Sometimes Free, Really IS Free!

I have recently discovered there are a bunch of websites dedicated to all the free samples you can sign up for.  Some of the coupon blogs I read post these from time to time, but you can find a daily updated list at this site:  www.sweetfreestuff.com.  Walmart also has free samples, updated periodically.  You can find the latest by clicking here.  Here's just a few of the things I have received/signed up for over the last few months (some are still available):

*Dunkin Donuts coffee 

*Folgers coffee

*SoyJoy bar

*Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Hot Cereal

*Quaker True Delights bar

*Total Cranberry Crunch Cereal

*Bear Naked Granola

*Tide Total Care 

*Bounce Dryer Sheet 

*Always Infinity Pad

*Benefiber 

*Crest Whitestrips Advance 

*Emergen-C

*Airborne

*Dove Hair Therapy Shampoo

*Greenies Cat Treats

*Cream of Wheat

*Trident Gum

*Head & Shoulders Shampoo 

*Pantene Pro-V Shampoo

*GoodNites Sample (for my nephew)

*Orville Redenbacher Natural Popcorn

*Pedigree Good Bites Dog Treats (gave to a friend)

*Coupon for 1 Free Meal at Zaxby's

*Coupon for 1 Free 10 oz. Maxwell House Coffee

*Coupon for 1 Free bottle of Suave

*Coupon for 1 Free 2L Dr. Pepper

Sam's Club 1/19/09

I made a mistake that turned into an opportunity to do something for a friend.  I recently chose a Sam's gift card as my Discover card cash back reward.  Problem is it was a free $40 membership and not an actual gift card for cash.  I already have a membership.  So I chose to give the card to a good friend of mine who likes to go to Sams, but doesn't have her own membership.  I was able to use the additional $10 gift card that came with it to use for the items above.  So the reward wasn't a total loss.  Besides its good to do something for others too.  I seem to keep learning the same lesson lately - "pay more attention!"  :-)

Spent:  $2.31

Saved:  $10.00

*Oh and the other big plus about going to Sam's during lunch, is you can load up on free samples, which I referred to as "appetizers"!  And for lunch I got the hot dog combo meal, which is only $1.50

Publix 1/25/09

So I've gotten to the point where I really don't need to buy much each week.  If a blizzard were to hit Tennessee, I would be able to survive for months!  My plan now is to focus on the essentials, and only stock up on the really good deals.  This week the Publix penny item was paper towels.  I bought Kraft salad dressing which was "buy 1, get 1 free."  Combined with my coupons they were about $0.85 each (compared to $2.69).  I also bought Dole fruit cups for about $0.60 each (compared to $2.19).  The chicken was also on sale for $3.61.

Spent:  $11.07

Saved:  $19.25

Another way to look at it - $30 worth of food, for only $11.  I'm really starting to enjoy this coupon game!

Walgreens 1/25/09

This week I decided to stop by Walgreens for a few deals too good to pass up.  I picked up a load of razors for only $2.99 and got 3 packs of panty liners for $1 total.  Not bad.

Spent:  $3.96

Saved:  $5.80

Freebies!

Since it was a holiday weekend, I took a few extra trips to pick up a few freebies at Target and Walmart.  Everything you see above was priced at $1 and I had a $1 off coupon for each.  I'm a big fan of anything free!  :-)  

Spent:  $0

Saved:  $13

Kroger 1/19/09

I make a trip to Kroger every Monday after work, so that I can get the Sunday paper for $1.  I typically pick up two, except for weeks that I hear there are extra coupon inserts.  This is how I save money.  I keep a folder with each week's insert, then look at my favorite blogs for the coupon match-ups.  Someone else does all the work, I just reap the benefits.  This week at Kroger I also picked up a few deals.  My favorite deal is the FREE toilet paper.  Since Kroger sells their Cottonelle 4 packs for $1 and they double coupons, you can use a $0.50 off coupon to get it for free.  This week I had 3 coupons, so I got 3 packs for free!!  I also took advantage of their Mega Event sale and got $5 off, plus my coupon savings.  Here's how I scored:

Spent:  $6.90

Saved:  $19.17

Publix 1/18/09

Today was a good day at Publix.....the day I finally saved more than I spent!!!  I have been trying to do this since the day I started and after learning a few lessons along the way I have achieved my goal!  Best deal is Eletrasol at $1.39 each (regular price: $7.79).  They were buy 1, get 1 and I combined with two coupons for $2.50 off each.  I also got a 5 lb bag of grapefruit for free with purchase of two White Grapefruit juices (which I love!).  I also got two 32 oz bottles of creamer for $1.47 each (regular price: $3.19).  So today was a good day for which I am very proud.  :-)

Spent:  $31.42

Saved:  $41.45

Walmart 1/18/09

I don't make a trip to Walmart that often, but I will go there at least once every other month to take advantage of some freebies with coupons.  Today's trip I was able to score free cat food, plus make $1 overage on first aid travel kits.  I also stocked up on a few things that were good deals with coupons, plus got some holiday items at super deals (canned pumpkin and fried onions were both at unbelievable prices and don't expire for a while!).

Spent:  $30.81

Saved:  $21.89

*Note:  I would have done even better, but needed to buy a special kind of eye drops at $10 (but did have a $2 off coupon, which helped)

Publix savings 1/11/09

Spent:  $23.45

Saved:  $18.22

I'm getting closer to saving more than I'm spending.  That is one of my biggest goals.  Its become like a game to me.  This week's penny item was Publix brand Saltine Crackers.  I also picked up a few staples and buy 1, get 1 specials.  Was able to use a Food Lion coupon for $2 off produce that combined with the sale on fruit.  Biggest saving was cat food for FREE!  I had a $4 off coupon and the sale price was $3.99.  I've gotten this deal a few times, so I am stocked up for a while.

Publix savings 1/4/09

I am a big fan of Publix for many reasons.  One of my favorite things is the "penny item" on Sunday and Mondays.  Last week (1/4/09) it was Publix brand Frosted Flakes.  You really can't beat cereal for a penny!  Other great deals from this week:  Ben & Jerry's ice cream for $0.89 and Tomato Paste with an overage of $0.15.  I made one error by thinking all Freschetta pizzas were "Buy 1, Get 1 Free," realizing later that only the naturally rising ones were on sale.  Lesson learned - pay more attention to the ad or store sign!!  Still I think I did fairly well:

Spent:  $33.14 before tax

Saved:  $25.53

How did I save that much money?  By combining coupons with store deals.  You can find links to the blogs I read regularly on the right side of my page. 

Welcome to my blog!

A few months ago some friends taught me how to save money on my grocery bill by using coupons combined with store sales.  I have always been a coupon clipper, but never seemed to find ways to really make them work in my favor.  I used to think that for a single girl like me, this wasn't very practical.  Instead I have now found ways to save money and stock up on the things I need.  I wanted to keep track of what I am buying and saving this year, so thought why not create a blog so that possibly others can gain inspiration.  There are plenty of great websites out there to find the latest weekly deals, freebies and other great finds.  I will do my best to share the highlights of what I have found.