Operation $40K

Thank you for coming to visit my site! I LOVE helping people save money at the stores so they can put it to a more effective use for their families! I saved $40,000 in less than one year from just making a few simple changes in our family budget - you can too! Couponing is just the tip of the iceberg - but accounts for over 25% of my savings! You will find my class schedule , recipes and most importantly, printable coupon links all on their own pages, at the top of my blog...along with tabs for the different stores and the local stores' coupon policies . I am on Twitter and Facebook too (under Operation 40K) if you want to schedule a class or have any questions, please just shoot me an email at op40K@aol.com . I hope you can put your new knowledge to good use quickly! Blessings, Dannelle

It's a new month - so that means a new $100 budget! I hit Copp's today for a double coupon trip--they have Double Daze on a Saturday, even though it wasn't in the ad! Hormel has a deal where you spend $20 and get $5 back so I did it twice. Hubby LOVES the Hormel Compleats for his "emergency" drawer at work. We are keeping 10 and donating 10. :) Transaction #1 10 Hormel Compleats at $2 (Normally $2.28) 2 packs String Cheese @$1.29 (Normally $1.89) ---coupons used: 5 BOGO Hormel Compleats, 5 $.55/1 Hormel (doubled) Paid $7.08 and got back $5 Transaction #2 10 Hormel Compleats at $2 (Normally $2.28) 2 half gallons Kemps Milk @$1.50 (Normally $1.79) ---coupons used: 5 BOGO Hormel Compleats, 5 $.55/1 Hormel (doubled), $3 Kemps Paid $4.50 and got back $5 for a MONEY MAKER! Impulse Transaction #3 I saw Fruit Chillers on 50% clearance! $2.99 marked down to $1.49 I got 4 and added another pack of string cheese@$1.49 --coupons used: two $1/2 Fruit Chil...

You can find them here -- at Totally Target. A few things to add: There have been a lot of new toy mark downs 30-50% off, don't forget to check by the books and electronics =) Back Packs and Lunch Boxes are now 75% off - some have a $6 coupon booklet in them, make sure it's inside if you buy one! Happy Shopping!

It's the end of the month -- time to check and update your Freezer Inventory! There are a lot of perks to having a chest freezer: you can take better advantage of sales on things that need to be frozen, buy more meat on sale and bake larger quantities of treats for future use. It really does pay for itself when you consider how small a freezer is in a freezer/fridge combo unit. One thing I have been asked, is "how do you know what you have in your freezer?" Simple. I have an inventory list! At the beginning of the month, I have a complete list of what is in it. As the month progresses, I cross off what we use, and write in what we add. At the end of the month, I put a * next to the original items on the list, pull off what we used and add in what we bought to have a fresh new list for the new month. The * tells me it is an older item and I need to try to use it first. If it doesn't get used that second month it becomes a ** item and HAS to be used the third mo...

I zipped over to http://www.iheartwags.com/ and scoped out the upcoming ad - Not a lot of FREE offers this week! We have been really spoiled the last few weeks with a lot of great deals - The next few weeks look a tad lean =) Boiron ColdCalm 60 ct $6.99  Get a $7 RR Final Price:  FREE Cepacol sore throat lozenges, $2.99 Get a $3 RR Final Price: FREE Mail In Rebate: Cardio Juice 4 pk orange or strawberry $6.99 Mail in for a $6.99 rebate Final Price: FREE

I am in a contest for a SERIOUS blogger position ($100,000 a year) and need to be one of the top 5 Wisconsin applicant's with votes over the next two months. This could help us afford to add to our family - you can vote every day. It would be SUPER if you would share it with your friends and family - Thank you for taking a minute to help us =) Just go here:

I LOVE the first of the month -- printable coupons have all reset! Check out the new HASBRO Toy Coupons like My Little Pony, Thor, Playdoh and more  HERE . In addition to the sites HERE , I also like to check out: Hormel.com BettyCrocker.com Kelloggs.com Pillsbury.com Happy Printing! =)

