If It's For Free It's For Me!!

In the past 6 months I have tried to become VERY frugal. I don't mean cheap, I mean FRUGAL :) And one of the ways I do that is by going to "frugal blogs/websites". There are so many blogs out there that people dedicate themselves to finding those crazy good deals and freebies. I request freebies all the time and several times a week I get my freebies in the mail. I get things like sample size lotions, shampoos and conditioners, tampons (all great for my travel bag), sample size coffees, teas, snacks, cereals, etc, etc. All these samples usually come with a really good coupon to try their product.
And I also love coupons, they are my best shopping buddy :) I love the thrill of the hunt! Finding the best deal out there. On an average, I save between $20-30 dollars just with coupons (this doesn't include things I find on clearance or on sale) each time I get groceries. I know it's not that much, but hey, something is something. Now, I DON'T use coupons just to say I used a coupon, that would not be frugal. I try to find the best scenario, if using a coupon doesn't make me come out ahead, it doesn't get used. Here's another bonus about coupons, at most stores, you can use a Manufacturer's coupon (ex: one that you cut out of the newspaper etc...) AND a store coupon for the same item. I do this all the time at Target, for example: you have a manufacturer's coupon for $1 off cheerios and a target coupon for $.50 off cheerios, you can combine these coupons and get a box of cheerios like a dollar. :) If you didn't already know, you can print Target coupons by going to their website and scrolling all the way down to the bottom and there's a link that says grocery coupons and then just select the ones you want and print. Some of this is probably old had to a lot of you, but I just wanted to share in case someone didn't know :)
Here are a couple of websites that I visit all the time to check out the latest deals around:

http://hip2save.com/
She always has great deals and she's funny :)

http://www.totallytarget.com/
I love this one because I shop at Target all the time and this one is all about Target and the good deals.


Today, when the mail came it was like I hit the jackpot :)
Here's what I got:

A huge sample of Rachael Ray's dog food "Nutrish" AND a coupon for a FREE BAG!

A sample box of 3 tampons, always useful :)
Crest whitening strips...hey, who doesn't need whiter teeth right?? Along with coupons.

A Target coupon book with 24 great coupons. Especially since Target is my absolute favorite store!
A gift card from Chase Bank when you open up a checking account. I kid you not, just 3 or 4 days ago, Abel and I both agreed we were going to switch banks, to that's right, Chase. AND now they want to give me free $....done deal!!
A coupon for $10 off a $20 purchase at Office Max. Again, I kid you not, 2 days ago we ran out of ink in our printer and I had a coupon just like this but it was expired. Lo and behold, a new one in the mail today!!
And last but not least, a $5 off a $25 purchase at Toys R Us...hey, $5 is $5 :)