http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/ Coupons, coupon forum, printable grocery coupons, grocery store coupon matchups, printable coupons, coupon trading, coupon database, coupon trading, deals en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:25:46 GMT vBulletin 720 http://static.hotcouponworld.com/forums/images_hcw/misc/rss.jpg http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/ http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3096-5-14-09-publix-totals.html Fri, 15 May 2009 00:30:00 GMT My oop this week at Publix was a little higher than usual, but I should receive back about $26.00 in rebates! I bought: 1 bag ice (immediate... My oop this week at Publix was a little higher than usual, but I should receive back about $26.00 in rebates!

I bought:

1 bag ice (immediate need for DH's fish catch)
1 bottom round roast (will send in for Corona beef rebate)
1 lobster tail (used $3.00 wt and will use receipt on one of the meat/seafood rebates out)
6 bags Lay's BBQ chips (Dos Equis rebate)
6 avocados (another Dos Equis rebate)
2 bags Publix original potato chips (penny item)
3 fruit salads (used $2.00 Mother's Day coupons--all free!)
2 Publix wheat bread
2 Johnson and Johnson gauze
1 iceberg lettuce
3 half-gallons Silk soymilk
4 boxes Apple Jacks
2 dozen eggs
2 loaves Earthgrains bread
9 boxes Electrasol
2 boxes Johson and Johnson sterile pads
1 large onion
1 Skintimate shaving lotion
2 Reach floss
9 boxes Back to Nature cookies (organic!)
2 pounds baby carrots
2 gallons milk
5 lbs. Red Delicious apples
2 bags Starburst fruit chews (for a mission team going to Ecuador)
2 cucumbers
2 Glad Cling-Wraps

total: $46.46

DH and I also went out to Carraba's last Friday--used a gift card, so no OOP. Then we went to Home Depot and I bought $22 worth of flowers to plant, plus $30 in fertilizer, tomato plants, and polyurethane--will get back $20 in rebates! ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3096-5-14-09-publix-totals.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3081-5-9-09-free-fiber-one-target.html Sun, 10 May 2009 01:07:32 GMT I did a really huge shopping run on Monday--two transactions at Publix and several at CVS, so I haven't really needed to go anywhere much this week! Today, though, after DS1's last teeball game and a garden party to benefit a local inner-city ministry, and then a nap for the baby and me!, I went out to Target to use my Vocalpoint Q's on the Fiber One deal, and then to Rite Aid to buy the money-making Zyrtec!

Target:

Chocolate-mocha Fiber One bars x 8
Hershey bliss single bars x 2
Kraft Easy Mac cups x 2

OOP: $4.40, but I have one $5 Target GC, and a balance of $0.60 on another!

Rite Aid:

Zyrtec (45-ct.) X 2

OOP: $2.88 (used two $15 GC from the Olay deal back in Jan-Feb)

I am waiting for my receipts to go through, but I think after I buy one bottle of Children's Zyrtec, I should make roughly $25.00 on the deal! ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3081-5-9-09-free-fiber-one-target.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3070-5-5-09.html Wed, 06 May 2009 02:13:22 GMT Well, right after I posted last, my computer locked up and I had to haul it up to Prattville to a computer repair place, so I did not have it for a... Well, right after I posted last, my computer locked up and I had to haul it up to Prattville to a computer repair place, so I did not have it for a week. I played catch-up on trades and e-mails for about a week. Meanwhile, life went rolling along--teeball, lots of time with friends and family, free Chick-Fil-A on Monday nights, and a chance to attend a benefit dinner with Mike Huckabee and a reception beforehand where we met him in person! Lots of fun, but my rebating suffered--I sat down today to send some out and realized I had missed the postmark date on not one, but two of them!
On the bright side, I won a pair of Bolle sunglasses in a Miller sweepstakes! April was just a month where I got off track with several things--not badly, but enough that I hope May will be a better month! We didn't really spend a lot more than usual in April as it turned out, but didn't get very many rebates in at all, and that made a difference in final totals. I'll have to look at my records, but I think we're at about $350 in grocery/household spending for the year, as of the end of the month--still not bad, all things considered! ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3070-5-5-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3022-4-18-wonderful-day-thanks-my-oldest-son.html Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:44:41 GMT Today has been a wonderful day and I think will become a favorite family memory! My oldest son, Evan, in March entered the Reading Rainbow story... Today has been a wonderful day and I think will become a favorite family memory! My oldest son, Evan, in March entered the Reading Rainbow story contest for Alabama and won third place for the kindergarten division! So today was the awards ceremony at the Alabama Book Fair. He was presented with his award--a prize package from Alabama Public Television, a $25 Books-a-Million gift card, and a $50 Wal-Mart card--I was excited about that one! He read his story for the audience, which included his aunt JuJu, my best friend and honorary aunt and her family, and his kindergarten teacher, along with the families and friends of the other winners. Afterwards they treated us all to an incredible lunch at a wonderful restaurant called the Young House. Fabulous Southern cooking! They interviewed all the winners with a television camera, and then we went to a playground near the restaurant for the kids to burn off steam. The weather was beautiful, and it was really a perfect day!

