Couponing at Target!

I LOVE Target... who doesn't though?!?!?  That being said, I always found it to be a bit more expensive so I never did grocery type shopping there.  However, my favorite couponing blogs regularly post great deals  at Target so I decided to dive in... and I have been WAY surprised by the fantastic deals out there.

Few things to note regarding Target:

- You can stack coupons at Target to get super great deals.  Stacking is when you take use both a store coupon and a manufacturers coupon for big savings

- Printable Target Coupons are here.  You can print up to two of each coupon... just select the coupons you want, print, and repeat the process... voila two of each coupon printed. I tend to print most coupons, even those I do not think I will use because they may match up perfectly with a manufacturers coupon or a clearance sale at Target

- Target regularly has coupons for clothes ($4 of kids jeans, $3 off ladies shirts, etc.)

- You can get Target mobile coupons texted to your phone.  I have found that these coupons are higher value then the printable store coupons.   At check out, just pull up the link from your text message and the cashier will scan your phone for the coupons.

Last night I went to Target and got the following:

2- Clorox Stain Fighting Pens 

2- Quaker Chewy bars 

2- Pretzel M&M's 9.9oz 

4- Hunts tomatoes cans

2 - Extra Gum packs

2 - Tic Tacs

1 - Transformers toy

1- Mabelline lip gloss

1 - Neutrogena face wash bar

2-  whisker Lickin's cat treats

1- Olay Regenerist face wash clothes

Retail cost: $48.57

Combining manufacturer coupons, Target printable coupons, Target Mobile coupons and clearance items I paid: $12.69

That is a total savings of $35.88... Pretty good shopping I think!

A few other things of note:

- I took advantage of some crazy good deals... but please note I only got 1-4 of each item.  I am totally against shelve clearing... let everyone save!

- At checkout, the younger guys are usually way easier to check out with then older men or old women (the older people tend to not be as coupon friendly).  Check out with a younger guy or a younger girl if at all possible when couponing (this is a pretty good rule of thumb anywhere, not just at Target... men couponers you should also follow this rule of thumb!!!

To find great Target deals, I follow these blogs:

MyLitter

KrazyCouponLady

TotallyTarget

Where have you found your best couponing deals?  Any surprising finds?

Thoughts on Couponing

I started couponing about a year or two ago and it has been a blessing, headache, and job rolled into one.  Couponing just makes sense for me - its free money offered to you by manufacturers to encourage you to buy their products - plus I have time to do it.  With coupons you can get name brand products for must less than the cost of even the lowest quality store brand. 

I hate paying full price for an item and always kick myself when I go to the store without my coupon folder (you never know what you will find on clearance that you have a coupon for).  I take advantage of free offers by shopping at drug stores and highly encourage others to do the same. I have personally left CVS paying pennies for lots of goodies.

That all being said, I HATE the way the shoppers on TLC's Extreme Couponing behave.  I believe they take advantage of the system, make normal couponers look bad, and frankly are very selfish and hoarders.  I do not see the need for having a hundreds years work of soup in your basement... it just seems very wrong.  Shelf clearers are the worst (if you watch the show or coupon, you know what I am talking about).

Anyway, I follow a handful of blogs to help me with my couponing, one of which (and my favorite) is My Litter.  Tiffany, the blogs author is actually from The Woodlands (near my town), and was on Extreme Couponing.  She and her family were one of the first families featured and the ONLY normal family on this show in my opinion.  Tiffany just did an article on the show (Extreme Couponing) and its a pretty good read if you are interested in the show and want to know "how they do that".

A couple notes on couponing:

- It takes time and effort

- You don't have to run yourself crazy to every store in town to get a good deal.  The deal will come up again soon, just be patient. 

- When there is a good deal on a product you like, and you have matching coupons, buy enough to last 3 months... Products go on sale in cycles so take advantage of the low price while its available

- Keep all your coupons, event those for things you don't necessary want.  You never know when you will run across an item that is totally free... you can easily donate this item to a non-profit.

- Make sure you read the fine print on sales paper and you buy exactly the right product otherwise your coupons won't work or you will pay more than you expect

- You don't have to find the deals all by yourself.  Check out couponing websites and they can tell you what to buy, where to buy it, and what coupons to use.  Two of my favorite couponing sites are: My Litter and Krazy Coupon Lady.  Let them do the work for you.

