Yipee - We're back in business

I feel like I have been on a coupon vacation for a while.  There hasn't been a stellar promo since I had baby Jaxson and I didn't realize how much I was was in "saving withdraws".  Well, I got my fix in full tonight!!  I spent about an hour at home making my grocery list and getting my coupons together.  Smiths is having a GREAT promotion this week where they will raise the value of ANY coupon to $1 off - which means if you have a coupon for .25 off, this week it will be $1 off!  Soooooo... here's what my shopping trip looked like!

As you can see, I got a bunch of cereal, fruit snacks, brownies, steaks for my hubby, cleaning products, and some staples: milk, fruit, bread, cheese, and yes, ice cream is a staple in our home ;-). 

I got so many goodies though, I had to take a second picture! This next photo is what I played the "Guess How Much" game with my hubby... by the way, he is getting really sick of this game, but I don't care!!  

Well...How much do you think I paid for all the items in this photo!?!?!

After it was all said and done, I still have $4 left for my next trip - hooray!

Have you guessed how much yet?

Here's my breakdown for the entire trip:

Regular Price Value $274.39

MY out of pocket was only.... $103.97 for a savings of 63%! 

Did you guess yet???  

Are you ready for this???

My total for everything in that second photo was only $4.38!!  Most of it was FREE!!  How fun is that?!  I am totally going to be running around begging for coupons in the next few days to get more of these great deals! 

How did you do at the grocery store this week?  Send me your photos to be added in the Grocery Gallery!

Target Deals

I saw some great deals in the Target ad this week, so I thought I would go ahead and put it up on the Grocery Smarts list.  Click HERE to check it out!  And remember, you can use a Target Store coupon AND a manufacturer's coupon on the same item! 

I saw a great post at Totally Target where you can actually end up making money on the Old Spice body wash.  Man I love coupons!!

VolunteerVEGAS program at the Springs Preserve

In conjunction with the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada, the Springs Preserve is offering free admission on Sept. 11 to Southern Nevadans who give two or more hours of their time to participating organizations listed at VolunteerCenterSN.org.

 

After completing their service any time now through Aug. 1, volunteers will receive a voucher to redeem for free admission to the Springs Preserve on the National Day of Service and Remembrance, Sept. 11. The ticket will entitle the bearer to admission to all Springs Preserve exhibits and attractions.

Click here for more details:

http://www.springspreserve.org/support/volunteer_vegas.html

Find volunteer opportunity listings here:

http://www.volunteercentersn.org/HomePage/index.php/home.html

Thanks to one of my readers for this great bit of info!!!  I love it!! 

Lowe's Build and Grow

Do you have boys?  

Then you NEED to get to Lowe's on the 26th to build a Monster Truck!!  I know I will be in big trouble with my little men if we fail to scoop up these beasts!  

Happy Building!!

Click Here to register

Bass Pro Shops

My hubby has officially caught the "freebie summer bug".  He came home and told me he saw a billboard about Bass Pro Shops having some free workshops for the summer, and that I needed to put it on my blog!  He's so stinkin cute!  So, in honor of my sweet hubby.... here ya go! 

From June 5 - July 11 you can go to the Bass Pro Shop and take advantage of FREE workshops, FREE crafts, and loads of other FREE activities!!  Click each link to be taken to that page for more details.  The crafts are at specific times so those will be added to the Family Fun Calendar at the bottom of this blog. 

FREE Smoothie!

June 18th marks National Flip Flop Day®. Stop by any Tropical Smoothie Café wearing flip flops on this day and we'll help you kick off summer with a FREE 24 oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie! 

Don't you just love FREE stuff!!

A Week of Fun

Summer is in full swing and I am already tired.  I have been trying to get out everyday and DO something with my kids.  It doesn't have to be big, but I have found that if they have something to look forward to each day then we are all happier ;-).  Here is a little sample week to give you some ideas of activities for you and yours as well... Maybe we'll see you around!  

Monday - Swimming at Whitney Ranch Activity pool

Tuesday - Lied Discovery Children's Museum and then the library to pick out books about any subject my kids found interesting at the museum (yes, I'm that mom who makes them learn stuff during summer)

Wednesday - Storytime at Town Square & picnic and play in splash pad

Thursday - Crafts! We are making homemade Play-Dough in the morning, then heading to Bass Pro Shops to make leather key chains

Friday - FREE Smoothies today!  Pool playgroup, and Planet 51 at The District

By Saturday I should be spent ;-)  

AND....This whole week will cost me a whopping $9 cash out of my pocket for the pool on Monday!  Keep in mind, I am trying to entertain 5 kids from ages 9-3 months so that's pretty darn awesome if I do say so myself! 

