I think that title is a line in You’ve Got Mail, arguably one of the best chick-flicks of all time.  This Sunday, you’ll definitely find a RedPlum (there are two inserts for certain zip codes) and SmartSource insert in your paper and some zip codes will have a P&G insert with over $100 in savings.  All three inserts have a ton of back to school savings and you’ll find inserts from Staples, Target, Wal-Mart and more with specials and savings on everything you’ll need this fall.  Back to school supply shopping was always one of my favorite things growing up, and I still love finding the perfect pen!

Going on tomorrow through Sunday, Old Navy is having a $2 cami sale.  You can print the coupon here.  There is a limit of 5 per person and the usual price is $8.50.  Happy shopping!

Make sure to leave a comment to have a chance at the Crayola giveaway!  I’ll be drawing a name tomorrow afternoon. . .

Freebie of the day: Today is “Free Tea Day” at McAlister’s Deli, located at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke.

Check out the link.

McAlister’s also has a kids’ night. Has anyone gone to it? Are the deals good?

Today it’s all about the little guys (and gals)!  I’m going to brag a bit on my two best finds as far as entertainment go for my little guy.  Now keep in mind that he’s two, so it’s all relative.  Plus, up to a certain age, almost everything can be considered educational, right?

1. Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles.  My mother started gifting these puzzles to my son very early on and they’re his and my favorites!  The company has a TON of other products as well, but the wooden puzzles are my favorite.  You can buy them online and locally at Toys R Us and Barnes and Noble and online through the link above.

2. TREND Enterprises Flashcards.  My child is a bit of a bookworm and has developed a love for flashcards too (and mama is happy ’bout that!).  I saw TREND Enterprises cards at Staples back in early Spring this year and fell in love, so my son ended up with a gift bag full of flashcards for his second birthday.  They include rhyming words, sight words, shapes and colors, time, US Presidents, addition, subtraction, you name it, they have it.  This company also has many other products, but again, the flashcards are my favorites.  The website shows that you can purchase locally at If It’s Paper (Apperson Dr.), Learning Source (Orange Ave.), Kentucky School Service (Williamson Rd.) and The Learning Place in Rocky Mount.

Now for the giveaway!  I don’t know anyone that didn’t grow up with Crayola, do you?  Crayola products are just simply a part of the American childhood experience, no?  In the spirit of tradition, I’ll be giving away a Crayola “Washable Spira-Chalk Blaster” and a travel “dry erase” kit, both pictured below.  All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite find for your kid(s) and I’ll randomly choose winners and announce them in Friday’s post!

Storefront blogger Jenny Boone has the scoop on the sales tax holiday coming up next month. Do you wait until this time to shop for school supplies? We’d like to hear your advice/strategy. Share, please!

Fink’s Jewelers is having fun with a promotional event this week. Check out the details in the press release below — and let us know if you’re participating. We’d love to get a first-hand report from a diamond-hunting couple!
Fink’s Jewelers Hides a $15,000 Ritani Diamond Ring in Roanoke
Local couples set to run around Roanoke, solving clues to win the ring via cell phones.

July 19, 2010 (Roanoke, VA)–Fink’s Jewelers has hidden a $15,000 Ritani diamond ring in Roanoke. On Saturday, July 31st, hundreds of local couples will be sent on a mission: to race around the city in hopes of finding, and keeping, the ring using their cell phones.

Fink’s has partnered with SCVNGR Inc to turn Roanoke into a real-world game board with the 1st Annual Roanoke Diamond Dash. Couples on this interactive treasure hunt will do location-based challenges that are sent to their cell phones that will lead them to the secret location to win a $15,000 diamond ring. At the end of the day, the Ritani diamond will go home with one lucky couple.

On Saturday, July 31st at 11 am, couples will meet at Elmwood Park to take part in the Roanoke Diamond Dash. Once the game kicks off, the teams will be sent off solving clues and doing challenges from their mobile devices. It’s a race for that lucky couple to find the secret location of the Ritani diamond ring, worth $15,000.

To participate in the game, couples must submit their love stories to Fink’s Jewelers at www.roanokediamonddash.com. The stories will be reviewed and the couples with the best ones will be offered a chance to partake in the game on Saturday, July 31st. Signups are open until 11:59 EST on Thursday, July 29th, so send in your stories!

