This is just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the Mahatma Rice giveaway. Three lucky winners will win coupons for two free bags of the new Mahatma rice! Details for the giveaway are here.
Kroger deals for the week of 3/31
March 31, 2010 by
Don’t forget to load your coupons to your Kroger card:
Cellfire
Shortcuts
Upromise
**For more information about loadable coupons and how they work check out this post!
This ad is based on the Texas/Louisiana market. My Kroger stores double three “like” coupons with a face value up to $.50 and triple three “like” coupons with a face value up to $.39. Your market may be different. Check with your store for details!
The “hot news” this week is that the Pillsbury Grands! biscuits are still $.98/each. I went last week thinking it was the small cans that would be on sale and was surprised that it was the full sized cans! There is a catalina deal that ties in with this. Here are the details:
Buy 4 Pillsbury refrigerated products, get $2 OYNO
Buy 5 Pillsbury refrigerated products, get $3 OYNO
Buy 6 Pillsbury refrigerated products, get $4 OYNO
Here are the coupons that tie in with this deal:
$.30/2 Pillsbury Grands Shortcuts loadable (expires 5/27)
$.30/2 Pillsbury Grands Shortcuts loadable (expires 4/27 – loaded previously)
$.30/2 Pillsbury Grands printable (should triple)
$.30/2 Pillsbury printable (from pillsbury.com), should triple
SCENARIO:
Buy 6 refrigerated biscuits – $.98/each
Use 3 $.30/2 printable coupons (should triple)
$.30/2 Shortcuts loadables should both come off
Spend $2.58 OOP, get a $4 OYNO catalina
Here are a few of the deals I saw:
*Asparagus – $1.47/lb (I have been waiting for a deal on asparagus, so I’m excited for this one!)
*Coca Cola products (12 pk, 12 oz cans) – 3/$11 – buy 3, get the 4th free
*Driscoll’s strawberries – $1.77/lb
*Freschetta pizza – $4.99
$1.25/1 Freschetta frozen pizza – 3-7 SS
Final Price – $3.74 after coupons
*Kroger cheese – 2/$3
*Kroger cottage cheese, sour cream, or dip – 10/$10 (you do not need to buy 10)
*Kroger hot dog buns – 10/$10
*Kroger vegetables – 2/$1
*Pepsi or Dr. Pepper products – buy 3/$10, get the 4th free
*Philadelphia Cream Cheese – 4/$5
$.55/2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese printable
Final price = $1.95 for 2 ($.97/each!)
*Quaker Chewy granola bars – $1.29/each (when you buy 8 participating items)
$.75/2 Quaker Chewy granola bars – 2-14 RP
Final Price = $.91/each (when you buy 8 participating items)
*Rice a roni or pasta roni – 10/$10
$1/3 Rice a Roni or Pasta Roni – 1-3 RP2
Final Price = $.67/each after coupon
*Tropicana Trop50 orange juice – $2.68
$1/1 Tropicana Trop50 – 3-14 RP
Final Price = $1.68 after coupon
There is also a catalina deal on Betty Crocker potatoes: (this reportedly runs through 4/18)
Buy 1, get $.50 OYNO
Buy 2, get $1.50 OYNO
Buy 3, get $3 OYNO
The following coupons match up with this deal:
$.40/1 Betty Crocker box or pouch potatoes Shortcuts loadable
$.40/1 Betty Crocker potatoes cellfire loadable
Last week, the pouches were $1/each and the boxes were $1.79/each (I know this is the regular price for the boxes, but I’m not sure about the pouches).
Tip of the Day Tuesday: Coupon Trips Gone Wrong
March 30, 2010 by
I apologize for being “absent” these past few days. We did not have internet access all weekend and I’ve been sick anyway. Between those two things and trying to keep up with a busy schedule at work, I’m in a bit of a bargain slump. This is a “short” week for me this week, so hopefully having an extra day off will help me get back on track! In the meantime, I’m a little bit sad about all the great “bargains” I’m missing out on this week between Toys ‘R Us and Walgreens!
