Rays Get 10 Strikeouts, Free Pizza Again

Well they beat the Yanks Friday night but didn't get the strikeouts, and tonight (Saturday) they got the 12 strikeouts but lost the game 5-4. I hope they win tomorrow!. Anyway, If you're in the Tampa Bay area, that means FREE PIZZA from Papa Johns. Just go to www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com and print your certificate within 24 hours of the game. Then you have 3 days to bring it to a Kanes Furniture store near you to exchange it for a free pizza coupon. The coupons now are valid through 10/25/10.

Now you can bring in your Thursday 7/29 certificate and todays 7/31 certificate, to get 2 pizza coupons in one trip.

Window Shopping

A few weeks ago, the passenger window of the 04' Camry started failing us. The window started to lug and lurch when we tried lowering it or raising it, kind of like the motor was failing. We left it closed and decided we better get it fixed before our racing trip coming up in August. Well, today we're planning on giving blood after work and the location is near the car dealer. It would be an ideal time to both drive and then drop off a car, so I called the dealer to figure out whats involved.

 

Well to my surprise, it costs a bunch of money to make a car window go up and down. First there is the inspection fee to determine if its just the regulator or the motor, or both. And then of course they don't have parts for THAT in stock, so it takes a day to get it from somewhere else, another dealer or supplier. So essentially, it means two trips to the dealer - or leave the car for two days. For us its not that big a deal because we have other wheels to get to work, but for some people this would suck.

 

So I'm wondering what is the value of the having a window go up and down, and what is the urgency to do it. Personally, we do not like to own cars or anything for that matter, that is makeshift or only partially operable. I like everything to work as designed, so we usually fix anything that breaks right away, or we replace it. I hate broken crap, or using stuff that doesn't work. I hate that the back window windshield wiper on the SUV is wacky and only clears 1/2 the window, but I guess I can live with that. But can I live with a window that doesn't go down? Maybe. Is it worth $682 to have the window go down? Maybe.

 

But you know us - the frugal ones, we have to check out our options, call another dealer who might have parts, find a competitor coupon that they would match, or go to the local guy Elmer around the corner who's done good work for us before on the cars. I might even check out youtube to see if there's a video on how to do it myself. Who knows it might be really simple, just to pop out the door molding and pop in a quick connect regulator. Its possible. I could seek advice from my un-frugal brother who is a service manager at a dealer, but he would tell me to quit being so cheap and just bring it to the dealer.

 

We ultimately will get the window fixed because the car only has 64,000 miles on it and is intended to last forever for us. But for now all we'll be doing is some window shopping.

Boost My Blog Friday

hosted by Designitchic

 

Welcome Blog Hoppers -

 

Good Morning, Happy Friday, Payday (once a month for us gov workers)! I'm excited for the Rays to kick Yankee ass in the sold out 3 game series, which means more free pizza if they get 10 strikeouts each game.

 

Leave a comment and I'll come check out your blog too!

Rays Get 10 Strikeouts Again - Free Pizza

Thery're on a roll, first a no-hitter on Monday night, and then Tuesday night the Rays got 10 Strikeouts, and again today, Thursday! If you're in the Tampa Bay area, that means FREE PIZZA from Papa Johns. Just go to www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com and print your certificate within 24 hours of the game. Then you have 3 days to bring it to a Kanes Furniture store near you to exchange it for a free pizza coupon. The coupons now are valid through 10/25/10.

Now you can bring in your Tuesday certificate and todays certificate, to get 2 pizza coupons in one trip.

My Time Is Worth More

Last night we were scheduled to work security at the Dave Matthews concert at the amphitheatre. We've worked that show four times in the past, and every single time there are thunderous storms and heavy blowing wind. This time was no different, except the storms blew in before the show, right as we were getting off work from the boring government work day. I read a great blog post on www.WiseBread.com about replacing a crappy job. The first sentence was about the crappier the job is, the easier it is to replace. Or in my case, just don't go.

 

We ended up calling off the concert gig, blaming it on car problems and we couldn't make it there. I felt terribly guilty about it, but I had been dreading the drama that goes along with working security. First the weather always is a factor, with extreme heat conditions and warnings to limit outdoor exposure. Here we were planning on standing for at least 6 hours straight in the heat. The other unknown is where we'd be deployed. The gates suck because you have to stand in the sun and search peoples bags, and throw away their beverages that they try to sneak in. I hate doing that, so I usually ignore the beverage if I can and not have some other newbie security guy next to me point out that I missed it. Also working the lawn sucks too because the people are so wasted and they just pee everywhere and smoke all kinds of things up there, and generally are loud and drunk and obnoxious. Anyway, there are only a few good positions for security where you can have nice guests who paid too much money for their tickets to get wasted and miss the show up front. These are usually assigned to the regular workers who come to every single event, obviously we don't have the clout anymore.

