Saying Goodbye to 2009…
I cannot believe it! In a few more hours, the year will be 2010! WOW! Time sure does fly!
I started 2009 with a teeny tiny blog and since then it has grown, and grown, and well, it keeps growing! It’s very exciting to know that something that started for family and friends has grown to reach people from all over the states! Amazing!
Today, I thought it would be quite fun to start from the beginning of 2009 and kind of recap what went on throughout the year, so here goes:
On January 3rd, I posted my first set of Walgreens deals for 2009! Go on over here to check them out and I’m sure you will realize one thing–I’ve come along way in how I go about posting the deals! You may realize another thing too–it took me a while, but I finally took the apostrophe out of the word Walgreens!;-)
I was so excited the second week in January because I got to print numerous $2/1 South Beach Bar coupons! There seemed to be an unlimited amount of prints! Lets just say, I’ve definitely had my fill of South Beach bars this year!
One other food deal I was very excited about, was the $0.50 Mauna Loa chocolate covered Macadamias I was able to snag at Walgreens! If you’ve never had these before, then go get yourself a bag as a New Years treat! These things are so yummy and for $0.50, they were amazing! I even made some delicious brownies out of them. Now I only wish I had purchased more… that’s why stocking up is key!
For Valentines day, February 14th, my hubby gave me the best gift of all–he tagged along as I went on a frugal shopping adventure! You can check out all that we did and the deals we scored here. He’s not a big shopper, so this was definitely very sweet of him!
Throughout the year, I snagged lots of great bargain at various stores! Here are some highlights with pictures I’ve shared:
- Target, and more Target
- Walgreens, and more Walgreens
- CVS, and more CVS
- Rite Aid
- Kmart
- and more bargains!
…AND, my best shopping trip of all, was on March 22nd! I scored everything pictured here for just $25! This was during one of Kmart’s many Super Double Coupon events! Yes, you could say I was pretty proud of myself and my long receipt:-)
This year has also been filled with amazing online bargains and freebies! I still can’t believe all the goodies I was able to snag with the click of my mouse! Some highlights from 2009: $20 off $20 Stamp purchase at Staples, FREE Hello Kitty Mousepad (my daughter loved this!), 3 FREE VitaZest Water Drinks, Wool Peacoat from Tulle for ONLY $5.99, $100 worth of Lego’s for $20 shipped, FREE EOS Mint Lip Balm (this was one of my favorite freebies of 2009), all the fantastic Victoria’s Secret Online deals and so much more! It would take me way too long to try and list all the awesome online deals from this past year, so this short list will have to do!
And as the year comes to a close, I’ve definitely learned a lot! Some things I’ve learned along the way:
How did I NOT think this was a scam… I mean seriously, a FREE stuffed animal and blanket! Ya, right! And this FREE I Love coffee coin purse had spam written all over it!
Why did I waste my time responding to the rude comment from this post? I mean I’ve got all of you to do that for me!;-) No, the real reason–I like to focus my time on being POSITIVE and learning to ignore those rude comments has really helped me along the way!:-)
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is not to get my hopes up with freebies because sometimes they just don’t come! There were quite a few freebies I posted this year that never made it to my doorstep. I was very excited about the FREE SnoreStop Kit ($17.93 Value), but never did receive it! Did any of you?
Well, 2010 will be here very soon and one thing that will never change is me laughing at myself along the way! Here’s to a very happy and healthy 2010–which I’m sure will be filled with Lots of amazing deals, freebies, coupons, and more!
Thx Collin for all the hard work you do, so we can all save money. I look forward to checking your site everytime I sit down to the computer, and needless to say, I always find something good I need to print or go buy. Thx again and I wish you and your family a very Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
I love this site! It’s great to know that they are other couponers like me out there 🙂 Some of my favorite freebies this year has been a free jar of salsa from Pace, free bag of Stacy’s Pita Chips, cereal cups for free after coupons, coffee samples. And my most favorite “thing” was when my 16 year old son said to me after a good coupon day at the grocery store “Mom doesn’t using coupons make you feel smart?” heehee YES!!!!
