Target Tip Off

So today (or Jan 16th) is the rumored day that target with slice toy prices to 70% off!!  These are the days that they have historically been marked down.  As part of my planning and blogging duty to my readers, I took a trip out to target last night to check out the inventory and do a little snooping.



(This sale has gotten me crazy.......I even dreamed about it last night.  I dreamed a actually slept on the aisles waiting for the sale.  Now that is serious craziness)





I found that my Target had 2 full aisles of clearance  toys and were actually adding items at that moment!  Items were a mixture of percentages.  Most were 30 and 50 % off.  A few were already marked 70% !  I was able to find 2 good items that I needed



Here is the inventory at my store

































































This is what I found for 70!! Easter basket!!







I asked two young men that were working if they believed that the toys would be marked down again  on Thursday.  The answer was probably not.  According to my store, some of them just got marked down and they typically mark down on Sunday and on the shelves on Monday.  Alot of sources say that noone will know until they give the go ahead from cooperate the very morning (so maybe they are wrong?).



My advice would be if at all possible visit your target today.  If they aren't marked down, you will at least be able to scope out your inventory and know what you are interested in purchasing.  It seems that the word around the states is that no stores have been marked to 70%.  I plan to check my store on Monday and then again next Thursday unless I hear otherwise.



Here is another tip:  Some clearance items only have 2 like items in stock.  If you see an item marked at 50 that you know you really want and there are only 2.  Buy it!! It will probably not last to the 70 mark down.  IF for some reason it does, you can return your item (with receipt) for the your money back and re-purchase the item at 70%



Make sure you go in with a list of what you may be looking for to help you stay on track.  Those prices are blinding!!! Think gifts for your birthday seasons!



I picked up 2 70% off items, 3

Boxes of rice cereal, pack of pullups, 2 trays from the dollar spot, and a box of these larabars Ive been wanted to try.









Used a pull up coupon, gift card received from a diaper promotion, and my target debit card and paid $10.28 out of pocket!!



Good day!!

CVS Breakdown

I want to apologize for yesterdays post.  My heads up on deals was lazy and the results of a 30 second scan of the circulars.  When I took a few minutes today to look over everything, I was surprised to see some great items at great prices!!!



As I prepared for a quick run to CVS a good friend sent me a text....."What are you donig?" she asked as she often does throughout the day.  I told her that I was cutting coupons for a trip to CVS.  Her response.  "I want to know everything".  Now my friend has been a coupon recruit for several months now.  Several.  She seems to have all the potential in the world, but she just doesn't seem to latch on to this couponing lifestyle.  I am not sure what her problem is......I encourage, I educate, she asks for more, but doesn't commit.  I am still trying. I believe that 2014 is her year.  I believe.  If it is not.........then I am done. :)



So, like any good coupon mentor I gave her a step by step that I will now share with you.

Scan the circulars



Cut coupons and place in the approprite file.


Drive to CVS


Always scan your card at the coupon center and check the print outs


Look! With the printed coupon this is free!


I was also surprised to receive my fall spending rewards. At cvs you earn overall points for shopping in the fall and spring and earn extra rewards. These rewards do not affect any of my shopping decisions and it shouldnt yours. Its just a nice surprise.



Special k cereal. Coupon from coupons.com


All mighty pacs


Pediacare


All of the above items are used by my family

Pay with extra bucks earned from previous purchase.


Check out the results. You can see what I spent and then what I got back!!





Yay!!! As my friend said "I bet you're on a high!"

Basically you want to roll your extra bucks so that you have little out of pocket.

So lets say you want to get started now and you do not have the extra bucks to pay for the items.  Without the extra bucks, my total out of pocket would be $14.86 and receive $6 back , so $8.86.  You purchased 6 products which averages to $1.47 each.  This is STILL significant savings compared to Wal-Mart, so it is worth your time to get started now!!

Deals This Week

Before I get to the deals, I want to share an update about my missionary friend Misti.  Remember the one we collected school supplies to help out?  I had the opportunity to visit with her this weekend and what an encouraging conversation!!! She is just amazing to speak with and always a reminder to point your eyes toward God at all times.  She mentioned a need that they have is medicines. Apparently to get any kind of medicines (cold/cough/headache/antibiotic) residents must make a 3 hour walk or an expensive bus ride. Can you imagine being sick and then having to walk 3 hours to get some tylenol? No thank you! The health unit often sends people to Misti's house for help (the health unit can tell them that they are sick, but have nothing to offer them). So she basically becomes her own little pharmacy and again giving her life selflessly.  Each opportunity she has to help the people in her community is an opportunity to share God's love.  So as I live my "fancy" American life, I see just another reason to coupon.  Medicines are always cheap or free, so I will most certainly plan to intentionally stock these products with her in mind!!!

