Where have I been?

It has been a while since my last post.  In fact, it has been more than a month.  I have been so very busy that I have not been grocery shopping in a month and have a stack of a hundred coupons that I clipped and have not begun to organize.  We have been living on my stockpile (except for fresh fruits and veggies).  We only lost a gallon of milk and a container of ice cream when we lost power for two days in June.

What the heck have I been doing that has taken me away from my couponing?  I promised my sister several months ago that I would join her as she presented seminars to teachers for two weeks in June.  She teaches teachers how to be better teachers. I also taught a coupon class in Indiana to my motorcycle association.

In addition, I have been meeting with a representative from Prince George's Community College and Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center about teaching couponing classes at their facilities.  Yes, I have decided to share my coupon secrets with as many people as I can.  So, I have had little time to relax with my coupons and stockpile.

As much as my couponing is an addiction, it is also very relaxing.  Clipping coupons is a mindless activity.  It takes no deep retrospective insight to be able to cut out paper rectangles.  I think of nothing else while I am sorting the coupons into like food groups and denominations.  Couponing is my mindless escape from reality.  I don't drink, gamble, smoke pot, or do drugs...I coupon!  I think I'll make a tee shirt with that quote :-)

Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center - Laurel, MD

My first class will be given at the new Senior Activity Center in Laurel, Maryland on September 20, 2012, 1 PM - 2:30 PM (sponsored by Maryland National Capital Park and Planning).  You must be at least 60 years young to take that class.  But don't get discouraged if you are not yet 60 years young.  I am also teaching the class Monday, November 5, 2012, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM at Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD (sponsored by the college).

Once the classes and prices are finalized, I will post them on my Bizzy Coupon Bee Blog. There will be five classes at the Sr Center and two at the Community College.  I hope if you live in the area, you will stop in to keep me company.   

I hope to sponsor several classes next spring here in Maryland and in other states, as well.  So, keep a look out for The Bizzy Coupon Bee classes in your area.  You can also host a coupon learning session at your local church, PTA, business (lunch hour), or in your home.  If you are interested, drop me a line redbeelips@gmail.com and I will send you more information. 

Finally, I must make a disclaimer of something that I have been promoting for several months in my blog and my classes.  Several people have asked where they can get multiples of coupons like you see on "Extreme Couponing".  The answer I always give them is "coupon clipping services".  I must say that I have been struggling with this response because technically, buying coupons is illegal.  Also, it encourages some people to continue to profit by counterfeiting coupons.  So, now my answer to where multiple coupons can be obtained?  Buy multiple newspapers or ask your friends and neighbors for their coupon inserts.

Never Pay for Your Coupons!

For more reasons why we should not buy coupons, check out this blog from an "extreme couponer" in the Pittsburgh area.  She was able to amass her stockpile without using any counterfeit coupons, a coupon clipping service, or making copies of internet coupons.  She was featured on TLC's "Extreme Couponers".  Read what she has to say about buying coupons: "Why you should never pay money for Coupons".  You can also follow her online blog and internet radio blog.  Her website "couponshoppinwitjane" has lots of great tips for building your stockpile. If you are caught using counterfeit coupons (even unknowingly), you could be arrested and you cannot use coupons for bail!  You have been warned!

The Washington Post is offering one year of the Post for 59 cents per Sunday paper or $1.59 for the week.  That is a real bargain.  Had that last year but now I get the Post for $1 per Sunday.  However, I want multiple coupons and subscribe to four Sunday papers for $1 each.  That beats the $9 per week that I was paying at 7-11!  You can subscribe online: Washington Post Subscription

Happy Couponing!
ShaRon, The Bizzy Coupon Bee

Just Another Couponing Trip...

I went on what was supposed to be a brief shopping trip to my neighborhood ShopRite.
Well, nearly two hours and a thunderstorm later, I was just checking out.

I did learn a few things today that I will pass along to you:

1. Shop late in the week to cash in on the inevitable empty shelves of items on sale and load up on rain checks.  With rain checks, you make a sale happen when you want it.

2. Shop early in the week or early Saturday morning to take advantage of the full and/or restocked shelves.
 
3. For me and my coupon addiction, ShopRite is a very coupon friendly store...depending on the cashier.

4. Choose your check out cashier very carefully. Choosing a grouchy old cashier can ruin your shopping and couponing experience. I usually choose the youngest cashier I can find (preferably male) with a pleasant disposition.  The pleasant disposition is indicative of someone who is happy to be there, not nasty,does not treat you like you are stealing from them with each coupon. This is usually the case but I have definitely encountered youthful cashiers that were the exception.  My favorite cashier is an elderly lady at Harris Teeter.  She is delightful!  I guess you just have to use your best internal detector of a coupon friendly cashier.

