Saturday, April 30, 2011

Getting Juiced & Keeping Hairy Legs At Bay

I want to thank everyone for their fantastic support with my blog, facebook page and emails! I didn't realize my blog would become this popular! Thank you!! Slightly overwhelming, but it's keeping me out of trouble! Not keeping me from shopping though!

A big thank you for the email from Lina over at Grocery Alerts--will definitely look into the coupon trader application--will be easier for everyone! Have been working my butt off getting all the envelopes done--should be all out by Monday!

Had an interesting thought provoking type conversation with my favorite lady at Shoppers Drug Mart. She made an awesome point about extreme couponing and hoarding. Extreme couponing is fine, as long as it does not exceed or cross over into hoarding. But, keeping a good and healthy supply of necessities, like toilet paper (not for 40 years), paper towels, cleaning products, and non perishables is fine. Smart really. What would happen if there was a job loss, especially in a single income family!?! At least you would have your basics covered, and then you just have to worry about the fresh stuff! Something for every one to consider!

Here are my deals for today. Hit Wal-Mart and London Drugs today, got some great deals! Here goes!
Walmart:
5X Crest=$0.65 Saved $3.75, 2X Venus Razors=$4 Saved $4, 12X Gillette Foam=Free!! +Credit of $4.76 Saved $15.24!, Special K Bars=$1.50 Saved $0.50, 6X Oasis Juice=$11.88 Saved=$6.00 SEE BELOW FOR COUPON LINK AND BONUS!

Wal-Mart has these juices on sale right now for $2.98. The printable coupon can be found here for $1 off, which brings it down to $1.98 each. The sweetest part of getting the juice: Under the label on each bottle is another coupon for a FREE 1L of Oasis juice! Bonus!

London Drugs:
2X Pampers & 2XWipes--Pricematched Shoppers--Paid $7.97 Saved $38!, 2X Herbal Essences--Paid $0.98, Saved $6, 2X Lysol--Paid $2.00 Saved $5.38, 2X Aveeno Lotion-Paid $1 Saved $9.00!!
 
Hope that helps! Price matching and coupon stacking is key at London Drugs! More adventures to come tomorrow! Going to Wal-mart with the hubby so I can double coupon and get double overages back! Wish us luck! Will keep you all posted! Happy clipping!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Coupon Stock, Tips, Tricks, and Deals!

Hello Hello! Needed to take a day to organize my coupons and figure out some shopping trips! And also, to do up a list of current coupons that I have stock of! You can check that out on the Current Coupon Stock tab at the top of the blog. I figured it would simplify things, as I have had a very large amount of emails requesting coupons. Don't get me wrong, I love getting emails! But I needed to come up with a system to tackle it!! So let me know what you think!

On that note, I have been receiving alot of emails with questions. Questions about how I get so many coupons, how to use them, how I get my deals, store policy information. I would love to answer them all---and here goes!

Yes, I get multiple copies of inserts--Red Plum, Smartsource, and Brandsaver (limited on those). It took alot of phone calls, begging and pleading. Trust me. I also have an agreement with a convenience store by my house, and they let me raid their papers--an excellent option for everyone, especially little mom and pop type stores! With regards to getting multiple mail out coupons, I have multiple email addresses and 3 mailing addresses that they go to. Printable coupons are easy--just print more!!!

I have favorite stores, as everyone does. London Drugs--they allow coupon stacking. Enough said. Superstore is great too--you can use one of their coupons from their wall, as well as 1 manufacturer coupon on an item. Wal-Mart is great too, as they pay the overage amount onto your bill if your coupon amount is more than the actual item price. Great to use on trial sizes--some coupons do specify that you can not use it on trial size, so be cautious.

Sales fliers can be your best friend. I love when the new ones come out. You can use them to scout out the best possible deals with coupons, you can use them to pricematch at other stores.

If you find a good deal, buy as many as you can afford. When I find household items, like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc., on sale or on sale plus coupons, I do tend to stock up. Last night, I bought 5 of the big jars of Cheez Whiz--on sale for $4.87 at No Frills, plus another $1 off each with coupons. Or the 1 Litre jars of Bicks dill pickles. Bought 4, as they were on sale for $1.99 each, and then I had $0.75 off coupons, so $1.24 per jar. Crest Toothpaste was on sale at Safeway for $0.99 per tube, and I had $0.75 off coupons, so I bought 8 of them at $0.24 per tube. Couldn't pass them up! Plus I love pickles!!

