Now Serving... More Newspaper Deals

We are super excited to be able to offer subscriptions to other areas so your friends and family who live there can start saving with you!!  Here's the run-down on all the different deals we can now offer!!  So exciting!!  

Las Vegas Review-Journal

• For those of us in Clark County, NV.  
• This is a 6-month subscription (26 weeks)
• Order up to 5 Sunday papers for as low as .90/paper!
• The RJ only has the SmartSource inserts right now (hint, hint)  
• Click HERE for grocery ads in your area

The Orange County Register

• For people who live in Orange County, and select cities to the North
• This is a 1 year subscription (52 weeks)
• Order up to 5 Sunday papers for as low as .19/paper *ridiculous*
• The OCR contains the SmartSource, Red Plum, and P&G inserts - WOW!
• Click HERE for grocery ads in your area

The Sacramento Bee

• For people living in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, Colusa, Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado and Amador counties
• This is a 1 year subscription (52 weeks)
• Order up to 5 Sunday papers for as low as .38/paper! 
• The Bee contains the SmartSource, Red Plum, and P&G inserts - WOW!
• Click HERE for grocery ads in your area

The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News

• Delivers to all of Utah
• This is a 1 year subscription (52 weeks)
• You can only get 2 SLT and 2 DN papers delivered to your home for a total of 4 Sunday papers
• Order up to 4 Sunday papers for as low as .96/paper! 
• These papers contain the SmartSource and P&G inserts and about 10-20% more General mills coupons in the SS than other UT papers
• Click HERE for grocery ads in your area

The Herald Journal

• Delivers to the following Utah counties: Cache and Box Elder.  Also, Preston, Idaho also gets delivery within city limits for an additional charge of .25 per package for Idaho sales tax. 
• This is a month-to-month subscription that will be set up on auto-renewal.
• You can order a pack of 3, 4, or 5 Sunday papers for less than $1/paper
• The HJ contains the SmartSource and P&G inserts
• Click HERE for grocery ads in your area

The Standard Examiner 

• Delivers to the following Utah counties: Box Elder, Weber, Morgan and Davis 
• This is a month-to-month subscription that will be set up on easy pay.
  
• You can order a pack of 3, or 4 Sunday papers for around .85/paper
• The Standard contains the SmartSource and P&G inserts
• Click HERE for grocery ads in your area

The Idaho Standard Journal

• Delivers to Southeast Idaho
• This is a month-to-month subscription set up on easy pay
• You can order a 5 pack of Sunday papers for less than $1/paper
• The ISJ contains the SmartSource, Red Plum, and P&G inserts - WOW!
• Click HERE for grocery ads in your area

And if that wasn't enough... make sure you let us know if you know of anyone who may be interested in hosting a FREE coupon class in any of these areas as we have instructors waiting to share all the tips and tricks on what to DO with all these coupons!!

HAPPY SAVINGS!!!

Coupon Clean-Up!

It's that time again!!!  Time to organize your (I mean my) coupons!  My calendar has been so full of classes - thank you everyone - that I have let my own coupons go unattended for way too long.  If you are new to couponing, let me please share the EASIEST and MOST EFFICIENT method to filing your coupons.  When you use this method, it should not take you more than a few minutes to file your coupons as opposed to several hours using other methods we may have seen on certain TV shows...you know the one.  

In a nutshell..... 

#1 - STOP cutting your coupons when you get them!  

Sunday mornings are like Christmas for me because I know that each week, on my front porch, I have at least $200 in coupons/money waiting for me.  Such a great feeling!  So when find your coupon inserts in your Sunday paper, pull out the whole insert and write the Sunday date on the front.  I use post-its so I can use them as 'tags' in my file box.  

#2 - Get a hanging file box (or earn one by hosting a free coupon class - wink wink) and some hanging files.  You can also use a binder with sheet protectors but that won't last you very long.  

#3 - Paper clip your multiple inserts together, or put them all in a sheet protector, and place them in your file box.

#4 - Leave them alone!!  I mean it!!

Yes, my files are color coded for SS and RP - cause I'm a geek!!

