Organic Kid's Shirts $2.48 at Target

I've been waiting weeks for these organic t-shirts to go on sale at Target, and they finally did! I got them today for $2.48 each (regular $5.99). I love the messages on the shirts. I can't wait to see them on my little boys!

Free Blood Glucose Meter

I got a Bayer Counter Blood Glucose Monitoring System (regular price $79.99) for FREE at Walgreens today!

Here's how I got it... the monitor is on sale for $14.99 (sale ends today). Use the $30-off 2 coupon from last Sunday's (October 25) paper to get it for FREE. You can ask them to split the coupon to just get one for free if you want. I suppose you could get two monitors for free, but I didn't try to do that.

I thought perhaps that I could also apply for the mail-in rebate advertised on the box, but it says that the rebate cannot exceed the purchase price. Oh well.

You can also get this meter for FREE by clicking HERE to request a coupon from the manufacturer.

If you think you or someone you know could use it, it might be worth the effort. I'm sure the test strips cost a bundle, though.

Good Deal on Crocs

You can get some incredible deals on Crocs right now at crocs.com. Shipping is also FREE. Use discount code secondchance at checkout.

Here are a few of the prices you can get. Stock is dwindling quickly. I had to settle for my second choice of color, but it was worth it for such a good price.

• Crocs Cayman Kids $12.74
• Crocs Athens $12.74
  
• Crocs Athens Kids $8.49
  
• Crocs Cleo $8.49
  

Order through Ebates and get 4% cash back.

Thanks Thrifty Mama.

Fridays at Tampa Downtown Market

The Tampa Downtown Market has started up again. Every Friday through May, vendors and musicians gather in Lykes Gaslight Square from 10AM to 2PM.

According to the website, the mission of the Tampa Downtown Market "is to serve as a community-gathering place where local farmers, producers, and artisans can offer fresh agricultural and related products to generate a sense of local pride and further the economic development of Downtown Tampa."

We went last Friday for the first market of the 2009-10 season. I will admit, I felt proud to see some positive life going on in downtown Tampa! It was free and the weather was lovely. It was a nice way to get some fresh air with the family. We bought some organic produce at very reasonable prices. We even rode the downtown trolley! We felt very urban on that day.

Happy Vegan Day from Lush

Sunday is Vegan Day, and LUSH is celebrating with an offer of free soap with a purchase of at least $60. Use this code at checkout: ECVEGAN09DAY

I had never really paid much attention to LUSH until my friend Ronda told me about the products. Now, I can't wait to try them! Ronda said she started using LUSH a few months ago, and will never go back to using regular soap.

All of the products are 100% vegetarian (no animal products or testing) and 74% of the products are vegan. They are also very eco-friendly with their minimal packaging. Some of the products don't even have wrappers! They have a variety of personal care products, including soap, shampoo, and henna hair dye.

Although the prices may seem high, I'm told that the products last so long that it actually ends up being quite a frugal way to go.

40%-Off Coupons at Borders

Click HERE for a 40%-off coupon at Borders
(expires November 2, 2009).

Click HERE for another 40%-off coupon
(also expires November 2, 2009).

Super Size Me

The documentary Super Size Me has been on my mind today. Click HERE to watch it free on hulu.

I've watched this film a number of times since its release in 2004. It's entertaining and motivating (it will certainly rob you of any fast-food cravings you might be having). The discussion about child-focused marketing techniques is particularly enlightening. I love the images that appear throughout the film (including the one shown above) that were created by artist, Ron English. Click HERE to see more of his thought-provoking propaganda art.

Perhaps this post will offset any damage done by my earlier post (Kids Eat Free in Tampa) full of coupons and deal alerts at some of the less healthy restaurants.

On a related note, have you heard that hulu might start charging a subscription fee?

50%-Off Coupon at Payless

Click HERE for a 50%-off coupon at Payless good through Friday, October 30. Thanks to Oprah and Southern Savers!