The event is Saturday, July 31st at 11:00 am Elmwood Park, and there will also be an after event party at 202 Market, at approximately 2:00 pm, where the winners will be announced, the ring will be presented, and, if all goes well, a newly engaged couple will go home with their extraordinary prize.

For more information and to submit your love story to win a spot in the Roanoke Diamond Dash presented by Fink’s Jewelers, visit www.Roanokediamonddash.com.

Check out the SmartSource and Red Plum inserts in today’s paper.  You’ll find (somewhat rare) coupons from Lowe’s this week along with the usual health, beauty and food coupons!  My favorite this week is the Athenos Hummus coupon, some zip codes will even have a B1G1 so keep an eye out.

This weeks meal planner has a recipe that sounds amazing for a summer squash casserold and zucchini and yellow squash are both on special this week at Kroger!  Kiwi is also on special and part of the meal planner this week too, taking advantage of the summer growing season.  The meal planner this week incorporates SO MANY fresh fruits and veggies I highly suggest taking advantage.  It seems like we’ve been living off summer produce for the past few weeks, it’s perfectly fresh, not too heavy and just tastes great. I can even get my two year-old to eat almost any vegetable as long as he can dip it in ranch dressing!  In addition, cucumbers, green bell peppers (grill them!), red seedless grapes and yellow peaches are also on special this week at Kroger.  

Stay tuned later this week for a kid friendly giveaway!

Here’s another release about a fashion show fundraiser for a good cause. Check it out:

Bethany Hall Inc. will be hosting a fashion extravaganza, the Runway for Recovery on Sunday, August 8, 2010, from 3 to 5 pm at the Hotel Roanoke. Runway for Recovery is an afternoon of fun, fashion and beauty for ‘every body.’ The Crystal Ballroom is the location for our fashion show displaying great clothes from a variety of area retailers. Manicures, makeovers, great food and a silent auction will complement the main event.

Graduates of Bethany Hall, staff and volunteers, along with Miss Virginia Pageant titleholders will be modeling these fabulous fashions. There will be clothing for women, men and children. Thus, ensuring that almost “every body” will see something that would look great on them. (Also, our models range in age from the very young to the young at heart).

“This show is about two things”, said Vickie Price, Bethany Hall’s Executive Director. “Proceeds from the Runway event will provide funding to assist women, and their families, who have been badly damaged by addiction to reclaim their potential. And it provides an opportunity for area residents to see the beauty, diversity and courage that is the Bethany Hall community.”

Advance ticket prices for Runway for Recovery are $25.00 for adults; $15 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at Hometown Bank and SunTrust Bank, or by calling 540.343.4261, extension 307

Bethany Hall, Inc is a long-term (up to nine months) substance abuse treatment program for women. The facility is one of two gender-specific, long term programs in Virginia and is one of only a few programs in the United States that serves pregnant women and provides mothers the option to have their children with them during treatment

Shop for a cause and save at the jewelry sale next week at Roanoke’s Discovery Shop. Items sold benefit programs at the American Cancer Society. Below is an e-mail release about the sale, which starts Thursday:

Thursday July 29th
4:30 to 8:00 PM
Juilette’s Jewelry Trunk Show

Refreshments
50% Off Collectibles and More!

Beautiful, designer inspired, sterling and rhodium jewelry set with semi-precious stones and crystals.

Prices start at only $15 and it looks like it costs hundreds!
Start your holiday gift shopping early and find a few treats for yourself.

50% off starts Thursday the 29th and continues to Saturday the 31st for our Collectibles, Gifts, Shoes, Bags and Gift Items. Designer Jewelry available Thursday night only.

* Discovery Shop jewelry is unavailable during Thursday’s trunk show and is not discounted on Friday or Saturday.

Discovery Shop Roanoke
Next to Montanos in Townside Festival
3723-B Franklin Rd, SW
Roanoke, VA 24014
540-345-2572

Food Lion is hosting the Great Grocery Giveaway between July 21 and August 31 this summer.  There’s a $250,000 grand prize and you can earn scratch cards (while supplies last) for each total store transaction and bonus cards for certain products.  You can read more here.  While you’re on their site check out the loadable coupons too!

Also, have any of you seen or heard of Shopping Nanny?  It’s apparently a pretty new website that is a sort of grocery helper that finds coupons, lets you print them.  It guarantees a savings of $500 per year guaranteed, BUT, there is a charge of $5.95 a month.  Here is the link, like with anything else, there’s always a cost for convenience and be sure to read all the fine print before signing up for anything!

