The Sharp Scissors Lady

"Local Ladies:" Meet Coupon Crazy Chrys

2010-03-17T20:16:00.003-04:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Chrys, the blog author of Coupon Crazy Chrys (.com), is a Metro Detroit blogger who is passionate about helping US to make sense of the Drugstore Game!

Chrys graciously dedicates large chunks of her time to matching coupon to all of the weekly deals at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart, Save-A-Lot and Family Dollar. Chrys does an amazing job of linking $/$$$ coupons to the drug stores, so we can save just a little bit more, as well as setting up deal scenarios so that we can get the "best bang for our buck!"

Chrys, thank you for spending your time, and posting early so that we can fill our homes with quality products and still have plenty more to share!

Want-A-Peek Wednesday

2010-03-17T16:38:00.004-04:00

Meijer

Grocery Total: $74.40
Spent: $12.32
Saved: $62.08
Store Rewards Spent: $0
***I made 2 transactions.

Items purchased with coupons:
KEY: MFC= Manufacturer's coupon, MBC= Meijer Mealbox coupon, IP= Internet printable coupon.

Betty Crocker potatoes (IP), Old Orchard juice (IP & MBC), Bagel bites (IP), Goldfish crackers (IP), Land O Lakes butter (IP), Crackerfills (MFC & Meijer coupon), Valley Fresh Steamers (IP), Chex Mix (IP).

Costco

Grocery Total: $22.10
***My sister and I are throwing a shower for my soon to be sister in law! I was tickled to find flour tortillas (36 for $3.79) at Costco! I'll be sharing a new party recipe soon!

Target (no picture, sorry)
*I needed a gallon of milk, and Target, who normally sells a gallon for $3.49, had them on sale for $1.99... so I price matched Kelloggs cereal (rolling a $5 GC and receiving a new one!), and I picked up several trial sized items.

I'm not sure how I ended up paying so little, but I checked out at the Customer Service desk and it took 10+ minutes and my cashier leaving to ask questions % TIMES... so, I think she *may* have paid me for my time.

Grocery Total: $31.10
Spent: $1.51
Saved: $30.59
Store Rewards Spent: $5 (Gift Card)

Weekly Purchasing: $128.60
Spent: $35.93
Saved: $92.67

Price Matching at Target

2010-03-17T16:19:00.005-04:00

In case you have yet to try to price match at Target, and you've got some hesitation moving into uncharted territory (especially is you shop at a coupon- hating location, such as myself!), Kerry who blogs at Totally Target has written this fantastic article to help you navigate your way! Thanks Kerry!

PS: Kerry's blog name, like totally reminds me of like, the 80's... uh, yeah!

Have YOU ever price matched at Target? I have twice, and I find it kind of a hassle, but worth the savings.

"Local Ladies:" Meet Centsable Momma

2010-03-16T16:56:00.003-04:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Corrie, the blog author of Centsable Momma (.com), is a Michigan blogger who, I am almost positive, is the original (the first) Metro Detroit savings blogger!

Corrie especially likes to share online, Facebook and HOT Internet printable deals, as well as nice freebies that you can receive in your very own mailbox! Corrie shares weekly about how you can earn a little bit of extra money through answering online surveys in your free time, how you can receive a gift card from filling/transferring prescriptions (she shares where you can get your hands on these coupons), and Corrie also participates in the CVS $5 Challenge, sharing specific inexpensive deal scenarios for you to duplicate at CVS.

Corrie, thank you for teaching us how we can spend a little time online and save a LOT of money in the stores!

K Mart SUPER DOUBLES Scoop

2010-03-16T16:42:00.002-04:00

Meghan, of Savvy Saving, has the scoop on K Mart's SUPER DOUBLES starting on Sunday, April 4th (Easter Sunday). Meghan has discovered that shoppers who would like their high value (up to $2) coupons to double, will need a special K Mart card.

***K Mart's SUPER DOUBLES, if you have yet to participate, are certain weeks that K Mart allows us coupons spenders to double our discount by having our coupons doubled. Previously, there had been no limits to the number of coupons that a shopper may spend, but K Mart has continuously been tightening its "acceptance belt," and now we will need a special card that will track the 5 coupons that we will be allowed to spend per day. YIKES, this is getting ridiculous!

