Use $0.99 In-Ad Q or Tearpad= FREE!)
$2.89 Nivea Body Wash (Stack $1/1 Target PRINT, $2 Q from paper= FREE!)
$2.50 Excedrin 20-24 ct (Use $2/1 PRINT)
BOGO Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers 2/$2.99 ($1 All You Oct '09, Jan or Feb '10 = $0.50 each)
BOGO 2/$2.50 Fiber One Yogurt, ($1 or $0.50 from 1-3 SS?; $1 PRINT = $0.25 each!)
BOGO 2/$5.19 Hebrew National (Use -$1/1 PRINT = $1.60 each!)
BOGO $4.09 Ocean Spray Juice (-$0.50 WAGS Feb book)
If Grapefruit is included:
-$1/1 PRINT hit back button to print 2x (Thanks Hip!)

BOGO 2/$2.89 Flat Out Fold-It Artisan Flatbread
BOGO 2/$2.75 Barilla Pasta
BOGO $2.79 Ghiradelli Brownie Mix

Restaurant.com $25 GC for only $2!

I love Restaurant.com. It's the key to our budget-friendly date night! Right now they have 80% off on the $25 gift certificates. Plus you'll get a $15 credit on flowers from FTD. It's time to stock-up! Just enter the code:HEART during checkout.

Remember: you can only use one per restaurant per month. So if you are planning to give them to friends, let them know that ahead of time (especially if you are going to the same restaurant). Or just give them GCs for a different restaurant!

There is usually a minimum higher than the value of the GC (like $25 GC for $50 minimum purchase). And always tip on the value of the meal before the CG. You can also see the menus posted at Restaurants.com!

Here are local restaurants that honor these certificates:
Lester's (near the Wharf)
Nix at the Beach (Orange Beach)
Tacky-Jacks (Orange Beach)
Coach-n-Four Steakhouse (Pine Forest)
North Shore Grill & Deli
600 South at New World Inn (Downtown)
Madison's (East Hill)
Cobalt The Restaurant (across Carribe)

Publix Sneak Peek

First of, you HAVE to watch this Follow Me Monday Publix edition where a reader spent $3 for $258 worth of groceries at Publix! This is great for newbies, but I also learned alot.

Michelle over at I heart Publix has a sneak peek of the Wed's ad sometime on Monday. Later on, she'll have the Super Deals up. Make sure you check out these posts before heading out to the store. These are the deals I am excited about:

EASY FREEBIES:

Hallmark Expressions $0.99

-$1/1 Hallmark Expressions Publix Q

FREE! Tearpad Qs right next to cards

GREAT DEALS with coupons:

Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers BOGO $2.99

-1/1 All You Oct 2009, Jan 2010, Feb 2010

Only $0.50 each after two $1 Qs!

Hormel Chili No Beans, 15 oz BOGO $2.29

-$1/2 from 1-24-10 SS

Only $0.65 each after Q!

Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt, BOGO $2.50

-$1/1 from 1-3-10 (our region got $0.50 Q)

Only $0.25 each after two $1 Qs!

Hebrew National BOGO $?

-$1/1 PRINT

Ocean Spray Juice BOGO $?
-$1/1 PRINT hit back button to print 2x (Thanks Hip!)
-$0.50/1 from WAGS Feb coupon book (get 2 Qs)
Get $3 off the BOGO Price!

GOOD ENOUGH DEALS (no coupons)

Flat Out Fold-It Artisan Flatbread BOGO $2.89
Barilla Pasta BOGO $2.75
Ghiradelli Brownie Mix BOGO $2.79
Kiwi Fruit, 3/$1
Broccoli or Cauliflower $1.67
Publix Mushrooms, $8 oz, $1.50

FREE Focus on the Family Magazine

Focus on the Family is very important to us. We listen to the shows, Adventures in Oddessey and read their magazine. This year, they are doing away with the magazine and instead came up with a new and improved version: The Thriving Family Magazine. Subscription is very nominal. But right now, you can request a FREE 6-month trial subscription. Go to Focus' website and scroll to the bottom of the page. You'll see the banner. Click on in to register for your copy!

Build-A-Bear: FREE Sound for Your Bear!

Planning on getting a furry friend for Valentines? Whether in-store or online, you can add FREE sound to your bear. Coupon is valid through Valentine's Day, Feb 14. Once at the store, ask for their calendar. That contains $5 off coupons and a freebie code to use at buildabearville.com

Walgreens Deals Feb 7-13

Register Rewards (RRs) at Walgreens are manufacturer’s coupons (MQs), so treat them accordingly. Each item can only have one MQ: you cannot have more coupons than you do items. So if you have 10 items, and 10 other MQ’s, you cannot use RR’s on top of these 10 coupons. You must get filler items (like pencils or seed packets). And remember to spend those RRs before they expire. I think I’ll start writing the dates into my calendar!

EASY FREEBIES: Simple scenarios for newbies!

