Thank goodness for my Dad who has now provided me with a laptop so I can get more regular use of the computer. Sharing computer time with "game boy" is impossible or next to impossible, so thank GOODNESS for my dad! Yay computer time once again! Victory is mine...well...sort of.
See, the reason I was unable to procure computer time to blog was because after one month of hauling my cookies daily to the Edmonton dirt lot train station parking lot (finding it to be full and then parking on a residential street and walking), our mother-in-law had to return to watch someone else's children. We had been unable to find childcare...and with that said, the cost of child care for two children far exceeds what we are able to budget. Being that my job is reasonably well paid, it had me starting to wonder...how is one to get ahead in life with more than one child? The more people I spoke with, the more it became clear. This is a huge problem for society as a whole.
I went to work and provided them with two weeks notice upon the realization that I actually could not AFFORD to work because the cost of child care is so expensive and I do not qualify for subsidy and on top of that there was no child care that would transport my child to school (kindergarten starts this year), now I am forced to find night employment at minimum wage in order to be able to pay the bills and be able to transport my child to school. On the plus side, I will be able to stay home and be home for my kids, but its going to be hard to work all the time (at night and on the weekends) and pull in the numbers we are going to need to keep our house afloat. I had one of what I hope will be many interviews for a minimum wage position. I have applied for so many part time jobs I cannot even keep them straight. I have even gone searching for jobs late at night (and applied at several Boston Pizza locations. Odd...none of them want to hire a washed up legal assistant mom with two kids... and next to no server experience)...even though I have been told I could easily pass for 25-26. Lol. Nevertheless, I persevere and put on a happy face because heck...maybe I can find a job where I can find more coupons! :)
That being said, couponing has kicked into overdrive. I am mostly purchasing items I can get for free or nearly free. In the time that I have not been blogging, I have since stocked up on diapers and wipes (for each pack of pampers and each tub of wipes I paid $1.99...that was together...what would that make them...$1.00 for the pampers and $0.99 for the wipes...can you say "stockpile"??). Also, I was able to locate boxes upon boxes of cereal on clearance at Shoppers Drug Mart for $2.99 and I had $1.50 off coupons! AND the boxes had Free Product Coupons (FPC's) on them for Skinny Cow Ice Cream novelties (up to $5.99 I believe)...AND what was even better, they had boxes of Raisin Oatmeal Crisp that had coupons for $5 off ice cream and they were on clearance for $1.99...and the coupon exceeded the value of the cereal. Awesome!
So, here is my list of things I have learned recently:
1. Price match whenever possible. Since I love love love to stack at London Drugs, I go there often and price match on a regular basis. This has saved me an incredible amount of money. Over the course of the weekend last weekend, I accumulated $200 in coupon savings. One of the items I was able to get was cans of Campbell's Soup for $0.04 per can with my coupon stacks. Mmmm....mmmmmm good.
2. Do not be shy about asking your neighbours to contribute to your efforts to save money. Make em laugh. charm them. Get their inserts. Just ask people. Most people do not want to pick up the papers off the step let alone put them directly into the recycle bin/bag whatever the case may be...so ask around. If you are too shy or feel too weird about that then...
3. Join a network like Smart Canucks and start trading. I have met so many incredible people and have been a part of an incredible experience by being a part of Smart Canucks (hereinafter referred to as "SC"...sorry....legal writing habit...). Many traders are generous and people go to great lengths to get their inserts, but the bonus is that they are also willing to share them....I am greedy. I want them all. Just kidding. Seriously though, they are a great bunch of people and I do definitely recommend getting involved...although, I have been privy to many a cat-fight on the pages of SC so...be tactful...be respectful...be courteous...be privy to great deals and fun trades.
4. Walmart clearances rock. You will recall Walmart allows overage, and their clearance allowed for me to accumulate lots of overage on items. It was great!! For instance, I made $1.00 off each Loreal hair product I bought, which was great because I didnt realize this until AFTER I traded for the coupon, I just thought I would get them free....it was a total bonus!!! I made $0.53 for every 3 cans of Gillette I bought AND I made $0.52 for every two boxes of tissue I bought...I do not get a ton of overage items at one time, but enough to make a difference and every amount of savings helps for two reasons....the overage frees up chunks of money in the groceries and all of that savings adds up, plus I am able to obtain items for my family that I would otherwise not be able to afford because often times it is the fancy health and beauty products that I have been able to obtain overage or get for free and normally it is hard to find the cash for such bonus items (like Loreal Volume spray...aveeno body wash...etc.). AND I am able to provide many of the items to my friend's foundation that she is beginning to create in honour of her daughter. It is called Isabella's Umbrella, check her facebook page to learn more about this and her goals! Simply type Isabella's Umbrella into the search part, and it should be the first thing to come up.
I am too tired to continue to blog right now...but before I go, one more thing i have learned is that the savings are out there. When you are on a very strict budget, you CAN make it happen and make it appear as though you and your family are living the high life, when you are actually shopping on a dollarama budget. Oh...speaking of Dollarma, many locations are accepting coupons now. That's right. Dollarama's take coupons...not all of them yet...but that should be in the works from what I understand. I havent been able to try this one, but I have heard many a story about people's conquests from Dollarama including Vileda Scrunges for free. That's sweet. I have that coupon.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Great deals at Walmart!!!
I hadnt done a late night coupon run in awhile, so I figured with the Brandsaver Inserts set to expire at the end of the month, I should check to see what I could get.
Here is my haul:
6 Satin Care Shave Gel full size - $1.50 sale (price was not listed, I scanned on a whim and it was on sale) less $1.00 off coupon from Brandsaver, they were $0.50 per can. They are regularly $3.16 each. I got all six for $3. HUGE SAVINGS!
6 Crest toothpastes - $0.88 (price not listed, but will be tomorrow) less $0.75 coupon from Brandsaver = $0.17 per tube. Not free...but still good.
6 Old Spice Body Wash 250 ml bottle on sale $2 each. Buy 2 save $3 coupon from Brandsaver also makes them $0.50 each.
My flyers AND my examiner did not come today....not happy! Will report more extreme deals as soon as I can. If you have Brandsaver inserts, use them up!!! They will expire at the end of July! Happy Couponing!
Here is my haul:
6 Satin Care Shave Gel full size - $1.50 sale (price was not listed, I scanned on a whim and it was on sale) less $1.00 off coupon from Brandsaver, they were $0.50 per can. They are regularly $3.16 each. I got all six for $3. HUGE SAVINGS!
6 Crest toothpastes - $0.88 (price not listed, but will be tomorrow) less $0.75 coupon from Brandsaver = $0.17 per tube. Not free...but still good.
6 Old Spice Body Wash 250 ml bottle on sale $2 each. Buy 2 save $3 coupon from Brandsaver also makes them $0.50 each.
My flyers AND my examiner did not come today....not happy! Will report more extreme deals as soon as I can. If you have Brandsaver inserts, use them up!!! They will expire at the end of July! Happy Couponing!
Friday, 1 July 2011
The Job...Red Plum...and Other Assorted Events
Today began as always. With something eventful. Having said that, I realize that I forgot to go into detail on what happened on day 2 of my job. Day 2 was the first day I received a parking ticket. Day 2 was not pretty. Day 2 was not a good day.
Day 2 began with me getting to the train station somewhat early. I knew from previous experience going to this train station (I was blessed on day 1 by receiving what appeared to be the very last dirt lot parking spot the City of Edmonton transit system had to offer me), that there was a short cut to the back of the parking lot. I took that way. I discovered no spots. Many people's cars were crammed up together like sardines in over packed cans. I pitied the poor people who looked like they may have to crawl into their cars through the trunk. I searched row on row. No spots. One person parked their car in a lane. I hope they got towed. Alright...that's the bitter part of me talking. Nevertheless, 15 minutes of driving up and down the lanes aimlessly set me far behind in my schedule. If I didnt leave, I would for sure be late. I needed to park immediately. Then...there was the pay lot. Paved. Lines painted. Its for fancy Edmontonians. Regular Edmontonians park in the dirt apparently. I decided to be fancy, but for a day.
All this driving made me have to really move it to catch the train. Once I got off the train downtown I had to walk as fast as possible to get to the office. As luck would have it, I was completely ill-prepared for this power walk as I was only wearing a pair of ballerina flats that kept slipping off my feet. I was walking along, minding by business then, bam....I'm tripping....I'm tripping....whoa...whoa...finally after stumbling for what felt like a million yards, I decided to succumb to gravity and allow myself to hit the pavement. Great....did anyone see that???. I got up and a lady goes "Are you okay?!?!?!" I just laughed and said the only thing injured was my pride.
The day just spiralled from there. Being in technology training with just the teacher and yourself in a tiny room isolated from everyone in the office made me begin to call this portion of my training "Ad-Seg". After my stint in ad-seg, I returned to the car to get parking ticket #1. Not sure what I will do come Monday...with it being a long weekend there were tons of dirt lot spots today....I was fortunate. I know that fortune will run out on Monday when the real world returns.
All in all today was a good day though. Got a parking spot. Was released from ad-seg into the general population and even seemed to make some early friendships. Plus, when I returned home the Edmonton Examiner came, as did the flyers. In the Edmonton Examiner (and next week in the flyers I assume) was a copy of the latest version of Red Plum. What a gigantic disappointment. Not many useful coupons at all. Well....maybe a few, but all in all, definitely not the best issue. Hopefully Smart Source will be better. That comes out next weekend.
Nonetheless, I couldnt help but notice that there is a coupon for Glade Aerosol Sprays. $0.25 off. Sobey's has them on sale for $0.99 and Walmart has them for $1.00. Not a bad deal at all if you use them regularly for your bathrooms.
Red Plum also has coupons for sensodyne toothpaste. If you have some from previous inserts there could be some good potential for stacking possibilities. I have not had the chance to review and re-organize and categorize my coupons. Once I have done that, I can advise as to the deals. One off the top of my head very worth mentioning is the Purex Laundry Detergent which is 2 for $7 at London Drugs...with the $3 off Purex Coupon (x2) that is detergent for $0.50 per bottle...when it retails at around $7.99 per bottle normally. An incredible deal.
Another that caught my eye is Safeway has their Crest Toothpaste 4 for $5. with the $0.75 off any Crest toothpaste coupon (from Brandsaver insert or brandsaver.ca), that makes each toothpaste $0.50 per tube (or 4 for $2.00). Good deal, but not as good the deal from a couple weeks ago for 5 tubes for $5. $0.25 per tube then!
Walmart has Kraft Singles on for $2.47, with the $1.00 off coupon from facebook, they are $1.47. That's the BEST price I have seen to date. Walmart also has Advil Nighttime going on sale for $3.99 per box. With the $4 off tear pad coupon they are free. Hopefully you can find some though. I havent seen a 10 pack since the last round of Advil sales!
There are a few deals for now. Teething baby is waking up again. Gotta run. Happy Canada Day to all and to all the best price!
Day 2 began with me getting to the train station somewhat early. I knew from previous experience going to this train station (I was blessed on day 1 by receiving what appeared to be the very last dirt lot parking spot the City of Edmonton transit system had to offer me), that there was a short cut to the back of the parking lot. I took that way. I discovered no spots. Many people's cars were crammed up together like sardines in over packed cans. I pitied the poor people who looked like they may have to crawl into their cars through the trunk. I searched row on row. No spots. One person parked their car in a lane. I hope they got towed. Alright...that's the bitter part of me talking. Nevertheless, 15 minutes of driving up and down the lanes aimlessly set me far behind in my schedule. If I didnt leave, I would for sure be late. I needed to park immediately. Then...there was the pay lot. Paved. Lines painted. Its for fancy Edmontonians. Regular Edmontonians park in the dirt apparently. I decided to be fancy, but for a day.
