Egg Deal

Earth Fare is offering one dozen cage-free, hormone-free eggs for $1 from now until Sunday!!! 

Click here for your coupon! 

 It'd be great to pair this with one of the free Easter Egg Dying kits from CVS last week! 

The makings of a seriously cheap Easter Egg Hunt!

Stockpile Example

Many people assume I have this enormous stockpile of stuff. This idea, I'm sure, comes from the ever-appalling "Extreme Couponing" show - that has the world convinced that everyone who uses coupons has enough cereal stored in their basements to feed a small country. However, contrary to popular belief, I have a very small stock-pile. I'm not even sure I'd call it a stock-pile; it's more of a "reserve".

My basic principal of stock-piling is that I want to have 6 months worth of living supplies. This idea comes from a Dave Ramsey seminar I went to when I was in college. The point he reiterated over and over again was that you need to have 6 months worth of living expenses. That has always resonated with me and something I've always wanted to be able to do. But try as I might, I've never been able to save that much money. But what I am definitely able to do is stock-pile 6 months worth of non-perishable supplies! I figure that's almost as good! So that is always my goal and mindset when I'm buying things. That also helps me to keep a good perspective and not just buy things - just because. If I have my 6 month supply, then I don't need to buy. Period.

I thought I'd show you an example of my laundry "stock-pile" and how I know when it's time to buy. So here it is:

Not very impressive, huh? It's very simple. I have three bottles of laundry detergent, 2 bottles of Downy, and one bottle of stain remover spray. Here's what I do with my bottles when I start them:

I simply mark the date on the top so that when I'm done with the bottle - I know exactly how long it lasted me! As you can see, I've had the bottle of Purex open sine Feb. 21st - almost a month. Judging on how heavy it is, I'd say I have about another week left. That lets me know that one bottle lasts about 4-5 weeks. Since I only have two more bottles of detergent in my stockpile, I know that I need to start looking for good deals on detergent. But I'm in a good position, because I still have about 10 weeks supply. So I know that I need to be on the look-out for good deals, but I'm not pressured into buying something full-price. Same thing with the Downy. Each bottle lasts me about 6 weeks. And I just started this bottle on March 7th. Since I have another bottle in reserve, I shouldn't run out of Downy until the end of May. So I'm going to keep my eye out for good deals - because I want to have my 6 month reserve. But I'm not in a situation where I'm forced to pay full price for it!

In my opinion, the most important principals to stock-piling are:

• Have a set amount/goal that you work to attain and maintain. This will keep you grounded, focused, and purposeful in your couponing.
• Know how long things will last you, so you know how much you need. 
• Buy when you can find it on sale, so that you aren't forced into paying full-price because you need it immediately!

Cheap Magazines = Great Coupons

Magazines are one of my favorite ways to gather unique and high-value coupons! Most subscriptions can be gotten for free, or $2-5 - which is totally worth it. The only subscription that I am really conscious of paying for is Real Simple - because I just love this magazine and don't really get it for coupons - but for actual reading. So here are a few tips:

• If you're going to order a magazine, first log in to your ebates account and go through them! If you don't have an ebates account, click here to sign up for a free account! 
• Then do a search for magazines.com. Ebates is currently offering a 40% cash back incentive for magazines.com! That's HUGE! 
• Click on the "Shop Now" button and you'll be directed to the magazines.com website where you can search for whatever magazine you're wanting.
• Order your magazine(s) at a discount, and then 40% of whatever you spend will be deposited back into your ebates account! 
• If I were ordering Real Simple, their discounted rate for a year subscription is $23.88 (which is 60% off the cover price). I would pay the $23.88, and then get $9.55 in cash back in my ebates account.

Some of my favorite magazines are Parents (never pay for this - you can always find links for free subscriptions or get it through your Dr's office)! This month's issue has a little packet of $16 worth of coupons. Other good ones are Shape, Ebony, and Better Homes and Gardens. Often times, the use of just one coupon completely pays for the subscription!

The absolute best magazine out there for coupons is All You! It can only be purchased at Wal-Mart, or by subscription (they have it at magazines.com for $19.95/year - $7.98 that you'll get back in ebates cash back bonus). It has anywhere from $75-$125 worth of coupons in each issue!

