Walgreens

A reward card is not needed, but they are pushing for one for better savings. (pilot program I was told). And even if they offer you one, you don't need it to get the sale prices. BUT it will give you extra rewards for your loyalty to their store, and not their main competitor, CVS.

Walgreens is a good choice for us. It's super close to our house. Since starting couponing two weeks ago, we have saved $115.38 just by shopping for things we need and things we will use. OOP was $28.72. This doesn't include the very first time we went because we really didn't know what we were doing. HOWEVER, you get the math, right??

I do not get paid from Walgreens to tell you that they have awesome deals going on there, EVERY WEEK!!

I guess it just comes down to one four letter word. WILL. Do you have the will within yourself to WANT to save money for your family?

Here are this week’s Walgreens deals. Pricing is valid 4/24 – 4/30.  (Thank you tKCL for providing this)

The first week, when I had just started, I used theKrazyCouponLady everyday. Now, I know how to look for the deals on my own. YES, it took alot of time. YES, my husband always wondered if I was coming to bed before midnight for that week. YES... It is all worth the time I put in. BUT... this resource is out there if you want to use it. I highly recommend checking it out.

REMEMBER.... you can't expect to go get the deals today, when you haven't started clipping. You can order coupons through clipping services or ebay if you just really don't have the time to clip.

What are you saving on today? Have you started to think about how much you will be able to save in May by clipping this Sunday's coupons? It's gunna be a big stack, and if you don't want yours, I will gladly take them. (I'll even send a SASE!!)

Tell me what you need from me so I can help you keep your hard earned dollars in your pocket.

be blessed

t

What you can expect

In the month of May, there will be a lot of savings on BBQ items. The month doesn't start until next week, but why wait to get organized? Below is a compiled list of months and predictable sales that you could expect.

 January:

National Oatmeal Month: Quaker

Diet Foods including: Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi, Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs

Super Bowl Sunday: Pepsi, Coke, Chips, Dips, Cheese, sandwich items, crackers, snacks, wings

Seasonal Produce: Oranges, Pears,Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach

Clearance: Christmas Decorations, Toys, Wrapping Papers,

Winter Health: Cold Medicines and Vitamins

February:

National Canned Food Month: Canned Fruit, Vegetables, meats: Tuna, chicken, salmon, pie fillings

National Hot Breakfast Month: Malt O Meal, Oatmeal, Eggo Waffles, Syrup

Valentines: Chocolate, Hershey’s, KY Lubricant, etc

Chinese New Year: Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles

Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Raspberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Spinach

March:

Frozen Food Month: Frozen Meals, TGI Fridays, Contessa, Foster Farms Chicken, Eggo, Sara Lee, Healthy Choice, DiGiorno, Freschetta, Breyers, Dreyers, Marie Callendars

Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado, Haas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Lime, Mushrooms, Onions, Spring, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerine

April:

Easter: Ham, Eggs, Some Baking Supplies: sugar, spices, baking mixes, chocolate chips

Earth Day: Organic foods, Energy saver

Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Grapefruit, Hass Avocado, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Rhubarb

Clearance: After Easter sales are the time to stock up on decorating, baskets, etc for the next year.

May:

Memorial Day: BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

Paper Products: plates, utensils, insect repellant, sunscreen

Cinco De Mayo: Salsa, tortillas

Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Onions, Sweet Vidalia, Peas, Edible Pods, Peas, English/Shelling, Potatoes, New, Raspberries, Strawberries

June:

National Dairy Month: Eggs, Milk (Free Milk Catalina, wyb cereal), Ice Cream, Cheese, Butter,Yogurt, cool whip, In-store dairy coupons or booklets.

End of June is Fourth or July Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

Seasonal Produce: Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cherries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Raspberries, Red Onions, Squash, Summer, Strawberries, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon

July:

National Ice Cream Month

More 4th of July BBQ Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

End of July: Back to School Sales begin: crayons, pencils, folders, binders

Seasonal Produce: Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Beans, Green, *Blueberries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Nectarines, Onions, Red, Oranges, Valencia, Peaches, Peppers, Sweet/Bell, Plums, Potatoes, Squash, Summer, Tomatoes, Watermelon

August:

Back to School: Pudding cups, Lunch meat,

Staples and Office Depot Penny items

Disinfectant: Clorox, Purell

Clearance: Insect Repellant, Sunscreen, charcoal

Seasonal Produce: Apple, Gravenstein, Avocado, Hass, Beans, Beans, Green, Berries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Onion, Peaches, Pears, Bartlett, Pepper, Bell, Plums, Raspberries, Squash, Summer, Tomatillo, Tomato

