Decoding my secret couponing language

When I list a coupon it looks something like this: Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, any 7.5 oz. or 12 oz. .35/1 (10-18-08) SS-9/28

Coupon inserts that come in the Sunday paper have one of the following names: Smart Source, Red Plum, Procter and Gamble, or General Mills. Usually there are 2 inserts, a Red Plum (RP) and a Smart Source (SS). Once a month though, you will find a Procter and Gamble (P&G) in addition to your Smart Source and Red Plum inserts. The P&G coupons usually expire in one month, as opposed to other coupons that have longer expirations. Just to make things exciting, Smart Source sometimes includes a second insert (SS2), and General Mills (GM) will send out an insert as well. On holiday weekends, there usually are NO coupon inserts....did you get all that?

When the coupon is listed in my posts (or on couponing sites) it will have an abbreviation, such as SS (Smart Source insert), then a number, like 9/29, which represents the date the insert was included in the paper.

So, the coupon, Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, any 7.5 oz. or 12 oz. .35/1 (10-18-08) SS-9/28 can be found in the "Smart Source" coupon insert that came out on September 28th.

Organizing your coupons

There are a few schools of thought on this :)
1. Clip all coupons and organize them in some sort of box. This is what I do. Here is a picture of my "coupon caddie"

If you don't have a fancy box, like me, you can use a tackle box, or even baby wipes boxes (this is what I use to do). Coupons are organized by category with the coupons that expire soonest placed at the first of each category.

I like this system because I have all coupons readily available when I'm at the store. I don't miss out on hidden deals or clearance deals because I don't have my coupons cut and with me. At the end of the week I go through each category and throw out the expired coupons.

2. Clip and organize the coupons in a binder. The Daily Herald Savvy Shopper promotes this. Check out her site if you're interested in this: savvyshopperdeals.com

3. File your coupons and wait for the sale before clipping them. This is by far the easiest system and is what the lame grocery guru teaches and also Coupon Smart. When you get your Sunday paper you find your coupon inserts, write the date on the front, and save 'em in a binder or file box. If you do this, don't throw 'em away every 4 weeks like the guru teaches...most coupons have a long expiration and you will be throwing away precious savings.

I actually do a bit of this. Even though I carry around a coupon caddie, I really don't cut out EVERY coupon. I keep the ones I am very unlikely to use in a file box.

So find a system and try it out, then tweak it to fit your needs. Be a little organized and you really can save a lot.

Chocolate chips are still on sale!

The Hershey's chocolate chips are still on sale at Albertsons until Saturday...They are .70 a piece when you buy 10. SF has been out, so get a rain check. The sale includes all varieties: dark, milk, semisweet, toffee, peanut butter.

Also Duncan Hines cake mixes are .70 with this sale, as are softsoap hand soap pumps (use coupon Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, any 7.5 oz. or 12 oz. .35/1 (10-18-08) SS-9/28) to get them for $.35.

All these items can be mixed and matched.

Albertsons Sale (10/1-10/7)

A few good deals:
If you didn't buy these cheap at Maceys, then these are pretty nice: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders (Butcher Block) $1.69 lb.
In ad coupon: Free Capri Sun or Capri Sun Roaring Waters 10 pack with $25 purchase.
Culinary Circle water crackers 4.4 oz. $1.29 print this coupon to get 'em for $.29.
If you like these this is a good deal (if you want my coupons let me know, I won't be using them)Knorr/Lipton sides 4.3-5.7 oz. $1.00 use this coupon: Knorr Side Dishes, any .75/2 (10-12-08) RP-8/17 to get them for $.63 Also if you buy 10 you can save $5 on a service deli rotiserrie chicken.
Another convenience item, Kraft Easy Mac cups $1.00, use: Easy Mac or Easy Italia Cups, any varieties $1/2 (11-9-08) SS-9/14 to get them for $.50 also here is a printable
Free cat food Purina Whisker Lickin's cat treats 2.1-3 oz. $1.00, coupon: Purina Whisker Lickin’s Cat Treats, any size, any variety $1/1 (12-31-08) RP-9/14
**General Mills promo: Save $5 instantly when you purchase 10 participating items. Mix or Match.**
Some good deals here if you like the items (I will NOT be using my coupons so if anyone wants 'em they're all yours) You can also print coupons for these items...let me know if you need the links.
Betty Crocker frosting 12-16 oz. $1.00 (after discount)
Betty Crocker fruit snacks 4.5-9 oz., coupon SS2-8/10 , Buy 5 or more boxes, get a checkout voucher for $3.50 off your next shopping order. so $.55 a piece if you buy 5.
Betty Crocker Warm Delights 2.9-3.6 oz., coupon SS3-9/7 to get 'em for $.50
General Mills cereal: Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Trix, Kix, Fruity Cheerios, Total) 8.7-12.8 oz. coupon SS3-9/7 to get 'em for $1.17.
Hamburger, Chicken, or Tuna Helper 5-9.2 oz., coupon SS2-8/10 and SS3-9/7 final price .75
Nature Valley granola bars, coupon SS3-9/7 and SS2-8/10 Buy 5 boxes, get a checkout voucher for $3.50 final price .80 when you buy 5
Old El Paso taco shells,Old El Paso refried beans 16 oz. Old El Paso enchilada sauce 10 oz. coupon SS2-8/10 to get them for .50
Pillsbury Toaster Strudels 11.5 oz. printable .50
Yo Plus yogurt 4 ct. coupon SS2-8/10 and SS-9/14 final price $1.00 (I love these because they do not have high fructose corn syrup).
Case lot sale:
Albertsons cooking oil 48 oz. (Case of 9 = $26.91) $2.99 each includes Canola oil

