Target Trip (free and cheap items)

It was an eventful day at my Target shopping center. A man being treated for psychiatric care escaped from the nearby hospital and made his way to the rooftop of the Target, Michael's, Marshall's and Pet Smart shopping center and threatened to jump. The stores were closed for the majority of the morning while police officer's negotiated with the mentally ill man. Over eight hours later in 90 degree heat, the man finally climbed down a latter to safety.

I waited until all was clear to make my regular Monday shopping trip. It turned out to be much more successful than I planned. I came home with several free or really cheap items and saved over $30 with coupons.

I used a total of 19 coupons! I'm certain this is the most I've ever used in a trip. Here's a list of a few of the deals.

Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner $3.34 each

Coupons Used:

$3/2 Pantene Product Target Mobile Coupon

$3/2 Pantene Product MQ P&G 7/29

=.68 for both

Tampex Pearl $4.19 each

Coupons Used:

$2.50/2 Tampex Pearl Target Catalina Coupon

$2/1 MQ Tampex Pearl P&G 7/29

$2/1 MQ Tampex Pearl P&G 7/29

=$1.88 for both

Cover Girl Eye Shadow

$2.42 clearance

$3.14 regular price

Coupons Used:

$3/2 MQ Cover Girl Product P&G 7/29

$2/2 TQ from Beauty Bag

=.56 for both

BIC Pens .99 each

$1/2 MQ SmartSource insert 7/29

$1/2 TQ from Back to School Mailer

=Free

PaperMate Pens - .94

$1/1 PaperMate Product Target web coupon

=Free

Total Cost - $3.12 (less than the cost of one full price Pantene bottle)

-Amanda

Target 70% Toy Clearance July 2012

The pickens were slim for the annual summer toy clearance at Target. I didn't bring home a haul anything close to last year, but I was still able to find a few things on my list for Christmas.

My favorite item is the vtech talking puzzle marked down from $17.99 to $5.21. I also picked up a vtech ABC Text & Go game system for $4.18, two Belle Squinkies bracelet sets for $1.48, and a $44.38 Mega Bloks play table for $13.31. I noticed many Little People sets, My Little Pony, Barbie's and large play sets marked down to 70% off throughout the aisles.

On facebook this morning I read through several posts from Target shoppers who were waiting around for the mark downs to happen - you don't need to do that. I cruise the aisles for items I want and pile them in my cart. If they haven't been marked down, I take them to a scanning machine. Let's say I have a Princess doll marked as 30% off but it scans 70% off, I can then wait and ask an employee for a red tag sticker, or I can just take it to the register where it will ring up 70% off. If the item doesn't scan any lower, then you'll need to ask an employee to check it for you.

Hope you find some good deals today!

More Toy Clearance posts HERE.

-Amanda

Target Easter clearance - 90% off

Easter items went 90% off at my store yesterday - but the signs didn't change to 90% until this morning. Noelle has been begging for a pink tulle Easter dress that is on the clearance racks so we went to check if it was marked down to half off today (it wasn't). But we did find some other goodies!

Color-changing Bouncy Ball - .29
2 Stickers - .19 each
10 Cadberry creme eggs - .07 each
6 Crinkle paper - .15 each (Why is crinkle paper so expensive? This was a great time to stock up for parties and gift wrap).
Pink Bowl - $1.49

There were dollar spot items scattered around so I rummaged through and grabbed 9 pairs of socks and 4 blank cards for .10 each!
FYI - the dollar spot items go to salvage after 70% off but for some reason these were left behind and I was able to purchase them.

The ground beef was marked down from $3.69 to $2.49 and had a $1 off coupon sticker. I paid only $1.49 each! I would have cleaned out the whole section and stocked my freezer but there's no room!

Merona ruffle tank top - Sale price $6

Used $3/1 Merona clothing item

= $3

Don't forget to check the grocery aisles for Easter items (cereal, goldfish, cake mix, etc). Those items don't always have a clearance sticker but are usually marked down.

-Amanda

Target Trip - a few great deals (with links)

There are a few great deals going on at Target this week. I've been waiting for a sweet coupon stack for shampoo & conditioner and luckily one popped up just in time.

Dove Shampoo & Conditioner - $3.49 each
Dove Hair Spray - $4.49
$2/1 Dove Hair Care Item
$2/1 Dove Hair Care Item
Target Coupon - Buy 2 Dove Hair Care Items Get a Dove Styler FREE. 
= $2.18 for all three!

