Good morning! Let’s rise, shine and save today. . .
One of the highlights of my day yesterday was a trip to Goodwill. I found a brand new pair of Banana Republic flats $4.99, a sturdy pine end table $6.99 and some books for the kids (and one for me). I spent $19 after tax. The shoes alone are going for $44 on eBay! Buying secondhand really is the best way to go for a lot of things – it just requires patience and the ability to see potential in things. I was thinking about it – you go to a place like Macy’s and it’s all about – the potential of YOU! But at thrift stores, you have to flip that around and see the potential in the secondhand treasures. A new coat of paint, a little elbow grease and you can really turn someone else’s trash into your treasure.
I wonder if I can paint the table? It is super sturdy – a requirement you need to consider when buying used furniture. An end table has been on our “would-like-to-get-would-make-our-lives-easier” list for the last six months but I couldn’t bring myself to pay $100-$200 at the furniture stores and I’m too lazy for Craigslist right now. The hubby will be happy he finally has a place to put a drink and snack while watching the Seahawks win, haha (FYI – I didn’t watch the game, I have no idea what happened, I just saw everyone all up in arms about it on Facebook). Have you found any secondhand treasures lately?
If you missed my post yesterday – Albertsons in Washington, Oregon and Idaho recalled a ton of beef, sold from 9/3 – 9/21 – so check your fridge and freezers. You should be able to return it for a full refund or replacement.
COUPONS
You heard it here first. . .Albertsons DOUBLER or “Twice the Value” coupons are coming this weekend! Of course it’s always a “rumor” until we get them for sure Sunday morning, but it can’t hurt to plan as if they are coming. The doublers are valid for the NW area of Albertsons – not all Albertsons stores participate in them.
Some new Purex coupons popped up yesterday – one is $2 off Purex laundry detergent at Target, the other is for $2 off Purex manufacturer coupon (it has Kmart mentioned on it, but can be used anywhere). Combine these two coupons for an awesome stock up price at Target. I’m printing these coupons because such high-value coupons are rare for laundry detergent. Read all about the deal here. You’ll also want to consider printing any coupons $1/1 – for potential Albertsons doubler deals!
Northwest folks – BIG news from the News Tribune came in yesterday. They are reinstating the couponer’s special of $1.25/paper! You complained and they listened! Unfortunately it’s for current or past customers, not for new subscribers (bummer!). Learn more here
FAVORITE DEALS
Today only, subscribe to Urban Farm Magazine for only $4.50 per year (70% off)! You can order up to one year at this price! Just enter coupon code QUEENBEE at checkout. This offer expires at Wednesday 09/26/12 11:59 p.m. I adore this magazine – it’s full of awesome articles and “homesteading tips”. I would suggest ordering it to any of my friends or family!
Kohl’s is having a big Grand Opening sale that starts today. From what I’ve seen there are lots of 40-60% off discounts, plus you earn $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend. Shop Kohls.com and remember you can combine up to two coupon codes on each order – use promo code FALL20 for an additional 20% off your order. Free shipping on $50 or more.
*Shop All Doorbusters for the Teens – Wednesday Only!
*50% Off All Jumping Beans Tops & Bottoms for Kids
*Shop All Doorbusters for the Men – Wednesday Only!
*Shop All Doorbusters for the Home – Wednesday Only!
*Shop All Doorbusters for the Kids & Baby – Wednesday Only!
RECIPES & MEAL PLANNING
Yesterday I told you I was going to make some marinara sauce in the crockpot. Yeah, that didn’t happen. It was all I could do just to keep up with the kids, dishes and the chores. Maybe next time. Around 4:30 p.m. I considered ordering Thai food for dinner . . .but backed away from the ledge and put together tortilla pizzas (with Trader Joe’s tortillas), served with frozen green peas, carrots and hummus. Random, I know. But it saved us $30 from ordering a last minute dinner that we would have probably regretted. I love eating out – but I like it when it’s a special occasion and not a result of poor planning on my part. Please tell me someone else can relate!
As for other meal ideas. . .If you have access to a TOP/Haggen store and if you have a family full of carnivores you’ll want to check out the TOP Foods meal sale – fresh fryer drumsticks $1/lb, pork shoulder roast, country style ribs and boneless sirloin chops are $2/lb. They have a a variety of chuck steaks and fryer breasts for $3/lb. The pork ribs are good with olive oil and garlic – thrown on the grill. And you can make this Pork Chop recipe with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. What’s your favorite way to cook up fryers?
Safeway is doing a BOGO sale on meat, but we won’t know the prices until we’ve checkd in-store. And the Friday $5 sale is looking pretty sweet – with $5 Lloyd’s Babyback Ribs, which is 50% off!
All the grocery deals were posted late last night. We had some issues with mail delivery – which impacts us getting our ads – but the wonderful gals who help me compile grocery deals got them all pulled together posted last night. Queen Bee has the best team of contributors who help put together the grocery deals, I’m so blessed!
