New Uses for Couponed Makeup

Trying new makeup is always a fun adventure. Who doesn't love snagging the latest foundation or mascara free after ExtraCare Bucks? But sometimes, the deal is so hot that when you arrive at the store, your preferred shade(s) aren't available because others got there first. But how can you pass up a freebie staring you in the face? Here are some fun new ideas for what to do with that couponed makeup:


Collect nail polishes or other fun makeup items and give to your favorite teen. If the colors available aren't your style (but still free or close to it), then collect a variety and gift-package them for your favorite teen - a niece, your kids' babysitter, the next door neighbor graduating this coming year. Bonus points if you throw in couponed top/base coat, nail polish remover, cotton balls, or manicure tools!

Think outside the box with application. When you don't let the makeup packaging dictate what goes where, a muted matte pink lipstick could become a great creme formula blush. A too-brown-for-you powdered blush or bronzer could be a neutral eyeshadow. A too-light-for-you mascara could become a great eyebrow tamer/enhancer when applied with a very light hand - or even a coverup for a few stray grey or white hairs on your head. The basic idea is to look at the product's color and daydream about where else it might work on you. You can always wash off and start again - that's the beauty of experimenting.

Could you only find a foundation/concealer a shade darker? Don't worry - it's still good for:

1. "Tan" you. If you get tan during the summers, or use fake tanning, a shade darker foundation is ideal for keeping your look pulled together! You only need to use it sparingly on "trouble" areas (undereye circles, zits, etc.) and blend well, to get a no-giveaway summer face.
   
2. You, photographed. You may cringe to see the "one shade darker"color against your complexion under your bathroom mirror lights, but the reality is that if it's only slightly darker and blended very finely at the jawline, you will look younger, healthier, and more radiant in family portraits. This is especially true of fairer-complexioned women who tend to be washed out by ambient photo studio lighting. You'll also achieve a more awake, younger look by doubling the amount of makeup that you usually wear for daily use - from mascara to blush to lip color.

Could you only find foundation/concealer a shade lighter? Don't worry - it's still good for:

1. "Pale" you. By January, you could be thanking your lucky stars that you have a slightly more palid shade in your makeup arsenal.
   
2. You, sculpted. Dotting a slightly lighter shade under your eyebrow arch, on the top of your cheekbones, and on the inside corner of your eyes (blended well!) can make your face look skinnier, and you expressions look more awake and alert.

Make an emergency kit of makeup. Just because the shades aren't precisely those of your preferred lineup doesn't mean you won't appreciate the emergency kit stowed in your office desk, glove compartment, or suitcase when you realize that your everyday makeup was accidentally forgotten. Think of it as a "desert island" lineup - what items are absolutely necessary to get you through the day - chapstick, mascara, etc. If you travel to one location quite frequently - say a relative's house or vacation house - you could consider leaving an entire complement of couponed makeup and toiletries there so that you don't have to pack one every time. Just remember that there are expiration dates for cosmetics and toiletries.

Donate to your local community/church/high school theater productions. If you've ever been in a play or musical, you know the gallons of makeup that such productions can consume. Even a small production can go through bottles of foundation in a single night for sufficient stage makeup. And since such productions are often low-budget, it's quite likely that your local thespians would welcome any of a wide variety of colors and brands of foundations, concealers, lipsticks, blushes, eyeliners, mascaras, and so on.

Trade with a fellow couponer. If you know a local couponer who hits up different stores, you can offer to be on the lookout for each other's favorite shades and products and trade every so often. Yes, you might give three lipglosses and get back a mascara and a pair of tweezers, but at least you're trading for stuff you'll eventually use, right?

Donate to your local women's shelter/domestic violence shelter. Women who rely on these shelters often do not have big beauty budgets, but your donation of cosmetics (as well as other basics like body washes, soaps, tampons and maxipads, etc.) can be a block in rebuilding their self-esteem as they get back on their feet.

What other creative ways have you found to use cheap or free couponed cosmetics? Post a comment to let everybody know. :)

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FREE Shipping over $25 on CVS.com June 29 and June 30 - plus $5/$20 P&G products via CVS gift card

Remember the AdPerk deal from a ways back (though the 20% offer is no longer active)? You buy $20 of P&G products, you get a $5 CVS gift card mailed with your products. This deal is still good through tomorrow, June 30th.

CVS just emailed me a deal: use the code SHIP4FREE at checkout to get all orders over $25 to ship for free.

There is yet another active deal out there: spend $60, and get $10 off just for signing in with your CVS.com account, and $5 off if you use your Mastercard to pay for the items.

Maximum 'net' possible discount if you purchase at least $20 qualifying P&G products in a $60 transaction in the next two days: $20 ($5+$10+$5 gift card) off $60.

Incidentally, I price compared one qualifying product - Gillette Fusion cartridges (the manual ones, not battery-powered ones). 4 of the Fusion cartridges go for $14.49 at CVS.com ($3.62/each), while 16 of the cartridges go for ~$41 at my local Sam's club ($2.56/each). If you bought 4 of the 4-ct. boxes at $57.96 and threw in a filler to get to $60, you'd get 16 cartridges for $45, plus a $5 CVS gift card, bringing the 'net' to just under the Sam's price for 16. If you don't have a Sam's membership or a Sam's nearby, this might be worthwhile - up to you.
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PARADE Magazine: more coupons

Our June 28, 2009 edition of PARADE Magazine has a handful of manufacturers coupons inside.

Look in yours for coupons for CoverGirl, Cottonelle & Olay products. These might work well with CVS deals in the near future.

Borders: Another free drink!

Borders has released a new coupon for any 12 oz. Seattle's Best Coffee drink through July 2.


Click here to print your coupon. No purchase required. I tested out the coupon put out by Borders 2 weeks ago and had an easy time at my location. As always, please verify that your location carries the Seattle's Best Coffees before going there. Enjoy!

Thanks, Freebies4Mom!

FREE/Cheap Rollable Chicken Deal at Bloom Courtesy of Frugal Friends

Frugal Friends posted yesterday on how Perdue chicken packages containing $0.75 coupons (tripling to $2.25 off through June 30 while Bloom does triple coupons) can get you more FREE or cheap chicken.

Check out this chicken deal STAT! Thanks, Frugal Friends! :)
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5 Reasons to go to CVS this week, 06/28-07/04

See the entire post of weekly coupon matchups and CVS deals here. Thanks, Erica!

1. Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soups, 2/$1 ($0.50 each). Use the printable $1/2 coupon here or here to make it free.
   
2. Benadryl or Cortaid itch relief .2-4 oz (PSA $3.99) earn back $2 ExtraCare Bucks.
   This deal is limit 5. Usable coupons:
   $1 Benadryl Allergy 06/28 SS
   $1 Benadryl Cream, Spray, or Gel 06/28 SS
   $.50 Cortaid 06/28 SS
   
3. Bengay Moist Heat Therapy pads (3 count), ultra patches (4-5 ct.), or ultra cream (4 oz.) are all $6.99 each, earning back $2 in ExtraCare Bucks for each bought. This deal is limit 5.
   Usable coupons:
   $2 Bengay 06/28 SS
   $1.50 Bengay (exp 06/30) 05/17 V/RP
   $1 Bengay, any except trial 04/26 SS
   $5 off 2 Peelie on some Moist Heat Therapy pads
   
4. Edge or Skintimate shave gels are $1.99. Use these coupons:
   $1 off Edge shave gel
   $1 off Skintimate
   $0.75 off Edge infused or any other Edge shave gel 05/17 SS
   
5. Lay's Chips $3.99 BOGO Limit 4
   Coupons:
   $1 Frito Lay Snacks, any variety, 9 oz. or larger bag AND Frito Lay Dip, any variety 9.5 oz + jar SS 6/28
   Note (not found in iheartcvs matchups): If you get All You magazine, the July issue that arrived in mailboxes recently had a $1/2 Lay's potato chips coupon which would make the chips ~$1.50 per bag. Not bad!

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5 Reasons to Visit Giant this Week, 06/26-07/02

1. The $5/$15 meat purchase coupon is good for one more week, through 07/02. Pair it with the half-price $4.99 Porterhouse of T-Bone Steak, the 60% off $1.99/lb. pork chops, or the $0.99/lb. chicken drumsticks or thighs to get maximum meat discount!
   
2. Sweet White Corn, 12 for $1.99. Roast it in-husk for a quick, tasty version!
   
3. $3.88 watermelons, the cheapest watermelon price at Giant so far this year.
   
4. $2.20 for 12-packs of Coke products. You must by 5 ($11 total) to get this price.
   
5. The new discount certificates. Get up to 20% off a future shopping order! Between June 26 and July 30, every $1 you spend at Giant with your BonusCard will transalte to 1 point earned. Go to giantfood.com/extrarewards to activate your rewards. You can elect to "cash in" your points at any time at this link - cashing in 250 of your points will result in a 5% savings certificate printed out during your next cheeckout, good for a future transaction. 450 points = 10%, 600 points = 15%, and 800 points = 20% savings certificate.
   
