Falling off your coupon wagon lately???

I am wondering if anyone has fallen off the coupon wagon lately???

I personally never really fall “off the coupon wagon” but probably because I have learned to stockpile.  After you build your stockpile you can take some “weeks” off of shopping which gives you a break from having to get in on every single deal or from even shopping on a weekly basis.  There are several weeks I end up taking off from shopping.  It is a great break for me and then I live off my stockpile during those times.

If you want to get started couponing or if you have fallen off the wagon, the best piece of advise I can give is to always keep up with clipping and filing your coupons if you use the binder method. There is nothing more overwhelming or discouraging than having a “sea” of coupons that you need to clip. Have you ever had that feeling? If you ever get in this situation don't hesitate to ask for help from your family or friends. They can help you clip coupons, sort and file them. Once you get back being organized you can get deals and save money again!

Here are a few tips to keep you "ON your wagon"

1. Keep your coupons clipped, filed and organized every week. Create a routine and stick to it. Pick a specific day. 
2. Rely on Kouponing Kristyn to do the hardest work for you! I post the deals so all you have to do is grab your coupons!
3. Consider using a coupon clipping service. It is a great way to organize larger quantities of coupons so that you can stockpile when the deal cycles. There are a lot out there so go and price around to find what works for you. 
4. Organize your coupons in a system that works for you. I change my methods around a lot. Right now I use the Couponizer. I have also used the binder method. I end up clipping coupons that I would use if the items were to go free or near free.
5. Know the coupon lingo – if you do you will be able to save more and understand all of the deals that are posted.
6. Don’t stress out about getting in on “every” deal. The deals go in cycles and they will come back around.
7. Enjoy saving money! There is no other “job” that I get so much enjoyment from, ok except for being a mommy. I love leaving the store on a “coupon high” and saving the money to provide things for my family (and others) that they would not normally have. I also LOVE being here to help YOU save money!!!

Hopefully this helps a little if you feel a little overwhelmed and maybe have fallen off your coupon wagon :-)


Kouponing Kristyn 

The BEST of Meijer April 29 - May 5

The BEST of Meijer April 29 - May 5

Meijer MPerks has Ecoupons you can use in addition to manufacturer coupons. Here is the information on how to sign up and use MPerks. 

You should read up and print a copy of the Meijer coupon policy with you when you shop just in case you run into any issues.

Meijer DOUBLES coupons up to 50 cents. Anything 50 cents and over will be taken at face value.  This post is for the Fort Wayne, Indiana area.

Catalinas = These are rewards on purchases of promoted products with “catalinas”, also known as “check-out coupons”. These offer incentives good on your next shopping trip to that retailer. There is usually a 4-week window on any given program/incentive promotion.

RP = Red Plum from the Sunday paper

SS = Smart Source from the Sunday paper

GM = General Mills from the Sunday paper

PG = Proctor & Gamble from the Sunday paper

WYB = When you buy

WARNING: There are a lot of coupons in this ad match that EXPIRE April 30th!!! (Monday) - so shop right away for the BEST deals!!! :-)

MEAT

Certified Angus Beef Ground Beef from Chuck - $2.99/lb


Meijer Fresh Grade A Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Family Pack - $1.77/lb


Dietz & Watson Turkey OR Chicken Breast OR Ham - $6.99/lb


Sara Lee Pre-sliced Deli Meat, 10 oz pkg (excludes low sodium and roast beef) - 2 for $7


Meijer Chicken Wings OR Meatballs, 64 oz frozen - $7.49


Cook's OR Hormel Cure 81 Spiral Sliced Half Ham - $1.69/lb


Bob Evans Sausage Roll, Links or Patties, 12-16 oz pkg - $2.79
Bob Evans Express Links OR Patties, 8 oz pkg - $2.79
Bob Evans Bisquits and Gravy, 13.25 oz pkg - $2.79
Bob Evans Brown Gravy, 20 oz pkg - $2.79
Use $1/2 printable coupon
OR Use $.75/2 printable coupon
OR Use $.60/2 coupon from the 4/1 SS

Final price = As low as $2.29 each wyb 2

Boneless Whole Pork Tenderloin - $3.49

96% Lean Ground Beef, Fresh - $4.49/lb

Tyson Fully Cooked Entrees, 17 oz pkg, 20% off

Meijer Side Dishes, 20-24 oz pkg - 20% off

Certified Angus Beef Boneless Beef Loin Ball Tip Steak OR Sizzlers - $5.49/lb

Certified Angus Beef Loin T-Bone OR Porterhouse Steak - $7.99/lb

John Morrell Sliced Bacon, 12 oz pkg - $2.50

Eckrich Smok Y Links, 8.3 oz pkg OR Beef Franks, 16 oz Jumbo or bun size - $2.50

Ball Park Meat Franks, 12.8-16 oz pkg (excludes beef, turkey and grillmasters) - $1.50

