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The Great Gallon Giveaway: Enter to win free milk for a year!

January 11, 2010 by


Visit the Great Gallon Giveaway here and enter to win free milk for a year! Even if you’re not an instant winner, you get a coupon for free milk with a purchase. My coupon was for a free half gallon of chocolate milk with the purchase of two gallons of “regular” milk. I regularly buy two gallons of milk a week anyway, so my husband will be excited that he gets some chocolate milk, too.

Other people have reported getting a coupon for a FREE gallon of milk with the purchase of milk or a coupon for a free 1/2 gallon of milk (any) when you buy 2 gallons of milk. These coupons will only be available to the first 125,000 people who register, so register QUICKLY!

Along with this promotion, from March to August, The Milk Mustache Mobile Tour will be giving away thousands of gallons of milk in 20 different cities. Go here for more information and to find out of if the tour will be visiting your city.

(Thanks Bargain Blessings!)

Filed Under: freebies, giveaways, printable coupons

Menu Planning Monday: My menu for the week of 1/10

January 11, 2010 by

You can read more about my $40 weekly budget in this post here. You can see pictures (and the breakdown) from my latest weekly shopping trip here.

If you have blogged a menu plan for the week (or even just a favorite recipe), please feel free to comment and share your link. I’m always looking for new ideas and inspiration and will be happy to share a link to your blog if we try your recipe!

If you need inspiration, check out the weekly meal plans here at Organized Junkie.

SUNDAY ~ Fajitas and beans – The fajitas are from a pre-made mix (our HEB grocery store had a deal where you bought the marinated fajitas and you got all of the “fixings” for free). Here’s the recipe for the beans (it’s a new one that I’ve never tried):

Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans: (from Gollygoshdarnscurvy on BBC)

3 cups dried pinto beans, washed
1/2 lb. or so diced ham
1 onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 teaspoons chicken bouillon, or substitute chicken or vegetable broth for cooking water
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained (like rotel, and I usually use 2)

Place beans in slow cooker and soak overnight. In the morning, pour off water and and cover with new water to within three inches of top. Add ham, onion, garlic and bouillon. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until beans are fork tender. In the bowl of a blender, process tomatoes with juices. Add to beans; season mixture to taste with salt and pepper.

MONDAY ~ Peppered steak – this was supposed to be our dinner on Saturday, but I forgot to pull the meat out to defrost, so I ended up making Sweet & Sour Pork on Saturday instead. Here’s the recipe (I got it originally from my mother in law)

Ingredients:
3 cups hot cooked rice
1 lb lean beef round steak (cut into 1/2 inch thick strips)
1 T Paprika
2 T butter
2 cloves garlic, crusehd
1 1/2 c. beef broth
1 cup sliced green onions
2 green peppers, cut in strips
2T cornstarch
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 lg tomatoes (cut in eighths)

Pound steak to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 1/4 inch wide strips. Sprinkle meat with paprika. Let stand. Brown meat in butter. Add garlic and brother. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in onions and green peppers. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Blend cornstarch, water and soy sauce. Stir into meat mixture. Cook, stirring until clear and thickened, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and stir gently. Serve over beds of fluffy rice. Serves 6.

TUESDAY ~ Pork sammies (slow cooker) – except for the rolls, this is all coming from our stockpile!

Ingredients:
2-3 lbs. boneless pork roast
2 onions, chopped (I omit this!)
12 oz. BBQ sauce of your choice
1/4 c. honey
rolls

Directions: Place meat in slow cooker. Add onions, bbq sauce and honey. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. At that time the pork should break apart easily and shred with a couple of forks. After you shred it, serve it on rolls.

*Serving suggestion! Place provolone cheese slices on bolillo rolls along with mayonnaise. Toast the rolls open faced with cheese and mayo in a 350 degree oven for about 5-6 minutes before adding the pork and serving.

WEDNESDAY ~ Meatloaf on a bed of potatoes (slow cooker) – simple to make and totally kid friendly!

From BabyCenter Cooking for Your Family

By: Sandy~Bettyinthekitchen

2 T olive oil
3 large russets, cut into 1 to 1-1/2” chunks
2 lb ground sirloin
2 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup crushed saltine crackers
3/4 cup ketchup
2 T dehydrated onions (optional)
1 tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Topping
3/4 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp Dijon mustard

Combine oil and potatoes in crock pot, toss to coat. Spread in an even layer on the bottom of the crock.

