My Weekly Savings Strategy Sunday

I don't really NEED too much this week but there are a few things that I plan to pick up at some of the stores that are on my route.  I plan to hit Staples, Michael's, Target, Costco and CVS.  I will also hit some combination of grocery stores but I haven't created my menu plan yet.  Check back tomorrow for my Manic Monday - Menu Edition posting.

Staples - Toner, paper towels, mesh index card box
The toner is for work and I will be reimbursed for it, the mesh card box is to store my seed packets in it in the back of the refrigerator for next year (I read an article that this is the best way to ensure germination for the following year) and the paper towels are for home.  This will all (except the toner) be paid for with staples reward money that they send me for every purchase I make.  I will also drop off 10 ink cartridges which will ensure that Staples will send me another $30 check next month for my ink exchange ($3/per up to 10 a month).

Michael's - Lamp Oil
I always cut out the Michael's and AC Moore coupons because there is a Michael's on the way to my children's school and they take competitor's coupons.  They sell a bunch of things besides craft supplies and fake flowers that you can pick up - cupcake papers, baking sheets, candles, plain t-shirts, crayons, etc. - that you can always use and I'd rather get it for half off than full price.  I keep a running Michael's list in my coupon folder under my Michael's tab and each time I am going to be near there I check my list and grab a coupon and get the next thing on my list.  This week it happens to be lamp oil for some oil lamps that I picked up at an antique store to use around our outside dining area.

Target - luvs diapers (2 packs), schick intuition razor (2 packs), gillette mach 3 cartridges (2 packs), gillette mach 3 disposables (4 packs), tide detergent travel samples (2 packs)
The luvs are on sale for $6.99 and I've got 2 $1 coupons, the intuition razors are on sale for $6.99, buy 2 and get a $5 Target gift card and I have 2 $4 off coupons, the mach 3 cartridges I have 2 $4 off coupons, the mach 3 disposables I have 2 BOGO free coupons, and I have 2 $1 off any size tide coupons that my Target allows me to use for the travel size detergents.

Costco - beer, butter and toilet paper - need I say more?

CVS - always pads, cheerios (4), kandoo wipes refills (2)
The cereal is BOGO free and I have some $1 off coupons for cheerios, the wipes refills I have 2 $1 coupons for, and the pads will be purchased with some assortment of coupons from always, I'm just not sure which coupon provides the best deal so I'll sort it out in the aisle.  All of this will be paid for with a few extra bucks I have and a gift card that I received for transferring a prescription.

This might seem like a lot of stops but I am lucky, on good traffic days, to live really close to a ton of different stores.  I'll probably be able to swing by all these stores on Monday morning after I drop my children off at school at 9, and hopefully be home before 11.  Wish me luck!
  

New Me, New Plan, New Posts

I've decided to get my act together and start posting regularly.  I was having a hard time for a while but now I've decided just to share the things here that I share with my girlfriends in the real world - nothing earth shattering, but fun and probably money saving.  I also think that having a theme for posting tends to help keep me on track. 

I'm thinking of the following: (please let me know if they sound ridiculous)

Savings Sunday (stores and sales I'm going to hit this week)
Manic Monday (an overview of what my week contains - meals/food prep)
Mama Tuesday (what my daughter calls it since she doesn't go to school T/Th - a fun "mommy" tip or activity to do with munchkins)
Wild Wednesday (the day my husband and I have together with no kids - either involves a very cheap date or home improvement - probably a rundown of something totally mundane with a tip to make it easier
Thrifty Thursday - some fun way to save money/stretch a buck
Take Five Friday - a link, story, antecdote to make you take 5 and enjoy life - also mandating I tell you how I took 5 over the week - trying to work in my own 5 is hard so I'm hoping to be accountable here
Family Saturday - suggestion for something to do all together whether your family is just one or 100

Also I will throw in additional posts that may not fit the schedule but this will at least give me some structure and guidance and also provide a regular posting routine for any readers that I might someday get :-)

Lots of Coupons This Week

This weekend in The Washington Post (and other papers, I'm sure) there are a TON of coupons and many of them don't expire until 3/31/2010, some are even good until 1/31/2011.  This would be a great week to ask your friends and neighbors for their coupon inserts.  Also, look over the coupons in your own paper first and if there are enough coupons for items that you purchase, go get a few more papers. 

Happy clipping! 

Earth's Best Diapers - $5 Per Pack!!!!!

Check your mail for the latest Babies R Us sale/coupon flyer.  It appears that Babies R Us and Toys R Us are having a January "Free for All" Sale.  It includes some Super Buys that are good January 1-3 only.  The one that caught my eye was ALL Earth's Best jumbos are $5, with a limit of 3 per guest.  I've got to be honest and say that I've never tried these diapers before but I'm willing to try them for $5 a pack.  I might even be willing to drag along my husband to purchase another 3 for $5 a pack :-)  Also, if you have any of the coupons that Earth's Best sent out along with their rebate items that are still good, you could make this an even better deal - mine all expire 12/31/09 - bummer!

Also, there are a few additional coupons that would be good to use during the same trip including one that, with ANY baby purchase, you can get a free pampers sensitive touch wipes travel case.  I always grab these when they are free because they are great for my car box (post about that forthcoming in January) and also as an add on shower gift. The other coupon I might use is for $1 off all diaper rash items because, combined with a manufacturer coupon for specific brands, which I'm sure we all have, would result in very cheap diaper cream. And, last but not least, all clearance clothing is buy one, get one for .99 which makes it worth a look at the clearance racks for next year, donations or gifts.

Chicken Broth Coupon

Here is a coupon for $1 off any College Inn chicken broth. This coupon doesn't expire until June 30, 2010 so please print it now while you can and use it anytime in the next six months! I am always in need of broth during the holidays for gravies and soups. Plus, a can of broth will last a long time in the pantry if you don't need to use it now or just hold the coupon to match with a sale later. You can print two coupons by hitting the back button on your browser while it is printing the first one. Enjoy!