SDM Mega Redemption!

So, I just started collecting Optimum points in September and had enough for one $250 redemption! We don't have a car, so I was a little worried about getting everything home, but my DH dug out this huge hockey bag and off we went. OOP was around $80. (I went over a little, but half of that was tax.) I used $40 in coupons!

My wonderful (and strong!) husband.

I think Princess Leia smells those treats!

SDM 20x Event

So this is my fourth time doing a SDM 20x event since I started couponing. I'm a little sad because I came out short 3650 points to hit the 95000 for Mega Redemption but I still got a ton of points today. The cashier said, "Wow, that's the most points I've ever seen at one time!"

I got:

1 x Huggies Little Movers Santa Diapers ($11.99 - $2.00 coupon)
1 x Pampers Cruisers ($15.99 - $10.00 coupon + 3000 BP coupon)
2 x Huggies Wipes ($2.99/each - 2 x $1.00 coupons)
1 x Johnson's Bedtime Bath ($3.99 - $1.00 coupon)
1 x Penaten ($4.99 - $1.00 coupon) Wrong Price = SCOP!
2 x Life Brand Vitamin D ($3.00/each)
1 x Life Brand Cough Drops ($1.99 + 750 BP coupon)
1 x Life Brand Thermometer ($19.99 + 10000 BP coupon)
3 x Nestea Zero ($4.00/each - $4.99 FPC)

Subtotal = $57.92
Taxes = $5.68

Total = $63.60

Regular Points = 730
Product Bonus Points = 500
Coupon Points Awarded = 13750
Transaction Bonus Points = 13870
TOTAL POINTS EARNED TODAY = 28850
Current Points Balance = 91350

I did use my new Shoppers Optimum MC so I should get 1056 points on my statement at the end of the month, and I get 15000 points for my first transaction but not for 5-6 weeks. BOO!

Shopper's Optimum

I got a Shopper's Optimum card at the end of August. I currently have almost 70000 Optimum points. That works out to about $150 back on a bonus redemption day. I spent less than $200 on three shopping trips to earn all those points.

How did I do it? By combining sales, coupons, and 20x the points events.

For example, my very first shop at SDM using my Optimum card, I racked up an unthinkable 22680 points. I shocked even myself! I spent $74 after coupons and taxes and got diapers, wipes, vitamins, groceries and cleaning supplies. My total before coupons was more than $100. I also took advantage of the Shoppers Optimum bonus points offered that week, as well as using some printable bonus point coupons.

I just ordered a Shoppers Optimum Mastercard, which will allow me to collect points even faster!  My goal is to become a Plus member by this time next year. (Plus members get a free magazine subscription and tons of special offers!)

To succeed using the Optimum program, you need to follow a few basic rules:

1. Only shop during 20x point events. This will get you the maximum bang for your buck.

2. Always purchase a gift card before you shop. If you need to spend $50 to get your points, buy a $50 card. (You don't get 20x the points for this, but you will get 500 points.) This is only good on a SDM card - you will not get points if you buy any other kind of gift cards.

3. Make a list ahead of time. It is so easy to get swept up in the moment and throw stuff in your cart you don't really need. Check the flyer and match up the really good sales with your coupons.

4. Check for bonus point offers and coupons. Most weeks there will be bonus points on certain products.

I recently took advantage of a fantastic deal. Degree Men's Deodorant was on sale for $1.79. You received 3000 BP every time you bought three. I had $1 off coupons. So I paid $.79/deodorant and earned an additional $4.50 in points. That means they literally paid me to take that deodorant out of the store!

It's Not a Stockpile, It's an Insurance Policy!

One of the things people tend to believe about all couponers is that they are 'hoarders'. Buying things they don't need just because they have a coupon. This may be true in certain instances, but for most of us couponers, it most definitely is not. I do have a stockpile of goods that I use regularly, usually between a three month and six month supply.

In doing so, I am able to wait until there is a really good sale to use my coupons to maximize my savings. And it works. We're saving hundreds of dollars a month now.

And if something were to happen, like your husband has to go on strike, which mine did recently, you've got peace of mind knowing you'll be okay for awhile.

I wanted to show you the progression of my stockpile over the past few months. It doesn't happen all at once and it can be easy to become discouraged if you don't see results right away. Be patient. It's a work in progress.

July 11th, 2011

July 19th, 2011

July 28th, 2011

August 18th, 2011

September 5th, 2011

Evolution of a Couponer

One of the things I find most interesting about the couponing process, is how your view of prices changes so dramatically. Before coupons, I'd be happy just finding something on sale. For example, my favorite shampoo is Tresemme. It usually runs about $5.99 a bottle. Before I started couponing, I thought $4.99 was a fantastic deal. After I started couponing, I quickly learned that if I waited I could get it on sale for $3.77 or less. Then I found some $1 off coupons, combined them with a sale and got my Tresemme for $2.77.

