Waiting in my mailbox

I have been gone for almost 2 weeks. Looks at all the freebies waiting in my mailbox. Including 5 magazines, Fred Meyer coupons, Macy's coupons, baby wipes samples, vitamin sample, Pull-ups wipes sample with $2/1 coupon, ear buds, free full size Downy Unstopables, and my Wellness + free glucose and cholestrol screenings. Has anyone else gotten theirs? Did you use it yet? This is why is pays to be on companies mailing lists and sign up for freebies. Each day the mailbox is a surprise and you never know what goodies it could contain.

New High Value Pampers Wipe Coupon

The other day I was thinking about all the free coupon resources and different ways to get coupons other than the Sunday inserts. One of my favorites is coupons in the mail, I get almost a coupon a day in my mailbox. It is a fun surprise see what comes. I found a new high value wipe, $1/1 Pampers Thick Care Wipes that you can get in your mailbox. Look for a sale and you should be able to score cheap wipes. Here is the link: Pampers coupon

Madcoupons

One of the biggest challenges for me since I started couponing, has been getting the Sunday coupon inserts. Let me explain, first I don't like to buy things on Sunday for religious reasons. Second, our local paper, only carries the P&G and that is not regularly. The "big" paper goes through a distributor and costs $17 a month for delivery and of course I can order more than one paper...for an additional $17 per month! So I am stuck buying it at a corner newsstand on Sunday (for $2.50 each), or hoping I can find one on Monday. Plus I still have to purchase the local paper to get the ads! Huge headache!

Then I found an online distributor, but they only mailed out once a month, so buy the time I got the coupons, some of the deals were gone and some of the coupons were even expired.

Then I found Madcoupons. It has solved this dilemma for me! They mail out 10 of each insert (so weeks with three you get 30!) for only $10.50 per week. You can also order monthly, the monthly priced is based on the number of weeks the inserts come out, so it varies from $21-$42. The best part is they mail out the coupons on Saturday or Monday, so you still get the coupons the same week! I usually get mine on Wednesday afternoon, so I still have plenty of time to hit the sales! Head on over and read the details and see if this is a good option for you. If you think 10 inserts is too many (it really is a lot...) you can always divide the order with a friend or two when they arrive. You can order each week or each month and see if it is a fit for you. It does not automatically renew.

*If anyone is Roseburg area would like to "split" an order, please contact me. We are working on getting some "share orders" going.

Potty Training Freebies and Diaper Mailing Lists

I have been trying to get my 2 year old out of diapers by the time the new baby gets here, but she is not interested. Sigh. After 3 go arounds on the whole potty training thing, each kid at a different degree of difficulty, I have decided until they decide they are ready...it is a feeble attempt on my part. However, there are some resources out there that just might be the "thing" that helps them turn the corner.

Pull Ups has a Potty Training DVD, I am not sure if this is a new one or not, but it should comes with coupons and possible a sample. Also keep your eye on houseparty.com for when they start taking applications for the March 5, 2011 Pulls Up House Party. I was selected for this last year, you can read about it here. If your baby is younger, you will still want to collect Enjoy the Ride Huggies Reward points (found in each package). You can use these points to play instant win games, enter sweeps, or redeem for prizes, including high value coupons. Huggies also have boxtops 4 education on every pack, so save those for the schools :)


Easy Ups also have a potty training kit. You can choose between Dora and Diego (girl or boy) and then get samples, coupons, stickers, rewards certificates, and more. Don't forget to save those Pampers Points that are located on every pack of diapers/Easy Ups and pack of wipes. (I have saved through nearly 3 kids now and am saving up for the stroller...only about 1000 away :) I have ordered Legos and DVDs in the past and the kids have loved them.

And for any age baby (even if you are pregnant)...sign up at huggies and pampers and luvs to get great coupons, period free samples, and special offers delivered right to your mail box. Just today I got a flier from Pampers with coupons for diapers, wipes, Dreft, batteries, and baby meds.

All You Reality Checker

Look at the surprise I got in the mail yesterday, a full size box of Weight Watchers Coffee Cakes from All You Reality Checkers. Frequently (about 2-3 a week) All You sends me short (less than 2 minute) surveys and then if I qualify and agree to do a short review, they will send me products. It can be anything from food, to books, to vacuum cleaners and more! Click here to sign up for this fun free program.

