LivingSocial: 1 Year Membership to Sam’s Club + $20 Gift Card Only $45

UPDATE – If you’re new to LivingSocial, try using the promo code OURTHANKS to score $5 off your first order! Sweet! (Thanks, Kimberle and Hip to Save!)

There is a great deal right now for anyone thinking about getting a Sam's Club card.  I've always just stuck with Costco because that's what is closest to me but tonight I took the plunge with this GREAT deal:

Currently, LivingSocial is offering up a nationwide offer valid for One-Year Membership + $20 Sam’s Club Gift Card for only $45 – a $79.84 value! You’ll also receive food vouchers valid for an Artisan Fresh Rotisserie Chicken, a 16″ Artisan Fresh Take-and-Bake Pizza, and two boxes of 6-, 12-, or 24-count Artisan Fresh Cookies.

So if you take into account the gift card and the food vouchers...it's a pretty sweet deal!

$45.00 membership
-$20.00 gift card
-$19.84 food vouchers
=$5.16 for a year's membership

Also, after you purchase the deal you are given a referral link.  You can email it to your friends or post it to facebook or what have you and if three people purchase the deal through your link, you get your deal for free!

Fine Print:Limit 1 per person • Valid for new Sam’s Club Members only • New Member is defined as someone who does not have a currently valid membership • Voucher valid for one-year Membership, $20 Sam’s Club gift card, and $19.84 worth of foodservice vouchers • Foodservice vouchers must be redeemed at the time of Membership activation • Foodservice vouchers include one Artisan Fresh Rotisserie Chicken; two boxes of 6, 12, or 24 ct. Artisan Fresh Cookies; and one 16″ Artisan Fresh Take N’ Bake Pizza • Gift Card cannot be used toward Membership fees • Offer is not valid for renewals • Not valid to redeem until 3/7/13 at your local Sam’s Club location • Offer valid for Sam’s Club purchases only • Membership expires one year from the date the voucher is activated • Vouchers valid only at participating locations; Visit www3.samsclub.com/clublocator to find a location • Other conditions apply.

Thanks, Hip to Save!

BUDGETING

Part of being prepared and living providently is being debt-free!  If Budgeting (yes, I said the B-word) is one of your goals for the new year, check out these links over at the Frugal Find.  Here you can find a link to a free Dave Ramsey budgeting guide download, along with other articles and downloads to help with finances.  (Thanks, Frugal Find!)

We have felt the weight of debt!  (An ambulance ride, a helicopter ride, and five weeks in the hospital without insurance can do that!)  But I am thrilled to say that we were able to pay our debts without claiming bankruptcy.  Currently, the only debt we have is our mortgage (and oh how I'd love to be rid of that!)  Getting out of debt is doable, it just takes some work sometimes.  The freedom we've felt from getting out from under our debt is worth all the work.

Smith's CASE LOT Sale

I like to stock up at the Smith's Case Lot sales (and replenish with my coupon finds) and it is here NOW!  This sale usually lasts two weeks but items are "while supplies last" so once they're gone, they're gone. 

Add a few coupons to your Smith's Card to get your total even lower:

HERE for a $3.00 off when you spend $50.00 in one transaction

HERE for a game to win up to $15.00 off.  (I won $1.00.)

If you're interested to know how these case lot prices stack up to Costco prices, go HERE to see Valerie's comparisons.  I LOVE this because it helps me see what really is a good price.

Happy case lot shopping at Smith's and Happy New Year!

$10.00 Burger King Gift Card for $5.00!

Savemore has another hot gift card deal, this time for Burger King- Get $10 for just $5.

If you are new to Savemore - join here now for a FREE $1 credit!

Gift cards like this are great to keep on hand when you need a quick gift or a bite to calm your whiny kids and rumbly tummy.  When purchasing this deal, you will receive a $10.00 gift card in the mail that expires 12/2015. 

*The voucher will be able to be redeemed 1/20/12; it will then take 2-3 weeks to receive your card in the mail. You cannot use Savemore credit to buy this gift card.  One per household.

