Winners Of Recent Giveaways & Some Notes

Thank you to everyone that has entered all of my giveaways!  As always, I appreciate your time to do so.

Some Quick Notes about previous winners and the blog:

I know I haven’t been posting much lately but i’m still here!  It seems as though it is one thing after another for me and the family yet again.  So far 2012 hasn’t gotten off to the greatest start.  Also if you are still waiting on a prize from me then the last batch of envelopes will be mailed out on Saturday.  If you have won anything from me and have yet to receive anything as of Saturday, February 18th then please feel free to let me know as well as resend your full name, mailing information and the prize that you won.  I am still playing catch up with a lot of things but hopefully everything will be taken care of!

Enough complaining, let’s get on to the fun part!

Congrats to the following winners!  I have sent out emails to all of the winners so if you do not see an email from me then check your junk folder!

Get to Know Your Local Bloggers/Swagsaver – Jocelin

Get To Know Your Local Bloggers/RainyDayPennies – Cheryl

Get To Know Your Local Bloggers/HappyDeal-HappyDay – Cheryl

Get To Know Your Local Bloggers/Coupons, Deals and More – Wendy P.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

*GIVEAWAY + Mini Review* – Purex UltraPacks Detergent (2 Winners!)

I am a Purex Insider which means that anytime a new Purex product comes out, I get to try it and then share my honest opinion with all of you as well as offer a giveaway so that you may get a chance to try the products for yourself!

The latest product that I was sent was the new Purex UltraPacks detergent.  The UltraPacks come in Free & Clear or Mountain Breeze scent.  I chose to sample the Mountain Breeze.   These ultrapacks contain a pre-dosed liquid form of Purex’s 2x concentrated triple action formula.  For best results, drop the ultrapack into the washer before the clothes as the longer time they spend in the water, the quicker they will dissolve.

MY OPINION:

My first thought was that these look just like my Finish gelpacs dishwasher detergent.  It’s the same idea just for a different purpose.  I like these ultrapacks because they are convenient and they left my clothes looking and smelling clean.  There wasn’t anything that I did not like about them. But – In all honesty, the only reason that I would personally grab these over the bottled detergent is if there was a sale and coupon.  I only say that because although these ultrapacks are convenient, prevent any spills that occur with detergent jugs and are small and easy to store, using liquid detergent isn’t that inconvenient or messy in the first place, in my opinion.  I think that I would however switch over to these if my boys were a little bit older because these would be fantastic for helping encourage children to do their own laundry.  They will help avoid soap overflow due to the kiddos using too much detergent, avoid spills and these ultrapacks are kind of fun to play around with (although not recommended! ;) ).

The GIVEAWAY:

Who: Two (2) Mom’s Coupon Affair Readers
What: Each winner will receive one coupon for a FREE Purex UltraPacks detergent (up to $5.00)
When: The giveaway ends Tuesday, February 14th @ 11:59 PM est
How: Two entries per person.  All you have to do is leave a comment saying anything (keep it family friendly and no spam please) below. THIS IS MANDATORY

For a second entry: “Like” Mom’s Coupon Affair on Facebook and then come back here and leave a comment saying that you did.

* I received a sample to review and no other compensation.  All opinions are my own.

Posted in Giveaways | 48 Comments

Get To Know Your Local Bloggers – Coupons, Deals and More

*Go here to read more about my “Get To Know Your Local Bloggers” series*

This weeks first blogger to be featured is, Ann, from Coupons, Deals and More!

Blog address – www.CouponsDealsandMore.com

My Quick Review:  Where to begin?  Well, I will start by saying that Coupons, Deals and More was the second deal blog that I ever read and the first local blog.  For the longest time, it was the only local blog that I followed and to say that I used to stalk the site would be an understatement.  Ann, has been couponing for as long as I have been alive (yet, she doesn’t look much older than I do) and she has dedicated her time to helping others learn how to use coupons and rebates to save money.  Her site is extremely informational and anyone would think so, not just locals.  My favorite part about Coupons, Deals and More is the consistency.  If you know anything about me, you know that is something that I struggle with so to find such order and schedule on Ann’s site is very refreshing for me.  You will find a ton of info on local, drugstore and online deals as well as printable coupons, rebates and quite a big personality.  Ann, will make you laugh and the community on her site is also something that I look forward to.  Ann, has a lot more to offer but I will let her tell you in her own words:

What is your name? Ann

Where are you located? New York State

Do you work outside of the home? I blog 60+ hours a week, usually from inside my  house.
Do you have any children and/or pets? Both – Sonny-boy (my son) and Max (my dog)

What are some of your favorite things to do when you aren’t blogging? There is life outside of deal blogging?

