Go here TODAY (these coupons go fast) to print out a coupon for $2.00 off one Healthy Choice meal!! (Remember to hit your "back" button to print two coupons!)
Monday, September 7, 2009
FREE (or almost free) Healthy Choice meals!
FREE Deodorant!
First, I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in FOREVER. School just started, so it's been a busy week or two of auditions, rehearsals, classes, organizing, etc. But I just came across this fabulous deal and I simply have to post it here.
Monday, August 31, 2009
MORE Fabulous Victoria's Secret Freebies!!!
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT??? The freebies from Vic's Secret just keep getting better! Here are two of the latest:
- Get 2 FREE pairs of undies with any purchase when you become a fan of Victoria's Secret on Facebook. Head to this post at mommysnacks.net for more specific instructions. (NOTE: This coupon will only work TOMORROW, September 1.)
- Get a FREE body scrub with any purchase. (No expiration date!?)
- Get a FREE BeautyRush lip gloss with any purchase. (No expiration date?!)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
50% off at Michael's!
If you go here and sign up for Michael's e-newsletters, you'll receive a printable 50% off coupon via email in just a few hours! YAY!
Sweet Deal: SAFEWAY!
P.S. Fancy some free bacon while you're shopping at Safeway?
Smithfield Bacon: $3.00
Use $3.00/1 printable coupon (sign up at the top of the screen; you'll be able to print the coupon twice)
Final Price: FREE
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sweet Deal: Kroger! (plus coupon matchups!!)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Each item's first listed price takes into account the fact that you will have bought 10 participating items, and that you've received $5 back. So DON'T take another $0.50 off when figuring out your math; I've already factored the promotional savings in.
IMPORTANT NOTE #3: Most of these coupons can be found on coupons.com (and most of the links lead there); however, if you want extra coupons, head to Smartsource.com to see if any are available!
Honey Nut Cheerios: $1.49
Use $0.55/1 printable coupon
Use $0.55/1 ecoupon
Final Price: $0.39
Pillsbury Toaster Strudels: $1.49
Use $0.55/2 printable coupon
Use $0.55/2 ecoupon
Final Price: $0.94 WYB2 [When You Buy Two]
Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits: $0.99
Use $1.00/2 printable coupon
Use $1.00/2 ecoupon
Final Price: FREE WYB2
Hamburger (or Tuna) Helper: $0.89
Use $0.75/3 printable coupon
Use $0.75/3 ecoupon
Final Price: $0.36 WYB3
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix: $1.49
Use $0.75/2 printable coupon
Use $0.75/2 ecoupon
Final Price: $0.75 WYB2
Betty Crocker Cookie Mix: $1.49
Use $0.40/1 printable coupon (remember, this will double to $0.80/1 at Kroger!)
Use $0.40/1 ecoupon
Final Price: $0.29
Nature Valley Granola Bars: $1.99
Use $0.40/1 printable coupon (remember, this will double to $0.80/1 at Kroger!)
Use $0.40/1 ecoupon
Final Price: $0.79
Betty Crocker "Warm Delights": ???
Use $0.50/1 printable coupon (remember, this will double to $1.00/1 at Kroger!)
Use $0.50/1 ecoupon
Final Price: FREE
Cascadian Farms Organic Cereal or Granola: $2.49
Use $1.00/1 printable coupon
Final Price: $1.49
Chex Mix Bars: ???
Use $0.60/1 printable coupon
Use $0.60/1 ecoupon
Final Price: ???
Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters: $1.99 (BH note: These are SO GOOOOD)
Use $1.00/1 printable coupon
Use $1.00/1 ecoupon
Final Price: FREE
Old El Paso Refried Beans, Taco Shells, or Tortillas: $0.99
Use $0.60/2 ecoupon
Final Price:
SoBe Lifewater: $0.49
Use B1G1 printable coupon
Final Price: $0.25 WYB2 or FREE (depending on how the cashier scans the coupon)
Here's a possible deal scenario:Okay. Those are just some of my favorite matchups involving some of the participating items. To check out Kroger's weekly ad, go here and click on "weekly ads" at the top of the page. However, be warned: this week's ad does NOT list all of the participating items in the MegaDeal event; once you get to the store, keep an eye out for the distinctive yellow tags marking all eligible items. The items I've listed here are still eligible, to the best of my knowledge; however, as always, do your own research and don't blindly trust my calculations (I am a singer, after all...I can only count to 4, and sometimes 6)!
