Color Wheel

Here's an activity I did with S a long time ago and we repeated again this week since he was recently enjoying the below books so much. 

To make the color wheel, I just divided a paper plate into six sections and then we painted in the primary colors (red, yellow, blue), leaving an empty section between each one.  We then went back and mixed two colors to discover the secondary color (orange, green, purple) that was made and painted the section in between.

On a money saving/space saving note, I only buy bottles of red, yellow and blue paint since they can easily be mixed to make other colors.  

CVS, Target, and Randalls $5.65

I had some catching up to do on deals today since we've been sick.  As a result, I missed out on several, but here's what I did accomplish:

CVS

Aussie shampoo

$2.99

- 1.00 (RP 2/14)

= $1.99 and earned 2 ECBs

Used 1 ECB

Total OOP = $1.07 and earned 2 ECBs

Target

Puffs facial tissue (x2) Note: I opened them before I remembered to get a picture

$1.99

- 1.00 (mailer)

= $0.99 each

Glade candle tin (x2)

$3.32 ($1.66 each)

- 3.00 ($1.50 manufacturer's coupons found in tins)

-1.00 (Target mailer)

= +$.68 overage earned for both

Method laundry detergent 64 loads

$7.48 (orig. $14.99, on clearance since Method has new packaging)

Used $5 Target gift card

Total OOP = $4.58

Randalls (Kroger Stores)

Right Guard antiperspirant (x2)

$1.00 each

- 1.00 (printable $2 off 2)

= free

Total OOP = $0

CVS $0.12

Slimfast Bars (x2)
$4.99
- 1.25 (printable)
= $3.74 each and earned 3 ECBs
*Note:  I am not on a diet, but received a Peanut Butter Crunch sample in the mail and was hooked!  They are so yummy. 

Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste
$2.99
- 1.00 (Jan. All You Magazine)
= $1.99 and earned 2 ECBs

Dove Men's Bodywash (x2)
$5.49
- 1.25 (1/31 RP)
= 4.24 each and earned $10.98 ECBs

Used 15 ECBs earned from survey participation as a CVS Advisor
Used another 3 ECBs

Total OOP = $0.12 and earned 15.98 ECBs

My $12 Mall Trip

Children's Place (Monster Sale 50% off reduced merchandise)

Toddler Boys Cargo Pants (x2)

$3.50 each

= $7.00

Dillard's

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser (full size)

= free (mailer)

The Limited

women's tee

$19.50

- 15.00 (printable)

= $4.50

Godiva

truffle *not pictured ;)

= free piece of chocolate per month (Godiva Rewards Club)

Total OOP = about $12

CVS $4.84

Well, I spent more OOP than usual, but the Oust deal was a $2.00 money-maker and I earned 9 ECBs in the transaction:

Oust Air and Surface Sanitizer (x2)
$7.98 ($3.99 each)
- 3.99 (BOGO 1/13 SS)
= 3.99 for both and earned 6 ECBs

Cottonelle wipes tub and refill 84-ct combo pack
$5.98
- 0.50 (mailer)
= $5.48 and earned 3 ECBs

Used 5 ECBs

Total OOP = $4.84 and earned 9 ECBs

$10 off $30 Borders

You can print a $10 off $30 Purchase coupon to Borders.  The coupon expires 1/18.  You need to be a Border's Rewards member to use it, but it's free to sign up if you aren't already.  Border's doesn't only have a great selection of children's books, but also educational toys (Melissa and Doug, Larui, Alex, etc.). 

Thanks, Saving with Shellie!

Babies R Us Trip a 66% Savings!

I spent $15.93 today at Babies R Us and saved $32.20 (a 66% savings)!  Here's the trip:

Earth's Best Diapers (Jumbo packs) x3
$11.99
- 6.99 (on sale discount; limit 3)
- 2.00 (BRU printable; Note: you only need to print one and it will apply to all three packs)
- 1.50 (Earth's Best printable; Note: I was only able to print one and I think Earth's Best has now pulled the coupon)
= $1.50 for one pack and $3 each for the other 2

Gerber Graduates Utensils x2
$10.98 for both sets ($5.49 each)
- 2.44 (BOGO 50% off)
- 1.09 (20% off one item BRU mailer)
= $7.45 for both

Pampers Wipes travel pack
$1.39
- 1.39 (Free with any baby purchase coupon in BRU mailer)
= free

Target Dollar Bin Mailboxes

I thought some of you may be interested in these.  Target has these cute little tin mailboxes in the dollar bins.  I bought one for S to give him on Valentine's day with something inside.  But I thought they would also be great for pretend play.