How about some blogging questions, shall we? -

Why did you start your blog? I started the Grocery Coupon forum on fatwallet back in 2001.  It was a way for Tim to “soften” (his word) what was male-dominated tech blog.  In 2002 I moved on to moderate a different (now-defunct) forum, and in late 2008 hubby finally convinced me to start my own blog.  I have  been teaching  people how to hunt for deals, use coupons and refund for many,  many years.  Coupons, Deals and More  is my “voice” and a way to continue to teach people how to shop savvy.

What is your favorite part about blogging? Helping folks.

Which stores do you do your own coupon match-ups for?  Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens, Tops, Wegmans, Pathmark and A&P

Approximately how many times do you post a week?  Between 80 and 120 times depending on the season and the available deals.

Do you have any special features on your blog? Many:
In addition to the weekly deal posts for the stores listed above, these are some of my features:
Laugh of the Day
CVS Kiosk Coupons
Sunday Morning Shopping
Wake Up And Smell The Coffee (coffee opinion pieces)
Stockpile Recipes
Extreme Coupon Reality (the way it really is couponing, based on 30 years in the hobby/business)
Printable Retail Coupons
Stock-up Sale Prices
Printable Restaurant Coupons
Advice From A Grizzled Coupon Veteran
Thursday Liquor and Wine Reviews
Coupon Insert Preview
Sunday “Must Do” Deals

What do you think is your “specialty” when it comes to your blog content? My blog is a deal and lifestyle blog

I am curious to hear about your spending and saving habits!

Do you use coupons on every shopping trip? Basically

What is your best deal that you ever got? LOL There have been so many over the last 30 years that it is impossible to just choose one.

Do you have a set grocery budget each month? No

On average how much do you save on your grocery bill? 100% at the drugstores, 50% at the supermarket

What is your favorite store to shop at for deals? Grocery store: Tops, Drugstore: Rite Aid

If you could pass on one tip to people trying to save money, what would it be? Never compare your savings to anyone else!  Everyone’s lifestyle, family, budget, store sales and eating habits are different, so while some folks with great loss leaders and double coupons in a competitive market can save 75% every grocery trip, others without loss leaders  and no double coupons may do well to save 25% each week.

Do you have a favorite frugal recipe? I have many Stockpile Recipes, one is posted each Monday afternoon at 3pm eastern. http://couponsdealsandmore.com/category/stockpile-recipe/

What is the most frugal thing that you do? I am not in any way shape, manner or form “frugal”.  I am a value conscious shopper that likes to get  the best bang for my hard earned dollar.

What are some of your favorite money saving websites aside from your own? Honestly, I do not frequent any other deal blogs.

GIVEAWAY:
1. “Like” Coupons, Deals and More on Facebook
2. Leave a comment on her Facebook page saying something similar to “Mom’s Coupon Affair sent me”
3. Leave a comment on THIS post letting me know that you did everything required in step 1 & 2 to enter.

The Giveaway will last until Thursday, February 9th @ 11:59 PM EST.  The winner of this coupon giveaway will receive an envelope of coupons.  The amount of coupons that will be won depends on the amount of people that enter the giveaway.  I will start each envelope off with 15 coupons and one coupon will be added for every person that enters!

**Keep an eye out on Thursday for our next local blogger, My CNY Mommy!!**

Previous local blogger interviews: WNY Deals And To-Do’s, Crazy About SavinReality Couponing In RochesterDeals Is The DealMindfully Frugal MomOur REAL DealFrugal Makes CentsTricias Frugal FindsSimply Family SavingsThe Frugal BuffalonianMoney Saving LisaCoupons For Your FamilyCoupon Clippin’ DaddyHappy Deal – Happy DayRainy Day Pennies, Swag Saver

Posted in Blog of the week | 17 Comments

Get To Know Your Local Bloggers – Swag Saver

*Go here to read more about my “Get To Know Your Local Bloggers” series*

This weeks next blogger to be featured is Misty from SwagSaver!

Blog address – www.SwagSaver.com

My Quick Review:  Misty does fantastic and thorough Tops Markets write-ups!  I really appreciate that she always posts legit deals and follows the coupon policies.  Misty will also update her site with any mid-week deals that she finds at Tops.  She also posts lengthy drugstore coupon match-ups and posts all of the best printable coupons and freebies!  Misty has much more to offer but I will let her tell you in her own words.

