LANDS' END: 30% off tops & tees + FREE SHIPPING - ends today

Lands' End has a sale that ends today - 30% off tops & tees.

Click here to shop the discount, but remember that completing your transaction by clicking through ebates will also net you an additional 3% cash back!

• I'm a sucker for polo shirts of any kinds and like this women's polo on sale for $25-$30 + the 30% discount. It's also available in stripes.

• Men's polos are also on sale, in long sleeve solids and short sleeve solids. Prices range from $20-$30 + the additional 30% discount.

• I had a pair of these Mary Jane trekker shoes last year and liked them so much that I wore them out. They're available now in even more colors, and at only $20-$25 they're a steal!

• Mens summer shoes are also on sale, some slides and sandals. Prices are $10.99 and up.
  

FREE SHIPPING DETAILS, TODAY ONLY (08/31):
Enter the Promotion Code AUG28 and the PIN 00004130 in the space provided.

Or if you have a Lands’ End "Personal Shopping Account”...
1) Make your selections
2) On the Order Review page, click "Promotion Code” in the section labeled “Apply another payment method”
3) Enter your "Promotion Code" and PIN (shown above). That’s it!

Menu Plan Monday

Phwew! The end of summer has been busy. Can you believe it’s nearly September?!

Because of an unexpected dinner out last week, I didn’t cook the salsa chicken in the Crock Pot. You’ll see that on this week’s menu again. We have more overnight visitors this week and a day trip on Saturday, so I’m planning meals accordingly.

For the chicken rice wraps, I'll make some similar to the recipe on the link below but use cooked chicken from Monday along with black beans, salsa & cheese.

Monday Salsa Chicken in Crockpot for chicken fajitas or taco salad
Tuesday Chicken rice wraps with leftovers from Monday

Wednesday Leftover stuffed shells from Saturday, whole wheat bread, steamed corn
Thursday Chicken cob burgers, guacamole & chips, steamed peas
Friday Homemade pizza with sausage & pepperoni, salad
Saturday Dinner with friends
Sunday Polynesian Roast Beef, brown rice

If you need more meal planning ideas, check out the Mr. Linky at I'm an Organizing Junkie.
Happy Monday!

Coffee on Us - Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway

We are curious to know more about our readers! Since we can't logistically indulge in a chat with you over a hot cup of coffee in person, the closest we can come is our "End of Summer" survey - complete with a $5 Starbucks Gift Card given away to a lucky participant - to buy you a venti whatever-you'd-like with extra whipped cream (or flavored syrup, for you soy latte lovers...).

Simply fill out the form below. We will use the random number generator on Random.org to determine a winner from the completed responses, and then notify/contact the winner on next Sunday, September 7, around 8 p.m.

Thanks for participating in our very brief survey - which will help us to customize Redemption Unlimited's content according to your needs!



If you cannot see the embedded survey, please feel free to complete it by clicking here.

Harris Teeter Super Doubles - Get Swept Away!

I saw an email from my mother-in-law today. (She happens to live a mile or two from a Harris Teeter.)

"...I'm cleaning up at Harris Teeter this week. I just returned home with $60.00 worth for $8.00. Whee!..."

Needless to say, homegirl is feeling the Super Doubles Orinoco flow. Sail away, sail away, sail away!

Through September 1, you can:

• Double your coupons valued at $1.98 or less (you must have the store loyalty VIC card to get the sale prices).
  
• Use up to a limit of 20 coupons per transaction. Some stores enforce this to mean that you can only use 20 per day, even if you go to two separate stores.
• Use just 1 coupon on a BOGO deal- but you don’t have to buy 2 products to get the BOGO price.
  

NOVAThrifty has a great (and growing!) list of Super Doubles matchups - this is the list my mother-in-law was using while shopping at HT. There are also Super Doubles matchups at The Deal Scoop.
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Red Hot and Blue Coupon - Free Barbeque Pork Sandwich!

Get a FREE BBQ pork sandwich on your birthday by joining the Red Hot and Blue Club here.

Virginia locations include Arlington, Warrenton, Fairfax City, Richmond (soon!), Williamsburg, Falls Church, Herndon, Kingstowne, Leesburg, and Manassas.

Find your local Red Hot and Blue here to use this great coupon!

With many thanks to Crystal of Money Saving Mom!
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5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 08/28-09/03

Wow, September deals already! This week's Giant ad is pretty beefy - and the layout had me befuddled for a while, but if you take off the outer cover, the remaining contents more like a typical Giant ad.

Reader Nicole posted a comment about registering for emails from Giant under last week's Giant deals post:
Also, if you sign up for the email from Giant, you often get coupons to load onto your card. This week it was for $.50 one 2 ltr of Pepsi (since they're on sale, I got it for $.50)!
Sweet deal. Thanks, Nicole!

There are dollar doublers this week! We haven't seen these dollar doubling coupons show up in the in-store ads in recent months, so we recommend asking friends or neighbors who are less likely to shop at Giant if they'll be using theirs. You can use only 4 in a trip totaling $15 or more, but for freebies, that incentive to do more than one transaction may be tempting enough. :) Especially cheap deals to be had with dollar doubled coupons will be bolded.

Please note that we haven't had time to check/vet all the printables links yet for ourselves, so caveat printor.

These deals are shared as part of this week's Be CentsAble Grocery Gathering.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week:

Kellogg's, Kellogg's, and MORE Kellogg's. Remember that the Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate is still active through Sept. 30, so if you buy 10 in one transaction, you can send in a rebate request and will be mailed a $10 rebate check.

1. Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Cocoa Krispies, or Raisin Bran are 4/$6.
   Other Kellogg's cereals (around $3.50/box normally) are buy 4, save $4.
   08/02 Kellogg's insert:
   $1.00/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Frosted Flakes Gold, Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies or Corn Pops
   $1.00/2 Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Crunch, Jumbo Krispies, Frosted Mini Wheats Little Bites, 11.2oz+
   $1.00/2 Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats, 14.5oz+
   $1.00/2 Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch, Raisin Bran Extra, or Raisin Bran, 14oz+
   $1.00/2 Kellogg’s Special K Cereals, 11.4oz+
   $1/1 Kellogg's Blueberry Special K coupon, available on www.coupons.com
   $1.50/2 Kellogg's cereals at www.redplum.com
   And: Recent VocalPoint Mailer for Rice Krispies coupons - freebie and $1/1
   
   Deal ideas: Use one freebie and 3 $1/1s from VocalPoint mailer. Dollar double the $1/1s. Final price: ~$7.50 for four boxes of Rice Krispies, and if you integrate it into a Fuel for School rebate, more like $3.50 for four boxes. If Cocoa Krispies count as Rice Krispies, you might be able to use one freebie and 3 $1/1 coupons (dollar doubled) to get four boxes for FREE before the rebate would even kick in!
   
   OR: Buy 4 Froot-Loops, use 2 $1/2 coupons, dollar doubled. Total paid: $2 for 4 boxes of cereal. There are many variations of this type of deal using the coupons above.
   
   OR: Check our Frugal Friends' Kellogg's run here - ended up paying $7-something, with intent to submit for the Fuel for School $10 rebate. What a deal!
   
   
2. Kellogg's Pop-Tarts are 2/$5.
   08/02 insert:
   $1.00/2 Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts, 8ct+
   $1.00/2 Kellogg’s Blueberry Muffin or Chocolate Banana Split Pop-Tarts
   Printable for $0.55/1 Blueberry Muffin flavor Pop-Tarts (likely to double automatically)
   
   Deal idea: Buy ten Blueberry Muffin Pop-Tarts. Print ten of the $0.55/1 coupon. Final price per box: $1.40. Pay $14. Do the Fuel for School Rebate, get back $10. Final final price per box: $0.40.
   
   OR: Buy ten of any flavor. Use 5 $1/2 coupons listed above. Dollar double 4 of them. Pay $16. Do Fuel for School rebate. Really pay $0.60/box after rebate.
   
   
3. Cheap (or FREE) yoghurt! Activia, Danimals, and DanActive 4-packs are 2/$4. There were $1/1 coupons for all three in the 07/26 or 08/09 SS inserts.
   
   
4. Cheap chips! Lay's Potato Chips are BOGO. (Save at least $3.99) If you use the $1/2 coupon from the July issue of All You magazine, and dollar double it, you'll be getting two bags for $1.99, or less than a buck apiece.
   
   
5. $1/box for Kashi granola bars!
   Save $2 off your order instantly at checkout. Use your Giant card to purchase $6 worth of participating Kashi items shown in the highlighted section in one transaction and $2 will be deducted from the end of your order when you check out. Limit one offer per transaction.
   Participating items:
   Kashi Pizza, 2/$10
   Kashi Granola Bars, 2/$6 - $1/2 printable available on www.coupons.com
   Kashi TLC Cookies or Crackers, 2/$6 - Kashi GoLean/Crackers, $1.50/1 printable here
   
   Deal idea: Buy 2 boxes of Kashi Granola Bars. Use one $1/2 printable coupon. Dollar double it. $2 off from coupons, $2 off from automatic discount = $1/box of granola bars

Other Giant coupon matchups and deals that we spotted for the week of August 28 through September 3:

Eggo Nutri-Grain Waffles, 2/$5
$1/2 from 08/02 Kellogg's insert
DD price = 2/$3
Buy 10 in one transaction, do Fuel for School rebate, final price = $0.50/box

Aunt Jemima Great Starts Breakfast Entrees, 10/$10
$1/2, 08/16 insert, for "frozen pancake items"
If this applies...
DD price = FREE!

Oscar Mayer Basic or Jr. Lunchables, 10/$10
$1/1 from 08/23 SS
FREE?

Skintimate Shave Gel, 2/$4
$1/1 from 08/02 SS gets it FREE with dollar doublers
Also $1.50/2 from 07/12 SS

Porterhouse or T-Bone Steak, $4.99/lb. (Save $5/lb.)

Strawberries, 1 lb. packages, $1.66/each (3/$5)

Super G Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs or Super G Whole Chicken, $0.99/lb. (Save at least $0.50/lb.) These are great for crockpotting!

Sweet White Corn, Pick Your Own, 8/$1.99

Extra Jumbo Raw Gulf Shrimp, $7.99/lb. (Save at least $6/lb.)

Turkey Hill Ice Cream, 2/$5

Deer Park Spring Water 24-pack, $3.99 (Save $1.50)
September All You magazine, $1/2 24-packs
DD price = $2.99/24-pack

Coke 12-Packs, 4/$11 ($2.20 each, must buy 4 - save at least $10.96 on 4)

Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops, $2.99/lb. (Save at least $2/lb.)

Ball Park Beef or Meat Franks, BOGO (Save at least $4.49)
$1.50/1 printable here
Final price: $1.75/package

Sabra Hummus, 4/$10
Printable available for $1.50/1
Final price; $1

Pepperidge Farm Bakery Sale - 33% off entire line of breads, rolls, bagels, and English muffins (frozen bread excluded)
$0.55/1 whole grain bread, 06/14 SS (expires 09/13)

Orchard Perfect Ripe Avocados, 10/$10 - about as cheap as avocados get, excepting Sam's Club or WalMart SuperCenters

Brawny Paper Towels, various 8 or 6 pack rolls, $5.99

Quilted Northern Bath Tissue, various 12 or 9 pack rolls, $5.99
07/19 or 07/26 RP had a $1/1
September All You had a $2/2 coupon
DD price with $1/1 = $3.99

Hormel Black Label Sliced Bacon, BOGO.

