I had such a great quick trip tonight I had to share. I went specifically for more batteries, like we need them…LOL. Well that and to get ice! If you remember earlier this week when my ECB wouldn’t print? (Click HERE for my other deal). I called them and sure enough they printed at the little scanner today, on top of that I got a $10 off $50 and a $1 off cosmetics from the scanner so make sure to scan your card when you go. These three could not have been better for my little plan! I got over $100 worth of stuff for $12 – savings of 88%. Total for the week = bought $270, spent $45 OOP – still have $45 in ECB (started with $20) so I think I spent $20 OOP TOTAL!!!

Transaction 1 – CVS
2 Glade Candles 2/$5
- used $1.50 off coupon
Glade Plug In $3.99
Glade twin pack refills $2.99
- used free plug in wyb refills – $3.99
-received $5 in ECB
= Profit $.50 after ECB

8 packages of Duracell $43.00
- used four $5 off two packs -$20
- used two $.75 off Duracell
-received $30 in ECB
= Profit $8.50 after ECB

Crest Pro-Health $3.49
- used $1 off Crest
- received $3.49 in ECB
= Profit $1 after ECB

Revlon Nail Polish BOGO $4.39
-used two $2 off coupons
= $.19 each

Also bought ice $2.39

OVERALL…
Purchased $78
used $10/$50 coupon plus $21 in ECB from PREVIOUS transaction
Total OOP = $4.19 including tax
Received $38.49 in ECB
Total Profit = $33.30

Transaction 2 – Publix
4 twelve packs of Diet Coke $12
- used one free wyb three Publix coupon – $4.00
- used four $1 off a twelve packs from My Coke Rewards
= $1 each

10 Martha White muffin mixes $8
- used $5 off 10 Publix coupons – see HERE for this deal, ends 12/2
- used five $.55/2 Martha White coupons
= $.22 each – $2.20 total

Total Purchased = $29.98
Total OOP = $8.32 including tax

I wanted to give everyone a heads up that starting next year thousands of stores will be closing and they are still selling gift cards through this holiday season. Be careful this year with purchasing or redeeming gift cards, if you don’t redeem them by January, you may lose your money.

Partial list of stores scheduled to close:
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine’s to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Gallery Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard’s to close some stores

WOW is that a depressing list or what. Talk about a sign of the times. I received this in an email but it seems like really solid advice for this holiday season. Basically I wouldn’t buy them and if you got them, spend them!

For more information check SNOPES – this really does seem to be true. If you ever wonder if an email you get is true, check SNOPES it is a really cool website that researches the factuality of emails.

If you know of any others please leave a comment.

Sorry for taking so long to post this….

Crisco Canola Oil BOGO $5.07
$1/1, $1/2, or $.55/1 found in 11-09-08 RP insert
$1.53 each

Oscar Meyer Sliced Bacon BOGO $5.19
$1/1 PRINTABLE Food Lion coupon (competitor) – print two
$1.59 each

I can’t believe it is not butter BOGO $2.93
Includes the spray that I use BOGO $1.79
$.50/1 PRINTABLE – print two
$.91 each for spread – $.39 each for spray!!!
Looks like I am stocking up, good thing I am out!

Sun Maid Raisins BOGO $3.69
$1/2 found in 09-28-08 RP, 10-05-08 RP, or 11-09-08 RP insert
$1.84 each

Lipton Tea Bags BOGO $3.91
$1/2 found in 11-16-08 RP insert
$1.45 each

Betty Crocker Potatoes BOGO $1.79
$.35/1 fround in 11-16-08 SS insert
$.54 each

Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice BOGO $1.99
$1/1 found in 11-16-08 RP insert
$1/2 PRINTABLE use code RICE
FREE after best coupon

Del Monte Canned Vegetables BOGO $1.33
$1/4 found in 11-16-08 RP insert
$.44 each wyb four

Hellmann’s Mayonnaise BOGO $5.17
$1/2 found in the 11-16-08 RP insert
$2.08 each

Mt. Olive Pickles BOGO $2.79
$1/1 or $.75/1 found in the 11-02-08 SS insert
$.39 each

Duncan Hines Cake Mix BOGO $1.95
$.93 each

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix BOGO $1.99
$1/2 found in the 11-16-08 SS insert
$.47 each

Keebler Town House or Club Crackers BOGO $3.89
$1/2 found in the 11-02-08 RP insert
$1.44 each

Wheat Thins BOGO $3.39
$1/2 PRINTABLE
$1.19 each

What did I miss? Anyone know of any good deals I did not mention?

Early start on some free mp3 files for the holidays in this sampler:

Amazon Holiday Sampler

Just be sure to download the album and not individual songs.

Songs include:

1. I Wish You A Merry Christmas (1999 Digital Remaster) Bing Crosby
2. Deck The Halls Peggy Lee
3. The Nutcracker Suite Les Brown & His Band Of Renown
4. Auld Lang Syne (Remixed 1991) The Beach Boys
5. Jingle Bells Roger Wagner Chorale

I hate going to any store, let alone the mall! So being able to shop online is ideal for me, which makes this way too good to pass up. I have been looking for Christmas gifts so I keep stumbling across REALLY good deals this week. I just got hubby charcoal dress pants for $2.99 shipped. Click the Bargain Bin and check out the $2.99, $5.99, and $9.99 deals. Then check out the Clearance section because there are different deals listed in there, 90% off retail and items starting at $.99

Use Code CJTD to get Free Shipping – Valid until 11/28/08.

Shopping tip – use the “prices low to high” sort option and “view all” next to the page numbers to see all the good deals at once!

5,000 WINNERS! Enter to win a deluxe sample of an Emporio Armani fragrance: the new Diamonds Intense and the classic Diamonds!

Freebie Word – forever

To enter, you’ll need to type in the Freebie Word found on page 10 in Seventeen’s December 2008/January 2009 issue. Answers must be entered in all lowercase in order to be eligible to win. Good luck!

Evidently you have to be REALLY young to enter this, so you might want to enter your daughters or else put the age you would LIKE to be….LOL.

Click the coupons.com tool bar to the left and they have listed a few new coupons. Some of these are older, but I think they relisted them as I was able to print more!

$5 off LeapFrog Didj library
$10 off LeapFrog Didj gaming system
$10 off Tidy Cat Breeze Litter system
$1 off Egg Beaters – could make them about free!
$1 off Bagelfuls – I love these things!
$1/2 Jones Dairy Sausage
BOGO Free Pedigree Canned Dog Food
$1 off Kings Hawaiian Round Bread – Love this stuff!
$1 off Lighthouse Dressing – free when on sale at Publix with this!
$3 off Woolite Rug Stick – could be free with right sale
$1 off Reynolds Foil
$2 off Schick Quattro Trimmer

If you don’t see the coupon you want, click the tool bar again. I think they may be adding more as I am typing this. Everytime I open it I see something new…how bizarre!

Nothing wrong with a whole lotta free towels! Add another weapon to your cleaning arsenal with SmartTowel™ from Kaivac. This patent-pending microfiber towel effectively reduces the risk of cross-contamination which allows you to clean with confidence. Click the link above and then click on “Want a Free Sample?” at the top to unlock the form. Super easy form!

Sign up for their newsletter and receive a free fitness towel. Super easy form to fill out! Should also receive coupons for being on their mailing list.

It really doesn’t look like much in the picutre, but everything I bought was expensive necessities! Keep in mind I actually bought 5 of the Charmin, only 2 are pictured.

We will probably never have to buy toilet paper again!!! It is Monday and I have already been to CVS twice this week and I see at least 3 more trips! A big mixup turned into a blessing for me. I went yesterday and I forgot my CVS card (I know huge no no), so I had them look up my number. Little did I know that my phone number is still tied to an old card I have not used in years. So here is what I got…

Transaction 1 – mystery card
L’Oreal Moisturizer $15.99
Zantrex $4.99
Total $20.98
Used $15 in ECB I had
Total OOP = $5.27 (I think, can’t find receipt)
Received $20.98 in ECB $15.99 L’Oreal, $4.99 Zantrex

Transaction 2 – mystery card
4 Duracell at $5.79
1 Duracell at $5.99
1 Duracell at $9.99
Gatorade $1.99 – to make hubby happy since he was chasing boy
Milk – $3.59 filler
Stride gum – $1.29
Total = $46.01
Used 4 $5/2 Duracell coupons, $4.99 ECB from previous
For some reason it would not let me use the $15.99 from previous, there was a long line now so I gave and actually paid cash!
Total OOP $21.02 – should have been $5.02
Received $15 in ECB for Duracell
-This transaction was a nightmare, I had to spend more to use the two large ECB I had but with the $5 off coupons I kept having to add more, this did not work out the way I planned.But it is OK!!!! Because I am SET on toilet paper!

Transaction 3 today – mystery card (after we figured out the problem)
4 Duracell at $5.99
2 Charmin 16 pack $9.99 – not a bad price!
Total $45.94
Used 3 $.50 off Duracell coupons, 1 $1/1 Duracell, 2 $5 off 2 Duracell, $30.99 in ECB
- I added an extra toilet paper so I could use my ECB
Total OOP = $1.72

Transcation 4 – mystery card
- This was to use up the ECB since I never use that card and the cashier was working with me, I didn’t want any other issues.
3 Charmin at $9.99
Total = $29.97
Used $30.99 in ECB – by this point I didn’t care and let her round down
Total OOP = $0

Transaction 5 – my card
1 L’Oreal $15.99
1 Zantrex $4.99
1 Nuprin (75% clearance) $1.42
1 Olay Moisturizer (75% clearance) $5.50
Total $27.90
Used $1 off Olay, $4/$20 CVS Beauty
Total OOP = $22.90
Received $15.99 for L’Oreal, $4.99 for Zantrex
- well I will receive them when I call CVS, they didn’t print out!

I really could have done a whole lot better, but I am super happy with what I got. I did not have a lot of prep time and had a two year old tearing around the store yesterday so to do this well is AWESOME!

You can never go wrong with free dog food. My dog loves it when I mix in a little something special for her :o)

Sign up and receive a free sample of White’s Premium Dog Food. Whites Premium quality food for dogs at work and play. Providing high quality nutrition for all dogs from Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Collies through to German Shepherds, Springer Spaniels, Pointers and Jack Russells to name a few of the breeds who enjoy Whites Premium.

Every day I hear “another 100,000 jobs gone”, that is depressing. Lucky for us we both have good stable jobs but I know there are hundreds of thousands of people without employment right now. So when I see a really good job opportunity I like to try and share it with those thay may be looking for a job. When Obama takes office there are going to be 7,000 job openings within the government. The 2009 Plum book was just released, this is a listing of all government positions and which ones will be vacated when Obama takes office in January, basically a really large list of coveted government jobs! The best thing about these jobs are they have great benefits and usually above average pay (it’s the government what would you expect…lol). Another great feature is it is just about any position from clerical to high salary positions, so whether you are a secretary out of work or a laid off CEO there probably is a job for you. Not too mention these positions are all over the country, not just in Washington!

Here’s the catch…like any good job these take work to get. I am a firm believer that the best jobs are not advertised, they are searched out. I really had to work to get my job and I love it!. So here is what you are going to have to do…

1. Look through the Plum Book, find positions you think you might be qualified for. Note the agency and focus on the positions with “vacant” next to it. Some even show the pay grade.
2. Find the agencies website and look for something called “careers” or “apply” – it is hard to tell you what to look for as every site calls it something different. Most of them will not have these jobs listed yet, but you may still be able to get your resume in early. It never hurts to actively pursue a position you want.
3. Perfect your resume – don’t forget my post about Making your Resume Perfect. Hopefully it will help you improve your resume.
4. Keep watching – these positions don’t open until January so you may have to wait.

I am not going to lie, these positions will be hard to get, but if you are lucky enough to land one it will be worth it! I am in no way and expert in these kinds of jobs but I have worked for the government before (hubby does now) and I know a little about how to get them. I am sure there are other people that can give a little more insight into these positions. If you happen to have some knowledge about these jobs please leave a comment. Hopefully this will help those that need work!

YET ANOTHER UPDATE Try this —order pizza and enter this code: TY2GVWG —-they are using the same code for all free medium pizzaa…well atleast the codes they are sending me!

YET ANOTHER UPDATE – Don’t go through all of the mess below click HERE and enter your email address, they will email you a coupon code for a FREE MEDIUM PIZZA! – Did I mention we ordered ours tonight and it was Yummy! Got a Large Cheese, Medium Cheese, and Breadsticks for $15 delivered! You only have to order $6.99 to get it delivered, so if you order breadsticks for $6.99 you get the medium pizza free – dinner under $10 delivered!

Another Update – Evidently there is a new coupon out, if you enter PS3 you can get free breadsticks when you order online – Enjoy!!!!

UPDATE – I just checked my facebook account and I had an message from Papa Johns! They give you a link to click to enter your email address and in about an hour they email you a coupon code for your free pizza. Looks like we are having pizza tonight! So you might want to check your facebook account if you signed up for this. If you haven’t signed up yet, now is the time this expires 12/1.

Become a fan of Papa Johns on Facebook and you will receive a free medium pizza with any online purchase. I don’t know about you but I pretty much order all of our pizza online so this is great for me. LOVE Papa Johns pizza!!!

Here is what I see…

First off I was super excited to see a $5/$25 coupon for Winn Dixie on page 17A of the St. Pete Times – don’t forget you can use these at Publix. To see current deals click HERE.

Smart Source Insert
Nothing really jumped out at me in the Red Plum but the Smart Source had a few good ones that I see potential, including the $4 and $5 off Airwick Mini’s and the Lysol NeutraAir. I haven’t seen these in a while (the old ones expired) and with these coupons, these become FREE when they go on sale! I am getting 4 or 5 papers just for those coupons.

Sally Hansen Buy 1 get 1 50% off ($.99 – $1.99) – nail polish & implements
use $2/1 implement or $2/2 nail polish coupon from 09-28-08 SS insert
FREE plus possible overage!

Revlon Buy 1 get 1 Free ($3.49 – $11.49) – Lip/Nail color
use $2/1 coupon from 09-14-08 SS insert
FREE plus possible overage!

Colgate Total Toothpaste BOGO $2.19
-$1 off Colgate Total 11-02-08 SS
NEW PRINTABLE $1 OFF
$1/1 coupon in 11-16-08 SS insert
$.09 each after coupons

Right Guard, Dry Idea, or Soft & Dry $2.99 Receive $2 in ECB
use $1/2 coupon from 10-05-08 SS insert
$.49 each

Target
$10 gift card coupon for a transfer/new prescription

Walgreens

Nutri-Grain Bars or Rice Krispie Treats 2/$5 Receive $2 in RR
$1.50 each

Just for Men Touch of Grey Haircolor $7.00 Receive $7 in RR
get $2 Printable from HERE or HERE
There is also a MIR for full price HERE

Profit $9 after coupon/MIR