All this driving made me have to really move it to catch the train. Once I got off the train downtown I had to walk as fast as possible to get to the office. As luck would have it, I was completely ill-prepared for this power walk as I was only wearing a pair of ballerina flats that kept slipping off my feet. I was walking along, minding by business then, bam....I'm tripping....I'm tripping....whoa...whoa...finally after stumbling for what felt like a million yards, I decided to succumb to gravity and allow myself to hit the pavement. Great....did anyone see that???. I got up and a lady goes "Are you okay?!?!?!" I just laughed and said the only thing injured was my pride.
The day just spiralled from there. Being in technology training with just the teacher and yourself in a tiny room isolated from everyone in the office made me begin to call this portion of my training "Ad-Seg". After my stint in ad-seg, I returned to the car to get parking ticket #1. Not sure what I will do come Monday...with it being a long weekend there were tons of dirt lot spots today....I was fortunate. I know that fortune will run out on Monday when the real world returns.
All in all today was a good day though. Got a parking spot. Was released from ad-seg into the general population and even seemed to make some early friendships. Plus, when I returned home the Edmonton Examiner came, as did the flyers. In the Edmonton Examiner (and next week in the flyers I assume) was a copy of the latest version of Red Plum. What a gigantic disappointment. Not many useful coupons at all. Well....maybe a few, but all in all, definitely not the best issue. Hopefully Smart Source will be better. That comes out next weekend.
Nonetheless, I couldnt help but notice that there is a coupon for Glade Aerosol Sprays. $0.25 off. Sobey's has them on sale for $0.99 and Walmart has them for $1.00. Not a bad deal at all if you use them regularly for your bathrooms.
Red Plum also has coupons for sensodyne toothpaste. If you have some from previous inserts there could be some good potential for stacking possibilities. I have not had the chance to review and re-organize and categorize my coupons. Once I have done that, I can advise as to the deals. One off the top of my head very worth mentioning is the Purex Laundry Detergent which is 2 for $7 at London Drugs...with the $3 off Purex Coupon (x2) that is detergent for $0.50 per bottle...when it retails at around $7.99 per bottle normally. An incredible deal.
Another that caught my eye is Safeway has their Crest Toothpaste 4 for $5. with the $0.75 off any Crest toothpaste coupon (from Brandsaver insert or brandsaver.ca), that makes each toothpaste $0.50 per tube (or 4 for $2.00). Good deal, but not as good the deal from a couple weeks ago for 5 tubes for $5. $0.25 per tube then!
Walmart has Kraft Singles on for $2.47, with the $1.00 off coupon from facebook, they are $1.47. That's the BEST price I have seen to date. Walmart also has Advil Nighttime going on sale for $3.99 per box. With the $4 off tear pad coupon they are free. Hopefully you can find some though. I havent seen a 10 pack since the last round of Advil sales!
There are a few deals for now. Teething baby is waking up again. Gotta run. Happy Canada Day to all and to all the best price!
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Some Deals Worth Mentioning
I meant to mention this earlier, but I happened to be in Walmart earlier in the week and they had a roll back for Dawn liquid dish soap. $1.00 per bottle. With $1.00 off when you buy 2 coupon (Brandsaver flyer), they were then $0.50 per bottle. Definitely stock up time.
I read on a forum that Walmart has Covergirl makeup (some select kinds - mascaras and lip glosses) on sale for $3.97, with the $2.00 off covergirl makeup (also in brandsaver flyer) make up will be $1.97 each. I say each because if I have some spare change I just may treat myself to new mascara or lip gloss....but there probably won't be much in the spare change department for a long time after getting not one, but two big fattie parking tickets (and this is only my third day on the job). How does one accumulate so many parking tickets you might ask?? Well, while this has nothing to do with couponing, I am sooooooo happy to tell you my real honest and true feelings on this subject.
Edmonton might be the only city in the world that will put giant piles of wood chips around all the trees in my neighbourhood, but they can't pave the main parking lot at one of the only stations in the south, Century Park. They expect us to park our cars in a gravel lot like we are parking to head to the county fair, only there is no reward....except muddy shoes.
Because of the ingenious mud-lot parking system the City of Edmonton chooses to use, many people take up more than their fair share of parking spots, leaving none open by 8 am. Yesterday I parked in a lot where you needed a pass. I didnt have a pass. I knew I didnt have a pass. What I did have was a job to get to and nowhere to park my car. I received a $75.00 ticket for pulling that manoeuvre. Today I decided I would try again in the dirt lot. Much to my shock and amazement (note the oozing sarcasm) there were no spots left by 7:50. I decided to park at the shopping complex somewhat adjacent to the station.
I went to work and managed to locate another transit user that goes south. I asked her where people park at the other south station (Southgate Mall Station). She said you get ticketed if you park there. So I ask where people park...the answer...you guessed it...Century Park Station. Fantastic.
When I walk to my car in the pouring rain, wouldn't you know it, there was another parking ticket for $75.00 on it. I am guessing there are no coupons for parking tickets out there...but if there is, let me know! I tried to research the transit system only everytime I get onto the right page suddenly Internet Explorer cannot display the page.
Maybe tomorrow I park the car on the sidewalk right in front of the station. If I'm going to get ticketed anyways, might as well make it count. :)
I read on a forum that Walmart has Covergirl makeup (some select kinds - mascaras and lip glosses) on sale for $3.97, with the $2.00 off covergirl makeup (also in brandsaver flyer) make up will be $1.97 each. I say each because if I have some spare change I just may treat myself to new mascara or lip gloss....but there probably won't be much in the spare change department for a long time after getting not one, but two big fattie parking tickets (and this is only my third day on the job). How does one accumulate so many parking tickets you might ask?? Well, while this has nothing to do with couponing, I am sooooooo happy to tell you my real honest and true feelings on this subject.
Edmonton might be the only city in the world that will put giant piles of wood chips around all the trees in my neighbourhood, but they can't pave the main parking lot at one of the only stations in the south, Century Park. They expect us to park our cars in a gravel lot like we are parking to head to the county fair, only there is no reward....except muddy shoes.
Because of the ingenious mud-lot parking system the City of Edmonton chooses to use, many people take up more than their fair share of parking spots, leaving none open by 8 am. Yesterday I parked in a lot where you needed a pass. I didnt have a pass. I knew I didnt have a pass. What I did have was a job to get to and nowhere to park my car. I received a $75.00 ticket for pulling that manoeuvre. Today I decided I would try again in the dirt lot. Much to my shock and amazement (note the oozing sarcasm) there were no spots left by 7:50. I decided to park at the shopping complex somewhat adjacent to the station.
I went to work and managed to locate another transit user that goes south. I asked her where people park at the other south station (Southgate Mall Station). She said you get ticketed if you park there. So I ask where people park...the answer...you guessed it...Century Park Station. Fantastic.
When I walk to my car in the pouring rain, wouldn't you know it, there was another parking ticket for $75.00 on it. I am guessing there are no coupons for parking tickets out there...but if there is, let me know! I tried to research the transit system only everytime I get onto the right page suddenly Internet Explorer cannot display the page.
Maybe tomorrow I park the car on the sidewalk right in front of the station. If I'm going to get ticketed anyways, might as well make it count. :)
Friday, 24 June 2011
GARAGE SALE MISSION
Being a broke couponer does things to you. I'm on my last few days of maternity leave. I'm on my last few dimes and I thought I should do something to cheer myself up.
So I had a garage sale. Now, I know you are probably asking yourself how the HELL a garage sale cheered me up...but I decided to give myself a mission. Any money I made from the garage sale (aside from the money my son is earning for selling his old toys because he is saving for a Transformer) would then be used to coupon and I would see what I could do with it. I hung signs around my neighbourhood with the kids and the dog, but alas...I only made $4. My spirits were crushed a bit, but I was not detered.
I already had my price match flyers ready, my coupons pulled and my plan in action. I was tired but eager to come out of this with a smile on my face and tons of new products!
Here is what I was able to get:
3 bottles of Dove Men + Care Body Washes (with bonus shampoos on two bottles and a deodorant on one)
3 bottles of Dove Go Fresh Body Washes
2 cans of Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup
2 cans of Campbells Vegetable soup
2 bottles of Dawn liquid dish soap
1 Aveeno Shampoo (with bonus hair product)
1 Aveeno Conditioner
3 trial size bottles St. Ives lotion
1 package Baby Wipes
Total cost ..........drum roll please...........$3.61
SAY WHAAAAAAAT?!?!
I cannot believe what I can turn change into these days. Although my first day of Operation: Garage Sale was a big fat let down, the end result was GREAT! I hope tomorrow is an even bigger day! Maybe I will make $5!!!! Or maybe even $10!!! :)
So I had a garage sale. Now, I know you are probably asking yourself how the HELL a garage sale cheered me up...but I decided to give myself a mission. Any money I made from the garage sale (aside from the money my son is earning for selling his old toys because he is saving for a Transformer) would then be used to coupon and I would see what I could do with it. I hung signs around my neighbourhood with the kids and the dog, but alas...I only made $4. My spirits were crushed a bit, but I was not detered.
I already had my price match flyers ready, my coupons pulled and my plan in action. I was tired but eager to come out of this with a smile on my face and tons of new products!
Here is what I was able to get:
3 bottles of Dove Men + Care Body Washes (with bonus shampoos on two bottles and a deodorant on one)
3 bottles of Dove Go Fresh Body Washes
2 cans of Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup
2 cans of Campbells Vegetable soup
2 bottles of Dawn liquid dish soap
1 Aveeno Shampoo (with bonus hair product)
1 Aveeno Conditioner
3 trial size bottles St. Ives lotion
1 package Baby Wipes
Total cost ..........drum roll please...........$3.61
SAY WHAAAAAAAT?!?!
I cannot believe what I can turn change into these days. Although my first day of Operation: Garage Sale was a big fat let down, the end result was GREAT! I hope tomorrow is an even bigger day! Maybe I will make $5!!!! Or maybe even $10!!! :)
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Back to Work Blues
Well, its the end of my maternity leave, probably the end of late night couponing....well....maybe not.
In an attempt to cheer myself up today, I went on two coupon trades. Knowing Adidas products were coming on sale at Walmart, I put a call out on the local board on Smart Canucks to see if anyone was interested in trading for some. I was able to get 14 of them! So happy! Then, I was able to meet someone who gave me the tear pads needed to complete another stack!
I stopped at my local Shoppers Drug Mart and located Fibre Plus cereal on clearance for $1.99, with the 100 cents off coupon (yes..that's what it says!!) it was then $0.99! AND they had Fibre One cereal with a $5 coupon for frozen yogurt, ice cream or cones on the box and the cereal was marked down to $1.99 as well! SCORE!
On the way home I was so happy I created a plan to shop later. After supper I took the girl and went to London Drugs with price match FEVER! Here is what I got:
2 bottles of Purex Laundry Detergent
2 bottles of Lysol 4 in 1 cleaner
4 tubes of Arm & Hammer toothpaste (various types)
5 tubes of Crest toothpaste (various types)
Total cost: $7.14 (this is less than the cost of ONE of the laundry detergents at regular price without tax!!!)
I was very pleased! So I decided to stroll over to Walmart to scan their products that I knew were coming on sale in this weeks flyer. YAY! Price updates! That meant the Adidas deodorant was now $0.27 with the $2 off coupon I traded for!
I bought 5 Adidas deodorants and 3 gillette shave foam for a total cost of $0.92. I felt renewed.
After returning home and getting the small folks to bed, I decided to venture back out for some much needed mommy coupon alone time. No one following me screaming. No one spazzing out. No one insisting I stand in the toy section while they point out every Transformer on the planet and what their names are.
I went to a different Walmart which had a HUGE stock of Adidas deodorants, so I got to use up the rest of my coupons...and not even come close to clearing the shelf! I checked the ice cream, but none worthy of my $5 off ice cream coupon.
Then, I went to Save-On Foods and located new tear pad coupons for Save $5 on any 5 kraft products and $0.75 off Post Cereals...then I hit pay dirt. Dark Chocolate Cherry frozen yogurt. Regular $7.99. On sale for $5. With my $5 coupon (from cereal box) it was free. I walked out of Save-On with lots of new coupons and some delicious frozen yogurt and didnt pay a penny.