Plumrose smoked ham steaks, BOGO.

DiGiorno Pizza, $5.99
Check 06/14, 08/02, 08/16 SS inserts for $1/1 coupons
DD price = $3.99/each

Totino's Pizza Rolls, $6.99
$0.40/2, 07/12 SS
Final price = $6.59

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, 2/$4
08/09 SS, $1/2
DD = $1/box

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Novelties, $3.99
Printable for $1/1 Skinny Cow Truffle Bars
DD price = $1.99

Kashi Organic Promise Cereal, $3.49
$1.50/2 printable for any Kashi Cereal, at www.coupons.com
Final price: $2.74

Kashi GoLean Hot Cereal, $2.99
$1.50/1 printable for Kashi GoLean Cereal
Or $1.50/2 printable for any Kashi Cereal, at www.coupons.com
Final price (lowest): $1.49

Kashi GoLean Crunch, 25 oz. package (large box) $4.99
$1.50/2 printable for any Kashi Cereal, at www.coupons.com
Final price: $4.24/box (comparable with 2/$5 sales on the smaller boxes of Kashi)

Juicy Juice, 2/$5
$1/2, June All You
DD price = 2/$3
$0.50/2 from 08/09 RP (doubles)
Final price = 2/$4

Sobe Lifewater, $0.88
BOGO Sobe Lifewater printable
Final price: $0.44

Classico Pasta Sauce, 2/$5
Register for a $1/2 printable coupon
DD price: 2/$3

Dole Fruit Bowls 4-pack, 2/$4
08/09 SS (values vary regionally)
Or various magazines from recent months
(Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, All You)
Sample $1/2 coupon, dollar doubled = 2/$2 or $1/each

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, 2/$5

Campbell's Select Soup, 3/$5
$0.50/2, 08/16 SS (doubles)
Final price: $1.16/can

Jif Peanut Butter, 2/$5
$1/1 when you also buy Smucker's, 08/09 RP
Final price; $0.50, plus the cost of the Smucker's @$1.88 (see below)

Smucker's Grape Jelly $1.88

Pampers Big Packs, 48-76, $19.99 (comparable with Sam's club pricing/diaper)
08/02 P&G, $1/1
DD price: $17.99

Gerber 3rd foods, 5/$4

Gerber 2nd Foods 2-packs, 10/$10

Hershey's XL Bar, 3/$4 - final price for a Reese's product: $0.23
Hershey's 8-Pack, 4/$5 - final price for a Reese's 8-pack: $0.15
$0.55/1 Reese's candy product, any, 08/23 SS

Twizzlers, 2/$3
$1/3 from 06/28 SS
DD price: $0.84/each

Dawn Dish Detergent, 2/$5
If Dawn Hand Renewal is this price, $1/1 from recent P&G mailer
(Or $2/1 Direct Foam Refill, $1.50/1 Direct Foam pump from same mailer)
DD price: $0.50 each

Febreeze Air Effects 9.7 oz. can, 2/$5
$0.50/1 from recent P&G mailer
Final price: $1.50 each

Chobani Yoghurt, 10/$10
Printable for $0.50/6 (doubles)
Final: 6 for $5

Canada Dry, 7-Up, A&W, and Sunkist, 10/$10

Minute Maid Premium Chilled Punches, 10/$10

Deer Park Spring Water 3 Liter, 10/$10

Eastern Peaches, 10 lbs./$10

Chef Boyardee Pasta, 10/$10
08/02 ($0.35/3) and 08/16 SS ($0.25/2)
Lowest price: $0.75/can

Del Monte Vegetables, 10/$10

Breakstone's Cottage Doubles, 10/$10

Hostess 100 Calorie Packs Cup Cakes, 2/$6
Register here for printable $0.50/1 coupon (doubles)
Final price: $2/each

Hefty Trash Bags, 2/$11
$1 printable available on www.RedPlum.com
DD price: $3.50 each

Oscar Mayer Beef Franks, $2.99
$1/2 coupon, 08/23 SS
DD price: $1.99 each

Pilgrim's Pride Chicken Nuggets, Tenders, or Wing Dings, $5.99
$0.55/1 here by registering
Final price: $4.89

Lloyd's Family of BBQ Beef or Pork Ribs, save $5
Coupon for Lloyd's Ribs or Tub, $0.75/1 (06/28 SS) or $1/1 (07/05 insert)
DD price: $2 off 1 in addition to $5 savings

South Beach Living Bars, $2.99
$1/1 printable here
DD price: $0.99/box

Horizon Organic Milk 18-Pack of TetraPaks (no refrigeration needed), $12.99
$0.55/1 multipack, 08/02 SS, or printable here
Final price: $11.89, or $0.66/each

Herbal Essences, 3/$10
$1/1, 08/23 RP
DD price: $1.33/bottle

Edge Shave Gel, 2/$4
$0.75/1, 08/02 SS (doubles)
Final price: $0.50/1

Planters Mixed Nuts, 2/$7
$1/2, 06/28 SS (expires 09/13)
DD price: $2.50 each

Pirate's Booty Snacks, 2/$5
$1/2 coupon, 06/07 SS
DD price: $1.50/each

Jell-O 6-Packs are 2/$6.
$0.35/1 refrigerated 6-pack (08/09 SS), final price: $2.30
$0.60/1 refrigerated 6-pack (also 08/09 SS; difference is regional), final price: $1.80
Other coupon: $0.50/2 (doubles to $1, 07/26 SS).

