Operation $40K

I hit everything, according to plan this morning! Easy Peasy :) Don't freak out at the lack of produce - I hit Aldi last week and will be again on Monday or Tuesday for more fresh fruit. We are still good on grapefruit, apples and pears. Transaction #1 8 Capri Sun @$1.99 = $15.92 4 Ground Chicken $2.00 = 8.00 (1)Belvita Crackers $2.99 = $2.99 -coupons used (1) $1/1 Belvita (doubled), 4 $.75/1 Gold 'n Plump Ground Chicken (doubled), (2) B3G1 Capri Sun, $.05 bag credit   Final Price: 38.48 for $15.76 Transaction #2 5 Belvita Crackers $2.99 = $14.95 4 Capri Sun @$1.99 = 7.96 1 Gallon Milk @$2.59 -coupons used: (5) $1/1 Belvita (doubled), b3G1 Capri Sun, $3 Catalina from last week Final Price: $32.48 for $10.95   Grand Total Today: $70.96 for $26.71, saving 62.3% FAR from my best, but I was scoring the Capri Sun for someone else. We usually don't see them less than $2/10 pack and with the sale price of $1.99 and the coupon, they came to $1.50ish -- and ...

Sometimes, something as simple as adding a few glow sticks to the nightly bath, can make things more fun or magical! This is Miss Sarah's favorite -- We shut the lights out in the bathroom and close the sliding door for her. It's hard to get her out of there, LOL! WHERE do we get the glow sticks? The Dollar Store. They come 2 to a pack for $1.00 That means a fun bath experience for about $2.00 :) What do you do for a fun bath?

It's time to check out the deals many stores/places offer for Tax Day - my favorite source of info is the site Tax Day Freebies ! My favorites this year: Arby’s - Free Curly Fries on Tax Day on 4/17 Only Auntie Anne’s - Buy Any 1 Pretzel Get 1 Signature Pretzel Free (exp. 4/25) Bruegger’s – $10.40 Big Bagel Bundle - it's 13 bagels with 2 dips! (exp. 4/17) Chili’s - Free Appetizer or Dessert WYB1 Entree 4/16 – 4/18 Only Einstein Bros Bagels - 25% Off Entire Purchase (exp: 4/17) Office Depot - Free 5 Pounds of Document Shredding (exp: 4/15/2012) Panda Express - Free Shanghai Angus Steak Entree on 4/17 Only ( For you Janesville people ) Schlotzsky’s - Free Chips & 20 oz. Fountain Drink WYB Any Hand-Carved Sandwich (exp. 4/18) Sonic - All Day Happy Hour on 4/17 -- get 1/2 price Slushies or drinks. Cherry Lime Aid anyone? Tupperware - Buy 1 item, get one 50% off - at the East Towne Mall Cart Only, sale ends 4/15

Some people call this Cowboy Casserole - regardless, it is a quick meal to fix and a great one to take to anyone that has little people. Four ingredients if you want to keep it really simple: 1 pound cooked off ground beef/turkey 1 can corn 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (we make our own version - I will share that this coming week) 1/2 bag of tater tots You COULD dress this up with sauteed onions, garlic powder, mixed veggies instead of just corn, shredded cheddar cheese, etc. What I have found is SIMPLE is best when you are blessing someone else with it. :) Combine the first 3 ingredients and pop into your 9x13 pan. Then, like you see here: Put the tater tots on top of it. Then, bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, until they are slightly crunchy. Easy Peasy -- we serve it with a little ketchup on the side... because Miss Sarah thinks that is a food group of it's own, LOL FYI - she doesn't like potatoes and hasn't figured out yet that tater tots ARE potatoes. We will...

You can find them here -- at Totally Target. Make sure you thank Kerry for her great work! :) Happy Shopping!

