Coupons for Troops: Don’t throw out those expired coupons!

There were lots of great coupons that expired on June 30th, and if you’re like me, you didn’t get a chance to use some of them.  Don’t throw your expired coupons out!  Did you know that people in the military can use expired coupons? I have adopted a military base and that’s where I send my expired coupons!  If you’d like information on where I send my expired coupons, send me an e-mail.  Or, you can find out how to adopt your own military base here.

If you’d like to donate your expired coupons, here’s how it works:

1.  Sort your expired coupons by “food” and “non-food” (If it can be eaten by humans, it’s “food.”  Everything else is “non-food”  For example, vitamins, dog treats, and health and beauty items are “non food.”)

2.  Use ziploc bags or envelopes to contain the coupons in the different categories (DO NOT use rubber bands, paper clips, etc. as they tend to come apart during shipping)

3. Send them off! Military bases overseas are considered “US Territory” so it costs the same to ship them there as it would to ship them within the US.  If you have a lot of coupons, the cheapest shipping method to use is parcel post.  The fastest method is priority mail.  You will also need a customs form.  Be sure to check “gift” and record the value as $0.

A few other notes:

-There is no minimum donation size

-Please do not send coupons that are expired beyond 2 months!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Couponing for a Cause: Help for Joplin!

A few weeks ago, I posted about Couponing for a Cause.  Since I started using coupons seriously about four years ago, it has blessed our lives because we’ve been able to cut our grocery budget significantly, but it has also allowed us to bless the lives of others through donations.  I have sat and watched the footage of Joplin and my heart aches for the people there.  I want to help and I’m so happy that I’ve found a way to help!  On Facebook, there is a Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery page here.  Yesterday someone posted a link to a spreadsheet of drop-off locations for donations.  I was THRILLED to see there is a location here in Texas!  Our family will be getting together toiletries, batteries, clothing, and toys to donate.  I think this will be a great learning experience for my kids.  To find drop-off locations for donations in your area or to get other ideas about how you can help, check out the spreadsheet here. I’d love to see pictures or hear about what your families are doing to help with relief efforts in Joplin!

If you are new to couponing, this is a good list to help you figure out what items you should be adding to your stockpile.  If you’ve been couponing for awhile and are ready to start sharing with others, this is a great list to help you figure out what to donate this week!

CVS ~

Buy Bic Soleil Shimmer razor starter kit or 4 ct cartridges – $6.99 ,get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$3/1 Bic Soleil razor – 5-1 SS
Final Price = $.99 after coupons/ECBs

Buy Crest Baking Soda & Peroxide, Cavity, or Tartar Protection toothpaste, kids toothpaste, or Oral B Indicator toothbrush – $1.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 2 per household)
$1.50/2 Oral B Indicator toothbrushes – 5-1 PG *expires 5-31
Final Price = $.48 for two after coupon/ECBs ($.24/each) when you buy toothbrushes

Buy Pantene Pro V shampoo/conditioner/styler – 2/$6.97, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$3/2 Pantene – 5-1 PG (*expires 5-31)
Final Price = 2/$1.97 after coupon/ECBs ($.99/each)

TARGET ~

Carefree Acti-Fresh pantiliners (20-22 ct) – $.97
$1/1 Carefree pantiliners – 5-8 SS
Final Price = FREE after coupon

Caress body wash – $2.99-$3.99
$1/1 Caress Target printable
$.75/1 Caress – 5-22 RP
Final Price = as low as $1.24 after coupon

Mitchum deodorant – $1.99
$1/1 Mitchum deodorant – 5-8 SS
Final Price = $.99 after coupon

Suave Lotion – $2.69 (on price cut through 6/18)
$.75/1 Suave lotion Target printable
$1/1 Suave lotion – 5-22 RP
BOGO free Suave lotion – 5-22 RP
Final Price = $.94 for both after coupons (give the Target coupon last) – $.47/each!

