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Let me start by saying I am married to MacGuyver. He was a mechanic (cars, boats, helicopters) for many years and can fix anything! So I thought it was attempt to get another tool/toy a year ago when he wanted to buy a ODBII Scanner. He wanted to get the scanner because my check engine light had come on and ODBII scanners give you trouble codes that explain why the check engine light is on. He got my vote on the scanner after I called the dealership and found out it was going to cost $200 just find out why the light came on. We found the best deal at Amazon so we purchased an Actron ODBII Scanner for about $40 with free shipping. Using this scanner he found out the problem – bad fuel injectors. Now this was a big project but luckily hubby was able to fix my truck and saved us about $1000.

That is not why I am telling you this story – fast forward to today. My check engine light came on again today and I was thinking “Oh great here we go again”. So we plugged in our little scanner and found the code, searched online and found out – the gas cap was not on all the way. If I had taken it to the dealership it would have cost $200 to find out I didn’t screw the gas cap in! That is why these little scanners are so valuable, it has already saved us $400 just in diagnostic costs. Buy it once and you have an in house mechanic forever. It won’t fix your car everytime but it gives you a great resource to find out what is wrong.

Since it has been such a valuable tool for us and our vehicles, we thought we would give you a little information about what they are how to use them…

Codes – When the check engine light comes on it means the central computer in your vehicle has received a trouble code from a sensor somewhere in the car. The codes are four digit numbers and each one correlates to a specific issue depending on the vehicles make/model. There are manuals and online resources to find out what the codes mean. A lot of times those codes are thrown for very minor issues and are things you can fix yourself, like the gas cap. But there will be times when the code is something you will need to take to a mechanic to fix. The best part about these little scanners is you will have an idea of what the issue is BEFORE you go that way you don’t get ripped off at the shop. Think about it I could have taken my truck in and they could have told me I had massive engine issues and I would have never known it was only the gas cap if it hadn’t been for the scanner.

Scanner – While we paid $40 a year ago they have gone up a little bit, they are about $60 now but as hubby says “it is worth its weight in gold!”. This is the model we bought and it is incredibly easy to use and understand. You don’t need an expensive one as they all do the same thing, give you the code. That is why we bought this one, it was good quality and inexpensive. This one is good for all vehicles 1996 or newer.

How to Use It – On most cars there is a plug underneath the steering wheel where you can attach the scanner. Plug it in and hit the read button – that is it! It will show the codes and you use the down arrow to scroll through them as there could be more than one. To erase the codes hit the erase button and the check engine light will turn off once all the codes have been erased. How easy is that? Now if you haven’t fixed the problem the check engine light will come back on, so that helps you figure out if you have solved the problem or not.

Disclaimer – If you have zero mechanical abilities please do not try to fix your own car. I am merely stating this little tool may help you find out what the problem is and therefor save you a LOT of money if you take it to a mechanic. Or it could tell you it is something super easy to fix like my gas cap.

I wrote this with the help of hubby who has said that if anyone gets one of these and needs help with understanding it or finding resources to email me or post a comment. He really is quite a genius ;o)

I was thinking about having hubby do a guest post once a week with some sort of money saving tip for home/automotive/boat repairs or maintenance. Since it is usually costly to repair and maintain these items I thought it was something a lot of people could use. What do you think? Have any suggestions for topics or tips of your own? If so leave a comment or Email Me.

There are several programs out there for mothers and mothers-to-be. I have been compiling a list of programs I have used and freebies I have gotten recently for new or expecting mothers. Since it seems like such a slow freebie day I thought I would go ahead and post it.

PROGRAMS AND FREEBIES

I saw some pretty cool deals this week, so I thought I would share…

Buy 5 of these items and Receive $5 Gift Card
–18 pack Pepsi or 24 pack Aquafina $5
–8 pack Pepsi $2.50
–12 pack Lipton bottles $6
–Family Size Doritos or 6 pack Gatorade $6
My plan: 5 Pepsi 8 packs $12.50 OOP – Receive $5 GC

Buy 2 Huggies Super or Mega Packs and Receive $5 Gift Card
–Huggies Snug & Dry Supreme $18.00
–Huggies Pull-Ups Mega Pack $15.59
Coupons: $2/1 Pull-Ups coupon 9/28 Smart Source insert (there was also a $1/1)
My plan: 2 Pull Ups $31.18 – $4 in coupons = $26.18 – $5 GC (from previous) = $21.18 total OOP —Get another $5 GC

Buy Pedigree 40lb bag $18.99 and Receive $5 Gift Card
Coupons: $1 off 1 coupon from 9/21 Smart Source
My plan: $17.99 after coupon – $5 GC (from previous) = 12.99 after Gift Card —Get another $5 GC

Register Rewards Deals:
Glade Scented Oil Plugins Fan or Wisp Flameless Candle $5.99 – Receive $3RR
Use printable Wisp BOGO
Use $5 off Glade Wisp Starter Kit from 9/7 SmartSource
Use $9.99 Glade Wisp Starter Kit Rebate up to $9.99 (mail-in) from 9/7 Smart Source
FREE plus possible $8 PROFIT after MIR!!!