Be sure to check back on Sunday to see what’s in store for the week. . .

Until about a year ago I had never heard of a flash sale, since then, I have fallen in love with a few.  Flash sales are invite only online boutiques that last for around 48 hours or so.  Most times they offer brands, designers, home goods, baby wares, vacations, travel gear, accesories, shoes etc. at deep discounts (I snagged 70% off today!!!). 

My personal favorite by far is Rue La La.  All my wonderufl Cuisinart kitchen appliances, my Amirita Singh jewelry, Cole Haan and Donald J. Pliner shoes, Le Mystère under garments and I don’t even know what else has been courtesy of Rue La La (and my inability to say no to a GREAT deal on things I can justify to myself, and thankfully I have a husband that simply says he’s sure I needed it).  I’m also a member of Gilt Group, the most similar I’ve found to Rue La La in their offerings.

Totsy and Zulily offer mostly kids clothing, toys, bedding and the like.  I think I would be MUCH more into these two sites if I had a little girl, but boys are a little less maintenance when it comes to the cute clothes and accessories arenas.  They do have great finds on diaper bags,  strollers and even maternity wear and prenatal vitamins.

One Kings Lane is another of my favorites.  This site carries home goods, furniture and accents that are gorgeous and on sale!

If you’d like an invitation to any (or all) of these sites, just let me know!

On some of its items, Amazon.com offers a “Subscribe & Save” option, which means you sign up to get regular deliveries (you choose from several options, ranging from monthly to once every six months) and receive an extra 15 percent discount, often with free shipping.

This deal works great for moms who want a steady stock of things such as diapers or rice cereal or formula.

The great thing is that even though you sign up for it, you’re not committed to the regular deliveries at all. You can just sign up once to get the discount and shipment and then cancel your subscription. You do, however, have to create an account with Amazon.

And then there are boon times, when Amazon offers an additional 15 percent off the “Subscribe & Save” discount. For instance, right now, Seventh Generation diapers are 30 percent off with an S&S.

The best part is, the stuff arrives at your door. That’s another hassle saved!

Business reporter Jenny Boone’s “Retail Roundup” column on Sunday had this tidbit that’ll interest moms and expectant moms.

“The inside of the Toys R Us store in Roanoke has been a construction zone for the past few months in preparation for the opening of a companion store for babies, Babies R Us. Now, the work is complete.

The store on Valley View Boulevard recently added a side-by-side Babies R Us department. Toys R Us owns the Babies R Us brand, which sells everything from baby equipment to clothing and toys.

Since 2006, the retailer has rolled out these side-by-side concepts in about 70 U.S. stores, according to a company news release.”

Read the rest of Jenny’s column here.

Now, the question is: Where can you find good coupons for Babies R Us?

First, is a list of some of my favorites from today’s SmartSource insert.

$1.00/1 Danimals

$.50/2 Fiber One Chewy Bars

$1./2 Cheerios

$1.50/1 Huggies Pull-Ups

$1.00/1 Colgate ProClinical toothpaste

$1.00/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry

There are several good coupons this week, but these stood out for me.  Second, have you heard of All You magazine?  All You is sold at Wal-Mart stores or by subscription for super cheap and has a ton of coupons every month, this time it’s around $65 in coupons.  Following is a list for August and I’ll try to remember to update monthly when the new issues come out.

