Today's Coupon Adventures!

Target, Lowes Foods, & Bilo ~ Paid $26.54 ~ Saved $60.20! ~ 27 items at average of $0.98 each!

(I counted the 50 4x6 photo prints as only one item.)

Best deals: FREE (50) 4x6 photo prints, FREE Dawn dish liquid, and $0.12 candy bars!

I still have a $5 gift card to use on my next Target trip and have a total of $0.20 in fuel perks from the grocery stores!  So a pretty good day for deals if I do say so myself!

Remember to check out the Ramsey's Adventures in Savings Facebook page to see more couponing deals!

Best Bi-Lo Deals 5/23-5/30

Bi-Lo (thru 5/29)


Kibbles ‘n Bits Food, 3.6-4 lb, at $5.99 ($2.99)
-$1 off Kibbles ‘n Bits dry dog food product printable (makes it $1.99)
-$2.50 off Kibbles ‘n Bits dry dog food, for Savings Club Members only printable (makes it 49¢)
-$1.50 off Kibbles ‘n Bits dry dog food, RP 5/13 (makes it $1.49)
-$1 off Kibbles ‘n Bits dry dog food, RP 5/13  (makes it $1.99)

Buy One Get Ones

Tribe Hummus, 8 oz, at $2.99 ($1.49)
-$1.50/2 Tribe all natural hummus, 8 or 16 oz, SS 5/06
(makes it 74¢ ea.)

Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce, 18 oz, at $2.49 ($1.24)
-$1/2 Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, SS 5/20
(makes it 74¢ ea.)

French’s Yellow Mustard, 20 oz, at $2.69 ($1.34)
-.50/1 French’s mustard, on product
(use .50/1, makes it 34¢)

House-Autry Seafood, Chicken, or Pork Breader, 8 oz, at $2.59 ($1.29)
-.50/1 House Autry chicken or seafood breader, SS 5/13
(makes it 29¢)

Chinet Dinner, Compartment, Lunch, or Dessert Plates, 15-36 ct., at $3.47 ($1.73)
-.55/1 Chinet classic white plates or bowls, SS 5/20
(use .55/1, makes it 63¢)

Vanity Fair Lunch or Dinner Napkins, 40-100 ct., at $2.79 ($1.39)
-.55/1 Vanity Fair napkins or guest hand towels, RP 5/20
(use .55/1, makes it 29¢)

Visit Southern Savers for all the Bi-Lo coupon matchups!

FREEBIES: Harris Teeter, Ingles, Walmart, & Family Dollar

Check out this list of FREE items you can find at your stores this week!  Includes: Cool Whip, Refried Beans, Sour Cream, Dishwashing Detergent, Citronella Candles, and Dog Treats!

Freebies at Harris Teeter This Week

May 23 – May 29, 2012

Breakstone’s Sour Cream, 16 oz, at $2.79 ($1.39)
-.75/1 Breakstone’s or Knudsen’s sour cream, 16 oz +, Kraft 20 Top Seasonal Recipes for 2012 booklet
(makes it FREE)

Ragu Pasta Sauce, 26 oz, at $2.19 ($1.09)
-.50/1 Ragu pasta sauce, Making Life Better Unilever booklet
-.55/1 Ragu pasta sauce, 25 oz, Lowes Foods Spring Savings booklet
-Free Ragu Taco shells, max $1.50 wyb Ragu pasta sauce, May All You magazine (exp 05/27)
-Free Taco shells max $1.50 wyb Ragu pasta AND Ragu pasta sauce printable
(Use the .55/1 coupon and it makes it FREE)

Maruchan Yakisoba, 3.79-4.05 oz, at $1.19 (59¢)
-.50/1 Maruchan Yakisoba product, SS 3/11
-$1/2 Maruchan Yakisoba product, SS 3/11
-$1/2 Maruchan Yakisoba noodles, 4 oz, Lowes Foods Spring Savings booklet
-.50/1 Maruchan Yakisoba item, SS 5/20
(Use the .50/1 coupon and it makes it FREE)

Cool Whip Whipped Topping, 8 oz, 99¢
-.50/1 Cool Whip topping (Facebook) printable
-.50/2 Cool Whip whipped topping tubs, SS 5/06
-$1/4 Cool Whip whipped topping tubs, SS 5/06
(use .50/1, makes it FREE)

Ortega Refried Beans, 16 oz, $1
-$1/2 Ortega products printable
-.50/2 Ortega products, SS 4/15
-$1/3 Ortega products, SS 4/15
-$1 off Ortega Mexican foods, May All You magazine
(use $1 off, makes it FREE)