   This deal is kind of convoluted, but I'll be curious to see what kind of rewards it yields. The problem is: I rarely spend over $50 at Giant in a single transaction, so assuming $50 is my "big haul", I would save $10 at most. $800 spent to save $10 isn't a particularly good motivator for me, but maybe there are other "takes" on this deal that could result in better incentives. Anybody willing to post comments on creative ways to maximize savings with this deal?

Other deals and Giant coupon matchups we spotted for the week of 06/26-07/02:

• Ball Park Franks are BOGO ($4.49 for two). Use the $1/2 coupons from the 06/07 or 06/28 RP inserts to get two for $3.49, or ~$1.75 each, less than half price.
• Hot Pockets (includes Lean Pockets, Croissant Pockets, Paninis, or Subs) are 5/$10. Use the coupons (values vary by region) in the 05/17 SS and the 04/26 SS to maximize savings, bringing prices $0.50-$1.
• Osteo Bi-Flex is BOGO. Use the $6/1 coupon from the 04/19 SS or the printable $5/1 coupon available by registering here - and use two coupons! - to get it pretty cheap.
• Nature's Bounty vitamins and supplements are BOGO. Use two of the $1/1 coupons from the 06/07 RP to get them for $2 off the price of one.
• Turkey Hill drinks are 3/$5 again. Use the $1/2 coupon from the 05/10 RP to get them for $1.16 each (not a bad stock-up uption for Fourth of July company).
• Earn a $5 Catalina coupon good toward your next transaction when you spend $15 in one transaction on Olay skin care (see 06/07 P&G coupons) or Covergirl cosmetics (Covergirl is 25% off; 05/17 P&G had a $2 CG lip coupon expiring 06/30, while 06/07 P&G had a coupon for $1/1 and/or $2/2 any CG product).
• Ragu is 2/$4. There were $0.60 coupons in the 05/17 RP which should double automatically.
• Lay's potato chips are 2/$5. Use the $1/2 coupon from July's All You magazine to make them $2 each.
• Kellogg's Corn Pops, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Apple Jacks, or Froot Loops are 3/$5 ($1.66 each). The 06/07 RP had a coupon good for $1 off Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops or Apple Jacks Cereal. Final cost: $0.66/box.
• Pillsbury Brownie Mixes, $1, but $0.30 after doubled $0.35 coupon from the 03/29 RP.
• Knorr Pasta Sides, $1, but after $0.60/2 coupon (05/17 SS2, doubles automatically), $0.40 each.
• Note: there is a deal for an extra $0.10 off gas this week when you buy any 4 participating items, listed in-ad. The tiny print goes on to say that the only Giant locations where gas is sold (ergo - where this deal is redeemable?) in Pasadena and Lusby, MD.

Let us know what deals you spotted by posting a comment! :)

FREE Chocolate Monthly at Godiva

Go, Diva! Reader Jen recently wrote us with this hot tip:

"I was at Tysons today and discovered that Godiva now has a rewards program. The best part of it is you get a free chocolate (anything you want from the case) every month! All I had to do was give them my e-mail address and pick out my free chocolate for the month - no purchase necessary!

Here are the details:
https://www.godiva.com/member/rewardLogin.aspx"

Thank you, Jen, for alerting us to this very sweet deal. :)

Find your nearest Godiva location here: http://godiva.geoserve.com/forms/godiva.php
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Bertucci's Coupon - $5 off $25 Purchase

Bertucci's is a family-oriented Italian restaurant - and they make a mean rosemary calzone, I must say - big enough to feed two easily. The salads and pizzas there are great, too.

Here is a printable coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at Bertucci's (expires 07/15/09) that I stumbled across this morning in a banner ad. Remember to tip according to the original purchase quantity. :)

Find your local Bertucci's here!

New Redbox Code Good Today June 22 through Tomorrow June 23 - FREE movie rental!

InsideRedbox reported another Redbox free Rental Code! How exciting!

Use the code RBXTHXU6 today or tomorrow at RedBox riosks everywhere to get your free rental.

Find your local Redbox kiosks at nearby gas stations, grocery stores, and other locations.
Search the Redbox Movie Titles for tonight!
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Notes on Today's Trip to Giant - Blueberries = FREEBIE Ziplocs? And a cool self-checkout lesson!

A tip of the hat to reader Anna today, whose savings comment spurred me to get my coupons together and get our booties out the door for a trip to Giant of our own! Click the pic to see more details. Everything was on sale and/or couponed except the organic milk, which is a splurge staple in our house, and the local papers with coupon inserts inside, which at $0.25 each are a sound investment. :)

As Anna pointed out in her field report, the delicious Sabra hummus was very cheap indeed, at two tubs for $1.29 after two printables and the BOGO price. See the rest of this week's deals and coupon matchups here.

You know that crackly noise that metal detectors make when they sense metal? After couponing a while, you develop something similar that propels you to undercover tearpads, peelies, and other "stealth" coupons. I was picking up the already-quite-cheap $1.25/pint blueberries, when I saw that some pints had a stealth peelie (crackle! crackle! crackle!) for $0.75 off any Ziploc Brand Containers. Since I was getting blueberries anyway, I made sure that all pints in my cart had this peelie.

When I got home, I did a happy dance upon discovering that this is a "starting-with-5" coupon, meaning it will double or triple. Even if I just doubled it, I'd be already $0.25 to the good on those blueberries, but I'm thinking of hitting up Bloom's triple coupons this coming weekend to see if these peelies will get me any free Ziploc containers once they triple to $2.25 each...woo hoo! One caveat: When I peeled it off, it took some of the opposite sheet's colors with it, making it sort of blotchy (see closeup pic above by clicking for a zoom view), so if you get these peelies, take'em off slowly and carefully.

Though Anna had no problem with the BOGO Oscar Mayer sale working with the Oscar Mayer coupon, my Giant's checkout system refused to play ball (though ironically, it did accept the BOGO SoBe printable with its BOGO sale - go figure). The very nice lady who was helping me explained that sometimes the BOGO sales and freebie coupons work, and sometimes they don't - and she is supposed to go with whatever the computer decides. Hm... I'm thinking if I reaaallly wanted those hot dogs, I could have gone to customer service, but being ready to hit the road with my tot, I just asked her to void the hot dogs from the transaction (I'll probably get a free pack with the freebie coupon some other time).

The lady at checkout had also showed me a fun new trick - a variation on one I already knew. When you're having trouble getting something to scan at self checkout, you can hit "Keypad" in the center of the right hand side of the screen, and simply key in the item number on the bar code (including the lonely single digits each to the left and the right of the main ten digit number) - and hit "Enter". This one I already knew, but my Internet-printed coupons weren't scanning, and this is when she told me that I could do the same thing with the coupon bar codes, and she showed me. She came back several coupons later to check on me - and they were going through, no problem. Cool! You learn something new every day. (She still had to enter the freebie coupons since those require a cashier to enter the value of the freebies in question with their authorized card.)
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5 Reasons to go to CVS this Week, 06/12-06/27

Some freebies at CVS this week. Remember, even if you don't need a freebie, if you have the coupon and the freebie is staring at you from the shelf, pick it up to donate at your local food bank! With thanks to iheartcvs for the matchups - visit the full post of matchups for this week here.

1. Frank's RedHot sauce is $1. Use the $1 off Frank's RedHot Sauce (05/17 SS) to get it FREE!
   
2. 20 oz. bottles of Sobe Lifewater are BOGO. Use the printable BOGO Sobe coupon here to get two bottles FREE!
   
3. SoyJoy bars are 4/$4, and you get $4 ExtraCare Bucks when you buy 4. This deal is limit 5. Although SoyJoys tend to be a love-or-hate item, if you've never liked them in the past, consider trying the vastly-different mango coconut flavor - it tends to have a better consistency and taste than the others, in my experience.
   Use these coupons:
   $2 off 10 SoyJoys (05/31 SS)
   $1 off 2 SoyJoys - or BOGO up to $1.39 (05/31 SS)
   $1 off 5 SoyJoys
   
4. ThermaCare Neck to Arm Wrap, 1 ct., $2.49, earn back $2.49 in ECBs - making it free after ECBs! Use this printable $1 off any Thermacare coupon to get $1 'profit'.
   
5. Almay Pure Blends Foundation or Face Powder is $13.99, earn back 10 ECBs for each bought. This deal is limit 3. Use the coupon for $1 off Almay cosmetic product (05/17 SS). "Net", $2.99 for the foundation..

3-Day Sale at Giant, TODAY 06/19 through 06/21

I just got wind of a 3-day sale going on at the Giants in Frederickburg, West Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Falmouth. Post a comment to let us know if your Giant was advertising the same specials - and which Giant location(s) apply.

The 3-day sale includes:

• Sweet white corn, 12/$1.99 (cheapest so far this year!)
• Maryland Crab Cakes, 2/$10
• Lobster Tails, $5.99 each.
• Roma Sausage, 1 lb. package, $2.99
• Wild American Gulf Shrimp, $9.99/lb.
• Backfin Crabmeat, 1 lb. container, $9.99
• Quarter Sheet Cake, $9.99

Now, I have a sneaking suspicion that some of these aren't particularly good sale prices and are just designed to move higher-end seafood and party fare. But since I'm not a seafood pricing expert, maybe some of you can tell me whether any of the above are worthwhile prices!