Target: Christmas Clearance

I LOVE shopping the after-Christmas sales...especially with coupons.  The Christmas clearance at Target is only at 50% off right now.  Lots of things were still pretty high priced!  Here are some things I found:

Reynolds Foil - $2.98 $1.49
-$1.25 printable coupon
Final price:  $0.24

Cookie Mix - $1.72 $0.86
$1.00/2 printable coupon or printable coupon
Final price:  $0.36 each

Keebler Cookies - $2.50 $1.25
$1.00/2 Target coupon
Final price:  $0.75 each

Huggies Santa Diapers - $19.99  $9.99
$2.00 Target coupon (NLA)
Final price:  $7.99

Vaniety Fair Napkins - $2.98 $1.49
$1.00/2 printable coupon
Final price:  $0.99 each

I also picked up striped wrapping paper ($1.25) to use for birthdays and LED flashlights ($2.49).  Did you find any fun Christmas clearance deals?!

$25.00 Cabela's Gift Card for $15.00!

Savemore has a hot gift card deal for Cabela's - Get $25 for just $15.

If you are new to Savemore - join here now for a FREE $10 credit!

*You will NOT receive this before the holidays. The voucher will be able to be redeemed 1/11/12; it will then take 2-3 weeks to receive your card in the mail. You cannot use Savemore credit to purchase.

I love saving 40% at Cabela's right off the start.  You better believe I will use my discounted gift card to buy things on sale/clearance to save even more!  When purchasing this deal, you will receive a $25.00 gift card in the mail that does not expire.  This can be used online or in the store.

My Shopping: $50.85

The boys and I ran to Scolari's and Smith's this morning. Here's what we found:

Scolari's -

1 Ore Ida Fries - $0.50

3 C&H Sugar, 4 lb. - $1.00 each

4 Nabisco Crackers - $0.99 each

2 Cool Whip Season Delight - $0.29 each

2 Kikkoman Sweet & Sour Sauce - $0.59 each

2 Oceay Spray Cranberry Sauce - $0.25 each

4 Campbell's Gravy - $0.15 each

French's Fried Onions - $2.00

3 Cream Cheese - $0.83 each

5 lb. potatoes - $0.99

Oranges - $0.50/lb.

2 Kraft shredded cheese - $1.00 each

Subtotal before coupons and sales:  $84.12

Final Total:  $17.06

For the Scolari's match-ups, go HERE.

Smith's -

I only went to Smith's because we were COMPLETELY out of cereal and I thought I'd pick up eggs and butter while I was there.  My happy finds were the pepperoni and cases of diapers I found on clearance (and had coupons for)!

Cereal Deal, $3.00 off WYB 4 Select GM Cereal = $1.75 each WYB 4

Used $1.00/1 Cheerios printable (NLA), $1.00/2 printable, $0.50 printable

2 Cheerios - $0.75 each

6 GM Cereals - $1.25 each

Dozen Eggs - $1.25 each

$0.55/2 printable

Eggs - $0.98 each

Butter - $2.50 each

$0.50/2 Smith's coupon

Butter - $2.25 each

Pepperonis - $0.99 clearance

$0.55/2 printable

Pepperonis - $0.72 each

Pampers Cruisers - $8.49 clearance

$1.50 coupon from package

Pampers Diapers- $6.99

Pampers Swaddlers - $9.99 clearance

$1.50 coupon from package

Pampers Diapers - $8.49

Subtotal before sales and coupons:  $78.79

Total:  $33.79

My trip to Smith's reminded me of another reason I like to shop at several different stores to get the best deals...you get to check out the clearance!  By shopping at more than one store, I can find deals that I would miss simply because I wasn't in the store.  Clearance varies from store to store, so I wouldn't rush out to try to find the same clearance deals as someone else, but when I'm in a store I certainly keep my eyes open.

Holiday Coupon Booklets

Be on the lookout for coupon booklets in store displays while you're out shopping.  I found both of these at Savemart.

Deliciously Simple Holiday Recipes:

$1.25/3 Baker's Bar, Jello pudding or gelatin, Planters peanut butter, Honey Maid Grahams, Nilla Wafers, Philadelphia Cream Cheese

