Hello GB Savers!

Hi Everyone! Shelly kindly added me as a contributor to this site since I've been blogging at my own site about my shopping deals. I owe it all to Shelly and Theresa! Their presentation at our GBAMOM meeting opened my eyes to the world of couponing and being a smart shopper. Since then I've stocked up on all kinds of goodies from CVS and am starting to make a lot of progress in shrinking my grocery budget. Visit my blog if you're interested in seeing how I've been saving money. Thanks again Shelly for inviting me to GBSavers!!

Zucol

Here's a $2 coupon for the Zucol that is a Walgreens freebie for February.

Excedrin Coupon

Use this to make $2 buying Excedrin at CVS next week!

*If this link doesn't work read the post below (or link in sidebar) about fixing links posted in different browsers.

Kids Workshop February 7th

Just thought I'd remind you that the first Saturday of each month the Home Depot offers a FREE kids workshop. We went last month and my boys really enjoyed making their football helmet bookends. February's project is a Heart Trinket Box:

This would be a great gift for Grandma! There is no need to register. Just show up at any Home Depot between 9am and noon. If you go to the HD on the east side maybe I'll see you there!

P.S. March's project is a Car Raceway...my boys will love that!

Pizza Snacks

Here is a coupon for $1 off ANY Pizza Snacks. These usually go on sale for $1 a box around Super Bowl time. There were coupons in the paper and there are additional printable at Betty Crocker and BoxTops.

Coupon Printing Help

If you have trouble printing a coupon you have found a link for...read this!

The Cliffs Notes version is this:
Different people use different browsers. Different browsers use different address to get coupons to print. So depending on what browser the person who posted the link to the coupon was using...you may or may not be able to get certain coupons to work because the actual URL is wrong for your browser.

Example:
Here is a link to a $1 off any Pizza Snacks I found:
hxxp://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qa1tdgl80252894&bt=xs&o=55094&ci=1&c=GM&p=PDCxEdg9

See those red letters? This is where you need to fix the link depending on what browser you use.

If you use Firefox make sure your link has: wg
If you use IE make sure your link has: wi (or vi)
If you use Safari make sure your link has: xs

So if you click a link and can't get the coupon to print that is probably why. Change those two letter, hit refresh, and try again. This little tip has already helped me print several coupons I could never get to work before! I was so happy to find it!

Piggly Wiggly Deal

Ground beef is on sale this week (1/28 thru 2/3) for $1.89 per pound when you buy 5 pounds or more. I haven't seen any cheaper than that in quite some time.

Frosty Flicks

Normally we do not see too many movies in the theater.  Frosty Flicks at both Bay Park and the one in the GB East Industrial Park is a great buy.  For $2.50 you get to see a newer movie in the theater and the admission includes a small bag of popcorn.  Today was the first week and the special continues through March 14.  Check out the link for the other movies. 

 

http://www.marcustheatres.com/index_sub.cfm?pageid=subpages/ff_greenbay.htm

 

Kris

CVS Advisor

Some of you may not know about this program so I thought I'd mention it. If you would like to earn a few ECBs for filling out surveys click here to become a CVS Advisor. I signed up and got about $20 or so worth of ECBs last year for filling out a few surveys. Just another perk from my favorite store!

I'm Glad I Have You Guys!

Crystal (aka moneysavingmom) put this post on her other site Biblical Womanhood. It's about finding other frugal friends to "network" with.

Here's a little quote:

I can't say enough about how helpful it is to surround yourself with frugal folks. Not only does it allow you to swap good bargain finds (and the more collective heads, the better, when it comes to bargain-hunting!), but these same friends can also serve to continuously push you to "think outside the box" and practice creative frugality!

So thanks all! And if you have found a way to save money, please share it here with the rest of us! Sales, tips, coupons, websites, books, recipes, ANYTHING!

circuit city

tomorrow circuit city starts their going out of business sale & target has 4 aisle's of toys on clearance.

Beware of Coupons

You might want to toss any of those $3 off CVS coupons you've got. Here is a blog post explaining why.

I am all for using legitimate coupons, but I don't like to use any that are questionable. After reading this I'm glad I passed on this one. I really trust MoneySavingMom's judgment. If she isn't listing it on her website, it is probably unauthorized in some way.

Also, just as a reminder...when we do find great coupons even if they are in a .pdf format it is still illegal to photocopy them. They must be printed from the computer. If you are worried about saving ink, print them in black and white but DO NOT photocopy them. The last thing we need is for stores to accept fewer coupons!

No More Cub Deals

Sad news...Cub Foods is closing both GB stores. I'm sad to see them go. I have gotten many good deals at Cub and while I didn't shop there every week I shopped there a good bit. In general, the loss of a bigger chain grocery store like Cub, isn't good just because of the loss of competition. There are other stores available but more competition usually means better prices for us.

I was at Cub last night and the cashier I talked to said they are closing March 14th and won't be getting any more stock. I'm sure as it winds down there will be some deals to be had, but don't stop there if you need a gallon of milk!

