No coupon inserts in the newspaper today!
Apr 24, 2011
Happy Easter
No coupon inserts in the newspaper today!
Apr 22, 2011
Easy Hard Boiled Eggs
My kids love hard boiled eggs and I boil up a dozen or so per week. It doesn't matter what color the yolk is, my kids throw it out, but for those who care, this is the easiest way I have found that does not produce green/gray yolks.
Place eggs in a pot and cover the eggs with water
Cover pot
Cook on high until a rolling boil
Once rolling boil is achieved, leave covered, turn off burner and set timer to 14 minutes (I do not remove from burner)
Shock eggs by taking them out of the pot with a slotted spoon and placing in cold water
Enjoy!
Fred Meyer: 18 count eggs 3/$5 with in-ad coupon, limit 3
WinCo: 12 count eggs $1.08, limit 4
Safeway: 18 count eggs $1.99 with in-ad coupon (must buy $10 worth of groceries), limit 2
Chuck's Produce: 12 count eggs $0.99 , no limit stated
Place eggs in a pot and cover the eggs with water
Cover pot
Cook on high until a rolling boil
Once rolling boil is achieved, leave covered, turn off burner and set timer to 14 minutes (I do not remove from burner)
Shock eggs by taking them out of the pot with a slotted spoon and placing in cold water
Enjoy!
Fred Meyer: 18 count eggs 3/$5 with in-ad coupon, limit 3
WinCo: 12 count eggs $1.08, limit 4
Safeway: 18 count eggs $1.99 with in-ad coupon (must buy $10 worth of groceries), limit 2
Chuck's Produce: 12 count eggs $0.99 , no limit stated
Apr 13, 2011
20 gallons of milk...easy come, easy go
Last week I mentioned getting 90 boxes of Kellogg's cereals and 30 catalinas good for free milk. I'm happy to report that Portland Police Sunshine Division picked up the cereal last Wednesday and yesterday the kids and I took care of the milk.
I made sure to bring my camera to photograph 20 gallons of milk in the trunk of the Honda Civic, but no photos were taken during our fastest trip to Albies--ever. When I purchased the cereal, I ordered 20 gallons of milk, since I was not going to buy out all the 2% milk at Albies and leave them with a big hole in their milk section. The guys at the 4th Plain Albies have made ordering easy--thank you Nate and Johnny! When I arrived at Albies yesterday I saw Johnny right away and he went and got the milk for me, checked me out, and put all the milk in the trunk--incredible service. Thank goodness, because I had two little monkeys that were not in the mood for another of mommy's couponing adventures. After Albies, we made the short drive over to Share House to drop off the milk. Off loading the milk went smoothly and my kids like making deliveries to Share House.
I'm disappointed about missing a great picture opportunity--I may never have 20 gallons of milk in the Civic again! In honor of our great milk donation, here is my little guy enjoying a tasty beverage.
I made sure to bring my camera to photograph 20 gallons of milk in the trunk of the Honda Civic, but no photos were taken during our fastest trip to Albies--ever. When I purchased the cereal, I ordered 20 gallons of milk, since I was not going to buy out all the 2% milk at Albies and leave them with a big hole in their milk section. The guys at the 4th Plain Albies have made ordering easy--thank you Nate and Johnny! When I arrived at Albies yesterday I saw Johnny right away and he went and got the milk for me, checked me out, and put all the milk in the trunk--incredible service. Thank goodness, because I had two little monkeys that were not in the mood for another of mommy's couponing adventures. After Albies, we made the short drive over to Share House to drop off the milk. Off loading the milk went smoothly and my kids like making deliveries to Share House.
I'm disappointed about missing a great picture opportunity--I may never have 20 gallons of milk in the Civic again! In honor of our great milk donation, here is my little guy enjoying a tasty beverage.
Dinners
Since our financial month started I have not gone to the grocery store.
Monday we were treated to dinner at a friend's and yesterday we pulled out frozen breakfast burritos I made up a few weeks ago. Tonight it was simple baked chicken thighs, leftover potatoes, and canned green beans. Nothing exciting in the Rain household--except for the crazy amount of hail we had earlier!
