Brag Blog!

I didn't come across any really good deals today, so I thought I would brag about some of the deals I got on this week's shopping trips.

I got these in the mail today. Total freebies from Gilt.com. A cupcake necklace for me because it was cute, and a book for Ronin. Remember Richard Scarry?

This is from my Target trip today. $25 for everything! Not too bad considering there are 6 days worth of baby formula and a pair of shoes there! I had 6 coupons for $3 off formula along with a $5 formula check. The shoes ($12.58) and the hoodies ($4.90) for Pookie were on clearance. The 2 trial size Degrees were free with $1 off coupons from Target.com. The 2 bottle of suave shampoo were free with $1 coupons from Target.com as well (they also had coconut shampoo in case you know of anyone who likes coconut shampoo ;-)). I don't usually use Suave shampoo, but hey it was free and I can always give it away. The Airwick candle was $2.99 and I had a $3 coupon. The Qtips were $2.75 and I had a $.30 manufacturer coupon and a $1 coupon from Target.com (remember you can stack Target and manu coupons!). The Vaseline lotion was about $2.69 and I had a $1 manu and $1.50 Target coupon. And the Pond's makeup remover wipes were $5.19 each...buy 2 and get a $5 Target gift card...and I had 2 manu coupons and 2 Target coupons all worth $1.50 each. All of the Target coupons were printed from Target.com and the Pond's couons were printed from RedPlum.com.

Rite Aid. It was all basically free. RiteAid.com has video value coupons...just watch a short video and you can print out coupons. These video value coupons stack with manu coupons. Between manu coupons and vv coupons I paid $9.88 out of pocket, but got $9 in UP dollars back. If you want to know which coupons I put together for certain deals just ask...I will stop boring you with typing every detail out.

Ulta. Got all of this for $6.89 ($45.95 value).

Publix. $13.78 total. Doesn't sound too impressive until you find out that one container of formula powder is regularly $23.49.

Here is everything I picked up on Sunday. Went to Walmart (I hardly ever go there, better deals other places), CVS, and Hallmark. My total out of pocket for everything was about $10, I will be getting back a rebate for $9.99, and I got back $5 EB from CVS. I had a $10 and a $5 hallmark coupon. I got Pookie a baby's first Christmas Hallmark ornament, a magnet for a gift, and a small gift bag...spent about $3. Walmart was next. Had coupons for $5 off Olay when you buy a Secret,$2 off Secret, and $3 off Nivea. Price matched the Nivea lotion from Target's add for $2.99 so that was free, the trial size Secret was $.97 so that was free (plus an extra dollar off total since they didn't lower the coupon value), and the Olay set was $10 and then $5 off from the coupon. Total was right under $5 and I sent out a rebate for the Olay gift set for $9.99. Then CVS. I used a bunch of coupons and some EBs, ended up pay about $1.50 out of pocket and got back $5 EB. Not bad for paper towels, toilet paper, Puffs, and 2 Pantenes.

I stopped by Walgreen's today, but nothing too impressive to post about. And did some grocery shopping at Kroger, too. Didn't have many coupons, just shopped the sales. Total was $38.30 and saved $19.31.

Another rebate and some freebies

Here is another rebate offer I found. Purchase $15 worth of products and get a $5 rebate. It looks like purchases must be made by December 16th and rebate mailed in by December 20th, so be quick! With some of the drug store deals on the Pot of Gold chocolates you could probably make this work for very little out of pocket. Rite Aid will be having the chocolates on sale next week (12/5) for $3.99 with $2 UP rewards back, and there is also a little note on the ad that says most Sunday papers will have additional savings coupons. 4 boxes would cover the rebate, $16 out of pocket, $8 in UP rewards back, and $5 rebate (plus whatever discount for the Sunday coupons if there are some). So $3 for 4 boxes of chocolates, not bad if you need some generic filler gifts or stocking stuffers. I am sure you could make some god deal scenarios with the other products, too, but I just remember seeing the chocolates coming up on sale...and come on, who doesn't like chocolate?!?!?

And I forgot all about the All You samples until Manny reminded me about them. So go here and get some freebies!

More...

Free stuff from Bath & Body Works...just sign up here.

Hallmark coupon for $10 off a $10 or more purchase here. And certain magazines have a $5 off coupon in them this month, too. Here is a list of some of them.

*Real Simple
*Martha Stewart
*Midwest Living
*Family Circle
*Southern Living
*Redbook
*Oprah Magazine

And I am not sure about this one because it doesn't give many details yet, but 30% off CVS purchase on December 4th and 5th here. There is a 20% off one floating around the internet now, but I am not posting it because you can't use it on sale items. And what is the use of shopping CVS without the sales?!?

Shop!

More random deals!

You can get a cool looking stainless steel ring for $4.99 including shipping. That is an awesome price, and stainless steel is great for men's jewelry because it is hard to scratch or dent. I would be ordering this for SD if he was into jewelry.

Put in your email address here and get special Ulta offers.