My Tip of the Day Tuesday focuses on how to handle “coupon trips gone wrong.” Even after using coupons for years, I’ve STILL been there. You’ve got all of your coupons ready. You’re so excited to check-out and see how much you’ve saved. And then you hit the “bargain blocking cashier.” I have touched on this in the past, but I’ve gotten a few e-mails from people who have experienced this lately, so I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned along the way.
Here are a few tips for handling those roadblocks:
Make sure you buy participating items
When grocery stores offer special promotions, there are typically special tags on participating items. Also read the fine print in the ad because sometimes only specific sizes, scents, flavors, etc. are part of the promotion. Buying one “wrong” item will throw everything off.
Don’t be afraid to visit customer service
If your deal doesn’t work out as planned, don’t be afraid to visit the customer service desk. Participating promotion items usually have a special marking on the receipt and they can usually easily figure out why your deal didn’t work out as planned. Sometimes it also might be something as simple as a catalina machine that is not working. If you bought an item that did not count toward a specific promotion, if you ask, they will usually let you return the item that did not work and exchange it for the appropriate item.
Make sure you are using your coupons correctly
Make sure you read the fine print on your coupons and that what you are buying matches up with the details on your coupon. I have noticed that many of my stores have become much more particular about coupons. More often than not, they read the fine print and make sure that my items match up, especially if they beep. Avoid embarrassment at check-out by using your coupons legitimately! (Make sure you check out this article on “How to Spot Fake Coupons” and this article on “Coupon Etiquette“)
Know your store’s coupon policies
If you do a search online for individual stores and “coupon policies” you will find letters that others have received from customer service regarding store coupon policies. Sometimes it’s helpful to print these letters to share with your cashiers, especially if you have had difficulties redeeming coupons at that store in the past. When in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to e-mail customer service yourself to inquire about their coupon policies so that you have your own hard copy.
Remain calm and don’t be afraid to ask for a manager
Even though you may be embarrassed or incredibly frustrated, don’t lose your cool. It will only make the situation worse. Instead, if things get too heated or the cashier refuses to work with you, don’t be afraid to ask to speak with a manager.
It’s OK to walk away
If you are trying to use your coupons correctly and the cashier and/or store manager refuse to work with you, it’s OK to walk away. You can try to visit the store at another time or visit another store in the area. Be sure to contact the store’s corporate customer service department to share the “issues” you had.
Don’t let a bargain hunting trip gone wrong ruin your experience forever. Take a deep breath and move on! Also, learn from that experience. There are certain stores and cashiers that I avoid because I know that they are not “coupon friendly.”
Menu Planning Monday: My menu for the week of 3/28
March 29, 2010 by
For those of you who may be doing Weight Watchers, I have included the points per serving calculations for most of my recipes this week (my internet access was down all weekend, so I’m playing catch up and didn’t have time to calculate the points for all of my recipes). I used the “Recipe Builder” feature on the WeightWatchers.com e-Tools program to input all of the ingredients and calculate the points, so it should be pretty accurate.
You can read more about my $40 weekly budget in this post here and see my shopping trip for the week 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! Check out hundreds of other meal plans at orgjunkie.com!
SUNDAY ~ Taco bar
MONDAY ~ French dip sandwiches (slow cooker) – This is a family favorite and I love it because it is SOOO easy to make!
Ingredients:
beef roast
2 cans beef broth
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
4-6 hoagie buns
(we also add some swiss or provolone cheese)
Place roast in a greased slow cooker. Pour broth over the top of the roast. Add spices. Cover and cook on low heat 8-10 hours (or high heat 5-7 hours). Remove roast and save extra juice. With a fork, break the meat apart and serve on hoagies. Use excess juice for dipping sandwiches.
