Coupon Monday! Woohoo!

Back to school means back to the stores. But don't forget your coupons! Seriously, why pay more than you have to?

Kmart is offering Super Double coupons again. They're also offering a $5 off coupon for your next order if you spend $25 in health or beauty, which Super Doubles makes it pretty easy to do. The rumor on the world wide web is that this is the last week in 2009 that Kmart will be doubling coupons.

Super Double Manufacturer Coupons Up to $2.00 !
with purchase of $25 or more in grocery & drugstore merchandise

Participating stores only. Amount of credit from doubling a coupon cannot exceed the current retail price of a single item. No cash or in-store purchase credit will be awarded for any amount exceeding the retail price of the item. Limit 1 coupon for each item purchased. Only 1 coupon will be doubled per item. You may only purchase 4 of the same item using double coupons. Excludes Buy One, Get One offers, Kmart Savings coupons and Kmart Store coupons. Coupons do not apply to sales tax. Limit 10 coupons per customer per day. Offer excludes products prohibited by law, including but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medication. Not valid on non-merchandise, federal or state regulated items, prior purchases, Lands’ End, Sears merchandise rung on Sears registers within Kmart and kmart.com. In the event of a return, coupon savings may be deducted from the refund. Exclusions apply. Please see store associate for details.
Sears Holdings (Kmart) reserves the right to modify or cancel this program at any time.

Grocery and drugstore items include: all food items, health & beauty, baby diapers, household cleaning supplies, pet foods, detergents, paper goods, shampoos and other beauty items, over the counter medicines such as : Tylenol, aspirin, etc.

10 coupons, per day, per customer may be doubled. Additional coupons will be honored, just not doubled. Customer should choose which 10 they would like doubled.....

$25 threshold is BEFORE coupon redemption.
DOUBLE COUPONS UP TO $2 MAXIMUM VALUE, LIMIT 10 PER PERSON, PER DAY



Here is the list of participating Kmart Stores in the Double Coupons savings

K-Mart Coupons:
$5 off $50 purchase printable coupon
$5 off $20 toy purchase printable coupon

The following Coupons can be doubled at participating Kmarts this week! Watch the savings fly! Oh me oh my!

Kotex Liners
Starting Price: $1.29
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Final Price: Free!

Dove Deodorant
Starting Price: $3.99
Use $2/1 printable coupon
Final Price: Free!

Bumble Bee Tuna
Starting Price: $1.00
Use $1/2 printable facebook coupon
Final Price: 2 for Free!

Campbell's Cream Soups
Starting Price: $1.29
Use $1/2 printable coupon
Final Price: 29c each!

Welch's Grape Jelly
Starting Price: $2.00
Use 75c/1 printable coupon
Final Price: 50c!

Suddenly Pasta Salad {Betty Crocker}
Starting Price: $1.25
Use 40c/1 printable coupon
Final Price: 45c!

Juicy Juice {juice boxes}
Starting Price: $2.50
Use 75c/1 coupon from previous newspaper insert or $1/2 printable coupon
Final Price: $1.00 - $1.50 each

Hefty Trash Bags
Starting Price: $5.99
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Final Price: $3.99

Huggies Diaper Jumbo Packs
Starting Price: $9.99
Use $1.50/1 printable coupon
Final Price: $6.99

Huggies Pull-Ups
Starting Price: $9.99
Use $2/1 printable coupon
Final Price: $5.99
Get a FREE Diehard AA or AAA battery 4 pack when you buy $25 or more of health, beauty, food and consumables
Get a FREE American Greetings Card when you buy $20 or more of health, beauty, food and consumables
Get a FREE Smart Cents paper towel (1 roll) when you buy $15 or more of health, beauty, food and consumables
Get $5 off Kmart Craftsman Black Tool Center

Call to see if your Kmart is participating in the double up coupons savings program. If not, those were still some fabulous coupons, so take advantage and save!