Dove Men’s Body Wash $5.99, Get $5.99 RRs
Use $1.50 PRINT to make this an easy $1.50 money maker!

Gillette Fusion $8.99, Get $4 RR
Buy 1 Gillette Razor, cost $8.99
Use $4 coupon from 2-7-10 PG (this Sunday’s paper)
Pay $4.99 out of pocket
Get $4 RR
Only $0.99 after RR!

-----------------------

Register Rewards cannot be rolled over like ECBs or Target Gift Cards. So you cannot do the Gillette deal over and over because the RR will not print the second time around. The way to get around this is to use the RR to buy a product from a different company. Below is an example:

1st Trans: Buy Gillette Razor/ $8.99 -$4MQ = $4.99; Get $4 RR
2nd Trans: Buy Dove Men’s + filler item/ $5.99 -$1.50MQ -$4RR = $0.49 + filler item; Get $5.99 RR
3rd Trans: Buy Gillette Razor + $1 filler item/ $8.99 -$4MQ -$5.99RR= FREE; Get $4 RR

Winn-Dixie: $0.50 Lunchmeats!

GREAT DEAL with coupons:
BOGO John Morell Off the Bone Lunchmeats, $3.99 for 2

Deal Scenario: (ends Tuesday)
Buy 4, cost $7.98
Use two $1 off 2 peelies (found on container)
Use Buy3 Get1 coupon, deducts $3.99 ( Q from newspaper)
Pay $0.98 for 2 or only $0.50 each!
*You can still use one manufacturer coupon per item even for BOGO deals.

I only found 2 peelies. So it cost $6 for 8 packages. That’s it’s still a great deal at $0.75 each! Their foil baking pans are also BOGO. These two pans cost $2.49. My total came out to $8.50.

I didn’t check this receipt either and was charged for an extra lunchmeat. Since they were closed already, I tapped on the glass door. The manager came out and looked at my receipt. I asked him to write on there how much my refund needs to be. So that tomorrow, I can stop by and get the $3.99 without having to bring in my purchases.

Clearance items I saw at Winn-Dixie:
$1.99 Cinnamon Brooms
$3.50 select Febreze Noticeables
$0.89? Winn-Dixie Skillet Meals
-Also, try me FREE sticker for Mariani dried fruit (at produce section). You can get your money back or $8 of coupons.
-Blinkies for $1 off 2 Kraft cheese shreds or chunks, or $1 off 1 Kraft Deluxe Singles

CVS Shopping

Thanks Hip2Save for the coupon match-ups!

EASY FREEBIES:

Nabisco Crackers $1 (4-8 oz small pkg)
Buy 2, cost $2
Use $2 off 2 PRINT coupon
Pay $0, FREE!

Or Buy 5 for $10, Get $3 ECBs (bigger sizes)
Scenario:
Buy 5, cost $10
Use two $2 off 2 PRINT coupon (you can print 2 per computer)
Use one $1 off 1 (from newspaper)
Pay $5 out of pocket, Get $3 ECBs
Only $0.40 each after ECBs
(limit 1 per household)


Buy Gillette Razor $8.99 Get $4 Extra Care Bucks (ECB)
Scenario:
Buy 1 Gillette Razor, cost $8.99
Use $4 coupon from 2-7-10 PG (this Sunday’s paper)
Pay $4.99 out of pocket
Get $4 ECB
Only $0.99 after ECBs!
(limit 1 per household)

----------------------------

GREAT DEALS with coupons:

Buy Listerine or Reach for $3.99, Get $2 ECB (limit 2)
Scenario:
Buy Listerine 500ml, cost $3.99
Buy Reach toothbrush, dual pack, $3.99
Use $1 off Listerine (from newspaper)
Use $1 off Reach toothbrush, floss, etc (from newspaper)
Pay $6 out of pocket, Get $4 ECBs
Only $1 each after ECBs!

*Some regions got BOGO Listerine Q. If you have this then:
Buy 2 Listerine, cost $7.98
Use BOGO Q, -$3.99
Use $1 Q
Pay $3 out of pocket, Get $4 ECBs
FREE + $1 overage! A nice little moneymaker!

Shick Quattro, $8.99
Use $4 peelie (found at Target)
Pay $4.99, plus submit to Rebate (rebate form in 2-7-10 SS)
FREE plus $5 money maker from the Rebate!
Thanks IheartCVS!

Buy $10 Nivea, Get $5 ECBs
Scenario:
Buy 2 Nivea Lip items, cost $3.99 each
Buy 1 Nivea Lip item, cost $2.99
Subtotal: $10.97
Use 3 $1 off ANY Nivea (2-7-10 RP)
Pay $7.97 out of pocket, Get $5 ECBs
Only $2.97, or $1 each!
*Some regions have BOGO Lip Care Qs. If so, use 2 BOGO and $1 off coupons. After ECBs, it’s only $0.33 each!