Use $1/2 or $.75/2 coupon from the 4/15 RP

Final price = As low as $1 each wyb 2

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage OR Brats - $2.50

Use $.55/1 coupon from the 3/25 RP

Final price = $1.95

SEAFOOD

Fresh Skinless Atlantic Salmon Fillets - $6.99

Meijer Cooked Tail-on Shrimp, 36-40 ct pkg frozen - $7.99

Fresh Tilapia Fillets - $6.49/lb

PRODUCE

Florida Sweet Corn on the Husk - 8 for $2

Meijer Organics Sliced Portabella, 6 oz - $2.50

Meijer Organics Baby Bella, 12 oz - $2.50

Meijer Organics Grill Caps Mushrooms, 6 oz - $2.50

California Strawberries, 1 lb - $1.67

Fresh Bunch of Cilantro - $.50

Hot Peppers - $1.99/lb

Ataulfo Mangos - $.50 each

Extra large Avacados - $1.33 each

Premium Greenhouse Tomatoes - $.99/lb

Large Mangos - $1 each

Dole Salad Blends, 6-12 oz - $2.50

Marzetti Dressing OR Simply Dressed Dressing, 12-15 oz - $2.50

Use $.75/1, $.50/1, $1/1 coupon from the 4/25 SS

Final price = As low as $1.50 

COLD FOOD

Meijer Gallon Milk - $2.50

Dannon Light & Fit or Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt Cup - 10 for $5

Dannon Danimals, Crush Cups, Coolision, Danonino, or Crunchers - $1.89
Use $0.50/1 Dannon Danimals Crunchers from the 3/18 SS (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!)
Final price = $0.89 each 

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Tubs, Sticks, or Spray -  2 for $4
Use $1.25/1 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Product printable
Final price = $0.75 each --- GREAT PRICE!!!!
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - 3 for $5
Use $0.40/3 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls printable
OR Use $0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls printable
OR Use $0.40/3 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls from the 4/1 SS (this was a regional coupon)
OR Use $0.40/3 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls from the 3/11 SS (this was a regional coupon)

Final price = As low as $1.17 each wyb 2

Pillsbury Sweet Rolls - 3 for $5
Use $0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls printable or printable
OR Use $0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls from the 4/1 SS (this was a regional coupon)
Final price = $1.27 each wyb 2

Sargento Shredded Cheese -  3 for $6

Frozen Foods

Meijer Frozen Meatballs - $7.49

Ore-Ida Frozen Potatoes -  4 for $10
Buy 4, get $3 off your order instantly
Final price = $1.75 each wyb 4 after instant savings

Gorton’s Fish Sticks, Fillets, or Tenders - $4.99
Use $1/2 Gorton’s Products printable
Final price = $4.49 each wyb 2 

Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables - 5 for $5

Freshlike Frozen Vegetables - 5 for $5

Jack’s Original Pizza - 4 for $11
Use $0.75/1 Jack’s Pizza from the ALL YOU May Magazine
Final price = $1.75 each 

Healthy Choice Complete Meals, Steamers, or Modern Classics - 5 for $10
Use $1/2 Healthy Choice Frozen Traditional Classics or Modern Classics from the from the 3/25 SS

Final price = $1.50 each wyb 2 

Pantry Items

Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread - 2 for $2.22

Meijer Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns - 2 for $2.22

Meijer Potato Chips, Tortilla Chips, or Kettle Chips -  Buy 1 Get 1 FREE

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars or Dipps - 5 for $10
Use $0.75/2 Quaker Chewy or Yogurt Granola Bars from the 4/29 Pepsico Moments to Save
Final price = $1.50 each wyb 2 

Powerade or Powerade Zero - $0.79

Select Kellogg’s Cereal or Fiber Plus Bars - 2 for $5
Includes: Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran Crunch, or Frosted Mini Wheats
Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats printable
OR Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Raisin Bran printable
Final price = As low as $2 each wyb 2 

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix -  3 for $5
Use $0.40/1 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix from the 3/25 SS
Final price = $0.87 each

Nestle Morsels - $2.19
Use $0.50/2 Nestle Toll House Morsels printable
OR Use $0.75/2 Nestle Toll House Dark Chocolate Morsels from the 3/25 SS
Final price = $1.69 each wyb 2 

Select Quaker Cereal - 4 for $10
Includes: Life, Cap’n Crunch, or Oatmeal SquaresUse $1/2 Quaker Cereal printable
Final price = $2 each wyb 2 

Betty Crocker Cake Mix - 4 for $5
Use $0.75 off Betty Crocker Supermoist Cake Mix AND Ready To Spread Frosting from the 3/25 SS
Final price = $0.25 each wyb Betty Crocker Frosting - GREAT PRICE!!!!