Method Dish Soap - Sale price $2.69
$1/1 Method Soap MQ 
$1/1 Method Cleaner TQ
= .69 (stock up - this is great dish soap!)

Jose Ole Taquitos (a Mr. G favorite) Sale price $4.49
$1/1 Jose Ole MQ
= $3.49

Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Sale Price $3.99
$1/1 Traditional Medicinals Organic Tea TQ
= $2.99 (usually $4.99)

Spent - $9.35
Saved - $13.29

-Amanda

Target Trip - $1.75 for 5 Boxes of Cereal

Happy Monday! Yesterday was the first Sunday of the month, which always means new coupons - including the P&G insert in the newspaper. Of all the new coupons, my favorite is the $1/1 Market Pantry Frozen Chicken Item Target Coupon. We go through about 3 bags of the Chicken Tenderloins each month and this week they are on sale for $5.99 (regularly $7.19). With the coupon they are only $4.99 each. Once every 3 or 4 months, the chicken is marked down to only $5 and if there is a chicken coupon then, I stock up. 

Yesterday I took advantage of the cereal deal going on at Target. You can pick up a $5 gift card when you purchase 5 select Kellogg's cereal items.

I used these three coupons for the cereal
$5/5 any Kellogg's cereal 10oz or larger Manufacturer
$1/2 select Kellogg's cereal Target Coupon
$1/3 select Kellogg's cereal Target Coupon
Each box was on sale for $2.75
=$6.75 after coupons
+ the $5 gift card (used on my next transaction)
=$1.75!

I used the $1/1 Up&Up Oral Care Target Coupon to get the floss for free.

-Amanda

Target Trip - Dr. Seuss and Free Makeup

Today was the annual Dr. Seuss Read Across America event at Target. We went last year when Noah was a couple weeks old - 

and here they are just one year later (sorry for the blurry picture).

Once again we had a great time listening to some classic Seuss books and eating popcorn. The treat bags were awesome this year. There were toys (bouncy ball and squishy lizard), candy, a granola bar, juice, pencils and even a coupon for $2 off a $10 book purchase! The best part was the Starbucks lady handing out hot chocolate with whipped cream to the parents. Superb job, Target!

After getting all sugared up at 9:30 in the morning, I cruised around and picked up a few goodies with coupons. All of the makeup on clearance went 70% off this morning so I rummaged through my coupon booklet and pulled out all of the makeup coupons and looked around for a good deal. And deals I found.

Aveeno Sunscreen $9.94 clearance price $2.98

Used $2.00/1 Aveeno body or face product MQ

=.98 

Sunscreen never goes to waste at our house. Mr. G is in the sun all day, every day.

Rimmel Liquid Foundation $4.99 clearance price $1.48

Used $1/1 Rimmel Cosmetic Item MQ

=.48

L'Oreal Liquid Foundation (for my mom) $7.99 clearance price $2.38

Used $3/1 L'Oreal Face Makeup MQ

There's also a $1/1 L'Oreal Cosmetic Item coupon on the Target site here.

= Free + overage

Neutrogena Lip Gloss $7.99 clearance price $2.38

Used $1/1 Neutrogena Lip or Face Makeup MQ

=$1.38 and I LOVE this color!!!

(3) Up & Up 2-pack sponges .99 each

Used (3) $1/1 Up & Up Cleaning Item TQ

=Free

Up & Up All Purpose Cleaner $1.89

Used $1/1 Up & Up Cleaning Item TQ

=.89

Welch's Natural Jelly $1.67

Used $1/1 Welch's Natural Jelly TQ (no longer available)

=.67

Total = $3.78 (before tax)

MQ - Manufacturer Coupon

TQ - Target Coupon

Target Trip - Spent $4.28

I hung on to the $3 Merona coupon that expires on 2/25 and watched the clearance racks for 70% off items. Today the long sleeve shirts I've been eyeing were marked down and I picked them up for 60 cents each! This is why it's so hard for me to buy clothes at full price (which I only do for my children and husband on occasion). 

Merona Top $14.99 - clearance $4.48

$3/1 Merona TQ 

$1.48

(3) Merona long sleeve tops $12.00 - clearance $3.60

$3/1 Merona TQ

$.60 each

(2) Steamfresh Corn - sale price $1.00 each

$1/2 Manufacturer Coupon

$.50 each

Spent - $4.28

If I paid full price for the shirts alone the total would be over 50 bucks! That's crazy.
FYI - I'm wearing the striped shirt right now and it is super comfy! Probably even more so because I know I only spent .60 cents on it and I won't get upset if it (inevitably) gets spit up on, "accidentally" drawn on, spilled on or used as a snot rag.

