Friday, March 26, 2010

LAST CHANCE FOR ADVANCED TICKETS to Coupon Workshop

Just a final reminder that the Coupon Workshop is tomorrow. $15 Advance online tickets are available through midnight tonight. Tickets will increase to $20 at the door tomorrow. See you there!

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Weekly Shopping Saving Totals and Reminder of Coupon Workshop TOMORROW

Copying from Jenny over at Southern Savers, here are my weekly final totals from this week's coupon/sale shopping. I did a little more shopping than usual, but I ended up with a ton of things I will use over time. Click on the store's name to see the actual receipt breakdowns:

CVS:
Total before sales and Coupons: $44.91
Total after Coupons and Sales :$10.13
ECB Earned: $14
Total out of pocket : MADE $3.87

Rite-Aid:
Total before coupons and sales: $115.18
Total Saved in Coupons and Sales: $77.80
Used $5 off $25 Coupons: $5
Total Out of Pocket: $32.38
Total Saved : 85.80!!

Ingles:
Total Before Coupons and Ingles Card Sales :$207.58
Coupons Used : 57.95
Doubled Coupons :15.60
Advantage Card and Store Coupons: 36.10
Total saved: 109.65
Total out of pocket: 97.93

TOTALS:
What it would have cost me - Total BEFORE sales and Coupons:$367.67
Total Rewards Earned/Coupons/Sales Savings - $216.58

Wow! saved $216!

Don't forget - Tomorrow is the Coupon Workshop. It's the only one Jenny is offering in this area so DON'T MISS IT!. Learn how to save (and sometimes, make) money shopping for things you buy weekly anyway. It's not hard. You just need the steps. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. See you there!





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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Ingles Receipt Breakdown - SAVED $109.65!!

Ingles -
There is no way I can type out my entire receipt, but rest assured it was a good week for me. I don't shop this much every week, but I did some heavy shopping this week because I have a lot of coupons expiring AND the items were on sale. Remember the golden rule - only buy it if it's on sale AND you have a coupon!

NOTE: If you have been clipping for awhile make sure you check next week's sales THIS WEEKEND on http://www.southernsavers.com/. The majority of coupons out right now expire on the last day of the month which is next Wednesday. PLAN AHEAD as most coupon clippers will be out trying to use these up and some products may sell out before you can get to them. Publix new sales start on Wed. as well....keep it in mind!

Total Before Coupons and Ingles Card Sales :$207.58
Coupons Used : 57.95
Doubled Coupons :15.60
Advantage Card and Store Coupons: 36.10
Total saved: 109.65
Total out of pocket: 97.93

Watch out for the B1G1 Free items and be sure to use a coupon on BOTH items!


Want to learn how to make/save money while shopping? Learn from the lady who taught me! Join us this Saturday in Cartersville for a Coupon workshop hosted by Jenny from Southern Savers. $15 Advance Online Tickets - $20 at the door.


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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

More Coupon Shopping Receipt Breakdowns - Rite Aid

Rite-Aid - I bought $115 worth of products for $32. I went over my $25 weekly limit at Rite-Aid becasue of all the markdown clearance items I found. I hit pay dirt this week at Rite-Aid. In their markdown/dented items section, I found many products marked down 50% or more AND was able to use my coupons - getting most for under .50 each! Check it out along with this week's sale items:

Aussie Scrunch Hairspray - Reg 5.49, marked down 2.74, used $2 off coupon-Final price .74, saved $4.75

(5) Pert Plus for Men - Reg 3.99 each, marked down 1.99, used 1.50 off coupon-Final price .49 each - saved 17.50!!