In a large bowl, combine beef, eggs, crumbs, ketchup, onion, salt and pepper. Mix gently, do not compact. Shape into oval or round, place on top of potatoes. Spread with topping.

Cover and cook on High for 1 hour. Reduce heat to Low and continue to cook for 6-7 hours, or until a meat thermometer reads 160º to 165ºF.
Sandy’s notes: I used plain ketchup for the topping since that is my family’s preference. To make the meatloaf easier to remove: Take two long pieces of foil and fold them into two strips. Place them across each other over the potatoes and set the meatloaf on top. Use as handles to remove when the meatloaf is done.

**My notes: When I make this, I sprinkle parsley and Mrs. Dash seasoning over the potatoes.

THURSDAY ~ Black Bean & Chicken burritos (slow cooker)

Ingredients:
1 taco/fajita seasoning packet
2 cans black beans, drained
2-3 chicken breasts
1 can green enchilada sauce

Place chicken breasts in bottom of the crockpot and then add remaining ingredients. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred chicken before serving and serve in tortillas. We add cheese, sour cream, etc. to the tortillas. We sometimes add rice (cooked rice to the mixture once we’re ready to serve, not in the crockpot!). This is also really good if you use beef instead of the chicken!

FRIDAY ~ Foil baked Asian chicken – This comes from the April 2009 issue of All You Magazine. It’s super easy to make and family friendly!

Ingredients:
8 tsp olive oil
4 cups baby spinach
4 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
4 tsp teriyaki sauce
salt

Preheat over to 450 degrees. Tear off four 10-inch square sof aluminum foil (great sure for all that foil I stocked up on at Walgreens last week!). Brush each square with 2 tsp olive oil. Place 1 cup spinach on each square, slightly off center. Top with a chicken breast half and some mushrooms. Drizzle 1 tsp teriyaki sauce over each portion. Sprinkle with salt.

Fold each piece of foil over to cover chicken and vegetables. Crimp edges together tightly to seal. Place packets on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.

SATURDAY ~ Taco soup (slow cooker)

Ingredients:
1 1/2-2 lb. ground meat
1 packet Ranch dressing seasoning mix
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can Ranch style beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 can Rotel
1 can water

Brown the meat and then add combine the meat and other ingredients in a crock pot and to cook it on low all day. When we’re ready to eat, I will serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese.

NOTES: With just one can of water, it will be very thick. Add more if you want it thinner. I drain the corn and pinto beans before adding them. I don’t drain the Ranch style beans because they are seasoned!

Filed Under: Menu Planning Monday Tagged With:

Target deals for the week of 1/10

January 10, 2010 by


Target now offers price matching. You can check out their policy here.

At Target, you can use one Target coupon and one manufacturer’s coupon per item. The printable Target coupons now state “one per transaction” meaning you can only use one “like” coupon per transaction. The Target coupons from the inserts do not have this wording and neither do the Target toy coupons. You can read/print their coupon policy here.

They are also offering a .05 credit when you bring in your own reusable shopping bag!

At my stores, toys are still 50%. Some stores have gone to 75% already. The baby clearance has started at some stores with markdowns between 15% and 30%.

*There is a printable coupon for a $10 Target gift card with any new or transferred prescription printable here (you can print 2 per computer) Competitor pharmacies (such as CVS and Walgreens) will usually also take these coupons. Check out my post here on how this works!

Here is the “reported” markdown schedule (YMMV):
Regular Markdown Schedule in other Departments
Monday – Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.)
Tuesday – Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)
Wednesday – Men’s Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items
Thursday – House Wares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor and Luggage
Friday – Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry

GROCERY DEALS:

*Fresh broccoli – $1.79 – $.79/each after coupon
$1/1 printable here

*Gold ‘n Plump boneless, skinless chicken breasts – $3.99 – $2.99 after coupon!
$1/1 printable here

*Kashi Go Lean Crunch – $2.75 – $2/each after coupons!
$.75/1 Kashi cold cereal (Target store coupon) printable here

*Lean Cuisine – $1.88 – $.88/each after coupon!
$1/1 Target printable coupon here

