Harris Teeter Redeems Itself (but that is not what this post is about)

I didn't want to leave HT in the limelight for too long... Today Andy and I enjoyed doubled coupons and only spent $55 on $134 of goods!  But, as mentioned in the title, that's not what this post is about...

This post is about these hilarious commercials for Hotelplanner.com (which we will have to use the next time we need rooms to see if they really are cheaper than Top Secret Hotels...).

Also, I am sick of clouding up the family blog with coupon schtuff.  So, I will be starting a new blog specifically focused on couponing.  Add if your interested, if not, you don't have to weed through that topic to get to our family's personal stuff.

Have a great week!

Harris Teeter Disappointment...

So, yesterday was my first day of double coupon spending... I scanned all the blogs for prices and deals, ordered the corresponding coupons in bulk so that I could stock up on products... Everything a good couponer is supposed to do.  I wrote down in my brand new notebook all the deals with their original price - coupon doubled = net total.  I spent hours at HT with Emma (not an easy task) trying to find the exact specifications for product size, amount, etc... Needless to say, I did not notice some of my coupons said "Do Not Double" until I was already at the store... Dealing with angry cashiers who had to take all my coupons and call a manager for the DNDs... How was I supposed to know?
Anyway, I ended up saving about 50% on things that I didn't really need... I mean, $70 of stuff for about $35 is pretty cool, but we still don't have many of the normal food items we've come to rely on.  It was also kind of annoying that the prices I got from blogs did not match up with the in-store pricing, so items that should have been free were not, certain prices were just assumed from Buy One Get One Free (BOGO), etc.  All of these combined to the cold, cruel reality, that the deals I was expecting simply were not there.
Now, today we are expecting our ordered bulk coupons knowing that many of the deals we were expecting to use them on do not exist.  I am very disappointed in Harris Teeter... Besides their overly strict coupon restrictions (Can only buy 4 of the same item with doubled coupons, can only use 2 printed internet coupons for 2 same products at a time, no cash back, the list goes on...) I'm realizing that HT is just an overpriced hoity toity paradise.  I can do without, thanks.

I am redirecting my gaze on drugstores and Target... The two that I have had good experiences with so far (Remember my recent CVS pull?).  I also redeemed the HT day by getting a brand new Lysol no-touch antibacterial hand soap dispenser for practically nothing at CVS... Yay for Extra Bucks!  I'll include the specs below.

Lysol no-touch antibacterial hand soap dispenser  $12.99
Coupon -$3.00
Extra Bucks: $6.99
I paid mostly with already accrued EB, and had to pay about 69 cents tax.  Beware!  If using EB, the total amount printed has to be used.  For instance, I tried to use a $2.50 EB to pay the extra $.69, but the cashier could not take it since the total amount of EB must be used at the same time (in other words, it's not like a gift card).
Living and learning, living and learning.....  Here's to looking up and paying attention! 

Totally Came Up With This...

Just glad someone got it going... Clipping coupons is so... 20th century?

Cellfire.com is a great website that lets you save coupons to your store card just by clicking.  Those coupons are then automatically applied at checkout.  You can also load coupons onto your cell phone to show at checkout.  *Loves when a little genius breaks the monotony*

Emma Helps Out/R2D2 Cake/Pirate Princess

Just some pictures of what has been going on lately.  I don't want this to become solely a couponing blog! :/  The main point is still to keep up with family and friends and to show how Emma is growing and learning.  I can tell that she will be a very good helper.  This past week she has taken to getting the broom for me whenever I leave the laundry room door open...  It was very sweet to see her try to do it all by herself!
Also, Andy did the first test-run for his R2D2 cake, the one he wanted for his birthday!  I had originally planned on doing a Death Star... and feel like that could have been tackled a little more easily!  Oh well, you live and you learn.  R2D2 is currently parked in our freezer waiting for Andy's big day. :)
You might be wondering why I called the third photo segment "Pirate Princess."  Well, none of the photos with her arm inside the paper towel roll actually turned out... Darn!  I will try to snag it if she hasn't already lost interest, it was super cute!

Today's Pull from CVS

Hello bloggers!  Today, I shopped at CVS.  First, I did my research from Frugalishus.com here the night before.  I was set to buy more things than I ended up buying.  Due to the store's inventory (they didn't have any Lysol hand-free dispensers!) and confusion on what candies were eligible for the Hershey's offer, this is my final receipt:

Reach Floss Mint Flavored $1.00
-$1.00 off coupon

Free!

