Old Navy Craziness!

The best bargaintastic thing happened to me today. I dropped kid #1 off at preschool then headed over to the smallest, most out of date Old Navy in the country. I was determined to score some halloween costumes for $2. So I show up and there are about 10 people waiting in line. So I join them with son #2. How I missed this one, I don't know - but the first 50 people in line today at Old Navy scored 50% off an entire bag full of merchandise! I was psyched. I am now almost 100% done with my Christmas shopping (with the exception of some GeoTrax I have to pick up for the boys) and I scored a ton of clothes for only $62. I am in awe!

If you missed it, you can still hit up Old Navy - they are giving everyone 30% off their entire purchase! I think it's good today and tomorrow. I'm sure all the other bargain blogs promoted this but I am usually a few days behind the curve.

Thanks Old Navy! You made my Christmas a little more frugal!

JoS. A. Bank - Buy 1, Get 1 Free - ENDS TODAY

If my husband was some hunky banker-type, I'd might get him some fancy new duds to wear to work at JoS. A. Bank today, since they are having a BOGO sale.  Unfortunately, he's just a studly construction guy, so fancy schmancy clothes don't grace our closets.  I need to find me a good sale at Work N' Gear!

Go to Cashbaq if you are a member.  You'll score 5% of your purchase back into your account.  Go to Jos.A. Bank.  Score yourself any item for FREE if you buy one thing.  The cheaper thing is free, yadda yadda yadda...

Big Tent Users - Get a $10 Shutterfly Credit!

Are you on Big Tent?  I know some readers are.  It's like Meetup.com but it's free.  So if you want to start a group of anytime, check them out (http://www.bigtent.com/). 

If' you are already a member of Big Tent (and became a member before 10/14/09), you can get a $10 Shutterfly credit (good for Christmas cards or other photo gift!) by clicking THIS LINK and voting for your favorite holiday cards.  Also, if you email the offer through Big Tent once you did yours, who ever gets the email gets an added 3 personalized cards for free!

I'm hoping to combine the $10 credit with my Pampers Gifts-To-Grow points to score a bunch of free photo junk this holiday season!  Wooohoooo! 

By the way, if you haven't logged onto Pampers lately, you might want to check your account.  My friend Celeste at Itty Bitty Bistro logged in yesterday and saw that all of her points vanished!  She emailed Pampers to find out what the deal is.  I'm staying tuned for details....

Kohl's Code for today through the 31st!

I'm trying to get all my Christmas shopping done very early this year.  I'm about 85% of the way done.  I also do a huge majority of my shopping at Kohl's.  I was lucky enough to hit up a sale about a month ago where I was mailed a 30% off your entire purchase coupon.  It was also a Kohl's Cash period so I feel like I banked a lot. 

I know a lot of people think Kohl's is shaddy because they mark up everything so much just to put it on sale.  I feel this way too, but usually when I shop there with my coupons, I don't look at my percentage saved there, but what each individual item cost me.  I feel like I get great bargains there most of the time. 

If you want to shop Kohl's online now through Halloween, use code TIME2SHOP on any purchase and get 15% off. 

If you spend over $100, use code TIME2SAVE and score yourself 20% off your entire purchase.  This is off already reduced and sale items.

Kohl's lets you use two codes - so if you are over $75, enter code FREESHIP75 to get free shipping.  Not bad. 

**Bonus!  Go through Cashbaq and get 3% back of your total purchase**

Free Something To Do - Storytime at CBS Scene at Patriot Place

Looking for something to do on Tuesday mornings with your wee little ones?  Check out CBS Scene at Patriot Place at 11am for what looks like some crazy storytime.  Maybe you'll run into Tom Brady and his little guy. 

Click HERE to get all the info.  I love free stuff to do. 

Thanks again to Kris who told me about this!  I'll have to check it out one of these Tuesdays!

Friday & Saturday Only - Old Navy $2 Costumes and Halloween Clothing!

Thanks to my friend Kris who passed on this great offer!

If you head to Old Navy on Oct. 30-31 only, you’ll find ALL Halloween Costumes and Goodies for $2.  While supplies last.

Thanks to Give Me Neither for posting this great offer! 

Michael's - 20% off Entire Regular Price Purchase Coupon at Store

I went to Michael's this afternoon to kill some time before a doctor's appointment.  I bought a halloween crafty thing for my kids.  I got this cool Michael's Handmade Holiday Gift Guide in the bag.  I'm not a crafty one, but there is a coupon for 20% off your entire REGULAR price purchase good from November 1st - December 24th on the back.  If you are around a Michael's and could use this coupon for your Christmas crafting, may be worth it to just pop in and grab the book. 

Making Christmas Easier - Order Cards Now!

 A lot of people order picture cards for Christmas.  They actually are pretty cheap and easy - all the writing is already on them so if you don't feel like adding anything else, just pop them in the envelope and send them on their way!

How can you make this less stressful?  For starters, order them NOW!  Your kids aren't going to grow that much from October to December.  Just take the picture and order the cards.  If you order from Snapfish before October 31st, you can score free shipping with code SLIMSHIP.

Have you been doing the Pampers Gifts-To-Grow program? Check your point balance - you can get 25 4X8 cards from Shutterfly with only 60 points.  I've been a member since 2005 - but I stopped buying Pampers about a year ago.  I have 274 points banked.  If you buy Pampers exclusively, it would def. be a great program for you to join. 

I remember last year, a few of the companies (I think Kodak comes to mind), did a promo in November to score cheap cards.  You could have already gotten them with your $15 Kodak Credit last week - but I didn't. 

Buy 1, Get 1 Free Glade 2 oz Soy Candles!

Splurge on yourself or make it a stocking stuffer - with a BOGO Free coupon, you can't go wrong if you hit a good sale!  Click HERE to get your Glade 2 oz. BOGO Coupon!

Free Rotel Tomatoes at Shaw's This Week!

Thanks to Freebies 4 Mom for posting this!  My Penny Pile gave us the link to a .50/1 MFC for Rotel Tomatoes!  (get it by clicking HERE).  Rotel tomatoes are $1 this week at Shaw's.  Shaw's will double this coupon.  This means Rotel tomatoes are free!  Woot Woot! 

CoCo Keys Danvers - $10 OFF Day Pass!

Want to hit up CoCo Keys in Danvers?  Get $10 off your day pass by using code COCOWEEN09. 

THIS CODE IS GOOD ON THE HALF DAY PASSES - those cost $25.  So you can get in for $15 (I think the hours for the half day are 3 pm - 9 pm on certain days).  Not too shabby if you are looking to water park it up in Massachusetts.  I'm not sure how long this code is good until. 

Piperlime Sale - TODAY ONLY!

Okay.  I got this email this morning from Piperlime (owned by Gap & Old Navy).  Then my friend Lori forwarded to me too.  So I decided I shall blog about it. 

First, go to Cashbaq.com.  Go to Piperlime.  They give you 10% back of your purchase.

