CVS Savings 3/25-3/31/12

CVS Savings 3/25-3/31/12

* Tip: Remember even if the price is Buy One Get One Free you CAN use a coupon for your already FREE product.  CVS allows you to use a coupon for both products even if one will ring up free.  You can also use a BOGO coupon on a BOGO sale to get BOTH FREE

Example:

Cologate BOGO Free

Purchase 2

Use (2) $.75 coupons

EASTER (SUN, MON , TUES ONLY)

Gold Emblem Jelly, $.99

Receive $.99 ECB

Mars Easter Egg or Bunny Single, 2/$1

Use $1/2 coupon from 3/18 RP (This one is different from the others because their is NO size restrictions)

Final Cost FREE (Plus receive $1 ECB)

M&M's BOGO FREE

Use $1/2 coupon from 3/04 RP

Final Cost...Varies on Buy on Price

Food/Drinks

Crystal Light Singles – 2 for $1 (near the cooler)Use the $1/2 coupon SS 3/18 (no size restriction)

Final Cost FREE

Folgers Coffee 2/$7

Use $.25 coupon 3/25 Red Plum

Final Cost $3.25

Starbucks Coffee, $7.99

Use $1.50/1 coupon 3/25 Smart Source

Final Cost $6.49

Personal Care

Colgate Optic White toothpaste 4 oz $3.99
Final Cost $3.99 (Receive $2 ECB)  (Limit 2)

Colgate 360' $2.99

Use $.75/1 coupon www.coupons.com

Final cost $2.24 (receive $2 ECB that's like getting it for $.24!)

Schick Hydro Silk Razor 1ct. $9.99

Use $1/1 Schick Hydro Razor www.coupons.com

or

$4/1 coupon 2/29 Smart Source
Final Cost $8.99 (Receive $4 ECB)  (No Limit)

Acne Free any, Spend $15
Final Cost- Varies (Get $5 ECB) (Limit 1)

Maybelline Eye or Lip, Spend $10
Check Maybelline FACEBOOK for coupon
Final Cost- Varies (Receive $3 ECB )

Spend $15 Receive $5 ECB's

Men's Dove, Axe, Vaseline or Caress

Use coupons from 3/25 Red Plum

Final Cost Varies depending on combo purchased

Pond's, $5.99

Use $1/1 coupon 3/25 Red Plum

Final Cost $4.99 (receive $2 ECB)

Philp's Norelco Power Touch $76.99

Use $5/1 coupon 3/25 Smart Source

Final Cost $71.99 (Receive $10 ECB)

It's NEVER to early to think about Father's Day!

Household

Spend $30 Get $10 ECB

Bounty Paper towels 12pk. $10,

USE$0.25/1 coupon P&G 03/04/12
Charmin Big rolls $10$1/2  coupon P&G 03/04/12
$0.25/1 coupon P&G 03/04/12
Duracell Batteries $11.99,

$0.75/1 Duracell Coppertop, Ultra Power, Ultra Photo Lithium or Specialty Batteries P&G 03/04/12
$0.50/1 Duracell Coppertop, Ultra Power, Ultra Photo Lithium or Specialty Batteries P&G 03/04/12

Puffs Plus Lotion tissues $1.50,
Final Cost- Varies based on products purchased

Ziploc/Hefty baggies, $2.99

Purchase 2

Use $1/2 coupon 3/25 Smart Source

Final Cost $2.49 EACH

Wisk Laundry Soap, $4.99

Use $2/1 coupon 3/25 Red Plum

Final Cost $2.99

Select Cleaners

Use cleaning coupons from 3/25 Smart Source

Final Cost- As LOW as $2.25 each

For more CVS coupon match up's check out

www.iheartCVS.com

*Coupons and deals are regional double check your local ad and coupons before shopping.

How to tell if you are printing Target or Manufacturers coupons

Target coupons: We all LOVE them but they are so darn hard to figure out if they will print as a Manufacturers coupon or a Target coupon.  I did some snooping around the Internet and found a post on www.totallytarget.com.  There she has some GREAT tips show how to tell the difference.  I tested these tips and it was dead on each time! 

1) The way it states the product:
Manufacturer's coupons state “when you buy” on the coupon.  It will look like this

Target Coupons will “with purchase of” or just state the product name.  It may look like this.

2)Properties:
If you right click over the picture, scroll down to Properties and if it says TARGET in the link it is a TARGET coupon.  If Target is not stated it is likely a MFT coupon.

Walgreens Savings 3/25-3/31/12

Savings for Walgreens 3/25-3/31/12

Coffee Mate Creamer $1.79
Use BOGO coupon from (Make Cents To Save FB page)
Final cost $.90 each

Kettle Chips $2.00
Use $1/1 coupon 3/18/12 Red Plum insert
Final Cost $1.00

Milk $2.99

Always Products $3.99
Use $0.50/1 Always Pantiliners 03/04/2012 P&G Insert
Use $0.50/1 Always Pads or Feminine Cleansing Cloths 03/04/2012 P&G Insert
Use $1/1 Tampax Pearl, Pearl Compak or Radiant 03/04/2012 P&G insert
Final Cost as low as $2.99 ( Receive $1 RR)
Kotex Tampons, Liners or Pads at $3.50, Get $3 Register Rewards WYB 2
Purchase 2
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from www.Kotex.com
Final Cost $2.50 each (Receive $3 RR)

Extra Strength Mentholatum Pain Relief at $5.99
Final Cost $5.99 (Get $5 Register Rewards)

Charmin Toilet Paper, $2.99
Use $.25/1 from P&G 3/4/12 insert
Final Cost $2.74

Household Cleaners 2/$6Fantastik, Windex, Shout, Scrubbing Bubbles Bath Cleaner or Foamer
Use $1/2 Windex Glass Cleaner 03/25/2012 Smart Source Insert
Use $0.55/1 Shout 03/25/2012 Smart Source Insert
Use $1/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner 3/25/12 Smart Source
Use $1/2 coupon www.coupons.com
Stack with $1/2 Scrubbing bubbles coupon (March Walgreens Savings Book)
OR
Stack with $1/2 Windex or Shout coupon (March Walgreens Savings Book)
Final Cost $1.95 each

Viva Paper Towels $5.99
$1/1 Viva Paper Towels, 6 rolls (March Walgreens Savings Book)
Final Cost $4.99

Glade Sense & Spray Air Freshener Kit $7.99
Use $3/1 coupon Smart Source 3/25/12 insert
Final Cost $4.99 (Receive $2 RR)

Glade Air Freshener $4.49
Use $1/1 coupon Smart Source 3/25/12
Final Cost $3.49 (Receive $1.50 RR)

See your local AD for more Register Rewards and Savings Deals.

