Living off of Coupons

Freebies

2010-02-18T11:06:00.001-05:00

Check out Attention Target Shoppers for a huge list of Freebies!

$15 Olay rebate moneymaker (without leaving the house!)

2010-02-17T21:33:00.000-05:00

Tara over at Deal Seeking Mom has a great post on how you make the $15 Olay rebate into a moneymaker and not even leave the house! Check it out here!

Thanks http://www.centsiblesavings.com/ for highlighting this alternative deal!

Get a $10 Publix gift card from Unilever and Kimberly-Clark when you purchase $30.00 of participating product.

2010-01-12T15:02:00.002-05:00

http://unilever-rewards.com/rewards.php

* Offer good only on purchases made between 1/11/10 and 2/13/10.
* Products must be purchased in one shopping visit.
* Circle your purchases of any of the participating Kimberly-Clark and Unilever brands listed that total a minimum of $30.00 on your original Publix receipt.
* Place the original receipt and entry form in an envelope and mail with the correct amount of postage to the address indicated. Please retain a copy
for your records.
* Envelopes must be postmarked by 2/19/10 and received by 2/26/10. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks from 2/19/10.
* One offer per household, while supplies last, total not to exceed 5,000 (five-thousand) gift cards.

Part icipating brands:

HUGGIES® diapers,
PULL-UPS® Training Pants,
GoodNites® Underpants,
COTTONELLE® Toilet Paper,
KOTEX® Products,
VIVA® Towels,
KLEENEX® Facial Tissue,
SCOTT® Towels,
SCOTT® Bath Tissue,
DEPEND® Underwear,
POISE® Pads,
Bertolli® Dinner for Two,
Bertolli® Oven Bake Meals™,
Bertolli® Pasta Sauce,
Breyers® Ice Cream (1.5 qrt.),
Breyers® Novelties,
Brummel & Brown® Spread,
Country Crock® Side Dishes,
Shedd’s Spread Country Crock® Spread,
Good Humor® Ice Cream,
Hellmann’s® Mayonnaise,
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!®,
Klondike® Bars,
Knorr® Sides™,
Lipton® Iced Tea Mix,
Lipton® Green Tea,
Lipton® Recipe Secrets® Mixes,
Lipton® Tea (24-100 ct.),
Popsicle® Frozen Novelties,
Promise® Buttery Spread,
Ragú® Pasta Sauce,
Skippy® Peanut Butter,
Slim-Fast!® 3-2-1 Snack Bars,
Slim-Fast!® 3-2-1 Meal Bars,
Slim-Fast!® 3-2-1 Shakes,
Wish-Bone® Salad Dressing,
Caress® Beauty Bar or Body Wash,
Degree® Deodorant,
Dove® Beauty Bar and Body Wash,
Dove® Lotion,
Dove® Hair Care,
Dove® Deodorant,
Lever 2000® Bar or Body Wash,
Pond’s® Facial Care Products,
Q-tips® Cotton Swabs,
Suave Kids®,
Suave® Hair Care,

Suave® Deodorant,
Suave® Body Wash,
Vaseline® Lotion products.

Money Crashers 2010 New Year Giveaway Bash – $7,500+ in Cash and Amazing Prizes

2010-01-12T07:26:00.002-05:00

Wow I can not believe it has been a year since my last update. I just found this great website that offers financial information and is currently running a great contest from January 4-31, 2010. Winners will be announced on February 3, 2010.

So check out this site http://www.moneycrashers.com/new-year-2010-giveaway-bash/#howthecontestworks and enter to win!

Please stay with Me!!!

2009-02-16T19:35:00.001-05:00

I am sorry that I have not been updating my blog for the last few weeks. I have been so overwhelmed with expired coupons for the military overseas, that I have not had time to post or even keep up with the weekly deals. Please let me know if you have received one of my business cards by posting a comment below. I promise the deals will be coming.

To get things going again, I will be giving away a $25 Bath and Body Works gift card, with a new a "Click and Comment" on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. So please check back for this great giveaway.

Dollar General

2009-01-31T13:45:00.003-05:00

Dollar General

Red Hot Deals

Colgate Toothpaste 3oz Regular or Baking Soda Peroxide
Price $0.85
Coupon $0.75 from the 2/1 SS
Final Price $0.10 WOW!!!!!!!!

