If you missed out on the opportunity to print the Quiznos coupon that I posted about last week, it’s BACK! You can get a sub, chips, and a drink for just $2.99, which is a great price for Quiznos. Hurry and print yours! It will probably go quickly again!
Thrifty Thursday: Summer fun for kids on a budget!
June 10, 2010 by
Summer vacation has already started for many families and mine is just around the corner (only two more days to go). One of the big questions I’m hearing from a lot of people is “What can we do for free or cheap this summer?” I plan to post weekly ideas about the things I’m doing for free or cheap with my kids this summer, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
*Board games – My kids absolutely love it when we get to pull out the board games and we have a closet full of different ones that I try to rotate through so that they don’t get tired of playing the same thing over and over again (although for some reason they never seem to get tired of Candyland).
*Go Bowling ~ A number of bowling centers are offering two free games of bowling each day this summer. Adults can purchase a discount “family pass” so they can participate, too! Check out the list of participating free bowling centers here to see if there is one in your area (sadly, there is not one in mine)
*Build and indoor fort – Grab your pillows, blankets, and sheets, and get creative! If you need some ideas, here are some great articles:
Building an indoor fort (from families.com)
How to build an indoor fort (from Helium.com)
*Camping ~ August 14-15th you can get free entrance fees at more than 100 national parks. Check here for a list of additional free entrance days by state. Here’s a tip – many national parks never charge an entrance fee, so you can plan inexpensive visits year round!
Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.
*Crafts and other activities ~ Here are some websites with free or cheap ideas and printables:
–DTLK – this is one of the first “kid” sites I discovered when my daughter was about 2 and we were working on skills like coloring and learing the alphabet – they have lots of great printables and kid friendly craft ideas
–Enchanted Learning – lots of great printables and activity ideas for preschool-aged children and school-aged children
–FamilyFun.com – we subscribe to the magazine also, but you can get great kid craft ideas and kid friendly recipes online, too!
–Make and Takes – I subscribe to this blog and love getting my “daily fix” of craft ideas and kid friendly recipes!
–No Time for Flashcards – lots of great, affordable, ideas for kid fun!
*Websites where you can purchase craft packets or other activities for a reasonable price:
–1-2-3 Preschool Projects – Order a sample activity for free or order themed boxes or activities for the entire month. Prices for the activity packets and boxes are affordable, but they do kind of “get you” on shipping.
–ActivityBags.com – lots of great preschool activities and ideas for making bags and swapping them with your friends
–Oriental Trading Company – they have lots of great craft packets for preschoolers and school-aged kids. My daughter loves the “activities” I have gotten for her from here. Many of the activities come in “units” of 6-12 which means you can make things for family and friends or it provides a source of entertainment if you have a playdate. Don’t forget to order through Ebates to get 3% cash back (and a $5 bonus using this link if you haven’t signed up with them yet)
*Indoor picnic – instead of eating lunch at the table, spread out a blanket and have an indoor picnic. This breaks up the monotony and my kids love it!
*Movies ~ Check out this list of movie theaters that are offering free or cheap movies this summer
Do you have a budget friendly summer fun idea to share or another Thrifty Thursday tip? Feel free to link up below!
For more Thrifty Thursday ideas, check out Coupon Teacher, Madame Deals, and Life as a Mom.
Kroger deals for the week of 6/9
June 9, 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 Kroger ad this week wasn’t overly exciting. Here are a few highlights:
*Buy 2 Kellogg’s select cereals – 2/$5, get a FREE gallon of milk!
