Southern Coupon Belle

Coupon 202: Advanced Courses When Your Coupon Course Changes Course!

2012-01-04T22:01:00.000-05:00

I have posted a lot of tips and know how under the label, Coupon 101 so I am adding Coupon 202 to the blog. Coupon 202 will highlight the move to Missouri and how I learned to deal with new stores, new policies and rebuilt a stockpile!

Whether it's learning to coupon for the first time or trying couponing again as a 2012 Resolution- I hope you will take time to read up on all the posts under each label. Let me know if you have any questions, what you would like to see posts about and just enjoy this journey I've been through moving to the Midwest!!

Product Review: Purex Triple Action Detergent

2012-01-03T21:12:00.003-05:00

I love being a Purex Insider so I can try Purex products and share my opinion with my readers! I tried the Purex Triple Action Free and Clear laundry detergent and loved it! My laundry was fresh, bright, clean and white! I especially loved washing our linens in the Triple Action Formula combined with the Purex Crystals for super clean, soft and fresh linens for our beds.

Purex is my favorite detergent line because Purex is conscience that we all are trying to save money but not sacrifice our laundry in the process! And be on the lookout for the "Prove It to Yourself" TV campaigns to air shortly where you can go to www.FreeSamplePurex.com and try the Triple Action Formula for yourself!

Leave a comment or shoot me an email. I've requested some free product coupons to giveaway! Tell me what is most important to you when deciding on a detergent.

Purex provided a free sample of their Triple Action laundry detergent so I could write a review. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

App Review 101: Motivated Moms 2012

2012-01-01T23:10:00.001-05:00

It's January 1st and we all are making resolutions and ways to improve in 2012. Motivated Moms is my favorite home organization/cleaning system for years now. The updated app for my Apple products is my ultimate fav for the second year in a row!
This year it's only $7.99 and it includes the ability to assign daily tasks to family members plus add/delete tasks etc.

I promise you that if you give it a try- you would be amazed at how easy it is! Just add a little discipline, guidance from Motivated Mom and the addition of the daily lists to your life! It will keep your house so clean, organized and free up your time to do what you want with your family.

TRUST ME- it works!!

Drumroll please.... our 2011 Savings Tracker Results!

2012-01-01T22:50:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012!
Now that 2011 is over, here's a summary of our 2011 Savings Tracker and how well we did on groceries, drugstore deals, produce etc. for the year.

Shelf Price: $7534.34
Coupons Used: 1629.70 (WOW- paper $$ that added up!)
Saved: 3667.74
Spent: 4025.12 (WOW- average $335 a month)
Goal: 3150.00 (Major move wasn't factored in the goal!)
Overage: (875.12)
Percentage Saved: 48.68%

We did INCREDIBLE considering the move that came out of blue, losing our stockpile, losing our freezer, losing our garden and having to rebuild in Missouri.

Tracking our savings was a real eye opener this year. I suggest you do the same.
Click here or go to: http://thecouponproject.com/downloads/savings-tracker

3...2...1... Happy Couponing 2012!

2011-12-31T23:28:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year's 2012!
It's time to make your resolutions and make them stick this year. If you are new to coupons or resolving to take your couponing to a new level this year- make sure you get a few papers tomorrow!
There will be 5! inserts tomorrow- 2 Smart Source, 2 Red Plum and 1 General Mills.
I buy 4 copies of the paper because I follow a general rule of thumb that I have as many coupons as I have family members in my household. When I find a great deal on an item at it's lowest price in the sale cycle plus a coupon, I can stock up on 4 for my family.

My resolution- blogging everyday again and showing how I left my "coupon comfort zone" Georgia and learned to adapt to a new region and new stores. It's easy- I hope I can help you save money in 2012! Let's coupon together! HUGS and LOVE from Missouri!

I'm BACK! Southern Coupon Belle has been MIA!

