Friday Follow

Welcome to Friday Follow, hosted by Never Growing Old. Look around, leave a comment and I'll follow you back.

Enter To Win Tampa Bay BUCS Tickets

This contest is my only chance this year to attend a home Tampa Bay #BUCS football game, unless I want to work security for $10/hr and stand on the gates touching fat bellies of sweaty football fans, pretending I'm trying to prevent them from sneaking in suicide bombs at RayJay Stadium. But I can't ask them to empty their pockets (wink wink - if you want to sneak in a beer!)

You too, can win tickets Click HERE to enter to win 4 FREE BUCS Tickets!

Cover Girl At Publix

None of the coupon sites, forums or blogs have this matchup and its probably because they haven't updated the Green Advantage Buy Flyer with new coupons. I think its a moneymaker at #Publix for a few days from Thursday 8/12 thru Sat 8/14. So unless I'm really confused (which sometimes I am) here's the deal with Cover Girl makeup. Remember last month when they had the sale for $2 off on CG makeup - nail polish and lip products? Well, that sale stacked with both a Target coupon and a manufacturer coupon to be a good moneymaker. I got a bunch of nail polish for $1.29 and used the $1/1 TQ + $1/1 MQ to make $0.61 on each item. I happened to have the $2/1 Cover Girl MQ home mailer coupons that made even more.

 

So here's the deal now, but I don't have a price on the concealer, powder or blush - I'm hoping they can be had for less than $2.50 during the sale, so its a moneymaker. Its possible the sale may include CG Beauty Tools (file, tweezer, etc) and I know those are cheaper than $2.50, and there is a $1/1 PQ in the GAB that could stack with the MQ. 

 

 CoverGirl Foundation or concealer, pressed powder, or blush, .04 to 1 oz pkg or each, $2 off
-$1/1 CoverGirl Cosmetic Item, excludes trial size TARGET Coupon 6/27/2010 P&G Insert (exp 8/30/2010)

-$1.50/1 CoverGirl or Queen item, PUBLIX Coupon - Green Advantage Flyer (exp 8/14/2010)-$1/1 Covergirl product, any 8/1/2010 P&G Insert (exp 8/31/2010)

Prime Happenings

This week while trying to order a couple different items on #Amazon, I've noticed a change in Prime Shipping. I was trying to order an auto headlight restoration kit to make our lights nice and shiny for our upcoming 12 hour drive to Bristol, TN. But my online shopping cart wouldn't let me select 2 day shipping - which is free if you have prime, and the item is selected for prime (which this item was). The same thing happened yesterday when I tried to order a new tarp to cover our boat. It qualified for prime shipping, but it won't get here for 3 days. According to Amazon, from Tuesday to Friday is 2 day shipping. Go figure.

 

I think they probably are getting killed on shipping costs. I know that I use Amazon more since I get #SwagBucks pretty often, and cash them in for the maximum $25 a month for Amazon gift cards. I wonder if more people are using Amazon for that reason too.

 

Anyway, I think something is going on here and I don't like it.

Publix Sneak Peek 8/12-18

The Publix Sneak Peek for 8/12-8/18 is posted at HCW, so check it out now for next weeks deals.

You Still Haven't Signed Up??

I just cashed in 450 points for another $5 Amazon gift card.

 

Have you cashed in lately?

No?

What the! - you haven't signed up for Swagbucks yet?

What in the world are you waiting for?

A special offer?

Well, here it is!

 

Right now they are are offering an extra 40 Swag Bucks when you enter the code BackToSchool while signing up which means you get 70 bucks just for signing up! Valid all week until 8/15.

Bonus Features of the Week:

• There will be five one-of-a-kind Back-To-School themed Swag Buck bills in varying amounts – collect them all throughout the week and you'll earn yourself a 50 Swag Buck bonus!
• As part of their Back to School promo, you can win five different limited edition back-to-school themed Swag Bucks adding up to 50 more swagbucks! If you follow on Twitter and "Like" them on Facebook, you'll find even more rewarding opportunities.
• On Thursday they are having a Swag Code Extravaganza, no less than 5 Swag Codes!

Click HERE and register for a new account. Then enter BackToSchool (case sensitive) and you will get 70 bucks.

 

If you want to know how to earn lots of points on a regular basis, check out a previous post HERE.