Kmarts in the El Paso Area :

Kmart
9484 DYER ST, EL PASO, TX
Tel: 915-751-2391 |

Kmart
6375 MONTANA BLVD, EL PASO, TX
Tel: 915-779-5084 |

Kmart
655 SUNLAND PARK, EL PASO, TX
Tel: 915-760-5001 |


Kmart
1120 MC RAE BLVD, EL PASO, TX
Tel: 915-591-9466 |


Kmart
11330 MONTWOOD DRIVE, EL PASO, TX
Tel: 915-855-4696 |


Kmart
411 ZARAGOSA ROAD NORTH, EL PASO, TX
Tel: 915-858-1919 |


Kmart
1240 S EL PASEO DR, LAS CRUCES, NM
Tel: 505-523-7536 |


Kmart
3860 NORTH MAIN STREET, LAS CRUCES, NM
Tel: 505-522-7135 | s

Kmart
3201 N WHITE SAND BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM
Tel: 505-434-1901 |

Kmart
1205 EAST PINE, DEMING, NM
Tel: 505-544-2654 |

Walgreens: 20 Free 4x6 Prints---AUGUST 20th ONLY!!!

Walgreens is having some fantastic photo deals this week! Check back here every day for the new "Deal of the Day"!

Today only, you can receive 20 Free 4x6 Prints from Walgreens!

Go here to place your order, and use this coupon code at checkout: 20Free4Me

To avoid shipping costs, be sure to select in-store pickup.

See also:

Free Chocolate!

Mars Real Chocolate Giveaway.


Thank me later. You can send me chocolate! lol

COUPONS!

Is clipping and using the grocery coupons in the Sunday newspaper a waste of time? No! Using coupons, smart shoppers have learned how to live on a grocery budget of $50.00 a week! Savings may be small in the beginning but with knowledge, time and practice coupon shoppers are saving more than ever imagined. Even if you don't NEED to pinch your pennies, you can still have more than you ever thought you could!

Accumulate Coupons

The first step to these terrific savings and successful coupon use is accumulating coupons. Each week there are usually two different coupon inserts in metropolitan newspapers with a third insert available once a month. Having multiples of each coupon enables a shopper to take advantage of the great deals in bulk. This helps build a food storage. Obtaining multiples of coupons is not difficult. Family, friends, neighbors and co-workers are great sources for obtaining multiple coupon inserts. There's a great trading forum here at PinchingYourPennies.com, where you can trade the coupons from Sunday paper that you can't use, for coupons that you can.

Another source of coupons is the internet. Printable coupons and coupon offers can be found at many manufacturer and coupon related websites. Many manufacturers also offer coupons which are sent post mail.

Additional coupons and in-store savings can be found at most grocery stores. Coupons commonly called blinkies are available in red machines set up in aisles in the stores. Also, apply for grocery store courtesy cards. Most grocery chains have these complimentary cards which provide extra discounts and savings at their stores. These discounts can be combined with coupons for maximum savings.

Get Organized

The second step to successful coupon use is organization. There is a variety of ways to organize and maintain coupons. Successful coupon users have a place to keep and organize the coupons. This can be a box, binder or flexible file. Plastic flex-type coupon organizers can be purchased at many stores. Many coupon users make their own binders using a zippered binder filled with photo pages or sports card pages. A box with dividers can be made or purchased. Whatever is used, the coupons are divided and placed in categories which provide for easy location while shopping.

There are many methods to saving and cutting the coupons and inserts. Some coupon users will cut all coupons and file them in their coupon organizer. This way all of the coupons are available when shopping. If a surprise deal or sale is found, the coupon is ready. Others cut only the coupons they are sure to use and leave the rest in the coupon inserts. When a sale or deal on a specific item occurs, they can go back to the insert and cut the needed coupons. If doing this, find a way to file and organize the inserts. Print or write out a list of which coupons are in each insert.

What is Food Storage?

The third and most powerful step to successful coupon use is called building a food storage. When a great deal is found, buy in bulk. This is why accumulating multiple coupons is necessary. Buying a lot of one thing at a great price can lead to never having to pay full price again. For example, buying six months of cereal at a great price means cereal will not need to be purchased again until you run out. This can be done with many food items and most household goods.

Use Coupons Wisely

Using coupons wisely is another key to successful coupon use. There are many ways to do this and maximize the savings. The first way is to avoid using a coupon just because it exists. If there is a coupon for an item that is not a great deal and is not needed, do not use it. Unused coupons can be traded. Expired coupons can be sent to military bases overseas where they are valid six months past the expiration date.

Watch the sales at different grocery stores. Pair the sales with the coupons to get great savings. Many times items are just a small fraction of their original price when this is done.

