Another Great Shopping Trip at Walmart + Important Lesson Learned

I fanned out my reciepts on the belt after my items to make sure no coupons were stuck together.

The cashier made the belt move forward and the belt ate 3 of my coupons.

Lesson learned.....don't put them on the belt!

The Schick slim twin razor packs are the gift that keeps giving......just like before - inside every pack is a coupon for $3 off a pack (Walmart price $1.97) = $1 money maker for every pack you buy!

As for the Cover Girl makeup......the $8 off 2 is the most fabulous coupon ever!

I almost have the complete Cover Girl fall collection!

The Chex mix packets were FREE so I took a few!

Listerine Total Care Zero at Walgreens

I used the $2 off coupon (no longer available)

http://forthemommas.com/coupons/listerine-coupons-4-new-printable-coupons

50% off at Wags = $2.84 total price .....only $0.84 after coupon + tax

for every one I purchased it gave me a $2 off catalina

which I turned right back around & bought another bottle with

After going to 4 different Wags - I ended up with 6 bottles and still came home with 3 catalinas

8 Coupons in the Mail Today

You can request coupons via email http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/got-coupons-master-list

What To Do With Your Expired Coupons

Do NOT Throw away your expired coupons!!!! Put them to good use and send them to Military Families overseas!!! They can use them up to 6 months past due.

Every 4 to 6 weeks Jackie  sends coupons to military families overseas. They do so much for us,it is the least we can do to repay them for their sacrifices!!!!You can mail your expired coupons to Jackie and she will get them all together and send them overseas to our AWESOME military & their families!!! Please send them to :

Jackie Adams
HC 74 Box 3311
Chapmanville, WV 25508

Rainchecks

What is a rain check?
A rain check is a certificate that will allow you to purchase the item advertised at a later date for the sale price! In other words, it extends the sale for that particular item until the store restocks and you can purchase the item.

Ask for a substitution
If a store is out of stock of an advertised item, you would be surprised to learn that often if you ask, they will give you the advertised price on a different superior item! This happened last week when my local grocery store had Lysol Wipes on sale for $1.50. I had coupons for $1 off two Lysol wipes which would have made them $1 each if I had purchased two of them. They were out of stock, so I asked a manager if he would substitute Clorox wipes instead. He said, "Absolutely." This deal became even better because I had coupons for $1 off one Clorox wipe which made them only $.50 each!! By simply asking for a substitution and being prepared with my coupons, I was able to save even more money.

Obtaining a Rain Check
Generally rain checks are obtained at the customer service desk. Bring the ad to the desk with you and ask for a raincheck there. Different stores issue rain checks differently. Some put them on receipt paper while others hand write them on store cards. Often times if you ask the representative at the desk for a rain check, they will call to the back of the store to check and see if they have any more of the product in stock. Also, double check your rain checks once they are issued. Even the most experienced store employees will get confused from time to time. A good habit to get into is to cut out and staple the advertised price from the ad to the rain check so there are no questions later.

Couponing Common Mistakes

Not reading the small print. 
You have to read that small print or you will make a mistake. Remember to read the small print on the coupon as well as the small print in the sale ad.

Getting the wrong size/product instead of the correct one.
It goes back to not reading the small print OR reading the shelf tag and not realizing that you picked up the WRONG item! Try to match UPCs with the shelf tag or find a price scanner.

Using an expired coupon.

Forgetting to bring coupons with you on your shopping trips.  

SOL on this one unless you just forgot them in your pocket. If so, go to customer service and tell them and they will give you cash for all your coupons.

Not waiting for a better deal.I just bought something last week for what I thoought was an amazing price and now this week they are even cheaper somewhere else.

Not watching the cashier to see if they scanned the coupon.

I always know how many coupons I'm using and I count them on the receipt as I'm walking out of the store. Some receipts will say # of items purchased/coupons used but alot do not.

Coupon Lingo

B1G1 or BOGO - Buy One Get One FreeB5G1 - Buy FIVE Get One Free
Blinkie - SmartSource machine with a red blinking light on it. Coupons are thus referred to as ‘ Blinkies’
CAT/CATALINA - Coupon that prints from a Catalina machine at the register.

