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.