I hit the motherload!

For Christmas, I received 4 brand new bras! I've always been a Victoria's Secret girl, up until after having Caroline. Since then, my old bras just didn't fit like they used to so I was on the lookout for a new brand. Many of my friends had recommended Bali bras, so I tried them (that's what I got for Christmas). I was happy, up until after they'd been washed a few times, and then the cups got a bit wrinkly, and would show through my shirt, despite the fact that they weren't supposed to. So, I wrote to the company and shared my issue with them. After several emails back and forth, I finally received a resolution: they would send me a replacement. I had a package in the mailbox late last week & when I opened it, out came 4 brand new Bali bras, just exactly like what I have now, minus the wrinkles on the cups! WOW! I never in my life expected all 4 bras to be replaced, but sure enough, that's what happened.

Moral of the story: Bali bras are AWESOME and have AWESOME customer service! If you have a complaint, ALWAYS contact the company to let them know. Many of them figure on the fact that if you take the time to voice your opinion, there are at least 10 others out there who have the same problem, but don't take the time to let it be known. And who knows, you might just reap the rewards like I did.

The Meaning of Time

The Meaning of Time

To understand the meaning of one year
Ask a student who was failed his exam

To understand the meaning of one month
Ask a mother who was given birth to a pre-mature baby

To understand the meaning of one week
Ask an editor of weekly magazine

To understand the meaning of one day
Ask a daily wage labor

To understand the meaning of one hour
Ask a girl who was waiting for her boy

To understand the meaning of one minute
Ask a person who has missed the train

To understand the meaning of one second
Ask a person who has survived an accident

To understand the meaning of one milli-second
Ask a printer who has won a silver medal in the Olympics

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift; that's why they call it the
present

Eleanor Roosevelt

No doubt you've probably received this in an email forward in the past...I know I have, several times. Why then do you ask, did I post this? Well, because tonight on my way from work to pick the kids up from daycare, I just missed being in an accident. Just after crossing the highway, I heard squealing tires, a loud bang, a looked in my rear view mirror only to see a truck T-bone the car that was just behind me at the stop light, and was attempting to cross the highway. As much as I wanted to stop & see if I could help, I just couldn't bring myself to do it, all along thinking to myself how that was almost me, and this poem popped in my head, and I knew I needed to share, just in case.

Apology re: Walgreens deals

For some reason the past few weeks, I've not been getting the Walgreens sale circular in my Sunday paper, hence the reason there has been no posting of the Walgreens deals. Hopefully, this "issue" will resolve itself (very) soon!

Rite Aid deals 3/29-4/4/09

Not much that appeals to me again this week...

Magnum razors
$4.99 - $4.99 SCR = FREE

Almay eye cosmetics
$5.99 - $2 SCR = 3.99 - $1 manuf = $2.99

Some more Kmart finds

OK, so I've been to Kmart a total of 3 times this week to take advantage of their "Super Double" coupon promotion. Here are a few more things that I've gotten good deals on:

Revlon nail polish $4.59 - $ manuf = 59c
Playtex cleansing cloths $2.39 - $1 manuf = 39c
Excedrin $3.99 - $2 manuf = FREE
Pledge multi surface cloths $3.50 - $2 manuf = FREE
KY warming $4.29 - $2 manuf = 29c
Swiffer duster refills $3.49 - $1 manuf = $1.49
Dentyne gum $1.19 - $1/2 = 38c/2
Mountain Dew/Pepsi case $6.99 - $2 manuf = $2.99
Pace $2.99 - $4 manuf = FREE
Pringles 99c - $1 manuf = FREE
Tropicana OJ $2.99 - $1 manuf = 99c
Shake & Bake $2.19 - $1 manuf = 19c
People magazine $3.99 - $1 manuf = $1.99
Satin care shave gel $2.69 - $1 manuf = 69c
Halls cough drops $1.99 - $1 manuf = FREE
Good life dog food (small bag) $4.99 - $2 manuf = 99c

Energizer/McDonalds rebate

Buy $35 of Energizer batteries by 3/31/09 & receive a $10 McDonalds gift card. Click here for printable form.

