That coupon binder gets a lot of attention from fellow shoppers as well and I get lots of questions about it.  Nearly every time I talk to someone about clipping and using coupons I get some form of the same response.

“Oh, I’d do it but it just takes too much time to save a few pennies.”

That’s about the time when I laugh so loud that I snort, recover, and give them my quick Coupon 101 lesson.  I pull my most recent receipt for the store I’m in out of the binder and show them how many pennies I saved and usually further my coupon karma by handing them a few coupons for whatever items I see in their shopping cart.

People are so used to being told how hard it is to save money they don’t bother trying for themselves to use coupons to lower their grocery bill.  With just a little leg work you can consistently save a huge wad of cash at the grocery store and it is easy!

Case in point.:  In the mail today came this great surprise:

A coupon for free Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon from Kraft Foods First Taste, plus an extra coupon for $1.50 off one package of Turkey Bacon.  This offer wasn’t a fluke and it isn’t something that you have to know the right people to get.  I got this for signing up with Kraft First Taste and you can sign up as well – in minutes – and start getting coupons and free offers for yourself.

I also get free coupons for things I use because I use my customer loyalty card for the stores in which I shop.  Last week without even asking, I received these in the mail (along with other coupons worth more than $20):

I realize that my coupon binder is a bit over the top for most people but it works for me.  Having page after page of sleeves full of organized coupons helps me to spot unadvertised sales and couple them with my  coupon money to get items for next to nothing, and that happens on every trip I make to the store.  Just clipping a couple of coupons each week can save you  a lot of money over the long haul!

The fine folks at Restaurant.comhave another amazing deal for you.  Now through 4/30, you can save a whopping 80% on $25 gift cards, $25 gift certificates and even the Dinner of the Month Club!

To get your special savings, just click the image above and use the promo code MEAL at checkout.

TRANSACTION 1

Here is a screen capture of my first Paypal transaction.  I bought six (6) $10 gift certificates for $1.60 each for a total out of pocket expense of $9.60.

TRANSACTION 2

Here is a screen capture of my second Paypal transaction.  I bought one (1) $50 gift card for $10.00 for a total out of pocket expense of $10.00.

Remember that each transaction will add 15% to my Upromise account but that’s not where the surprises end today!  Shortly following each transaction I received an email that informed me of a special gift form Restaurant.com – two (2) $10.00 gift certificates added to my account!

Doing the math I got a total of $130.00 worth of restaurant gift certificates/gift cards for $19.60.

Now 60% on Restaurant.com $25 Gift Cert. + get a FREE $10 Gift Certificate with every order. Use code TREAT and pay $4 thru 4/15/10!

If you don’t yet have a CVS card, you can sign up for one here.  We also recommend buying a green bag tag.

This week’s CVS deals that caught my attention are:

• Dial NutriSkin Body Wash
  sale price $5.49 with $4.50 extra bucks® reward
  with CVS card & ECB = $.99
  with $1.00 off printable here = FREE

• Dove Shampoo or conditioner 12 oz.
  sale price $4.49 with $4.49 extra bucks® reward
  with CVS card & ECB = FREE
  with $1.50 coupon from 3/25 Red Plum = $1.50 overage

• Schick Hydro 3
  sale price $8.97 with $6.00 extra bucks® reward
  with CVS card & ECB = $2.97
  with $3.00 coupon from 3/21 Red Plum = FREE

• Starbucks Frappucino 4 Pack
  sale price $4.99
  with $1.00 off printable here = $3.99

There are plenty of other deals to be had, but these are the ones I’ll be grabbing on my next trip.  If my math adds up, the total for this transaction should be $17.94 and I will receive $15.24 ($14.99 plus $.25 for my green bag tag) in Extra Bucks making my total cost $2.70.

What about you?  Share your CVS transactions for the week!

Read all about it: http://www.dollargeneral.com/OurStores/Pages/CouponPolicy.aspx

For 37 years I have been known as the guy with the cast iron stomach.  I love spicy – really spicy – food.  Food that most people can’t even smell without getting heartburn makes me very happy.

Enter Buffalo Wild Wings.  Their Mango Habanero wing sauce makes me so amazingly happy that proper words escape me and are replaced with NOM NOM NOM WING SAUCE NOM NOM.

Truth be told I don’t eat wings, but when I learned of the “boneless” buffalo wing I was instantly in love.  Don’t just take my word for it though, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering you 4 free boneless wings when you buy 8!

Click here to print yours today!

Coupon expires 4/25/2010

To get any or all of these digital coupons downloaded to your shopper’s card, click here.

The current list of savings includes:

Pillsbury Italian Meal Bread Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury(r) Italian Meal Breads
(Includes any Loaves, Breadsticks, Dinner Rolls, and Pizza Crust).

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any flavor 17.5 OZ. OR LARGER Betty Crocker(r) Cookie Mix.

Pillsbury Frozen Grands! Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any TWO Frozen Pillsbury(r) Grands!(r) Biscuits,
Cinnamon Rolls, OR Mini Cinnamon Rolls
NV Granola Nut Clustrs Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy ONE BAG any flavor Nature Valley(r) Granola Nut
Clusters.