While you are on allyou.com, don't forget to check their daily free sample page, you can even go back and order samples from several months back as long as they still have them available. Who doesn't love getting free stuff in the mail? Thanks All You!

Free Tote Bag from Real Simple and Rite Aid

Real Simple and Rite Aid have a promo going on right now. Buy one of 7 products between 5/10/10 and 6/14/2010 at Rite Aid and receive a free tote by mail. More info (including the address) here.

Products are:

1. Children's Claritin
2. Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Shampoo and Conditioner
3. Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates
4. Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer
5. Mederma Scar Cream + SPF
6. Pepcid Complete
7. Rembrandt 2 hour Whitening Kit

I am not seeing any SCR or sale matchups right now (other than Claritin counting towards Allergy SCR and Head & Shoulders counting towards P&G coupons). I will let you know if I find a good deal matchup. Also, maybe June will have a SCR to go with one of these products. I ordered the sarong last year from Rite Aid/Real Simple and it was very nice.

Freebies

Lots of great samples out there right now, here are some good links:
start sampling

• L'Oreal Everpure
• Borba Skin Care
• Ideal Sweetener
• Dove Daily Treatment Conditioner
• True Lemon
• Member's Mark Baby Formula
• Dove Men Care
• Special K bar
• Parent's Choice Formula
• Crest White Strips
• Purex 3-in-1
• Hussana hair care
• John Freida hair care
• Head and Shoulders hair care
• Kraft Mac & Cheese
• Many other cookbooks, coupons, and newsletters to sign up for

kotex

• Kotex U is there new products. You can get a generous sample pack with $1/1 coupon. Next week Rite Aid also has this product for free after SCR!

For more freebies, please visit freebies4mom.

What have you gotten in your mailbox lately?

Albertsons 3/3-3/9: PROMOS GALORE!

Albertsons is great, we have not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 Catalina promos. The possibility of walking out of the store with $33.50 in catalinas by spending 72.90 (before ANY coupons!)!

1. Purchase Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks between 2/22 and 3/31, priced at only $1!
   •Buy 3 get $1.50 cat
   •Buy 4 and get $2.50 cat
   •Buy 5 or more and get $3.50 cat, use 0.50/2 from coupons.com, bettycrocker.com, boxtops4education.com, and pillsbury.com (sidebar)
2. Easy Savings (Kraft & P&G) Spend $30 get $10 cat

• Tide 100 oz $10.99, use 0.75 from 2/21 SS
• Tide Stain Release $10.99, use Buy Tide, get Stain release free from 2/7 P&G Update: this coupon does not work for the size in the promo :( Sorry.
• Charmin $9.99 use 0.25 from 2/7 P&G
• Bounty Paper Towel $9.99 use 0.25 from 2/7 P&G
• Oscar Meyer Bologna or Salami $2.49
• Capri Sun $2
• Oscar Meyer Complete Lunch Lunchables $3.50 Update use $1/1 coupon (Kraft will also donate a meal to a child in need when you "pledge". Thanks Freebies 4 Mom).
• Oreos $2.79 (still have your B1G1?)
• Ritz $2.99
• Planters Harvest Nuts $3.99
• Planters Small Premium Nuts $3.99, use $1/2 from 1/24 SS
• Bakers Baking Bar, Coconut, or Dipping Chocolate $2.50
• Pringles Super Stack $1.29, use 0.50/4 from 2/21 P&G
• Kraft Brick or Shredded Cheese $2.49
• Kraft Cheese Singles $2.49
• Cascade Action Pacs $3.99, use $1 from Home made Simple mailer
• Puffs $1.19, use 0.25/3 from 2/21 P&G
• Dawn detergent $1.99
• Bounce Dryer Sheets $5.99
• Downy Fabric Softener $5.99, use $1 from 2/7 P&G
• Febreze Air Effects $2.49
• Swiffer kits, refills or dusters $6.99, use B1 Starter kits get 1 refill free from 2/7 P&G
• Pantene products $2.99, use $2/2 from 2/7 P&G, or $1/1 from 2/7 P&G, or $1/2 from 2/21 P&G
• Crest Toothpaste $2.29, use 0.75 from 2/7 P&G
• Glide Dental Floss $2.29, use 0.25 from 2/21 P&G
• Oral-B Advantage Toothbrush $2.29,
• Prilosec $24.99, use $3/1 from 2/7 P&G
• NyQuil or DayQuil $5.49, use $1.50 from 2/7 P&G

* Check your stash for coupons from HomeMade Simple and other mailer booklets.

