Tuesday, September 30, 2008

ACME Shopping Report 9/30/08

The end of the month can be pretty depressing for couponers, when all those coupons expire. But I did my best to use a few before the clock struck 12 today.

Here is my summary
Trip #1
14 Packs Napkins
1 Zatarain Rice Mix
1 Motts Apple Juice
1 Sargento Cheese
1 Hillshire Lunchmeat
Out of Pocket $2.06 Savings $26.28

Trip #2
5 Packs Napkins
2 Dixie Paper Plates
6 Glade Air Freshner
1 2 liter coke
Out of Pocket $.71 Savings $24.21

Trip #3
4 Packs Napkins
2 Dixie Paper Plates
5 Glade Air Freshner
Out of Pocket $.65 Savings $23.32

Trip #4
7 Packs Napkins
9 Zatarain Rice Mix
3 Febreeze Air Freshner Starter Kits
2 Dixie Paper Plates
3 Shoulder Steaks (managers specials)
2 Gallons Tea
Out of Pocket $.55 Savings $69.55


Total Out of Pocket today $3.97 Savings $143.36

Coupons used
Glade $2 OYNO Catalinas
Glade b1g1 free warmer
Homelife $1 expired 9/30/08
Zatarian Rice $1.25 off 3
Dixie Paper Plates $1 off 2 (from the Giant 85th anniversary book)
Febreeze $5

Also I got my ACME Cash Rewards Point total up to $266.25 which will get me a $5 cash reward check in my mail sometime in October - WOOT!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

25 FREE Prints at Rite Aide

I have a scrapbook crop this weekend - so I am very excited to hear about this coupon

Print HERE

And take to your store for 25 free prints!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Warning! ACME buy l0.00 get

Warning! ACME buy l0.00 get 3.00 off instantly is not working in the register! Posting from my cell phone.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

K B Toys HOT Printable Coupnos Exp 9/28

KB Toys

$5 off any Toy purchase or $30 or more
Customer may combine with $5 off $30 toy purchase coupon so long as purchase requirements are met

$5 off one video game priced at $24.98 or more

In store valid 9/25/08 - 9/28/08

Printable is HERE
This is sooo gonna help with my Christmas shopping!

TY to Pearl2000 at Slick Deals!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Revising the way I shop a bit

Today we got the news at our house, that many have gotten across the country.

My husband is being laid off.

We are blessed in that we have advanced notice of this, his lay off date is 3/31/09.
Honestly, we have been through the layoff route before. He previously worked in the semiconducter and technology industry (in HR) , and they both when through company shut downs and layoffs. This time he is doing HR in the medical industry, and we had thought that was a bit more secure, but apparently not. The difference between this layout and previous ones: I am not working full time, we have 2 kids.

BUT
I know how to shop now, I know how to save, and I have a STOCKPILE! Oh and for the first time ever for us, we have already prepaid our home heating oil for the year.

I will definitely be rethinking some things though. Some deals I have done as nice extras, but still had an out of pocket cost. I had already told my family that all I wanted for Christmas was a freezer, this is going to become a mission for me now. Having an extra freezer would give me the ability to stockpile so much more food, and save more money. I would also really like to look into purchasing a 1/2 or 1/4 cow, having that in the freezer would make me very reassured.

And, as we are approaching tax season, I am considering getting a job processing income tax returns.

Anyone have any suggestions, been there and wish you had dones?

If you happen to know of an HR/Payroll job in Montgomery County or Northern Chester County PA, please contact me!

Keep watching, I will share how things go for us.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Shopping Report Friday 9/19 Acme

Thanks to Lisa's Bargain Alert I saw the heads up on Thursday that ACME is starting their own gas deal. Though this deal doesn't have me bouncing for joy because it is with Exxon and their are no reasonably priced Exxon stations in my town, but I will be on the road this weekend, so it may end up being beneficial.

The gas deal gives you a coupon for discount per gallon of gas, based on the total of your grocery bill. I was really curious to see how this would be affected by the use of coupons. So instead of doing smaller orders (which I normally do to make it easier for me to make sure that prices are ringing up right). BTW Coupons do not affect the printing of your gas coupon!