Today only, with any order (except Final Sales), you'll get a $25 gift certificate good on a future purchase(and if you are a lucky "1 in 100" customer, you'll get a $100 gift card!).  Now honestly, most of Piperlime's stuff is pricey.  They have Converse and Crocs for $25.  So if you buy one of those, for $25, you'll get a $25 gift card.  Then you can use the $25 on another pair of Crocs or whatever.  Ends up being $12.50 a pair for Crocs.  I "splurged" on a $30 pair of sneakers that will get more use from my boys.

The good thing about Piperlime is they offer free shipping.  So what you pay for the shoes is what you pay.  They also offer free returns if you don't like them.  For all my Stride Rite loving readers, they offer a huge selection of Stride Rite. 

So hurry.  This offer ends today! 

The Food Pantry Donation Was Made!

I was happy to get a call from my food pantry yesterday morning saying that Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best times to bring by donations these days.  I went this morning and was surprised at the happeningness of it all!  They actually do distributions on Tuesdays and Thursdays - but I just walked on in and someone helped me right away.  When they saw my trunk load full of groceries, they thought I collected it from a bunch of people.  I told her I just used a lot of coupons to score it all really cheap.  They also referred to it as a "big donation" - even though I didn't think it was that big.  The two people I talked to who volunteered there really seemed very greatful for the donation.  They also said cereal is one of the best donations they can receive.  It was kind of humorous hearing them say "So this was really just you going out shopping?"  It's almost like they didn't believe me.

So what shall people take from this?

a.  You can do a good deed without spending a lot of money.  Actions can do just as much good than writing a check.

b.  If you ever hear anyone say "coupons are a waste of time" - give them the link to my blog! 

c.  Hopefully my scenarios taught at least one person how you can score really cheap groceries during catalina sales - for your own family. 

Dairy Queen Sweet Deals!

Dairy Queen's Sweet Deals are back! 

Any 2 for $3
Any 3 for $4
Any 4 for $5

Pick from:
Cheeseburger
Hot Dog
Chicken Wrap
Onion Rings
French Fries
Side Salad
Med. Drink
Small Sundae
Small Dipped Cone

This is perfect for when we go to a certain mall nearby.  My kids really don't eat much - so dropping $4-$5 on a kid's meal for both of them is heartwrenching for my wallet.  But they both love hot dogs - and they are the perfect portion for both of them.  I'm not sure when this is good until.  The coupons that go along with this ad are valid until 11/25. 

Shaw's Trip 10/25

Total Before Savings:  $67.12

Total Preferred Savings:  $26.48

Total Coupons Used:  $31.39 ($18 in CATs)

Cash OOP:  $9.25

1.89 lbs banana - $1.30

2.38 lbs Chicken Breast - $4.47

3.08 lbs 80/20 Ground Beef - $5.79

1 Argo Baking Powder - $1.79 (.30/1 MFC DOUBLES) $1.19 (note:  no generic counterpart to Baking Powder!  Argo was the cheapest option.)

2 Hunt's Ketchup - $1 ea ($1/2 MFC) .50 ea

3 Hunt's Diced Tomatoes - $1 ea (.75/3 MFC DOUBLES) .50 ea

5 Shaw's Canned Vegetables - 5/$3 ($1/5 Shaw's Coupon) 5/$2

1 Peter Pan Peanut Butter - $2 (.50/1 MFC Doubles) $1

1 Crayola Crayons - $2.29 (Buy Peter Pan PB, Get a box of Crayola Crayons for FREE!) FREE!

12 Yoplait Yogurts - .50 ea (2 $.50/6 MFCs Double, $1/10 Shaw's Coupon) .25 ea!

2 Over the Moon Milks - $2.50 ea (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1.50 ea

2 3 Musketeer Bags - $2 ea ($1/2 MFC) $1.50 ea

-  Overall, good trip.  I like to use my Catalina coupons as soon as possible.  I always have a weird fear that I will forget about them and they will expire. 

-  We desperately needed baking powder.  If I divulge the expiration date that was on the one that was just sitting in our cabinet it would shock most people.  To give you an idea, some how, some way, that container of baking powder survived 3 moves with us BEING EXPIRED!  It might very well have been the only container of baking powder I ever bought (and there was still about 3/4 of the container left) since being married.  The funny this is baking powder is actually very cheap.  I should use it more often. 

-  If you are really into baking and holiday cooking, really start looking for bargains now.  The sooner you stock up on baking essentials, the less stressed out you'll be come Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Also, it might be good to take some inventory of your own cabinets to see what basic things you might have to buy fresh - kind of like my baking powder.  Things like flour, sugar, food coloring, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, oatmeal, chocolate chips, confectioner's sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, canned pumpkin, yeast (if you are adventurous) - are all sort of holiday "essentials".  Keep an eye out for them.  For instance, this week, Hershey's Chocolate Chips are on sale at Shaw's for $2.50.  There was just a $1/2 MFC for them in the paper.  $2.00 is better than paying $3.50 a pack. 

Discover Card Usage Reminder!

Just a reminder to use your Discover Card at Grocery Stores in October, November and December!  You earn 5% back on all your purchases (up to $400).  I just looked at my Discover statement and it seems charges at BJ's are counting towards it too!  It won't take long to rack up $400 in grocery store spending (but earn $20 in cash back savings from Discover!!).

Someone Enlighten Me - Are Goodnights Worth It?

I have a 3 1/2 year old.  He's potty trained, but not at night.  Unfortunately, he seems to be leaking a lot of diapers lately.  I went up a size on him, and no help.  Should I splurge on the "Goodnights"?  I'm not sure if they are worth the money.  Although, with the aggrevation of changing and washing sheets 4 or 5 times a week is probably worth the price - and then some.  Got to start looking out for Goodnight coupons and Huggies deals...

"Fill The Food Pantry" Shaw's CAT - Summary

Why Did I Do this Food Pantry Project?
For those of you who are just popping on to this post, I spent the last week shopping at Shaw's like a mad lady, stocking up not only on groceries for us, but also to see how much I can score for my local food pantry for dirt cheap.  Here's how I did:

1.  I did just read in the paper that the MA unemployment rate is up to something crazy like 9.3% or 9.7%.  That's a lot of people.  Sometimes people think that recipients of food pantries are "junkies" or people who "should just up and get a job."  I like to think that most people who are recipients of the food pantry are good people who have just had some rough times lately.  With almost 10% of the population unemployed, how can it not be?

2.  I actually read through my food pantry's website.  I didn't know this, but you have to go to great lengths to actually get food.  You have to fill out an application, show proof of low-income, etc. etc.  I think if people are actually going through this hard work to get food, they really are hungry and need it.

3. 1/3 of all food bank receipients are children.  No matter what your views are of people who get food from a food pantry are (because let's face, some people aren't a fan of handouts - you know, the whole "you have to work hard" mentality), children really don't get asked to be poor (nor do most adults, but some adults make stupid decisions).  If my husband and I were ever in a position where we couldn't provide basics for our children, we would be extremely greatful for those who reached out to help our children.

