I've moved!

Well, the new blog is ready a little earlier than I thought it might be!  I decided I needed to narrow the focus of my blog a little bit, and with the help of someone with a little more design experience than me, I proudly present my new blog:

 Go check it out, I hope you'll all find your way over and continue to follow me!

You know you're a coupon nerd when...

You get excited that the cashier at Office Max doubled the $5/25 coupon since we were buying $50+ worth of school items for my biology teaching husband's class....and we got a 20% discount on top of that!  There are a few, and I mean very few, perks out there for teachers. :) Right, Nick?

Dinner Menu

Sorry I haven't put up a dinner menu in weeks!  We've been traveling here and there, and everywhere, and blogging became sporadic...thus no menus.  I am super close to my blog makeover being complete, and I'm really excited about it!  I'll give you a hint about it: it will be green. In more ways than one. :)

Anyway, here's the menu plan for this week...we both have a good many evening gigs this week, so leftovers are going to serve an important role as they are super fast to fix!

Sunday- Spinach Ravioli

Monday-Chili

Tuesday-Honey Orange Basil Chicken w/ corn on the cob and fruit

Wednesday-Leftover pasta primavera from Saturday

Thursday-Leftover chili or ravioli

Friday-Girls night out with my college roommates!

Saturday-Fajitas

New Month-New Coupons!

Another month of summer down is a bummer...but that means we're a little closer to some cooler weather!  These high 90's every day are killer!  Anyway, since it's a new month, all the coupon companies have reset their printables.  Here are some of my faves on coupons.com....print what you want before they disappear!

$0.75/1 any flavor Yoplait Frozen Smoothie 
$0.75/1 Chex cereal 
$0.75/1 Kashi Frozen Entrée or Pizza Product 
$0.50/1 28 oz. or larger Bisquick Baking Mix OR Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix 
$0.50/1  any flavor/variety Nature Valley Granola Thins 
$0.50/1 any variety Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough 
$0.50/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls 
$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls 
$0.40/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust, Breadsticks, Loaves or Dinner Rolls 

CVS 8/1

How can it be August already?  Where did the summer go?  Alas, it's the start of another school year for my biology teaching husband...

But, while he is at school preparing for his students, I  went out to do some shopping this morning since I'd been gone the last week.  I made out pretty well, and will post my trips to CVS, Kroger and Publix all separately.  First up, CVS. And no, still not pregnant, but I have a bunch of friends who are, so I'm stocking up for all the baby showers in the next 6 months!

Total before coupons & store sales: $21.77
Total after coupons & store sales: $8.28
Savings: 62%

Transaction #1:
Pampers Swaddlers @ $8.99 (regularly $10.99)
    -$2/1 Pampers Swaddlers found in 7/31 SS
Final Price: $6.99+ .63 tax=$7.62
Received $1 ECB

Transaction #2:
Just the Basics Diapers on clearance @ $1.49 (orig. $5.99)
    -$1 ECB from previous transaction
Final Price: .49


Reach Total Care Floss on clearance @ .99 (orig. $3.99)
    -$1/1 found HERE
Final Price: FREE!

Total price: .49+.17tax=.66

Super H Mart

My savings today comes from a store some of you might not have heard of--Super H Mart.  It is geared more to Asian families and carries many items I've never even seen, much less heard of!  But, they do have good prices on produce, and I received a coupon book from them in the mail this week which made for some awesome deals!

Total before coupons: $22.12
Total after coupons: $12.94
Savings: 42%

(2) Simply Orange @ $3.49 each, so $6.98 total
     -Get 2 Simply Orange for $5
Final Price: $2.50 each, or $5 total

1.98 lb's Pork Spare Ribs @ $7.95 ($2.99/lb)
     -Get Ribs @ $1.99/lb
Final Price: $3.95

Pineapple @ .99 (orig. $2.49 w/o coupon)
   
(2) Red Leaf Lettuce @ .99 (orig. $1 w/o coupon)

.52 lbs Broccoli @ .99/lb
    -no coupon
Final Price: .51

Green Pepper @ $1.79/lb
    -no coupon
Final Price: .45

Cantaloupe @ .99 (orig. $2.49 w/o coupon)

.20 bag credit (2 bags)

Veggie-Tables!

