FabuLESSly FruGAL

Over the last few months, I have been contemplating what to do with my blog. I do love it and I love sharing deals, but my time just doesn't allow me, myself, and I to keep it running at the pace a coupon blog needs. I am now going to be blogging over at Fabulessly Frugal! Fabulessly Frugal posts for Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, Winco, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, and Smiths, as well as Amazon.com. They also post for Safeway and Kmart and I will be their store experts for Safeway and Kmart! It is an exciting opportunity and I am honored to be blogging with such a great team. I will still be making very periodic posts for product reviews, but the majority of my blogging will be focused on Fabulessly Frugal!

Thanks again for reading! I appreciate all your comments and support in my journey.

Kmart Spring Fever Deals

Kmart has a couple of good deals this week (through Saturday). Capri Sun and Kool Aid Jammers are on sale for $2 each, stack with the in store coupon B1G1 Free (limit 5 Free) and get 10 for $10. These are great to have on hand for summer BBQ season.


Also look for these packages of Fla-Vor Ice. The large pack has a $2 rebate and is priced at $4.99. The smaller pack also has a $2 rebate and is priced at $2.29, so 29 cents after rebate! The smaller package were located in a bin at the front of the store near the Easter clearance section (by the old "restaurant" in the Roseburg store). Limit 1 per envelope, but it doesn't have a limit per household that I could see. You can also send a copy of the receipt, so you could do multiple rebates with one receipt.

Pampers Catalina and Bonus Pampers Points

Are you collecting Pampers Gift to Grow Points? Click here
to start collecting and earning rewards. I have been collecting for almost 4 years, I have 1-2 in diapers during those years and will also admit I am not a very good potty trainer, but I finally got enough point to order a Jeep Stroller. This was absolutely free, including shipping. This same stroller sales for $52 on Amazon. Pretty good deal for something I use anyway. I have also ordered DVDs and Legos in the past and was very pleased with those products. You do not need a child in diapers to collect points and redeem rewards either, head on over Freebies4Mom and Hip2Save to look for the list of free codes and get started. Rewards range anywhere from 10-5500 points!

Yesterday, I also received same upcoming catalina print out at three store:

"Buy any 2 Pampers Swaddlers or Cruisers Jumbo Pack get 100 bonus points"
and "Buy any 2 Pampers Wipes Tubs get 50 bonus points" Confirmed at Kmart, Fred Meyer, and Albertsons for dates 4/19-4/30

Also at Fred Meyer and Kmart (probably Albertsons...but not confirmed) Buy Pampers ThickCare 216 count or larger, get $2 Catalina for dates 4/19-4/30

This is also in addition to the catalina running at Albertsons and Fred Meyer get a $2 catalina when you spend $10 or get a $5 catalina when you buy $20 worth of Pampers diapers or wipes this one runs through 4/17.

Coupons available: $3/1 box from 4/3 P&G, $1.50 off pack from 4/3 P&G,$1/1 coupon for wipes via mail

We have a winner!

Let me give an explanation first. I did this giveaway to stress, that you can save money and actually buy things that your family will use! Everything in the pictures will be used within six months or less. I have a dinner menu plan which I rotate through, these are recipes that are easy, budget friendly, and ones that my family will eat. I try to buy the ingredients for these dinners when they pop up on sale, but some never go on sale. About every 4-6 weeks, I have to do a large trip (large meaning $125-$200) to get the rest everything I need to make these dinners and just to buy stuff we need. For the rest of the weeks, I spend between $20-$60 on groceries, buying produce, milk, juice, and necessary things, besides what is on sale that week. Notice I bought produce, milk, meat, and other "fresh" ingredients for these meals.

I get 3-4 copies of each coupon insert per week through mad coupons. I find this to be a reasonable amount for my family. I also spend a couple of hours clipping, planning, and organizing for a large trip like the Albertsons one. The smaller trips take me anywhere from 10 minutes to 1/2 hour. I find this enjoyable and do it in my "down" time in the evening.

I use couponing to save money on our grocery bill (money I would rather spend elsewhere). I also use it to help plan my menu, build up my food storage, and of course for fun! I don't try to get the largest out of pocket or most free things, I use my skills to try and save the most money on things we would be using anyway. I hope that this inspires you that you can coupon and save money without going to "hoarding extremes".

