What I'm Reading...

Here's an article about time - Professional Time, Leisure Time, and Wasted Time. I try to keep a good amount of leisure time in my life, but I find myself wasting time quite a bit too. (The Simple Dollar)

Is there only one correct answer? Do you have to choose between the options? Is it possible for both A and Z to be correct? Avoid False Choices, from The Happiness Project.


An article from Unclutterer.com about having 7 pairs of scissors. It's okay to have things that you actually use.

The Top 7 Weird Ways to Make Money. (Northern Cheapskate)

Free Bottle of Country Bob's Sauce

Fill out the form to get a coupon mailed to you for a free bottle of Country Bob's All Purpose sauce. They will only mail it to you if you have a store near you that sells it (check the store locater) - apparently our Walmart does. Has anyone tried this stuff? We'll have to check it out with our free coupon...
Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

P&G Brand Sampler

If you haven't already, sign up for P&G's Brand Sampler. Once a quarter, you can select the samples and coupons you'd like from them - they will let you know if you've already done it for the quarter. I just signed up for mine, which include samples of Pantene and Head & Shoulders, and coupons for Gillette ProGlide, Cheer, Tide Stain Release, and Bounty. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Sample: SmoothSmooth Hair Care

Get a free sample of SmoothSmooth Shampoo and Conditioner by Erik Prautsch. I've never heard of this - anyone know who sells it or if it's new? Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Target Deals

Here's my Target trip from tonight:

• 1 Bounty Paper Towel: $0.99. Used $1/1 coupon that I randomly got in the mail today = free!
• 3 Crystal Light Pure Fitness 10 packs: on sale for $1.97 each. Used three $2/1 Vocalpoint mailer coupons that I got in the mail today = free!
• 2 Up & Up baby cereal puffs: $1.72 each.
• 1 Huggies Jumbo pack diapers: $8.99. Used free jumbo pack coupon from Enjoy the Ride Rewards points = free!
• 184 count Huggies wipes: $5.99. Used $0.50/1 (insert) and $3.50 Huggies diapers and 184-ct+wipes Target printable = $1.99. I should note that the coupon beeped at the register because by getting the diapers free, I wasn't technically purchasing them. The manager came over and I asked if the free coupon could count as purchasing them, since the store got reimbursed for the coupon, so someone was purchasing them. I was only going to ask once, and she overrode it and let it go through, so I got a really awesome deal on those.
• Total paid: $5.83. Total saved: $20.86.

Blockbuster Kiosk Free Movie Code

Use the code "THREE" to get a free movie from a Blockbuster Movie Kiosk. This code is good June 28th only.

Free Veria Organic Vanilla Lip Balm

Enter to win a trip to Hawaii and get a free organic vanilla lip balm from Veria. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Free Digiorno Deep Dish Pizza

"Like" Digiorno on Facebook and go to their Deep Dish Devotions Tab. (The Deep Dish Pizza is their newest single serve pizza). Add the application and put your face in one of the photos - the easiest is to just pull your profile picture. Submit it, and it will take you to a form to fill out your information for a free coupon to be mailed to you. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Sample: Stayfree

Click here for a free sample of Stayfree. I have requested this one in the past, and it looks like it has reset!

Free Sample: Nivea Happy Sensations Body Lotion

Get a free sample of Nivea Happy Sensations Body Lotion from Walmart. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Update: Get another free sample from the Nivea website. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Beech Nut Next Steps Kit

Sign up for a free Beech Nut Next Steps Kit. I am not sure exactly what this will have with it, but a kit I previously signed up for came with a free product coupon and several other good coupons as well. You will also be automatically signing up for their email newsletter, which comes about once a month with some good coupons as well. Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Update: You can still sign up for the Beech Nut Baby Starter Kit and the Beech Nut Toddler Welcome Kit. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Free 8 x 10 Photo Collage at Walgreens

I meant to post this sooner, but you can get a free 8 x 10 photo collage (6-20 photos) from Walgreens. Choose store pick-up to get it completely free, or pay shipping (I think it's $1.49). But you have to do it today! The code is GOBIG8X10. Go do it now! And, if you're new to Walgreens photo, you'll also get 25 free prints.

Free Sample: Kellogg's All Bran Summer Promise Pack

Sign up here for the Kellogg's All Bran Summer Promise Pack. I got the spring one earlier this year, and it had 2 samples, 3 coupons, and a pack of marigold seeds. This one should be just as good if not better! Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Sample: Dove Damage Therapy

Get a free sample of Dove Damage Therapy Hair Care from Costco (no membership necessary). Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Sample: Propel Fitness

"Like" Propel on Facebook and get a free sample of Propel Fitness powder drink mix. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Free Sample: Bodycology Lotion

Get a free sample of Bodycology Lotion from Walmart - choose either Cherry Blossom or Cucumber Melon. Sample lotions are perfect for throwing in your purse! Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Sample: Chex Mix

Get a free sample of Chex Mix by "liking" Tablespoon.com on Facebook. Then click on the "Free Sample" tab and follow the instructions. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

What I'm Reading...

