Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Frugal Muse: Coupon Index & Deals for 10/17

Saving money, especially given the current economic uncertainty, is always A Good Thing.
Even if you don't need to economize, why pay more for mundane stuff like toothpaste and shampoo than you need to? You could do something fun with the money you saved, like buy a Kindle or something!

I've been experimenting with various ways to organize my stash of coupons. Every week, I pull the coupon inserts from the Sunday newspaper and save them. I also save the sales flyers for the grocery stores where I shop, as well as flyers for CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. I save the coupon inserts indefinitely, but toss the store flyers as they are replaced by new ones each week.

It's a really good idea to save the Rite Aid and Walgreen's flyers, as they issue store coupons in their flyers besides just advertising the sales. Both Rite Aid and Walgreen's will allow you to stack deals by using both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon for the same item, which maximizes your savings. Of course, they always have plenty of copies of the flyers at the store, in case you forgot to clip your store coupon. The salesperson will be happy to scan the coupon barcode right from the flyer.

Most weeks, there will be two coupon inserts: RedPlum and SmartSource, which contain manufacturer's coupons. Sometimes more than one version of these will be issued in a week. Once a month, Proctor and Gamble issues their own coupon flyer, P&G Saver. General Mills also will issue flyers periodically. I save all of these.

I generally like to get more than one copy of each coupon insert, as the same item very often will go on sale more than once before its coupon expires. And of course, when your favorite thing goes on sale and is FREE with a coupon, it's nice to have extra coupons so you can get as many freebies as possible.

But what to do with all the inserts you want to save? After several months of experimentation, I have found that what works best for me is to store them in hanging file folders in a file box. I have a plastic Sterilite file box I bought at Walmart that holds a good number of letter-sized hanging folders. That's where I keep the inserts for the most recent 4 months. I keep the older ones in another file box (and yes, I have dug back into them from time to time to get a still-current coupon).


I organize the folders by date. I make a folder for each week and I put all the coupon inserts for that week in the folder. I used to have separate folders for each insert each week, but having all the inserts for the same week in one place is easier for me.


I write the date of issue on the front of each insert. You can also find the date in teeny-tiny letters on the spine of the inserts. You may need a magnifying glass to find it, but it's there!

If you collect more than one copy of each insert every week, you may want to inter-leave them. I pull all the identical pages out and staple them together. Then I put the pages back together to make one big insert. Now, instead of having 4 separate RedPlums, I have one big one. That way, it's easy to see how many of each coupon I've already used, rather than having to page through 4 separate inserts to find that one last Wheat Thins coupon I thought I had. And if you want to clip out all the coupons you have for an item. it's simple to snip once and get them all at the same time.

Even after determining which insert has the best coupon for an item I want, it seems to take me forever to flip through the pages, stalking the elusive coupon.

Being the total librarian data dweeb that I am, I finally started writing page numbers on the insert sheets. I now use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of each coupon and its page number. As time has gone by, I've added more information to my index. I probably should use Access to create a real relational database for all this stuff since I'm taking the time to gather all these discrete data points, but I have not yet descended that far into data delirium.

Currently, I list the date, the name of the insert, the item and coupon value, the page number, how many copies of that coupon I have, how many I've used, and the coupon's expiration date. I sort by date (most recent first), then insert, then item, alphabetically. Of course, since the data are in Excel, I can search on any of the words, e.g., Kellogg's, to find a Kelloggs coupon. I can also sort the data in various ways, such as by expiration date, or as I have it now, by the date of the coupon insert.

Clearly, I have WAY too much time on my hands.... but it has made it super easy to find and pull the specific coupons I want before heading to the store.

Here is an example:

10/17 | RedPlum | Kellogg's Rice Krispies/Cocoa Krispies $1/2 | p. 3 | 4 (I have a total of 4 of this coupon) | blank (haven't used any of them yet)| 11/28 (expiration date)

So, this coupon is in the Oct. 17 RedPlum; it is for $1 off 2 boxes (total) of Rice Krispies and/or Cocoa Krispies, and it expires on Nov. 28. It's on "page 3" of the insert, and I have 4 of these coupons.

Since I've gone to all the trouble to index the coupon inserts for this week, I figured I might as well share my index with you. There are 2 coupon inserts this week, RedPlum & SmartSource.

