FREE Robeez arrived today!!!

If you remember back around Christmastime I said I was pretty sure I was getting free Robeez for a post about giving back this season..  They came today.

Cute brown ones with little cement mixers on the top.  I immediately put them on Xander to see what he thought...  He was very interested in the truck. :)  They seemed to help him slip less when standing.  I thought I had asked for the 18-24 size but got the 12-18 size.  which do seem small for him so make sure to have your store clerk check sizing.

AND in the box with it was a $50 Gift Card to stride right.  yeah now I can get some shoes for me!!! Believe me I NEED SHOES.  why is mom always last.  hmmm.

We loved these with Allie and paid for the top line shoes but they were worth it.  When I had a chance to get them FREE I jumped.  scroll through the boys shoes here...  am I the only one who thinks the dragons are adorable???

They are having a 50% off sale at www.robeez.com right now and its not all winter.  Check it out you may find something cute for a great price...

Want to see more contests for you to win free stuff too???  become a follower of this blog and also subscribe to my email feed.  The more people I have listed as followers the more pull I have to get contests and giveaways so I can give you free things too.

 let me know if you have things youd like to see me cover in my posts...  I am always open to ideas.  Thanks for reading.

WOW... TROPICANA ... Awesome rewards program sign up now

Tropicana is jumping on the "customer reward" band wagon. I give it TWO THUMBS UP (and toes, feet, actually I am jumping up and down about what I saw so far)!!!  This really is a JUICY reward program. so much so I chose this to be my WOW its Wednesday feature this week.

It seems every time we turn around another company is trying to create a program to "reward" us for using their product.  I checked out the rewards and am quite impressed.  They have discounts to use at parks, fairs, the circus, sporting events, bowling... the rewards seem to promote healthy family fun activities!!!  I love it.  and they didnt seem to need as many purchases to achieve as most reward programs do.

One thing I saw was a B1G1 admission to use at Cocokeys indoor waterpark in Fitchburg, MA!!!  I noticed this because we have been talking about going there.  I already have 4 pts and this reward only needed 1pt!  1 pt to save me $30wow!!!  So join in and see what activities it might save you money on.

Heres 3 codes to help get you started.
LA73E CL9W4
SAVVY-AUNTI
YAHOO-34765


Take the survey at sign up and you'll earn a 4th pt too.  Reports have it if you sign up your grocery card it gives you another one but I put bigy as my grocery store and it never asked for my store id#.  Try Stop and shop or another store card and see if it works for you.

I am glad I can share things like this with you. Have you seen a great deal that needs sharing?  contact me.  

Heres where I heard about it this reward program...  http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/02/tropicana-juicy-rewards/#disqus_thread

How to use coupon "overage" to pay for another item

I used to only clip coupons for the products I loved and used regularly...  then I learned how to use coupons for items I dont need or want to buy things I did want.  Now I save every coupon.  Heres a brief overview of how it works using some of my recent transactions to explian.

At CVS a powerbar gel blast was on sale for $1.50 and gave back $1.50 in ECB's making it FREE

BUT there was $1 off coupon so.....  That means if you use the coupon at checkout you will get $1.50 ECB and only pay out $.50 meaning a profit of $1

This means you can pick ANY $1 item from the store, add it to your order and purchase it for free

Palmolive is on sale for $.99 and there was a buy 2 get $1 off coupon.  

SO if you bought

powerbar gel blast $1.50

and 2 palmolive $.99

sub total $3.48

use 1off power blast -1

use 1 off palmolive wyb2 -1

= $3.48- 2coupons = $1.48total cast AND get back $1.50 ECB... means both items were FREE

In effect you used the $1 off coupon to help pay for the palmolive.

Happy saving....

How to "ROLL" CVS ECB's: my shopping this week

Often people dont quite understand how things end up being free.  Even my husband sometimes says "Well, you paid for something in order to get the extra care bucks.(ECB).."  Its true at some point money has come out of my pocket.  So how can I say it was all free? keep reading...

For example this past week toothpaste was $3.50 and you got a $3.50 ECB back.  If I actually paid the $3.50 in cash I still consider this FREE because I still have $3.50 in ECB's to spend another day.  now if I spend the $3.50 on items that dont produce an ECB those are the ones in my mind I have paid for.  I hope this makes sense.  

