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Eating out on a budget

June 28, 2009 by

Being on a budget doesn’t mean that you can’t it out. It just means that you have to be a bit creative. We usually like to eat out for lunch or dinner on Saturdays. It’s not a “must do” and I usually try to plan something to make just in case, but it’s nice to have a break from cooking every now and then.

Here’s a few ideas of how we make it work:

This weekend, we decide to eat at Friday’s. We had a BOGO free entree coupon (see below) and a $25 gift card I had gotten through MyPoints (if you haven’t signed up yet, e-mail me if you’d like a referral!). Our total out of pocket for two adult entrees, two kids meals, and tip was $11.

Click here to access the BOGO free entree coupon (it expires on 7/5/09) – thanks Couponing Craze!


Last weekend, we went to Firehouse Subs for lunch. I love their food and my kids love eating there because they get a free fire hat! They have a punch card for frequent diners (buy 6 combo meals, get your 7th free). I had a completed punch card. I also had signed up for their online newsletter and they sent me a coupon for a free kids meal with the purchase of medium (or larger) sub. So, we got two combos and two kids meals for $11.79 out of pocket. You can sign up for their online newsletter here.

For more tips on dining out on a budget, check out this article here.

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Target deals for the week of 6/28

June 28, 2009 by


Here’s what’s on sale at Target this week:

*Berries! – strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries – $1.99 – use the $1/1 strawberries printable on Target.com and get strawberries for .99/each!

*Bounce dryer sheets – $3.50/each – use the $1/1 coupon from the P&G Year of Savings booklet and get them for $2.50/each!

*Cheez-It crackers – $1.88/each – I don’t know if this size will be part of the Buy 5, get a $5 gift card Keebler/Sunshine promotion, but if it is, that’s a pretty good deal:

Buy 5 Cheez-It crackers – $1/88/each

Use $5 Target gift card (I always keep one on hand for these deals)

Spend $4.40 out of pocket, get a $5 Target gift card

*Dreyer’s ice cream – 3/$7 – use the $1 Dreyer’s printable on Target.com and get it for $1.33/each!!

*Hilshire Farms lunch meat – $2.99 – with the $1 Target printable and the $1/1 manufacturer’s coupon, these will be $.99/each!

*Tyson entrees – $4.99 – there is a $2 printable coupon here making them $2.99/each!

*6 foot folding banquet table – $42 – we have a couple of these and LOVE them. They are great for family get togethers and garage sales and they fold up nicely for easy storage.

OTHER GIFT CARD DEALS:
*Buy 5 selected Keebler or Sunshine products, get a $5 Target gift card – most items were priced between $2.49 and $2.89 at my store and the items I saw marked as participating were all of the Cheez-It crackers ($2.89) and the Keebler cookies (most were priced at $2.49) – this deal is valid through July 20th I believe (I can’t remember the exact end date)
$1/1 Keebler sandies cookies (printable on coupons.com)
$1/2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies (printable on coupons.com)

SCENARIO #1:
Buy 2 Keebler pecan sandies
Buy 3 Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies

Use $5 Target gift card
Use 2 $1 pecan sandies printables
Use 1 $1/2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe printables

Spend $4.45, get a $5 Target gift card

SCENARIO #2:
Buy 4 Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies
Buy 1 Keebler Pecan Sandies

Use $5 Target gift card
Use 2 $1/2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe printables
Use 1 $1 Pecan Sandies printable

Spend $5.45, get a $5 Target gift card

*Buy 2 Soft Soap Ensembles (priced at $6/each) – get a $5 Target gift card (scan these first before buying to make sure they are participating in the promotion)
$2/1 Softsoap Ensembles printable here (you can only print one per computer)
$2/1 Target printable here (there were also $2/1 Target coupons in a recent insert

Buy 2 Soft Soap Ensembles – $6/each

Use Target gift card ($4)
Use 2 $2 manufacturer’s coupons
Use 2 $2 Target coupons (I used one printable and one from the inserts – the inserts do not specify one per transaction like the printables do)

Spend $0 OOP, get a $5 Target gift card

*There is also a $4 MIR for these (from a tear pad). Here are the details:
1. Buy 2 producrs : Any 1 Softsoap Ensembles pump with base and 1 Softsoap Ensembles Disposable Base

2. Mail the completed original order form, original store-idnetified register receipt dated between 3/1/2009 and 12/31/2009 with price circles and UPC symbols from each package.