Albertsons Sale (9/24-9/30)

I only see a few good deals this week:

Albertsons pasta 12-16 oz. $.85, if you need it grab a couple, not a stock up price, IMO
Ground beef 73/27 $1.29 lb. Sold in a 5 lb. chub.- I actually don't like this meat, too grisly, but if you're not picky, it's pretty cheap.
Muir Glen tomatoes $1.00 $1/1 printable coupons (see last weeks list for a link) FREE, good luck finding them in stock, though
Nabisco snack crackers 7-10 oz. FREE With in-ad coupon and $25 purchase.
Pert Plus 2 in 1 shampoo plus conditioner 13.5-16.9 oz. 2.50 Pert Plus Shampoo plus Conditioner, any excluding trial size $2/1 (9-30-08)SS-8/3 Final Price $.50
Save $3 when you buy $10 of some stuff including:
C&H granulated sugar 5 lb. $2.50, with discount $1.75, then use coupon: C&H Sugar product, 2 lbs. or larger .35/1 (10-31-08) RP-8/17 to get it for $1.40
Hershey's Baking Chips 10-12 oz. (chocolate chips) $1.00/.70 with discount, smoking price....I'm guessing you'll have to get a rain check for these, they will sell out.
Ken's Lite Accents 7 oz. $2.00/1.40 (with discount) use coupon: Ken’s Lite Accents Salad Dressing Spray, any 7 oz. $2/1 (9-30-08) SS-8/3 to get it for FREE.

Another couple of freebies at Walmart

You can get the following items free at Walmart with coupons:

10 pack of cheapie schick razors are $1.97. So make $.03 with the following coupons:
Schick Disposable Razor, any $2/1 (10-18-08) SS1-9/7
Schick Disposable Razor, any $2/1 (10-5-08) SS-8/24
**BTW, I have a lot of GOOD razors that I got for free or cheap, so I plan on giving these razors to the food coalition. Keep couponing and you too will never want for good razors.

Also, the Kens Salad Spritzers are a $1.78 at the Springville Walmart. Make $.22 when you use:
Ken’s Lite Accents Salad Dressing Spray, any 7 oz. $2/1 (9-30-08) SS-8/3

The Ken's salad dressings are like $1.88, too, so if you need dressing you can use this to get it cheap:
Ken’s Dressing, any $1/1 (9-30-08) SS-8/3 (though often they come out with a $2.00 coupon, so you can get it for better than free).

Smokehouse in SF

I love to go out to eat. If I was rich I would go to every restaraunt in town and try everything. Since I'm poor I *should* only go out to eat occasionally. One of my favorites here in SF isThe Smokehouse. I have had the reuben, cobb salad, and beef brisket (though not all in one sitting) and they were all great. The prices are comparable to everywhere else ($5-$8), but I like it because they are always running promotions and contests. In the coupon mailer thingie that came in the mail yesterday there was an ad for $5 off anything at the Smokehouse here in town. If you threw it out, find it! If you don't want it give it to me.

Take advantage of the discount and try it out, and if you like it sign up for their emails/frequent visitors card...I have scored 2 $10 gift certificates this way, plus numerous free drinks and % off discounts.

Albertsons Sale...(9/17-9/23)

Looks to be another fun week at Albertsons. I hope you all are enjoying your cheap granola bars and instant oatmeal (and if the store was out, that you got rainchecks).

This week there are a couple of promotions...trust Albertsons to have a bunch of confusing buy this, get this, buy so many of this, get so much off promotions.

