Couponing 101: Terms

Having a conversation with a couponer can be confusing for the uninitiated. So here are some of the most common terms used here...but there is a whole lot bigger list over at Hot Coupon World.

• BOGO = Buy One Get One...sometimes half off, sometimes free
• B1G1/B2G1 = Buy # and Get # free or half off (or whatever the terms are)
• Blinkie = Coupons found in the store from Smart Source - usually with a red blinking light
• BTFE = Box Tops for Education (save these for your local school)
• DND/DNT = Do Not Double / Do Not Triple
• IP = Internet Printable
• Peelie = Coupon pealed off a package

It's like a whole different language!

Are Kids Too Spoiled?

Am I the only mom who worries that she's spoiling her kid? I hope not. And I don't generally feel like my kid is a spoiled brat. He's not once thrown a tantrum in a store when I've said no to a toy or treat...I figure that's pretty good for an almost three year old.

But his room is overflowing with toys. And clothes. This kid dresses better than I do. And I'm sure we give him more leeway than kids got 50 years ago. Talking back was not tolerated by my grandfather. Marshal talk back to us often...usually not about important stuff.

Yes, we spank. I admit it and I'm not ashamed of it. Everything in moderation. Quite frankly, we haven't had to spank him very much. It was mostly when he didn't understand time outs and was getting into something dangerous (i.e. sticking his finger in an electrical outlet). Now he HATES being sent to his room and it's a much more effective punishment for him. But he still gets swats when he's particularly defiant.

This is an interesting article.

The saying-no and limit-setting challenges for parents of young children often revolve around food, sleep and media. “By setting limits, we’re teaching them what our values are and the way we think they can lead a happier, productive life,” Dr. High said.

It's so easy to want to make Marshal happy by giving him things or letting him do whatever he wants...and trust me we've fallen so many times. I think he is learning limits and boundaries and we do say no when we need to. But that smile is hard to resist!

I think kids can be too spoiled in ways that previous generations (like my grandparents) wouldn't have considered. Kids take up their parents time like never before. Our lives revolve around our kids. My grandparents certainly didn't rearrange their schedules for their kids. They were supportive parents but they were also busy running their own lives. Did kids have more freedom to just be?

Now we book them into all kinds of activities and events. I hope that I can resist the temptation to keep Marshal busy all the time...but balance that with not letting him get too bored that he wants to start trouble. :)

Albertsons Deals This Week 8/29 - 9/4

I don't know about you, but I see some pretty good deals this week.

Specifically on the back page of the ad...When you buy 10 participating items you get an automatic $5 off your order. Here is the scenario that I want to try...

2 x Best Foods Mayonaise @ 2.99 (22 - 30 oz)
     2 x $1/1 Best Foods Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil (IP...Not sure where I found this one)
     2 x $0.50/1 Albertsons Coupon
     Final Out of Pocket = $1.49 each

2 x Hormel Completes @ $1.49 each
     2 x $1/1 IP
     Final Out of Pocket = $0.49 each

2 x Classico Pasta Sauce @ $1.49 each
     I think I have coupons for this somewhere but if not I'll adjust and get more Birds Eye.
     Final Out of Pocket = ??

3 x Mio Liquid Water Enhancer $3.49
     1 x $1/1 IP (Not sure if this is still available)
     1 x $1/2 IP (still available)
     Final Out of Pocket = $2.83 each

2 x Mt. Olive Pickles @ $1.69
    1 x $1/2 Hang Tag Coupon
    1 x $0.50/1 Albertsons Coupon
    Final Out of Pocket = $1.88 for TWO jars

1 x Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies @ $0.99
     No coupons...but we do use these
     Final Out of Pocket = $0.99

For me these are great deals and the best use of the Buy 10 and get $5 off deal. If you got some of the less expensive items (i.e. buying more Hormel meals at $0.49 instead of Mio Liquid Enhancer) your out of pocket will be even lower.