Zantac Maximum Strength 150 (24 ct) or Zantac 75 (30 ct) – $7.74
$2/1 Zantac Target printable
$5/1 Zantac printable
Final Price = $.74 after coupons

Zyrtec 5 count – $4.76 (on sale through 6/4)
$4/1 Zyrtec – 4-10 RP
Final Price = $.76 after coupon

WALGREENS ~

Buy Colgate MaxClean or MaxWhite toothbrush or toothpaste (6 oz) – 2/$5, get a $2 RR
$.40/1 Colgate toothbrush – 5-1 SS
$.75/1 Colgate Max Clean toothpaste – 5-1 SS
$1/1 Colgate Max Clean, Max Fresh, or Max White toothpaste – May 2011 All You Magazine
Final Price = as low as $1 OOP ($.50/each) after coupons/RR (depending on what coupons you have)

Buy Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor – $9.89, get a $5 RR
Use $4/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor – 5-1 PG
Final Price = $.89 after coupons/RR

Buy Right Guard or Dry Idea deodorant or body wash – BOGO free
BOGO free Dry Idea or Right Guard – 5-1 RP (*expires 5-31)
Final Price = free after both coupons

W premium jumbo pack diapers – 2/$10
$2/1 W brand diapers jumbo pack Walgreens Infant Care booklet – 2844 is the code if you don’t have one
Final Price = $3/each after coupon

WALMART ~

Carefree pantiliners – $.94
$1/1 Carefree product – 5-8 SS
Final Price = $.06 overage!

Kotex liners – $.97
$1.50/2 Kotex liners – 5-15 SS
Final Price = $.22/each after coupons when you buy 2

Nexcare Comfort Bandages – $1
$.55/1 Nexcare bandages – 5-1 SS
$1/1 Nexcare printable
Final Price = as low as FREE after coupons!

Noxema Bikini razors – $1.97
$2/1 Noxema coupon – 5-1 RP
Final Price = $.03 overage!

Wilkinson disposable razors (4 ct) – $.97
Use $1/1 Wilkinson printable
Final Price = $.03 overage!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

 

Couponing for a Cause: Best donation deals for the week of 5/22

A few weeks ago, I posted about Couponing for a Cause.  Since I started using coupons seriously about four years ago, it has blessed our lives because we’ve been able to cut our grocery budget significantly, but it has also allowed us to bless the lives of others through donations.

If you are new to couponing, this is a good list to help you figure out what items you should be adding to your stockpile.  If you’ve been couponing for awhile and are ready to start sharing with others, this is a great list to help you figure out what to donate this week!

CVS ~

Buy Colgate MaxClean Smart foam, MaxFresh, or Maxwhite or 360 Surround toothbrush – $2.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 2 per household)
$1/1 Colgate Max Clean – May 2011 All You Magazine
$1/1 Colgate 360 toothbrush – April/May 2011 All You Magazine
Final Price = $.99 after coupons/ECBs

Buy Irish Spring or Softsoap body wash – 2/$7, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Final Price = 2/$2 after ECBs ($1 each)

Purex laundry detergent – $1.98
$1/1 Purex – 5-1 RP
Final Price = $.98 after coupon
*You can price match at Walmart/Target if your store is out and you can also get a rain check!

TARGET ~

Aquafresh Kids Training toothbrush – $1.99
$1/1 Aquafresh Kids dental training items Target printable
$1/1 Aquafresh Kids toothbrush – 4-17 RP
Final Price = FREE after coupons

Better Oats oatmeal – $1-$1.34
$1/1 Better Oats printable
Final Price = as low as free!

