Thrifty Thursday: The change jar update

One of the things that I decided to do in January was to start a “change jar.”  Since we use cash only, we end up with a lot of change.  In the past, I would just carry it around in my purse and put it toward purchases, but I decided I was going to start keeping it all in a jar.

Originally, my intent was to use that money for our Christmas savings, but by mid June, the jar was full and we had a family vacation coming up.  We had set aside some money for the vacation, but we had decided to add an extra day to our trip and we wanted to make sure that we could have fun and that we weren’t counting every dollar, so we decided to cash in the change jar.

I asked my husband how much he thought we had accumulated over the past five months and his guess was $30.  My guess was $60.  We were both surprised to find out that just by throwing our change in the jar over a five month period, we had accrued $98!  We ended up coming home from that trip with $100 in cash, and we ended up getting our hotel stay for free after I contacted the corporate office about a number of issues that we encountered during our stay, so we ended up having some extra money for another little getaway, which we took last weekend.

We have since started filling the jar again and it’s now about 1/4 full.  I think after that experience, we are more motivated than ever.  The moral of the story is that every penny (and nickel, dime, and quarter) really does count and add up!

What are you doing to save for a cash Christmas this year?  Check out some of my other ideas for saving toward a cash Christmas here.

Do you have another Thrifty Thursday tip to share?  Feel free to link up below!

For more Thrifty Thursday ideas, check out Coupon Teacher, Madame Deals, and Life as a Mom.

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

Save 20% off your entire purchase during the Disney Friends & Family Sale

The Disney Friends & Family sale starts today! You can save 20% off your entire purchase in store with this printable coupon here and 20% off your entire online purchase when you enter the code DISNEYFAN at check-out.  If you are shopping online, you will get an additional 5% cash back when you shop through Shop at Home.

This promotion is valid through Sunday, 7/25/10.

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

Save 25% on kids & baby back to school clothes at Gap!

Save an additional 25% on kids and baby back to school gear at Gap when you enter the code GAPBTS25 at check-out. Reportedly, VISAKIDS1 will give you an additional 20% off if you are paying with a Visa card.  Plus, get free shipping on orders of $50 or more when you enter the code GAPFSJULY at check-out. These codes can be combined.  Get an additional 4% cash back when you shop through Shop at Home.

This offer is valid through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 25th and does not include kids and baby sleepwear, backpacks (I thought that was a little bit interesting since a backpack seems like back to school gear to me), and baby’s first favorite styles.

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

Old Navy: Teachers and students get 25% off their entire purchase 7/23-7/25!

Starting Friday, July 23rd, Old Navy is offering 25% off your entire purchase for teachers and students.  According to their Facebook page, “students” applies to middle, high school, and college students and they must show a student ID to take advantage of this promotion.  If you are a teacher, you just need to show your teacher ID or pay stub.

Even if you’re not a teacher or student, there are still plenty of great deals.  Many Old Navy stores are offering an additional 50% off clearanced items (call your store to find out if they are participating).  You can also print various coupons for in store use ($5/50, $10/50, $15/75) by digging for Barker’s Bones here.

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

Kroger deals for the week of 7/21-7/27

Don’t forget to load your coupons to your Kroger card:
Cellfire
Kroger

P&G Esaver
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!

Kroger has a new “Summer of Savings” instant win game – spin the wheel for a chance to win over 150,000 prizes (you must register to participate) Even if you won before, it re-set on 7/4, so you can play again!

**There is a coupon for a $25 Kroger rewards credit with any transferred prescription in this week’s ad!

Kroger is having a “Mega Sale” event 7/14-7/27 – buy 10 participating items using your Kroger Plus card and get an instant $5 off.  Here are the highlights: (prices listed below reflect the instant $5 discount)

Advil pain relief – $2.50/each (after instant discount)
$1/1 Advil – 6-13 RP
$2/1 Advil PM (16 ct) -5-23 RP
$1/1 Advil or $2/1 Advil PM printable
Final Price = $.50-$1.50 (if Advil PM is included)

