My New Favorite T-Shirt Shop

Jacynth's Christian Shop

Yes, I am biased since this is owned by a family member but I guarantee that these will be the best t-shirt you buy today. The owner is a senior and this shop was setup to assist with her supplementing her income. Everyone has been affected by inflation and she has been double impacted both due to inflation and due to lost of her supplemental income source. She also needed a distraction due to the tragic loss of her youngest child due to gun violence.

Any support would be appreciated and I will not financially benefit from the sale. This shop is solely owned by my senior family member.

If you cannot purchase - please consider at least give her a follow on Instagram or Pinterest

Re-Launch Delay

I apologize for the delay but the relaunch has been pushed back to June 15, 2014.

Ultra Food May 1 to May 7 2014

Hass Avocado (size not specified in ad) $0.48 each Get $.25 back on one from Checkout 51

Home Run 12" Pizza Select Varieties $3.88 each

Wonder Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns 8 count  $0.88

Choice Certified Angus Beef Boneless Chuck Roast $2.58lb

Dole Juices 59oz Select Varieties $1.88  $1/4 coupon

Haagen Daz 3ct Ice Cream Bars Selected Varieties $1.88*

Edy's Fruit Bars 6-12pk Select Varieties $1.88* Use $1.00/1 in the 4/27 SS

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Bars Select Varieties 6 count $1.88*

Starbucks Frappucino 4 pack or Ice Coffee 4 pack or Refreshers 4 pack Select Varieties $3.88

Muscle Milk 10oz 4 Pack Select Varieties $4.88

Okra $0.99lb

Dannon Single Serve Yogurt Select Varieties $0.38 each

Banquet Dinners Select Varieties $12/10

Florida Natural Orange Juice 59oz Box $2.88

Red Barron Multi Serve Pizza Select Varieties $12/4 $1/2 coupon

Cholula hot sauce, $1.98. Print $.75/1 Cholula hot sauce AND three or more avocados here. (Avocados are $.40 each — so if you’re buying avocado to make homemade guacamole anyway, save another $.75 on the hot sauce!)

Goya yellow rice mix, $1.50 $1.00/2 coupon

Goya 29 oz pinto beans, $0.88 $1.00/6 coupon

Goya 15 oz pigeon peas, $0.98  $1.00/6 coupon

Goya beans 15.5 oz: Small red beans, pinto beans, black beans, $.78. $1.00/6 coupon

Mission tortilla chips, $1.99

Pepsi glass 12 oz singles, $0.79

Thomas English muffins, 3/$5.00

Tresemme hair care select, $2.88. Use exp. $2.00/1 in the 3/23 RP or $2.00/1 in the May All You to get it for just $0.88.

*Mix and Match Must Buy 4

Things to know at Ultra Foods

Just a few:

Ultra accepts expired manufacturer coupons back 30 days; they do not accept expired store coupons.
Ultra limits to 12 like coupons per trip.
View the Ultra coupon policy here (click on your local store from this link and it will come up). 

They accept manufacturer Catalina's from other stores; however, they will not accept Register Rewards from Walgreen.

Save-A-Lot Deals and Coupon Match Up April 27 to May 10 2014

Fresh Idaho Potatoes 10lbs bag $1.99

Kellogg's Cereal Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies 9-12oz Box $1.99

Fresh Corn $1/4

Cheese It Assorted Varieties 7oz Box $1.99 $1/3 coupon

Red Barron Classic Pizza 20.6-22.95 oz, Pepperoni, Special Deluxe or Pepperoni & Sausage $2.99 $1/2 coupon

Mariano's Deals and Coupon Match Up May 1 through May 7 2014

Organic Broccoli  $1.49lb

DeLallo Organic 16oz Pasta select varieties $2.50 $1 coupon

Roundy's 26oz Pasta Sauce select varieties $2.50

Barilla Pasta (blue box) 12-16 oz. varieties (excludes lasagna, baking cuts, plus and tortellini) $1/2 coupon
San Pellegrino Soda 6pk $4 $1 coupon if this variety is included

Kraft Cheese 5-8oz varieties $1/2 coupon

Newman's Own Pizza 13.2-14.7oz varieties $1/1 coupon

Amy's Breakfast Burritos 5.5-6oz varieties $1.25

Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner 12.6oz select varieties $3 $2/2 coupon