Moving on to the deals.  There are only a couple that I noticed that would be worth making a stop.

CVS:

PediaCare Cough and Congestion Multi-System Cold - $5.99 with $5 extra bucks.  Use $1 off from pediacare.com and it is FREE!!

http://pediacare.com/coupon.aspx

Walgreens:

The Special K cereal consumed in buckets in our house is onsale for 2.33 (compared to $3 at Wal-Mart). Combined with coupons from coupons.com, we will be stocking!

I can't wait to share a quick and easy crock pot meal that I recently made!! Perfect for cold nights!!

The New Year

The new year is a good time to organize and review your wants and needs.  I spent a couple of hours organizing my cabinets, pantry, stockpile, and prize closet.  It may have been the best time I have had in a long time!! I am willing to admit that nothing gets me pumped up like organizing.  Who needs a fancy New Years Eve party with firecrackers? Just give me a couple of hours alone and a stockpile and I am drunk on excitement!!!  In real life this happened because I was lucky enough that both my kids napped at the same time.  Don't you just love that???







First up......the pantry.  I am willing to bet that it is pretty common for us to have things packed in the back of the pantry that we forget that we have?  Move those items to the front so that you don't forget about them!!  I had a couple of zatarans boxes (which I love for a quick dinner) stuffed into the corner that were upgraded to front and center.




Okay, next I jotted down meals that I am completely prepared to cook.  I have said it many times before, I need a plan.  I am not quick on my feet with decisions so a list helps me cut down on that blank staring that I often do staring in front of the fridge or pantry.  I also like to keep a list of freezer meals in my deep freeze (that I idea came from my sister).




I also check my stockpile.  I need to know what items I am low on or what items I have overstocked.  This helps me know what prices I am looking  to purchase.  For example, I gave alot of toothpaste away over the holidays so I am running low.  I am looking for the price of 25 cents to purchase.  I am overstocked on shaving cream and razors, therefore, unless free or moneymaker I do not need to purchase.




I encourage you to take some time to look around the house at what you have vs what you need.......personal hygiene, cleaning products, pantry items and make a list of what you need.  Take the time to look out for the best prices.  The more prepared and informed that you are the less likely you will be stuck without the product and have to pay full price.  EEK!

Closing Out the Week

A couple more things to talk about regarding after Christmas sales and then I will move on I promise.  Well, I will try unless something crazy pops up.

Wal-Mart Christmas is 75% off.  Not only do they have Christmas related products, they have several gifts for 75% off!! I picked up a few items for my prize closet for just $1.22 each!!



Okay, here is some big news.......are you ready for it??  If you are new to couponing/shopping sales, here is a bit of information for you.  Twice a year Target has a huge 70% toy blow out.  It happens in January and July to make room for the next season toys.  It is typically a ONE DAY SALE.  We need to collectively work together, friends, to stalk this sale.  It is rumored to be happening JANUARY 16.....rumored.  1/2 of my kids Christmas came from this sale in July.......it is good stuff!!



Okay, so this is what we need to do to prepare.  Think about or even make a list of the gifts you give throughout the year.  Birthday parties, Easter bunny, great job on shots, ect.  You need to go into the sale knowing what you are looking to pick up AND what you are wanting to spend.  It is easy to be blinded by all the great prices, so we must put on the armor of preparedness.



Are you so excited?!?!  Once you shop this sale, you may dream about it until July!

Winter ONE derland

I am still in love with all of the after Christmas sales that I keep seeing! These sales not only help us prepare for next year, they have helped ME plan my son's FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

As I was browsing through the hobby lobby aisles, I came up with the fantastic theme for his party planned for Jan 28th.  Winter ONE derland!!!! How cute will this be!!!  So, immediately I start looking for snow, snowflake, blue, and white decor! 

I had no idea how much I would find and I kinda got carried away. This house will be decorated to the core in all things winter. I cant wait!!!

Here are some things I found between target and hobby lobby.















And then walmart.....














THEN I remembered all of the things I stocked up on at the Fill a Bag sale at the Paper Market



Can you believe this???

So if you happen to need to throw a one year old birthday party in the next couple of months, get out and shop!!

No one year olds? What about a frozen themed party? If you have seen the movie you know that kids would love it!!

Sales will probably wrap up this weekend so hurry out and see what you can find!!

Target and Hobby Lobby Sale Details - LONG

Today I will break down some items you may want to considering purchasing during this after Christmas sale season.  I know some of you may say things like "I don't need anything", "I can't buy ahead", "I'm over Christmas and I am ready to move on", but I want to encourage you to reconsider.  You do not have to go overboard like me (a sickness remember?), but you could instead make some smart decisions to save for your family.

