October 2008

A “credit card crisis”?

by crystal on October 29, 2008

Earlier today, my husband and I were listening to a local radio station and a bit of news caught my attention. The broadcaster was stating how America is facing a "credit card crisis" because credit card companies will no longer be sending out loads of credit card offers. Instead these offers will be "slowing to a trickle", according to the report.

Excuse me? We call that a "credit card crisis"? I think that I would instead refer to that as a "welcome change of pace". Call me old-fashioned, but I think anytime we can discourage people from buying stuff they can't afford with money they don't have, it's a good thing, not a national crisis.

Of course, I happen to be one of those weird people who pays with cash almost 100% of the time, doesn't own a credit card, hasn't ever had any debt, and isn't living paycheck-to-paycheck.*

*Note: All of this is only by the grace of God, the wise example of my parents, Dave Ramsey's inspiration, and a commitment to "live like no one else"! By the way, if you are struggling financially and feeling in a helpless situation, do not despair. Read more about our own personal financial journey and lessons we've learned along the way here, here, and here. And then check out my Top Four Tips for Those in Financial Despair.

{ 0 comments }

Target: Free Glade Scented Oil candles

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 29, 2008

Target currently is running a gift card deal which can net you some free Glade Scented Oil candles (as if many of you didn't have enough of those already!). Buy any four Holiday Glade items and you'll get a $5 Target gift card. The items in the Holiday line include Apple Cinnamon, Cinnamon Gingerbread, and Glistening Snow scents.

Here's how you can get them free:

Buy 4 Glade Scented Oil candle starter kits at $2.50 each
Use 2 B1G1 coupons (you can print 2 here and here)
Spend $5 plus tax out of pocket
Get a $5 gift card back

It's being reported that some of the candles also have B1G1 and $2/1 coupons in them so if your store is well-stocked with candles, you might be able to do this deal over and over again only paying tax each time (or less if you have the $2/1 coupons–see Mercedes' post here). These starter kits would make great fillers in gift baskets for Christmas or a nice hostess gift to bring to Christmas parties.

Thanks, Mercedes, for passing along this deal!

{ 48 comments }

I’m not making this up!

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 29, 2008

I was just out for a quick grocery shopping trip when I passed a nearby gas station and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I must be seeing things. Surely that's not really right.

But no, the sign was very clearly advertising gas for $1.99 a gallon.

$1.99 a gallon!!

Now that is certainly something to get excited about! With many prices on the rise, it is exceptionally nice to see gas prices falling… and falling at such a rapid rate! Wow!

I've heard that gas prices are close to the lowest in the nation where we live but I'm curious if anyone else has seen gas go below $2/gallon in their area? If not, hopefully you'll be seeing it soon!

{ 152 comments }

Wal-Mart: Current deals

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 29, 2008

Here are the best deals currently available at Wal-Mart, with thanks to MaryEllen from Centsible Savings for her hard work in helping to compile these deals for us:

****NEW DEALS****

Ziploc Sandwich bags 25 ct.–$0.75
Use $.75/1 printable
Free after coupon

Nestle Hot Chocolate 10 pack==$0.75
Use $.75/1 printable
Free after coupon

Scotch lint roller trial size–$1.37
Use $1/1 coupon from 10/5 Redplum insert
$0.37 after coupon

****DEALS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS STILL AVAILABLE****

Zone Nutrition Bars–$0.94

Use $1/1 coupon from recent insert

Free after coupon

Honey Bunches of Oats, 2/$2

Use $2/1 printable

Free after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Arm & Hammer Essentials Starter Kit–$2.82
Use $1/1 printable and send in for full rebate
Small moneymaker after coupon and rebate

Preparation H 10 ct. wipes–$2.97
Use $3/1 printable
Free after coupon

Schick 10 ct. disposable razors–$1.97
Use $2 coupon from 9/7 Smartsource insert
Free after coupon

Well Patch Singles–$0.97
Use $1/1 from 7/13 Smartsource insert
Free after coupon

Kotex pantiliners 16 or 18 ct.–$0.94
Use $1/1 printable
Free after coupon

KY Jelly 2 oz.–$2.59
Use $3/1 coupon from 5/1 Redplum insert
Free after coupon

Powerade–$0.75
Use $0.75/1 Powerade or Powerade Zero coupon from 06/08 SmartSource insert
Free after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Purina Cat Food–$3.97
Use $4/1 printable
Free after coupon