Monday we were treated to dinner at a friend's and yesterday we pulled out frozen breakfast burritos I made up a few weeks ago. Tonight it was simple baked chicken thighs, leftover potatoes, and canned green beans. Nothing exciting in the Rain household--except for the crazy amount of hail we had earlier!
Apr 11, 2011
$75 for a survey--my biggest yet!
The requirements were to answer questions on three specific days for 45 minutes each to earn $75. When I received the actual survey, the instructions indicated you only needed to answer the questions on two days to complete the survey! For me to give informed answers, I logged in three times over two days and spent at least 3 hours reading, listening, watching the information, and providing my answers.
This was the first time I had been selected to participate in an on-line bulletin board survey/discussion. It was interesting, sometimes dull, and in the end completely worth my time. The best part was getting the payment within two weeks!
Opinion Outpost is one of my favorite survey sites. I have earned $124.20 so far. Technically, I have had $95 worth of checks arrive in my mailbox over the past year and I have $29.20 to cash out at any time. Minimum earnings for rewards is 50 Opinion Points, $5 in the form of an Amazon.com gift card, 150 Opinion Points, $15 in the form of a Citi Gift Card. If you like money you can take to the bank, you need a minimum of 200 Opinion Points, $20 to request a check. My first $20 check arrived last May.
Go to Opinion Outpost to sign up.
Disclosure: My referral link is included in this post.
All You Magazine: Playboy for couponers
Admit it, you don’t read All You for the articles; you want to see what coupons are included!
Ebates is offering a great deal today: 51% cash back from Magazines.com. You must go through Ebates to get this deal. In December, Ebates offered the same cash back deal and I took advantage of it. I have already received my check (Ebates pays quarterly) and am confident in sharing this deal with you.
Go to Ebates
Type in "magazines.com" in the search bar and search
Magazines.com page will look like this
Magazines.com page will look like this
Click "Shop Now" and find your favorite magazine on magazines.com--it doesn't have to be All You
1 year All You subscription is $19.97 - 51% cash back = $9.79
2 year All You subscription is $34.00 - 51% cash back = $16.66
1 year All You subscription is $19.97 - 51% cash back = $9.79
2 year All You subscription is $34.00 - 51% cash back = $16.66
New Ebates users can choose their bonus:
$5 Ebates cash, which will arrive with your first check (put that sucker in the bank!)
Barnes & Noble $10 Gift Card
Home Depot $10 Gift Card
Target $10 Gift Card
Magazine.com $10 Gift Card
I am ordering 2 years of All You in my husbands name to get another subscription sent to the house. If you already have a subscription to All You, the subscription will be extended.
Disclosure: of course this post has my Ebates refferal link!
TLC's Extreme Couponing
This will be my only post on the show regarding extreme couponers. I will never see the show since we cut out cable years ago when we were serious about getting out of debt. However, I cannot avoid the damn thing! Well intentioned folks say, "Meghan, that's your show." "You should be on that!" "When are we going to see you on there?" Never. This show is bad news for couponers.
Last week Coupons, Deals, and More brought up an excellent point about Kroger (Fred Meyer and QFC are affiliated) stopping double couponing in the Houston area after an episode aired. Jill Cataldo wrote an interesting article on 4.6. The follow up article from 4.8 is pretty powerful regarding one extreme couponer's use of coupons. Instead of matching items, the couponer is matching family codes and the computer/cash register excepts them. I'm not sure after 60-some coupons why the cashier never read them to see if the correct product was being purchased or if there was a limit to the coupon. Coupon fraud is serious. What the manufacturer writes on the coupon is what the coupon is to be used for--not the coupon code, if you know how to read those.
As I teach in class, coupon fraud hurts everyone. The stores will not be reimbursed, the managers will come down on cashiers, and then cashiers will scrutinize every little coupon making saving less enjoyable and sometimes down right impossible. I have never had applause for my savings, but it is nice to run into friendly cashiers who understand and appreciate savings.
