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Thursday, February 28, 2013

TARGET

The $3 Revlon TQ has been a blessing. When I pair it with the $2 MQ, I am only paying $5 for a bottle of Revlon Colorstay Makeup. I just bought 2 bottles of Estee Lauder Doublewear at a cost of $36 plus tax each. They have changed the formulation and I don't like it now. They are going back to Dillards. I can buy 7 bottles of Colorstay with the deals right now at Target!

Also, I said I would let you know about my concealer I purchased. My absolute favorite concealer now is Maybelline Fit for Her. It is a big $5 each at Target and it by far is the best I have used, including some expensive ones!

I also used the $1.50/2 Cleaning Items TQ and was able to get 2 bottles of bleach for $.178, which is just slightly more than one bottle full price. Add to that a few more free picture frames and Target Up & Up "Advil" for $.50 each and I had yet another sucessful Target trip!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NEW RULE AT PUBLIX

A new rule surfaced today while I was at the Cobblestone Publix. I just ran it to buy 4 cans of Edge Shaving Cream and 2 Schick Razors. I only had one of the GAF coupons so I told her to run it through two times. She couldn't do it...new rule is you have to have a coupon for every one. So we can no longer say we have x amount of items and to run it through one Publix coupon.

I also have a feeling that they will be changing the $5/$30 competitor policy. I think (and this is only my opinion) they will soon be only allowing one competitor coupon per person per day. That means we won't be able to split our order anymore. It would force you to do multiple small orders on different days. Don't ask my why I think this! I am just guessing this is what Publix may do to regulate multiple coupons being used.

Back to my shaving cream razor deal, I used a BOGO Edge coupon and two $4 Schick Razor coupons as well as a PQ in the GAF. I was able to get 2 razors that were $9.50 each and 4 cans of shaving cream for $7.84. The shaving cream ended up being free when you used the PQ so all you were paying for were the razors! I was able to use a  $5 competitior coupon also.

Monday, February 25, 2013

NEW AD AND TARGET COUPONS

When I was on the Target website tonight I noticed an interesting coupon. It is for $1 off a $3 or higher Up and Up item. This could be interesting.

I'll have to look around and see what Publix item we could use this on and get a good deal.

There is also a coupon for $1 off Up and Up Laundry Detergent. Publix detergent will be on sale for $3 in the new ad. Use this coupon and get it for $2. I have never used this before. If you are brand specific about laundry detergent, consider using this for towels and save the good stuff for your clothes!

Also, there is a $1 coupon for Market Pantry Frozen Dessert item. Publix Yogurt will be $3.50 each in the new ad. Use this coupon and pay only $2.50 for a 1/2 gallon of ice cream.

MY PUBLIX TRIP

A quick trip to Publix after work scored me three movie passes!! How did I do that do you ask by walking into Publix? I simply purchased 6 boxes of specially marked boxes of Fiber One Raisen Bran  cereal that were BOGO. I also used a $1/2 peelie that I had.

These movie passes have a value of $12 each. So not only did I get a great deal on cereal but I will be able to go to the movies for free! Be on the lookout for these boxes you are purchasing this cereal. Some of them are marked and some are not.

I also was a little surprised when I was told at the beach store that I could only use one $5/$30 coupon. Had I known this I would have split my order. So a word to the wise. Ask if you need to split your order. It seems just when we get comfortable something changes. I also hoped to use save-a-lot q's but they don't accept those either. My bill was $31.85 and it should have been $21.85. This is what I bought:

6 Fiber One cereal
4 skippy peanut butter
8 progresso black beans
Bananas
Apple
2 Buitoni fettuccine
10 M& M
3 covergirl topcoat lipgloss
1 covergirl eyeshadow
Dove Care Mens Body Wash


P&G REBATE



There is a new P&G rebate available. You can get $15 back by mail when you spend $50. Go HERE to print the form.



Buy $50 worth of Venus, Secret, Olay, Pantene, Herbal Essences, Aussie, Head & Shoulders, Vidal Sassoon, Clairol, COVERGIRL, Crest 3D White, Puffs, Safeguard, or Ivory products from 2/13/2013 to 4/30/2013.


