Menard's Freebies

Here is a list of Menard's Freebies for this week via Minnesota Coupon Adventure. For more information on getting freebies and doing rebates for Menards visit Coupons in Our Hands.

Walgreens Trip

I did two small Walgreens transactions last week. There were a few things I didn't get; They were either out (Campbell's), I didn't have right coupon (Just for Men), or I didn't need it (Dentek).

Transaction #1
Dove Hairspray $4
Betty Crocker Frosting $1 x2
Walgreens Multi-vitamin 100 ct. $3

-$.50 BC frosting x2
-$1.50 Dove
- $5 RR from previous purchase
=$1.89 and got back $7 in RRs ($3RR vitamins and $4RR Dove)

Transaction #2
Walgreens Multi-vitamin 100 ct. $3
Walgreens foil $.59 (after store coupon) x3
Kotex U Pads $3.49
Reeses Dark PB Cups $.39 (after store coupon) x3
Ducolax $10
Betty Crocker Warm Delight Brownie Bowl $1

-$.55 Reeses x3
-$4 Ducolax
-$.75 BC Warm Delight
-$1 Kotex
-$4 RR from 1st transaction
=$10.09 plus $15.50 in RRs ($10RR Ducolax, $2.50RR Kotex, $3RR Vitamins)

I spent $11.98 out of pocket earned $22.50 in RRs (I have $18.50RRs left). The big "money makers" were the Ducolax ($4) and the Dove hairspray ($1.50).

In case you are wondering why I didn't use the $3RR from the first transaction on the second one, I wanted to get more vitamins and if I would have used that RR then the new one would not print. With a couple exceptions you cannot roll RRs on the same deal.

Festival Deals 4/4 - 4/10

Not many deals at Festival this week.

These deals are NOT coupon items:

• Shoppers Value canned vegetables 3/$.99
• Cantaloupe $1.88
• Hot Pockets $1.48
  

Festival store coupon (newspaper):

• Shoppers Value Frozen Pops $.88 (limit 1)
• Homelife Napkins $.88 (limit 1)
• Village Hearth Bread $.98 (limit 1)
  

Week One... Special 4 Weeks of Saving Coupons (from newspaper):

• Milk, gallon $.98 (limit 1)
• Xtra Laundry detergent $1.68 (limit 1)
• Herbal Essence Shampoo or Conditioner $1.98 (limit 2) -$1 MC from P&G=$.98 each
• 4 lb. bag oranges $1.98
  

Be sure to check the red interactive coupon box at the front of the store. Sometimes there are coupons available that match up with the weekly store coupons. (Even on the Flavorite brand!) Festival's blog said that this is one way to "double" your coupon savings.

And... did you know you no longer have to cut out the Festival newspaper coupons? Just stop by the service desk and pick up one of the fliers that have the store coupons (not the green sheet, that's separate) on them or hand them the whole newspaper ad. The cashier just has to enter one code for all the coupons and you don't have to cut them out. It's a win-win time saver for you and the cashier!

No More Rebates in Wisconsin?

Time to contact your State Senators everyone!! A bill (# 560) has been introduced into the state legislature that could affect our ability to get some rebates. Act now!! This bill was supposed to be voted on yesterday but the voting was delayed.

While the bill does not prohibit rebates directly, it may cause problems. The bill says:

It is deceptive advertising to advertise the price of retail merchandise as reduced by an available rebate of a portion of the purchase price of the merchandise unless the rebate is provided to the purchaser of the merchandise at the time of purchase.

State Senator John Lehman's site says the following:

... the FAIR Act does not prohibit rebates. The bill instead would require that if the advertised price includes a rebate, that rebate would have to be provided on the spot at the time of purchase. In addition, the bill would have no impact on coupons as the savings are provided at the point of sale.

“Consumers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops or wait months for rebates to get the advertised price for goods and services. People should be able to get the products they want or need for the price they are advertised at the point of purchase,” concluded Lehman.

While this sounds like a good idea it would basically amount to the residents of Wisconsin not being offered these money saving rebates. Rather than offering a lower "on the spot" price we would end up paying more.