September:

Back to School Sales through labor day: crayons, pencils, folders, binders

Diabetes: Bayer Glucose Meters, Glucerna Cereal

Seasonal Produce: Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Peppers, Chile Peppers, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Onion, Orange, Valencia, Pears, Asian, Pears, Bartlett, Pomegranate, Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes, Winter Squash

October:

Halloween: Candy

Beginning of the baking sales: Canned pumpkin, evap milk, baking chips

National Seafood Month

Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: Pedigree, Purina

Seasonal Produce: Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Chard, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Lemons, Parsnip, Pears, Pomegranate, Potatoes, Potatoes, Sweet, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Winter, Turnips, Yams

November:

Baking Sales in full swing: nuts, chocolate chips, evap milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, cake mixes

Canned foods – soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce

Turkey, canned pumpkin, stovetop stuffing, betty crocker boxed potatoes, gravy mixes, rhodes rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, jello, marshmallows

Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice pears, cranberries, kiwi, lemons, orange, potato, squash, yams

Clearance: After Halloween sales are the time to stock up on things for the next year. I like to buy the Halloween candy-alternatives like halloween crayons, erasers, watches, spinning tops, etc. I mix this in with my next year’s candy bowl and it stretches my loot for all the neighbor kids!

December:

Holiday Dinner: Egg Nog, Deli Platters, Instant Potatoes, gravy mixes, rhodes rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, jello, marshmallows

Baking: Flour, Sugar, Butter, Cream, Cake mix, Brownie mix, Muffin mix, Breads, Pie Crust, Marshmallow, Whipped cream

Canned foods – soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce

Clearance: Buy all your Thanksgiving Decorations, extra table settings and turkey carving products now once they’re at least 50% off.


Ben the Turkey from the field trip last week

 Planning ahead and creating a stock pile will definitely help cut down your grocery bill. Try buying items at rock bottom prices instead of off sale and without a coupon. What do you think you will save? Did you see my facebook post about couponing? If not, you can read the article here.

be blessed!

t

the Best Part of Waking Up

Is Folgers in your cup!! Actually the best part is getting it for free. That's what I did! All you see here. Free. Free. Free.

I wonder if this is how MLKjr felt when he gave his "I have a dream" speech. {I'm kidding of course.}

Here's the scoop:

{3} $3 off coupons for Splenda (last week's paper)
{3} $1 off coupons from Folgers (paper and printer from internet)
{1} $.50 off 2 coupon for skittles (I needed fillers on this one)
{1} $4 off next purchase from Wags Register Rewards from Taster's Choice

Splenda is on sale this week for $2.99. Folgers is on sale for $2.79/J took to work. Skittles were supposed to be $1.00(which I will go and have adjusted) but I paid $1.29. (Had I not got the Skittes and just got a $.25 meat stick, It would have saved more. BUT the boys got coupons for movies for Easter, so I figured it could be Movie Night Snacks)

In advertised savings I saved $12.60. In coupons savings I saved $16.49. {because the coupon was $3 and the item was only $2.99, they had to adjust the price. who cares... it was FREE!} Total OOP I paid was $3.93.

You might be saying to yourself " UHM, T that doesn't make it FREE!! DUH!" Well, when you factor the SURPRISE, UNADVERTISED $4 Splenda register reward in, it does!!

Have you tried using Walgreens for ANY part of your shopping?  Are you confused about how it works?

Still think you don't have the time to clip coupons? My stunning cousin Andrew made a comment to me the other day about how time =s money. Well Andy... Time = Money SAVED.

be blessed,

t

Rue La La FREE $20 credit

The Rue La La $20 credit is back!!

Ever heard of them? They have some AWESOME deals daily. Most the time you can save up to half OR more! They have just about anything you could want, rotating every couple days!

If you have not yet signed up at Rue La La, you can now score a Free $20 credit. You have to sign up by 4/25 and you must use the credit by 5/25/11.

Don't miss out on your Ru La La free $20 credit!! Who doesn't like FREE money??

I am pretty sure that I am going to score that coffee make that they have listed for the next couple days.

The credit will appear in your account in approximately 48 hours, but then it's yours to use... FOR FREE!!

Gotta love that!

be blessed

t

Meal Planning

Have you already cut coupons from yesterday's paper? Do you have a meal plan? If not, put the scissors down and walk away.

It's super important that you have a meal plan for the time period you will be shopping for. I used to plan just for a couple days, or at most a week. Today, that's different. I plan for at least two weeks, keeping in mind that store sales are usually once every quarter. (MEANING, if there are things today that I KNOW I will need in the next few months, I'm going to stock up. This is called stock piling. AND no.... I'm not talking about purchasing 120 tubes of tooth paste, because like I've said before, that's ridiculous.)