$50.00 purchase is subtotal before coupon redemption.

Save those Publix receipts with your CoverGirl purchases on them. We have until April 30th to reach $50. I did this last year and received a $15 gift card!

We received those awesome Pantene BOGO coupons in last weeks insert so maybe we can do a deal with those soon and put that towards our total!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

TARGET DEALS

I made a quick trip to target today to switch out my makeup that turned out to be too dark. I was able to get a few good deals while I was there. You can go on target.com to print these coupons...

$1.50 off 1 any Up and Up digestive health item
$3 off any Revlon makeup, primer, blush (stack with $2 MQ)
$2 off any picture frame

I was able to get a Up and  Up pepto Bismol for $.39 with that coupon, free picture frames (I actually paid $1 each for two of them), and $5 off foundation, blush and primer. I also got Up and Up laxatives for free with the $1.50 coupon. I also got 5 dental floss for free with $1 coupons I had.

Another good deal is the Market Pantry Pasta Sauce that sells for $1.32 to $1.52 depending on which kind. There is a target printable coupon for $1.50/2 pasta sauce so you basically get it for 1/2 price if you are not fussy about what kind of pasta sauce you eat.

MORE M&M'S FOR ME

My husband loves to keep M&M's on his desk at Merrill Lynch. Everyone knows they are there and sometimes they don't last very long when that chocolate fix comes on. I know about chocolate fixes. Chocolate calls my name all the time!

So what do I plan on doing to keep him stocked up in M&M's? I have an additional five $1.50/2 MQ's and another five $1.50/2 Target coupons. My scenerio will look like this:

Buy 10 M&M's BOGO at $5.29 = $26.85
Use 5 MQ and 5 TQ - minus $15
Use $5/$25 competitor - minus $5

TOTAL PAID FOR 10 BAGS OF M&M'S WILL BE $6.85.

I think I will get wife of the year award for this one!

(Even if you don't have anymore $1.50/2 Target coupons, scan your card at CVS this week and get a $1 coupon to use instead. I got two of those today!)

MY CVS SCENERIO

The deals were not that great at CVS this week but I had a $6 ECB that was just shy of a month old and I knew I had to use it. I ended up doing three transactions on two different cards. My first transaction went like this:



2 Mentos Gum

1 ThermaCare

1 Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste

1 Poise Towelettes

2 Neutrogena Hand Cream
My total after coupons and ECB’s was $.22 which included tax! I received back a $3.49, $4, $5, $1, and $1 ECB, for a total of $14.49 in ECB’s to roll in the next few weeks. The Poise was a moneymaker because I used the $3 MQ and the $3 CVS coupon, giving me $1.99 towards my other purchases.

I then did two other transactions and got:

2 Poise

2 Lip Liner

Paper

3 Mentos Gum

1 Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste

My total for the above was $2.18 plus tax and I got back another $4, $1 and $1 ECB!
I plan on going back and doing another hand cream on my other card. The Neutrogena Hand Cream is awesome and just what my hands need! It is almost like a Vaseline consistency that absorbs easily into your hands. They will end up costing me about $.30 each and then I will get another $5 ECB back.
This week I also did something I NEVER do! I paid $.49 for toothpaste! The only reason I did is because it is Sensitive toothpaste and felt it was worth it!


Friday, February 22, 2013

MY PUBLIX SHOPPING TRIP

I was thrilled when I walked into Publix today to see the Sunlight Dish Soap fully stocked on the shelf. That meant I would be getting 7 of them for FREE! My only item I "needed" was potato rolls for my nephews that are going to be staying with me for the weekend. Other than that, I just picked up the good deals. As fate would have it, I noticed when I got home I forgot to grab the GAF to give them the $1 coupon for the Cover Girl. This is what I bought:

4 Mueller Yogurt - (paid $.25 each)
2 Buittoni Fettuccini Noodles - (paid $.15 each)
2 Velveeta Skillets - FREE
2 Fresh Green Beans
4 Atkins Turkey and Green Beans Dinner - FREE
2 Sea Cuisine Talapia - Paid $2.69 for 2, normally $6.69 each)
2 Fiber One Brownie Bars
Potato Rolls
6 M&M's  - for my husband at work
4 Hawaiian Punch Red, Gallon - ended up paying $.57 each
10 Knoor Pasta Sides (used RC and got all for FREE)
7 Sunlight Dish Detergent - FREE
1 Cover Girl Eyeshadow

My final total was $5.76 but it should have been $4.76!!! I have several donation items from this trip and glad to have the dish detergent added to my stockpile!

