Money Saving Blog & weekly deals for 2/4-2/10/10

Most of you know by now that I write a weekly blog for Boca Raton Magazine and The Examiner.com. I would very much appreciate your views and comments as it makes the editors happy too! :)

I found and compiled some excellent information on saving on fuel that I'm sure all of us can use! In addition, I've highlighted the super deals at Publix for the week of 2/4-2/10.

You can find it here.

Coupon Queen blog is up at The Examiner

Most of you know by now that I write a weekly blog on saving money for several sites. Along with a few good local deals, I also include tips that everyone can use to save money.

You can see my current post at The Examiner by going here.

You can also see my past blog posts by going here

I hope you find some information that will help you and bless you financially!

The Value of a Dollar

When is the last time you checked out a “dollar store?” Or maybe a discount store such as Big Lots? Well, it may be time to do so again.

In the last couple of years, I have noticed that many dollar stores seem to have disappeared. It really didn’t surprise me as I’m sure it takes a considerable volume of sales to pay the rent. However, just recently it seems that I’m seeing more dollar stores opening up again. In my quest for furthering my dollar, I decided to check them out.

I found Dollar Tree to be surprisingly good. This store is a true “dollar store,” meaning that every item in the store sells for $1 or less. They seem to consistently carry a variety of name-brand products. And even their food items have been within the “sell-by” date. In the past I have seen a fair amount of “outdated” foods in various dollar stores so I’m always cautious about the expiration dates. I even bought a loaf of bread from there that was fresh from the bakery – name brand, whole wheat! You can find a wide variety of items – greeting cards, paper products, seasonal items, cleaning products, food, and much more.

I’ve also seen Dollar General and Family Dollar stores opening up. These stores do not sell every item for $1, but they do have some good discounts on name-brand items. Be sure to know your prices before going shopping because other store sales may be the better deal. But, you may just find some incredible bargains as well.

Big Lots also seems to be expanding their store locations. Big Lots are usually fairly large stores that sell just about everything, including furniture. Their prices are discounted considerably as well. I always advise to check expiration dates on any perishable items.

I’m sure there are many other similar stores around the country. I encourage you to go check them out periodically. These stores won’t always have everything in stock, but when you find what you need, it’s usually for a great price.

**** Save money on eating out ****
Restaurant.com is offering an 80% off special right now! If you order online using the discount/coupon code INDULGE you can purchase a $25 gift certificate for $2!! Go check it out! You can do a search to see which restaurants participate. Code is valid through January 19, 2010, but gift cards don’t expire for a year after purchase.Now, on to some local deals for the week

For more information on my book, please visit my book's website here.

Hundreds of online discount Codes

I recently found out about an amazing website that I wanted to share with you that offers literally hundreds of discount codes for online shopping. With the economy as it is, and the holidays just around the corner, more and more people need to find the best deals available. I believe you will LOVE this particular site.

http://www.couponchief.com

This site offers so much more than the standard coupon site. The first thing you will want to do is to view their short video by clicking on the "How it Works" tab. If you are new to online shopping, or new to using discount codes, this video offers a very quick tutorial on how to use them.

In addition, the site offers some "community features" that help everyone by allowing us to comment or rate the coupon codes and how they worked for us. You can also share the coupon code by emailing it to friends, and register to get email alerts.

Want more? You've got it! This site also offers a "Pays-2-Share" program. If you find discount codes that are not already listed, you can register in the Pays-2-Share program and earn a percentage of all sales made using the discount code you have uploaded. The discount codes have to be for stores that participate in their Pays-2-Share program, but the list of participating retailers is quite impressive. What could be better than earning money for sharing the deals? And, use your own coupon after you upload it and you are earning on your own purchases! Your account must reach $25 before you can be eligible to receive payment, and they pay via check or Paypal.

One thing I love about this site is the ease of finding coupon codes for your particular needs. I know I have spent far too much time in the past searching for a discount code for what I needed. With CouponChief, you can search by item, category, or store. You can browse their featured stores, popular coupons and new coupons as well. The site is laid out very nicely and makes it so easy to find what you are looking for.

