Transformation Tuesday - Week 9

It's Week 9 of the Transformation and Biggest Loser contest.

We are almost to the end of the contest, and I thought it would be a good time to reflect back on the changes I've made so far.  To be honest, I didn't really think I would stick with it this long.  Now that I've made it this far, I really think I have a chance at meeting my goal in May 2012.  Here are some of the "transformations" I have seen in myself - 
   - I eat vegetables, and lots of them (and I LIKE them!!)
   - I don't drink much soda - a HUGE accomplishment for a former Dr. Pepper addict
   - I don't eat as much meat, and I don't miss it
   - I feel more comfortable in clothes without elastic waists :o)
   - I feel a sense of accomplishment, not depression when I step on the scale


Those are just the first 5 that came to mind, but overall, I am a lot happier with myself right now than I was 9 weeks ago.  So far, I've lost just shy of 21 pounds and I'm determined to lose 68-78 more by next spring.  I know I can do it. 


If you have a healthy tip or weight loss story to share, I'd love to hear it.  If you are thinking about taking the first step to a healthier you, I'd love you have you join me on my journey.  Studies show that people who lose weight "together" are more successful and have longer lasting results............

Money Makeover Monday

Are you in the middle of a money makeover?  Have you ever started one, told the world about it and then just sort of abandoned it?  That's where my money makeover is today.  Scott and I started out with the "gazelle like intensity" Dave Ramsey refers to in his book, "The Total Money Makeover," and now we are more like lumbering elephants.  We are still moving in the right direction, but we seem to have lost some of our zeal and drive to push through as quickly as possible.

Don't get me wrong, I still think it's a fantastic program and we are still following the basic principles, just more slowly than we started.   Right now, the plan is to keep plodding along and to work on lighting a fire back under each other so we can pick up some momentum.  We are looking for a Financial Peace University class in our area to attend this fall so we can surround ourselves with others who are working on the same goals and, perhaps, facing the same setbacks.  We want to really build on each step and be able to reinforce the lessons / steps for ourselves.

Our goal is still to have all non-mortgage loans paid in full by the end of March.  I'll be checking in periodically, though not weekly to let you know how it's going.  In the meantime, if any of you have any money makeover stories to share, I could use some motivation and I'm sure others could too.  I look forward to cheering on your successes.

Menu Plans = More Balance

In the past, Sister C has shared how she does menu plans, with certain "themes" for each day of the week.  I (Sister K) do things a little differently.  I work outside my home at least 45 hours each week, so if I don't plan my week out on the weekend, we tend not to get meals worth bragging about for the next week.  (Translation - if I don't get it planned on Sunday, we eat a lot of cereal for the next 5 days.)

I also like to try new things and I'm currently experimenting with a lot of meatless meals.  Here's what is on our menu for this week:

Monday = Chip Hotdish (aka Taco Casserole) with tortilla chips and corn
Tuesday = Wild Rice soup with bread sticks and salad
Wednesday = Cuban Black Beans & Rice (new recipe) with salad
Thursday = Hummus Bruschetta  with Mediterranean salad (new recipe)
Friday = Italian Zucchini (new recipe) with french bread and cucumbers
Sunday = Probably leftovers.......

It works best for me if I do most of my meal planning on Sundays.  I try to pick meals, especially main dishes, that I can make with what I have on hand or what I saw in the sale ads.  That way I can make sure I get the best price on all the ingredients. I usually have to add a few non- sale items to my grocery list, but this way I can limit my spending.  I also try to look at our family activities for the week so I can plan easier meals for busier days.

Do you make meal plans at your house?  I'd love to hear how all of you handle cooking at your house.

Financially Fit Friday

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Sister C motivated :D

Emergency Fund - Stocked

Credit Card Beginning Balance 4/29/11 - $6031.08

• Deposited $1.10 from a return
• Deposited $5.85  in spare change
• Deposited $7 from leftover tips, didn't have enough for each category in our budget, but I "need" to feel like I'm contributing something  :o( 
• Current Balance - $3976.05
• Goal is to have this loan paid off before Halloween - October 31, 2011!

CVS Run

Have you ever gone shopping and afterwards come to the conclusion that you messed up?  lol  Sister C did tonight.  Oh well. 

