New Covergirl

 

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I last posted, but I'm kind of taking a couponing hiatus for the moment. Life has been busy, I just started a new job and am having a little trouble keeping up with all the great deals, but that hasn't stopped me from my work as a BzzAgent.

I recently was invited to be a part of the COVERGIRL Blast Flipstick  campaign and absolutely cannot wait to try this out. I'm a complete sucker for trying new makeup and this stuff looks great! It has two different colors in one lipstick, a shimmery end to blend the base color to the color of your choice (one end is cream and the other is a shimmer). I'm off to a bunch of evening networking parties this week so you can bet these will be in my bag and I'll report back!

And to thank you for all sticking around and being patient while my life gets organized, the first person to leave a comment on this blog post will win a bunch of $2 off coupons for this!

The Popcorn Craving

Last week I got home from work, despite the fact I was anxiously awaiting some yarn I ordered from Germany, I was completely surprised to get this box from BzzAgent on my doorstep that day instead. As I opened the box I said to my husband, "I really wanted to make some popcorn later" and poof! The popcorn fairy was smiling down at me.

If you haven't had the opportunity to try Smartfood Selects you are missing out. I got lucky that the football game was on when I got my BzzAgent package and was excited to try the Buffalo Cheddar Popcorn. Not only is it the perfect snack, the Buffalo flavor was tangy with just enough kick. What I liked even better was that it didn't leave a lot of residual cheese on your fingers when eating it.

Needless to say that between the two of us we polished off that bag of popcorn already!

I'm so glad I got to try this snack. It's already on my grocery shopping list!

A New Bzz Campaign

I recently was invited to try the new Covergirl and Olay pressed powder and foundation thanks to the folks at #BzzAgent!

Never one to pass up a chance to try a new makeup I haven't tried before I jumped at the chance.

I love the way the foundation and powder work together and make even my flawed skin look like porcelain.

A great product, even better is that I can pick this up at my local grocery store. Thanks for a great sample BzzAgent.

Dolla Tree!

A few weeks ago, I was with my couponer-in-crime and we stopped in the Dollar Tree and as we entered the store I said, "I wish the dollar store would take coupons." A few days later Dollar Tree released their coupon policy - they would take manufacturer's coupons! My wish came true. I decided to take their coupon policy for a spin today. I was cheered on by a really nice lady behind me who was learning about the policy as I was paying. I also taught the cashier about it since he had no clue the store took coupons. Sheesh!

Like with any store, your mileage my vary but I've never seen this more than I did at Dollar Tree. I actually ended up going to two different stores. I got the Shredded Wheat and Colgate toothpaste for free. The Hefty bags and Bounty towels were $.50 each because the coupons I had were for $1/2. All in all, not a bad trip. My fellow coupon bloggers all have great matchups of things you'll find at the Dollar Tree, but if at first you don't succeed, try, try again like I did.

The one thing I learned is that Dollar Tree is a tough store to shop, often times the sizes don't match the coupons so be careful. Check the size and  be sure they match the coupons exactly, it will make checkout MUCH easier. I also recommend doing smaller orders as Dollar Tree stores are getting used to the new coupon policy. Too many might just come back and bite us all later.

Thanks for the Free Swag!

Dear RiteAid,

Thanks for paying me to take this out of your store. I have a feeling that the donation I'm making to the senior center will be well received.

Love,
Susan

Hooray for Coupon Finds

You ever stop at a store, completely forget what you went in to get and end up with a bag full of swag? That was me at CVS tonight. I scored all of this for next to nothing.

Here's how I did it:
CVS Green class and surface cleaner $1.07 on clearance for 75% off
Revlon Crazy Shine also 75% off clearance $1.09 used $1 coupon = $.09
Accu-check Diabetes Monitor finally I'm starting to find these after getting rainchecks $9.99 used $10 off coupon = Free
Venus Razor $7.29, used $3 off coupon and got $5ECBs back = Free
CVS body wash $2.37, used $2 off body wash coupon from the magic coupon machine = $.37
Nexxus Shampoo $3.49, used $3 off Nexxus shampoo or conditioner coupon from the magic coupon machine = $.49
John Frieda Frizz Ease $10.49 each, used 2/$3 off coupons, plus got $10 ECBs = $1.99 each

Plus I found a hidden gem at CVS. They have a new program called the Extraordinary Savings Program where you get 20% off non-sale items with your CVS card through Sept. 29. Ask the cashier to sign you up. There's also a $3/15 coupon on it too!

