Hobby Lobby Week of November 30th

Hobby Lobby has all the best stuff on sale this week!

50% off in the following categories:

Framing

Scrapbooking

Christmas

Floral

Jewelry Making

Check out the ad here and get your 40% off coupon here.

Getting Started (Week of November 30)

I will be attempting a weekly post dedicated to those people who are just starting out on their frugal journey. For those who don't have a binder full of coupons, a stash of ECB's or RR's, or a real history of using coupons.

Using only this current week's coupons and available printables, here are the best deals of the week:

CVS

Reading this first might help.

Duracell Batteries 8-pk AA or AAA, 4-pk C or D, 2-pk 9-volt
Sale Price $5.99
Earns $2 ECB's
LIMIT 5
Available Coupons:
.75 Manufacturer's Coupon from Procter & Gamble insert
$5 off 2 tearpad at CVS

Duracell Scenario:
Buy 2
$11.98
-.75 MQ
-.75 MQ
-$5 CVS Q
Pay $5.48
Earn $4 ECB's

All Roc Skincare is $4 off regular price
Available coupon:
$3 off printable

Extreme Energy 2-pk, 4 oz. total
$4.99
Earns $4.99 ECB's
LIMIT 1

Progresso Soup 18.5-19 oz. can
Buy One Get One Free
$3.19
Available Coupons:
$1.10 printable (use two)
$1 off 2 printable

Buy $15 worth of Gillette Venus/Fusion razors or cartridges, earn $5 ECB's.
LIMIT 1
Available coupon:
$4 off Gillette Fusion Razor Manufacturer's Coupon from Procter & Gamble insert

Clairol Nice & Easy hair color
$4.95 Sale Price
Available coupon:
$1 Manufacturer's Coupon from Procter & Gamble insert

Walgreens:

First, read this.

Next, print this coupon for $5 off $25 purchase, good only December 1st-2nd.

Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent
Buy one for $6.99, get one for .01
Available coupons:
Must use in-ad coupon for sale price
$1 printable here (click on "Get Coupons", then print twice and use both)

All Free & Clear Laundry Detergent
$1.79 Sale Price
Available coupons:
Must use in-ad coupon for sale price
$1 printable here (print twice for scenario below)

Excedrin Express Gels 40 ct.
$5 Sale Price
Earns $8 RR's when you buy 3
Available coupons:
$2 printable here
Check your local grocery store for $2 blinkies

Reach Ultra Clean Dental Care
$3 Sale Price
Earns $6 RR's when you buy two

Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste
$2.99 Sale Price
Earns $2 RR's

Scenario:
2 Arm & Hammer Detergents
(Use 2 $1 coupons & in-ad coupon)
2 All Free & Clear Detergent
(Use 2 $1 coupon & in-ad coupon)
3 Excedrin Express Gels 40 ct
(Use 3 $2 coupons)
2 Reach Ultra Clean Dental Care products
1 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste
1 candy bar or other item that costs at least 43 cents

This will make your pre-tax total $25+
Then use your $5 off $25 coupon
Pay $20 plus tax
Earn $16 RR's good toward your next purchase

Wal-Mart

Gillette Fusion Razor
***Look for the package with a cardboard backing, not the large plastic blister pack. I found these on a clip strip toward the back of the shaving aisle.***
$4.94
Available Coupon:
$4 Manufacturer's Coupon from Procter & Gamble insert

Please let me know if you see any other great deals based on this week's coupon inserts and currently available printable coupons.

She's a Rock Star!

I just want to send a shout-out to a ROCK STAR bloggy friend, Tosha at Savings Makes Cents. When I was prepping for all my FREE goodies at CVS this weekend, I realized that I didn't have several of the money making coupons that other regions had. I sent Tosha an e-mail asking if she had any extras. Like lightning, she popped them in the mail! How awesome is that?!?!

I didn't have time to take a picture of them because I went straight from my mailbox to CVS! LOL!

