Cheapskate Christmas- More Than Being Cheap

Over the past year I have worked very hard to spend less, reduce clutter, and give more.  Coupon shopping and bargain hunting have made a major change in my life.  Less Stress, Peace, and Joy of Sharing abound these days.  Santa will no doubt visit our house, but we are trying to give more to others this year.  The Advent Project has a great message. 

What will you do to make this Holiday Season better for someone else.  The ideas are endless.

• Visit an elderly neighbor.
• Participare in Project Christmas Child.
• Donate to a local food shelf.
• Shovel a sidewalk.
  

Target- Lowest Price Promise

I love Target, but I often find that their cashiers are a bit clueless.  CLICK HERE to print your copy of Target's Price Matching policy.  This policy should simplify the price match game.  Thank you Target!!

Here are the highlights:

• The entire original printed advertisement must be presented at checkout.
  
• Target does not match coupon-required offers but guests can use Manufacturer or Target coupons when requesting a price match. (Example- You cannot use a Rite Aid Coupon)
  
• The program covers items with the identical brand name, size, weight, quantity and model number of the item at Target stores.
  
• Online pricing will not be price matched.
  
• There is also a long list of other exclusions that you’ll want to look over, including the newly added exclusion of timed events (e.g., early bird, doorbusters).
  
  Having this new policy HERE and Target's Coupon Policies in print will maek your next trip enjoyable and should reduce struggle and frustation
  
  If you aren’t also carrying the Target Corporate Coupon Policy with you, I’d recommend printing it as well so you have all of the information at your fingertips should an issue arise.
  
  (Thank You Deal Seeking Mom for sharing this link).
  
  
  

Vocalpoint

CLICK HERE to sign up for Vocalpoint.  There is no contest, this is my favorite free sample and high value coupon source I know.  There is a great surprise in the mailbox every 1-3 weeks. 

Some Of The Best Offers

• Free Bounce Dryer Bars (with coupons)
• Kelloggs and Kashi Cereal (6 Free Jumbo Boxes and coupons)
• $40 Worth of Oil Of Olay Products and 6- $10 coupons
• $10 worth of Secret Clinical Protection Deodorant and coupons

Organic Coupon Round-up

CLICK HERE to visit the Krazy Coupon Lady and a fantastic post about where to find coupons on Produce, Natural Foods, and Everything Organic. 

FREE Amazon Kindle for your PC- There is no catch!

Pinch me- it can't be real, but it is!!!  I have been carefully watching the prices on the Amazon Kindle for months.  They are now in the $279 range. If you are have been wishing for one be prepared to swoon.  A few years ago Amazon introduced the Kindle- a paperback size tech device that allows the owner to purchase entire books- and read them via the Kindle Screen page by page.  New release books are usually about 1/2 of the cover price.  Lately Amazon has been placing hourly lists of books to download for FREE.  Once you download you own it and can store them on your Amazon account or device FOREVER.

Amazon just released the Kindle for PC.  It is made for Windows 7, Vista, and XP.  Amazon says Apple applications are due to be released any day.  CLICK HERE to download you software for FREE- to keep, FOREVER.  Then CLICK HERE to take a peek at all of the Free downloads. The list that will appear will show all of the FREE and reduced kindle downloads.  It literally just took me less than 3 mins with DSL to download the software and 10 free books!

It is hard to argue against the price of getting books at the public library, but for free without leaving home steals the show!!  If you already have a laptop- this is perfect.  A PC is less functional, but I'll keep my $279 plus Tax and use some of the savings for paid downloads.  LOVE IT!  Merry Christmas to me and to you.

Christmas Milk- I know what your thinking..She's really crazy....(My 2 Cents)

This is a review of something WONDERFUL.  I think I turned into an elf earlier tonight when I took my very first sip of Chocolate Mint "Christmas Milk".  You can find it in the egg nog cooler at Target.  I plan to polish off many of these before Christmas.  It is a Target Maket Pantry product and sells for about $1.50 a quart.  This is just my 2 cents, but I would love a free case if someone with strings to pull can arrange that! There are several flavors, but chocolate and mint...How can it get better? 

Toys R Us- Massive Friday and Saturday Sales

CLICK HERE to visit Toys R Us- The weekend sales are AMAZING- and many on sale items come with free shipping.  I have high hopes that I will be able to score the Kota Dino for $79.00- over $200 in savings when shipping is factored it.  Cross Your fingers for me- I will keep you posted!

Vista Print- Holiday Card Sale

CLICK HERE to check out the latest great Holiday Card at Vista Print!