Also, in the ad, is Kraft Sliced Cheese for $1.23 (already an amazing price) AND there are $1 off coupons to make them ONLY $0.23. Limit 2. I also have an Albertsons coupon for $0.50 so at least one of mine will be totally free. :) I LOVE free.

Also, Nabisco crackers (Ritz, Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins) are $1.37 when you buy 3 boxes and there are several different coupons out there. I found a peelie on some Wheat thins for $1 off 2 boxes. So that would make three boxes a little over $1 a piece.

What deals are you looking forward to ?

Hurry - Free Suncare Kit

Hurry over to get your FREE Sun Care Kit.

It probably won't last long.

Chief for a Day 2012

My friend Raeann sent me an e-mail a few days ago with a link to the event "Chief for a Day" ... noting that it was free and open to the public. What better event to take Marshal to...free pony rides, a helicopter, fire trucks, and all sorts of law enforcement people and vehicles. Pure heaven!

Staying Cool

Pony Rides

Practicing to be a Fireman!

Scary small talking police car

Ice cream kind of day with goofy mommy

Daddy's favorite picture

This event wasn't just for kids to have fun...it was to honor those special kids who have either a terminal illness or a chronic disease. Those kids are TOUGH and so sweet. 

Here's the State Patrol Chief for a Day:

If you want to donate to this great cause, check out their Facebook page.

Curious George? Why Yes, Thank You!

Head on over to Target and get 15% off Curious George books. Marshal loves that funny little monkey!

Some of the books are really discounted...sale ends September 8. These make great birthday gifts and Christmas is only four months away! :)

Coupon Savings - Walgreens, Target, Fred Meyer 8/26/12

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest...and I fail miserably every single Sunday. If God wanted me to rest, he shouldn't have invented coupons! hee hee

My first stop, before anyone else was awake, was Walgreens to try out the Kraft Catalina deal...do NOT try this at home. If you are a new couponer this deal with frustrate the heck out of you. Some folks are reporting that they aren't getting the Catalina at the end of their order. I didn't have that problem. But the Kraft dressing was ringing up full price even though it was supposed to only be 2/$4. I was over charged by over $7 and had to go back later to get it fixed...also not fun.

The deal finally worked. I got everything pictured above, plus some Scotch pop up tape, for less than $13 and two Kraft Velveeta Shells & Cheese not pictured. The Stayfree were free (but also weren't ringing up correctly so had to be adjusted). I used the $10 catalina from the Kraft products to purchase the Cortizone, cotton balls, q-Tips, and four suckers. 

I'll be headed back to Walgreens later this week to get some more FREE Velveeta Shells & Cheese. 

Then I went to Dollar Tree to pick up newspapers...Dollar Tree JUST started taking manufacturers coupons as of Sunday. I expected it to be insane...but I was actually the first person to use coupons there. Woohoo! I win!

I didn't clear the shelves...I got two Dial soaps for $0.65 each, plus my three papers.

After church I clipped coupons for a bit and then headed out again....starting with Target.

My first two orders had me spending about $20 for everything. I loved the deal on the Method cleaning solution...regular $3 something and I got each one for $0.69! The Starkist pouches (ready for sandwiches) were $0.44 each. The Hershey's Simple Pleasures were free. I love free. 

My final deal at Target actually paid me!

Then on to Fred Meyer where I needed a few groceries but also was excited because their Glade candles were 50% off...$1.69 a piece. I had an e-coupon for Buy One, Get One (BOGO) free plus a bunch of other coupons for $1 off each candle. All told, I spent $0.69 on each candle and I got 12 of them. LOVE the Glade candles...they smell SOOOO scrumptious. 

The Classico sauce was $0.19 and the Palmolive was $0.61.

Thank goodness I love going to grocery stores. Target is my Nirvana. =) I spent less than $100 today (quite a bit less...closer to $60) on everything from all three stores. Not too shabby.