How I scored $89 of toys for $15!!!

I thought this would be the easiest way to let everyone know how I scored $89 worth of toys for $15.  Basically, here goes.....

Go to http://everydaycouponqueen.com/2013/10/10-00-off-fisher-price-toy-coupon-hot/  (use this link because she is who I took my first coupon class from and she earns money from each print....gotta give credit where credit is due!) and look on the right hand side of the screen and you’ll see where it says “Save $10”.  Click that and it will direct you to a new screen.  At the bottom, it gives you three options: “Laugh and Learn, Little People, and Imaginext”  Do not click the $5 off coupon because it won’t let you print.  Instead, click the “refer a friend” for the $10 off coupon.  It will ask you to enter your email address and then you can either share it on Facebook or enter friends’ email addresses.  I have several email addresses that I set up back when I was couponing a few years ago so I just entered my regular email address at the beginning and then a random one of mine for the refer a friend.  Once you do, it tells you to print the coupon.  If you haven’t installed the coupon printer, it will prompt you to do so.  Here’s a trick for all you newbies.  After you’ve printed the first coupon, you think you’re done but if you click the back button twice, it will reprint it again.  Do this for each option.  Once you print it, it tells you “only on select items” but it doesn’t list each item on the coupon itself.  (You’ll need to cut along that line for the actual coupon).  On the Laugh and Learn coupon, it just says “select fisher price toys” so I was like SCORE!!! The other two say “little people or imaginext” so because I’m a rule follower, I only used those on that line of toys.  Here’s the catch to printing those coupons.....you can only print each one twice per computer and once per email address.  So, if you have access to multiple printers, go set up several different email addresses to maximize your capabilities.  So, luckily for me, I have access to several computers and was able to print 4-Little People coupons, 4-Laugh and Learn coupons and I just decided to print 2 of the Imaginext ones.  I know it may sound silly but if I don’t need it, I don’t buy it, even if it’s free.  I know, I know but I just can’t.  But, I will be going back because I had a lightbulb moment about those Imaginext toys.  I have a nephew that would probably like those type of toys so I’m going to get that for him for Christmas.  

Here’s the run down on what I bought:

4 Little People Zoo Animals which are $3.44 each.  I used 4 Laugh and Learn coupons (this was a test run to see if it’d get flagged since it wasn’t a Laugh and Learn line) and it gave me $40 off creating an overage of $26.24, which I applied towards the purchase of a $34 Little People Klick-Klack Disney Princess castle resulting in an out of pocket total of $11-something with tax.  

3 Little People Klick Klack Disney princesses and a 2-pack of Disney princesses for Annalise’s Little People Cinderella castle for $6.97 each.  I used 4 Little People coupons  which gave me an overage of $12.12.  I applied that to two more of the 2-pack of Disney princesses for the castle we already own and my out of pocket for that was $4.75.  

I think I did an AMAZING job.  I have seen where some people are finding those Imaginext toys for dirt cheap but the cheapest ones at our Walmart were $6.97 and like I said, I just couldn’t justify doing it tonight since my main objective was to buy Annalise’s stuff.  

Quick tips:

*  Walmart will prompt a manager override if you use $50 or more in coupons so split your transactions to where you’re only using 4 coupons at a time.  Managers can sometimes be very skeptical about coupons and will give you a hard time.  

*  Another piece of advice and SCOPE OUT YOUR CASHIERS!!! This may sound strange but don’t use older cashiers because most of them don’t understand and think you’re doing something fishy.  I always look for the youngest cashier.  Tonight, I paced back and forth looking at them until I saw the one I used.  She was like “WOW you did great!” and then proceeded to ask me how I did it so I gave her and the customer behind me a quick lesson.  :)

*  Always print out the store’s coupon policy in case they want to argue.  It’s right there in black and white from their CORPORATE office so you have the upper hand.  

I have to be honest.  Couponing like this is SUCH a rush.  I was nervous walking in and doing all my calculations back in the toy aisle because I just didn’t know if I’d have to “defend” my coupons to the cashier/manager and I hate showing my butt in public and creating a scene but dang, I totally would have for that kind of savings!!! But then you get to the register and you see that total and when she scans the first coupon, you’re so nervous you’ll get the “BEEP” which indicates it’s not valid but as soon as you see that $10 coming off your total and again and again...you just get this high!!! It’s just awesome.  I’m first one to admit that I’m a very frugal shopper and hate spending a lot of money so when I can save money like that, it’s just awesome.

If you have any questions, just message me on Facebook or leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.  

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Update on my Dad

Praise the Lord that the cancer hasn't spread!!!