New Printable Coupons

$1/1 Pillsbury Product CLICK HERE

$1/1 Banana Nut Cheerios CLICK HERE

$1/1 Cotonelle TP CLICK HERE

$1/1 Earth Bound Organic Farms Produce CLICK HERE

Smart source has mandy NEW coupons today CLICK HERE (ie; $2 of Butterball Turkey)

Organic Valley

CLICK HERE to request your $10 coupon pack full of fruit and veg.. coupons!

Price Matching- A New Chapter In The Coupon Game

This week Walmart anf Target have launched a war....Price match to draw in more customers.  Walmart has the new Target toy book hanging up at each register and they are applying the Target coupons to drop their price to match the Target after coupon price. 

Both will now price match ANY other retailer's print ad price.  Internet print out will not work, but any newspaper or mass mailing will work.

This week's Up&Monsters Inc deals should put our local Target to the test.

Disney Movie Deals

Today Disney and local retailers are pretty much filling my daughter's stocking!

Here is the Best Deal Scenrio:

First Print These:

$10 off Disney Pixar Up on Blu-Ray Combo pack

$8 off Disney Pixar Monsters Inc. Blu-Ray Combo pack

Here is Where the Fun Comes in- you get to choose if you want to wait in line for  price match at Target or save a little less at another store.

Walmart Has Up on Blu-ray for $19.96

Target has announced that they will now PRICE MATCH- Holiday shoppers will love this!  Grab a Best  Buy Flyer (right next door to Target here in Plattsburgh)

Put the 2 movies in your cart and head to the Service Desk with your Best Buy Flier, 2 Disney coupons, and Target Printable coupon.  DONT BOTHER WITH THE CHECKOUTS!  SERVICE DESK ONLY!  Unless you want a headache....

UP Blu-ray Combo Pack, $23.99 (price match Best Buy)

Monsters Inc., $18.99 (price match Best Buy)
Use $10 off Disney Pixar UP Blu-ray Combo Pack printable
Use $8 off Monsters Inc. Blu-ray Combo Pack printable
Use $10 off wyb UP and Monsters Inc. Target printable
$14.98 for both after coupons

Free Baby Wipes @ Target

Free Baby Wipes abound at Target this week.  The coupon nazis were off yeaterday and that made for an excellent coupon trip!! 

CLICK HERE to print a Target $1 off Up&Up Diaper Wipe product.  Print as many as you like, but they will likely only take 1 coupon for each item. 

Target Up & Up Baby Wipes Solo Pack, $0.97

$1/1 Up & Up Wipes Target printable
= Free

Target Up & Up Flushable Toddler Wipes Refill, $0.97
$1/1 Up & Up Wipes Target printable
=Free

Target Up & Up Wipes Tub, $1.55
$1/1 Up & Up Wipes Target printable
= $.55

Enjoy!

Toys R Us Hasbo Deal- more details

Here are some more details on the great game sale at Toys R Us this week.

Toys R Us will give you a $10 gift card when you buy $25 worth of hasbro games. Only the original games are included (no sponge bob candy land, dora cootie, etc.)

$3.99 each
Candy Land
Chutes and Ladders
Ants in Pants
Don’t Break The Ice
Memory
Hi-Ho Cherry-O
Cootie

games for $7.99 each
Clue
Boggle Jr
Rubiks
Scrabble Jr
Yahtzee
Monopoly Jr
Deal

games at $9.99 each
Mouse Trap
Scrabble
Perfection
Connect 4
Boggle
Perfection

From 11/1 to 1/31 you can get a rebate from Hasbro on participating games, BUT they must be purchased from Toys R Us. Also, there is a limit of 1 rebate per game, and up to $69 per household. CLICK HERE for more info and to see the form.

Don't forget to use your Hasbro Coupons that were available a few weeks ago!

Fugi- Cheapskate Christmas Free or Dirt Cheap Photo Cards!

Fugi film has partnered with freebies for mom ( another mommy blog) to give away 50 free cards with free shipping to EVERY reader that wants to give Fugi a try.  The deal has been verified and they have said that they will honor all requests.  I have tried to log on, but due to high volume and SLOW/Bogged Down site I am going to try again later tonight.  This offer will not go away until 11/30, so I suggest letting the initial hustle and bustle die down before you try to create your order.  This is a $39.50 value, no strings attached. These are 5x7 photo cards.  If you want to up the qty to 120 cards the price is still great- $3 total (including shipping and 140 cards).

Click HERE to visit Freebies for Mom for details and coupon code.

Duncan Hines Money Maker

Purchase 5 Participating Products between 11/8-12/7 (postmarked by 1/7/10) and receive a $5 Rebate. Must send in the proofs of purchase, original receipt and this rebate form to receive your $5 Check.