 Here is your current list of inserts that you should have in your box just waiting for that perfect sale+coupon opportunity:

Smart Source

SS-11/14

SS-12/5

SS-1/9

SS-1/23

SS-1/30

SS-2/27

SS-3/6

SS-3/13

SS-3/20

SS-4/3

SS-4/10

SS-4/17

SS-5/8

SS-5/15

SS-5/22

SS-6/5

SS-6/12

SS-6/19

SS-6/26

Red Plum

RP-3/13

RP-3/20

RP-3/27

RP-4/10

RP-4/17

RP-5/1

RP-5/15

RP-5/22

RP-6/5

RP-6/12

RP-6/19

RP-6/26

There are also a few random coupons still not expired in the RP on 10/10, 12/5, 1/16, 1/24, and 1/30. If you still have these, flip through them and see if you have used those yet.

Proctor & Gamble

Generally, you will only keep 2 inserts at a time with this one.  Most of the coupons expire by the time the next insert comes around.  So, you should have a PG from May and June, but if you still have your insert from 4/3, make sure you hang on to it for the Pampers Kando, any $1/1 coupon.  It doesn't expire until 12-31-11.

Pretty cool huh?!  When you use a coupon matching website like GrocerySmarts.com, it will tell you where your coupons are located.  For example, if you are looking at purchasing Wheat Thins Crunch Stix this week at Smiths, the website will tell you there is a $1/1 coupon found in your SS-4/17.  Remember that date you put on your insert?  Well, there ya go!!  

If you are still confused as to how to put this all together and utilize this method to maximize your grocery savings, call me to book a class! 

Vegas Baby!!

There are so many things I can post about things to do in Las Vegas. Being the wife of a concierge has allowed our family to see and do SO much in this town. I thought about doing a post about the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, or the Secret Garden at the Mirage, or the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, since these are the places we usually hit with family in town. However, unless you have a hubby with an employee badge they can be kind of pricey.

So, the wheels started turning about what great things you can do with the kids without spending ANY money. Here it goes... we are starting at the south-end of the strip and working our way down:

MGM

*Lion Habitat (Jarrett is obsessed with these guys, we have to stop in pretty frequently). They are at the MGM everyday (except Tuesdays) from 11am - 7pm

Bellagio

*Botanical Gardens - Gorgeous - open 24/7

*Dancing Fountains - if you haven't taken the kids to see this you all are missing out. The fountains are amazing. You can see them come to life Mon-Fri. 3 pm - 8pm every 30 min, then from 8-12 midnight, every 15 minutes. On Sat & Sunday the shows start at noon.

Flamingo

*Wildlife Habitat - Wanna see some actual flamingos? turtles? ducks? swans? This is the place.

Caesars Palace

*Forum Shops - Remember those Roman statues that come to life? Pretty neat.

Mirage

*Volcano - just got a new makeover & it is spectacular! Erupts every day at the top of the hour from 5pm-11pm.

*Aquarium - while you are there, you may want to peek at the huge fish tank behind the front desk & the atrium is a little indoor rain forest - also lovely.

Treasure Island

*Siren's Cove - ok- not appropriate for the kids anymore, but free date night, maybe? Shows nightly at 7pm, 8:30pm, 10pm, and 11:30pm

Downtown Las Vegas

*Fremont Street Experience - This brings back fond memories of my high school days. Great light show every hour from 8pm - midnight.

Silverton
*Aquarium - A huge reef aquarium complete with sting rays and sharks, AND mermaids!  You can see watch these animals being fed at 1:30pm, 4:30pm, and 7:30pm.  The mermaids are swimming Thursday from 2:15pm - 8:45pm, Friday and Saturday from 2:15pm - 9:45pm, and Sunday from 11:30am - 6:45pm.

Sunday Coupon Preview 6/26

Hey y'all... As you are probably aware, the coupons we receive in our area will vary slightly from coupons acquired other places besides your Review-Journal subscription. That being said, I would like to share with you the list of upcoming coupons that will be in OUR paper this Sunday!
Don't forget to check out the Grocery Smarts list to create your customized grocery lists using these coupons. Happy Saving!!

