Week 99er

Today was our weekly shopping trip. We were ready early, had one extra stop this week (Walmart - neither of us really enjoy shopping there) and somehow - just somehow we still got back later! 

Take a look at the haul in the back of Jamie's car. It actually continues into the back seat, we had quite the shopping day. After 9 hours of continuous shopping (with a break of course for lunch) we called it quits. We had quite the entertaining day and found some great deals out there. 

My haul today includes: 

• 12 packages of Always Pads
  
• 6 packages of Stayfree pads
  
• 6 Wishbone Dressings
  
• 12 Kraft Dressings
  
• 6 Tabasco Sauces
  
• 1 Corn Starch
  
• 2 Baking Powders
  
• 4 Right Guard Body washes (finally found more!)
  
• 2 Colgate toothbrushes
  
• 1 Colgate ProClincal White
  
• 2 Renpure Shampoo
  
• 2 Renpure Conditioners
  
• 2 Ecotrin
  
• 4 Advil PM 
  
• 1 Glass cleaner & One Lens cleaning cloth *Free at Walmart! 
  
• 1 Pepto Bismo
  
• 8 Johnson & Johnson first aid kits to go
  
• 5 Full size Men's Degree Deodorant
  
• 2 travel size Men's Degree Deodorant
  
• 3 Full size Women's Deodorant
  
• 4 travel size degree deodorant
  
• 2 BC Fast Pain Relieft
  
• 2 Goody's Pain Relief
  
• 4 Old Spice Body Wash
  
• 6 Travel Q-tip packages
  
• 1 Wilkenson Swords Razors 4 pack
  
• 4 Tide detergents
  
• 1 Travel Tide Detergent
  
• 2 Snuggles Fabric Softeners 
  
• 3 Jello Pudding 6 packs (On Sale at Meijers 2/5 - 3rd is free but not a published ad!
  
• 3 Meijers Cream Cheese
  
• 2 Jello Temptations.. I can't wait to try these
  

Total OOP 166.37 - 2 ECB - 17 RR - 9.98 +UP Rewards = 137.39 
Total MSRP = 381.19

Total Savings of 64%! 

Not my best shopping/savings by far, but a lot of great deals along the way. And we get to try some great new products this week! 


Also came home to a box with 10 golf balls in it! Also I recently got an allure cosmetic bag and an Atkins starter kit with book, coupons and bars to try. 

What is the best deal you've found this week? Let me know!

Happy Shopping! 

And the winner is...

Brandi  please email me at becky@week99er.com. You have 48 hours to claim your prize our I will draw again :)

We all have friends who think we're crazy for couponing right? You hear all of their excuses: It's takes too much time, It costs too much money, It's only for rich people, The coupons aren't for what products I use, I only shop at certain stores and they don't accept coupons, etc etc etc. Some of these excuses make sense, others are just a bit annoying for me. Let's look into these excuses and see if they have any merit. 

It take's too much time...

OK- yes, this one I can understand. If you have a full time job, kids, run a business and keep your house under control - you don't have time. We can all use more time in our day. Most people who are committed to couponing are Stay at Home Mom's, Self Employed, Unemployed or people who have some spare time. 

There is a time commitment to couponing- even with inserts from one paper takes a while to clip, short and put in your binder/folder whatever you decide works best for you. 

Here's my rub with this one- my sister has her own business, has a toddler, and still wants to get into couponing. She recognizes the cost/savings benefits to doing it. She knows there is time involved, but wants to do it to help stretch her dollar so she can provide more for her family. 

Yes, I have more time to commit to couponing than most people. But if most people can find a few hours a week. One paper, they could save tons of money. 

It costs too much money!

We all have some money invested into couponing. The cost of newspapers, our binders/folders/shelving units/baseball card holders, good scissors. There is an initial cost to setting up couponing, and there is an ongoing cost to couponing. 

When I first started I used an old binder I stashed in a closet when I was cleaning out my college binders (why I still had notes from 2001 - I'll never know!). I did buy 60 baseball card sleeves at Target for $10, and used some binder dividers I had purchased years ago. You can reuse your old items- just sticker over your old labels! The two shelves I recently set up we bought for a similar purpose years ago - one has traveled to shows with me and has been through a few rough trips. I moved them out of the room they were in and cleaned them off. I have had to go out and get more pages, but my over all cost isn't huge. 

You can always use old folders, buy shelving units at a garage sale - you don't have to buy brand new for everything! 

