AWESOME CVS TRIP

I made 2 trips to CVS this week in order to complete the Excedrin deal and get my photo books (had raincheck) before my coupons expired. This is what I bought:

4 8X10 Photo Books (BOGO raincheck)(not pictured)
--Used 2 BOGO coupons
2 Polident @ 6.29
--Used 2 $1 mfg coupons
--Used $3/2 store coupon from scanner
--Used $5/$10 Reinventing Beauty coupon
1 Reinventing Beauty Magazine @ 99¢
1 96 ct Tums @3.99
--Used $1 off mfg coupon
--Used $2 store coupon from scanner
1 Glade Sense & Spray @ $6
--Used $3 mfg coupon
1 Glade 2pk refill @ $4
--Used $1 mfg coupon
1 Listerine Mouthwash @ $5
--Used $2 mfg coupon
2 Reach Toothbrushes @ $3
--Used $1 mfg coupon
--Used BOGO mfg coupon
1 Revlon Nail Clippers @ 2.99
1 Revlon Nail Smoother @ 2.99
1 Excedrin Extra Strength @ 4.79
--Used Free Product mfg coupon
1 Excedrin Migraine @ 5.49
--Used Free Product mfg coupon
1 100ct Excedrin PM @ 11.49 (not pictured)
--Used $3.50 mfg coupon

My total value before sales and coupons was 162.66.
The total that I spent was 3.75 plus tax.
I used 25.78 in ECBs and received 29.00 in ECBs.
This made my total out of pocket - 53¢ plus tax.

THE BASICS OF COUPONING...INSTALLMENT 2

There are many different places to get coupons and several different ways to organize them. First, we will discuss where to get them.

The biggest source for a variety of coupons is your Sunday newspaper. Almost every week, there is a least one coupon insert in the paper, with most weeks having two or more. It is my recommendation that you keep all coupons. Even if they are for items that you have never bought before, and you think that you probably never will. You never know when the right deal may come along. You should always buy the largest paper that is distributed in your area. The best one that I have found is the Charlotte Observer. It is sold, of course, in and around Charlotte, NC, and in several Publixes and newstands around the Upstate of SC. Most couponers buy at least 2 newspapers every week. Walgreens and Ingles sometimes sell newspapers at a discounted price.

THE BASICS OF COUPONING...FIRST INSTALLMENT

If I can not find a way to make the installments on "The Basics of Couponing" page appear on my home page also, I will try and remember to copy and paste it here. This is the first installment.

INTRODUCTION

Couponing has become almost an art and a way of life for many. It enables us to experience many things that we could not have done previously. For instance, since I started couponing, I have donated hundreds of dollars worth of name-brand products to churches and individuals in need. My family has tried a variety of new foods, and I always have food on hand. I have a stockpile of food and toiletries that will last me several months, if need be.


On this page, I will attempt to teach you the easiest and most profitable way to get started and be successful. I will try and cover a different aspect of couponing each day.


The average couponer saves about 65%-70% on their groceries weekly and much more on their toiletries and household items. Do not be discouraged if you are not saving that much right away. It does take a little time. Here are some important things to remember.

NEW FEATURE ON SAVINSOURCE

If you are a regular on SavinSource, you will notice that there have been a couple of small changes today. The category labels that were at the top are now on the sidebar and there is a new button at the top called "The Basics of Couponing". This is a new series that I have started to help new couponers learn the basics. As time goes on, there will be regular installments and different pages set up for different stores. If there is a topic that you would like to see covered, please contact me through the button on my sidebar. Also, feel free to contact me with questions.


Follow SavinSource on Facebook or Twitter.

FREE COKE AT CVS

Go HERE to print a coupon for a BOGO Free CVS coupon for 20 oz Diet Coke or Caffeine-free Diet Coke. It is a store coupon, so it can not be used anywhere else. I also saw something interesting on their cooler window today where the Cokes are kept. There was a sign saying that if you buy 9 Cokes, your 10th one is free. I assume that they are tracked by your ExtraCare Card. Sounds like a good deal for those who like to purchase the cold single-serving bottles.

