MGR Monday: February 22, 2010

MGR has a hashtag to use on Twitter!

When you post to another MGR member or link back to our site, www.mygreatretreat.com ,  use #mgr or #MGR in your tweet. It will help create a bit of buzz and will help us find each other on twitter.

Money Saving Monday: Stretching that dollar at Target

Would you believe me if I told you that I think shopping at Target (or Super Target) is actually cheaper than Wal*Mart for your groceries and household goods? Probably not. But more often than not, it's true. In fact, I find it so true, I no longer shop at Wal*MArt, for anything.

At the beginning of my coupoing journey, I dragged my mom along for the ride. My mom, mind you, was a die-hard Wal*Mart shopper. Every Friday we'd load up and head to FIVE different grocery stores for "the best deals". (Of course my argument was if Wal*Mart is so great, why are we spending hours driving to all these other places??). It was all this crazy running around, and my being immensely pregnant with baby #3 that made me say "Enough!" and I learned how to coupon the right way. Within a couple weeks I stopped going to all those stores and forced my mom into going alone. Two whole months later I *finally* convinced her that we could get our groceries for cheaper at Publix (and the occasional trip to Super Target) than Wal*Mart or any of those other places. She now never shops at Wal*Mart. Hooray!

Now during the time I was teaching/convincing my mom we did a little recon at Super Target. I am like a human price book when it comes to the things we frequently buy (yes, as in I remember the prices not only for my families items, but my moms as well, lol). So she would point out something there, look at the price, and I'd tell her Wal*Marts price. But that's not all. It's not just the everyday pricing that has me loving Target more (or the cleaner stores, or the friendlier service....) but it just so happens that Target has a *fantastic* coupon policy. (You can check out their policy HERE) They allow you to not only use a manufacturer coupon per item but you can also use a Target coupon AND manufacturer coupon per item! Wal*Mart has no coupons folks, so right there alone Target has them beat.

There are now 2 great ways to get Target coupons. You can either print them from HERE or you can now receive Mobile Coupons that you can sign up for HERE.

I wanted to show you how great some deals can be with these Target coupons.
Gillette Venus Embrace Razor (purchase 2)
Sale Price: $6.99
Use: (2) $2/1 mfr q (2/7 PG) AND (2) Free Olay Body Wash wyb Venus Embrace or Breeze Razor (2/7 PG)
Receive: Free $5 giftcard with purchase of any 2 Gillette products listed
Final Cost, OOP: $9.98
Final Cost after GC: $4.98. or $2.50 each
*Sweeten this deal and save an additional $2/1 if you've signed up for Target Mobile coupons. *

Gillette Fusion Razor (purchase 2)
Sale Price: $6.99
Use: (2) $4/1 mfr q (2/7 PG)
Receive: Free $5 giftcard with purchase of any 2 Gillette products listed
Final Cost, OOP: $5.98
Final Cost after GC: $0.98
*Sweeten this deal and save an additional $2/1 if you've signed up for Target Mobile coupons. *


I have also already taken the time to do some manufacturer coupon match ups with the current Target mobile coupons:
$2/1 Gillette Fusion Razor
Pair up with: $4/1 Gillette Fusion mfr q from 2/7 P&G insert

$2/1 Gillette Venus Razor
Pair up with: $2/1 Gillette Venus mfr q from 2/7 P&G insert
AND
with: Free Olay Body Wash when you purchase a Venus Razor mfr q from 2/7 P&G insert

Yesterday I got these:
$1/1 Kraft Cheese (chunk or shredded)
Pair up with: $1/2 Kraft mfr q from 1/24 Smart Source insert (or check here or here)

$1/1 Planters food products (5oz or larger)
Pair up with: $1/2 Planters mfr q from 1/24 Smart Source insert

$0.75/1 M&Ms Premium chocolate candies (6oz or larger)

$3/1 The Fragrance Collection by Glade (excludes 2 oz mini candle)
Pair up with: $3/1 The Fragrance Collection any product mfr from 2/7 Smart Source insert
OR
with: $3/1 The Fragrance Collection any 10oz Candle or Reed Diffuser mfr q from 1/24 Smart Source insert

Quite a few good deals! The Razors would be wicked cheap (especially with the current Gift Card deal going on) and using the $3 off mfr q for any Glade should mean a free or very cheap candle!

I hope I have opened your eyes to stretching your dollar when shopping at Target!!

Please feel free to check out my blog, Saving Obsession, and become a follower to see hot deals and coupons every day!

                 Happy Savings!

Calling All WAHM's! We'd Love Your Help!

MGR would love to help you get your products out there!

Calling All WAHMs!

My Great Retreat needs your help!

This is growing into such a wonderful and loving community, which is just what we want! The problem is love alone doesn't cover the cost of running a board, and this is where we need your help. My Great Retreat is going to be offering a host of different raffles and/or auctions to keep this site alive and well! We are currently looking for any WAHM who is willing to donate one (or more!) of their items to be raffled or auctioned here on the site. It doesn't have to be anything large, or high dollar (although a minimum of $10 value would be appreciated).