I think I will get a bowl of the frozen yogurt right now and ease the back to work blues!!
In an attempt to cheer myself up today, I went on two coupon trades. Knowing Adidas products were coming on sale at Walmart, I put a call out on the local board on Smart Canucks to see if anyone was interested in trading for some. I was able to get 14 of them! So happy! Then, I was able to meet someone who gave me the tear pads needed to complete another stack!
I stopped at my local Shoppers Drug Mart and located Fibre Plus cereal on clearance for $1.99, with the 100 cents off coupon (yes..that's what it says!!) it was then $0.99! AND they had Fibre One cereal with a $5 coupon for frozen yogurt, ice cream or cones on the box and the cereal was marked down to $1.99 as well! SCORE!
On the way home I was so happy I created a plan to shop later. After supper I took the girl and went to London Drugs with price match FEVER! Here is what I got:
2 bottles of Purex Laundry Detergent
2 bottles of Lysol 4 in 1 cleaner
4 tubes of Arm & Hammer toothpaste (various types)
5 tubes of Crest toothpaste (various types)
Total cost: $7.14 (this is less than the cost of ONE of the laundry detergents at regular price without tax!!!)
I was very pleased! So I decided to stroll over to Walmart to scan their products that I knew were coming on sale in this weeks flyer. YAY! Price updates! That meant the Adidas deodorant was now $0.27 with the $2 off coupon I traded for!
I bought 5 Adidas deodorants and 3 gillette shave foam for a total cost of $0.92. I felt renewed.
After returning home and getting the small folks to bed, I decided to venture back out for some much needed mommy coupon alone time. No one following me screaming. No one spazzing out. No one insisting I stand in the toy section while they point out every Transformer on the planet and what their names are.
I went to a different Walmart which had a HUGE stock of Adidas deodorants, so I got to use up the rest of my coupons...and not even come close to clearing the shelf! I checked the ice cream, but none worthy of my $5 off ice cream coupon.
Then, I went to Save-On Foods and located new tear pad coupons for Save $5 on any 5 kraft products and $0.75 off Post Cereals...then I hit pay dirt. Dark Chocolate Cherry frozen yogurt. Regular $7.99. On sale for $5. With my $5 coupon (from cereal box) it was free. I walked out of Save-On with lots of new coupons and some delicious frozen yogurt and didnt pay a penny.
I think I will get a bowl of the frozen yogurt right now and ease the back to work blues!!
Monday, 20 June 2011
More Deals June 17 - 23
Here are a few more great deals (with coupons) that I can see, I am sure there are loads more, but here are the ones I noticed right away:
SOBEY'S:
Like I said before, its BOGO time at Sobey's so there are tons of good deals, but not loads I see in the flyer that you can coupon on, but some good deals still. The best one I see that you can coupon on is:
Buy Two Palmolive dish detergents and receive a third one free. You can then use the buy 2 save $1 coupon and get all three for $4.18, or $1.39 per bottle. Not a SCREAMING deal, but a decent one.
ZELLERS:
Lysol No-Touch is on for $9.99 which is a good price to either use the $5.00 off coupon from the May Smart Source and get it for $4.99, then use the Mail In Rebate from the June Smart Source and get it for free. :) Or Price Match and double coupon at London Drugs to also get it for free...that is, if they have some!
Gillette Razors are on sale and there are tons of coupons for those as well.
Cheez Whiz is on sale for $3.49, with the $1.00 off coupon it would be $2.49.
Colgate Total is on sale for $1.49, with $1.50 off coupon from dentist office it is free.
SAFEWAY:
Safeway has Gillette Gift Packs on for $10.99 without the club card, but with the club card they are $7.99....but if you still have some of the buy 3 Gillette Products or a gift set over $10 coupons, then you can still use it on this purchase because it is $10.99 BEFORE the rewards card. The gift send then becomes $2.99. :)
Duracell Batteries are buy one get one, and you can use the coupon on the purchased one.
SHOPPERS:
Duracell Mini Chargers are on sale for $9.99. Use the $5 off coupon from the Brandsaver insert to get it for $4.99. They are usually close to $15.00 so this is a great deal!!!
Those are a few more of the deals that I can see....most of the flyers seem to have made their way to the recycle bag...but if I get a chance, I will see what other deals I can find!
SOBEY'S:
Like I said before, its BOGO time at Sobey's so there are tons of good deals, but not loads I see in the flyer that you can coupon on, but some good deals still. The best one I see that you can coupon on is:
Buy Two Palmolive dish detergents and receive a third one free. You can then use the buy 2 save $1 coupon and get all three for $4.18, or $1.39 per bottle. Not a SCREAMING deal, but a decent one.
ZELLERS:
Lysol No-Touch is on for $9.99 which is a good price to either use the $5.00 off coupon from the May Smart Source and get it for $4.99, then use the Mail In Rebate from the June Smart Source and get it for free. :) Or Price Match and double coupon at London Drugs to also get it for free...that is, if they have some!
Gillette Razors are on sale and there are tons of coupons for those as well.
Cheez Whiz is on sale for $3.49, with the $1.00 off coupon it would be $2.49.
Colgate Total is on sale for $1.49, with $1.50 off coupon from dentist office it is free.
SAFEWAY:
Safeway has Gillette Gift Packs on for $10.99 without the club card, but with the club card they are $7.99....but if you still have some of the buy 3 Gillette Products or a gift set over $10 coupons, then you can still use it on this purchase because it is $10.99 BEFORE the rewards card. The gift send then becomes $2.99. :)
Duracell Batteries are buy one get one, and you can use the coupon on the purchased one.
SHOPPERS:
Duracell Mini Chargers are on sale for $9.99. Use the $5 off coupon from the Brandsaver insert to get it for $4.99. They are usually close to $15.00 so this is a great deal!!!
Those are a few more of the deals that I can see....most of the flyers seem to have made their way to the recycle bag...but if I get a chance, I will see what other deals I can find!
BIG DAY TOMORROW!!!
Remember...its Chocolate Cheerios Day tomorrow! Don't forget to use your coupon for a free box! If Chocolate Cheerios aren't your thing, you can get Fibre 1 Harvest Brown Sugar cereal instead. Mmmm....healthy....
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Houston.....We Have a Problem...
I would like to start this blog by discussing a major problem that is reaching epidemic proportions. It is something that is plaguing this nation and other nations as well. Its a very difficult and hard thing to talk about. This problem....is called Shelf Clearing.
Shelf Clearing is when a person goes in and completely clears a shelf of a certain product. For example, the much acclaimed Ziploc coupon was a major cause of this epidemic. I will admit it. I have shelf cleared. I wanted to feel what it was like. It felt weird. Like everyone was watching me. Like I was doing something I shouldn't have been doing. There are a few problems being linked to being a shelf clearer. Firstly, the couponing community is getting larger and larger by the day and when you are going to a specific store to get something you are DYING inside to get for free...and you arrive and there is nothing left but tiny specs of dust where the product once was, its like a small piece of your heart breaks off and gets run over by some other couponers full cart. It totally sucks. But that isnt the only reason. The other reason is that people who are doing this are starting to in fact ruin couponing for everyone involved.
Already, Procter & Gamble have re-worded the way their coupons are so you are no longer able to stack them "Use of More Than One ManuFacturer's Coupon is Strictly Prohibited". This makes obtaining things like cheap diapers next to impossible....not totally impossible, but pretty close. Prior to the release of these coupons, P & G met with London Drugs and the executives at London Drugs were told that they were no longer able to allow stacking of these coupons. If they did, they would not be reimbursed.
I was in London Drugs the other day, stacking to get Aveeno Body Wash and Off Bug Spray, and the lady told me that someone had come in earlier that week and completely cleaned them out of all the bug spray and Dove Body Wash products, using coupon stacks to pay for it all. The stores are getting very upset with this happening repeatedly. I have read that some London Drugs are even starting to no longer allow stacking which is a real shame.
Stacking and using coupons has hit an all time high and the stores are starting to take notice. Save-On Foods is starting to allow stacking as well and we can only hope that in time more stores will begin to follow suit. Unfortunately, one store that did follow suit for a short time was one Shoppers Drug Mart in B.C., which was apparently some sort of test store. It was leaked that they were allowing stacking and people flocked to the store and cleared it out of many products which quickly lead Shoppers Drug Mart to release their new coupon policy (released earlier this week) which clearly states you can only use one coupon per item.
If we want to keep coupons going and keep stores and companies from no longer allowing these incredible discounts, we need to be respectful. If you want to build a stock pile, do it in small steps. Then lay back for a bit and use the stock pile for awhile....its nice to have.
Having said that, here are a few goodies that I noticed in this weeks flyers:
Safeway has Purex laundry detergent on 2 bottles for $8. If you use two of the $3 off coupons, they are then 2 bottles for $2 (or $1.00 per bottle...or approximately $0.03 per load). NICE! Shoppers has a similar deal but it finishes today, Purex is $3.99 there on a timed special Saturday only. With the $3 off coupon it is then $0.99 per bottle. I couldn't be bothered to try to brave it there. I just elected to pay the extra penny and price match Safeway's flyer at London Drugs.
Superstore has their Lysol Cleaners (spray kind) on for $1.99. There are numerous options for these. Firstly, there is the buy 2 save 2 coupon. Which would essentially have you get one for free. There are the $1.00 coupons, bringing the price to $0.99. Or there is the option I elected for. Stack all the coupons and price match at London Drugs which allowed me to get 2 bottles for free. Nice.
Speaking of London Drugs, they have their Dove products on for $2.99. There are TONS of coupons out for Dove right now, so the possibilities are endless for the combinations of coupons. I was able to get two Dove body washes for free as well.
Sobey's is having a BOGO event again, which makes it a good time to stock up on food and household items. For instance, their Bush's Beans are on 4 cans for $5, but you could use two of the $1.00 off coupons from the May Smart Source (I believe), and then they are 4 cans for $3...or $0.75 per can. A GREAT price since I have seen them cost upwards of $1.50 per can and they will last well past 2012...you know....just in case! :)
I will review the flyers for more deals shortly, but those are some good ones to get you started! Happy Shopping!
Shelf Clearing is when a person goes in and completely clears a shelf of a certain product. For example, the much acclaimed Ziploc coupon was a major cause of this epidemic. I will admit it. I have shelf cleared. I wanted to feel what it was like. It felt weird. Like everyone was watching me. Like I was doing something I shouldn't have been doing. There are a few problems being linked to being a shelf clearer. Firstly, the couponing community is getting larger and larger by the day and when you are going to a specific store to get something you are DYING inside to get for free...and you arrive and there is nothing left but tiny specs of dust where the product once was, its like a small piece of your heart breaks off and gets run over by some other couponers full cart. It totally sucks. But that isnt the only reason. The other reason is that people who are doing this are starting to in fact ruin couponing for everyone involved.
Already, Procter & Gamble have re-worded the way their coupons are so you are no longer able to stack them "Use of More Than One ManuFacturer's Coupon is Strictly Prohibited". This makes obtaining things like cheap diapers next to impossible....not totally impossible, but pretty close. Prior to the release of these coupons, P & G met with London Drugs and the executives at London Drugs were told that they were no longer able to allow stacking of these coupons. If they did, they would not be reimbursed.
I was in London Drugs the other day, stacking to get Aveeno Body Wash and Off Bug Spray, and the lady told me that someone had come in earlier that week and completely cleaned them out of all the bug spray and Dove Body Wash products, using coupon stacks to pay for it all. The stores are getting very upset with this happening repeatedly. I have read that some London Drugs are even starting to no longer allow stacking which is a real shame.