(2) Boxes Kelloggs Ceral - Reg .4.79 each, sale 1.88 each, used $1off/2-final price 1.38 each -saved 6.82

Pantene Flex hold hairspray - Reg 8.25, marked down 1.99, used $1off coupon-Final price .99 saved 7.26

Biore Pore Strips- Reg 8.49, not on sale but I had a coupon for buy the strips get a cleanser free. Used a $1 off coupon - Final price 7.49, only saved $1BUT
Biore Cleanser - Reg. 8.49, used $1 off coupon and got it FREE, MADE $1, saved 8.49

Almay Foundation-Reg 8.99, got concelaer FREE, valued at 8.99 for the purchase, plus used (2) 41 off coupons - Final price 6.99 for the 2 products, saved 10.99

Cover Girl Mascara - Reg 8.99 each. on sale B1G1, used (2) $1 off coupons-Final price 6.99 for both, saved 10.99

Tide HE Reg- 9.99, sale 5.99, used $1 coupon-Final price 4.99, saved $5

Pure and Natural Soap (MY FAVORITE) Reg 4.99, used $3 Rite Aid Coupon - Final Price1.99, saved $3

Tampax 20ct -Reg. 3.99, sale 2.99, used $1 coupon-Final price 1.99, saved $2

Total before coupons and sales: $115.18
Total Saved in Coupons and Sales: $77.80
Used $5 off $25 Coupons: $5
Total Out of Pocket: $32.38
Total Saved : 85.80!!

I wish my scanner worked so I could scan the acutal receipts this week!

Want to learn how to make money while shopping? Learn from the lady who taught me! Join us this Saturday in Cartersville for a Coupon workshop hosted by Jenny from Southern Savers. $15 Advance Tickets Online- $20 at the door.






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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

This week's Coupon Shopping Receipt Breakout CVS Made $$$$!

CVS
Garnier Shampoo - Reg $3.99, sale $3, used $1 off coupon, earned .50 ECB Final cost $1.50 saved $2.49

Garnier Hair Paste - Reg. 4.49, sale $3, used $1 off coupon, eanred .50 ECB Final cost $1.50 saved $3.49

Cover Girl Foundation - Reg 6.99, sale $6, Earned $1.50 ECB, Final Cost $4.50 saved 2.49

Cover Girl Powder - Reg 9.49, sale $8, Used B1G1 coupon, earned $1.50 ECB Final cost MADE 1.50, saved 9.49

Ban Deodorant - Reg 3.49, used .75 coupon, earned $2 ECB Final Cost .74 Saved 2.75

(2) Kelloggs Raisn Bran - Reg. 4.69 each, Sale 1.97 each, used $1/2 coupon, Final Cost 2.94 saved 6.44

Ivory Soap 4 pack - Reg. 1.69, sale .99, used .25off coupon Final Cost .45 Saved 1.24

Crest Pro Health Mouth wash - Reg 5.39, sale 3.99, used $2 coupon, Earned $2 Ecb Final Cost FREE Saved 5.39

Total before sales and Coupons: $44.91
Total after Coupons and Sales :$10.13
ECB Earned: $14
Total out of pocket : MADE $3.87

Want to learn how to make money while shopping? Learn from the lady who taught me! Join us this Saturday in Cartersville for a Coupon workshop hosted by Jenny from Southern Savers. 15 Advance Tickets - $20 at the door.

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Revisiting Coupon Organizing Methods

In getting ready for Southern Savers.com Coupon Workshop here in Cartersville on March 27th, I'm going to repost some of my past coupon shopping break-downs and shopping post. This post is originally from December 2010

When I first found www.southernsavers.com back in October, I was overwhelmed with the amount of time and energy it took for me to organize my coupons. I read several different blogs, including Jenny’s at Southern Savers and found that although everyone has their own favorite way to organize, there are really four main methods:


1. The “stuff it all in an envelope” Method
2. The Expanding File Method 3. The Notebook Method
4. and the No Cut Method
While I’ll let Jenny give you the “how-to’s”, I will give you my testimonial.

Believe it or not, I did start with the “envelope” method. I had a main envelope that I tried to keep in order according to products (dairy, cleaners, etc.) Then I had an envelope for each store (CVS, Ingles, etc). Each week as Jenny posted her lists, I would pull from the main envelope and place the coupon I needed in the appropriate store envelope. Problem was that, as time went on, I acquired too many coupons and it was a mess! I couldn’t keep with what was expiring and sometimes I would see unadvertised specials in the store and not have my main envelope!