2 year All You magazine subscription $17.99

Deal Seeking Mom has a deal going on through March 28 where you can buy a 2 year subscription to All You magazine for only $17.99! This magazine is packed full of coupons each month, and generally pays for itself (for me) with the coupons I get from it. It's only available for purchase at Wal-Mart stores, so if you don't have one around you, this is your chance to get it even cheaper than buying it in store (I think each issue is around $2.24 in store).

My finds at Kmart Super Doubles!

Here's a few of the things that I purchased today at Kmart. My total before coupons was $144.14, and after it was $48.48, a total savings of $95.66! All the coupons listed are the face value, not the doubled amount. I'm planning on going back (at least) once more this week to see if they have some items they were out of today, not to mention have a little more time (I went on my lunch break today).

Gillette shampoo & bodywash $4.49 - $2 manuf = 49c
Dry Idea $3.99 - $2 manuf = FREE
Kotex $1.29 - $1 manuf = FREE
Gillette shampoo $4.99 - $2 manuf = 99c
Crest $2.99 - $1 manuf = 99c
Suave 3.79 - FREE coupon up to $3 = 79c (I got the largest bottle there was, not the regular size bottle)
Satin care shave gel $2.69 - $1 mauf = 69c
Soleil razors $5.49 - $2 manuf = 1.49 (not a GREAT buy, but I love these razors, so it was worth it to me)
Dove deoderant (trial size) 99c - $1.50/2 = FREE
Oral B toothbrush $2.50 - $2 manuf = FREE
Infant Tylenol $5.49 - $2 manuf = 1.49
Advil PM $4.99 - 2 manuf = 99c
Advil liquid gels $4.49 - $2 manuf = 49c
KY $3.99 - $2 manuf = FREE
Resolve pet spray $4.29 - $1.50 manuf = 1.29
Lysol (large cans) $4.50 - $2 manuf = 50c
Huggies wipes $2.99 - $1 manuf = 99c
Pampers & Pullups $10.99 - $2 manuf = 6.99
Colorox 2 detergent (small bottle) $4.89 - $1 manuf = $2.89
Pupporoni treats $2.99 - $1 manuf = 99c
Spearamint gum $1 - FREE coupon = FREE
Poptarts (8ct) $2.49 - $1 peelie = 49c


I hadn't planned on purchasing all these items, but the coupon fairy had been there before me, leaving coupons that still had valid expiration dates around some items, so I picked them up & used them. See, I told you Coupon Karma made it's rounds!

So, what good buys did you get this week????

I have officially...

Outgrown my wallet size coupon organizer! It's busting at the seams with all the awesome P&G coupons I have stuffed in there,even after sharing the wealth with some buddies at work. Gotta find something else to carry them now I guess....

Here's a link for a $4 Pace printable! If you have issues printing it, here is an awesome post regarding troubles printing coupons at the Coupon Mommie. Check it out, very useful information!

Rite Aid deals 3/22-3/28/09

Always pantiliners/ultra maxi pads/wipes OR Tampax tampons
$2.99 - $1 SCR = $1.99 - $1 manuf coupon (P&G year of savings booklet) = $99c

Electrasol automatic dish
$3.99 - $1.50 in ad coupon = $2.49 - 40c manuf coupon = $2.09

Purina cat/kitten/puppy/dog chow (4lb bag)
$3.99 - $3 IP = 99c

Mitchum antiperspirant/deoderant
not sure of price
use$2 in ad coupon & 75c manuf coupon (or $1 IP)

Huggies diapers/pullups
$9.99 - $2 SCR = $7.99 - $3 IP = $4.99
Also submit for Caregiver's Marketplace rebate to earn an additional 75c (per package purchased)

*GASP* I can't believe I did that!

Seriously, I have a confession to make: Today, I bought something I knew I had a coupon for, but didn't use the coupon (because it was at home, 150 miles away). Yes, that's right, I said it...Phew, I feel better now (but only just a little).

