$5 Food Storage: Week 5

This weeks items are:

• 4 cans of tomato soup, cheapest price is still Fred Meyer brand at 50 cents



• 10 lbs of powdered milk

This is a product that has gone way up in price since this list was written. The cheapest I found in town was $22.49 for 5 lbs at Sherms. You might want to buy this item in bulk and large cans, since these cans can be stored for up to 20 years.

Two of these sites are:

Honeyville Grain, 4 lbs can for $13.99, $4.99 shipping

or Sam's Club 6 cans (4 lbs) for $54.62, shipping $7.94 (not sure about membership?)

If you are LDS, you might also want to check with your ward food storage specialist, right now the price for a 4 lbs can is $8.60.

The price of this long storage type of food has gone up significantly in recent years, remember to consider this an investment, but also buy what you can afford and add according to your budget.

All for Free!

Here is what I got for free on my shopping trips today.

Rite Aid:

• Renpure Shampoo free after + UP


• Orbit Gum, had free coupon from facebook promo

Albertsons:

• Water free with a catalina from promo last week


• Propel, free when you bought Aquafina water


• Free Pineapple, when you bought 2 Dole Salads


• Frosted Mini Wheats, B1G1 Free coupon from Vocalpoint


• Milk, free after 4 boxes of Kelloggs Mini Wheats cereal (with coupons and doubles, I only paid $3.50 for all 4 boxes of cereal!)


• Free Redbox rental with code from previous promo

Fred Meyer:

• Strawberries $2, used $2 off any $2 produce purchase from Fred Meyer rebate coupons


• Heath bars on sale for Buy 2 Get 1 Free (these are for my son's teachers, his name is Heath)
  

Total retail: $43.01. This is why I love to coupon, things I normally buy at a great price, free!

Rite Aid 5/29-6/4

*Sorry about the lack of posts, sometimes life comes at you in the form of pending project deadlines, vacations, and broken well pumps and then things like Albertsons matchups don't happen.

New to Rite Aid, be sure to read my Rite Aid Rules. This week is also the start of new video values and a new SCR catalog.

Freebies:

• Renpure Organics Shampoo or Conditioner $4.99


• Get $4.99 + UP


• =Free (limit 2)

• Aquafresh Kids Toothpaste $1.99


• Use $1/1 from 4/17 RP (exp. 5/31)


• Stack with $1 video value


• =1 cent overage!

Deals:

• Conair Brushes, Combs or Rollers (Plus wellness discount)


• Get $5 + Up when you spend $10

• Coppertone $8.99


• Use $1/1 from 5/22 SS


• Stack with $1 from video values


• Get $2 +Up


• =$4.99

• Speed Stick $2.99


• Use 0.75/1 from 5/22 SS


• Get $2 + UP


• =24 cents!

• Pampers Big Box $19.99


• Use $1.50/1 from 5/1 P&G (exp 5/31), check your stash too


• Get $3 + UP


• =$15.49

• Soft Lips Twinpack 2 for $7


• Get $2 SCR on 2


• =$2.50 each

Kimberly Clark + UP, spend $30 get $10 +UP

• Scott 20 pack $12.97


• Use $1/1 from 5/8 SS


• =$11.97

• Little Swimmers $6.97


• Use $2/1 from 5/15 SS (you might try the All You/Juicy Juice coupon, but I don't think Rite Aid carries Juicy Juice)


• =$4.97

• Huggies Wipes $6.97


• Use 0.50/1 from 5/15 SS


• =$6.47

• Huggies Jumbo $8.97


• Use $2/1 from 5/15 SS or $3/1 printable


• Stack with $1/1 from video values


• =$4.97

• Kotex 2 for $7


• Use $2/2 from 5/15 SS


• =$2.50 each

• Depend or Poise $12.97


• Use various coupons from 5/15 and 5/22 SS

• Kleenex 97 cents (good filler)


• Use 0.50/2 from April All You


• =72 cents each

*This post is part of the grocery gathering and the deal scoop for Rite Aid.

Rite Aid Recap

*Sorry no pic, my husband put things away before I could snap one. :)

1. I didn't add any rebate money



2. Spent $16.55 out of pocket



3. Retail amount to date: $1294.21



4. Earned $4 in + Ups and will submit for $8 in SCR



5. Amount spent out of pocket in 2011: $168.19

$5 Food Storage: week 4

This weeks item is

• 1 bottle multivitamins (300 count)

Prices:

• Store brand Fred Meyer (Kroger) $13.99 for 300


• Western Family at Sherms $15.98 for 300
  


• Store brand Albertsons $16.99 for 320


• Store brand Walmart $7.68 for 200


• Rite Aid B1G1 Free Pharmasure vitamins (not sure of price, will check tomorrow)


• *Note, good vitamins deals pop up frequently, you may want to hold off for a better deal.

