A fun FRUGAL day

So this year has started off at a ridiculously fast pace for me. I have not been able to focus much on deals and shopping, but with all that is going on in my life the deals are more important now than ever. I don't have much extra time to blog but I can't help but share today's adventures.

I have been reading all week about the great new Joy Of Football coupon book at Randall's this week, I even went in search on my one free lunch break this week. I was really wanting to find this book, because it has several great high dollar coupons.

This afternoon I had an appointment to get my oil changed in the Mom-Mobile and it happened to be near a Randall's. I was so excited to see the display at the front door that is supposed to hold these coveted coupon books! It was empty! I was bummed, but I knew I didn't want to waste a trip to Randall's so I headed to the back of the store where they have their clearance section. On my way through the meat department, I glanced at the 50% off meats and saw a few really great single packs of steak. Since my stock of meat is running low, I grabbed them the most expensive was going to be only about $2.75. Then I looked behind me at a small shelf and saw a huge stack of the coupon books! WOOOHOO! I took three and headed to the clearance section. While I was browsing the deals I found several six packs of apple sauce. Even without a coupon, these were going to be $1.15 each. Since the kids both like to take a lunch from home I grabbed six of these.
Ready to check out I glanced through my new coupon books and saw a $2 off 1 Ranchers Reserve coupon. Turns out the steaks I grabbed were Rancher's Reserve. I was so happy. Three steaks for under $2.

I still have to find a few more deals tomorrow, with my sidekicks along for the ride, it should be a fun day! Oh yeah and that oil change I got today, yeah, it was FREE! I got a letter from several local shops welcoming me to the neighborhood when I moved in here in April. I haven't paid to have the oil changed in my Mom-Mobile since then.

One more Frugal thing happened today! Both of my incredible sidekicks came home with PERFECT report cards. Those perfect report cards are rewarded with FREE kids meals from Chick Fil A. SO tomorrow's lunch is FREE too!

TLC show Extreme couponing

I wasn’t going to watch this show. I really didn’t plan on it. I didn’t even set the DVR when I went out last night. As the show began to air I began to see so many conversations about what was happening that I couldn’t resist. When I got home I set the DVR to catch the second run of the show.

My initial thoughts when I heard that a show was being made were how much negative backlash it would create. I don’t think my concerns were far off. I believe that it was staged, 100%, fake. Yes, it is mathematically possible, but probable, not at all. The network must have contacted the stores to get the permission. I am sure that the stores were promised a few well placed logo shots in return and probably well compensated. I am by no means the COUPON POLICE, I don’t want to judge the people who participated in the show, but I am very disappointed.

Crying because a coupon doesn’t scan, and taking over every square inch of floor space in the house are all signs of an addiction or of Hoarding. I don’t believe that even with kids anyone can use the amount of stuff two of these people have in their house.

I believe every one of them when they say that they make regular donations to their local charities. As do most all of us who coupon shop. I just have one thing that really bugs me about the show, and the way things were portrayed. Before I ever went on my first shopping trip armed with my coupons I did a lot of research. I found tons of sites, all with incredible information. The one thing that was taught at every site was to fly below the radar. It is a hard thing to remember, especially when you are new to the game. But, it is vitally important. You don’t want to come to the attention of the stores. All it takes is one moody cashier or manager and you are going to have trouble every time. If a store begins to notice me I pray that it is because I am a nice person, and I stand out for that reason only. I do think that calling ahead to order stuff is a good idea; I will never clear the shelves of a deal, unless there is only one left when I get there. I have not ever ordered extras, but I have considered it. If I ever encounter a deal I cannot pass on I would definitely do it.

I have never gotten in a recycling bin to look for coupons. Again, I wouldn’t put it past me though. Given the chance, I believe I certainly would.

I don’t believe that any of my stores, even stating that I have an AWESOME group of managers and cashiers that I have gotten to know would order me 1100 of any one item.

I want to help others; it is what we are called as Christians to do. But, I will not give up my time with my family, my sanity or my reputation to do so. I will teach anyone who wants to learn and I will continue to donate all I can to any charity I can. But, I will not ask my family to make major sacrifices for me to do so. I do not clip coupons during family time, I do not shop at all hours of the night, I do not miss special events to go get a deal and I do not spend more hours clipping coupons than I do at the office. I am already away from my family too much as it is for work. We all have our own way of being, and to each their own, I just really hope that the stores and manufacturers don’t begin changing the rules again because these four people exposed the tricks of the game.