Barilla Piccolini pasta $1/2
Wonderful Pistachios, 6oz $1/1
Hot pocket snackers, any $1/1
Weight Watchers yogurt cups, 6oz $1/5
Tree Top applesauce products $1/2
Blue Diamond 6ox can .60/2
Heinz Vinegar,any $1/2
Stacys Pita Chips, any .55/1
Ortega Green Chiles any, $1/2
Ortega Taco Shells any, $1/1
Zantac, 24 ct or larger $1/1
Weber Seasoning $1/1
Refresh brand product any, $1/1
Refresh brand product any, $3/2
Swiss premium tea, half gallon .75/2
Hershey's chocolate bars 6 pack $1/2
Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallows .60/3
Honey Maid Grahams $1/2
Tyson mini chicken sandwiches or mini cheese sandwiches $1/1
Bausch + Lomb free trial pair of contacts (see your dr for details)
Stayfree product B1G1 Free
Carefree product .50/1
O.B. Product (not trial size) $1/1
Purina dog snacks $4/4
Purina dog snacks $1.50/2
Purina cat snacks $1/2
Fancy feast appetizers $1/4
Dishwasher Magic or Washer magic .55/1
Disposer Care .55/1
Pantene products (except trial size) $1/2
Twizzlers 10 OZ or larger .50/1
Mitchum deodorant (except trial size) .75/1
Olive Garden $4 off two entrees
Olive Garden $2 off two lunch entrees
Bio-Oil 2 or 4.2 oz, $2/1
Lloyds Barbecue product .75/1
Innova dry dog food $3/1
Innova dry cat food $3/1
Egglands Best 18 count eggs .50/1
Egglands Best .35/1
Trojan $1/1
Trojan vibrations $1/1
Revlon Color Cosmetics $1/1
Gold Bond body wash (excludes trial) $2/1
Gold Bond hand sanitizer (excludes trial) $2/1
Gold Bond lotion or cream (excludes trial) $1/1
Baskin Robbins $3 off cake
Baskin Robbins cone buy 1 get 1 .99
Baskin Robbins $1 off medium or large frozen beverage
Baskin Robbins add a boost free to any cappuccino blast
Chuck E Cheese coupons too!!

Hope this helps prepare your super shopping trips! Happy Savings!

- Jen
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence all the typos)

Roos-n-More

Our Las Vegas zoo leaves much to be desired, so here is an alternative for ya.  I met these guys at the Natural History Museum last summer and thought what a cool experience for my kiddies.  Roos-n-More has a few open zoo days.  Go and visit exotic animals from 9am-1pm on the following days: 

June 14th

June 26th

July 11th

July 17th

July 30th*

*CCSD teachers, present your badge on this day and receive 50% off admission!

Admission Cost is $10 per person (kids 2 and under are Free)

These little guys will also be making a few special appearances in Vegas.  You can see them at the Springs Preserve every weekend in June.  They will be doing shows as well as hosting a few classes.  Looks like a fun opportunity to get up close and personal with animals your kiddies might not get a chance to encounter. 

Keep an eye on the Family Fun calendar at the bottom of this blog for current Open Zoo days.

Slash Pads are OPEN!!

REPOSTED from last year....
It's starting to feel like summer, so it's about time I put up some info on ideas to stay cool!  And, since I am so nice, I thought I would make the search easy for you by linking each park to it's mapped location (this is what happens when you get to sit and nurse your baby a few hundred times a day & I apparently have an obsessive need to multi-task).
Hope this helps & don't forget your sunscreen!!!

Boulder City:
Veteran's Memorial Park - 1650 Buchanan Blvd (I hear this park is fantastic)

Henderson:
Acacia Park - 50 Casa Del Fuego, 89012
Esselmont Park - 2725 Anthem Highlands Drive, 89044
Hayley Hendricks Park - 811 Ithaca Ave, 89015
Mission Hills Park - 551 E Mission Drive, 89002
Paseo Vista Park - 2505 Paseo Verde Pkwy, 89074
Saguaro Park - 600 Pounds Way, 89015

