The Katy Coupon Zone

We Have Moved

2012-02-28T09:59:00.000-06:00

Our new site, The Katy Coupon Zone is up and running! Come over and see what all the fuss is about!

Patti

Tightwad Tip of the Day! How to save $1000 per year!

2012-02-23T10:16:00.000-06:00

Are you a Cola-A-Holic?

My drug of choice, besides Couponing is Dr. Pepper. There was a time in my life that I would drink 4 or 5 cans or bottles a day! Then one day I decided enough was enough. I was gaining weight around my tummy, and losing weight in my wallet!

You say, its only a dollar...no big deal???

Here is a quick calculation of how much money can be spent during the course of a year for a recovering DP addict:

1 16 oz. btl Dr. Pepper avg. cost: $1.00
Drinking only 1 per day = $365 per year!

1 can Dr. Pepper avg. cost: $.75
Drinking only 1 per day = $273.75 per year!

1 Lrg. Dr. Pepper from McDonalds avg. cost $1.00
Drinking only 1 per day = $365 per year!

Now for a major drinker like myself, before my reformation, multiply that by 4 to 5 times! It only took one time of calculating the cost of $365 x 3 = $1095 (averaging it out, because there were days I did not drink 4 or 5) to make my decision to SLOW THE HECK DOWN!! Not to mention, this is only calculating my personal consumption. I have a family of 5 at home now, and everyone loves soda. No wonder we never take vacations, we are drinking it away!!

Water is a good thing, and I have lost weight since making the change.

HOT BUTTER Coupon! $1.25 off I can't believe it's not butter!

2012-02-23T09:39:00.000-06:00

Go to www.coupons.com
Use 92102 zip code
Print out $1.25 off on any ONE ICBINB product!
Unless you absolutely need butter now, SAVE this coupon until a sale comes around!

HURRY Cereal for $.92 per box at Kroger!

2012-02-22T15:38:00.000-06:00

Quick, quick, quick, go to this site COUPONS.COM
Use zip code 30303
Search for $4/4 Kellogg’s cereal coupon,

Print it out...go to your nearest KROGER and use it!

Certain Kelloggs brands are marked down to $1.92 per box!!

Coupon Savings Chart for last 22 days

2012-02-22T14:42:00.000-06:00

I have a monthly budget of $520 for groceries now and $90 monthly for Household goods. My goal is to cut that in half by the end of the year, through stockpiling on really great deals. I decided to put this into a chart so that you can be encouraged and so I can show my sweet Husband how I am doing so far since starting back couponing again after my surgery and the holidays. We don't always get 90% savings when we go shopping. But as you can see, we average out to a nice 51% savings overall. It is February 22, 2012, and I still have $70.71 left for the month. Through extreme couponing, I have been able to stock our freezer, to the brim, added another coupon pantry, and have DOUBLED my budgets worth of food and household goods. Realistically, I could stop shopping until the end of March, and just put that money away, but my goal is to have a one year supply of everything before I do that, so wish me luck, I think I am heading in the right direction.

Money Maker on Nescafe at Walgreens

2012-02-22T13:00:00.000-06:00

Jump on over to Walgreens and use this B1G1 Q today!

Buy (2) Nescafe Instant Singles Packs @ $2 each

Use B1G1 Free Nescafe

Pay $2, Get $3 RR

Final Cost: FREE + $1MM!

Thanks Coupon Clippin' Daddy!

FREE Kraft Mac and Cheese Deal!!

2012-02-22T12:50:00.000-06:00

I just found this great Kraft Mac and Cheese deal on Coupon Clippin' Daddy. You gotta love it when Daddy's get in the Zone!!

Don't forget to head over and try for your Macsurance and grab some FREE Kraft Mac & Cheese at 12pm EST today (2/22)! From the Kraft Facebook page:

Offer will available beginning at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time (?ET?) each day between January 23, 2012 and March 4, 2012, while supplies of Macsurance policies available for that day are available.

Making Coupons Make Sense

2012-02-22T12:31:00.000-06:00

How to Feed 50 People at a Moments Notice.