Just a quick refresher on Coupon Lingo!  If you are letting others do the work for you, like I teach in my classes, you need to be able to decipher what they are all saying! This is the "universal" coupon lingo that you will see everywhere: Q - Coupon SS - Smart Source Insert RP - Red Plum Insert P&G - Procter and Gamble Insert GM - General Mills Insert MFR - Manufacturer Coupon SC - Store Coupon CC - Competitor Coupon B1G1/BOGO - Buy One, Get One WYB - When You Buy YMMV - Your Milege May Vary MIR - Mail in Rebate FAR - Free After Rebate $1 SS 1/4 - $1 Coupon Smart Source Jan.4th OOP - Out of Pocket WFC - Weekly Flyer Coupon $1.50/2 - $1.50 off two items ECB - Extracare Bucks (CVS) WAGS - Walgreens IVC - Instant Value Coupon (Wags) RR - Register Reward (Wags) IE - Internet Explorer FF - Firefox

Sentry Coupon Policy is here Check to see if your store takes IPs (Internet Printable Coupons) before printing some of the matched up deals...not all do. Not everything in the ad is a good bargain, it's not all ON sale but is all FOR sale :) **I do NOT put "Final price" on these as some stores double up to $.50 -- some up to $1 -- some not at all Kind of a short list this week -- They have Halloween Treats N Sweets sale -- discounts on a lot of baking items. I DO think we will see prices drop a bit more yet -- another 10-15%. In flier Manufacturer Coupons $2/2 Oscar Mayer Meat Hot Dogs $1/2 Oscar Mayer Bologna or Cotto Salami $1/2 Hershey's Baking Chips Produce Deals Celery $.99 each - weigh them and get a heavier one Acorn, Spaghetti, Butternut or Buttercup Squash $.49/# Idaho Potatoes $.30/# -- a 5# bag for $1.50 - there is an in ad coupon for 2 bags for $3 Meat Deals Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs $.99/# Pork Tenderloin Tips $1.79/# Oscar Mayer...

Ever find yourself wondering if something was still OK to eat or serve you family - even though it was expired? This is the site for you-->  w ww.StillTasty.com   Can you freeze it? How should you store it? How long will it last? What is the best way to store bread? All these questions and more are answered - it's truly a great food storage information site AND - they even have an "ap" for your phone! I hope you find it as useful as I do =)

Here is a list of fun, frugal things to do with the kiddos this weekend : )   I don't know about you but I LOVE this time of year! Apple Orchards, Pumpkin Patches, Fall Festivals -- it's our last big Wisconsin "hurrah" before the snow starts to fly... Lots of Fall Festivals this weekend: Albany Mt Horeb Lake Mills Am I missing one? The weather should be amazing - so make sure you get out and enjoy some of it! :)

From them:   In honor of National Coffee Day, this week's Fan Friday Giveaway prize will be a gift card to Starbucks! Tell us what you like best about Fridays! See/enter  It Here

Have you gone to the movies lately? OUCH! It's expensive for just tickets - let alone adding munchies. I MISS that $2 Kids Film Series that they did this summer and know it will be a while before "frosty flicks" comes back. There are a LOT of great movies just out or just coming out -- I want to go see Dolphin's Tale. (or is it Tail?) -- anyway: Here is deal for you -- Pay just $5 for an AMC Theatres® Silver Experience Ticket, then sit back, relax, and watch your favorite stars fall in love with each other, fight wars, become humanoid species, and overcome crippling adversity, often all in the same film. Get it HERE Limit 2 per household. Offer must be redeemed within 60 days of purchase. Subject to surcharge for 3D, IMAX®, ETX, alternative content, dine-in theatres, and premium services and locations. Good at any AMC®, AMC Showplace, Loews®, Cineplex Odeon, Magic Johnson, and Star theatres, excluding Canadian theatres. Valid seven days a week. Not valid for ...