I think I've covered all that I can. Did another run to London Drugs yesterday and did really well:
Spent $30--Saved $120!!! 2X Bounty $8(both)-saved $12, Bounce Dryer Bar-$2.99-Saved $2, 2X Lysol Toilet Cleaner-$2.38(both)-Saved $4, 4X Head & Shoulders-$1.49each saved $10, 6X Gillette Deodorant-FREE Saved $16, 8X Old Spice Shower Gel-Free--Saved $32, 8X Olay Body Wash-FREE-Saved $40
Always fun shopping at London Drugs! Tomorrow it's off to Wal-mart and Canadian Tire-they have the Vileda ProMist mop and refills on sale!! Hope you all enjoyed! Happy clipping!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Day 1 Of The Shopping Marathon...

It seems that my blog/facebook page has increased in popularity--thank you to everyone! And a huge shout out to Cassie at Mrs. January for such a sweet mention in her blog! Glad your box arrived safe and sound! It also means that I can shop/coupon more! Well, that's what I told my hubby as an excuse anyways! It was a long day, but I was prepared for it. Had my lists, coupons and price match flyer ready, dropped the kiddo off at preschool--we barely made it, he has taken a liking to sleeping until 10am--then was off to Superstore. Here are some pictures and details of my finds! Coupon savings were $38.33!! And spent enough to get the 3 free green bins!!
4X Herbal Essences Conditioner--$2.39ea. minus 4X $0.50 off coupons=$1.89 each Saved $2! (brandsaver insert)
8X Dove Body Wash--$3.99 each minus 4X $2 Coupon Zone coupons & 4X $2 Tearpads=$1.99 each Saved $8!
Meat...Steaks, Stew Beef, and Pork Stir Fry strips... Saved $14.99--after cost: $35.04!
12X Ocean Spray Juice--$2.48 each on sale minus 12X $1 off printable coupons=$1.48 each! Saved $12!
So all in all it was a great haul! Saved a good amount of money, stocked my freezer and my juice stash... Then there was London Drugs.... Used double Tide coupons, and got 4 bottles of 64 Load Tide for $24. And alot more... the pics below will explain... My coupon savings were $99.00, and my pricematching to Safeway, saved me $15!
4X Bounce Dryer Bars--$3.99ea. after 2X $0.50 cpns on each, 2X Dryer Sheets--$3.99 each after 2X $0.50 cpns on each, 2X Cover Girl Lip Gloss--$6.98 after sale price & cpns (saved $5) & 2X Cover Girl Eye Shadow--$8.58 for both after cpns (Saved$5)
2X Venus Embrace Razors--$13.98 after $10 in cpns, 2X Nice 'n Easy dyes--$3.98 for both after $10 in cpns, 2X Natural Instincts Dyes--$0.98!!!!! for both after $13 in cpns, 2X Head & Shoulders Conditioner--$1.98 for both after $6 in cpns, Venus Razor--$4.99 after $6 in cpns: Sadly, it will be a one time use, as the refills are $15.99!! CRAZY!
Pampers Diapers--Reg $38.99, pricematched to $26.99 (Safeway), Wipes--$4.99... Used $14 in cpns, got both for $17.98!!
Then a quick stop for yogurt at Co-op, supposed to be on sale... got yogurt and this:
2X Fruit Trays--Reg $19.98 less 50% coupons on package--$9.99!! Yum!
Very successful day! Gonna smell great, not show my roots, kiddo will have a butt cover, no static cling, and get my vitamin c quotient, not to mention be prepped for bbq season for a bit!!!

Hope all of this helps! I love all the feedback you guys send me! Keep it coming! Until next time, happy clipping!!!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Marathon Shopping Week--Where's My Spandex?

Am carefully preparing for my shopping trips this week. Okay, fine, I'll admit it. I have a thing for re-writing lists. It's the anal organized side of me. It's also that I like to make sure I don't forget anything, as I don't want to do repeat trips to grocery stores if I don't have to. Except for London Drugs, they are getting to know me a little too well there!

Safeway has toothpaste on sale this week for $0.99 per tube. I have $0.75 off coupons (from tearpads in-store and Brandsaver inserts), dropping it to $0.24 per tube. Awesome. Do I need any more? Probably not. But at that price, it's an affordable donation to the Women's Shelter. Ocean Spray, as previously mentioned is on sale for $2.48 at Superstore, and with my $1 off coupons, brings it down to $1.48. Planning on buying 12 jugs of the juice... Yummy! You can find the link for the juice by clicking here! They also have Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner on for $2.38, and if you have the $0.50 coupons from the brandsaver inserts, it brings it down to $1.88--wicked deal! Picking up 4 of those...

