Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Coups For Troops

Have expired coupons you don't know what to do with? 

Did you know that Military families stationed overseas can use expired coupons for up to 6 months after the expiration date of the coupon?

Want an easy way to get the coupons to a Military family that can really use them?  Check out CoupsForTroops on Facebook and they'll take care of the mailing hassle for you!  Just send them your coupons (please remember to separate them into food and non food groups (rubber band them, put them in separate envelopes, whatever)) and they'll send them to families that can use them.

Military families stationed overseas often times have very few options for buying food.  The commissary is usually their best choice, and prices overseas are more expensive than here in the States - so let's help the men and women who fight for our freedom save a few bucks!

Who Am I?

Hi everyone!!

I am an Air Force wife (and a relatively new one at that).  My husband and I have 7 kids total, and a grandbaby!

My husband and I were born 8 hours apart, in the same hospital.  I tease him often that he kept me awake with his crying in the nursery!  After our short 3 day stay (yes - this was back in 1969 when they kept you for 3 days and allowed you to rest before shipping you home with a newborn that doesn't sleep) in that hospital we didn't meet again until 7th grade.  We both played in the band (I played clarinet, bass clarinet, and percussion - depending on what the season was and he played saxophone) and were friends from that time through graduation from high school when we went our own ways, got married (to other people) and had kids.

My kids are 22, 20, 13, 13, and 11.  His are 21 and 18.  I was a single mom for 10 years before Brett and I reconnected through Facebook!

There was an immediate "re-attraction", and while he lived in California and I in Michigan we developed quite a friendship over the course of a couple months.  He came home for Christmas and things haven't been the same since!

We continued dating, and less than 10 months after that 1st face-to-face meeting (just before Christmas 2009) we were married on 10-01-10. 

I work full-time as a Project Manager for a bank here in Michigan.  Being the only parent in the house (until November when hubby retires) I am constantly running - baseball practice, band concerts, school functions, the "I need this tonight" trips, etc.. In my "free time" I coupon - search for upcoming deals, match up my coupons, and get ready to get the next weeks deals!  I am also an avid reader, and although I don't watch TV much I do have a couple shows that I watch every week that I never miss an episode of!  (Thank you to whomever invented DVR)

I have couponed for years.  I haven't always been this serious about it, and have really become addicted to finding the best deal.

I am not your typical "Extreme Couponer" that you see on the TLC show.  I do not steal papers from driveways, I do not get into dumpsters for coupons, and I have never cleared a shelf.  I do have a stockpile that has taken over my closet as well as several cupboards in the bathroom, and will soon be moving it to its own room (we have an extra one - YAY!).

I have had several trips where my total OOP was $0.00, but not hundreds of them for sure!  My typical savings on a grocery trip (i.e. Kroger, Meijer, VG's) is 70%+, so I think I do a pretty good job, and my kids get food they want to eat!

I do this as a hobby, and because I think it's utterly ridiculous to not use coupons and pay full price for something that if you clipped a coupon you could get for much less!  I have family members tell me how crazy I am and that my time is worth something.....well they're right - it's worth 70% of my grocery bill each week, and a whole bunch of free products!

I believe in ethical couponing - so I will not be posting ideas on how to get coupons that you're not entitled to, how to use a coupon for a product it's not intended for, etc.  What you will find on this blog is a way to consistently save money week over week on your grocery bill.

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading about the deals I find, and that you recommend this page to your friends!  You can also like me on facebook and follow the deals there!