Hey, Remember me?

I haven't gone anywhere, I just got married! As I settle into married life, I am still couponing just not as much at the moment. This week I was so happy to get some #BzzAgent swag. The first one, I'll write about later but the one that arrived today was for Unreal candy. I've seen this all over the place and have been dying to try it.

I love the fact this candy has NO corn syrup and I love the packaging. I remember reading about this company in the Globe not too long ago so I'm really excited to try it. As part of my BzzAgent package I got a coupon for a free candy bar and five b1g1 free coupons.

And to all my readers (which I'm sure there aren't any left at this point), I'll be doing a giveaway of a b1g1 free coupon. All you have to do is leave a comment and I'll pick the winner on Monday.

Knowing your Coupon Policy

I can't even begin to count how many times I've been turned down when I've tried to use coupons. Since I've been couponing for over a year now, coupons still have a stigma. Cashiers think you are trying to pull one over on them, even when you use coupons correctly. Case in point I had a minor run in with a cashier at Rite Aid.

The first time I tried to use a $1 off a coupon any Newton's product on the individual cookies which were $.79 and I was told I couldn't use the coupon. I didn't argue with the cashier the first time because I didn't have a copy of the coupon policy with me and instead took my coupon and left, knowing full aware I was going to try using the coupon again -- because I was right.

I tried again today. The cashier who was ringing up my order was super nice, his manager or head cashier was not. She gave me total attitude "You were in here last week and tried this, I told you you can't use this coupon, the picture is different or you have to buy two. The item is less than the value of the coupon so I can't allow it."

I was calm and said, "Actually I don't, if you read the coupon it says ANY Newton's item."

Her, "The item is less than the coupon. You have to buy two or the cookies pictured on the coupon.  The coupon is more than the value of the item."

At this point, I tried to talk to her which was clearly going nowhere and then I used my secret weapon. I had a printout of the Rite Aid coupon policy with me and clearly read this to her, "In the event that any item’s selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Rite Aid will accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is allowed."

She took the policy, read it and said, wait, I need to check with someone and came back a few minutes later.

She made a big production over it and said to the cashier, just reduce the amount of the coupon to the amount of the item.

In the end, I was right and got my cookies.

Smiley 360

One way I get to try new things is through Smiley360. I just received my first package and I am more than thrilled with what I received. I'm on a mission to try the new Knorr Homestyle Stock. I was psyched to get this because I make a lot of soups and because I'm trying to cut a lot of butter out of my diet, stocks are a great way to do this and maintain great flavor.

I'll be trying it out soon and as soon as I do, I'll report back!

Note: I received this as part of my membership in Smiley360 and was compensated with free product to sample this product.

Whole Foods

Yes, I do shop at Whole Foods. Do I spend a lot of money? No, because I shop smart there and also because I save so much money on other things we use I don't mind spending a little extra on better quality food. I'm lucky because there is a Whole Foods right near my house.

Well the other day when my local Whole Foods posted on Facebook they were having a Customer Connection group (basically a focus group) for people who shop at their store, I jumped at the chance! Kimberly and Nora were awesome to meet and I learned more than I ever knew about my local store! I'm going to shop there more often knowing what I do now about their values and standards for sustainable food products -- because I do care about what I put in my body.

As a thank you, I got a great goodie bag and a gift card (awesome surprise!!) -- I'm really hoping they not only continue these meetings but I can also use my marketing expertise to help Kimberly and Nora out.

A great night indeed!

Rite Aid for Under $2

I had a $1 +UP that was expiring which prompted my trip to Rite Aid. Never one to lose out, even on one dollar, I took advantage of a few things that were on sale and hit up the clearance bin.

I needed a sewing kit for up upcoming wedding and for $1, I think I have this one covered.
Loreal Youth Code was on sale for $4.39 and I used a $2 off printable coupon and a $5 Rite Aid video values coupon
Essie nail polish on clearance for $4
Cadbury creme eggs were b1g1 free and I used a $.50 off 2 Rite Aid video value coupon

Now, who wants a Cadbury egg? I sure don't. I have to fit into a wedding dress soon!

I Love Saving 80%

Often times going to the store and sticking to a list is a good thing. I do tend to go off my list but at a recent trip to Shaw's and while I went into the store for a few items. After spending under $9 on all of this, I don't think I did half bad.