Best deal this week, Nature Made Vitamins at Rite Aid, B1G1 50% off, and get $5 + Up when you spend $20.
Deal Scenario:

• Buy 2 300 count 1 @$15.99, 1 @ $7.99=$23.98


• Use $3/1 from Feb All You and $3/1 from March All You


• Get $5 + UP


• =Like spending $12.98 (and you have 2 bottles of vitamins, which satisfies another weeks requirements)
  Kitty Total= $2.98-$12.98=$10 over budget

Rite Aid 5/22-5/28

New to Rite Aid, read my tutorial The Rite Aid Rules.

Freebies:

• Carefree $1


• Use $1/1 from 5/8 SS


• =Free

Deals:

• Cottonelle 12 pack, Viva 8 pack, or Cottonelle Wipes $5.99


• Use 0.50/1 from 5/15 SS (wipes) or 0.50/1 from June All You


• Get $1 + Up (limit of 2)


• =$4.49

• Dixie Plate B1G1 Free ($3.99 each)


• Use $1/2 for Albertsons Coupon Book


• Stack with $2/2 from video values


• =99 cents for both!

• Vanity Fair Paper Products B1G1 Free


• Use 2 0.55/1 from various magazines (Woman's Day, Family Circle, Better Homes, etc...)

• Buy $10 worth of Conair or Scunci Hair Accessories get $5 + Up

• LA Looks Gel B1G1 Free


• Use 2 $1/1 from 5/15 SS

• Kingsford Charcoal $9.99


• Use $1/1 from Albersons Coupon Booklet


• $3 SCR


• =$5.99

• Stackable Resin Chair or Table $7.99


• $2 SCR (limit 1)


• Get $ +UP


• =$4.99

• Vitamin Water or Powerade $5/5


• Use Buy 5 Get 1 Free from Albertsons Coupon book (1 for both products)


• Get $1 + Up on 5


• =67 cents each

• Softsoap, Palmolive, or Colgate Toothbrush, Toothpaste or Wisps $5/5


• Use various Colgate coupons from April, May, or June All You


• Get $1 + UP on 5


• =80 cents each

• Suave Body Wash or Lotion 4 for $10


• Use 2 B1G1 Free coupon from 5/22 RP


• Get $3 + UP on 4


• =50 cents each! (This makes great cheap bubble bath for the kids!)

+ UPs

Spend $25 get $10 + UP, participating products

• Playtex Gentle Glide or Sport Tampons, use $1.50/1 from 5/22 SS


• Playtex Cleansing Cloths, use $1/1 from May All You


• Playtex Baby Care Products, use $1/1 from 5/22 SS


• Banana Boat Sun Care, use $1/1 from May or June All You, or 5/22 SS


• Hawaiian Tropic Sun Care, use $2/1 from 4/10 SS


• Wet Ones Wipes, use $1/2 from 5/22 SS


• Schick products, use various coupons from 4/17, 5/8, and 5/22 SS


• Edge or Skintimate Shave Gel, use 0.55/1 from 5/22 SS

*This post is part of the grocery gathering and the deal scoop for Rite Aid.

Rite Aid Recap

It was a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day for me at Rite Aid...


I finished my 1st transaction, only to notice I was 48 cent short for my Johnson & Johnson + UP (my fault, bad "wellness" math, so I went back another package of Band Aids...) but I was also 2 CENTS short on my Huggies + UP. The diapers rang in at $9.99 instead of $10! I thought it was some glitch on the computer, but it was because my wellness discount (20%) was the better of the two prices! No way around this, I had to buy another item. I love the Wellness discount, but I hate when it messes up my carefully planned transactions.
Anyway, transaction #3. I went back into town later that day (I live 20 minutes out of town, so I have to have a reason to go in). I planned to get Little Swimmers and then the free Juicy Juice (with the coupon in the June All You), but my Rite Aid didn't carry this. While I was actually clipping the above coupon, my 2 year old dumped a whole can of formula on my dining room floor. The mess, the wasted money, AHAHAH! Anyway, I thought I would buy some formula while I was there. Then the computer wouldn't take my formula check! Aggravating shopping trips! So taking that all into consideration...here is my recap:

1. Didn't add any rebate money
2. Spent $43.72 out of pocket :( and $2.53 from my cash envelope
3. Retail Amount to Date: $1222.20
4. Earned $22 in + UPs, Plus will submit for Free First Aid Kit
5. Amount spent out of pocket in 2011: $151.64

Well, I guess some days are like that, even at Rite Aid. :)

Albertsons 5/18-5/24

New Sizzlin' Summer Giveaway, collect game pieces for a chance to win great prizes. You earn game pieces when you buy specially marked products. Games pieces also come with coupons. For more info, be sure to check out the details here

Also be sure to pick up a Albertson's Fresh Summertime Fun coupon booklet at customer service! Summer picnic deals are coming our way, stock up on paper products, condiments, and picnic foods.

Reports of doubles this weekend, there is also a new policy out that says you may do 3 transactions at a time! (total of 9 double coupons) Great news and so glad there is a "official" word on this.

