Hy-vee Hot Deals 2-day sale

• Colgate Toothpaste, 4.6 ounce for 88 cents, 75 cents 2-27S, 13 cent toothpaste
• Skippy Peanut Butter 15 to 16.3 ounce for 99 cents (this is my "buy" price point, as I go through a lot of this stuff)
• Red Seedless Grapes 99 cents a pound
• Mini 4" planted roses 4 for $10
• Palermo's Pizza $1.88 (are these any good?)
• Keebler Cookies 3 for $5, 55 cents off 2 from 3-6 RP
• New York Strip Steak $3.99 for 8 ounce
• Hormel Whole Boneless Pork Loin $1.99 pound use 2-13S $1 off
• Butter $1.99 a pound (for those of you looking to shop my garage sale pile, I prefer un-salted quarters)
• Tostitos $1.99

Sales is this Thursday and Friday, if they run out, they always do rainchecks. Hy-vee rocks like that.

Recalled Peanut Butter

On March 4th, Unilever announced a limited recall of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed to retail outlets in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. Please note that NO other Skippy products are affected by this recall; and to date, no illnesses related to this issue have been reported (The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed that these finished products may contain the bacteria).

The affected product, which is packaged in 16.3 oz plastic jars, is as follows:
* UPCs: 048001006812 and 048001006782 (located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code.)
* Best-If-Used-By Dates: MAY1612LR1, MAY1712LR1, MAY1812LR1, MAY1912LR1, MAY2012LR1 and MAY2112LR1 (Stamped on the lid of the jar)

If you have an affected product, here’s what you need to do…
* Discard the product immediately and call the company for a replacement coupon.
* Contact the company at 1-800-453-3432, which is operational 24 hours a day, for information on the recall. In addition, a consumer services representative is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM EST.
* Click here for more information.

** Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Groupon

Anyone else use Groupon? I have bought a few little things, like 3 for $1 Redbox rentals in the past. Recently I bought a weekend subscription to the Star Tribune for $12. And never received it. Even though I know some other Winona folks did. I contacted Groupon, and they went to work for me. They kept contacting Star Tribune on my behalf, and after a week, they got no where, and refunded me my $12. BUT, they kept working to get a hold of Star Tribune. And when they finally did, they were able to get me my subscription, FOR FREE. They worked so hard, and emailed me all the time with updates of how it was going. I am really impressed with the high level of personal service, and am seriously recommending them to everyone.

Unfortunately, the closest site is MSP, so most of the deals don't apply to us. But I keep my eyes pealed for it. Looking to join, feel free to click through my link and get me a $10 credit.

KFC

Maybe it's mean of me to do this, but really....the picture speaks for itself. Every time I go to KFC, which is once in a blue moon, I feel oppressed by them. There are a half dozen signs that say things like "no children on the counter", "don't lean on the window", "don't touch the glass", "no extra napkins", "no Checks ever EVER EVER!" This one against coupons just puts them over the top.

And, this is a Winona thing. The Eau Claire KFC will give you all the napkins and refills you want. And they don't care if you set your kid on the counter so they can see the fryers better!

Target Deals

• Charmin Mega Roll pack, sale $9.99, used $1 off Target 2-20RP, and $1 off from the PG packet, $5 gift card back for buying 2, makes them $5.50 a piece
• Boys Packer t-shirt, $12.99 marked down to $3.24
• Vicks Sinex $5.69, used $4 off 2-27PG, and got free Puffs from 2-27PG, $1.69 for the Puffs and meds (x2)
  

Target Bulk

The Target bulk section is on clearance, 15% off. I took pictures, so you can do your coupon prep before going. Click on the pictures, it will make them bigger for better viewing. Thanks for the tip Kari!

Lake Lodge

Bored?

Lake Lodge offers ice skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing, broomball, a warm fire, hot cocoa, games and beautiful views. All Free. Equipment is first come, first serve.

Monday through Friday 3 to 6
Saturday & Sunday 1 to 7

I have a spare pair of size 12 skates for kids, if someone that size would like to come with us!

What other cheapo fun things are available in the Winter? Share!

Envelopes

Want to be super organized with your coupons and look good doing it?

Check out this inspirational post at Iheartorganizing! Also, credit for the photo belongs to Iheartorganizing.

Target Markdown Schedule

This is more for me, then anything. Target had a schedule they use for when they markdown items, when they put out those beautiful, beautiful red clearance tags.

• Monday: Kid's Clothes, Electronics, Stationary
• Tuesday: Women's Clothes, Domestics, Pets, Grocery
• Wednesday: Men's Clothes, Toys, Lawn & Garden, Health & Beauty Aids
• Thursday: Hardware, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Music, Movies, Books, Luggage, Decor
• Friday: Jewelry, Hardware, Auto, Cosmetics

Holiday Markdown:
All holiday merchandise follows a general schedule. Except for Christmas.

• Day after Holiday: 50% off
• 4th day after Holiday: 75% off
• 7th day after Holiday: 90% off

Christmas is tricky, from my personal experience, it is the following.

• December 26th - January 1st: 50% off
• January 2nd - January 6th: 75% off
• January 7th: 90% off

This year, the Target Dollar Spot section had their Christmas stuff 75% off a day before the rest of the stuff. So, always scan things to be sure!

Target Labels

Who doesn't love finding a good red Target label. Somethings you should know about it:

• Multiple labels = multiple times discounted
• Top right little number (here 75) shows the percentage off, from 15% to 90%.
• 90% is really only for crap or Holiday merchandise
• ALWAYS price check, not all clearance labels are right, lots of times the discount is even MORE
• And, just because it's 75% off, does not mean you have to get it. Only buy what you love, can store and afford. It's not a deal if it doesn't make those 3 requirements.
  