Critical Eye News hits newsstands October 2011. CLICK HERE to view, download, and print the most recent edition. Subscribe for FREE to receive the E-Home Edition up to THREE DAYS before newsstands and the internet, as well as receive breaking news alerts. Just send an e-mail to CriticalEyeHomeSubscribers@gmail.com  with your name, mailing address, and preferred e-mail address. (Your personal information will only be used for subscription verification.) Look for my column -- I am talking about our Disney trip this month! :)

With farm stand pumpkins averaging about $.50/#  -- this is a great way to make your own pumpkin for pies, cakes, pumpkin crisp , muffins and more! Less preservatives, supporting your local farmers and another fun family activity that you could included the kids in -- you could can the results or simply freeze them. Check out The Happy Housewife's great tutorial HERE  . In her post she said she paid $.99/# -- double about the local Wisconsin rate. Following her math, we would be spending about $.55 for 16 ounces of pumpkin (small can) - which is about 1/4 the price of canned pumpkin at the stores right now and what most recipes call for. :) Hmmm.... maybe I need to look into making a batch of pumpkin butter!

Wow! Another Insert for Sunday's paper!!  These all expire on 10/31 -- but are good through 1/31 (or later) at your Cub Foods! :) 10-2 P&G coupon insert Sunday coupon preview Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected! (x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon ETS = excludes trial sizes P&G Insert Coupons (All Expire 10/31) Always Save $.50/1 Pads, Clean or Feminine Cleansing Cloths Always Save $.50/1 Pantiliners 30ct+ Always Save $1/1 Infinity 14ct+ Bounce Save $.75/1 product Bounty Save $.25/1 napkins Bounty Save $.25/1 towels or napkins Charmin Save $.35/1 product Clairol Save $2/1 hair color Covergirl Save $1/1 product Covergirl Save $8/2 face products (not a typo) Crest Save $.1/1 toothpaste 4oz+ or liquid gel (excludes Crest Cavity, Baking Soda & Tartar) Crest Save $.50/1 toothpaste 4oz+ or liquid gel Crest Save $7/1 3D White Professional Effects, 2 Hour Express, Advanced Vivid, Stain Shield or Ge...

We get SIX inserts this Sunday -- it looks like a great week to stock up on a few papers for extra coupons. These ALL expire on 10/22 . Keep in mind that you can use EXPIRED coupons at Cub Foods for 3 months after their date...so these could give you more milage than just 3 weeks :) 10-2 PepsiCo Moments to Save Insert Sunday coupon preview Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected! (x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon ETS = excludes trial size PepsiCo Moments to Save (All Expire 10/22) Pepsi Max Save $.55/1 2-liter dnd Lipton/Tazo Save $1/4 Lipton Pure Leaf 16oz, 100% Natural Lipton Iced Tea 20oz or Tazo 13.8 SoBe/Propel Save $1/5 SoBe 20oz, Propel 24oz or Propel Zero 24oz Tostitos Save $1 off wyb tortilla chips 9oz+ AND jar of dip 15oz+ Pepsi Max/Cheetos Free 2-liter Pepsi Max wyb two Cheetos 8.5oz+ bags Pepsi Save $2/2 18pk, 20pk or 24pk+ 12oz cans Sierra Mist Save $1/2 Natural 2-liters Lipton Save $2/2 12 packs Pepsi/To...

Are you a Madison HyVee Shopper? Check your Shopper's Edge Fall Coupon Magazine (I just got my copy today with my Shopper Stopper) for a GREAT one page HyVee ad that promotes their newly expanded Health Market, mentions their Personal Nutrition Counseling and two great coupons that don't expire until December 10th! $5 off any $50+ purchase $10 off any $100+ purchase Add the fact that they have a 10% discount on their Health Market (excludes vitamins and supplements) every Thursday and you could really score some great deals! Clip it now and put it with your coupons -- happy shopping~!

We have SIX coupon inserts this weekend -- a great time to get a few extra papers to build your coupon collection! :) 10-2 Smartsource coupon preview Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected! (/X) after coupon = expiration date () before coupon = multiple of same coupon ETS = excludes trial sizes DND5 = coupon states Do Not Double, but barcode starts w/a 5 Smartsource coupon insert Activia Save $1/3 Selects or Save $1/1 multipack (11/27) ActivOn Save $2/1 arthritis or joint & muscle (10/31) Alexia Save $.55/1 frozen item (11/14) Argo Save $.30/1 12oz baking powder (12/31) Bestlife Save $.50/1 buttery spread, buttery spray or buttery baking sticks (12/11) Boston Market Save $1/1 individual meal, whole Boston Carver sandwich or combo or entree salad (10/30) Boston Market Save $2/$10 purchase (10/30) Boston Market Save $4/$20 purchase (10/30) Boston Market Free additional large side with any family meal purchase (10/30) C...

