Look at your sale ads...

Look at your sale ads this week:

Winn-Dixie has several products with bonus fuelperks and lots of b1g1 offers. On the back of the ad is buy 1 Gain 2x liquid laundry detergent and get 4 items free. They include Clorox Oxi Magic spray, Winn-Dixie ultra bleach, 64 oz Gain liquid fabric softener, and 40 ct Gain fabric softener sheets.

If you shop at LeBlanc's Food Stores...They are having a mix or match 8 for $8. Tons of products available. Use your coupons with the great sale and you could get some very inexpensive items.

CVS has 4 12 pack Cokes for $13. You receive $3 extra care bucks to use at a later purchase. All laundry detergent $3.99 with card and with a manufacture coupon of $1, you pay $2.99. Feminine products are on sale and there are always lots of coupons available. Ban deodorant is $2.99. There was a coupon in the Sunday paper for $.75 off and they have $2.00 in extra care bucks to use at a later purchase. It is great to go to a store and have them pay you money to shop.

And last but not least, Walgreens. B1G1 on several personal care products. Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor System $9.89, $4 coupon that was in the Sunday paper, and $5 register rewards to use at a later purchase.

Get yourself organized and try. You never know how you will do if you don't just step out there and try.

Have you started saving?

I'm back after a much needed "mini" vacation with my husband.  I promised him that I would not use the phone, internet or anything while we were away.  Wow, I have had so much to do since we got home and have been on the computer all afternoon.

I'm interested to know how many have started saving and what did you score while I was gone.  A very good friend of mine actually started using some of the coupon techniques we discussed on Monday night and saved $41 at the drugstores and $68 at the grocery store.  She also saved $21 at the gas station.  Good job, Mrs. Patti.  I knew you could do it.

So, it is easy to undertake this task.  Just do your research and plan, plan, plan.  Then get started.  If any of you feel like you want to get together again or know of others who would be interested in a coupon workshop, please let me know.  We had such a great turn out on Monday, I look forward to meeting new faces.

I have to thank some special people for their help.  Jennifer - you did an awesome job and thank you for my special treat.  Wendy - Thank you for setting up the location and then setting up the room.  Your input was and is greatly appreciated.  Tina - Thanks for being there to support me and for keeping the humor going.  Monique - Loved the bread, thanks so much.  You guys are the best.

Will update again soon.  I have some great information on a playgroup that a good friend of mine set up.  Do not forget to check your coupon websites for printables.

Thank you!!

I just wanted to put a quick thank you to all who came to the couponing class/swap. We both appreciate your support and we love helping others. Especially helping others save money. I am very busy this week with vacation bible school, but I promise I will make a point to post a few good deals this week.

Why the title?

It has been such a crazy weekend already.  Ball parks all day yesterday, practice today and laundry always.

I actually have been wanting to let you all in on why this blog is titled the way it is.  Really, is it that hard, is a question that I ask myself on a daily basis.  I worked for one company for 15+ years as a Benefits Administrator and I can promise that this career as a mom is far more challenging.  I have self declared myself as the Chief Family Officer of the Wales Family and it is a title I wear proudly.  Everything is handled by me and I run this family's life as a business.  There are schedules, routines, rules and procedures.  And the best part about it, is that my family is not affected by it adversely.  They do not know what goes on behind the organization that it takes to "get things done."  But what they do know is that Momma's got it.  Just ask Momma.  And you know what, that is the best feeling ever.  So when a challenge arises, I ask, Really, Is it that hard?  And the answer is no, I will figure it out.  I accepted the challenge to save money, therefore I started couponing and watching sales.  Anything our kids want or that will benefit them in some way, we always find a way to make it happen.  So we push up are sleeves and we get busy.  I do second guess myself and wonder if it can be done, thats human nature.  But I accepted this job and I give it my all at all times.  This is the best job ever!  There is no vacation, no sick days, no days off with pay, and well, no pay.  But it is my job and I love it.  I get paid with hugs and kisses, I love you and thanks.  I know it is all worth it.