So here is the breakdown to earn gas coupons

Spend $50 get $.05 off per gallon
Spend $75 get $.10 off per gallon
Spend $100 get $.15 off per gallon
Spend $125 get $.20 off per gallon
Spend $150 get $.25 off per gallon
Spend $175 get $.30 off per gallon
Spend $200 get $.35 off per gallon

and you can use 2 coupons at one time, on up to 15 gallons

And here is my ACME purchase for today

8 boxes Homelife Facial Tissues @ $.89 each =$7.12
10 packages Homelife Napkins @ $1 each = $10
2 Homelife Paper Plate Packs @ $1.50 = $3
3 Acme Cooking Spray @ $2.49 each = $7.47
8 Progresso Lite Microwaveable soup B1G1 @ $2.49 = 9.96
3 Chex Mix Cereal Bars @ $2.50 = $7.50
2 Cheerios Snack Mix @ $2 = $4
3 Chex Mix @ $2 =$6
6 Powerade Zero @ $.79 = $4.74
11 Lipton Tea @ $1 = $11
1 Acme Sugar @ $2.49

Less
Dollar Days Instant Savings = -$5
20 $1 Homelife coupons = -$20
Acme B1G2 Cooking Spray = -$4.98
11 Lipton Tea Coupons $.50, doubled = -$11
Acme Sugar Coupon = -$.61
3 Powerade $1 off 2 coupons = -$3
3 Chex Mix Cereal Bar Coupons @ $.50, doubled = -$3
2 Cheerios Snack Mix Coupons @ $.50, doubled = -$2
3 Chex Mix Coupons @ $.50, doubled = -$3
OYNO (Glade) Coupons = - $18

Out of Pocket $.42

Recieved
$.10 off gas coupon
$4 OYNO Powerade Coupon

Deals to note
Green Highlights the Dollar Days Stock Up Sale - Spend $25 on participating General Mills products and get $5 off your order instantly.
Participating products:
General Mills Cereals 5 for $10
Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough 2 for $5
Progresso Soup B1G1 (watch your tags on this, not all appear to be included)
Green Giant Valley Steamers 2 for $3
Green Giant Canned Veggies 10 for $10
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 3 for $5
Pop Secret 2 for $4
Romanos Macaroni Grill 2 for $7
Crescent Rolls 2 for $4
Chex Mix Bars 2 for $5
Chex Mix Some 2 for $5 some is 2 for $4
Cheerios Snack Mix 2 for $4
Progresso Bread Crumbs 2 for $5
Betty Crocker Frosting 3 for $5
Betty Crocker Cake Mix 4 for $5
Betty Crocker Muffin Mix 2 for $4
Betty Crocker Warm Delight Minis 2 for $4

Blue Highlights the Powerade Zero deal
this is a catalina deal, buy 6 Powerade Zero, on sale for $.79 and get $4 on your next order, there are tons of coupons out for this, and honestly even without coupons it's not a bad deal.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Contests - Check out the Blog Contests!






Pink Bow Bath Boutique (how cute a name is that!?!?!)


Pink Bow Bath Boutique is a Mom run store featuring Pampering Bath Products. They are giving away one 8 oz. Whipped Body Frosting in Pink Passion Sand Beaches HERE and also have a current coupon code MomDot15 and will give you 15% off! She will refund the 15% off to you via PayPal. This offer is valid until November 15th, 2008 and can not be combined with any other promotional offer.


I see lots of products that catch my eye, soaps, room fresheners, body spray and moisturizers. Don't forget the holidays are coming - these could make some awesome teachers gifts!

StudioCherie is giving away this really cool "change cube" diaper bag a $178 value!
You can find out the details and enter at: Hand Made Showcase Giveaways



Sew Gracious has an adorable shop of bags and the coolest wristlet key fob chains (ok I NEED one of these!) And they are also giving away this cool Halloween tote. Check out this contest at: Simply Sentimental



Coming in this weekends coupons ! Mail In Rebate for FREE




FREE Scrubbing Bubbles Action Cleanser




I just got this notice in an email from BzzAgent

Look for these coupons in this weekends paper:
I received the action scrubber for FREE as part of a BzzAgent campaign (I get to try products for free and tell my friends about it) But now it is even better, you can get it FREE, with a mail in rebate, too! And it works great! I love the larger grip it has on it too, it is much easier on my hands.
BTW - Take a moment and check out BzzAgent too - it's cool!