3. Save Tonight (ConAgra/Pepsi) Spend $25 get $10 catalina

$1 products:

• Chef Boyardee pasta
• Chef Boyardee Microwave pasta
• Rosarita Refried Beans, use 0.50/2 from 1/24 SS
• Healthy Choice Soup
• Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes, use 03.0/1 from 1/24 SS
• Manwich
• Swiss Miss Cocoa
• Banquet Dinner
• Banquet Brown n Serve
• Hunts Barbecue Sauce
• Hunts Snack Pack Pudding
• Hunts Tomatoes, use 0.45/3 from 1/24 SS
• Hunts Ketchup
• Hunts Spaghetti Sauce
• Dannon Yogurt $2, use various coupons from 2/7 and 2/21 SS
• Peter Pan Peanut Butter $2
• Reddi Whip $2.50
• egg beaters $2.50
• Poppycock $2.50
• Alexia Crunch Snacks $2.50
• Orville Redenbacher's Microwave Popcorn $1.69
• Van Camp's Pork and Beans 79 cents
• Dixie Plates $3.99
• Angel Soft Bath Tissue $5.49, use $1/2 or 0.50/1 from 2/14 RP
• Sparkle Paper Towel $5.49
• Pam Cooking Spray $3 use 0.35 from 1/24 SS
• Wesson Cooking Oil $3
• Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers $3, use $1 from Feb All You
• Marie Callender's Signature Creations $3
• Gulden's Mustard $1.50
• Parkay Soft Spread Margarine $1.50
• 7-up, A&W, or Sunkist 2 liters $1.50

* Go to this link, recession payback for ConAgra coupons. This site takes a long time, but has coupons for several of these products. Also look through your stash if you got the recent ConAgra mailer.

* Also save your receipt and go to this link all you coupon offer to get $25 in ConAgra coupons when you spend $10 on participating products.

4. Chill catalina promotion. Purchase 10 or more participating products get a $10 catalina coupon. Products include:

• Ore Ida potatoes $2.99 use $1 (for Steam and Mash)
• DiGiorno or California Pizza Kitchen or Flatbread Melts
• Boca Burger $2.99, use $1/2 from 1/3 SS
• Tombstone Pizza $2.99
• Hot Pockets $1.69
• Red Baron Singles $3.49, use 0.75/1 from 1/17 SS
• Kraft Bagel-fuls $1.99
• Jose Ole Taquitos $3.99
• Smart Ones $2.49
• Bagel Bites $1.99
• Klondike Ice Cream Bars or Sandwiches $2.99
• Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream $2.99
• Hungry Man Dinner $2.49
• Aunt Jemima Waffles $1.69
• Dreyer's Ice Cream $2.99, use $1/1 from 1/31 SS
• Old Orchard Juice $1.29, use $1/4 from coupons.com (new link) or $1/4 Update: be very careful to get the $1.29 juices, the juices marked 99 cents and $1.79 will probably not generate the catalina.
• Texas Toast $2.79
• Nestle Drumstick $2.99
• Dreyer's Fruit Bars $2.99
• Many other items that were not in the ad, look in your store for the chill sign.

But I am not done yet...

In ad coupons:

• Bumble Bee Tuna 49 cents (limit 6) stack with $1/5
• Albertsons Apple Juice $1.49 (limit 3)
• Albertsons Spring Water 24 pack $2.99 (limit 2)
• Darigold Sour Cream 99 cents, (limit 3) stack with B1G1 free from 1/24 SS
• Moran's Ground Beef 5 lbs $7.45 (limit 2)
• Fresh Express Salad Blends $1.88

Other Deals:

• Jennie-o Ground Turkey B1G1 Free, good time to use your $5 rebate.

*Don't forget to sign up for your coupon booklet $20 mailed to your home.

*Doublers through Saturday! Check at customer service (they were in Sunday's insert)

Wow, what a week, my head hurts! It will be worth is though to get some great Cats to roll! Let me know if you score some great deals!

*This post is part of the grocery gathering for Albertsons in Oregon. Click on over for more deals and matchups.