*Market Pantry russet potatoes (5 lb bag) – $1.99

*Small apples – $.99/lb

Special K bars and crackers – $2.39 each: Buy 2 Special K bars or crackers, get a free Special K Fruit Crisps
$1/2 Special K bars – 1-3 RP
$1/1 Special K crackers, Crisps or Bars (Target Store coupon) printable here (click on “Grocery” on the left and then go to pg. 2)

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Special K bars – $2.39/each
Buy 1 Special K Fruit Crisps

Use 1/2 manufacturer’s coupon
Use $1/1 Target coupons (NOTE: The wording on these coupons says one per transaction…some stores allow you to use multiples, but YMMV)

Spend $1.78 OOP

*Tyson boxed chicken nuggets – $2.49 – $1.94 after coupon!
Tyson boxed chicken nuggets – 10-11 SS

HEALTH & BEAUTY:

*Aussie or Herbal Essence hair care – $2.99 – $1.99 after coupon!
$1/1 Aussie or $1/1 Herbal essence hair care – 12-27 PG

*Clean & Clear Morning Burst Cleanser – $4.49 – $2.49 after coupon!
$2/1 printable coupon here

HOUSEHOLD:

*Rubbermaid Revelations 30 quart medium storage – $3.99

*Sterilite 18 gallon storage tote – $4

WORK OUT GEAR:

Choose from a variety of work-out videos (pictured in ad) for $10 plus get a free 1 year subscription to Fitness or More magazine with your purchase

3 lb Embark hand weights – 2/$7

GIFT CARD DEALS:

*Buy 2 Vaseline Men Body & Face or Sheer Infusion lotions – $5/each, get a $5 Target gift card
$1/1 Vaseline lotion, any – 12-13 RP

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Vaseline lotions – $10

Use 2 $1 coupons
Use $5 Target gift card (if you keep one on hand)

Spend $3 OOP, get a $5 Target gift card – it’s like getting the 2/$3!

*Buy Sobe Lifewater – 10/$10, get a $5 Target gift card
.25/1 printable here (limit 2 per computer)

SCENARIO:
Buy 10 Sobe Life water – $10

Use 2 .25/1 printable coupons
Use $5 Target gift card (hopefully you keep one on hand!)

Spend $4.50 OOP, get a $5 Target gift card

*Buy 2 Axe bonus packs (priced at $5/each), get a $5 gift card (end date of this deal is in February)
$1/1 Axe Shower Gel or Detailer printable coupon here

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Axe bonus packs – $5/each

Use 2 $1 coupons Use $5 Target gift card
Spend $3 OOP, get a $5 Target gift card

OTHER DEALS:

*Carnation Instant Breakfast – There is a new $1/1 Target printable here (pg. 2) plus there were $1/1 coupons in the 1-3 inserts. These run between $3.75 and $4.50 at my stores. With both coupons, you should be able to get these for $1.75-$2.50!

*Command Hooks are reportedly 2.14. Use the $1/1 Command Hooks manufacturer’s printable here and the $1/1 Target printable here and get them for $.14!

*Duraflame logs are $19.99 at Target. There is a $5/1 printable here making them $14.99 for a box.

*Electrasol tabs are on price cut for $3.23 (YMMV). Use the $2.50/1 coupon from the 1-3 inserts and get them for $.83/each!

*GE Reveal light bulbs – $2 – $1/each after coupon
$1/1 printable here

*Glad trash bags – combine the $1/1 printable Target coupon here with the $1/1 manufacturer’s coupon here for some great deals on trash bags – These usually are about $5.99 at my store, so you can get them for $3.99 after coupons!

*Juicy Juice – Use the $1/1 Target printable here and the $1/2 manufacturer’s coupon here (you must register) and get this for $.50-$1!

*I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter – I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter is priced at $1.87 (for the tubs). There is a $.75/1 manufacturer’s coupon here making them 1.12/each

*Rayovac batteries – The Rayovac alkaline batteries are back in the Dollar Spot. Pair them with the $1/1 coupons from the 10-18 or 11-8 SS inserts (these were regional, not all areas got them) and you get FREE batteries! (NOTE: You need to buy the batteries in the BLUE package that say “alkaline” not the ones in the red package)
NOTE: In some areas, these are part of the clearance in the “One Spot” and are 2/$1!

