Reminder: Free Bag of Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food!

Just a small reminder about the great offer that Science Diet has going right now.  You can visit their website to compare your current dog or cat food with their brand and get a bag of food free by signing up for a rebate!

Although I am still awaiting my rebate, I found that the rebate form simple to print and easy to fill out.  I recommend to anyone looking to switching pet food brands or anyone who just likes saving money!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a bag of Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food free via BzzAgent. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food: Comparison Tool & Free Bag Rebate

I confess I don't normally look at the ingredients in my cats' dry food.  Most of the time if they eat it and aren't sick, I'm happy. I know that the first ingredient listed should be protein, but I don't know what other ingredients should be in there or in what amount.

Well, Hills Science Diet has a comparison tool for people like me. This tools allows you to compare the Science Diet Ideal Balance cat food with whatever brand of other cat food that you use.  What is really helpful though is that they explain what each ingredient is for and what the recommended balance is.  Go here to see how your current cat food measures up.

While you're there, be sure to download the Hill's Science Diet rebate for a free bag of cat food!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food from BzzAgent. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

My Friday Fun!

The beauty of couponing is that I'm spending less money on groceries, but my pantry is stocked better than ever before.  The last few weeks at Publix have been great for me.  I got everything pictured below at Publix for $16.53 with the exception of the Milk. That came from CVS and I paid $.79 for it.

Here are some of my great buys:

• Hamburger Helper: $.55 each. My husband and I go through so many of these that it is a great deal for us!
• Normal Price: $1.59
• Discounts:
• BOGO sale.
• $.75/3 Manufacturer coupons.
• Snackwell 100 Calorie Packs (5 ct.): $.60 per box!
• Normal Price: $3.19
• Discounts:
• BOGO sale.
• $1/1 Manufacturer coupons.
• Fiber One Cereal (14.25 oz. box): $.16
• Normal Price: $4.09
• Discounts: 
• $2.50 Sale price.
• $1/3 Manufacturer coupon.
• $2/1 Store coupons
• Milk (from CVS): $.79! 
• Discounts:
• $3.79 Sale Price
• $1/1 Manufacturer coupon
• $2 ECBs from today's "Pledge to not throw away your ECBs" promotion.
• In addition to only paying $.79, I also received $1 ECB to use on my next purchase.

Total before special price savings and coupons: $97.57

Total Spent: $17.32 - 83% Savings Rate!

Thanks for taking the time to check out my deals. Don't forget to stop by my Dr. Scholl's Coupon Giveaway!

The Elusive 80% Savings Rate!

I did it yesterday.  I reached the elusive 80% savings rate.  Normally I save 60%-70% on my Publix shopping.

Here are some of my great buys:

• Whiskas Cat Food, 3lb. bag: Free!
• Normal Price: $4.49 
• Discounts:
• BOGO sale.
• $2/1 Manufacturer coupons.
• $1/1 Store coupon.
• Arm & Hammer Toothpaste, 6 oz. tube: $.50/Tube.
• Normal Price: $2.99
• Discounts:
• BOGO sale.
• $1/1 Manufacturer coupons.
• Motts for Tots Apple Juice, 64 oz. jar: Free!
• Normal Price: $2.75
• Discounts: 
• $2.00 Sale price.
• $1/1 Manufacturer coupon.
• $1/1 Store coupons.

Total before special prices savings and coupons: $52.41

Total Spent: $10.36!

Love My Publix Shopping!

The truth about Publix is:  By shopping the sales, you can get better prices on products than you can get at Wal-Mart. And you don't have to be a crazy couponer (no offense,  I just like to think of myself as a sensible couponer) to do it.

Last week I got Hamburger Helper from Winn-Dixie and this week I got four more boxes from Publix. It was on sale for $1 each and I used a $.80/4 coupon.  That brought my price down to $.80/item.

Knorr Side Dishes were also on sale for $1 each. By using a $1/2 coupon, I was able to get them for $.50 each. I love these because they are quick and easy to make and will not expire for a long time to come.

My last deal of the day was Bird's Eye Steamfresh Frozen Vegetables. I am all about quick and convenient. All I have to do with these is pop them in the microwave for about six minutes and I have perfectly steamed veggies.  These were on sale for 50% off and I used $.35/1 coupons to bring my price down to $.65 per bag.

My Weekend Deals!

I split my shopping for deals this week between Publix  and Winn-Dixie.

At Publix I was able to get two boxes of 50 count Advil for FREE! I used two $2/1 Advil coupons and one $5/2 Publix coupon.  Because the medicine was on sale for $4.49 each, I got them for free! Of courese, I bought other items while I was there. My savings percentage this week was 60%.  Not my highest, but not shabby either!

My other great deal of the week was on Hamburger Helper. Winn-Dixie had it on sale for $1.00 per box. When I combined the sale with my coupons, my cost went down to $.90 per box. I bought 12!  That will last us awhile, but it's the kind of item that will keep and we will definitely use it... eventually.  :)

Weekend Savings!

Even though I didn't buy much, yesterday's trip to Publix was quite good.  My savings percentage was 76% and I only spent a little over $10. Some of the deals I got included:

• McCormick Grill Mates Seasonings for $.25 each.
• Axe Shower Gel for Men (12 oz.) for $1.00 each. 
• Soft Scrub Surface Cleanser for $.20 each.

I've never used the Soft Scrub Cleanser, so I'll have to see if I like it or not, but for that price, I couldn't resist.

Yay for Publix Freebies!!!

I made my weekly shopping trip to Publix yesterday and got some awesome deals.  My savings percentage was 76% -- not my highest ever, but close.