In ad coupons:

• Free Ocean Spray Sparkling Juice when you buy 2 Ocean Spray Juice Cocktails
  
  


• Free Snuggle Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets when you buy all 2x detergent or Small & Mighty Detergent, stack with $1/1 from 4/10 RP (exp. 5/22)
  

Deals:

• Lunchables or Cracker Combos $1
  


• Ocean Market Seafood Portions $1



• Duncan Hines Family Style Brownies $1, use 0.50/1 from 4/10 SS (free when doubled)



• Albertsons White or Wheat Bread $1



• Popsicle Novelties $1



• Vitaminwater $1, use free vitaminzero when you buy 5 vitaminwater from Albertsons Summer coupon booklet=83 cents each



• Lawry's Marinade $1, use 0.50/1 from 5/15 RP (free when doubled)



• Maruchan Yakisoba $1, use 0.50/1 from 3/13 SS (free when doubled)



• Minute Maid Lemonade $1



• Dole Classic Iceberg 99 cents



• Pepsi Soft Drinks 89 cents



• Ball Park Franks B1G1 free, use $1/2 from 5/15 RP



• Yoplait Light 50 cents, use coupon from 5/8 SS (amount varies by region)



• Kraft Salad Dressing $1.50, use $1.50/2 from 5/15 SS=$1.50 each



• Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip $1.99, use 0.75/1 from 5/15 SS=only 49 cents when doubled!!



• Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta (this is good and colorful, kids love it!) $1, use $1/1 from 5/15 SS=FREE!!



• Classico Pasta Sauce 2 for $5, use $1/2 from 5/15 SS=$1.50 each when doubled
  

Catalinas:

• Buy 4 Nature Valley or Fiber One Bars ($2.99 each) get a cat for a free 24 pack of water (up to $4.50), use 0.50/2 from 5/1 SS
  

Promos: Instant Savings, Save $5 instantly when you buy 10 participating products, prices listed after instant savings

• Stouffers Farmer's Harvert Single Serve, Satisfying Servings, Signature Classics or Simple Dishes $1.77, use $1/2 from April All You (Farmer's Harvest)=89 cents each when doubled


• Tombstone Pizza $2.49


• Hot, Lean, or Croissant Pockets $1.49


• Stouffer's Party Size Entrees $9.49


• Nestle Pure Life Water $3.49, use $1/2 from 5/1 SS=$2.99 each


• Dreyer's Ice Cream $2.79


• Nestle Drumstick or Dreyer's Fruit Bars $2.49, use $1/2 from 5/1 SS (Nestle)=$1.99 each


• Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream or Bars $2.79


• Juicy Juice $1.99


• Nestle Fun Size Bars $1.99


• Wonka Fun Size $1.99


• DiGiorno Pizza & Wyngz, Pizza & Breadsticks,Stuffed Crust, or Ultimate Pizza $6.49, use $1.25/1 (Pizza &Wyngz) from 4/17 RP=$5.24


• Wonka Big Bags $6.49


• Boost High Protein $7.49, use $1.50/1 from coupons.com=$5.99


• Gerber Graduate Puffs, Snacks, or Entrees $1.59, check your stash!

This post is part of the grocery gathering and the deal scoop for Albertsons in Oregon

$5 Food Storage: week 3

The items for week 3 are:

• 3 cans of mushroom soup
• 2.5 lbs peanut butter

Best price for Mushroom Soup are:

• Fred Meyer, store brand 50 cents, limit 4
• Sherm's, Western Family Brand, 88 cents
• Costco, Campbells 8 cans (4 mushroom/4 chicken) $6.65, 83 cents each

Best price for peanut butter:

• Through today only, Albertsons has 1 lb Peter Pan on sale for $1.49 (must be 10 items in participating promo to get price)
• Fred Meyer has store brand 4 lbs for $5.99
• Sherms has Jiff 2 lb 8 oz for $4.58 or 4 lbs Jiff $8.89
• Costco 2 jar combo pack, 6 lbs total of Jiff for $7.99

For 2 people 3 cans of FM soup (3 @ 50 cents)=$1.50 and Jiff at Sherms $4.58=$6.08 ($1.08 over)

Kitty Total: $4.06-$1.08=$2.98 left over

A few notes:

1. I am pleasantly surprised at how cheap Fred Meyer store brand products are :)
2. I hit a few stores each week and try and compare prices, I will update previous posts with the comparison prices
3. I think the $5 might be hard to stay under as I see the items in the week to come...this list must have been written in the 1980s, but we will try. I will find the lowest prices anyway.
   

Rite Aid 5/15-5/21

New to Rite Aid, read my Rite Aid Rules Post


Freebies:

Crest Toothpaste $2.99

Use $1.50/1 from 5/1 P&G

Get $2 + UP

=51 cent overage!

• Oral B Cross Action Toothbrush $2.99


• Use $1.50/1 from 5/1 P&G


• Get $2 + UP


• =51 cent overage! (limit 2 + Ups, with Crest and Oral B)
  
  


• Colgate 360 Surround $2.99


• Use $1/1 from April or May All You


• Get $2 + UP


• =1 cent overage!
  


• Jolly Time B1G1 Free (69 cents each)


• Use $1/2 from 5/1 SS


• =31 cent overage on 2

Deals:

• Purex $1.97


• Use $1/1 from 5/1 RP


• =97 cents!
  