Surgery is scheduled for next Monday, June 17th to place the plate with the radiation pellets behind his eye and then it will be removed after one week.  There is a possibility my Dad may lose his eyesight but like he said, "that is secondary".

It's times like this when you are thankful for such an amazing community.  I know I rant and rave about living in a small town but the support and love you receive is absolutely astonishing.  People truly care about you here.

Prayers needed

I know I haven't blogged in ages but I have a big prayer request.

Last Thursday night, Keith called and wondered where my parents were because he was picking up the trailer from their house to borrow over the weekend and both their vehicles weren't home.  He said that they weren't at my grandma's house so we were both a little concerned.  About 15 minutes after I spoke with Keith, my Mom sent me a text message wanting to know if we were home and that her and my Dad were coming over in about 20 minutes.  So I tried to call her and she didn't answer the phone and I was freaking out, texting her telling her to call me, etc. and she just said "we'll see you in a bit".  So, I speed cleaned my house (my Mom is a total clean freak) and when they pulled up, I said "what's going on" and we just came inside.  My Dad proceeded to tell me that he had gone to the eye doctor and they found a tumor behind his eye and was then referred that day to a doctor in Tallahassee.  (Same office Keith used when he had all his eye surgeries for his detached retina)

My Dad has what is called "ocular melanoma" and has a small tumor behind his eye.  The doctor felt like because the tumor is small, they caught it in time but he has to make sure the cancer hasn't spread.  They can't surgically remove the tumor because of the close proximity to the optic nerve so the game plan is this.  If the lab work and CT scan show that the cancer hasn't spread, then they will insert a plate behind his eye that contains radiation pellets to shrink the tumor.  It will be there for a week and then will be removed.  I'm praying the cancer hasn't spread and it can be treated with the radiation pellets.  He had the lab work done on Friday and should be having the CT scan any minute.

It completely took us off guard.  He went in for a regular appointment and then finds this out.  I'm SO thankful my Dad is the type of man that doesn't put appointments or doctors off.  My Dad is the strongest man I know so it's hard knowing something is wrong and there's nothing physically I can do to help.  I 100% believe in the power of prayer and am asking you all to say a prayer for my family.

New pics! (in the words of Toy Story)

I swear I keep telling myself to get better at blogging but let's face it, I probably won't be until Annalise gets older.  We've officially entered the "in to everything stage".  Yay. (NOT!)  I try not to compare the girls but Preslei was never the type of baby to put stuff in her mouth or mess with stuff....psh, Annalise on the other hand, well, if she can get her hands on it, it goes in her mouth or on the floor.  I will say as tiring as it is, it quickly reminds me how big she's getting.  She turned one on April 5th and we celebrated her first year of life with a "bee-day bash" for our "honey".  I'll post pics at some point.  (probably 6 months from now HA!)  Anyways, we had family pics taken and here are some of them. Haven't they gotten so big?!?! :(  

If you live in Cairo, GA or the surrounding area, Elizabeth Gainous Photography does a great job and is very reasonable!

2012 in review (and a photo dump!)

Wow, where has this year gone?!?!?! (oh, and HI again!!!) I mean seriously....I feel like my life has been in warp speed since Miss Annalise joined our family. It's hard to believe that she is almost NINE months old and Preslei will be FIVE in March. Ay yi yi.  I thought that since I haven't blogged in ages that I'd just make this blog a big ol' photo dump as well.

Important dates in 2012 are:

February 11th (weekend)- Went to the beach as a last "family of 3" vacation
February 18th- Preslei's first "Father/Daughter" dance
February 25th- My sweet nephew Caden turned 3
March 17th- Preslei turned 4
April 5th- Annalise was born
April 8th- Held Annalise for the first time (on Easter)
April 14th- Annalise comes home from the hospital
June 16th- My best friend, Ashley became a "Mrs."
July 24th- Annalise had her first real "road trip". I took the girls to Zoo Atlanta with a good friend of mine and her stepdaughter. Needless to say, Annalise was NOT a happy camper.
August 10th- Preslei started Pre-K at CFUMC (her last year at CFUMC :( )
August 15th- Preslei started gymnastics!!!
September 23rd- Annalise got her ears pierced
October 5th- Annalise is SIX months old
October 25th- Annalise FINALLY ate out of a spoon for me (I didn't think that day would ever come!)
October 27th- My good friend Caly became a "Mrs."
October 28th- We (as a family) got baptized and became members of Cairo First United Methodist Church
November 17th- My best friend, Brian turned 30!!!! Went to Atlanta to celebrate with him.
December 6th- Annual Cairo Christmas parade (Annalise's first time)
December 25th- Christmas!

Can't wait to see what's in store for 2013!!!!

Much love to you all!