Kids Crest Toothpaste $1.97 $1/1 from Target Easter book home mailer $1/1 Crest or Liquid Gel, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11) $0.50/1 Select Oral-B or Crest Kids Items, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11) As Low as FREE after Coupon!

Trident Layers Gum $1.29 Buy One Get One Free from 3/6 SS $1/2 Target coupon $0.29 for 2 Packages! Softscrub Total $2.49 $1.50/1 printable (register for club and click on member exclusives) $1/1 Target coupon FREE after Coupon

I've made a few surprising revelations this month regarding grocery shopping and my $200 budget.  Yes, it is cheaper to eat UNHEALTHY ( now hold on... I'm not saying that we have).  Not a shock to anyone that prepackaged/processed foods are cheaper and have a longer shelf life.  Well, GOOD NEWS here are a few tips in smart shopping for eating healthy.  I made a statement earlier in the month about a great trip I had planned for Whole Foods.  I usually shop at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's twice a month.  I don't live close to either one, so I make these "special" trips to buy mostly organic healthy options and to browse.  Well, I didn't make it at ALL so far this month and to be honest I ripped up my shopping list.  This is my new revelation...KROGER'S ever-expanding "health food" aisle, and  Mambo Sprouts HERE is a great website for Organic coupons.

Here are my tips for making the most of manager markdowns:

• Find out the markdown schedule – Find out what days your local store generally marks down the items in the meat and dairy sections. For example, do they always markdown on Mondays and Thursdays? Shop the same-day as the markdowns to get the best selection.

• If there are coupon savings, they are generally store coupons – Some times, especially on meat products, the manager markdown stickers says a certain dollar amount off. For example $2 off for quick sale. These are store coupons, so if you have a manufacturer coupon, you can use that too (this happens a lot for cheese or deli meat).

• Check the dates – Don’t assume that they are close to their expiration dates. Markdowns can happen for lots of reasons – packaging changes, overstock, etc.

• Freeze meat – If I find meat that is dated within a day or two, I’ll take it home and freeze it immediately. Remember when you go to defrost it that you should use it immediately after defrosting.

• Know the good spots to look – My favorite place to look for markdowns are the deli counter cheese section, lunch meats, sausages, yogurt and milk. Some stores have a specific “clearance” or markdown section.

• Make the call based on your comfort level – Use your best discretion on the viability of dairy products that are close to date.  When in doubt, throw it out. Meat is another story all together – it’s recommended you don’t take risks on PAST-dated meat. It should be frozen or cooked by the date on the package.

Cheap Basil=LOTS of fresh Pesto (and plenty to freeze)

What's so magical about Kroger?  Well don't forget they double coupons!  This has really saved my budget this month.  I actually had (3) $.50 off coupons from a Kroger home mailer for the basil that doubled to $1.00, making the Basil $.52 cents each.  I buy organic milk weekly and have never paid full price.  **My Kroger will also "special order" in any item that you ask them to.  If the store has a high demand for it, they in turn will stock it.  I LOVE Udi's bakery items, which my store ordered for me and are now stocking the bread :)

• Another important point to factor in...when I shop at the health food stores I tend to wander, browse, and buy new items I've never tried which almost always leads to overspending.

Amazon Grocery Shopping:

So remember my post about the great baby deals on Amazon using Subscribe and Save?

Here it is... in case you need it as a refresher :)  The same Subscribe and Save methods can be used on the grocery items, and Amazon has a great selection of organic options.  

I recently purchased these (6) Boxes of cereal from Amazon for $5.63 cents TOTAL (the cost of 1 box at the grocery).  They are delivered for FREE in 2 days.  Select Subscribe and Save and you’ll get 15% off plus free shipping. Don’t click “add to cart”, you want to do the Subscribe and Save to get the 15% off. (This can be canceled after your order ships.)

**One last "trick" that I have started doing at the Grocery.  WEIGHING all of my produce.  It has made me so much more aware of the cost of produce and allowed me to "correct" my spending.  I recently grabbed a large bag of organic grapes.  When I weighed them and calculated the final cost there was NO WAY I could afford them based on my $50.00 a week budget.  I grabbed a smaller bag and we were just fine :)  Try it out...you might see a difference!

Hi, my name is Caylin and I'm an addict ;)  THE DEALS ARE CRAZY GOOD AT WALGREENS!  I got sucked in to swinging into Walgreens today for the free Almay make-up.  I had been saving my Almay coupons because I LOVE the make-up remover and wipes.  When I saw the deal this week I got too excited! 