CVS is having a BOGO 50% off their store brand beauty and health items, plus when you spend $30 you get a $10 EBC.  I also was sent a 20% off coupon, which I learned I couldn't use on sale items.  So I was hoping this was 20% less than what I spent, and it may not seem a lot, but to me it is.  Oh well, again, I learned something new :D

4 CVS Q-Tips 625 count - $3.29, 2nd $1.64
2 - 8ct CVS bar soaps $4.89, 2nd $2.44
2 CVS body wash $3.89, 2nd $1.94
2 CVS Flossers 90 ct,  $2.49, 2nd $1.49
2 Starbursts $3 each
4 CVS 3 count razors - 99c, 2nd .49

• Used BOGO CVS MCS Coupon deducted $4.29
• Used 2-$1 Starburst Coupon

Total $29.42
Saved $17.22
Received $10 EBC

Bread Day

Don't forget, Taystee Bakery Outlet down on 169 has 10% off all their purchases today.  Sister C ran down and got a REALLY great deal - our favorite Sara Lee Soft and Smooth bread was only 75c each :D  There was still 3 shelves full, so go now :D  

Here's what I bought...

5 Sara Lee Soft and Smooth 75c each

2 - 10 ct. flour tortillas $1.49 each

Baking soda 69c

Hamburger buns 99c

FREE WYB $7 worth of items - Brown Sugar Cinnamon Bread

Total after discount - $7.57

*I cannot wait for a house with a basement big enough to hold a full size freezer, I would have cleared one of the three shelves of our favorite bread :D  I'm going to make french toast with 3 of the loaves, and freeze them for future babysitter meals. 

CVS Run

Ooo, I had a fun little trip to CVS.  I didn't know how this would play out - I had a 25% off my purchase coupon.  Now that I know it takes it off the remaining balance after all other CVS coupons were applied, I would have bought something "big" I needed - maybe like the gas card promotion items - to really have saved.  Lesson learned. 


Here's what I got...oh, MCS is the Magic Coupon Scanner...

2 Starburst bags 2/$6
3 VO5 Shampoos 77c each
Huggies Wipes on clearance $1.59
ConAir brush set on clearance $2.19
4 CVS Snack bags 2/$1.99
CVS Body Wash $2.27

• Used $3 off any purchase from CVS Beauty Club Birthday Email
• Used $2 off any ConAir brush from MCS
• Used $2.27 Free CVS Body Wash from Facebook - expired but they still accepted :D
• Used $1 off ANY baby wipes from MCS
• Used $1 ECB
• Used BOGO Starburst from MCS - took off $4.29 instead of $3 :D
• Used 68c from 25% off coupon lol 

Subtotal $4.10 + tax
Saved $23.66 - and I couldn't find my 2 $1 off coupons for the Starburst I printed, this could have been an even better run :D

What did you get at CVS this week?

Target Run

Sister C also ran up to Target tonight.  I wanted to use their $5 off a backpack WYB 4 Kellogg's or Keebler products.  However, their backpacks were pretty slim pickin' for a 2nd grader.  So I skipped the backpack.



I did pick up...

4 Keebler Cookies for kids' school lunches $2.25 each
Tostitos $3 - treat for Hubby R
6 Kraft Mac n Cheese 69c each
2 Danimals $2 each

• Used FREE Keebler Cookies WYB 3 Target Coupon
• Used 2 - 75c off Danimals
• Used $1 off Danimals Target Coupon
• Used 2 - $1/2 Keebler Cookies

Total $12.39 - I could have used one more $1 off Danimals Target Coupon but I forgot it at home. 

Menards Run

So, Sister C is trying to take advantage of Menards' FREE After Mail-In Rebates :D  We need to do a bit of remodeling to get our side of the duplex back up to speed to get a good renter when we want to move out next year.  Menard's sends their rebates in the form of merchandise credit - aka - Menard's Gift Card.  So when the rebates come to me, I'll be using those to buy the products we need to do the fixing up. 

This is what I received this week...

2 Universal Remotes $3.99 each

Sandpaper $4.00

2 LED Flashlights $5.99 each

Peanuts 99c

2 Lightbulbs $3.00

Total $30.95 + tax

Will Receive $26.00 in Rebates :D 

Time to Get out the Apron

I was browsing through the menu plan on Money Saving Mom tonight and found this recipe for homemade granola bars.  My whole family loves granola bars, but they can be expensive and don't usually last long around here.  Since Payton loves to cook, I'm putting the ingredients for these treats on the shopping list and I'm going to spend some quality time with her to give this a try.  Have any of you ever tried something like this?  Did it turn out well?

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Sister S's birthday, and today is Sister C's birthday :D  We are 29 years young, again, and again, and again and again lol  One of my favorite things about my birthday is that I receive A LOT of freebies from local businesses.  Here's what I have received so far...