My fresh green beans and potato rolls alone were just over $6 so that means everything else in my cart I paid nothing for. Got to LOVE couponing!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

MY PUBLIX SHOW AND TELL

I wanted to post my Publix Brag Spot that I did on the last day of the sale on Wednesday. I ran into a slight glitch when the SR 16 store wouldn't take the Save-A-Lot coupons. I had a pre-coupon total of $53 so I had to switch gears and use only one $5/$30 WD coupon. Had I known that, I would have increased my total by $7 and used another $5/$30 coupon. I was able to stock up on cereal and was able to get 7 more Cascadian Farms Granola Bars for just $.24 a box. This is what I bought:

4 Kelloggs Raisen Bran
2 Yakisoba Noodles
3 Voskos Greek Yogurt
7 Cascadian Farms Granola Bars
$3.00 worth of FREE bananas
Hormel Cinnamon Apples
2 Hormel Mac & Cheese
2 Brawny Paper Towel
2 Cover Girl Eye Shadow
2 Cover Girl Blush
1 Sundown Vitamin (overage)

I was planning on spending $4.46 for this order but was only able to use one $5/$30 so I paid $9.48 for all of the above. Still not bad... it's a savings of 88%!!

COMPETITOR COUPONS

I thought I would spend a minute on competitor coupons. As everyone knows, Save-A-Lot offers $5/$25 coupons in their newspaper ads and also on FB. I asked about a month ago and was told they did not take them at Publix.

I just found out today that the Vilano Beach store and the Cobblestone store DO take them as a competitor! I also found out that the SR 16 store DOES NOT take them at this time. That makes my decision easy for me. I will shop at the stores that accept the coupon.

Has anyone had any experiences with Moultrie or the Beach? I didn't get a chance to call them today.

LISTEN TO ME ON THE RADIO

Are you free tomorrow morning at around 8:30 a.m.? Then turn on your radio and listen to me on 1240 AM on the morning show. I will be on sometime after 8:30 a.m. Guess what I will be talking about...COUPONS!

I was asked by the station to come on and talk about coupons.

If you can't find it there, try 1420 AM. I am not sure which one I will be on.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

CHEAP DIAPERS AT TARGET

Do you need diapers? Head to Target to get the LARGE BOX of 154/172 diapers that have been marked down 30% off. They are on an end-cap and there are at least 35 boxes of Huggies, all sizes and also Pampers there. They had just finished marking them down when I was there this afternoon.

Go HERE to print the $3 coupon to make the deal even sweeter!

STEWART'S PRODUCE AD

Luther's new ad is up and here it is! Remember, the ad begins on Wednesday and goes until Saturday.

Fresh, never frozen Boneless Chicken Breasts,
5 lbs. or more, $1.99 lb.

Boneless NY Strip Steaks, $4.99 lb.

Multicolored mini sweet peppers, or green HOT peppers, $1.99 lb.

Shrimp! $4.99 lb.

Haas Avocados,$.79 each

Select FL Cucumbers, 3 for $1.00

Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops, $2.49 lb.

Indian River Temple Oranges, 8 for $1.00

3 lb. bag Onions, $1.99

5 lb. bag Potatoes, $1.99 each

1 lb. package White Mushrooms, $1.99 each

Guavas, $2.99 lb.

4 pack Florida Vine Ripe Tomatoes, $1.50 each

Local Eggplant, 2 for $1.50

Plant City Strawberries, $1.50 pint

Local Radishes, $1.00 bunch

Jumbo Local Green or Red Bell Peppers, 4 for $1.00

Local Beets with Tops, $1.99 bunch

1 lb. tubs Peeled Garlic, $3.99 each

Mangos, $.99 each

Local Sweet Onions with tops, $1.99 each

Kiwi Fruit, 2 for $1.00

Florida Cherry Tomatoes, $1.99 pint

Florida New Crop Red or White Creamer Potatoes, $1.99lb.