Total Spent On Groceries Since Last Friday:

Shaw's:  $61.29
Walmart (kitty supplies):  $22.78
Tedeschi's (milk):  $6.87
Farmer's Market (bag of apples):  $6

Total This Week:  $96.94
OYNP Coupons in my Wallet:  $18.00
Net:  $78.94

Shaw's Analysis:
PSP:  $518.92
Cash OOP:  $61.29
OYNP Banked:  $18.00
Net:  $43.29
Savings of 88.1% OOP.  Savings of 91.6% with Net. 

Total Spent on Non-Cat Groceries:  $31.02 (Half & Half, eggs, bread, meat, etc.)
Total Spent on all CAT deals:  $30.27 (cereal, soup, Pillsbury products, etc.)

This includes my donation to the food pantry (which cost me a whopping $6.75):

Shelf Price = $260.17
8 Totals @ $5.29 ea = $42.32
2 Cascadia Farms cereal @ $4.99 ea = $9.98
11 Fiber One Cereals @ $4.29 ea = $47.19
3 Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereals @ $3.49 ea = $10.47
10 Progresso Soups @ $2.50 ea = $25.00
8 Progresso Broths @ $2.69 ea = $21.52
11 Nature Valley Bars @ $3.50 ea =  $38.50
6 Warm Delights @ $2.50 ea = $15.00
4 Cookie Mixes @ $2.39 ea = $9.56
11 Chex Mixes @ $2.69 ea = $29.59
3 Betty Crocker Potatoes @ $1.89 ea = $5.67
3 Knorr Sides @ $1.79 ea =  $5.37

The $30.27 also includes my outrageous stockpile of Pillsbury dough, pie crusts, cookie dough, frozen vegetables, & yogurts.  I also traded 3 Betty Crocker potatoes for 3 Knorr sides. I kept 2 boxes of cereal for us as well as 2 cans of soup. I also had gotten fruit snacks in this deal! 

So how much did it cost me? 

All my CAT stuff had a PSP of about $470.  $260 (55%) of that is stuff I'm donating. I spent $30.27 on stuff that should have cost me $470.  I have $18 in OYNP coupons in my wallet which will be spent on food for my own family this coming week.  So I netted $12.27 for all this stuff.  55% of $12.27 is $6.75.  And that my friends is how much is it cost me to buy all these groceries for the food pantry. 

Bugaboo Creek Steak House - Costume Deal on the 31st!

Bugaboo Creek Steak House will let your kids eat for free if they go to Bugaboo Creek on Halloween in their costumes!  Woohoo!  Unfortunately, it's 1 kid's meal per adult entree purchased (if it wasn't, I'd send the husband and kids while I just sit around giving out candy!).  Go.  Eat.  Look at some stuffed moose on the wall!

Thanks Lori for forwarding this to me!

8X10 Canvas Print for Pretty Cheap!

Canvas People is giving you a FREE 8X10 Canvas print (but there is a $14.95 shipping charge).

You could get an 11 X 11 print for $3.99 (with a $17.95 shipping charge).  Total $21.94.  And it goes on and on. 

But if you are thinking inexpensive Christmas Gift, this might be for you.  Why?  Go through Cashbaq.com and you get $6 back if you click the Canvas People through them.  So if you order Grammy a 8X10 of her little cherubs, sure you pay $14.95, but you get $6 back from Cashbaq.  $8.95 for a canvas print.  Santa is a bargain hunter this year!

Get an Amazon Credit Card, Get a $30 Credit!

So yeah.  We're in a recession and all that.  Christmas is a coming and belts are getting tightened.  Want to score some cheap toys for your kids?  Here's a deal for you if you don't mind adding another credit card to your stash of plastic.

Apply for the Amazon Credit Card.  After your first purchase, a $30 credit will appear on your account in a few days.  Now, if you are a good bargainista, you are a member of SwagBucks.  I am.  I have 210 Swag Bucks.  For 45 SBs, you can score yourself a $5 Amazon E-Gift Certificate.  So claim those (they are distributed every 16th and 30th of the month).  Then?  Go shopping at Amazon!  Try to keep a look out for things with Super Saver Shipping (FREE shipping).  They have a lot of random stores and people selling items - which typically DO NOT have free shipping.  Make sure you are purchasing things directly from Amazon to really score.  Unless you don't mind paying shipping costs. 

Thanks to my friend Celeste at Itty Bitty Bistro for letting me know about this offer!

"Fill The Food Pantry" Shaw's CAT - Day 6

2 more rounds today.  Not good ones for the food pantry.  My only contribution today was 6 bags of Chex Mix.  My coupons are practically gone.  I have printed all the good ones.  Sadly, I might not go back tomorrow.  I could do some Progresso Soup.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Trip 1 - Started with a $10 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $25.70

Total Preferred Savings:  $9.03

Total Coupons Used:  $13.80

Cash OOP:  $2.87

OYNP Earned:  $14.00

CAT

4 bags of Chex Mix - PSP $2.69, Sale $1.67 (2 .50/2 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.17 ea

6 Grands Biscuits - PSP $2.49, Sale $1.67 (3 .30/2 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.37 ea

Trip 2 - Started with a $10 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $31.70

Total Preferred Savings:  $13.50

Total Coupons Used:  $15.20

Cash OOP:  $3.00

OYNP Earned:  $14.00 

Non-CAT

2 loaves of Wonder Whole Wheat White - BOGO @ $3.19

CAT

2 Chex Mix - PSP $2.69, Sale $1.67 (.50/2 MFC DOUBLES) $1.17 ea

2 Simply Cookies - PSP $3.99, Sale $2.50 (2 .55/1 MFC DOUBLE) $1.40 ea

4 Crescent Rolls - PSP $2.99 ea, Sale $1.67 ea (2 .50/2 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.17 ea

This Week's Shaw's Summary:

PSP: $518.92
Cash OOP: $61.29
Cats in Wallet: $18.00
Net: $43.29

Total aside for Food Pantry: 10 cans of soup, 8 boxes of broth, 25 boxes of cereal, 11 boxes of granola bars, 6 boxes of potatoes, 5 packages of cookie mix, 6 Warm Delights, 11 packages of Chex Mix.  Since I only added 6 more bags of Chex Mix, the picture doesn't look that much different than yesterday.
 
Here's another alternative take on this crazy shopping of mine.  Yes, I have put away a lot for my local food pantry.  But I have also banked a lot too. I have a gazillion yogurts.  I have gotten my basic essentials (eggs, bread, meat, etc.) too.  Here's some proof:

This is my freezer.  It's not organized very well.  But it's full of frozen vegetables, pie crusts and cookie dough (13 packs of cookie dough to be exact!)  Bring on the holidays!  I am prepared!.

 

It should be illegal to have your produce drawer full of Pillsbury refridgerated dough products like this.  I have 25 containers of crescent rolls, Grands and cinnamon buns.  We already ate 2 containers of crescent rolls. Aye Carumba!  If you have a stockpile of crescent rolls, check out the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls Recipe Webpage.  There's like 150 recipes for these bad boys!