2011-12-03T16:21:00.001-05:00

Okay- as you can see, the last post I added here was July 4th. I usually slow down quite a bit in July because the girls go back to school on August 1st and our summer is half over by this point in July. My intentions were to get back up to speed once the girls were back in school. Key word- intentions...
The girls did start school on August 1st and after PTA convention, getting our school PTA up and running for the new year- our lives were back into the swing of things "normal." Then the phone rang late afternoon on August 5th. Things would never be the same again... Mike was offered a promotion in Columbia, Missouri.
We talked, they talked, we talked some more and by September 1st- it was official. We were going and Mike had to be here by October 1st. We debated the horrible house market in Atlanta, the girls and I staying in Georgia and Mike working in Missouri, we stay back and try to sell the house but those weren't options for us. We are a team and if we were going to move then we would move together and all at once. No big deal- we just had 3 weeks to find a renter for our house in Georgia, find a house to rent in Columbia, pack, move and relocate. No sweat! My father in law even said- "If you pull this off, I will never believe it!"
Guess what- we did. Literally with just a few hours to go until we had to give the relocation company an address to take our stuff to! We rented our house on Tuesday, flew to Columbia on Wednesday, found a house Thursday, we were packed and the house empty by Tuesday. We drove into Columbia, MO with the girls for the first time on October 2nd!
So, 2 months have gone by and things are great! The transition for us all has been smooth, the girls love their new school, friends and Mike made a smart move for his career. We've got great neighbors and I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things.
One of my biggest challenges has been the coupon thing. No longer an "expert" and new stores but I figured it out and want to show you how I did it. I also had to mull in my head what Southern Coupon Belle's future was and how it would work being here and starting over. I have finally decided that the blog will live on!
Whether you are in the South, Midwest- wherever you are reading from- couponing basics apply and you just have to fine tune your strategy. Starting over in a new region also made me aware that while I had been couponing for years, when I did a seminar or helped a "newbie," I had forgotten what it's like to be overwhelmed and starting from scratch. I think this new experience for me will help me help you even more!
And I hope to gain new readers in my new hometown, Columbia! Thanks for reading and I am so glad to be back!!

Coupon Inserts This Weekend!

2011-07-02T00:21:00.000-04:00

It's a holiday weekend so no Redplum or SmartSource inserts. However, there will be a P&G coupon insert. After a giveaway today, Herbal Essences and Aussie will have a $3 off a styler with another Herbal Essences or Aussie product purchase coupon.

Sorry I have been quiet- summer is short for us- we go back to school on August 1st and we've had a ton going on! I'm back and plan to keep you posted on deals and the back to school supplies deals!

Happy 4th of July!!

Price Matching at Walmart- Super Tip for Produce

2011-06-12T23:34:00.001-04:00

I checked out Money Saving Mom's blog yesterday and found a GREAT tip that I haven't thought about. I'm sure everyone has seen the new Walmart Price Matching commercials. Basically, cashiers are now able to price match at their register if you show them an ad from a competitor with a lower price. Their policies say you don't have to have an ad but I think with so many different Walmart cashiers- I would have all my ducks in a row and have proof that I know the price of an item I would like them to match.

Produce is high and all across the board price wise right now. The lowest prices in the Atlanta area are coming from Aldi's. However, the quality of the produce hasn't been that great- and we checked 2 different locations this week and found the same issues. For example, strawberries were cheap but all the containers had berries that were very ripe or even some with mold in them. There is an Aldi's ad in the Sunday paper this week with deals on Vidalia onions, green peppers and tomatoes on the vine.

I've never thought to price match Aldi's since most of their brands are generic or off market but the produce isn't! So take your ad to Walmart and stock up on what produce is on sale this week. And from what I understand- you can purchase more than one of an item at the "price matched" price!

Great tip, good to know and I plan to be price matching at Walmart from here on out!

Celebrate Father's Day Traditions with Tiny Prints!