Know the coupon policies at local stores. Stop at the customer service desks and ask about their coupon policies. Some stores double and triple the value of coupons. Some stores will combine a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon. If a store has a coupon in their ad or in store and there is a manufacturer's coupon for the same item, both can be used. Two manufacturer's coupons can not be combined. There are some stores that accept competitor's store coupons.

Read each coupon carefully. Most state "one coupon per purchase". Each item bought is a purchase. If 10 of an item is purchased, 10 coupons for that item may be used. It is rare for a coupon to state "one coupon per customer".

When coupons are collected, organized and used in these ways it is easy to slice your monthly grocery budget in at least half. One PYP user has done just that.

Tips of the Trade

Successful coupon shoppers also use the following tips to maximize their savings.

* When at item is Buy One Get One Free, often two coupons can be used.
* If the coupon says "off any size", its often more profitable to use it on the smallest size.
* If the store is out of an advertised sale item, get a raincheck. Use it later with coupons.
* Keep a list of needed items.
* Plan your meals around items in your food storage.
* Avoid trips to convenience and corner stores.
* Don't shop when hungry. This will reduce impulse buys.
* Remember one store does not have the lowest prices on everything.
* Check expiration dates on food items, especially when stockpiling.
* Watch for price discrepancies at checkout. Make sure all coupons are deducted.
* Try different brands. Eliminating brand loyalty increases savings.
* Have fun and be proud of the savings!

Grocery coupons are not the only way to save money while shopping. There are many ways to save money when shopping for almost everything.

America Saves Week

Next week is America Saves Week. Feb. 22-March 2!

This is a great time to break out your budget and see just how much you can save for that week. And once you've proven to yourself just how awesome you are at saving, carry the savings ambitions onwards!

When making a purchase, ANY purchase, make sure you are shopping smart.
* Smart spending starts with managing expenses, and the best way to properly manage your money is by creating a spending plan.
* Use coupons for as much as possible. Keep them in your car! You'll want these on you when you make emergency or unscheduled stops. And don't forget to look for fast food coupons! I'm sure even Chico's has them! ;)
* Research prices before making any purchase, especially large items. This will help you find discounts, rebates, and coupons. Salescircular has the price comparison for you!
* Become informed about the product.
* Read the fine print on offers.
* Avoid impulse buying as much as possible.
* Remember, you generally pay a price for convenience. It might be worth driving a few extra miles or waiting a few more minutes.
* Getting the lowest price is not always the smartest thing to do if you get poor quality.
* Paying the highest price does not always guarantee best quality.
* Don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price, and ask if you can have a discount for paying with cash instead of credit.
* Think in terms of quality over quantity.
* Brown bag your lunch to the office, at least a few times each week (have the kids do the same thing for school a couple days a week)
* Rent a movie instead of taking the whole family out to a theater
* Carpool or consolidate errands to cut down on extra gasoline expenses; when you do buy gas, do it in the middle of the week and at a gas station that has competition close by
* Stock up at holiday and back-to-school sales for things you know your kids and family will need
* Use email for long distance communication instead of the phone
* Swap babysitting nights with family or friends
* Use a shopping list when at the store; do not deviate from your list whenever possible
* Keep your eye on the register when checking out at stores, purchases can easily be rung up wrong

And if you're looking for that perfect budget worksheet, This is a great PDF for you!.

Overspending?

So you got a nice fat refund in your wallet from your taxes. What do you do with it? Firstly, you want to continue with the good habits you've created. Planning, budgeting and lists! They're your best friends when it comes to your finances. They keep you in control of your money and guarantee that it will be spent wisely and with well thought out decisions backing it!

So how do you curb overspending even on a budget and planning and those well thought out lists? Understanding when and where you overspend is good, but why you overspend is better.

Ways That we Tend to Overspend:


First, the number one way that people overspend is when they are bored. When you’re bored one option that comes to mind is shopping. “I’m bored; why not go buy something to take away my boredom.”

* Plan ahead> Before you get bored think of alternatives to shopping. Keep a running list of things to do instead that are cheap or free that you enjoy doing.

Second, people overspend when they are around friends. No matter what the case may be when we’re around friends having a good time money is no longer an object. You just basically get swept up in the commotions and fun of things that you don’t even think twice about how much something costs. You just swipe your card or hand over a couple bills.