----------------------------

I paid only $5 for items in both pictures plus got $13 ECBs. I was able to roll over ECBs and use CVS gift cards (otherwise all this would be $25.) Ah... the beauty of rolling over ECBs.

The gift cards are from when I made some returns a while back. Since I had bought the items using other ECBs, the register only wanted to give me back the amount I paid after the ECBs I used. So it came out to just a few dollars. Instead of watching me writhe in the agony of frustration, they refunded me the full amount into a CVS Gift Card. This is something to watch out for when making returns. Make sure they give you the full value of the item returned.

A friend let me know that when she went to CVS Saturday evening, they let her get the new deals for Sunday. I called to confirm and they said that as long as the signs are up on the shelves already, we can go ahead and get them. I looked at the clearance items too. Select Aveeno bath items 50% off for $3.50 (use $2 PRINT). Planters Trail mix 50% off for $1.35. Some make-up marked at least 75% off in a shopping cart by the registers: Almay and Lumene.

Target Deals & Shopping Feb 7-13

For more deals and coupon match-ups, check out Totally Target!

EASY FREEBIES:

Quaker Oats Oatmeal Express (cinnamon), cost $1.02 each
Buy 5 Get $5 Gift Card
Pay $5.02 out of pocket, get $5 gift card
Only $0.10 for 5 after gift card!

*The shelf tag said plain as day: $1.02 each. Buy 5 get a $5 GC. Thanks Kerry! But they had to manually deduct the $5 from my total. That's better for me because it made my out-of-pocket cost smaller! So check the shelf label to make sure. You can also print $1 off coupon from Quaker to make money on this deal. As you see, lots of Quaker products are included: oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, even grits! Just check the item in the scanner if it does not sport a gift card promo shelf tag.

Gillette Fusion Manual Razor, cost $6.99
Buy 2 Get $5 Gift Card
Use two $4 coupon from 2-7-10 PG (this Sunday’s paper)
Pay $5.98 out of pocket, get $5 gift card
Only $0.98 for 2 after gift card!

I did both these deals twice and paid $15.21 with $8.35 credit left in the gift cards. You can do both gift card deals in one transaction. The register will let the cashier know to give you two gift cards.

-----------------------------------

On a personal note: I came in the store right before closing. After I paid for everything, I got out of the store quickly. But I failed to check my bags. And the 4 razors I bought was missing! They never handed me the bag. I’ll need to get it in the morning. I’m praying this lesson sticks, or I have to ban myself from late night shopping.

Super Shopping 2.7.10

Since I couldn’t get on the internet all week, I only shopped at Wal-Mart on Tuesday to get items for freezer cooking day (last week). I spent $80, including all the storage and freezer bags I’d use. It didn’t seem right to attempt the other stores not knowing what the best deals are. So we enjoyed another break. Ok, I tried to enjoy it: I mostly suppressed my irritation with the internet!

Then on Sunday night, I stopped by a few stores after Super Bowl. Good thing it was over earlier than I expected! Unfortunately, I had a few mishaps along the way. It was my fault, really, because I broke my #1 rule at the store: ALWAYS check your receipt before leaving. It only takes a second. I’ve been so slack about that and it’s costing me time to get the mistakes fixed!

I would be depressed about this shopping trip if it weren’t for the fact we saved lots of money. And that the Saints WON the Super Bowl. Who dat! BTW I know nothing about football, so please don’t be offended. I like the Princess and the Frog and Harry Connick Jr. Naturally, I like New Orleans, too!

Spent $28, got $13 ECBs and $8.35 in Target gift card
I'll post the specifics in later posts. Just click on the store names.

Target: paid $15.21 with $8.35 in gift cards left

CVS: paid $5 for everything and got $13 ECBs (both pictures!)

Winn-Dixie: paid $8.50 for 8 pkgs of lunchmeat & 4 foil pans!

After Technical Difficulties, I'm Back!

I haven’t been blogging all week because my DSL line was messed up. But ATT didn’t know that and accused my modem of being old and beat up. Instead they sent me a $40 modem I’d pay in easy installments. Then they got a line technician to look at the DSL line so I can now finally get on the internet. I hope to stick around for a while. I’ve had too many problems with this computer all month and have only been only a few days here and there. Sometimes I psychoanalyze everything and almost threw in the towel!

But Saturday helped changed my mind. I went to Pine Summit Baptist Church for a Frugal Living Seminar. My dear friend Misty did such a GREAT job. At MOPS last March, she heard me share my frugal experience. Then, she shared with her friends and now, her own church with this frugal living class. I learned so much (she's way more organized than I am!) More importantly, I had no idea how much I needed the fellowship. Their Women's Ministry Team did a great job putting that event together.

So, if you are here from Pine Summit, welcome! Feel free to check out the links on the left hand side. And visit Southern Savers too (Misty's recommendation) where you can find links for Publix, Winn Dixie, etc and create a custom shopping list! If you have any questions, leave a comment or email me at frugalforyou (at) gmail.com