What is your name? Misty Dennis

Where are you located? Buffalo, NY

Do you work outside of the home? Yes, I work full-time as a Physician Assistant

Do you have any children and/or pets? I have one dog, Zeus

What are some of your favorite things to do when you aren’t blogging? I love to read – I just finished the entire Twilight Series is less than a week!

Why did you start your blog? I stumbled across a blog while looking for a coupon. It had great drug and grocery store match-ups. I searched and searched for a good Tops match-up, but just couldn’t find one that I liked. I came across a few, but they either didn’t have enough deals, were poorly organized or had several coupons matched up incorrectly (ignoring size restrictions, quantities, or even the wrong item completely), so I started my own!

What is your favorite part about blogging? Comments from readers after they score a great deal or save a lot of money thanks to something they read on my blog.

Which stores do you do your own coupon match-ups for?  Tops, Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS (Wegmans returning soon)

Approximately how many times do you post a week? Everyday…or at least almost everyday.

What do you think is your “specialty” when it comes to your blog content? Like I said, I started this blog because I couldn’t find a good Tops match-up, so I think that the Tops match-ups I do every week could be considered my ‘specialty’. I take a lot of pride in bringing my readers the best match-ups possible!

I am curious to hear about your spending and saving habits!

Do you use coupons on every shopping trip? Yes, definitely.

What is your favorite item to find a coupon for? Produce, I love fresh fruits and veggies, but it’s hard to find coupons for them!

What is your best deal that you ever got? 30 gallons of gas for FREE at Tops, thanks to using coupons that earned all the points! It was almost $120 worth! (I am about to fill up for free again next week!)

Do you have a set grocery budget each month? No

On average how much do you save on your grocery bill? 75%

What is your favorite store to shop at for deals? Tops, Wegmans, CVS

If you could pass on one tip to people trying to save money, what would it be? Don’t get overwhelmed. I think the show Extreme Couponing, while bringing attention to saving money, sets unrealistic expectations for the average person. Find a local blog that does match-ups for stores you shop at regularly and follow them. Most bloggers take the time to try and break down the deals, and are always open to answering any questions you may have.

Do you have a favorite frugal recipe? I use a bread machine to make my own pizza dough, soft pretzels, etc. The basic ingredients are very inexpensive and it’s a lot of fun!

What is the most frugal thing that you do? That’s a tough one. I do a lot of frugal things! My favorite is probably shopping the after-season sales. I try to get all of my holiday shopping done by March – yes, March. I’ve learned the patterns for mark-downs after the holidays so I try to get there early for the best selection. I get large Yankee candles for $7.50, full size Bath & Body Works products for $2 and essentials like wrapping paper, tape, etc. for 90% off!

What are some of your favorite money saving websites aside from your own? DealSeekingMom.com, Groupon.com, CouponDede.com 

GIVEAWAY:
1. “Like” SwagSaver on Facebook
2. Leave a comment on one of her blog posts saying something similar to “Mom’s Coupon Affair sent me”
3. Leave a comment on THIS post letting me know that you did everything required in step 1 & 2 to enter.

The Giveaway will last until Monday, February 6th @ 11:59 PM EST.  The winner of this coupon giveaway will receive an envelope of coupons.  The amount of coupons that will be won depends on the amount of people that enter the giveaway.  I will start each envelope off with 15 coupons and one coupon will be added for every person that enters!

**Keep an eye out on Monday for our next local blogger, Coupons,Deals and More!!**

Previous local blogger interviews: WNY Deals And To-Do’s, Crazy About SavinReality Couponing In RochesterDeals Is The DealMindfully Frugal MomOur REAL DealFrugal Makes CentsTricias Frugal FindsSimply Family SavingsThe Frugal BuffalonianMoney Saving LisaCoupons For Your FamilyCoupon Clippin’ DaddyHappy Deal – Happy Day, Rainy Day Pennies

Posted in Blog of the week | 6 Comments

Sunday Coupon Preview 2/5 (3 Inserts)

Coupons and denominations vary by region so you may not get what is listed.  This is just to give you an idea.  I always flip through the inserts at the store to see if it’s worth buying a bunch of papers or not.  Thanks to Coupon Previews for the preview this week!  Be sure to check out SundayCouponPreview and TaylorTownPreview to see other coupons not listed here and the different denominations.

* This Sunday paper will have 3 inserts -1 Smartsource, 1 Redplum & 1 General Mills Insert.

My Favorites are in pink :) !

