Money Jars!

Tim and I both save coins like crazy! I was using a coin counting jar to hold all my coins (which wasn't counting like it used to) and Tim was using a free cup from the PawSox game and as you all know I like everything to match! 

Yesterday I headed to Marshalls after work to look around and picked out a couple of jars!

Of course I had to label them! I used a little bit of washi tape, making sure to label them in our favorite colors. Now we can grow our savings in beautiful matching jars. $2.99 a piece not bad!

How do you store your coins?

Weekly Couponing Wrapup

I actually went coupon shopping this week...woohoo! However, no free samples came in the mail this week. That was definitely a bummer.

At CVS...

2 Dial Handsoaps @ $2 each
used $1/2 coupon
Paid $3, received $2 back in ECB

2 Dial Body Washes @ $3 each
used $2/2 coupon
Paid $4, received $2 back in ECB

2 CVS Cotton Rounds @ $3.50 each
1 Disinfectant Wipes @ $5.49
received 30% off because of the CVS bag deal.

1 Just The Basics Paper Towel @ 79 cents
used 79 cent off CVS coupon
FREE

CVS Reusable Bag @ 99 cents
used 99 cent off CVS coupon
FREE

1 Benadryl Itch Stick @ $3.69
1 Benadryl Anti Itch Gel @ $7.99
Received $5 back in ECB

I also used $19 in ECB, and for some reason the register took off $1.50 for Hallmark cards...I'm not sure why!

I paid $11.39 out of pocket and received $9 back in ECB! Awesome!

Then at Rite Aid...

4 Crayola Chalk 12 counts @ 47 cents each

2 Maybelline Mascaras @ $7.49 each
used two $2/1 coupons, making each one $5.49
received a $5 +Up Reward for buying both

1 Wet and Wild Eyeshadow @ 99 cents
used $1 coupon
one cent Money Maker!

I paid $14.10 out of pocket and received $5 +Up for next time, not bad!


How did your couponing go this week?

I hope you have a great weekend! I'm heading off to a secret location for Rachel's Bachelorette Party this weekend, which I will update you on when I get back! =)

Weekly Couponing Wrapup!

Happy Friday to you!

This week I managed to snag a few good deals. I thought it was going to be a pretty slow week and didn't have any big couponing plans- but when I made a list of things I wanted to pick up that weren't necessarily 'couponing items' I was surprised by the prices I managed to get. Here we go!

At CVS I had a scenario pretty well planned out.

(Sorry, I forgot to take a picture this week-shame on me!)

4 Almay Softies Eye Shadows @ $5.49 each
on sale buy one get one 50% off
used (4) $4/1 coupons from the paper
FREE!

2 Just The Basics Cases of Water @ $2.22 each

1 Vitamin Water 2 $1.77

1 Nyx eye marker @ $9.79

I used $16 in ECBs and used a $4 off $20 which unfortunately got reduced down to 46 cents.

My subtotal was $0. I paid $1.96 in tax.

I saved $41.50 total, 100% savings! Not bad for all those items!

At Target...

1 Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder @ $1.97
used 75 cent coupon from the paper
$1 Target coupon
Cartwheel app for 20% off 
I paid 3 cents out of pocket!

2 Mossimo Dresses
used 20% cartwheel app
Paid $18.39 each (not bad for two new dresses!)

1 Goody Hair Ties @ $4.59

7 Gift Bags @ $1.25 each

11 Gift bags @ 75 cents each

2 Tissue Paper Packs @ 74 cents each

1 Double Pack of Gift Bags @ $1

I used a $10 Target gift card from a previous couponing trip. Then I paid $55.79 out of pocket.
You will see these gift bags being used in posts coming up about gift ideas!

I also went to the Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual sale to pick up a few things

2 Candles @ $22.50 each
50% off
Paid $11.25 each

2 Candles @ $12.50 each
50% off
Paid $6.25 each

1 Scrub @ $16.50
75% off
Paid $4.12

1 Shower Gel and 1 Lotion @ $11 each
75% off
Paid $2.75 each

3 Mini Shower Gels @ $5 each
50% off
Paid $2.50 each

I had an additional $10 off $40 purchase coupon. This made my total after tax $40.87.