GREAT deals like getting emailed coupons for $10 off any $10+ purchase. Have you signed up yet? I love to shop their clearance! :)

I am in a contest for a SERIOUS blogger position ($100,000 a year) and need to be one of the top 5 Wisconsin applicant's with votes over the next two months. This could help us afford to add to our family - you can vote every day. It would be SUPER if you would share it with your friends and family - Thank you for taking a minute to help us =) Just go here:

There will be SIX inserts in the Sunday's Paper!!! What a great week to get a few extra papers and build your coupon collection! 10-2 RedPlum Coupon Preview Sunday coupon preview Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected! (x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon ETS = excludes trial sizes Advantage Brands Save $1/1 Tagamet 30ct, Debrox, Gaviscon, Phazyme, Sominex, Nytol, Gly-Oxide and Massengill 4pk only (12/31) all Save $1/1 laundry detergent 28 load+ (11/13) Bertolli Save $1/1 meal soup or frozen meal (10/30) Citrucel Save $1.50/1 bulk fiber therapy product (12/31) Disney/Marvel Save $1/1 vitamin products (11/23) Dove Save $.75/1 anti-perspirant/deodorant or body mist, excludes trial/Men+Care (10/30) Dove Save $.75/1 beauty bar 6-bar pack+, excludes Men+Care (10/30) Dove Save $.75/1 hair care treatment ets (10/30) Dove Save $1.50/1 Men+Care body and face bar 6-bar pack+ ets (10/30) Dove Save $1/1 body wash 10oz+ excludes Men+Care (10...

The rare - Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts are featured this week! I know it's a seasonal favorite of a lot of people -- you can get them for $2.69 a box, keep in mind NO COUPONS allowed. :) Here are this weeks produce specials: Gala Apples $.66/# - sold in a 3# bag for $1.99 Pears $.49/# - sold in a 2# bag for $.99 Large Pumpkins $2.49 each Affy Tapple Caramel Apples $.99 for a 3 pack They are now saying that Wednesday is "Meat Special Buy Day" - each Wednesday, they will have a featured item. Check out your store's Wednesday deals!

Wow -- a lot of fun stuff happening in their ads this week AND Saturday Double Coupon Day !! What jumped out at me? The Hormel Deal: Buy $20 and get $5 back ! Just look at this deal scenario: Buy 10 Hormel Compleats or Chi-Chi’s Fiesta Plates 10 oz. @ $2.00 (Normally $2.39) - use five of the $0.55/1 Hormel Compleats Microwave Meal 8/7 SS (they will double) - also use five of the BOGO tear pad coupon that is out there - you will get $5 back to use on your next transaction! Buy 10 (normally $23.90), spend $4.50 out of pocket and get $5 back for a $.50 PROFIT! ** I plan on this along with a gallon of milk (I still have $3 Kemp's coupons to use) or a FREE pack of Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs to make the $25 threshold. These are not my personal favorite but the hubby LOVES them for his late night work shifts...this should stock him up. What else jumps out at me? Price Hikes. (sigh) I know they have the Price Cap promotion but things like their 6oz string cheese packs ...

First of all - Thanks to Josh and Nordic for letting me know they saw signs at their stores!!! It is NOT in their weekly ad that they are doubling -- but they ARE! (I confirmed with a few phone calls) THIS SATURDAY ONLY -- at your favorite store! Same as usual: Spend $25, then double 5 coupons, up to a $1 value. I tried to get information about DOUBLE DOUBLE days -- if you remember, we saw them for three weeks in a row last October...and no one would budge on any information. It is after six and my "usual" gal isn't there -- I will keep working on it. :) I know I am going on Saturday morning -- now, off to get the info on the new ad done!