Evil Scale After 3 Weeks

This is getting really old. Talking to my friends they ask why are you denying yourself food you like when you don't lose the weight when you diet. Why not just eat what you want and still not lose the weight? That's a very good question, one I ask myself everytime I drool over chicken wings or when DH is eating Ben and Jerry''s ice cream - half baked. So, I had that extra beer on Saturday night, and the chicken wings using the excuse that I did lawn work, rode my bike 10 miles, walked for an hour and other sweaty outdoor things in Florida. And I paid the price. I was up 1.6 pounds from my lowpoint of week on Sunday morning weighin.

 

More determined than ever on Sunday, I rode my bike more, walked faster, ate less and then it turns out this morning that the evil scale was going to just show me I'm down 1 pound this week, for a total of 4.6 lbs in 3 weeks.

 

I'm not looking forward to many more weeks of this to lose 10 more pounds. I'm thinking it might be worth it to just stop the madness, quit eating ANYTHING fattening, and lose 5 lbs a week. Then in two weeks it would be over and I could do maintenance eating.

Rays 10 Strikouts Coupon Double Day

I don't what the criteria is, but the Kanes Strike Out Contest certificate for last nights game is worth 2 Pizzas!

Thermacare At Publix

For all you Publix shoppers frustrated at not finding Thermacare Wraps (the moneymaker this month), supplies have been limited at the warehouse. As luck would have it, the same $5/2 coupon will be running in the next Green Advantage Flyer valid Aug 14.

Free Museum Weekend Aug 7-8

If you are a Bank of America customer, you are invited to enjoy the Museums on Us program this coming weekend, and every first weekend of the Month. Check Museum Locations here to see where you can go for free. It also includes many botanical gardens, zoos, and science centers in 27 states.

 

In Tampa, the new Tampa Museum of Fine Arts is free with your Bank of America ATM, Debit or Credit card. Its that new building downtown by the new Curtis Hixon Park. We haven't been there yet, but probably will check it out this weekend.

Hurry! Print Your Kanes Strike Out Certificate Now

It was a late game last night against the MN Twins, with the storms causing a power outage - delaying the start. And then all those extra innings to break the tie, but our Rays couldn't quite get the win. But, once again the Rays got 10 strikeouts. And we know what that means - Free Pizza!

 

Go to http://www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com/ and fill out the form and print TODAY before the afternoon game starts! I suspect they'll get 10 strikeouts again this afternoon, so hold onto your certificate and turn in a couple at once at your nearest http://www.kanes.com/ within 3 days of the game for a Free 10" cheese pizza at Papa Johns.

 

The loss to the Twins puts them back into a tie for first place in the standings, those pesky Yankees jst won't go away.

My Publix Plan

I always shop on Thursdays, so here's my plan for tomorrow. I have a couple rain checks that will turn into money makers this week, and of course the $10/$50 Publix coupon from the mail yesterday. The BIC Soleil razors were BOGO a couple weeks ago and of course they were sold out in all the stores I shopped. But the rain check deal is better since there was just a BOGO coupon in 8-1 SS that I can stack with the rain check. I also have some of the $3/1 coupons and will use on the deal to make each pair give me $3 overage. I also have a rain check on the Crest toothpaste 10/$10 from last weeks sale, on these I'll use the $1/1 peelies or the $0.75/1 8-1 PG stacked with the $0.50/1 Target coupon, to give me 0.25 to 0.50 overage each. If there's any Thermacare or Vitamin D, I'll get a bit more overage - except I don't really ever count on that since I haven't had luck getting it lately. So with the overage I'll get a $15 Gift Card for my neighbor who watches the dog when we travel, since we have a long weekend out of town coming up.

 

So, here's my list:

 