Are You Eating Yourself Into Debt? Sure, there are the obvious ways - eating out costs more - but what about the long-term effects on your health, and therefore, your budget? (Man vs. Debt)

What produce is the cheapest? Check this list of which in-season fruits and veggies are probably the least expensive. (link from The Simple Dollar)

Bloom Where You Are Planted - a short post about contentment that absolutely is what I am striving for right now. (Money Saving Mom)

Free Sample: Pampers Extra Protection

Get a free sample of Pampers Extra Protection diapers in size 4 or 5. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

Get a free sample of new All OxiActive Detergent from Walmart. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

New Links: Free Samples of Secret Clinical and Aveeno Nourish

Walmart is offering another free sample of Secret Clinical Strength Deoderant. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

Here's another link to a sample of Aveeno Nourish Hair Care. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Free Sample Bounty Paper Towels

Free sample of Bounty Paper Towels from Sam's Club - no membership number needed!

Free Simple Green Cleaner

Get a free bottle of Simple Green concentrated cleaner (along with a dilution bottle) here. Just type in your email address and then the code they email to you. You also take a short survey and then get another email to confirm your address (from what I can tell - I took the survey and was told I would get an email to confirm my address, but I'm still waiting for that one). I just updated my profile on the website to include my address, so hopefully that works. Not too shabby for a full bottle of cleaner!

Walgreens and Target Deals

Walgreens 1st transaction:

• Kotex Ultra Thin Pads: $3.49, get $2.50RR. Used $1/1 (April All You) = paid $2.49, got $2.50RR
• Puffs with Lotion: $0.99 (ad coupon). Used $1/1 (Vocalpoint mailer) = FREE
• Lindsay Olives: $0.99 (ad coupon). Used $1/2 printable = $0.49 each
• 5 Reach Crystal Clean Toothbrushes: $0.99. Used two $1/1 printables and $5/3 (some magazine? I don't remember where I got this one) = FREE + $2 overage
• Total spent: $1.85. Total saved: $17.02. Got $2.50RR. Also got a RR for a free package of Always pads, up to $3.50.

Walgreens 2nd transaction:

• John Freida Root Awakening products: 3/$15, get $5RR. Used $2.50/1 printable and $5/2 (SS 5/2/10) = paid $7.50/3, got $5RR
• 2 Bumblebee Tuna: $0.69 (ad coupon).
• Used $2.50RR from 1st transaction and $3RR from last week.
• Total spent: $4.49. Total saved: $19.37. Got $5RR.

I would have done even better, using the $5/1 Luster Whitening Toothpaste coupon, combined with the $5RR on the same product, to get paid $5 to take home toothpaste, but they were all out. Still, a net price of $1.66 (and a pads coupon) for all that stuff is pretty snazzy.

Target:

• 5 Fiber One Cereals: $2.50 each, $5 gift card w/purchase of 5. Used five $0.75/1 printables = paid $8.75, got $5 gift card.
• Shout Stain Remover: $1.97. Used $1/1 Target printable and $0.55/1 (SS 5/2/10). It also came with a $0.55/1 peelie coupon, but I saved that one since mine expired sooner. Paid $0.49.
• 2 Sobe Lifewaters: $1 each. Used B1G1 printable and two $0.50/1 Target printables = FREE. They also have a $5 gift card deal for these if you buy 10, but I didn't have the coupons for that. 5 B1G1 coupons would make them free after gift card, though.
• Total spent: $9.32. Total saved: $18.59. Got $5 gift card.

To recap, I got $70.64 worth of products, and I paid $15.66. I got $5 back for each store. I got a coupon for a free Always product, and a $0.55 Shout coupon. Nice!

Do This Now! $10 Credit for Medco Health Store!

Go to Medco Health Store and find something that's less than $10. Apply the code MHS10 to your order at checkout, and get a $10 credit. You will have to pay shipping, but it's $0.99 flat rate. I ordered a 4-pk. of refill cartridges for my Schick Quattro razor. 4 refills for $0.99! Companies have been known to pull offers like this because so many take advantage of them, so go do it now!

Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

Update: Use the code TENOFF for another $10 credit toward a second order. I have not tried this one yet myself. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

Get a free sample of Starbucks Via instant coffee from Walmart. I've never been an instant coffee person, but I'd like to see if this is any good. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

What I'm Reading...

Organic food is expensive, right? Here's a list of 10 ways to make eating organic food cheaper from Redplum.

Something to think about...chances are you have several routine things you do each day/week/etc. How do those routines affect your life? (The Happiness Project)


If you're looking at starting to use coupons, take baby steps. If you want more detailed instructions, go read the rest of Money Saving Mom's "31 Days to a Better Grocery Budget" series (links at the bottom of this article).

Finally, watching tv is fine, but here's an article on making the most of your tv-watching time, from The Happiness Project. Here's my favorite quotation: "Often, we don't really choose TV, it's just the easy default activity. Make the effort to ask yourself, 'What do I choose to do for the next hour?' before you plop down with the remote control. In many cases, other activities would take a bit more effort to begin, but would yield more enjoyment in the long run."

2 Freebies from Shutterfly

"Like" Shutterfly on Facebook and click on "Claim a Code" to get your unique code for a free 5x7 photo book. You do have to pay shipping, but $2.99 is not a bad price for one of these, especially if you were going to make one anyways. You can apply the code to your Shutterfly account and use it any time before June 30. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

Also, use the code "CARDS4DAD" to get 3 free 5x7 cards. These do not have to be Father's Day cards. You will also have to pay shipping for these, but $0.99 for 3 cards is far cheaper than retail. You have until June 10 for this one.

Free Sample Cottenelle

Click here for a free sample of Cottonelle Ultra Toilet Paper and Fresh Moist Wipes from Walmart. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!