Ortega Jalapenos, 4 oz, 99¢
-$1/2 Ortega products printable
-.50/2 Ortega products, SS 4/15
-$1/3 Ortega products, SS 4/15
-$1 off Ortega Mexican foods, May All You magazine
(use $1 off, makes it FREE)

Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice, 8.5-8.8 oz, 99¢
-$1/3 Uncle Ben’s Plain White or Brown Rice products, RP 4/01
-$1 off Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice pouch and Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice, RP 4/01
-$1/2 Uncle Ben’s long grain or wild rice, RP 4/01
-Free Uncle Ben’s Rice Cup wyb (3) Ready Rice pouches, max $1.50, RP 5/13
-Free Uncle Ben’s Rice Cup wyb (2) Ready Rice pouches, max $1.40, RP 5/13

(use $1 off, makes it FREE)

Poise Pantiliners, 10-16 ct., $1.99
-$2/2 Poise liners or pads, (sign in) printable
-$2 off Poise liners, (register) printable
-$1 off Poise product, Discover the Value of a Great Buy booklet
-$1 off Poise product, SS 4/15 (exp 05/26)
(makes it FREE)

Freebies at Ingles This Week

May 23 – May 29, 2012

Cool Whip Topping, 8 oz, $1
-.50/1 Cool Whip topping (Facebook) printable
-.50/2 Cool Whip whipped topping tubs, SS 5/06
-$1/4 Cool Whip whipped topping tubs, SS 5/06
(Use .50/1, makes it FREE) 

*Get this FREE at Bi-Lo & Harris Teeter this week, too!

Gain Liquid Dishwashing Detergent, 9 oz, $1
-.50/1 Gain dishwashing liquid, excl trial sizes, PG 5/13
-$1 off Gain product, excl trial sizes, May Ebony magazine
-$1/2 Gain dishwashing liquid, excl trial sizes, PG 5/13
(Use $1 off, makes it FREE)

Dawn Dishwashing Detergent, 9 oz, $1
-$1 off Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay Beauty, Booklet in select PG products
-.50/1 Dawn Hand Renewal w/ Olay Beauty, Over $22 in Coupons booklet on product
-.50/1 Dawn Hand Renewal, Power Clean, Bleach Alternative or Oxi, excl trial sizes, Gather Together home mailer
-.50/1 Dawn product, excl trial sizes, May Ebony magazine
(Makes it FREE)

Freebies at Walmart This Week

May 20 – May 26, 2012

Cutter Citronella Candles, 97¢
-$1 off Cutter product printable
-$1 off Cutter product (Facebook) printable
-$1 off Cutter product, RP 5/20
(makes it FREE)

Freebies at Family Dollar This Week

May 20 – May 26, 2012

Snausages In A Blanket 4.5 oz, $1
-$1.50 off Snausages Dog Snacks, printable
-$1 off Snausages or Snaw Somes! dog snacks, RP 5/06
-$1.50 off Snausages or Snawsomes dog snacks, when you share (Facebook) printable
(makes it FREE)

Thank you to Southern Savers!

Bi-Lo: FREE Cat Litter, Gum, Dip, & Cool Whip

FREEBIES at Bi-Lo this week!  

• World’s Best Cat Litter, 8 lb, at $8.69 ($4.34) 
  -Free Mail in Rebate wyb World’s Best Cat Litter 7 or 8 lb, max $12.99 (Facebook) printable
  -$3 off World’s Best Cat Litter clumping formulas printable
  -$3 off World’s Best cat litter clumping formulas printable
  (makes it FREE after rebate and only $1.34 each before rebate)

• Mentos Gum, 15 ct., 99¢
  -.55/1 Mentos bottle, 15 ct.+, SS 3/25 (exp 05/25)
  (makes it FREE)

• Dean’s Dip, 12-16 oz, $1.50
  -$1 off Dean’s Pretzel Dip, 12 oz printable
  -.65/1 Dean’s Heat ‘n Eat dip printable
  -.55/1 Dean’s dip, 12 oz+, SavingStar eCoupon printable
  (use $1 off, makes it FREE after SavingStar deposit)

• Kraft Cool Whip, 8 oz, $1
  -.50/1 Cool Whip topping (Facebook) printable
  -.50/2 Cool Whip whipped topping tubs, SS 5/06
  -$1/4 Cool Whip whipped topping tubs, SS 5/06
  (makes it FREE)

*Pricing and coupon availability and value may vary by state or region.

Thank you Southern Savers!

How to Save: The Summary

I hope you've been to Ramsey's Adventures in Savings on Facebook and "liked" us!!  If the Facebook page can reach 100 "fans" by June 2 - one of our lucky fans will win over $25 (value) in coupons!!