Stacking and using coupons has hit an all time high and the stores are starting to take notice. Save-On Foods is starting to allow stacking as well and we can only hope that in time more stores will begin to follow suit. Unfortunately, one store that did follow suit for a short time was one Shoppers Drug Mart in B.C., which was apparently some sort of test store. It was leaked that they were allowing stacking and people flocked to the store and cleared it out of many products which quickly lead Shoppers Drug Mart to release their new coupon policy (released earlier this week) which clearly states you can only use one coupon per item.
If we want to keep coupons going and keep stores and companies from no longer allowing these incredible discounts, we need to be respectful. If you want to build a stock pile, do it in small steps. Then lay back for a bit and use the stock pile for awhile....its nice to have.
Having said that, here are a few goodies that I noticed in this weeks flyers:
Safeway has Purex laundry detergent on 2 bottles for $8. If you use two of the $3 off coupons, they are then 2 bottles for $2 (or $1.00 per bottle...or approximately $0.03 per load). NICE! Shoppers has a similar deal but it finishes today, Purex is $3.99 there on a timed special Saturday only. With the $3 off coupon it is then $0.99 per bottle. I couldn't be bothered to try to brave it there. I just elected to pay the extra penny and price match Safeway's flyer at London Drugs.
Superstore has their Lysol Cleaners (spray kind) on for $1.99. There are numerous options for these. Firstly, there is the buy 2 save 2 coupon. Which would essentially have you get one for free. There are the $1.00 coupons, bringing the price to $0.99. Or there is the option I elected for. Stack all the coupons and price match at London Drugs which allowed me to get 2 bottles for free. Nice.
Speaking of London Drugs, they have their Dove products on for $2.99. There are TONS of coupons out for Dove right now, so the possibilities are endless for the combinations of coupons. I was able to get two Dove body washes for free as well.
Sobey's is having a BOGO event again, which makes it a good time to stock up on food and household items. For instance, their Bush's Beans are on 4 cans for $5, but you could use two of the $1.00 off coupons from the May Smart Source (I believe), and then they are 4 cans for $3...or $0.75 per can. A GREAT price since I have seen them cost upwards of $1.50 per can and they will last well past 2012...you know....just in case! :)
I will review the flyers for more deals shortly, but those are some good ones to get you started! Happy Shopping!
Friday, 10 June 2011
I need shelves on the double!
Alright. I have a problem. Its called...Gimmestuffforfreeatosis. I cant stop myself. Today I woke up with one mission and one mission alone. Go to London Drugs to stack the following coupons:
$2.00 off Huggies from last Smart Source (expired today)
$2.00 off Huggies from new Smart Source
$1.50 off Huggies from new Smart Source.
These diapers are regularly $18.99, but when I handed my boy the Toys R Us flyer earlier this week, a magical thing happened...the Babies R Us flyer drifted out and it caught my eye that they were on sale for $9.97, with the coupons listed above the diapers then became $4.47 per pack. SCORE! The perfect Ad Match at London Drugs!
I decided that I would also coupon with my bountiful supply of Tums coupons (courtesy of Red Plum insert, store tear pad display (in Walmart still large black booklet), and a new store tear pad located at a different walmart) I figured I would make it worth my while and get 4 bottles of Tums for free while I was there.
The new wording on the P & G coupons has London Drugs reviewing all coupons with a fine toothed comb. I was refused on some coupon stacks due to wording issues, but I am not sure that their interpretation is correct. Going to go see "my contact" on Sunday and hope to find out if this was just someone going overboard or if that clerk was correct. If so, I could stand to stack on a few more items like bug spray and Dove products, but I will find out for sure later and keep you in the know!
Nonetheless, the diaper stack worked wonders and I was able to get 3 packages of diapers for less than I would pay for one package normally (prior to couponing).
I decided to continue on to Walmart to see what deals I could procure.
Have I introduced you to the concept of overage yet? I've been so caught up in raising the kids and couponing, that I haven't thought to discuss this yet, for those of you that don't know. Overage is obtained with the value of the coupon exceeds the price of the item. (In Canada, the only store that allows overage, to my knowledge, is Walmart. The rest will either refuse your coupon or adjust the coupon value so it does not exceed the value of the product.)
For instance, Walmart has their Gillette foamy shave foam stuff on for $1.48. There is a coupon in the P & G brandsaver flyer (getting which sent many people CRAZY) for save $5 when you buy any 3 Gillette products or a gift set under $10. When you do the math, its $-0.56 per 3 cans. So not only are you getting them for free, but you are getting paid $0.56 per can....but many people (myself included) discovered the virtues that was the trial sized Gillette foamy which was $1.27 per can....so when you bought 3 cans, it was $-1.19....yes...you were paid $1.19 to buy them. It was insane. I used this to buy necessities for my house. Bread. Milk. Etc.
Another great deal is the Iams Cat Food (and Dog Food) - trial size (which is a pretty good sized bag still) which is listed on the shelf at $2.97 but rings in at $1.73. With the $2.00 off Iams coupon it was free and I was paid $0.27 per bag. Lets just say the cat won't need food for awhile. I don't clear shelves though. Ever. I HATE being that person that arrives after all the deals are gone and all that is left is the debris of couponers past. Lately, I have been fortunate to get in on some of these deals. If you hurry, you can too. The Brandsaver flyer came in the flyers that arrived at houses last week. Some people got them in their local paper too (the one that is delivered to your house for free each week).
In edition, Rexall has their Old Spice deodorant on for $1.49, and if you use the $3.00 coupon and buy 2, then it is free as well (don't use the coupon at Rexall though, they will not allow it). Take their flyer and Ad Match at Walmart (only Walmart since they allow overage). There is no point driving all over town to get your deals when you can ad match your deals there anyways and it saves you money, gas and time. Apparently Superstore allows ad matching (though I would sooner be hung from my toe nails than attempt this there), London Drugs allows it, as does Walmart.
Now that couponing has helped me through some hard times, I do have large quantities of items and literally no where to put them. We will not need many items for a long time and since money is so tight, its nice to have a huge amount of diapers (which are costly), toilet paper, razors, shave cream, body wash, paper towels, cleaners, did I mention toilet paper?, snacks, cereals, etc. which were in my "stock pile" to fall back on. I know...I know. I am my own worst enemy. I need shelves immediately or my house will start looking like I am a hoarder. I am thinking I may attempt to donate a large amount of this shaving cream...plus they make great stocking stuffers :).
One more great deal....Sobey's has their 8 pack of Dove bar soap on for $1. Some think this is an error. Not sure on that one...but that's an incredible price, coupon or not (though there are coupons out there!).
PS - Green Works cleaner is on for $1.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart. Use the $1.50 off coupon from websaver or brandsaver (I forget which) and get some for $0.49!
PPS - Tres Semme Shampoo and conditioner is on sale for $2.99 at Rexall (3 days only), with the $1.00 off tear pad it is only $1.99 (normally is $5.99 or more). Great deal!!
Happy Shopping Everyone!
$2.00 off Huggies from last Smart Source (expired today)
$2.00 off Huggies from new Smart Source
$1.50 off Huggies from new Smart Source.
These diapers are regularly $18.99, but when I handed my boy the Toys R Us flyer earlier this week, a magical thing happened...the Babies R Us flyer drifted out and it caught my eye that they were on sale for $9.97, with the coupons listed above the diapers then became $4.47 per pack. SCORE! The perfect Ad Match at London Drugs!
I decided that I would also coupon with my bountiful supply of Tums coupons (courtesy of Red Plum insert, store tear pad display (in Walmart still large black booklet), and a new store tear pad located at a different walmart) I figured I would make it worth my while and get 4 bottles of Tums for free while I was there.
The new wording on the P & G coupons has London Drugs reviewing all coupons with a fine toothed comb. I was refused on some coupon stacks due to wording issues, but I am not sure that their interpretation is correct. Going to go see "my contact" on Sunday and hope to find out if this was just someone going overboard or if that clerk was correct. If so, I could stand to stack on a few more items like bug spray and Dove products, but I will find out for sure later and keep you in the know!
Nonetheless, the diaper stack worked wonders and I was able to get 3 packages of diapers for less than I would pay for one package normally (prior to couponing).
I decided to continue on to Walmart to see what deals I could procure.
Have I introduced you to the concept of overage yet? I've been so caught up in raising the kids and couponing, that I haven't thought to discuss this yet, for those of you that don't know. Overage is obtained with the value of the coupon exceeds the price of the item. (In Canada, the only store that allows overage, to my knowledge, is Walmart. The rest will either refuse your coupon or adjust the coupon value so it does not exceed the value of the product.)
For instance, Walmart has their Gillette foamy shave foam stuff on for $1.48. There is a coupon in the P & G brandsaver flyer (getting which sent many people CRAZY) for save $5 when you buy any 3 Gillette products or a gift set under $10. When you do the math, its $-0.56 per 3 cans. So not only are you getting them for free, but you are getting paid $0.56 per can....but many people (myself included) discovered the virtues that was the trial sized Gillette foamy which was $1.27 per can....so when you bought 3 cans, it was $-1.19....yes...you were paid $1.19 to buy them. It was insane. I used this to buy necessities for my house. Bread. Milk. Etc.
Another great deal is the Iams Cat Food (and Dog Food) - trial size (which is a pretty good sized bag still) which is listed on the shelf at $2.97 but rings in at $1.73. With the $2.00 off Iams coupon it was free and I was paid $0.27 per bag. Lets just say the cat won't need food for awhile. I don't clear shelves though. Ever. I HATE being that person that arrives after all the deals are gone and all that is left is the debris of couponers past. Lately, I have been fortunate to get in on some of these deals. If you hurry, you can too. The Brandsaver flyer came in the flyers that arrived at houses last week. Some people got them in their local paper too (the one that is delivered to your house for free each week).
In edition, Rexall has their Old Spice deodorant on for $1.49, and if you use the $3.00 coupon and buy 2, then it is free as well (don't use the coupon at Rexall though, they will not allow it). Take their flyer and Ad Match at Walmart (only Walmart since they allow overage). There is no point driving all over town to get your deals when you can ad match your deals there anyways and it saves you money, gas and time. Apparently Superstore allows ad matching (though I would sooner be hung from my toe nails than attempt this there), London Drugs allows it, as does Walmart.
Now that couponing has helped me through some hard times, I do have large quantities of items and literally no where to put them. We will not need many items for a long time and since money is so tight, its nice to have a huge amount of diapers (which are costly), toilet paper, razors, shave cream, body wash, paper towels, cleaners, did I mention toilet paper?, snacks, cereals, etc. which were in my "stock pile" to fall back on. I know...I know. I am my own worst enemy. I need shelves immediately or my house will start looking like I am a hoarder. I am thinking I may attempt to donate a large amount of this shaving cream...plus they make great stocking stuffers :).
One more great deal....Sobey's has their 8 pack of Dove bar soap on for $1. Some think this is an error. Not sure on that one...but that's an incredible price, coupon or not (though there are coupons out there!).
PS - Green Works cleaner is on for $1.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart. Use the $1.50 off coupon from websaver or brandsaver (I forget which) and get some for $0.49!
PPS - Tres Semme Shampoo and conditioner is on sale for $2.99 at Rexall (3 days only), with the $1.00 off tear pad it is only $1.99 (normally is $5.99 or more). Great deal!!
Happy Shopping Everyone!
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Excuse me....can I have the money on your porch???
Sorry, its been awhile since I have taken the time to write. When there is a lapse, generally it is because I have gone off the deep end couponing. :)
This week the infamous P & G Brandsaver flyer and the Red Plum flyer came out. I went from being heart broken, to finding a way to get tons of them!! See those pesky flyers may be the bane of many people's existence, but to me, they are much more. They are money and right now, they are needed more than anything.
Most people will be shocked when they read this thinking....Oh...my....gosh....I would NEVER do that. But when times are tough, you will do what is necessary to survive so I did what any good couponer would do. I hit the pavement. Baby and stroller in tow.