And on a related note: if you're serving crab cakes, lobster tails, and gulf shrimp for Father's Day, how can I get invited to that shindig? ;-p
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Freebies on Friday!

Tomorrow is another big day for freebies.

It's Free Light Smoothie Day at Orange Julius tomorrow, June 19, with this coupon.

Limit 1 per customer. 3 flavors. Find an Orange Julius near you here. Be sure to take your coupon and verify participation before you go!

And if you miss the freebie but still want to try one of the new smoothies, print a $1 off coupon here.

A&W lovers can pick up a small root beer float tomorrow, June 19. Available from 2 - 8 pm only. One per customer.

Please verify participation before you go and let us know if you go!

Old Navy Steal: $2 Tank Tops Saturday 6/20!

Up early on Saturday mornings?

If you like Old Navy tank tops for women or girls, head their way this Saturday, June 20. Each top is $20, limit of 5 per customer, and up to 50 color choices.

As always, we recommend checking with your local store to confirm participation.

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!

5 Reasons to Visit Giant (aka Stop and Shop) This Week, 06/19-06/25

Giant is really delivering on the Father's Day deals this week. Here are some hot incentives:

1. Cheap Grillin':
   Boneless Chicken Breast, usually $3.29/lb., just $1.69/lb. This is rock-bottom stockup price in the first place, peeps! If you use the $5 off $15 meat purchase coupon (whose terms do not require a BonusCard), your lowest possible price could be $15 retail worth of chicken (~4.6 lbs.) for $2.71.
   
   Petite Sirloin Steak, usually $5.99/lb., this week $3.99/lb. If you can find a 2.5 lb. package, you could get as low as $15 retail of steak for $4.99.
   
   Fresh Pork Tenderloin is $2.99 (save $3/lb.!). If you find a 5 lb. package, you can get as low as $15 retail pork for $2.48.
   
2. Cheap blueberries! 4 pints (~48 oz. or 3 lbs.) goes for $5 ($1.25 each). I just bought 3 lbs. of blueberries for around $7 at Sam's Club, so this is a real deal. Make some blueberry banana bread!
   
3. Watermelon on sale for $3.99 (save $2 each). Sign me up!
   
4. Pepsi 12 packs or 6 packs, 4/$12, or $2.40 each.
   
5. BOGOs and freebies:
   
   Oscar Mayer Beef Franks are BOGO. Pretty sure you can use the free Oscar Mayer Beef Franks coupon (it was a by-request-on-web coupon mailed to your homes) to get TWO packages for FREE!
   
   Sobe Lifewater is BOGO. Use this BOGO printable coupon to get two for free (or print two coupons, get four for free!).
   
   Dole Fruit Bowls 4 packs (all varieties) are BOGO. The 04/26 SS had coupons for these fruit bowls, though values varied regionally.
   
   Banana Boat Suncare or Hawaiian Tropic Suncare are BOGO. The 05/03 SS had a $1/1 coupon for both BB and HT, and you can also register here for a $2/1 Banana Boat printable coupon and here for a $2/1 Hawaiian Tropic printable coupon. These run $10-$15. If the print limit on the $2 coupons is 2 per Windows-run computer, you can get 2 BB or 2 HT products for around $6, which makes them ~$3 each - a 70%ish discount on sunscreen!
   
   Sabra Hummus is BOGO. If this $1.50/1 printable coupon is still good, you can get two for very, very cheap.
   
   Chi-Chi's salsa is BOGO. There were coupons in the 05/17 SS for $0.55 (doubles to $1.10) or $1 off that could make this cheap indeed.
   
   Rubbermaid Easy Find Lid containers are Buy 2, Get 1 Free. Use three of the $1 coupons from the 05/03 and 06/07 SS inserts to get them for cheaper.
   
   Finish Detergent Tabs are BOGO. Use two of the the $0.75/1 coupon (doubles to $1.50) from the 06/07 SS to get $3 total off the cost of one.

Other Giant coupon matchups that we spotted in the ad for the week of 06/19-06/25:

• Tropicana Pure Premium $1.99 (save at least $1.76 each). Send a Father's Day greeting and you and the recipient will both get a printable coupon for $1 off Tropicana Pure Premium, making the OJ just $0.99! The 05/03 RP also had a $1/2 coupon for Tropicana Juices 59 oz. or larger, makinng it $1.49 each.
  
• Kellogg's Corn Pops, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Apple Jacks, or Froot Loops are BOGO. The 06/07 RP had a coupon good for $1 off Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops or Apple Jacks Cereal. Use two coupons since you're buying two. Estimated cost for two after coupons, $1.49 or ~$0.75 each.
  
• Buy $15 of Giant brand products on the flap, get a $3 Catalina good for for your next purchase at Giant. Graham crackers, microwave popcorn, toilet paper, paper towels, cheese, applesauce, paper plates, and sandwich bags are all listed. As an example, Giant cheese blocks are 2/$5. Buy 6 to get them for a net of $12, or $2 each.
  
• Yoplait Yoghurt cups are 20/$10. There was a $0.40/6 coupon (doubles automatically) from either the 05/31 or 06/07 SS will get you 6 for $2.20, or ~$0.37 each. There is a $0.45/6 coupon printable from coupons.com that will get you the cups for $0.35 each.
  
• Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce is $1.66 (this normally retails $2-$2.50 per bottle). The $1 coupon from the 05/10 SS will make it $0.66/bottle. Nice! Note: this wasn't in my 05/10 SS but was still listed in AFullCup's coupon database. Maybe a regional one...?

What hot deals did you spot this week? Post a comment to let us know. :)
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My Panera Rewards Card - testing in NOVA locations now! FREE PASTRY OR SWEET or even FREE LUNCH for registering!

Last night we had a rare treat - dinner out with family - at Panera!

My father-in-law and my husband came back to the table with our food - and an even more intriguing prospect - Panera rewards cards, called My Panera cards. [Cue my Scooby-Doo, perked ears "Meh???"] You may rightly wonder - didn't they already have cash-loadable debit-type cards for use at Panera? Yes, but these new rewards cards are like grocery store rewards cards in that there is a tangible customer benefit to getting one and using it: freebies, birthday treats, and other special offers added to your account on a routine basis! The cards have a standard credit-card-sized card and a detachable keyring card with a hole punched in it.

I registered our family's card this morning to a delightful surprise: a FREE sweet or pastry awaited in our card's balance. I'll be saving this for a special occasion...you know...as in one where I can actually savor the sweet, maybe with a cup of coffee that I finish before it gets cold. If you have a Northern Virginia girlfriend to catch up with, it would be a great idea for you both to get a card and register online - so you can meet in person at Panera for free My Panera pastries and a ~$1.30 cup of coffee (free refills!). I ask you: How does catching up with a girlfriend get much cheaper? Edit: a posted comment from Suzy (thank you!!) let us know that her freebie was a free "you pick two" meal. Wow!! Looks like your freebies can vary, but either way free food is free food, oh yea!

These My Panera cards are currently being test-marketed in Northern Virginia locations, including the following My Panera participating locations:

Alexandria (Edsall/Vincent Gate Terrace)
Alexandria (Hechinger Commons)
Alexandria (Kingstowne Center)
Alexandria (Richmond Hwy/Route 1)
Arlington (Wilson Blvd.)
Ashburn (Greenway Corporate Dr.)
Centreville (Union Mill Rd.)
Dumfries (Furtuna Center Plaza)
Fairfax (Chain Bridge Rd.)
Fairfax (Lee Hwy)
Fairfax (West Ox Rd.)
Falls Church (Baileys Crossroads)
Falls Church (Strawberry Ln.)
Falls Church (West Broad St.)
Fredericksburg, VA (Carl D. Silver Pkwy)
Gainesville (Atlas Walk Way)
Herndon (Elden St.)
Herndon (Woodland Crossing Dr.)
Lansdowne (Promenade Dr.)
Leesburg (Ft. Evans Rd.)
Manassas (Liberia Ave.)
Manassas (Sudley Rd.)
McLean (Tysons Corner Center)
Reston (Discovery St.)
South Riding (Riding Plaza)
Spotsylvania (Jefferson Davis Hwy)
Stafford (Stafford Marketplace)
Vienna (Tysons Corner/Leesburg Pike)
Woodbridge (Merchants Plaza)
Woodbridge (Prince William Pkwy)

Get your card at these locations by asking the cashiers (they are currently only available in-store), and then go to the My Panera website to register your card and get your free pastry or sweet loaded up! For maximum rewards, scan your My Panera card every time you go to your local Panera location.

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Invite Company For Dinner - $5 off $15 purchase Giant (and Stop and Shop) Meat Coupon Debuts!

Let's all send reader Cheri a big virtual hug: she just alerted us to a suhweeeeeeeeeeeeeet coupon for $5 off a $15 meat purchase at Giant. This coupon is good 06/15-07/02. Cheri, you just save us a bunch of money, girl! Thanks so much for this hot tip!

As before, this $5/$15 meat purchase at Giant coupon does not require a BonusCard for discount - neither do its stated terms.

