But....the catch is, you MUST buy a Sunday newspaper this week, folks!!!
Come on....for us small-town folks, the local newspaper from the newsstand is, what, $1.50? It's well worth it! (And, for big-city folks lucky enough to get the AJC, you will get cool coupons that we won't. Boo hoo.)
In the Procter & Gamble insert, clip your $4 off Gillette Fusion ProGlide manual or power razor coupon from the Sunday, November 28th paper. Then, high-tail it on over to Rite Aid, where a razor is selling for $9.00.
Buy: Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor @ $9.00
Use: 1 - $4 off manufacturer coupon
Pay: $5 plus tax
Get Back: $5 +UP Reward (prints on the end of your receipt)!!!!
This makes it free!
A word to newbies: The Rite Aid system resembles the CVS Extra Care Bucks system, in that you pay money for items (hopefully while using coupons). Then, after checkout, your receipt will show a "+UP Reward" for a promised amount (could be a buck, a few dollars, etc.). This is basically a coupon off your next purchase. (In this case, you receive $5 off your next purchase.) However, these "coupons" on your receipt usually expire in about two weeks or so. So.....if you live near a Rite Aid and frequent the store, no worries! Just use the coupon on your next shopping trip. If you don't go to Rite Aid that often, then.....do yourself a favor and buy something else immediately. Preferably, purchase something that you need and also have a coupon for.
For instance, I will probably do a small scenario like this:
Transaction #1--Buy ProGlide Razor as indicated above
Get Back: $5 +UP Rewards
Transaction #2--Buy 4 jumbo packs Pampers Diapers @ $8.50 apiece
Use: 4 - $1 off Pampers jumbo pack diapers or training pants, November 28 newspaper
$5 +UP Rewards
(Also, if the December Video Values are up, I may try to shoot for a $4 off $20 purchase coupon....)
Get Back: $2 +UP Rewards, $2 + UP Rewards (one $2 +UP for every 2 packs I bought).
This could potentially make each pack of diapers cost $5.25 apiece (before tax). And, that ain't bad, folks! If diapers are regularly $12.00 (which they are, for a jumbo pack), then I just saved $6.75 per pack. Do that a few times a month and see how your budget goes further!
(And, on another note, I am looking forward to entering all the Gifts to Grow codes out of the Pampers packs.....with my Rewards Points, I am working toward some more free birthday invitations for next year!)
You, too, can save money! (clipart from MS Office, 2010)
Showing posts with label Pampers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pampers. Show all posts
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
HOT Coupon Booklet from Procter & Gamble
There were some grrrrreat P & G coupons in the 8/29 newspaper! So exciting!
To further celebrate (?), Procter & Gamble has come out with a new coupon booklet to reward us for buying $50 worth of products that we really already buy anyway. The key here is that EVERYTHING that P & G makes is included, and also, you have until 12/31/10 to make the purchases.
I know, I know, something extra that takes a little bit of effort. However, let me say that I got the $100 P & G coupon booklet from this spring, and there were high value coupons ($5 off Olay) that got me some excellent facial care products for cheap. Also, I got three coupons on items like Bounty paper towels and Charmin toilet paper that were for $1.00 off one package, which is unheard-of.
My suggestion? Put aside a section of your coupon file/binder for rebates, and file your receipts that include P & G products regularly. Especially if you purchase diapers, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent, etc., you will find that it will be easier than you think to get the $50 worth of purchases.
Happy couponing!
To further celebrate (?), Procter & Gamble has come out with a new coupon booklet to reward us for buying $50 worth of products that we really already buy anyway. The key here is that EVERYTHING that P & G makes is included, and also, you have until 12/31/10 to make the purchases.
I know, I know, something extra that takes a little bit of effort. However, let me say that I got the $100 P & G coupon booklet from this spring, and there were high value coupons ($5 off Olay) that got me some excellent facial care products for cheap. Also, I got three coupons on items like Bounty paper towels and Charmin toilet paper that were for $1.00 off one package, which is unheard-of.