SUPER DEALS AT BI-LO THIS WEEK

Bi-Lo has a new ad starting today with some great deals. One of my favorites is Lance Crankers 8pks. They are on sale for $2.oo each and there is a 55¢ off coupon HERE. I found it using the zip 90210. This coupon will double, which will make your final price just 90¢ for 8 packs of crackers. I could not even imagine paying 59¢-79¢ per pack ever again.

Another favorite snack in my house is Wise Cheez Doodles. Bi-Lo has them for $2 and there is a 50¢ off coupon HERE, which will also double, making them just $1 per bag.

Other great deals are:
House Aughtry Oven Breaders BOGO @ 2.37/1.18ea.
Print a 50¢ off coupon HERE, making them 18¢ each.

Pompeian Olive Oil 16 oz BOGO @ 7.05/3.52ea.
Print a $1 coupon HERE, making it just 2.52.

Mueller's Elbow Macaroni BOGO @ 97¢/49¢ea.
Print a 55¢ coupon HERE, making them free plus overage if your store allows.

Hot/Lean Pockets are on sale for 1.88.
Print a 50¢ Lean Pockets coupon HERE, making them just 88¢.

This is just a few of Bi-Lo's deals this week. Click HERE to see the list of their best deals with other coupon match-ups.

SUPER DEAL ON SMOOTHIES

Beginning today, Publix has their Yoplait Frozen Smoothie mixes on their BOGO sale for 1.59 each. If you act fast you can go HERE to print a coupon for 1.25 off, which will make them just 34¢ each. Each package makes 2 smoothies. That's a great deal on a delicious, healthy treat. There is also a $1 coupon on their Facebook page.

FREE HOT BEVERAGE AT PILOT

If you "like" Pilot Travel Centers on Facebook, you can print this coupon for a free hot beverage at participating locations. The coupon is valid through February 28. Go HERE to check for a location near you.

MY GROCERY TOTALS FOR 2010

I have been keeping track of everything that I spent at the grocery stores this year. At least, I did until mid-November. Well, I just finished catching up my receipts on my spreadsheet and I am very pleased with my savings. I'm sure I have missed a couple of small receipts, or quick trips for milk, produce, or bread. But I did try to update each week that I did this. I also did buy some grocery items at the drugs stores, but at the same time, my grocery store spending includes quite a bit of household items and toiletries, so I'm sure it all evens out. Here are my totals:

Total Value (per stores' non-sale prices) was $6664.00.
The total I spent was $2328.00.
I saved a total of $4366.00 or 66%.
$2033.00 of this was with coupons.

SAVED 70% @ PUBLIX

My Publix trip was shorter than most. There were only a few things that I needed, and they were not the items that offered huge savings. However, I was still able to save around 70%, which is still great in my book. This is what I bought.

6 CBA canned pasta (6/3.94)
--used two 35¢ off 3 coupons SS 1/02
4 Campbell's Spaghettio's (4/2.40)
--used two 40¢ off 2 coupons SS 12/12
1 Snackwell Cookies (60¢)
--used $1 off wyb milk HERE
1 Gallon Publix Milk (3.39)
2 Prego Pasta Sauce (2/1.83)
--used 60¢ off 2 coupon SS 01/02
2 Yakisoba Noodles (2/0+1.21 overage)
--used two 50¢ off coupons SS 01/02
2 Wonka Gummies (2/50¢)
--used two 75¢ coupons HERE
4 Al fresco Chicken Sausages (4/2.98)
--used four $2 off coupons HERE
1 Lance Crackers 8pk (1/1.45)
--used 55¢ off coupon HERE
3 Kelloggs Pop Tarts (3/2.14)
--used $1 off 3 coupon HERE
2 Hunts Ketchup (2/55¢)
--used 50¢ off 2 coupon JANUARY ALL YOU

The total before any sales or coupons was 64.82.
I paid 19.12.
I saved 45.70 or 70%.

I can not guarantee that these printable coupons are still available. Also, newspaper coupons vary by region, so all coupons may not have been in your inserts.

Follow SavinSource on Facebook or Twitter.

Thanks to SouthernSavers for most coupon match-ups.