Go check it out! You'll be glad you did!

http://www.couponchief.com

Publix Shopping 5/13/09

Went to Publix to hit the sales before they ended. Spent more than I wanted but still did good. I was bummed though. I'd been told that Publix had Chinet plates on sale for $2 and there were coupons for $2 off in 5/3's paper. They didn't have any and it was not listed in any of their sales flyers so I couldn't get a rain check. :(

Acronyms first:
BOGO - buy one, get one free
MC - Manufacturer coupon
SC - Store Coupon
OOP - Out of Pocket

So here's what I got.

4 Gorton's Shrimp Temptations - BOGO for $7.49, less 4 MC for $1 each - or $2.75 each
6 Del Monte green beans, canned - BOGO for $1.29 less 3 MC for $0.45 off 2, or $0.42 each
6 Del Monte Corn, canned - BOGO for $1.29, less 3 MC for $0.45 off 2, or $0.42 each
2 Publix black beans - no sale $0.83 each
2 pkg lender's bagels - BOGO for $1.99
2 Breathe Right strips - $12.79 less 2 SC for $3 and 2 MC for $1 or $8.79 each
2 kids Bandaids - sale for $1.99 less 2 MC for $1 - $0.99 each
Kraft Bagelful's - sale for $2 less MC for $1
2 pkg Kotex - 2 MC for $1.50 each - $1.95 each
Kashi Go Lean Waffles - $2.79 less MC for $2.79 (thank you Vocal Point)
1 2-roll pkg Viva paper towels - $4.49 less SC for $1.25 and MC for $1 - $1.12 each
1 30-ct corn tortillas - $2.09
1 Palmolive Pure/Clear - $3.19, less MC for $1, have rebate to get $2.99 back
2 Friendship sour cream - $1.39 each, less MC for $1 off 2 - $0.89 each
1 pkg Phil. Cream Cheese - $1.99 less MC for $1
Ground beef - $2.79/lb - $9.44 less SC for $1 off meat
2 Oscar Mayer lunchables - sale 2 for $4 less MC for $1 off 2
2 Quilted NOrthern TP - sale for $6.49, less 2 MC for $1 off each
Total before sales & coupons: $144.94
Total OOP - $78.48

Almost $150 in Groceries for under $60!

This is from my shopping trip on 5/6/09.

First some acronyms...
BOGO - Buy one, get one free
MC - Manufacturer coupon
SC - Store Coupon
OOP - Out of Pocket

Ok…so here’s how I got almost $150 in groceries for less than $60!!

2 Publix Ice Cream – on sale 2 for $5, used 2 store coupons for $1 off each (1 from the Publix Family Style magazine and one from the Preschool Pals program)
2 Farm Rich French Toast Sticks – BOGO for $3.29 less $1 MC
1 Publix Texas Toast – on sale $1.67
7 Kashi frozen entrees – half price sale for $1.89, less 7 MC for $1 off
3 Kashi Pocket bread sandwiches – half price for $1.59, less 3 MC for $1 off
Onions - $2.35
Canteloupe - $2
2 pkg Strawberries - $2.50 each
Plum tomatoes - $0.74
4 Corn on the cob - $1
4 Breakstone sour cream, 8 oz – BOGO for $0.99 less 2 MC for $0.55 each, so $0.22 each!
4 Contessa Complete meals, on sale for $4.99 (reg. $7.99), less 4 MC for $2 each that were right in front of the product!
1 Oscar Mayer Deli Creations sandwich – MC for FREE
1.5 lb shrimp - $7.68 less SC for $1 off
1 can Publix Black beans - $0.83
1 lb Publix Sweet Ham lunchmeat - $6.05
2 boxes Capri Sunrise juice pouches – on sale for $3 each, less 2 MC for $1 off
Ground Chuck – sale for $2.69/lb - $3.79, less SC for $1
1 box Bandaids- $1.99 less $1 MC
1 pkg 30 ct Corn Tortillas - $2.09
1 Country Hearth bread - $1.89
1 Publix Multigrain Bagels - $2.59
Also had a coupon from a mailer for $5 off $30 or more.
Total retail value: $146.56
Less coupons & sales - $87.20
Total OOP: $59.36

CVS Deals 4/23/09

ECB - Extra Care Bucks - store coupons issued by CVS for specific items
OOP- Out of Pocket, total actually paid out
MC - manufacturer coupons

Ok, so I'm really liking the www.iheartcvs.com site and the www.kingdomfirstmom.com site!

