If you’ve been reading Thrifty Mommy for a while, then you know that I enjoy buying birthday presents for my kids when they are on clearance.  I try to shop around for things I know my children will like, except I don’t have the guilt of paying outrageous prices for their toys and I don’t feel too much of a loss if the item becomes forgotten and ends up in the yard sale.

Alligator Girl’s birthday is July 4th and here’s a look at the cool stuff she got, thanks to her Thrifty Mommy! 

• MagNext magnet set - This was a last minute request from her.  Her older brother got a set for his birthday and she wanted a set so that they could play together.  Good thing I had bought an extra set when Target had them 50% off.  Now that she has a set, Cuddlebug has asked for his own set too for his birthday later this month.  We went to Target this weekend and they still had more of them on clearance.  I think we paid $11.98 instead of $23.99.
• WoofTown dog and accessories - All of these were 50-75% off.  The dog was $1.98 instead of $8, the large box of clothing and accessories was $3.24 rather than $12.98, the t-shirt was 75% off for $1.24, but the dog carrier bag was only 50% off.  It was $3.98 rather than $8.  This is one of her most favorite birthday presents.  Even her brothers like this toy.
• Silver star fanny pack - I saw this at Target last week.  I can see this coming in handy in the next few years.  It was $2.48 rather than $9.99.
• Hannah Montana necklace and bracelet set - On sale at Dollar General for $1, regularly $5.
• Precious Places dvd - A freebie from Fisher Price.  I received this just in time.  I hope the other dvd arrives before Cuddlebug’s birthday.
• Animal Jokes dvd and book - I actually got these in a 4-pack at Food Lion.  The entire set was $6, but I opened the package and just gave her one from the set.  This made her gift $1.25.  She is really into jokes lately so she was excited to get this.  She can listen to the cd while reading along in the book.

All of these gifts would have cost about $80. I never would have paid that.  I got it all for less than $30. 

Do you shop the clearance sales for birthday and Christmas presents?

image (c) Karen Weideman

For quite a while now I’ve been using the same coupon organization system. I was using The Grocery Game to help me find deals on groceries. The Grocery Game tells you which week of the paper to pull the coupons from so that you don’t need to clip the coupons until you need them.

The filing system shown above a great system to use if you’re only using The Grocery Game.  I definitely like the convenience of the system.  The big problem is, I’m missing out on saving money on unadvertised specials, close-outs, and triple coupon sales.  I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been in a store and seen an advertised special or close-out item.  I know I have a coupon for the item, but since the coupons are not clipped, I have to search through all the inserts and hope to find what I need.

Finally I have switched to a new coupon organizing system!

I am now using the coupon organizer inserts from Smart Spending Resources.  The coupon organizer inserts fit into a regular 3-ring binder which sits on your grocery cart allowing you to flip through the binder and find the coupons you need.  A few things I like about this system from Smart Spending Resources:

1)  The coupons can be easily viewed.
2) The tabs are neat and professionally printed.
3) You can easily find coupons you need for unadvertised specials, close-outs, and triple coupon deals.
4) The system is neat and keeps loose coupons under control.
5) The system is expandable. More pages can easily be added to each section as needed.

A few tips for those who are interested in this system:
1) Be sure to buy an oversized 3-ring binder. I bought a regular binder and I mine is slipping around on the cart. I plan to pick up a larger binder the next time I go to the store. It will make couponing so much easier.
2) I would recommend purchases extra insert pages.
3) You might want to consider buying a zipper pencil pouch for your binder. I purchased one and will use it to put coupons I know that I will be using or to store my pen and calculator.

As always, I try to provide an honest product review, so I will tell you that this system is a lot more time consuming than my previous method.  I feel that the savings will be worth my time though.  As I’ve told you all before . . . Time is Money but Money is Time.

Have you tried the binder organizing system?

top image (c) Karen Weideman, bottom image (c) Smart Spending Resources

Today is fiction day at Lifeway Stores.  Today only, you can get these books for only $5:

• A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson
• Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins
• Cry in the Night by Colleen Coble
• By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer
• A Widow’s Hope by Mary Ellis

Visit the Lifeway website to view all today’s $5 deals and to get a printable coupon for 25% off a regularly priced

These Bibles are 50% off through 6/6/09:

• Personal Size Giant Print Reference Bible, NKJV
• The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV
• The NIV Adventure Bible
• The Maxwell Leadership Bible: Revised and Updated, NKJV
• The Maxwell Leadership Bible, NKJV
• The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB

This week only through 5/23/09, Lifeway has a 50% off sale on these Bibles:

• Archaeological Study Bible, NIV
• NIV Study Bible
• Quest Study Bible, NIV
• Compact Teen Study Bible, NIV
• Personal Size Parallel Study Bible, NIV/ The Message Paraphrase
• NIV Audio Bible, Dramatized

Other sales:

• 50% off Stanley the Stinkbug Goes to Camp DVD

If you need a gift for someone, this would be a great time to start shopping.  Enjoy the savings.

image from lifeway

If you’ve ever shopped for coffee, then chances are you’ve noticed the many different brands and prices.  If you’re trying to comparison shop, then you want the best price for the taste.  The problem I have is, what is the difference between them?