My son has been dealing with some chronic constipation issues for about 2 weeks now. We stopped diluting his apple juice, thinking that would solve it...it didn't. Then, I tried putting Karo syrup in his juice, which worked for about 1 poop, but then he was back to "bunny pellets" So, today, before we got back in the car to travel home from our overnight vacation, I walked to the drug store & purchased some Metamucil to put in his cup. It was on sale for $5.99 and I knew at home I had a $1 coupon I could be using, but HAD to have it, so I just sucked it up & made the purchase. I rationalized it to myself that it was OK not to use the coupon, because at least I would still get to submit it for the Caregiver's Marketplace rebate.

If you didn't think I have issues before, no doubt you think that now!

K-mart Super Doubles 3/22-3/28/09

They're baaaaaaack! Yippy!

I just perused the online copy of the sales circular & saw only a few things of interest to me:
Pampers/Huggies $10.99
Schick razors $5
LOTS of cleaning supplies on sale!

Click this link to make shopping even sweeter! Earn a $25 gift card for every $50 you spend at Kmart (from Glamour). Mailing address is in small print at the bottom of the page.

Ahhhh, retail therapy!

Yesterday, sweet hubby of mine kept the kids while I went in town to get a (much needed) haircut.....I called the salon on my way to town, hoping that my stylist was working, and surprisingly, she was! I was able to make an appointment for 430p, which left me with a little time to kill, so I walked the mall before my hair appointment.

I went into JC Penney to buy some new pillows for us....Armed with a $5 JC Penney reward certificate and a $10/25 coupon, I found a twin pack of queen pillows for $23.99. There was a sale going on where you bought 1 pillow (or pack of pillows) and got the second for $1. I also picked up a long sleeve shirt for hubby, which was on clearance fror $5.99. After it was all said and done, I paid $16.xx for 4 pillows and a shirt! I was thrilled!

After my hair appointment was over, I walked around some more, enjoying the "me" time. I went into Bath & Body Works, which I had a coupon for a free item when you purchased another, so I replenished my Sweet pea body cream supply & also picked up a travel size of Butterfly flower scent for $1. I got 3 things for $13.xx plus another coupon to use in April for a free candle.

Off to Gymboree to see what they had for me to buy, since I have a 20% off coupon for there as well. The cashier told me that they were having a sale and everything $32.95 and less would ring up as $19.99 (unless it was already marked down). I didn't find anything that really jumped out at me, but I did buy Caroline a cute little pair of leggins for $2.xx

I went in Victoria's Secret on my way back out to the car, hoping to cash in a freebie coupon I have, and buy some panties. Unfortunately, they were in the middle of taking inventory and were less than willing to check in the back to see if they had more of what I wanted, so I walked out without buying anything.

After leaving the mall, I headed to Target to use some baby coupons that were soon expiring. I bought Pampers diapers (on sale $9, used $1 Target coupon, $1.50 manuf coupon =$6.50), Luvs diapers (7.99, used $1 Target coupon, $1 manuf coupon = $5.99), 2 packs Huggies Gentle Care wipes (used 2 $5 IPs = 99c each pack watch the wording on these though, some were specifically for Gentle Care diapers & should only be used on diapers), travel size Satin Care shave gel (99c - $1 manuf coupon = FREE), 4 Johnson's Buddies (97c - $1 manuf coupon = FREE), Lucas' easter basket (a Tonka truck!), a CD for me to listen to at work (soothing piano music), and a shirt for each kid to wear on St Patrick's day. I was pretty pleased with my total, though I don't remember what it was right off hand.

Since I was right there, I ran into Best Buy & picked up a paper shredder since ours broke a while back (I tried to feed it too many sheets at once!). No coupon, but it was on sale for under $30, plus I get points towards a Rewards certificate.

A quick trip to fill the car up with gas at Sam's club completed my trip, but not before I checked to see if Staples was still open (it wasn't), since I had an ink cartridge to turn in, and some $1 sale items I wanted to pick up....guess that will have to wait until later this week.