• Oral B Floss or Floss Picks $2.99


• Use 0.75/1 from 5/1 P&G


• Get $2 + Up


• =24 cents (limit 2 with above Crest/Oral B deals)
  


• M&Ms Big Bags B1G1 Free


• Use $1/2 from video values


• $1 SCR on 2


• *Look in the SCR catalog for the M&Ms Sweeps entry
  


• Salonpas $3.99


• Get $3 + UP


• =99 cents
  


• Sally Hansen B1G1 50% off


• Use various coupons from 3/27, 4/17, and 5/15 RP


• Stack with $1 video values (salon effects)


• Get $3 + Up when you spend $10


• $1 SCR on Xtreme Nail Enamel
  


• Rimmel Cosmetics B1G1 50% off


• Use various coupons from 3/27 RP 4/17 RP, coupons.com, and April and May All You


• Get $5 + UP when you spend $15


• $3 SCR on Perfect Match Foundation
  


• Ban Deodorant $1.49


• Use 0.75/1 from 4/17 SS


• =74 cents
  
  


• Nabisco Cookies and Crackers 2 for $5


• Use $1/2 from April and May Video Values (Oreo)


• $2 SCR on $10


• =$1.25 each
  


• Ziploc 2 for $4


• Use $1/2 from 5/15 SS


• Stack with $1/2 from April Video Values


• Get $1 + Up on 2


• =$1 each
  
  


• Get Free Kraft Marshmallows when you buy Hersheys 6 pack Candy Bar (plus wellness discount)


• Use $1 off Marshmallows, Hersheys, and Nabisco Honey Grahams from 5/15 SS


• *The Graham Crackers should count towards Nabisco Cracker SCR, but I am not positive one that.
  
  


• Finish B1G1 Free


• Use 2 0.75/1 from 4/17 SS


• Stack with $1 from video values


• Get $2 + Up when you spend $6

Promos:

Spend $15, get $5 + UP on select oral care products

1. Biotene $5.99, use $5/2 or $2/1 from video values=$3.99


2. Sensodyne Proenamel $4.49, use $1/1 from 5/15 RP, stack with $1.50/1 from video values=$1.99


3. Aquafresh Toothpaste $2.50, use $1/1 from 4/17 RP, stack with $1/1 from video values (if Kids Toothpaste is included)=50 cents each


4. Polident $4.49, use $1/2 from 5/15 RP, stack with $1.50/1 from video values=$3.24 each


5. Super Poligrip $4.49, use $1/1 from 5/15 RP, stack with $1.50/1 from video values=$1.99

CoverGirl, Spend $25 on select P&G products, get free CoverGirl Mascara.

1. Cover Girl Makeup B1G1 50% off, use various coupons from 5/1 P&G


2. Pantene B1G1 50% off, use $3/2 from 5/1 P&G


3. Secret Clinical Deodorant B1G1 50% off, use $4/1 from 5/1 P&G


4. Venus B1G1 50% off, use various coupons from 5/1 P&G


5. Satin Care B1G1 50% off


6. Olay Regenerist and Complete B1G1 50% off, use various coupons from 5/1 P&G
   

Johnson & Johnson Items, Spend $15 get $5 + Up (plus Wellness 20%)

• Use $1.50 off Neosporin and Band Aid Items from 5/15 RP


• Stack with $1 video values coupon


• Submit for buy 3 get free first aid kit rebate, form in 5/15 RP
  

Spend $20 get $5 + Up

• Huggies Little Swimmers $7


• Use $2/1 from 5/15 SS


• You could also stack with Free Nestle Juicy Juice when you buy Little Swimmers from June All You


• =$5, plus free juice!, or $3.34 each after + UP when you buy 3!
  


• Huggies Jumbo $10 (Thanks for the easy math Rite Aid!)


• Use $1.50/1 from 5/15 SS


• =$8.50 each, or $6 after + Up when you buy 2
  


• Huggies Wipes $8.99


• Use 0.50/1 from 5/15 SS


• =$8.49
  
  


• Poise $13


• Use $1/1 from 5/15 SS


• Stack with $1/1 Video Values


• =$11, or $8.50 each after + Up when you buy 2
  



• Kotex $3.50


• Use various coupons from 4/17 and 5/15 SS
  

*This post is part of the grocery gathering and thedeal scoop for Rite Aid.

Rite Aid Recap

SCORE! I paid just 78 cents for all of this! (retail amount $96.97!) That includes the formula...it wasn't on a sale, but with the 20% wellness bonus, my $5 coupon (from the ped's office) my $5 formula check, and then paid for the rest with + UPs. It was a fun trip.

1. Added $6 from a rebate


2. Spent 78 cents from my cash envelope


3. Retail amount to date: $1094.40


4. Earned $7 in +Ups, still have $4 left over


5. Amount spent out of pocket in 2011: $107.92

Albertsons 5/11-5/17

I am so sorry this is late...blogger has been down for most of the last two days. The good news about doing a late post is now that it has been confirmed that there will be doubles this weekend.