I love that you included items that you were disappointed about so I’ll add mine – The KY savings booklet/magazine never showed up in my mailbox 🙁 and a free sample tea bag (I love my cuppa tea) no biggie – I’m loving all the freebies through facebook and I’m glad you’re there too. Looking forward to another fun year of saving along with all of you – Happy and safe 2010!!
Collin,
Thanks so much for your amazing site! I am a newbie to this new frugal life….but I love it! I am 26 and have a hip lil family. My hubby used to get so annoyed with me cutting coupons in bed…now he and his brother call eachother when they find great deals. Everything is a competition LOL Thanks for all you do…and your hubby for serving our country Big thanks from this Utah Family. Happy New Year 🙂
Collin,
I “met” you right after you posted your $25 Kmart shopping trip way back in March. That was when I began being super-serious as a couponer (and recent stay at home mom) and your site is now the main blog that I visit to keep up with all the deals! Now (even though I’m always learning!) I am conducting workshops to teach others various couponing and money saving methods.
I know you hear it a lot, but thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. And to be perfectly honest, it is also nice to see when things don’t always go smoothly for someone who we all think of as a pro. Whether it’s just trouble with a cashier or coding on a coupon or whatever, sometimes things just don’t work and I’ve learned not to get frustrated or discouraged but to just go on to the next thing!!
Thanks a bunch for everything and Happy New Year!
I just found your site yesterday. I have been missing out! I just started thinking about couponing and have been looking into it the past few days. I am so looking forward to following your blog. I can see from all the other comments that you put a lot of your time into your blog. I thank you already. Happy New Year. See you in 2010.
Collin, I just love your site. I only look at a few and you are definitely my favorite to watch. You seem so down to earth and “human”. I used to be intimidated by the whole deal thing but now it is so fun. thanks for all you do.
Collin,
Thank you thank you for your dedication to couponing!! I was introduced to your blog several months ago. I’ve slowly but surely been getting better. First I saved a buck or two a week. Then I saved $10 one week, then $40, and this week I spent $50 on $150 worth of stuff. My Mom was so sceptical. “Are you even going to use what you bought?” Well, yeppers, Mom. I use paper towels, diapers (well, I don’t!! hee hee), shampoo, toothpaste, spices, etc.” I haven’t even ‘upgraded’ to the 5 savvy shopper sunday papers a week yet. I’ve done what I’ve done with one or sometimes two sunday papers a week, and then what I can print. I’ve NEVER been so giddy grocery shopping!! I think I’m ready to become a complete couponer lady!! Wahooo!! It feels soooo good!! Thanks again, Collin. I’ve seen a couple of other couponing blogs, but your blog is my favorite by far!! Happy Wonderful New Year!
Hey, I was just wearing my awesome pea coat tonight! It looks fab too. I just found your blog (and couponing) this year and that was one of my first ‘big’ deals. I managed to get one for my daughter and one for me. She loves hers too!
I remember emailing you about the Hershey Kiss Wags rebate deal just after Valentine’s day. You were so nice and helpful – I finally finished off those bags a couple months ago, lol! Your blog is the greatest. It’s the one I go to several times a day. When you were down for awhile I almost lost my mind….none of the others can compare.
Thanks so much for all the work you do and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!
Thank you for everything you do. I have received so many free products, magazines, coupons, and great deals this year because of this blog. I hope next year is just as good for all of us! Happy New Year!
A Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and yours Collin! I was introduced to your site in June and by July was saving money! I didn’t realize that your blog was so new! Pat yourself on the back for an awesome job! You and your blog readers are the best!
Happy New Year to everyone here! Here’s to another year of saving even more money for our families!
As for the rude comment about the gum..well, I, for one, need that much gum!
Also, thank you Collin because you’ve helped guide me toward some pretty good deals. I’ve been wearing the grey coat I got from MetroStyle all winter long! Also, the PlaySkool ball deal at Target was just what I needed for my niece’s infant daughter’s first Christmas…and it only cost me about $2.00! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Collin! Thanks for all you do for us!