Here's a breakdown of my savings:
Dr. Oketer pizza $4.99 on sale b1g1 free, I used one free pizza coupon from being a BzzAgent (both were free!)
Reach floss on sale 10/$10, I had $1/1 coupons on all 5. All were free!
Luna Bar, I received a Catalina coupon for a free bar on my last trip. Yeah free!
Mom's Better Oats Oatmeal on sale 10/$10, I had a $.55/2 coupon which doubled making two boxes $.90
Sherwoods's Tikki Masala sauce $4.99 on sale b1g1 free. I used a $1/1 coupon. $3.99 for two.
Marzetti Blue cheese dressing wasn't on sale (EEKS!) and I used a $1/1coupon making this $2.69

Total savings $33.77 for a savings of 80% and only $8.72 out of pocket. Cha-ching!

Retail vs. Sale

Yesterday I saved $194.73 on my lunch hour with a quick trip to CVS. I took full advantage of some super deals on clearance items. Here's what the items would retail for:

Crest White Strips, full price $41.49, on clearance for $20.74, used a $5 off white strips coupons
Purex detergent pods, full price $6.49, on sale for $2.49, used $1/1 coupon
PopChips, full price $2.99, on sale 2/$4, used a $1/1 coupon

Craig MP3 players retail $87.99 on super duper clearance for $9.99 and got 2 $10 CVS money cards (yes they were FREE!! Yeah!)

A fun little way to spend my lunch hour, wouldn't you say?

Pizza

I admit it. I love pizza. It's in my blood but when I got the chance to try Ristorante Pizza by Dr. Oetker's as part of a Bzz Campaign, I jumped at the chance. I finally was able to use my coupons and pick one up for dinner -- and it was delicious. Since I love mushroom pizza I picked up the Funghi pizza which has mushrooms, mozzarella, tomato sauce, parsley and oregano. I added a little extra cheese and 12 minutes later it was done. It was delicious! I couldn't believe a pizza so crispy came out of my oven.

Here's a shot of a slice on my plate.

As you can tell. We absolutely hated it. Ha!

$1.65

It's hard to believe I paid $1.65 for all this -- but I did. Thank you coupons!

Price of being brand loyal?

Are you brand loyal? I am to some extent, but only on certain items. Since I started using coupons religiously, I'm not so brand loyal. Take a look at my receipt from one trip to Rite Aid today. Out of pocket I paid $.41.

So...$3.59 for one vs $.41 for two items?

Brand loyalty? What's that?

Couponing and Clearance Items

The past two weeks have been great weeks to shop the clearance aisles...between the clearance and using coupons I managed to stock up on a quite a few things. In case you hadn't figured it out, it's a great time to buy vitamins. I've seen lots of buy 1 get one free sales this.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture but I remember a lot of it so I figured I'd share a few items.

Fruitopia shampoo and conditioner on clearance at CVS for $1.75, which because of a CVS coupon that rang up $2, I got 4 bottles of this for FREE
Hershey kisses $1.75, used a $1/1 coupon at CVS (my work buddies appreciate these)
Burt's Bees natural shampoo $3.99 on clearance at CVS
Neutrogena deep conditioner $2.38 (I think)
Organix hair protector on clearance at Walgreens for $1.79
Paul Mitchell hairspray on clearance at Walgreens for $3.49
CHI heat hair protector spray on clearance at Walgreens for $3.49
CHI frizz control on clearance at Walgreens for $3.49
Loreal curl gel on clearance at Walgreens for $1.29 (I had a $1 off coupon and ended up paying $.29)
Pantene heat hair protector spray at Walgreens on clearance for $1.79 (Used a $1 off coupon)
Tabasco at Walgreens on clearance $.49
Three ring binders at Walgreens on clearance $.49
Five pack of highlighters at Walgreens on clearance $.74
Revlon Colorstay eyeshadow under $2 on clearance at Walgreens
Revlon lipstick under $2 on clearance at Walgreens
Ziploc holiday containers (all they have is a red top) on clearance for $1.49 at Shaw's and used $1/2 coupon
Lots of $1 bin finds at Target for $.50 thanks to the after Christmas 50% off sale (perfect for my upcoming yarn secret pal swap!!)
Mrs. Meyers natural hand soap for $2.48 used $1/1 coupon, $1.48 each at Target
Softsoap holiday scents $1.29 also used coupons at Target
Seattle's Best Coffee $5.53 used $1.50/1 making this $3 and some change at Target

I know I bought a few other things but wanted to share what I remembered off the top of my head. As you are out and about, don't forget to hit those clearance racks!