Couponing and Tips for Deals

Well, if you're looking for deals, sometimes you have to do some work. I have just a few tips that have come to mind this week and I just needed to write them down!

1. Always verify a price if you're not sure. I hit Publix early on Wednesday to snap us some freebies and it was so early, they were still putting out B1G1 signs. There were quite a few B1G1 deals that were not yet marked. Of course, they weren't busy and were happy to double check the prices for me. If I had depended on there being a sign, I would have walked away from an awesome deal.

2. Grab blinkies whether you need them or not. I used to fuss on my son for this. When he was younger he had a grand time pulling those coupons and watching another pop up. Now I always take them whether the item is on sale or not. Just think next week, they might be on sale and the blinkie machine will be somewhere else!

3. The power of THREE! Well I just use THREE as my guideline. Yours will be different. I have 3 people in my household, so every week I get THREE papers, therefore THREE sets of coupons...well, you get the idea! When I am shopping for deals, I try to get only three. (It is tempting to come home with eight tubs of margarine, but I resist). You don't have to agree with me and I'm sure many couponing divas have a different formula. I can hear them screaming, "Stockpile, girl!" While that notion is tempting, I also know how frustrating it is to arrive at the store, coupons in hand, and everyone has already snapped up 100% of the stock of Spray N' Wash. Now of course, since I only get 3 papers, usually 3 would be my limit anyway. When I see blinkies or coupon pads, I try to only take three, etc. You get the idea. I'm just sayin', "Save some deals for others!" (And if you checked my extra fridge for margarine, there would be 6 in there!)

4. Self Check-Out! You can go at your own pace, watch the prices come up to verify they are ringing up as they should and you can verify that your coupons double (if applicable) and/or ring up correctly. I have found that many cashiers tire of my constant questioning of the prices that ring up. At the self check-out, there is no complaining, heavy sighs, people getting irritated behind you, etc. Publix allows you to scan your coupons and insert them into the coupon area. Kroger makes it a bit more painful. Every time you scan a coupon, you have to get the attendant's attention and give it to them. PITB!

5. Know your total before you check out! This takes just a little planning but it assures no surprises at the register. If you can't do self check out, make sure you know an approximate figure that should come up at the end. If it doesn't, then something didn't go as planned. I ask them not to begin my order until I am ready to watch the scanning. I use shopping lists that I've found online to help me with this; Faithful Provisions or Coupon Mom to name a few.

6. Pay attention to shelf prices! You will need to know this when your cashier is flying through your order. You can stop them if you catch it or later take the receipt to the service desk if items do not ring up as advertised on the shelf. Kroger gives you the item free if this happens.

7. Don't be afraid to say, "Well, then I don't want the item". When an item doesn't ring correctly or they will not take your coupon for some reason, it's ok to tell them to take the item off your order. Sometimes, I'm not sure a coupon will work for a particular item, so I try to make sure these items are LAST on the belt. That way, they are not already bagged and can be retrieved quickly.

8. Be nice! I have had my share of "ugly" cashiers who tire of couponers. If things aren't going well, I am polite and apologetic but I'd rather take the item off than fight about it. I can go to the service desk afterward and verify pricing if necessary.

9. Early birds get the worms! All others go vegetarian. This one is a hard one for me because I'm NOT an early bird kind of gal! Of course, I've always known this but it was so obvious this week when I hit Publix only 30 minutes after they opened on Wednesday. It was one of the first times I came home with 5 bags of groceries for about $17 because all the good deals were not sold out.

10. You don't have to get every deal. I subscribe to several newsletters outlining the deals of the week. Of course, it is humanly impossible to try to snag every one of them AND sometimes, to me, not even worth the trouble. I look at the bottom line price and ask myself, "If I got a flyer that Kroger had dog treats that were usually $3 on sale for $1, would I add it to my shopping list?" or sometimes, "Would I make a special trip?" If the answer is YES, I do the planning, find the coupon and add it to my list. If not, I skip it and don't stress about it.

Gettin' Thrifty With it...

Enter this cool contest for an IPAD! I just did.... Mother's day Extravaganza contest!

http://www.thethriftymama.com/2010/05/mothers-day-extravaganza-apple-ipad.html#comment-38942

Harris Teeter Triple haul

Special thanks for my bff Crissy who got me hooked completely on couponing. I think now I can officially call it a hobby!

