Cleaning With Vinegar

I don't buy store bought cleaners (with the exception of dish soap), I prefer to use homemade cleaners instead of harsh chemicals. My favorite way to clean is my vinegar "multi-purpose solution". I use it on my counter tops, the the bathroom & everywhere in between!


I just measure equal parts water & distilled vinegar into a spray bottle. Tada! You have a multi-purpose solution.

Worried about the smell? Don't worry once the vinegar evaporates the smell will be gone!


Here are a few things a read about cleaning with vinegar:



"White vinegar is often used as a household cleaning agent. Because it is acidic, it can dissolve mineral deposits from glass, coffee makers, and other smooth surfaces.^[46] For most uses dilution with water is recommended for safety and to avoid damaging the surfaces being cleaned.
Vinegar is an excellent solvent for cleaning epoxy resin and hardener, even after the epoxy has begun to harden. Malt vinegar sprinkled onto crumpled newspaper is a traditional, and still-popular, method of cleaning grease-smeared windows and mirrors in the UK.^[47] Vinegar can be used for polishing brass or bronze.
Vinegar has some antibacterial properties,^[48] though these are too weak or inconsistent for it to be used effectively as a disinfectant.^[49]
Recently, vinegar has been marketed as a green solution for many household cleaning problems. For example, vinegar has been cited recently as an eco-friendly urine cleaner for pets and as a weed killer.<sup>[50][51]"
- Wikipedia</sup> 


"A variety of commercial household disinfectants were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens. The natural products were less effective than commercial household disinfectants. Only Clorox and Lysol disinfectant were effective against poliovirus." - Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology

Sustained transmission of polio only exist in four countries today (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, & Afghanistan). Just a little tid bit in case that last part had you scared.


ANYWHO! I like cleaning with vinegar, no harsh chemicals for my baby to breathe & it seems to get the job done. Plus its only like $1.22 for a gallon and it seems to last me about a month :)

Homemade Yogurt In The Crock Pot

This is a big time money saver especially if your family eats a lot of yogurt! It is actually very simple as well. 

What you need:

1/2 Gallon milk
1/2 Cup yogurt (plain & full fat)

Crockpot
Whisk 
Towel
Storage containers

Step 1 - Set crockpot on low & fill with milk. Cover & let set 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

Step 2 - Unplug crock pot & let sit 3 hours.

Step 3 - Whisk in yogurt. Put lid on & cover with towel. Let set 8 hours.

Step 4 - Pour yogurt into containers & store in fridge.


It will be a little more runny than store bought yogurt unless you strain it with cheese cloth.

Yogurt will keep up to two weeks past the milk's expiration date.

I like to sweeten mine with honey & add fresh fruit like strawberries. Enjoy!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

This is so cheap & easy its amazing! I spent around $7 on the stuff to make it (counting a bucket). I have made two batches already & I think I have enough for at least 1 or 2  more. Not to mention I've been using the borax to clean other stuff. The batches are big! They make about as much as a large jug of tide which I used to buy for about ($15).


Ingredients

1 bar of Ivory or zote soap
1/2 c. washing soda
1/2 c. borax
2 gallon bucket

Grate the soap and put it in a saucepan. Add 6 c. water and until soap melts. Add the washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 c. hot water into the bucket. Now add the soap mixture and stir. Next, add 1 gallon plus 6 c. of water and stir. Let the soap sit for 24 hours. It will turn into a gel-like substance. Use 1/2 c. per load.

Also this is baby safe! No need to buy special dye & scent free laundry detergent!