So I advanced to the expandable file method – actually it was the DELUXE model! I purchased a hard index card file that resembled the card catalogs in the library (when I was young they had actual FILE CABINETS with card indexes, not computers!)




This worked much better. I created file tabs for each product division then put the files in order of the store isles. I created separate files for specific store coupons (such as Extra Care Bucks) and kept the coupons in each file with the newest dated one in the back. I felt a little weird carrying this thing in and it was awkward to navigate in the store – but it was better than the envelopes!

Finally, after seeing many women with their fine nice zip-up notebooks – I moved on up again.

I bought the notebook (regular priced $19.99) on sale for $12, the trading card sleeves and divider tabs for a total of $21 – but used my Staples Rewards coupon ($15) and only paid $6 out of pocket. It took TWO days to change over the coupons. Each sleeve represents an isle in the grocery store I frequent the most. Each coupon product has its own place, with the oldest coupon on top. I love it! I can scan each page to see if there are any expiring coupons and mark them with a sticky tab. When I go to the store, I use the cart with the kid’s extra seat and it fits perfectly.


After using this method for a couple of weeks, I feel much more organized. Having the notebook that zips up and has a handle on the binding is great. Nothing falls out. Nothing gets wet. Everything is easy to file.


So now, I’m thinking…..should I try to the no-cut method now that I have all my “cut” coupons organized? Maybe I should have listened to Jenny adn STARTED with this method? LOL!


I have to say the only thing that is keeping me from changing is that I like to have ALL my coupons with me when I shop. I hate to be in Publix, find an unadvertised sale and NOT have the coupon…..Guess I’ll have to think on that one a little more.


Now, tell me……what method do you use and why?

Monday, March 15, 2010

Sunday Night is for SHOPPING!

This week's CVS shopping, for lack of a better word, sucked. I don't know if it's because I was already ticked off at my local new CVS or if they just didn't have good sales this week. Here is the breakdown of what I did end up with:


(2) Starburst Jelly Beans for Easter - Reg. 2.79ea on sale $2, used $1off coupon and earned $3 ECB - Final cost - FREE - Saved $5.58

(6) Crunch Bars for Easter - Reg. 89 each, Used B1G1 Coupons for all 6, final cost .45 each - Saved 2.67

(3) Milikyway Bars for Easter - Reg .89 each, used B2G1 - saved .89

Dove Heat Defense Shampoo - Reg 4.49, sale $4, used $1 coupon, saved 1.49 (I needed this for ECB credits or would not have purchsed it)

Herbal Essence Shampoo - Reg 4.29, sale 2.99, used $1 off coupon, plus coupon for Free hairspray (value 4.49 - final cost 1.99 - saved 6.59!!!

FREE Herbal Essence hairspray

Maybelline Mascara - Reg 8.49, used $2 coupon , plus CVS B1G1 50% - Saved $6.49
(This one miss-rang and gave me 50% of the higher product!)

Maybelline Lip Gloss - Reg 5.99 used $2 coupon, plus CVS B1G1 50% - Saved $2

Total at Regular Price $39.21
Savings in sales and coupons - $25.71
Earned ECB $4
Final Cost $9.50 




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Sunday, March 14, 2010

DAYS IN THE GARDEN - Labeling Your Seedlings

A great way to label your new seedlings, herbs and be earth-friendly at the same time!

Take an old set of mini blinds and snip the slats into 8 inch lengths. Use a Sharpie to write the name of the plant and stick the slat into the ground.  No more faded popscile stick tags!


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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Sunday Night is for SHOPPING is BACK!