After naps (for me, too, since we had a late night with friends last night), I went to run my Saturday errands. I got the free Purex at CVS, and hit Target to check out the Easter clearance and then Wal-Mart, also for the clearance. I found several things to use for stocking stuffers, or for cheap entertainment for the kids--a "bunny house" to build with gingerbread and bubble guns for summer. I also bought everything I need to make goody bags for Evan's birthday party coming up for less then $5!

While at Wal-Mart I picked up a few groceries and put them on that surprise gift card, including four filet mignons, for which I will send in the $10 Stella Artois beef tenderloin rebate and end up paying only $2 for!

I also stopped in at a specialty children's store, which I used to shop in earlier days (lol!) and now only check for their clearance! I found dress shirts for the boys for church marked down to $5 each, which was wonderful since Evan needs a couple. I also bought a dress shirt for next year for John Merritt and a pumpkin shirt for Marshall for next fall--both 75% off!

So a great day with family and then some good bargains as well! This week definitely ended better than it began! ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3022-4-18-wonderful-day-thanks-my-oldest-son.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3016-4-16-09-rebating-saves-day.html Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:50:01 GMT I looked up Carraba's customer service number today because I thought it wouldn't hurt to call and just see if they can replace my lost gift card, even though the cards say "Lost or stolen gift cards will not be replaced." I had a copy of my receipt from a rebate I sent in before Christmas so I thought it was worth a shot. I had to leave a message, so I did not have high expectations. HOWEVER--the rep called me back within a hour and said "No problem!" I just have to fax her the copy of my receipt! I couldn't believe it and I am so thankful! That was an encouragement I really needed this week!

We did no other shopping today--in fact, we stayed around here cleaning house (my two older boys did a great job cleaning their rooms) and doing laundry. So things are looking up! ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3016-4-16-09-rebating-saves-day.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3010-4-15-09-ups-downs-week.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:41:49 GMT After a relaxing weekend that included a run to Publix, cooking Easter dinner, and a wonderful Easter with friends, this week has been mostly up and... After a relaxing weekend that included a run to Publix, cooking Easter dinner, and a wonderful Easter with friends, this week has been mostly up and down. It started up--teeball was canceled for Monday afternoon because of rain, but we all dressed up in our Auburn best and teeball outfit for Evan (DS1) and met our friends at Chick-Fil-A for Team Spirit night. The kids got free Kids Meals, Maxie (my friend) and I got free combos, and our husbands got free entrees. There was a great crowd, including my husband's niece with her two kids and another niece who works there and dressed as the Chick-Fil-A cow. The kids all had a fabulous time and also got free ice cream sundaes! Then I had Bible study and actually started Tuesday a little down because of a few things I heard while there--not related to the study itself.

Then on Tuesday I woke up with my back hurting--I must have picked my toddler up awkwardly somehow on Monday, and I also realized that I have lost a gift card to Carraba's--I thought I had it in a safe place, but it has totally disappeared. I spent a lot of that morning looking for it, and was so discouraged not to find it. I just think--all my hard work to save money and I go and lose free money! Then the day ended with an awful sinus headache--this has been a tough allergy season for me.

But on the up side, my 4-year-old's speech therapist had a lot of wonderful things to say about his progress and language development, which is so encouraging, because I had really been afraid he was so far behind that it would be difficult to get him ready for kindergarten. And then today, I was able roll Register Rewards between Degree deodorant and Axe deodorant/Colgate toothbrushes and get to the $40 threshold for the free ham! And it's a beautiful day today, if a bit chilly!