New coupon coding standards have been in the works for years and coupon changes are coming. More information will be stored on the coupon itself. Aside from being more product specific, coupon codes could become area specific and there goes trading for better coupon values! Although the show may hasten some changes, know that other changes have been on the way for a long time.
Last week Coupons, Deals, and More brought up an excellent point about Kroger (Fred Meyer and QFC are affiliated) stopping double couponing in the Houston area after an episode aired. Jill Cataldo wrote an interesting article on 4.6. The follow up article from 4.8 is pretty powerful regarding one extreme couponer's use of coupons. Instead of matching items, the couponer is matching family codes and the computer/cash register excepts them. I'm not sure after 60-some coupons why the cashier never read them to see if the correct product was being purchased or if there was a limit to the coupon. Coupon fraud is serious. What the manufacturer writes on the coupon is what the coupon is to be used for--not the coupon code, if you know how to read those.
As I teach in class, coupon fraud hurts everyone. The stores will not be reimbursed, the managers will come down on cashiers, and then cashiers will scrutinize every little coupon making saving less enjoyable and sometimes down right impossible. I have never had applause for my savings, but it is nice to run into friendly cashiers who understand and appreciate savings.
New coupon coding standards have been in the works for years and coupon changes are coming. More information will be stored on the coupon itself. Aside from being more product specific, coupon codes could become area specific and there goes trading for better coupon values! Although the show may hasten some changes, know that other changes have been on the way for a long time.
Apr 10, 2011
Update on JCPenney coupon policy
February 2, I discussed 15% survey codes being stackable with dollar off coupons. That is no longer the case! Stacking is gone, and I have not been to Penneys in a long while....
New month
Our financial month starts on the 10th. Today the envelopes get filled (well, tomorrow if I get to the bank). The grocery envelope will get $100 to last until the 24th and the charity envelope gets $40 to last all month. During tonight's Effective Couponing Class, I pulled out my grocery envelope and showed that there was $10 left from last month. Sweet! The extra $10 will be set aside to be used for a future Zaycon food order.
I'm challenging myself to keep track of exactly what is spent and how my family eats and hopefully this will not horrify me and give others helpful advice.
Dinner tonight was left-overs from last night. Ham, potatoes, and I'm not sure since I was teaching class...probably canned veggies.
After class, I headed to Rite Aid to pick up some Gillette body wash. Gillette and Old Spice is on sale for $2.99 with a $2 +UP, limit 2 per household. Buy 2 and use a BOGO coupon from 4.3 P&G insert. Pay $3.48, including tax, and get 2 $2+UPs. Little money maker. I used +UPs from previous deals to pay and just paid tax with change I had.
The Rite Aid on 136th and Mill Plain has some Gillette and Old Spice body washes in a bin up front! Apparently Wasougal has, at least started the day with, an entire end cap of product. 162nd and 28th is out.
That's it for 4.10!
I'm challenging myself to keep track of exactly what is spent and how my family eats and hopefully this will not horrify me and give others helpful advice.
Dinner tonight was left-overs from last night. Ham, potatoes, and I'm not sure since I was teaching class...probably canned veggies.
After class, I headed to Rite Aid to pick up some Gillette body wash. Gillette and Old Spice is on sale for $2.99 with a $2 +UP, limit 2 per household. Buy 2 and use a BOGO coupon from 4.3 P&G insert. Pay $3.48, including tax, and get 2 $2+UPs. Little money maker. I used +UPs from previous deals to pay and just paid tax with change I had.
The Rite Aid on 136th and Mill Plain has some Gillette and Old Spice body washes in a bin up front! Apparently Wasougal has, at least started the day with, an entire end cap of product. 162nd and 28th is out.
That's it for 4.10!
Apr 4, 2011
6 boxes of cereal 2 gallons of milk for $4
Until Tuesday, Albertsons has select Kellogg's cereal on sale 3 for $5.
Kellogg's Milk Catalina
Buy 3 boxes of Kellogg's cereal (12 ounces or larger) & Get 1 gallon of milk (up to $3.99) on your next purchase
Buy 6 boxes of Kellogg's cereal & Get 2 gallons of milk
Buy 9 boxes of Kellogg's cereal & Get 3 gallons of milk
The best bang for your buck is to buy 6 boxes of cereal, use $1/2 any Kellogg's cereal coupon Red Plum 3.6.11
Use 3 doublers
Pay $4
Get two catalinas each good for 1 gallon of milk
Every blog has mentioned the Kellogg's Gas Rewards Card Rebate. Keep in mind only Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, and Crispix that are part of the 3 for $5 sale also count towards the rebate. Albertsons on 4th Plain and Stapleton had tons of the sugary cereals, but no Corn Flakes, and few Rice Krispies, and Crispix.
Kellogg's Milk Catalina
Buy 3 boxes of Kellogg's cereal (12 ounces or larger) & Get 1 gallon of milk (up to $3.99) on your next purchase
Buy 6 boxes of Kellogg's cereal & Get 2 gallons of milk
Buy 9 boxes of Kellogg's cereal & Get 3 gallons of milk
The best bang for your buck is to buy 6 boxes of cereal, use $1/2 any Kellogg's cereal coupon Red Plum 3.6.11
Use 3 doublers
Pay $4
Get two catalinas each good for 1 gallon of milk
Every blog has mentioned the Kellogg's Gas Rewards Card Rebate. Keep in mind only Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, and Crispix that are part of the 3 for $5 sale also count towards the rebate. Albertsons on 4th Plain and Stapleton had tons of the sugary cereals, but no Corn Flakes, and few Rice Krispies, and Crispix.
***No Shelves Were Cleared***
***No Shelves Were Cleared***
I ordered 150 boxes of Crispix, Rice Krispies, and Corn Flakes last Wednesday. If you know a great deal is coming and you want a lot of the item, call the store and order! Notice there are no Corn Flakes--someone was not told about the order and the Corn Flakes were put out on the shelf. Oh well. This picture shows 90 boxes of cereal, a friend met me at Albertsons and bought what she needed from the order and this is what I brought home.
Out of pocket: $60
What I came home with: 90 boxes of cereal and 30 calatinas good for 1 gallon of milk each
What I look forward to getting back: $50 in Gas Rewards Cards and blessing someone with $40 in Gas Rewards Cards
WTH am I going to do with this cereal and milk: I will keep about 7 boxes of cereal and the rest will be picked up by the Portland Police Sunshine division and 15 gallons of milk will go to Share House
Time invested: forget gathering all the coupons and calling the store to make the order; 2 1/2 hours in the store
Money Maker at Safeway
If you haven't done the McCormick Grinder money maker at Safeway, there's still time. The cat expires 4.10.11, but I cannot recall when the Grinders go off sale.
McCormick Catalina
Buy 2 Get $1.50
Buy 3 or more Get $2.50
the details can be seen in the picture (ETA: sorry--my pic is too small to read)
Every blog has mentioned this cat mid-March. I finally pulled my head out of my...well nevermind...and made it to Safeway. The deal is buy 3 McCormick grinders on sale for $2 each, use $1/1 from Red Plum 3.13.11, doublers, pay $1.50, and get back a $2.50 cat.
I like my deal better: pay 27 cents and get back $2.50.
Steakhouse Seasoning Grinders are reduced for quick sale to $1.59 until 6.30.11. The deal only works if you like this kind (my husband loves it) and you have to be able to find it. The Safeway on Mill Plain and 136th, does not have any more. If you find any other flavors reduced for quick sale, snatch them up!
McCormick Catalina
Buy 2 Get $1.50
Buy 3 or more Get $2.50
the details can be seen in the picture (ETA: sorry--my pic is too small to read)
Every blog has mentioned this cat mid-March. I finally pulled my head out of my...well nevermind...and made it to Safeway. The deal is buy 3 McCormick grinders on sale for $2 each, use $1/1 from Red Plum 3.13.11, doublers, pay $1.50, and get back a $2.50 cat.
I like my deal better: pay 27 cents and get back $2.50.
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