I lost My Aunt Jo last Tuesday. That kept me pretty busy, with travel and food preparations. It's so strange how people respond to a death in the family. I don't know about your family, but in ours, we cook...a lot. Standing in the parking lot, watching the Hersch drive away with the remains of my Aunt Jo, one of the first questions asked was what type of food we were going to have for the funeral, and that was shortly followed by where were we going for lunch after gathering her things from the hospice room. Now I know to some of you this may sound horrible, strange, or even disrespectful, but for us, it's just how we cope. Aunt Jo was a 'Feeder', you know, the type of person, that if you visited her home, the first thing she would ask is if you were hungry, then not take no for an answer. So, she would want us to enjoy a meal together, rather than moping around about her loss. So, at lunch, there was laughter, story telling and tears all mixed together.

Now, on to the purpose of this blog...Coupons. You are probably wondering, when on Earth is Patti going to get to the point of this story. Well, its this. You never know when your couponing will come in handy. The food after the funeral was to be Italian. Because of my stockpile, I was able to make enough Spaghetti for 50 people, at almost no cost. After this experience, I am curious, how has your couponing helped you and your family out in a time of crisis?

Great Deals at HEB 2/9/12

2012-02-09T14:59:00.000-06:00

I ran in to HEB today to do a little re-con on their HEB Q's, so I could match up my Manufacturer Q's with their Big Savings Q's.

At HEB, they offer their own coupons, you may have seen them, they are bright yellow, and hang from the shelves. In order to get the absolute best deal, you need to match theirs up with a Man Q. But in order to do this, their HEB Q must have a B in the left hand corner. The majority of them will have an M, which stands for Manufacturer. Unfortunately, there is no doubling up with those.
I am so happy I took my coupon JIC binder in, because I found a couple of great deals!!

First, here is the list of (B) Big Savings Q's I found:

Buy ay two stouffer's family size 28-39 oz. freezer meals, get 3rd one FREE!!

Save .97 cents off 3 pack of O-Cel-O Zebra, heavy dut,light duty scrub spunges.

Save .50 cents of Nivea men or women body wash.

Save $3.00 off Revlon foundation, face powder or lip. (excldes eye and nails.)

Save $1.50 off Revlon Eye and Nail products.

Save $1.50 off on ALL Nutrise, Nutrisse Nourishing Foam, and HerbaShine Hair coloring kits.

Save $3.00 off any K-Y Yours + Mine, Intrigue, or Intense Product

Buy 2 Huggies big packs get $5 gift card FREE!

Save $1.50 off all vea, Eucerin, or Aquaphor Lotions and Creams, (excludes Nivea Body Wash)

Save $3.00 on one Lysol Healthy Touch starter kit

I checked on the General Mills cereal deal, and it is an HEB [M] Q for $2.00 off 3 boxes. Still a really good deal, if you are low on cereal.

A few items I picked up on my trip were:

Duncan Hines cake mix:
Marked down to .88 cents per box
Used: .35 cent Q
Paid: .53 cents per box!

Lysol Healthy Touch starter kit
Orignal price: $9.97
Used: HEB [B] Q for $3.00 off
Used: MAN Q for $3.00 off
Paid: $3.97 each

Stouffer's Family size 28-39 oz. freezer meals
Original price: $5.98 each
Used: HEB [B] Q for buy 2 get 1 FREE
Used: MAN Q for $2.00 off 1 on 2 boxes.
Paid: $2.65 each for 3

All in all, I would say it was a pretty nice expedition. I am certainly glad I took in my binder, if I hadn't I would have missed out on these deals, or I would have had to make a second trip. There is no savings in that!

I hope you find this blog helpful in planning out your shopping trips. If you do, would you consider sharing it with a friend?

Happy couponing...and Stay in the Zone!!

Couponing is like a box of chocolates...You never know what you're gonna get!

2012-02-08T10:50:00.000-06:00

On a quick trip to Target yesterday, I came across this great deal on Downy Unstopables on the clearance end cap. I didn't go in for this product, but was prepared with my coupon binder in hand. I have learned, always to take it in...Just In Case!

Regular price: $6.99

Clearance price: $4.88

Coupon: 1-29 PG $2/1

Final price: $2.88

That is a $4.11 savings on a product that our family LOVES! Even our dirty clothes smell good. I saw about 8 of them, only had 4 coupons for them, so there may still be a couple left. I found them at the Target in the Memorial City Mall.

