Multiple Mom's Money Musings

$30 saved by getting 2 free antibiotics prescriptions at Stop and Shop
$4 by using promo code at Redbox for 4 free movie rentals
$5 at CVS by asking them to reimburse me for a coupon I forgot
$16 earned in ECB by using ECB, coupons and GC from transferred prescription
$12 by finding some REALLY good coupon in library coupon box
$31 gift card in the mail today from Walgreens rebate program
$6 rebate check in the mail today from Theraflu

Grand Total=$104

Use Coupons Coupons can save you a significant amount of money during the year. You can find coupons for almost any product or store/restaurant in a multitude of locations such as the Sunday paper, printable on-line coupons, magazines, email coupons sent to when you register with a manufacture or restaurant, coupon dispensers (in-stores), and coupon swap boxes in the library or workplace just to name a few places. You can definitely save well over $1,000 by using coupons on an every basis.

Go Green You can save money and the environment at the same time by practicing "green" routines. Some examples are conserving energy or water, walking instead of driving, using Reusable Bags (my supermarket pays 5 cents per bag), and recycle cans.

Savings Account If you don't already have a savings account, you should open one. There are a variety of savings accounts with different interest rates and rules. Shop around to find a savings account which will offer you a high interest rate and also allow you to access the account without a hassle or fees. A savings account is a risk-free, easy method to earn money. You can directly deposit your paychecks to your savings account and then transfer the money you need to pay your bills to your checking account. By doing this, you will be more aware of the amount of money you are spending and earn interest in between bill payments.

Create a Budget The main goal of a budget is to prevent you from overspending so figure out a budget which works for you. Ideally a budget will help you to achieve your short and long-term finical goals.

Create Realistic and Concrete Savings Goals The main reason people are unable to accomplish their goals is due to the fact that the goals the people created were unrealistic and/or intangible. When you are creating goals you should make sure to include specific numbers and timelines with measurable quantities. You should also have realistic expectations. Start out with achievable, short term goals which you can later turn into long-term goals. For example, "I am going to deposit $5 into my savings account every Friday"

I was offered a free pair of Stride Rite Early Walker Sneakers for my baby 8 month old girl. Of course I accepted since it was free and my baby girl needs her first pair of shoes. I had no idea what to expect since the shoes were free. I was pleasantly surprised when the adorable brown and pink sneakers arrived in the mail. My baby girl wears pink and brown almost everyday so her first pair of shoes would match nicely with her exisiting wardrobe!!! She loves her new shoes and can't wait to take her first steps. I love how her feet stay warm in the cold weather. Here are some pictures.

The holidays can be a strain on the wallet with gift giving, holiday parties and hosting the holiday dinner. Here are a few tips to help you save money.

Food Shop at Other Stores If you are hosting a holiday party or dinner, instead of shopping at your local grocery store, shop at drug stores and discount chain stores (i.e. Wal-mart, Target, etc.). You can find food and other items for free or almost free when you combine sales, coupons and rebates (Walgreens and Rite Aid have their own rebate programs).

Homemade Gifts and Cards Homemade gifts and cards are inexpensive and most of the time more meaningful than store bought gifts or cards. You can easily create gifts even if you don’t have any “crafting abilities”. Here are two easy ideas which anyone can do for little money. If you have younger children, place their handprints on a piece of paper, add a picture along with the date and frame it. Another idea is to create a CD mix which could have holiday songs or mix of music for exercising. There are a variety of free legal music downloads you can find on the Internet.

Create a Coupon Book Similar to the homemade gifts, giving your time can be more meaningful than a store bought gift. Create a coupon book with activities you are willing to do for or with the person receiving the coupons. My personal favorite coupon to receive is one for babysitting. Other suggestions include a car wash, cleaning the house, or cooking a meal.

Freebie Gifts You can get tons of freebies on the Internet or by shopping in the store when you combine sales, coupons and rebates. You can mix a bunch of freebies together and create a gift basket. For example you could create a travel gift basket and include a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, a razor, soap, gum, sleeping mask, ear plugs, and pain medication (yes I have received all of the listed items for free).

Use Rewards Points There are free rewards programs available for just about anything (i.e. travel, soda, diapers, etc). Cash in your rewards points for gifts for other people. Some gift ideas you could redeem with rewards points are magazines, gift cards, movies, and music.

