Egg-citing

Quick blog today.  I was passing by the Aldi's in across from Worcester's Lincoln Plaza and saw in huge letters -- Eggs 69 cents.  I wanted to take a photograph, but there was a car behind me waiting for me to turn right on red.  If you get a chance, check it out if you are in the vicinity.

At last, the Sunday paper

I have been patiently waiting for a couple months to pass so that I could re-subscribe to the Sunday Telegram.  I was looking for a good subscription deal and the status of new customer (I had to wait a certain amount of time to be able to receive a deal). 

There's nothing like drinking tea on a quiet Sunday morning reading the newspaper and searching for sales.  The Telegram is actually cheaper than the Boston Globe, which I used to subscribe to, plus it has more local news.  The deal which I subscribed to was $79.82 for 52 weeks -- code 'WSPR11' (800-922-8200 in case you are local and interested).  I chose Sunday delivery only, but it also includes Thursday, Friday, and Saturday deliveries.  I end up paying $1.54 a week for four days.  The extra special I was waiting for was a free $20 Dunkin Donuts gift card.  What a deal!

For the past weeks I have been looking on the internet to see what the specials were for CVS and Walgreens, and printing out coupons off websites.  I have not yet resorted to what "extreme couponists" do, such as purchase additional Sunday papers or go through recycling centers for extra copies of the coupon inserts.  This week, finally, I can just flip through the pages with my fingers -- Free ultimate Flora Probiotic vegetable capsules and SunBurnt Therapeutic After Sun Relief products after rebate at Walgreens.  Check-it out if you are passing by one this week. 

Send out those Rebates

Not the best of photos to capture a wonderful moment -- opening up an envelope from the mailbox with a rebate check of $10.47.  The offer from Nexcare for 1, 2, or 3 different types of bandages (fancy waterproof or soft/flexible) is good until 12/31/11 on specially marked boxes.  I used my Walgreens rewards coupons to purchase the bandages, so I never had to actually use cash, but still received a rebate for all three types!  My daughter is so happy that she doesn't have to use the dollar store brand bandages for the next few summer months.

Kellogg's Corn Flakes is also running a "Try Free After Mail-in Rebate" deal with their new "Simply Cinnamon" cereal.  Look for specially marked packages in the cereal aisle.  The sugar load is 6 grams per serving -- high, but a little better than what the kids get from eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch!



Pull out those Cereal Coupons

I was reluctant to post this sale up today:  Price Chopper is continuing for another week its special for cereal -- 4 boxes for $6 (all four must be purchased for that price).  If you happened to save any manufacturer coupons, you can apply them to the sale.  One of the grocery stores was giving away General Mills coupon books a few weeks ago on a rack by the front entrance.  It was a rare sight, but when you see something like that and there are a lot of booklets available, try to take two.  The coupon which I was able to apply to the sale was $1 off 2 boxes.  Since I had four boxes, I could use two of these coupons, making the 4 boxes only $4.  It was a frugal deal, not free and not very nutritious.  My children only care for Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  Although the box claims it has a bunch of vitamins and minerals (ranging from 2% copper to 30% thiamin and zinc and 35% vitamin B12), the sugar load is exhorbitant -- 10 grams. 

Cheerios is clearly the best deal, nutrition-wise.  Aside from 9% daily value of protein and the usual vitamins, it has an amazing 45% vitamin B6, 50% iron, and 60% folic acid.  Grams of sugar?  Only one.  Most of the boxes include a coupon for Pampers -- $1.50 off.  The popularity of it in my house, however, is zero.  My daughter asked, "Why didn't you buy the Cheerios with honey in it?"  "O" well, you can't win them all.  Till my next blog, Cheerio!

Bouquet and Card, For Free!

As I had mentioned in the last blog, Stop and Shop this week has amazing specials -- purchase any gift card of a value $25 and over, and receive a free bouquet of flowers (valued at $4.99).  The bouquet I chose was originally marked as $11.99 (actually, the sticker said $14.99), but it was placed as a manager's special for $4.99.  This allowed me to receive a big, beautiful bouquet of flowers for free, after purchasing a $25 gift card for Stop and Shop, which I will use on my next grocery trip.

The Hallmark card deal is really fantastic -- I selected baby, welcome home, and get well cards, each for 99 cents, and still received the $5 rewards coupon for my next purchase.  By selecting these inexpensive cards through this transaction, I actually earned $2.03 and special occasion Hallmark cards. 

I must not hoard.  I must not be greedy, but this is so enticing to try one more time (my flower vase can hold more, too).

My Heroine

WBZ-TV late last night featured my heroine, coupon queen Kathy Spencer.  Please google her interview, along with previous ones with news stations and newspapers, and learn from her website, http://www.howtoshopforfree.net/.  I can only hope to someday be able to shop and save like her!

Although her ideas for shopping at Stop and Shop this week were already on my to-do list (purchasing 3 Hallmark cards and receiving a $5 rewards coupon and purchasing a $25 gift certificate (I would have just chosen the store gift card) and receiving a free bouquet of flowers), there were so many other money-saving ideas and coupon links.  One coupon which I already printed out was for tobasco sauce, making it free this week once doubled. 

Reading her personal story (and income level on paper) will be an inspiration to you to really "train your eyes" and look out for those deals.  Have fun!

Cream of the Crop?

I love testing out new products, especially when they are free by rebate.  In today's case, Kraft Philadelphia's Cooking Creme was my target.  Usually priced at $3.29 at Stop and Shop, it went on sale this week 2/$4.  I have been collecting coupons for this for a couple of weeks, piling up two from the Sunday Telegram, one printed out from the internet, and a handful from a coupon dispenser right next to the item itself (two weeks ago).

I try to use only pure olive oil for all of my frying needs, except for deep frying, which can denature the olive oil.  So, buying cooking creme was not a priority.  I kept the coupons only because they were for $1.50 off -- a considerable amount.  With the product being $2, it meant each of the 10 ounce tubs cost only 50 cents.  As a bonus, Stop and Shop was throwing in an additional incentive to try the new items -- "Save $1 on the purchase of 2 instantly."  So after this additional subtraction of $3 to my order, each tub was free!

Total fat per serving, 1/4 cup, is 9 grams, but there are some benefits -- protein 4 grams, Vitamin A 10% and Calcium 6% since the main ingredient is milk.  The containers I bought had a small recipe booklet attached to the top.  I am excited to try the Chicken Bruschetta Pasta one-- it does look creamy in the photo. We'll soon see if this cooking creme is 'cream of the crop.'