Cool Mommy Product Reviews

Walmart, in response to the economy and the need for shoppers to find deals, has recently expanded a favorite program to include a whopping 100 toys for only 10 bucks each.

If you remember, one of their great shopping deals last year that fared well with buyers was its $10 toy line. In 2008, they featured only ten toys at the ten buck price. This year, you’ll find even more games, learning and classic toys to pluck off the shelves at a mere ten bucks- with a hundred to choose from, the age range has expanded as well as the possibilities. For the next eight weeks, sink your discount teeth into a big selection at little cost.

You’ll also find Walmart will honor their price guarantee to meet or beat competitors prices if you find the same item for less elsewhere-even on these hundred ten buck items.

When you look online, however, under “ten dollar toys” the selection is limited to a disappointing quantity of 30. But when you start going through each toy section (i.e. games, puzzles, etc) you’ll find plenty that say, “rollback” and are ten or less. (Hint: search for items from the dropdown menu, under “price, lowest to highest” and you have an easier time spotting the ten buck toys). These prices are in effect now and end after Christmas.

I’m guessing the selection in store is easier to find then online, but I’m not a lover of shopping onsite, as I always struggle to not spend more.

Here are a few highlights: 

• New Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Action Figures
• Barbie Cut and Style Rapunzel doll
• Games such as Connect 4, Battleship, Monopoly, Trouble and Jenga
• Vtech Explore and Learn Helicopter
• Tonka Light and Sound vehicle assortment (firetruck, dumptruck, etc.)
• New Littlest Pet Shop Online Animals (virtual pet) or Littlest Pet Shop Playpack sets
• Clean-Up Pup Barbie Play Set and Mermaid Splash & Style Barbie
• New Play-Doh Burger Builder Set
• New Garanimals line Bath Boat (with squirter) and ABC 50 wood blocks kit
• Hot Wheels Trick Track
• LEGO Bionicle Legends set
• New Nerf-N-Force Sword
• My Little Pony So Soft Newborn
• Little Dreams Interactive Baby Doll

Introduction

1. Get Your Green Card. If you haven’t heard, CVS has launched their earth friendly Green Bag Tag program on October 11^th. It’s not been as highly publicized as I expected, therefore many folks don’t know about it yet. Buy the Green Bag Tag card (ask at the register) for $.99 and get a reusable bag and tag to bring into CVS. Have cashier scan your Green Bag tag each visit. Every fourth visit, you’ll get an extra $1.00 printed out in Extra Care Bucks. You’ll need to bring a reusable cloth bag in (either theirs or one of your own) to put merchandise in to qualify. Have too many items to fit? It’s still ok as long as you use your reusable bag for some of the items. If you go to CVS twice a week, you’ll rack in an extra $24 a year. Suggestion- leave a reusable bag in the car for last minute stops to CVS and keep the card on your key chain to not miss out on points.
2. Build a Bear: Get this offer printed out, for $5 off a ten dollar Build a Bear. These make great gifts for everyone from college kids to adults and teeny kiddos. Think of it as a Christmas gift for $5! Whoot! (There are four really cute 15” bears to choose from and clothing is extra, btw).
3. Barnes & Noble- Nothing says “fall” more than a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Get a small cookie and Kids-sized hot chocolate in the Barnes and Noble café by printing out this coupon. NOTE – OFFER ONLY GOOD OCTOBER 24^TH! Print one for each member of the family, no purchase necessary!
4. Get Healthy-While supplies last, sign up for a free sample of Nature Valley Granola Bars and New Nut Clusters. (These go quickly so act fast).
5. Fight the Flu With a Friend- Get a free sample for yourself and a friend of Emergen-C and enjoy a free flu fighter!  
6. Print the NEW Staples Coupon- 10 % off an item in the Staples store, (some exceptions apply) begins 10/25-10/31. Also, check for reward certificates from printer cartridge recycling while you’re at it!

