Saturday, September 24, 2011

Natural and Organic Coupon Round-up

NEW! Printable Coupons

$1/1 Kids Clif Z-Bar (Free at Wegmans!)


$1 off 2 Kashi Snack Bars
$1 off 3 Kashi TLC Granola Bars
$1 off 3 Kashi Cold Cereal
$1 off 16-ct Traditional Medicinals Tea
$1 off Burts Bees Skincare Lotion or Cream

Amazon Subscribe & Save Deals
Kashi GOLEAN Crunch! Cereal, Honey Almond Flax, 15-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) -- $10.61 or $2.65 each
Find other Kashi Items 40% off at Amazon.

Green Mountain Fair Trade Coffee -- Find Coupons (including for K-cups!) and a FREE sample at their facebook site! (Thanks, Money Saving Mom!)


Zulily
Truly Organic -- Clothing for Women up to 65% off
Starting Green -- Organic Children's Clothes over 50% off
Diaperwraps Diaper Covers -- $8.49


You can find more Natural & Organic Coupons and Deals here.

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Yoga Journal: Only $3.73/year!


This week Best Deal Magazines is offering Yoga Journal Magazine for only $3.73 for a year-long subscription. I have subscribed to Yoga Journal in the past, and really enjoyed it.

Yoga Journal has information for yogis of all experience levels, as well as healthful living tips.

Use code PXCJ925 at checkout to get this great deal!
**UPDATE** Use code SHOP17 to get 17% off this deal, making Yoga Journal only $3.64 per year!

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Friday, September 23, 2011

Frugal Friday: Homemade Apple Leather

With apple season upon us, I have been making quarts and quarts of applesauce for the past two weeks. My family never has a problem eating applesauce as is, but I’ve been searching for some other ways to use all that sauce! Lately my kids have been loving Wegmans new Fruit Flats, which are basically a healthy fruit roll-up, made with apples and other fruit flavors. Those are fine, and an easy snack, but of course I wanted to try making my own!  It was so easy that calling this a recipe seems kind of ridiculous, but here’s how to make your own apple leather:

1. Line a cookie sheet with plastic wrap. I used my Silpat because it is reusable, and plastic wrap is not. 
2. Spread about 2 cups of applesauce on the plastic wrap, about 1-2 cm thick. 
3. Bake in the oven for 4-6 (yes, you read that right!) hours at 150. 
4.When you take it out, peel it gently off the plastic or Silpat. 

Apple leather can be stored for months in a tightly closed container in your cool, dark pantry.  This is easy snack for kids (and adults!) that takes very little effort to make, is sweet and delicious, and best of all is completely natural and healthy. 
I used apples from my parents’ orchard for the applesauce I used to make the leather in this recipe, and it turned out scrumptious. The best thing is that I know exactly what has been done to the apples (not a thing!) and what has been added to them (again, nothing!).

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Freebie: Food & Wine eCookbook!

Download a free eBook featuring the Best New Chefs' Recipes from Food & Wine Magazine when you sign up for Food & Wine's free recipe newsletter.  I love looking at new recipes so I just downloaded it! Go here to download yours.

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Wegmans Weekly Coupon: $1 off Naan Bread

This week's Wegmans coupon is for $1 off Naan Bread. I have bought these before (with a coupon, of course), and they are fantastic for make your own pizzas.  The cost before coupon is $2.99 for a 2-pack, so the coupon brings the price down to $1.99


Get your Naan coupon here.

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Wegmans Savings Round-Up!

I went to Wegmans this week knowing I had already spent $11 at BJ's Wholesale Club (on Pita Chips and Pirate's Booty, of all things!), and $26 at Aldi.  So from my $80 budgeted weekly for groceries, that only left $43 for my Wegmans trip.  That is not a lot, considering I had a long list that included lots of fruits and vegetables (I am missing my CSA share already!). 