What I am talking about, though, is picking up canned fruits or vegetables when they are on sale. The past few weeks there have been sales on Bird's Eye veggie steamers. Some stores have had them 10 for $10. Using the coupons that you are able to print off, you can get them as low as $.50 a piece. Not bad, right? Keep in mind that most stores that offer B1G1 free or Buy 10 for $10 you are NOT obligated to purchase 10 or get two. The B1G1 will be rung up as half price. It varies from store to store. I'm also talking about cereal, lunch meat, bread, milk, yogurt, cheese. ANYTHING that you can possibly think of that you will need as it is on sale AND you have a coupon for it. (Do you know that you can freeze milk, yogurt, and cheese? That is something I JUST found out.)

Right now there is a Catalina coupon for Hamburger Helper. You save $.75 on three. A lot of stores have sales on these right now. I can't remember what my actual cost was for them at Target last week, but with coupons, I know I saved quite a bit.

The important thing is to plan your meals, then shop your flyers. I plan to help out as much as I can with getting you access to deals in the paper (that is why I asked who my audience was from before). Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

So do you have your meals planned yet? Get busy. We will work out the brands that you will you by Wednesday.

be blessed

t

Here is a little teaser of what I did purchase at Walgreens yesterday. I actually MADE money by purchasing these Nestle Cafe single coffees. Tomorrow I will tell you how.

As always, please leave a comment of some sort so I know who my audience is. If you would like to see certain deals for certain stores, I won't know unless you tell me. ALSO, don't forget about the drawing if I reach 100 followers. No one is paying me for this. I just want to know my writing/couponing experience is also helping someone else.

The BASICS

You saw the SAVINGS, right?? How totally siked about saving are you? Before you jump in and think that you are going to save 50% right away, you really need to know some BASICS. I've done the leg work for you, so hopefully it will make it a little easier.

{1} Maufacturers publish coupons a couple of different ways. They usually come in the Sunday paper. I know you've heard of them. RedPlum, Smart Source, and Proctor and Gamble (about once a month).

{2}Some coupons come in a form printed at the register, called Catalina Coupons. These are coupons that you can use on future purchases and usually have an expiration date. Midwest, you might get them from Safeway, Target, Albertson's, CVS, Walgreens, and Family Thrift. East coast, you might get them from Food Lion, Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Krogers, Walgreens, Target, CVS, and Farm Fresh. (IF you have other stores that you would like me to add, please let me know.)

{3} I spoke about Catalina coupons above, but ONE thing you should also know is that MOST of the drugstore chains AND some grocery stores have their own little Register Rewards {RR}, in which you can earn MONEY towards your next purchase. (Like I did with the Hershey's, AND like what I will be showing you tomorrow). They are Catalinas, too... just for THAT store. {Recently I received a $5 and $7 off from Target; $5 gift card from Krogers, AND $18 from Walgreens. Nice, right?}

{4} Many stores send out their "own" coupons in their sale flyers. Most grocery store ads come out Wednesday and run through the following Tuesday. Krogers comes out in the Sunday paper. {I've been gone from home too long to know if any grocery stores have ads that come out on Sunday.} Walgreens, Target, RiteAid, CVS are all types of drugstores that have coupons in their Sunday/Wednesday ads (usually).

{5} Store card savings. You know what those are, right? The little key tag or card that you carry around with you so you get the BEST deals. A little know fact, though, is that at some stores you can LOAD additional savings to your card either through a kiosk at the store, OR at your stores online site.

{6} You can PRINT coupons from the web. YES, you read correctly. Print them from the internet. You can find an abundant here at Print.Coupons.com where you just enter your zipcode, and you will find the coupons that are offered for your area. YOU can change the zipcode, to see if you can find a product coupon available in another area. You can also find them at REDPLUM, as well as Smart Source. You can EVEN order already clipped or whole inserts from clipping services. (You are paying them for their time, not for the coupon because that would be illegal. We will get into that in the upcoming weeks)

{7} Do you have a specific BRAND that you like, and can't live without? Check out their website. MANY companies offer coupons, especially when you send them a kind note letting them know your brand loyal to them, and you can ask for coupons if available. Keep in mind, not all companies will send freebees. Have you seen updates occassionally from me, "liking" something on facebook? It's usually because there are coupons involved. I don't mind. Afterward, I usually go in and delete the post update, but I still got my coupon.

