Target: Coupon for a $10 Gift Card When Spending $50

If your Christmas shopping includes a stop at Target, you can print this coupon to get a $10 gift card when you spend $50 at Target. The coupon expires 12/8/2012.

Amazon.com $5 Off Purchase of $25

Amazon.com is offering $5 off of a $25 purchase. You have to share the offer on Facebook to claim it. The $5 off expires 11:59 PM PST on Sunday, December 9, 2012. This promotion excludes Kindle devices, digital downloads and gift card purchases. 

Saving Money on Holiday Cards

We've just gotten our first couple of holiday cards in the mail and I really look forward to getting them each year. It's a special treat to go through the mail and see the cards with cute kid pictures and warm holiday greetings from friends and family. Every year, it's a project to find the right card and picture to go along with it. Some years, the pressure to take the perfect holiday photo has resulted in at least one of us in tears. This year, I decided to forgo the drama and use a candid photo of Alex from this summer that I felt captured his personality.

After finding the photo, the next step is to find the card to go with it. The good news is that the number of places available to order printed cards makes it easy to get them for a good price. I usually go to Vistaprint first to look at what they have to offer for cards. I first heard about Vistaprint back in 2004 when I was planning my wedding. The women on the wedding planning message board that I frequented raved about Vistaprint for their must have Save the Date cards. Vistaprint frequently offers free business cards that would also work for the Save the Dates. Back then, their design choices were limited. Today, they offer a lot of great designs. Right now, they are offering six free holiday gifts which include ten free holiday cards and a free photo calendar.

This year, I looked at Vistaprint and saw a few possibilities. The price for the card that I liked was $15 for 50 cards. Pretty good deal. Then, I got an email from Shutterfly offering a $20 credit on holiday cards. I was able to combine that with a 20% off coupon code making the card that I liked also $15 for 50 cards. When I logged into my account at Shutterfly, I saw that I have a $15 credit that interestingly does not expire until 2109. Since this credit was less than the $20 credit I was emailed and the expiration date will outlive me, I used the emailed $20 offer. Even thought the price was the same, I went with the Shutterfly cards because they had one design that I liked slightly more.

Another printed card site to check out is Snapfish. When you find a card design at one of these sites that you like, Google the site's name and "coupon code" to get the best possible discount on your cards. If you are creative and have photo editing software, you can also save money buy adding your holiday message to a 4x6 photo and ordering low cost prints from CVS, Walgreens, or Target. There are so many possibilities for your holiday cards. Enjoy those holiday cards and cute pictures as they start filling up your mailbox.

Small Business Saturday

Today, November 24, is Small Business Saturday. If there is a small business or local store that you love, today is the perfect day to support it by shopping local. American Express is offering a $25 statement credit for a purchase made at a qualifying local business. To participate, you need to enroll your AmEx card and then use your enrolled card to spend $25 or more on a single in-store transaction at a qualified local business on November 24, 2012. Go to ShopSmall.com to see qualifying local businesses.

We plan to head to Needham Center today to do some shopping. I'm going to take Alex with me to the toy store to pick out some Christmas gifts for his cousins. I'm hoping this will help reinforce the idea that Christmas is more about giving than getting. We'll see how well that goes. Later in the afternoon is Needham's Blue Tree Lighting. We'll watch the tree in Needham Center be lit in blue and then head to a local restaurant for dinner. The perfect way to spend Small Business Saturday.

CVS - Black Friday Deals

This year, CVS is having a two-part Black Friday sale. The first part of the sale is from Sunday, November 18 to Wednesday, November 21. The second part of the sale from from Thanksgiving, November 22 to Saturday, November 24.

The good thing about this sale being a two-parter is that you can use the ExtraBucks that you earn during the first part of the sale to buy sale items during the second part of the sale.

Black Friday Sale - 11/18 to 11/21

 

Powerade, 32 oz $1.00 
Buy 1, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $1.00, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks

Hot Wheels Car, 1 ct $1.00
Buy 1, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $1.00, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks

Coke Products, 1.25 Liter $0.99
Buy 1, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $0.99, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks

Starbucks Refresher Beverage, $1.50 
Buy 1, Receive $1.50 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $1.00/1 – Starbucks Refreshers – (starbucks.com) not a reset if you previously printed
Pay $0.50, Receive $1.50 ExtraBucks 

$1.00 moneymaker after ExtraBucks

Starbucks Double Shot, 6.5 oz or $1.99
Buy 1, Receive $1.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $1.99, Receive $1.99 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks 

Kleenex Slim Pack Facial Tissue 3 pk or Sparkle Single Roll Paper Towels $1.00
Buy 1, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 2
Pay $1.00, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Cepacol Sensations, Cooling, Hydra, or Warming, 4 ct $1.00
Buy 1, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $1.00, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks 

3M Command Hook Sample Pack $0.99
Buy 1, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $1.00/1 – Command Product – (command.com)
Or $0.50/1 – Command Hooks – (command.com)
Pay Nothing, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks
$0.99 moneymaker after ExtraBucks 

 

Advil, 10 ct Vial $2.99
Buy 1, Receive $2.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $1.00/1 Advil PM Product from RP 10/28 (exp 1/31) (if included)
Pay $1.99, Receive $2.99 ExtraBucks

$1.00 moneymaker after ExtraBucks  

 

