Bright Side of Couponing: Store Superstars

Since I started a series about the Dark Side of Couponing, y'all knew this was coming, right?  (should always have positive with the negative):

Y'all know who I 'm talking about, but let's set the scene...

You go to the store with your shopping list, coupons, and a strong will to save piles of money.  Sounds like a pretty routine situation, right? Wrong!

For some reason, fate didn't smile on you today.  You are having trouble finding the items on your list.  The price tags are confusing, and they make you question if your deals will work.  Maybe this is even the first time that you are in this store and are getting so confused and overwhelmed that you just want to turn around and never shop ever again.  Whatever it may be, it leaves you standing behind your grocery cart with posture of defeat and a lost look on your face.

Just when you are about to count your loses, you hear:  "Can I help you with anything today?"  You look up to find a friendly face that shows a real intent to help you in whatever way they can, and...

you know everything is going to be just fine.

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Coupon Trip: Ingles

With binder in hand, I go forth for a mini:

So, I ran to Ingles really quick, because they are having some great BOGO sales this week.  I didn't get that much, because we are quite stocked up at the moment, but here are some handy dandy links for y'all to check out:

(Ingles Weekly Ad)

***There are a lot of BOGO deals to match coupons with this week.  Great deals!

(Ingles Coupon Policy)

***Ingles has restrictions on how many coupons they can double.  Be sure to familiarize yourself with the policy.  (I actually have it printed out, and I take it with me.)

(Coupon Like A Man Coupon Database)

***Looking for a coupon for a specific brand or item?   Type it in the search box, and this database will give you all, or most, of the available newspaper coupons and printables.  (I found this one recently and it has become my new favorite database.)   Also, if you are a Facebook user, check the companies' pages for deals and coupons.

This will probably be the only couponing I do this week.  The deals are just not good enough at other places to warrant the amount of gas I would burn going to the stores.  (Unless, I luck out and get a 20% email coupon from CVS.  Y'all know I can't resist that stuff.)

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Sunday Coupon Insert Differences (Knoxville Area)

Like before, I am going off of the full lists on Sunday Coupon Preview.

This post is just to show what the differences were in my regional newspaper.  (Knoxville News Sentinel)

We got 1 insert in this paper: SmartSource.

Also, don't forget to flip through the Parade magazine each week. There are usually a couple coupons in there as well!

To see the details, Click below...

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Coupon Trip: Kroger, Ingles

Making back my gas money by making it another:

So, I went to Kroger and Ingles (again) today.  I got some great deals. (And CVS too!!)

Kroger has a new Mega Event that started today in my area and lasts for two whole weeks!

(See KrogerKrazy Full Inclusions List HERE for the Mega Event)  (Kroger Coupon Policy)

Ingles has great deals as always.  (Ingles Weekly Ad)  (Ingles Coupon Policy)

Want to see what deals I got?  Click below...

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CVS Trip: Over 75% Savings!

The total was $11.30 without tax, and I got back 9 Extra Care Bucks (+5-10 more from beauty club.)

So I guess technically I made money, but my wallet is $11.30 lighter, ya know? 

I spent more than I usually do, but my dad has to use a certain type of shampoo and conditioner.  (And I have a wee bit of a nail polish obsession.  Just a wee one. Haha!)  So, I think this was a pretty good deal given that. 

Also, sometimes I don't mind paying a little more out of pocket to try something like the Nuance Volumizing Hair Foam or the Sally Hansen Polish.  (Been eyeing it for awhile, because the bottle is so pretty!)

I also don't just buy things because they are cheap or free.  If it is something I don't/won't use I leave it for others to get.  Even if it is absolutely free or makes me money.  (I don't love useless clutter in my house.  I have plenty already.  So sometimes I pay a little more than some of the other bloggers out there.  Just a different philosophy I guess.)

Want to see how I did it?  Click Below

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Coupon Trip: Ingles, Dollar General

I try to make every extra trip into town worthwhile with a:

Just picked up a few quick deals today while running some boring, yet necessary, errands.

Tomorrow I should be going to Kroger (to hit the new mega, AHHHHH) and, as always, my first love CVS.  Look forward to it.