Free Kids Meals At Ikea - Until 10/25

I heard a rumor that Ikea (in Stoughton - not sure about other locations), was giving out FREE kids meals (a $2.49 value). I went today. It's a fact. Free kids meal for kids 12 and under. This is good until October 25th!

Kitty Needs Love Too!

I went to Walmart yesterday to get some kitty supplies for our cat, Charlie Woo. I put the total on a gift card, but still counting it towards my spending since I would have had to fork over the cash for it if I didn't have the gift card.

WalMart
2 20 lbs containers of Cat's Pride Litter:  $5.78 ea
1 big old bag of Friskies:  $11.25
Total:  $22.81

I also went to Tedeschi's a couple days ago and grabbed 2 gallons of milk.  I logged it but didn't blog it.  It's not that exciting.

Tedeschi's
2 gallons of 1% milk:  $2.29 ea
Total:  $4.58

So far this week at Shaw's I have spent $55.42.  Now.  On average, I try to spend about $96 a week on groceries.  I don't care if I go over some weeks because other weeks, I stay way under.  I'm more of an "average" person rather than a "stick on budget" person. 

With 2 days left of this "grocery week", I have already spent $82.81.  I have about $14 left to stay "on my average".  I know I'll be buying at least one more gallon of milk.  So now my challenge is, in the next 48 hours, can I spend just $14?  Because then, not only will I be able to show how much I was able to stockpile for my local food pantry, but I can say that I did it while sticking to my "grocery budget."  Oooh....the suspense! 

"Fill The Food Pantry" Shaw's CAT - Day 5

I took the kids up to Stone Zoo today.  Great Zoo.  If you haven't been there yet, check it out.  It's perfect for the 5 and under crowd.  On the way back, we played the GPS game.  I looked up "Shaw's Supermarkets" on it and found the Melrose and Medford ones.  I've never been to Melrose before (maybe I have, but didn't know it) - I love it though!  I thought it was the coolest little town and their Shaw's is awesome.  Way to go Melrose! I even called my husband and said "Man!  Melrose is awesome!"  I think he hung up on me because he had better things to do than listen to me babble. 

Trip 1 - Started with a $10 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $29.24

Total Preferred Savings:  $14.47

Total Coupons Used:  $14.00 (only $4 in MFCs!)

Cash OOP:  .77 cents

OYNP Earned:  $10.00

CAT

4 Total Cereals - PSP $5.29, Sale $2.00 (2 .50/2 MFCs Double) $1.50 ea

2 Progresso High Fiber Soups - PSP $2.50, Sale $2 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1 ea

Non-Cat

1 pack of M&Ms - .89

1 package of Goldfish - $1.88

Trip 2 - Started with a $10 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $30.02

Total Preferred Savings:  $15.52

Total Coupons Used:  $12.00 (only $2 in MFCs)

Cash OOP:  $2.50

OYNP Earned:  $0!

Potential CAT (no coupons produced though)

6 Fiber One Cereals - PSP $4.29 ea, Sale $2 (2 $1/3 MFCs from paper) $1.66 ea.

- I got 2 "original" which produced CATs for me before.  I got 4 "Honey Cluster".  They looked more appealing and were on sale for $2.  So I figured they would work with the CAT.  I was wrong.  I can only imagine how I look when I'm standing there, staring at that little green light waiting for it to blink, only to find it never does.  It's almost like waiting for my best friend to show up to play and she never does! 

Non-CAT

1 pint of blueberries - $1.50

1 Teddy Grahams To-Go Pack - $1.00

This Week's Shaw's Summary:

PSP: $461.52
Cash OOP: $55.42
Cats in Wallet: $10.00
Net: $45.42

Total aside for Food Pantry: 10 cans of soup, 8 boxes of broth, 25 boxes of cereal, 11 boxes of granola bars, 6 boxes of potatoes, 5 packages of cookie mix, 6 Warm Delights, 5 packages of Chex Mix.  Which looks like this:

-  I was bad last night.  I was craving something salty and I grabbed a Chex Mix bag.  So my 6 bags for the food pantry becomes 5. 
-  I'm keeping a box of Fiber One Cereal.  I want to try the Honey Clusters. 

P&G Coupon Book Winners!

There were 10 winners for the P&G coupon book giveaway!  I don't have email addresses for all of you.  In order to claim your prize, please email me (BBinNewEngland (at) Gmail (dot) Com) within 48 hours.  Tell me who you are too in case your name varies a lot from your screenname.  Thanks and congratulations!

Names and/or beginnings of email addresses of winners!
1.  Slavetosave at....
2.  Lindsay - frugalfab at...
3.  Bonnie - bjtra at....
4.  aximilli92 at...
5.  ohtxcama at...
6.  It's Me Only Better (no email left)
7.  Kdanna1 at...
8.  Robin Baker (no email left)
9.  Erica (no email left - Moo Ma's Money)
10.  Amy R.  (no email left)

If you don't email me by Thursday morning, I'll pick another winner in your place.  All winners were chosen by Random.org. 

Thanks for playing and Congratulations to the 10 lucky winners!

Free Gift From Kodak Picture Gallery!

Kodak Gallery is giving away 1 million prizes!  Click HERE to see what you won!  I think it's a bunch of random stuff.  I got a $15 gift credit to my account.  I guess it's some Ellen promo.  I'm not sure how long it lasts (probably until all 1 million gifts are given away).  I'll probably use mine to make some cheezy personalized Christmas gift.  Free (or cheap) Christmas gifts are the best!

"Fill The Food Pantry" Shaw's CAT - Day 4

I did my 2 trips today.  First thing in the morning.  No hangups.  Well my first trip, after all MFCs, my total was only $8.44 - so I didn't want to give the guy my $10 OYNP - so I gave him my $4.  If that was my biggest problem CAT shopping, I consider it a BIG success!

Trip 1 - Started with a $4 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $28.14

Total Preferred Savings:  $11.80

Total Coupons Used:  $11.90

Cash OOP:  $4.44

OYNP Earned:  $10.00

CAT
2 Totals - PSP $5.29, Sale $2.00 (2 .75/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .50 cents ea
3 Betty Crocker Potatoes - PSP $1.89, Sale $1.67 (3 .25/1 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.17 ea
1 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix - PSP $2.39, Sale $1.67 (.40/1 MFC DOUBLES) .87
2 Nature Valley Bars - PSP $3.50, Sale $2 (2 .40/1 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.20 ea
1 Warm Delights Mini - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.67 (.50/1 MFC DOUBLES) .67

Trip 2 - Started with a $10 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $26.32

Total Preferred Savings:  $4.53

Total Coupons:  $18.10

Cash OOP:  $3.59

OYNP Earned:  $10.00

1 Steamer - PSP $2, Sale $1.79 (.50/1 MFC DOUBLES) .79
2 Dora Yogurts - PSP $3.19, Sale $2.50 (.80/2 MFC DOUBLES) $1.70 ea
2 Trix Yogurts - PSP $2.99, Sale $2.50 (.80/2 MFC DOUBLES) $1.70 ea
2 Fiber One Yogurts - PSP $2.99 ea, Sale $2.50 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1.50 ea
2 YoPlus Yogurts - PSP $2.99, Sale $2.50 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1.50 ea

This Week's Shaw's Summary:

PSP: $402.26
Cash OOP: $52.15
Cats in Wallet: $20.00
Net:  $32.15

Total aside for Food Pantry: 8 cans of soup, 8 boxes of broth, 16 boxes of cereal, 11 boxes of granola bars, 6 boxes of potatoes, 5 packages of cookie mix, 6 Warm Delights, 6 packages of Chex Mix.

