Stop Procrastinating...

...And get your coupons in order!

Super Doubles at Harris Teeter starting November 3rd

**Pinch**

A Good Day At Rite Aid

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Rite Aid?

There is another super deal this week found on page 7 of the weekly ad.

Buy any N.Y.C. color eye, face or lip cosmetics ($1.99 - $4.99 retail value) and get a nail enamel FREE (99¢ - $1.99 value). $1 +UP reward when you buy any N.Y.C. cosmetic valued $1.99 or above.

To make this deal sweeter, there is a $1 IP Q for any N.Y.C. cosmetic product. You can print this Q twice per computer. I used two computers and printed this Q four times.

My subtotal was negative 02¢ plus 31¢ tax for a grand total of 29¢ AND I got back $4 in +UP Rewards.

I forget to mention something about Sunday's Rite Aid shopping trip...Sleeping Beauty and I finally scored the Clip & Save booklet with $128 in coupons. This booklet is given to customers that get a flu shot. Rite Aid sent out emails last week advertising their flu shot and Clip & Save booklet. At the bottom of the email in little bitty teeny tiny letters were the words NO PURCHASE REQUIRED. So, yes, you can get that booklet without getting a flu shot!!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Rite Aid?

**Pinch**

Happy Halloween

Harris Teeter has carving pumpkins on sale for $3.99 each (regular $6.99). The Little Pinches had a great time decorating these pumpkins with the free pumpkin decorating set I got at CVS a few weeks ago. The three pumpkins were $11.97 (not including tax) and I used $6 in catalinas from the GM deal. Final cost was $5.97 (plus tax). AND I get $6 back in a rebate from a beer company. I love rebates!

**Pinch**

Strange Places

Sleeping Beauty and I always look for hidden coupons, blinkies, peelies and hangtags at every store we visit. Last week I found a coupon at the strangest place ever...the doctor's office. And it was not in an outdated magazine. There was a huge stack of them on the counter where you make your next appointment. Coupons are EVERYWHERE.

And yes, I put VOID on the coupon before I scanned it. I read somewhere that you are supposed to do that...or I may have just made that up! Anyway, I don't want the Coupon Police visiting me. I see enough of the Coupon Police working undercover as cashiers. I don't need them visiting my home.

**Pinch**

Behind The Mission

Saturday night I received the following message: Good evening Ms. Pinch. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to get Princess Pinch and Young Jedi Pinch each a Pillow Pet to be delivered to them on Christmas Eve. Pillow pets are currently priced at $19.99 at Rite Aid. Sincerely, Santa Claus

Well, when the big fat guy in the red suit sends a message like that, you have to accept it. And I really don't want to spend $19.99 x 2 for these Pillow Pets. Plus I need candy for the treat-or-treaters this weekend. (And don't you love how he is going to take credit for all my hard work!!)

In my first transaction, this is what I bought:

Two single Butterfingers are not pictured
Coupons Used:
Cottonelle - Free Q (received in mail last week)
Butterfinger - B1G1 Q
Ace Instant Cold Compress -$1.50 Q x 4 (each Q adjusted down to $1.29)
Advil - Free Q (received in mail last week)
Nivea - $1
Rite Aid $4 off $20
Rite Aid $1 Video Value Q

OOP 87¢ plus $1.02 tax = $1.89
Received $5 +UP Rewards (Nivea)

In the second transaction, I bought 10 bags of Halloween candy at $2.50 each. I used a $5 off $25 RA Q, $5 +UP from last week, 4 $1 Manufacturer Qs, and $1 RA Video Value Q.

OOP $10 plus 31¢ tax = $10.31
Received $10 +UP Reward (Candy)

Now I am ready to buy one of the Pillow Pets at $19.99. I used $4 off $20 RA Q, $10 +UP and $5 +UP (Nivea).