Avon has free shipping today. They have a lot of cheap things that would make good stocking stuffers.

If you have any shopping to do at Walgreens you should wait until Wednesday. They have a printable friends and family coupon good for 15% off Wednesday only. Make sure you read the fine print. It says to check out at the beauty or photo register and let the cashier know before they start ringing up your items that you have the coupon.

And, sign into your Cellfire.com account between 12 and 5 pst today for a chance to win $5.

Rebates

There are some good rebates from P&G out right now!

First, buy an Olay Winter Indulgence gift pack from Walmart for $10. These gift packs include a full size body was, full size lotion, and a few other goodies. The pack comes with a free subscription to Allure magazine, but if you don't want the subscription you can mail in a form for a $9.99 rebate. Just click here for the details. Scroll all the way to the bottom and read the fine print to find out the rebate info. So just by doing that you can get the Olay pack free, but if you happen to have a $5 off Olay when you buy Secret coupon you can actually make money from this deal. You can even buy a trial size secret with that coupon. So with that coupon you could buy a trial size Secret and the Olay pack for $6 out of pocket, then mail in the rebate and get $9.99 back. Awesome! And I also read some of the packs have a few coupons in them, so bonus score!

Second, you can get a coupon book worth over $110 if you purchase $50 in P&G products (I am up to about $9 so far, but I just found out about the rebate). This is pretty cool, I didn't realize how many brands were P&G until I read the list they have.

And finally, there is a $20 rebate when you buy $50 of certain P&G products (Olay, Venus, Cover Girl, Secret, Pantene, Herbal Essence, and Clairol).

It looks like they all want original receipts sent in so you have to choose which rebates you want, unless you are a super shopper All of these rebates are good until the end of the year, so start buying and saving your receipts. You only have one month left to shop!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Not much new to report as far as deals go, but I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving!

Deals For The Day

CVS: click here to get a coupon for a free toothbrush or trial size shampoo or conditioner sent to your email. All you have to do is enter your Extra Care number and email. Easy!

Bath & Body Works: free item (up to $13 value) with any $10 purchase. And don't forget to use this coupon for a free travel size item with any purchase, too. And if you happened to shop there recently they might have given you a $10 off of $30 coupon, and their current sale is buy 3 get 3 free of their signature collections. If you work this right you could possibly get 7 full size and 1 travel size item for about $20. That is a great deal for Christmas gifts!

Crabby Cashier

Today was a grocery day. I must say, grocery shopping goes much faster when Sugar Daddy has the day off and Pookie can stay home with him. My first stop was Target. I got a lot of stuff there, and I used a lot of coupons. The cashier was fairly unhappy about it. She wasn't outright rude, but she was telling the lady behind me she was sorry and she hated waiting in lines too (lady wasn't being impatient anyway). She kept rechecking all the coupons (which I understand making sure I matched up the right items) and saying how Target's coupon policies have changed and she needs to make sure it is all right. And she had to call a manager over to put my formula coupons through since they wouldn't scan. Oh, and she was going to change one of my $1 coupons to .79 because she didn't read the coupon correctly, I made her fix it! And I had several coupons for $1 off certain products that didn't say what size you had to purchase, so I used them to get free travel sized items...she scanned a couple through for $1 and for some reason made a big deal about having to change the price of the Tide coupon from $1 to .97. Anyway, I just stood there letting her do her thing cuz I knew that magic number at the end of my receipt would be worth it...spent $43.42 (including tax), saved $64.24! Yay!!! I also ran into Publix and Kroger...Publix spent $22.75, saved $18.60...Kroger spent $30.15, saved $21.53. Not a bad shopping day...you just have to learn the tricks to combining sales, store coupons, and manufacturers coupons.

Hair Jazz

Hurry up and sign up to get a free box of hair color from Garnier! All you have to do is fill out the little form and they will send you a coupon for a free box of hair color. Free is good!

Remember yesterday when I mentioned hearing about CVS having 75% off of L'oreal makeup, but mine didn't have it on sale? Well, I happened to be driving past a different CVS today and decided to run in to check it out. They did have some L'oreal for 75% off, yay! They didn't have much to choose from, and for some reason the "alabaster" foundation wasn't on clearance, but I picked up some eyeshadow pigment for myself. I have an eyeshadow addiction. And I was able to get a few gifts. With the clearance prices, my L'oreal coupons (you can print some here), and my CVS coupon for $4 EB back with a $20 purchase (found this coupon in the CVS gift catalog I picked up in the store), I ended up getting $82.43 worth of makeup for $4.56! I recommend checking it out. This CVS had blush, eye pigment, nail polish, lip gloss, and some powder and foundation on clearance. Even without the coupons most of the stuff is only around $3, which is a great price!

Shop, Shop, Shop

So, I guess this will be my first official deals post. Woo! I have a few since it is my first post.

