Apr 30, 2012

Caught My Eye

Harris Teeter eVic Specials - good through May 1st
McCain Purely Potatoes or French Fries - $1.47
Use $1.00 Manufacturer Coupon
Pay 47¢
*Plus, save the $1.00 McCain Purely Potato coupon to your Saving Star account, and turn this deal into a 53¢ money maker!!!

Huggies Diapers - $7.97
Use $2.00 Manufacturer Coupon 
Pay $5.97
*Not an absolutely fantastic deal, but still pretty good!

Buitoni Fresh Pasta - 99¢
No coupon needed - just a fantastic deal
*This is fresh (not dried) pasta, so it cooks in about 2-3 minutes! Great for last-minute meals!!!

CVS
Colgate MaxClean SmartFoam, or Max Fresh Toothpaste - $2.99
Use 50¢ Manufacturer Coupon from this Sunday's paper
Get $2.49 ECB back
Net Cost: FREE (or money maker if you have a higher value coupon)

Rite Aid
Mike and Ike, or Hot Tamales - $2.00/2
Pay $2
Get back $2 in Up+ Rewards
Net Cost: FREE!
You can keep rolling this deal for a total of 4 offers! In the end, you could get 8 boxes for $2!!! 
My students are going to LOVE this week's prize bag!! :-)

Schick Hydro Shave Gel - $5.00/2
Use the $2.00/1 peelies on the product
Pay 50¢ each!!!

Apr 25, 2012

Target - Good deal on Cami's

If you're a new or expectant mom (or know someone who is), then you may be interested in today's "Daily Deal" from Target! Normally priced at $19.99, the Gilligan O'Malley Nursing Cami's are on sale for $14.99!!! But, if you buy 2 - you'll get 10% off, and 3 gets you 20% off! All Daily Deals ship for free, so it doesn't matter if you have a redcard on this deal. But, if you do have a redcard - you'll get an additional 5% off! And, to put the cherry on top, Shopathome is offering a special cashback bonus on Target right now - an amazing 7% (normally 3%)! So here's how all the math works out:
Buy 3 cami's @ $14.99 = $44.97
Get 20% off = - $9.98
Total = $35.98
Use Redcard for 5% off = - $1.75
Total Amount Paid = $33.24
Get 7% back in Shopathome account = app. $2.32 back
Grand Total Paid for 3 SHIPPED nursing cami's = $30.92 (or $10.30 each)

That's just about 50% off!!!


How do you get this deal?
  • Log into your ShopatHome account and do a search for Target. Don't have one? Click here!
  • Click on the shop now button.
  • A new window will open for the Target website.
  • Look for the yellow/orange "daily deals. one day only. always free shipping" under the bulls-eye and click on that!
  • Scroll down and look on the right hand side for the cami's and click "View Details".
  • Choose color and quantity and add to cart.
  • Check out with paypal, credit/debit card, or redcard! 

Apr 24, 2012

Good Stock-up Idea on Scrubbing Bubbles

CVS is running a special this week on Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner! It's on sale for $3 AND when you buy at least $12 worth of Scrubbing Bubble products (other products are also included), you get a $4 Extra Care Bucks back! 

So here's a deal scenario: 
Buy 4 Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaners = $12
Use 2 $2/2 Manufacturer Coupons
Pay $8
Get $4 in Extra Care Bucks back for next purchase
Save the $1/2 Saving Star coupon to your online account
Total Net Spent: $3.00 for 4 bottles of cleaner (75¢ each)! 

Fantastic deal considering these are normally at least $3-4/bottle!!!

Apr 18, 2012

For Sale: Coupon Binders and Bags

I have so many people asking me about my coupon binder and bag that I've decided to start selling them!


Ready-To-Go Binder $25.00
1 - 2" 3-Ringed Binder
25 Baseball Card Sleeves (holds 225 coupons)
3 - 3-Ringed Pencil Pouches
10 Tab Dividers

I did a lot of research and if I were buying these items separately, going to three different stores to get the cheapest price + buying the baseball card sleeves from amazon (cheapest place to get them), I'd spend $26.99! Since I can get the items in bulk, I can save you time and money! Obviously, if you don't live in the Charlotte area I'll have to charge extra for shipping!


The "Perfect Couponing Bag" - $29 
On May 1st the cost of these bags will go up to $34.75!!! Buy now & save!!!!
  • Choose from 10 different patterns
  • 7 Exterior Pockets (great for holding wallet, phone, keys, water bottle, pen/paper, coupons, receipts)
  • Laminated Nylon (perfect for being able to wipe-clean)
  • Exactly deep enough to completely conceal your coupon binder (spine down)
  • Wide enough at the top so that you can thumb through the pages without having to pull out the binder (sits perfectly in the front seat of a shopping cart)
  • Includes Shipping, Handling, and Tax
  • Can be monogrammed for a total cost of $37 (will go up to $43 on May 1st)

Email me at savesimplyblog@gmail(dot)com to place an order! Remember that you need to act fast if you want a bag for the cheaper price!!!

