Thrifty Lil' Mama

Sorry....

2009-09-28T09:32:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't kept up with this lately. In the past couple weeks we found out we were expecting baby #3! I've had more morning sickness with this pregnancy than either of the other two. Actually, for me it's all day sickness. :( I've just kind of gone into survival mode. Keeping up with my busy two and trying to keep the house running has been about all I could handle. I'll try to keep up with this a little better, since it seems like I may be getting the queasiness under control.

Thanks for your patience.

Calling All Nashville Area Readers....

2009-09-17T09:26:00.002-05:00

This is an incredible week at the Nashville area Krogers. Not only is Kroger having a good Mega Event over the next two weeks, but from Sept. 16-22 seven of the Nashville area stores are offering triple coupons up to 99 cents to compete with the Harris Teeter triples! The stores participating are listed here. You can check out Jenny's Harris Teeter list for triples ideas. Make sure you also check out her list for the Mega Event. Kroger is limiting it to 20 tripled coupons per transaction, but you can do multiple transactions per day. I'm planning on loading up tomorrow and going to Nashville to wipe them out! ;)
Also, since this is a Mega Event, you could actually work it out to get overage on your transaction. Here's how - if you can work it out so your subtotals are zero before the $5.00 comes off for your ten Mega Event items, you can purchase a Kroger gift card for the overage amount, and they will essentially be giving you money back. This would also work with the ecoupons from Shortcuts.com and Cellfire.

Happy Shopping!!

$5 off Luvs Diapers!

2009-09-14T19:56:00.002-05:00

Sign up here and join the Luvs network. You get a $1/1 coupon immediately emailed to you, and tomorrow a $5/1 coupon will be made available to members. Since Luvs are usually priced at $8 or less, this should make for some pretty cheap diapers.

Summer Clearance at CVS

2009-09-10T07:59:00.002-05:00

CVS has their summer merchandise clearanced to 90$ off! I picked up Disney flip flops for the kids for $.49 each. My store also had Huggies Little Swimmers marked down to $.89 each. If you use the $1.50/1 Huggies coupons here these would be better than free. I don't know if all stores accept coupons with overage, but even if you can't use the coupons, this is a great deal!

Hurry before they're all gone!

More Great Coupons!

2009-09-07T14:29:00.002-05:00

Go here to print $2/1 coupons for Healthy Choice Mixers and Frozen Dinners. These usually run $2.00 - $2.50, so you should be able to get them free or almost free. Kroger has the frozen dinners on sale for $2.20 this week.

**UPDATE**
The frozen dinners are actually on sale for $1.85 at my Kroger. Not sure what area this covers, but it's a moneymaker with the coupon.

Great Pillsbury Coupons

2009-09-07T08:07:00.003-05:00

Click here for a $1/1 coupon for Pillsbury Sweet Rolls

Click here for a $1/1 coupon for Pillsbury Toaster Strudel

These should be free or almost free, especially if you combine them with a Cellfire or Shortcuts e-coupon.

Free or Almost Free at Walmart

2009-09-03T10:01:00.002-05:00

Check out your travel size section Walmart for free or almost free items!
A few I found this week -
Clean and Clear Cream Cleanser $.97 each ($1/1 cpn from 8/2 SS)
Shout Wipes - Clearanced to $.75 each ($.55 cpn from 7/12 or 8/2 SS)
Pull-Ups Wipes $1.64 ($2/2 cpn here)
Johnson's Baby Bedtime Lotion $.97 ($2/2 cpn here)

The trick to the travel size deals is to watch for cpns that say "on any" or don't have a size restriction.

Here's some deals elsewhere in the store -
Glade Fragrance Collection candles $2.99 ($3/1 cpn here, try entering your zip code, and selecting 50 mile radius if it doesn't show.) My store doesn't have these, but I've heard some stores do.
Chinet Plates 36 ct $2.36 ($2/1 cpn from 8/9 SS)

Check out The Centsible Sawyer for more great deals

25 Cent Oatmeal at CVS!

2009-09-03T09:56:00.002-05:00

Here's a great unadvertised deal at CVS. My CVS has Mom's Best Naturals oatmeal in a dollar section at the front of the store. Use the $.75/1 cpn here to get it for $.25 each. If you use the back button on your browser, you can print the coupon twice. My store has smaller canisters of quick oats, or 6 packs of instant maple and brown sugar in this section.

