Friday, November 30, 2012

The Mist

Earlier in the week, we had our first snowstorm of the season.  At least, I think it was the first?  Anyway, I woke the following morning to this bizarre weather.  It was cooooold, foggy and sunny all at the same time.   
 Doesn't that look so odd?  It almost looks like someone superimposed some fog over a nice sunny morning.
Shadow was perplexed as to why I'd be bothering to take pictures that didn't involve her.  She was nudging my leg as I snapped this one.  Either that or I was just blocking her path outside.

So, just a quick note about the blog.  I figure I'll keep it loosey-goosey and post when I feel like it.  I'm not going to set limits on myself about when/what to post because then I'll just end up feeling burnt out like I did before.  Thanks again for all your kind words.  Here we go!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Thank you all for your kind words!  They mean so much to me.  A couple of you mentioned the thought of changing the topic of my blog to something more along the lines of daily life stuff. I like the idea a lot!  But I think I need to give myself a little break from blogging to think about it. So stay tuned, maybe I'm not done quite yet afterall.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

The End

Dear friends, I've decided that this will be my last post on HWFS.  I've been writing here since May of 2008 and I'm sad to say that my heart just isn't in it anymore.  Blogging is a lot of work - staying on top of the deals, writing up the posts, taking pictures of the goodies I've bought, etc.  Several years ago when there were more deals in a week than I could keep track of, writing about them was loads of fun!  There was always some new deal popping up mid-week and I enjoyed sharing them and hearing what you'd all bought as well.  But the deals are harder to come by now and I'm sure you've all noticed that I haven't been posting as much as I used to.  I've been wrestling with the thought of continuing this blog for a long time now and it came to a head yesterday when I started writing up my post about what I bought on Black Friday (not much to report, truth be told).  Blogger gave an error, saying that after all these years, I'd finally reached the limit on how much data/pictures could be posted without purchasing additional storage and I took that as a sign that it was time.  All good things come to an end eventually.  So dear friends, its been fun, it really has, but its time to say goodbye.  Happy hounding to all of you!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

11/25 - 12/1


CVS
  • Gillette ProGlide Razor - use $4 coupon (10/7 RP *Expires 11/30) and get back $5 EB (Limit 1) *Looks like there's a $5 coupon in Sunday's paper 

Rite Aid

  • St. Joseph's Aspirin $4.99, use $2.25 coupon (10/21 SS) and get back $4 UP = $1.26 profit
  • Salon Grafix Hairspray $4.99, use $2 coupon and get back $4 UP (Limit 2) = $1.01 profit
  • Gillette ProGlide Razor - use $4 coupon (10/7 RP *Expires 11/30) and get back $4 UP (Limit 2) *Looks like there's a $5 coupon in Sunday's paper

Walgreens
  • Zims Maxfreeze Max Relief Gel (4 oz) $7.99, use $1 coupon (Walgreens Pain Management coupon booklet found in stores) and get back $8 RR = $1.01 profit
  • Barefoot Repair Overnight Foot Cream (3.4 oz) $9.99, send away for $9.99 rebate in package = FREE
Printable Rebate Offers
Hangtag/Peelie/Tearpad Rebates to Look For - please let me know what you find as well!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Round Two



CVS - went back today for more!  I also received an email today from CVS with a $4 off $20 coupon good through later in the week.  I'll definitely put that to good use.

  • Coke (1.25 liter bottle) $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Thermacare Back & Hip Wrap (1 ct) $3.49, got back $3.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • 3 Diet Pepsi 12 packs $3.33 each, got back $2 EB (WYB 3, Limit 1) = three for $8 or $2.66 each
  • 4 Minute Rices $1 each
  • Used $1.25 EB and $16.99 EB, total was $1.25
Then at another store, I finished off another couple deals on a different card
  • Somnapure Sleep Aid (4 ct) $1.99, used $5 coupon on back of package (adjusted down to $1.99) and got back $1.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1.99 profit
  • South Beach Diet Meal or Snack Bar (5 ct) $4.99, used $1 peelie coupon and got back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
  • 2 Kleenex Slim Pack Facial Tissue (3 pk) or Sparkle Single Roll Paper Towels $1 each, got back $2 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Play-Doh Soft Pack Resealable Pack $1, got back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Used $6.98 in EB's, total was $0.25

Sunday, November 18, 2012

FREEBIES!