Here are some links to the clearance deals online: (don’t forget to shop through Ebates to get 4% cash back)
*Toddler girls
*Girls (4-14)
*Toddler boys
*Boys (4-14)
*General clearance

Want to get on the Target mailing lists? This isn’t a sure thing, but it’s worth signing up here. (Thanks A Full Cup!)

Check out more Target deals here on Attention Target Shoppers!

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

CVS deals for the week of 1/10

January 10, 2010 by


If you are new to shopping at CVS and would like some tips, check out this article here.

There is a $5 off a $20 purchase printable coupon here which is valid through 1/16/10.

Many of the items that are in this week’s ad are “bonus packs” which are monthly deals.

ECB deals:

Spend $10 on Axe products (2/$10), get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Axe shower gel or Detailer tool printable here
Final price ~ 2/$5 after coupons and ECBs!

Spend $20 on Benefiber, Gas-X or Maalox, get a $10 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Benefiber printable here $1/1 Gas-X, any – 12-6 SS $1/1 Gas-X Thin Strips – 12-6 SS $1.50/1 Maalox liquid, any – 12-6 SS $3/2 Maalox product, any – 12-6 SS

Bounce rollers bonus pack – $7.99, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Bounce Lint & Freshness roller printable here

Chase & Sanborn coffee (2 pk) – $5.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Cheerios or Honey Nut Cheerios 2 pk (24.5-26 oz total) – $7.99, get a $4 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Cheerios printable here (must register) $1/1 Honey Nut Cheerios printable here Final price = $2.99 after coupons and ECBs!

Cheez-It twin pk (18 oz total) – $5.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/2 Keebler crackers or Sunshine Cheez-It -12-13 SS (YMMV on being able to use this)
Final price = $1.99 after coupons and ECBs

Cottonelle bathroom tissue (20 double rolls) – $12.88, get a $4 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Cottonelle Fresh moist wipes (84 ct total) – $5.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 printable here (you must take the pledge)
Final price = $1.99 after coupons and ECBs

CVS Pharmacy Cleansing Cloths – $3.99, get a $1.50 ECB (limit 1 per household)

CVS Pharmacy Daily Moisturizer lotion – $5.98, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Buy 2 CVS Pharmacy Green Bag Tag or Reusable Shopping Bag, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

CVS Pharmacy Ibuprofen – $4.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Buy CVS Pharmacy Eye Makeup Remover, Moisture Lotion, Men’s Body Wash, Acne Treatment or Scrub, get a $2 ECB (limit 3 per household)

CVS Pharamcy Omeprazole – $18.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)

CVS Pharmacy Pain Relief – $4.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

CVS Pharmacy Ultra Thin Sanitary Protection – $11.99, get a $4 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Dawn 2 pk (48 oz total) – $6, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
.25 Dawn – 12-27 PG
Final price = $3.75 after coupons and ECBs

Depend Underwear briefs, guards, or shields – $11.99, get a $2 ECB (limit 5 per household)

Buy Dove shampoo, conditioner, or styler – 2/$7, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Buy Eclipse, Extra, or Orbit Gum – 3/$3, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Buy Edge or Skintimate shave gel twin pk – $5, get a $1 ECB (limit 3 per household)

Excedrin Extra Strength, Migraine, or PM – $9.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1.50/1 Excedrin 80 ct or larger – 1-3-10 SS
Final price = $5.49 after coupons and ECBs

Fiber One Chewy bars 2 pk (14 oz total) – $6.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
.40/1 Fiber One Chewy bars – 1-3 GM $1/2 Fiber One bars printable here (YMMV on being able to use this) Final Price = $2.99 after coupons and ECBs

Spend $15 on Garnier Nutritioniste Skin care, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Garnier Nutritioniste cleanser or moisturizer – 12-6 RP, 10-11 RP, 1-10 RP

Buy GE Reveal light bulbs 4 pk – 2/$6, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 GE Energy Smart, Reveal, or Edison halogen product – 1-3 SS2
Final price = $2 after coupons and ECBs

Buy Jovan fragrance for men or women, get a $5 ECB (limit 3 per household) ~ prices start at $11.99

Kotex special pack Overnight pads (56 ct), tampons & liners (171 ct) or pad & liners (145 ct) – $10.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Kotex Feminine Hygiene product – 1-3 SS
Final price = $6.99 after coupons and ECBs