 

I went for a walk with a friend on our afternoon break, and we were discussing the concert and my dread of going to another job after work. He asked why we were doing it, since he knew we have seen DMB many times, plus we don't particularly care for the music - its kind of sleeper. I guess it helps if you're buzzed which we aren't when we work. He knows its not for the money, a measly fifty bucks each to work a show. I can save more than that in one good grocery shop using coupons! I didn't have a good reason why we worked security. We've done it for six years and have attended hundreds of concerts, so there's rarely a performer that comes along we haven't already seen that we want to see.

 

So, here I have two gnawing coincidences today, the blog post and my conversation with my friend. Both made me question working security. I realized my free time is worth more than they pay me. I didn't want to give up my evening of free time. I'm not sure I can put a price tag on what my free time is worth, but now I know its at least $50.

Rays Get 10 Strikeouts = Free Pizza

Thery're on a roll, first a no-hitter on Monday night, and now Tuesday night the Rays get 10 Strikeouts. If you're in the Tampa Bay area, that means FREE PIZZA from Papa Johns. Just go to www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com and print your certificate within 24 hours of the game tonight. Then you have 3 days to bring it to a Kanes Furniture store near you to exchange it for a free pizza coupon. The coupons now are valid through 10/25/10.

 

They'll probably get 10K on Wednesday and maybe Thursday too, so you could wait to visit Kanes until Friday and turn in 3 certificates at once, saving yourself extra trips to the store.

Evil Scale Update

Well I'm happy to report I've lost 2.4 lbs in my first week dieting and exercising. Last Monday I started documenting everything I eat and all my activities on www.fitday.com and its amazingly hard to cut back on calories. I thought I ate good, but morning snacks are my downfall after riding my bike to work. I get so hungry. Right now its almost lunch time and my stomach just aches with hunger. Its painful losing weight! I also need to give up the alcohol every night, those 2 beers a night add up to 1400 calories a week. When it takes 3500 calories deficit to lose a pound, those drinking calories don't help!

 

So I did pretty good riding my bike 10 miles daily, and walking an hour at least 4 days, but the beer and the chicken wings on Saturday night were a setback. I did see the evil scale tip up slightly. I don't like to see the yo-yo pattern at all, since that's always been my downfall. I lose 3 lbs a week, but then gain a pound on the weekends with my excess consumption. This weekend I rode my bike 10 miles each day to make up for my otherwise lazy ways on the on the weekend, so that was what saved me this week.

 

Here's a chart of my calories eaten vs calories burned and I managed to burn more than eat all days, so that's good.

 

7-25-10 Two Coupon Inserts

There will be 2 coupon inserts this Sunday, 7-25-10, a Redplum and Smartsource.

Smartsource

$1/1 2000 Flushes Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner

$1/1 Almay Cosmetic product, any x10/16

$1/1 Clearasil product, any x10/17

$1/1 Colgate 360 Sonic Power Toothbrush, any x8/14

$.40/1 Colgate Adult/Kids Manual Toothbrush (excludes: Plus or Extra Clean) x8/14

$.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste 4oz+, Any, x8/14

$.50/1 Colgate WISP 4ct. or 8ct. product, x8/14

$1/1 Colgate WISP 16ct. product x8/14

$1.50/1 Farmer John Bacon x8/29

$1.50/1 Farmer John Lunch Meat, Package of 16oz. x8/29

$.75/1 Franks RedHot Sweet Chilli or Wings Sauce x9/30

$.50/1 Franks RedHot Sauce x9/30

$1/2 Fritos Corn Chips 9.25oz.+ AND Fritos Dip 9oz., any flavor/variety x9/11

$1/1 Goof Off Brand Product, any x12/31

$2/1 ICAPS Vitamin Formula, any x10/31

$.50/1 Irish Spring Body Wash (excludes 5.5oz.) or (2) Multi-Bar pack 3pk+ x8/14

$.50/1 New York Brand Frozen Product, any x10/31

$4/1; $4/2 OPTI-FREE Solution (2) 10oz. or Twin Pack x10/15

$.25/1 Palmolive Liquid Dish Soap (20/25oz.) x8/14

$1/1 Post Cereal 10oz.+ any variety

$1.50/2 Post Cereal (10oz.+), 2 of any variety and Milk (1gal.) x9/10

$1/1 Rayovac Alkaline or Hearing Air Batteries, any x9/25

$3/1 Schick Disposable Razor Package (excludes 2ct.), any x9/5

$3/1 Schiff MegaRed x10/31

$2/1 Schiff Mega-D3 x10/31

$5/1 Schiff Move Free Advanced 80+ x10/31

$3/1 Shiff Glucosamine Product x10/31

$2/1 Schiff Vitamin or Supplement (excluding MegaRed, Mega-D3, Glucosamine & Move Free) x10/31