Pantene 6.8oz Shampoo or Conditioner
Price $2.00
Coupon $3.00/2 12/28 P&G
Final Price $1.00/2 or $0.50 each!!!!

2009-01-31T00:44:00.002-05:00

Timestamp: 2009-01-31 12:46 Am EST

There were 190 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Janelle at Not Just Leftovers - Brand New Meals is our winner!

Here is what Janelle had to say.

"I try to keep a list in a notebook of what rebates I have sent for and when. I don't get many forms at all here, so I don't have many. Walgreen's are my main rebates, and I've just learned to do them online, so it's easy-peasy!! :-)"

Thank you for your responses! We had some great input and I will give some feedback tomorrow. Come back again, I will have a new "Click and Comment Monday", February 2, 2009, Ground Hog Day. I will be giving away a $10.00 WAGS Gift Card.

Papa John's save 20%

2009-01-27T17:37:00.002-05:00

You can sign up at Papa Johns to receive special email offers and save an extra 20% on your next online order.

Local Canton-Cherokee County Deals

2009-01-27T14:53:00.003-05:00

Here are some local deals, for anyone who received my business card while shopping!

McFarland's IGA
Prices Effective Wednesday, January 28-Tuesday February 3, 2009
McFarlands does not double coupons or accept Internet Printed coupons.

SUPERHOT DEAL!!!!!
Lipton Family Size Tea Bags 24 count
$.98(WOW!)
use the $.60/1 coupon from the 1/18 Red Plum(RP)insert
Final Price $.38

Wheat Thins, Triscuits(Nabisco)
2/$4.00
use the $2.00/2 coupon from the 1/15 SmartSource(SS) insert
Final price $1.00 each

Gain 2x Detergent
$4.98
use the $.50/1 coupon from the 1-18 Proctor & Gamble(P&G) insert
Final Price $4.48

Post Cereals
2/$4.00
use the $1.00/2 coupon from the 1-18 SS insert
Final Price $1.50 each

Mott's For Tots Juice
2/$5.00
use the $1.00/1 coupon from the 12-7 SS insert
Final Price $1.50 each

Air Wick Aerosol
$2.98
use the B2G2 coupon from the 1-25 SS
Final Price $1.50 each when you buy 4

Hefty One Zip Storage Bags
$1.98
use the $.50/1 coupon from the 1-25 RP
Final Price $1.48 each

Kraft 2% Singles 12-oz
$2/$5.00
use the $1.00/1 blinkie that was found at Publix
Final Price $1.50

Breakstone Sour Cream
2/$3.00
use the .55/1 coupon found in the 1-22 SS
Final Price $.95

FAMILY DOLLAR
prices effective through Sunday February 8, 2009

SUPERHOT DEAL!!!!!

Lysol Neutra Air Starter kit
$6.00
use the $5.00/1 coupon found in the 1-11 SS
Final Price $1.00

Hershey's Kisses, Miniatures and Reeses Bagged Candy
$2.75
use the $2.00/2 coupon found in the 1-25 SS
Final Price $1.75 each when you buy 2

Please comment on any additional local deals you may have found.

It's Click and Comment Monday!!! $25 Walmart GC.

2009-01-26T16:48:00.004-05:00

Okay, this is a new feature for my blog, every Monday, I will post a topic and hopefully we will get this feature rolling.

To kick things off, I will be giving away a $25 Walmart Card.

The giveaway is simple. Just leave a comment about our subject of the week, with your name and email address. I do respect everyone's need for privacy. So if you feel uncomfortable displaying your info, you can still enter. Just email me directly at livingoffofcoupons@gmail.com

I'm going to cut the entries off on Friday at Midnight. (EST) One winner will be randomly selected by random.org. I'll contact the winner via email and announce it in a posting Saturday.

TOPIC OF THE WEEK - REBATES

Tell me how you handle your rebates, what tricks have you learned to make sure your rebate is processed smoothly. Tell me about your favorite store, example Rite Aid, and how easy it is to turn in your rebates. Also, post any rebates you may have found.

Good luck to everyone and lets get those entries started!

Local Cherokee County Savings Alerts

2009-01-22T22:58:00.002-05:00

Kroger

Johnson Buddie Bars catalina.

Buy 3 Johnson and Johnson products and receive $3.00 off any (3) Johnson Baby or Desitin Products.

This deal is still working as of January 22, 2009.

Use the Johnson's Baby Product or Johnson's Buddies Product, Any from the 01-04-09 RP.