Still debating the pizzas... And I have a bunch of BOGO Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce coupons, it's trying to find it thats the problem! Walmart has it for $2.39 per bottle, but never have it in stock. Safeway has it for $4.49 per bottle, yeah, no thanks! Will check Superstore! BBQ season is coming, so best to be prepared!

Also, if anyone needs Advil products there are printable coupons over here that will save you $2, and they have coupon zone coupons at Superstore on "the big coupon wall" for $2 off, so you can stack them together! Or if it's a Motrin kind of a day (4 kids can be a good trigger Jessica!) there is a $5 off coupon when you go here. There also some other good printable coupons there too!

It's going to be a busy week. Lots of mail outs to some great fans, lots of shopping and lots of coupons. I will definitely keep everyone posted of the deals and adventures!

Thank you to all of my new found fans! I'm glad to be able to help out! Until next time, happy clipping!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Debating Buying 20 Frozen Pizzas and Saving Over $800 this month!!

When it comes to so-called extreme couponing, there is always the question of "how much is too much"? In my case, it all depends on what the item is. Some couponers shop for the sheer rush of getting it for free, even though they don't need the item--like the lady on TLC's Extreme Couponing who had a huge stockpile of dog and cat treats, and doesn't own either pet!!! Okay, granted, she can donate them. And she did it because they paid overages on each product. But still, there comes a time when you have to know your limits, and not push the whole hoarding line.... On that note, I have been researching organizations to donate alot of the stockpile I have amassed in the past month. I really don't need those 30 bottles of Olay shower gel--that was after giving some away, or 50 tubes of toothpaste--again, my parents and neighbor benefited from those hauls greatly. And why not try to do some good! I mean, I paid the tax on those items, and that's it!

On the other hand, some of my stock pile will remain intact. Ziploc bags and containers, they won't be budging, and we use alot of them. Especially the containers, which I love doing freezer meals in (should I do a section on that? Maybe!). Cleaning products will stay, as they have a long shelf life. And the hubby's deodorant and shower gels will stay, as it saves money and trips to the store in the long run.

The question remains though, how much is too much? They have Dr. Oetker Panabello pizza's on this week for $3.47 at Walmart. I have a bunch of $1 off coupons and access to a fairly empty freezer.... Still on the fence on it. I mean, we are on a diet. But, sometimes, when I don't feel like cooking, they are handy. And cheap. And most of the best before dates are until February 2012. Am looking at getting 20 of them. But if anyone would like a few, I can pick them up for you!

This week will definitely be an adventure in couponing for sure. Have already saved over $800 this month in coupons, with about half of that being mostly free product. We're trying to go cheap/frugal/bare bones for the next while, as we are going to Montana in May, oil change/winter tire removal in May, and summer clothes shopping--some of which will be done in Montana. So, there are a few expenses that I want to prepare for, so I will coupon my heart out to save every penny! That also opens up a whole new thing--making decisions on where your savings go from couponing?! Do you put a portion of it away for a rainy day? Save for a trip? My goal once I get on a regular coupon shopping routine, is to "hopefully" take at least half of what I save with coupons, and put it aside!

Until next time, happy clipping! Keep your eyes out for great deals! And will be doing coupon mail outs on Tuesday, so please get your mailing information to me via email or on facebook!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

You Can Never Have Enough Shower Gel....Or How We Won't Stink For a Few Years

Hit up London Drugs last night, and again today. Sounds a little crazy right? In my own sanity defense--I went last night with my little guy, he loves the fans. And today, he was being a grouch, so off we went! So funny! London Drugs is calming for both of us. Long story short, ended up getting a ton of toothpaste, Old Spice shower gel, Olay shower gel, Aveeno Shower Gel...for next to nothing--thank you for coupon stacking! Oh yeah, and a bunch of Gilette deodorant and shower gel, which the hubby uses!

Superstore was great today. Really enjoying their coupon policy, where you can use both a coupon zone coupon and a manufacturer coupon. You can find more information on their coupon policy by clicking here. And make use of it like I did! 30 more packs of ziploc containers for $0.25 per pack--they retail for $3-5 usually!

