NOT An April Fools Joke!

Tomorrow, April 1st, you can get a FREE Chicken Wrap Snacker from Tim Hortons from 11:30am-2pm. Go HERE for information.

Get them while there hot in The Buff!

CVS/Walgreens 3/29 - 4/4 List

CVS
Sunday and Monday Only Deals:

M&M's Easter candy bags 2/$3 (limit 6)
use $1/2 coupon from 3/1 Sunday paper (RedPlum insert)
Final Price: 2/$2

Paas Egg Decorating Kit $1.99 (limit 2)
receive $1.99 ECB for your next purchase
Final Price: FREE after ECB

All other deals:
Accu-chek monitor $9.99
receive $9.99 ECB for next purchase
Final Price: FREE after ECB

CVS Vitamin D 400 100 ct. $2.99
March ECB deal so if bought in March receive $2.99 ECBs for next purchase
Final Price: FREE after ECB


Walgreens
ChapStick 100% Naturals or True Shimmer Lip Balm or Butter 15 oz $1.99
receive $1.99 Register Rewards (RR) for next purchase
Final Price: FREE after RR

Printer Cartridge Refill $7.50 (black or color)
Easy Saver Rebate (ESR) $7.50
Final Price: FREE after ESR

Walgreens Wal-itin allergy medicine 30 ct. $6.99
ESR $6.99
Final Price: FREE after ESR

One A Day Multivitamin Drink Mix 2 pack $1.49
ESR #1.49 (limit 1) and
use $1.00/1 coupon from 3/22 Sunday paper
Final Price: FREE after ESR to $1.00 moneymaker

Softsoap Body Wash $3.99
receive coupon at checkout for FREE one on your next purchase
use $1/1 coupon found HERE
Final Price: 2/$1.50 after RR

Reynolds Aluminum Foil 20 sq ft $.89 with in ad coupon (limit 3)
use $1/1 coupon from 2/8 Sunday paper
Final Price: FREE (possibly a $.11 moneymaker)

If you didn't buy your Listerine products 2 weeks ago when they were free than this is still a good deal:
Listerine 1 liter 2/$11
receive $5.50 RRs for next purchase (limit 1)
use 2 - $1/1 from 3/15 Sunday paper OR from Walgreens Health magazine found by the pharmacy
Final Price: 2/$3.50 after RR

Glade Soy Candles $5.99
use $4.00 IP coupon (if you got a chance to print it from here, unfortunately they are all gone now)
and $2.00 Easy Saver Coupon (ESC - located in ESC catalogue as you walk in the store).
Final Price: FREE

THESE TWO MUST BE PURCHASED IN SEPERATE TRANSACTIONS TO GET BOTH RRs TO PRINT:
Skintimate Cream Shave $2.99
receive $2.99 RR for next purchase
Final Price: FREE after RR

Edge Infused Energy Shaving Gel $3.59
receive $3.59 RR for next purchase
Final Price: FREE after RR


WOW! WHAT A WEEK FOR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS! If you see anything else let me know :)

You can read more about the rules and strategies for shopping at CVS HERE and Walgreens HERE. You can also see lists with more deals than this HERE for CVS and HERE for Walgreens.

Thanks Stephanie at Couponing 101 for all the 101 information and her weekly deals posts! I love her website - she has all the deals, go check it out!!!

FREE Bowling In The Buff

DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE BOWLING PLANS!

If you sign up for AMF's Email Club they will send you a coupon for FREE Bowling for up to 10 people! You still have to pay for shoes but this is still a great deal! The coupon is only good for 1 month after you sign up so ... don't sign up until you have bowling plans set. A good idea is to share this with friends, then have your friend sign up and share it with you. That way you get the most use out of it. Go HERE to sign up, when you are ready of course.

Another option is that now until the end of March (yup, just found this out) parents putt free at Adventure Landing. So pay for your kids to putt putt and you can putt putt for free. Hurry up, you've only got 2 more days to take advantage of this offer. Go HERE for details and other special promotions

So get out there and putt putt or bowl with your family and friends in The Buff!

What Does a $.40 Box of Cereal Look Like?

This is what a less than $.40 box of cereal looks like! Can you believe it? It's 17 oz of lightly crunchy nuggets, granola, raisins, almonds and a touch of honey. At CVS this week - until Saturday night - they have this cereal on sale BOGO Free. I learned a huge money saving tip - when the store has a BOGO free sale, USE TWO COUPONS!