You can either print the coupon or have a text sent to your phone that you show at the store. How green!!

Kids Eat Free in Tampa

I've run into a windfall of kids-eat-free tips today, so I thought I'd share. Do you know of any others?

• Tijuana Flats. Many locations have a kids-eat-free night. It's on Wednesday night at the Lutz location on State Road 54 as well as the one in Westchase on Linebaugh.
• Moe's Southwest Grill. Kids eat free after 5PM on Wednesdays at the Columbus and Dale Mabry location. They may do it at other locations as well. You can also get a coupon for a free burrito at Moe's by clicking HERE.
  
• Boston Market. Two kids eat free every day with the purchase of an adult meal. Click HERE for a $1 Meal Deal (expires November 1). Also, click HERE for several Boston Market coupons (expire November 28).
  
• Chick-fil-A. On Tuesday nights, you get a free kids meal with a purchase of an adult meal. This offer varies by location, so call ahead for specifics. The restaurant on Waters Avenue participates.
  
• Jake's Hamburgers. Kids eat free any day with the purchase of an adult meal at both Tampa locations.
  
• Perkins. Kids eat free after 3PM every day at all Perkins locations.
• Beef 'O' Brady's. Kids eat free Tuesdays 4PM to 8PM at all locations. Also, click HERE for a free appetizer.
  
• IKEA. Unfortunately, their kids-eat-free deal ended on Sunday, October 25. I confirmed this today by calling the store in Tampa. However, they seem to be rotating this offer throughout the country, so you never know when and where this offer might pop up again.

Also, don't forget about the good deals you can get through Restaurant.com. They are running an 80% off special through October 31.

FREE Snuggie

Click HERE to get your FREE Snuggie! The shipping is FREE as well!

Thanks to Bridget, who learned about this on the local ABC news site.

Note the small print on the order form about the fact that they will be calling you to complete a brief survey. If that sounds like too much of a hassle, this freebie may not be worth it for you. I am always skeptical of scams, but I was willing to take a risk on this one since I didn't have to give a credit card number. Besides, I don't mind answering a few questions on the phone. I ordered mine on October 29 and I haven't received my phone call yet. I'll let you know how the process goes, though!

Here's the fine print at the bottom of the form:

Please ensure that you enter a valid phone number. You will be contacted via phone by one of our representatives to conduct a brief survey.

We may attempt to reach you via telephone to conduct a brief survey, discussing your thoughts on the product received. Our phone call will be placed shortly after receiving the product or sample, and should last no more than 15 minutes. Our call will be placed between 10AM and 5PM, Monday to Saturday. If we do not receive an answer from our first call, we will wait a few days and attempt a second. We will place a maximum of 3 calls, at which point we may contact you via email asking that you phone our offices. While this phone call is not mandatory, it fuels our promotions and helps us continue to offer free products and samples. It is for everyone's benefit that you take our brief survey.

We will also collect data on whether the product is made of sturdy materials, is exactly as advertised, and contains no flaws and is in perfect running condition. This information is used to assess the worthiness of a product, and may be sent directly to the manufacturer.

Little Swimmers Coupons

Click HERE for a coupon for Huggies Little Swimmers. I was able to print the coupon twice.

40%-Off Coupon at Borders

Click HERE to get a 40%-off coupon at Borders.

You have to fill out a rather lengthy survey to get the coupon. At the end of the survey, I got a message saying I had already filled out the survey. I sent an angry email to the tech support link on the screen, and they immediately emailed me the coupon.

The coupon expires November 2, 2009. If you want the coupon, respond soon, as the survey will be available only until a predetermined number of responses have been received.

Free Lip Gloss at Victoria's Secret

Click HERE for a coupon for a free lip gloss with a bra-fitting at Victoria's Secret. Thanks Thrifty Mama.

While you're at Victoria's Secret, be sure to get your free pair of panties and $10-off any bra by clicking HERE. I picked up my free panty last weekend, and had no problems.