It was definitely a shop 'til you drop day.  I hit up a bunch of CVS's plus ShopRite (earned my free ham!) and Price Chopper.  I bought a ton of freebies at CVS on several cards, but for simplicity's sake, I'll list them all together.  I had a $10/$50 coupon on two of my cards, so I bought some things I didn't really want just to get my total up.  I forgot to put the Pur-Absorb and Nasal Ease in the pictures, think I got everything else.  Keep an eye out for $1 peelies on the South Beach meal bars, makes them a $1 profit.
  • Advil Children's Suspension Liquid (1 oz) $2.37, used $1.50 coupon or $1 coupon (9/30 or 10/28 RP) and got back $2.37 EB (Limit 1) = $1.50 - $1 profit 
  • South Beach Diet Meal or Snack Bar (5 ct) $4.99, used $1 peelie on meal bars and got back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
  • Glade Scented Oil Base Warmer $1.25, used $1 coupon (or here or 10/14 SS or 11/4 SS) and got back $1.25 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
  • AirWick Scented Oil Warmer $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = $0.99 profit
  • 2 Charmin Basic Single Rolls $0.99 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (10/14 or 10/28 P&G) and got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Coke (1.25 liter bottle) $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Nasal Ease Allergy Reliever (0.18 oz) $9.99, got back $9.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Advil (10 ct) $2.99, got back $2.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Carmex Lip Balm $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Bayer Countour Next EZ Meter $10, got back $10 EB (Limit 1) = FREE *Used coupon in Diabetes & You magazine found in stores for a FREE One a Day vitamin WYB this meter
  • Street King Energy Shot (2 pk) $3.99, got back $3.99 EB (Limit 1) =FREE
  • Pur-Absorb Iron (28 ct) $16.99, got back $16.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Haviland Thin Mints or Nips Candy $0.88, got back $0.88 EB (Limit 1) =FREE *I found the Haviland in the seasonal aisle, not with the other candy
  • Kraft Mac & Cheese (5.5 - 7.25 oz) $0.99, got back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) =FREE
  • Kleenex Slim Pack Facial Tissue (3 pk) or Sparkle Single Roll Paper Towels $1, got back $1 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Scooby Doo Fruit Snacks (8 oz) $2, got back $2 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Starbucks Refreshers (12 oz) $1.50, got back $1.50 EB (Limit 1) =FREE
  • Hot Wheels Cars $1, got back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Powerade (32 oz) $1, get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Play-Doh Soft Pack Resealable Pack $1, get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE *This was hard to find, it was in the seasonal aisle with the other toys or on endcaps.  Only found two of them
  • Nature Valley Granola Bars $2.99, got back $2 EB (Limit 1) = $0.99
Oh Gigi, how cute you look!  She just loves this blanket and when I laid it out on the foot stool, she eagerly jumped up and took a nap.
The only problem was that she was blocking the path to Shadow's favorite chair.  Being too polite to nudge her out of the way or attempt to jump up...  
 ...Shadow resigned herself to a nap in the cat bed.  Doesn't she look thrilled?

Thursday, November 15, 2012

11/18 - 11/24 Black Friday!