5-Aug	34		89.10	14.57	76.48	tax	0.99	39	-98.89%
Product	qty	price	subtl	-B1G1	-Q		total	Q#	Q details
banana	2	0.32	0.64				0.64
mushrooms	1	1.69	1.69				1.69
garlic	1	0.10	0.10				0.10
cucumber	1	0.50	0.50				0.50
avocadoes	2	1.50	3.00		1.75		1.25	2	$0.75/1 PQ+$1/2 MQ print
strawberries	1	2.50	2.50				2.50
peaches	1	0.89	0.89				0.89
Dole Salad Blend BOGO	2	3.59	7.18	3.59	2.00		1.59	2	$1/1 MQ print ( Winn Dixie bogo 2.99)
Bulls Eye BBQ sauce	1	1.50	1.50		1.50		0.00	1	free coupon
Hormel bacon bits	2	1.59	3.18		2.00		1.18	2	$1/1 simply entertaining bklt
Glad cling wrap	1	1.00	1.00		0.75	0.07	0.32	1	$0.75/1 simply entertaining bklt
Publix gift card	1	15.00	15.00				15.00
Bic Soleil razors raincheck	4	5.49	21.96	10.98	16.98	0.77	-5.23	4	raincheck+$3/1 MQ + BIGI MQ 8-1 ss
Sundown vitamin D	2	2.99	5.98		8.00	0.42	-1.60	3	$6/2 PQ+$1/1 MQ peelie or 8-1 RP
Thermacare 2ct	2	6.99	13.98		16.00	0.98	-1.04	4	$5/1 PQ+$3/1 MQ 7-25
crest toothpaste  raincheck	10	1.00	10.00		12.50	0.70	-1.80	18	$1/1peelie, 0.75/1 8-1+ 0.50/1 TQ 8-1
$10/$50		2.79	0.00		10.00	0.00	-10.00	1	$10/$50 PQ x8/17
$/$$ coupon		0.00	0.00		5.00		-5.00	1	$5/$25 competitor x8/12

 

Check Your Mail for Publix Q

In the Tampa Bay area, people have reported receiving a $10 off $50 Publix coupon in Red Plum mailer today. Its in the Publix BOGO ad, so check your mailbox. For coupon matchups to the upcoming ad, check out iheartpublix.com.

 

A Cool Tax Credit

Did you know that your summer daycare expenses may qualify for an income tax credit?  Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation.  Those expenses may help you get a credit on next year's tax return.
Here are five facts the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know about a tax credit available for childcare expenses.  The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for expenses paid during the lazy, hazy days of summer and throughout the rest of the year.

• The cost of day camp may count as an expense towards the child and dependent care credit.
• Expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.
• If your childcare provider is a sitter at your home or a daycare facility outside the home, you'll get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit.
• The actual credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses, depending on your income.
• You may use up to $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual, or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit.

For more information check out IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. This publication is available on the IRS Website, IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).  Please note that Revenue does not guarantee any tax credit and employees should consult a tax specialist if you have questions or concerns about filing your federal taxes.     
Source: Internal Revenue Service web site

Florida Sales Tax Holiday 8/13,14,15

It's back!  Florida's popular "back-to-school" sales tax holiday returns after a two-year break.  From August 13 through August 15, you and all Florida shoppers will not pay state or local sales tax on books, clothing, footwear, and certain accessories priced at $50 or less.  School supplies priced at $10 or less are also tax exempt.  Even if you don't have kids at home, you can also buy any of these items and donate them to schools and other volunteer organizations. 
What's In, What's Out?
A tax-exempt book, priced at $50 or less, is a set of printed sheets bound together and published in a volume.  It doesn't include newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, or audio books.
Tax-exempt clothing, priced at $50 or less, is any article of wearing apparel, including all footwear (except skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates), worn on or about the human body.  However, "clothing" does not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, or sporting equipment.
Tax-exempt school supplies (priced at $10 or less) include:

• pens
• pencils
• erasers
• crayons
• notebooks
• notebook filler paper
• legal pads
• binders
• lunch boxes
• construction paper
• markers
• folders
• poster board
• composition books
• poster paper
• scissors
• cellophane tape
• glue or paste
• rulers
• computer disks
• protractors or compasses
• calculators

Frugal Vacuum

I have this Hoover-U5180-900-Cyclonic-Bagless-Upright Vacuum Cleaner that I purchased over two years ago for forty bucks on Amazon. It has worked pretty good and I'm always amazed at how much dog hair it picks up from just one room. I empty the bagless canister a couple times whenever I vacuum because it just seems gross to have all that dust and hair whirling around. Anyway, its been a pretty good vacuum, but the front wheel carriage broke a short while ago, and its a hassle to have to push the thing around, instead of wheel it around.

 

So I was watching www.slickdeals.net for a deal on vacuum cleaners, but I missed out on a good deal a week ago. So, now I'm going to do the frugal thing. I'm going to just repair the thing by purchasing a wheel carriage part for $3.49 and fix it myself.