Many people would sooner leave their flyers to sog in the rain and winds then even pick them up off their porch AND even though recycle day came and went, many people still have last weeks edition of the flyers on their porches. Every place I stopped and asked were more than happy to have me take their flyers. I even found some houses that were vacant that had loads of old flyers. While not all of them had the precious coupon books I referred to, many of them contained older coupon books with coupons that have not expired yet. Amazing find.
Maybe you are too proud to ask your neighbours for their old flyers....or too shy...but if you need them, I can tell you first hand most people are more than happy to provide their old flyers to someone who asks, anything to get rid of them and what's their loss is my incredibly huge gain!!! Thank goodness for flyers, overage and, of course, for coupons!
This week the infamous P & G Brandsaver flyer and the Red Plum flyer came out. I went from being heart broken, to finding a way to get tons of them!! See those pesky flyers may be the bane of many people's existence, but to me, they are much more. They are money and right now, they are needed more than anything.
Most people will be shocked when they read this thinking....Oh...my....gosh....I would NEVER do that. But when times are tough, you will do what is necessary to survive so I did what any good couponer would do. I hit the pavement. Baby and stroller in tow.
Many people would sooner leave their flyers to sog in the rain and winds then even pick them up off their porch AND even though recycle day came and went, many people still have last weeks edition of the flyers on their porches. Every place I stopped and asked were more than happy to have me take their flyers. I even found some houses that were vacant that had loads of old flyers. While not all of them had the precious coupon books I referred to, many of them contained older coupon books with coupons that have not expired yet. Amazing find.
Maybe you are too proud to ask your neighbours for their old flyers....or too shy...but if you need them, I can tell you first hand most people are more than happy to provide their old flyers to someone who asks, anything to get rid of them and what's their loss is my incredibly huge gain!!! Thank goodness for flyers, overage and, of course, for coupons!
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Coupon Pride
I touched briefly on the fact that money is very tight this month and couponing has given me something that helps me take care of my family and give them everything they need for a fraction of the cost.
For instance, today was the end of the month and we needed to pick up some things. Wonder Bread Simply Plus retails for $3.49 per loaf, but there was an instore special at Superstore that they were $2.50 each when you buy two, and I had coupons for each loaf which brought the cost to $1.75 (also known as half price!!) so I was able to get two loaves of bread for the price of one. The fridge is stocked full of fruits and veggies and the pantry is full of goods and I was able to do it for about $85.00 cheaper than I would have normally spent weekly doing what I did before coupons.
Going back to a previous blog, I had mentioned to always review your receipts for any Code of Scanning errors and wouldnt you know...I had two of them on my receipt today. I realized while leaving the store, but there was no way I was waiting for them to fix it while shopping with Spaz Boy and Whiner Girl...I would return later. Sure enough, I was able to get one box of Baby Mum Mum's for free because they were tagged at the wrong price on the display, plus my second box was price adjusted. Furthermore, I was able to talk my way into an additional price adjustment because Post Great Grains (which I double couponed on) was on a huge display that said $3.00 (and there was a tiny little sticker that said it was actually $4.99) but I argued that when you approach the display as I did, you never would have seen this sticker and therefore, it should be adjusted and they agreed. PLUS, they had an additional supply of Finish Quantumatic Starter Kits on for $5.94, which is free with the $6.00 off coupon .... so the trip back was definitely worth it!
In the mail today I received a coupon for the Lysol No-Touch hand soap dispenser which completed my set and I could ad match to get it for free. Naturally they were sold out, but I was able to get a few other things such as two Colgate 360 toothbrushes which I ad matched with the Walmart flyer and then double couponed on to get them for $0.49. I was also able to ad match Resolve Stain lifter to the Zellers flyer and paid nothing (except taxes) for two bottles of much needed stain remover! But the best part was when I was in line I started chatting up fellow couponers who actually gave me three stacks of coupons which allowed me to get 9 Gillette Men's Deodorants (and she gave me the flyer to ad match them) so I could get them all for free. I couldnt thank her enough. How incredibly generous!
The day was a raging success. I was able to keep within my tight budget and still provide my family with all the necessities they need to keep them well fed, healthy and smelling fantastic. :) Once again, yay for coupons!
For instance, today was the end of the month and we needed to pick up some things. Wonder Bread Simply Plus retails for $3.49 per loaf, but there was an instore special at Superstore that they were $2.50 each when you buy two, and I had coupons for each loaf which brought the cost to $1.75 (also known as half price!!) so I was able to get two loaves of bread for the price of one. The fridge is stocked full of fruits and veggies and the pantry is full of goods and I was able to do it for about $85.00 cheaper than I would have normally spent weekly doing what I did before coupons.
Going back to a previous blog, I had mentioned to always review your receipts for any Code of Scanning errors and wouldnt you know...I had two of them on my receipt today. I realized while leaving the store, but there was no way I was waiting for them to fix it while shopping with Spaz Boy and Whiner Girl...I would return later. Sure enough, I was able to get one box of Baby Mum Mum's for free because they were tagged at the wrong price on the display, plus my second box was price adjusted. Furthermore, I was able to talk my way into an additional price adjustment because Post Great Grains (which I double couponed on) was on a huge display that said $3.00 (and there was a tiny little sticker that said it was actually $4.99) but I argued that when you approach the display as I did, you never would have seen this sticker and therefore, it should be adjusted and they agreed. PLUS, they had an additional supply of Finish Quantumatic Starter Kits on for $5.94, which is free with the $6.00 off coupon .... so the trip back was definitely worth it!
In the mail today I received a coupon for the Lysol No-Touch hand soap dispenser which completed my set and I could ad match to get it for free. Naturally they were sold out, but I was able to get a few other things such as two Colgate 360 toothbrushes which I ad matched with the Walmart flyer and then double couponed on to get them for $0.49. I was also able to ad match Resolve Stain lifter to the Zellers flyer and paid nothing (except taxes) for two bottles of much needed stain remover! But the best part was when I was in line I started chatting up fellow couponers who actually gave me three stacks of coupons which allowed me to get 9 Gillette Men's Deodorants (and she gave me the flyer to ad match them) so I could get them all for free. I couldnt thank her enough. How incredibly generous!
The day was a raging success. I was able to keep within my tight budget and still provide my family with all the necessities they need to keep them well fed, healthy and smelling fantastic. :) Once again, yay for coupons!
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Its the Winds....Of Coupons...
Funny thing. Just when finances are going down the crapper I discover coupons. What's even funnier is that I've been having Garage Sales for a couple weekends in a row to make some extra money and what do you know...this crazy wind is blowing everyone's garbage on to my lawn. Sure enough....the garbage blowing onto my lawn was actually really old Smart Source Flyers! That's right. The winds of coupons have bestowed their goodness upon me and boy were they bountiful! Two coupons for $10.00 off Multibionta vitamins blew my way. These vitamins retail at $15.99 or so for one bottle AND Shoppers had them on sale for $11.99 this past weekend. With my coupons I was able to get them for $1.99 per bottle.
But that was my weekend high. Reality set in today when everyone and their dog wanted a piece of my maternity leave benefit pie and there is precious little to spread around. I did what any good hard working gal with no cash would do. I hit the bottle depot. I have found an incredible, clean, nice bottle depot that doesnt smell tooooo bad which is nice! I was able to procure $14 from that.
Afterwards I returned home. It was crazy windy and I joked about how maybe the Coupon Gods would blow additional coupons my way today. I went into the backyard to play soccer with the boy and...what....what's this....more coupons! Sweet! It inspired me to stop feeling sorry for myself and go on an outting with change (no bills or debit cards allowed). First stop Rexall Pharmacy. I read on Smart Canucks that their clearance was really good and they didnt disappoint! A bunch of tubes of Crest were marked down in store to $0.75 and wouldnt you know I had a save $0.75 on any Crest toothpaste coupon....free toothpaste. What a great start to my night. Then, I was searching for shaving cream for Game Boy (a.k.a - the husband) and they had Old Spice Moisturizing Shave Cream marked down to $1.47. I had a coupon for $1.00 off any Old Spice product...$0.47 Shaving Cream. Nice. Also Nivea Bar Soap was on sale for $2.99 for two bars and I had a $2.00 off coupon so I was able to get those for $0.99 (or $0.50 per bar). The lady there was very amuzed with my organization and was right into checking out all the coupon slots and my coupon holders. Good fun...but she ruined my plan to hit the other Rexall as it was closing in 10 minutes. Dammit.
I toddled on over to another Shoppers Drug Mart to see what I could procure there. A few good friends and I had traded coupons on the weekend and I had a great coupon for soup, plus I knew the Advil Nighttime was still on sale. I couldnt believe my luck. The Campbells Soup was on sale for $0.59 per can and I had a buy 3 save $1 coupon. I bought 3 cans of soup for $0.77 or approximately $0.26 per can. PLUS they had Advil Nighttime, which is on an incredible deal right now. I had the save $4 on any Advil Nighttime product and the 10 pack was on sale for $2.99 (on the timed special) so that made it free. I picked up 4 boxes. :)
My "Change Night" was a raging success. It totally lifted my spirits! Maybe I will go back and get some more soup....at $0.26 per can, how can you pass that up?!?! I love coupons. Lets hope the wind continues to be generous and blow loads of coupons my way! I can't wait to see what tomorrow's wind brings!
But that was my weekend high. Reality set in today when everyone and their dog wanted a piece of my maternity leave benefit pie and there is precious little to spread around. I did what any good hard working gal with no cash would do. I hit the bottle depot. I have found an incredible, clean, nice bottle depot that doesnt smell tooooo bad which is nice! I was able to procure $14 from that.
Afterwards I returned home. It was crazy windy and I joked about how maybe the Coupon Gods would blow additional coupons my way today. I went into the backyard to play soccer with the boy and...what....what's this....more coupons! Sweet! It inspired me to stop feeling sorry for myself and go on an outting with change (no bills or debit cards allowed). First stop Rexall Pharmacy. I read on Smart Canucks that their clearance was really good and they didnt disappoint! A bunch of tubes of Crest were marked down in store to $0.75 and wouldnt you know I had a save $0.75 on any Crest toothpaste coupon....free toothpaste. What a great start to my night. Then, I was searching for shaving cream for Game Boy (a.k.a - the husband) and they had Old Spice Moisturizing Shave Cream marked down to $1.47. I had a coupon for $1.00 off any Old Spice product...$0.47 Shaving Cream. Nice. Also Nivea Bar Soap was on sale for $2.99 for two bars and I had a $2.00 off coupon so I was able to get those for $0.99 (or $0.50 per bar). The lady there was very amuzed with my organization and was right into checking out all the coupon slots and my coupon holders. Good fun...but she ruined my plan to hit the other Rexall as it was closing in 10 minutes. Dammit.
I toddled on over to another Shoppers Drug Mart to see what I could procure there. A few good friends and I had traded coupons on the weekend and I had a great coupon for soup, plus I knew the Advil Nighttime was still on sale. I couldnt believe my luck. The Campbells Soup was on sale for $0.59 per can and I had a buy 3 save $1 coupon. I bought 3 cans of soup for $0.77 or approximately $0.26 per can. PLUS they had Advil Nighttime, which is on an incredible deal right now. I had the save $4 on any Advil Nighttime product and the 10 pack was on sale for $2.99 (on the timed special) so that made it free. I picked up 4 boxes. :)
My "Change Night" was a raging success. It totally lifted my spirits! Maybe I will go back and get some more soup....at $0.26 per can, how can you pass that up?!?! I love coupons. Lets hope the wind continues to be generous and blow loads of coupons my way! I can't wait to see what tomorrow's wind brings!
Thursday, 26 May 2011
The Coupon Song...
Those of you that know me real well, know I like to re-write songs like Weird Al. So, for this particular song, I have chosen to re-write Kesha's - You're Love is My Drug....coupon style. Someday, I'd love to film my own you tube video of this song, but for now, you will just have to sing it in your head....maybe it sounds better there anyways! :)
Without further Adieu....