- If stores in your area double or triple coupons you are lucky (none do in my area) and you should TOTALLY take advantage of it!

- Finally, drugstores typically offer the very best deals.  CVS is my absolute favorite place to shop.  It seems expensive if you do not coupon but if you coupon, use your rewards card, and plan your shopping trip you can get stuff super cheap.

For more shopping tips and to read about one of my best shopping trips ever at CVS read this post.  

Good luck shopping, save some money and USE YOUR COUPONS (just don't be crazy about it please!).  What are your couponing strategies and tips?

$10 off $10 = Awesomeness

There are a couple companies that send out $10 off $10 coupons and I LOVE getting these!  Kohl's mails them via snail mail, Pier 1 did it through a facebook promo a while back (its expired now) and I have just started getting them from JCPenney emails.   When you get the emails, be sure to view the images and look at the BOTTOM of the email for coupons.

I think I signed up in the store for the Kohl's mailing list but you can sign up here for the JCPenney e-newsletter...  This week I got a $10 off $100 Liz Claiborne purchase but sometimes they will be for ANYTHING in the store.  When I get these I always check out the clearance sections for clothes, home goods, or really anything.  You can get some total steals.  I try to find something as close to $10 as possible, this way I have a tiny amount out of pocket without loosing any value of the coupon. One thing to note - your purchase usually has to be over $10 before taxes in order to use the coupon so if you find something for $8.50 find a cheap add on to get your total over $10.

Here's a couple of my recent finds:

Kohl's

I couldn't find anything I really wanted so I went to the kid toy section.  All their toys were buy 1 get one 1/2 off.  I found 2 things on clearance that cost around $8 each (clearance price).  With the buy one get one 1/2 off sale I was able to get 2 toys for around $12... minus my $10 coupon I paid only $2.  I put these in the closest and they will be perfect Christmas gifts! (I am not naming the objects purchased because they have not been gifted yet).   

Last time I got this coupon from Kohl's I headed to the home good section and found a vinyl wall quote on clearance for  $12.46!!! You can find these on sale at Hobby Lobby for about $20 normally but I was able to walk out of Kohl's paying only $2.46.  This will be a perfect addition to my soon to be decorated master bathroom.

Finally, Sunday I used my $10 Liz Claiborne coupon at JCPenneys.  I found a couple tops that were okay but then decided to check out the dresses.  As I walked over, it looked like an entire rack was BRIGHT yellow dresses.  I saw the label was Liz Claiborne and decided, what the heck I would try it on.  

Originally the dress was $80 and it was on clearance for $6.97.  

 WOW!  I tried it on and LOVED the fit.  The only problem was the dress was BRIGHT yellow, which would be great in the spring, but its fall and I wanted something for now.  Also, the material is pretty heavy for summer so it would have to be a spring only dress... kind of a bummer.  Then I decided I could get it and attempt to dye it.  I am thinking it will look great in a dark brown or black... I'll be sure to blog about it when that project happens (but please leave suggestions on the dying process now!).

To reach my required $10 spending, I headed to the clearance jewelry section and found these $5.60 earrings.  I think they are really cute.

I left store spending around $2.50, with a great dress and some cute earrings!

Like I said, the $10 off $10 are some of my favorite coupons EVER.  I get almost giddy when I get them and I always try to get the biggest bang for the smallest buck.  Be sure to sign up and take advantage of these offers!  

What stores and coupons are your favorite for thrifty shopping?

Free Cat Treats

Be on the lookout in this week’s RedPlum insert because man people got a coupon for Free Crave Cat Treats (up to $1.59 value).  Even if you don't have a cat you could redeem this coupon at WalMart, get free treats and donate them to an animal shelter or a friend with a cat!  


Petfinder can help you find local shelters.


Cheap is good but free is better!

Thrifty Bathroom Makeover

For a while now Joe and I have been wanting to redo (re would imply doing it again... we just need to do it for the first time!) our master bathroom.  We painted our cabinets white at the same time we redid our kitchen cabinets.  The lighter color helps the bathroom seem bigger but the rest of the bathroom has pretty much been just... there.  

I hooked up a small chandelier over the bathtub but its kind of out of place because the rest of the room is SO plain.  Finally, a while back we replaced the standard wall mounted mirror with a framed one.