Del Monte Golden Ripe Pineapples, $1.99 each

Persimmons, $1.99 each

Loose Beets or Turnips, $.99 lb.

Local Oysters, bushels or half bushels

Claw Crab Meat, 1 lb. container, $9.99 each

Carribean Red Papaya, $1.99 lb.

Basil Plants, $2.49 each

D'Anjou Pears, $.99 lb.

while supplies last!

GAF DEALS I AM TAKING ADVANTAGE OF

Don't forget about the good CoverGirl deals available with the $3/2 coupon in the 1/27 PG and the $3/1 PQ in the GAF. You should be able to get some of those eyeshadows for $.49 each!

I also like some of the Got2B products so I will take advantage of that deal. Use the $2/1 coupon from the 2/10 RP and pay $1.99.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

SAVE-A-LOT

Is it really true? About 6 weeks ago I asked Publix if they would take Save-A-Lot coupons and they said no. I talked to a friend of mine today and she said about a month ago the cobblestone store said they would take the $5/$25 coupon as a competitor.

Is anyone else as excited as I am!!!

Had I known this I would have used the one that was in their ad that expired today. Darn it!

MY PUBLIX SHOPPING TRIP

My shopping trip at Publix today was pretty good considering they were out some of the deals I wanted.. I wanted to use the B3G1 free stuffers coupon with the target 1.25 coupon and pay just about $1.75 each. I didn't have any freezer room left so I had to settle for just two of them using the $1.50 coupon that is no longer available and stack with the 1.25 target coupon to pay $1.25 each. I have a rain check so maybe I can free up some freezer space before the target coupons expire!

I was able to get my ten boxes of granola fruit crisps that came free when you bought the Nutrigrain Bars with the rain check they gave me.  With that being said this is what I bought today:

1 dozen eggs
Blueberries
Bananas ( free web 2 cereal)
3 cantelope (yes, I LOVE cantelope)
4 Morningstar farms spicy black bean burgers
2 hormel mashed potato sides
2 progresso bread crumbs
10 progresso black beans
Baby carrots
2 hefty paper plates
2 Golden  Grahams cereal
2 spicy nuts (I grabbed these at the last minute because I was .77 short of $60)

After my coupons and the $17.50 they had to take off for my granola bars, I paid $2.37. My total was just over $60 so I used two $5/$30 coupons also.

Three times this week my husband asked me if I got Cocoa Puffs for him. Wouldn't you know it, the shelves were bare. I went up to CS to get a rain check and they checked their computer and they had some in the back! I used a $1/2 coupon but forgot to give them the coupon for $1.50 off bananas! I hate when that happens! My husband was happy to have his cocoa puffs!

UPDATE

When I was putting my Cocoa Puffs away, a bottle of olive oil fell on my toe! It's twice the normal size and all black and blue. Boy does it hurt! Damm those Cocoa Puffs!


MORE FREE GRANOLA BARS!

Wow! Here is another freebie on granola bars!

Don't wait too long to print your $1/1 coupon from HERE for Cascadian Farms Granola Bars. You may have to sign in or create an account if you don't already have one. Stack that coupon with the $2/2 in the Publix Italian Days Flyer to get even more free granola bars! They are on sale for $1.99 until tomorrow.

You can also go HERE and print a coupon for $.75 and pay $.24 per box. With all the freebies we have had, who wants to pay $.24??

Friday, February 15, 2013

SUNSHINE SHOP SIDEWALK SALE

Looking for some good bargains? Had to the SUNSHINE SHOP this weekend for their semi-annual sidewalk sale..

The sale started today and will run until Monday. Stop by and say hello and get ready for the summer.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

MY GREAT SHOPPING DAY

I had an awesome day today at Publix. I went in basically for the nutrigrain bars but picked up 4 v8 juice and 4 hefty paper plates to get my total up. My total was in the negative so I threw on a pack of gum and them owed under $1.00 I don't want them to give me money back!

The store was fully stocked with them but I don't expect that to last long knowing they are free! I ended up with 24 boxes all going to my grandkids!