Date

Circular

Item

EXP

10/17

RedPlum

Abreva $3

12/15

10/17

RedPlum

AcneFree Kit, any, $3

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

AcneFree non-kit treatment, any, $1

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

Arm & Hammer Clumping Litter & Temptations Treats (up to 3 oz.); treats (up to $2.19) free wyb litter

11/14

10/17

RedPlum

BestLife Butter Spread or Spray 50 cents

12/16

10/17

RedPlum

Breathe Right 12 ct or smaller $1.50

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

Breathe Right 26 ct or larger $2.50

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

Carbona Silver Wipes $1

1/15

10/17

RedPlum

Domino Brown or Confectioner's Sugar, (2) 1 lb. boxes 50 cents

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

Domino granulated sugar, (1) 4 or 5 lb., 40 cents

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

Kelloggs Cereal $1/3

11/28

10/17

RedPlum

Kelloggs Rice Krispies/Cocoa Krispies, $1/2

11/28

10/17

RedPlum

L'Oreal Healty Look haircolor, $2

1/9

10/17

RedPlum

Nivea Body Wash (16.9 oz), $3

11/30

10/17

RedPlum

Nivea Body Wash for Women (8.4 oz-16.9 oz.), $1

11/30

10/17

RedPlum

Nivea Body Wash for Women (8.4 oz-16.9 oz.), $3/2

11/30

10/17

RedPlum

Pedigree Food for Dogs, 8.8 lbs or larger, $1/1

11/29

10/17

RedPlum

Pedigree Jumbone treats for dogs, any, $1

11/28

10/17

RedPlum

Pedigree Marrobone treats for dogs, any, $1

11/28

10/17

RedPlum

PRECISE product by Tylenol, any, $3

12/12

10/17

RedPlum

Slimshots Liquid Portion Control $3

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

SuperPretzel soft pretzel item, any, 50 cents

12/31

10/17

RedPlum

Whiskas Dry Cat Food, any, $1.50

12/11

10/17

RedPlum

Whiskas Multipack, any, $1

12/11

10/17

RedPlum

Whiskas Tray, any, BOGO

12/11

10/17

SmartSource

4-Way Nasal Spray product, any, $1.50

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Benefiber Orange product, any, $1

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Benefiber product, any, $1

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

BIC Disposable shaver or BIC Soleil Refillable Razor Handle or Cartridge Refills pack, $2

11/14

10/17

SmartSource

Brita multipack filters, $1

11/28

10/17

SmartSource

Brita pour-through or facuet mount system, $4

11/28

10/17

SmartSource

Bufferin product, $3

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Chef Boyardee, 1 can Big or Whole Grain pasta, save $1.25 wyb 4 cans Chef Boyardee pasta

11/30

10/17

SmartSource

Clear Care Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution or Aquify Multi-purpose Solution, 12 oz. or larger, $2

2/14

10/17

SmartSource

Clear Care Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution or Aquify Multi-purpose Solution, Twin pack, $5

2/14

10/17

SmartSource

Comtrex product, $1.50

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

EASY BAKE Microwave & Style Deluxe Delights Kit $5

11/8

10/17

SmartSource

El Monterey Mexican Snacks--Taquitos, Tamales, Mini Chimis or Quesadillas, $1/1

1/15

10/17

SmartSource

El Monterey Taquitos $1

1/15

10/17

SmartSource

Excedrin product, 20 ct or larger, $1

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Excedrin product, 80 ct or larger, $1.50

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

GenTeal, $1.50

2/28

10/17

SmartSource

Glade Automatic Spray Refill, BOGO (up to $5.49)

11/13

10/17

SmartSource

Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper, $1/4

12/11

10/17

SmartSource

Hershey's, Reese's or KitKat snack size bags, 9-22 oz., $1/2

10/31

10/17

SmartSource

HUGGIES Baby Wipes, 320 ct or larger, $2

11/13

10/17

SmartSource

HUGGIES Diapers, $1.50

11/13

10/17

SmartSource

HUGGIES Little Snugglers or Little Movers Diapers, $2

11/13

10/17

SmartSource

i-cool for menopause, $5

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

i-flex, 120 ct., $5

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

JELLO Gelatin or Pudding, 50 cents/2

11/14

10/17

SmartSource

Kraft 100 Calorie Packs Cheese Bites, $1/1

11/17

10/17

SmartSource

Krusteaz Muffin Mix, 50 cents

1/31

10/17

SmartSource

Land O Lakes Seasoning, $1/2

1/31

10/17

SmartSource

LYSOL Fabric Mist, $1

11/16

10/17

SmartSource

LYSOL Neutra Air aerosol can, $1.50

11/16

10/17

SmartSource

Maalox Advanced product, $1

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Maalox Advanced product, $2.50/2

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

method Cleaning Product, $1

10/31

10/17

SmartSource

Nivea Lip Care Product (1), up to $3.99 value, FREE wyb (1) Triaminic Cold & Cough Product

10/31

10/17

SmartSource

Nivea Lip Care Product (1), up to $3.99 value, FREE wyb (1) Triaminic Cold & Cough Product

11/30

10/17

SmartSource

Orajel product, $1

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Pepperidge Farm Toast or Loaf Frozen Bread, 40 cents

12/26

10/17

SmartSource

Pert Plus 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 product, $1

11/30

10/17

SmartSource

Pillsbury Refrigerated Baked Goods Products 75 cents/3

1/8

10/17

SmartSource

Pillsbury Sweet Moments Refrigerated Desserts 75 cents

1/8

10/17

SmartSource

Prevacid 24HR product, $2

11/28

10/17

SmartSource

Purina ONE dry Cat Food, any, $2

11/17

10/17

SmartSource

Purina ONE dry Dog Food, any, $2

11/17

10/17

SmartSource

Ricola Cough and Throat Products, $1/2

12/17

10/17

SmartSource

Rug Doctor Machine Rental, $10

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Scott Extra Soft Bath Tissue, 8 ct or more, $1

