Random Ramblings Archives - Page 2 of 49 - Passionate Penny Pincher

Happy Birthday Reagan

April 4, 2013 By Laurie 5 Comments

Gone to lunch with my sweet girl on her special day. Be back to penny pinching in a bit, and watch for a new giveaway coming shortly!

Filed Under: Random Ramblings

The Greatest Coupon

March 31, 2013 By Laurie 5 Comments

This is a guest post from a friend of mine (who knows the value of a coupon!) May you know the love and peace of Our Manufacturer all year long. :)

No deal is perfect. Everything has a cost. Many things come at a high price, yet thankfully most can be discounted. Some things can even be free with a great coupon!

The greatest coupons still have problems. Most will eventually expire. They are “void where prohibited.” There is a limit on how many people can use.

Some people don’t take advantage of great coupons though. Why? Maybe some don’t even know about them. Even if they do, they might defiantly refuse to use them. Some people don’t believe they are really worth anything. But every coupon has worth in our eyes! Maybe non-couponers would cash in on the offers if they were just taught how. We couponers should share the good news!

So here’s the gist of how to reap the benefits: 1) Seek out something you love. 2) Find a coupon, maybe from the manufacturer. 3) Pay the price for the item. 4) Once the coupon has been redeemed, celebrate how much you saved! 5) Tell everyone you know about your great deal. Happy shopping!

No one is perfect. Our sins have a cost. Many sins come at a high price, yet thankfully they can be discounted. We can even be free with the “Greatest Coupon”!

The Greatest Coupon has no problems. It will never expire. It is never void or prohibited. There is no limit on how many people can use it.

Some people don’t take advantage of the Greatest Coupon though. Why? Maybe some don’t even know about it. Even if they do, they might defiantly refuse to use it. Some people don’t believe they are really worth anything. But every person has worth in God’s eyes. Maybe non-Christians would cash in on the offer if they were just taught how. We Christians should share the Good News!

So here’s the gist of how to reap the benefits: 1) God sought out someone he loves—you. 2) We have a coupon from our Manufacturer. 3) Jesus paid the price for our sins. 4) Since our sins have been redeemed, we can celebrate that we are saved! 5) Tell everyone you know about the Greatest Coupon. Happy Easter!

My prayer for you this Easter is that you might know salvation from the One who values you so greatly that He willingly gave His life for you. It truly is the greatest gift we’ll each receive, and allows us freedom that comes only from Him. As my son reminds me each Easter morning, “Christ is risen!” He is risen indeed.

Photo courtesy of billaday on Flickr.

Filed Under: Random Ramblings

Spent $50 For $132 In Groceries At Publix

March 15, 2013 By Laurie 2 Comments

Here’s what I grabbed at Publix this week for $50.52, while saving $80 ~ not bad! My savings weren’t quite as good as Shannon’s this week (she always beats me!), but I’m excited to have my pantry re-stocked.

There were several items I picked up which I didn’t plan on getting, but I couldn’t pass up the BOGO Welch’s Jelly (we were almost out), an extra gallon of milk for $2.99 (that’s a pretty good price and it’ll save me an extra trip), and Oreos which were on sale with a peelie. (That was totally so that my family would think I was an awesome mom . . . it worked.)

Here’s a super quick run down of the coupons I used:

Bought 3 Land O Lakes Butter $2.50

Used (3) $.50/1 Land O Lakes Butter coupon Butter is usually $3-$4 per lb. and rarely goes on sale, so when it hits my stock up price I grab it, because you can easily freeze it (although it doesn’t expire ’til August)

Bought 5 Gogurt $1.20

Used (2) $.75/1 recent printables, but you can also find them in the SS 02/10/13 R
Used (1) $.50/1 Gogurt recent printable

Bought 9 Kraft Mac & Cheese $.64

Used (3) $1/3 Kraft Mac & Cheese

Bought 2 gallons milk $2.99

Bought 1 Oreos $2.99

Used $2.50/2 Oreos when you buy milk peelie

Bought 2 Eggo Waffles $1.19

Bought 6 Lance Crackers $1.60

Used (3) $1/2 Lance Crackers

Bought 1 A&W Root Beer $.90

Used $.75/1 Spring Flavor Saver 3/10/13 Insert

Bought 2 Kraft Cheddar Cheeses

Used $1/1 Kraft Cheese at Publix recent printable
Used $1 off Publix Produce wyb Kraft Cheese Item printable

Bought 1 Florida’s Natural OJ $3

Bought 1 Vanilla Wafers $1.99 (to make Paula Deen’s Banana Pudding over Easter)

Bought 4 Mc Cormick Gravies $.50

Used (2) $.50/2 McCormick Gravy Products

Bought 4 Quaker Dipps $1.17

Bought 1 Hawaiian Tropic $3.99 (woot!)