Zantac 150 24 ct. $8.99
-$5.00 coupon
$3.99+
$3.00 Extra Bucks (EB)

Pantene Expressions Blonde 13.5 oz. $4.99
-$2.00 coupon
$2.99+
$2.50 EB

Glade Oil Dispenser $.99
-$1.00 coupon

Free!

Allegra Allergy Adult 5 ct. $6.99
-$2.00 coupon
$4.99+
$6.99 EB

Just Basics Liquid Dishsoap 25 oz.  $1.00

Crest Complete Mouthwash 500 M. $3.49
-$1.00 coupon
$2.49+
$2.50 EB

If you will notice, I made some money from some of these purchases.  For instance, for the Allegra Allergy medicine, I made $2 just for taking it out of the store.  Not sure what CVS policy is on this, but I wonder what would happen if that was all that I bought?  I have heard of cashiers having to pay customers in situations like this, although it is frowned upon.  I would probably just use the extra money to cover some little things that I needed, like I did today.

Anyway, the grand totals are:
Subtotal before coupons (reg. price): $33.83
Subtotal before coupons (with sale prices): $27.45
Subtotal after coupons: $15.45
Tax: $.57
Total: $16.02
Extra bucks earned: $14.99
Total spent realistically: $1.03

Keep in mind, these "Extra Bucks" are money that I can use the next time I shop at CVS, say, when next weeks deals come out or they finally get that Lysol no-touch soap system in stock (*Hint hint, CVS).  Yes, you will have to pay for it initially to start receiving EB, but once you start the cycle, it will literally pay for itself.

Stay tuned for more shopping trips!  (And I have some super cute pictures of Emma I have to post!)

Hello bloggers! On Making Money From Home

This Lent thing is actually a good thing for me... Since I'm not wasting as much time scanning the RSS Feeds on facebook, I know have time to actually update this blog on a daily basis!  I hear that is the fastest way to build interest in your blog, and I would like to see what I can do.  After all, I am a SAHM (Stay-at-home-mom) now, so why not?  I am currently researching ad sites to try to make some money from the site.  I will do a piece on this once I have accumulated some more information for you.

Right now, I'm still going on the couponing!  Hallelujah that next week is double coupon week at Harris Teeter!  I am looking forward to getting Hawaiian Rolls for free... yes, you heard it- free.
**Kings Hawiian Rolls 4 ct $1.39-$1 insert from 12/12 RP exp 3/31 = FREE

I am getting to know some useful couponing sites... I will enter these for anyone interested in getting started:

thekrazycouponlady.com - This is the lady who inspired me to start couponing in the first place!  I saw her first on TLC's Extreme Couponing and she actually gave the impression that you could do this and not be "crazy."  You have to watch the show to know what I'm talking about... She has a book out and a one week guide to "Becoming a Krazy Coupon Lady."  One thing I will never do that she endorses - dumpster diving for coupons.

Blogs that help keep me updated on weekly deals:
Couponmakeover.com
Frugalishus.com
Couponkeri.com

Websites that offer free, printable coupons!!! 
Coupons.com
Redplum.com
Smartcource.com - Be careful of this one.  Be sure that the offers you click on are actual coupons before printing, otherwise you will print out full-page, full-color ads that are a waste of time, paper, ink, and patience!  This is the only coupon site I have come across so far that makes a practice of this.

Awesome website that breaks all description!!!
Couponmom.com - Featured on CNN, The Today Show, and Oprah, this site has the most expansive collection of stores prices in areas all across the US.  When combined with the coupons found in the three top circulars - Red Plum, Super Saver, and P&G, this website will greatly save you time by pointing out the best deals and how to get them.  I strongly recommend watching the tutorial videos first!
I am still a relative "newbie" to all of this, so I will be updating you all if I find anything else out.  I just have to say, if you are a SAHM, recently married, or just have a lot of time on your hands and want to save money, couponing is one of the most rewarding games you will ever play.  There are even opportunities to make money.  For instance, this is a quote from the newly updated Walmart coupon policy:
"If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase." 
This is an example of such a deal for CVS as posted on Couponkeri's site:
Allegra Allergy 5ct $6.99 Get $6.99 ECB Limit 1
$2 Allegra Allergy, off 5-15ct Printable OR Printable
$2 Allegra 24 hr, 5 ct & 15ct, 12hr ,12ct, Allegra-D 12hr, 10ct, Allegra-D 24hr, 5 ct or any Childrens SS 3/7/2011
Free + $2 MM after coupon/ecb  