Price $1.09
Coupon $1.00 off
Final cost $.09

INGLES

Its triple coupon time! I have found the following deals.

French's mustard
$1.38
$.35 coupon tripled 1/18/2009 SS

Final cost $.33

Smuckers Jelly(Grape and Apple) this is the large jar.
$1.34
$.35 coupon tripled
Final Cost $.29

Tidy Cat bag kitty litter
$2.00
$1.00 coupon found on Purina Naturals Indoor Cat food 3.5lb bag
Final Cost $1.00

PUBLIX

Weight Watchers Smart Ones
These are currently on sale for 50% off, includes breakfast, entree's, desserts and sandwiches.

I found, Lasanga, Spaghetti, and Cheese Ziti for $1.02.
$2.00/4 - Target Coupon found in the 10/19/2008 SS
$1.00/5 - Printable go here.
Final Cost $.42 each!!!!!

Rotel Diced Tomatos
$.65
$.30 doubled 1/18/2009 SS
Final Price $.05

Check back for more of my coupon deals!

WARNING ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY

2009-01-22T13:01:00.002-05:00

I am very saddened to write this edition to my blog, but must do so to warn others about the deceptive practices that Oriental Trading has stooped too, in order to make a few additional dollars.

Yesterday, I placed a small order and was lured in to a "Thank you from Ordering from Oriental Trading, here is $15 off your next order."

Just by clicking on that box, my credit card information, address, telephone and name was immediatly transmitted to the EMI-Encore Marketing, aka Easy Saver. They proceeded to bill me $3.99 on my Oriental Trading order and pinged my credit card for $1.00. Which is how they determine if you have money available on your credit card.

I was livid!!!!! How dare Oriental Trading give them my personal information and credit card number!!!. I never keyed it in myself.

So I promptly canceled my order. Called EMI-Encore and canceled their service, which is travel discounts, etc. Confirmed the address that my certified letter needs to be sent to, to opt-out of this program. I also let Oriental trading know that I will not be doing business with them in the future due to the deceptive practices of a company they have chosen to aligned themselves with to earn a few extra dollars.

I also let Oriental Trading know, that I will pass this information on to others and that I will suggest they quit ordering from them until they distance themselves from EMI-Encore, aka Easy Saver.

Thankfully, I was not charged the $14.95 A MONTH, for many months before I found out. I figured it out, when I looked at my Credit Card information on line to make sure the correct amount was charged. The invoice that was issued at the time of check out and the one emailed to me was different.

So buyer beware! I have learned a huge lesson and will never click again.

Signed,

The newbie, who never orders anything on line.

Weekly Menu

2009-01-19T11:43:00.001-05:00

Monday
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Tuesday
Spaghetti
Garlic Bread
Salad

Wednesday
Potato Soup

Thursday
Meatloaf
Greenbeans
Rolls
Mashed Potatoes

Friday
Chicken Enchiladas

Colgate: Free $25-value travel bag with $15 purchase

2009-01-14T15:03:00.002-05:00

Money Saving Mom has listed a great deal if you have scored the free Colgate toothpaste in the recent weeks. There is a limited supply, so gather those receipts and request your free $25-value travel bag.

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Racetrac 2009 Calendar

2009-01-12T21:30:00.002-05:00

Okay, I have been serial blogging today. Here is a good deal from Racetrac, if you live in the Canton area, we have a new location on Marietta Highway.

For $.75 you can purchase this calendar, that has a coupon a month, for you to use.

January
Free sandwich(a fountain drink can be subsituted)

February
Free 16oz Nesquick

March
Free Coffee or cappuccino

April
Free pop tarts pack

May
Free frozen beverage

June
Free fresh pastry or doughnut

July
Free fresh baked cookie

August
Free M&M's ice cream treat.

September
Free 3.75oz Chex Mix

October
Free standard size Reeces Candy

November
Free bag of Frito lay $.59 seeds or nuts

Publix Free Groceries

2009-01-12T20:55:00.002-05:00

Publix has two sweepstakes going on right now.

The first one Return to School Sweeps has four grand prizes of $1000 and 500 1st place prices of $100. All prizes will be awarded as a Publix gift card. This sweeps starts 01/01/2009 and ends 1/31/2009. You can enter online or find the entry forms at your local Publix. This one was found by the Post Cereal.