Swap Toys Instead of buying all new toys for your child, swap toys with a friend or family member. Your child will be so excited about their new toys, they will not even notice the toy isn’t in a box and as an added bonus you will not have to put any toys together.

Recycle Gift Wrap Even though gift wrap is inexpensive, it is thrown away within minutes (along with the money you spend purchasing it). Some other suggestions for wrapping your gifts are sheets, towels (you could use ribbon to dress it up), reuse gift bags, the comics from the newspaper, boxes or a brown bag from the store decorated with handprints or paint.

Nothing pains me more than to realize my coupon is expired or forgotten at home. If you forgot your coupon or have an expired coupon, here are some tips to prevent or correct this situation.

Preventive Tips:

Mark your Calendar If you have a great coupon or rewards coupon (such as CVS Extra Bucks or Best Buy Rewards) mark the expiration date on your calendar. You can also make a notation to use the coupon at least a week or two before it expires.

Use the Coupon Immediately If you use the coupon as soon as possible you decrease your chance of forgetting or losing it. Also if you wait until the last minute to use the coupon you may be unable to make it to the store (if you get sick, etc.)

Coupon Organizer If you use a coupon organizer you can identify coupons which may expire soon by placing them in a certain location or using a sticky tab on the soon to expire coupons.

Coupon=Wallet Treat your coupons like dollar bills and bring them wherever you would bring your wallet. Using a coupon organizer makes it easier to transport your coupons in the car or store similar to a wallet holding your dollar bills.

Corrective Tips

Ask if Store Accepts Expired Coupons Some stores will accept expired coupons, especially if it is a store coupon such as Bed and Bath. If a manufactures coupon is only a day or two expired, some stores will also accept the coupon.

Ask about Coupon Reimbursement If you forget your coupons, ask if the store will reimburse you the next time you shop. Most stores will reimburse you the coupons amount if you bring the coupon and receipt to customer service the next time you shop.

Call Customer Service If you let a rewards coupon expire (such as CVS Extra Bucks or Best Buy Rewards) and the store will not accept the coupon trying calling customer service. One time my Best Buy Rewards coupon expired and the store would not accept it. After calling customer service, I was sent a “one time re-issue” of the rewards coupon.

Other Suggestions

Donate Expired Coupons U.S. military families stationed overseas are able to use expired coupons on base for up to six months after the manufacturer's expiration date. You can adopt a base. Here is a link Ocpnet.org

Organization is a key component to saving money. Here are some tips to help you get organized.

Bills In order to avoid late fees, you have to pay your bills on time. Create a designated bill in-box in your home office or any area you frequent, as a reminder to pay your bills. Order the bills with the most recent due date on top. You can also mark your calendar to remind yourself to pay the bills. You should mail your bills at least one week before the bills are due or if you pay your bills on-line through your bank sometimes you only have to pay the day before. Another option is to pay the bill on the business website (i.e. a credit card company) which usually allows you to pay the same day the bill is due. Automatic bill pay is another option to avoid fees when paying your insurance. You also should mark the date on your calendar of when the automatic bill pay is deducted to make sure you have the money in your account otherwise you may incur fees for insufficient funds in your bank account.

Coupons You can use a coupon organizer (see my blog post) or any method which works for you. It is important to organize your coupons in order to use the coupons before they expire and to remember to use the coupons when shopping. If you do forget to bring the coupons with you to the store, the next time you are at the store ask customer service if they will reimburse you for the coupons.

Price List Create a price list of items you shop for on a regular basis. Include the size/weight of the item along with the price and store purchased. This way you will know when you see a great deal. You can keep this sheet in your coupon organizer and take it with you when you shop. I have attached a sample of the price list for you to download and use.

Shopping List Create a shopping list with items you shop for on a regular basis. You can add or delete item before you shop. You can also make a notation if you have a coupon to use for the item and attach the coupons to the list. You can keep a copy of the list in your coupon organizer. I have attached a sample of the shopping list for you to download and use.

Plan your Meals When you plan your meals for the week, especially before you go grocery shopping, you will avoid impulsive spending at the grocery store and you will avoid ordering a meal out or eating at a restaurant.

