A total savings of $43.15!

I trucked to Target this morning for my usual last minute Saturday couponing. There are some AMAZING coupons that expire tomorrow and I wanted to take advantage of everything, just incase they did not roll around again next month. I did not get everything I wanted (like the free Jif peanut butter to go packs, STILL sold out, and a few more John Frieda shampoos). I limited myself to only spending $20. All in all, I spent just over that (I blame you, Chips Ahoy!). Here is what I got:

Bounty Basic 6 paper towels : reg. $6.49   - $1/1 Target Q & -$1/1 MQ = $4.49
Chips Ahoy: reg $1.99  (no coupons, but they are SO good.)
V8 Juice: reg. $2.99 - $1 Target Q & B2G1 Free MQ = $1.66 each
Palmolive: reg $2.39  - $1 Target Q & $.25 MQ = $1.14
Clean and Clear Astringent: SALE $4.07   - $2 off ANY C&C MQ = $2.07
Clean and Clear scrub: SALE: $3.79   - $2 off ANY C&C MQ = $1.79
Milos Kitchen Beef  Jerkey for Dogs: TPC $2.50   - $1.50/1 MQ = $1.00
(2) Gillette Mens Deodorant: reg $4.24   - (2) $2/1 MQ & $2/2 TQ = $1.24 each
      (these were marked up almost $.50 just from the day before! grr!)


I was SUPER stoked to find 50% off Revlon clearance at my store which made for the $3/1 Revlon Tool  & Cosmetic TARGET coupon from last weeks paper SO much better! There is also a $1/1 Revlon Cosmetic coupon expiring tomorrow. PLUS I had (2) $1/1 Revlon Tool MQ's (no longer available) & a $3/1 Revlon Tool & Cosmetic item MQ (catalina that printed for me last week!). I have a TON of the $3 off coupons, so I only used 4 today, hoping this stuff goes on sale within the next month, or more clearance!


For the tools: I got (3) - 10pack nail files $1.27 each & (1) eyelash curler $ 2.89 
For the cosmetics: (2) eyeliners (1 black & 1 brown) REG $8.56: CLEARANCE $4.28 each
                             (1) Revlon bronzer REG $12: CLEARANCE $5.98 (this is the bright white thing in picture)
                             (1) 4 color eyeshadow REG $4.94
  For Revlon items alone: BEFORE COUPONS & CLEARANCE = $40.76  
  AFTER CLEARANCE & COUPONS = $5.18 or $.64 each!


So after everything, (including my 10% discount) I paid out of pocket $23.42. Which was over my $20 limit (I still blame the Chips Ahoy cookies), but I think I did good.


Before coupons & clearance total : $ 79.44    I spent $23.42 which is a savings of $56.15 !!!
                                                                 (That is , of course if I did my math right!)




 Have a good night all!!! 

Target Toy Clearance!

Well, today (for most) was the very well known Target Toy Clearance extravaganza. Or as I would like to refer to it as, a cluster mess of RUDE people! As some of you known, I work for this retail giant and we DREAD this day. Fortunately for me, I got to hide during the first hour the store was open. My brave sister made it for the big event. I received a text message just as the doors open, that she felt like it was black friday! Jeeze! Then, I received message after message about how rude these people were and how she felt bad for our one, lonely price changing girl! (poor H!). They were pushy and angry. (Please note, there is a Starbucks at the front of the store, maybe a few should of grabbed a cup of joe before starting)! My sister made it out alive, with no scratches that I know of, and a cart load of great stuff! My niece is going to be ecstatic this Christmas! 




Did you get what you wanted? 


I'm planning a coupon run for tomorrow and into Saturday (I have to go to 2 different Targets, ugh!) I'm stoked for this one and will post it when it's through (and after I take a long nap). 
Oh and there will be 4 (yes 4!) inserts in the paper this weekend! I better get caught up from my coupon haul from LAST weekend! 


website of the moment: Darlin Beauxs Dog Bows !! We love Amy's bows! They are handmade and AMAZING quality!! (That's my Hammer in a one of her Halloween bows!


Also, today is my 2 year anniversary with the man of my dreams! I love you, SQE! (okay, lovey dovey cutesy stuff over, just had to throw it in there, he does read this!!) *muah* 

Everyone needs a little vacation!

Every once in awhile, everyone needs to get away, and that I did. I spent 5 days in beautiful New Jersey! A friend of mine was taking the 6 hour drive home for the week, and asked if I would come along. Without hesitation, I said YES! And then... the doubt kicked in. How can I afford this? Then I thought, this is why I coupon. We were staying with family, so I did not have to pay for a hotel (score!). She drove so I did not have to pay for gas (double score). In 5 days, I spent a whopping $40. That included lunch/dinner for the drive there and back (which I packed at home, so that was free). We found the one beach in Jersey that was free (it seems so silly to have to PAY to go on the beach?) and even went to the Cape May Zoo, which was also 100% free! Southern New Jersey is such a beautiful place and a lot of cheap fun! PLUS they had GREAT coupons (and so did Maryland on the pit stop to fill up the car). I bought extra for all my couponing friends! You can 'vacation' on a low budget. Now I'm back home, landlocked. I miss you beach. I will be back soon. Now I need to coupon, I'm DAYS behind, and I need to plan for the next mini vaca to the beach! I'm hooked! 

How do I get started couponing?

Its the question I get most from friends & family: Where do I begin?. To be honest, I taught myself. I watched one episode of Extreme Couponing (and I have NOT watched it since! grr!). I decided I would first start with newspapers!

