Deals & Steals « 107 Down

Christmas Cards

By Alana, on November 9th, 2010

What are you doing for Christmas cards this year? I fall into the trap where I feel like I should have crazy wonderful cards because I am a graphic designer. I design an intricate card that requires cutting and glue and, and… and then I feel overwhelmed and behind. This year, I have decided that perfectionism isn’t everything. No one keeps those cards that I spend hours making… what is the point? This year I decided to do photo cards because those are the only cards I keep from year to year.

I hesitated to do a photo card this year cause it it just Brian and I… no cute kids for the pictures. Plus Brian & I don’t take many pictures. Brian doesn’t like getting his picture taken and quite honestly I would rather not have evidence of my *ahem* current weight. (that topic is for another post) But then Shutterfly was offering this cool program where you blog about Shutterfly and you get 50 free cards. The frugal in me decided that this was exactly what I needed to push us off the photo card ledge. I picked out a few cards and thought you guys could help me decided what card design we should do:

Here are three options:

Option #1: Damask
I like this card, hopefully not just because the models are gorgeous… but I like how the picture is the main focal point.

Option #2: Christmas Tag Card
I really like this card too, because the picture is the focal point again, but also because it says Merry Christmas and not Happy Holidays. That really does bug me… it’s Christmas people. *stepping off my soap box now!*

Option #3: Very Merry Christmas
I just think this one is very fun and it has room for a little note! And it says Merry Christmas again.

So what do you think? Leave me a comment and vote for your favorite design!

Making cards on Shutterfly is super easy. Simply pick a design, upload your pictures, choose your wording and order!

They also have some other great products like Calendars, New Years Cards and Invites, Photobooks (make great gifts!) and more!

Check them out today!

Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly

***disclosure: I am receiving a code for 50 free cards in exchange for the writing of this post. The opinions of the cards are my own.

Deals and Steals 9/15

By Alana, on September 15th, 2010

I am getting to the point where I really don’t HAVE to buy anything other than fresh produce, milk and the occasional specialty item I need for a recipe. I am so excited about that because I am spending SO much less every week, even with my stock piling. I spent about $7 on produce, milk and misc things we needed this week, plus the following transactions:

I did 3 transactions and spent a total of $6.08 and received a $3 catalina, a $11 Up+ rewards, and a catalina for a free 12 pack of soda.

Transaction #1: Albertsons

Chex Mix @ 1.50 ea
-50¢/1 IP
= $1
(2) Pillsbury Biscuits @ $1.50 ea = $3
- $1/2 IP
=$2
(2) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls @ $2.50 ea = $5
-$1/2 – IP
= $4
(2) Pillsbury French Loaf @ $2 ea = $4
-$1/2 – IP
=$3
(3) Green Giant Frozen Boxed Veggies @ $1 ea = $3
-$1/3 IP
=$2

Subtotal: $12
- $5 Instant Savings When you buy 10
- $ 3 doublers
=$4 OOP
(Plus I got a $3 OYNP catalina making this transaction $1)

Transaction #2: Albertsons
(3) Chex Mix @ 1.50 ea = $4.50
-50¢/1 IP
- $1/2 IP
= $3

(3) Pillsbury Sweet Moments Desserts @$2.50 = $7.50
- (3) $1/1 Man. Coupons
= $4.50

(4) Suddenly Salads @ $1.00 ea = $4
- (2) $1/2 Man. Coupons
=$2

Saran Wrap – $1.99
$1.99 – not on sale, just out!

(6) 20 oz. Cherry Coke @ $1.59 = $9.54
- (6) Free Coupons from mycokerewards.com
= $0

(3) Orbitz Gum @ $1.29 = $3.87
- (3) $1 off gum when you purchase 2 20 oz. cokes
=87¢

Total: $12.36
-$3.00 – (3) Doublers
-$5 off why you buy 10 participating items
-$5 off your next purchase from the kraft deal last week
Subtotal: -64¢
Tax: $1.34
Total: 70¢
(Plus I received a catalina for a free 12 pack of soda from GM $3 value)

Transaction #3: Rite Aid
(5) Tagaboo Sample Packs @ .89 ea = $4.45
- (5) $1/1 coupons
= – 55¢ (overage!)

(2) Garnier Fructis Hairspray @ $2.99 ea =$5.98
- (2) $1/1 Video Values Coupons
- (2) $1/1 Man. Coupon
=$1.98

(2) Garnier Fructis Hair Color @ $5.99 = $11.98
- (2) $2/1 Video Values Coupon
- (2) $3/1 Man. Coupon
= $1.98

Maybelline Mascara @ $3.11 (40% off)
- $2/1 Video Values Coupon
- $1/1 Man. Coupon
= 12¢

(1) Playtex Tampons @ $4 ea
- $2/1 – IP
= $2

Listerine Pocket Packs @ $2.99
-$1/1 Video Values Coupon
=$1.99

- $5/$25 Purchase coupon
= $2.51
- $3 Up + Rewards
= – 49¢
Tax: $1.87
Total: $1.38 OOP

(Plus I got back a $3 up+ for the Platex, $5 up+ for the Garnier Fruictis, $2 up+ for Listerine strips and $1 up+ for Maybelline = $11 in up rewards)
Total of a $9.62 moneymaker!

Rite Aid 9/9/10

By Alana, on September 9th, 2010

Here is my Rite Aid Transactions from Yesterday. I ended up doing a 3rd scenario, but was too tired to take a picture again.

Rite Aid Transaction #1

1 Air Wick @ $9.99 each
- 50% off Store sale
- $4/1 from 8/29/10 SS
= Total OOP: $0.99 each

1 c. Booth @ $4.99 each
- $5.00 in ad coupon=
Total OOP: $0.01 overage!