For more coupon match up's for Walgreens check out
http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2012/03/walgreens-deals-and-coupon-matchups-325-331/
*Disclaimer on deals beyond Makes Cents To Save Site. Coupons are regional, not all coupons or deals listed will be available to our region.  Check your ad before shopping the deals listed. 

Save Mart Savings 3/21-3/27/12

                                            Save Mart Savings 3/21-3/27/12


You can view Save Mart's weekly AD, see more in-store coupon deals and find more printable coupons at www.savemart.com

Produce:

Fuji Apples $.47/lb

Avocado's 2/$1

Pear's $.99/lb

Strawberries $2.99 each
($1.50 each at Foods Co this week)

Baby Lemons 10/$1

Meat:

Pork Chops $1.69/lb
($1.27/lb at Foods Co this week)

White Shrimp $3.99/lb

Country Style Ribs  $1.77/lb

Boneless Chuck Roast $3.99/lb

Tyson Cooked Chicken Breast/Fillets $6.99

Foster Farms Lunch Meat $2.99


Other Deals:
Buy 4 Save $4 price
Fiber One Or Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.79
(This is a decent price even without a coupon)

Buy 4 Save $4
Kelloggs Frosted Mini Wheats
Purchase 4
Use (2) $1/2 Frosted Mini Wheats coupon printed from
www.kelloggs.com (print 2)
Final Cost $1.49 Each

Rice A Roni or Pasta Roni, $.88
Purchase 4
Use $1/4 coupon from Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/dialog/oauth?client_id=151735098263476&scope=user_likes&redirect_uri=http://www.facebook.com/RiceARoni?sk=app_151735098263476
Final Cost $.63 each

Planters Peanut Butter 2/$5
Purchase 2
Use (2) $1/1 coupon print here
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid99101.aspx#/coupons
Final Cost $1.50 Each


Minute Maid Pure Squeezed Orange Juice, 59oz- $2.50
Use $.75/1 coupon www. coupons.com
Final Cost $1.75
In Store Coupon Deals:

Kraft Velveeta Cheesey Skillet $1.69 (Limit 4)
Stack with $.75/1 coupon from 3/18/12 coupon insert OR
$.55/1 Facebook coupon offer
http://www.facebook.com/dialog/oauth?client_id=293449540678248&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.velveetacheesypoll.com%2Fcoupon-generator%2Fcurrent%2Fperms.granted.php&scope=publish_stream&state=8896c115e201c184b2c8a6534a296eba
Final Cost as low as $.94

Sunny Select 100% Apple Juice or Apple Sauce 2/$3.00 (Limit 4)

Valley Fresh Chunk Chicken $.99 (Limit 3)

Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage links or ropes $1.99 (Limit 4)


Daily Deals until March 26th 2012 are as follows:*MONDAY Del Monte Bananas $.39/lb (Limit 8)

*TUESDAY Fresh 80% lean Ground Beef $1.69/lb (Limit 2 packs)

*WEDNESDAY Sunny Select Large Eggs $.69/dz (Limit 2)

*THURSDAY Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillets $3.99/lb (Limit 5lbs)

*FRIDAY Bayview Farms Orange Juice $.99/64oz (Limit 2)

*SATURDAY Kelloggs Cornflakes OR $1.49 (Limit 2)
General Mills Frosted Toast Crunch

*SUNDAY Frito-Lay Variety Pack (12 ct) $1.79 (Limit 2)
* On the Kelloggs Cornflakes do this deal to make them $.99 each
Purchase 2 Cornflakes
Use $1/2 kellogg's coupon www.coupons.com
Final Cost $.99 each.

Foods Co Savings for 3/21-3/27/12

                                                   Foods Co Saving 3/21-3/27

I was kinda bummed that the Ad was not that great.  Actually sale ad's and coupons all around aren't that great.  This is why having a small stockpile of things is great.  No not like the show hoarders.  I will be posting my tips on how I "Stockpile" and how my system keeps me from being a hoarder of deals. 

Produce:
Fresh Strawberries, Blueberries, and Blackberries 2/$3
Last week these were 2/$4 (Stock up and freeze some)

Seedless grapes $1.98/lb

Broccoli- $.78/lb

Roma Tomatoes $.98/2lbs


Meats:

Pork Sirloin End Chops $1.27/lb

Whole chicken twin pack or Leg Quarters $.77/lb

Pork Shoulder Meat $2.48/lb

Beef T-bone or Porter house steaks $5.98/lb

Personal Care:
VO5 Shampoo or Conditioner $.78
(Great to use if you make your own fabric softener)

Suave deodorant, Chapstick, and Petal Fresh Lotion 10/$10
(Not part of the pick 10 save $5 deal and you do NOT have to buy 10 get them for $1)


Other deals:

Van De Kamp's Premium bread.  $.98
(I have tried their wheat bread and was surprised how soft it was for a "off" brand.  Sometimes they can be really dry however this brand is good)

Van De Kamp's Hot dog and Hamburger buns.  $.98

Bimbo Bread $1.98
(I have tried this bread as well.  Despite its weird name they have a great whole grain white bread that actually has more vitamins then Iron Kids bread and it is super soft)

Foster Farms Turkey Lunch Meat 2/$4

Kellogg's Select Cereals 2/$6

Buy 10 Save $5 Products : (You must purchase 10 mix and match items in ONE transaction or these prices increase by $.50. Limit 50 mix and match items in ONE transaction)