Thankfully, I remembered I had $12 left over from the previous two weeks' shopping trips. Still, $55 is not a lot, and I went $8 over.  While I'm not thrilled about that, I'm cutting myself some slack.  We're still only in the first month of using cash envelopes for groceries. 
I feel good about the fact that I was really thoughtful about what went in my cart, and got only necessities for my family:
And yes, that bag of chocolate in the front is most certainly a necessity! I didn't have a coupon for it, but it was on Shopper's Club. :)
Here are the highlights of my trip:
  • 2 Clif Kids Z-bars -- Free with this coupon
  • YoBaby Meals 4-pack -- $.99 each with Mambo Sprouts coupon (no longer available)
  • NY State Gala Apples -- $.89/lb
  • French's Mustard -- $.69 with coupon from their website
  • Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs -- $.99 with $1/1 coupon (no longer available)
Total Before Savings: $87.98
Total Saved: $24.90
Total Out of Pocket: $63.08
Percentage Saved: 28%

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Kindle Books: $3.99 or Less!



Amazon is currently offering 100 downloadable Kindle Books for under $3.99 each, and several are as low as $1.99. Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can download these to your computer easily using this software.



Some of the books for 3.99 and under:
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko
Because of Winn-Dixie -- by Kate DiCamillo (only $1.99)
The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet -- by Alicia Silverstone
Real Food  by Nina Franck
The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden by William Alexander


Find more Kindle downloads for under $3.99 here.

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Oh, Aldi, How I've Missed You!

I got lazy over the summer, and in an attempt to consolidate my food shopping, went exclusively to Wegmans, and supplemented with whatever came in our CSA share. Now that the school year's back in session, and easy lunches need to be made or brought every day, I need to be a little less lax, and for some items, Aldi is definitely the more cost-effective choice.  


For example, my husband brings a ham and cheese wrap with pretzels to work every.single.day during the school year.  I can buy all the ingredients for his lunch for less than it would cost to purchase comparable items at Wegmans.



According to the above list, I will save $4.81 by shopping at Aldi only for my husband's lunches; not including anything else that I can find there.  For more information about Aldi/Wegmans comparisons, check this post 



Here's what I actually bought this week: 


Yeah, we go through a lot of cheese. It's pretty much the only thing my 20-month-old will eat, so we have shredded cheese, string cheese, sliced cheese, and block cheese. So, yeah. Lots of cheese.  I was also excited to see Nature's Path organic granola bars for only $2.39 a box. I love when I find random organic items for deep discounts at Aldi's -- don't forget to check the special bargain bin!

Total Spent: $26.49

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Budget Travel Magazine: Only $3.73!



Budget Travel is so much fun to read even if you aren't planning a trip!  Each issue is packed with articles about affordable and enoyable travel to just about anywhere!


Enter code PKCJ925 at checkout to get an additional 15% off, making today's deal only $3.73

Make It Yourself Monday, Errr- Tuesday: Easy Peasy Peach Tart

As you can see I'm about 24 hours too late for my Make it Yourself Monday recipe feature. The beginning of the school year and all its related tasks and business are really catching up to me! Anyway, I was inspired to make this Peach Tart by one of my friends, who was inspired by Real Simple.  In its Real Simple incarnation, this recipe is for a 3-Ingredient Nectarine Galette, and was featured on the cover of the July 2011 issue. My friend recreated the recipe perfectly and deliciously for a recent playdate.


Of course, I couldn't just keep it a 3-ingredient recipe; I had to tinker a bit with it.  I  decided to use fresh, locally grown peaches, and add some seasonings. One thing I didn't change: the store-bought crust.  I actually attempted this peach tart last week using a homemade crust -- but, for some unknown reason, I didn't use my great-grandma's tried and true pie crust recipe. The tart turned out to be a crumbly mess.  I had to keep adding flour because the dough kept sticking to my wooden rolling pin, but the more flour I added, the crumblier it became. It was a disaster.  Don't get me wrong -- I still baked it, ate it, and picked the crunchy crumbs off the bottom of the pan with my fork.  It tasted great, but it certainly wasn't pretty.