$1/8 Scott Extra Soft Bath Tissue, off 8 or more rolls x9/5

$1/4 Scott Paper Towels Long Lasting Tolls or Mega Rolls, off 4 or more x9/5

$.50/1 Scott Naturals Flushable Wipes Tub or Refills x9/5

$1/1 Snyder's Of Hanover Pretzel Sandwiches, 8oz+, any x10/31

$1/1 Snyder's Of Hanover Lunch Packs, 5.5oz.+, any x10/31

$.50/1 Speed Stick Deodorant or Lady Speed Stick (Excludes 0.5oz.) x8/14

$1/1 Softsoap Brand Body Wash 12.0oz+ x8/14

$.35/1 Softsoap 8.5oz.+ Liquid Hand Soap x8/14

$.50/1 Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap Refill 28oz.+, any x8/14

$2/1 Systane Product, any x10/31

$1/1 Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever Product, any x8/28

$3/2 Triaminic Products, any x8/28

$1/1 Tyson Grilled & Ready Fillets, any x9/30

$1/1 Tyson Frozen Breaded Chicken, any x9/30

$1/1 Tyson Any'tizers Wings, any x9/30

$1/1 Tyson Any'tizers Snacks, any x9/30

$.50/1 Yoplait Delights Yogurt Multipack, any flavor x9/18

$.50/1 Yoplus Yogurt, 4pk, Any flavor x9/18

$.75/2 Yoplait GoGurt or Yoplait Trix Multipack x9/18

$.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups (original, Light, Thick & Creamy or Whips) or Any Flavor Yoplait Original or Light Smoothie x9/18

$.40/1 Ziploc Brand Bags, any x9/18

$1/2 Ziploc Brand Bags, any x9/18

 

RedPlum

$1/1 AcneFree Kit

$1/1 Betty Crocker Brownie Toppings

$2/1 Cheer BrightClean

$0.40/1 Dannon Light & Fit (6 6oz cups or any 1 Light & Fit 4-Pack)

$1/2 Dentabites or Hairball Temptations Treats for Cats

$3/2 Flintstones and One A Day Multivitamin

$2/1 Flintstones Multivitamin 

$1.50/1 Goodlife Recipe Food for Cats

$1/2 Kellogg's Eggo and/or Cinnabon Frozen Products

$1/2 Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch, Raisin Bran Crunch, Raisin Bran Extra or Raisin Bran Cereals

$1/2 Kellogg's Special K Cereals, 11.4 oz or larger

$1/2 Kellogg's Special K Protein Products

$3/1 L'Oreal Collagen Micro-Pulse Eye 

$2/1 L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

$1/1 L'Oreal Paris Cosmetic

$2/1 L'Oreal Shade of Preference or Root Rescue

$1/1 L'Oreal Skincare

$1/1 L'Oreal Studio Line or VivePro Glossy Styling Product

$2/1 L'Oreal Visible Lift or any L'Oreal foundation, powder, blush or concealer

$1/1 L'Oreal Vive Pro Shampoo or Conditioner

$0.50/1 Luigi's Real Italian Ice

$1/1 M&M's Pretzel, 9.9oz or larger

$1/1 Marble Mix'ins Ice Cream Toppings

$0.75/1 Minute Maid Frozen Novelty

$1/1 Nature's Bounty Vitamins or Supplements

B2G1 Nivea Body Wash for Women-B2G1 Nivea BW Men's FREE

$1/1 Nivea For Men Body Wash

$3/1 Nivea Happy Sensation Body Lotion, 13.5 fl oz

$1/1 Non-Kit Acne Free Treatment

$1/1 One A Day Multivitamin

$1/1 Pedigree Good Bites

$1/2 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars

$0.55/1 Renuzit Adjustable

$2/1 Renuzit Crystal Elements

BOGO Right Guard or Dry Idea, Up to $4.49

$1/2 Snickers Brand or Twix Brand Ice Cream Miniature

$2/1 Sun Crystals All-Natural Sweetener

$1/2 Temptations Treats for Cats

$3/2 Therma Care, 2ct or larger 

$3/2 Venus Disposables, 2ct or 3 ct 

$4/2 Venus Disposables, 6ct 

$0.50/1 Whole Fruit Fruit Bars

$0.50/1 Whole Fruit Sorbet

$10 off $20 Busch Gardens Tampa

What a great deal! If you're a passport member you probably received an offer in the mail this week that you might have overlooked. Its an offer for $10 off $20 to use towards purchase in your favorite restaurant, on merchandise in the park or any of the up-close or behind the scenes tours. It does NOT exclude alcohol, so you could get four beers ($5.49 ea) and only pay for two! This offer can't be combined with any other discount, and can't be used toward admission or games.