Las Vegas:
All-American - 1551 S Buffalo Dr, 89117
Angel - 241 S Durango Dr, 89145
Bob Baskin - 2801 Oakey Blvd, 89102
Bruce Trent - 8851 Vegas Dr, 89128
Centennial Hills - 7101 N Buffalo Dr, 89131
Gilcrease Brothers - 10011 Gilcrease Ave, 89149
Justice Myron E Leavitt Family - 2100 E St Louis Ave, 89104
Polly Gonzalez Memorial - 5425 Corbett St, 89130
Rainbow Family - 7151 W Oakey Blvd, 89117
Red Ridge Family Park - 9135 W Maule Ave
Sunny Springs - 7620 Golden Talon Ave, 89131
Winding Trails - 7250 N Ft. Apache, 89149
Woofter Family - 1600 Rock Springs Dr, 89128

Clark County Parks:
Alexander Villas Park - 3620 Lincoln Road, 89115
Duck Creek Park - 8650 Pollock Dr, 89123 (not in the best shape now)
Meyer Park & Center - 4525 New Forest Dr, 89147
Molasky Family Park - 1065 E Twain, 89169
Mountain Crest Park & Center - 4701 N Durango, 89129
Nicholas E. Flores Jr. Park - 4133 Allen Lan, 89032
Joe Shoong Park - 1503 Wesley St, 89104
Somerset Hills Park - 10717 Valencia Hills, 89141
Spring Valley Park - 7600 W Flamingo, 89147
Winchester Park - 3130 S McLeod, 89121

(If you know of any others, leave a comment and I will add them - thanks)

Summer Investments

While I try to keep my summer activities relatively inexpensive (OK - let's face it, I'm totally cheap), but there are a few key things I will put some money into up front as kind of an "investment" in my summer plans.  Then I end up being able to use most of these throughout the year as well.  It works out to be a really great pay off in the end!!  Memberships to the following places are a life saver on days when you really don't have anything "planned" for the day. 

Lied Discovery Children's Museum

 $65 for 2 family members (1 adult and 1 child)

$70 for 3 family members

$75 for 4 family members

$80 for 5 family members

$85 for 6 family members

(they do offer a $10 discount for active military families too)

Natural History Museum

$65 Family Membership (2 adults and ALL children)

Springs Preserve

$60 Family Membership (2 adults and ALL children)

Henderson Rec Center Pools
60 punch card $36
for us that's almost 7 trips to the big activity pools

I can go to a fun pool and a museum each week for around $20 (if I am just calculating it for 12 weeks of summer)!  That's 2 days of activities taken care of ;-).  And like I said, with the exception of the pool punch cards, these are all ANNUAL memberships!  Get a few friends together who all have memberships and you can have some super fun playgroups planned for the year too!  

**Since I am such a nerd and I love to crunch numbers, just the first 3 memberships only costs me a little over $4 a week.  I usually do a few trips a month anyway so that is such a deal!**

FREE Smoothies Tomorrow

Its National Flip Flop Day tomorrow!! Wear flip flops to any Tropical Smoothie Cafe tomorrow (6/17) and get a FREE Smoothie!!!
I'm sure it's a "while supplies last" kind of scenario but last year we went at lunch time and still got ours. Good Luck and Happy Summer!

Deal of the Day

Do you get these yet?? Today was a great one and perfect for kicking off the summer. Half off a four pack of tickets for the Natural History Museum (or the Dinosaur Museum as my kids call it). You will love this Deal of the Day!

An annual membership is so worth it if you want a big bang for your buck. Ask them about it when you get there! And don't forget to check out the new King Tut exhibit!

- Jen
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence all the typos)

Tip Tuesday #3

Pick the Perfect Pepper 

{sheesh I love my alliterations}

When you are shopping for ingredients to your favorite meal, it helps to know what you are getting.  Here's one cool tip:

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating

Peppers with 4 bumps firmer and better for cooking

BONUS RECIPE:  Brush vegetable oil on the peppers and roast them in the oven.  You can broil them, but watch carefully.  When the skin starts to blacken, remove them from the oven and turn them.  Remove the skin, slice them, and remove the seeds.  Lay them on a shallow tray and coat with Italian salad dressing.  Yummy!  Serve them as is, or over bruchetta. 