$2.00/1 Ageless Reflection Skin Care

$.35/1 Banquet Fruit Pies

$1.00/1 Body Fortress

$1.00/1 Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials

$1.00/1 Childrens Advil

$1.00/1 Colgate ProClinical

$1.00/1 Contessa MicroSteam Or on The Stove Meals

$.40/1 Country Crock Spread

$.50/1 Country Time Hard Candy

 $1.00/1 Disney and Marvel Multivitamins

$ .75/1 Dole all Natural Fruit in Plastic Jars

$1.00/2 Dole Frozen Fruit Bars

$1.00/1 Dole Fruit Bowls

 $2.00/1 Ester-C

$1.00/1 Fruit of the Loom Pack. Underwear and /or Casual Sportswear

$1.00/1 Glade Car

$1.00/1 Greased Lightning

$1.00/2 Bundle packs Kleenex Tissue

$1.00/1 MET-RX

$1.00/1 Neutrogena Cleansing

$3.00/1 Neutrogena Cosmetics

 $1.00 off any NYC $ 1.72 or more N.Y.C New York Color

$3.00/1 Osteo Bi- Flex

$1.00/1 Osteo Bi-Flex Liquid Joint Aid

$3.00/1 Phillips Colon Health Probiotic + Fiber

 $1.00/1 Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons

$1.00/1 Pure Protien

$1.00/1 Reddi-Whip

BOGO FREE ( up to $4.00) Rimmel lasting Finish Pro Nail Lacquer

$1.00/1 Simple Green Cleaner

$1.00/1 Scott Extra Soft Tissue

$.50/1 Scott Flushable Moist Wipes

$ 1.00/1 Scott Towels

$ 1.00/1 Smithfield Ham

$ 1.00/2 Vitamin Water Zero

 BOGO FREE ( up to .79 Value) Weight Watchers Yogurt

$ 1.00/1 White Cloud or White Cloud Green Earth Bath Tissue or Paper Towels

It’s hard to believe it’s Friday again!  It’s even harder to imagine it’s time to start back to school shopping (or at least time for advertisers to make us think it’s time to start back to school shopping).  Look for inserts in this Sunday’s paper from Staples, Office Max, Target and K-Mart with back to school deals.  I also noticed that K-Mart has a rewards program.  If anyone uses it, I’d be interested in knowing the benefits.  Michael’s is still having sales throughout the store and their insert this week highlights some of the great deals you’ll find there.  Look for a SmartSource insert as well with some good grocery coupons and a restaurant coupon or two as well.

Shortcuts.com (a great source for loadable coupons) now has printed coupons too!  Remember to check your grocer’s coupon policy to make sure they’re acceptable.  In my opinion, it’s a good idea to carry the store’s coupon policy with you in case the person you’re dealing with isn’t familiar with printed coupons and their stores’ policy.

Before heading off into the weekend, here’s a little food for thought. . .I think it’s great to shop local whenever possible and while on Blue Collar Joe’s website I found a great reason to do so.  Read more here.

Update: The public relations firm that sent out this information just sent in a correction. The effort raised $6.5 million last year.

——————————–

Here’s a way to save money and support a good cause.

Through July 31, Macy’s customers can give $3 to support Reading is Fundamental’s “Book a Brighter Future” program and receive a shopping pass for $10 off a $50 purchase.

Last year, the $3.1 million raised supported RIF programs that served 800,000 kids and provided more than 2.5 million books.
Of the $3 donations given, $1 is given back to the state of Virginia for reading programs. Visit www.rif.org for more.

Have you ever looked in the fridge and not really known when something was okay to eat?  I have, and do at least weekly.  If something is past it’s sell by, use by or best if used by dates are long gone do you just smell it to determine its eat-ability?  Most everyone knows food waste is a huge problem.  Even when being very concious of food waste I end up throwing away food that’s gone bad every week.  Those who often eat at our house know at this point to ask if ranch dressing, cheese, various sauces, ice cream, etc. are safe to eat.  I tend to think  of sell by, use by and best if used by dates as merely STRONG suggestions, other people that live in my house seem to think they’re set-in-stone dates and food must be trashed if past that date.  After a little research, I found the truth.

Use By:  A use by date is a manufacturers recommended date that the prodcut should by used by in order to experience peak quality.  After the use by date the product could start declining in quality (and could be risky health-wise if not stored properly).  So, products can be kept past the used by date if stored properly, but the taste and quality could be less than desirable.  Used by and best is used by or best before dates are not required by any higher authority, but are added on by manufacturers (after all, wouldn’t you want your customers tasting your product at its best?).

Sell By:  This date is mostly a guideline for your grocery stores.  Products with expired sell by dates can still be good if stored properly (I tend to keep my fridge super cool), but as instinct would lead you, you’re probably best off buying products with a sell by date furthest out as possible.  Some grocery stores also start to mark down products approaching their sell by date.

As always, I say use common sense.  If it smells bad, looks bad, is moldy or isn’t sealed. . .don’t eat it!  You can learn more about shelf life, storage and dating visit the USDA’s site here.

In response to a comment about finding where kids can eat free around town, we’re sharing this link to a roundup we ran in the Inside Out section last year in March. Click here

There are probably many updates to the list … such as the fact that Cheeburger Cheeburger is now closed … but it’s a start.