Betty Crocker Potatoes Save $.40
Save $.40 when you buy any flavor Box or Pouch Betty Crocker(r) Potatoes
(Except Potato Buds(r)).

Green Giant(r) vege’s Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any variety Green Giant(r) Frozen Boxed
Vegetables.

Nature Valley Granola Bars Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Nature Valley(r)
Granola Bars.

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel(r) Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury(r) Toaster Strudel(r)
Pastries.

Romano’s Mac Grill kit Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any flavor Romano’s Macaroni Grill(r) Restaurant Favorites(r) Dinner Kit.

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO BOXES Betty Crocker(r) Fruit by the Foot(r), Fruit Gushers(r), Fruit Roll-Ups(r) OR Fruit Roll-Ups(r) Fruit
Stickerz(r) Fruit Flavored Snacks.

Yoplait(r) Delights(tm) Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any flavor Yoplait(r) Delights Yogurt Multipack.

Yoplait(r) 32oz Save $.55
Save $.55 when you buy any flavor 32 OZ. Yoplait(r) Yogurt.

Honey Nut Cheerios Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy ONE BOX Honey Nut Cheerios(r) cereal.

Select Cheerios(r) Save $.75
Save $.75 when you buy ONE BOX cereal listed- Frosted Cheerios(r), Apple
Cinnamon Cheerios(r), Banana Nut Cheerios(r), Fruity Cheerios(r),
Chocolate Cheerios(r)

Yoplait Kids Zone Save $.80
Save $0.80 when you buy TWO any flavor Yoplait(r) products listed: –
Yoplait(r) Go-GURT(r) Yogurt – Yoplait(r) Trix(r) Multipack Yogurt.

Pillsbury Holiday Cookies Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury(r) Refrigerated Holiday
Cookies

Pillsbury Cookie Dough Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury(r)
Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy TWO any flavor Betty Crocker(r) Box Supreme Brownie Mixes.

Safeway Only

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix/Frosting Save $1
Save $1.00 on TWO when you buy any flavor 17.5 OZ OR LARGER Betty Crocker(r) Cookie Mix AND ONE TUB any flavor/variety Betty Crocker(r) Frosting.

Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any flavor/variety Betty Crocker(r)
SuperMoist(r) Cake Mixes.

Betty Crocker Warm Delights Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE any flavor Betty Crocker(r) Warm Delights(r) Bowls OR Betty Crocker(r) Warm Delights(r) Minis Bowls.

Bisquick(r) Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy 20 OZ. OR LARGER Original Bisquick(r) OR
Bisquick Heart Smart(r) Baking Mix, OR 10.6 OZ. Bisquick(r) Shake n
Pour(r) Pancake Mix

Kroger AND ShopRite Only

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy any flavor Betty Crocker(r) Box Supreme Brownie Mixes.

Betty Crocker Warm Delights Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy ONE any flavor Betty Crocker(r) Warm Delights(r) Bowls OR Betty Crocker(r) Warm Delights(r) Minis Bowls.

ShopRite Only

Fur Fighter Refills Save $1
Save $1 off Scotch Fur Fighter Refills for Upholstery.

Scotch Fur Fighter Save $4
Save $4 on a Scotch(tm) Fur Fighter(tm) Hair Remover Starter Kit.

Safeway, King, Fry’s, QFC, Ralphs, Smith’s ONLY

Star Olive Oil Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy ANY Star Olive Oil, 17oz or larger.

In this shopping trip I purchased every item you see in the photo above to include:

• (5) Bumble Bee Tuna Pouch
• (4) Kraft Shredded Cheese
• (3) Tony’s Frozen Pizza
• (1) Reynolds Wrap 100% Recycled Foil
• 7.25 lbs Tyson Split Chicken Breasts

At regular price, these items would have come out to $45.73 before tax.  By combining coupons and sales I saved an amazing 80% (well actually it was 79.64%) and paid just $9.31 before tax.  Just in case you doubt me, here is a scan of my register receipt:

Once again folks, here’s proof that with just a little effort you really can save a ton on your grocery bill.  I don’t pretend that I’m able to save 80% on every shopping trip but even saving just 20% on this bill would have kept more than $9 in my pocket.

Coupons are your friends.  They are free money.  I can’t repeat this enough!

Here are 4 kitchen timesavers for the freezer you might not have thought about before:

1.  Chop Your Onions

Okay, so nobody likes to chop onions but so many recipes call for onion that you have to chop whether you like it or not.  Why not chop once and be done with it for a few weeks?  It’s possible and easier than you might think.

When you bring your onions home from the supermarket simply set aside 10-15 minutes and chop them all at once.  When I do my big chop, I then add 1 cup of chopped onions into individual sandwich baggies and place those baggies into a larger freezer bag that is clearly labeled.  Now anytime I need chopped onions for a recipe I just reach into the freezer and grab a baggie; they are already chopped and recipe-ready.

SIDE NOTE:  I do the same thing with peppers (both sweet and hot) when I see that I won’t be able to use them before they spoil.