April spending: $172.74
April rebates: $37.49

This is the highest spending at mid-month yet this year, and it mostly is because my husband has been doing a fair amount of eating out, for lunch and with the boys. I hope we can rein this in, but I don't want to nag him. I know this is still a low total in the long run. ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/3010-4-15-09-ups-downs-week.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2993-4-10-09.html Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:33:45 GMT Wednesday was DS1's Easter party at school, and my sweet SIL came to keep DS2 and DS3 so I could go (the teachers requested no siblings for this one). Then DH had arranged for my niece to come babysit for a couple of hours so we could run grab dinner together--$16.50 for Mexican. It could have been about $5 less, but we accidentally both left a tip. :giggle2:

On Thursday, DS1 and DS2 went to Mother's Morning Out and I had a nice morning with a friend--we have coffee and then I teach her nine-year-old piano for a half hour while she keeps DS3. Then we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to lunch with friends at Chick-Fil-A, but using coupons and bringing my own side of cut canteloupe and chocolate goldfish for a little dessert, I only spent $1.83. DH, however, went turkey hunting all day and was famished by the time he got back in town at 3:30 that afternoon, so he spent $5.46 at Burger King.

Today I ran to Winn Dixie for hams for Easter and the freezer--used the last of a gift card and spend $3.24 oop, and then also had to pick up bread, peanut butter, and squash (for an Easter casserole) for $7.83 (yuck!). I also hit Target and spend about $25.00 on clearance clothes for the boys--three pairs of pants, one s/s collared shirt, a sports moisture-wicking sort of pullover, and two nice twill sort of shirts with hoods. I also found a cute Pooh dress for my niece's birthday for $4.49. Used two DVD cash certificates on $5.50 movies, so I spend $3.30 there, and finally picked two Vitamin Waters for free and 4 Campbell's cream of mushroom soups for 16 cents each.

The boys dyed Easter eggs this afternoon with the free Paas kits from CVS.

In the mail: two rebates from Coors totalling $12.50.

April spending: $125.08
April rebates: $ 27.49
April total: $97.59 ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2993-4-10-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2977-4-7-09.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:37:28 GMT Still fighting allergy/sinus mess here . . . Sunday was a wonderful Homecoming and dinner on the grounds at church. I took a big pan of baked... Still fighting allergy/sinus mess here . . .

Sunday was a wonderful Homecoming and dinner on the grounds at church. I took a big pan of baked ziti--totally out of my stockpile, except for one onion. After church, I ran in Publix to get two newspapers, milk, bread, and bananas. ($10.95) The penny item was white bread, which the boys will eat, and then I might make breadcrumbs and freeze. Made a quick run to CVS that evening to get Pull-ups, Skintimate shave gel, and Easter grass. I wanted to be able to use my $3/$15 from my e-mail, but then I forgot to give my $2 PUll-ups coupon! :rolleyes24: I still came out only paying $6.50 in ECBs for the Huggies deal ($0 oop)!

Yesterday and today I made two kinds of soup, because it is ridiculously cold here and windy! DH took one pot of soup and cornbread to friends last night who just had surgery and he took another soup dinner to friends tonight who just had a baby. We also sent cakes of cornbread (free mix after Q's at Publix), and for dessert we sent "Easter nests" the boys and I made Sunday night with chow mein noodles (free at Publix) and jelly beans (free at CVS). Instead of using chocolate chips from my stockpile (which I want to save for cookies so we don't spend on slice-and-bakes), I googled a substitute and was able to use cocoa powder, sugar, and Smart Balance. I also used the last of some Skippy chunky peanut butter--so we cleaned out our cabinet and made a yummy dessert as well! I had intended to send it for snacks for the teeball team on Monday, but the game was canceled because the fields were too wet!

Today I mailed out the two seafood rebates from the crab meat and also made a Publix run--$24.01 for 2 gallons milk, 1 gallon soymilk, bread, onion, potatoes, carrots, 2 dozen eggs, 2 bags Lays' chips (with Pepsi Q), 2 jars Ragu, 2 lbs. LOL butter, 2 lbs. ICCB butter, 2 bags Birds Eye corn, Tropicana 50 OJ, Kraft mayo, vanilla extract, Smithfield bacon, and one pack of gum.

In the mail yesterday and today I got a $4.99 Ventfresh rebate, my two Hershey movie tickets, my Pepsi-Frito Lay Q's and a Q for a free pack of M and M's from the Hunt for Yellow sweeps.