Used $2/1 Hawaiian Tropic from 3/10 Red Plum (they also had $1/1 hang tags)

Bought 1 Welch’s Squeeze James $1.29

Bought 1 Cantaloupe $2.50

Bought 1 Strawberries $2

Used $5/$50 Star Market Coupon

And here’s what we’re donating this week . . .

I’d love to hear how your grocery trip went this week, and if you were able to purchase an item or two to give please take a minute to share that too! See how other folks are saving at Super Savings Saturday at Money Saving Mom,Weekly Totals at I Heart Publix, and Friday Finals at Southern Savers.

New to couponing? Start out by checking out all Publix matchups over HERE, and also take a minute to visit this week’s top Kroger deals and Drug Store Deals. You can also check out my beginners series over HERE.

Filed Under: Grocery Stores, Publix, Random Ramblings, Store Deals

Giving {On A Budget}: Part Two

March 14, 2013 By Laurie 2 Comments

See part 1 HERE.

As I shared last week, this month we’ll be doing a weekly Giving {on a budget} series. So often I think people are simply overwhelmed with their own finances, and don’t know how to begin giving especially if money is tight. However, you never know when something you get for free might just bless someone else!

When traveling, we grab all the extra shampoos and conditioners we can find to donate them to our church. Our church then uses them to provide backpack supply kits for local homeless in our community, so while it doesn’t look like much, you can imagine it means something to the person who receives it.

I also try to sign up for free samples (like those Honey Nut Cheerios in the picture above) to donate as well. Over the years I’ve gotten free razors, full size shampoos, tons of small boxes of cereal and more, just by taking a few minutes to request them. Again, it doesn’t look like much (at all!) but when you think about the power of our impact as a group, those little samples really add up!

Please (please!) don’t feel like you need to give if you’re in a position where your finances are so strained that it’s more than you can do. But, if you’re able, think about unique ways that you can give this month . . . I’d love to hear your suggestions and would love to hear how you’re giving this month!

Want to read more about passionate giving? Here are a few posts to get you started:

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Have you been able to give an item or two to someone in need in 2013? Please leave a comment to let me know about it ~ I love hearing from you!

Filed Under: Random Ramblings

Giving {On A Budget}: Part One

March 7, 2013 By Laurie 3 Comments

At the end of 2012 I asked for a few suggestions for “25 Day” series on the PPP Facebook page, and received a ton of great responses, which led to the series 25 Days to a More Organized You and 25 Days of Slow Cooking. But someone mentioned a fantastic idea for a series on giving, and while I’d hoped to get my act together and start March off with a daily giving post, life happened and there’s just no way for me to get it all done. (I sure wish there was!)

So, instead of a daily series this month, I figured we could chat weekly on easy ways to give {on a budget!} so that none of us become overwhelmed. As a couponer, there are so many easy ways to get items free or close to free, and using just a few extra dollars can really help bless another person. Yesterday, my child’s kindergarten teacher requested that items be sent in tomorrow, as she’s helping feed the homeless over the weekend. Since I keep a donation bag in our guest bedroom (which goes to our local food pantry once a month), it was easy for me to grab what they were looking for. We almost always have things at home to send in!

We’ll talk about other easy ways to give throughout the month, but I’d love to encourage you to consider purchasing just one item this week (even a free item!) to give to someone in need if you’re not already doing that. Right now PPP gets visits from over 65,000 folks nationwide each month (WOW!), so if each of us just picked up one box of cereal using a coupon each week, we’d fill up over 2 million bowls of cereal in the course of just a month. (See what happens when we all work together?)

Want to read more about passionate giving? Here are a few posts to get you started:

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Have you been able to give an item or two to someone in need in 2013? Please leave a comment to let me know about it ~ I love hearing from you!