Thanks Tosha!

A Few Local Grocery Deals

The Kroger on Lakeland Drive at Dogwood has marked their Honeysuckle White Turkeys to 39 cents per pound.

That same Kroger also has grape Pedialyte on Manager's Special for $1.19. This is an AWESOME deal for Pedialyte--admit it, you only buy the stuff when you really need it and you run to the closest store and pay WAY TOO MUCH! This is regularly priced at $4.99 and doesn't expire until October 2010.

The Kroger at Spillway Road has organic eggs for 99 cents and $1.99 depending on the variety. There are sell by November 30.

Coupon Preview for November 30

Only 1 insert this Sunday. A Procter & Gamble. Pretty much the same coupons they always put out, but all the old P&G coupons expire tomorrow.

There's the usual $4 off Gillette Fusion razor. If you're not into playing the drugstore game, look at Wal-Mart for a Fusion razor with simple cardboard backing package rather than the large plastic blister pack. I found them at the back of the shaving aisle on a clip strip for $4.94. Minus the coupon, you've got a high-quality razor (or an extra cartridge for the Fusion razor most of us already have) for 94 cents!

The cheapest place to get a local paper is Wal-Mart for $1.29.

CVS 3-Day Sale--I Can't Get Enough!

After going to bed at 4am, I decided not to set an alarm as I had originally planned to make another CVS trip to a non-24-hour store. But when my Bebe Girl was perky at 8:30, I scooped her up and headed out.



I found the Bic Soliel Razors, got another Schick Quattro Titanium razor (The LIMIT on these is actually 2!), and got one of the Right Guard Professional Strength Deodorants.

I spent $1.35 OOP. I now have $19.99 ECB's.

Now I'm going to relax and enjoy some delicious holiday food! Happy THANKSGIVING!!!

CVS 3-Day Sale Addendum

It's 3am, and I just got home from our local 24-hour CVS! I got everything on the FREEBIE list except for the Bic Soliel Razors. I also got two toys (not pictured--I had to hide them!) that were BUY ONE GET ONE FREE.

I did four (!) transactions. I really don't like doing so many, but the store was pretty empty and the cashier was fabulous!

I started out with $25.48 ECB's.

Transaction #1

I spent $1.43 OOP

Transaction #2

I spent $2.93 OOP

Transaction #3

I spent nothing

Transaction #4

I spent 29 cents

The Maybelline ECB didn't print, so the cashier (who was also the Assistant Manager) chose to do a cash refund. He gave me $8.99 plus tax ($9.62).

I still have $17.97 ECB's.

I have updated my prior post to reflect UNADVERTISED LIMITS on a few items.

He's a Smart Boy

My husband called me to my sons' room this morning and said, "Look what your son spelled on his magnet board."

I was afraid he'd learned some dirty word, but, to my amazement, I found this:

I was so proud!

CVS 3-Day Sale

CVS has a rockin' good sale for Thanksgiving. Sale starts tonight at Midnight at 24 hour stores (Brandon by I-20 or Canton Mart by I-55 for the locals) or at 7 am for other stores. I think you can get these deals online, too, at CVS.com. You can also view the ad there.

Here are the FREE after ECB's and coupons deals:

Schick Quattro Razor or Trimmer
$7.99
Use this $2 printable coupon
OR
Use $4 off coupon found in December All You Magazine
Pay $5.99 or $3.99
Earns $6 ECB's
LIMIT 2

Playtex Gentle Glide or Sport Tampons 16-18 ct.
$3.99
Use this $1 printable coupon
Pay $2.99
Earns $3 ECB's
LIMIT 2

5-Hour Energy Extra Strength 2 pk., 4 oz total
$3.99
No coupon
Pay $3.99
Earns $3.99 ECB's
LIMIT 1