Introduction

Today CVS sent out a blanket email to many of their Extra Care customers. Be sure to check your email in case your server spammed this special offer. Just print and take offer into CVS for either a free 4 pack of store brand toothbrushes or any Simply Divine bar of chocolate! Sweet savings from CVS Rewards! No purchase necessary. Hurry as this offer expires 10/25.

Don’t forget the coupons also included with the email. You’ll find three “in store” coupons from CVS to print out. Remember  CVS lets you stack one store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon, so you’ll really save on these items. If you don’t have an extra coupon to stack with these, either Google one or check with SmartSource.com or RedPlum.com.  The three coupons are for $1 off Baked Lays, $ 2 off Spray and Wash, or $ 1 off Nature Made Vitamin D.

If you aren’t a member of CVS online, you’ll need to create a profile and attach your Extra Care Card to recieve these offers. Periodically, CVS sends these free without a purchase emails out as an added perk to members. Don’t miss out by not tying your card to CVS’s online site! Also, every quarter you can print out your Rewards certificate, which is at least 2% of purchases each quarter. Don’t miss out on special deals and coupons! Get in on the online extras from the Extra Care program today!

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$1.99 Value   Expiration Date: 10/25/09 Leanne, Print this coupon to use at any CVS/pharmacy store and choose your FREE GIFT! Pick up one of these items, present it at checkout and get it FREE with your ExtraCare card!* CVS/pharmacy Brand Disposable Toothbrushes 4-pack Any single Absolutely Divine Chocolate Bar Limit one per customer. Offer valid only for intended recipient. Cashier please scan bar code or enter coupon code: Valid thru: 10/25/09 Scan the barcode. If unable to scan, select “Sales” tab, then select “Item #”. Key in all coupon digits and press “Enter”. *Maximum $1.99 value. Valid in-store only. Your ExtraCare card must be presented to receive these savings. This coupon excludes alcohol, gift cards, lottery, money orders, prescriptions, postage stamps, pre-paid cards and tobacco products. Tax charged on pre-coupon price where required. No cash back.CVS/pharmacy will not accept offers printed from unauthorized internet postings or reproductions, copies, or facsimiles of this offer. This coupon is the copyrighted property of CVS; it is intended for use by ExtraCare cardholders who subscribe to the CVS email program and have received this message directly from CVS/pharmacy. CVS/pharmacy reserves the right to reject any coupon presented by parties outside of the original distribution list. Original coupon must be relinquished at the time of purchase. Coupon is void if copied, transferred and where prohibited by law.Please note: All images may not print in your internet browser. Just print the coupon in black and white or color, and bring it to the store as is.

Introduction

Someone asked me the other day where I find coupons, as I plopped down forty of them on a sizeable order. (I had in fact, no items without coupons and many had double or stacked coupons from the retailer and the manufacturer).

There are many ways to find great coupons. Once you get in the habit and find a few good sources, you’ll spend less time hunting for them and will save more time as well as cash.

Here are my top spots to find coupons:

1. Sunday paper inserts:About every four weeks, a special flyer comes out from Proctor and Gamble (P & G Brandsaver) which has coupons for Tide, Bounce, Downy and Covergirl cosmetics, along with a host of other P & G coupons. Most weeks though, you’ll find RedPlum and SmartSource inserts. Pick the biggest paper you can for the most coupons.
2. Online: SmartSource and RedPlum have their own websites, where you can print and download coupons in addition to your paper. Often these are worth more than the ones in the papers. A few times they are equal or a bit less. You’ll have to compare, but it is always worth checking out. For example, recently SmartSource.com had a coupon for $1.10 off 3 Progresso Soups, (the one in Sunday paper was only $.50 off 2 Progresso Soups).
3. Other Online Sites: Coupon Surfer.com and Coupon.com are great sites for coupons. Stay away from sites that want you to pay. There are plenty of free spots to find these items.
4. Retail Displays: If you go to your local K-Mart or Walgreens, you’ll often find coupons near the hair care, body wash or lotion, or make-up. Pay attention to new makeup displays, as these often (especially Maybelline) have pads of coupons nearby. Make a point to check every time you go to a retailer.
5. Retailer Flyers: K-Mart often has coupons in their Sunday paper flyer, which don’t always have the K-Mart logo or are exclusionary in their use.  Read these carefully, as many times you can clip these and use in other retail sites. Others such as Walgreens, have coupons to clip and use only in their store. Watch for these, as many times when coupled with a manufacturer’s coupon you’ll get an item for free or nearly so.
6. Products: Quaker oatmeal coupons are hard to come by, which is why I was thrilled at the Dollar General store yesterday to buy two boxes of instant oatmeal with $4.00 of coupons inside. Always look at products that say, “Free coupons inside”. Sometimes you have to dig to the back of the shelf for these, but make a habit to check for them on all products you purchase.
7. Manufacturers: Often the best way to find a coupon is right from the horse’s mouth. Campbells.com, has a coupon worth a dollar off two cooking soups on their site currently. The ones recently in the Sunday paper were a $.25 off two. If you have a favorite product, try going to their site and look under, “promotions” or “coupons”. 
8.  Wal-Mart: Frequently at Wal-Mart.com, you’ll find coupons or free samples. Worth checking out, although there is a limit to how many you can claim in a given amount of time and they don’t change these often.
9.  Snail Mail: Write to the manufacturer and ask for coupons or samples. I received samples and coupons from the Luna Bar company this way. Chapstick has sent samples and coupons to folks who took the time to write a nice letter.
10. Google Search: When in doubt, you can try entering, “coupon for x product” and see what comes up. Since I make it my quest to not buy anything except meat and produce without a coupon, I use this process frequently. You’ll be pleasantly surprised what you’ll find.
11. Magazines: It doesn’t pay to buy a ton of newspapers and magazines if you spend more than you’ll use in the way of coupons, but there are some magazines worth trying out. One is “All You” magazine.  Find this at Wal-Mart or other sites. Often you’ll find coupons for savings off the purchase price of the magazine in Sunday paper inserts. It does save to buy a subscription; most are around $12.00 a year. A deal, since each magazine has about $10 worth of coupons.
12. Recycling: Don’t think me crazy, but I do go to the recycling area and scavenge from time to time. Our local Boy Scouts have a newspaper drop off. They are kind enough to let me forage people’s newspapers for coupons. A lot of times, whole bundles of unsold newspapers are brought here, untouched. The extras I drop off at the Senior Center for clients to use.
13. Network: Team up with a coupon buddy and swap coupons at church, play groups or other spots savvy moms hang out.
14. Ask the Retailer: Before you buy a product, ask the store clerk if there is a coupon. Walgreens and CVS are used to people purchasing with a coupon and will frequently assist with this.
15. Load Your Kroger Card: Proctor and Gamble have a link with Kroger, to load coupons directly to your Kroger card. You honestly won’t find super deals on these coupons, (most are $.25 or $.50) BUT you can stack them with other manufacturer’s coupons and savings do add up. Simply attach your Kroger card to the coupons and print an eco-friendly  list of coupons on your card. Reload monthly.

Introduction

If you’re anything like me, fall is busy. There are kids to prep for school and get out the door every day, chores, work and a mountain of items that need to be done. Welcome to the world of motherhood! Here is an easy recipe that satisfies the heartiest of appetites and is both decorative and easy to make! Prepare and serve stew right in a hollowed out pumpkin-perfect for fall meals.

You might just be super mom after all, but you definitely will earn some creative points for serving this dish. Even my pickiest of eaters enjoy Harvest Pumpkin Stew and it looks wonderful for a potluck, church supper or even a company dinner. (Dare I add, “It’s cheap to make, too?). Serve this as centerpiece with fall leaves on a plate below or surround it with small gourds, red grapes and walnuts. It’s beautiful food to eat and enjoy!