U by Kotex 14-64 count select varieties $3 $1 coupon

Roundy's Organic Beans 15oz varieties $1

New Look Preview - Website Relauch

I have a very ambitious plan for the relaunch of this blog.  I will be featuring recipes, great do-it-yourself ideas, grocery coupon matchups, pharmacy coupon matchups, big box stores coupon matchups, and much more.  I will be featuring on a regular basis based on deals each week the following stores:

Target
Walmart
K-Mart
CVS
Walgreens
Jewel Osco
Marianos
Ultra Foods
Save-A-Lot
Food4Less
Festival Foods
Byron's County Market
Sunset Foods
Schnuck's
Piggly Wiggly
Hy-Vee
PickNSave
Sullivan's Foods
Treasure Island Market
Whole Foods
Carnicerias Jimenez
The Fresh Market

Blog Relaunch

I am back! After months of not being able to work my blog I will relaunch this blog on May 1st.  I am hoping that the new layout, stories and topics which, will be covered on the blog will peak your interest.  Stay tune for previews.

Dominicks Grocery Stores Close Out Sale IL - The Stores & The Disgruntled Workers

I enjoyed shopping the sale with one exception, the employees at the Buffalo Grove Dominicks which reminded me on every visit since this sale started why Dominicks was so unsuccessful in gaining a greater grocery share in IL. I loved the deals and the savings year round and the occasional free items on my card but I will not miss the rudeness of some of the workers and the lack of their own store policy knowledge.  I believe that courteous, knowledgeable workers in a retail setting is absolutely necessary for success.

Example:
If the customer is being help there should not be a need for a "second" person to interrupt the transaction to accuse the customer of committing coupon fraud when that "second" person has little to no knowledge about coupons. I informed the manager that this experience will be shared and he promptly informed me that I don't need to worry because they will be closed in ten days.  I guess you don't need your loyal customers to assist you by purchasing your inventory.

 I have never and will never commit coupon fraud because saving a couple of dollars would not worth getting blocked by the major coupon sites and being snubbed by manufacturers when I request coupons.  It was and is the most irritating experience in using coupon and one of the reasons why many people do not use coupons.  If your store is not coupon friendly and you use coupons you will always seek other stores to spend your money.

I would like to express my absolute gratitude to staff of at the Dominicks store on Half Day, I hope to see all of you when the store is converted to Marianos.  If not I wish you all success and I wish I was rich enough to be able to give you all gifts for the season and also gifts to support your transition if you will not be continuing your employment with the new owner.

Places To Buy Organic & GMO Free Items Online

Vitacost

True Foods Market

Shop Organic & Shop GMO Free

Door To Door Organics - Midwest delivery service of farmers market products and organic products regionally focus

Farmer Toms - Chicago CSA with a twist, pay $70 for membership and pay $37 per week for full share or $27 per week for half share.  Please note that you can skip weeks if you are not interested in that weeks items


Irv & Shelly's Fresh Picks - Chicago and suburbs organic products delivery service.  There is no membership cost, you choose when and what you order and there are also box specials.

I will update the list with new places if I find any.
 

Things To Buy In The Month Of May

What should you look at buying and stocking up on this month??

Fruits

Apricots
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Strawberries
Pineapple

Vegetables

Artichokes
Arugula
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Chard
Collards
Spinach
Spring Onions
Spring Peas
Leeks
Lettuce
Rhubarb
Turnips
Zucchini

Other Items

Clothing (Memorial Day Weekend)
Grill Supplies

Catalina Offers For January 2013

Here are all of the Catalina deals that are currently available. Catalinas are coupons that print at participating store registers based on what you purchase.
Many of these Catalinas are available until the end of January.

If you know of any other Catalina offers please leave them in a comment below.