Pantene Family Size Shampoo, $5.99
$1/2, 08/02 P&G
DD price: $4.99

Del Monte Fruit Naturals, 4/$5
Printable for $1/3 by registering
DD price: 3/$1.75

Did you spot any other Giant coupon matchups or deals? Post a comment to let everybody know!
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Works for Me Wednesday: Coupon Clipping

It's Wednesday again - time for another "Works for Me!" tip, inspired by the blog carnival/series at We are THAT Family. This week's We are THAT Family Works for Me Wednesday tip can be seen here.

We are big coupon users here at Redemption Unlimited. Both of us have different strategies and organizational tendencies in this department.

Mel: What works best for me is clipping my coupons right away when they come into my home. If I don't, I won't know what I have and ultimately won't use them. So I clip and file them in my coupon organizer right away.

A.: I go through the inserts as they come my way, and clip the coupons that I am almost guaranteed to use (for household staples like Dannon, Yoplait, Kellogg's cereal, or for unusually high-value coupons, $0.75 coupons that will triple nicely, etc.). These go into my portable 13-slot coupon accordion organizer. I then leave the other unclipped coupons intact in their inserts and file the insert away for future use in case an insert is cited by other bloggers in a sale (more on this filing system at a later WFMW post). This way I can have an idea of all of the coupons that I have, while maintaining a ready-to-go envelope of definitely-will-use coupons.

Works for me!

IKEA for Meals Out - Deals Through Christmas, Includes FREEBIES!

The other morning, my husband and I made it to IKEA's restaurant for the first time for breakfast with our daughter. We were totally wowed! Not only was the food generously portioned and delicious, but we paid less than one breakfast at IHOP or Denny's would have cost - to feed all three of us. We got four small breakfasts (boy were we surprised to see the size of the small in real life) - $0.99 each.

Each small breakfast includes a generous helping of home fries (technically sold as hash browns, but they're cubed potato chunks, so...), scrambled eggs, and two slices of bacon. We also got two free coffees (see below) and a free fountain drink glass (also see below) - and our final ringup was ~$4.19. For everything. Whoa! Breakfast for a family doesn't get much cheaper than that - not even at a fast food drive-through. You can also get a $1.99 breakfast that includes the bacon, eggs, and home fries, along with three large french toast sticks.

At IKEA, the restaurant opens 30 minutes before the rest of the store does. If you arrive in this 30 minute window, you get FREE COFFEE! This was delicious coffee - I had the decaf and my husband had the regular, and we both remarked that we wished we could linger over the FREE refills. (You get free refills on coffee, tea, and soft drinks any time of day, regardless of whether it was free or bought.) This free coffee is advertised by IKEA, but we also got a fountain drink glass for my daughter's water in this time window and were not charged for it, so it may be that all drinks are free before the store opens.

And talk about family-friendly: As IKEA advertises, you also get FREE BABY FOOD (one jar) in combination with an adult meal. (If I remember rightly, ours had Beech Nut baby foods.) Choose any kid-sized item for $0.99/each or three items for $2.49. Finally, there is a play area by the cafe for children, too, and in many IKEAs, a restroom with changing tables nearby. What more could you want in an outing with little ones?

There are organic and vegetarian offers every day, as well. For instance, a bowl of the organic soup of the season is $1.99. Talk about appealing to a wide variety of eaters!

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My IKEA 2010 catalogue arrived recently, and the back few pages of it has some listed deals at the IKEA restaurant. Considering our wonderful breakfast experience, I have a feeling we'll be snagging some cheap meals out using these offers. This catalogue was targeted to a Woodbridge, VA, IKEA visitor, so if you're closer to another IKEA, be sure to check the deals at yours ahead of time by looking through your catalogue or calling to check on offers. Go here to subscribe to receive the IKEA catalogs.

A good deal, that's tasty, too! (Go here to see the IKEA 2010 catalog online, and move the scroll all the way to the right, to pages 372-373)

Swedish Meatballs with potatoes, cream sauce, and lingonberry jam, $2.49 (normally $4.99)
Every Tuesday, 4 p.m. to close, Sept. 1 through Dec. 29, 2009

Swedish Princess Cake (pastry made of sponge cake, raspberry jam, whipped cream, and marzipan) and a cup of coffee, $0.99
Aug. 24 - Sept. 4

BOGO on the $1.99 Breakfasts: Get TWO breakfasts of scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, and French toast sticks for $1.99!
Sept. 14 - Oct. 2

BOGO on the Swedish open-faced shrimp and egg sandwich (w/side salad), normally $2.99 for one.
Oct. 5 - Oct. 23

Organic Penne Pasta with Marinara Suace, $0.99 (normally $1.99)
Oct. 26 - Nov. 13

BOGO on Swedish Marinated Salmon, normally one for $4.99
Dec. 7 - Dec. 24

In the Swedish Cafe Section (By the Bistro Behind the Regular Checkout):
1 bag of frozen Swedish meatballs, $21.5 lbs.
2 packages of cream sauce, 1.4 oz./ea.
2 packages of rosti potatoes, 16.9 oz./ea
1 jar of lingonberry jam, 14.1 oz.
All this normally $17.14, half-priced at $8.57.
Nov. 16 - Dec. 4

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Find your local IKEA here (this will lead you to restaurant and store hours in the store page's left-hand column, so that you can plan your FREE coffee run). NOVA/DC/MD folks, you're likely to seek out the IKEAs of Woodbridge, VA, Baltimore, MD, and College Park, MD.
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Baby Supplies? Wait For Target Baby Sale, Early September.

