I was visiting Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls and came across her great Envirosax giveaway and that got me thinking! I know, scary thought when I get too deep in thought but this one is worth it, trust me on this.

How much could I really save using reusable grocery bags? I mean seriously, what $.05 a bag really going to amount too! Well like I said that really got me thinking and the wheels started turning and the estimations calculating. Did I mention I hate math? I really do, but when it comes to savings, I’m all about the math.

How many bags does the store give me in 2 weeks of shopping trips?

I estimate about 10, now I’m only including the grocery store unless someone tells me CVS gives $.05 a bag credit then I will rework this. So each month I came up with $1.00 savings from using reusable bags, now times that times 12 months and we get $12 a year!

What can I buy yearly with $12?

I thought about this for $12 a year I can pay the domain renewal fee plus protection for the site! I know there are a ton of things I can do with the money but why not put back into my blog vs taking from pocket. I know, you’re thinking either way it’s taking from my pocket but if you look at the reusable bag credit as something you wouldn’t have normally then its like being paid to shop and blog.

How do you or would you use the reusable bag credit, I’d love to hear your ideas as well! Oh and don’t forget to enter that giveaway I mentioned above asap!

I got an interesting email today from Tara wanting to know whether or not I’m a “mommy” blogger because I don’t have a bunch of cute kids stuff on the site and diapers stacked a mile high.

Well I never thought to really label my blog as anything other than a savings, bargain type of deal site. Am I a mom? Of course but at almost 39yrs of young age my “baby” is a very tall male of 2oyrs. Yes, do the math he was my official 18th bday present only he arrived 9mos later.   So being that he’s out of the house now I don’t discriminate a good deal on whether I have a little one or not because I’m bound to know someone who needs whatever it is and you, the reader might too. So in essence I guess I’m an empty nest mom blogger who loves all deals because not all mommies become mommies at the same time.

I find it silly to cast out a savings blog based on their current family situation, I’ve seen a few single guy blogs that run circles around us gals and I’m fine with that as long someone has the scoop on deals its better for all of us!

If you would like to see certain things let me know and I’ll do my best to oblige…

I have had a few requests for different types of blogs that have inspired me to do something, not necessarily saving money but just anything that was inspirational.

Okay here we go, don’t laugh too hard at my random selections or the reasons why.

Cooking:
Hands down it would have to be Stephanie of A Year of Crockpotting, she took me past chili and pot roast and thanks to her I made my first whole chicken to die for! It literally fell off the bones! Thanks Stephanie!!!

Design Ideas:

I love checking out what people create at Apartment Therapy. I have a house but hey, a room is a room right!

Another love of mine is the great folks at Ikea Hacker! If you’ve never hacked an Ikea piece you really have to check into this, and don’t forget to visit the As-Is section at Ikea for some great savings!

Organizing:
I can’t pick one in this area so I have 3 because they all touch on certain things that work for me.

First is Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, thanks to her I found the next two ladies!

Next is Carmen at Get Organized, this Army girl gone organizer queen truly hearts organizing things!

Last but definitely not least is Maria at Meck Mom who really knows how to help make every day a little easier and more organized!

Tips:

Hands down it has to beLaurie at  Tip Junkie, where else can you get great tips and creative ideas for all sorts of things!

Well I guess that’s a good start for now… What inspires you? Come on, you know you want to share with all of us…

Here are a few recent freebies I’ve found and thought you might enjoy!

FREE Kashi frozen entree here Offer valid until 3/15/09 or while supplies last.

FREE Comic Book Day Saturday May 2, 2009 B&M YMMV here.

FREE Pancakes at IHOP  on Feb. 24th 7am t0 10pm in celebration of National pancake day, details here.

These are just the deals that stand out as HOT DEALS, check your ad for more bargains!

WEEKLY DEALS

FREEBIE!
Hershey’s Single Bars on sale BOGO after in-ad coupon
Use BOGO coupon from 11/9 and 1/25 inserts
FREE after coupons!

FREEBIE!
Theraflu at 2/$10,
Submit for ESR #12, Get $6 back wyb 2
Use $2 printable coupon
FREE after coupons and ESR!

FREEBIE!
Walgreens Brand Nutritional Drink 6 Pack 8oz Each at $4
Submit for ESR #14 – Limit 1
FREE after ESR!

ALMOST FREE!
Colgate Toothpaste at $.99
Use $.75 coupon 2/1 SS
$.24 after coupon!

ALMOST FREE!
Glade Scented Oil Candles at 2/$5
Submit for ESR #31 , Get $1 back wyb 1 – Limit 4
Use $1 coupon from 2/1 inserts
$.50 each after coupons and ESR!