Total retail value of all: 50.89
Total spent: $24.17 plus I still have $2 in ECB's for next trip. Not the GREATEST trip, but still good

Transaction #1
3 John Frieda shampoos - on sale for $5 each, get $5 ECB's back, used 3 MC for $2 off 1 and a ECB for $0.50
Spent $9.45 OOP

Transaction #2
3 Tresemme hair spray =- on sale 3 for $10, get $5 ECB's back, used 3 MC for $1 off 1 and the $5 ECB from transaction #1
Spent $2.33 OOP

Transaction #3
2 Crest Pro Health Rinse - on sale for $2.88 each, get $4 ECT ($2 each), used 2 MC for $1 off 1
1 Breathe Right Strips - $13.99, used $3 ECB that was product specific (ONLY for these), and $1 MC (not the greatest price, but with store & mc it matched the price I'd probably pay at Walmart or Target), also used $5 ECB from Transaction #2
Spent $9.52 OOP

Transaction #4
1 Act Restore Mouthwash, on sale $3.79, get $2 ECB back, used $1 MC
2 cokes
used $4 ECB from transaction #3
Spent $1.96 OOP

Transaction #5
1 Act Restore Mouthwash, on sale $3.79, get $2 ECB back, used $1 MC and $2 ECB from Transaction #4
Spent $0.91 OOP

If I had been thinking better, I would have saved the 2 cokes for the final transaction and used my final $2 ECB and saved a bit more. Oh well, I'll use it later.

I had some other items on my list but they were out of them and then I forgot to get a raincheck!

Also, I looked at the Aveeno deal - spend $25 get $10 ECB's but I wouldn't use the facial skin care so I was only looking at the sunscreens. Seemed like a good deal - just over $4 each with coupons & ecb's, but the bottles were only 3 oz. So, ounce per ounce, there are other brands that would be less and still quality brands. For example, Banana Boat was on sale for $6.99 and it was an 8 oz bottle. I'm sure Walmart or Target would be even cheaper.

Today's savings - 3/21/2009

Well, today was a very good day for shopping! I went to my favorite local store to get some lunch supplies and purchase some good deals. I spent $58.87 but I SAVED $73.81 and still have $2.49 coming back to me on a rebate! YIPPEE!

Here’s what I purchased and how I did it:

2 Lender’s Bagels – BOGO (Buy one, get one free) - $1.99

4 No Yolks Noodles – sale for $1.59, less manufacturer coupons: 1-$1.00, 3-$0.50 for a total of $3.86 ($0.96 per bag)

2 Light & Fluffy Egg Noodles – sale for $1.50 less manufacturer coupons: 2-$0.50 for a total of $2.00 ($1.00 per bag)

8 Knorr Pasta sides – BOGO for $1.59, less manufacturer coupons: 4-$0.75 off 2 for a total of $3.36 (0.42 per package)

1 Strawberries – on sale for $1.67, less store coupon for $1 - $0.67

1 Store brand cream cheese – $2.29 – no sale but cheaper than name brand even with coupons

8 Smart Balance Buttery Spread – BOGO for $3.09, less manufacturer coupons: 4-$1.00 off 2 for a total of $8.36 ($1.045 each)

4 Smart Balance ½ gallon milk – FREE!!! Used for manufacturer coupons that gave the milk free when you purchase Smart Balance Buttery Spread.

1 Over the Moon ½ gallon chocolate milk - $3.49, less manufacturer coupon of $1.00. Also have a rebate for the remaining $2.49, so this was also FREE

6 South Beach Living Granola Bars/100 Cal bars – on sale for $3.00 each, less manufacturer coupons: 6-$1.50 off ($1.50 each)

1 Mini seedless watermelon – on sale for $2.99 less $1 store coupon

1 French’s Worcestershire sauce – on sale for $1.50, less manufacturer coupon: $0.50 - $1 total

2 Sweet Onions – no sale but $1 store coupon - $0.69 total

1 Folger’s Decaf singles - $4.49 – no coupon or sale but hubby was desperate! J

1 Canteloupe – sale for $1.50

4 Campbells soup – sale for 4 for $5, less manufacturer coupon: 2-$0.40/2 – total of $4.20 ($1.05 per can)

1 lb lunch meat - $6.05

1 package fresh green beans

Total before sales & coupons: $132.18
After: $58.87

56% savings

Not bad for an area with no double coupons!