ECB - Extra Care Buck (earned at CVS)
ENVIE - Envelope
ES - Easy Saver, seen at Walgreens rebate booklet
ETS - Excludes Trial Sizes
EX or X. - Expires on
FAR - Free after rebate

IP – Internet Printable coupon

IVC - Instant value coupons - seen in Walgreens rebate booklet

MFR - Manufacturer
MIL - Mother in law
MIR - Mail In Rebate
MM - Money Making Deal

MQ - Manufacturer coupon

Q – Coupon

SS - Smart Source (Sunday Booklet Coupons)
STACKING - Often stores will allow the use of more than one coupon per item, IF the coupon itself does not restrict such usage. (Usually store Q + mfr Q)
TEARPAD - A pad of forms/coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display
TMF - Try Me Free - mail in rebate for full amount of product
WAGS - Walgreens
WSL - While supplies last
WYB - When You Buy

There are plenty more but this is all you really you need to know.

Great Deals

My stockpile as of today

This does not include all the toilet paper and paper towels I have in my closet

This is alot of the deals I have gotten since I started extreme couponing just a few months ago.

It is not inclusive and I can't tell you what exact coupon I used for each deal.....too much to remember!

KY FREE

o-Celo $0.50 each

Schick Hydro FREE

FREE: Quattro razor,ThermaCare, Soft Soap, Excedrin

$0.50/bag popcorn

 Almost all FREE

All Completely FREE

Prevacid $11 (regularly $20)

Cotton Candy $1

Everything else was FREE

I had a $1 off coupon (PDF so I could print as many as I wanted) and I bought them ALL

I had a $2 off coupon (PDF so I could print as many as I wanted) and I bought them ALL

I donated most of the post its to a collection Walgreens had for schools

Everything was FREE

FREE

This was my favorite shopping trip ever.

The post it tabs were on sale for $1.50 and I had a $2 off coupon for all of them

Walmart  PAID ME $13 to take them home

Chex Mix & Bugles $0.50 each

Hair Color $1.50 each

Ritz - got coupon for them when I scanned my card at the CVS machine in the store

Everything else was FREE

I have so much extra freebies that I have put together a few toiletry "care" bags

to bring to the homeless shelter

Each bag contains:

toothbrush - in white dental wrappers that I got 50 of them for $1 at IDEA store

Old Spice shower gel

disposable razor

toothpaste

dental piks

shampoo & conditioner  - in small clear tubes that I also got for pennies at the IDEA store

My Coupon Binder

Binder purchased used for $3 at ReStore 

 I got a ton of photo sleeves at ReStore for ~$1 total

I find it helps to have paper behind each coupon

I DO NOT BRING MY BINDER to the store but most people do 

My binder holds all of the coupons that I have

I also have some baseball card sleeves which is what most people use

I like the 4x6 photo sleeves better - coupons fit easier

 Instead of my binder I bring this purple accordion thingy

It contains all the coupons of items I would buy

(ie. my Efferdent coupons don't need to come to the store with me)

It fits in my extra large purse and is easier to find things

I also bring this small accordion thingy divided by store

After I make my lists for each store I put my coupons for that store in it's corresponding slot

When I'm looking at the ads I write down the things I might buy on this list

This helps me to calculate how much OOP (out of pocket) I have to pay

after RR (register rewards) and ECB (extra care bucks)

Other things in my binder:

calculator, pens, scratch paper, weekly sale ads



FREE 16 x 20 inch print at Walmart

Here's the printable coupon expires 10/31
http://www.wickedcooldeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/walmartposter.jpg

Go online and download your photo
Place your order online - next day/same day pickup
Pay in store

I already have 3....I went to 2 different Walmarts
1st Walmart: it rang up as $12 and I only had to pay $0.88 tax
2nd Walmart: it rang up as $10 (2 different times) and they didn't make me pay anything

I got my frames from Restore for $0.50!

Free Coupons in the Mail

More coupons came in the mail today.

I requested coupons just a couple of days ago from a few companies off this list.

I only got thru the B's and I stopped. I need to start the C's soon.

http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/got-coupons-master-list

Extreme Couponing at PetSmart

• 2 bags Science Diet - used 2 $10 off coupons purchased on eBay for $5 each
• 2 bags Purina ProPlan - used 2 $10 off coupons purchased on eBay for $2 each
• 1 bag Authority - used $5 off coupon from the Authority website
• 6 cans - all FREE with coupons found on shelf in front of food
• TOTAL: $ 3.32
• If I would have known about the $5 off $25 worth of food coupon from the PetSmart Facebook page then PetSmart would have had to pay me ~$1 (you must "like" them on FB to get coupon)

These are the coupons I purchased on eBay:    ***You can get a coupon for anything on eBay***