CVS
Deals for 11/18 - 11/21:
  • iTunes or App Store Gift Cards - buy $75, get back $20 EB (Limit 1) = $20 profit
  • Advil Children's Suspension Liquid (1 oz) $2.37, use $1.50 coupon or $1 coupon (9/30 or 10/28 RP) and get back $2.37 EB (Limit 1) = $1.50 - $1 profit
  • Glade Scented Oil Base Warmer $1.25, use $1 coupon (or here or 10/14 SS or 11/4 SS) and get back $1.25 EB (Limit 1) = $1 profit
  • AirWick Scented Oil Warmer $0.99, buy two and use $2 off 2 coupon and get back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = $0.99 profit
  • 3M Command Hook (single pk) $0.99, use $1 coupon or $0.50 coupon (11/11 SS) and get back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = $1 - $0.50 profit
  • Charmin Basic (Single Roll) $0.99, use $0.25 coupon (10/14 or 10/28 P&G) and get back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = $0.25 profit
  • Coke (1.25 liter bottle) $0.99, get back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Advil (10 ct) $2.99, get back $2.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Somnapure Sleep Aid (4 ct) $1.99, get back $1.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Carmex Lip Balm $0.99, get back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Nasal Ease Allergy Reliever (0.18 oz) $9.99, get back $9.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Nutrawise (Youtheory) Collagen Formula (120 ct) $9.49, get back $9.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Bayer Countour Next EZ Meter $10, get back $10 EB (Limit 1) = FREE *Use coupon in Diabetes & You magazine found in stores for a FREE One a Day vitamin WYB this meter
  • South Beach Diet Meal or Snack Bar (5 ct) $4.99, get back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Street King Energy Shot (2 pk) $3.99, get back $3.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Pur-Absorb Iron (28 ct) $16.99, get back $16.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Haviland Thin Mints or Nips Candy $0.88, get back $0.88 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Kraft Mac & Cheese (5.5 - 7.25 oz) $0.99, get back $0.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Kleenex Slim Pack Facial Tissue (3 pk) or Sparkle Single Roll Paper Towels $1, get back $1 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • As seen on TV Easy Feet $4.99, get back $4.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Cepacol Sensations (4 ct) $1, get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Scooby Doo Fruit Snacks (8 oz) $2, get back $2 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Starbucks Double Shot (6.5 oz single can) $1.99, get back $1.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Starbucks Refreshers (12 oz) $1.50, get back $1.50 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Hot Wheels Cars $1, get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Powerade (32 oz) $1, get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Play-Doh Soft Pack Resealable Pack $1, get back $1 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Phillips Universal Remote $6.99, get back $6.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Thermacare Back & Hip Wrap (1 ct) $3.49, get back $3.49 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • Illy Issimo Caffe (no sugar) BOGO sale, use BOGO coupon (Diabetes & You magazine found in stores) = two for FREE
  • Lindsay Large California Ripe Pitted Olives $1, use $1 coupon = FREE
CVS Deals for 11/22 - 11/24 Looks like this ad has a 25% off coupon in it!
  • CVS Alkaline AAA or AA Batteries (4 pk) $3.65, get back $3.65 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • GUM Toothbrush (2 pk) $2.50, get back $2.50 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Mars Chocolate Singles (1.08 - 2.15 oz) $0.75, get back $0.75 (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Philips Earbuds $6.99, get back $6.99 EB (Limit 1) = FREE
  • CVS Dental Flossers (90 ct) $2, get back $2 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Cheerios, Corn or Rice Chex (9-14 oz) $2.87, get back $2 EB (Limit 1) = $0.87 *$0.50 Savingstar coupon on Plain Cheerios
Rite Aid
Deals for 11/22 - 11/24:
  • iTunes Gift Cards - buy $60, get back $15 UP (Limit 2) = $15 profit
  • Home Improvement Gift Cards - buy $50, get back $10 UP (Limit 2) = $10 profit
  • Salon Grafix Hair Spray (1.5 oz), Clear Shampoo or Conditioner (3 oz), LA Looks Gel, Dep Gel or LaBella Gel (40 oz) $1.99, get back $1.99 UP (Limit 2 per brand) = FREE 
Walgreens 
Deals for 11/18 - 11/24:
  • Tums Ultra Strength 1000 (12 ct, 3 pk) $3, get back $3 RR = FREE
  • Nasal Ease $12.99, send away for TMF rebate (valid 11/18 - 11/24 only) = FREE
Deals for 11/22 - 11/24:
  • Midnite for Menopause Relief (28 ct) $7, use $2 coupon (10/28 SS) or $1 coupon and get back $7 RR = $2 - $1 profit
  • Advil PM (4 ct) $1, use $1 coupon (10/28 RP) and get back $1 RR = $1 profit
  • Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Foot Soak (2 lbs) $5.99, use $1 coupon (11/4 Parade magazine) and get back $5.99 RR = $1 profit
  • Cepacol Lozenges (Honey Lemon, 16 pk) $3, use $1 coupon and get back $3 RR = $1 profit
  • Dream Water Shot (2.5 oz) $2.49, use $1 coupon and get back $2.49 RR = $1 profit
  • Crest 3D White Vivid Radiant Mint Toothpaste (4 oz) $2.99, use $0.75 coupon (10/28 P&G) and get back $2.99 RR = $0.75 profit
  • Carmex Lip Care (0.15 or 0.35 oz) $1, use $0.30 coupon (10/21 SS) and get back $1 RR = $0.30 profit
  • Supernutrition Simply One Multivitamins (Men's or Women's, 30 ct) $10, get back $10 RR = FREE
  • Blu Science Trim Blu (60 ct) $10, get back $10 RR = FREE
  • Omega Smart Kids DHA Chewable Softgels (60 ct) $10, get back $10 RR = FREE
  • Thermacare Back Heat Wrap (single pk) $3, get back $3 RR = FREE
  • Got2B Spiking Glue or Ultra Styling Gel (6 oz) $1.99, get back $1.99 RR = FREE
  • Herbal Essences Hair Care $2.99, get back $2.99 RR = FREE
  • Hairsil Accelerator Shampoo (4 oz) $7.99, get back $7.99 RR = FREE
  • Scunci No Damage Elastics (18 pk) $1.50, buy two and get back $3 RR = FREE
  • Gum Super or Micro Tip Toothbrush (2 pk) $1.49, get back $1.49 RR = FREE
  • Sheets Sleep Strips (10 ct) $4.99, get back $4.99 RR = FREE
  • Sheets Energy Strips (10 ct) $3.99, get back $3.99 RR = FREE