Free Sample of KY Intrigue

Click HERE for a free sample of KY Intrigue.
Thanks Couponing to Disney.

Healthier Halloween Treats

If you are looking for Halloween treats that are a bit healthier, consider something from the Yummy Earth line of organic candy. My children LOVE the lollipops. They are made with real fruit extracts and organic evaporated cane juice. They contain no artificial dyes or flavors and no high fructose corn syrup! Nutrition S'mart has the one pound bag on sale for $5.49.

Another option is single-serve bags of pretzels. Snyder's of Hanover sells their individual packs in a big bag shaped like a jack-o-lantern (on sale at Target for $3.99).

These pretzels helped me navigate through my oldest son's first three Halloweens with no candy. Unfortunetly, those days are over now.

Free Sample of Oregon Chai

Click HERE for a free sample of Oregon Chai.
Thanks to It's All Free Online.

Earthbox: Idot-Proof Gardening

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Some people have a green thumb. I am not one of those people. My husband and I have tried many times to grow our own vegetables. Aside from a handful of very small harvests, our efforts have been resounding failures. But we are determined to figure it out!

Our most recent attempt at growing our own vegetables is in an Earthbox. Last winter we grew several heads of broccoli and cauliflower. We hope to do even better this winter. We put eggplant, broccoli, and tomatoes plants in our box about two months ago. Our first little eggplant has started to appear. We are so excited!

If you are garden-challenged like us, perhaps an Earthbox is the answer for you. It's about the closest thing to idiot-proof gardening I've found. The box is designed so that it is impossible to over-water your plants. Also, you can move the box inside to protect it from frost (some people even put casters on the bottom to make it easier to move the box in and out).

The initial cost of the box is around $50. Each new growing season, you will need to replace a few accessories on the box. You will also need new soil and plants. This season, we invested about $10 in new soil and plants.

Ultimately, I hope that by growing my own vegetables I will 1) have better quality vegetables at a lower cost, 2) reduce the amount of transportation required to get the produce to my table, and 3) give my children some knowledge about gardening and allow them to be involved in producing their own food.

At this point, I'll be happy if we can manage to get at least $10 worth of produce!

Free Sample of Huggies Pure & Natural

Click HERE for a free sample of Huggies Pure & Natural organic diapers.

I got my sample in the mail yesterday. It contained three diapers and a $3-off coupon. There was also a little plastic zipper pouch. I'm not sure what it is, but it could come in handy. I was annoyed that they only had size 1 and 2 available for the free sample.

If you are interested in purchasing these, there was a $3-off coupon for this product in the Sunday, October 25 newspaper.

Also, Target has a special this week where you get a $5 gift card when you buy 2 packs of Huggies Pure & Natural (there are also a number of other items on the list).

Publix Baby Club

If you have a child under the age of 24 months, you are eligible for the Publix Baby Club. It's free to join and you get OUTSTANDING coupons in the mail on a regular basis. The coupons are not just for baby items. In my last batch I got coupons for free hand sanitizer, free lotion, and free rubbing alcohol. There was also a $1-off coupon for any dairy item.

Click HERE to join. It's certainly worth the effort. By the way, I'm also a member of the Publix Preschool Pals program, but it doesn't come with any coupons, unfortunately.

Publix Specials - October 22 to 28

I didn't find the Publix specials to be too exciting this week. However, I did get a $5-off coupon at Publix in my mailbox that helped a little. My total was $72.51 and my savings was $20.26. The total was pretty low for me, but my savings was... eh.

What kind of good deals did you all get?

Here are the best deals I found at Publix:

• Bertolli Olive Oil is BOGO. Click HERE for $1-off coupons.
• Tropicana Orange Juice is 2 for $6. I was able to use some Target coupons I had. Publix accepts competitor coupons. Some Publix stores consider Target a competitor and some do not. The Apex Publix in Lutz will take Target coupons.
  