Highlights:

• Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats with a Touch of Fruit: Free! They were BOGO and I had a manufacturer coupon for BOGO.
• Zantac Heartburn Tablets: Free! They were on sale for $6.99. I had a store coupon for $2/1 and a manufacturer coupon for $5/1.  
• Scotch Scissors: Free! They were BOGO, plus I had a $1/1 manufacturer coupon.  

Yesterday's Publix trip...

I went to Publix yesterday. Let me tell you, I will make sure I never use that particular cashier ever, ever again! Apparently, she did not know/understand Publix's coupon policy (which I happen to have a copy of in my purse).  So, several times I had to point out things to her and once I had to speak to her superior. This, of course, substantially increased my check out time and I'm pretty sure the lady behind me was unhappy. Publix really needs to better educate their employees on their own coupon policy.  Enough ranting... Onto the deals!

My favorite deals this week were:

Smucker's Magic Shell Topping: Originally priced at 2.19. I got them for $.39 each using the sale price, store coupons, and manufacturer coupons.

TreSemme Shampoo & Condition:  Originally, 4.29. I got them for $2.33 each using a competitor coupon and sale price.. I go through a lot of hair products, so this was a great deal for me!

Dove Deodorant:  Originally, 2.99.  With manufacturer's coupons and BOGO, I got them for $.75 each!  Great deal!

Great Deals at Publix this week!

I went to Publix yesterday and got some great deals!

My favorite deal was Great Grains cereal for $.30 a box!  These were BOGO, plus I had store and manufacturer coupons to use. I've never actually tried these, so hopefully they will be good. If they aren't, I still only paid $.60 for two boxes. 

The other top deals of the day for me were:

• $.49 for 5 oz. Olay Regenerist Facial Cleanser.
• Free Tylenol Precise Pain Relieving Cream.
• $2.00 for 80 ct. Lysol Disinfecting Wipes. (I go through lots of these, so it was a great deal for me!)

Saving Percentage this week: 77% - My highest ever!

Today's Publix: Good Deals, Terrible Service.

So, today I decided to try my shopping at the Publix store on University in Sarasota, Florida.  I normally shop at the one on 14th Street in Bradenton, but my house is kinda in the middle, so I thought I would try the one at University.  Bad Choice.

About the Service:

I got some great deals today, but was badgered by the cashier who refused to believe that my coupons were legitimate simply because they weren't printed in color.  I know that Publix is implementing a new coupon policy and trying to tighten the reins on the coupon frenzy, but his service was unacceptable.  I actually print all coupons in black and white or grayscale to save on ink. In addition to this one of my printers is a black and white laser printer that does not even have color ability. So, he (an older man) was convinced that I had copied all of them. I tried to explain the situation, but he insisted I had copied them. He did eventually take them, but I will NEVER again shop at that Publix again.

About the Deals:

I got two Caltrate Calcium Soft Chews for $1.49 each. These are normally priced $7.99 each.  The Soft Chews were on sale for 25% off, plus I had a two $2 manufacturer coupons to use on each of them, and I had a $5/2 Publix coupon. Final price: $1.49 each. Doesn't get any better than that!

I got two Ronzoni Quick Cook Macaroni boxes for $.17.  $1.17 is the normal price. They were BOGO and I had a coupon  for $1.00/2 which brought the price down to $.17 for both boxes.

I got paid to get 4 Wishbone Salad Dressings.  Each dressing was originally priced at $2.69. They were on sale BOGO. I had a manufacturer coupon for $1.25/2 Wishbone dressings and 4 Publix coupons for $1/1 Wishbone Dressings. If I'd had more of the manufacturer coupons I would have bought more, but I used what I had.

My favorite coupon deals of the week!

My favorite deals this week were Milk at CVS and Vlasic pickles at Publix.

I got T.G. Lee Milk for $1.19 a gallon. It was on sale for $3.19 and I had a manufacturer coupon for $1.00 off.  Then for each one purchased, I got a $1.00 CVS Extracare Buck to use on my next purchase. So, for the first gallon I paid $2.19. For the second gallon I paid $1.19 and I have $1.00 worth of CVS Bucks to spend in the future.

Now, at Publix, Vlasic Pickles were on sale for BOGO. Originally $2.47, the BOGO brought the price of the individual jar down to $1.23. I was able to use a store coupon worth $.55 and a manufacture coupon worth $.55 on each of them.  This brought my cost down to $.13 per jar!  Awesome!!!

$51.48....

So, this weekend at Publix, $51.58 bought me...

1. A $50 American Express Gift Card.
2. A bottle of 133 Vitamin C vitamins.
3. 6 Bags of Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies.

And I think it was a great deal.  I had to buy the gift card for someone's upcoming graduation so I would have spent $50 no matter where I went. However, because I went to Publix where there was a coupon for $10 a $50 gift card, I got it for $44.95 ($40 + $4.95 activation fee).  Then I used a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon on the Vitamin C which brought the cost down from 7.99 to 3.99.  I also used store and manufacturer coupons on the veggies which were already 50% off. That lowered the price of them to $.57 each (normally $2.39).

$.38 Buys Two Cake Mixes & Two Frostings

I would like to share a great deal that I got from my local Publix on Wednesday.  Two Duncan Hines Cake Mixes and two Duncan Hines Frostings for $.38.  Yes, that is $.38 for all four items.  I am by no means an "extreme couponer." However, this was such a great deal that I just have to share.

Here's how I did it:

The cake mixes were $1.99 each, but they were on sale BOGO. The frostings were on sale for 1.29 each (normally 1.67).  I got the one cake mix free automatically, but I had a manufacturer's coupon to get a free cake mix if I bought two frostings.  So, that gave me my second cake mix for free. Then, I had four Publix store coupons worth $.55 each. My Publix allowed me to use one for each time.  So, the $2.20 worth of Publix store coupons all went towards the price of the frostings which was $2.58.  That left me paying $.38 for all four items.  Awesome!