5. ShopRite allows you to break up your order into separate transactions to get around their 4 like coupon and item limit. I have also done this at CVS.  This saves me lots of time and energy.  Note:  If you have more than two transactions, go to the back of the line and start again.  Nothing is worse than an "ugly couponer with a nasty disposition" or one that holds up the line while checking out with a ton of coupons.

6. Take the extra time to carefully separate your items into transactions and matching coupons BEFORE getting in the check out line.

7.  If you have multiple customer loyalty cards: register your cards online with each store.  Use a Sharpie to label each card on the front with a name and/or number and cover it with clear tape to prevent it from wiping off. 

8. Use your cell phone to take snapshots of the price tags for the items that you want rain checks for.  Always carry the circular with you to the service desk when requesting a rain check.  If you have the items circled, this will make the process go faster.

9. Each week check the online website for each store or pharmacy where you do your shopping to see the circular for the following week.  CVS posts their upcoming sales the Wednesday before the Sunday it changes; ShopRite posts its new circular on Thursday or Friday; Harris Teeter posts theirs the day before the sale begins.  Each store almost always posts their weekly sales a day or two before the sale begins.


Advance notice of a sale will give you a chance to see whether you should hold onto those coupons another week rather than use them this week. 

If you shop at ShopRite, register your customer loyalty card on their ShopRite Family website.  When you buy any of the featured brands, you accrue 1 point for each dollar you spend.  With the accumulation of 250 points you will get $4 off your next order.  The points keep on accumulating until redeemed and at the 1250 pt level you get $25 off your next order.  Check this link for more information on the ShopRite Participating Products.


Today, my grocery items totaled $187.67.  My out of pocket (oop) was $38.57 after swiping my ShopRite loyalty card, sale items, manufacturer and store coupons.  Percent saved today 80%!!!


I will return to ShopRite for my rain checks tomorrow.  I hope to find lots and lots of empty shelves.  But I doubt it because the shelves are being restocked for the new sales cycle at ShopRite that begins Sunday.

My wonderful Washington Post Sunday only subscription (59 cents per week) ends this week.  So, I called about renewing my subscription.  Well, much to my dismay, the renewal for "Sunday only" was $1.87!!!  After I let out a loud gasp, I said, "I might as well buy it from 7-11 for $2." She said, "But you will save on gas."

Anyway, I told her that I was not going to renew at that price. (Note: if you want a better price, rate, etc., just give any service department a call and tell them you are going to cancel because of the price.)  Out of nowhere she said,  "Would you renew for 8 weeks for $1 per Sunday?"  My reply, "Can I get 4 Sunday papers for $4?"  She replied, "Yes".  So, instead of paying $9 per week for my Sunday coupon addiction, I will now pay $4.  I am not getting the special promotion for 59 cents because those rates are for new subscribers only.  Just ask and you may be presently surprised what savings you will get where you least expect them.


Don't forget to check this Sunday's paper for the three coupon inserts: P&G, Red Plum, and Smart Source.

Happy Couponing!

ShaRon, The Bizzy Coupon Bee

Adventures at Giant

I was in Giant Food the other day at the service desk "gently" contesting an incorrect price for one of my items I had just purchased.  The item was Chock Full o'Nuts coffee.  It was on sale for $3 per 10 ounce can (I purchased three with 75 cent coupons that doubled to $1.50).  But it kept ringing up as $5.49.  It was then that I realized that I had the wrong variety.  The sale was only for "original" and not the "Colombian" that I had. No problem, I thought. I'll just exchange it.

Anyway, I took the purchase to the service desk to make a simple to exchange.  What should have been a 2 or 3 minute transaction lasted for nearly 25 minutes.  Needless to say, the Giant associate was at her wits end and fed up to her false eyelashes with me.  I knew that no matter what transpired, I had to remain calm, non-confrontational, display NO attitude, etc.

The bottom line was that I knew that I needed to walk away with $7.47 in my hand because that is what the difference was between the sale and the non-sale items.  But the associate just could not understand the transaction.  Of course, the coupons did add to the confusion but it was not that difficult.