• Kraft Cheese is on sale. Click HERE for $1-off coupons.
  
• Stoneyfield. I snagged another rewards code on my yogurt!
• Muir Glen products are on advantage buy. Click HERE to go to Muir Glen's Facebook Fan Page. There is a link to a $1-off coupon on the left-hand column. There are also more Muir Glen coupons HERE.

80%-Off Code at Restaurant.com

Enter discount code TREATS at Restaurant.com to get 80% off restaurant gift certificates. That means you pay $2 and you get a $25 gift certificate! Offer expires October 31.

Visit Restaurant.com to see which restaurants are participating in your area. The restrictions vary for each restaurant, so be sure you are okay with them before ordering your gift certificate.

I used my first Restaurant.com gift certificate a couple weeks ago at Restaurant BT. I'm happy to report that it went smooth as silk. I also found out that a friend of mine has already been using Restaurant.com. It's always good to get confirmation that a deal this good is legitimate!

By the way, purchase through Ebates to earn cash back rewards. Also, use your Discover to earn 5% cash back on charges at restaurants through December.

75-Cents Off Pineapple

Click HERE for a 75-cent-off coupon for Del Monte Gold Pineapple. Thanks Natural on a Budget.

The Root of the Deal

Occasionally, when I end up with a really good deal after a lot of twist and turns, I like to retrace my steps to see how good a deal it really is. If you are one of those people who gets a kick out of getting a great deal, you might enjoy this little journey back to the roots of my best deal this week.

Today, I paid 69 cents for two bottles of Nature's Bounty Fish Oil Supplements at Walgreens. How did I do that? Well, the supplements were BOGO (buy one get one free) at $10.49 each. I had two $1-off coupons, which brought the price to $8.49.

I wanted to use a $9 register reward for the purchase, but Walgreens won't allow more coupons than the number of items in the purchase (a register reward counts as a coupon). So, I added another item to the purchase - a 6 pack of children's toothbrushes from the clearance aisle.

With tax, the total was $9.69. I gave the cashier a $9 register reward and paid 69 cents out of pocket.

Where did I get the register reward? Earlier in the week, I purchased Zantac, which was $8.99. I had a $5-off coupon, so I paid $3.99 out of pocket. I got $9 back in register rewards.

So, when all is said and done, I paid less than $5 out of pocket for two bottles of supplements that together would regularly cost $20.98 plus tax. That's a savings of more than 80%! Plus, I also got some Zantac (which I don't really need, but I can give it to someone who does) and 6 children's toothbrushes (which I will definitely use).

Now wasn't that a fun little trip? I had a great time! I especially liked the fact that I was able to get something that is good for my health at a huge discount without having to sacrifice quality.

$1-Off Nature's Bounty Coupon

Click HERE for $1-off Nature's Bounty. Combine this with the BOGO sale at Walgreen's and CVS (sale ends today).

70% Coupon for Restaurant.com

Enter discount code PUMPKIN at Restaurant.com to get 70% off restaurant gift certificates. That means you pay $3 and you get a $25 gift certificate! Offer expires on October 25.

Visit Restaurant.com to see which restaurants are participating in your area. The restrictions vary for each restaurant, so be sure you are okay with them before ordering your gift certificate.

I used my first Restaurant.com gift certificate a couple weeks ago at Restaurant BT. I'm happy to report that it went smooth as silk. I also found out that a friend of mine has already been using Restaurant.com. It's always good to get confirmation that a deal this good is legitimate!

By the way, if you purchase through Ebates to earn cash back rewards.

Nabisco Coupon Booklet

Click HERE to request a free coupon booklet from Nabisco. Thanks Deal Finding Chick.

Simply Organic Coupons

Click HERE for Simply Organic coupons. There are coupons for a variety of products, including vanilla, spices, and baking mixes. You can print as many coupons as you need! They expire June 30, 2010. Thanks Abundant Food Savings.

Click HERE to find a Simply Organic retailer near you.