If you’ve got updates and tips, send them on!

 I got an e-mail today that Toad’ly Kids is extending their Summer Sale.

Spring/Summer clothing is now 40% off. Bathing suits are now 50% off.  And one rack is marked at 70%.  Hurry in soon for these great deals!!!

There are so many good coupons in this Sunday’s paper from so many retailers, below are some of my favorite.

$0.55/1 Hillshire Farm Deli Select Hearty Slices Lunchmeat

$1.00/1 Folder Black Silk Coffee

$1.00/1 Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice

$3.00/2 Schick Slim Twin Disposable Razors

$1.50/1 Lever 2000 Bar Soap 6 Bar or Higher

Several Suave hair and body products

$0.75/1 Keebler Town House Flatbread Crisps

$1.00/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats

$5.00 off food purchase of $20 or more at Logan’s Roadhouse

$0.50/2 4-packs of Cottonelle bathroom tissue

$4.00 off Two Dinner Entrees at Olive Garden

$1.00/1 Kleenex Hand Towels

$3.00/1 BIC Soleil Disposable Razors

Three different Huggies coupons

$0.75/1 Welch’s 64 oz. or 96 oz. Grape Juices or Juice Blends

$1.00/1 Colgate Total

$1.00/1 Lysol Neutra Air

$0.75/1 Skintimate cream shave or shave gel

Neutrogena is letting you try their Clinical line free with a mail in rebate

$0.50/1 Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals

$0.55/1 Shout laundry products

$0.50/1 YoPlus 4-pack and other Yoplait coupons are availble on the same page

The Sunday Meal Planner for this week lets you capitalize on several deals at Kroger on chicken, shrimp, produce and bread.  There are fresh Southern and organic peaches both on special and blueberries too.   I also received an e-mail Friday that  Kroger has added $150 in loadable coupons and for me they are definitely worth a few minutes of my time.

If you choose to make a cobbler, I highly suggest my mom’s super easy, very tasty and very Paula Deen-esque recipe.  We aren’t bakers and never can remember if the egg actually goes in, but when I call to ask she tells me to go ahead and put it in and it’s always delicious.  One egg, one stick of melted butter, one cup of flour, one cup of sugar and one cup of milk(she has used half and half before and it’s rich and wonderful).  Pour it over your fruit of choice (if you use fresh fruit, cook them first with a little butter, sugar and tiny bit of cinnamon), bake it on 375 until it’s golden brown.

This Sunday you’ll have some great inserts.  The staples of Red Plum and SmartSource will be in as usual, but make certain to keep a watch for the coupons sprinkled through the sales papers.  It seems like everyone from A.C. Moore and Michaels to CVS, Walgreens, H.H. Gregg and Best Buy are having summer sales. There are even a couple of choose your own sale day type coupons.  And for the fellas, there is a Harbor Freight Tools insert with great deals and coupons.  From my family’s experience (my dad using my husband to capitalize on their deals), Harbor Freight has been really good about honoring coupons if they are out of stock of an item when bringing in a coupon.

Now for a few bullet points on where you can find deals around the Valley:

- La De Da is having their ALLsome Summer sale.  They’re advertising 20-50% off all summer clothing, shoes and jewelry while selections last.

- Bolton’s at ValleyView Mall is having a Spring dress sale,  advertising prices as low as $19.99!

- GAP’s summer sale continues with 30% off regularly priced items and 15% off sale items for GAP cardholders through Sunday.

- Eddie Bauer’s ultimate sale of the season is ending Sunday, July 11 also.

- Jaclyn’s Hallmark is hosting an ornament premier starting at 8AM on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

- All girls and guys tees are on sale at RUE21.

- Gymboree is having a semi-annual sale with discounts up to 70% off.

I’m sure there’s more going on this weekend, so please share what you see that I’ve missed!

La De Da — the “fantastical frocks” store in downtown Roanoke at 102 Church Avenue — has just announced its “ALLsome Summer Sale!”

Details:

We all love to eat out, we being the general population of course.  If we didn’t, there wouldn’t be SO MANY restaurants.  You’ve got chains, fast food, local, carry-out, dine-in, sit down, stand up and everything in between!  We go out to eat in celebration, for entertainment and for convenience and we (or at least me!) don’t necessarily have a strict budget in place for these occasions.  That being said, I’m always on the lookout for bargains in the restaurant arena.