Select General Mills Cereal - 4 for $10
Includes: Multi-Grain, Chocolate, Banana Nut, or Cinnamon Burst Cheerios or Honey Nut, Chocolate, or Cinnamon Chex
Use $0.75/1 Cheerios, Multi Grain Cereal printable or printable
OR Use $0.50/1 General Mills Original Cheerios Cereal printable
OR Use $0.85/1 General Mills Multi Grain Cheerios Cereal printable
OR Use $1/3 General Mills Cereal from the 4/22 SS
Final price = As low as $1.50 each 

Del Monte Canned Vegetables - $0.79
Use $1/4 Del Monte Canned Vegetables, Tomatoes or Fruit printable
Final price = $0.54 each wyb 4 

Aunt Millie’s Old Fashioned White or Multi-Grain Bread - 4 for $5

Aunt Millie’s Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns - 4 for $5

Ragu Pasta Sauce - 2 for $3

Creamette Pasta - 4 for $5

Old El Paso Taco Shells, Heat & Serve Rice, Chilies, Refried Beans, Enchilada Sauce, or Salsa - 5 for $5

Meijer Ready to Serve Soup - 8 for $10

Wish-Bone Dressing - 3 for $5

Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides - 5 for $5

Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels, Parfaits, or GoGo Squeez - 5 for $10
Use $0.50/1 Dole Fruit Bowls printable
OR Use $0.75/1 GoGo Squeez printable
OR Use $1/2 Dole Parfaits from the 1/29 SS (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!)
OR Use $1/2 Dole Gels from the 1/29 SS (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!)
OR Use $0.75/1 Dole Parfaits from the 1/29 SS (this was a regional coupon AND it EXPIRES April 30th!!!!)
OR Use $0.75/2 Dole Gels from the 1/29 SS (this was a regional coupon AND it EXPIRES April 30th!!!!)
Final price = As low as $1 each 

Tostitos Chips - 2 for $6
Use $1/2 Tostitos Tortilla Chips from the 4/29 Pepsico Moments to Save
Final price $2.50 each wyb 2 

Propel Zero - 10 for $5

Combos Snacks - Buy 1 Get 1 FREE

Household Items

Meijer Reclosable Bags - 2 for $4

Meijer Food Storage Containers - 2 for $4

Gain Laundry Detergent - $4.99
Use $1/1 Gain Detergent from the 4/15 RP
OR Use $1.50/1 Gain Detergents, Fabric Softeners, Sheets, Dryer Bars or Scent Boosters from the 3/18 RP (this was a regional coupon AND it EXPIRES April 30th!!!!)
OR Use $0.50/1 Gain Detergent, Fabric Softener, Sheets, Dryer Bar or Scent Booster (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!!!!)
Final price = As low as $3.49 each

Personal Care Items

Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick Deodorant -  $2
Use Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick from the 4/29 SS
Final price = $1 each wyb 2

Baby Care Items

Pampers Soft Pack Wipes - $1.99
Use $0.75/1 Pampers Wipes printable
OR Use $0.50/1 Pampers Wipes from the 4/1 PG (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!!)
Final price = As low as $0.99 each

Happy shopping!!

Kouponing Kristyn :-)

The BEST of CVS April 30 - May 5

The BEST of CVS April 30 - May 5

RP= Red Plum from the Sunday paper

SS = Smart Source from the Sunday paper

PG = Proctor Gamble from the Sunday paper

WYB = When you buy

EB = Extra Bucks (CVS cash to use on your next transaction)

CVS Reinventing Beauty Magazine - this is found in the cosmetics department and is $.99 - it has a lot of good coupons in it. Since they are CVS coupons, you can STACK these with manufacturer coupons!! :-)

Here is the coupon policy for CVS. I recommend you print out a copy and keep it with you in case you need to refer to it for any reason.

