Circular Surfer: Kroger Deals 1.28-2.27

says buy this:

Mega Event still going on this week. Woo hoo! That means when you buy 10 Mega Event Items, you get another $5 off. If you have multiples of coupons, get some free or almost free stuff, mommies!

I would guess that this Mega Event is also being held at other Kroger affiliate stores (Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Fry's & Fry's Marketplace, King Soopers, Dillons, Smith's Food & Drug, City Market, QFC, Food 4 Less, Owen's, FoodsCo., Hilander, Pay-Less just to name a few)

You can do 3 sets of 10 items per transaction. Here's what I might get. Prices quoted represent what you pay AFTER the extra $5 per 10 items has been deducted. THEN, you use your manufacturer's coupons to make it free or almost free:

Mega Event Items with coupons:

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Frozen Vegetables .99¢ (use your .50¢ coupon from recent Sunday paper, it doubles, FREE for you. If you've loaded the two recent Shortcuts coupons on your Kroger card, you'll also get $1 in overage!)

French's Mustard .99¢ (use your .50¢ off coupon from recent Sunday paper, it doubles, FREE for you)

Pace Picante Sauce $1.49 (use your .50¢ coupon from recent Sunday paper, it doubles, then it's .49¢ for you)

Kleenex $1.09 (use your .40¢ off one Kleenex with Lotion from recent Sunday paper, it doubles, then it's .29¢ for you)

Quaker Instant Oatmeal Multi-packs $2.19 (use your .70¢ off coupon from recent Sunday paper, then it's $1.49 for you)

Nabisco Crackers $1.89 (buy 2, use your $2 off 2 coupon from recent Sunday paper, then it only .89¢ each for you)

Pizza Rolls 40ct bag $2.49 (use your .35¢ off coupon from recent Sunday paper, it triples, then it's only $1.44 for you)

Mega Event Items without coupons, but still a good deal:

Goldfish .99¢

Rotel Tomatoes .37¢

Cheetos $1.69

Glade Candles $1.74

Philadelphia Cream Cheese .99¢

Non-Mega Event Items that are good deals this week:

Dial Pump Soap $1 (use your .35¢ coupon from recent Sunday paper, get it FREE)

Kroger Shredded or Bar Cheese 3/$5

Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage $2.39 (use your .35¢ off coupon from recent Sunday paper, it triples, get yours for $1.34!)

Circular Surfer represents only what I see as the rock-bottom deals of the week, not all the specials. To see all the Kroger Weekly Specials go here.

Visit Dallas Heritage Village this Sunday.

This Sunday February 1 marks another FREE Sunday to visit Dallas Heritage Village. It's our very own pioneer village right in the middle of downtown Dallas. If you've never been, it's a treat to step back in time for a bit...play croquet on the lawn, grind some corn kernels off the cob, pet the donkeys Nip and Tuck, run thru a field of wildflowers, play checkers and drink a root beer in the saloon, just to name a few.

This month the theme is Victorian Valentines. "Express your love with an old-fashioned valentine." They even have cell phone tours you can call and listen to while you stroll thru the buildings in the village.

Dallas Heritage Village is located at 1515 S. Harwood. (214) 421-5141.

Find more free Events here.

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How do I love thee?

Dallas mommies: if you want gorgeous flowers for Valentines Day, make it easy on your DH and just forward him this website. Branching Out Creations is a local Dallas florist run by my mommy friend, Debby. As you can see, her arrangements are unique and artistic. I've been to several gatherings, events, and parties where Debby did the flowers. And I've always been stunned by how beautiful and unusual her designs always were.

Debby has put together some special Valentine's Day arrangements and prices for my readers. Under the information tab on the left, you'll find details on ordering, pricing, and the flower and planting arrangements that she is offering. She wants to be your "Bang for Your Buck Florist". 

Circular Surfer: Tom Thumb Deals 1.28-2.3

says buy this:

Bluebell Ice Cream $3.79! (use your $1 off coupon from their website)

Strawberries 1lb $1.88 (!!!)

Red Bell Peppers $1

Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage Lil Smokies 2/$5 (buy 2, use your $1 off 2 from recent Sunday paper, then it's 2/$4 for you)

Lipton Pyramid Teas BOGO, one is $3.59 (Since it is Buy One Get One Free you can use two coupons this way: use one .50¢ off any Lipton, it doubles AND one .60¢ off any Lipton, both from recent Sunday paper, that makes $1.60 off, so that's about a dollar a box for this fancy tea)

Star Olive Oil $6.49 (use your $1 coupon from smartsource.com...I found mine on page 1.

Circular Surfer represents only what I see as the rock-bottom deals of the week, not all the specials. To see all the Tom Thumb Weekly Specials go here.

How does your garden grow?

UPDATE: This offer went fast, no longer available.