THREE Hamburger Helpers: $1.08
Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters: FREE
TWO Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits: FREE
Honey Nut Cheerios: $0.39
Betty Crocker Cookie Mix: $0.29
TWO Sobe Lifewaters: $0.49 or FREE
Total: 10 participating items for $2.25
Have fun!
Where to Find Coupons: Restaurant Websites!
So here's the fourth installment in my "Where to Find Coupons" series, and it deals with one of my favorite things: FOOOOOD.
Did you know that by signing up online for your favorite restaurants' loyalty/membership/VIP programs, you can get free meals right and left?? Well?? Did you?
...You didn't?
Okay, here's what to do:
- Go to a restaurant's website.
- Look around to see if they have some sort of membership club or loyalty program or something.
- If they do, sign up for it. (NOTE: This would be a good time to use that nifty extra email address you created when you began your journey to become a coupon goddess (or god. Sorry guys.) Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out this post.)
- Check your email.
- Print out your coupon(s).
- Go eat free food.
Seriously. It's just that easy.
I've only signed up with a few restaurants so far, but I've already gotten some AWESOME deals (free Coldstone on your birthday, anyone?). If you want to try this yourself (and really, why wouldn't you?) start with the places below--I've linked directly to the sign-up page for each club/newsletter/whatever--and then Google YOUR restaurant's website to see if they have a similar program! Coldstone Creamery
Cheeseburger In Paradise
Old Country Buffet
Olive Garden
Red Lobster
Red Robin
Starbuck's (see this post)
T.G.I.Friday's
And here are a few fast food joints (because, you know, I'm a college student):
Arby's
Burgerville (Enjoy, Northwesterners... *sob*)
Wendy's
Daily Checks
I have a folder in my internet "Favorites" list named "Daily Checks". In it, I stick websites/blogs worthy of being checked every day, due to their general awesomeness. The blog at the TOP of that list is The Freebie Blogger. These fabulous people post dozens of current freebie offers every day. You owe it to yourself to give this blog a quick scan every morning or evening. Thanks to TFB, I've received makeup freebies, candy freebies, paper/stationery freebies, food freebies, clothing freebies, etc. Too much fun!! You should totally check it out.
Bath & Body Works Lip Gloss Freebie!
Free lip item with any purchase at Bath & Body Works (exp. 8/30/09)
It expires this Sunday, though, so hurry!!
(Remember to look for nail files/tiny lotions/etc. to use as your required purchase with offers like this!)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sweet Deal: Target!
Just got back from Target, and I got--among a few other things--some free "Crazy Cores" Skittles!! (Find 'em in the checkout lanes)
Original Price: $0.52
Used Target's $1/1 "Crazy Cores" Skittles coupon (exp. 9/5/09)
Final Price: FREE
I'm going to print more coupons and go back this weekend to get a few more bags. FREE CANDY YAYYYY! Admittedly, they look a little...flourescent...but it will be fun to break them out for the occasional movie night over the next few months.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Victoria's Secret Freebies! (UPDATE)
Victoria's Secret has had some great freebie offers lately!
Here are three of the most recent:
Free lace-trim thong with any Victoria's Secret Pink purchase (exp. 9/2/09).
Free Pink Body Lotion (1oz); no purchase required (exp. 9/7/09).
UPDATE: Free Pink Beauty Travel Kit (worth $25) with any Victoria's Secret Pink purchase (exp. 9/24/09). Log in/register to print your coupon. 2nd UPDATE: I used this coupon today, and the kit is so cute! It comes with travel-size bottles of body spray, body lotion and body wash and an adorable little lip butter thingy, all in a cute pink mesh zippered bag. Hard to believe someone would actually pay $25 for it, though. Yikes. Anyway, it would make a great gift.