Gift List Create a gift list of people you purchase gifts for and possible gift ideas. Include the person’s birthday or occasions you purchase the gifts for the person. When you are shopping or browsing through store circulars, keep the list in mind and purchase the gifts when they are on sale or if you have a coupon for the item even if the person’s birthday or other occasion is months away. Most stores allow you to return an item 3 months after the purchase. Check the stores return policy before making the purchase. I have attached a sample of the gift list for you to download and use.

Walgreens and Rite Aid 12/1/08

Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste
$2.99, Get $2 Register Rewards
$1 off coupon from Smart Source 11/16
FREE after coupon and Register Rewards

Wrigley's Gum
.59 per pack with in-ad coupon
BOGO from Smart Source 10-5 (Use 2)
FREE 4 Packs (the math is confusing on this one but it works I did it)

Excedrin Express Gel 40 ct
3/$15
Buy 3, Get $8 Register Rewards
$2 printable coupon (Use 3)
$1/3 or 33 cents each
$6.99 Mail in Rebate 10/19 Smart Source
EARN $5.99 after main in rebate, coupons and register rewards

Dawn Dish Liquid 10.3 oz
$2 for 2 with in-ad coupon
$1 off from 11/2 P&G
$1 for 2 or 50 cents each

Duracell Batteries (AA, AAA 4-pk., C, D 2-pk., 9V 1-pk.)
$2.99 with In-Ad coupon
$1.50 off coupon from 10/26 Red Plum or
$1.50 off couponf from 11/30 P&G or
$.75 off coupon from 11/16 Red Plum
$2.49 each Extra Bucks and coupon
$1.49 after coupons


Reach Products
Toothbrush, 30 yard Floss
2/$6
Buy 2 Get $6 Register Rewards
B1G1 coupon (Up to 3.99) from Red Plum 10/12
$1 off any Reach Ultraclean Dental Floss Red Plum 10/12
FREE Register Rewards
EARN $3.99 after coupon

DayQuil, NyQuil, Vicks 44 Liquid
$5.99
Buy 2 Get $4 Register Rewards
$1 off Vicks from P & G 10/12 or 11/2 (use 2) or
$1.50 off Day/Ny Quil 11/30 P&G (use 2)
$4.98 for 2 or $2.49 each (with 2 $1.50 coupons)

I used my $5 off $25 purchase coupon. After coupons, register rewards and sales I got $61.35 worth of items and I EARNED $6.55 to get it!!!

Rite Aid

GE 24 hour Timer or 6 Outlet Surge Pro Power Strip
$5.00
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate (Rebate Valid only 11/30 - 12/6)

Philips Ear Buds with Hard Case
$4.99
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate

Gilette Fusion or Fusion Power Razor
$9.00
$5 Rite Aid Rebate
$4 off Coupon P& G 11/30
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate and coupon

Aleve-D Sinus & Cold 12 hr 10 caplets
$3.99
$2 off with in-ad coupon
$1 off from 10/26 Smart Source
99 cents after coupons

After coupons, register rewards and sales I got $34.06 worth of items and I paid 99 cents.

Total $95.41 worth of items and I EARNED $5.56!!!

I went to Rite Aid and CVS today. About a month ago we lost our remote and have not replaced it yet. The Universal Remote is free after Rite Aid rebate, but of course it was gone. I asked the store manager if he had anymore and he said no but he would give me the more expensive one for free! How excited was I???

Also I needed to by contact solution but it is free after Extra Bucks so I got a bottle. I was pleasantly surprised to see the bottle was very large (will last me at least 2 months) and came with a free contact case. I also had Extra Bucks from last week so I didn’t even have to pay for it out of pocket, again very exciting.

I didn't buy a lot but I feel like I got some great deals for things I needed. Here is a detail of my two trips.

CVS

Complete Multi-Purpose Solution (12 oz)
$8.99, Get $8.99 Extra Bucks (regular price $9.99)
FREE after Extra Bucks
$2 off printable coupon
EARNED $2 after coupon and Extra Bucks

Maybelline Mineral Liquid Foundation
$8.99, Get $8.99 Extra Bucks (regular price $9.99)
FREE after Extra Bucks
$3 off coupon from 10/26 Red Plum OR
EARNED $3 after coupon and Extra Bucks

EARNED $5 for $19.98 worth of items

Rite Aid

Ground Power Strip (regular price $8.99)
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate

Philips Universal Remote Control (regular price $12.99)
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate

Duracell Batteries (AA, AAA 8-pk., C, D 4-pk., 9V 2-pk.)
$5.99 (regular price $8.99)
Buy $20, Get $10 Rebate
$2 in ad coupon (use 4) OR
$1.50 off coupon from 10/26 Red Plum (Use 4) or
$.75 off coupon from 11/16 Red Plum
$5.96 for 4 packs after 4 $2 in ad coupons or $1.49 each
(stocked up on Batteries for Christmas)

Paid $5.96 for $57.94 worth of items

TOTAL: Paid 96 cents for $77.92 worth of items!

