Harris Teeters Super Doubles - Day 2

I thought the Right Guard had a ZVR attached but during check out it did not come off. Since customer service does not open till 7am I will have to return.  Now that I am sitting in my office I checked my HT account and do not see a ZVR for Right Guard.  Either way, the Right Guard has to be returned.  Therefore my OPP is higher than expected at this time until I can get this resolved. ** Update I returned the Right Guard.  I was honest about the  coupon I used but HT gave me the full amount in a refund. Therefore this trip is basically a break even. **

Harris Teeters Super Doubles - Day 1

Paid $2.67 ($2.03 of that amount was in tax so it was 64 cents for everything!)
*** Yogurt was returned.  HT would not accept my Smart Source BOGO IP coupon and for some reason it could not be voided at the cash register.  Therefore, I had to pay for it and then go to customer service and return it. Also,a lot of my items in my store were already out of stock so I went to store #2 to max out on my 20 coupons a day.  **

Walmart and Target Gift Card Offers on Specially Marked Kelloggs Products

I love Gift Cards so I will deinfitley be looking at for these.  I looked in Florida and Virginia stores but did not see the specially marked boxes.  Hopefully the specially marked packages will be arriving soon to area stores.

Giant Haul

Giant is not my normal grocery store but I had a Rain Check and the Write-Your-Own Coupons that made me stop by the store on my way home from work today

Paid $4.75 ($4.08 + .67cents TAX) and will submit a rebate for FREE Welch's juice after purchasing 3 Welch's Juice in this transaction.  SAVED $49.39 

I gave the cashier my Write-Your-Own Qs first before the total dropped below $10.00.  All Coupons scanned with no issues or problems

 1 Chocolate Pudding $1.49 **My son really wanted  Halloween chocolate pudding**
- used $1 off any item - Write-Your-Own Coupon
10 jars of Barilla Pasta Sauce  RC 10/$10
-used (2) .75/2 MQ & (8) .55/2 MQ.  Coupons automatically double which gives me overage
4 Bananas $1.18
- used $1 off Produce - Write-Your-Own Coupon
3 Welch's Juice 2/$5
-used (3) .75/1 that doubles
- also used $1 off any item - Write-Your-Own Coupon
3 Round Eye Steaks $2.96
- used  $1 off any meat- Write-Your-Own Coupon
2 cans of Manwich $1.50 each.  After max value of coupon 25cents each
-used (2) Manwich, Any (1) 15 Oz. Can Free WYB (1) King's Hawaiian Sandwich Or Hamburger Buns, Any - 10-13-13 SS - valid up to $1.25
2 Kings Hawaiian rolls $3.49 each
- used (2) FREE coupons found in lunchboxes purchased from Target
1 Birds Eye Steam Fresh Veggies $1.25
-used  $1 off any frozen - Write-Your-Own Coupon

Recycling:  It is very easy to drop off recyclable items in my area; however, dumpster diving is not.  Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County, and Prince William County make it very difficult to dumpster dive.  Signs are posted that the recycle area is for drop off only, sometimes guards are stationed, and the recycle centers actually smell like rotting garbage.  Loudoun County totally different experience.  Most of recycle sites are neat, clean, accessible,  trash is clearly marked, and people abide by the rules.

Why dumpster dive?  Well it is not actually dumpster diving as you stand and look in a large door or items of interest.  Never once does one get in a dumpster.  The recent government shutdown has once again reinforced the necessity to economize and coupon.  I get a great deal on 4 Sunday newspapers but sometimes you just need more coupons for hot deals and stockpiles.  Buying extra papers is very expensive.  It defeats the notion of trying to save money.  In addition, Coke Codes, Kelloggs Codes, and BTFE are difficult to accumulate if you don't have another source to obtain these items.  Dumpster diving can help in all these areas:  extra inserts, coke codes, kelloggs codes, BTFE, etc.

Earlier this month I went to Recycling Centers in Philomont, Sterling Park, and Arcola.  Sterling Park is the largest.  Arcola and Philomont have one dumpster for paper and another for bottles/cans.  I give both a thumbs up.  My husband had appointments out there so I tagged along.  However, to drive from my house to one recycle center in Loudoun is not worth my time or gas money.