It is valid thru September 6, 2010.

 

To get your coupon, just go to one of the self serve kiosks outside the entrance and scan the bar code of the letter, click on Redeem Pre-purchased Internet Passport Vouchers and your coupon will print out.

 

Enjoy the Park!

The Evil Scale Is Back

This month we've been trying to clean out the little freezer so we can defrost it, and also empty out the primary freezer to make room for ice. We're planning on driving over 700 miles in August to go to one of the NASCAR races, so we can bring everything we want, including beer. Which is why we need to start making ice. So, in between the free Papa John's 10" cheese pizzas from the Rays Strikeout deal, we've been eating DiGornio pizzas, TGIF snacks like chicken wings, potato skins and cheesey artichoke dip with Tostitos. Along with that we ran out of berries so we're eating Fisher Fusion Nut snacks, Emerald Snacks and Cascade Farm granola bars for our morning snacks. Don't all these products sound familiar? That's right, they were all free or just about from using coupons.

 

Well, despite eating healthier cereal for breakfast and a salad for lunch, we've gained weight this year - especially in the last month. I have reached my threshold where I must do the turn around. Even though I ride my bike 10 miles a day, and walk 4 miles about 5 days a week, the fattening food has won again. I vow to quit buying that prepared packaged food, even if its free. Since we finished our kitchen remodel in March, we have a regular kitchen to prepare again instead of just the microwave to make our meals. Thankfully, all the Contessa meals are gone, along with the breaded fish fillets, and most of the steamers veggies. What a perfectly good way to make vegetables bad for you. Ugh!

 

So I'm starting a diet today, using my food and exercise log at www.fitday.com to track my consumption. My goal is to lose 15 lbs in 60 days. The method will be to track calories consumed, and calories burned with the simple goal of burning up more than I consume. No foods will be prohibited, but by logging in my food log it will be evident I need to drink less beer on Friday nights, and probably cut some Buffalo Chicken Wings from my meals.

Publix Sneak Peek 7/22-7/28

BOGO'sPeter Pan Peanut Butter 40oz jar BOGO $4.49
Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli In Tomato And Meat Sauce 15oz can BOGO $1.49
Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail 101oz bottle BOGO $5.39
Kellogg's Special K Cereal 11.4 to 19.5oz box BOGO $3.99
Ken's Steal House Marinade & Sauce 16oz bottle BOGO 2.79
Kraft Real Mayo 30oz jar BOGO $3.99
Del Monte Diced Tomatoes 14.5oz BOGO $1.49
General Mills Cereal 10.7 to 14oz box BOGO $3.49
Ruffles Potato Chips 10oz bag BOGO $3.99
Nabisco Honey Maid Grahams 14.1 oz box BOGO $3.99
Arnold Select Sandwich Thins 8ct pkg BOGO $2.99
Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks 6.06-7.04oz bag BOGO $2.97
Lysol Disinfectant All purpose Cleaner 22-32oz bottle BOGO $2.69
Glade Essential Oils Candle 4oz jar BOGO $3.49
Meow Mix Dry Cat Food 3-3.5lb bag BOGO $4.89
Smucker's Preserves BOGO $3.19
Campbell's Chucky Soup BOGO $2.39
Kellogg's Nurti Grain Cereal Bars 7.8-10.8oz box BOGO $3.49
Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper 4.4-7.5oz box BOGO $1.59
Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Cake Mix 18.25oz box BOGO $1.69
Duncan Hines Creamy Homestyle frosting 16.2oz tub $1.49
Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water 12pack BOGO $3.79
Publix Peanuts 16oz jar BOGO $2.37
Blue Bird Donuts 10-11.5oz bag BOGO $2.59
Keebler 100 Calorie Right Bite Cookies BOGO $3.19
Wrigley's Eclipse Gum 60ct bottle BOGO $3.29
Spray 'N Wash Laundry Stain Remover 12-22oz bottle BOGO $2.99
Right Guard Sport 3D Odor Defense BOGO $2.79
Publix HydroCortisone 1% Cream BOGO $3.99
Popsicle Ice Pops 21.6-39.6oz box BOGO $2.99
Tombstone Pizza 18.1-29.5oz pkg BOGO $5.49
Pillsbury Pancakes 12ct 14.5-16.4oz box BOGO $2.19
Crayola Colored Pencils BOGO $2.39
Crayola Markers BOGO $3.69
Krazy Glue BOGO $2.79