I will admit a few of the items on this list are kind of random, so you might want to donate those.  Even as someone with a prescribing license I have never heard of Celadrin Joint health :) The MID OHIO FOOD BANK has a list of items they are in need of on their website (yah, toothbrushes are on there!)


Let me paint this picture for you...I take a 5 mile jog this morning with 2 kids in a 50+ pound jogging stroller (I was exhausted).  I then decide to swing in to Walgreens after my run (ugh)...I forgot my infant carrier so I am forced to carry a 18lb. baby and because I knew I would be getting a lot of items and the Walgreens carts are tiny.  My 3-year old is "free" because he had to sit in the stroller for an hour while I ran.  Sounds like a recipe for disaster, huh?  Actually, things worked out really well, and the deals speak for themselves.  I have a new "go-to" store that is tucked away, and is FULLY STOCKED with sale items (the sales peeps were really nice too).  One thing I have been noticing is that the drugstores don't keep a great supply of sale items, and are slower to replenish their supplies.  

**I was able to verify that most Central Ohio Columbus stores were TRIPLING coupons.  Keep in mind I haven't corrected the Final Prices to reflect triple coupons!  

MEGA 10 EVENT

As reported earlier this week Kroger is having  the March to Savings Mega 10 Event. Purchase 10 participating products and get $5 taken instantly off your purchase. The final prices below do include the $.50 Mega 10 reduction. Not all participating items are in the ad you can view a complete list of participating items HERE. Feel free to share what Mega 10 deals you scored this week!  

New here?  Check out the coupon lingo sheet  HERE    

	Creamette, Ronzoni Healthy Harvest, or Smart Taste Pasta $.99 Use $1/2  Ronzoni Coupon (1/23 SS) or Use $1/2 Creamette HERE -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= FREE wyb 2

Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta $.99 Use $1/1 Coupon (1/23 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Discount Final Price= FREE and a $.51 Money Maker

	Dannon Light and Fit Yogurt $2.05 Use (2)  $.40/1 Coupon (1/30 SS) and Use $1/2 Kroger Digital Coupons -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= as low as $.25 each wyb 2

	SunnyD $1.49 Use $.25/1 Coupon (1/16 SS) (dbls) or Use $1/3 Printable HERE -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= as low as $.49

	Dannon Danimals or Danonino Yogurt $2.05 Use $1/1 Coupon (2/27 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $.55

	Post Cereal or Cocoa or Fruit Pebble Treats $2.49 Use $1/1 Honey Bunches of Oats Coupon ( 2/27 SS) or Use $.75/1 Pebbles Treat Coupon (3/13 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= as low as $.99

	Hershey Drops or Reese’s Minis Candy $2.49 Use $2/2 Coupon (1/30 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $.99 each wyb 2

	Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables $1.99Use $1/3 Coupon (1/23 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price = $1.16  each wyb 3

	Activia Yogurt  $2.05 Use $1/3 Coupon (2/7 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $1.22

	Smart Ones Entrees or Desserts $1.99 Use $1/5 Printable HERE -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= as low as $1.29 each wyb 5

	Ritz or Nabisco Crackers $2.49 Use $1/2 Ritz Coupons.com or Use $1/2 Nabisco Coupon (1/30 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $1.49 each wyb 2

	Advil Pain Reliever 20-24 ct  $2.99 Use $1/1 Coupon (1/30 RP) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $1.49

	International Delight Coffee Creamer $2.69 Use $.55/1 Printable HERE -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $1.64

	Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayo $3.29 Use $1/1 Miracle Whip Printable HERE (Facebook) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price = $1.79

	A1 Steak Sauce $2.79 Use $1/1 Coupon (3/6 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $1.29

	Jack’s Pizza $2.79Use $1/3 Coupon (1/30 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price = $1.96 each wyb 3

	Totino’s Pizza Rolls 40 ct.  $3.29Use $.50/2 Pizza or Rolls Printable HERE(dbls) or Use $.40/2 Pizza Rolls Coupon (1/30 SS) (dbls)  and Use $.50/2 Kroger Digital Coupons -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price = as low as $2.04 each

	V8 or V Fusion $3.19 Use $1/2 Coupon (2/6 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $2.19 each wyb 2

	Bear Naked Granola $3.69 Use $1/1 Printable HERE (facebook) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $2.19

	Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent $3.99 Use $1.25/1 Printable HERE or Use $1/2 Coupon (2/13 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= as low as $2.24

	Snuggle Fabric Softener $3.99 Use $1/1 Coupon HERE (Facebook) -$.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $2.49