Duncan Hines Cake Mix
Duncan Hines Brownie
Duncan Hines Frosting
Log Cabin or Mrs. Butterworths syrup
Open Pit BBQ
Armour Vienna Sausage
Vlasic Pickles

Target has a great deal on cake mix that will turn this into an instant $$ maker!
[Buy 6] Duncan Hines Cake Mix $.97
Use 6 $0.50/1 – Duncan Hines – Target Coupons
Also use 3 $.55/2 from SS 10/11
Final Price: $0.20 each or 1.17 for 6

You will spend $1.17 out of pocket, This turns the rebate deal into a $3.83 profit maker- and you get to keep all 6 cake mixes!

Rite Aid Deals 11/8/09

Click HERE to print a $5/$25 coupons.

Herbal Essences Shampoo& Conditioner & Stylers BOGO

Use Buy One Shampoo or Conditioner, get a FREE Hair Styler in 10/11 PG
2 FOR FREE after coupons

Finish Electrasol Dishwasher Detergent or Jet Dry $3.99
Submit $1.00 SCR
use $1.00 or $0.50 Finish Electrasol or $0.75 Jet Dry Printable HERE
as low as $1.99 after coupon & SCR

GE Reveal Light Bulbs 2/$4.00
Submit SCR $2.00 wyb 2
Use (2) $1.00/1 in 10/4 SS
Use $.40/1 Rite Aid Video Values Coupon
FREE + Overage after SCR & Coupons


Oral B CrossAction Manual $2.99
Submit SCR $2.99
Use $1.00/1 in 10/11 PG
FREE + overage after SCR

Post Cereal $1.99
usese $.55/1 in 10/11 SS
$1.44 after coupon

Chock Full O Nuts $5.99 BOGO
use $1.00/2 10/4 Ss
$4.99 for two after coupon

Joy Dish Soap .99
use .30/1 from 10/11 P&G
.69 after coupon

Dawn Dish Soap .99
use .25/1 from 10/11 P&G
.74 after coupon

Airwick Imotion$4.99
use $4.00/1 in 10/11 SS
$.99 after coupon

Maybelline Cosmetics starts at $6.99 BOGO
use $1.00/1 in 10-11-09 RP
$3.00 each after coupon

Revlon Eye Color $4.99
Submit $1.00 SCR
use $1.00/1 in 10/11 SS
$2.99 after SCR and coupon

Aveeno Hair Care $5.99
use $1/1 from 11/8 RP
use $2/1 Rite Aid coupon
$2.99 after both coupons

Nexxus Hair Care $9.99
use $3/1 HERE (Rite Aid coupon) Or $4/1 HERE (if Dualiste is included)
As low as $5.99 after coupons (Thanks, Charlene)

Glade Air Freshener .99
Use Buy One Get One from 11/1 SS

Deals:

Deal 1
Buy 4 Glade
Use (2) BOGO coupons
$1.98 and submit for $5 rebate HERE

Clorox Ultra Bleach $1.99
Use .50/1 Rite Aid coupon
Use $1/2 from 10/4 RP
.99 each when you buy 2

The deals are not great this week, but next week is looking better! 

Crock Pot Recipe Of The Day

Target has beautiful programmable crock pots for under $40. 

Crock Pot Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole

2 boxes frozen broccoli

2 boxes frozen cauliflower
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 lg. jar pimentos
American cheese slices
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. water

Layer the ingredients in Crockery Pot. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. This recipe can be divided in half.

If you have a 2 dish crockpot insert- Cook this on one half.

This is excellent paired with Apple Pork.

Place 2 lb pork roast in crockpot.

Season with 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic Salt, 1/4 tsp paprika

Arrange 3 cups of apple slices around the roase.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Enjoy!

Crock Pot Cooking

This weekend featured many discussions about how to cook and feed our families without going crazy.  Take out is so much easier, but we have been trying to control our Restaurant spending.  The days are busy here this time of year- so I have been turning to the crockpot a lot lately. 

It is easy.  It is cheap.  It cooks dinner for me.  It gladly takes a bath in the dishwasher.  It can be programmed to help working (in and out of home) moms max. it's usefullness.

Here is my favorite Crockpot recipe and some links for more Crockpot cooking tips.  Tonight I used the 10 mins after I put my daughter down to throw together tomorrow's dinner.  The prep is done and all I will need to do is pop the crock in the heating unit, set it, and walk away in the am.  When I get home dinner will be done and ready to serve in about 5 mins.  I will freeze the leftovers for another quick meal for the coming weeks.  Enjoy!

