Good deals anyone?

Howdy fellow couponers!

I just wanted to see if anyone had any coupon success stories that they wanted to share?

Now is your time to shine! :)

Extreme Giving

People always ask me why I choose to coupon. And my answers usually sound like this:

“Why pay more for stuff when I can get it for pennies?”

“I am trying to be a good steward of God's blessings.”

“I like having a hobby that saves us money, not one that costs us money.”

Well last night, I came up with a different answer.

A few days ago, it was brought to our attention that a family in our community was in need. Not the kind of need that is a result of poor choices or lack of effort. This was the kind of need that broke my heart; that humbled me to no end. This family of 4 had recently had a baby, and when asked what they needed for their newborn, their response was sincere: “Just the basics, please.” Well thank God for churches that know how to rally around their own, and help meet the need. A baby shower was immediately planned, and a list of baby items was quickly circulated throughout our church’s electronic distribution list. Undoubtedly, our church would make sure that this newborn, God’s precious gift, would be ok.

**********************

After blogging about my trip to Walmart last night, I sat at my computer, completely convicted and utterly humbled. I sat in the comfort of my own home, blogging about my cheap diaper purchase, while there were people in my own community who couldn’t even afford diapers or blankets for their newborn baby. I had 4 boxes of unopened cereal in my pantry, while other families had to skip breakfast altogether to save money. I had countless bottles of Olay body wash in my bathroom, while some families would think of that as a luxury. How did I miss this? Why had I never put the two together? It suddenly all made sense…

"Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now." ~Saint Teresa of Avila

Last night I realized one very important lesson: My desire to coupon, save money, and stockpile shouldn’t be for my benefit entirely. God wanted to use my hobby to bless others.  He wants to use me, and my coupons, to be His hands and feet! I know it sounds silly. But if God can use a talking donkey, then surely He can use my coupon hobby, right? What an amazing thought…that something as insignificant as a $0.25 coupon could help minister to someone’s need…

And that’s when it all started! I was on a mission! I was going to be the hands and feet of Christ to the family I mentioned earlier. I ran to my garage, emptied out an old Rubbermaid container, and started to fill it up with items that I had stored away in closets and pantries. 10 cans of Chef Boyardee for their two children, 4 bottles of body wash, 3 toothbrushes, cereal, Q-tips, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, deodorant, toothpaste, the list goes on and on. Over 50 items, easily totaling over $100 regularly priced, were in that box. How much did I actually pay for them? I can’t say for sure, but I would guess no more than $10. I can’t explain the joy that was in my heart as I closed the lid on that Rubbermaid container. I smiled. My heart smiled. And I’m pretty sure that even Christ Himself smiled.

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While my closets and cupboards may never be as full as those extreme couponing shows on TV, I’m content with what I do have. I would rather give those items to people who actually need them; instead of taking up space going unused.

Now when people ask me why I choose to coupon, my answer is this:

"I want my coupons to be the hands and feet of Christ."

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Luke 12:48

Walmart Success Story: Baby Shower Gift

My project after work was the following: buy baby items for an upcoming baby shower. Sounds simple enough, right? Well here's the twist. I wanted to see if I could buy only items that I had coupons for. And I did! 7 items using 7 coupons. Below is my success story! :)

Total Retail Value: $29.81

  

Huggies diapers: $8.97 each 

-(2) $3.00 off printable coupons

-$1.19 Walmart associate discount
New price: $5.38 each


Pampers wipes: $1.97 each
-(3) $0.50 off coupons found in Sunday newspaper (P&G Saver)
-$0.44 Walmart associate discount
New price: $1.32


Johnson & Johnson baby bath wash: $2.98
-(1) $1.00 off printable coupon
-$0.17 Walmart associate discount
New price: $1.81


Johnson & Johnson baby lotion: $2.98

-(1) $1.00 off printable coupon

-$0.17 Walmart associate discount

New price: $1.81

Retail Value: $29.81

Total Paid: $18.33

Total Savings: $11.48 (38.5%) 

HOT $5.00 off BIC Permanent Marker Coupon

If you love markers like me, then this is the coupon for you! :)

You’ll want to snag this HOT coupon quickly because it will go fast!!!

Like Bic Mark-It on Facebook and print a $5.00 off BIC Permanent Markers coupon good for 24-36 count. 

Macy's and My Shoes!

Ok ladies. I wasted no time taking advantage of The Ultimate Girls Weekend sale and coupon that I mentioned in my previous post. I just had to log on to share my success with all of you! :)

Original Price: $39.00

Clearance Price: $19.50

-15% coupon from previous post

Final Price: $16.57



Original Price: $69.00

Clearance Price: $48.30

-15% coupon from previous post

Final Price: $41.05

Total Savings: $50.38 (47%)

As a side note, I had $50 in Christmas gift cards that I had been saving for a good shoe sale (like this one). So after I cashed those in, I only paid $12.37 out of pocket. Deals like this make it worth holding on to those gift cards until you find the perfect sale/coupon combo :)

If anybody has the opportunity to take advantage of this Macy's sale and coupon this weekend, I would love to hear YOUR success story!!!

Toys R Us Coupons

I came across these printable coupons today while I was shopping online for a baby shower gift. 16 coupons total=AWESOME!!!

Lots of great deals! Enjoy!!



Macy's: The Ultimte Girls Weekend!

Good afternoon folks! :)

I sure do love it when I receive emails from Macy's that contain sale information and coupons! I've been holding on to some gift cards, patiently waiting for a coupon like this to come through.

Macy's is holding their Macy's Girls Weekend Sale today-Sunday, May 22.

The Wow!Pass is good for the following:

FREE SHIPPING ONLINE PLUS, EXTRA SAVINGS ON ALL REGULAR, SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL FOR HER INCLUDING SPORTSWEAR, IMPULSE, COATS, SUITS, DRESSES, INTIMATES, JUNIORS, SWIMWEAR, HANDBAGS, SHOES, ACCESSORIES AND FINE AND FASHION JEWELRY!

(EXCEPT SPECIALS, SUPER BUYS & WATCHES)

The coupon is for an extra 25% off your purchase of $100 or more, or an extra 15% off your purchase of $99 or less. You can also use this coupon online. Just use promo code WEEKEND at checkout to receive these same savings online!

Excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys, watches, cosmetics, fragrances, eSpot, Tempur-pedic, Louis Vuitton, selected Licensed Depts. Not valid on: previous purchases, special orders, services, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows,macys.com, payment on credit accounts; restaurants, gourmet foods, wine. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES.

If you would like additional information about this sale, please click here.