Today's Shopping Report

I normally do most of my shopping in the evening,
but today I had to take the kids to school (oldest had a study group), so while I was on the road I did some deals.





First ACME

6 Boxes of Homelife Facial Tissues @ $.89 each = 5.34
3 Pack Homelife Paper Plates $1.50 each = $4.50
2 Glade Air Fresheners @ $1.50 each = $3.00

Pre Coupon Total $12.84

Less 9 Homelife Coupons @ $1.00 = -$9.00

B1G1 Glade Coupon = -$1.50

$2 OYNO coupon from previous transaction = -$2.00

Out of Pocket Cost $.36
and I got 2 $2.00 OYNO coupons (from the Glade)



Next Rite Aid


I admit, I have NEVER done a Single Check Rebate (SCR) at Rite Aid. I hate rebates, I much prefer to get my deals 'up front', or at least with CVS's ECB system they printed right out after the order.


But CVS's deals have pretty much gone away, so I decided I needed to be more aware of some other deals.


Today I got:

1 Crest Whitening Expressions 6.0 oz $2.99

less $1.00 Manufacturer coupon (from the Giant 85th anniversary flyer) -$1.00


Out of Pocket $1.99


Single Check Rebate Amount $2.00, so I should end up ahead $.01, hopefully this will ease me into the Rite Aide SCR process




And lastly, for this morning, Giant PA

(my current favorite store)

Detail on coupons / deals found here

Care One Liquid Hand Soap $1.00 (free after coupon)

5 Fuze Tea @$1.00 = $5.00 less $4 OYNO coupon from Fuze = $1.00

Giant 3.5 Cat Food $2.39 less $1.00 companion coupon = $1.39

Pure Power Dishwasher Tablets $2.29 less $2 Pure Power Coupon = $.29

Nature Valley Mac & Cheese $1.25 less $1 Nature Valley Coupon = $.25

Guaranteed Value Green Beans $1.09 less $1 Guaranteed Value Coupon = $.09

Green Giant Broccoli Steamer $1 less $1 Manufacturer Coupon = FREE

Giant Ground Beef (managers special) $8.04 less $1 Giant Coupon = $7.04

14 Glade Plug in Fresheners @$1, less 1 B1G1 coupon = $13


Less Another $16 in OYNO coupons (Glade)


Out of Pocket $8.25 (was hoping this would be a little less, I had a $2.50 off $30 purchase coupon, but this cashier took that as $30 after coupon, but I have had different people take it different ways)


And I got $28 worth of Glade OYNO coupons

$4 worth of Fuze OYNO coupons!


btw - I still didn't clear the shelf of the Glade and they keep restocking them!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Giant PA! Rocking Deals!

Admittedly if you look at the Giant PA ad, it's pretty dull. And for those of us without gas stations at our store, it outright sucks.

BUT There are several deals at Giant PA to be had right now - that are worth the trip!

First Remember last weeks HOT Giant Deal - the Glade Warmers?
Well it got HOTTER! Those same warmers are on sale 10 for $10 and still printing $2 OYNO Catalinas.
Coupons can still be found: Coupons can be found 8/3/08 Smart Source, 8/24/08 Smart Source, Oct 2008 Womans Day, Peelies, and more.
Update thanks to SaraW at CouponersWanted PRINT your B1G1 coupons for these and do even better!

Next look at your Giant PA store for this coupon book:


Second check and make sure that the coupons are not already cut out of yours - I am not kidding here, someone had cut tons of coupons out of them at my local store, but then put them back with some of the coupons left intact.
This book contains coupons for:
$1 off 3 Kleenex Facial Tissue
$1 off any size Mach 3 disposable razors
$1 on any Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner 25.4 oz
$1 any size Crest Toothpaste
$1 on any one DanActive 4 pack or 8 pack
Free Giant Pie Crust when you buy any one 14 oz can Reddi Wip
$2 off any 3 Ice Cream or Dairy Products Kemps Greens Hagan (though honestly I cut through this coupon for the next coupon on the reverse side of it)
$1 off any Guaranteed Value Product
$1 off Any Giant Brand Product
$2 off Any Pure Power Product
$1 Off Any CareOne Health or Beauty Product
$1 off Any Nature's Promise Product
$1 off any Companion or Pet Product
$1 off any one Suave Professional Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Aid
$1 on any one Slim Fast Optima Ready to Drink Shakes
$1 on Wisk 2x or 4x concentrate laundry detergent
Receive a Free Axe Bullet Body Spray When you purchase any 3 Axe Anti-perspirant/ deodorants or body sprays
$1 on any Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Bath Tissue
$1 off one 8 roll package of Brawny Paper Towels
$1 off any two Dixie Ultra Paper Plates, Bowls, or Napkins

