About Me?

A college graduate with a Public Relations degree, previously stay-at-home mom of two looking in every direction to save a buck. Originally, a Southeast Missouri girl who married a Texan!  After spending the past 4 years living in Tupelo, MS, Memphis, San Antonio, TX we recently made our way back to Nashville!  With being caught up with two house payments and a decrease in income I learned ways to be able to continue my obsession at the grocery store and online shopping. I founded My Memphis Mommy in May of 09 and with continuing success I started My South Central Texas Mommy this year and now bring you My Music City Mommy!  I hope I am able to truly save your family a significant amount of money and can improve your lifestyle!

Thanks for taking time out to really explore the site and learn all about couponing or how to save if you have a retail obsession!

Please email me at mymusiccitymommy@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Walgreens 101

I started saving with Walgreens for two reasons. First there is one every five miles in our town and secondly it's so convenient it's silly not too. Walgreens can be confusing though so I will try to keep this as simple as possible!

The first way to save is with the Weekly Advertisement. They change every week so you can click here to view your advertisement, pick it up in the front of the store, subscribe to your local paper, or check your email once you have registered with Walgreen's and they will send the ads for the week. The weekly advertisement has great deals each week with coupons. Check the limits on the coupons because you can always purchase more than one of the item at the unbelievable price. These coupons also can be used with manufacturer coupons that you find online or in your paper each week. *I will post the Walgreen's coupon match up weekly so you know before you go what you want to clip if you already haven't received the catalog.*

The second way is Register Rewards. Register Rewards are coupons that print at the end of your transaction. When you are browsing the store they tell you exactly what you need to purchase to receive the Register Reward under the product you are interested in. These rewards are coupons good on your next transaction, they have an expiration date and are not valid after the date.

Register Rewards are the same as manufacturer coupons. You are receiving a coupon from a company only good for cash off of your next transaction. You have to have the same amount of products as coupons or your Register Rewards will not print. For example if you are purchasing 2 toothpastes, have two coupons, and will receive a Register Reward you have to have another item to scan or it will not print. Many people just add on a low priced item so they can still use their coupons and receive their Reward. Register Rewards from the same company will not print in the same transaction. If Johnson's is offering two Register Reward deals in the same week you have to split your transaction because you will only receive one even though you are purchasing both Johnson's products.

You can not use a Register Reward that you received on a specific item on the same deal. For instance Huggies was offering a $10.00 Register Reward if you purchase $20.00 in Huggies products. Many people were trying to use their $10.00 Register Reward on the same deal but the Reward wouldn't print since the register knew they had already received it.

The third way is when Walgreen's issues coupons for 2 specific days that you can purchase $20.00 in products and receive $5.00 off of that purchase. *I will post these for you.*

Here is an overview:

-The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).

-When items are featured in a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the items being purchased.

-The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register RewardsTM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.

Go here to read the full policy and let us know what you think!

 

 

CVS 101

There are many ways to save and even earn money while shopping at CVS.
For all you newbies, here are all the tips you will need to start saving today! We will start with the Weekly Ads. You can get the Weekly Ad online, in front of the store or in your local Sunday paper. The Ad lists all sale items and items that will produce Extra Care Bucks and the quantity needed to earn them.

What are Extra Care Bucks (ECB)?
These are dollars that you earn when making a certain purchase and can be used on any future CVS purchase. You do not have to get all the items at the same time but will not earn the ECB until you fulfill the entire purchase. Your ECB will print out on your receipt so make sure to always check before throwing away your receipt.

There are weekly and monthly ECB. *You will also earn 2% back in ECB quarterly on your purchases which will print automatically at the end of the sales period.
In order to start earning ECB, you need to have an Extra Care Card. You can get a card simply by asking a cashier for a form or by signing up online. If you fill out the form in-store, you will get your card to start saving imediately. However if you sign up online, it will take about a week to get your card in the mail. Remember to register your account online to receive special offers by email or in your mail box.
In addition to ECB, there are also CRT (cash register tape) coupons that print automatically on your receipt.

These are not listed in the Weekly Ad and just print randomly. These are pretty general , for instance, $2.00 off of Huggies Pull-ups. You can also get X off of XX CRTs. It will look like this~ $4.00 off of $20.00. Both are considered stores coupons and can be combined with manufacter's coupons (MFC). You can stack a basic CRT, a X off of XX CRT and a MFC all together for maximum savings. Just make sure to hand the cashier the X off of XX first while the total is the highest. Here's what it looks like:

Buy (2) Huggies Pull-ups @ $10 each = $20.00
Use $4 off $20 first
Use (2) $2.00 CRT's =$4 off
Use (2) $3.00 MFC= $6 off
Total $6.00 for both packs of Pull-ups

Even better if you would earn $5.00 wyb $20 worth of Huggies
Total would be = $1.00!!