100th Post

Wow! I totally missed that one! My last post was my 100th post! I am really enjoying being a blogger. I am so busy right now with work and the kids schedules that I am so far behind. I am really looking forward to the holiday season so I can have a few extra hours to work on my blog and on my shopping. I am on the look out for great Christmas deals for you all, and I will certainly post them as I find them.

I would definitely recommend watching the Groupon deal sin the weeks to come. There are going to be some great deals no doubt!

My Kroger Trip Today

So all of the speculation seems to be true. I asked the manager at my Kroger today and they are no longer limiting the number of like coupons per transaction nor are they limiting the number of double/triple like coupons per transaction. I scored big time today, and it makes it so much easier to get in and out since I don't have to do several transactions.

Today I got all of this...

15 - Softsoap Liquid $.99 - $.35/1 mfg co (spanish Smartsource)

9 - Dial Bar Soap $1 - $.35/1 mfg co

3- Everready Flashlights $1.39 - $1 mfg co

2-Old Orchard Apple Juice $1 - $.50/2 mfg co

3- Bounty Basic Paper towels $1.09 - $1 Kroger e coupon - $.25/1 mfg co

4- Dole Fruit Jars $1 - $.50/2 mfg co

10 - Yakisobas $.80 - $.50/1 mfg co

10 - Totinos Pizza Rolls $1 - $.35/1 mfg co

10 - Kids Cuisine Meals $1.89 - $5/10 Frozen Food Promo - $.50/1 mfg co

12- Mc Cormick Grinders $1 (Buy three or more receive $3 catalina)

Thank you ZM for this deal

1 - Athenos Hummus - $1 Mfg co

2- Ceasers Bistro Dog Food - BOGO

12- Sani Hands Wipes $1.04 - $1 mfg co.

I also used a $5/75 coupon that was in the boyscout coupon book last fall.

The total before coupons was $95 something( I don't have my receipt with me to be exact) and my total out of pocket was $.12. Plus I still have $6 in catalinas to use on my next trip.

I did all but the Mc Cormick Grinders in one transaction. Those required separate transactions because the catalina will only print once per transaction.

FREE Gain Dish Soap at Walmart

Walmart isn’t always my favorite store for couponing. But, right now it is the place to be if you have any of the $1/1 Gain Dish Soap Coupons.

The small bottle is only $.97 regularly at Walmart so it makes for a freebie. Make sure that you grab a small item to cover any overage if the cashier does the coupon wrong. If they do it right they will mark it down to $.97.

I have 12 already and I am going for one more tonight.

I like to keep a year supply of this type of daily use item in my stockpile. I also keep a year or more of Laundry detergent, fabric softener liquid and dryer sheets as well as dish detergent.

Randall's Highlights

Like I told you earlier, I went to Randall’s at lunch today.

I found some great deals.

1 – Totino’s Pizza Roll’s 15ct - $1.29 (10% off Frozen Foods Randall’s Flyer, $.35/1 – Any Pizza Rolls Tripled)

2 – Pillsbury Cutout Cookies Clearance 50%off $1.99 ($1/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough)

1 – 3 Pack Steak $3.41 (30% Off)

2 – Barilla Spaghetti Sauces 2/$4 ($.75/1 Barilla Pasta Sauce x 2)

2 – Barilla Piccolini Noodles $1 FREE when purchase Sauce ($.55/1 Barilla Piccolini Noodles x2)(Makes this a $.55 Money Maker each package.)

3- Hallmark Cards @$1.49 each

Received a $3.49 Pediasure coupon, $1 Barilla Coupon, $1 Catalina For the Barilla Deal and $5 Catalina for purchasing three Hallmark Cards.

I think Randall’s will be on my to-do list again tonight.

Thank you to ZM @ Katycouponers and Kimberly @ Just Frugaliscious for the Hallmark Lead.

Thank you to Tiffany @ Mylitter for the Heads up on the Barilla Pasta.

Back Again

Oh my, it has been a while. I had such a busy summer and now fall. Don’t let my absence fool you, I have been working hard and saving loads of money. I hope that you have too.

We had a great summer with loads of family time, a short vacation and an awesome back to school shopping experience. I mean wow, even in the clothing stores it is easy to find great deals if you stop to look.

My sidekicks are in school and we are adjusting to their new schedules, which now also include Softball and T-ball. So it goes without saying that our evenings are a little busy.

I am back now. My coupons are finally caught up, my fingers are ready to type and I am excited to share my bargains with you all.

I was able to make a Randall’s run during my lunch break today and I will post all the details this evening, including a pic!

I hope that you are all ready to hit the ground running because I have some great deals for you to get in on.