Yes, there is an investment. But take this into consideration. My first month of couponing I spent maybe a total of $200 - I got over $800 worth of products. Do the math.. it more than pays for the other things you need.  

Invest a little - get a lot back. In this first month, I have enough health and beauty items for our small household to keep us going for the rest of year. I may need one or two items, but the normal cost of $30/month/person is gone for the year - that's around $720 I wont need to spend.. Again do the math. 

I don't have a job - 99 weeks of unemployment have run out. The few dollars I have are precious because who knows when the next job may come by way- and I can afford it. Why can't you?

It's only for rich people

OK this is silly. Look at the paragraph right up there. I'm unemployed and I'm doing it. I'm not rich by any means. Coupons cost a little money but you can print them offline, you can join coupon sharing groups, you can can get coupon "donations" - friends and family etc. 

If you buy the paper, one or two a week that's only a few dollars- but you can save several. You don't have to be rich to space a few dollars a week. And the coupons are good more than one week (very rarely are they only 1 week coupon). Save them and use them later in the month. 1 paper is only $1.50, the coupons can be used all month or longer. They will save you more than $1.50.. just saying. 

The coupons never are for products I use

Ok - this one is a big pet peeve for me. I have food allergies. Actually more than one. But the big one I have is Celiacs Disease. What that means is I can't eat bread, I can't eat pasta, I can't have anything with artificial food coloring, artificial flavoring, no cookies, no cakes, no brownies etc. So each week when I cut the coupons each Sunday there is a large chunk of them I can't use (keep this in mind when I had my envelope giveaways!) I use coupons. 

Who doesn't use deodorant, or body wash? Well, some people don't but they should... but a lot of the coupons out there are for household items, cleaners, toothbrushes and things that people actually need/use. 

And lets face it- there are even food ones that people with allergies can use. This is a big excuse for people, to not even try to coupon! If I can do it with my restrictions, pretty much anyone can. 

I only shop at certain stores and they don't accept coupons

Do you know they don't accept coupons? Have you checked their coupon policy? Do you know they don't let you use coupons? You would be surprised what stores actually accept coupons. Double check to see if your store accepts coupons. If they don't, see if another store carries the same item and does accept coupons. It'll be worth the savings! 

---

So what is your excuse to not coupon? Yes some of the excuses are justified but you're suppose to be saving money. Are they excuses to not coupon, or are they excuses to not save money? And that's just kind of silly isn't it?

I've got my lists made, my coupons pulled and organized in my expani-file. And other than one trip out tomorrow (sale ends tomorrow) I think I'm ready to go for Tuesday. I'm excited because my list seems to be huge this time and at stores I'm not a big fan of couponing at. But I plan on having the coupon policies printed out and in hand - just in case I find a grumpy cashier at Walmart. 

So here is the best I've found out there this week. Please keep in mind these are match ups from our local ads and the coupons we've received. Some vary from what others have posted, and I can't guarantee they will be the same in your area! I'm also want to note that I haven't listed every deal here - just ones I feel are good enough to go get. I did list other match ups from some other great blogs on Facebook. Here we go!
 

Tide Laundry Detergent 19-32 Loads On Sale for $5.49

- Use the $1/1 coupons. These were great bonuses that were sent to some people when they did the Tide Giveaway a while back. I never got the stain packets, but a handful of these great coupons. 

*Even with out the coupons this is an amazing deal! It says limit 4, but you could always split orders. 

Extra Care Card When you stop into CVS don't forget to stop by that little red kiosk they have now. Scan your CVS card as many times as you can before it says "No more coupons today - come back tomorrow!" Last week it was spitting out a "Free Green Tag" coupon. It actually still was yesterday. 

The Green Tag is a great program- bring your own bag and get it scanned each time you bring it in. Every 4 visits will give you $1 ECB to use in the store! 
 

Renpure Organic Shampoo & Conditioner
-On Sale $4.99 receive $4.99 +Up bucks
Final Cost FREE

Always Maxi Pads 
-On Sale $2.99 each
-Use your $1/2 coupon (5/8) 
Final Cost $2.50 each 

StayFree Pads 14-24 Ct
-BOGO Free 
-Use 2 $1/1 coupons (5/1?) 
Great deal! 
 