$1.50/2 Ziploc Holiday Containers

$1.00/2 Ziploc Holiday Bags
$1.00/3 Dole Canned Fruit

Share Something Delicious:
$3.00 back WYB Peanuts Holiday Collection and 3 Campbell's condensed soups, Pepperidge Farm Cookies or Crackers
$1.00/1 Eight O'Clock Coffee
$1.00/1 French's Dijon Mustard
$1.00/4 Seagrams's Ginger Ale or Mixer
$1.00/3 individual packs or $1.00/1 multipack Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Dressing or Dip Mix
$1.00/2 Hidden Valley Ranch
$1.00/1 Hidden Valley Salad Kit
$1.00/2 Pace Salsa, Picante or Queso, 16 oz. or larger
$1.00/3 Prego Italian Sauces
$0.50/1 French's French Fried Onions
$0.50/1 Frank's Redhot Sauce
$1.00/4 Campbell's Gravy Cans
$1.00/2 Peppridge Farm Stone Baked frozen rolls
$1.00/4 Campbell's great for cooking soups
$1.00/2 Swanson Chunk Chicken
$1.00/2 Swanson Broth or Stock (26 oz.+) or Flavor Boost
$1.00/2 Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets or Shells
$1.00/2 Pepperidge Farm Cookies
$1.00/2 Pepperidge Farm Distinctive Crackers or Baked Naturals
$2.00/4 Pepperidge Farm Bread, Stuffing, or Croutons

Scolari's Deals (11/16-11/24)

Here are the deals at Scolari's this week and beyond. Let me know if I've missed something!

Scolari's will double coupons (as long as the coupon doesn't say "do not double") up to and including $1.00! Three like-coupons can be doubled per transaction. View official coupon policy HERE.

Remember, Wednesdays are “double ad” days where both the current and previous week’s ad are honored. Enjoy the sales from two weeks on one day!

Coupons marked with * mean you may have a hard time doubling.  Scolari's and I don't see eye to eye when it comes to "exceeds the value of the item" when the coupon is for more than one item.

UPDATES IN RED:

Kraft Salad Dressing, 14-16 oz. - $2.00
$1.00 printable coupon
Final price:  FREE!

POM Pomegranates:  $2.50 each
$1.00 printable coupon
Final price:  $0.50 each Didn't work for me today.

Navel Oranges: $0.50/lb

Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, 10.75 oz. - $0.89
$1.00/5 printable coupon*
$1.00/4 Share Something Delicious Booklet*
Final price: $0.39-$0.49 each

Cool Whip Topping, 8 oz. - $0.99 $1.79 for Season's Delight
$0.75 printable coupon (NLA)
Final price: $0.29
Nabisco Crackers, 7-10 oz. - $1.99$1.00/2 printable coupon (NLA?)
Final price:  $0.99 each

Dole Pineapple, 20 oz. - $1.25
$1.00/3 Deliciously Simple Booklet*
Final price: $0.58 each

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, 14 oz. - $1.25
$1.00/2 printable coupon
Final price: $0.25 each

French's French Fried Onions, 6 oz. - $2.99
$0.50/1 Share Something Delicious Booklet
Final price: $1.99

Campbell's Gravy, 10.5 oz. - $0.60
$1.00/4 Share Something Delicious Booklet*
Final price: $0.10 each!  $0.15 each (coupon only doubles to $1.79)

C&H Sugar, 4 lbs. - $2.50
$0.75 8/24 RP
Final price: $1.00!

Chinet Plates, Bowls or Cups, 12-36 ct - $2.49
$1.00 printable coupon (sign-up)
Final price:  $0.49

Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil, Heavy Duty, 37.5 ft. - $2.50
$0.75 printable coupon
$0.55 11/13 SS
Final price:  $1.00-$1.40

King’s Hawaiian Bread, 12-16 oz. - $2.49
$1.00/2 printable coupon
Final price:  $1.49 each

Ore-Ida Potatoes, 19-32 oz. - $2.50
$1.00 printable coupon
Final price:  $0.50!

Kraft Cheese, 7-8 oz. - $2.50
$1.50 printable coupon (NLA)
Final price:  $1.00!

Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 8 oz. - $1.25
$1.25/3 printable coupon (NLA)
$1.25/3 Deliciously Simple Booklet
Final price:  $0.83 each!

Russet Potatoes, 5 lb. - $0.99

Marketon (11/1-11/7)

I got a weekly ad in the mail from a store I'd never heard of before, Marketon.  This store has five locations, 4 in Las Vegas and 1 in Reno (1500 S. Wells). 

While I don't necessarily plan on shopping at this store, I am glad to have the ad for price-matching at Walmart.  The ad also advertises signing up at http://www.marketon.com/ to get the weekly flyer via email every Monday.  Maybe this could be used to price match if you do not receive the ad via mail?

Their produce is amazingly low, so this week I plan on price matching it at Walmart.  Here are the good deals I see.

Tues. and Wed. Only
Hass Avocados - $0.25 each
Fuji Apples - $0.50/lb.
Valencia Oranges - $0.20/lb.
Green Limes - $0.25/lb.
Cilantro - $0.20 each

All Week
Roma Tomatoes - $0.33/lb.
White Onions - 6 lbs. for $0.99 or $0.17/lb.
Red Seedless Grapes - $0.99/lb.
Cucumbers - $0.25 each
Broccoli - $0.50/lb.