Not really...just veggies from the garden.  I have really been trying to incorporate veggies and herbs from the garden into our dinners, and so far it's been going pretty well.  I'm made homemade marinara sauce, used the Sweet 100's in salad and pasta, thrown basil and oregano in EVERYTHING, and even used a couple of green/red peppers.  We are already thinking about what we want for next year's garden, as it has certainly been nice to just walk outside and grab any or all of those things for FREE. :)  Here are a few pictures of the veggies before they got used the other night...

 And a few from the garden itself...

Publix 7/18

Where is July going???  Passing me right by apparently.  Well, I spent last week in the mountains of North Carolina with some gorgeous weather---well, after it rained cats and dogs the first day we were there.  But, that made for some fun tubing!  Anyhow, I pretty much took the week off from shopping, but wanted to get a trip in before this sale week ended.  So in between unpacking, working, unpacking, laundry, and unpacking some more...I made a quick Publix run!

I was so happy to see the Dropps on BOGO as I'd just done the giveaway, and the company had sent me some coupons...perfect timing!  Also, CF cereal hasn't been on sale in forever it seems like....my husband has actually had to eat non-organic cereal a few times! (gasp) I think he'll survive. :)

Total before sales & coupons: $56.78 (Now tell me that does NOT look like $57 worth!)
Total after sales & coupons: $10.78
Savings: 81% (My best in a while!)

***Also used $3/30 purchase that I "bought" from Recyclebank

(2) Cascadian Farms Organic cereal @ $2.69 (orig. $3.99)
    -(2) $1/1 found HERE (Whole Foods)
    -(2) .75/1 found HERE
Final Price: $.94 each or $1.88 for both

(3) Dropps Laundry Detergent @ 2/$5.99, so $8.99 total (orig. $5.99 each)
    -(3) $2/1 mailed to by company after contacting them
Final Price: $2.99 for all 3, or .99 each

(2) 8 O'clock Coffee @ 2/$6.99 (orig. $6.99 each)
    -$2/2 found in 6/5/11 SS
Final Price: 2 for $4.99 or $2.5 each

Herbal Essence Shampoo @ $2.79
     -.50/1, doubled to $1, found on product (now, I could've sworn this was a Publix LU coupon, but it doubled on my receipt which I wasn't expecting, so it might've been manufacturer's, in which case I should not have used the coupon you'll see below the Aussie...see, even veterans make mistakes!  But, the computer took both....)
Final Price: $1.79

Aussie Styling Spray @ $2.79 (orig. $3.49)
     -.50/1, doubled to $1, found on product
     -$3 off wyb an Herbal Essence or Aussie product
Final Price: FREE + $1.21 overage!

1.21 lbs Cherries @ $1.99/lb (orig$3.99/lb)
    -no coupon
Final Price: $2.41

Colgate Toothpaste @ $1.35 (orig. $2.69) (will go in donation pile)
    -.50/1, doubled to $1, found in 7/10/11 SS
Final Price: .35

Write Brothers Pens @ .50 (these will go in donation pile also)
     -$1/1 found HERE
Final Price: FREE + .50 overage!

Recycle Bank's Green Your Vacation Challenge: Camping Open!

There is a new section of RecycleBank’s Green Your Vacation Contest open today – Camping! Head on over now to earn another 50 points.  While you're there grab a $1/1 Back to Nature coupon for only 30 points, pair it with a Whole Foods coupon if your Publix considers them a competitor, and get cheap crackers and/or cookies!

