Have You Missed Me?

It turns out I can't keep up with 3 part-time jobs and a blog. I so wish I could continue with the weekly updates, but life is getting in the way! There are so many wonderful blogs and forums out there, I feel like I'm just a drop in the bucket anyway.

I'm still going to the drug stores every week and shopping for great deals, I am just unable to post consistently and I feel bad that you all can't rely on me! I may post some random deals but try not to hold your breath!

Toy Story 1 & 2 Combo Packs $6.99 Each, Plus 2 Free Movie Tix

Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are being released tomorrow (Tuesday) in a DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack. I don't need the Blu-Rays and really don't understand why they have to be sold together...but that's where the sales and coupons are, so that's what I'm going to get. Also each combo pack (should) comes with a movie ticket (up to $8.50) for Toy Story 3 which comes out in June!

First, log in or sign up for Disney Movie Rewards. Then, enter code 786936294507 in the "enter code" box for a $10 off Toy Story coupon. Then, enter code 786936294521 for a $10 off Toy Story 2 coupon!

So far it looks like Toys R Us has the best deal. When you buy both TS 1 & 2 you will get them for $16.99 each...Buy both, use one each of the $10 coupons = $13.98 out of pocket plus 2 movie tickets!

KMart advertised that if you buy both you'll get $10 off the total purchase...but they didn't advertise how much they cost. However, with the $10 off and 2 - $10 coupons, that's $30 off the original price! If you printed the $10 off $20 coupon you could try using it. It seems that KMart "mistakenly" posted the coupon on their website (really?!?!). You could try using it though...I might. Depending on how much the movies are, or if you are buying other items there are always $5 off $50 coupons available.

30% off Old Navy

Click here for 30% off at Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap and all Outlets through Sunday! Love it!

Life of a $35 Visa week 3 & 4

I wasn't able to get out much on week 3, so I am putting weeks 3 & 4 together. It is discouraging that when I worked full time I could pick a different drug store to visit on my lunch break each day, and now that I hang out with 2 kids all day it's difficult to justify a 5 minute trip with all the coats and car seats in and out and "stay there," don't move," "just one more minute," and even a "I'll give you candy if..." It's easier to just wait for Jeremy to get home. And because I haven't been shopping as often, I regret to say that I've let a $5 ECB and a $2 and $3 Register Rewards expire. That's $10!!! I've got to keep on top of it! You can check out weeks 1 and 2 here and here. I've bought some things I've "needed" this week so I haven't made much profit - that along with my lost RRs and ECBs increased my out of pocket a bit!

Wags
RRs used: $6
Out of Pocket (OOP) Visa: $3.24
RRs received: 0 :(
Rebates (kind of): $5.99 (Swiffer) towards $50 requirement for $100 Coupon book
Cost (OOP + RRs used): $9.24
Value of products: $27.60

CVS
ECBs used: 0
OOP: $6.25 (I am seriously regretting my lost ECB...)
Received: $4
Rebates (kinf of): $8.96 (Dawn, Oral-B, and Bounce) towards $100 Coupon book

Cost: $6.25

Value of products: $8.96

Over the last few weeks I've received $36.56 in products for $9.49 out of pocket. I have $12.75 left on my VISA.

Items not included in picture: Frappuccino (Jeremy drank it!) and 1 other Crunch bar...yum.

Consignment Sale Reminder

There is at least one kids consignment sale every weekend this month! Check the ones I've posted about here! Tomorrow (Sunday) is half price at the Kids Stuff sale from 12pm-4pm and Little Treasures sale from 1pm-5pm!

I totally scored for Eden (3 months) at the Little Treasures sale the first day it opened, but so far Jacob (3 years) has nothing for this summer. Hopefully I'll find some things tomorrow!

Life of a $35 Visa week #2

Finding out how long it takes to spend $35 out of pocket. Check out week #1 here.

Week #2 Wags
RRs used: $6.50
OOP (out of pocket) Visa: $6.22
RRs received: $8 ($2 Excedrin, $4 Venus, $2 Goody)
Rebates: $5, 1/3 of $15 Olay Rebate
Overage: $.28
Value of products $20.96


Week #1 CVS
ECBs used: $5.50
OOP Visa: $.85
ECBs received: none
Actual Cost: $6.35 (for 4 packs of wipes! ECBs spent + OOP)
Value of products: $10 (because they were on sale, my savings was $31.71!)