Want to see what deals I got this time?  Click below...

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Samples I Got: 2/9 - 2/15

The awesome blogs that I follow to get these great samples:

VonBeau
Hunt4Freebies
FreebieShark

The samples listed below that are still available:

U by Kotex (Pads or Tampons) Sample (HERE)

You can still sign up at PINCHme too!  The next set of samples come out 2/18/14 at 12pm EST.  (Remember they go quickly!)

Want to See What I Got?

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Sunday Coupon Insert Differences (Knoxville Area)

Like before, I am going off of the full lists on Sunday Coupon Preview.

This post is just to show what the differences were in my regional newspaper.  (Knoxville News Sentinel)

We got 1 insert in this paper: Redplum.

Also, don't forget to flip through the Parade magazine each week. There are usually a few coupons in there as well!  (Update: except this week, poo)

To see the details, CLICK below...

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Dark Side of Couponing: The Nightmare Cashier

So if you are a couponer, seasoned or green as grass, you know that it isn't all sunshine, rainbows, and sparkly unicorn poop.  It can be a huge headache, and sometimes it can even get downright nasty.

This series will cover the "not so nice things" that couponers (and savvy shoppers in general) encounter from time to time.   Introducing...

Picture This...

You are at your local store.  The trip has been going great.  They had everything in stock.  All the prices matched what you thought they should be.  So, with your coupons in hand, you head to the front register full of purpose and triumph.

You greet the cashier with your new found burst of cheerfulness, and precede to load all your new treasures on the belt for scanning.

You hand over your handy-dandy loyalty card, and let them know, "Oh, I have some coupons today as well."  Then, it happens...the cashier gives you that look of disdain, utter disgust, and overall detachment.  And you realize...

You picked the wrong cashier, and this is about to be a nightmare!

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Coupon Trip: Target, Walgreens, Ingles

So I went into the city today, and you know what that means:

Oh yeah! 

I got to go to Target, Walgreens, and Ingles, and I put my coupons to work.  (Want to see my awesome savings at CVS this week? go HERE)

Want to see how I did?

Or to see if there is any deals you may want to get before the week is up?

CLICK Below...

 

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CVS Trip: Well Over 90% savings

Yes, that's right! I got all that stuff you see above for $2.79 (subtotal, with tax $8.14 ugh...so much tax in this state).  I think I am finally figuring out the CVS madness!

Want to see the break down of how I did it?

CLICK below...

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Sunday Coupon Insert Differences (Knoxville Area)

Like before, I am going off of the full lists on Sunday Coupon Preview. 

This post is just to show what the differences were in my regional newspaper.  (Knoxville News Sentinel)

We got 2 inserts in this paper: Redplum and Smartsource.

Also, don't forget to flip through the Parade magazine each week. There are usually a few coupons in there as well!

To see the details, CLICK below...

Read More »

Samples I Got (February 2-8)

[This is an attempt at making a title image for this post series.  Y'all be kind.  I haven't looked at image software for the better part of a decade, and I spent a grueling 7 and a half minutes on this.  I think it's cute. Yep, convinced myself already. haha!]

Awesome Sample Blogs That I Follow:

VonBeau
Hunt4Freebies
FreebieShark

I got some awesome samples this week! Want to see the goods? CLICK below!

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My Coupon Trip: Food City, Walmart

I went and put some coupons to work today.  I got some great deals at Walmart and Food City.  [Pay no mind to my messy Walmart shopping cart above. Haha]

Want to see what all I got? CLICK below...

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Coupon Trip: CVS (My First 100% Savings!)

I ran into CVS really quick today, because I had gotten the 20% off email coupon for the first time.  (I had to use it just on principle. Ha!)

It gets even better!  I only paid for tax.  I have gotten 98% savings before, but never 100%!  I was so happy when I looked at my receipt!