10. Everyone knows my name.

9. Where else can you only pay a 10 cent late fee?

8. Discounted Museum passes

7. A room full of toys my kids can play with anytime

6. Tons of free programs like story time and movies on the big screen

5. Book Sales

4. A place to meet people

3. You can find books that will teach you to do anything

2. A coupon swap box

And the #1 Reason I LOVE the Library is . . . . . .

1. EVERYTHING IS FREE!!!!

Why do you love the library?

Credit Cards are not for everyone. In fact the majority of money saving websites advises you to pay in cash instead of using credit cards. However, if you pay your balance in full every month, you can earn a lot of money from credit cards. Last year alone I earned over $700 cash back by purchasing items I would buy whether or not I had a credit card such as groceries and gas. I have used credit cards for 20 years and during this time, I never paid an interest or late payment. The key factor in earning money is to understand that credit cards are not "free money". Here are some tips for earning money by using credit cards:

1. Know your Bank Account Balance I check my bank account balance on a weekly if not daily basis. I never charge more money than I can afford. You also should consider having a budget in order know the amount you can afford to charge to your card. You can download a free budget worksheet here. http://www.swapsavers.com/

2.Compare Rewards Programs Finding the right credit card is similar to purchasing a car. You need to find a card that will offer you the most rewards based on your spending habits. There are hundreds of rewards programs to choose from.

3. Understand the Rewards Exchange Rate Understanding rewards exchange rates can sometimes feel like understanding the currency exchange rate in different countries. A credit card may offer you 10 points for every dollar spent but when you try to redeem the points you may need 100,000 just to get a $5 gift card. In general most cards offer 1% back of your purchases. Some credit cards will offer as much as 5% back for certain purchases such as gas, grocery and drugstore.

4. Never Pay an Annual Fee Most rewards cards do not charge an annual fee. In my opinion it is not worth it to pay an annual fee when you can chose from a variety of programs without paying a fee.

5. Never Pay Late or Interest Fees In order to earn money from credit cards you need to pay your balance in full every month. The interest and late fees charged by credit cards are obscene. Paying your bills on time requires both money and organization. If you are even 1 day late with your payment you will be charged late and interest fees.

6. Reassess your Card Even after you chose a credit card, you should continue to search for credit card reward programs. Credit cards are always changing their programs or offering new deals. You want to find the card that will offer you the maximum amount of rewards based on your purchases.

7. Charge Everything (again only what you can afford of course) I charge everything from $1 to $100 on my card. The way I view it is every dollar I charge I am earning money.

If you do use credit cards and end up charging more then you can afford, ask for help. Either contact the credit card to negotiate a new interest rate or consult with a financial advisor to figure out how to get out of debt.

Places to Find Coupons

1. Sunday Paper The paper has coupon inserts called Red Plum (RP), Smart Source (SS) and Proctor and Gamble (P&G)
2. Printable coupons The following websites have printable coupons: Coupons.com, SmartSource.com, Red Plum.com, You can also find printable coupons on your local newspaper's websites.
3. Manufacturers Coupons Go to the website of the product you plan to buy, often you will find printable coupons.
4. Coupon Swap Box See if you library has a coupon swap box. If they don't have a box ask if you can put out a box with a sign saying, "Take or Leave coupons". You could also put a box out at your place of work.
5. Friends or Family Ask friends or family to save coupons for you.
6. Coupon Train Join a coupon train which usually consists of 4-5 members who mail each other approximately 40-50 coupons.
7. Coupon Dispensers You can find in stores next to the product which often don't expire right away.
8. Magazines Many magazines have coupons for a variety of products.
9. Email Companies Ask for a coupon for the products you like and tell them you love their product, usually they will send you a coupon.
10. Weekly Circulars You can find store coupons ($5 off $25 purchase) or manufacturers coupons in the weekly circulars sent to your house. Be sure to look through even stores you don’t shop at since most grocery stores will accept competitor coupons and a manufacturers coupon can be used anywhere.