Crockpot Brown Sugar Chicken- CLICK HERE ( can be done with boneless/skinless, but I like thighs- yes I know they will likely appear on my thighs, but I am willing to take the trade off for moist chicken.)  This goes great with Far East Cous Cous! 

A Year Of Slowcooking- CLICK HERE

Toy's R Us Hasbro Blowout!- Cheapskate Christmas

This week would be a great week to cash in on all of the Hasbro coupons that have been promoted during the last month.  Many can be used at Target, but if Toys are Us has a location near you- here is the DEAL OF THE WEEK!!!

• Toys R Us has dropped toy prices to $3.99 (Qualifies for a $2 Mail in Rebate on EACH GAME), $7.99 (qualifies for $3 Mail in Rebate on EACH GAME), and $9.99 (qualifies for $4 rebate per game).  There are no coupon match ups that I can find for the $3.99 games (many pre-k favs; Hi-Ho-Cheerio, Candy Land, Shutes n Ladders, Ants in My Pants, Don't Spill The Beans, Don't break The Ice)
• Buy 7 games- let's pretend you want all 7 from the $3.99 collection.

Load your cart with 7 of the promo games.
Pay $27.93 OOP
Submit for the rebate 7x2= $14 refunded
TOYS R Us will give you a $10 gift card at checkout.
When the Giftcard and Rebates are taken into consideration the total out of pocket cost drops to $3.93 plus tax for 7 games- yes 7 games!!! Talk about amazing gifts.

Family Game night is a super idea and we have kicked up our use of games in our everyday family entertainment routines.  I think these could make a great "Family gift".  A Bundle of 2-3 Games, popcorn, A Pizze Gift Card.  Everything a family might need to bond for a night and enjoy the fun of these childhood classics. 

Target- Will my plans to shop flop?

I have printable Target coupons and the TOY book that came in the paper on Friday stacked, chopped, and ready to go.  If you have the extra cash to start holiday shopping- this is the week.  Since all of the coupons are good for several weeks, November will likely be the month of terrific toy deals!

Where can you find the coupons?

• CLICK HERE for printable manufacturer coupons.
• CLICk HERE to print the entire Target Toy coupon collection.  This collection also allows you to use the Target coupons during online Target shopping.
• Ask for a toy book with coupons at the Customer Service/ Guest Relations Desk. 

These are my favorite Deals! (use these $ Target and/or $ Manufacturer coupons)

• Wow Wee Alive Minis Interactive Cubs ($10 Target)=$9.99
• Puppy in My Pocket Manorville Play Set ($10 Target)=$9.99
• My Little Pony (use $5/20 from coupons.com or smartsource.com)= $21/2 Ponies
• Leapfrog toys- too many to mention.  (Target coupons and http://www.leapfrog.com/)= $9-$30

Watch your mailbox for coupons and use them- using one will increase your chances of getting more (ie; $10/100 purchase, $5/$20)

Remember to have the cashier scan the $__/$___ coupon FIRST.  If you use other coupons to lover your total below the must spend point- you will not be able to use it at the end of the transaction.  We MUST be smarter than the computer!

The Dino Hatchlings are also $13.49-$13.89.  use one of the Sunday paper coupons or online coupons to drop the price to less than $9.

Happy Bargain hunting

November Smart Source

CLICK HERE to print your November Smartsource coupons.

Here are some of the offerings:

$1.00/1 – Alexia Crunchy Snacks
$1.00/1 – Aquafresh Iso-Active Whitening
$1.50/1 – AQuify Multi-Purpose Solution

$1.00/2 – Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancake, Waffle, French Toast