Ecotrin Pain Reliever 
-99¢ Coupon in Walgreen's Ad
-Use the $1/1 Coupon 
Final Cost FREE

Right Guard Body Wash or Deodorant
-On Sale BOGO
-Use your BOGO Coupon from 5/1 (Expires 5/31)
Final Cost FREE depending on the store - may be 75% off

Reynolds Wrap 75 Foot
-2 day sale until 5/30!! So don't wait! 
-On Sale for $1.99 
-Use your $1/1 Coupon (5/22) 
Final Cost 99¢

Didn't get the Reynold $1 off coupon? Get in now! 

Degree Deodorant 
-On Sale 4/$15
-Use 2 BOGO Coupons (5/22)
-Use 2 75¢/1 Coupons - if you can (5/22) 
Final cost 4/6 - $5 RR = 4/$1! 

Icy Hot
-On Sale for 99¢
-Use your $1/1 Coupon (5/1)
Final Cost FREE
  

Tabasco Sauce
-On Sale for $1.34
-Use 50¢/1 Coupon
Final Cost 84¢ each! 

Degree Deodorant - Travel Size
-On Sale for 97¢
-Use 75¢/1 Coupon 
Final Cost 22¢

Schick Razors 
-On Sale for $1.98
-Use $1/1 Coupon
Final cost 98¢

Brillo Pads
-On Sale $1.00
-Use 55¢/1 (5/22)
Final cost 45¢ each!

Wishbone Salad Dressing
-On Sale for $1.42
-Use the $1/1 coupon (5/15?)
Final Cost 42¢ each! 

Kraft Dressing
-On Sale for $1.62
-Use the $1/2 Coupon
Final Cost $1.12 each

Wilkinson Razors 4 Pack
-On Sale 97¢ each
-Use the $1/1 Coupon 
Final Cost FREE

Snuggle Fabric Sheets
-On Sale for $1.87
-Use the $1/1 Coupon
Final Cost 87¢

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kits
-On Sale for 97¢ 
-Get 2, and use the $1/2 Coupon from 5-8(?) 
Final cost 47¢ each

Morton's Sea Salt 26 oz
-On Sale for 38¢
-Use the 35¢/1 Coupon (5/22) 
Final cost 3¢!!!

It's Sunday morning -why am I up so early? Actually I've been up for over three hours, I was convinced I would actually go out and get a couple things before they were all snatched up. Let's just say it didn't work that way! 

My main goal was to hit Walgreen's at 8 am when they opened. Why? Right Guard body wash, I still have a rain check for the BOGO sale from earlier this month, and the ad preview showed the deodorant going on sale BOGO this week. The BOGO coupon expires on Tuesday I wanted to make sure I got the deal I set out to get. When you actually get the ad today you will see that the body wash is back on sale BOGO as well. How often do products go on a buy one get one sale twice in the same month as a bogo coupon? Not very often I'm betting. 

I decided last night in my sleepiness that I was going to try this - get up at 7:45, be to the store by 8, pick up breakfast and come back home. Instead my body woke me up at 6 am. I don't know if this is going to be a routine for my new hobby/habit/obsession. But I liken the feeling to that of Black Friday - Get to the store, get the goods and get out. I love Black Friday shopping, and can't wait to go out and snag those deals - but I digress. 

Despite being exhausted (I still am), by 6:30 I couldn't fall back asleep so I just gave in. Pulled my hair back, tossed on some clothes and kissed by boyfriend on the forehead promising to bring him food on my return. But it's 6:30 am?! None of the 6 close Walgreen's opens until 8 - what the heck am I going to do? I'll see if I can cash in my rain check at Meijers! 

Oh Meijers, you 24 hour haven of all the crazy shoppers, and some of the weirdest employees I know. I like shopping at Meijers, but encounter some of the strangest people every time I go - this time wasn't any different. Some random man singing in the parking lot, people stocking up for their holiday bbq and on their booze at 7 am. I remember (not so) fondly working at Meijers at 17 years old and working until 4 am - that is when the real characters show up. I know I could easily get some of the best deals as the clock rolled over Midnight - they actually honor both weeks deals for the first couple hours - but I was too tired to deal with it. 

My raincheck is for 12 Sweet Baby Ray's products, 6 Dips and 6 Marinades, not a giant haul by any means but I have the coupons and the rain check and I want my products. I could have cashed in the dip portion this morning if I wanted all the same flavor. I can get 6 - can I please have a little variety? I didn't think it was too much to ask. But as you can in the picture above- the shelves are still empty. The marinades are still on sale this week $2.49 instead of $2.79, not a huge deal, but with the $1/1 coupon still a pretty good savings. My hope is that by Tuesday when Jamie and I head out again they have refilled their shelves. The coupon doesn't expire for a while so I can wait if I have to, even knowing I'm not the only one with a rain check. 