FREEBIES and MONEY MAKERS

Colgate MaxClean, SmartFoam, MaxWhite or MaxFresh toothpaste 6 oz - $2.99 
Get $2.49 EB (limit 2)
Use $.50/1 ; $.35/1 Colgate toothpaste 4.0 oz from the 4/29 SS
OR Use $1/1 Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste, (CVS Reinventing Beauty, Spring Magazine)
Final price = As low as $.50 MONEY MAKER!!!! after coupon and EB

CHEAPIES

Air Heads Xtremes Sour Belts 2 oz; Mentos rolls 1.32 oz or gum 14 to 15 ct - $.99
Use $0.55/1 Mentos Bottle from the 3/25 SS
OR Use $1/2 Mentos Up2U Packs from the 3/25 SS
Final price = As low as $.44 each 




Puffs 95 to 108 ct OR Puffs Plus 48 to 68 ct tissues - $.99
Use $0.25/3 Puffs singles or 1 3pk from the 4/29 RP
Final price = $.74 each wyb 3




Buy (3) Kellogg's Special K bars 5 -10ct OR multi-grain crackers 8oz OR Cracker Chips 4oz - 3 for $10 
Get $3 EB (limit 1)
Use $0.75/1 Kellogg's Special K Granola Bars printable OR printable
Final price = As low as $1.58 each for Special K bars after coupon and EB




Colgate 360 SonicPower, Sponge Bob or 350 Whole Mouth Clean toothbrush 1 ct - $5.99 
Get $2 EB (limit 2)
Use $2.00/1 Colgate Powered Toothbrush from the 4/29 SS
Final price = $1.99 each after coupon and EB




Nature Made Supplements $7.99 
Get $4 EB (limit 1)
Use $2/1 Nature Made CoQ10 printable
OR Use $1/1 Nature Made Fish Oil printable
OR Use $1/1 Nature Made Product printable
OR Use $1/1 Nature Made Vitamin B printable
OR Use $1/1 Nature Made Vitamin D printable
Final price = As low as $1.99 each after coupon and EB


Febreze Noticeables Dual scented oil refill 1 ct - $3.99
Use $0.50/1 Febreze Noticeables refill from the 4/29 PG
AND Use Buy Febreze Noticeables refill, get warmer free from the 4/29 PG
Final price = $2 each for the Febreeze refill AND warmer




Buy 2 Axe Shower Gel, Shampoo, Conditioner, Antiperspirant/Deoderant or Body Spray -  2 for $9 
Get $3 EB (limit 1)
Use $1/1 AXE Shower Gel or Detailer Tool printable
Final price = $2 each after coupon and EB




CVS Jumbo Pk Diapers or Training Pants - $6.99 
Get $2 EB (limit 1)
Final price = $4.99 each after EB




Happy shopping!


Kouponing Kristyn :-)

The BEST of Walgreens April 29 - May 5

The BEST of Walgreens April 29 - May 5

RP = Red Plum from the Sunday paper
SS = Smart Source from the Sunday paper
PG = Proctor & Gamble from the Sunday paper
GM = General Mills from the Sunday paper
WYB = When you buy
RR = Register Rewards (You can earn Register Rewards when you make a qualifying purchase of eligible item(s) advertised in the Walgreens Weekly Ad, or an in-store promotion. Your Register Rewards coupon will print out at the register, with your receipt, to redeem on your next shopping transaction. Limit 1 coupon printed per offer.)

Make sure you pick up a copy of the weekly circular with the in ad coupons AND a copy of the Walgreens coupon booklet found at the front of the store!

Please check out Walgreen’s coupon policy here. Also check out their new rebate program here.

FREEBIES

Starbucks Refreshers 12oz $1.49
Use FREE ONE Starbucks Refreshers Beverage (Pepsico 04/29/12)
OR Use the $1/1 printable coupon that was available last week I posted about
Final price = As low as FREEU by Kotex Feminine Care 18pk Sleek Tampons - $3.99
Get $3 RR
Use $1/1 U by Kotex Product printable
OR Use $1/1 Kotex U Product from the 3/25 SS
Final price = FREE!! after coupon and RR 

CHEAPIES

Black Forest, Haribo or Trolli 4.25 to 5 oz - $.79
$0.30/1 Haribo Product printable
$0.30/1 Haribo Printable (no longer available)
Final price = $.49 each 

Blue Diamond Almonds 6oz - Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Use $1/1 Blue Diamond Almonds from the 1/29 SS (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!)
Final price = Unknown