$1.00/1 – Bertolli Olive Oil

$0.40/1 – Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes

$0.40/1 – Betty Crocker Cookie Mix

$0.50/1 – Betty Crocker Frosting

$0.50/1 – Betty Crocker Warm Delights Bowls

$0.60/1 – Bisquick Baking Mix
$2.00/1 – Biz Stain Fighter

$0.65/2 – C&H Sugar Product

$1.00/1 – Carpet Fresh Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator

$0.75/1 – Cheerios, Multigrain
$0.50/1 – Chex 100 Calorie Snacks

$0.50/1 – Chex Mix, Chocolate Mix

$1.00/2 – Chex Cereal, Various Varieties

$1.00/2 – Chiquita Frozen Fruit Smoothies

$1.00/1 – Cinnabon Cinnamon Bread Loaf

$0.45/1 – Clabber Girl Baking Powder

$1.00/1 – Colgate 360 ActiFlex Manual Toothbrush

$0.50/1 – Curad Product

$3.00/1 – Dexatrim Max

$1.00/1 – Dole Salad Blends

$1.00/1 – Don Francisco’s Coffee

$0.75/1 – Duncan Hines Whole Grain Muffin Mix

$1.00/1 – Egg Beaters Seasoned Variety

$0.75/1 – Fiber One Frozen Muffins

$0.50/1 – Fiber One Muffin Mix

$1.00/2 – G2 Gatorade Powder Packs

$2.00/1 – Gaviscon Heartburn Relief

$1.00/1 – Greased Lightning, 22oz

$0.50/2 – Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables

$0.50/1 – Green Giant Frozen Bagged Vegetables

$0.50/1 – Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers

$1.00/2 – Hershey’s Bliss

$1.00/1 – High Liner Sea Cuisine

$0.75/1 – Holland House Cooking Wines or Vinegar

$1.50/1 – Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers

$2.00/1 – Huggies Overnites Diapers

$1.00/1 – Johnson and Johnson Red Cross Ultraheal

$1.00/1 – Jose Ole Product, 12 oz+

$1.00/1 – Kaopectate Anti-Diarrhea

$1.00/1 – Kikkoman Ponzu Sauce Wake Up

$0.75/1 – Kix Cereal, Berry Berry or Honey

$0.50/3 – Kleenex BundlePack Facial Tissue

$0.75/1 – Marie Calendars Pasta Al Dente

$1.00/1 – Melitta Premium Filters, 100 ct

$1.00/2 – Nabisco Cracker Products

$0.40/1 – Natra Taste Gold

$1.00/1 – Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters

$1.00/1 – Pedia-Lax Chewable Tablets

$1.00/1 – Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies

$0.50/2 – Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls

$0.75/2 – Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, Cinamon Rolls, or Mini’s

$1.00/2 – Pillsbury Italian Meal Breads

$0.55/1 – Pillsbury Simply Refrigerated Cookie Dough

$1.00/2 – Pillbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough

$0.30/2 – Pillsbury Refrigerated Grands Biscuits

$0.50/2 – Pillsbury Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts

$0.55/1 – Pillsbury Savorings Product

$0.40/2 – Pillbury Sweet Rolls or Grands Sweet Rolls

$1.00/1 – Polaner Sugar Free w/Fiber Preserves

$0.50/1 – Progresso Broth

$1.10/3 – Progresso Soups

$0.35/1 – Red Star Yeast 3-Strip Package

$0.75/1 – Red Star Yeast 4oz Jar

$1.10/1 – Romano’s Macaroni Grill

BOGO Free – Science Diet Culinary Creations

$1.00/1 – Science Diet Simple Essentials Treats

$1.00/8 – Scott Extra Soft Tissue

$1.00/4 – Scott Mega or Long Lasting Paper Towels

$1.00/1 – Sensodyne Iso-Active

$1.00/1 – Simple Green Cleaning Product

$1.00/1 – Stacy’s Pita Chips or Bagel Chips

$0.40/1 – Stevia Extract In The Raw

$1.00/1 – Sylvania Energy Star Lighting

$1.00/2 – Tony’s Pizza

$1.00/2 – Trident Layers Gum

$1.00/1 – Unisom

$0.50/1 – Vlasic Pickles, Relish, Peppers

$.75/1 – Wacky Mac Pasta

$1.50/1 – Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree

$1.00/1 – Wholly Guacamole or Wholly Salsa

$3.00/1 – World’s Best Cat Litter

$1.00/1 – Yoplait Fiber One Multipack

$0.50/6 – Yoplait Yogurt Cups

$0.80/2 – Yoplait Yogurt Trix, Go-Gurt

$1.00/1 – YoPlus or YoPlus Lite 4 pack

$1.00/2 – Zebra Pen Products

Chicken Deal @ Price Chopper

CLICK HERE to check out the latest Price Chopper promo.  Join them on facebook and print a $2 coupon to use on any package of chicken breast (details on coupon).

Singing Hills Scrapbook Weekend

This weekend I left my potty mouth at home and made the trek to Plainfield New Hampshire for a scrapbook retreat.  Today I am singing highest praise for a much needed mommy break.  Singing Hills (CLICK HERE) offers an amazing array of workshops, vendors, snacks, and homemade meals.

I have accomplished more this weekend than I had anticipated and I will be back in April.  I strongly suggest checking Singing Hills out.  Their mission is wonderful.  Their prices are SUPER DUPER GOOD!  I gladly forked over the cash for this great weekend and will continue to do so! (This is not a paid review- Just My HUMBLE 2 cents)