So for the past month I have been dying to try to hit all the recycling centers in Loudoun to see 1) is it worth it to come back out again 2) which centers are best (and worst).  Today was the day for that test.  I am not that familiar with all of Loudoun so it truly was a test.  I decided to start in Lucketts and move counter clockwise to the various recycling centers.

I left the house at 6am.  On my way to Lucketts I realized I passed the Leesburg-Walmart one.  So I actually started there.  I was too early.  It was still dark.  So I waited another 30 minutes in the car for daylight.  Sunday is a very busy day at the all recycling centers.

Leesburg- Walmart:  Don't bother going.  They have one bin that mixes bottles with paper.  Beer bottle goop was over all the papers items.  The dumpster is one for bottles/cans so it makes even looking in difficult, especially when one is vertically challenged.   I won't waste my time in the future with this one

Lucketts:  Don't bother going.  This recycle center is located at an elementary school.  The school uses it as their personal dumping/trash can.  It does not appear to have any outside support for recycling.

Lovettesville:  Great place.  Several bins.  It is located behind a mom and pop restaurant.  Very busy on a Sunday Morning.  I would definitely return

Hillsboro:  Also located at an elementary school.  This one has community support.  It is only one bin but the community meticulously places bottles/cans at the far end and paper items on the near end.  Very cute little community

Hamilton:  Jackpot!  Several bins.  Extremely active.  I was not the only one dumpster diving here.

Philomont:  It is so pretty out in this part of the county.  3 bins: one for newspaper, one for paper, and one for bottles/cans.

Middleburg:  One bin for paper and one for bottles/cans.  I hit Coke Code paydirt out here.  There must have been a Homecoming Dance or after football party because it looked like the cokes boxes and cases were recently emptied and in pristine condition which makes me think someone bought them in bulk for a party.  People who drop off recyclable here are dressed to the nines.  They are ready for a cocktail party or horse back riding.

I never did make it the main Leeburg recycle center.  I imagine it  is busy with lots of bins with several other people dumpster diving.  

Loudoun dumpster diving is something I will probably start doing once a month.  The drive was relaxing.  Scenery is gorgeous. Plus I end up with lots of great stuff ( coupons, codes, etc).

This ace reporter is out ;-)

Loudoun County Recycle Day

I have been waiting for over a month for tour Loudoun County Recycle Centers for inserts, BTFE, CLFE,  Kelloggs codes, and Coke Codes.  Today was it.  I finally got the car and a day all to myself.
I will update later on my personal thoughts of each recycle center tonight

In the end
many many many insert  ranging from dates 9-22 to even todays insert 10-27
44 Kelloggs Codes - which included Monster U, Scholastic Book, Music download codes
30 Coke codes - which range from 12 pack codes to case codes
46 BTFE
11 CLFE
6 Giant Foods write your own coupon sheets - I was away when they arrived so I did not get them.  I have a RC for more FREE Barilla Pasta Sauce so I thought I would take advantage and also write my own coupon

This week's Publix Haul

Publix sales run Thursday to Wednesday.  I purchased items we could use as snacks and drinks while in DisneyWorld and would also transport well home.

Purchased
(10) boxes of Nabisco Ritz bits Cheese Crackers
- used (10) $1/1 MQ
(4) 8packs of Motts Apple Juice - I would have purchased more but this was all they had in stock
-used (4) $1/1 MQ
(8) bags of Ricola cough drops - stocking up for the winter months as they were 15cents a bag
- used (4) $1.50/2 MQ

- used $5/$30 Winn Dixie Coupon

Paid $7.25

Publix Haul

I am in Florida.  And what better way to vacation then with couponing and that means taking advantage of Publix!   I love Publix!!  Super clean store, with super friendly employees, that stock super deals - and you can find great MQ coupons in the store too!  New deal starts on Thursday where I am planning to bring  home a boatload of Free Ritz Bits :-)

Most Publix stores consider Target a competitor.  TQ=Target Coupon & WD =Winn Dixie