Lysol All Purpose 28oz, Bathroom or Mildew Remover 24 or 32 oz, Antibacterial Kitchen 22oz - Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Use $0.25/1 Lysol Various printable
OR Use $0.50/2 Lysol Products printable
OR Use $1/2 Lysol Cleaner Various from the 4/15 SS
Final price = As low as $1.30 each

Lean Cuisine 9 or 11.5oz - $2.59 each or 2 for $5
Use $1/4 Lean Cuisine from the 4/29 SS
OR Use 55¢ off when you buy THREE LEAN CUISINE® varieties
OR Use $3/3 Lean Cuisine Varieties 9 to 12oz or Nestle Skinny Cow Truffle Bar or Sandwich 6pk or Cone 4pk from the Walgreens, May coupon booklet)
Final price = As low as $1.31 each wyb 3

Simply Orange or Tropicana Juice 59oz - $3.49 each or 2 for $6
Use $1/1 Simply Orange Juice printable
Final price = $2 each

Noxema Disposable Razors 4pk - $3.99
Get $2 RR
Final price = $1.99 after RR


Buy (2) Colgate Optic White Toothpaste 4oz or 360 Toothbrush (excl 360 Clean) - 2 for $7
Get $3 RR
Use $0.75/1 Colgate 360 Manual Toothbrush from the 4/15 SS
OR Use $1/1 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste from the 4/15 SS
OR Use $1/1 Colgate Optic White from the 4/15 SS
OR Use $0.35/1 Colgate manual toothbrush from the 4/29 SS
OR Use $.35/1 Colgate toothpaste 4.0 oz+ from the 4/29 SS
Final price = As low as $1 each after coupons and RR


Buy (1) Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power or Manual Razor - $10.99
Get $4 RR
Use $3/1 Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor wyb Cartridge from the 4/1 PG (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!)
OR Use $3/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor WYB cartridge 4ct from the 4/29 PG
Final price = $3.99 after coupon and RR


Colgate Sonic Power MaxWhite or 360 Toothbrush or 2pk Brush Head Refills - $6.99
Get $3 RR
Use $2/1 Colgate powered toothbrush from the 4/29 SS
Final price = $1.99 after coupon and RR


Buy (4) Dove Shampoo or Conditioner 12oz or Styling Product or Treatments 1.35 to 8oz - 4 for $15
Get $5 RR
Use $1/1 Dove Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Product printable (print 4 coupons from different printers)
Final price = 4 for $6 ($1.50) after coupons and RR


Clean & Clear Skin Care or Body Wash - 2 for $10
Get $4 RR
Use $1.50/1, $1/1 Clean & Clear Body Wash from the 3/18 SS (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!)
Final price = 2 for $3 ($1.50 each) after coupons and RR

Old Spice Body Wash 2pk, 16oz ea - $6.99
Get $2 RR
Use $1/1 Old Spice Body Wash wyb Deodorant from the 4/1 PG (this coupon EXPIRES April 30th!!)
Final price = $3.99 after coupon and RR


Trident White or Dentyne Ice 60pk or Trident White Pouch 4.37oz - $2.49
Get $1 RR
Use $1/2 Dentyne Gum from the 3/4 SS (this was a regional coupon)
OR Use $1/1 Dentyne Gum Multi-Pack or Bottle from the 3/4 SS
Final price = As low as $.49 after coupon and RR

Happy shopping!

Kouponing Kristyn :-)

End of the month printable coupons - Get them now!!

Since we are almost at the end of the month it's time to print the coupons that are left for this month. Print any coupons you might want or need now. Ask yourself, “if this was FREE would I want it?”. If the answer is yes then print it! Here are the best places to print coupons:

COUPONS.COM REDPLUM SMARTSOURCE COUPON NETWORK

Happy printing!


Kouponing Kristyn

The BEST of Kroger April 26 - May 2

The BEST of Kroger April 26 - May 2

These are deals from our local region of Fort Wayne, Indiana. A lot of our store TRIPLE coupons up to 50 cents. Anything 51 cents and over will be taken at face value. Please review our region's store policy here. I always suggest you keep a copy with you when you shop.

RP = Red Plum from the Sunday paper

SS = Smart Source from the Sunday paper

PG = Proctor & Gamble from the Sunday paper

GM = General Mills from the Sunday paper

WYB = When you buy

TIP: Always check your coupons because you may have coupon for any of these products if you got them in the mail or printed them when they were available but aren't now. Also, check the coupons that Kroger sends you. You may have a KROGER COUPON that you can use with a manufacturer coupon to maximize your savings!!!! 

NOTE: If you use an eCoupon it will NOT triple. Only a paper coupon will triple. Any digital coupons that are loaded to your Kroger card won't. They are taken at "face" value. 