Finally, the associate managed to stumble upon the solution to HER dilemma and I was given $7.47.  The people behind me (all 8 of them) were learning how to speak up for themselves without be nasty or confrontational.  Actually, the coupons had little to do with the episode.  The associate was lacking in her problem solving skills.

Here's What I learned and hopefully, those behind me:

• Never argue over a transaction.
• Never tell them you understand what they have done, if you do not.
• Never go to the service desk in a confrontational manner.
• Always do the math several times BEFORE you go back to the service desk.
• No matter what, always leave with a smile and a big "thank you" to the person who assisted you, especially when they don't deserve it.

I also picked up the FREE Giant Spring Savings coupon booklet at the service desk.  It is loaded with great coupons.  Unfortunately, they do not double.  But if you pair them with some great sales, you can still save money.  A coupon have already expired so I have only noted the ones with a little life left on them.

Coupons in the Giant Spring Savings Book

• Barilla Pasta Sauce $1/1 Expires 6.30.12
• Weber Seasoning or BBQ Sauce or Marinade pkts $1/1  Expires 6.30.12
• Pearls Sliced Ripe Olives $1/3 cans Expires 5.26.12
• Maruchan Yakisoba $1/Any 2 items Expires 5.31.12
• Mama Francesca 8 oz Imported Parmesan, Garlic Bread or Pizza Topping $1/2 Expires 6.30.12
• O-Live & Co. Extra Virgin Olive Oil $1/2 any bottle Expires 12.31.12
• Dreamfields Pasta $1/2 any variety Expires 7.31.12
• Near East Couscous $1/1 with purchase of 3 Near East Pilaf Expires 6.23.12
• Truvia Sweetner $1/1 any size Expires 5.31.12
• Rubbermaid Glass w/lids $1.50/1  Expires 8.31.12
• Rubbermaid Easy Find List, Lock-its, produce saver, premier container $1/1 Expires 8.31.12
• Energizer Max Batteries $1 Expires 11.30.12
• Energizer Ultimate Batteries $1 Expires 11.30.12
• GSK Advantage Brands $5 on any: Citrucel, OsCal, Ecotrin, and others Expires 6.30.12

 Finally, here's a link to a great primer for saving money when shopping at the grocery store...any grocery store: Grocery Store Spending Traps

Sunday Coupon Preview for this weekend: NO INSERTS
This is a holiday weekend and there will be no inserts in the papers on Sunday.  Take this weekend off from cutting, clipping, and stuffing coupons and clean out the coupons that have expired or will expire before you use them.  Make room for the three inserts (Red Plum, Smart Source, and PG) expected next week.

You can always go to the printables to help you in case you begin to suffer couponing anxiety or withdrawal.  The links below are from True Couponing (scroll all the way down on their website for some great couponing tips):

• Coupons.com
• SmartSource.com
• RedPlum.com
• Target.com
• CouponNetwork.com
• Other Printable Coupons

 Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.  Remember, our service men and women who are no longer with us.  Also, remember our loved ones who have preceded us in crossing over to the other shore.

ShaRon
The Bizzy Coupon Bee

Getting Back in the Coupon Groove!

 It is time for me to get back into my shopping mode.  I have been able to stay out of the grocery stores for more than two weeks!!!  I know I saved loads of money just by NOT shopping. I rarely buy an item when it is not on sale and/or have a coupon.  But, I still spend more than I should because I love getting my staple items for free or almost free.

I can almost always reduce my shopping out of pocket expenses by 60% to 75% every single time I shop with my coupons, sales, rain checks, and clearance.  More often than not, I can get several items for free, as well.  It is not unusual for me to reduce my shopping bottom line by 90% or more.  I usually send my husband on those shopping trips.  I love to hear him brag about walking out the door without having to pay for his groceries.   He says that he feels like he is shoplifting.

My drugstore deals are also very good with my average savings around 60% when I can use my Extra Care Bucks (CVS) or Up Rewards (Rite Aid).  I often get items for free when I stack coupons and extra bucks or up rewards with sales.  I will have a Walgreens near my home in the next couple of months.  So, when it opens, I will be able to give you some insight into Walgreens savings, too.

I hate shopping at Sam's Club because they do not accept coupons.  Costco has their own set of manufacturers' coupons.  Their coupons are usually not for items I want or need and I cannot reduce my bottom line by 60% to 70% or more by shopping there.