I saved $82.63! Amazing!


Other ways I saved this week...

• I ordered a wrap around sweater from Discount Dance Supply with money I have earned through couponing apps and ebay sales. I saved myself $21.75!
• I ordered bras from Victoria's Secret during their semi-annual sale. I saved myself $25 plus shipping since I used a coupon code!
• When picking up batteries at Stop and Shop I was able to save $1.50 using a coupon and $1.30 for a deal they were having. $2.80 in savings is pretty good!

This week I saved a whopping total of $ 171.88! That's an amazing week!

I also received a few samples...

 2 Samples of Yogi tea, plus a coupon.

Dove Shampoo and Conditioner

Nature's Bounty Gummies and Ban Refresh Wipes

So many savings! How did you do this week?

How To Save Money: How To Store Coupons

Welcome back to my How To Save Money Series!

Today I'm going to be sharing with you a couple ways to store all the coupons you gathered last week. Now first let me tell you that I don't discriminate between coupons, I keep pretty much every coupon that comes my way just in case. The only coupons I don't keep are for restaurants or stores that are nowhere near me and I will not be going to. Otherwise, I hold onto every last coupon that I find.

I have shared before how I organize my own personal coupons, so let's start with that.

The Binder Method

Once upon a time, I shared this post where I described and showed how I organize all my coupons.

I chose to use the clip right away method. I clip my coupons as soon as I get them and I find that it works better for me. I like that all my coupons are sorted by category and everything is ready to go when I make my shopping list. I don't have to worry about clipping after I make my list and finding all the coupons inside stored inserts. There are a lot of benefits to this method, however lets talk about another way.

The Insert Method

During this method, there is no clipping unless you are actually going to use a coupon.

source

I do see the beauty in this method, it saves you time to be able to just store all your inserts and then clip those coupons only when you find that amazing deal. I think this definitely works if you're someone short on time and you only are getting your deals from other websites. If you plan on making your own deals it will be hard to know exactly what coupons you have unless you flip through each and every insert. 

You could potentially use a binder to hold each of your inserts, just to keep them all together. I have also seen people use a file box to hold all their inserts, and of course people who just stack them up by date on an office shelf, to each their own!

Either of these methods will keep you organized and ready to get some great deals, but you have to get started making your own organization system right now!

Next Wednesday I'll be sharing how to plan your couponing trip and make your shopping list, see you then!

Weekly Couponing Wrapup!

So many amazing deals this week!

I started off on Sunday at Walmart….

4 Windex touch up cleaners @ $3.47 each
used two Buy one get one free coupons, making them $1.73 each, $6.94 total.

 2 Ocean Potion sunscreens @ $3.97 each (I couldn't find the smaller ones)
used two $2 coupons, making them $1.97 each, $3.94 total.

2 Almay Makeup Removing Pads @ $1.14 each
used $5/2 coupon, making them a $2.72 Money Maker!

Rimmel Nailpolish @ $1.50
used a $1 off 1 coupon, making it 50 cents!

Schar Wafer Cookies @ $1.64
used a $3 off 1 coupon, making this a $1.36 Money Maker!

Clear Shampoo and Conditioner @ $4.98 each
used 2 $1 off 1 coupons, making these $3.98 each, $7.96 total.

2 Herbal Essence body washes @ $2.47 each
used 2 $1/1 coupons, making them $1.47 each, $2.94 total!

I spent $21.03 including tax for all these 14 products, making them approximately $1.50 each, not bad!

Then at Stop and Shop

1 Cheez It Snack Cup @ $1.29
on sale for $1
will be getting total back from SavingStar! FREE!

Neuro Sleep in MellowMango @ $2.69
on sale for $2
used a FREE coupon, cashier deducted entire $2.69, making this a 69 cent Money Maker!

2 Purex2 Laundry Detergent @ $3.85 each or $7.70 total
used two 75 cents off 1 coupons, making each one $3.10, $6.20 total
I also am still finishing up the SavingStar deal, so I should be getting $5 back from this!