The second is Win free groceries for a year from Publix. A grand price of $10,000, four 1st place prize of $1,000 and 100 second place prizes for $100 worth of groceries. All prizes will be awarded as a Publix Gift Card. This sweep starts 01/08/2009 and ends 03/09/2009. This entry form was found in the produce section and is sponsored by Idaho potatoes and Sargento Finishers.

The Coupon Mom Seminar

2009-01-12T07:18:00.003-05:00

Stephanie Nelson, "The Coupon Mom" is coming to my local town of Canton, GA for a seminar. Click the above link, if you would like to register and attend.

When: Saturday, February 7, 2009
Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Weekly Menu's

2009-01-12T07:01:00.002-05:00

Saturday
Goulash

Sunday
Cabbage and Sausage

Monday
Ham
Cubed Baked Seasoned Potatoes
Green Beans
Apple Sauce
Brownies

Tuesday
Spaghetti
Garlic Bread
Salad

Wednesday
White Chicken Chilli

Thursday
Pizza-Take out

Friday
Pork Chops
Stuffing
Green Beans
Peach Cobbler

Overseas Coupon Responses

2009-01-11T18:50:00.003-05:00

WOW!!!!! Atlanta has a huge heart!!!! The Overseas Coupon Project has had a overwhelming response from the citizen's of metro Atlanta. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!! I have received some very sweet letters that I would like to share with you.

Letter #1

Ladies of the American Legion Post #45
I have given other people a copy of this letter, I ran off the computer. Thanks for letting us know about this. God Bless you all!

Terri D.
Griffin, GA

Please pass this on!

Letter #2

Hello,
Thank you for doing this for our troops. It is a very kind thing for you all to do.

I wanted to let you know that my daughter Zoe, she is 7 years old - saw you on the 11 Alive news and thought it was so cool, what you were doing for the troops that she went through our Sunday paper today and cut all of the coupons out and organized them in plastic folders.(I couldn't get her to just put them in a plain evelope.)

Thank you again!
Laura and Zoe(7) B.

A 7 year old did her part, how about you?

Walgreen deals January 11 - 17, 2009

2009-01-09T15:51:00.007-05:00

Jenny over at Southern Savers has posted more deals at Walgreens.(WAGS)

Colgate Total or Regular Toothpaste B1G1 at $2.79 (w/in-ad coupon)
-$1.50 Colgate Total, printable (buy 2, use 2 coupons makes it FREE plus overage)

Aquafresh Advanced, Extreme Clean or White n’ Shine 5.6-6oz $2.99
-$2 off Easy Saver Coupon in January Easy saver Booklet
-$1 Aquafresh Advanced, printable
-$1 Aquafresh Ultimate White, or Sensitive Toothpaste 3.4 oz. or larger, printable
-$1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaset 4 oz. or larger, printable
-.75/1 Aquafresh Premium Toothpaste, any 5.6 oz.+ SS 01/04
Total= FREE plus .01¢ overage

Quaker Oats B1G1 at $2.79 (w/in-ad coupon)
-$1 off Quaker Oats printable, printable (IE)and printable (FF) (makes it .40¢ ea)

Pepsi Products 12 packs 5 for $15, Buy 5, get $5 RR
(makes it $2 ea after RR)

Woman's Day Magazine - Cottonelle Coupon

2009-01-09T15:30:00.004-05:00

I just received a email from Woman's Day Magazine about their new coupon site.

Woman's Day has always understood the importance of running a household on a budget, and now we've found a new way to help you save: by bringing you you printable coupons that you can search by location, type, or even by a specific brand—no (real) clipping required! Before you make your next trip to the supermarket or drugstore, go to womansday.com/coupons and browse coupons for items that your family needs. Once you’ve selected your coupons, simply print them out and start shopping to see your savings add up!

One of the coupons listed is Cottonelle Coupon that can be used on any size. Kroger has the Cottonelle 4-pk for $.99. So if you used this coupon(and your store doubles), it would be free!!!

USO

2009-01-07T07:53:00.004-05:00

I spent yesterday volunteering at the Atlanta USO, making 480 turkey sandwiches. These sandwiches were for 4000+ returning troops. Most of these soldiers were returning overseas, after they had completed their R&R over Christmas. I didn't feel that it was right to take any pictures of these men and women. Most looked very haggard, some were sleeping or just looked emotionally drained.

