Couponing: Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a fun holiday if you love Mexican food. 

I usually stock my kitchen full of Old El Paso dinner kits and other Old El Paso products. They are frequently BOGO at Publix. There are frequently coupons to go along with an already great deal. 

This time around, they were BOGO and there was a rebate on SavingStar for $1 off 2.  

Here is the breakdown: 

   $3.19 for 2 dinner kits on BOGO (out of pocket)

-  $1 SavingStar rebate

= $2.19 for 2 dinner kits or $1.10 each

Makes for great food on Cinco de Mayo...or any day really. 

Sick!

Good thing I stocked up on cold medication in my couponing adventures. Perhaps it was prophetic. 

Scene at the office. 

Far and Away: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a beautiful country! If you're looking for an ecological vacation, this is it!

The country has lush greenery everywhere, rain forests, beaches, mountains and volcanos. The outdoor activities are everywhere: zip lining, rafting, hiking, swimming, bathing in volcanic hot springs. 

It is such a lovely place. As the locals say pura vida which means pure life! Well said!

 Taken in Cartago

Taken at the Manuel Antonio National Park 

Taken at the hot springs near the Arenal volcano

Far & Away: Morocco

I have had the great fortune of traveling to a lot of interesting places. One of the most exotic places I visited was Morocco. 

I have a friend from France who has a sister that is a teacher. She has taught in many different countries. While she was in Morocco, we were in touch and I received an invitation to come visit. 

It was a wonderful visit that lasted 2 weeks. It was enough to get an appreciation of the Moroccan culture and people but not enough time to explore it all. 

I was able to visit Marrakesh, Agadir, and Essaouira. 

I learned some Arabic phrases. I ate on the floor out of a tajine dish. I cooled off in the many fountains. I shopped in the souks. I wiled away the hours talking to an elderly man. I watched a skilled snake charmer do his thing. 

Amazing country with beautiful people. 

Taken in Marrakesh

 Taken in Marrakesh

Taken in Essaouira

The Reality of Couponing

The thing with couponing is there are great deals and better deals. 

You don't always get the best deal. After you make a purchase, there may be a better deal in the next week's ad. It can be a gamble. 

The good news is that you're always saving money--regardless. 

With a stockpile in place, your family has enough and you're in a position to give to others. We are blessed to bless others! There have been a lot of occasions where I donated items because I had them on hand (see more here).

Couponing: Cold Medication

When you get sick, you have to have the right medication. Many people have certain first aid items in the home. When it comes to being sick, it is the time to buy new medication because there either isn't any or it is expired. 

Advil Allergy & Congestion priced at $6.49. There is a manufacturer coupon for $3 off and a Publix coupon for $2 off. 

Here is breakdown: 

   $6.49

-  $3 off manufacturer coupon

= $3.49

-  $2 Publix coupon

= $1.49 out of pocket

Couponing: Allergy Medication

There comes a time when medication is necessary. Those times usually mean that the price is high. 

Fortunately, it is allergy season which means there are deals on allergy medication. 

I purchased 1 Nasacort nose spray at $14.39. There was a $2 manufacturer coupon on the package. 

After paying $12.39 out of pocket, I submitted receipts for rebates on both SavingStar and MobiSave. SavingStar had a $2 rebate and MobiSave had a $3 rebate. 

Although I paid $12.39 out of pocket, I got back $5 in rebates. It's like paying $7.39 for the nasal spray!