Catalina Offers

12/1-1/13
Gillette Cartridges 6 ct.+
Buy 2, Get $10 off Catalina
10/25-1/14/13
Kashi Frozen Entrees
Buy 2, get $1.50 off Catalina
12/30-1/23
Red Baron, Freschetta, or Tony’s Pizza
Buy $10+ Worth, get $2 off Catalina
12/31-1/29
Carnation Breakfast Essentials
Buy 2, get $1 off Catalina
Buy 3, get $1.50 off Catalina
Buy 4, get $2 off Catalina
12/31-1/29
Glade Expressions
Buy 1, get $1 off Catalina
12/31-1/29
Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels, Parfaits, or Crisps
Buy 4, get 75¢ off Catalina
12/31-1/29
Maxwell House Inspirations
Buy 2, get $1 off Catalina
12/31-1/29
Campbell’s Slow Kettle Style Soup
Buy 2, get $1 off Catalina
1/4-1/31
Crystal Light Drink Mix Canister, 10 ct., or On The Go
Buy 3, get $1.50 off Catalina
Buy 4, get $2.50 off Catalina
Buy 5+, get $5 off Catalina
10/25-1/31
Our Best Burgers or Meatballs
Buy 1, get 50¢ off Catalina
1/6-2/2
Dole Fruit Smoothie Shakers
Buy 4, get $1.50 off Catalina
10/25-2/25
Meow Mix, Single Cat Food Cups or Variety Pack
Buy 6, get $1 off Catalina
10/25-6/30
Debrox Earwax Removal Product
Buy 1, get $2 off Catalina

Purina & Milo’s Kitchen Dog Snack Recall

Purina and Milo’s Kitchen have issued recalls on some of their products due to the presence of a non-approved chicken antibiotic.
The affected products are:

Purina Waggin’ Train dog treats
Purina Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats
Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers

Both companies are offering full refunds for customers who return or discard these products. Receive your refund by calling 800-982-0704 for Purina or 877-228-6493 for Milo’s Kitchen. Have your receipt and the box on hand to give them your info.
The antibiotic found is said to be nontoxic, but not approved by the FDA. It’s worth it to get a refund than to have a sick dog in the house!

Why Organic Food Over Regular Food

I started a healthier way of living this past summer because I wanted to reduce my family's health and nutrition. The most common objection I hear to people buying organic food is not that they think it’s pointless. It’s that since they can’t afford to buy everything organic, why mess with it? This is not necessarily the case. Small steps towards healthy eating or as many of you been hearing in the news as clean living. Food is essential to life. We all need to work to reduce our toxic footprint in this world and eating organic, food not treated with chemicals or genetically modified from the way nature intended it.

All living things have a toxic load. It is the load, what we carry in our beings, of things that are detrimental to our well-being. Now, we live in a pretty toxic world–from exterior toxins, from air pollutants, pollutants in the soil, and other environmental pollutants. The pesticides used on the crops we eat all toxic because most are not naturally derived and are formulated in some lab.

Even if you cannot afford to purchase everything organic consider that the higher you are on the food chain the greater the toxic load. It is preferable that you choose organic meat, fish, poultry and seafood due to the reduced toxicity in these items. Below are two lists which will provide you some helpful hints on other items you should consider eating organic and those that you can skip due to budget constraints.


The Clean 15 (lowest in pesticides)

1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

When all else fails, the produce to avoid if at all possible are the "dirty dozen". These are known for having the highest levels or pesticides.
The Dirty Dozen

1. Celery
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Peach
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes
11. Carrot
12. Pear

Check out local farms and co-ops.
A great resource is LocalHarvest.org, they have a full list by zip code of farms in your area. Some will sell directly to you, and others have set up produce co-ops and CSA farms to help you get a discount on great items.
Buy in Bulk.
If you find a local farmer to work with, ask for the bushel or half bushel price. You will usually get a price break to buy a larger amount. Then bring it all home and put it up in the freezer to eat later in the year.
Stay in Season.
This is a no-brainer for anyone trying to save on produce. Obviously buying out of season produce costs more, so try to plan menus and snacks around produce that is available.
Look for Coupons.
Many organic stores will release coupons for particular items and products.  There are coupons from the manufacturers for organic products as well, some in the past have been Olivia’s salads, Earthbound Farms and others.
Save on other Necessities.
While organic produce may be a priority in your family, there are certainly other items like toilet paper, toothpaste and razors that you can easily save money on. Focusing on saving where you can frees up more of your budget for specialty items that are harder to find deals for.

If you feel safer using a something other than water, here’s a home recipe for a spray you can use to help kill some contaminants. If you wash your produce as soon as you get home it will kill bacteria and spores and your produce will last longer too!

Get a new spray bottle
Add:
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 cup water

Leave this on your produce for 1-2 minutes and then rinse well.