Smartsource

Almay $1/1 cosmetic product (3/17/12)
Bayer $1/1 Aspirin tablets 50ct+ TARGET coupon (3/31/12)
Betty Crocker $3/2 decorating items (5/31/12)
Campbell’s $.50/2 Healthy Request Chunky or Select Harvest soups (3/18/12)
Campbell’s $.50/3 Healthy Request condensed soups (3/18/12)
Campbell’s $1/2 Slow Kettle style soup (3/18/12)
Claritin $4/1 24ct+ (3/4/12)
Claritin $4/1 D 15ct+ (3/4/12)
Claritin $6/1 45ct+ (2/12/12)
Contac $1/1 24ct+ (3/26/12)
Curel $1/1 moisturizer 3.5oz+ (3/3/12)
Dryel $1/1 cleaning kit or refills dnd (5/31/12)
Duncan Hines $.35/1 cake mixes (4/30/12)
Duncan Hines $1/1 Comstock Fillings & Toppings (4/30/12)
Hills Bros $.35/1 12oz+ cappuccino (3/31/12)
Hydroxycut $5/1 product (4/5/12)
Infusium 23 $1/1 shampoo, conditioner or leave in treatment ets (3/4/12)
Instead $2/1 Softcup 14 or 24 count (9/30/12)
Jergens $2/1 moisturizer 8oz+ excluding all Natural Glow (2/26/12)
Johnsonville $.75/1 Breakfast Sausage Links or Patties dnd (5/31/12)
K-Y $2/1 product ets (4/30/12)
K-Y $5/1 Date Night pack, Intense Intrigue, Yours + Mine Couple Lubricants or Yours + Mine Kissable Sensations ets (4/30/12)
Lysol $1/1 disinfectant spray 12oz+ (3/6/12)
Lysol $1/1 Neutra Air Fabric Mist or Neutra Air Aerosol Can (3/6/12)
Lysol $1/2 bathroom, all purpose or kitchen cleaners (3/6/12)
Lysol $1/2 disinfecting wipes (3/6/12)
Lysol $1/2 Toilet Bowl Cleaners or No Mess Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners (3/6/12)
Lysol $3/1 No-Touch Hand Soap System starter kit only (3/6/12)
Mentos $.55/1 15pc+ bottle dnd (3/31/12) *Might make for free gum if your store doubles
New York Brand $.50/1 frozen product (4/30/12)
Pepcid/Lactaid/Tucks $4/2 products ets (5/31/12)
Pepperidge Farm $.50/1 3-laye cake (4/15/12)
Pert Plus $1/1 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 product ets (3/4/12)
Purina $1/1 ONE brand dry cat food (5/2/12)
Purina B2G1 free cans of ONE wet cat food up to $.85 (5/2/12)
RevitaLens OcuTec $2/1 multi-purpose disinfecting solution (3/12/12)
Schick $1/1 disposable razor pack not valid on 2 count (3/18/12)
Schiff $2/1 MegaRed product (5/31/12)
Scotch-Brite $.75/2 scrub sponge 3-packs (3/31/12)
Scotch-Brite $1/2 lint rollers (3/31/12)
Seattle’s Best $1.50/1 coffee bag 12oz+ (3/31/12)
Snackwell’s $.75/1 bars dnd (5/31/12)
Trojan $1/1 condom product 10ct+ (4/29/12)
Trojan $1/1 Vibrations product (4/29/12)
UP2U $1/1 multipack dnd (3/31/12)
UP2U $1/1 pack dnd (3/31/12) *This gum goes on sale often for just $1.00 at several stores which would make it free!
V8 $1/2 Splash 46oz+ (3/18/12)
Woolite $1/1 carpet or upholstery product (4/15/12)
Woolite $1/1 detergent 50oz+ (3/18/12)
Woolite $1/1 Pet Urine Eliminator or Pet+Oxygen Carpet Stain & Odor Remover (4/15/12)