**All requests needs to be postmarked by 1/26/2010 and recd by 1/30/2010

More Target deals:

*Bare by Solo Cups (24 ct) and Plates (15 ct) are on sale at Target for $1.50 each. (Thanks A Full Cup!)

You can use one of these coupons to make then .50 or .75.
$1.00 off Print Your Coupon
$.75 off Print Your Coupon

*Cottonelle travel-sized wipes – Cottonelle Travel-sized wipes are .97. Use the $1/1 coupon from the 6/7 SS insert to get them for FREE (thanks Stretching a Buck!)

*Degree for Men Deodorant – Degree for Men Deodorant – $2.49 – Use the $1.50/1 printable here and the $1/1 manufacturer’s coupon from the 5/17 RP insert = FREE deodorant!

*Edy’s/Dreyer’s ice cream for .19/each – Some Target stores reportedly have 6 oz containers of Edy’s or Dreyer’s (depending on where you live) slow-churned ice cream for $1.19. There is a $1/1 printable on Target.com making it .19/each!

*Nexcare bandages – There are Nexcare travel-sized bandages for $.99. Use the $1/1 printable here to get them for free

*Pictureka game for $1.64 – Check out the travel-sized game section (usually found on the end caps in the toy section) and look for Pictureka! The shelf price is $6.64, but there is a $5 printable coupon on coupons.com, making the final price $1.64.

*Rayovac Alkaline Batteries = FREE! The Rayovac Alkaline batteries (2 packs) are in the “One Spot” (usually located near the front of the store). There were $1/1 coupons in the 6/21 SS inserts (this was apparently a regional coupon, so if your area did not get it, you may want to check out eBay or The Coupon Clippers).

*ReNu contact solution – There is a $2/1 ReNu contact solution printable here. There are travel-sized contact solutions priced at $2.29 in the travel section at my Target stores. Use the coupon and get it for .29 – great for summer travel!

*Vaseline Aloe Fresh travel size lotion – There are Vaseline Aloe Fresh travel size lotions priced at $.99. Use the $1/1 printable coupon here or the $1.25/1 coupon from the 5-17 RP insert to get them for free!

There are new printables up on Target.com! These coupons expire on 7/18/09:

*$1 off Sutton & Dodge® steakhouse quality choice Angus beef Steak or Roast – look for sales on meat to pair this with for cheap meat!

*$1 off 1- or 2-lb. Driscoll’s strawberries – look for sales on strawberries – they were $1.99 last week, so they would have been $.99 after coupon!

*$1 off Taylor Farm bagged cut vegetables

*$1 off Hillshire Farms deli select lunch meat
.35/1 Hillshire Farms Deli Select Lunchmeats, Any 8 Oz. + (DND/DNT 5) – 06-07-09 RP
.65/2 Hillshire Farms Deli Select Lunchmeats, Any 5 Oz. (DND/DNT 5) – 06-07-09 RP
$1/2 Hillshire Farms Deli Select Lunchmeats, Any 8 Oz. + (DND/DNT 5) – 06-07-09 RP

*$1 off Ice Cream Edys or Dreyers

*75¢ off Pepperidge Farm bread
.55/1 Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Bread, Any – 06-14-09 SS

*50¢ off Duncan Hines baking product
$1/2 Duncan Hines Carrot Cake Mix, Any (1) And (1) Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Frosting – 04-26-09 SS
$1/1 Duncan Hines Oven Ready Brownies, Any – 04-05-09 SS

*50¢ off up&up™ food storage Bags or Foil or Wrap or Containers

The following coupons expire on 7/4/09 and are only available to be printed on A Full Cup or Hot Coupon World:

*Archer Farms deli cheese in the Deli Dept., 1-lb. or more – $1/1

*Archer Farms deli meat in the Deli Dept., 1-lb. or more – $1.50/1

*Gain Laundry detergent or Fabric softener – $1/1
$1/1 PG Year of Savings booklet

*Green Giant Iceberg Lettuce or 3-ct. Romaine Hearts – $0.50/1

*Ming Tsai dry dinner kit – $1/1

*Nivea My Silhouette body cream – $1/1

*Pace salsa – $0.50/1
$1/1 Pace Picante Or Salsa, Any 15 Oz. + – 04-26-09 SS (amounts of this coupon vary by location from .50/2 to $2/1)

*Produce item (1) AND Hefty Fresh Extend bags, 20-ct. – $1/2

*Tuna Helper, Chicken Helper, or Hamburger Helper – $1/2
$1/3 Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper Skillet Meals, Any – 06-07-09 SS
.75/3 Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals, Any – 05-31-09 SS
.80/3 printable on coupons.com

*Ziploc Bags or Containers – $1/1
$1/2 Ziploc Brand Bags, Any – 05-10-09 SS
$1.50/2 Ziploc Brand Containers, Any – 05-10-09 SS

*The Ziploc containers and bags are priced at $2.49 at my stores – so you can get Ziploc containers for .74/each with coupons or Ziploc bags for $.99/each with coupons!