TUESDAY ~ Chicken licking pork chops (slow cooker)
Ingredients:
6-8 lean pork chops, 1-inch thick
1/2 cup flour (omit if you don’t brown chops in skillet)
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp oil (omit if you don’t brown chops in skillet)
1 10.5oz can chicken & rice soup
Dredge pork chops in mixture of flour, salt, dry mustard & garlic powder. Brown chops in oil in a large skillet. Place browned pork chops in crockpot. Add can of soup. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3 1/2 hours. If I don’t brown the chops, then I just toss the salt, dry mustard & garlic powder in the crockpot instead of dredging the chops.
*Note: When making this meal, I use a can of family size chicken & rice soup and drain off some of the broth – it keeps the meat tender and there is more of the chicken & rice mixture for everyone! If you don’t have time to brown the chops first in a skillet, I’ve also just dipped it into the flour mixture and put it straight into the slow cooker and it works fine that way, too.
WW points = 6 servings, 7 points per serving
WEDNESDAY ~ Shepherd’s pie (slow cooker) – This recipe comes from the 101 Things to Do With a Slow Cooker cookbook
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1 can (10 ¾ ounces) tomato soup, condensed
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 oz) French cut green beans, drained
2 cups instant mashed potatoes, prepared
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
½ tsp. basil
In a separate bowl, combine beef, tomato soup, corn, beans, and basil. Pour mixture in the bottom of a greased 3 ½ to 5 quart slow cooker. Spread mashed potatoes on top. Cover and cook on low heat 5-6 hours. The last hour of cooking, sprinkle cheese on top of potatoes.
WW points = 9 per serving (for 4 servings)
THURSDAY ~ Braised pork chops – I got this recipe from my mother in law awhile ago – I think she may have gotten it from a Martha Stewart magazine (or online)
Ingredients:
2 T. veg. oil
6 boneless center cut pork chops trimmed of fat are preferable (but any will do)
1 teas. Dijon Mustard
1T red-wine vinegar
2 T. light brown sugar
1teas. garlic salt
1 T. worcestershire OR soy sauce
Heat oil in a lg. heavy skillet over med. high heat.
Brown chops on each side 2 to 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, site together all other ingredients with 1/3 cup water. Pour over chops. Reduce heat, cover and cook until tender, about 1 hour.
Transfer chops to a serving dish. Raise heat to med. high and cook sauce until thickened….about 5 minutes. Pour over chops and serve.
FRIDAY ~ Teriyaki chicken (freezer meal) – if you are wanting to get started with freezer cooking, this is seriously the EASIEST freezer meal to put together and a great one to start with!
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup pineapple juice
4 chicken breasts
Directions:
Mix marinade ingredients together and throw in a freezer bag with the chicken breasts. If you use it as a freezer meal, just defrost and cook as you please when ready to eat!
SATURDAY ~ Country Style Pork Loin (slow cooker)
Country-Style Pork Loin
Katie (Katiedid) from Taste of Home
1 boneless whole pork loin roast (3 pounds)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground mustard
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Hot mashed potatoes, optional
Cut pork roast in half. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, onion powder and mustard. Add pork, one portion at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet, brown pork in oil over medium-high heat on all sides. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Pour broth over pork. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until tender. Remove pork and keep warm. For gravy, strain cooking juices and skim fat; pour 2-1/2 cups cooking juices into a large saucepan. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Slice pork; serve with gravy and mashed potatoes if desired. Yield: 8 servings.
*This recipe was SOOOO yummy! Even my kids loved it. It is definitely a keeper at our house!
CVS deals for the week of 3/28
March 29, 2010 by
If you are new to shopping at CVS and would like some tips, check out this article here.
Tag your reusable bag: Buy a Greenbag tag for $.99 at the register, get $1 ECB every 4th visit – limit 1 use per day, per household
If you haven’t already, register your CVS Extra Care card here and you should receive a $4 off a $20 purchase coupon in your e-mail. This also registers you to receive other e-mail coupons! Make sure you check your e-mail because many people are reporting that they received coupons good for a free item in their e-mail!