Redplum

Baskin Robbins $1/1 medium or large frozen beverage (3/4/12)
Baskin Robbins $2/1 cake, minimum $12 cake (3/4/12)
Baskin Robbins B1 cone, G1 for $.99 of equal or lesser value excluding waffle (3/4/12)
Baskin Robbins B1 sundae, G1 for $.99 of equal or lesser value (3/4/12)
Crave B1G1 soft treats for cats up to $1.59 (3/17/12)
DermaSilk $5/1 full size products (2/28/12)
Disney/Marvel $1/1 gummy vitamin 60ct+ (3/21/12)
Ester-C $2/1 tablet, gummy or powder (3/21/12)
Folgers $.25/1 coffee product 3oz+ (3/5/12)
Garnier $1/1 skincare product (5/5/12)
Garnier Fructis $1/1 shampoo, conditioner or treatment ets (3/18/12)
Garnier Fructis $1/1 style product ets (4/5/12)
Garnier Nutrisse $2/1 Nourishing Color Creme (4/5/12)
Gillette $.55/1 Shave prep ets (3/31/12)
Gillette $3/1 Fusion ProGlide Styler ets (3/31/12)
Gillette $3/1 Mach3 disposables(excludes 1ct), Sensor3 or Custom Plus3 ets (3/31/12)
Greenies $3/1 canine dental chews 12oz+ (3/31/12)
Hoover MAIL IN REBATE $10 off any upright less than $100. $20 off any upright $100+
Maybelline New York $1/1 eyeshadow or eye liner (4/5/12)
Maybelline New York $1/1 mascara (4/5/12)
Maybelline New York $1/1 powder, blush, concealer or primer (4/5/12)
Maybelline New York $2/1 foundation (4/5/12)
Maybelline New York $2/1 lip product (4/5/12) *I seriously love their Baby Lips and after Gift card this coupon will make these essentially free at an upcoming CVS deal! 
Nature’s Bounty $1/1 vitamin or supplement (3/21/12)
Nature’s Bounty $2/1 fish oil or CO Q-10 supplement (3/21/12)
Newman’s Own $1/1 Complete Skillet Meal (3/17/12)
Paseo $1/1 12-roll bath tissue or 8-roll paper towel (3/31/12)
Paseo $1/2 facial tissue (3/31/12)
Sally Hansen $1/1 Complete Salon Manicure (3/5/12)
Sally Hansen $1/1 Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips (3/5/12)
Stash $1/2 boxes of tea (5/31/12)
Subway Buy any 16oz+ drink before 11am, get a regular 6-inch breakfast sub or flatbread free (3/31/12)
Subway Buy any 6-inch or flatbread sub with any 16oz+ drink, get a regular 6-inch sub of equal or less price free (2 coupons) (3/31/12)

General Mills Insert

Betty Crocker $.50/1 Fun da-middles cupcake mix (3/31/12)
Betty Crocker $.40/1 17.5oz+ cookie mix pouch (3/31/12)
Betty Crocker $.50/2 boxed potatoes except Potato Buds and Pouch (3/31/12)
Betty Crocker $.50/2 Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers or Fruit Roll-Ups (3/31/12)
Betty Crocker $.75/2 Supreme Brownie or Dessert Bar Mixes (3/31/12)
Bisquick $.50/1 20oz+ Original or Heart Smart or 10.6oz Shake ‘n Pour (3/31/12)
Cereal $1/3 all varieties (3/17/12)
Fiber One $.50/2 Chewy Bars, 90 Calorie Chewy Bars or 90 Calorie Brownies (3/31/12)
Hamburger/Tuna/Chicken Helper $.75/3 Home Cooked Skillet Meals (3/31/12)
Nature Valley $.50/2 Granola Bars 6ct+, Granola Nut Clusters or Granola Thins (3/31/12)
Ocean Spray $.50/1 Fruit Flavored Snacks (3/31/12)
Pillsbury $.30/1 Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls (4/28/12)
Pillsbury $.30/2 Refrigerated Grands! Biscuits (4/28/12)
Pillsbury $.50/2 Toaster Strudel, Toaster Scrambles or Pancakes (4/28/12)
Progresso $1/4 soup cans (3/31/12)
Yoplait $.40/6 yogurt cups (3/31/12)
Yoplait $.50/2 Greek yogurt (3/31/12)
Yoplait $.75/1 Frozen Smoothie (3/31/12)
Yoplait $.75/1 Light Yogurt with Granola (3/31/12)
Yoplait $.75/2 Go-GURT, Kids Cup, Trix multipack or Splitz (3/31/12)

Posted in Sunday Paper Coupons | Leave a comment

Tops Markets – Get A Sneak Peek Of Next Weeks Ad 2/5 – 2/11

Head on over to Simply Family Savings to see the ad scan for next weeks Tops Markets Sales ad!  Jennifer is kind enough to scan and post the ad for us each week so that we can get our coupons ready and prepare for some great deals!

**Simply Family Savings has moved to a .com site so be sure to bookmark the correct one!  Yay, Jennifer! :) **

Be sure to “thank” Jennifer from Simply Family Savings for letting us see the ad!  She now has a Facebook page for her site so be sure to head on over there and show your support by “liking” the page:)

Posted in Tops | 3 Comments