Yesterday, I ventured out to do some coupon shopping and when I arrived at my grocery store, there was an abundance of tear pad coupons and booklets of coupons too! I didn't have any intentions of buying stuff but when I came around to the refrigerated section, the Pilsbury Back to School cookies were on sale for $1 and right beside was a coupon to save $0.50. Plus, on the reverse side of the package is a coupon to save $1 off any 2 Pilsbury Cookies.

I didn't know if the cookies were tasty or not, so I only purchased 2 packages. We baked one last night and half the plate was devoured before they even cooled. Worthwhile purchase? Yes, definitely! There are 24 cookies in a box for $0.50 after the coupon making the cookies only 2 cents each!

The above picture shows the coupons that I found! There were 13 tear pads and 2 booklets! So in total there were 23 different coupons available! Rock and roll coupon Gods! I also picked up a bag of Natrel milk to drink with our cookies (I used a coupon to save $1) and got another bag with over $12 in coupons on the back! I guess I'll have to buy 1 more bag of milk before the end of the month, when the $1 Natrel milk coupon expires.

Now I'm off to add some of these coupons to my coupon trade list at Freebies Deals And Rewards!

Have fun saving money!!

Make Greeting Cards using Scraps from Wallpaper

Here is a picture of three greeting cards I made using borders I took from discontinued Wall Paper Books. I picked the books up from one of our local Paint and Paper stores





 

These are a couple of borders with prints that I cut out and glued onto patterned wallpaper to make my card.






This picture shows one of the pictures cut out and matched with the piece I used for the card.







Here is the inside of the card. I have taken a piece of coloured computer paper and glued it on the inside of the card to cover the printing of the wallpaper. On another border print I found, I cut off the thin edge that was dark blue with stars on it and glued it at the top of the blank page.

On this card, I used the entire border print for the outside of my card. I cut a piece of complimentary coloured computer paper with decorative paper scissors leaving a border of about 1/4" and then it inside my card. After making your cards, you will need an envelope. I used an old envelope that my cards would fit in and carefully open the seams. I have marked the top and bottom of my template as I want to make sure when I trace it onto the wallpaper I use, there is no writing showing on the top flap. After I have folded in the flaps, I use a glue stick on the side flaps. If I'm mailing the envelope, I scotch tape over the top flap.

If you plan on making a lot of cards with envelopes, I would suggest you take the heavier inserts from your wallpaper book, that show finished rooms and trace your envelope onto that, otherwise the paper template gets pretty ragged and difficult to work with. These heavier pieces are also great to use when you are gluing to prevent getting your work surface covered in glue.



Using my envelope template, I have traced it on the backside of a plain piece of wallpaper. Notice the flap (far right) does not have any writing on it. It makes it look nicer when someone is opening the card if there is no writing showing. Most wallpaper books have plain off white pages, and these are what I use for my envelopes, however any pages will work and you can always attach a label if you are mailing it, so the address shows clearly.




Here are 3 finished cards with envelopes. Except for the inside of the cards where I used purchased coloured computer paper, everything has been made with wallpaper.


You are only limited by your imagination with the variety of cards you can create.

Weekly Shop N Save Deals

I like to consider myself a frugal shopper who buys what they need...but sometimes there are deals out there that are just too good to pass up! The regular coupon users know what I'm talking about! With coupon usage and price matching opportunities, I picked up a couple of items that I would normally not purchase. But I have some family members who do, so not a waste. I price matched and used coupons for everything pictured at my local Wal-mart store.

1. The relish is on special at Shoppers Drug Mart for $1.49 and I used a coupon for $0.75 and paid only $0.74 each. We don't use relish but our parents do, maybe we'll everyone a Christmas Hamper. Hmmm, that's an idea!
   
2. The flavoured Clover Leaf tuna cans are $0.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart and I had a coupon to save $1 when I purchased 3, so I paid only $0.66 per can.
   
3. The Robax Platinum was a fantastic deal, they are on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for $10.99. I was lucky enough to receive a $9 coupon from Diane Simon, thanks Shoppers Voice, I got this box for only $1.99 plus tax. Robax is going to be gifted to a parent as well!
4. The Degree Deodorant for Men are on sale for $1.64 at Real Canadian Superstore, but I also had 3 insert coupons and paid only $0.64 per 85g.
5. I had 2 P&G Brandsaver coupons left to save $1 off Secret Deodorant. On my last shop posted I paid $0.97 each (wish I'd waited), but today I paid $0.64 each after matching the Superstore and using the coupons.
6. The Dove Nourishing Oil hair care line is something I haven't tried before, but the Freebies Deals And Rewards Coupon Club Organizer sent me a coupon to save $2 off the purchase, plus there is a printable coupon to save $2 out as well. I treated myself to a shampoo and a conditioner for only $0.99 per bottle.
7. Lastly, I had 2 coupons to save $3 off Listerine Zero (any size) and since they are regularly priced at $3.37 at my Wal-Mart store, they were only $0.37 each.

After coupons and price matches, my pre-tax out of pocket (oop) cost was $11.37 but if I didn't use my coupons or utilize the price match guarantee, I would have paid $37.86 before any applicable taxes. So I'm pretty happy to save $26.49 on the items I could get with my coupon stash!

I'd love to hear other ways that people saved this week using coupons and price matches. If you have any questions about my shopping excursions, please leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer it for you!

Happy Labour Day everyone! Be safe!