Millstone is a popular coffee. I like that you can buy it by the pound. I don’t brew a lot of coffee, so I like that I can purchase 1/4 lb if I choose.  It also allows me to try different flavors and bean types without feeling stuck with a whole pound of something (if I don’t like it).  The problem I have with Millstone is that I find it to be incredibly bitter.  I have yet to find a Millstone flavor that I really like.  Any suggestions?

The Juan Valdez coffee is a more affordable option.  The price is pretty good and we’ve heard the Juan Valdez name for years, but I have never tried their coffee.  If anyone has tried it, please let me know what you think of it.

A few months ago, Wal-Mart began carrying a less expensive by-the-pound coffee.  At $6.54/lb, Veneto’s is an affordable alternative to Millstone.  I found that Veneto’s has a similar taste to Millstone.

A few other coffees I have tried are Folgers, Maxwell House, and Starbucks.  Folgers is ok, Maxwell House seems to taste good for a few days and then loose its intensity, and I have yet to find a Starbucks flavor that I enjoy.  They’re too strong, too bitter, or something just isn’t right.  I don’t mean to be so picky, but if I’m going to have coffee I want it to taste right.  Know what I mean?

I was getting very frustrated at my coffee experiences and so I asked my friend Marye at Kettle & Cup which coffee she recommended.  Her top recommendation was Ugly Joe’s.  I was giving thought to trying Ugly Joe’s (and still am), but then I came across Caribou Coffee while I was shopping at Target. 

I probably wouldn’t have bought the Caribou Coffee, but it was 50% off.  The $4 price tag made it hard to pass up, plus I had tried the Caribou Coffee granola bars before and they were quite tasty.  I decided to give it a try and got the Sumatra blend.  Let me just say, I am pretty happy with this purchase.  It is creamy and not bitter and the earthy taste is delicious.  I don’t know that I have found the “perfect coffee” for my personal taste, but this is pretty close. 

Some of you may have no problem drinking inexpensive coffee such as Maxwell House, Folgers, or S&D.  Unfortunately, I have developed a preference for a certain taste.  In areas such as this, it is difficult to use coupons and buy whichever brand is the cheapest.  It is, however, thrifty to find something that you like and not waste hard earned money searching for something that meets your preferences.

If you enjoyed this article you may also enjoy 20 Ways to Save on Coffee. 

Which coffees are your favorite?

Disclaimer:  These thoughts are only opinions and should be treated as such.Images 1-3 by Karen Weideman.  Image 4 from Caribou Coffee. 

As I mentioned earlier, I went to Harris Teeter last week for their triple coupon deals.  There is still time left to shop, so here are some of the deals:

Betty Crocker brownie mix - 1.99, use .50 coupon, $.49

Betty Crocker frosting - 1.99, use .50 coupon, $.49

Pillsbury frosting - 1.47, use .35 coupon, $.42

Renuzit Adjustable air fresheners - .97 each buy 3, use .50 coupon off 3, $.47 each

Hormel dinners - 2.89, use.75 coupon, $.64

Mueller’s noodles - 1.50 each buy 2, use .75 coupon on 2, $.38 each

Mahatma rice - .67 sale price buy 2, use .75 coupon on 2, FREE plus overage

Febreeze spray - $2 on sale, use .50 coupon, $.50

Wrigley’s slim pack gum - $1.19, use free coupon from the SS 3/15, FREE

Soft Soap hand soft - $2.29 B1G1, buy 2, use .35 coupon from 3/29, $.10 each

Other deals:

Lays potato chips B1G1 free

Ragu spaghetti sauce B1G1 free

McCormick bacon bits - B1G1 free

Angus cube steak - B1G1 free

Angus stew meat - B1G1 free

Boneless chicken breast - buy 1 get 2 free (equals out to about $1.85/lb)

Harris Teeter prepackaged 8 oz deli meat and deli cheese - buy 1 get 2 free (equals out to about $1.48 each)

blueberries - B1G1 free

Starbucks ice cream - B1G1 free, $2.10 each

Kraft singles cheese - B1G1 free

What triple coupon deals did you find?

image from Harris Teeter

I had to take J to a doctor’s appointment this week.  We passed by Harris Teeter and I suddenly remembered that they were having triple coupons.  Then I was so mad at myself because I didn’t bring my coupons (was driving hubby’s car).  Harris Teeter is 30 minutes from my house. 