For fast food (and I’m including sub shops in this), many websites and Facebook pages for these companies will have coupons, plus the weekly inserts almost always have coupons and special offers.  Quiznos has a 2 small deli or classic subs for $5 coupon on http://www.quiznos.com/qmail/2for5/coupon/ that expires July 13.  In addition, and depending on your personal tolerance of embarrassment, July 9 is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A, you can learn more here, http://cowappreciationday.com/ .   I couldn’t do it, but more power to you if you get a free meal out of it!

One great resource for frugal dinner options is restaurant.com.  This site runs specials usually every two weeks or so for restaurant coupons up to 80% off.  If my math is accurate (and I’m not making any guarantees), that’s a $25 value for $2, no shipping charges either since you can print directly from their site.  My only word of caution is to make certain you read all the fine print.  Usually the coupons are for dinner only, only one can be used per party per visit, there must be two entrees ordered, you get the picture.  These are also for local restaurants almost exclusively.  You won’t find national or even regional chains on this site, but it’s a great resource for hometown eats (and I like to scope out restaurant.com for my travel destinations as well!).

Walgreens July coupon book has some great deals for the month — more than $200 in coupons!

Below are a few starting with beauty and health products, household, then Walgreens products.  This book is available in Walgreens, usually near the front of the store.  Keep in mind these are Walgreens coupons and try to stack them with manufacturers coupons whenever possible.
$1 off L’Oreal Everstrong or EverPure Shampoo or Conditioner, 8.5oz
$1 off L’Oreal Entire Cosmetics Line
$1 off Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo or Cond, 13oz or Leave-in Cond., 6oz
$1 off Maybelline XXL Pro Mascara or Lasting Drama Gel Liner
$5 off Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara
$1 off Tums, 60 to 150 ct
$2 off Dulcolax Laxative Tablets, 50ct
$3 off FiberCon Laxative, 140ct
$2 off Benefiber Kiwi Strawberry, 16 stick packs or Sugar Free Powder, 20 dose
$3 off Claritin Allergy, 30ct or Liqui-Gels, 24ct
$5 off Eye Care Twin Packs, Clear Care, Zaditor, Aquify, Genteal
$2 off Maalox, 90ct or 12oz
$2 off Ivy Block Lotion, 4oz
$2 off Ex-lax Chocolate 24ct or Pills 24-90ct
$2 off Gas-X Softgels 18 to 72ct, Tablets 24 to 48ct or Thin Strips 18pk
$.50 off Bacitraycin Plus Ointment, 1oz
$5 off Dr. Scholl’s Rough Skin Eraser Cream 3oz, Massaging Gel, Hidden Arch Support Pair, Blister Defense Stick, .3oz or
$2 off Rock On energy Shot, 6pk
$3 off NoDoz, 60ct
$5 off Vital Grapes, Advanced Resveratrol 60ct
$3 off Natrol Acai Berry 60ct
$10 off Alli Starter Kit, 90ct
$5 off LED Display Digital Scale
$.99 off (3) Dentyne Gum, 9 or 12pk
$1/2 Simply Lemonade, Apple or Orange, 13.5oz
$.50 off Mars M&Ms, 9.9 to 12.6oz
$1 off Sharpie Pens, 2pk or Fine Point Markers
$1 off Pilot G2 Pens, 2pk
$3 off Day One Professional Weekly Planner
$3 off Expo Washable Markers, 6pack
$1 off Mead 1,3 or 5 Subject Notebook, 11 x 8.5?
$5 off Kodak Zoom Single-Use Camera, 27 exp
$.50 off Energizer Batteries 4x Lithium 2pk, AA or AAA
$.50 off Energizer Batteries Max 4pk AA or AAA, 2pk C or D, Single 9vlt
$2 off Energizer EZ Change Hearing Aid Battery 312, 13 or 10 – 8pk
$1 off Kleenex Viva Paper Towels, 6 rolls
$1/2 Ziploc Bags, 15 to 100pk
$1 off Raid or OFF! products
$5 off Lysol Healthy Touch Cucumber Hand Soap Kit, 8.5oz
$1 off Bausch + Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Eye Solution, 2oz
$1 off Nair Men’s or Women’s, 2 to 11oz
$1 off EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream, 7oz
$1 off Bull Frog Sun Care
$.75 off Plackers Dental Flossers, 90pk
$5 off W All Day Pain Relief400 ct, Arthritis pain 250ct, Ibuprofen 180-1000ct
$1 off Walgreens Heavy Duty Tape, 1.88in x 38.2yds
$2 off W Brand Tablet Cutter

So . . .  good news/bad news.  It’s a holiday weekend, yay!