2011-05-24T20:10:00.001-04:00

After a whirlwind late Easter then Mother's Day right around the corner, it was nice to have some time to plan for Father's Day this year on June 19th. Father's Day is one of the holidays that I am so proud to have traditions each year for my husband from the girls and I.
Father's Day gifts have to be fun, remind us of a great memory or experience we have shared and can continue enjoying as a family. My husband's 1st Father's Day, I gave him a snow cone machine and ordered his favorite flavors from Hawaiian Ice We spent a lot of time when we were dating sitting at the park with snow cones talking about our future together. This year we got Dad a SodaStream system and I know we are going to have a lot of fun with it over the summer. The girls fix him breakfast, we plan a nice dinner and let Dad relax watching golf or whatever he would like to do on his day. Our tradition every year is to make sure Dad feels special and knows how much we appreciate him.
Tiny Prints has everything you need to make your husband or dad feel special this Father's Day. Go to: http://www.tinyprints.com/greeting/shop/fathers-day-cards.htm
You won't believe the variety of cards they offer and I know you will find just the right card to celebrate the special men in your life!
Don't forget that Tiny Prints is awesome for invitations, stationery, photo books and more. I created my daughters' birthday invitations on Tiny Prints and you won't believe the compliments I have received about them.

10 Days of Deals at Redbox

2011-05-18T21:32:00.000-04:00

Text the word, DEALS, to 727272 everyday through 5/25/2011. You will get a text back with a new deal. I did it tonight and got a one time use .50 off a first night rental that's good until 06/02/2011.

$1 Flip Flops at Old Navy this Saturday!

2011-05-18T21:27:00.000-04:00

Saturday, May 21 is $1 Flip Flop Day at Old Navy! Get there early for the best selection and it's a limit of 5 pairs per person.

Up To 30% off at Gap Through Tomorrow!

2011-05-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

Today and tomorrow, take advantage of a great sale at Gap online. All women's and men's regular priced items are 30% off and kids, baby and maternity regular priced items are 20% off. Some exclusions apply.

Just use the code: GAPGETSVE to get the 30% or 20% off plus orders over $50 will ship free! Sale ends at 11:59pm on Friday, May 13th.

Happy Shopping!!

Only 1 Insert in the Paper Tomorrow!

2011-05-07T22:57:00.001-04:00

It's a holiday Sunday but there will be one SmartSource insert in the Sunday paper this weekend. There should be a Publix insert in the South as well.

If you go here or go to www.sundaycouponpreview.com, you can see a preview of what coupons are in the SmartSource insert tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Celebrate Mom at Canton Chick Fil A Locations!

2011-05-06T21:37:00.002-04:00

If you want to celebrate Mom a day early, then head over to either Riverstone or Canton Marketplace Chick Fil A locations from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.

There will be flowers for mom and drawings for prizes every 15 minutes!
If you aren't in Canton- check your local store to see if they have something planned special for Mother's Day tomorrow!

1/2 Price Frappuccinos during Happy Hour at Starbucks, May 6th-15th

2011-05-05T15:37:00.002-04:00

Starting tomorrow, you can have your Frappuccinos "However You Want It" for 1/2 price during Happy Hour at your local Starbucks. Happy Hour is from 3:00pm until 5:00pm and the offer is running from May 6th until May 15th.

I would call to see if your local Starbucks is participating. I called my local Starbucks in Canton off Riverstone Parkway and they are offering this awesome promotion! Enjoy!

Southern Coupon Belle's Savings Report Through 04/30/2011

2011-05-03T23:23:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited to be a Local Voice for Canton-Sixes Patch.com and my posts here on the blog will be featured on their website. If you are new to the blog, welcome and I hope you will check out the Coupon 101 and Living Smart 101 Labels to the left of the blog to see teaching posts and how to get started. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to participate in a webinar!

I decided to start a savings tracker that I found online at The Coupon Project here. We wanted to track every dollar spent, every coupon used, how well we could stay within our budget goals each month and to see how much we were saving as we reasonably stockpile. Check out how we've done the first 4 months of 2011!

April flew by and May is starting with my household running to keep up! Here's our savings tracker and how we've saved so far in 2011.