Smartsource Coupon Insert Preview 01-13-2013

Activia $1/1 4pk (3/3/13)

Airborne $1.50/1 product (4/13/13)

All You $.50/1 issue (4/26/13)

Almond Accents $.50/1 3.5oz+ package (3/31/13)

Alouette $1/1 cheese portions (3/31/13)

Alouette $1/1 light spreadable cheese (3/31/13)

Berkeley Farms $.50/1 gallon or half gallon Trumoo (2/23/13)

Birds Eye $.50/1 C&W variety (2/28/13)

Birds Eye $.50/1 Steamfresh Chef’s Favorites (2/28/13)

Blink $1/1 Tears or GelTears (2/28/13)

Campbell’s $.40/2 condensed soups excluding chicken noodle, tomato and great for cooking (3/15/13)

Campbell’s $.40/4 condensed chicken noodle and tomato soups (3/15/13)

Campbell’s $1/1 Go soup (4/9/13)

COMPLETE $1/1 12oz+ solution (2/18/13)

COMPLETE/Blink $1/1 COMPLETE Blink-N-Clean lens drops or Blink Contacts lubricant eye drops (2/18/13)

Contac $1/1 Cold+Flu product (3/31/13)

Cottonelle $.50/2 flushable moist wipes ets (2/9/13)

Cottonelle $.50/2 toilet paper 4pks or 1 9pk+ (2/9/13)

Depend $1/1 guards for men (2/23/13)

Depend $1/1 product ets (2/23/13)

Dreamfields $.55/1 pasta (3/16/13)

Duraflame $3/1 firelogs dnd (2/28/13)

Edge $2/2 7oz+ shave gels (2/10/13)

Gain/Era $.40/1 Gain detergent or fabric enhancer or Era detergent ets (2/28/13)

Gain/Era $1/2 Gain detergent or fabric enhancer or Era detergent ets (2/28/13)

Gas-X $1/1 product (4/13/13)

Gas-X $2.50/2 products (4/13/13)

Gevalia $1.50/1 coffee (2/9/13)

Glade $1.50/1 Plugins Scented Oil twin refill or 2 single refills (2/9/13)

Glade $1/1 Decor Scents holder (2/9/13)

Glade $1/1 PlugIns Scented Oil warmer or starter kit (2/9/13)

Glade $1/1 Sense & Spray starter kit (2/9/13)

Glade $1/2 Decor Scents refills (2/9/13)

Glade $1/2 Sense & Spray refill (2/9/13)

Glade $2/2 4oz jar candles (2/9/13)

Goodnites $2/1 underwear jumbo pack+ (2/9/13)

Huggies $.50/1 56ct+ baby wipes (2/9/13)

Huggies $1.50/1 diapers (2/9/13)

Huggies $2/1 Little Movers or Little Snugglers diapers (2/9/13)

Jello-O $.80/2 refrigerated snacks (2/10/13)

Jergens $1/1 4floz+ moisturizer (2/19/13)

John Frieda $3/2 Frizz-Ease frizz eliminators, styler or finishers excludes shampoos, conditioners, trial sizes, appliances and brushes (2/9/13)

Jolly Time $.50/1 microwave popcorn (2/28/13)

Ken’s $1/1 16oz dressing (2/28/13)

Kleenex $.50/3 50ct+ or 1 bundle pack ets (2/9/13)

Kleenex $1/2 hand towels (2/23/13)

Kotex $1.50/2 Natural Balance products excludes 14-22ct liners (2/23/13)

Kotex $1/1 U liners excludes 14-22ct (2/23/13)

Kotex $1/1 U pads ets (2/23/13)

Kotex $1/1 U tampons ets (2/23/13)

Mott’s $.55/1 Snack & Go pouch 4pk, or single-serve applesauce or medleys 6pk cups (2/24/13)

Ortega $.50/2 products (3/31/13)

Planters $1/1 peanut butter jar (2/10/13)

Poise $1/1 hourglass shape pads (2/23/13)

Poise $1/1 product (2/23/13)

Poise $3/1 feminine wellness product ets (2/23/13)

POM Wonderful $.50/1 4.3oz or 8oz fresh arils dnd (3/31/13)

POM Wonderful $.50/1 pomegranate dnd (3/31/13)

Prevacid $2/1 24HR product (2/24/13)

Prevacid $6/2 42ct 24HR products (2/24/13)

Pull-Ups $.50/1 flushable moist wipes ets (2/9/13)

Pull-Ups $1.50/1 training pants jumbo pack+ (2/9/13)

Real Simple $.50/1 issue (4/12/13)

Revlon $1/1 eye product (2/27/13)

Revlon $1/1 lip product (2/17/13)

Revlon $1/1 nail enamel (2/17/13)