Aussie shampoo or conditioner 13.5 oz. or styler 6-14 oz.
$2.99
Use $1 off coupon from 10/12 Procter & Gamble insert
Pay $1.99
Earns $2.99 ECB's
LIMIT 2

Bic Soleil Single Razor with 2 cartridges and shower holder
$5.99
Use $3 off coupon from 11/2 SmartSource Insert (My region did not receive)
Pay $2.99
Earns $5.99 ECB's
LIMIT 2

Colgate Total Advanced Clean, Advanced Fresh or Advanced Whitening 4 oz
$2.99
Use this $1.50 Printable Coupon
OR
Use this $1.50 Printable Coupon
OR
Use $1 coupon from 11/2 or 11/16 SmartSource Inserts
Pay $1.49-$1.99
Earns $2.99 ECB's
LIMIT 2

CoverGirl Smoothers liquid makeup
$7.99
Use $1 coupon from 10/12 or 11/2 Procter & Gamble Insert (My region did not receive)
Pay $6.99
Earns $7.99 ECB's
LIMIT 1

CoverGirl Smoothers pressed powder
$5.99
Use $1 coupon from 10/12 or 11/2 Procter & Gamble Insert (My region did not receive)
Pay $4.99
Earns $5.99 ECB's
LIMIT 1

Garnier Nutritioniste cleansing towelettes 25 ct.
$5.99
Use $1 coupon from 8/24, 9/14, or 11/9 Red Plum inserts (My region did not receive)
Pay $4.99
Earns $5.99 ECB's
LIMIT 1

Gatorade G2 20 oz, assorted types
$1.49
Check your local gas station cooler for coupons
Pay $1.49 or less
Earns $1.49 ECB's
LIMIT 3

Hershey’s King size milk chocolate, with almonds, Reese’s, Cookies’n Creme or Kit Kat 2.6-3.0 oz $1
No coupon
Pay $1
Earns $1 ECB's
LIMIT 1

Johnson’s Softlotion 11 or 14 oz.
$5.69
Use this $1 printable coupon
Pay $4.69
Earns $5.69 ECB's
LIMIT 1

L’Oreal Colour JuiceSheer lip gloss
$6.99
Use this $1 printable coupon (You must register)
OR
Use $1 coupon from 11/2 Red Plum Insert
Pay $5.99
Earns $6.99 ECB's
LIMIT 2

Magnavox Universal Remote or Philips Headphones
$6.99
No coupon
Pay $6.99
Earns $6.99 ECB's
LIMIT 2

Maybelline Mineral Power liquid foundation
$8.99
Use $2 coupon from 9/21 Red Plum insert (My region did not receive)
OR
Use $3 coupon from 10/26 Red Plum Insert (My region did not receive)
Pay $5.99
Earns $8.99 ECB's
LIMIT 1

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth plus Nourishing nail color
$3.79
No coupon
Pay $3.49
Earns $3.49 ECB's
LIMIT 1

This is a good deal on deodorant:

Soft & Dri Pulse or Right Guard Sport
99 cents
Use 55 cent peelies on package
Pay 44 cents
Earns No ECB's

There are lots of BUY ONE GET ONE FREE deals including toys and tons of other ECB's deals.

Happy shopping!

REDBOX Code for November 24

It's movie night!

REDBOX is a DVD rental machine. You can rent movies for $1 per day per DVD.

On Mondays, however, they release a code for a FREE rental.

Tonight's code is: 2MNC92

You must swipe a credit card for authorization, but it won't actually charge. The code is only good for 1 night. You can use the code once per credit card.

Show & Tell: November 19

Back to CVS and two more transactions:

Transaction #1

There were two candy bars, but they never make it into the picture...

$1.39

Crest Pro-Health Whitening Toothpaste 4.2 oz.

$3.49

No coupon

Earns $3.49 ECB's

Glade Scented Oil Refill 1-pack

$3.99

Glade Scented Oil Refill 3-pack

$7.99

(2) Glade Scented Oil Warmer

$7.99 each

Used (2) coupons "Buy Refill Get Warmer Free"

Details on Glade Deal:

The warmers were not in the ad for the Glade deal, but they were included. Even thought they were free for me, they went toward my total. I spent $27.96 on Glade, I got $10 ECB's for the $20, and the $7.96 is available if I buy more Glade. The total compiles from transaction to transaction, so my overage on this Glade purchase goes toward my next Glade purchase. Also, the 3-pack had a sticker that stated "Get $3 ECB's for purchasing this item". The ECB's didn't print, but the store gave me cash back.

Used $5/$25 coupon from previous receipt

Used $5 and $6.86 ECB's

Paid $1.12 OOP

Earned $13.49 ECB's

Got $3.21 Cash Back

Transaction #2

Glade Candle

$2.50 Sale Price

No coupon

Earned $5 ECB for fulfilling the rest of the Glade deal

Rightguard Deodorant

$2.99 Sale Price

Used 55 cent peelie

Earned $2 ECB

CVS Purse Tissues
50 cents

Duracell Power Pix 4-pack
$5.99 Sale Price
Used $1 peelie

Duracell Rechargeables 4-pack
$12.99 Sale Price
Earned $15 ECB for Duracell Deal
(I had a small balance remaining from a previous transaction.)

Used $5/$25 coupon from previous receipt
Used $15 & $3.42 ECB's

Paid 11 cents OOP
Earned $22 ECB's

JCPenney Coupon

This coupon is good for $10 off a $25 purchase. Valid now through Wednesday November 26th.

Kroger Coupons

My Fancy Schmancy New Kroger (on Spillway Road) has some new tearpads in the foyer. There's about a dozen or so. They are store coupons good until November 27th.

Here are a few that I nabbed:

50 cents off Kroger 64 oz. Orange Juice
50 cents off kroger 24 oz. Shredded or Bar Cheese
50 cents off Big K 24-pack 12 oz. soft drinks
50 cents off Kroger 16 oz. cocktail smokies
$2 off Cedar Hollow Spiral Ham

Each says:

Limit one coupon per customer per visit. Subject to applicable taxes. Coupon valid Nov. 8-Nov. 27, 2008. Coupon not to be doubled. Coupon is non-transferable. Duplication is prohibited.

My Coupon Organizer (Part 2)

A lot of you have inquired about where my coupon binder and pages came from.

Good news: My binder was only $3.74.

Bad news: It was a clearance item at CVS after school started this year.

You won't be able to find my specific binder, but I found a similar one at Wal-Mart for $9.96. It has pockets on the outside for small scissors or a calculator.

The expandable file is inside. I really like mine being on the outside, but this binder still seems very useful.

The sleeves I use for my coupons are actually photo album pages. They are made to hold 5x7 size photos and they have two pockets per page. It is $1.96 for 10 pages. My binder has 25 pages.

My categories are in order of how I shop at my most frequently shopped store (I printed the categories from my computer onto cardstock and cut them to size). Map out the aisles of your favorite store and write down the categories you find works best for your coupons.

I just used regular sheet protectors at the back of my binder for restaurant coupons, retail stores' coupons, and rebate forms.

I didn't run out and buy this when I first started couponing. I made my small check file work until it wouldn't even close. I used an empty 12x12 scrapbook. Then I used an old 3-ring binder and regular 8.5"x11" sheet protectors that I already had. This gave me ideas about what worked for me and what didn't (I knew I didn't want to use the trading card pages I'd read about). Then I patiently searched for just the right system. Also, I felt better about waiting until I had saved a substantial amount of money using coupons.

One thing I read about on someone else's blog (I can't remember whose :(...) was to have a category for "HOT!" coupons. Items that will be FREE, super cheap, or that you really love can go into this category. I haven't used this yet, but I thought it was a cool idea.

I have envelopes for each store that I keep in the expandable file with the ads. If I get a store coupon or a coupon that I know I want to use at a specific store, I just put it in the correct envelope. These also hold my savings cards, ECB's, and RR's.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Coupon Preview for November 23

It is a very slow coupon week. Just one SmartSource insert and nothing special to mention inside.

A slow clipping week means this would be a great time to get all your coupons gathered and organized. Throw out your expireds and get things sorted to get ready for BLACK FRIDAY!

You can see the full preview at The Coupon Clippers (Click on Tracker).

A Special Edition 100th Post!

In honor of my 100th post, I wanted to make a list of things that couponing has done for me (both good & bad!):

• Saved me money
• Made me money
• Completely skewed my ideas about what I should have to pay for basic items ($1 for toilet paper? R U crazy!?!)
• Allowed me to try new products
• Made me prettier (free makeup and high quality facial products!)
• Intrigued my husband
• Taken up most a lot of my time
• Made me new friends
• Provided FREE clothes for my children
• Given me a new area of ministry
• Filled my pantry and my "stockpile" closet
• Supplied me with more Glade than any woman could ever use :D
• Impressed shoppers in line behind me
• Aggravated shopers in line behind me
• Made me feel like I can contribute to my family's budget without an "income"
• Addicted me to deals
• Made CVSing an adventure
• Given my minivan more use running to and from stores
• Dirtied my house (I've been out of the house and websurfing too much to clean! LOL!)
• Provided Christmas presents for my kids (from CVS and Walgreens? Yes.)
• Eliminated 75% of my time in Wal-Mart
• Allowed me to watch movies for FREE

On one of my first trips to CVS, my husband stayed in the car with the kids while I went inside. I came back out and gave the boys a bag of M&M's to share.

DH: "Isn't this coupon thing supposed to be about saving money?"

Me: "Yeah, but when your balance is negative, they can't give you cash back."

He's never questioned another purchase, and I can't figure out if that sheepish grin he gives the Kroger cashier is pride or embarrassment. Maybe a little of both, but he always repeats my total a few times on the way to the car.

"56 cents! 56 cents? 56 cents."

Another funny story:

We picked my husband up from work, and he begins asking the boys what they did that day and where we went. My oldest tells him we went to CVS and Walgreens. My husband asks him how many CVS's we went to. My son replied,"I don't know. There were just so many!" ROTFL!

In closing, I want to say that I hope all of you enjoy this blog and that I can help each of you in some way. I also hope you realize that I may not always post every great deal or shopping trip. I'm just another Mommy managing, and my family has to come first. Also, I never intended this to be just a "frugal" blog, and I plan on posting about other things as time allows.

Thank you for your readership!

Show & Tell: November 17

CVS

This is a GREAT week at CVS. So far, I’ve done three transactions.

Transaction #1:

L’Oreal Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Tinted Moisturizer
$15.99 Sale Price
Used $1 off L’Oreal Moisturizer
Earns $15.99 ECB

Zantrex 3 Energy Shot 2-pack
$4.99
No coupon
Earns $4.99 ECB

(2) Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste
$3.49 each
Used (2) $1 off Crest
Earns $3.49 ECB each

Also used $5/$25 CVS coupon (from previous receipt)
Used $10.59 ECB’s

$2.76 OOP
$27.96 ECB’s earned

Transaction #2:

Duracell AA 16-pk
$9.99
Used .75 coupon

Duracell AAA 16-pk
$9.99
Used .75 coupon

Duracell AA Power Pix 4-pk
$5.99
Used $1 peelie on pack

Also used $5/$25 CVS coupon (from previous receipt)
Used $15.99 ECB’s

$2.83 OOP
$15 ECB earned for purchasing $20 of Duracell products

Transaction #3:

Duracell AA 16-pk
$9.99
Used .75 coupon

Duracell AA Power Pix 4-pk
$5.99
Used $1 peelie on pack

(4) Glade Glass Scents
$2.50 each
Used (2) B1G1 Free coupons

Hershey Bar
.50
No coupon, just cravings and fillers

Also used $5/$25 CVS coupon (from previous receipt)
Used $15 ECB’s

.18 OOP
$15 ECB earned for purchasing $20 of Duracell products

Couple of additional notes:

If you’re a local looking for the Crest Pro-Health Whitening Toothpaste (4.2 oz.), the Pear Orchard Road location still had a bunch on an end cap yesterday. The limit on this is rumored to be 4 even though the Monthly Value Book states 2. I have bought two, and my receipt still shows I’m eligible for more.

The Glade and Duracell deals compile totals from transaction to transaction. This helps if one store has half of what you need and another store has the rest. Check your receipt for your balance.

Walgreens

We totally won't use this, but it was a $9 moneymaker.

Just For Men Hair Color
$6.99
Used $2 printable
Earned $7 RR

Used $4.57 Gift Card
.91 OOP

Will get back rebate here

REDBOX Code for November 17

It's movie night!

REDBOX is a DVD rental machine. You can rent movies for $1 per day per DVD.

On Mondays, however, they release a code for a FREE rental.

Tonight's code is: 57DRW3

You must swipe a credit card for authorization, but it won't actually charge. The code is only good for 1 night. You can use the code once per credit card.

Coupon Preview for November 16

Looks like a pretty darn good coupon week! There are only 2 inserts, but they are JAMPACKED with great coupons!

There are even a bunch that coordinate with Kroger's Mega Event, like Betty Crocker, Quaker, and Scothbrite.

Check out the full preview at Taylortown or at The Coupon Clippers (Click on Tracker).

My First Coupon Class

I taught a "mini-workshop" at a women's holiday event at my church tonight.

It went well, and I hope the ladies enjoyed attending.

I hope this is something I can do again--but I hope I have more than 20 mintues to teach next time. That's not nearly enough time to share all the deals!

Sidebar Coupons

There are a couple of GREAT coupons available right now from my coupons.com sidebar.

$5/$20 purchase at Walgreens: If you haven't purchased this month's Free after rebate items, this is a great chance.

$1 off any box of Kellogg's cereal 10 oz. or larger: Use these at CVS this week to get cereal for $1 (Less if you have $/$$ coupons!)

I've Never Been So Happy To Be So Wrong!

Brookshire's is still TRIPLING coupons up to and inlcuding 60 cents!!! YAY!

They hid it deep on page four, and it was written in black & white versus the usual red.

I'm a bad blogger for missing it, but I'm a happy blogger for finding it!

Ad workup with coupon matches coming soon!

Sacrilige!

I was checking out at the U-scan at Kroger yesterday. Guess what I saw in the garbage? Two "$1 off your next order" coupons!!! I can possibly understand throwing away a coupon you don't think you'll use--but these were FREE MONEY!!! Yes, I took them out of the trash. Stop giving me that funny look.

REDBOX Code for November 10

It's movie night!

REDBOX is a DVD rental machine. You can rent movies for $1 per day per DVD.

On Mondays, however, they release a code for a FREE rental.

Tonight's code is: LK43CE

You must swipe a credit card for authorization, but it won't actually charge. The code is only good for 1 night. You can use the code once per credit card.

Find a location near you.

Hobby Lobby Week of November 9

If you need to stock up Christmas goodies, now is a good time at Hobby Lobby:

30% off Christmas Trees

40% off Christmas Crafts

50% off Christmas Decor

You can also find a lot of gifts there:

50% off Home Decor

McCall's patterns are on sale for 99 cents (LIMIT 10).

Don't forget to print this coupon for 40% off any non-sale item. (One per customer per visit.)

Sunday & Monday Only Deals @ CVS (Nov 9 & 10)

CVS has a couple of two-day deals good Sunday & Monday only:

L'Oreal Advanced Revitalife Anti-Wrinkle Serum
$11.99
Earns $11.99 ECB's
Use $1 coupon from 10/19 SmartSource Insert
PROFIT: $1
Limit 1

St. Ives Body Wash
$3.99
Earns $3 ECB's
Use $2 off Printable Coupon
PROFIT: $1.01
Limit 4

I am sooo excited about this ad. It is chock FULL of FREEBIES and good deals! See the full ad scan here, courtesy of A Full Cup, and the full breakdown here, thanks to I Heart CVS.

Herbal Essences LongTerm Relationship Shampoo & Conditioner

Since I started couponing, Herbal Essences has become a standby product for me. Mostly because of getting great deals on their products.

CVS had them on sale for $2.88 a few weeks ago and I had several $2 off coupons. When I paired that with $5 off $25 purchase coupons and other purchases, I basically got FREE (or really cheap!) shampoo and conditioner.

I discovered the "Long Term Relationship" line of products, and I have been so pleased! Just so you know, my hair is waist length. Most conditioners that help with detangling leave my hair feeling heavy and oily. But no more! My hair is soft, tangle-free, more managable, and even less frizzed.

This picture was just taken at the end of October, after using the Long Term Realationship Shampoo and Conditioner for about two weeks.

My Bebe Girl even thinks it tastes good. ;D

So what's better than beautiful hair? Beautiful hair...and FREEBIES! Specially marked bottles are offering a FREE haircut or FREE manicure/pedicure. Yes--you can get both! I found the mani/pedi bottles, but I am still looking for the haircut bottles. (Little help, local girls?)

Kroger currently has the regular size bottles for $2.49. There is a PGEsaver coupon for $2 off 2 that you can combine with the $3 off 2 paper coupons from recent P&G Inserts. Makes them FREE, so keep your eyes peeled for the specially marked bottles.

Cellfire

Cellfire is now available in Mississippi!

The first time I heard about Cellfire, I went to the website and was sadly turned away because of my "39***" zip code. It didn't hurt too much. I'm used to being punished for being a Mississippian secluded from a lot of deals.

I decided to try again a few days ago, and WOOHOO!

There are grocery coupons that can be loaded onto your Kroger Card, and there are a few retail/dining coupons that load to your cell phone.

Like PGEsaver and Shortcuts online coupons, you load these to your card and they come off automatically when you purchase the correct item. They can be used in conjunction with paper coupons. They can supposedly be used in combination with the other ecoupons as well, but I have not been able to confirm that.

Regular text messaging/internet fees will apply to your phone bill.

If you are thoroughly confused, read my post about shopping at Kroger.

November 9 Coupons

This Sunday could be a good coupon day, just depends on what we get locally. There is one SmartSource Insert and one Red Plum Insert.

Check out the full preview at Taylortown or at The Coupon Clippers (Click on Tracker).

Brookshire's November 5-11

As part of The Grocery Gathering at BeCentsable, I report on the Brookshire’s weekly advertisement.

You do need a Brookshire’s “ Thank You” card for most sale prices. The card is free and can be obtained at the customer service desk.

Brookshire’s locations in Central Mississippi are currently TRIPLING manufacturer’s coupons up to and including 60 cents. Only one of each kind of coupon will TRIPLE, all others will be redeemed at face value.

There are three package deals this week:

1) Pick Five! Meat Sale: Choose five of the specially marked “PICK ME!” packages and pay only $19.95 plus tax. All items must be purchased in one transaction. While supplies last.

2) Purchase $10 worth of selected store brand items, and receive a coupon for $1 off your next order, including at the gas pump. This promotion keeps a running total form order to order and does not have to be all in one transaction. Some of the sale items this week good putting toward your $10 are:

Top Care Cold & Flu Medicine @ 40 % off
Food Club Aluminum Foil @ 99 cents
Food Club Relish @ 88 cents
Food Club Cheese (8 oz.) @ $2
Food Club Jumbo Biscuits (canned) @ $1.25
Food Club Orange Juice @$1.99
Food Club Vanilla Wafers @ $1.50
Food Club Vegetable Oil @ $2.59

3) Buy 2 bottles of Hershey’s Syrup (Selected 17.5 to 48 oz bottles) and receive $1 off a store brand gallon of milk, which will also count toward the package deal mentioned above.

Here are the best deals of the week with coupon match-ups:

Sweet Potatoes
79 cents per pound
***Produce Hint: Look for small brown bags already pre-filled and marked with a coupon for 50 cents off to save even more. (Coupon does not triple.)***

Green Cabbage
44 cents per pound

Russet Potatoes 10 pound bag
$4.99

Keebler Ready Crust Pie Crusts
$1
***There is a $1/2 coupon scheduled to be in this Sunday’s paper. I don’t know if we will get it locally.***

Pillsbury Ready to Bake Cookies
$2.50
Multiple coupons from Sunday papers
Print $1/2 from my coupons.com sidebar

Lawry’s Marinade
$2
.50/1 from 8/17 Red Plum Insert (Expires 11/9!)

Pepperidge Farm Texas Toast (Frozen)
***Buy One Get One Free***
Priced $3.14 and up at my local store
.55/1 from 10/5 SmartSource Insert

Pillsbury Biscuits or Dinner Rolls (Frozen)
$2.50
.40/1 from 9/7 & 10/5 SmartSource Inserts
.50/1 from my coupons.com sidebar

Pop-Tarts (12 count)
$2
.55/1 from 10/12 Red Plum Insert (My region did not receive)
***There is a .55 coupon scheduled to be in this Sunday’s paper. I don’t know if we will get it locally.***

Select General Mills Cereals
$2.50
Various coupons from various inserts

Hefty OneZip Bags
$1.69
.55/1 or $1/2 from 9/28 or 11/2 Red Plum Inserts

There's Corn in my Car

Last November, we were shopping for a minivan, thanks to impending arrival of a third child.

We test drove the Kia Sedona (hated it), the Toyota Sienna (too expensive), and the Chevy Uplander that now sits in my garage. It was 5 months old and had been used by a car rental company. It was in perfect condition with low miles and a great price tag. It also had great features like a DVD player, power door, 6 disc CD changer, etc.

One feature we were particularly excited about was its "Flex Fuel" capabilities. It could run on regular gasonline, or E85, a mixture of grain ethanol alcohol and gasoline. After we bought it, I hunted for an E85 gas pump to no avail. I checked online only to discover that Mississippi didn't have a single gas station offering E85.

Now, a year later, that has changed! A local BP now offers E85 (For the locals, it is "Cappy's" at the corner of Old Canton Road and Lake Harbour Drive in Ridgeland). It is currently priced at $1.69 per gallon. Your mileage may vary up to 20% from regular gasoline, but I have only noticed a 5% decline. Mathematically, this is a much better option for me.

This is still much controversy about whether this is better for the environment. I will continue to monitor that, but I mostly see an opportunity for America's independence from oil-rich Middle Eastern countries.

It was very nice to fill up and only deduct $38 from my bank account! You can check your local E85 prices here.

REDBOX is here!

How much do you usually pay to rent a movie? $4.59 plus tax? $18.99 per month with an online membership?

How does $1 sound? Or better yet...FREE?

REDBOX is finally in central Mississippi!

The Wal-Mart stores in Pearl, Flowood, and Madison all have a REDBOX.

You can rent movies for $1 per movie per night. I've been using the "New Release" machines inside Kroger to do the same thing, but the perk to REDBOX is that they release coupon codes for FREE rentals.

Today's code is: 67JFP8

The code is good until midnight. You can use this once per credit card. The card will be authorized, but not actually charged. It is only good for one day's rental, so if you keep it longer than one day, you will pay additional fees.

Check out www.redbox.com for more details.