Much better I think since I just signed up for my totally free, no strings attached one year subscription to Garden Design Magazine here. This is offered by Start Sampling, a reputable sampling company. I have received every item I signed up for on Start Sampling, including magazine subscriptions. DH LOVES to work in our garden, so I'm sure he will enjoy this magazine.

If you don't have an "account" with Start Sampling, it's easy to sign up.

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Free 2-liter of Diet Dr Pepper.

Sign up here on this Yahoo Promotion for Diet Dr Pepper and get a coupon sent to you for a free 2-liter bottle of Diet Dr Pepper. Yum! 23 flavors!

Find some more deal ideas and coupons in Coupon Whereabouts.

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McDonald's Valentine Coupon booklets.

Many McDonald's around the country now have Valentine's coupon booklets available. Priced at $1 at most locations, each coupon booklet contains 12 coupons for free items:

3 free hamburgers
3 free small cones
3 free apple dippers or small fry
3 free apple juice or milk jug

These are redeemable at any participating McDonald's from February 14 to May 15, 2009. These coupons are redeemable only by children ages 12 and under with a limit of one coupon per customer per visit. Thanks Crystal. I'm thinkin' preschool valentine's cards...

Dallas readers, please leave a comment below regarding what store you find these in, so we'll all know!

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Make valentines with your kids at Michaels

Michaels has a family craft event on Saturday January 31, making valentines. Go here to find a store near you.  10:00am - 1:00pm. Bring the whole family to Michaels and create your own handmade Valentine's Card for FREE.

Go here to join the Michael's kids club, The Knack, to find out when special events like this will take place, get birthday surprises, crafts, and a newsletter.

Find some crafty valentine's day project ideas from Michael's here.

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Warm me up with oatmeal.

Go here to print out your coupon to get this good-looking fruit crumble oatmeal at Jamba Juice for just a buck! Coupon is good until Saturday.

It is very cold here this morning...do you think I can get a courier to bring me one?

Find some more deal ideas and coupons in Coupon Whereabouts.

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Mommy's Closet: Internet Deals Round-up

Welcome to a new feature on Mommy's Wish List called Mommy's Closet. I'll try to write this post weekly, updating it with some great on-line shopping deals, for my closet and yours, that the on-line retailers send me.

Daddy's Closet: Jos. A Banks (DH's favorite store) is having an EXTRA 25% off their already marked down CLEARANCE. Wow, now that's my kind of sale.

Footlocker.com. 50%-70% select shoes. I'm thinking new school shoes for Quinn for next year a size bigger than he's wearing now. I guess that is for HIS closet, not mine.

Kohl's is offering 60-70% off Women's Winter Accessories. (That's is, if you even want to go outside after last night's ice storm!)

Sears has up to 60% off Women's Boots. I actually need some of these.

dELiA*s 15% off entire new collection! Use code NEWYR15. Ends 2.05.09.I get almost all my pants from dELIA*s...it's not just for teenage girls, you know.

Free People Cruise thru the sale items at this super cool store. (You like Anthropologie? You will like this.)

Lee Jeans 20% off winter styles. Lee Jeans are the awesome jeans that make mommies look great, they've featured them on Oprah with those What Not to Wear girls. If you sign up for their newsletter emails, looks like you'll get 20% off your order (and there's free shipping for $100 or more)

Free book: Wines from Spain.

Our new favorite wine country is Spain. We seek out wines from this tasty country at restaurants, grocery stores, and liquor stores. I even got DH a neato FREE book of Wines from Spain here for his birthday. (It is a very nice book!) For those of you that tend to get migraines from red, don't be afraid of Spanish wine. I am one of you, and I have NEVER suffered from drinking wine from this country. I have found that wines from Europe do not have the same ill effects that American Wines do.

You can even get nice wine from Spain at World Market for the everyday low price of $4.99: Casa Solar's Blanco and Tempranillo.

Free coffee at Panera Wednesday.

Panera is serving up free coffee on Wednesday, January 28, nationwide. Samples of goodies I hear too. Go here to get the scoop. Thanks to Mrs. Scotsman and Heather for the good coffee news. I don't know about you, but I'm having fun with all this free coffee lately. Even the impending ice storm will not keep me from my appointed coffee rounds tomorrow.

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Crest Whitestrips FREE sample.

Go here and sign up for your free sample of Crest Whitestrips from Walmart.

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New milk brand...Over the Moon. And coupons!

Schepps Dairy has just announced their new milk brand, Over the Moon. Over the Moon is a new line of Fat Free milk that tastes like real milk. Can't wait to try that, huh? Look for it at a retailer near you. It even comes in chocolate!

Over the Moon Fat Free milk is rich and creamy, with none of the fat – so you don’t have to compromise! How do we make our milk taste so good? By adding more of what makes it good for you. Real fat free milk is fortified with protein and calcium, creating a rich taste that will satisfy your craving for creamy (and your desire for healthy). Go ahead, have another glass. It’s good for you!

