Last Call

Last call for any donation for the Hope Lodge House in Marshfield and the American Cancer Society.

Email me at kendralacrosse@verizon.net or comment on this blog entry to get in touch with me to arrange for a pickup of goods.

Not sure what I'm talking about? Click here to read the story.

Thank you!

Mad Crazy Deals

I got the above deal at Walmart on Thursday evening. I don't usually shop Walmart, but there were a couple items I needed that were available only there in town.

Theses shrimp poppers are $1.58, found in the frozen food fish area. Directly below the boxes were another product that SeaPak makes with a $1 peelie on them that stated "$1 off any SeaPak product". I peeled a few off (don't worry, I didn't take them all) and got each box of poppers for $0.58! My kids love these!

This Olay deal is AWESOME! I got this at Target and the deal is available until 3/27 so you have plenty of time to get it.

Buy 3 Olay body washes or 6+ bar packs of soap for $5.50 each and recieve a $5 Target gift card.

3 @ 5.50 = 16.50
                -    5.00
                  -----------
                   11.50         (but I also had coupons $1 off)
                -   3.00
                  -----------
                  $8.50

Now you can submit it to P&G for a $15.00 rebate going on right now for buying 3 packs of Olay soap or body washes.

NET= $6.50 Moneymaker !!!!!

I just love a good deal.

Pierce's Highlights for the week

Here are the deals as I see them this week. There are a couple "truckload" sales going on. Check out the ad for yourself in store or online. Don't forget their new card program, be sure to sign up because it starts next week!

Page one

---------

Hormel country spare ribw $1.18/lb (very good stock up price)

Shurfine frozen veggies $1

Cauliflower $0.78/lb

Roma pizzas 4/$7

Page two

---------

Hormel pork butt roast or steaks $1.38/lb (more cheap pork!)

Gold 'n Plump whole chicken $4, use $0.75 IP from coupons.com

Pillsbury bread rolls $1.25 each, use $0.95 IP for sweet rolls, or other assorted MQ available

Aztec flour tortillas $0.98

Rhodes Warm n Serve rolls $1.88, use $1/2 MQ

Page three

-----------

Kraft Mac n Cheese 5/$3, use $1/5 IP

GM cocoa puffs or cookie crisp 2/$4, use $1/2 IP

Prego spaghetti sauce $1.88, use $0.50 MQ

Skippy peanut butter $1.78, use $0.40 MQ

Quaker instant oatmeal $2.50, use $1 MQ

Aunt Jemima pancake mix or syrup $2, use $1/2

Surefine graham cracker $1.78

Surefine mixed nuts and cashews $2.50

Page four

----------

Pears $0.98/lb

Roma tomatoes $0.88/lb

Kiwi fruit 3/$0.99

Organic bagged salad $2.50 (good price for organic)

That is all I see for now folks. Have a great week.  

My teeny Walgreens trip

I didn't need much, and I wasn't enthused by the sales this week so here is what I got.

• 1 Selsun shampoo $8.99, used $1 MQ
• 1 Head & Shoulders shampoo $4.99 (no coupon- what??)
• 3 Exedrin $2.50, used $2 IP for each
• 1 Ibuprofen $1.34

I used $6 in register rewards from last week to pay. My out of pocket total for the above was $11.08, with a coupon/ad savings of $20.02. A good amount of savings for what I got.

That is all for this week. How was your Walgreens scenario this week?

A Mad Crazy Deal

Welcome to my new segment on this blog. I'd like to feature a deal that I got recently that was CRAZY awesome. The kind of deal you want to tell everyone about. I know I feature a lot of them to you, but there are some items that should just stand out on their own.

I want all you readers to be involved in this as well. When you get a crazy deal that you just can't believe, send me an email (kendralacrosse@verizon.net) and attach a photo so I can post it to the blog. Let brag it up and let everyone know what is possible with couponing and deal watching.

For your enjoyment....

I got this deal last week at Pierce's. There were exactly 3 of these containers of cling wrap in the carts of discontinued items at the front of the store.

Please note these are the largest size of saran (200 ft) and they are marked at $1 each.

I had a coupon for $1.50/3 making them 50 cents apiece!!!

Awesome or what?

HyVee tip from a reader

From reader Tami.....

I was on the HyVee Grocery Website today and clicked on Helpful Ideas. It takes you to a page that gives you all the coupon match ups for there weekly sales and spots to click to get the coupons for there items that are on sale if you don’t have the coupon. They do accept internet coupons up to $2.50.
Happy Shopping.

Thanks for the info Tami!

