We've posted two new sets of patio furniture on craigslist:
9 Pieces of Wrought Iron Furniture made in Mexico












4 Piece Classic Outdoor Wicker Seating

Print coupon here.
This is probably meant for new mothers, since it asks for baby's birthday or expected birthday, however, I just signed up using my kids' birthdays (definitely not babies) and was able to print a $10 off $10 minimum purchase at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. It prints with your name and email address on it, so there is a limit of one.

Cards, wrapping paper, gifts... $10 worth is free at Hallmark!
Enjoy!

Yes, I've been on a blog sabbatical.  For several weeks I've been contemplating a few things, such as:

• how I am spending my time
• how to generate income
• how to spend the least in order to get the most (that hasn't changed!)
• paying off a huge expense before the deadline arrives next week
• setting some goals for the things I want to accomplish

and so on...

I came to one conclusion about bargain shopping and couponing—it's one of the smartest choices I've ever made. Everything about spending has changed in our home and it's become the badge of honor to broadcast to friends and family alike our bargain buys.

Another conclusion is that there are multiple blogs out there that do the grocery and drugstore match-ups and coupon links better than me, so I believe I will bow out gracefully and follow these myself:
www.iheartpublix.com
www.southernsavers.com
www.frugalcouponliving.com
www.totallytarget.com

These are great blogs for coupon clippers like me.  I'd like to reserve the right to post other terrific bargains I come across that may help my friends and readers because I can't resist a free thing or a great buy!  What will the future of I Love A Bargain be?  Here's a preview:


My husband and I have taken it to another level and become "flippers." We are able to combine our particular talents to purchase items for rock-bottom prices and resell them for a profit. It helps that we have a huge pickup truck, that he can fix almost anything, we both enjoy researching products, I am the one who haggles prices and strikes the bargain—and we are having fun.  We've always enjoyed working on projects together, only this time, we are making money!

In six weeks we have made a profit of more than $600.  I used to put in 30-40 hours in the same six weeks writing or editing to make that much money.  Instead, we are spending a few hours every weekend looking for bargains and then getting them ready for resale.  In a difficult economy where people are spending less, it makes sense to purchased pre-owned items.  Here are some photos of a few of the items we've found, cleaned up, fixed, painted, sanded, vacuumed, and sold:






It's tempting to want to keep some of the treasures we've found, and that is part of the fun.  We were able to use the outdoor furniture right up until we sold it.  It was actually cold (one morning) enough to try out the patio heaters we had for a few days.  We've been selling items at very competitive prices so the folks buying our things are getting great deals, too.

We have some items for sale on craigslist now and will be posting them here on this site as well.  Pass on this site if you know anyone who may be interested in one of these items. If you want all the details for a particular thing, just click on the link provided.




We will be posting more every few days, so stay tuned for more bargains.

Today is the day to access this coupon, click here , for a printable coupon for 50% off any Martha Stewart item at Michael's craft superstores.  You can print more than one since the small print says one per person per day, and the expiration date is 10/16.

Holiday crafts, baking or gifts....
Shop smart!

Restaurant.com Sale 90% off is extended through midnight tonight.  See yesterday's post if you missed the chance to purchase $25 certificates for $1 !!

Today only, 90% off the usual price of dining certificates, and now, they never expire... even better.  Click here  to order or to search for a Restaurant in your area.

First Promotion, Living Social Deals, get info here.



One voucher is valid for a 4-pack of tickets • Tickets can be split among up to 4 customers and do not have to be used in the same visit • Tickets must be claimed at WeeklyCinema.com within 90 days of purchase, and must be redeemed via Fandango within 90 days after that • The maximum value of each movie ticket ($14) can also be used toward any IMAX or 3D movie; please note that you will need to pay any remaining value at time of purchase • Valid at any participating Fandango and MovieTickets.com theaters nationwide • One-time purchase; customers will NOT be required to sign up for a monthly subscription •

Second Promotion, Groupon Orlando:

$4 for One Youth Admission or $5 for One Adult Admission to the Corn Maze and Adventure Area at Long & Scott Farms
from $4 worth: discount: savings: $8 50% $4 Company Information: Long & Scott Farms website Locations: 26216 County Rd. 448A Mt. Dora, Florida 32757
Scientists have been unable to prevent corn from growing in complicated maze patterns, resulting in a large number of tractors that go missing and form tractor cities and have tractor babies. Embrace nature's greatest mystery with today's Groupon, which gets you admission to the corn maze and adventure area at Long & Scott Farmsin Mt. Dora. This Groupon is valid on Saturdays and Sundays from October 2, 2010 to November 28, 2010 and on November 24 and 26, 2010. Choose between these options: $4 for one youth admission (ages 3-16, an $8 value) $5 for one adult admission (17 and older, a $10 value) Long & Scott Farms welcomes fall by creating a new corn maze each year and offering a wealth of family-friendly activities in a farm setting. This year's maze features 6.5 acres of paths that meander through a field of maize. Those who brave the corny forest can search for clues to answer questions, locate stations along the way, and emerge from the maze alive. Lost explorers can exit at any time or ask the Maze Master for directional assistance, which will only be provided after you promise to include him or her in your will. Although some groups have navigated the leafy labyrinth in as little as 45 minutes, it can take up to two hours to conquer. A variety of fun activities are also included in the admission price, such as a 60 ft. super slide, a playground and picnic area, and a half-acre mini maze. In addition to fall-themed playtime, Long & Scott Farms is a source for field-sourced fare, such as sweet corn, cucumbers, and cabbage. Scott's Country Market sells fresh produce, jams, syrups, and more for customers who want to take home more farm than the dirt on their shoes and the cobs in their jeans. All children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Read More...

Some may have seen it yesterday, but locally, today is the day to get newspapers! $10 off ANY PURCHASE (no minimum) and it's good for 11 days.  Get extra papers and check out the clearance sections throughout the stores over the next week and a half.

Last time I had one of these, I was able to get a $70 leather purse (turquoise, so I plan to use it next summer) for $7 and a piece of jewelry on clearance, too, saving over $90 off retail prices.

Think Christmas gifts because it's never too early to get started.

Shop smart!

New month, and $10 more in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks.  We recently used our $20 accumulated in July and August to make a purchase where we ended up paying only for shipping.  I love it!  Don't waste time wondering if it's worth it... just get started by clicking on the Swagbucks widget at the top of this page and sign up for your free account and begin earning Swag.

A few great bargains at Publix this week:

First, there is a $5 off $50 coupon attached to today's Sentinel, and since the coupon is good until 9/20, pick up extra papers to use in the next two weeks.  When using this $$$ coupon, hand it to the cashier before your manufacturer's coupons, when your tally is the highest.

Get Wisk detergent this week, as many as you have coupons for (I had six) because they are on sale for $4.99 (32 loads) and there was a $3 coupon in this past Sunday's paper.  $1.99 each is a great deal!

Ball Park franks (various types/sizes) are B1G1 or $3.99/2 and for every two you purchase you can get a free package of Sara Lee hot dog buns (worth up to $2.49).  There are tear pads located in the refrigerated meat right near the hot dogs.  I bought 8 packages of franks, had $4.50 in MQ's and got four free packages of rolls or $41 retail value for $13.50.  I heard a rumor that hot dog sales won't happen often after Labor Day, so I am stocking up and freezing.

Publix Deli has their assorted 8-pc. (cold) fried chicken for just $3.99

Start collecting Halloween candy with the Nestle sale B1G1 for bags of various mini candy bars and there was .55 MQ (use two) in a recent flyer.

Look for tear pad coupons all over the store, because today I found $1.50 off Crystal Light, $2 off Lactaid milk, $1.50 off Chips Ahoy & Capri Sun, $1 off Planters cashews and more.

Shop smart!