$2 OFF WHOLLY GUACOMOLE

There is a great new coupon available for Wholly Guacomole, but you have to use it quickly. It expires on January 8. Go HERE to provide your info and you will be able to download and print a coupon for $2 off any Wholly product.

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE STAYFREE

2 Great new coupons popped up on coupons.com today. They are both "Buy One, Get One Free Stayfree Pads". Although they say "available at Dollar General" & "available at Family Dollar", the fine print states that they can be used anywhere coupons are accepted. The drugstores often have Stayfree BOGO, which means that you could get 2 free with each coupon. So go HERE to print yours now before they are all gone. And remember that you can print each coupon 2 times.

THINGS I GOT FOR FREE THIS WEEK

This is a list of things that I got for free from using coupons. It does not include the things that I got from playing the various drugstore games. This list is a bit different from my lists in the past, as it includes very few food items.

2 Herbal Essence Hair Sprays
2 Pantene Shampoos
1 42ct Cottonelle Fresh Wipes
1 20ct Advil Liqui-Gels
2 12ct Tucks Pads
5 Olay Body Wash
2 Glory Cornbread Mix
1 Sample Kashi Go-Lean Cereal
1 Bag Recee's Miniatures
1 Old Spice Body Wash

This is almost $50 worth of stuff that I got absolutely free with coupons.

GREAT DEAL AT WAL MART

There is another great deal right now at Wal Mart on Tuck's Pads. The 12ct box is priced at 2.74. Go HERE to print a coupon for $3 off one, which will make it free. I had no problem using this coupon.

INGLES TRIP 12/27

Most of my grocery dollars were spent at Ingles this week, which is very unusual. I accidentally picked up a can of store brand pinto beans instead of Luck's or I would have saved just a little more. This is what I bought.

2 Nabisco Saltines 2/2.00
5 Chunky Soups @ 5/2.20
2 Margaret Holmes Greens @ 2/1.42
1 Luck's Beans @ 50¢
1 LL Beans @ 79¢
2 Simply Potatoes @ 2/2.12
1 Reduced Salad Mix @ 1.49
1 pk (1.64 lb) Smoked Hog Jowls @ 2.10
1 pk ground chuck (4.07 lbs) @ 7.65
1 Grocery item @ 1.31 (don't remember)

My total before sales and coupons was 45.72.
The total I paid was 21.42.
I saved 24.30 or 53%.

BI-LO BARGAINS

My Bi-Lo trip was very short this week. I did not buy much, but needed dog food. Unfortunately, there are seldom good sales on dog food, so my savings percentage is not as high as usual. However, I appreciate any savings, so here it is.

1 17lb bag Purina Dog Food @ 7.99
1 Gallon Milk @ 3.19
3 Armour Meatballs @ 3/2.67

My total before sales and coupons was 27.59.
I paid 13.80.
I saved 13.79 or 50%.

PUBLIX TRIP 12/27

I didn't buy much at Publix this week. I am so stocked up on most things, that I seldom need very much. My husband had requested some dry pintos, and I was surprised to find that the Publix brand was just 79¢, so I bought 2 bags. Here is the complete list of what I bought.

2 1 lb bags Pintos @ 2/1.58
5 Chi-Chi's Salsa Jars @ 5/5.00
1 TGI Friday's Frozen Snack @ 79¢
2 Chex Mix @ 2/38¢
2 Glory Cornbread Mix @ 2/0 + 30¢ overage
3 Recee's Christmas Candy @ 3/3.90

The total before any sales or coupons was 31.78.
Total I paid was 11.37.
I saved 20.41 or 64%.

FREE BODY WASH AT DOLLAR GENERAL

I just came from Dollar General. I had a $5 off $25 coupon and wanted to use it. The most awesome deal I found was the small bottles of Olay Body wash. These were at the special price of $2. With the coupon from the 12/26 PG for $2 off, they were free. Yay! The cashier did scan my $5 coupon first, which I was doubtful about. When I spoke to the manager about it before checking out, she was not sure if their system would allow it or not, but it did. The only problem I had was with my Axe BOGO coupon. It would only allow a $2.14 discount. I think I have that figured out now. When their system credits the $5 off $25 coupon, it discounts each item a little bit. The system had already credited 86¢ off of the Axe. It may have worked if I had presented the Axe coupons before the Olay coupons. I think I'll try that next time.