Advil Children’s Suspenion Liquid White Grape, 1 oz $2.37
Buy 1, Receive $2.37 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $1.00/1 Advil Children’s Product from RP 9/10 (exp 11/30)
Or $1.00/1 Advil Children’s Product from RP 10/28 (exp 12/31)
Pay $1.37, Receive $2.37 ExtraBucks

$1.00 moneymaker after ExtraBucks  

 

AirWick Oil Warmer Unit $0.99

Buy 1, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $2.00/2 – Air Wick Products, Excudes Aerosols, Stick Ups, and Solids – (airwick.us)
Pay Nothing, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks

$0.99 moneymaker after ExtraBucks

 

Bayer Countour Next Meter $10.00

Buy 1, Receive $10.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $5.00/1 – Bayer Contour Meter – (offers.bayerdiabetes.com) Must Have Prescription
Pay $5.00, Receive $10.00 ExtraBucks

$5.00 moneymaker after ExtraBucks

Easy Feet “As Seen On TV” $4.99
Buy 1, Receive $4.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $4.99, Receive $4.99 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Kleenex Tissues, 3 pk Wallet $1.00

Buy 1, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $1.00, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese, 5.5-7.25 oz $0.99

Buy 1, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $0.99, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks 

 

Nasal Ease Reliever, 18 oz $9.99

Buy 1, Receive $9.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $9.99, Receive $9.99 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks 

 

Nips Candy $0.88

Buy 1, Receive $0.88 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $0.88, Receive $0.88 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Phillips 3 Function Remote $6.99

Buy 1, Receive $6.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $6.99, Receive $6.99 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks 

 

Carmex Lip Balm Select, $1.00

Buy 1, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $0.75/1 – Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm – (carmex.com) (if included)
Or $0.50/1 – Carmex Lip Conditioner – (coupons.com) (if included)
Or $0.50/1 – Carmex Lip Conditioner – (facebook.com) (if included)
Or $0.30/1 – Carmex Lip Balm, 90210 – (coupons.com)
Or $0.30/1 Carmex Lip Balm from SS 10/21 (exp 12/31)
Or $1.00/2 Carmex Lip Balm from SS 10

/21 (exp 12/31)
Pay $0.25, Receive $1.00 ExtraBucks
$0.75 moneymaker after ExtraBucks 

 

Charmin Basic, Single Roll $0.99

Buy 1, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $0.25/1 Charmin Product, excludes trial and travel size, Limit of 4 like coupons per household per day from PG 10/14 (exp 11/30)
Pay $0.74, Receive $0.99 ExtraBucks
$0.25 moneymaker after ExtraBucks  

 

Glade Scented Oil Base Warmer $1.25

Buy 1, Receive $1.25 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Use $1.00/1 – Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer  – (coupons.com)
Or $1.00/1 – Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer – (rightathome.com)
Or $1.00/1 – Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer or Starter Kit – (coupons.com)
Or $1.00/1 Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Warmer or Starter Kit from SS 10/14 (exp 11/24)
Or $1.00/1 Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer from SS 11/4 (exp 12/1)
Pay $0.25, Receive $1.25 ExtraBucks
$1.00 moneymaker after ExtraBucks  

 

Scooby Doo Fruit Snacks, 10 pk $2.00

Buy 1, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $2.00, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucks

Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Pur Absorb, 28 ct $16.99

Buy 1, Receive $16.99 ExtraBucks
Use $3.00/1 – Spatone purAbsorb Iron Supplement – (facebook.com)
Pay $13.99, Receive $16.99 ExtraBucks
$3.00 moneymaker after ExtraBucks  

 

Somnapure Sleep Aid, 4 ct $1.87

Buy 1, Receive $1.87 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $1.87, Receive $1.87 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks  

 

South Beach Diet Bar 5 ct Chocolate or Whipped Peanut Butter $4.99

Buy 1, Receive $4.99 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $4.99, Receive $4.99 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Street King Energy Shot 2 pk Grape or Orange Mango, $3.99

Buy 1, Receive $3.99 in ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $3.99, Receive $3.99 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Thermacare Back & Hip Wrap, 1 ct $3.49

Buy 1, Receive $3.49 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $3.49, Receive $3.49 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks  

 

Nutrawise/Youtheory Collagen Formula 1 & 3 $9.49

Buy 1, Receive $9.49 ExtraBucks, 11/18-11/21, Limit 1
Pay $9.49, Receive $9.49 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks

 

Black Friday Sale - 11/22 to 11/24

 

Coupon for 25% off your entire purchase of regularly priced items.

