Hello, Friends and Visitors

I am no longer publishing to this blog.  I have exceeded the space allotted for what I paid.  I really don't want to delete any information so I have decided just to send out coupon info to my subscribers via email.  I hope to begin another website or blog by year's end.  The tabs are still live and most of the links are current & up to date. So, you can still get lots of information from them.

If you would like to start receiving my weekly blogs, emails, and videos send an email request to:  

Redbeelips@gmail.com

Happy Couponing!

Back-to-School...

Back-to-School Sales are happening now!  I have lucked up on several really great deal sites:

1.) The Back-to-School Sales Database:  Click this link <http://www.passionforsavings.com/back-to-school-supplies-price-list/> Then scroll to the bottom part of the page to access the database.  Just type in the item and you will see the current prices for that item and the stores where it is available and even the end date for the sale.

2.) Next, click the "School Supply Price List" to down the list to be sure you know when to grab those must have school supplies at the lowest price even without a coupon.

3.)If you still need clothes for your little ones, why not head over to your nearest consignment or thrift store.  You may have friends with little ones around the age or a little older who would love to see their outgrown clothes go to someone they know can use them.  Heck, elementary school age kids will not have the faintest ideas that they are the recipients of someone else's gently worn jeans or tee shirts.  

4.)Don't just buy enough for the first month or so when hitting a great sale.  Always buy enough for the whole school year!  Why not?  When you can get supplies for the lowest prices now, why wait until you run out and have to buy more when items are no longer on sale.  We will not see another back-to-school sale like this until the summer of 2018.

5.) Back to school coupons at Staples.com/coupons and Office Depot.

6.) Hate driving from store to store to take advantage of all those great sales.  Take the sales inserts from this week's papers with you to WalMart.  They price match all store "advertised" sales.  Shop the items at WalMart and show the advertisement for lower prices at check out before the clerk rings them up.  AND, you can still use your coupons if you have them.

7.) One last deal..."SUPER DOUBLES BEGIN TODAY" at Harris Teeter.  $2, $1, 75¢, 50¢, & 25¢ coupons all double until end of business Tuesday night!

8.) The Sunday "Parade" magazine has a 20% off/1 Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupon inside.  Save all those expired BB&B coupons because they accept all of their own expired coupons.

9.) If you are into canning, ALDI is having a great sale til Wednesday on canning supplies. 

10.) Just 8 more days until the first day of school!  The youngest Conway will be off to kindergarten and he is so excited! 

That's all for now!

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

End of Summer...

Hey, Y'all!

It is so hard to believe that it is almost September when it seems like I just stopped wishing y'all "Happy New Year!"  I am at that age when you stop wishing away "time": "I can't wait til..." or "I sure will be glad when..."  But, let me say this just one time, "I will be so glad when school starts and all these kids are off to school till next June!"  There...I said it, I'm done!

I have been catching back-to-school sales when I can.  I have been shopping since early July.  This week, I went to Arundel Mills Outlet Mall with my grandkids.  I took one on Monday and three yesterday afternoon. I was only shopping for shoes and nothing else.  Well, it took nearly two hours to get done with that trip.  We were all ready to leave.  My nine-year-old granddaughter said it best when she said, "Just grab a pair of shoes, throw them in a box, and let's get out of here!"  

The afternoon was not entirely a loss.  Yesterday, I bought each of the three kids 2 pairs of Converse for $79.90! Yes, that's six pairs for less than $80!!!  And, since this is tax-free week here in Maryland, I paid no sales tax on the shoes.  Grandchild number four's shoes purchased Monday brought the total to about $110.  I even bought myself a pair for $10.  I love Converse.  

I did not bring the older kids because they are all into some other name brand that will cost nearly twice what I paid for 8 pairs.  I will let their Dad take care of the older four.  The oldest two of the ten had summer jobs and can buy their own stuff.

Just have to get a few more things to complete their school supplies and then on to clothes.  New underwear, socks, and tee shirts.  Jeans will come from my favorite thrift stores.  Thankfully, the older kids wear uniforms.  We have three of the eight (at home) in uniforms.  The younger kids do not seem to be as fashion forward as their older siblings.  I am sure that will change in the coming years.

Staples and Office Depot have some awesome Back-to-School deals.  Check the ads for this week and the ones that will appear in Sunday's paper.  Also, don't forget to go to Staples.com/coupons  for some deals that beat the ads.  

Back-to-School Deal Tips:  

Always buy for the entire year when everything is on sale and you can get it for free or almost free.

Buy your school supplies in bulk via Walmart.com, Amazon.com, EBay.com, and your big box stores, too.

Check out OfficeDepot.com/coupons & Staples.com/coupons for some unadvertised deals and coupons for bigger savings.

