New Publix Ad!

     The new Publix ad started today.  There is nothing amazing this week.  However, there are a few decent deals.  BOGO Pepperidge Farm Chunk Cookies - YUMMMMM!  Who can resist cookies?

     Ken's Salad Dressing is also BOGO.  This is one that our family looks forward to. 

     Some of the large size Hershey's and Nestle Halloween candy is BOGO.

     Campbell's Chunky Soup is $1.29.  This is a great deal and an easy meal on cool nights.  Pick a great soup.  Pair it with a salad and a french baguette.  Voila!

     Let us know if you find any great bargains.  We would love to hear from you.

Love, Love, Love Winn Dixe Fuel Perks!!!

     If you have not signed up for a Winn Dixie savings card and Fuel Perks, run, do not walk, to your local Winn Dixie and sign up!

     I know that we have mentioned this program before, but until you save twenty plus dollars on a tank of gas, you have no idea how valuable it is.  This week they have Tresemme shampoo and conditioner as well as select Suave products that are Bonus Fuel Perks.  For every two bottles of Suave purchased you receive $0.05 in Fuel Perks.  For every bottle of Tresemme, you receive $0.05!
Wait, it gets even better.  Check your coupon binders.  I had BOGO coupons for Suave styling products, Sauve shampoo and conditioner, and Tresemme shampoo and conditioner.

     Here is what we got:

2 - 20 ct variety packs of Frito Lay chips 
6 - boxes Betty Crocker Loaded Scalloped potatoes BOGO
6 - bottles Tresemme shampoo and conditioner
3 - containers of olive bar items
1 - container of bakery pastries
1 - container Muscle Milk protein mix
4 - containers Tic Tacs
2 - London Broil Roasts BOGO
12 - Suave products (styling products, shampoo, conditioner)
____________________________________________________
Grand total $143.81  Total after savings card and coupons - drum roll please - $59.69!!!

We saved $90.25

We earned $0.95 in fuel perks.  That brought our total to $1.15 per gallon.

Walmart Coupon Deals

     If you have any of the Fusion razor coupons in your binder, you can get these razors for less than $1.  They were $5.97 in the travel-size section at my Wal-Mart. 

     Also, if you have the Hydro razor coupons, you should be able to purchase these razors for less than $2.

Gotta Love Target Clearance!!!

     Be sure to check the clearance at your local Target.  I found several great deals today:

  Reach toothbrush 3 packs are on sale for just over $4. 
  Multipacks of men's deodorants (Old Spice, Degree, and maybe one other brand.)
  Outdoor solar lights (the kind you use to line walkways) starting at $1
  Several items, including printers, in electronics
 
Many other items store wide.  Go take a leisurely stroll through your Target.  You might find some great bargains!

Publix BOGO Is Awesome!!!!

Just got back from Publix.  I got:

12  2liter drinks
6    Dove deodorants
1    Twinings Peppermint Tea
1    Swiss Miss Mocha Cappuccino
1    Bag Peppermints
2    Cans Crushed Tomatoes
1    Box Panko
1    Coffee mug
______________________
Grand total  $22.75

Saved $22.15!!!!!!

80% off at Restaurant.com

  Use the code  TOUCHDOWN at checkout to receive your discount.  This is a great deal if there are participating restaurants in your area.  Don't forget to read the fine print.  Some of the certificates require a minimum purchase or gratuity.

Publix BOGO Deals

     Two of the better BOGO deals for Publix this week appear to be A-1 steak sauce at $3.31 and Pompeian Olive oil 32 oz. $12.09.  Other than that there will be a few BOGO candy deals for Halloween.

Target Time

     Our son had a band competition yesterday and the batteries in my camera were dead (forgot to recharge).  We made a quick run to Target to get some replacement batteries.  On the regular (not clearance) battery isle, I found Rayovac rechargeable batteries with a charger marked down to $4.98!!!! The pack came with the charger, two AA batteries, and two AAA batteries. A phenomenal deal!

     Things got even better.  We decided the check the end caps for clearance.  They had the Targus bendable tripod for $9.98!!!!!  I have been holding out for months for one of these to go on sale.  Perfect timing too.

     Be sure to check your Target electronic department for clearance!

Winn Dixie Fuel Perks ROCK!

If you do not have a Winn Dixie Fuel Perks Reward card....GET ONE NOW! Everytime you swipe your card each purchase goes toward a $50 threshold. You will receive $.05 cents off per gallon each time you reach $50 spent. Also, each week Winn Dixie advertises certain items that give you BONUS perks for purchasing them. You must go to a participating gas station (check the website) and there is a 20 gallon limit for the discount. Your discount will also expire and restart in 30 days.
So long story short....it is 10/08 and I have $1.10 off each gallon! My husband has an Expedition, so we need this deal.

I had already earned $.75 last week, then I received a coupon in the mail for $.25 reward per gallon, I hit another $50 threshold (and spent $20.80 towards the next $.05) and bought 2 bags of Chex Mix at 2 for $6 ( used 2 $.50 off coupons) to earn $.05 more cents. Also the Totino's Pizza deals came with 2 free Redbox rentals.

This was just a quick trip because my Hubby & kids were hungry for things that I did not have coupons for at that moment. However, I bought $57.91 worth of necessary items (24 total), paid $36.31, filled up my Husband's SUV for $22 less than the price at the pump, and made $20.80 toward my next Fuel Perk. So I only saved around 37% in ads & coupons but but I think the $22 off gas & the 2 free Redbox rentals make this a great deal.

Woo hoo Winn Dixie!!!

     Have I mentioned how much I love Winn Dixie bakery clearance?  Well, let me just say it one more time.  I love, love, love it! 
   
     We made a quick run to WD for mayo tonight.  Of course we had to check all clearance possibilities.  Lucky us, the bakery was loaded.  We got:

     1 dozen sugar cookies
     1/2 dozen oatmeal raisin cookies
     1/2 dozen premium chocolate chunk cookies
     1 box lemon cake slices
     1 Boston cream pie
___________________________________________________
Grand total - $5.95     That is $2.50 less than the original price of the Boston Cream Pie!!!!!

     These items are great for special treats for a class, lunchboxes, teacher gifts, etc.

Realistic Couponing 101 (Part 3)

     Now that you have your coupons in some type of order, it is time to learn how to put them to use.  Let the fun begin! 

     Before we get into the technicalities of using your coupons, I would like to reiterate a few things.  First of all, you should know that the couponing shows you see on television are not realistic.  Although the bargains shown seem amazing, they are not the norm. Seriously, who has room in their house for stockpiles that large?  Don't misunderstand, couponing will allow you to keep your kitchen fully stocked for a lot less money.   However, acquiring a stockpile large enough that you must use your bathtub for storage may be out of the question.  Again, at Simple Savvy Savers we are about realistic couponing, not extreme.
     
     Alright, let's get started.  Personally, I prefer to look at couponing as a game or challenge.  I like to see just how much money I can save each shopping trip.  It makes me so happy to see that I have saved more than I spent!

     Your first step toward saving money is to shop the sales ads.  Sales ads for retail stores (Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc.) are released on Sunday.  These sales run Sunday through Saturday each week.  Make sure to have your coupons nearby as you look through the ads to make your shopping list.  This allows you to see if you have a coupon for the items on sale.  Retail stores, especially CVS and Walgreens, will often put their own store coupons in their ads.  You may combine one of their store coupons with a manufacturer's coupon for extra savings! 

    In case you are not already aware, CVS has a savings card.  Be sure to obtain one of these cards.  They are a great way to save.  When your card is entered at checkout many of you purchases earn "extra bucks".  They are similar to an instant rebate.  These bucks can be applied to your next purchase!  If you frequently shop at CVS, rolling your "extra bucks" can add up to substantial savings.

     Since I really do not want to completely bombard you, we will stop here.  In our next lesson we will cover grocery stores!