I went to Old Navy today because I heard they were having 50% off clearance. I love when they have this sale! They didn't have much left to choose from, but I was able to get 2 baby Halloween t-shirts, 2 baby winter hats, and 2 pairs of flip flops for $6.79 including tax. I also had a 30% off coupon that I could have used, but was feeling generous and gave it to a lady with a cute baby and a ton of stuff in her cart.

Next, if you are a member of Cellfire they are having a Cinderella giveaway right now. Just log onto your account (or register) and you might win a $1, $5, or $10 coupon for Kroger. I won $1, yay!. Cellfire is a cool site anyway, you can download coupons from there right onto your Kroger card.

I found a World Market coupon online today. You can save $10 off of $30. Cute Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers there. Click here to print the coupon. It expires on November 20th, so hurry and shop!

Starbucks is having a buy one get one free sale now through the 21st. You have to go between 2 pm and 5 pm, and the sale is for their holiday drinks. I need some peppermint hot chocolate, yummy!

And the last bargain I have not actually found myself, but I keep seeing people write about CVS having Loreal cosmetics on clearance for 75% off. The store near me doesn't have this going on. If you have Loreal coupons and you find a store that has this sale, you could get some awesome deals. I am so disappointed my store didn't offer this! I need some more of my paler than pale mineral foundation and concealer! And some extra eyeshadow never hurt a girl! Sigh.

Ok, that is it for today. Hopefully I can keep up with this blog now. And hopefully I am able to help you guys get some great deals. Now go out there and get your shop on!

A New Beginning

I have decided to try to keep up with my blogging. A lot has changed since my last real blog post. The main thing is that I have a baby and am a stay at home mom now. I am loving it!

Now for a little bragging. Pookie was born on August 30. He was 8 lbs 12 oz and 21.25 in. He is now 11 weeks old (time flies!). At his 2 month pediatrician appointment the doctor said he is the size of a 4 month old. He is a big, adorable boy! I love him, and am so grateful I get to be at home with him at this point in his life.

Now, on to the blog. I have stumbled upon a new hobby...saving money! I have been finding great deals, coupons, and samples lately. I am slightly obsessed. Mannequin suggested I start blogging about my finds, and I have decided since she is a smart woman I should listen to her. So this blog will start becoming more about bargains and deals, with a little bit of life and a lot of bragging about Pookie thrown in for good measure. I hope everyone enjoys (and that I can keep up with posting!).

More Shutterfly!

I heart Shutterfly! They always have amazing deals, and now that I have a baby I want pictures galore! Look at some of these adorable holiday cards...http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards...I think I need to order some. All of my peeps need cards with a picture of my baby on it to make their holidays happy, right? I already ordered a few cards from them, but I have decided I need more. I made a couple of mugs already this year...http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs...the grandpas need to see Pookie while they drink their coffee. And then they have these awesome photo calendars you can make...http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars. I haven't made any of these yet, but only because I don't have a year's worth of Pookie pictures yet. I will definitely be making some next year though, by then I should be drowning in baby pictures. I would definitely say you guys should order from Shutterfly, they do an awesome job, have so much to choose from, and it arrives so quickly! Now I am off to design more cards. Toodles!

Oh, I forgot to mention, if you have a blog check out Shutterfly and this offer...http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/.

Ronin book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Try again!

Ok, so now I have a baby! I should start keeping up with my blog. I have plenty of free time now...that's what naptime is for, right?

Gender Bender

I am not a very patient person. I do not like waiting for things. It is a well known fact in my world. And Pookie expects me to wait another 8 weeks to find out whether Pookie is a boy or a girl. 8 weeks! That is 2 months!!! Grr!

So today I decided I must find out right away. I looked at a Chinese gender chart...a girl! Mayan chart...boy! The whole ring on a string over your belly thing? Yeah...when I hold the string it turns out girl, when Money Man holds the string it turns out boy.

I have decided one of two things is true with this situation.
1. Pookie is a hermaphrodite.
2. Pookie somehow picked up a sense of humor from daddy about teasing mommy about her impatience.

Pookie and Tia and Tata, oh my!

I am way behind on this whole blogging thing! I guess I need to get caught up.....I am pregnant! There, now everyone is caught up with my life.

Pookie is my beautiful baby's name. Pookie has been cooking in my belly for a good 11 weeks now.....almost outta the first trimester! And only about two more months until we find out if Pookie is a girl or a boy. We hope if Pookie is a boy he will grow up to be big and strong, cuz it would be hard for a scrawny, nerdy boy to live with a name like Pookie.

Tia and Tata are the auntie names for Mannequin and Invisi. Mannequin is Tia cuz she is Mexican and all that jazz. Anyone wanna guess why Invisi is Tata? C'mon, guess! And I have decided I will let Pookie call me Mommy.....until Pookie gets to that age where it isn't believable for a 23 year old to have a kid that age at least.

And boy, can Pookie eat! No matter what, Pookie is always hungry! I am glad the little thing like ice cream at least. And salad! Mmm.....now I want a good salad followed by a big bowl of ice cream.