Just think, not only will you be helping out our great community, but you'll be getting your business out there as well! And we all know that WAHM's can use all the advertising they can get.

So please, I hope you'll consider helping us out. If you would like to, please just shoot me a PM! Thank you!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've decided we'll do 1-2 auctions/raffles per week as donations allow. If you're going to donate, please PM me the following info:

Item(s) to be donated (if more than one please let me know if you want them auctioned together or separate)
Retail Value
Shipping Costs to winner
Website (if you have one)
Picture of item(s)
When the items will be available

Weekly Deal Wednesday: Publix Shoppers!

Let's just get to it shall we? There are some great deals this week!

Acronyms found here
Order extra mfr coupons from here or here
And remember, if your store doubles coupons, your final cost will be less than what I've stated (lucky you!)


 
Chapstick Medicated
Price: $1.49, Buy 2
Use: (1) $0.50/2 mfr q (12/13 RP) AND (2) $1/1 Publix q (Green Adv. Flyer)
Final Cost: $0.48, or $0.24 each

Chapstick Original, Cherry, or Moisturizing
Price: $1.49, Buy 3
Use: (1) $1/3 mfr q (1/31 RP) AND (3) $1/1 Publix q (Green Adv. Flyer)
Final Cost: $0.47, or $0.16 each

Classico Pasta or Alfredo Sauce
Sale: BOGO Price: $2.49
Use: (2) $0.75/1 mfr q (1/10 SS)
Final Cost: $0.99, or $0.49 each
OR use (1) Free Pasta Sauce wyb Alfredo Sauce (1/10 SS)
Final Cost: Free (if you live in FL)

Nestle Coffemate Chilled Creamer
Sale: BOGO Price: $2.19
Use: (2) $0.75/1 mfr q (Print IP) OR (1) $1/2 mfr q (Print IP)
Final Cost: $0.69, or $0.34 each OR $1.19, $0.59 each
*If your store accepts Food Lion as a competitor use (2) $1/1 FLIPs combined with either of the above mfr q to get free creamer! Or use them alone to get creamer for $0.19!

For the rest of my Weekly Deals, click the button below to check them out on my blog!

Win It Wednesday: MLK Designs

Come check out the awesome giveaway on Meghan's blog at Tuckers Take Tennessee

This week, get a FREE design by MLK Designs! Enter now through 9pm CST tonight!

Intro to Money Saving Monday

Hi! My name is Micael (or The Deal Diva as they call me over on My Great Retreat)! Each Monday I'm going to be bringing you a little slice of what I talk about on my blog: saving money...and a lot of it!

A little about me: I'm about to be 26 (!), I have 3 lovely daughters, and I am a busy busy busy stay at home mom to them. I love to sew, craft, create, bake, sleep, be outside, and wouldn't you know... I love coupons too. ;) I got into couponing in November 2008. But I failed miserably at it. I did all the common mistakes most newbies make and ended up spending way more than I normally would, so I quit. But in March 2009 I took another stab at it, and by George I got it! It took countless weeks of research and loads of trial and error, but I got it. (Don't worry, I'm currently putting finishing touches on my couponing E-book that simplifies couponing by giving you detailed information all in one spot so you don't have to waste all that time!) From March - December 2009 I was able to save my family just over $6,000.00! That's no typo, I really saved 6 thousand dollars in 9 months! I always get asked "But can you get stuff you really need?" And the answer is a big fat YES! Do you use household cleaners? Do you use toiletries such as shampoo, razors, and toothpaste? Do you eat things like Kelloggs, Post, or General Mills cereal, fruits and veggies, crackers, soups? If you answered yes to any of those, then I've proven my point: you can use coupons for things you use. (Please note: that is a ridiculously small list in comparison to things you can indeed buy with coupons and smart shopping!!)

On Money Saving Mondays I'm going to post on several different topics. It could be a tip for when shopping with coupons, tips for maximizing your dollars, hot deals, or anything else that I can come up with the help save you money!

Here's what I'm going to tell you today to prep you for the beginning of your saving journey:
1. Where ever it is you do your grocery shop, find out their coupon policy. (And in most areas I will tell you that you can save more at your local grocery store than even Wal*Mart. Yes, I'm serious.)
2. Start making sure you receive at least 1-2 Sunday newspapers (the best source for your coupons!). If you live in Central Florida, click here for discounted rates I can give you!
3. Join in on our Savings Challenge! All you have to do is set a personal goal for your family for the year, and post each month how much you've saved. Sign up here and I'll be answering any questions you may have here. (If you're not a member of My Great Retreat yet, come join us! It's free, and lots of fun. In the referral box let them know Micael sent you!)
4. Start reading things on my blog to see what types of things I'll be teaching you!

Alright, so who's excited to start saving money?!

Scrappin' Sunday: 2/14/10

Book Of Me Prompt For This Week:

Scrap about your favorite color and post it here for us to see!

Some of the ones that have already been submitted are:

Fun Friday!!! What Does your Candy Heart Say About You??