     Check out the CVS ad for the week (newspaper or online) and compare to your coupons.  Let us know what kind of bargains you find!
    

      

Target

Keep an eye on things in the party department of Target.  During a quick trip to pick up something for my husband's class today, I noticed that there seemed to be quite a few items on clearance.  Gift bags, napkins, etc.  These items have many uses other than just for parties.  Many of the products can be used in classrooms!

Great Winn Dixie Trip

We ran to Winn Dixie this afternoon to pick up some of the Pure Protein bars for my husband.  While we were there we noticed that Propel Zero was marked down.  We got a fantastic deal:

34 protein bars most were $1 each some  $0.75 - we had BOGO coupons for these
10 Propel zero 24 oz were on sale 2/ $1 - we had two $1 off of five coupons
2 Tic Tacs - these were on sale 10 / $10 - we had $1 off of two coupons
2  4 packs of Myoplex protein shakes on sale for $6 (almost half off)
_________________________________
Grand total $27.00  we saved $58.00!!!!!!!!

Walgreens / Contonelle

     If you get a chance to stop by Walgreens, they have a great deal on a twelve pack of Cottonelle toilet tissue.  Normally this item costs $5.  There is a $1 off coupon in the little savings booklet (sorry don't remember the name) that is located on the sales ad rack at entrance.   There was also a $0.50 off coupon in the Smart Source insert from Sunday's paper.  This brings the total to $3.50.  Not a bad deal.

     Also, for those of you with younger daughters, Walgreens has the clip-in hair feathers on sale.  The sale price is 2/$3.  This is a good deal when you compare the price to other stores.

Couponing 101 (Part 2)

     Alright, now that you know where to find coupons you must have an organizational system for them.  Here, at Simple Savvy Savers, our preference is to use the binder system.  We have tried many different methods of coupon storage and this has proven to be the most efficient.

     First, you must purchase a binder (preferably on sale!).  It is best to get at least a 1 1/2 inch binder.  Coupons amass much quicker than you would think. 
   
     Your next step will be to locate baseball card pages.  These are fantastic for being able to see your coupons in a quick glance.  Baseball card pages can often be found at Target, Wal-Mart, and collectibles shops.  Purchase at least fifty.  Believe it or not, they will fill up quickly.  We recommend using these pages because they are clear and allow you to see your coupons in one quick glance.

     Now that you have your basic storage, you need to put your coupons in some sort of order. This is easy to do with binder dividers.  Label the dividers according to the organizational system you choose.   If you have only one store where you do all of your shopping, putting them in an order that coincides with the order you shop the store would be most logical.  If you shop at several different stores, dividing your coupons into product categories is best. 

     Once you have you binder in order, you have one last step.  Putting your coupons in their new home!  Make sure you place coupons (some may have to be folded) into the pages with vital information facing up.  This way you have a clear view of the products for which you are shopping.  Be sure to pay close attention to expiration dates.  Putting coupons that expire soonest in the front allows you to work more efficiently.

     Alright, your coupons are organized.  You have a system.  Next time we will learn how to put that system to use.

Target Printables

New printable coupons available on the Target website.  Have fun!

Non-coupon Bargains

     In all of my shopping ventures today I discovered a few non-coupon bargains. 

Winn Dixie

10 cans of the Winn Dixie brand of  select canned vegetables for $6.  That is a good deal.  However, it becomes even better when you add $0.10 fuel perks per 10 cans!!!


Sam's Club

24 pack of 20 oz. Powerade sports drinks $12.78.   That is $0.53 per bottle!


Grocery Outlet

SoBe Life Water $0.45 per 20 oz. bottle!!!


Although I did not use coupons on these deals, I still felt they were great bargains.

Printable Coupons

Most printable coupon sites update their inventory the first day of every month.  Don't forget to print the new ones for October!

Realistic Couponing 101 (Part 1)

   
 Over the next couple of weeks will be doing a series of posts on realistic couponing.  At Simple Savvy Savers we loooove saving money.  Who doesn't?  However, we do not believe that using coupons should consume all of your spare time.  As a working mom, I know what a precious commodity time is.  That being said, let's get started!

     The first thing that every couponer must know is where to locate coupons.  The Sunday edition of your local newspaper is a great source for savings.  Most weeks your local paper has special inserts containing manufacturer as well as store coupons.  These inserts are usually found mixed among the store sales ads. 

     There are three major insert names to look for.  These are:

Red Plum
Smart Source
Proctor and Gamble

     These inserts are where you will find manufacturer coupons that are accepted at most major retailers (Walmart, Target, and grocery stores).  Don't leave out the sales ads though.  You will often find store specific coupons in them.  This is where the savings can really stack up!  (We will get into that in another post)

     Another great source for coupons is the internet.  There are a lot of different ways to obtain coupons via the internet.  First and foremost, you have the printable coupon sites.  Coupons.com, Red Plum, Smart Source, and Coupon Surfer are just a few of the places you can literally point and click to obtain coupons.

     If you are a fan of Facebook, there are lots of great coupons and bargains to be found.  Most of the time, it is as simple as "liking" a company's Facebook page.

     Don't forget to sign up for product newsletters!  Companies will often send coupons to your inbox or by snail mail just for letting them send you information about their products or services.

     Some other great sources for coupons are the places where you shop.  Grocery stores often have extra flyers (other than the basic weekly sale ad) that contain extra savings.  You can often find "blinkies" in the grocery store also.  These are little black machines attached directly to the store shelves.  The machines have a red blinking light (thus the name "blinkies") and release coupons one at a time.  Be sure to check your grocery store, drugstore, and even convenience store for coupons on tear pads too!

     In our next post we will discuss how to organize the coupons you are accumulating.  Until then, happy saving!

Possible High Value Cover Girl Coupon 10/2

Coupons are distributed regionally.  The Southeast may get one coupon in their Smart Source insert that the Northwest does not.  Therefore, couponing is not just a skill; sometimes it is luck of the draw.  Hopefully tomorrow we will be the lucky ones.  There are reports of a high value Cover Girl coupon.  $8 off of 2 Cover Girl face products!  This will be a fantastic deal.  Both CVS and Walgreens will have Cover Girl products at BOGO 1/2 off.  Time to buy some new Fall colors ladies!

Sunday Savings

Rumor has it that there will be 4, that's right, 4 inserts in tomorrow's newspaper!!!

If you are one of the lucky people who get all of the inserts, here is what you have to look forward to:

Proctor and Gamble
Red Plum
Smart Source
Pepsi

Hopefully we will get all four of these!

New Button Added!

Check out the new button added to the bottom of our sidebar on the right side of our page.  This is a link to a great site called "I Heart The Mart".

Giving & Teaching Empathy doesn't have to be expensive

Believe it or not...the holidays are right around the corner.

 Today I stumbled upon a cool deal for myself and someone less fortunate than us.

Winn Dixie has their brand of a variety of canned veggies on sale this week at $6 for 10 cans.

You will also receive $.10 in Fuel Perks for each set of 10 cans that you purchase, with no limit. I was very happy to fill my cart with 20 cans because they are staples, they store well, and they make

perfect additions to our annual classroom Food Drive Baskets.

 (Don't worry, I didn't clear the shelves, they have pallets full in different areas of the store)

So for $12 I can feed my family, foster altruism in my students, help make an unfortunate family's holidays a little better, and subtract $.20 a gallon from my next fill-up!

I love it when a plan comes together!

Del Monte "Teacher Monday"

Click this link to participate

http://teachermonday.votigo.com/teachermonday

"In an effort to get school children across North America to eat healthier, Del Monte Fresh Produce is holding its second annual "Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms" online contest.

"Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms" encourages kindergarten thru 12th grade school teachers to incorporate healthy eating and living messages into classroom activities. Sixty teachers will win a total of $1,000 in cash to purchase school supplies and fresh fruit for their students. Several winners will also get a Del Monte Fresh® Field Day event for their school in which the entire student body will enjoy a day of Del Monte fresh fruit, games and fun activities."   