THREE DAY SALE (No ECBs/regular prices apply after Tuesday):
Coke 12 pk, 12 oz cans – 3/$11, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Final Price = 3/$8 after ECBs
Hershey’s assorted candy – 2/$4
$2/3 Hershey’s Easter candy printable – smartsource.com
$2/3 Hershey’s, Reese’s, or Cadbury candy bags – 3-14 SS
Final Price = $1.33/bag after coupons (when you buy 3)
M&Ms ~ 2/$4
$1/3 M&Ms Chocolate Easter candy, Snickers, Twix Minis, 3 Musketeers Minis – 3-7 RP
Final Price = 3/$5 after coupons
ECB DEALS:
*Buy Advil caplets, gel caplets, (100 ct) or liqui-gels (80 ct) – $8.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Advil (40 ct+) – 1-31 RP$1/1 Advil printable
Final Price – $5.99 after coupons/ECBs
*Buy Claritin 24 Hour Liqui-Gels, 24 Hour tablets, 12 hour RediTabs or Claritin D 30 ct – $19.99, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Claritin printable on claritin.com
$4/1 Claritin Non-Drowsy or Children’s Claritin – 3-28 SS2
Final Price = $10.99 after coupons/ECBs
*Spend $15 on Clean & Clear, get a $5 ECB (PSA $4.99) – limit 1 per household
$2/1 Clean & Clear printable
$1/1 Clean & Clear – 3-28 SS
Final Price – varies
SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Clean & Clear Daily Pore Cleanser – $4.99 (based on online pricing)
Buy 1 Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser – $5.49 (based on online pricing)
Use 3 $2 printable coupons
Spend $9.47 OOP, get a $5 ECB
Final Price = $4.47 after coupons/ECBs
*Spend $20 on CoverGirl cosmetics, get an $8 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2.50/2 Cover Girl – 2-7 PG
Buy One Get One Free (Cover Girl face product) – 2-7 PG
$1/1 Cover Girl Product, any – 2-7 PG
(all of these coupons expire on 3/31)
SCENARIO: (there are many you could do)
Buy 2 Cover Girl TruBlend Microminerals Foundation Base – $12.99 (according to online pricing)
Use BOGO free coupon
Use $1/1 coupon
Spend $11.99 OOP, get an $8 ECB
Final Price = $3.99 after coupons/ECBs
*Buy Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid toothpaste or Oral B Advantage toothbrush – $2.99, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Crest premium toothpaste – 2-21 PG
$.75/1 Oral B Advantage toothbrush – 2-7 PG
BOGO free Oral B Advantage manual toothbrush – 3-7 PG
SCENARIO:
Buy 1 Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid toothpaste – $2.99
Use $1/1 Crest toothpaste coupon
Spend $1.99 OOP, get a $2 ECB
Final price = free after coupons/ECBS!
SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Crest Oral B Advantage toothbrush – $2.99
Use $.75/1 coupon
Use BOGO free coupon
Spend $.24, get a $2 ECB
*Buy Crest Whitestrips 3D White Vivid, 3D White Professional Effects or Advanced Seal, get a $10 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$10/1 Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal or Advanced Vivid – 2-7 PG
$10/1 Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips – 3-21 PG
Final Price – varies
*Buy Gillette Fusion manual/power razor AND cartridges (4-8 ct), get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Free Gillette Fusion razor WYB Gillette Fusion cartridges – 3-7 PG insert
Gillette Fusion razor – $9.99 (based on online pricing)
Gillette Fusion cartridges – $15.99 (based on online pricing)
SCENARIO:
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion cartridge 4 pk – $15.99
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion razor – $9.99
Use free Gillette Fusion razor WYB cartridges coupon (should deduct $9.99)
Spend $15.99 OOP, get a $5 ECB
Final Price = $10.99 after coupons/ECBs
*Buy Huggies jumbo pack diapers or Pull-Ups – 2/$17.98, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$3/1 Huggies diapers printable – it looks like this one has be re-set!