Time to Clean!

2009-09-01T09:08:00.002-05:00

It's the end of another month, so now is a good time to clean out your coupon file.

Here's a easy charity opportunity - you can donate your expired coupons to military families overseas. Commissaries at oversea bases will accept coupons past their expiration date. Check out this website for more information.

Great Week at CVS!

2009-08-29T22:40:00.002-05:00

This week will be a really good one at CVS. There's lots of things free after ECBs. Several of them will be moneymakers with coupons.
My favorite moneymaker is Glade Fragrance collection candles or diffusers. I love these! They smell really good.
You can also get Aquafresh and Sensodyne free after coupons and ECBs. For a full list of matchups see Southern Savers, Money Saving Mom, or Frugal Coupon Living. They all have great lists.

Free Bacon

2009-08-28T11:53:00.003-05:00

Go here to print a $3.00 coupon for Smithfield bacon. You do have to register to print it. Use your back button to print two. This is priced $2.98 at my Kroger store. I've heard that Walmart has it for $2.58, but I don't know if Walmart would take a coupon with that much overage. You can also go here and load Smithfield e-coupons onto your Kroger card. There is a $0.75 e-coupon for the bacon there. So, after the coupon and e-coupon you can make $0.77 on the bacon.

FREE Chocolate!!

2009-08-28T11:30:00.003-05:00

It's Free Chocolate Friday again! Click here to register. The coupon will be mailed to you in about 2 weeks

Free 8x10 Photo Collage

2009-08-26T18:11:00.001-05:00

Walgreens has their 8x10 photo collages for free today only with coupon code "funday". Just make sure you select store pickup, so you don't have to pay shipping.

I ordered mine this afternoon and picked it up about 2 hours later.

B1G1 at Ruby Tuesdays

2009-08-26T13:54:00.002-05:00

Sign up here for the Ruby Tuesdays "So Connected" club and receive a coupon for B1G1 on any entree. This is one of my husband and I's favorite special date spots, so this will make it a relatively cheap date.

Publix Trip

2009-08-26T13:45:00.002-05:00

The Publix deals have changed, so I won't post all the details, just some of the highlights.

Total $16.46 87% savings

Some of my favorite deals -
Free Cover Girl eye shadows
$0.30 profit on 9 jars of Gerber organic baby food.
$2.00 profit on 2 packages of Kotex pads.
Free Mrs. Paul's fishsticks
64 oz bottles of Juicy Juice $0.85 each
$1.75 profit on 3 packages of Yo-Plus yogurt
Edward's singles $0.29 each
Uncle Ben's Rice Pilaf $0.25 each.

Just a little bit of inspiration. : )

Post some of your best deals this week.

Target Trip

2009-08-25T13:48:00.005-05:00

Last night was a great trip to Target! Here's a breakdown.

2 Kellogg's PopTarts $1.52 each - $0.55 printable here - $0.75 Target cpn = $0.22 each
2 Aveeno Baby products $3.50 - $2/1 Aveeno cpn - $1/1 Target coupon = $0.50 each
2 Earth's Best Organic Toddler Snacks $1.72 - $1/2 printable cpn (no longer available) - $0.75 Target cpn = $0.47 each
Bounce Dryer Bar $3.79 - $1/1 cpn (8/2 P&G insert) - $1.50/1 Target cpn (8/23 SS) = $1.29
2 Tide Travel Size $0.97 each - $1/1 cpn (8/2 P&G) = $0.06 moneymaker
2 Hillshire Farms lunchmeat $2.99 - $0.55/1 (8/16 RP) - $1/1 Target cpn = $1.44 each
3 GM cereal bowls $1.00 each - $1/1 Target cpn = FREE
2 DelMonte Fruit Chillers $2.00 each - $1/1 cpn = $1.00 each
2 Dove deoderant $3.29 - $2/1 cpn - $1/1 Target cpn = $0.29 each
2 Carmex lip balm $1.04 - $1/1 cpn (printable, no longer available) = $0.04
4 pack of Bic pens $1.00 each - $1/2 cpn - $1/2 Target cpn = FREE

Total $9.13 + tax
$47.49 before cpns = 81% savings!
All Target cpns can be printed here. Some Target stores will only let you use one like Target cpn per transaction.