Kids Eat Free at IKEA through Sunday October 25

Kids 12 and younger eat free at the Tampa IKEA through Sunday, October 25. No adult purchase required. This is a $2.99 value. You pick three child items to make a meal.

In case your kids aren't hungry while you're at the store, just pick some of the pre-packaged items (i.e., yogurt, applesauce, carrot sticks, milk, or juice) and save it for later!

I actually got a coupon with this offer in the mail, but when I got to the store, it was advertised on several wall signs. They didn't require the coupon at checkout. I do not see the offer posted on the IKEA website, however, so it's possible the offer goes beyond October 25.

The Swagball Effect

I thought I'd provide a little update on my Swagbucks experience, now that my newbie status is beginning to fade. Don't know what Swagbucks is? Read my post, "Swagbucks from a Newbie's Perspective".

I joined Swagbucks about a month ago and I've already gotten 71 SB. The main way I've been earning bucs is by using the Swagbucks toolbar for searches. I would be doing these searches no matter what, so I'm not going out of my way at all.

Lately, I've been getting 2 and 3 Swagbucks at a time. Today I actually got 5. Granted, Friday is Mega Swagbucks Day. Even so, 5 Swagbucks at one time was a first for me. I wonder if the more you use Swagbucks, the more you earn? Sort of a Swagball Effect.

Is anyone using Swagbucks? How do you like it?

Coupon for Any Blue Diamond Almond Product

Click here for a 55-cent-off coupon for any Blue Diamond almond product (that includes almonds, almond milk, almond butter, and those yummy nut-thins). Blue Diamond almonds are often BOGO (buy one get one free) at Publix, so you may want to wait. I printed mine off twice. Thanks She Saved.

Organic Juice & Soda Coupon

Click here for 75-cent-off coupons for Santa Cruz Organic juice and soda.

Free Cookie & Hot Chocolate at Barnes & Nobel.

Click here for a coupon for a FREE cookie and hot chocolate at Barnes & Noble (expires October 24). There are also other coupons on this page for books, CDs, and the Scene-It Game. Thanks Frugal Femina.

Stoneyfield Farms Reward Program

If you ever buy Stoneyfield Farms products, consider signing up for their free online reward program by clicking here. To start earning reward points, just find the reward code on the package of designated Stoneyfield products, and enter them into your online account. For as little as 25 points you can start redeeming your rewards, which include a wide-range of products such as Stoneyfield Farms, Seventh Generation, and Annie's.

I've been waiting for this program to kick in for weeks and I finally found my first rewards number today on a 32 ounce quart of yogurt! I earned one point for signing up and four points for the yogurt.

According the the website, they currently have codes on the 32 ounce quarts, on 6oz Fat Free, Low Fat and Whole Milk cups, on O'Soy 6 ounce cups and on YoBaby Meals, Drinks and Multipacks.

The program is running through March 31, 2010.

Fish Oil Supplements: Risks & Benefits

Click here for an article on the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) website about the risks and benefits of taking fish oil supplements. According to the site, fish oil contains the beneficial longer chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) of fish oil that other plant sources (such as flaxseed oil) do not.

However, the EDF warns that fish oil supplements could potentially contain environmental contaminants such as mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). After conducting a survey of fish oil supplement manufactures, the EDF concluded that most supplements appear to be adequately purified and safe.

Click here to see how the different companies measured up. I'm happy to report that Nature's Bounty Fish Oil (which is BOGO at Walgreens and CVS this week) is marked as a "Best Choice".

If you prefer to actually eat a fish rather than take a supplement, here is a link to The Super Green List of seafood that is good for human health as well as the health of the environment (published by the Monterey Bay Aquarium). Thanks to my very eco-friendly friend for this link.

Good Deal on Fish Oil at Walgreens & CVS

Those of you who take fish oil to get your Omega-3 will be happy to know that Nature's Bounty Fish Oil is BOGO (buy one get one free) at Walgreens and CVS until Saturday, October 24.

