Coupons and Coffee

Well this is it! The computer is getting packed this evening. So no Coupons and Coffee until Monday. Thanks for following House of Collums! I really appreciate all of you. I love my job!

Coupons and Coffee

Mornin! Another busy day on tap at the House of Collums! We have the end of the semester presentations at our homeschool co-op. My extra little tag along will be here today AND we are still packing of course. I hear lots more coffee(and boxes) in my future!


The whole "we are really moving" thing finally kicked in with my 8 yr. old Molly last night and our little drama queen lived up to the title. She had the waterworks on for a while about leaving friends, having to giveaway her cat and just moving in general. I understand her plight. When I was growing up we moved every year (sometimes more than once a year) for 5 years in a row! I understand her being upset (especially about the cat) but this is one of those things that happens in life. Lord, give me the right words to help ease her worried her little mind.


Here's today's coupon round up! Thanks Money Saving Mom, Deal Seeking Mom, Hip2Save


Coupons
$3/2 Dove body wash-redeem at Walgreens (some have been seen priced at $2 each so that would make them $.50 each!)
$5/1 Tylenol Precision Heat Patch or Cream
$2/1 Whisk detergent
$3/1 Huggies
BOGO Lipton Tea
$.75/3 Birdseye Frozen veggies

Vote for me!!!! Top Mommy Blog

I'm so excited! I've been accepted into an elite group! Top Mommy Blogs! I'd love for you to vote for me by clicking the link below or the one on the right hand side of the blog! While you are there you can checkout some other awesome Mommy Blogs from around the country!

Coupon Clipping services....worth the cost?

Photo from flickr.com

Disclaimer: This is strictly my opinion (like 99% of the posts on this blog). My opinion on coupon clipping services is based on my experience and the availability of coupons in my region (South Mississippi). Please keep in mind this response may not be true for all areas of the country, so take my advice as just that...advice. 

This question has been asked by reader RevJen:

"What do you think about coupon clippers and other services like that? Don't you waste your savings paying the clipping? On the other hand, the paper costs as well. Thoughts?"

This is going to take a multilevel response. Starting with:

• Is the purchase of coupons from online services legal? After all, coupons state "Cannot be sold and intended for original consumer."

So does that mean you can't trade coupons with a friend? I don't think so. Does that mean it's illegal to buy coupons off ebay or from a clipping service? I think that's a gray area.


That gray area is the reason "coupon clipping services" were born. It's a "service" therefore you are paying the person clipping the coupons or collecting the inserts for their time, not the product. Is that legal? Well, like I said gray area. I personally feel that if you are only getting a few inserts or specific coupons then it's ok, but when you cross over that line and start buying hundreds of inserts/coupons each week from clipping services then there maybe a problem.

• Should you use coupon clipping services comes down two questions:

• Are you wanting to be an Hoarding Extreme Couponer(like TLC's Extreme Couponers)?
• Are you just wanting to save your family some money?I still call this an extreme couponer!

What's the difference? 

• Most Extreme Couponers (like on TLC's show) that amass stockpiles so large that it over takes their home and controls their every moment would say BUY, BUY, BUY as many coupons as you can! Coupon clipping services are great!
• Extreme Couponers who are just wanting to save their families money and stockpile just a few weeks (or months) worth of products would tell you, coupon clipping services can be beneficial but don't go crazy!

When I first started couponing I would buy my coupons from a service (about four sets of each insert for that given week) because at the time I felt like these coupons were better than what I was receiving locally. At the time it was a good thing, I was getting some really great coupons. Over time however, I realized that I could get just as good of coupons online through Facebook, company websites and coupon sites (like coupons.com, smartsource.com etc) and there was really no need for me to purchase my inserts. Plus, my style of extreme couponing is different than anywhere outside of the Mississippi state line. We don't have Randall's, Shaw's, Publix or many of these other stores that offer great deals and have awesome coupon policies (like doubling). We have Walmart, Winn Dixie and lots of mom & pop style grocery stores.

• Is it a waste of money?

I think if you go overboard and purchase LOTS of coupons from these services, then yes it can be a waste of money because shipping this paper is expensive!

• My advice and general rule of thumb:

Keep an eye on the inserts and watch the coupon insert previews on blogs like Hip2Save or Deal Seeking Mom. If you see a coupon coming out that would benefit your family and it's not likely you'll receive it in your local paper, use a clipping service to grab a few. Just ask yourself this before you hit that purchase button, "Is this a product my family can benefit from and can I get it cheap in my area using this coupon?"