Next stop CVS where I got 2 nature maid vitamins, 2 nail polish, lip liner, 3 poise towelettes and a physicians formula BB cream and paid $.46. I tried to do the deal again at the cobblestone store and they wouldn't let me do it because of the overage on the poise towelettes. I left not buying anything. The beach store is so much better.  If I have time ill try it one more time at another store.

DRUGSTORE MAKEUP

I have been rearching make-up. I am sick and tired of spending money on expensive make-up and it doesn't work or you don't like it.

This all started when my daughter bought me blush for Christmas at Sephora. It wasn't cheap. It was $25 to $30. The color wasn't right so I gave her my blush I use now (which was Sephora) that I am scraping the sides to get any color. It's really empty but I don't want to give it up because I loved it. She went back to Sephora and told them to match the color I gave her.

She came back with a Laura Mercier color, same price, that was nothing like the color I sent. I could tell immediately it was going to be too light and too brown. Yep, I was right. So now I am going to head over there and ditch the blush deal all together and just get something else. That is what led me on my quest to find cheaper makeup because I am tired of spending a fortune on it.

This is what I found. I found some things out there that I would have never known about had I not researched it. I bought a few of them and I really liked them. The best part is that they all come from the drugstore. I still have more to get but I am doing it slowly so I don't put out a ton of money at one time.

Concealer was something I really need. The dark circles under my eyes are a bit scary sometimes in the morning and I could really use some help to brighten up my face. The Physicians Formula I use now just left creases under my eye no matter how much I blended or moisturized. I headed to the Clinique counter and they tried to sell me something that was about .02 oz. and sold for over $35. Well, maybe it wasn't that small, but it was a tiny, tiny tube. I then checked out Estee Lauder. Estee didn't turn out to be my friend either. She wanted over $45 for a concealer with emoillent moisturizers which is apparently what we need when we turn this age.

What I came up with was a concealer that makeup artists love. It is Maybelling Fit Her and it sells for $4.99. I didn't find it at CVS and finally found it at Target. I tried it and no more creases under my eyes! I couldn't believe it! It also brightened my face and gave me a sense of accomplishment knowing I didn't have to spend $45.

The next was eyebrow pencil. I have never used this before. I have never needed it. But now I notice some thinning out of my eyebrows. That doesn't surprise me since my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I think it started talking to my eyebrows and asked them to follow suit. I have used eyeshadow and various other pencils and never liked the way it looked. I found a pencil at CVS, again recommended by makeup artists, and it costs $4.97. It is by Rimmell and the color is Hazel. She said unless you were blond you would be able to use this color. Again, I love it!

Next, let us move on to blush. I still have to try this, but I bought two different shades. One of the kinds they recommended was Millani Blush which sells at CVS for $8.99. In fact, they were B1G1 50% off this week so I bought two colors. The color they recommended was Luminious which is supposed to mimic Nars Orgasam. Yes, Nars named their most popular blush that wins as being a fan favorite, orgasam. Go figure. I bought another color but I can't remember the name right now. I'll post about it after I try that one.

I'll keep you posted after I try the Revlon ColorStay Foundation which was another one of their favorite drugstore picks. If it works, that sure beats my $40 a bottle Estee Lauder Double Wear.

More to come on my makeup merry-go-round!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER FOR $100 GIFT CARD



As many of you know, my favorite sale is upon us once again. It seems like just a few months ago, I stocked up on white and black beans, canned vegetables and bread crumbs. The deal isn't as good as last year but it is still a stock-up price.

Also to refresh your memory, I was one of the 500 winners to win a $100 Publix gift card. Woop! Woop! Although I never got to use it because I handed it right over to my daughter, I was able to benefit because that money didn't come out of my pocket.

So this year I am entering again HERE...and my husband is entering (he doesn't know it) and so is my dog, Sophie. Now I figure I have a better chance to win!

Make sure you enter. They don't notify if you win. You will just receive an envelope in the mail with the $100 gift card and then you will shout for joy!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

CHEAP HUMIDIFIERS

If you are in need of a humidifier, head to Target where they have just been reduced to 75% off!

They are on the wall with all the portable heaters and the sign still says 50% off. The heaters are still 50% off but the humidifiers have moved to 75%.