Making money at CVS can be very simple! Almost every week there is a promotion where you will earn the same amount of ECB that you spend. For instance:

Colgate Toothpaste $2.99
Earn $2.99 ECB wyb 1
Use $1.00 off MFC
Total = $1.00 overage after coupon and ECB

CVS also has other great ways to save:
Clip-Free coupons that will automatically be taken off at the register. You can find these in a flyer by the front door.

Email or "snail mail" coupons - remember to sign up online to get these.
BOGOF sales - you can use two MFC coupons on a buy-one-get-one-free sale.

For example:
Max Factor Mascara $7.99 BOGOF
Use (2) $3.00 off MFC
Total = $1.99 for both

As with anything, "practice makes perfect" so don't be discouraged if you make a few mistakes. You'll be shopping like a pro soon enough.

Couponing 101

Needless to say, before I was introduced to the "right" way to do couponing, I had tried many times to pick up the paper with intentions to save money. I was always disappointed b/c I ended up wasting valuable time and spending more money. Thank goodness I was introduced to a couple of sites that just "made sense". I'm so grateful that I now can pass to you some tips about coupons, the easy way to organize, spend and save time.

Couponing is somewhat of a game. You start slow and as you move on you become knowledgeable of all of the In's and Outs and before you know it YOU win. I will start with the basics of couponing and as we move ahead and you will learn more with the homework I have done already for you on my site. I guarantee that you will be saving at least $100 a month on your grocery bill. Oh, I forgot you aren't paying for this. :)

The first key is getting your local paper at least every Sunday, checking out the coupon printable web sites, and knowing what magazines are best for coupons.
I prefer to subscribe to the paper because if your not subscribing you forget to pick it up or go out to get it and spend money you wouldn't have. Having it delivered is inexpensive and convenient.
You can actually preview what coupons will be in the paper by going here then you can buy more papers when you are out.
If you are ready for printable coupons my favorite site are Coupons.com, Redplum, and SmartSource.com.
All You is the best magazine for coupons, you can get two years for $18.00 here. P&G brandsaver also has coupons here and Right @ Home does the same here.
Be on the watch for: peelies on the product, hangtags under the product, and blinkies machines that blink throughout the store.
Now, do not think that because there is a coupon for $1 off of 2 frozen meals that it is a good deal. Most of the time those meals are $7-$9 and buying two well then you have really wasted some money on something you don't even know if you will like.
Be organized with your coupons. It is hard enough if you are a mom shopping with your kids in the first place. If your not a mom then keeping your coupons organized and keeping a list of what you want to purchase will work. (Keep a list and keep to your list, unless you forgot to add bread).
My method is keeping a file folder for the weekly inserts by date, also known as Coupon Database. When the advertisements are posted I then pull out the date of the specific insert and clip the matching coupons. I use the Couponizer to keep my coupons seperated and organized.
I use SS for Smart Source, GM for General Mills, PG for Proctor and Gamble, K for Kelloggs, and detail any printable match ups in the advertisements. I will list the matching coupons to the sales advertisements by writing, (1/25, RP) this means the coupon is in the Red Plum insert on January 25th.
Now that you have a stockpile of coupons it's time to match them up to the sales ad's. Each week it seems as if the same coupons come around so you should have at least 3 coupons for dish washing liquid when it finally goes on sale for .99. Being aware of the sales is really key to making all of this work. If you just go to the store with your coupons and no sale is going on then the Palmolive you just bought for 2.85 with the .25 coupon didn't really help matters. You have to watch for the sales. They seem to come around every 2-3 months on the same types of items.
Last but not least is creating a stockpile of items so you don't have to purchase out of necessity. This means your non-perishables, toiletries, etc. Pick them up when they are on sale and don't just purchase one purchase as many as you have coupons for. If you just get one then the previous purchase that cost $1 may cost you $4 next time even with your coupon.

Target: Organic Similac For Only $.86

Right now when you use the new $3/1 Similac Organic formula coupon you can score them for only $0.86 a jug!  Note these are on temporary cut back so print your coupons and head out before 12/18.

Free Bird Seed At Walmart

.

It's the time of year today to start feeding the birds.  Print a $2/1 Scotts Wild Bird Food Coupon HERE!

Reports are that Walmart has Morning Song Year Round Suet Wild Bird Food priced at $1.16.

Hallmark $5/5 Coupon

Make sure to check out the December Issue of Martha Stewart Living where you'll find a $5/5 Hallmark Coupon.  Last year I was able to find some pretty good deals with this!  Offer expires 12/24!

Kroger Weekly Match Up November 7th thru November 13th

If you are new to couponing you may want to read Couponing 101. If you are new to Kroger you can view Kroger Coupon Policy here. Kroger in Nashville and surrounding areas doubles 7 days a week up to $.50!

