Impromptu shopping trip !

While I had some time to spare yesterday, I slipped in Toys R Us to browse for Christmas ideas for the kids on my list.  Remember the Groupon deal I posted about a few weeks ago?  Well, I used them today & saved a ton!  Check out my transactions.

Transaction 1:
Sulley costume   $5 clearance  (reg price $19.99)
(2) Simon flash game   $3 Red Hot deal  (reg price $9.99)
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Total before coupons = $11.00
$10 Groupon coupon redeemed
Total out of pocket = $1.06
Total retail value = $42.37

Transaction 2:
(2) Scrabble Flash games  $3 Red Hot deal  (reg price $9.99)
Peek a boo muffin toy foods  $5.98 (clearance price)
Fold & go tray  $4.48 (clearance price)
(2) baby doll outfits  $11.99  (BOGO 50% off, reg price $7.99)
(2) baby doll diapers  $10.48  (BOGO 50% off, reg price $6.99)
(2) 20pk TRU brand batteries  $11.99  (BOGO FREE)
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Total before coupons = $53.96
$5/25 coupon used
$10 + FREE pack batteries Groupon coupon redeemed
Total out of pocket = $25.36
Total retail value = $96.33

If I had planned on shopping, then I would have had my newly printed out game coupons with me, which would have allowed me to get the games for FREE!  Hurry & print yours out before they're gone!  If you don't need the games for someone on your list, consider donating them to Toys for Tots or another charitable program in your area.

Loyalty savings cards

There are so many stores out there who offer loyalty and/or savings clubs, that I thought I’d highlight a few of them.

Rite Aid—Wellness + program, sign up in store, earn up to 20% off almost every item in the store as well as free health screenings and members only coupons

Food Lion—MVP card, sign up in store, offers extra savings on different items each week

Super Fresh—Club Fresh card, sign up in store, offers extra savings on different items each week. You must have a Club Fresh card when a triples event is going on in order to get triple coupons. Baby Club, automatically signed up when you sign up for the Club Fresh card, earn points on all baby items purchased, once you reach 250 points in a certain time frame, you will earn a $20 coupon good for your next order

Super Giant—Bonus Card, sign up in store, offers extra savings on different items each week.

Toys/Babies R Us—sign up in store, earn points for every purchase, once you reach 250 points special savings coupons are mailed to you.

Staples—sign up in store, must present this card when turning in empty ink cartridges for credit

Best Buy—Reward Zone card, sign up in store, earn points for all purchases, once you reach a certain amount (chosen by you), receive savings coupons/certificates by email or postal mail

Kmart/Sears/Lands End—sign up in store, earn points for all purchases, sometimes double/triple points on certain items, once you reach a certain amount of points you will automatically receive coupons with your receipt, during a “super double” coupon promotion at Kmart you must have the card in order to get double coupons

Ace Hardware—sign up in store, earn points for all purchases, once you reach a certain amount, rewards coupons/certificates are mailed to you

Jiffy Lube—register in store or online, per vehicle (not per household), get 3rd oil change at ½ price

Big Lots—Buzz Club, sign up in store or online, make 10 $20+ purchases and earn 20% off your next purchase

Hallmark—Gold Crown card, sign up in store, earn points for every item (including cards) purchased, rewards certificates are automatically mailed to you when you reach a certain point amount, has different “levels” (silver, gold, platinum) based on how much you spend within a certain time frame

$5/$25 ToysRUs/BabiesRUs coupon

Click here for a printable coupon to save you $5 off any $25 purchase at Toys R Us/Babies R Us now through 5/2/09. Don't forget the current rewards cycle ends at the end of this month.

Pampers deal at Babies R Us **TODAY ONLY**

Thanks to my friend Steph who posted this on our mommy board!

Babies R Us is offering a $15 giftcard when you purchase 2 boxes of Pampers. Click here for all the details.

Don't froget to use your rewards card to earn points for your purchase to meet the $150 level. The current cycle ends at the end of this month, and points are not carried over. Also, this will work for the "Buy 9, get 10th box free" deal they offer.

Don't forget, you can use a BRU/TRU coupon for each box + a manufacturer coupon for each box to get the most savings.

Store coupon policies

Here are some store coupon policies for your information. Keep in mind these are coporate policies, and while all stores are SUPPOSED to follow them, doesn't mean they always do.

Rite Aid
NO internet printed coupons unless they bear the Rite Aid logo
Can "stack" store coupon + manuf coupon
Accepts JC Penney credit card as payment option
Has online rebate system

Walgreens
Can "stack" store coupon + manuf coupon
Has online rebate system with option to receive 10% additional when rebate is added to Walgreens giftcard
WILL accept internet printed coupons

Super Fresh
NO internet printed coupons
Has a baby club
Double coupons every day up to 99c (with store bonus card)
Can "stack" store coupon + manuf coupon
Limit of 4 identical coupons per transaction

Food Lion
Has a baby club
Can print store coupons from their website but NO "stacking" allowed
WILL accept internet printed coupons as long as they can be scanned by register

Super Giant
Double coupons every day up to 99c
WILL accept internet printed coupons
Some locations have self check out option

Target
Can "stack" store coupon with manuf coupon
Can print store coupons from this website

Staples
Turn in your empty ink cartridges (Dell, Lexmark, HP & Epson brands) for $3 credit. Can turn in 3 each day, per person/rewards card.

Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Has rewards program now.
Can "stack" store coupon with manuf coupon