~Similac~

I got 3 ready to use Similac formulas for $0.66 after using 3/$5.00 off coupons from the manufacturer.

~My Money Maker~

Here is my coupon binder. This is a lifesaver! I downloaded the coupon binder dividers from www.TheKrazyCouponLady.com and just added the rest myself to make it look cuter. There is a section for everything to keep all your coupons in order.

~Band Aid Savings~

Target was having a great sale on band aids, so I stocked up. I used 2 manufacturer coupons and combined them with 2 Target store coupons and paid $1.37 for both sets of band aids.

~Taco Bake~

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 pkg. Knorr's Fiesta Sides, Taco Rice

1 pkg. McCormick Taco Seasoning

1 pkg of Wheat Soft Tortillas

1 pkg of Shredded Cheese

1 Can of corn

Sour Cream

Shredded Lettuce

Salsa

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

• Brown meat with onions and drain the fat. Add taco seasoning according to package directions.
• Cook rice according to package directions.
• Add rice and corn to the meat mixture.
• Spray 8X8 glass dish with cooking spray and line with tortilla shells.
• Add meat mixture and then layer with cheese.
• Add more tortilla shells and keep layering with meat mixture and cheese like a lasagna.
• You will end with tortilla shells on top of the mixture and then add cheese.
• Bake in oven until cheese is melted.
• Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!!!

~Starting To Get The Hang Of This~

So I think I'm starting to get the hang of this couponing kraze. Why have I been missing out on this for so long? Think of all the money I could have saved us.

My first stop was at K-Mart:

• I purchased Infusium shampoo and conditioner at BO/GO free. I used 2/$3.00 coupons and received both items for free. Remember that I don't add tax into my savings since you have to pay tax on anything you purchase anyways.

Second stop was at Walgreens:

• Soft Scrub at BO/GO free - 2/$2.00 off coupons. Final cost was $0.59.

Third stop was at CVS:

• First transaction ~ Crest toothpaste sale price $3.50 - $0.75 off coupon. Final cost was $2.75 and I earned $3.50 in rewards towards my next purchase.
• Second transaction ~ Crest toothpaste sale price $3.50 - $3.50 rewards money from previous purchase. Final cost was free.
• Third transaction ~ 3 Garnier hair products at $2.99 each - 3/$1.00 off coupons - $3.50 rewards money from previous purchase. Final cost was $2.47.
• Fourth transaction ~ Cheer detergent sale price $4.99 - $1.00 off coupon. Final cost was $3.99.

My total OOP (Out Of Pocket) was $9.80 before tax.

~Second Round~

I went to CVS and Walgreens on this trip. It seems as though I have been having the best luck at these 2 places. I'm sure the staff already recognizes me and tries to run in the opposite direction when I walk up to the counter to pay. Ha Ha!!!!

Here's how I paid:

Walgreens

• First transaction ~ Schick Razor sale price $7.99 - $5.00 off coupon and earned $5.00 in rewards on my next purchase. Final cost is $2.99.
• Second transaction ~ Bounty paper towels sale price $2.49 - $0.25 off coupon, 2 Windex sale price $2.49 each - $1.00/2 off coupon. I used my $5.00 rewards from my previous purchase and the final cost was $1.22.

CVS

• First transaction ~ Hawaiian Tropic Sunblock sale price $9.99 - $1.00 off coupon and earned $5.00 in rewards. Final cost is $8.99.
• Second transaction ~ Huggies diapers sale price $8.49 - $1.50 - $0.50 store coupon - $5.00 rewards from previous purchase. Final cost is $1.49. Earned $2.00 in rewards.
• Third transaction ~ Carefree pantiliners sale price 10/$10. I bought 1 and had a $1.00 off coupon so it was free. Gain sale price $4.99 - $1.00 off coupon - $2.00 in rewards money from previous purchase. Final cost is $1.99.

My total OOP (Out of Pocket) was $16.68 before tax.