Meat

Tyson Boneless, Skinless Chicken - $1.87/lb


Assorted Pork Chops - $1.97/lb


USDA Choice T-Bone Steak - $7.99/lb


Angus Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast - $3.99/lb


Angus Ground Chuck - $3.79/lb


Kroger Smoked Sausage - $2.47

Produce

Navel Oranges, 4 lb bag - $2.99


Driscoll's Stawberries OR Blueberries - $2.50


Marzetti Veggie Dip - Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Use $.60/1 coupon from the 1/29 SS
Final price = Unknown


Florida Supersweet Corn - 10 for $3


Tomatoes on the Vine - $.97/lb

Pantry items 

Kellogg's Cereal, 11-17 oz (Frosted Flakes and Rice Crispies shown in ad, but hopefully there are more in the sale) - $1.99
Use $0.70/2 Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut printable
OR Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Crispix printable
OR Use $0.50/1 Kellogg’s Krave Cereal printable
OR Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies or Cocoa Krispies Cereals printable
OR Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats printable
OR Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Raisin Bran printable
OR USe $0.70/1 Kellogg’s Krave Raisin Bran Cinnamon Almond, Crunchy Nut Caramel Nut, or Frosted Mini-Wheats Little Bites Cinnamon Roll from the 4/1 RP (this was a regional coupon)
OR Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Krave Raisin Bran Cinnamon Almond, Crunchy Nut Caramel Nut, or Frosted Mini-Wheats Little Bites Cinnamon Roll from the 4/1 RP (this was a regional coupon)
OR Use $1/2 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Rice Krispies Gluten Free, or Cocoa Krispies from the 4/ RP (this was a regional coupon)
Final price = As low as $0.99 each 

Cheez-it Crackers, 9.714 oz - $2.49


Pepsi 12 pks - 3 for $9.98 (buy 2 Get 1 FREE)
Use (2) $1/1 Pepsi NEXT, Diet Pepsi OR Pepsi Max printable coupon
Final price = $2.66 each wyb 3

Powerade OR Powerade Zero - $.59

Kellogg's Pop Tarts, 6-8 ct - $1.99

Use $1/2 printable coupon

Final price = $1.49 each wyb 2

Select Keebler Cookies - $1.99
Use $0.70/1 Keebler Chips Deluxe Cookies printable
OR Use $0.75/2 Keebler Chips Deluxe Cookies from the 4/15 RP
Final price = As low as $0.99 each 

Keebler Club or Town House Crackers, $2.59
Use $1/2 Keebler Town House Crackers printable
OR Use $1/2 Keebler Club Crackers from the 4/1 RP (this was a regional coupon)
Final price = $2.09 each wyb 2 

Kroger Buns - $1

Kroger Bread - $1

Rice-A-Roni or Pasta Roni - $0.88

Kroger Salad Dressing - 2 for $3

Chicken of the Sea Tuna - $1

Kashi GoLean Cereal - $2.99
Use $2/1 Kashi Product (Recyclebank)
Final price $0.99 each  

Cheetos OR Fritos - $2

Vitamin Water - $1

Frozen

Eggo Waffles, Pancakes, or French Toast - 2 for $4
Use $0.75/1 Kellogg’s Eggo Frozen Product from the 3/11 RP (this was a regional coupon)
OR Use $0.75/2 Kellogg’s Eggo Frozen Product from the 3/11 RP

Final price = As low as $1 each 

Kroger Deluxe Ice Cream or Sherbet - 2 for $5

Freschetta Pizza - $4.49
$1.50/2 Freschetta Pizza from the 3/4 SS (this was a regional coupon)
Final price = $3.74 each wyb 2

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, $1

Household items

Dawn Dish Detergent, 9 oz - $1

Use $.50 coupon from the 4/1 PG

Final price = FREE

Happy shopping!!

Kouponing Kristyn 

Gluten FREE coupons and deals

Gluten-Free Coupons: $1.75/1 Barbara’s Cereal, $1/1 Erewhon Cereal, $1/1 Udi’s Frozen GF Pizza, $2/3 Stonyfield Oikos Yogurt, $1/4 Larabar or Jocalat Bars, $1/1 Snapple 6-pack, and $0.55/1 Mann’s Fresh Cut Vegetables. For a full list of available gluten-free coupons, go here.

Arrowhead Mills Organic Basmati Rice $2.90/Bag: Amazon has the Arrowhead Mills Brown Basmati Rice, 28-Ounce Packages (Pack of 6) priced at $17.41 (down from $25.99) and eligible for free Super Saver Shipping.