My breakdown will address items that were still in stock as of yesterday.  As you are taking down your decorations and hopefully neatly packing it back up, take some time to do some inventory.

Check your Christmas bags, tissue paper, wrapping paper, holiday plates/napkins (if used), cupcake papers (if used), ribbon, bows, ornaments, lights, and general decorations.

Christmas Bags - Do you have a variation of sizes? You should have a minimum of 2 bags per size.  If you a hoarder like me, 2 per size is laughable.  Side note:  I just organized my bags.........isn't it pretty.  I swear, I could stare at it for hours.



Your goal is NOT to purchase bags next year at full price.  Bags are ridiculously expensive and adds additional cost to a probably already expensive gift.  Save the money buy bags in advance.

If you are lucky enough to find any bags left at your Target dollar spot you can score these large thick bags for just 30 CENTS!! You heard me right.


If you missed them at the dollar spot then stock up at either Target Christmas or Hobby Lobby.  Prices are pretty equal and both stores had plenty in stock.

***Here is an important message - Make sure to pick up bags that are not Christmas related, so that you get them at rock bottom prices for all occasions.  Hobby Lobby has zebra and leopard***. 80 percent off!!


Wrapping Paper - Check your inventory, what do you need? I like to have presents under the tree that are wrapped in variation.  One print/pattern per season will just not work for me.  I was low this year and my inventory is down to one Christmas roll!!!  Eek.

Target and Hobby Lobby both have a significant amount of paper left.  Hobby Lobby is down to just a few patterns available (mainly red/white and black/white).  Target has a ton.  Target will be your lower price (around 70 cents to 1.20) with Hobby Lobby being a little nicer (1.60).


Again, look for patterns that can go year round not just Christmas. You should NEVER need to run to the store to buy paper to wrap a birthday present........NEVER.

Tissue Paper - Of course buy white paper, obviously, but also buy all colors (if your supply is low).  Red and green don't have to be Christmas if not together.  Target had gold and silver that are great for baby showers and weddings!! Tissue paper can always be used for crafts with kids!

Holiday plates/napkins - Do you entertain at all during the holidays?  I don't mean host the entire family for Christmas day dinner, but do you catch up with old friends, host a playdate, does ANYONE come to your house during the holidays?? If the answer is yes......you need Christmas plates and napkins.  I promise it will make your visit just a little more merry and bright by offering some leftovers on a Christmas plate paired with a matching napkin.  No matter how crazy you feel inside.........it will give your guest the impression that you have it all together.  Don't we just need that some times?  Hobby Lobby had a much bigger selection.

Plus check out these super cute Jesus napkins!  LOVE THIS!


Cupcake Papers - My rule is that patterned cupcake paper things should not be more than 1 cent per cup.  Hobby Lobby has several choices for 50 for just 40 cents.  You need it.  Bake some cupcakes, serve on Christmas plates with matching napkins and you are a hostess with the mostess for sure in my book.

Are you feeling more educated yet? Ready to shop? Lets keep going.

General Decor - If you still have your decorations up (which you should......its not New Years yet), scan your house and look at the placement of all of your decorations.  Anything missing? Do you already have too much? Do you like everything you have?  Before heading to my first trip to Hobby Lobby I asked my husband if there is anything he can think of that we need for next Christmas (he actually participates in decisions like these).  We looked around and decided that we liked everything that we had and there was no other place to sit anything.  I knew that I wasn't looking for decor unless I found the following:  the perfect navitity scene for the perfect price, a new nutcracker (we get one every year), or something to put over my center cabinets.


See empty.

Struck out on the navity scene, but I found this nutcracker for $6 at Target!


I also found these letters originally $30 and got them for $9. I could not believe there was still one set left!!!


Lights - Everyone is looking for lights, so you have to get there when the doors open for the best selection.  Both stores have lights left, but only non-traditional colors.  If that is what you are looking for then you could score!! I picked up some pink and purple lights for RL next year for 70 percent off at Target!

Okay.....if you have stayed with me this far into the blog, here are a few additional tips for your Target shopping.  Plan to spend a little extra time in the store to walk through the aisles.  Sometimes Christmas items are on the aisles of the categories (electronics, makeup, etc).  Look for red/green or gold packaging and scan the item.  You could be surprised by 70 percent off!!!

Dont forget that items labeled with a black triangle at the dollar spot are just 30 cents. Think ahead for future activities, bday party favors, or restock your prize box.












Now, a final plug for michales. They were pretty cleared out, but you may be able to find a few things left at 80% off. Here are a few things I found.

Look at these adorable ornaments for $1!! They look great on your tree or for a gift!








Both of my kids have the same initials. I got these adorable letters for 59 cents



And who doesmt love sticker books!!



Good luck out there!