After the appointment, I decided to take a walk through Harris Teeter to see what their specials were, without the triple coupon savings.  I found several great deals.  I picked up some cube steak, stew meat, boneless chicken, and deli meats and cheese.  All were good prices. 

Then I wandered down the cereal aisle.  Harris Teeter had their Kellogg’s Mini Wheats buy one get one free.  On the shelves were SmartSource coupons to save $1 on 1 box.  Woohoo!  I bought 6 boxes.  The boxes were normally $3.75 each, so I was able to get 2 boxes for $3.75 minus the $2 in coupons.  That made the cereal $.88 per box.  Wow! 

I was happy to get the cereal for $.88 per box, but things got better after I paid.  At the end of my purchase, I was handed two coupons, each for a free gallon of milk.  They were compliments of Kellogg’s.  It was some kind of reward system which I think gave one free gallon of milk for every three Kellogg’s item purchased.  I asked the cashier if I could leave my cart sitting next to her checkout while I went back to get the milk.  We can always use milk in our house and I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to make another trip to Harris Teeter.

That means I got 6 boxes of Kellogg’s cereal and 2 gallons of milk for only $5.25!!!

I managed to make another trip to Harris Teeter this week with my coupons and saved a bunch.  This time I purchased 6 more boxes of cereal, but it did not print out any more milk coupons.  I’m guessing there must be a limit.  Even without the milk, it is still a great buy and good stockpiling opportunity.

Good luck everyone.

image by Karen Weideman

Yesterday, I went to Wal-Mart, the devil store because I spend way too much money there, and splurged on a pregnancy craving (at least I am using it as a good excuse at this point HAHA) - ramen noodles.  I realize, before you give me a hard time about the sodium, they are horrible nutritionally.  But they are wonderful!

So anyway, I went and just hate to have to load up 10 separate boxes.  So I was very happy when I saw them packaged for 6 packs for $1.82 or 30.33 cents a piece.  Then I looked at the individual ones and saw that they were only 28 cents a piece.  So I bought the individual ones but saved my money because I had my phone calculator handy and knew the unit price.

So remember, my savings wasn’t that much but sometimes, it is a huge difference.  Bulk isn’t always better.  So be careful out there and USE THOSE CALCULATORS!

OK, so I have to admit I was watching a short spot on The View this morning and I saw a great idea for staying modestly dressed. Read more

We went to the big city last night (heehee) and stopped by Super Target.  I found some good grocery deals.

Egglands Best eggs are $1.47/dozen.  This is a great price, as regular large eggs cost more than this sale price.  I bought 3 dozen!

Jones All Natural Sausage are on sale for $1.25 per package of 10 links.  Then, there is a coupon on the box to save $1 on 2 boxes.

Kraft shredded cheese is $2 per 8 oz package.  And if you can find a coupon, even better.

Top round steak is $1.99/lb.  These kinds of steaks are great for stir fry and fajitas, which is a fave around here.  I bought 4 packages.

Pork roast is $2.19/lb.  I bought a 2-3 lb roast and will use this to make Mexican taquitos one meal and chilie verde (new recipe) for church.

image from target

As many of you know, our family has been through a big transition lately.  We have moved to a new location and our house hasn’t sold.  My husband also started a new job and did not receive his first paycheck until this past week.

I was determined not to go into debt for Christmas.  And how does one do this?  I shop throughout the year and buy things on clearance for my kids.  I use the items for their birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or as special treats. 

My kids had plenty to open this year.  Take a look at some of my bargains.  (In case you’re wondering why the date is weird, it’s because we let the kids open the gifts from us before we left town to see family.)

Cuddlebug likes his new car. I got it 75% off after Christmas last year.  Paid $2.50 for it.

Alligator was excited about her new Hello Kitty bookbag.  Got it at Target, 75% off for $4.24.

A pretty new purse and wallet with sequin butterflies.  My friend found this deal for $1.  It had a Sears tag on it for $13.  And the cool pirate hat is from Dollar Tree.

Carter’s fleece pajamas bought at Sam’s Club for $3.81.

Carter’s fleece jacket, $3.

Hat from Children’s Place, $2-3?

I got this V-Smile game at Target, 75% off for $6.24.

There’s lots more, but you get the idea.  I know that not all kids are this easy to buy for, but I try to buy things that I know my kids will like.  It certainly saves a lot of money and my kids are able to get more things since I didn’t pay much for them.  I’ve already started shopping for next year.

Do you buy things throughout the year?