Here's the break down:

Purchased:

(1) Glade Twin Refill sale $5
(2) John Frieda Hair $6,99 ea
(1) Lingerie Bag $2

Used:

(1) $3 off 2 John Frieda Products
(1) $1 off 1 Glade Twin Refill
(1) 8 ECBs
(1) 6 ECBs
(1) 20% off

Subtotal: $0.00, and recieved $5 ECBs (will also get $5 more from beauty club)

Now, if only I didn't have to pay the killer tax in my state! Haha!

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My First PINCHme Box!

Y'all I am so excited that I finally got my first PINCHme box!  I ordered my first one back on January 8th, and I was starting to think they forgot about me. Haha! (It was worth the wait though.)

So...

What is PINCHme?

PINCHme sends you a box of samples to try totally free of charge.  New samples pop up on their site every couple of weeks or so. (They always have a banner with the release date of the next samples on their page.)

All you have to do is add them to your box and submit your "order."  (You can usually do 2-3 samples.) 

Then you wait in anticipation for your very own PINCHme box to arrive at your door step.  (It's almost as good as Christmas, guys!)

You, then go on the PINCHme site and, review the samples you received.  Each review you submit earns you points which in turn gets you badges and a higher lever (account level?) that opens up even more possibilities.  (I'm still a mere level 1, guys. So, I'll let you know once I can evolve. haha)

So, what's the catch?

Samples are first come, first served, and they "sell out" QUICKLY.  I think the last ones only lasted about an hour.  (I wasn't home, so I missed out. Poo.)

So, if you sign up, write the next release date in every planner you own.  Put post-its on every door.  And then, you too can get some amazing samples from the folks at PINCHme. (Yes, I did mean for that last bit to be read in a cheesy announcer voice.)

Off to geek out over this box. EEE!!!

Update:
Here's what I got:
 - Suave Advanced Therapy Lotion (worked awesome on my hands...virtually fragrance free as well)
 - U by Kotex Sample Pack (The pad wrappers are so cute on these. They gave me a great coupon too.)
 - Wild Ophelia All Natural New Orleans Chili Dark Chocolate Bar (Delicious, and unlike any chocolate bar I have ever had.  Definitely recommend.)

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My Coupon Trip: Great Deals this Week!

So, I usually go shopping (or on a coupon trip as I call it) about once a week.  I don't live close to many of the stores that have great deals, so I make it worth my while when I drive 30+ minutes, burning gas the whole way.  I hit as many stores as I can.  (It just ain't worth it to me to drive a long way to save a buck or two or to grab one deal.  (I want to save ALL the bucks. Ever!)

This week I hit (so far): Walmart, Target, Kroger, CVS, and Ingles

So, I thought I'd share with y'all some of the deals I got so you can grab some too.  (Or just gawk at the sweet insanity. haha)


Want to see some highlights of my trip? (I included pictures and everything, guys.  Focused and everything.)

Seriously...  ;)

CLICK Below to see the details of my madness...I mean, coupon trip...haha

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Kroger: Just a Couple Days Left on the Current Mega Event Sale

So I just double checked last week's Kroger Ad and noticed something.

The Kroger in my area has changed their ad cycle from Sunday through Saturday to Wednesday through Tuesday.  (I kept wondering where my Sunday Kroger Ad was. haha!)

So check on your Kroger ad to see if yours also changed.  You can also check it online at Kroger.com

If so, you know what that means? A couple more days to get some deals on the current Mega Event you may have missed.  (The bottom of my ad says the sales are good until midnight on Tuesday, February 4.)

Also, please note, you DO need to have a Kroger Card to get these deals.

Want to know what items are included on the current Mega Event?

Check out KrogerKrazy's full inclusions lists HERE

Never Shopped a Mega Event before?

Check out KrogerKrazy's great post for beginners HERE

Want to hear about some of the deals I've picked up on this Mega Event? CLICK below...

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Sunday Coupon Insert Differences (Knoxville Area)

Like before, I am going off of the full lists on Sunday Coupon Preview.  This is just to show what the differences were in my regional newspaper.  (Knoxville News Sentinel)

We got 2 inserts in this paper: Redplum and Smartsource.

Also, don't forget to flip through the Parade magazine each week. There are usually a few coupons in there as well!

To see the details, CLICK below...

Read More »