To me one of the most important parts of saving money is remembering why you are saving. So I thought we would all take a day and share a bit of why we got started on this whole “couponing thing”.
For my family it was always our goal for me to stay home with our kids. From the beginning of our marriage we lived on one income while trying to save most of the second. This was not only to have savings but to teach us not to live on money we wouldn’t someday have. As we planned for kids, we never really expected our family to go from 2 to 4 overnight, but it did… The big problem we didn’t plan on was my husbands job not having health insurance and us not being able to get health insurance for our twins because of being premature (that we could afford anyway). The first quotes started coming back with rates of $900 and $1000 a month, and we knew that we had to make changes.
My husband found a new job in a different (cheaper) city and I found some new hobbies. Many of you know that couponing wasn’t actually something that I thought would work for us. I really thought we were already doing everything right: buying in bulk, shopping at Walmart, not eating a lot of meat etc.
With some prodding from my husband, I decided to try “couponing” for 30 days. It really only took a week or two and I was hooked. Really I think the minute you figure out how much you’ve been over paying for things (like toothpaste…) you can never go back!!
Now almost 9 years later, it still important for me to remember the key reason that sparked all of this… to be able to stay home with my girls. Focusing on that helps me keep a balance on the time that I am spending shopping and cutting coupons. I am not as extreme as others, and only shop at one grocery store and maybe one drugstore each week, but in the end we are meeting our budget of $50 per week and I’m meeting my goal of being a mom at home.
What got you started in saving? I would love to hear your stories!
Score a great deal on Pampers Easy Ups on Amazon right now!
You can get Pampers Easy Ups 2T-3T 44ct for $7.83 following a few simple steps.
1. Sign up for Amazon Mom (free!) – gets you %15 off!
2. Grab the Pampers 2T-3T Pack for $13.33
3. Clip the $1.50 off Coupon right below the item
4. Select subscribe & save (you can cancel right after) – get another 15% off
With the Amazon Mom & the Subscribe and Save you’ll get 30% off and then you still get the $1.50 coupon!!
In the end you have Pampers Easy Ups for $7.83 or 17¢ ea.
Note: Amazon prices change quickly so if you want this, don’t wait to long.
(Thanks SwagGrabber!)
If you missed the Arrid coupon late last week… it’s back! Head over and get $1 off any Arrid Deodorant (remember to hit your back button and print two). Now take your new coupons to Walgreens this week and get Arrid completely free!
Arrid Deodorant, 99¢ w/in-ad coupon
-$1 off Arrid printable
(makes it FREE)
A Tip: Always use your Walgreens in-ad coupons last. If you use it first and make the deodorant cost 99¢ your $1 off coupon will beep a thousand times. If you use your $1 off coupon when the computer thinks the deodorant costs $2+, your $1 coupon will go through just fine. Then change the price to 99¢ with your in-ad coupon. If you forget that and they tell you that they can’t take the coupon because it is a higher value print out their coupon policy (linked in the box above) it specifically states that they can take the coupon.
For everyone that has been hunting for the Publix Procter & Gamble Pink Bakeware rebate, I’m excited to share that an official version has been posted to P&G’s site. While there were copies out there before now, the wording at the bottom states that the form can’t be posted on any website with written permission… which I didn’t have… so I’m glad to finally share the legit version with you. So get your form now if you haven’t found one locally!
If you are curious what this rebate is:
Buy $25 in Procter & Gamble products in one transaction and get a FREE Pink Bakeware set. Head over here to read all the details.
(a huge thanks to Meghan for posting this in our community!)
Here are some great items that are under $1 or Free that you can add to your Operation Christmas Child boxes! We only 5 weeks left to pack those boxes so pick up all the freebies and help make a child’s day.
Top Donation Deals
- Publix Penny Item: Publix Candy, 6-20 oz
(just NO Chocolate) - Office Depot – $10 off $10 at Copy & Print Depot
(This coupon expires 11/7/11) 
Walmart – Ivory Bar Soap, 3 ct., 97¢
-$1 off Zest, Ivory or Safeguard body wash, bar or hand soap, Booklet in select PG products
-.35/1 Ivory body wash or bar or Safeguard bar or liquid hand soap, PG 10/02
(use $1 off, makes it FREE)- Walmart – Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste, 2 oz, 94¢
-$1 off Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste printable
-$1 off Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste, September All You magazine
-.75/1 Colgate Total, Max Fresh or Sensitive toothpaste, 4 oz +, SS 10/02
(makes it FREE) - Walmart – Crest Scope Outlast, trial size, 97¢
-$2 off Crest Scope Outlast toothpaste SS 9/11
(makes it FREE+ profit) Read More→
Duck Brand is giving away 10,000 FREE Socket Sealers to the first 10,000 people to request them. You will need to “like” them on Facebook and then click on their “Giveaway” tab.
Enter your mailing information and a few questions to have your free socket sealer sent to you.
Even better – you will get an insert mailed with the socket sealers with two coupons for a Roll-On Window Kit and a Double Draft Seal!
This looks like a really interesting product, I’m wondering if it will have an effect on utility bills. For free, we’ll definitely give it a try.
SeeHere.com is offering new customers up to 25 FREE photo cards & envelopes. If you stick to 20 photo cards, the shipping is only $1.49 and that is an awesome price shipped! Get a head start on Christmas, New Years, or other holiday cards for next to nothing.
To get the deal:
- Sign up for a new account
- Create a 4×8 flat photo card
- Add 20 photo cards to your cart
- Use coupon code 25cards to get them for $1.49 shipped
CVS heard how much you loved the Gas gift card promotion they ran all summer that they are bringing out a new gift card promotion with a number of stores gift cards available!
***To see all of the current CVS deals go here.***
Starting this Sunday, October 16 through December 25, 2011, you can earn $10 gift cards to Macy’s, Gap, Applebee’s, Shell Stations, American Express, Barnes & Noble or CVS every week simply by spending $30 on products clearly marked as part of the “Earn Free Gift Cards” promotion. You will find participating items from all over the store marked in the weekly ad and in-store.
A few tips:
- Purchase $30 in participating items before coupons.
- You can only earn one gift card per week.
- Purchases towards the promotion do not carry over, so make sure you finish getting your $30 in participating items each week.
- CVS gift cards are included… awesome!
The best part? You can choose from the participating gift cards and then decide for yourself if you want to keep the gift cards you get back, or use them as gifts for friends and family for birthdays, special occasions or the holidays as we get closer to that time of year.
Tune in Thursday night for a sneak peak at next weeks ad and the first list of participating items. I’m also going to try to give you a scenario each week of the best way to earn your gift cards.
The Disney store has some great deals today one in particular though: get Personalized Fleece throws 2 for $20. These are regularly $19.50 each!
You can also get 10% cash back on your entire order by shopping through Shopathome.com first.
One other deal to not miss – 40% off all costumes.
If you order a lot you can get free shipping on any order $75 or more with code SHIPTODAY.
(thanks Amy!)