Did I miss something? Feel free to comment and share your Target deals for the week!

**Look for hot clearance deals in store and online. In my stores, the patio furniture and summer gardening items were marked to 30% off. There were lots of clearance racks of clothing in all of the departments marked 30-50% off.

Here are some links to the clearance deals online:
*Toddler girls
*Girls (4-14)
*Toddler boys
*Boys (4-14)
*General clearance

Check out more Target deals here on Attention Target Shoppers!

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Coupon round-up

June 27, 2009 by

There will be two inserts (RP and SS) in this Sunday’s paper. You can check out the full listing here on The Coupon Clippers. I didn’t see a whole lot to get excited about. Keep in mind that inserts vary by location, so your inserts may have different coupons or different dollar amounts.

If you are looking for multiple copies of coupons, The Coupon Clippers is my favorite resource. Coupons for the Sunday inserts are available for purchase early Saturday morning and the hot coupons go FAST.

Here are the highlights:

SMARTSOURCE:

.50/1 Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages product on any, excludes trial size, expires 9/30/09 – these always come in handy for CVS/Walgreens deals

.75/2 Betty Crocker Box SUPREME BROWNIE Mix on TWO, expires 8/22/09 – use these with the Daytona deals at Kroger

$3/1 Bic Soleil Refillable Razor HANDLE or Cartridge Refills 4-pk or 8-pk, expires 8/2/09 – these always come in handy for CVS/Walgreens deals

.75/1 Colgate TOTAL, Colgate Sensitive, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate Max White or Colgate Kids Toothpaste on any, 4 oz or larger, expires 7/18/09 – these always come in handy for CVS/Walgreens deals

.35/1 Eggland’s Best Eggs, expires 9/30/09 – if your grocery stores triple coupons, this often makes these eggs cheaper than the store brand

RED PLUM:
$1/1 All or Surf Laundry detergent on any ONE, expires 8/23/09

The Coupon Clippers

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It’s free chocolate Friday!

June 26, 2009 by

Don’t forget to click here to get your coupon for free Mars chocolate.

And…if you haven’t had a chance yet, sign up to enter my Spoonful of Stories giveaway here.

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Kroger deals for the week of 6/24-6/30

June 25, 2009 by


There are lots of great Kroger deals this week. Keep in mind that ads and coupon amounts may vary by area. Check your ad for specific details.

Daytona Deals – Buy any 10 participating items, get an instant $3 off: (the prices listed are after the instant $3 off) – there is no limit on the number of instant rewards per transaction!!

*Banquet Brown ‘N serve sausage – $.69/each

*Banquet boneless bag chicken – $3.69/each

*Banquet entrees – $.50/each

*Betty Crocker brownie mix – $1.69/each
.50/2 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix, any flavor – 5-10-09 SS
.75/2 any flavor Betty Crocker® Box Supreme Brownie Mixes printable here
.75/1 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mixes, Any Box – Cellfire loadable (Must Be Saved By 6/29/09)
.75/2 Betty Crocker Box Supreme Brownie Mixes, Any Flavor – Shortcuts loadable

*Betty Crocker fruit snacks – $1.49/each
.50/1 Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups OR Fruit Roll-Ups Fruit Stickerz Fruit Snacks, Any Boxes – Cellfire loadable (Must Be Saved By 6/29/09)
.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups or Roll-Ups Fruit Snacks – 6-14-09 SS

**Mix this with the following catalina deal: Buy 3 get $1.50 OYNO, buy 4 get $2.50 OYNO, buy 5 or more get $3.50 OYNO

Choose from the following products: Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups or Fruit Roll-Ups Stickerz

*Bounty paper towels or Scott bath tissue – $6.69/each
.50/1 Bounty Paper Towels – 06-21-09 SS
$1/1 Bounty, Any (1) 6-Count + Or (2) Any Other Size – 06-07-09 PG

