Friday, October 31

Costco Organic Tortilla Chips

I don't know about you, but we go through tortilla chips like they are nothing. We use them for taco salad, chips & salsa, with hummus, nachos, etc. I just made a trip to Costco earlier in the week and found....USDA Organic Tortilla Chips for $ 3.99!!! I just had them today at lunch for the first time. SO GOOD!

Sale/Price Comparison:
I saw that Ralph's had Mission (the chips we used to use, making a switch!) on sale 2 for $5. They are each a 28 oz bag.

2 bags = 56 oz, $5/56 oz will be price per oz. = $0.09/oz
Costco Chips = 40 oz , $3.99/40 = $0.10/oz

Both of these numbers, I rounded up...but I just wanted to compare the two prices. Very close when it comes down to it...I think I'm sold on the Costco chips. They are good and worth a try if you are looking for organic and go through chips like we do. =) ENJOY!

Wednesday, October 29

CVS Challenge @ Keeping the Kingdom First **UPDATED**

Here are a list of other people's scenarios for the CVS Challenge. Basically, the rules are spend $5 or less dollars out of pocket and roll your ECB's every week. I like to check them out to get an idea of what I would like to do! It's great to get a feel of the CVS program. There are some people who get amazing deals! Hope it helps. I will probably post my scenarios on here tomorrow!

***Here are my scenarios***

Transaction #1
Items:
$ 4.00 - 4 soyjoy bars @ $1 ea. (earn $4 ecb's)
$11.98 - 2 shavers @ $5.99 ea. (donate, earn $8 ecb's)
$ 5.00 - 1 Sudafed PE ($5 towards spend $20, earn $10)
$ 6.00 - 1 Theraflu ($6 towards above)
$ 4.00 - 2 packs of Ricola drops ($4.00 towards above)

Coupons:
- $5.00 $5 off $30 purchase (found this in my inbox! Wahoo)
-$10.00 ECB's that I have
- $1.00 BOGO soyjoy
- $4.00 2 $2 off shavers
- $1.50 any 1 sudafed PE
- $2.00 any 1 Theraflu (plus rebate available)
- $1.00 off 2 Ricolas

$ 6.48 Subtotal
$ 1.24 Tax
$ 7.72 OOP - Earn $12 in ECB's.

*Note: I have spent $15/$20 to get the $10...but I will get it next transaction!*

Transaction #2
Items:
$11.98 2 Arm & Hammer Detergents (BOGO)
$ 5.99 1 shavers @ $5.99 ea. (might keep for guests, earn $4 ecbs)
$ 5.00 1 Sudafed PE (makes $20 spent, earn $10 ecbs)

Coupons:
-$12.00 from current transaction ECB's
-$2.00 off 1 shaver
-$1.50 off 1 Sudafed PE
-$5.99 (the buy one, get one deal-A&H)

**Hoping to be able to print 2 Arm & hammer Q's off the web to sweeten this deal!!**

$1.48 subtotal
$ .39 tax
$1.87 OOP, earn $14 in ECB's

To to sum it up:
$22.00 ECB's spent
$26.00 ECB's Earned
$53.95 in product/sale prices
$ 9.58 Total OOP & eligable for Theraflu rebate, $4 I think ($6-$2 q offer says)

The Items:
Soyjoy - I have never had them, but I thought they were worth the try!
Shavers - We will donate 2 packs and I will keep one for when we have male visitors (mainly grandpa's - I think they are men's shavers)
Sudafed PE - We will use
Theraflu - Never had, but it's free after the rebate, we'll see
Ricola - We will use
Arm & hammer detergent - Love this stuff. My M-I-L had it when we went back to visit. Love the smell for some crazy reason!

Conclusion: We will more than like use all of this at some point or another. =) Hope this helps!

Coupon storage solutions

Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First was featured on the Wal-mart website with a preview of her coupon binder. She is also one of the 11 mom's that they are working with to help us save money and live better (their motto). I really like this idea, but I have not yet implemented it myself. I still use an expanded file folder, but I'm thinking about switching. Let me know what you think! Enjoy the video...Thanks Alyssa!!