OOP 99¢ plus $1.24 tax = $2.23
Received $2 +UP Reward

My totals:
Retail $68.60
OOP $14.43
+UP Rewards $2

Of course, I could have just bought the Pillow Pet less $5 +UP Reward from last week and $4 off $20 RA Q, and paid $10.99 plus tax. But what fun would that have been. Besides I needed the candy for Halloween. Now I have to get creative and figure out a way to cheaply get another Pillow Pet!

Mission (Partially) Accomplished!!
**Pinch**

The Notebook

I bought a new notebook last week at Walgreens. And I use the word "bought" very loosely...it was on final clearance for $4.98 and I used a Register Reward. Anyway, Sleeping Beauty "bought" one a few days before and I liked her notebook so I copied her. I bought the tabs on sale at Office Depot for $1. The only thing I don't like is the tab sheet is clear. And my OCD is showing...yes, I typed the category labels! But I am so proud of my notebook. A stranger even complimented me on my notebook yesterday.

My notebook is metallic blue...Sleeping Beauty's is pink. I really like the pink better than the blue but I didn't want to be a two-time copy cat.

I am finished with this week's coupons. This morning I cut, trimmed and filed all my coupons. It took me less than an hour.

My book is so beautiful. I'm so proud. Is it abnormal to want to stare at it, touch it and admire it?!?

**Pinch**

I'm Having A Party

And I will be serving Chex Mix! And all of you are invited.
First, let me give you a little background. When Sleeping Beauty and I shopped at Harris Teeter during a recent Super Doubles Spectacular Coupon Event, I would buy Chex Mix as a filler for the General Mills deal. I bought lots of Chex Mix, so much Chex Mix that the last time I walked into Harris Teeter and saw the Chex Mix display I almost barfed! Between the Chex Mix and Hamburger Helper, I don't know which one makes more more nauseated...although the peeps in my house will actually eat the Chex Mix.

That fateful day that I almost wet my pants started out like any normal day. When I heard the doorbell, I looked out the window and saw that it was the UPS man. Great, I thought, Mr. Pinch's new work computer is here. So I go and get the box...but it's not for Mr. Pinch, it's for me. I looked at the box and it's a "Host Kit" from "My Get Together". I am beyond excited. I just know that I won the Star Wars House Party that I entered. Oh, Young Jedi Pinch is going to be soooo excited. I run into the house with my box. (Okay I didn't really run, but I did walk really, really fast!) I put the box on the table, thinking the whole time I WON...I WON. I'm so excited! I open the box...and I am stunned! I am just totally speechless.

Before I could even think, I pick up the phone and call Sleeping Beauty. Then it hits me how funny this is, and I start laughing. And I laughed and I laughed. You know the kind of laughter I'm talking about...the kind where you start snorting. Sleeping Beauty is on the phone not knowing if I'm laughing or crying...asking me if I'm okay, does she need to call 9-1-1. I am laughing so hard...I'm trying to talk but I can't. Finally she makes out the words "I Won". Then she repeats "Party". She repeats again "You won a party?" And I still can't talk because I'm laughing and trying not to wet my pants. Then she asks what kind of party..."Please don't tell me it's a Hamburger Helper party!" Then that makes me laugh even more. Finally I get the words out "CHEX MIX...I WON A CHEX MIX PARTY...WITH COUPONS!" That's right, I have MORE Chex Mix...assorted varieties...with 45 coupons...and a Chex Mix bowl...and paper plates...and napkins.

Then I start reading the letter, and Sleeping Beauty starts laughing. I am to invite 15 friends and give each friend 3 coupons each. Yes 3, not 2, not 4, but 3 each!

I don't want to seem ungrateful and I thank the General Mills company...but CHEX MIX!?! Do you know how many bags of Chex Mix I have? It seems that I filled out a long survey about how much I like Chex Mix. I don't remember doing that but apparently I did. I am supposed to have a party and serve Chex Mix. So if you come to my party, I am serving Chex Mix...and nothing else! And the first 15 guests will get 3 coupons.

Consider yourself lucky...I could be inviting you to a Hamburger Helper party. Yum Yum!