Sunny D 64oz $.98

Doritos/Lay's chips $1.98

Arrow head water 3 liters $.48

Capri Sun $1.78 (Stock up price)
Use Buy 3 Get 1 Free coupon from 3/18/12 coupon insert

Oreo Cookies $2.48
(Down $.50 from last weeks price)

Van De Kamp's Fish sticks/fillets/portions $2.98

Dona Maria Nopalio's/Mole $1.28

Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayo $2.48

Kraft America or 2% slices/ Shredded Cheese $1.98
(You can freeze shredded cheese)
Purchase 2
Use $.50/2 Shredded cheese www.coupons.com
Final Cost $1.73 Each

Yuban/Maxwell House coffee 33-34.5oz $6.98

La Victoria Enchilada Sauce $1.28

Colgate premium toothpaste/toothbrush $2.48
Use $1/1 coupon toothpaste www.lozo.com
Final cost $1.48

Select Dannon Multi Pack Yogurt $1.48

Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Crush $.98

Palmolive dish soap, Suavitel fabric softener $1.98
Use $.50/1Palmoive www.lozo.com
Final cost $1.48

Select Breyers Ice Cream $2.98

Tyson chicken nuggets/tenders $3.98

Hot or Lean Pockets 12 pk $9.78
Use $1.40/1 pack larger than 8ct www.lozo.com
Final Cost $8.38
Tombstone original pizza $2.98

Smart One Entrees $1.48
$1/5 Print from link
http://www.eatyourbest.com/savings-and-promotions.aspx

Stouffer's Party Size Lasagna or Chicken enchilada's $9.98

Hungry Man Dinners $1.78

Jimmy Dean Breakfast items $3.98

Knudsen sour cream $1.98

Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs $1.48

Rich Girl Gone Broke..My story fighting debt, saving money and using cash to save.

Cash:  We all want more of it, yet the number has grown to 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck that number up from 42% of in 2010.   Three-Quarters of Americana's are barely making ends meet. Count 10 houses on your block and 7 of them are barely making it. YIKES!  Upper class neighborhoods the studies show 8 OUT of 10 are struggling. Truth is we were once part of that percent.  I use to think that we simply didn't make enough money and things would never change.  As long as we had kids we would be: Broke, In debt, and always fighting over money.  I was fed up! I became the "Rich Girl Gone Broke" I was sick of always being sick over money!  They say it is the root of all that is evil, well I disagree.  Being financially smart is freeing!  With more money in our pockets we can give more, stress less and enjoy our simple life. 

I paid the bills in our house and balance the check....Why not my husband?  Well it became a habit not in a good way but in a if he doesn't see it he can't complain habit.  I also did ALL the shopping in our house.  When my husband would say something about how much I spent at Target I would fire back with "You have NO idea how much it cost to feed and cloth 7 people".   He would say "there is no reason why we should be living paycheck to paycheck"  Oh course I would always have something back to say to that....This is where you insert a huge fight over money.  I was set in my ways.  I didn't want to hear any of his ideas on how we could save money.   It wasn't going to help.  

One day I was reading a post on Facebook about Dave Ramsey.   I had heard of Dave and his program before, his lifestyle changes didn't seem like something I would ever dream of doing.  This time something was different, something clicked.  I was done being broke all the time, always telling my boys no we can't afford things, and fighting over our lack of money. I THOUGHT I was doing my best, buying store brands, shopping the clearance racks. I soon found out it wasn't a income problem it was a spending problem.  I spent about an hour looking around his website, watching a few videos, and reading success stories.  The cost of the 12 week course $100.  Truth is I didn't even have the $100 to take the course.  I printed off his budget forms and free tips then sat down to make a budget.  I was shocked to see just how much money we should have at the end of the month, how much we spent on random things, and just how much debt we had.   Close to $7,000 in credit card debt.  How did that happen?  I hardly used credit cards.  Well, here and there it added up to $7,000.  That made me sick to look at it.  Every month we were paying over $450 a month just in credit card bills.  I started figuring out how much better we would be off if we had that $450 a month in my pocket.  The thought of being debt free seemed like sweet relief.  I sat down to see how I could budget lunch money for the boys, fun, date nights, tutoring, food, and more.

I was on a mission to go broke!  Yep! Live like we were poor again.  Those day were LONG ago.  When my husband and I first married in 2001 we lived in Goshen. (If you're from the valley you know living in Goshen was a sign we were REALLY broke)  We shared a 3 bedroom house with our son, my husbands friend and his son.  We got paid a quarter of what we make now.  As my husband finished school, got a promotion and a few raises.  Our lifestyle changed.  We moved into our own rental, bought newer cars, went on vacations, bought our own house (with almost $2400 mortgage YIKES), our clothes got designer labels and soon we were always fighting over money.  Pretty much the one and only thing we would fight about.  Fast forward 10 years with a plan to be debt free by 33 and here I am sharing coupons and money saving tips to others. 

Back to Dave.  His number one piece of advice pay CASH! I wasn't exactly sure how that would help me.  I didn't really use credit.  I only used my debit card.  Just like cash right....WRONG!  More on that in a bit.  Second piece of advice make a budget.  Oh and STICK TO IT! It doesn't have to be so hardcore.  Simple budget you can stick to at first. You will see you will find money just knowing where your money goes.

Here's how to get started.  In two basic steps.


1)Make a list of a few categories.  Food, Household, Fun, date money and Gas (Fill in others that you may spend regularly.  These are the basic 5 I started with)


2)Take a look through your banking statements and roughly added up what you spend on Food, Household (Trips to Target, Walmart,etc), eating out, going to the movies "Fun" things, what (if any) you spend on date night, and gas.  Write that average down over 2-3 months next to each category.

It's really that simple. Now that you know what you spend figure out how you are going to divide it up each month.  I divide my monthly cash stash in half.  On the 1st and 15th of the month I pull out my the set amounts for each category and stash them in labeled envelopes I made from card stock (I just started using the $1 coupon holder from Target I labeled each slot with my categories. I also have a slots for my Extra care bucks and Register Rewards. Its working way better than the envelopes for me.)