On to the winner...retail amount of the 3 trips was $465.57 (of course...none of us would EVER pay that). My total out of pocket for all three trips was $166.35, so I saved 64%! (If I can save at least 50%, I am satisfied, especially at the grocery store!) Rachel guessed exactly 64%, great job! Thanks to everyone who entered and those who thought I saved more than I did, what a confidence boost :) Rachel, let me know which of my fab five store you would like your gift card to:

1. Rite Aid
2. Kmart
3. Albertsons
4. Macys
5. Ross

Thanks for reading, more giveaways and surprises to come.

How real people coupon...

I am sure by now you have seen or heard of the craziness of the show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC. I did watch it and enjoyed it, but I find it very unrealistic. For instance, the Albertson's shopper that did 18 transactions...the coupons clearly state one set per trip. Some stores might let you do 3, but 18 I highly doubt that is normal. Buying 35 bottles of Maalox or 62 bottles of mustard...absurd! Don't tell me they donate it, because not even shelters are going to want that! (Did you notice how no one bought produce!) Also, I don't care if the labels are straight and it is organized, when your "stockpile" takes over every room and spare inch of your house...that is called hoarding!

Today I went and did some real coupon shopping. I had a menu plan, I used sales, promos, and matchups with coupons. I bought stuff we will use and eat and I didn't clear a single shelf! Success! Now a little challenge...guess how much I saved overall (percent wise) and I will have a $25 gift card for the winner.

Rite Aid...


KMart...





and of course Albertsons!

Leave a guess in the comment section (a percent of how much I saved) and let me know what you thought of the show if you watched it!

UPDATE: Some people have left guesses on facebook, so I am transferring them over. If there is a tie, I will award 2 gift cards. You have until Monday to enter!

New Pampers catalina at Kmart

I received a $2/1 Pampers coupon at Kmart and it had this catalina offer on it.

• Buy 1 Pampers Swaddlers Jumbo Pack and get $1 off next order or
• Buy 2 Pampers Swaddlers Jumbo Packs or 1 big pack and get $3 off next order
• (Note I also received one for "Cruisers" so I am assuming it is both)

Pampers are on sale this week for $8.99, scenario:

• Buy 2 Pampers Jumbo Packs=$17.98
• Use 2 $2/1 from 2/27 P&G
• Pay $13.98
• Get $3 Catalina
• =$5.49 per pack!

A great price, especially if you like Pampers. Sale price runs through Saturday, Catalina runs through 4/2.

Kmart Doubles Last Trip

I snuck in late last night to get a few more double coupon deals

• 4 packs Pampers $9.99, used $2/1 from 2/27 P&G=$5.99 each
• Enfamil $6.99, use $2/1 from pediatrician tear pad=$2.99
• Water $3.50
• Lemon Drops $2.99 (fillers used to get me over $50)

Also used:

• $5/$50 Kmart coupon
• $10 prescription gift card
• $2 Enfamil Check (I was wrong earlier...I got my first free formula!)

I paid $18.12 (had to pay bottle deposit too) and got back $10 P&G catalina, so like spending $8.12 for all of this...that is a good deal on one pack of diapers! I hope they bring back the doubles again soon. I so love Kmart double shopping.

Kmart Doubles, my sister's trip

My sister did her first Kmart doubles run this week, she did a great job and found a killer Nivea Body Wash deal. She is just getting started in couponing, but is catching on very quickly. Way to go Dev! Here is her summary:

• Pampers wipes refills—$6.99 each, used $1/1 deal from a previous wipes purchase. Final cost was $4.99.
• Nivea bodywashes! It was a bogo (buy one, get one) half off sale at the store, the original prices at $6.29 and $2.65 (at half off). I had 2 $2/1 coupons, making the final cost only $0.94! Yes, you read that right, $0.94 for the two bodywashes!
• Orbit gum—filler item (read bottom for details...) No deal here really, I just needed some gum and to get to $25.00! It cost $1.29.
• Colgate toothpaste—$3.99. Used $1/1 from all you magazine. Final cost—$1.99
• Johnson's Natural baby wash—$4.39. Used $1/1 from all you magazine. Final cost—$2.39

I saved $14.00 on my items that I used coupons with...which was everything but the gum, tax not included.