Amount left on Visa: $22.24

Victoria Secret deal extended

The Victoria Secret gift card promotion has been extended through February 28th, so make your order if you haven't already!

Victoria's Secret 2/22 & 2/23 only!

Victoria’s Secret Reward Card Promotion is back! If you order online today or tomorrow, you will receive with your order, a gift card worth $10 or more...it could be $50, $100 or $500! But you won’t know until you take your gift card to the store and make your purchase!

Check out the clearance section and pick up $3.99 panties or $1.99 sanitizing hand wipes! At checkout, enter offer code SECRETVS to add the rewards card to your cart…and if you want more than one gift card, make a few separate orders!!! It looks like shipping is $5.99, so you'll pay $.98 for the panties or have a $2.02 profit on the wipes...and that's if you get a $10 card...what if you made $492 .02 profit on the wipes?!

Kids Consigment Sales

It's getting to that time of year again!

• Feb 25 - March 7 Little Treasures Shelbyville Rd Plaza (I'm not sure how this works since it lasts so long, 1/2 price on Sunday 3/7)
• March 5-7 Kids Stuff at Hoops (1/2 price Sunday)
• March 12-13 Christ Church on Brownsboro Rd (many items half price Saturday)
• March 19-20 Middletown UMC (my mom loves this sale, it's huge for a church sale)
• March 26 27 Highland Pres (my favorite! 1/2 price Saturday)
• April 15-17 A to Z Kids Sale at Fern Creek Fire Dept (1/2 price Saturday)

Do you know of any others?

Life of a $35 Visa

I got my Visa card in the mail this week, so now I'm going to see how long it lasts. I'm going to use it at Walgreens and CVS because my out of pocket is always high at Rite Aid. I usually get things for free or make a profit at Rite Aid, but it's usually in the form of rebates.

I''m starting off with $5 in ECBs (CVS) & $15.50 in RRs (Wags)

Week #1 Wags
RRs used: $9
OOP (out of pocket) Visa: $1.72
RRs received: $2
Actual cost: $9.72 (3 laundry items)
Value of products $11.97

Week #1 CVS
ECBs used: none (total was $3.97 and I had a $5 ECB)
OOP Visa: $3.97
ECBs received: $5.50
Overage: $1.53
Value of products: $6.49

Amount left on Visa: $29.31

New $5 Hallmark Coupon

If you didn't get any of the $5 Hallmark coupons in your magazines, you can print one here! It looks like the Holiday paper goods and holiday wrapping paper deals are still going on!

Victoria Secret - 3 sweaters & scarf $30.99

It's not free, but it's a pretty GREAT deal. Pick 3 sweaters & this scarf. Then before check out, check the box under your purchases "check here if you have an offer code..." Enter these codes: vssave20, scarf09, and 3for30; which you gives you free shipping, a free scarf and the sweaters 3 for $30. You should get out for $30.99 plus tax.

Hallmark $5 coupon

Have you seen the $5 Hallmark coupon in any of the magazines you get in the mail? Magazines like Better Homes and Garden, Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple and Women's Day (just to name a few) have this $5 coupon. I'm sure you could get some free cards with this but you could also get 2 rolls of wrapping paper for about $1, 2 Holiday paper goods for less than $1, buy 3 - $.99 cards and Snow Wonder We're Friends book for about $1, or spend a little extra and get Rodney the Reindeer for $6.95 this Friday/Saturday. The coupon is good through 12/24!

More coupons!

I don't think the $3 off $15 coupon for Rite Aid in the previous post is working, so here's another one which is valid through 11/28. Also included in the link is a $2 of $2 purchase of RA brand skin care or beauty product...I'm sure there's something free out there.

On Sunday & Saturday there is a $5 off $25 coupon available for Walgreens. I will post some options soon.