Back To School Time!
Fiskars Kids Scissors BOGO $2.49
Crayola markers 8ct box BOGO $3.69
Master Lock 1ct BOGO $4.99
Sharpie Permanent Markers BOGO $6.99
Pilot G2 Retractable Gel pen 2pk BOGO $2.99
Pilot Frixion Bal Gel Pen 2pk BOGO $3.99
Poly 2 pocket 3 Tang folder 1ea BOGO $.79
BIC Mechanical Pencils 10pk 3/$3
$1/2 Bic Stationery Products, Any – 08-09-09 SS
Arizona BackPacks 25%off (Priced from $7.99-14.99)
ZAK lunch kits 25% off Priced around $9.99
Crayola Crayons 24ct box 3/$1
PaperMate Pens Flexgrip elite 2ct pkg or PaperMate Ball point pens 10ct pkg 2/$1
Dixon no. 2 Pencils 10ct pkg 3/$1
Top Flight notebooks 1ct 3/$1

Un-Advertised Specials
Lawry's Seasoned Salt 11-16oz bottle BOGO $3.45
Entenmann's Loaf Cakes 11.5-14oz box BOGO $4.29
Borden Grade A Milk 32oz carton 2/$5
Oral-B Toothbrush 1ct 2/$3

GROCERY
Bush's Baked Beans 16oz can $0.89
Chicken of the Sea Tuna in water 4pack 2/$4
Crisco Oil Pure Canola 48oz bottle 2/$5
Pepsi 12pack cans 3/$12
Pepsi 2 liters Buy 2 Get 1 Free ($1.69)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher 8pack 2/$10
Smart Balance Milk ½ Gal Carton 2/$5
Dannon Yogurt 6oz cup 20/$10
Pillsbury Cookies Ready to Bake! 2/$5
International Delight Coffee Creamer 2/$5
7UP 12pack cans Buy 3 for $10 get 1 Free
Maxwell House (31.5 oz can) or Seattle's Best (12oz bag) Coffee $5.99
Maxwell House Decaf or 100% Colombian $6.99

HOUSEHOLD
Publix Greenwise Market Charcoal 8.8lb bag $4.99
Publix Ultra Fabric Softener $2.99
Soft Scrub Cleansers (includes Total Bath & Bowl cleaner) with bleach 24-28oz bottle 2/$5
Glad Zipper Bags 30-50ct pkg 2/$5
Bounty Quilted napkins 200ct pkg $2.99
Duracell Batteries 24ct pkg $10/99
Kleenex Viva Paper Towels 4-8roll pkg $6.99
Purex Ultra Laundry Detergent $4.99
Kleenex Cottonelle bath tissue 12roll pkg $5.99
Dixie Cups Plastic Party pack 40-100ct pkg 2/$7
9' Wood or Aluminum Umbrella $39.99

HEALTH & BEAUTY
Crest Toothpaste 6.4oz tube 10/$10
Centrum Multivitamin's 25% off
Dove Hair Products 7oz bottle 2/$6
Publix Disposable Razors 4ct pkg 2/$7
Olay Various Body Washes and Bars $5.49
L'Oreal Revitalift Wet Cleansing Towelettes $5.99
Muscle Milk Nutritional Shake 4pack $6.49

FROZEN
Green Giant Frozen Vegetables 7oz box or bag 10/$10
Edy's Grand Ice Cream 1.5qt carton 2/$7
Amy's Pizza 6-14.5oz box 2/$10
Stouffer's Homestyle Entrees 6-20oz box 4/$10
Hot Pockets stuffed sandwiches 6.5-9oz box 6/$10

PET
Iams dog food 15.5-20lb bag $16.99

BABY
Publix In-Ad Q $3 off Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers 48-156 ct box $19.99
Huggies Baby Wipes Mega Pack (184-213ct pkg) $5.99