• 5 Purina Proplan coupons (one already used prior to pik) worth $10 each - $50 value for only $10 
• 5 Science Diet coupons worth $10 each - $50 value for only $20

Coupons By Request

Got these in today's mail just b/c I emailed the company & requested free coupons

Here is a link for a master list of companies to contact by email to request coupons:
http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/got-coupons-master-list

Walmart: 47 items for $7.48 TOTAL

• 2 pk Reach toothbrushes     sale price $1.97      $2 off coupon  = FREE
• 4 Ban deodorants $1.57 each but after 2 BOGO coupons + 2 $1 off coupons  = $1.14 total for all 4
• 8 Schick disposable razors 12 ct value packs $1.97 ea = $15.76 but after FOUR $6 off 2 coupons  = FREE + $8.24 overage (BONUS - $3 coupon inside ea one)                                                          ****I went with 3 coupons and found 1 on the shelf next to the razors****
• 28 Tide single load travel packs   $0.97 each
• Cat treats $1.42 but $0.42 after $1 off coupon
• Cat treats $1.97 but FREE with purchase of above 
• Idahoan Potatoes $1.00 but FREE after coupon
• Frigo cheese sticks $3.48 but $2.98 after $0.50 coupon
• 3 yards of fabric at $1.50 each yd = $4.50
• 2 cans of fruit $1.34
• Febreeze Set & Refresh $2.66 - $1 off coupon = $1.66
• 16 x 20 print FREE after coupon exp 10/31/11 (order online & pay in store)    http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/38/walmartposter.jpg

Subtotal before tax $1.89  &  after tax   $7.48 total

Almost FREE Authority Cat Food

Get the $5 off any bag of cat or dog food printable coupon off of their website
http://authoritypetnutrition.com/?kw=authority
Cat food is $5.99 at PetSmart for a 4 lb bag with a Pet Perks card
After the coupon you pay only $1.02 after tax
This coupon is good thru the end of 2011
You do not have to be a new customer to use the coupons

If you "Like" PetSmart on the PetSmart Facebook page you can print a $5 off of $25 coupon that you can use with 5 Authority coupons to get 24 lbs for less than
$1 TOTAL

You could also use either or both coupons towards the purchase of dog food. The dog food is close to $10 for a small bag. You can also get the cat food as treats for your dog. I don't recommended giving more than 10 kibbles per day to a dog (make sure to get adult cat food and not the high fat kitten food)

Extreme Couponing

Blogs:   (these can be set up as a LIST on Facebook & viewed all in one place - see below on how to set up a Facebook list)
·         http://www.centsablemomma.com/
·         http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/
·         http://couponkatarina.com/
·         http://www.couponingfor4.net/
·         http://dealseekingmom.com/
·         http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
·         http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/
·         http://frugallivingandhavingfun.com/
·         http://hip2save.com/
·         http://www.jessicascoupons.com/
·         http://www.mashupmom.com/
·         http://www.mavenofsavin.com/
·         http://mojosavings.com/
·         http://www.obsessivecoupondisorder.com/
·         http://www.passionforsavings.com/
·         http://www.savingeveryday.net/
·         http://thecoupontrainer.com/
·         http://www.thefrugalfamily.org/
·         http://thriftytiff.com/
·         http://www.wheelndealmama.com/
·         http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/
·         http://www.smartcouponing.com/
·         http://www.iheartcvs.com/
·         http://www.iheartthemart.com/
·         http://livingrichwithcoupons.com/
·         http://www.mypetsavings.com/
·         http://www.theshoppersapprentice.com/
·         http://www.totallytarget.com/
·         http://www.iheartsavingmoney.com/

Just type in these on FB to find their pages:

• Money Saving Amanda
• Coupon Queen
• Frugal Freebies
• Super Coupon Lady
• Mommy's Money Saving Obsession
• Moms Saving Money
• Tanga
• Our Coupon Home
• Crazy Coupon Mommy
• Coupon Centsation Fan Page
• Queen Bee Coupons & Savings
• Coupon Connections
• Cuckoo For Coupon Deals
• The Kouponista
• FabuLESSly Frugal
• Coupon Cousins
• Coupon Mama
• Our Coupon Home
• Saving Everyday
• Moms Saving Money
• Frugal Fabulous Finds
• My Coupon Lady
• Coupon Cabin
• Money Saving Mindy
• Smart Couponing
• Coupon Mamacita
• Coupon Connections
• Frugal Girls
• Moms Saving Money
• Krazy Clippers
• Frugal Mom Rocks

Othe websites - some do not have a Facebook page so they can’t be set up on a LIST

