Understanding Sale Cycles

I had always heard there are cycles to the sales.  I found a great article at Stockpiling Moms regarding the sale cycles.  Anticipating the cycles or the next round of sales on something you need for your stockpile is very helpful. If you think about it the cycles make sense: picnic/bbq supplies in the Summer, baking supplies in December and so on.  Now you can know what coupons to save to match for the sales coming up.

This Week's Matchups for Kroger and Target

For this week's match-ups for Kroger and Target, visit Bargains to Bounty.  While doing your shopping with these match-ups, think about the Sending Santa to the Troops donations that you could make for free or nearly free!!

Meijer match-ups for week of Nov. 14

For the match-ups at Meijer beginning today, visit Bargains to Bounty at http://www.bargainstobounty.com/meijer-matchups-november-14-20-2010/.  You can also visit the Aldi match-ups there too.  Check out the deals on your holiday turkey!!!

(Thanks Bargains to Bounty)

Old Navy 30% off coupon

Old Navy offering 30% off your total purchase now through November 18.  Click here for the coupon.  Last Christmas I got half the family Old Navy p.j.s. Hopefully they will enjoy them again this year!!

(Thanks Hip2Save)

Holiday Open House and Savings at Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth, MI

Holiday Open House Happenings Galore!
Friday, November 19 at the Bavarian Inn.
Kick off your Holiday season Bavarian style!

Prize drawings, treat samples, holiday confectionaries, shopping and the spirit of the Holiday Season is just waiting to burst! Join us at The Bavarian Inn and other Frankenmuth shops on November 19 as we kick off Holiday Season 2010!  Our Holiday Open House is your chance to scratch gifts off your list with shopping in a festive-yet-relaxed atmosphere. But it's not all about giving! You?ll get a FREE GIFT with a cumulative $25 purchase!

Be sure to get your 20% discount card first! Get a discount card good for 20 percent off with a cash donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or a food donation for our local food pantry. Your shopping will be so much more fun and affordable with your discount in hand!
Stop in the Castle Shop! No hassles, the Castle Shop is a classic Holiday shopper's stop. Just in time for Open House, may we suggest a stop (or two!) into the Castle Shop with your Christmas gift list.

The Castle Shop is actually many shops, featuring snacks, baked goods and preserves, our famous chicken seasoning, our toys, dolls, and more.
Peruse Souvenirs and Cheers, featuring Michigan wines and beers - always with a sample for a small fee. Hit the Candy Corner for a rainbow of candies and our signature fudge. Mmmm! The Royal Gift Shop features elegant imported jewelry.

Santa's coming. Are you? Santa will be here to meet the kids from Noon to 7 p.m. in the Castle Shop. Along with Santa, there will be holiday baking demonstrations, candy demonstrations, special treats and samples throughout Frankenmuth and hourly prize drawings beginning at Noon; register first at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant.
There'll be plenty of prizes, surprises ? and SHOPPING! ? well into the evening. Several stores at the River Place Shops, Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, and the Covered Bridge & Leather Shop are also participating. A perfect way to kick off the Holiday season!
For more information, go to http://www.bavarianinn.com/?page=106158&template=2010&event=.
And visit this page http://bavarianinn.com/?page=57697 to sign up for coupons and specials from the Bavarian Inn. 
(Thank you Bavarian Inn)

Driscolls berries coupon

Maybe while you are at Meijer this Saturday, you can get some delicious berries. Visit the Driscolls website at http://www.driscolls.com/email/ and register to get a $.50 off coupon.

Target Stores Shorting Customers on Coupons

I saw on HLN Moring Express with Robin Meade this morning a story of Target Stores shorting customers on coupon values.  It stated that Target has known of this "computer glitch" for a few months.  See the attached article on the new story http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/tgt_target-glitch-shortchanged-coupon-users-for-months-1265356.html. 

So if using your coupons at Target be sure to watch the cash register closely and make sure you are given full value for each of your coupons.

Save at Pennzoil

Did you know that you can save $6 on an oil change at the Pennzoil Oil Change service center on Westbay Drive in Saginaw Township by showing your Kroger card? That's where I always take my car for the regular oil change. The guys there are always helpful and will answer any questions. And now I can save a few bucks!

Super Sale at Meijer tomorrow and mperks

Meijer is having another Super Saturday sale tomorrow starting at 6 a.m.  There is not much in the ad but they have a good deal on Coca-Cola and Pepsi product 2 liter bottles for 88 cents, red seedless grapes for 89 cents, and Jimmy Dean sausage products at 2 for $3. They also have Bounty paper towels 2 roll packet, 2 for $5. Click here to see ad http://meijer.shoplocal.com/meijer/default.aspx?action=entryflash&storeref=43.  These deals can be even better if you have coupons on top of the sale price!

Before you go shopping, register for the mperks electronic coupons for Meijer at http://www2.meijer.com/mperks/Welcome.aspx.  You need a cell phone number to register and they are electronic coupons kind of like at Kroger.com. With the mperks, you go on line and add the coupons you want to your cell phone number. Then when checking out at  the store, tell the cashier you have mperks and your cell phone number.  Or in self-checkout push the tab for mperks and enter your cell phone number and you will receive the discounts.  We believe these mperks will work the same as the Kroger ecoupons and can be stacked with manufacturer coupons to greater deals.  If you find any different, please let us know. 

Happy shopping tomorrow!  ; )

First Saving in Saginaw coupon class a success!

Kris and I held our first Saving in Saginaw Coupon Class this afternoon at Zauel Library in Saginaw. 

We enjoyed the opportunity to share what we have learned on coupons, stores, saving blogs, and other shopping tips with friends.  We hope we were able to clear up any misunderstandings about coupons, stacking, separating orders, etc. and help others stretch their grocery budgets. 

We are already beginning to plan our next class very soon.  Keep checking back here and we will post the date for the next class as soon as possible. 

Cathy, Julie, Magen, and Carol, thank you for leaving the great weather this afternoon to attend our first class!

Common Couponing Abbreviations

For those new to couponing, I have listed a few of the basic abbreviations you will come across on ads, blogs, etc. Of course, there are always new one being created but this will get you started:  

• BLINKIES = coupons you find on shelf by product
• BOGO/B1G1 = Buy One Get One
• CATALINA = Coupon printed at register after purchased
• CNP = Coupon Near Product (similar to BLINKIES)
• CRT = Customer Receipt Tape (CVS receipt coupons) similar to catalinas
• DND = Do not Double
• DOUBLE COUPON = Coupon that some stores may double in value
• EB/ECB = ExtraCare Bucks (CVS)
• ES = Easy Saver (Walgreens)
• FAR = Free After Rebate
• GM = General Mills(Newspaper insert)
• K = Kellogg’s (Newspaper Insert)
• Mealbox:  Meijer's own Mealbox coupons
• MIR = mail in rebate
• OOP - Out Of Pocket (as in how much it will cost you)
  
• P&G = Proctor & Gamble (Newspaper Insert)


• Peelie = Coupon you peel off item


• RP= Red Plum (Newspaper Insert)


• RR = Rebate Rewards (Walgreens)


• SS= Smart Source (Newspaper Insert)


• STACKING = using both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon for one item


• TEAR PAD = A pad of coupons or MIR near a product or on display


• WYB= When You Buy

 If you find any cool, new abbreviations drop me a comment and tell us about it.