Lot 18 - $10 Sign-up Credit!!!

Lot 18  is a fantastic deal site that focuses on WINE!!!!  Their team of experts work closely with quality-driven winemakers around the world to provide access to high-quality, hard-to-find wines at an attractive price. Our curators select only those products for Lot18 that are unique in their own right, and that represent the highest quality and value. We then match our members with the wines they'll love. (from their website)

I've been a member of Lot 18 for almost 2 years now, and love it for sending a special bottle of wine to a friend who had a baby, or a newlywed, or for a birthday or little "happy". I also ordered some for special occasions when hosting Thanksgiving Dinner, and a dinner party. It's unique, special, and inexpensive (for what you're getting)! Their normal discount is at least 20-30%, and on Friday's they'll run a special 4-hour deal - normally either free shipping, or a super discounted set.

On top of that, I just got an email yesterday that they're now offering new members a $10 credit when they sign up!!! So please click my referral link here and sign up for your free account and $10 credit! Also, when you share it with your friends and they make their 1st purchase, you get $25!!!

Tips: 

• Make sure you select your state. Certain deals are only available in select states. 
• Also, look at the pricing carefully! Some prices listed are for 1 bottle, but some are for duos, trios, 1/2 cases, and full cases. 
• If you find something you really want, get it. Most of the deals are only up for 72 hours and they sell out quickly. 

Keep in mind: This is Wine! Do not expect to be able to stack deals/coupons and get a practically free bottle of wine; that's not what this is about. Wine (especially good wine) - is expensive. This is just a good avenue to get something that's likely not available at your local store for a discounted price.

Clipper Magazine - Harris Teeter Coupon

If you've taken my Coupon Class or had Coaching with me, you know about Clipper Magazine! You should have received one in the mail yesterday - and there is an amazing coupon in there from Healthy Home Market. You may be wondering why on earth you would clip this coupon, since you don't regularly shop there (or maybe you do???). But here's the deal: Harris Teeter's coupon policy states that it accepts all competitor dollars-off coupons. What that means: if you have a coupon for Bi-Lo, Earth Fare, Food Lion, Lowes, or even Healthy Home Market for a specified dollar amount off of the total purchase, you can use that at any Harris Teeter. Here's what you're looking for:

Tips:

• Make sure you give the cashier this coupon 1st - before any other manufacturer coupons. The coupon is for $10 off a $55 purchase - and you want to make sure that your manufacturer coupons don't cause your total to come down below $55, before you have the chance to use your coupon! 
• Tell the cashier when you get to the checkout that you have a competitor coupon and that she'll need to get the manager to key it in. This eliminates the time that will likely be spent with the cashier staring at the coupon, trying to figure out how in the world to make it work (since there is no bar code). :-)

Also, if you have a Go-Save-Play book (previously the City Pass Book) - there are 4 Earth Fare coupons in there that can be used at Harris Teeter! Don't delay pulling them out! Two of them expire April 1st!!! 

Grocery Shopping: My Process

One of the things I get asked fairly frequently is "How do you do it" or "What's your process" or even "How do you have time to do all of this"??? So I thought I'd devote a post to telling you just that. I think I might loose the respect of a lot of you, because you're going to find out that what I do - is not that hard. I'm not that organized. I'm not that prepared. But hopefully it will also help you to understand that you can absolutely do what I do, too!

Preliminary Stuff 

1) I try to grocery shop once a week. This is a habit I learned from my mother. The idea is to avoid multiple trips to the store every week. Besides the amount of time it takes to drive to the store, park, and get in/get out - you are much more likely to be tempted to buy things that you don't really need. Cut down that temptation by reducing the opportunity to once a week - when possible.

2) I keep a magnetized notepad on the side of my refrigerator so that I can write down items as they come to mind, or as I notice that we're getting low on a particular item. 

Process

 1) Take list from refrigerator to the computer and review items needed - so I know what to keep an eye out for in particular.

2) Go to savingstar.com and make sure all the current coupons are loaded onto my account (takes about a minute).

3) Go to harristeeter.com and make sure all the current coupons are loaded onto my account (takes about a minute).