-Del Monte

Bring it Sniffles! I'm ready!

I certainly cannot speak for everyone but between my students and my biological children, I am surrounded by snotty noses and projectile sneezing! With Flu season right around the corner, I fear the worst. So I was tickled to see this coupon for $1 off of one Robitussin product. I used it at Walmart on a Robitussin To Go Single Dose and it was FREE!

 $1.00/1 – Robitussin Product, any – (coupons.com)

Little Debbie Coupon

Go to the Little Debbie Facebook Page and "like" it to print a $0.55/1 Little Debbie’s coupon. Then hit your "back" arrow on the browser 3 times to print one extra. They are great for your children's lunches, classroom snacks/rewards, and those incredibly "necessary" chocolate cravings around 1:00pm each day. Oh...is it just me that has those?

Thanks SouthernSavers.com!

Coming Soon...

    
     We have decided to expand!

     As you know, here at Simple Savvy Savers we are real people with real families.  We are trying to save money and cut corners wherever we can.  We strive to give our families a better quality of life and give to others in need.  Sadly, working in a school, there are often times when students have basic needs that are unmet.  That is where we, and our bargains, step in.  We are often able to supply kids with clothes, basic grooming supplies, and even more often, food. 

     This is just one of the many topics that we will be broaching in our new sister blog "Educator Incubator".  We will offer tips for teachers on how to save money for their own families as well as how to give back to kids in need.  Our site will offer everything from classroom decorating tips to anecdotes.  The blog will be a fun-filled place where teachers can go for inspiration and to share a laugh.  Don't worry though, Simple Savvy Savers will still be alive and well! 

     We will be adding a link to our site soon.  Stay tuned for more details!  

Extreme vs Realistic Couponing

     With the state of today's economy, we are all trying to save money.  Everyone knows the basics.  Cut back on cable, shop for better insurance rates, ditch the landline phone, ect..  Couponing is quickly becoming one of the more popular ways to help slash expenses.  Let's face it, groceries and household items are a huge monthly expenditures.  Saving on these items means putting a significant amount of money back in the family budget.

     The majority of those of us concerned with saving money have seen at least one television show about extreme couponing.  These shows lead people to believe that it is possible to reduce their entire grocery bill to only a few dollars.  While this concept seems like a dream-come-true, it is not realistically possible. 

     It is possible to buy large quantities of select items for mere pennies on the dollar.  However, purchasing enough grocery and household items to sustain a family at 90% + off  is virtually impossible.  The television shows and people who stockpile huge quantities of products forget to take one important fact into account.  Families need variety.  Kids will not eat the same products day in and day out just because you got a fantastic deal.  Not only is variety an issue, but people are buying items that will go to waste.  Many items in the large stockpiles expire before you can ever use them. 

     Saving money and stocking up on things your family uses is great!  Just remember, the amazing savings stories that you see or hear about, are not realistic.  Here at Simple Savvy Savers, we believe in real life scenarios of real families saving real money.

   

Hurry to the CVS Facebook page!!

Hurry over to the CVS Facebook page.  If you pledge to "stop throwing money away" you will receive $2 ECBs!

Budget Travel

Be sure to check out updates on our Budget Travel Tips page!

Kmart

Don't forget to check your local Kmart to see if they are doubling coupons up to $0.99 this week.  It is supposed to be nation-wide; however, there are always stores that choose not to participate.  It's worth a try!

Publix

Publix will have some great BOGO deals this week!  Here is a quick rundown of some of the best bargains:

Aunt Jemima Pancakes or French Toast - BOGO $2.69
$1/1 coupon available on facebook
$0.35 - final price

Green Giant Veggies 7 - 10 oz. - BOGO $1.99
$1/4 coupon available on Betty Crocker website
$0.75 - final price

Kraft BBQ Sauce - BOGO $1.33
$1/2 coupon from Kraft Food and Family Magazine
$0.17 - final price

Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs or Snackwells Cookies, Brownie Bites, or Caramel Popcorn - BOGO $3.19
(3.7 - 7.75 oz)
$1/1 coupon from Nabiscoworld website

Ragu Pasta Sauce 16 - 24 oz. - BOGO $2.19  (excludes organic)
Free Mueller's pasta when you buy two Ragu pasta sauces coupon from previous insert
$1/2 Ragu pasta sauces at makinglifebetter website

Great Giveaway

                                                                 follow this link to giveaway:  http://www.allure.com/cs/promo/popupshop/giveaway.html


Allure and one of our favorite companies, Proctor and Gamble, have teamed up for an awesome giveaway.  Each day they will give away full-size products to the first 10,000 people who register.  The Giveaway begins each day at noon.  The list is as follows:

Monday - Pantene Hair Solutions (damage repair ampoules)  The 10,000 limit has been reached for this.

Tuesday - CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Blasting Mascara

Wednesday - Secret Natural Mineral

Thursday - Olay Collections Luscious Embrace Body Bar With Massaging Design

Friday - Olay Essential Complete All Day UV Moisturizer

New Buttons

     Just wanted to let you know that we have added two new buttons to our blog.  These buttons will connect you to two fantastic sites, "I Heart Publix" and "Totally Target".  Two of our favorite places to shop!  The buttons are located near the bottom of our sidebar on the right of the page.  Be sure to check them out : )

Walgreens Freebie!!!

     Get a free 8 x 10 photo collage at Walgreens.com when you enter code COLLAGE at chekcout.
Great gift idea!  Hurry this offer expires 9/30/11.

Recipe Roundup

     Just in time for football season, a new dip recipe.  Be sure to try this, it is a big hit at my house.  It can easily be doubled. 

     If you have any easy go-to recipes, please email them to us at simplesavvysavers@gmail.com.  You can also leave them as a comment.  Either way, we would love to hear from you!!!

Delightful Deals!!

     Although coupon inserts were not chock full of deals this week, there are a few bargains.  Here is a quick rundown:

Target:

Nivea Body Wash is on sale for $3
- if you have a $2 off coupon from previous inserts and the Target $1 off this could be FREE

Banana Boat Sunscreen is $4
- if you have a $4 off coupon from previous insert, this item will be $0.99


CVS:

Campbell's Chicken Noodle, Tomato Soup, or Swanson Chicken Broth is $0.59 per can
-  use a $0.40 (printable) off three coupon and the price is $0.45 each


Walgreen's:

Haribo Gummy Candy is $0.39 after coupon from previous insert.

Backpack Bargain

The Baby Bump has an awesome deal right now but you better act quick!

You can buy a pink camo or zebra backpack with personalization for $9.99 (reg. $19.99)

Oh and did I mention that they have FREE shipping on any order! Oh yeah!

Use the code COMPLETETB to get 15% off, making it $8.49.


If you know my 7 year old, you know that I had to buy the Zebra with Hot Pink embroidery. But Shhhh! Don't tell her because this going under the Christmas tree.

Last Minute Leftovers

     Ok, my husband and I stumbled across a fantastic deal tonight.  While walking past the bakery section around 5:30 p.m., we noticed boxes of items with orange price stickers.  There were boxes of croissants, 4 packs of huge blueberry muffins, and apple turnovers.  They were all marked $0.99!!!!!!!!  Of course we had to grab a few of these bargains.  The best part came when we looped back around the store to pick up a forgotten item.  Sitting on the same bakery counter were whole cakes!  We got a German Chocolate cake for $3.99.  This is one of their premium cakes.  Truly a phenomenal deal. 

     This is not the first time I have found a bargain at the Winn Dixie bakery.  Every evening around 5:00, they announce that their doughnuts in the case will be $1.49 per dozen.  You get to pick any kind you want.  Yum!

     Be sure to check the bakery at your local Winn Dixie to see if they offer these types of deals.