It's been a while since I posted a photo to brag about, and I probably shouldn't have today because the sale I was working with is over tonight so I cannot direct you to get the same savings.  Maybe you will be encouraged when I post the deals for the new sale beginning tomorrow...
Combining sale prices with coupons, I was able to get everything in the photo for $36.  Some of the best deals:

2 Hormel meat loaf entrees $6 (each feeds 3-4 people)
1 fire-baked pizza $3
8-pack Publix frozen burgers $5
6 cartons Starbucks ice cream $3 total
4 Right Guard deodorants - free!
Air Wick i-motion fresheners $1.98/2
2 Campbells Select Harvest soups $1.40
2 bags Dove silk chocolates $2
2 Kens marinades 79 cents

Shop smart!

And the restaurant deals keep coming... click here   for a printable $10 off $25

Click here for a printer-friendly version of the coupon.

How about spa services valued at $120 for just $29?  The deal comes from LIVING SOCIAL/Orlando, a purchasing site that gives group values/prices when you purchase goods or services through their site.

This is the Micro Spa in the Hunt Club area which offers regular spa services, tanning, even teeth whitening all of which fall into the price category of under $120.  Check it out or buy as a gift!
Details here.

From Groupon, a similar service which I've written about before, comes this deal for the locals:

Get $10 of anything at Boston for just $5.  I can personally vouch for their food, which is not expensive at all, especially breakfast!  Oh, and the coffee is top notch, too.  A great buy at 50% off.  Get details here.

Shop smart!

Today's Groupon Deal $4 Movie Tickets!
Simply register for a Fandango account (free info about movies and show times) and you can purchase a $4 ticket.  Get info here.

People don't believe me sometimes when I talk about getting free or nearly free items, so I wanted to give some examples from CVS this week. I was using $9 in EB's earned a few weeks ago, so my out of pocket spending was less than $2 and I earned $2 in EB's.


Right Guard and Dry Idea deodorants are B1G1 free in the ad
last month there was a B1G1 coupon in sunday insert (I have six of them)
when combined with the store savings, they are free (not $3.99-$4.99 apiece)
I will get twelve free this week during the sale...

Purex laundry detergent (3-in-1 sheets) $5.99
use $3 MQ from sunday insert
pay $2.99
get $2 in Extra Bucks

Zegerid OTC 14 ct. $9.99
use $3 MQ from sunday insert
pay $6.99
get $7 in Extra Bucks

Blink Tears $7.99
use $1 MQ from sunday insert
pay $6.99
get $7.99 in Extra Bucks

I also picked up 16 toothbrushes today for a total cost of $3.50 finding GUM brand and Reach 4-packs on 75% off clearance (in the oral section) using MQ's on each.

Remember two things—ask for a raincheck if your store is out of the item from the ad and you will get the sale price and EB's whenever they are restocked, even if it's next month; and you can make more than one transaction, using EB's earned in one to pay for the item in the next.

Shop smart!

This is a Groupon offer, for $25 off $50 from GAP stores. This is an in-store promotion not available online but is good on clearance and sale items.

If savings at GAP interests you, go here   for more details on how to purchase your certificate of savings.

Shop smart!

Note: I went to the site this morning and it was shut down for overload.  If you experience the same thing, keep trying because they expect to be up and running again soon.

Yikes! I cannot believe I went a week without posting, but I was otherwise engaged in a project that kept me away from the computer and the stores.  Here are a few things I wanted to mention:

Get your hands on some newspapers today, because there is another $10 off $20 from Kohls good for ten days.  A few weeks ago, I made some fabulous purchases from clearance in housewares and clothing in preparation for my college-bound son with several of these coupons.  There's more... a 15% off printable coupon that can be used together with the $$$ off coupons, per the cashier I spoke with, the $10 is taken off the top, then 15% is applied to the remainder.  Get your printable coupon here.

Maybelline mascaras are on sale for 40% in Publix today and tomorrow.  You can combine the store coupon from the Green Advantage flyer for $2 off with a $1 MQ available here.

A mascara normally priced at $5.69 is on sale for $3.42, and when you stack the two coupons, you can get it for 42 cents.  There are a few that are even cheaper than that.

Shop smart!

With all of the recent sales on Schick Hydro razor for men, you may have purchased one recently.  Did you know there is a rebate available as well?

These are on sale at CVS this week with a reward of $4 EB's and there is a $5 coupon in this past sunday's insert.

Get form and details here.
Thanks www.iheartpublix.com