Have you noticed my lack of posting for nearly the past two months?

It all started with one week that didn’t seem to have many good deals. So I didn’t shop that week. I was fine with that since I had been building my stockpile since January. I still bought my usual four Sunday papers though so I would have the coupons for the next week.

Well, the next week came along and I didn’t feel like shopping then either. Maybe it was because I saw how well we had gotten along the previous week without shopping. Maybe it was just a couponing burnout. I’m not sure.

Anyway, whatever the reason, it lasted another few weeks, all the while I was still getting usual four Sunday papers for the coupons. Then I was looking at the ads for the week of Mother’s Day. I saw some great ads and planned to go shopping that week. But I told myself the shopping would have to wait until I had all my coupons cut and sorted and my coupon binder up to date. I was certain that I would be able to go shopping closer to the end of the week.

That didn’t happen. I went to the Emergency Room with a gallbladder attack the Monday after Mother’s Day. Ugh. I had surgery to remove my gallbladder and now all is well and I am steadily recovering.

But, while I was in the hospital… ALL of my ExtraBucks EXPIRED!!! Around $30 worth! I felt like kicking myself. Major disappointment to say the least.

Then, a couple days ago, I received an e-mail from the CVS Advisor Panel asking me to take a survey. I readily took it, knowing that if I qualified and completed the survey that I could earn up to $15 ExtraCare Bucks; and if I took it but didn’t qualify to complete it, I would still receive at least a couple ECB’s.

I qualified and completed the survey!! I earned $15 ExtraCare Bucks! This definitely softened the blow of losing about $30 ECB’s!

I knew this was the time to get back in the game of couponing. I was still recovering from surgery and that consisted mostly of resting so I definitely had the time to organize my inches thick stack of coupon inserts that had been piling up the past few weeks.

So that is was I have been doing this past week: cleaning out my coupon binder (was completely sad about the amount that had expired), sorting and cutting weeks worth of coupon inserts, and filling my coupon binder back up with the new coupons it has missed so much.

I admit that I do have a few more coupons to file, but since there won’t be any new coupons this upcoming week, I know I can get that done without the worry of getting behind again.

So, the moral to this long, long story? It’s OK to take a break!! Yes, coupons will expire. Yes, you may lose ExtraCare Bucks or other free money printed from the register. But it’s ok. There will be new coupons next week, and the next week, and the next week. ExtraCare Bucks can be earned again. The deals will still be there. Life will still go on.

I recently entered a givewaway for the Pampered Chef Baking Dish you see above at The Elect Lady.  And I WON! Yay! I was so excited!

She promptly mailed it and I received it very quickly. Sadly, when I opened it, it was broken beyond use. I was pretty bummed. I politely sent her an e-mail letting her I know I had received it but that it was broken and thanked her for the giveaway. I wasn’t upset because it wasn’t her fault it broken. These things just happen sometimes. And I thought that would be it.

But no, that was not it. She wanted to make sure things were right, so she ordered another one directly from Pampered Chef to me and sent it overnight! I was ecstatic! I received it today and it is gorgeous and I cannot wait to use it! Dinner tonight maybe?

So… you NEED to check out The Elect Lady! She truly cares about her readers plus she has some GREAT articles! She has multiple ways to subscribe to receive her posts, so head on over to The Elect Lady right now!

I totaled up my grocery spending for the month of March yesterday… around $150! I was really excited about that!

Then… I went to the big-box store : (

Totally blew my excitement since I nearly doubled my spending with just one trip! Ugh! I am still out-of-town, so had I been back home this would not have happened. Anyway… I have still saved about $1800 over the first 3 months of the year by using coupons and being a smart shopper!

How much have you saved this year by using coupons and being a smart shopper?

Here are the top deals at CVS for March 21-27. Go HERE to learn how I use my ExtraCare Bucks. Check out my CVS tutorial HERE. Be sure to check your LOCAL AD to verify prices before you go.

3 Day Sale, Sunday-Tuesday
Easter M&M’s, 9.9-14 oz – $1.97, limit 4
-$1/3 M&Ms Chocolate Candies for Easter, exp. 4-19-10 (RP 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: $4.91 for 3
After Tuesday: $2.50

Easter Grass, 2 oz, Filler Eggs, 6-12 ct – $0.50, limit 4
After Tuesday: $0.79

Hershey’s Pastel Reese’s Pieces Eggs, 11-17.25 oz – $1.97
Hershey’s Kisses, 8-10 oz – $1.97
-$2/3 Hershey’s, Reeses, or Cadbury Candy, exp. 4-4-10 (SS 03/14/10)
-$1/1 Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates, exp. 3-31-10 (ALL YOU Feb ‘10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $3.91 for 3
After Tuesday: $2.50

Weekly Ad
Pampers Jumbo pack Diapers or Easy-Ups – $8.97
Get $3.00 ECB when you buy 1, limit 2
-$2/1 Pampers Cruisers Diapers, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/21/10)
-$1.50/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$1.50/1 Pampers Easy Ups Trainers, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$2/1 Select Pampers Diapers, exp. 4-30-10 (RP 03/14/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $3.97 each after ECB’s

Viva Paper Towels, 6 pk – $5.99, limit 3
-$0.85/1 Viva Towels Big Roll Packages, exp. 4-4-10 (SS 02/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: $5.14 each

