Saved $365.73, Spent $49.63!!!

WOW. UNBELIEVABLE. BLESSING. Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when I see this picture with everything laid out from today's trip to Publix. They called telling me my order was ready at customer service and I knew that this week was going to be a record. Not only did we have more coupon inserts donated than ever before by church members, but we received a few monetary donations AND more clippers joined the ministry this past week! Being in awe is an understatement. Thank you for following this blog and effort. It is not an individual effort and it takes people like you spreading the word and using your own coupons to "clip for a cause" in order to pay it forward.

The coupon matchups for the items pictured are in the below post about the coupons we clipped at our meeting on Feb. 2nd.

But, here is a breakdown of everything purchased:

(28) Krusteaz Muffins

(6) Yakisoba Noodles

(13) Mt. Olive Pickles

(20) Jolly Time Popcorn

(13) Dove Deodorant

(48) Carefree Pantiliners

(26) Knorr Pasta Sides

(46) Campbell's Soup

(2) Maalox

(23) Bandaids

(17) Rotel Tomatoes

(19) Mahatma Rice

Publix And Their Coupon Policy

There has been a lot of chatter on various blogs and websites throughout the past few months about Publix and some of their stores changing the way they handle coupons. This information was sent to me by Lee C. (reader and member of Clipping for a Cause), and it was something that all of the cashiers at her local Sugar Hill store received a copy of in a meeting about coupons. To me, everything seems pretty similar to how my favorite Publix on Fence Road in Dacula handles coupons. If you notice changes at your local store, leave a comment below this post!

Attention Cashiers:

Coupons we Take:

-All Manufacturer (not expired)

Store Coupons:

-Publix

-Kroger

-Ingles

-Rite Aid ($5/$25), ($4/$20)

-Limit 1 $5 or $4 coupon per customer

(Customer = one person)

-Target

-CVS

-Walgreens ($$ off)

Coupons We Don't Take:

-Expired!!!

-Coupons without an expiration date

Store Coupons We Don't Take:

-Expired store coupons

-BJ's

-Dollar General

-Dollar Tree

-Petsmart

-Save-A-Lot

-Coupons that don't specify where they are from

-Video coupons

-Lowes

Don't forget we take one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item!!

Coupons Clipped by Clipping for a Cause on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd! (Publix and Target!)

Here are the best ways we found to donate for free or pocket change that we found this week at Publix and Target. We found a few to add to last week's list at Kroger, but the deals we found ended Saturday, so I won't post them since those particular sales are over. Placing the order for the 61 Reach toothbrushes last week at Kroger was the most exciting purchase we've made there in a while!! We ended up saving over $100 and only spending a few dollars in tax!
This week, there was a record number of coupon inserts donated! Before I even begin to type anything else about the coupons we clipped, I just want to thank the members of this ministry who go unnoticed...our coupon angels! These are the people who religiously donate their coupon inserts to the ministry each week and without them, we wouldn't exist!

I think back to our first meetings in March when many times, it was just me in the room. I felt in my heart that I had been called to lead this effort, and and that no matter what, I had to be obedient to that calling. Even if it was just me and a few coupons to clip, those 5-10 items were more than the food banks had the day before, right?!

To think how far it's come! With anywhere up to 15 people in the room clipping on Wednesday nights and a large box overflowing with coupons to clip..we continue to be in awe of His work in this growing ministry!

So..this week I am combining the lists of coupons we clipped Wednesday night into one post. When we placed our Publix order for items to be donated, it totaled a little over 300!!!

SS = Smart Source

RP = Red Plum

Publix Starting 2/3

Mt Olive Pickles, Selected Varieties, 16 to 46 oz jaror Pickle or Jalapeno Pepper Slices Pak, 4 pk, 3.7 oz cont, BOGO $2.79

-$0.50/1 Mt. Olive Pickles, Peppers or Relish Product, any – 01/30/2011 SS-$1/1 Mt. Olive Pickles, Peppers or Relish Product, any – 01/30/2011 SS (Makes each .39)

Knorr Sides, Assorted Varieties, 3.8 to 6.4 oz pouch, BOGO $1.29-$0.50/2 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides 1/30/2011 RP Insert (exp 2/27/2011)

(Makes each pkg .15)

Krusteaz Muffin or Cake Mix or Supreme Bar Mix, Assorted Varieties, 16.5 to 21-oz box, or Sun-Maid Muffin or Cookie Mix, 18 or 18.25-oz box,

BOGO $2.59-$0.50/1 Krusteaz Muffin Mix 12/5/2010 SS Insert

(exp 2/28/2011)

(Makes each .29)

Rotel Diced Tomatoes, 10oz can, BOGO $1.39

-$0.30/1 Rotel Diced Tomatoes 1/23/2011 SS Insert (exp 3/13/2011)

$.75/3 Rotel diced tomatoes 10 oz Yellow Adv Buy Flyer (Makes each .09 and -.47 with Yellow Flyer!!!)

