Wednesday, August 29, 2012

What Happens on the Inside, Happens on the Outside!!

Yesterday in The Frugal Files, my blog at Belle Noir Magazine, I talked candidly about some issues going on in my life. To get the back story to this blog, why don't you check that one out first: See Yourself, Saving Yourself

Now that you've read my challenge to myself, let me go on to say...I just LOVE my new lawn guy!! He is the best!! He needs some business cards!! I let him shop in my donation pile because I am SOOOOOOOO grateful for him (in addition to me paying him of course)!!

Great family guy and since he was referred to me by members of my family that I highly respect, it was a perfect match!!

Here's pictures of his work. The proof is in the miracle he made of my hot mess of a yard!! This was just the front!!

BEFORE (Left Side)


AFTER (Left Side)















BEFORE (Right Side)















AFTER (Right Side)















Now, this is just Step 1. I'm on a mission to get myself and my yard together!! I heated up two bottles of my almost free vinegar and sprayed all the areas where there were weeds, because tomorrow he's putting down mulch!! YAY!! More importantly, a freecycler told me the city sells mulch for cheap. Even though I was already set to hit up Lowes tomorrow for their 4/$10 mulch sale, I think I will just drive around the corner and have them fill up a few large containers for $1.50 each!! WOOHOO!!

I'm getting it right and getting it tight!! I'll check in when the mulch is down!! Stay frugalicious!!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Get Active with Curves!! Get a Free Week Workout Today!!

Hello!! I know it's been a while since I updated this blog, but I appreciate you connecting with me on Facebook and Twitter!! 
I promise to be more active here, but I hope you're checking out my weekly blog, The Frugal Files every Tuesday at 

I'm making some changes with Frugalicious Diva because as I evolve as a person, so does she!! One of the changes I'm making is getting better at having an active lifestyle. I got something that came right on time for me, and you can get in on it too!!

Curves is giving away a FREE week for us to get started on this journey!! They specialize in burning 500 calories in a 30 minute workout, with strength training and cardio for the entire body!!

If you want to go on this journey with me and give it a try, sign up today and print your coupon and get your free workout on!! 
(New guests only)


I just printed mine!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Cover Blown on the CoverGirl Freebies...The Truth

Couponers...BEWARE!!

If you're a couponer, then you are familiar with our beloved CoverGirl coupons. We originally were getting $1.00 off ANY one CoverGirl item, but for the last couple of months, in addition to this gem, we've also been getting $3.00 off ANY two CoverGirl items. We found out we can use them at Family Dollar to get some awesome beauty tools and so, you KNOW we were getting them faithfully!!

I have been having some "interesting" experiences with Family Dollar and their coupon procedures. This happens typically because the register beeps EVERY time we use this coupon. The beep is fine because we know the cashier can manually punch in the discount and Voila...free stuff!! Every time!! It's not usually without some discussion though, as cashiers were coming up with every excuse known (and not known) to couponers, so that we wouldn't walk away with freebies. Some "discussions" are plain ridiculous because my free stuff does not come out of their checks and they certainly don't get paid enough to argue about a $1.00 coupon.

I was going to list all the excuses and blog about it, but after doing a little more research, I found out that Family Dollar found the biggest loophole to stop our usage on theses products. Just for fun, I even solicited one of my favorite couponing groups I LUV 2 COUPON, to run down a list of excuses they've received and here's a few:

Excuse: The picture doesn't match the product.
Answer: It doesn't have to match the product in the picture, just whatever is WRITTEN on the coupon. By the way, the picture changes periodically.

Excuse: You're not allowed to get items for free.
Answer: I am permitted to use my coupon as long as it doesn't exceed the amount of the product and even then...

Excuse: Your coupon is for more than the item costs.
Answer: According to your coupon policy, you are to adjust the coupon down to the price of the item. I realize I'm still responsible for the tax.

BONUS Excuse: It's illegal to get free stuff with coupons.
No need to answer that one...pure nonesense.

Anyway, today, I had the worst experience with the CoverGirl coupons EVER!! So bad, in fact, I had to send a message to Family Dollar's corporate office regarding the poor customer service. The cashier was rude and told me I couldn't use the coupon even before I put it on the counter. She told me since the product was not a P&G (Proctor & Gamble) product, they couldn't take my P&G coupon. But it was the way she said it, talked over me and continued to talk crazy as I exited the store. Unacceptable.

It still didn't sit well when I got home, so I called CoverGirl (800-426-8374) to ask about their products. I found out that some of their CoverGirl products were licensed to a company called Bassett. These products include the following CoverGirl/CoverGirl Queen accessories products:

  • Pumice Stones
  • Nail Clippers
  • Tweezers
  • Emory Boards
  • Eyelash Curlers
  • Etc

Basically...ALL of Family Dollar's CoverGirl beauty items!! Skeptical? Turn your package over, you won't see P&G there, but Bassett Brands. This is Family Dollar's loophole and perhaps for good reason, because if P&G is not going to pay them for the coupons used to buy Bassett licensed products that completely makes sense. I concluded this is probably the communication that Family Dollar's District Manager sent to his stores....so couponers, it looks like we'll be out of luck in the future trying to score these goodies. My projection: their loophole, their loss. We'll simply stop buying them. The End.

This is Frugalicious Diva reporting the Coupon News...signing off!!