I have decided to do a little light shopping this week and use my stash of rain checks before they expire.  My ShopRite rain checks expire 60 days after they are issued.  I have several that are expiring this month.  I love to hold on to the rain checks until I happen upon a coupon that I can match to it for even greater savings.  This way, I can make my own sales on my own terms.

Here are some great coupons:  (Don't forget to click the back button and RESEND...AFTER your first coupon prints to get the second one).

Take the CVS Dental Assessment it is only one or two questions.  You will only choose the tooth paste you prefer.  Ignore the ones at the bottom that ask you lots of medical info and just submit to get your two $1 CVS coupons that can be stacked with the Aquafresh coupons you will download in the Aquafresh link provided.
CVS Dental Assessment

Gold Peak Tea - Use at Harris Teeter or ShopRite for Free tea there.
Gold Peak Tea Coupons

Charmin is giving away $1/1 coupons but only to the first 10,000 who sign in on FBook and "Like" them...HURRY!
Cuckoo for Coupondeals Printable Coupons

Aquafresh Coupons - Register your junk email with them to access NINE great Aquafresh coupons
There are even products for toddlers first tooth brushing experience.
Aquafresh Printable Coupons

Lots of NEW coupons have been reloaded at Coupon.com

Other coupon websites:

Eat Better America Coupons

Betty Crocker Printable Coupons

Printable Coupons Blog

Proctor & Gamble E-Saver Digital Coupons
The Grocery Coupon Network

Pillsbury Coupons

Fabulessly Frugal Coupons

Red Plum Printable Coupons

Target Printable Coupons  (Remember, you can stack manufacturers' coupons with Target coupons)

ShopRite Deals and Savings for the week:
(Check the right side of the page for other store matchups)
Thrifty Coupon Diva Coupon ShopRite Matchups

Remember that some items/coupons/deals, etc may be different depending on your state, region, or zip code.

Happy Couponing!
Love, ShaRon

The Coupon Doldrums

I love hearing about the shopping exploits of my Bizzy Coupon Bees.  Here's the most recent shopping victory posted by my niece Vanessa on her Facebook page.  She says that her friends all wanted to know how she did it!  Here's her "scenarios" she posted:
      

Transaction 1: CVS had a promotion that you would get $4.99 in ExtraBucks if you bought Children's Allegra.  My transaction came to $9.99. I had a manufacturers coupon for $5 off one Children's Allegra (got it in today's Sunday Newspaper) AND a CVS coupon for $4 of any Allegra (I got it when I swiped my CVS card at the CVS Card Kiosk a couple weeks ago)   After coupons I paid 99 cents and got the $4.99 extra bucks when I got my receipt.

Transaction 2: The Wisk was BOGO, and I had 4 "$2 off ONE" coupons for the Wisk. Even though its BOGO (a CVS promotion) you can still use four manufacturers coupons, they  will just go towards the two that you are paying for.  The Wisk was 8.99 ea, the total came to around $18.  I used my four "$2 off one" coupons and used $4.99  ExtraBucks that I got during my previous transaction bringing my total to around $6 after taxes. :-)

Charles, another one of my Bizzy Coupon Bees called to tell me that he was hot on the trail of FREE Starbucks canned coffee drinks and had a ton of coupons to play with. 

 If you have successes, even tiny one, let us all know so we can cheer your victories along with you. Victory is so much sweeter when it is shared with the Hive!

                   
Sometimes, the best deals can be found one, two, or three weeks after the coupon first appears in a circular.  You may do well to avoid using coupons published in the same week you find them.  I have kicked myself many times because I jumped on what seemed like a great match-up only to find a better one the following week or so.  When that happens, I just go to a coupon clipping service to get the coupons I need and often in a larger quantity than I had before.
                
Only two circulars this week but the Smart Source is loaded with some great coupons.   If you are looking for great deals and/or match-ups, use one of the coupon databases listed below:
Coupon Database Saving Lifestyle  
Coupon Database –Saving with Shelley

Coupon Database - A Full Cup  

Coupon Database - LivingRich with Coupons

Coupon Database ($$) The Grocery Game 

Coupon Database –Coupon Divas 

Coupon Database-MoneySaving Queen

Coupon Divas:  (weekly matchups, coupon policies)

I was so busy this entire week that I did not set foot in a store at all.  I did not shop for myself anywhere.  I let some really great coupons, rain checks, and sales expire.  To be really honest, I was experiencing the "Coupon Doldrums".