Happy couponing...and Stay in the Zone!!

$35 per hour!!

2012-02-07T12:48:00.002-06:00

Many people turn their noses up to couponing. I understand, I used to be the same way. So for all of the people that say it is a waste of time, I want you to take a look at these savings over the last 8 days.

I have purchased:
$282 Groceries before coupons

I have paid :
$142.19 for these groceries

I have saved:
$140.25 because of coupons and sales

Percentage saved:
50%

It took me about 4 hours total of my time, inclusive of clipping and sorting coupons, finding deals online and going to the stores. I have about 6 months worth of bonless skinless chicken breast included in all of that which does not have a coupon, as well as tons of FRESH fruit and veggies that also have no coupons.

My hourly wage from savings:
$35.00 per hour!

Now, would you say it is a waste of time? Any questions??

Happy couponing...and Stay in the Zone!

Hot Cereal Deal at Randalls (ending today!!)

2012-02-07T12:28:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I almost missed this great cereal deal at Randalls.

Kelloggs Mini Wheats are normaly $3.79 per box. I had a $1.00/2 coupon from earlier this year, plus they had a card savings of .80 cents off, and a store coupon of $1.00 off. I ended up getting them for $1.49 each. The Kelloggs Crunchy Nut cereal is normally $3.99 per box. had a $1.00/2 from the last box I ate, plus they had a card savings of $1.00 off, a store coupon for 1.00 off making them $1.49 each. I did not have a coupon for the Cocoa Puffs, but, they were normally priced $3.29 per box, with a .80 card savings and a .72 cent store coupon, making them $1.72 each. The milk was $6.00/2. I used a $3.00 catalina from my Lean Cuisines the week before last, and saved a total of $14.62! That is a 65% savings. I am pretty pleased with this deal. Have you found any other great cereal deals this week? Let me know!!

Happy shopping and...Stay in the Zone!!

Stock Up on Chicken!!

2012-02-06T13:41:00.000-06:00

HEB has some really great Chicken deals this week!
Boneless, Skinless Chicken breast on sale for $1.47 per lb. No Limit!
Whole Chicken Breast with skin and bones for $1.00 per lb. No Limit!

To celebrate this great find, it looks like Chicken Pot Pie is in order. Here is a simple recipe I have come up with that is quick and yummy. Let me know if you give it a try, and if you have any modifications that you think would taste even better.

Chicken Pot Pie

I prepare these in small 4.5 round mini bake wear dishes, the type you would use for creme brulee.

1 lrg. chicken breast cooked and diced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen brocclli
1 container Philidelphia Cooking Cream Cheese (any flavor)
1 can Pilsbury flaky layered bisquits
This makes 8 small pot pies.

Mix the first 7 ingredients into a pot and simmer.
Leftover potatoes or veggies can be tossed in the pot.
Simmer for 30 minutes until melded together.
You can add just about anything you like.
Pre-heat your oven to the temperature on the biscuits can.
While the filling is cooking, tear the biscuits in half, and lay one half in the bottom of each dish.
Once your filling is ready, spoon into the dish, on top of the biscuit half.
Then, with your hands, gently shape the other half of the biscuit to cover the top of the dish. It works best if it goes over the edges of the dish a bit to seal in the food. Cook until golden brown and then let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

This has become a family favorite in our home.

Enjoy your chicken...and stay in the Zone!

Foods You Can Freeze!

2012-02-03T17:01:00.001-06:00

While stocking up on all the great deals this week, I came across a great deal on Philadelphia Cooking Cream Cheese. I bought 6 of them, but have no intention of using them all before they expire. So, I decided to look up foods that can be, but normally aren't frozen. I looked online and found a few really great tips. Then, I looked in some of my really old cookbooks and found a plethora of items that can be frozen. (yep...I said plethora! Haha!)

Anyways, here's the list:

Cheese

Hard
Soft
Cream

Bread

Baked
Dough

How to Assemble a Coupon Binder

2012-02-03T14:19:00.000-06:00

For those of you that are not sure how to organize all of your coupons, I created this little video to help you get started. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. It is definitely the best system I have found.
Feel free to share this video with anyone that may need a bit of help getting started.