At my store there are usually some GREAT clearance deals, so make sure to check those out before buying a full-priced item to go with your free undies. You could also use a couple travel-size Pink lotions or something as your purchases (and then receive another one with the other coupon!).
Arby's Freebie on Wednesday!
Tomorrow (Wednesday, August 26), head into any Arby's and receive a free Roast Beef & Cheddar sandwich with the purchase of any soft drink. Sweet! ...especially if you ask them to leave off the "cheddar". *shudder*
Starbucks Freebie!
Here's a fun freebie:
If you have a Starbucks gift card or Rewards Card, go here to create an account/sign in/register your card, and you'll receive a free drink of your choice on your birthday! Fun! Easy! Delicious!
(If you don't have a Starbucks gift card, you can get one from Swagbucks for 135sb. Unfamiliar with Swagbucks? Read all about it in an upcoming post, OR check out the widget in my sidebar.)
Thanks, MoneySavingMom!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Where to Find Coupons: Contact the Manufacturer!
This next strategy was the third step I took on my journey to couponing, and it's probably the one that freaked me out the most (in a good way).
I decided (innocently enough) to contact the manufacturer of one of my favorite products to let them know how much I enjoyed the product. So I went to the product's website--for this example, we'll say the product is Skintimate shaving cream--and found the contact form. I filled out my contact info and then wrote a quick little message about why I specifically liked their product. It took like two seconds. Lo and behold: five days later, I received a very nice letter in the mail, thanking me for my comments, and included in that letter was a coupon for a FREE Skintimate product. Any Skintimate product. Any size. !!! So I started writing to a few more of my favorite products' manufacturers.
Now, keep in mind that I've only been writing to manufacturers for about two weeks, and during that time, I've spent probably 10 minutes total contacting these people. Here are the coupons I've received so far:
FREE Skintimate product
FREE Hostess/Wonder/HomePride product
FREE Bagel Bites (don't judge me)
FREE Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (the big tub)
Two FREE Chiquita Fruit Bites
Two $0.50 coupons for Edy's (that's "Dreyer's" to you Northwestern folks) Fruit Bars
Two $1.00 coupons for any Campbell's/Pace/V8/Prego/Pepperidge Farm product
Two $0.50 coupons for Bagel Bites
Not bad for two weeks, right? (Why haven't I ever done this before??) Keep in mind that some manufacturers actually do want to hear your praise, suggestions for improvement, displeasure, etc., so this is valuable feedback for them. I don't gush when I write to them; I just honestly state what I like or would improve about each product, and thank them for their work. It seriously takes almost no time at all, and it nets me some free and/or very cheap items! Sweet! Try contacting your favorite product's manufacturer today, and see what happens!
Where to Find Coupons: The Sunday Paper
Have you ever flipped through those colorful coupon inserts found in your Sunday newspaper, and then tossed them in the recycling because "All that stuff is way too expensive to begin with, so those coupons won't save me any money"? Me too. But now that I've discovered the secret to couponing success (matching up coupons with awesome sales/promos and then stockpiling the items in question so you won't have to buy them at a higher price)(wow, that's a long secret), I've realized that the Sunday paper is INVALUABLE. If you don't already receive the Sunday paper, try DiscountedNewspapers.com. You can save quite a bit by subscribing through that site as opposed to the newspaper's own office.
Most hard-core couponers purchase about four to six papers every Sunday. Yes. Four to six. Every Sunday. That way, when something goes on an awesome sale, they can stock up even more than usual, because they have more coupons to use. This makes sense, but I'm taking baby steps into this world of couponing, and am not quite at the "four-to-six papers" level yet. Plus, I live in a tiny apartment that has almost no storage space, so I couldn't do major stockpiling even if I wanted to. I can only stockpile two or three items ahead. :-(
So here's what I do. Every week, I check out this awesome site: TaylorTownPreview.com. Scroll down the page a bit, and you'll see a "Preview Pages" column. Click on the upper-most date. ...See? This awesome person previews every coupon insert that will be in the paper on that date! This way I'm able to decide--based on how often I use certain products, how often they go on sale, and what the actual value of each coupon is--whether or not it's worth it for me to buy the paper that Sunday. (I can't do a weekly subscription because the local paper won't deliver to my address. *pout*)
Adding the Sunday paper's coupon inserts to my couponing arsenal was my second step (after learning about internet printables) on the journey to couponing. It's been VERY valuable so far.