Those of us still knee deep in the land of Desitin, Gerber, and Fisher Price can appreciate the chance to stockpile some baby goods on the cheap.

Along with many of you, I received a Target coupon mailer (cue happy dance), and it advertises the upcoming baby sale during the week of September 6 through September 12 for, "...teeny weeny prices on hundreds of baby products." The coupons in my mailer are good through October 1, and so can be used during this sale. Since you can stack Target coupons with manufacturer coupons, combining the two coupon types with Target sale prices can make for some cheeeaaaap supplies, among them:

Johnson's Baby Toiletries
Aveeno Baby Toiletries
Gerber Onesies or Layette
Desitin Diaper Rash Ointment
Pampers, Huggies, and Luvs Diapers and Wipess
Medela Accessories
Similac and Enfamil Formula
Gerber Snacks

...and much, much more.

You can also access printable Target baby coupons ($27 worth) here, though these expire 09/05 and won't coincide with the sale dates. However, you can still stack them with manufacturer coupons!

Of course, if you need supplies now, you need supplies - go ahead and use your coupons. But if you can hang on until 09/06-09/12, you might stand to maximize your savings on many baby items you regularly use. When the sale arrives, we will post a sale reminder with links to other blogs who post coupon matchups for Target.
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Menu Planning Monday

Did you use any of our ideas for your menu plan last week? Leave us a comment if you did.

A short review:
We didn't get to burgers on the grill last night because of a busy week and an impromptu dinner out. So we'll move those to this week. The Crock Pot pesto chicken and sweet potatoes turned out well but seemed like a bit of an odd combination.

And now onto a new week! We'll have a vegan visitor in town, so I'm looking forward to cooking for her. I was also blessed with some tomatoes from my brother's garden, so I'll be using those along with a container of salsa that needs to be eaten this week. You'll also notice that I have honey whole wheat bread on the plan each week. I make a big batch (3 loaves) at once and keep it in the freezer. Hubby loves it and it's an easy, delicious side.

Monday Burgers on the grill, garden salad
Tuesday Crock Pot Chicken & Salsa for fajitas
Wednesday Stir Fry Veggie Noodles (made with veggie noodles from Super H)
Thursday Spinach & Black Bean Egg Rolls (I make these with rice wrappers)
Friday Tomato Basil Soup, Grilled chicken, honey whole wheat bread
Saturday Dinner with friends - probably stuffed shells and/or homemade pizza
Sunday Leftovers

Happy Monday!

If you'd like more ideas, check out the Mr. Linky at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

TWO Easy Ways to Get a FREE Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich - One with Limited-Quantity Coupon!

The first 250,000 people who request a coupon for a FREE Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich will receive one by mail via ChickenWave.com. (The next 750,000 applicants should receive a coupon for a free drink.) Submit your free sandwich coupon request on the Chicken Wave site today!

(In addition, those who wear their team's logo from 10:30 a.m. to close on Labor Day will also receive a free chicken sandwich, so start sprucing up those lucky jerseys...)

With moochas gracias to Christy!
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OLD NAVY: Flip Flops Sale and NO MINIMUM Free Shipping!

Old Navy Classic Flip Flops for men and women are currently on sale for $3.50/pair, or $2.50 when you buy 2 pairs. FatWallet posted a free shipping code of SHIPFREE (ends 08/26), and one of us received the same code from Old Navy via email, so you might be able to get these flip flops cheaply without leaving the comfort of your own home. They come in every color imaginable and could be great stocking stuffers for the right person!

Other deals include:
Jeans for men & women at $19
Women's perfect khakis for $12 - $19, depending on color

Remember that clicking to the Old Navy site through an ebates account will earn you a whopping 8% cash back!

Ann Taylor Coupon for $20 off ANY Full-Priced Purchase - Today and Tomorrow

Sweet magenta blouses, this is the coupon to snag! Get $20 off your full price purchase at Ann Taylor, good today 08/21 and tomorrow 08/22. (Not good at the outlet stores...bummer.)

Suggestions: Check smaller ticket items - scarves, jewelry, gloves, socks, toiletries like lotions and sprays, etc.

Find your nearest Ann Taylor location here. With thanks to Your Coupon Buddy.
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Swagbucks: Earn Double Today!

It's Friday: Earn Mega Swag Bucks today!

Every Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day!

Never heard of Swag Bucks? It's one of our favorite websites, because you can earn free prizes for using the search engine. And on Fridays, users have better chances of winning Mega Swag Bucks denominations.

The way it works:

• Go to Swag Bucks through our referral link by clicking here.
  
• Sign up and create a new profile for yourself.
  
• Search a few times a day, and you'll start seeing points accumulate.

I use Swag Bucks to search 2-3 times a day, 3-4 days a week for things I would normally research. It has taken me about 5 months to earn a $25 Starbucks gift card. Sweet! There are lots of other prizes in the Swag Bucks store.

Kohl's $10 Gift Cards - Bargains

I took my daughter to Kohl's today. About twice a year, Kohl's does a mail campaign which contains a gift card good for $10 off any purchase of $10 or more. FREE money - woo! Can't beat that.

Note: Reader Jen asked in her comment whether you needed a Kohl's credit card to get these - nope, not the one that I received! (In fact the only time I make it to Kohl's is when these cards are sent out...)

Both Mel and A. received $10 cards attached to the card stock Kohl's pamphlet ad last week (not a typical magazine-style ad) in the mail - no strings attached. Our names aren't on the ads either; they're just mass-distributed in our NOVA areas to "valued customers" or some similar moniker.