Glutino Breakfast Bars $3.38/Box: Also on Amazon, you can purchase Glutino Gluten Free Breakfast Bars, Blueberry, 5-Count Boxes (Pack of 6) for just $20.28 with Subscribe & Save (down from $37.20).

Yoga Earth Keen-Wah Bar Giveaway: Just 2 days left to enter the giveaway for a box of 12 Keen-Wah Bars by Yoga Earth.

Save 45% on Baked Goods by Three Senses Gourmet: Gluten-Free Saver’s deal this week is for 45% off Gluten-Free Chocolate Souffles, Smothers, Brownie Bites, and Brownie Pops by Three Senses Gourmet. This deal includes shipping.

Amazon Freebies: Today, you can pick up Whole and Gluten-Free (The Whole Foods Kitchen), a compilation of gluten-free whole food recipes, for FREE. Remember, you do not need to have a Kindle to take advantage of these freebies!

Cooking With Kayla: Looking for kid-friendly gluten-free recipes? Check out my new series, Cooking With Kayla. Each week my daughter and I take a recipe and test it out in our gluten-free kitchen!

Thanks Gluten Freely Frugal!

Th

Where do my coupons go after I use them at the store???

If you have ever used coupons at store, then you know the routine. You cut coupons out of newspapers and magazines, take them to the store and use them to get discounts on certain products. A coupon is really the same as cash. For example, if you have a $1.00 off coupon on a box of cereal, the cashier takes the coupon as though it were cash.

After the cashier takes the coupon, the store has a small piece of paper that is worth cash, but in order to get the cash the store has to mail the coupon to the manufacturer. On the front of coupons in fine print, the manufacturer lists the mailing address and states that it will also reimburse the store some amount of money for processing -- typically 8 cents per coupon. Redeeming a coupon would not be that bad if there were only a few of them, but major grocery chains collect millions of them. At that scale it becomes a major headache! The whole process seems overwhelming, but coupons remain enormously popular and that is why they continue. A coupon is, essentially, free money, and free money is hard to stop!!

If you use coupons, you know that when you reach the check out counter, you hand the cashier your coupon(s). The cashier scans them and puts them into the cash drawer. What happens next depends on the store, but here's a typical process. At the end of the day the coupons in each cash drawer are added up as if they were cash, and that amount is added to the cash sum to be sure the overall total for the drawer is accurate. Then all of the manufacturers' coupons (and any coupons issued by the grocer) are sent in plastic bags or pouches to the store's corporate headquarters, typically once a week.

In the big store chains, the value of the coupons can easily total several million dollars per week. There is a person in headquarters in charge of processing the coupons. That person boxes all of the bags of coupons (still separated by the individual stores from which they came) and ships them to a third-party clearinghouse.

This is where the big work starts. The clearinghouse has to sort through millions of coupons, largely by hand. The first goal is to separate the coupons by manufacturer. Another goal is to separate coupons with scannable UPC codes from damaged (torn, smudged, etc.) coupons. This is so much hand work that some clearinghouses pay other clearinghouses -- in Mexico, for example -- to do part of the work. One system places scannable coupons face up on a conveyor belt, where they are moved along under a scanner that reads the UPC codes and tallies the amounts, then adds up the total value of each manufacturers' coupons. Damaged coupons that can't be scanned have to be sorted by hand and added up separately. The other system is to do the whole thing by hand. The clearinghouse then sends all the sorted coupons with an invoice to the manufacturer.

Several things can happen here. The manufacturer might reimburse the clearinghouse for the amount of the invoice, and the clearinghouse will send a check to the store for the amount of the coupons. Or the manufacturer will send a check directly to the store and the store then pays the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse is paid a certain amount per coupon by the store, plus shipping and handling. The whole cycle takes about a month. In many cases, the manufacturer will recount the coupons to avoid fraud -- a process that may send the coupons through another clearinghouse!

Whew!!!!....who knew that a little idea of a $.25 coupon could turn into a BIG redemption process!!! Well, now you know the behind the scenes story of what happens to your coupons :-)




Happy shopping!!

Kouponing Kristyn

eCoupons, the secret to using them and the pros and cons of them

eCoupons, the secret to using them and the pros and cons 

What exactly is an E-Coupon?

An E-Coupon is just a fancy word for an electronic coupon. These coupons can be added to your loyal customer/shoppers card via the web using your computer or phone. The only stores around the Fort Wayne area that use e-Coupons are Kroger and CVS. They save both time and paper which I think are two good pluses.