Ok,  let this serve as an introduction to the wide world of acronyms in couponing...  Good luck.  I will let you know that MM means 'Money Maker', meaning that CVS will pay you $2 for taking advantage of this deal.  That's right, folks, they will pay you money to get this stuff off their hands.  Why haven't I heard of this before?!  I will also let you know that deal is on for the week of 3/20 - 3/26, so get shopping, peeps!

Just kidding!  No, faithful bloggers, I will guide you through these acronyms, or, instead, point you to someone well-versed on the subject - Coupon Keri!  (I think she is my new favorite couponing blog!)
List of acronyms

This is just a sample of the acronyms... I'm sure that other sites and users have their own crazy shortcuts!   

Alright, people, so this is my basic run-down of Couponing.  There will be updates later and, of course, there are many different ways to make money at home!  If you have young children or have a special little person in your life, consider giving them or joining their Upromise account!  Upromise.com takes a percentage of the purchases you make every day and puts it into an account (set up by the parent) for their college!  You can split it between two or more children as well, and get as many people as possible to help you save up for your child's education!


Please see my last post for more on how to save money using social spending...  I am afraid that if I put anything more in here that I will have overwhelmed and all my reader's heads will explode with their new found knowledge.  One final tip - If you plan on getting serious about couponing, try focusing on one or a few stores to begin with.  Otherwise, it is easy to get overwhelmed and give up.  It is with this that I leave you!  Happy shopping, everyone!

Excitement and the Need to Share!

Ok, so as most of you may or may not know I recently gave up facebook for Lent.  Granted, I came to this decision a few days after Lent traditionally begins, but so what?  I'll continue it the same number of days after Easter...  Anyway.

 

I am springing with full force into saving money to help Andy and I afford a house when he gets out of the Navy.  I have been couponing (Happy to report I've saved about $30 so far!  It's small now, but I hope that with practice that number will get larger with the amount of time I spend diminishing).  I've been looking into social spending (ie- Groupon, Living Social, Gaggle of Chicks) as well.  Now, to the point!  Today's Groupon was something called the Arganica Farm Club Deal.  I have to admit that I've been looking for something like this for a while.  The Groupon is $25 for a one month subscription to their home delivery service.  "What do they deliver?" you might ask.  Well, locally grown organic fruits and vegetables, locally made artisinal breads, delicious olive oils and cheeses, and antibiotic-free hormone-free meats and milk!  I am in seventh heaven right now, I just have to convince Andy that it is a good deal.
Arganica also has a "milk shares" program that is very good, except for the fact that you must pay up front for a years worth of milk ($439 for natural milk, $499 for organic; requires membership to 365 plan).  For that, you get 100 1/2 gallons of milk (they come in a returnable glass container!) throughout the year.  For our area, they only deliver every Sunday morning.  This might be problematic since my family is affectionately NOT morning people, we normally don't go to bed until 3 AM, so anything delivered in the morning usually does not make it to us...  But I would do it if it meant having locally produced food delivered to my door.  Do you know anyone who actually enjoys grocery shopping?
Another positive to this would be that it would force me to accommodate fruits and vegetables I might not normally buy on my own.  This would, in turn, expose my family to new exciting, tastes and textures.  Hip hip hooray for growing!
Anyway, the site offers recipes for that weeks offerings.  I think that the Groupon is well worth it, since we normally spend less than that on produce for the month with our current budget.  Then we would be able to decide if it is really for us.  The 365 plan really isn't that expensive, only $250 for a whole year of produce and more delivered to my door?  Yes, please!  (We would probably spend that much in 5-6 months by ourselves)

So, I realize that most of you do not live nearby to take advantage of this particular company, but there are many more companies like Arganica that will deliver locally grown, organic produce to your door!  It's always something I wanted to try and I am thankfully that we finally live in a place that has these services available.

Over and out!  :)

Kristen