Great Target Printable Coupon! - Save on sleepwear!

After Jett comes, I'll be home getting used to my role as mom. While doing so, I'm expecting to have family drop by here and there and I want to look (somewhat!) put together.

I honestly don't plan to get dressed up and makeup isn't even in the question (I don't even bother with that now) but my tops do need to be as neat as they are comfortable.

Target has printable coupons available and the one that has come in handy is the 10 dollars off three sleepwear items. Last I checked this coupon was available and did not expire till near Christmas. Head over to this link and let me know if you find it. I was able to print it off twice. One was to share but my sister found nothing she liked so I was able to get double the sleepwear for an incredible price. I got all this for a little over 7 dollars by shopping the sleepwear clearance rack.

I got three no sleeved tanks that should be easy to nurse in if needed. Two long sleeve tops cause it will be a little chilly in February and a pair of shorts cause I wanted a pair of shorts for now. Not my usual colors of black, blue or purple but they look neat enough to wear when company comes around.

More Postpartum Prep

In today's P&G coupon insert (11/28), there is a coupon for Dawn Hand Renewal soap. 50 cents off one. At CVS, they are having an 88 cent sale on Dawn dish soap starting today and ending next Saturday. With the coupon, you could stock up on 38 cent soap!

If you have any CVS extra care bucks, this could be a really great deal. I had one extra care buck, two coupons that I wanted to use for the dish soap and also a coupon for .50 off 1 Suave deodorant which is also on sale for 89 cents.

This is what my deal looked like.

Two Dawn Hand Renewals 1.76
Used 2 .50/1 coupons
Came out to: .76

One Suave deodorant bar 89 cents
Used one .50/1 coupon
Came out to: .39

Used 1 extra care buck taking the total down to 15 cents. Tax was 2 cents and so I paid 17 cents out of pocket. Unfortunately I don't have anymore extra care bucks but using my bag tag will bring in more.

If you aren't aware, CVS not only has extra care bucks that you earn from making specific purchases, they also have an easy way to earn more bucks. Its called a green bag tag and you can purchase one at CVS. When you shop, make sure to get them to scan it along with your CVS card and every fourth purchase you make, you'll earn another buck. Easy!

These two containers of soap are the last bit that I need in order to have us hopefully stocked up for the next year. I have 6 regular Dawn soaps, three hand renewals, two Seventh Generation soaps, and on top of that, two containers of dishwasher liquid. I think we are finally caught up on that end!

Toys R Us Board Game Rebate

Christmas is less than a month away and if you're looking for a gift for a youngster, Toys R Us might have a good one in stock.

My charge will be three next year and for Christmas this year, I've decided to get her a board game. I haven't decided on which one but I have decided to head to Toys R Us. In yesterday's sales paper, they showed select Hasbro board games for 4.99 which is a great price. To make it even better, the games come with a 2.00 mail in rebate, making each game 2.99!

The 4.99 sale lasts through December 4th but the rebate applies to games purchased through December 31st. Rebate requests must be postmarked by 1/15/11 and received by 1/31/11. You must include the original receipt and the rebate form found in stores.

Home Birth Prep: Undergarments

This is not just a tip for homebirthing mamas, this is for anyone who is going to be giving birth. I just included a pack of these in my homebirth kit.

My midwife and many women I've found on forums and message boards recommend using Depends after the birth. It's said to be a little easier to deal with.They aren't attractive but I think that will be the last thing on our minds when it comes to giving birth and the few days as a mom.

Walgreens, starting tomorrow, will have Tena-Serenity pads (30-42 count) and undergarments (16-18 count) on sale. The sale is a buy one get one free sale. The free item must be the same price. A pack of pads start at 12.49. The undergarments of this count are not listed online. Either way, its a good deal to pick up!

The Tena site doesn't have printable coupons (I'll be keeping my eye out elsewhere) but you can find out more about the products here.
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I mentioned in this post, the Welch's sparkling juice coupon (2.00/2) and how it will definitely come in handy. Turns out, it will definitely come in handy this week.

 The Walgreens coupon booklet, available at the entrance near the sales paper, also has a coupon for 1.00/2 Sparkling Grape Juices. As mentioned previously, Walgreens coupons can be combined with manufacturer coupons making this an even better deal.

The current price is 2 for 6. With both coupons, the price is now 2 for 3.00 or 1.50 each!! Much better than any deals I've seen so far.

In case you don't remember my plan and why I'm including it in my birth kit, I am planning to use at least one bottle to celebrate Jett's birth. I like the idea of it :)

Sunday Coupon Preview

In this little section, I plan to just let you know which coupons are in the Sunday paper. These coupons will be either for diapers, wipes or items that a mom may need in caring for herself and her family.

