Best FOOD FOR LIFE deals EVER!!!

Okay so this morning I got a phone call from one my best friends and she wanted to make sure that I shared these couple things with you! (thanks Jess! we got some of the best deals ever today because of your tip ♥)

1.) Toys R Us-they have a rewards progam! I thought I signed up online for it last Christmas but apparently that didn't go through correctly so I just blew it off. Today Jess told me that she went instore to fill out the app for it and was informed that you get 2 big coupon booklets with their store coupons in it TWICE a year! On top of that you can STACK MANUFACTURERS coupons as well (as far as the clerk was aware)!!! IF that is a fact then you can save BIG TIME for Holiday shopping!

2.) SUNFLOWERS FARMERS MARKET-Best. Store. Ever. I know I know.... keep it local. They do have some local products there so I was impressed. I never save much on my Health Food Store runs so my options are limited when couponing elsewhere. I know some of you well enough to know you LOVE eating healthy (and by "healthy" I don't mean just your canned veggies and small portions-I mean 7 grain sprouted bread, gluten free, raw fruit/vegs, etc.). Jess called this morning and explained this to me: ON WEDNESDAYS you can "DOUBLE DIP" which means you can get the previous week and upcoming week's sales in ONE TRIP! Plus, they accept manufacturer COUPONS! This is huge for those of us that need these products and can't find great prices on them.

TODAYS SFMARKET TRIP:

So after the phone call I got me and my other sidekick Jess ran up there (63rd/May Ave) because we were already in the area a mile away for a visit. Here is what I scored:

(Remember, this is a "health food store" so everything is normally "all natural" or "organic" which are very high priced items.)

2 Bag of Kettle Cooked Chips (Jalp/Cheddar & Original) $1 each

2 Bags of All Natural Chips (BBQ & Original Potato) $1 each

1 Bag of Frozen Oven Ready French Fries w/Sea Salt- $1.50

1 Bag of Frozen Hashbrowns- $1.50

2 Boxes of Vans Gluten Free Waffles (Blueberry/Flax) $1.50 each

1 Bottle of H2O- $.34

3 Loaves of Food for Life 7Grain SPROUTED Bread- $2.50 each!!! (usually 5.99-7.99 ea)

1 Loaf of Ezekeiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread for also $2.50!!! (usually 5.99-7.99 ea)

Family Pack of Fresh All Natural Boneless Chicken Breasts $5.62 ($1.57/LB)

1 Seedless Watermelon- $1.50

8 things of Fresh Corn on the cob (still in the leaf!) $1 for 8!!!

2 Bunches of Green Onion 2 for $1

Bananas (.58/LB) $1.40

Broccoli Crowns (.99/LB) $1.75

3 Navel Oranges (2LB/$1) $.53

2 Roma Tomatoes (.88/LB) $.30

1 Sweet Onion (.77/LB) $.38

3 Green Bell Peppers 3 for $1

Green Leaf Lettuce $.77

Grand Total after Tax was $38.57!!!!!!!

We should have spent at least $80 for all of this. AT LEAST! I was shocked and am really wanting to head back over there like now for some things I could cut up and freeze for later. You can get on their website SFMARKETS.COM and they have their weekly store ad posted PLUS COUPONS to print from their site!

Thanks Jessica for the awesome tips!

Sharing the SAVINGS!!!

Okay everyone, I know there are a million different OFFICIAL Couponing and Freebie Sites/Blogs BUT sometimes they can be overwhelming to newbies. Today I am going to just share with you my little step by step daily to-do's that I use for my couponing and freebies. It's nothing extravagent but it may help you out. Who knows! lol

1.) I LOVE FREE STUFF!!!!!

• I make an effort to check out for online freebies weekly and sometimes daily.


• My favorite sites that I have scored nicely on are:


• Freebies4mom.com


• Heyitsfree.net


• Thefrugalgirls.com


• These sites are AMAZING! The difference between them and the coupon sites are that their main focus is on free samples, products, codes, and coupons.