Have a TON of fun and let's see what other great plans we can come up with for next week! 

RJ Issues and Renewal

I have been meaning to do this post for AGES!  I get calls and emails all the time about having issues or questions about their papers.  Unfortunately, most of the time I can't really help since I don't technically work for the paper.  I simply process your orders.  Once they are turned in, they are out of my hands.  However, I understand the frustration that can come if your papers aren't delivered properly (we NEED our coupons dang it!), or you have issues upon renewal.  After some research, I found that the RJ online is SO easy and a great way to ease those frustrations.  Below is a little tutorial on how to register online and manage your account.  I really hope this helps!  Thanks!!  

Step #1 - Go to www.lvrj.com and click on the link at the to of the page that reads "Subscribe or Manage your account" 

Step #2 - Click to Register

Step #3 - Locate your account by entering in 2 pieces of information.  You don't even need your account number!  Just try your phone number and/or house number and/or zip and/or last name.  Any 2 will do.  Then enter your email address and create a password. Super easy!!

Step #4 - Managing your account.  When all your info pulls up you should have 2 accounts.  The first is your account if you already had one before adding more Sunday papers.  If you signed up at a class, this is your $45.50 account.  The next account is for you additional Sunday Only papers at $19.50 each. 

Now, the cool part!!  On the left side (circled in red) are some really neat options. 

Vacation holds - remember how the paper doesn't have coupons on holidays?  Just click on that tab and set your delivery date you want for the hold (the next one will be July 4th).  SUPER simple, right?!

Service Issues - You can send them a note if your paper came delivered wet, late, or was missing the coupon inserts or heaven forbid they delivered the wrong amount of papers.  You can even send a message to the carrier.  So handy - and I am pretty sure this is a new option. 

I sure hope this helps!  Happy Couponing everyone!!

p.s. if you click on the images above, you can see them full size

Summer Reading Programs

Here's another freebie for your kids this summer!  Thank you to Self Reliant Sisters for this list! 

Here are 5 summer reading programs that are great to participate in!

Barnes and Noble (grades 1-6 only)
1. Read any eight books this summer and record them in this Passport. Be sure to document the location you visit in each book.
2. Bring your completed Passport to a Barnes & Noble store between May 25 and September 7, 2010.
3. Choose your FREE reading adventure from the book list featured on the back of your Passport. Your name will be automatically entered in the autographed book sweepstakes. 

 

Borders (Kids 12 and under) - “Double-Dog Dare” - Kids 12 and under who read 10 books can fill out the form and bring it to a Borders or Waldenbooks store by 8/26/10 to get a FREE book! (select titles available)
 

Henderson Library (all ages - adults too!) - Sign up online or in the library. You get cool prizes for reading!

Las Vegas Library -Kids Reading Program (birth through grade 5) & Teen Reading Program (6th grade to Senior). Download your reading log online and earn cool prizes!
 

Chuck E. Cheese - Reading rewards calendar. Read every day for 2 weeks and get 10 free tokens!

FREE Donuts tomorrow!

Krispy Kreme Gives Away Free Treat on June 4 in Celebration of National Doughnut Day!

In honor of this day, established in 1938 by the Salvation Army to raise funds to help people in need, Krispy Kreme is offering customers one FREE doughnut of any variety at participating U.S. store locations on Friday, June 4. No purchase is necessary to receive a free doughnut.

"On National Doughnut Day, Krispy Kreme is encouraging everyone to stop by for a free doughnut," says Ron Rupocinski, corporate chef of Krispy Kreme. "While my preferred indulgence is the signature Original Glazed(R) doughnut, we are inviting our guests to select their favorite doughnut. Make life a little sweeter by visiting your local Krispy Kreme store with your friends and family."

Nevada Participating Stores

7015 W. Spring Mountain Road 89103 702-222-1813

9791 South Eastern Avenue 89123 702-617-9160

Excalibur Hotel & Casino, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd., S, 2nd Level 89109 702-736-5235
Circus Circus, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd, S 89109 702-733-9944
Fitzgeralds Hotel; 301 Fremont Street 89101 702-366-0150
1331 West Craig Road 89030 702-657-9575

Calling All GEEKS!!

Do you have a passion for Grocery Smarts?!  Do you run home from the grocery store and snap a picture of your loot?!  I want to see some of your best deals!  Email me your photos and a summary of your savings and you will be featured in my Grocery Gallery! 

The more we share each others success stories, the more excited we can all get about saving big with Grocery Smarts!  Plus, for the newbies, it will give them an idea of the kinds of deals we are all picking up.  

Thanks in advance for your help!