Tomorrow

I am having my first HOUSE PARTY...click back to see how it went.
Check out houseparty.com

Another Reason to go to Rite Aid...

The P & G Promo just got even better. Now if you spend $50 (before coupons of course!) on P&G products, you can get a coupon booklet by mail for coupons worth over $100. This book usually has high value coupons that are hard to find elsewhere. So if you are planning on buying P&G at Rite Aid this week save your receipts to submit for the coupon book. Actual book rebate form will be available in the P&G insert on 2/21. Details are here. (Thanks, hip to save!)

Pampers New Diapers

I really don't like to repost things that have been on every other blog. I know you know about the http://www.pampers.com 3 pack sample that is good today only by now. Thanks to Laura from my dallas mommy for the heads up.

Anyway, I am posting this because Pampers is doing this because they are relaunching their newly designed Cruisers line. babycheapskate has all the details as to why. This is great for us couponers though. A new line will mean new high value coupons, new sales, new samples, and promos. Keep your eyes open for these new diapers and deals come March. There will probably also be great clearance deals on the "old" Cruisers.

Store Secrets: Huggies and Pampers

Okay, this isn't about a store and it's not really a secret, but do you know what I love, "rewards" just for buying products I already need and buy. Huggies and Pampers both fall into this category.

• Huggies, first off have box tops, but second they have codes for the Enjoy the Rides sweepstakes. You can enter these codes for a chance to win prizes, both big and small.


• Pampers have Gift to Grow point codes in each package. They can be used to redeem prizes (also some big some small). You do have to pay shipping, but during special promotion times, they even waive that (like right now!). I have got a Legos set and a couple of DVDs for my kids for just a few dollars shipping in the past.

Freebies 4 mom (sidebar) also updates special codes that are released to everyone. Don't forget to sign up at both sites to receive coupons, free samples, and other offers based on your child's age. The links for all the baby mailing lists are here, scroll to bottom. Also be sure to update if you move.

It's my party...

Today is my birthday and although I am not excited about the number...I am excited that I got two great coupons in the mail (and expecting more today). I got $5 off any $25 purchase from Hallmark and 20% of any purchase at Macy's. I am posting this just to let you know that companies really do reward you on your birthday, so don't leave your birthday blank on all those online forms! Now I need to go clean my house for my party!

Store Secrets: Land of No Doubles and other Coupon Injustices

I live in the Pacific Northwest, more specifically Oregon. I have also lived in Utah for most of my life and guess what all of these places are in the "land of no doubles." You know when you see those coupon tv stories where the lady fills her cart and pays like 27 cents, well how does she do it? Two secrets they don't tell you 1)she has like 20 coupons for the same item that happens to be priced so it is free that week and 2)she is going to a store that doubles or triples coupons. Yes some places routinely double or even triple coupons, no extra hassle, no extra coupons. Oh the irony to think I lived in the Midwest for two years as a poor newly wed graduate students and we never knew this. :(

The only time I get double magic is when KMart doubles, which hasn't happened for almost a year ago in the Northwest, or when Albertsons releases their doublers. I hate how you can only use three per transaction though. I am not really a fan of multiple transactions, plus when they did let me do it at Albertsons, they made me feel like I was getting away with something. Triples coupons, never even heard of it!

Another injustice is the price difference and lack of sale items in what is supposed to be a "national" ad...why? Why the unfairness? Aren't Western and Northwestern couponers deserving of the deals? Why do you hear about a great $3 coupon only to find it is $0.75 for your state or zip code? Seems just unfair to me, but maybe there is a reason, I just don't know it, do you?

And what about pulling the Red Plum inserts from the Utah, Idaho, and Nevada papers? Well, at least I can do something about that one. Go here to sign up for the Red Plum via mail. I have to warn you though, I tried this a few months ago and never got anything. However, Oregon still gets the Red Plum inserts in the paper and I did move since then, so probably one of those reasons is why. Which brings me to another injustice, why doesn't the postal service consider coupon mail "forwardable"? I know it is my favorite piece of mail to get, hmmm no love for the couponers.

What injustices have you noticed in your area? Let's vent!