Happy New Year! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you! I love your blog, it is so fun to read! And, it has lead me to countless deals and bargains that have save my family so much money! You have such a great attitude and I can really tell how much you love what you do. You are appreciated!
Happy New Year Collin to you and your family. I have followed your site for a while and your site is the only one I check morning to night. I for one appreciate the hard work you invest in your site ( went into withdrawal when other site went down 🙂 ) So please continue offer your valuable tips and how-to videos. I use your site as a reference to anyone who is interested in using coupons ( and lately there has been alot of curious people ! ) Thank you for all you do for us ! God bless you and your family.
It’s funny. I don’t really know what hasn’t shown up. I try to forget what all I have coming (as far as freebies, anyway). That way, I’m not anticipating, and I get a happy little surprise in the mail when it shows up!
Thanks Collin, one of my recent highlights was my trip to Walgreens. I purchased (5) 6-packs of Viva paper towels and only paid $8.64 for the whole transaction. I have 2 small children so we will go through these pretty fast. Happy New Year!
Collin, I have said it before, THANK YOU for all your hard work put into this site. What an outstanding job that you have done in only 1 year! You have helped so many people in such a tough economy save on items we use everyday, hopefully making lives a bit easier on the pocket book, and who knows possibly keeping a roof over someones head.
Keep up the great work, cause I know I’m not the only one who checks your site first thing in the morning and multiple times per day!
Thanks for all of the great deals you have told us about and being a great person. Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Collin,
Happy, Healthy New Year to you and your family! I love your blog, you have saved me tons of money. I have never shopped so much online, but cannot resist all the great deals….from cookies to toys! Thank you for all your hard work, YOU ROCK!!!!!
Collin,
Thanks so much for all of the work you do to help all of us save money! I can’t believe the amount of money I’ve saved in the couple months since I’ve been following you. My two favorite deals are the Fisher Price Trio Castle I bought at Target, the shelf price was $74.99 and I paid $14.99!! And the other was the Sharpie deal at Staples. I got free Sharpies and some of the ones I ordered were out of stock so they credited my account $11.49! Wow. My husband can’t believe the deals I’ve gotten. My one disappointment was I never received my Chinese Laundry bag, but I can’t complain!
I am a stay at home mom and I’ve been searching for a way to make some extra money for our family. Who would’ve thought it would come by way of SAVING money instead!!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Happy New Year Collin!! I love your site and check it about 100 times a day! I have my friends addicted as well! Finding your site was one of the highlights of my year! I love getting all the freebies in the mail! One of my best buys this year was the Leap Frog Leapster from Target for only $2.18 (originally 50 bucks!) That was amazing!! Thank you for all your hard work and helping to save us all money!!! Cant wait to see the deals 2010 brings!! 🙂
Collin,
I can not Thank You enough for this website. I am a single mother to a two year old and a 10 month old so I have to watch every penny I spend. Your amazing deals have helped save us a lot of money!! And I love the FOLLOW ME MONDAY videos… (I NEVER even thought about using coupons on trial sizes before I saw your videos.) May God Bless your family as you have helped bless ours.
Happy New Year.. I know this is going to be another great year on your blog. You have done so much to save my family money. I have always used coupons but not the Collin way till I started reading your blog several times a day. I have to say you have saved my family so much money that I am only working part time now which gives me more time with the children. Thank you so much.. The children love having me here more especially since daddy is in the Navy. God Bless you and your family this coming year..
Happy New Year! I think my best freebie this year was the pair of Lee Jeans that showed up at my door a few days ago! Now I need to get busy and get some of this “Holiday Weight” off so they fit!
Happy New Year!!!! just wanted to send you out a big THANK YOU!! i think you are the cutest thing, you make me laugh =love the follow me monday videos.-pls keep them up. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into your blog. i love to check it a couple of times/day, because i know you are always busy find us the good deals! You have given me the Coupon Bug.. i love saving $$$$ and showing my hubby the the amount before and after the coupons!!! So thanks, you are one cool and very HIP chick, Happy New Year to you and your lucky family!!!