**Pinch**

I Love Freebies

Here are some of the freebies I have gotten over the past few weeks:

$2 Q for chicken, beef or produce from Wishbone
Nivea body lotion sample and $1 body lotion Q
Nivea body wash sample and $1 body wash Q
Q for free tub of Cottonelle flushable moist wipes
Q for free Advil tablets or liqui-gels
Good Earth dinner kit and 10 Qs for $1.25 off
Hand sanitizing spray pen from CVS (not pictured)
$5 Q from McAlister's Deli (not pictured)
$7.50 rebate check from Coors Light (not pictured)

But the freebie that made me laugh until I almost wet my pants was this one:

I'll post my Chex Mix story tonight. I promise!!

**Pinch**

In My Mailbox

Little Snack Dogs from Johnsonville and a postcard from CVS for a free Schick Hydro razor and shave gel. I don't know why I got the card from CVS but it is okay with me. Also, I have received a $10 gift card from the SCRs at Rite Aid.

Again I will say are we having FUN yet?

==Sleeping Beauty==

Office Depot Deals

Office Depot has a great deal on HP Office Paper...just $1 per pack. There is a limit of two packs per household and you must present your Worklife Rewards card. Click here for the coupon. This offer is good through Saturday, October 16. I bought two packs of paper this morning and I paid $2.16 (tax included).

Click here for two Qs...$10 off $20 purchase. One Q is good through Saturday, October 16 and the other is good through Saturday, November 20. This is a great time to stock up on printer ink (HP ink is excluded). These Qs can also be used at Staples.

**Pinch**

I Just Couldn't Resist...

...Buying some sale items at CVS! I stopped by CVS this morning to scan my card at the red magic machine. I was hoping for more candy corn. Call me greedy, but I love candy corn! As I was waiting for my not-worth-mentioning ECBs to print, I saw a yellow sign that read "90% off." I casually strolled over and started looking around. Okay, maybe I didn't casually stroll...I might have knocked an old lady or two down as I rushed to the sale table. I think they will be okay. (Just kidding!)

This is what I found...

Socks (each pack 6 pairs) - 69¢

Plastic tablecloths - 19¢

9¢ each
I ended up with:
5 packs tumblers (3 per pack)
4 lint rollers
4 party table covers
3 scratch pads
3 dish towels
3 plastic tablecloths
3 packs of ladies socks
2 packs of men's socks
2 packs of ruled tablets
1 mini tablet

All for $6 plus 47¢ tax = $6.47 and I didn't buy everything. I left some for other customers even though the cashier begged me to buy it all!

**Pinch**

Goodies At Harris Teeter

I bought a few things today at Harris Teeter
Eggs - 77¢ (weekly eVIC special)

These eVIC specials are targeted to select eVIC customers...check the bottom of your receipt for your eVIC specials. Most have a limit of one per VIC card.
Pepperidge Farms Goldfish - $1.49
Hunt's Canned Tomatoes - 79¢
Doritos - $1.99 (Limit 2)
Colgate Toothpaste - 99¢ minus 75¢ Q (doubled) = FREE
Kraft Shredded Cheese (B1G1) - $3.29/2 minus 75¢ Q (doubled) = $1.79/2 (Limit 2 Free)

These items are on sale through Tuesday:

Buy 5 for $8 (included items are Nabisco Triscuits or Wheat Thins, Planters Peanuts, Maxwell House Coffee, CapriSun, Velveeta Shells & Cheese, Kraft Dressing, Crystal Light Drink Mix and Kraft Squeeze Mayo). I bought:
Kraft Dressing minus 55¢ Q (doubled) (bought 3; had 3 Qs)
Planter Peanuts minus $1 Q (bought 2)
Final total for these five - $3.70. I wanted the Kraft Squeeze Mayo and apparently so did everybody else. All I saw was an empty shelf!