And, to make this announcement even sweeter, Over the Moon has printable $1 off coupons, making it even easier for you to try.

Scrubbing Bubbles are Right at Home.

You go thru alot of cans of Scrubbing Bubbles like I do? (If a little boy like Hurricane Luka lives at your house, you do.) Sign up here for Right @ Home's email newsletter, and as a member you'll get first notice and access to high-value coupons like $3 off 2 cans of Scrubbing Bubbles. (Then when I find these at a store for $1.99 each or even $1.50 each, I get 2 free or almost free!)

Find some more deal ideas and coupons in Coupon Whereabouts.

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Horizon Milk Singles coupons!

Go here to sign up for the Horizon Organic Milk eNewsletter, and get access to print $1 off any Horizon Organic Singles 3-pk (or larger). Remember to use your back button to print two.

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Free Quaker Delights sample.

Send this FREE Quaker Delights bar promptly to my mailbox please Mr. Mailman. It has dark chocolate and raspberries. What's not to like? Go here and get yours from the Quaker website. Thanks to Mercedes!

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You need a laugh.

Ok, mommies, let me introduce you to Michele at MammaTalk. This is the funniest blog I've read in forever. I'll be adding it to my RSS Feed. Go here and find out if you have Toddler Pox. I do.

What's in the paper? Week of 1.24 - 1.30

Why do you want this week's paper? In multiples even. If you live in Oak Cliff, get multiples this way. I got 8 multiples of this week's paper. Why?$1 off Owens breakfast items which DH eats every single day. And lots of chocolate coupons. (Mommy loves her chocolate)

These are a few of the coupons you'll find in Sunday's paper this week:

$2 off 2 bags of Hershey's Miniatures or Kisses (save this until after Valentines day, and use it on the marked down Valentines chocolate.)

.75¢ off any Pilgrim's Pride product (use two of these when Kroger puts their Pilgrim's Pride chicken on BOGO to get the best deal.)

$2 off 2 Ritz, Wheat Thins, or Triscuit crackers (if you can find the mini/convenience size packages of these crackers at CVS or Walgreens, this makes for a great deal.)

.35¢ off any 1 package of Hillshire Farms sausage (Wait for a BOGO sale at Kroger, use two coupons and both will double, giving you $2.10 off 2)

$2 off Pampers Easy-ups (Although I'm a Huggies Pull-ups snob, I will buy Pampers Easy-ups if the deal is good!)

$1.50 off 1 bag of Stacy's Pita Chips (now that's a high-value coupon.)

Buy one Hershey bar get one FREE (Mommy needs a little treat in her purse, right?)

And that's just the tip of the coupon iceberg, mommies. I can't wait to see what other deals unfold when the Wednesday grocery circulars come in! Stay tuned.

Free Pack of Trident Gum.

Go check out Joe Biden's vice-presidential teeth here, and get a free pack of Trident Gum when you upload yours. It's easy!

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Circular Surfer: Kroger Deals 1.21-1.27

says buy this:

It's Mega Event time again. Woo hoo! That means when you buy 10 Mega Event Items, you get another $5 off. If you have multiples of coupons, now is the time to get some free stuff, mommies!

I would guess that this Mega Event is also being held at other Kroger affiliate stores (Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Fry's & Fry's Marketplace, King Soopers, Dillons, Smith's Food & Drug, City Market, QFC, Food 4 Less, Owen's, FoodsCo., Hilander, Pay-Less just to name a few)

You can do 3 sets of 10 items per transaction. Here's what I might get. Prices quoted represent what you pay AFTER the extra $5 per 10 items has been deducted. THEN, you use your manufacturer's coupons to make it free or almost free:

Mega Event Items with coupons:

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Frozen Vegetables .99¢ (use your .50¢ coupon from recent Sunday paper, it doubles, FREE for you. If you've loaded the two recent Shortcuts coupons on your Kroger card, you'll also get $1 in overage!)

French's Mustard .99¢ (use your .50¢ off coupon from recent Sunday paper, it doubles, FREE for you)

Ken's Salad Dressing $1.49 (use your $1 off coupon from recent Sunday paper, .49¢ for you)

Mega Event Items without coupons, but still a good deal:

Goldfish .99¢

Rotel Tomatoes .37¢

Cheetos $1.69

Glade Candles $1.74

Non-Mega Event Items that are good deals this week:

Blueberries .99¢ (!!!)

Kroger Shredded or Bar Cheese 3/$5

Quaker Quakes still $1 (didn't use your $1 off coupons last week? you still have a chance to get your free Quaker Quakes Rice Cakes!)