Another example would be toilet paper. I used to never buy brand name toilet paper because it was too expensive. Once I started couponing I realized just how wrong this perception was! Using the store brand, I'd usually have to use eight-ten sheets per bathroom break. Using the brand name toilet paper, I can cut that down to four-six sheets. Often toilet paper goes on sale for $3.99 and I can usually apply a $1 off coupon. So I'm now getting toilet paper (THE GOOD KIND) for $.13/roll, whereas before I thought it was a great deal to get the store brand for $.17/roll.

Before you start trying to save money, you don't really pay attention to prices. If you see a sale sign, you'd likely be more likely to pick it up, not realizing that if you wait a week or two, you could see a dramatic decrease in the sale price. Even people who don't want to start using coupons could benefit from paying attention to what they are buying.

I never buy anything unless it is a really good sale now. For example:

Meat (hamburger, chicken breast, pork chops, etc.) $1.99/lb
Butter $2.99
Pop (case of 12) $2.99
Bread > $2
Soup > $.60

I save the most money from being attentive while shopping, not from the actual coupons I use.

To Coupon or Not to Coupon?

So for the past month or so I've been using coupons to see if we can cut down our costs at all while I am on Mat leave. I know a lot of people are skeptical about couponing. Most people think that it is a waste of time, that the only coupons out there are for junk food, that you end up spending more money then you used to and that you buy a lot of stuff you don't really need.

COUPONS ARE A WASTE OF TIME

$76.43 + $8.58 + $22.00 + $25.49= $132.59 in savings from coupons/rainchecks/mail in rebates just for the month of July. This does not count the savings that I got just from waiting for things to go on sale before I bought them. It only takes about five minutes to order coupons from each website I use ->

http://www.gocoupons.ca/
http://save.ca/
https://www.websaver.ca/en_ca/coupons/
http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.ca/

You can also print coupons from:

www.livingwell.ca/
www.smartsource.ca/


It takes another five minutes to check the Smart Canucks forum to see the best deals of the week and which of my coupons I can use ->

http://smartcanucks.ca/

Yes, it does take some time to clip and organize the coupons. However, even if I spend an hour or two a week with coupons, the savings I'm bringing in more than make up for it.

COUPONS ARE ONLY FOR JUNK FOOD

Not true! Many of my coupons are for whole grain products from companies like Kelloggs, Catelli, McCain, etc. I'm having a much harder time finding coupons for things like Pepsi or chips then I am for juice or fruit.

COUPONS MAKE YOU SPEND MORE MONEY

Also not true. My usual grocery bill for the week came in around $160. My grocery bill now comes in under $100. And with that $100 I am slowly building up a stockpile of extra goods so that if something is not on sale I don't have to buy it. which in turn lets me save even more money!

COUPONS MAKE YOU BUY THINGS YOU DON'T NEED

Yes. This is in fact true. I don't need six cans of shaving gel for the month. However, one of my first buys (at Walmart) was for Skintimate Shaving Gel, which was on sale for $1.50. I had 2 x $5 off when you buy 3 coupons. $1.50 x 6 = $9.00 - $10.00 in coupons = +$1.00. So not only did I get six cans of shaving gel for FREE, Walmart also paid me a dollar to take them out of the store.

Walmart is the only store here in Ontario that allows overages. So if you have a coupon worth five dollars, and find something on clearance for a dollar, they will pay you IN CASH if you so choose, FOUR DOLLARS! Now imagine you had five of those coupons. You would make TWENTY DOLLARS!

So yes, you can be sucked into buying things you don't need. But if they are free and making me money to spend on things I do need then I am sure I can find someone I can give the things I don't need away to.

I am more than happy to help if anyone wants to give this a try. It is well worth the time and the effort.

Baby Freebies

 A lot of expecting mothers who are worried about losing half a paycheck start couponing to save money. Did you know there are many companies that send out freebies, trying to entice customers to start buying their products? Smartcanucks.ca, the website that I have used since I started couponing, has compiled a fantastic list of baby freebies.


TOILETRIES:


1-800-222-0453 Playtex Product Coupons Press the button to speak to an agent and then ask them for coupons for Canadians.