Spend $10 on L’Oreal cosmetics, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household): pictured in ad ~ prices starting at $4.99
$2/1 L’Oreal Makeup, powder, blush, or concealer product printable here $2/1 L’Oreal Bare Naturale face product or makeup, powder, blush, or concealer – 11-15 RP $1/1 L’Oreal Colour Riche Anti-Aging Serum Lipstick or any L’Oreal lip product – 1-3 RP $1/1 L’Oreal mascara, eyeliner, or eye shadow – 1-3 RP $3/1 L’Oreal True Match or any makeup, powder, blush, or concealer, 1-3 RP L’Oreal Visible Lift or any make-up, powder, blush, or concealer – 11-1 RP

Buy 2 M&Ms or Mars shown in ad (27 oz Snickers Minis or M&Ms mini mix -17.5 oz) – $6/each, get a $3 ECB (limit 3 per household)

Buy 2 Nature’s Bounty Fish oil, Vitamin D, Bonus 120 ct (BOGO free) or Your Life Multi 90 ct, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2 printable (must register here)

Nature Valley granola bars 2 pk (17.8 oz total) – $6.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
.40/1 Nature Valley granola bars printable here
Final price = $3.59 after coupons and ECBs

Oral B Single Manual toothbrush – $2.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Osteo Bi-Flex (BOGO free, get a $3 ECB (limit 6 per household)
$5/1 Osteo Bi-Flex printable here

Spend $15 on these P&G products, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household): pictured in ad ~ CoverGirl Clean liquid foundation or pressed powder – $4, CoverGirl LashBlast Length, LashBlast Volume, Exact Eyesights, Volume Exact, or Lash Exact Mascara – $6, Aussie or Herbal Essences shampoo, conditioner, or styler – $2.88, Olay Regenerist anti-aging eye roller or Total Effects facial care – $19.99, Clairol Nice ‘n Easy – $5.99
$1/1 Aussie – 12-27 PG $1/1 Herbal Essences shampoo, conditioner, or styling product – 12-27 PG

Pampers Baby Dry or Cruisers diapers big box – $22.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 3 per household)
$2/1 Pampers diapers or pants – 12-27 PG
Final price = $17.99 after coupons and ECBs

Pantene Pro-V shampoo, conditioner (12.6-13.5 oz) or styler (6.5-11.5 oz) – 2/$6.97, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$3/2 Pantene products – 12-27 PG

Buy Planter’s Nut-rition (2 pk), get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/2 Planters products – 12-13 SS

Prilosec OTC – $19.99, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$3/1 Prilosec – 12-27 PG
Final price = $14.99 after coupons and ECBs

Purex Ultra – $3.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 3 per household)
.50/1 printable here
Final price = $2.49 after coupons and ECBs

Ritz (2 pk, 24 oz) – $6, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Buy Scope Outlast mouthwash or Crest toothpaste with Scope Outlast – $3.49, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Crest Premium toothpaste – 12-27 PG .75/1 Scope – 12-27 PG
Final price = $1.49 after coupons and ECBs

Buy Schepps milk (brand may vary by location) -$2.99, get a $.50 ECB (limit 2 per household)

Buy 2 Slim Fast snack bars (5-6 ct), get a $4 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Special K cereal 2 pk (24 oz total) – $7.99, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/2 Special K cereal – 1-3 RP
Final price = $4.99 after coupons and ECBs

Zaditor, GenTeal, or Clear Care eye care twin pk – $14.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Zaditor – 10-18 SS $1.50 GenTeal – 10-18 SS $3/1 Clear Care or Aquify – 10-18 SS

Zantac 75 or Zantac 150 bonus pk – $20.99, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Zantac – 11-15 SS and 1-3 SS
Final price = $14.99 after coupons and ECBs

BOGO free deals:
*Almay cosmetics (all)
*CVS Pharmarcy batteries
*CVS Pharmacy Glucosamine Chondroitin
*GUM toothbrushes
*Kodak Picture Maker 8X10 photo
*Oscal-D
*Q-Tips
*Sundown vitamins
$3/2 Sundown printable here

The following scenarios are for people who are new to shopping at CVS and have few (or no) ECBs to start with. (These are just ideas….you do not have to follow this exact order and you can skip some items if you do not want/need them): $9.96 in merchandise for $4.96 OOP, $1 ECB left to spend