 

 Photo credit- http://www.flickr.com/photos/teo/1314249/

Harvest Pumpkin Stew

 

 INGREDIENTS

• 2.5 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 cup water
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 5 carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules
• 1 5-6 pound pumpkin

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add celery, garlic and onions and sauté for two minutes. Place beef in the saucepan and cook until evenly brown. Mix in the water, potatoes, carrots and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer approximately 2 hours.
2. Dissolve the bouillon into the beef mixture.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees .
4. Cut top off the pumpkin and remove seeds and pulp. Place the pumpkin in a heavy baking pan. Fill the pumpkin with the beef mixture. Brush outside of the pumpkin with remaining oil.
5. Bake in the preheated oven 2 hours, or until tender. Serve the stew from the pumpkin, scraping out some of the pumpkin meat with each serving.

Introduction

Remember yesterday when I said I wasn’t too impressed with the sales this week at CVS? Ok. I stand corrected. Dare I say that even on a “low day” CVS still is an amazing store? And by the way, the store is always super helpful, too! One tip not to forget, is to always ask for a raincheck if they are out of an advertised product. I got one today for Trident Layers ( if you can find them, they’re advertised this week for $.99)

Here is what I did to spend virtually nothing and get some great buys:

1 GM Cinnamon Toast Crunch

1 GM Honey Nut Cheerios 2/$5 Used 1/.55 printable coupon for each ( coupon surfer.net)

1 Gallon 2% Milk @ $2.00

Received $3.00 Extra Care Bucks

Total Spent (cash out of pocket) $5.95

After ECB’s $2.95

 

1 Glade Fragrance Collection Candle $6.99

Used $3.00 coupon from 9/22 (also available in 10/4) Smart Source Insert

Total Spent (cash out of pocket) $3.99

Received $6.99 Extra Care Bucks

After ECB’s item FREE plus $3.99 extra!

 

1 Nestle 24 pk Pure Life Bottled Water $ 4.49

Received $1.00 Extra Care Bucks

After ECB’s $3.49

 

Total Spent: $16.32

Total ECB’s received: $10.99

 

Used $10.99 ECB’s toward this 2^nd purchase:

 

4 Progresso Soups (buy one get one free)- with 1 printable $1.10 coupon off 3 (coupon surfer.net)

Total Spent- $5.10

 

2 Act II Microwave Popcorn (buy one get one free) – with 1 coupon $.40 from 9/22 insert

Total Spent-$2.09

 

2  Sobe ( buy one, get one free) – with 2/$.25 printable coupons (coupon surfer.net)

Total Spent- $1.29

 

1 Garnier Nutritioniste Eye Roller  $12.99 – (NOTE:  SEVERAL  PACKAGES HAVE ADDED SAMPLES ATTACHED, TRY TO GET ONE OF THESE! IT’S LIKE GETTING THREE PRODUCTS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE) – Use $1.00 coupon on display at retailers. (I got mine last week from K-Mart)

Buy one Garnier Nutristioniste Skin care product, get a Nutri-Pore scrub, gel cleanser or 25ct towelettes. (Retail $5.99 Free with purchase)

Total Spent- $11.99 (for $19.00 worth of products, plus 2.oz moisturizer free sample)

 

1 Herbal Essence Conditioner – Sale- $3.00 – use P & G Brand Saver Coupon to get a Free Styler (Saved $4.49)

Total Spent $3.00

 

1 Aussie Conditioner –Sale- $3.00 – use  1/$1.00  P & G Brand Saver Coupon

Total Spent $2.00

 

2 Fruictopia All in One Shampoo and Conditioner (they have double packs for $5.00)

-used CVS printed coupon from register Buy One-Get One Free

Total Spent $5.00 (for 4 products)

 

Total Before Discounts, Coupons and Free Products-$63.85

 

Now see why everyone loves CVS so much- Watch the savings!!!

 

Use Printed $5.00 off CVS flu shot quiz (easy- it’s only 5 questions)

 

After manufacturer’s coupons,$5 off CVS flu coupon and  buy one –get one free product reductions total is :$27.44

Use the Extra Care Bucks from earlier order to take $10.99 off.

End Out of Pocket is: $16.46 (with tax)

 

In todays cash out of pocket- a total between both orders- of $36.78

You’ve Received Over $93.00 Worth of Products!

 

Note: CVS Flu Coupon will only work on a $25.00 or more order, so be sure to give that coupon first, before all the free products or it can’t be used!