My suggestion? Put aside a section of your coupon file/binder for rebates, and file your receipts that include P & G products regularly. Especially if you purchase diapers, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent, etc., you will find that it will be easier than you think to get the $50 worth of purchases.
Happy couponing!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Rewards Programs for Diapers...Scam or Deal?
It all started three and a half years ago, when I was beginning to show during my first pregnancy. I was making a diaper cake for one of my friends at work when I noticed a sticker-thing stuck to the inside of the pack of Pampers. I looked, and it was a sticker with a numerical/alphabetical code, a website, an expiration (which, it turns out, is fake), and the promise of free stuff.
For those of you who know me, that's all it took.
I began keeping and entering codes for Gifts to Grow, which is the Pampers diapers, wipes, and training pants rewards program. Basically, you keep up with the stickers, found inside the packages of diapers and training pants, or the code etched into the top of tubs of wipes/printed on the side of wipes refills, and enter them at the Pampers website. Thereafter, you can use the points earned from the codes to "buy" rewards.
So far, and I have been doing this program for 3.5 years.....I have earned a Melissa and Doug flower pot toy, a Sesame Street book (both with free shipping), 12 free birthday invitations from Shutterfly (only had to pay shipping)....and I now have 970 points, which means that I am ready to order my baby girl's birthday invites for this fall! It doesn't sound like much, but there are many opportunities to order other things that are as cheap as 400 points. At 150 points, you can earn a $3 credit to Diapers.com....which is a great site that many of my friends have used with success (don't forget...you can mail in coupons to your diapers.com account for use on your next order!). I just happened to want to save my points toward things that are a little pricier (and many times I would forget to keep codes/save tubs, which would have meant more points). Interested? Sign up here.
What I have been less successful with is the Huggies rewards program, which they began a few years back as their answer to Pampers' program. It is called Enjoy the Ride Rewards, and it seems to be pretty cool. They have many things, such as entries into raffles, that you can buy with your points for cheap, but I'm not the lottery type. So I have faithfully socked away my Huggies points, also stickers found inside the packs of diapers, swim pants, and training pants, as well as refill packs of wipes, and have....172 points total. I am very (VERY) patiently working toward coupons for a free tub and free refill of wipes. Grrrr.... Again, this would probably not be the case if I had rescued every sticker from the garbage after DH threw the empty bag away, or if Huggies had not been trying to offload every old pack of diapers at the start of this summer (lots of deals on packs that had no stickers). Unlike Pampers, however, you can earn points by completing polls, reading things from their websites, and so forth. Long story short, you can go for it here, but maybe it would be more fun to spend points on the instant win giveaways than just wait, like me.
Some free rewards codes (which are completely legit, as they are not the actual codes from within the packs; it is unethical and impossible to share those, as they are unique) for Pampers include:
WELCOME2PAMPERS (50 pts)
FACEBOOKJUL10
ENJOYYOURSUMMER (10 pts)
15GTGSUMMERFUN (15 pts)
25GTGSUMMER2010 (25 pts)
GTGSPRINGFREE10 (10 pts)
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG (10 pts)
WELCOME2VILLAGE10 (10 pts)
JOINTHEFUNGTG09 (10 pts)
WELCOME2GTG2010 (10 pts)
GROWWITHVILLAGE (10 pts)
GTGLEARNMORE089 (10 pts)
GETSTARTEDNOW10 (10 pts)
That oughta get you on your way!
The only one I can share for Huggies is BDTXQ-TXPHP-GXPGB (5 pts).
Ever gotten a reward from one of these programs? Share with the group! (Or let me know if one code has expired....since I've already used them, I don't really know.)
For those of you who know me, that's all it took.
I began keeping and entering codes for Gifts to Grow, which is the Pampers diapers, wipes, and training pants rewards program. Basically, you keep up with the stickers, found inside the packages of diapers and training pants, or the code etched into the top of tubs of wipes/printed on the side of wipes refills, and enter them at the Pampers website. Thereafter, you can use the points earned from the codes to "buy" rewards.