Another "Stock-Pile Cleanse" Charity

I've been having a good time stockpiling non-perishable groceries for the food pantry so far this week.  Could I do it every week?  Heck no.  It is time consuming and whatnot - but it's also good to do this kind of stuff every now and then.

If you get into couponing or CVSing or any other store bargaining, you might find you have a large stockpile of stuff.  Sometimes you need to purge it - toothpaste does expire people!  If you are looking to purge some of your hygiene products or snack foods, check out a local South Shore, Massachusetts charity called Carepacks.org.  CarePacks is an organization that puts together care packages for troops stationed over in Afghanistan and Iraq.  They are non-profit and made up only of volunteers.  Their wish list is posted HERE.

CarePacks will be at the Weymouth Elks Club, located at 1197 Washington St. Weymouth, MA from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday November 11th for their 5th Annual WZLX 100.7 Veteran's Day Broadcast.  They are looking for items (see the LIST - but mostly hygiene products, snacks and travel games) and cash donations.  Your items and cash donations will be used to put together packages for our troops serving over in Iraq & Afghanistan. 

They are also honoring a special request from a Medical/Evac unit out in Afghanistan.  They are in need of donations of men's sweat pants & shirts, socks, sleep pants and boxers for wounded troops being flown out of Afghanistan to Germany or the U.S. for treatment. 

I'm sure there are charities like this all over the country.  So Google it and see what you find.  Even if you don't have a lot, every little bit helps.  Take this example:  Say your kids go trick-or-treating on Halloween.  They come back with 15 pounds of candy.  Give them a pound or two, bag up the rest and drop it off at this CarePacks event.  Leftover Halloween candy is probably one of the best (and easiest) ways to donate.  Prevents you from gaining weight, prevents your children from eating too much candy, and seriously, brightens the lives of the men and women serving our country in Iraq & Afghanistan.  Throw in some of those toothbrushes you have laying around (guess what, you'll probably get some more free ones at CVS next week!) and you, my friend, are a winner!

Free Little Debbie Cupcakes in Boston Tomorrow!

I follow Little Debbie on Facebook.  Geeky, I know!  They are heading to Boston tomorrow and giving out FREE cupcakes!  Here's what they said on Facebook:

Bye bye, Big Apple, and hello Beantown! The Little Debbie Share-A-Thon hits the road from NYC today and heads for Boston.


Live nearby? Look for us (and free cupcakes) at Boston's Wharf District Park, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday!
 
You may not be in Boston tomorrow, but maybe your spouse or loved one works downtown.  Tell them to go get themselves some free sugar!

"Fill The Food Pantry" Shaw's CAT - Day 3

Today is rainy and gross.  What a perfect day to do some CAT shopping!  Hit up 2 Shaw's and went in 2 times each.  I messed up once (2nd trip), but overall, a successful day. 

Trip 1 - Started with a $10 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $30.63

Total Preferred Savings:  $13.12

Total Coupons Used:  $15.20

Cash OOP:  $2.31

OYNP Earned:  $14.00

Non Cat Item

Shopper's Value Sugar - $1.50

CAT

3 Nature's Valley Bars - PSP $3.50, Sale $2 (3 .40/1 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.20 ea

2 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.67 (.40/2 MFC DOUBLES) $1.27 ea

4 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.67 (2 .50/2 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.17 ea

Trip 2 - Started with $10 in CATS

Total Before Savings:  $22.28

Total Preferred Savings:  $2.38

Total Coupons Used:  $16.00

Cash OOP:  $3.90

OYNP Earned:  $0!

Non-Cat Item

1 Dozen Eggs - $1.79

CAT

5 GG Steamers - PSP $2.00, Sale $1.67 (a bunch of coupons)

1 GG Steamer (Roasted Red Potato and Green Beans) - $2.49 (not part of Sale or CAT!)

4 GG Boxes - PSP $2.00, Sale $1.67 (2 .50/2 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.17 ea.

-  I meant to grab 13 veggies (PSP would have been $26).  Messed up by only grabbing 10 (what was I thinking?) and the Roasted Red Potato and Green Bean variety wasn't even part of it anyways.  Oh well.  Minus the eggs, I got 10 boxes/bags of vegetables for $2.11.  I think I can live with 21 cents for each of them!

Trip 3 - Started with a $10 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $33.86

Total Preferred Savings:  $11.50

Total Coupons Used:  $20.20

Cash OOP:  $2.16

OYNP Earned:  $10.00

Non-Cat Item

1.61 lbs of Pork - $4.01

CAT

4 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix - PSP $2.39, Sale $1.67 (4 .40/1 MFCs Double!) .87 ea

5 Warm Delights - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.67 (5 .50/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .67 ea

3 Chex Mixes - PSP $2.69, Sale $1.67 (3 .50/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .67 ea

Trip 4 - Started with $14 in CATS

Total Before Savings:  $33.39

Total Preferred Savings:  $9.27

Total Coupons Used:  $20.30

Cash OOP:  $3.82

OYNP Earned:  $14.00

Non-Cat Items

1 Big Shaw's Apple Juice - $3.79

1 Melitta Coffee Filters - $1.99

CAT

3 Chex Mix - PSP $2.69, Sale $1.67 (3 .50/1 MFCs) .67 ea

2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.67 (.50/2 MFC Doubles) $1.17 ea

2 Pillsbury Pie Crusts - PSP $2.99, Sale $2.50 (.50/2 MFC Doubles) $2 ea

2 Pillsbury Sugar Cookies - PSP $3.79, Sale $2.50 (.75/2 MFC Doubles) $1.75 ea

This Week's Shaw's Summary:

PSP: $347.80
Cash OOP: $44.42
Cats in Wallet: $14.00

Total aside for Food Pantry: 8 cans of soup, 8 boxes of broth, 14 boxes of cereal, 9 boxes of granola bars, 3 boxes of potatoes, 4 packages of cookie mix, 5 Warm Delights, 6 packages of Chex Mix.  This all looks like this:
 

"Fill the Food Pantry" Shaw's CAT - Day 2

Only One Trip Today - Used $14 in CATS

Total Before Savings:  $34.35

Total Preferred Savings:  $12.35

Total Coupons Used:  $22.00

Cash OOP:  $1.00

OYNP Earned:  $10.00

Non Cat Item
1 Plumrose Bacon - $3.00

CAT
1 Progresso Broth - PSP $2.69, Sale $2.00 (.50/1 MFC Doubles) $1.00
3 Betty Crocker Potatoes - PSP $1.89, Sale $1.67 (3 .40/1 MFCs Double) .87 ea
6 Nature's Valley Bars - PSP $3.50 (oops, had them as $3), Sale $2.50 (2 .70/2 MFCs Double, 2 .40/1 MFCs Double) $1.76 ea

CAT PSP:  $29.36 (thought $26.35)

This Week's Shaw's Summary:

PSP: $227.13
Cash OOP: $32.23
Cats in Wallet: $20.00

Total aside for Food Pantry: 8 cans of soup, 8 boxes of broth, 14 boxes of cereal, 6 boxes of granola bars, 3 boxes of potatoes.