Where to Find Coupons: The KCL Coupon Database
Oh boy. I just found this database of printable internet coupons today, and it is the BEST. DATABASE. EVER. It's organized alphabetically, so if you're looking for a coupon for a particular product, you can scroll directly to it. How handy! (Check out Krazy Coupon Lady's main blog too, while you're at it.)
e-coupons!
Welcome to the wonderful, convenient world of e-coupons (Ecoupons? E-coupons? ecoupons?)! Well, it won't be so wonderful for you if your store doesn't offer this service, but if it DOES, you should definitely take advantage of it and start saving even more money when you shop!
Here's how they work: You can go online to various e-coupon sites, enter your store "club card" number, and then load digital coupons onto it. The coupons are automatically applied next time you go shopping, have your card swiped, and buy the items in question. It's just too easy. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- e-coupons will expire, just like paper coupons. It's up to you to keep track of the expiration dates. (Some of the e-coupon sites will offer a printable "shopping list", showing all the coupons currently loaded onto your card. Very handy.)
- e-coupons will not double, even if your store doubles paper coupons.
- e-coupons are automatically deleted from your card when they expire or when you use them, whichever comes first. (They can't be used more than once.)
- e-coupons CAN be stacked with paper manufacturer coupons, but there is lots of controversy surrounding this. Think about it: it's not okay to stack two paper manufacturers' coupons. An e-coupon is another type of manufacturer's coupon. So is it illegal to stack e-coupons and paper coupons? This is obviously a sticky issue, especially as it involves questions of fraud, ethics, responsible couponing, etc. This is definitely something that you need to research for yourself, and then decide accordingly. Here's my feeling: these e-coupons have been presented by the manufacturers themselves to encourage consumers to buy their products. Neither the manufacturers' policies nor the providers' policies state NOT to stack their e-coupons with their paper coupons. If the manufacturers/providers decide to ban stacking (via their website, email, or some sort of "block" put on the cards), I will of course stop combining e-coupons and paper coupons immediately, but until then, I personally have no problem stacking them. (Plus, what happens if you load an e-coupon onto your card, but then find a better paper coupon later? You can't remove the e-coupon from your card, so are you supposed to NOT use the paper coupon? I think it's the e-coupon providers' job to fix this issue.) But don't misunderstand me; I think that couponing responsibly is VERY important. Trying to "rip someone off" or "get around the rules" is NOT what this is all about. It's about following all the rules laid out by manufacturers and stores, spending time finding awesome sale matchups, using our brains to work out all the math, and then saving money. So make sure that YOU feel comfortable with your couponing practices, and then continue happily saving money and getting great deals, no matter what you decide. *BH steps delicately off her soapbox*
Sweet, right? Let me know if you have any questions about e-coupons. I'll add to this post as I learn more and as questions/issues arise.
*Note: Because I no longer live in the Northwest (*tear*), I'm going to use Kroger as an example whenever I discuss e-coupons. But Safeway and other participating stores should be pretty similar.
Coupons.com Printable Coupons
Another great printable coupon site is Coupons.com. This site keeps track of your number of prints, and will "close" a coupon to you after two or three, so be aware of that. (Check out the RedPlum post below for more strategies to maximize your savings while using printable coupon sites.)
Some of my favorite current coupons on Coupons.com:
$0.50/6 Yoplait yogurts (This may seem not-so-great, but if your store doubles coupons, and if you pair it with a sale, and if you eat yogurt all the time, it's pretty good! ALSO: I want the world to know that if you freeze Yoplait "Whips" yogurt, IT TASTES LIKE ICE CREAM. This is not a lie. Try it with the Chocolate Mousse flavor. Trust me on this one.)