Applebee's - FREE Dessert

Arby's - FREE Shake with any purchase

Best Buy - $5 off any purchase

Buffalo Wild Wings - FREE Desert - I can't find the link, I'm sorry.

Cold Stone Creamery - BOGO Creation - Bummer, this was always a free with no purchase in the past. 
Culver's - FREE One-Scoop Sundae

CVS Beauty Club - $3 off any purchase at CVS

Dairy Queen - BOGO Medium Blizzard Treat

Jersey Mike's Subs - FREE Sub

Mr. Goodcent Subs - FREE Half Sub

Noodle's and Company - FREE Entree

Old Navy - $10 off $50 purchase

River Hills Mall - You can choose your own local mall :D - $10 Mall Gift Card - YAY :D

Shopko - 20% off any purchase - normally only ten, so I got a bonus this year :D

SwagBucks - 50 Bonus SwagBucks

What have you signed up for that I haven't?  I'll be looking forward to next year as I add more companies to my list lol :D

Free Collage from Walgreen's

Type in code "PRINTONE" to receive a free 8x10 from Walgreen's.  This code is valid through tomorrow.

Take Your Pennies to Office Max This Week

 Hi Friends -

Sister K's family was out and about this afternoon and stopped in Office Max.  We scored some great school supplies for under $2.00, no coupons required.


Here's what we found:

• Plastic Rulers, $0.01 each, limit 3 (we only need 1, but got 3 anyway so we can donate 1 or 2)
• Notebooks, $0.05 each, limit 5 (we don't really need any of these either, but they will be used someday, or we can donate some)
• Protractors, $0.05 each, limit 3 (we actually do need 2 of these, and one can be donated)
• Compass, $1.29 each, regular price (I just haven't caught a sale on these - the $0.01 metal compass that was on sale this week was already sold out and we drop off school supplies Wednesday so I had to grab the plastic one)

Total before tax = $1.72

I have to confess that I've never shopped much at Office Max in past years and would not have guessed that they have such great sales.  I never even used to look at their ad.  However, this year I've gotten quite a few school supplies there, and will definitely be watching their ads more closely from now on.  Since they are right next door to my Hy-Vee, it's easy to stop in for one or two items each week.

They were quite busy today, so if you do still need any of the items I mentioned, I'd get there early in the week before they run out.

Elmer's Glue

If you are headed to Hy-Vee this week, make sure to take your Walgreen's ad (the paper that wrapped around the ad to be specific) and grab 2 Elmer's Glue for your kids' school list!  Hy-Vee will price match Walgreen's at 29c each!  PLUS, make sure to scan your UPromise card to get 75c WYB 2 Elmer's Glue :D  So you will make money on this deal!  Sister C did!  Go HERE to enter for a chance to win some great Elmer's products!

Financially Fit Friday

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Sister C motivated :D

Emergency Fund - Stocked

•  We didn't have to dip into this fund for paying babysitters - I made enough last Sunday to cover it until we were paid on Tuesday :D   

Credit Card Beginning Balance 4/29/11 - $6031.08

• Deposited $310 from paychecks.  Oh it feels good to be able to pay this down this week :D 
• Current Balance - $3990
• I realized that I never set a date for this loan to be paid off. If any of you do goal setting, you know this is Rule #2! So, this loan will be paid off before Halloween - October 31, 2011!

Walgreen's Run

Sister C made a few trips to Walgreen's today.  I can't pass up their $3 pizzas!  And I decided to totally take advantage of their RRs and make a few transactions.  I normally don't do this as I personally don't want to take the time when I'm shopping with kids to figure out which items go on which transaction :D 

Instead of just buying the $3 pizzas, I decided to buy some items I could use and use the RRs I got on those products to pay for my pizzas...


Transaction #1 -#3
Listerine Smart Rinse $3

• used $1 off coupon

Total $2 x 3 transactions = $6 + tax
Received 3- $2RR

Transaction #4
Listerine Smart Rinse $3
2 TicTacs on clearance (cheaper than Hy-Vee's sale) 89c each
4 Cups (gifts for my kiddos) 50c WYB 2 or more

• used 2 - 75c off TicTacs
• used $1 off Smart Rinse

Total $4.28
Received $2RR

Transaction #5 - This is when I felt bad, there were 2 people line now,but it went quick!
2 Cafe W Pizzas $3 each

• Used 2 - $2RR from previous transactions - I forgot you can only use 2 coupons since I only bought 2 items

Total $2

Total Spent at Downtown Walgreens $10.28
Total Saved $28.80

Then I ran to the Madison Ave Walgreens because I still wanted more pizzas :D

Transaction #1
4 Lysol Disinfecting Wipes $2.50 each
2 Lysol Bathroom Cleaners $2.50 each
1 Crayola Crayons (they actually had quite a few left!)