With that said here's an example on how you can "ROLL" your ECB's.  This is when you use ECB's to buy items that produce more ECB's; getting more free items without any more oop expense.

I went in twice this week and did a few transactions.  I hope you can follow below.

I started the week with 3,3,3,2 in  ECB's (total of $11).  I looked at the ad and there were a few "FREE" items producing a $2 ECB.  since I had a $2ECB in my wallet this looked like a great place to start.

Transaction #1

Aussie shampoo $2.99

(2) sobe lifewater $1.69 (B1G1 FREE sale)

Gold Emblum Chocolate Almonds $.99

sub total: $5.67

coupons used:

aussie -$1 off

sobe lifewater -$1.69 (B1G1 coupon)

Gold Emblum $1 off any almond product

Total: $1.98  Get $2 ECB for the shampoo = FREE

I used last weeks $2ECB to pay for this order so the only cash I paid was $.05 tax. this is "rolling".  because I paid with an ECB and got an ECB back.  

Transaction #2

colgate toothpaste $2.99

(2) sobe lifewaters $1.69 (B1G1 FREE sale)

Gold Emblum Chocolate Almonds $.99

sub total: $5.67

coupons used:

colgate -$1 off

sobe lifewater -$1.69 (B1G1 coupon)

Gold Emblum $1 off any almond product

Total: $1.98  Get $2 ECB for the colgate = FREE pay with the $2 ECB from Trans #1 and paid $.02 OOP for tax 

Transaction #3

Gillette mach3 razor $6.49

(2) crest pro white toothpaste $3.50 each

Gold Emblum Chocolate Almonds $.99

sub total: $14.48

coupons used:

mach3 -2 off

crest -1 off wyb2

Gold Emblum $1 off any almond product

Total: $10.48  Get 7 for the crest and 2 for the razor = cost $1.48  The cashier misquoted me and told me it was $11.48 so I overpaid paid with the total $11 ECB's I had.  

I called CVS the next day and the manager told me he'd issue me a $.52 ECB on my next visit. :)  I love CVS.  SO much easier and nicer then Wags.  SO on my next visit I went to get my credit and the computer adjusted up and instead I got $1ECB. woohoo.

I had some palmolive coupons expiring so I checked the price and found they were going on sale tomorrow which means at my CVS you can buy it on Sat night. so i got next weeks price but used the coupon expiring today.  What luck.

I bought 6 palmolive $.99 each

and a powerbar gel blast $1.50

Sub total: $7.44 + $.06 tax

-1 off powerbar blast

(3 coupons) -1 off palmolive wyb2

total $3.50 used $2 ECB from the other day AND the $1 they gave me today = $.50 oop

I got $1.50 ECB for the powerbar
AND $1 for my green tag = $2.50 ECB left 

total cost today was $1.  (.50 cash and $.50 ECB)

Retail value $51.41 

OOP expense was ONLY $.57

I started the week with $11 in ECB's and ended with $9.50 = cost of $1.50 ECBS

or total cost for the week $2.07 (1.50ECB+ .57cash)

or if you look back everything was free
except I paid $1 for 6 palmolive($.17 each)
and that leaves $1.05 for the razor (which came with $15 worth of coupons inside the package)

I know this was long but hope you were able to follow it and maybe it will help you to start planning your CVS shopping trips.

My stockpile photos

I keep saying we are well stocked up...  Just wanted to show you what ONLY a few months of couponing has done for us here...

heres the stockpile "pantry" we built in the basement. Notice the wall isnt quite finished.  I couldnt wait and hung shelving anyway.  lol  lots of pasta, juice, soup, soy joy bars :), crackers...

heres the bottom half of the basement "pantry". Cereal, paper towels, soda & chips (for our memorial party), some cleaning products, maple syrup etc...

and heres a peak at some of our toiletries...  I dont have a photo of the kids bathroom shelf yet.  I also have a bunch I havent organized yet and will end up in an overflow bin in the basement.  Right now theres a bunch of Dove mens body wash just lined up on the floor and our big soaker tub is full of stayfree and kotex.  lol...   