Meal Planner - If you have more than one other person in your household, you should really consider planning your meals in advance.  My life is so much easier when I have planned out my menus for as little as a week.  I tried doing it for a month in advance.  It worked somewhat but too many things kept popping up that messed up my menu plans:  concerts, back-to-school night, games, late appointments, etc.  When I knew about them in advance, I could plan my menu around them.  But, the best-laid plans...

I have attached a template of a menu planner. It is in Word so that you can change it to suit your needs. I also included my family's meal planner to this email. My family's menu planner is several pages because I have completed templates thru 2017. Last year, my menu planner was a black and white composition notebook.  I hope this new method will keep me better organized because I am on my computer more often than looking through that notebook and planning meals.   

Here's a website I shared a few weeks ago with you all.  Click this link <Lozo.com>to access 1,600+ printable coupons.  I have been printing coupons from this website for several months and have not had a problem using them when I shop. If you register and tell them what coupons you want, you will get an email when those coupons become available.  Here's the blurb from their website:

1,692 Free Printable Grocery Coupons: Search 400+ Sites at Once

LOZO searches 100's of websites & apps to find grocery coupons for your favorite brands. You save, LOZO does the work!.

Select coupons below: we'll give you links to the sites that offer them, PLUS we'll email you when we find more ... learn more

 Here are some direct links to the printable coupons:

Meat and Seafood Coupons

Poultry Coupons

Sausage Coupons

Grocery Coupons by Category

Finally, I like this calculator. LOZO's Grocery Unit Price Comparison Calculator It will tell you which size is the better bargain when you use a coupon.  Bookmark the link on your smartphone and refer to it while shopping

​​

 Happy Couponing!  

Only 17 days till school starts!  YAAAAY!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

All Detergent & Right Guard Xtreme

Hey, Y'all!

I have been slacking this week on shopping.  All of my grandkids are away with their mother for a three-week visit.  The quiet is deafening!  My house is clean.  The freezers filled with frozen treats are unlocked.  The pantry is unlocked and I can find whatever I lay down still waiting for me to pick it up later.  My washing machine only ran once this week and the dishwasher thinks we don't love it anymore.  But, I have been busy none the less.  I have been busy sitting down with my feet propped up on my lazy boy recliner and watching tv.  I have been busy napping every afternoon.  And, I have been busy watching Korean cooking videos on YouTube.  I have been very busy enjoying my "unbusy-ness".

We are even taking a short vacation for the first time in nearly two years.  We are traveling to Trenton, Maine to buy me all the lobsters I can stomach.  My husband and I went to Trenton about 4 years ago and I ate lobsters for three or four days straight before venturing somewhere else for something other than lobster.  That was Hamp's idea.  He doesn't really care about lobster. 

We are now about halfway through summer vacation for the kids.  Whoever invented summer vacation and then had the nerve to extend it until after Labor Day doesn't have any children and certainly not ten!  So, I will be finding lots of ways to entertain my grandkids every day so that all their pent up energy does not tear down my house.  Omega will start school this fall and he is so excited.  But, he is not as excited as Hamp and I are because that means that we will be home alone during the day.  Yes, we are so excited!

This week we will receive two inserts: Smart Source 7/23  and  RedPlum 7/23

Here are two coupons that I got from LOZO.COM.  Let me know if they do not print for you. 
I copied the link from my browser just before they printed.  I think it will work.

50¢/1 All Detergent & $4.99 off 2 Right Guard Xtreme - http://lozo.com/printacoupon/id/57330?ids=57330,56278

The Right Guard is also a digital coupon on the ShopRite website for $4.99 off when you buy two.  The sale price is $3.49.  That means the deodorant will be $1 + tax.  I have never used a printed coupon for $4.99 off.  I hope they take it.  I will let you know.  ALL detergent goes on sale Friday at ShopRite for $1.99.  That will make the ALL only 99¢ each!

I will be stocking up on deodorant over the next few weeks.  I have a lot of armpits in my house and after a day at summer camp, the little kids are starting to smell like football players.  Last month, I stocked up on soap and tooth brushes.  I have over 100 bars of soap and 150 toothbrushes.  After the deodorant, I will need stock up on toothpaste.  We are down to our last dozen or so tubes of toothpaste. 

​New Coupon Website to share:​

LOZO.COM is my newest favorite printable coupon site.  I have been using it for several months just to be sure it was all it claimed to be.  This website actually checks all the "legitimate" printable coupon sites (about 400) and presents the coupons to you to choose which ones you want.  The only thing is, it does have a slight learning curve to use it.  So, try it out by selecting coupons for products you don't really want first just to be sure you understand how to select and print what you really want.  Nearly 1600 coupons just waiting for you to clip them. Some coupons will require you to sign up on the brand's website and a few will require you to verify that you are a "whatever" by allowing them to send a verification code to your phone. You would then enter those numbers to print the coupon(s).  Most coupons are available by simply selecting and printing. 