Here's is a example of what it looks like:
 Food- $500
Household -$200
Fun-$150
Date $100
Meds- $50
___________________________
Total $1,000

1st of the month-Take $500 out.
Divide into categories
Food-$250
Household-$100
Fun $75
Date- $50
Meds-$25

15th do the same thing.

Now the trick is once it's gone IT'S GONE!  You can't pull more cash out.  It's like paying monopoly.  I suggest you start out with an amount that makes you comfortable then as you go along cut your food and household a little bit each month.  Don't try to cut the fun out.  Life is only worth living if your living it.  Everything can't be about saving and paying off debt. It's OK to have cash set aside to treat the kids to ice cream or to go out to see a movie with your husband.  When you are paying with cash you are less likely to add those "Extra" things when shopping.  You will think twice before tossing that clearance shirt or another toy in the cart.  I was amazed how much money we have saved just paying with cash.  Do it for a month I bet you will be amazed with just how much you will save too!



Not buying the cash?! Here's a tip for credit cards with perks or using debit cards.

I know many people that have credit cards with perks or just plain don't like the idea of cash.  Try doing this:

*Keep a check register in your wallet when you purchase things subtract it from your budgeted amount.  Once you have hit your set amount game over.  No more buying!


More tips for paying cash and not breaking the bank on every day needs:

* Have a set amount you take out every month for clothes even if you don't need them. Stash it away until you do! Even $5 a month will help ease the pain of back to school shopping.

* Same goes for gifts and parties. Set aside money for birthday gifts/parties. Even if your kiddos birthday is months away start saving now! Pick a theme early and every month grab something you will need for the party. Soda and Juice one month, some paper products next month, decor the following month and so on. It feels like my boys are ALWAYS going to birthday parties. They can break the bank FAST! I always walk the back aisles of Target and use my "party" money to snag good toys on clearance. I have a stash of toys we use for birthday party gifts. I also keep a box in the garage of toys I get for my boys through out the year for Christmas or their birthday's .

* Keep the change. I have a large jar of all the change I get back from purchases in my cabinet and every 3 months I use it to stock up on meat, do something extra fun with the boys, or get my hair done. This could work if you are doing credit/debit as well just around the amount of money UP and keep track of the change. (Bank of America has a "Keep the change" program where they round up the purchases for you and put the change in your savings account.

* Don't be so hard on yourself. It's OK if you don't get it right. Trust me I had plenty of epic fails while doing this. I also have had a few good cries over how we USE to leave. Including the time I sat in staples parking lot crying because I just spent $13 on coupon inserts and it only left me $53 for a week. Thank goodness my husband brought me back to earth and said "It's OK if we don't get it right the first time, it's a learning processes" That is SO true.  

*Buying food and household items together in one transaction doesn't have to be tricky. When you get home highlight the food items, household items and tally them up and replace the money from which category you paid for it from. (Or if you are using debit/credit subtract food cost from food budget and house from house) Example:

Target $75.02
$44.02 on Home
$31.00 on food

Food Budget $250
Minus $31.00 from Target
_____________________
Leaves you with  $219 for food until payday. 
(If you paid for it out of Household funds take $31 for the food slot and place it back into the household funds)


There is a quote the military uses:
 "There is no trying...Either you do it or you don't" 
That kind summed it up for me.  Either I was going to save money and live a better or I was going to stay in this slum forever.

I am happy to report I will make my FINAL car payment this week (A whole YEAR early) and by May we have our 401k loan we took out to buy our house paid off as well! YIPEE!! We will continue to live like we still have those payments and apply them to our student loans to help pay them down faster and in less than 2 years we will be DEBT FREE! $25,000 in student loans and all!  By being debt free I can my change family tree of being in debt.  The only thing I knew about debt was you would always have debt, a car payment and live paycheck to paycheck I will teach my boys things I was never taught like how to stay out of debt and how to live a life FREE of money worries.  Saving money and buying off debit isn't easy, if it was 70% of American would be doing it.  I can tell you ...it is worth every penny pinching moment when one more thing gets paid off.

If you have a Dave Ramsey or "How I save" story you would like to share with "Make Cents to Save" email me at
nscholl21@me.com

For more information on Dave Ramsey's programs check out
www.daveramsey.com

If you have questions, tips, or more would like more information on couponing/budgeting classes.  Please feel free to email me
nscholl21@me.com

My deals and steals from Just Between Friends Sale

I got these VANS Grey and Blue Shoes for $3!  Dean hasn't taken them off since I got home.   Look at the bottom of them.  Barely used! I was SO excited to find these!

THREE Shirts and TWO pairs of shorts for Beau....$6! I spent about $50 on clothes for him and I got about 17 pairs of shorts and 19 shirts

$3.00 for this Shirt and Shorts outfit

Quicksliver Shorts just $5 each!

My friend score this Ergo Wrap for $40. It is LIKE BRAND NEW! That's a HUGE savings!

I also got a Radio Flyer Trike $10, a Fabric baby gate $8, Tons of Toy Story toys for $3 each, a huge dresser/night stand/mirror $100 (This is going to be my project sand it down repaint it and new knobs I am super excited) and TONS of clothes!  Including a few things for myself for $3!!

Target Savings for 3/18-3/24/12

(For up to date deals follow us on our Facebook page at Make Cents To Save)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Make-Cents-To-Save/282112595195951

I will be at the JBF sale most of the day tomorrow SO I wanted to post a deal or two tonight to get you started until I can do full match up's.  If you are NEW and need help feel free to message me or check out one of MANY post on couponing. Links at the bottom of the page.
Target:
Remember you CAN use ONE Target coupon and ONE manufactures coupon on ONE item.  This is called "Coupon Stacking" Target is THE best for coupon stacking.  

