Coupon Clipper: Hi Laura!! A great tip for your blog peeps! =)

This weekend ONLY- Bath & Body Works is offering up a FREE Lip Item (up to a $12 value) with Any Purchase! Just bring in this coupon on or before May 31st to snag your freebie! Your any purchase can be as low as a $1.00, if you get the little hand sanitizers. Not bad, spend a dollar, and get a free lip gloss.

http://f.chtah.com/i/34/528207786/20090529_9499_coupon.html

HURRY, THIS SALE ENDS SUNDAY!!!

Sweet Tea Deal

My Walgreen's has the 24 pack of family sized tea bags on sale for $.82 a box. I have $.50 off Lipton Tea products- scoring this box for $.32!

Webber/Cronenwett family parties seem to consistently be serving Arnold Palmer's as the beverage of choice (half lemonade, half iced tea on the rocks!), and so these tea bags will come in handy all summer long!

Making iced tea is fairly standard, but I have a super yummy homemade lemonade recipe.

LEMONADE:
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of lemon juice
6-8 cups of cold water + ice

I have a secret about making this recipe. I mix the sugar and the lemon juice at least 24 hours in advance, this allows the lemon juice to "soften" in taste. keep in mind that not all of the sugar will dissolve in only the lemon juice.

You could get a little crazy and puree either strawberries or raspberries into the lemonade for a pink and extra delightful drink!

Enjoy!

Spending Reward Money

I LOVE to spend store reward money! When I have store reward money (Extra Care Bucks at CVS or Register Rewards (RR's) at Walgreen's) I choose to stealthfully spend in one of the following ways:

1. I look for another product that offers store rewards, and I spend my first reward money to purchase the second item for FREE + more reward money!

2. I look for items that I can purchase that I will receive rebate money for. I usually find these types of offers either in the store (attached to the product: Organix's shampoo for example) or I read about them in the coupon section of the newspaper.

3. I will purchase something that will keep the rest of my grocery bill lower, like milk or toilet paper.

This week we needed a bag of tortilla chips to go with a snack that we were taking to Cell group (we belong to 242 Community Church FYI... 242community.com)

I had a $2 RR and a $10 RR, but only the $2 RR was expiring.

My chips were $4, so I planned on using my expiring $2 RR. Then, once I was inside the store I came across this vitamin supplement that was $9 with a $9 RR after purchase.

I decided to spend my $12 in RR's on my $13 worth of products, and I received $9 in RR to spend later.

So, I lost $1 in store rewards, but I was able to purchase the chips that I needed for ONLY $1. Yay!

Here is How I Do It....

I've been asked how I set myself up to shop quickly AND score sweet deals... here is a visual guide.

First, I pull out my sales flyer and I circle (usually with a Sharpie) all of the items that I am interested in purchasing. Then I make a list of these items on a note card. *I do not put my standard milk, lettuce, tomatoes type items on this list since I always purchase these items anyways.

Secondly, after clipping and sorting my coupons, I flip through the sections of my coupon box that match the items that I have circled in the weekly flyer, and I pull out ONLY the coupons that I am interested in spending.

This is what a typical grocery list looks like, coupons attached to the list.

The last step is to "file" my list and coupons into my small (13 pocket) purse binder under the appropriate store.

I hope this was helpful!!!

Another Project

Since I really could go shopping every day (the honest truth) I decided that it would be a really good idea to dive head first into another hobby. Over the winter I began dreaming about growing some of our families favorite fruits and veggies. I was gifted a few strawberry plants last year, and I ate some of the most delicious tomatoes from my own plants, so this year I decided to go BIG (300 square feet big)!

Starting a garden can be expensive if you need to start from scratch. After rototilling the grass behind our garage, we brought in 6 yards of half soil & half peat to create a less clayish environment. We also purchased some fencing to keep unwanted critters out of my garden. I planned in advance for the majority of these expenses by hosting an early Spring yard sale where I earned most of the money needed for my garden.

I LOVE to eat salad, so when I found out that Earthbound Farms was offering FREE packets of lettuce seeds I signed right up to get a packet, and I immediately began growing them in my windowsill. I also got a jump start on the pumpkin seeds that Boaz received for Easter.

After rototilling the grass and before dumping the soil... I laid a quadruple layer of newspaper on the ground. This layer will reduce the need to weed, it will help to retain moisture for the soil and the plants and worms love to eat newspaper- worms are the best composters for soil!

My husband read about gardeners in Alaska hanging gutters on the sides of their houses to grow their herbs/vegetables in. We decided to adopt this idea as well to give us even more gardening room.

Last year I was gifted about 25 strawberry plants, this year, when I moved them to my new garden, I was shocked to find that I have over 75 plants! I'm hoping for a great harvest!

Here are a few of my fruits. Last year, between the birds and the squirrels, I only munched on two strawberries- hopefully the fence (and the netting that we will put over the top of the garden) will help US to enjoy more of our berries!