Here are two currents ones-
Campbell's promo: Earn 200 Bonus Campbell's Labels for Education and be automatically entered for a chance to win 1 million Bonus labels when you spend $10 on participating items.

If you need soups these are pretty good prices.

Campbell's Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom soup 10.75 oz. .50 use this coupon *Campbell’s Cream Soups, any .40/4 (10-26-08) SS-9/14* to get 'em for .40.
Also, if you need a convenient lunch food for your husband the microwavable ones are a pretty good deal...
Campbell's Classic soup bowls and Campbell's Select Harvest soup bowls are 1.00. Use this coupon *Campbell’s Classic Microwavable Bowl Soups, any .75/2 (10-19-08) SS2-9/7* to get 'em for $.63

It seems like you can get generic tomato soup and chicken noodle soup for cheaper...so I don't think the price is so great for those.

Pace Specialty salsa 16 oz. looks like a pretty good deal. It is $2.00, use this coupon *Pace Specialty Salsa $1/1 (9-20-08) SS-7/27* to get it for $1.00

MaltOMeal promo: OPTION 1 - Save $5 instantly when you buy 4 participating MaltOMeal cereals: Frosted Mini Spooners 23 oz., Tootie Fruities 17.5 oz., Cinnamon Toasters 19.5 oz, Golden Puffs 21 oz., Blueberry Muffin Tops 15.5 oz., Frosted Flakes 21.5 oz., Berry Colossal Crunch 20.5 oz. So these are 4/$9, then save $5 for 4/$4...print out as many printables as you can to get a bunch free...(last month Smiths had a similar deal and I got 8 bags of Frosted mini spooners for FREE). Go to the first few posts in this thread for links to printable malt o meal coupons!!

So while you're at the store getting the great deals, the following are worth picking up if you need 'em:
Green seedless grapes .98 lb.
Extra lean ground beef 85/15 1.99 lb
Powerade Zero 32 oz. *free with coupon Powerade or Powerade Zero, 20 or 32 oz. bottle .75/1 (10-31-08) SS-6/8, Powerade or Powerade Zero, 20 oz. or 32 oz. bottle $1/1 (11-30-08) SS-7/13
Plus if you buy 6 you get a $4 off coupon to use on your next purchase...you get paid to buy 'em!!(though I have yet to find powerade zero in stock at the SF store)
Tree Top apple juice 64 oz. FREE with in ad coupon and $25 purchase
Beech Nut stage 2 baby food .40 use coupon *Beech-Nut Jars, any $1.50/8 (9-30-08) SS-6/15* to get 'em for $.21
Muir Glen organic tomatoes 14.5-15 oz. Free with printable couponshere and here
Nestle Toll House morsels 10-12 oz. $1.50 when you use this coupon (good time to get butterscotch flavor...you can't get 'em much cheaper than that.
Oreos 2/$3 with the coupon in the ad...look for "peelie" coupons found on the oreos. They will say "save $1 on MILK." Great time to get a gallon (with the coupon it will be $1.50)
Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta .67 with this coupon *Ronzoni Smart Taste, any $1/1 (11-30-08) SS-8/24* though Walmart might sell them for $1.50, so slightly cheaper if you want to buy 'em there instead.
and at the SF store they've lowered their milk price to $2.50.

Hope this is helpful, call me if you need more help. Happy Shopping!

Quaker Sale at Albertsons

The big Quaker sale is starting tomorrow at Albertsons. Normally this is my favorite sale of the year because you can get Life cereal for cheap. This year the cereal is not on sale since the plant where it is made got flooded (so I hear). Oh well, you can still get granola bars and oatmeal for a pretty good deal.

There are a couple printables that you can use:here, here, here, here and here

Also, search your Macey's, Payson Market, Harmons, Reams, Allens (associated food stores) ads for a $3 off 5 Quaker products coupon. Also, there were a few Quaker coupons in last Sunday's coupon inserts and a month ago (8/10). Gather your coupons together and get yourself a few good deals.

The full Albertsons Grocery sale list is here.

Free Stuff at Walgreens

Some good freebies at Walgreens this week:

Buy 1 Dimetapp Product
and 2 Robitussin Products (all 4 oz)

for 12.00, use one $3, one $2, and one $1 coupon for a $6 savings plus you'll get a $10 coupon to use on your next purchase. Good numbers here = you getting paid $4 for 3 good medicinal products. If you live in Provo or Saratoga Springs you can also use the save $3 on your $10 purchase coupon found in the weekly ad, for even more savings (though the computer might beep, indicating that you have more products than items, so throw in something cheap like a candy or water or something).