5/15 SmartSource preview

Atkins Day Break Square 5 pack or Shake 4 pack $1 (7/31/11)
Atkins Bar 5 pack or Shake 4 pack $1 (7/31/11)
Bausch + Lomb Alaway Eye Drops $4 (7/31/11)
Bausch + Lomb Opcon-A Eye Drops $1 (7/31/11)
Classico Pasta Sauces $1/2 (9/10/11)
Bissell Deep Cleaning Formulas $1 (6/30/11)
Colgate ProClinical Toothpaste 4.6oz+ .75 (6/4/11)
Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes .50 (6/26/11)
Dole Fruit in Gel .75/2 (7/31/11)
Dole Parfaits .75/2 (7/31/11)
French’s Worcestershire Sauce .75 (8/15/11)
French’s Classic Yellow Mustard .30 (7/15/11)
French’s Spicy Brown, Honey, etc .75 (7/15/11)
General Mills $1/2 (6/25/11)
Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals Sale Dressing or Salad Kit $1 (6/30/11)
Honey Made Grahams, Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate 6 pack $1 (6/30/11)
Huggies Pure & Natural Diapers $2.50 (6/11/11)
Huggies Little Snuggles or Little Movers Diapers $2 (6/11/11)
Huggies Baby Wipes 64 ct+ .50 (6/11/11)
Huggies Little Swimmers $2 (6/11/11)
Huggies Little Swimmers Sun Care $1 (6/11/11)
Huggies Pull-Ups Jumbo pack $1.50 (6/11/11)
Huggies Pull-Ups Flushable Moist Wipes $1 (6/11/11)
Jello Snacks Refrigerated .60 (6/15/11)
Joint Juice $1 (7/15/11)
Juicefuls Juice Filled Fruit Snacks $1 (8/21/11)
Kikkoman $1/2 (12/31/11)
Kotex Liners 33 ct+ $1.50 (6/25/11)
Kotex Pads $2/2 (6/25/11)
Kotex Security Tampons $1.50/2 (6/25/11)
Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip Dressing 22 oz+ .75 (6/12/11)
LaVictoria 12 oz+ $1/2 (7/31/11)
Lloyd’s Barbeque .75 (7/11/11)
Lunchables Combinations with Fruit $1 (7/10/11)
Meadow Gold Frozen Novelties $1/2 (7/31/11)
Midnite, Midnite PM, or Midnite Menopause $1 (11/30/11)
9 Lives Dry Cat Food 3.15 lbs+ $1 (7/16/11)
9 Lives wet cat food one 12 can variety pack, 12 individual cans, 3 4-packs $1 (7/16/11)
Nylabone Non-Edible Chew $1.50 (6/21/11)
Nylabone Edible Chew or Treat $1.50 (6/21/11)
Olay Total Effects Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser $2 (6/30/11)
Oscar Mayer Sub or Flatbread Sandwiches, Cracker Combos or Sandwich Combos $1 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Lower Sodium Turkey Bacon .75 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs $1/2 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh or one pound Shaved Lunchmeats $1/2 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Sandwich Combos $1 (7/10/11)
People magazine $1 (7/5/11)
Pert Plus 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 $1 (6/30/11)
Pepperidge Farm Milano Melts Cookies $1 (8/7/11)
Pepperidge Farm cookies .50 (7/10/11)
Planters Nut Bars 6 ct box or Big Nut Bars 5 ct box .75 (7/31/11)
Poise $1 (6/25/11)
Poise $1.50/2 (6/25/11)
Raid Max Spider & Scorpion Killer $1 (7/9/11)
Reynolds Wrap Non Stick Foil $1 (6/30/11)
Reynolds Wrap Foil excluding 20, 25 & 30 sq ft $1 (6/30/11)
Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta $1 (9/10/11)
Shout .55 (6/26/11)
Buy Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel and Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush 2-in-1 Starter Kit or Refill pack $3 (6/25/11)
Schiff MegaRed $3 (8/31/11)
Schiff Mega-De $2 (8/31/11)
Schiff Glucosamine $3 (8/31/11)
Schiff Vitamin or Supplement $2 (8/31/11)
Sunny D .25 (8/31/11)
Sure Anti-Perspirant $1 (6/30/11)
Tony’s Pizza products .50/3 (7/1/11)
Woolite Oxy Deep, Pet + Oxygen, Pet Urine Eliminator .75 (5/31/11)
Ziploc Bags $1/2 (7/9/11)
Ziploc Containers $1.50/2 (7/9/11)