Shelf Cost: $3114.07
Coupons: - $722.71
Sales: - $931.93
Saved: $1654.64
Spent: $1459.43
% Saved: 53.13%
Budgeted: $1150.00
Variance: ($309.43)

I was impressed- my husband was skeptical because we went over our budget goals. I reminded him that in the last 120 days- we've stocked up on many household items to last at least the next year like dish washing tablets, laundry detergent and such. We handled big events, holidays, family gatherings, trips and two birthday parties! I am very pleased considering I know the majority of folks go into the grocery store and spend $1500.00 without a second thought in 4-6 weeks! 120 days into 2011= $12.70/day for all meals and items needed for our family of four.

The numbers for the first four months are good- now we face the rise in grocery and gas prices but will also see where we can save in other areas and add the garden this summer. We plan to incorporate creative savings ideas and practices into the formula for the rest of 2011. I'll keep you posted and share how we are making it work! Our savings report is showing that whether we believe it or not- we are saving a lot of money in 2011!

How are you saving? Please share!

Deal on Physicians Formula Bronzer at Rite Aid This Week!

2011-05-02T22:03:00.000-04:00

This week, Physicians Formula Bronzer is Buy One, Get One Free with your Wellness + Card. If you have a Rite Aid nearby, go check because on the display case shelves (not where all of the brand is but where they display new products etc) there are coupons on the bronzer for $4.00 of instantly.

If you are lucky and find two- buying 2 bronzers at around 12.95 using coupons, you can get 2 bronzers for approximately $4.95 plus tax!

Sign Up and get a free rental from Redbox!

2011-05-01T22:31:00.000-04:00

31 Days to Clean Ebook Just $4.99!

2011-04-27T22:51:00.001-04:00

Go to: www.31daystoclean.com and find out how to get this ebook in PDF version or for Amazon Kindle. Having a Martha House the Mary Way is also a spiritual journey and I can't wait to get into it!

Tomorrow (4/27) is 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin Robbins!

2011-04-26T23:16:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011- Find a participating store near you from 5pm to 10pm and get .31 cents scoops with a limit of 3 scoops per person!
Enjoy!!

Don't buy papers tomorrow- no inserts!

2011-04-23T22:17:00.000-04:00

It's Easter Sunday so no coupon inserts tomorrow. Only buy the paper if you plan on reading it!

Freebie buying eggs at Walgreens this week!

2011-04-22T22:40:00.000-04:00

Fun freebie at Walgreens this week- they have a dozen eggs for $1.29 each and if you buy 2 then you will get a catalina with codes for 2 one night rentals from Redbox. That price is pretty good in my area so it was worth getting the rentals to get my eggs at Walgreens.

This is a great example of how items you would never think of buying at the drug store become bonus purchases when you pay attention to the fine detail in the print ad. And I love deals where I can increase the value on something I needed regardless!

Warning- there is a separate rent promo button either at the beginning of your transaction or at checkout on Redbox. Learned the hard way but we still have 2 free rentals. Enjoy!

Results of our Avery ES Cubs Coupon Club (our school)

2011-04-17T21:01:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share a link to the follow up article about the coupon club we started at the elementary school. Go read what just 12 families saved in 44 days!
http://cherokeetribune.com/view/full_story/12819898/article-Avery-wraps-up-money-saving---fitness-contests?instance=home_news_2nd_right

Note: only about 2 of the 12 were avid couponers when the contest started- and the receipts varied in percentages and showed true weeks of shopping- not just super shops at the drugstores! Everyone is still at it and having fun with it!

Possible Four Inserts This Weekend!

2011-04-16T23:59:00.001-04:00

I've read that there are 2 Smart Source and 2 Redplum inserts in tomorrow's paper. Just double check before you buy more than one.

Have a great Sunday!

Spring Taste of Sam's Club- 4/15-17

2011-04-13T23:11:00.000-04:00

Head over to Sam's Club this weekend for free entry and no upcharge! Great time to stock up without being a member or go check out Sam's Club to see if you might want to be a member.