I picked up (9) 18" tomato's from the farmer's market. I had amazing success last year with my plants from a specific vendor, so I visited them again this year.

Between plants from the farmer's market, what I started at home, and seedling gifts from another friend, I will be growing: Strawberries, tomatoes, corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, green peppers, red peppers, hot peppers, summer squash, lettuce, broccoli, green beans, cucumbers, and watermelon. Hopefully my thumbs will green up as I grow up into a real gardener.

Here is my first tomato, a Juliet. I also have Roma's and Beefsteaks! Yum!

And I LOVE they way my lettuce looks growing happily in the gutter... too bad I will soon be eating it!!!

Another Success Story!

Hey Laura!
Thanks for the inspiration to go out to Howell today! My mom and I both did great and decided that we are giong to make a monthly trip out there as well. I spent $27.32 and saved $89.67!!! Yay!! Thanks!

Target Gift Card Challenge Update:

Well, I've added to my collection of goodies purchased with my Mother's Day gift card.

The latest purchase:

Total: $45.11

Spent: $4.58 & Saved: $40.53

$1.70 + $4.58 = $6.28 spent!

$109.35 + $40.53 = $149.86 saved!

Super Kroger

Grocery Total: $268.35

Spent: $17.99 & Saved: $249.36

93% SAVED!!!!

149 coupons

69 FREE items!

Wow ladies, it was so much fun to shop beside so many of you this morning! Thanks for the awesome shopping trip!

As I was checking out, a store manager commented on how savvy a shopper I was with my stack of a million and five coupons. chuckled and said that I was shopping among friends this morning. She grinned and said that she was expecting us... she said that she was warned that a "coupon nerd herd" was planning to bombard the store this morning. She even said that the her "spy" had read this info on a blog! I smirked and let her know that it was MY blog... well, we are now best friends as she enjoyed the publicity for her store and I enjoyed the publicity of my blog!

I definitely think we need to shop together again!!!

DO NOT PURCHASE PAPERS THIS WEEKEND!!!

Sadly, holiday weekends mean a break from coupon inserts in your newspaper... don't bother picking them up tomorrow!

Summer at Sam's Club

I can't argue that some items are a better value when purchased in larger quantities. Sam's Club is running a Summer promotion offering a 100 day membership for $15... or $.15/day!

There is a limited time frame to purchase a membership, May 20- June 7, so hurry if you are interested.

Maybe you can stock up on a years worth of Craisins (my favorite BIG Box Store purchase) or at least your summer grilling meats and buns...

Target Gift Card Challenge Update:

Previously I had posted about a Target gift card challenge (by my husband's grandma) to see how much I could purchase for $20.

Previously I had purchased $56.98 worth of products for $10.50, but I will receive $10 in rebates...

This Target visit, I purchased $52.37 worth of products for $3.29, but I will receive $2.09 in rebates.

Grand Total: $109.35 in products...

I have spent $13.79 of my gift card...

I will receive $12.09 back in rebates...

Grand total of "spent" money is $1.70

(I will add back in my rebate money since it will come back into my pocket!)

Grocery Shopping at Meijer

Grocery Total: $127.07

Spent: $18.66 & Saved: 108.41

61 coupons used (18 mealbox)

22 FREE items

NO! We will NOT eat all of these hot dogs... we are hoping to plan a party~ I did however use a rain check from last week's sale on them.

***Stacking manufacturer's coupons (MFC) and Meijer mealbox coupons (MBC) really pays off!

Q & A

Coupon Clipper: This weekend it took me two and a half hours just to clip all my coupons, and that was before I even looked at the sale papers or mealbox or thought about my shopping list!

Am I over-clipping? Should I clip coupons in any amount for any product I may potentially use, or is there another litmus test? What coupons SHOULDN'T I clip? (I think I only left behind products for pet owners and senior citizens!)

Me: *** The first couple of clipping weeks are lengthy, but you will become MUCH faster soon!

When I clip, I only clip about 50% of the coupons.

I clip the following:

1. All beauty products, not just my favorite brands- because I like to donate these types of items.

2. I clip only the food items that my family would possibly eat.

3. I clip the basics on health care products, Tylenol, Band Aids...

4. I clip make up coupons for products that I might use.

5. I clip "brand new to the market" products... these coupons will say "NEW" on them.

6. I clip coupons that friends/family can use (like pet coupons).

7. I clip "high value" coupons. Coupons with values of $1 or more, especially if they fit one of ther above criteria as well.

Get Ready to Shop... with ME!!!

I often have been (half jokingly/ half dead seriously) asked if I can do a 'shop along.'

Well, in honor of Memorial Day (and the majority of husbands being home to allow for shopping with just YOU and your COUPONS) I would like for you to join me at SUPER KROGER!!!

If you have yet to hear about Super Kroger, it is one of the very few Kroger's that double coupons up to $1 every day!!!

Super Kroger does have a few rules- so I'll quickly get those out of the way:

1. You must bring your coupon box with you... no planning just shopping! (Well, you can try to plan ahead if you'd like to, but I never do! The deals are everywhere!)

