Free Splenda at Walgreens this week!

*Splenda is on sale with in ad coupon for $2.99 (100 packets) this week at Walgreen's!
There is a printable coupon for $3 off any splenda product HERE

Making this FREE!!!

Tips for Budgeting for a better 2009 & More...

Many of you have probably made New Year's Resolutions this year and in my opinion, anyone can do anything that you set your mind to do! You actually have to reprogram
your brain. If you change your mind set & constantly remind yourself that you can do it then you will. It does take time, dedication, desire, sacrifice and motivation. But you can do it! You just have to really want to do it, and if you keep making excuses than you won't succeed!

Maybe your goal is to lose weight. Last year I resoluted to lose weight, I set my mind to it & I lost 30 pounds. I previously was doing a series called Weigh In Wednesday where I shared tips on how to lose weight. **If you are a reader interested in reading more weight loss tips, please leave a comment below because I am debating on if I should continue sharing tips on how to lose weight. Thank you.
-OR-
Did you spend more money in 2008 than you wanted to?Maybe your goal for 2009 is to Make & Stick to a Budget. If so, your in the right place because I thought I'd share a few easy tips on how to do just that!
*Tip:
Set a Budget. Setting a budget can help to keep you from overspending. Setting a budget can also help you to achieve your financial goals for now & for the future.
When setting your budget try to be realistic, and don't forget to budget in for Fun things. Being on a budget will seem tough sometimes, and there probably will be sacrifices. But you shouldn't completely deprive yourself. It is the same concept when your trying to lose weight. You will still need to allow yourself an occasional snack. It's all about portion control. For instance it's okay to eat 2 oreos, not a whole package of oreos. If you deprive yourself you won't stay committed. You'll end splurging and ruining it, then you'll feel guilty & quit. The same goes for your budget, you'll need to allow fun things, or you might blow it. Like I've said before I'm not an expert, just an average stay at home mom, so I hope that all this makes sense. Anywhoo--
*Frugal.Net shares step by step directions how to set up a budget HERE.
*$aving makes Cents shares how much money you should be spending on groceries HERE.
*Mommy Snacks explains how she uses a spreadsheet to track her savings HERE.

So, what are you waiting for? Why not set aside some time this weekend to set up your budget!
Do you have any tips to add? If so, please leave a comment & share. Comments are my fuel!

Walgreens

Freebie Deals for the week of Jan 4th through January 10th 2009--

*Garnier Fructis on sale for $2.99
Use $2 off coupon from Easy Saver
and Use $1 MQ
Final price = FREE

*Hershey's Bars are on sale for 2/$1 with in ad coupon
Hershey's Whips should be included.
Use $1/2 MQ for whips from 1/4 SS insert
Final price = 2 FREE

*Reynolds Wrap .99 w/in ad coupon
Use $1/1 MQ from 12/14 insert
Final price = FREE

*Electrsol $3.49
Use $2.50 off MQ from 1/4 insert
submit for $1.50 ESR
Final price = Free + overage after ESR

Did I miss any great deals? Please leave a comment & share!

All You magazine Giveaway!

If you're a loyal reader of my blog, I'm sure that you've heard me mention All You magazine a million times! All You magazine is one of my favorites, and it is the only magazine that I'm willing to pay for! It is Full of great coupons & articles. You can only get this magazine from Walmart or by subscription. However, The Thrifty Mama is giving away a free 2-year sub for All You magazine! She also explains how you can get a sub for only $18.50 plus tax. This magazine is usually around $26 for a one year sub! Anyhow, make sure to go enter this giveaway HERE!

CVS

Here are a few highlights of a few deals for this week at CVS--

January 4th through January 10th 2009--

ECB Deal for the month of January:

*Buy Children's Throat Cooler Ice Pops 6 ct for $4.99, get back $4.99 ECB'S
Use this printable B1G1 Free coupon HERE
Final price = 2 Free after coupon & ECB'S


Deals for the week:

*Garnier Fruitis shampoo, conditioner, or styler $2.99, Get back $2 ECBS
Use $1 MQ from 11/9 or 1/4 insert
Final price = Free after MQ & ECB

*Palmolive dish soap $.97
Use $.25 MQ from 1/4 insert
Final price = $.72

*Mennen Speed Stick, or Lady Speed Stick on sale for $3, get back $3 ECB WYB 2.
Use B1G1 Free MQ from 1/4 SS insert
Final price = Free after MQ & ECB

Those are the best deals that I see. Make sure to check your ad in case if there is something that you need!
If you find any good deals that I missed, please leave a comment & share!

I'm Back & Coupon Reminder!!!