Heinz Ketchup - $1.67 minus 75¢ Q (doubled) = 17¢
Murphy Oil Soap - $2 minus 50¢ Q (doubled) = $1

**Pinch**

Free Candy

The CVS red magic machine is printing a 99¢ ECB for candy corn. Brach's candy corn (7.5 ounce) is on sale for 99¢. That means FREE CANDY. Now for the bad news...some CVS stores have already sold out of the Brach's candy corn. Since the ECB is only good for two days, make sure your CVS has the candy corn in stock before you print the ECB.

Another ECB for $1 off 2 M&M Mars fun size bags is also printing.

**Pinch**

Glad For Glade

Rite Aid had a sale on Glade products. Could I stay away? No, not me! The sale was 2 for $5. Hmmm, with my wonderful Qs in hand, it was so easy. I did have some B1G1s so that was fun.

For the 12 items pictured, my subtotal was $3.50 + tax $1.94 = $5.44. So I really paid for these items. Do you believe that? Of course not, remember I had my +UP rewards as stated in the another post so they had to go.

On this deal, I got back $6 in +UP rewards. Combining my two transactions at Rite Aid this week, I had a total of $6.07 that was due. I received a total of $10.68 in +UP rewards.

The receipts say total coupon savings were $26.50 + $28.25. That equals $54.75. At this moment I am not really sure if that is the amount of Qs added to the sales or just the Qs. I will have to figure that out and get back to you. Or maybe Ms. Pinch knows and will fill us in. The 12 Glade products not on sale add up to $41.88.

==Sleeping Beauty==

Happy Shopping At Rite Aid

I had left over +UP rewards from last week to spend. So here we go, this is so much fun!

I paid 63¢ OOP after Qs and +UP rewards. I got back a $2.69 +UP reward and a $1.99 +UP reward. I will be using the candy for the little trick or treaters, can't have to many razors, who doesn't use toothpaste, I needed the mascara, and the Nivea lip care will probably go in a Christmas stocking along with the Nivea that I got at Walgreens for free.

Happy Shopping for sure!

==Sleeping Beauty==

Target Trippin' Part 2

You know about the Q for the Mohawk rugs at Target. So I just had to purchase another one. Did I say purchase??? Silly me. Okay, this is the low down on this one.

Huggies refill baby wipes $4.34
Mohawk rug clearance $7.48
Total on this transaction $11.82

Minus 50¢ MQ on the wipes
Minus $1.50 Target Q on the wipes
Minus $10.00 on the rug

I paid 4 CENTS!

Don't ask me about the math. I only shop at Target. I don't know how the register comes up with the amounts...and I will not complain. It took off my Qs. And I don't think 4¢ is a bad deal for baby wipes and a rug. Excuse me, I should say another rug.

==Sleeping Beauty==

Target Trippin'

I was lucky enough to be able to print a Target Q for $10 off any Mohawk rug. Then I was lucky enough for our Target to have these rugs on clearance. Hmm, seems everything was lining up for a change. I guess I left out the part about the rugs being $7.48 for a 4 x 6 foot, not a bad price and with the Q it gets even better. Not knowing if they would take the entire $10 off or adjust the Q down, I was prepared.

Bottom line:
Loaf of bread $1.29
Chapstick clearance 82¢
One Mohawk rug $7.48
Minus 50¢ Q for the bread

Those items come to $9.09
Balance due by me = ZERO

That's right I paid nothing, nada, zip.

I needed the bread. My youngest daughter just asked if I had any chapstick in my stash. And I don't have a clue what I will do with the rug, but I am sure I will find a place!

==Sleeping Beauty==

Save Lids To Save Lives

The kindergarten classes at Princess Pinch's school are collecting pink lids from participating Yoplait products. For every pink lid sent in by December 31st, Yoplait will donate 10¢ to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The participating Yoplait products are Original, Light, Thick & Creamy, Light Thick & Creamy, Whips, Four-Pack, Delights, Greek, and Yoplus.

Click here for more information about the Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives promotion. I will be collecting lids to send to Princess Pinch's class. Email me at qponswithclass@aol.com if you want to donate your pink lids.