Fast Fixin's Chicken Nuggets $1  (hit their website and sign up for access to $$ off coupons to get these FREE)

Huggies $9.99 (use BOTH your Shortcuts $1.50 off virtual coupon AND your $1.50 off on ONE pack of Huggies from recent Sunday paper, you get it for $6.99)

Circular Surfer represents only what I see as the rock-bottom deals of the week, not all the specials. To see all the Kroger Weekly Specials go here.

Free 4-pack of Hansen's Jr.

Like a free 4-pack of organic Hansen's Junior Juice Water? Sign up for their email list here before January 31, and they'll send you a coupon for a free 4-pack.

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Circular Surfer: Tom Thumb Deals 1.21-1.27

says buy this:

Hunt's Tomatoes .77¢ a can (buy 2, use your .40¢ off 2 coupon from recent Sunday paper, which doubles, get 2 for .74¢) *48 Hour Sale item, Saturday and Sunday only

Bluebell Ice Cream $4 (use your $1 off coupon from their website)

Lysol Toilet Cleaner BOGO (one is $2.99) (get 2, use 2 .50¢ off coupons from recent Sunday paper, one will double, you get 2 bottles for $1.49 or about .75¢ each.)

Rosarita Refried Beans $1 (buy 2, use your .50¢ off 2 coupon from recent Sunday paper, which doubles, get 2 for .50¢ each)

McCormick Taco Seasoning Packets .50¢ (buy 2, use your .25¢ off 2 coupon from recent Sunday paper, which triples, get 2 for .25¢ total)

Zucchini $1/lb

Circular Surfer represents only what I see as the rock-bottom deals of the week, not all the specials. To see all the Tom Thumb Weekly Specials go here.

What's coming in the paper 2009?

Ginger has put together a list of what coupon inserts will be in the Sunday paper for the rest of the year. (So you'll know which papers will be loaded and to get multiples, and which papers will be empty!) This may help you with your shopping plan for the year.

2009 Coupon Inserts Schedule

January
4 – 2 Smart Source & 2 Red Plum
11 — Smart Source & Red Plum
18 – Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
25 – Smart Source & Red Plum

February
1 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
8 — Smart Source & Red Plum
15 – No Inserts scheduled
22 — Smart Source & Red Plum

March
1 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
8 — Smart Source & Red Plum
15 — Smart Source & Red Plum
22 — Smart Source only
29 — Smart Source & Red Plum

April
5 — 2 Smart Source & 1 Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
12 — No Inserts
19 — Smart Source & Red Plum
26 — Smart Source & Red Plum

May
3 — Smart Source & Red Plum
10 –Smart Source & Red Plum
17 — 2 Smart Source and 1 Red Plum
24 — No Inserts scheduled
31 — Smart Source & Red Plum

June
7 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
14 — Smart Source Only
21 — Smart Source & Red Plum
28 — Smart Source & Red Plum

July
5 — Procter and Gamble only
12 — Smart Source & Red Plum
19 — Smart Source Only
26 — Smart Source & Red Plum

August
2 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
9 — Smart Source & Red Plum
16 — Smart Source & Red Plum
23 — Smart Source & Red Plum
30 — Smart Source & Red Plum

September
6 — No SS or RP Inserts - Labor Day; 1 Procter and Gamble
13 — 1 Smart Source & 2 Red Plum
20 — Smart Source & Red Plum
27 — Smart Source & Red Plum

October
4 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
11 — Smart Source & Red Plum
18 — Smart Source & Red Plum
25 — Smart Source & Red Plum

November
1 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
8 — Smart Source & Red Plum
15 — Smart Source & Red Plum
22 — Smart Source Only
29 — No Inserts scheduled

December
6 — Smart Source & Red Plum & Procter and Gamble
13 — Smart Source & Red Plum
20 — No Inserts scheduled
27 — No Inserts scheduled

SmartSource Magazine Program Schedule w/ Themed Events
SmartSource Blinkie In-Store Program Schedule

P&G Sunday Inserts

Red Plum Sunday Inserts 2009 List
Red Plum Sunday Inserts

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Free Chex Mix Sample

Click on the picture above to get your free sample of Chocolate Turtle Chex Mix (oh mama that stuff is good) when you sign up for the Betty Crocker Newsletter.

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Earn Scott Tissue reward coupons.

Are you a Scott tissue, paper towel, napkin, etc. user? If so, read up on this Scott Reward Certificate coupon, offered on their Scott Common Sense Community website.

You can earn up to $4 in Scott Rewards for sending in the UPCs & register receipts of Scott products. Go here for details.

Now, to be a smart coupon mommy, you'll want to go with coupons in hand to a store with a Scott sale to pay the least amount possible to earn this $4. I'll update this post if I see it on sale, or discover a coupon for you. I've made cheap and free deals on this product at CVS and Walgreens in the past. Anyone else who finds a deal, post a comment here!