I spent $5.58 including tax for these 4 items, making each one approximately $1.39 each.


On Wednesday I had some grocery shopping to do.

At Stop and Shop….

Bananas $1
Store Savings 43 cents
SavingStar 20% credit, 11 cents
Final Price 46 cents

Land O' Lakes American Cheese $8
Store Savings $1.50
Final Price $6.75

Honey ham $11.20

Oreos $5.39
Store Savings $1.40
Final Price $3.99

Mutigrain English Muffins $2.49
Store Savings 50 cents
Final Price $1.99

Kraft Mac and Cheese 5 Pack $5.79
Store Savings 60 cents
Coupon Used $1/1
Final Price $3.99

Covergirl Mascara (clearance) $4.24
Coupon used $1/1
Final Price $3.24

Poland Springs Water $4.79
Store Savings $1.30
Final Price $3.49

Natures Promise Milk $6.79
Ibotta Credit for 50 cents
Final Price $6.29

Bounce Dryer Sheets $6.79
Coupon used 20 cents off one
Coupon doubled
Final Price $6.39

2 Reddi Wip $5.39 each

Natures Promise Mozzarella Cheese $4.19

Total Paid $64.13 after tax. Not a great trip, but I didn't plan it at all so it wasn't as bad as it could've been.

Then I quickly ran in  CVS...

1 Just The Basics Paper Towels 79 cents
used 79 cent coupon
Final Price FREE

Zarbees Seasonal Relief $7


Used $4.99 in ECB, paid $2.50 out of pocket (49 cents was tax).

Received $7 back in ECBs! (Everything was basically free minus tax)


Yesterday I headed into Connecticut to get a few deals at a nearby mall.

I went into Harbor Freight because I recently discovered that there are a ton of free items to be found there.

1 Paint Brush 89 cents
1 Tape Measure, regularly priced at $6.99
used a coupon to get this FREE!

I paid 95 cents including tax, which I thought was great! I will be stopping by Harbor Freight more often since free tools will be great to have on hand for future gifts!

I ran into the mall quickly to get an amazing deal at Bath and Body Works

Foaming Hand Soap $6.50
used a coupon for a free hand soap (from a Facebook offer)
FREE FREE FREE!

At Target I purchased some items for super cheap!

Qtip 30 count 97 cents
used 75 cent off Target coupon
Final Price 22 cents!

Letter opener $1.89
on clearance for 56 cents

Document Holder $1

File Case $1

Total Paid $2.96

For the items I purchased on Thursday, the total cost of all these items was $20.34, but I paid only $3.91!

How was your couponing this week?

Weekly Couponing Wrapup!

Hey everybody! Wow, what a great week for couponing!

On Saturday night, I was waiting for a friend to get home in Warwick so I ran into AC Moore thinking I would just look around. I managed to find some great deals!

Yarn for a future baby blanket @ $6
On sale from $9.99

9 Scrapbooking sticker pages @ $1 each
On sale from various prices such as $2.33, $1.66, $1.99 etc..

16x20 picture frame @ $12

Not bad, for some things I will definitely be using!


I started out on Sunday with CVS where I purchased…

2 Crest Be Vanilla Mint toothpastes @ $4.99 each
I used 2 $1 off 1 coupons to make each one $3.99, or $7.98 total.
I received $4 ECB for each one, $8 ECB total. 
Which made this a 2 cent money maker!

6 Purex laundry detergents @ $6 each, or $36 total
They were on sale Buy 1 Get 2 Free, making them $12
I used a $2 off 2 coupon, and a $1.50 off 2 coupon, making them $8.50 total, or $1.41 each.
I also applied this towards my Savingstar deal (Buy $20, get $5 back)
Meaning, I spent $8.50 and I'm getting $5 back…which makes these $3.50 total OR 58 cents a piece. AMAZING!

I purchased two local newspapers but was not charged for them which I feel so guilty about, but didn't notice until I got home!