The last time this card came out, I settled on a purchase of sale-priced Play-Doh items for my daughter, totalling $10.40, or $0.40 when all was said and done. So this time - I'll admit it - I was leaning a little toward a $10 fun somethingorother for me. :)

Here are some items that I spied that could be fun uses of the card. Mine was due to expire Saturday 08/22, so if you still have one burning a hole in your pocket, get to Kohl's ASAP! Of course Kohl's clearances have such high turnover that prices/items will vary, but these items I spotted could get your imaginations running:

• Smaller-sized clearanced Nine & Co. leather-trimmed purses, $11-12 or less
• Medium-to-large clearanced purses, $13 and up
• Girls' shoes, clearanced to $5 - could net you up to two pair.
• Girls' clearanced summer tank tops, $3.50+
• Girls' clearance hair accessories (and even a winter hat!) - $1.40
• JanSport zip three ring TrapperKeeper style binder, clearanced from $50 down to $10.
• Clearanced jewelry $3 and up.
• Women's shoes (especially sandals and summer styles): ~$5+ (also check by the bag section for lower-priced flipflops

What did I ultimately get? I saw a sale sign for $9.99 for 18 Keurig K-Cups, in Caribou Coffee, my husband's favorite! Ever since my parents and brother splurged on a Keurig machine as a gift for our household a couple of years ago, we've enjoyed the high-convenience and great taste of K-Cups, but I can't bring myself to pay full-price for them ($0.40-$0.50+ each) or use them as a regular coffee habit. Though the sale sign was obsolete, the employee whom I asked confirmed that I could still get the sale price. I was rung up for $10.24, handed over my $10 card, and the new ring-up was $0.00. Yes, $0.00 for 18 servings of some mighty tasty coffee.

Time to bust out the free Caribou coffee dance. Put your hands up to make some antlers and boogie. Only...to avoid making a complete spectacle of yourself...wait until you're in your car to do it. :)

What did you buy with your Kohl's $10 gift card? Dooooo tell!
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5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 08/21-08/27

Reader Nicole left us quite a bit of juicy bit of information via her commenting on last week's Giant post. Apparently there are two addresses available for the Kellogg's Fuel for School Rebate, and Nicole contacted the Kellogg's rebate powers-that-be via email to ask if she could use both, and if so, how many times. If we are correctly reading the reply quoted by Nicole in the last comment, each household is permitted to do the rebate once for each of the two submission addresses. If anybody else has heard additional clarifying/conflicting details, please feel free to leave a note in this week's comments. Thanks, Nicole, for sharing the results of your footwork with all of us!

That said, let's jam on the Giant deals:

1. White Seedless Grapes, $0.99/lb. (Save $1.50/lb.) Do I detect a whiff of autumn harvests coming in with loss-leading grapes?
   
   
2. Yoplait Yoghurt, 20/$10 ($0.50/each, Wal-Mart's everyday price). $0.40/6, 07/12 SS, or the printable $0.50/6 from www.smartsource.com. Maximum discount = $1.00/6, so 6 for $2, or ~$0.33/each.
   
   
3. Glade Air Freshener Aerosols are 10/$10. There was a $0.75/2 coupon in the 08/02 SS which will double automatically, meaning you'd get two for $0.50, or $0.25/each! Tell me you don't know a college student who could use a can or two of this...
   
   
4. Mott's Applesauce 6-packs are 2/$4. Use the $1 printable coupon available here to make each six-pack $1 - $0.17/each! www.smartsource.com also has a coupon available for $0.50/1 six-pack of Mott's Plus, which would make them $1 each as well.
   
   
5. Folgers Coffee is $2.99. Use the $0.25/1 coupon (08/02 RP, doubles) to get it for $2.49. $2.49 for 10-13 oz. of coffee (~$3/lb.) ain't too shabby.

Other Giant coupon matchups and deals we spotted for the week of 08/21-08/27:

Kellogg's deal, including potentially free Trix: Reader Trisha from MD alerted us that many Giant ads may include a deal which goes as follows:
Use your BonusCard and purchase $25 worth of participating General Mills items in one transaction and you'll receive a Checkout Coupon good for $10 off your next shopping order. Limit 1 offer per transaction.
Frugal in Virginia found a deal to work with this offer that score you a lifetime supply of free Trix, if you have access to multiple computers to print Trix printable coupons. Check it out!

Perdue Boneless Chicken Breast, originally $4.99/pack, BOGO.

Pepsi 2-liters, 10/$10 (normally $1.69/each)

Center Cut Pork Loin Chops, $1.99/lb. (Save $2/lb.)

Petite Sirloin Steak, $3.99/lb. (Save $2/lb.)

Giant European Salad Blends or Dole Salad Blends, 2/$5. (Save at least $0.49/ea.)

Edy's Ice Cream, Frozen Yoghurt, or Sherbert, 2/$6.

Extra Large Raw White Shrimp or Extra Large Cooked Shrimp, $6.99/lb. (Save at least $3/lb.)

Newman's Own Lemonades are 2/$4. Get a $1/2 coupon here to make them $1.50 each.

Klondike Bars are 2/$6. Get a $1/2 printable coupon here.

Kraft Singles are 2/$5. Get a $1/2 coupon in the 08/09 RP.

Eggo frozen Waffles are 2/$4. Use the $1/2 Eggo coupon from the 08/02 Kellogg's insert. Do the Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate and the price drops to $0.50/box!

Healthy Choice Entrees are 4/$10. Use the $1/2 printable available here to get the final price down to $2 each.

Starbucks Ice Cream is 2/$7. Use the $1/1 coupon from the 06/21 SS to make it $2.50/pint.

Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast items are 2/$4. Use the $1/2 coupon from the 08/16 insert to make these $1.50/box.

Smart Balance Spreads and Sprays are 2/$5. Get printable Smart Balance coupons here. Lowest price: $1.50 for the cooking spray after $1/1 coupon.