In Ad Coupons: (store)

• Tillamook Chunk Cheese $5.99
  


• Dole Salad Bags $1.68
  


• Farm Fresh Chicken 3 lb bags $5.99
  


• Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage $2.49, stack with $1/1 from 4/17 SS=$1.49



• Smart Ones or Hot Pockets 3 for $5



• Arm & Hammer Detergent or Essentials Fabric Softener $2.99, use $3/2 (fabric sheets) from 4/10 SS=$1.49 each



• Franz Big or 100% Whole Wheat Bread 2 for $3
  


• Buy Allegra, get 3 boxes of Scotties tissue Free, Use $4/1 from 5/8 SS (Allegra)=$13.99 for 4 items.
  

Deals:

• 88 cents each, Chey Boyardee, Hunts Tomatoes, Ketchup,BBQ Sauce or Pasta Sauce, Rotel, Manwich
  


• Grapefruit 69 cents



• Green Peppers 79 cents



• Dreyer's Fruit Bars $2.79, I have got various catalina for these for up to $1.50 so check your stash for a great deal.



• Birds Eye Vegetables $1.50, use $1/3 from 3/20 SS=83 cents each (when doubled!)
  

Catalinas:

• Post Pebbles $1.50
  Buy 2 Get $1.00 catalina coupon
  Buy 3 Get $2.00 catalina coupon
  Buy 4 or more Get $3.00 catalina coupon
  Through 5/15



• Buy 4 participating products ($2.99 each) get free milk catalina


• Cheerios


• Multi Grain Cheerios, use 0.75/1 from coupons.com


• Chocolate Cheerios, use $1/2 from 4/10 SS


• Golden Grahams


• Nature Valley Granola Bars, use 0.75/2 from 3/27 SS
  

Promos: Instant Savings Spotlight, Save $5 Instantly when you buy 10 participating products, priced listed after instant savings

• Propel 50 cents, use $1/2 from 2/13 SS=FREE!
  


• Glaceau vitaminwater 50 cents
  


• Powerade 50 cents



• Fuze 50 cents, use $1/2 from 4/10 SS=FREE!



• Kraft Mac & Cheese 79 cents
  


• Rice-A-Roni or Pasta-Roni 79 cents



• Goldfish $1, use 0.55/1=Free when doubled!



• Peter Pan Peanut Butter $1.49



• Pam $1.99, use $1/2 from 4/3 SS=$1.49 each



• Reddi-whip $1.99, use 0.35/1 from 4/10 SS=$1.64



• Ocean Spray Juice $1.99



• Healthy Choice Mixers or Marie Callender's Homestyle Creations $1.99



• Albertsons Granulated Sugar $2.99



• Oscar Mayer Complete Lunch Lunchables or Sandwich Combos $2.99



• Wesson Oil $2.99, use $1/2 from 4/3 SS=$2.49



• Bounty Paper Towels $4.99, use $1/1 from P&G home mailer=$3.99
  


• Charmin Basic $4.99, use $1/1 from P&G home mailer=$3.99



• Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat $4.49



• Arrowhead Water 24 packs $3.49, bonus catalina
  Buy 2 & get $1 catalina
  Buy 3 & get $2 catalina
  Buy 4 or more & get $5 catalina
  Through 5/22/11

*This post is part of the grocery gathering and the deal scoop for Albertsons in Oregon.

Extreme Couponing...what they don't tell you

I will admit I watch and like this show. I like to try and figure out which coupons they are using and what they are doing. There are some things that happen on that show though, that I consider "grey" areas of couponing, and some down right wrong, so here is my list of what they didn't show or tell you.

1. They double everything, stores in the Northwest don't do that. Back East and in the South coupons are doubled (sometimes tripled) everyday, without any extra coupons or tricks. Automatically, I know unfair, but what can you do. That is why you see them getting $6 Tide Stain lifter for free, they simply doubled the $3 coupon.
   
2. They are using promotions and tons of catalinas from previous transactions.
   
3. They have spent 60 plus hours planning this trip...
4. They used every FREE coupon they have in their stash.
5. They say they got it all for Free, which they did at the register, however, they had to "buy" those coupons somewhere. Whether it was through numerous Sunday papers or on ebay, you don't get that many of the same coupon for free. I wish they would factor that cost into their stockpiles. :)
6. They are told to do their biggest best transaction ever...so they PLAN PLAN PLAN for it, not every one of their trips goes this way.
   

So taking that into consideration, if you have 60 of the Franks Free Hot Sauce coupons (60 times $3=$180) your total gets up pretty fast.

Now on to the grey areas...this is what I have witnessed.

1. In order to get that many coupons, they probably used ebay. Selling coupons is illegal and unethical, no matter what "loopholes" you use.
   
2. I have seen them scan catalinas coupons in the middle of their order, catalinas are specifically to be used "on your next order"
   
3. They get several of the same free coupons, like the Yoplait yogurt ones. These are stated as, "one per household."
   
4. The "Try Me Free" cereal rebate, is also one per household.
   
5. They use paper and e-coupons, which a lot of stores have not allowed. Technically they will probably both come off and the cashier won't notice, but the store probably won't get reimbursed for both. Just because no one catches it ...doesn't mean it is right.
   