Old Navy is calling their Thanksgiving event Gobblepalooza and they are offering some great deals Nov 26-28 (including: 50% off all outerwear, $15 adult jeans and sweaters & $15 Frost Free jackets for kids). However, you can "create a rock band" on the website and get a 50% off coupon valid for tomorrow (Saturday 11/21). Click here for the details. (This week "party cardis" are $19, with the couponget it for $9.50)

And if you're by an Old Navy tomorrow, you'll probably see a Bath & Body Works too, click here for a coupon valid for a FREE Signature Collection travel size item with ANY purchase (up to $5 value). So pick up one of those $1 hand sanitizers or something and get this free item! Also, the $10 off $30 coupon is still valid through the 22nd (although I think there are $10 off $30 coupons at checkout too, valid through 12/24). I'm not sure if the 2 coupons may be used together, but you may certainly try!

Toys R Us is having a 2-day doorbuster sale today and tomorrow, you can check out the ad here. One great deal you may combine with a coupon is the PlaySkool Mr & Mrs Potato Head for $3.99. Print the $2/1 coupon from here and get it for just $1.99 - I think they're usually like $7.99?! (PS if you are afraid to brave the crowds (like me) Wal-Mart and Target price match...well maybe not Target in this case because of the 'doorbuster' pricing, but in most cases, they will).

Borders e-mails TONS of coupon, sign up if you haven't already! Here is a 30% off any one book valid through the 24th.

I need a new vacuum

We have a 100 lb dog and he spreads quite a bit of hair around the house. I pulled the vacuum out the other day and it begin to smell, that burning smell along with the weird noise. Yikes. Well, after perusing the Sunday ads and even the Black Friday Sales I think I found my best deal at Bed Bath and Beyond. With the amount of hair this dog provides, I really don't want to skimp out and buy a 'cheap' vacuum, but I think I found an GREAT deal, so I thought I'd share!

The Bissel Healthy Home Upright is $249.99, and it has a 5 year warranty, so it's got to be pretty good, right? Well, first I'm going to use one of those 20% off coupons that are always in the mail, so I'll end up paying about $200 + tax out of pocket. Through 11/30 they are offering a $75 BB&B gift card with purchase, so I'm down to about $125. THEN, in going through my coupons tonight I found a $20 rebate that was in the paper a few weeks ago! So, when I purchase the vacuum I'll ask for 2 receipts to send in for the 2 rebates. In the end I'll have a $250 vacuum for $105! Woohoo!!!

If you don't need a new vacuum, could this be a Christmas gift for someone in your family?

Kroger - free card games

There aren't a whole lot of great deals at Kroger this week, but, in Sunday's USA Weekend magazine (I don't know why I chose to look through it) there was a coupon for buy one get one free Hasbro Card games (Scrabble Slam, Monopoly Deal & more). It was on page 3. Well, this week, Kroger has some of those games buy one get on free. So, pick up 2 of them this week and get them both for free!

Bath & Body Works & Old Navy

B&BW has a printable coupon available for $10 off of $30. Through Nov 15th their Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap is on sale 4 for $10. If you bought 12 of these and used the $10 off coupon, you would get each one for $1.67! These would be great for fillers in baskets or last minute Christmas gifts!

And since we're at the mall, you may was well head over to Old Navy and use this 30% off coupon! Through today (Thursday) all their outerwear is 50% off, so it would be great to combine the sale and coupon. However, I'm sure tomorrow will start a new sale!

Old Navy - Outerwear sale!

I went to Old Navy on Saturday because I heard they were having a $1 scarf sale...and they were and there were piles of scarves. BUT they were also having a 50% off outerwear sale which lasts until the 12th. And NOT ONLY was outwear 50% off, but Old Navy card holders get an additional 30% off. So, full length wool dress coats, regularly $99, were $34.95. It's unbelievable. I got Jacob a winter jacket which I have been looking for since the consignment sales in September. If was originally $39.50 and with both discounts I got it for $13.83!

If you do not have an Old Navy credit card there are still discount options! Old Navy Weekly has hidden coupons all over the front page of their site and they change weekly. This blog post tells you where they all are, but I think the easiest one is going to be 15% off your total purchase by clicking on the arm of the yellow fleece in the middle bottom of the screen. Let me know if you get any super deals!

Coupons expiring on 10/31?

Check out this post and visit the travel section!

Cheese Knowledge

Sign up here to receive a free Wisconsin cheese guide featuring 33 popular cheese varieties. Whenever we go north we have to stop at all those little cheese stores - now I will have a cheat sheet.