We cannot expect stores to give us the money that companies want to refund us for purchasing their products. Wisconsin would just be listed as an exclusion in the fine print at the bottom of the rebate forms.

Thankfully, most of the products we buy are NOT advertised at a lower (after rebate) price and are therefore excluded. One exception would be products at CVS and Walgreens that are listed in the ads at a lower price once you factor in RRs or ECBs. However, since RRs and ECBs are issued on the spot they should not be affected.

Rebates that ARE affected would include deals like those on electronics (in store or from catalogs), office supplies (Max Perks), Menards (FIR items) and deals like those nearly free after rebate games at Toys R Us last year.

I understand our state senators are trying to "help" people buy saving them the step of filling out the rebate form and waiting for their money but no one is forcing anyone to participate in these rebate programs. Consumers who don't want to go through the trouble and waiting process shouldn't buy items that have rebates.

Take a minute and contact your state senator. Don't know who your state senator is? Click here and put in your address!

You can also call the Committee Members:

Senator Robert Wirch, D-Kenosha, chairman (608) 267-8979
Senator Jeff Plale, D-South Milwaukee (608) 266-7505
Senator Jim Holperin, D-Conover (608) 266-2509
Senator Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac (608) 266-5300
Senator Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin (608) 266-5400
Senator John Lehman, D-Racine, lead author (608) 266-1832 (author of this bill)

If you would like to read more here are a few links for you:
Are we to dumb to read in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Radio Network
Wisconsin Business Voice
Common Sense with Money

Home Depot Kids Workshop 4/3

The Home Depot Kids Workshop for April is the 3rd. So head over to make a butterfly house. No registration required, just show up between 9am and noon.

NEW Zoo Free on Wednesday evenings!

NEW Zoo Spring & Summer Hours

Beginning Thursday, April 1st operational hours extend to 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The NEW Zoo is excited to announce extended Spring & Summer operational hours! Beginning Thursday, April 1st zoo visitors will be able to enjoy their stay a bit longer as we embark upon our Spring and Summer daily hours: 9AM to 6PM.

Incoming visitors should note that the main gates and entrance to the Zoo do close at 5:30PM to allow those who arrive later in the day enough time to tour the facility. And remember...the NEW Zoo is open seven days per week, 365 days per year (including holidays!)

Stop on out and see what we have in store for you! Additional information regarding the zoo can also be found on our website.

Walgreens Deals Bonus Ad 3/31 - 4/3

Just for Men Shampoo/Conditioner $4.99
-$4.99 Register Rewards
-$2/1 printable
=MAKE $2

Crest Toothpaste/Oral B Toothbrush $1.99
-$1 RRs
-$1 (2/21 P&G)
=FREE

Campbells Cream of soups $0.79 with store coupon
- $1/2 printable
=$0.29

Chex Mix $0.99
-$0.50printable here, here or here
=$0.49 after coupon

Chinet plates $1.50
-$1 (3/28 SS)
=$0.50

Revlon Fantasy Lengths Lashes $5.99
-$5 Walgreens store coupon in April Coupon booklet
=$0.99

John Frieda Products $7.50
-$5 Register Rewards
-$3 (3/7 SS) x2
=$.20 each

Lady Speedstick $1.99
-$1 Register Rewards
-$0.75/1 printable
=$.24

For even more deals head over to MoneySavingMom.

Walgreens Deals 3/28 - 4/3

You can now sign up to get the Walgreens ad early on their website here. It looks like there is going to be a special mid-week ad coming out this week.

Dentek Floss $2
-$2 RRs
-$1 (May 2009 All You) or use -$1/ (1/17 SS)
=MAKE $1!!!

Dulcolax $10
-$10 RRs
-$3 (12/13 SS)
=MAKE $3!!!

Reese’s Cups $0.39 with store coupon (give man. coupon first)
-$0.55 (3/14 SS)
=FREE

Betty Crocker Frosting or Warm Delights $1
-$0.75 (3/28 SS) or -$0.50 (2/7 SS) or
-$0.50/1 printable here or here
=$.24 or $.50

Dove Shampoo or Conditioner $4
-Get $4 RRs
-$2/1 printable
=MAKE $2!!

