What's The Big Deal With "Couponing" Anyway?

So this morning included a quick trip to Walmart to pick up a few things we needed.  While I was there, I decided to give you guys a little sampling of why learning about and using coupons can be so fun.  If we use the regular shelf price for the items above, I would have paid over $21 plus tax (the crayons were only $.25 each--so go grab some of those!!!).  Here's the breakdown:

(3) Crystal Light boxes @ $1.97 Each

(2) Kool-Aid Fun Fizz @ $1.97 Each

(2) Oscar Mayer Selects Angus Hot Dogs @ $3.00 Each

(2) Oscar Mayer Selects Turkey Hot Dogs @ $1.97 Each

(6) Crayola 24-pack Crayons @ $.25 Each

I pulled out my trusty coupon binder (we'll talk about that later) and used all coupons that either came in the mail from specific companies or peelies from the product at the store.  And here's what happened:

Yep!  You read that right, $.06!  By taking advantage of just a few of the many offers available to help us save money, I was able to get all that for pretty much free!  Here are the places I got the coupons from (all pretty much for free product and then some) along with links to their sites.  I'll be giving you more details on these offers in coming days.

Crystal Light Vocal Point Testing Program http://www.vocalpoint.com/

Oscar Mayer Coupons from House Party where you can be chosen to host in-home parties to showcase new products at http://www.houseparty.com/

Kool-Aid Fun Fizz Coupons were attached to the packages of hot dogs at the store (one free Fun Fizz for each two hot dogs)

  

What deals have you gotten lately?  Please share!  We'd love to hear from you!  You can even include a pic if you'd like!  I'd love to post more deals from you!

Mega Swag Bucks Day!

Today's the day to earn even more Swag Bucks!  Mega Swag Bucks day is every Friday where you can earn up to 100 Swag Bucks in one search!  That's just from using the special tool bar for your regular internet searches.  I don't do anything extra to earn--just the normal sites I visit during the day!  Remember, you can redeem your Swag Bucks for Amazon.com e-certificates that can pay for A LOT of Christmas!

Go here to get started earning!  Remember, for a limited time, you'll get 30 Swag Bucks to get you started!

Best Prices This Week

I'm going to try and post a list of the best deals on produce, meat, dairy and other grocery items each week based on the ads.  This is a little late because first, I've been lazy, and second, the ads came a day late because of the holiday.  These prices are based on prices in the Salt Lake Valley ads.  Remember, you can either go to each store for the deals or price match at Walmart or Super Target.  Happy shopping!

Meat
London Broil $2.29/lb. (Smith's)

Dairy
Cottage Cheese Western Family 16 oz. $.99 (Associated Foods)
Dozen Large Eggs $.69 (Harmon's)
Store Brand Gallon Milk $1.79 (Smith's, Harmon's)
Store Brand Orange Juice 1/2 gallon $.99 (Smith's)
Store Brand Chocolate Milk 1/2 gallong $.99 (Smith's)

Produce
Strawberries 1 lb. 2/$3 (Associated Foods)
Cello Wrapped Lettuce $.79 (Associated Foods)
Cluster Tomatoes $.79 (Associated Foods)
Garden Salad Fresh Selections Brand $1.29 (Smith's)
Peaches & Nectarines $.98 (Fresh Market)
Roma Tomatoes $.79 (Fresh Market)
Red/Green Seedless Grapes $.98 (Reams)
Haas Medium Avacado 2/$1 (Reams)
Green Onion Bunch $.39 (Reams)
Romaine, Red, Green Leaf Lettuce $.69 (Reams)

Miscellaneous
Crayola 24-count Crayons $.35 (Associated Foods)
Cheetos/Fritos 7.75-10.25 oz. Varieties $1.68 (Smith's)
Kroger Brand Apple Juice 64 oz. $.98 (Smith's)
Don Julio Tortilla Chips $.88 (Fresh Market-limit 4)
Scotch Household Scissors 8 in. $.27 (Fresh Market with coupon on package)
        ***I bought some of these last year as neighbor gifts for Christmas--don't we all need more scissors?
Avery 3-pk. glue sticks $.47 (Fresh Market)

Cereal
General Mills Select Cereals $1.49 each when you buy four (Smith's)

Bakery
Sara Lee 20 oz. Classic White or Wheat Bread $1.48 (Harmon's)
Grandma Sycamore's White or Wheat 12 oz. $1.49 (Reams)

These are the best prices this week without using coupons.  If you have coupons for these items, then you'll be even more ahead!

One more thing--would you prefer this list be by category (like it is now) or by store?  What would be most helpful?  Just leave a comment and let me know!  Thanks!

Giveaway Extended! There's Still Time to Win!

So we've gotten off to a great start this week (well, over the past three days...), and I think I was a little over-zealous to put the deadline of tonight for our first contest.  So let's extend it a few days.  Remember, you get one entry for following my blog then one more for each person you refer who becomes a follower.  The new deadline will be Monday, July 12th at 8pm!  Good luck!

And watch for more excitement over the next few days!

My Favorite Finds for Today!

Print two copies of the $.75 off one Mission Tortilla coupon here. (Thanks, Hip2Save.com)

Buy one, get one free Bear Naked Granola coupon (must "like" them on Facebook) here. (Mine went into my "junk" email folder, so be sure to check yours if you don't see it right away!)

Chuck E. Cheese "Ticket Blaster" online game--you can catch up to 30 tickets redeemable on your next visit (hopefully redeemed by your child, not you!!!) here! (Thanks, My SLC Mommy!)

30 Free Swagbucks!

You may have read my post below about how joining Swagbucks.com can help you save a ton of money for Christmas.  When you use the Swagbucks search bar, you randomly earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards and prizes (my favorite is the Amazon e-gift card).  I usually earn about 40 per day just by checking out the sites I normally review each day!  Well, I just learned that everyone who starts a new account gets 30 swagbucks deposited to start you off!  It's a great deal!  On Friday I'll remind you about Mega Swagbucks day--each Friday we have the chance to earn many more Swagbucks than usual, so it's a great day to search!  Get started now by clicking here or on the banner!

Don't Throw Out Your South Valley Journal!

I just did something I don't normally do--I opened the South Valley Journal and read it!  I'm glad I did.  If you received on this morning, make sure to check out the coupon on the back page.  It's a special offer from the South Jordan Sam's Club for an open house that includes a free Rotisserie chicken and the chance to get a $20 Sam's Club gift certificate when you join within 30 days of the open house!

Do you have a Sam's Club account?   I used to, but I let it expire.  I'm not typically a warehouse store shopper, but Sam's Club does have some amazing after-Christmas deals!  It just might be time to renew!

A few details:
*Event takes place at the South Jordan location only on Saturday, July 10th from 11-5pm
*Includes a free all day pass (limitations apply)
*Food & Product Demos (free food!)
*You must present the coupon for the free chicken!
*Even if you don't join, fill up your tank for cheaper than most places and get a free chicken!