No Pierce's Highlights

I'm not doing the Pierce's ad this week. I am feeling under the weather and have been offline since Wednesday night because of it. There weren't a lot of coupon deals anyway, I may just skip this week except for milk.

I'll be back next week for the ad review.

Thanks for your understanding.

A chance to help others

Hi all. Got the following from a fellow reader Kristin. This would be a great way to help others if you've got a lot of extra stockpile items. Check out the info....

The reason that I am emailing you is because I am a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the Hope Lodge in Marshfield is in need of donations. I know as couponers we are able to get alot of things for cheap or almost free. Here is some information about the Hope Lodge:

"The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Marshfield makes the stay away from home just a little easier for those being treated for cancer. The Hope Lodge creates an environment that eases both the stress of the cancer journey and the financial challenge of receiving lifesaving treatment. WIth 22 rooms available, guests at the Marshfield Hope Lodge will save nearly $500,000 in hotel expenses this year."



I have attached a list of items that they are in need of. If anyone has any questions they can email me at k.rokus@yahoo.com or call me at 608-369-1655.

Thank you -

Here are the items currently in need....

Reusable storage containers, bags in various sizes
High quality plastic flatware
Large, heavy glasses
Dishwashing soap
Dishwasher detergent
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Heavy duty plates, bowls, cups
Laundry detergent
Bleach
Fabric Softener
Toilet paper
Paper Towels
Facial Tissues
Napkins
Plastic water pitchers
Rechargeable flashlights
Plastic clothes hangers
Night lights
Umbrellas
Snow scrapers
Light bulbs – 60W and 3-way
Windex
Swiffers (wet and dry) & refills
Hand & Body Lotion
Liquid hand soap
Toilet bowl cleaner
Toilet bowl brushes
Heavy duty handiwipes

If you are able to help out, you can contact Kristin directly via email (listed above) or you can email me. I can be a drop off spot and will collect items in the Portage area. If you are able to give, let's try to get it together by the end of February.

Thanks much if you can help.

Walgreens deals

I got a big stash today and want to share the deals with you.

• 2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaner BOGO $2.99, used $1/2 MQ
• 2 Crest toothpaste $2.59, used $0.75 MQ plus WAGS Feb coupon book $1.50 off each, net price of $0.24 each.
• 4 Skippy peanut butter $1.50, used $0.75/2 MQ
• 2 Frosted Flakes $1.99, used $1.50/2 IP
• 2 Goldfish crackers $1.50, used $0.75 IP
• 2 Twizzlers $1.50 each
• 2 Hershey chocolate bags $4, used $2 MQ plus got a $5 RR when you buy $10 worth of candy (twizzlers plus chocolate)
• 1 Milky Way bar (hey that's MINE!)
• 1 Folgers coffee $3.99 with ad coupon, also gave a $1 RR

I also used $6 in Register Rewards from last week to bring my total down to $18.19. My coupon/ad savings was $42.64! Plus I also received $6 in register rewards for next week as well.

These sales continue until Saturday!

Update on coupon inserts

As you recall, a rumor was floating around about the Portage Daily Register no longer carrying coupon inserts in their Saturday newspaper. There was also question about whether the State Journal might also cancel carrying the inserts.


On the suggestion of a reader, I emailed George Althoff, the publisher of the Portage newspaper. I would like to share part of his response with you.


"Thanks for the inquiry. We were informed about three weeks ago that the company which produces the Smart Source coupons had decided to drop Portage, Baraboo and Beaver Dam from its distribution list. I called and was told it was because they had sought a rate reduction from us and that we were unwilling to meet their demands. But NO ONE in our organization has any recollection of being contacted by this company. I also was told they will review their distribution list in July. So we intend to make a new pitch to them in about April. Also, we are still inserting the Valassis coupons most weeks.


Obviously, we want their business back. But their failure to adequately communicate with us has been frustrating. We will make every effort to get these coupons back in the Daily Register.



As for the Wisconsin State Journal, I have no reason to believe there is any truth to that rumor. "
 
 
I'm not sure where to go from here, or it there is anything we can do. I hope he is right about the State Journal.
 
If anyone out there cancels a newspaper subscription because of this issue, please be sure to tell them why. If they keep getting feedback about this, they will be more likely to pursue it!
 
I will likely let my subscription run out until they resume the coupon inserts. I guess I may need to be more diligent about getting multiple copies of the Sunday paper.

Frugal Friday- leftover storage

I know I didn't invent this one, but I recently started re-using my glass jars to house leftovers. I don't know why I haven't done this before.

