10 tips to help you find coupons!(:

New to couponing? Not sure where to get coupons from? Well, we have a few tips on where to find some(:

Tip #1 -

We print most of our coupons. This is my favorite way to get coupons! You can read my previous post, Printable Coupons, to learn where I print them from.

Tip #2 -
 

Go to your nearest gas station or store that sells the Sunday paper and pick one up to get the inserts that come in it. You might want to go and get your paper pretty early before they are all gone. Also, this is REALLY important, check to make sure your inserts are in your paper BEFORE you close the newspaper stand door! It is so frustrating to pick up a paper and get home only to find that your inserts are NOT there! PLEASE don't steal the inserts out of papers either! Take what you PAY for and ONLY that! You can also subscribe to the Sunday paper. We usually purchase 5-10 papers (ours are $1 each)each Sunday. 

Tip #3 -

This one could solve the problem of people taking inserts out of papers, but it also causes it. If you find a coupon(s) in your insert that you really like, you can order it from a clipping service online. The only problem with this is that some people steal the inserts from papers and then sell them on Ebay or other places.  Make sure it's a legit clipping service that pays for their coupons and inserts before they sell them! We will only ever list reputable clipping and printing services on our blog. 

Tip #4 -

Ask your family members, friends, neighbors or anybody else that get's the paper, but doesn't use the coupons, if you can have them. Also, if you have a recycling center/bin in your area you can check there! Make sure it's ok for you to do so first though!

Tip #5-

  Sign up for samples/freebies! I am all the time 'liking' new pages on Facebook and the reason for this is that I'm either getting a coupon or getting a free sample. Sometimes when you sign up for samples they will send you coupons in with those free samples!

Tip #6 -

Look for Blinkies in your store! Publix usually has a lot of these(: You can hold onto that coupon, if you can't use it then, and wait for a good deal to come along. The coupons that you get in blinkies are usually manufacturer coupons so you can use them at any store not just the store you got it from.

Tip #7 -

Check the products you buy for coupons/peelies! Inside or stuck to the outside.

Tip #8 -

After checkout you may recieve some coupons that printed out at the register. These are called 'Catalinas' and they can be used on your next purchase!

Tip #9 -

Write a letter and mail it or email Manufacturers and tell them how much you like their products and they will often send you some coupons back as a way of saying thanks!

Tip #10 -

Use E-Coupons, or coupons that you can put directly onto a card from the internet. Example: Kroger's has a 'Kroger Plus Shopper's Card' (ask to sign up for one next time you're at Kroger's) and all you do is sign up on the Kroger website, enter your card number, and start loading coupons onto it, then when you're at the register you scan your card and it will automatically take those coupons off! Be careful though! If you have 2 coupons for the same product, but one is an e-coupon for $0.50 off and the other is a printable coupon for $1.00 off, which ever one you use first will be the only one you can use. Which means if you scan your card first the $0.50 coupon will be taken off and you will not be allowed to use the $1.00 off coupon causing you to not have as good of a deal. Does that make sense? I'm not sure who all has cards for E- Coupons, but I know CVS has a card and they also have a coupon machine, when you go to the store you scan your card and it will print out coupons for you!

I hope these tips help! Feel free to leave comments!

Publix Penny Item 6/29

Have you went to Publix for your penny item yet??

 If not, then here's what you need to look for!(:

Publix Brand Tortilla Chips

**To get penny items for a penny you have to have the coupon that comes in the Wednesday paper and spend $10 (That's before coupons)!**

 

Publix 6/29

Total - $180.09

Total After Coupons - $43.34

Total Savings - $136.75

YAYYYYY!!!!:D BEST trip so far!!!(:

5 - Pillsbury Grands Jr. Biscuits
4 - Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
4 - Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
1 - Fresh Express Salad
1 - Fresh Express Baby Spinach
2 - Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles
4 - Kids Cuisine
4 - Mueller Pasta (2 Spaghetti, 1 Elbow Macaroni, and 1 Sea Shells)
4 - Beachnut Fruities 2pks.
4 - Wacky Mac Pasta
4 - Duncan Hines Brownie Mix
4 - Emeril Canned Meals (2 Ravioli & 2 Spaghetti and Meatballs)
2 - cans Rotel
2 - Pepperidge Farm Gold Fish
4 - cans Bertolli Alredo
4 - French's Mustard
8 - Kraft Salad Dressings
4 - A1 Steak Sauces
1 - Heinz Vinegar
1 - Publix Brand Tortilla Chips (PENNY ITEM!!!)
1 - Shick Shave Cream
2 - Carefree Pantiliners
2 - Colgate Toothbrushes
2 - Colgate Toothpastes
2 - Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Swiffer 360 Duster Freebie is Finally Here!

