Carrie’s picks are my thoughts on which coupons from the one Smart Source insert and the Parade Magazine in today’s paper are most likely to turn into freebies or rock bottom-priced items. Smart Source refers to the publisher of the coupon insert magazine thingy and is the name, along with today’s date, that I use to cross-reference coupons the shopping lists at Pocket Your Dollars.
The Parade Magazine is a small magazine inserted within the paper that often contains a few coupons, this week mine has a $1 off 2 boxes of Kellogg’s High Fiber, Anti-something-or-another cereal and a coupon good for a totally free fruit smoothie or frappe from McDonald’s.
Coupon references are to those I got in my home delivered Minneapolis Star Tribune. It’s possible that coupons in your Sunday paper are different than mine; understand why by reading 4 reasons your paper may have different coupons than your neighbor’s. If you live in Minnesota or Western Wisconsin, you can get two free passes to the Water Park of America when you order a Star Tribune subscription through Pocket Your Dollars. (I personally ordered two more subscriptions and this is my first week of getting three copies home delivered. I am really going to rock the deals now!)
For more own type-A-ness, the coupons are organized alphabetically within category.
If you’re new to couponing, read through my picks from previous weeks to learn from my oh-so delightful commentary in weeks gone by.
If you want more copies of these coupons ask friends, neighbors, co-workers, or even restaurants, coffee shops or libraries for their unused copies. You can also order the specific coupons you want from The Coupon Clippers.
Your turn: Do you see any coupons for things your family buys that will turn into a great deal, but I overlooked?
Everyday, Regular Priced Items
Buy the following products with a coupon from this weekend’s paper at their everyday price and you’ll get a great deal or maybe even a freebie.
Harbor Freight Flashlight. My insert has a coupon good for a free 3 ½” flashlight from any Harbor Freight Tools location no other purchase necessary. It is only good for in-store purchases.
McDonald’s Frappe. The Parade Magazine has a coupon good for a free 12 ounce fruit smoothie or frappe from McDonald’s, no other purchase necessary.
Sale Priced Items
If these products go on sale before the coupon expires you should get a rock bottom price or maybe even a freebie. Look through the coupons on the “coupons doubled in value” list below as well, since they could be included here too.
Air Wick. Buy one fragrance refill, get a scented oil warmer free.
Avent Bottles. Some people are loyal to brands of baby bottles like others are loyal to sports teams. For those that swear by Avent bottles (and sippy cups) save $2 off any Avent Magic Cup or bottle purchase.
Bausch & Lomb Soothe Drops. Even this week we see these eye drops on sale at Walgreens, generating a Walgreens Register Reward with purchase, plus we can use this $3 off coupon. All in all, a $7 product might be as low as $3.
Finish Quantumatic Detergent Dispenser System. These starter kits have been $5.00 at Target and $5.97 at Walmart, making them half priced or better after this $3 off coupon. Personally, I’m not a fan of starter kits as, generally, the kits are priced reasonably or free, but the refills rarely have coupons and are much more expensive than similar alternative products that aren’t tied to the starter kit unit.
Mentos Gum. I really like Mentos Gum and when we see these $1 off 2 bottles coupons they will either be free or less than $20.25 per bottle.
Purina Friskies Treats. Buy one Purina Friskies treats, get one free.
Revlon Color Cosmetics. We’ve seen great Revlon sales lately and some Target-issued Revlon coupons so I think this week’s $1 off Revlon coupon will come in very handy.
Coupons Doubled in Value
If you can shop at a store where the value of your coupon is doubled and these products go on sale before the coupon expires, then you will likely get a freebie or something close to it.
Dannon Yogurt. Only this week’s Dannon Activia coupon says “do not double,” which means the Danimals and Dan-o-nino coupons can be doubled and will likely turn into free yogurt with the right sale.
General Mills Cereals. Since this $1 off 2 boxes cereal is eligible for doubling, whereas most printable coupons from General Mills are not eligible, this coupon could make for some low-priced cereal if matched to the right sale.
Total and Wheaties. Any cereal coupon worth more than $0.50 per box that is eligible for doubling could turn into free or near-free cereal.
Tornados. Frequently we see these on sale for $2, which will make them free after this $2 off coupon is doubled in value.
Eat Out and Recreation
Boston Market. Various coupons including $1 off sandwich, $2/$10 purchase and $4/$20 purchase. Coupons expire 8/15.
Cici’s Pizza. Cici’s Pizza finally arrives in the Twin Cities, at least this is the first I’ve heard of them here. They are a low-cost pizzeria that you either love or loathe and I land on the not loving-side of things. Various coupons including free child’s buffet, buy one medium pizza, get one free. Coupons expire 8/31.
About Carrie Rocha
My daughter loves going to CiCi’s. We discovered the CiCi’s in Eagan a couple of years ago when we bought DMC cards (which gives you a BOG1 buffet meal at CiCi’s). It is kind of a fun place to eat. The employees are always very friendly and they hollar out when there is a new kind of pizza coming out on the buffet. They have tons of different kinds of pizza to choose from — even a Mac & Cheese pizza. Also includes salad, breadsticks (which are really good), dessert pizza and brownies. It isn’t personally my absolute favorite but the pizza is okay and the kids really love it.
I get the St. Paul and Mpls papers and cpns are different. Does your list include both or does cpn moms list include both? thanks
There is also a CiCi’s Pizza in West St. Paul on Robert Street. It definitely is a family restaurant, with a large variety of pizza and breadsticks for every taste bud. I like the fact that our CiCi’s offers fundraiser nights, with a portion of the sales going back to an organization in the community. I am a teacher in West St. Paul and our school has “CiCi’s Night” once a month. It is an easy way for our PTO to raise money for our school and the students love seeing each other at dinner!
I would like to say THANK YOU to Carrie… with her coupon matchups and the onsale items I purchased this week, I saved 41% on my bill last night at Cub, the highest I have ever gotten since starting in on this a few monthes ago. This was a big savings week for me while I saved a ton at Target too this week (I personally love the Clarol hair color deal!)
I also wanted to mention that I have a lot of friends having babies this fall and I have started shopping with coupons for baby gifts (diapers, wipes, etc…) Wow, I am surprised at how much further my budget for shower gifts is going!
THANK YOU CARRIE!