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Circular Surfer: Minyards Deals 1.21-1.27

says buy this:

Totinos Frozen Pizza 5/$5

Navel Oranges 4lb bag $1.48

Chicken of the Sea Tuna .89¢/can

Shower/Bath Puff $1

CoffeeMate $1.99 (print your $1.50 off coupon, then it's .44¢ for you)

Gala Apples 4/$1

Cucumbers 3/$1

Green Peppers 3/$1

Circular Surfer represents only what I see as the rock-bottom deals of the week, not all the specials. To see all the Minyard's Weekly Specials go here.

The Ultimate Circular Surfer.

Hello to my readers outside of Dallas. I regularly post on Thursdays, Fridays, and sometime Saturdays what I have found to be the best rock-bottom deals in the grocery circulars for the week for Tom Thumb, Kroger, Minyards, and occasionally Walgreens or CVS. If you don't happen to have those stores in your city, you might go check out The Grocery Gathering. Here is where you will find specials and coupon match-ups outlined for just about every store in the USA. It's all sent to one site by blogger mommies all over the country. I have found it to be quite helpful.

Find some more deal ideas and coupons in Coupon Whereabouts.

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Sargento and Land O Lakes Cheese coupons coming!

Check out your Sunday newspapers for Sargento Cheese coupons this coming Sunday, January 25 for new Artisan Blends and Bistro Blends. Land O Lakes (limited market offer) will also be releasing cheese coupons in the same paper. I like to get the Sargento Cheese Sticks for Hurricane Luka's preschool lunches, and often they go on sale at Kroger. Artisan and Bistro Blends shredded cheeses also go on sale at Kroger on a regular basis, hold out for a sale to use these coupons to maximize your savings!

Get multiples of your Sunday paper this way, for Oak Cliff readers only.

Need some cheese-a-licious Superbowl Game recipes? Go here and get your Sargento Play Book. They've got you covered. In cheese.

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More Coffee Lagniappe.

Maybe plain ol' cream is just not enough for you. You want some flavor in your coffee. Go here, sign up, and print 2 (use the back button) of these most excellent CoffeeMate $1.50 off 1 coupons. (I can find these for close to $2 at most stores, so what a deal! This is in fact on sale for $1.99 at Minyards until Tuesday the 27th. Sweet!

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More free goodies.

Somebody up there likes me. With all the free beverages and goodies going around, Seattle's Best Coffee was not to be left out. Go here and download a pdf (woohoo!) coupon that is good until March 9. (pdf means print as many as you need). Coupon is good for a free pastry or a second coffee beverage when you purchase one. Seattle's Best Coffee can be found inside Border's Book Stores.

Get the scoop on more recent Swag to get free stuff.

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Earn a free bottle of Healthy Balance juice.

Collect 10 UPC barcodes from any Old Orchard Healthy Balance juice product, and redeem them for a VIP coupon good for 1 FREE Healthy Balance 64oz. bottle of juice of any flavor. Once you've collected 10 UPCs, send them to the address below, and they'll in turn send you a VIP coupon:

Healthy Balance FREE Juice Promo
PO Box 66
Sparta, MI 49345

Don't forget to include your name and return address so they know where to send the coupon! Limit one per household. Coupons have no expiration date, are redeemable at any store selling our Healthy Balance products, up to a $2.69 value. 

Hopefully you've signed up for the Healthy Balance free membership. Then, you'll be the first to find out about deals like this one. They've even sent me coupons in snail mail! We like this juice because it is reduced sugar. Look for it at Kroger.

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O for Obama.

No, that's not the letter "O", it's the free donut you're gonna get by going to Krispy Kreme on Inauguration Day. The Inauguration Day promotional offer is good for one doughnut of choice per customer on January 20. No purchase is necessary. To find a participating store near you go here. Thanks to dealiciousmom for the presidential goodies.

Don't forget to swing by Tom Thumb after you pick up your donut, grab a circular, and get your free Starbucks Tea Beverage to wash it down.

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No more stinky shoes.

I live with 3 boys. That's 3 x 2 stinky feet. (Mommy's feet, of course, don't stink because I am a delicate flower.) So I just signed up here for my free sample of Febreze Sport. I can not wait until it gets here. In the meantime, I think I'll have to resort to ziploc bags for stinky little boy shoes. Maybe the porch. Thanks to Heather for saving my nose.

Get the scoop on more recent Swag to get free samples sent to your mailbox too.

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Mommy, are we lost?

Not any more. We finally decided that this mommy would benefit from one of those little car navigation thingees. (see how technologically advanced I am?) We tested it out at Christmas on the long haul to Iowa, to see exactly how this thing works. If it could get us to Iowa, it could get me to the Galleria Mall in North Dallas and back (Which I have not been able to do successfully. Ever. And I've lived here for 20 years.) 

