Free Sample of Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh Toothpaste

Grab a Free Sample of Tom's of Main Wicked Fresh Toothpaste. You do have to answer a few questions, but it doesn't take long!

Free Sample of Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Deodorant

Costco is offering a Free Sample of Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Deodorant. You do not have to be a member to take this sample.

Shopping for Veterinary Services - Is It Worth It?

I never thought I would ever find myself shopping for veterinary services. However, I found myself in that position just yesterday. Before you read on…

We have 3 dogs and 2 cats. Yes, it's a houseful, but each and every one of them are like family members. All were rescued in some way, shape or form. They are all mutts of different breeds. One cat we rescued right outside the local shelter as someone was taking him in, the second cat we rescued as a stray in my in-laws workshop, two dogs were SPCA mutts, and the third, well not only was he an SPCA mutt, but he was beaten by his prior owner and left chained to a post. He was terrified and could barely move and had almost no hair when I brought him home. Suffice to say, that while I don't think he'll ever be a completely normal dog, he has made HUGE strides in becoming a socialized dog.

I digress.

Ruby, our 8 year old brindle beagle, spaniel, who knows what else, sweet dog, had an accident on our floor last Thursday night. I dutifully cleaned it up and noticed it was tinged with blood. Friday morning we went to the vet and I was told it was bladder stones and that she needed surgery. They gave me a quote for $1,000.00 and sent me on my way with an antibiotic and a note to call to set up surgery.

Since adopting our son from Russia in 2008, it's no real secret that our budget has been tight. That's part of the reason I started this blog! So, when my husband saw the quote, he pretty much said there was no way we could justify that $1,000.00 for a dog. Me, on the other hand, said absolutely yes, because if I had bladder stones, I wouldn’t want to be put down!

So my mother contacted a sweet family member who is a trained veterinarian and she explained that there are two kinds of stones, one dissolvable and one that is not, and that the vet should be able to tell from either a urine sample or an x-ray.

I called a different vet, explained the situation and they said that yes they should be able to tell by one or the other and gave me a quote for surgery. I called 4 vets in total and received the same consensus. So I started asking for prices. Here are the results:

Initial Exam varied from $40.70 to $53.00
Urinalysis varied from $38.00 to $73.00
X-Rays varied from $50.00 to $238.00 (!)
Surgery varied from $550.00 to $1,000.00 (!)

In the end, we chose the vet by location and here are there fees:

Exam - $43.00
Urinalysis - $38.00 (but did not charge me, because I had already paid $40.00 plus at our current vet 3 days prior)
X-rays - $50.00
Surgery - $625.00

While they aren't the cheapest for surgery, the initial fees were and I felt comfortable taking Ruby there to just determine that we weren't doing surgery for no reason. After the exam, a urinalysis and a simple x-ray it was determined that Ruby did have DISSOLVABLE stones and did NOT need surgery!!! We will attempt to dissolve them a special diet and it should work. There is a slight possibility that in 3-4 months, if the stones don't fully dissolve that she could need surgery, but knowing this gives us the time to budget for that money and if we don't need it, then we'll just have that much more in our savings account at the time. While we do have to purchase a special food for her, it is only costing roughly $60.00 a month. Add to that the fact that we could be saving her from the recovery of a major surgery!!

I really had no idea that the prices among vets differed so greatly. And while I'm sad to leave our current vet, who we've been with for more than 10 years, it was the right move. And just to clarify, I did call our vet Monday morning after speaking with the other 4 vets and asked them to lower their surgery price and at the very least consider an x-ray (which I would have gladly paid for). They were insistent on the surgery and refused to budge in both the quote area and the x-ray area. I'm disappointed they wanted to do surgery on a dog who didn't need it and thankful I made those calls!

What areas are you finding yourself negotiating or shopping for prices these days?

Facebook Freebie - Food Should Taste Good Crackers

On Facebook if you "Like" the Food Should Taste Good page, they will send a coupon via mail for a Free Bag of Food Should Taste Good Crackers! This is good the to first 100,000 who sign up. It look slike they are over the 50,000 mark, so grab yours now!

Pillsbury A Million Morning Smiles Instant Win - I Won a Third Time!!

Woo Hoo - I just won ANOTHER 4 FREE boxes of Toaster Strudels in the Pillsbury A Million Morning Smiles Instant Win Sweepstakes! There are tons of winners each day and you can win 3 times! I've won my limit so that means 12 free boxes of toaster strudels for me!! You win 4 free boxes of Toaster Strudels each time - can we say YUM!!!! I hope you are playing too! Looks like we'll be eating tons of Toaster Strudels!!

Free Sample of Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturizer

WalMart is offering a Free Sample of Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturizer. Whew - try to say that 5 times real fast!