Market Pantry Milk $2.99 (This is a good deal if you just need a gallon)


Huggies/Pampers Value Pack Diapers $29.99 (Buy 2 Receive $10 Gift Card)
(These are the HUGE boxes not the small boxes)
$1.50/1 Huggies box coupon print from www.target.com (Print 2 and use both)
Stacked with any Huggies/Pampers Manufactures coupons you have
Final Cost $28.49/box of Huggies (PLUS receive a $10 gift card WYB 2 it's like paying  $23.49/box)


Purina Dog OR Puppy Chow 20LBS- $11.49 (Receive $5 G.c WYB 1 Purnia dog food AND 1-Beggin Strips)
Purchase 1-20lb bag and 1-Beggin Strips
Use $1/1 Purina coupon from Smart Source 3/18/12
Final Cost $18.48 (PLUS receive $5 coupon its like paying $13.48 )


ALL Laundry Soap 7.99
$1/1 coupon from Red Plum 3/4/12 insert
Final Cost $6.99


Viva Paper Towels $14.99
$.50/1 coupon print https://www.vivatowels.com/savings/default.aspx
Stack with
FREE $5 Gift Card wyb Viva Giant Roll 8 pk+AND (2) SC Johnson cleaning product.
Print from www.target.com
Final Cost.  Varies.


Tyson Anytizers $5.99
$1/1 coupon http://www.tyson.com/Promotions/Coupons.aspx
Final Cost $4.99


EASTER DEAL!
M&M's 12.6oz bag, $2.89
Purchase 2
Use $1.50/2 M&M Easter candy print from www.target .com
stacked with $1/2 coupon MARS candy coupon Red Plum 3/18/12
Final Cost $1.64 Each


Peeps 3 ct Milk Chocolate Dipped 2/$3
$.50/1 coupon print www.target.com
Final Cost 2/$2.50


Starburst Jelly Beans 14 oz Bag 2/$4
Purchase 2
$1/2 coupon print www.target.com
Final Cost $1.50 Each


Whoppers Robin Eggs 10 oz Bag 2/$4Purchase 3
$1/2 coupon print www.target.com
Stack with $2/3 coupon from Smart Source 2-26-12
Final Cost $1.00 Each


I will post more deals VERY soon! 

*Be sure to check out the Just Between Friends sale tomorrow from 11am-7pm.  Check out my tips for JBF shopping
http://makecentstosave.blogspot.com/2012/03/just-between-friends-sale-how-when-and.html
*Price Matching- Save time and MONEY!
http://makecentstosave.blogspot.com/2012/02/tip-tuesday.html

*Organizing and getting started:
http://makecentstosave.blogspot.com/2012/03/youll-go-clippin-crazy-if-you-dont.html

---

Easy St. Patty's Day Dinner

  When I think of St. Patty's day I think of Corned Beef and Cabbage. YUM! I am sure sure my boys will cringe when they see it again, but hey it's once a year and I eat Mcdonald's for them.  Plus, I have some fun ideas in mind for my boys thanks to Pinterest that make smooth over the fact that we are eating it for dinner.  Do you have surprises in store for your kids? 

I know Saturday's are crazy for most families mine included.  So I choice a slow cooking recipe for my corned beef.  (8 hours on Low) Dump it all in and Go on with your day.

I went to Save Mart to pick up their $2.37/lb Corned Beef (Since I had no plans of going to Tulare for the $1.67/lb at Foods Co) I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had 3 different prices on corned beef.  $2.99/lb,  $2.37/lb, AND $1.99/lb! 

I grabbed:
*3.25lb Corn Beef  priced at $6.43 ( I went with the $1.99/lb)
(The seasoning comes inside the Corned Beef just a FYI)
*A head of cabbage (Price $.19/lb)
*I already had potatoes and carrots

Here is how I plan on cooking my St. Patty's day dinner.
http://southernfood.about.com/od/crockcornedbeef/r/cpweekly20.htm

CVS Trippin..My haul, My fail, and My Rebound

I LOVE Cvs! You can get tons of things there crazy cheap.  Although today the cashier was trippin!  and THIS is why I normally build my shopping trip at home.   Today I was in a hurry.  I needed to grab some things for Wesley since he has the flu and there were some deals I wanted to grab since I was there.  I quickly wrote down my list of things and rushed out the door.

I bought
6- Bottles of Powerade 3- 12pks of Sprite They were part of the spend $15 get $5 ECB
2- Irish Spring Body wash 2/$7 get $4 ECB
1-2pk Glad plug-in's $5 (I had a $2 coupon)
4- bags of Dog food 4/$20 get $5 ECB (Plus I had $5 in coupons)
1- Dial Lotion $4.99 get $2 ECB
1-Zyrtec $5.99 get $5.99 ECB

Rough cost should have been $57.62 before coupons and ECB
I had
$7 in coupons
$5 in ECB
Total around $45.63 ( I should receive $26.99 in ECB)

UMM NOPE Total $70.79 AFTER coupons and ECB.  Something didn't seem right BUT I was in a hurry!  I looked quickly at my ECB received and it looked fine.  WRONG!

I got in the car and notice I got charged for
5 bags of dog food when I bought 4
2 Zyrtec when I bought 1
5 bottles of Powerade when I bought 6 (That 6th bottle was the difference between receiving or not receive my $5 in ECB's.)(One Beau had I gave it to him to scan and then gave it back to Beau must of placed one another one in the bag because it scanned it)

I called the store (Because I was NOT about to go back in front of that candy display again) and spoke with the manager he was nothing but kind!  He apologized many times and said he would take care of it personal when I came back and apologized one more time for having to waste my time driving back there. 

Had I taken the extra 5 mins to write out the cost of everything my final total before and after coupons/ECB and how many ECB's I should have received I wouldn't be making a trip BACK there tonight.  As humans we all make mistakes wasn't ALL the cashiers fault.  I would get overwhelmed if I was helping a lady with 2 kids crying for candy, a cart fill of things and a fist full of coupons.  This only makes me want to shop there more thanks to the kind manager at the CVS on Goshen Ave. 