Today's Shopping trip:

(12) Campbell's Homestyle Soups
- used (12) $1/1 MQ
(2) Go-Gurts
- used .75/2 MQ and $1/2 TQ
(4) Quaker High Fiber Instant Oatmeal
- (2) $1/2 MQ and (2) $1/2 TQ
(2) Del Monte Fruit Burst
- used (2) $1/1 MQ and (2) $1/1 TQ
(1) Mentos Gum
- used .75/1 MQ and .50/1 TQ
(1) Beech Nut Fruities on the Go
-used $1/1 MQ
(3) Rachel Ray Dog Food - bought this because it gives me overage
- used (3) $2.50/1 MQ
(2)  Muller Greek Yogurt
- used (2) Muller Yogurt Free Coupon peelies on the boxes on Quaker Instant Oatmeal.  Coupon is free 1 free Muller yogurt when you buy 2 Quaker products - expire in 2014.  Made sure all my instant oatmeal had this peelie on them so I can bring some home to use later.

- used $5/30 WD

Paid $1.05 ** Discovered a $1/1 that was not used so I went back to customer service and got another dollar off my bill making the final total $1.05!!!! **

Last Giant Run for FREE Barilla Pasta Sauce

I found 7 more $1/1 Barilla Sauce Coupons.
*Paid 18cents in Tax
*Found 2 Gnarly Head Rebates - Thanks to Theresa for the Heads Up!  I already mailed them off as I save receipts and Pizza is a staple in our house :-)
*Found Organic and Natural Coupon Books.  I am hoping to use the $1/1 Kettle Chips during a HT Super Doubles or BOGO since they don't expire till 2014.  I also trade with a great gal in Florida for organic coupons.  So these should trade well :-)
*Got back a catalina for FREE eggs with a $5.00 coupon.  I was shocked I had no idea Giant had catalinas like this.  I was shopping with a friend so I gave it to them since I can't use it before the expiration date.
* Got a rain check for 10/$10 since the shelf was cleared thanks to a lady who came behind me and cleared the shelf

Target Finds

Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces are on sale 2/$4.  There are is $1/1 MQ and $1/1 TQ - making these FREE

Smuckers Toppings are on sale for $1.99.  There are $1/1 MQ and $1/1 TQ- making these FREE

Dol Monte 4pack Fruit Burst Squeeze- are on sale 2/$5.  There is a $1/1 MQ and $1/1 TQ - making these 50cents a box.  Great stockup price!

Today's Giant Food Haul

I know I am on furlough and should not be spending money but these are items we use all the time especially pasta sauce.  I use pasta sauce for just about everything so when it became a MM....I went to town and purchased all I could.  I was even lucky to find $1/1 hangtags on several jars.

Three transaction because I needed separate receipts for rebate submissions.
Spent $7.45 ($6.76 + .69TAX) and got (2) $2 off on a future purchase catalina
I will submit three rebates for $3.00 Cracker Barrel Cheeses + $2.89 for Minute Maid + coupon for free Barilla Pasta = equals pretty much everything I purchased was FREE :-)

I got
4 Boxes of Capri Sun Juice Boxes
2 Cracker Barrel Cheeses
3 Chobani Greek Yogurts
1 Minute Maid Lite Peach Tea
21 jars of Barilla Pasta Sauce

Welch's Rebate Offer

Thanks TotallyTarget for this new rebate.  I love rebates.
Click for Rebate Form here: Welch's Rebate Form

Freebies at Giant - starting Friday

These 2 items are staples in our house.  Giant is not a store I frequent but I will definitely be going to take advantage of FREE Barilla sauce and FREE Greek Yogurt.  Plus there is rebate on the Barilla Sauce!
Click link for form:
Barilla_Sauce_Taste_Challenge_Redemption_Form

Starbucks Rewards

I love Starbucks but it is very expensive.  One way I found to enjoy Starbucks is through their reward program.  I collect these gold peelies found on coffee bags. Within the last six months I have obtained Gold Status membership for 2 years, free ice tea and coffee refillls, and free food rewards. I add money to my card by earning Starbucks egift cards and transferring the funds.  The program is well worth it, especially if you find free ones at the recycle center or donated by friends.