But because it’s a holiday weekend, there are not going to be as many coupon inserts in your papers today, boo.  In fact, the only one is the P&G insert with the following coupons.

$1 Always Pad, Clean or Feminine Cleansing Cloths
.25/1 Bounty Napkins
.25/1 Bounty Towels or Napkins
.50/1 Cascade
.50/1 Cascade Complete Pacs or Cascade ActionPacs
.25/1 Charmin product
$1 off Covergirl product
Free Eye Enhancer Kit wyb any Covergirl Mascara
$2 off Oral-B Pulsar, CrossAction, Advantage, or (2) Indicator or Cavity Defense Toothbrushes
$5 off Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid 14ct, Gentle Routine or Stain Shield Whitestrips
$7 off Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips
.75/1 Crest Rinse 440 mL or larger
.75/1 Crest Toothpaste 4.0oz or Larger or Liquid Gel
.25/1 Dawn
$1.50 off Duracell Hearing Aid Batteries with EasyTab,6-pk +
.75/1 Duracell CopperTop 4-pk + or Ultra Advanced, or Ultra Photo Lithium
Free Febreze Air Effects wyb Frebreze Fabric Refresher 500 mL or 800 mL
$2 off Gillette Body Wash or Deodorant
$3 off Gillette Clinical Deodorant
$2 off Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor
$2 off Gillette Fusion ProSeries Skin Care
$1 off Iams Healthy Naturals Dry Dog or Cat food
$1 off Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog or Cat food
$2 off Iams Premium Protection Dry Dog or Cat food
$1 off Metamucil
$2 off Nice ‘n Easy
$2 off Nice ‘n Easy Root Touch-up product
$1 off Olay Bar, Body Wash, or In-Shower Body Lotion
$1 off Olay Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser
$1 off Olay Hand and Body Lotion
$3 off Olay Regenerist Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser
$1/2 Old Spice products 1.7 oz or larger
Free Fresh Collection Deo. wyb Old Spice Fresh Collection Deo. or Odor Blocker Body Wash,
Free Odor Blocker Body Wash wyb Old Spice Fresh Collection Deo. or Odor Blocker Body Wash
$1.50 off Pampers Diapers or Pants
$2 off Pampers Cruisers, Swaddlers Sensitive or Extra Protection Diapers
.50/1 Pampers Wipes 60 ct or larger
$1 off Pantene Styler, Treatment, or Hairspray
$1/2 Pantene products
.50/1 Pepto product
$1 off Prilosec OTC
$2 off PUR Pitcher or Faucet Mount Multi-Pack Replacement Filters or PUR Refrigerator Filter
$4 off PUR or PUR Flavor Options System, Pitcher or Faucet Mount
.55/1 Satin Care Shave Gel or In Shower Moisturizer
.75/1 Secret deodorant
$1 off Tampax 18 ct +
$2 off Tampax Pearl or Compak Pearl 18 ct +
$1 off Tide Detergent
$1 off Tide Stain Release
$3 off Tide Stain Release 26-50oz Powder, 15-34ct Duo Pac, or 36-68oz Liquid
.35/1 Tide To Go
$2 off Venus Embrace or Breeze Razor, or Disposables or Bikini Kit

BUT! It’s a new month and that means new coupons to print online.  Coupons.com has some that reset from last month as well, below are my top 5 for July.

75¢/1 Dole Coleslaw Kit at Kroger
B1G1 Free Clorox 2 Bleach
Several Greenworks Coupons
50¢/1 Yoplait Yogurt 4 pack
50¢/1 Del Monte Pineapple

There are still sales papers you’ll see this week though!  Kroger is have a great 2/$5 gallon milk special on skim and 1%, certain chips, grilling sausages as well as other meats and buns are also on special this week for your cookouts!