Save Mart Savings 3/14-3/20/12

St Patty's Day Dinner ideas? How about Corned Beef and Cabbage?
This week Save Mart has Corned Beef on sale for $2.37/lb and Cabbage $.19/lb

Strawberries, Blueberries and Blackberries-BOGO FREE

Whole Chickens- $.79/lb (Limit 5)

Pork Country Ribs $1.57/lb

Ground Turkey 20oz-BOGO FREE (If you missed the 5/$25 deal stag this one)

Jenni O Turkey Bacon $2.49/lb

85% Lean Ground Beef $2.77/lb

Kraft Natural Sliced Cheese- 2/$5
Use $.50/2 coupon www.coupons.com
Final Cost $2.25 each

Hunt's Ketchup - $.99

Frito's, Cheetos, Rold Gold, Munchies, Dip- 4/$6  (Limit 4, Must buy four)
Use $1.50/3 coupon from Pepsi Moment to Save insert 2/26/12
Final Cost $1.13 each WYB 4

Select Candy (THINK EASTER) B2G2 FREE

Fresh Express bag salad-2/$3

Quilted Northern bath tissue $6.99
Print coupon from www.lozo.com

Tampax/Always- $6.49
Use varies coupons from P&G insert 3/4/12

John Frieda Products - $3.99
Use Varies coupons printed from www.coupons.com

In Store coupons:

Old Orchard Healthy Balance 100% juice- $1.99 (Limit 4)
purchase 2
Use $1/2 coupon www.coupons.com (You can print 2)
Final cost $1.49 each

International Delight Coffee Creamer- $.99 (Limit 4)
Use $.55/1 coupon http://www.internationaldelight.com/Special-Offers
Final Cost $.49/1

Knott's Jelly and Laura Scudder's Peanut Butter- $1.88 (Limit 4)

Bar S Meat Franks- $.88 (Limit 4)

Farmer John Breakfast links-.$99 (Easter morning Breakfast?) (Limit 4)



Daily Deals until March 26th 2012 are as follows:
*MONDAY Del Monte Bananas $.39/lb (Limit 8)

*TUESDAY Fresh 80% lean Ground Beef $1.69/lb (Limit 2 packs)

*WEDNESDAY Sunny Select Large Eggs $.69/dz (Limit 2)

*THURSDAY Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillets $3.99/lb (Limit 5lbs)

*FRIDAY Bayview Farms Orange Juice $.99/64oz (Limit 2)

*SATURDAY Kelloggs Cornflakes OR $1.49 (Limit 2)
General Mills Frosted Toast Crunch

*SUNDAY Frito-Lay Variety Pack (12 ct) $1.79 (Limit 2)

You can view Save Mart's weekly AD and find more coupons at www.savemart.com

Just Between Friends Sale. How, When and Why's of JBF!

For up to date Valley deals and steals "Like" Make Cents To Save on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Make-Cents-To-Save/282112595195951

MARCH 18TH-24TH 2012

For more info on hours, directions or to learn more about JBF visit their website

http://w50.myfranconnect.com/jbfwebsite/homeView.jsp?franchiseeNo=1636877057

OR

Like JBF Visalia/Fresno on FACEBOOK

They always have contest for JBF Bucks, Pre Sale and Front of the line passes

The Just Between Friends Sale....or better known as JBF. How to describe JBF hmmm! There is more stuff than the city swap meet, fabulous brand name clothes like Gymboree, and prices so awesome you will scream!  Shopping the JBF takes skills!  Especially if you are going shopping on Pre Sale day. The first time I went I was shocked how much stuff there was!  I was on overload! 

Here are my tips for a stress free fun shopping experience:

1) Make a list.  It helps to have a list of things each kid needs, their sizes, and up coming birthday's.  All the clothes are neatly hung by size however when you are walking through racks and rack of clothes they all start to look the same and you forget quickly who needs what and what size they are.  Lot's of times you can find brand new with tags, clothes, shoes and toys.  This is a GREAT time to score deals on upcoming birthday's.

2) Wear comfy shoes, pack a snack and water.  If you are going on pre sale day this is a MUST! When I have done pre sale shopping I always go about 1 or 2 hours before they allow you go in and stand in line.  Yes it's like black Friday (expect no one gets hurt and the women in line are actually friendly) If you think  you can do JBF in 30mins THINK again! You will get stuck into it's awesomeness you could spend hours walking around.

This place will be packed with deals in 48 hours!

3) Bring back up.   This is HUGE!! You are going to need back up!  Empty stroller, wagon, rolling cart, ANYTHING that rolls.  The first year I went I was positive I broke my back carrying all my stuff around.   There is a hold area for large items however if you are like me you will grab tons of clothes and find a spot to sort them.                            
                                      Just a small amount of all the clothes!

4) Bring a friend.  There are many benifits to this PLUS shopping is always more fun with a friend.  The sale is HUGE and you will want someone's opinion on what to buy and what to pass up.  The only bad thing.....Once it's gone it's GONE!  Remember on Pre Sale Day EVERYONE needs a PASS!

5) Shop often and don't forget about sale days.  I am sure I could go to the sale spend hours on end there come back the next day and find more.  That is because consignors can drop off through out the week.  Some items go on sale Friday is 25%off and Saturday is 50%.


FAQ's

What is "presale" shopping?
The sale opens to the public on Sunday March 18th.  A select number of people can earn up to a 15 hour presale pass to shop BEFORE the public on Saturday.

How do I earn a presale pass?
It's actually pretty easy.  You can be or do any of the following
Be:
Teacher
Military
New Mom

Do:
Volunteer
Barter (Be willing to purchase/give something from the barter list)
Consign (Sell your stuff and shop early!! This is the best!)

Depending on which you choose is the "Hour" presale pass you receive.