TownSquare Movies

 

 Rave Motion Pictures still doing FREE movies this summer!!  Hooray!!  We love going to Town Square for movie days because after the movie, you can head over to the awesome playground complete with splash pad and cool off!!  Makes the drive home nice and cool.  That's a fun filled morning and the kids will be more than ready for naptime after all that (yipee).  Looks like we missed last week - sorry, but these are already playing.

All movie times are at 10am, but you will want to be there early as it is first come, first served seating.

Rave @ Town Square (click for map)

June 7 & 8

Megamind
June 14 & 15

Yogi Bear
June 21 & 22

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
June 28 & 29

Live Large (?)
July 5 & 6

Ramona and Beezus
July 12 & 13

The Lightning Thief
July 19 & 20

Narnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader
July 26 & 27 

Gulliver’s Travels 

Want a change of scene from the big movie theater?  Town Square also has Movies in the Square on those nice summer nights.  Every Thursday at sundown, Findlay Toyota is sponsoring FREE movie series!  Since movie start time is at "sundown" you might want to plan on going early to get a good seat on the grass as well as enjoy some live entertainment.  Add a sweet treat and that sounds like a magical night.  This series also has already begun, so here is the plan for movies for the rest of the summer.

June 16

Shrek Ever After

June 23

The Karate Kid

June 30

Megamind

July 7

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

July 14

Kung Fu Panda

July 21

Yogi Bear

July 28

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

August 4

Toy Story 3

August 11

Up

August 18

The Mighty Ducks

August 25

Tangled

ENJOY!!!

$1 Regal Movies

If you have followed this blog for a while, you will know that I am sucker for movies... especially free ones!  We have always enjoyed the Regal Colonnade since it is so close to our house, and in the past has been absolutely free.  Times are-a-changin' I guess, and we have to pay this year.  Bummer, I know... But, it's only $1!!  So right now, add to your weekly budget enough dollars to cover your family and pick a day to head to the movies.  There are some good ones playing this year and I am really looking forward to this. What I love about this is activity, is that it is a regular on our calendar, and thus provides some consistency for our summer.  Sounds weird, I know, but I just love Tuesdays and Wednesdays!!  

Here is the list of Regal Cinema movies at both the Colonnade and Village Square. Enjoy!

NOTE: All shows start at 10am, but I would get there at least 15 minutes early - those theaters fill up fast.

Colonnade 14 (Eastern and Pebble - click for map)

6/21-6/22

Chronicles of Narnia

Tale of Despereaux

6/28-6/29

Cats and Dogs

Megamind

7/5-7/6

Alpha and Omega

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

7/12-7/13

Charlotte's Web

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

7/19-7/20

Furry Vengeance

Shrek Forever After

7/26-7/27

Kitt Kittredge

Legend of the Guardians

8/2-8/3

Gulliver's Travels

How to Train Your Dragon

8/9-8/10

Marmaduke

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

8/16-8/17

Despicable Me

Nanny McPhee Returns

Village Square 18 (9400 Sahara Ave - click for map)

6/21-6/22

Despicable Me

Nanny McPhee Returns

6/28-6/29

Chronicles of Narnia

Tale of Despereaux

7/5-7/6

Cats and Dogs

Megamind

7/12-7/13

Alpha and Omega

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

7/19-7/20

Charlotte's Web

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

7/26-7/27

Furry Vengeance

Shrek Forever After

8/2-8/3

Kitt Kittredge

Legend of the Guardians

8/9-8/10

Gulliver's Travels

How to Train Your Dragon

8/16-8/17

Marmaduke

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Summer Plans

I am freaking out that it is summer already and I have not ONE thing planned for my crazy bunch of kids!  I usually have that Family Fun Calendar (at the bottom of the blog) updated well in advance of the last day of school.  And since my laptop is heading to the computer hospital, I cannot work on any of my 'work' stuff so you are in luck!  I am going to be taking this afternoon and busting out a TON of post about things we can all do to entertain our "chillins" this summer.... ENJOY!!  

p.s. if you think of anything that could be added or you would like to share with everyone, please email me at thegrocerygeek@gmail.com.  

P.S.S.  Please share with your friends!

Check This Out!