So how do E-Coupons work?

Well, E-Coupons are easy to use. Once you have found an E-Coupon service for a store where you shop, all that you have to do is register, add your shoppers card number to your account, and review the list of available coupons. You can then choose which coupons you would like to use and add them to your card. That’s it! When you go shopping, these coupons will automatically be redeemed at check out.

Where can I find E-Coupons?

The first place to look for E-Coupon is on a store website. Kroger Grocery chains are especially good about highlighting all of the ways you can save at their store, and will often include links to the eCoupon service(s) that they are using.

Here is a list of E-Coupon services that I am currently aware of that has our list of stores in the Fort Wayne area:

* Upromise – offers E-Coupons at a variety of stores: CVS, Kroger, and Meijer. 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 other E-Coupons, Upromise coupons can be used in conjunction with manufacturer’s coupons! Upromise E-Coupons are updated monthly. If you haven’t yet explored the eCoupon section of the Upromise site, here are instructions on how to register your shopper card numbers and use the Upromise eCoupons:

* Got to here if you haven’t already, otherwise log in to your account

 - Click on My Account and look for View Profile in the left hand nav bar. Click on Add Grocery Cards and input your zip code for a list of participating stores.

 - Enter your shopper card numbers and hit submit.

 - Click on Coupons & Deals in the top navigation bar, then click on Grocery eCoupons

 - Select the eCoupons you’d like to use.

 - Click Activate Coupons and head to the store! When you purchase a participating product using one of the shoppers cards you registered with Upromise, the amount of the eCoupon will be deposited into your Upromise account.

Now....My Upromise eCoupons are loaded and ready to go!



* Cellfire.com - offers savings on shopping, entertainment and restaurants via mobile web, PLUS grocery E-Coupons for Kroger. These coupons are updated bi-weekly. You also have the option of printing coupons from this site.



* Shortcuts.com – offers E-Coupons for Kroger and CVS. You can click on the links to register your store card and view coupons offered by those programs. You also have the option of printing coupons from this site.


* SavingStar.com - offers E-coupons for Kroger and CVS. You use your loyalty card at checkout (note: The total on your receipt does not change at checkout and the savings are not printed on the receipt). Your money is automatically added to your SavingStar account within 2-30 days! This means you can use their eCoupon WITH a manufacturer coupon. They will email you when your savings post. Once you hit $5.00 in your SavingStar account you can cash out. You can either 1) Deposit to your bank account 2) Deposit to PayPal 3) Put on a Amazon.com gift card 4) Donate to AmericanForests.org (protects and restores forests)

Here are some eCoupon Pros

* No clipping and/or lugging coupons to the store. Once you set up your account and register your card, these services are quick and easy to use.

* You can print a shopping list from each E-Coupon site letting you know what coupons you have loaded on to your card.

* Sometimes we see E-Coupon for store brand products (Kroger in particular).

Here are some eCoupon Cons

* You have to be extremely careful to purchase the *exact* item (size, brand etc…) specified on the e-coupon. For example, if you purchase a 6 oz. tube of Colgate Total and the e-coupon is only good for 4ozs., the E-Coupon won’t work.

* Once you have added an E-Coupon to your card, you can’t remove it unless it expires or you use it.

* If you have added an E-Coupon for the same product using two different services, there is no way to control which E-Coupon is redeemed first. For example, if I add a $1.50/1 Huggies coupon on to my Kroger card using Cellfire.com and a $1/1 Huggies coupon on to my Kroger card using Shortcuts.com, I cannot choose which coupon is redeemed first. If I buy 2 packs of diapers in one transaction, both should be redeemed, however.

* These coupons are redeemed at face value – which means no doubling or tripling. – My TIP for getting the most out of your coupons is if you are going to shop at Kroger and have a paper coupon that is for $.50, use that so it will double/triple (depending on which store you go to). If you load a $.50 eCoupon onto your Kroger card it won’t double/triple. You will save more using the paper coupon.

* There is typically a limit to how many coupons you can load on to your card (per service), and most coupons are only available for a one time download (per card #).

Now...I know the CONS list is longer than the PROS but I still think that eCoupons are a great and easy way to save! If you know how to use them it's worth it!

E-Coupon and Manufacturer Coupon “Stacking”

As of right now, you cannot use a eCoupon AND a manufacturer coupon together. You can use one or the other. Choose the best saving and convenient method for you.

If you have additional questions or comments please feel free to post them here :-)

Happy eCouponing!

Kouponing Kristyn