I found some pantry racks at home depot.  They are about 12" wide and 4 " deep: 2 shelves each.  we bought 3 for each closet.  It works great inside the door.  The reason we chose the 2 shelf kind was because we could vary the heights by how we hung them.  In order to fit tall bottles on the top shelf we measured how tall a bottle was and hung the next shelf that far apart.  for example in the photo the nexxus shampoo is a top shelf and the toothpaste is the bottom shelf on the same rack.   We have pretty deep closets with lots of wasted space.  On the floor I have a big Rubbermaid bin.

In the basement pantry I used the same kind of rack but it was wider and 6 feet tall.  It has all short fixed shelves but works great for shorter items like mayo, soup, pasta, and helps to keep these within easy reach.

How do you organize your stockpile???

LOTS FREE AT BIG Y 2/10

I havent had time to post every trip lately its been busy around here.  But I can tell you my pantry and overflow is WAY stocked up now.  I actually have to refrain from buying even when dirt cheap since i have no where to put it.  I have had to start bringing things to giveaway to my MOPs group.  Which makes me feel awesome that I can help others save too by passing on some of my good bargains.

Heres what I picked up at Big Y grocery last week.  I did not take a photo of all the freezer items.  Its just too hard with the kids and I didnt want melted ice Cream.  Although then I would have had an excuse to eat it.  :)  So this is about half of it.

Dairy
2 Breakstone sour cream 2/$3  used 55 off (doubled to $1.10)= $.40each
Egglands best $3.49 used $.35 coupon (doubled to $.70) = $2.79

Gallon of Milk 3.99 used FREE Milk coupon with $100 worth of groceries

half gallon of Chocolate milk $3.89 (used free up to $3 when you buy with a gallon of milk) or $.89

Deli
3 Sabra Hummus on sale $3.48 (our favorite)  $1 off coupon = $2.48 each
5 Margherita Pepperoni $4.19 B2G3 free (I have tons of pepperoni since I went in for this on superbowl too) - 2 $.75 coupons doubled and 1 $1 off 2 = $ .88 each

Frozen Foods
6 Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals $8.49 B1G1 FREE and 5 $1.50 coupons and 1 $1= $2.83 each (great in a hurry meals and cheaper then pizza)
4 Edys Slow churned Ice cream $5.49 B1G1 and 4 $1 off coupons = 1.75 each
18 Green Giant Veges $2.09 B1G1 Free and 6 $1 off 3 coupons = $.71 each

Groceries
1 jar of parm cheese AND 3 things of bread crumbs.  Bread Crumbs were B1G2 free used a $1 off 2 Wheat crumbs AND a buy parm cheese get bread crumbs free. So all the bread crumbs were free and then even got the $1 off so $3.39 for all 4 or $.85 each for 4C parm cheese and bread crumbs!!!  Awesome deal
2 Cheddar Chex mix B1G1 $2.50 used 2 $.50 off coupons doubled = $.25 each !!!
2 loaves of Freihoffer bread $3.39 B1G1 = $1.70 each
8 packs of toilet paper that allie says feels like "wrapper" but now loves because its nice to trees.  but I will probably donate to a boy scout food drive soon. on sale for $1 and had $1 off coupons= FREE
2 packs of solo cups $4.65 B1G1 used 2 $.75 off coupon doubled = $.83 each
3 Spot Shot carpet cleaner $4.53 B1G2 Free used 3 $1 off coupons = $.51 each
9 cans of peanuts on sale B1G2 free used $1 off coupons on all of them (even the free ones)= $.19/3 or 6 cents each.  I was going to get 3 and then a raincheck for honey roasted but the manager pulled more out of nowhere so.... we have tons of nuts...  Cant complain about the price though.  lol.

Produce
2 cukes $.79
Mango $1.50 (was marked $.99 on shelf?)
sunflower seeds $2.50

Total value before sale and coupons $188.70
Coupon total $65.89
OOP $69.02

I have to say this was one of my best trips.  I was so excited when it was over.  I dont expect to see big trips like this for a while.

My Husband just told me tonight he's added up what I spent this month and figures I spent about $200 less then usual and thats including all my drug store trips.  We arent sure where that money is but I didnt spend it on groceries.  :)  We discussed putting a set amount in an account so we can really see the amount saved at the end of the month and use it for something.

How are you doing on your groceries?