Have fun...and stay in the ZONE!

Sunday Coupon Preview

2012-02-03T14:07:00.001-06:00

This Sunday's paper is providing a healthy dose of coupons!! You will receive Red Plum, Smart Source and General Mills! Edit**did not recieve General mills! ** It looks like it is time to stock up on cereal again. Woo Hoo! Not only that, with spring right around the corner, they have given us great deals on allergy meds. Check this out:

Claritin Save $4/1 24ct+ (3/4)
Claritin Save $4/1 D 15ct+ (3/4)
Claritin Save $6/1 45ct+ (2/12)

I wonder who is going to have these babies on sale??? I will do some research to find out. If you find out before me, please go to my facebook page The Katy Coupon Zone, and let me know.

Adventures at The 99cent Store

2012-02-03T13:31:00.001-06:00

It's time to admit it ladies, we have all been dollar store snobs at one time or another. I've decided to write this article as an eye opener to the value you can receive by shopping carefully at your local 99cent store.

The most common question I hear from people is "Isn't the food old and expired?" The answer is...sometimes it is. This is where simply looking at the expiration dates on the package comes in very handy.

In today's haul, I was able to find a lot of our families favorite food items for .99 cents or less. This store does not take coupons, so be aware of your prices. There may be times when waiting for a sale at another store and matching up that item with a coupon may bring you a deeper discount. So, educate yourself, and be in the know.

Here is a list of all the items I purchased today:

Philidelphia Cooking Cream Cheese

Purchased 6 for .99 each
Priced elsewhere for approx.: $2.50

Creating a Coupon Zone in Your Home

2012-02-02T18:12:00.001-06:00

Since starting this adventure in May of 2011, I have found that couponing can get quite messy. The family may love the special treats that come from all of your savings, but surely can not stand the mess. After much trial and error, I have finally secluded my couponing to its own little zone. Before I discuss the new area, let me tell you a few of my bad choices, so that you may avoid making the same mistakes I did.

The following is a list of Really Bad Ideas!

Setting up your Coupon Clipping Station in any of the following areas is strictly prohibited!:

The kids classroom.

Home School Moms and Dads..I know its tempting, but don't do it!

Walgreens starting Sunday 8-28-11

2011-08-26T13:20:00.000-05:00

Check out all of the FREEBIES from Walgreens starting out on Sunday! You have got to share these deals with your friends!! Don't miss out on these deals, by shopping early and often.

Carmex Lime Twist or Vanilla Lip Balm .15 oz

Buy 1 Get $1.50 Register Rewards, charitySale Price: $1.50
Q: $ NONEOOP: $1.50
RR’s: $ 1.50
Final Price: FREE!!

Crayola Crayons 24 ct

Regional Deal - May not be available in all areas, check your local ad
Buy 1 Get $1.00 Register Rewards

Sale Price: $1.00
Q: $ NONEOOP: $1.00
RR’s: $ 1.00
Final Price: FREE!!

Estroven Supplements 28 ct

Buy 1 Get $10 Register Rewards, charity

Sale Price: $10.00
Q: $ NONEOOP: $10.00
RR’s: $ 10.00
Final Price: FREE!!

Crest Complete Clean Toothpaste 5.8 oz

Buy 2 Get $3 Register Rewards; Rewards Offer includes Oral B and Crest, use 2 coupons

Other Newspaper Coupons: 07-31 PG

Sale Price: $2.50
Q: $ 1.50 08-28 PG
OOP: $1.50
RR’s: $ 3.00 with purchase of 2
Final Price: FREE!!

CVS starting Sunday 8-28-11

2011-08-26T13:06:00.001-05:00

Hey there friends in the Zone!! Here is your sneek peek into next weeks savings from CVS pharmacy! Please let me know if you find any other fantastic deals, so we can add them to the list!

St Joseph 81 mg Enteric Coated Aspirin 36ct

FREE after $2 Extra Bucks Reward. Earn $1 with coupon from August All You Magazine. Limit 1 Reward. Sale Price: $2.00
Q: $1.00 from 7-20 All You MagazineOOP: $1.00
ECB’s: $2.00 earned
Final Price: $1.00 profit!!