MONEY MAKER AT RITE AID

I just want to tell you about a super deal I got at Rite Aid today. $5 +Up Rewards are printing on Gilette Fusion Razors, but my store had a special collection pack including a razor, 2 cartridges, shave gel, and a small pack of ProSeries Skin Care Lotion (or something, I haven't actually opened the package yet.) These were priced at $9.97 with $5 +Up. There was a $4 off coupon in Sunday's P&G insert. But to make this an even sweeter deal, there is a $3 off store coupon in the Rite Aid Clip & Save Booklet, (expires today), which can be used with the collection pack. Details are:

One Gillette Fusion Collection @ $9.97
---Use $4 coupon from PG 12/26
---Use $3 coupon from Clip & Save Booklet
pay $2.97 plus tax.
-----Receive $5 +Up Reward

That makes this a $2.03 moneymaker!

SUNDAY COUPON PREVIEW 01/02/11

We will welcome 2011 with 4 coupon inserts in this week's Sunday papers. Here are the coupons that are scheduled. Please remember that coupons vary by region, so you should try to get the biggest paper that you can.

Smartsource coupon insert #1

Air Wick Freshmatic Compact i-motion Starter Kit Save $3.00/1 (2/13/11)
Air Wick Freshmatic refill Buy One Get One FREE (2/13/11)
Air Wick Freshmatic Ultra Starter Kit Save $4.00/1 (2/13/11)
Air Wick Scented Oil on any 1 twin refill pack or 2 single refills Save $1.00 (2/13/11)
Air Wick Warmer unit FREE when you buy your favorite Air Wick Scented Oil refill fragrance (2/13/11)
Aleve 40ct or larger (excludes Aleve -D Cold products) Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Aleve -D product $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Alka-Seltzer or Alka-Seltzer Plus product 10ct or larger Save $2.00/1 (3/31/11)
Bayer AM or any Extra Strength product 24ct or larger Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Bayer Aspirin Low Dose or 325mg 32ct or larger Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Breakstone’s 16oz tubs of New Low Sodium OR any other Cottage Cheese tubs $1.00/2 (2/2/11)
Breakstone’s Cottage Cheese 4-packs Save $1.50/2 (2/2/11)
Campbell’s Chunky or Select Harvest Healthy Request soups Save .50/2 (2/13/11)
Campbell’s Condensed soups (excluding Chicken Noodle, Tomato and Great for Cooking soups) Save .40/3 (3/15/11)
Campbell’s Healthy Request condensed soups Save .40/2 (2/13/11)
Campbell’s Select Harvest can or bowl varitey Save .50/3 (2/13/11)
Campho-Phenique product $1/1 (3/31/11)
Citracal product Save $2.00/1 (3/31/11)
DiGiono 200 Calorie Portions Save $1.00/2 (2/28/11)
Flintstones product $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Icy Hot Aspercrem Capzasin, Sportscreme or Flexamil product $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Lean Cuisine Market Creations varieties. Save $1.00/2 (4/3/11)
Lightlife Veggie Entrée $1.00/1 (2/28/11)
Like Lean Cuisine on Facebook and get another $1.00/2 offer expires January 15. Visit facebook.com/LeanCuisine
Lysol All Purpose Cleaner Triggers or Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaners Save $1.00/2 (2/1/11)
Lysol Bathroom Cleaners of Mildrew Remover Save $1.00/2 (2/1/11)
Lysol Disinfectant Spray 12oz or larger Save $1.00/1 (2/1/11)
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes Saves $1.00/2 (2/1/11)
Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner Pourables Save $1.00/2 (2/1/11)
Lysol Toliet Bowl Cleaners Save $1.00/2 (2/1/11)
Neo Synephrine product Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
One A Day product 12ct or larger Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Phillip’s product $2.00/1 (2/28/11)
Planters Big Nut Bars 5ct box or Planters NUTrition Bars 5ct box Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Prego Italian sauce 24 oz or larger Save .35/2 (3/31/11)
V8 100% Low Sodium Vegatable Juice 46 oz or larger Save .35/1 (2/13/11)
V8 100% Vegatable Juice 46 oz or larger Save .50/2 (2/13/11)
V8 Splash beverage Save $1.00/2 (2/13/11)
V8 V-Fusion juice variety 46 oz or 8 oz 6 pack Save .75/1 (2/13/11)
V8 V-Fusion tea beverage 46 oz variety Save .75/1 (2/13/11)