PRODUCE
Fresh Express Salad Blends BOGO
California White Seedless Grapes $1.29/lb
CA Peaches and Nectarines $1.99/lb (FL stores only)
GA and SC Peaches $0.89/lb (Outside FL Stores)
Western Grown Cantaloupes 2/$5
CA Grown Strawberries 2/$5
Russet Potatoes 5 lb bag $2.99
Tropical Mangoes BOGO
Northwest Grown Cherries $2.49/lb
Apio Eat Smart Veggies 2/$4
Grape Tomatoes 2/$4
CA Red Black or Purple Plums $1.29/lb
Sliced Seedless Watermelon $0.45/lb
Publix Reco Juice 1 Gal $2.99
Tropicana Orange Juices 2/$6
Egg Plant $1.29/lb
Red Delicious Apples $1.29/lb
Publix Carrot Sticks $1.69ea
Cucumbers 2/$1.19
Okra $1.99lb
Yellow Squash $1.29/lb
Zucchini Squash $1.49/lb
Red Bell peppers $3.49/lb
Green Skin Avocados $1.69
Rainer Cherries 16oz pkg $4.99
Eat Smart Asian or Broccoli Salad kit 2/$5
Publix or Fresh Express Spinach 2/$4

Thanks to www.truecouponing.com and Slickdeals for the Sneak Peek.

$1.82

We went for a motorcycle ride to run to Publix and Albertsons to get a few items. Luckily we had the T-Bag to hold all our boxes of cereal and toilet paper because as it happened, the Albertsons in Valrico is still stocked with the Marcal Small Steps TP and paper towels.  We spent $1.82 for all this stuff, saving 98%, or $76.86.

Publix Yellow Advantage Buy 7/17-8/6

The new Publix Yellow Advantage Buy Flyer is valid starting Saturday July 17 through August 6. You should be able to find it in your store tomorrow, if not already.

Here are the coupons in the flyer, all Publix except the magazine coupon is MQ.

 

$.55/1 JIF Peanut Butter

$2/1 Wanchai Ferry Frozen Meal or Macaroni Grill Frozen Meal 24 ozFREE Skinny Cow Frozen Treats Multipack wyb 4 Lean Cuisine Frozen Entrees
$1/1 TGI Friday's Complete Skillet Meals 24 oz

FREE Pint Fresh Blueberries wyb 2 Ocean Spray Blueberry Juice 64 0z$1/1 Sorrento Ricotta 32 ozB1G1 Cole's Garlic Mini-Loaf
FREE (5) 20 oz bottles vitaminwater or vitaminwater zero wyb (10) 20 oz bottles vitaminwater or vitaminwater zero$2/1 smartwater 1L 6-pack

$1/1 Southern Living Magazine (exp 10/31)

 

Here's a good deal on canned dog food - Get 6 Cesar Cusines, stacking use two B2G1 TQs and three B1G1 MQs.

You end up paying $0.70 for one, the other 5 are free.

 

Cesar Canine Cuisine dog food, 10/$7
-B2G1 Cesar Canine Cuisine Entree printable
-B1G1 Free Cesar Canine Cuisine Entree printable
-B2G1 Cesar Canine Cuisine Entrees (Target coupon) 05-23 RP

My Coupon Holder

I've evolved over the year from a paper envelope to my latest coupon holder that I carry with me to the store.  The envelopes worked okay but I didn't like the crinkly window plastic making noise. Plus the paper envelope only lasted about a month before the sides were ripping and the window was pooping out. So, I got this clear sturdy plastic poly envelope from the Florida State Lottery. They gave them out free for some promotion when you bought tickets at the State Fair or some other promotion.

 

I love this carrier because it is see through and I can just slip my list in the front with the coupons I'll need for sure right near the front to. Then I use a hair binder to keep it closed. I keep all my store cards and my Publix gift cards in there too, so it needs to be secure. This way I can lay it in the basket of the shopping cart and read my list, and not have to juggle the coupons too. I just pull them out at the end of the shop and verify quantities.

 

I do carry extra coupons for moneymakers items or free stuff in case I want to get them, or need a filler. I also have my rain checks and competitor coupons that I carry, so it sometimes gets a little fat. But then I know its time to clean out, usually when the Advantage Buys end and I need to restock with the new deals coupons.

 

I also put a return address sticker on the inside in case I ever lose it and someone decides they want to be nice and return it. I would recommend labeling your coupon holder with at least a phone number so if you misplace it in the store, someone who finds it could just call and you might actually still be in the area. Good luck with that, but at least you've made an effort to help the finder find you.

 

So here's my latest shop from Publix. Not the greatest (81% saved), but I'm getting a little burned out and I'm totally on budget with spending less than $100 a month this year. We used to spend $5000 a year on groceries, which now amazes me now. I'm glad we have all the tools to make couponing so profitable with our store ad match ups and sneak peeks, coupon databases, forums and blogs and of course our wonderful grocery store coupons booklets and flyers that allow stacking.