How to Use Coupons:

1. Combine Coupon Combine coupons with sales, in-ad coupons (from the store), and rebates. You can use an in-ad store coupon, a manufacturer's coupon and a rebate (Walgreens or Rite Aid which has their own rebate programs or a mail-in rebate through the manufacturers) all for one product. When you do these you can get items for free or almost free or even earn money if the store allows.
2. Buy One Get One Coupons (BOGO If you combine a BOGO coupon with a BOGO sale you can get two products for free since it is actually two different sales, one from the manufacturer and one from the store.
3. Save Coupon Inserts First clip coupons you need and then file all your coupon inserts with the date on top. If you see deals (posted on my site http://www.swapsavers.com/ or other sites) with the coupon insert name (such as Red Plum) along with the date of the insert you can then easily refer back to the insert and get the great deal.
4. Use Coupons with BOGO Sale If you use 2 coupons during a BOGO sale you will can get items for a great deal or free. For example if a product is $3 and it is BOGO and you have 2 coupons for $1.50 off each product you can get both items free.
5. Double or Triple Coupons Some grocery stores will double or triple your coupons. The rules for this vary with stores so check your grocery store to find out the rules regarding double or triple coupons.
6. Buy the smallest size Some coupons do not have a size requirement so if you buy the smallest size with the coupon you usually get the best deal. You should do the math first to figure out the best deal per unit.
7. Coupon Organizer In order to see all your coupons and use the coupon before it expires, you should organize the coupons any way which works for you. You can read my blog post about purchasing a coupons organizer.

You can find great deals in the drugstores (CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens). Often you can find items for free or even earn money (if the store allows it) when you combine sales, coupons/in-ad coupons, rebates and Register Rewards (Walgreens) or Extra Bucks (CVS). Here are a few tips to make sure you get the best deals.

1. Make a List:Before you enter the store make a detailed list of what you plan to buy and what coupons/rebates are necessary. I also include the weight or size of the product to make sure I purchase the right item. If you know the information you may want to include the area of the store where the items are located to save you time when shopping.

2. Get the Circular/Rebate Book: Upon entering the store, I grab a circular and rebate book (only at Rite Aid and Walgreens). This way I can double check the sales, making sure I purchase the correct item, size, weight as I shop. I can also use any in-ad coupons. You can combine in-ad coupons with manufactures coupons.

3. Check your receipt: Before leaving the store always check the receipt to make sure the items are the correct price and the coupons were deducted.

4. Save your receipt: Always save your receipts since you will need the receipt numbers for the on-line rebates. You also never know when you might need to return or exchange an item.

5. Rebates: Walgreens and Rite-Aid both offer on-line rebate programs, no mailing necessary. The checks are mailed to you or at Walgreens you can get a gift card and earn an extra 10% back from the rebate (i.e. if your rebate check is for $100 you would earn an extra $10). This program is a great way to get a lot of free items or even earn money when combined with coupons (if the store allows). However, you do need enter your receipt on-line and you should always check to make sure the rebate was issued. On a number of occasions the rebate was not issued to my account. I called to find out what the problem was and they either issued the rebate or I returned the product. You should also keep in mind that the sales tax is not included in the rebate so you will have to pay that out of pocket. I have a credit card that I earn 5% cash back at drugstores which happens to be the sales tax where I live. You may want to consider doing this, but of course remember when using credit cards only charge what you can afford.

6. Use your Extra Bucks or Register Rewards: Walgreens or CVS offer these coupons when you purchase certain products. Sometimes the product will be free when you consider the fact they are awarding you the coupon amount for the price of the item (i.e. you pay $5 for the product and earn a coupon for $5 off your next purchase). Keep in mind it is a coupon and does expire. You should keep the coupon in a safe place and make sure to use it before it expires. You can even use the coupon to purchase another product that is free after the rewards.


Sounds like a lot of work? It is time consuming but it is worth it. In only three months I have accumulated enough shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, moisturizer, razors, and body wash to last for the next year!

I cradled the receipt in the palm of my hand like a first place prize ribbon. Gazing at the paper, my Cheshire cat grin intensified as I dissected the sales, coupons, and rebates. My loot was worth $31.29 but I earned $1.25 when I bought it. The final step to solidify the deal required me to enter the receipt number on-line to earn a $6 rebate. My musings were interrupted when my husband removed the key from the car ignition. I tossed the receipt in the bag.