4) Go to swagbucks.com. Click on the coupons tab (under the Discover Tab). Click on any coupons for things that I think I might EVER use. Print. *These are the same coupons as the ones on coupons.com. The only difference is that when I use these coupons, I'll get 10 swagbucks for each one!!! (takes about 5 minutes)

5) Go to southernsavers.com and click on the Harris Teeter Tab. Click on the list for the current sales week. Click the boxes by the items that I'd like. If I don't have the coupons that she's listed, I print when there is a link available. (takes about 5 minutes)

6) When I've clicked all the items I want from her list, I scroll to the bottom and click "Create my List".

7) I then take my list from my notepad and manually type in any items that I need that I didn't see in her list. If I have coupons for those items, I type in a note about what my coupon is for - so I don't have to pull out my coupon while I'm shopping. If I've noticed any potential coupon stacks from when I added my electronic coupons on steps 2 and 3, I'll make a note of those too. (may take about 5-10 minutes, depending on how big of a trip I'm making).

8) Print my list and pull out my coupon binder to find the coupons that I will need for my shopping trip, and clip any coupons that I have just printed. (takes about 2-5 minutes - depending on how many I have to cut)

9) Put those coupons and my list in one of my clear zipper pouches that is in the front of my binder.

10) Take my entire binder with me to the store and enjoy my shopping experience.

This is my ideal set-up - but this does not always happen! However, it seriously takes 15-30 minutes to do all of this. At the beginning it'll probably take closer to 30 for you, and as you get more comfortable and familiar, it will take closer to 15! 

 But what usually happens. . .

• I forget to load the e-coupons on harristeeter.com and savingstar.com before I go, but thankfully they have apps for both of those. So I either sit in my car in the parking lot, or in the cereal isle and take 2-3 minutes to upload! Super simple and always worth it! I just loose the benefit of being able to make sure I have coupon stacks (paper coupons w/ e-coupons).
• I don't take the time to cut all of my printed coupons (especially if I printed off a lot). So I just get the 3-hole punch out, punch the holes in the paper, and put them in my binder. I have little scissors in my binder, so I can cut them in the store if I need them. I don't love doing this, because it's awkward - and I'm still a little bit of a bashful couponer. I don't like to draw attention to myself - and this tends to catch people's eyes. But it's the price I have to pay for not cutting and organizing my coupons ahead of time. 
• I totally forget about my list on the side of the refrigerator. So frustrating! But, the hope/plan is that I'm buying things ahead of time so that even if I forget an item for a week or two, I'm not to the point of running out of it. I maintain that keeping the list is important, regardless of whether or not I ever remember it. Just writing things down helps to solidify them in your memory! 

So don't get discouraged! It's a process! The important thing is to do what you can! The goal is to save money, but that's pointless if you're adding stress! Baby steps. . .

Charlotte Observer - Subscription Super Deal (47% off)

The Sunday paper inserts are one of the best ways to get coupons! And I whole-heartedly believe that getting a subscription is the way to go. Case and point: today was the first day that I bought a Sunday paper in over 6 months!!!! Me! The Coupon Coach!?!?!! Here's what happened: I moved and let my subscription lapse. Then I got lulled into thinking I didn't really need it - because so many friends give me their inserts. And when I didn't get them from friends, I honestly thought: seriously, how hard is it to go out and buy a paper? Sure enough, I started forgetting to get them from friends, and I NEVER remembered to buy a paper until Sunday evening - after we were already settled in for the night, or my daughter was already asleep. So today, I knew there were going to be 4 inserts - and one of the them was going to be a P&G Saver (my favorite)!!! So I made a purpose-filled plan to buy a paper on the way to church this morning. It was truly an effort to make sure I allowed enough time to make the stop and didn't let it leave my brain until it was done!

So much to my joy and amazement, there was an ad in the paper this morning for Sunday-Only delivery!!! That's perfect for those of us who coupon! And if you haven't had a subscription for at least 30 days, you qualify for their super promotion: 13 weeks for $16!!! If you buy it at the newsstand, it will be $2/paper ($26 for 13 weeks) . . . and you'll have to remember to go out and get it! This is such a fabulous deal! I know it's hard to read (it's on blue paper) - so here's the information you need: Call 800-532-5350 and ask for promotion code: SAVINGS. Or, look for the order form in today's paper!