My Thoughts on Rite Aid & Posting Deals

We have a Rite Aid close by and while initially I chose to shop and roll the deals only at CVS in an effort to not make myself coupon crazy, I'm finding that making the deals doesn't take nearly as long as it used to and that I could probably sneak some Rite Aid transactions in during the week also.

However, I have several grievances with Rite Aid.

First off, they rarely seem to have the products in stock that are on sale. Maybe it's because I'm not there at the crack of dawn waiting for the doors to open, but I don't think that's the case.

Second, I'm not big on the Single Check Rebate Program (SCR). I don't like putting out money and then going online and entering the receipts and then waiting for a check in the mail. While I realize some take there money from the month and purchase a gift card to do the next month's shopping with and then start over, this was very unappealing to me. I want to spend the least amount out of pocket as possible.

Third, our Rite Aid cashier's aren't overly friendly and the first time I tried to do a two transaction deal, you would have thought I shot her.

Fourth, they don't abide by their coupon policy. They refused to accept a coupon for a product that was priced less than the coupon amount. I even told them and asked them to adjust the coupon down. It wasn't like I was trying to sneak it by them. They refused even though their coupon policy says they will take it. The manager wouldn't even come out to speak with me.

Fifth, the new program +UP Rewards, I really like, but when something doesn't print you have to call the Rite Aid line and then wait weeks for the coupon to arrive by snail mail. At my particular Rite Aid I was accused of already purchasing my limit of the item from another store and trying to gain more +UP rewards. Not only would I NEVER do this, but I had not shopped at a Rite Aid in over a month!

The outcome of all of this is that I find myself a bit nervous going in to shop there. I'm an honest couponer and sometimes I don't even stack or use multiple coupons, I try to find other deals, if I feel like it could somehow be construed as unfair even if I'm abiding by the coupon policy.

I did do a transaction last week and everything went smoothly, so I'll be trying a few more. I'll try to start posting the best of the Rite Aid deals each week pertaining to the +UP Rewards program since I don't shop the SCRs.

I realize that this may only be happening in my particular Rite Aid store, and I would love to know what your experiences with Rite Aid are like.

Paid Survey Site - SurveySpot

I wanted to tell you about another great paid survey site! I mentioned CashCrate a couple of weeks ago and even showed you a picture of the $20.75 check I had received. Then last week I mentioned Opinion Outpost and I just received a check from them for $8.30!

This week I'd like to introduce you to SurveySpot. There is no referral program to this site, so you just have to go and sign up on your own. This is quickly becoming my most favorite survey site. I've made $30.00 already this month!

When you sign up, be sure to use an email that you have linked to a Paypal account. In this case, they pay you by Paypal so you must have a Paypal account. There appear to be other options, like a webshop, but that portion of the site is down and I have been unable to look into it.

SurveySpot will send you email invites to their surveys, but I tend to delete them and just go directly to the site when I have time to do a few surveys. Each survey is assigned a point value, generally 50 points, or $0.50. Some have no point values, so be sure to check when you do a survey. I usually skip the ones that have no point value to them, unless it says they are a 5 minute or less survey.

With SurveySpot I've also received lots of in home trial offers including offers for soups, dryer sheets, vegetables, hand soap, and body wash, just to name a few. They send me the item in the mail, I use it according to the instructions, then complete a survey about it. Not only do I get to try the product, but I get points for reviewing them, anywhere from 50 to 150 points! These are full size products they send and we liked all of them so far!!

Once you complete a survey the points go immediately into your account. I really like this becuase I don't have to try to keep track of what I've completed.

Finally, receiving payment is super easy and the quickest out there, I think. Once you have a minimum of 1,000 points or $10.00, you just claim your reward, login to Paypal and within seconds the payment is in your account. No waiting.

Don't be shy about signing up. It's free and if you have the time, you really can make some money!!

P&G Sample Pack - Crest Samples and Lots of Coupons!

P&G is offering up more samples and coupons. Even though you can only order once per quarter, I was able to order this sample pack. It's full of coupons, plus a Free Sample of Crest White Advanced Vivid Toothpaste and Crest Whitestrips! Enjoy!

Free Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Gross Junior Edition Official Slime

This one is fun for the kids! Get a Free Jar of Slime from Chronicle Books. If your child is under 13, you will receive an email to confirm your permission. Also, the website states that the slime is non-toxic to children and pets.

CVS - Print a Coupon for Free Hand Sanitizer Pen

CVS is offering a Free Hand Sanitizer Pen when you fill out the form which includes your email address and your Extra Care Card number. This is good through October 20, 2010 and you have to grab your pen by October 22, 2010. What a great Freebie!

Yet Another Free Sample of Wisk

Grab another Free Sample of Wisk Laundry Detergent, this time from Target. Target is really on the ball with samples now!!