It was very different being on the giving and not receiving end at this USO. Two years ago, I spent 10 hours waiting for my husband to come home on R&R. His flight was delayed and then he was bumped. Let me tell you 10 hours with 4 kids was very long. I can't tell you how many times we went up and down the elevator to the restroom.

Our fellow volunteers were soldiers from Fort MacPherson. The military allows them so much time during work hours to volunteer at the USO. It is very convenient and just a Marta train ride away.

If you get a chance, take a couple of hours and volunteer at your airport's USO. Or find out what can be donated. Everyone of these soldiers were handed a phone card as left to go back overseas. I will try to find my list, it is here somewhere and will update later, items that can be donated.

Weekly Menu

2009-01-05T21:57:00.007-05:00

Thought I would start off the New Year on the right foot. I really want to save money and time, so I have decided to plan my week night menu for the week. Once I make this a good habit, I will add the weekends.

Monday:
Chicken baked in a white wine cream sauce
peas
cream of corn
fried apples

Tuesday:
Spaghetti
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Brownies

Wednesday:
Beans and Cornbread

Thursday:
Chicken and stuffing casserole
Greenbeans

Friday:
Chilli

Walgreens, Oh My!

2009-01-05T21:40:00.005-05:00

Had a good day, visiting my local WAGS. No I did not clear the shelves of Glucose Monitors. I am so happy with this haul, the VA hospital in Dublin, Georgia and my doctor's office is going to be very happy. Now to score some test strips and I will be good.

I have not had a chance to add up my receipts, but it was a very good day. The pitiful little tree in the back, is going to be shipped to Afghanistan. For five dollars, I got the tree, that has built in lights and ornaments. For some that may seem like a lot for a display item, but it was the smallest tree I could find and liked. I was not happy with Walmart's little trees this year. They didn't look like you could hang any ornaments on it.

Made the husband happy, brought home the dreaded honey. I'm allergic to it and just hate to buy it. Looks like I will be making lots of Apple and Pumpkin pies. I scored more pumpkin at Publix. My son loves pumpkin pie and would eat it every day if I made it. In fact, he is allergic to food coloring dies and does not like birthday cake. So mom gets the easy job of making pumpkin pies in July.

Of course, I scored plenty of candy and make up. That will make the teenager happy and mom too.

Now off to plan my next shopping trip. I need to pick up more free Cottonelle 4-pk toilet paper at Kroger. There is a $.50 coupon(if your store doubles) that would make this item free. They are priced at $.99.

Walgreen's Haul Today

2009-01-05T21:33:00.002-05:00

Okay, it looks like I maybe went a little overboard on the Blood Sugar Monitors(no I did not clear the shelves.) I am very lucky to live near many Walgreen's stores. These monitor's will be given to the Veteran's Hospitals here in the state of Georgia. Now to score the test strips.

Recipe: Goulash

2009-01-03T22:10:00.006-05:00

I really wanted something different for lunch today and lately I have been wanting Goulash. I have never made it, but have fond memories of my Mother and Grandmother cooking it when I was little.

This is a very easy recipe.

1lb Hamburger
1 large onion
8 servings of cooked Elbow Macaroni(leave in colander)Cook in a large pot.
1 large can of Diced tomatoes
1 large can of Tomato Sauce

Cook hamburger, when it is done add the onion. Cook until onions begin to get tender.

Put 1/2 of the diced tomatoes, hamburger/onion mixture and1/2 of the tomato sauce in the large pot.

Add the Macaroni and stir in the rest of the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.

I seasoned my mixture, with a little salt, pepper, oregano and garlic salt. Season to your tastes.

Serve after it heats.

Giveaway: GE Lighting $25,000

2009-01-01T21:09:00.002-05:00

Enter every day for your chance to win cash to reinvent your home! $100,000 of prizes in all!

http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/coupons_offers/lighting_style/sweepstakes.htm

• Grand Prize (1): $25,000* Décor Cash

• First Prize (100): $500*

• Second Prize (500): $50*

Sweepstakes runs through March 31, 2009.
• Enter the sweepstakes
• Official rules
• Sweepstakes FAQs

*Prizes awarded in the form of a check.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. GE WHAT'S YOUR LIGHTING STYLE? SWEEPSTAKES begins at 12:00:00 AM (ET) on 08/15/2008 and ends at 11:59:59 PM (ET) on 03/31/2009. Must be legal resident of 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 21 or older and have online access at time of entry. Official Rules Apply. Official Rules.

