Frustrating Shopping Experience.

I just wrote a book long post about a extremely frustrating experience at HEB.  I decided not to post it because it was purely a rant that provided absolutely no useful information to my readers, much less positive information.  Instead I am allowing myself to rant... just in a much shorter format.

Needless to say, I hate shopping there.  I avoid it, then about every other month I get suckered back to the store with the allure of a good deal.  The good deal rarely pans out because they have a confusing coupon policy that they can't figure out (even if you are in the right).  They aisles are crowed with oversized shopping carts, families with a billion kids out of control, and really slow walkers.  I end up leaving the store angry I tried to like it again because of a good deal.  I don't like HEB. 

Am I crazy that 5 hours after leaving the store I still find myself frustrated when I think about it?  Do you have any store that drive you completely batty?  Do you give them a second chance and, if so, do you routinely regret it?

Sweetest Day = Sweet Deal!

I just read that the 3rd Saturday of October is designated as the "Sweetest Day"... 

Wikipedia says this day "offers all of us an opportunity to remember husbands, boyfriends, the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed". Sounds a bit like valentines day but I am happy to join in the celebration!

Lindseys Whimsys is celebrating the Sweetest Day this year by offering a 15% discount* on all Lindseys Whimsys rentals that are booked or stationary that is requested by October 22, 2012 (I am adding a week because I just discovered this fun holiday).  Just mention "The Sweetest Day" when you email lindseyswhimsys@gmail.com and you can get this sweet deal!

If you haven't checked out Lindseys Whimsys rentals, please do so and tell a friend!  these are perfect pieces for just about any special occasion.  You can also get custom made, personalized stationary from Lindseys Whimsys as well!  

Happy Sweet Day!   How do you plan to celebrate?


*Minimum rental of $75 required for discount.

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?

Happy 31 Anniversary!

Happy 31th anniversary Billie and TC!  31 years and 1 day ago you tied the not.

In a day when lasting marriages are a rarity, you are a great example of a loving marriage with a foundation in Christ for me and Joe.

Thank you, love you, and congratulations!

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?

Visiting Megan

This weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting my little sister, Megan, and her new husband, John, at their home in Louisiana.  It was a super fun weekend and this loft style apartment is VERY cool... I have a little bit of house envy!

This is taken from the upstairs loft portion.

This picture was taken after we brought a tornado of mess inside... it was spotless when we arrived.

Because of the limited storage space, Meggo has been pretty creative with some of her storage... apparently this closet housing the AC vent is the ideal temperature for wine!  

A little cuter version of creative storage is this - I love the mugs hanging on a display plate rack!  Super cute and so smart!

This old frame is really cute to display photos in.  She actually hung the frame from the back and attached the ribbon just to make it cuter.

Prayers Please

This past weekend, my Grandma fell and cracked her hip bone.  If you could please keep her in your prayers, I would appreciate it.  Also, please include her doctors, nurses, and other caretakers in your prayers - that they are well rested, show her compassion and provide healing and comfort.  Thanks!