Kendall Antimcrobial Non-Stick pads @ $3.50 each (buy 2)
- $2.50/1 printable x 2
= Total OOP: $2.00
Get back $3.00 SCR wyb 2 making this a $1.00 money maker!

Kleenex @ $0.99 each (x6)
- $1/3 Value Video Printable (x2)
- $0.50/3 MF from 7/11/10 SS or 8/15/10 SS(x2)
= Total OOP: $0.49 each or $2.94

Tuggaboo Diapers – 4 x 89¢ = $3.56
-(4) $1/1 coupons
=44¢ overage

-$5/$25 purchase from Rite Aid Video Values

Subtotal: 48¢
Tax: $1.43
Total OOP: $1.91 (put on a gift card from my $25 oral care rebate)
Plus I qualify for a $3 Rebate from the Kendall Products. So true OOP is +$1.09

17¢ for all of it!!!

Transaction#2:
Tuggaboo Diapers – 5 x 89¢ = $4.45
-(4) $1/1 coupons
=45¢

1 c. Booth @ $4.99 each
- $5.00 in ad coupon
= Total OOP: $0.01 overage!

Subtotal: 44¢
Tax: 82¢
Total OOP: $1.26

Less The $1.09 overage from the rebate from transaction #1 – and I paid 17¢ for all of this stuff!!

Deals and Steals:Week of Aug 15th

By Alana, on August 19th, 2010

I have been working on beefing up my couponing skills as we tighten our belts to save for a house. I have been inspired by my beautiful Sister-in-Love over at Green Saving Green. She is just amazing folks! She just started her blog, but has been posting her Deals & Steals on facebook for months. I also refer to a local blog called The Coupon Posse’ for local coupon match ups. Those ladies are awesome, keep the blog up to date & fresh and also do the local savings which is crucial in our “special” little market.

Here is what I did this week:

Transaction #1: Target:

2 Juicy Juice Apple @ $2 ea = $4
- $1 Target Coupon [I tried to get 2 of these, but they were all gone! ]
-$1/2 Manufactures Coupon
= $2

12 Sobe Life Water @ 1.02 ea
- 6 Bogo Coupons = $6.12
- 50¢/1(x4) Target Coupons [tried to get more, but they were all gone too But my coupons were expiring!]
= $4.12

1 Super Sticky Post It Notes – $1
- $1/1 Manufactures Coupon
=$0

2 Campbells Microwavable Soup Bowls @ $1.50 ea (Target Price Cut)
- (2) $1/1 off Printables from Campbells.com
-(2) .50¢/$1 Target Coupon
= $0

Sub Total: $6.12
Tax +.$o.98
Total: $7.10
- $5 Gift Card for previously purchasing 10 Sobe Life Waters
=$2.10 OOP (Saved $19.12 after price cuts)

Transaction #2 – Albertson’s
3 Snyders of Hanover Pretzels @ $2.49 ea = $7.47
- $1.47 Preferred Savings
- (3) $1/1 Snyders Manufactures Coupons
- (3) $1 Albertson’s 3 Day Doublers
=$0 – Saved $7.47

Transaction #3: Rite Aid
(2) Tums (3 roll, 36 count) @ $1 ea. ($2.99 ea reg. price)
-(2) $1/1 printable manufactures coupon
=$0.00

(2) Tugaboo Diapers Trial Size (Saving up for Diaper Cake) @ 99¢ ea.
-10% Riteaid discount w/ card
= 89¢ ea ~ total: $1.78

(1) c.booth Lotion @ $6.99
-$6.00 Rite Aid in-ad Coupon
=99¢

(1) Purex 3 in 1 @ $5.99 ea
-$3 Manufactures Coupon
=$2.99 ea

(1) Clearasil Cleansing Pads @ $5.49 ea
- $2 Manufactures Coupon
-$3 Rite Aid in ad coupon
=49¢ ea

-$5/20 Rite Aid Coupon
- $1 Up Reward

Subtotal : 25¢
Tax: $1.07
Total: $1.32 OOP

PLUS: I got a $1 Up reward for purchasing the Purex and (2) $1 off Tagaboos Diaper coupons (the sample 2 packs are 99¢ ea = free) and also reached my first up reward of a 10% next purchase coupon!

Transaction #4: Walgreens

This deal was not as good as I was hoping because of some last minute purchases and the cashier would not use the BOGO Walgreens sale with the BOGO coupon. ;( Oh well, it was still a good deal for all I got!

(2) Aussie Hair Products @ $2.99 ea
-$2.99 – BOGO manufacturers coupons
=$2.99

(4) Right Guard Deodorant @ $4.49 ea
- $4.49 – Walgreens BOGO
-$4.49 – Walgreens BOGO
-$3/2 – Manufactures coupons
- $2.25 – 1/2 of Manufactures BOGO – some people were able to get this one at 100% of it.. not me.
= $3.73 for 4 ~ or 93¢ ea

(1) Charmin Toliet Paper (EMERGENCY!) @$4.99
- 25¢ manufactures coupon
=$4.74

(1) Puffs Tissues ( Emergency again) @99¢ ea

Subtotal: $12.45
Tax: 1.82
Total: 14.27

Plus I got Back a $1 RR for purchasing the Aussie.

So my total for all of the above is:

$17.69 Out of pockets plus $1 RR and a $1 Up reward.

35 items = 51¢ per item. Not to shabby for a newbie?

I wish I had gotten a picture of the whole thing, but we are already eating/using some of these items now!

Christmas Cards

Deals and Steals 9/15

Rite Aid 9/9/10

17¢ for all of it!!!

Deals and Steals:Week of Aug 15th

Progress Report

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