1. First you need to log in/sign up for RecycleBank then click on the Green Your Vacation Contest (link on homepage)
2. Click on CAMPING and the suitcase will open
3. Click on the moving objects and answer questions/take pledges to score a total of 50 points!

P.S. This is good timing, because I am about to walk out the door to go camping for a few days! It's got to be cooler in the mountains than it is here....

Triple Layer Chocolate Chip Cookie-Fudge Brownie-Peanut Butter Blondie Bars

I think these are on my list of desserts to try next....can we say yummy?  Not that my waistline needs it, but I'm so glad I found How Sweet It Is.

Triple Layer Chocolate Chip Cookie-Fudge Brownie-Peanut Butter Blondie Bars

New Month-New Coupons!

 With the busy weekend I didn't get a chance to post about new coupons that have appeared...I am so happy to see Cascadian Farms back as we are down to our last box!  (I know, you're shocked, right?)  I'm also excited that the Whole Foods coupon for CF doesn't expire for another 2 months...I will be doing some serious stacking of coupons in the next few weeks!  Anyway, here are some of my favorites...remember, if you think you might use it, print it because it will run out of prints and disappear before you know it! Check these out and see if there are any others you might want!

.75/1 Cascadian Farms product
BOGO 100% FruitSource Bars
$1/1 Benadryl Anti-Itch product (pair this with the Green Advantage Flyer at Publix to get CHEAP anti-itch meds!)
$1/4 Larabars or Jocolat bars
.50/1 Nature Valley Granola Thins

CVS 7/5: Free Nyquil & Dayquil!

I'll tell ya what, when we get sick, we go through Nyquil and Dayquil somethin' serious.  That's what seems to work for us, but it is expensive.  But not today. :)  Nope!  I happened to be in CVS so I could get my free toothbrushes, and found a little clearance section....with a bunch of 75% medicine!  Now, I think these must've been more like 90% off, but I'm not complaining!  I didn't have any coupons for them, but that was ok seeing as they were super discounted.  I also had some ECB's to spend, so it all worked out well.  The bonus: they don't expire anytime soon either!  Here's the picture and breakdown:

Total before coupons & store sales:  $41.85 (an estimate, based on each Day/Nyquil being  approx $6.99)
Total after coupons & store sales, but before ECB's: $6.91
Total after all discounts: .91 cents
Savings: 98%

(2) Oral-B Cross-Action Toothbrushes @ $3 each (orig $4.99), so $6 total
     -buy one, get one free from June P&G
     -$3 in ECB's
Final Price: FREE!

(2) Liquid Nyquil @ .69, so $1.38 total
(1) Liquid Dayquil @ .73 (why that costs more than Nyquil I have no idea....)
(1) Liquid Nyquil w/ Dayquil Gelcaps @ $1.35
    -$3 in ECB's
Final Price: .46 + .45 tax=.91

Dropps Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to all of you who entered the Dropps giveaway! According to random.org, the winner is #12, Katie. Congrats!

Katie said:

    This laundry detergent looks awesome. We are always on the look-out for good-for-the-environment good-for-us detergent, so we'll have to check this one out. We'd go for the scent-free one because we're sensitive folks. :) 

Random

Publix 6/30

Yes, I went to Publix yesterday...and today...but I knew alot of the good deals would disappear quickly this week with such a good ad, and in fact, the Carefree liners that were going to be free were already wiped clean at noon today....which infuriates me, but that's what's begun happening.  This is a bigger trip than I've made in a quite a long time, but I still saved a good bit.  I had a couple of .55 off the goldfish that I'd printed, but after taking a peek, I found the last few .75/1 peelies...so I used those and left my .55 cent ones for the next person.  I am super excited about the cheap pineapple...and to my surprise I could buy it cored and peeled for the same price as a whole one!  Talk about some work saved on my part...