-Amanda

Couponing - Getting Started

Target Trip saved $22.20

I was able to pick up a few things for my toiletry stockpile at Target today. It's been a while since I've seen a good deal (a good deal = free up to 50 cents) on body wash, razors and deodorant so I decided to go ahead a pick up a few items that we use daily at an okay price. 

Stockpile items

(2) Olay Body Wash - clearance $3.14

Coupons Used:

$2/2 Olay Body Wash TQ from Target Mailer

$1/1 Olay Body Wash MQ

$1/1 Olay Body Wash MQ

= $2.28 or $1.14 each

$1 is usually my max for body wash but I really like these so I splurged on the extra 14 cents :)

Dove Men Deodorant clearance $2.78

Coupons Used:

$1/1 Dove Men Deodorant

= $1.78 - not a great price for deodorant but Mr. G recently told me that he prefers gel deodorant so I needed to get some for him. 

Fusion ProGlide razor $9.74

Coupons Used:

$2/1 Fusion ProGlide TQ from mailer

$3/1 Fusion ProGlide MQ

=$4.47 

Reach Floss .97

Coupons Used:

$1/1 MQ

= Free

Other items purchased with coupons:

(2) Knorr Rice (Noelle's favorite) sale price .96

Coupons Used:

.50/2 TQ printable

.50/2 MQ

=.92 or .46 each

(2) Market Pantry Mac & Cheese .64

Coupons Used:

(2) $1/1 Market Pantry Mac & Cheese TQ printable

= Free

(2) Ritz Crackers sale price $2.50

Coupons Used:

$1/2 MQ

$1/2 TQ printable

=$3.00 or $1.50 each

(10) Gerber baby food

Coupons Used:

$2 off $10 gerber baby food TQ baby mailer

=$8ish

Up & Up Flushable Wipes $4.69

Coupons Used:

$1 off $3 or more Up & Up Brand TQ printable

= $3.69

Bounce Dryer Bar sale price $4.00
Coupons Used:
$2/1 Dryer Bar MQ
$.75/1 Bounce fabric softener TQ mailer
=$1.25

Purchase total =$37.64
Saved $22.20!

under $2 Target Trip 1/22

My trip wasn't as impressive as I thought it would be. My local Target was out of a few things on my list but nonetheless I came home with 13 items for under 2 bucks!

If you haven't printed the $1/1 Up & Up Paper Towel coupon, do it now! The single rolls are .99 making them free. I also used three $8 Sesame Street coupons getting the toys free plus overage.

Free is my kind of stock up price! Have you checked out the store clearance going on? I recently picked up a couple of pairs of shoes for Noelle and bed sheets for 70% off. Great deals going on! And I would bet that there will be lots of mark downs in the clothes departments tomorrow. My store only marked down a few things last week so I'm sure tomorrow will be the day for lots of 70% off clearance stickers. If you go check it out, bring along the $3 off Merona item coupon.
-Amanda

Target Toy Clearance 70% off - Jan 2012

The big toy clearance happened yesterday at my Target in central California. I made it there at 8:20am and was practically the only one in the store. Definitely no one else near the toy department. I read comments from people who reported large groups in front of their stores before opening and I can't imagine that here. The only other people around were the clearance fairies and a Grandma with 22 grandkids that I coaxed over to the clearance aisles when I found her browsing through full price Lego sets. She soon had a cart filled with Lego's, Rapunzel dolls, Squinkies, and Train sets. 

There were three aisles of toys! The signs were switched from 30% to 50% but only the Lego's and Barbies stayed at half. Everything else went to 70% off, most going from 30% off straight to 70% off.

I gave myself a budget of 50 bucks - which wasn't easy keeping to. I mean, look at all those toys!

But I stayed on budget 1. because we don't need anymore toys in our house 2. I still have a few toys in the gift closet from the July clearance 3. Four (out of 8) of my nieces and nephews have grown out of toys and 4. I'm seriously sticking to my cleaning out the clutter resolution. 

There were great deals all around.
Rock Star Mickey was $15

 Train Table for $27.

Hot Wheels Set $24

Lots of Thomas & Friends sets, Cars sets, and Lego sets.

I bought almost $200 worth of toys for $50! I put all of my goodies away before taking a picture this year. Little Noelle is everywhere these days so I have to sneak things in Mission Impossible style.