Filed Under: Random Ramblings, Uncategorized

Laurie’s Publix Trip With Coupon Matchups

March 6, 2013 By Laurie 16 Comments

Okie dokie Publix shoppers, here’s what I grabbed today at Publix for $23.73 + tax for $108 in groceries ~ not too shabby! Since Shannon is away on a mission trip this week (and I felt like I had to keep up with her awesome trips for you all . . .) I made a super quick run to Publix this morning and was thrilled with all the deals this week. keep saying I need to take a week or two off from shopping but goodness it’s hard to when the deals are so good!

(By the way, I received an email yesterday from Shannon that their mission trip is going well ~ please keep her group in your prayers this week. . . she’s excited to share a few pictures of her trip with you all when she gets back!)

Here’s what my trip looked like:

6 Kellogg’s Cereals BOGO $3.78 (watch for boxes with Kelllogg’s coupons inside ~ will say on the box)

2 Kellogg’s Pop Tarts 12 ct

Used (2) $1.00 off any 3 Kellogg’s Cereals listed, (could also use $1/3 Kellogg’s Cereals, exp. 4/14/13 (RP 03/03/13 R or $1/2 Kellogg’s found in Kellogg’s boxes)
Stacked with (1) $1/3 Kellogg’s Cereal Target store coupon (my store only allows you to use one Target coupon, but you may be able to use more elsewhere)
Also used (2) FREE Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts wyb (3) Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Crunchy Nut or Corn Pops, exp. 3/8/13 (Publix Yellow Advantage)

3 Ziploc Sandwich Bags $2.39

1 Cantaloupe $2

Used (1) $2 off Produce wyb (3) Ziploc Bags or Containers, exp. 3/8/13 (Publix Yellow Advantage)
Use (1) $1/2 Ziploc Bags or Containers, exp. 3/8/13 (Publix Yellow Advantage)
Use (1) $1/2 Ziploc Brand Bags printable

3 Country Crock Side Dish BOGO $3.99

Used (3) $1/1 Hormel Country Crock Side Dish, exp. 4/8/13 (SS 02/10/13 R), $1.00 off HORMEL™ COUNTRY CROCK Side dish, $1/1 Hormel Country Crock Side Dish printable
Also used (2) with $1/1 Hormel Country Crock Side Dish Target printable

2 Finagle a Bagel BOGO $3

2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.95

Used (2) $.50/1 Finagle A Bagel (All You Exclusive, try zip 33990) Thanks, Amy!
Used (2) $2/1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese when you buy Finagle A Bagel Publix Store coupon

1 Kraft Pulled Pork $5.99

Used coupon for free Oscar Mayer Carving Board Pulled Pork

4 Halls Cough Drops $1.23

Used $1/2 Halls Cough Drops printable, $1/2 Halls Cough Drops printable, $1/2 Halls Drops printable, $1/2 Halls Single Bags, exp. 3/16/13 (SS 02/03/13 R)

1 Thai Kitchen Entree 10-10.5 oz – $1.69

Used $.50/1 Thai Kitchen product

6 Yoplait Yogurts $.50

Used $0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt printable (could also use $0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt printable or $0.40/6 Yoplait Cups from 2/24 SS)

6 Oscar Mayer Lunchables $1

1 Nabisco Honey Maid Graham BOGO $4.19

1 Capri Sun $1.99

Used $.30/1 Capri Sun (try zip 7747)

2 Publix Breads $1.15

1 Lays Potato Chips (not in the picture ~ for my hubby who will be home this weekend with the kids while I scrapbook. . .)

Also used $5/$50 Star Market competitor coupon and $5/$30 Publix coupon (we get the Publix coupons because we’re signed up for soccer I think ~ they come about once per quarter in the mail.) Since my total was at $78 before coupons they let me use both . . .but normally your total would have to be at $80 to use both of them, per Publix coupon policy.

Over the weekend we stocked up on quite a bit of produce at Walmart, so right now we have plenty of apples, bananas, strawberries, and of course that free cantaloupe (love it!) We also have tons of meat, and to be honest, my cupboards, fridge and freezer are completely overflowing, so I definitely need to look at taking a little penny pinching break.

Here’s a peek at what’s heading to our donation bin this week . . .

I’d love to hear how your grocery trip went this week, and if you were able to purchase an item or two to give please take a minute to share that too!