Note:  They are small.  The above photo makes them look rather large. 

CVS $1.05

Olay Regenerist facial cleanser (x2)

$6.99 each

- 3.00 (11/29 PG)

= $3.99 each, but will submit $15 Olay rebate

Colgate Total toothpaste

$2.99

- 1.00 (Jan All You magazine)

= 1.99 and earned 2 ECBs

Ivory 3-pk bar soap

$0.99

- 1.00 (12/27 PG)

= free

Used 7 ECBs correction 9 ECBs

Total OOP = $1.05 and earned 2 ECBs and $15 rebate

Amazon Toy Outlet

There are some great Amazon Toy Outlet deals right now.  You can narrow your choices down by age, type, brand and/or discount in the left column.  You may find some great deals to use for future gifts.  The prices and selection seem to change frequently.  Here are a few that stood out to me this evening:

Update:  These are no longer available at these prices, but check Amazon outlet for other deals!

• Melissa and Doug Chunky Noah's Ark puzzle $8.98
• Plan Toys Shape Sorter $9.99
• Little People Dump Truck $6.99
• Lauri Number Puzzles $6.99
• Learning Resources Hide 'n' Peek Chocolates $11.99 (not a great deal, but would make a cute Valentine's Day gift)

CVS $0

Well, it's been a while since I've couponed, but I couldn't pass these up:

Neosporin Lip Health
$ 5.49
- 3.00 (printable)
- 2.50 Clip-free coupon (rings up with card)
= free

Oral B Satin Floss
$2.88
- 1.00 (11/29 PG)
= $1.88 and earned 2 ECBs

Oral B Toothbrush
= $2.99 and earned 2 ECBs

Nivea Bodywash
$5.99
- 2.00 (printable)
= $3.99 and earned 5 ECBs

Complete Contact Solution
= $9.99 and earned 9.99 ECBs

Used 15 ECBs earned from filling out a CVS Advisor Panel survey
Used an additional 4 ECBs

Total OOP = $0 and earned 19 ECBs

Holiday Robeez

Perhaps I am the last mom to figure this out, but I have always wondered why they make Robeez in sizes beyond "walking age" and then it dawned on me that they would make great slippers/indoor shoes in the winter.  S has been running around barefoot at home until now.

Robeez.com has their holiday slip-ons marked down to $12.99 with free shipping.  While they aren't my favorite appliques, they will do for house shoes. 

Also, when you order a pair of slip-ons, Robeez donates a pair to a child in need which makes the $12.99 well worth it. 

Finally, make sure you order via Ebates, Shop at Home, or another to get 7% cash back.  If you are unfamiliar with these, you can read Money Saving Mom's post about "Stretching Your Dollars Online".

Christmas Little People $9.99

The Fisher Price Store has the Drummer Boy set and the Christmas Parade set on sale for $9.99 each.  It's free shipping with code FREESHIPHP.  We have the Nativity ($25 at Target NOT on sale) and S has learned "angel, Baby Jesus, camel, and donkey" so far.  I like to have seasonal toys that are taken out each year because I think it adds to the excitement and specialness of the holiday.  Also, if you're like me, I am eager to give S one of his Christmas gifts early because we haven't had anything new around here in a long time and this would be a good one to play with now.

CVS $10.84

Well $10.84 may not seem great, but I earned 14 ECBs and diapers cost money.  Though we are a Pampers family, I was sucked in by the Huggies deal.  Here's today's trip:

Huggies Jumbo pack diapers (x2)
$18.99 for 2 packs

- 4.00 (2 x $2.00 mailers)

= $14.99

Huggies Mega pack wipes
$6.99
- 0.50 (mailer)

= $6.49 and earned 5 ECBs for spending $20 on Huggies

Clean and Clear Facewash (x3)
$5.49 each
- 2.00 (printable)
= $3.49 each and earned 5 ECBs for spending $15 on Clean and Clear

Used a $5 off $30 printable for taking a Medicare quiz

Used a "Earn 4 ECBs on $20" card found in the CVS Season to Save booklet at store

Used 14 ECBs 

Paid $5 on CVS $5 giftcard earned for free by purchasing a CVS eGift card at CVS.com

Total OOP = $10.84 and earned 14 ECBs and an extra $1.25 for submitting a Caregiver's Marketplace form for the Huggies diapers

Note 1:  You can get FREE contact solution at CVS too this week, but my store was all out by the time I went this afternoon :(

Note 2:  Saving with Shellie has CVS Black Friday deals posted.