I had an idea of how I wanted it to look but just hadn't done anything about it.  We have chocolate brown towels and I was think a really light blue with brown and bronze accents would be nice. Again, this was all in my head and nothing has been to it.

Two weeks ago, thanks to garage sales I FINALLY made a positive step in getting the bathroom in order.  First, I went to an apartment garage sale and got a brand new, full roll of painters tape for $0.25.   At another sale, I got the small roller for $0.25 and 10 bronze knobs for $1 (they were supposed to be $2 but what garage saler pays full price on everything?!?!?).  Then, at my last garage sale of the day I found a full can of light blue never used paint for $1!  The finish is flat and I wish it was a least eggshell, but for $1 in a color I want, I'll take it!  

Then, I had a $10 off $10 coupon to use a Kohl's.  I found a bathroom themed wall vinyl on clearance for $12.79.  I had spotted this vinyl almost a year ago at Hobby Lobby and liked it but never got it... with my $10 coupon I paid $2.79 plus tax for this vinyl.

When I got home Saturday afternoon I was ready to get to work and make a big change... then I went to get the paint roller and we had run out.  So frustrating!  The project was once again put on hold because I did not feel like going to the store.  All the project pieces have been sitting in a corner ever since.

Finally this past Saturday, I saw a new roller at a garage sale for $0.50 (I would have bought it at the store but I kept forgetting).  Now I have no excuse to get to work!  

This bathroom makeover is the ultimate thrifty project.  Total project cost include:

Painters Tape : $0.25

Mini Roller : $0.25

Knobs: $1.00

Gallon of Paint: $1.00

Roller: $0.50

Vinyl Quote: $2.79+tax

TOTAL: $5.79

I am hoping this blog post will shame myself into actually getting to work and painting this bathroom!  Unfortunately I will be out of town for the majority of this week so I have a feeling that this never ending (or frankly starting) project will get put off a little bit longer.  

What projects do you have waiting in the wings?  Feel free to shame yourself into action here!

Great deal alert - ends today, hurry!

Right now, you can "like" Pier 1 on facebook and get a $10 gift certificate! No minimum spending requirements, just print and go shopping!

The coupon expires Wednesday (and the coupon is only available today) so you have to move fast.

I bought this pretty vase - originally $50, on clearance for $12.78. Minus my $10 coupon, I paid $2.78ish and already have it up in my house. Shopping that doesn't cost any money is my FAVORITE!

What will you get?

I LOVE CVS!

Sidenote: I just realized how long this post got and I apologize in advance.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE CVS! About a year ago I was told about the gloriousness that is shopping at CVS. I had always thought that CVS, Walgreens, ect. were more expensive because of their convenience. I was totally wrong. I had no idea the great deals and sales that they have weekly. I coupon regularly but I'm no where close to an extreme couponers like on TLC. Like NO WHERE close at all (for example I only take 1 Sunday paper, but I rarely non-necessities without a coupon).

I have had some great CVS shopping experiences throughout the year and I still get shocked by how low some of my receipt totals are. Today was one of my personal best shopping days and I absolutely had to share.

This is what I bought (regular prices with the CVS card are next to the items so that you can see what the products would cost without coupons):

3 -12 packs of Sprite 3/$9
2 - Planters Mixed Nuts, 11.5 oz 2/$6
6- Candy Bars single size) $.89 B2GO (buy 2 get 1 free)
1 - Dove Visible Care Body Wash, 11.1 oz $1.99
1 - Physicians Formula Powder Palette $13.49

My total should have been about $34

I brought the following coupons (and included where I got the coupon):
$5 CVS emailed coupon (because I have a CVS card and gave them my email address - these come almost every week, usually on Thursday afternoons)
$1 Dove newspaper coupon
$0.99 Planters newspaper coupon
$0.89 Candy bar coupon - these were actually a BOGO (buy one get one free) coupons. I combined this with CVS's B2GO sale so that I only had to buy 1 and I got 2 free. I had two fo these coupons so I paid for 2 candy bars and got 4 free)
$10 CVS Extra Bucks Coupon - I got this coupon 2 weeks ago when CVS had a Pepsi sale. If you spent $20 on Pepsi you got $10 to spent later at CVS. This was a free $10 to spend however I wanted at CVS
$5 CVS Extra Bucks Coupon - I got this coupon 2 weeks ago when I bought some medicine. It was a spent $15 get $5... see above for a more detailed explanation
$10 Physicians Formula Coupon - this came out of the price scanner/coupon ejector at CVS. You scan your card everytime you go to the store and it prints coupons for you. Some are good (like this one), others aren't. I always hold onto the coupons that are printed because they usually last about a week or two and CVS may put the product on sale so you get it even cheaper.