ALMOST FREE!
Oust Air Sanitizer or Surface Disinfectant at $2.99
Submit for ESR #31, Get $1 back wyb 1 – Limit 4
Use BOGO coupon from 1/4 and 2/8 inserts
$.50 each after coupon and ESR!

ALMOST FREE!
Stayfree Maxi Pads 16-24 pk at 2/$4
Use BOGO coupon from 1/4 inserts or
Use $1 printable coupon
$.50 each after coupons!

Softsoap Bodywash at $3.49
Use $1 printable coupon +
Use $1 coupon from ESR Catalog
$1.49 each after coupons!

One-A-Day Multivitamins, 60-200 ct, (100ct for $9.79 according to Walgreens.com)
Use $6 In Ad Coupon +
Use $1 coupon 1/4 SS
$2.79 after both coupons!

Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent 26 or 32 loads at $6.99 BOGO
Use 2 $1 printable coupon
$4.99 for both ($2.50 each) after coupons!

REGISTER REWARD DEALS

MONEY MAKER!
Gillette Fusion Gamer Razor at $8.99
Get $6 in Register Rewards back when you buy one
Use $4 coupon from 2/8 P&G inserts
$1.01 in overage after coupon and RR’s

FREEBIE!
Excedrin 20 or 24ct at $1.99, Get $1 in RR’s wyb 1
Use $1 coupon from 1/4 inserts
FREE after coupon and RR’s!

ALMOST FREE!
Gillette Embrace Razor at $8.99, Get $6 in RR’s wyb 1
Use $2 coupon from 2/8 P&G inserts
$.99 each after coupon and RR’s!

MONTHLY FREE AFTER REBATE DEALS

MONEY MAKER!
Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer or Spa Foundation
Use $2/1 coupons in 1/11 or 2/8 SS
Submit for ESR #2, Get up to $10 wyb 1
$2 overage after coupons and ESR!

MONEY MAKER!
Revlon Creme Lip Gloss
Use $2/1 coupons in 1/11 SS
Submit for ESR #4, Get up to $10 wyb 1
$2 overage after coupons and ESR!

MONEY MAKER!
Zucol Cold Care Lozenges 18pk
Use $2/1 coupon in 2/1 SS
Submit for ESR #1, Get up to $7.99 wyb 1
$2 overage after coupons and ESR!

MONEY MAKER!
Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers 6.8-13oz
Use $1 coupons in 1/4 or 2/8 RP
Submit for ESR #3, Get up to $4.29 wyb 1
$1 overage after coupons and ESR!

MONEY MAKER!
Therma Care Trial Size Neck, Shoulder & Wrist heat Wrap
Use $1 coupon in 1/4 RP
Submit for ESR #6, Get up to $2.49 wyb 1
$1 overage after coupons and ESR!

FREEBIE!
Walgreens MultiPurpose No Rub Solution 4oz
Submit for ESR #5, Get up to $1.99 wyb 1
FREE after ESR!

Abbreviations: B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free, B1G1-50% = Buy One Get One Half Off, ESR = Easy Saver Rebate, MIR = Mail In Rebate, RR’S = Register Rewards, WYB = When You Buy

*Remember you can also use a mfg coupon plus a Walgreen’s ad together for even greater savings!

Remember to check that have you the right item by stopping by the price scanner. If the price is different than the ad price double check the size of the product with the ad.

These are just the deals that stand out as HOT DEALS, check your ad for more bargains!

$25 Rx coupon for Gift card w/ any transferred Rx! (expires 4/4/09)

SUNDAY – MONDAY DEALS
Cadbury or Hershey’s Mini Eggs 1.5oz or chocolate egg 1-1.37oz at $.49 Limit 8
Use $.50/2 coupon found on some tear pads (YMMV)
$.48 for 2 if you have the tear pad coupon otherwise it’s $.49 each!

Gold Emblem Spices 0.25-8oz (excludes pure vanilla extract) at $.77 Limit 5

V05 shampoo or conditioner 15oz at $.77 Limit 6

Aquafresh 6-6.4oz, Ultrabrite 6oz, Gleem 6.4oz or Colgate cavity 4.6oz at $.88 Limit 5
Use $.75 off Colgate in the 2/22 SS
$.13 after coupon!

ECB DEALS

FREEBIE!
Gillette Fusion Gamer, Venus Embrace or Spa Breeze razor at $7.99, Get $4 ECB’s Limit 1
Use $4 any Fusion razor coupon in the 2/8 P&G
Use $2 any Venus razor coupon in the 2/8 P&G
Fusion Gamer Free ($1.99 Venus razor) after coupon & ECB’s!