Below, you will see a screen shot of the website for LOZO.COM.

Happy Couponing!
ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Two must see sites for couponers...

Hey, Y'all!

I have really fallen behind in my video blogging and my website blog, as well.  My big family keeps me jumpin'!  Never the less, I do get a chance in the wee hours of the morning to relax over some great coupon sites.  Just wanted to share a couple with you while I have a moment.

First, you must join Coupon Central's facebook page.  I really do not have a facebook presence but I have a few sites that I follow for access to deals and coupons in real time.  I used my grandma's info to join facebook.  

One of my favorite facebk sites is Coupon Central (MD. <https://www.facebook.com/groups/414858692057153/?fref=nf>  Although the group is based in the MD/DC/VA area, most of the deals are found in many well-known stores (CVS, Safeway, Giant, Target, RiteAid, Walgreens, WalMart, etc.)  It is a closed group but you just have to click to get in.  They have thousands of requests so joining takes a few days to get an acknowledgment. The wait is well worth it.

Next, the HotCouponWorldDatabase is my go-to site for all things coupons (find them, print them, or clip them).  Here's my tip for maximizing the use of the site. 

1. Click this link: HotCouponWorldDatabase
2. Go to "Source" and click it.  Select "Insert and Printable". 
3. Then go to "Display" and select "100". 
4. You will be able to see 100 printable coupons and at the end of that list, you will see the coupons found in inserts.

Coupon inserts for next week July 9th: (Your actual coupons may vary.)

RedPlum
SmartSource

I did a coupon class in Washington, DC last week for a friend of mine. 
She lives in a beautiful apartment that is low income for seniors.  It is brand new and she loves it.

The class was a success and I think I really helped them learn how to shop and save whether or not they have coupons in hand.

I hope to do a few more classes later this summer and into the early fall.  Stay tuned for more information.

Finally, it took me two whole days but I finally cleaned my office. 
I was so embarrassed that I did not take a before photo. 
But, I have a few from when I cleaned my office last fall. 
I included those pics below.  Don't judge me.  I have lots of people to take care of :o)

My grandkids love to hang out in my office when it is clutter free.  Clutter is soooo stressful. 

I love being in my office!  Next, my bedroom.

Take care and enjoy the rest of this 4th of July holiday!

Happy Couponing!!!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

These are the before photos. 
This cluttered mess was so stressful that it gave me a headache to even look at it.

Coupon Preview Week of 5/28

Hey, Y'all!

Not much coupon clipping in this Memorial Day weekend's newspapers.  Only P&G inserts are expected.  Click this link for the 5/28 Coupon Preview. You can also go to PGEveryday for more coupons to clip & save.  You will only be allowed to print one (rarely two) coupons.  Be sure to scroll down the page on their website to find the other P&G product lines. 

Each logo will take you to that product's coupon page.  You must register to access P&G coupons but registration is free.

Here's another of my favorite links for printable coupons:  http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/printable-coupons-2017 New to Couponing?  Scroll down the page until you see this information on their website:
                    

 My friends and family often tease me because I rarely text and almost never reply to one.  First, texting takes too long to enter a thought.  By the time I have typed in the first couple of words, I have forgotten what I wanted to say.  Second, replying to a text means that I have to sit and look at the screen until someone replies to what I just sent.  My children tell me that it is quicker for them to send me a letter via the post office than communicate via a text. 

On the other hand, I am thankful for technology.  It has rescued me from some mistakes that were a disaster in the making.  I have researched many pages, blogs, vlogs, youtube videos,  facebook pages, pinterest, and twitter sites to find ideas for living with my big family.  I follow several families online that have 8+ children in their family, too.  Some have large houses and some quite small.  I love seeing the clutter in other people's homes. It keeps me mindful that I will never have my "tidy & quiet bed and breakfast" lifestyle again until my last grandchild has moved out.  That will not be until 2029!!!  So, until then, I will learn to be content to step over the socks, pants, notebooks, and crayons and not be upset that my entire house looks like a laundry room or my kitchen floor looks like they just had a food fight.  I have the family I never dared dream of having.  I enjoy waking up to the chatter and pitter-patter of big and little feet. I thank God for every one of my 11 grandchildren who will carry Poppi and MiMi's love into the next generation.