ROC Skincare buy $20 worth – Receive $10 RR
Use $5 off ROC printable coupon
Possibly free depending on price

Always Infinity $8.99 – Receive $2 RR
$6.99 after coupon

Carefree or Stayfree $10/2 – Receive $2 RR on 2
Use $2/2 coupon from 9/28 Red Plum insert
Use $1 Stayfree printable coupon
$6.00 after coupon

Listerine Smart Rinse 500ml $9/2 – Receive $4.50 RR on 2
Use $1 off coupon from 10/5 SmartSource insert
Use $.50 off coupon from 7/27 SmartSource
Use $1 Listerine printable coupon
$3.50 for 2 after coupon

Boost Nutritional Drink $6.99 – Buy 2 get $3 RR, Buy 3 get $6 RR
Use $2 off 2 coupon from 9/14 Red Plum
Use $2 off 1 coupon from 9/14 Red Plum
$10.97 for 3 after coupons

October Easy Saver Coupon/Rebate Deals:
Crest toothpaste 6.4 oz. or oral-b indicator toothbrush $1.99
Use $1 Oct ESC
Use $1 off coupon from 9/28 P&G
FREE after coupon!

Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush Max Starter Kit $3.99
Use $3 off 1 coupon from 9/7 inserts
Use $1.50 ESR #30
FREE plus $.51 overage after rebate!

Glade 4 oz. candle $1.99
Use $1 Oct ESR #28 (limit 10)
Use $1 coupon from 09/14 SmartSource insert
FREE after coupons and rebate

Sobe Life Water $1 each
Use $1/2 Oct ESC
Use $0.40/1 tearpad in some Walgreens
$.10 if you lucky enough to find tearpad!

Glade scented oil candle refills $1.99
Use $1 Oct ESR #32 (limit 4)
$.99 after coupon

Glade Scented Oil Candle Holder $3.99
Use $2/1 coupon from 9/14 SmartSource
Use $2 Oct ESR #31 (Limit 2)
FREE after coupon and rebate

Scrubbing Bubbles Cleaner, Shout, or Windez 2 for $5
Use $1/1 Scrubbing Bubbles coupon from 9/21 insert
Use $1/1 Windex coupon from 9/21 insert
Use $1/1 Shout coupon from 10/5 insert
Use $2 Oct ESR #27 (Limit 6)
$0.50 each after coupon and rebate

Coffee-Mate 16 oz. liquid $1.50
Use $1 off 1 printable coupon
$0.50 after coupon

L’Oreal Cleanser Cream or Gel or 25-30 towelettes – FREE after $6.99 rebate
Use $1/1 coupon from 7/20 insert
FREE plus $1 overage after coupon and rebate

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation – FREE after $7.49 rebate
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/14 Red Plum insert
FREE plus $1 overage after coupon and rebate

Extreme Energy 6 Hour Shot – FREE after $3.99
No coupons
Free after rebate

Thanks to I Heart Wags, Money Saving Mom, and Hot Coupon World

If you have never been here before please check out the rest of the site - SwagGrabber

OK newbies, this is a list of my scenerios that you can try without having any ECB’s before you go into the store. You will need coupons, but the majority of these are printable or recent so it should not be too bad. Please remember that you will probably not be able to do the transactions exactly as they are listed as either the store will be out of an item or you won’t have a coupon, so move these around to meet your needs. If you want any help, leave a comment!

Click HERE to print out the $3 off $15 coupons, make sure to get the 9 per page to save ink!

