31 Ways to Save in 2011: Cut grocery expenses by using Angel Food Ministries

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If you’re looking for ways to cut your grocery expenses, but you haven’t quite figured out coupons yet, Angel Food Ministries may be a good option to help you cut your grocery expenses (if you are a seasoned couponer, this is probably not the best option for you because you can probably get better deals by using coupons and tracking sales cycles).  Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that has been helping to provide grocery relief to families across the country since 1994.

In the past Angel Food Ministries has offered a box of food each month for $30.  This year, they have a variety of boxes to choose from starting at just $16.  They have something for everyone, including a gluten free box for $25!  There is even an “After School Fruit and Veggie Box” which includes snacks such as applesauce, trail mix, carrots, celery, apples, pears, and oranges.  They also have steak and chicken boxes available!  There is no limit on the number of boxes you can order.

There are no income guidelines, but they do accept food stamps! All items are fresh and most of them are name brand. There are a variety of churches and other organizations in areas across the country that are responsible for distribution of the items. You have to place your order early in the month and then you pick it up on a specific date.

To view the full monthly menu click here and then click on “This Month’s Menu”

To locate a host site near you, click here.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

WOW! Eclipse Blu Ray/DVD combo for just $5 shipped?!

Target.com has a HOT deal right now that you’ll definitely want to take advantage of if you haven’t snagged a copy of Eclipse yet.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Blu Ray/DVD combo is on clearance right now for $10. Enter the code TGTWGT08 at check-out and you’ll get an additional $8 offWith tax and shipping (which is $2.79), my total came to $5.14.

Don’t forget to shop through Shop at Home to get an additional 5% cash back!  (Plus, you’ll get a $5 bonus if you sign up for the first time – details are here)

I’ll be honest.  This deal seems too good to be true, so there’s a chance that this was a pricing error and that orders will be canceled, but you never know, so it’s definitely worth a shot and if it does pan it, it will be AWESOME!

(Thanks Saving Money & Living Life!)

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Babies ‘R Us: Time to stock up on baby care products!

It’s time to stock up on baby products during the Toys ‘R Us/Babies ‘R Us “stock up” sale. Baby personal care items are Buy 2, get 1 free right now!  Even if you don’t have babies that you need to buy for, this is a great time to buy for baby showers!

Here are a few scenarios for you:

If you need diaper creme:

Desitin – $3.79/each (according to online pricing)
$1/1 Desitin printable
$1/1 Desitin – 1-9 SS2

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Desitin – $3.79 each

-$3.79 (store Buy 2, get 1 free promotion)
-$3 (3 $1 coupons)

Spend $4.58 OOP ($1.53/each)

If you need shampoo or body wash:

Aveeno baby shampoo is priced at $4.79 (according to online pricing)
$1/1 Aveeno baby products – 1-9 SS
$1/1 Aveeno baby products printable
Free Full Size Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion when you buy 3 participating products printable

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Aveeno baby shampoo – $4.79/each

-$4.79 (store Buy 2, get 1 free promotion)
-$3 (3 $1 coupons)

Spend $6.58 OOP
*Submit for the free lotion – $6.58 for four products ($1.65/each!)

Buy Johnson’s Head to Toe body wash or baby shampoo – $3.79/each (based on online pricing)
$1/1 Johnson’s baby product – 1-9 SS2
$.75/1 Johnson’s bubble bath or baby wash printable

SCENARIO
Buy 3 Johnson’s baby shampoo or body wash – $3.79/each

-$3.79 (Buy 2, Get 1 free store promotion)
-$3 (3 $1 coupons)

Spend $4.58 OOP ($1.53/each)

**I am guessing that you can mix or match items, but I’m not 100% sure!


**Don’t forget about your ‘R Us rewards you earned from your holiday spending.  They expire on Friday, 1/14 and you should be able to use them with this deal!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Walgreens deals for the week of 1/9

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you check out my tips for shopping at Walgreens here.  If you need coupons for the deals this week, check out My Coupon Hunter!

 These are not all of the weekly RR deals.  These are just some of the highlights!

FREEBIES:

Bic Triumph Pens – $1.99
$2/1 Bic Triumph pens printable
Final Price = FREE after coupon (they should adjust the price of the coupon down)
(Thanks Wild for Wags!)