2. You may ONLY use up to three identical coupons (purchasing 3 products). Previously SK allowed more than one transaction per person, but unfortunately that is a thing of the past!

3. You must wear PINK (OK, this is optional) so that we Sharpen Your Scissors coupon clipping friends can recognize one another...

4. You must be ready to shop kindly... no grabbing, fist fighting or the like! (Just kidding, all of that is unnecessary) But do feel free to share your extra (or nearly expiring) coupons with other shoppers!

I will plan on shopping from 9am - 11 am, will you join me?

SUPER Kroger: 108 W. Highland Rd., Howell MI 48843
(517) 552-0126

Let's get our shop on together!

Drop me a comment if you'll be there, and make sure to say "Hi" to me in the store!!!
I'm so excited!!!

Q & A

Coupon Clipper: What’s up with the CVS ad from this week?

It does not match any of the things that I read about online – I was all set with my deodorant coupons and…surprise! None of the deals are available!

Me: This is the last week that CVS will "mess" with us Michigan (and Florida) shoppers. CVS decided to try a pilot program with their weekly flyer- and it bombed.

Next week the regular type of sales will resume!

Gift Cards

I feel like I am always preaching about rolling your store rewards (normally I talk about Register Rewards from Walgreen's and Extra Care Bucks from CVS) by purchasing items with your store rewards that will earn you more store rewards.

Target has a little rollable money that they offer too. $5 Gift cards!!!

For several months now I have had a $5 gift card to Target in my wallet... not the same gift card, but a gift card none the less.

I have found that on most weeks Target has special offers in their weekly flyer that include purchasing two or more specific items from their store and that purchase earns you a $5 gift card.

Recent examples:
Purchase 2 Swiffer products and earn a $5 GC
Purchase 2 Glade candles and earn a $5 GC
Purchase 5 Quaker granola bars and earn a $5 GC

Since I already had a $5 gift card in my wallet, when I purchased 2 Swiffer products (costing $8.08 combined) I paid $3.08 + my $5 gift card and I earned another $5 gift card!

Essentially I *used* my original gift card to keep my out of pocket cost lower ($3.08 instead of $8.08) and $5 gift card was replaced with a new $5 gift card... thus ROLLING my Target reward money!

Now my new $5 gift card is waiting in my wallet for the next Target sale that will earn me another $5 gift card!

Q & A

From an email...

Coupon Clipper: I was at class on Thursday and had some additional questions for you.

I've cut out a bunch of coupons from online and the paper and not much is matching up or really seeming like great deals yet, although I'm planning my attack for tomorrow.

For example, in the CVS clipbook (the monthly booklet) there is a coupon for $1.50 off Excedrin. I also have another $1.50 coupon I got online. $3 off is a deal, but not one of those WOW deals you spoke about. Am I doing this wrong? Could I use an additional manufacturer's coupon on top of it? (You are allowed one manufacturer's coupon and one store coupon per item.)

Also, if an item is on sale for buy one get one free and I have a buy one get one free coupon, are they both free? This is what I wrote down in my notes, but I wanted to make sure it was right.

I was all excited about this until I tried to do it and find those stellar deals and I'm falling short. I'm thinking about having a class of my own so I hear everything again and it sinks in. What is your availability? I want to get this down and be a coupon queen too! Help!

Me: Keep in mind that coupons are usable for at least several weeks and some are good for even months. Only a handful of the coupons that you have (especially since you just started matching your coupons to your sale papers) will be spent each week. Your coupon box will keep all of your other coupons organized for future week's spending.

The WOW deals will come- I promise! make sure to read the blogs that shared with you (or they are available to click on on the right hand column of my blog) as they will match up the sales and coupons for you to show you where to pick up the WOW deals.

A buy one get one free (BOGO) coupon with a BOGO store sale means 2 products are FREE with the use of only one coupons.

Be patient, becoming a Coupon Queen does take time. Within three months you will feel so comfortable matching your coupons to your sale papers each week- that the deals will just jump off of the page at you! Little by little (1-5 items per week) build your stockpile, in the long run your stockpile will save you incredible amounts of money! Keep clipping,

Grocery Shopping at Meijer

This week's deals were ridiculous at Meijer... with all of these hot dogs we need to have a party!

Grocery total: $81.43
Spent: $14.22 & Saved: $67.21
***Plus I received a $2 off my next purchase catalina
52 coupons used
9 FREE items

Targeting

My husband's grandma gave me a $20 Target gift card for Mother's Day, and after I opened the gift she smirked at me and said that she bet (I should have placed a wager :)) I could double that amount in merchandise... GAME ON!

I spent $10.50 of my gift card on the above purchase (saving $46.48) and I will receive a $10 rebate from Swiffer.

All of these goodies for $.50... Woo Hoo! I like to rise to a challenge!