Monday, November 12, 2012

Baking with Rite Aid



Rite Aid - more of the same as yesterday.  Had some expiring UP's to use and I never mind using them to buy food

  • 6 Lindt Chocolates $1 each, got back three $1 UP's ($1 WYB 2, Limit 4) = $3 or $0.50 each
  • 2 Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes $2 each, 2 BC Cake Mixes $1.83 each ($2.29 reg price, 20% discount) and two RA Applesauces $1.50 each, got back two $3 UP's (WYB $5, Limit 3) = $4.66 or $0.77 each
  • Used two $2 UP's and three $4 UP's, total was $0.94
I love having applesauce on hand.  I use it in place of oil when baking muffins and cakes.  I was planning on picking up some Pepsi but the store was out.  In this NJ store, the deal was three cases for $9.99 with a $3 UP.  In NY, its three for $10.98 with a $3 UP - isn't that odd?  

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Sunday Shopping

Price Chopper

  • 2 Reynold's Baking Cups $1 each, used two $0.35 coupons = $0.30 each
  • 2 PC Sliced cheeses $3 each
  • 4 Banquet Sausages $1 each
  • 4 Hillshire Farms Kielbasa $2.50 each, used two $1 off 2 coupons (10/14 RP) = $8 or $2 each
  • 2 PC frozen veggies $1 each
  • President Brie $4.49 - probably coupons out there for this but I got it on impulse 
  • 5+ lb. package chicken breasts $10.18 ($1.99/lb)
  • Used $1 catalina and $3.10 in bottle slips, total was $31.33
I'll use the kielbasa and sausages towards a $10 Pyramid Ale NBPR rebate.  I got all of my rebate checks back for the spring/summer and now I'm working on my fall/winter ones.  I don't have the full list of qualifying items, but just like before, you can buy any kind of meat (no store brands in NY).
ShopRite

  • Mrs. Smith's Pie $1.99, used $1.50 coupon (9/30 SS) = $0.49
  • 3 Mission Tortillas $1.49 each
  • 2 Wheat Thins $2 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (11/11 SS) = $3 or $1.50 each
  • 2 Breakstone Sour Creams $0.99 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (11/11 SS) = $0.98 or $0.49 each
  • 5 SR shredded cheeses $1.99 each
  • 4 Oscar Mayer Cold Cuts $2.99 each, will send away for $10 Pyramid Ale NBPR rebate = $1.96 or $0.49 each
  • Borden American Cheese Singles $2.50
  • Moov Frozen Strawberries $2.50 
  • Used $5 catalina, total was $30.85
For whatever reason, the lights flickered a couple of times while I was in the store.  You should have heard the groans from my fellow customers at the thought of the power going out again.  Thankfully it stayed on and I high-tailed it out of there quickly.  It was so nice to buy some food and stock up the fridge a bit.
CVS - bought my papers, plus:

  • 4 Skippy Peanut Butters $2.50 each, got back $3 EB (WYB $10, Limit 1) = $7 or $1.75 each

There was a Skippy coupon in today's RP.  I'll use that to get some more PB tomorrow.