I bought some Yoplait today at the grocery store. The store was out of my favorite...Strawberry Cheesecake. I bought Red Velvet Cake, which I have never tried. I'll let you know if it is good. And, of course, I used coupons. There are coupons for all the participating products...check your newspaper inserts or print some from the internet coupon sites.

On a personal note, my mother is a 15-year breast cancer survivor. I have a cousin and two aunts who are fighting breast cancer. Recently, my 28-year-old daughter found a lump in her breast. Thankfully, the lump was benign. I encourage each and every one of you to do a monthly breast exam.

**Pinch**

All You Magazine

All You magazine has a little bit of everything...fashion tips, makeup tips, nutrition, fitness, relationships, family, etc. But the best thing about this magazine is the coupons. Many of these coupons are high-value and exclusive to the magazine. In the October 2010 issue, there are over $80 in coupons. All You is sold only at Walmart. And since I rarely go to Walmart to buy this magazine, I don't get these coupons and I miss out on some very good deals.

Now for my shameless plug...the school that Young Jedi and Princess Pinch attend is having a fundraiser and All You magazine is one of the featured items. If anyone is interested in subscribing to this magazine, the fundraiser price is much cheaper per issue than buying it at Walmart.

8 issues - $10
18 issues - $20

If you are interested in subscribing, email me at qponswithclass@aol.com and I will be touch. Please don't leave your personal information in a comment to this post. Thanks for allowing me to shamelessly plug a school fundraiser!

**Pinch**

Trying It Twice

I stopped by CVS this morning after I took the Little Pinches to school. The red magic machine popped out more $5 Halloween ECBs. Wow, CVS has given these wonderful ECBs twice in one week. (I got three $5 ECBs...I have my card, Mr. Pinch's card, and my daughter's card.)

In the first transaction I bought two pairs of socks ($2.50 each). I owed nothing...no tax! In the second transaction I bought the "Beware" and "Boo To You" table decor signs. These were $2.99 each or $2.50 each when you buy two. Again, I owed nothing...no tax! In the third transaction I bought the Trick or Treat bowl ($2.99) and two pumpkin drinking cups (99¢ each). That totals $4.97 and the ECB is $5...and I owed 39¢ tax. I'm not complaining, but that just seems strange to me that I would owe tax just on that one when the total was below the value of the ECB.

If you have already gotten one $5 Halloween ECB, go back to CVS and see if you are lucky enough to get another one. I am going to check back in a couple of days and see if I get more. I hope CVS does again with the Christmas decorations...like I need more Christmas junk!

**Pinch**

"Run, Forrest! Run!"

Run, Forrest! Run to CVS! If your name is not Forrest, you can drive to CVS. The red magic machine is spitting out a $5 ECB for any Halloween costume, decor or accessory. I got an ECB on my card, my husband's card and my daughter's card.

The first transaction I got two tablecloths...one black and one orange...$2.99 each or 2/$5. Total due - ZERO. The second transaction I got a pumpkin decorating set ($4.99). Total due - ZERO. The third transaction I got three Skull goblets...$2.49 each or $2 each if you buy 2 or more. I also used a $1 ECB in addition to the $5 Halloween ECB. Total due - 8¢. (By the way, drinks are not included with the Skull goblets...just in case you were wondering!)

The red magic machine is also regurgitating the quarterly ECBs. My quarterly ECB was $1...I don't spend a lot of money at CVS even though I am there at least once a week.

Other ECBs are also being vomited from the magic machine: $1 off 2 Aussie or Herbal Essences hair care items, $2 off 2 Lysol wipes, $2 off Secret Clinical or Old Spice Clinical deodorant, and $1 off any Dove hair care product. These ECBs and the Halloween ECB expire the day after they are printed. They can be used with manufacturer Qs, so have your plans ready when you go shopping.

Forrest said life is like a box of chocolates. And if an ECB would have printed for chocolates, I would have bought some. And that's all I have to say about that.

**Pinch**