 

Introduction

I’m not impressed with CVS this week. Even though there’s several “free” items, the buy one get one free deals aren’t sporting many (if any Extra Care Bucks). However, there are a few deals worth opting for at CVS:

All General Mills Cereal or Cereal bars- buy 2/$5 and a gallon of 2% Milk for their usual $1.99- get $3.00 in ECB’s.

Total Spent w/o coupons- $7.00

 ECB’s $3.00

Total $4.00 for two cereals/bars and a gallon of milk.

 Here’s a way to improve that deal:

 Use 2/$1.00 coupons from Smart Source 10/11 or 9/22 for each cereal or box of bars.

Drop your out of pocket cash down to $5.00, for all three items and get $3.00 ECB’s back. You’ve spent $2 to get milk and cereal!

 Trident Layers Gum Sale $.99

Use coupon from 10/11 Red Plum insert

Get one pack Trident Layers $.49 with coupon

 

However- once again- this month- Walgreens has some fabulous deals!

14ct Crest White Strips (advanced)

Use $10 off coupon on a from 10/11 P & G BrandSaver.

Along with their sale price $19.99

Spend $9.99, get $5.00 back in Register Rewards!

 

Now use Register Rewards like cash to buy the following in a separate purchase:

 Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System: Sale $8.99

Use $4.00 off coupon from P & G Brand Saver (October’s big addition)

Pay $4.99 with Register Rewards from above or with cash.

Receive $6.00 in Register Rewards.

 

Pert Plus Shampoo Plus Conditioner

Buy 2/$5 on sale

Use 2/$1 off coupons from 10/18 Smart Source Insert

Spend $3.00 out of pocket

Receive $2.00 Register Rewards

 

Total out of pocket- $23.00 -For 2 Pert Shampoo/Conditioner, 1 gallon milk, 2 boxes General Mills Cereal, 1 Gillette Fusion Razor, 14 ct Crest White Strips and one trident layers gum.

OR Use Register Rewards and Re-cycle these to buy other items-drop out of pocket down to $12.50! You’ll have $3 Extra Care Bucks and $5 Register Rewards left over from purchases toward next week’s deals!  If you’re super lucky to have Register Rewards left over from previous purchases, you might avoid spending any cash at all and still recieve Rewards for next week!

 

Introduction

Got that fall drab feeling? Here’s a cure! Kohl’s is having a three day massive store-wide sale, kicking off this evening and continuing through the weekend, guaranteed to make you smile!

Take a gander at the online events or saunter into your local Kohl’s for savings galore. Find many top brand name clothing items 50% off, or pick up jeans at deal prices for the whole family.

For the best buys, shop early bird sales beginning 3-11p.m. tonight or from 7 a.m. Saturday, October 17^th.

Accessories –scarves, socks, hats, belts all @ 50% off prices!

If you don’t pick up anything except one purchase, aim for the accessories, as these little bits of fashion are costly when you buy at less than half off. Years ago, it used to be big ticket items racked up the dough in the way of buying. However, retailers got wise to better ways to sneak spending in by lowering the price of big ticket items, like coats, bags, etc while raising the prices slightly of accessories.

Statistically, you’re more likely to buy a coat and all the extras if you feel you’ve scored a deal on the larger item. Studies have shown by retailers using this practice, the average shopper spends 20-25% more. Somehow shoppers feel validated by saving on one item-enough to buy more and spend far more than they budgeted.

This means you should do two things:

1. Watch your budget when buying large ticket items on sale. Don’t expect to get a deal on a big ticket item and all the trimmings in the same store. Content yourself with buying one item at a great price for the day if necessary.
2. Find and buy accessories ONLY when on sale: In other words, it might take two shopping trips to get the whole ensemble and stay within your budget.

Enjoy your shopping at Kohl’s this weekend, and keep these tips in mind to stay budget conscious while deal shopping!

Introduction

Got the fall blues? If it’s cold and dreary in your part of the world, warm things up a bit with a touch of autumn fashion from dELia’s . Now on sale with a 20% reduction in price, you’ll find Peacoats and Thinsulate fashions that offer clean, bright, lines with plenty of style.