I went shopping with my 7-year-old grandson this week (Tuesday).  I was at my local ShopRite and taking advantage of their 5% discount for seniors held each Tuesday.  Anyway, the store was full of old folks like me.  One lady said to us, as she slowly passed by, "I wish I had a helper".  A day or two later, the same grandson said to me, "MiMi, remember that lady who said she wished she had a helper?"  I said, "Yes, I remember."  He replied, "That was so sad."  He was right.  That was so very sad.  Next week, take Grandma or Granddad or some favorite senior to the supermarket.  I am so very blessed to have a house filled with 10 pairs of helping hands.  Thank you, Lord!

Thank you for letting me ramble on about "My Big Family Life".  

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!  Now, you can officially wear white. :o)

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Coupon Preview for Week of May 14th

Good Evening, Everyone!

I am so happy that the dismal, cool, dreary, rainy days are gone.  This week the sun and heat returned with a vengeance.  Warm sunny days bring visions of summertime.  That is a bittersweet time in our home.  The kids are already in countdown mode for school to be over.  As for me, I am in a countdown mode much like someone on death row.  What do you do with 10 kids for 90 straight days who are too young or too lazy to work?  I could ring our governer's neck for making school start after Labor Day.  That adds a whole two weeks to their summer and my sentence.

What's so funny is that I will have "only" eight kids (the two oldest may stay in PA for the summer).  But, each of them will "attract" at least one other during the summer months.  So, on any given day, I can look out of my window and see as many as 12+ kids in my backyard.  I should start charging day camp fees.  I have two people who will actually come with their kid because the child has no siblings to play with.  I would more than happy to bring some of my grandkids over for a few afternoons each week but I am not sure the parents would go for that.

Looking for an easy way to save money? Load your favorite store's digital coupons on your loyalty card. I just activated several digital coupons on my Giant loyalty card.  I ground beef for my meal plan for next week.  I really don't want to pay more than $2.50 per pound for 80/20 ground beef.  So, I checked the website for Giant and found a digital coupon ($7.50 off a $25+ fresh meat or poultry purchase).  Last week, there was a $5 off $10 purchase.  So, register your loyalty cards online and download those valuable coupons.  Generally, digital coupons are only valid for a single use. 

Note:  Your digital coupon offers may be totally different from mine.  They are based on your shopping patterns.  So, you may not have the fresh meat coupon available for download.

Two coupon inserts this coming weekend:
SmartSource 5/21
Red Plum 5/21
P&G 5/28 will come in the May 28th newspaper.

Planning to do my June meal plan for the entire month!!!  The absolute most awful feeling is to stand in the middle of my kitchen 15 minutes before the first wave of our 8 kids burst through the kitchen and not know what's for dinner.  That has happened to me twice.  Never again!!!  Now, I plan a 7 to 10-day menu at a time and most times two weeks.  However, I want less stress and a month's worth of meals already planned and shopped will give me that.  Wanna know what's for dinner in the Conway house in June?  I will share our monthly menu with you next week.

Happy Couponing!!!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Super Double Coupons at Harris Teeter

Hey, Y'all!

Looks like a pattern is developing that will allow us to predict Harris Teeter Super Doubles.  This is the 5th month this year for Super Doubles to occur during the first full weekend of the month.  So, go to your favorite coupon database and hunt up those $1 to $2 coupons then run to your local HT for some great deals.  Here's a link to some of my favorite coupon databases: Coupon Database Links  Each will give you a headstart on finding those high-value coupons.

Here's a link to some of my favorite coupon databases: Coupon Database Links  Each will give you a headstart on finding those high- value coupons.

Oh, I ordered my brand new 16.6 cubic inch upright freezer.  I will arrive on Tuesday.  I am so excited and can't wait to load it up with tons of freezer meals and prepared side dishes. 

I have really found a new love for cooking and preparing great tasting meals for big my family.  This is my legacy that will reach my great-great-grandchildren and beyond.  I am teaching recipes to my grandchildren that I learned by watching my grandmother and my husband's grandmother, too.  I pass along many life lessons during those teachable moments with my grandchildren watching and helping me in the kitchen. Somehow, microwave dinners do not lend themselves to teachable moments.  The food is already prepared and cooks too fast.

Good night and sweet dreams for tomorrow the Son shines!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Once a Month Meal Preparation...

Hey, Y'all!

It was just a day or two ago when I told you that I was in the market for a new or almost new freezer.  Well, God is so good!  I am just a click away from purchasing a brand new upright freezer.

The price of the new freezer before taxes is $529.  I opted for an upright freezer. I am too old to do all the bending required to pack the freezer; lift out heavy frozen packages; load heavy packages into the freezer, and try to remember what is on the bottom under 200 pounds or more of frozen food.