April spending: $89.12
April rebates: $14.99
April total: $74.13 ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2977-4-7-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2962-4-4-09.html Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:53:42 GMT DS1 had his first Teeball game today! After the game, I was able to run around by myself for a little while. I ran in several grocery stores to... DS1 had his first Teeball game today! After the game, I was able to run around by myself for a little while. I ran in several grocery stores to browse--found one good winetag (just one, lol--not even multiples of the same one!) and a rebate at Rite Aid. Also found several good tearpads and the Kraft booklet with $1.25/3 dessert items Q! Other than that, I just went to Walmart for printer ink and also got two tops for myself and two pairs of fleece-lined clogs for DS2 and DS3 for next winter--all for $1.00 each! ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2962-4-4-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2960-4-3-09.html Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:16:36 GMT So . . . my DH went out to dinner last night with his turkey hunting friends and left the tip--$15.00. But I really can't complain because his dear friend had paid for his dinner after he had already treated us to Carraba's takeout the night before and barbcue for lunch that day. He also brought a Crayola chalk set with 3-D glasses to DS1 and DS2 and Tadoodles crayons to DS3, as well as a charm from a trip to Egypt with my name in hieroglyphics! Then today, they went to lunch again, and DH contributed $1.00 to the tip. I did get a $10 Rite Aid GC in the mail yesterday and a $10 rebate check today.

But again today we did fast food--the boys and I had haircut appointments and I usually treat them to McDonalds on this day because it occupies them to sit in the lobby and eat lunch while I get my hair cut, and it's not messy--I can easily clean up after them. So another $8.00 or so (DH bought and ran lunch to us because he was out and I was running late). Also had to go to Sports Authority to swap white baseball pants for gray and get a yellow belt to match DS1's jersey for his first teeball game tomorrow--$6.59.

April spending: $54.16
April rebates: $10.00
Total left for year: $520.56 ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2960-4-3-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2954-4-2-09.html Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:39:20 GMT Yesterday was not such a good day, frugally! I woke up with a sore throat after having a really difficult time going to sleep because of a terrible... Yesterday was not such a good day, frugally! I woke up with a sore throat after having a really difficult time going to sleep because of a terrible sinus headache. And my husband had a friend coming in to stay with us and turkey hunt. Thankfully, the house just needed a little straightening and my husband took care of getting the guest room ready. Then he called my sister-in-law to see if the two older boys could spend the afternoon with her to give me a chance to rest a little. She was having an Easter egg hunt at her church last night and was thrilled to have them come--such a blessing! So my husband took our four-year-old to pick up our six-year-old from kindergarten and he was going to drop a friend's little girl off at her house on the way. I should have packed lunches for the boys, but I was in such a fog that I didn't, so he ended up taking them all through Chick-Fil-A and getting lunch for all three as well as himself and my sister-in-law. I did give him a coupon for a free Coke for my friend--she and I both love a Coke over ice from Chick-fil'a and she was a little under the weather as well. So anyway, that was about $20. Then unbeknowst to me, DH stopped at Winn Dixie on his way to hunt and picked up bug spray, a bottle of water, NV fruit and nut bars, and a box of Post cereal--all at full price! (When we have tons of cereal bars and bottled water here and I could have gotten the bug spray with a gc the night before. :hectic1:) The cereal, however, will go back. :biggrin: He really does try, but sometimes . . . So that was $13.72, but the cereal itself was $4.94 after tax, so $8.78!

The baby and I did get out after his lunch--I wanted to get the only two Natural Dentist mouthwashes at the Cvs I had been to the night before so that I could send in for the rebate for them. Then he and I went through C-F-A also--free soup for me and a small waffle fry for him--$1.38.

Then that evening I went to Walgreens to pick up another prescription I had transferred and got a $25 GC and the pharmacist gave me the prescription for free because it should have been ready but wasn't--no pharmacy has ever done that for me before. Of course, the medicine was only about $4.00, but still!

Today I have gone nowhere--partly because of the weather, partly because I still don't feel great, and partly because DS1 woke up at 5:00 with a stomach bug! However, my sweet husband and his friend postponed hunting this morning to let me go back to bed and sleep since I had also been up with the baby around 12:30--I am beginning to wonder if he has an ear infection. But staying home right now is a good thing--I have ground to make up this month to stay on track with my budget goal! I should have some good rebates coming in to help.