Rite Aid

  • 8 Lindt Chocolates $1 each, got back four $1 UP's ($1 WYB 2, Limit 4) = $4 or $0.50 each
  • Betty Crocker Brownies $2.15 (should have been $2) and two RA Applesauces $1.50 each, got back $3 UP (WYB $5, Limit 3) = $2.15 or $0.71 each
  • Used $2 UP and two $5 UP's, total was $1.80 

Its nice to be back to normal again.  After being without power for a week and no generator, we obviously had to throw out all of the food in our fridge and full-size freezer.  That hurt a bit, but it gave me an opportunity to give both appliances a good scrubbing.  We had a snowstorm earlier last week and I was so afraid we might lose power again but luckily, we were fine.

I forgot I took some pictures during and after the storm.  The top shot is Gigi in her favorite spot in the house, gazing outside as the rain began.
Forgot about this!  A squirrel was taunting Gigi, sitting on our steps and staring at her from behind the glass door. 
Shadow supervised the situation.

Brave little guy, isn't he?
Other than some missing shingles, this fallen tree was the only damage we sustained.  Thank goodness the tree fell to the right instead of the left where it would have definitely hit the house and taken out some wires.
Another pine tree was tipping over as a result of Sandy, so DBF chopped that one down, plus several others.  Eventually, we'll probably take them all down and plant some hedges or something between us and the neighbors.  It seems so strange without the trees there.  Now I can hear the neighbor kids screaming even more clearly.  Oh joy.  :)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

11/11 - 11/17


CVS

  • Colgate Maxclean, Maxfresh, Maxwhite Toothpaste (6 oz) $2.75, use $0.75 coupon (11/11 SS) and get back $2 EB (Limit 2) = FREE
  • Spend $10, get back $3 EB (Limit 1).  Includes Ragu or Bertolli Pasta Sauce three for $5 or $1.66 each, Hellmann's Mayo (22-30 oz) $3.50, Lipton Tea (10-11 ct) $3, Skippy Peanut Butter $2.50 or "PG Tips 40 ct"  Anyone know what PG tips are?  That's exactly what the circular says and there's no picture.

Rite Aid

  • Strident Gum $1, buy two, use BOGO coupon and $0.25 RA coupon (Nov. Video Values) and get back $1 UP (WYB 2, Limit 4) = $0.25 profit
  • Chapstick Lip Balm $1.50, buy two and use two $1 RA coupons and get back $1 UP (WYB 2, Limit 4) = FREE
  • Gift Card Promos: Restaurant Gift Cards (TGIF, Chili's or Applebees) get $10 WYB $100 (Limit 2), Shopping Gift Cards (Kohl's, Bass Pro Shops or Best Buy) get $5 WYB $50 (Limit 2) or Entertainment Gift Cards (iTunes, AMC or Facebook) get $3 WYB $25 (Limit 2).  These are all separate promos

Walgreens

  • Magnilife Diabetic Neuropathy Foot Cream (4 oz) $10, get back $10 RR = FREE

Printable Rebate Offers

Hangtag/Peelie/Tearpad Rebates to Look For - please let me know what you find as well!

Monday, November 5, 2012

We're Ok

UPDATE - WE HAVE POWER!!!  So relieved!

Hi everyone.  Happy to report that we're all ok.  Cold, but ok.  We've been without power since last Monday night but there are work crews in our neighborhood RIGHT NOW!  I'm really, really, really hoping we get our power back today or tomorrow. 

We were very lucky - only some missing shingles on the roof and a huge tree that fell over - but fell over AWAY from the house.  If it had fallen the other way, we would have had major damage.

I hope that all of you who were also affected by Sandy are doing ok.