I chose Best Buy because I already have a reward card ($164) from a large purchase I made a couple of years ago.  I am using the $180 cash out from Pine Cone Research (I get $3 per survey) that I have been saving since I last used it to purchase my new computer.  That was just about two years ago this month. I have $46 in my SavingStar account and will cash that in this week, as well.  The freezer purchase will generate a $5 reward from Best Buy and another $5 reward from EBates. The last reward site for me to cash in is CheckOut51 ($20). So, that gives me a total of $420 towards my freezer.  In other words, I will purchase that $529 freezer for $109!  That's a yard sale bargain.

By the way, this will be the second freezer I have purchased with these same discount sites funding my purchase.  Yes, it is tedious and not everyone will want to go through the hassle of saving bits and pieces of money for nearly six months or more.  But, the money we save will fill up our new freezer with lots of meals.

I hope to take you on my journey as I fill up that new freezer with a month's worth of packaged meals.  Meals that will be ready for the crockpot or oven with little or no further prep than unzipping the freezer bag(s).  As I said in my last blast, I regularly (weekly) prepare large quantities of cooked items for the freezer.  Now, I will have a freezer dedicated to just those items.  I plan to package all the freezer meals and the cooked items in ziploc bags.  The plastic containers take up too much space.  I may use them for soups, sauces, broths, etc. but not for meals.

This will be our third freezer and it will take the place of one of our three refrigerators.  One refrigerator is dying (the frozen foods were thawing in the freezer section).  It was given to us about 5+ years ago and has done a great job otherwise.  Best Buy will haul it away for free.

If you would like to know more about the sites that made it possible for us to get a 30-inch computer monitor, HP computer, printer, and freezer #1 all for free or almost free, here are the listings for them:

• SavingStar - Sign up with your customer loyalty cards for your favorite supermarket(s) and pharmacy(ies)
• EBates  - Use my link and we both get a bonus when you sign up and use it the first time. 
• Pine Cone Research (usually only by referral or invitation during their open season about once or twice a year)
• Checkout51 - Purchase groceries on the list; take a photo of your receipt via their app and they credit your CheckOut51 account.  When you get to $20 in rewards, you can request a "payout" via a check.

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

A Blast from My Coupon Past...

Good Morning, Everyone!

A few months ago, someone asked me how long I had been couponing.  I told them I had been an avid (some might say "rabid") couponer for about 5 years.  But I qualified my answer by adding that I used to coupon when my children were very young. 

Well, I was cleaning out some old clutter in a cabinet this afternoon and found these treasures!!! Coupons!!!!  The coupons are nearly 40 years old.  They have no barcodes but they do have expiration dates.  Most expired in 1979 & 1980! Notice the denominations...7¢, 10¢, 12¢, and 15¢.  Wow! I wonder what the store prices looked like. 

I remember going to the supermarket on my first shopping trip after getting married.  We spent about $80 stocking our kitchen with spices, condiments, meats, seafood, poultry, eggs, milk, vegetables, canned and boxed goods, toiletries, cleaning supplies, cat food, etc.  The receipt for that trip was about 8 to 10 ft long.  We used to keep it taped to our refrigerator.  It was folded in half and still nearly reached the floor from the top of the refrigerator.    

We have started our deep spring cleaning in what has been my pantry/stockpile room in the basement.  Our goal is to get that room completely decluttered by the end of the month.  I am making room for a brand new or nearly new freezer.  I am using the rewards from the Ebates, CheckOut 51, Pine Cone Research, and Saving Star deals I have done so far this year.  I will share more about them in my next email and give you sneak peak at the freezer on my wishlist.  BTW, if you have an upright freezer to sell or give away, please know that I accept all offers of assistance graciously.  Thanks! 

The new freezer (freezer #3) will be used solely for our make-ahead freezer meals.  These are whole meals prepared raw and frozen to be cooked either in the oven or in a crockpot.  The freezer will also hold prepared meals like chili, soups, stew; and side dishes like cooked vegetables and meats.  I regularly cook several pounds of ground beef and turkey; bacon & sausage; and spare ribs; gallons of spaghetti sauce, chili, and soup.  Last week, I cooked 25 pounds of collard greens and froze them.  This weekend, I will be cooking 30 lbs of home-fried potatoes and onions. Pre-cooked items make mealtime less hectic and cut preparation times.  You can check out one of the websites I follow by clicking this link: Once-a-Month Meals

 

Coupons in abundance this coming weekend.  FOUR inserts expected this weekend!!!
Click this link for a preview of the coupons expected but not guaranteed: 2 RedPlum and 2 SmartSource

Looking for some great deals?  Check out this link: The Bizzy Coupon Bee Deals Links.
Looking for coupons for those deals? Check out this link:  The Krazy Coupon Lady

Happy Couponing!!!
ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Big Family Musings...

