Free Extreme Couponing Classes (NW Ohio/SE Michigan)

Hey there frugalicious folks!! Many have asked, so we're answering!! Tasha & I are offering two Coupon Classes!! One for beginners and one for our seasoned couponers!! 

With all the changes going on in the coupon world, who knows what's going on? WE DO!! Lots of updates, but can still save big!! Join us next week!! Take a look at the flyer for all the info!! Hope to see you there!!

Updates & Updated Kroger Coupon Policy!!

OMG!! It has been so long since I blogged and I needed some motivation (and time) to get back in the groove. Whew, social media is a FULL TIME JOB!!

Anyway, there have been a lot of changes in the couponing game lately, so I decided what better time to jump back in and start writing. There will be some MAJOR changes to this blog coming in the future, as it is time to step it up and step out on faith. There are so many things going on in my life right now and I am truly excited about every single one!!

So...let's start here: Kroger has FINALLY released their Coupon Policy on their website. Before, it used to be a serious hide-n-seek game with it, but now that so many changes have come, all the stores are pretty much uniform now. 

First, as of this week, most Kroger stores will have stopped doubling. My region stopped at the beginning of this month and I decided that I would not complain. There's no need to because they aren't going to change it, plus, I'm grateful that we had this long. Our region had almost another year of doubling since Kroger started slashing doubles last year. The bonus is they have been giving us some great coupons, in ABUNDANCE too, many with higher values (that wouldn't have doubled anyway). 

Second, they are really pushing digital coupons. These are really helpful and and easy to load and unload via the Kroger app. My only complaint is that you can't use them on my beloved Manager's Special items. Boo!! I digress...

Lastly, here is the actual link to the policy and the policy below. 
https://www.kroger.com/topic/coupon-policy  

It's pretty much the same as we've known: 5 LIKE coupons and 2 LIKE Internet Printables (IPs), but one thing I noticed was this line: 

"All coupons will be accepted at face value." 

Do you know what that says to me?...that we should now EXPECT OVERAGE!! Aha!

Make sure you print out the updated policy and keep it in your binders for those times when you may need to "have a little talk" with a cashier or manager. Don't forget though...ALWAYS be nice!! Au revoir!!

Another Dollar Tree Coupon Policy Update...

Dollar Tree hasn't been taking coupons for a full year yet and they are making yet ANOTHER change to their coupon policy. They just made a change back in December, but they've come back to the table and added more restrictions. Rumors are one thing, but when they've updated the website, it's official folks!! Clearly, the customers have been responding well, so the good news is that they will continue taking them. For the full policy, click here (go to the bottom of the page): Dollar Tree

This time the changes are highlighted in bold and are as follows:

They reiterated this policy, so stop trying to use Rite Aid coupons there!! LOL!!

• We accept Manufacturer Coupons only. We do not accept retail-specific coupons, such as those of Target, Wal-Mart, etc.

The last time they updated the policy, I wished they had addressed the $/2 coupon. This time they have. Though they made it clear, they also created additional confusion. Take a look:

• We accept coupons for over a dollar on multiple items if the coupon amount does not exceed the combined retail price of the items indicated.
• We accept up to four (4) like coupons per household per day.

In that last update, they told us that if a coupon exceeded the amount of the item, they would reduce the down to the price. So...here they are saying they will reduce it down for one item, but not two items. Seems a little confusing and inconsistent.

I don't mind these changes at all, but as a consumer I feel like they should have done this in the first place. Now, they are working backward and revising way too often in my opinion. They should have just taken the time to PREPARE to accept coupons and develop a THOROUGH coupon policy based on their needs BEFORE they presented it to the public.

Also, we're STILL waiting for them to upgrade those cash registers to scan our coupons!! Another thing they should have done to prepare, so those poor cashiers don't have to key in EVERY coupon!! Maybe that will be on the next updated policy. Perhaps that change will be part of their one year celebration of taking coupons!! We'll just hope. Go out and get your Dollar Tree items!! Enjoy!!

Dollar Tree Updated their Coupon Policy!!

So, it's been almost six months since Dollar Tree started taking coupons!! They tried it, it works for the customers and now they've decided to update their policy!! For the full policy, click here (go to the bottom of the page): Dollar Tree

The biggest changes I saw were:

They mapped out the IP (Internet Printable) policy clearly. Very good. Here are the highlights:

• We accept up to two (2) Internet Coupons per household per day.
• Duplicated (photocopies) Internet Coupons will not be accepted. Each Internet Coupon must have a different serial number.

Additionally, I like that they added benefits for the regular coupons. Again the highlights:

• We accept coupons for over a dollar on a single item. The coupon value will be reduced to the purchase price of the item.
• These guidelines apply to all coupons accepted at Dollar Tree (Manufacturer and Internet Coupons)

I wish all stores were consistent with the above before...I would have gotten many more of my FAVORITE Olay Beauty Bars!! I digress...