11/28

10/17

SmartSource

Scott Naturals Flushable Wipes, 1 tub or refill, 50 cents

11/28

10/17

SmartSource

Scott Paper Towels Long Lasting Rolls or Mega Rolls, $1/4

11/28

10/17

SmartSource

Scott Rags, 200 ct., $1

11/28

10/17

SmartSource

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk, half-gallon, $2/2

12/31

10/17

SmartSource

Sure Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant product, $1

11/30

10/17

SmartSource

Theraflu Max-D Severe Cold & Flu, $2

12/4

10/17

SmartSource

Theraflu product, $1.50

12/4

10/17

SmartSource

Totino's Products, Any, 50 cents/4

1/8

10/17

SmartSource

Yoplait Greek Yogurt cup 30 cents

12/11

10/17

SmartSource

YoPlus Yogurt 4-pack 50 cents

12/11




Here are some of my picks for the week at CVS and Rite AID.

At CVS, when you register for an Extra Care Card, you will be eligible to receive Extra Care Bucks (ECB) to spend towards a future purchase. ECBS print on the bottom of your receipt (so don't throw your receipts away!) and are good for a month. The Extra Care Bucks are included in the amount you will save. As you keep rolling over your ECBs, the amount you will pay at the register will get smaller and smaller! You can also split your purchases into multiple transactions so you can use your ECBs faster.

CVS DEALS (until 10/23)

Schick Hydro 5 Razor: FREE!!

Orig Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $8.99
Coupon: SmartSource 10/3, $4
Store Coupon: $5 Extra Care Bucks on purchase of Hydro (limit of 1)
Sale Price - Coupon = $4.99; -$5 ECB= FREE
% Savings: 100%

Revlon Matte Eye Shadow, single: 49 cents each (must buy 2)
Orig price: $4.99 each
Coupon: SmartSource 10/10, $1
Store Coupon: $7 ECB wyb 2 Revlon Face, Lip, or Eye
Buy: 2
Use 2 coupons.
With 2 coupons: cost of 2 eyeshadows: $9.98 - $2 in coupons= $7.98 - $7 ECB = 98 cents, or 49 cents each
% Savings: 90%
With 1 coupon, price for 2 would be $1.98, or 99 cents each
% Savings: 80%

Os-Cal 500 +D Calcium Supplement, 75 ct: $1.30 each
Orig Price: $8.59 Sale price: BOGO
Coupon: RedPlum 10/10 $3
Buy: 2 (must buy 2 to get BOGO price)
Use: 2 coupons
$8.59- $6 in coupons = $2.59 for 2, $1.30 each
% Savings: 85%

Osteo Bi-Flex Advanced Triple Strength Gelcaps, 40 ct., $4 each
Original Price: 15.99 Sale price: BOGO
Coupon: RedPlum 9/26, $4
Buy: 2
Use: 2 coupons
$15.99-$8 in coupons = $7.99 for 2, $4 each
% Savings: 75%

Rite Aid Deals
Rite-Aid now offers something similar to the ECBs at CVS. They are called +UP (Plus Up) rewards. To get them, you must sign up for a Wellness Plus card. +UP rewards will print on the bottom of your receipt, and are only good for a couple of weeks, so use them fast!
Rite Aid offers fabulous opportunities to stack deals to get the absolute best discount. They offer store coupons, printed in their flyer each week. At their website, they also offer Video Values. If you watch a short video about the product, you will be offered a printable coupon for the item.

Rite Aid (until 10/23)
L'Oreal Preference Hair Color: 99 cents!
Orig. price: $9.79 Sale price: $8.99
Coupon: RedPlum 9/19, $2
Rite Aid flyer coupon: $2
Video Value coupon: $2
+UP: $2
$8.99- $2 coupon -$2 RA coupon -$2 VV coupon -$2 +UP reward= 99 cents
% Savings: 90%

Nivea for Men Body Wash, 16.9 oz.: 99 cents!
Orig. price: $5.99 Sale price: $3.99
Coupon: RedPlum 10/17, $3
% Savings: 83%

Clear Care or AQuify Multi-Purpose contact Solution, 12 oz.: $2.49
Orig. Price: $12.99 Sale Price: $7.49
Coupon: SmartSource 8/22, $3
+UP: $2
% Savings: 81%

Vicks Dayquil or Nyquil, 6 oz. or 12 ct., $1.25 ea ($1 ea with 2 coupons)
Orig. Price: $5.99 Sale Price: 2/$8
Coupon: Proctor & Gamble, 10/10, $1.50
+UP: $3/2
Buy: 2
Use: 2 coupons
$8- $3 coupons=$5-$3 UP= $2
% Savings: 77%

Happy shopping!

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