Walgreens deals for the week of 1/2

January 4, 2011 by

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you check out my tips for shopping at Walgreens here.
 
Walgreens seriously ROCKS this week and I’m sorry I haven’t been able to post the deals sooner, but I go back to work tomorrow and I’ve been trying to balance cleaning and time with the family while battling what I’m guessing is a sinus infection.

This is not the entire ad. This is just the “top deals” I see this week (and there are plenty of them!)

FREEBIES:

Buy Children’s Oscillococcinum Flu Medicine (6 ct) – $8.99, get a $9 RR
$2/1 Oscillococcinum, any – 1-24 RP
$2/1 Oscillococcinum printable
Final Price = $2 moneymaker after coupons/RR
NOTE:  reportedly these coupons are beeping even though they are to be used on this product!

Buy Electrasol (20 ct) or Jet Dry (8.45 oz) – $3.49, get a $1.50 RR
$2.25/1 Finish (20 ct) – 1-2 SS
Final Price – $.26 moneymaker after coupon/RR

Buy Finess Clean+Simple Hair Care – $1.99
$1/1 Finesse product, any – 10-24 SS
Try Me Free Mail in Rebate (look for these on the bottles!)
Final Price = $1 moneymaker after rebate/coupon (if you can find the rebate!)

Buy 2 Natrol Acai (1000 mg, 60 ct) – $10.99 (BOGO free)
$2/1 Natrol – 10-10 RP
$5/1 Natrol Walgreens January coupon book – you can find these at the front of the store by the ads (this will deduct $10)
Final Price = $3.01 moneymaker (if you use 2 $2 manufacturer’s coupons) – make sure you have other items to cover the overage!!
(Thanks Heather!)

Buy Nivea for Men Artic Freeze Shave Gel – $3.99, get a $3 RR
$1/1 Nivea for Men Face or Body Care product **look for these on the displays in your stores**
Final Price = FREE after RR/coupons!
(Thanks Wild for Wags!)

Buy Omega Factor-3 (60 ct) – $10, get a $10 RR
Final Price = FREE after RR

Buy Pill Glide Swallowing Spray – $5, get a $5 RR (this is a monthly deal!)
Final Price = FREE after RR!

Buy SalonPas Arthritis Pain Patches (5 ct) – $5.99, get a $6 RR
Final Price = FREE after RR!

Buy Twinlab Reservatrol dots (60 ct) – $9.99
$10/1 Twinlab Reservatrol in the January Walgreens coupon book (located with the ads at the front of the store)
Final Price = FREE
(Thanks Heather!)

Spend $15 on participating Vicks products, get a $5 RR; spend $20 on participating Vicks products, get a $10 RR (this is a monthly deal)
-NyQuil or DayQuil (10-12 ct) or liquid (6 oz) – $4
$3/2 Vicks NyQuil and DayQuil – 12-26 PG
$1/1 Vicks product, any – 12-26 PG
-Vicks VapoRub, BabyRub, or Vapo Inhaler – $4
$1/1 Vicks product, any – 12-26  PG
-Vicks Sinex – $6.99
$4/1 Vicks Sinex – 12-26 PG

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Vicks Sinex – $6.99

Use 3 $4 Vicks Sinex coupons

Spend $8.97 OOP, get a $10 RR
Final Price = $1.03 moneymaker

OTHER RR DEALS:

Spend $10 on Advil, get a $3 RR
-Advil 20-24 ct – $3/each
$2/1 Advil (20 ct+) – 12-12 RP

SCENARIO:
Buy 4 Advil – $3/each

Use 4 $2 coupons

Spend $4 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $.25/each

NOTE:  This deal also includes Children’s/Infant’s Advil – $5, Advil Congestion Relief – $5, Robitussin or Dimetapp – $5, Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste – $5


Buy Celsius Green Tea (4 ct) – $3.99, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $.99 after RR

Buy participating dental care products – $2/each, get a $1 RR:
-Crest toothpaste (6.4 oz)
$.75/1 Crest toothpaste – 12-25 PG
-Oral B Indicator toothbrush
$.75/2 Indicator toothbrushs – 12-26 PG
Final Price = as low as $.25 for toothpaste after coupon/RR

Buy Pantene shampoo/conditioner/styler – 2/$7, get a $2 RR
$3/2 Pantene – 12-26 PG
Final Price = 2/$2 after coupon/RR ($1 each!)