$1.50/3 Kellogg’s cereals – 5-16 RP, 5-23 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Special K cereals – 5-2 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats or Raisin brain – 6-6 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats, $1/3 Kellogg’s Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Pops, or Frosted Flakes, $1/2 Special K, $1.50/3 assorted Kellogg’s cereals printables
SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Kellogg’s cereals – 2/$5
Buy 1 milk
Use $1/2 Kellogg’s cereal printable
Spend $4 OOP
Buy the following items and a donation will be made to local food banks as a part of the “Bringing Hope to the Table promotion:
Lean Cuisine entrees – 3/$5
$1/1 Lean Cuisine Panini, Flatbread melt, or pizza printable
$1/2 Lean Cuisine printable
Final Price = $.66/each (if pizzas, paninis, and flatbread melts are included)
Dannon Yogurt – 2/$4
$1/1 Dannon Activia 4 pk – 6-6 SS, 5-2 SS
$1.50/1 Dannon Dan-o-Nino product – 6-6 SS
Final Price = $.50/each (for Dan-o-Nino)
DiGiorno or California Pizza Kitchen pizzas – $4.99
Dreyer’s ice cream – $2.77
$1/1 Nestle Drumstick sundae cones – 5-2 SS
$1/2 Edy’s Brand products – 5-23-10 Parade Magazine
$1/2 Edy’s Brand products – 5-16 SS
Keebler cookies and crackers – $1.99
$1/2 Keebler Snack Sticks crackers printable (must register)
Kraft cheese – $1.99
Quilted Northern bath tissue – $5.99
OTHER DEALS:
*California cherries – $1.88/lb (wow!)
*Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars – 2/$5
$1/1 Kellogg’s Nutrigrain bars printable (must register)
*Organic mini peeled carrots – $.88/bag
*Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Shaved lunchmeat – BOGO free (you can get 2 free if you have the “free” Kraft First Taste coupon)
$1/1 Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Shaved lunchmeat printable
*Philadelphia cream cheese – 4/$5
CRAZY MEAL DEAL: Buy Private Selection deli ribs get free Dole Caesar salad kit, 20 oz Kroger MMS macaroni & cheese or mashed potatoes, Gatorade sports drink, King’s Hawaiian rolls (4 ct), and a Kroger reusable bag (save $10.76 with your Kroger card)
Hot deals on Melissa & Doug toys!
June 9, 2010 by
There are some great sales on Melissa & Doug toys right now! Here’s a breakdown:
Beyond the Rack has a big sale on Melissa & Doug toys. You also get a $10 credit on your account when you sign up for the first time. Here are some of the items that you can get for free with a new account: (you do have to pay shipping). There are many other items that will still be a great deal after the $10 credit, too!
Alphabet Nesting & Stacking Blocks – $10 (free after the $10 credit)
Lacing Sneaker Game – $10 (we’re working on teaching my daughter to tie her shoes, so I’m getting this!)
Decorate your own vanity set – $10 (free after $10 credit)
Maggie Leigh Magnetic Dress-Up – $10 (free after the $10 credit)
Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle – $10 – free after the $10 credit(there is also a T-Rex floor puzzle, Giant Fire Truck floor puzzle, Pirate’s Bounty floor puzzle, and Traffic Jam floor puzzle)
Memory Game – $10 (free after $10 credit)
Totsy ~ Starting at 9 p.m. (EST) tonight (6/8), Totsy will have a sale on Melissa & Doug products with items marked down up to 70%!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for additional information.
Walgreens deals for the week of 6/6
June 8, 2010 by
Here are the Walgreens deals for the week. Some scenarios are mixed in with the match-ups. If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you read the FAQs at the end of the post! Sorry my deals are late this week. I’m wrapping things up at work and I had a hard time getting too excited about the deals this week.
FREEBIES:
Bayer aspirin (24-36 ct) – $.99 w/ in ad coupon
$1/1 Bayer printable (you must give this 1st!!)
Final Price = $.01 overage (you must have something to cover the overage)
Walgreens has a month long RR deal on Neutrogena sun and skin products: buy 3, get a $10 RR. The Neutrogena soaps are part of the deal and range in price from $2.69-$2.99 each.
Here’s the breakdown:
Buy 3 Neutrogena soaps – $2.69/each
Spend $8.07 OOP, get a $10 RR (it’s a $1.93 moneymaker!)
Here’s my plan:
Buy 3 Neutrogena soaps – $2.69/each
Use 3 $2.50 U by Kotex RRs
Spend $.57 OOP, get a $10 RR!
(Thanks Wild for Wags!)