NEARLY FREE!
Nyquil, Dayquil or Casero Liquid at 2/$9.98, Get $5 ECB’s Limit 5
Use 2 $1.50 off Nyquil or Dayquil in the 1/18 or 2/8 P&G
2/$1.98 ($.99 each) after coupons and ECB’s!

NEARLY FREE!
Maybelline Dream Mousse Matte Foundation or Dream Matte Powder (psa $8.39), Get $5 ECBs Limit 1
Use $2 off foundation in the 2/8 RP
$1.39 after coupons and ECB’s! (If you can find foundation at $8.39)

Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Lipstick and Lip Gloss at $8.99, Get $5 ECB’s Limit 1
Use $1 off any lip product in the 2/8 RP
$2.99 after coupon and ECB’s!

Schick Intuition Plus at $8.99, Get $4 ECB’s Limit 1
Use $2 off coupon in the 1/25 SS
$2.99 after coupons and ECB’s!

7-Up 12-pks, at 4/$12, Get $3 ECB’s Limit 1
Use $1 off 7-Up printable
$1.75 each or 4/$7 after coupons and ECB’s!

Buy $20 Revlon Cosmetics, Get $10 ECB’s Limit 2
Coupons available:
$1.00 off Revlon Beauty Tool any in the 2/8 SS
$1.00 off Revlon Beauty Tool any in the 11/16 SS
$1.00 off Revlon Color Cosmetic any in the 11/16 SS
$1.00 off Revlon Color Cosmetic any in the 11/16 SS
$2.00 off Revlon Color Cosmetic product any in the 2/8 SS
$1.00 off Revlon Color Cosmetic product any in the 2/8 SS
$1.00 off Revlon Color Cosmetic product any in the 12/7 SS
$1.00 off Revlon Color Cosmetic product any in the 12/7 SS
Final price varies

OTHER DEALS
Beggin’ Stips dog treats at 2/$7
Use B1G1 FREE coupon  in the 1/11 SS
$3.50 ($1.75 each) for both after coupon!

MONTHLY ECB DEALS

FREEBIE!
Buy 1 Stayfree pads 14-24 ct. at $3.99, Earn $2 ECB’s Limit 5
Try this scenario:
Buy 2 Stayfree pads at $3.99 each
Use B1G1 coupon in the 1/4 RP
FREE after coupon and ECB’s!

FREEBIE!
Buy 1 CVS Children’s Chewable Aspirin (36 ct.) at $1.99, Get $1.99 ECB’s Limit 1
Free after ECB’s!

FREEBIE!
Extreme Energy 6-hour shot at $4.99, Get $4.99 ECB’s Limit 1
Free after ECB’s!

FREEBIE!
Earinse at $7.99, Get $7.99 ECB’s Limit 2
Free after ECB’s

FREEBIE!
Gillette Shampoo or Conditioner at $4.99, Get $3 ECB’s Limit 5
Use $2/1 coupon  in the 1/18 P&G
Free after ECB’s

FREEBIE!
BodiHeat Pain Relieving Heat Pad 3 ct at $3.99, Get $3 ECB’s Limit 5
Look for $1/1 peel-off coupon on the packages
Free after coupon and ECB’s

POSSIBLE MONEY MAKER!
Buy 1 Renuzit TriScents at $5.49, Get $2 ECB’s Limit 5
Use $5/1 peel-off coupon found on some packages
Free plus overage after coupon and ECB’s
Abbreviations:
B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free, B1G1-50% = Buy One Get One Half Off, ECB = Extra Care Bucks, MIR = Mail In Rebate, YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary

Pick up your CVS $25 Minute Clinic Coupon Book – I’m unsure if this is only at CVS stores that have Minute Clinic’s or if all stores are carrying them.
This has been spotted near the pain relief aisle and the pharmacy area, it is red, white & blue and the front cover reads:

Up to $35 in Savings!
Minute Clinic / CVS Pharmacy

It contains the following coupons:
$2.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand cold remedies product
$2.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand pain relief product $1.99 and up
$2.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand children’s remedy product
$2.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand allergy remedies product
$1.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand facial tissues 200 ct. or larger
$2.00 off any Life Fitness vitamins or supplements
$1.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand first aid product
$2.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand stomach remedy product
$2.00 off any Life Fitness foot care product
$2.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand vitamin or supplement
$1.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand hand sanitizer 8oz. or larger
$2.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand hand or body lotion 16 oz. or larger
$1.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand medication management product
$1.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand ear care product
$1.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand eye care product
$1.00 off any CVS pharmacy brand liquid nutrition product

All coupons expire March 31, 2009

Some of these might make great fillers on your CVS shopping trips!