I left Meijer's with only a couple things, a new mini-expandable file for my store to store envelopes and a clear pencil pouch to put in my new binder. I switched over to the giant one yesterday - two internal binders that go together and lock. The only downside is there aren't any pockets. I will post pictures soon when I get everything worked out. 

Since Meijers is on the far end of the area I figured I'd hope to the Walgreen's near there just to see if by chance it opened earlier than other locations. It's only 7:15 am.. Apparently I shop faster when everyone else in town is sleeping. No luck. So I drove down towards my favorite one, my favorite cashier is on vacation, but I figured I'd still check them out first. 

Knowing there would be a lot of time left over I stopped at 7-11 and grabbed a drink and a paper. Yes, there no coupon inserts today. However the ads for the stores are in there, Michael's ad is still in there with their coupons and there was a 20% off BB&B coupon in there. In case you didn't know BB&B accepts their coupons after they've expired, indefinitely - I have a bag stuffed with them just in case I need anything from there ... ever. 

I know paper sales are down over all, and I at least hope that couponers are starting to boost sales a bit. Despite the lack of coupons today- maybe pick one up anyhow. Monroe on a Budget has a great reason you should! I was glad I had the paper, I could read a few articles, read the comics, go through the store advertisements while I waited, and waited for the store to open. 

Previously, I had ordered 8 bottles of this body wash now almost 2 weeks ago, and ordered some of the toothpaste I have a rain check on last week -surely the 4 trucks who have come in since then has delivered them? Apparently not. Since the body wash is back on sale BOGO I didn't even bring up the rain check - they only had 3 bottles of which I grabbed 2. I did cash in some of my extra coupons for some of the BOGO deodorant. In the past when I did this deal, and when my favorite cashier is there - BOGO sale + BOGO coupon = free + tax. The manager at the location informed the cashier that the coupon value was only 1/2 of one product. Still a savings of 75% on the products, but frustrating. I didn't want to throw a fight at 7:58 so I just said "OK" and dealt with it - it is a store by store/manager by manager decision, and I didn't have their coupon policy in my hand. 

On the way home I stopped at two other locations, hoping they'd have body wash in so I could finish my coupons off before they expire. No one did. I would think they would order more knowing their upcoming sales? One final attempt on Tuesday while I'm out shopping or I'll cash it in on deodorant... I wonder if they have scentless so I can use it? 

Now as it's going on 10 am, I'm organzing my new expandi-file and will be working on those lists for Tuesday. The household is quiet and sleepy today, he stayed up too late and I got up too early. It looks like it will be a beautiful day though, and I might actually get a few things done. 

One final note - the people buying bbq stuff this morning must live in my neighborhood. I got home at 8:30 this morning to the smell of someone grilling burgers.. I think they're trying to kill me it smells so good! 

Since I've started couponing my boyfriend has been very supportive. He has already benefited a lot from my couponing - several of his favorite snacks are suddenly in our house. Before I never would buy them for him, mostly because they're too expensive for my budget. But now he's has some snacks he loves, food he's never had before and even better all those body washes (ha ha). 

One thing he hasn't done yet is gone shopping with me since I've started couponing. That is something he leave's to me and Jamie. He has sat in the car when I ran inside Walgreen's really quick to grab something. But never has he cared about the coupons - that is until yesterday - want to guess what the coupon was for? FOOD of course! Food - the way to the man's heart! 

When I got the mail yesterday there were a couple random ads mixed in with some that I wanted. But in the middle was a tabloid side ad for National Coney Island - one of his favorite places to go to for breakfast. There was a $2 off your total bill coupon. I left the ad on the counter for him to see and he grabbed it and said "Perfect since we're going their tomorrow!" This is a trip he loves, but not one I care for - there isn't much I can actually eat there. I use to love their pancakes, but their off my diet because of my allergy. I take a portion of his omelet and order some sausage and that's it. 

So this morning we went out and got what he wanted - his Coney. Unfortunately he didn't read the full coupon - it was off of a $10 purchase - our total bill is never $8.00. So when I read that to him on our way there his response was "What? I'd have to spend more to get the bill in the same place it would be anyhow- nevermind" I lost him. But it was nice that he had a coupon moment. 

