A New Adventure: Stockpiling

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted since May!! Life has been very busy at our house, as demonstrated by my lack of posting! I've been busy learning more about couponing and stockpiling though!

I recently discovered Stockpilingmoms.com and have become a huge fan! Melissa and Shelley and two awesome ladies who share their knowledge of stockpiling, couponing, and just generally saving money on groceries and other items.

I've learned a lot, already saved a lot, and recently began their Stockpiling 101 series. This past week I began a new adventure: stockpiling. I'm not talking about stockpiling so much stuff we have to add a wing on our house! These ladies suggest a 3-month stockpile. That works for me. I've started with laundry detergent and toothpaste - because I caught a good sale and had high-value coupons.

I invite you to join me! I'm combining stepped up coupooning with stockpiling to save even more than in the past. I'm using my extra savings over the next year to make some home improvements and maybe even take a nice vacation. What would you do with a few extra dollars in the bank?

I've also posted on facebook that I've purchased several gift cards for half price (one $10 CVS card for $5; two $10 Subway cards for $5 each) through savemore.com. If you visit, please use my referral link.

What are some great sites you visit often?

$5 Target Gift Cards deals

GIFT CARD DEALS

Get a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy any 5 Participating Kellogg’s Products:

Kellogg’s Special K Cereal and Snacks – $2.39/ea
Use $1/1 or $2/2 Special K Granola here
Use $1/1 Special K Granola or Fruit Crisps here
Use $0.75/1 Kellogg’s Fruit Crisps 10 ct+ 2/21/2010 RP Insert (exp 4/18/2010)
Use $1/1 Kellogg’s Special K Crackers 8 oz, Any Flavor (exp 5/3/2010)
Use $2/2 Kellogg’s Cereals 3/28/2010 RP Insert (exp 5/9/2010)

Get a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Starter Kit:

Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner Starter Kit – $12.99/ea
Use $5/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Starter Kit 3/21/2010 SS Insert (exp 5/16/2010)
* Get $5 back via rebate when you buy 3 participating products

Get a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy any 2 participating Fusion manual or Venus Embrace Razors or Cartridges:

Gillette Fusion Manual Razor – $6.99/ea
Use $4/1 Fusion Razor 4/4/2010 P&G Insert (exp 4/30/2010)

Venus Embrace Razor – $6.99/ea
Use $2/1 Venus Razors 3/7/2010 P&G Insert (exp 4/30/2010)
Use $2/1 Disposable Razors any 4/4/2010 P&G Insert (exp 4/30/2010)

Get a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy any 2 participating Huggies, Scott, Viva, or Cottonelle product:

Huggies Big Pack Diapers (Snug & Dry, Overnites, Little Snugglers, Little Movers, Pure & Natural) or Pull Ups – $19.99/ea
Use $3/1 Huggies Diapers, any
Use $3/1 Huggies Diapers, any (FF) or $3/1 Huggies Diapers, any (IE)
Use $1.50/1 Huggies Diapers 3/21/2010 SS Insert (exp 4/17/2010)
Use $2/1 Huggies Diapers 3/21/2010 SS Insert (exp 4/17/2010)
Use $1.50/1 Huggies PullUps Jumbo pk+ 2/28/2010 SS Insert (exp 4/25/2010)
Use $2/1 Huggies Pull-Ups Training Pants
Check out Target's other weekly deals at Stretching A Buck.

New Batch of Kellogg's coupons! Plus $5 Target Gift Card

Kellogg’s has released a new batch of printable coupons!

The following coupons are available at RedPlum:

• $1.50/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats, All Bran or Raisin Bran (11.4 oz or larger)
• $1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats (14.5 oz or larger)
• $1/3 Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops and/or Frosted Flakes (10 oz or larger)
• $1/2 All Bran, Crispix, Rice Krispies, Smart Start, Raisin Bran, and/or Corn Flakes (11.4 oz)

And these are available on the Kellogg’s website:

• $1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats (14.5 oz or larger)
• $1/3 Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops and/or Frosted Flakes (10 oz or larger)
• $1/2 All Bran, Crispix, Rice Krispies, Smart Start, Raisin Bran, and/or Corn Flakes (11.4 oz)
• $1/1 Kellogg’s Smart Start (14.7 oz or larger)
• $1/1 Special K Low Fat Granola, Raisin Bran Extra!, or Frosted Mini Wheats Little Bites (14 oz or larger)
• $2/2 Special K Low Fat Granola, Raisin Bran Extra!, or Frosted Mini Wheats Little Bites (14 oz or larger)
  
  

Why not match these up with the Special K Cereal and Snacks on sale at Target this week and score a $5 Target Gift Card in the process!TARGET GIFT CARD DEALS

Get a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy any 5 Participating Kellogg’s Products:

Kellogg’s Special K Cereal and Snacks – $2.39/ea
Use $1/1 or $2/2 Special K Granola here
Use $1/1 Special K Granola or Fruit Crisps here
Use $0.75/1 Kellogg’s Fruit Crisps 10 ct+ 2/21/2010 RP Insert (exp 4/18/2010)
Use $1/1 Kellogg’s Special K Crackers 8 oz, Any Flavor (exp 5/3/2010)
Use $2/2 Kellogg’s Cereals 3/28/2010 RP Insert (exp 5/9/2010)
Final Price = $1.39-1.64/ea; It’s like getting this for $0.39-0.64/ea with gift card

Babies R Us President's Day Baby Sale!

Babies R Us is having a big Presidents' Day Baby Sale! They also have several printable coupons available. Get a $5/$25 baby purchase, a coupon for a $20 gift card for buying 3 participating P&G products or a $20 gift card for purchasing two Huggies Value Boxes of diapers and wipes.

Find a Babies R Us near you HERE.

Inexpensive Valentine's Day Gifts

For inexpensive Valentine's Day gifts, read my article at Associated Content, Inexpensive Valentine's Day Gifts for Every Person in Your Life.

While you're there, check out this article, A Different Twist on Giving Gifts, that includes gift sets you can assemble from "dollar" store and other inexpensive items.

You might also enjoy Unique, Inexpensive Gifts for the "Hard to buy for" on your List.

Lea Ann at Mommy's Wish List report that from now until February 14, when you buy a dozen Valentine donuts at Krispy Kreme you'll get 12 free Valentine Cards. These special cards each have a Free Donut coupon on the back. Not only do they have sprinkled Heart doughnuts, they also have chocolate iced Heart doughnuts with red drizzle, and Triple Chocolate doughnuts with chocolate Kreme filling, chocolate icing and brownie crumbles on top.

Check out this list of participating stores here to make sure your store has the Valentine donuts and cards.

Of course, the best gift you can give anyone is the gift of your time. Why not make a "coupon book" with coupons for watching a movie (of the recipient's choice), a trip to the park, a walk around the block, working a jig-saw puzzle together, home-cooked meal (or dessert) of their choice and/or any other activities they might enjoy.

What to Do When You Can't Use Your Gift Card

So many of us received gift cards for Christmas. Our family is fortunate, in that we are able to use (if we haven't already) each of the cards we received as gifts this year. Sometimes, though, you may receive a gift card from a store you don't or don't want to shop.

Well, all is not lost! Mary Ann Romans at Families.com has some great suggestions on how to make the best of an otherwise undesirable gift card. CLICK HERE to read her ideas.

Mary Ann reminds us that in August of 2010 a new law will go into effect that will require that gift cards be valid for at least five years without expiring. Won't that be great?

In the mean time, check out Mary Ann's advice on how to make the best of your situation.


Check back here often for more great ideas, tips and techniques for making the most of your money--no matter how much or how little you have!