These deals should be good for the entire week, but prices do vary some from store to store.

Great Trip to Publix and Target

2009-08-25T00:14:00.002-05:00

I went to Publix and Target tonight. I don't go every week, because my closest stores are about 40 miles away. I scored big time tonight. It's too late to post details, but I got a total of about $175 worth of groceries for about $30. I'll post details tomorrow.

Freebies at Bath and Body Works

2009-08-22T09:01:00.003-05:00

Click here for a coupon for a free lip item with purchase.

Here for a free travel size item with purchase.

Both coupons say "on any purchase" so if you bought a clearance item, this could be a pretty good deal.

**Update** My B&BW has nail files for $1. I bought one nail file and got a travel size perfume, and a C.O. Bigelow lip balm for $1! Regular price without the coupons would have been $13.50.

$20 Off at Ann Taylor Today Only!

2009-08-22T08:59:00.000-05:00

Go here to print a coupon for $20 off a full price purchase of $20 or more. I've never seen a coupon like this for Ann Taylor before. Too bad my nearest store is 50 miles away. The coupon expires today, so hurry up!

FREE Pink Lotion

2009-08-20T14:04:00.003-05:00

Print this coupon here for a free 1 ounce bottle of Victoria Secret's Pink Lotion. No purchase necessary.

Photo Deals at Walgreens!

2009-08-20T08:23:00.003-05:00

Walgreens is having sales on their photo services all week. Today they are giving away 20 free prints. Click here for more info.

Kroger Mega Event!!

2009-08-16T22:39:00.001-05:00

Kroger is doing another $5 off 10 items event. It's primarily on General Mills products. There are some fantastic deals to be had. I'll try to get a list up soon, but in the meantime, check out Jenny's list at Southern Savers.

No Coupon Moneymaker!

2009-08-16T22:31:00.002-05:00

Walgreens has Softsoap Nutri Serum on Sale for $3.99 with $3.99 back in Register Rewards. Well, I bought the "Renew" scent, (green top) and it rang up @ $3.50 instead of $3.99. I'm not sure if this was a glitch, or if it would work for anyone else, but it's nice bodywash, so it's worth the try.

Another CVS giveaway!

2009-08-12T08:57:00.002-05:00

Christina at Centsible Savings is giving away a $20 CVS gift card. This would be a great way to start off at CVS for a newbie, or if you're a seasoned pro, this could get you through most of a month. Check out her blog for six different ways to register for this giveaway!

We Interrupt This Program.....

2009-08-12T08:47:00.002-05:00

Sorry there hasn't been any blog posts for a few days. I had to go out of town on a business trip over the weekend, and now I'm leaving today for my brother's graduation from Basic Training. I should be resuming posts next week. In the meantime, make sure you visit Coupons.com and print their GM and Kelloggs coupons. Kelloggs items are on sale this week at Kroger, buy for 4/$10, get $4 off. It works out really well when combined with coupons. Also, if you buy 10 items, you can get the "Fuel for School" rebate from Kelloggs. (Look for the $80 rebate button in the bottom right corner.)

Sneak Peek - Kroger is having another 10-Item Mega Event Aug 16-29. Not sure what all will be on sale, but I know General Mills products are involved. Be sure to print them from Coupons.com before it's too late!

Free Chocolate!

2009-08-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

Mars is giving away a free candy bar through their "Chocolate Relief Act" every Friday morning. Register and the coupon will be mailed to you in about 2 weeks. This is only good for the first 250,00 people, so hurry!