• used 2 - $1/2 Lysol DisinfectingWipes
• used $1/2 Lysol Bathroom Cleaners
• used $2RR from Downtown Walgreens

Total $11 + tax
Received $5RR from Lysol, $1RR from Crayola
Normally Walgreens has taken as many coupons as there are items.  For example, if you were buying 10 items, you can use 10 coupons (manufacturer, Walgreens or RRs).  However, I was not able to use an extra RR in this transaction because the coupons I used for the Lysol were for when you buy TWO products and the coupon is making the register count it as TWO coupons.  Just a heads up for you! 

Transaction #2
2 Cafe W Pizzas $3 each

• used $5RR from previous transaction
• used $1RR from previous transaction

Total $0 + no tax on food :D

Total Spent at Madison Ave Walgreens $11+tax
Total Saved $I don't know - I can't find my receipt!!  But it's a good number lol 

I spent just over $21 + tax today.  And I still have one $2RR to use up, and I found another $1RR hidden in my Walgreen's slot in my accordian file :D 

Bread Day

 If you like just plain old white bread, then head to Kwik Trip this week.  Their 16 oz Classic White Bread are on sale 2/$1! 

I, Sister C, also ran down to the Taystee Outlet to see what their deals where.  The bread is cheaper at Kwik Trip, so I bought other things/specialty breads.  If you need hamburger buns, the Ballpark Hamburger Buns are only 60c!!

I bought...

2 Wheat English Muffins 75c each
Cinnamon Sugar Bread $1.25
2 "Oreo" type cookies 99c each
2 Blueberry Mini Bagels $1.75 each
Mustard 50c
Soft & Smooth Bread FREE WYB $7 worth of items

Total $8.73
Minus 10% because it's Wednesday
Total Spent - $7.86

Remember, they have all kinds of "specialty" breads - 100% Whole Wheat, 100% Whole Grains, etc that Sara Lee makes, so if you typically buy or like these kinds of breads, definitely stop by! 

Penny Deal at Office Max

 I went to Hy-Vee to get groceries today and stopped in at Office Max to stock up on paper.  They have a coupon in this week's ad to get a package of multi-purpose white paper for $2 each, limit 2.  They also have filler paper, 100 sheet package, for just $0.01 each with a limit of 3.  I did two transactions and got 2 packs of printer paper and 6 packs of filler paper for $4.35.  My school supply shelf is almost fully stocked.  Yeah!!

Financially Fit Friday

Have you started a money makeover?  What are you planning on paying CASH for?  What bill are you paying off?  Share a bit of your story!  No story is too small to share!  Real life stories keep Sister C motivated :D

Emergency Fund - Stocked

Indiana Fund (Goal is $500)

• We won't be stocking this fund again for a few months.  Grandpa will be visiting us instead.  Current balance is 0.

Colorado Fund (Goal is $250) - I leave August 15th!

• Deposited $14 Fun Money
• Total - $166.77

Best Buy Credit Card Beginning Balance 7/18/11 - $895

• Deposited $414 in leftover income.
• Deposited $6.55 in spare change.
• Deposited $9.45 from selling some kids shoes.
• Current Balance - $0! 
• It took us less than three weeks to get rid of this loan once we started making large payments!!  One more card to get rid of and we can save for a HOUSE!!!  Stay tuned for details on our "dream starter home" list :o)

Credit Card Beginning Balance 4/29/11 - $6031.08

• The Balance Transfer went through!  Now that the other loan is paid off, lets get this one done so we can save for a house!
• Current Balance - $4300
• I realized that I never set a date for this loan to be paid off.  If any of you do goal setting, you know this is Rule #2!  So, this loan will be paid off before Halloween - October 31, 2011!

Sister K's CVS Mistake Pays Off

Hi again - Sister K made a second trip to CVS on Sunday.  I was able to take advantage of the extra ECB I didn't use on Saturday to score what may be my all time best CVS deal ever.  All of these deals are still active, in case you have some of the same coupons.......

I did 2 transactions this time, but only because I forgot to grab the milk the first time.
I started with $28 in ECB due to my oversight on Saturday.