2x Ultra Tide or Gain, 48-64 loads – $10.97, limit 5
-$0.35/1 Tide Detergent, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$1/1 Tide Product, exp. 5-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$1/1 Tide Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
-FREE Tide Stain Release wyb Detergent, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$0.50/1 Gain Detergent, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$1.00/1 Gain Detergent, (RP 03/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $9.97 & FREE Tide Stain Release

Minute Rice, Instant White, 14 oz – $1.99
-$0.50/1 Minute Rice Product, exp. 3-28-10 (ALL YOU Jan ‘10)
-$0.50/1 Minute Rice Product, exp. 5-31-10 (Good Housekeeping Feb ‘10)
-$0.50/1 Minute Rice Product, exp. 4-16-10 (SS 01/24/10)
FINAL PRICE: $1.49 each

CVS/pharmacy Plates, Bowls, or Cups – Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Bowls (20 ct), Plates (15-100 ct), Cups (20-60 ct)

Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head – $4.99
-$2/1 Mr. Potato Head Classic printable
FINAL PRICE: $2.99 each

Olay Body Wash (23.6 oz) or Plus Ribbons (18 oz) – 2/$12
Get $5.00 ECB when you buy 2, limit 1
-$1/1 Olay Body Wash Product, exp. 3-31-10 (Rouge Magazine)
-$1/1 Select Olay Products, exp. 3-31-10 (RP 2/14/10)
FINAL PRICE: $5.00 for 2 after ECB’s

Spend $10, Get $3 ECB:
- CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector, Concealer, or Sculpting Blush – $10
- CoverGirl Clean Liquid Foundation or Pressed Powder – $6
- CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation – $12
- CoverGirl TruBlend Foundation, Powder, or Blush – $8
-$0.25/1 Cover Girl Face Product, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-B1G1 Cover Girl Product, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$1/1 Cover Girl Product, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$1/1 CoverGirl Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
-$5/2 CoverGirl Simply Ageless, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $2.00 for 2 after ECB’s (Clean Liquid Foundation or Pressed Powder)

Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Facial Moisturizer, 2 oz – $8.99
- Get Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer FREE
-$0.75/1 Jergens Moisturizer, exp. 4-10-10 (SS 03/07/10)
-$0.75/1 Select Jergens Products, exp. 4-10-10 (SS 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: $8.24 each + FREE Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

St. Ives Advanced Body Moisturizer, 18 oz, or Body Wash, 18 oz – 3/$10
Get $3.00 ECB when you buy 3, limit 1
-$1.00/1, exp. 4-30-10 (SS 03/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: $4.00 for 3 after ECB’s

Ivory bar soap, 3 ct – $0.99
-$1/1 Select Toiletries, Various Brands, exp. 3-31 (Rouge Magazine)
FINAL PRICE: FREE!

Schick Disposable Razors – Buy 1, Get 1 50% off
-$3/1 Schick Disposable Razor, exp. 05-02-10 (SS 03/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: Varies

Ban Roll-On Deodorant, 3.5 oz – $4.99
Get $2.00 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
-$0.40/1 Ban Antiperspirant Deodorant, exp. 4-17-10 (SS 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: $2.59 after ECB’s

Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler – 2/$6
Get $1.00 ECB when you buy 2, limit 1
-$1/1 Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment, (RP 03/07/10)
-$1/1 Fructis Style Product (RP 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: $3.00 for 2 after ECB’s

VO5 Shampoo or Conditioner, 15 oz – $0.77

Crest or Oral-B – $3.99
- Pro-Health, 7.8 oz, Rinse, 14.8-16.9 oz, Scope Outlast, 7.6 oz
- Rinse, 25.4 oz, Glide Floss, 38.3-54.7 yd, Picks, 30 ct
- Cross Action Toothbrush
Get $2.00 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
-$0.75/1 Crest Glide Floss or Picks, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$1/1 Crest Rinse, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
-$2/1 Crest Rinse, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$0.75/1 Select Oral-B Toothbrushes, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/07/10)
-$0.75/1 Select Oral-B Products, exp. 3-31-10 (P&G 02/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as FREE after ECB’s!

Bayer Contour Blood Glucose Monitoring System – $14.99
Get $5.00 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
-$30 off Bayer Breeze 2 or Contour Meter, exp. 4-30-10 (RP 10/25/09)
FINAL PRICE: FREE + Overage after ECB’s!

Colgate Total Advanced, Enamel, or Sensitive, 6-7.6 oz – $3.99
Get $3.99 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
-$1/1 Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste printable
-$1/1 Colgate Total Advanced, exp. 3-31-10 (Reinventing Beauty, Nov)
-$1/1 Colgate Total Enamel Strength Toothpaste printable
-$1/1 Select Colgate Total Products, exp. 3-27-10 (SS 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: FREE + Overage after ECB’s!

Zyrtec 10mg tablets (30 ct) or Liquid Gels (25 ct) – $18.99
Get $7.00 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
-$2.50/1 Zyrtec Adult product, exp. 4-30-10 (SS 02/28/10)
-$4/1 Zyrtec Adult Product, exp. 4-30-10 (SS 02/28/10)
-$4/1 Zyrtec Liquid Gels 24+ ct, (RP 03/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $7.99 after ECB’s

Dawn dish liquid, 9.5-10.3 oz – $0.96, limit 6
-$0.25/1 Dawn Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: $0.71 each

What are your favorite deals this week?

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

There won’t be any coupon inserts this week due to the holiday. Take the time to filter out expired coupons or finish up your Christmas wrapping!!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and your family had as great of a Thanksgiving as we did.

Daily posts on how to be a smart shopper and save money are coming soon!