Money Saving Tips: Part Two

I was going to share the recipe and finished product for Dryer Lint Playdough, but seeing as all the lint I could find was full of the boys' hair trimmings and my post-partum fallout, I chose plan #2.

Know a newspaper carrier.

This tip alone has saved me over $63 on coffee in the last 24 hours.

My dad's first cousin Lloyd (my first cousin once removed?) is a penny pincher. Thrifty & frugal, he has been known to paid by the grocery cashier.

Fortunately his job as a newspaper carrier allows him access to the extra coupons and ads. I called him yesterday looking for more of the $1.50 off coupon for New England coffee; I only needed 10 or so. When we went to collect the goods, he had a total of 42.

I had to immediately seize the opportunity as the BOGO sale ended last night. Because Bi-Lo only allows 10 coupons on a single item at a time, I had to stop at two stores, using 20 of the coupons.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" can keep this gal from a grand opening that invariably offers freebies. And so it was, despite the inclement weather, that I loaded up my trio of boys to go to our new Publix.

We strolled through the store, stocking up on coffee (2/$5.79 - coupons = $1.40/ea) and Progresso soup for my parents (3/$4.00 - coupons = $.83/ea). We sampled ham and pineapple, signed up for door prizes, collected giveaways from the pharmacy and local newspaper, and got 2 free reusable totes.

(Doug just doesn't understand my obsession with freebies. I simply love those small hotel samples even though I don't ever use them. Free pencil? Sure. Frisbee? Of course! Koozie? Why not - someday I might remember to use it so my hand doesn't freeze.)

I generally feel pretty bold brandishing my coupon accordian, ready to take on the overpriced grocery stores, eagle eyes ready for BOGO items with additional double coupon savings, eager to spend as little as possible. I must admit I felt a little embarrassed this time. So much so that I was willing to go in twice (thus dividing the number of coupons used).

As if I thought I would be inconspicuous - woman with beautiful baby and balloon in backpack and two small children in tow. One employee even commented, "Weren't you just in here?"

But thanks to my hoarding, we have ample caffeine supplies for the next year. And to celebrate we baked on our own Publix cake.

P.S. If any should need coupons for Progresso soup, Skippy peanut butter, Kleenex, Degree deo (unless you've switched to baking soda), Fruit Roll Ups, canned biscuits, frozen vegetables, Wishbone dressing, Soft Scrub, etc. - I've got plenty!