Bar S meat franks – $.89/each (after instant discount)
$1/2 Bar S products printable (must register)
Final Price = $.39/each after coupon (when you buy 2)

Breyer’s ice cream – $1.97/each after instant discount
$.75/2 Breyer’s ice cream – 6-27 SS
Final Price – $1.59/each after coupon (when you buy 2)

Colgate Total or Aquafresh toothpaste – $2/each (after instant discount)
$.75/1 Colgate Total printable
$1/1 Colgate Total – 7-11 SS
$1/1 Aquafresh printable (must register)
Final Price = $1/each after coupon

Colgate toothpaste – $1.50/each (after instant discount)
$.35/1 Colgate toothpaste – 6-27 SS (should triple)
Final Price = $.45 after coupon

Dannon yogurt – $1.79/each (after instant discount)
$.75/1 Dannon Dan-o-nino yogurt printable (this is included in the sale)
$1/2 Dannon product – 6-6 SS
Final Price = $.54/each after coupons and catalina offer below (when you buy 4)

There is a catalina deal that matches up with this offer: (for Dan-o-nino 6 packs)
Buy 2, get $1 OYNO
Buy 3, get $1.50 OYNO
Buy 4+, get $2 OYNO
(valid 7/12-8/8/10)

DelMonte Fruit – $1.49/each (after instant discount)

Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, or Pepsi 2 liters – $.79/each (after instant discount)

Domino granulated sugar – $1.99/each – 4 lb bag (after instant discount)
$.35/1 Domino sugar printable (should triple)
Final Price = $.94/each after coupon

Dove or Degree deodorant – $1.50/each (after instant discount)
$1/1 Degree deodorant printable
$.75/1 Dove Ultimate antiperspirant/deodorant – 6-27 RP
Final Price = .50/each after coupon

Energizer batteries – $2.50/each (after instant discount)
$1/1 Energizer batteries – 6-13 SS
Final Price = $1.50/each after coupon

(**Buy 3 specially marked Energizer batteries, get a $10 iTunes gift card)

Excedrin pain relief – $6.50/each (after instant discount)
$1.50/1 Excedrin product 80+ ct – 7-11 SS
$2/1 Excedrin loadable on Kroger.com
Final Price = $3 after coupons

Florida’s Natural orange juice – $2.27/each (after instant discount)

Gatorade sports drink – $.50/each (after instant discount)

Ghiradelli brownie mix or Krusteaz muffin mix – $1.49/each (after instant discount)

Glaceau Vitamin water – $.75/each (after instant discount)

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers – $1.49/each (after instant discount)
$.50/1 Green Giant frozen vegetables, any printable (should double)
Final Price = $.49/each after coupon

Handi Foil foilware – $1/each (after instant discount)

Hunt’s tomatoes – $.45/each (after instant discount)

Irish Spring bar soap – $1/each (after instant discount)

Jell-O pudding or gelatin – $1.99/each (after instant discount)
$1/1 Jell-O gelatin, mousse, or pudding refrigerated snacks – 6-20 SS (expires 7/20)
Final Price = $.99 after coupon

Keebler Town House crackers or Snyder’s pretzels – $1.99/each (after instant discount)
$1/2 Snyder’s pretzels – 5-23 SS
$1/2 Keebler Town House crackers – 6-6 RP
Final Price = $1.49/each after coupon (when you buy 2)

Keebler Fudge Shoppe cookies or Wheatables – $1.49/each (after instant discount)

Kellogg’s Rice Krispie treats – $1.49/each (after instant discount)

Kotex maxi pads – $2.50/each (after instant discount)

Kraft cheese (bars or shreds) – $1.88/each (after instant discount)

There is a catalina deal that matches up with this:

Buy 5+ Kraft cheese & dairy products between 7/19 and 8/15, get $5 OYNO

Kraft Easy mac – $.50/each (after instant discount)

Kraft Miracle Whip dressing or mayonnaise – $1.69/each (after instant discount)
$1.50/2 Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise – 6-20 SS
Final Price = $.94/each after coupon