Publix: Holy cow Batman, that's going to be a lot of Fruitcake!

2009-01-01T15:33:00.007-05:00

I scored big time today at Publix. They had all of their candied fruit on sale for .25 and .50 each. The bonus was the 2/.50 off coupons on top of each of the containers.

63 containers of candied fruit.
$216.80 Shelf Price
OOP .49

I have never made fruitcake before, but my friend Aileen is going to be in 7th heaven.

Operation Overseas Coupons "Coups for the Troops"

2008-12-31T17:25:00.002-05:00

http://www.11alive.com/money/consumer/story.aspx?storyid=125168&catid=289

CANTON, Ga. -- On a recent afternoon, about a dozen Canton residents, mostly women, sat at a long cafeteria table and clipped thousands of coupons. "Coups for the Troops!!" laughed American Legion Auxiliary Post 45 President Jo Ann Agee.

The volunteers clip and snip current and recently expired coupons to send to military families at the bases overseas. They have adopted an Army Base in Ansbach, Germany where thousands of U.S. Military families are stationed. "Everyone uses coupons who lives overseas. When you first get to a base you have nothing but the clothes on your back. Your stuff takes 30 days to arrive if you're lucky. You have very little money to set up house, and the coupons are a godsend, said Michele Pierce, whose husband just retired from the Army.

She said the cost of living for military families stationed overseas can be prohibitive. "I know in Japan there was a story about a lady who was pregnant. She wanted a watermelon. It was $20.00 for just one watermelon!" she said.

Pierce said stores located on military bases will accept coupons that have expired up to 6 months ago. "Women use them very strategically there. If they have a $4.00 coupon for an item that costs $1.50, they can use what they call overage for $2.50 worth of meat to feed their family," she said.

Pierce said she is in frequent communication on the internet with her adopted families. "The base in Ansbach used close to 40 thousand dollars worth of coupons in one month alone. Forty thousand dollars they saved!" she said.

Auxiliary President Jo Ann Agee said she is honored to be able to help the military. "It's because of all they have done for us that we have the freedom to sit here and clip coupons," she said. We all get so busy in our day to day lives sometime people forget to think about our troops and their families they have to take care of."

To donate coupons, send them to

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY POST 45
160 McCLURE ST,
CANTON, GA 30114
ATTENTION: OPERATION OVERSEAS COUPONS

To Adopt a Base: go to ocpnet.org

Operation Overseas Coupons

2008-12-21T03:14:00.002-05:00

http://www.cherokeetribune.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/9/section/29/item/124575.html

Here is a link to a newspaper article in my local Sunday Newspaper. I am the Chairwoman of the Operation Coupon Program for my American Legion Auxiliary Unit. Here are some tips on how to support our military families overseas. Send them your expired coupons.

National Security
Coupon Program

The purpose of the Coupon Program, is to offer additional savings, to our overseas military families, that are living in areas that have a high cost of living. Many of these families can not afford to live in these environments, so they rely on expired coupons to make ends meet.

What do I do and How and do I get started?

Collect coupons

Please do not send, rebate forms, restaurant coupons or store specific coupons, that say redeem only at "Publix".
Coupons can be found just about anywhere, magazines, the Sunday paper, free newspapers thrown in your yard. Coupon machines in the grocery stores and in products that you purchase. Its amazing where you can find these wonderful cost savings creatures.
Ask your friends, neighbors, church groups, Girl Scout Troops, Starbucks, Library's, etc to collect coupons for you. Many people just throw them away or only cut what they need.
Coupons can be used up to six months after their expiration date at the overseas commissaries.
It is best to only send coupons that have been expired for two months. Because of the time it takes to ship overseas and the time it takes for the Commissary or MWR to sort these coupons, they could expire and never be used.

Sort, Sort, Sort

Coupons need to be sorted into two groups. Food and Non-food. You can further sort by putting items in to Health and Beauty, Frozen, Cat/Dog, Baby, etc. Its up to you.
Place all sorted coupons in Ziploc bags, this makes it easier to pack and unpack.
Coupons need to be counted for our annual report. Place in like groups and count. Or you can estimate, your average Sunday paper has at least $125 worth of coupons in it. Most sales stands will tell you that weeks savings.

Where do I send my coupons and what is the best way to send them?