COUPONS ARE MY DRUG - to the tune of "You're Love is My Drug" - Kesha
Maybe I need some BOGO's
Or maybe need stuff for free.
I've got a sick obsession
I'm couponing in my dreams.
I'm going to every Walmart
In my newest coupon cause
I'm staying up all night hoping
with rollback's the prices fall.
That coupon there,
is hard to find
I just cant get it
off my mind.
I'm all strung out
Its coupon time
those cheap ziplocs
were hard to find
Because Coupons, Coupons, Coupons
Are my drug,
Coupons, coupons, coupons
Because coupons, coupons, coupons
are my drug
coupons, coupons, coupons.
On Smart Canucks for some advice
gonna do my transactions twice
Couponing is my only bad vice
I'm addicted its a crisis
My friends think I've gone Crazy
this coupon's looking kinda hazy.
House space is gonna be effected
If I keep it up like a coupon crackhead
That coupon there,
is hard to find
I just cant get it
off my mind.
I'm all strung out
Its coupon time
those cheap ziplocs
were hard to find
Because Coupons, Coupons, Coupons
Are my drug,
Coupons, coupons, coupons
Because coupons, coupons, coupons
are my drug
coupons, coupons, coupons.
I don't care what people say
the rush is worth
the price I paid
I get so high
when stuff is free
that great big store
was robbed by me.
So I have an idea,
do you wanna sort coupons in my basement
Do they make your heart say
"Couponing is FUN"
Are coupons....your drug?
Huh...your drug....huh....your drug....
Because....
Coupons, Coupons, Coupons
Are my drug,
Coupons, coupons, coupons
Because coupons, coupons, coupons
are my drug
coupons, coupons, coupons.
Hey......hey....coupons, coupons, coupons, coupons....are my drug!
Without further Adieu....
COUPONS ARE MY DRUG - to the tune of "You're Love is My Drug" - Kesha
Maybe I need some BOGO's
Or maybe need stuff for free.
I've got a sick obsession
I'm couponing in my dreams.
I'm going to every Walmart
In my newest coupon cause
I'm staying up all night hoping
with rollback's the prices fall.
That coupon there,
is hard to find
I just cant get it
off my mind.
I'm all strung out
Its coupon time
those cheap ziplocs
were hard to find
Because Coupons, Coupons, Coupons
Are my drug,
Coupons, coupons, coupons
Because coupons, coupons, coupons
are my drug
coupons, coupons, coupons.
On Smart Canucks for some advice
gonna do my transactions twice
Couponing is my only bad vice
I'm addicted its a crisis
My friends think I've gone Crazy
this coupon's looking kinda hazy.
House space is gonna be effected
If I keep it up like a coupon crackhead
That coupon there,
is hard to find
I just cant get it
off my mind.
I'm all strung out
Its coupon time
those cheap ziplocs
were hard to find
Because Coupons, Coupons, Coupons
Are my drug,
Coupons, coupons, coupons
Because coupons, coupons, coupons
are my drug
coupons, coupons, coupons.
I don't care what people say
the rush is worth
the price I paid
I get so high
when stuff is free
that great big store
was robbed by me.
So I have an idea,
do you wanna sort coupons in my basement
Do they make your heart say
"Couponing is FUN"
Are coupons....your drug?
Huh...your drug....huh....your drug....
Because....
Coupons, Coupons, Coupons
Are my drug,
Coupons, coupons, coupons
Because coupons, coupons, coupons
are my drug
coupons, coupons, coupons.
Hey......hey....coupons, coupons, coupons, coupons....are my drug!
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
YAY FOR COUPONS!
I just learned that there was a coupon for Glad Blue Recycle Bags $3.00 off in last weeks Examiner. Thank goodness I still had some around. This is good for those of you in Edmonton as Edmonton does not have the fancy wheelie bins like they do in Caaaaalgary.
For the rest of you...I just have to say that I am so happy! First, I went to London Drugs because in my mail today I received a $5.00 off Enfapro A+ formula which rounded my total coupon tally to $18. That's right. $18 in coupons! Finally! I ripped over to London Drugs and the formula only cost me $10!
Then I went over to Walmart where the Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce is. It is tagged on the shelf at $2.97, but a quick price check reveals that they are actually $2.00. AND there is a $2.00 off coupon in the last edition of Smart Source which means...say it with me....its FREEEEE! Hooray for corporate errors! Better hurry! Before they figure it out!
While in Walmart I did a quick check of the clearance section and there was Nice & Easy Perfect 10 Hair dye marked down to $5.00 per box...however, since I need two boxes, I happened to have a buy 2 save $3 coupon that was going to expire May 30. Just like that I got two boxes of hair dye for $3.50 each. Sweet. Felt like I won the lottery...almost....
Remember the printable Ziploc coupons are going to expire June 4. AND if you want to get the best bang for your Ziploc buck, pair them with the buy 2 get 2 free coupon in this weeks smart source and you can four of them for $0.49 per box at London Drugs (and the Large Freezer bags are on sale for $2.99 right now).
Next up...stay tuned for the coupon song!
For the rest of you...I just have to say that I am so happy! First, I went to London Drugs because in my mail today I received a $5.00 off Enfapro A+ formula which rounded my total coupon tally to $18. That's right. $18 in coupons! Finally! I ripped over to London Drugs and the formula only cost me $10!
Then I went over to Walmart where the Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce is. It is tagged on the shelf at $2.97, but a quick price check reveals that they are actually $2.00. AND there is a $2.00 off coupon in the last edition of Smart Source which means...say it with me....its FREEEEE! Hooray for corporate errors! Better hurry! Before they figure it out!
While in Walmart I did a quick check of the clearance section and there was Nice & Easy Perfect 10 Hair dye marked down to $5.00 per box...however, since I need two boxes, I happened to have a buy 2 save $3 coupon that was going to expire May 30. Just like that I got two boxes of hair dye for $3.50 each. Sweet. Felt like I won the lottery...almost....
Remember the printable Ziploc coupons are going to expire June 4. AND if you want to get the best bang for your Ziploc buck, pair them with the buy 2 get 2 free coupon in this weeks smart source and you can four of them for $0.49 per box at London Drugs (and the Large Freezer bags are on sale for $2.99 right now).
Next up...stay tuned for the coupon song!
Monday, 23 May 2011
So Much to Say....Where to Begin???
Its a good thing the apocolypse didnt happen this weekend because I had serious couponing to attend to and how would I do that if the world came to an end...phew...dodged a bullet there! Couponing to me...is like heroin to a junkie. I am completely hooked. I will not go without it ever again. I think about it all the time and god help you if you are in my way! I cannot fathom paying retail for much, if anything, again. And the best part is...I feel like I am always shopping (which is great for the shopoholic in me) and I am amassing this huge pile of things that I have gotten for free or next to free and that is an amazing feeling. When the purse strings have to be incredibly tight its a great feeling to be able to provide things to my family that are needed and not have to wonder where I will come up with the money for them!
There is buy one get one free at Save-On Foods and Sobey's this week. This week was a different week though. I have finally learned the error in my ways and the how to fix them to save money. Bear in mind though, I am within 5 mins of ALL stores because of my ring road access. So its easy and not at all costly to go to any store I need....and I hit them all.
I also devised a very strategic plan for each store. I reviewed the flyers ahead of time, then pulled coupons and stacked them in my organizer, which has now grown into two organizers. One that contains coupon categories and the other contains some more categories but also is broken into store. No more searching for them. I could just hand the stack over at each place I went to. Fantastic!
At Sobey's I did the following:
Ziploc bags were $2.99, so I bought two more, then couponed on them (with the buy two save $4 coupon), then I furthered that by buying the 30 minute La Grille Marinades, which were $4.89 (but were also buy one get one free) and couponed on THAT with the buy two ziplocs save $3 on La Grille Marinades. That made each box of Ziploc bags $0.99 and each bottle of La Grille Marinade $0.95 each. HA! I am wondering if that could have been even furthered by using the buy two get two free coupon from Smart Source, then you would get 4 boxes out of that making each box about $0.50. I'm not really sure if that would be considered "double couponing"....and didnt want to have to push my luck!
Colgate Advanced Health was on sale for $1.99 but with my $1.50 off coupon it was $0.49 and Secret Deodorant was on sale for $2.49, but I had the coupon for buy 2 save $3 from Brandsaver and voila...$0.99 deodorant.
My total coupon savings was $12.50! And the shopping had just begun.
Save on Foods had their Sunlight Detergent buy one get one so I couponed on the purchased one bringing the price from $6.99 to $5.99...and I got one free so I essentially got them for $2.99 each.
Now...lets begin the biggies!
Walmart had the Quantumatic Starter Kit on for $6.00, and you can get a $6.00 off coupon from their website (see link below) which made it FREE! When I got to Walmart I was able to get the last one. I also discovered that those corporate jerks rolled up the roll back on the Ziploc bags and now they were $2.37 a box or something like that. No more making $1.04 off two boxes. Bummer. Walmart accused me of photocopying the coupons because I print in black and white (helloooo...if I have to coupon for stuff clearly I dont have money to waste on colour ink cartridges...duhhh!!!), but I was able to fight for it and was able to get my free quantumatic and my box of Fibre Plus Cereal which was on sale for $2.97 but with my $1.00 off coupon it was $1.97! YAY! Plus their Van Houtte Coffee was on for $7.97 and I had a $1.50 off coupon for that too.
Later I learned that Canadian Tire has the 20 packs of dryer sheets for Snuggle Fabric Softener on for $0.99 BUT there is a coupon for $1.00 on their website (see link below), so you can get those for free AND they also have the Quantumatic Starter Kit on for $6 (which you can get for free with your coupon as well then you dont have to go to Walmart unless you need to).
A friend later shared with me that if you have the $3.00 off when you purchase two Aveeno products coupon, that coupon is also on the wall at Superstore, so you can double it and save $6 off two Aveeno products!
You would think I was done...but I'm not. At Shoppers Drug Mart, Listerine Mouthwash is on sale for the big 1L bottles. $4.99 and theres a $3.00 off coupon on the mrs.january website (see link below), so you can get that for $1.99. AND I checked in their clearance and there was Herbal Essences Shampoo in there for $1.12 and I had a $0.50 off coupon so I got the shampoo for $0.62. Also in there I saw Clean and Clear Morning Burst cleanser marked down to $3.50 from $11.50...I have the $1.00 off coupon so I could have gotten that for $2.50...could have...if there was any there. :(
Safeway was an interesting one. I read on the forums that Safeway will accept a manufacturers coupon AND a computer printed coupon for the same item (obviously they have to have a different bar code) so I decided to test this theory as well.
Firstly, I picked up Giovanni Panzani (?? - gotta double check that one) pasta for $1.66 but with my $0.75 coupon it was $0.92. Then I got Dial Nutriskin Lotion which is regularly about $7 a bottle. It was on special for buy 2 for $7...and I had two coupons to save $1.50 each...and I also had the printable coupon for $1.00 off that I asked if they would accept and they did (not too sure if they should have...but they did...) so I was able to get the lotions for $1.50 each. Oh and Crest 3D White toothpaste was on special 3 for $5 which broke down to $1.67 per tube, but I had $1.00 off coupon so it was $0.67. I also got Hellmann's Olive Oil Mayo on sale for $3.99 and I had a $0.50 off coupon for that. I left there spending only $8.50 and saving nearly $17 with Safeway Club Savings and coupons.
It feels weird...I'm shopping lots...my cupboards are stacked...and I finally seem to be saving money. I cannot believe I didnt think of this sooner. Lets hope this continues to go well but all I can say is couponing is so much fun...it gets me out of the house and searching around...even my four year old was excited to learn I got Pringle Stix "buy one get one free!" ...another generation of smart shoppers. Love it!
Looking for more deals! Will let you know when I find them. PS - had to complain about lack of flyers again this week! Luckily my neighbour gave me hers!