Furlough Shopping at Target

I read on several blogs about the B1G1 Free Jewelry item.  I took advantage of the deal today along with free Smuckers Hot Fudge and some other things.  My total bill was under $2.00 and I used a gift card to pay.  Zero out of pocket

Timex Watch= Free.  I have been wanting a new watch band for quite some time so I jumped at the chance at a free watch.
Gold Earring $1.48
Smuckers - Price $1.99 - used $1/1 MQ and $1/1 TQ
used free coupons I had for Iams Dry Cat Food, Venus razor and Gillette Razor

Tightening the Financial Belt During a Furlough

First let me start of by saying that there is wide variety and degree of couponers. It is a bell curve that consists with people clipping 1-2 coupons on one side of the bell curve spectrum to people who hoard hundred of items and clear grocery shelves. I am somewhere in the middle-probably slightly right on the bell curve.

Couponing Shame:  My family has always shamed me in to thinking couponing and stockpiling is a bad thing. My Mom would constantly say, "You waste your money on things you don't need!" "Why are buying multiple of items when you can only use one at time? I tried to tell her that those items were free, I only paid tax. I tried to tell her that my family loves product X so if I can get it at a rock bottom price then I stock up. I tried explaining till I was blue in the face that everyone uses TP, why pay full price...stock up now. No matter how many times I tried to explain, my mother has viewed my couponing as worthless and money down the drain. She convinced other family members of the same mentality so I have been a closeted couponer for years until I came out to a co-worker. She was an avid couponer too. Not the stockpiling type of couponer but one who just likes to save money on her weekly grocery bill. Every week we would exchange coupons. Then another co-worker wanted to trade their small stash of couponers. I could talk about general couponing with my co-workers but they too thought I was insane for getting 4 newspaper subscriptions and buying multiples. Once again I felt dirty about couponing and stockpiling so I never discussed it.

About 5 years our family was forced to make better financial decisions. My mother-in-law could no longer take care of herself and we had to place her in assisted living at the age of 87. My mother-in-law had enough money for 2 years of assisted living. She ended up living 7 years in assisted living. The financial strain of those additional 5 years caused our family to tighten our financial belts. Couponing became a way of life. Thanks to the internet I was able to really understand the ins and out of couponing and why a stockpile is so important.

 Today, I have been furloughed for 4 days due to a government shutdown. My paycheck has ceased. Paying bills will be tight with only one income at the moment. However, the one thing I don't have to worry about for the moment are groceries. hygiene items, cleaning supplies, paper products, etc ... thanks to my couponing and stockpile. I have not spent a dime on groceries this week. The only thing I will need to buy is milk and I plan on purchasing that at Target on my Target gift card.  There is no shame in couponing.  It has taught me during this furlough how to tighten the financial belt further.

Here are some pictures of my stockpile.  As you can see I don't hoard 200 bottles of mustard but I do have a nice little variety of items.   All meals this week have come from my stockpile.  Grocery Bill this week = zero

Day 4 #furloughhorrors

Loudoun Recycle Summary

Loudoun Recycle Summary:  Hubby had an appointment in Ashburn so I tagged along (not like I have anything serious to do these days :-).  We stopped at the Sterling Park Recycle Center first which is located at the local High School.  It had recently been emptied.  I imagine it was done right before school started.  BTFE had all been removed, which made sense since it was on school grounds.  Observation : there are also a tons of Pepsi and beer drinkers.  After a short dumpster rummage we headed off to Hubby's appointment.  After his appointment on the way home we hit the Arcola recycle center.  This location had also been recently emptied.  In the end I got:
(3) 12 pack Coke Codes
(2) Coke Caps
(7) Kelloggs codes
( 1) CLFE
(2) BTFE
tons of inserts

Day 2 #furloughhorrors

Anyone else dream like I do?

Day 1

Furloughed as of today

Thanks government shutdown.  I am officially furloughed.  Thankfully I have a nice well rounded stock pile to pull from during these times thanks to couponing