Also, get $10 off an online purchase of $30 or more at Walgreens useing the code HOTDEAL. This deal expires today!

Thanks to my frugal friend, Lisa for this information!

Click here for more information about the risks and benefits of fish oil supplements.

Alexia Coupons

Click here to get some coupons on the Alexia Foods website. The site indicates that the coupons change, so it wouldn't hurt to check back periodically if you like Alexia products. Right now, they have a 75-cent-off coupon for the frozen spicy sweet potato fries.

Earth-Friendly Cutlery $1 at Publix

I found a huge stack of Earth-Friendly Cutlery on the clearance table at Publix for only $1 a box (24 pieces). This comes out to 4 cents per utensil, which is cheaper than even the economy-size plastic ware. However, they are so much greener than plastic ware. This Terra Ware, which is made by Acadian:

• biodegrades in 4 to 6 months
• is not made from plastic
• is made from GMO free cornstarch resin
• is made using sustainable resources
  

Each Publix has different items on clearance, so yours may not have them. But it's certainly worth a look! I got mine from the Apex Publix in Lutz.

Wow - I wonder if these would meet the cradle-to-cradle standard of design?

Free Edible Arrangement Sampler

The first 100,000 people to become fans of Edible Arrangements on Facebook get a FREE sampler of dipped fruit. Click here to go to their fan page. Thanks Mojo Savings.

Also, click here for a $4-off coupon to Edible Arrangements (expires 10/31/09).

While you are on Facebook, be sure to become a fan of Healthy, Green & Frugal!

$1-Off Muir Glen Coupons

Click here to go to Muir Glen's Facebook Fan Page. There is a link to a $1-off coupon on the left-hand column. There are also more Muir Glen coupons here.

Sit n' Spin for $6 ???

You may recall I posted about some high-value toy coupons a couple weeks ago. They don't expire until December 31, so I've been waiting for a sale to combine with the coupons to get the best deal possible.

The Sit n' Spin is on sale at Target for $20 (regular price $21.99). Not a great sale. However, I heard that they are on sale at Walmart for $16 - much better. I'm having a hard time confirming this since Walmart didn't have a sale flyer in the Sunday paper or on their website. I'm working on finding out for sure. Thanks for the information Deal Finding Chik.

If they are on sale for $16, you could use the $10-off coupon for a price of $6!

I'm sure there will be plenty more coupon-sale match ups to come before Christmas, so be sure to print your coupons now before they disappear. I'm afraid the Sit n' Spin coupon has disappeared, but the same coupon was in the 10/18 newspaper.

Click here for the online coupons (look for the Toys & Games link on the left-hand column).

Free & Fun Kids Activity: Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic

Looking for something fun and free to do with your kids on Saturday morning? Consider Lowe's Build and Grow Clinics.

Thanks to my frugal friend, Amy for this great idea! Amy said that although the website says the clinic is for first through fifth graders, she's been taking her son since he was three years old. I took my three year old once, and he managed just fine with my help. And we got a cute little apron too!

If you have problems registering online, Amy suggests you call the store closest to you and speak to a manager directly.

Walgreens Specials - Oct 18 to 24

There are some great deals at Walgreens this week. Today I paid $9.81 out of pocket, and received $12.50 in Register Rewards (RR). So, I actually made $2.69 from this purchase! Click here to learn more about Register Rewards and how to make the most of them.

Here are the best deals I found:

• Zantac *Money Maker*
  Pay $3.99, Get $9RR = $5 overage
  On sale for $8.99, get $9 in register rewards
  Use this online $5-off coupon or the $1-off coupon from 10/18 newspaper to make money on this sale! Limit one register rewards offer per customer.
  