Because I was expecting company for dinner last night, I really didn't want to take a chance, so I purchased Wegmans' pre-made refrigerated crust for my second attempt.  Result: it worked beautifully, tasted like gooey, sweet, late summer amazingness, and was completely demolished in one sitting. :)


Easy-Peasy Peach Tart


For the filling:
3 large or 4 small fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp corn starch
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch cloves


For the crust:
1 store-bought refrigerated pie crust
1 tbsp egg white (I just put the remainder of the egg in a container in the fridge and scramble it up later)
1/2 tbsp sugar


1. Unroll the dough and press gently into a tart pan or a small pie pan. There will be extra hanging off the sides; that is what you want.
2. In a small pan, combine the peaches, water, sugar, and corn starch. Simmer on medium low for 10 minutes. Add nutmeg and cloves and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
3. Take the peach mixture off the heat and pour it carefully into your dough.  Gently fold over the extra dough, so it looks like this:
4. Brush the exposed dough with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. 
5. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, checking halfway through, until crust is brown and filling is bubbly. 
5. Cool slightly and enjoy. This would be amazing accompanied by fresh organic vanilla bean ice cream.

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Zulily: Cloth Diapers and Stride Rite!

Ok, so I promised my husband I wouldn't spend any more money on Zulily . . . but these deals are really tempting me!  


First, there are some great deals on Stride Rite shoes for toddlers, and they are selling out fast.  These adorable Mary Janes are only $21.99, slashed 50% from regular price of $48.
I also found a new(to me!) brand of cloth diapers on Zulily today.  It's called Charlie Banana, and they have adorable diapers, like this pink robot one-size diaper:

Charlie Banana offers cloth accesories like wet bags, trainers, and swim diapers. Don't worry, there are things for mama too, like 6 nursing pads for $9.99 and 3 cloth pads for $9.99 -- which is about the lowest price I've seen anywhere.

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Monday, September 19, 2011

Family Fun Magazine: Only $3.76!

Best Deal Magazine is offering 1 full year of Disney's Family Fun Magazine for only $3.76.

I subscribe to Family Fun and I love the recipes, fun crafts, and ideas for kids' activities.

Use code WKLYSPEC to get an additional 20% off your order!

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How to Get the Most from Consignment Sales: Shopping Follow-Up

Last week, in anticipation of consignment sale season, I wrote two posts on how to make the most of your consignment sale experience, whether you are buying, selling, or both. 


I had the opportunity to do both recently at Weepeats consignment event which is local to me here in upstate NY, and I'm really excited about my finds so I wanted to share them!


All in all, I spent $97 shopping at the sale's "Preview Day."  Preview Day is when consigners who have worked a volunteer shift are able to shop before the general public.  I got some amazing deals, with an average of $4.40 per item. 
What you see above includes:
  • A Land's End Dinosaur Halloween costume -- $14
  • Stride Rite girls sneakers -- $2
  • Stride Rite Mary Janes -- $2
  • Girls' Polaris winter boots - $5
  • Girls' London Fog Winter coat with fleece hat - $6
  • Girls' Janie & Jack pink cashmere sweater dress - $6
  • Assorted books, coloring books, and sticker books - $1-$2 (I stock up on these for when the kids are bored and need a new activity or for car rides)
  • Little People Doll House with all accessories --$9 (not pictured; I put it away because it's going to be a Christmas present!)
  • Little People Excavator Set -- $4 (also not pictured because it's going to be a Christmas present)
All in all, I'm very happy with the quality and selection of items I was able to find. I wish I had found a boy's jacket and boots, but I'm realizing it's hard to find quality secondhand items for pre-school boys -- they are just so hard on their clothes!