Walmart Deals

Money Saving Mom has put together a list of Wal-mart deals. Be sure to check it out if you shop there regularly. I have gotten many items free there after coupons from checking out these deals. She also has links to IP (Internet Printables - Online Coupons that you can print out). Some of them are different prices as they vary from state to state, etc. Here are some from her site that I know are good. I have done them, especially the Green Giant steamers! They are quick, easy and cheap!

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers--$1.27
Use $1/1 from 9/7 General Mills insert
$0.27 after coupon

Johnson’s Buddies Bar Soap--$0.97 each
Buy 3 and u
se $3/3 coupon from 9/14 Smartsource insert
Free after coupon


Kraft Easy Mac--$0.75
Use
$1/2 printable or $1/2 coupon from 8/24 Smartsource insert
$0.25 each after coupon

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta--$1.50
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/14 or 10/5 Smartsource insert
$0.50 after coupon

Kotex pantiliners 16 or 18 ct.--$0.94 (might be diff.)
Use
$1/1 printable
Free after coupon

Mommy Snacks

I know some of you are eager to get a grasp on the Drugstore Game!?! Well, Andrea @ Mommy Snacks, has some amazing blogs on how to save money, coupon effectively and how to build a stockpile. She breaks them down into steps. So be sure to check her website out...she is on the blog roll on the right side! I'm so thankful I found her blog and am sure you will enjoy the information she provides. She has a post today on "Learn to Play the Drugstores". Go save some green!

Hot Off the Press - Free Burrito @ Chipotle

So, I just learned from Thifty & Chic Mom that if you dress up like a burrito this Friday, Halloween night from 6-close, you get a free burrito! So, throw on some aluminum foil if you don't have any dinner plans and get some free grub.

Tuesday, October 28

Vons 10/29-11/04 (Work in Progress)

vonsI heard Vons might double coupons, but I have never shopped there. I will just do face value, unless someone lets me know otherwise. I might try to contact them to find out. They do have some notable deals.

Weekend Only Sales (Sat & Sun Only):

Betty Crocker Cake Mix ~ $.59 each

All Week:
Pepsi & Coke 24 pack (w/ in-ad Q) ~ $4.49 plus CRV

Bertolli or Newman's Pasta Sauce ~ 2 for $5
~ Q $.60/1 any Bertolli Pasta Sauce
Doubled to a $1
= $1.50 each

Buy 5, Save $5 Kellogg's Cereal (Cheerios, Mini-Wheats,
Honey Bunches of Oats, Quaker Squares)
Makes them $1.99 each
Cheerios IP $1 off Q (only one a week though)


Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals for 2 ~ $4.99
**better deal than Albertsons!!!**
~ Q $1.50/1 any Meal for 2
= $3.49 each

Pillsbury Cookie Dough ~ 2 for $6
~ Q $1/2 any cookie dough
= $5 for 2

Orville Redenbacker's Popcorn ~ BOGO
~ Q $.40/1 Orville Popcorn
Doubled $.80 off
I think you can only use one on a buy one, get one deal

Duncan Hines Brownie Mix ~ 10 for $10

My Ralph's Deals 10/27

I took advantage of the 10/$10 deal at Ralphs this week!

$7.00 7 Kotex Liners ($1 each)
-7.00 (7 - $1/1 any kotex Q) = free
$4.00 4 Easy Mac ($1 each)
-2.00 ($1/2 easy mac Q) = $.50 each
$2.00 2 O-cello dishpads ($1 each)
-1.00 ($1/2 any ocello Q) = $.50 each
$3.00 2 Fleischmann's Yeast 2 for $3
-1.49 (bogo q) = $1.50 for 2
-1.00 Q have no idea what happened here
-0.50 catalina for the yeast from last time
$0.70 tax

= $3.71 OOP (out of pocket) fro $16 worth of product!
Cute Daughter in Pic = Priceless!
Earned 2 $.50 off your next order from the Fleischmann's!

Might go back for more O-cello pads...I like them!! Sale ends tonight though!