Smart Source Insert #2

Atkins Bar 5-packs $1.50/2 (3/31/11)
Atkins Shake 4-packs $1.50/2 (3/31/11)
Best Life Diet and Fitness Plan. Save $10.00 off enrollment of 3 month membership Save $10.00 (4/2/11)
Bestlife Buttery Spread, Buttery Spray, or Buttery Baking Sticks $1.00/1 (3/2/11)
Chuck E Cheese coupons (can list if needed)
Colgate 360 Sonic Power or Colgate adult or kids manual toothbrush (excluding Colgate Plus and Colgate Extra Clean) $1.00/2
Colgate Toothpaste 4.0 or larger $1.00/1 (1/22/11)
Colgate Total, Max White, Max Fresh or Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste 4.0oz or larger $1.00/1 (1/22/11)
Cortizone 10 Hydratensive Lotion $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Dannon Light & Fit Single-Serve 6oz Cups or any 2 Light & Fit 4-packs $1.00off (2/2/11)
Egg Beaters any variety .35/1 (2/28/11)
Energizer Brand batteries or Energizer Brand flashlight $1.00/1 (2/28/11)
Friendly’s coupons (can list if wanted?)
Glucerna Products (includes shakes, bars, and cereals) $2.50/2 (2/27/11)
Gold Bond Ultimate Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer excludes 1oz Size $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Gold Bond Ultimate Lotion any excludes 1oz Size $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Greens Ice Cream 1.5qt $1.50/2 (2/6/11)
Halls drops 30ct or larger bags .35/1 (2/5/11)
Kemp’s Frozen Yogurt 1.5qt $1.50/2 (2/6/11)
Kleenex Facial Tissue $1.00/4 (2/27/11)
Kleenex hand towels $1.00/1 (2/27/11)
Olive Garden $4.00 on Two Dinners (2/27/11)
Palmolive Dish liquids 20oz or larger $2.00/2 (1/22/11)
Palmolive Ultra Antibacterial liquid 20oz or larger $1.00/1 (1/22/11)
Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats thin rolls or Bagel Flats thin bagels $1.00/2 (2/27/11)
Schiff Move Free 80ct or more $5/1 (3/31/11)
Sorrento Stringsters or Sticksters Snack Cheese 8oz or larger $1/2 (3/31/11)
SoyJoy single bar only Buy 2 Get 1 FREE (2/28/11)