This cereal is $4.79, usually 2 boxes would cost $9.58 at CVS. With the BOGO sale it made 2 boxes $4.79 (50% off), then I had 2 coupons for $2 off 1 box (print them HERE, don't forget to hit your back button to print it twice). I used 2 coupons and that brought my total to $.79, for TWO boxes of cereal!!!

I'm converted and you should be two - BOGO sales are your friend. Always use 2 coupons when buying two products!



Now, what does a free box of cereal look like? Well if you are diabetic it looks like this:
Most stores carry Glucerna cereal for less than $5.00 a box (I found it at Walgreens for $4.99). Go HERE and print a $5 off 1 box of cereal coupon, don't forget to hit your back button to print it twice, or you can call 1-877-879-4857 they will mail a coupon for $5 off 1. I picked up 2 boxes at Walgreens this week and got a $2.50 off my next order coupon!!! I think this offer is good until 3/28 so get it soon.

Get out there and get your cheap cereal...and other groceries too.

I WON, I WON

A fun thing you can do is enter the multitude of giveaways that are available online and through blogs. I happened across a gem of a blog called Southern Blessings. Nancy had a giveaway for a Fiber One Spa basket (and we all know how much I need a spa break right now!) I entered and...I WON, I WON!

Thanks Nancy for the opportunity and for your blog.

So, get out there in The Buff and enter those giveaways. You never know...I might have a giveaway or two coming up!

CVS/Target/Walgreens List 3/22-3/28

CVS
Crest Pro-Health Enamel Care
$3.49 and earns $3.49 in ECBs (limit 1)
$1 off from 3/15 Sunday paper
=Free + $1 money maker

Dawn Dish Liquid $1 (get $1 ECB wyb 2) Limit 4
$.20 off from 3/01 Sunday paper
= $.30 each after ECBs


TARGET
Schick Intuition and Quattro Razors - $6.99 each
Get a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy 2
Use 2 - $4/1 in 3/22 Smart Source insert
Pay $5.98 out of pocket; It's like getting 2 of these for $0.49 each with gift card!

Motts Applesauce (cups) - $1.77 each
Use $1/1 Target coupon HERE along with a $0.55/1 coupon HERE
$0.22 each after coupon

Gillette Body Wash (8.4 oz) $2.00 each (look on end caps)
Use $2/1 coupon in 3/1 P&G insert
FREE after coupon


WALGREENS
Colgate Total Toothpaste 4 oz. (priced around $2.99-$3.49)
-$2.50/1 Instant Value coupon from March Easysaver Catalog
-$.75/1 coupon from 3/15 SS
Final Price = $.25

Coppertone Sun Care (get $10 RR wyb $20)
$1.50 SS 3/1
= 50% or more savings

Huggies Wipes $2.50
$5 Gentle Care printable (if you still have these coupons)
= $2 each - $2.50 MONEYMAKER

Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair 2/$7
$2 printable
$2 March Easy Saver Rebate (#23)
= $.50 each - .50 MONEYMAKER after rebate

Energizer Rechargeable Batteries 4 pk AA $7.99
$10 (wyb 2) or $15 (wyb 3) March Easy Saver Rebate (#20)
= $2.99

Stride or Trident Gum $.79
$.75 SS 3/8
= $.04

My Favourite Things

First I LOVE FrugalCouponLiving where Ashley tells you about all the deals and the low down on the free items for the week. She also has grocery lists for several stores. While she hails from Florida, it's still a usefull site to find deals on drugstores and all other stores in general.

Along with the multitude of couponing websites that are out there I love getting my printed coupons from Coupons.com. They have new coupons almost everyday and you can print 2 of every coupon. This week they have $1 off 1 McCormick spice or extract and $.75 off a fresh Dole Pineapple. There was a deal at Tops last week where if you used the $.75 coupon on pineapple you got it for $.49!

I've also discovered Hooray For Freebates where Lori tells you what has a try me free rebate available. If you pair your rebate with a coupon you can actually end up making money. Is this dishonest? has been a question that's asked a lot on her blog and her answer is "the manufactures know what coupons they have out there when they publish their rebates" - so it's up to you. In last Sunday's paper there was a $1.00 off coupon for Sargento's salad finishers, and right beside it was a mail in rebate, try me free offer! None the less it's a great way to try lots of products for free and to never have to pay for shampoo or deoderant again (j/k)!

The last blog I've enjoyed visiting recently and that I think would be helpful to anyone anywhere is BeCentsAble: Grocery Gathering where lots of people contribute and you can find lists for sales and coupons for your local grocery stores.

Now, as far as things specific to Buffalo...I meant to post last a huge list of free events/ideas of what to do that I compiled from information from The Buffalo News' Friday edition of Gusto, the Western New York Family Fun Magazine (which you can find for free at you local library or Wegmans) and Channel 2's What 2 Do section. Alas, I got tied down with other things and wasn't able to post it but those two resources will help you find fun cheap things to do every weekend, I'll try again this next weekend to compile the list. There should be some more Maple Syrup events this coming weekend for the celebration of the maple harvest that started this past weekend!

If you are thinking about getting a paper subscription...why not try it out for 2 weeks FREE from The Buffalo News. Go HERE to sign up.

So, put some clothes on and surf in The Buff!

Are You a Thomas Collector?

Everyone seems to love Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. Growing up my brother was all about Thomas. He watched all the shows, had all the VHS tapes (yup, no DVDs in the dark ages) and even had lots of Thomas paraphernalia. How about you, do you collect them or your child? Well this weekend only (Sat and Sunday) you can go into Toys R Us and pick up your FREE TT item. Go HERE and print the coupon, then head on over to Toys R Us and redeem it. I picked up one today that I'll stock away until my son's birthday. The retail value of the toy: $21.99. There were cheaper ones but I liked this one best. There are 4 engines to chose from, read your coupon and ask a sales associate if you need help.

Speaking of Toys R Us, I took my oldest daughter with me today and we were there during the Little Peoples Birthday Celebration. She got to play with all the LP toys, color an LP color page and got a gift bag with an LP DVD.

I'd say we had a pretty sucessfull day at TRS. Toys R Us is a great place to find things to do with all their special celebrations and demonstrations as well as pick up free stuff through their Birthday Club and other free offers.

If you are not already on their email and birthday list sign up today HERE.

UPromise is for Everyone!

Did you know that saving money for college or to pay off those college loans couldn't be easier? Have you heard of UPromise? Well, if you haven't you need to go sign up for it. Go HERE for information.

I just discovered this in search of coupons. Here's the easiest part, all you need to do is register your store savings cards (those that have partnerships with UPromise - almost all of them do) and load your card with eCoupons that send a $ to your UPromise acount when you purchase those items. Whether you remember to purchase them or not you can load up your card and if you just happen to purchase something that is a UPromise item...you get the credit for it. No THINKING, no HASSLES, no WORK, just REWARDS!

So many people we know are here for school and we hope everyone takes advantage of this deal to pay off those loans and or pay for school!

Get Your Free Dirt Here!

There are more things than just dirt for free. Some of it is not free but dirt cheap! Here's what I've gotten just this week: (these are all things we will use, if it's the end of the year and we don't use them than we will donate them to a charity.)

Today I picked up 6 bars of Johnson and Johnson Buddies Soap for FREE at Target. They were $.97 and I had coupons for $1.00 off so they actually took an additional $.03 off my bill for the other items. You can find coupons located HERE on my favorite blog for couponing. In addition I picked up some Motts applesauce that was on sale for $1.69 a package (six individual containers), I had a Target coupon for $1.00 off and a manufactures coupon for an additional $.55 off. That made my out of pocket expense for them $.14 a piece! You can find the Target coupon HERE and the MC coupon HERE.

I also picked up some Sambucol at Walgreens for cheap ($2.99) and now I get another one free. How? It's normal price is $12.99 and in Walgreens EasySaver there is a coupon for $10 off. Inside the box of Sambucol is a $3.00 coupon off your next purchase. I've actually been trying this poduct out this week because I've had a minor cold and...IT WORKS AND I LOVE IT! I hope I can pick some more up before the 28th when the ES coupon expires.

Speaking of Walgreens, I've also gotten Pert Plus for Men for free (after rebate found HERE- but actually I had a $1 coupon from HERE, so it is a $1 money maker), Walgreens Extra Strength Headache Relief 20 tabs free after Easy Saver Rebate, Wal-Zyr 24 hr allergy relief 5 tabs free after Easy Saver Rebate. I've stopped into 3 different Walgreens now and everyone is out of the 1 Reach Toothbrush, 1 Reach Ultra Clean floss, 1 500ml Listerine sale items (what a shocker since they are free with this weeks Sunday paper coupon) but I was able to get some rain checks so I'll still get them free once they are back in stock. I'm also going to pick up their Energizer 4 pack of rechargable batteries that are on sale from $12.99 to $7.99 and there is an Easy Saver rebate for $5.00 back on up to 3 packages which makes them $2.99. We use these lots of our electronics and are always in need of them. We'll have to pick up an Energizer recharger too but I've got a $5.00 rebate on one of those and I saw one for $9.99 at Walgreens so it would be $4.99 in the end. I also got the Free Wrigley's gum with the coupon from this last week's Sunday paper.

At CVS I picked up 1 Dry Idea roll on deodorant for Free (actually $1.01 money maker from using the coupon found HERE), 1 Irish Spring body wash (also a $1.00 money maker from using the coupon from this last Sunday's ad) and finally Colgate Max White toothpaste.

That's it so far, I'd say that Sunday paper is definately worth the $2.00! I'll update this as the week goes on but if anyone is reading this than they can get these deals too.

CVS List 3/15-3/21

Special 3 day sale - Today's the last day for this one:

Irish Spring Body Wash
Price: $4.99
-$1.00/1 coupon from sunday paper
+ $4.99 ECBs (Extra Care Bucks) for next purchase
= $3.99 out of pocket and $4.99 to spend next week!



The rest of these are good all week:

Colgate Max White toothpaste
Price: $2.99
+ $2.99 ECBs for next purchase
= $2.99 out of pocket and $2.99 to spend next week

Dry Idea Roll On
Price: $2.99
- $2.00 printable coupon
+ $2.00 ECBs for next purchase
= $0.99 out of pocket and $2.00 to spend next week

Dove ECB deal: buy $15 of Dove products and get $5.00 ECBs
I use their deodorant so I stocked up on that!
5 Dove Ultimate Clear sticks
Price: 2/$7.00 ($17.50 for 5)
- $1.25/1 coupon from sunday paper (I had 3)
- $1.50/2 coupon from sunday paper
total price after coupons: $12.25
+ $5.00 ECBs for next purchase
= $12.25 out of pocket and $5.00 to spend next time

There were LOTS of Dove coupons in this last sunday's paper so if you use Dove products now is a good time to stock up. Usually their ECB rewards are limited to 1 per offer but this has a 5 limit per household offer.

Remember you MUST use your Extra Care card to get the sale prices and to get the ECBs.

Walgreens List 3/15-3/21

This is just my list... there are lots of other lists out there with lots more deals but I try to only pick up the ones my family uses or are free (and I just started collecting coupons so I can't get all the deals listed).

Wal-Zyr 24 hr allergy relief 5 tabs
$3.99
final price: FREE after Easy Saver Rebate (just this week)

1 Reach Toothbrush, 1 Reach Ultra Clean floss, 1 500ml Listerine
3 for $9.00
$6.00 back in RRs (register rewards to spend on next purchase)
$3.00/3 coupon from 3/15 sunday paper
final price: FREE

I also picked up their other free items for March through their rebate program. Last week I got Axe Shampoo and some Advanced Memory Formula for FREE

This week I'm on the look out for the Walgreens Extra Strength Headache Relief 20 tabs that is FREE after rebate. I've checked 2 stores now and they are still out of it so at least I have till 3/28 to pick it up.

I found yesterday that the Rebates through Walgreens couldn't be easier - you can do it all ONLINE!!! That's my kind of rebate :)

There were a few other odds and ends I picked up while I was there so I still had to pay them but, I got some good stuff that we use for CHEAP!

Got the Blues in The Buff?

Winter in Buffalo giving you the blues? Don't know what to do? For at least 6 months of the year here it seems like you are either shoveling yourself out of the driveway or doing a bucket brigade in your basement (maybe that's an over statement, but you know what I'm talking about). Well, as a stay at home mom it's important to know where you can go during the winter with you kids. Here's a list of a few of our favorite spots:

*McDonalds - Several locations in the area have an indoor Playland. Although the McDonalds website shows locations and whether they have a playland or not, I find that it is not accurate. Here are a few I've noticed that DO have a playland but are not listed to have one on the website:

• 2567 UNION RD, CHEEKTOWAGA, NY 14227, (716)656-7846
• 4987 TRANSIT RD, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221, (716)204-0089
• 2058 ELMWOOD AVE, BUFFALO, NY 14216, (716)332-0206

You can go to McD's for Happy Hour with this deal or go on a Friday and get this burger deal which I also saw the fish sandwiches were $.29 at my local McDs! (burger deal good until April 24th)

*Boulevard Mall - In the food court at the Boulevard Mall is the Play Place where infants and toddlers can play and a carousel.
*Eastern Hills Mall - frequently has expos and other fun things for the family and the kids to do.
*The Aquarium at Niagra - if you have a Zoo pass you get 1/2 off admission and kids 3 and under are free! Make sure and plan your visit during one of the shows or animal feeding times so you get the biggest bang for your buck, also take along a lunch or snack - they have a picnic area too!
*Take advantage of the classes listed in the previous post at Pottery Barn, Kindermusik, Gymboree, your library or the Washington Street Music Classes.

Although we will not be venturing out for these finds this winter due to the new additions to our family, there's no reason why you can't (and I'll post it for safe keeping for myself too)!

So, what are your favorite spots?

What to do in The Buff

Free Stuff for the little ones:
*Fisher Price: Fisher Price has a program where (if you live in the Buffalo Area) you can sign you infant/toddler up to test products. Occasionally they will pay you for your time (I've gotten $50 so far). There are lots of other things they can pay you for as well, sitting on mommy review panels, taking photo shoots, etc. Email Sarah.Kancar@Fisher-Price.com
*Gymberee: Get a free class pass here
*Kindermusik: Get a free class coupon here
*Pottery Barn: Pottery Barn has story time in their store (Galleria Mall) every Tuesday. Each time you go you get a stamp in your book (for each child) after a certain number of stamps you get a $5 gift card to spend at their store! They also have a sing-a-long where you get stamps too!
*Walmart.com: go here to order your free samples each week.
*Library Story Time: go here for information on which libraries (here in Buffalo) have free story times and for which age group. There are also lots of other free events at the library!
*Boulevard Buddies: go here to sign up for Boulevard Buddies and play for free as well as other free events.

For the Adults:
*Albright-Knox Art Museum: every Friday you can get into the AKAM for free from 3p-10p (there is a $3 parking fee but take the whole family and it's really cheap). Go here for more details.
*Find out about the hiking trails in WNY here.

Not Free but Cheap for the kids:
*Washington Street Music Class, I believe it's $5 per class per family so the more kids you have the better deal it is. I also believe they meet every Thursday - not sure on the time.

This sight also has lots of good information on the area and what to do: Buffalo 4 Newbies

Let's Get This Party Started, in The Buff of course...

There are some amazing deals to be had in the Buff. (I'm speaking of Buffalo but if you want to try all of these deals in the nude/buff - be my guest, but I don't think it will work!) From entertainment to shopping and everything in between. My family and I moved here 2 and a half years ago and it's taken us about that long to start taking advantage of these opportunities because we either didn't know about them or didn't have enough information. My goal is to 1) keep a record of theses finds so that this can be a tool of reference for myself and others and 2) list some super shopping deals as I start the couponing craze. Diana will also be contributing and listing the super bargains she finds too. Diana is one of the thriftiest people I know and super resourceful too (not to mention FUN), so I know she will give us some great ideas too.

Walgreens Deals 3/8-3/14

Garnier Fructis Haircare: $2.99
Use $2.00 Easy Saver Coupon (pg. 18)
Use $1.00 off MC from 3/8 RP
Final Price: FREE (but really a $0.01 money maker)

Eclipse, Orbit or Orbit White Gum: 3/$1.98
Use $.99 Easy Saver coupon (pg. 6)
Final Price: 3/$.99

Glade Lasting Impressions: $7.99
Use 2 $4.00 Easy Saver coupon (pg. 29)
Use B1G1 free MC here
Final Price: 2 for FREE


Glade Sense and Spray: $7.99
Use $4.00 Easy Saver coupon (pg. 29)
Use B1G1 free MC here
Final Price: 2 for FREE


Irish Spring Body Wash: $4.49
Get $4.49 in RR for a free bottle on your next visit
Final Price: $4.49 (but really as many as you want for $4.49)

Register Reward Deals
Dry Idea Deodorant: $2.99
Receive $2.00 in RR
Use $2.00 off printable MC here
Final Price: $0.99 (but really a $1.01 money maker)


Purchase $25.00 in select products and receive $10.00 in RR. Participating products:

• Huggies Jumbo Pack: $10.00 Use $5.00 or $3.00 off
  

::Best Scenario::
Buy 3 Huggies Diapers: $30.00
Use (3) $5.00 off coupons: -$15.00
Receive $10.00 in RR: -$10.00
Final Price: $15.00 for 3 packs (but really $5.00 because of $10 RR)

Total out of pocket for trip:
$17.95 +tax
Total RRs for next time:
$12.00 + Free Irish Spring Body Wash