Lean Cuisine or Stouffer’s entrees – $1.88/each (after instant discount)
$1/3 loadable on shortcuts.com
$1/5 Lean Cuisine product – 5-2 SS
Final price =  $.88 after coupons and catalina offer (see details below) when you buy 5

*There is a catalina deal that matches up with this:
Buy 5-7, get $3 OYNO
Buy 8+, get $4 OYNO
(valid 7/12-8/8/10)

Listerine mouthwash – $2.50/each (after instant discount)
$.50/1 Listerine mouthwash – 4-11 RP, 3-7 RP (should double)
Final Price = $1.50/each after coupon

L’Oreal Vive Pro shampoo – $2/each (after instant discount)
$1/1 L’Oreal Vive Pro shampoo – 6-20 RP
Final Price = $1/each

Monster or AMP energy drinks – $1/each (after instant discount)

Nabisco Chips Ahoy, Nilla wafers or 100 calorie packs – $1.99/each (after instant discount)

Ore Ida potatoes – $2.29/each (after instant discount)

Oscar Mayer Angus beef franks – $2.49/each (after instant discount)

Oscar Mayer Deli Creations – $1.99
$1/1 Oscar Mayer Deli Creations printable
Final Price = $.99 each after coupon

Oscar Mayer lunchmeat – $2.49

Oscar Mayer wallet pack lunchmeat – $2.49/each

Philadelphia Cream Cheese – $.99/each (after instant discount)
$1/1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese printable (must register)

Final Price = free after coupon!

Q-tips – $1.50/each (after instant discount)
$.30/1 Q-tips cotton swabs – 5-23 RP (should triple)
$60/1 Q-tips printable (must register)
Final Price = $.60 after coupon

Quaker chewy granola bars – $1.49/each (after instant discount)

Quaker Cap’n Crunch – $2.19/each after instant discount
$.50/1 Cap’n Crunch cereal – 5-16 RP (should double)
$1/2 Cap’n Crunch cereal – 5-16 RP
Final Price = $1.19 after coupon

Palmolive dish detergent – $1.49/each
$.25/1 Palmolive printable (should triple)
Final Price = .74/each after coupon

Pillsbury Toaster Strudels – $1.49/each (after instant discount)
$.55/2 Pillsbury Toaster strudel pastries – 5-16 SS
Final Price = $1.21 after coupon

Rice a Roni or Pasta Roni – $.79/each after instant discount

Softsoap liquid hand soap – $1/each (after instant discount)

Speed Stick deodorant – $1/each (after instant discount)

Stayfree maxi pads – $2/each (after instant discount)
BOGO free Stayfree – 6-27 RP
$1/1 Stayfree printable (must register)
Final Price = as low as $.50/each (when you buy 2) after coupons

Tombstone pizza – $2.49/each after instant discount
$2/1 Tombstone pizza printable (for becoming a fan on Facebook)
Final Price = $.49/each after coupon

Tostito’s tortilla chips – $2.25/each (after instant discount)

Totino’s pizza rolls – $2.49/each (after instant discount)
$1/2 Totino’s product printable
$.50/2 Totino’s product printable (should double)
Final Price = $1.99 after coupon

Tyson chicken – $3.99/each (after instant discount)

Welch’s 100% grape juice – $2.49/each (after instant discount)
$1/1 Welch’s printable
Final Price = $1.49 after coupon

Wishbone salad dressing – $1.49/each (after instant discount)
$.50/1 Wishbone salad dressing printable (should double)
Final Price = $.49 after coupon

OTHER DEALS:
*Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – $1.88/lb
*Kroger cheese (bars or shredded) – 2/$3
*Kroger cottage cheese, sour cream, or dip – 10/$10
*Peaches, plums, or nectarines – $.88/lb

Oral B Indicator toothbrushes – 10/$10
$2/2 Oral B Indicator toothbrushes – 7-4 PG
Final Price = FREE when you buy 2

CRAZY MEAL DEA:  Buy one of each: John Soules beef or chicken strips (8 oz) and Dole Caesar salad kit, get these items FREE:  Kroger bacon bites or pieces, Kroger homestyle croutons, Ocean Spray Craisins, Kroger Reusable bag, and french baguette

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