Rite Aid week of 2/14- Cheap or FREE Lysol Healthy touch Hand Soap Kit

SO theres lots of deals over at rite aid this week.  If you havent done any deals at Rite aid they are easy.  They offer an easy online rebate system called Single Check Rebates (SCR).  You have to sign up but then all you do is enter a few numbers off the reciept and the computer figures out the rest.  I have always had good luck with these and sometimes they find a rebate that I didnt know about. :)

I have a few favorites this week.  Make sure you read all the way through to find out how to get your own Lysol healthy hands for FREE...

FREEBIES

Olay Skin and Bath care 3/$18 

$1 off coupons in the paper I believe it was this past week but cut mine out already and dont rememeber.

Use 3 coupons and pay the $15 but then go to www.olay.com to print a rebate for for $15 when you buy 3

= FREE after rebate

Motrin $2.99
$1 off Coupon in 1/3 RP insert
submit for $2 SCR online
= FREE after rebate

GE 4 pack Extra soft white light bulbs 2/$4
less in ad coupon -$3 = 2/$1


Dove, degree or speed stick 2/$3
1/31 RP had coupons for $1 off Dove
$.75 off Degree in 1/31 RP
and $1off 2 speed stick.
OR if you bought the Reinventing you magazine from CVS the other week during the soft soap deal there are coupons for $1 off one speed stick
use one coupon per deodorant and these come to $.50 each


Clairol  Loving Care hair color 2/$10
$5 off 2 in 2/14 insert
= $2.50 each


***  Clearance alert Glade plug in warmers marked down to $1.59 there was a $1.50 coupon off a while back if you still have it that makes these ONLY $.09  These make a great add on item to bring your total to $20 and use a $5 off $20 coupon from ad perks watch ad perks and earn coupons off products at rite aid!!! Get 20 pts and get a $5 off $20 coupon.  These can only be printed one time but you can select how many times it prints so print more than one.  I usually print about 10 so I have them all month.

Heres my plan for the week.  (as long as they have everything when I go in)

Transaction #1
Olay lotion 3/$18
Motrin $2.99
Total = $20.99

Coupons to use
$5 off $20 coupon from adperks
(3) $1 off olay lotion
$1 off Motrin
OOP = $11.99

get $2 SCR for Motrin
Submit for $15 rebate from Olay
= $17 back in rebates...$5 more then I paid... I will actually make money buying these!!!  

Transaction #2
Lysol Healthy Touch 12.99
GE Extra Soft White light bulbs 2/$4
Dove, or speed stick (depends whats in stock) 2/$3
= $19.99 (I may need a small item to get over $20, I will look for valentines clearance)

Coupons to use
$5 off $20
$5 off Lysol in ad coupon
$3 off lysol from paper
$1 off lysol Rite aid coupon from ad perks (you can use both a manufacturers and store)
use (2) $1 off Dove or Speed Stick coupons
$3 off light bulbs in ad coupon
= $.99 OOP
Get back $1 in SCR from the lysol making it ALL FREE after rebate

Olay Quench rebate send out reminder

I just wanted to send out a reminder.  If you bought the Olay Quench before January 29th you must send your rebate from in by today Feb 12th.  I got buried in cleaning up xmas and still hadn't got mine out.  I dug through papers today to find the form and receipts so I can go to the post office tomorrow...  I had a real busy day too so I am glad I remembered.

Last week I sent out $50 for rebates...

Another $32 going out on this Olay deal.

I bought 2 Olay quench lotions $7.99 each
get 2 Olay shower lotion Free (4.99 value)
used $2 off Quench
1 off Shower lotion
I filled in with Edys ice cream $2.99 on sale just to make sure my total stayed high
paid OOP $16.58 and should get back $15.98 meaning once the rebate comes back my ice cream was only 28 cents each...  Now thats a great deal.

also pictured is the special K 2/$5 bars for the $10 jean rebate (I bought the 5th one at Rite Aid for 2.50) and pert plus and razors.  I believe these were both free but right now dont have the receipt in front of me.

Hope your finding some good bargains out there.

Pop Chips- YUMMY and great customer service.

a few weeks ago I found a link on some blog (sorry I dont remember who) to try a new type of chip; called "Popchips".  They aren't fried or baked instead they apply heat and pressure and the potatoes "POP" into a chip.