* Plan ahead> When you know you're going to be around friends bring cash only. Leave your c.c. at home to avoid those temptations of "unconscious swiping." Also, before hanging out with friends plan ahead what you'll be doing. Think about cheaper alternatives then an expensive night out.

Third, we overspend on gift giving. When shopping for a gift it's hard to stay on a budgeted amount because what if you can’t think of anything in that price range? Most often then not we overspend because we found the perfect gift that just happens to be a little more. Plus, our friends and family are worth it. Birthdays and holidays only come once a year so why not splurge a little.

* Plan ahead> Shop for gifts throughout the year. If not physically, do it on paper. Keep a list of friends and families birthdays and other occasions that you have coming up that you'll be buying a gift for. Write down ideas as you come across them. This way you are not stuck at the last minute trying to think of what to get and end up overspending.

Fourth, I’m starving and there is no food in sight. Take me to the nearest restaurant fast! Overspend.

* Plan ahead> A real life saver can be to have snacks in your car. When you're running errands and doing other things that require a lot of hurried thinking you will get hungry fast. Always bring a snack even if you think you won't get hungry. You can also plan your route ahead of time to make it home around the times you get hungry.

Firth, we overspend when we don’t use cash. This has been said many of times that it’s harder to hand over your hard earn cash then to swipe a piece of plastic.


* Plan ahead> Pretty self explanatory. Try to carry cash on you when you're buying something. You can also keep a list of things you need when going out so you stick to it.


Sixth, not planning ahead causes overspending as well. Just a small example: when you have to run out to the liquor store to buy milk after it runs out you'll probably pay a higher price because you didn't buy it at the grocery store.

* Plan ahead> I think this one sums up a lot of our overspending. Most of the time try to plan ahead. I know that won't always be the case so be prepared for some days when you just didn't think ahead about the things you need.

Groceries on a budget

Going grocery shopping when you're on a tight budget can be a nerve wracking affair. You might even have to bring along your calculator, adding up every dollar and cent to make sure you don't go over your weekly budget. If this is you, then you may want to consider some of the following options as additions to your grocery list. There are many filling, healthful meal options that can help you stick to your budget and still have a meal that sticks to your ribs. If you get creative, you can go beyond ramen and still have a little cash left over at the end of the week.

First, stock up on dry goods in bulk such as rice, pasta, and beans. Whole wheat or whole grain versions of the rice and pasta are readily available in many stores, and make much more healthy options. Pick up a variety of beans such as pinto, kidney, and navy beans. These can be cooked together to make a delicious three bean salad or a thick and creamy bean stew. Also, any of the varieties of beans can be seasoned with cumin, chili powder, garlic and other inexpensive spices and served over warm rice for a cheap and filling meal. For the pasta, pick up a few inexpensive jars of your favorite ready to eat pasta sauce. For an even cheaper alternative, just buy a few cans of plain tomato sauce (one of the cheapest pantry staples you can keep on hand) and jazz it up with spices you may already have, such as basil, oregano, and garlic. Serve over the pasta.

Another wonderful idea for cheap meals is Mexican food staples like burritos, nachos and quesadillas. Burritos and nachos allow you to make two meals from the same batch of ingredients: refried beans, shredded cheese, sour cream, canned black olives, inexpensive salsa, green onion, and any other toppings you desire or can afford. For burritos, just wrap the ingredients up in a tortilla (a very inexpensive bread alternative) and heat, and for nachos, bake tortilla wedges in the oven until crisp and top with the ingredients. For quesadillas (a quick and easy Mexican version of the grilled cheese) butter a tortilla. Place it buttered side down in a skillet on medium heat. Top with shredded cheese and other fillings, then top with another buttered tortilla, buttered side up. When the cheese has melted, flip and brown the other side. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

For another inexpensive meal, try purchasing bulk bags of frozen skinless, boneless chicken breasts along with a few bags of frozen vegetables. These items alone can make for meals for a week or more. Just season each chicken breast with your favorite spices, top it with leftover shredded cheese, or eat it on bread or a hamburger bun for a fun sandwich. Jazz up the frozen veggies with spices, butter or some shredded cheese.

Buying in bulk can save you lots of time and money. These staples will help you eat well until the next paycheck rolls around.