VGs: TRIPLE COUPONS!!! April 27 - May 3, 2009

In a week where Meijer and Kroger aren't offering the greatest deals,
VGs is advertising TRIPLE COUPONS up to $0.75!
This is a rare occurrence in the Macomb area!

The fine print limits you to one coupon per item (with no overage if coupon exceeds item price) and 3 identical items with coupon per transaction.

MY NOTES:
Prices can vary between store locations, along with selection (which is a little more sparse at the Sterling Heights store). Be warned that the Sterling Heights store is also often wary of printables; though they've said they'd accept them, they sometimes refuse. Their computer system won't automatically triple and they may need to input coupons manually up to the item price. For ease in triples shopping, the Shelby store was hassle-free.

I'll continue to update as I find deals - please contribute your ideas and finds as well!

TRIPLE COUPON DEALS
$1.29 McCormick GrillMates Seasoning Packets
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 4-19 RP), will triple to $1.29
FREE after coupon

$1.39 Heinz White Vinegar, 16 oz
-$0.50/1 printable coupon, will triple to $1.39
FREE after coupon (Great for cleaning and cooking!)
NOTE: Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar is $1.59 ($0.09 after coupon)

$1.19 Frank's Red Hot Sauce
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 1-18 or 3-1 SS), will triple to $1.19
FREE after coupon

$1.09 Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-15 RP), will triple to $1.09
FREE after coupon - Great charity donation!

$1.25 Mahatma Extra Long Grain Rice or Brown Rice ($1.29), 16 oz
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-1 or 4-26 RP), will triple to $1.25 or $1.29
FREE after coupon - Great charity donation!

$1.25 Lipton Tea, 16 bags - Thanks, Stacey!
-$0.60/1 coupon (from 3-15 RP), will triple to $1.25
FREE after coupon

$1.49 Reach Waxed or Mint Waxed Dental Floss
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-15 SS), will triple to $1.50
FREE after coupon

$1.49 Mentos Gum (at registers)
-$0.55/1 coupon (from 2-8 SS - Expires 4-30!), will triple to $1.49
FREE after coupon

$1.09 Blistex Lip Protectant
-$0.35/1 coupon (from 2-8 SS), will triple to $1.05
$0.04 after coupon (These are great in military care packages!)
These are $1.19 in Sterling Heights.

$1.00 Dole Mandarin Oranges or Pineapple
-$0.55/1 coupon (from 3-29 SS), will triple to $1.65
2 for $0.35 ($0.18 each)

$1.69 Lawry's Seasoning Blend (small jar)
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 4-5 RP), will triple to $1.50
$0.19 after coupon

$1.69 Barilla Piccolini Pasta
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-29 SS - Expires 4-30!), will triple to $1.50
$0.19 each after coupon - Great charity donation!
This product is only carried at the Shelby Township location.

$0.99 Lawry's Taco Seasoning Mix
-$0.50/2 coupon (from 4-5 RP), will triple to $1.50
$0.49 for 2 ($0.25 each) after coupon
NOTE: Spaghetti Sauce, Chili and Sloppy Joe Mixes are $1.09 ($0.34 ea after coupon)

$1.79 French's Spicy Brown Mustard
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-29 SS), will triple to $1.50
$0.29 after coupon

$2.29 Fleischmann's Yeast Strips - Thanks, Stacey!
-$0.65/1 coupon (from 12-7 SS), will triple to $1.65
$0.34 after coupon

$1.99 Betty Crocker Frosting - Thanks, Stacey!
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 4-5 SS), will triple to $1.50 OR
$0.55/1 printable coupon, will triple to $1.65
$0.34-0.49 after coupon

$1.19 Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta (sale) - Thanks, Stacey!
-$0.50/2 coupon (from 3-29 SS), will triple to $1.50
$0.88 for 2 ($0.44 each) when you buy 2 with coupon

$2.29 Viva Big Roll Paper Towel
-$0.60/1 coupon (from 4-5 SS), will triple to $1.80
$0.49 after coupon

$1.99 Vanity Fair Napkins, cocktail size
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-29 RP), will triple to $1.50
$0.49 after coupon

$2.19 Breakstone Sour Cream
-$0.55/1 coupon (from 3-29 SS), will triple to $1.65
$0.54 after coupon - Thanks, Stacey!

$2.19 Shedd's Spread Country Crock w/Calcium, 15 oz
-$0.55/1 printable coupon, will triple to $1.65
$0.54 after coupon - Thanks, Stacey!

$2.29 Welch's Squeezable Grape Jelly
-$0.55/1 coupon (from 3-29 SS), will triple to $1.65
$0.64 after coupon - Thanks, Stacey!