Coupons and Coffee

Mornin! I hope that ya'll had a great Easter weekend. I know we did! Woke up yesterday morning and my oldest was SHOCKED to see that the Easter Bunny had come (guess that proves we've done well by not putting a lot of importance on the Bunny and put the importance on Jesus.) Her comment: "Well Mom, that Easter Bunny is just like Santa and the Tooth Fairy. He doesn't want you to catch him when he comes. That sneaky rabbit!" heeheehee She's been coming up with some doozies here lately. 


Enjoyed porching with the family watching the kids hunt eggs. Molly found the golden egg full of money and was super excited. When her little cousin started crying, Molly handed her all the change out of the egg to make her feel better. I'm so proud of her generosity. 


Well the packing has officially begun! I'm dreading this week and excited all at the same time! The goal is to be moved out by the end of the weekend, but it's a busy week! We have a kickoff meeting for our new homeschool support group we are starting, end of the year presentations for co-op tomorrow, Eric and Molly are running a race on Saturday morning (Eric a 5k and Molly a 1 mile fun run) and a surprise birthday party on Sunday. Anybody want to come help me pack?


My method of relaxation this week? Coupons of course!


Here's today's round up, keep in mind it was a holiday weekend so it was kind of slow! Thanks Jessica's Coupons and Money Saving Mom !


Coupons
$1/1 Skinny Cow product-Facebook
$2 off 6 roll or more Viva papertowels-Facebook game so your winnings will vary.


Freebies
P&G  Coupon booklet

Another week of deals 4/24-4/30

Here's this week's round up of deals at the drug stores and Target! Make sure to click on the links to see the full ads. The deals listed below are the best that I see.




CVS-Thanks Hip2Save!

Clean & Clear Body Washes $4.99 

-2 Buy 1 get 1 Free coupons found in the 3/27 SS

-2 $2/1 coupons found here

Get back a $5 Ecb when you spend $15

Dove Men+Care antiperspirant or deodorant 2.7-3 oz $0.99 – *HOT* Sale price
-$1/1 coupon found here  check your binders! or in the 3/27 RP (Exp. 4/24!)

Duncan Hines Brownies $0.83
-$0.50/1 coupon found in the 4/10 SS or here




Rite Aid-Thanks Hip2Save!


M&M Mars Single Serve Candy $0.88
-B2G1 Free coupon from the 3/13 RP (expires 4/24!) 
Get 2 $0.88 +Up Rewards (limit 2 offers per household)


Hyland’s Kids Cough, Cold, Complete Allergy, or Nite Time Cough Cold 4 oz. $4.99(I love Hyland's products!)
Get a $4 +Up Reward (limit 2 offers per household)
(Good place to start if you are new to couponing or want to build up some rewards.)


Physicians Formula Face Makeup and Bronzers Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off 
-$5/1 regional coupons found in the 3/20 SS
-$4/1 peelies
Get a $5 +Up Reward wyb 3 products 


Target-Thanks Totally Target!
I'm not seeing anything at Target this week that is just an outstanding deal.


Walgreens-Thanks Wild For Wags!


Huggies or Pampers Jumbo Pack Diapers $8.99
-$3/1 Huggies, Any PRINT (Facebook)
-$3.50/1 Huggies Diapers PRINT
-$2/1 Huggies 60ct+ PRINT
-$1.50/1 Huggies, Any Package PRINT
-$1.50/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants – 04-03-11 PG x4/30
-$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants, any – P&G Everyday Savings x6/30
-$2/1 Huggies Little Movers or Little Snugglers Diapers, any – 04-17-11 SS x5/14
-$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers, any – 04-17-11 SS x5/14-$2/1 Pampers Cruisers, Swaddlers, or Swaddlers Sensitive Diapers (Big packs or Jumbo Packs)- (5521) Infant Care Book

Select Post Cereal (Frooty Pebbles, Cap’n Crunch, Shredded Wheat pictured), 12 pack Pop-Tars $1.99 -$1/1 Post Great Grains Cereal, any – 04-03-11 SS x5/15 (if included)
-$1/2 Quaker Cap’n Crunch Cereal, Any – 04-17-11 RP x8/31

Coupons and Coffee

Mornin! I've woken up this morning with a much clearer head about yesterday's events and am looking towards Sunday! So grateful my God died to take my sins away! So grateful that even when I screw up I'm forgiven and redeemed by my faith in Him not by my works. If you don't have a place to attend services this Easter weekend come join ours! 

Mosaic welcomes everyone! Don't worry about being dressed up, we meet in a skating rink so casual is cool!

I know ya'll don't come here REALLY too see what else I write. I know you only use me for my money coupons! 