Tutorial Tuesday: Chocolate Covered Oreos

2010-03-16T06:55:00.002-04:00

I recently made these beauties for a bake sale fund raiser... and they sure turned out beautifully!

Ingredients: Oreos, self hardening chocolate, sprinkles, mini Ziploc's (to keep them fresh!) and sucker sticks.

Take a cookie and 'gingerly' slide a stick inside.

Sliding the stick inside with loosen the cookie halves apart with breaking the cookies. While you are opening your cookies, place you self hardening chocolate either in a double boiler or into the microwave.... I prefer the microwave. If you choose to microwave, melt your chocolate pieces 30 seconds at a time, stirring well. Also, it is important that NO water ever get inside your bowl of chocolate!

After you've dolloped a little bit of chocolate in between the cookies, add the stick, and gently squish together!

Now for the fun part!

Spoon your melted chocolate over the cookie, it is really helpful to keep your chocolate hot, for the best coating! If you feel like your chocolate has begun to cool, and it doesn't drizzle over (and run off of) the cookie well anymore... reheat!

Make sure to coat all of the cookie, sometimes air pockets can form along the rim of the sandwich (does it sound healthier if I call it a "sandwich?" I didn't think so!)!

Sprinkle with a few colorful sprinkles...

Rinse and repeat... and then WOW those who are lucky enough to enjoy these with you! YUM!

"Local Ladies:" Meet Coley's Q's

2010-03-15T17:14:00.003-04:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Nicole, the blog author of Coley's Q's (.blogspot.com), is a Metro Detroit blogger who loves to share the deals that she plans to personally purchase, as well as the deals that she finds throughout the week!

Nicole loves to share her passion for saving by posting online, and Facebook deals, as well as posts exclusively dedicated to Internet printable coupons. Nicole's most recent coupon project is Macomb County Coupon Swap, a local forum to find and trade coupons.

Nicole, thank you for creating another online resource allowing others to learn to save!

Drug Store Deals: March 14th Weekly Edition

2010-03-15T09:16:00.002-04:00

THANK YOU Coupon Crazy Chrys for your drug store deal-ing coupon match-ups!

Drug store deals for this week:

CVS:
Aussie products $.99, Herbal Essence, 2 for $.99

Walgreens:

Revlon deals, $.72 boxes of Kleenex and FREE Colgate!

Rite Aid:
FREE Right Guard deodorant, inexpensive Hershey's candy, and $.59 Dawn

Chrys is a local Detroit blogger who is a master of spending very little out of pocket at CVS, Walgreen's and Rite Aid- and she has graciously allowed me to link her drug store coupon match-ups with you each Monday... WOO HOO, thanks Chrys!!! Coupon Crazy Chrys is now available along my sidebar!

Grocery Game Plan: Kroger

2010-03-15T09:16:00.001-04:00

Here are my favorite stockpilable items this week, 3/15- 3/21, at Kroger!

Feel free to visit Kroger.com to view the complete ad.

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Kroger eggs, $1

Kroger OJ, half gallon, $1

March to Savings, purchase 8 participating items receive $4 off

Del Monte canned tomatoes, $1.29
Spend the $1/4 MFC
Total (with $.50 discount): $.54 when you purchase 4

Coke 2L, $1.29
Total (with the $.50 discount): $.79

Visit Macomb Money Savers to see the rest of this weeks deals at Kroger for the Metro Detroit area.

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*Kroger sale prices are available to those who shop with a Kroger Savings Club Card. You will only receive the sale price discounts when you shop with your card. If you don't have a Kroger Savings Club Card, just stop by the Customer Service desk and sign up for a card so that you may begin reaping the discounts immediately.

*Kroger will double Manufacturer coupons up to and including $.50.

*NEW!!! Kroger now limits the number of coupons allowable to 3 identical coupons per like items. Purchasing several flavors/varieties side steps this limit!

*Rain checks for out of stock items are available at the customer service desk.

*Kroger offers a 'brought my own bag' discount of $.05 per bag.

*If you are headed to SUPER Kroger (108 W. Highland Rd., Howell MI 48843 (517) 552-0126) the most local Kroger that doubles coupons up to and including $1 (up to THREE identical coupons) visit 123Save for the best deals for the current week's promotions.

AND AS ALWAYS, please leave me a comment if I have missed any sweet deals!