 

Wicked Local Deals! - Restaurant Gift Certificates 50% off!

Hey Boston Area readers!  Check out Wicked Local Deals!  I just picked up pizza from my favorite pizza place, and noticed they had a sign in their saying "Check out Wicked Local Deals.com to get a $50 gift certificate for $25!  So I did!  They have a bunch of Boston suburb restaurants boasting $50 gift certificates for only $25. 

This week, some of the samplings up there is Moonstones in Chelmsford, Maritinis in Weymouth, & Asian Gourmet in Concord.  There are lots others.  New ones are added on Thursdays at 9:00am and are listed until are all sold out! 

Thanks Wicked Local!

Children's Place - 15% Off now until November 17th!

Use Webcode MARTHA99 now until November 17th and receive 15% off your total purchase at The Children's Place! Thanks Martha Stewart!

CVS Offers Bonus For Reusing Bags!

Katy, from "Happily Average" sent me a message about an awesome program CVS just launched! Great for the wallet, great for the environment! Thanks Katy!


"CVS Caremark Corp. says it is launching a program for customers who reuse shopping bags, saying card members will get $1 coupons for every four times they reuse a bag."

Here's the link:
CVS Reusing Bag Story on Boston.com

3 Shaw's Trips Tonight!

My husband got home from work and I escaped to my favorite grocery store!  Here's how I did:

Trip 1 (Started with 1 $10 CAT)

Total Before Savings:  $34.89

Total Preferred Savings:  $13.22

Total Coupons:  $16.80

Cash OOP:  $4.87

OYNP Received:  $17.50 ($10 GM, $4 Pillsbury, $3.50 Fruit Snacks)

Pillsbury CAT

2 Simply Cookies - PSP $3.99, Sale $2.50 (2 .55/1 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.40 ea

4 Crescent Rolls - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.67 (2 $1/2 MFCs) $1.17 ea

Fruit Snack CAT

5 BC Fruit Snacks - PSP $2.99, Sale $2 (2 .40/1 MFCs DOUBLE, 1 .50/2 DOUBLED) $1.48 ea

Trip 2 (Used $7.50 in CATs and a $2 Coupon from a Shaw's Receipt Survey)

Total Before Savings:  $26.92

Total Preferred Savings:  $9.92

Total Coupons Used:  $16.80

Cash OOP:  .20 CENTS

OYNP Earned:  $10.00

2 Fiber One Cereals - PSP $4.29, Sale $2 (2 .75/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .50 ea

2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch - PSP $3.49, Sale $2 (2 .55/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .90 ea

2 Progresso Broths - PSP $2.69, Sale $2 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1 ea

2 YoPlait Kids Yogurt - PSP $2.99, Sale $2.50 (.80/2 MFC DOUBLES) $1.70 ea

Trip 3 (Used a $10 CAT)

Total Before Savings:  $33.98

Total Preferred Savings:  $10.30

Total Coupons Used:  $16.70

Cash OOP:  $6.98 ($5.99 NON-CAT Stuff)

OYNP Earned:  $14.00

CAT

3 Betty Crocker Warm Delight Minis - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.67 (.75/2 MFC, .50/1 MFC DOUBLES) .83 cents ea

2 Simply Cookies - PSP $3.99, Sale $2.50 (2 .55/1 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.40 ea

2 Crescent Rolls - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.67 (.50/2 MFC DOUBLES) $1.17 ea

2 Pie Crusts - PSP 2.99, Sale $2.50 (.50/2 MFC DOUBLES) $2 ea

Non-Cat

Half & Half - $3.99

4 Dannon Yogurts - $2.00

Day 1 Summary:

PSP:  $192.57

Cash OOP: $31.23

Cats in Wallet:  $24.00

Food for Food Pantry:  8 cans of soup, 7 boxes of broth, 14 boxes of cereal.

Sign Up for Box Tops for Education!

Now that my wee little ones are starting school, I realize how important those little Box Tops are on GM products!  My public preschool collects them - they got 9,186 of them last year - which equals $918.60 for the school! 

For the next 45 days, you can register at THE BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION site and earn your selected school 5 Box Tops (.50 cents).  It doesn't seem like a lot, but every bit helps! 

Shaw's GM CAT: Looks like only a single opportunity...

I was hoping that I just made some mistakes in my two trips today, but it does seem like this deal is not letting customers do it twice in one trip.  Just spreading the rumor..if you have luck getting 2 $10 CATs generated in one trip, let me know!

Shaw's GM CAT - Day 1

Total Before Savings:  $96.78

Total Preferred Savings:  $39.63

Total Coupons Used:  $45.00

Total OOP:  $19.18

Total OYNP Earned:  $24

Total OYNP Currently Banked:  $10

Trip 1 (started with a $3 CAT)

3 Fiber One Cereals - PSP $4.29, Sale $2 (3 .75/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .50 cents ea

5 Progresso Broths - PSP $2.69, Sale $2 (5 .50/1 MFCs DOUBLE) $1 ea

Pillsbury CAT inconjunction

2 Simply Cookies - PSP $3.99, Sale $2.50 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1.50 ea

4 Crescent Rolls - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.67 (2 .50/2 MFCs DOUBLE) $1.17 ea

$4 OYNP Earned

OOP:  $9.07

OYNP Earned:  $14.00

-  I had 3 Chex Mix (tried to double up the deal).  Dark Chocolate variety.  Didn't ring up on sale and I assume didn't count towards CAT.  I returned them.  I told CS I used $1 MFCs on each, but she gave me back the coupon $ anyways. 

Trip 2 (had $14 OYNP to use)

10 Progresso Soups - PSP $2.50, Sale $2 (1 $1.10/3, 2 $1/3, 1 .25/1 DOUBLES) $16.40 (forgot about the Shaw's coupons)

2 Cascadia Farms Os - PSP $4.99, Sale $3 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $2 ea

1 Fiber One Cereal - PSP $4.29, Sale $2 (.75/1 MFC DOUBLES) .50 cents

2 Totals - PSP $5.29, Sale $2 (2 .75/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .50 ea

2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch - PSP $3.49, Sale $2 (2 .55/1 MFCs DOUBLE) .90 cents ea

PSP:  $56.83 - but only 1 $10 CAT generated. 

OOP:  $10.11

OYNP Earned:  $10.00

BMC's Halloween Town Giveaway Winner!

