My $18.72 trip to Shaws

While Teresa & I were chatting on the phone yesterday I mentioned that I was taking mom to Shaws this afternoon because they seemed to be having some good sales. Once my sister informed me that I couldn't stack against the coupons on the back page of the flyer...the sales didn't seem so good. But I think we did pretty good after all, you be the judge:

I picked up: 2 boxes of Kellogs cereal, 2 packages of Dannon Crush Cups, 2 boxes of Capri Sun, 2 boxes of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Crackers, 2 cans of Hunts spaghetti sauce, 2 packages of Kraft shredded cheese, 2 containers of Breakstone sour cream, 2 packages of Oscar Meyer hotdogs, 1 lb. of Land O Lakes american cheese, 1 package of Heathy Ones sliced ham, 1 loaf of store brand wheat bread, 1 1/2 lbs. green grapes, & 2 Hormel Complete meals...for $18.72!! Woohoo!

I really can't tell you how I arrived at this, my receipt says I saved $43.27. I knew I could make a few deals work & found another couple while walking through the aisles (the Healthy Ones ham was priced at $2.49, marked with a $1.00 off managers special Q, & I had a .55 Q that doubled...so I paid .39!) but I think a lot of this is luck. :) I'm still new to this game so I don't keep track of where my coupons come from so I'm not able to direct you to them but if I can do this, believe me, you can too!

**We did go to Hannaford for a few items that we knew were priced much lower than Shaws & while there I was able to pick up a few more freebies...2 rolls of Marcel Small Steps paper towels & 2 jars of Beechnut Stage 3 fruit. You guessed it, the baby food will go in the basket for Bailey's school (as mentioned below) & the paper towels will go to her teacher for clean up & such!

Blessings to all, we're off to see the newest addition to our family.

Nicole writing for,

Target...I love you!

Quite often I find myself with a handful of really good coupons that are about to expire in the next couple of days. When this happens I go on what I've termed 'seek & surprise' trips. I head over to Target for a quick trip to see what I can surprise myself with & usually the items featured in the coupons are either marked down at clearence prices or otherwise on sale. I love this!

Yesterday I stopped over with a small handful of coupons and walked out with:
2 gerber bottles (free after Q's), 4 bars of Johnsons Buddies soap (free after Q's), Clorox wipes (marked down to $2.28, $1.28 after Q), 2 1.5 quarts of Edys ice cream (on sale for $2.50 each, $1.50 each after Q), Colgate Mint Zing toothpaste (marked down to $1.27, .27 cents after Q!), Wii Balloon Pop game (marked at $19.99, $15.99 after coupon).

The previous trip I snagged:
2 gerber bottles (free after Q), 2 bottles of heinz vinegar (on sale for .99 cents, .49 each after Q!), 2 packages Jack Links 'Flamin Buffalo' Chicken Nuggets ($3.99 each, free after Q), 5 packages of Reach dental floss ($1.02 each, .02 cents each after Q's!), Colgate Mint toothpaste (marked down to $1.77, .77 cents after Q), 1 14ct. package of Bic Twin Select disposable razors ($2.59 reg. price, .59 cents after Q).

On one trip not long ago I was even able to pick up a jar of Jiff peanut butter for $1.00 after Q & a bottle of Smuckers squeezable jam for $.52 after Q!

What am I going to do with all this stuff you ask? Well, it goes back to Teresa's blog about being a good hostess on a budget.
1.) My daughters school is a big supporter of 'Midcoast Hunger Prevention', which is a truly wonderful service our area offers to those who need a little help. While I would have liked to donate as often & generously as I could, it has not always been possible in previous years. But now that Teresa has shown me the light with this whole world of coupons, I'm able to donate often & generously. The baby bottles, baby soap, dental floss, toothpaste, peanut butter, & jam are all sitting in a basket at the base of our stairs waiting for the month that baby essentials, personal hygiene products, or peanut butter will be requested at school.
2.) The Clorox wipes will go to Bailey's teacher to help fend off germs during cold & flu season.
3.) The vinegar will be used in cucumber salads that we will be making for the bar-b-ques we will be attending this weekend.
4.) The Wii game has been put away for Christmas for Bailey...the first gift in our stash!

So, as you can see...the surprises I find always come in handy and benefit someone along the way. I love these seek & surprise trips. I brought mom along with me last weekend & she's now hooked!

I hope you found this useful...or at least a little interesting. I'm off to plan the days trip to Shaw's & Hannford. I hope you all enjoy the long weekend!

Nicole writing for,

It's The Little Things In Life That Make Us Happy!

It's the little things in life that make us happy and Shaw's is making me happy this week. My favorite condiment is horseradish. Not ketchup or mustard or relish. Only horseradish and Golds Horseradish is on sale buy 1, get 1 FREE! You can find these bottles over the meat cases. I found mine priced at $2.29. I'm a HUGE fan of horse radish! Yahoo!