If you shop the Giant affiliate chain Stop and Shop, you can get the $5 off $15 meat purchase at Stop and Shop coupon here. (Thanks for the Stop and Shop coupon link, Bargain Shopper Lady!)

How could you use it for this week's Giant deals? Buy 3.5 lbs. of London Broil or Boneless Beef Chuck Steak. Use the coupon. Then scan your BonusCard. You'll pay $3.75 for $15 worth of beef. That's a price worth clearing some freezer space! :)

Note: Some stores have permitted the scanning of this coupon before BonusCard discount, while (according to reader comment feedback - thanks to all who write with their experiences!) some have not. The last time the $3/$15 coupon came out, I made a couple of trips to Giant and used the self-checkout as I almost always do. The second trip, I made consecutive transactions using this coupon before BonusCard - and a lady who was the designated "self-checkout duty" employee at the time took the time to stop and check out my coupon - in fact she came over twice, once during each of two transactions and asked where I got the coupon. Once I told her that it was freely available on the Giant website, she said, "That's really cool," and allowed me to continue with my other transactions. Since she was watching me, and we've heard of others being able to use this coupon before the BonusCard is used, it is probably a store-by-store basis whether or not you can use it before BonusCard, though the coupon's stated terms do not require the BonusCard to be scanned before the coupon is scanned.

Also, a reader told me earlier this week about a Giant employee refusing the coupon outright (even with well over $100 of meat in the transaction, ergo way more than $15 worth post-Bonuscard discount) - and belittling the couponer, acting as though the coupon was fradulent. This sort of treatment is rude, embarassing, and unacceptable! Fortunately, the reader informed me that later, this particular Giant's manager received a very well-written email about the experience, and since then has been reassured that the customer was in the right and that the coupon is legitimate for use. We mention this story to point out: the with/without and before/after Bonuscard element seems to be on a by-Giant basis, and you may need to add some meat to your transaction if your Giant requires post-Bonuscard scanning, but don't be afraid to seek management's assistance if your coupon is being rejected outright.
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Free Spaghetti and Meatballs at Noodles and Company

Sometimes a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs really hits the spot, am I right?

NOVA Thrifty posted this sweet deal (thanks!) - go to Noodleball.com, give playing Noodle Ball a go, and you get to register for a coupon for a FREE spaghetti and meatballs at Noodles & Company with the purchase of any other entree. Sounds like a cheap lunch for two to me! Find your nearest Noodles and Company location here.

I don't have any madd Noodle Ball skillz (or actual basketball skills for that matter) - I only managed to make one meatball basket. It isn't a skill thing - just a gateway to your coupon, no matter how well or poorly you do. :) If you're really tanking, you can hit "End Game" to go straight to the option to register for the coupon (as always, we recommend using your junk email address) and, if you like, also opt-in for future Noodles and Company promos. So what are you waiting for? Lace up and go play some Noodle Ball!
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5 Reasons to Visit CVS this Week, 6/14-06/20

For the rest of this week's CVS coupon matchups, click here. (Thanks, Erica!)

1. 7-Up, Buy 3/$11, earn back 3 ECBs. Use the printable coupon available here (coupon text as good for any flavor 7-Up 12-pack). You can print 2 per Windows-run computer. Use 3 coupons, get three 12-packs of 7-Up for a net of $5, or $1.66 each. Nice.
   
2. Crest ProHealth toothpaste (4.2 oz), 250 ml. rinse, or Oral B floss 27-55 yds, or Superfloss 50 ct., all $2.99 earn back $2 ECBs.
   This deal is limit 1. Use coupons:
   $0.50 off Crest 4.2 oz or larger, or liquid gel, 06/07 P&G
   $1 off Crest Glide Floss 35M or Oral-B Advantage Floss Picks, Any 30 Ct. or larger, 06-07-09 PG
   
3. 3 Chances at Cheaper Cereal:
   Kellogg's Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, Corn Pops, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, or Apple Jacks are priced at $1.88
   Use coupons:
   $1 off Kelloggs All-Bran, Special K or Raisin Bran Cereal 11.4 oz or larger, 06/07 RP
   Reason 4. : $1 off Kelloggs Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops, or Apple Jacks Cereal 10 oz or larger, 06/07 RP
   Reason 5. : $1 off Kelloggs Mini-Wheats, Rice Krispies, or Crispix Cereal 10 oz or larger, 06/07 RP
   Net: $0.88/box, or cheaper if you use ECBs to pay! Have a larger ECB to use? Milk runs $3.50-$4.00.gal. depending on CVS locations, and eggs run close to $2 for a dozen. If CVS sold produce, you'd hardly need to hit up a grocery store this week. ;)

5 Reasons to Visit Giant This Week, 06/12-06/18

Let's get this party started:

1. $1.79/lb. chuck steak (chuck steak recipes here) or London Broil (London Broil recipes here).
   
2. The $1.88s:
   
   $1.88 for 8 ears of sweet white corn. Learn a foolproof (and very delicious) in-husk oven-roasting method here - no boiling required!
   
   $1.88/pint of blueberries. Oooooweeeeee blueberry prices are starting to inch downward. A really delicious looking blueberry-banana bread recipe can be found here!
   
   $1.88 Cantaloupe melons. Um...is a recipe needed here? I could eat half a fresh cantaloupe without blinking if I'm not careful.
   
3. Dannon Yoghurts, 20/$8 ($0.40/each). The 05/03 SS had a coupon for $0.60/6 That would make 6 yoghurts $1.20, or just $0.20 each!
   
4. The Ice Cream Deal: Buy 4, get $3 instant discount at checkout (must be all one transaction). Breyers is on sale for just $1.99, so even without coupons, getting 4 tubs of Breyers will come to $4.96, or less than $1.24 each! AFullCup has a 05/17 RP coupon for $1/2 Breyers (this one might be regional), so using two of these would make four tubs of Breyers $2.96, or $0.74/each. What a deal! Klondike Bars, 2/$6, can use this printable $1/2 coupon (wait a few seconds...the page does load eventually). Final cost for 4 Klondike Bar packs: $7.
   
5. The P&G $10/$25 Catalina deal: Buy $25 worth of participating Proctor and Gamble health and beauty care items shown on the P&G page of the ad, and you'll receive a Catalina for $10 off your next transaction.
   
   Best matchups we spotted so far (cheapest at the top):
   
   Gillette Body Wash, 2/$7. 06/07 P&G has a $1 off coupon. Buy 6 body washes, use 6 $1 coupons, get the body wash for a net of $0.83 each.
   
   Gillette Hair Care, 2/$7. 06/07 P&G had $1 off. Buy 6, use 6x$1 coupons, get the hair care for a net of $0.83 each.
   
   Herbal Essences Hair Care, 2/$6. There was a $0.50/1 coupon and a $1/2 coupon in the 05/17 P&G. Your $0.50 coupon is your best bet, doubles to $1 off. Buy 7 = $21. Use 7 x $0.50 coupons, get 7 bottles for a net of $0.57 each.
   
   Aussie Hair Care, 2/$5. There was a $2/1 styling product when you buy shampoo or conditioner (05/17 P&G). Buy 4 shampoos or conditioners, and 4 stylers. Use 4 x $2 coupons. Net $0.50 per bottle of Aussie hair care.
   
   Crest, 2/$4. Use the $0.50/1 toothpaste 4.2 oz + coupon from the 06/07 P&G. If you have 10 of these coupons, you could get the Crest FREE after Catalina.
   
   Gillette Clinical Strength Antiperspirant/Deodorant, $7.99. $1 coupon in 06/07 P&G.
   
   Covergirl lip products or mascaras, 30% off. Use the $2/1 lip product coupon from the 05/17 P&G, or the $1/any from the same insert.
   
   Glide Floss, $3.99. $0.75/1 (06/07 P&G) will get you down to $2.49, and around $1 each post-Catalina, depending on how you combine it.
   
   The 05/17 P&G had a coupon for a free Oral B toothbrush when you guy Scope mouthwash and Crest paste. Not sure if these terms are combinable with Crest coupon mentioned above.
   
   Prilosec OTC, 28 ct., $18.99. $3/1 coupon in the 06/07 P&G.
   
   Secret Clinical Deodorant, $7.99. $1 off coupon in the 06/07 P&G.
   
   Secret Flawless Deodorant, $3.99. $1/2 coupon in the 06/07 P&G.
   
   Always Maxi Pads, $5.99. $1 off coupon in 06/07 P&G.
   
   FREE Olay 2 Bar Soap when you buy Olay Ribbons Body Wash. Not sure if Bar Soap counts toward $25 P&G total or not. $1 off body wash coupon, 06/07 P&G.

Did you spot other hot Giant deals? Post a comment to let us all know! We luuurrv reader reports from the field!
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Arby's Freebie: Wednesday, June 10

Calling all Arby's lovers:

Freebies 4 Mom shared that you'll get a free roasted chicken club sandwich today, June 10, with a drink purchase. Go here for details. Please check with your local Arby's to verify participation.

And if you'd like more Arby's freebies, sign up for the "Arby's Extras" here. They'll send you coupons for different items.