I challenge you to face your challenges head on.  Ask yourself the question and then accomplish the task.  You will do it.  You have to, your family is depending on you.  I heard this on the radio and thought it was so good that I have to share it.  Ask yourself, what is bigger:  my storm or My God.  I thank God everyday because I prayed for this family life and I got it by His grace.

That is what the blog is for.  We are currently on the task of coupons.  But feel free to comment on anything regarding the joys and difficulties of being a mom.  We all need each other and any tips that would help.

Enjoy your Sunday and I hope to see you at the Coupon meeting tomorrow night.

Meeting

After such an awesome response to the blogs, Jennifer and I have put together a meeting/coupon swap.  We will get together on Monday June 6th at 6:00 pm at Zachary Fellowship Church.  Please enter on the far left side of the building.  This is an excellent opportunity for us all to meet, educate and swap coupons.  Bring pen and paper and we will be happy to give you all our money saving tips.  I hope to see you there.

What to expect.

Just to let you know that blogs will usually be updated late at night or early in the morning.  Jennifer and I both have to wait until the kids are in bed or not up yet just to get our minds right and keep focused.

I am very pleased with the response we are getting about this blog.  Not only are people wanting to get involved and educated but they are also offering some great tips.  I am more than happy to repost those tips as it will help everyone.  This is an email that one of my friends sent to me via facebook.  She saves money by buying in bulk:


Sorry I haven't read your blog yet but I love coupons myself... I also go to SAMs and buy some things in bulk (rice, sugar, dry goods) way cheaper (50lb bag of rice about $20, 25lb bag of sugar about $20 and I seal it in food sealer bags (dry goods last about 2 yrs if stored right) I cut my bags to the size I want... Like a 5lb bag of sugar (that's what I would buy when I shop) I store it away...I have enough sugar rice etc..to last a year or so..that way I don't have to buy it every time I go shopping even when there's a sale or coupon for something u can seal it and it last longer...I just saw ur thing about coupons and thought I'd tell u what I do maybe can save some $ and time with ur mad skills of couponing also!!!!! :)


Thanks Amy.


Today in the mail there was a Red Plum insert.  If you did not receive it, you probably should go to redplum.com and register to receive mail outs.  I also printed many coupons off of the internet.  Cereal is very common right now and insect repellant.  Winn Dixie also sent out their weekly ad and I saw many good sales.  I am now planning my next shopping trip.  If you like Kelloggs cereals, sign up at their website.  There are many coupons there.  




Lastly, Jennifer and I would like to plan a meeting for people who are interested in saving money, getting educated and sharing coupons.  As of right now the meeting will be Monday, June 6th.  The location and time has not been set yet, but it will be in the evening.  We will update you as soon as we get that information.  Get your Sunday paper this weekend and cut coupons.  Keep what you like and save the rest to bring Monday.  We are going to show you how to organize and get the most out of your savings.  Leave a comment here and let me know if you are interested.  You can also inbox either myself or Jennifer on facebook.  

Know your store policies

Know each of your store policies concerning coupons. Every store is generally different and policies change frequently. These are a few I found for stores frequented by shoppers. A tip is to keep a current copy of the policies for stores you shop in your binder.


Walmart Coupon Policy

We gladly accept the following types of coupons*
•Print-at-home internet coupons◦Must be legible
◦Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
◦Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
◦Must have a valid expiration date
◦Must have a scannable bar code
◦Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons with a specified price
◦Are acceptable in black and white or color
◦May not be duplicated

•Manufacturers' coupons◦For dollar/cents off
◦For free items (except those printed off the Internet)
◦Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons
◦Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
◦Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
◦Must have a valid expiration date
◦Must have a scannable bar code
◦May not be duplicated

•Competitors' coupons
◦A specific item for a specified price, for example, $2.99
◦Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons for items with a specified price
◦Have a valid expiration date
◦Are acceptable in black and white