Buy Go Kids! Multi-vitamins gummies – $5, get a $5 RR

Buy Pill Glide Swallowing Spray – $5, get a $5 RR (this is a monthly deal)

Reach Total Care toothbrushes – $3.99/each
$2/1 Reach Total Care Walgreens in ad coupon
BOGO free Reach toothbrushes – 10-10 RP
BOGO free Reach Total Care dental floss – 1-3-10 RP
$2/1 Reach Total Care + Whitening Dental Floss – 10-10 RP
$2/2 Reach toothbrushes printable
$1/1 Reach floss printable

SCENARIO:
Buy 4 Reach Total Care toothbrushes – $3.99

-$8 (Walgreens in ad coupon) – give this LAST!
-$7.98 (BOGO free coupons)
-$2 ($2/2 printable coupons)

Final Price – $2.02 moneymaker (make sure you have something to cover the overage!)

OR

Buy 4 Reach Total Care dental floss – $3.99


-$8 (Walgreens in ad coupon) – give this LAST!
-$7.98 (BOGO free coupon)
-$2 ($2 coupon)

Final Price = $2.02 moneymaker (make sure you have something to cover the overage!)

Stayfree Maxi Pads (28-48 ct) – $6.49
$3/1 Stayfree Walgreens in ad coupon
BOGO free Stayfree – 1-9 SS2
$1/1 Stayfree – 11-7 RP
$1/1 Stayfree printable

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Stayfree Maxi pads – $6.49/each

-$6.49 (BOGO free Stayfree coupon)
-$1 (Stayfree coupon)
-$6 (Walgreens in ad coupon – give this last!)

Final Price = $.51 overage (make sure you have something to cover the overage!)

RR DEALS:

Buy Bic Comfort3 Advance (3-4 ct), Flex 4, Soleil, or Hybrid Advance razors – $4.99, get a $1 RR
BOGO free Bic Disposable razor – 1-9 SS
Final Price = $3.99 for two packages after coupon/RR

Buy 2 Chloraseptic, get a $5 RR (PSA $3.99)
$1/1 Chloraseptic printable

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Chloraseptic – $3.99/each

Use 2 $1 coupons

Spend $5.98 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $.98 after coupons/RR

Buy Crest Whitening Expressions or Whitening Plus Scope toothpaste or Oral B Advantage 1-2-3 toothbrush – 2/$5, get a $1 RR
$.75/1 Crest toothpaste – 12-26 PG
$.75/1 Oral B Advantage toothbrush – 12-26 PG
Final Price = $2.50 after coupons/RR ($1.25/each)

Buy Dove Men’s Deodorant, body wash, or Active Clean shower tool – $3.99, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $1.99 after coupons/RR

Buy EOS Lip Balm or EOS Moisturizing Shave Cream – $2.99, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $.99 after RR!

Buy Household Cleaners – 2/$5, get a $1 RR:
-Fantastik (32 oz)
$.75/1 Fantastik All Purpose cleaner – 1-9 SS
-Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator
$1/1 Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator printable
$1/1 Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator – 1-9 SS-Scrubbing Bubbles
$1/2 Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner – 1-9 SS
$.75/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower foamer  – 1-9 SS
-Shout$.55/1 Shout – 1-9 SS-Windex
$1/2 Windex glass cleaner – 1-9 SS
$.55/1 Windex Multi-surface – 1-9 SS
Final Price = as low as 2/$2 ($1 each) after coupons/RR

Buy Kellogg’s Special K, Rice Krispies, and Smart Start cereals – 2/$5, get a $2 RR
BOGO free Special K printable
$1/2 Kellogg’s cereals – 12-5 RP
Final Price = $.50 after coupon/RR

Buy Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap System – $11.99, get a $7 RR
$3/1 Lysol Healthy Touch printable
$3/1 Lysol Healthy Touch – 1-9 SS
Final Price = $1.99 after coupon/RR

Buy Pampers Cruisers diapers (56-64 ct box) – $19.99, get a $3 RR
$1.50/1 Pampers – 12-26 PG
Final Price = $15.49 after coupons/RR

Buy Pantene Hair care – 2/$7, get a $2 RR
$3/2 Pantene – 12-26 PG
Final Price = $2 after coupons/RR ($1 each!)

Buy Tylenol Precise Pain Relief Cream or Patches – $5.99, get a $3 RR
$2/1 Tylenol Precise – 1-9 SS
$2/1 Tylenol Precise printable
Final Price = $.99 after coupon/RR

BOGO FREE DEALS:

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste (5.8 oz, PSA $4.29) – STOCK UP PRICE!
$.75/1 Colgate Total – 1-2 SS
$1/1 Colgate Total – Diabetes & You Magazine (found near the pharmacy in Walgreens stores)
$1/1 Colgate Total Walgreens store coupon – Diabetes & You Magazine

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Colgate Total Advanced – $4.29

-$4.29 (from BOGO free promotion)
-$2 (2 $1 manufacturer’s coupons)
-$2 (store coupon should deduct $2)

Final Price = $.29 OOP ($.15/each!)

Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $2.99
$.75/1 Lysol toilet bowl cleaner – 1-2 SS
Final Price = $1.49 for 2 after coupons!

Lysol disinfecting wipes – $3.99
$1/1 Lysol disinfecting wipes – 1-2 SS
Final Price = $1.99 for 2 after coupons!

Rembrandt Toothpaste or Mouthwash – PSA $7.99
$3/1 Rembrandt toothpaste/mouthwash printable
$2/1 Rembrandt toothpaste/mouthwas – 1-2 RP
Final Price = $1.99 for both after coupons

FILLER ITEMS:
*Butterball chicken broth – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Nabisco crackers or cookies – $.59 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Nestle candy – $.49 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Russell Stover chocolate heart – $.39 (w/ in ad coupon)

OTHER DEALS:

Band Aid bandages – PSA $2.99 – STOCK UP PRICE!
$1.50/1 Band Aid Walgreens in ad coupon
$.50/1 Band Aid product – 1-9 SS2
Final Price = $.99 after coupons

Bayer Aspirin – 2/$3 (w/ in ad coupon)
$1/1 Bayer printable
$1/1 Bayer – 1-2 SS
Final Price = $.50/each after coupon

Breakfast favorites (one dozen eggs, 10 pack Banquet Brown & Serve sausage, 4 pk Harvest Pride English muffins or Toufayan bagels) – $.99/each

Colgate toothpaste or toothbrush – $1
$.75/1 Colgate toothpaste or toothbrush – 1-2 SS2
Final Price = $.25 after coupon!

PaperMate profile pens (2 ct), stick pens (10 ct) or mechanical pencils (10 ct) – $.99 (w/ in ad coupon)

Quaker Oatmeal – $1.50 (w/ in ad coupon) – STOCK UP PRICE!
$1/1 Quaker oatmeal – 1-2 RP
Final Price = $.50/each after coupons

Uno 40th Anniversary Edition Card Game – $.99

These scenarios are for people who have few, if any RR to start with:  $61.90 in merchandise for $5.43 OOP, $1 RR left to spend

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 1 Go Kids! Multivitamins – $5
Buy 4 Reach toothbrushes or floss – $3.99/each
Buy 2 Stayfree maxi pads – $6.49/each

Use 2 BOGO free Reach coupons
Use $2/2 Reach coupon
Use Walgreens in ad Reach coupon (-$8)
Use BOGO free Stayfree coupon
Use $1 Stayfree coupon
Use Walgreens in ad Stayfree coupon (-$6)

Spend $2.47 OOP, get a $5 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 2 Chloraseptic – $3.99/each
Buy Uno – $.99

Use 2 $1/1 Chloraseptic coupons
Use $5 vitamin RR

Spend $1.97, get a $5 RR

TRANSACTION #3:  
Buy 1 Go Kids! Multivitamins – $5 or Pill Glide Swallowing Spray – $5

Use $5 Chloraseptic RR

Spend $0 OOP, get a $5 RR

TRANSACTION #4:
Buy EOS lip balm or shave cream – $2.99
Buy 2 Special K cereals – 2/$5

Use BOGO free coupon
Use $5 RR from transaction #3

Spend $.49 OOP, get 2 $2 RR

TRANSACTION #5:
Buy 2 Fantastik cleaners – 2/$5
Buy 2 Butterball chicken broth – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use 2 $.75 Fantastik coupons
Use 2 $2 RRs

Spend $.50 OOP, get a $1 RR

MY PLAN:  I am starting with a $5 RR ($57.49 in merchandise for $1.50 OOP, $3 in RR left to spend)

TRANSACTION #1: ($49.50 before coupons)
Buy 1 Go Kids! Multivitamins – $5
Buy 4 Reach toothbrushes/floss – $3.99/each
Buy 2 Stayfree maxi pads – $6.49/each
Buy 2 Bic Triumph – $1.99
Buy 2 Colgate Total – $4.29 (BOGO free)
Buy 1 Quaker oatmeal – $1.50 (w/ in ad coupon)
Buy 1 Butterball chicken broth – $.50 (w/ in ad coupon)
Buy 1 Colgate toothbrush – $1