Grocery Game Plan: Meijer

2010-03-15T09:15:00.000-04:00

Here are my favorite stockpilable items this week, 3/14- 3/20, at Meijer.

To check out the full online ad for this week at Meijer, click here.

KEY: MFC = Manufacturer's Coupon, MBC = Mealbox Coupon

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Purchase 10 get the 11th item FREE, here are some of the best deals:

Michigan apples, 3 pounds

Idaho potatoes, 5 pounds

Coke & Pepsi, 2L

Grands Biscuits
Spend the $.30/2 MFC
Total: $.70 when you purchase 2

Bagel Bites
Spend the $1 IP (available at Macomb Money Savers)
Total: FREE

Chex Mix
Spend the $.50 IP (available at Macomb Money Savers)
Total: FREE

Del Monte canned tomatoes
Spend the $1/4 MFC
Spend the $.25 MBC
Total: $.50 each when you purchase 4

Other deals...

Ziploc bags (15-22 count), $1.99
Spend the $.40 MFC
Total: $1.20

Lays chips, $1.99, 50% off

Check out the rest of this week's Metro Detroit Meijer Match-ups, visit Macomb Money Savers!

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To access Meijer Mealbox coupons (MBC): Mealbox Generator to print multiple Mealbox coupons per page. Or visit Meijer online (look for the 'Special's tab in the blue box to the right!) to print a single coupon per page. I offer two printing locations because the Mealbox Generator is not as extensive as the Meijer online site.

Keep in Mind:

*Meijer will only double the first TWO identical MANUFACTURER coupons. This may mean that you will need to break your purchasing into ONE large transaction and SEVERAL smaller transactions to ensure that ALL of your coupons are able to double.

*Meijer will never double a Mealbox coupon.

*Meijer allows the 'Stacking' of one Manufacturer coupon and one Mealbox coupon per item purchased unless either coupon states otherwise. For example, a coupon may say save $1 on two items, then you would need to follow the purchasing rules for that specific coupon.

*Rain checks are available at the customer service desk, at the podium in front of the cash register lines or with your cashier.Remember that Meijer rain checks have an expiration date 30 days from printing along with a limited quantity printed on the rain check. The quantity limited depends on your stores location.

AND AS ALWAYS, please leave me a comment if I have missed a deal... Thank you!

"Local Ladies:" Meet Dawn Loves Coupons

2010-03-14T20:04:00.003-04:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Dawn, the blog author of Dawn Loves Coupons (blogspot.com), is a Metro Detroit blogger who loves to share the deals that she finds!

Dawn loves to share learning experiences through her personal shopping experiences! Dawn recently began adding recipes into her weekly posts, as well particular ways in how she keeps her personal spending low on the products that her household consumes most frequently. Dawn, also is a Southern Living consultant on the side!

Dawn, thank you for encouraging us with your tips and tricks to saving!

Sunday Survey

2010-03-14T10:12:00.002-04:00

What is YOUR shopping style?

Are you an 'in and out' kind of shopper? Do you linger in the stores so you don't miss a thing? Do you prefer to shop alone or in good company?

Me? I'm an 'in and out' kind of girl, but I love to shop with my son... he is a delight riding shotgun in my cart!

"Local Ladies:" Meet Give Me Neither

2010-03-13T18:48:00.004-05:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Sarah, the blog author of Give Me Neither (.com), writes a spectacular blog geared towards saving and giving on the west side of the state!

Sarah shares online deals, and give aways, as well as hot finds for Aldi, CVS, Family Fare, K Mart, Meijer, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart! I love that Sarah began her blogging journey in hopes of inspiring others to become more wise in their spending so that they may be able to become more generous, through The White Bucket Project.

Sarah, thank you for your continuous deal seeking to help us all spend (and give) more wisely!

Spending/Saving Saturday March 7-March 13

2010-03-13T18:08:00.007-05:00

*** I forgot to add the 10 Snickers bars into this picture... oops!

Meijer:
Grocery Total: $41.85
Spent: $9.68
Saved: $32.17
Store Rewards Spent: $0

Items purchased with coupons:
KEY: MFC= Manufacturer's coupon, MBC= Meijer Mealbox coupon, IP= Internet printable coupon.