The next day I positioned myself facing the computer screen with the intention of completing the task necessary to obtain the rebate, input the receipt number. I riffled through the scattered papers on the desk, unable to locate the indispensable receipt. This process was repeated 10 times with futile results. Panic set in as I began to grasp the reality of the situation, the receipt was missing.

After searching in all reasonable locations, I focused my efforts on the improbable places. When I unfastened the kitchen garbage, the stench of day-old half-eaten morsels of food enveloped my nasal passages. Cheerios saturated in milk, chicken nugget crumbs and fragments of tuna fish seeped beneath my finger nails. For the first time in my life I understood the criminal defense of, "temporary insanity" and I wondered if I would need to make use of it. The search was aborted. I attempted to resume my "normal" activities, yet the nagging question remained, "Where was the receipt?"

The day was drawing to a close and I had come to terms with the fact I would not be receiving my rebate. The rational side of my brain stated, "It is only $6 you really need to get over it." The curious side of my brain inquired, "Where on earth did I put the receipt?" The insane side of my brain demanded to know, "How could you lose the receipt?"

With a defeated disposition, I ambled in the direction of my room with the intention of going to sleep. En route to my destination, I paused before the laundry room. "Wait a minute," I said as I swung open the door to the laundry room. "I bought cleaning supplies . . . the bag had a hole in it and I threw it away." Once again, my hand was in the garbage, yet this time the bag was on top. Inside the bag I discovered the missing receipt. Case Closed.

Cook your own meals: The only way to truly know the calorie content of what you eat is to prepare the meals yourself. By cooking your own meals you can substitute for less fattening or lower calorie choices when necessary. Most recipes list calories, fat grams and other useful information to help you keep track of your daily intake. When you eat at restaurants or fast food places you eat more calories and fat grams since the portions are typically larger then what you would have at home. Furthermore it is difficult to keep track of calories or fat gram intake. Cooking at home is significantly less expensive then eating at restaurants or fast food places.


Drink Water: Tap water is free and free of calories. If you were to only drink water for a week you could probably save at least $20 or more depending on your current drinking choices. Most drinks contain 200 calories or more, whereas drinking water has zero calories. Water has numerous health benefits. By drinking water you eat less since people tend to think they are hungry when they really need water. Water helps your body to break down fat which increases fat loss.


Turn off the TV: If you eat meals while watching TV, you are often unaware of how much you eat. Research by Eliot Blass found, people eat between 31 and 74 percent more calories while watching TV. Most people watching TV are motionless which burns few calories. In terms of energy consumption, watching TV will cost you about $100 per year in your electric bill and your cable bill about $600 per year.


Workout with a friend: Working out with a friend will help you stay motivated and provides extra support or new ideas to keep your workouts interesting. You can carpool with your friend to the gym to save on gas.

"Drugstores and for drugs," was the false assumption I believed until 2 months ago. My printer ink cartridge was empty. A friend informed me, you could refill cartridges at Walgreens. Typically I never even glance at the drugstore weekly flyers. However, I was curious about this new information so I grabbed a circular. As I was perusing the weekly ad, I noticed 3 free after rebate items. After further investigation I discovered the rebate only required me to enter the receipt number. "Is it really free? Do other stores do this?" I wondered to myself.

I then examined the rest of the weekly flyers and ascertained Rite Aid offered 6 free after rebate items. "Wow, I can get 9 free items in one week." I was dumbstruck. My astonishment only increased when I learned these stores offer free items on a weekly basis. I felt as if I was panning in a river and struck gold.

The following week, instead of tossing the drugstore flyers to the side, I snatched them up the second I opened the paper. "What new treasures would I unearth today?" I speculated as I scrutinized each page. "Contact solution, shampoo, facial cleanser nail polish, hair color, light bulbs, razor," as I read the words I thought, "I normally have to pay for these things." I gathered up my pan, I mean purse and rushed to the gold store!

Bills, unsolicited advertisements and catalogs are the banal materials found in my mailbox on a daily basis. Despite the predictable contents, the anticipation of retrieving the mail is one of the most exciting moments of my day.

