Oh man, time to update.

Hi all.
I have been quite busy lately with planning my wedding so have neglected this blog. :( Anyway...on to the updates.

Well, since I last wrote, Rite Aid has started a new rewards program with +Up Rewards! I love these! You can usually find some good moneymakers each week where you might initially pay a dollar or two and end up with at least the amount you paid back in rewards. I usually end up with at least half of what I pay back in rewards. You do need to sign up for their rewards program, but it is free and it really really pays off! I was able to get quite a few Christmas gifts over the holidays with these rewards, plus I am able to get some fun stuff for me or for Chas with them when they are going to expire before I have a shopping trip to make. They even help out with normal needs like toilet paper or tissues or paper towels. It is nice because they are like gift cards (except you have to use the whole thing in one transaction and the transaction has to be over the total rewards amount) and you can use as many as you want in one transaction.
Some good rewards items to keep an eye out for is anything that you get the same amount back in rewards or more back in rewards for.
For instance, a few weeks ago there were folders at Rite Aid that were 99 cents. When you purchased them you got a 2 dollar reward back. I bought two of them each at two different stores and ended up with eight dollars in rewards though I only spent four dollars. I also got a package of pencils that cost 99 cents and I got 2 dollars back in rewards. I plan to donate these items when they do back to school drives for school supplies in the area. Then I was able to turn around and roll my rewards by purchasing things I needed (laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc.) that had rewards on them and I ended up with even more rewards.
This is the fun part of couponing. It is nice to know that though you may not be able to donate time or money to different places you can donate things that are needed that you barely paid anything for (if you even pay anything for them).
I have been able to make diaper cakes for friends for under twenty dollars cost to me, I have been able to make some awesome baby shower bags, and I was able to purchase all my gifts for Christmas for everyone in my family and Chas for under a hundred dollars all because of coupons.