Cub Deals

Head over to Erica's blog to see the awesome deals she got at Cub Foods. She combined a store meat coupon with a BOGO sale to stock her freezer with meat!

Just a friendly reminder...Cub Foods accepts expired coupons. So when you clean out your coupon file, save any you think you might use there! (think GM cereal!!)

Free Shampoo, Conditioner, and Styling Products

Just in case you haven't heard, you can get as much free shampoo, conditioner, and styling products as you want at Walgreens this week. Or at least as many as you have coupons for! Garnier Fructis products are on sale for $2.99 but there is a $2 off coupon in the monthly booklet and TONS of $1 off manufacturers coupons. The Wags coupon says limit one but it will take $2 off each product you buy.

What I like about this is that you don't even have to pay anything out of pocket! No rebate to mess with either. You just "pay" with coupons! You might want to buy one other small item since technically you are getting 1 cent overage for each product purchased. So start off the year with some free hair products!!

There is such a thing as a free lunch...

I'm not sure if these are available in our area or not, but the "Cent"sible Sawyer posted how to get free lunch for you and five friends here. Sounds like a fun idea. You just have to host a lunch before the end of this month and serve these frozen meals (which will be free after rebate).

CPSIA...good news...maybe

The Baby Cheapskate blog is reporting that a reader (concerned MOTC member!) called the CTCP sub committee clerk and was told the CPSIA should not affect third party sales (i.e. garage sales, MOTC sales) But there has been no official announcement on the matter.

She also mentioned an article that said the the CPSC has been flooded with calls and emails! That is awesome! If you haven't already, call or email now to make your voice heard! It will make a difference!

Formula Saving Tips

One of Jerry's co-workers asked me for tips on how to save money on infant formula. I thought I would share my reply here just in case anyone needs the info.

What I didn't say to him, but I'd like to say here is that THE best way to save on formula is to not buy it all! Breastfeeding is the best, and most inexpensive, way to go! Even if you have to buy a quality pump you'll still come out way ahead!

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The best website I know of for formula (and diaper) deals is Baby Cheapskate.

The best deals are listed weekly. This is a national website though so sometimes deals are listed for stores that we don't have in GB.

Here is a post full of links just about saving on formula.

Consider a store brand formula. Formula is regulated by the FDA so all types meet the minimum requirements. This is the easiest way to save.

If you use a particular brand of formula make sure you sign up with that company (Enfamil, Similac, etc.) to get coupons mailed to you. Have your parents or friends sign up too and they can give you the coupons they get in the mail. There are occasional coupons in the Sunday paper but the best ones come in the mail direct from the company.

Call your favorite formula companies 800 number and ask a question (any question!) and they will usually send you a free can of formula and/or some coupons. And every time you go for a well check ask the pediatrician or nurse for samples.

When you find a good deal stock up on several cans. Paying $44 for two cans on sale seems like a lot, but $22 for each is a better deal than paying $22 for one can when it's on sale and then $27 for the next can bought later. Combining coupons and sales are the best way to save on name brand formula.

Last, ask your pediatrician when you can start whole milk. Start whole milk as soon as your doctor gives the okay.

Bad for Saving Money

THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT

Remember all the recalls last year due to lead in toys? While we were all busy watching election and economic news coverage, Congress quietly passed a law to help protect children by requiring all products to be sold to children under age 12 be tested for lead and phthalates. In their haste to get this bill passed, Congress unfortunately didn't consider the impact this would have on the resale and home business industry.

There is no exemption for resale (which means no GBAMOM or GBACH resales or garage sales for untested items) or "micro" businesses (Etsy, crafters, eBay, etc.). Children's products that don't meet the requirements will be "banned hazardous substances" under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and can't be sold...by ANYONE.

If these items can't be sold without determining whether they are compliant, then what is going to happen? Many businesses will close and jobs will be lost, especially bad news during these hard economic times. It is also BAD news for the environment. What is more "green" than re-using and recycling clothing and toys? These un-sellable items will cause TONS of additional piles in the landfills.

We can only hope this was an oversight and that Congress will reconsider and allow some exceptions. Take action!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

*Write your congresspeople. Find your Representative

and your Senator at these sites.

*Contact the CPSC , send an email directly or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923

*Post your concerns on your blog, on Facebook, or on MySpace.

For more information:
Read the CPSIA website or google CPSIA)

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Here is the contact info for our area:

US Senator Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653 or email
US Senator Russ Feingold (202) 224-5323 or email
US Representative Steve Kagen (202) 225-5665 or email

US Representative Tammy Baldwin (from WI) was on the committee that passed the bill.
Her contact information is: (202) 225-2906 or email

Ringing in '09

Looks like there will be reason to celebrate this weekend. LOTS of coupons in the Sunday paper. Clean out all your expired coupons and get ready. (Keep any recently expired coupons if you think you might use them at Cub Foods...they take expired coupons!) Vivian, go ahead and get two papers this week...I don't think you'll regret it! :) Here's a preview...