I like to pick up the early Sunday edition on Saturdays just in case a new coupon will work with the last week's deals. In that case, you'll have the day (or at least half of it) to run out and get what you need before Sunday brings a new deal.

In this Sunday's paper (11/28) the only coupon insert is the P&G brand Saver. This insert has coupons that will expire on 12/31/10 so you have time if you want to hold onto them. There are coupons for toothbrushes, tooth paste, diapers, wipes and pull-ups in this one.

1.00/1 pack of Luvs Diapers
1.00/1 Pampers diapers or pants
Buy one Pampers diaper box and get one Pampers ThickCare Wipes 72 count pack free
1.50/1 UnderJams Night Wear or Pampers Easy Ups
1.00/2 Oral-B Stages, Zooth, or Kid's Crest manual or power toothbrushes
1.00/2 Oral-B Stages, Zooth, or Kid's Crest Toothpaste

Old Navy also has an insert in Sunday's paper that has a 30% off any single item (excluding performance fleece tops), coupon. It doesn't mention that this cannot be used on sale items. It does say that it must be used in stores though. It expires December 4.

Walgreens will have the Kids Crest manual toothbrush and tooth paste items for 1.99 starting tomorrow. With the coupon (1.00/2), the items will be 2.98 total or 1.49 each when you buy two.

Walgreens will also have Pampers jumbo pack diapers for 7.99. With the 1.00/1 coupon, you'll pay 6.99 and get 1.00 back to spend on your next purchase at Walgreens.


If I find any sales that match up to more of  these coupons, I'll be sure to post them!

Birth Prep: Pedialyte

On the list for homebirth prep, my midwife has included 2 bottles of Pedialyte (1 plain) for first time moms to be.

At Walgreens, they have a coupon booklet (found at the entrance right near the sales paper) and inside it is a 50. cents off coupon for Pedialyte. To go with, Pedialyte.com has a printable coupon for 1.50 off.

Current prices for Pedialyte at Walgreens is 5.99 but with the coupons, the Pedialyte is the very same price as the Walgreens brand of 3.99.

The way Walgreens coupons work, is that the Walgreens coupon will scan for both items you buy so you'll need only one of those and two of the printable Pedialyte coupons. I'll be using this deal soon so I'll let you know how it works out. This will help to cross off two items from the birth prep list!

Thrifty Mom to Be Tip

I am expecting my first child in late February and like many growing mamas, my pants don't really fit anymore. Well to be honest, they haven't fit in a very long while (I've been in maternity pants for quite some time!). I was told that belly bands, the slim bands that you put over waistband of your pants not only to keep them up but also to cover any space that may be between your shirt and your pants, are a really good idea. I've even been told to stock up on them.

Well, I'm not really one to pay full price for something that I feel I can make for myself and so I decided to make my own bands. Do I think they compare to the bands out there? I honestly don't know. I've yet to pay for one! How do you make a belly band? Easily. This is how I made mine:

I had several old solid colored t-shirts that I can no longer fit and didn't mind cutting up. These shirts were fitted and so they work the best. I cut each shirt from one arm pit to the other leaving, yep, a solid band of fabric. You can hem the top of it if you want or if you're like me you can fold it in half and wear it that way! The bottom is already hemmed and ready to go and once you slip it on, so are you!

Since I made mine a little while ago, I'll try to find pictures of the process or I may make another (I still need to wear them!) so you can have step by step pictures but here is an after shot that I took a month ago.

It's not the greatest after shot but the blue band is what used to be the t-shirt but is now the belly band. Great, right? If you make one, I'd love to see it!

Answer Ovulation Test Rebate Form

If by any chance you have purchased an ovulation kit from Answer since May of this year, then look on the box. You may have a chance at a $7.00 rebate.

The box looks like this.

The rebate form is included and all you need is the original receipt, the UPC that is located on the bottom of the box and the rebate form. Easy.

It expires in March of 2011 so you have time not only to buy it but to also redeem it but if you're like me you may very well forget. I happened to have the kit still (didn't use all the tests) and it popped into my mind today after buying it in late May. I know, that's bad! I better get that sent off before I forget again!

Pampers Gifts To Grow Codes

Pampers Gifts to Grow is a rewards program that lets you earn points when you buy products. You sign up for membership, enter codes, get the points and then redeem those points for rewards.

You can read more about membership and sign up here.