Welcome to 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 and Meal Planning are just the tip of the iceberg - but account for about 50% 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  and Ad Match Ups . I am on Twitter, Pinterest 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 . Blessings, Dannelle

Here is a quick match up of the newest couopns booklet - that runs from 4/12 to 4/25. This does NOT cover EVERY item in the booklet, just the ones that have coupons for them -- many are STORE brand coupons with no coupons available. Folger's Coffee 22.6-33.9 oz $7.98 (limit 1) -use the $.25/1 from the 3/25 RP Barilla Pasta $.98 (limit 1) Barilla Pasta Sauce $1.98 (limit 1) -use the $1/2 from the 3/18 SS Kemp's Premium Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt $2.48 (limit 1) -use the $1/2 from the 4/1 SS (the 2nd one will be $3.00) Roundy's Shredded Cheese 5-8oz $.98 (limit 1) GREAT PRICE on this -- we usually see $1.66 - $2.00 Navel Oranges 8# bag $3.98 (limit 1) Fresh Express 3-Color Coleslaw $.98 (limit 1) Merkts Cheese Spread 14oz 2/$4.98 -look for the $1/2 Peelies on some products! Colgate Max Fresh, White or Clean Toothpaste $1.25 off (limit 1) -stack with $.75/1 from the 3/25 SS and you should have a tube for $1.00 or less Sensodyne Toothpaste 4oz $3.98 (limi...

I zipped over to http://www.iheartwags.com/ and scoped out the upcoming ad - it is NOT all the deals in the flier, just the ones that are FREE, or almost FREE. It's a small list this week! Pepsi Next 20 oz $.99 Get a $.99 RR Final Price: FREE Aquafresh kids toothpaste 4.6 oz $2.00 -use the $1/1 Aquafresh kids 4.6 oz from the Walgreen's April Coupon Book -use the $1/1 from the 4/15  Final Price: FREE Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief spray .68 oz $6.00 Get a $6 RR Final Price: FREE Nasal Ease Allergy Relief spray .18 oz $9.00 -use the $5/1 from the 3/11 RP or the $1/1 from HERE Get a $9.00 RR Final Price: Possible $5.00 Money Maker Haribo gummy candy 4.25-5 oz $.99 -use the $.30/1 from HERE Final Price $.69 -- have I mentioned Vodka Soaked Gummy Bears before ? YUM! Nivea for Men Skin Care 2/$7.00 -use (2) of the $2/1 Men's Nivea Face Care from the 4/15 RP Get a $2.00 RR Final Price: $.50 each WYB2 Dawn Dish Liquid $.99 -use the $....

Thanks to Didie for this week's list! Coupon Color Decoder: Pink=Facebook Coupon, you'll have to have a Facebook account to print these IPs! Light Blue = Scanner coupon or CVS Retailer Coupon, you'll know it's a CVS coupon because the barcode will always start with the number 4! Red=these are general coupons, they could be from an insert, a tearpad, a booklet, peelie, or an IP and start with the number 5 or 9. ECB DEALS Gatorade Recover 16.9 oz., Starbucks Double Shot 15 oz. or Frappuccino 13.7 oz. 2/$4 Get $1 ECB wyb (2) Limit 1 Duracell Alkaline AAA, AA 16pk, C, D 8 pk., 9-vold 4pk. or Ultra Power AAA, AA 12pk. batteries $11.99 Get $2 ECB Limit 1 $.50/1 Duracell CopperTop, Ultra Power, Ultra Photo Lithium or specialty batteries ets (P&G 4/1) Speed Stick Power antiperspirant/deodorant 3 oz. or Lady Speed Stick 2.3 oz. $2.99 Get $1.50 ECB Limit 1 $1/1 Speed Stick antiperspirant/deodorant including Lady excluding 2oz, 1.4oz and .5oz sizes ...

11am-3pm, It's the 2nd annual Spring Petting Zoo at the Bruce Company! Bring your camera to take pictures and feed the animals: goats, chickens, llamas, sheep and more! The Bruce Company, 2830 Parmenter St, Middleton. ***Don't forget your hand sanitizer! It's ALWAYS a good idea to use it after you feed animals in any kind of petting zoo setting. :)

Baby & Toddler $1.50 off one Feverall product Books & Magazines $1.00 off COOKING LIGHT Magazine Foods $0.75 off one carton of Egg Beaters Florentine Personal Care $15.00 off when you buy any ONE Philips Norelco SensoTouch Razor $20.00 off when you buy any ONE Philips Norelco SensoTouch Razor 3D $10.00 off when you buy any ONE Philips Norelco Electric Shaver

A Lot of new ones here this morning - 20 of them!