Pillsbury A MIllion Morning Smiles Sweeps - I WON AGAIN!

Woo Hoo - I just won ANOTHER 4 FREE boxes of Toaster Strudels in the Pillsbury A Million Morning Smiles Instant Win Sweepstakes! There are tons of winners each day and you can win 3 times! I'm going to keep playing becuase each time you win, you win 4 free boxes of Toaster Strudels - can we say YUM!!!! That's twice and I can win once more. I hope you are playing too!

Free 50 Sheets of Origami Paper

Quick grab a Sample of 50 Free Sheet sof Origami Paper! You can expect to receive your sample in 4-6 weeks. I can't wait to receive these! (Thanks Deal Seeking Mom)

Free Sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion

Get a Free Sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion. You should receive your sample in about 2 weeks.

Another Garnier Moisture Rescue Sample!

Target is now offering a Free Sample of Garnier Moisture Rescue! Enjoy!

CVS - Week of 10/10 (Plus My Deal - $1.96 OOP!)

There are some great deals at CVS this week. Don't forget to scan your CVS card at the Coupon Center. I received a $0.99 off 1 Brach's candy corn and they are priced at $0.99 making it FREE! Also you may get a $5.00 off Halloween decor coupon and there is tons of stuff priced $5.00 and under! Even better - I scanned a $5.00 off $15.00 purchase coupon! Woo Hoo! It made two transactions possible for me today!

Don't forget you can always read my original post with how to CVS with me HERE.

Remember the ECBs work “just like cash” so don't be afraid to use them!!

Here are the week's best deals and then a summary of mine!

Colgate Total Advanced – $2.99
Use $.75 off 1 or $1.00 off 1 Colgate Total coupon
Get $2.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Final Price = FREE

Dawn Dish Soap – $.97
Use $1/1 Dawn coupon (Home Made Simple)
Final Price = FREE

Method Laundry Detergent – $8.99
Get $5.00 ECBs
Final Price = $3.99

Select Pepsi Products 3/$11.00

Get $3.00 ECBS
Final Price = 3/$8.00

Dial or Tone Bar Soap (2-3pk) – $1.99
Use $1/2 Dial Multi-Pack coupon (RP 10/10)
Get $1 ECBs (Limit 1)
Final Price = $1.98 for 2 ($0.99 each)

So here's my deal for $1.96 OOP only!!!

Deal One:

Biore Cleanser $6.00
John Frieda Shampoo $6.00
Dawn Hand Renewel$0.99
Colgate $2.99

Used:
$5.00 off $15.00
$2.00 off John Freida (today's paper)
$2.00 off Biore (today's paper)
$1.00 off Colgate (today's paper)
$1.00 off Dawn Hand Renewl (Home Made Simple)
$5.00 ECBs already had

Total $0.53 OOP!! Gained $3.00 and $2.99 ECBs back

Deal Two:

3 Sodas $11.00
Methos Laundry Detergent $8.99
Candy Corn $0.99

Used:
$4.00 off $20.00
$0.99 off candy corn
$9.00 ECBs, plus the $5.99 ECBs gained in deal one

Total $1.43 OOP!! Gained $8.00 ECBs back!!

Another Free Sample of Wisk

Wal-Mart is offering the Free Sample of Wisk again! Click on the white hexagons until you find the one for the free sample. It let me request it a second time, so it should for you too! You can expect your sample in 4 - 6 weeks!

Way Cool - Free Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Poster

Sign up to get 1 Free Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Poster!! Choose from 32 posters. (Look to the bottom right corner for the button). I had a hard time choosing but ultimately picked the Rocker C because I think my son will love it! I'm thinking another stocking stuffer - and yes I can stuff that in a stocking - I always think it's fun to see things sticking out of a stocking!!

(Thanks Freebies 4 Mom)

Free Box of Barilla Pasta

Sign up with VocalPoint (free) if you haven't already to receive a coupon by mail for Free Box of Barilla Pasta. This won't last long!

Right @ Home Touch-Up & Go Gift Pack

Sign up for Right @ Home's Touch-Up & Go Gift Pack. The first 10,000 to sign up will receive a canister of Scrubbing Bubbles Antibacterial Bathroom Wipes, a pouch of Pledge Lemon Clean Wipes, a pouch of Pledge Multi Surface Wipes and a canister of Windex Original Glass Wipes.

You can not have received a gift pack in the last 180 days, but if you can't remember, sign up anyway and they will sort it out. Gift packs will be mailed by December 15, 2010.

Free Sample of Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel

Wal-Mart is offering a Free Sample of Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel. This looks neat to try! You can expect your sample to arrive in 4-6 weeks.

Kroger Deals - Week of 10/3 (My Trip - $19.97!)