How I Plan My Grocery Trips

First off I went through this weeks circulars and highlighted the deals that stood out the most. This week Super 1 Foods & Albertson's caught my eye. So here is my list for those stores & guess - timated totals:

NOTE: CHX = Chicken CHZ = Cheese
 

SUPER 1 FOODS

4 John Morrel Smoked sausage - $4

CHX - $7

Ketchup - $1

Cheerios - $3

Buns  - $1

TOTAL - $16 + tax

ALBERTSON’S

2 Taco Bell Dinner Kits - $2

Eggs - $1

TP - $2

Cereal - $6

CHZ $4

Bananas (Free w/q)

$15 + tax

So then I looked at the items on sale and what I have in my pantry still and formed my menu for two weeks:

Chicken

-Tacos

-Afredo Pizza

-Alfredo

-Baked & Au Gratin Potatoes

-CHX & Dumplings

-CHX & Rice

Beef

-Sloppy Joes

-Spaghetti

-Shepard's Pie

-Tacos

Other

-Smoked Sausage & Au Gratin Potatoes

-Dirty Rice

-BBQ Smoked Sausage & Grilled Potatoes

-Jambalaya

Now I have a few odds and ends I need to pick up from Wal-Mart and here they are:

Onions

Milk

Spanish Rice x2

Broccoli & CHZ Rice

CHX Ramen

Bread

Spinach

Light Dressing

$20

This makes my total about $51 + tax. Not to mention I try to round up a little. Also I have some coupons figured into these prices. Hope this helps :)

 

Organizing Your Binder

I'm not going to lie, this has been an issue for me! It's still a little unorganized but this is how I have mine organized.

What you need:
3 ring binder
Page protectors (or baseball card holders) I have regular page protectors
Dividers

Note: The thing I don't like about the regular page protectors is that coupons can be hard to get out. A friend said she didn't like the base ball sized ones because you have to fold the coupons. Also it's difficult to find them around here. Some places to check are walmart, dollar stores, and office supply stores.

1. Organize coupons by category

-Food
-Personal Care
-Household
-Baby
-Pet

2.Organize by date received then expiration date

-It's really important to do these separately because you get new coupons in and they may expire before some of your old ones and its a big rearranging mess! Much easier this way (I know from experience!)

3. Coupon Polices In the back! 


Looking for the easy way out? You can buy coupon binders online also!


Don't forget when you're cleaning out your expired coupons you can mail them to overseas military! Just clip & separate food & non food items and mail to:

KCL Overseas Coupon Program
Amanda Brumbaugh
10960 W Bridgetower Dr
Boise, ID 83709


Click HERE for more info!

Coupon Policies

Walgreen's
http://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/generalhelp/coupon_policy_main.jsp

Target
http://www.target.com/Coupon-Policy-Store-Merchandise-Information/b?node=2223357011

Walmart
http://walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

Family Dollar
http://www.familydollar.com/Documents/PDFs/CouponPolicy.pdf

CVS
http://creativecouponing.com/cvs-coupon-policy/

Brookshire's
http://www.brookshires.com/brookshire_cnt/couponsacceptancepolicy.html


I emailed Albertson's & Kroger's requesting theirs!

The Good & The Bad

I was asked what stores I do and do not like to shop at. That is pretty difficult for me to say because it can very each week with different stores. Also stores are different everywhere. I may not like a store where I live, but that same store somewhere else maybe awesome! So I decided to make a Pro & Con list for the local stores.

Walmart

Pros

• They price match
• They have pretty good sales
• They usually aren't out of stock
• Never had any issues with coupons

Cons

• They don't put out a weekly circular regularly
• They are always so busy and crowded 
• The stores here are limited in their products

Walgreens

Pros

• Register Rewards
• You can stack coupons
• They offer lots of store coupons
• They put their circular up in advance
• You don't need a card

Cons

• They are out of products a lot! Peeve of mine
• Tags aren't always on sale items & you must check circular
• Sale items can be hard to find

CVS 

Pros

• ECBs
• They put up their circular in advance 
• In store machine that prints coupon when you scan your card
• Usually have everything in stock

Cons

• You have to have a card for discount
• Normal prices are HIGH
• Can't use ECBs on prescriptions
• Items can be hard to find

Kroger

Pros

• Have really good sales sometimes
• Ecoupons
• Catalinas
• Double & Triple coupons to a certain price

Cons

• Need card for discount
• Items are VERY hard to find especially if on sale
• Can't stack coupons 
• Normal prices are high

Albertsons

Pros

• Offer really good sales (My favorite grocery store)
• Doesn't require card
• In store coupons

Cons

•  Limited selection

Brookshire's  

Pros

•  Decent sales
• Wide selection, good place to go when I can't find specific items
• Some double and triple coupons

Cons

• Normal prices are crazy high!
• Requires card
• Its all the way across town from my house and no where near anywhere else I normally go

Target

Pros

•  Text coupons
• Online coupon database
• You can stack coupons

Cons

•  Some store coupons say specifically not to stack
• Normal prices are a little bit high

Sorry Okies but we don't have Nichols or Homeland here so I can't help you out there!