Barilla pasta, (MFC), Snickers (MFC)

Mom & Pop Grocery store:
Spent: $1.99

Walgreens:
Item total: $24.37
Spent: $1.97
Saved: $22.40

Rite Aid:
Item total: $77.18
Spent: $0 (used gift card)
Saved: $77.18

CVS:
Item total: $14.82
Spent: $0 (used gift card)
Saved: $14.82

Plus earlier this week's grocery trip
Grocery Total: $87.00
Spent: $24.31
Saved: $62.69
Store Rewards Spent: $5 (RR's) and a $7 store credit

Weekly Total: $247.89
Spent: $37.95
Saved: $209.94

Fighting Cancer with Coupons WINNER

2010-03-12T15:34:00.002-05:00

Erin Brewster of Milford has been selected as the winner to the Birdies and Bad Drivers cancer fighting fund raiser! Yay Erin!

A special THANK YOU goes out to each of you who made a donation for a chance to win!

"Local Ladies:" Meet Staying Lean in Oakland County

2010-03-12T14:09:00.004-05:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Tashena, the blog author of Staying Lean in Oakland County (.blogspot.com), is a stellar deal seeker both online and locally (South Eastern Michigan)!

Tashena loves to share RedBox (.com) and Blockbuster Express (.com) codes that allow us all to rent FREE movies, and local Groupon (.com) daily deals. Tashena is almost always hosting a give away on her site, and I absolutely love the 'after the shop' grocery pictures!

Tashena, keep up the great work of sharing the deals that you find!

"Clean Me Up Spotty:" Clothes Closet Edition

2010-03-12T13:47:00.003-05:00

Since it feels like Spring is actually upon us (I will CRY if we have another major snow fall), its high time that I clean out and reorganize my clothing.

Dave, my husband, and I used to enjoy "his and hers" closets... ahem, before we were blessed with our son! Now we share a non-walk-in closet, and lets just say that we strive to have harmony in our closet, but its tough now that our clothes are "shacking up" together!!!

I think that the grey days of Winter bring out the worst in me... I allow colonies of dust bunnies to multiply and I become a closet "closet shover!" OK, its NOT that bad, but there is just something about the sunshine that makes me want to reorganize!

Yesterday I literally touched every single piece of clothing that I owned and I buckled down and made some tough decisions... Keep. Toss. Donate. Wow, that's way easier said than done! But, now that it IS done, it feels so good! I can't wait to donate a whole lot of nice, yet seldom worn clothing!

Dave even got in on the action last night, although I think it was because of a little bit of peer pressure... wink!

How often do YOU purge your closets?

Meijer SUPER Saturday Sale

2010-03-12T08:48:00.002-05:00

Jolyn has an extensive list of the SUPER Saturday sale items at Meijer for this weekend!

Check out the great deals here... make sure to stock up on inexpensive toilet paper while you are there!

"Local Ladies:" Meet Money Saving Mama in Michigan

2010-03-11T13:55:00.001-05:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Wendy, the blog author of Money Saving Mama in Michigan (.blogspot.com), is a Mid- Michigan blogger (Lansing to be exact!)

Wendy is a View Ambassador (she has the inside scoop for the future shows), she loves to share links for FREE samples, hosts give aways, and shares the links to all of the FaceBook freebies!

Wendy, thank you for carving time out of your days to help save other families money!

Thought Provoking Thursday

2010-03-11T13:03:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I think that spending coupons can bring out the most competitive spirit in each of us! If you are anything like me, I like to watch every grocery/household purchasing cent that I spend, because caring for the needs of my family has become more of a "game" to me!

I've learned, that playing this "game" to the best of one's ability, requires these "skills:"

1. START by taking a good look at where you are NOW! How much are you currently spending to feed and care of the basics in running your household smoothly? Honestly, is the key to future success, review your receipts and evaluate where you are and where you'd like to be, financially speaking.

2. COVER YOUR BASES: Take inventory of the items that you already have on hand (how many bags of FREE Green Giant Steamers are still in your freezer?), and what items your family uses most frequently. For the 'constant purchasables,' like toothpaste and laundry detergent, stock up for 6 months to a year's worth of these items at a time (of course, when they are deeply discounted) and keep from having to purchase at less than spectacular prices for longer periods of time.