CVS Alkaline Batteries AA/AAA, 4 pk $3.65
Buy 1, Receive $3.65 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 1
Pay $3.65, Receive $3.65 ExtraBucks
Free after ExtraBucks 

Phillips Ear Buds $6.99

Buy 1, Receive $6.99 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 1
Pay $6.99, Receive $6.99 ExtraBucksFree after ExtraBucks 

 

CVS Flossers, 90 ct $2.00

Buy 1, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 2
Pay $2.00, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucksFree after ExtraBucks 

 

GUM Soft Toothbrush, 2 pk $2.50

Buy 1, Receive $2.50 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 2
Pay $2.50, Receive $2.50 ExtraBucksFree after ExtraBucks

 

Mars Chocolate Singles $0.75

Buy 1, Receive $0.75 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 2
Pay $0.75, Receive $0.75 ExtraBucksFree after ExtraBucks

 

Cheerios, Corn or Rice Chex Cereal, 8.9-14 oz $2.87

Buy 1, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 1
Use $0.60/1 – Cheerios, Original – (pillsbury.com)
Or $0.60/1 – Cheerios, Original – (eatbetteramerica.com)
Or $0.60/1 – Cheerios, Original  – (boxtops4education.com)
Or $1.10/2 – Chex Cereals – (pillsbury.com)
Or $1.10/2 – Chex Cereals – (eatbetteramerica.com)
Or $1.10/2 – Chex Cereals – (boxtops4education.com)
Or $1.00/2 – Chex Cereal – (coupons.com)
Or $0.50/1 – Cheerios, Original – (coupons.com)
Or $1.00/2 Chex Cereals from SS 11/11 (exp 12/22)
Or $1.00/3 General Mills Big G Cereals: Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Chex, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Trix, Reese’s Puffs, Fiber One, Cookie Crisp, Golden Grahams, Kix, Total, Wheaties, Frosted Toast Crunch, Dora the Explorer, Oatmeal Crisp, Raisin Nut Bran, Basic 4, Honey Nut Clusters from SS 11/4 (exp 12/15)
Pay $2.27, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucks 

$0.27 after ExtraBucks

 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick or Color Burst Lip Butter $6.99

Buy 1, Receive $4.00 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 6
Use $1.00/1 
Revlon Lip Product from SS 10/28 (exp 12/2)
Pay $5.99, Receive $4.00 ExtraBucks 

$1.99 after ExtraBucks

Wet ‘n Wild Perfect Petites Nail Color Kit $2.99

Buy 1, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 1 
Pay $2.99, Receive $2.00 ExtraBucks 

$0.99 after ExtraBucks

 

Holiday M&Ms, 9.9-12.6 oz $2.50
Buy 4, Receive $4.00 ExtraBucks, 11/22-11/24, Limit 2
Use two $1.00/2 Mars Holiday Products from RP 11/11 (exp 12/25)
Pay $8.00, Receive $4.00 ExtraBucks

 $1.00 each, when you buy 4 after ExtraBucks

 

Walgreen's - Black Friday Deals

The Walgreen's Black Friday ad is available online. These sale prices are available from Thursday, November 22 to Saturday, November 24.

Here's a list of the freebies and best deals on Black Friday:

Buy 1 Carmex Lip Care at $1, Get 1 Register Rewards
Use $0.30/1 printable or coupon from the 10/21 SmartSource insert
Or buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from the 10/21 SmartSource insert
As low as free plus overage after coupon and Register Rewards

DenTek Floss Pick - $2
Buy 2, Get 1,000 Balance Rewards
Use $0.50/1 coupon from the November All You magazine
$1 each after coupon and Balance Rewards

Reach Toothbrush – $2.50
Buy 2, Get 3,000 Balance Rewards
Use $2/2 printable
Free after coupon and Balance Rewards

Buy 1 Herbal Essences at $2.99 – Get $3 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Cepacol Lozenges (16 pk) at $3, Get $3 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Advil PM (4 ct) at $1, Get $1 Register Rewards
Use $1/1 coupon from the 10/28 RedPlum insert
Free plus overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 ThermaCare (1 ct) at $3.99, Get $3.99 Register Rewards
Use $3/1 printable
Free plus overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Midnite Menopause Chewable Tablets (28 ct) at $7, Get $7 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Crest Toothpaste 3D Whit at $2.99, Get $2.99 Register Rewards
Use $0.75/1 coupon from the 10/28 P&G insert
Free plus overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Got2B Glue Stylers (6 oz) at $1.99, Get $2 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Goody Colour Collection Hair Clips at $2, Get $2 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Hairsil Accelerator Shampoo (4 oz) at $7.99, Get $8 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Blu Science Trim Blu at $10, Get $10 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Gum Toothbrush at $1.49, Get $1.49 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 2 Scunci No Damage Ponytail Holders at $1.50, Get $3 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Omega Smart DHA for Kid at $10, Get $10 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Supernutrition Simply One Multivitamins at $10, Get $10 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Dream Water Shot 0-Calorie Sleep and Relaxation Shot at $2.49, Get $2.50 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Dr. Teals Epsom Salt at $5.99, Get $6 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Sheets Energy Strips (10 ct) at $3.99, Get $4 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Sheets Sleep Strips (10 ct) at $4.99, Get $5 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Rite Aid - Black Friday Deals

The Rite Aid Black Friday ad is available online. Rite Aid is open on Friday, November 23 at 7:00 am.

Here's a list of the best deals at Rite Aid on Black Friday:

Salon Grafix Hairspray – $1.99
Buy 1 - Get $1.99 Up Rewards
Use $2/1 printable
Free plus overage after coupon and UPR (Rite Aid's reward program is called Up Rewards. The reward loads on your Rite Aid card or you can use the coupon that prints on your receipt.)

Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Products - $1.99
Buy 1 - Get $1.99 UPR (Limit 2 per Brand)
Use $1/1 October RA Video Values
Use $1/1 coupon from the 11/4 RedPlum insert
Free after coupons and UPR

LA Looks Gel - $1.99
Buy 1 - Get $1.99 UPR
Free after UPR

Hot Wheels Vehicles – $1
Buy 2 - Get UPR (Limit 2)
$0.50 each after UPR

Kushy Foot Tights, Socks or Footcovers - $4.99
Buy 1 - Get $4 UPR (Limit 2)
$0.99 after UPR

No Nonsense Leggings - $9.99
Buy 1 - Get $5 UPR (Limit 2)
Use $1/1 printable or coupon from the 10/21 SmartSource insert
Use $2/1 November RA Video Values
$1.99 after coupon and UPR

Softsoap Hand Soap – $1.89
Buy 1 - Get $1 UPR (Limit 2)
$0.89 after UPR

Hershey’s Mars, Nestle or Wrigleys Single Serve Candy Bars – $0.67
Buy 3 - Get $1 UPR (Limit 5)
Buy 6 and use 3 $0.50/2 printable
$0.07 each after coupons and UPR 

Gillette, Edge or Skintimate Shave Gel – $2.50
Buy 2 - Get $2 UPR (Limit 3)
Use $1/1 coupon from the 10/28 P&G insert
Or use $1.50/2 printable
As low as $0.75 each after coupon and UPR

Axe, Degree or Dove Deodorant – $4
Buy 2 - Get $3 UPR (Limit 2)
Use $0.75/1 printable
Or use $1/1 printable
As low as $1.50 each after coupons and UPR

7Up or Diet Up – $3
Buy 3 - Get $3 UPR (Limit 2)
$2 each after UPR

M&M’s Candies – $2.50
Buy 4 - Get $4 UPR
$1.50 each after UPR

Wet N Wild Pretty Wild Holiday Nail Set - $3.49
Buy 1 - Get $2.50 UPR (Limit 2)
$0.99 after UPR

100 Count Holiday Lights Sets - $2.97
Buy 1 - Get $1 UPR (Limit 2)
$1.97 after UPR

Nivea for Men Shave Gels or Foam for Men - $1.99
Buy 2 and use $2/2 printable
Use $1/1 in-ad coupon
$0.50 each after stacked coupons

Monster Energy Drinks – $1.50
Buy 2 - Get $2 UPR (Limit 2)
$0.50 each after UPR

iTunes Prepaid Gift Cards, Spend $60, Get $15 in +Up Rewards (Limit 2)
$45 for $60 in Gift Cards after +Up Rewards

Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent – $3
Buy 2 - Get $3 UPR (Limit 2)
Use $1/3 printable
$1.25 each after coupon and UPR

More Than Just a Clean Basement

We spent yesterday morning cleaning the basement. It was not a fun task, but it was rewarding to organize the clutter and free up space in the basement to give Alex more indoor play space. In the afternoon, I took a shopping trip to The Christmas Tree Shop. They issue a 20% off your entire purchase coupon each year mid-November to their email members. I went to take advantage of the coupon. After spending the morning sorting through our clutter and deciding what to keep, donate, or throw away, I realized that I really didn't need much that The Christmas Tree Shop had to offer. I walked by the display of holiday themed trays and kept on walking thinking of the box of Christmas trays and tins I had just moved in our basement.

Years ago, Suze Orman was on Oprah giving a couple advice on getting out of debt. The first thing that she told them to do was clean out their closets. The purpose of this exercise was to show them that they already had closets full of clothes and items so they really didn't need to go shopping for more stuff and getting into more debt. I thought of this while at The Christmas Tree Shop. Thinking about having to find a place for anything that I bought really made me not want to buy anything. What did I leave The Christmas Tree Shop with? All consumable items: bleach cleaner (for the now tidy basement), Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate (My one big weakness. Plus, I deserved a treat for cleaning the basement, right?), and Thanksgiving paper napkins. I think that before any future shopping trips that I need to clean a closet before I go.

Halloween Items 70% Off at Target

Target now has Halloween items at 70% off. The bagged Halloween candy is at 50% off. (Right now, we have more than enough Halloween candy, so I was only interested in the costumes and other Halloween stuff on sale). I got Alex a Jedi costume for next year. The original price was $35 and I paid $10.50. Even if Alex decides that he doesn't want to wear it next year, I couldn't pass up such a good deal. I also got him an Anakin Skywalker light saber for $2.40 to add to his ever growing collection of light sabers. He really wanted an Anakin costume. They were out of them, but next year he can be Anakin with the Jedi costume and light saber. For $2.40, the light saber was a great price for a toy that Alex can use now to pretend that he is Anakin and until next Halloween and beyond. As I write this, Alex and Craig are down in the basement having a light saber battle.

Here are some other great deals that I got:

Halloween candy mold for $0.89. Original price $2.10.
Two Pillsbury Halloween cake mixes for $0.38 each. I had a $1.00/2 coupon from Target making them free. (I plan to donate these to the food pantry.)
Two boxes of Stove Top stuffing for $1.00 each. I had a $1.00 off two coupon from Target. I paid $1.00 for two boxes.
Two small packages of Archer Farms coffee for $1.00. I had a $1.50/2 coupon from Target that expired today. I paid $0.50 for two.
A box of 20 Krave cereal snack packs for $2.24. These turned out to be only 50% off.
A box of 40 up & up gallon size storage bags for $1.99. I had a $0.50 Target coupon. (I bought these because Alex's teacher requested that he bring in a gallon size storage bag next week for a school project.)