I LOVE this deal! Albertson's is having a deal on gift cards so for every $100 you spend on a gift card (excludes Visa, American Express and Albertson's gift cards) you will get a $20 catalina back good on your next shopping trip! I've already bought a couple Father's Day gifts and I'm planning on taking my little ones to Disneyland this Fall so I bought 5 Disneyland tickets and recieved $100 in catalinas! Now I'm NOT sure if you have to buy them separately but to be on the safe side, I did separate transactions for each gift card. The deal goes until June 18 so not a huge rush. Think birthdays and Christmas too!!

Order Your Papers

Hey! If you have been waiting to start your newspaper subscriptions, now's the time! Grocery Smarts has a great deal with the RJ to get you a super discounted price! (check out link on the sidebar). If you place an order there or with me by phone before Saturday, your Sunday papers will begin arriving on June 19th.

However, here's a little insider tip.... When you order the daily paper there is a good chance you will start seeing it as early as Wednesday or Thursday of next week. You REALLY want that Thursday paper ;-). I can't give specifics, but let's just say there may be a certain peelie on the front of the paper on the 16th that we can use at a certain clothing store that has amazing Klearance items. Oh the savings! How will I spend it? Let's compare receipts and See how we do.
(how's that for subtle?)

- Jen
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence all the typos)

Parks and Recreation Links

I LOVE that we have such great parks and recreation departments here in the Las Vegas valley. These are quick links to the summer editions of the parks and rec brochures. Look closely as there are usually LOTS of FREE classes and/or events:

City of Henderson

City of Las Vegas 

City of North Las Vegas

Clark County 

  Boulder City

Summer Reading - CHART IT!

Those of you who know me, or have been to my class, you know how much I love a good spreadsheet!  My brain just works better when there is order.  So, lists... charts... anything to keep this mamma's crazy brain under control just makes me happy.  

I saw this gal's blog post highlighted on Sugardoodle.net today and just KNEW I needed to do this for my kiddies.  This will be a great motivation for my kids and will just be all around FUN to tie in all these reading programs that I just posted about here... here... and here...  

Erin at Chicken Babies, came up with this Ahhhhdorable way to chart all the books her kids read this summer.  I may have to make some adjustments since I have 2 great readers, 1 who is just starting with blending letter, 1 who thinks she can read and has quite a fine imagination when doing so, and 1 who just loves to sit on your lap and enjoy any picture of a doggie or ball.  I'm not sure how I will adapt, but the concept is great and I have plenty of empty wall space in my hallway upstairs.  So much fun!!  So check out her post and let me know what you come up with!

I hope your summer is filled with lots of good stories and memories with your kids!  I am working on updating the Family Fun calendar at the bottom of this blog, so if you know of any good activities (scheduled or not) that I can highlight for you or add to the calendar, please let me know!  

Happy READING!! 

Library Summer Reading Programs

And what I think will be the final installment of the summer reading program, the libraries!  If you haven't participated in these events with your children over the past few summers, you are really missing out.  We have loved everything they do at the Henderson libraries for the past several years.  Typically, when your child reads a certain number of books, they can earn prizes along the way.  Usually the big prize is free admittance to the Lied's Children's Museum, or a discount at The Shark Reef!  That just adds to extra fun things to do this summer on the cheap.  

So, here's the info you will need... 

Henderson Public Libraries

Summer Reading Kick-off Party

Saturday, June 11th 9am-1pm 

Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street. 

Free Activities; including bounce house, games, live entertainment, community booths, crafts and much more. Sign up to earn prizes as you read during the summer.

Click here for library locations

Clark County Public Libraries

   Their program starts June 10th.  Just go to any library and get your forms to fill out.  They also have a toddler reading program!  What a great way to get your little one to love books! 

Click here for library locations

Stay tuned for another great idea on how to keep your kids pumped about reading ALL summer!! 

More Summer Reading

I should have known to post the Borders summer reading program when I did the one about the Barnes & Noble.  (I will be posting about the libraries next).  I am so excited about these programs because I have a few kids who love to read and I am always looking for ways to encourage them without actually 'telling' them to do it.  We have a few hard heads over here - not sure where they get it from.  

Anyway, Borders rewards program is called "Double Dog Dare Challenge" (fun).  When your kids read 10 books, they get one for FREE!!  Fill out the form HERE and you are on your way!