As a consigner, I'm also pleased with how I did. About 95% of the items I brought sold.  All except maybe 10 of those items sold in the first 3 days of the sale. I'm so glad I wrote "Discount" on all my items -- indicating that I will let them go for half price on the last day -- because I certainly didn't want to take those items home again with me. 

Overall, buying and selling at a large consignment sale was a great experience, and I know I'll do it again in the spring. I have one beef that I need to get off my chest though; this is a personal pet peeve, but I wonder if other people feel the same way.

I can't stand it when sellers overprice their items, and then refuse to let them be discounted on half price day. Case in point: I saw a bike very similar to this one at the sale: 



This bike is currently on Target's website for $44.99, brand new. How much did this particular seller ask for a similar used bike? $45 -- and no discount. When I went to pick up my stuff when the sale ended, I saw the seller lugging this bike -- unsold -- home with her. I just don't get it. Isn't the point of selling your stuff to get rid of it??? I mean, I understand that we all want to make some extra cash, but I would much rather have $22.50 in my pocket and more space in my garage than $0 and another item to store. 

 Is this just me? I'd love to hear what others have to say about the consignment sale experience. I know you have stories!!

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National Geographic Books: More Than 50% off!

When I first saw these National Geographic books at Plum District this morning, I thought they would make a wonderful children's gift.  For only $20, you'll receive the National Geographic Kids World Almanac 2012, plus 3 "Weird But True" books to accompany it.


Additionally, you can use code PLUMPARTNER to get an additional 20% off this deal, making it only $16!


This deal expires 9/22/11, and shipping is included!

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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Wegmans' Deals and Coupon Match-Ups -- 9/18

We’re looking at 2 inserts this week: Smart Source and Red Plum.  Plus, there are a TON of new Wegmans’ store coupons I’m excited to share with you this week. The Fall Menu Magazine came out, there is a coupon mailer from Wegmans circulating, the coupons from the Wegmans Summer Savings Booklet are still in effect for one more week, and I’ve found several coupons in-store -- including the ever-elusive Catalina (A Catalina is a coupon that prints with your register receipt, and Wegmans rarely uses them.)
Notice something new this week? All the HOTTEST deals -- Free or Under $1 -- are in red.
 Remember, not every region gets the exact same coupon inserts, so the denominations in your paper may be different. Also, my match-ups are done using the prices in Rochester-area Wegmans’ stores.
Have you found any amazing deals at Wegmans lately? Please leave a comment about your best scores this week, too!
Wegmans has pledged “Consistent Low Prices” on over 200 items. Find that list here.
Wegmans Store Coupons
Printables:
Benvenuti Coupon Mailer:
$1 off a $3 or more Nature's Marketplace Purchase
$1 off a $4 Health & Beauty Purchase (go here to see a list of free and near-free items with this coupon)
$1 off any Fresh Seafood Purchase ($4.99 or more)
Prescription Insert Coupons (these come on the back of your prescription information in the pharmacy; because of allergies, we've had quite a few of these in our house lately):
$1 off any Wegmans Brand Fruit Flats ($1.69 after coupon)
$1 off any Wegmans Super Pasta ($.99 after coupon)
$1 off any Wegmans Rice & Grains Blends ($1.99 after coupon)