***Check out www.hip2save.blogspot.com to read about the Swiffer rebate, today 5.15.09 is the last day for qualifying purchases. Hurry, shop at Target!

Last Minute Additions...

I have about 4 more spots available for the coupon class tomorrow night in Farmington Hills, fist come first serve!

Super K's at it again....

Welp, it looks like Kmart (actually only the Super K's this round) are doubling again. $2 coupons magically become $4 coupons...

Here are the Super K locations in Michigan:


3575 Madison Heights, MI
4059 Taylor, MI
4995 Southgate, MI
4998 Roseville, MI
7634 Port Huron, MI
9814 Detroit, MI

If you live outside these areas check your local sales paper online at www.kmart.com.

Good luck!

Inexpensive Diapers

From an email...
(Thanks Erika)

Do you only use name brand diapers? If not, there is an AWESOME deal at Walgreens. They are buy one get one free and there is a $2.00 off coupon on some of the packages. The scanner takes $2.00 off each (even the free one) so you only pay $5.38 for 2 packs! That is only $2.69 a pack!

The sale is on the Walgreens brand. Some of the packages have a red flyer taped to them. It says something about $50 in savings. If you take the flyer off, there is a diaper coupon in the lower right corner. One coupon will work for 2 packs of diapers ($2.00 off each). I’ve been doing separate orders. I just have the cashier ring 2 packs of diapers and one coupon. The total comes to $5.83. Then I have her do it again. I think the deal runs through Saturday. I’m not sure how many flyers are taped on diapers.

Grocery Game Plan: Meijer

Stockpiliable items for Meijer May 10-16th, 2009

KEY:
IP= Internet Printable coupon
MFC=Manufacturer's coupon
MBC= Mealbox coupon

Kraft Mac & Cheese: $.50/box, use IP buy 3 get 1 free

Kelloggs Frosted Mini's, $1.80/box, use $1IP

Plumrose sliced bacon, $2.19/package

Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, $1.25/package, use $1/2 MFC & $1/2 MBC (=$.25 each when you buy 2)

Select General Mills cereal, Buy 4 boxes get $5 off instantly + various General Mills coupons

Aunt Millies bread, $1.19/loaf, use $.35 MFC

Bertolli Olive Oil, Buy one get one free

Capri Sun, $1.79/box, use $1 MFC

Hunt's Ketchup, $1/bottle, use $.20 MFC & $1/5 MBC

Duncan Hines Cake mix & frosting, $1/each, use $1/5 MBC

Kraft Mayo, $2 each, use $1 MFC & $1 MBC

Open Pit BBQ, $1/bottle, use $1/5 MBC

Electrosol, $3/box, use $2.50 MFC

Softsoap, $.99/pump, use $.35 MFC

RUMOR: Kraft 16oz salad dressing, $1.58/bottle, use $1.50 MFC & $1 MBC

Sorry about the previous Meijer posting... I was behind the times.

Grocery Game Plan: Kroger

***This week it seems like Kroger is promoting their store brands more than the National brands. The only stockpiliable item that I see (although feel free to add more great deals in the comments section) is the Garnier shampoo & conditioner, $2 each, use the $1 manufacturer's coupon.

Sorry, this feels so disappointing.

Q & A

From an email...

Coupon Clipper: I've recently started reading your blog and getting into the coupon game. I've had good successes this week at CVS, Target, and Publix. (At least 60 - 70% savings). Most of the system makes sense to me, but I had a few questions that I was wondering your opinion about before I get ahead of myself.

You seem to be someone who places a high value on saving money, but also realizes that honoring the Lord is most important. I want to be a good steward of the money that God has entrusted me with, and I want to be a good helpmate to my husband in providing for our family, and I too realize that this does not allow for doing anything cheating or dishonest with coupons. So I wanted to ask you these two questions:

This week there was a link posted on a couple of blogs for $1/1 12-pack of Coke coupons. They were legitimate manufacturer's coupons with unique bar codes. I printed 5 or so I think. I could tell from the website that it was really supposed to be someones coupon from Coke rewards. Although they were legitimate coupons, is it okay to use these since it clearly was not what Coke had intended by the coupons?

Also, I have subscribed to iheartcvs's coupon links. Is it okay to print and use these coupons at CVS? Were they really only supposed to be used by her and she has made them available to everyone or are they okay for public use?

Part of me hopes that both of these things are okay, but I am really curious to hear what you think. I'm new to this and don't always know what is correct and what is not correct...and saving a buck is not worth dishonoring the Lord. On a side note....I've been on missions trips to Haiti twice. It is really an eye-opening place that has captured a piece of my heart. I wish that I could take your class...but I'm in South Florida :)

Me: Sometimes it is so hard to know the coupon ethics for each individual coupon. I often call the company's corporate 800# to find out the real scoop.

For the Coke coupon, Coca Cola told me that the coupons that you are referring to are for specific individuals- so you and I should not be printing or spending these coupons. I have yet to see one but I imagine that it says Coke rewards somewhere right? (I'm bummed, I had read about these coupons last week but was on vacation without a printer.... I LOVE Coke!)