• http://www.iheartwags.com/ - can view the upcoming Walgreens circular in advance
• http://www.iheartcvs.com/ - can view the upcoming CVS circular in advance
• http://carolscrittercorner.com/#axzz1ZRZ5QwyE
• http://couponcravings.com/
• http://www.couponmom.com/
• http://coupon-wizards.com/

To purchase coupons: (also check eBay)

• http://www.thecouponoutlet.com/
• http://www.insertinsanity.com/servlet/StoreFront
• http://www.couponsthingsbydede.com/
• http://couponcarryout.com/

         

To see what coupons will be in the upcoming Sunday paper:

• http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/ - can get the lists emailed to you weekly

To locate online coupons:

• http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/lrwc-coupon-database

Other Sites:

• http://www.afullcup.com/meijer-coupon-generator   - Meijer coupons
• http://www2.dollargeneral.com/Ads-and-Promos/Coupons/pages/Index.aspx - Dollar General
• http://coupons.target.com/ - Target coupons
• http://www.allyou.com/coupons-deals/  - All You coupons
• http://www.cellfire.com/affiliate/fullpage.php?cf_tlc=dgs
• http://www.couponmom.com/
• http://www.redplum.com/coupons.aspx?t1id=1118&t2id=1118&t1=grocery&t2
• http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=QKMLBTO57RA5I

Best Zip Codes to use when looking for coupons:  

• 90210 
• 20210
• 77477
• 45435

How Set Up A List on Facebook:

• Home page
• Column on LEFT - "LISTS"
• Hover over LISTS and "More" will display to the right of it - click on it
• Your lists will display in the middle of the page
• Facebook has already set up a few categories
• Click "Create a list" on the TOP (towards the RIGHT)
• Give your list a name such as "Deals" or "Couponing"
• on the TOP RIGHT under "On this list" - click in the box that says add friends to list
• type in the name of the couponing sites you want to follow (****NOTE: you need to have already clicked "Like" on each of their Facebook pages 1st - do this by going to their website and looking for the Facebook link - may just be an "F" on home page - click on the link and when the Facebook page pops up click on "Like" in the square at the top of the page)

Great Stores:
Restore - Habitat for Humanity      http://www.cuhabitat.org/restore/index.php

 3 floors - everything but clothing

• Basement: tools, hardware, outdoor, sporting goods, cabinets, paint, misc
• 1st: furniture, floor lamps, computers, TVs
• 2nd floor: office supplies, books, sheets, table lamps, sewing supplies, pictures, plates, pots, pans, holiday décor, home decor
• Inventory constantly changing – I go 1-2x/wk
• This is where I got my coupon binder for $3 & tons of plastic inserts/coupon sleeves for $1 total
• Most things are used but  sometimes you find new things also
• Mon – Sat 10-5
• Free parking lot adjacent to bldg

IDEA Store      http://the-idea-store.org/

• Store for reusing/recycling materials to make crafts, art or anything
• Odd hours: Tues – Fri 2-7pm & Sat 10-3pm
• Have classes
• Great resource for teachers
• Super cheap – paper goods priced on weight
• Paper, binders, pens/pencils/markers, stamps, envelopes, cardboard, material, lots of interesting things

Salvation Army

• at the end of August they do a $5 bag sale on all summer clothing - large brown paper grocery bag (may do an end of winter sale - individual stores decide) - great way to get a whole new wardrobe for yourself or your kids
• get their monthly calendars (on the counter) to see upcoming sale dates

Cottonelle Deal at Walgreens - started today Oct 7, 2011

Buy 2 Cottonelle 12 pks - must be the purple ones - for $5 each
Use $1 off coupon (pg 12 from Wags Oct coupon booklet - in store by weekly circular or just ask cashier) - it will deduct $1 for each 12 pk
Use 2 other Cottonelle coupons from web (see link below) or from Sunday inserts (if you got them)
$5 x 2 = $10 - $2 (from booklet) = $8 - $0.50 x 2 printable coupons from web
http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?bt=vi&tqnm=qj1tdcw41685089&o=55011&c=KC&p=cRdOCWhv
= $7 OOP (out of pocket) and you will get $3 RR (register rewards towards your next purchase of anything at Wags except Cottonelle)

Total cost: $2 per 12 pk NO LIMIT so you can stock up as much as you want
This is the BEST deal on TP I've seen since I started couponing a few months ago.
My Wags had them displayed in front of the store by the registers - they will go fast so hurry to get yours!