FOR THE LOCAL NW FOLKS
For those of you in Olympia/Lacey area, Bud Bay coffee shop and Cutter’s Point coffee will give you a FREE drink of your choice with a $25 gift card purchase. If you regularly buy coffee from one of these small businesses – pick up a gift card for yourself (or as a gift) and earn a FREE drink for something you’d be spending anyway. Some of those drinks are close to $5 – so it’s like save 20%! You can also earn free drinks when you use the punch cards (if available). Don’t live in the area? Might be worth asking your local coffee shops if they do similar gift card promotions.
Olympia/Lacey – The Albertsons going out of business in Lacey sent me a flyer yesterday announcing discounts of 10-50% off. I don’t know how much of the store is marked down yet – but if your store is on the list of Albertsons to be closed, it should be something to keep an eye on. I’m going to go cry in my un-used doublers now. . .the store closing in Lacey is my favorite.
Seattle – $30 for The Smashing Pumpkins Concert on October 10 at 7:30 p.m., up to $65 value (Groupon)
Bellevue – $20 for $40 worth of Italian Fare at Firenze in Bellevue (Sharing Spree) First create a Sharing Spree account here.
Portland – $7.50 for $15 Worth of Mouth-Watering Food and Drinks at Togo’s (Sharing Spree) First create a Sharing Spree account here.
ONLINE DISCOUNTS & PROMO CODES
Shop OldNavy.com for 15% off any amount or 20% off $75! Use code ONSAVEBIG at checkout. Offer ends 9/28.
Zulily is having a super awesome boot and flats sale starting at $16.99 for flats or $19.99 for boots. The problem is a lot of sizes are sold out. If you are patient and have either small or large feet (ha!) you should check out the sale. I’m hoping they add more stock today.
Amazon deal of the day – Dallas: The Complete Collection (Seasons 1-14 + Movies) – $219.99. It’s a great deal, if you like Dallas, I checked and Target.com is selling it for $389. It’s a whole lot of Dallas – all 14 seasons. Which by the way, I’ve never seen, but I have memories of my mother watching it when I was little. Are you a Dallas fan?
This is a super price on the Werner MT-17 300-Pound Duty Rating Telescoping Multi-Ladder, 17-Foot for $132, ships FREE. We own this one and it really is awesome (read the reviews, if you want to get more feedback).
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
September 29 – FREE coffee from Krispy Kreme, September 29. Don’t worry, we’ll remind you.
September 29 – National Parks FREE admission
What are your plans today? I think I’m going to Kohl’s to check out their big anniversary sale – they gave me a $50 gift card to give away to a lucky reader, so I wanted to check out the sale! Stay tuned for that giveaway!
Celia says
Mud Bay sweetie, not “Bud” Bay. And there coffee is amazing!!!! 🙂
Celia says
And I totally feel you on the wanting to eat out for special occasions!! I encouraged you on FB to order thai… BOO ME.
Julie2 says
I’m sooo loving these morning posts. Thanks!
And congrats on making dinner last night, sometimes its soo hard not to order out. Sounds like your dinner was yummier.
Im off to Cutter’s Coffee today for a free coffee with card purchase.. possibly Kohl’s too.
Have a super day.
Lori says
Good morning! I couldn’t agree more with you on seeing the potential in things. Yesterday I went to Target to browse the clearance items and found a cute little jewelry box that was clearanced from 15.99 to 7.98 and then down to 4.00. I’m guessing the additional mark down was for the deep gouge that was in the wood at the top of the little picture frame on the lid. I thought what a shame it would be great on my dresser to catch all the earrings that get flug there during the week. So after looking at it for a bit I bought it and then went to the scrapbooking section and bought some little butterfly stickers (I adore butterflies). I placed one at the top of the picture frame and put the front of card I had saved in the frame and voila! the little gouge is out of sight, out of mind! All because I saw the potential! I am going to try to do that more often instead of passing up slightly damaged items. Have a great Wednesday!
Margot says
Hey Heather,
I am a secondhand shopper myself but I prefer garage sales. Last week I spent $2.50 a piece on a variety of clothes and shoes….most of the stuff was brand new, some with tags. I bought my daughter a gap dress that she’s been wanting for $2.50 and the price on the tag was $59.00 and also some new 1969 Gap jeans($70) that fit her to perfection. I also got new Merrell’s and new Sperry’s and new Nike’s. I spent $50 in all and came away with a huge haul. It was a great day!!!!
Bonnie says
Thanks for the heads up on the T&T, was planning on cancelling my subscription. Now I won’t.
Dyron says
GOOD MORNING HEATHER! ^-^
and omg that is a beautiful looking end table, i can’t believe you only paid so little. that is a steal to me.
i’m gonna go to Kohl’s today. thanks!