RR DEALS:
Cascade dishwasher detergent – $3.99, get a $1 RR
Final Price = $2.99 after RR
Colgate 2 pack MaxFresh or MaxWhite toothbrush or Total Whitening toothpaste – 2/$10, get a $2 RR
$.75/1 Colgate adult or children’s toothbrush – 5-16 SS
$.75/1 Colgate adult or children’s toothbrush – 5-23 SS
$.50/1 Colgate toothpaste – 5-23 SS
$.75/1 Colgate MaxWhite toothpast printable
Final Price = $6.50 after coupons/RRs
Duracell Coppertop batteries – $5.99, get a $1 RR
Final Price = $4.99 after RR
Fixodent Denture Adhesive – $3.99, get a $1 RR
Final Price = $2.99 after RR
Gillette Fusion ProGlide Manual or Power razor system – $9.89, get a $5 RR (reportedly the gift sets are also working for this deal!) – this deal is also reportedly “rolling” meaning you can use one RR you earn to “roll” into the deal again!
$4/1 Gillette Fusion razor – 6-6 PG
Final Price = $.89 after coupons/RR
Gillette Venus razor system or 2-3 pack disposable razors – $8.99, get a $2 RR
$2/1 Gillette Venus razor coupon – 6-6 PG
Final Price = $4.99 after coupons/RR
Jergens Natural Glow – $7.99, get a $5 RR when you buy 2
$2/1 Jergens Natural glow moisturizer – 5-16 SS
Final Price = $6.98 after coupons/RR ($3.49each)
John Frieda hair care – 3/$15, get a $5 RR (this is a monthly deal valid through 6/26)
$3/1 John Frieda Root Awakening – 6-6 SS
Final Price = $1 after coupons/RR (if Root Awakening products are included)
Buy select Kellogg’s or Kashi cereal – 2/$5, get a $2 RR
$1.50/3 Kellogg’s cereals – 5-16 RP, 5-23 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Special K cereals – 5-2 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats or Raisin brain – 6-6 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats, $1/3 Kellogg’s Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Pops, or Frosted Flakes, $1/2 Special K, $1.50/3 assorted Kellogg’s cereals printables
$1.50/2 Kashi TLC cereal printable (must register)
Final Price = 1.50/$2 after coupons and RR (for Kashi)
Spend $10 on Kellogg’s NutriGrain or Special K bars or shakes, get a $2 RR: Special K protein bars or 4 pack shakes – $5, Special K or Nutri-Grain bars – 2/$5
$1/2 Kellogg’s Special K protein products printable
$1/2 Kellogg’s Special K protein products- 5-2 RP
$1/1 Kellogg’s Nutrigrain bars printable (must register, 2 prints per computer/account)
SCENARIO #1:
Buy 4 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars – $2.50/each
Use 4 $1/1 Nutrigrain printables
Spend $6 OOP, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $4 after coupons/RR
SCENARIO #2:
Buy 2 Kellogg’s Special K protein bars or shakes – $5/each
Use $1/2 printable coupon
Spend $9 OOP, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $7 after coupons/RR
M&Ms (9.9-12.6 oz) – $2.49, get a $.50 RR
Final Price = $1.99 after RR
Mars Minis – $2.49, get a $.50 RR
Final Price = $1.99 after RR
Natural Instincts Hair Color – $7.99, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $4.99 after RR
Nice ‘n Easy or Root Touch Up hair color – $6.99, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $3.99 after RR
Omeprazole acid reducer (42 ct) – $18.99, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $13.99 after RR
Spend $10 on these participating P&G products, get a $2 RR: Downy/Tide/Bounce laundry supplies – $3.99, Swiffer cloths/pads, dusters, Sweeper/Wet Jet starter kit, Wet Jet formula – 25% off, Febreze Air Effects/Fabric Refresher/Flameless Luminary/Noticeables/Soy candle/Reed Diffuse or Mr Clean Magic Eraser or Multi-surface – 25% off
*Assorted coupons available in 6-6 PG insert
Spend $25 on these participating P&G products, get a $10 RR: Old Spice and Gillette body wash and deodorant, Fusion ProGlide cartridges, and Gillette shave preps and skin care
Buy one Gillette antiperspirant/deodorant, get one body wash free – 5-16 RP
Buy one Gillette odor shield antiperspirant/deodorant, get one body wash free – 5-2 PG
$2/1 Gillette odor shield antiperspirant/deodorant – 5-16 RP
$3/1 Gillette clinical antiperspirant/deodorant – 5-16 RP
Buy one Old Spice body wash, get one free – 4-18 RP