Old Navy

Old Navy is having a great sale!!!!! BOGO 75% off. Make sure to stop by your local store and check out the bargains.

Saving Strategy

     A crazy day at work.  Running the kids around to extracurricular activities.  Errands.  You make it home and enter the kitchen to cook dinner, only to discover that you forgot to thaw anything for dinner.  Your only options are takeout or a quick trip to the grocery store.  Either way, it is an unexpected expense. 

     We almost always have our coupons on hand.  However, coupons do not make a significant difference in the price of takeout.  Sure they help, but it is still an unplanned expense.

     A quick trip to the grocery store is is also unexpected, but usually the better of the two options. You must be careful.  Quick grocery trips are often for items that you do not have coupons for.  This is where expenses add up quickly.  In this situation your best savings strategy is to shop the sales ad.  If bread is on sale have sandwiches.  Maybe chicken breasts are one of the big sale items of the week.  Use a quick go-to chicken recipe.  Regardless of what you decide to make, your choice will usually be considerably less than ordering takeout!

     The next time you have an "Uh-oh, I forgot to thaw something for dinner!" moment, be sure to stop and weigh your savings options.

Do you need help converting a friend into a couponer?

As some of you may know, Marnie and I are both teachers. We are also both married to teachers and we all work in the same school. We are very happy here. My husband is also the Head Coach of one of our sports teams. For those of you without one of these in your family, they are very "manly" people. We are using our lunch periods trying to convert all the young assistant coaches into couponing, against my husband's wishes. We have already convinced our cheerleading coach to start (wooooHooo!) couponing.

Tip #1 - Choose a really good deal that is simple, to let them test the waters.
I gave the Cheer Coach a sales ad for CVS & a coupon, and a clear explanation. Once she walked in, purchased her lipstick with the coupon, had all of her money returned to her in Extra Care Bucks gift certificates, and realized that it worked exactly the way we said it would....she was elated!

Tip #2 - Gather & share what you have that they may be interested in purchasing. I have no use for baby diapers or tequilia, but I know some people who do. You can have them flip through your coupons and place sticky notes on items that they us as well. I find it helpful to have someone make me a list of items that they buy every week and start collecting a pile for them to try.


Tip #3 - If this doesn't work, I do not know what will. Save your receipt from a really good trip. I use my Publix receipts for this situation. Show them the bottom where the register automatically adds up the coupon savings & store savings. Most cannot resist starring at those numbers & wishing their grocery bills were $70 or more less.

Publix 9-21

     This week's Publix ad is nothing fantastic.  However, there are a few bargains worth checking out.

BOGO
Perdue Chicken Breast Nuggets (some of you may have coupons for these)
Fresh Express Salad Blends
Lender's Bagels
Pompeian 32oz olive oil
Wish Bone dressing
A-1 steak sauce
Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Bread

Winn Dixie

     Tomorrow is the start of the new grocery ad at Winn Dixie.  They do not have an abundance of good deals this week, but there are a few worth checking out.

BOGO
Sanderson Farms Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenders
Pork Chops
Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenders
Boneless Pork Loin Ribs
Armour Meatballs (these are great for shortcuts in meals)
48 oz Pompeian Olive Oil
Winn Dixie seasonings, gravies, and sauces
Select Old El Paso products
All liquid or Surf powder detergent


     These are just a few of the deals that will be available.  Be sure to check your local ad online before your shopping trip.

Random Resources

     First, let me apologize for the pics in yesterday's posts.   Not sure what is going on.  When I entered the pics into the computer to save, they were facing the correct way.  However, when I uploaded them from the file to the post, they flipped in the opposite direction.  No matter how hard I try, they will not face the correct direction!  I will continue to try and repair this.

     Be sure to gather your Surf laundry detergent coupons.  I ran across a decent deal while in Target this weekend.  Surf, 144 load, was priced at $10.99.  I had one $2.00 off manufacturer coupon and combined it with a Target $1.50 off.  Total price - $7.99

     Check your Walgreen's candy aisle.  21 oz. bags of butterscotch candy discs were $0.45 at my Walgreen's yesterday!

     Remember that CVS has Dawn dishwashing liquid for $0.99 this weeks.  Combine that with a $0.50 manufacturer coupon and total is $0.44!!!

     Haircuts at Cost Cutters are $12 onTuesdays!!!!

Walgreens Deals

Hurry to your local Walgreen's for some great deals!

Sale price $4.99 - $4.99 RR = FREE!

$6.99 - $2 RR -$2 off coupon that I picked up at doctor's office = $2.99

Sale price $.99 - $.50 coupon = $.49 each. (limit 3)

Sale price 2 for $6 - $2 RR - 2 $1 off coupons = $1 each

CVS Bargains This Week

These are a couple of bargains that are available this week at CVS:

Sale price $4.99 - $2.00 ECB - $1.50 off coupon = $1.49

B1G1 free = 2 for $3.19 - 2 $1 off coupons = $.60 each

Coupons!

Found Ben and Jerry's and Bryer's manufacturer's coupons in an odd place today - Tom Thumb.  Our Tom Thumb stocks Kroger groceries and that may be the reason for some of the coupons we find there.  Today we found $1.00 off coupons for Ben and Jerry's and Bryer's pint size products.  Sondra (the other owner of this blog), said that last week's Walgreens ad had a store coupon for $1.00 off Ben and Jerry's.  The coupon is still valid.  This brings the price to $0.99!!!!!

Target Deal Alert!!!!

Target has a special offer on select Crest toothpaste.  Buy one Crest toothpaste valued at $2.99 or more and get a free Oral-B toothbrush (select varieties).  Some of you may still have $1.00 off Crest toothpaste coupons.  My Target also let me use coupons on the toothbrushes too!!!! 

Saturday Savings

     Bargains were abundant today!  I have a lot of great deals to report after my shopping expedition this afternoon.

     First I will start with a phenomenal deal that my husband and I found at GNC last night.  We found Met-rx Big 100 bars marked down to 75% off of their sales price.  We combined a coupon with the sale and walked out of the store with eight bars for $2.57!!!!!

     Today's deals were pretty awesome too!  My first stop was Target (of course).  I guess they finally decided to clearance the school supplies at 75%.  I bought :

40 spiral notebooks
4 Tink folders
1 Hello Kitty binder
3 packs of notebook paper
2 Cars 2 die cast cars
1 Monopoly Build-It game
_____________________________________
My out of pocket total was - $6.76


     The next stop was Publix.  I didn't do as well as I had hoped, but it wasn't horrible.  Here is what I got:

2 pkg. Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies
2 -2pks Country Crock spread
3 pks Hillshire Fram deli meat
2 pks Quaker chewy granola bars
2 pks Pepperidge Farm deli flats
2 pks Old El Paso taco seasoning
2 bottle Ken's salad dressing
1 box 9 ct Bagel Bites
2 boxes Pillsb. frozen mini pancakes
4 cans Pringles
2 bananas
57 Met-rx and Pure Protein bars
______________________________________
My total out-of-pocket - $79.47     Savings $88.33   ($69.10 in coupons, $19.23 store savings)

Have you found any good deals this weekend?  We would love to hear from you!  Leave us pics of your bargains!

Saturday Shopping

Heading out for a shopping trip this afternoon.  Hope to get some great deals.  I will post as soon as I return from my adventure!

Halloween Help

     October is right around the corner.  Which, in case your kiddos have not already reminded you, Halloween will be here soon.  Therefore, they need costumes! 

     As we all know, pre-made costumes are expensive.  Unless your child will continue to use the outfit for dress-up play, ready-made is not a good bargain.  Constructing a costume can be quite easy and inexpensive.  We have some great tips for you!

      First, be sure to make use of coupons from your local craft stores.  Michael's almost always has a "40% off any one regularly priced item" coupon every Sunday in their ad.  Hobby Lobby often offers a printable discount on some of their merchandise also.  Use these every week to piece together your little goblins disguise!  (Don't forget to ask your friends and family for their unused coupons.)