I know we are accustomed to using the plastic containers because they are easy to use. However, I am becoming more aware of unsafe plastics and the presence of BPA in food containers so I want to move away from the plastic.

I've been afraid of freezing in glass containers and I think that is what has held me back. But some simple research is all it took to convince me to change! However, I did freeze one jar which cracked and broke. I won't use them to freeze items, but they are perfect for fridge storage.

What an easy switch and a way to re-use the resources I have in the house. Simple, simple idea!

Check out more ideas at http://www.lifeasmom.com/

Pierce's Highlights for the Week

Here is my review of the good deals as I see them for the week. As always, be sure to check out their ad in person or online.

Don't forget to sign up for their new rewards card as well. It says you can earn free groceries....We will see how this program stacks up as we go along.

Page one
--------
Lobster Tails $5, not sure if this is a good deal or not but it sounds fair.
Red or green grapes $1.48, fair price for this time of year
Pizza rolls $1, use $0.50/3 MQ
Pillsbury crescent rolls/ cinnamin rolls $1.50, use $0.25/1 or $0.55/2 MQ

Page two
---------
Farmland sausage links or rolls $1, use $1, $0.75 or $0.55 MQ
Mikey's boneless/skinless chicken breast $4/2.5 lb bag, good deal folks!
Pollock fillets $2.18/lb, another great price
Country Crock spread $2, use $0.40 MQ
Welche's concentrated juice cocktail $1
Red Baron pizza $3.33, $1 MQ (found hanging in front of pizzas in case)
Bagel's forever $1

Page three
----------
Betty crocker cookie mix $1.66, use $0.40 MQ
Betty crocker cake mix $1
Chicken of the sea tuna $0.66 each can
Del Monte canned tomatoes $1
Surefine mandarin oranges canned 2/$1

Page four
---------
Dole bagged salads $1 (sure do wish I could buy ahead and freeze this when it is this cheap!)
Sugar snap peas $2.50

That is all for now folks. I'm off to email the publisher of the Daily Register to try and get some coupon answers!

My Walgreen's trip....

I had a pretty good haul at Walgreen's for this week. Here's the shakedown:

Transaction #1
---------------

• 6 Garnier Fructis conditioner 3/$10. There were $0.75 MQ hanging by them which I used. Also, when you buy $20 worth you get $10 RR (comes to $1.08 each after RR and MQ)
• 3 Reese's cups $0.50 each (filler)
• 2 Kotex tampons $3 each, used $1.50/2 MQ and get a $3 RR when you buy two (net $1.50 per box)

I paid with $12 in Register Rewards that I had from the last trip. My out of pocket total was $11.01 with a coupon/ad savings of $21.73. I also received $13 in RR on this transaction!

Transaction #2
--------------

• 1 Quilted Northern TP $3.99, used $1 MQ
• 1 Angel Soft TP $4, used $1 IP
• 2 Kotex tampons $3 each, used $1.50/2 MQ and get a $3 RR when you buy two (net $1.50 per box)
• 2 Oreo cookies $0.99 each, used $1/2 MQ
• 1 Golden Oreos $3.99, IP to get free (from being facebook fan)
• 1 Caramel Milky Way $0.69 (filler)

I can't find my receipt for the exact numbers, but here is what I can remember. I used my $10 RR from the first purchase and paid $2 and change out of pocket. My coupon savings was at least $8.49, but I don't have the ad savings.

I think I did pretty good and was able to stock up on conditioner, TP and tampons very inexpensively!

You are NOT gonna like this news.....

First of all, happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend.

I got some disturbing news over the weekend, and thought I'd better share it as soon as possible so we can work through this together.

Has anyone else noticed that there haven't been any coupons in the Saturday Portage Daily Register for the last 3 weeks? I sure noticed but thought it was an oversight. Turns out there is a lot more going on.

The company that provides the coupons to the newspaper allegedly terminated their contract with the Daily register without warning a couple weeks ago, with no notice.

This same company is also planning to stop distribution to the Wisconsin State Journal as well within the next couple weeks.

Now I don't know about you, but that is the main reason I subscribe to the paper in the first place.

Where do we go from here? I'm not sure. Does anyone out there have a contact with the State Journal so we can verify this information? Do you have any ideas on how we can protest this? I don't think we should take this news without reacting. I need the coupons in order to provide food that is reasonably priced to feed my family. This will be a huge blow to my budget! I'm sure it is the same for you.

I want to thank Katrena for providing me with this information.