So far, and I have been doing this program for 3.5 years.....I have earned a Melissa and Doug flower pot toy, a Sesame Street book (both with free shipping), 12 free birthday invitations from Shutterfly (only had to pay shipping)....and I now have 970 points, which means that I am ready to order my baby girl's birthday invites for this fall! It doesn't sound like much, but there are many opportunities to order other things that are as cheap as 400 points. At 150 points, you can earn a $3 credit to Diapers.com....which is a great site that many of my friends have used with success (don't forget...you can mail in coupons to your diapers.com account for use on your next order!). I just happened to want to save my points toward things that are a little pricier (and many times I would forget to keep codes/save tubs, which would have meant more points). Interested? Sign up here.
What I have been less successful with is the Huggies rewards program, which they began a few years back as their answer to Pampers' program. It is called Enjoy the Ride Rewards, and it seems to be pretty cool. They have many things, such as entries into raffles, that you can buy with your points for cheap, but I'm not the lottery type. So I have faithfully socked away my Huggies points, also stickers found inside the packs of diapers, swim pants, and training pants, as well as refill packs of wipes, and have....172 points total. I am very (VERY) patiently working toward coupons for a free tub and free refill of wipes. Grrrr.... Again, this would probably not be the case if I had rescued every sticker from the garbage after DH threw the empty bag away, or if Huggies had not been trying to offload every old pack of diapers at the start of this summer (lots of deals on packs that had no stickers). Unlike Pampers, however, you can earn points by completing polls, reading things from their websites, and so forth. Long story short, you can go for it here, but maybe it would be more fun to spend points on the instant win giveaways than just wait, like me.
Some free rewards codes (which are completely legit, as they are not the actual codes from within the packs; it is unethical and impossible to share those, as they are unique) for Pampers include:
WELCOME2PAMPERS (50 pts)
FACEBOOKJUL10
ENJOYYOURSUMMER (10 pts)
15GTGSUMMERFUN (15 pts)
25GTGSUMMER2010 (25 pts)
GTGSPRINGFREE10 (10 pts)
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG (10 pts)
WELCOME2VILLAGE10 (10 pts)
JOINTHEFUNGTG09 (10 pts)
WELCOME2GTG2010 (10 pts)
GROWWITHVILLAGE (10 pts)
GTGLEARNMORE089 (10 pts)
GETSTARTEDNOW10 (10 pts)
That oughta get you on your way!
Ever gotten a reward from one of these programs? Share with the group! (Or let me know if one code has expired....since I've already used them, I don't really know.)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Finding Diapers For Less
I have two small children, and so for the past three years or so, my budget (and life) has all but been consumed by the need for diapers, wipes, and other baby necessities. I used to wait and go to Wal-Mart, buying those huge boxes of all different brands, depending on what was on sale. I even saved diaper coupons, but never did such a hot job of actually using them when I had them. I felt like we were always out of something, and it placed an inordinate amount of stress on me.
Now, I can't WAIT to go and hit a diaper sale at a drugstore or Kroger....and that says a lot. Right now, I usually don't purchase diapers (name brand jumbo packs, mind you) for more than $5 a pack (many are cheaper).....and I am getting many, many more diapers for my money than I used to.
Here are my top three ways to get cheap diapers:
1. Clip coupons and check blogs (of some sort). Diaper/wipes coupons are regularly found in at least one coupon insert per month; they are usually always in the Procter & Gamble insert, when one is present. Baby product (i.e., Johnson's & Johnson's products) Qs require more patience when only purchasing a Sunday paper. However, there are constantly new coupons being put on one of the big 3 printable coupon sites. Also, the blog thing--many blogs will have coupon matchups with deals that can be done in a specific order to save money. Although you can certainly DIY, unless you know all the ins and outs of the drugstores, it is very helpful to see how someone else is going to get that pack of diapers and other assorted goodies in the transaction.