Transaction #1:
Buy 2 Pantene Pro-V shampoo, conditioner, or styler – 2/$6.97

Use $3/2 Pantene coupon

Spend $3.97 OOP, get a $2 ECB

Transaction #2:
Buy 1 Oral B manual toothbrush – $2.99

Use $2 Pantene ECB

Spend $.99 OOP, get a $1 ECB

MY SCENARIO: $20.97 in merchandise for $0 OOP

Buy 1 Excedrin Migraine – $9.99
Buy 1 Honey Nut Cheerios – $7.99
Buy 1 Oral B toothbrush – $2.99

Use $5/20 CVS coupon
Use $1.50 Excedrin coupon
Use $1 Honey Nut Cheerios coupon

Total before coupons = $20.97

Total after coupons = $13.47 (Pay w/ ECB), earn $3 ECB (Excedrin), $4 ECB (Cheerios), $1 ECB (Oral B)

OTHER $5/20 SCENARIOS:

Scenario #1:
Buy 1 Pampers Baby Dry or Cruisers – $22.99

Use $5/20 CVS coupon
Use $2 manufacturer’s coupon

Spend $15.99, get a $3 ECB

Scenario #2:
Buy 2 Pantene Pro-V shampoo, conditioner, or styler – 2/$6.97
Buy Crest toothpaste with Scope Outlast – $3.49
Buy 1 Oral B toothbrush – $2.99
Buy Cheerios or Honey Nut Cheerios twin pack – $7.99

Use $5/20 CVS coupon
Use $3/2 Pantene coupon
Use $1 Crest coupon
Use $1 Cheerios printable

Spend $11.44, get a $2 ECB (Pantene), $1 ECB (Crest), $1 ECB (Oral B), and a $4 ECB (Cheerios)

Frequently asked questions:

Do you really do multiple transactions at your stores?

In the past, I usually had $20-30 ECB on hand, so I didn’t have to break up my transactions as much as I did when I first started, but now that I am starting over, yes, I am doing multiple transactions. If you are doing multiple transactions, I recommend that you let the cashier know up front that is what you are planning to do. If there are several people in line, let them go in between your transactions. This gives you time to clip your ECBs and get prepared for your next transaction.

My store was out of all the freebie items first thing this morning. Can I get a raincheck?

This all depends on your store. I have contacted corporate about this before because some stores in my area give rainchecks and others won’t. According to corporate, this is up to the individual stores.

I bought the wrong item or I bought the RIGHT item and my ECB didn’t print. What can I do?

If you bought the right item, show the store clerk your ad and your receipt. They should be able to manually print your ECB at the store. If they don’t know how, you can call customer service and they can add one to your account that will print within 48 hours (you have to wait 48 hours from your purchase time to do this so they can “see” your transaction in their computer).

If you bought the wrong item and didn’t receive ECBs, you can do a return and purchase the correct item. If you paid using ECBs, they will have to give you money on a gift card.

Filed Under: Scenario Sunday Tagged With:

Simply Clean Saturday: Things you can do in 10 minutes!

January 10, 2010 by

One of my goals for the New Year was to be more organized. Out of all of my goals, I think this one is going to be the most challenging for me. It seems like I’m always on the go and when I think about taking time to clean and organize, I just feel overwhelmed. Plus, I have two small children who aren’t really able to help with household tasks and it seems like as soon as I get one thing done, they’re undoing it. So, I get frustrated and things start to pile up.

Saturdays are particularly difficult because that’s my day to get all of my grocery shopping done for the week and my day to really deep clean and to run all of our other errands.

In an effort to start getting more organized without getting overwhelmed, I decided to come up with some household tasks that can be done in 10 minutes or less. It’s hard to find large chunks of time throughout the day, but I think anyone can come up with ten minutes!

Here are a few of the things that I came up with:

Tasks for the kitchen (in 10 minutes or less) ~
*Unload the dishwasher and wipe down the counters

Tasks for the bathroom (in 10 minutes or less) ~
*Scrub the toilet and clean the tub

Other household tasks ~
*Sort through the mail and throw out “junk mail”

*Vacuum one room

*Fold a load of laundry

What tasks can you do in 10 minutes or less?

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