I have been so excited to get this awesome freebie in the mail and it finally arrived today! Swiffer did this giveaway on their facebook a while back and luckily I was able to snag one before they were all gone!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

 

Publix Shopping Trip 6/27

Total - $182.00
Total After Coupons - $83.31
Total Savings - $98.69 + $20 Publix Gift Card = $118.69

Actual Total after coupons and gift card - $63.31

1 - Loaf Bread
2 - Boxes Post Great Grain Cereals
2 - Boxes  Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes
2 - Boxes (100 count) Lipton Tea Bags
2 - Mt. Olive Pickles
2 - GE Reveal Lightbulbs
2 - Bags Doritos
2 - Bags Chex Mix
3 - Van Camp's Pork & Beans
3 - Peter Pan Peanut Butter (There is only 2 pictured...oops lol)
4 - Marie Callender's Pot Pie
4 - Sweet Baby Ray's Shredded Pork
4 - Alexia Frozen Dinners4 - boxes Kellogg's Nutri Grain Bars
4 - Publix Brand Green Beans
4 - Cases Pepsi (12pk)
5 - Snack Pack Puddings
5 - Chef Boyardee (variety)
6 - Publix Brand Corn
6 - Bob Evan's Refrigerated Side Dishes
 

6/24 Free Samples

I absolutely love opening my mailbox and finding freebies! I get so excited. Seriously, I feel like a kid on Christmas. There are so many great freebies out there.

 

Here's what I found today when I opened my mailbox...

 

 

COUPONS, tampons, pads, liners, and deoderant!  

 

&

Tide Stain Release & Tide Detergent
 

This one came pretty fast and it's full size plus they sent a coupon!

What came in your mailbox today??

 

Printable Coupons

Most of the coupons we use are printable coupons. We print several coupons everyday actually! Probably too many??  Most of the time you can print up to 2 of each coupon per computer but occasionally you may run across one that will only allow you to print it once. Couponing is very time consuming, mostly because of the clipping part, but honestly it's worth every second in our opinion! If you find something in your sales paper that's on sale, but you don't have a coupon for it, try and find a coupon on the internet for that item. There are lots of sites with coupon databases that will actually allow you to search for a certain coupon. It will show you if there are any printable coupons available or if there was one that came out in an insert and when it came out. 

Here are a few sites that I like to print coupons from:

Coupons.com

Redplum.com

Smartsource.com 

I'm sure you all know that Facebook is used for EVERYTHING these days, which means a lot of companies make facebook pages and they occasionally post coupons for their products on them. So don't forget to check there frequently because sometimes the coupons don't last long if there is one!

Also, if you're looking for a certain product, look on the companies website. They sometimes have coupons and offers.

You can also get printable coupons from,

Walmart.com

Target.com (our favorite!)

CVS Pharmacy

Walgreens

Rite Aid

Dollar General

 

I hope this helps if you're looking to print coupons!

 

6/22 Penny Item

The 6/22 penny item at Publix was.....

Publix Brand Apple Juice(:

6/21 Publix Shopping Trip(:

 Total - $77.84
Total after Coupons - $32.98
Total Savings - $44.86
2 - bags of Tyson Chicken Patties
10 - Zatarain Frozen Entrees
1 - Tennessee Pride Sausage
1 - Ground Beef
1 - Bologna
2 - Breyer Ice Creams
5 - Duncan Hines Cake Mixes
1 - Duncan Hines Brownie Mix

50% SAVINGS!(:

I don't have a picture of all the stuff, but here is the receipt. Didn't do as good because my mom thought she didn't have coupons for some stuff but turns out she just didn't know that I had already put them together and they were in a notebook lol Total - $125.60 Total after Coupons - $63.58 Total Savings - $62.02 Still 50% savings!!(: 1 - 12 pk. Lipton Green Tea 1 - Publix Coffee Creamer 6 - Zatarain Frozen Entrees 2 - Simply Potatoes Dinner 2 - Simply Potatoes 1 - Cabbage 1 - Farm Rich Melts 2 - Breyer's Ice Cream 2 - Oreos 2 - Kraft Mac & Cheese 2 - 6 pks. Propel Zero Water 1 - Tilex Fresh Shower Cleaner 6 - Johnson & Johnson Non - Stick Pads 3 - Nestle Crunch Bars 1- Tomato 1- Onion 2 - Tyson Meats

Publix Shopping Trip....with 1.19 OVERAGE!!(:

Total: $35.96 Total after Coupons: -$1.19 Total Savings: $37.15 PUBLIX PAID US $1.19 FOR THIS STUFF!!!! WOO HOO(: 1 - Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil Body Wash 1 - Johnson & Johnson Baby Bubble Bath and Wash 6 - Suave Body Lotions 2 - Boxes Johnson & Johnson Small Gauze Pads 2 - Boxes Johnson & Johnson Medium Gauze Pads 1 - Bag Texas Toast Croutons