2. Pay attention to sales and loyalty programs. If you don't go get every pack of diapers that cost $1.94 from CVS because the nearest store is 45 minutes away, that's okay! Simply buying a pack of diapers on sale for $8.99 from a store in your town and using a few coupons to sweeten the deal can be helpful. Although it is certainly one way to do things, NOT EVERYBODY wants to stockpile (which is what many of the blogs set up their coupon matchups to do). Simply paying attention to when prices are at a good level when you might be running low can prevent you buying the same pack of diapers from a gas station at 11 p.m. for $11.99. (Been there.) It also helps to sign up for things like Single Check Rebates from Rite Aid, which often allow you to get $1 or $2 back in rebate form at the end of a month for buying a pack of diapers. You kiddin' me? I already do that, and to get an extra buck or two just for typing in my receipt number is totally worth it. When those checks roll in, I think....yard sale money! :-)
3. Try new things. There is a company called Arquest that works with manufacturers and consumers to conduct diaper studies several times during the year. It varies as to what sizes and genders they are testing at any given time. I just finished a study this week on training pants. They sent me three packs of training pants and three paper surveys; I also had two scheduled phone interviews to relay my information to the surveyor. In all, the phone interviews took about 12 minutes, and the paper surveys took about 15 minutes. I will receive a check for $10 in the mail as a "thank you gift" for my completing all three of the surveys within the time window (for basically 30 minutes of my time)....but three packs of undergarments for free is a huge help, anyway. I have tried this survey option with both my boy and girl; however, I would encourage some caution, as some children are sensitive to ingredients in diapers, and you don't always know "whose" diapers they are...some friends have kids who can only wear one brand or another, or who have to stay away from Pampers Cruisers, etc. However, my kids have rear ends like armadillos, so that wasn't a concern for me (although I would have discontinued at first sign of rash). Here are the numbers to contact the company; simply leave a message detailing what size diapers your child wears, along with the regular stuff.
GIRLS: 1-888-342-7372 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-342-7372 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 646 (The woman you speak to is named Georgia)
BOYS: 1-888-342-7372 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-342-7372 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 634 (The woman you speak to is named “Cheyla”, but it sounds like Sheila)
Hope this wasn't too wordy, and I hope it gives you a place to start with baby items. Have any great tips for saving money? Leave a post for the good of the group.
Now, I can't WAIT to go and hit a diaper sale at a drugstore or Kroger....and that says a lot. Right now, I usually don't purchase diapers (name brand jumbo packs, mind you) for more than $5 a pack (many are cheaper).....and I am getting many, many more diapers for my money than I used to.
Here are my top three ways to get cheap diapers:
1. Clip coupons and check blogs (of some sort). Diaper/wipes coupons are regularly found in at least one coupon insert per month; they are usually always in the Procter & Gamble insert, when one is present. Baby product (i.e., Johnson's & Johnson's products) Qs require more patience when only purchasing a Sunday paper. However, there are constantly new coupons being put on one of the big 3 printable coupon sites. Also, the blog thing--many blogs will have coupon matchups with deals that can be done in a specific order to save money. Although you can certainly DIY, unless you know all the ins and outs of the drugstores, it is very helpful to see how someone else is going to get that pack of diapers and other assorted goodies in the transaction.