Buy one Old Spice body wash or Fresh Collection antiperspirant/deodorant, get one free – 5-2 PG
Buy one Old Spice Fresh Collection antiperspirant/deodorant, get one body wash free – 5-2 PG
Buy one Old Spice Fresh Collection invisible solid, get one free – 4-18 RP
$1/2 Old Spice antiperspirant/deodorant
SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Gillette Odor Shield deodorant – $4.99
Buy 3 Gillette body wash – $4.49
Use 3 Buy One deodorant, get body wash free coupons
Use 3 $2/1 Gillette Odor shield coupons
Spend $8.97 OOP, get a $10 RR
Final Price = $1.03 moneymaker after RR and coupons
Pantene hair care – 2/$8, get a $2 RR
$1/2 Pantene – 6-6 PG
Final Price – 2/$5 after coupon/RR
Planters Nuts – $3.49, get a $1 RR (Peanuts – 20 oz, cashews – 11.1 oz, mixed nuts – 13.8 oz)
Final Price = $2.49 after RR
Prilosec OTC acid reducer (28 ct) – $18.99, get a $2 RR
$3/1 Prilosec OTC – 6-6 PG
Final Price = $13.99 after coupon/RR
FILLER ITEMS:
*Ajax cleanser – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Butterball chicken broth – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Mars candy – $.49/each (w/ in ad coupon)
*Ravinia knee highs – 4/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Ravinia pantyhose – $.69 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Tuf paper towels – $.59 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Van Camp’s pork and beans – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Walgreens candy (4-9.5 oz) – $.39/each (does not include chocolate varieties)
BOGO FREE DEALS:
*Blue Diamond almonds
*Finest Natural Vitamins and supplements
*Nature Made vitamins and supplements
*Joint health supplements
*No Nonsense pantyhose or socks
*One daily multivitamins
*Schiff supplements
*Theragran-M multivitamins
*Walgreens VItamin D or calcium
*Weight loss supplements
OTHER DEALS:
*Bic 3-8 pack disposable razors or Hybrid Advance disposable razors – $3.49 (w/ in ad coupon)
$3/1 Bic Hybrid advanced shaver, Comfort 3 Advance 4 pk, or Flex4 shaver 3 pack – 5-2 SS
$3/1 Bic Soleil disposable shaver – 5-2 SS
Final Price = $.49 after coupons
*Dawn dish liquid – $.99 (w/ in ad coupon)
$.25/1 Dawn Ultra – 6-6 PG
Final Price = $.74 after coupons
*Pampers wipes (64-72 ct) – $2/$5
$2/1 Pampers wipes – 6-6 PG insert
Final Price – $.50/each
*Mars candy – $.49/each with in ad coupon
$.75/2 M&Ms – 6-6 RP (this was regional)
Final Price = $.12/each (when you buy 2)
(Thanks Savings Addiction!)
The following scenarios are for those are just starting to shop at Walgreens and who have few, if any, RR to spend: (this is not the best week to get started) – $4.49 OOP for $8.49 in merchandise, $1 RR left to spend
TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 2 Kashi TLC cereals – 2/$5
Use $1.50/2 coupon
Spend $3 OOP, get a $2 RR
TRANSACTION #2:
Buy Planters nuts – $3.49
Use $2 Kashi RR
Spend $1.49 OOP, get a $1 RR
MY PLAN (I have 4 $2.50 RRs – from the U by Kotex, a $2 Ecotrin RR, and a $2 vitamins RR):
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide – $9.89
Buy 3 Neutrogena bars – $2.99
Buy 3 Butterball chicken broth – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
Use $4 Gillette Fusion coupon
Use all RRs
Spend $2.36 OOP, get a $5 RR and a $10 RR
Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item
*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 6 Neutrogena bars, you will only earn RR for the first 3)
*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 Neutrogena and use the RR from that to buy another one, your RR will not print. (*the exception to this so far this week is the Gillette razors)
*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. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (there are LOTS of great filler items this week – 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 1-888-8coupon, option 3
*Use the online form to contact them: Contact Catalina Marketing (when I have tried contacting them this way, my results have not been very good….your best bet is to call)
This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.
