Giveaway Round Up

Okay, I'll admit it. Lately, I have been a giveaway entering machine! Not only is it fantastically cool to get great quality items for free WITHOUT having to bust out my coupons, but I really like seeing packages on my doorstep.

Because I absolutely LOVED the movie Hop! last year, here is a list of blogs giving away the movie this month!

Adriene's House Hop! Gift pack with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (ends March 23)
Momma D Jane Hop! Prize pack (ends March 22)
Late Night Parenting Hop! Blu-Ray/DVD giveaway (ends March 22)
Happily Blended Hop! Blu-Ray Combo Pack and Books (ends today!)

*This list will be expanding throughout the week. Stay Tuned!

Skippy Peanut Butter: Stock Up Price at CVS starting 9/11

Beginning 9/11, CVS will have Skippy Peanut Butter on sale 3 for $5 = $1.67. BUT, right now there is a printable coupon for $1 off one jar of Skippy.  That makes each jar only $.67!! As a vegetarian with few sandwich options, I am excited for my CHEAP peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

*Note: The coupon is limit 2 prints per computer so you will need 2 computers to print all three coupons.
Also, if you can't find the coupon on that page, make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page

Staples Deals: Starting 8/21

As you may already know, Staples posts their ad for the following week on Wednesdays. Be sure to check it out so you can score some last minute deals before school starts.

Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Copy paper: 1 cent, limit 5, with $5 minimum purchase
2. Staples Stickies flags: 50 cents
3. Scotch Shipping Tape: $2 - $1 off 2 coupon ** These are great to have handy when it comes time to move!

For all of next weeks deals check out Staples.com

I would also love to give a shout out to Southern California Saver who, along with many other fabulous bloggers,  is doing a Back to School deals comparison chart. Be sure to check it out so you can make sure you are getting the lowest prices of the season.

Aerie Bra Sale

I'll admit it, I hardly have any bras in my size anymore. They are just so expensive! I mean, come on, $40 for a bra? That's my grocery budget for the week. That's why I love it when Aerie has bra sales.

Right now Aerie has their bras on sale for 40% off as well as FREE shipping (no minimum purchase) until August 23rd. This sale is both online and in-stores.

Personally, I prefer to purchase online. This is not only because I despise bra shopping and usually walk out in a huff after nearly an hour of trying them on but also because I usually find a better selection online. Worried about buying bras online? Don't be! Aerie, unlike Victoria's Secret, allows you to return or exchange purchases made online in store. This means you can purchase your items online without the added concern of having to pay return shipping if they don't fit. It's a win win!

Payless Deal= Shoes and Accessories for cheap!

About a month ago I began a new job with a new dress code. The dress code called for no heels and no sandals. It took me all of 5 seconds to realize I only had one pair of closed toed shoes that would work in these hot summer months. I'll admit, I went to Payless a couple of times searching for cute cheap shoes but I just couldn't bear to pay full price for them!

Luckily, Payless has brought back their BOGO sale just in time. In case you aren't familiar with the BOGO at Payless, you  buy one and get one half off. Also, now through Sunday, August 21st you can take an extra 30% off your purchase with this coupon. Also, they have a lot of shoes on special right now. Pair this with BOGO and 30% off and they are cheap! cheap! cheap! I scored three pairs of shoes (shown above) and a pair of socks for $35! 

Now hurry on over to Payless and score some deals while they are still here!

$100 Rae Cosmetics giveaway over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Confessions of an Overworked Mom is at it again! Ellen has a great giveaway going on right now for a $100 gift certificate to Rae Cosmetics. Now who doesn't need... well, okay, what girl doesn't want $100 in FREE makeup??? I, personally, have never tried this brand but it looks great! Ellen has a full review of the products on her site. They have everything from beauty tools to makeup with sunscreen.

Don't blow your budget this month. Enter the giveaway here to win FREE makeup!

Dollar Stores- Not as Cheap as You Think

While perusing the newspaper this morning I came across an ad for the 99 Cent Store. One of the items advertised was a bag a cheese. Out of curiosity, I checked the volume of the package. The bag only contained 3/4 of a bag of cheese. I was shocked. At first glance, this appeared to be a deal, but really anyone purchasing the cheese is greatly overpaying. 

Let me explain. When I shop, I examine the price per ounce or price per unit. This is the best way to compare the same item from different companies and package sizes. I know that a normal sale price for cheese is $2.00 for two cups or $.25 for 1/4 cup. So, I should only be paying $.75 for a 3/4 cup bag of cheese that the 99 Cent Store is advertising for $.99. You may be thinking, "25 cents?  big deal!" As I mentioned before, $2.00 is the regular sale price. That doesn't include any coupons you may be able to use. For example, I paid $1.00 for 2 cups of cheese this weekend when I combined a sale and a coupon from Real California Cheese. This would make my price per 1/4 cup .13 and the price of 3/4 cup $.38. This means that by coming a coupon and a sale I was able to get cheese for nearly 1/3 of the price at a mainstream store, such as VONS, than at the 99 Cent Store. 

Now when you shop the dollar stores in the future, make sure you compare prices. Look for a post in the future aout how to develop a price list so that you can make sure that that sale price is really a good deal.