For the first time, I experienced HT (Harris Teeter) triple coupons. I must say...I would never be able to afford their prices otherwise....WOW! Anyway, I have obeyed all of the sacred HT coupon rules and managed to come away with over $100 worth of groceries in the past 4 days and have only spent less than $20! Tonight I went and picked up just 4 items and walked out after paying $1.16 for them, and that included tax! (1 roll paper towels, bottle of mustard, bottle of Int'l delight coffee creamer, Scott wipes). Worth slogging around in the rain for, I guess. Have given away some of my perishables (have about 8 coffee creamers and butter galore!) and that feels good!

Now whenever I visit my Mom & sister, I come with a little bag of extras. They have no idea how much planning, clipping, list-making etc goes into getting those little bargain nuggets. But sometimes it's just plain fun.

Dinner from the Stash

Tonight's dinner was courtesy of my food stash. I only bought two things (which I buy every week anyway)....Those items are in green.

Bean & Beef Burritos, Mexican Rice, Chips & Salsa
Yield: 8 burritos (more or less depending on how stuffed they are)

Quick Mexican Rice:
1 family size Boil in Bag Brown Rice (prepared as directed)
1 Bird's Eye Southwestern Corn Steam Bag (prepared as directed)
1/2 can of Ro-tel or other Tomatoes w/Green Chiles (this makes it spicy, you can use 1/2 a can of
regular tomatoes if you prefer it less spicy).

Put 1/2 the can of tomatoes in food processor or use stick chopper (whatever that thing is called) and just briefly run it until tomatoes are chopped as fine as you like. (Too long and you've got salsa, but that's for later!)

Add Ro-tel/Tomatoes to cooked rice, stir in corn. This is my emergency Mexican Rice.

Bean and Beef Burritos:

1 lb. ground beef
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 can refried beans (or *emergency refried beans - see below)
Shredded cheese of your choice
1 package of 8 burrito wrappers

Brown the Beef and crumble well as it cooks. Add in the taco seasoning along with 3/4 cup of water. When it boils, turn down to low for about 10 minutes or until most of the water has been absorbed. Set up your assembly line...

Warm a flat skillet over medium heat. Place one wrapper onto the skillet for 20 seconds, flip over with tongs, heat another 10-15 seconds. Place wrapper on a plate and fill: 1 spoonful of beans, smeared across, ground beef, then cheese. Wrap by tucking in left and right sides, then folding up the bottom and rolling. Place on a warm plate while making remaining burritos.

Serve with Rice, Chips & Salsa.

(*I started this tonight and realized I didn't have refried beans. Took a can of chili beans, rinsed them, put them in the food processor with just a little bit of water and about 1 tsp of beef bullion granules and whizzed it up. I think they are better than the canned ones and no added fat! Can also use regular pintos but the little bit of chili flavoring still left on the beans gave it a nice flavor.)

Today's Coupon Haul

Target:

7 Snuggles (4 @ .99 and 3 @ 1.29) $7.83
4 - 4 pks of Ge Reveal bulbs (2.14 ea. less $5 worth of coupons) $3.56
1 Motrin PM (FREE) - Had to convince cashier to stack coupons
1 Tide Travel Size (FREE) - Had to convince cashier coupon valid on travel sz.

They also have Axe deodorant (the only kind my teenager accepts) in a twin pack which is $3.44 which is the same price as one by itself!

Had to buy 2 sympathy cards @ $2.59 each

Total OOP $28.07

Saved over $34 with coupons and b1g1 items.

Kroger:
Kettle chips on sale 2/$5, had 2 B1G1 coupons - Netted 4 bags of chips for $5.00 (they are usually $3.29 each when not on sale). Total OOP $5.50
Walgeens:
Veet (regular $6.99) for .99 cents; Total OOP $1.36


Total for the day about $ 35.00

I <3 COUPONS!

Have you been to MAPCO lately?

Today I stopped at a MAPCO station because my gas light was on - and they were the closest place. When we pulled in my son asked, "Mom, what's Happy Hour?" (After 1000 things went through my mind I realized in front of me was a big pink sign - Ladies Happy Hour, M-F 3-6pm).

Before I finished reading, a lovely young lady with a pink vest over her Mapco vest, ran up and explained that it was Happy Hour for Ladies and she would be pumping my gas for me. I swiped my card and entered all the necessary info. She asked the details and I said fill-er-up with regular unleaded and she went to work.