Transaction #1:
4 Skippy Natural Peanut Butter
    on sale 3/$5 or $1.67 each, used (2) $1/2 MQ = $4.67 for 4 jars (GREAT price for this kind)
2 Skinny Cow Crisp Bars
    on sale $0.99, used B1G1, earned $0.99 ECB = FREE
3 Red Baron Singles Pizzas
    on sale 2/$6 or $3 each, used (3) $1/1 MQ = $6.00 for 3
6 Suave Professionals Shampoo / Conditioner
    on sale 3/$5 or $1.67 each, used (2) $1.50/3 from Cub peelie, earned $3 ECB = $4.00 for 6
1 Complete Saline
    used rain check from previous ad for sale price of $7.99, used $1/1 MQ, earned $7.99 ECB = FREE
1 Coppertone Sunscreen
    on sale $8.99, used $1/1 MQ, earned $2 ECB = $5.99
1 Gold Emblem Popcorn
    regular price $1.27, used Coupon Machine coupon for $2 off = FREE  (my oldest was shopping with me so I used this to let her pick a treat of her choice.)
1 Emerald Almonds
    on sale 3/$10 or $3.34, used $1/1 MQ = $2.34 (GREAT price for this)

Also used a CVS $10/$50 coupon and $26 in ECB.
My total OOP before tax ended up at $0.99 and I saved $67.70!!!
I also earned an additional $16.99 in ECB!!!

Transaction #2:

I forgot the milk the first time.

2 Milk = $2.19 each (Best price in town on milk)

Used $4 in ECB from transaction #1

Total OOP = $0.38, saved $6.00

So....... I spent under $3.00, including tax and saved over $73!!!!  I'm still on cloud nine.......

Sister K's CVS Mistake

Sister K made 2 runs to CVS this week.  I'll share them both so hopefully you can learn from my mistake first, then go out and do better than I did.  ;o)

My first run was inspired by Sister C who got the great deal on Scott toilet paper last week.  I am embarassed to admit I actually ran out of TP this week, so I was excited to try to score this good deal.  Although I did get the TP, and I saved quite a bit, it could have been better.  See if you can figure out where I went wrong:

I did two transactions in order to maximize my savings and ECBs.  I started with $11 in ECB.

Transaction #1:

1 Papermate Pens 8 ct

    on sale for $1.99, got $1.99 ECB = FREE

1 Crest Pro White 4 oz

    on sale for $2.19, used $0.75/1 MQ, earned $2 ECB = FREE

1 Optifree Saline 2 pack

    on sale $14.99, used $3/1 MQ, earned $5 ECB = $6.99

1 U by Kotex

    on sale $3.49, used $1/1 MQ, earned $2 ECB = $0.49

1 Renu Saline 1 pack

    on sale $7.89, used $2/1 MQ, earned $6 ECB = FREE

1 Crest Pro Health 6 oz

    not on sale ( I thought it was) $4.29, used $0.75/1 MQ, un-earned* $2 ECB = $1.54

Also used a CVS coupon for $5/25 and $11 ECB

My OOP before tax was $12.14 and I saved $30.30

I ended up with $18.99 in ECB because *I made the cashier print out the Crest ECB I thought I earned but didn't.

Transaction #2:

4 Scott Toilet Paper

    on sale $7.49 each, no coupons :o(, earned $10 ECB as sub for gas card promo = $29.96

2 Skintimate Shave Cream

    on sale $2.19 each, used $1.50/1 on each one = $0.69 each

2 Schick Quattro Razor 3ct

    on sale $8.99 each, used B1G1 and $1/1 - (The B1G1 gave the scanner trouble and ended up taking off $13.99.  The cashier looked up the price and gave it to me anyway, yeah!) = $2.99 total for 2

Earned $10 ECB for buying $20 in Schick products between shave gel and razors

Also used a CVS $10/$50 coupon, and $11 of the ECB from my first transaction.

Total OOP before tax was $13.33, and I saved $55.39.

Ended with an additional $20 in ECB

Okay - pop quiz - Did you see where I could have saved more? 

Answer:

In transaction #1 I got the wrong toothpaste.  I spent $1.54 on something that should have been free because I bought the wrong size.  I'll probaly keep it because I'm terrible at remembering to take things back to the store for returns before it's too late and I didn't realize what I had done wrong until I got home.

In transaction #2 I could have used $8 more in ECB and brought my total down to only $5.33.

So there you have it, my first CVS run.  I did get some great deals, but I also wasted $9.54.  Left kind of a sour taste in my mouth.  Fortunately, I was able to use one of these mistakes to my benefit on Sunday.........