{8} IF you don't have brand loyalty to a product, don't be afraid to TRY new things. Often it can save you MONEY. And that's why we are doing this, right?? To save us money. There are coupons out there that if you buy a certain brand of spaghetti sauce you then get the STORE brand of spaghetti for free. (This one is VERY popular, so be on the look out for it!)

{9} SMARTPHONES: I almost for got to mention to USE your smartphone to find apps that offer coupons. We have iphones. Target now has a coupon app that sends out coupons that the cashier just scans your phone, and WAHLAH... instant savings! Cellfire is another app. I am JUST starting so I don't know all apps that are available, but I wanted to give you that resource tip so you can find the ones that will work best for you and your family!

{10} Lastly, by COMBINING the store coupon with the manufacturer coupon you will save more money. It's not rocket science. Unfortunately, it takes alot of time to gather all the information that you will need. The good thing is that there is an ABUNDANT of resources out there that I will be sharing with you, so you can get the BEST deals.

So what do you say? Are you TRULY wanting to save? Because first and foremost, You have to WANT to save!!

Tomorrow we will be discussing just how I MADE money at Walgreens with Sunday's purchases, and a little bit of the lingo that goes along with couponing.

I will make it clear, I am not a professional couponer, despite what Linda Palmer may think! ;o) {love ya!} BUT I do want to share my knowledge that I am accumulating with you all. I am not a coupon hoarder. I am not going to go on TLC's extreme couponing show and clear the shelves. I think it's wrong. AND I also think that buying 2000 tooth brushes is wrong. You do NOT need a stockpile that large. IF you are willing to donate to the military both overseas and at home, go for it. BUT, just because YOU can, doesn't mean you should.

I'm sure that I have missed an item or two, but if I think of anything else, I will be sure to update.

**UPDATE**

**I forgot to mention KMART!  I was reminded of their store coupons because I hadn't finished going through the paper yet. SO, if your Kmart is awesome, don't forget to utilize them, as well. **

**Tomorrow we will also be going over Store policies**

IT IS ALSO WRONG TO USE A COUPON FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT IT IS INTENDED FOR. IT IS FRAUD. YOU CAN GO TO JAIL {Jaime}.

As always, please leave a comment on this post so I know who my audience is. Better yet, FOLLOW me. IF I reach {100} followers by the end of April, I will be holding a giveaway! For FREE!! Don't be hogging all the money saving tips for yourself~ refer your friends to my blog! ;o)

be blessed!

t

First trip to Walgreens

This is my first post about {really} couponing. Hope it spikes your interest!

Saturday evening J and I went to Walgreen's because their sales for the week were almost up, and there were a couple of things I wanted to get before I truly missed out. Although THAT particular trip cost us $42.+ out of pocket {oop}, It also netted us {2} $5 Hershey rewards. I did not do exactly like I had planned, BUT I did score some free money. {Which is definitely helpful with Easter coming up.} AND I also got some supplements that I started taking yesterday.

After we went home, I was feeling kind of bummed that it didn't go how I had planned, and that we blew the budget that I {THOUGHT} we would have. I decided to put my game face on and go back out, this time with my plan in hand and NO wavering.

These are the items I bought:

{4} boxes of Peeps chicks {2} bags of Easter peanut M&Ms {4} bags of Hershey kisses, including caramel, plain, and almond (they were clearanced from $4.89 to$2.19, remember I had the $10 Hershey rewards from the previous shopping trip that night) {1} bag of Hershey dark chocolate Nuggats with almonds, {1} bag of Hershey Easter Kisses with Almonds, {2} Hefty ziplock baggies (quart and gallon), {1} Wonka chocolate egg (which was REG $5.89/on sale for $3.79 WITH my $3.00 in coupons I got it for $.79!), {2} Blue Diamond Almonds {sale B1G1), {2}Starburst eggs, {2} packs of Wrigleys FIVE gum, {3} Dove truffle eggs, {3} Dove chocolate bunnies.

We saved $4.29 with {WAGS=Walgreens} in-ad coupons, $14.88 in AD prices, and $23.60 with manufacturer coupons {including the ones from Hersheys}. ALSO, we really did save MORE than that when you look at the FULL picture of the clearance bags of the Hershey's Kisses candy, the Wonka Egg wasn't supposed to ring up on sale yet.

That means we saved a GRAND total of $42.77 OR $58.42 if you include the markdown price of the candy.

For $73.34, I only paid $14.92.

Check it out below

Are YOU ready to get busy saving? LEAVE a comment BELOW just so I know the audience I am writing to with this couponing. No need to leave something fancy. Even a ;o) will do. I have disabled the word verification. You can even leave an anonymous note.

be blessed

T