Ralph's Deals 10/29-11/04 (work in progress)

Here's what I like:

***remember Ralph's doubles coupons under $1 ***
I'm noting the doubling amount as D=
**$1 coupons are not doubled, but are face value**

Advertised Deals!

Large Creamy Hass Avocados ~ $.88

12 pk Coke, Diet Coke, CC Zero ~ 4 for $11 plus CRV

Tree Top 100% juice ~ 2 for $4
~Q $1/2 (exp 12/31)
= $3 for 2, $1.50 ea.

Purex Liq. Laundry Det. ~ $1.99
~ Q $.35/1 D=$.70 (exp 11/30)
= $1.29 each - awesome deal!
(I'm getting 3!)

International Delight Creamer (32 oz!!) ~ $1.99
~ Q $.55/1 D=$1 (i believe)
= $.99 each (great price for the size)

Campbell's Soups (includes Cream of Mushroom in the picture) ~ 10 for $10
~ Q $.40/2 any condensed soups (excludes ck noodle, tomato or creams) D=$.80/2
= $1.20 for 2, $.60 each
~ Q $.25/3 Creams D=$.50/3
= $2.50 for 3

If you like the sweets!!

Pop-Tarts ~ 2 for $4
~ Q $.55/1 D=$1.00 (exp 12/7)
= $1.00 each

Pillsbury Cressent or Sweet Rolls ~ 2 for $4
~ I think there are internet Q's out there bigger than $ amount I have
~Q $.30/1 D= $.60 (sweet rolls - exp 1/3/09)
~Q $.50/1 from shortcuts.com (loadable Q) I think you can only use once.
= $.90 for one
~Q $.35/1 D=$.70 (crescent dinner rolls - exp 11/29)
= $1.30 each

Betty Crocker Pouch Cookie Mix ~ 2 for $4
~Q $.40/1 D=$.80 on 17.5 or larger
= $1.20 each

Don't forget to check your Clipper Magazine for $5 off a $75 purchase!
~This could be used before all your other coupons!

Albertsons 10/29-11/04 (work in progress)

Here's what stands out to me:

3 day only sale (10/29-10/31):

Coke, Pepsi or 7up ~ 4 for $11 plus CRV
~in-ad Q

$.99 Albertson Russet Potatoes w/ $10 purchase
~in-ad Q


All week sale:

Decent Chicken Sale ~ $.99/lb Split chicken breast with bone-in.
(Great for crock potting and making chicken salad ~ Add some mayo, (possibly slivered almonds, craisins or grapes and enjoy!

Pillsbury Cake Mix ~ 10 for $10
~ Q $.40/1 any cake/brownie or frosting (exp. 11/30)
= $.60 each

Pillsbury Frosting ~ 3 for $5
~ Q $.50/1 any one tub
= $1.17 each

Fleischmann's Yeast ~ 2 for $3
~ Q BOGO (used it yesterday...sorry)
= $1.50 for 2

Ronzoni (includes Smart Taste) ~ 4 for $5
~ Q $1/1 any Smart Taste Pasta
= $ .25 each

Sun-Maid Raisins (mini snacks-14 pk) ~ 10 for $10
~ Q $1/2 any 6 pk or mini snacks (exp. 11/30)
= $.50 each

Albertsons Croutons ~ 10 for $10
~ haven't tried them, but good price

Birds Eye Steamfresh Meal for 2 ~ 5.99
~ Q $1.50/1 (exp. 11/22)
= $4.49 each
I have not personally tried these yet!

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage ~ 2 for $6
~ Q $1/2 (exp. 11/30)
= $5 for 2

Duncan Hines Oven Ready Brownies ~ 2 for $6
~ $.75/1 note: in freezer section (exp. 11/09)
= $2.25 each

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Cups & Haagen-Dazs ~ 10 for $10
YUMMY!

Welcome, Join me in the Learning the Frugal Ropes

Welcome!! I'm so excited to be doing this! I have been literally obsessed with coupons lately. I just can't believe there is a whole other world out there. I am hoping this helps at least one person! I know these times are hard for many. I pray that God would use this to His Glory and will help me use this wisely. Let me know what you think!!