Mom's Publix Shopping Trip(:

Total - $74.07 Total after Coupons - $20.91 Total Savings - $53.16 4 - Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaners 4 - Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaners 4 - Dial for men body wash 2 - boxes Johnson & Johnson Gauze Pads 2 - boxes Lipton Tea Bags 2 - Energizer AA batteries (4pk) 1 - Combat Ant Killer 1 - Duracell Flashlight (batteries included)

Publix Shopping Trip

Total - $75.57 Total after coupons - $21.79 Total Savings - $53.78 Here's what I got - 6 - Knorr Rice/Pasta Sides 2 - 2 lb. Jars Ragu 2 - boxes Honey Nut Cheerios 2 - Peter Pan Peanut Butter 1 - Case Sierra Mist 1 - Case Diet Mt. Dew 1 - Case Pepsi 1 - 42 count tub Cottonelle Wipes 1 - Zyrtec 2 - Bottles Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash 1 - 4 Double Roll Green Wise Toilet Paper 1 - Yoplait Yogurt 2 - Ball Park Bun Size Franks 2 - 1 Gallon Arizona Tea 1 - box Ritz Crackerfuls

I LOVEEE Couponing(:

I am SOOO excited to start this blog! My mom and I recently started couponing and we just fell in love with it! I'll admit, we're couponaholics(: lol It is just so addicting and I love to see how much we can save!  Our favorite store is Publix because they have a ton of BOGO (Buy 1 Get 1 free) sales each week. They double up to $0.50 and they also have a special penny item each week on Wednesday. Yesterday, it was Apple Juice.

So far we've gotten Cheese, Toilet Paper, Vanilla Wafers and now Apple Juice for ONLY $0.01 each!(: 

Anyways, we tried couponing before and quit, but this time we've got it and there ain't no turning back! We can't believe we use to pay full price for things that we could've been getting for really cheap or FREE! There ain't a day that goes by that we don't look at our coupons at least once. Sometimes it does get frustrating, like when you go to buy something and there all gone. Well, were not EXTREME COUPONERS and we're not going to clear the shelves so that nobody else can take advantage of a nice sale. We don't have 50 of the same coupon so there is no way we could even if we wanted to. Some people think stockpiling is 'hoarding', but there is a HUGE difference in my opinion. My mom went into couponing thinking she didn't wanna stockpile because she didn't wanna have so much stuff, but I think you will find you stockpile before you realize it. I've had to clean out a few cabinets to have room for things and we've only been at this a couple of months maybe. I read a blog the other day and she explained it better than anybody i've seen. Sales cycle every few months so when something goes on sale you want to buy as many of that item as you can. (Once again, not saying clear the shelf) You want to have enough though to last you til that item goes on sale again if possible. As soon as I find her blog again i'll link to it so you can read all that she said. Another option is donating. I've heard a lot of people ask about expiration dates for things, I ask the same thing, but when you can get something for really cheap or free, but you don't think you will use that item before the expiration date then just donate it because I guarantee somebody out there will use it and they will be so thankful for you(: When it comes to couponing you can't be BRAND PICKY. You have to try new things because your not gonna find coupons for the EXACT stuff you would regularly use. Couponing is VERY time consuming, but SO worth it when you get BIG savings! It will overwhelm you at times though. You will start to accumulate so many coupons and you don't know what to do with them all, but it's all about finding a system that works for YOU! Apparently, my mom and I have different systems that work best for each of us, but somehow we put both together and it just works(:

This is my mom's way of organizing:

This was the first thing I bought when we got into couponing and it quickly got to the point of NOT closing, but no matter what we've tried my mom always goes back to this. She's the kind of person that it doesn't matter how cluttered usually, she knows exactly where SHE put it so it don't matter if anyone else can find it.

Here is my way of organizing:

I've turned into an organizing freak....I've organized our cabinets to the point where my family was scared to touch stuff afraid of messing it up. My dad even went without his medicine one day I think. Seriously though, I NEED it organized. I can't find anything in my mom's coupon holder.  

Are you thinking, "Does she seriously carry that Big Ole' thing in stores?"

Yes, I do(: It's kind of embarrassing, but what's even MORE embarrassing is paying full price for stuff so i'm ok with carrying it(:

We've tried the binder and that didn't work for either of us.

Here's a neat website my mom found that might be helpful to you. It's called Track My Coupons and you just enter your coupons and it keeps up with them for you(: It tells you when coupons are about to expire too. It might help those just starting out. We tried it, but we already have so many coupons that we didn't wanna go through ALL of them and put them in.

Ok, I guess i'm finished rambling for now so if you have any questions just comment and i'll try my best to answer(: