My Giant Sunday Shopping Trip + Fabulous Pampers Easy Ups Deal

I had a great shopping trip at Giant today.  They have lots of good specials this week.  I have a few pics to show as everything couldn't fit in one or even two pictures.  I will just give you the highlights!  First of all when shopping at Giant you need to look at one of the pages in the back first (the one that says Buy 7 get $5 or Buy 8 get $4-something like that).  You can often find ways to get things for free or close to free using these pages.  I did two of these deals today. 

Giant also has ground beef for $1.89/lb and boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.89/lb.  These are both great meat deals.  I stocked up today.

Also, grab the paper before you head to giant as they have the Marcal napkins for 2/$4 and you will get a coupon for a free pack in your coupon circular.  We go through lots of napkins in our house.  How about you?

Rice a Roni sides are 10/$10 .  I love the natural version (also on sale for $1ea).  They also had the Snuggle dryer sheets for $2.99 (free with the $3 coupon from a few weeks back).

Here are some more pictures

My favorite part of the trip were the Pampers Easy Ups.  If you have a child or in my case children potty training and you have a Giant nearby, my advice to you is to run-not walk to your nearest Giant to grab some of these.  They are on some kind of a clearance and are half price.  The jumbo packs are $4.49 (without needing any coupons).  The mega packs are $7.29(again without coupons).  I really stocked up on these! We shouldn't need anymore before the girls are actually potty trained LOL!  Anyway, that was my find of the day.  I will add my special deals later so you can see how they benefit you!

Anyway, everything you see pictured including 6 jumbo packs of meat, 2 mega packs of Pampers and one jumbo packs and everything else cost a total of $111.34 after coupons!  I think that's pretty awesome because most of it will last us 2 weeks or more.  I should only need to grab produce next week ( I won't be able to resist any freebies too!) 

Stay tuned ... I will be posting some great Rite Aid deals later!!

Sunday Shopping Trip Part 1 Genuardi's - Safeway Shopping

Here is the first trip I took today to my local Genaurdi's/Safeway.  They had some good 3 day sale items so make sure you make it there earlier in the week to fully take advantage!

I got the following:

• 
  
  14 cans of Green Giant Veggies $.39ea (some for a food shelter)
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 pack of Genuardi's hot dog rolls $.89
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 5lb bag of Russett potatoes $1.49
  
  
  
• 
  
  2 large bags of Tostitos tortilla chips $1.69ea
  
  
  
• 
  
  2 Hilshire Farms beef sausage links  $1.99ea
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 local Sunday newspaper $1.75
  
  
  
• 
  
  1lb of American cheese $3.99
  
  
  

Total for this quick grab of specials = $19.94

*not bad and we'll have veggies for a few weeks

Stay tuned for my Giant shopping trip at Giant!!

Free Photo Ornament Includes Free Shipping !

Right now you can go to seehere.com to create an account and grab a free photo ornament.  It is regularly $12.99 and will be free with the promo code :mallornament.  You won't have to pay for shipping! What a great deal!  I wrote previously about this company and getting free photo Holiday cards from them.  If you already have an account just sign in, select photo gifts and you will see the ornament half way down the page (choice of red or white). If you don't have an account go here and sign up for an account first.  I've already made mine and I'm super excited about this freebie!

My 90% Off Target Shopping Trip

I went to Target today searching for the Santa Spud Potato Head.  It is hard to find these days and my girlies are loving Mr. Potato Head right now.  As it was I could only grab one but it's the season of caring and sharing right?? I'm sure two- two year olds won't mind sharing a new toy right?  We may have potato pieces flying here tomorrow, but for tonight all is well! Anyway, Here's a rundown of what I purchased on this trip:

• 1- Santa Spud Mr. Potato Head $5.99-$5.00 coupon = $.99
• 4-Macaroni Grill Chicken Alfredo Dinners (regularly $5.29, marked down at my store for $3.54-$1.25 manufacturer coupon-$2 Target coupon (from PSST)=$.29each.
• 2 Breyers Yo Crunch $.56ea-$1/2 manufacturer coupon=$.06ea 

My total before coupons was $22.33.  Total after coupons was $2.27.  I had a young guy cashier.  He said "I've never seen one like that".  It wasn't a huge trip.  My bigger grocery trip will be tomorrow, but it was a savings of 90%.  I'll take it! I will have less sides to buy tomorrow.
Go here to print the coupons.com coupons for Santa spud.  There may still be Macaroni manufacturer coupons available too.
I recently joined the Psst group for General Mills.  I have gotten great coupons like the ones mentioned above and others.  It is well worth your time to join them.  Go here to join up for Psst!  You'll be happy you did!


Stay tuned for the bigger grocery trip tomorrow!

Coupon Preview 11-15-09

Tomorrow's paper will have 3 coupon inserts.  You will get one Smartsource, one Redplum and one General Mills insert.  Here are some of my favorite coupons this week:

$5 off Air Wick Freshmatic Starter Kit

$.60/1 Bertolli Pasta Sauce

$.50/1 16oz+ Daisy Sour Cream

$.50/1 Huggies Baby Wipes 64ct+

$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers

$3/1 Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers (I love these)

Free Marcal Small Steps Napkins up to $2.80 value (woo hoo!)

Check out the full list of coupons here.

Free 3 Year Subscription to Town and Country Magazine - No credit card required

Rewards Gold is offering a free 3 year subscription to Town & Country Magazine.  You will not be billed and no credit card information is necessary.  You will be asked a few questions about how often you use the computer.  Just go on over here to access this great freebie.  Allow 4-6 weeks to get your first issue.  I have done a lot of these magazine offers and they really do come.  I also signed up for this offer!

Tampax Pearl Free Sample

Walmart is offering a sample of Tampax Pearl Tampons.  Go on over here to snag yours while supplies last.

Taste of Home Cookbooks $5 with $1 S/H

Taste of Home is offering some if their most popular coookbooks for $5 each.  These would make awesome gifts for the holiday season or even to stock up your own kitchen.  The holidays are a great time to try out some new cookies to share with friends and neighbors! You can use code 1062 for $1 shipping.  Check them out here.

All You Magazine

First of all, if you don't already know, All You is the main magazine for couponers.  There are a lot of coupons in each issue and many of the articles are geared towards the frugal/budget minded public.  It is a "must buy" and is sold exclusively at Walmart unless you have a subscription.  Here is the link to sign up for a subscription.  This particular link gives you 2 issues free.  You could cancel if you don't like it after that, but if you continue on with the subscription, you will pay $19.99 for 10 more issues.  I just got my December issue today and these are the coupons that are in this month's issue (to give you an idea of an average month):

p.10   $1 off Vanity Plates or Bowls

p.12   $1 off a NYC cosmetic product

p.17   $.75 off Bertolli Pasta Sauce

p.24   $.50 off Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion

p.26   $2 off Rimmel eye make-up remover

p.31   $1.50 off Dove Creme Oil Lotion or Creme

p.35 $2 off any Neutrogena Product

p.43 $3 off any Neutrogena Cosmetic

p.53 $1 off Truvia Sweetener

p.55 $1 off Kellogs All Bran Cereal

p.65 $1 off 2 packs of Trident Layers Gum

p.81 $1 off any 5oz bag of Starbucks coffee

p.84-85 $1 off 4 cans of Hunts Tomatoes

               $1 off 4 Rotel Diced Tomatoes

               $1 off 1 Marie Callender's Pasta Aldente

               $1 off 1 Orville Redenbacher's 6pk popcorn

               $1 off 1 Peter Pan Peanut Butter (28 oz or larger)

               $1 off 2 Parkay Margerine

p.90 $3 off of 2 Fragrance Collection candles by Glade

P.93 $1 off of any Poise product

p.104 $.55 off 2 Domino Products 2lbs. or larger

p. 115 $1 off 1 Smithfield Spiral Ham

p. 117 $1 off 1 Kellogs Corn Flakes with Touch of Honey (pair with Target Q?

p. 123 $1 off of 1 Marzetti Dip

p. 136 $1 off of 1 True North Nut Snacks

p. 143 $1 off of 1 Tazo Tea or Latte

p. 145 $10 off of 1 Norelco Arcitec XL8200 or Nivea for Men Razor

            $5 off Phillips Norelco replacement Heads

p. 152 $.55 off of 1 Sargento Shredded Cheese

p. 154 $ .50 off of 1 Colgate Wisp

p. 156 BOGO Lacrosse Beauty Tool

p. 159 $1 off of 1 Nature Made Vitamins

p. 161 $1 off of 3 Fancy Feast Appetizers

p. 162  $2 off of 1 Ester C

p. 175 $2 off of 1 Wow Cleaner for Wood Laminate Floors

That's a lot of coupons for one magazine and don't forget that you can stack manufacturers coupons with store coupons at Target, Walgreens,Rite Aid and select other retailers!

Buca di Beppo $10 off $20 Printable Coupon

Go here to print a coupon for  $10 of any $20 purchase at Buca di Beppo.  This is a great coupon because it doesn't expire until 12-31-2010.  Woohoo! It is valid for dine in or Buca to go !

Leapfrog Alphabet Pal Possibly $.49 at Target

Update***I did this deal this morning and it does work.  I am the proud owner of 6 Leafrog Alphabet pals for a grand total of $3.16 fabulous find!!

Okay, this is one of the best toy scenarios I've seen in a long time! Tomorrow after 3 and Saturday- all day long Toys r Us is having a doorbuster sale.  This Leapfrog Alphabet Pal is pictured on the front page of the flier for $10.49.  Target now does price matching when you present the whole ad. They also have a $10 off coupon for this toy in their toy book located in the toy section.  So if you can swing by TRU and snag the ad you can then head to Target for a fabulously inexpensive qualiity toy.  This is a YMMV deal (your mileage may vary) as different Targets seem to have different policies, but according to their corporate policy it is a doable deal.  Don't forget to grab the ad- it may even be in the paper tomorrow so we'll see.  Target won't price match without the actual ad.  These are great gifts.  I actually bought one for $10 AC at Target already (which I will return if this deal works tomorrow). Think ahead to any little one's bdays coming in the next few months or so (it doesn't have to just be for Christmas). I have a big box in the back of my closed for great deals so that I'm all ready for birthday parties throughout the year.  We have a lot of little kiddies in the family.  My girlies also seem to love this toy and they are 2 and 1/2 years old!

Yankee Candle Buy Two Get Two Candles Coupon

Yankee Candles just put out an awesome candle coupon for the season.  It is a buy two get two coupon.  You can print it here.  On a side note, I am wondering if you can combine this coupon with a Bed, Bath and Beyond $5 off of $15 purchase coupon because they sell Yankee candles and will take multiple coupons.  That may be a YMMV (your mileage may vary), but if so, that would make for some pretty cheap candles. This coupon expires on November 29th. So maybe a good deal to match with Black Friday deals ??

The Christmas Tree Shops Friends and Family Event Extra 20% off Coupon

The Christmas Tree Shops are having a Friends and Family Event this week.  Use this coupon to save an additional 20% off your order.  The coupon is good from November 11th through November 17th.  They have some great bargains already so the extra 20% off just makes it that much sweeter.  I have always liked the quality of their merchandise too!

Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Soaps for $1.67each

Bath and Body Works has their anti-bacterial soap line on sale for 2/$5.  You can use this coupon($10 off of $30) to grab 12 for $20 after coupon.  That makes them $1.67 each.  These make great gifts for teachers or caregivers. I have a family full of nurses, so I will definitely be making use of this coupon.  They have lots of great scents for Christmas too including (including Vanilla Bean Noel, Winter Candy Apple and Frosted Orange Spice just to name a few).  Stock up and be set for the holidays and beyond!

Start Planning for a Debt Free Christmas

    

     We all love to get a bargain at the stores and online, but are you putting all of your savings to work for your family? Are you learning to live for the future instead of the present?  As you ponder the stacks of gifts you are hoping to give to your children this holiday season start to think about giving them the ultimate gift.  What is that you might ask? How about a college education when they are older? How about a home filled with love and time spent together instead of excessive material possessions, stress and fighting over unpaid bills and debt.
     I love to shop as much as the next girl, but I really do use my savings to pay off our family's debt.  In fact, in the past 2 years we have paid off about $76,000 worth of consumer debt.  It has been a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but I assure you that it is well worth the effort!  We paid off $26,000 in credit cards first since our interest rates were too high and were draining our extra money each month.  Coincidentally, right after we paid off the credit cards last April my husband's mother died suddenly of a brain aneurysm quite suddenly (she was only 53).  She died without any life insurance and none of the family had money to contribute to a proper funeral and burial for her.  Luckily we had space open on our credit cards for the almost $7,000 of extra expense.  I was so happy to do it as it meant a lot to my husband to be able to do this for his mother.  So after paying off our credit cards once, we used our tax return last year and additional money to once again pay off our credit cards. 
     After completing this goal we set out to pay off our mini van, on which we owed $19,500.  Our monthly payment for the van was $475 which was killing us.  We were extra thankful last Thanksgiving because we met this goal the week of Thanksgiving last year.  I can't tell you the joy of driving this van without having a payment on it.  It's even still under warranty! 
    Our current goal is almost completed.  We are very close to paying off my husband's student loan.  When we began this goal (after Thanksgiving last year), we owed a little over $30,000 on this loan.  As of tonight we owe $2,632 on this loan (yipee).  I am hoping to make this one of the things we are thankful for at the dinner table this year, but stay tuned...
I have to admit that this one has been the hardest for me personally, because it has been the biggest one we have tackled.  In addition, my silly husband informed me that he had scholorships through college (he's 6ft.10 and played basketball) and basically used the scholorship money for fun money each year.  Don't worry, he's paid for it this year because every time he has wanted to buy something extravagant I replied " I'm sorry didn't you have a lot of fun money in college?" 
     This is one of the main reasons that I started this blog.  I have learned a lot about getting debt free and I wanted to share all of my tips with everyone.  We will keep talking about tips and methods to getting your family debt free.  Please share any ideas you have or things that have worked for your family.  If you are struggling in this area don't hesitate to ask specific questions and I will try to help you. 
     For now I challenge you to try to keep Christmas debt free this year.  In other words, don't incur any additional debt this holiday season.  Use all of the great deals you find here and on other sites and put the extra money that you save towards reducing your debt or at least paying cash for whatever you choose to buy.  Believe me when I tell you how freeing it is to have less debt.  We worry less, we argue less and we have more freedom.  I can't wait to be completely debt free! Please join me on this journey...

Free Holiday Picture Cards Includes Free Shipping

Here is your chance to snag 50 free photo cards.  You don't even have to pay for shipping/handling. The company is called See Here (Fujifilm).  You can choose between 5x7 or 4x8 photo cards and create them online.  Once you upload your card you will have to join, but again it's free and is similar to artscow.  Use code freebies4mom-1109. This promotion is good until November 30th so we have a little bit of time to create our cards!Click here to create your cards.

The Children's Place Fall Sale

The Children's Place is having an online sale.  Check it out here.  They have some cute things that will work out great for winter.  You can use the code parenting99 to score an additional 15% off of your purchase.

Happy Veterans Day!

To Celebrate Veterans Day Denny's restaurant is offering up a free Grand Slam breakfast for any veteran.  I'm sure you have to bring proof of service to qualify.

After breakfast, head on over to Crispy Creme for a free doughnut.  This offer is valid for veterans and all current military service members.

Also, if you want to head out to Outback Steakhouse, you can have a blooming onion and a free beverage for dinner this evening.

Free Sample of Green Works Laundry Detergent

For a free sample of Green Works Laundry Detergent, just text the word natural to 467467.  I'm sure standard texting rates apply! I just sent for mine.  I am trying to use more natural products whenever possible so freebies really help!

Free Sample of Huggles Little Movers Diapers From Walmart

Huggies is offering up a sample of Huggies Little Movers Diapers. Just go on over here to enter your info and get your free sample in the mail !

Target Baby Wipes for $.57 or Toddler Wipes for FREE!

Target has a printable coupon for $1 off of their brand (Up & Up) wipes.  I was able to find the 72 count tub for $1.57 or $.57 AC.  They also had the toddler wipes on a price rollback for $.97  or free AC (no beeps).  I grabbed a few as we are potty training twins so we use plenty of these:)

Coinstar has a great holiday promotion out right now.  You can cash in $40  in change for free when converting your coins to an e-certificate to a variety of stores (Amazon, Lowes, Jc Penney to name a few).  At the bottom of your printed e-certificate is a form to send in to coinstar and they will mail you an additional $10 gift certificate to whatever store you chose.  I chose Amazon because I can always find a good deal there especially with Christmas quickly approaching! Go grab yours today!

Toys R Us Hasbro Game Blow Out + Gift Card

Toys R Us has an awesome toy deal going on from 11/8-14.  Most Hasbro games are up to 50% off and on top of that they are giving away a $10 gift card with a $25 purchase of games from the list below.  Check them out and stock your kiddies game closet this Christmas.  They are saying with the recession on staying home and playing a game together is the new amusement park!

Here is the list of qualifying games:

All titles $3.99

Hasbro

Candy Land - $2 Rebate

Chutes/ladders- $2 Rebate

Ants in Pants- $2 Rebate

Dont Break The Ice- $2 Rebate

Memory- $2 Rebate

Hi-Ho Cherry-O - $2 Rebate



All Titles $7.99

Clue

Boggle Jr

Rubiks

Scrabble Jr

Yahtzee

Monopoly Jr or Deal


All Title $9.99

Mouse Trap

Scrabble - $3 Rebate

Perfection

Connect 4 - $3 Rebate

Boggle

Hullabaloo

Upwards

Guess Who

1-800-Flowers $40 Savings Pass

Be sure to head on over to 1800flowers.com and join their Fresh Rewards Program.  When you do so you will be able to click on the icon next to the calendar to set up 10 event reminders.  Each reminder will get you 40 points.  Ten reminder (400Points) = a $40 saving pass which will be emailed to you. Just so you know the points usually take a few hours to show up in your account. I would do this soon because so many people are taking advantage of this deal so I don't expect it to last too long.

Just a reminder to head to your local Target for after Halloween sales.  Everything is currently 75% off and some great deals are there to be had! You can print some great candy coupons on Target's website to score $.24 fun size bags of m&ms and peanut m&ms when paired with the 75% off.
Don't forget to think ahead when looking at the costumes and bags of individual tubs of playdough.  These are easily transformed into fabulous Christmas presents.  I am planning to create a dress up trunk for my girlies as a Christmas present from Santa!  I purchased 8 costumes and am using them for dress up!
Also, the toy book coupons are a great find.  You can get them in the toy department. My favorite coupon is the $5 off of the Leapster Scout or Violet bears.  They have recently been reduced to $14.99 so just $9.99 after the coupon.  This is a very expensive looking gift for a great price! I admit I got 4 for family members as there are lots of little kids in the family! You can also price match to deals in other circulars and then use Target coupons to score a great deal.  On coupons.com you can find a coupon for $5 off of a Spud Buds Mr. Potato Head toy.  The Christmas Spud Buds are $5.99. So they would be $.99 after coupon.  My girlies love the Mr. Potato Head toys right now so I am off to pick up a few!

 

Getting Started!!

Welcome to this blog.  I am a mommy of twin 2 year old girlies.  I have a passion for saving money and paying off debt and I wanted to share some of my techniques and deals with you so that you can save lots of money for your family too! 
I have worked at the same job for the past 19 years and my goal is to pay off enough of our debt to be able to stay home with my girlies!  Do you already stay home? I want to be you when I grow up :)  Are you not able to stay home either? Maybe we can work together to accomplish our goal or at least give our family some piece of mind along the way.
I know first hand that it's tough out there.  My goal is to save every penny I can and put my savings towards paying off my family's debt so hopefully we can be debt free.  This isn't easy in today's economy, but with your help and encouragement I think we can achieve our goals.

With that said my plan is to bring you lots of great deals, financial advice for paying off debt and laughs along the way!

Our Journey

Our Journey

My hubby and I have been married for over 6 years. We have had individual debt issues before marrying in 2004. We have each done all of the wrong things with money. I have had the electricity turned off, the phone turned off and other things for late payments. At one time I had a horrible credit rating. My husband had one as well. We had to drive 15 year old cars because we didn't qualify for a decent car. My husband was severely delinquent on a student loan of over $30,000. He was being charged over $250 in interest per month at one point. I went through the phase of not opening the bills (If I don't look at it, it didn't come in the mail). I have bounced checks albeit unintentionally. As embarrasing as it is to admit, I even had a credit card confiscated by a store clerk when he called the credit card company because I was declined ( I think they gave him a reward for mailing my card back-LOL).

Why am I telling you all of this??? I want you to know that no matter where you've been, I have been there too and there is hope. You can turn the ship around and live a different life. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it's simple and happens instantly. It doesn't. It takes work, but it can be done.

Let me show you the other side of things. At one point in time, we had over $100,000 in non mortgage debt. That's an astounding amount of money to owe. Then the ultrasound technician told us that we had twins on the way-YIKES!!! We realized then that we had to live differently.

We did exactly what I outline here. The steps to getting out of debt and the deals that help me save the extra money to make double and triple payments towards our debt. Since starting our program we have:

• Paid off over $26,000 in credit card debt
• Paid off our $23,000 2006 Chrysler Town and Country Minivan (Payment was $474/mo.)
• Paid off my husband's student loan - balance was $31,000
• Recently made the last payment and paid off my hubby's 2007 Dodge Durango. 

We are now debt free except for the house.  It feels GREAT.  My hubby says that we need to rack up some more debt so that we get some mail.  We don't get alot of mail these days :) I actually have credit card companies begging me to use their cards

My bigger goal now is to save a significant amount of money to move into a bigger house for my girlies who are now three. They need a little yard and a little bit of running around room. We currently live in a town house that is a split level so it's 7 floors, but chopped up (not fun when the girlies were babies as their nursery is on the 5th floor).

I can honestly tell you that while we're not done yet, life feels different now. We don't argue about money. I don't worry about affording my daughters wants and needs. I don't lose sleep because of money. The list goes on and on.

Keep following our journey and please tell me yours. It helps to have a support system when you are going through this. Keep checking in for deals to get freebies and really cheap household things and then come home and make an extra payment to your credit card! Your debt can be gone soon too!