2 Eucerin lotions @ $1.27 each
I thought that these would be part of the Eucerin sale but they didn't work which was really disappointing.

I also used a $4 off $20 purchase coupon.

I paid $16.46 out of pocket, got $8 back in ECBs, and will be getting back $5 through Savingstar!

Then I went to Walmart where I was disappointed by the lack of selection...

2 Welch's Guava Pineapple juice @ $2 each

1 Aquarium Gravel @ $1.98

1 Rimmel Nailpolish @ $1.50
I used a $1 off coupon, making this 50 cents!

I paid $7 out of pocket for those items which is pretty good!


Then at Rite Aid…

1 Sure Deodorant @ $1.50
I used $1 off one coupon, making it 50 cents.
I received 50 cents in UpRewards, making it FREE!

1 Mucinex Allergy 5 count @ $7.50
I used a $5 off one coupon, making it $2.50
I also used a $2 Rite Aid coupon, making it 50 cents.
I am submitting for a $2.50 rebate, making it a $2 MoneyMaker!

2 Stride Gum @ $1 each, $2 total.
I used a 25 cent Rite Aid Coupon, making it $1.75.
I received a $1 UpReward, making it 75 cents!

1 Renuzit Cone @ $1.19
With Savingstar this week, I'm saving 100% on this item.
Making it FREE!

I also rounded up to the nearest dollar to donate to children's charities (21 cents)

I paid $5, but will be getting money back through Savingstar and the Mucinex Rebate, which is an excellent deal!


I also went to Stop and Shop and did two transactions…

Bananas @ $1.39 (39 cents a pound!)

Honey Ham @ $7.68

Finish Dishwasher Tablets @ $4.69
I will be applying for a rebate, getting this all back- making it FREE!

4 Apple Cinnamon Cheerios @ $3.99 each, $15.96 total
I used two $1 coupons, making this $13.96 total. 
(Not the best deal but I REALLY needed cereal!)

Lysol power and free wipes @ $3.50
I will be applying for a rebate, for $3, making this 50 cents!


How did you do this week?!

Ibotta

I just have to share one of my new favorite iPhone apps that saves you money so easily!

I recently downloaded Ibotta- and it is so simple to use. This app has a ton of different offers for products that you might have on your shopping list anyways. Each offer comes with different ways to earn money, whether it's learning a fact, taking a survey, writing something you love about the product, watching a video, or liking it on Facebook- once you complete a task you are rewarded with a cash offer.

Once you complete the offers you must buy the product in stores- there are a ton of stores listed so you have your choice of where to go! You can use coupons and do your transactions as you normally would (if the item is free with coupons- the app will still work!)

When you have finished your transaction, Ibotta will ask you to take a picture of your receipt- you have to take a picture of the ENTIRE thing- which might mean taking multiple pictures. Once you've snapped your picture(s) and pressed submit- it's a 24 hour or less waiting game. You'll receive a message from Ibotta letting you know that you've earned your money.

After you have completed multiple offers and earned a minimum of $5 you can transfer the money to your Paypal account!

Pretty sweet deal, for not a ton of work- especially if you are already buying these items!

Check it out if you have a phone that can download apps such as an iPhone or an Android... it's totally worth it!

My Savings Ticker

I thought it would be a great idea to start a ticker for my savings for 2013! This way I can keep track of my savings throughout the year. This ticker will be present in all my coupon recaps at the end of the week- on the bottom of each post.

I have set a goal of $2,500 in savings for the year which I thought sounded like a bit of stretch- but I already have saved over $200 and it's only January 23rd! I am super excited to keep track of these savings and hope I inspire you to keep track of your savings this year as well!

I thought a lot about what I wanted to include in this ticker. I didn't know if I wanted to include just coupon savings or include sale prices as well. I have decided to calculate my TOTAL savings- sale prices, clearance and coupons because all of these things together contribute to my overall savings. Even though anyone can walk in and get the sale price or clearance deal I am often pairing a coupon with these savings which makes my savings more than just a dollar or two.

So check out that ticker to see how much I have saved and let me know how much you've saved too!

So far so good! =)