Once Upon a Child Sale

The Mankato location for Once Upon a Child will be doing a grab bag on Saturday and you'll be able to put however many of the clearance $1 items in a bag for $15.  I went there yesterday to sell a few items and they had A LOT of things on clearance.  If you have a newborn - they had lots of Christmas outfits for just a buck.  I also saw lots of jeans in the girls size 8-12.  Not bad for stocking your kids' closets for the winter.  They also had many items if your little one outgrew his/her size this summer already.

Update on the Old Navy Deal

First of all, if your children attend a school that requires uniforms, head to Old Navy to grab their polos for $5.  And for every $20 you spend, you get a $10 in Super C-A-S-H.  It doesn't say anything online, but today I received it and was told it's $20 off my next purchase of $40 or more.  Kind of deceiving if you ask me. 

Also, head to their Facebook page, which I didn't see until AFTER I went shopping, bummer, and you can get $5/$25 purchase and it says nothing online about not being able to combine those two offers.  The Facebook coupon does expire tomorrow. 

They also had a nice sale on uniform pants and shorts, but to be honest, I'll spend the little extra at Sears with their Kidvantage program, so that when - not IF - WHEN my son blows his knees out in his pants, they will replace them for the same size. 

Transformation Tuesday - Week 5

I know it's Wednesday, but let's pretend for just minute that it's still Tuesday.......

It's Week 5 of the Transformation and Biggest Loser contest.  Big news at our house - Scott won last week's weekly weigh in.  I like to think my influence helped.  :)  Actually, we are both doing well and even though I may never win a weekly prize I am very pleased with my progress.

We survived Raw Food Week last week and I dropped 4 pounds.  (I think Scott dropped 5)  I was nervous going in, but after day 2, it got easier and I'm still trying to eat partially raw each day.  Since we started the contest, I've also dropped my BMI (Body Mass Index) by 2 points.  I bought myself a new outfit - in a size smaller than I usually buy - to celebrate.  My total loss so far is 15.6 pounds.  Only about 85 more to go.  ;o)

What are your weight loss or healthy lifestyle goals?  This week my goal is to continue to stay away from Diet Dr. Pepper and to eat primarily raw foods for breakfast and lunch.  I'm hoping for a 3 pound loss this time. 

If you have a healthy tip of weight loss story to share, I'd love to hear it.  Studies show that people who lose weight "together" are more successful and have longer lasting results............

Tuesday Tip - Using Cub Coupons at Hy-Vee

I was asked a question on our Facebook page.  I stopped by the Hilltop Hy-Vee to ask this question to make sure I answered it correctly :D

In case you didn't already know, Hy-Vee takes competitor coupons (which you can also stack with a manufacturer coupon).  They will also except, for example, a Cub coupon that is a BOGO on an "unnamed brand".  Here's what I mean by that...

At Cub you'll find blueberries for $3.99 and in their flyer you'll find a Cub coupon for BOGO blueberries.  So at Cub you'll get blueberries 2/$3.99 - no specific brand named in their flyer, so you don't know for sure which blueberries they are.

At Hy-Vee they are holding a sale on blueberries for $1.99 (normally $2.99).  You are allowed to use the Cub coupon at Hy-Vee for the blueberries, but at their normal price.  So you'll get them for 2/$2.99, NOT 2/$1.99.  So depending on what Hy-Vee's normal retail price is will determine if using a BOGO unnamed brand from Cub coupon is worth using. 

This situation also goes for when Cub has coupons for their brand of chicken breasts.  Say the coupon is for Cub brand chicken breasts for 99c/lb.  Since Hy-Vee doesn't carry "Cub brand", you'll be able to buy the "Hy-Vee brand" of chicken breasts for 99c/lb. 

Thanks for the question, Amy!

FREE Coloring Pages

Frecklebox has a bunch of FREE coloring pages for your little ones!  

Old Navy Deals

Old Navy is having a fantastic sale right now!  You get $10 Super C-A-S-H for every $20 you spend in stores!  This week is the perfect time to stock up on school uniforms!  All their polos are on sale for $5.  This is where Sister C will be doing all her shirt shopping for the two older kids.  The pants I'll get elsewhere, but that's for another post lol  I read all the fine print and it doesn't really exclude anything, but check out Old Navy for more details.  The only "complaint" I have is that I can't use the Super C-A-S-H before I head to Denver and I cannot tell you how bad I need a new pair of shorts.  However, I'm sure there will be plenty of fun stuff to choose from at the end of August :D