April spending: $30.16
Total left for year: $534.56 ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2954-4-2-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2948-3-31-09.html Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:18:58 GMT Today was another great frugal day! I took bread and mayo to my husband at work so he could eat lunch there, and then dropped my four-year-old off at... Today was another great frugal day! I took bread and mayo to my husband at work so he could eat lunch there, and then dropped my four-year-old off at speech therapy. The other two and I ran to Sports Authority to get my six-year-old baseball pants for his first tee-ball game on Thursday. I had been kicking myself for not buying a pair I saw at a consignment sale, but these were just $9.99, and the consignment sale pair were $7.00. Of course, I could have checked back on half-price day to see if they were still there, but at least the new pair were only a few dollars more, and they will probably be worn by three boys!

After speech therapy, we headed downtown to a seafood market where I used gift cards from rebates I did last winter to get two pounds of lump crab meat. $15.00 a pound! Before rebating, I would never have paid this, but I was able to buy the crabmeat for nothing out of pocket and will get $20.00 back in current rebate offers! And my husband has really been wanting me to try his aunt's recipe for crab bisque!

Then we drove back across town to pick up a prescription for my husband that I had transferred that morning, because I knew this particular CVS would accept competitor coupons and I had a Rite Aid coupon for a $25 gift card with a transferred prescription. I really needed that CVS GC too, since my ECB balance is so low right now.

Then we picked up our free Domino's pizza that I ordered as soon as I read the deal and took it home for lunch. The boys had lollipops from the pharmacy for dessert.

Then the really big event of the day happened. Alabama Public Television called and said my six-year-old had won third place in the Kindergarten division of the statewide Reading Rainbow story-writing contest! He will get to attend an awards ceremony at the Alabama Book Fair in a few weeks and will read his story (or have it read) for the audience! What a great experience for him, and our family is so excited! Then all the friends and family are invited to a buffet luncheon at a restaurant that we all enjoy--it's called the Young House and it's located in an old home downtown.

So in spite of the rain, it's been a really wonderful day! I also got a $5.00 Zantac rebate in the mail, a BBW coupon for a free travel-sized signature item, and a Parents magazine (free subscription, of course!). ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2948-3-31-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2942-shopping-3-30-09.html Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:21:05 GMT Today I went to: The Dollar Tree for three pairs of sunglasses--$3.30. I cannot seem to keep my sunglasses away from little hands, so I gave up a... Today I went to:

The Dollar Tree for three pairs of sunglasses--$3.30. I cannot seem to keep my sunglasses away from little hands, so I gave up a long time ago spending any sort of real money on them!

The library to return books and renew a book on tape for my 6-year-old--a great, free way to expose kids to more reading! I also found out that they are having a "food for fines" event, which is good news for me since two of my items were overdue. I just wish I had known this before I paid the last fine a few weeks ago!

CVS--two boxes of Paas egg dye, two tubes of Aveeno anti-itch cream, one bag jelly beans, and two Softsoap refills. OOP--$0! But I am at my lowest ECB balance in over a year--less than $20.

Got in the mail today--$5 Good Earth coffee rebate, Crocs certificate, Rite Aid $10 gift card.

New March totals:

Spent $265.87
Rebates $223.00
March total: $42.87
Available for year: $610.17 ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2942-shopping-3-30-09.html http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2936-i-think-i-might-try.html Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:22:04 GMT I have learned so much since becoming a member here at HCW that I would really love to keep a record of what I've been spending. I've been inspired by JANE4girls's blog to limit my spending to $800 a year, including health and beauty, household items, and eating out which comes out to $66.66 per month. I do a ton of rebates, so I factor back in to my budget any rebates I get in the mail. So far this year I've been right on track. My spending/rebates has looked like this:

January: Spent $288.15
Rebates: $228.00
Total for month: $60.15
Balance for year: $739.85

February: Spent $190.35
Rebates $104.99
Total for month: $85.36
Balance for year: $654.49

March: Spent $265.85 (so far)
Rebates $217.00
Total for month: $48.85
Balance for year: $605.64

It will be interesting to see if I can keep this good start up!

I should mention that I am feeding a household of 5--myself and my husband, and three little fellas who are 6, 4, and 2 and the 2-year-old is still in diapers! ]]> thl http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/blogs/thl/2936-i-think-i-might-try.html