$2.59 New York Frozen Garlic Bread
-$0.55/1 coupon (from 3-1 RP), will triple to $1.65
$0.94 after coupon - Thanks, Stacey!

SALE MATCHUPS
$1.00 Vitaminwater10
-$1.00/1 coupon (from 4-5 SS)
FREE after coupon

$1.19 Smuckers Grape Jam or Jelly, 32 oz
-$0.35/1 coupon (from 2-1 RP - Hurry! Expires 5-1!), will triple to $1.05
$0.14 after coupon - Great charity donation!
After 5-1-09, use $0.25/1 coupon (from 3-29 RP) = $0.44

BOGO Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks (reg $2.99)
-$0.50/2 coupon (from 3-8 SS), will triple to $1.50
2 for $1.49 ($0.74 each) after coupon

$3.29 Electrasol Tabs, 20-26 ct
-$2.50/1 coupon (from 4-19 SS)
$0.79 each after coupon

$0.79 Bolthouse Farm Whole Carrots, 1 lb bag
$0.88 Crest Toothpaste, 3.5 oz (current coupons are for 4.2 oz+)
$0.88 VO5 Shampoo or Conditioner, 15 oz
$0.98 Spartan Large Eggs, dozen
$0.98 Bar S Bologna or Jumbo Franks, 16 oz (excludes beef)
$0.99 Ida Red Apples, 2 lb bag

$1.99 Capri-Sun Juice Pouches, 10 ct
-$1.00/1 Capri-Sun Sunrise, if included in sale (from 4-19 SS)
$0.99 after coupon

$1.67 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Crackers, 8 oz
-$1.00/2 coupon (from 3-1 SS - Hurry! Expires 4-30!)
$1.17 when you buy 2 with coupon

25% OFF Gorton's Fish Sticks, Fillets or Portions or Shrimp or Bowls (Full-Line Sale)
-0.40/1 coupon (from 3-1 SS), will triple to $1.20
Final price will vary: 25% off - $1.20

$3.00 Johnsonville Cooked Brats
-$0.55/1 coupon (from 4-5 SS), will triple to $1.65
$1.35 after coupon

BOGO Litehouse Refrigerated Salad Dressings, 13 oz (reg $3.99)
-$1.00/1 coupon (from 4-5 SS)
$1.49 each when you buy 2 with coupon

$2.99 Irish Spring Body Wash, 18 oz
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 4-26 SS), will triple to $1.50
$1.49 after coupon

$2.50 Eggo Waffles, 16 ct
-$0.75/1 coupon (from 4-5 RP)
$1.75 after coupon

$1.98 Spartan Gallon Milk (excludes chocolate)

$3.00 El Monterey Taquitos, 11.2 oz
-$1.00 coupon (from 1-25 SS or 3-1 RP)
$2.00 after coupon

---------------------------------------------------------------------
BUY ANY FOUR of the following products, Get $4 off your order instantly at checkout!

$3.00 Nature Valley Granola Bars
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-8 SS), will triple to $1.50
$1.50 after coupon

$3.00 Chex Mix Bars
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 4-26 SS), will triple to $1.50
$1.50 after coupon

$3.00 Fiber One Bars
-$0.50/1 coupon (from 3-8 SS), will triple to $1.50
$1.50 after coupon

$3.00 Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Lucky Charms Cereal 16-18 oz or Milk 'n Cereal Bars or Curves Bars

BEST DEAL SCENARIO:
Buy 4 boxes of bars above at $1.50 after coupon
(Buy no more than 3 of any one kind or coupons will not triple)
$6.00 - $4.00 instantly deducted at checkout = $2.00
4 boxes for $2.00 ($0.50 each!)
---------------------------------------------------------------
View the complete VGs weekly ad here.
__________________________________________________

VG's COUPON POLICIES

SHELBY TOWNSHIP (50820 Schoenherr) 586.566.3131
Open 6 am - midnight
Accepts verified internet printables (from trusted sources, such as Bricks, SmartSource, RedPlum, Coupons.com, etc.)
Doubles coupons up to $0.50 with NO LIMIT per visit

STERLING HEIGHTS (40832 Ryan) 586.978.8781
Open 6 am - midnight
Accepts verified internet printables (from trusted sources, such as Bricks, SmartSource, RedPlum, Coupons.com, etc.)
Doubles coupons up to $0.50, but allows only ONE identical coupon per visit
NOTE: They WILL accept 3 like coupons $0.74 or under for advertised Triples, but only ONE of each coupon $0.74 and above will double.