     Now costume ideas:

     Clown- Yarn hair, baggy sweatsuit decorated with cut-out polka dots, big floppy boots (spray paint to match if necessary), sponge ball for nose (often found at craft stores). 

     Dorothy from Wizard of Oz - blue gingham dress, red sparkly shoes (spray paint and glitter), braid hair.

     Cowboy - jeans, plaid shirt, bandanna, gun holster from toy department (may also be borrowed).

     Pirate - Old pants that are too short (cut few inches below knees and cut into strips all the way around), big white shirt tucked into pants, eye patch (party store), bandanna, clip-on earring.

    Robot
    Disney Channel Star
    Pod of grapes
    Mummy
   
     These are just a few ideas for inexpensive Halloween costumes.  If you need any more ideas, or would like to contribute an idea, please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you!!!

Coupon Clipping

     Coupons.  You get them in our Sunday papers.  You get them from "blinkies" in the grocery store.  You even print them on our computers.  There are many different ways to get coupons.  However, did you know that you can actually pay someone to clip coupons from weekly inserts and mail them to you?  That's right.  This cool little invention is called a Coupon Clipping Service.  These services are a quick, time-saving way of getting the coupons you need.  Not only can you purchase coupons from Sunday's inserts, but you can purchase coupons that may not be found in your area.  Another advantage of ordering coupons this way is quantity.  While you may purchase as many Sunday papers as you want, that can get expensive.  Aren't expenses what we are trying to cut? 

     There are drawbacks to the service.  Coupons often sell out quickly.  The biggest drawback is shipping time.  Unless the sale lasts longer than one week, you are taking a risk by waiting for the coupons to arrive by mail.  Some clipping services mail things quickly.  However, things often happen between the coupons being sent and their arrival at your home. 

     If you have time to wait for your coupons to arrive, then this service can be a great alternative to buying newspapers and spending the time cutting and sorting.

     Don't forget that the new grocery ads were released today!  Be sure to check them out.  Publix has some great deals this week!  Let us know what you find!

Grocery Goldmine

  
Wow!  The sale at Publix is awesome this week!!!! Tons of BOGO.  I am super excited about grocery shopping this weekend.  I am planning a big trip and this will take some careful planning.  If you have any Pepperidge Farm cookie coupons, hang on to them.  I have one word for you - Milanos!  General Mills cereals (select items) will be as low as $0.74 with coupons.  Borden singles, Bird's Eye Voila! meals, Honey Maid Grahams, and many more items will be BOGO this week.  Be sure to check their ad!

Not sure about the Winn Dixie ad yet.  Hopefully, they will give Publix some competition. 

Stockpile Standards

     Before we get into our topic of the day, let's take a look at the bargain that Sondra found at Publix.  Sure deodorant is on sale BOGO $2.69.  That was a good deal, but add $1 off coupons and it becomes a fantastic deal!!!  That is $0.35 each!!!  Of course she could not stop at just one deal.  She bought a total of eight deodorants (one was left out of the pic).

     Now, on to my question.  What are your stockpile standards?  Do you buy just enough to get by until the next shopping trip?  Do you buy as many of the sale items as possible?

     Personally, I find myself purchasing amounts somewhere in the middle of the two amounts.  If the deal is fantastic, like the deodorant, I would buy as many as I possibly could without clearing the shelves.  I firmly believe in equal bargain opportunities for everyone.  I do not have a stockpile that resembles anything seen on the television couponing show, unless you count eight boxes of tissues and six trial size packs of Cascade gel packs.  Stockpiling can be helpful, especially in today's economy.  Many people have proven this by relying on their stockpile during hard economic times.   It seems to me, the main issue is people who purchase items that they, nor anyone they know, will ever use.  Accumulating mass quantities of items that you will never use just seems wasteful.   For instance, if your family does not use Gain detergent because someone in the group has any allergy to it.  Yet you purchase it anyway because it was a great deal.  That, to me, is wasteful.  There are, however, couponers that make these purchases and donate these types of items to charities. Donating these items is a great idea!

     What does your stockpile look like?  What is your idea of "stocking up"?  Send us pics!  Leave us a comment.  We would love to hear from you!!!

     Calling all teachers!

     We have a couple of bargain resources for you.  First, for those of you teaching government, sign up with C-SPAN classroom and get an electoral vote map for FREE!

     Many of you may not be aware that educators (teachers, paras, administrators, guidance) are eligible for many discounts nationwide.  You can find a compiled, and frequently updated, list of discounts at http://www.myeducationdiscount.com/   Make sure to stop by and take a look.  This site is great!!!

     I will post both of these bargains on our "Teacher Feature" tab.

Coupon Insert Insight

     Alright everyone, make sure you get lots of sleep Saturday night because you have to be up early Sunday morning.  Rumor has it that there will be three coupon inserts in Sunday's paper!!!!

     Let the savings begin!

     My binder is looking a little sparse.  I am excited about getting some new coupons.  Hopefully they will be good!

Teacher Feature Updated

     I just updated our "Teacher Feature" tab.  Stop by and take a look!

     Our Target school supplies are still at 30% with the exception of a few lunch boxes.  Have any other Targets gone beyond 30%?  Leave us a comment and let us know.  We would really love to hear from you!

Target Tally

     I  had to make a quick trip to Target because my daughter's binder broke.  Wow, three weeks into school.  That has to be some kind of record.  I am just going to pretend that it was all of the hard work she has been doing.  Yeah, that's it.  I will go with that one.

     Anyway, while I was in Target I did my usual clearance check.  They finally decided to mark down some of the toiletry clearance!! 

     My husband happened upon some Pepsi Max coupons ($0.55 off) the other day and noticed that Target had them on sale for $0.99.  Unfortunately, they were out of the 2 liters.  He did get a rain check though! 

     Here is what we got:

     6 trial size packs of Tide laundry detergent
     2  2packs Colgate 360 toothbrushes
     2  Crest toothpastes with extra trial size inside
     1  3 ring binder
__________________
Grand total before coupons $17.06         Total out of pocket after coupons $10.56!!!!


     My deals were good, but the best part of the day happened before we went into Target.  My daughter announced from the backseat "Hey Mommy, I have my coupon binder ready to go".  She had put together a binder for herself and Dad to share.  I am so proud!  My smart little shopper is prepared.

Prosperous Trip To Publix!!

     I just got back from Publix.  This was just a quick trip for Goldfish snacks, but I came out with a few other items.

     Here is what I got:

    10 bags of Goldfish snacks
    2   9 oz Ken's dressing        
    4 boxes Uncle Ben's Boil In The Bag Brown Rice
    5 cans Chunky Baked Potato soup
____________________________________
    Grand Total Before Discounts   $46.72

    I paid $20.47

   I saved $26.25!!!!!!!!!

Waiting For Wednesday!

      Ok Savers, you know what tomorrow is.  My favorite day of the week, Wednesday. That means new grocery ads! 
     Winn Dixie seems to have a lot of BOGO meat deals this week.  Chuck roast, sirloin steaks, pork ribs, the list goes on!  There are a lot of other deals too. 

     I am very excited about one deal in particular at Publix.  That's right, it is time for Pepperidge Farm goldfish 10 for $10!!!!  Although my kids are older, they still love these for snacks.  We always stock up when Publix offers this bargain.

     Another deal that I want to share with you is usually run approximately once per week.  Coastalcontacts.com.   This site offers glasses for really low prices.  I have seen glasses as low as $10.  The frames are nice (often name brand).  They have a large variety to choose from too. "Like" them on Facebook and watch for their next offer.   Make sure you have a copy of your prescription.  You will need to give them all of the specifics so that your glasses will be correct.  For those of you who wear glasses, this is a real bargain!!!