Kmart Doubles Day 2

Had another successful Kmart double day...not the lowest oop ever, but things we use and high value coupons to double.

1. Kelloggs Fruit Snacks $2.79 each (not great, but the kids' treat), used $1/2 from tearpad in store=$1.79 each, not a stock up price, but they had been on errands for over 2 hours so it was a nice cheapish reward. Be on the lookout for this tearpad to use with a really good sale.
2. Enfamil $6.99, used $2/1 from pediatrician's office tearpad=$2.99, I could have got it for 99 cents had I had my Enfamil checks with me :( Heads up though, ask to see the coupon bin at your doctor's office. They often have high value coupons for formula, meds, and other baby supplies.
3. Dreft $8.99, used $2/1 from a P&G package insert=$4.99
4. Huggies Wipes $2.99, used 2 $1/1 from home mailer=99 cents each.

I posted this to point out two things, #1 coupons are everywhere, be constantly on the lookout! and #2 it is possible to save money on things you use everyday...you might not get them free, but you can certainly lower your out of pocket. (I have yet to see free formula or Dreft.)

Kmart Doubles

Kmart is doubling coupons, up to $2, everyday this week...the rules

1. Must have ShopYour Way Rewards Card
2. First 5 coupons will be doubled
3. Total before coupons must reach $25

They also have a P&G promotion running this week, buy $35 worth of P&G, get $10 coupon to use week of 3/6-3/11. Here is my transaction:

1. Charmin $6.99, used $1/1 from P&G home mailer=$4.99
2. Bounty $6.99, used $1/1 from P&G home mailer=$4.99
3. Tide $8.99, use $1/1 from P&G home mailer=$6.99
4. Duracell, with in ad coupon $5, used 2 $1/1 from home mailer=$3
5. Pampers $9.99, use $2/1 from 2/27 P&G=$7.99 (this one did not double because my cashier rang it in as coupon #6...have your coupons in order, with the first 5 you want to double on top...this was my fault, I was distracted by children.)

I also put in a a few fillers because I had a $5/$50 coupon and a free loaf of bread coupon when you spend $35. I used my $5 gift card from previous diaper deal and my $14.40 gift card from new prescriptions. So I only paid $15.92 for all of this and I got a $10 catalina! Both of these promos run through Saturday.

*Want some fabulous coupons from P&G home mailers, they are way higher than the Sunday inserts, go here and they will be in your mailbox shortly.

Kmart Doubles Coupons 12/5-12/7: 3 packs of Huggies for $12.97!

UPDATE: did the deal today and everything worked perfectly, including the gift card! The exact wording on the Kmart customer service memo said "consumables" as well as grocery and drugstore!

Kmart is doubling coupons for three days only. You must have a Shop Your Way Rewards card. (can pick one up at register). Hand over your card at the first of the transaction and it will automatically double the first 5 coupons, so have them in the right order :) Here are the rules:

1. Spend $25 or more in grocery or drugstore merchandise
2. Amount cannot exceed price (no overage)
3. You may only purchase 4 of the same item using double coupon.
4. Excludes B1G1 Free and Kmart coupons.
5. Limit of 5 coupons per day.

With all these restrictions, I wondered if I could find a deal...but I did.

There is currently a promo for a Free $5 Kmart award card when you by 3 Pampers or 3 Huggies jumbo diapers. They are priced at $9.99 this week, so the best deal is with Huggies.

1. Buy 3 Huggies $29.97
2. Use 3 $2/1 coupons from 11/14 or 12/5 SS ($4 x 3=-$12)
3. Pay $17.97
4. Get $5 Kmart card
5. =$12.97 for three packs of diapers, best part come back the next day and repeat only use card and pay $12.97 and get back another $5 Kmart card!

*I am assuming diapers are part of "drugstore" as they were not part of "healthy and beauty" last time. However, I will be going to Kmart tomorrow to confirm this deal and any other promos I may see.