2. Pay attention to sales and loyalty programs. If you don't go get every pack of diapers that cost $1.94 from CVS because the nearest store is 45 minutes away, that's okay! Simply buying a pack of diapers on sale for $8.99 from a store in your town and using a few coupons to sweeten the deal can be helpful. Although it is certainly one way to do things, NOT EVERYBODY wants to stockpile (which is what many of the blogs set up their coupon matchups to do). Simply paying attention to when prices are at a good level when you might be running low can prevent you buying the same pack of diapers from a gas station at 11 p.m. for $11.99. (Been there.) It also helps to sign up for things like Single Check Rebates from Rite Aid, which often allow you to get $1 or $2 back in rebate form at the end of a month for buying a pack of diapers. You kiddin' me? I already do that, and to get an extra buck or two just for typing in my receipt number is totally worth it. When those checks roll in, I think....yard sale money! :-)
3. Try new things. There is a company called Arquest that works with manufacturers and consumers to conduct diaper studies several times during the year. It varies as to what sizes and genders they are testing at any given time. I just finished a study this week on training pants. They sent me three packs of training pants and three paper surveys; I also had two scheduled phone interviews to relay my information to the surveyor. In all, the phone interviews took about 12 minutes, and the paper surveys took about 15 minutes. I will receive a check for $10 in the mail as a "thank you gift" for my completing all three of the surveys within the time window (for basically 30 minutes of my time)....but three packs of undergarments for free is a huge help, anyway. I have tried this survey option with both my boy and girl; however, I would encourage some caution, as some children are sensitive to ingredients in diapers, and you don't always know "whose" diapers they are...some friends have kids who can only wear one brand or another, or who have to stay away from Pampers Cruisers, etc. However, my kids have rear ends like armadillos, so that wasn't a concern for me (although I would have discontinued at first sign of rash). Here are the numbers to contact the company; simply leave a message detailing what size diapers your child wears, along with the regular stuff.
GIRLS: 1-888-342-7372 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-342-7372 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 646 (The woman you speak to is named Georgia)
BOYS: 1-888-342-7372 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-342-7372 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 634 (The woman you speak to is named “Cheyla”, but it sounds like Sheila)
Hope this wasn't too wordy, and I hope it gives you a place to start with baby items. Have any great tips for saving money? Leave a post for the good of the group.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Finding Coupons, Part Two
When I re-read my posting on places to find coupons the other day, I rolled my eyes. There are TONS of places to find coupons, and I covered only a few of them. So, without exhausting you (or belaboring the point), here are some more ideas for coupon-hunters:
1. Be a concerned consumer. By emailing, snail mailing, or calling the toll-free number of a company, they are very likely to respond to you in a positive manner, whether or not you have anything positive to say. To give you a couple of examples, I have bragged on Calmoseptine ointment (for diaper rash), Breyers yogurt, and Land O'Lakes butter and found INCREDIBLE samples and coupons in my mailbox not long after.....but Kraft did right by me when I complained about the recent re-formulation of some of their salad dressings and sent me high-value coupons. Simply find a place on the website that says, "Contact Us", and do so.If t he task seems daunting, pick one or two companies whose products you are faithful to and email them; it will take five minutes .You might be pleasantly surprised about who will offer you something in return.
2. Surf. As stated in the previous post, most printable coupons can be found on one of three major sites, but there are many companies who provide one or a few coupons to be printed from their own website. For instance (don't judge me!), Little Debbie's website provided one or two coupons for chocolate cupcakes and the like on their web page.
3. Keep your eyes peeled. Other than blinkies, peelies, hangtags, and tearpads, also discussed in the previous post, one of my favorite Rite Aid stores in Bowdon, Georgia has displays set up with small manufacturer booklets that explain more about the product with coupons as well. They were on a lower shelf with only one specific product in the display; in the past, I have also seen some awesome allergy coupons in this format as well. Some small informational booklets are just that, but it always pays to check.
4. With free samples. Not that getting a little tiny sample in your mailbox (score!) is not enough, but....many times, there may be a coupon included with the sample. I have gotten Nivea, Pampers, All-Bran, and Garnier coupons this way.
5. In or on boxes. This is a tricky one, but again, it pays to pay attention. There may be a small graphic on the item to indicate that there are coupons inside the item, which is of course enticing you to purchase it--but if the item is on sale, who cares? Printed on the actual item boxes....Cheerios, Pampers, Betty Crocker Warm Delights, and Banquet Family Meals. Found inside the item (in a booklet, etc.).....Biore, Schick, and many, many packages of Pampers, where I have found coupons for Cheerios, Kandoo products, and Easy Ups.
6. Magazines. Hopefully, "all you" guys know about the All You magazine, which can be found in Wal-Mart only (or through a home subscription). This magazine is your average folksy women's rag with fashion, home, and beauty stories, but includes coupons that range from a total of $55 to $85 in savings!! But, there are many others in magazines for the taking. I have found them in Redbook, Glamour, Parents, Family Fun, Ladies' Home Journal, to name a few.