6. They use "family coupon coding". This happens when a bar code of a brand is similar enough that it attaches to another product of the same brand. I have actually seen this happen on my receipt before when I bought two P&G product, one with a coupon and one without and it attached to the other product. Some people purposely buy the wrong product, because it is a better deal to use with that coupon. It might scan without a hitch or the cashier might have to push it through. However, technically if the store wants to audit the transaction, the store would not be reimbursed and so this is coupon fraud. One couponer recently admitted to doing this on the show.
7. They bend the rules...like the couple that brought in extra people to stand as a proxy for the $10/$50 promo that was one per person...guaranteed if that was not on tv, it would not fly!
8. They give them overage, which depends on your store, but Albertsons and Fred Meyer do NOT and it appears that they let them on the show.
   
9. They break it up into multiple transactions to get around the so many of this coupon or that coupon rule. These limits were put there to avoid this exact thing!
   
10. The Twice the Value Coupons...these say right on the coupons...3 per transaction. Most stores only allow 3 transactions. (I am going to email Albertsons corporate and try to get a clarification). The one Albertsons shopper did 18 transactions and the other did one huge one and they doubled ALL her coupons...that doesn't seem right and I seriously doubt they would do it for any of us.
    

*One thing that I think is a good idea to try is emailing companies you like and ask for coupons. Has anyone tried this?

So once again, Reality TV is not all it seems...but I think you knew that already. Stick by my golden couponing rule, "Save more than you spend!" I would love to hear your thoughts on this one...

The Rite Aid Rules

This is a post I have been needing and wanting to write for months, it just always got pushed back. Well, here we go. Rite Aid, I love this store! It has totally erased those $200 bi monthly Walmart/Kmart/super store trips. At first glance however, it seems ridiculously overpriced and regularly it is, but if you know the rules, you can save upwards of 90%!

1. Rule #1: Get a Wellness Card. First off this gives you "sale" price of the items, but it doesn't stop there. For every dollar you spend (pre coupon!) you earn 1 point. For every prescription you fill you get 25 points. Once you reach 1000 points, you get 20% off regularly priced items for the rest of the year and the full next year. Right now I have 20% off through 2011 (earned in 2010) and am nearly 500 points to my 1000 points to earn 20% off through 2012. Although this 20% off isn't in addition to the sale price, it is nice to use when you run out of something. For instance even though diapers are regular $12.49 at Rite Aid, I know that with my card I will get them for $9.99 everyday and then if I add a coupon around $7.99, which is an good price in a pinch. You can sign up for a card at any register (it takes about 2 minutes) and start saving. It is totally free.
   
2. Rule #2: + Ups. Plus Ups are the coupons that print after you print a certain item. Think of them as a "catalina" or an instant rebate. For instance, this week if you buy Hyland's Leg Cramps pills at $6.99, you get a $6 + Up. You would pay $6.99 up front and then get a $6 + UP coupon at the bottom of your receipt. If you had a manufacturer's coupon (even a FREE coupon) you will pay less up front, but still get the full $6 +Up. The +Ups can be used like cash on most items, including buying more of the same item. They are also considered a kind payment so they don't need to attach to any item, think of it like a gift card. Meaning if you buy only one item, you could use a +Up, a manufacturer's coupon, and a store coupon on that item. I like to try and "roll" my + Ups from the previous week and use it to pay for another item that will earn me a new + Up. This really helps keep the out of pocket expense down. They are starting to impose limits on the amount of +Ups you can get for a certain item, but usually it is at least 2 or 4, so still worth it! This is tracked by your wellness card. You also need a wellness card in order for the +Ups to print.
   
3. Rule #3: Coupon stacking. Rite Aid allows a manufacturer's coupon and store coupon for each item. Even though the coupons in the Rite Aid weekly ad say "manufacturer's" at the top, they clearly start with an RC in the bar code indicating they are a store coupon and can be stacked.
   
4. Rule #4: Video Values. Each Rite Aid month (which is close but not exactly with the calendar) Video Value coupons are released on rite aid.com. These are coupons you can earn by watching short commercials for the products. There are also special groups of coupons you can watch to earn various $2/$10, $3/$15, 0r $4/$20 coupons. The coupons are Rite Aid coupons and therefore stackable! The coupons are available to earn for 4-5 weeks, but are available in your account to print until they expire, which is usually 1 month after. They are only available to print once, so make sure your printer is ready when you go to print. If you have an issue though, be sure to email them. I recently had a printer jam and contacted them, within 5 days, all my coupons were restored to my account.
   
5. Rule #5: Survey coupons. Randomly at the bottom of some receipts are survey codes. Go to the survey site , enter the code and take the survey (less than 5 minutes) and you will get a one time $3/$15 coupon link.
   