Random.org picked a winner for BMC's Halloween Town!  Congratulations to Jen (lucky commenter #7)!  She'll enjoy 4 tickets to Halloween Town, a wonderful event that takes place October 24 & 25th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. Special guest is Dan Zanes!!  While Dan Zanes takes the main stage, the rest of the Seaport World Trade Center will be transformed into a 70,000 square-foot haunted town for toddlers to 12 year olds. Interactive games and kid friendly activities include:




· Interact with a “real” ghost

· Meet & Greets with favorite characters from movies, books and cartoons
· LazerTag
· Children can also listen to their favorite tales in the MonsterPiece Theater
· iParty Birthday Lab
· Pepsi Monster Midway
· Haunted Mine
· Farmers Market
· The Swamp

Didn't win?  You can still purchase advance tickets ($2 cheaper than at the door!) by checking out their website: Halloween Town.   Proceeds from the event goes to help "The Kids Fund" at BMC.  The Kids Fund has been assisting Boston’s neediest children with many basic items- from clothing and mattresses, to providing babies with formula– since 1984. More than 25,000 children receive care at BMC, and they are among the neediest population in the Boston area. The fund also supports other BMC programs including the Preventive Food Pantry and Demonstration Kitchen, the Medical-Legal Partnership for Children and the Child Witness to Violence Project.





Many thanks to the marketing folks over at Halloween Town and presenting sponsor, IParty for offering up this special 4-pack giveaway!  Have fun Jen!

10 Shaw's Betty Crocker CAT Scenarios Plotted!

I plotted out 10 scenarios for the upcoming CAT and my "Bargain Becky's 'Fill the Food Pantry' Charity Week".  If you click on the actual picture, it will get big and you can actually read them.  Good luck trying to read my chicken stratch (and understanding everything)!  The prices circled on the left (usually just over $25) are the Pre-Sale Prices.  The prices circled at the end of each one that are anywhere from $8 - $16 are the OOP cost.  Remember, each scenario will generate a $10 OYNP and if there are 6 Pillsbury's on it, will generate $14 in CATs. 

I got A LOT of coupons for this at both Bettycrocker.com and Coupons.com.  SmartSource.com has coupons too. 

Bargain Becky's Week Long Charity Mission!

So it's been a good month.  I'm really below budget and I'm gearing up for next week's shopping extravaganza!  I've started to organize my coupons and print some out.  I have a TON of coupons for this backpage catalina that starts tomorrow. 

Since I'm in need of doing a charitable deed and full of energy lately, I've decided to make it a mission to see just how much I can score at Shaw's this week with this CAT.  Since I have some cash to burn in my grocery budget, I'm going to see how much I can accumulate for next to nothing and donate most of the non-perishables to my local food pantry the following Friday.  How much can I get for them?  Join me on my week long Shaw's mission to find out.  Honestly, if my scenarios work out without many hitches, I probably won't be spending that much money.  I'll total it all at the end and see how I do.  If I broadcast this type of mission, I'm more apt to actually try to do good with it.  Plus, if I add one more box of cereal to my stash, my husband may actually kill me.  

So join me, starting tomorrow to see just how much a little coupon clipping and sales shopping can help a local food pantry. 

Nature's Path Prize Pack Winner!

Congratulations to Aimee from Pennsylvania!  She won the Nature's Path Organic Prize Pack!  I use Random.org to pick a winner and it was lucky #12!

Many thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!  And a special thanks to Nature's Path for offering up such a wonderful prize! 

If you didn't win, please be sure to still check out Nature's Path when you are at your local grocery store!  They have a fine line of organic breakfast foods - and a great selection of kids cereals to boot!  Furthermore, you can follow Nature's Path on Twitter and become a fan of theirs on Facebook. 

Didn't win?  Click HERE go sign up and get a "Buy One Get One Free" Coupon for Nature's Path products! 

Pillsbury Tip for this Coming Week!

If you like to get cookie dough for the holidays - this coming week is perfect for you!  Remember Cookie Dough is freezable.  Check the expiration dates and stock up!  Why?  This coming week at Shaw's, there is a great double dipper with the CATs (thanks to my friend Lori who brought it to my attention!)

So if you look at the back page of your Shaw's flyer, you will see that if you buy $25 (PSP) worth of that stuff, you get $10 OYNP.  Well guess what?  There is a Pillsbury Cat going on as well:


Buy any Pillsbury Refrigerated Baked Goods Betweeen 10/5 - 11/1/09



Buy (4) & get $2.00 OYNP
Buy (5) & get $3.00 OYNP
Buy (6) or more & get $4.00 OYNP

So if you get 6 Pillsbury Refridgerated Baked Goods in your CAT combo, you'll get $14 OYNP instead of just your $10.  Something to think about. 

- 

Disappointing Shaw's Trip

Total Before Savings:  $30.51

Total Preferred Savings:  $7.51

Total Coupons Used:  $13.00

Total Recycling Return:  $1.45

Cash OOP:  $8.80

OYNP Earned:  $3.00

**Not sure what I did wrong.  I thought I was going to get $9 OYNP back, but I probably got some stuff that wasn't included that I thought was.  Oh well.**

2 Birds Eye Veggies (Lightly Sauced) - PSP $2.39, Sale $2.00 (.50/1 MFC DOUBLED) $1.00 ea

1 Birds Eye Meal - PSP $6.99, Sale $5.00 ($1.50/1 MFC) $3.50

2 Breyer's Disney Yogurts - PSP $3.29, Sale $2.50 ($1.50/2 MFC) $1.75 ea

2 Breyer's YoCrunch - PSP $3.49, Sale $2.50 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1.50 ea

2 Wet Ones (I left one in the car) - PSP $2.59, Sale $2.00 ($1/2 MFCs) $1.50 ea

Free Personalized Tote Bag Today Only!

FREE PERSONALIZED TOTE BAG!  TODAY ONLY!

VistaPrint is giving you a FREE small (14" X 14") tote bag today only!  Click HERE to get yours!  I ordered mine for a Christmas Gift (uploaded a picture of my kids - cheesy, I know).  Shipping was $4.41.  Not bad though - a tote bag with your own picture on it for $4.41?  Or you can get your small business logo (or blog logo!) on it.   Or you can choose from their designs.  Whatever. 

P&G Brandsaver Coupon Book Giveaway!

Where are my Proctor & Gamble Coupon Lovers?

Pampers is offering P&G Brandsaver Coupon Books in specially-marked boxes of Baby Dry, Swaddlers, Swaddlers Sensitive and Cruisers diapers (see the pretty picture to the left?  That's a specially marked box). Starting this month and for a limited time, moms will receive P&G Brandsaver coupon books worth up to $30 in savings on brands such as Tide, Charmin, Vicks, Olay, Duracell, Venus, Pampers and many more everyday P&G products they may use by purchasing the specially marked boxes of Pampers.