You can earn/receive a:

15 Hour (You can only earn this by Volunteering hours)
Shop at 10am on Pre sale day and Shop at 8am on half off day


12 Hour
Shop at 11am on pre sale day and 8am half off day


6 Hour
Shop at Noon


3 Hour
Shop at 1pm


How do I know if the item I am purchasing is on sale?
Friday and Saturday are mark down days, however it is up to the consignor if they want their items marked down or not.  If you look at the JBF tag underneath the price it is says Full Price that item is NOT going to get marked down.  There might also be a star under the price. The color will represent what mark down it is tied to
Example:
Yellow star may mean NOT 25% off day but will be marked down on 50% off day
(The colors are just examples)


Can I bring my kids?
No children allow on Pre Sale day.  Trust me you will thank them for this rule if you are ever lucky enough to shop the presale.  Nursing babies under 1 years old are welcome and Children over the age of 13 can attend IF THEY HAVE A PASS.


Regular shopping days kids ARE welcome.  I bring my boys all the time to the sale.  As a  matter of fact my boys save their chore money for JBF even they know they can score great deals at JBF.  My suggestion for little ones is plan like your going to the mall.  You know the best time to shop with them and how they will do shopping in a mall type setting. 

Lastly and most importanly HAVE FUN!  The JBF sale is a mother's dream! It's my secret to keeping my boys in name brand clothes at discount prices.  Once you shop JBF you will NEVER shop the same again!

Foods Co 3/14-3/20/12

Foods Co Savings 3/14-3/20/12:

Juice Boxes, Family size boxes of cereal, Coffee, Case of water, Kraft Cheese, and more.  They are all a part of the buy 10 save $5 sale at Foods Co.  This sale ALWAYS makes me giddy!  You can use coupons on top of these sales.  You must purchase 10 of the mix and match items.  Time to STOCK up.

(Note:  Did you see the Tri-Tip is $3.77/lb this week? Yuck! Good thing we paid $2.99/lb at Save Mart last week!)

St Patty's day dinner, Try the $1.68/lb Corned Beef.

Fresh Strawberries, Blueberries, and Blackberries  2/$4

Wesson cooking oil $2.98

Fuji Apples $.78/lb

Western Hearth Bread $1.98

Budweiser, Miller, Coors, Tecate.  20pk $12.98

Buy 10 Save $5 Products : (You must purchase 10 mix and match items in ONE transaction or these prices increase by $.50.  Limit 50 mix and match items in ONE transaction)

Select Post Cereals (Family Size)  $1.98

Sunny D 64oz  $.98

Nabisco/Ritz crackers $1.78
Purchase 2
Use $1/2 coupon from www.lozo.com
Final cost $1.28 Each

Doritos/Lay's chips $1.98
Purchase 2
Use $.75/2 coupon from Moments to Save insert 2/26/12
Final Cost $1.61 Each

Arrow head/Nestle 24pk water $2.98

Capri Sun $1.78 (Stock up price)

Oreo Cookies $2.98

Van De Kamp's Fish sticks/fillets/portions $2.98

Dona Maria Nopalio's/Mole $1.28

Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayo $2.48

Kraft America or 2% slices/ Shredded Cheese $1.98
(You can freeze shredded cheese)
Purchase 2
Use $.50/2 Shreddered cheese www.coupon.com
Final Cost $1.73 Each

Yuban/Maxwell House coffee 33-34.5oz  $6.98

La Victoria Enchilada Sauce $1.28

Colgate premium toothpaste/toothbrush $2.48
Use $1/1 coupon toothpaste www.lozo.com
Final cost $1.48

Select Dannon Mulit Pack Yogurt $1.48

Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Crush  $.98
Purchase 3
Use $1/3 Crush Moments to Save insert 2/26/12
Final cost $.65 each

Rock Star Energy Drinnks $.78

Palmolive dish soap, Suavitel fabric softener $1.98
Use $.50/1Palmoive www.lozo.com
Final cost $1.48

Quilted Northen Bath Tissue  12 dlb rolls, Brawny Paper towels 6-8 rolls $5.98
Use $.75/1 Quilted Northen www.lozo.com
Final Cost $5.23 (.44 cents a roll)

Select Breyers Ice Cream $2.98

Tyson chicken nuggets/tenders $3.98

Hot or Lean Pockets 12 pk $9.78
Use $1.40/1 pack larger than 8ct www.lozo.com
Final Cost $8.38

Tombstone original pizza $2.98

Smart One Entree's $1.48

Stouffer's Party Size Lasagna or Chicken enchilada's $9.98

Hungry Man Dinners $1.78

Jimmy Dean Breakfast items $3.98
Purchase Jimmy Dean Delight and Minute Maid Pure OJ
Use $1.40 off Jimmy Deans Delights when you buy 59oz 100% OJ
Use $.75 off Minute Maid Pure OJ
Final Cost $2.58 plus cost of Minute Maid OJ

Oscar Mayer Bologna/Cotto Salami $1.50

Oscar Mayer Lunch meats Family Size $3.98

Knudsen sour cream $1.98

Oscar Mayer Deli Shaved lunch meats 1lb $4.48

Huggies Jumbo packs of Diapers/wipes $8.98
Diapers 20-50 ct
Wipes 320-360 ct
Check your binders for more savings!

Johnson and Johnson Shampoo, powder, lotion, oil $2.48
Purchase Lotion
Use $1/1 Lotion www.johnsonbaby.com /offers
Final Cost $1.48

Speed Stick Men/Women    $1.48 (Stock up)

TRESeme Hair Care items $2.98

FREE Jello Easter Egg Mold

FREE Kraft Jello Easter Egg Mold....Just pay $2.95 for shipping!  Here is the direct link

https://apfco.com/secure/w1381/product_description.cfm?product=KW1381-6

What is $5 worth these days?

                                      What does $5 extra dollars mean to you?

I was reading a blog this morning about a website called Fiverr (www.fiverr.com).  It's a website that you can post jobs you are willing to do for $5!  Some are hilarious.....Some I plan on using for my kids, jokes on friends and design my blog to be more user friendly.  Than it got me thinking about how $5 doesn't seem like a LOT of money these days.  What can you really get with $5 these days?