Walgreens Multivitamin $3
-$3 RRs
=FREE

For even more deals head over to MoneySavingMom.

CVS Deals 3/28 - 4/3

Another diaper deal (yay!) but not much else.

Huggies or Pull-Ups $8.89 buy 2 (Limit 1)
-$5 ECBs
-$3/1 printables (if you have any left)
=$3.39 each

Crest Toothpaste/Oral B Toothbrush $2.99 (Limit 1)
-$2 ECBs
-$0.75 (3/7 P&G)
=$0.24

ThermaCare Heat Wraps $6.99 buy 2 (Limit 1)
-$5 ECBs
- $3/1 printable x2
=$1.49 each

Lindsay Olives $0.88 (Limit 6)
-$1/2 printable
=$0.38 each

For even more deals head over to MoneySavingMom.

Pinecone Research

I got an email this referral link to refer friends to Pinecone Research. Click here if you are interested.

Pinecone is one of the better survey companies out there. They pay $3 per survey. You take a survey and a week later you get a check for $3. Hurry if you're interested, these spots don't stay open long.

Festival Deals 3/29 - 4/3

Well if you like Kraft products head to Festival this week!

These deals are NOT coupon items:

• Cool Whip $.88
• Kraft Dressing $1.88
• GM Cereals 4/$6 (must buy 4) there are $1/3 coupons out right now
• Morning Glory Chocolate Milk- half gallon $.98
• Nestle Morsels 2/$4 there were $1/2 in the 03/21 RP
• Morning Glory sour cream $.88
  

Festival store coupon (newspaper):

• Kraft Mini Marshmallow $.88 (limit 1)
• Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.88 (limit 3) there were $1/1 in the 01-24 SS
• Philadelphia Cream Cheese $.98 (limit 1)
• Carrots $.48 (limit 1)
• Butter $.98 (limit 1)
• Coke products 4/$8.88 (limit 1)
• Gold Medal flour $.98 (limit 1)
  

Be sure to check the red interactive coupon box at the front of the store. Sometimes there are coupons available that match up with the weekly store coupons. (Even on the Flavorite brand!) Festival's blog said that this is one way to "double" your coupon savings.

And... did you know you no longer have to cut out the Festival newspaper coupons? Just stop by the service desk and pick up one of the fliers that have the store coupons (not the green sheet, that's separate) on them or hand them the whole newspaper ad. The cashier just has to enter one code for all the coupons and you don't have to cut them out. It's a win-win time saver for you and the cashier!

Copps deals week March 24

Since Erica hasn't had the chance to post what she actually bought today at Copp's, I thought I would. I got all of this for $18.54. I saved $68.83!!

I did this in two transactions.

First transaction:

1- GoldMedal Flour $1.99 - $1.01 - $0.75 MC = $0.23

1 - Oatmeal $1.49 - $0.51 - $0.50 MC = $0.48

3 - Keebler Cookies = $5.64 - $1.65 (3 x $0.55 MC) = $3.99

2 - Apple Jacks Cereal = $3.76 - $2 ($1 doubled) = $1.76

3 - Kelloggs Clever Kids Fruit snacks = $5.64 - $1.50 MC, 2-$1/1 MC (doubled) = $0.14

1 - Roundy's Ice Cream = $4.99 - $2.01 = $2.98

1- Ore Ida Hash Brown potatoes = $2.79 - $0.81 coupon, less $1 MC (doubled) = Free

1 - Lunchables Sub = $1 less $1 MC (doubled) = $1 overage

1 - 10# bag Potatoes = $1.99

1 - 3# bag Apples = $1.49 - $0.51 coupon = $0.98

$0.10 bag refund

Total = $11.58

Transaction #2:

2 - Windex Multi-surface cleaners = $3.98 - $1 MC x 2 (doubled) = Free

4 - No Yolk Noodles = $4 - $2 (2 B1G1 coupons) = $2

1 - Shrimp = $4.99

4 - Lunchables subs = $4 - 2-$1/1 (doubled) & 2-$0.75 = $1.50 overage

1 - Excedrin 50 count = $5.99 - $5.99 coupon = Free

1 - Kemps Milk = $3.05 - $1 MC (doubled) = $1.05

Total = $6.96