Nature's Marketplace:
Clif Kids Z-Bar -- $.89
Final Price= FREE!
Santa Cruz Organic Juice -- $4.29
Final Price = $2.79
Barbara’s Bakery Cereal -- 2/$5.00 ($2.50 each)
Use $1/1 Printable (Use zip 06101)
Final Price= $1.50 each
Nature’s Path Boxed Item -- $3.19
Use $.50/1 from August All You Magazine
Final Price= $2.19
Kashi TLC Cereal or Granola Bars -- $2.99
Use $1.50/2 Printable -- no longer available
OR Use $1/2 in Wegmans August Nature’s Marketplace Magazine
Final Price= $2.24- $2.49/each when you buy 2
Kashi Individual Frozen Meals -- $3.79
Final Price= $2.29
Kashi Frozen Pizza -- $5.99
Final Price= $4.49
Kashi TLC Snack Crackers -- $2.99
Use $1/1 Printable -- no longer available
Final Price= $1.99
Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Lemonade, or Marinade -- $1.99 - $2.99
Use $1/2 from 8/28 RP
Final Price= $1.49-$2.49 each when you buy 2
Newman’s Own Salad Dressing -- $3.49
OR $1/2 from 8/28 RP
Final Price= $2.99 each  when you buy 2
Simply Organic Seasoning Packets -- $1.29
Final Price= $.29
Simply Organic Vanilla Extract, 2 ox -- $4.49
Final Price= $3.49
Muir Glen Organic Tomato Sauce, 8 oz -- $.99
Final Price= FREE
Stacy’s Pita Chips -- $3.99
Use $.75/1 from 6/26 SS (exp 9/26)
Final Price=$2.49
Eatsmart Naturals Veggie Crisps -- $3.49
Use $1/1 from 7/31 SS (exp 10/31)
OR $1/1 From September Nature’s Marketplace Magazine
Final Price= $2.49
Terra Blues Potato Chips -- $3.69
Use $1/1 from 8/28 SS
Final Price= $2.69
Morningstar Farms Veggie Patty -- $3.59
Final Price=$2.59
Silk SoyMilk - $3.39
Final Price= $1.89 
Stonyfield Farm YoBaby or YoToddler 4-pack -- $2.49
Or Use $.50 off any YoBaby Multipack -- doubled to $1
Final Price= $.99 - $1.49
Alexia Julienne Sweet Potato Fries -- $2.99
Final Price=$1.99
Cascadian Farms Organic Edamame -- $2.69
Final Price=  $1.69
Brown Cow Greek Yogurt -- $.99/ea
Final Price= $.98 when you buy 2, or $.49/ea
Balance Bar -- $1.29
Use $.55/1 from 9/11 SS
Final Price=$.19
Grocery
Cheerios Cereal -- $2.50 on Shopper’s Club
Final Price= $1.50/box
Old El Paso Refried Beans -- $1.29
Use $.50/1 Old El Paso Product from 9/18 SS
Final Price= $.29
Barilla Whole Grain Pasta -- $1.39
Use $.55/1 from 9/18 SS
Final Price= $.29
Ball Canning Discovery Kit -- $10.49
Use $2/1 Peelie on display
Final Price= $8.49
Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust Yeast Strip -- $1.59
Final Price= $.79
Sunsweet Prune Juice -- $3.99
Use $.75/1 from 9/11 SS
Final Price=$2.49
Luigi’s Italian Ice -- $2.49 each
Use $1/2 from 8/14 RP 
Final Price= $2.00 each when you buy 2
Nature Valley Granola Bars -- $2.50 on Shopper’s Club
Use$.75/2 from 8/7 GM insert
Final Price= $1.75 each when you buy 2
Sargento Natural Cheese Slices -- $2.89 on Shopper’s Club
Use $.50/2 from 8/28 SS insert
Final Price= $2.39 each when you buy 2
Barilla Pasta Sauce -- $2.29
Use $1/1 from 8/28 SS
Final Price= $1.29
Barilla Piccolini Pasta -- $1.39
Use $1/2 from 8/28 SS
Final Price= $.89 each when you buy 2
Bison Sour Cream Dip -- $1.79
Use $.50/1 from 8/28 SS
Final Price= $.79