After a few trials and errors, I learned which newspapers in my area carry the best coupons. I now purchase 3 of one and 2 of another. I also subscribe to Virginia at My Coupon Hunter , who I HIGHLY recommend to anyone trying to start their coupon collection! After I clip my coupons, I put them neatly in my binder in the appropriate category. Then I just walk my favorite stores (Target, Kroger, Walgreens) and just look for the deals. I do use a few blogs (whom of which do the looking for you) to get a few ideas! (Kerry @ Totallytarget & Iheartkroger are my favs!)  Its also good to invest in a coupon or notecard divider. I found mine in the dollar section at Target. It matches my binder and is discreet. 

My binder is my world. My boyfriend laughs at it because it's pink, has a picture of us and a yorkie sign. I have plans to get a bigger one, and a less dorky one. It's my first one so of course, I have an attachment to it. If your looking for card inserts, you can find some at Walmart ($4.95 for 35), Target ($9.99 for 66), or the cheapest way, is Amazon! I found these, and plan on ordering them when I run out. They come to be $.14 each! 

I also keep my handy dandy notebook with me at ALL times, to write down deals I see online or even in the stores. I'm a sucker for zebra so of course I had to make it fun. I write down the store, the 'deal', when the sale ends (if I need to take advantage of the deal now.. or if I can wait until next week) and the coupons I need. I cross the items I purchases, mark the coupons I have.. and so on. Trust me, Its hard to remember EVERY deal you want, so this helps!

And I am excited to report, because of couponing I got to spoil myself. I bought a new Vera bag, from Vera Bradley! I purchased Happy Snails, which was a color released last week. Sad to report, I did not get to use a coupon and paid full price (eek!), but I knew it was worth it! Tis the reason why I coupon!


If you ever have any questions, PLEASE email me , facebook me , or find me on twitter! 


-Stacey

8 sandals for $26!

To my surprise today, Target marked down their sandals to 75% off! Each sandal was either $3.24 or $3.74! I nstead of paying $107.92 (there is no tax on clothes in PA!), I paid a grand total of $26.92 (-5% for having a Target Debit card) If you are interested in the Target Red Card, you can learn more at Target's website. It's not much of a discount on your little purchases, but when you are couponing or buy big electronics, it really adds up! Be sure to 'opt-out' of the sharing of your information, when they send you a letter after you sign up. They WILL sell your information if you do not!

I've been waiting since they put these out to buy them. I'm so glad I did. These will definitely last me until next summer and beyond, hopefully. Now I just need to find the perfect place to put them! My shoe and rainboot collection already takes over the entire kitchen. I have an idea that I saw on Pinterest , if only I didn't pitch all my old hangers.  Lets see how this goes.


Have a good weekend! 

Why I LOVE Target

I love couponing at Target. Why? Because they make it SO easy to get free stuff (or super duper cheap stuff). Its one of the few places where you can use a manufacturer coupon and a (store) Target coupon on the same product! Unfortunately, I do not have a SuperTarget ANYWHERE near me, so I do coupon for groceries at other places. Buy I buy all of my condiments, dry goods, snacks and pasta here. 


I have read horror stories of fellow couponers have a terrible experience at Target and plan to never return. But if you coupon correctly and just get the items you need or may need, you shouldn't have a problem. With a friendly smile, I've had several cashiers just 'push' my coupons through. I've NEVER had a problem. Just be respectful of other couponers and don't clear the shelf. Remember that the sale will cycle through again, eventually (usually in about 6-8 weeks, maybe sooner).


Be sure to check target.com for GREAT store coupons and daily deals! 


Happy couponing and have a good night! 


favorite website of the moment : For those of you who want to spoil your pups! http://www.bellandssmallpawsboutique.com/  (save 10% on treats!) 

$.38 Dove Deodorant? Sign me up!

I went to Target today, my favorite place to coupon, to take advantage of the Men's Dove Deodorant deal. They normally cost $3.99, and with coupons, they would come to $.99 each when you buy too. I found these bonus packs on and endcap, and were each marked down to $3.38! After coupons, I spent $.38 each! Here is the breakdown:


Dove Men +Care deodorant : $3.99 (regular price)
$2/2 Dove Men +Care Deodorant (Target Coupon)
(2) $2/1 Dove Men +Care Deodorant (6/26 RP)
= . $38 each wyb 2


Now, if you have patience, you can see if these bonus packs will go down more, however, if $.38 each sounds good to you, I would jump on it! PLEASE NOTE: the TARGET coupon beeped for me, but the cashier passed it through! So just beware. 

Why do you coupon?

I often get asked, "why do you coupon?". My reason is NO different then every other reason: I'm just trying to make ends meet. I have a teeny, tiny income (think: minimum wage) and I'm a full time student. I live with my boyfriend of 2 years and a spoiled rotten Yorkie! (& a newly adopted kitten, Bella). I KNEW something had to change when I was spending every little bit I had on rent and gas money. I would go days without eating, and over time lost 20 lbs (not in a good way!). I knew I had to do something to survive. So I started couponing. My boyfriend & I still live paycheck to paycheck, but I have enough money for food (we even bought steak today, which I thought would never happen), gas, and everything else we NEED & a few things we want. We even have weekly dinner dates and have a few $ bucks left over at the end of each week. To me, thats living the high life!

I'm doing my blog for myself and hopefully to help others like me out there. I read and follow many blogs (mostly about saving and coupons) and they all seem to about the same. Stay at home mom's with children. I do not have children, and do not see children anywhere in my near future! Like I said, I work full time so I do not have ALL the time in the world for "extreme" couponing (nor do I have the space). I'm doing this blog for me and my little 'family' and hopefully to teach you a thing or two about making ends meet, the fun way!