I thought this would be fun for Valentine's Day. What Does your Candy Heart Say about you?

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

     

Thrifty Thursday-February 11, 2010

Please join us at My Great Retreat for our 2010 Savings Challenge

Here are some savings you can find this week:
Preschoolians shoes-overstock sale 30% off plus free shipping

1-800-FLOWERS free shipping/no service charge (no code needed)

Free Ecards

Restaurant.com-
The new 80% off discount code for Restaurant.com is: HEART

free bowling at Brunswick Bowling

Walgreens.com
25 free 4X6 prints when you buy 25 or more (exp 2-13)
Coupon code Love10

 

Win It Wednesday: Bebebows!

Meghan has great giveaways on Wednesdays!

This week Bebebows is giving away a $30 voucher to their store! Adorable products for your little girl or great for gifts too!

Enter here for your chance to win!

http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4210

Tuesday's Top Ten: 2/9/10

Come check out Tuesday's Top Ten at MGR! Some of the items that made this week's list are below! Adorable products and top notch sellers!

MGR Monday: February 8, 2010

Whats going on this week at MGR?

Join in our Referral Contest! Winner gets $25 cash via paypal! Click here to join in!

A great prize is being given away in February for the Facebook contest! Make sure you're a "fan" of MGR on Facebook and answer the QOTD's when they are posted, to get your chance to win! Click here!

Come get to know "OhhMomma". She is our member of the week!

Do you have recipes? Want some new recipes? Come here and enter your recipes for our site's cookbook we are having printed later this year.

Are you a WAHM and like to get your name out? We'd love to help! Click here for our banner advertising or visit our WAHM forums for free advertising.

We are looking to add another Resident Designer. Do you love to design signature, banners, avatars? Come help us out! Click here for more info.

Do you love natural bath and body products? Come join in our co-op with Naturally Pampered! Great discounted prices!

Hope your week is great! Happy Valentines Day! 

Fun Friday!! What Flavor Toothpaste Are You?

My kids had to go to the dentist the other day for a checkup, so I thought this would be a fun quiz. What Flavor Toothpaste are You?

You Are Bubblegum Flavored Toothpaste

You are impulsive about most things in life, and you can't say no to fun! You are always in search of a new adventure. You try to lighten up every task and bring a little zing to your day. You like whimsical little treats, like bubblegum Like everyone else, you have your struggles and problems in life. Unlike everyone else, you don't let the difficulty of life get you down. The world may be a harsh place, but knowing that you can bring sunshine into other people's lives keeps you going.

What Flavor Toothpaste Are You?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Tasty Tuesday: Rib-Eye with Whiskey Cream Sauce

I have loved every recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Yesterday was my husband's birthday, so I decided to give this recipe a try. I made some modifications but it turned out great!!

Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce
5 tbsp butter
3 tbsp diced onion
1/4 cup whiskey (I substituted a dry white wine)
1/4 cup beef stock
salt and pepper
1/4 cream
2 rib eye steaks
**I also added some chopped up mushrooms when I added the onion**
Melt 2 tbsp butter. Add onion (and mushrooms) and cook until brown. Turn off burner and add whiskey (or wine) Turn burner back on and add beef stock and salt and pepper. Whisk in 1 tbsp butter and allow to bubble for 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low and whisk in cream. I then covered while I cooked the steaks.
Melt 2 tbsp butter in large skillet. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Add steaks to hot skillet. Pioneer Woman recommends 2 minutes on each side for a thin steak to be cooked medium rare. A thicker steak will be 3-4 minutes. After the steak is done, cover with the sauce and enjoy!!!

MGR Monday: February 1, 2010

We have lots going on and many new members! Thats awesome!

So a little rundown about the happenings on MGR...

1. We have many new members who haven't gotten involved or posted an intro yet. If this is you, we really are excited you are here and cant wait to get to know you and see you more involved. Check out the "Getting To Know You" forum and post an intro today!

2. An awesome co-op is going on right now. Naturally Pampered. To join in and get some great deals click here: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4039 Our next co-op this month will be with Everyday Minerals. Make sure to check out the Co-op Calendar for more details.

3. WAHM Banner Advertising Special! We have a special going on for our WAHM's! If you are a WAHM or own a business/blog and want to advertise for an affordable price on our forums, then this is for you! Check out this thread for more details: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=3957

4. We have several swaps going on this month. Right now you could join in the "All About Kids" Swap. Click here to join: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4017  Also, later this month we'll be having a Pamper Mama Swap. Don't miss out!

5. Love to send little somethings to others anonymously? Or do you have a few things that you are in need that you would love to receive from someone randomly in the mail? Join in the Blessings forum. Click here for more details: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=122

6. Our Referral Contest is now open! You could be the winner of $25 cash via paypal from our admin! Make sure you check out this thread to see how you could win! http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4041

7. Make sure you're a follower of our blog! http://mygreatretreat.blogspot.com

We hope you have a great month and can't wait to see you around!

MGR Team