Now that my life is somewhat back in order I have actually had the time to update my coupon organizer and hit the coupon shopping circuit again! I know my regular readers have been waiting, so I went ahead and did some end-of-the-week shopping today. Don’t worry, I will do my regular sale shopping tomorrow night and post it as well. I hope you all have kept with the program and been using www.southernsavers.com to help you along the way. DON’T FORGET – Jenny herself if coming to Cartersville on the 27th for her Coupon workshop. You can purchase tickets online at www.thekendalcompanies.com, by calling Excel Academy, or at the door. Now for today’s great finds:
CVS
I was more than a little upset at my new local CVS this afternoon. After planning my shopping trip, I arrived at CVS to find they had already pulled this weeks yellow sale tags. I depend on these to help me find the sales products that I have pulled coupons for to make sure I get the right sale product. I had to take the actual flyer and go row by row. I ended up getting frustrated and leaving without shopping the entire store. I did end up with some great finds. Since the sales will change in the morning, it won’t help you much, but I wanted to get a refresher on breaking down my receipts for you.
(2) Colgate Toothpaste -Regular price $4.89 each – Sale B1G1 Free, used (2) $1 off coupons – final price $1.45 each – SAVED$6.89
(2) Colgate 360 Toothbrushes – Reg. price $4.49 ea. – Sale B1G1, used (2) $1 off coupons, final price $ 1.25 each –SAVED $6.49
Always Infinity Pads 18 ct – Reg price 4.99 – Used FREE coupon from box – Saved $4.99
Ultra Dawn Dish Soap – Reg. Price $1.99 – Sale .97, used .25 coupon – Final price $.72 Saved $1.27
Always Thin Liners 72 ct – Reg price 3.99, sale 2.99, used $1 coupon – Final price 1.99 Saved $2
Always Pads 16 ct – Reg price 3.79, sale 2.99, used $1 coupon – final price 1.99, saved 1.80
Playtex Glide 36 ct – Reg price 8.49, sale 4.99, used $1 coupon – final price 3.99 saved $4.50
ACT Mouthwash - Reg price – 4.79, sale 3.99 used $1 coupon- Final price 2.99 saved 1.80
Carefree liners – Reg Price 1.59, used $1 coupon – Final price .59 Saved $1) it was not on sale but my coupon was expiring so I went ahead and got the smallest packet)
Bottle of Coke = Free Reece’s (Yes, I needed a snack) This Coupon was on the Coke fridge door

Kotex 14ct – Reg 3.79, sales $3, used $1 off coupon n – Final price $2 saved 1.79
Total Before sales and coupons $54.09
Total sales and coupons $32.92
ECBuck Used $19.00

Total out of pocket $2.17








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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Southern Savers Coupon Workshop Coming to Cartersville!


I am SO excited! Jenny over a SouthernSavers.com has agreed to come to Cartersville to do one of her Extreme Coupon Workshops. It's 2 hours of instruction on all the ins and outs of using coupons to save (and sometimes make) money. My blog followers know SoutherSavers.com is where I got my start. Check out several of my past blogs (and website) to see where I saved HUNDREDS of dollars myself. I even posted my actual receipts for proof her system works. You can also check out the different ways I have organized my own coupon collection to make it run smoother.

Please check out Jenny's site too. She has video tutorials that give you a little sample of what her workshop will contain and you can get a glimpse of how her site works. She offers links to find printable coupons if you are missing one, breaks down each week's Sunday flyer by store and has tons of other info.

The workshop will be held on March 27th, starting at 10am. It will be held in the auditorium at Excel Christian Academy in Cartersville. To pre-order tickets online, visit my website at www.thekendalcompanies.com. Tickets are also available from the school office. Pre-sale Tickets are $15, proceeds to go towards the Excel Academy Booster Club. You will be able to purchase tickets at the door for $20.

I am working on getting the local Publix, CVS, Ingles, Rite-Aid and other businesses to donate coupons and samples. Hopefully ,we will be able to offer a free little gift bag to all attentants. If you have a local business and want to donate something to the grab bag, please contact me directly.


 I know that Jenny will have a great program for our community. Everyone can stand to save a little money these days! Help us spread the word by sharing this link!





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