Maxwell House Coffee $7.99 Use $1/2 Coupon (2/13 SS) $.50 Mega 10 Event Final Price= $6.99 each wyb 2 Annie’s Salad Dressing $1.99 Buy (4) and receive (2) $1.50 off your next purchase Catalina’s Use (4)  $1/1 Tearpad Coupon (located on the endcap display) -$.50 Mega 10 Discount  Final Price= FREE plus $1.04 money maker To even sweeten this deal more head over HERE to send away for a FREE Veggie Seeds and Gloves with the purchase of any two Annie’s Products! French’s Spicy Brown Mustard $1.69 Use $.50/1 Coupon (1/23 SS) (dbls) and Use $.50/1 Kroger Digital Coupons -$.50 Mega 10 Discount Final Price= FREE and a $.31 Money Maker Aqua Fresh Kids Training Toothbrush $1.50 Use $.50/1 Printable HERE (dbls) -$.50 Mega 10 Discount Final Price= FREE Red Gold Tomatoes $.99 Use $.50/2 Printable HERE(dbls) -$.50 Mega 10 Discount Final Price= FREE wyb 2 Philly Cooking Cream $2.49 Use $1.50/1 Coupon (3/6 SS) or Tearpad (found next to them at the store) -$.50 Mega 10 Discount Final Price= $.49  Kim and Scott Pretzels $2.25 Use $1/1 Printable Coupon HERE -$.50 Mega 10 Discount Final Price= $.78 Smart Source Peanut Butter $2.29 Use $.75/1 Coupon (3/6 SS) -$.50 Mega 10 Discount Final Price= $1.04 I also found some great in store deals that are not part of the Mega 10 Event I thought I would share: Cortaid Cream on closeout for $2.79 and $3.64 Use $2/1 Coupon (1/9 SS)  and Use $2/1 Kroger Digital Coupons or Cellfire Coupons Final Price= FREE and up to a $1.21 Money Maker Super Pretzels $2 Use $.50/1 Coupon (2/20 RP) or Red Plum Printable Coupons (dbls) and Use $.50/1 Kroger Digital Coupons  Final Price= $.50

Kroger has officially changed their coupon policy. They no longer allow stacking of eCoupons and paper coupons. Their policy has said 1 manufacturer’s coupon per item so this change is actually a change in the computer system.  I am curious as to how long this will be until we see a change at every store.  I went to 2 Columbus Stores over the weekend and they were still accepting both.  Please share if your store is not accepting both any longer :(

FYI~BOGO (Buy One Get One)


My mom stopped over tonight to visit (of course she bypasses me and goes straight for the kiddos), but she noticed all of my coupons out organized on my kitchen table.  She starts to look through a few, and our conversation went like this:


Me: Oh yeah, I am planning to do a little shopping tomorrow.  I have some coupons for free men's bodywash, does Dad need any?
Mom: I guess...seriously FREE?  How?
Me: With a BOGO coupon paired with a BOGO sale (I go into explain the process).
Mom: Do stores know what they are doing? I can't believe they just give the stuff away!!!
________________________________________________
Here’s what can happen when a store advertises a Buy One, Get One Free promo in their weekly ad (THIS EXAMPLE IS FROM WALGREEN'S THIS WEEK), or if the store puts out a BOGO coupon to clip.  A store running a BOGO offer or a BOGO coupon, is just their way of discounting the product (by half, when you buy 2).  In the below example, the store is essentially giving you $4.49 off your $9.00 purchase.  The manufacturer will reimburse the store for the other item, so it’s no different than you paying cash.

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE*

Right Guard or Dry Idea

Right Guard

SALE

thru Mar 19

• Right Guard Antiperspirant/Deodorant, 2.6 to 4 oz. or Body Wash, 13.5 oz.
• Dry Idea Antiperspirant/Deodorant, 3 or 3.25 oz.

Use 1 Buy One, Get One Free Manufacturer Coupon (subtract $4.49)

And Use 1 Buy One, Get One Free store Coupon/Sale (subtract $4.49)
Final Price: Both Free*

  

Here is a really cute freebie from Valspar paint (sold at Lowes).  You can go to Valspar's Facebook page, and when you "like" them you can click on the "Power in Color" tab to request your free sample of paint and $5 coupon.  I sent this to a few of my friends the other day, because this is such a great little freebie.  It is just enough paint for the small bookshelf in our play room, and this new color (see below), I am going to use on a thrift store find accent table for our dining room. I love the "sweet lemon" color with our light blue walls ;) It also comes with a small roller and paint tray, so if you are brave you could even do an art project with your little one (although it is NOT washable paint).  Hope you enjoy, they give out 1,000 samples per day so if you don't get one today, try again tomorrow!!  Happy Spring (in 3 days) :)