When you play the slot machines, you never know what will occur when you yank on the handle. Will you win a few quarters or hit the jackpot? The most probable scenario is you will lose your money, but the possibility of wining draws you back for more. This is how I feel about the anticipation of checking my mail. Instead of bills, perhaps I will find an invitation, a letter or a package.

Today when I peaked inside my mailbox I found a small brown package which contained a box of Oatmeal Crisp cereal. "Yeah, my first freebie," I thought to myself. Free and a packag--definitely a mailbox jackpot for me!

All of these stores are within a 5 mile radius of where I live so I didn't even spend a lot on gas.

Stop and Shop

L'Oreal Shampoo/Conditioner
$3.99 Buy One Get One Free (BOGO)
Used 3 BOGO Coupons
Got 6 FREE saved $23.94

CVS

Nivea for Men Body Wash
$4.99, get $4.99 Extra Bucks
FREE after Extra Bucks
$1 off coupon Earned $1 after coupon and Extra Bucks

Rite Aid
Huggies Diapers
3 for $33 sale
$10 Rebate
$23 for 3 packs after rebate
$1.50 off coupons (5 coupons I found at Stop and Shop)
$2 off coupon
$6 Back from Caregivers Marketplace Rebate
I bought 3 packs and my mom bought 3 packs so I could get both $10 rebates and the $6 Caregivers Rebate

After 3 different rebates, coupons and sale I got 6 packs of diapers for $30.50 normal price $74.94 for a savings of $44.44

Walgreens

Reach toothbrushes and dental floss
2/$5 get $5 Register Rewards
FREE after Register Rewards

Dimetapp
2 for $10
Buy 2, get $5 RR,
Dimetapp
Used 2 $2 off coupons
$1 after coupons and register rewards

Triaminic
$2.99 get $2.00 Register Rewards
Used $2 off coupon
.99 each after coupon and Register Rewards

Total amount spent in all stores after rebates, sales and coupons $31.49 for items which would normally cost $133.42 for a savings of $101.93!

I went to Walgreens and Rite Aid today which are across the street from each other where I live so I also saved on gas. Here is what I got:


Key:
MC maufacturers coupon
RB rebate
Ad In ad coupon


Walgreens Sept 17, 2008



Garnier Hair Care 6 for $20 sale
-$10 RB
-$6 MC thanks to the coupon train
Final Price $4

Cologate Toothpaste $2.99 sale bought 2 for $5.98
-$4 AD
-$2 MC
Final Price -$.02

Pantene Hair Care 2 for $8 Sale
-$4 MC B1G1
-$5 RB
-$1

Skintmate Shaving Get $1.99 Ad bought 3 for $5.97
-$3 MC
Final Price $2.97

I bought $44.95 worth of item for $4.95!

Rite Aid

Crest $2.99
-$2 RB
-$1 MC
Final Price -.01

Vive Paper Towel $6.99 sale (normally $12.99)
-$2 RB
-$1 MC
Final Price $3.99

Suave Shampoo .99 sale
-$1 MC
Final Price -.01

I bought $16.58 items for $3.97

Total both stores $61.53 for $8.92!!

(Please note this is actually from last week so the sales are no longer valid--I wasn't able to write it up sooner.)

If I scrutinized my college papers with the same intensity I utilized for this week's drugstore circular, I would have graduated with straight A's. During the initial examination of the flyer, I mentally noted worthy sales and free after rebate items. As I observed the sale price, I considered potential coupon combination scenarios. Once a final game plan was completed, I composed a list of items, paper clipping the corresponding coupons.

Prior to exiting the car, I scanned my list reviewing the products, sale prices and coupons. This mental preparation would have aided me immensely for the SAT's. If only I loved coupons back then.

After laying all of the items on the counter, my adrenaline increased as each product passed across the red line and beeped. With my loot in hand, I inspected the receipt:

2 Scrub and Bubbles for $2.49 each
used $1 off coupon on each
received $2 coupon for next visit
including $2 off next visit--only .49 cents each

2 Chex Mix for .99 cents each
Used $1 off coupon
received 2 cents for purchase

1 Excedrin--free after rebate
used $2 off coupon
received $2 for purchase after rebate

1 Chemistry Hair product free after rebate

After rebates and coupons I EARNED $1.04 for $18.94 worth of items--Definitely an A+ for me!

