This week's steals and deals....so far :)

I have so many requests from you all about how to do "the coupon-ing stuff". I will tell you my biggest secret....RESEARCH! Every good thing takes time, patience and diligence. It is the same for savings. I seriously do this as my one hobby!! In the beginning, it took a lot (A LOT) of time to sit down, research the internet, go through the coupons, match them with the sales, run around to different stores, etc. Now, it is much easier, quicker and less running around. It has only taken about 2 months and I now can say it was worth the effort. I can very easily pick put deals now while I am actually in the stores and find them on my own! I still read through blogs (like the ones I listed to the left) to get a quick list for the grocery store and the "hidden" deals at drugstores, but I am also able to pick up some "on-the-fly" deals and freebies all on my own now! Like last night, on my way home, I stopped at Walgreens to quickly go in and get some of my "planned" deals. I ALWAYS go straight to the clearance section and look. I found some M&M Premiums for $1.00 and I knew I had a $1.00 Q with me....even better was that EACH M&M I bought produced a $1.00 Walgreens Register Reward!! So, I got 5 boxes (that's all the coupons I had) for FREE and MADE $1.00 off each one!! I found that all on my own! So, with some patience, researching the internet and organization, you can all save money and start your own stockpile! For those of you in a small area, there are still GREAT deals to be had, you just have to look for them. A good website to go to for grocery lists and coupon matchups for Winn Dixie and Wal-Mart are here. Sarah does a great job at listing them for you. One last thing I have forgot to mention (which is ACTUALLY the biggest part) YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR SUNDAY PAPER!! Get several if you want to be able to get several deals. I hear sooooo many people say "I got the paper and I don't see any good coupons for any of the sales". Well, MOST of the time, you will not use the coupons the week you get them. Usually the deals will come later and you have to be ready with your coupons! I diligently get my paper every Sunday and put them in a new, marked, dated plastic file. There are many methods people use for coupon organization, you will have to pick which one works best for you. You can find the various ones by searching for coupon binders or searching some of the great blogs I have on here. Again, I will say it IS work and takes patience, but it will pay off if you stick with it and take the time to do it!!
Here are my deals since Sunday.....
The totals listed are BEFORE tax...in TN, you have to pay tax on the value of the coupon, some states you don't have to, wish TN was one!! So, my totals are before taxes or what I paid for the products.

CVS (not much here this week)

4-PAAS egg dying kits
2- Aveeno anti-itch creams
1- Softsoap Ensembles base
1-Softsaop Ensembles refill base
2-Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner (not in picture)
Total = $2.44
Savings = $35.46

PUBLIX (I did this last night and even shocked myself with the cost!!)

1-1 pound Boars Head deli turkey meat
1-Enfamil Formula (Emmie is going to start this next week...YAY)
6-Knox Gelatin
2-Coffee Mate Creamer
1-Publix Brand Salad Dressing
5-Gerber (Twin Packs) Baby Food
Total = $0.06...That's right, 6 CENTS..LOL
Savings = $37.94

WALGREENS


5-M&M Premium Chocolates
6-Shimmer Chapsticks
5-Softsoap Body Washes
4-Glade Soy Candles (these smell so good)
4-Oust Sprays
5-Edge Shaving Gel
2-Skintimate Shaving Gels
16-Mentos Gum
Total = $0.72
Savings = $106.83

Target (don't have a picture)
1-Pledge Multi Surface Duster Starter Kit
2-Pledge Multi Surface Duster Refills
4-Pledge Extra Hydrating Dust Spray
2-Intuition Razors
Total = $1.23
Savings = $34.25

Total Paid = $3.80
Savings = $214.48
98% SAVINGS

Sometimes, seeing IS believing, so I thought I would post my actual PUBLIX receipt from last nights trip. I would post some Walgreens, but I do so many transactions and have too many receipts to list.

Lastly, another FIRST for Emmie last night....she got to ride in the shopping cart at PUBLIX!! Since she is sitting up now, I thought I'd try her sitting in the cart and she absolutely LOVED it! She smiled, coo-ed and laughed the WHOLE, entire time we were in there. It took me twice as long because EVERYBODY had to stop and talk to her and she just had herself the best time!! It was so funny and cute, I wish I had a video camera with me because she was just so HAPPY to be riding in the cart. I took a picture with my cell phone to post....

I wish I were that happy to go into the grocery store! :)

I also wanted to say to Christy & Matt...I am so proud of them for joining in on the fun (they BOTH have been doing the coupons with me and are really starting to rack up on the deals too!!) She NEEDS to post about hers...LOL