Danimals 4 pack -- $2.49
Use $.50/1 from 8/14 SS
Final Price= $1.49
Wholly Guacamole -- $4.99
Final Price= $3.99
Eggland's Best Eggs -- Dozen Medium Cage-Free Organic -- $3.29
Use $.75/1 from 7/31 SS (exp. 12/31)
Final Price= $1.79
French’s Classic Mustard, 8 oz. -- $1.29
Final Price= $.69
French’s Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce, 12 oz -- $2.19
Use $.50/1 here OR $.75/1 in 8/21 SS
Final Price=$.69
Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, 5 oz -- $1.19
Final Price= $.19
French’s Worcestershire Sauce -- $1.49
Final Price= $.49
KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce -- $1.69
Use $.50/1 from 8/21 SS
Final Price= $.69
Yoplait Smoothies -- $2.49
OR use $1/1 from 9/11 GM insert
Final Price= $1.49
Health & Beauty
Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm -- $1.99 on Shopper’s Club
Use $2/1 Neutrogena Cosmetics from August All You Magazine (exp 10/1)
Final Price = FREE
Tom’s of Maine Deodorant -- $4.49
Use $1/1 from 9/18 SS
Final Price= $3.49
Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste -- $4.29
Use $1/1 from 9/18 SS
Final Price= $3.29
Oral-B Floss -- $.69 on Shopper’s Club
Use $.75/1 from 8/28 P&G insert (exp. 9/30)
Final Price= Free
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap -- $1.99 on Shopper’s Club
Final Price = $.59
Colgate Toothpaste - $1.99 on Shopper’s Club
Use $.50/1 from 8/28 SS insert
Or use $1/1 from 9/11 SS
Final Price= $.99
Loreal EverPure Line -- $5.99
Use $1/1 from 8/28 RP
Final Price= $4.99
Suave Deodorant -- $1.99
Use $.75/1 from 8/15 RP
Final Price= $.49
Bic Soleil Shavers - $5.49
Final Price= $3.49
Degree Women’s & Men’s Deodorant -- $1.79
Use $.75/1 from 7/31 RP
Final Price= $.29
Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner -- $2.49 on Shopper’s Club
$1/1 Shampoo or Conditioner from 8/28 RP
Final Price= $1.49 
Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner -- $2.99
Use $1/1 from 8/7 RP OR $1/2 from 8/28 P&G (exp 9/30)
Final Price=$1.99-$2.49 each
Olay Daily Renewal Cleanser -- $4.99
Use $1/1 from 8/28 P&G
Final Price= $3.99
Cover Girl Cheekers Blush -- $3.99
Use $1/1 from 8/28 P&G
Final Price= $2.99
Method Daily Shower Cleaner -- $2.99
Use $.50/1 from 9/18 SS
Final Price= $1.99
Wegmans Summer Savings Booklet
Make sure to check your pharmacy section for this booklet that just came out last week. Remember, you can stack Wegmans’ coupons with manufacturer’s coupons to score even better deals!  All the coupons in this booklet expire 9/24/11 -- so this is the week to use them!!
Rimmel Super Lash Mascara -- $2.99
Use $1/1 from 8/28 RP
Use $1/1 From Wegmans Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price -- $.99
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara -- $7.99
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price= $3.99
Wegmans Club Pack Supreme Diapers (sizes 3-6)--  $12.99 on Shopper’s Club
Use $8/1 in Summer Savings Booklet 
Final Price= $4.99
Aveeno Active Naturals Firming Body Lotion -- $8.29
Use $2/1 Printable -- no longer available
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price= $5.29
Flintstone’s Gummi Vitamins, 60 pack -- $5.99 on Shopper’s Club
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price= $4.99
L’Oreal Lipcolor -- $6.49
Use $1/1 from 8/7 RP
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price= $4.49
Maybelline Eye Shadow -- $3.29
Use $1/1 from 8/7 RP
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price= $1.29
Maybelline Foundation or Powder -- $7.49
Use $1/1 from 9/11 RP
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price=$5.49
Aveeno Baby  Lotion -- $4.69
Use $1/1 from 9/11 SS
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price= $2.69
Cover Girl Professional Mascara -- $4.69
Use $1/1 from 9/11 SS
Use $1/1 from Summer Savings Booklet
Final Price= $2.69

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