Johnson’s Buddies Bar Soap–$0.94 each
Buy 3 and use $3/3 coupon from 9/14 Smartsource insert
Free after coupon

Purina Puppy Chow–$4.12
Use $4/1 printable
$0.12 after coupon

Wet Ones trial size –$0.92
Use $0.75/1 printable
$0.17 after coupon

GUM toothbrush–$0.97
Use $0.75/1 Gum coupon from 08/03 RedPlum insert
$0.22 after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Cascadian Farms Organic “Purely Steam” Frozen Veggies–$1.22-$1.78
Use $1/1 printable or $1/1 from 10/05 SmartSource insert
$0.22-$0.78 after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers–$1.23
Use $1/1 from 9/7 General Mills insert
$0.23 after coupon

Muir Glen Tomato Sauce or Diced Tomatoes–$1.24
Use $1/1 printable
$0.24 after coupon

Windex wipes 25 ct.–$1.00
Use $.75/1 coupon from 9/21 Smartsource insert
$0.25 after coupon

Betty Crocker Cookie Pouch–$1.00
Use $0.75/1 printable
$0.25 after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Kraft Easy Mac–$0.75
Use $1/2 printable or $1/2 coupon from 8/24 Smartsource insert
$0.25 each after coupon

Barilla Piccolini Pasta–$1.27
Use $1/1 printable
$0.27 after coupon

Franks Red Hot Sauce–$0.88
Use $0.50/1 printable
$0.38 after coupon

Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser pads–$5.44
Use $5/1 printable
$0.44 after coupon

Starkist Tuna Creations–$1.48
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/7 or 10/12 Redplum insert
$0.48 after coupon

Betty Crocker Potato Pouches–$0.88
Use $0.40/1 coupon from 9/14 Smartsource insert
$0.48 after coupon

Nestle Toll House Morsels–$1.98
Use $1.50/1 printable (Note: You'll need to sign up for a free account with VeryBestBaking to access this coupon, if you haven't signed up already.)
$0.48 after coupon

Fantastik Cleaner–$2.00
Use $1.50/1 printable
$0.50 after coupon

Hershey’s Extra Dark Bar–$1.50
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/28 Smartsource insert

$0.50 after coupon

Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Cakes–$1.50
Use $1/1 printable
$0.50 after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Pillsbury Toaster Strudels–$1.50
Use $1/1 printable
$0.50 after coupon

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta–$1.50
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/14 or 10/5 Smartsource insert
$0.50 after coupon

Martha White Baking Mixes–$0.84 each
Use $0.55/2 coupon from 8/24 Redplum insert
$0.57 each after coupon

Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust–$1.70
Use $1.10/1 printable
$0.60 after coupon

Visine (0.5-fl. oz.)–$3.62
Use $3/1 Visine Product from 08/28 All You magazine
$0.62 after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Campbell's Select Harvest Microwavable Soup–$1.00
Use $0.75/2 coupon from 10/5 Smartsource insert

$0.63 after coupon

Tucks Takealong Wipes–$2.64
Use $2/1 printable
$0.64 after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Chex Mix Bars–$1.98
Use $1.25/1 printable
$0.73 after coupon (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Sun Maid raisins–$1.33
Use $1/2 coupon from 10/5 Redplum insert
$0.83 after coupon

Glade Glass Scents–$2.84
Use $2 peelie
Use B1G1 coupon from 10/12 Smartsource insert
$0.84 for 2 after coupons

Endust Cleaning Cloths–$2.96
Use $2/1 coupon from 9/7 Redplum insert
$0.96 after coupon

Coffee Mate–$1.98
Use $1/1 printable
$0.98 after coupon

South Beach Frozen Pizza–$2.00
Use $1/1 printable
$1.00 after coupon

Gillette Fusion Razor Gift Pack–$5.00
Use $4/1 coupon from 9/28 P&G insert
$1.00 after coupon

Ore Ida Steam N Mash Sweet Potatoes–$2.00
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/21 Smartsource insert
$1.00 after coupon

Yo-Plus Yogurt 4 pk.–$2.12
Use $1/1 printable
$1.12 after coupon

Fiber One Multipack Yogurt–$2.50
Use $1/1 coupon from 9/7 General Mills insert
$1.50 after coupon

Resolve Carpet Cleaner–$3.96
Use $2/1 coupon from 9/7 Smartsource insert
$1.96 after coupon

Hormel Black Label Bacon–$2.48
Use $0.50/1 coupon from 2/17 Smartsource insert
$1.98 after coupon

Find any other great deals at Wal-Mart this week?