$10 Bag Sale Results

Back in May, I posted about my love for the children's used clothing and toy sale in my community. The sale happens every six months. This Saturday, the sale was back on. Here is my haul from the $10 bag sale that takes place the last hour of the sale:

2 jeans
sweatpants
2 polo shirts
2 sweaters
2 sweatshirts
3 T-shirts
1 fall jacket
1 rain jacket
1 pair of cleats

Free Green Mountain Coffee Sample

You can get a free K-cup or ground coffee sample on Green Mountain Coffee's Facebook page. You have to like the page and watch a video to get the sample and a $1.00 off coupon.

So Many Grocery Stores, So Little Time

Since my recent posts chronicling my $1 double coupon day buying at Roche Bros. may give the impression that we subsist on cereal and pasta, I thought I'd write a post about where I buy the rest of our groceries. I buy our groceries at multiple stores. In this Sunday's Boston Globe Magazine an article, How Grocery Shopping Got Personal, said that it's common these days for customers to shop at several stores. The average is five. On a weekly basis, I shop at three stores; Sudbury Farms (Roche. Bros.), Trader Joe's, and Volante Farms. Once a month, I'll shop at BJ's and Whole Foods. That brings me up to the average of five stores. I will also occasionally stop at Stop & Shop or Shaw's if they are having a good sale that I can't pass up.

Luckily for me, Trader Joe's and Volante Farms are within walking distance. I can easily stop at Trader Joe's early on a Saturday morning after they open. The two advantages of going early is that it is not yet crowded and the shelves are stocked so that they are likely to have what I plan to buy. My only gripe about Trader Joe's is that they sometimes run out of what I want to buy. From Trader Joe's, I buy hamburger buns, cheese, bananas, fruit bars, meatballs, mandarin orange chicken, orange juice, milk, and chips. They now have in stock their seasonal pumpkin items including their pumpkin bread mix. I stock up on the bread mix so that I can make it well past the fall season.

Volante Farms is a local farm stand/store. They just recently expanded and are now open year round. They carry their own and other locally grown produce. There is nothing better in the summer than their fresh picked corn. Their homegrown strawberries are the best I've ever eaten. Sadly, they are only available for a couple of weeks. During blueberry season, they sell blueberries from a farm in Chester, MA. I'm not even sure where Chester is, but these blueberries are so delicious that I eat them like candy. Right now, Volante's has over 30 varieties of locally grown apples and  yummy cider donuts. The prices at Volante's are understandably more expensive than other grocery stores. To me, the cost is worth it. Fresh, locally grown produce is worth paying more money for the taste and health benefits. I'm willing to coupon and save money on our staples at other stores so that we have room in our food budget to splurge at Volante Farms. For what Volante Farms offers, I don't think that their prices are that unreasonable. With there expansion, they also now have an ice cream stand, deli, and bakery. I feel so fortunate to have such a great place to shop just around the corner. On a side note, Volante Farms had their annual pie contest this past Sunday. Here is a picture of my entry:

I buy our ground beef and meat from Whole Foods. Once a month, I'll go to Whole Foods and get a month's worth of meat and stock the freezer. If you buy meat in a "family pack" of three pounds or more, they will take $0.50 off per pound. I get our chicken at BJ's. I buy their Harvestland organic frozen chicken breasts. You get about eight chicken breasts for $10.99. BJ's occasionally has coupons for their Harvestland chicken.

That about sums up my grocery shopping habits. I like that I have so many local options for buying our food.  How about you? How many stores do you shop at?

The Week of October 12 to October 18: Roche Bros. Double Coupon Results

From now until November 8, Tuesday is double $1.00 coupon day at Roche. Bros. 

Here is what I got this week:

Two Quaker chewy granola bars, 2/$5.00. I had a $1.00/2 coupon that doubled. Total was $3.00.

Two boxes of Cheerios, $1.99/each. I had a $1.00/2 coupon that doubled. Total was $1.98.

Two boxes of Golden Grahams $1.99/each. I had two $0.75 coupons that doubled to $3.00. Total was $0.98.

Two bags of Domino brown sugar for $1.99/ each. I had a $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.50. Total was $2.48.

Two packages of gogurt for $1.99/each. I had an $0.85 coupon that doubled to $1.70. Total was $2.28.

Two half gallons of Hood ice cream for $2.22/each. I had a $1.00 coupon that doubled. Total was $2.44.

The total before coupons was $25.36.

The total after coupons was $13.16.

I saved $12.20 with coupons and $13.52 on sale items.

Free Bag of Lindt Truffles

Lindt is giving away one million coupons today on Facebook for a free bag of Lindt truffles.  What a sweet deal!

You'll have to like their Facebook page and have your printer turned on to print the coupon. You must provide the physical coupon in printed format at time of purchase. Maximum value $3.99. Only one coupon allowed to be downloaded per Facebook user.

Enjoy your free chocolate!

The Week of October 5 to October 11: Roche Bros. Double Coupon Results

Alex joined me for this shopping trip and is very proud of this tower that he made with our purchases.

From now until November 8, Tuesday is double $1.00 coupon day at Roche. Bros. 

Here is what I got this week:

Two jars of Welch's grape jelly, $1.99/each for a total for $3.98. I had a $1.00/2 coupon from the RP 09/30/12 insert that doubled. I paid $1.98.