I decided to take some well worn advice I pass on to my Bizzy Coupon Bees in training.  "Don't worry about missing a great sale or fret about really high dollar coupons that expire before you can use them.  There will ALWAYS be another great sale with high dollar coupons to match."  

       

Sometimes,  I coupon into the wee hours of the early morning.  I LOVE IT!  I often go to sleep to the sound of birds singing, "Good Morning!"  But, just like a marathon runner, I get weary, tired, and burned out.   AND, yet, the marathoner always longs for the next 26 mile run. 

    
So, I will cut, sort, and stuff my coupon bounty into my binder this week and peruse the weekly circulars and online coupon match-ups.   I will probably stay up too late again and take my position at the starting line ready for another coupon marathon.  But, I am not sure that I will be running that marathon this week because I am still a little weary.   It is in times like these that I retreat to the bounty of my stockpile.  I will save money every day that I do not set foot in a store.   When I don't spend money, I am saving money.
 
I don't worry about missing any great sales or coupons that may expire because I know for sure that "there will ALWAYS be another great sale with high dollar coupons to match and rain checks to back them up".

So, when you find yourself in the "coupon doldrums", relax, take a break from clipping, sorting, and stuffing coupons.  Retreat to your stockpile for a week or two and save even more money by not spending any.

Super Doubles Week at Harris Teeter...All Done!!!

Whew! I love to coupon shop but this Super Doubles (q-pons double with a face value up to $1.99) event was a real challenge.  I really love Harris Teeter but their prices are outrageous!  But, just like shopping at Neiman Marcus, you can find great bargains, if you know how to shop the sales. 
                                                                      
The greatest challenge to my shopping adventure was that I brought along my husband.  He is probably at the same level I was about a year ago when I began.  He had a list of items but did not really know how to gauge whether the price with the coupon was a good buy.  In other words, he did not have a "price book" embedded in his brain.  I actually have three price books (or price lists) in my binder.  I seldom refer to them anymore because I have the price lists for the items I buy most often memorized.  
 
My dear husband did not use the rain check with the Smart Source milk coupons and ended up paying $3 for milk that would have been free had he paired the coupons with the rain check.   He completely bypassed a great deal on Welch's grape juice because he did not realize that it was super doubles week at HT and thought the juice cost too much.  He did not realize that the $1 coupon would double to $2 this week and make the Welch's a good buy. 

I did not have the heart to fuss at him.  I gently pointed out his errors and he went back to the store to get credit for his mistakes.  He did great!  He got all the shopping errors rectified and they gave him back the rain check to use yet another time.  
 
What did I learn...I will have to provide my sweetie with a shopping "scenario" for each item rather than simply listing the items to purchase.  A shopping scenario for the Smart Balance milk  and Welch's he purchased would look like this:  

(1) Smart Balance milk special: buy 1 half gallon get 1 Smart Balance spreadable butter FREE
Buy 3 Smart Source 1/2 gallon milk - $3.99
Get 3 Smart Source spreadable butter (Free-no coupon needed)
Use 3 Smart Balance milk coupons $1.50 off one item (will double to $3 off each item)
Use rain check for Smart Balance milk 2 for $6
Out of pocket (OOP) Free!

(2) Welch's Grape Juice
Buy 3 Welch's Grape Juice @ $3.79 ea
Use 3 Welch's Grape Juice coupons $1 off 1 bottle (will double to $2 off each item)
OOP (Out of pocket) 3X $1.79 = $5.37
 
Yes, I know this looks like a lot of work but it serves a purpose.  My husband is slowly being groomed to learn how to shop wisely with and without coupons.  In addition, I have great hopes that he will become a savvy couponer once he is fully convinced of its merits.  He loves going shopping and watching the prices roll back once he scans his loyalty card and coupons.  But, if he does not learn how to spot a bargain or (better yet) make a bargain, he will never become a savvy shopper.

We shopped from two different lists to save time and effort.  On our shopping trip tonight, we bought $164.24 worth of groceries.  Our out of pocket was $45.52.  We saved $118.72 for a savings of 73%!!!
    
Is my sweetheart convinced?  Yes, he is convinced that coupon shopping definitely does save money and is worth the effort.  However, he says that it is worth "my" effort and not his.  He says he will sit in the car and listen to the baseball game next time.
     
Here's a little peek at my rain checking deal at Harris Teeter this week.  I love rain checks.  The last day of a big sale is the best day to go rain checking.

 

Happy Couponing and Rain Checking!

ShaRon, The Bizzy Coupon Bee