Read more about the Toy Clearance HERE.

Target Christmas Clearance 70% off & Toy Clearance Info

The holiday items went 70% off today at Target! I love a good clearance run. My store in central California was just as stocked with 70% off items as it was at half off so I'm glad I held out. These clearance sales are perfect for getting every day items for very cheap (hand soap, kleenex, tape, etc) and for little gifts/stocking stuffers for next year. 

I squealed when I spotted the Night Before Christmas book!

Here's a break down of what I purchased:

For next year

(2) LED net lights $5.99 each 

JOY door mat $3.89

Scotch hand tap $.60

 Gifts for next year
Santa Hand Towels $2.09
Lady Antebellum Christmas CD $2.09
The Night Before Christmas book $5.68 (reg. $18.95)
(2) Disney Princess 2-pack gloves $1.49 each
Star Wars lego $1.19
Cars 2 $1.49

For the home:
Kleenex $ .89
(2) Hand soup $.89 each
Scotch tape 3pack $.60
White ribbon $1.80
(2) bath sponges $.59 each (these are nicer than my $5 loofahs)

In the dollar section:

(4) notepads $.30 each

Cinderella bow $.30

Total spent $40.04

Saved $93.77

Here's a few pictures of what my store had this morning. There were also a ton of cards, plates, napkins, 7ft trees, stockings, and hand towels. Hopefully you can find some good deals at your Target.

The wrapping paper - I'm holding off for 90% off!

Ribbons, bows and gift bags

 Clothes, lights, misc.

The big 75% off Toy Clearance is coming in January. You can read what I picked up at 75% off in January 2011 here and what I got in July 2011 here. 

I'm only looking to get a few lego sets and the Little People Nativity Set for this coming clearance event. There are many lego sets at 30% off right now so I'm pretty confident that several will stick around and go half off and possibly 75% off. 

There are 3 aisles of clearance toys and about 8 end caps.


May 2012 bring many blessing to you and your family. Happy New Year!
-Amanda

Bullseye Bargains - Under a buck

Today was a great coupon day. The October P&G insert is off the hizzy - you heard me. I had to make a quick Target trip tonight because 1. My Target is l.a.m.e. No extreme couponers needed - my Target clears their own shelves. Remember the $3 pillow coupon a few months ago? The $2.50 pillows were gone the day after that coupon was released. A check with an employee revealed that there were over 20 pillows in stock - mmmhmmm. The same thing with the $5 Benadryl coupon. 

And 2. Because my husband gave me a sob story about always wanting a Transformer when he was little but he never got one :sniff sniff:

I didn't want to miss out on free makeup and Transformers so off we went. 

Merona top - Clearance $3.24

$3 Merona top (Target Coupon)

= 0.24

Cover Girl Foundation $4.94

Cover Girl Blush $3.74

$8/2 Cover Girl face makeup (10/2 P&G)

= 0.68

Diaper Genie II Refill $6.84
$6.99 Manufacturer Coupon (mailed to me)
=Free

Transformer $9.89
$5 Manufacturer Coupon from the Target site
$5 Target Mobile Coupon
= Free

Total = 0.92

Like I said, it was a quick trip. I need to organize all of the new coupons I printed and clipped today and match up any stacks. Another reason my Target sucks is their new "policy" that states there can not be more than ONE of the same coupon in a transaction. So I have to make several transactions each time I go - which takes extra planning and time.
If you haven't already gone to target.com and printed out the new coupons, you really should. The $1 off any Up&Up product over $3 is back - my favorite Target coupon. There are so many options - toilet paper, hand sanitizer, vitamins, paper towels, diapers, wipes, hair products, cleaning supplies, etc. Go get it and let me know what you plan to use it for.
-Amanda

Target School Supply Clearance

Be still my homeschooling, money-saving, target-loving heart. School supplies at 75% off! 

There were stacks and stacks of paper and notebooks on sale for just pennies. I only had time to grab a few things but I think I'll go back tonight to pick up 15 or so more notebooks - only 25 cents each!

Brought home:

Binder .75

Glue .44

4 Composition books .25 each

Mead Planner $1.74

Have you found any clothes for free or cheap with the $5 off Merona bottom, $5 off denim, or the $5 off Mossimo apparel coupons? 

So far I've gotten a super cute Mossimo dress for $1.62, two Merona cotton skirts for free, a black Mossimo tunic for free, two pairs of capri jeans for free (donated), and a blue Mossimo shirt for free.