The one we got was a Garmin, because there was a sweet deal at Walmart, on one of those crazy go-at-5am deals. On the road to Iowa, Miss Garmin, as she affectionately became known, would tell us where to go, when to veer left, and when we had missed the turn-off to Gates & Sons BBQ in Kansas City (a very important stop on the way to Iowa, believe me.) Everytime the Garmin spouted a new step to us, Hurricane Luka chirped "Thank you Miss Garmin" from the backseat. The entertainment value of a talking GPS alone kept Luka in a good mood the whole way there, even when we hit what we like to call "Our Lady of the Perpetual Meltdown", an abandoned old church on the highway, north of Atoka, Oklahoma where Luka inevitably freaks out from being in the car too long every time we drive to Iowa. 

Even now, he still asks "Is Miss Garmin gonna come with us?" when we get in the car.

I've decided this was a very valuable addition to my technology toybox, seeing as how I am completely directionally-challenged. If you are like me, you might like one too. I just found one at Sears on-line for only $79.99 (which is $20 less than Miss Garmin) and this one is a Sony! 

Sony Nav-U GPS Navigation System w/ 3.5" Touch Display on sale $79.99. Save $70! Sale price is good from 1/18 to 1/24. Go here and check it out, and you too can safely make back home through the mix-master, across the high-five, and confidently chose the correct I-35.

Have you eaten all your chocolate?

says buy this:

If you've already run out of your 75% off holiday chocolate that you horded last week...here's a deal at Walgreens.

Mauna Loa Chocolate-Covered Macadamias--2/$4 on sale
Buy 2 and use $3/2 coupon in Walgreen's January EasySaver catalog (pg. 4) Find this booklet right inside the store.
.50¢ each after coupon

Quit your day job.

Today I was asked in a LinkedIn Advertising Forum, "Now-a-days advertising agencies have very few women as creative directors. However it doesn't mean that women can do creative jobs worse, maybe in a different way. Do you think women create in a different way?" Most of the time, I read the questions and never answer. I'm one of those people who can sit back and watch the chaos, and not be part of it. Then, sometimes my switch gets flipped and OHMYGODzilla comes out. Today was their lucky day.

For those of you that don't know, I am a woman and a former Creative Director at several big ad agencies. In all of them, I was a minority, not just as a Creative Director, but as a creative. Advertising is man's business, especially here in the south. It's not that women create differently, it's that women are not generally encouraged to create (in business). Or lead. Or have any power whatsoever. And I don't think this phenomenon is exclusive to advertising.

Look at the advertising world and the depiction of it in popular culture. Who runs all these ad agencies? Men. Who consults on advertising for national news? Donnie Deutsch. A man. Who do they create new advertising television dramas about in every decade? Men. Seen Mad Men? Thirtysomething? TNT's new Trust Me starts next week. And then there's Darren on Bewitched. Who stars in movies about advertising? Mel Gibson. Mel Gibson? A copywriter with TWO female secretaries. Give me a break. Who teaches advertising in colleges? Men. Where are our role models? Am I surprised there are not more women creative directors? Nope. Am I ok with it? Nope. Have I realized that I can't do a darn thing about it? Yep.

That being said, I think saying that women create differently is a generalization. Every PERSON creates differently, it is a not a gender specific activity. When the advertising and design industry (and every other industry in the world) can overcome their conscious or unconscious gender bias and hire people based on the merit of their work, perhaps there will be more female creative directors. And lawyers. And engineers. And CEOs. And presidents.

When the advertising and design industry, and all other industries, can overcome their bias toward promoting women for fear those women will then have a baby and leave, and instead embrace the technology available to create flexible and virtual positions for their valued employees, there will be more female creative directors. And lawyers. And engineers. And CEOs. And presidents.

When the advertising and design industry, and all other industries, can overcome their bias toward "having a butt in a chair" and stops allowing talented female creatives to quit because advertising is not female or family friendly, there will be more female creative directors. And lawyers. And engineers. And CEOs. And presidents.

When women stop listening to this man's world tell them what job to have and how to do it, there will be more female creative directors.

Until then, I'll not go back. I'm done drinking that kool-aid. I'll create on my own terms for people who hire me based on the merit of my work only. Heck, most of my clients have never even met me in person, or even talked to me on the phone. I don't think I create differently because I am a woman, but I do think I am different as I have always chosen to set the terms under which I will create. And if the industry didn't meet my terms...well, that is the kind of different that makes me a FORMER Creative Director. And I'm ok with that.

Free Boost Kids Essential Drink.

Get your free sample of Boost for Kids by registering here with Nestle. This is a high-value coupon offered to the first 25,000 people who request it. Thanks, Heather.

Get the scoop on more recent Swag to get free samples sent to your mailbox too.

