Saturday, October 29, 2011

Price Book/Rock Bottom Prices List

In a few recent discussions, I realized that not only do I want to keep track of where I find the cheapest prices (which I can usually remember) but when and for what quantity. The 12 pack? The single pack? Was it a gift card deal with a coupon at Target? Building a "price book" moreso than just a "price list" can give you more and better information!

See the post here.  Thanks for sharing Couponing in Minnesota!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Meal Planning

Just to give you a few ideas if you are starting out, here is what I have on my rotation for the next 15 days (and one extra):

Hamburger gravy with green beans
Southwestern chicken bake
Mexican Lazagna with salad
Taco Baked Potatoes
Sloppy joes with carrots
Baked fish, baked potato, steamed veggie or salad
Cheesy chicken enchilada soup with corn bread
Tacos
Taco chili with tortilla chips
Enchiladas
Stuffed shells with salads
Chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies
Chicken stir fry over brown rice
Beef roast with potatoes
Ham with cheesy potatoes and green bean potatoes
Pot roast with veggies and potatoes
Pulled pork sandwiches with cole slaw

Coups for Troops!

Here is a link to "The Krazy Coupon Lady" for information on how to send your expired coupon overseas for our military to use.

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Meal Planning 5/21/11

We've been doing well with meal planning lately, how about you?

This is what we have based on our stock pile and this weeks ads:
Friday: Cold tuna pasta salad
Saturday: (ordered pizza)
Sunday: Chili or spaghetti
Monday: Grilled chicken breasts with baked or mashed potatoes
Tuesday: Venison stroganoff over egg noodles
Wednesday: Leftovers - we leave Thursday for 5 days! :)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

5/19/11 Shopping Highlights

Coborn's
~$.99 Kraft BBQ sauce, B2G$2/KoolAid - bought 4 BBQ sauce, got 2 Koolaid for $6.70!
~Buy 10 FC items, save $5 - got 4 marshmallows, 1 Twizzler, 4 chocolate chips and 1 butterscotch chips for $10.30 ($.49 marshmallows, $.89 Twizzlers and $1.49 choc/scotch chips.)
~B1G1 Cool Whip - $1.95/2
~B1G1 Kemps 1/2 gallon choc milk - $3/79/2
~Buy marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers and save $2
Spent $33.26, saved $18.70, 36%!

Cash Wise
~FC sugar free Jello $.29/ea for small boxes
~Coke 24 packs $8/2 - they are on sale for $10/2, then there were peelies at Coborn's for $2/2
~FC hot dogs $2.88/2 - I got 3 of these, my son loves hot dogs!
~FC BSCS $3/98/2.5# - great buy!
~B1G1 Land O Frost lunch meat $5.48/2 (I forgot my $.55/1 coups!)
~Grape tomatoes $2.47/pint. Cheap!
~Dole iceberg salad mix $1.54
~YoBaby 4 packs discounted to $2.49
Spent $68.03, saved $20.20

Total spent $101.29 for $140.19 worth of groceries. I was happy! :)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Monday, May 16, 2011

"Extreme Couponing"

Here is an interesting link to a recent news blip about couponing. Once again, the "EC" show on TLC drives me CRAZY!

I have a stockpile of quite a few things. But, I am not a hoarder like many of these people! The lady buying juice boxes for the summer? I get that. But having 100 toothpaste and 50 cake mixes? If you aren't donating 95% of that - which, despite claims that they do this is NOT shown - then this is wasteful and irresponsible.

I have 25 rolls of toilet paper. Not 2500.

Moreso than the hoarding/stockpiling, I question these people's ability to feed their families. Where are the meal plans? What are you actually serving for dinner - just frozen foods? How about fruits, and salads, and fresh vegetables. Meat? Bread? There are rarely coupons for these! I save in areas that I can so that I can afford produce, meat, dairy, etc.

Another thing to keep in mind if you are just starting out - what these shows don't mention is the "OYNO" coupons. Similar to coupons, they are savings from your last purchase that come in the form of a coupon to use On Your Next Order. You get your order down to $60 then use $60 worth of OYNO coupons. Pfft, that's savings from your LAST order, you're just cashing them in tonight! If I can't duplicate your order, you aren't showing me a realistic savings trip...

I could go on... What frustrates you about this show?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Meghann's Coupon Ethics

1) Don't pay for coupons, other than your newspaper subscription - you should never have to buy coupons! Ask around to friends, family, and businesses to see if they will give you their extra coupons! I also have a group of friends that trades coupons, just costs us the stamp and envelope!
2) Don't buy more than a reasonable amount of a product - probably under 10 items per visit.
3) Related to #2 - don't clear shelves! Always try to leave some for the next person.
4) Don't "trick" the system - meaning, 18 seperate transactions in 1 day is rediculous. 3 or 4, depending on how busy the store was, would be my limit.
5) Don't EVER use coupons on the wrong product. Unintentional mistakes happen - but doing it intentionally is fraud, and hurts those of us doing it the right way!!

Above all - pay it forward. Share your wisdom, share your stock pile and deals when you can, and be kind to those in the stores with you! A cashier who looks forward to what you save vs. one who hates to see you walk through the door makes a big difference in enjoying your shopping!

(Can you tell I am watching 'Extreme Couponing' and getting frustrated at some of these practices?!)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Walmart Coupon Policy

Have you see this? They will no longer accept competitor coupons without a price (such as, "$1 off of Tide" - but they will accept a coupon that states "Tide 100oz for $8.99.")

AND, now they will allow overage - meaning if there is a really good sale and you have a really good coupon, you could LITERALLY be PAID to take items home. In cash. Or in $ towards the rest of your bill. WAHOO!

I believe they will also price match for same items, or will price match generic brands if they have the exact item in their brand. Good savings come from knowing store's policies!!

Here is the policy:

Walmart Coupon Policy


Walmart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):
  • Manufacturers' coupons
  • Print-at-home internet coupons
    • Must be legible, have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them, have a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and have a scannable bar code.
  • Competitors' coupons that feature a specific item for a specified price
    • for example, $2.99
  • Soft drink container caps
  • Checkout coupons
    • (also called "Catalinas") that are printed at our competitors' registers, have "Manufacturer Coupon" with specific requirements printed on them, a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and a scannable bar code.
Walmart does not accept the following coupons:
  • Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
  • Competitors' coupons for dollars/cents or percentage off, buy one get one free, and double- or triple-value coupons
The following are guidelines and limitations:
  • Only one coupon per item is permitted.
  • Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
  • Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase.
  • Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
  • Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
  • We accept the following with Customer Service Supervisor/Management approval:
    • 40 or more coupons
    • Any coupon over $20
    • $50 or more in coupons in one transaction