~The Hunt~

I found myself wishing Sunday would hurry up and get here so I could run downstairs and get the paper. I already had my gear ready. I always look at the CVS, Walgreens, Target, and K-Mart ads first. Here is exactly how I start my savings mission:

• Have a notebook and pen ready to write down the items you see that are a great deal.
• I look to see if I have a coupon for that product in my coupon binder.
• Mark the item on the store circular with an X or just circle the item.
• I write down what the item is, how much it is on sale, the coupon amount, rewards amount (if any applies), and then the total of the item once I deducted these amounts.
• Once I am done writing down the items from that one store, I start the planning on how to go about my transactions.

By this point, I am so excited to go shopping that I can't focus on anything else. The key to getting the best deals is to go early in the week. You don't want to get to the store and find everything picked over because a crazy coupon lady stockpiled all of it. Ha Ha!!

******I will post a picture of my cute binder once I have completed it.

I will be out of town this weekend so I will have everything ready by early next week.

~Bargain Shopping Is Addicting~

Ok, I'll admit it.........I'm completely addicted to this couponing business. I don't claim to know exactly how the game works, but I'm determined to figure out how all these women are getting their stuff for free. I do have to give credit to "The Krazy Coupon Lady". I have been following her site and trying out her suggestions.

First thing you want to do is get a big binder to carry all your coupons in. I also went to www.thekrazycouponlady.com and downloaded her free coupon binder. The categories include: beauty, medicines, produce, etc. Everything is sectioned out to make it easier for you to categorize your coupons. She also suggests getting multiple copies of the Sunday paper to get the best deals with doubling your coupons. Example: When a store has a BO/GO free product and you use 2 of the same coupon, you usually will get both the items for free or next to nothing...........depending on the value of the coupon. Some stores will also let you use their store coupons combined with the manufacturers coupon. An even sweeter deal! I went to K-Mart today and purchased Tresemme shampoo and conditioner because it was on sale for BO/GO free. I then used 2/$3.00 coupons, and received both items for free. You will have to pay tax though. I don't count this into my savings when I am estimating how much I saved on everything.

One of the most important things to remember is to get a REWARDS card from the store. You must sign up for one of these to get the best value. You can even earn rewards money towards your next purchase. I also do multiple transactions when I am using my rewards money. This is how you will get the best deals. I know this can be kinda time consuming, but completely worth it when you can get an item for free or close to it. Example: Today I went to CVS and did 4 transactions. The first one, I purchased the Crest toothpaste they were advertising on sale for $3.50, I then used a $0.75 coupon and received $3.50 in rewards towards my next purchase. Transaction 2 ~ I purchased the same toothpaste and received it for free with my rewards money. I didn't use a coupon this time because it would of brought the total amount down below the value of the rewards. Your total must equal at least the rewards money amount. I also earned another $3.50 in rewards from the 2nd purchase of toothpaste and used the rewards money on the 3rd transaction. Are you catching my drift?

With each purchase I make, I will post pics and explain how I did the transactions. I also don't like to get to the point where I am in need of something and have to run to the store. I always like to have a nice stockpile of goodies. I may not need it at the time, but when the item is so cheap, you can't pass it up.

Happy Shopping!!!!!

~My First Attempt At The Couponing Kraze~

My first stop was at Walgreens and I scored big. I left with 7 bodywash's, 2 deodorant's, 2 packs of razors, and 1 dishsoap. My total cost for everything was $9.15 and I saved $44.00 after my coupons. This adds up big time when you pay full price. Here's how I did it:

The razors were on sale for $3.99 a pack and I had 2/$3.00 off coupons that I used. The razors were $0.99 each after the coupons. The dishsoap was on sale for $0.99 with the instore coupon and I had a manufacturer coupon for $0.25 off. The deodorant was on sale for 2/$3.00 with the instore coupon and then I had a coupon for $1.50 and a second coupon for $1.00 off. The Pert Plus was on sale for $1.99 each and I had 2/$1.00 off coupons, so I bought 2.

~Money Savvy Mommas~

So I'm starting a mommy group called "Money Savvy Mommas". Thought this would be a fun idea to see how other mommy's find bargains and save money while still having fun. Our focus will be on coupon clipping, exchanging recipes, free/cheap activities for families, etc. When I come across some good ideas, I'll post them on here and share the links as well. If anyone has any questions, just shoot me an email.