As for the CVS coupons, I do print these coupons and I ask my cashier before I use them if it is OK. I am almost always allowed to use these coupons. CVS's corporate coupon redemptive policy is up to the store manager for CVS store coupons.

Coupon Ethics

I often am asked if specific uses of coupons are wrong... and to be honest, sometimes it is hard to tell, so I have decided to write this post about what I believe.

Lately, I've really grown to respect coupons. That kind of sounds weird, but it is true.

I have wrongly spent coupons before... unintentionally, but still wrongly. I know I shared this here before, but it is a BIG deal. When I first began using coupons I copied two of them several times before I found out that it was illegal. And just a few weeks ago, I was thrilled to find a Huggies wipes deal and I used a coupon for 64+ wipes on a 40 count package. After calling the manufacturer- they graciously let it slide- but was still wrong.

I find it very easy to copy cat other bloggers and shop as they do. Unfortunately this can get me in trouble by compromising my ethics. If I do as they do, they may not be leading me in the right direction. I need to be aware of my coupon spending. And since I teach classes and blog of my shopping adventures, I need to be even more on guard so I do not lead any of my readers into coupon mis-spendings. I am responsible for what I teach, and I am very careful (*not perfect) to teach only what I know to be true.

My rule for myself is just to be open and honest. I ask cashiers and managers about store policies as often as I need to. Not that I then absolve myself of having my own ethics, but sometimes there are fuzzy areas. If I am unsure about a specific coupon, I will call the company's 800# and ask. It is easy and I know I will find out the truth. To me, it is stealing to intentionally use a coupon for other than its intended use. Pulling a "fast one" by sliding in an extra coupon (two manufacturer coupons for one item) or using an expired coupon is wrong.

All an all, my mark that I leave with store employees is basically my integrity. If my integrity is on the line EVERY SINGLE TIME I SHOP (which it is) then I am responsible for my words, my behavior, my attitude, and using my coupons in the way in which they were intended. I feel like every aspect of life deals with ethics... coupons included. As long as you are not spending your coupons on something you know is specifically against coupon policies, or in ways that you know are wrong, then happily spend away!

To be honest, I LOVE spending coupons. I LOVE scoring sweet deals for my family, for friends and for my favorite food pantry. I LOVE this thrill of the hunt, the packing out shopping bags for pennies on the dollar, the sorting and organizing of my pantry, the saving, saving, saving... basically everything about using coupons! It is really easy for me to get carried away! Using coupons allows me to care for my family and beyond in such an easy and amazing way. I am able to save incredibly on the items that my family uses most often. I do stock up and save as much as I can, but I need to have a clear conscience about how I am purchasing.

I hope this post has not scared anyone off from spending coupons. Clip and spend, it is totally worth the time and effort. If you have more questions on coupon ethics or questions about specific coupons, please feel free to email me sharpenyourscissors (at) gmail (dot) com.

Q & A

From an email...

Coupon Clipper: Yet another question to help me on my quest... My biggest question is how do you get the large quantity of items. How do you have that many coupons? I get three papers so I usually have three coupons for each item, but when you show pics of what your donating for the month (for example) how in the world do you have 30 Garnier coupons etc...? Do you get coupons places other than the paper each week?

Me: I pick up 6 newspapers for myself each week plus I will clip and use the coupons from "left over" papers from my classes.

It is pretty obvious that I am a classic example of an over-purchaser :). The same is true for my class supplies. I always plan for a couple of last minute students for each of my classes. Often I have a couple of last minute cancellations for the classes as well- so I usually end up with more than 6 papers for my family to spend.


The week of the Garnier sale there were 2 coupons for Garnier products in the newspaper- and unfortunately I was stuck with several extra papers... so I turned the extra coupons into donatable products.

Kids & Coupons

I am often asked how I balance shopping with a baby and spending my coupons.

I am lucky enough to have my son know no other shopping than Mommy with coupons. Sure, there was a stage or two where Boaz (my son) wanted to gnaw on my coupons, and even a few weeks where Boaz wanted to keep (or tear up) the coupons himself. But all in all- shopping with coupons is normal to him.

I encourage parents to either shop alone or to include their kids into spending the coupons. There are so many valuable lessons that can be learned at the grocery store... think about sharpening those math skills.

I received an email from a SYS student letting me know that she has designed classes for kids to learn life skills like counting money, saving, spending coupons and even budgeting... for kids! How awesome is that?

Feel free to check out the class site www.schooltools101.blogspot.com. In fact, mention Sharpen Your Scissors to receive a class discount!

Q & A

From an email...

Coupon Clipper: My husband did some shopping for me today and some questions came up.
He went to Walgreen's and got the Colgate toothpaste that was free (after RR.) Can he go back tomorrow and get another one using the RR he got today, and get more RRs?)