$3/1 Huggies diapers printable (IE) (FF)
$2/1 Huggies Little Movers or Little Snugglers – 3-21 SS
$2/1 Pull-Ups printable
$1.50/1 Huggies Pull-Ups – 2-28 SS
SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Huggies jumbo packs – 2/$17.98
Use 2 $3/1 printables
Spend $11.98 OOP, get a $5 ECB
Final Price = $6.98 after coupons/ECBs
*Buy MiraLax – $19.99, get a $4 ECB (limit 5 per household)
$4/1 Miralax – 2-7 SS
Final Price = $11.99 after coupons/ECBs
*Spend $20 on Nexxus shampoo, conditioner,styler, get a $10 ECB (limit 1 per household, PSA $3.99)
Final Price – varies
*Buy ROC Retinol correxion – $21.99, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Final Price = $16.99 after ECBs
*Buy Sparkle paper towels – $4.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 3 per household)
$1/1 Sparkle paper towels – 2-14 RP (some areas got $.50/1)
Final Price – $2.99 after coupons/ECBs
*Buy ThermaCare – 2/$13.98, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Thermacare heat wraps – 3-28 RP
$3/1 Thermacare printable
Final Price = $2.98 after coupons/ECBs
*Buy Zantac 75 (80 ct) or Zantac 150 (65 ct) – $19.99, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Zantac – 11/15 Ss, 1-3 SS, 1-31 SS, 3-28 SS
Final Price = $13.99 after coupons/ECBs
BOGO FREE DEALS:
*Adult or children’s sunglasses
*Arm & Hammer 2 in 1 dryer cloths or liquid laundry detergent
*BioLuxe shampoo or conditioner (PSA $9.99)
*Campbell’s Chunky or Select Harvest soup
$.50/1 Campbell’s Chunky Healthy Request soups – 2-7 SS
$1/1 Select Harvest soups printable
*CVS Pharmacy ibuprofen
*CVS Pharmacy pain relief
*CVS Pharmacy vitamins/minerals/herbs
*Irish Spring or Softsoap
$.50/1 Irish Spring – 3-14 SS
*Revlon ColorSilk
*Revlon foundation, powder, blush, concealer, nail, or lip products
$1/1 Revlon color cosmetic product or nail enamel – 3-14 SS
*Whtiman’s or Hershey’s sampler (priced at $9.99)
OTHER DEALS:
*Gold Emblem spices – $.88
*Gold Emblem canned vegetables or soup – 2/$1 (limit 8)
*Kellogg’s Pop Tarts – 3/$5
$1/3 Kellogg’s Pop Tarts – 2-7 and 3-28 RP
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): $3.98 OOP for $7.98 in merchandise, $1 ECB left to spend
TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 1 Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid toothpaste – $2.99
Use $1/1 Crest toothpaste coupon
Spend $1.99 OOP, get a $2 ECB
TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 1 Sparkle Paper towels – $4.99
Use $1/1 Sparkle Paper towels coupon
Use $2 Crest ECB
Spend $1.99 OOP, earn a $1 ECB
If you have a $4/20:
SCENARIO #1:
Buy 2 Huggies jumbo packs – 2/$17.98
Buy 1 Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid toothpaste – $2.99
Use $4/20 CVS coupon
Use 2 $3/1 Huggies coupons
Use $1/1 Crest coupon
Spend $9.97 OOP, earn a $5 ECB (Huggies) and a $2 ECB (Crest)
SCENARIO #2:
Buy 2 Cover Girl TruBlend Microminerals Foundation Base – $12.99 (according to online pricing)
Use $4/20 CVS coupon
Use BOGO free coupon
Use $1/1 coupon
Spend $7.99 OOP, get an $8 ECB
SCENARIO #3:
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion cartridge 4 pk – $15.99
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion razor – $9.99
Use $4/20 CVS coupon
Use free Gillette Fusion razor WYB cartridges coupon (should deduct $9.99)
Spend $11.99 OOP, get a $5 ECB
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.