Once you do that, enter the following codes to get started:

For new members only, the following code will give you 100 points! It expires 11/30!
453-98327-023-3478

More codes:

Novemberthanks5   - 5 points 

GIVETHANKS10PTS - 10 points

Hallmark for the holidays!

Hallmark Gold Crown has a new coupon offer that is a hot one!

After you follow this link and put in your information, you will be able to choose the coupon offer for 10 dollars off a purchase of 10 dollars or more. It appears to be an offer for mothers and mothers to be as you have to enter your due date or child's birth date but it is a good one if you're able to snag it.

I used this offer to buy a Christmas card for work and a few thank you cards. It doesn't say that you need to buy a certain item such as just cards though. Such a great offer!

While you're at Hallmark using your coupon, don't forget to pick up a datebook that has two more valuable coupons - buy two cards, get one free and a buy one card get one free. Pictures to come with further information but be on the lookout for it near the registers.

As if that wasn't enough, after my purchase, my receipt included a coupon for two dollars off a purchase! I'm not sure if this is just for gold crown members but you can sign up for their free members club while you're there (like I did) so you don't miss any deals.

Here's the link one more time: Hallmark coupon

I'm a bit behind as my computer is out of order with keyboard issues. Sorry. I did want to mention one great deal that I think a family would enjoy.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science, in honor of November 15th, America Recycles Day, has decided to spend several days in celebration. How are they celebrating? By accepting old cell phones of any make and model and giving away free tickets to their 3D show Wild Ocean.

There is a limit to one free ticket per person but if you have an old cell phone lying around, this is the perfect place to take it. Not only are you helping to recycle but you are also getting a free ticket to a show. If you have several phones, you and your family can have a great afternoon at the museum.

Here is more information: HMNS

The offer ends tomorrow the 21st of November so you better get on it!!

Bumgenius Diaper coupon!

Though I do plan to use disposable diapers for the little while that meconium will be an issue, I'm in love with cloth diapers. I have built up a small stash and am now looking for inexpensive ways to continue to add to it. One way is by using the buy five, get one coupon from Bumgenius.

Go to this link and the coupon will be on the front page. It expires at the very end of December so better get to it soon!

2 dollars off 2 Welch's Sparkling Juice/Juice Cocktails

I'm tossing this into my baby birth prep pile.

When Jett gets here, I'm planning to pop open a bottle of this sparkling juice and celebrate my baby's arrival. Of course you can just buy it for the holidays. That works too!

Get your coupon for 2 dollars off 2 Welch's Sparkling Juice/Juice Cocktails here at coupons.com
I think I saw these on sale today 2 for 5 dollars at Krogers so that would be a great deal. 2 for 3 dollars. I may need to run back and get them!

 * Just read that these can last for up to two years if unopened. I'm going to definitely get a few!

Postpartum Prep

As mentioned, I'm going to be making a complete switch after Jett, my baby, is born in February. I'm currently a nanny but am seriously interested in starting my own anything once maternity leave is over with next summer.

Part of my preparation includes putting together a stock pile of basics so that once Jett is here, all the money that comes in or is saved will go towards the more important needs and not dish soap, laundry soap, bath tissue, that kind of thing. I want to have those at our disposal and I want to aquire those things by spending very little. This is what I have now and what I've spent on it all:

In my stash I have,

8 rolls of tissue
6 boxes of 10 hot chocolate packs
5 boxes of 10 garbage bags
1 box of 20 garbage bags
two rolls of paper towels
10 gallons of baby water (wasn't intending to buy that many but ok, it was free with my ECB)
5 packs of 22 light pads
2 bottles of 3 in one shampoo
1 other bottle of shampoo
12 bars of olay soap
2 deodorants
60 days of olay face wipes
6 small bottles of dish soap
1 bottle of multipurpose house cleaner
1 container of  baby wipes
1 bottle of stain remover for clothes
2 bottles of laundry soap
1 bottle of dishwasher detergent
2 things of floss
3 tooth brushes
2 bottles of face toner
1 flashlight
40 dollars in gift cards

I have spent almost 15 dollars on it all total. I'll be adding the toothpaste from today's shopping trip to the pile as well.

When I find more deals on the items that I'm hoping to stock up on, I'll post on them. Maybe later I'll type up the list of all the items I'm looking to put in my stockpile so you can get a better idea of what items I'll probably be mentioning.

Baby Birth Prep

My plans for a home birth are not a secret. Of course its not completely heard of in my family, but it's no secret. I started letting it be known when I was very early on but had been planning for it for years.