Me: No. Walgreen's does not allow a Register Reward (RR) to be spent on the identical item that it has been earned with. Your Colgate RR cannot be used to purchase another tube of Colgate IF you want another RR to print. If you don't care if your second RR prints following your second transaction of Colgate then feel free to spent the first transaction's RR on your second transaction.


Coupon Clipper: At Meijer, he had a bunch of Mealbox coupons. They only let him use one so he had to do several transactions. Is this their policy? I couldn't find anything in the wording that limits you to only one mealbox coupon per visit.


Me: Meijer has recently changed a few things about their Mealbox coupons.
FORMERLY: Mealbox coupons had been called "store coupons" and they used to state one coupon per transaction.

CURRENTLY: Mealbox coupons are called "Meijer manufacturer" coupons even though they are still store coupons that are able to be stacked with matching manufacturer coupons from the internet or Sunday paper. The new coupons no longer state one coupon per transaction.

***The problem is that Meijer's employee's have not been updated with new training procedures in how to redeem the newer Mealbox coupons. You may need to show the differences to the cashier and/or ask for the help of a store manager.


Coupon Clipper:I’m starting to get this on a small scale but I can’t figure out how you get so much! Your blog and pictures amaze me every time and I say “how does she do that?!” Any way you could spell out how you are doing it (like specific items and where you got the coupons)? Just so I can figure out what I’m missing.


Me: I offer access to several other blog sites who share their coupon match ups. I have no interest in repeating what other bloggers already are doing well, I would rather answer question, provoke new thrifty thinking and empower shoppers through building coupon confidence. Please do check out the blog links on the right hand side of my homepage.

Eating In VS. Eating Out

I LOVE going out to eat. Someone else sets the table, cooks the meal and cleans up after me... now that is nice. The downside about going out to eat is that it can be expensive.

My husband and I prefer to entertain in our home instead of meeting friends for dinner at a restaurant. We can make a yummy dinner that costs less to us than ordering two meals and it it also keeps our friends from spending as well.

I have a few recipes that are easy to make and yummy enough to serve to guests, here is one of my favorite entertaining recipes. Pare this with a great salad and garlic bread.

Here is my Chicken Alfredo Lasagna recipe:

Ingredients for Sauce
1/2 C. Butter (aka: 1 stick)
2 Cloves Garlic (I use about 8)
2 C. Heavy Cream (16 ounces)
1/4 t. Pepper
1/2 C. Parmesan Cheese
3/4 C. Mozzarella Cheese (I use the fine shred variety for quicker melting!)

To Prepare:
Melt butter on medium heat. Add garlic, cream and pepper- simmer (5 min.). Stir often. Add Parmesan cheese and simmer 10 minutes. When sauce seems thick, slowly add Mozzarella cheese and stir until smooth.

Ingredients for the lasagna:
3-4 chicken breasts worth of shredded chicken
1 (16 oz) container of cottage cheese
1 (2c.) package of shredded mozzarella
9 cooked lasagna noodles
1 small package of fresh spinach leaves
1 batch of homemade Alfredo sauce (I actually use 1/2 a batch).

For the layering:
I spread a little bit of sauce on the bottom of the pan, then I layer lasagna noodles (cooked), then I mix 1/3 of the Alfredo sauce with 1/3 the container of cottage cheese, and I spread that over the noodles. Next I spread a layer of shredded chicken across the Alfredo/cottage cheese mix. Then I place a thin layer of fresh spinach leaves on top of the chicken. I finish out the layer but sprinkling 1/3 of the package of mozzarella cheese. Triple the layers and add Italian bread crumbs on top of the final layer. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving! Enjoy!

From My Readers...

I just received a gchat (instant message conversation) from a friend who shopped at Kroger today. This couple usually only grocery shops once a month (gasp... I LOVE to grocery shop!) and spend quite a chunk of change when they shop.

Today my friend purchased nearly $400 worth of groceries. After the Kroger card was scanned and many coupons were redeemed the grand total for a month's worth of groceries was $260!!!

WOO HOO! That's like spending $65 a week for the entire month, and its like saving $35 a week all month long as well!

Great job!

Almost Popular...

I received an email from the president/owner of BOGO Fetcher... a company that emails you BOGO deals in your zipcode. I thought I was a popular girl until I noticed that I was emailed as Sharp Scissors NOT as Laura... ah well. Mybe you'd enjoy these emails as well.

Sharp Scissors,

I noticed you mentioned BOGO and you enjoy the art to saving money, so I wanted to quickly tell you about my website BOGOfetcher.com: You can get local BOGO (Buy One, Get One) deals emailed to you weekly from www.BOGOfetcher.com! Over 90 nearby grocery stores, more than 15 neighborhood pharmacies, plus the shoe stores, fast food and other places you already shop have amazing bargains you can receive weekly, at no cost. No personal info is required other than your email address, city and state so we can send you the BOGOs in your area. You can even do a local search without signing up using the “Find BOGOs” tab! After that the BOGO's will begin to roll in. And simply unsubscribe if you’re not satisfied. http://bogofetcher.com/

David Hall

Raincatchers Update

As I eluded to in a previous post, $830 was raised for Raincatchers during April 2009! Thank you so much to all of my students who helped in raising that total!