Thanks Hip2Save, Jessica's Coupons and Money Saving Mom

Coupons

BOGO Palermo Pizza

$2/1 Luster Premium Weekend White Toothpaste$5/1 Luster Premium One Hour White Toothpaste
$1/1 any Simply Saline product
$1/1 any Flintstones Multivitamin Product
$1/1 Neutrogena Naturals product (login or register)
$1/1 on StaphAseptic
$1/1 any Nivea Body lotion
$1/1 Caress Body Wash 12 oz or bar packs (6 ct or higher)
$1/1 any Nivea Body wash for Women
Gerber Apparel coupons
Zantac coupons

$1.50/1 ANY Scrubbing Bubbles product 
Various 3M Command coupons
$1/1 Scotch Pop-Up Tape Deskgrip Dispenser
$2/1 Scotch Fur Fighter Pet Hair Sweeper
$1/1 Tidy Cats Cat Litter
$2/1 Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Freshener Starter kit
$.50/1 Chinet Cut Crystal
$.50/1 Chinet Napkins
$50/1 Bil-Jac Premium Dog food
$1/1 Resolve carpet cleaner
$5/1 Tag Junior Book Pal
$1.50/1 Resolve laundry in-wash stain remover
$.75/1 Resolve laundry stain remover product
Arm & Hammer coupons 

$2/3 Nancy’s Entree Quiche (use zip 33031)
$1/1 Farm Rich Snack
$1/1 TGI Friday’s Entree for One
$.55/1 Fruit2O 6-pack$1/1 DeMet’s Turtles 3oz+
$1/1 Bar-S Corndogs
$1/2 King’s Hawaiian Products (excludes the 4-pack dinner rolls)
$1/2 True Citrus products
$1/1 Country Choice Organic Product
$.55/1 Sue Bee Honey
$1/1 Hot Pocket Snackers
$1/1 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats Touch of Fruit in the Middle$1/1 Brita Bottle
$2/1 any Celebrations food, ice cream cake, or dessert (includes Carvel, Oreo, M&Ms, or Snickers Brand Items)
$1/1 Chavrie Goat cheese
Various Kellogg’s product coupons
$1/2 any Lucky Leaf pie filling
$2/2 cups 17.6 oz size FAGE Total Yogurt
$.70/1 Raisin Bran Cereal (log into Snackpicks account)
$1/2 Keebler Toasted Crackers (log into Snackpicks account)
$1/2 Keebler Town House Crackers (log into Snackpicks account)

$1/1 Bagel Bites 9 ct or larger

$1/2 Nature Valley Granola Target coupon-stack with two $.50/1 and score TWO FREE boxes from the dollar spot!

$.75/1 Uncle Ben's Rice

$1/1 Jell-o Temptations-Facebook new link?

$1/1 Terra Chips

Freebies

Family Circle 2 free issues
Garnier Moisture Rescue Cream-Facebook
Aveeno hair care sample
Flexitol Heel and Foot Balm

Sometimes bad days turn bright...and a coupon challenge

You ever have one of "those days"? You know what I'm talking about, those days that start out great! The world is full of good news, like we got the house (yeah!), the baby is feeling better (double yeah!) and you spent time with your best friend (triple yeah!) and then all that comes crashing down in a matter of minutes. Yeah you know what I'm talking about I can see you nodding your heads yes. 


Well that has been my day. And it stinks! I went to my room, cried my eyes out for a few minutes and prayed while still crying my eyes out. Fortunately for me I have a mighty God who understands my bad day, but puts something in my path to make me realize my bad day is really not so bad. I'm thankful for that, oh so thankful. Now, though still upset by this afternoons events I can push them to the side, dry my eyes and put my energy into helping someone else.


Don't even ask how I got to the Support Johah page because I honestly can't tell you. All I know is I cried for a different reason when I read this blog. For my own self pity and realizing my day really isn't that bad, being able to relate on some level to giving birth to a child that is ill and then tears of joy for the solid faith this family has placed in God to get them through each day.



 


Before you go any farther into this coupon challenge I would encourage you to go to the Support Jonah page and read their story. It's funny, heart breaking and joyful all rolled into one and is the purpose of this coupon challenge.


Here's the challenge:


Patrice and Matt fight a daily battle against this disease ravaging Jonah's body and it's costly. There are a few over the counter items they use in abundance (Hand Sanitizer, Alcohol Swabs, Aquaphor, Polysporin, Original Desitin, Good Start Gentle Plus SOY Formula)daily.


My challenge to you couponers out there (besides praying for them ) is to purchase these items when you can, as cheaply as you can and mail them to Patrice and Matt. 


Jonah Williams
C/O Matt Williams
PO Box 11455
Winston-Salem, NC 27116 


You can also make tax deductible monetary donations through their church:


Pinedale Christian Church
3395 Peters Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27127


These items will be on my list from now on! I hope you'll join me.