Johnson & Johnson: Call: 1800-361-8068 or Email: https://secure.jnjcanada.com/contact...=jnjcanada.com Tell them you're expecting, ask for the New Parents Pack and 2 J&J coupons (coupons choices are: $1 OFF good on Johnson's, Desitin, Penaten, Johnson's Buddies, Johnson Kids, Johnson's soothing naturals or $2 OFF good on Carefree, o.b., KY, Tucks and Monistat or $2 OFF good on Band-Aid, Bengay, Cladryl, Visine, Listerine, First Aid, Polysporin, Purell, Rogaine, Reach, Efferdent, Rembrandt or $2 OFF good on Benylin, Motrin, Tylenol, Splenda, Actifed, Benadryl, Sudafed, Fleet, Nizoral, Anusol, Pepcid Complete, Combantrin, Lactaid, Imodium, NicoDerm, nicorette, Reactine, Rolaids, Sinutab, Zantac. or $3 OFF good on Clear&Clear, Lubriderm, Neutrogena, Aveeno)
** after the first month, you can then call or email them again EVERY month for 2 J&J coupons of your choice.

Attends: Fill in the questionnaire: http://www.attends.com/products/assessment_tool.php  Answer: 1st page: User, Gender, User pant size ---> then click Next 2nd page: leave the 2nd page as it is and click Next 3rd page: it asks if you're requesting the sample because of a short term medical need such as pregnancy, recent surgery and / or OB/GYN care, click yes ---> then click submit  to receive insert pads based on your pant size. (There will be a lot of bleeding after giving birth.)


STORE FREEBIES:

Sears: Create a Sears baby registry and join the waiting club at the Sears store and you'll receive a Playtex Drop-Ins bottle, newborn Huggies diaper, Zincofax diaper rash cream and coupons.

Shoppers Drug Mart VIB Program: http://www1.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/vib/home.aspx If you have a SDM Optimum card you can sign up online. They will send you a package with some samples and some newborn diapers just before your due date and you get emails with bonus offers at their stores.

Save-On-Foods: AFTER you've given birth, bring along the bracelet that your baby wore at the hospital or anything to prove that you've just given birth, go to the Pharmacy/Customer Service, fill in the form and you'll receive a little water proof diaper bag, a pack of baby wipes and a sample size of diaper rash cream.

Toys R Us: Create a baby registry in store and you'll receive 3 Huggies newborn diapers, 3 Pampers newborn diapers, Huggies and Pampers baby wipes, 2 sample size diaper rash cream, J&J baby bath sample size, a Playtex Drop-Ins bottle, nursing pads, lanolin, diaper coupons, etc.


DIAPERS/POTTY TRAINING:


1-800-544-1847 Free Kimberley-Clark (Huggies) Product Coupons, Booklets and Information

Huggies: Sign up at http://www.huggies.com/en-CA Collect points redeem gifts, play Instant Win or Sweepstakes and receive mailouts with coupons.

Pampers: sign up at http://www.pampers.ca/en_CA/home Collect points to redeem gifts or play Sweepstakes, receive newsletters with with coupons ($2 & $4 ones) from Pampers around every 3 months and every now and then, Pampers will also send you high value coupons ($5 & $7).

Pull-Ups Website (great for potty training tips/info/coupon/training DVD) http://www.pull-ups.com/

FREE Able Baby printable Potty Training Charts, Stickers and Certificate http://www.ablebaby.com/ptychrt.htm

Goodnites -Special Offers: http://www.goodnites.com/NA/specialoffers/Default.aspx and free sample of Good Nights Underwear boys or girlshttp://goodnites.com/na/promotions-o...ee-sample.aspx

Little Swimmers Website-Special Offers (available in April) http://www.littleswimmers.com/na/offers/offers.asp


FORMULA/BABY FOOD:


Heinz 1-800-565-2100 (Canadian number) Free Earth's Best Baby Food Coupons and Booklet Heinz baby food:http://www.heinzbaby.com

Similac formula: Sign up at https://similac.ca/en/similac_welcome_addition_club/ ** On the registration form, it'll ask if you want to join Canadian Mother Resource, DON'T join as you'll never get samples whatsoever from CMR!! You'll receive one bottle of Similac Mom, a $5 Similac Mom cheque, a coupon book from pampers, Similac formula sample and Similac will mail you (every now and then) $3 & $5 cheques after your baby is born.

Nestle Good Start formula http://www.nestle-baby.ca/en/index1-800-387-5536 Good Start Program(join the nestle baby program and receive a black Nestle Backpack with a can of formula, magazine, change pad etc..)

Nestle http://www.nestle-baby.ca/en/survey/...UM2-E01-HTM001 Toddler drink sample and coupon.