  
• Ricola - 75 cents each
  2 for $3 store coupon
  BOGO manufacturer coupon in 10/11 newspaper
  
  
• Bic Razors - Pay $1.99, Get $1RR = 99 cents
  On sale for $3.99, Get $1 in register rewards
  Use $2-off manufacturer coupon in 10/18 newspaper
  
  
• Lindsay Olives - 49 cents each
  99-cent store coupon
  Click here for a $1-off/2 manufacturer coupon
  They did not have the natural variety. Too bad!
  
  
• Starbucks Frappachino - 29 cents each
  $1.29 store coupon.
  You can also get a $1-off manufacturer coupon if you click here to go to the Starbucks website to nominate a friend. You can do this more than once to get multiple coupons.
  

Register Rewards at Walgreens

I recently became aware of Register Rewards (RR). Ever since, Walgreens has been one of my favorite places to shop. Not familiar with RR? Let me share what I know so far.

Basically, RR are instant rebates that you earn when you buy certain products. They come in the form of a receipt coupon at the end of your transaction. You can use these coupons on future transactions. You don't have to sign up for anything or carry a card. You simply look in the sales flyer for products that will earn RR and buy them.

For example, one of the RR items from the October 18-24 sales flyer is Zantac. It's on sale for $8.99, and you get $9 in register rewards. So, it's essentially free. Better still, if you can find a coupon for that item (such as this online $5-off coupon or the $1-off coupon from 10/18 newspaper) you can actually "make money" on the transaction.

***NOTE: $5-OFF COUPON ON ZANTAC WEBSITE IS NOW EXPIRED. THEY DON'T TELL YOU THIS UNTIL AFTER YOU REGISTER***

In this case, I made $5. I paid $3.99 out of pocket, and I received a RR for $9 that I can use the next time I shop at Walgreens.

The funny thing is, I don't even need Zantac. I'm not even sure what it does. Why in the world did I buy it, you might ask? Well, the RR I make from this transaction will allow me to buy the things I do need for a much cheaper price. I can donate the items I don't need to charity.

Okay, so is this really worth the trouble? Well, for me it is. Saving money for my family is my job, and I approach the task as such. I'm happy to share the information with others who are interested.

In all honesty, it's actually kind of fun. I kind of feel like I'm playing Monopoly. The trick with RR rewards is to keep it going. Use your existing RR to purchase more items that earn RR, and so on. That way, you are saving more and paying less out of pocket.

Be aware that there is a certain finesse required to using RR effectively. You can't just hand them over like cash, particularly if you are using other coupons for your purchase. The Walgreens register will only allow you use one coupon per item, and a RR counts as a coupon. So if you are purchasing three items, and you have a coupon for one of those items, then you can use two RR coupons.

Also, RR do have an expiration date, and they can't be used for certain things, such as tobacco or alcohol.

Besides what's listed in the weekly sales flyer, Walgreens also has on-going deals that are posted throughout the store (the signs are small, so you have to look closely). Here are some of the ones going on right now that I know of. Some of these could be good money-makers if you have coupons.

• Robitussin DM To-Go 2pk
  On sale for $2.49, get $2.49 in RR
  $1-off coupon in 9/27 newspaper
• Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion
  On sale for $6.99, get $6.99 in RR
  50-cent-off coupon in 10/18 newspaper
• Chapstick Fresh Effects
  On sale for $2.99, get $2.99 in RR
• Dentek Floss or Floss Picks
  On sale for $2.00, get $2.00 in RR
  Various coupons in 10/11 newspaper
  There are sometimes coupons on the Dentek website
  
• Halls Refresh Sugar Free Drops
  On sale for $1.00, get $1.00 in RR
  75-cent-off coupon from 9/27 newspaper

Starbucks Frappachino 29 Cents at Walgreens

Walgreens has a store coupon in their sales flyer this week for Starbucks Frappachinos at $1.29 each (expires Saturday October 24). Combine this with the $1-off manufacturer coupon you get if you go to Starbuck's website to nominate a friend for a free frappachino (you can do this more than once to get more coupons). That makes the final price 29 cents!