I would love to hear if you see anything else or any experiences you may have price matching!

Scolari's: Bacon $1.89 (through 11/2)

There are a couple decent deals this week at Scolari's.  Go HERE to see all the match-ups for this week, ending 11/2.  (Thanks, Centsible Sisters!)

My favorites include:

Pork Tri-Tip:  $1.49/lb. (limit 2)

Hershey's Halloween Chocolate:  $0.50/bag

And BACON!

Farmland Bacon, 12 oz. - $2.99
$0.55 printable coupon (subscribe at bottom right and coupon is emailed to you)
Final price:  $1.89!

With the sales on tri-tip and bacon you can make one of our favorite recipes, Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin.

October Savings

I can't believe it...October is over.  The monthly numbers are in and this month I'm still loving my coupons:

Total spent in Oct.:  $338.02
Retail Value:  $1,185.12
Total saved in Oct.:  $847.10, or 71% saved

This month I stocked up on baby wipes, apple juice, canned veggies, laundry detergent, and meat!

I am anticipating great sales on baking items over the next couple months and I plan on stocking up for the year.  We shall see where that puts my spending for November.

Want to join the challenge and keep track of how much you save?  Feel free to download the spreadsheet I am using HERE.  (Click "File" at top left, "Download as", and choose the program you would like to use to download the spreadsheet to your own computer.  I use Excel.  The formula is set up so you just have to enter how much you spent and how much you saved and it will calculate the retail amount automatically.)

Happy Savings!

Safeway: Check Your Just For U Prices and Coupons!

I paid $4.96 for this without cutting any coupons...simply load these deals onto your Safeway card.

I was checking out my Safeway Just For U prices to see if I had the price to get the Skippy peanut butter deal.  Happily, I did...and I noticed some other great Just For U prices and coordinating e-coupons!

Remember, these are my personal Just For U prices, so yours could be different, but it's worth checking!  Add both the Just For U prices and the e-coupons to get some sweet deals.  They will both come off when your Safeway card is scanned.

SELECT Seasonings Premium Grinder - J4U FREE

Knorr Sides - J4U $0.79, limit 4
$0.50/1 Safeway e-coupon
Final price:  $0.29

Wishbone Dressing, 8-24 oz. - J4U $0.99, limit 2
$1.50/1 Safeway e-coupon
Final price:  $0.24 each (I got 2)

Cookie Crisp - J4U $1.97, limit 4
$0.75/1 Safeway e-coupon
Final price:  $1.22

Best Foods Mayo, 30 oz. - J4U $2.49, limit 2
$1.50 Safeway e-coupon
Final price:  $0.99

Skippy Peanut Butter - J4U $1.49, limit 2
$1.00/2 Safeway e-coupon
Final price:  $0.99 each and get back $1 Catalina WYB 2 Skippy Naturals
Like paying $0.49 each

Grand Total:  $4.96 (plus $1.00 Catalina back)
Price without J4U savings and coupons:  $34.22
Amount Saved:  $29.26 or 85%

My Shopping: $23.66

I ran to two stores today with my boys.  It's been fun having so much "help" while they're on track break from school.  (See below for proof.)  The boys are excited for their party tonight.  They're planning on pizza and soda while I'm away.

Scolari's - $15.76
3 Kikkoman Sauce - $0.69 each
2 Sierra Mist - $0.49 each
2 Land O Frost Ham - $0.49 each
CPK Pizza - $2.79
2 Digiorno Pizza - $2.79 each
Yogurt, 32 oz. - $0.99 (clearance)
3 Loaves of Bread - $0.79 each (clearance)

Find Scolari's Deals HERE. (Thanks, Centsible Sisters!)

Raley's - $7.90  ($3.00 Catalina back)
10 Del Monte Corn - $0.39 each
2 Cheetos - $1.00 each
2 Fritos Chips - $1.00 each

Find Raley's Deals HERE or HERE.  (Thanks, Clever Housewife and Frugal Find!)

I'm loving the deal on canned veggies at Raley's.  Every time you buy 10 you get a $3.00 Catalina back.  Then you can use that $3.00 to buy another 10, making them just $0.39/can!  That's cheaper than even the case lot sale.

Grand Total Spent - $23.66
Total Before Sales and Coupons - $64.46
Total Saved - $40.80 or 63%