OTHER DEALS:

Huggies diapers, Pull-Ups or GoodNites – $6.99
$2.50/1 Huggies Little Snugglers printable
$2/1 Pull-Ups printable
$3/2 Huggies Snug Dry diapers printable
Final Price = as low as $4.49/each for diapers!
**At this price, I can pretty much guarantee your stores will sell out of diapers quickly.  Don’t forget to ask for a rain check!!

Swanson chicken broth – $.79/each (w/ in ad coupon)
$.75/2 Swanson broth – 11-7 SS
Final Price = $.42/each after coupons (when you buy in multiples of 2)
*This is a stock up price!

FILLER ITEMS: (This week, they have SEVERAL of my favorite fillers – these are good deals even if you don’t need fillers!)
*American seed packets – 5/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Big Roll bathroom tissue – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Comet cleanser – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Deerfield Farms baking soda – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Geisha mushrooms – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Hershey’s candy – $.49 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Hunt’s tomato sauce – 3/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Madam mandarin oranges – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Morton salt – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*PaperMate mechanical pencils – $.19 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Walgreens thin liners or pantiliners – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 1 Nivea Arctic shave gel – $3.99
Buy 2 Natrol Acai – $10.99
Buy 1 Papermate pencils – $.19 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $1 Nivea coupon
Use 2 $2 Natrol coupons
Use $5 Walgreens in ad Natrol coupon

Spend $.17 OOP, get a $3 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy Electrasol – $3.49
Buy Pantene – 2/$7
Buy 1 Papermate pencils – $.19 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $2.25/1 Electrasol coupon
Use $3/2 Pantene coupon
Use $3 Nivea RR

Spend $2.43, get a $1.50 RR and a $2 RR

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 1 Nivea Arctic shave gel – $3.99
Buy 1 Papermate pencils – $.19/each (w/ in ad coupon)
Buy 1 Hunt’s tomato sauce – $.39 w/ in ad coupon

Use $1 Nivea coupon
Use $1.50 and $2 RR

Spend $.07 OOP, get a $3 RR


OR

Buy 1 Huggies diapers – $6.99
Buy 2 Papermate pencils – $.19 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $2.50 Huggies printable
Use $1.50 and $2 RR

Spend $1.37 OOP

MY PLAN:  I have a $4 RR, a $2.50 RR and a $1 RR to spend

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 1 Children’s Oscillococcinum Flu Medicine (6 ct) – $8.99
Buy 3 Papermate pencils – $.19/each (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $2 Oscillococcinum printable
Use $4, $2.50, and $1 RR

Spend $.06 OOP, get a $9 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy Electrasol – $3.49
Buy Nivea Arctic – $3.99
Buy Pill Glide – $5
Buy 1 Hunt’s tomato sauce – $.39

Use $9 RR
Use $2.50 Electrasol coupon
Use $1 Nivea coupon

Spend $.37, get a $1.50 RR, $3 RR, and $5 RR

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 2 Pantene – 2/$7
Buy SalonPas Arthritis Pain Patches (5 ct) – $5.99 
Buy 2 Papermate pencils – $.19 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $3/2 Pantene coupon
Use $1.50, $3, and $5 RR

Spend $.87, get a $6 RR and a $2 RR

*I plan on rolling this back into the Oscillococcinum Flu Medicine

FAQS: (Check out Walgreens new coupon policy here!)

Do you do multiple transactions at one store on one visit?
It just depends. Several stores in my area have gone to a “one RR per item per day” rule, which means I can’t do more than one transaction where I’m earning RR for the same product at the same store. Some of the stores in my area also will not let you use the RR you earn from one transaction on another transaction in that same visit.  I’m fortunate to have several stores within a few minutes of my house, so I usually try to break up transactions at different stores and on different days to stay in the good graces of my stores.

What is Walgreens policy on using BOGO free coupons with a BOGO free offer, adjusting down coupons, etc.? 
The new coupon policy does not really using a BOGO free coupon with a BOGO free promotion, but it does say you can use up to two coupons as long as the total doesn’t go below zero, so, you SHOULD be able to do this!!