Good Morning, Everyone!

I apologize for not sending out coupon info the last couple of weeks.  I had cataract surgery (two consecutive Wednesdays - rt eye and then the left one).  I was able to do some work but by the time I got ready to do other emails the eye strain took its toll.  Eyes burning, tearing, and blurred vision.  Doing so much better now.

Really trying to get back in the groove of making my YouTube videos.  Just cannot seem to get the time.  My husband gets very impatient when I ask him to take the videos.  The kids will do them for me but there is often so much background chatter that no one would be able to hear me.  Of course, the alternative is to go ahead and make the videos even with the kids playing and giggling in the background. I can always mute them and do a voice over late at night when everyone is in bed.  I'll figure it out...

About two or three weeks ago, I wrote a letter to ShopRite about Senior Shopping Day.  Every Tuesday they give 5% discounts to seniors 60+.  You have to remind them unless you already look 60+.  I no longer have to remind them.  Anyway, the letter I wrote was a suggestion.  I told them that the seniors who shop there need assistance.  The writing is too small, shelves too high, large containers too heavy, and can't find what we are looking for.  I suggested that they have a core time for some ShopRite employees to help the seniors with their shopping.  I suggested that the program should be done on Senior Discount Shopping Tuesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.  I told them that most seniors start out after the morning rush hour and head home before the afternoon rush hour. 

The letter was quite lengthy but I wanted them to understand just how important the shopping assistance was needed.  Well, I was walking past the customer service counter this afternoon when I saw the flyer attached below.  I was so excited.  I ran to the truck to tell Hampton what I had done and that ShopRite started the program for seniors because of my letter.  Hampton smiled proudly and said, "Where's your name?"  I told him it did not need my name because I knew I had made a difference and that was enough.  Yay!!! I am proud of me :o)  Why not write the supermarkets in your neighborhood and tell them to help the seniors shop in their stores.

Next, there will be FOUR inserts this weekend!!!!  Here's the link to the previews: Sunday Coupon Previews As always, you can expect some differences in the face value and actual coupons that appear in your local paper.

Hint for this week:  You can often go to customer service and get the next week's circular days before the sales begin at that store.  This will help you organize your coupons and shopping trips and keep you from making impulse purchases.  In addition, it will give you a chance to search for coupons and compare the current week's sales with the next week's sales. 

That's all for now.  Enjoy the stretch of 80+ degree days coming our way the rest of this week.

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Good Morning!

Good Morning, Everyone!

At least, it is my morning.  It is 3:15 AM.  Everyone is all tucked in their bed with visions of tomorrow's snack in their heads.  My big family is food driven.  "Want to go out and play?  Straighten up your room."  "Want a snack after school?  Make up your bed."  "Want dessert after dinner?  Go take out the trash and garbage." 

Now, these tactics only work on what we call "The Conway 5" or "The Little Kids".  These are the children 10 years old and younger (10, 9, 8, 6, and 5 years old).  The 5 teenagers (12, 13, 14, 15, & 18) are not really motivated to do anything unless we take their phones.  The oldest two are away in school.  One is in college (Geneva College) and the other in boarding school (The Kiski School).

I rule the wee hours of the morning.  It is during this time that I plan the monthly meal menus, do the bi-weekly shopping list, scour facebook pages, blogs, and videos of other large families for ideas.  Specifically, taming the laundry beast, wrangling the clutter monster, ways to add more hours to my day, and of course, cooking good & tasty meals for my large family.  This is also the time I get to write my couponing tips to you all and just chill. 

I do plan to start doing my videos again.  Several of you asked me to send the link to my youtube videos.  Here's how you find my 100+ video posts from the last 3 or 4 years.  Click this link:  YouTube.com and then type "redbeelips" or "ShaRon Lewis-Conway" in the search field at the top of the page.  That will bring up all my videos. I am planning to refine my youtube channel and get it more organized.  I will have to do that on one of my late night/early morning sessions.  My house is just too busy during the day to make any videos.  From 3 PM to 6 PM, my house has to be one of the busiest homes in Maryland!  That's when the kids start coming home from school.  For those three hours, it is nonstop chatter and busy-ness! 

I try my very best to have dinner all prepared and snacks made before that first school bus comes.  Most days, I do but some days, I don't.  When that happens, I have to finish dinner preparation, fix snacks, hear the trials and tribulations of all eight kids, help with homework and projects, give extra hugs to the needy, and do whatever else needs MiMi's attention all at once.  WHEW!  But, this is what keeps me active and alert.  I highly recommend it!