Crisco Vegetable Oil is $2.99. Use the 06/07 RP coupon for $0.55/1 and get it for $1.89.

Kellogg's Cereals are 2/$5. Use the 08/02 Kellogg's insert coupons in combination with the Kellogg's Fuel for School Rebate to get prices on these pretty low.

Newman's Own Pasta Sauces or Salsas are 2/$4. Use the $1/2 coupon printable here to get them for $1.50/each.

Jell-O 6-Packs are 2/$6. Use the $0.35/1 refrigerated 6-pack (08/09 SS) to get one for $2.30, or the $0.60/1 refrigerated 6-pack (also 08/09 SS; difference is regional) to get it for $1.80. Other coupon: $0.50/2 (doubles to $1, 07/26 SS).

Campbell's Chunky Soups are 2/$4. Use the following:
$0.50/2 (10/12/08 SS, expires 10/19/09)
$1/4 or $0.50/4, 08/16 insert

Ragu Pasta Sauce is 2/$5. There are two coupons listed out there for the 08/02 RP: a $0.60/2 (final price: $1.90/jar) or $0.75/1 (final price: $1/jar).

Huggies Supreme or Snug and Dry Jumbo Pack Diapers are $8.88 for 20-40 diapers. Use the $1.50/1 coupon from the 08/16 SS to make these $7.38 each, ranging from 18.5 to 37 cents per diaper, depending on your size bought. The same $1.50/1 coupon is available for printing at www.smartsource.com.

What other Giant deals and steals did you spot? Please share by leaving a comment!
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Works for Me Wednesday: Free Podcasts

It's Wednesday again - time for another "Works for Me!" tip, inspired by the blog carnival/series at We Are THAT Family. Check out We Are THAT Family's Wednesday tip (and others' Mr. Linky'ed tips) here.

I frequently listen to free podcasts while getting some of my chores done - laundry folding, dishwasher loading, etc. What I play depends on my mood - but freebie laughs and encouragement (plus hearing adult voices) can propel me through my tasks so much more sanely than if I try to do them sans podcasts.

If you have iTunes on your computer, you can do a search and check out the following podcasts for free (and check out past weeks' podcasts!). Note that while the majority of the following shows' content is generally family-friendly, it is always wise to check the subject matter of each week's show before playing with little ones around.

The Boundless Show. (Generally aimed at 20- and 30-somethings; also can listen straight from the website here). Hostess Lisa Anderson's self-deprecating sense of humor is just one of the reasons I tune in every week. Updated on Thursdays.

Car Talk. This classic radio show - hosted by brothers (and old school mechanics) Tom and Ray Magliozzi. These guys cover their callers' car mysteries, sure, but half the fun of the show is the weekly Puzzler, and especially the brothers' busting chops on each other. Click here for info. Updated on Saturdays.

Family Life Today. Family Life is "a Christian organization helping couples build healthier marriages and families." The collective wisdom and experience with marriage and parenting is astounding and very encouraging on this show. Click here for info on getting the podcasts.

A Prairie Home Companion's News from Lake Wobegon. In this excerpt from Garrison Keillor's weekly radio show, Mr. Keillor wryly spins some tall tales about his hometown - "Where the women are strong, the men are good-looking, and the children are above average." Click here for info on the podcasts. Updated Mondays.

One for post-kiddie bedtime:

The Moth. One of our husbands stumbled on this one, and we like to listen to it during adults-only time. The Moth is a non-profit storytelling organization. The podcasts feature "true stories from the storytellers' lives and they must be told live, without notes." Most are captivating, but some involve language inappropriate for children. Click here for The Moth podcasts.

Do you listen to any free podcasts? Which ones make you laugh, encourage you, uplift you, and generally inspire? Post a comment!
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Gymboree Circle of Friends Sale - Includes 30% OFF Coupon Good August 20-23, and $25 in Gymbucks for Future Purchase!

With thanks to The Bargain Jargon - we have caught wind of the Gymboree Circle of Friends Sale. It's Thursday, August 20, through Sunday, August 23. You can use this printable 30% off coupon at in-store locations, or if shopping online, use the code GYMFAMILY (online orders over $100 ship free). For every $50 you spend, you'll net $25 in Gymbucks; that is: The Gymbucks certificate that you earn during this Circle of Friends Sale will let you go on to save $25 off your next $50 purchase between Oct. 1 and 11. (Note: the Gymbucks earning period is July 29, 2009 - September 27, 2009.)

So, here's a sample two-trip scenario to show how the savings could play out:

August 20-23, go to a Gymboree Store and pick up around $75 worth of stuff.
Use 30% off in-store coupon linked above.
Spend just over $50 on the purchase; collect $25 Gymbucks certificate.

Oct. 1-Oct. 11, go back to the Gymboree Store and pick up at least $50 worth of stuff. (Stay as low as possible while still over $50.)
Use $25 Gymbucks certificate earned at Friends and Family sale.
Spend $25 on purchase.

So: you'd spend ~$75 on ~$125-marked worth of stuff. This is equivalent to a 40% discount. If you have a passle of kids to outfit (or kid gifts to buy for Christmas...), this might be worth considering.

As Liz pointed out (thanks! - and Mel echoed), participation in these deals at Gymboree outlets ranges from potentially accepting Gymbucks (but not the Gymboree coupon) to not accepting Gymbucks or coupons. If you're heading to an outlet, please call ahead to check their participation in this sale/deal.

Gently used Gymboree clothes are known for selling at a premium in the second hand market, including consignment sales and eBay.