Clothing Storage

I recently consulted with some friends about "how much is too much" when it comes to kids clothes, buying in advance and storage. My friend Jen over at Iheartorganizing has answer the amount portion, but I can't turn down the deal. Those 75% off long-sleeved shirts at Target, the 2for1 Crocs, the 10 cent Children's Place garage sale pants, the clearance rack at TJ Maxx....you know you do it too.

This is my current set up for future clothes, it takes up a whole closet. Shoes and Undies on the top shelf in baskets. Left to right increasing size, sorted by season. All jackets are on the far far right.

On the bottom, right now, I only have one tote. And in that tote are new jeans and new swimwear. Old Navy had kids jeans for $5 a pop, and they come in slimmer, adjustable waist band sizes, so perfect for my skinny guy. And that is why I have a dozen pair (just kidding only 6 or 7. Probably 7).
This is where Connor stores his clothes that fit him right now. In a giant armoire. The black Yafa block on the right has his bedding and bath towels. The basket on top of the Yafa houses his undies and socks. I bought the armoire at Kmart for $69 (mega clearance), Yafa at Kmart in 1999, and basket at Shopko.


So, how far do you buy in advance? Are you organized with it? Can you say "no thank you" to those 10 cent pants? When did you kids decide to pick out their own clothes?

I found that I could buy Halloween costumes in advance, up until this year, when Connor was 3 years 8 months. He desperately wanted to be Daphne, but had to be the Old Navy Lion I had bought the previous year on clearance.

Wells Fargo

Today while cashing in Connor's coin, they talked and talked about opening a kids account for him. I finally gave in.

Anyway, they started his account out with $9.99, and gave him this cow bank. The bank is actually pretty cute, it's a stuffed animal about 6 inches in size. I had to put in $25, but she said I could just go home and transfer it out online later. It is going on through this Saturday, so if you need a kids account, maybe check it out.

In general I dislike Wells Fargo. FYI.

Kmart Christmas

Decorations are 90% off, table cloth stuff is 75%
I picked up these bows (they match the set I already have) for 69 cents.
Wrapping paper was 49 to 69 cents a roll, Transformers, Spiderman and Thomas, a decent amount still left!

If you see me out, buying wrapping paper, stop me. Even if it's free. I have enough for the next 2 decades worth of Christmas.

It's a new year, so I've decided to start couponing again!

I kinda fell off the coupon train a while back, but now I'm ba-aaaack! Here are some deals from a recent Target trip:

Ten items:

Ream of HP printer paper... Price cut to $4.99 - $5 Target coupon = $.01 overage (unusual to get overage!)

2 Johnson & Johnson First Aid to Go packs... $0.97 each - $1.50/2 mfg coup = $0.44 for both

2 packs Up & Up pantiliners... $0.89 each - $0.75 Target coup = $0.14 each

GE Reveal lightbulbs... Price cut to $2.44 - $1 Target coup - $1 mfg coup = $0.44

Maalox tablets... $4.54 - $5 mfg coup = $0.46 overage!! (Normally you don't get overage, so this surprised me!)

2 packs Kraft mac & cheese... On sale for $1 each - $0.50/2 Target coup = $0.75 each (not that great of a deal, but overage helped!!)

Not pictured: Kashi Go Lean Crunch! cereal... On sale for $2.99 - $3 mfg coup = $0.01 overage (again, unusual)

Grand Total: 10 items for $2.18!!

Caveat: Not all these deals can be reproduced because I had some high value coupons that are not widely available. For example, the $3 Kashi coup came with a free sample I had ordered online, and the $5 HP paper coup printed out at Target after I had purchased some HP printer ink.

Target Paranoia.

I find this hilarious. And I'm not even sure why.  I am surprised I'm not in the video.

Target Christmas Deals

• Cars Set, in toy section end cap, $29.99 marked down to $7.49
• 2 International Delight 54 cents each
• 2 Pillsbury Cookies, 87 cents each, used $1 off of 2, 37 cents a piece (they are all gone, sorry dudes)
• Christmas gift card holders 20 cents
• Christmas candy mixes 50 cents
• All remaining Christmas stuff is 90% off, limited stuff, mostly stockings and ornaments

Walmart Gift Packs

• Old Spice Travel kit was $15, clearance for $7.48, used $2 from 11-28PG, $5.48 for it, not spectacular, but John is an Old Spice snob.
• Gillette kit $9, clearance for $4.44, used $4 from 11-28PG, 44 cents.

Hy-vee Glade

They are in shopping carts when you first walk in for 89 cents. They had oil plug-ins as well. Use coupons from 12-5RP to make them free-ish.

Hy-vee also has clearance toys, limit selection, but some good for around $2.

After Christmas deals.....

• Herbal Essences gift pack at walmart, in the main aisle between clothes and food for $5.  it comes with shampoo, conditioner, gel and body spray, with a year subscription to Allure and a stack of P&G coupons
• Axe Hair gift pack at Walmart (in Health and Beauty section) for $4.44, used $3 off from 12-12 RP.  Has shampoo, body spray and hair putty.  the hair putty is pretty awesome.
• 50% off xmas stuff at Walmart
• 50% off xmas stuff at Target (clearance prices on food/freezer section stuff, check all departments!)
• 50% to 70% off xmas stuff at Shopko, but their stuff is EXPENSIVE right now.  it was 50% off a week before xmas, so i am waiting this place out.  they have stacks of ornaments i'm interested in.

Post when the stuff goes to deeper discounts!

Airwick Candle

Target has $2.99 Air Wick candles. Use the $3 off from 11-14 SS, and they are free. They are located in the air freshener aisle, but at the far end, hanging off the side kick end thing. These make nice holiday gifts....if you aren't using your coupon, I know someone who will!