Thankfully, I don't have to get up to get the kids off to school.  That task is handled by their father.  Every morning (starting at 5:45 AM), he gets 8 kids up, dressed, hair combed or flat-ironed, breakfast done, and out the door.  Most mornings, I don't even hear them.  Please, know that my grandkids are not perfect, by any means.  They are children and they act exactly like children (and teenagers) every chance they get.

On to the good stuff,  three (3) inserts this weekend with some really great coupons. http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/sunday-couposn-preview

Look for sales on fresh fruits and veggies as the produce shipments start arriving in mass from the southern growers.  If you or your spouse is a veteran, shopping at Lowes will net you a 5% discount off your total purchase every day of the week.  Just show your id card. 

Most stores near armed forces installations give discounts to active or retired military and Department of Defense employees and retirees.  You will generally need an ID card.  I got a new phone this week and asked for a discount on my AT&T phone bill.  They told me that I could get a 15% discount off my monthly bill with my AARP card.  I am going back this afternoon.  That will be a $45 per month discount for me!  Bottom line, just ask.

That's it for now.  Time for me to go to bed.  It is now 4:37 AM :o)

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Coupon Preview Week of April 2

Here's the link for a sneak peek at the coupons for next week - April 2-8

Click this link:    Living Rich with Coupons Coupon Preview

Hey, Y'all!

First, let me thank Lisa for giving me a heads up on the latest at Harris Teeter.  Very often it is one of my Bizzy Coupon Bees who lets me know about the upcoming deals at local stores.  So, please don't assume that I know everything that is going on.  Most times, I don't know any more than you.  Thanks again, Lisa!

Looks like we can look forward to more regular Super Double Events at Harris Teeter but not for an entire week.  For the last four months, Harris Teeter has been having Super Double Events during the first weekend of the month.  So, scour your coupon inserts for $1 to $2 coupons and take them to HT and match them to sale items for great deals. 

Lisa told me about the new raincheck policy at Harris Teeter.  I have at least 30 rainchecks from Harris Teeter all ready to be paired with coupons.  But, alas, that will never happen.  The old rainchecks like the new ones will no longer allow coupons to be used with them.  HOWEVER, I asked the manager at my Laurel HT if I could still use coupons with the old rainchecks and she said she did not know.  She said that she sent an email to their corporate office but had not received a reply.

Next, the switch for ShopRite is complete.  They no longer double coupons with a face value of up to and including $1.  At least, that's the case at my ShopRite in Calverton (Silver Spring, MD).  Now, coupons with a face value up to and including 99¢ will double.  But there will no longer be a minimum purchase required. 

The ShopRite in Glen Burnie will continue their double coupons and will double coupons with a face value up to and including $1.  Unfortunately, that 20-mile drive would negate any savings I might have.

For those of you who have subscribed to my YouTube channel, I hope to start making videos again soon.  I will be using my grandkids as videographers.  They are really excited.  I have been making cooking videos as a cooking legacy for my grandchildren and their grandchildren, too.  I love my church lady persona, too.  So, I and my daughter will be throwing in a video here and there featuring some "Church Lady Wisdom".  I will be sure to include videos that give a little insight into our home with musings on helping our son care for his ten children.  We are still trying to get it right and every day we see a little more organization.  I watch youtube videos on large family organization to find ways to tackle meal preparation, laundry, and household clutter.   I have gleaned some awesome ideas!

That's it!

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Happy Spring!!!

Hey, Y'all!

 Looks like the 'real' spring is just around the corner.  I can hardly wait. I just want to start sweatin', drinking lemonade and sweet tea under my big ol' sweetgum tree.  Lord, please don't let me die in the warm weather months.  It is my favorite time of the year.  I would rather be hungry than cold.  At my age, cold hurts like the devil!  Heat is this ol' gal's friend.

Now, on to more important musings.  Those of us who live in the shadow of the Nation's Capital have enjoyed the huge savings of ShopRite's Double Coupon bonanza over the last 3 years.  They have been doubling $1 coupons!!  Well, I knew it would not last forever, but I have truly enjoyed it while it was here.  This bonanza ends next Friday, March 31st.  That's when ShopRite will join the ranks of only doubling manufacturers coupons up to 99¢.  In other words, a coupon with a face value of 99¢ double to $1.98.  The face value of coupon denominations under $1 stops at 75¢.  I have never seen a coupon for 99¢, or 80¢, or anything between 75¢ and $1.  But, the upside is that now, there is no minimum purchase required before your coupons will double.  I am loving this.  Currently, you have to spend a minimum of $25 (total after coupons) for your coupons to double.

Now, I can go shopping for one item with the coupon to make it free and then go home!  I will save tons of money with the new changes.  I am all over this one.  I just hope that ShopRite does not raise their prices.  They have generally had the best prices and sales of any of the stores in my area.