LINKS:
Mrs. January printable coupons - http://www.mrsjanuary.com/free-canada-printable-coupons/
Finish Quantumatic - http://www.finishdishwashing.ca/en/finish-quantumatic.php (click trial offer)
Snuggle Fabric Softener - http://www.snuggle.ca/en/ (click on the link to get the coupon in the lower right corner).
There is buy one get one free at Save-On Foods and Sobey's this week. This week was a different week though. I have finally learned the error in my ways and the how to fix them to save money. Bear in mind though, I am within 5 mins of ALL stores because of my ring road access. So its easy and not at all costly to go to any store I need....and I hit them all.
I also devised a very strategic plan for each store. I reviewed the flyers ahead of time, then pulled coupons and stacked them in my organizer, which has now grown into two organizers. One that contains coupon categories and the other contains some more categories but also is broken into store. No more searching for them. I could just hand the stack over at each place I went to. Fantastic!
At Sobey's I did the following:
Ziploc bags were $2.99, so I bought two more, then couponed on them (with the buy two save $4 coupon), then I furthered that by buying the 30 minute La Grille Marinades, which were $4.89 (but were also buy one get one free) and couponed on THAT with the buy two ziplocs save $3 on La Grille Marinades. That made each box of Ziploc bags $0.99 and each bottle of La Grille Marinade $0.95 each. HA! I am wondering if that could have been even furthered by using the buy two get two free coupon from Smart Source, then you would get 4 boxes out of that making each box about $0.50. I'm not really sure if that would be considered "double couponing"....and didnt want to have to push my luck!
Colgate Advanced Health was on sale for $1.99 but with my $1.50 off coupon it was $0.49 and Secret Deodorant was on sale for $2.49, but I had the coupon for buy 2 save $3 from Brandsaver and voila...$0.99 deodorant.
My total coupon savings was $12.50! And the shopping had just begun.
Save on Foods had their Sunlight Detergent buy one get one so I couponed on the purchased one bringing the price from $6.99 to $5.99...and I got one free so I essentially got them for $2.99 each.
Now...lets begin the biggies!
Walmart had the Quantumatic Starter Kit on for $6.00, and you can get a $6.00 off coupon from their website (see link below) which made it FREE! When I got to Walmart I was able to get the last one. I also discovered that those corporate jerks rolled up the roll back on the Ziploc bags and now they were $2.37 a box or something like that. No more making $1.04 off two boxes. Bummer. Walmart accused me of photocopying the coupons because I print in black and white (helloooo...if I have to coupon for stuff clearly I dont have money to waste on colour ink cartridges...duhhh!!!), but I was able to fight for it and was able to get my free quantumatic and my box of Fibre Plus Cereal which was on sale for $2.97 but with my $1.00 off coupon it was $1.97! YAY! Plus their Van Houtte Coffee was on for $7.97 and I had a $1.50 off coupon for that too.
Later I learned that Canadian Tire has the 20 packs of dryer sheets for Snuggle Fabric Softener on for $0.99 BUT there is a coupon for $1.00 on their website (see link below), so you can get those for free AND they also have the Quantumatic Starter Kit on for $6 (which you can get for free with your coupon as well then you dont have to go to Walmart unless you need to).
A friend later shared with me that if you have the $3.00 off when you purchase two Aveeno products coupon, that coupon is also on the wall at Superstore, so you can double it and save $6 off two Aveeno products!
You would think I was done...but I'm not. At Shoppers Drug Mart, Listerine Mouthwash is on sale for the big 1L bottles. $4.99 and theres a $3.00 off coupon on the mrs.january website (see link below), so you can get that for $1.99. AND I checked in their clearance and there was Herbal Essences Shampoo in there for $1.12 and I had a $0.50 off coupon so I got the shampoo for $0.62. Also in there I saw Clean and Clear Morning Burst cleanser marked down to $3.50 from $11.50...I have the $1.00 off coupon so I could have gotten that for $2.50...could have...if there was any there. :(
Safeway was an interesting one. I read on the forums that Safeway will accept a manufacturers coupon AND a computer printed coupon for the same item (obviously they have to have a different bar code) so I decided to test this theory as well.
Firstly, I picked up Giovanni Panzani (?? - gotta double check that one) pasta for $1.66 but with my $0.75 coupon it was $0.92. Then I got Dial Nutriskin Lotion which is regularly about $7 a bottle. It was on special for buy 2 for $7...and I had two coupons to save $1.50 each...and I also had the printable coupon for $1.00 off that I asked if they would accept and they did (not too sure if they should have...but they did...) so I was able to get the lotions for $1.50 each. Oh and Crest 3D White toothpaste was on special 3 for $5 which broke down to $1.67 per tube, but I had $1.00 off coupon so it was $0.67. I also got Hellmann's Olive Oil Mayo on sale for $3.99 and I had a $0.50 off coupon for that. I left there spending only $8.50 and saving nearly $17 with Safeway Club Savings and coupons.
It feels weird...I'm shopping lots...my cupboards are stacked...and I finally seem to be saving money. I cannot believe I didnt think of this sooner. Lets hope this continues to go well but all I can say is couponing is so much fun...it gets me out of the house and searching around...even my four year old was excited to learn I got Pringle Stix "buy one get one free!" ...another generation of smart shoppers. Love it!
Looking for more deals! Will let you know when I find them. PS - had to complain about lack of flyers again this week! Luckily my neighbour gave me hers!
LINKS:
Mrs. January printable coupons - http://www.mrsjanuary.com/free-canada-printable-coupons/
Finish Quantumatic - http://www.finishdishwashing.ca/en/finish-quantumatic.php (click trial offer)
Snuggle Fabric Softener - http://www.snuggle.ca/en/ (click on the link to get the coupon in the lower right corner).
Friday, 20 May 2011
When You Read This...YOU TOO WILL HAVE THE ITCH!
(and if you have the itch...I have a coupon for the ointment). :)
All joking aside...I executed my first strategically planned and laid out couponing mission. I have been having garage sales and had enough money to thrill myself with a coupon venture. The first steps were completed last night. Going through all coupons, setting aside a pile of multiples for use at London Drugs. When I finally received my flyers, I was able to finalize my plan and execute it this evening. That being said I learned vital intel last night that lead me to conclude the time was right....get this. This whole time I've been thinking that London Drugs only accepts "double" coupons...meaning you could only use two on an item...but I was wrong folks....very wrong....THEY USE MORE!!! (http://mrsjanuary.com/coupon-policies/london-drugs-canada-coupon-policy.pdf). If you have coupons that are different but for the same item...(meaning the barcode is different on each coupon but the item is the same) then you can use them all! I received a very vital coupon in the flyers today which enabled me to attempt this for the first time....and it works! I didnt even do anything sneaky. I had all coupons laid out per item. :)
Here is what I bought (since I didnt think to write down the ACTUAL price, I will approximate):
Motrin IB (100 + 25): Regular price: $9.99. Sale Price: $6.99 less coupon $5.00 http://www.livingwell.ca/english/content/motrin-liquid-gels-60ct-or-72ct-or-tablets-50ct-60ct-100ct-or-150ct?campaign=2905 (This is a printable coupon and it is accepted at London Drugs...you will note it is for liquid gels or tablets!). Total cost = $1.99
Ziploc Freezer Bags Large: Regular Price $3.99. Sale Price: $2.99 less coupon buy 2 save $4 http://www.livingwell.ca/english/content/motrin-liquid-gels-60ct-or-72ct-or-tablets-50ct-60ct-100ct-or-150ct?campaign=2905, double couponed with buy 2 get 2 free found in this weeks Smart Source Flyer = 4 boxes of large Ziploc Freezer bags for $1.98 (or about $0.50 per box).
Colgate 360 Toothbrush Regular Price $4.99. Sale Price: $3.99 less THREE coupons (two for $1.00 off (one is in this weeks Smart Source) and one for $1.50 off (from my dentists office). Total cost: $0.49
Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel (the kind that sticks to your bowl for 7 days) Sale Price $4.29 (coupons for buy one, get toilet duck toilet bowl cleaner free and buy one get scrubbing bubbles aerosol for free(both from one of Smart Source (previous version). So I scored three products from just buying one that was already on sale!
Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner: Regular Price: $9.99, Sale Price $7.99 less $5.00 coupon from coupon mailing sites = $2.99
Venus Disposable Razors: Regular Price $9.99, Sale Price $6.99 less two coupons (one off mailing site and one that came attached to a magazine called "Rouge" that came once in the flyers). Total Cost $1.99
Lóreal Total Repair Hair Elixer Regular Price $5.99, Sale Price $4.99 less two coupons (both from previous Smart Source flyers) = $1.49
Fantastik Spray Cleaner $3.69 (not sure if that was regular price or not) less two coupons. One for $1.00 off and one for buy one get one free...so I got two bottles for $2.69.
Tums: Regular Price $3.99. Sale Price: $2.99 less four coupons. Buy 2 Save 2 (two different ones one from tear pad at grocery store, one from Smart Source), less $0.50 coupon x2 = two bottles of tums for $0.98...or $0.49 per bottle.
Dawn Liquid Dish Soap buy 2 for $3.00. Less coupon for buy 2 save $1 = $1 each
Colgate Toothpaste - Advanced Total Health - in store special buy one get one free. Less $1.50 coupon from my dentists office. $4.29 - $1.50 = $2.79 or around $1.40 per tube (and they are the HUGE tubes!)
Listerine 1L (fancy whitening kind) Regular Price $9.99, Sale Price $5.99 - $3.00 coupon = $2.99
Finish Quantum Fancy Person Dish Detergent 48 Tabs Sale Price $9.99 - three coupons (see below for details) = $3.99
TOTAL COUPON SAVINGS = $62.64!!!!!
I am beginning to see that to get the big savings you will need to be printing coupons as well. Seems to be the key. Here is an amazing site full of great printable coupons http://www.mrsjanuary.com/free-canada-printable-coupons/. I've used a ton from there with no issues at all.
People are starting to comment about couponing and more and more people ask me where I get them and how to do it. Its great to see something that was once frowned upon becoming more and more acceptable!!! I can remember when I used to throw them all away...now I see...they are money and I'm lovin it! Huge thanks to the Mrs. January Site. What an incredible site!
P.S. - if you havent reviewed your flyers...do so! You can pair up straight away! If you got a free sample of Quantum there is a $2.00 off coupon on it that you can match with one that is in this weeks smart source flyer and save $4.00 BUT if you have the previous version, you can save $6!!! Oh...and Brandsaver should be up and running again today!
All joking aside...I executed my first strategically planned and laid out couponing mission. I have been having garage sales and had enough money to thrill myself with a coupon venture. The first steps were completed last night. Going through all coupons, setting aside a pile of multiples for use at London Drugs. When I finally received my flyers, I was able to finalize my plan and execute it this evening. That being said I learned vital intel last night that lead me to conclude the time was right....get this. This whole time I've been thinking that London Drugs only accepts "double" coupons...meaning you could only use two on an item...but I was wrong folks....very wrong....THEY USE MORE!!! (http://mrsjanuary.com/coupon-policies/london-drugs-canada-coupon-policy.pdf). If you have coupons that are different but for the same item...(meaning the barcode is different on each coupon but the item is the same) then you can use them all! I received a very vital coupon in the flyers today which enabled me to attempt this for the first time....and it works! I didnt even do anything sneaky. I had all coupons laid out per item. :)
Here is what I bought (since I didnt think to write down the ACTUAL price, I will approximate):
Motrin IB (100 + 25): Regular price: $9.99. Sale Price: $6.99 less coupon $5.00 http://www.livingwell.ca/english/content/motrin-liquid-gels-60ct-or-72ct-or-tablets-50ct-60ct-100ct-or-150ct?campaign=2905 (This is a printable coupon and it is accepted at London Drugs...you will note it is for liquid gels or tablets!). Total cost = $1.99
Ziploc Freezer Bags Large: Regular Price $3.99. Sale Price: $2.99 less coupon buy 2 save $4 http://www.livingwell.ca/english/content/motrin-liquid-gels-60ct-or-72ct-or-tablets-50ct-60ct-100ct-or-150ct?campaign=2905, double couponed with buy 2 get 2 free found in this weeks Smart Source Flyer = 4 boxes of large Ziploc Freezer bags for $1.98 (or about $0.50 per box).