My parents witnessed my couponing tonight at Wal-Mart. I made use of their new policy, where they will pay the overage on coupons, if they exceed the amount of the item. Picked up 12 trial size shave gels and 8 trial size hand creams--all free, PLUS had $12.20 credited on to my bill, which paid for my magazine, binder, and 3 dresses--clearance priced to $1 each... seriously! I rocked it tonight! My dad thought it was hilarious, which was the best part! See the pic below of my free haul:
All free!!! Plus $12.20 credited on to my bill!!!
It's been a fairly successful few days of couponing! Have saved $710.56 so far this month, and at least half has been FREE!!! Until next time, keep on clipping!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Bits & Pieces

I have tried with many unsuccessful attempts to create a budget. Whether it be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, never fails, something comes up. Of course we have our regular bills, which I have reduced down. Who really needs all those channels? And all those features on your phone? Not really needed. We have cut down on eating out--also helps our diet. Reduced unneeded driving trips at times, and of course, use coupons whenever possible.

There is something therapeutic about clipping coupons. Keeps me busy, and also then I know that it will in the long run save my family money. And it gives me my shopping fix. And it has taught me alot of organization skills that I never thought I had, and has also introduced me to alot of different people!

So, on that note, here are some pictures from recent shopping trips, and all the price details.
 London Drugs:
12 Tubes Toothpaste, 1 Litre Listerine (Price matched first), 6 Olay Body Wash. Cost: $6 Saved: $62
1 Litre Listerine (price matched), 12 Toothpaste, 6 Deodorant, 3 Old Spice Shower Gel, 6 Olay Body Wash. Cost: $7. Saved: $110.00
2 tubs baby wipes and 2-40 packs of size 6 diapers (price matched Sobeys). Paid: $9.76 Saved: $50
3 Body Wash & 3 Deodorant Cost: FREE Savings: $30!!!!
Walmart:
8 Olay Travel Size Hand Lotion Cost: Free Savings: $12.56 + overage of $7.44 credit applied to bill!
Real Canadian Superstore:
12 packs of Ziploc containers (combined store and manufacturer coupons) Cost: $3 Savings: $36
 If you are looking for store specific coupon policies, go to Mrs. January's nicely compiled list. I strongly suggest printing off copies and taking them with you to the store to avoid nasty cashier issues!

Until next time, happy clipping!!!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Shopping Updates

Hey everyone! This site is still under construction, but I will continue to blog while I continue to tweak my page!

I definitely have to say March was an amazing couponing month! I went big, and ended up with alot of free product--well, I had to pay the sales tax... Ended up saving almost $350 by using coupons in March, including $100 worth of absolutely free ziploc bags! It was a great month, and I want this month to be even better!
My ziploc stash...

One of our local newspapers provided me with a large box of coupon inserts, and will continue to do so each time there are inserts in the newspaper. I just didn't expect there to be quite so many inserts. We're talking 300-400 inserts. So, I've got multiple pairs of scissors ready for cutting them all, and my binder ready to be filled.
The piles of coupon flyers!


Have been having some great luck lately shopping with coupons. After learning that London Drugs will allow you to stack coupons for products. Of course, there are rules, which are super simple. You can view their policy here. I actually rediscovered my love of London Drugs recently, and here are some sample shopping trips that I did:
9 Toothpaste, 9 Deodorant & 3 Tuna--$13.50 (Savings=$41.10)
9 Toothpaste & 3 Deodorant--$3.48 (Savings=$25.00)
These were both done with coupons and price matching. London Drugs will only price match the first item, so keep that in mind. I will definitely be doing alot more shopping there in the future. One thing I have noticed though--go through customer service--a little easier, and doesn't rattle the cashiers too much! Plus, if you are price matching, you will need a manager override anyways!

And I'm sure you are all watching Extreme Couponing on TLC. I know I have been. Religiously. Envious? Yes. Wishing I was living in the states? Yes and no... I'd need a storage locker! I figure with what I am doing in Canada, I could do a heck of alot of damage down there. Check out the show though. It's addictive. Really. I'm watching right now...

So, there you have it. A few shopping updates. My thrills. My passion/obsession. My life--okay, part of it. Until next time, happy clipping! I'll get back to working on the look of the blog!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

First of Many

Due to numerous requests, I am finally sitting down to work on my blog. I love coupons. Can't get enough of them! And why not?!? They save money, allowing you to use that money elsewhere! Now with me, it has become a slight obsession. And as with all things in my life, I have gone big. I am not able to do what they can in the USA, but I can try!! So, I will update on here as much as possible, document extreme shopping trips, answer questions, highlight awesome deals, and whatever else hits me!

So ask questions, send information, leave comments, and by all means, happy clipping!!!!