Grilling This Holiday?

If Grilling is in your future this Labor Day weekend Shaw's has Kingsford Charcoal Briquets on sale for $6.49 for an 18 lb. bag. Use the coupons below to save money on your purchase and snag a FREE bottle of KC Masterpiece too!
Go here to print these three great coupons:

• $2.00 off any (1) one 13.5 lb. bag of Kingsford Matchlight, Mesquite or Hickory Charcoal
  
• 1 FREE bottle of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce with the purchase of any 13.5 lb. bag of Kingsford Charcoal
  
• $ .75 off ANY Hidden Valley Salad Dressing, KC Masterpiece BQ sauce or Glad product
  

The Best of Hannaford Sales 6/6 - 6/12

Here's the best of the sales as I see it:

• Hannaford frozen vegetables 16 oz. .99 each


• Hannaford Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs .79 lb.


• Hannaford Chicken Leg Quarters .69 lb.


• Early Red Apples .69 lb!


• Fresh Broccoli Crowns .99 lb.


• Hannaford Half & Half $1.79, 32 oz.

Mexican Chocolate Drink Mix Sample

You can get a Free Sample of the new NESTLÉ® ABUELITA Granulado. It has the same rich chocolate flavor, aroma and frothiness as the original ABUELITA Tablet, but ready in minutes! Register below to get your FREE Granulado sample. Offer available while supplies last. Limit 1 sample per household or address. Please allow 4-6 weeks for shipping.

Gone Camping!

Just a heads up that I'm going camping with the family this week end. For Shaw's posts check out Sunshine and Pumpkin, Venus always has the best deals listed as well as special promotions and Catalina deals.

I've asked my sister Nicole to guest blog these next couple of days about all the great deals she gets at Target. I'm never able to shop there because there isn't one in this area. I'm sure envious of the great deals she snags though!

Spend time with your family and enjoy this long week end! See you Tuesday!
Blessings,

Swiffer, Great Deal @ Rite Aid 9/6 - 9/12!

Beginning Sunday 9/6, Rite Aid will have the Swiffer Dry Starter Kit on Sale for $9.99. If you've been on the fence about trying these out now is the time. Purchase both the starter kit and the refill. Use Rite Aid's in ad coupon for $2.00 on Swiffer Dry Starter Kit when you purchase Swiffer Dry Refills 16 ct.. Then use your $2.00 Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit coupon from your Home Made Simple "Simply Inspired" coupon book and the FREE REFILL from the "Refresh Your Nest" coupon book. Now you have the starter kit and refill for $5.99!

Swiffer offers a "money back guarantee" here if you are not happy with your new products. Folks you can't lose with this deal!
Enjoy the savings,

Surprise In The Mail!

Hey! Look what came in the mail today! Shaw's has sent me a Wild Harvest coupon book. It's called "A Healthy Start To A New Season" and in it are these coupons:

• $1.00 off 2 Boxes of Wild Harvest Juice Pouches any variety
• $1.00 off 2 Boxes of Wid Harvest Crackers any variety
• $1.00 off 1 Method Product any variety
• $1.00 off 1 box f Quorn Turk'y Burgrs any variety
• $1.00 off 1 carton of LaLoo's Ice Cream
• Buy One, Get One FREE Pure Bars any variety valued at $2.19
• $1.00 off 2 cartons of Ultra Soy Milk any variety
• $1.00 off 1 Mrs. Meyer's item any variety
• $1.00 off 2 boxes of Wild Harvest Hot or Cold Cereal
• $1.00 off 2 bags of Wild Harvest Dry Beans any variety
• $1.00 off 2 boxes of Wild Harvest Pasta any variety
• $1.00 off 2 bags of Wild Harvest Rice any variety

All of the coupons say Store Coupon September 4 - October 1, 2009. There's also a couple of neat articles on how to pack an organic lunchbox, 3 steps to a greener kitchen, boost your child's immune system with a healthy diet, a healthier dinner in less time and 2 good recipes.

Keep an eye out for yours in your mailbox!

Arm & Hammer Advance White Toothpaste Sample

Get a FREE Sample of Arm & Hammer Advanced White Toothpaste. If the link doesn't work, copy and paste this into your address bar-truetasteofclean.com.

Get Your Mars Yet?

This is a reminder to secure your FREE Mars candy bar during the Mars Relief Act promotion running through September. You can try every Friday to win yours. Each household is allowed to win up to 4 FREE candy bars. The promotion begins at 9:00 A.M.

Last Of The 3 Day Sales?

Hannaford doesn't have a "3 Day Sale" this weekend. Does that mark the end of summer sales?

No Coupon Inserts in 9/6 Sunday Paper

Just a reminder that there will be no coupon insert in this Sunday's paper because of the holiday. So spend some time instead organizing the coupons you have in a file box, binder or envelopes. What system do you use?