Six boxes of Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta for $0.77/box for a total of $4.62. I had three $1.00/2 coupons from Facebook that doubled to $6.00 for -$1.38.

One jar of Nutella for $2.50. I had a $1.00 from the RP 08/05/12 insert. I paid $0.50.

Two jars of McCormick spices. The ground ginger was on sale for $2.50. The allspice (I needed it.) was the regular price of $4.69. I had a $1.75/2 coupon from the RP 10/07/12 insert. I paid $5.44.

Chobani blueberry yogurt, 6 oz., for $1.19. I had a $0.30 coupon from Chobani's website. I paid $0.59.

Three bags of baby carrots for $1/each for a total for $3.00.

Two boxes of Food Club cheese pizza for $5.00.

The total was $15.14. I saved $18.63 on sale items and $12.35 with coupons for a total savings of $30.98.

Free Fall Target Beauty Bag

It's back! The free Fall Target Beauty bag is now available on Target Style's Facebook page. It's a travel size cosmetics bag full of free samples and coupons. Snag it here.

Free Museum Day

This Saturday, September 29, Smithsonian magazine is sponsoring a free museum day. Museums throughout the country are offering free admission to one person plus a guest (so, two people, right?). Use this link to find a participating museum. You'll need to fill out a form and then you will get an email link to print out the tickets. This is in the spirit of the Smithsonian museums that are free. In college, I did an internship in Washington, DC and lived a few blocks from the National Mall. I tried to go to one of the Smithsonian museums every weekend and still did not make it through everything that I wanted to see by the end of the semester. My favorites of the Smithsonian museums are the National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of American History. Enjoy your free museum admission!

The Week of 9/28 to 10/4 7 Days of Ways to Save Deals

Here are the Roche Bros. 7 days of ways to save deals for the week of September 28 through October 4:

Friday: Seafood Surprise day, a different fish item is on sale for the week. This week, it's Live 'n Kickin' chicken lobsters for 4.49/lb.

Saturday: "5 Buck Chuck" 85% lean ground beef, $5 each. The circular doesn't specify the quantity.

Sunday: Roche Bros. premium hearty bread, 24 oz. loaf, $1.49 each.

Monday: Chiquita bananas for $0.49/lb.

Tuesday: Double $1.00 coupon day. You can double up to five manufacturer's $1.00 coupons per customer per week with a minimum $25 initial purchase.

Wednesday: Is Wacky Wednesday. This Wednesday's deal is smoked shoulder for $0.59. Limit one with an additional $25 purchase.

Thursday: 5 Buck Cluck Rotisserie chicken for $5.00/each.

Free Small Coffee at McDonalds

McDonald's is giving away a free small Newman’s Own® Organics coffee from 9/23/1 –9/29/12 in honor of National Coffee Day. Enjoy!

This Week's 7 Days of Ways to Save Deals

Here are the Roche Bros. 7 days of ways to save deals for the week of September 21 through September 27:

Friday: Seafood Surprise day, a different fish item is on sale for the week. This week, it's Foley's Fresh sea scallops for $13.99/lb.

Saturday: "5 Buck Chuck" 85% lean ground beef, $5 each. The circular doesn't specify the quantity.

Sunday: Roche Bros. premium hearty bread, 24 oz. loaf, $1.49 each.

Monday: Chiquita bananas for $0.49/lb.

Tuesday: Double $1.00 coupon day. You can double up to five manufacturer's $1.00 coupons per customer per week with a minimum $25 initial purchase.

Wednesday: Is Wacky Wednesday. This Wednesday's deal is for Food Club ice cream, 54 oz. for $0.49. Limit one with an additional $25 purchase.

Thursday: 5 Buck Cluck Rotisserie chicken for $5.00/each.

This promotion ends on November 8.

Roche Bros. Double Coupon Results

From now until November 8, Tuesday is double $1.00 coupon day at Roche. Bros. I went shopping tonight. Here is the result of my haul:

Two boxes of Special K cereal, $1.69/each for $3.38. I had two $0.50 coupons from kelloggs.com that doubled to $1.00/each for $2.00 total. I spent $1.38 for two boxes.

Roche Bros. single size potato chips., $0.33. I had a free coupon for these from Roche Bros. website.

Roche Bros. English muffins, $1.50. I also had a free coupon for the English muffins from Roche bros. website.

Four cans of Progresso Soup, $0.88/each for $3.52. I had a $1.00 off four coupon from the SS 09/09/12 insert that doubled to $2.00. The total was $1.52 for four cans of soup.

One can of Food Club tuna for $1.19. I had a $1.00 off coupon from Roche Bros. website. The total was $0.19.

Five containers of Yoplait Greek yogurt for $0.99/each. The total was $4.95. I had a $1.50 coupon from the SS 08/19/12 insert. The total was $3.49.

Two containers of Dannon Oikos Greek yogurt for $1.00/each. The total was $2.00. I had a $0.50 coupon from the Oikos website that doubled to $1.00. The total was $1.00.

Two boxes of EGGO waffles for $1.19/each for a total of $2.38. I had a $1.00 coupon from the RP 08/05/12 insert that doubled to $2.00. The total for both boxes was $0.38.

Two half gallons of Florida Natural orange juice for $1.00 each for a total of $3.76.

Roche Bros. eggs for $1.29.

Roche Bros. pretzels for $1.49.