Please Note: Wal-Mart prices vary somewhat by region and
store so not all of the prices listed below will necessarily be what
your local Wal-Mart prices will be.
Also, many of you have written to say that your Wal-Mart is refusing to
accept printable coupons. According to Wal-Mart corporate coupon policy,
this is incorrect. I'd advise you to keep a copy of Wal-Mart's coupon policy
handy with you when you shop.

If politely showing that to the cashier
or manager does not result in Wal-Mart accepting your printable
coupons, I'd encourage you to put in a call to Wal-Mart corporate and
kindly ask them to inform your store of their coupon policy on
printable coupons. In almost every case, this will remedy the situation.

{ 20 comments }

CVS: Coupons for Playskool diapers and wipes

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 29, 2008

For those who might be needing to buy diapers and wipes sometime soon, CVS has a coupon for $2/1 Playskool diapers and $1/1 Playskool wipes here.

Thanks, Eyereach Productions!

{ 7 comments }

Cell Fire: New e-coupons released

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 29, 2008

Cell Fire has released new e-coupons that can be loaded on your cell phone or Kroger card. To read more about possible great deals you can get with these, be sure to visit Lorrie and Lizzy.

I am still trying to figure out this e-coupon thing since we finally have a Kroger store to use these at! I guess I'm rather old-fashioned in preferring to use paper coupons but maybe I'll get the hang of these high-tech coupons someday so I can pull in some even sweeter deals.

Maybe, but don't count on it since I'm still trying to learn how to use my very basic cell phone. (And yes, my family thinks it's quite hilarious that I'm all into blogging and yet still cannot even figure out how to access the majority of the simple features on my cell phone. Oh well.)

{ 11 comments }

$1/2 Hunt’s tomato coupon = Free tomato sauce!

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 29, 2008

If you haven't yet printed your Hunt's tomato coupon for $1/2 here, be sure to do so while it's still available. The cans of tomato sauce are often on sale at a variety of stores for close to $0.50 each making cheap or free tomato sauce with this coupon.

Kroger stores currently have them priced at around $0.50 each making them free and some Wal-mart stores have them priced at $0.34 making them free plus overage!

Thanks, Marcy and Lorrie!

{ 10 comments }

A few deals of note

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 29, 2008

Neither of these are screaming deals, but in case you are buying Christmas presents right now or could use these for another gift or occasion, I thought I'd pass them along:

::Buy $25 Restaurant.com gift cards for $2 each. Please read the fine print and the comments on this one. It's not exactly as good as it sounds with the restrictions. In addition, I have heard more than one report of folks getting extra charges on their credit card bills as a result of purchasing through Restaurant.com. I know many of you have had great experiences ordering and dining with Restaurant.com gift cards but I just wanted to share that so you can decide whether or not this is a deal you are interested in. (Thanks, Jennie, for passing along the link!)

::Get $25 worth of toy purchases from Amazon.com for $10. Requires a bit of work but might be a deal some of you are interested in.

{ 13 comments }

Free Turtle Chex Mix Bar!

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 28, 2008

Click on the image above to get your free Turtle Chex Mix Bar when you sign up for the Betty Crocker email newsletter. I’m guessing these will go fast, so hurry and get yours while they last!

{ 4 comments }

Free package of any Idahoan potato product

Add to my favorites

by crystal on October 28, 2008

Go to the Idahoan website and click on the "Print Coupon" tab in the upper right hand corner. Fill out the short survey and you'll be able to print a coupon for a free Idahoan potato product!

Update: It appears whether you get the free coupon is dependent upon how you answer the survey questions. Some are reporting receiving $0.75/3 coupons instead of the free coupon.