     Everyone get a good night's sleep.  You have some serious bargain shopping to do tomorrow!!!
Don't forget to thaw dinner for tomorrow.

Clearance - How Long Are You Willing To Wait?

     Seeing all of the items being clearanced at Target this weekend made me wonder if other people have the same views of "clearance" that I do.
 
     You see a toaster you like "clearanced" for 15% off. Do you buy it just because it is less than the original price, or wait to see if the price goes down more?

     I only consider 50% and under to be a sale, not clearance.  Therefore, I am willing to wait for the price to continue to drop on most things, depending on quantity.  Are you willing to wait it out, or do you buy it the minute it is marked down from the original price?  Please leave a comment or question.  We would love to hear what you think is "clearance".

     Recent blog updates - We have added a new tab called "Teacher Feature".  The page will include budget-minded ideas for the classroom and homeschooling.  Don't forget to check out our other tabs too!  If you haven't been to our Facebook page, click on the link in our sidebar and "like" us.  Take a minute to take our poll while you are there and leave us a comment.  We would love to hear from you!!!!!

    

Thank You!!

     We want to thank everyone who helped us reach our 25 "likes" on our Facebook fan page :  www.facebook.com/SimpleSavvySavers

     Keep the likes going and let your friends know about us.  We have a lot of plans for our blog and Facebook page. 

     Sorry to report that there were no coupons today because of the holiday weekend.  This is normal.  Hopefully we will have a good batch next weekend.  I didn't get to look for bargains today due to the weather.  We only ventured out to pick up dinner.  We did use a coupon though!

     I will leave you with one quick tip.  Invest in a binder and some baseball card pages for your coupons.  It will make any couponing you do a lot easier.  You can also get binder dividers to organize them in a way that is logical for you.  Personally, I place my categories in alphabetical order.  Makes it easy for kids or husband to pick up my binder and find what they need.

     Again, thank you for everything you did to help us reach our goal!!

Bargain Bonanza!

     My family had a blast bargain hunting today.  I must say, it was nice to have the extra help.  We found lots of great deals!

     Here are our treasures:

We spent a total of $50.65 today and this is what we got:

Wal-Mart

10 Met-rx protein bars - Regular price $1.96.  We paid $0.96 each with coupon.

Sam's Club

5 large cans of white meat chicken.  Regular price $9.99.  We paid $7.99 due to special promotion.

Grocery Outlet

6 bags of pork rinds.  Regular price $0.69.  This was not a sale, just a phenomenal deal.

Publix

4 bags of Bugles snacks.  Regular price $2.67 each.  They were BOGO and we added $0.50 off coupon per bag.

4 bags of Chex Mix.  Regular price $2.67 each.  They were BOGO and we added $0.50 off coupon per bag.

4 Met-rx  protein bars.  Regular price $1.99.  We paid $0.99 each with coupon.

20  2 liter Publix drinks.  Regular price $0.93.  We paid $0.50 each with store promotion.

1 box Publix Cocoa Crunch Cereal.  Regular price $2.39.  We paid $1.39 with coupon.

Target

3 cans Campbell's soup.  Regular $0.68.  We paid $0.35 each after coupon.

2 containers of Kraft Natural Parmesan Romano blend cheese.  Regular price $3.99.  We paid $1.39 each after coupon

2 Olay travel size bar soaps.  Regular price $0.97.  We paid $0.47 each after coupon.

2  full size 4 packs of Kleenex.  Regular price approx $6.00.  We paid $1.54 each after clearance and coupon.

Share your bargains with us!!! We would love to hear from you.

We will be adding some new features to our blog in the coming days.  There will be a new tab dedicated just to budget family travel tips.  There will also be couponing tips and lots of other fun information added to the site.  Stay tuned for more details!

Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas!

     Sorry for not posting last night.  We had a high school football game to attend.  My oldest is in band and they had their first performance.  It is amazing, as a parent, to watch your child go from middle school band to high school.  The progress is astounding.  When you hear those first notes as they march onto the field for the first time - well, let me just say that I had chill bumps. 

     If you haven't checked the Target coupons lately, you might want to do so.  There are five coupons for kids' games.  They are $3, $4, and $5 off.  These coupons are great.  I used one of the $4 off any Scrabble game on a Scrabble Slam card game.  My final price was under $2.  Not bad for a stocking suffer.  Each of the coupons lists a small variety of games that may be purchased.  These items are great as stocking stuffers or as a little something extra to tie on another present.

     If you have recently purchased, or plan to purchase any Nutri-Grain bars at Target, be sure to check the outside of the box to see if they have the offer from Disney's and Pixar's Cars.  Inside each of these boxes is a coupon for a FREE die-cast car of your child's favorite Cars character with the purchase of two boxes of Nutri-Grain bars.  If you purchased like I did, this is a real bargain.  The bars were on sale last week for $2.50 per box and buy three get one box free.  I combined the store offer with two "$1 off two boxes"  coupons.  Therefore, I only spent $5.50 on the cereal bars.  Combined with the offer inside the box, this is a phenomenal deal.  Four boxes of Nutri-Grain and two Cars die-cast for $5.50 is not bad for snacks and two Christmas presents!

Bargains, Bargains Everywhere!!

     Whew!  What a day!  I have been bargain hunting since I mid-afternoon.  I am happy to report that I found quite a few deals. 

     My first stop was Publix where I got:

10 - 2 liter sodas for $5.00
Knorr Pasta Dishes for $0.50 each
Met-rx protein bars $1.00
2 - Degree deodorants FREE
Mueller's Pasta $0.47 per box

     The next stop was CVS:

1 gallon of milk $3.79 with 1 extrabuck good on next purchase

Next transaction at CVS was:

2 bottles Dawn with Olay
2 bottles Dawn
1 pack Orbit gum
Grand Total  - $1.36!!!

     Target was next on our agenda:

5 - 4pks of Cascade tabs (trial size)  $1.41
32 load All Detergent (small and mighty size)  $2.99
4 large boxes Pop Tarts  $5.50
4 boxes Nutri Grain Bars $5.50

     Our last stop was Winn Dixie:

5 - pks Oscar Myer Carving Board sandwich meat $14.95 (that is a good deal, but...)
5 - pks Kraft Big Slice deli style cheese FREE!!!!!!
2 - dozen large eggs FREE with purchase of corned beef hash

Share your latest deals with us! We reeeeeeelly want to hear from you.

What Do You Do?

     Don't forget, the new grocery ads are released tomorrow!  Not that I get excited about grocery ads.  ;-)

     This subject leads me to a question that has plagued me for some time.  How does everyone else save on basic items that have no coupons?

     All Savvy Savers shop the grocery ads on a weekly basis.  This provides for a large portion of our families' needs.  What about the other things though?  Things like items that are needed to complete a recipe, last-minute school supplies, or clothes.  Let us know how you save on these items.  We would love to hear from you!!!

      

Why Can't We Have That?

    I need some objective opinions.  In all of our coupon and savings pursuits, it has become abundantly clear that people in states other than ours (Florida), seem to have significant grocery store advantages.  Many of our neighbors to the north enjoy the awesome benefit of double coupons!  Seriously, why can't we have that?

     Many grocery stores outside of our area offer BOGO deals with the option of buying just one item at half price.  That would be great if it was an item that you rarely use and have no desire to purchase multiples of.  Why can't we have that?

     I fully understand that Florida is a tourist state.  I am aware that a huge portion of Florida's income is based on tourism.  Kids at the school where we work are a huge part of our summer tourism industry workforce.  Teachers that we work with have second jobs in the tourism industry.  My husband and I work summers in tourism.  I get it!!!!

    What I don't get is why full-time Florida residents can't save on the items that are being sold at inflated tourist prices.  There should be some way to get a local's card that signifies that people are eligible to receive the same discounts that are offered at the same store in other states.  Really?  How hard could this be?  I propose that full-time Florida residents be able to walk into a store.  Provide legitimate proof of residency.  Obtain a card and begin saving like people in other states.