Definately refreshing to get out by myself for a few hours, and even better to spend some money, yet save at the same time!

Rite Aid deals 3/15-3/21/09

Dove deoderant.body was/body mist/bath bar/hair care
BOGO 50% off
Spend $15 get $5 Rite Aid gift card
This would be a good time to use those $1.50/2 deoderant/body mist coupons if you have any left over after Walgreens RR deal that's been going on. You can buy the trial size deoderants for around 99c & use the coupons on them.
If you buy conditioner & aren't satisfied, here is a satisfaction guarantee you can send in to get your money back.

Band-Aid
$2.99 - $1 SCR = $1.99
Use $1 manuf coupon = 99c

Samy i Style Spray/mousse/wax/glue
$4.99 - $4.99 SCR = FREE

Secret Flawless Antiperspirant/Deoderant
$3.99 - $2 SCR = $1.99
Use $1 manuf coupon = 99c

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
$1.74 - $1.50 IP = 24c

Pedigree dog food (4lb bag)
$3.99 - $4 IP = FREE w/ 1c overage

Gain Fabric Softener
$2.49 - $1 manuf coupon = $1.49

Palmolive dish liquid
99c - 25c manuf coupon = 74c

O-Cel-O sponges (4 pack)
99c - $1/2 manuf coupon = 98c/2

Kleenex tissues
99c - $1/4 manuf coupon = $2.96/4

Vanity Fair cups/plates/bowls
$1.99 - $1/2 manuf coupon = $2.98/2

Glade scented oil candle refills/candles/plugins scented oil single packs
2/$5 - $2/2 IP = 2/$3 (scented oil candle refills)

FREE music downloads at HotCouponWorld

Over at HotCouponWorld, you can download up to 25 FREE songs through Emusic. Click here for details.

Emusic is a subscriber service (so you do need a credit card) which you pay $11.99/month for 30 song dowloads (or 40c per song). Right now they're offering a free trial offer, and should you choose to, you can cancel but the 25 free songs are yours to keep. Not sure how it compares to Itunes or other song download sites, but it's definately worth checking out!

FREE Brewmaster's kit from Killian's

Click here to sign up for a FREE "Brewmaster's kit" from Killian's. You will need to register at the site prior to being able to sign up, and you must be 21 to register. This offer is NOT valid in TX or CA (Sorry!). Use code P3W9L4T or M9N7K3K when prompted. Kit includes: 4 beer glasses with Killian's logo, bottle opener keychain, a Bremaster's Tasting Guide.

Phonebooks go green

To opt out of receiving a phone book, sign up at this site. A very simple way to help protect the environment & go green!

Kid's Eat Free Nights

The following is a list (local to me) of restaurants that offer FREE kids meals WYB an adult meal. Another GREAT way to let the whole family eat out for cheap!

Monday
La Tolteca--1 child (under 10) eats free w/ paying adult
Texas Roadhouse--kids entree free w/ adult entree

Tuesday
Applebees--kids 12 & under eat for 99c w/ an adult
Chick-Fil-A (Rt 13)--FREE kids meal w/ purchase of combo
Denny's--Up to 2 FREE kids meals w/ purchase of adult meal after 4p
Golden Corral--kids eat for $1.99
Friendly's--kids eat FREE 4-11p

Wednesday
McDonald's (Pemberton Dr)--$1 hamburger happy meal 5-8p
IHOP--FREE kids meal w/ adult meal 3-10p
Uno Chicago Grill--kids eat FREE w/ purchase of adult meal

Thursday
McDonald's (Fruitland)--$1 hamburger happy meal 5-8p
Chick-Fil-A (mall)--FREE kids meal w/ purchase of combo

Saturday
Quizno's--99c kids meals
IHOP--FREE kids meal w/ adult purchase 3-10p
Denny's--kids eat FREE after 4p w/ adult purchase

Sunday
Quizno's--99c kids meals
Uno Chicago Grill--15% off lunch check when you present your church bulletin from Oak Ridge Baptist Church or Soul Discovery

Jiffy Lube experience

Last week, I wanted, no NEEDED, an oil change for the car. Last time I went to good 'ol Walmart to get it & their price had skyrocketed to $30 for the minimum, so I told myself I wasn't going back there again (not to mention the fact that they didn't even get the right kind of oil in there, but that's a whole different story in itself). So, I called Jiffy Lube to see if they were busy, and whether or not they thought they'd be able to get it done while I was on my lunchbreak. There were a few cars in front of me when I arrived there, but there were plenty of techs around working on them, so I had no doubt that it wouldn't take very long at all. I was even prepared with a coupon to use (imagine that, right?!).