Here are the coupon inserts expected this weekend.  Three inserts: RedPlum, Smart Source, and P&G are expected.  Some coupon sites say that there will be no April P&G until next weekend.  Here's the link for the coupon previews for the week of March 26-April 1: Click this link: http://www.sundaycouponinserts.com/coupon-preview/#top

Here's a link to a great printable coupon website: Living Rich with Coupons (printable coupons)   So, fill up your printer tray with a fresh ream of paper and get to printing those coupons.  Be sure you have a fresh printer cartridge and print on the highest setting.  This will give a better quality print for the store scanners to read.  Also, laser printers give better coupon prints than other printer types. 

Here's a link for a great deal on printer/copier paper: Staples.com/coupons 1¢ per ream (500 sheets per ream) and the limit is 4 reams.  Print 4 coupons but you will probably only need to use one.  I will be all over this sale this afternoon.  The only drawback is that you will have to pay the full price for the reams and submit an online rebate form.  It is really easy to do that.  You just need to follow the directions on the receipt.  DO NOT LOSE YOUR RECEIPT!!!  Keep it until you receive your rebate in the mail.  It takes just about 2 weeks.

Finally, here's the link to deals, match-ups, and unadvertised specials

: Living Rich with Coupons

Deals & Match-ups

    

Look in the upper left-hand corner of the page and you will be able to select coupon deals & match-ups for your specific state.

Here's the link for Maryland:  

http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/maryland-deals

Have fun and hope for real Spring weather!!!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18

Coupon Previews Week of March 19-25

Hey, Y'all!

I hope everyone is enjoying the snow, ice, and sleet as the Winter of 2017 fades into Spring.  Just about 90 days from now, we will be sipping lemonade by the pool or in my case, the fish pond.  At any rate, being snowed in with my sweetheart now takes on an entirely different flavor when we add ten extra people. 

I did take time today to begin decluttering my office space yet again.  I can see the top of my desk for the first time in weeks.  Every time I clean my desk and office, I swear that I will never let it get this bad again.  I'm really keeping that promise this time...

This week we have two coupon inserts (RedPlum and SmartSource) packed with great coupons, if you are looking to buy toiletries, vitamins, and a couple of snack items.  Check the list of coupons expected and decide whether you want to invest in extra papers this week. Link to Sunday Coupon Preview

​Here's the coupon inserts expected next month:

(Check  Sunday Coupon Preview for the entire schedule for the remainder of the year)

April

2 — RedPlum, SmartSource

9 — (2) RedPlum & SmartSource

16 — No Inserts (Easter)

23 — RedPlum & SmartSource

30 — (2) RedPlum & (2) SmartSource & P&G​

​Here's a link to a coupon facebook group I joined a few months back.  The founder of the group Coupon Central is located in the suburbs of Washington, DC.  It is a closed group and you will need to get permission to join.  It is a very popular coupon group and it may take a week or two before you are granted access to the posts.  The wait is worth it.  Lots of deals you won't find elsewhere but are local, if you live near DC.  ​

​I had a life changing event Friday.  I went to my local Shoppers on Contee RD in Laurel, MD.  We were having tacos and I needed to get some tortillas, salsa and hot sauce.  I had a 55¢/1 coupon for Texas Pete hot sauce.  (My grandkids love it!!)  Well, went through the self checkout lane and as with many stores now, the associate had to scan the coupon for me.  I noticed that it did not double as expected.  So, I brought this to the associate's attention.  After checking with the mgr, she told me that this particular Shopper's no longer doubles coupons but the one near Ft. Meade still does.

My heart sank and I started to feel faint as I felt the earth tremble beneath me.  I thought the end of the couponing universe must be near.  So, this Shoppers  supermarket has joined the no doubling ranks of WalMart, Food Lion, Dollar Stores, pharmacies, and many others in our area.  In my area, only ShopRite (doubles $1 coupons); Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, and Weis still double coupons, for now.  I am not sure about Wegmans.  I have never couponed at Wegmans.

Let us enjoy the bounty of the coupon deals while we can.  I foresee a time when the real shoppers will have learned to shop the real sales with or without coupons.

Finally, like everyone else, I braved the cold to stock up before the great storm.  I gathered up my 8 year old granddaughter and we headed out.  We headed straight for 7-11 and bought two Slurpees.  It felt so good to know that my four freezers and basement pantry were well stocked and I only needed to buy a couple of ice cold Slurpees.  They were great!  We had brain-freeze all the way home.  We did a pinky swear to wait until we were sweating before we buy any more Slurpees.

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon :o)
John 21:18