The coupons are found here:$2 and $1 coupons
and $3 coupon Your computer will let you print any amount, but the website asks that you print only one per household.

This week you can also get Crest Mouthwash, 500ml for $4.49. A coupon for $4.50 off your next purchase will print, thus making it free.

And all month you can get these items for free:
* #1 Excedrin Express Gels,20 Pack
* #2 Nivea for Men Body Wash 16.9oz
USE: Nivea For Men Body Wash, any 8.4 oz. – 16.9 oz. $1/1 (9-30-08) SS-7/20
* #3 L’Oreal Advanced Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate 1oz
USE: L’Oréal Advanced RevitaLift moisturizer or Age-Perfect Pro-Calcium moisturizer, any $1/1 (10-26-08) RP-8/3
* #4 Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste 4.2oz
USE: Crest Toothpaste, any 4.1 oz.+ .75 (9-30-08) 8/31-P&G
* #5 Chemistry Hair Care,1.35 to 12 oz.
USE: check with the beauty dept clerk for possible coupon
* #6 LypSyl LypMoisturizer .1 oz. Stick (Honey Berry w/SPF 15 or Original)
* #7 Revlon Nail Color or Nail Care
* #8 Walgreens Pitcher FilterReplacement Cartridge
* #9 Walgreens Acid ControllerComplete, 25 Chewable Tablets

So if your smart, not like me who didn't do this, buy your medicine and mouthwash first...then do a separate transaction and buy your rebate items and pay for them with you Register Rewards coupons that printed during your first transaction.

Customer Appreciation Week!

This week at Papa Murphy's the Large Pepperoni pizza's are $4.99 (limit 3). Now that I'm too poor to go to Two Jacks for pizza, I am pretty excited about this. We like to add whatever veggies we have on hand to beef the pepperoni variety up a bit. The other day we happened to have peppers, onions, and olives that all needed to be used up...mmm, pizza. I have had success freezing these pizzas as well, just be sure to thaw 'em completely before cooking them.

Happy eating!

Pretty Good Buys

Today I purchased:
12 boxes of Cheerios, 14 oz
6 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, 8 oz
6 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, 12 oz
6 cans Old EL Paso Enchilada Sauce, 10 oz
2 Packages Old El Paso taco shells, 12 ct
4 Progresso Bread Crumbs, 14 oz
4 boxes Curves bars, 6 ct

I used a coupon for each item. All but 2 of my coupons I printed off the internet. With the current promotion (buy 10 items save $5) and the coupons I used, I paid $.50 for each item, except the Curves bars which cost $.75 each. I also got 80 Bonus Box Tops. Not too shabby.

To find the printable coupons go to: Pinchingyourpennies.com>forums>screamingdealsbystate>Utah>Albertsons List>First post in the thread has the shopping list with the coupon links.

I also was in need of diapers. Instead of running to Orem to buy some at Costco, or even to Walmart for generics, I got a box of 104 for 21.99. I saved $5 for buying $20 worth of Kimberly-Clark products, and used a $2 coupon. So for $14.99 I got a big box of good diapers and also 40 Bonus Boxtops.

Albertsons is also having a deal on Dove products. I got 3 Dove shampoos and 2 Sunsilk shampoos, all 14 oz. for $20. I used 3-$2 coupons, and 2-$1.50 coupons, plus saved $7 with the current promotion. That comes out to $.28 a piece for the Dove shampoo's and $.39 for the Sunsilks.

Using coupons to build your food storage!

For those who have asked for my help figuring out how to use coupons and didn't get the help you were hoping for...Amy H is having a lady come to her house to do a coupon class. The lady who is coming does the same thing I do. If you can make it to the party I think it will be very helpful. Contact Amy for details.

BTW, the philosophy is that you get multiple copies of the coupon inserts so that when things go on sale you can get a bunch of them thus building your food storage for cheap.(Like this week I got 7 packages of Scotts Toilet Paper for free, since I had 7 coupons).

Box Top Sale at Albertsons

"Box Top" products are on sale frequently at Albertsons and Smiths, but this week is the "bonus box top" week at Albertsons (Sept3-9).

The details are: **Bonus Box Tops: Save $5 instantly and earn 20 BONUS Box Tops when you buy 10 participating items.** So check the Grocery List and see if there are any Box tops products you use and pick yourself up a few and earn some extra box tops. According to the Box tops site, Spanish Oaks earned $1,640 last year. I think I contributed $40 of that (I'd been saving up my boxtops for awhile).

The fun thing about General Mills products is that you can print a lot of coupons on line. So, even if you don't get newspaper coupons you can still take advantage of the sale. The grocery list has links to the printable coupons.