It's nice to have someone to share it with sometimes. Jamie and I enjoy our (now) weekly get-togethers. We've known each other since Middle School or Junior high, use to have sleep overs. Over the years we have disconnected and reconnected after we both relocated to this side of the state. We reconnected a couple years back and quickly became Market buddies heading downtown Detroit to the fruit market. Over the last couple years we've enjoyed being only 20 minutes apart in the metro area. 

Jamie is the one who calls to get me to sign in to get her that freebie, since she can't on her phone. *Side note: Facebook mobile (m.facebook.com) actually has a "desktop" view so you should be able to get to those apps on your phone now!* Jamie and I enjoy the hunt of the deal and we share the joy of getting all of the goodies we can for our households. My boyfriend and her husband... they just don't get it. While they appreciate it, they don't enjoy it as much as we do. 

Lately it's been raining a lot here, you may have seen me post about all of the rain on facebook. Or even the picture of some of the damage. I consider myself lucky that we're in that minority who didn't have major damage to their home. Our house is old - so you would expect we might have some issues.  

Our house is old, not ancient, but old. It was built in 1942, in the post-war era for the Soldiers returning home from war. It is a cute bungalow, with the original details: Original pointed arches, original wood floors, original asbestos shingling, original single pane windows and original lack of insulation. The house has a few great features, like a milk chute and a canning room - neither of which are in use for their intended purpose! 

Please take note of the "original single pane windows and original lack of insulation". What does that mean for us in Michigan where the temperature goes from -30° F to 90°+ F. It means smart management of our house, space and what we have here. In the winter we live upstairs, sleep in the upper level masters bedroom and frequent the living room, kitchen and office. In the warmer months (these start in April according to my boyfriend) we move downstairs. Our house does boast a finished basement, thankfully with a tile floor and several different rooms -canning room included. One of the great parts of our basement is a large room that could be used as a living room, and I think we had it that way at once point. But now it doubles as a bedroom.  We save money this way by not wasting money on Air Conditioning- the basement stays a temperate 65 degrees, and in the winter we keep the heat around that temperature. 

So all of that rain had me concerned. Wednesday night when we had our major rain storm come through we had a small trickle happen, but the basement handled it well - the river went right under the bed down there and down the storm drain. But no major happenings. Let's face it our house is almost 70 years old, so for being that old and nothing major to happen- we're happy. 

But because our house is so old we only have one small linen closet that is only 2 feet wide and one foot deep. One month of couponing has already taken it's toll! Stacks of things are already taking over. So my goal now is to find a new home for the stockpile. My boyfriend in his ever-supportive-ness reminded me that we have a couple shelving units in the weird room that is under our front porch. He reminds me of this then laughs and calls me a "hoarder". 

So while I haven't quite got him to coupon, or to find a way to get him to enjoy it the way Jamie and I do - but he enjoys the benefits. He supports me in my couponing when he sees how much it can benefit him as well - although he is concerned about the "row of detergent" that has started downstairs. 

Tomorrow I will be moving the shelving units out of the dark, scary room at the end of the hallway and start properly organizing my stockpile. 

Right now I am more than thankful for our dry basement and a place to start organizing our goodies. I will post pictures of the stockpile soon after it's all organized. 

Do you have anyone you share your couponing with? How big is your stockpile?

Today has been pretty quiet all around. I only received a couple small freebies in the mail boxes, which I will either post later or Friday. I haven't done any deal shopping, or looked at any of the upcoming deals. And although there have been a couple good giveaways on facebook - they went so quickly most people blink and missed them. 

I had a meeting at lunch today, to tie up a couple loose ends for the last art show we produced. We went to one of our favorite spots for lunch and both went back home to work. Well- try to work. I'm now waiting on information from two clients and seem to be at a stand still.

While yesterday was a beautiful sun-shiney day, today is quite the opposite. Rain pouring down, flooding, car accidents abound. It let up after lunch so I figured I'd finally get those new headlights in.. I'm not afraid to get under the hood and change things myself. I have the tools in my car, I have the time - but I should have probably remember to take my rings off. 

I almost got the passenger side light out to change when the thunder started to roll back in. I doubt you'll ever see a grill put back on a car faster than I did. I don't mind getting dirty to save a few bucks but I do mind getting zapped! 