Corrected Link

2009-08-06T23:18:00.001-05:00

Here's an updated link for the Food Lion Guiding Stars cpn. The cpn in a previous post expired on 8/4. Oops. Sorry.

Great Deal at Office Max!

2009-08-06T23:15:00.003-05:00

Here's a great deal at Office Max. Print this coupon for 3 Sharpies for $0.01 each! They're also giving out a coupon for $5/25 at Payless Shoes with all school supply purchases. Almost free Sharpies and a deal on shoes! Anytime you give me a deal on shoes, I'm happy! Hurry, this deal is only good until 8/8.

Get a $100 Grocery Card!

2009-08-06T08:37:00.003-05:00

Kraft First Taste is offering a $100 grocery card giveaway. They will be giving away one card each day now through Sept. 1. Join First Taste here to register. Joining will also register you for special discounts and promotions, and product trials. What could you do with a $100 extra in your grocery budget? Leave a comment and share your ideas. If I were to win, I would stock up on meat, since our monthly grocery budget is $160 and for me meat is the hardest thing to get good deals on, and have variety. That extra $100 would go a long ways toward stocking our meat supply.

Great Giveaway!

2009-08-05T15:39:00.003-05:00

Christina at Centsible Savings is giving away a "Coupon Starter Kit" - a coupon binder, plus 10 coupon inserts for the last 6 weeks. This would be a great way to start couponing for a beginner. Check out her blog for other great deals and discounts.

Free Food!!!

2009-08-04T15:29:00.002-05:00

Schwann's has a promotion right now for $10 worth of food for free. I just placed my order. Six-Cheese Tortellini for $9.99. All I have to pay is $0.08 tax. Can't beat that! Click here for more info.

Why I Love CVS

2009-08-04T08:28:00.006-05:00

Finally, here's my CVS deals for the week. First, let me thank Jenny at Southern Savers for the scenario idea. Her website is a fantastic source for deals. I'd definitely recommend you check it out.

I started my shopping trip with 4 ECBs and I wanted to pay as little OOP as possible, so my trip was in 6 transactions.

Transaction #1
2 Stayfree Maxi Pads $5.00 each + B1G1 cpn + $1/1 printable here = $2.00 each + 5 ECBs back
CVS 1-subject notebook $0.99 + $0.99 ECBs back
Used $4 ECBs

Total $2.07 OOP 94% savings
$5.99 ECBs back

#2
Blink Tears $7.99 + $3/1 cpn = $4.99 + $7.99 ECBs back
CVS 1-subject notebook $0.99 + $0.99 ECBs back
Used $5.99 ECBs

Total $0.88 OOP 100% savings (the subtotal was zero, but my CVS has changed their system so you now pay the brutal 9.75% sales tax on the total before cpns and ECBs!)
$8.98 ECBs back

#3
2 20-pks CVS pens $1.98 + $1.98 ECBs back
2 10-pk CVS pencils $1.98 + $1.98 ECBs back
Softsoap NutriSerum body wash $4.99 + $2/1 cpn from www.coupons.com + $4.00 ECBs back
2 CVS rulers $1.98 + $.198 ECBs back
CVS Kids Anti-bacterial Spray $0.50
Used $7.99 & $0.99 ECBs

Total $1.57 OOP 97% savings
$9.94 ECBs back

#4
2 CVS Scissors $5.98 + $5.98 ECBs back
1 CVS Book Cover $0.99 + $0.99 ECBs back
1 CVS Glue Sticks $0.99 + $0.99 ECBs back
1 CVS Pencil/Ink Eraser $0.99 + $0.99 ECBs back
2 Pilot EasyTouch Pens $2.19 each (I had a rain check to get these for $0.99 each with $0.99 ECBs back, but I forgot to give to the cashier! I did return them later and buy them back with the raincheck, so it all came out right.)