I'm Back!!! I hope that you all had Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

*This week we are expecting a lot of good coupons, now that's a good way to start the New Year! Make sure to buy multiple newspapers tomorrow!!!!
We should be getting 3 Smart Source inserts, and 2 Red Plum inserts!!! Whoo-Hoo!!!
You can go HERE to Taylortown Preview to view the full list! A few good coupons that caught my eye....
*Electrasol dishwasher soap $2.50 off. When these go on sale you can get really cheap dishwasher soap!!!
*Several Lysol coupons. These have gone on sale for half price at Meijer's on several occasions. With these coupons you can get very cheap cleaning products!
*Nestle Coffee- mate liquid or powder coffee creamer any $.50 off. These double to $1 off at Kroger or Meijer, making for cheap, or Free coffee creamer, when they go on sale, if you are a coffee-junkie like me!
*Healthy Ones packaged lunch meat any $.75 off. This coupon doubles to $1 off at Meijer or Kroger, so that you can get inexpensive lunch meat.
*Green Giant Fresh Steamers any $.50 off. This doubles to $1 off at Meijer and Kroger making for free frozen vegetables when these go on sale!
* Yoplait kids yogurt cups, my kids love these, and of course I only buy them when I have a coupon...
* $1 off any Johnson's buddies, with this coupon you can get Free buddies soap!

There are a lot more good coupons, so don't forget to stock up this week!!!!

eCoupons 101

What are eCoupons?

eCoupons, also known as Electronic Coupons or Digital coupons, are paperless manufacturer or store coupons that you can upload from your computer at home, directly on to your store's Shopper's or Loyalty Card. In my own experience, these eCoupons are Primarily available for your Kroger Plus card. The store's that use eCoupons will vary according to the region you live in.

How do you use eCoupons?

eCoupons are very easy to use! All that you have to do is register or sign up at the eCoupon sites (listed below) and add your shopper's card numbers to your account. Then you will review the list of coupons that they have available. You can then choose which coupons you want to use and add them (or load them) to your shopper's card. When you go shopping and purchase the product that you "loaded" a coupon for, the amount of the coupon will automatically come off at the register when you check out. Pretty easy, huh!

Where can I find an eCoupon?

The first place to look for eCoupons is at your store's website (i.e. Kroger). Grocery store chains are good about sharing ways to help you to save money if you shop at their store. They will usually include links to the eCoupon sites that they are using.

Here is a list of eCoupon services that I am currently aware of and that I have used:

Cellfire - Offers grocery eCoupons for Kroger and Kroger affiliated stores. These coupons are updated bi-weekly. PLUS, they offer savings on shopping, entertainment, and restaurants via mobile web. But, the Grocery eCoupons have Nothing at all to do with your mobile phone.

Shortcuts - Offers eCoupons for Kroger family of stores.

Kroger eCoupons - Offers eCoupons for Kroger stores.

P&G eSavers - Offers eCoupons for Proctor & Gamble products at Kroger. These coupons are updated monthly.

Meijer mPerks - These digital coupons can only be used at Meijer stores. For more info about mPerks and how to use them check out my post Here.


:: The following sites work a little different ::

Upromise - offers eCoupons at a variety of stores: CVS, Kroger, and Meijer (this varies based on where you live). The main difference between Upromise and other eCoupon services is that the product savings is deposited into your Upromise college savings account versus coming off of your total at check out. In addition, unlike most other eCoupons, Upromise coupons can be used in conjunction with manufacturer's coupons! Upromise eCoupons are updated monthly and you can find instructions for using them in my post here.

Saving Star - This is the company that manages the Upromise eCoupon system so these eCoupons work very similar to Upromise. Except, Once your account reaches a minimum of $5, you can get your money back in Pay pal, Amazon gift cards or other options. You can also combine these eCoupons with paper manufacturer coupons. You can find instructions for using them in my post here.


Campbell's eLabels - These are valid at 4,000 stores including Kroger family of stores. This program allows you to earn money for a participating school, when a participating product is purchased. You can find out more about these in my post here.


Tip for using eCoupons - Combine an eCoupon with an item that is on sale, to save more money!



:: Pros

• No clipping or lugging around coupons to the store. Plus, you don't have to worry about losing coupons, since they are loaded to your shopper's card. Once you set up services, it is quick and easy to use.
• You can easily print a shopping list from most eCoupon sites, so that you can remember which eCoupons that you loaded to your shopper's cards.
• You can even get eCoupons for store brand products. (Kroger in particular, or Meijer products from mPerks)
• If you have problems with your eCoupons not coming off, contact the eCoupon site directly, and they are more than willing to help!

:: Cons

• There is usually a limit of 50-150 coupons per eCoupon site, that can be loaded to your card.
• You have to be very careful to purchase the exact item (size, brand, ect) specified on the coupon, in order for it to work. For example, if the eCoupon says for 4 oz. Crest toothpaste, then you can not purchase the 6 oz. size if you want the eCoupon to work.
• If you have added an eCoupon for the same product using two different services, there is no way to control which eCoupon is redeemed first. For example, if I add a $1/1 coupon for Cheerios on to my Kroger Plus card using Cellfire and a $.50/1 Cheerios coupon on to my Kroger Plus card using Shortcuts, I can not choose which coupon is redeemed first.
• Once you add an eCoupon to your shopper's card, there is no way to remove it, unless you redeem it.
• eCoupons can only be redeemed as face value, i.e., the eCoupon will not double or triple.
• eCoupons are only available for a one time download. You can only download and use it one time.
• You can not use an eCoupon and a paper coupon together (stacking) at Kroger. With the exception of Saving Star and Upromise.