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What's in the paper? Week of 1.18 - 1.24

Why do you want this week's paper? In multiples even. If you live in Oak Cliff, get multiples this way. I got 8 multiples of this week's paper. Why? Cheddar Cheese Quaker Rice Cakes. (drool)

These are a few of the coupons you'll find in Sunday's paper this week:

.50¢ off Lipton Tea Bags (I have used 2 of these together at Kroger on BOGO sales, getting $2 off when both double.)

.50¢ off 2 Ragu (doubles to $1 off at Tom Thumb and Kroger. This week that makes your Tom Thumb Ragu sauce 2 for $1.59 when you use it on the BOGO sale)

.50¢ off any Lowry's Marinade (we LOVE the Lowry's Teriyaki with pineapple marinade, and I'll wait 'til it's on sale for $1 and get it FREE at Kroger)

.50¢ off any Wishbone Salad Dressing Tom Thumb and Safeway affiliated stores only (Since this is a STORE coupon I will be trying to stack this with another Wishbone MANUFACTURER'S coupon from an older Sunday paper for even more savings.)

$1.00 any Quaker Rice Snack (I'm so excited about this one, these go on sale at Kroger for $1 all the time. That means 8 free for me!)

.50¢ off 2 Rosarita Refried Beans (I'm thinking I can get these two cans free or almost free at Kroger or Tom Thumb. Certainly I can turn this into a BOGO.)

.50¢ off any French's Classic Yellow Mustard (This doubles at Kroger where it also goes on sale for $1 quite often. That means it's FREE.)

And that's just the tip of the coupon iceberg, mommies. I can't wait to see what other deals unfold when the Wednesday grocery circulars come in! Stay tuned.

Fill your iTunes with this.

Go here and pick out some FREE music at Amazon. There are unbelievably over 400 songs to chose from. I know what I'll be doing for the next hour!

For those of you living in the 80s, I see OMD on there...Blaine? Blaine? That's not a name, it's a major appliance!

Dallas local, Jackopierce is in there too. Support our boy Cary Pierce. I'm also downloading Ted Nugent, Aimee Mann and a couple of Loudon Wainwright III.

I may never buy shampoo again.

Heck, between the free Garnier Fructis I got at Walgreens, the free CVS shampoo I got with this coupon, and all the free samples lately, I won't be buying this item for years! Know what that means? It means there is a sweater at Betsey Johnson with my name on it.

Go here and get the latest free shampoo sample from Head & Shoulders at the P&G eSavers website.

Get the scoop on more recent Swag to get free samples sent to your mailbox too.

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More cheese please.

Mercedes just alerted me to this CRAZY 75% off sale at Hickory Farms. I love 75% off sales, don't you? We have one dinner a week here that is all table snacks, usually on football night, with things like cheese and crackers, olives, salami, little veggies and ranch dip, etc.

I just added these to my snack dinner repetoire and can't wait until they arrive. They prices were insane I tell you. Those big ol' cheese, crackers, and sausage gift boxes for $3.75? Yes!

Go here and check it out yourself. And use the source code clipper to get yet another 15% off! You still have to pay shipping, which was only $7.99 for all I got, totally worth it to me. Got me some petit-fours too. (which I will hide and eat ALL MYSELF!)

Stalk Market: Fiesta Deal 1.16.09

Bought:

8 Granny Smith Apples $2

5 Bananas .73¢

5 Oranges $1

3 Bartlett Pears $1

4 Kiwi $1

5 Bolillos $1 (small baguettes)

1 Cantaloupe .99¢

TOTAL: $7.72

And, grabbed some Fiesta coupon books from right inside the door to get the .50¢ off Ragu coupons to use at Tom Thumb this week. (Tom Thumb Ragu on sale for Buy One Get One Free, one being $2.59. Use 2 of these coupons, get $1.50 off, making it 2 for $1.09)

2 Years of Parents Magazine FREE.

Enjoy the 2 years of Parents Magazine. No strings attached. You'll never receive a bill. Man, I love free magazines...I get several that I've never paid a dime for: Martha Stewart Living, Good Housekeeping, Discover, ReadyMade. As I find these deals in 2009, I'll post 'em here.

Parents is America's leading magazine devoted to serving people who are raising children. This magazine is designed for women ages 18-34 with growing children. Its editorial focus is on family formation and growth including the daily needs and concerns of modern mothers. It also regularly features information about beauty, food, fashion, home, age specific child development, health, pregnancy, marriage, finance, child care, education and discipline.

Go here to get yours. Totally easy, I just did it. Thanks Crystal!

Another free coupon book.

This time from Eat Better America. I love how all these coupon books are so easy to get and help fill up my coupon binder so I'm ready for the sales! Just click on the picture above to sign up for yours today.