Residual pregnancy hormones are the most plausible culprit for my recent decision to bring my three kids, ages three and under with me to the store. In their entire life existence, I have never attempted this feat with my twins. One would deduce, adding a two month old baby to the equation is the perfect reason to never take on the challenge. Yet in my post-pregnancy hormone induced haze, I endeavored the impossible.

I unloaded the stroller, baby, twins and overflowing 20 pound diaper bag out of the mini-van. The baby was sleeping and the twins held on to either side of the stroller. We accomplished our first task of walking through the parking lot without any complications. I thought to myself, �This is easy. Why did I avoid this for the past three years?�

Only a few steps inside the department store, my precocious daughter (age 3 going on 30) stopped to admire the dresses. I paused, enjoying this mother/daughter moment and then realized my son was gone. As if on cue, my baby woke up from her sleep and initiated an ear-piercing newborn- baby cry. I inhaled deeply and told myself, �You have to remain calm. Your first priority is to find your son. How far could he have gone?�

The rows of clothes felt like a maze of mirrors at an amusement park. My newborn baby�s cries increased with both intensity and volume. With each second passing, my panic level rose. What if someone kidnapped him? What if he is hurt? After my fourth time going up and down the aisle where he was last seen, I walked towards the customer service desk. Before reaching my destination, I saw my son standing by himself. I squeezed him with all my might. I thought to myself, �Next time I go shopping with my kids, they will be ages 30 and up!�

Eighteen days ago I experienced my first freebie high. It happened quite by accident. I was surfing the net, in pursuit of a coupon for cereal when I stumbled upon an offer for a �Free Box of Cheerios�. I thought to myself, �This is a product I buy anyway, yet I would be able to get it for FREE�. Of course it turned out to be �too good to be true� since the supply was exhausted, but this did not deter my enthusiasm for finding more free items. What else is out there for the taking? Turns out, lots of stuff. Music, food, shampoo, digital prints, pet food, you name it and you can probably find it. The more I found, the more addicted I became and I didn�t care if I needed it or not�it was free. After receiving more junk email then usual, I soon realized I should be wary of �freely� handing over my personal information. Despite my increase in unwanted emails, I am still a freebie fanatic, just more cautious.

For the past five days, my brand new binder was positioned on the floor next to a muddled mountain of coupons. Whenever I entered the office, my eyes wandered over to the stack of disarray and I would think to myself, �When am I going to organize my coupon organizer?�. This question was posed many times, yet never answered.

On day five, a rare circumstance occurred. All three of my children were napping at the same time. I considered my options on how to occupy my new found freedom, but I knew what had to be done. After a large sigh, I sauntered to the office. My body collapsed down next to the cluttered coupons. I began the arduous task of sorting and arranging each piece of paper. Hours later my laborious undertaking was complete. Despite the tedious nature of the task, I experienced an enormous sense of accomplishment. Let the savings begin!

My babysitter arrived 5 minutes early and I darted out the door. As I drove to Target I contemplated my impending shopping excursion. Which aisle would I approach first? The office supplies or the photo albums? I opted for the office supply aisle due to the broader selection of organizational items.

Upon entering Target, I was confronted with an array of discounted objects, mostly for $1. I can never resist this area of the store, appropriately placed in front of the entrance doors. Jackpot, a small accordion plastic file-folder with the title, �coupon file� was in the first mound I searched through. The price was right at $1 and the size was ideal for placing in my purse, allowing me to transport my coupons. Into the cart it went.

Calendar planners were ubiquitous in the office supply aisle. I began to question my choice of aisle when suddenly I spotted a �folio�. Inside the folio I found, a three ring binder, 5 accordion file folders, a zipper pocket and a calculator. Instead of �folio�, it should have been titled, �The Perfect Coupon Organizer, Start Calculating Your Savings!�. After selecting some photo pages for the coupons, my organizer was complete. Mission accomplished. Now I have to actually use it.

My babysitter is arriving at 10 am and I will be able to have 4 hours of "me time". What am I going to do with those precious moments? Go to the spa? No, I have given up on trying to relax. Spend time with friends? No, all of my friends have children which would negate the need for a babysitter.

I am going to buy a coupon organizer and I am as excited as a child on Christmas morning! Currently, all of my coupons are in piles with paper clips. The time I spend searching for coupons is ridiculous. Once I have my coupon organizer I will be able to see all of my money saving pieces of paper in an organized fashion�can�t wait!