They still had quite a few of them available as of today. I wouldn't wait too long though. When things drop to 75%, they tend to move quickly.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

I have some breaking news fresh off the street today!

I struck up a conversation with the manager of Marshalls today. I asked him if anyone was going to go in the old K-Mart building yet. It is such a good location and such a big space. He told me they just found out yesterday that Ross, a beauty supply store and Staples (although I think he meant Office Max) are going in. They are going to redo the whole plaza which is what it really needs.

He also said they just found out their store is going to get completely remodeled starting the beginning of March. That means new bathrooms, new dressing rooms, new fixtures, etc. How exciting is that!

The first protype of this remodel is in North Jacksonville and we are going to be the second! It will be a pain while it is going on but it will be well worth it in the end.

I am excited that Ross will be moving in next door. Although I secretly wished for a HomeGoods, I will take Ross so now I don't have to go to the other plaza.

FREE NATURE MADE VITAMINS

If you need some fish oil pills, head to CVS this week and pick up two boxes for FREE. In fact, it is a small moneymaker! I am not much of a pill taker myself, but I know many others who take fish oil on a regular basis.

Go HERE to print your coupon for $10/1 Nature Made Full Strength Minis. There are different varieties of Minis you could buy. I bought the fish oil pills. They are on sale this week BOGO at $15.29. Then you want to go HERE and print two $3/1 coupons to stack with it.

Your scenerio will look like this:

Purchase 2 NatureMade Minis (in a box, not a bottle) BOGO $15.29
Use $10 CVS coupon
Use two $3/1 coupons
$.71 MM

Make sure you have something else in your cart to absorb the $.71 in overage.

Monday, February 11, 2013

BOGO TOMATO COUPON

I am sure you have already seen this awesome coupon HERE for BOGO DelMonte Tomatoes. This coupon won't last long so print it asap.

If you have multiple computers at your home like me, it will only allow you to print it from one. When you enter the same e-mail address on another computer, it will tell you that you have already printed it. To get around this, begin a new registration with another family member in your home. I had to come up with two more family members so one of them was my dog Sophie. Sophie has been signed up for more things and no one is the wiser! I even made up a fake email address and it will go through. After you set up a new person, it will allow you to print another set of coupons.

Let's home these go BOGO at Publix so so we could get some free tomatoes to add to our cheap black and cannonelli beans!

ITALIAN DAYS SALE COMING UP

The Italian days sale is coming upon us and it is my favorite sale.  This is when I stock up on canned beans for my soups etc for the year.  Here is my scenario

By 48 cans progresso  cannanellii beans and/or black beans $32 (on sale $3 for $2)
Use  twelve $1/4 PQ use $5/$30 WD coupon
Paul $15 for 48 cans of beans or $.31 a can!

Remember you only have to print one coupon and then tell them to deduct it as many as you need for what you are buying!

Hopefully we will see a good canned tomato sale soon also.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

CRUISING

OK guys...I need your help. This year is our big 25th wedding anniversary and we are planning a cruise to the Carribbean. I have only been on two cruises, one being our honeymoon and the other about 10 years ago.

For those of you who have cruised, I need some advice. Should we take a Western or Eastern cruise? The Eastern goes to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Marten. The Western goes to Labadee, Hati (their private island), Falmouth, Jamaica, and Cozumel, Mexico. Both are on Royal Carribbean Allure of the Seas which is the biggest ship out there.

From what I gather by surfing the internet, the Eastern seems to be the favorite choice. In Jamaica there are white-water rafting excursions available but I have no interest in those. I have already done that and I was the "floater". Yes, that means I fell out of the boat. He had never had a "floater" before and I was his first. That scarred me for life and now there will be no more rafting excursions for me!

I know the shopping is good in St. Thomas and that is always a plus! I have never been to St. Marten and I hear it is beautiful. So my dilema is which side, Eastern or Western? PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know what your experiences have been. Call me, email me or leave a comment below. I need some direction!!!

RIPLEY'S MARRIAGE RENEWAL CEREMONY

Sunday was an absolute gorgeous day and it set the tone for an event at Ripley's Believe It Or Not that was so much fun. I just had to share so you all could do it next year!