Please email me or comment if you have any ideas of how we can fight this war together! And spread the word!

DiGiorno Pizza Deal

Here's another deal from a reader....

Hello: I was holding onto my $1 off coupons that were in the Sunday Paper about a month ago. Last week the Pizza’s were $4.97 and of course I had forgotten my coupons, this week at Walmart they were $3.97 and with a $1 off I got them for $2.97 a steal for DiGiorno Pizza.


Thanks to everyone that emails me so I can share the deals. And thank you to Tami for this one.

Do you know a deal? Email me at kendralacrosse@verizon.net.

Frugal Friday Financial Update

It's a new month (a couple days late I admit) so it's time to take a look at how my month of January went for my family.

If you want to review my goals you can see them here.

A change I recently made was to return to my grocery budget back to $70 a week. I tried to decrease it last month and ended up over budget, not good. I will try to ease back towards that goal, but just not yet.

As you may recall, I also want to pay down my debt. We started January at having paid off 40% of all of our debt. I am happy to say that in January we were able to pay an additional 12% ! We have now paid off 52% of all of our consumer debt excluding our mortgage. Yippee!

We have lots more work to do on our debt, but first I need to get the taxes done so I can plan for replacing the roof in the spring.

How are you doing on your goals this year? Let us know so we can support each other.

Check out more frugal friday tips over at lifeasmom.com.

Pierce's Highlights for the Week

Here are the deals that I see this week. As always, be sure to check out their website or ad directly to ensure I didn't miss anything.

Page one

----------

Triscuit or Wheat Thins $2, use $1 MQ

Philadelphia cream cheese $1, use $1.25/3 MQ

Pace salsa $2

Broccoli $0.68/lb

Tombstone pizza, in ad coupon for buy 3 get 1 free- check the prices to make sure this is a deal

Ground Chuck $1.88/lb

Page two

---------

Kraft singles, shredded or chunk cheese $2, use $1/2 MQ

Kraft parmesan cheese $2.98, use $1 IP

Page three

----------

application for the new card program

Page four

---------

Ortega refried beans $0.88, use $0.75/2 MQ

Baked Lays chips $2.88, use $1 IP
Ro-Tel tomatos $1, use buy 2 get 1 MQ
Velveeta in store coupon for $1 off- combine with $1 IP
Johnsonville brats $2.78, use $1/2 MQ
Nabisco ritz or crackerfuls $2.50, use $1 MQ
Hidden Valley dressing $2.78, use $1 IP
Totino's party pizza $1

Page five
---------
Surefine pasta $0.88
Velveeta shells & cheese 3/$4.98, use $1.50/2 IP and get BBQ sauce free when you buy velveeta
KoolAid packets 8/$1
Swiss Miss hot cocoa $1

Page six
--------
Dole salad bags $1.50
Avocados $0.98
T. Marzetti dips $2.50, use $0.75 MQ

That is all I see folks. Happy shopping.

Walgreens for the week

There is no picture folks, because I decided to skip Walgreens this week. I've got enough enough 'stuff' for right now and I wasn't overly impressed with the deals going on.

I love that we have enough so I can take a week off here and there. I've got other things going on this week.

Good luck to you guys though!!

Finally, the February menu plan

I got it done today and want to get it posted for you to check out.


February Menu Plan

1. Chicken thighs, green beans, fries/baked potato
2. Turkey/rice soup or hotdogs, fresh bread
3. Pork chops, rice, veggies
4. Pizza
5. Leftover soup or cheese quesidillas
6. lunch: birthday party, supper: beef stew
7. lunch: at friend's house, supper: sandwiches
8. Chicken, rice, peas
9. Pork tenderloins, corn, fries
10. Spaghetti
11. Pizza
12. Brats, baked beans, salad
13. lunch: turkey tetrazinni, supper: lasagna
14. lunch: tukey, green bean casserole, supper: leftovers, fruit smoothies
15. Broiled chicken breasts, rice, veggie
16. Pork, salad
17. Breakfast for dinner
18. Pizza
19. Fish, rice, peas
20. lunch: hot dogs, mac 'n cheese, supper: ????
21. lunch: sub sandwiches, smoothies, supper: cheeseburgers, chips
22. Chicken, veggies
23. Out for dinner
24. Breakfast for dinner
25. Pizza
26. Tacos
27. lunch: pork roast, veggies, mashed potato, supper: leftovers
28. lunch: manwich, chips, supper: ????

I only have a couple of empty spots in the plan. I guess I will deal with them when I get there. Maybe I will feel inspired more by then.

Happy planning to you!