Use $5 RR
Use 2 BOGO free Reach coupons
Use $2/2 Reach printable
Use $2 Reach in ad coupon (-$8)
Use BOGO free Stayfree coupon
Use $3 Stayfree in ad coupon (-$6)
Use 2 $2 Bic Triumph coupons (adjusted to $1.99)
Use 2 Colgate $1 coupons
Use Colgate in ad coupon (-$2)
Use $1 Quaker coupon
$.75/1 Colgate toothbrush 

Spend $.01, earn a $5 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 2 Fantastik cleaners – 2/$5
Buy 1 EOS lip balm – $2.99

Use 2 $.75 Fantastik coupons
Use $5 RR

Spend $1.49, earn a $2 RR and a $1 RR

FAQS: (Check out Walgreens new coupon policy here!)

Do you do multiple transactions at one store on one visit?
It just depends. Several stores in my area have gone to a “one RR per item per day” rule, which means I can’t do more than one transaction where I’m earning RR for the same product at the same store. Some of the stores in my area also will not let you use the RR you earn from one transaction on another transaction in that same visit.  I’m fortunate to have several stores within a few minutes of my house, so I usually try to break up transactions at different stores and on different days to stay in the good graces of my stores.

What is Walgreens policy on using BOGO free coupons with a BOGO free offer, adjusting down coupons, etc.? 
The new coupon policy does not really using a BOGO free coupon with a BOGO free promotion, but it does say you can use up to two coupons as long as the total doesn’t go below zero, so, you SHOULD be able to do this!!

Walgreens coupon policy is now to adjust the value of coupons down – YAY!!

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item (always give the store coupon last to avoid problems)

*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 2 Listerine, you will only earn a RR for one)

*You also typically cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion on the same promotion and earn Register Rewards again. For example, if you buy the kid vitamins and use the RR from that to buy more, the RR will not print

*Register Rewards are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will have to add “filler” items if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a RR. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (check out the weekly match-ups for ideas)

*If you are using more than one RR in a transaction, always give the RR with the highest value FIRST. Sometimes strange things happen with coupons and taxes and even if you think you have planned out your scenario very well, you will end up with more overage than you planned for.

*If you are buying items that would result in a “free” item or “overage” when combining a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon, give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST, and the store coupons LAST to avoid beeping/issues at the register! Make sure that you are purchasing enough items in your total transaction to “cover” the overage. You will not get cash back and you will have to add items to cover the overage or they will not take the coupon.

*If your Register Reward doesn’t print for some reason and you have fulfilled all of the obligations for the “deal” (including not using RR from the same parent company to pay) DO NOT let them tell you it is because you used coupons! Chances are they didn’t print because the catalina machine is not working. You have two choices: you can return your items and try again or you can contact the catalina company by doing the following:
*The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
*Call 1-877-210-1917, option 1

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

31 Ways to Save in 2011: Saving on auto insurance

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Auto insurance is a must have, but it can also be a huge drain on your monthly budget. Here are a few tips for keeping your auto insurance manageable:

Shop around ~ Get new quotes for auto insurance from competitors every 6-12 months.  Circumstances change (maybe an accident or ticket fell of your record or maybe you’re not driving as much) and it’s always good to see what other options are available.  You can usually get a quick fairly quickly online.  If you really like your current insurance carrier and a competitor offers you a lower rate, it doesn’t hurt to call your current company to see if they will match the competitor’s rate.

Take advantage of “bundled” options ~ You can usually save more money on auto insurance if you take advantage of multi-car discounts or if you have your auto and homeowner’s (or renter’s) insurance through teh same provider.

Membership has it’s privileges ~ Many insurance providers offer discounts to members of various professional organizations.  It never hurts to ask if a discount is available!  If you have a teen driver, also ask about discounts for good grades.

Take defensive driving ~ By taking a defensive driving course, you can usually get a discount on your auto insurance premium.  There are many classes available online and you can also check out DVDs to complete the course.

Raise your deductible ~ Raising your deductible (even from $500-$1000) can have a significant impact on your insurance premiums.  It’s worth it to at least investigate the difference!  If you do increase your deductible, make sure you have enough money in an emergency fund to cover it!

Pay in lump sums or by EFT ~ If you make payments monthly, you are probably paying $3-5 extra every month for a “service fee”  Make your payment in lump sums (6 months or annually) to save money.  If you can’t do this, look into payment by EFT because there are usually additional discounts if you choose this option.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.