     Sorry for the rant.  Just a little frustrated with the fact that I am missing out on substantial savings for my family.

     On a different note, if you have any Degree or Dove deodorant coupons, grab them!   Right now Publix has a $2 off coupon in their Green Advantage flyer.  you can combine that with a manufacturer's coupon to get very cheap, or even FREE deodorant!!!!
    

Ready, Set, Shop!

     The savings are here!  The savings are here!

     I should probably apologize for that little outburst.  I just couldn't help myself.  Coupon giddiness has ensued.  After a wonderful cookout with the neighbors, the kids are tucked into bed for the night and I have a few minutes between loads of laundry. It's "Mom Time", as I like to call it.  I bought three newspapers this morning and I am presently surrounded by coupons and sales ads.  I am a very happy mom. 

     There were some good coupons in this week's inserts.  Here are a couple of the deal ideas I have been looking at:

Proctor and Gamble Insert

$0.50 off of Dawn
-----Regular old-fashioned Dawn is $1 at my Wal-Mart.  Dawn is on sale at CVS for $0.99.  Either way this is a great deal.

$1.00 off of Cascade
-----This could possibly be a free item.  There are reports that some Wal-mart stores carry four-packs of Cascade gel packs.  My Wal-Mart does not have them, but my Target does.  These items usually cost $1.00.

CVS Idea

Purchase milk for $3.79 per gallon with $1.00 extrabucks reward
Use your reward buck to purchase the 24 pack of water that is on sale for $2.22.  This will make the water $1.22 (that is $0.05 per bottle!!!!)

          These are just a few of the deals that I saw as I quickly glanced through the inserts.  I will post more as I have time.  Don't forget to thaw dinner for tomorrow night.  Gotta run, the dryer just stopped!!

Couponing for a Cause - Let's Help the Victims of Hurrican Irene

     I just wanted to take the time to reiterate how important it is to help the victims of Hurricane Irene. There have already been reports of fatalities, tornado damage, and widespread power outages. We have the ability to really make a difference for the people who have been affected by this huge storm. As couponers and bargain hunters, we often find basic life necessities at deep discounts.  People will be in need of toiletries and other supplies.  Toiletries are something we couponers often get for FREE!!   It is time to pay things forward.
  
     I have to admit that I am super excited about tomorrow's batch of coupons.  Three inserts tomorrow = lots of coupons.  This is our opportunity to really do some good.  Let's give, give, GIVE!

     Remember to post your bargains!

Let's Help!

     I am sure everyone is well aware of the impending hurricane on the East coast of the United States.  Hurricane Irene , although currently downgraded to a Category 2, will cause damage and significant inconvenience for residents in the affected areas.  As Floridians, this is something that we at Simple Savvy Savers can empathize with.  Road closures and no electricity make getting daily supplies extremely difficult.    Let's help our friends in need. 

     It's time to put some of those coupons and bargain shopping skills to good use!  During your next shopping trip think about the people in need of basic supplies.  Donate as many of your bargain items as possible to help those who will be dealing with the aftermath of this powerful storm.  Remember, there will be three inserts of coupons this Sunday.  That equals lots of opportunities to help.

     Check with local radio and television stations in your area for information on where you can donate the supplies.  Let's take this opportunity to give!

Great Coupon Weekend Ahead!

     It's been quite a while since we have had a good batch of coupons in the Sunday newspaper.  This weekend looks promising though.  There are supposed to be three inserts!  I am very excited about this.  It seems as though my coupon stash is quickly dwindling.  I have had a lot of coupons expire lately.  Restocking will be nice.

     These coupons are arriving at a great time.  Stores are beginning to clearance a lot of their summer items as well as back-to-school merchandise.  Combining the sales and coupons can lead to substantial savings! 
Be sure to check the internet for any printable coupons before making a shopping trip.  Remember, some stores allow customers to combine store and manufacturer coupons.  Target and Publix are especially good about this.

     Don't forget to keep an eye on Target school supplies.  They go quickly once they are clearanced!

    

Grocery Store Goodies

     It's Wednesday!  That means the new grocery ads are out.  Publix has some pretty good bargains this week.  The BOGO 32 oz. Powerade drinks are roughly $0.63 each after discount.  This is a great deal.  I send them to band practice with my teenager and with my husband to go in his lunch.

     The Winn Dixie ad has BOGO pork chops this week.  I am incorporating a new recipe using pork chops on our "What's for Dinner?" page.  Be sure to check it out.  The Edy's ice cream is also a great deal at BOGO.

     Be sure to check out both ads and plan your menu for the week.  While we are on the topic of bargains, make a point to stop by Target and visit the school supply section.  I was in the store today and some of the school supplies are starting to clearance at 30%.  Hopefully the good stuff will not get picked over before the deep discounts start.  This is a great time for teachers to stock up!

A Weekly Menu On A Budget...What A Concept!

     I know. Planning a weekly menu seems to be one of those extra chores that you really can't seem to fit into your already crazy schedule.  Trust me when I tell you that taking an extra thirty minutes can make a tremendous difference in the rest of your week.  This task can be simplified even more when you base your menu on your grocery store's sale ad.  For instance, if your store is running a sale on roast and potatoes, you could plan to have pork chops and mashed potatoes one night.  Just add some green beans and you have a full meal! I told you this would be simple!

     Not only are you saving time throughout the week, you are saving money.  Buying the items on sale instantly saves you money.  Combine those savings with a few coupons and you can really save some money!  Winn Dixie BOGO meat deals can really add up to some great savings as well as fuel perks.

     Don't forget that grocery ads usually premiere on Wednesdays (tomorrow).  Check for your store's ad online and start planning your menu!

First Day of School

     The first day of school is officially behind us.  All I can think is, "Is it Friday yet?"  What a day!  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad day.  The day flew by.  It was just filled with the standard first-day-of-school chaos that occurs annually. 

     Our oldest child started high school today.  It was mildly traumatizing for Mom and Dad, but he had an awesome day!  I am sooo not ready for "the high school years".  I thought I was ready, but maybe not.  I am not used to seeing my baby hanging out with all of these older kids.  He is supposed to be in kindergarten, not high school!!!

     Things are not much better with our youngest.  She started fourth grade today.  Again, she was fine.  She had a great day.  Mom and Dad, on the other hand, may not recover from our baby being half way through elementary school. We knew this would happen one day, just not this soon.  We are not prepared for our babies to grow up. 

     It was nice to be back in the routine of work.  Great to see all of the kids' smiling faces this morning.  Things were hectic, but the day went by quickly. 

     I haven't had the opportunity to do any bargain hunting today.  It was nice to come home to dinner already cooked in the crock pot because I planned ahead last night.  I will definitely do that again tonight.  Hmmmmm, I wonder what we could have.  Any suggestions?

Last Minute School Supplies

     I went to Office Depot this morning and got a few great deals!  They have spiral notebooks and packs of pencil top erasers for a penny.  They also have highlighters and 4 packs of glue sticks for 50 cents.  Quantities are very limited on these items, three per household I believe, so get them quickly.

     My husband also found some good bargains at Office Max.  They were offering spiral notebooks for a penny each also.  The limit on the notebooks was five.  He also found 24 packs of colored pencils and crayons for less than 50 cents each.  However, things work a little differently at Office Max.  Teachers are allowed to purchase double the stated quantity on sale items!

     On to a different topic.  Did anyone get the coupon inserts from the newspaper today?  We did not purchase a paper.  After previewing the ads, we did not find any coupons that would be beneficial to our family this week.

     Tomorrow is Monday!  I am making an effort to start the week off semi-organized.  I am making tomorrow night's dinner tonight.  Crock pot roast.  Yum!

     Again, let us know if you have found any great bargains!  You can also post any great recipes on our "What's for dinner?" page!