Transcation 1
2 Colgate Max Fresh @ $2.99 each = $5.98
1 Bic Soleil @ $5.99
1 CVS Vitamin D-400 (100ct) @ $2.99
1 Colgate Toothbrush @ $.99
Total = $15.95
Use $3 off $15 coupon, two $1/1 Colgate coupons 9/28 SS, one $3/1 Soleil coupon 9/14 SS, and one $1/1 Colgate toothbrush coupon 9/28 SS
Total Savings = $9.00
Total OOP = $6.95
ECBs Received: $4 for Colgate Max, $4 for Soleil, $2.99 for Vitamins = $10.99
Profit = $4.04

Transcation 2
1 Bic Soleil @ $5.99
1 Vitamin Water @ $2.29
1 Always Infinity @ $4.98
1 Colgate toothbrush @ $.99
1 Aquafresh toothpaste @ $.99
2 Zephyrhills Water @ $1.00
Total = $17.24
Use $3 off $15 coupon, one $3/1 Soleil coupon 9/14 SS, and one $1/1 Colgate toothbrush coupon 9/28 SS, one $.75 Aquafresh printable coupon, and one $.50 off 2 Zephyrhills
Total Savings = $8.25
Remaining Total after coupons = $8.99
Use Colgate ECBs $4 and Soleil ECBs $4 = $8 off
Total OOP = $.99
ECBs Received: $4 for Soleil, $2.29 for Vitamin Water, $4.98 for Always = $11.27
Profit = $10.28

Transcation 3
4 Maalox Regular Strength @ $5.49 each = $23.60
Total = $23.60
Use $3 off $15 coupon, four $2/1 coupons from 7/13, 8/17, or 9/21 SmartSource insert
Total Savings = $11.00
Remaining Total after coupons = $12.60
Use Vitamin ECBs $2.99, Soleil ECBs $4, Always $4.98 = $11.97
Total OOP = $.63
ECBs Received: $10 for Maalox
Profit = $9.37

Transcation 4
2 Mylanta @ $6 each = $12.00
1 Motrin IB $8.00
2 Propels $2
Total = $22.00
Use $3 off $15 coupon, two $2 Mylanta Printable (hit back to print twice), $1 Motrin printable, and $1/2 CVS Reinventing beauty book coupon (Propel I think, may be Gatorade)
Total Savings = $9.00
Remaining Total after coupons = $13.00
Use Vitamin ECBs $10.00 Maalox, Vitamin Water ECBs $2.29 = $12.29
Total OOP = $.71
ECBs Received: $10 for J&J
Profit = $9.29

Transcation 5
1 Bic Soleil @ $5.99
1 WellPatch @ $5.99
1 Ayr Sinus Spray @ $3.99
Any filler for $.50
Total = $16.47
Use $3 off $15 coupon, one $2/1 Soleil coupon 9/14 SS, and one $1 WellPatch 7/13 SS coupon
Total Savings = $6.00
Remaining total after coupons = $10.47
Use J&J $10 ECBs
Total OOP = $.47
ECBs Received: $4 for Soleil, $5.99 for WellPatch, $3.99 for Ayr = $13.98
Profit = $13.51

Total for Trip:
$95.26 in Product
Total OOP $9.75
Leave with $13.98 in ECBs
Profit $4.23

If you want to see all the deals – Click HERE

I would love to see your scenerios – Leave a Link!

Free or Overage After ECB’s:
Buy 1 Colgate MaxFresh at $2.99, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 2)
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/28 SmartSource
Use $1/1 coupon from CVS Reinventing Beauty booklet
Free plus $1 overage after coupons and ECBs

Buy 1 Breeze2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System at $14.99, Get $10 ECBs
Use up to $30-off coupon from 3/16 or 6/1 SmartSource inserts
Free plus possible overage after coupon and ECBs

Buy 1 Bic Soleil at $5.99, Get $4 ECBs (Limit 5)
Use $2 off coupon 9/14 SmartSource insert
Use $3 off coupon 9/14 SmartSource insert
Use $2/1 printable coupon
Free after coupon and ECBs

Buy 1 Always Infinity (14-18 ct) at $4.98, Get $4.98 ECBs (Limit says 1, actually 2)
Free after ECBs

Buy 1 Vitamin Water at $2.29, Get $2.29 ECBs (Limit 1)
Free after ECBs

Colgate Toothbrushes–on sale for $0.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/28 SmartSource insert
Use $1/1 coupon from September All You magazine
Free after coupon

Buy 1 CVS Vitamin D-400 (100-ct) at $2.99, Get $2.99 ECBs (Limit 5)
Free after ECBs

Buy 1 WellPatch Arthritis Relief Pads (3-ct) at $5.99, Get $5.99 ECBs (Limit 5)
Use $1/1 coupon from 7/13 SmartSource insert
Free plus overage after coupon and ECBs

Good Deals:
Buy 1 Pantene/Gillette/Head&Shoulders Shampoo or Conditioner at $4.99, Get $1 ECB (Limit 5)
Use $2/1 Gillette coupon from 9/28 P&G insert
Use $1/1 Pantene coupon from 9/28 P&G insert
Use $1/1 Head & Shoulders coupon from 9/28 P&G insert
$1.99 after coupons and ECBs

Spend $20 on Benefiber, Maalox or Gas-X, Get $10 ECBs (Limit 1)
Buy 4 Maalox Regular Strength Mint (12 oz) at $5.49 each
Use 4 $2/1 coupons from 7/13, 8/17, or 9/21 SmartSource insert
$0.99 each after coupons and ECBs

Spend $20 on Johnson & Johnson Products Get $10 ECBs(Limit 1)
Buy 1 Tylenol or Motrin Childrens $6
Use $2/1 Tylenol coupon from 9/28 or 10/5 Red Plum insert
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Buy 1 Mylanta at $6
Use $2/1 Mylanta printable coupon
Buy 1 Motrin IB at $8
Use $1/1 Motrin coupon from 10/5 Red Plum insert
Use $1/1 printable coupon
$5 after coupons and ECBs
***Don’t forget to use your FSA account and save another 25%

Aquafresh Toothpaste–on sale for $0.99
Use $0.75/1 printable coupon
$0.24 after coupon

Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water (3-liter)–on sale for $1
Use $1/2 coupon from 8/4 Red Plum insert
$0.50 each after coupon

Monthly Deals:
Buy 1 Colgate MaxFresh with Mouthwash Beads Toothpaste at $3.29, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 2)
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/28 SmartSource insert
Use $1/1 coupon from CVS Reinventing Beauty booklet
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Free plus overage after coupons and ECBs

Buy 2 Gatorade or Propel (20-24 oz), Get $1 ECB (Limit 5)
Use $1/2 coupon from CVS Reinventing Beauty Booklet
Free or nearly free after coupon and ECB

Buy 1 Ayr Saline Nasal Sinus Spray at $3.99, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 5)
$0.99 after ECBs!

Thanks Money Saving Mom, I heart CVS, and Hot Coupon World

Sign up and receive a free keyboard brush. If you have little ones like me, you probably need this! Why do they think Pop Tarts belong IN laptops?

Sign up and receive a free sample of granola. Looks like they are getting a lot of requests but are still going to send them out. They do have one cool feature, you can track your sample! I have never seen that before…very cool!

*Offer valid while supplies last. Available to U.S. Residents only. Must be 18 or older to receive sample. Limit one sample per family, household address, or email address. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.

Running a little late on this…sorry!

BOGO Deals – ***total price is using the best coupon available

Betty Crocker Potatoes BOGO $1.79
09-14-08 SS $.40 off 1
09-14-08 SS $.40 off 2
$.99 for 2 – $.49 each

Cheerios BOGO $4.41
$1 off 1 PRINTABLE
$2.41 for 2 – $1.20 each

Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail BOGO $3.99
08-10-08 GM $.55 off 1
$1 off PRINTABLE
$1.99 for 2 – $.99 each

Ragu Pasta Sauce BOGO $3.27
08-17-08 RP $1 off 2
07-27-08 RP $.65 off 1
08-17-08 RP $.50 off 2
$1.97 for 2 – $.98 each

Thomas Engligh Muffins BOGO $2.99
05-11-08 SS $1 off 1
$.99 for 2 – $.49 each

Knorr Sides BOGO $1.53
08-17-08 RP $.50 off 2
08-17-08 RP $1 off 3
08-17-08 RP $.75 off 2
08-17-08 RP $.60 off 2
07-27-08 RP $.55 off 1
$.43 for 2 – $.22 each

Uncle Ben’s Rice BOGO $2.59
08-24-08 RP $1 off 2
08-24-08 RP $1 off 3
$1.59 for 2 – $.79 each

Old El Paso Dinner Kit BOGO $2.67
$1 off 2 PRINTABLE
08-10-08 GM $1 off 2
$1.33 for 2 – or $.67 each

Excedrin BOGO $6.99 – $10.99 (estimate) 80-100ct
07-13-08 SS $2 off 1
07-13-08 SS $2 off 1 – 100ct
$2 off 1 PRINTABLE
$2.99 for 2 – $1.49 each

Sign up and they should send you a free reusable shopping bag. If you don’t have any of these, I highly suggest trying them. That is pretty much all I use now, just because it makes it so much easier to bring groceries in! Well and the whole helping the environment thing :)

Click HERE to get your free bag!

Each eligible entrant who submits a completed online form with contact information and a valid Snausages® UPC will receive one (1) free copy of The Dog Guide to Life (estimated retail value: $5.99), or another Scholastic book of Sponsor’s choice. Enter two of the following UPCs…

079100451005
079100450992
030000029503
079100408719

Sign up and receive a free t-shirt – I have no idea what Swedish Fish is???? Do you?

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