Walgreens coupon policy is now to adjust the value of coupons down – YAY!!

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item (always give the store coupon last to avoid problems)

*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 2 Listerine, you will only earn a RR for one)

*You also typically cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion on the same promotion and earn Register Rewards again. For example, if you buy the Nivea and use the RR from that to buy more, the RR will not print

*Register Rewards are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will have to add “filler” items if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a RR. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (check out the weekly match-ups for ideas)

*If you are using more than one RR in a transaction, always give the RR with the highest value FIRST. Sometimes strange things happen with coupons and taxes and even if you think you have planned out your scenario very well, you will end up with more overage than you planned for.

*If you are buying items that would result in a “free” item or “overage” when combining a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon, give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST, and the store coupons LAST to avoid beeping/issues at the register! Make sure that you are purchasing enough items in your total transaction to “cover” the overage. You will not get cash back and you will have to add items to cover the overage or they will not take the coupon.

*If your Register Reward doesn’t print for some reason and you have fulfilled all of the obligations for the “deal” (including not using RR from the same parent company to pay) DO NOT let them tell you it is because you used coupons! Chances are they didn’t print because the catalina machine is not working. You have two choices: you can return your items and try again or you can contact the catalina company by doing the following:
*The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
*Call 1-877-210-1917, option 1

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

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

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Babies ‘R Us: Save 40% off all clearance clothing and get a free reusable tote!

January 3, 2011 by

Babies’ R Us has a HOT new printable coupon that gives you a free reusable tote plus 40% off all the clothing and shoes you can fit in the tote! This is a great time to stock up on fall and winter clothing for next year as well as shoes for your kids!

You can print the coupon here and it is valid through 1/23/2011! Limit one coupon per guest. Bring your coupon to guest services to receive your free tote. Quantities limited. No rainchecks.

(Thanks Baby Good Buys!)

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

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CVS addition: Xtra laundry detergent for $.99/each!

January 3, 2011 by

Here’s an addition to the CVS deals (make sure you check out the full post with match-ups and scenarios here) – the Xtra laundry detergent is on sale for $1.99 and there is a $1/1 printable coupon here (you must register to print the coupon), which makes it just $.99/each. The Wisk is better quality (in my opinion), but if you need laundry detergent and don’t have ECBs or coupons to roll into the Wisk deal, this is a great alternative!

(Thanks Jane4girls!)

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

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Menu Planning Monday: My menu for the week of 1/2 (back on WW!)

January 3, 2011 by

Welcome to my first Menu Planning Monday post of 2011! One of my New Year’s “goals” was to eat healthier, and so I’m trying to incorporate healthier recipes all around into our menu plan. The plan listed here just includes our dinner menu and recipes. I have calculated Weight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! You can see my spreadsheet with our lunch and breakfast foods here (recipes are not included, but points values are).  Both kids eat breakfast at home, but my son eats lunch at daycare, my daughter eats lunch at school, and my husband fends for himself!

Many of my recipes this week are coming from The Biggest Loser Cookbook: Budget Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love.  The book really does have a lot of great, family friendly recipes and great pictures, too.  My kids had a great time helping me pick out menu options this week!  Whether you’re counting points or calories, this cookbook is awesome because it includes calories, carbohydrates, fat content, and protein.

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, then you know that for the past two years, I have done a $40 weekly budget.  With the changes to our eating habits, I’m going to increase our budget to $50 per week and I’m really going to try to stick to that, but I’m not even sure that will be enough.  This will be a trial and error experience, so stay tuned!

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.

SUNDAY:  Shredded lime tacos (slow cooker) – I got this recipe from Marci’s blog a few weeks ago.  We tried it and loved it, so it’s back again!

Ingredients:
* 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat – cubed
* 1/8 cup red wine vinegar
* 1/2 lime, juiced
* 1 teaspoon white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
* 1/2 white onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
Mix together vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, onion, garlic and cilantro. Put in crock pot with chicken and cook on low 6 hours. Shred chicken apart with forks and serve in tacos with toppings of choice!