These changes are good and I always love clarity, BUT one thing I wish they would have addressed was the $/2 coupon. When I go to my area stores, they tell me I can't use the coupons for Gain, Uncle Ben's Rice, Hefty Slider Bags, Hormel Pepperoni, etc because they are off 2 items instead of one. Now, how that makes financial sense is beyond me because I wouldn't be getting BOTH of them free, I would have to pay something. Oh well, at least they are headed in the right direction.

Now if they can just upgrade those cash registers to scan so those poor cashiers don't have to key in EVERY coupon, I would be TOTALLY pleased!! We'll just hope. Go out and get your Dollar Tree items!! Enjoy!!

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - September 2012

Good

- cooked, took my lunch and ate lots of leftovers

- used coupons, got lots of free items and took advantage of Kraft catalina offers

- earned points to save on gas at Shell, Kroger and Giant Eagle

- donated items and coupons to charity organizations and family/friends

- did no shopping other than coupon shopping, used recyclable bags

- paid off car maintenance card and library fines and got great discounts on car work

- received freebies and coupons in the mail

- set back up my automatic savings plan (weekly)

- continued to save to mutual fund via auto savings draft

- completed my yard project!! See here: http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm51/Latisha-n-Family/New%20Lawn%20New%20Life/?albumview=slideshow

- obtained a full time job on my terms!! Thank you Jesus!!

 

Bad

- did not use my budget sheet as planned

- had to get new rotors, so charged it to car maintenance card

 

Ugly

- NOT A THING

 

September was full of grace and favor!! I finally got tired of being the rut I was in and decided life would get better RIGHT NOW!! When I changed my tune and increased my faith, things started falling into place!! I was able to get my lawn and yard done (after being played) and now I have an AWESOME new lawn guy!! I even found cheap mulch!!

I'm looking forward to what is next!! I am grateful and blessed!!

How was your September?

Free Trial Size Right Guard at Meijer!! Plus Overage!!

While at Meijer and taking advantage of the awesome Kraft Catalina deals, I ran across this one!!

If you have either the Right Guard printables from Coupons.com, you get them FREE at Meijer. They are the trial sizes, but there are no size restrictions on these coupons. The best part is the trial sizes are on CLEARANCE for $0.87, so not only are they free, but you get the OVERAGE to use on your other items!! Check out the trial section at your Meijer and take along these printables!! Great donation items!!

Right Guard Total Defense 5 Anti-Perspirant or Deodorant, Trial Size - $0.87 (Clearance Price)
-$1.00/1 Right Guard Total Defense 5 Anti-Perspirant or Deodorant, exp. 09/16 (RP 08/19/12)
or use
$2.00/2 Right Guard Total Defense 5 Deodorant,Body Wash or Bar Soap products exp. 10/07 (RP 09/09/12) 
or use
-$1.00/1 Right Guard Total Defense 5 printable coupon 
or use
-$2.00/2 Right Guard Total Defense 5 printable coupon
Final Cost: FREE + $0.13 Moneymaker on each!! 

*You can print two coupons per computer (in this case, the $2/2 may only print ONE) 

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!!

Frugalicious Giveaway: WIN Sunday Coupon Inserts for ONE YEAR!!

I LOVE freebies and I LOVE to win, don't you?!! 

Well, here's a great drawing for all those couponers or wanna-be couponers out there!!

Sign up for this AWESOME giveaway from 
Sunday Coupon Preview!!

Get over there now, for your chance to win a 

Year's Worth of FREE Coupon Inserts!! 

Coupons are just like money, so get over there and enter that contest!! It's so easy!!

GIVE & GET Week - Day 2

Hey folks!!

Just stopping in to post my Give & Get today!!

For my GET…well I got free lunch and dinner and I also received lots of coupons!! This week’s and the last few weeks’ circulars!! Woohoo!!

As far as my GIVE…it was a great day!! I gave away more stuff from freecycle and gave the leftovers to Goodwill. In addition to that, I helped a client/friend declutter her office today (Project 1 of 10). We got rid of major paper clutter…three large bags worth of shredded paper and two paper bags worth of recycling. I threw the paper in my recycling bin and donated the shredded paper to a local cat shelter that welcomes this recycling.

There’s lots more to do, but we made great progress!!

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of March

How was your March? How did you do and where did you land? Share your Goodness or Madness of your March. What was Good, Bad and Ugly for you? Here's mine...

Good

- used only cash all month and had several zero spending days

- used coupons and saved over 60% of my normal grocery budget

- cooked what we had and ate leftovers
- couponed and got cheap and free items (check previous blogs)

- donated items to fire victims and to Savers and received coupon

- continued to save via auto savings drafts

Bad

- two words: Library Fines (Boooooooooooo!!!)

- was very disorganized

- was haphazard with my budget sheet (*Gasp* Bad girl...I'm human)

Ugly

- Unexpected car issues...to the tune of almost $400!!

GOALS for April

- continue to build my businesses, accept new contracts

- complete DIY home projects

- finish decluttering efforts

- have at least 10 zero spending days (not including bills)

- start saving to my Travel fund again

March was kind of a whirlwind. I remember being in Kroger way too many times…but I was hooked on finding deals, especially now that my printer is working. The deals and free items are so worth it!! I'm buying what we use and I saved so much in my budget (I did calculate that much).