My actual total, minus coupons was $0.29. That is not a typo, and yes you read that correctly. My total was twenty-nine cents for everything in the picture above. Amazing right!?!?!?

Not only was my total $0.29 but I left with a total of $12.00 in CVS buck to use on my next trip to the store. These came from:

Coke/Planters - Spend $15 get $5 CVS bucks
Physicians Formula - Spend $10 get $7 CVS bucks

Couponing takes time but is TOTALLY worth it as you can see from above. I use couponmom.com and afullcup.com to find the top deals at the stores each week to help plan my shopping. These websites are free to join and really do the work for you in terms of lettering you know savings and putting together shopping list.

Since couponing I pretty much stopped buying things that I do not have a coupon for it and/or if it is not on sale. I always buy name brand products, just when they are on sale. This means I buy a couple of the items at a time and store them until I need them. I recently got cans of Hunts Chopped tomato's for about about $.30 cents each. I about about 9 cans because I will not spent $1.50 for these when I know they will be cheap in a couple weeks.

A couple strategies to use when couponing:

- I find that drug stores have the best deals. I prefer CVS but some people like Walgreens. I do not. Choose which works best for you. When I first got into couponing at drug stores I would go to both stores. I no longer to this because its just way too time consuming. The only time I go to Walgreens now is if they have an AMAZING sale that I can't miss or if I need a product that they have on sale that isn't on sale at CVS.
- I also shop at Kroger because I like it more than HEB and they double and triple coupons. You can find some great deals at Kroger when you use coupons because of their nice doubling policy.
- Subscribe to the Sunday paper. Cut all coupons and sort them by category. I sort my coupons by teeth care, paper/ cleaning, hair/body, baking, refrigerated, frozen, snacks, pet, make up, etc. There may be more but I do not recall the others off hand. Some websites recommend that you keep all your coupon in their packets and the website will tell you where to find the coupons based on where and when it was published. I do not do this because I like to have my coupons with me for things I forget but this strategy may work for you.
- Cut all coupons because lots of times you can get items totally free - if you do not need them you can donate them to a shelter. Several times I have seen and coupon for something and not cut it out because I thought I would never use it. It seems like whenever I do this CVS always has it on sale so that I could have gotten it free or even used it as a money maker (see next tip). Its frustrating because I know someone could have used this free product. It takes like 3 extra seconds, just cut the coupon out.
- When you combing a coupon with a good sale, some items will be money makers. For example, if I have a coupon for $1 off a package of gum and the gum is on sale for $0.75 stores will typically roll that extra $0.25 off into your over all bill. Get it?
- Buy several of the same item when they are one sale and you have coupons for them. Put them in a closet until you need them.
- Put your CVS bucks to use for you. Every week CVS has sales where if you buy a certain amount of a particular product you will get money back (CVS extra care bucks) for your next time shopping in the store. For example, 2 weeks ago there was a special that if you spent $20 on Pepsi you got $10 in CVS bucks. I got 6 packs of Pepsi for $20, and saved my $10 coupon. Today I went to the store and there was a sale where if you spent $15 on Coke or Planters products you got $5 back. I used my $10 coupon from last week to help pay my bill this week and I left with $5 to use next week. Next week I will be sure to spend that $5 on more products that earn me extra bucks. Get it?
- You can't be product specific. Or you can, you just will not get nearly as many deals and great buys. Sure, I like a specific type of laundry detergent but I am more than happy to switch if I can get a different brand (normal sized) for $2 or so.
- Read the Ads carefully. You have to get the exact item included in the Ad or you won't get the sale price
- Watch the prices the cashier rings up. If its wrong (nicely) tell them.

Thats the basics of couponing. I can not believe I did not do this sooner. If you have any questions about couponing let me know and I will help if I can.

Also, if you get the Sunday paper and do not want your coupons I'll take them!

Happy shopping and saving!