First of all, I didn't think we were going to be able to do it. My husband had a wisdom tooth removed on Friday that turned out to be a pretty big deal since he is 56 years old. (Of course, I am MUCH younger!! LOL!) We had signed up for the marriage renewal ceremony at Ripley's for Sunday afternoon and I didn't think we were going to go because it really knocked him down. By 11:00 he was feeling a little better and with a new round of drugs in his system, we hopped on our bikes, and rode across the bridge to Ripley's.

I didn't know what to expect. All I knew is that they were trying to beat the record of the most couples renewing their vows at one time. I can't even remember what the total was. It sounded like fun. There was going to be a band, flowers for everyone, pictures, free pizza,  cake, and a trolly ride around town with "JUST REMARRIED" signs on the trains with balloons. They were even giving away a honeymoon trip for two nights to Charleston. What the heck, I was in. All you needed was a copy of your marriage certificate and a willing spouse. Since this year is our big 25th wedding anniversary, I thought it would be fun and he agreed to do it as well.

Little did I know there would be people there all decked out in their wedding gowns with veils and flowers. Some even had their whole wedding party with them complete with flower girls! The outfits alone were a sight to look at. It was obvious some were trying to squeeze back into a dress that obviously was too small but they didn't care! With somewhere over 500 couples in attendance, there was some pretty good people watching!

All of the people who were really dressed up were brought up to the very top of Ripley's rooftop and the vows were said in English and Spanish while we all repeated it down in the parking lot. I must say so myself, the vows were better than most I have heard at wedding cermonies. The really did a good job.

They didn't make the record so they will do it again next year. I can't wait to do it agin! The next time, I want to gather my family all around me so we could all do it together. Mark your calendars for next year. It is going to be the weekend before President's Day weekend. Get a jump start on Valentines Day and take part in trying to break the current Guiness Book of World Records!

ROMANO'S RESTAURANT

There is a new Double Take deal up for Romano's Restaurant.

For those of you who have not tried it, you are missing out on something! The location south of town on US 1 near Moultrie Creek is the new location and they have really done a nice job. Not only is the food excellent, but the portions are huge. We have enough for our meal and enough to take home for a second complete meal! Be warned if you order the strombolli or calzone, it is enough to feed at least 3 people!

Go HERE to get a certificate for $40 and only pay $20 for it. The certificate is good for one year and you can buy a maximum of two certificates. Hurry...there are only 19 left to be purchased!

Friday, February 8, 2013

STARBUCKS DRINK OFFER

Do you love Starbucks? Go HERE to get a BOGO coupon for featured drinks. The coupon wll expire on 2/14.

You have your choice of three drinks to pick from!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

BEST KNIVES

How many of us have knives in our kitchen drawers that won't even cut a tomato? I know I did until we bought a few really good knives.

According to Cook's  Illustrated, they rated some of their favorites and you would be surprised at the cost of their first place choice. Below I listed their favorites and the price.

1.  Victorinox Fibrox 8" Chef's Knife -  $24.95
This lightweight knife can outperform heavier more expensive blades. It's pronounced curve gives it great maneuverability.

2. Wusthof Classic 10" Bread Knife - $109.95
This uniformly spaced, moderately sized serrations on this knife excelled at sliced through food quickly and easily.

3. Wusthof Classic with PEtec 3 1/2" Paring Knife - $39.95
The knife is nimble and precise with its thin, slightly curved blade, pointed tip, and comfortable grip.

4. Victorinox Fibrox 12" Granton Edge Slicing Knife - $39.95
This knife has a tapered 12" blade with scallops that prevent sticking.  It's perfect for slicing large cuts of meat.

5.  Masamoto VG-10  Gyutou -$18
Tis hybrid has a slim, sharp tip and a acutely tapered blade, which makes it feel especially light as well as slightly flexible.

The above comments are those of Cook's Illustrated. I personally think all you need is a good Chef's knife and paring knife. When you have a good knife,  it sure makes being in the kitchen a litter nicer!

Now you have to keep those knives sharp. The best manual sharpener is the Accusharp Knife and Tool Sharpener -$7.99. This sharpener sharpened at a fraction of the cost of an electric sharpener..