This month did bring about some financial realizations and in some areas, I really need to step up my game. I’m always looking for a new opportunity, but I need more focus in securing them. That will change in April. Writing it down and making it happen!!

Life is such a great gift!! I encourage everyone to live it to your fullest potential ALL THE TIME!! Enjoy it, stop worrying and smile!!


~Frugalicious Diva~
Living it UP and in Abundance in 2012
Follow Me on Twitter @FrugaliciousDva

Free Kroger Stuff-03/16/12

Hey folks,

Just checking in with my free stuff!! Hit up Kroger and cleaned up!! See pic below. The veggies are for us and were both free due to an error on the cashier's end. She was very sweet and didn't quite understand the sale in conjunction with my Buy 1, Get 1 Free coupon and ended up crediting more than the sale price. Thanks Linda!!

The beauty items were free with my coupons; the Suave was was on sale for less than my coupon and the Clairol was on CLEARANCE. Those both equal FREE to me!! Great donation items!!

My Free Stuff this Week!! 03/04-03/10

Just sharing my abundant week!! My cup runneth over and I have a bunch to donate!!

Couponing is great and giving is greater!! Here's the free stuff I got this week. I'll be donating most of the items to a women's shelter!! Someone shared the coupons with me, so it's only right that I share the goods!! Take a look!!

Money Saving at Meijer!!

It's been a very frugalicious month for me so far!! I'm learning more than I expected...and I expected to learn alot. Between watching the sales, doing store/price match ups and gathering my free items, I am overwhelmed, but in a good way. I am really getting the hang of this.

My confession...I don't want to purchase the Sunday paper...I've already been spoiled, thinking I should get everything for free!! After all, I am the Frugalicious Diva!! LOL

Anyway, per the advice of all my coupon mentors, I have just about mastered the coupon quirks and policies for two stores: Kroger and Walmart. There are so many of them easily accessible to me and I like their coupon policies the best. Walmart allows unlimited coupons and pays overage when the coupon is more than the item. While Kroger does neither of those, they double coupons and has great deals you can get on a Kroger savings card!!

Which brings me to what I'm excited about this week. MEIJER!! Besides a few mystery shopping jobs I had there a few years ago, I never really had a reason to go there. It' s a little out of the way and it's expensive in my opinion, but with the couponing blogs finding out about the deals, I think I'm getting on board. I stopped in  initially to check out the clearance racks...it's no Kroger and I found nodda. Food-wise, the only thing on clearance are the baked goods they had to many of yesterday...boo.

One YAY for them is their savings program: mPerks. It's a card, just like Kroger; you can load ecoupons, just like Kroger; you can save, just like Kroger...well kind of. While you can load ecoupons from their website, Kroger allows you to use either the ecoupon OR a manufacturer/printable coupon. With mPerks, you can stack the ecoupon (already on your card) with your physical coupons, which adds to the savings!! Meijer also doubles coupons, but only the first two, but still honors the face value of all your other coupons.

Meijer wants you to get on board too, so when you sign up for your mPerks, which only requires your cell phone number (no physical card to carry around), they automatically give you $2.00 to spend in the store. The drawback is be ready to save THAT day, as it's the only day it's valid. So don't miss out (like I did), use your money and get your savings. Sign up here: Meijer mPerks

Here was my first shopping trip with Meijer Deals. I saved $5.56!! I paid a total of $5.00 even!! All the gum was FREE!!

Clearance Shopping: Discounting Discounts!!

I made a new discovery last week and it was really in effect this past weekend.

When shopping, it is customary for me to head directly to the clearance racks. It's usually there because it's off season or because it simply needs to leave the store expeditiously in order to make room for new items. One can often find classic pieces to fit in a wardrobe or a gem of an item that you've always wanted. If you're more about personal style than trends, then you don't mind shopping from the low budget rack, in fact you gloat there.

So, for something so commonplace to me, why didn't I realize I could shop clearance EVERYWHERE, including the grocery store? Last week I discovered Kroger's clearance goodies. By chance, I asked an associate and she pointed me to a clearance table in one area of the store and a shelf on the opposite side of the store. Although I found some great deals, I only took advantage of a couple. Clearance is the way to shop, ESPECIALLY if you have coupons!!

I saw a range of cereals, lotions, kitchen utensils. Items that I had coupons for, but didn't use, I left on the table for someone else to benefit. After all folks, if you're paying for something you don't need, even if it's on clearance, it's a waste of money!! I had never tried Silk Almond Milk and the individual servings were on the table, so I picked up a couple of those for 0.89 each (normally $1.00). I also found some SoftSoap dispensers that we use. I got two for 0.79 each (normally $1.49). We're stocked and it was a good deal!!

I will be sure to ask about these goody racks every time I set foot into a grocery store, especially Kroger. Words of wisdom frugalicious folks: ALWAYS take your coupons!! You NEVER know what deal you'll find and getting a discount on the discounted items...is gravy!! Enjoy your week!!