Pure Joy for Couponers!

Double Double Days at Copps

Saturday May 28th
Saturday June 4th
Wednesday June 8th
Saturday June 11th
Saturday June 25th

Free Shout Color Catcher

Go here for a free sample of Shout Color Catcher.  Historically, samples from Right @ Home include high value coupons with the samples, so it's doubly worth it to request it.

Free Rental at Blockbuster Express

Kristin over at Couponing to Disney has 2 free rental codes: 1 is good through 5/15; the other is good at Blockbuster Express kiosks located at Publix stores through 6/30.

Mail Call

When I first started couponing, I was reluctant to participate in requests for freebies.  I assumed it would generate a lot more junk mail, making my trips to the mailbox that much more unpleasant.  To my great surprise, it's been nothing like that.  I actually look forward to getting the mail each day.

Here are a few of the things I've received in the last 2 weeks:

 Bath & Body Works: Free item on Thursday card
Kohl's: 15% off entire purchase card
Free Uncle Ben's Ready Rice coupon
Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner
2 packages Taster's Choice single serve coffee samples with $1.00 off 1 coupons in each package

 Purex Complete with Zout sample with $1 coupon

Disposable travel coffee mug with 5 $.55 off 1 International Delight coupons


Not pictured: $10 off a $10 purchase at JCPenney coupon, $3 gift card to Toys R Us, InStyle Magazine, and so much more.

For those of you who haven't signed up for free samples, here are a few resources worth checking out:
Vocalpoint
Walmart
Hip2Save (Colin has an entire tab devoted to freebies!)

Operation Christmas Child

A few years ago, our family was introduced to Operation Christmas Child (OCC) through our church.  We brought home our first shoeboxes filled with excitement over the treasures we were going to share with someone, maybe even halfway around the world!  Little did we realize that the greatest impact was going to be on us.

On the rare occasions we treat the girls to kids' meals, they animatedly gush over the trinket discovered from within the food.  But it's been a long time since they've torn open the packaging.  Instead, they protectively guard that toy or book or hair pretty, keeping it safe until we return home.  With smiles on their faces, they eagerly drop it in their OCC shoe box bag.

Stickers earned for braving shots; travel size toothpaste and dental floss after a teeth cleaning; extras from a birthday party goody bag; it's all saved with tender loving care.

As the year progresses, and their bags are filled with more items, their smiles just get bigger and brighter.  My heart beams with pride as my girls truly recognize the joy of giving.  And it all started with 1 green shoe box.

The other day, I discovered a wonderful blog called Clip With Purpose.  Jessica has an amazing heart, with a mission to share with those less fortunate.  She has an incredibly creative vision, and sees sales in the weekly inserts as a source for abundantly blessing OCC.

A reader of Clip With Purpose shared with Jessica just how impacting OCC is for the recipient AND the giver.  When a Simple Gift Changes a Life


This morning, the girls and I had a few more things to add to our shoe box bags.  Then I got an idea thanks to Jessica's blog.  She shares each month her progress for building shoe boxes.  I'm challenging my girls (and all of you!) to add something to your shoe box each month as well.

The area churches have shoe boxes available starting in November.  Until then, the girls and I keep our items in a 2-gallon size zip top bag.  For the sake of tracking our progress, I emptied out a toy bin roughly the same size as the containers the church provides.  What we have so far is definitely a start, but I'm looking forward to seeing it stuffed!

Contents:
American Girls Paper Doll Book (Source: McDonald's Kids' Meal = free)
Sticker (Source: Doctor Visit = free)
My Little Pony (Source: McDonald's Kids' Meal = free)
Small Stuffed Animal (Source: McDonald's Kids' Meal = free)
Hairbrush with 6 pony-tail holders (Source: ShopKo after Christmas Sale = $.15 clearance price)
2 Dental Floss and 1 Toothpaste (Source: Dentist Visit = free)
Nexcare bandages (Source: Copps = free thanks to double coupon day)
SpongeBob Squidwort posable toy (Source: Burger King Kids' Meal = free)
Tube of Chapstick (Source: Copps = free thanks to double coupon day)


For those of you not sure where to start, please visit Samaritan's Purse.  You'll find inspiring life-changing testimony, encouraging experiences, and all of the information you'll need to get started, including gift ideas for your shoe box.

Coupon Booklet

Check today's newspaper for a new COPPS coupon booklet

Free Admission to Green Bay Botanical Garden - May 6th

Visit the Green Bay Botanical Garden today from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.


Green Bay Botanical Garden is celebrating the 3^rd Annual National Public Gardens Day on Friday, May 6, 2011 with FREE Admission for everyone. The Garden will be open from 9 am to 5 pm.
National Public Gardens Day is a national day of celebration to raise awareness of America’s public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation and education in communities nationwide.
Come celebrate with us!

Go here for complete details, and directions to GBBG.

Mom's Nite Out at Bay Park Square

Bay Park Square Mall will host its second annual "National Mom's Nite Out" event on Thursday, May 5th from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. CST in Center Court and throughout the mall.
"National Mom's Nite Out" is a nationally organized celebration for motherhood that plans to unite moms across the country.  This free event will provide moms with the opportunity to enjoy social networking, fun interactive activities, live demonstrations, food, prize drawings, shopping incentives, and more.
Recognizing the importance of moms and how they control 85 - 90% of household spending on everyday items, Simon Property Group is hosting "National Mom's Nite Out" at a number of its leading malls across the country.

More information about Mom's Nite Out can be found here.

Saturday May 7th

Word on the street is that Copps is having another DOUBLE DOUBLE coupon day this Saturday May 7th.  Double up to 10 coupons up to $1 in value or less instead of the regular 5.


Who's excited?  Who's in?

FiberChoice - Free Sample

Click here to request a free sample of FiberChoice.  It will take 8 - 11 weeks to deliver, but in the meantime, you can access the $2.00 off a 90 count FiberChoice product.

Graveyard.com - Deal of the Day

I've purchased some products from GraveyardMall and have been very pleased with everything I've ever received.  For those of you who pledged to lead healthier lives, this is a great way to continue or kick start your exercise routine.

Click here to get everything in the above picture for only $7.99 + tax.  This is originally priced at $39.99 so a savings of $32.00 before tax or shipping is a pretty great deal!