Revlon $2/1 foundation, powder, BB cream, concealer, blush or primer (2/7/13)

Schick $2/1 Intuition razor or refill (2/23/13)

Schick $2/1 Quattro disposables pack (3/3/13)

Schick $2/1 Quattro Titanium razor or trimmer (3/3/13)

Schick $2/1 Quattro Titanium refills (3/3/13)

Schick/Edge Buy Xtreme3 disposable, get one 7oz+ Edge shave gel free up to $2.99 (2/10/13)

Schiff $1/1 vitamin supplement excludes Move Free and Digestive Advantage (4/13/13)

Schiff $3/1 Move Free (4/13/13)

Scotch-Brite $.75/2 scrub sponges, scour pads, dishwands and dishwand refills (2/8/13)

Scott $.50/1 Naturals flushable wipes tubs or refills (2/23/13)

Scott $1/12+ extra soft bath tissue (2/23/13)

Scott $1/2 8pk+ 1000 tissue or 1 16pk+ (2/23/13)

Scott $1/6+ towels rolls (2/23/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $.75/1 all purpose cleaner with fantastik (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $.75/1 bathroom cleaner with color power technology (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $.75/1 mega shower foamer (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $1/1 Fresh Brush refill (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $1/1 total kitchen foaming all purpose cleaner with fantastik (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $1/2 bathroom cleaning products (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $3/1 Fresh Brush starter kit & caddy (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles $5/1 automatic shower cleaner (2/24/13)

Scrubbing Bubbles B1G1 free toilet cleaning gel up to $3.99 (2/24/13)

Skintimate $.55/1 shave gel or shave creme excludes 2.75oz cans (2/24/13)

Smart Balance $.50/1 spreadable butter or blended butter sticks (2/27/13)

Smart Balance $1/2 buttery spreads (2/27/13)

South Beach Diet $1/1 snack bars or sweet delights (3/31/13)

South Beach Diet $2/1 smoothies 4pk or meal bars (3/31/13)

Viva $.50/1 or more paper towel big rolls (2/24/13)

WhoNu? $.55/1 cookies (3/10/13)

Windex $.55/1 multi-surface cleaning product (2/24/13)

Windex $1/2 glass cleaning products (2/24/13)

Ziploc $.55/1 Perfect Portions bags (2/23/13)

Ziploc $1/2 bags (2/23/13)

Zone Perfect $1.25/1 5ct box (2/16/13)

Red Plum Coupon Insert Preview 01-13-2013

Arnicare $1/1 2.6oz gel (3/31/13)

Dial $1/1 12oz+ lotion product (2/10/13)

Dial $1/2 6oz+ regular or for men body washes (2/10/13)

Dial $1/3 liquid or foaming hand soap or 3pk+ bar (2/10/13)

Fleischmann’s $.40/1 3-strip pizza crust yeast (4/30/13)

Garnier $2/1 moisturizer (4/6/13)

Garnier Fructis $1/1 conditioner or treatment ets (2/23/13)

Garnier Fructis $1/1 shampoo ets (2/23/13)

Garnier Nutrisse $2/1 Nourishing color foam (3/9/13)

IHOP At Home $1/1 frozen breakfast item (5/13/13)

Jimmy Dean $1/1 sausage crumbles (2/24/13)

Kettle $1/2 4oz+ Bakes (3/16/13)

L’Oreal $2/1 EverCreme, EverCurl, EverSleek, EverPure or EverStrong shampoo or conditioner (3/9/13)

L’Oreal $2/1 EverCreme, EverCurl, EverSleek, EverPure or EverStrong treatment (3/9/13)

L’Oreal $2/1 EverStyle (3/9/13)

L’Oreal $3/1 Preference shade (3/9/13)

Oscillococcinum/Coldcalm/Chestal $2/1 adult or childrens product (3/31/13)

Pup-Peroni $1/1 5.6oz+ dog snacks (3/15/13)

Purina $3/1 ONE beyOnd dog food (2/13/13)

Purina Free 16oz ONE beyOnd cat food carton up to $3.25 or $3.25/1 3lb+ cat food bag (2/13/13)

Superpretzel $.50/1 product (2/6/13)

Superpretzel $.501 pretzeldogs product (2/16/13)

Weight Watchers $.55/1 sweet bakery product (3/31/13)

Wisk $1/1 45oz+ laundry detergent (2/24/13)