Total $6.67 OOP 53% savings
$8.95 ECBs back

#5
3 Electrasol Tabs $4.50 each + $2.50/1 cpn = $2.00 each
Lysol Neutra Air $3.00 +$1.50 cpn = $1.50 each
Lysol Disinfectant Spray $4.00 + $1/1 cpn = $3.00
Used $4/20 cpn in the Readyfill brochure from the pharmacy.
Used $5.98 ECBs

Total $2.13 OOP 98%savings
$10.00 ECBs back

#6
2 packs Pampers $10.00 each + $1.50/cpn = $8.50 each (I realized later that there's a cpn in this week's PG Saver for FREE wipes with a package of Pampers. Ooops!!)
Used another $4/20 cpn
Used $12.97 ECBs

Total $1.59 OOP Nearly 100% savings!!!
$5.00 ECBs back

Plus after I fixed the Pilot pen mess I got $2.64 back and another $1.98 in ECBs!

Total for all $12.27 and I have $6.98 in ECBs to use! Although, I wish I had gone through my Sunday cpns before I went to CVS, so I could have gotten the 2 pack of FREE wipes!

Most of these deals end today, so hurry if you want to catch them!

Shopping Part 2 - Food Lion & Publix

2009-08-03T10:20:00.000-05:00

Now for Part 2. These deals are ongoing until Tuesday, so if you hurry, you can still catch them.

Food Lion

Cantaloupe $2.50 B1G1 or 50% off = $1.25 + $1/1 Guiding Stars cpn here = $0.25
2 large jars Ragu $2.00 each + $1/2 cpn here + $2/2 Food Lion cpn here = $0.50 each
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes $1.99 + $1/1 FL cpn here = $0.99
Food Lion brand cereal $1.89 + $1/1 FL cpn here = $0.89
5 packages Ramen = $1.00 (not on sale, but I was out and this is Sam's favorite lunch.)

Total $4.55 OOP 74% savings

Thanks $30 Weekly Grocery Challenge !

Publix

My nearest Publix is nearly an hour away, so I don't get there every week. Some weeks, however, it is worth it. By the way, the $0.01 Mystery Item this week is Publix Spring Water 6-pk. This item is only available on Sunday and Monday, so hurry!

2 Kellogg's Apple Jacks B1G1 $3.99 + $1/1 FL cpn above = $1.00 each
4 Dole Fruit Gels B1G1 $2.29 + $1/2 cpn = $0.65 each
4 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks B1G1 $2.79 + $0.50/2 (doubled) = $0.59 each
Edy's Ice Cream $2.99 + Buy Edy's, Get Nesquick free cpn = $2.99 Edy's and Nesquick Syrup
4 Yoplait kids yogurt B1G1 $2.79 + $0.35/1 cpn (doubled) = $0.70 each
2 Kraft Deluxe Mac 'N Cheese B1G1 $1.99 + $1.50/2 cpn here (IE)or here (Firefox)= $0.25 each
Plus there was a peelie on the package for a free bottle of Kraft BBQ sauce with purchase of 2 Deluxe Mac 'N Cheese. So I got that free as well.
2 Hunt's Ketchup B1G1 $1.75 + $0.20/1 cpn (doubled) = $0.48 each
3 Publix 2-liters $0.50 each + $1/3 Food Lion cpn here = $0.17 each
4 Mt Olive Pickles B1G1 $2.19 + $0.50/1 (doubled) = $0.09 each

I just noticed when I was going over my receipt for this post that only one jar rang up at this price. I'm not sure if I picked up the wrong jars, or if this was a register error. Publix has a policy that if an item rings up incorrectly you get for free. However, I don't think it's worth an hour drive for $3.00, so I'm out a little extra grocery money.

I also used the Rite Aid $5/25 cpn here. Not all Publix stores will accept Rite Aid coupons. Some in my area do, and some don't. Check with your store beforehand.

Total $16.51 OOP 79% savings (It would have been about $10.50 without the pickle debacle!)

Thanks to Southern Savers for deal ideas and coupon matchups!

Stay tuned! More to come! I still need to post my CVS trip yesterday.

Shopping Rundown... a little late!

2009-08-02T22:29:00.000-05:00

I meant to post this earlier so other people could take advantage of the deals, but yesterday was just a weird day.
Anyway, here are the deals I found this week.