Total before coupons & store sales: $47.17
Total after coupons & store savings: $15.01
Savings: 68%

(2) Quaker Chew Granola Bars @ 2/$2.99 (BOGO)
     -$1/2 found HERE (Target)
Final Price: 2/$1.99 or .99 each

(2) Kraft Cheese 8-oz blocks @ 2/$4
     -$1/2 found HERE (Target)
Final Price: 2/$3 or $1.50 each

Muller's Penne Whole Grain Pasta @ .73 (BOGO)
    -$1/1 found HERE
Final Price: FREE + .27 overage!

(2) Del Monte Pineapple @ $2 each, so $4 total
    -$1.25/2 printable (no longer available)
Final Price: 2 for $2.75 or $1.38 each!  (For a WHOLE pineapple!)

Wacky Mac Pasta @ .99 (orig. $1.49)
     -.40/1, doubled to .80, found in SS 5/8/11
     -.40/1 deposited into Upromise account
Final Price: .19 OOP, but a .21 moneymaker after deposit

(2) Bertolli Marinara Sauce @ 2/$2.65 (BOGO)
     -$1/2 found HERE (Target)
Final Price: 2/$1.65 or .83 each

(3) Stonyfield Organic Yogurt Cups @ .80 each, so $2.40 total
    -.50/1, doubled to $1, found HERE
Final Price: 3 for $1.40 or .47 each

Stonyfield 4-pack Yogurt @ $2
    .50/1, doubled to $1, found HERE
Final Price: $1, or .25 per cup

(2) Sabra Hummus @ 2/$3.99 (BOGO)
    -(2) $1/1 found in SS 6/26/11
Final Price: 2/$1.99 or .99 each

Rotel @ .70 (BOGO)
   - .30/1, doubled to .60 printable (no longer available)
Final Price: .10

(3) Graham Golfish @ 10/$10, so $3 total
     -(3) .75/1 peelies, found on product
Final Price: 3 for .75 or .25 each

Lesson Learned

Note to self: Do not open the trunk of your neighbor's SUV without catching the huge watermelon that WILL fall out if you're too busy chatting.  Because, this is what happens....

 At least I don't have to cut it in half now....

Publix 6/29

I had planned to only stop by Publix and get some toilet paper and sugar since I happened to finally find a Summer Savings booklet last week at a Publix I just happened to visit...but my impulsive taste for chips took over.  Oh, and blueberries were a pretty good price.  I still did fairly well, but I also plan on making a bigger than normal trip either tomorrow or Friday when the new ad comes out because it's finally got more than 2 things on it that are worth buying to me.

Total before coupons & store savings: $30.75
Total after coupons & store savings: $10.72
Savings: 65%

Cottonelle Toilet Paper 6-pack @ $3.99 (orig. $4.79)
      -.50/1 (doubled to $1) found HERE
     -.75/1 found in Publix Smart Savings booklet
Final Price: $2.24

Dixie Crystals 5-lb Sugar @ $2.99 (orig. $4.09)
     -.55/1 found in Publix Smart Savings booklet
Final Price: $2.44

Dixie Crystals 2-lb Brown Sugar @ $2.49
    -.50/1 (doubled to $1) found HERE
    -.55/1 found in Publix Smart Savings booklet
Final Price: .94

1 pint Blueberries @ $2
     -$2 off any Publix produce from signing up for Stocking Spree booklet
Final Price: FREE!

(2) Stayfree Ultra Thin Pads @ $2.81 each, so $5.62 total
     -(2) $1.25/1 found in Green Advantage flyer
     -B1G1 found in SS 6/26/11
     -$1 peelie found on product
Final Price: FREE + .69 overage!

Sliced Portabella Mushrooms @ $1.99
     -no coupons

(2) Doritos @ 2/$3.99 (BOGO)
     -$1/2 coupon taped to product (presumably by Publix since it wasn't a true peelie)
Final Price: 2/$2.99, or $1.50 each

Oh, and this blog is about to get a major makeover...but it may take a few weeks.  Actually, it'll be morphing into a brand spankin' new blog...but I'll tell you more about that later! Stay tuned!