Oral B SuperFloss 50ct, UltraFloss, Satin Floss 55yds or Satin Tape 27yds

Price is after $1 Extra Bucks Reward and newspaper coupon. Limit 2 Rewards.

Sale Price: $1.99
Q: $.75 from 8-28 PG
OOP: $1.24
ECB’s: $1.00 earned
Final Price: $0.24

Osteo Bi Flex, buy 1 get 1 free

Estimated price of $19.99 from cvs.com. Price assumes two coupons.

Sale Price: $10.00
Q: $7.00 from 07-31 RP-1
OOP: $3.00
ECB’s: None
Final Price: $3.00

Scope Dual Blast or Mouthwash 750ml

Price is after $2 Extra Bucks Reward and newspaper coupon. Limit 2 Rewards.

Sale Price: $3.99
Q: $ .75 08-28 PG
OOP: $3.24
ECB’s: $ 2.00
Final Price: $1.24

Back In The Saddle Again!!

2011-08-26T11:40:00.000-05:00

Well, first off, let me tell you, it has been a crazy couple of months. I had a crazy illness crash in on me, and 2 suprise surgeries. I am almost 100% again, and ready to rock and roll with some extreme couponing adventures!! I miss you all, and am ready to get back in the saddle again.

FREE Full Size Pantene Super Q!!

2011-06-28T17:02:00.000-05:00

Hey gang, go to their North America FaceBook Page and like them on Facebook, fill out a very short form and submit! You will receive your Super Q for up to $4.99 (excluding trial size)! Just "LIKE" our page, and then enter your information (US residents only, 18 or older). Limit 1 coupon per household while supplies last. Allow 4-6 weeks for coupon to arrive. Coupon expires September 30, 2011. They will send a confirmation to your e-mail address when your coupon is on the way.

*Coupon by mail for one free shampoo or conditioner (up to 12.6 oz) while supplies last. Certain terms and conditions apply. Available for US residents only. Must be over 18 years old to participate. Limit one coupon per household while supplies last. We are giving away up to 454,000 total coupons. The coupons will become available on June 28, 2011 3:00PM. EST until June 29, 2011 11:59PM EST. Coupon will be received by mail 4-6 weeks from submission. Coupon expires September 30, 2011.

Who Moved My Cheese??

2011-06-28T16:41:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you guys, but when I first started Extreme Couponing, I really thought I had everything together. I'm talking, I had my binder, all my coupons, my places to cut and store the coupons...everything...One thing I didn't anticipate was the rest of my life getting in the way of my couponing adventures!

I am a go-getter by nature. When I find something I love, I go full steam ahead, almost immediately. My family has learned that during those moments, they hang on for dear life as I blaze my new trail of adventures!

I adore that about them, but I have had to stop and think...do they adore that about me?

This week, I have decided to slow down a bit in my couponing adventures, to take notice of my Husband and children and to get a real sense of how they feel about Mommy's new adventure.

In doing so, I have discovered that if I slow down, ask questions and join in their adventures, we have a lot more fun. They love finding deals with me, and my Husband loves seeing the savings, but what they 'Adore' about me is my time.

So as I have been scurrying around like the two little mice in this book, and becoming content with all my couponing successes, my Dad comes along and moves my cheese.

(He wrote about it in Proverbs 31. I don't think that woman really exists, but I truly feel the need to move in the direction of at least a few of those characteristics.)

Allegorically, Who Moved My Cheese? features four characters: two mice, "Sniff" and "Scurry," and two little people, miniature humans in essence, "Hem" and "Haw." They live in a maze, a representation of one's environment, and look for cheese, representative of happiness and success. Initially without cheese, each group, the mice and humans, paired off and traveled the lengthy corridors searching for cheese. One day both groups happen upon a cheese-filled corridor at "Cheese Station C". Content with their find, the humans establish routines around their daily intake of cheese, slowly becoming arrogant in the process.

Walgreens Deals 6/28

2011-06-28T11:42:00.003-05:00

Walgreens has some really cool deals going on! I found these deals at Wild For WAGs!

Read more »

Walmart 6/28/2011

2011-06-28T11:25:00.003-05:00

I just found some really great deals on I Heart The Mart! This man has his couponing down!

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