Plus, there are specials on some great summer fruits and veggies perfect for the salads and grilling recipes you’ll find in this week’s Roanoke Times Meal Planner! Even if you don’t use the full weeks’ meal planner, this week’s recipes and special make it worth a look.  This week the Summer of Savings continues with 10/$10 to stock up while the deals last!

Happy shopping and happy 4th of July!

Later in the week, we’ll look at restaurant coupons and travel tips that will (hopefully) save you money and make life a little easier!

In the meantime, I’ve read on some of my favorite blogs about the specials/coupons at Kmart this week.  If you’ve been or are in the know,  share please.

What’s a Catalina?  Do you know how to stack?  Are you ECB savvy?

If you’ve read couponing blogs or websites, it can seem like the expert couponers have their own language.  That’s because they do.  The good thing is that you can catch up and it’s not that difficult.  Check out the list below for a basic reference guide.  Not all lingo is listed, but this gets you started!

Coupons are basically free money.  Instead of paying $8 or so for a jumbo pack of toilet paper you can pay less, much less and sometimes even get it free using store’s rewards programs.  No matter if you’re a newbie or a seasoned coupon clipper, to be successful you have to be confident.

When it comes to rewards programs, start small, with one store (CVS or Walgreens are good to get broken in) and go from there.  There are often money makers and free items at these stores if you know what you’re doing.  Read all the rules, use your card, stay organized and start saving!

Grocery store coupons and rewards programs are a little different.  When local grocery stores have sales you typically need to use your Kroger Plus or Food Lion MVP cards to make good on the advertised sale prices. But those don’t earn “points” like CVS’s ExtraCare Bucks or Walgreens Register Rewards.

Grocery store sales and specials, like pharmacy sales and specials, are great places to stock up.  Just remember to shop your kitchen before heading back out to the stores!

P&G: Procter & Gamble

RP: Red Plum

SS: SmartSource

$1/1, $1/2: One dollar off one item or one dollar off two items
2/$1, 3/$2: Two items for one dollar or three items for two dollars
BOGO/B1G1: Buy one item get one item free
B2G1: Buy two items get one item free

$1/1, $1/2: One dollar off one item or one dollar off two items
2/$1, 3/$2: Two items for one dollar or three items for two dollars
Catalina/Cat: coupon printed when your receipt prints (usually from a separate machine)
DND: Do not double

FAR: Free after rebate
IPQ: Internet printable coupon
MFR: Manufacturer
MIR: Mail-in rebate
OOP: Out of pocket
Peelie: Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA: Prices starting at
UPC: Universal product code, bar code

WYB: When you buy

Register Rewards/RRs: Walgreens’ Catalina coupons

ECBs: ExtraCare Bucks, CVS rewards program

I’m in love with Target, I admit it.

I’m not sure why, but there’s a definite attraction that’s simply undeniable.  I love to see what the daily deals are even when I don’t buy anything and their customer service has been a good experience when I’ve need it.

So. . .The July coupon book is coming soon to a mailbox near you.  If you don’t see one soon, ask for one at the customer service desk.  Below is a list (and for brands I use!) of some of the available coupons for July that expire on August 8.

• $3/2 Gillette or Old Spice body washes or deodorants
• $1 off Thermacare Heatwraps 2 ct product

• $1 OxiClean laundry In-wash additive or Stain remover
• $3 off Kid Essentials Nutritional Drinks (6-pack 8oz)
• BOGO Whiskas Cat Food Single
• $2 off Garnier Hair Color
• $2 off Tidy Cat litter
• $1 off Febreze Air Care
• $1 off Up & Up boxed diapers (60ct or larger)
• $1 off Colgate Toothpaste or Toothbrush or 16ct Wisp
• $1 off Dove body lotion
• $1 off Motrin pain reliever (adult or children)
• $2 off Purina Dry Dog Food
• $1 off Palmolive dish soap (20 oz or larger)
• 50¢ off Baked Lays (9oz or larger)
• $1 off Up & Up cotton beauty product
• $1 off Bayer pain reliever
• $2 off Softsoap Ensembles starter kit
• 75¢ off Tide
• $1 off Cesar dog treats (5.6oz or larger)

P&G’s eSaver site, here, has some new loadable coupons for Kroger.

Not all coupons are available for all zip codes so keep that in mind.  I didn’t find any for my zip code, but feel free to check yours.

And if you haven’t signed up with P&G eSaver, whatcha waiting for?  You can get free samples and P&G products as well as coupon booklets and loadables.