**Related savings news...Thanks to a great friend, Knowly, who pointed out that the photo websites, particularly Shutterfly and Walgreens, have super-duper deals on a regular basis! Walgreens even has a feature where you can ship photo items to ANY Walgreens....which means you can send new pics to your great-aunt and -uncle who don't get on "the email" (thanks, Haley!).
Also, one more observation.....I noticed that in this week's Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, a newspaper that I buy religiously every week, there was a line at the top proclaiming "Over $150 in savings". Pretty impressive, unless you also got the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which stated that it contained wayyyyyy more than that (perhaps twice or three times)....... Just goes to show you--if you can, be sure to purchase Sunday papers from the largest possible newspaper.
1. Be a concerned consumer. By emailing, snail mailing, or calling the toll-free number of a company, they are very likely to respond to you in a positive manner, whether or not you have anything positive to say. To give you a couple of examples, I have bragged on Calmoseptine ointment (for diaper rash), Breyers yogurt, and Land O'Lakes butter and found INCREDIBLE samples and coupons in my mailbox not long after.....but Kraft did right by me when I complained about the recent re-formulation of some of their salad dressings and sent me high-value coupons. Simply find a place on the website that says, "Contact Us", and do so.If t he task seems daunting, pick one or two companies whose products you are faithful to and email them; it will take five minutes .You might be pleasantly surprised about who will offer you something in return.
2. Surf. As stated in the previous post, most printable coupons can be found on one of three major sites, but there are many companies who provide one or a few coupons to be printed from their own website. For instance (don't judge me!), Little Debbie's website provided one or two coupons for chocolate cupcakes and the like on their web page.
3. Keep your eyes peeled. Other than blinkies, peelies, hangtags, and tearpads, also discussed in the previous post, one of my favorite Rite Aid stores in Bowdon, Georgia has displays set up with small manufacturer booklets that explain more about the product with coupons as well. They were on a lower shelf with only one specific product in the display; in the past, I have also seen some awesome allergy coupons in this format as well. Some small informational booklets are just that, but it always pays to check.
4. With free samples. Not that getting a little tiny sample in your mailbox (score!) is not enough, but....many times, there may be a coupon included with the sample. I have gotten Nivea, Pampers, All-Bran, and Garnier coupons this way.
5. In or on boxes. This is a tricky one, but again, it pays to pay attention. There may be a small graphic on the item to indicate that there are coupons inside the item, which is of course enticing you to purchase it--but if the item is on sale, who cares? Printed on the actual item boxes....Cheerios, Pampers, Betty Crocker Warm Delights, and Banquet Family Meals. Found inside the item (in a booklet, etc.).....Biore, Schick, and many, many packages of Pampers, where I have found coupons for Cheerios, Kandoo products, and Easy Ups.
6. Magazines. Hopefully, "all you" guys know about the All You magazine, which can be found in Wal-Mart only (or through a home subscription). This magazine is your average folksy women's rag with fashion, home, and beauty stories, but includes coupons that range from a total of $55 to $85 in savings!! But, there are many others in magazines for the taking. I have found them in Redbook, Glamour, Parents, Family Fun, Ladies' Home Journal, to name a few.
**Related savings news...Thanks to a great friend, Knowly, who pointed out that the photo websites, particularly Shutterfly and Walgreens, have super-duper deals on a regular basis! Walgreens even has a feature where you can ship photo items to ANY Walgreens....which means you can send new pics to your great-aunt and -uncle who don't get on "the email" (thanks, Haley!).
Also, one more observation.....I noticed that in this week's Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, a newspaper that I buy religiously every week, there was a line at the top proclaiming "Over $150 in savings". Pretty impressive, unless you also got the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which stated that it contained wayyyyyy more than that (perhaps twice or three times)....... Just goes to show you--if you can, be sure to purchase Sunday papers from the largest possible newspaper.
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