Calendar

This past Christmas Santa gave S a small calendar in his stocking (I think he found it in the Target dollar bins).  We keep S's calendar on the fridge to give him a visual of the passage of time.  At the start of each month I mark weekends with happy face or star stickers and S knows that is when "Daddy is home" and I mark his school days with an apple or star sticker.  I also mark special holidays or events.  Then we X each day out as we go along.  I think it has really helped S see how time passes and patterns in our week.  He is also starting to learn some days of the week and months as well. 

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

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. 

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!

Target $0

I am a little disappointed in my Target trip this week.  Target had some really great deals this week, but one of two things kept happening to me.  Either the coupon was regional and my coupon inserts didn't have the coupon or I had the coupon, but my Target was out of stock.  Anyway, I guess I can't complain about getting Hefty storage bags and Always pads for free!

Hefty One Zip storage bags
$0.97 (17 ct. gallon bags on price cut)
- 1.00 (11/1 RP;  Note:  I had 50 cent ones in 2 of my inserts and a $1 in the 3rd insert.  Go figure.)
= free

Always Infinity pads (18 ct or less)
$3.99
- 3.99 (FREE box mailer coupon from Being Girl sample)
= free

Total OOP = $0

Target Toy Coupons

Target has released printable toy coupons that expire November 25th.  There should also be a copy of a coupon book at the customer service desk with the same coupons.  Some of these coupons have manufacturer's coupons that you can stack.  Thrifty Jenny has a complete list.  A few that catch my eye are...

• Tonka Scoot n Scoop $37-$20 printable = $17
• Leapfrog Alphabet Pal $20-$10 printable = $10
• Leapfrog My Puppy Pal $15-$5 printable = $10
• Leapfrog Tag Reading System $40-$10 printable-$10 manufacturers = $20

Note: prices are from Target.com and may not reflect exact store prices

Playskool Coupons

After I posted my Target trip with Mr. Potato Head, I realized I should let you know about the printable Hasbro/Playskool coupons that are currently out.  They don't expire until after Christmas, so I will keep an eye out from now until then for sales. 

These are the toys included:

-$10 Dance Cam
-$5 DinoRoars Hatchlings
-$10 DinoRoars Stompers
-$2 Mr. Potato Head
-$5 Mr. Potato Head Silly Suitcase
-$5 Mr. Potato Head Spud Buds
-$10 Musical Sit N Spin
-$5 Playskool Activity Ball
-$5 Playskool Busy Ball Popper
-$3 Playskool Gloworm
-$5 Playskool Step Start Walk’nRide
-$5 Swing N Score Baseball
-$5 Tumble N Twirl

Right now, the Musical Sit and Spin is on sale $20 at Target until Sunday, so you can get it for only $10 with the coupon and Mr. Potato Head is on price cut (not sure how long) for $7, so you can get one for only $5!  Some of these would make good toy donations for the holidays as well.

Thanks, Saving with Shellie!

Target $3.96

Mr. Potato Head (for Christmas)

$6.99 on price cut

- 2.00 (printable)

= $4.99

Chex Mix (x3 in checkout lanes)

$0.99

- 1.00 (Target printable)

= free

Alexia Cruchy Snacks

$2.25

- 2.25 free bag coupon (mailer)

= free

Reach floss (x2)

$0.97

- 1.00 ( 10/18 RP)

 = free

Black gloves (dollar bins to make puppets with, stay tuned)

$1.00

Kotex pantyliners (20 ct in travel bins)

$0.99

- 1.00 (mailer)

= free

Glade candle tin and refills (Buy 5 Glade winter fragrances, get $5 Target gift card promo)

$2.50 each x 5 = $12.50

- $1.50 (x3 found in tins)

- $2.50 (x2 buy tin, get refill printable)

= $3.00 OOP and earn $5 gift card and $5 rebate

*Note:  This deal is a little complicated so I will link you to my source, Couponing to Disney.  I did scenario #2 and plan to do the SC Johnson $5 rebate. 

Used a $5 gift card from previous trip

Total OOP = $3.96 and earned another $5 gift card and will earn $5 SC Johnson rebate

Target 101 and belated $12.78 trip

I apologize that this post is so belated.  This week's deals end tonight, so some of the items below won't be on sale tomorrow.  However, I will give you a brief Target "how-to".  There are a few things to consider with Target deals:

1.  You can use one Target coupon and combine it with one manufacturer's coupon for the same item (ideally an item that is on sale). 
2.  Look for gift card deals in the Sunday ad and try to combine with coupons.
3.  Look for trial size, dollar bin, and checkout lane deals.  Some coupons do not specify the size of the product and can be used on items from Target's trial/travel size bins, dollar bins, or checkout lanes to get them for free.