Just think... 4 more families will have the ultimate blessing of clean drinking water, a resource that we Americans easily take for granted! To find out more about Raincatchers and the Life Giving Water that they bring to the poorest villages in Haiti please visit http://www.raincatchers.org/.

If you are interested in donating to Raincatchers and in learning how to better care for your family by spending less money and more coupons then please contact me about hosting/attending a coupon class. sharpenyourscissors (at) gmail (dot) com.

YTD raised $2,290!!!

Hitting EVERY Store in Town...

Well, let's see... I have been in Atlanta for about 60 hours and I have shopped my little heart out at Publix (3 different trips), Kroger (once), CVS (2 transactions), Walgreen's (2 trips, 3 transactions), and Target (3 transactions).

Total: $396.02

Spent: $34.46 & Saved: $361.56

(Georgia has 10% sales tax... I spent $12.13 on tax)

***NOT PICTURED: 1 book of stamps, 10 Publix reusable bags (I love these!!!) 6 newspapers and 1 more container of Centrum.

Publix was having a buy one get one FREE (BOGO) on Schick razors this week. I was thrilled that I had yet to use my BOGO manufacturer's coupons... So I packed up and headed out to Publix yesterday.

When I was checking out with my 12 packages of Schick's last night, the register was ringing up my razors at half price. This threw my TWO FREE packs of razors per coupon used plan right out the window. If Publix offers half price per package (so customers just wanting one package can still reap the benefits of the sale) then my coupon would only be scanned for half off of one package.

In mathematical terms:
1 package of Schick razors: $6.29
Buy one get one FREE: each package rings for $3.15
My buy one get one FREE coupons are scanned for -$3.15
I would still pay $3.15 for 2 packages of razors.

Normally a buy one get one FREE (BOGO) sale combined with matching BOGO manufacturer coupons = 2 FREE packages.

I tried to explain this to the cashier, the customer service rep and the on duty store manager, but they wouldn't allow both of the items to leave the store for FREE. I was invited to talk with the store's lead manager today, so based on coupon principal- I visited Publix again today.

The manager, at first had a hard time wrapping his mind around the concept. I understand that it is a tricky concept. After talking the situation out we came to the conclusion that both razors were indeed legally FREE (to me) and he had my cashier add two razor prices together to account for a full razor price to be removed from my bill ($3.15 + $3.14 = $6.29).

I love a coupon challenge- especially with a super kind manager who was willing to jump inside the mind of a crazy coupon lady! (Thanks again Don!!!)

Hmmm, I wonder where I should shop tomorrow?

Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun...

Business for Dave has brought us back to Atlanta again this week. It is so hard for me to believe that newspapers sell for $2 each here in ATL. But... you know me, I sniffed around for a better deal and I found newspaper bundles. TWO newspapers for $2.50!

Grocery Game Plan: Kroger

Stockpilable items for May 4-10, 2009

...pathetic.

Kelloggs cereal, $2/box, $1 printable coupons @ coupons.com

Kroger ice cream, $.99/box

Grocery Game Plan: Meijer

Stockpilable highlights for May 3-9, 2009

General Mills cereal, $2/box, $.50 Honey Kix, $.75 Chex or Banana Nut Cheerios coupons

Crystal Light, Buy 2 Get 2 FREE

Barilla Pasta $.88/box, is the $.50 off still valid? Mealbox coupon for $1/3 boxes

Barilla Plus pasta $1.50/box, is the $.50/2 still valid? mealbox coupon for $1/3 boxes

Kraft BBQ sauce, $.79/bottle, $.75 coupon in this weeks paper

Meijer taco seasoning mix, $1/3 packs

Freshlike frozen veggies, $1/bag, $1/2 bags Mealbox coupon

The YAY! YAY! GIVEAWAY Revealed:

My husband picked three random numbers, on high, one low and one somewhere in between.

I started counting backwards from the very bottom of my listing of followers, so here goes:

The $10 Kroger gift card belongs to Jess (mom to 3 sassy's) (#6)

The $10 Target gift card belongs to 4ZzFm7g... (you know who you are :)) (#22)

The $10 CVS gift card belongs to Shannon (#42)

Please email me back through SYS with your mailing address and I will happily send you your gift card!

Thank you to each of you who follow Sharpen Your Scissors, it has been fun for me to celebrate with you! Keep reading for future giveaways!

Q & A

From an email...

Coupon Clipper: I follow the whole thing on manufacturers picturing the most expensive on the coupon and the importance of reading the language. But, I still don't follow how some of these coupon - sale match-ups work.

For example, I saw the Listerine deal at Walgreen's this week. On sale for 2/$8. Get $4 RR and use 2 - $2 coupons. My $2 coupons said they were only good for Listerine Total Care - which was not part of the sale (or at least that was what I was told). Am I missing other coupons? Or something other catch in the transaction?