Jumping on Earth Day Band Wagon

I just got an email from Earth Fare, and they are offering 20% off all of their bulk foods today through Earth Day (4/22). If you've never been to Earth Fare and don't know what I'm talking about, it's awesome!

They have every imaginable flour (all-purpose, rice, almond, buckwheat, etc.) - so if you've been wanting to try something out, but not wanting to get a large quantity until you know if you like it - it's the perfect place to go! Just scoop out about a cup (or however much you need for a single recipe)! They also have nuts, cous cous, sugar, seeds, and so much more that I can't remember. It's an entire wall of nothing but bulk foods that you scoop and buy by the pound! Love it for trying out new things!

Go here, set up a free Welcome Home account, and get your coupon for 20% all the bulk food you want!

Apr 17, 2012

Harris Teeter - Super Doubles start tomorrow!!!

Just wanted to make sure that everyone has gotten the word that Harris Teeter will be starting Super Doubles tomorrow! The promotion will last for an entire week (Wednesday - Tuesday)! For those that need a little reminder, here are the rules:
  • All coupons double up to $1.98 in value (so this is when you should use those $1 and $1.50 coupons)
  • Up to 20 coupons will double every day; all others will ring up at face-value!
  • Items marked as B1G1 are in effect 1/2 price. That means you can use 2 coupons (one per item)!!!
  • Check out http://www.southernsavers.com for deal match-ups. She will normally post 3 different lists - which is a HUGE time-saver! 
  • Only three like coupons in a single transaction & only two like internet coupons in a single transaction
  • Remember to check your eVIC coupons before you head to the store - to make sure you're completely up-to-date and all the coupons that you want on your account have been added! 
  • If you're using a competitor coupon for dollars off your entire purchase, remember to hand them that FIRST - before all of your manufacturer coupons! 
Happy Shopping! And remember to be NICE to your cashiers!!! :-) 

Apr 16, 2012

Earth Day is Coming - FREEBIES!!!

Mark your Calendars for April 22nd!


Bring any reusable mug/cup to Caribou Coffee or Starbucks, and you'll get a free hot or cold beverage!


One of my favorite Earth Day Freebies is at Origins! You can trade in any bottle (empty or full) of facial cleanser or moisturizer and they will give you a free bottle of Origins high-performance, paraben free cleanser (while supplies last)! I LOVE their cleanser! Well worth it to make it out to Origins! For Charlotte people - there are two Origins locations in Southpark Mall: one near the food court next to Teavana and the other located in Belk!





FREE Tree from Lowe's!!! Yep, that's right - a tree! The picture on the Lowe's site is from last year, with last year's date - but I called Lowe's to confirm that they are participating again this year - and they said YES!!!


You can get free reusable totes at the following places: 
Target
Disney Store (you'll need to bring in 5 plastic bags to "exchange")
H-E-B (you'll need to bring in 5 plastic bags to "exchange")
Jo-Ann Fabric (if you're one of the first 50 customers)

I'm sure there will be even more freebies as we get closer to the date, so check back often for additions to the list!!!





Would've, Should've, Could've

I made a silly rookie mistake: I let a Up+ Reward expire! I was so excited about my $4 in Up+ Rewards and had planned exactly what I was going to use it for - only to look at it closely and see that it expired YESTERDAY!!! Such a bummer!

So, if I had been the organized and "on top of things" person that I long to be, this is what I could've done (and my students would've LOVED the addition to the prize bag)! Mentos are on sale 4/$2 (regularly 69¢ each) + you get a $1 Up+ reward when you buy 4! My Plan:
Buy 8 Mentos for $4
Use my previously earned $4 Up+ Rewards
Pay only tax
Get another $2 in Up+ Rewards ($1 for each set of 4) 

Buy another 4 Mentos for $2
Use my $2 Up+ Rewards
Pay only tax
Get another $1 Up+ Reward

Buy 2 more Mentos for $1
Pay Only Tax

Total: 14 Mentos Candies
Total Spent: Only Tax

I should've done it yesterday - but I didn't! Live and still learning. . . :-(

Apr 12, 2012

MoveStudio Charlotte - Amazing Savings!!!

