Crazy Couponing Suz!

Okay, well, a few months ago I went couponing crazy. Don't you remember those weird, strange emails you received form me about free cereal deals and coupon this and that? I wanted to save money so we could really put our Dave Ramsey techniques into greater practice. I also wanted to have a little extra money at the end of the month for a pedicure or something just for me. Kinda selfish, but a girls gotta do something to feel "civilized" again.

So, along my couponing and deal seeking journey of three months, I have learned many lessons.
1. Don't use every coupon you have.
2. If it is on sale, that makes the deal sweet!
3. Use Wal-Mart and other stores to your advantage. Comp ads from other stores to get better deals. I bought so much at Wal-Mart last night and saved a ton comping ads from Kroger, Albertsons, and Target.
4. Use coupons to your advantage-buy what you like to get great deals when items are on sale. 5. Use coupons at double or triple value when stuff is on sale.
6. Plan ahead with a menu and stick to it!

So what are some good finds I have picked up?
I bought 5 rolls of Bounty Basic for $0.25 and two small containers of Daisy Sour Cream for free at Kroger. I used my coupons to double and triple value alongside their sale. Great!

Last night at CVS, I picked up 2 bags of Life Savers Gummies (Buy 1 Get 1 Free), two candy bars (2 for $1), one pack of Trident ($2), two bags M&M's (2 for $5) for $2.08. I used a B1G1 free coupon on Life Savers...both bags were free. I used a coupon on M&M'S ($0.75), Trident ($1), and used $4 of ECB's from CVS. I paid $2 out of pocket and got $5 ECB's back. I used that $5 to buy three Zone bars for $1 each (used a $1 coupon), Bain Aid Ultra Strips for $1.99 after $1 coupon, one package of Kotex pads for $0.50 after $2 coupon and one rice crispy treat. I paid $0.18 for that transaction after my $5 ECB's. I also got back $2ECb's for purchasing the Band Aids. That was one of my best deals to date!

Of course I have gone overboard! It wouldn't be me if I didn't! I have not wrangled in my couponing. I am finally organized and not going "crazy" over the coupons anymore. I have been to the deep end, and now am back to the middle road. I have learned that I spend WAY more with coupons when I do not prepare and look at all the deals. I am sure I could bring my weekly grocery game down, but right now $60 a week is far better than our usual $120 a week shopping trip. So, when I have a good deal or see a great coupon, I will let you know!

And, just so you know, I have been able to stock my pantry with loads of free cereals, baby bath soaps, toothpaste and more just through the sensible advice of other women on blogs in this great blogosphere. You should check them out at Moneysavingmom.com and freebies4mom.blogspot.com.

Happy Shopping!!!
Susan


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Don't forget to enter the Bum Genius Diaper Giveaway....see post below.....

Dress Like a Cow, Get a Free Chic-fil-a Meal on Cow Appreciation Day, Friday, July 11th, 2008

Friday, July 11, 2008, is Cow Appreciation Day at your local Chic-fil-a Restaurant. Chic-fil-a will offer a free meal to those of you who are not too chicken to visit one of their stores fully dress as a cow! The rules are listed here and here.

The July 11 event is the chain's 4th annual Cow Appreciation Day celebration.

"While the event is a natural tie with our cow-theme marketing campaign, Cow Appreciation Day is intended to be a fun day to reward some of our most loyal customers with free food. We are anxious to see the event grow year after year," said Steve Robinson, Chic-fil-a senior vice president of marketing.

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Jacob, Justin and I will dress up tomorrow for sure!

Those of you in Amarillo, please go by the Chic-fil-a on 45th and Coulter. Hal Leedy is the manager, and he loves when customers participate in Cow Appreciation Day. When you are there tell him I said "hello"...I use to work with him through Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Send me your pictures of Cow Appreciation Day, or Link to this post, and I will post them on my blog! Can't wait to see them!

Support Hal's store, support Chic-fil-a and have a great day!

Suz

(Information and graphics derived from Chic-fil-a Press Release )