I also noticed that with the Huggies wipes you got at Kroger last week. On sale for $1 - I did use my $1 off a Huggies Bath and Body Product. However my 75 cent wipes coupons said 64ct or more - these were only 40 count. I couldn't get these for 25 cents like you did.

Me: Coupon language does need to be read... and correctly. And, yes, the manufacturer's do place the highest vale item that may be purchased with that particular item on their coupon.

If your Listerine coupon states that it can only be used on a particular Listerine product then you need to obey that wording.

The same thing goes with the Huggies product coupons. I had read on another blog that the Huggies wipes were selling at Kroger 10/$10 or $1 each, and the blog also outlined which Huggies coupons were available to use. I read the blog post and jumped right out on the deal- grabbing the same coupons that were reported on the other blog.

I ran out and spent most of mine- very excitedly, and then was asked about that coupon being for the 64+ count in the comments section of my blog post. I was completely wrong to use the $.75 coupon because I used it on a 40 count package. The Bath & Body coupon was accepted because I was using the coupon on a Huggies body (bum) product. My store accepts that particular coupon for wipes.

I felt very badly, as I do my best to always obey coupon policies and redemption. I called Kimberly-Clark, the Huggies manufacturer to apologize and to ask if they would like for me to return the wipes. The Customer Service Rep. was surprised at my apology (which is funny to me) and said that if the coupon scanned (which it did) and the store was willing to accept the coupon (which they were) then it was acceptable to Kimberly-Clark.

Like I said before, I do my best to always play by the rules. It is my responsibility to shop in an honorable manner- especially since I teach others to shop in the same fashion that I do. It is really easy for me to read about a deal on another blog and just jump out and repeat what they have done. Now, especially after the wipes ordeal and sheepishly needing to call the manufacturer to apologize, I try to always read my coupons before I spend them. I do try my best, but I probably will more mistakes and I actually appreciate being called out on my mis-spending of coupons. My ethical standard is much higher and scoring a sweet deal. And if I have done something wrong, I would prefer to make it right rather than just over looking it.

Thank you for taking the time to look deeply into my blog, I really do appreciate it!
love, Laura

YAY! YAY! GIVEAWAY!!!

It has been a HUGE week here at Sharpen Your Scissors!

I have been completely WOW'ed at how many of you savvy shoppers have attended my classes! This week I reached a milestone... 300 students! Yay!

Another BIG wow was the massive increase in donations to Raincatchers through my classes... $830 was raised in April... that means 4 Raincatchers will be able to change the lives of 4 more families in Haiti!!!

I'd like to give each and everyone of you a great big THANK YOU for your encouragement and support as I have ventured out into the land of teaching coupon usage. To be honest, I stepped out in faith- hoping that God would use me to bring change into the lives of people. To each of you personally, to your communities and around the globe.

I believe that these major milestones and the lesson in faith are cause for a celebration!

I will be giving away 3 $10 gift cards, one to CVS, Kroger and Target. To be a 'dark horse' in the running you must become a follower of Sharpen Your Scissors. Now is your chance to win!

I will randomly select 3 numbers (from my list of followers) at 3pm on Sunday May 3, 2009. Each winner will be identified and mailed their prize!

April's Donations:

I LOVE "Donation Day!!!"

It is so much fun to sort and organize all of the goodies

I have to give to Community Sharing!

This month's donations total $896

YTD Donations to Community Sharing: $2,731

YTD toothpaste donations: 199 tubes!

April Totals:

My April monthly totals are in...

Spent: $255.52

Saved: $2,180.51

Tax: $48.67

Coupons: 710 spent

FREE: 405 items

My monthly budget is set at $364.20 for the month...

$12.14/day or $85 per week.

My monthly budget includes all of our food, toiletries, hygiene products, health care products, baby needs, make-up and laundry items.

Q & A

From an email...

Coupon Clipper: Hi - first time e-mailer to you here - thanks for your blog - love it.

I just printed new coupons today from the printcoupon.com website and it is not allowing me to print them twice like I used to be able to do. I hit the back button and no luck. What is up? There are tons of good cereal coupons there this month. My kids go through cereal like it is air.

Me: If you are looking for more of the Kelloggs coupons- go to Kelloggs.com and look for the coupons tab in the upper left side of the homepage. You can print two from there.

As for the coupons.com coupons... click out of the coupon printing section after you have printed your first set of coupons. Then reopen the coupons.com site and you can print another set. Actually, the coupons that you printed before will be towards the last couple of pages of coupons... they are sneaky, and they move your coupons!!!!

Doubles at Kmart?

It has been a wishy washy week for Kmart.

Kmart had advertised doubling coupons again this week (5/3-5/9) but then they took back their offer. It seems that some Kmart's will be doubling up to $2, but we are to check our flyers from this weekend's paper. You could call your local store if you'd prefer not to wait...