I must say, I was beyond impressed when the tech brought 2 different filters to me to ask if I wanted to have them replaced. Despite the fact that I had no idea what I was looking at, the tech was able to tell me what they were, how much they cost & why I should have them replaced. He wasn't pushy at all when I decided to only replace one. A few minutes later, he came back to tell me that my windshield wipers needed replacing (which I knew), and asked if I wanted him to do that as well. All in all, this took no more than 20 minutes from start to finish, including window washing and interior vacumming (which was badly needed, even if it was up front only).

Granted I spent $60, even with my coupon, but I got an oil change, new wiper blades, and some kind of filter (see, I still don't know what it is). Oh yeah, and I donated $3 to get a booklet of coupons to use at various places, including Jiffy Lube, throughout this year. Needless to say, I now consider myself one of Jiffy Lube's customers.

Walgreens deals 3/8-3/14/09

Much better deals here this week, compared to Rite Aid....

Tuf Paper Towels
59c w/ in ad coupon
Slightly cheaper than buying the 8 roll pack for $5, but they're tough (ie not good for wiping boogies or things of that nature)

Garnier Fructis hair care (excludes serum)
$2.99 - $2 Easy Saver coupon = 99c
Use $1 manuf coupon = FREE w/ 1c overage

Coffeemate
BOGO $2.49
Use 2 of the $1.50 IPs = 2 for FREE + 51c overage

Glade Air Freshneners
$7.99 -$4 Easy Saver coupon = $3.99
Use $4 manuf coupon = FREE + 1c overage
Use BOGO IP also = 2 for FREE w/ overage

Right Guard/Dry Idea Antiperspirant/Deoderant
$2.99 - $1/2 manuf coupon = $4.98/2
Earn $2 RR = like paying $2.98/2

Aquafresh toothpaste 6.4oz
99c w/ in ad coupon
Use 75c IP = 24c

Gillette Fusion Gamer razor
$8.99 - $4 manuf coupon = $4.99
Earn $4 RR = like paying 99c

Advil PM 16-20ct
$4.49 - $2 IP = $2.49
Earn $2 RR = like paying 49c

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste 4oz
$3.49 - $2.50 Easy Saver coupon = 99c
Use $1 IP = FREE + 1c overage

Buy $25 worth Huggies/Poise/Depends/Scott/Cottonelle/Kleenex/Kotex
Earn $10 RR
A GREAT deal to spend those $5 Huggies printables on, if you haven't already used them!

Rite Aid deals 3/8-3/14/09

As promised...but, there's not much on the "menu" this week, at least as far as I'm concerned.

Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner/stylers
2/$6 - $3/2 SCR = 2/$3
Use 2 $1 manuf coupons = 2/$1

I was in the newspaper!

Last week sometime, I had a write from the local newspaper contact me, asking to do a story about my coupon-ing abilities. I was stoked! Here's the link to her story in case you're interested, but it's also in the hard copy of today's paper.

I'll be back later this evening with my "deal" posts for Walagreens & Rite Aid this coming week, so stay tuned.

FREE Orioles Tickets!

Go here to sign up for a FREE ticket to an Orioles game during your birthday month. Please note that birthdays in Oct-Dec will be given tickets to a Sept game. Birthdays Jan-March will be given tickets to an April game. You can even sign the kids up!

I won!