MoveStudio Charlotte is a small, intimate Pilates, Yoga, and Dance studio in the Plaza Midwood area. I've been taking classes there since July of last year when I got a Living Social voucher. I figured I would just use my voucher (that was super cheap) and be done with it. Ha! I was hooked! I even paid full price ($15/class) for a while! Then they started offering an unlimited pass for $85/month. Since I was going twice a week, it made sense for me. Well, two days ago they released a new deal that saves you another 40% off the unlimited pass! It's a MoveStudio Charlotte Membership. You commit for 12 months for $50/month and you get the following:
  • unlimited classes
  • 15% off private and semi-private equipment sessions
  • 5% off any retails purchases

Now 12 months is a long time for people to commit sometimes. You may not have childcare during the summer and wonder if it's worth it if you're not able to go often. Or, you may be pregnant and know that you'll need to take 8-12 weeks off just before and after the baby comes! Well, they've allowed for that. You're allowed to freeze your membership one time during the 12 month period for up to 3 months! If you still want to come to classes during that time, you can - and you'll just pay as you go. 

I LOVE MoveStudio because: 
  • The classes are small - so I get a lot of personal attention
  • It's not super fancy and showy - but simple and intimate
  • The instructors are very knowledgeable and do a great job
  • I'm supporting a locally owned and operated business - run by a young mother like me!
Not sure you want to commit, having never been there? Try out one of their $5 promo classes! Here's what they're offering this month for only $5/class:

Tuesdays @ 7:30 pm - Cardio Funk
Wednesdays @ - 7:30 pm - Risque Fit
Thursdays @ 7:30 pm - Hip Hop
Saturdays @ 9:30 am - Yoga
Special: Sunday, April 22nd - 4:30 pm - Zumba

So visit www.movestudiocharlotte.com or email april@movestudiocharlotte.com for more information!

Apr 9, 2012

Teacher Gifts and Free Shipping (no minimum)!!!

If you wait until the middle of May to start thinking of end of the year teacher gifts, you'll end up running to the store to buy a candle! Buying ahead gives you these benefits:
  • Bargaining Power - when you don't have to have something immediately, you can shop around for a deal)
  • Time for Creativity - like I said above, if you're in a rush - then whatever you can find will have to do. But if you look ahead of time, you can find some unique/personal items!
  • Extra Savings by Buying Online - the ability to have items shipped to your home is huge! This keeps you from impulse buys and saves you time! Also, since you're ordering online - you can go through shopathome or ebates. Coldwater Creek has a 2% cash back bonus on whatever you purchase - and there are thousands more stores to choose from!

So here are some deals I found that look pretty good! 

Coldwater Creek is also offering no-minimum free shipping + 30% off - but today is the last day! It says that you'll need to enter in this code: WFH4801 at checkout to get your discount, but in playing around on the website it automatically added in my 30% discount! So just have it handy just in case! This is what I found in their outlet section under "Home and Gifts":

Happy Feet Gift Set - only $13.99 shipped (regularly $24.95 + S/H)!!!


What fun! Opening the fabric-wrapped box, you discover a little bed of twigs where a pumice stone, a bar of sandalwood soap (mmmm!) and a brisk little brush are all nested together. All shaped like mini-feet! And all made by hand, so each one is unique. It`s a foot-spa in a box to give or to keep.




Featherweight Throw - only $13.99 shipped
(regularly $29.95 + S/H)!!!

For a hint of warmth for those mild evenings when there`s a cool breeze, this linen throw is just perfect. Lightness itself, in an open weave exaggerated with drop needle patterning. Hand wash. 60 x 50 inches.




4 piece Citrus Slice Napkin Set + 4 Wooden Bead Napkin Rings - only $20.97 shipped
(regularly $44.75 + S/H)!!!!

Napkins: Juicy colors and a refreshing print bring out the fun of the season on these table linens. Set of four napkins, each 18 inches square. Cotton, machine wash.


Rings: Carved wood beads create naturally elegant tabletop jewelry. 
Simple beauty at 2 1/2 inches in diameter.




Apr 6, 2012

Earth Fare Goodies



Earth Fare's FREE items this week revolve around one of my favorite things: CHEESE!!!!

Babybel Cheese! You only have to spend $5 to get a free package of Babybel Cheese made by Laughing Cow! Just go to the earthfare.com site, register for a "Welcome Home" account, and then follow the clues to find the hidden coupon for free cheese!


Take the "Boot Challenge" and you can get a free bag of Barbara's Baked Cheese Puffs - made with all natural ingredients when you trade in any cheese puffs made with artificial ingredients (Cheetos)!

I also got a text coupon this morning for Tulips!!! You can get 10 stems of tulips for only $1 with any $10 purchase! If you're not signed up for Earth Fare's text promotion, just text the word "Eat" to 71700! 