I decided on a homebirth years ago. It just seemed right for me to be home but I met the midwife at almost 5 weeks. I decided on the doula years ago also but just met her around 20 weeks. My birth classes (Hypnobabies) was decided on a long while ago like everything else but classes have just started a week ago. I want birth photography as well but am just about to meet with the photographer in a few weeks.

I've always plotted and planned but now comes the tough part. Buying the items needed for the birth. With my work coming to an end (currently a nanny) I wanted to be able to set aside as much money as I could to care for my child. Of course its also important to set money aside to have the child too.

I've been using coupons for this as well and so far, I'm on the right track. This is whats needed for a first time home birth:

2-4 Large bottles of hydrogen peroxide
Unopened 2-4 oz. bottle of olive or almond oil
2 bottles of pedialyte, 1 unflavored
Trash bags
Shower curtain or large playpen pad
Heating pad
Healthful food and beverages for mom and midwives
6 clean towels
6 clean wash cloths
4 cotton baby blankets
Strainer or sieve
1 package of Depends
Optional:
Birth Pool
Crockpot
Large bowl or shallow pan
Ice pack
Camera
Video camera and operator
Music

The bold items are the ones that I have already. I know! There is so much to get but now that I'm starting, I feel like it will be affordable to finish.

The peroxide was free. I had one CVS extra care buck from a previous purchase and so I used that along with another that printed from their card scan machine the same day. Total was 2.00 but with the ECB it was free!  I will get one or two more soon.

The depends (CVS brand) were free as well. I had more extra bucks and they were on sale cheaper than they were marked on the shelf. I ended up being charged 8.99 instead 11 dollars and with the ECB, those were free as well.

I highly recommend CVS for their ECB. They make it so easy to rack up. They have a tag that you put on your reusable bag that gives you a dollar every fourth visit. The more you spend, the more you get also.

Fir the birth pool, I will be using a simple inflatable. Of course there are birth pools on the market like my dream pool La Bassine but on my single mama budget, I'm opting for a very simple four ring fishy pool from Pool Center. I love that it mentions that the pool can be used for births. Sounds great! It's 12 dollars compared to the 145.00 of my dream pool. Sometimes you gotta go with what you need rather than what you want but who doesn't want a little color in their life? So there's the deal on the pool.

Getting it all set up will be a whole other story. I did find painter's tarps that I can use for the birth. Sherwin Williams recently had a coupon for buy one get one free tarps. I have one or two more to get. One to keep the temp of the pool, one for the floor. Another to cover the bed and possible another to make sure of the floors (carpet).

I have a good bit left to stock up on but I will definitely be on the look out for deals. Will post them too in case anyone wants ideas on how to stock up a birth kit.

I think I did ok

Today I had my first ever coupon and grocery shopping trip for the family where I put together my deals, got my coupons together and figured out how to get us some meals for possibly the rest of the month.

Krogers grocery store has a deal where if you buy 10 participating products, they'll take 5 dollars off your total. I decided on the these products:

4 cans of Hormel Chili (while pregnant I've wanted chilidogs constantly)
5 cans of diced tomatoes (my sister wanted 3 can to start with)
1 pack of four Danon light and fit yogurt
2 packs of Colgate toothpaste
 
I bought 12 items participating but still got 5.00 off. With my coupons, these items only cost 4.15 total.
The chili was 1.90. 1.25 for the tomatoes. 50 cents for the yogurt and 25 cents for each tooth paste. That's pretty much an 85 cent gain if I'm remembering correctly along with those items pretty much being free. Cool, right? It's gets better.

I bought 4 Pillsbury products using coupons which made a tin of biscuits 1 dollar each (bought 4) and then I got a 1.00 catalina to use on my next stop to the store!

I did buy other products that rounded out our bill to 35 dollars like Steamfresh veggie meals (buy one get one coupons), cornbread mix my family loves, bottled water and more but I can tell everything we bought will last longer than a month feeding 5 people counting my baby to be. A few more things to get (chicken, veggies, lunch meat) and I'll be done with shopping for the month!

Finding deals, specials, clearance racks, using coupons, and just being able to provide for my family is my biggest goal right now. I'm 24 and due with my first baby in February, I'm soon to be fully self employed after maternity leave and I share my house with three other people (mom, 2 sisters).

I need to be able to take care of my baby, keep my house taken care of and keep my sanity as I completely switch gears. The plan is to get us prepared for the big changes that will be coming up next year, keep us ahead of the curve and keep us happy.

On this blog I plan to show how I'm going to do just that. I'm not amazing at couponing, in fact I'm just getting started. I'm not someone who has it all down yet but I'm excited to getting going. I hope that by the end of 2011, I'll have an impressive stockpile, knowledge of coupons and an eye for deals.