Also on clearance at my Target today was the kids' bedding. Really adorable quilts and comforters for half off. Happy Target Shopping! 

Disney Gummies Vitamin Deal at Target

There is a great coupon stack for Disney Vitamins at Target. Noelle loves the Princess vitamins!

$2/1 Disney or Marvel Vitamin Product (Redplum)

$1/1 60ct or larger Disney Gummies multivitamins (Target)

The Disney Princess Jar 60ct (with 10 extra) is $4.54 at Target.

$1.54 for 70 vitamins (*Princess* vitamins, because the plain ole gummy bears are so not cool, mom!)

Bullseye Bargains - i love coupons

If you've been reading my blog - even for a short amount of time - you know that I'm a couponaholic. I love using coupons. I get so pumped up when I leave the store with items that I need (or will need) and got for free. It brings me joy 1. because it saves my family some serious cash 2. because it's fun.

My trip today was mostly to stock up Mr. G's office for the new school year - which starts on Monday.
Before tax I paid $3.60 for these 12 items:

And really the only reason I paid 3 bucks was for the laundry detergent that I've been wanting to try. It's originally $7.99 but was on sale for $4.99. I used the $2 off Target Coupon and paid 3 dollars for it. It better be good. I'm not use to paying for detergent!

All of this was absolutely FREEEEEEEE!

Coupons used:

$5 Demin Bottom TQ

$3 Mossimo apparel TQ

(2) $1 Papermate TQ

(2) $1 Sharpie TQ

(2) $1 Expo Dry Erase Marker TQ

(2) $2/2 Expo Dry Erase Marker MQ

$2 Drops Detergent TQ

$0.75 Up & Up Facial TQ

Here's the receipt. I got some overage and the computer entered the $3 Mossimo coupon wrong so it might be confusing if you're new to couponing at Target. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help.

TQ = Target Coupon (on the target website)
MQ = Manufacturer Coupon

Target TOY Clearance, 75% off

I dominated the 75% off toy clearance this morning.

The kids and I arrived at Target at 8:05 am and headed straight for the toy department. A little lady with a magic clearance wand was spreading red tag joy all over the aisles. I quickly made friends with her (having an adorable 5 month old in tow helped) and then started checking off my list.

We have 8 nieces/nephews plus our 2 little ones, and many friends with kids to buy gifts for throughout the year. This sale is a huge blessing for us! And I don't feel bad at all for buying gifts on clearance. It's called being thrifty.

Back to the sale - My new friend told me that if I find something that isn't marked down to 75% off then she'll scan it for me. Awesome!

After an hour, my carts (yep, I was the lady with 2 carts) were full and a couple more people started wandering the aisles with me. I was the only one there for an entire hour! People in this town are so out of the loop :)

Here are the 24 items that I scored with my $100 budget:

Girls Toys:

My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop, Cinderella storybook playset, (2) Princess Bubble wands, Flower Bracelet Craft, Barbie Mermaid Dress, Strawberry Shortcake Twirling Flower Fashions

Gender Neutral Toys:

Play-doh Backpack, Fisher-Price Little People Build 'n Carry Construction, Fisher-Price Little People Build 'n Carry Matching Animals, Special Agent Oso Go-Go-Go Race Car, 

Special Agent Oso Special Agents.

Chuck Toys
Crazy Crane Stunt (originally $19.99, clearance $4.98)
Rumbling Chuck (originally $34.99, clearance $8.74)

Cars Lego Set (originally $39.99, clearance for $9.98)

 Thomas & Friends Set (originally $49.99, clearance for $12.48)

Other Boys Toys:

Handy Manny Let's Get To Work!, Cars 2 Plush Toy Set of 3, (3) Kung Fu Panda 2 character sets of 2 (one was opened in the car), Chuggington Wilson Carry Case

Retail Cost = $380.45 (24 items)

Total without tax = $94.89
and I got a $5 gift card :)

Some of my favorites are the Play-doh backpack which comes with 40 pieces and 4 play-doh cans, the Cinderella Story-book, Thomas & Friends 101 piece set and the Cars Lego Set and Plush Toy set.

Good luck if you are heading out to find some deals!

Here are some tips:

Always be kind to the workers

If you find an item that isn't marked down to 75% off, scan it. If the price comes up lower, then find someone with a magic clearance wand.

Look ALL over the toy section. This year, the clearance toys were not in one aisle but all through the department.

Make a list of who you need to buy for and set a budget.