Holiday Gift Buying Savings

Are you loving all these shopping deals floating around, appears Cyber Monday is going to be Cyber Week. I want to give you a couple of pointers for gift shopping. Before you buy anything online look at...

1. ebates This site is a rebate site for online shopping. They give you a percentage back on your purchases. Just log in and enter the store through their links. If you are a new customer you also will get some sort of joining bonus, used to be $5.
2. retail me not This site gives you coupon codes for online shopping. It never hurts to see if there is a code for free shipping or other incentives out there.

*Another secret I stumbled upon this week, look through your coupon stash/wallet for "lost" coupons, coupon codes, or gift cards. I probably found close to $100 in gift cards and redeemable coupon codes, that I had stashed to be used later. No time like now to use these cards to get great gifts for friends and family. (Hint: check your husband's wallet too, I found a $20 Walmart card and a Hollywood Video card...still trying to figure out how to use that one).

*Check your email inbox for coupon codes and printables.

*Be on the lookout for those awesome $5 coupons from Hallmark in select magazines. They will score you some freebies or cheapies. I used mine to get Webkinz, priced at $5.99 each!

*Also, have you ever signed up for Kmart Kids Birthday Club? Just register your kids birthday and Kmart will send out a $5 coupon for either the store or online. The birthday kids also get a "birthday pack" with crayons, stickers, a crown, and some coupons. I used mine yesterday to score a couple of nearly free toys!

*I have also been doing some shopping from flash sites. These site offer huge discounts on name brand items and the "sales" change every day or two. There are a lot of signup offers and sign up bonus floating around. Go ahead and sign up, get your credit and then wait until you see a deal for you! Here are a few favorites:

1. beyond the rack Get $10 credit when you sign up
2. no more rack, Get $10 credit when you sign up. I really like this site so far!
3. modnique $5 credit when you sign up and use code star (expires today) to get an extra $10 off.
4. ruelala
5. gilt

Ode to Kmart

Last day of doubles, it has been fun. I was a little sad that I didn't get to get gum or cleaners this go around, but maybe next time. I got ReNu again ($4.99 for twin pack), Bandaids, ($1.50) and Oral B toothbrush, free! I was planning on getting free Lip Smackers, but I couldn't find them and had to go pick up my kids.
Kmart gets a bad wrap, I realize it probably wasn't the best marketing tool to hire Martha Stewart and Rosie O'Donnel as your spokesman. I know they have lame employees and the store is dirty. And everyday, they may be overpriced more than the Wal...but let me tell you the top ten reasons "i heart kmart."

10. They have smart registers! They double automatically, no thinking on your part or the cashier.
9. I am sentimental and it brings back memories: When I grew up there was no WalMart nearby and going to KMart was a social event.
8. The employees actually have time to help you.
7. They have excellent clearance deals, hello Blue Light Special!!
6. Since they merged with Sears, they have nicer stuff.
5. The Shop Your Rewards card, nice perks!
4. Less BO smell, (okay so that is rude) but anyway less people=more room in the aisles so I can maneuver the store quickly.
3. They actually run promotions.
2. They DOUBLE COUPONS frequently.
1. They are just NOT WalMart.

So what do you think of Kmart?

Kmart Part 4

Great deal on Rimmel Cosmetics at Kmart. All Rimmel is B1G1 Free. Spend $20 get $3 Rewards (I think this goes right to your card).

• Rimmel Bronzer $4.99, use $2/1 from July All You=99 cents!
• Rimmel Mascara $3.29, use $1/1 from 6/27 RP=Free (but coupon took off $2)
• 2 Rimmel Finger Nail Polish $3.99 each, 2 use $1/1 any Rimmel product from 5/2 and 6/27 RP=both free after sale and coupons!
• 2 Rimmel Lipstick $6.79, use $1/1 off lipcolor/mascara from 5/2 RP=$4.79 (I only had one coupon).
• There is also a coupon at redplum.com for $1/1 any Rimmel product

*Sale Runs through today!

Kmart Round 3

Really good deals on stuff we use day.