• Check their site and daily they usually post the most recent freebie for you. They post a link that you go to and follow those instructions. Normally you have to provide address and such to receive the mailers and etc. I got a free box of Garnier HerbaShine Hair Color because I signed up for a coupon by mail from their facebook page that was only available for so much time. Freebies4mom posted the link and info and I just clicked and got it!


• These sites are WONDERFUL for stocking up on early Christmas gifts. This is about the time of year where you will see codes being posted for free 8x10s, free photo albums, prints, and cards. I love making photo albums for the grandparents for Christmas and you normally will only pay shipping with saves you BIG! Last year we got all our families main gifts for under 100 buck and that is 7 siblings and 6 parents!


• They also post PAMPERS, DISNEYMOVIEREWARDS, HUGGIES, RECYCLEBANK codes that will help you earn more so you can get more!

2.) REWARDS Programs are VITAL to saving more!

• I use TONS of rewards every year. Aaron drinks the crud out of Coke products so we save those codes. I have had at least one kid in diapers/pullups for the last 8 years so we have tons of Pampers/Huggies codes. We LOVE Disney Movies so we use those rewards. One of our favorite restaraunts is Outback and they also have a rewards program that you can get free appetizers, giftcards and more on.


• The key is DO NOT PURCHASE A PRODUCT JUST FOR THE REWARD POINTS. Only use those rewards if you already are purchasing the product. Therefore, you are just getting a bonus for being a faithful existing customer.


• There are people out there that buy the products with the codes and then throw the codes away! So let your friends and family know you are saving them and they will most likely give theirs to you! bonus!!!


• SWAGBUCKS-this is my favorite site ever. Seriously. I used to get annoyed that I had to actually "google/search" to win the random bucks BUT $150 in amazon.com giftcards later I am not complaining. Go to Swagbucks.com or I have a link on here and on my facebook page and it will explain everything.


• EBATES-2nd most favorite online site. If you shop online (which I only do if I have a great no shipping coupon or other coupons) then this needs to be your #1 spot on your FAVES list. This is just like getting paid to shop at your favorite online stores. You go to their site and pick the store you are wanting to shop on and it will take you to the page. Whatever you buy from that store after letting ebates bring you to it you get a percentage back. EX: I love Bath and Body Works or Target/etc. You go to ebates.com and then sign in. Select Bath and Body and next to it says a %. That is the % you get back from the $ you spend with them. I got a check last march for just $11.15 BUT hey! That is money I made back from shopping online instead of paying for gas to go to the city.

3.)NOW TO COUPONS!!!

• Couponcloset.net is my #1 site that I refer to. She is wonderful with posting every "hot deal" and all the different shopping lists for you. It pretty much makes couponing as easy as it can possibly get. Every week she will post for each store their sales and coupon match-ups. I like to read through each of them and then print out the ones that I am going to get most of the items on. On her lists she has what exact coupons you are going to need to get the final low price.


• Homeland used to be my LEAST FAVORITE store, but now it's on my top 3. They double coupons up to a $1 (as long as the coupon doesn't say "do not double"). They have great sales so many times you can get all your stuff for around 70% off AS LONG AS YOU STICK TO THE SALE LIST!!!


• Target-I LOVE TARGET! Target you can "stack" coupons. That means you can take a Target store coupon that you print online or get in the paper or get on your phone and use it in addition to a Manufactures Coupon! I can't tell you how many things I have walked away with FOR FREE! Clothes, Food, Toys, everything!


• I usually stick to Target and Homeland but OCCASIONALLY I will attempt tackling WALGREENS or CVS. Walgreens is not my fave. CVS is rockin if you can get a hang of it. If you want more info on those stores I can help ya out but writing about them is exhausting... lol

I KNOW THIS SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF WORK and in reality it is. BUT it is worth it because it is so freeing to know that money is not controlling you, shopping isn't a burden/stressful, money isn't extremely tight because you know you can keep your trip under $50. Christmas isn't as crazy and overwhelming. Saving money should be a MUST DO not a SHOULD DO. Make it a game. I swear it is such a rush to go and see what you can accomplish.