6. Rule #6: SCR catalog. SCR stands for Single Check Rebate. This is what got me hooked on Rite Aid in the first place. They seem to be doing less of these because of +Ups, but they are still a good way to get cheap or even free items. Every Rite Aid month (close to calendar months but run 4-5 weeks and from Sunday to Saturday) a catalog is released of the available rebates. All you need to do is purchase the product you are interested in. Then come home and enter a few short numbers from your receipt online on the Single Check Rebate page at riteaid.com. Once you have entered all your receipts for the month, you can request your check and a one "single check" will come for all your rebates that month. IMPORTANT: You can only request a check once per month, so make sure all your receipts are entered and you are done shopping for the month before you request your check. Again, I recycle this money to earn more SCRs and + Ups, to keep my out of pocket down.
7. Rule #7: Go out and shop. In my experience (except for a rare few ornery cashiers) Rite Aid is very coupon friendly. They also like to promote their Wellness, + Ups program, and SCR programs. You will learn how to play the Rite Aid game best by shopping and figuring it all out.
   

• For an in depth discussion, check out maven of savin
• Also check on i heart rite aid for ad previews and monthly + UPs, as well as some fabulous unadvertised deals.
  

Each week I also post my favorite deals, but be sure to check out my favorite Rite Aid bloggers in the sidebar for more deals. Half the fun of Rite Aid shopping for me is finding the deals, it is kind of like a treasure hunt! Good luck and be sure to ask if you have any questions. In no time you will be a Drug Store Diva!

$5 Food Storage: week 2

The items for week 2 are:

1. 5 Boxes of Macaroni and Cheese
2. 4 cans tomato soup

Best price for Mac & Cheese:

• Fred Meyer and Albertsons both have store brand on sale for 50 cents/box
• Costco store brand, 15 boxes for $7.99 (53 cents each)
• Costco Kraft brand 15 boxes for $11.49 (77 cents each, cheapest if you like Kraft best)
• Update: Sherms Mac & Cheese store brand 44 cents
  

Best price for tomato soup

• Fred Meyer store brand, 50 cents each
• Costco, Campbells 12 cans for $9.99, 83 cents each
• Update: Sherms store brand 50 cents
  

For two people, 5 boxes @ 50 cents=$2.50, and 4 cans of soup @ 50=$2 making the total for this week $4.50.

Kitty total: $3.56+0.50=$4.06 left over.

Rite Aid 5/8-5/14

Freebies:

• Tylenol Precise Heat Patch or Cream $5



• Use $5/1 from 5/8 SS



• =FREE!

• Carefree $1



• Use $1/1 from 5/8 SS



• =Free

• Similac Ready To Feed $4.99



• Use $5/1 from 4/3 SS



• =1 cent overage!

Deals:

• Kleenex B1G1 Free



• Use 0.50/2 from April All You

• Snickers and Peanut Butter M&MS B1G1 Free



• Use B2 G1 Free from 3/27 RP



• =4 for price of 1!

• Finesse B1G1 Free



• Use $1/1 from May All You



• Submit for $2 mail in rebate, form in 5/8 SS

• Stopain Spray or Hyland's Leg Cramps $6.99



• Get $6 + Up



• =99 cents!

• Sally Hansen Xtreme Nail Enamel B1G1 50% off



• Use 2 0.50/1 from 3/27 SS



• $1 SCR

• Biore (plus wellness discount)



• Use Buy Pore Strips get Free Cleanser from 3/6 SS



• Get $5 + Up on 2

• Stayfree or ob $1.99



• Use $1/1 from 5/8 SS



• =99 cents

• Buy 20 digital prints get 20 free, within in ad coupon

*This post is part of the grocery gathering and the deal scoop for Rite Aid.

Rite Aid Recap

1. Didn't add any rebates


2. Spent $28.21 out of pocket (more than I normally spend, but stuff I needed...by the way the cheap batteries deal did not work for me :( Some blogs had been reported batteries were on sale for $2.24. Needed them anyway and they rang up with my 20% discount, but not the amount I wanted to pay.)


3. Retail amount to date: $997.43


4. Earned $17 + UPs


5. Amount spent out of pocket in 2o11: $107.92 (my goal is to stay under $200 for the year)
   

Albertsons 5/4-5/10

In ad coupons, store:

• Albertsons Eggs 1 doz, 99 cents


• Save $1 on 4 Pepsi Soft Drinks=$1 each


• Save $1/2 Tropicana Pure Premium=$2.50 each


• Save $5 on 10 Glaceau vitaminwater =50 cents each


• Save $1/2 Pepsi Soft Drink 24 packs, stack with $1/2 from 5/1 Pepsico insert (regional)=$6.49 each


• Save $1/2 Propel 6 packs, stack with 2 $1/1 from 5/1 Pepsico insert=$1 each


• Save $1/2 Sunchips or Tostitos Tortilla Chips, stack with $1/1 from 5/1 Pepsico insert (Tostitio, limit one coupon) or stack with $1/2 from 5/1 Pepsico insert and Buy any Sunchips, get free 2 liter Sierra Mist=2 Sunchips and 1 Sierra Mist for $3!