Step 4: Shopping!

Okay so everything is in order. You have your trip planned and everything! Now what? Here are a few tips for when you finally do make your first (or maybe not) couponing trip, just to help make things a little smoother.

1. If you can, leave the kids at home. This isn't always an option for me but when I can it really helps because you can have your coupons and sales ads in the child seat. For some of you this isn't even an issue!

2. Bring a friend! I had couponed alone until last Sunday. It is not only easier but more fun!

3. Bring all of your coupons with you every time! Set aside the ones you plan to use though. This comes in handy if something you didn't plan on getting is on sale and you just so happen to have a coupon. Don't want to miss that chance!

4. Bring cash & any spare change. I hate using my card to pay for anything under $1. I always raid my house for loose change. I can usually find like $2 worth. Sometimes I can even pay for a whole transaction with spare change!

5. Start small. Don't plan a huge haul the first time. I was still nervous and found it easier to start small so I wouldn't freak myself out.

6. Shop separate, I coupon on certain days then I buy my groceries on a different day. It can get really confusing if you try to do both. Now if I have coupons for the groceries I need I will use them but I'm not trying to come out with a 0 balance or anything.

7. Prepare for disappointment. This may sound discouraging but don't let it be! I'm just saying that sometimes the amazing deal you plan on going to get doesn't work out. My example is Walgreens, the last two big trips I planned kind of flopped. They were out of most everything I needed! Don't let it discourage you though! I still got great deals those days.

8. Always use a cart! Even if you plan on getting a few items. I usually end up fumbling around and dropping everything.

9. Bring your coupon policy.

10. Don't be afraid to say no! Sometimes cashiers aren't very knowledgeable about the coupon policy. Make sure you get the deal you deserve. Just politely try to explain to them what they don't understand, show them the coupon policy, or if you have to talk to a manager. Most of the time if there is a problem with a coupon they usually call a manager. Only once have I had to has to speak to one, and I told her what I wanted and she fixed it simple as that.

Step 3: Getting Your Trip Organized Part 2

First off I made a boo boo in my last post that I will correct as soon as I finish this one. The Toothbrushes are $6 not $3. That makes the total with sale prices $35.24 when I paid $5.09. Sorry for the error!! Anyways here is a list of the items on sale again.

1. Oral B Pulsar - $6.00 & get $3.00 ECB back (bought two)
2. Coke 99¢
3. Excedrin 99¢ get 99¢ ECB back
4. Colgate MaxClean $2.79 get $2.00 ECB back
5. Crest ProHealth $4.50 get $2.50 ECB back
6. Ban Deodorant $2.99 get $2.00 ECB back
7. Various Bottled Drinks 5/$5 get $2.00 ECB back
8. Tampax Tampons $2.99 (Bought two)

Now here are the sale items matched up with coupons
(Don't forget PG, RP, SS are the inserts where I got the coupons and the date is next to them!)

1. Oral B Pulsar $6 (bought two) - PG 6/5 $3 Oral-B Adult or Kids Battery Toothbrush (EXP 7/31) & used PG 6/5 $2 Oral-B Pulsar Manual Toothbrush (7/31)

2. Coke 99¢ - Recyclebank.com $1 Any Coke product

3. Excedrin 99¢- No Q

4. Colgate MaxClean $2.79 - Had a $1 from May All You but forgot it at home used PG 6/5 75¢ Crest Toothpaste 4 oz or more or liquid gel (7/31)

