Once I get everything revamped there will be a giveaway or two….no giftcards or expensive stuff, I don’t have the budget or backing for such things. But I do have a couple freebie coupons and some other goodies to send to readers.

Stay tuned kiddies.

Giftcards are often better than cash. After all, Uncle Sam isn’t likely to replace a lost or stolen card but many retailers do just that if you register your giftcard. New laws allow them to never expire in some states, which means no more expiration dates or fees for many giftcards which can drain or deplete the balance. I know I have a stash of giftcards I rely on when I see a great find at a store or to reduce the cost of an item which may be more of a splurge than I have planned.

Which is why I am so excited to tell you about this Gift Card Weekend opportunity. Gilbert the Gift Card machine is giving away giftcards in anticipation of Gift Card Weekend and you can enter to win one by going to their Facebook page and hitting up the “like” button. However you can earn extra entries by getting your friends to enter as well. December 19th through the 23rd the gift card being given away is a $20 Sephora card. Perfect for a bit of post-holiday pampering. So make sure you enter and check back often as they are giving out gift cards the entire month, for various participating merchants.

What is Gift Card Weekend  you ask? Its a magical time between January 6th and 8th when giftcards become more than face value. Its the ultimate bonus buy, without the hassle. Purchasers before Gift Card Weekend will gain an added value in the form of an extra card or a higher denomination card. You see alot of these offers if you’ve been out holiday shopping: buy $20 get $5, buy $50 get $10, etc. This is no different. The bonus benefit comes when the recipient of that gift card goes to redeem it during Gift Card Weekend and also finds extra offers. Recipients can click on their retailer of choice and see what bonus offers are available when they redeem their gift card. With retailers like JCPenny, Regal Cinema, Subway, Sephora, Applebee’s, Bass Pro Shops, Adidas, Buca di Beppo, Lowe’s, Spa Finder, Marriot, and Giant Eagle there is bound to be something for just about everyone on your list (except maybe Aunt Eunice who thinks its impersonal).

I don’t know about you, but a chance at a free gift card just for liking a page on Facebook, plus more chances just for telling friends about it sounds like a pretty great offer. I know I will be stopping by regularly to enter for gift cards and information about the possible offers for Gift Card Weekend. After all, most people like to receive gift cards as it gives them the chance to pick exactly what they want, save them up for a big purchase, or use them to scrape sticker residue off of books. So get your shopping savy behinds over to the Facebook page and get started by “like“ing them now!

Walmart has the single serve 16oz pint Oakhurst Eggnog in regular or light for $1.12 each. Some areas received a $2 off any two Oakhurst Eggnog (this is two words on their coupon and products), Cream or Whipped Cream Products exp 01/07/2012 in the 12/04/2011 Smartsource insert. This makes the eggnog .12 per pint, .24 per quart, or .96 a gallon. Shelf price for a half gallon carton is normally in the $3-4 range, so you can see the savings is pretty drastic. Plus you can portion it out, when the bottle is empty its empty.

Prices will vary by town and region as milk prices and laws do as well. I had to price check my eggnog, as there was no price marked on it in the open cooler the egg nog is in where I picked it up. But you can be assured its going to be the cheapest option until it goes on sale after Christmas, if it even does.

Ok, ok-its backed by American Express which can be a tricky card to get accepted at some stores, and I would never encourage people to use credit when they can pay cash, but anything that supports local business and encourages people to find new places to shop is at least a decent enough idea to talk about.

Participating stores (which will of course be accepting American Express-as well as Mastercard and Visa I am sure) can be found at this link.

Follow the movement on Facebook here.

You can also join the pledge to Shop Small here.

My mom was always big on shopping local when she could and buying American when possible. One of my fondest memories of Mom&Pop’s in Connecticut. It was a laundry mat and small restaurant with a killer taco bar, fresh softserve with mix-ins, and a dose of attention as if you were family.