She handed me a coupon good for a free coffee or fountain drink and invited me to go on in the store and get my drink (and feel free to shop as well). She also gave me a punch card that would net me another freebie once they were all punched. Got my drink and returned to my car to find my receipt neatly under my windshield wiper and she ran up to me and handed me a fresh orange. She informed me that they had fresh fruit and I was welcome to a freebie.

I must say - it's my new favorite place! Wondering if this was a fluke, I happened by one closer to my house and there was another worker in a pink vest pumping gas for a customer. I gotta give it to Mapco....they need to keep it up because I'm their new best friend!

Ravelympics 2010 - Finish Line Crossed....

I have crossed the Hat Halfpipe Finish line on two of my three Hat Triathalon challenges.

Challenge #1 - "Cayuga Hat" (Purple) made with Malabrigo in color Violetas. Gorg! Started at the lighting of the flame and completed Feb. 16

While blocking the band I cast on for ...

Challenge #2 - "WHO? Loves Curling?-Me Hat!" (brown)
The name of the pattern is "Who?" so I improvised my name a bit. I only knit on this (with a few small exceptions) while watching CURLING competitions for US men's and women's teams. (Thus, one of the owls is "special"). I love Curling, so now I have a curling hat! See the little owls? I need buttons for their eyes, but I'm calling it DONE - eyes will be on before the flame goes out.

I AM OLYMPIC GEEK!

Not only am I completely an Olympic Geek, but I was geeking out about the hats they were wearing last night at the opening ceremonies. (When I say "they" I mean our USA athletes!)

After researching, they are designed by Ralph Lauren and are $75 at teamusashop.com (HA!)
As soon as I figure out how to knit a moose, I'm making my own. It might take me until the next Winter Olympic games!

UPDATE: A wonderful "Ravelite" made her own pattern and it's now available on Ravelry. Do a search for Olympic Reindeer Hat and you will find it. It's free - and evidently she says they are reindeer vs. moose. I can say this - When I went to Canada, I saw many moose and nary a reindeer, but who am I to question someone giving me a free pattern. By the time I do this, it will be the 2014 games :)

Coupons and Deals...I think I'm Addicted

Well, it is no secret, that every gal loves a deal. Now, I'm not the kind of girl that's in the mall every weekend. In fact, I rarely go there unless it's Christmas and then only once or twice. But, I am totally addicted to getting deals on my groceries. You see, the gal wearing the hat (below with her daughters) got me hooked on couponing and now I am a fiend!

Yesterday, I took my son to the doctor and he was told that he was showing some signs of dehydration and was recommended water, gatorade or propel. Of course, on the way home, my mind is whirling with the deal I had just "plotted" at Walgreens that involved Gatorade, Tostitos and Wet Ones (not to be eaten together of course;). Anyway, my poor unsuspecting son is given the task of picking out the Gatorade that he wanted. "Only the ones that are $1.00", I remind, as he bypasses the ones in the cool sport bottles. He rolls his eyes and puts 3 in the cart. "Oh no," I say, "we're getting 10...keep going." He looked like he wanted to crawl in a hole, but at 13, this happens a LOT!

We then bypass all other snacks for the Tostitos and I shoo him away from the M&Ms (not in the plan and I have no coupon for those and besides we still have discounted Halloween candy at home!). And of course, he is still wondering where the Wet Ones fit into this crazy scheme. So I'm strolling to the car feeling like I've bought a refrigerator for a penny and now we are looking for where we can stash 10 bottles of Gatorade!

Knit yer fingers off!

Well, let's just say I'm making the most of the cold weather....I have knitted many instant grat projects this winter and there's no signs of stopping. I am even making plans for my spring/summer knitting (please HOLD me to that!). Well, there are a few finished items to picture here. I have made several hats for others, mostly babies (and one big baby) and those have been successful. Made myself a pair of fingerless gloves and knitted a thumb gusset for the first time! (Wow, much easier than I had it built up in my mind). Had so much fun, knitted some for my friend Crissy as a birthday gift. She is the only person I know that has a birthWEEK instead of a birthDAY. I think she's got the right idea! Of course, I forgot to call her on her birthday so hopefully made up for it with the gifts :). Pictured l-r, Grace eating her knitted cupcake and wearing her cupcake hat, Crissy sporting a pompom beanie and fingerless gloves and Anna Beth, modeling her pink cupcake hat.