Make sure to download all the eCoupons to your Kroger card. It's easy and can save you lots of money. Just visit Cellfire, Shortcuts, SoftCoin & Upromise. eCoupons can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon, but will not double. This varies location to location as Kroger is slowly implementing new policies.

Save $5 WYB 10 Participating Items Using Your Shopper's Card! Price listed below already reflects $5 off WYB 10 items.

Campbell's Chunky or Select Harvest $.99

Shortcuts eCoupon Save $1/2

(10/3, 10/10 SS) Save $.50/2

Printable Coupon Save $1/1

Final Price, FREE

Del Monte Tomatoes $.49

(9/19 RP) Save $1/2

Final Price, 2/FREE

Campbell's Mushroom or Chicken $.49

(10/3 SS) Save $.40/2

Final Price, 2/$.18

Nestle Hot Coca $.49

Nov All You Mag Save $1 on Jet Puffed Marshmallows & Cocoa

Final Price, Varies

Carnation or PET Evaporated Milk $.69

Oct Family Fun Mag Save $.50/2

(9/26 SS) Save $.50/2

Printable Coupon Save $.50/2

Final Price, 2/$.38

Stove Top Suffing or Heinz Gravy $.75

Nov All You Mag Save $4 on Butterball Whole Turkey wyb Heinz Gravy, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and Stove Top

Printable Coupon Save $1/3

Final Price, 3/$1.25

Land O Lakes Butter $2.49

Printable Coupon Save $.50/1

(10/24 SS) Save $1/2

Final Price, $1.49

Swanson Broth $.49

(11/7 SS) Save $.75/5

Final Price, 5/$$1.70

Red Baron Pizza $2.78

Printable Coupon Save $1/1

(8/29 SS) Save $1/1

Final Price, $1.78

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $1.49

(10/3 GM) Save $.50/2

Printable Coupon Save $1/3

Printable Coupon Save $.50/2

Final Price, 2/$1.98

Quaker Granola Bars $1.49

(9/19 RP) Save $1/2

Final Price, 2/$1.98

Nestle Ready to Bake Cookies $1.99

(10/3 RP) Save $1/1

Printable Coupon Save $1/2

Final Price, $.99

Pillsbury Pie Crust $1.99

(10/10 SS) Save $.50/1

Printable Coupon Save $.50/2

Final Price, $.99

Totino's Pizza Rolls $2.49

(9/12 GM) Save $.40/2

Printable Coupon Save $.50/2

Final Price, 2/$3.98

Advil Pain Reliever 20-24ct $2.50

(10/31 RP) Save $1/1

Final Price, $1.50

Slim Fast 3-2-1 Shakes 6pk $4.50

Upromise Credit $1.25

Final Price, Credit to College Fund

Colgate Toothpaste $1

Printable Coupon Save $1/1

(10/31 SS) Save $1/1

Final Price, FREE

Degree Deodorant $2.99

Printable Coupon Save $1/1

Upromise Credit $1

Final Price, $1.99

Imagine Organic Broth $1.99

Printable Coupon Save $1/2

Final Price, 2/$2/98

Other Sales:

Jimmy Dean Sausage BOGOF
Facebook Printable Save $1/1(use 2)
Final Price, Varies

Green Giant Vegetables $.88
Shortcuts eCoupon Save $.60/3
Cellfire eCoupon Save $.60/3
(10/3 GM) Save $.60/3
Printable Coupon Save $1/3
Final Price, 3/$.44

Tide $10.99
(10/31 PG) Save $1
Final Price, $9.99

Downy Fabric Softener $8.99
(10/31 PG) Save $1
Final Price, $7.99

Betty Crocker Mix 10/$10
Shortcuts eCoupon Save $.50 wyb frosting
Cellfire eCoupon Save $.50 wyb frosting
(10/3 GM) Save $.75 wyb frosting
Final Price, Varies

Bounty Paper Towels 6 Big or 8 Reg $6.99
(10/31 PG) Save $.50
Upromise Credit $.50
Final Price, $5.99

Charmin Bathroom Tissue 6 Mega or 12-16 Double $6.99
Upromise Credit $1
(10/17 RP) Save $1/1
Final Price, $5.99

Stouffer's Entree $4.99
Printable Coupon Save $1/1
Final Price, $3.99

Marie Callender's Fruit or Cream Pie $4.99
(10/3 SS) Save $1/1
(10/3 SS) Save $1.50
Printable Coupon Save $1/1
Final Price, $3.49

Marie Callender's Pumpkin Pie $3.99
(10/3 SS) Save $1/1
(10/3 SS) Save $1.50
Printable Coupon Save $1/1
Final Price, $2.49

Chef Boyardee Pasta $.88
(10/3 SS) Save $.75/2
Final Price, 2/$1.01