Breakdown of what I see as HOT in these coupons right now, these coupons are one per customer, so do them in separate trips, but it is worth it:
$1 off any Guaranteed Value Product
This includes 39 Gallon Trash Bags $1.25 = $.25, also look for canned veggies, salad dressing, ice cream, dog and cat food, paper plates and cups, etc

$1 off Any Giant Brand Product
Look for these all over the store. Giant brand bread is on sale for $1 = FREE, Matches $1.14 = $.14, 6 pack water $1.59 = $.59
$2 off Any Pure Power Product
This includes Furniture wipes $2.09 = $.09, paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent, cleaning products
$1 Off Any CareOne Health or Beauty Product
This includes Cosmetic Wedges - on sale for $1.50 = $.50, Liquid Hand Soap on sale for $1= FREE, also look for band aids, antiseptic products, antacids, tampons, toothpaste, toothbrushes, eye drops, pain meds, cough drops, etc
$1 off Any Nature's Promise Product
This includes Boxed Mac & Cheese $1.25 = $.25, Sunflower Butter $1.99 = $.99, also look for meats, ice cream, frozen veggies, cereals, granola, soup, eggs, etc
$1 off any Companion or Pet Product
Check your pet isle, I picked up cat food for $2.39 or $1.39 after coupon


Thursday, September 11, 2008

Walgreens Shoppers - You Know You Love These!

And soon I will be able to enjoy them too . . .they are building a Walgreen about 1/4 mile from my house.

$10 off $40 on Friday Sept 12 and Saturday Sept 13

Print HERE

Thanks to Moms Need to Know and Common Sense with Money for the link and check out the great way to use it at Deal Seeking Mom and rundown on the Walgreens deals at I Heart Wags

FREE Cold Stone Ice Cream September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00PM


World's Largest Ice Cream Social

Celebrate the 7th Annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social and Support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® with Cold Stone Creamery

Throughout the month of September, Cold Stone Creamery will be selling Make-A-Wish wall stars to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Be sure to visit your local Cold Stone Creamery to try two new flavors, Nutter Butter® and Marshmallow, and the very special “Make-A-Wish Creations” inspired by Jack and Emily, two Wish Children.

Jack's Creation - Marshmallow ice cream with OREO® Cookies, Chocolate Chips and Fudge

Emily's Creation - Nutter Butter® ice cream with White Chocolate Chips, Kit Kat® and Yellow Cake

To cap off this special month, don't miss the 7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide, a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with a FREE ice cream and family fun. On September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00PM, guests will be treated to a 3 oz. serving of Jack or Emily's Creation. All donations will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.


My Cold Stone Rewards

Going to Cold Stone Creamery just got even sweeter. Now when you treat yourself to Cold Stone Creamery you'll earn a free ice cream. Visit your local Creamery for details and to pick up your My Cold Stone Rewards card today.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Giant PA HOT !!!!


Glade Scented Oil Warmers


Shelf price $1.57 (at my store, Giant prices do vary from store to store)

get $2.00 OYNO (on your next order coupon)


MAKE $.43 EACH


It gets better, there are many coupons out there for this item! Values include $1, $2 and FREE. Coupons can be found 8/3/08 Smart Source, 8/24/08 Smart Source, Oct 2008 Womans Day, Peelies, and more


I had 10 $2 coupons (to my local peeps, I did not clear the shelves) I MADE $20 in OYNO coupons, and I was also using a $2.50 off $30 coupon, so these helped me get to that amount!


I believe this goes through 10/5, but my camera phone picture didn't come out well enough to tell.


Limerick PA Area Taste Test - Survey

RDT  email that I recieved today:

Product Taste Test 9/23/08


This is limited to one survey/participant

per household.



Please click on the following link to see if 

you qualify to participate in our

next product tast test on

September 23, 2008.

Thank you!

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Ziplock Big Bags

 I LOVE these bags!  I recently participated in a Bzz Agent Campaign with them and I found a ton of uses.  Storing sleeping bags, out of season clothes, dirty clothes on trips, even a cooler for drinks on a day trip.

Go HERE and you can register to print a coupon for buy one box get one FREE!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Contests and Freebies!

Contests!

Wedgie Free Wednesdays
Enter HERE and each week they choose 500 to get a free pair of panties

Couponizer Giveaway @ Moms Need to Know
Enter HERE giving away 2, need to enter by Thursday 9/11 8:30 EST

Redplum Roomba (who doesn't want one of these?)
Enter
HERE by 9/15/08

Freebies!

Sears Hardware is offering a Master Padlock
VALID 9/7/08 THRU 9/13/08
FREE 1-1/2" or 1-3/4" Padlock
Present this coupon at your local Sears Hardware Store and receive one FREE 1-1/2" or 1-3/4" padlock -72429/30/1/2/4/5/6.
Reg. 6.99-7.99 ea.
Offer valid at Sears Hardware Stores only.
Limit one coupon per customer. While quantities last. No rainchecks.

Fruit Roll Up Sample
Sign up HERE

Carefree Liners Free Sample
Sign up HERE

Always Infinity Free Sample
Sign up HERE

Kotex Free Sample
Sign up HERE

Playtex Sport
Sign up HERE



Aveeno Positively Ageless Sample and Coupon
Sign up HERE

Hugo Fragrance Sample
Register HERE

Scott Extreme Rags
Sign up HERE

Food for Fifty Part 1

First I have to say that one of my most prized cookbooks (and I have MANY) is Food for Fifty, by Mary Molt. Which is now in it's 12th edition (must mean I am not the only one to swears by it) with a list price of $104 (Amazon.com sale price $72.07) I obtained a used copy of it years ago (not the most recent edition) I know it still wasn't cheap, but I didn't pay that much.

So why this obsession with being able to feed so many?

Well my husband and I run a group that LARPs, for those who don't know what that means. We basically have full weekend murder mystery parties, in the woods, in medieval garb, and hit each other with padded plumbing supplies. Still interested, send me a message and I am happy to share more.

Among my many duties for this group is food. This is also my first event after my obsession with 'extreme couponing' (I just recently heard this term and it is growing on me). So now the event has taken on a whole new level of preparation.

Parameters for the event

50-60 attendees

"Kitchen" is somewhat roughing it, there is no oven. However there is a fridge, freezer, microwave, we have a propane camp stove, and they promise me enough power to run my crock pots and electric griddle, as well as the coffee pots.

Food restrictions - we have attendees with allergies or religious restrictions to the eating of - poultry, beef, pork, garlic, ritz crackers and blue food dye

Food will be served Tavern style, plan is a rotating menu (as all of one food is gone, put another on the menu)

Meals that need to be provided. Two Breakfasts, Two Lunches, One Dinner, Deserts and Snacks

So if I do my math right that is 5 meals, average of 55 people, or 275 meals in 2 days, plus snacks and desert

Here is the menu (at this time, though pretty close to finalized)

Pasta with Red Sauce
Hot Sausage in Red Sauce
Turkey Noodle Soup
BBQ Chicken
Breaded Chicken
Rice
Buttered Noodles
Potatoes
Corn
Green Beans
Salad
Fruit Cocktail
Fresh Fruits
Assorted Breads / Rolls
Assorted Deserts
Assorted Beverages
Pancakes
Cereals
Oatmeal

Preliminary cost breakdown

Pasta with Red Sauce
7 jars sauces from stockpile @ $.10 =$.70
free pasta from stockpile

Hot Sausage in Red Sauce
3 jars sauce, from stockpile @$.10 = $.30
Sausage 2 packs sale, plus managers discount cost $9.98
Turkey Noodle Soup Turkey
18 lbs @ $.99 / pound= $17.82
6 cans soup broth = $4.00
Noodles, free from stockpile
Veggies - to be purchased
BBQ Chicken
Chicken 10 lbs @ $1 / pound $10.00
BBQ sauce, from stockpile 3 @ $.25 = $.75
Breaded Chicken
Chicken 10 lbs @ $1 / pound $10.00
Breading, from stockpile $.75
Eggs to be purchased

Rice
Free
Buttered Noodles
Stockpile from free coupons
Potatoes
to be purchased
Corn
to be purchased
Green Beans
to be purchased
Salad
will be purchasing 7 bags at Giant this week $.85 per bag $5.95
Salad Dressing
5 @ $.30 (Kraft free coupons) $1.50
Fruit Cocktail
to be purchased
Fresh Fruits
to be purchased
Assorted Breads / Rolls
to be purchased (discount bread outlet - crossing my fingers!)
Assorted Deserts
I am actually not responsible for those, people who love to bake bring them
Assorted Beverages
Assorted deals, total cost $15
Pancakes
need to purchase
Cereals
9 boxes out of my stockpile, approx $.50 a box = $4.50
Oatmeal
3 boxes out of my stockpile, approx $.75 a box = $2.25
Milk
need to purchase


Current costs $83.50
Anticipated budget for additional costs $80.00

Total anticipated $163.50
Average cost per serving $.59

Watch next week for an update of how we really went with the budget!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Quick run down of some current good deals at Giant PA and Genuardis

Giant PA 9/7 - 9/13/08

Celebrating 85 years

$.85 Dole 1lb Classic Salad Mix
$.85 Giant Wheat Bread
$.85 GE Extra Soft Light bulbs

Kraft Easy Mac Cups $.69

More gas deals  (I can't get excited about these, the closest Giant w/ gas to me is about 20 minutes away)

Manufacturers coupon Buy 10 20 oz vitamin water get 5 32 oz powerade for free



Genuardi's Safeway 9/5 - 9/11/08

48 hour sale Saturday and Sunday Only

Green Seedless Grapes $.89

Refreshe Water 1 gallon or 3 liters 2 for $1 limit 4

Mission tortilla Chips $.97 limit 3  (Reports of $1 Off coupons being found in store too!)

Regular sale items

Genuardi's white or wheat bread $.79

B1G1 Perdue Oven Stuffer Roaster $1.89 per lb (before b1g1)

Rise, Shine and Save buy any 5 save $5

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars $1.49

Quaker Instant Oatmeal $2.99 Coupons in this weekends Valassis and Printable

Motts Apple Juice $2.49

Kellogg's Cereal $2.49
Rice Krispies 12 oz
Froot Loops 12.2 oz
Cocoa Krispies 16.5 oz
Apple Jacks 12.2 oz



Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Schools Back in Session !

Schools back in session and the spelling homework has arrived.

I don't know about your house, but spelling homework and studying can be a real struggle in mind.  I found this site tonight and I LOVE it!


Spelling City makes studying for your spelling test fun!

It's FREE!  You register and can enter in the spelling lists, then the kids can get help learning them, playing games to learn them and being tested on them.  Without you having to stand over them asking them to spell the same word 10 (or more) times!

Check it out!  Let me know what you think!  Do you have another schoolwork help site to share? I would love to hear about it!

Catalinas



This is a term you will see pretty frequently on the coupon message boards. It refers to those little magic coupon printing machine boxes that sit by the cash register and print out coupons and advertisements either as your order is being rung up, or after you pay (or sometimes both). It is referred to as it a Catalina because the company that operates them is Catalina Category Marketing.

Catalina machines can be found in over 22,000 stores!

Most of the catalina machines in my area have a ready light on them that will start to blink as they are getting ready to print more coupons. This is something to be aware of because it is very easy to walk away from the register without all of your coupons.

Catalina's website explains it's behavioral marketing. Their company offers manufacturers and retailers several options for marketing including historical based (following the transacations of your frequent shopper card) and UPC based (ever wonder why when you buy one brand of a product out pops a coupon for the competitors brand)

Some Catalina deals will be advertised in your store flyers. These will typically be the Buy $20 in XX Brand and get $7 off OYNO (on your next order) type of deals. Others may be labeled in the store. IE buy 2 dressing and receive $x off your next order.

What do you do if a Catalina should print (or you think it should) and it doesn't? First go to customer service, sometimes they can handle it for you. If that doesn't work, or you get home before you realize it. Then call Catalina there numbers: 1(888) 322-3814 or 1-888-8COUPON (1-888-826-8766) Be prepared with your receipt, any ad info that you may have and time to be on hold. Also note they can not see the transaction in their computer for at least 24 hours after it occurs.

Lastly, unless they come up with a new wording for catalinas, they are based on your PRE COUPON purchase price, if they claim otherwise require them to show you where it says so.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Amelia's Grocery Outlet

Are you located near one of these towns? Allentown, Coatesville, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Manheim, New Holland, Pottsville, Reading, Roherstown, Royersford or Woodlyn

If you are you really need to check Amelia's Grocery Outlet.

I have been singing the praises of Amelia's for at least 3 years (if you google it the third entry is a post of mine from 2006). At that time I estimated I did 75% of my shopping at Amelia's. Admittedly I don't do that much there now, but I didn't have an ACME then.

Amelia's is a grocery OUTLET, their selection does vary, and somethings you will only see in the store once. (Don't remind me of the day I saw a TON of jet dry for $.69 and didn't have my coupons with me, of course it was gone the next day)

With regards to coupons, they do accept coupons, but do to manufacturer restrictions they have a list posted in the store of manufacturers that they can not accept coupons from. (Mostly it is the big name cereal companies, except Quaker) But honestly even though their shelf prices of cereals are better then you would see at the grocery store, they don't beat the grocery store sales combined with double coupons.

Also some products on Amelia's shelves are expired. Please note though that expiration dates on many foods are Sell By dates, not use by dates, just use common sense on how long things are good for.

Take a look at the current Amelia's sale circular:
Page 1 Page 2
Amelia's circulars change weekly, and you can have the circular delivered to you email box
Look for the red box on THIS page to sign up.

What other types of products can you expect to find at Amelia's? Check this list out:


Manufacturer: Brands Produced:
Breyers Breyers Yogurt, Breyers Ice Cream
Campbell's Franco American, Prego
Coca-Cola Minute Maid, Hi-C
Con Agra Banquet, Healthy Choice, Chef Boy Ardee, Hunt, Wesson
Dannon Dannon Yogurt
General Mills Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Columbo, Gold Medal, Green Giant
Giorgio Foods Giorgio
Hanover Canned Vegetables, Sauces
Heinz Ore-Ida, Weight Watchers, Bagel Bites
Hershey Hershey
Hunt-Wesson Van Camps, Orville Reddenbacher
Keebler Sunshine
Kellogg's Kellogg's, Kashi
Kraft Foods Post, Jell-o, Bull's Eye, Kool-Aid, Maxwell House
Lever Brothers Dove, All, Surf, Sunlight, Shield, Wisk
Lipton Wishbone
Malt O' Meal Malt O' Meal
Marcal Marcal
Nabisco Snackwell
Nestle Alpo, Libby, Contadina, Butterfinger, Jucy Juice, Stouffers
Pellman Pies
Pinnacle Foods Swanson, Aunt Jemima (Frozen), Mrs. Pauls
Procter & Gamble Duncan Hines, Bounty, Pampers
Quaker Gatorade, Aunt Jemima
Sara Lee Sara Lee
S.C. Johnson Glade, Pledge, Shout, Windex, Vanish
Tropicana Tropicana, Dole
Tyson Tyson, Weaver, Holly Farms


Please note if you are planning a visit to Amelia's they are Closed on Sunday and they do not take credit cards (they do take debit cards though!)

Focus Groups - Limerick PA

RDT Team is located in Limerick PA, they do various focus groups, product testing, etc.

I just got an email from them that they are Looking for first time expectant moms for a focus group to be held Sept 25

Please click on the following link to see if you qualify.

If you know anyone who might qualify, please forward them this message.
Thank you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/RDTeam08-004

My oldest daughter and I have both done testings for them and they are GREAT! Nothing like getting paid CASH for really, really easy work.

If you don't meet the qualifications for this survery, go ahead and join their database, you just might meet the qualifications for the next.

http://www.rdteam.com/757/index.html