RedPlum Coupon Insert #1

Aquafresh Premium Toothpastes (advances, extreme clean, white & shine or sensitive) 5.6oz or larger Save $.75/1 (2/28/11)
Aquafresh iso-active Foaming gel Save $1.00/1 (2/28/11)
Beano product 30ct or larger Save $1.00/1 (4/30/11)
Beano Meltaways Save $1.00/1 (4/30/11)
Disney vitamins Save $1.00/1 (2/12/11)
Emerald 100 Calorie Pack Save $.50/1 DND5 (2/13/11)
Emerald Cocoa Roast or Cinnamon roast canister Save $1.00/1 DND5 (2/13/11)
Ester powders, tablets or gummies Save $1.00/1 (2/12/11)
FiberChoice fiber supplements 90ct Save $4.00/1 (3/06/11)
Flex-a-min tablets Save $3.00/1 (2/12/11)
Ideal 50 ct free when you buy any Ideal value Save $2.99 (2/15/11)
Jimmy Dean d-lights bowls Save $1.00/1 DND5 (6/30/11)
Jimmy Dean d-light sandwich Save $1.00/1 DND5 (6/30/11)
L’Oreal Cosmetic any Save $2.00/1 (2/27/11)
L’Oreal Cosmetic any Save $5.00/2 (2/27/11)
L’Oreal EverSleek, EverPure or Ever Strong Shampoo or Conditioner Save $1.00/1 (2/27/11)
L’Oreal Ever Sleek, Ever Pure,or Ever strong Treatment Save $1.00/1 (2/27/11)
L’Oreal haircolor except root rescue Save $2.00/1 (2/27/11)
L’Oreal Root Rescue product Save $1.00/1 (2/27/11)
L’Oreal Skincare product Save $2.00/1 (2/27/11)
Nature’s Bounty vitamins Save $1.00/1 (2/12/11)
Nature’s Bounty Your life Multi Save $2.00/1 (2/12/11)
Nivea Body lotion (8.4oz- 16.9 oz) Save $2.00/1 (2/28/11)
Nivea Body lotion (8.4oz – 16.9oz) Save $5.00/2 (2/28/11)
Nivea Body wash for women 8.4 -16.9oz Save $1.00/1 (2/28/11)
Nivea Good-bye Cellulite smoothing cellulite gel-cream & serum Save $2.00/1 (2/28/11)
Buy one Nivea lip care Get one Nivea Lip Care product FREE value to Save $3.99 (1/15/11)
Nivea for men body wash 16.9oz 500ml Save $1.00/1 (2/28/11)
Osteo Bi-flex caplet, softgel or powder excludes liquids Save $4.00/1 (2/12/11)
Osteo Bi-flex liquid joint aid Save $1.00/1 (2/12/11)
Get 1 Pasta Roni Free up to Save $2.00 value when you buy any 3 Rice-A-Roni (4/30/11)
Poligrip Save $1.00/1 (2/13/11)
Polident Save $1.00/1 (2/13/11)
Pop Secret Products Save $.50/2 DND #5 (2/13/11)
Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Quick or Old Fashioned Oats Save $1.00/1 (4/30/11)
Sensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste any Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Sensodyne Toothpaste any Save $.75/1 (3/31/11)
Slim Fast Snack bar multi pack Free up to Save $4.99 value when you buy TWO Slim-fast Meal replacements (powder, shakes, meal bars) (1/30/11)
Sundown & Marvel vitamins any Save $1.00/1 (2/12/11)
Wisk Laundry detergent any Save $2.00/1 (2/13/11)

RedPlum #2

Carbona 2-in-1 oxy-powered carpet cleaner Save $1.00/1 (4/2/11)
Carbona 2-in-1 oxy-powered steam carpet cleaner Save $1.50/1 (4/2/11)
Caltrate no 30 ct Save $2.00/1 (3/31/11)
Centrum Cardio or Centrum Performance Save $2.00/1 (3/31/11)
Centrum , Centrum Ultra or Centrum Kids no 60 count Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Centrum Silver or Centrum Silver Ultra no 60 count Save $1.00/1 (3/31/11)
Children’s Dimetapp Save $1.00/1 (2/28/11)
Goodlife Recipe treats for cats Save $.50/1 (2/26/11)
Goodlife Recipe food for cats Save $1.50/1 (2/26/11)
Hefty Waste Bags Save $1.00/2 (3/31/11)
i-flex 120 count Save $3.00/1 (2/28/11)
Kellogg’s Special K Cereals 11.4 oz or larger any flavor mix or match Save $1.00/2 (2/13/11)
Kellogg’s Special K Cereal Bars and/or Special K Fruit Crisps Save $1.00/2 (2/27/11)
Kellogg’s Special K Crackers 4.62 oz or larger any flavor mix or match Save $1.00/2 (2/27/11)
Kellogg’s Special K Protein Meal Bars, Special K Protein Snack bars, Special K Protein Shakes and/or Special K2O Protein Water mixes 4 ct or larger any flavor mix or match Save $2.00/2 (2/27/11)
Olay Age Defying Series Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser Save $2.00/1 (1/31/11)
Pedigree Goodbites treats for dogs Save $1.00/1 (2/12/11)
Robitussin 4oz or larger no To Go 2ct Save $1.00/1 (2/28/11)
Slimshots liquid portion control Save $3.00/1 (2/28/11)
Truvia natural sweetener Save $1.00/1 (3/27/11)

Thanks, Sundaycouponpreview.com