Here is a sample of the coupon pack:

Save $2 off any Pampers Swaddlers, Swaddlers Sensitive or Cruisers Diapers BOX
Save $2 when you buy both any Pampers Diapers Box AND any Pampers Wipes 180 count or larger
Save $2 on any Similac product
Save $1 on any Vicks BabyRub
Save $1.50 on ONE Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer (model #V150SG or V150SG-CAN)
Save $5 off one Braun ThermoScan Thermometer (Model #IRT4520)
Save $1 off any Dreft 32 loads or larger
Save $1 off one any size Charmin
Save $1 on any size Tide Detergent
Save $1 off any size Tide Stain Release product
Save $1 off any size scent Bounce Dryer Bar
Save $1 off any one pack of Duracell Copper Top 4 packs or larger AA, AAA or any size C, D, 9V or Duracell Ultra 4 pack or larger
Save $4 off any one Swifter Wet Jet Starter Kit
Save $2 off any ONE Venus Razor
Save $1.50 off any one Pantene Pro-V Expressions or Restoratives product
Save $1 on any one Olay facial moisturizer or facial cleanser
Save $1 off any one Always INFINITY package
Save $1 off any one Vicks Vapo product
Save $1 off any one Vicks NyQuil product
Save $1 off any one Pepto product
 
To celebrate this coupon promotion, P&G is going to give 10 (yes, 10!) of my lucky readers these coupon books for free in the mail! There are 4 ways to enter (and you can enter up to 4 times, but only win once - leave a comment for every entry.).  Note, upon winning, I'll give your address directly to P&G to mail the coupon books directly to you.  You have 48 hours upon being notified of winning to claim your prize. 
 
1. Mandatory:  Leave a comment telling me your favorite P&G product.  (Make sure you leave your email address if you aren't clickable).

2.  Become a Fan of Bargain Becky on Facebook.

3.  Follow Bargain Becky on Twitter.

4.  Post this Giveaway on your blog. 


You have until Monday, October 19 11:59 EST to enter!  Thanks for reading and good luck!

3 Free Greeting Cards from Shutterfly!

Get 3 Free Greeting Cards (valued at $2.49) with promo code 3FREECARDS from now until November 4th at Shutterfly!  They can be 3 of the same, or 3 different ones.  It's up to you!

There is a .99 cent charge for shipping - and I got charged .02 cents for tax - but hey, $1.01 for 3 greeting cards is spectacular!

Seventh Avenue - $20 off $20!

**As of 2:45 pm on Tuesday October 13th, this code is being reported as not working!  Boohoo!**

Thanks to Deal Finding Mom, I found some stupid stuff to buy on Seventh Avenue!  If you enter code SA20, you get $20 off any order of $20 or more!

Shipping for me was $9.99.  I got some ghetto/old lady Snowman Bath Set but I need to get the house all Christmased out for the boys!  It was $21.99, plus $9.99 S&H.  I paid $11.98.  Did I need it?  No.  Is it worth $11.98?  Probably not.  Will it make me happy?  Heck Yeah!!

There are a bunch of things on the site that are just over $20 - so if you are looking for a Christmas gift that looks like it cost a lot, but didn't, check out Seventh Avenue! 

OH OH OH!  And better yet - go through Cashbaq.com and you'll get 3% back on your purchase!  Woot Woot!  Who knows when this code expires!  Roni found a great Dinoland Sheet Set (check out her blog to get details there) - but my kids probably won't be in twin beds for years.  Can't pass up a $20 off $20 order though!

Got National Grid Gas? Get Insulated!

National Grid in MA and NH (I think RI too) are giving customers 75% of the cost of insulation (including installation) until 12/01/09 (up to $2,000)!  Click HERE for details.  Furthermore, the Federal Government will give you 30% back on the cost of insulation through a tax credit.  This is good until 12/31/10.  Click HERE for details. 

So here's me like 2 months ago.  I thought "Oh this is great, we have gas to our house, but we don't have gas heat!  We'll get the insulation done to get this awesome rebate."  I got one quote and then was informed that the gas company categorizes your bill so they know if you are a residential heat customer.  The contractor was right - I looked on my bill and I was R-3 (Residential NON-heat).  You have to be a R-1 (Residential heat) to qualify.  Duh!   But here.  Let me tell you how you can bank:

Our house is 1600 sq ft.  Our attic is already completely insulated, but our walls are not.  So we wanted blown-in insulation.  Our ceilings are pretty high (8 1/2 ft, I think but could be 9 ft).  So our quote for blow-in insulation?  $2,300.

Total:  $2,300
75% National Grid Rebate:  $1725
Actual Total OOP:  $575

But wait - there is a 30% Federal Tax Credit program.  The government will give you 30% of the cost of the actual insulation (not the labor for the insulation).  After we got informed of our attempted fraud, my husband did some quick measurements and checked out the insulation at Lowe's.  He figured that we'd need between $500 and $600 worth of blown-in insulation.  We might do it ourselves.  We aren't sure yet.  So let's say it costs $550 for the insulation.

Approximate cost for the insulation (the contractor will actually break this down for you for your taxes):  $550
30% Tax Credit:  $165

Minus the $165 from the $575 I would have paid after rebate:  $410 to insulate my house (if I were a gas heat customer and took advantage of the National Grid rebate and Federal government program). 

Now...is it worth it?  They say insulation saves you 25% off your heating and cooling bill.  I got the following figures from THIS ARTICLE from The Boston Globe:

The average yearly heating bill for gas customers - $1,593 - 25% Yearly Savings would be $398.25 a year
The average yearly heating bill for oil customers - $2,345 - 25% Yearly Savings would be $586.25 a year

Personally I think these figures are way off.  We are oil customers and there is no way we spend $2,300 a year.  Maybe $1,500 tops.  But my husband says he's always cold...I like it though. 

So here's the deal.  If we were indeed gas heat customers, this would be very worth it to us.  We'd recoop the cost in just a year or two.  Considering we're planning on staying here until we're dead, that's about 50+ years of heating cost savings.  We'd recoup the cost in less than 2 years.   
 
If you live in MA (or NH & RI), and are National Grid gas heat customers, you might want to look into this program.  All the details are on the website - or you can call their number to talk to someone.  Sure, you have to up front the costs, but you get them back. The National Grid rebate is only good until 12/01/09 (so act fast).  Remember too, all contractors and houses and types of insulation are different.  I just showed my example for blown-in (R-19) insulation for our home. 

Hannaford's Catalina on Hannaford Brand Products!

Now through October 31st, for every 4 Hannaford brand products you buy, you'll get a coupon for $1 off your next purchase!  Up to $10!  Click on that link there for details.  On the surface, this doesn't look like a really great deal - but if you buy a lot of yogurts or generics in general, well hey, it's free money that you wouldn't have otherwise!  Besides cups of yogurts, I'm not really sure what other good products would be a good deal (because in theory, it's only .25 cents off an item...)

Many thanks to my friend Christine who told me about this!  She shops Hannaford's often.  If you have any tips like this, feel free to visit my fan page on Facebook and share or email me at BBinNewEngland (at) gmail (dot) com.