5. Crest ProHealth $4.50 - PG 6/5 $2 Crest Rinse 946 ml or larger (7/31)

6. Ban Deodorant $2.99 - SS 6/5 Ban Solid Save $.75/1 (7/31)

7. Various Bottled Drinks 5/$5 - Used 4 $1/1 Honest Tea from Recyclebank.com

8. Tampax Tampons $2.99 (Bought two) - PG 6/5 $1.50 Two Tampax, 18 ct or higher (7/31)


Now if I bought all of these in one transaction that only lowers my total to $20.24 even with the coupons. The key is rolling Catalinas. The way to do that is you split your transactions and use the ECB's from your first transaction to buy another ECB producing item NOT the same item. Sorry I don't have my receipts so I can't give exact amounts for each transaction but I'm 100% positive on my total because I added it up and put it on Facebook. Here is how I broke my transactions up




 Transaction 1
1. Oral B Pulsar - $6.00 use Q for $3 get $3 ECB
2. Coke 99¢ use Q for $1
3. Excedrin 99¢ get 99¢ ECB

Pay $4 + tax get $4 ECB 

(So I basically got all of that for FREE)




Transaction 2
1. Colgate MaxClean $2.79 use 75¢ Q get $2.00 ECB
2. Ban Deodorant $2.99  use 75¢ Q get $2.00 ECB

Use $4 ECB  Pay 28¢ + tax Get $4 ECB

Transaction 3
1. Oral B Pulsar - $6.00 use Q for $2 get $3 ECB

Pay NOTHING get $3 ECB

Transaction 4

1. Crest ProHealth $4.50 use $2 Q get $2.50 ECB
2. Various Bottled Drinks 5/$5 use 4 $1/1 Q get $2.00 ECB back








Pay 50¢ + tax get $4.50 ECB


Transaction 5
1. Tampax Tampons $2.99 (Bought two) use Q

Use $4.50 ECB if anything pay a little tax!


There you go, that's exactly how I did it and my OOP was $5.09 for all of this:

Step 3: Getting Your Trip Organized

Organization is very important. I always go couponing with a list that has very specific details. An important thing to know is that CVS puts up the next weeks circular a few days in advance on their website. Walgreens will send you an e-mail around Thursday maybe with a link to their next weeks circular if you sign up for it on their website. ALSO you can get a preview of the next Sunday's coupon inserts here: http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/

Different regions of the US have different coupons so this isn't always 100% correct. Those all come in handy for planning your trip though! Now I take my coupons I have and the coupons in the preview and match them up to the circular to see if I'm getting a good deal or not.

Here is a list of the deals I found in this weeks CVS ad:


1. Oral B Pulsar - $6.00 & get $3.00 ECB back (bought two)
2. Coke 99¢
3. Excedrin 99¢ get 99¢ ECB back
4. Colgate MaxClean $2.79 get $2.00 ECB back
5. Crest ProHealth $4.50 get $2.50 ECB back
6. Ban Deodorant $2.99 get $2.00 ECB back
7. Various Bottled Drinks 5/$5 get $2.00 ECB back
8. Tampax Tampons $2.99 (Bought two)

The 'Sale' total for all of these is: $35.24

I paid $5.09

I will post tomorrow exactly how I did this! Don't forget to check back!

Step 2: Understanding The Coupon Lingo

Sometimes it seems like couponers have their own language. Especially if you get onto some of these coupon forums (sometimes I don't even understand half of them). I find it very helpful though when I'm looking at coupon match ups to know some of what they are saying. Here are some essential terms for a couponer to know:


ALA - As low as.
 
B1G1 or BOGO - Buy one get one free. Sometimes its different too like B1G2 or B3G1 ect. 

Tip: BOGO sales are an amazing way to get stuff for free or really cheap. Not only can you buy one get one free but if you have coupons for those items you can use them also. A few weeks back Walgreens had BOGO Shick Hydro razors and they were $9.99 well I went to the Shick Hydro Facebook page and got two coupons for $3 off one. So originally I could get two for $9.99 but then I use a $3 off coupon on both items and that makes it $3.99 + tax for two razors!


BLINKIE - Coupons that are usually in dispensers on the shelf by the item that they are for.