Find your local Gymboree here.
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Children's Place August Coupon 15% OFF

If you're heading to a mall to take advantage of the Gymboree Circle of Friends 40% combined discount, don't forget that there are often deals to be had at The Children's Place, too, especially with this 15% off your entire purchase coupon, good through 08/31 (with thanks to Never Pay Retail Again). Baby Cheapskate also reported that you can use coupon code FA79 online to get the 15% discount through 09/07 (thanks!).

The Children's Place Monster Sale is on, many items are already marked up to 50% or more off, and you could do especially well at outlet Children's Place locations, like the one at Potomac Mills.

Find your nearest Children's Place location here.
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A Fall of Stocking Up In Preparation - by A.

I've been thinking a lot about what I need to do this fall to stock our cupboards and freezer. We are expecting our second daughter, due this December! Of course, the frugal streak in me immediately thought, "Sweet! Those girls' clothing deals snagged at Children's Place Outlet at Ralph Lauren Factory Outlet will get another round of wear!" :)

While we didn't exactly plan the pregnancy around the couponing hot streak of the year, it so conveniently happens that the months leading up to the holidays offer some of the most fertile deal-snagging ground on the couponing calendar. With the kickoff of the school year and the triple-whammy that is Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, the deals on nonperishables and convenience foods are sure to be plentiful. I'm going to be like a crazed little squirrel, stockpiling for the winter (not to mention the weeks and weeks of fuzzy newborn days sure to accompany). It's amazing how a little time in the couponing zone can transform your outlook to strategizing months, even (occasionally) years ahead.

Example of the "years" bit: Even last winter, when I was still a few months into couponing, I did a crazy run at CVS right after Christmas, and netted over $40 worth of decorations and gift-wrap supplies for around $6, using coupons, post-Christmas clearance prices, etc. Now, even though it's August, I'm eyeing the tall pile of gift bows, wrapping paper, bendable evergreen boughs, and garland in the "Christmas corner" of our basement storage area, and I'm admittedly getting a little irrationally excited about decorating most of my downstairs this time around for $6 in change. The less money spent on the fun fluff, the more resources are available for more important priorities, like close family's gifts and giving more to your local food bank, church, and charities.

If you're new to couponing, this is a great time to enter what I so affectionately call "the fray", because September through December are sure to yield an abundance of deals:

• More special double and triple coupon deals at various grocery stores, since the stores are trying to get you in to also buy your "hosting company" and "holiday celebration" hauls while you're there.
• More convenience food coupons, sales, and resulting matchups for school lunches - prepackaged/classic lunch items like applesauce cups, juice boxes, Lunchables, soups, lunchmeats, string cheese, etc.
• A huge glut of coupons, sales, and resulting coupon matchups for baking supplies - not only baking mixes for cookies, cakes, pies, and muffins, but also from-scratch nonperishables like flour, sugar, seasonings, cookie decoration supplies, canned pumpkin, raisins, etc.!
• Also coupons, sales, and resulting matchups for nonperishable holiday classics. Green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French's onions ringing a bell for anybody? Also, cranberry sauce, stuffing mixes, mashed potatos (dry mix or frozen), etc.
• In-store freebies, especially at the drugstores like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. This is usually in the vein of stocking-stuffers, candy, decorations, and so on.
• Post-holiday markdowns, like:
  --Just-clearanced Halloween candy bought with still-unexpired candy coupons (think creatively...you can crumble/chop Halloween chocolate for Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert recipes)
  --Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations, clearanced by up to 90% (I bought photo Christmas cards at Target last year at ~$0.90/10 ct. box last year doing this...$0.09/card!)
• Holiday Hallmark deals at various locations. Shop smart with the offer terms and you can often snag cards (and animated stuffed animals) inexpensively.

Hee hee - are you getting a little excited yet? Let's hope the grocers and retailers deliver on our sugarplum visions of deals! :)

For more details on the seasonal grocery deals available year-round, see our commentary on what sales and deals and holiday loss leaders to expect month-to-month.
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ArtsCow Promo - Free Shipping over $20!

ArtsCow is having another promotion, through August 24th. Any purchase over $20 ships free! (Since this is a Hong Kong based operation, normal ArtsCow shipping charges are known to be a little pricier than, say, Shutterfly.)

Coupon code: FSOVER20
Expires on: 8/24/2009
* This offer can not work with free credits.

This could be a great stocking-stuffer vector. Here are some cheap gift ideas:

• Photo pillowcase, $13.99 (If your spouse travels a lot, this could be a fun gift - a pic of you two cutting up or relaxing somewhere)
• Photo pencil case, $12.99 For school supplies or makeup!
• 20-page 5"x7" photo book, $4.99
• Photo zip cases for netbooks, starting at just $9.99
• Photo Ornaments (various shapes) starting a $4.49
• Photo Fridge Magnets starting at $1 (also great for Save-the-Dates, you wedding-planners out there...)
• Photo Coaster, $3.49
• Photo Microfiber Glasses Cleaning Cloth, $4.99

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Meal Planning Monday

Thanks for coming back for Meal Planning Monday!

My husband will be on travel this week and my sister is coming into town at the end of the week. So our meal schedule is a little out of the ordinary this week - for example, we'll have breakfast for dinner one night. My goal is to keep things simple so I don't heat up the kitchen!

Monday Chicken pot pie made w/ leftover roasted chicken (cooked Friday)

Tuesday Dinner with friends

Wednesday Leftover chicken pot pie from Monday, garden salad

Thursday Breakfast for dinner: eggs, pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit

Friday Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp & Broccoli, homemade honey wheat bread

Saturday Burgers on the grill, frozen steamed mixed veggies

Sunday Pesto chicken and sweet potatoes in the Crock Pot

If you'd like more ideas, check out the Mr. Linky at I'm an Organizing Junkie.