*Breyer’s ice cream – $1.99/each
$1/1 Breyers Ice Cream, Any 1.5 Quart + – 05-17-09 RP

*Chef Boyardee pasta – $.62/each
.35/3 Chef Boyardee Can or Microwavable Pasta, Any (DND 5) – 05-31-09 SS

*Country Crock spread – $1.69/each
.35/1 Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Spread, Any – 05-17-09 RP

*Frito’s or Cheeto’s – $1.37/each

*Gatorade sports drink – $.70/each

*General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Cheerios, or Kellogg’s Pop Tarts (12 ct box) – $2.19/each
.55/1 General Mills Lucky Charms Cereal, Any (Must Be Saved By 6/29/09) – Cellfire loadable coupon
.60/1 General Mills Lucky Charms Cereal, Any – Shortcuts loadable coupons
$1/2 Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts, Any 8 Ct. + – 06-07-09 RP

*Hefty trash bags – $4.69/each
$1/1 Hefty Tall Kitchen Bags – 5-17-09 RP

*Hunt’s Manwich – $.88/each
$1/3 Hunt’s Manwich, Any *No Other Coupon May Be Used With This Coupon* – 05-31-09 SS

*Kraft BBQ sauce – $.69
.75/1 Kraft Barbeque Sauce, any variety – 6-14-09 SS

*Kraft Macaroni & cheese – $3.39/each (5 ct)

*Kroger coffee – $4.69/each

*Kroger Natural cheese slices – $.99

*Kroger salad dressing – $.94/each

*M&Ms candy – $3.49/each

*Nabisco Ritz crackers or Kroger 28 oz peanut butter – $2.20/each

*Oreo cookies – $2.69/each
$1/2 Nabisco Cookies (Nutter Butter, Fig Newtons, Chips Ahoy, Oreo), 15-18oz – 4-19-09 SS

*Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn – $1.69/each
.50/1 Orville Redenbacher’s Natural Gourmet Popping Corn, Any 3-Pack + – 05-17-09 SS

*Oscar Mayer Wieners – $1.49/each
$1/2 Oscar Mayer hot dogs, any pkgs – 06-07-09 SS
$1/2 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, any – 06-21-09 SS

*Pillsbury cookie dough – $2.19/each
.35/1 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough, Any Peanut Butter Cup, Oatmeal Raisin, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Or Reese’s Pieces Ready-To-Bake Cookies – 04-26-09 SS

*Pillsbury Grands biscuits – $1.19/each
.30/2 Pillsbury Grands! Refrigerated Biscuits, Any – 4-5-09 SS

*Purex liquid laundry detergent – $2.49/each
$1/2 Purex Ultra Concentrate or Natural Elements Laundry Detergent, Any – 06-14-09 SS
.35/1 Purex Ultra Concentrate or Natural Elements Laundry Detergent, Any – 06-14-09 SS

*Ragu pasta sauce – $1.31/each
$1/2 printable here
.30/1 Ragu Pasta Sauce, Any – 05-17-09 RP

*Reynold’s aluminum foil – $2.99/each
$1/1 Reynolds Wrap Foil 100% Recycled, Any – – 06-07-09 SS

*Totino’s pizza rolls – $2.99/each
.55/2 Totino’s Roll Snacks, Any Flavor/Variety – Shortcuts loadable coupon

*Velveeta cheese – $4.19/each
$1/1 printable from coupons.com (no longer available)

*Yoplait Yogurt fridge pack – $3.69/each

OTHER DEALS:
*Buy 4 12 pk cans of Dr. Pepper or Pepsi products, get the 5th one free (it’s like paying 5/$12)

*Huggies diapers or Pull Ups – $8.99/each
$1.50/1 Huggies diapers 4-19-09 SS
$2/1 Huggies Pull Ups 6-14-09 SS
$2/1 Huggies printable here (use this one at your own risk – this is from a PDF file and historically these have been pulled quickly)
$3/1 Huggies Pull Ups printable here
**Check out Shortcuts and Cellfire for loadable coupons – don’t forget to keep your receipts and send in for the Caregiver’s Marketplace rebate!

*Imperial sugar – 2/$3

*Kraft cheese singles – $1.47/each

*Kroger comforts baby wipes – $1.47

*Kroger shredded cheese – 2/$3

*Kroger value bread – .78/each

*Organic mini-peeled carrots – $.99

*Peaches – $.87/each

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