5/15 Red Plum Insert Preview

Aquafresh iso-active Foaming gel Save $1.00/1 (6/26)
Aveeno sun protection product Save $1.50/1 (7/31)
Aveeno sun protection products Save $3.00/2 (7/31)
Benadryl topical product Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Black Box rebate offer Save $5.00 (7/31)
Brawny Paper Towels 6- roll or larger Save $1.00/2 ((8/11)
Caltrate Save $2.00/1 (8/22)
Caltrate larger size 155ct or larger Save $3.00/1 (8/22)
Carbona color & dirt grabber Save $1.00/1 (8/13)
Carbona stain devils Save $1.00/1 (8/13)
Centrum Silver Women’s, Centrum Silver Men’s, Centrum Women’s or Centrum Men’s 100 ct Save $2.00/1 (8/7)
Centrum Silver Women’s, Centrum Silver Men’s, Centrum Women’s or Men’s 100ct Save $5.00/2 (8/7)
Centrum Silver women’s , Centrum Silver Men’s, Centrum Women’s or Men’s 200 ct Save $10.00/2 (8/7)
Cesar entrees Buy THREE get ONE FREE up to Save $1.19 (8/6)
Cortaid product Save $3.00/1 (7/31)
FiberChoice product Save $3.00/1 (7/9)
Gillette Body Wash no trial Save $2.00/1 (6/30)
Gillette Deodorant Buy ONE GET ONE FREE up to Save $4.00 (6/30)
Goya Olive oil 17oz or larger Save $.75/1 (8/15) DND5
Goya Adobo 16.5 oz or larger Save $.55/1 (8/15) DND5
Grain Berry Antioxidant Cereals Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Grain Berry pancake or muffin mix Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Brand product Save $1.00/2 (7/31)
Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats and/or Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereals 14oz or larger Save $1.00/2 (6/26)
Kellogg’s Cereals 8.7oz or larger Save $1.00/3 (6/26)
Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts 8 ct or larger Save $1.00/3 (7/10)
Kraft dressing 14 oz or larger Save $1.50/2 (6/12)
Land O’Frost Premium One Pound Save $.55/1 (7/31) DND5
Lawry’s Marinade Save $.50/1 (6/19)
Lawry’s Spice Blend Save $.50/1 (6/19)
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze product Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Paris skincare Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Ever Sleek, Ever Pure, Ever Strong shampoo or conditioner Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Ever Sleek, Ever Pure, Ever Strong treatment Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Vive Pro Shampoo Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal Studio Line Styling Product or L’Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style product Save $1.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal haircolor product any Save $2.00/1 (7/10)
L’Oreal haircolor products any Save $5.00/2 (7/10)
Milo’s kitchen brand 100% real dog treats 3.3oz or smaller Save $1.50/1 (7/9)
Milo’s Kitchen brand 100 real dog treats 10oz or larger Save $2.00/1 (7/9)
Neosporin Lip Health product Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Neosporin and Band-Aid brand adhesive bandages product Save $1.50 on BOTH (7/31)
Nivea Body Lotion 8.4 fl. oz – 13.5 fl. oz. Save $2.00/1 (6/26)
Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite product 2.5oz-6.7oz Save $3.00/1 (6/26)
Osteo Bi-Flex caplets, softgels or powder no liquids Save $5.00/1 (6/26)
Polident products Save $1.00/1 (6/26)
Super Poligrip Products Save $1.00/1 (6/26)
Pup-Peroni dog snacks 4/8oz or larger Save $1.50/2 (7/15)
Scotties facial tissues 5 boxes or 2 multipacks Save $1.00 (6/18/`11)
Sensodyne ProNamel toothpaste Save $1.00/1 (8/14)
Sensodyne Toothpaste or iso-active foaming gel .75/1 (8/14)
Silver Palate thick & Rough oatmeal Save $1.00/1 (7/31)
Smuckers toppings product Save $1.00/2 (8/31)
Snausages or Snow Somes! dog snacks 9.75 oz or larger Save $1.50/2 (7/15)
Sundown vitamins or supplements product Save $1.00/1 (6/28)
Turkey Hill half gallons or larger Drinks Save $1.00/2 (8/15)
Uncle Ben’s original converted brand rice products Save $1.00/2 (7/10)
Venus Razor or Venus Disposables Razor Save $2.00/1 (6/30)
Venus Refill Save $2.00/1 (6/30)
Whiskas dry food for cats bag Save $1.00/1 (7/9)
Whiskas tray Buy One Get One FREE up to .69 (7/9)
Wisk Laundry detergent 50 oz or larger Save $2.00/1 (6/26)

Walgreens Sneak Peek 5/15 - 5/21

Softsoap Body Wash 2/$6
     Get $4 RR

Old Spice / Zest / or Gillette Body Wash 3/$10
     Get $3 RR
     Use BOGO Free coupon (deduct $3.33) or 3 $1.00 off 1 coupons
     final price as low as $1.22 each

Pantene 2/$7
     Get $1 RR
     Use $3.00/2 coupon
     final price $1.50

Huggies 2/$18
     Get $3.00 RR
     Use 2 $2.00/1 printables
     final price $5.50

Northern 9 BIG rolls - $3.99

Note:  This is not yet confirmed.  I will be confirming once I have the sale ad.  As I get more info I'll add to this thread and do coupon match-ups as I can.

CVS Sneak Peek for 5/15 - 5/21

Dial or Tone bar soap 3pk - $1.88
     Receive $1.00 ECB
     Use $0.50 coupon if you have it (I got mine from a Commissary delivered paper)
     final price is as low as $0.38 per pack

$10 ECB when you buy $15 L'Oreal skin or suncare products
    
Right Guard Sport, Extreme, Total Defense, or Dry Idea - $2.99
     Receive $1.00 ECB when you buy 1
     Use BOGO coupon
     final price $1.00 each

Sure or Brut Deodorant BOGO

Keep in mind - I do not have the sale ad in hand yet - so I will not be confirming these until such time.  Right now this is what we believe will be in this ad.  I will add to this and add coupon match-ups as I find more info.

Stay tuned.............

Walgreens and CVS sneak peeks are coming up tonight for 5/15!  Working on the match ups right now!

Where do you find your best match ups?

Sure - we can all sit down with our flyers and inserts and match up deals ourselves.  But....that takes a lot of time, and with 4 kids at home still, working a full time job, and trying to keep the laundry done I don't have as much time as some to find my deals. 

I find a lot of match ups, and save a ton of time, by using WeUseCoupons

What site do you use to find the deals you're gonna get this week?