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

VACUUM CLEANERS

Here's another Consumer Reports article on Upright Vacuums. How many times have you needed a new vacuum and you head to Walmart and pick one off the shelf only to have it shoot the dirt back at you! I have listed below the best uprights according to Consumer Reports and also listed their CR Best Buy. These blend performance and value.

Best Uprights for Most

Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition U6485-900 - $230
Miele S7210 Twist - $475
Kenmore Progressive 31069 - $200
Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870 - $160

All four bagged models are fine for pet hair. The first is self-propelled. The second is pricier but quieter and better on pet hair. The third weighs the least and the last costs even less but lacks suction control and gives up some airflow and handling ease. The last is in slot 13, while the Hoover was rated number one! I think it is worth it to spend a little more money and get the vacuum rated number one by CR.

FYI - The Dyson is a bagless vacuum and was rated 24th, 40th and 41st place depending on which model was tested. These range in cost from $430 to $600!! Doesn't sound like a great deal to me!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

DOES CANNED FOOD GO BAD?

If you've cleaned out your pantry and found yourself tossing outdated cans of food,, you may have screeched to a halt as another soup can hit the recycling bin, and wondered: Didn't canned foods used to last forever? Why do they have expiration dates?

When cans display calendar dates, also known as "open dates", to differentiate them from coded dates that only the manufacturer can decipher - they're usually "best if used by (or before)" dates. It is not safety related. It is simply eating the food for the best quality and flavor.

High-acid canned foods such as tomatoes and pineapple will retain peak quality on the shelf for 12 to 18 months if stored in a clean, cool dry place. Low-acid canned foods such as meat, poultry, fish and most vegetables will retain best quality for two to five years.

The above was taken from Consumer Reports.

BOGO COUPON FOR PEI WEI

I received an email from Pei Wei, one of my favorite lunch restaurants. Go HERE and watch the video and they will email you a BOGO coupon that expires on February 15th. That gives you plenty of time to use it!

I already watched the video and will be expecting a coupon within 24 hours!

The closest restaurant is at the St. John's Towne Center.

CHEAP POISE TOWELETTES AT WALGREENS AND FREE DEODORANT AT CVS



In yesterdays SS we saw a coupon for FREE Poise Body Cooling Towelettes, 20 ct. This coupon has a max value of $4.99 and are available at Walgreens. I don't know what these actually go for but I found another coupon for $1 off which should make these free or close to free. Go HERE to print the coupon. You can go under the Personal Care Tab to access it quicker.

When you are done at Wags, head over to CVS to pick up your FREE deodorant. Simply stack the $1/1 in the 2/3 SS and print the CVS coupon HERE for $.99. If you use the $1/1 coupon you will get it for free!

Monday, February 4, 2013

SOME HELPFUL TIPS

I hope you guys enjoyed the SuperBowl yesterday. I didn't make it to the end as I was falling asleep in my chair so I went to bed. All I was interested in were the commercials anyways!

I thought I would pass along these two tips I did this weekend that I thought might help you.

I have stark white tile in my shower. It shows everything. When it started to accumulate a little soap scum at the bottom tiles, no cleaner seemed to cut through it. I could still feel it. That is when I brought out the Magic Eraser and it took it all away. Now I want to maintain it.

I bought a hand-held brush that you can put dish soap in. It is really meant for your dishes but I knew it would work for me. I had already mixed a solution of BLUE Dawn Dish Detergent and vinegar in a spray bottle. I put that mixture in the brush and used it on my shower after I was done showering while I was still in there. I then used a squeegie to remove any extra water.

When it dried, my tiles were sparkling clean with not a water mark on them. I plan on keeping the brush in there and doing it every few days to keep the shower clean.

BLUE Dawn is something I also keep above my washing machine. When I have a stain, I reach for my blue Dawn (it has to be the blue variety) and just give it a squirt and rub it in. It seems to do the trick better than most stain removal products.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

HUGGIES COUPON


For those of you who use Huggies Diapers, go HERE and watch a short video and print a coupon for $3. Even if we don't find an awesome sale, this is a high value coupon! There were still diapers left at Target. Print the coupon off their website for diapers and wipes and get a great deal