Go to http://www.ocpnet.org/base_list.htm to adopt a base.
You can request, flat rate APO/AE Priority boxes from the USPS, you can send coupons for $9.30. I was using a different box, rectangular in shape. This box typically held 7lbs, but I have been able to fit 11lbs. I have not used the flat rate box yet, but will report on how much will fit in it.
You must fill out a "long" custom's form, it is white. This looks very intimidating, but really is not. Description should be coupons. Please call me if you have any questions how to fill out this form.

Wreath's Across America

2008-12-13T13:23:00.001-05:00

Wreath's Across America, is way to honor those who have given their lives for our country. In 1992, the Worcester Wreath Company found themselves with an excess of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Seeing an opportunity to make a boyhood dream a reality, efforts to do something special with those wreaths began in earnest. With the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery, a section which received fewer visitors with each passing year.Now over fifteen years and over 100,000 wreaths later, the original group has been joined by many others who participate in the project each year.

In creating Wreaths Across America, it was the wish of Morrill and Karen Worcester to bring children and Veterans together, as the ideal way of expressing appreciation for the past, present, and future sacrifices our Veterans (and their families) make for this country.

http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/about.html

Today, my daughter and I joined about several hundred people today, in Canton, Georgia. At the Georgia National Cemetery to help honor those who have given all for our country. We unfortunately missed the actual wreath laying, but made it for the beautiful ceremony. What a site it was to see that awesome bird, the C-130 make not one but two fly by's over the cemetery. They were extremely low and absolutely moving. If you have a chance, take part in this event, at a National Cemetery near you next Christmas. It is a wonderful way to get the whole family involved in something very special.

Sir Fatness

2008-12-13T01:54:00.001-05:00

Just a random picture, but Hemi, or as we have nicknamed him, Sir Fatness. Seems to enjoy all of the kitty treats, I get for free. Believe it or not, but he will be one in March.

Christmas Gifts for Teachers version 2008.1

2008-12-13T01:12:00.001-05:00

Every where I look this year, this Apple Green seems to be a popular color this Christmas. I found these cute little baskets at the Dollar Tree, along with the tissue paper. Yes its a menagerie of items, but they were all FREE!!!!!

Total cost of gift basket.

Basket $1.00
Tissue $.10
2 - Glade Candle's , 2 - Glade Warmer's and Refill, Sharpies, Finger nail files, Finger Nail Clippers, Finger Nail Polish, Pledge Duster and Refill, Dawn Renewal hand soap,Martha White Muffin Mix, and hot chocolate mix. $0.00

Total OOP(out of pocket)
$1.10 plus tax.

Next year I will plan for more of a theme, heck I have 365+ days to plan.

Oh How I love Target and Glade.

2008-12-03T23:00:00.001-05:00

Great deals found today at Target, I found more "free" Christmas presents.

Glade Oil Warmers
Purchased 32 for a total of $94.40.

Coupons redeemed - $71.62
(These were peelies found on the Glade Refills at Walgreen's. Buy Glade warmer and get itfor free.

Paid Out of Pocket(OOP) $22.78

Earned Target Gift cards for purchasing 4 Glade qualifying products.
$35.00(7*$5.00)

Used Target Gift Cards from a previous deal to purchase above items.
$15.00(3*$5.00)

Cash Paid
$7.78

This was a $12.22 money maker, basically Target paid me $12.22 to take these items home!

Walgreen's(WAGS)

2008-12-03T00:26:00.001-05:00

Walgreen's is my new best friend. Tonight I was able to stockpile more Christmas gifts.

10 - 3M Magic Tape ($1.19) Free after coupons
11 - Gillette Fusion Razors ($6.00) $.09 each after coupons
1 - Reese Peanut Butter cup ($.59)
1 - Marshmallow Santa ($.41)
1 - Label Maker ($24.99)
9 - Sunday Papers($.70)
1 - Plastic Cup($1.29)
1 - 2L of Mtn. Dew($1.79)
Total $113.27

Coupons $60.21
RR $ 15.00

OOP(out of pocket) $38.06
Savings 66%

And to think I only went to Walgreen's to pick up a 2L of Mountain Dew to tide my husband over until I can get to Target tomorrow for their major sale on 12 packs.

Inspiration

2008-12-01T23:27:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by,

http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com

to create this blog. Wow! Can you imagine only spending $800 dollars a year on groceries for 4 people? I don't promise to do that, just yet, give me some time. But I do promise to share with you my shopping experiences and how I save money. So thank you for reading my blog, and please come back for my daily updates!