The grand total was $14.50 for $32.98 worth of groceries.

It's Back: Roche Bros. 7 Days of Ways to Save

Roche Bros. is once again running a 7 days of ways to save promotion with a special item on sale for each day of the week. 

Here are the deals for each day of the week:

Friday: Seafood Surprise day, a different fish item is on sale for the week. This week it's medium raw shrimp 41-50 ct. lb. farm raised, previously frozen (2 lb. bag - $9.98) for 4.99/lb.

Saturday: "5 Buck Chuck" 85% lean ground beef, $5 each. The circular doesn't specify the quantity.

Sunday: Roche Bros. premium hearty bread, 24 oz. loaf, $1.49 each.

Monday: Chiquita bananas for $0.49/lb.

Tuesday: Double $1.00 coupon day. You can double up to five manufacturer's $1.00 coupons per customer per week with a minimum $25 initial purchase.

Wednesday: Is Wacky Wednesday. This Wednesday's deal is a 10 lb. bag of all purpose potatoes for $0.29. Limit one with an additional $25 purchase.

Thursday: 5 Buck Cluck Rotisserie chicken for $5.00/each.

This promotion ends on November 8.

Saving Money on Sporting Goods

Now that school is back in session, fall sporting season is starting up. If you are a parent with an athletic kid, you are inevitably faced with buying expensive sporting gear. One way to save money on sporting equipment is to buy used. Alex starts skating lessons in a couple of weeks. Since this will be his first time on skates and his feet are growing at an alarmingly quick rate, we didn't want to shell out a lot of money for brand new skates. We visited Play is Again Sports. We found a great pair of skates for him in excellent condition for $25. We also got him a helmet. We bought the helmet new.  We didn't want to risk buying a used helmet that may have been damaged and not as effective. Some things are worth splurging on like a helmet that prevents brain damage. If you are in need of sporting equipment, consider buying used for any items in good quality that don't jeopardize safety.

91% Savings at Star Market Today

 

 Please forgive me while I brag: I stopped by Star Market today to pick up some items that when combined with a coupon were too good to pass up. I was giddy when I looked at my receipt and saw that I saved 91%! 

Here's the breakdown:

Breyer's ice cream: On sale for $1.88. 

***Note: This is a one day sale for Sunday, September 16 only.*** 

I used a $0.75 coupon from Facebook that doubled to $1.50 making the total $0.38.

I bought two for a total of $0.76.

Green Giant Seasoned Steamers for $2.00. I used a $0.75 coupon from coupons.com that also doubled to $1.50 making it $0.50. I bought two of these for at total of $1.00.

My grand total was $1.76.

The veggies negate the calories in the ice cream, right?

What Do You Think of Them Apples?

This past weekend, we took our annual apple picking trip to Russell Orchards. We've gone every September for the last few years. To me, it's the perfect kick off for the fall season, my favorite time of year. I enjoy the hay-covered wagon ride out to the orchards, the apple-laden trees close to the ground for easy picking, visiting the farm animals, and, most of all, the yummy cider donuts.

Even though I enjoy the apple picking trip and look forward to it, I always think of one of my first apple picking trips and how absurd my future brother-in-law, Bernd, found the apple picking experience to be. I ventured out to Honey Pot Hill with my roommate, my sister Carrie, and her new boyfriend at the time, Bernd. This was in the early 90s when Honey Pot Hill only offered apple picking and a quaint farm stand that sold cider, cider donuts, and already-picked apples. It was before Honey Pot Hill became the Disney World of New England apple picking spots with a hedge maze, petting zoo, and hayrides. Bernd was a good sport about the whole apple picking experience until he went into the farm stand and realized that they were selling the apples for less than what we had paid to pick them ourselves. He pointed this out to us and then added, "Also, apples are on sale this week at Star Market for less than they cost in the store. It would have been much easier to go to Star Market." Bernd had a point. We were paying a premium to be Honey Pot Hill's farm hands. A Slate article from a few years ago also points out that apple picking is a wasteful scam.

Yes, I know that we pay a premium for this apple picking experience and it may be a bit of a scam. It's obviously not the most efficient and cost effective way to get apples. When apples are in season, they are undoubtedly less expensive than they are at any of the pick-your-own orchards. We go because we enjoy it. As with most things about saving money, it's about priorities. I choose to save money in other areas so that I can splurge on things like this once-a-year and enjoy a pre-autumn day picking apples and eating cider donuts.

Fill that Lunch Box

Back to school time means that there are good deals to be had on lunch box items. This year, Alex needs to bring a snack to school along with his lunch so I am on the lookout for good deals on Alex approved snacks to fill his lunch box. Here are some of the good deals this week:

At Target, Juicy Juice Fruitfuls, 8 pk juice boxes are $2.25 each through 9/15.
Use two $1.00/1 – Nestle Juicy Juice Fruitifuls Juice Beverage, 8 pk – (juicyjuice.com)
And use one $1.00/2 – Juicy Juice Beverages, excludes single serve, limit one item or offer per coupon, Target Coupon – (target.com)
The final price is $0.75 each when you buy 2.

At Whole Foods, Clif Kids Zbars, 9 oz. pk of 6 or Clif Crunch bars, 9 oz. pk of 10 are $2.50.
Use $1.00/1 – Clif Kid Organic Bars, 6pk, Whole Foods Coupon – (wholefoods.com) or
$1.00/1 – Clif CRUNCH Granola Bars, 10pk, Whole Foods Coupon – (wholefoods.com)
The final price is $1.50 each.