1) A venti coffee from Starbucks
2) 1.25 gallons of gas (if we are lucky!)
3) 4 Dollar store items
4) 5 $1 menu items
5) Box of cereal not on sale
6) 1 gallon of milk and 1 pack of gum
7) 4 Redbox movies
8) Your neighbor kid to mow your lawn
9) 20 junk toys from the $.25 machine
10) Foot long sandwich from Subway
11) 4 songs on itunes
12) 2lbs of ground beef
13) 3 boxes of hamburger helper
14) Provide 2 meals at the Rescue Mission
15) 12pk of Pepsi
16) 26 not so great Pokemon Cards on ebay
17) 2 Hot Lunches and 3 cartons of milk in VUSD
18) A bottle of Advil
19) 5lbs of Oranges
20) A babysitter......for about 15mins!


If you could save just $5 a week for a year you would have $260! What would you do with an extra $260? A day trip to the coast? 52 Gallons of gas? 52 Venti Starbucks coffee's?

Still not buying this coupon thing?

If saving money was easy as 1-2-3 everyone would do it.  Does saving money require work? YES.. Is it easy? Not always!  Is it worth it?  YES!                            

How can you distress saving money? Get Organized!

When I sit down with women to show them how to slash their grocery bills I always start with MAKE A PLAN!  Don't let saving money consume or overwhelm you.  If it does you will quit and there is no savings in quitting.  Pick one area in your life and start there.  I started with my household items.  I was more willing to be flexible with my household products than I was with the food we eat.   Take a month find a coupon system that works with your life and apply to your shopping habits.   Focus only on the one area in your life that you want to save the most in.  Don't think you have to score every deal that is out there.  More will come around....baby steps. 


Why I only post current coupons and printables?
I try to show the basics of couponing to make it easier for new couponers to jump on board.  I would get so frustrated when I would see a great deal posted some where and than realize the coupon was 2 months old.  Ugh! Who keeps a coupon that long!  If you follow the blog and the bonus tips I post you will learn how to save big matching the coupons you have plus the items on sale.   I found the quickest way to build your coupon stash was to print only the coupons you will use.  I try to mix both Sunday paper coupons with printables to make jumping on board easy.

Still not buying this coupon thing?? Here are some ways to save money without clipping coupons. 
Check the Sales Ad:
I have been checking the Ad's for meat or other dinner type items that are on sale and basing my meals on what is on sale.  If you go shopping once every two weeks base your meals on the meats on sale the week you go shopping (unless you have a stockpile of meat)

Shop your cabinets first:
I always take a pen and paper and write down the staple, filler, and dinner items I already have.  Maybe I have meat I got on mark down last week or I scored a great deal on bell peppers.  See what you have and plan accordingly

Meal planning:
I hear from readers this is the HARDEST part.  Before I even step foot into a store I make a "Dinner list"  I come up with about 14 meals 7 super easy and 7 others.  Plus always have default meals Sandwiches/Salad, Spaghetti, Breakfast for dinner, etc.  Just in case the world falls out and I am in survival mode!  If you find you go to the store once a week and you like that than plan a weeks worth of meals.  For me I know I can make it once every 2 weeks. 
If you don't have a plan you will end up running to the store for little things here and there which will break the bank!


Check your cabinets AGAIN!:
I can't even tell you how many things of chili powder I had before I started doing this!  I was overloaded on spices.  If you don't always use a specific spice you forget quickly that you already have it.  Once you make a grocery list, scan your cabinets to make sure that you aren't buy ANOTHER can of tomato sauce to add to your collection of 20 other cans.  Also double check cereals, peanut butter, jelly, butter, milk, sliced cheese, staple items like that.  Check the lunch menu to see how many lunches you need to pack.  Do you have Juice boxes?  Bread? Veggies/ Fruit?

Shop the mark down:
Every time I go to Save Mart I check their mark down fruits and veggies.  I usually get Bell Peppers 4-5 for $.69 or 6 Zucchini's for $.65.  I will wash them when I get home slice them and freeze them until I need them.
Also check out the mark down meats.  These are meats that need to be froze within a few days.  No you're not going to get sick! They are just meats that need to be frozen "fresh" meats can only be stored at refrigerator temps for so long before they need to be frozen.   That Simple!

Be flexible with where you shop:
I've said it before and I will say it again!  Don't discount a store just because its a discount store.  I hear over and over AND OVER again.  Oh GROSS! I won't shop there.  Really?  You can't figure out how to deal with it for a quick trip some place to save $100's of dollars? YES $100's!  I have shared before how I switched from WinCo to Foods Co and saved $80 without even clipping one coupon! When our grandparents were young they would have never been as picky as our genteration is about where they shopped.  In the depression people would do just about anything for food at a discounted price.  With the economy showing no signs of picking up and food cost on the rise again how much longer can your budget stand the $20 increase every time you step foot into a store our generation needs to save where we can because we never know if/when you can be laid off, have a sick kid, or a decrease in pay.  In my home we had pay decrease and both my husband and I weren't through major medical issues, Yet we continue to live the same way if not better now that I have become more flexible.  Yes I understand the thought of stomaching a Walmart store to some isn't worth the savings.  I challenge you to try it!  Just one trip.  Plus once you get a small stockpile of things you will see you only have to stomach places like Walmart or Foods Co once a month.. However see if the giddy feeling you feel after saving all that money doesn't override the feeling of disgust.  Scared of germs? put baby wipes, hand sanitizers, or cleaning wipes in your car or purse.  Wipe the cart down before you use it.  When you walk out with a big smile on your face it from the savings it will totally be worth they cold you just got from shopping there...........KIDDING! :-)

Shopping with kids or hungry:
Always keep snacks in your purse or car.  I can't imagine how much money I have spent grabbing quick snacks for myself or my boys.  Not only are they usually unhealthy they are over price.   Also pack something fun for the kiddos to do while you shop.  If you don't have kids crying or begging for things your likely going to spend less.  Got older kids? Let them help!  My older boys keep a look out for "Close out" saving tabs.  My younger boys help count boxes, bag fruits and veggies, and play ispy. 

BONUS:
Keep a list of standard items you buy, type them up on the computer and each time you go shopping print it out and check off what you need this will emlinate running to the store and spending $50 on milk.....Because we all know we can't JUST get milk.