Free Sample of Underjams

Click here for a free sample of Underjams. I got mine in the mail yesterday along with a $1.50-off coupon. It basically looks like a really big pull-up. I'm not sure if it was worth all the wasted packaging and postage to get that one item that I may never use. I'll be sure to think more carefully before I make a request for a free sample in the future.

Gift Idea for Kids: Jump, Jump, Jump!

Need gift ideas for kids?

One of the best presents my boys got for their birthday last year was a gift certificate to Planet Bounce, a local bouncy place for kids. Here's why I loved it:

• It provides a great way to get exercise for the whole family, regardless of the heat or rain.
• It's an experience, rather than a thing (any parent can tell you about their clutter problems).

Another bouncy place, Jump Zone on Race Track Road in Tampa is having a Halloween Bounce & Haunted House Rate tonight (October 17) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Cost is $8.

Bouncy places are popping up all over. Find one in your area and give it a try. I have to wonder, though, if bouncy places are very green given all the electricity they have to use. What do you think?

Good Deal on Lindsay Olives at Walgreens

Starting October 18, Walgreens is running a store coupon in the weekly ad flyer for 99-cent Lindsay Olives. Combine that with this $1-off-2 manufacturer coupon to get 2 cans for 99 cents.

I love the green natural olives cut up into a salad! Too bad my Walgreens doesn't carry the natural variety.

Ideas for Stockpiling Bread

Nature's Pride 100% Whole Wheat bread is BOGO (buy one get one free) at Publix through Wednesday, October 21 (click here for more information about this week's sales at Publix).

I never buy bread unless it's BOGO. I stock up and freeze it. Whenever I need a new loaf, I just take one out of the freezer and sit it on the counter. Within a few hours it's as good as new. If I can't wait a few hours, I just toast it.

Skeptical about freezing your bread? I've always been a bit of a freezer snob. I just don't typically like the way food tastes after it's been frozen. However, my mother persuaded me to give it a try, and after that I was convinced. I've never paid full price for bread again! Mom always knows best.

Trying to find the healthiest bread?

• Look for 100% whole wheat flour as the first ingredient.
  
• Don't get fooled by the use of the term "wheat" on the front of the package - check the ingredients to be sure.
• Avoid high-fructose corn syrup.
• Avoid sugar if it's near the top of the list of ingredients.
• Avoid enriched flour or any flour that's not whole grain.
  

Cupcake Stands Have Some Green Benefits

Consider using a cupcake stand instead of a traditional cake for your next birthday party, holiday event, or even a wedding celebration. Depending on how it's done, it could be a cheaper, greener, and more convenient way to go.

• You may be able to reduce (or even eliminate) the need for plates, forks and serving utensils. Guests just take one and eat it!
• If you are having a party at a park or a location away from home, it's nice not to have to fuss with cutting, serving and distributing the cake. It just saves time and aggrevation.
• If you use a silicone muffin pan, you won't need generate the waste that comes from the baking cups.
  
• You can make some beautiful displays with cupcakes without spending a lot of money.
  
• One way to create a unique look is to use some of the unusual-shaped silicone pans (such as hearts, squares, butterflies, etc.).
  

You can purchase cupcake stands and silicone bakeware at places like Target, Joann, and Michaels. Joann and Michaels both had 40%-off coupons in the Sunday paper on October 11 (expires today).

I also came across the online company, Cupcake Tree that touts their cupcake stand as a greener option because it is made from recyclable materials, is lightweight (which reduces the impact of delivery), and is made from locally-grown materials. Cupcake Tree has some very beautiful pictures of wedding displays (including the picture shown above).

Coupon for Flour, Muir Glen, and Cascadian Farms

Click here for a rare coupon for flour (including whole wheat and organic varieties). You can buy some flour to make a homemade pumpkin pie!

There are also coupons for Muir Glen and Cascadian Farms products on this site. To find the coupons, log on to Eat Better America and go to the Community tab. The coupons are on the right-hand column toward the bottom.