• Save $1/2 on Cap'N Crunch or Life, stack with $1/2 from 4/17 RP (Cap'N Crunch)=$1.50 each


• Save $2 on Claritin, stack with $5/1 from 4/10 or 5/1 SS=$11.99

In ad coupons, manufacturers:

• Save $2 on any 3 American Greetings Cards ($1.99 or higher)


• Free Coca Cola 8 pack when you buy 3 12 packs


• Save $1/2 Aquafina Water 24 packs=$3.50 each


• Save $1/2 Pepsi 6 packs=$3 each


• Save $1/2 Welch's 100% Grape Juice=$2.50 each


• Save 50 cent off Kraft BBQ Sauce=69 cents


• Save $5/2 Pepperidge Farm Bulk Goldfish=$8.98 for 2


• Save $1/2 Dole Fruit Cups=$2 each


• Save $1 off Wisk Detergent=$7.99, reports of $2 catalina with Wisk purchase=$5.99


• Save $1.85/3 Wish Bone Salad Dressings=$1.33 each


• Save $3/3 Jimmy Dean Breakfast Items
  
  

Deals:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.99/lb


• Prego Pasta, big size $1.50


• Doritios B1G1 Free


• Campbells soups $1, use 0.30/4 from 3/6 SS=93 cents each (not a "great" price)


• Jose Ole $3.99, use $2 facebook printable (no longer available)=$1.99


• wild harvest baby food 79 cents


• Betty Crocker Suddenly Pasta Salad $1, use 0.50/2=75 cents each


• Duncan Hines Frosting 2 for $3, use Buy 2 Frosting, get cake mix free from 4/10 SS=$1 for each item


• Gatorade Sports Drinks $1, use Buy Prime and Recover, get free Gatorade from 5/1 Pepsico insert=67 cents each


• SoBe $1, use $1.50/5 from 5/1 Pepsico insert=70 cents each


• Yoplait Greek Yogurt $1, use 0.60/2 from 4/17 SS=70 cents each

Promos:

• Buy 2 packages of Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage, get 1 free Fully Cooked Sausage Crumble, use 2 $1.50/1 from 3/6 RP=$4 for all 3 products!



• Buy any 2 Gorton's Fish Stick get Ortega Taco Shells free, use 2 0.50/1 from 2/13 SS=$7 for all 3 items.
  


• Buy any 2 Dole Salad Blends, get one free pound of strawberries, look for peelies on the salad blends, otherwise $5 for all 3 items!

Catalinas:

• Buy 4 participating products, get $4 catalina
  

1. Breyer's Ice Cream $3


2. Magnum Bars $3


3. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream $3


4. Klondike Bars or Sandwiches $3


5. Popsicles $3
   

• Pampers, spend $20 on Pampers wipes or diapers, get $5 catalina


• Use $1.50/1 from 5/1 P&G (diapers)


• Use 0.50/1 from 5/1 P&G (wipes)


• Not sure the price, but it will probably be $9.99 and $19.99 :(

*This post is part of the grocery gathering and the deal scoop for Albertsons in Oregon.

$5 Food Storage: week 1

I am starting something new. A few years ago I got an email from a friend about $5 food storage. Basically, you set aside $5 each week to purchase a few items (keeping what is left over in a kitty for other weeks) and after a year you have easily and cheaply built some food storage. This list is for 2 people, so you might need to double or triple the money and amount of items you need. These items are "everyday" type items that you can buy in a grocery store. The idea is after you have your year of storage, use these items and replace them as needed. They are food your family is used to eating and pantry items that you will normally use. If you would like a complete list of the food items, send me an email and I will send you the document. Thanks and I hope this helps you in your preparedness.


For my part each week, I will compare prices and find you the best deal. Note: this list is several years old, so I am not sure if we can really stay under $5 each week...but as couponers, we will sure try!

Week #1: (remember this is for 2 people)

1. 2 cans of tuna fish

• best price Fred Meyer: Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna 3 for $1 (with in ad coupon)
• Update: Costco, 8 cans for $10.99=$1.37 each (these were Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light)
  
• Update: Sherms Western Family tuna 55 cents
  

2. 2 containers salt

• best price Fred Meyer: 39 cents each
• Update: Costco (Roseburg, OR did not carry "ordinary" salt)
  
• Update: Sherms salt 50 cents
  

Price for this week: $1.44 (per 2 people), save $3.56 for later on.

Albertsons Double Dipping Catalinas!

Because I always like to try it before I post...there are two double dipping catalinas.

1. Spend $20 on select P&G products get $5 catalina and 5 red box codes
2. Spend $20 on Pampers diapers and/or wipes get $5 catalina

Deal Scenario:

• Buy Pampers Big Box $19.99 (for both catalinas)
  
• Buy Pampers Wipes $2.99 (for Pampers)
• Buy Pringles $1.50 (cheap filler for P&G catalina)

Use these coupons

• $1.50/1 off Pampers from 5/1 P&G
• 0.50/1 off wipes from 5/1 P&G (these coupons will be in the P&G insert in yesterday's Sunday paper if you can find one, they ARE included in the NEWS REVIEW)
• Also use 1 Albertsons Double coupon (available at customer service)

Pay $21.98 (after coupons), get back $10 in catalinas and 5 free red box codes. You can also repeat this transaction, use the $10 you just got and get another $10 in catalinas and 5 more red box codes. There is no limit.