Carefree Acti-Fresh pantiliners (20-22 ct) – $.97
$1/1 Carefree pantiliners – 5-8 SS
Final Price = FREE after coupon

Degree Men’s deodorant – $1.97
$1/1 Degree Target printable
$1/1 Degree Men deodorant printable
Final Price = FREE after coupons

Reach dental floss – $.97
$1/1 Reach floss – 10-10 RP, 4-17 SS
Final Price = FREE after coupon

Similac Sensitive 1 quart formula – $3.86 (on price cut through 7/2)
$5/1 Similac – 4-3 SS
$3/1 Similac – 4-3 SS
Final Price = as low as free after coupon

Up & Up Ibuprofen (24 count) – $.97
$1/1 Up & Up pain reliever Target printable
Final Price = FREE after coupon

Up & Up Pantiliners – $.89
$.75/1 Up & Up feminine care printable
Final Price = $.14 after coupon

Zantac Maximum Strength 150 (24 ct) or Zantac 75 (30 ct) – $7.74
$2/1 Zantac Target printable
$5/1 Zantac printable
Final Price = $.74 after coupons

WALGREENS ~

Buy Carefree pantiliners (20-22 ct) – $.99 w/ in ad coupon
$1/1 Carefree product – 5-8 SS
Final Price = FREE after coupons! (they should adjust the amount of the coupon down)

Buy 2 Colgate Total Advanced or Sensitive toothpaste or 360 Actiflex toothbrush – 2/$7, get a $3 RR
$1/1 Colgate Total – Diabetes & You Winter/Spring issues (these are typically found either in the pharmacy or near the diabetic supplies)
$1/1 Colgate Total – 5-1 SS
Final Price = 2/$2 after coupons/RR ($1 each)

Buy Complete Multipurpose solution – $7.99, get an $8 RR
$1/1 Complete Multipurpose solution – 5-22 RP
Final Price = $1 moneymaker after coupon/RR

Buy Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor system – $9.99, get a $5 RR
$4/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor – 5-1 PG
Final Price = $.99 after coupon/RR

Buy Pure Silk shave cream – $1.99, get a $1.50 RR
Final Price = $.49 after coupon/RR

WALMART ~

Buy Degree Men deodorant (trial size) – $.97
$1/1 Degree Men deodorant printable
Final Price = $.03 overage after coupon

 

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Stamp Out Hunger: Don’t forget your donations today!

A few weeks ago, I posted about “Couponing for a Cause” and one of the programs I mentioned was the Stamp Out Hunger programToday (May 14th) is the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive.  If you want to participate in this drive, leave a bag of non-perishable food items by your mailbox and your mail carrier will pick it up and deliver it for you! For more details and to find out if your mailer carrier is participating, click here.  All items will be donated to Feeding America, which provides food to more than 37 million low income people in the United States each year.

If your area is not participating in the Stamp Out Hunger drive or you don’t have a bag of non-perishable food items ready yet, consider donating to your local food bank or food pantry instead.  Many of the grocery stores in my area have donation bins for area food banks.  In addition, many local churches have a food pantry that you can donate items to (including health & beauty items)   Put your coupon skills to use to help others!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Couponing for a Cause: Best donation deals for the week of 5/1

This week Mummy Deals posted some great ideas about what you can do with your leftover candy (I’ve got a three year old with a sweet tooth who seems to find it no matter where we hide it, so I’m definitely going to be taking advantage of her ideas!Stamp Out Hunger is May 14th, and I hope you will gathered non-perishable food items to that, but with the recent disasters in Alabama, I hope you will also consider either sending some items from your stockpile or picking up some items to donate.  I will be posting more about how you can help with the relief efforts in Alabama this week.
Each week, I’m going to post the best deals I see for donation items to get you started!  Getting freebies is great, but it’s even more rewarding when we can use our “coupon skills” to help others!  Free items are listed first followed by items that are at “stock up” prices.  I will update this list throughout the week as new deals come out!
CVS ~

Buy Colgate MaxClean, SmartFoam, MaxWhite, or MaxFresh – $2.77, get a $2.77 ECB(limit 2 per household)
$.75/1 Colgate toothpaste – 5-1 SS
Final Price = $.75 moneymaker after coupon/ECBs

Buy Ivory 3 pk – $.99
$1/1 Ivory bar, body wash, liquid hand soap – 5-1 PG
Final Price = FREE after coupon

Buy Bic Soleil Shimmer razor or 4 ct cartridges – $6.99, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$3/1 Bic Soleil system – 5-1 SS
Final Price = $.99 after coupon/ECBs

Buy Right Guard or Dry Idea deodorant – $2.49, get a $1 ECB (limit 2 per household)
BOGO free Right Guard or Dry Idea product – 5-1 RP
Final Price = $.49 for two after coupon/ECBs

Target ~

Better Oats oatmeal – $1-$1.34
$1/1 Better Oats printable
Final Price = as low as free!