2.  Ground Beef Mix

So many of my recipes call for browned ground beef and onions, I had a thought that couldn’t possibly have been original (I’ve since seen it mentioned on several blogs).  I buy ground beef in the larger bulk “family” sizes because that will usually save me an extra $.20 per pound which can really add up.

When I get home I separate my ground beef into allotments for the various meals I like to prepare.  My hamburger recipe will be mixed up and formed into patties which are then frozen.  Then the rest of the ground beef is browned in a large skillet with chopped onion and drained. 

Once it cools completely, I fill quart-sized freezer bags with my pre-browned ground beef mix.  Now anytime I need a pound of browned ground beef for a recipe I have just saved myself at least 10-15 minutes which can often mean the difference in cooking at home or grabbing something because it is faster.

3.  Make-Ahead Pancakes

Not only do I think I have one of the best pancake recipes around, it gets even better by adding the time savings I get every time I make a batch. How’s that, you ask?  Because when I make pancakes, I make a lot of pancakes.  Those stacks aren’t wasted, they are frozen for lightning fast breakfasts anytime.

You can freeze as many together as you like.  For me the magic number is two because I can thaw two for a quick breakfast with syrup or to use as a breakfast sandwich with an egg and a couple of slices of bacon.

4.  Freezer Soup

Don’t you hate it when you have just a little bit of leftover veggies after dinner ?  You know what I mean, not quite enough for a serving but you don’t really know what to do with it.  Well I have the answer – Freezer Soup!

This isn’t a new idea but it is an effective one:  You start with a freezer container.  When you have a few spoonfuls of corn, carrots, peas or other veggies, you just drop the leftovers into the container and return it to the freezer.  I’ll add leftover pasta and chopped or shredded meat as well. 

Got beans?  Add ‘em!  Tomato juice, puree or sauce?  You guessed it!  When the container is close to being full, dump the lot into the crock pot with some homemade stock and let it do its magic on low heat for a few hours.  Oftentimes the leftover bits have enough seasoning between them that I don’t even have to add anything to the mix and I am greeted with a pot full of yummy freezer soup that evening!

Pillsbury Frozen Grands! Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any TWO Frozen Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits, Cinnamon Rolls, OR Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Betty Crocker Potatoes Save $.40
Save $.40 when you buy any flavor Box or Pouch Betty Crocker® Potatoes (Except Potato Buds®).

Romano’s Mac Grill kit Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any flavor Romano’s Macaroni Grill® Restaurant Favorites® Dinner Kit.

Yoplait® 32oz Save $.55
Save $.55 when you buy any flavor 32 OZ. Yoplait® Yogurt.

Honey Nut Cheerios Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy ONE BOX Honey Nut Cheerios® cereal.

Select Cheerios® Save $.75
Save $.75 when you buy ONE BOX cereal listed- Frosted Cheerios®, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios®, Banana Nut Cheerios®, Fruity Cheerios®, Chocolate Cheerios®

Pillsbury Holiday Cookies Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Refrigerated Holiday Cookies

Pillsbury Cookie Dough Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any flavor 17.5 OZ. OR LARGER Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix.

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO BOXES Betty Crocker® Fruit by the Foot®   Fruit Gushers®   Fruit Roll-Ups® OR Fruit Roll-Ups® Fruit Stickerz® Fruit Flavored Snacks.

Green Giant® vegetables Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any variety Green Giant® Frozen Boxed Vegetables.

Nature Valley Granola Bars Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Nature Valley® Granola Bars.

Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy ONE BAG any flavor Nature Valley® Granola Nut Clusters.

Pillsbury Italian Meal Bread Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Italian Meal Breads (Includes any Loaves  Breadsticks  Dinner Rolls  and Pizza Crust).

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel® Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel® Pastries.

Yoplait Kids Zone Save $.80
Save $0.80 when you buy TWO any flavor Yoplait® products listed: – Yoplait® Go-GURT® Yogurt – Yoplait® Trix® Multipack Yogurt.

Yoplait® Delights(tm) Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any flavor Yoplait® Delights Yogurt Multipack.

SAFEWAY ONLY DEALS

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix/Frosting Save $1
Save $1.00 on TWO when you buy any flavor 17.5 OZ OR LARGER Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix AND ONE TUB any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Frosting.

Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® Cake Mixes.

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy any flavor Betty Crocker® Box Supreme Brownie Mixes.

Betty Crocker Warm Delights Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy ONE any flavor Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Bowls OR Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Minis Bowls.

Bisquick® Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy 20 OZ. OR LARGER Original Bisquick® OR Bisquick Heart Smart® Baking Mix, OR 10.6 OZ. Bisquick® Shake n Pour® Pancake Mix

KROGER/SHOPRITE ONLY DEALS

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Save $.75 
Save $0.75 when you buy TWO any flavor Betty Crocker® Box Supreme Brownie Mixes.

Betty Crocker Warm Delights Save $.50   
Save $0.50 when you buy ONE any flavor Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Bowls OR Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Minis Bowls.

Scotch Fur Fighter Refills Save $1
Save $1 off Scotch Fur Fighter Refills for Upholstery.

Scotch Fur Fighter Save $4
Save $4 on a Scotch(tm) Fur Fighter(tm) Hair Remover Starter Kit.