$24 in Cleaning Supplies and All I Paid was Tax!

I know it has been awhile since I’ve posted any of my personal savings stories, but I was having some problems uploading my own photos to the blog. I think I finally got that fixed.

This evening I went to Publix to take advantage of some coupons that were expiring after today. I wanted to combine them with rain checks that I had gotten previously to maximize my savings.

I had a rain check good for 2 free Publix brand disinfectant wipes ($2.39/ea) when I bought 2 Clorox brand wipes ($2.99/ea). I combined that with one manufacturer’s coupon for a free Clorox wipes (this was a freebie that I posted some time ago), one .50¢ off manufacturer’s coupon that Publix doubled, and two Publix coupons for $1.00 off each. My total cost before taxes was -.01¢.

I also had a rain check for BOGO Free Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner. I bought four at 3.29 each. The Scrubbing Bubbles had peelies that were good for $2.00 off when you purchased two products, and I had three $1.00 off Publix coupons. Publix only gave me credit for $2.58. My total on the Scrubbing Bubbles before taxes was $0.

I walked out of Publix with $23.92 in cleaning products, and I only paid .87¢ in taxes for them!

Free Trial Pair Air Optix Contacts

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Money Saving Idea - Household

Sign up for your utility's time-of-use plan. Many regional power suppliers offer rebates for reducing electricity consumption during peak-demand periods.

Cost: Washing clothes and dishes at night during nonpeak hours, and turning the thermostat down (or up) a couple of degrees druing a cold snap (or heat wave).

Savings: $25 - $50 per month off your energy bills.

Bonus: You're easing the strain on the power grid - and lowering the odds of a blackout.

Last Day for FREE Lunch at Ted's Montana Grill

This is it! This is your last day to sign up for a coupon for a free $8 lunch entree from Ted's Montana Grill. Just go here, fill in your email address, choose the correct answer and you'll receive a coupon via email for a free $8 lunch entree.

Check their website for a location near you.

Eats on the Cheap (and Easy) - Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

This would have to go into that "so easy it's not really a recipe" category.

1 cut up chicken or just your favorite pieces
2 cups barbecue sauce or a jar of your favorite store-bought

Put the chicken in the slow cooker (Crockpot™ is actually a brand name) and cover with the barbecue sauce. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. (Newer slow cookers will probably only take 4 hours as they cook much hotter than old ones.)

Money Saving Idea - Health

Go generic. About 75% of brand-name drugs sold in the United States have a generic equivalent that costs significantly less. For example, a brand-name allergy drug can be $1 per pill, and the generic version is just .08¢. Walmart, Target, Kroger and other discount and grocery chains offer 30 and 90 day supplies of generic drugs for $10 or less - and that's without insurance coverage! If you doctor hasn't prescribed a generic, ask why. It's possible that the drug is new and there isn't a generic equivalent yet. If so, ask your doctor is there's an older, less expensive medicine that works just as well.

Please note - I do not receive compensation of any kind, monetary or otherwise, from Walmart, Target or Kroger.

FREE Lunch at Ted's Montana Grill

It's Tuesday, October 27th and this is the last Tuesday that you can sign up for a coupon for a free $8 lunch entree from Ted's Montana Grill. Just go here, fill in your email address, choose the correct answer and you'll receive a coupon via email for a free $8 lunch entree.

After today, there is only one more day that you can register for a FREE coupon!

Check their website for a location near you.

Money Saving Idea - Food

Let tomatoes breathe. Tomatoes do best when they are taken out of the plastic produce bag. Leave them on the counter until use instead of placing them in the refrigerator. Cold has a negative effect on their flavor and texture.

Eats on the Cheap (and Easy) - Crock Pot Rice Pudding

Crock Pot Rice Pudding With Raisins

• 4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup uncooked medium-grain rice (not instant)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine milk, sugar and rice in a medium-sized slow cooker.

Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until creamy. Stir in raisins and cinnamon. Pudding will thicken as it cools. 
Serves 8 (about 4 cups total)