Campbell’s Condensed Soup or Soup at hand, 10.5-11.5oz can or 10.75oz cup, or Ready to Serve Bowl, 15.4oz bowl (excluding Won Ton, Cream of Shrimp, and Oyster Stew), 10/$10

-$0.40/3 Campbell’s Condensed Soup 1/2/2011 SS Insert (exp 3/15/2011)

-$0.50/3 Campbell’s Healthy Request Soups 1/2/2011 SS Insert

(exp 2/13/2011)

-$0.40/2 Campbell’s Condensed Soups 12/12/2010 SS Insert (exp 2/15/2011)

(Makes each can .60)

Dove Deodorant, Reported to be $2.99

-$1/1 Degree or Dove Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, any 2.6 to 3 oz

(Publix Green Advantage Flyer found in store)

-$2/1 Dove deodorant or body mist no trial or travel sizes 1/30/2011 Red Plum Insert (exp 2/27/11)

Combine both coupons (store and manufacturer) to get each for FREE!

Regular Deals:
Mahatma Rice .50/1 from 1/23/11 RP (Makes each Bag FREE)
Yakisoba .50/1 from 1/2/11 SS (Makes them FREE)

Target Freebies!

Olay Single Bar – $.97
$1/1 Olay Facial Product 1/16/2011 P&G Insert (exp 2/28/2011)
=FREE + $.03 PROFIT (*Note..someone also located 41 coupons for "Free Secret Deodorant WYB one Olay Product" that we clipped. Not sure which insert that one came from!)

Maalox Advanced Fruit Chews (65 ct)-$3.79

Maalox Advanced Liquid (12 oz)-$4.54

$5/1 Maalox 1/9/2011 SS Insert (exp 3/1/2011)
= FREE (either product) + PROFIT

Gas-X Chewables (18 ct) – $3.99
$4/1 Gas-X Prevention Product 12/12/2010 SS Insert (exp 4/30/2011)
= FREE

Carefree Original Pantiliners, 22 ct. – $.97
$0.50/1 Carefree Product 1/9/2011 SS Insert (exp 3/31/2011)
= $.47 ea.

Valentine's Day "Love Thy Neighbor" Drive Fast Approaching!

We are just days away from our first annual "Love Thy Neighbor" Valentine's Day Food Drive!

The response to help has been an overwhelming blessing! Several local neighborhoods have signed up to participate in the mobile drive that day. Neighbors have been asked to place one bag of non-perishables outside of their doors to be picked up and delivered for them. What an easy way to help the needy..and so much appreciated!

Wells Real Estate Funds of Norcross has even placed a large box in their main lobby so that employees can donate items for the next week or so! So far, just their company alone has collected over 100 items!

5-2 Ministry of Grayson, GA (a ministry who also uses coupons and "pocket change" to purchase items for the needy) is also on board to help! All of the items collected by 5-2 will be going directly to the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op that day. In one day, this food bank serves up to 90 families. Needless to say, since the holidays, their shelves have become bare at times. However, their faith is strong, and they urge people like you to add a few extra items to your cart to donate.


So far, over 600 items have been collected! (Not all items are pictured) Remember, even if you aren't local, you can still help! "Show the love" and organize your own drive. Even if you just email your closest friends and family members, and collect 20 items, that is 20 more items than the food banks had before!


Our goal is still to collect 3,000 items that day! They will then be divided and distributed beween various organizations throughout Gwinnett County: Villa Lodge and Suites of Lawrenceville, The Quinn House, Family Promise of Gwinnett, and Lawrenceville Co-op.

For more information on how you can help or become involved with this effort, please email me!

Huggies Goodnites $1.50 a Pack!

Patty found the Huggies Goodnites, 12 count priced 2/$10.99 at Publix. If you find the same use the following:
-$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers 1/23/2011 Smart Source Insert (exp 2/19/2011)
-$2.50/1 package of Pull-Ups Training Pants or Goodnites Underwear Publix coupon "Start Your Year Out with Big Savings" Booklet
After combining both coupons, you’ll pay $1.50 per package.
Thank you Publix Coupon Queen!

Ways to Donate this Week at Bi-Lo (Thanks Clipping for a Cause, Charlotte!)

Emily over at Clipping for a Cause, Charlotte has the best ways that you can donate to area food banks for free or pocket change this week! I am loving the free facial tissue and tortillas! :)

Free Dove Deodorant at Kroger AND Publix!

Through Saturday at Kroger, you can get free Dove deodorant! Here's how:

Dove or Degree Deodorant, Select Varieties, 2.6 to 3 oz, $2.00
-$2/1 Dove Deodorant or Body Mist 1/30/2011 Red Plum Insert (exp 2/27/2011)
Makes each FREE

OR if you are a Publix shopper, you can get it for free by doing this:
Dove Deodorant, Reported to be $2.99
-$1/1 Degree or Dove Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, any 2.6 to 3 oz (Publix Green Advantage Flyer found in store)
-$2/1 Dove deodorant or body mist no trial or travel sizes 1/30/2011 Red Plum Insert (exp 2/27/11)
Combine both coupons (store and manufacturer) to get each for FREE!

If you do not particularly care for this brand and don't need it for yourself, consider picking up a few and donating them to someone else! During the month of March, First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville will be collecting personal care items for the residents at Villa Lodge and Suites (a low income hotel where families pay by the week). This deodorant would be a GREAT donation to add to the others!

If you ever have questions about specific locations to donate, addresses, contact information, how and where to do so, please email me or leave a comment on the blog!