• La Looks Gel $1.99, use $1/1 from 5/23 SS=FREE!
• Gillette Fusion Gel clearanced to $2.19, used $1/1 from 6/6 P&G=19 cents each!
• Sally Hansen eyebrow trimmers $2.99, used $1/1 from 6/13 RP=99 cents!
• ReNu Sensitive B1G1 free pack $8.99, use $2 from 6/6 SS=$4.99 for two bottles!

*Will attempt the Rimmel deal tomorrow, two ladies on there scooters were in front of the display, (also scoring good deals) so I just took the easier route.

Kmart Round 2

Well, another round of doubles, today I got stuff we need, so not really exciting.

• Orajel Toothpaste $3.19, used $1/1=$1.19
• Cetaphil $10.79, used $2 bricks coupon=$6.79, high but my daughter needs this lotion for her senstive skin
• Pantene Hair Spray $3.50, used $2 Parade coupon=Free
• Pull Ups $9.99, used $2 coupon=$7.99, this coupon did not double. I had been hearing mixed reports on whether diapers were included, but apparently they are not. :(

* I am going to attempt an awesome Rimmel make-up deal tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes! I am also planning on looking for free/very cheap toothpaste/toothbrushes and possibly shaving cream and razor blades. I love the treasure hunt part!

Kmart Day 1

*My son wanted to be in the picture :)

Yesterday was crazy and Kmart Double Action didn't happen :( Today I went and both the manager and cashier knew EXACTLY what was going on! Kudos! Here is my transaction:

• Venus razors $6, use $2 from 6/6 and 7/4 P&G=$2 each (going to have to give some of these away to sisters, sisters-in-law, etc)


• Pantene stylers $3.50, use $2 from 6/27 Parade (no overage at Kmart)=Free!


• Pringles filler and bribe tool :)


• Swiffer stuff to get me over $35, (yes, I know I hate Swiffer, but I still have one and it is a quick way to clean up my rental for house hunters!)


• Used $5 of $25 Health and Beauty purchase coupon that I got out of the catalina awhile back.


• Total $14.18, plus got back a $10 catalina=$4.18

Now, I know that I could have gotten a lower out of pocket, but I was buying things I would use. I am going to go back and see if I can get some cheap/free products that we actually use in the next few days.

There are in store tearpads with info on the P&G catalina, spend $35 get $10 catalina back. This WILL NOT roll, because you can't use the coupon until next week. Anyway, here are all the details, click on to make bigger.

Kmart Doubles 7/4-7/10

Thanks to Bargain Blessings for passing this on to me this morning. Kmart is doing double coupons again the week of July 4-10. For a complete list of participating stores go here. This time it is only on Health and Beauty items, kind of sad cleaning supplies are not included, but I will still take it! The rules are the same,

• manufacturer's coupons double up to $2
• you cannot get overage on any item
• limit of 5 per day
• you must use your Shop Your Way Rewards Card to be eligible. If you don't have a card, you can get one at any register in the store.

I will look for sites with good comprehensive matchups and also try to see what exactly is included and what is not. There is a P&G insert this weekend, so it might be a good time to get a few papers, there should be some high value coupons in it! How exciting!

Blue Jean Baby

Okay the Jean Diapers are a hit! They even have a model spokesperson and a fashion show! So, if you still haven't tried them here is the deal of the week on Jean Diapers.

Kmart is having a promo, buy 2 Jean Diapers ($9.99 each) and get $5 off instantly on any infant or toddler apparel. You should easily be able to find a summer separate/pjs/etc for around $5! Go to coupons.com and get a couple of $3 coupons (Jean Diapers are "Little Movers") $13.98 for two packs of diapers, plus an item of clothing!

Kmart last day

Last day, I am sad, but what a great run!

• Huggies Overnights $9.99, used $2 coupon from mailer=$5.99
• Pull-ups $9.99, used $2 coupon from mailer=$5.99
• Wipes $1.09 (filler)
• Juicy Juice, free with $20 Huggies purchase
• Gum $1 each, 2 free with $1/2 from 2/28 SS
• Fruit Snacks $2, used $1 printable from redplum.com (not sure if still available)=Free
• Endust Free $3.19, used $1.50 from January or March All You=19 cents

Did you love this week? Take a minute to say thank you. help@customerservice.kmart.com Hopefully they will do it again.