Kroger is having their Mega Event and I find this is the best time to shop! I got the below for only $19.72 (My original total was $42.00 plus).

Here are some of the deals I did:

Philadelphia Cream Cheesee (5-8 oz.), $0.99
$5/5 Kraft Cheese Products printable
FREE wyb 5 after coupon

Kraft Salad Dressing (16 oz.), $1.49
$0.55/1 Kraft Dressing, exp. 10-24-10 (SS 08/29/10)
$0.94 each after coupon

Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts (8 ct.), $1.39
$1/3 Kellogg’s Pop Tarts, exp. 10-24-10 (SS 08/29/10)
but I used a $1.00 off 1 I had from a previous package of Pop Tarts
$1.06 each wyb 3 after coupon, or in my case - $0.39!!

Kraft Singles (24 ct.), $2.49
$5/5 Kraft Cheese Products printable
As low as $1.49 each wyb 5 after coupon

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunchmeat (7-9 oz.), $2.49
$1/2 Oscar Mayer Lunch Meat printable
$1/2 Oscar Mayer Lunch Meat, exp. 11-7-10 (SS 09/26/10)
$1.99 each wyb 2 after coupon

$1.78 Capri Sun Drinks, 10 pk
$1/2 Capri Sun Disney Family Fun Sep 2010 (exp 10/31/2010)
$1.28 each


Many more deals to be had, but I thought these were the best! (The Totino's pizzas were not included in the deal, but we love them and I needed them for our "Tuesday night pizza and corn on the cob at the coffee table night"!)

Facebook Freebie - Sample of ScotchBlue Painter's Tape

Get a Free Sample of ScotchBlue Painter's Tape on Facebook. Just "Like" the page and fill out the form. I've received lots of sample from Facebook! (Thanks Freebies 4 Mom)

Free Sample of Tide Original with Acti-Lift Laundry Detergent

Target is offering a Free Sample of Tide Original with Acti-Lift Laundry Detergent. Your sample should arrive in 4-6 weeks.

Free Sample of Glad Odor Shield Trash Bags with Febreeze Freshness

Target is offering a Free Sample of Glad Odor Shield Trash Bags with Febreeze Freshness. Your sample should arrive in 4- 6 weeks.

Coupon for Free Bottle of Advil

Advil is offerring the first 500,000 to sign up a Free Coupon (by mail) for a Bottle of Advil. This will include either a FREE bottle of 24-count Advil Tablets or 20-count Advil Liqui-Gels. Allow 1-3 weeks for delivery of your coupon. I'm thinking this might go nicely with a CVS deal!

Paid Survey Site - Opinion Outpost

I wanted to tell you about another great paid survey site! I mentioned CashCrate last week and even showed you a picture of the check I had received. Well, another great survey site I highly recommend is:

Opinion Outpost

With this site, each survey you complete earns you points. Each point is worth ten cents. So if you get an offer for a survey worth 20 points, then you qualify and complete the survey, you receive $2.00. Most surveys take me about 15 minutes to complete and are worth (on the average) 20 points.

I earned $52.40 so far! You can redeem your points for checks, which arrive promptly, Amazon e-gift cards, or Citi Gift Cards.

Remember, as with any site, you don't always qualify for every survey, and I find I qualify in batches, then won't qualify for any for a few days, and then start again.

If you are interested in earning some extra money, go ahead and sign up for Opinion Outpost (it's free)!!

CVS Deals - Week of 10/3

Don't forget you can always read my original post with how to CVS with me HERE.

Remember the ECBs work “just like cash” so don't be afraid to use them!!

Here are some of this week's best deals:

Schick Hydro Razor: $8.97
Use $4/1 coupon from 10/3 Smart Source insert
Pay $4.97, Receive $5 ECBs
Better than FREE!

Bausch & Lomb ReNu Multi-Purpose Solution: $7.99
Receive $7.99 ECBs
Final Price = FREE!

BenGay Pain Relief: $5.99
Use $3/1 printable coupon
Pay $2.99, Receive $2 ECBs
Final Price = $0.99

Revlon Nail Polish: $3.99
Pay $3.99, Receive $3 ECBs
Final Price = $.99

Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons (36-ct): $6.99
Use $1.50/1 printable coupon
Pay $5.49, Receive $2 ECBs
Final Price = $3.49

Free Sample of Ester-C Gummies

Get a Free Sample of Ester-C Gummies.

Free Sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion

Sam's Club is offering a Free Sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion. You do not have to be a member so go ahead and grab yours!

P&G Free Samples Available Again!

Sign up for your P&G Sample Box including COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer, Head & Shoulders, Always® Ultra Thin and Dri-Liners Plus and assorted coupons. If you aren't a member, it's free to sign up!