So that's that - no work done, headlights still not changed out, nothing deal wise to report. And as quiet as today will seem tomorrow I start my once a week consult job. I'll be on the road at 6 am to be in Mid-Michigan by 8 - work a full day and be back in the evening sometime... I may just fall asleep. 

But fear not! While I'm gone, my dear friend Jamie will be helping out when she can. She's a new mom, with the poor little Coupon Baby who just got her shots, so she'll try to pitch in when she get a free second. 

I'll be back tomorrow night to report! Happy shopping! 

The sun is finally shining here - weeks of rain, and storms.. it was wearing thin on all of us. I actually saw some of the city workers doing boring tests in some yards to see how high the water table is... it's pretty bad. My plants love it- and some some are thriving better than they have in past years. Last week on the news they mentioned we're already at 2/3 our yearly rain level! A bit ridiculous but I guess that's how it goes. 

I decided to take advantage of the good weather. I mowed the lawn this morning, and have been stuck working at my desk on updating websites for a while. I love some of the sites I do, but the updates today were patients lost to cancer - it's emotionally draining even if you don't know them. So I needed out of the house. I needed to go see the sun! 

The first part of the trip was out to my UPS box to see what I had in it - not much really, I did have an envelope with the Austrailian Dream arthritic cream samples in it, I suspect those will be going to my grandparents. In the home mail box was the Degree sample and coupons which was a nice surprise! Other than that, no checks, no bills nothing interesting to report. 

I did want to note that I have decided I should probably start using my camera, not just my cell phone. You will probably thank me later :). It is a very nice camera I saved up for, for quite a while. So  the images will be a better quality and a lot less shaky. I will just have to make sure I have super clean counters for the shots ;). 

I figured part of my trip should be stopping to see if the stores had restocked any of the "must have" items I had coupons in my envelope for. Meijer's shelves are still gutted for Sweet Baby Ray's Marinade and Dip, so I ended up getting a rain check (more on that below). They did have a few jars of Salsa, so I did end up getting those. But they are also still out of Sweet Potato Fries! As well as some other key items. 

I did hear on one of the pages that Walmart had Nexcare bandages on sale, and with the coupon from 5/1 it would be a good deal. I stopped by to check it out. I must admit here that I hate shopping at Walmart. The one near us has bad customer service, and is a very stressful shopping experience. But I figured I'd give it a shot. 

Some styles of NexCare bandages are "rolled back" from $1.50 to $1.00. The coupon from 5/1 is $1/2, so they end up being only 50¢ a box. They only had a handful of boxes available, I think 3 total. But then I saw the same product next to it marked $2.36. Same box, same product, same SKU. I grabbed some of them and hoped they were just labeled wrong. I watched as the Cashier scanned them all and each rang up for $1.00. She didn't give me grief for using coupons like I had seen in the past. 

I did end up having to hit Pep Boys for head lights ($30!! ouch! But still less than a ticket) and then stopped at Kroger and had to dig to find one bag of Sweet Potato Fries.. I know, I could wait - but I wanted them as the side with today's dinner. I did have the Free Bag coupon from Ore Ida, so I wanted to give them a try. They are on sale at Kroger this week for $2.99 instead of $4.19, if we end up liking them I may go back and use my $1/1 coupons from 5/22 on a couple more bags. But I have to try them first!

Today's shopping trip -
Total OOP $3.36
Total MSRP $19.17

Total Savings 84%! 

Yes this was a very successful shopping trip.. but I still haven't gotten everything I wanted. I still have outstanding rain checks for Rightguard Body wash, for Colgate ProClinical White and now for the Sweet Baby Ray's dips and marinades. 

I'm not afraid to ask for rain checks, and actually at Meijers the guy was lucky that's all I asked for (I ended up waiting 15 minutes for him to adjust my coupons on UScan because he was too busy socializing). He however did adjust it so I can get the amount I want, and did add on there the BBQ Sauce at the deal price - however without coupons I wont be getting it. 

Rain checks are like money- almost more powerful than Coupons. They extend the life of the weekly deal and allow you to take advantage of the "must have" deal after the fact. I have ordered the body wash so I can get the amount I want - and it should be in later this week, or early next week. I will make sure I get all the items before my coupons expire. 

I make sure to keep all of the rain checks in the "free" category of my binder. The items are not necessarily Free, however, the deals make them darn close! 

I'm off to enjoy a bit more of this fantastic weather, because I doubt it will last long!