Some Details on Today's Posts on CVS Deals

I've been doing some investigating today, running scenarios through checkout on CVS.com.

The good: All of the deals ($5+$10 off, 20% off, and $5 gift card) appear to be stackable. The AdPerk $5 gift card scenario is easy to do; remains to be seen if the $5 gift card would arrive with P&G products in the CVS.com order as I haven't completed a transaction yet - only worked scenarios. My experimenting with one item on sale showed that you can get the 20% discount on top of the sale price using code sale20.

The bad: The 20% trumps the $10 deal. You get $10 discounted from a $60 order, but this $60 threshold must be met after the 20% discount; in other words, you've got to fill your cart with about $75 worth of stuff to keep it above $60 after the 20% discount - and still get your $10 off.

The ugly: The Proctor and Gamble partipating products are, for the most part, larger or specialty versions of products - or more expensive items. Examples: $15.99 CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation, $7.99 bottles of Pantene (larger size, I believe), $7.99 boxes of Bounce fabric softener sheets. I could not find an official list of participating products; only see those flanking the video content screens. Therefore I'm not confident in saying "any CoverGirl" or "any Pantene"- and would go so far as to say that unless the products specifically appear on the AdPerk info box to the right of the videos, don't buy them. You also need to buy $20 worth of participating P&G products online to earn your $5 gift card and free shipping.

In addition, most items are waaaaaay overpriced to begin with. (Particpating Pampers were ridiculously high - $0.40-$0.60/diaper. Just get yours at CVS this week with a coupon!) In fact, many of my scenarios revealed that after all that coupon stacking, I was getting razor blades, wipes, and diapers down to hovering just above Sam's Club per unit prices on the same or similar items.

The best way to work this deal: find something that you absolutely would buy otherwise and is on sale to begin with. Add about $75 worth to your cart, then enter code sale20 for the 20% discount, then make sure that your $10 discount is applied up front. After you enter your MasterCard information, you'll get an additional $5 off. Remember that the $5+$10 and 20% discounts are good only through tonight, June 9!

Note: If you manage to work $20 worth of P&G products into the transaction, remember that they must total $20 after the 20% discount - but you should get a $5 gift card for completing the AdPerk offer, so that will make up for this.

Total discount if you work all angles = $75 subtotal, minus $15 (the 20%), minus $10 ($10/$60), minus $5 (MasterCard) minus $5 (gift card to be received) = $40, shipped free. $35 off isn't too shabby if you're getting something you'd otherwise buy.
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$5 CVS gift card with purchase of $20 P&G products online!

If you are already taking advantage of the just-posted "Save $27/$60" deal - consider this deal: watch CVS ad content (or as I think of it...clean up my family room while it runs...) and get a free $5 CVS gift card in your next online order which includes $20+ of Proctor and Gamble products. Go to CVS.com and click on the box on the right, about 1/3 of the way down the page. (It looks like this image we've posted.)

I haven't had a chance to go through the offer in its entirety yet, but thought it worth mentioning if you are lining up a CVS.com purchase for today's 20%/$15 deal. Post your comments and feedback to let us all know whether you were able to complete the ad-watching deal! Were you able to stack this offer with the 20%/$15 discounts for today? I sure hope so... :)

Save $27 off a $60 CVS.com purchase TODAY only!

Remember a few weeks ago when CVS.com had that fabulous 20% off plus up to an additional $15 off at $60 purchase? It's back!

Today, save 20% off your entire purchase at CVS.com when you enter the code sale20 at checkout. Some products/brands excluded.

Also, when you sign in using your CVS.com account, you save $10 off your purchase of $60 or more, and an additional $5 off your purchase by using your MasterCard to pay.

This deal is good to consider for personal care products that are rarely, if ever, listed in the CVS weekly ad. If you put $60 worth of items in your cart and take advantage of all above discounts, you can save up to $27 total! That's nearly half-price! Orders over $49 ship free (unknown whether before discounts).
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Monday June 8 RedBox Code Freebie Rental - and Other Redbox Codes

Edit: due to reader feedback we can no longer recommend either of these codes. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused (and thanks to our readers for telling us about it!).

Crystal says that you can still use this past weekend's code DEVRY6268 at Redboxes through the end of today, Monday, June 8. Woohoo, and thanks Crystal for publicizing this! Happy free renting, folks!

But please note:
If it's your very first time using RedBox with a given credit card, use the code REDBOX first (this is a one time only code good only on the first time you use Redbox). If you want to use this code and the Monday 06/08 code, then you pretty much need to rent two movies tonight, using REDBOX first and then the Monday code.

Find your local Redbox kiosks at nearby gas stations, grocery stores, and other locations.
Search the Redbox Movie Titles for tonight!
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Savings Now Packet Subscriptions from Washington Post, Starting August

We had a reader email us (thank you for the heads up!) about an ad she received by mail: for those who are not Washington Post subscribers but who are within the Washington Post subscription area- a new free Washington-Post-based subscription service called Savings Now will be available. The site says:

"You've been selected for Savings Now!
Be one of the first people to receive this new, FREE, weekly product from The Post!
Sign up today and receive coupons, sales advertisements and insights into trends on technology, fashion and home improvements.
Be sure to include a valid email address so we can keep you up-to-date with any changes in participating retailers.
Best of all..it's absolutely FREE and will be delivered to your home beginning August 2, 2009."

I wish that the site would offer more details, but the idea of free coupons delivered to your home isn't a bad way to start getting my attention. Does anybody else know more about this service? Please post a comment and enlighten us all if so!
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Huggies Diapers As Low As $0.19 Each at Harris Teeter

We had a reader email us a deal on Huggies Diapers (thank you!). Right now they are about $6 off each package, making a package of 52 diapers $12.99. If you can stack this deal with the coupons around for $2 or $3 off Huggies, our reader suggests, you could get a 52-pack of size 3s for as low as $9.99, or ~$0.19 each, compared with $0.37 each normally, a ~47% discount. Nice!

There were two applicable 05/17 SS coupons: $1.50 off Huggies diapers coupon and a $2 off Huggies Pull-Ups coupon. You can get a $2 printable Huggies Pull-Ups coupon by registering here. This might be a separate printable $2 Pull-Ups coupon (not sure).
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5 Reasons to go to CVS this Week, 06/07-06/13

Some sweet deals at CVS this week - see all the coupon matchups for the week here. (Thanks, Erica!)

1. The Bayer Contour Blood Glucose Monitor/Meter is $14.99, and you get back $5 ECBs.
   This deal is limit 1.
   Use the free meter coupon (up to $14.99) from the 03/22 or 03/01 inserts.
   "Profit": $5 ECBs free and clear.
   For info on why it's worth buying "free" or "profitable" blood glucose monitors - and where to find them - see our post about blood glucose monitors here.
   
2. Gillette Fusion, Venus Embrace, or Spa Breeze (not disposables) are $7.99, and you get back $4 ECBs.
   This deal is limit 1.
   Use the $4 off Gillette Fusion Manual or Power Razor coupon from the 06/07 P&G to make the razor free after ExtraCare Bucks!
   
3. Kraft BBQ sauce is $1.25, and if you use the $0.75 off coupon from the 05/03 SS, you can make this a great filler at $0.50. Yes, you're likely to get the BBQ sauce free by doubling it at a grocery store, but if you need just over a $1 to get you to your $$ limit for using a $/$$ coupon, then this is a good option for getting to your $$ amount cheaply.
   
4. Frosted Mini Wheats are BOGO (prices start at $3.59). If you use the $1 off MiniWheats coupon from the recent VocalPoint mailer, you can get two boxes for $2.59, or $1.30 each. The BOGO coupon will make the MiniWheats FREE. (Sweet!)
   
5. Purina Beneful Dog food is $9.99. Use the $5 printable Beneful dry dog food coupon here to get it half price.

I received a $4/$20 CVS coupon since my CVS online account has "opted in" for receiving coupons. This is how I'd try to work the coupons:

Bayer BCM $14.99
2 MiniWheats $3.59
Kraft BBQ $1.25
2 MiniWheats $3.59
================
Subtotal: $23.42
Use coupons:
$4/$20
$14.99 Bayer
BOGO MiniWheats = $3.59
$0.75 Kraft BBQ
================
New post-coupon subtotal: $0.09

ExtraCare Bucks earned: $5 ECBs.

Profit: $4.91 ECBs gained for $23.42 of merchandise, including 4 boxes of very-much-needed cereal!
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5 Reasons to Visit Giant this Week, 06/05-06/11

I finally got a peek at the Giant deals online this morning since my paper didn't include the ad this week. They recycled a few deals from a couple of weeks ago. Here are some good deals that I spotted right away (other deals to be added later):

1. Just like two weeks ago, chicken drumsticks and thighs are $0.99/lb, and Porterhouse and T-Bone steaks are half price at $4.99/lb. The $3/$15 meat coupon has expired (yesterday), so you'll get a package of chicken for around $3-$5 or a package of 2-3 steaks for $9-$15.
   
2. Yoplait is 20/$10 ($0.50 each, the same everyday price you'll find at Wal-Mart and Manassas VA's Global Food). The 04/19 SS and 05/31 SS had a $0.40/6 coupon which will double, and would make the yoghurt $0.37/each.
   