Ebates

Are ya'll members of Ebates yet?  If not, you should definitely check it out!  I know I've posted on this before, but I constantly have to remind myself about Ebates too.  In fact, I bought contacts the other day and totally forgot to go through Ebates...and there went free money. :(  Oh well.

You'll get a $5 credit as soon as you sign up, and you can pick from hundreds and hundreds of online stores to order from, where you can get anywhere from 1%-15% cashback on your purchase.  If you're going to order online, why not get paid to do it, right?


If you're interested, just sign up here!

Kroger: Manager's Special Jackpot!

I really made the trip to Kroger to get some cheap pineapples with my $1.25/2, and they were on sale for 2/$5.  But then I got up to the register...and realized I'd made a rookie mistake.  The coupon was for Del Monte, the ones on sale were Dole.  So, no pineapple for me today. :(  But, I had already hit the organic manager's special jackpot!  I didn't have coupons for these items, but they were half off as it was, and it's hard to get much better than that on these items. Had I been coming straight home I might've picked up some more, but I had lots of other stops to make...although I did have the forethought to throw a cooler in the car just in case I got something cold (because I wasn't planning to).  I was tempted to get 2 milks, but I knew we couldn't drink them before they went bad.  So here's what I got:

Total before store savings: $21.08
Total after store savings: $11.19
Savings: 47%

Horizon Organic Milk Half-Gallon @ $2.09
Horizon Organic Butter @ $2.99
Immaculate Baking Company Organic Cookies @ $2.79
Kroger Ground Beef 1.31 lbs @ $3.10

High Value Toilet Paper Coupon

High value toilet paper coupons are hard to find sometimes....but here is a great one! $1.50 off a 12 pack or larger of Scott Naturals Tube Free Bath Tissue.  This is a new product that I'd heard was in the making, but have yet to see it.  Even though we recycle our tubes, having nothing would make being green that much easier! Since this is a new product, there will be probably be some upcoming good deals on it, so I'd go ahead and print yours.  They will expire quickly (mine says July 11th), so that may be before a good deal comes along, but you never know. :)  If you don't see the coupon in your zip code try 12345.

CVS

I haven't been to a drugstore in ages...I really stocked up on toothpaste/toothbrushes, razors, etc last year at Rite Aid...but then they switched from the single check rebate system over to UP rewards...and it wasn't nearly as good of a deal for me since I didn't need stuff so often that I had to go every week.  I also never really did much CVSing for the same reason since the ECB's basically work the same way as UP's.

But, I knew Tom's deodorant was going to be on sale this week and there was a coupon in last week's paper, which is rare....and it's the only kind my husband will use because it doesn't have aluminum in it.  I also saw that the Colgate toothpaste/toothbrushes were generating ECB's too, as well as the Hershey's Bliss chocolate.  Well, I waited too late into the week because the toothbrushes and chocolate were gone...which was probably a good thing, actually.  But, I did get 2 deodorants and a toothpaste, which I'll add to the donation pile since I prefer Crest and have a ton of it.

I did this in 3 separate transactions so I could roll my ECB's effectively, and I had to go find another coupon before I could go back to the store to get the 2nd deodorant.

Merchandise Value: $14.55
Out of pocket: $4.35
ECB's Earned: $4
Savings: 70%


Transaction 1:
Tom's Deodorant @ $3.49 (normally $5.49)
    -$1/1 found in 6/19 SS
Final Price: $2.49+.21 tax=$2.70
Received $1 ECB

Transaction 2:
Tom's Deodorant @ $3.49
    -$1/1
    -$2 ECB's (1 from 1st transaction and 1 from green bag tag)
Final Price: .49+.17 tax=.66
Received $1 ECB

Transaction 3:
Colgate Toothpaste @ $2.79
     -$1/1 found in May All You magazine
     -$1 ECB (from previous transaction)
Final Price: .79+.20 tax=.99
Received $2 ECB's