Here's this week's trip.  Though it doesn't look very healthy, I made some notes as to my reasoning:

Quilted Northern toilet paper (12 pk)
$6.49 on sale
- $1.00 (printable)
= $5.49

Chex Mix (x4 in checkout lanes)
$0.99
- 1.00 (printable)
= free

Pond's Facial Towelettes (in trial bins)
$0.97
- 1.50 (printable)
= free

Kotex pantyliners (x2 20 ct. in trial bins)
$1.97 for 2
- $1.50 for 2 (10/4 SS)
= $0.47 for 2 boxes

Snickers bar
$0.64
- 0.64 (free mailer coupon no longer available)
= free

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (x2)
$4.00 for 2 boxes on sale
- 1.50 for 2 (printable or 8/30 RP)
- 0.50 (Target printable)
- 0.50 (Target printable) note: use 2 Target coupons for 2 boxes
= $2.00 for 2 boxes ($1.00 each)
note:  S does not eat these.  They are my indulgence.

Skippy Peanut Butter
$2.04 on sale
- $1.00 (Target printable)
= $1.04
note:  We eat "stir" peanut butter, but since this was a good deal, I bought it for baking.

Mott's (no sugar added) Applesauce (x5)
$1.75 each on sale
no coupons available, but $5 gift card earned
note:  Applesauce is much cheaper by the jar, but we use these at restaurants for S or on trips and $0.75 each after the gift card deal is pretty good.  Also, I know it's a lot, but it doesn't expire for a year. 

Total $17.82
Paid $5.04 with Target gift cards from past deals

Total OOP = $12.78 and earned a $5 gift card

Target $0

I didn't go to Target last week because there weren't deals that I felt were worth the trip.  This week was kind of the same, but my husband likes Chex Mix and we were running low on toilet paper, so I went:

Chex Mix (x4 in checkout aisle)

$0.99

- 1.00 (Target printable)

= free

Arm and Hammer toothpaste (x4 travel size)

$0.97

- 1.50 ($3 off 2 from 8/16 SS)

= free

Up and Up Target brand toilet paper (6 rolls)

$3.34

- 1.00 off $3 Up and Up (mailer)

- 1.50 (mailer)

= $0.84

Paid $0.84 using my gift cards from the Kashi deal

Total OOP = $0

Target $13.87 plus $10 giftcard

Today's total may not look like a great bargain, but it is because in addition to all the products shown I also earned $10 in Target giftcards from this week's Kashi promo (I forgot to include them in the photo) to use during my next visit; not to mention we love Kashi products!

Tide Stain Release (x1)
$3.79
-1.50 manufacturer's (arrived by mail in free sample request)
-1.50 Target (RP 8/23)
=  $0.79

Chef Michael's wet dog food cans (x6)
0.84
-0.84 B1G1 (Target printable; used 3)
-0.84 (3 FREE can coupons found in bags of dry food from last week!)
= free

Kashi TLC crackers (x2)
$2.54
-1.50 (Kashi peelie)
= $1.04 each

Kashi TLC cookies (x1)
$2.54
-1.50 (Kashi peelie)
= $1.04

Kashi waffles (x2)
$2.28
-1.00 (Kashi peelie)
= $1.28 each

Kashi chewy granola bars (x1)
$2.88
-1.50 (Kashi printable)
= $1.38

Kashi frozen meals (x2)
$2.88
-1.00 (Kashi peelie)
= $1.88 each

Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal (x1)
$2.88
-1.50 (Kashi printable)
= $1.38

Kashi Heart to Heart oat cereal (x1)
$2.88
-2.00 (Kashi mnf. coupon; arrived with free sample of cereal in mail)
= $0.88

TOTAL OOP = $13.87 and I earned $10 (2 x $5) in giftcards to use next week!

Target $2.13

Here are my Target deals from today.  I only spent $2.13!  The Annie's Bunny Grahams are a splurge, but S (and I) love them.

Chef Michael's dry dog food 24 oz (x3)
$4.49
-3.00 (8/23 RP)
-1.50 (Target printable)
= free

Chef Michael's dry dog food 5 oz (x3)
= free with coupon (8/23 RP)

Chef Michael's wet dog food (x6)
B1G1 coupon (8/23 RP)
B1G1 coupon (Target printable)
= free

Softsoap bodywash (x2)
$2.99
-1.00 (8/30 SS)
-1.00 (Target peelie from Skintimate shave gel)
= $0.99 each

Cheerios single serving cups (x3)
$0.95
-1.00 (Target printable)
= free

Annie's Bunny Grahams (x1)
$2.39
-0.50 (Target printable)
= $1.89

Total OOP $2.13