Thanks for visiting Ramsey's Adventures in Savings blog site.  Below is a list of links for some important info I think you should know or review.  

Coupon Savings

Saving $$ is Fun & Simple
Intro to Couponing 101
Couponing 101: Sales Cycles & Stocking Up on What You Use
Couponing 101: Where to Find Coupons
Couponing 101: Store Coupon Policies
Personal Coupon Deals (Photos and Prices!) *Updated!*
Items You Should Almost Always Get For FREE!
Top Picks at Target, CVS, & Rite Aid This Week! *New!*

More Savings!

June Shopping Guide *New!*
June: NC Fresh *New!*
June 1: National Doughnut Day - Find out where to get a free one! *New!*
Fresh & Priced Right: Farmer's Market - Eat Locally
Recipes *Updated!*
Restaurant Deals & Coupons *Updated!*
Summer Fun: Free Bowling & $1 Movies

Please ask me your questions and leave your comments.  I want to help you to save more money too!  Couponing Classes Coming Soon!!!  Please let me know if you are interested in couponing classes, parties, swaps, or one-on-one coupon mentoring.  Leave a comment below or message me on Facebook.

Happy Savings!

~Ramsey

Eating Fresh Locally: More Taste, Less Cost

Eating Locally: More Taste, Less Cost

I found this great chart showing what types of fruits and veggies are in season each month in the state of North Carolina.  The NC Department of Agriculture maintains this list to encourage us all to eat healthier & eat locally.  For lists in other states, check out this link.

This time of year it's easy to buy the best tasting, freshest produce by visiting farmer's markets, roadside stands, or pick-your-own farm markets.  Ask your local grocery stores and restaurants use and sell locally grown fruits and vegetables, too!   By utilizing these state-by-state guides, you can spend less on the fresh produce you love to serve your family by purchasing what's in season right now.

For further cost cutting, learn how to properly can or freeze your fresh produce now so that you can enjoy fresh strawberries in December for example!  Another way to eat locally?  Start your own community or backyard garden!  Not only will you eat well, but it's fun and can save you money!

• For a listing of North Carolina farmer's markets, click HERE.  
• This page will help you find a roadside stand, pick-your-own, and other local food producers.
• Another great site I have found and used is this Where To Find Pick-Your-Own, with listings for almost all states, including North and South Carolina.  

Why should you eat locally?  Here are just a few reasons:

1. Produce in season gives consumers peak qualities of freshness, nutrition, and taste.  Have you ever eaten a tomato fresh off the vine?  
2. Safer foods: "Local food is often safer, too," says the Center for a New American Dream (CNAD). "Even when it's not organic, small farms tend to be less aggressive than large factory farms about dousing their wares with chemicals." Small farms are also more likely to grow more variety, too, says CNAD, protecting biodiversity and preserving a wider agricultural gene pool, an important factor in long-term food security. 
3. Fights global warming & reduces fuel consumption,  Rich Pirog of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture reports that the average fresh food item on our dinner table travels 1,500 miles to get there.  
4. Supports your local economy by allowing farmers to sell directly to local consumers and avoid increasing expenses for transportation, processing, packaging, refrigeration, and marketing.

The state of North Carolina is encouraging residents to eat locally with a program titled, "The 10% Campaign" in which you pledge to spend at least 10% of your food budget on locally-grown products.  

My local farmer's market is open today, I might just have to head over there and see what kind of goodies I can pick up!  The lettuce in our garden is ready to build a delicious salad so tonight just might be a full meal of locally grown meats, fruits, and veggies at our house!

Sources: http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/earthtalk-why-eat-locally.html and other links throughout article.

Saving Money is Fun & Simple!

We all want to reduce expenses where we can while still enjoying the fruits of our labors.  Why spend more than you have to for groceries, household, and toiletry items?

The average household spends approximately 15% of their monthly budget on food and groceries (not including dining out at restaurants and fast food)!  My family spends less than 5.5% of our monthly budget on grocery items and produce!

It isn't difficult.  By taking just a little extra time and knowing your local resources, you too can reduce your family's expenses to save for things like family vacations, college savings, fun events, or just reduce your overall spending and debt.

Want to see some of my own personal recent shopping trip deals?!  Check out the Deals & Steals page to see photos with prices and savings from recent trips to see that this really does work!

COMING SOON!  Couponing classes are coming soon!  

Please let me know if you are interested in a coupon class, party, swap, or are interested in one-on-one coupon mentoring!  You may leave a comment below OR message me on Facebook.