3. Lean Cuisine is 5 for $11. The 05/03 SS had coupons for $1/4, which would make the meals $1.95 each.
   
4. Catalina deal: Save $5 off your next shopping order when you spend $25 on:

If you have a party coming up, you could use 7 of the $1/2 Pringles coupons from the 05/17 P&G insert. 14 Pringles = $21, minus $7 in P&G coupons = $14. $5 Catalina makes it net $9 for 14 cans of Pringles, or $0.64 each.

5. Free Egg Deal: When you buy 4 participating Kraft products at Giant, you will get free Giant eggs (looks like a dozen, which goes for $1.80 or so). Participating products listed on the flap:

You could use the $1/1 Kraft printables to get 4 cheeses for $1.50 each, and get free eggs to boot. But: while the Kraft Natural Cheese is on sale 2/$5 and there were recent $1/1 printables, you're better off using those printables at Wal-Mart; mine had the same cheese going for an everyday price of $2.05! Doing the Giant deal with the Kraft coupons is like paying an extra $1.80 for 4 cheeses just to get a free $1.80 in eggs...waaaiiitaminit...you're still paying for those eggs!

Another "sale" price in the ad - Thomas' English muffins at 2/$5. These babies start at ~$1.98 at my Wal-Mart! Yeesh.

Did you spot any other deals? Post a comment to let us know! :)
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Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme: Free Donuts on Friday, June 5

Who doesn't like a free donut every now and then?


Both Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts plan to celebrate "National Donut Day" by giving out a free donut while supplies last.

At Krispy Kreme, no purchase is necessary. One per customer. Find a Krispy Kreme here.

At Dunkin Donuts, you can enjoy a free donut with the purchase of any beverage. Find a Dunkin Donuts here.

As always, please call your local donut shop to verify participation. Leave us a comment if you go and let us know how the lines were and how the donut supply held up!

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom.

Two Unexpected Developments in Today's Washington Post

One: My Giant ad was missing! I hope that it shows up tomorrow, because while I can look at it online, there's something to be said about flipping through the ad the old-fashioned way. Makes me wonder: are they going to delay/eliminate Giant ads in the future? I shouldn't panic, but it really shocked me to not get my Giant ad for once.

Two: Shopper's Food Warehouse is now doubling coupons up to $0.99 in value every day - just like Giant and Safeway. We had the same reaction as Gina - how will this affect the last ten months' barrage of even-better-value double and triple coupon specials?

In any case, spotted a few deals so far in the Shopper's ad with respect to this new auto-doubling rule. Anybody else see some hot deals?

1. Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunchmeats, regularly $4.49. Use the $0.35/1 from the 05/10 RP to get $0.70 off the $3.33 sale price - final price $2.63. Note: There is a store coupon on the flap for 2 packages of Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunchmeat FREE when you guy 4 12-packs of Coca-Cola (which is $12 for four this week). If you buy the lunchmeat, we're reasonably sure that you can stack the manufacturer coupon with the lunchmeat coupons. Best possible final price for four 12-packs of Coke and 2 packs of lunchmeat: $10.60 (assumes you get $6.66 off for two lunchmeats and also 2 x $0.70 off for using two manu coupons). Cheap!
   
2. Tyson Any'tizers are 2/$6. Use the $0.55/1 coupon from the 05/10 SS. Final price: $1.90 each.
   
3. The 05/17 SS $0.75/1 coupon will still get you free Edge, selling for 2/$3 this week.
   
4. Daisy Sour Cream is 3/$4 ($1.33/each). Use the $0.60/1 coupon (05/31 RP) to make it just $0.13 each!

Post a comment if you spotted other deals!

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Finding Red Plum Inserts - Get Your Mitts on Some!

We often receive comments or emails asking about what happened to the Red Plum / Valassis inserts. As many of you have noticed, the Washington Post stopped carrying Red Plum inserts back at the end of February. It was back then that we first reported on ways to "reclaim your Red Plums!" Among them:

• Seek cheap or free local papers. Click here for more info on finding your local papers that carry Red Plum inserts.
  
• Ask your friends, relatives, and/or neighbors if they use the Red Plum inserts that they receive.
  
• Sign up to receive your one free weekly Red Plum by mail. (Thanks, Frugal Coupon Mom!)
  
• And...reader Trisha just emailed us a very interesting tip! She asked her mailman to save any spare RedPlums at the end of his route for her - and he did! Last week she opened her mailbox to find 12 (!!) extra Red Plums - free, y'allz! If you happen to have a chance to interact with your mail carrier, this may be the easiest, cheapest way to get your hands on some Red Plums. Yay for creative strategies and reader emails! Thanks, Trisha! (Why do I have the feeling that Trisha's mailman is going to mysteriously stumble upon an extra large bag of couponed treats at Christmas this year? lol)

Red Plums are still within your reach - go snag yours today. :)
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Free Home Made Simple Coupon Book

Calling all coupon clippers:
Get your Home Made Simple Coupon Books here.

What is a Home Made Simple Coupon Book, you ask?
It's a series of coupons put out periodically by Procter & Gample. Over $30 in coupons will include brands like Cascade, Dawn, Mr. Clean, Febreze & Swiffer. Takes 6-8 weeks for delivery.

I sign up for these every time they're available. There has always been a coupon for a free bottle of Cascade dishwasher rinse aid, and I never buy dishwasher rinse because of it. There are other higher dollar coupons in this booklet. Sign up here today.

Pottery Barn Kids: Great Sale on Kids' Lunch Bags

Looking for a unique birthday or holiday gift for a special kid?

Pottery Barn Kids is running a great sale on kids' lunch bags. Right now solid colors and polka dot patterns are available in different styles. Prices are as low as $7.99 without a monogram, and monogramming is available on pretty much everything. And free shipping is included!

I'm a big fan of PBK items because they are well made and timeless. Sales like this are rare.

Thanks, SlickDeals!

Sonic: Free Root Beer Float tomorrow night 06/03

This one's for you, Sonic lovers:

Get your free root beer float tomorrow night, June 3, from 8 pm - midnight. Too bad we don't have any Sonics here in the DC metro area.

As always, we recommend calling your local Sonic to verify participation. Enjoy! And let us know if you go by leaving us a comment.

Thanks to Deal Seeking Mom for the tip!

$0.99 Kraft Shredded Cheese at Safeway!

Blogger Jackie of the Combs Kitchen just posted a great scenario for getting $0.99 Kraft cheese at Safeway. Thanks for sharing the deal, Jackie! :)
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Redbox FREE Rental Code for Monday 06/01, and Other Free Rental Code

Get your FREE Redbox Rental Today! Movies must be returned by 9 p.m. the following night...I love that feature because it means that I don't have to stress myself out the following day trying to schedule in a trip to the Redbox. By the way, you don't need to return your RedBox rental to the same Redbox machine; you can return it to any RedBox machine. See link at post bottom for RedBox locations.

Get a free night's rental with the Monday May 4 Redbox Free Rental code (good for movies rented out today only): FM63H7 is the 06/01 Monday code.

But please note:
If it's your very first time using RedBox with a given credit card, use the code REDBOX first (this is a one time only code good only on the first time you use Redbox) If you want to use this code and the Monday 06/01 code, then you pretty much need to rent two movies tonight, using REDBOX and then the Monday code.

Find your local Redbox kiosks at nearby gas stations, grocery stores, and other locations.
Search the Redbox Movie Titles for tonight!
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Clip-Free Incentives to Visit CVS in June 2009

I've got to admit that I was less-than-inspired looking over the ExtraCare Buck deals for this week at CVS. I guess when they offer a lot of freebies-after-ExtraCare Bucks one week (last week's two day Memorial Day sale), the sentiment might be that nothing special need be offered the following week (?).

CVS has issued another "clip-free coupons" booklet for June 2009, though there are a few ExtraCare Buck deals woven in there. There are a lot of rumblings on the blogosphere about what the summer might hold; some say that this predominantly "clip-free" style is the new norm for monthly deals, while others say that it's only in place while CVS finishes acquiring the Longs' grocery store chain. Either way we'll be interested to see what July's deals hold in a month!
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First Day of June = Time to Load Your uPromise eCoupons!

I just loaded my June uPromise coupons - over $47 dollars' worth of potential upromise account credit, if you add them all up - and it's now linked to my loyalty cards, just in case I snag some coupon deals with them. It can be worth more than $47 if I happen to buy multiples of qualifying products.

If you have store loyalty cards (CVS, Giant, Safeway, Shopper's Food Warehouse, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, anybody?) - then you can tie your loyalty card to your upromise accounts. Just sign into upromise.com, make sure that your loyalty card numbers are tied to your upromise accounts, and go to 'Earn Rewards' in the top menu bar, and click 'e-Coupons'. You can select all of the coupons and load them for June.

You do not get the discounts right away for having loaded these coupons - the 'savings' is loaded instead to your upromise account when you purchase selected items with the store loyalty cards whose numbers you've added to your upromise account. The coupons are very often for the same items heavily promoted in Sunday inserts and store weekly ads, so if you are a couponer, odds are good that you may find yourself buying items that are on the upromise monthly e-Coupons lineup. (Among the June e-Coupons: Johnsonville Sausage, Post Cereal Coupons, Huggies...sounding familiar?) In fact, you get $1.50 credited to your account for each package of Huggies bought - not too shabby!