Sentry Coupon Policy is here , keep in mind that Sentry Foods on Cottage Grove Road doubles on Wednesday, up to $1, NO minimum purchase or limit of coupons you can use! Just no more than three of the same coupons. Check to see if your store takes IPs (Internet Printable Coupons) before printing some of the matched up deals...not all do.  A great STACKING coupon this week- $5 off WYB 10 Kraft items and a 3 Day sale (9th-11th) Remember, Not everything in the ad is a good bargain, it's not all ON sale but is all FOR sale Produce Deals Remember my guidelines: $1/# or less for fresh produce Weigh the bags and get the heavier ones (potatoes, onions, apples, etc) Meat Deals Remember my price points: $1/# or less for whole birds, $2/# or less for most meats, $3/# or less for beef roasts and bacon, $4/# or less for seafood I ran out of time this week - so check out the match up from Stretch Your Dollars Waukesha!  Her post of the week is HERE  It's also the Metc...

Earth Day Freebies Tax Day Freebies How I got a $4,500+ Tax return this year I hate to tease you... but I am helping at Miss Sarah's school today and then have a surprise shift at our East Towne Mall Cart! More later....but keep an eye on our facebook page for Flash Friday Giveaways! Blessings- Dannelle

This is for all those people that get a kick out of hitting the website People of Walmart Go ahead - print it an play. You know you want to....LOL! OK, some of the the squares might be down right tacky, but this made us laugh out loud at the concept. Before anyone takes offense at the multi-racial square --  Keep in mind I have a multi-racial family and WE laugh about it. My parents did emegency foster care over the years and adopted several children. We don't see people's "colors" here - just good hearts inside them. :)

If you haven't signed up for Kellogg's yet - now is a great time! I usually get emails about every 2 weeks that have higher value coupons than what you find in any newspaper. Make sure you don't miss out on the mailing that will be coming soon! :)

  Ever wanted to learn the secrets on how to save 60-80% on your groceries every time you go the store? This class is for you! Learn WHERE to get coupons that you will use, HOW to organize them, and most importantly, the right way to USE them! This class is 2 hours long...and taught by ME. :) I am in my home town this weekend at the Sun Prairie Public Library - doing the class from 10AM until Noon. It's FREE -- so, if you are open, stop in! If you are NOT in Sun Prairie but want to catch one of my classes - my schedule is HERE

We have a pretty full stockpile so it's easy to NOT shop, unless it's for things we need. This list is pretty short: just two stores: Aldi and Copp's 1) I plan to hit Aldi Tuesday for some fresh fruit -- it's on my way to something else so it isn't a special trip. They have strawberries for $.99, Mangoes for $.49 and great prices on thin - tender asparagus right now! 2) Copp's. It's Double Coupon day tomorrow and I am after the ground chicken for $.50/#, after coupons. I also have a friend who wants to stock up on Capri Sun - which I never see for less than $2 a ten pack. With the $1.99 sale - and the buy 3 get 1 FREE coupons, it comes to a decent price. I told her I'd grab them for her tomorrow and get her 4 for FREE. (She LOVED that!!) So - only two transactions, here is my plan: Transaction #1 8 Capri Sun @$1.99 = $15.92 -using (2) B3G1 coupons 4 Ground Chicken $2.00 = 8.00 -using (4) $.75/1 coupons that will double (1)Belvita Crackers $2.99 = $2...

This can be a godsend for people who have limited means of transportation, new moms who aren' ready to leave the house, and people like my inlaws who are older and find it harder to go to the stores when it's harder for them to read the labels! With more than 8,000 products for shoppers to choose from, Peapod boasts not just the expected selection of grocery basics, but also farm-fresh produce; restaurant-quality meats and much more! Peapod now serves more than 18 million customers and has secured its position as the country's leading Internet grocer, serving 22 U.S. markets.   They DO take coupons!   Save when you shop! • Hundreds of items on sale each week - click the Specials tab or look for the red tag. • Use our Sort feature to find the best values. • Use coupons - they accept all valid manufacturer's coupons and you can save even more with exclusive online coupons. • Buy groceries. Save for college with Upromise. • See how much you've saved - c...