So here's my plan: 
I'll go to Earth Fare and get $25 worth of groceries/supplements so that I can use my $5/$25 purchase coupon from the City Pass Book. I'll then qualify for all of my other goodies: 
Free Babybel Cheese (about a $6 value)
$1 for 10 Tulips (estimating $6 value)
Trade in my Cheetos for healthy Barbara's Baked Cheese Puffs (estimating $4 value)

All totaled, I'll get about $41 worth of groceries for about $20! Saving at least 50% is my goal at the regular grocery stores when I have big-time coupons to use. Considering Earth Fare is what I consider to be a high-end store (a lot like Whole Foods), being able to save 50% is HUGE! So excited! 

Apr 2, 2012

Extra Savings for the Super Thrifty

Viggle is a loyalty program for television that gives people real rewards for checking into the television shows they’re watching. Currently available for Apple iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®, Viggle automatically identifies what television shows its users are watching and awards them points when they check-in. Viggle users can redeem their points in the app’s rewards catalogue for items such as movie tickets, music, gift cards and much more.


Here are a few examples of the points you could collect tonight:

325 points for checking into the Final Four Games tonight at 9:00

225 points for checking into Dancing with the Stars tonight at 8:00, or 250 points for checking into The Voice.


What do the points earn you? Here are some examples: 
7,500 points gets you a $5 Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, Burger King, CVS, or Papa Johns Gift Card
14,000 points gets you a $10 iTunes, JCPenny, Sephora, Banana Republic, Foot Locker, GAP, or Old Navy Gift Card
17,500 points gets you a free movie ticket from Fandango (up to a $12 value)
21,000 points gets you a $15 gift card from Chili's
37,500 points gets you a $25 gift card from Best Buy


I downloaded the app 6 days ago and already have over 9,800 points! So - you see there are quite a few options for a wide variety of point ranges! Personally, I'm saving up my points for the bigger prizes. It really is so easy! And I don't have cable or dish - just my bunny ears. So, if you have cable - you have a lot more options!

Shopkick gives you awesome deals and rewards simply for walking into your favorite stores. You can collect your kicks™ rewards at millions of stores in America, and great deals at many of the top national retailers. Once again, it is an app that you download onto your iPhone or Android. Simply open the app and walk into your favorite stores (Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Staples...there are millions of stores listed). Sometimes you get kicks (which are like points) just for walking in. Sometimes the store wants to promote a certain item and you'll have to find that item in the store and scan the barcode to get your kicks.

For the first time in several months, I went to the mall all by myself on Saturday morning. As I was sitting there in the early morning, sipping my coffee and watching all the mall walkers from my comfy spot outside of Macy's, I decided to take a look at the Shopkick app that I had downloaded on my phone months ago, but never used. I simply clicked the nearby tab and it found me there in the mall and gave me points just for being there. Then I saw that I could get 100 kicks just for going into Macy's and trying out the new Dolce and Gabana Light perfume. There were about 3 other stops within the mall that I could make (none of the other required me to try anything - just check in). Before I left the mall I had 177 kicks and it was really fun.

The rewards for kicks are varied - but include retailers like Target, Best Buy, iTunes, Old Navy, Restaurant.com, ToysRus, and lots of others. Rewards start at $2 and go on up from there. Just click here to get started!

Swagbucks. I know you're probably getting sick of hearing me talk about it, but I just deposited $20 worth of amazon.com gift cards in my amazon account, and I just earned another 675 swagbucks - that will earn me another $5 gift card...and all through Swagbucks. So, I just have to mention it AGAIN! Swagbucks.com is an online portal dedicated to helping you earn digital dollars called "Swag Bucks", which can be redeemed for exclusive Swagbucks.com merchandise. You earn the swagbucks by searching the web through their browser, taking surveys, voting in the daily poll, completing special offers, and lots of other ways.

One of my favorite ways to earn big swagbucks is to participate in their special offers. Here is what I do:
Look under the special offers tabs and find the ones that offer "FREE TRIALS". Most of these are things like Netflix, FreeCreditReport.com, Stamps.com, Luminosity, emusic.com, etc. Most of these offer big bucks (like 600+ swagbucks) - for a NO RISK FREE TRIAL. If you sign up for one of these offers every week - that is enough to get you a $5 amazon.com gift card every single week (with a little extra). In fact, that will be enough to get you a total of 5 per month. Simply mark on your calendar when the trial period is over so that you can cancel if you're not interested in continuing - and you've taken on NO additional cost and earned $5!

Plus, do the following for more Swagbucks (SB's):
  • Download the toolbar and you'll get 1 SB every day just for having it.
  • Use the browser for all of your internet searches and you'll earn SB's.
  • Use their coupon database (powered by coupons.com) and earn 10 SB's every time you use one! 
  • Vote on their daily poll (literally takes about 5 seconds) and earn 1 SB every day.

So there you have it! Three ways to save some extra big-bucks! Have fun!