If you haven't hit Shopper's Food Warehouse yet this week for double coupons, load your June uPromise coupons first. Wacky Mac, No Yolks, and other popular doubled/tripled products are on the list for this month, so make sure you get some credit for it.

Yes - it is a small amount, but something is better than nothing, and this is a painless way to add some college savings in just a couple of minutes. Think about it: you'd kick yourself if you later realized that the CVS "Free After ExtraCare Bucks" item(s) you purchased would also have given you a couple of bucks in your upromise account just because your store loyalty card numbers and coupons would have been pre-loaded. And remember that purchasing certain participating products with your store loyalty card every day (even without e-Coupons!) will add slowly but surely to your upromise accounts, so go get your account up and running! :)
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Coupons.com coupons being/will be reset today!

Happy June one and all! We've noticed at least a few coupons on coupons.com having been reset this morning - and new ones sure to join the ranks very soon! Be sure to make a visit and print the 'hot ticket' items before they go.

'Hot ticket' print-right-this-minute-'cause-quantities-are-limited categories often include:

• Crackers (Ritz, Triscuit, Wheat Thins)
• Breakfast Cereal
• Cheese
• Yoghurt

Basically, the less of a "niche" product something is, the sooner you should hop to printing the coupon! Happy printing. :o)

FREEBIES at Giant this week, 05/29-06/04

Visit our Giant post for this week - we've now updated the Catalina offers with matchups. There are a lot of potential freebies at Giant this week, like:

• Pillsbury Brownie Mixes
• Wishbone Salad Dressings
• Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream ("You had me at 'Haagen'...")
• Band-Aid bandaids

So - don't throw away your ad's dollar doubler coupons (they haven't been available in our in-store ads in the recent past) - and ask your neighbors and friends if they're using them. Those puppies can get you some free goodies! :)

Shopper's Master Matchups List Updates Made - 05/25-05/31 Ad Matchups Now Up

We have updated the master matchups spreadsheet - now the first page features this week's Shopper's Food Warehouse May Double Coupon ad matchups (the second page/tab retains the general/retail price and associated coupon matchups).

Freebies/potential freebies include:

• Hot Pockets
  
• Colgate (Total Advanced Whitening, Colgate Total Advanced Clean or Colgate Total Advanced Fresh tooth)
  
• Edge Shave Gel

Check it out when you get a chance - and post a comment there of your own adventures! :)

Note: Mr. Linky has been weird lately so we are going to skip using him for the time being. Post comments here with your hot finds and related blog posts.
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Shopper's Food Warehouse Does Doubles/Triples at Select NOVA/MD stores, May 25-31

With many thanks to FrugalFriends (thanks so much, Laura!) - we have been alerted that Shopper's Food Warehouse is doing another round of unlimited doubled coupons up to $1 in value for the stores in: Burke, Fairfax, Chantilly, Manassas, Sterling, Herndon, Leesburg, Gainesville, Centreville, Wheaton (MD), Olney (MD), White Flint (MD), and only through Sunday at Germantown (thanks, Micki!).

Here is an image of the Kellogg's deal from our ad (looks different from the $5/$20 coupon placement - on the last page - of coupon doubling store ads). Gina's Shopper's and Laura's Shopper's each had both the $5 coupon and doubles in their ads, so they had some posted scenarios for cereal on the cheap this week. (Thank you, ladies!)



Here are our current resources that you can turn to before planning this coming week's trip to Shopper's. We'll probably tackle the ad matchups on Thursday some time.

• The Redemption Unlimited Continuously Updated/Consolidated Shopper's Food Warehouse Double Coupon Matchups List (Updated as of 05/28: totals recalculated for up-to-$1 doubling parameters, with ad matchups on the first page/tab and general matchups on the second page/tab)
  
  **Note: if you are a blogger and wish to help your readers with our matchups spreadsheet, please link to this post and not directly to the list. Please do not copy or paste parts of this list without our written permission.**


• The Redemption Unlimited Discussion on Shopper's Food Warehouse Coupon Acceptance Policy (includes Internet Printable Coupons discussion - join in with comments on the linked post!)

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5 Reasons to Visit Giant (aka Stop and Shop) this Week, 05/29-06/04

Dollar doublers are back! This is a great time to maximize your value on $1 Internet printable coupons. Here are some sweet matchups we found so far (will update as other deals are found):

1. Pillsbury Brownie Mix is FREE! - $1/2 coupon from the 03/29 RP (exp. 06/30) can be doubled to get $1 off each, since it's priced at 10/$10.

2. Wish-Bone Salad Dressings are FREE! They are priced at 10/$10, and the $0.75/1 coupon from the 05/17 RP (expires 07/08) will double to $1.50 in value, getting you free salad dressing.

3. Planters Nuts are 2/$5, and the $1 printable available at coupons.com if dollar doubled will make them $0.50 each!

4. Knorr Pasta Sides are 10/$10. Use the $0.60/2 from the 05/17 SS (exp. 08/09) to make them $0.40/each.

5. Kellogg's Cereals are Buy 4, Save $4. If you use four $1 Kellogg's coupons (04/05 RP or printables from recent campaign), and dollar double them, you can get $12 off four boxes of cereal - $3 off each box of cereal! That's gotta make some cheap cereal.

Bonus Reason: Potentially Free Haagen-Dazs - see our deal below with the $4 when you buy 4 Catalina deal! :)

Other deals, specials, and matchups that we spotted for Giant the week of May 29-June 4:

• 80% Lean Ground Beef is $1.79/lb. Use the $3/$15 meat coupon, scannable before BonusCard, to get $15 worth of ground beef for $1.05/lb.
  
• Perdue Boneless Chicken Breast is BOGO (save $4.99/package). If I understand this right, you're getting two packages for $4.99. Get 4 packages for $6.98 with the $3/$15 meat coupon, or $1.75/package!
  
• Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops are $1.99/lb. Use the $3/$15 meat coupon to make it $1.35/lb.!
  
• Eckrich Smoked Sausage is 2/$5, and there was a $1/2 coupon (05/17 SS) and a $0.55/1 (03/29 SS) coupon. The $0.55/1 is worth more since it doubles automatically to $1.10/1, whereas the $1/2 if dollar doubled will only give you $1/1. Either way the sausage runs around $1.50 each. If you can apply the $3/$15 meat coupon here, then you can get six rolls of sausage (or less, depending on retail) for $5.40, or $0.90 each.
  
• Hillshire Farm Deli Selects are 3/$10 ($3.34 each). Use the $0.35/1 from the 05/10 RP to make them $2.64 each. Pretty sure that deli meat doesn't count toward a fresh meat purchase since it has been cooked and cured.
  
• SeaPak shrimp entrees are 25% off. Use this $1/2 coupon (available by registering) to get $1 off each package.
  
• Friskies Cat Food, 10/$4 - or $0.40 each. Use the $1/15 5.5 oz. cans coupon from the 04/26 SS, and dollar double it, to get 15 cans for $4, or $0.26/can.

Catalina Deal: Buy $20 worth of participating products, and get $5 off your next transaction. (Coupon matchups to be added in the coming day.)

• Newman's Own Lemonade, all varieties - 05/31 RP had a $0.50/1 that applies ($0.50/1
• Newman's Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Marinade, Lemonade, Popcorn or Cereal) and would double to $1 off. Same $1/2 printable could apply, getting you $1 off each.
• Newman's Own Honey Nut Cereal - 05/31 RP had a $0.50/1 that applies ($0.50/1
• Newman's Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Marinade, Lemonade, Popcorn or Cereal) and would double to $1 off. Same $1/2 printable could apply, getting you $1 off each.
• Newman's Own Salad Dressings - $0.75/1 from 05/31 RP, exp. 07/26, doubles to $1.50 off. This $1/2 printable (same as below) will only get you $1 off each.
• Newman's Own Marinade, 2/$5 - Use this printable 1/$2 for marinades, salad dressings, pasta sauces, popcorns, salsas, or drinks, and dollar double it. 05/31 RP had a $0.50/1 that applies ($0.50/1 Newman's Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Marinade, Lemonade, Popcorn or Cereal) and would double to $1 off. Final price either way: $1.50.
• Newman's Own Pasta Sauce - 05/31 RP had a $0.50/1 that applies ($0.50/1 Newman's Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Marinade, Lemonade, Popcorn or Cereal) and would double to $1 off. Same $1/2 printable could apply, getting you $1 off each.
• Newman's Own Salsa - 05/31 RP had a $0.50/1 that applies ($0.50/1 Newman's Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Marinade, Lemonade, Popcorn or Cereal) and would double to $1 off. Same $1/2 printable could apply, getting you $1 off each.
• Newman's Own Thin'n'Crispy Pizza - Here is a printable for $1/1, dollar doubled, should make the pizza at least a decent deal.
• Joy of Cooking Bagged Meals (frozen) - 04/26 SS $1/1 coupon, dollar doubled, gets you a pretty good discount.
• Del Monte Chillers - RedPlum.com currently has a $1/1 printable coupon which can probably be dollar doubled.
• Pillsbury Moist Cake Mix - unless there is reduced sugar moist cake mix ($0.35/1 reduced sugar, 05/17 RP), there are no other applicable coupons.
• Pillsbury Frosting - $0.35/1 from the 05/17 RP (exp. 07/31) will double automatically to $0.70/1.
• Pillsbury Brownie Mix - $1/2 coupon from the 03/29 RP (exp. 06/30) can be doubled to get $1 off each. First 8 are FREE with this method.
• Sorrento Mozzarella Cheese Cube (1 lb.) - 03/22 SS has a $1 coupon, so dollar double it to get it cheap!
• Johnson & Johnson Band-Aids, as low as $1.88 - Use $1 coupons from 04/26 RP and 02/08 SS and dollar double them to get the Band-Aids free.
• Neosporin - there are three $1/1 coupons: 02/08 SS (expires 05/31, so use first), 03/15 SS, and 04/26 RP. Dollar double them for $2 off.
• Neutrogena Skin Care (20% off regular retail) - If the acne kit counts in this, there is a printable $5 coupon. 05/03 SS had a $1 off any makeup remover or cleansing product - can be dollar doubled for $2 off.
• Truvia Sweetener - 05/03 RP had $0.55/1, doubles automatically to $1.10 off.
• OxiClean Stain Remover - 05/17 SS (exp. 8/31) had a stain fighter liquid coupon
• Daisy Sour Cream, 3/$5 - 4/05 SS had a $0.50/1 coupon, doubles automatically to $1 off. Final price: $0.66.