Enfamil Sign up at http://www.enfamil.ca/en/promotions/...nt-form-b.aspx You'll receive an Enfamil magazine with coupons every few months, sample size of formula ONLY IF you contact them again and ask for it, otherwise, they won't send it to you

1-866-335-9080 Milupa promotional package (coupons, feeding spoon, baby on board) Milupa: http://www.milupa.ca/en/index.html (can request coupons/or email them and ask for samples)

1-800-344-1358 Free $5 Rebate on a Case of "Babymil" or "Babysoy" Formulas

1-800-485-9918 Free Can of "Store Brand" Formula from PBM Products

FREE sample of Enfagrow for toddlers: http://www.enfagrow.ca/cgi-bin/enroll_sample.pl


MEDICINE CHEST:


1-800-777-2500 "Preventing and Treating Your Baby's Diaper Rash" pamphlet, and a $1 off any size from Balmex

1-888-232-6789 Free "Folic Acid and It's Role in Preventing Birth Defects" Booklet, good for before and during pregnancy.

Xttrium Labs (in Parents)email: Connie@xttrium.com for samples and tell her you just had a baby, any drugstores in your area, name address and phone number.

FREE Anbesol printable Baby Tooth Chart: http://www.anbesol.com/teething/chart.asp


TOYS/BABY GEAR:


1-800-356-2229 Free Evenflo Product Recalls

1-800-432-KIDS Fisher Price Family Registry Program

1-800-301-1104 Welcome Wagon Baby Shower


BREASTFEEDING:


Medela: info@medela.ca (Will send  a small breastfeeding guide, 2 disposable nursing pads and 2 sample size lanolin.)

Lansinoh: customerservice@lansinoh.com (Will send 2 disposable nursing pads, 2g of lanolin, 5 cloth wipes for babies and 2 breast milk storage bags.)


BOOKS, CATALOGUES, MAGAZINES, ETC:


1-800-633-0303 Motherwear catalog for moms who breastfeed

18007478697 Fisher Price catalog and information

1-800-GO CEDAR Cedar free video for playsets, and catalog

1-800-242-5200 Carnation "The Very Best" Magazine

1-800-533-5437 Free Little Me - Babywear Catalog

1-800-966-6847 Free Maternity clothes catalog for Maternity Factory Outlet

1-800-MY5-TOES Free children's shoes catalog

1-800-4-MOM2BE Free Motherhood Maternity Catalog, they also have nursing cloths and plus sizes

1-800-727-3682 Risk-Free Trial of "Parents" Magazine

1-800-505-2742 Free "Back to Sleep" SIDS Safety Stickers, Video, Babysitter Reminder Card

1-888-933-5383 Free Pregnancy guide cd-rom

1-800-311-2055 Free "Gerber Grow-Up Plan" Insurance Information Packet and Application

1-800-554-7637 Free "Healthtex" Child Immunization Chart and Playwear Sizing Guide

1-88-748-5433 Free "Pregnancy Bracelet" Video - For the Life of Your Baby

1-800-522-7300 Schering Plough free video on child allergies and pollen index chart


OTHER:


1-800-843-5678 "Just in Case You Need a Babysitter" Safety Booklet ask for booklet #12

1-800-588-6377 Free Cord Blood Banking Kit - Posters, Videos, Booklets, Stickers

1-888-663-4637 Free Booklets and Information for Moms-to-Be from the March of Dimes

1-800-344-BABY For Munchkin product info

1-877-986-9472 Free pregnancy planner from the National Women's Health Resource Center and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. It's a 10 month blank calendar loaded with pregnancy tips and information.

1-800-843-7625 ext. 3076 for a "You're A New Parent!" Guide from Prudential Insurance

1-800-506-4636 Window Covering Safety Council free childproofing kit for window blinds

1-877-UL-4-SAFE Free home safety tips

1-800-638-2772 Toy Safety" Coloring Book for kids (ask for item #283) and you can also ask for a booklet on safe playground tips for children

1-800-638-2772 Free "Child Care Safety Checklist" and Baby Safety Info

1-800-985-2220 Free "Bulb Guard" Safety Kits for Halogen Lamps (request by postcard)

1-800-604-1995 free video on water contamination, lead exposure, health effects, and what parents can do to protect their children

1-800-944-4773 for women after childbirth: a pamphlet called "Depression after Delivery" to help you determine if you have postpartum blues or need help with deeper feelings.

1-800-587-DAVS for free information on ear infections and a booklet on you baby's language development and hearing

1-800-INFANT-Free information on Advantage Sound and motion Bassinets

1-800-624-9659 free information on homeopathic medicines for children

1-800-430-0222 free information on BeBe Sounds Prenatal Listening device

1-800-433-9016 American Academy of Pediatrics FREE Parent Resource Guide