CAT or CATALINA - It is a coupon you receive at the end of your transaction good towards your next purchase or sometimes a specific item. These are usually found at grocery stores & drug stores. Walgreens has them but they call them Register Rewards. CVS has them and they call them Extra Care Bucks.

COUPON POLICY - Basically a stores 'rules' on coupons. It is very important to know these and even carry them with you when you plan to coupon.

COUPON INSERTS - The coupons found in your Sunday paper.

 DOUBLE COUPONS - Some grocery stores will double the value of your coupon. Some only double to a certain price like 50 cents. Some don't double at all. 

ECB - Extra Care Bucks, you get them from purchasing specific items. Like the Catalina they are good on your next purchase BUT you cannot use them to purchase the same item that received them for. There is a great way to use these to your advantage, but that's another topic.


EXP - Expires or expiration date. You can send expired coupons to military families overseas to use.


INSERTS - Coupons in Sunday's paper.


IP - Printable or internet printable coupons.


OOP - Out of pocket price.


OYNO - On your next order.


OYNP - On your next purchase.


PEELIE - Coupon found on an item in the store. 


P&G - Proctor & Gamble a large chain that puts out coupons. Very important in coupon match ups. Match ups will say something like: found in PG 6/5 which means it was with the Proctor & Gamble coupons in the paper for that date.


Q - Coupon 


RAINCHECK - A slip you can ask your store for when they are out of a sale item. That slip makes the item the sale price when you come back to buy the item when they have it in stock, these usually come with an expiration date also.


RP - Redplum. An insert in the paper like P&G. RP also has printables online.


RR OR REGISTER REWARDS - Used like cash back on next order at Walgreens. Like Catalinas and ECB.


ROLLING CATALINAS - Using a Catalina to purchase an item that will produce another Catalina (cannot be the same item)


S OR SS - Smartsource. Inserts found in Sunday's paper & online. Like RP


STACKING COUPONS - Using a store coupon and a manufactures coupon together. The only stores that do this that I personally know of is Walgreens and Target, unless coupons state that you cannot.

TRIPLE COUPONS - When a store triples the face value of a coupon. 


WAGS - Walgreens


YMMV - Your mileage may vary. Stores, cashiers, and even managers may vary. Every experience can be different.


We have three Walgreens in town, I had one of these YMMV experiences myself. I had a $1 off coupon for Icy Hot which was on sale for 99 cents. The first Walgreens more than gladly raised the price to $1 so the coupon would work. The second Walgreens told me I couldn't use the coupon. Well I knew different, and needless to say they raised the price. Another good reason to carry the store coupon policy with you.


WYB - When you buy.

Step 1: Getting The Coupons

One question that I think people ask me the most is: Where do you get all your coupons? So here ya go I've compiled a list!

Printable Coupons - I get these off the internet. Some from coupon databases and some from manufacture websites. There are a lot of times I Google a specific coupon I'm looking for, if I'm lucky there is one!


Coupons.com


Smartsource.com


Redplum.com


Kelloggs.com

Bettycrocker.com


Aquafresh.com/Savings.aspx

Target.com (You can use 1 store and 1 manufacture coupons at Target unless the coupons say otherwise)

Recyclebank.com (Here you earn points to get coupons. Some are printable and some are mailed to you)

thekrazycouponlady.com/print-coupons/ (This is a HUGE list of the online coupons available)

Hobbylobby.com (Weekly printable coupon under "in store specials" a lot of the times for 40% off one item)


Those are all of the websites I can think of for now. There are plenty of other ways to get coupons also. Here are a few ways I have got them:


1. Newspapers (obviously)

2. Writing companies (I will get more in depth in another post about this)

3. Magazines (All You is a great one. It is only sold at Walmart)

4. Off the product itself

5. Weekly store circulars often have coupons in them

6. Store coupon books located in the store (Walgreens & Albertsons. Walgreens lets you use 1 store and 1 manufacture. I don't know about Albertsons)

7. Ecoupons (I can go to the Kroger website and upload coupons to my store card. When I use my card in store to make the purchase the coupon is applied)

8. Text coupons (Target offers this I know for sure but I haven't used them myself, my sister has)



Well for now that's about all I can think of. Hopefully this can help someone out!