 

15-Jul	19		46.93	12.27	26.49	tax	8.84	19	-81.17%
Product	qty	price	subtl	-B1G1	-Q		total	Q#	Q details
lettuce	1	1.49	1.49				1.49
carrots	1	1.69	1.69				1.69
banana	1	0.32	0.32				0.32
mushrooms	1	2.69	2.69				2.69
cucumber	1	0.65	0.65				0.65
cantalope	1	2.50	2.50				2.50
tomato	1	0.50	0.50				0.50
english muffins	1	1.49	1.49				1.49
Bulls Eye BBQ sauce	1	1.50	1.50		1.50		0.00	1	free coupon
Kellogs Fiber Plus cereal BOGO	4	3.99	15.96	7.98	7.00		0.98	8	$1/1 MQ+ 0.75/1 TQ
Cereal GM Total BOGO	2	4.29	8.58	4.29	3.00		1.29	2	$1.50/1 peelie
reusable bag	1	0.99	0.99		0.99	0.07	0.07	1	free wyb 2 GM products
Cover Girl nail polish	2	1.29	2.58		6.00	0.18	-3.24	4	$2/1 MQ+ $1/1 TQ 6-27pg
Cover Girl lip outlast	1	5.99	5.99		3.00	0.42	3.41	2	$2/1 MQ+ $1/1 TQ 6-27pg
$/$$ coupon		0.00	0.00		5.00		-5.00	1	$5/$25 competitor exp 7/15

$2 off Smart Balance Milk Coupon

Coupons.com has a coupon available for $2 off Smart Balance Milk. I just stocked up on this last week with my raincheck at Publix. It goes BOGO every so often. Its $3.59 for a 1/2 gallon so if you have it BOGO and use two of the $2 coupons, its a moneymaker!  You can print 2 times per PC. I used zip code 14075.

 

Twitter Hop Thursday

Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).

2. Click on the Twitter for the four hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they'll know where to follow you!

Spread the word and add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you'll see "Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code…." Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!

Marcal Small Steps $1

Well we waited a long time for this, and its finally going to happen. According to www.whosaysnothinginlifeisfree.com, the new Alberstons ad for 7/14-7/20, has a $5/$50 coupon, plus Marcal Small Steps paper products are on sale for $1.00.

 

This means its time to use the coupon we've all been saving: Marcal Small Steps FREE single roll towel, bath tissue or facial tissue, to $1 OR $1 off any Marcal Small Steps Towel, Bath Tissue, Napkins or Facial Tissue, coupon states "limit one coupon per person" - 06-13-10 SS - valid up to $1.00 (expires 07/25/10).

 

Yeah for free TP and paper towels!

Fisher Fusion Nut Snacks

These are one of my favorite snacks, and it is a bummer that Publix will no longer carry that product. According to Shopping Addict on slickdeals the spaces and product are no longer on the shelves. Gee, now what can I do with my remaining coupons? Does anyone know where to get a good deal on this with the $1/1 coupon?

$10 off $20 Kohls Coupon in Todays Paper

The front of this morning's Tampa  & St Pete newspapers has a "peelie" coupon good for a $10 off $20 purchase at Kohl's.  The coupon is valid July 14th through July 24th in stores only. It is good on everything - regular, sale, and clearance items and can be combined with % off coupons.

Should Unemployment Benefits Be Extended?

The 2009 Stimulus packaged passed last year authorized up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who have lost their jobs. Now almost 2 years later, some people are still unemployed, collecting at least $250/wk to stay out of work. That in my opinion is not a bad deal. These people have time to pursue new training, educating themselves for a different, more needed job, or to begin a business on their own. But do they want to do that? I'm not so sure.

 

Before you cast stones and say I'm being mean and I don't know what its like to be unemployed, you're wrong. I worked for fifteen years in the food industry and in the beginning of the decade I was laid off from 4 different jobs within 2 years. The companies eliminated my research and development position, or closed the facility to move operations to another state, or cut back on quality control since it was an expense. I was on unemployment briefly for a month before finding another position. But now I make 25% less money than I did in the food industry. But I have a job. Luckily its a stable job. But I certainly didn't take it for the money, or for the stimulation. I make the same amount of money now that I made just a few years out of college. But I know better than to quit in hopes of making more money, or getting more personal satisfaction from a job - its too risky for me. So I hang out in a terribly boring job.

 

I don't think Congress should extend the unemployment compensation past 26 weeks for people. There are jobs out there and they need staff. I have other part time jobs doing security for concerts and sporting events, and secret shops at restaurants. Its not much money, just over minimum wage - but I do it for the event, not the money. But my part time employers are contacting us weekly because they need more people to work.