Other participating products (no printable or insert coupons found):
Barilla Pasta, 12-16 oz. packages
Milk-Bone Dog Biscuits
Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Cat Litter
Spice Island Spices
EXTRA 2X Liquid Detergent
Neutrogena Suncare, $1 off retail.
Diamond Crystal Salt

Best ways to work the deal that we currently see:

Buy Pillsbury Brownie Mix at $1, use the $1/2 coupon dollar doubled. Since you are limited to 4 dollar doublers per transaction, you'd get 20 brownie mixes for $6, and get back a $5 Catalina. Net $1 for 20 brownie mixes.

Buy 12 Daisy Sour Creams, pay $7.92, get back a $5 Catalina. Net $2.92 for 12 sour creams, or $0.24 each.

Buy 11 Band-Aids ($20.68). Use 4 $1 Band-Aid coupons with 4 dollar doublers, and another 7 $1 Band-Aid coupons, for a total of $15 off. $5.68, get a $5 Catalina back, netting $0.68 for 11 boxes of Band-Aids.

Other Catalina Deal: Save $4 off your Next Transaction when you Buy 4 of any of the following: (Coupon matchups to be added in the coming day.)

Edy's, 2/$6
Haagen-Dazs, 2/$6 - 04/26 SS (exp. 06/26) had $1/1 coupon that can be dollar doubled, making it $1 each! There was a $2/1 Haagen-Dazs ice cream bars coupon in the same insert that probably applies too.
The Skinny Cow, $3.99 - might be a $1/1 printable here, though my firewall seems to be blocking it.
Edy's Dibs, 2/$6
Eskimo Pie Bars, 2/$6
Nestle Drumstick, 2/$6 - there was a $1/2 coupon in the 04/26 SS that would make these $2 each if dollar doubled.
Nestle Push-Ups, 2/$6
Frosty Paws Frozen Dog Treats (whaaaa?), 2/$7

Best way to work it:

Buy 4 Haagen-Dazs, @$12. (You'll need a filler or some groceries you'd buy anyway to get this over $15 in order to use the dollar doublers). Dollar double four $1/1 coupons, getting you 4 for $4. Get back a $4 Catalina. Did you just get lots of free premium ice cream? Yes, oh yes, you did, and it feels soooo good.

Did you spot any other matchups or deals? Post a comment to let us know!

Shopper's Food Warehouse Kellogg's Deal, 05/28-06/03

The Shopper's Food Warehouse ad for the coming week (deals start tomorrow) has a sweet deal for Kellogg's products. A Shopper's coupon (not a manufacturer coupon) offers $5 off a $20 purchase of Kellogg's products, and many major cereals go for 2/$5. I will try to add a picture of this section of the weekly ad (coupon nulled) to this post when it becomes available online tomorrow.

Strategy: Get yourself $20 worth of Kellogg's cereal, use the $5/$20 coupon, then as many Kellogg's coupons as you can.

Sample scenario, using the recent Frosted Mini Wheats coupons (One BOGO and four $1/1), along with other Kellogg's coupons from the 04/05 insert or past printable coupon campaigns:

5 MiniWheats
3 Other Kellogg's
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Subtotal: $20
Minus coupons:
$5/$20 store coupon
$2.50 coupon (BOGO)
4 x $1 coupon (MiniWheats)
3 x $1 coupon (Kellogg's)
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Total: $5.50 for 8 boxes of cereal, or $0.69/box. Not too shabby. This scenario assumes that there is no conflict between using a $1 coupon on a box which also gets you a free box with the BOGO coupon.

Another scenario with only Kellogg's coupons from the 04/05 insert or printables:

8 Kellogg's cereals
==============
Subtotal: $20
Minus coupons:
$5/$20
8 x $1
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$7 for 8 boxes of cereal, or $0.88/each.

How did you work this scenario? Post a comment to let us all know. ;) Do tell!
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Hot Coupons for a Potomac Mills run

We just found some hot coupons that could make for a great run to Potomac Mills in the next few days.

• Saks 5th Avenue put out a 40% off one item coupon for their Off 5th stores, through June 2. Thanks to SlickDeals for the tip. If you're not in the metro DC area click here for an Off 5th store locator.

• The Children's Place has a 20% off purchase coupon out that is valid through June 7. We haven't seen anything over 15% from the CP for a while, so this is a great opportunity! Thanks, SlickDeals. Note: there is a coupon code for internet purchases if you click through to the CP coupon. If you go through Ebates for your purchase, you'll earn an additional 3% cash back. If you haven't signed up for Ebates yet, we highly recommend it. List us as your referral at redemptionunlimited@gmail.com.

• For Gap Outlet shoppers who have a Banana Republic, Gap, or Old Navy credit card, here is a coupon for 25% off $75 or more purchase through May 31. Thanks, SlickDeals!

Let us know if you spot any other Potomac Mills deals or coupons and we'll update this post. And as always, let us know how it goes with a comment if you visit!

Whew! Back to the Deals

We hope that you all had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend - and a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of our military families and those in our country's service.

Both of us were waist-deep in family-related activities and travel - kind of a challenge sometimes to switch gears to "deals". But now that the holiday weekend offers have disappated, some deals remain (with thanks to AFullCup):

BOGO Baskin Robbins Soft Serve 31 Below printable coupon

Kraft Cheese $1/1 shredded, sliced, or chunk. Print it now, 'cause it won't last long. :)

Three more days to get a year of All You magazine on Amazon.com for just $10 ($5 deduced automatically at checkout) - or $0.83 each. Nice! It's very rare to get a year's subscription for such a low per-issue price. Send this subscription to your fellow coupon clippers - who will undoubtedly love the $30-$50 worth of coupons in each issue, including high-value coupons for freebies. The offer expires May 29, so jump on it. ;)

Sign up here to get members-only coupons from Bisquick and other Betty Crocker products. Remember to use your junk email address to keep your personal email unclogged.

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Lastly, a news tidbit: Google recently announced its partnership with power companies in its foray into smart grid technologies - an initiative called Google PowerMeter. What does this mean for us consumers? If Google partners with your power company in the future and you do not elect to opt-out (meaning opting out of your information being shared by your power company with Google) - you can automatically check up on your energy usage in real-time, and even do continuous monitoring of your energy usage based on the appliances that soak up energy unnecessarily in your home (so-called "vampire applicances"). You can also see how your energy usage varies over the day, and day-to-day, to see your most egregious power-sucking hours. If you have no beef with your information being shared, you can get some useful information on your power usage, ergo lowering your energy bills, yet another cost-saving measure.

Happy deal surfing, y'alls. :-D
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Clearanced Diapers at $0.10/each at Giant!

Liz of Frugally Blonde just notified us of a sweet diaper stock up scenario: apparently her Giant has clearanced packages of Cottontails diapers to 50% off (84 size 3 for $8.99) - making them about $0.10 each. (For reference, even Sam's club prices on diapers can run up to $0.30/each for brand name diapers). Liz has advocated trying out generic diapers, and since we've both started couponing and deal-hunting, we've started to become more flexible in that arena, too (Between the two of us, we've tried CVS brand, Playskool, and Wal-Mart brands at least). Thanks so much for this tip, Liz!

Liz theorized that they might be changing the packaging...which in Diaperland often means that you'll soon be spending more for less diapers (sigh), as one savvy reader wrote us about recently when she was aghast at the new reduced sizes and hiked prices in the Harris Teeter diaper aisle. So - grab some clearanced Cottontails at your Giant if you see them!
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