•Soft drink container caps
•Checkout coupons ("Catalinas")◦Printed at our competitors' registers for dollar/cents off on a specific item
◦Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" with specific item requirements printed on them
◦Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
◦Must have a valid expiration date
◦Must have a scannable bar code
◦Are acceptable in black and white
◦May not be duplicated


We DO NOT accept the following coupons:
•Checkout coupons◦Dollars/cents off the entire basket purchase
◦Percentage off the entire basket purchase

•Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
•Competitors' coupons ◦Dollars/cents off at a specific retailer
◦Percentage off
◦Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons without a specified price
◦Double- or triple-value coupons


*The following are guidelines and limitations:
•We only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
•Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
•Only one coupon per item.
•Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc).
•There is no limit on the number of coupons per transaction.
•Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
•If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.
•SNAP items purchased in a SNAP transaction are ineligible for cash back.
•WIC items purchased in a WIC transaction are applied to the basket purchase and may not be eligible for cash back. Refer to state-specific WIC guidelines.
•Great Value, Marketside, Equate, Parents Choice, and World Table coupons have no cash value and are ineligible for cash back or application to the basket purchase.
•The system will prompt for supervisor verification for:◦40 coupons per transaction.
◦A coupon of $20 or greater on one item.
◦$50 or more in coupons in one transaction.



Target Stores Coupon Policy

Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping with us, and it's easy to use them at our stores.

• Target accepts one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item (unless prohibited)
• Super Target coupons can be used in any Target store if the store carries the item
• We gladly accept valid internet coupons

Because of the variety of coupons available to our guests, we do have some guidelines for how coupons can be redeemed at Target.

When accepting coupons, we use the following guidelines:

• We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued coupons and manufacturer-issued.
• We'll accept one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits it.
• Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied.
• We can't give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item.
• We can't accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.
• All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier while you're checking out.



Walgreens coupon policy

As a customer-focused retailer, Walgreens encourages the use of coupons by our customers in our retail stores, in accordance with the following guidelines.

Guidelines:
General
*All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.
*Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.
*Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.
*Competitor coupons are not accepted at Walgreens.
*Walgreens cannot accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.
*The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register RewardsTM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.
*Any coupon offer not covered in these guidelines will be accepted at the discretion of Walgreens management.
*Sale Items
*Walgreens will accept manufacturer coupons for an item that is on sale.
*In the event that any item's selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Walgreens will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is ever provided in exchange for any coupons.
*Multiple Coupons
*When purchasing a single item, Walgreens accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable *Walgreens coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.
*The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).
*When purchasing multiple items, Walgreens accepts multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers, unless a limit is specified. Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased.
*Buy One, Get One Free Coupons
*When items are featured in a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the items being purchased.
*Sales tax must be paid for any Buy One, Get One Free coupon offers, if required by applicable state laws.
*Internet/Print at Home Coupons
*Walgreens accepts valid internet/print at home coupons.
*Register RewardsTM coupons
*Earning Register RewardsTM

Register RewardsTM will only print for in-stock merchandise during the promotional period.
Register RewardsTM can only be earned for eligible items. No substitutions.
There is a limit of one Register RewardsTM (RR) printed per offer per customer per transaction.
Customers redeeming a Register RewardsTM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
Redeeming Register RewardsTM

Customers redeeming a Register RewardsTM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
Refer to Register RewardsTM coupon for expiration date.
The RR coupon value cannot exceed the total purchase amount. No cash back and no cash value for RR coupon.
The number of manufacturer coupons, including RR manufacturer coupons, must not exceed the number of items in the transaction.
Register RewardsTM must be forfeited if the qualifying merchandise is returned.
Register RewardsTM cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards and pre-paid cards.
Register RewardsTM can be redeemed for eligible items only. Ineligible items include but are not limited to:

Prescriptions
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Dairy products
Lottery tickets
Money orders/transfers
Transportation passes
Special event/entertainment tickets or passes
Postage stamps
Gift cards/phone cards/prepaid/Green DotTM cards
Prescription Savings Club" memberships
Health care services, including immunizations
Any items prohibited by law