 

Most people on unemployment don't want to lose their full benefits to work and only earn half as much. I can understand that. The government is demotivating people from working, when they can stay home and not work - but bring home more money.  So the incentive to not work needs to go away. Unemployment compensation needs to stop after a reasonable amount of time. I think 26 weeks is reasonable.

 

By the time Congress returns from its July 4 recess this week, more than 2.1 million unemployed people will have missed checks. The House passed a bill to reauthorize the benefits last week; a similar bill did not pass in the upper chamber due to a Republican filibuster. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that as soon as there is a replacement for the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), Democrats will have the 60 votes they need and the bill will pass. If Reid is correct, layoff victims will be paid retroactively for any missed checks. Without a reauthorization, 3.2 million long-term unemployed will have found themselves ineligible for extended benefits by the end of the month.

 

Maybe when the unemployment gravy runs out, people will get back to work.

Publix Sneak Peek 7/15-7/21

I was getting a new box of cereal off the stockpile shelf and noticed I'm getting a little low on supply, less than a dozen boxes. So, lucky for me I have some of the good peelies for GM cereals because they're going to be BOGO this coming week. For a complete listing with most of the coupon matchups, check out True Couponing.

That One Coupon...

You know how sometimes you're reading the store sales with the coupon match ups and think, I wish I had that one coupon. That happened to me this week since Publix finally has the 18 lb bag of Purina One Dog Food on sale. The salmon flavor is the only one my dog should eat because other brands and flavors irritate her skin allergies. Anyway, there was a single page flyer available in Publix last month for $3.50/1 and I never was able to locate a copy. I have a bunch of the $2/1 but that was almost half the value of the elusive $3.50 Q.

 

I looked every time I was at Publix, which is about 3 or 4 times a week, but never found the Purina flyer. I finally figured I needed to try to buy some. But it wasn't listed on any coupon clipper sites. I did see it for sale on ebay, but the price was too high and shipping killed the deal. Plus I needed it this week - I haven't had the quickest deals ever go through on ebay. So I started perusing the forums, like Slickdeals and Hot Coupon World for trades. But since I've never traded, I don't have much clout. I signed up on some blogs on the trader wall for ISO (in search of) coupon and no response.

 

So how did I get the coupon, you're wondering. Well, I PM'd one of the forum members who happened to make an entry about the seeing the Purina coupons. Sure enough, this person had nine copies of the coupon I needed, and she wasn't going to use them. We agreed on 10% cost (0.35 ea) and the cost of a stamp. I used paypal to pay her (use personal, gift check boxes to ensure no fees are added), and she mailed the coupons.

 

Sometimes, if you really need THAT ONE COUPON, try searching the forum for a keyword. Ask individuals if they have them. It works, but you need to think outside the box and be persistent. If you're frugal you're persistent anyway so that shouldn't be a problem.

Free Food But No Free Beer

For our daily exercise yesterday, we decided to take a lap around Busch Gardens. I happened to notice all sorts of people with the bright neon wristbands indicating they had purchased the Play All Day & Dine For Free offer. Since the takeover of Anheuser Busch last December by Merlin, there have not been many improvements and upgrades in the theme park. Granted they did have the spring concert series, but nothing special on July 4th this year - just fireworks.

 

Anyway, I find it ironic that they stopped serving free beer samples in January of 2009 and their attendance tanked. The former hospitality house has been empty most days, and no one dances to Dr. Dave or Andre as they play the piano by the bird gardens. But now they want to get more business since it has not been the same since. So if you're willing to shell out $74.99 for a full price ticket, they'll give you a $30 meal plan. The plan is actually pretty good, and if you can be frugal and "share" the food with your partner, its not a bad deal.

 

But Busch Gardens certainly doesn't act like they appreciate Florida residents at their park. Even people who don't spend hundreds of dollars when they visit, are good for making it seem like the place is crowded and a cool place to be. They take away the free beer, but now they give away free food. I've got to think the food deal costs them more than a few 10 oz beers.

 

By the way, if you haven't gone to the Summer Nights events, you're missing out on some good entertainment. Jeff Civilico the juggler, was there last year and now has shows on Fri, Sat & Sun only. Each of the three daily shows is different and funny. I like the 6:30 pm show where he gets male audience members to help him get up on his unicycle.

 

We haven't been to the Kinetix show yet, but were intrigued by the preview of three jugglers with glowing face paint and glow in the dark clubs. We're planning on seeing it this weekend.

 

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for the free beer.