Reader Question: Coupon Organization

A reader asked:  "Would you do a post on how you organize your coupons?"  There are 3 basic components to how I keep my coupons organized:

1. Large accordian file for Sunday inserts:  I keep the inserts whole and write the date at the top.  I then file them by month.  This way if I read about a deal and the coupon is from "11/8 RP" I can just pull it out and snip.  I like this because there is no unnecessary cutting.  If I need to buy something and I want to know if I have a coupon for it, I use A Full Cup's coupon database to search for it.  It's free to sign up. 
2. Small accordian file for loose coupons:  This is used for coupons I receive in the mail; cut from magazines; print "in case"; pull from blinkies in stores; find in or on packaging; cut out of an insert and planned to use, but never did; etc.  It is organized by type of coupon (bathroom, cooking, dairy...)  I go through and clear the expired ones out at the end of each month. 
3. Envelopes:  When I plan a CVS or Target trip, I make my list on a junk mail envelope.  Note:  these are great for saving for many reasons.  I then store the needed coupons, gift cards, CVS card, printed coupon policy, a stock-up price list, etc inside the envelope to take with me.  I have a Target, CVS, Mall, and BRU/TRU envelope at all times. 

Just because this works for me, it may not suit your needs.  Some people like to cut out all coupons and make a coupon binder with trading card inserts.  Others like to carry around a box with little index dividers.  You just have to find what works for you.  Please feel free to share your own organization system in the comments.  Hope this helps!

{late} CVS $0.40

Things have been very busy around here and as a result I didn't go to CVS until today (which doesn't do you much good).  Chances are good I will go tomorrow as well for the start of a new week so stay tuned.  Here's this past week's deals:

Kleenex 110 ct. (x2)
$0.99
- 0.75 (printable)
= $0.24

Ragu (x3)
$1.67 each (3/$5 and earn 3 ECBS when you spend $10 in Ragu/Skippy/Hellmans)
- 0.30 (11/15 RP)
= $1.37 each and earned 3 ECBs

Skippy (x3)
$1.67 each (3/$5 and earn 3 ECBS when you spend $10 in Ragu/Skippy/Hellmans)
- 0.40 (11/15 RP)
= $1.27 each and earned 3 ECBs (same as above, not 3 more)

Earned 1 ECB for 4 visits with a bag tag

Used 8 ECBs

Total OOP = $0.40 and earned 4 ECBs

Kids Eat For

S is now to the age where we need to order him something of his own when eating out (which is on a rare occasion these days).  My husband showed me this site the other day and I thought my readers may be interested in it as well.  It shows you a calendar for your area of where/when kids can eat for free or cheap. 

Free Photo Ornament

Update:  I just learned from the company that this code was specifically intended for people that had purchased mall Santa photos which I was not aware of before posting.  I apologize for the misinformation.

You can get a free (no shipping!) photo ornament from See Here with code mallornament (Note: It's being reported some people are having trouble with the code, but are having better luck with a space after the code.  Try both ways I guess.  I'm not sure what I did, but it worked!)  You must choose one of the two $12.99 ornaments.  I ordered the white one with S on it, but used our dog above for illustrative purposes.  I am not sure when this offer expires. 

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Coats at Old Navy (Today Only)

If your child (or yourself) is in need of a coat for this winter, you may want to head to Old Navy this afternoon.  They are having a 50% off outerwear sale through the end of the day AND their Give and Get 30% Program (printable coupon) starts today, so the two deals overlap.  This means a $40 coat should cost about $14! 

Thanks, Babycheapskate!

Book Exchange and 30% off Borders

A friend of mine sent me a children's "book exchange" letter (AKA chain letter) about a month ago and since I am such a rule follower, I couldn't break it.  While I may not have received the 36 books that I was suppose to, it was worth partaking for these five wonderful books! 

One even sent an additional Border's gift card!  The timing couldn't have been better because Border's has a 30% off one item coupon (exp. 11/16).  You need to become a Rewards Member (it's free to sign up) before you use the coupon though. 

S and I went today to get him a book for under the tree with our 30% off and gift card combo and I was surprised by Border's vast toy selection.  They have lots of Melissa and Doug, Lauri, and Alex toys.  So you could also use your 30% off coupon on a Christmas gift for your little one(s).