 Or try jeans from dELia’s, at terrific, buy one, get one half off deals! Choose from plenty of washes and cuts to make your “fall into fashion” super affordable. Opt for distressed, skinny, boot cut or flare- all at great savings to fit any budget or frame! (We actually like dELia’s because the fit is true to measurement and the frequent sales bring cost down to realist budget girl prices).

Here’s a HOT tip from Cool Mommy, Use offer code: DXPW25 to get FREE shipping on orders over $25 and you’ll feel in love with autumn all over again! (If you look at the website, the offer is free shipping on orders over $75 using code: DXP.)  Instead use DXPW25 for super shipping deal!

Hurry- this sale ends October 19^th!

While you’re there, take advantage of the email newsletter sign up (bottom of page) to get updates on newest clothing sales, merchandise and hottest dELia’s deals. (This is how I got, incidentally, the special shipping code!)

My Cool Mommy Rule of Thumb: ALWAYS sign up for newsletter’s from sites! You really do get great deals, typically and special offers!  

dELia’s has another item worth partaking of, given the upcoming holidays on their site. It’s a free subscription being offered to Teen Vogue, with a purchase of $75 or more.

You have a great opportunity to pick up a side Christmas gift on the cheap for a daughter, niece or friend. Unlike other magazine offers that turn out to be nothing but sales pitches, this one’s on the up and up. You don’t have tons of pages to fill out and click endlessly just to get the magazine! And if you change your mind, simply send in this form and get $8 back (the value of the magazine).

Next week, I’m doing a spot on what you can get from newsletter sign-ups, the best deals via sign ups and freebies from being a member at retailers. You won’t want to miss it, with the holiday season approaching! You’ll save big time from this often overlooked approach!

Introduction

 Earlier this week, I gave a Staples 101 on the “why’s and how to’s” of having a membership. Today, I’d like to post on a few tips and strategies on using Staples to the best advantage.

1. Frequently check your online account. Look to be certain all your purchases are recorded so your rewards are properly credited. This is especially important at the close of a quarter. You don’t want to wait another three months to get your savings, do you?
2. Keep your Staples receipts in a safe place. Important due to above reason and also for tax purposes. Office supplies can count toward tax credits. New changes in tax laws will allow you to deduct ink, paper, computer, printer expense for college students. See your tax advisor for details.
3. Check email that’s tied to your Staples account for extra reward offers. Recently, Staples sent an email offering a $5 coupon for savings on flu prevention products. You’ll also find alerts on extra points and sales in these emails.
4. Watch your credits. You need to earn $10 each quarter (which means purchasing $100 plus dollars a quarter @ 10 percent rewards) to obtain a rewards certificate. If you are under by a few dollars and in need of some item, it’s best to buy before the close of a quarter.
5. Make a purchase and forgot to use your Rewards card? That’s ok. You can take your receipt and enter it in online. Go to membership spot. Select, “Customer Service” tab, then “Add a Receipt”.
6. Have a problem or question? Staples really does seem to respond to queries in a fair amount of time. Email them or call 1-877-878-3331. The site promises an email response in 3-5 business days. But in my personal experience, Staples always responds quicker than advertised with an answer or a follow up.

On another note here’s a sale not to miss.  For those that say, “there’s nothing free in this world”- think again! Below you’ll see the receipt from the Walgreens sale I posted on earlier. Not only did I get my items free, I also gained money by purchasing! If you’ve not partaken of the sale this week at Walgreens, get out and take advantage of the deals before Saturday 10/10 at Midnight.

 You’ll see that I bought:

Gillette Fusion MVP razor on sale for $8.99

Used a $4.00 off coupon (from the P & G Saver in 9/27 Sunday paper insert)

 Trident Layers Gum on sale 2/$2

Used two $.75 off coupons (available online from Trident site)

 Paid $6.68

Received back $7.00 in Walgreens Register Rewards to be used like cash on future purchases.

Introduction