A few weeks back, I entered a contest on one of my new favorite blogs, not thinking I'd ever be so lucky as to win....I never win anything....Well, lo and behold, I did win! In fact, I won a $10 Amazon giftcard, which I spent on myself (rather than the kids) for a change.

Last week while I was sick, I finished the book I'd been reading since Christmas (given to me by a dear friend, Maria). So, I could think of nothing better than to spend my winnings on the next book in the series:

Then, I decided to cash in some points over at MyPoints, and I chose a $25 Barnes & Noble giftcard, which I also spent all on myself, purchasing the next 3 books after the one pictured above (which is actually 2 books in 1)!

Now, to find time to get all this reading done! Thanks guys!!!!

Walgreens DEALS!

A few notable things this week at Walgreens:

Sambucol MONEY MAKER
$12.99 - $10 Easy Saver coupon = $2.99 - $4 IP = MM!!!

Dove MONEY MAKER
Buy 8 Dove items get $10 RR
Buy 10 Dove bar soaps, use in ad coupon 99c each
You can also purchase the trial size deoderants for this deal to work, which there is a $1.50/2 manuf coupon out for

Pepsi products
3/$11, buy 3 earn $3 RR

Carmex
$2.99, earn $2 RR

Blink eye drops MONEY MAKER
$7.99, earn $8 RR
Use $1.50 IP

Axe FREE AFTER REBATE (all month)

Wal-zyr allergy FREE AFTER REBATE (this week only due to sale price)

Walgreens brand headache relief FREE AFTER REBATE

Pillow Fight!

Olive Juice Bags Contest

Olive Juice Bags is a manufacturer of funky affordable fabric bags, Made in the USA. Olive Juice Bags is holding a Bag-of-the-Month giveaway and you can help spread the word. These bags are eco-friendly because the company has found a way to utilize overrun fabric and keep it out from being thrown away. Repurposing the fabric into a functional and fashionable product means less waste in the landfills. Because of this, many of the bags are unique: five-of-a kind, two-of-a kind or even one-of-a kind.

If you see an Olive Juice Bag you like, snag it quickly because you may not see the same bag ever again. Olive Juice Bags is also a socially conscious company that supports real-wage jobs. Local families benefit from jobs provided by companies that manufacture in the US-- and Olive Juice Bags is one of them.

Check out the different varieties of Olive Juice Bags here.

To enter the Bag-a-month contest, simply blog about it and be sure to send a link for that particular post (not your blog homepage) to olivehuicebags@comcast.net You may enter once per day. Contest runs through August 31, 2009. There will be 6 winners chosen (1 each month), and a list of winners will be available in the monthly newsletter, which you can sign up for on the website. As a newsletter subscriber, you are also eligible for special discounts/promotions at Olive Juice Bags.

Rite Aid deals 3/1-3/7/09

LOTS of FREE stuff this week at Rite Aid, but other than that, nothing to write home about.

Snore Stop
8.99 - $8.99 SCR = FREE

SnoreStop Extinguisher
$12.99 - $12.99 = FREE

You can go here to sign up for a FREE Snore Stop promotion kit, which I ran across while attempting to locate coupon matchup for these items. Looks like it's the same items you can get FAR this week.

Soothe Eye Drops
$7.49 - $7.49 SCR = FREE
Use $3 manuf coupon = $3 MM
Or, if you can't get your hands on the $3 coupon, you can use the $1 IP found here (you might have to scroll through the pages to find it, but it's there, I promise).

Novitra
$7.99 - $7.99 SCR = FREE
Use $3 RA IP = $3 MM

Sinus Buster
$8.99 - $8.99 SCR = FREE

Ocean Complete Nasal Rinse
$8.99 - $8.99 SCR = FREE

Always/Tampax
$2.99 - $1 SCR = $1.99
Use $1 manuf = 99c

SanDisk 2GB Memory Stick/Card
$12.99 - $5 SCR = $7.99

Lexar 1GB Memory Card (limit 2)
$7.99 - $5 SCR = $2.99

Duracell AA/AAA 8 pack
$5.99 - $3 in ad coupon = $2.99
Use $1 manuf coupon = $1.99