Allston Christmas

It's that time of year again. If you live in Boston, August 31 and September 1 marks the annual return of college students and apartment turnover. Boston's streets get blocked by moving trucks and the sidewalks get littered with the discarded remains of the student's apartments. A dozen years ago, I lived on a one way side street off of Commonwealth Ave. that always became inaccessible from the last day of August until the second day of September. My sister got married one year on Labor Day weekend. (Happy anniversary, Carrie and Bernd!) It was so nice to escape not being able to get to my home that year that I decided that I should leave town for this weekend every year.

Boston.com has dubbed the ability to trash pick the sidewalks for the student's abandoned items as Allston Christmas with a witty poem written in the style of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I like how they work in the street names of BU's student ghetto that remind me of my BU days. If you don't mind used stuff, you can take your pick of abandoned microwaves and furniture. Please stay away from the used mattresses and bedding that may come with pet bed bugs. The city is even going around and putting stickers on abandoned furniture warning about the risk of bed bugs.

I read an article this week about a woman, Katy Wolk-Stanley, in Oregon who has not bought anything new in five years except for the following list of items:

• Underwear, socks and bras (I totally agree with this one. Used unmentionables. Gross!) 
• Personal care items (makeup, etc.)
• Food (Duh, I don't see how you could avoid buying food for five years unless you are a vegetarian living on a self sustaining farm.)
• Harmonicas??

Katy chronicles her journey not to buy anything new on her website, The Non-consumer Advocate. In the article she says, "The tagline for my website, The Non-consumer Advocate, is 'Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without,' which I take seriously. I try very hard to fix instead of replace, accept that not every one of my possessions has to be the very best, and accept that my family can live without the luxuries than many of our friends take for granted."

She goes on in the article to say that deciding not to buy anything has changed her perspective on her stuff. She finds it freeing that with less stuff to maintain and clean she now has more time to spend with family and friends. I know that cleaning out a closet or basement and seeing how much unused clutter I have does open my eyes that I don't really need the things that seem so important while I'm shopping. Still, I know that I would not be able to meet the challenge to not buy anything new.

In a related article, Stephanie Becker, the producer of Katy's Today Show segment chronicles her life as a bargain hunter. She said that she was pleasantly surprised about the quality of Katy's furniture and home when they visited her. She goes on to describe how shopping for bargains or "antique-ing" was passed down in her family. She ends by mentioning with pride the $12 Neiman Marcus dress that she found at a thrift store and wore to the Daytime Emmy Awards.

To me, this just shows that everyone has to decide for themselves their own standard for acquiring used items. I don't have any furniture that I picked up at Allston Christmas, but some of my favorite pieces of furniture were handed down to me from the previous generations. We have a rocking chair that family folklore claims was made from a tree in my great grandfather's yard. Whether this is true or not, I love the history of this chair and knowing that previous generations rocked in it. So, whether you enjoy Allston Christmas (Avoid those bedbugs!) or not buying anything new for five years, find your own level of comfort with used items.  Merry Allston Christmas!

Week of August 26: Back to School Deals

Here are this week's best deals from August 26-September 2, 2012:

Staples

$0.01 – $0.50 Deals:

Staples #2 Pencils 8-pack — $0.01 (with minimum $5 purchase – limit 4)
Staples Pink Cap Erasers 12-pack — $0.01 (with minimum $5 purchase – limit 4)
Staples Slider Pencil Box — $0.01 (with minimum $5 purchase – limit 4)
Bic Mechanical Pencils 5-pack — $0.50 (limit 2)
Staples See Through Plastic Ruler — $0.50 (limit 2)
Staples 8 1/2 x 11″ Writing Pad — $0.50 (limit 2)
Staples Steel 1-Hole Punch — $0.50 (limit 2)
Sharpie Black Permanent Markers 2-pack — $0.50 (limit 2)

$1 Deals:

Staples Stickies 1/2″ Page Flags — $1 (limit 2)
Staples Poly Composition Books or 1-Subject Notebook — $1 (limit 2)
5×7″ Specialty Writing Pad — $1 (limit 2)
Staples 3 x 4.25″ Memo Pad with Magnetic Closure — $1 (limit 2)
Staples Graph Ruled Notepad — $1 (limit 2)
Staedtler Compass — $1 (limit 2)
Colored Paper Clips 100-count — $1 (limit 2)

Office Depot

$0.05 – $1 Deals:

Pocket Tissue Packs — $0.05 (limit 3)
Office Depot Pencil Top Erasers 12-pack — $0.05 (limit 3)
Individually Packaged Antibacterial Wipes 18-count — $0.50 (limit 3)
Office Depot Single Chisel Tip Highlighters — $0.50 (limit 3)
Sharpie Single Permanent Markers — $0.50 (limit 10)
Office Depot Graph Ruled Filler Paper — $1 (limit 3)
Elmer’s Xtreme School Glue Stick large — $1 (limit 3)
Office Depot Notebook 3-Hole Punch — $1 (limit 3)

$2-$3 Deals:

Office Depot Copy Paper ream — $2 (limit 10)
Post-It Die Cut Notes — $2
PaperMate Mechanical Pencils 24-pack –$3