3. MOVE FORWARD: Think towards future purchases! How will you continue to slice and dice your grocery/household purchases? Will you purchase toilet paper and shampoo from the drug stores (even though the prices are much higher) because you can spend your store rewards on these essential items? Will you purchase more fresh produce this summer to freeze for the slim pickin's days of winter produce? Will you try some new recipes in order to eat more often from your stockpile?

4. HOME: Have you created a home environment that successfully cares for every need that arises for your family while keeping an eye on your budget? Do you eat well, do your kids enjoy special treats (if your kids know that they only get those special treats if you have a coupon for those items, raise your hand!!!) and is your bathroom cupboards and fully stocked with enough toothpaste to last you to 2011!

And here are the last two essential elements to happy 'gamesmanship...'

TEAM SPIRIT: Shop for the good of those outside of your immediate family! Planning and purchasing items for others who may benefit from your generosity will always have a win/win effect!

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP: Don't get wrapped up with someone else being able to spend less than you... length of time spending coupons, number of family members, types of foods purchased, and personal shopping habits all factor into who spends how much (or how little)! Focus, instead, on improving your standards for yourself!

Have YOUR ideas of shopping changed since YOU began spending coupons? Do YOU view shopping as a game?

REMINDERS:

2010-03-10T13:47:00.001-05:00

Have you ever wanted to SHOP with ME... ask any coupon question, have me coach you in where/how to purchase your family's favorites... and SPEND MY COUPONS?

Well, I'm being auctioned off!!! I'm FIGHTING CANCER with COUPONS, and a $5 donation HERE could win you a shopping date with yours truly!

Drawing to be held on March 12, 2010. Winner will be notified immediately after drawing!!!

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Coupon Class in Livonia

Saturday March 13, 10am-Noon

The class is approximately 2 hours in length and includes tips, tricks and skills to purchasing all of your grocery and household needs for less!

You must register (along right sidebar) to secure your seat! Find the rest of the class details HERE!

"Local Ladies:" Meet Spectacular Savings

2010-03-10T13:30:00.005-05:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Heather, the blog author of Spectacular Savings (.net) writes a fantastic blog filled with fabulous finds! Spectacular Savings is based in the Kalamazoo area, and offers coupon match ups for Meijer and Rite Aid!

Two unique features found at Spectacular Savings are the "Save More, Give More" weekly post alerting you to FREE or nearly FREE items that are absolutely donation worthy, and Heather's passion for freezer cooking!

Heather, thanks for spending some time online to share your tips, tricks and insight with the rest of us!

Want-A-Peek Wednesday

2010-03-10T12:37:00.002-05:00

Meijer

Grocery Total: $87.00
Spent: $24.31
Saved: $62.69
Store Rewards Spent: $5 (RR's) and a $7 store credit

Items purchased with coupons:
KEY: MFC= Manufacturer's coupon, MBC= Meijer Mealbox coupon, IP= Internet printable coupon.

Benevia (IP), Green Giant boxed veggies (IP's & rain check), Dial soap pump (IP), Ore Ida (MFC)

Great Scoop for Bakers!

2010-03-10T07:58:00.002-05:00

Jolyn just wrote a great article about purchasing baking supplies for less than full retail since coupons for these types of supplies are not always available! Be sure to read the comments!!!

I didn't grow up in a house with a whole lot of baking... but I'm working on brushing up my skills thanks to savvier spending! If I burn something or the recipe flops (it could *never * be my fault... wink!) I'm not frustrated by wasting a ton of money/ingredients... I'm just frustrated about wasting my time and energy!!! ;)

"Local Ladies:" Meet Monroe on a Budget

2010-03-09T13:20:00.002-05:00

I have decided to take the next several weeks to introduce MICHIGAN's long list of savvy shopping blogs to you! Each day I will be adding a new blog to my "Local Ladies" sidebar! Enjoy!

Paula, the blog author of Monroe on a Budget (blogsmonroe.com/budget), is also an author in black and white! Paula, by day, is a newspaper reporter for The Monroe Evening News!

Paula, who targets her writing to the middle class, has written some extremely informative articles from assistance programs to utility bills... and I think, everything in between! Check out all of the scoop that she has gathered, along her left sidebar!

Paula, thank you for sharing your knowledge of frugal living resources for those of us battling this tough economy here in Michigan! Keep the great articles coming!