I signed up for a free trial but later got an email saying the link was a mistake and instead got a coupon that expired within 3 days.  They are sold in target and several grocery stores in the west.  I was disappointed since the chances of me making it to Target in 3 days was slim. but instead of just complaining to everyone else I wrote back to them and explained how I felt and that I was very interested in their product.

They emailed me back an apology and sent me a care package!!!  It arrived yesterday and my daughter and I could hardly wait to dig in and try them.  Inside the box was not just one sample but SIX different flavors!!!  We were excited. which to try first?

Sour cream and onion.  and those of you who know me I checked the ingredients first...no bat poop (guano) YEAH!!!

I have to say they were AMAZING.  I love them.  they were light and fluffy and kind of reminded me of munchos (which i used to love) but these are even tastier.  I could have eaten all of the bags in one sitting but had to restrain myself.  I cant wait to devour I mean try the other flavors.  Unfortunately I now find out that no store around me sells them.  ARGG.  but they can be ordered online.

If you find these in a store near you they are definitely worth trying.  I just want to thank the people over at "popchips" for their great product and great customer service.  Even my daughter gives them a thumbs up...

Now I will have to put a request in to Big Y and stop and shop to start carrying these.  I cant wait until these are available locally.

FREE Dove Mens Body Wash at Wags and Rite Aid

Dove has a new body wash out made Just for men.  My hubby hasn’t tried it yet.  (he’s still trying the suave one I got free a month ago)so I cant give you a guys view yet.  But I think it smells quite nice and picked up 2 free last week at CVS. This week you can get it free at rite aid and at walgreens. Both stores are giving you your money back for buying this through their store loyalty programs.  In fact if you have coupons like me you can actually get PAID to try it!!! 

You could create a nice masculine gift basket for your hubby with this wash, maybe put in your favorite bath soap, a scrubby and maybe a handwritten note saying I’ll scrub your back if you scrub mine….J

There were coupons in the Red Plum coupon insert in the paper on 1/31 for $1.25 off.  Do you have them???  If not there is a link to print a coupon for $1.50 off.  And you should be able to print it twice per computer if you hit the back button after it prints.

Also if you're a mom...Theraflu or Triaminic are on sale 2/$10 and you get $5 RR back using coupons they come to $1 or less each

So heres a great plan for getting them all free at Walgreens.  And a few candy bars too. 

First gather or print these coupons. hit the back button and print 2 just in case you want to do this twice...

Super Poligrip Denture Adhesive, .75 oz, $2.00 ($2 RR)
-$1.50/1 Printable HERE (Join Policare) (Pay $.50/1)
-$1/1 from 1/3 RP (Pay $1/1)
Final Price $1-1.50 Money Maker!!

Dove Men's Body Wash, 13.5 oz, $5.99 ($6 RR) 
-$1.50/1 Printable HERE (Pay $4.49/1)
-$1.25/1 from 1/31 RP (Pay $4.74/1)
-$1/1 Printable HERE (Pay $4.99/1)
Final Price $1-1.50 Money Maker!!

Triaminic 14-pk Thin Strips, Liquid 4 oz, Nasal Spray .67 oz or Theraflu 6 pkts or Liquid 8.3 oz, 2/$10 ($5 RR wyb 2)
-$2/1 Printable HERE Theraflu (Pay $6/2)
Final Price $1/2
-$1.50/1 from 2/7 SS Theraflu (Pay $7/2)
Final Price $2/2
-$1.50/1 Printable HERE Triaminic Thin Strips (Pay $7/2)
-$1.50/1 from 2/7 SS Triaminic (Pay $7/2)
Final Price $2/2

I know it may seem odd but you have to buy poligrip to get everything else free... it’s the only way it works… If you don’t know someone who can use it you can find somewhere to donate it.