Colgate 360 Toothbrush Regular Price $4.99. Sale Price: $3.99 less THREE coupons (two for $1.00 off (one is in this weeks Smart Source) and one for $1.50 off (from my dentists office). Total cost: $0.49
Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel (the kind that sticks to your bowl for 7 days) Sale Price $4.29 (coupons for buy one, get toilet duck toilet bowl cleaner free and buy one get scrubbing bubbles aerosol for free(both from one of Smart Source (previous version). So I scored three products from just buying one that was already on sale!
Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner: Regular Price: $9.99, Sale Price $7.99 less $5.00 coupon from coupon mailing sites = $2.99
Venus Disposable Razors: Regular Price $9.99, Sale Price $6.99 less two coupons (one off mailing site and one that came attached to a magazine called "Rouge" that came once in the flyers). Total Cost $1.99
Lóreal Total Repair Hair Elixer Regular Price $5.99, Sale Price $4.99 less two coupons (both from previous Smart Source flyers) = $1.49
Fantastik Spray Cleaner $3.69 (not sure if that was regular price or not) less two coupons. One for $1.00 off and one for buy one get one free...so I got two bottles for $2.69.
Tums: Regular Price $3.99. Sale Price: $2.99 less four coupons. Buy 2 Save 2 (two different ones one from tear pad at grocery store, one from Smart Source), less $0.50 coupon x2 = two bottles of tums for $0.98...or $0.49 per bottle.
Dawn Liquid Dish Soap buy 2 for $3.00. Less coupon for buy 2 save $1 = $1 each
Colgate Toothpaste - Advanced Total Health - in store special buy one get one free. Less $1.50 coupon from my dentists office. $4.29 - $1.50 = $2.79 or around $1.40 per tube (and they are the HUGE tubes!)
Listerine 1L (fancy whitening kind) Regular Price $9.99, Sale Price $5.99 - $3.00 coupon = $2.99
Finish Quantum Fancy Person Dish Detergent 48 Tabs Sale Price $9.99 - three coupons (see below for details) = $3.99
TOTAL COUPON SAVINGS = $62.64!!!!!
I am beginning to see that to get the big savings you will need to be printing coupons as well. Seems to be the key. Here is an amazing site full of great printable coupons http://www.mrsjanuary.com/free-canada-printable-coupons/. I've used a ton from there with no issues at all.
People are starting to comment about couponing and more and more people ask me where I get them and how to do it. Its great to see something that was once frowned upon becoming more and more acceptable!!! I can remember when I used to throw them all away...now I see...they are money and I'm lovin it! Huge thanks to the Mrs. January Site. What an incredible site!
P.S. - if you havent reviewed your flyers...do so! You can pair up straight away! If you got a free sample of Quantum there is a $2.00 off coupon on it that you can match with one that is in this weeks smart source flyer and save $4.00 BUT if you have the previous version, you can save $6!!! Oh...and Brandsaver should be up and running again today!
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
I Have Crossed the Line....
There was a time when I was the crazy coupon lady....but that ship has sailed. I believe this weekend I may have entered the realm of Psychotic Coupon Lady. I have gone couponing a ton now. So much so that I couldnt keep up with the blog entries. I couldnt stop myself. I had to coupon more. My name is Alevry78, and I am a Couponing-Aholic.
Last week a friend informed me of a printable coupon for buy two boxes of ziploc bags and save $4, but Walmart had some on for $1.48 AND if it was a Supercentre they would let you use them still...so I was making $1.03 for every two boxes I purchased. I was hooked. It sparked a hunt that saw me go to about a gazillion Walmarts attempting to get into the pandemonium. The first time was a bust....sold out...but I found 6 boxes of a different size that were also $1.48...SCORE! The next morning we went to a different Walmart (I have great access to the ring road and several Walmarts) and lo-and behold there was a new case of these ziploc bags in particular. I admit...I bought more than my fair share....but I wanted to feel what it was like....the euphoria from actually making money from purchasing in a mass quantity like they do on TV. It felt great! I couponed on additional items and got 12 boxes of ziplocs, Olay Body Wash, a new Venus Razor and some toothpaste and it cost me $1.93. Victory was mine. But for one day. I was able to get a few more and scored buy one get one free cleaners.
I did manage to find some other great deals as well. For instance, there is a $5.00 off Motrin coupon on line and it was on sale at London Drugs for $6.99 so that made it $1.99. Now thats a price I am willing to pay for pain relievers. My husband and son both fell ill at the same time and with my coupons I was able to get Tylenol Cold Daytime/Nighttime, Tylenol Meltaways for kids, and three 125 count boxes of Motrin for around $10.
I had a garage sale last weekend and my house is at the end of the street. In this intense wind it is a catch all for blowing papers, garbage...garbage bags, etc...however the gods of coupons smiled upon me as numerous old coupons drifted onto my lawn...one of the most valuable was for $10.00 off Multibionta vitamins which there is also a coupon online for that makes you able to get them for free!
Sunday I was able to score some Old Spice deodorant for $0.50 each when it went on sale at Shoppers for $1.99 for Sunday and Monday only. I had a $3.00 off the purchase of 2 coupon...so I spent $1.00 and my husband will not stink. Definitely a fair exchange!
I'm hooked on couponing. I can't get enough. The girl at London Drugs was really into it too and gave me a bunch of pointers and stuff that I didnt know. But remember, keep watch on the flyers. I've been so busy I haven't been able to blog about them...but there are loads of good deals out there! I know that I wouldnt stockpile, but I have to tell you....its impossible! When you see things that are amazing deals and you can use them to your advantage (like the Walmart deal) then you can stand to get loads of things for prices you are very willing to pay for. Now...if you will excuse me...I need to find more things I can get for free.
Last week a friend informed me of a printable coupon for buy two boxes of ziploc bags and save $4, but Walmart had some on for $1.48 AND if it was a Supercentre they would let you use them still...so I was making $1.03 for every two boxes I purchased. I was hooked. It sparked a hunt that saw me go to about a gazillion Walmarts attempting to get into the pandemonium. The first time was a bust....sold out...but I found 6 boxes of a different size that were also $1.48...SCORE! The next morning we went to a different Walmart (I have great access to the ring road and several Walmarts) and lo-and behold there was a new case of these ziploc bags in particular. I admit...I bought more than my fair share....but I wanted to feel what it was like....the euphoria from actually making money from purchasing in a mass quantity like they do on TV. It felt great! I couponed on additional items and got 12 boxes of ziplocs, Olay Body Wash, a new Venus Razor and some toothpaste and it cost me $1.93. Victory was mine. But for one day. I was able to get a few more and scored buy one get one free cleaners.
I did manage to find some other great deals as well. For instance, there is a $5.00 off Motrin coupon on line and it was on sale at London Drugs for $6.99 so that made it $1.99. Now thats a price I am willing to pay for pain relievers. My husband and son both fell ill at the same time and with my coupons I was able to get Tylenol Cold Daytime/Nighttime, Tylenol Meltaways for kids, and three 125 count boxes of Motrin for around $10.
I had a garage sale last weekend and my house is at the end of the street. In this intense wind it is a catch all for blowing papers, garbage...garbage bags, etc...however the gods of coupons smiled upon me as numerous old coupons drifted onto my lawn...one of the most valuable was for $10.00 off Multibionta vitamins which there is also a coupon online for that makes you able to get them for free!
Sunday I was able to score some Old Spice deodorant for $0.50 each when it went on sale at Shoppers for $1.99 for Sunday and Monday only. I had a $3.00 off the purchase of 2 coupon...so I spent $1.00 and my husband will not stink. Definitely a fair exchange!
I'm hooked on couponing. I can't get enough. The girl at London Drugs was really into it too and gave me a bunch of pointers and stuff that I didnt know. But remember, keep watch on the flyers. I've been so busy I haven't been able to blog about them...but there are loads of good deals out there! I know that I wouldnt stockpile, but I have to tell you....its impossible! When you see things that are amazing deals and you can use them to your advantage (like the Walmart deal) then you can stand to get loads of things for prices you are very willing to pay for. Now...if you will excuse me...I need to find more things I can get for free.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Something to Wet Your Whistle
Maintaining this blog is a lot like work...and I haven't had enough time to get on here this weekend but there were some good deals and I will only take the time to list a few right now because they are the timed specials that are left...hopefully you all got to snap up some of the other good deals earlier!
Mothers' Day began in a whirlwind as I decided I had too many double coupons and timed specials to attend to. I got up early, showered and prepped the littlest shopper and away we went. Lucky me, yet another store has opened up around the corner so it was off to the Grand Opening of Shoppers Drug Mart to partake in timed special delight.
So...here we go:
Shoppers Drug Mart Timed Specials (TODAY IS THE LAST DAY):
Lever 2000 Body Wash - $1.99 - $1.00 off coupon (came in the last Smart Source Flyer) = $0.99
Life Brand Flavoured Water 6 pack - $0.99 (no coupon but worth the mention)
Carefree and Stayfree Pads - $1.99 - buy two save $5....please see below!
I will do a blog later with all the rest of the regular weekly specials, but I must tell you about what happened with the coupon...they were sold out of the Carefree ones and while I don't need them, I wanted to see what would happen....so I said nothing when I checked out. Made fun of myself for couponing with the clerk...played it cool. And yep....they let me use it. That's right. They technically cost me nothing and I got -$1.02 back toward my other purchases...and because I got the 6 pack of flavoured water it was essentially free!
I also double couponed at London Drugs. One biggie there....Olay Body Wash...on sale for $4.98. I had two coupons one for buy 2 save $3 and one for buy 2 Save $5. Total Cost...$1.98 for two Olay Body Washes. Also...Venus Razors...on sale for $9.74. Double couponed and got it for $1.74. :)
More later. Boy is getting impatient.
Mothers' Day began in a whirlwind as I decided I had too many double coupons and timed specials to attend to. I got up early, showered and prepped the littlest shopper and away we went. Lucky me, yet another store has opened up around the corner so it was off to the Grand Opening of Shoppers Drug Mart to partake in timed special delight.
So...here we go:
Shoppers Drug Mart Timed Specials (TODAY IS THE LAST DAY):
Lever 2000 Body Wash - $1.99 - $1.00 off coupon (came in the last Smart Source Flyer) = $0.99
Life Brand Flavoured Water 6 pack - $0.99 (no coupon but worth the mention)
Carefree and Stayfree Pads - $1.99 - buy two save $5....please see below!
I will do a blog later with all the rest of the regular weekly specials, but I must tell you about what happened with the coupon...they were sold out of the Carefree ones and while I don't need them, I wanted to see what would happen....so I said nothing when I checked out. Made fun of myself for couponing with the clerk...played it cool. And yep....they let me use it. That's right. They technically cost me nothing and I got -$1.02 back toward my other purchases...and because I got the 6 pack of flavoured water it was essentially free!
I also double couponed at London Drugs. One biggie there....Olay Body Wash...on sale for $4.98. I had two coupons one for buy 2 save $3 and one for buy 2 Save $5. Total Cost...$1.98 for two Olay Body Washes. Also...Venus Razors...on sale for $9.74. Double couponed and got it for $1.74. :)
More later. Boy is getting impatient.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
FREE PLAYTEX SPORT TAMPONS!
Just click on the link below to get your free sample (and it comes with a coupon too!)
http://www.playtexsport.com/Demand-It.aspx?utm_source=CND%2BCollection&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Sport
Be Unstoppable :)
http://www.playtexsport.com/Demand-It.aspx?utm_source=CND%2BCollection&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Sport
Be Unstoppable :)
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