NEW BALTIMORE (35248 23 Mile Rd) 586.725.0818
Accepts verified internet printables (from trusted sources, such as Bricks, SmartSource, RedPlum, Coupons.com, etc.)
Doubles coupons up to $0.50 with NO LIMIT per visit
THE NEW BALTIMORE LOCATION IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN TRIPLE COUPONS.

Happy Earth Day: Wednesday, April 22

I've updated this list to reflect current dates and offers...

APRIL 22 - AVEENO ENVIROSAX
Sign up today for a chance to receive one of the limited edition AVEENO® ENVIROSAX® reusable organic cotton bags and a sample of the new AVEENO® NOURISH+ Hair Care Collection shampoo and conditioner. Limited to the first 1,000 entries - HURRY!

APRIL 22 - DISNEY STORE FREE WATER BOTTLE
As part of their Recycling is Magic Project, each customer to bring in 3 empty plastic bottles to recycle will get a gift, a FREE reusable water bottle (valued at $8.50). Limit one per customer while supplies last. And dont forget these previously posted Earth Day goodies as well...

APRIL 22 - MY COKE REWARDS - Dasani Double Points NEW
In honor of Earth Day, you can earn double points on Dasani all day. Thanks, Shellie!

APRIL 22 - REYNOLD'S WRAP
This Earth Day, Try Reynolds Wrap® Foil from 100% Recycled Aluminum FREE with mail-in rebate (up to $3.99) Rebate available for download on Earth Day starting at 4:22 am EDT. Quantities are limited and these will go quickly! HURRY!

APRIL 22 - WALGREENS BAG & SAVINGS NEW
Present this printable coupon at the photo or beauty counter before checkout to receive 15% off your purchase (20% off Walgreen's brand products) and a free reusable bag while supplies last. Discount excludes dairy, liquor, postage stamps, tobacco, prescriptions, gift cards, newspapers, magazines and items prohibited by law. Limit 1 coupon per customer per purchase. Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

APRIL 22 - VG's REUSABLE BAG NEW
Be one of the first customers per store on Earth Day and receive a free reusable bag. Just ask your cashier. Stores open at 6 am!

APRIL 25 - MEIJER EARTH DAY GIVEAWAYS NEW
From 11 am - 2 pm on Saturday, pick up your copy of the Meijer Eco Living Booklet (while 300 last per store), visit our Eco Stations for Earth friendly product demonstrations, free Seeds and Giveaways (while supplies last).

ONGOING - EARTHBOUND FARMS REUSABLE TOTE
Be one of the first 10,000 each week (beginning on Monday) to take your Earth Day pledge and you'll receive a FREE Earthbound Farms Reusable Tote in the mail!

ONGOING - FREE KROGER REUSABLE TOTE
Now through May 15, design a reusable tote and Kroger will load a $0.99 bag credit to your Kroger card. Pick up a reusable tote at the store and get it FREE at checkout. These bags are also on sale this week (Buy 4, get 1 FREE), so if you need more bags, you can buy 3 and get 2 free with your bag credit (5 bags for $2.97).

Tax Day Deals

Happy Tax Day! A few deals and freebies from this article in Smart Money apply to our area. You may want to check them out today:

Cinnabon
Stop by Cinnabon from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 15 for free cinnamon-roll bites (regularly $2.49 for four).

Subway
Subway restaurants offer a free cookie while supplies last - no purchase necessary.
Regular flavors include chocolate chip, chocolate chip M&M, oatmeal raisin, white chocolate macadamia and double chocolate chip. And, this year even low-carb dieters can enjoy a free tax day cookie thanks to Subway’s carb-controlled double chocolate chip cookie.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro
Dine at one of P.F. Chang's 130-plus restaurant locations across the country on April 15, and save 15% on the total bill.

T.G.I. Friday’s
On April 15, diners receive a $5 gift card when they spend $15 to $25. They earn a $10 card for a purchase of more than $25.

Maceri's Soup & Scoop: Tigers Opening Day Specials

Tigers Opening Day - Friday, April 10, 2009

FREE Ice Cream during the game (starting at 1:05 pm)

$0.99 Coney Pitas

Maceri’s Soup & Scoop, Pitas & Subs
is located in Shelby Township, Michigan
on the northwest corner of 21 Mile & Hayes.
(586) 566-7484
http://www.soup-scoop.com/

Coupon Organizing: Poly String Envelopes

5 1/4" x 10 1/4" Coupon/Check Size Poly String Envelopes

I was THRILLED to find these transparent poly string envelopes at Dollar Castle today (specifically, at the Mound & 59 location next to Walmart). I have been looking for these EVERYWHERE for so long - and to find them in packages of 3 for $1.00 and in FOUR different colors (green isn't pictured above) was quite exciting!