Hospitality On A Budget

I was really moved by the Hospitality On A Budget guest post on Money Saving Mom a while back . Having gone through a couple of job layoffs, budget cuts and the rising costs in the economy sometimes it leaves me wondering how I can fit being a hostess in to our budget.

The week before last my sister and her family were passing through on their way to Camden. They had planned to stop and visit anyway but out of necessity they stopped because their daughter became car sick on the way. (poor kid!)

I was able to go to my well stocked shelves and get a toothbrush, (free from Walmart) toothpaste (free from the dentist), Dramamine & chewing gum (free from Rite-Aid) to give to her and make her feel human again. Refreshed and read for the second half of the trip!

Before couponing I struggled to find the wiggle room in the budget to buy these extras to have on hand. It was such a great feeling to be able to just go to my reserve and be a good hostess. Plus I get bonus points for always being the aunt with gum! :)

FREE Kotex Sample Kit

Get a FREE sample kit of Kotex and FDS products. Just go on over here and click on the "Get Your Sample Kit" link. These kits include the following:

• 1 Kotex Ultra Thin Overnight Pad
• 1 Kotex Maxi pad1 Kotex Lightday Pantiliner
• 1 Kotex Security Tampon regular
• 1 Kotex Security Tampon super
• 1 sample new FDS feminine wash
• coupons

Allow up to 4 weeks for delivery! Thank you It's Hip To Save!

Smithfield Menu Planner

Sign up for Smithfield's Menu Planner to be deliver to your inbox. Each menu planner is filled with yummy recipes to try and a Smithfield coupon. My menu planner was delivered today and there was a .55 coupon for Smithfield smoked sausage. Last week it was Smithfield lunch meat.

Great Price On Land 'O Lakes Cheese!

Shaw's has Land 'O Lakes American cheese on sale $4.99 lb. starting tomorrow. Ask them to make 2, 1/2 lb. packages. Print 2 of the $1.00 off 1/2lb coupons here or here. Then combine them with Shaw's $1.00/ 1 lb. coupon here to get get 1 lb. of deli cheese for $1.99! If you've already printed and used these coupons there was a $1.00/ 1 lb. coupon in the 8/30 Smart Source insert, not as great a savings but still it keeps $2.00 in your pocket.

Pair Shaw's Activia Sale With Yo-Plus Promotion This Week!

Activia is on sale at Shaw's this week for $2.50. Use your $1.00/1 coupon from the 8/30 insert, making your purchase $1.50, to reduce your out of pocket expense. Get your coupon for a FREE package of Yo Plus yogurt when you send in an Activia UPC code. Download the form here .

Yoplait Yogurt for .23 @ Shaw's 9/4 - 9/10, With Coupons

Shaw's has Yoplait yogurt cups 10/$4.00, or .40 each, starting tomorrow. Use the .50/6 coupon at www.coupons.com , when doubled you now have them for .23 each! But it can get better. If the thick and creamy variety is included in the sale print the .60/3 coupon twice at www.coupons.com also and now you have them for FREE! Okay hold on to you hats. If you have the 7/26 insert coupon for "buy4, get 1 FREE" and the 7/12 insert "buy 6, get 1 FREE" coupon, you now have 8 FREE cups of Yoplait yogurt!

Enjoy the savings,

FREE Sample of Tampax Pearl!

Sign up here to get a FREE sample of Tampax Pearl.

You can also still get free samples of Kotex Ultra Thin Overnight Pads with Wings and Carefree Ultra Protection Liners.

Or, get a Playtex Gentle Glide Sample Pack (3 regular unscented tampons) or a Playtex Sport Sample Pack (2 regular unscented tampons, 1 super unscented tampon and a $1/1 coupon).

Thank you Coupon Cravings!

FREE Cup of Coffee @ Borders/Seattles Best!

One FREE Small Cup of Flavored Brewed Coffee from our Seattle’s Best Coffee cafe.
Experience a NEW way to enjoy your coffee! Customize your favorite cup with one of three delicious flavors: Vanilla Crème, Cinnamon Swirl, or Hazelnut. Offer expires 9/7/09

FREE Seasonal Portrait For Military Families

Portraits of Love is teaming up with photographers to take portraits of families who’s soldiers will be overseas this holiday season. The photo will be put online so that you can send it to your loved one for FREE, and you will get a coupon for a print that you can keep.
Go HERE for more details and find a participating photographer HERE. ( I found 1 in Scarborough, ME)

Thanks $30 Weekly Grocery Challenge and The Thrifty Mama!

FREE Sample of Huggies Little Movers From Walmart

Grab you Free Diaper Sample !

FREE Sample of Kotex Over Night Pad With Wings

Free Pads with Wings Sample
Free Pads with Wings Sample Click on "Get your free sample" on the right hand side.

Save $1.00 on YoBaby

Go here to register for your $1.00 YoBaby coupon.