Amazon Mom

I'm constantly amazed at how many people still haven't heard about Amazon Mom.  It has only been available for a few weeks but thanks to social media, word is getting around pretty quickly.


For those who have not heard of it, let me explain the benefits.  First of all, it is completely free to sign up.  Second, you receive free Prime shipping for the first 3 months and that can be extended up to a year based on your purchases.  Third, you can purchase diapers and wipes at 30% off if you use subscribe and save.  It is very easy to cancel subscribe and save after your purchase has been shipped.  


There is also a 20% off coupon in Parents and Parenting this month that can be stacked with the 30% off Amazon is already giving you.


I have been collecting Swagbucks and cashing them in for Amazon gift cards in order to obtain free diapers and training pants.  Remember that Friday is always Mega Swagbucks day so don't forget to search tomorrow and earn even more swagbucks.

Coffee or tea drinker? Try two half pound boxes of Gevalia Kaffe or tea and get a coffeemaker and stainless steel coffee scoop FREE. Delivered to your home for $14.95, with free shipping! All yours to keep with no further obligation, just for beginning a Gevalia Membership. The coffee and tea is delicious and there are over 50 varieties to choose from. And the coffeemaker is actually pretty good quality.  My parents have had several of their pots over the years and they have all been great.

1. Choose a black or white coffee maker
2. Select what flavor of coffee and/or tea you want to try
3. Enter your shipping information
4. Pay the $14.95 and you'll receive your coffee maker, coffee/tea, and scoop within a couple weeks. 

About a month later, you'll receive 2 more boxes of the coffee/tea you selected. If you wish, you may change the quantities and types of coffee you receive at any time, the frequency of your shipments, or cancel at any time by calling 1-800-GEVALIA (1-800-438-2542). Gevalia is really nice about taking care of your requests. No hassles.

Prices of coffees and teas vary, ranging from $5.95 - $9.95 per package (with some specialty coffees priced higher), plus $5.95 shipping and handling unless otherwise noted.

At this price, this would make a great affordable Christmas gift for someone.

Back to the Basics: Stick to a Few Stores

This is the second post in a series about the basics of couponing and saving money.  I've decided to title the series Back to the Basics.  

I hear from people often that they do not have time to shop for sales because they will have to go to way too many stores.  Here is a little secret I have for you...I rarely shop at more than 1-2 stores a week.

The best grocery store for sales in my area is Dillons (part of the Kroger family).  I've noticed that most of their sales run at least two weeks.  In the past few months, I've been hitting that sale on the first week.  The next week, I do a quick run to Price Cutter as it is just up the street.  I get the basics and any great sales they have.  I've cut my grocery budget by about 25% simply by switching to this method instead of shopping Dillons every single week.

As for other stores, I rarely look at the sales unless I know my stockpile is getting low.  I usually wind up going to Walgreens or Target one to two times a month for great deals on toothpaste, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc but I do not hit every sale at every store each week.  It would be exhausting to do this.

When you are just starting out, start with one store and get the hang of it before adding another.

My favorite blogs to read to get the great deal matchups are:

Money Saving Mom - features matchups for most national stores
I Heart Coupon Deals - local blogger with Dillons matchups

Home Depot Moving Discount

Are you moving soon or have you just moved?  If you answered yes to either of those, head over to Home Depot and sign up for a 10% off coupon plus customized emails with checklists, moving time lines, and projects.  

It seems like every time we move there is always something we need to go to Home Depot for.  There are always many little things you need that you never anticipated and this program offers a discount on those items.

Here are a few food related links you might be interested in:

Muffins are one of my favorite quick and easy breakfast and snack foods and here is a free download of healthy muffin recipes.

Quizno's is still running their great special of any small sub, chips and a fountain drink for $2.99. You must print the coupon for this special.

Savings With Shoe Carnival

Shoe Carnival is offering a great buy one, get one 1/2 off sale right now.  On top of that, you can get a surprise coupon for additional $5, $10, or $15 discount.  This could make for some inexpensive summer shoes if you need some (and what girl couldn't use a new pair or two of shoes?).

Baby Food Discovery

Last week you heard me mention our baby only wants baby food, not homemade food. Last night I discovered Big Lots sells stage 2 jars for thirty cents each. This is a significant discount. They didn't have a lot of choices but every little bit helps.

Then, this morning I ran to the dollar store for something and found an even wider variety 3 for $1. I checked at both places and the expiration dates were still good - some even had a year to go.

Children's Place Coupon

Click here to receive a 15% off coupon to the Children's Place. When I was there last week they had some great markdowns, along with the new Christmas line that just came out.

Target Savings

I just got home from Target and they have some great deals on back to school supplies and basic household items. All of the items they stocked for college students is now at least 30% off, if not more. Although I didn't buy any, I saw sheet sets for $10, decorative organizational baskets for $10-15, hampers and laundry bags for $2-5, etc. If you need basic household items, this is the time to stock up. Some of these things make great Christmas gifts too so think ahead and see if this would work for anyone on your list.

On another note, I'm not too happy with Target right now because they wouldn't take any of my internet coupons today. They've always taken them but decided today to change the policy to not taking them unless the scan. I've never had an internet coupon scan at our Target, it always has to be entered, so I guess my Target days will be even less now.

School Supply Sales

I figured most of the school supply sales would be over by now seeing as all of the local schools have started but Staples is having a great sale this week. Here are a few of the deals:

Manual pencil sharpener - free (limit 3)
2 pocket folders - free (limit 10)
Cap erasers - free (limit 3)
Glue sticks - .25 (4 pack)
Binder 3-hole punch - .25
Plastic binders - .25
Pencil box - .05 (these have great uses around the house and car for storing little things)

There are plenty more good sales but these are the ones that stand out the most. Don't forget to help out teacher or school by donating some of these great deals to them.

K-Mart Savings on Clothes

I dropped by K-Mart last night looking for a sand bucket and came out with a bag full of clothes. All of their clearance clothing is 40% off the markdown. I bought a bunch of play clothes for my son for next year. I also found a few things to put in our Operation Christmas Child box. Our church collects these boxes every year at Christmas and this sale allows me to put more in the box because the cost is low. Many items I found last night were only $1-2 after the markdown. I came out with a bag stuffed for $11.

Buy Now For Next Year

Clearance sales are about over on summer clothes but there are still some great deals out there. This is the time to stock up on basics for next year. Try to stay away from the trendy items as they may not be in style next year. I buy most of my child's clothes for the next season at clearance sales. Yes, it is hard to guess sizes but since the items are bought so cheap, they can usually be resold for a profit if need be using eBay or craigslist. I also use this time to buy basic capri pants or shorts that I know I will need next year. It is much better to buy what you need at 75% off than wait until next year and pay much more.