Happy New Year to you also and a big Thank You for sharing all these great finds with us! Jayne
Collin ~ I just wanted to Thank you for all of the great finds. I just started Super-Couponing in July, and I with the help of your website have been able to snag some great find and was able to give my kids a great Christmas and my daughter a great birthday, despite being laid off all year. Thank you so much for the impact you have made on my family. I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for us. Keep up all of your hard work. So many of us appreciate all that youu do, even if some of the FREEBIES don’t ever show up or the deals are a bust, you can’t control that. And you are a riot, I wish I lived near you or was a close personal friend of yours. I am sure we would enjoy a few glasses of wine together.
Collin,
Happy New Year to you and your family!! I only found your site in November but have already saved SO much! My husband is amazed at what I bring home from the store and never seems to complain about the lack of snacks in the house anymore! Because of you I can afford to buy those overpriced snacks for him.
My favorite deal so far has been the Kids Triaminic Strips from Walgreens. I don’t have kids but was able to score free boxes for a young single mother of 4 that I work with. I also helped her out getting her tons of the toy coupons and telling her where to get the best deals for xmas.
I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings!!
Collin, thank you so much for all the work that you do and thanks for doing it with a sense of humor and kindness!!! I found your blog in October and won’t ever go back to paying full price or not using coupons. You have helped me save so much money for my family. Thanks so much and Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to a year full of great deals! Thank you for all you do Collin!
Wow! Thanks Collin for working so hard this year; great job!!! I am looking forward to a great year of savings so I can pay off some more debt and put a little aside for the future. You have helped me make some progress and I am grateful.
As for the “Wrigley’s gum deal”, all I can say is I wish I was following your site back then. I would have travelled far and wide, bought up every pack in my surrounding states and chewed one piece right after the other. Man, I wish I knew about that one!!!
Happy New Year to you and your family. God bless ya!
Dear Collin,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your hard work. I always clipped coupons before coming to your site, but you took me to the next level. Well, more like the next couple of levels! My husband shops with me once in awhile, and just looks at me in amazement and asks, “How did you that???!” after I execute the deals that you post and spend next to nothing.
Here’s to a prosperous and rewarding 2010!! Happy New Year!
Boy, I really enjoy reading the comments. I went back to read to Wrigley’s Gum comments and my husband thought I was laughing at him. I love this blog! It’s changed my life.
Collin, I’d love to see a questions and answer section on your site. I see alot of questions that I can relate to, but not always an answer. This would be helpful!
Thanks for all your hard work with this blog – I love reading it daily!
Love this post! Also love seeing all the deals from the past year you scored. I saw your CVS post with the Colgate and that brought me back some memories. That week was my first week at CVS. I’ve learned so much since them and it’s really amazing to look back at how much I’ve gained for my family in just a short amount of time. I love your site! Thanks so much for all your great blog posts! You’ve helped me get to where I am today! Here’s to a great 2010!
I just started couponing this year and was shocked at what all can be had for free. I did give my information to a few companys that promised freebies but never made good on their promise….. .. I filled out the sample request for Emeril Seasonings twice and never recieved anything, The Seventh Generation free sample of laundry detergent worked but the dish soap did not. The Abulita Hot Cocoa never worked, as well as the free sample of jerky, to name a few.
I think my favorite deals were the Amazon Seventh Generation deal, Kmarts Super double deal, and the Healthy Choice $2.00 coupon!
Thanks for everything you do!
Oh,,, I also loved (and am still loving) the Chefs Requested deal and all the free cereal cups at Target as well!!! My husband made me get on here and tell you he loved the Chefs Requested deal.
Just a thought…. I just joined Facebook because I’m totally wanting to get in on the coupon deals. I was thinking, you have buttons that can take you directly to any specific store you want to look up deals at. I was wondering if you could make a FaceBook one? That way we wouldn’t have to go fishing for all the Facebook deals by hitting the back button over and over to read your previous post from the past and find them.
How did you sum up the whole year and not mention the Lindt chocolates?!? Welcome 2010 and more couponing fun!