School Clothes / Uniforms

     Well, today didn't go quite as well as I had planned.  We went shopping for a few extra school clothes, hoping to find some bargains.  Bargains, in my opinion, were few and far between.  Maybe I am just cheap and nothing seems like a bargain to me anymore.  No, that couldn't possibly be the problem.  I am thrifty, not cheap :-) 

     Hot Topic offered a few bargains.  If your teen needs jeans their denim was buy one get one half off.  T-shirts were the same.  They had $5 off backpacks too!  There are some great deals if your kiddos do not have to wear uniforms, unfortunately ours do.

     Our next stop was Children's Place.  We found girl's jeans for $12.  Not bad for "skinny" jeans with an adjustable waist and soft stretchable denim.  They did have some other cute things.  Great selection of uniforms!  Unfortunately, my daughter does not like to wear dresses or skirts to school because she has to have shorts under them for p.e..  She says it feels bulky to wear both, even the ones with built-in shorts.

     Aeropostale had 50% off the majority of the store! Unfortunately, most of their stuff has large logos that our uniform policy does not allow.  Very good deals though.

     JC Penney had some good clearance racks if your students do not have uniforms.  Lots of stuff 30% - 80% off!!!

     We came home with 2 non-school t-shirts for son, 1 pair of "skinny" jeans and 1 belt for daughter, and 1 pair of running shoes for dad.  Not a bad day, but definitely did not see very good deals on clothes.

     Have you run across any good deals for school clothes?

Our Facebook Page

     I posted a few days ago about our new Facebook page.  Well, there seems to be a slight glitch in finding the page.  Because it is a fan page it must be "liked" by 25 people before I can remove my name and it be listed as "Simple Savvy Savers".  So pleeease stop by and "like" our page.  I am posting the link here to make your life just a little easier.


http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marnie/272209729460539

Garage Sales - Are They Really Worth the Hassle?

     Making the decision as to whether or not you should have a garage sale can be a rather daunting task.  There is a lot of work involved in hosting such an event.  The idea usually sneaks up on you.  It begins with cleaning out a closet or drawer.  You thik, "Wow! I have a lot of stuff."  It gradually progresses to, "Maybe I should have a garage sell to get rid of some of these things."  By the time you have cleared every closet in the house you begin to question your brilliant idea, and your sanity!  (This would be the stage that I am at right now, the sanity question part.)

     Dragging everything out, pricing things, putting up signs. You will definitely make a little money, but is it worth all of the effort that you have put forth?  After all is said and done, I believe it might be.  Garage sales are a great way to earn a little extra cash for vacations and other splurges.  Do you think garage sales are worth the effort?  Let us know what you think!

Teacher Deals!

     I work in education.  My husband works in education.  90% of my friends and family work in education.  I know that teachers spend a lot of their own money supplying things for their classroom.  I also know that money is in short supply.  Deals are important to teachers!  A recent shopping trip revealed an undiscovered gold mine of classroom supplies.  The Dollar Tree is full of bulletin board borders, reward certificates, sentence strips, posters, and other teacher goodies.  The best part is that everything is only $1! 

     Another plethora of classroom treasures can be found at Target's dollar spot.  Most of the trinkets here are geared toward elementary school.   However, I did see some cute restroom passes and containers that could be used in any room.

     The best part about these bargains is that the prices far outshine those in school supply catalogs!

 

New "Share My Bargains" Tab!

     Hello Simple Savvy Savers!  A new tab has been added to our blog - "My Bargains".  This tab will allow you to share the wonderful deals you find.  Instructions are simple - just click on the tab and leave a comment and pics if you have them!

I Found Bargains!!!!



     I must confess, I am absolutely giddy with excitement!  I went bargain hunting today, and guess what?  I found a few!  The pics above are from my trip to target where I found the following:

1  10pk of Minute Maid juice boxes

1 box Market Pantry oatmeal

2 pkg Starkist tuna

2 six pk Sunny D

2 six pks Dannon Danimals Smoothies

1 Nivea body wash

2 pks Gladware

1 backpack

4 pks pens (Bic and Papermate)

4 pks (2each) Expo dry erase markers

2 boxes Original Wheat thins

2 boxes Wheat Thin Flatbread

2 pks (24 each) Kraft singles

4 boxes Kraft Mac n Cheese

4 pks Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies

______________________________________

Grand Total Out of Pocket - $47.71               Savings In Coupons - $32.45

Target was good, but Publix was even better!!!!  See below pics for details.

10  2 liter Publix sodas
5 small cans of Swanson chicken
2 large boxes Lucky Charms
2 large boxes Cinnamon Toast Crunch
___________________________________________
Grand Total Out of Pocket -  $13.60              Savings - $24.70

Alright, I have shared my deals with you.  Now what deals have you gotten lately?

What Do You Do With Your Leftover Coupons?

     I was going through my coupon binder preparing for a small grocery trip tomorrow, when I realized that I have accumulated a sizable stack of coupons that I will not use.  I know that a lot of the extreme couponers say that there are no such things as "unusable" coupons, but I tend to disagree.  As a mom, and the person who does the majority of grocery shopping in our family, I can't seem to justify purchasing items that my family, nor anyone I know has any use for.  Thus, my dilemma.  What do I do with the unused coupons?

     Due to the current state of the economy, everyone we know is struggling to make ends meet.  Many of our friends have begun using coupons as a way to slash their grocery bills.  So, I thought that I would see if anyone had any specific coupon needs.  Maybe we could even trade a few.  This way no coupons go to waste.  Everyone gets to save on the things they need.  It's a win-win situation! 

     Another option that I have been looking into is sending my expired coupons to military families overseas.  They are allowed to use the coupons up to six months after they expire! 

     If anyone has any other ideas, or wants to trade a few coupons, just leave a comment.  We would really love to hear from you!

     Oh!  Don't forget to plan and thaw dinner for tomorrow night!

Stop By and Say "Hi"!

     I just created a new Facebook page for Simple Savvy Savers.  Please stop by and say "hi".  We would love to hear from you! 

Here We Go!

     It's Sunday!  We have a whole new week of possibilities awaiting us!

     Did anyone get the coupon inserts from the newspaper today?  I did.  There were a few good ones, but overall I was a little disappointed because there were very few food coupons.  Hopefully a better batch next week.  I really need to get back into my coupon routine.
  
      Speaking of routines, the week before school starts every year our family goes into full school mode.  We wake up at regular school time.  We go to bed early at night.  We have done this every year since my oldest child started school.  This jump start on our routine gives us the energy to start the school year with a bang!  It's been a while since I have seen 5:00 a.m.!

    

What's for dinner?

     "What's for dinner?"  This seems to be the first thing that my family asks every afternoon, and usually before I can even get in the door.  After a long day at work, dinner seems to be one of the last tasks that I want to deal with.  I try to make dinner as simple as possible.  Sondra and I are working on adding a page of simple go-to recipes that are healthy and family tested.  Occasionally we will try to include other meal tips and reminders in our regular posts. 

     One of Sondra's favorite go-to meals is "Octopus" served with macaroni and cheese and green beans.  Don't worry, it's not really octopus.  Before cooking, slice a hot dog three quarters of the way down.  Make several vertical cuts splitting the hot dog.  As it is cooked the strips will begin to curl outward forming an "octopus".  Serve with sides of macaroni and cheese and green beans.  Voila!  You have a healthy balanced quick meal.

     One of my favorite go-to meals is shredded beef tacos.  Put a roast in the crock pot with one and a half  packets of taco seasoning.  Allow to cook on low all day.  When you get home shred the roast and use for tacos.  Top with regular toppings.  This is a great alternative to regular taco night.  My family loves this!  I love it because it is easy.

Don't forget to thaw out whatever you have planned for dinner tomorrow night!  (Not that I have ever done that :-)

Let us know if you have any go-to recipes!  We would love to hear from you!