WHY? Each week I organize multiple shopping lists, depending on how many stores have deals worth shopping. I pull the necessary coupons and put them in a store-labeled envelope along with my shopping list. We have multiple envelopes sitting around like this and, with children in the house, they can easily get "misplaced". Not only that, but paper envelopes often become tattered after just a week or two. These envelopes will be color-coded and labeled with a store name, just waiting to accompany me to the store for a shopping trip. And SOMEDAY, when I finally organize my coupon binder, they will tuck nicely inside! These envelopes are also nice for organizing receipts, CVS ExtraCare Bucks, or coupons.

So THANK YOU, Dollar Castle! You made my day! And, just in case you could benefit from some envelopes like these for your shopping trips, you now know where to find them. They also had 2 packs of document-size poly envelopes AND copies of the Detroit Free Press (still available on Tuesday if you didn't get what you needed!) for $1.00 each. With my purchase, I got a coupon for 1 free item on my next trip with the purchase of 10 items. There's been a little inflation there, however - some items are labeled $1.25 and some 2 for $3. Mylar balloons are now $2.49 and I even saw one item priced at $4.99. Blame the economy, I suppose - not even dollar stores can afford to charge just $1 anymore!

Bakery Thrift Stores: Save a Little Dough!

If you're not up to baking your own bread, stocking up at a bread store or bakery outlet can be a good alternative. Bread freezes well (if you have the freezer space) and you can find many other baked goods as well - cakes and cookies, muffins and doughnuts, pitas, bagels and English muffins, just to name a few!

Many bakery outlets offer coupons or loyalty punch cards to stretch those savings even further. They sell the bread BEFORE expiration dates (though many will be close to expiration date) - the same bread that was sitting on your grocery shelf yesterday at full price.

While our family doesn't go often, we enjoy stopping at the Entenmann's Outlet when we're in the area. It's nice to have delicious breakfast foods if we're hosting overnight guests - or just a treat for ourselves. Who couldn't use a nice chocolate-covered doughnut from time to time? We've also found great deals at the Pepperidge Farm outlets located in many Outlet Malls (we sometimes find ourselves in Birch Run)!

Here's an article worth reading:
Bargain Secret: Bakery Thrift Stores from Like Merchant Ships

And a few bakery thrift store locations in the Macomb area:

• Aunt Millie's Bakery in Clinton Township
  38283 S Groesbeck Hwy - (586) 468-3194
  Tracy just shopped yesterday and bought bagels and pitas (buy 1 at $0.59, get 2 free!). Great prices on breads as well!
  
  
• Entenmann's Bakery Outlet in Warren
  5643 E 13 Mile Rd - (586) 979-9546
  Along with Entenmann's baked goods (cookies, cakes, doughnuts), they often have Boboli crusts, Weight Watchers breads, Thomas' English Muffins, and more! Grab a punch card and you'll get a free item when you fill it up.


• Wonder Hostess Outlet in Clinton Township
  NOW at 15 & Gratiot in the same plaza as Lowe's - Thanks, Stephanie!
  
  
• Wonder Hostess Outlet in Eastpointe
  22345 Kelly Rd - (586) 771-3048

Did I miss any area locations? Please let us know!
And what are your feelings on shopping at bread outlets?

Recipe: Quick Cake for One

With the new Duncan Hines cake mix coupon ($0.35/1 from 3-29 SS) and area sales (like the one VG's is having this week for $0.99/box), it's a great time to snag some cake mix at a great price! Don't feel like baking a cake? Not to worry - with this great idea, you can make a serving-size piece of cake in the microwave. Not only can you make it low-fat, but it will be moist, warm, & delicious!

To make the mix:
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 box chocolate instant pudding mix (4 serving size)

Combine the 2 mixes well with a whisk and store in an airtight container with the following instructions...

WHEN YOU WANT CAKE:
Spray a LARGE mug with cooking spray. Lightly beat together the white of one large egg and 2 tablespoons water in the mug. Add 1/2 cup of the mix and stir well. Microwave on HIGH 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.

NOTES:

You can also substitute 1-2 tablespoons Egg Beaters - simply adjust the water accordingly so you end up with a total of 4 tablespoons liquid.
If you'd prefer a higher-fat version, mix 1/2 cup mix with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon water.

These make fun pick-me-up gifts! Place one serving size in a bag, add a mug and some instructions and your gift is ready.

Budget 101 is full of great ideas! Read Cake in a Coffee Mug for additional flavor combinations and glazes! Feeling especially creative? Cakes aren't the only things you can make in a mug. Look at the complete list of Mug Mixes!