$1.00/2 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (any size/variety) (I love this coupon. Here's why: if you pair it with the same e-coupon AND Kroger's MegaEvent sale, each tube is FREEEEE! Even without the event and e-coupon, use this on two of those cute little 4- or 5-biscuit tubes [note that the coupon says "any size"] at Walmart and get them for almost free.)
$0.40/1 box Nature Valley Granola Bars (Good if your store doubles AND if paired with the same e-coupon.)
$1/1 One-A-Day VitaCraves product (12ct+) (I am so stupidly excited about those VitaCraves gummy vitamins. I mean, all your essential vitamins and minerals in a FRUIT SNACK?!?!? Sign me up! ...aaaand for the adults among us: this coupon is also good on any other One-A-Day product.)
$1/1 box Special K Blueberry Cereal (When paired with a great Walmart sale, this made for a $0.25 box of delicious cereal.)
There are TONS more coupons on this site, so you should really go check 'em out.
RedPlum Printable Coupons
I'd like to introduce you to the wonderful world of printable internet coupons. RedPlum.com is one of the best places to find great printable coupons. (It also publishes one of the leading...ahem...junk mailers, and does newspaper inserts too.) To maximize your savings, remember:
- Enter your zipcode at the top. Sometimes special offers and coupons will show up for specific zipcodes, so it's worth checking to see if yours is one of them!
- Some coupons have a counter; when they've been printed a certain number of times, they disappear. So print coupons as soon as you find them to avoid missing out.
- To save on ink, make sure your printer's on the "Fast" or "Light" setting BEFORE you click "print"; these coupons print automatically.
Here are some of my favorite currently-available coupons (and check out the bottom of this post if some of my notation weirds you out):
$2/1 Rimmel mascara (I heard these are on sale for $2.09 at Walgreen's this week!! Thanks, MoneySavingMom!)
$0.50/1 box Lean Pockets (Check to see if your store doubles coupons. At my Kroger, they'd double this coupon to $1.00, and since these are on sale for $2.00 right now, I could get a box for $1.00! Not bad!)
$1/1 Rimmel product (This would make a little nail polish or something either close to free, or free!)
$1/1 Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion (200ml+) (This might pair well with a good sale, but note that since the size is specified, we can't use this coupon to get a free travel-size lotion. Boo.)
$1/3 DelMonte Fruit Naturals Cups (8oz) (These are super-cheap at Walmart right now, which is great, because the pink grapefruit type is like heaven in a plastic cup.)
$1.50/2 Kellogg's Frosted MiniWheats, All-Bran, and/or Raisin Bran (11.4oz+) (This would be great paired with a similar Target coupon, since Target allows stacking of store coupons and manufacturer coupons. So keep an eye on those store flyers!)
There! Have fun!
(Note: "$1/3" = $1.00 off 3. "200ml+" = 200 ml or larger.)
Random Freebies
Free samples are awesome. It's fun to get a little treat in the mail, and it's fun to try weird foods/items you'd never actually buy, and often the samples will be accompanied by high-value (high dollar amount) coupons! So whenever I have a few minutes, I sign up for a couple of these.
NOTE: Before you start applying for free samples, it would be a good idea to create a "junk" email account via yahoo or hotmail. Use that email when signing up for samples/offers/whatever. That way, in case some of these offers create lots of email spam, your primary inbox will remain pristine and lovely.
Here are just a few of the free sample offers I've seen floating around lately:
- Free almond snack tin (available to the first 50,000 people who sign up). Take a short little survey. I just tried it and got through, so the offer appears be open.
- Free Denta-burst sample. At first I thought this was some scary-sounding denture glue, but it's actually one of those nifty little toothbrusher things you put on your finger. Hee!
- Free Honey Nut Cheerios sample PLUS $1 coupon.
- Free Emergen-C sample (two different flavors). Click "Pluck a Free Sample"
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