OH Christmas tree...thou needest a skirt!

Well, here is my latest FO, a shawl for a beautiful friend who really really needed a prayer shawl.
To do the photograph, I spread it out under my Christmas tree and of course, now I'm considering doing one in green or red. I'm thinking a pretty light green might be nice. It turned out quite gorgeous and she is thrilled with it!

So, since I don't have a tree skirt, I might start scouting some sales at Michael's for appropriate yarn. (As soon as I finish all the winter hats that I didn't get finished BEFORE Christmas)!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Throw out the Lifeline!

I was looking at a knitting pattern the other day and the writer suggested several points in the knitting where she recommended putting a "lifeline". This was new to me!! I consider myself a fairly experienced knitter, although I am still learning new techniques every day, but I had ever really heard of this. (I am basically "self-taught" so there's probably a lot of things I still don't know!)

After some research, I came upon a site that clearly demonstrates and explains the lifeline...enjoy!
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/lifeline.shtm

(Does anyone remember the old hymn, "Throw out the Lifeline"...anybody but me??)

LPM Memory Verse Challenge #4 - 2/15/09

Psalm 34:4-8
I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him, and he rescues them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!

This is my chosen verse for the memory verse challenge for 2/15/09. I just started this - although the challenge started on 1/1/09. I have jumped in, 3 verses behind. If you'd like more information about the Living Proof memory verse challenge, just click here.

One Sock!

Well, I have finished my very first sock using self striping sock yarn. Please hold your applause. I will say that although it is somewhat of a mess, the untrained would see little or no problems with it. Of course, the creator knows all the flaws and loves it just the same:)

I have been knitting and crocheting for years and it's an on-again/off-again relationship. But when a friend asked me to teach her to knit, I gladly grabbed my bag of tricks, sharpened my needles (of course, you don't really do that, right?) and got busy. I HAD to give myself a refresher in order to seemingly speak intelligently.

So, I was off an running; making samples and swatches and copying instructions, finding websites, youtube videos and the like. She is now getting top notch instruction from moi and I am once again hooked by the needles!

I decided now was the time to resurrect my long-held fear and attempt a sock (or maybe two). Since the kidlet is constantly using me as a taxi, I have plenty of waiting time to knit on my sock. It basically stays with me in my oh-so-chic whole foods bag (the little ones are perfect for your on-the-go project). So my moonlight sock has been knitted by the light of the interior dome light! It IS possible.

Ah well. I have now decided to start another sock but since my first is fraught with mistakes I am not anxious to knit it a spouse. Therein lies the dilemma of sock-knitters the world over. The dreaded second sock! In this case, I am still in a quandry if I should have a pair of socks where one is clearly less appealing that it's partner. OR I should start fresh. HMMM. I could just rock one sock - like the one-glove people.

Fingerless gloves unhip!

Loopy here! I'm going to post my fingerless gloves pic. Here is the pattern. I made them and I thought my son would die laughing. He thought they looked so stupid....until....he found out:

#1. They come in handy while shooting hoops in the back yard

#2. Teens love them because they don't inhibit their texting (heaven forbid!)

#3. Useful for playing X-Box in cold basement "man cave".

So...where did I find them this morning? On his bedside table. All of a sudden, Moms stupid fingerless gloves ROCK! How can this be? The rotation of the earth will now be reversed. Enjoy the ride!

Sick Shawl

Yeah, I really call this my sick shawl. I broke it in this past week during a horrid head cold. It worked so well, I'm doing an aphgan in the same pattern. It's hard to see the detail but it's basically double crochet chain 1 - in super soft fuzzy yarn I got in the Hobby Lobby sale bin (and the pattern was on the yarn sleeve).

Crochet Bag

Here is a purse that I made in a weekend. I got the pattern from my new Stich 'n B***ch Crochet book. I used Lion Cotton and also used a flower pattern from another project in the book to make the attached flower.

Thread Crochet Bag

This little bag is thread crochet - something I just had to do but don't want a steady diet of thread crochet in my life. I just had to add beads to something and that's what I did here. Very fine Senso cotton in denim color with added seed beads (we're talking 8's!!) and that's all of that I could stand for a while. I love the results, however.