Walgreens:

3 Starbucks Frappuchinos 4/$5 + $1/1 coupon on each = $0.25 each
4 Mars candy bars $0.49 each + $1/2 cpn = FREE
2 Scotch Mailing Envelopes $0.31 each + $0.50/1 cpn = $0.38 moneymaker
(These should have been $0.39 each, but they rang up full price and when the cashier corrected the price, he entered it wrong.)
Goody Ouchless Headband $3.39 + $1/1 cpn + Mail in rebate up to $3.99 = $1.00 moneymaker
Plus I had the 15% off total purchase Friends and Family coupon.

Total $2.60 OOP 87% savings
Mail in Rebate $3.39

Kroger

Kroger Lunchmeat 16 oz $3.49
Healthy Life 100% Whole Wheat Bread $1.29
Kroger Pre-cooked Bacon $2.49
3 DanActive Yogurt Drinks $1.88 +$1/1 cpn = $0.88 each
Pringles Stix $2.99 + $0.50 cpn (doubled) + $1.00 off PG offer = $0.99
Cheezit Crackers $1.49 + $0.75 cpn = $0.74
6 Hamburger Helpers 10/$10 + $0.75/3 cpn = $0.75 each. (I thought I had a Cellfire cpn for these, so they would have been $0.50 each, but I for some reason that didn't apply.)
Tide $5.88 + $1/1 cpn + $1 PG offer + $0.35 PG e-saver cpn = $3.53
Oral-B Toothbrush 10/$10 + $1/1 cpn = FREE
2 Old Spice Deoderants $2.33 + 1 $1/1 cpn + $2 PG offer + $1/2 PG e-saver cpn = $0.33 each
Secret Deoderant $2.33 + $1/1 cpn + $1 PG offer = $o.33
Always $2.99 + $0.50 cpn (doubled) + $1 PG offer + $0.50 PG e-saver cpn = $0.49
Always Infinity $3.99 + $1/1 cpn + $1 PG offer + $1 PG e-saver cpn = $0.99
3 Herbal Essences $2.99 each + B1G1 cpn + $1/1 cpn + $3 PG offer + $1 PG e-saver cpn = $0.33 each
2 Pantene $3.99 each + B1G1 cpn + $2 PG offer + $1 Pg e-saver cpn = $o.48 each
2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies $1.37 each + 2 $o.55 cpns = $O.82 each
Keebler Sandies Cookies $1.99 + $1/1 cpn = $0.99
Purex 3-in-1 $4.99 + $2/1 cpn = $2.99
Capri Sunrise $1.84 +$1/1 cpn = $0.84 (not on sale, but the cpn was expiring, and I wanted to use it)

Total $34.98 OOP 70% savings

That's part of my shopping this week. I'll post Food Lion, Publix, and CVS tomorrow. Those deals are still ongoing, so stay tuned. : )

Great Shopping Day!

2009-07-31T23:21:00.000-05:00

Today was a very productive shopping day! I went to Walgreens, Kroger, Food Lion, and Publix. I think my average savings were about 75%!! I'll post more details and maybe some pictures in the morning after I've gone over all the receipts.

First-Time Blogger

2009-07-29T21:26:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I decided to start a blog about my shopping adventures. I'm not sure exactly how this will work, but I guess we'll see what happens. I don't know if I'll actually keep up with this, but I wanted to try.
A little about me, I have two kids, Sam, 2, and Ella, almost 8 months. They keep me very busy. Sam is a bundle of energy and Ella is trying to learn to walk. I'm a mostly stay-at-home mom. I do some substitute work for an optometrist. It's usually only a day or two a month. My husband was unemployed for two months earlier this year, and it was a big motivation for me to tighten our grocery budget. My previous budget was $250 a month. My goal now is $40 a week. That's all our household supplies, diapers for two kids, dog food, groceries, everything. Most of the time I make it.
I'm hoping this blog will help other busy moms save money, and maybe more importantly, time. I don't shop at twelve different grocery stores, so I won't tell you to. Obviously, a lot of my deals will be regional, but maybe it will help motivate you to find your own deals.
Thanks for reading.