Saturday April 14 Super Saturday Story time - at Barn's N Noble Bookstore (10:30 AM - 11:15 AM) Super Saturday Imagination Story time is on the first and third Saturday of each month and begins at 10:30am. It's an amazing adventure for children and their family to take together! Kids in the Rotunda Every Saturday October thru May - Overture Center for the Arts Overture Center offers free arts programs designed for children and families at 9:30 AM, 11 AM and 1 PM. The popular performing arts series for children and families offers a relaxed, kid-friendly environment in which to enjoy a diverse lineup of local and regional musicians, storytellers, jugglers, theater troupes, magicians and dancers. The 1 PM performances are sign language interpreted. Kids in the Rotunda takes place on the Rotunda Stage. This week the magic & ventriloquism   of Wayne the Wizard Chemistry Fun at UW Space Place - NO EVENT THIS WEEKEND due to the Science Expeditions! UW-...

Welcome to 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 and Meal Planning are just the tip of the iceberg - but account for about 50% 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  and Ad Match Ups . I am on Twitter, Pinterest 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 . Blessings, Dannelle

$3.00 off any bag of AvoDerm dry dog food $1.50 off ten (10) cans of ALPO Dog Food $1.00 off Jonny Cat cat litter $1.25 off 1 bag of Milo's Kitchen dog treats Save $3.00 on any Hill's® Science Diet® Light bag, (12) Light cans, OR (2) bags of Light treats. SAVE $3.00 off any size bag of World's Best Cat Litter™ Clumping Formulas $1.00 off when you buy any SIX cans of Mighty Dog® brand dog food

SavingStar Grocery eCoupons - some are store specific today! Save $1.00 when you purchase any 2 Scrubbing Bubbles® products. Expires 5/9/2012. Buy 1 RapidLash, Save $10.00. Expires 5/9/2012. (Only at CVS) Buy 1 RapidLash, Save $10.00. Expires 5/9/2012. (Only at Fred Meyer) Save $1.00 when you buy TWO (2) GHIRARDELLI® STAND-UP BAGS. Expires 5/9/2012. Buy any 2 Essential EverydayTM Pasta Sauces, Save 50%. Expires 4/25/2012. (Only at Jewel - Osco) Buy any 1 Java Delight® item, Save 25%. Expires 4/25/2012. (Only at Jewel - Osco) Buy any 2 Super Chill® 2-liter sodas, Save 50%. Expires 4/25/2012. (Only at Jewel - Osco) Buy any 2 Essential EverydayTM Cereals, Save 50%. Expires 4/25/2012. (Only at Shaw's) Buy any 1 Java Delight® item, Save $1.00. Expires 4/25/2012. (Only at Shaw's) Buy any 2 Super Chill® Tonic Waters, Save 50%. Expires 4/25/2012. (Only at Shaw's) Buy any 2 Essential EverydayTM items, Save 50%. Expires 4/25/2012. (Only at ACME Market...

A few things you need to know about these stores: You can double up to five manufacturer coupons (with a value of $1.00 or less) on Wednesdays and Saturdays, thru the end of April, then - it's just back to Wednesdays.   Your total order needs to be at least $25 before tax and after store coupons, and you need to use your Roundy's rewards card in order for your coupons to double. Individual store coupon policies may vary, so be sure to check in with customer service.... but the standard company policy is listed HERE  **There is a 13 hour sale on Friday, April 13th -- most items are great deals! The Snack Pack's for $.78 etc - the strawberries are cheaper at Aldi, by $.40/#   Don't forget about the Fuel Perks Program ( here ) Produce Deals --Look for $1/# or less for fresh, seasonal items --Weigh bags to get the heavier ones (ex: 10# bag of potatoes for $2.99, you might get an 11# bag) - -Aldi has GREAT deals on fresh fruit this week -- blowing all the Roun...