It doesn't seem that any Pig's are doubling this week -- The list of ones that were are getting smaller and smaller... As always, keep an eye on YOUR sale flier and watch for the magic "doubling" coupon. =) **Remember, Piggly Wiggly stores are independently owned and their ads occasionally don't match up as prices may vary per store. (YMMV) Check your store ad for prices and to see it's coupon policy --Keep in mind that not everything in the ad is on sale, it is FOR sale! I am listing what I think are the best deals, NOT matching up everything in the flier with a coupon. =) FC = Food Club, their store brand Price guidelines: $1/# or less for fresh produce $2/# or less for most meats. (chicken, pork, ground beef, ham) Coupons for Wisconsin did a great match up this week Double check YOUR ad - some store ads start on 9/27 and some on 9/28. Check out the match up HERE

A lot of Pick N Save shoppers (Norh of us) have been super excited about A Saturday Double Coupon day -- I just peaked at our ad. No suck luck for those of us that have Thursday to Wednesday ads. :( Maybe we will luck out next week -- sorry!

Amazon has a good deal on the Stretch Island Fruit Leather Variety Pack 48ct- 0.5oz pkg $16.43 or $0.35 each . It's eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping. Now, if you got that Crofton Food dehydrator I talked about a few months ago -- you could easily make your own...if you didn't, this is the next best thing. :) If you DIDN'T -- no worries! Black Friday is just around the corner -- there should be a deal or two then.

These are STILL available, if you haven't gotten them yet : The Wiggles Summer 2011 Sampler album – 5 songs FREE Sesame Street 5 song sampler album FREE VeggieTales 5 song sampler album FREE Native American Flute Lullabies (and a few more that you will see at the bottom of the page)!

We had 14 entries -- thank you for helping my daughter's school! The winner (Thanks to Random.org) was #3: Evelyn! I have sent her a PM to get her address -- thank you all for playing! I have a new giveaway starting on Friday :)

**Donation Alert! If you don't have a cat -- you can still send for this and DONATE it to the Humane Society or your local rescuse shelter. ;) Based on the latest research in palatability, Royal Canin understands that a majority of picky cats have individual preferences based on one of three things: a food’s texture and taste, its aroma, or how it makes them feel after eating. The Royal Canin SELECTIVE™ Discovery Box lets your cat try each of the SELECTIVE™ formulas, and choose which one it likes best. Eliminate the guesswork and discover what your picky cat prefers! GET IT HERE **They will also send you a reminder in a few weeks to get a $2/1 coupon! ( thanks Wisconsin Coupon Clippers!)

They system will reload on the first -- these are a few of the new ones that they added. They rest should expire on the 28th or 30th. SavingStar Grocery eCoupons Buy 1 Femystique® personal lubricant, Save $1.00 Expires 10/19/2011 Buy any 1 Phillips' product, Save $2.00 Expires 10/19/2011 Buy any 1 One A Day Multi-Vitamins, Save $1.00 (does not include One A Day Kids) Expires 10/19/2011 Buy any 1 Aleve Product 20 ct or higher, Save $2.00 Expires 10/19/2011 Buy any 1 Bayer Aspirin product, Save $1.00 Expires 10/19/2011 Buy any (2) Dean's® Dip 12 oz or larger, Save $1.00 Expires 10/5/2011

Get them before they are gone -- the system renews on the first! They snuck a lot of NEW ones in just last night! Coupons.com Grocery Coupons $1.00 off one Pup-Peroni dog snacks $2.00 off Any Aleve 80ct or larger $1.50 off ON ONE (1) BOTTLE OF EMETROL FOR NAUSEA $0.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product  -- on sale at Walgreen's this week! $2.00 off any Percogesic product $1.00 off Healthy Gums Rinse $2.00 off Florastor probiotic $1.00 off any 12oz. bag of Seattle's Best Coffee $0.40 off THREE (3) KLEENEX On-the-Go Tissue Pack $10.00 off any Comfort Zone diffuser or spray $0.55 off on any Bagel-fuls (4ct) $3.00 off 1 BOTTLE OF 16 oz. BreathRx Mouth Rinse $5.00 off 1 PHILIPS NORELCO REPLACEMENT SHAVER $5.00 off 1 PHILIPS NORELCO BG2020, BG2030, BG2040 $10.00 off ON ONE (1) PHILIPS NORELCO SPEED XL $0.75 off any Efferdent or Effergrip product $5.00 off 1 gallon of Benjamin Moore paint $1.00 off BISSELL Stomp ?N Go™ $0.55 off 1 GERBER GRADUA...