Best Bang for your Buck: Sale Combinations

In looking at the sales papers in today's Newspaper, I found that quite a few of my favorite places are running sales on one of my favorite products: Charmin Toilet Paper! So here are the different deals, and how I'm deciding where to purchase!

CVS

16 Ultra Strong or Ultra Soft Double Rolls (equivalent to 32 Regular Rolls)  - $9.99

Buy 2 @ $9.99 = $19.98

Use $1/2 Manufacturer Coupon (from a box of Tampax Tampons)

Pay $18.98

*I have the Savingstar coupon for $5 off any $20 purchase of Charmin/Frebreeze/Mr.Clean saved to my account, and I only have about $12 more needed to reach the $20 goal. So this gets me to that amount and triggers my $5 in savings. 

Net Spent: $13.98 

That makes each regular size roll about $.21 - which is below my goal of $.25/roll!

Target

Spend $40 on anything on pages 10-11 in the sales paper (click here), and get $10 off!

There are LOTS of ways to work this Target deal. So a lot depends on what you use, and what you have coupons for. Since I'm focusing on Charmin, I'm going to use that as my "base".

Buy (2) 16 Mega Roll Packages (equivalent to 128 regular rolls) @ $15.99 = $29.98

Buy (1) Cascade 43 count Platinum Action Packs @ $10.99

Use $1/2 Manufacturer Coupon for Charmin (from a box of Tampax Tampons)

Use $.50/1 Cascade Coupon 

Get $10.00 off purchase

Use your Redcard and get 5% off = $1.47

Pay $28

*If you completely ignore the Cascade purchase and just divide the total paid by 128 rolls of regular TP, it comes out to $.21/roll. So not only do you get a fabulous deal on TP, you get a bucket of Cascade Platinum Action packs!

There are a lot of possibilities for stacking with this deal because there are coupons for Viva paper towels, ziplock baggies, and Kleenex on the Target Site that you can pair (stack) with manufacturer coupons that were in today's paper! Leave a comment on how you plan to work this deal!

Walgreens

Getting confused with all the steps? Walgreens has a pretty simple, straight-forward deal this week that won't leave you with TP coming out your ears!!! 

Buy (2) Ultra-Strong 6-pack Double Rolls (equivalent to 12 regular rolls) @ $3.99 each = $7.98

Use $1/2 Manufacturer Coupon (from a box of Tampax Tampons)

Pay $6.98 

Plus get 750 Balance Rewards Points (monetary equivalent to $.75)

*Makes each regular size roll about $.25 - which is still a good deal, especially considering that you only need one coupon to do this! 

If you don't have the $1/2 coupon that came in the box of tampons, there was a $.25/1 coupon in today's P&G insert; so you could just use 2 of those instead. Given the fabulous deal that Target has, I don't think I have any other choice but to go there!!!! :-) Happy Shopping!

Free $5 Starbucks Giftcard and Coupon Database

Who doesn't want a free $5 Starbucks Giftcard?!?!?! Just go here and join "My Starbucks Rewards" by registering a Starbucks Gift card.

Here's the deal: you have to be a NEW MEMBER to get this deal! So the ideal person for this is someone who has a Starbucks Gift Card who has not registered it with Starbucks yet.  If you don't have a card, and don't feel like making a special trip to Starbucks just to buy a gift card, so that you can then register it for this program - then you can download the mobile app, create an account, and get a digital card! Here is a link to the FAQ's. This promotion ends on March 14th - so don't delay!

One of my favorite sites is hip2save.com! I love her (Collin) approach, style, and general attitude towards savings and couponing. Her videos are hilarious! But the thing I probably use most frequently is her coupon database. This is such a great tool! For instance: say you've noticed that you're getting low on shave gel, and that there is going to be a sale on Edge at Walgreens next week (this is made up - I have no idea if Edge Shave Gel is on sale anywhere next week). So you can go to hip2save.com and click on the Coupon Database and do a search for Edge Shave Gel. It will then show you everywhere that a coupon would have been, is, or will be. If it's online, there will be a link to click to take you right to it. It is such a huge time saver! Click here to check it out!