Thank you!

Did you see me in the paper?

That was so strange for me to see my face staring right back at me! Thank you all for your sweet emails and your support. Its been fun being able to talk about food storage and couponing. I had a dream of getting to be famous for couponing and food storage and after this week, I realized I really hate being in the spotlight. I wasn't always that way. Maybe it has happened with time. At any rate, going private has been a really great thing. I feel a WHOLE lot stressed, I am spending a LOT LESS time on the internet (contemplating that maybe I was addicted), and I am able to now focus on my family more which has been this nagging feeling in the back of my mind. I like the idea of helping anyone I can save money and also realize that there is a living prophet on the earth today who has cautioned us to stay out of debt and save and stock up and put families first.

While I am fully aware that after the fabulous article, I should STAY and KEEP GOING, I like the idea of finishing "on top" :) And I like even more the idea of reading books to my baby rather than couponing blogs.

This week at the Stores

Hi there,

Here is the grocery roundup. I am in the middle of some crafting projects so you will have to visit Saving with Shellie.

Kroger

Randalls

Randalls/Safeway is having a good cereal sale this week. Let me know how your shopping goes!

$3 Reabte on Filtrete

Our filter needed replacing... bad. I remember seeing somewhere a rebate for Filtrete Filters. So, I bought my product and came home to get my rebate. This is for $3 off of a 1000 MPR filter, which is NOT the one I got because I think it is still to expensive and we don't currently have any reason to buy the 100 MPR. But... if you buy the 1000 MPR filter, you can save $3 here!

Coupon Terms. Part One

The first part is couponing is being able to speak the language. And in the world of couponing, there is one all its own. Hopefully, this step will make it easier for everyone. In anticipation of upcoming steps, here are a few things that will be addressed:

• Coupon terms and abbreviations
• Where to find coupons
• Organization tips and tricks
• Lists and meal planning
• Stacking coupons and price matching

I will also cover food storage and freezing and storing in upcoming weeks

Part One:

On any typical week, if you are one to frequent this blog or any others dedicated to couponing, more often than not you will read something like this-

Betty Crocker Cake Mix $1.99

$1/1 RP 9/20 or here

Final cost=.99

What this is saying is that Betty Crocker Cake Mix is currently priced at $1.99.

There is a coupon for $1 off of 1 cake mix found in two places. The first place is in the newspaper insert from September 20. (the coupon insert that comes in the Sunday Paper). Each week the paper has generally two inserts, sometimes more. The two inserts are called Red Plum (RP) and Smart Source (SS). So, this coupon can be found in the Red Plum insert.

The coupon can also be found at the second place, labeled "here". Generally this will be a link to an outside source, such as cellfire.com or coupons.com or even at BettyCrocker.com. This is sometimes dependent on when you access this outside website. Meaning, it may not be there or the coupon may have reached it coupon limit. This has happened to me many times. It is a sad thing. :(

Now, by using one of these coupons, you are able to get the cake mix for just .99 plus tax. That is already 50% off your groceries! Way to go! I hope this made sense. I know it can be overwhelming to starting out but you will be a pro in no time flat!

3 and 3

In lieu of my success at coupons from companies, I thought I would let you have the same chance.

Here are three places to go for a freebie

Memory Fx

Quick and Thrifty eBook

Kirkland Diaper Sample

And three companies to email.

Dryers

Luvs

Digorno Pizza

In the paper today!

My husband left for work.. or so I thought. I half-way heard feet running and realized they were getting closer. THEN... the door flew back open and he says "LOOK!" Sure enough, I was looking right back at myself in the Spring/Tomball/Klein edition of todays paper. The wonderful hubby left to go get more papers... :)

Why you matter

Last week I had an unfortunate event. I was WAY overcharged. I think part of me was already almost at the end of my nerves and something snapped. I decided to go and tell the various companies involved what had happened. Ultimately I received form letter emails and it didn't seem like anything was going to get done.

Last night I took back my overcharged items and was given $57 back to my card. $57! Can you believe that! Some things, like the meat, I needed anyhow and they (meaning Kroger), gave me a price adjustment. Still... $57! Wow!

Between last week and last night however, I thought about all the products I have been unhappy with and all the products that have won me over. And so, I started writing. I made a list of the ones I could quickly think of and sent out emails.

You know what, they listened! I have received coupons for FREE items and coupons that have a higher value than in the paper.

I HIGHLY recommend you trying this as well.

Example: FREE Scrubbing Bubbles Refill, FREE Dryers Ice cream, coupons from Glade, Luvs,

Money back with rebates

One of the easiest ways to save money is by using rebates. There are easy to find ones that say "TRY ME FREE" on the package ones that are little bit harder where you will need to keep track of what you buy and send it in yourself.

I came across this website today while I was trying to see what other rebates are out there. I mean, there has to be more than just the big ones such as the SC Johnson Rebate or the Nabisco Rebate. I am happy to say that my effort was rewarded. Be sure to check out Printable Refunds(Rebates). She has a list of all the available rebates and it is ongoing.

$10 off at Lia Sophia

I know you are like me and LOVE jewelry. And if you are a male reading this, I am SURE the women in your life love jewelry. Since I have been hard at work and since I really think this is a good deal, I have a coupon for you! You get $10 off any purchase with the code STOREUP. That's right, an extra $10 off your purchase. You can view the goodies here and contact Chrissy here {birdchrissy@hotmail.com} before you buy. (very important part).
So, tell me what you got!

Garnier Sample from Walmart

Go here to get your free sample from Walmart

Coupons in People Magazine

One nice thing about Doctors offices are all the magazines. And today I found this inside of the 35th Anniversary of People Magazine. Be sure to pick one up and cash in! :) Well, ice cream in I mean.

When you purchase any product or service from these sponsors, you will be able to get a $5 gift card from Coldstone Creamery. There is an insert with $$ saving coupons inside for these products:

I can't believe its not Butter
Jenny Craig
Lean Cusine
Lever 200
Loreal Pairs
Pepperidge Farms Cookies
Purina Alpo
Truvia
Uncle Ben Steamed Brown Rice

You buy one of these listed products and submit your rceipt by 11/19/2009 of items purchased between 10/9 to 11/13 to:

PEOPLE Magazine 35th Birthday

PO BOX 4938

New York, NY. 10185

Owl Cupcakes. Sothing to HOOT about all winter

I really do not like to cook. But I do it of necessity. And since it is something that I have to do, I want to do it cute and crafty. I know that Halloween has past but these cupcakes you can use all fall. And, it is such a smart way to get rid of candy corn. :)

Check out the recipe and other yummy foods at My Muffin Thursday

Tule for $1.65

Tule: pronounced "tool" and used for crafting almost anything. This past summer I made a tule tutu for camp. I have recently decided to go all out in the crafting department since I am saving all this money from coupons... I wanted to save money by making more things handmade.
That is when I was sent this site. http://www.tullesource.com/index.html. It has EVERY type and color of tule you can imagine... and for just $1.65 you can get 75 FEET of 3" tule! I would do for the 9" personally but this is still a very good deal.
Thanks Janalen for the great tutu's which has started this all!