WW points:  4 points per serving (makes 6 servings).  I serve with 1/2 cup fat free refried beans (2 points), a whole wheat, low carb tortilla (4 points)

MONDAY:  Provolone wrapped chicken – This is a recipe from my the “$5 Dinners” cookbook that I got for Christmas last year.

Ingredients:
8-10 chicken tenderloins
2 T extra virgin olive oil (I’m going to try misting with a sprayer instead, which is a tip I got from the Biggest Loser cookbook!)
salt and pepper
4-5 slices provolone cheese (cut in half)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the chicken tenderloins in an 8X8 inch glass baking dish and drizzle the olive oil over the top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (I will probably add garlic powder and onion powder, as well). Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the oven. Carefully wrap half a piece of provolone cheese around each chicken tenderloin. The cheese will melt over the warm chicken strips.

WW points:  8 per serving  – makes 4 servings (this is with the 2 T of olive oil, so I’m thinking by spraying it on, it will be less points, but I don’t know how many)

TUESDAY:  Grilled chicken parmesan (from The Biggest Loser Cookbook: Budget Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love)

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 4 oz each)
Olive oil (from a sprayer)
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup marinara sauce (preferably low fat, low sodium, low sugar)
6 T finely shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
2 tsp grated, reduced-fat parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Lightly mist both sides of the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Grill the chicken, turning meat once, for 3-5 minutes per side (or until no longer pink inside and juices run clear).  Transfer to a baking dish.

Heat the sauce on low in the microwave until warm.  Top each breast w/ 2 T marinara sauce followed by 1 1/2 T mozzarella and 1/2 tsp parmesan.  Bake for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is just melted.

WW points:  4 points per serving, serve with whole wheat pasta (1/2 cup = 2 points) and green beans (0 points)

WEDNESDAY:  BBQ Bacon Meatloaf (from The Biggest Loser Cookbook: Budget Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love)

Ingredients:
Olive oil spray
1 cup chopped red onion
4 slices extra lean turkey bacon
2/3 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup fat free milk
1 lb extra-lean ground chicken breast
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 c. BBQ sauce (<7 g carbs per 2 T)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly mist a 9X5X3 nonstick loaf pan with the olive oil spray.

Place a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat.  Lightly spray the pan and add onions and bacon.  Cook, stirring, for 6-8 minutes, or until the onion is tender and the bacon is crisped.  Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool.

Combine the oats and milk in a medium mixing bowl and stir to mix.  Let the mixture stand for 3 minuets, or until the oats begin to osften.  Add the cooled onion and bacon mixture, the chicken,e gg whites, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and salt.  With a fork (or clean hands) mix the ingredients until combined.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread so the top is flat.  Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the top.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and no longer pink.  Let the loaf sit for 10 minutes before cutting into slices.

NOTE:  I think I’m going to let this one cook in my slow cooker on low all day.  I’ve done several other meatloaf recipes in there and I’m guessing it will be fine.

WW Points:  6 points per serving (2 slices), makes 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 (to lower the points value, I’m misting the pan with olive oil…points reported reflect this change)
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.

WW points:  4 per serving (6 servings total)

FRIDAY:  Baked Ziti (from The Biggest Loser Cookbook: Budget Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love)

Ingredients:
olive oil spray
1 box fiber-enriched ziti or penne pasta
1 15 ounce container fat free ricotta cheese
2 large egg whites
8 ounces (4 cups) finely shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
3 1/2 cups marinara sauce (low fat, low sugar, low sodium)
2 T grated, reduced-fat parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450.  Lightly mist a 13X9 glass baking dish with olive oil spray.  Cook the ziti according to the package directions until al dente and drain.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the ricotta, egg whites, and all but 1 cup of the mozzarella until well combined.  Add the garlic powder and season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes (I’m omitting this).  Stir in the cooked pasta until well combined.

Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared dish.  Add half of the pasta in an even layer over the sauce.  Top the pasta evenly with another 1 cup sauce.  Layer the remaining pasta over the sauce.  Spoon the remianing 1 1/2 cups sauce evenly over the top of the pasta, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and teh Parmesan over the top.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until the mozzarella is melted.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Cut into 8 pieces or spoon among 8 bowls and serve.