Step #10: share

Now you have learned how to coupon, what should you do now? Share with others. There are several ways to share. Tell your friends and neighbors about a hot promo, share your purchases with others, and share your expertise. I wish someone who knew had told me about Rite Aid like 5 years ago. I also wish someone had explain catalinas to me. Let others know, no one should have to pay retail :)

So in the spirit of sharing...Spend $25 on Proctor and Gamble products get a free cookware set via mail. Here is the rebate form and the PYP forum discussing it is here. You only have until Saturday to make your purchases. Don't run out to buy stuff just to get this, but if you need stuff anyway (like Pampers diapers) it's an extra bonus. (Thanks Ami)

Some freebies: Go over to being girl for a generous sampling of Tampax/Always products. Plus get a coupon for a free pack of Always Infinity. I got this last week.

Go to beechnut, fill out the form and get a free cereal coupon and free 2 jars of baby food coupon via mail. I just got mine today.

And Tomorrow and Wednesday is a MACY'S ONE DAY SALE and it is advertised as the biggest one day sale of the year! Best of all there is a coupon for $10 off a $25 purchase. Almost everything is included, even the clearance rack. The coupon is good from store opening until 1 PM each day. Go to macys.com and click on the stores link, enter your zip code, and then check out the catalog for your area. Mine was over 60 pages! I am thinking Christmas dresses and coats for my kids. Oh, how I heart Macys!

Store Secrets: Walmart (dot com)

Anybody that knows me well, knows I do not shop at WalMart very often. I don't like how crowded the store is and it is a huge spending trap. Yes, a bunch of "cheap" stuff still equals a lot! I do however love walmart.com. One of the best features is their FREE SAMPLES. They always have several different ones available. They also rotate them frequently and often the samples come with high value coupons. Right now in fact, there are samples of both Huggies and Pampers available, also Garnier and Prilosec. Click here now to check them out. Be sure to check back often for new freebies too.

Q & A

Question and Answer time

What is a catalina? How does it roll? A catalina is any piece of paper that prints out of that little box next to the cash register. ("Catalina" is just the name of the company that makes the boxes.) They may announce new products or promotions, but most of the time they are coupons. They are triggered by what you buy. For instance, buy baby food, you will probably get one for diapers and formula, or buy frozen food and maybe you will get one for another kind of frozen food.

The most valuable catalinas are the ones you earn by doing promotions. Like buy $25 worth of certain products, get $5 back to spend on your next purchase. This comes out in the form of a catalina. Grocery stores like Albertsons and Safeway use these the most. You can also get them at KMart, Fred Meyer, and Walgreens (they are called Register Rewards at Walgreens.) Make sure your cashier gives you all your catalinas when you leave, you never know what you might get. Also, the promotion ones usually print out after you have paid, so watch for the flashing green light on the box, if it is still flashing, it is still generating catalinas for you. Make sure you get them and not the lucky person behind you.

A rolling catalina is when you do a promotion, earn a catalina and then turn around and do the promotion again (on your next shopping trip), use your catalina coupon, and then earn another one. Sometimes they roll nicely, sometimes they don't. I will be sure to point out when one is rolling nicely. FYI a "shopping trip" is defined when you leave the store, so technically you can go to your car, unload your car, and come back in to complete another transaction.


Which brings me to a second question,
Where do you get Gerber coupons?
Gerber coupons are hard to come by considering how often you need to buy baby food when you have a little one. I get them from two main sources: Catalinas and home mailer.

The catalina machine will usually print out Gerber coupons when you buy baby food or graduate products. Sometimes they will also print out if you buy Stoneyfield or BeechNut products too (it doesn't work the opposite way though, if you buy Gerber, it won't give you BeechNut). These catalinas are not always high value coupons, but if you need to buy baby food anyway they help.

The second source, which is better is to sign up with Gerber to be on their home mailing list. They will send out coupons every few months according to your baby's age. Lots of companies do this, here are a few to sign up for if you have babies. They also will send you coupons, free samples, and information geared towards your baby's age. Sometimes these site also have coupons on them.
BeechNut
Huggies
Pampers
Luvs
Enfamil
Similac

*Bonus: Did you know you can use a coupon and a formula check together when purchasing formula? You can! The formula checks that Enfamil/Similac/
Good Start issue are considered checks (ie forms of payment), which are different than coupons. Formula coupons often come out of the catalina machine. Also if you move, these mailings are not considered "first class" mail and will not be forwarded, so you need to sign up again...something I need to go do. Someone at my old house is scoring some major coupons!