Eat Better America tends to have coupons for things that help you eat better, like Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes (one of my favorite coupons of theirs), Yoplait, Cascadian Farms Organic and Green Giant frozen vegetables.

Can't get enough chocolate.

So I hit all my favorite retailers and cleaned them out of their 75% off holiday chocolate, especially Ghirardelli Chocolate because, yes, I'm addicted to those new Peanut Butter & Chocolate Squares.

So, I just signed up for their ChocoMail so that I will be the first to know the when, the where, and the how of getting some more of my favorite chocolate. Who knows, maybe they'll be a printable coupon for Ghirardelli in my future. I certainly remember some good Sunday paper coupons for it this past year. Cross your chocolately finger, and click on the picture above to get to their website and sign up for Chocomail! (Look under "Special Features" on the home page.) You can also order it straight from them on their website, and it looks like all the Holiday Chocolate is marked down on there too! Woo hoo!

Circular Surfer: Kroger Deals 1.14-1.20

says buy this:

1 lb bag Mini Carrots $1

Broccoli $1 lb

Nesquick Milk $1

Fast Fixins Chicken Nuggets, Strips, Patties $1 (sign up and get coupons off here)

Green Giant Frozen Veggies $1 (Go to EatBetter America and print .60¢ off 2 coupon here)

Bar S Bologna $1

Dial Bar Soap 3-pack (use your .35¢ off coupon from this past Sunday's paper, it triples, FREE)

DanActive $2 (use your .50¢ off coupon from past Sunday's paper, it doubles, $1)

Strawberries $2.99

Blueberries $2.50

GOLDFISH ALERT!

Goldfish are $1 at Tom Thumb (Safeway affiliated stores) until next Tuesday. Stock up.

Circular Surfer: Tom Thumb Deals 1.14-1.20

says buy this:

Pineapple $1.99 (48 hour sale, Saturday and Sunday only)

6oz Blueberries or Blackberries $1.49 (!!!)

Ragu Buy One Get One Free (one is $2.59. Go to Fiesta and grab some .50¢ coupons from the shelf or the booklet inside the door. Use 2, get $1.50 off because one of them will double. You get 2 jars Ragu for $1.09 or .54¢ a jar!! Remember Tom Thumb will only double 1 of the same coupon.)

$9.99 Bundle: 3 12-packs of Pepsi product plus 2 bags Doritos or Lays (that's about $2 for each 12-pack and $1.50 for each bag of chips. decent deal.)

Goldfish $1

Silk $3.99 half gallon (use your .55¢ off coupons from this past Sunday's paper for more savings)

St. Pauli Girl $5.99 a six-pack (Mommy's favorite beer! woo hoo!)

Free Soy Joy Bar.

Always good to have one of these yummy Soy Joy bars in your purse for those times when you are stuck in traffic and starving, sitting in your car waiting for your child to finish piano lessons, or need a little something to get you past that 3:00pm lull in energy after Hurricane Luka has sucked you dry. Goes surprisingly well with a St. Pauli Girl.

By the way, right now you can get a 6-count box of Soy Joy bars for $6 at CVS, and get 6 ECB back. You can do this 5 times.

Go here to sign up to get your sample bar free from Walmart. Thanks again, Heather!

Get the scoop on more recent Swag to get free samples sent to your mailbox too.

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Free kid's meal at Friendly's.

I thought I'd remind you that participating Friendly's Ice Cream Restaurants are offering a free kid's meal with an adult meal purchase with this coupon here. (You'll also find a $5 off $25 coupon on this link too.) Coupon is good thru January 31, 2009.

**Go and sign up here for Friendly's BFF club (I'll be best friends with anyone offering free ice cream). You'll get a free 3-scoop sundae just for signing up! And, of course, treats for your birthday are in order, most likely involving some whip cream I'm guessing.

Find your nearest Friendly's here. As far as I can find, Friendly's is located in CT, DC, FL, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, and VA.

Find ALL the amazing Dine on a Dime deals here.

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Pay it forward, people!

Free Starbucks Tea Beverages!

Shout out to EarthMuffinMama for pointing out the SWEET coupon on the back of today's Tom Thumb circular. (sorry non-Dallasites) 

Get a free tall tea beverage of your choice at the Starbucks inside Tom Thumb. 

Good until January 20. Which means mommy will be scooting on over to Tom Thumb tonight to pick up a circular for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday! 

Find more SWEET coupons in other recent Coupon Whereabouts.

Circular Surfer: Minyards Deals 1.14-1.20

says buy this:

Bluebell Ice Cream $3.88 (print your $1 off coupon here, makes it $2.88)

One Dozen Medium Eggs .99¢

Best Choice Canned Veggies 5/$2 (that's .40¢ a can, mommies)

Best Choice Tomato Sauce 4/$1

Grapefruit 3/$1