Kashi Single Serve cereal cups – $1
$1/1 Kashi cereal printable (good on any)
Final Price = Free

Nivea body wash for men or women – $3.04-$3.99
$1/1 Nivea skin care item – Target beauty bag mailer
$3/1 Nivea for men or women – 4-17 RP
Final Price = as low as free after coupons

Reach dental floss – $.97
$1/1 Reach floss – 10-10 RP, 4-17 SS
Final Price = FREE after coupon

Similac Sensitive 1 quart formula – $3.86 (on price cut through 7/2)
$5/1 Similac – 4-3 SS
$3/1 Similac – 4-3 SS
Final Price = as low as free after coupon

Carefree Acti-Fresh pantiliners (20-22 ct) – $.97
$.50/1 Carefree product – 3-27 RP
Final Price = $.47 after coupon

Chef Boyardee beef ravioli – $.80 (on price cut through 5/21)
$.50/3 Chef Boyardee canned pasta printable
Final Price = $.63/each after coupon

Hunt’s snack pack pudding – $.95 (on price cut through 5/21)
Buy 3, get 1 free Hunt’s Snack pack pudding – April 2011 All You Magazine
Final Price = $.71/each after coupon

Walgreens ~

Buy Noxema disposable razors (4 ct) – $3.99, get a $3 RR
$2/1 Noxema razors – 5-1 RP
Final Price = $1.01 moneymaker after coupon/RRs!

Buy Right Guard Total Defense 5 body wash – BOGO free
BOGO free Dry idea or Right Guard product – 5-1 RP
Final Price = 2 free after coupon/store promotion!

Buy Aussie or Herbal Essences Hair Care – $2.99, get a $1 RR
$1/1 Ausie/Herbal Essences product – P&G Everyday Savings booklet
$.50/1 Aussie/Herbal Essences product – 5-1 PG
Final Price = as low as $.99 after coupon/RR

Buy Bic razors (3-6 ct) – includes Soleil, Flex 3, Flex 4, Comfort 3, or Hybride Advance System – $5.99, get a $2 RR
$3/1 Bic Soleil printable
$2/1 Bic Soleil printable
$2/1 Bic razor – 4-10 SS

Final Price = as low as $.99 after coupon

Buy 2 Cottonelle Toilet paper (12 ct) – $5/each, get a $3 RR
$.50/1 Cottonelle toilet paper printable
$.50/1 Cottonelle toilet paper printable
$1/1 Cottonelle toilet paper – May Walgreens coupon book (will deduct $2)
Final Price = $4 after coupons/RR ($2 each)

Walmart ~

Iron Man 2 Matchbox style cars – $1.97
$3/1 Hasbro Iron Man 2 printable
$3/1 Hasbro Iron Man 2 toy – 4-10 Playsaver
Final Price = $1.03 overage after coupons

NOTE: I know it might seem silly to post about toys, but for kids who have lost everything, toys would be a welcome distraction, I’m sure!

Propel Zero water – $.50/ech
$1/2 Propel Zero Calorie drink – 2-13 SS
Final Price = Free after coupon (when you buy 2)

Reach floss – $.88
$1/1 Reach floss – 4-17 SS
Final Price = $.12 overage

Dole canned pineapple – $.72
$.50/2 Dole fruit – 4-10 SS
Final Price = $.47/each (when you buy 2)

Pine Sol – $1.97
$1/1 Pine Sol printable
Final Price = $.97 after coupon

Snuggle fabric softener – $1.87
$1/1 Snuggle printable
Final Price = $.87 after coupon


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information