WW points: 9 points per serving (makes 8 servings)

SATURDAY:  Pizza (we’re going to try out Papa John’s whole wheat crust pizza, which is 7 points per slice)

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

Filed Under: Menu Planning Monday

31 Ways to Save in 2011: Six ways to "fund" your Amazon addiction!

January 3, 2011 by

Photobucket

If you’ve been reading my blog for long, then you know I have a bit of an Amazon addiction. I cringe when I hear people say that they have Amazon gift cards that they won’t use because “they can’t really find much on Amazon.”  Over the past year, I’ve bought all sorts of things our family “needs” ranging from diapers and Pull Ups to batteries, a booster seat, over the counter medication, toilet paper, laundry detergent, and razor blades along with some fun things like toys, movies, and books!  The best part is that I’ve spent very little out of pocket on these items because I’ve been able to pay for them using gift cards!

Here are some ideas for ways that you can earn gift cards to fund your Amazon addiction and stick to your budget, too!

1.  Change jar ~ Since we use cash only, last year, my husband and I decided to start a change jar where we would keep all of the change we earned from purchases.  We were very surprised that we accumulated almost $200 last year by doing this!  Part of it went to help pay for a family vacation we took last summer.  The rest of it was “cashed in” for Amazon gift cards to buy Christmas gifts.  When you visit a Coinstar machine, you have the option of “cashing out” but then you have to pay 9.8 cents per dollar. They also have an option where you can get “free coin counting” if you opt for a gift card or gift certificate instead. Amazon is one of the choices and the e-certificates you get for Amazon never expire! They also offer gift cards for Albertson’s, Borders, Cabela’s, CVS, Eddie Bauer, iTunes, JC Penney, Lowe’s, Old Navy, Overstock.com, Regal Entertainment Group, and Starbucks.  We’ve already started filling our change jar again this year and my husband got me a cool digital coin counting cup as a stocking stuffer.  I can’t wait to see how much money we save this way this year!

2.  E-Poll ~ Epoll.com is a survey site that I have been with for several years now.  The surveys are typically fairly easy and usually relate to TV shows.  I usually get 2-3 surveys each month.  You earn points for completing the surveys which can then be exchanged for gift cards to Amazon and a number of other retailers including Best Buy, Target, Home Depot, and Red Lobster.

MyPoints

3.  My Points – My Points is an easy way to earn gift cards for Amazon or a number of other retailers.  All you have to do is read the e-mails they send, print and redeem coupons, shop through links on their site, or submit Bzz Agent reports.

4.  My Survey ~ With My Survey, you earn points for completing surveys.  They will send you a short screener, which is usually worth 5-30 points and then, if you qualify for the actual survey, it is usually worth anywhere from 150-400 points.  I have also done product testing for them for everything from cleaning products to diapers.  You can “cash out” your points for a check (in $10 increments), merchandise, or gift cards.  Some of the gift cards that they offer are:  Amazon, Paypal, CVS, and Bath and Body Works.  They also offer gift cards for restaurants such as Applebee’s, Chili’s, and Cracker Barrel.

5.  Opinion Outpost ~ Opinion Outpost is a survey site.  They will send you links when you potentially qualify for a survey.  Complete the screener and if you qualify, you will be able to complete a longer survery and earn points. You earn points for completing surveys and for every 50 “opinion points” you earn, you can choose to cash out for a check, a $5 Amazon gift card, or a $5 Citibank pre-paid credit card.  I joined last March and earned $272 just for completing surveys throughout the year!  You can learn more about Opinion Outpost here.

6.  Swagbucks – Swagbucks is one of my favorite “rewards” sites.  You earn points just for searching the web, which is something you do are probably doing on a daily basis anyway!  You can find out more about Swagbucks here.

Also, check with your bank to find out if they offer rewards if you use your debit card.  We recently found out that we were earning points from our bank for using our debit card and one of the participating retailers that we can cash out for gift cards with is Amazon!

By doing these simple things, you’ll be well on your way to cutting your budget on household expenses or funding your 100% cash Christmas!

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

Filed Under: 100% cash Christmas, 31 ways to save in 2011 Tagged With: