If you aren't familiar with how to shop Rite Aid, the Krazy Coupon Lady has a Rite Aid 101 page here.
Don't ever be afraid to ask to divide up your items into 2 transactions (or more) if you want to spend your rewards right away. They never mind. Also, fill out the survey at the bottom of your receipt to get $3 off any $15 purchase BEFORE your other coupons!! Great deal!! I usually have 2 in my coupon box at all times, just in case.
The only deal I saw that I'm probably getting is Thrifty Ice Cream (my favorite) is only $2.50. Not the greatest price ever, but a good one.
These deals are alright if you need these items, but don't go out of your way:
Lay's potato chips $1.99
King Size Candy Bars BOGO Free (2 for $1.59)
Arrowhead Bottled Water 24 Pack 2/$7 with a $1 up reward when you buy 2, so 2/$6
Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic Sunblock has a spend $25 get $10 up reward promotion, limit 1. They are $7.99 each which is their sneaky way of making you buy 4 because 3 would only cost $23.97, but if you look, there are other items you can mix into the promotion on page 5 of the ad, like Wet Ones Wipes or Shave gel, which will get you a better savings. For example:
I can buy 4 sunblocks, spend $31.96, get $10 back and my final price is $5.49 each
OR
I can buy 3 sunblocks and one Wet Ones Travel Pack and spend $25.46, get $10
back and my final price is $5.15 for each sunblock and I get free Wet Ones wipes.
All Summer Toys are Buy One Get One 50% off plus a $5 up reward when you spend $20. When it is a deal like this one, you want to get your total as close to $20 as possible to maximize the savings. The more you spend over $20, the less your savings per item. See above post. Also, try to pick items that are comparably priced. If you get a $15 item and a $5 item, the 50% comes off the $5 item so you save $2.50, but if you pick 2 $10 items, you would save $5.
All Rite Aid Brand Allergy Pills are Buy One Get One Free.
All Conair and Scunci Hair Accessories have a $5 up reward when you spend $10, limit 3 offers. That's like 50% off. The Dollar Store has Elastic Hair Ties for $1 (of course) but if you want something fancier like clips or bows or headbands or something, this isn't a bad deal.
Toothpaste is often free so I wouldn't go for this unless you need toothpaste (Grammy, these would be great for your shoeboxes because the limit is 25 instead of 2!). You can buy 5 Colgate toothpastes (6.4 oz) for $5 and get a $1 up reward, making them .80 each, then spend that $1 on the next 5 you buy. You can do that up to 5 times. And there is a $.75 coupon for Colgate toothpaste from the paper which would make them $.05, but as I said before, toothpaste is often free, or even a money maker, so only if you need it.
If you need hand soap, or dish soap you could do the same thing as above with Softsoap Hand Soap (7.5 oz.) or Palmolive Dish Soap (10 oz.). THey are both part of the same promotion, so you can mix and match if you want and get some of each.
Again, not amazing deals, but good if you need any of those items.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
WIC
For those of you out there who qualify for WIC, I HIGHLY recommend it!
Here's a table to help you determine if you do qualify based on their most recent standards:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Documents/WIC-IncomeGuidelines-WIC.pdf
I have gotten it ever since Ellie was born and it has helped us SO much financially. There are a lot of people who get it dishonestly and that is very disappointing, but it shouldn't stop those of us who it was actually MADE for from receiving the benefits. It does NOT make you a life sucking parasite on the bankrupt State of California. That's only if you lie to get it. And you won't. So here's an idea of what I get every month with 2 kids under 5.
$12 worth of fruits and veggies, either fresh, frozen, or canned
6 gallons of milk
2 quarts of milk
2 dozen eggs
2 16 oz cheeses
4 16 oz packages of whole grains (bread, tortillas, rice, barley, etc.)
72 oz of breakfast cereal (about 4 boxes or 6 small ones)
2 lb of dried beans, peas, or lentils or 2 small jars of peanut butter
4 64 oz bottles of juice
Between 6 months of age and 1 year, babies get baby food checks for 90 jars of baby food every month plus 3 boxes of baby cereal. Before Cohen turned 1 and I was still breastfeeding, I got checks for myself, too. Also, when I was pregnant, I got checks that included things like tuna and carrots. I'm not sure how the formula checks work, because I never formula fed, but I understand it's better to go with the exclusive breastfeeding checks. That's what they tell me.
It's easy to apply and you only have to go in to the office once every few months to get your checks and sit through a little entertaining class on healthy eating for you and your kids. Once a year, you have to bring in current documentation to prove you still qualify. Also about once a year, they skip the class and have you answer some questions about your child's eating habits and if you need any help. I did my last class online (a new option) and just had to run in and pick up my checks.
Once you get the checks, you can use them that day. Just go to any major grocery store (even Super Target) and pick out the items that are allowed. (Usually, there is a little sticker under it that says WIC Authorized). Bring your checks and groceries to the checkout and they do the rest. You just sign on the dotted line. SO worth it! Honest! So here's the website to search for your local office. Just give them a call and make an appointment. They will tell you what to bring.
http://www.apps.cdph.ca.gov/wic/resources/laSearch/search.asp
Here's a table to help you determine if you do qualify based on their most recent standards:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Documents/WIC-IncomeGuidelines-WIC.pdf
I have gotten it ever since Ellie was born and it has helped us SO much financially. There are a lot of people who get it dishonestly and that is very disappointing, but it shouldn't stop those of us who it was actually MADE for from receiving the benefits. It does NOT make you a life sucking parasite on the bankrupt State of California. That's only if you lie to get it. And you won't. So here's an idea of what I get every month with 2 kids under 5.
$12 worth of fruits and veggies, either fresh, frozen, or canned
6 gallons of milk
2 quarts of milk
2 dozen eggs
2 16 oz cheeses
4 16 oz packages of whole grains (bread, tortillas, rice, barley, etc.)
72 oz of breakfast cereal (about 4 boxes or 6 small ones)
2 lb of dried beans, peas, or lentils or 2 small jars of peanut butter
4 64 oz bottles of juice
Between 6 months of age and 1 year, babies get baby food checks for 90 jars of baby food every month plus 3 boxes of baby cereal. Before Cohen turned 1 and I was still breastfeeding, I got checks for myself, too. Also, when I was pregnant, I got checks that included things like tuna and carrots. I'm not sure how the formula checks work, because I never formula fed, but I understand it's better to go with the exclusive breastfeeding checks. That's what they tell me.
It's easy to apply and you only have to go in to the office once every few months to get your checks and sit through a little entertaining class on healthy eating for you and your kids. Once a year, you have to bring in current documentation to prove you still qualify. Also about once a year, they skip the class and have you answer some questions about your child's eating habits and if you need any help. I did my last class online (a new option) and just had to run in and pick up my checks.
Once you get the checks, you can use them that day. Just go to any major grocery store (even Super Target) and pick out the items that are allowed. (Usually, there is a little sticker under it that says WIC Authorized). Bring your checks and groceries to the checkout and they do the rest. You just sign on the dotted line. SO worth it! Honest! So here's the website to search for your local office. Just give them a call and make an appointment. They will tell you what to bring.
http://www.apps.cdph.ca.gov/wic/resources/laSearch/search.asp
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Rite Aid
I was going to wait until Sunday to start the drug stores and super stores, but 2 things at Rite Aid stuck out. Purex laundry soap (32 loads) is $1.97. If they are out, and they will be, get a raincheck! You won't regret it. There are $1 off coupons from the paper but even without them it is still a good deal and no limit on quantities.
Also, ziplock bags are 2 for $4. Already a good price, but you get $1 up rewards when you buy 2, limit 2 rewards. And if you have the $1 off coupon, that makes them $1!
I recommend buying 4 Purex and 4 Ziploc and using a $3 off $15 coupon, (I have extra codes if anyone wants them) plus whatever other coupons you have.
Vons 5/14-5/24
Quilted Northern $4.99/12 Double Rolls (with in ad coupon, limit 2)
Lysol Wipes or Spray $1.79 (with in ad coupon, limit 2)
McCormick Grill Mates $.99/2.5-3.4 oz. (must buy 3 to get discounted price)
Fresh Express Salad $.99
Suddenly Salad $.99
Popsicles $.99/8 pack
Lysol Wipes or Spray $1.79 (with in ad coupon, limit 2)
McCormick Grill Mates $.99/2.5-3.4 oz. (must buy 3 to get discounted price)
Fresh Express Salad $.99
Suddenly Salad $.99
Popsicles $.99/8 pack
Albertson's 5/18-5/24
Fresh Express Salad $.99/9-12 oz.
Oscar Mayer Nitrite Free Hot Dogs $3/8 pack
(note: you can get the classic franks cheaper, but the Angus nitrite free are a good deal)
Lawry's Marinade $1/12 oz
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $1/18 oz.
Ronzoni Pasta $1/12-16 oz.
Pirate's Booty $2.50/4-6 oz.
Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip $1.99/22-30 oz.
Oscar Mayer Nitrite Free Hot Dogs $3/8 pack
(note: you can get the classic franks cheaper, but the Angus nitrite free are a good deal)
Lawry's Marinade $1/12 oz
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $1/18 oz.
Ronzoni Pasta $1/12-16 oz.
Pirate's Booty $2.50/4-6 oz.
Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip $1.99/22-30 oz.
Food4Less 5/18-5/24
Wesson Oil $2.78/48 oz.
Skintimate Shave Gel $1/7 oz.
Edge Shave Gel $1/7 oz.
Van De Kamp's Bread $1
Hansen's Apple Juice $1.67/64 oz.
Michelina's Frozen Meals $.49
Skintimate Shave Gel $1/7 oz.
Edge Shave Gel $1/7 oz.
Van De Kamp's Bread $1
Hansen's Apple Juice $1.67/64 oz.
Michelina's Frozen Meals $.49
Stater Bros 5/18-5/24
Blackberries $1/5.6 oz
Cantaloupe $1/each
Kellogg's Cereal $1.75
Lunchables $.75
Kool Aid Bursts $.75
Nabisco Big Bag $.75
Kraft Dressing $.75
Knudsen Doubles $.75
Corn Nuts $.75
Stride Gum $.75
These prices are through the 21st only.
Lipton Tea 12 pack $3.99 when you buy 2
Starbucks 4 packs $3.99 when you buy 2
Aquafina 24 pack $2.99 when you buy 2
Gatorade 8 pack $3.99 when you buy 2
Cantaloupe $1/each
Kellogg's Cereal $1.75
Lunchables $.75
Kool Aid Bursts $.75
Nabisco Big Bag $.75
Kraft Dressing $.75
Knudsen Doubles $.75
Corn Nuts $.75
Stride Gum $.75
These prices are through the 21st only.
Lipton Tea 12 pack $3.99 when you buy 2
Starbucks 4 packs $3.99 when you buy 2
Aquafina 24 pack $2.99 when you buy 2
Gatorade 8 pack $3.99 when you buy 2
Well, here goes my first post...
I am shuddering at the thought of now becoming a blogger. I can't believe I'm actually doing this.
Have you ever flipped through a grocery ad and seen a price advertised in big red letters on the front page that you know isn't any lower than a typical price for that item? Well, if you haven't, then you need me. My purpose with this blog is simply to inform with my limited knowledge of typical sale cycles and prices. I will peruse each ad and give you the items I think are most likely actual loss leaders versus the ones they want you to believe are loss leaders. Now, even without coupons, you can still feel good about how much you pay for your toilet paper. Yay.
Just to be clear, I'm only posting items I don't think you will see a lower price on anywhere else for a few months.
Have you ever flipped through a grocery ad and seen a price advertised in big red letters on the front page that you know isn't any lower than a typical price for that item? Well, if you haven't, then you need me. My purpose with this blog is simply to inform with my limited knowledge of typical sale cycles and prices. I will peruse each ad and give you the items I think are most likely actual loss leaders versus the ones they want you to believe are loss leaders. Now, even without coupons, you can still feel good about how much you pay for your toilet paper. Yay.
Just to be clear, I'm only posting items I don't think you will see a lower price on anywhere else for a few months.
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