Filed Under: Grocery Stores, Publix, Random Ramblings, Store Deals

Laurie’s Grocery & Donation Deals: Spent $56.63 For $143 In Groceries

March 1, 2013 By Laurie Leave a Comment

Here’s what I grabbed this week at Publix for $56 plus tax, while saving $86! The store I shopped had Perdue Selects on Manager’s Special for $1.99/lb. (yay!) so I grabbed those as well as some pork to make these Ranch House Pork Chops ~ hopefully they’ll make it in the crockpot this weekend! I had great intentions of adding in all the matchups this week for you guys, but as Shannon shared a few days ago, she left today on a mission trip, and doesn’t have Wifi as she’s traveling. (So, my time today has been spent working on the Kroger and Target ads ~ goodness I sure appreciate her help and I know you all do too!)

And here’s what got added to our donation bag this week . . .

I’m planning to head back tonight to grab all the deals with those new coupons that came out today also ~ can’t beat free bananas (and I forgot to get them when I went earlier this week!) If you’re heading to Publix, be sure to check out all the deals at Publix this week, especially Shannon’s list as well as the ad with printable list. I’d love to hear how your grocery trip went this week, and if you were able to purchase an item or two to give please take a minute to share that too!

Filed Under: Grocery Stores, Publix, Random Ramblings, Store Deals

Need A Laugh? (yup, my husband would do this too….)

February 27, 2013 By Laurie 3 Comments

Why Shouldn’t Men Go to the Grocery Store? This Hilarious Comedian Will Tell You! from yabbadabbadoo on GodTube.

Oh my heavens . . . my friend Ruth from Shopping Tips and Tricks shared this a few days ago and I had to share it with you! I could so easily see this happening at our house, and am betting you could too. Hope you enjoy the laugh, and have a great afternoon.

(And if you’re a momma who needs just one more laugh, here you go.)

Filed Under: Random Ramblings

Reader Question: Can You Print Coupons At The Library Inexpensively?

February 26, 2013 By Laurie 5 Comments

Photo Credit

Here’s a question for any of you savvy penny pinchers out there! I received a question from a reader asking for a way to access printable coupons, however she doesn’t have a printer at home. Here’s the question:

I’m enjoying using coupons but would like to also use printable coupons. As I don’t have a printer, do you think it would be worth going to the library tor print them? They only charge $.25 per page, so I’m wondering if I should try getting coupons that way. Thanks in advance.

My initial reaction is that it’s probably worth waiting and pinching those pennies towards an inexpensive inkjet printer. You can get them relatively cheaply (this Canon Color Photo Printer with Scanner and Copier costs just $49.99), or you could wait until you save a little more to get a laser printer like this Brother printer (currently $79.99). I personally like the laser printer because I think in the long run you’ll save so much on ink cartridges, but either is a good option.

However, if there’s absolutely no money in your budget for a printer (I understand!), consider saving Swagbucks towards it, or even ask a friend who owns a printer to print coupons for you. You could even trade some of your penny-pinched bargains in exchange for use of their printer!

I’d love to know if any of you have printed coupons at the library before or if you have any other suggestions on how to access printable coupons without having a printer, so please take a minute and help a fellow penny pincher out! Leave a comment by clicking HERE.

Filed Under: Random Ramblings

Laurie’s Publix Trip: Spent $17.27 at Publix For $60 In Groceries

February 22, 2013 By Laurie Leave a Comment

Here’s what I grabbed this week at Publix for $17.27. I was so excited to stock up on Skippy and cheap Miller’s Yogurt (my son loved those!), and couldn’t pass up the BOGO Oreos. (I can’t remember the last time Oreos were BOGO . .. it figures though that it’s during Lent when I’ve given up chocolate!)

Lest you worry that our family lives on cheap Diet Pepsi and Yogurt, I also went to Sam’s earlier in the week and stocked up on fresh fruit, and also grabbed a bag of their 6 lb. bags of frozen chicken breast for $10.98. Right now our pantry and freezer are overflowing, so we didn’t need much. . . but I was thrilled to stock up on a few items we did need. To find the best deals this week, I checked out Shannon’s list (I love seeing what she picks up before I shop!), as well as the full list of Publix deals before heading out.

I’d love to hear how your grocery trip went this week, and if you were able to purchase an item or two to give please take a minute to share that too! See how other folks are saving at Weekly Totals at I Heart Publix, and Friday Finals at Southern Savers.