 

A lot of times it is really easy to fix things rather than replace them. Google is your friend. Just google your item and part needed and see what comes up. Usually, for a fraction of the cost of the item it can be repaired. 

Evil Scale Update Week 2

It was a disappointing week of dieting. I still managed to burn more than I ate, but only lost 1 pound this week for a total loss of 3.6 lbs. Remember my goal is to lose 15 lbs, but at this rate it will take a while. Its been so hot and steamy, that its hard to get plenty of outdoor exercise without getting fatigued from the heat. I did get a bicycle ride in on Sunday morning and it felt harder to ride my bike with no panniers, than it does with them loaded down on my way to work riding.

 

I did ride my bike to work today despite the 40% chance of rain in the forecast. One of my favorite treats to eat this past week has been a fruit cup. We got pineapple, mango, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, grapes and blueberries mixed into little fruit cups and they are the perfect snack - low calorie and satisfy the thirst and hunger.

Publix Sneak Peek BOGO 8/5-8/11

My favorite cereal, Honey Bunches of Oats is going to be BOGO, but the coupon matchups for it are slim. I didn't see any money makers but who knows what will come up with all the geniuses doing matchups. To see the complete listing of BOGO and grocery specials, check out True Couponing.

 

BOGO's

 

Dole Salad 5-12 oz bag BOGO (surprising low price)

Mott's 100% apple juice or Juice Medleys, Mott's for Tots, or Mott's Plus 46-64oz bott BOGO $2.95

General Mills Cereals: Lucky Charms, Cookie Crisp, Reese's Puffs 11.25-13oz box or Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch 16-17oz box BOGO $3.99

Bantry Bay Mussels assorted varieties 16oz pkg BOGO $4.99

Alouette Crème De Brie Cheese 5 oz pkg BOGO $5.99
Juicy Juice 46oz BOGO $2.65Post cereal Honey Bunches of Oats 13-18oz (excludes family size) BOGO $3.99
Progresso 100% Natural Broth (Chicken or Beef) 32 oz ctn BOGO $2.59
Wish-Bone Dressing 16oz bott BOGO $2.69
Ronzoni  Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat  Blend pasta 12oz – 13.25oz pkg BOGO $1.79
Ragu Pasta Sauce 16-26.3 oz jar (excluding Organic) BOGO $2.27
Betty Crocker premium muffin mix 15.2-18.25 oz box BOGO $2.59
Betty Crocker or Sunkist Fruit Snacks 4.5-9 oz box BOGO $2.49
Crystal Light  8qt canister or On The Go  7-10 ct box  BOGO $2.99
Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive oil 16.9oz bott BOGO $5.99
Vlasic Stackers Dills or Pickles or spears BOGO $2.47
Nabisco Variety snack packs or Kraft Handi Snacks 12-pack BOGO $5.99
Pepperidge Farm Swirl bread 16oz loaf BOGO $3.59
Lance crackers or Cookies or Wafers 6-10oz pkg BOGO $2.89
Blue Diamond Almonds 6 oz can BOGO $2.95
Mentos Pure fresh gum 50 ct BOGO $3.29
Healthy Choice Premium Ice Cream Bars or Sandwiches 15-24 oz carton BOGO $3.99
Klondike Bar or Slim-a-Bear16-27oz box BOGO $3.49
Morey's Fish Creations 10oz box BOGO $6.59
Breyers Ice Cream  48 oz carton BOGO $4.69
Yoplait Trix Yogurt BOGO $2.79
Nestle Toll House refrig cookie Dough 16-16/5oz pkg BOGO $2.79
Arrid XX anti-perspirant deodorant 2.6-2.8oz or Arm&Hammer Deodorant  BOGO $2.99
Chinet Classic White Plates, Lunch, Dinner, Compartment or Platters 24-55 ct pkg BOGO $5.99
Shout stain remover 22 oz bott BOGO $2.99
Scrubbing Bubbles 22 oz can BOGO$3.29
Kraft South Beach Living High Protein Cereal bars 5.88-6.15oz box BOGO $2.99

Kanes Strike Out - Get Your Free Pizza

Sunday the Rays did it again, 10 strikeouts! That means free pizza. Just go to http://www.kanesstrikeoutcontest.com/ and print your certificate. I would HURRY and print one for the 7/31 game, and after the game is over in a little bit and they change the date on the certificate then print one for the 8/1 game. That way you can bring in two to your nearest Kanes for a free Papa Johns Pizza.

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.