Buy the Poligrip on sale for $2

-$1.50 coupon

OOP $.50

Get $2 RR(register rewards)

Buy Dove Mens Body Wash $5.99

ramen noodles $.33 (not sure this is our local price) or Something small like a candy bar on sale for $.49 or alum foil $.59 mac n chees .$69

-$1.50 coupon

Use $2 RR to pay for it and

OOP $2.82 cash 

Get $6 RR

Buy (2) Theraflu 2/$10

ramen noodles $.33 (not sure this is our local price) or Something small like a candy bar on sale for $.49 or alum foil $.59 mac n chees .$69

- (2) $2 off coupons (most stores have $1.50 coupons on the shelf too)

Use $6 RR

OOP $.33 (or what ever your small item is)

Get $5 RR

Buy another Dove Mens Body Wash $5.99

Buy 4 3musketeers crisp bars at register $1.96 ($.49 each this is an upsell at the cashier)

-$1.50 coupon

Use $5 RR

OOP 1.45

Get $6 RR for Dove AND $1.50 for 3 musketeers

Total OOP cost is $5.10 and you still have $7.50 to spend.  Meaning you got paid $2.40 and went home with 2 theraflu/triaminic, 2 mens body wash, a few candy bars, and ramen noodles (another great thing to donate to a food pantry)

Save these RR for another week or spend them on some sale items to maximize your savings.  and if you want to repeat the sale again.  

FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

SO I was doing some shopping at Big Y last night to pick up some cheap deals.  and at the register they had Blockbuster Express coupons for a FREE night rental. Thats right a FREE night.  Its not a rent one get one free or a rent and get the second night free.

Just a plain old FREE rental!!!  YEAH.

Simply enter code GT9SA when prompted at the kiosk.  this code expires 02/28/2010

I know what we're doing this weekend.  FREE Family movie night.

Whats even better is this is one of the rewards for Allies "Getting caught" cards.  SO Alie thinks shes getting a special reward and our wallets get a break.  :)

Now just to figure out what movie we want...  let me know what movie you watch this weekend.

Chores, Manners and Rewards for Preschoolers

I thought I had posted about this already but couldnt find it...  Maybe i just posted it on my facebook.  ANyway...


We were having issues with manners and getting ready for school on time (and sometimes still do). 


I had a "chore" chart I made in my MOPs group.  Its a poster with velcro images that were meant to help preschoolers get ready for their day.  We moved her picture under the items she had done like get dressed, brush teeth, eat breakfast...  something simple she could follow and when she reached the end she was ready to go.  That worked for a little while but then she just ignored it.  


I found us giving lots of time outs and seemed like we were always focusing on negative behavior and not rewarding her for positive things.  SO I decided we needed a new system.


My sister was using a deck of cards to reward her sons and it gave me this idea.  I made a deck of cards each one  with positive traits/manners that I wanted her to learn printed on it.  I made them all cute with her favorite colors and photos on them.  And then half of the deck I printed rewards I thought she would enjoy.  Things like a family movie night, getting her nails painted, computer time... etc.  


Heres what I came up with.  



If you cant see the project above try clicking here.

Oh and the card that looks a little goofed up is the one Allie made. :)  She likes to work on the computer.

If you want to make a deck of your own set up your own free account on my my website www.DigitalStorybooks.com   then start a new project or look through the thousands of ideas in our template gallery.  Do you wish yours looked like mine?  Just contact me and I can give you a template of the one I made for Allie.  You just swap out the photos and change the wording for your family/child and then publish.  Its that easy.

I hope this helps give you some ideas.  It definitely has helped us recognize the good things she is doing even on the days we may have a few battles.  We can see at the end of the day that it wasnt ALL bad...  :)

Just wanted to pass on some info to you thrifty people out there.  If you dont get the home made simple coupon books you're in luck I found a link to 5 places to sign up for it.

What is Home made simple?  I have been getting these coupons in the mail since I was with Tupperware.  I think it was part of a promo we had for consultants.  The booklet is full of great coupons for cascade, swiffer, dawn, fabreeze, etc...  lots of HIGH value coupons for name brand products.  and then they send out email newsletters with tips for things.

I am not sure where I saw it but this is where the blog hopping took me.  This blog has 5 different links and rumor has it you can sign up at each one and end up with 5 booklets.

http://proverbs31gal.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/deals-worth-discussing-12/

I signed up again myself and am crossing my fingers because free coupons are awesome.  Plus this means if nothing else FREE Dawn soap.  since its always on sale and this book had $1 off coupons!!!!  We have a tons of soap under our sink.  :)    Now you can too.  ~Melissa