This is what looks like it might warrant a trip to Shaws this week:
Turkey .49/lb
*this is the best price around, unless you have a Stop&Shop and then pricematching this will also get you gas points
Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce 10/$10
$1/2 Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, 14-oz MQ IP
=.50 each
Pepsi 12 packs 4/$10, must buy 4 (no limit posted in ad)
=2.50 each
*this is a buy price for us for Cherry Pepsi
Tostitos or Doritos B2G2 3.99 or 4.99 should be shelf per bag
McCormick extract, food color, gourmet spices or grinders BOGO free
$1/1 McCormick Gourmet Spices MQ tearpad
B2 McCormick spices get vanilla up to 3.99 free MQ booklet
$1/1 McCormick Gourmet Spices MQ tearpad
$1/2 McCormick spices MQ tearpad
Jello pudding or gelatin box .79
$1.25/3 Kraft Dessert Brands, Any Participating: Baker’s Bar Products, Jell-O Pudding or Gelatin, Planters Peanut Butter, Honey Maid Grahams, Nilla Wafers, or Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Any – Deliciously Simple Holiday Recipes booklet
=.37 each
Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallows 2/$3
.50/2 Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows, any bag
=1.25 a bag if DND, $1 a bag if it doubles
Lifesavers peg bag 2/$3
.50/1 Lifesaver gummy or hard candy peelie MQ
=1.00 a bag if DND, .50 a bag if it doubles
Idahoan Potato pouch 10/$10
FREE Idahoan Flavored Mashed Potatoes, any 4.1 oz or smaller – 11-06-11 DTSM – valid up to $1.69
=free

Also Saturday they will be giving out double game tickets…if you have been playing. While supplies last.

Campbell’s Soup (healthy request shown) in Cream of Chicken or Mushroom .60 each
$1/8 Campbell’s Condensed “Great for Cooking” Soups, any – 11-06-11 SS
.40/4 Campbell’s Condensed “Great for Cooking” Soups, Any – 10-09-11 SS
=as low as .48 each

Idahoan Potato 4oz Pouch .98 each
FREE Idahoan Flavored Mashed Potatoes, any 4.1 oz or smaller – 11-06-11 DTSM – valid up to $1.69
.75/3 Idahoan Product, Any 13 Oz. Or Smaller IP MQ
=as low as FREE

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce 1.16 each
$1/2 Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, 14-oz IP MQ
=.66 each
Pricematch to Shaws Flyer for 10/$10
=.50 each

Swanson Broth .50 each
$1/5 Swanson Broth, any cans – 11-06-11 SS
=.30 each

King’s Hawaiian Dinner Rolls 12ct 2.00
$1/1 King’s Hawaiian Rolls, any 12-pk – 11-13-11 RP
=1.00 each

Jello Gelatin box .78
-$1.25/3 Kraft Dessert Brands, Any Participating: Baker’s Bar Products, Jell-O Pudding or Gelatin, Planters Peanut Butter, Honey Maid Grahams, Nilla Wafers, or Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Any – Deliciously Simple Holiday Recipes Booklet
=.36 each

Breathe Right 2ct Strips .97 each
$1.50/1 Breathe Right, any 12 ct or smaller – 10-16-11 RP
=.53 MM each

Tide Trial Size Packs .97 each
$2/1 Tide Detergent (Limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip) – 10-30-11 PG
=1.03 MM each

Purina ONE Beyond 3.5lb bag 6.99 (Last time I bought here)
$4/1 Purina One Brand BeyOnd Dry Dog Food, any – 10-09-11 SS
=2.99 each or .85/lb

Hormel Small Party Tray 5.00
$3/1 any Hormel Party Tray product IP MQ
=2.00 for crackers, cheese and meat in a nifty to-go container

This is what I’ve got right now…I am sure I am missing tons of good deals, but I will add them as I remember them.

Given my choice of colors I opted for a pretty black and pink pair of in the Wave style. They don’t come in a wide width, which I anticipated being an issue so I ordered a half size bigger than normal. Which seems to have done a decent job of fitting my wide foot, and yet not being too long. They don’t put undue pressure on the top of my foot, where I have a weird bony part sticking up…which is a common problem. Not a big fan of skater shoes, but these are cute and fun to wear.

Being willing to let go and risk a couple (dozen) falls is definitely something as an adult thats not quite comfortable. But I remember learning to roller skate with my Fisher-Price skates…and if I could do it then why not now? I sadly do lack the proper safety gear, but would suggest anyone of an age past adolescence at least borrow their kids knee and elbow pads before they start. Also remember that one good knock on a helmet and it should be replaced.

I live in a downtown area with lots of uneven blacktop and few concrete spaces, especially those still smooth enough to skate safely on (winter being harsh we use alot of salt which pits concrete surfaces) so I had to think outside the box to find a safe space to skate in. Luckily my kitchen has tile and my husband’s office kitchenette does as well. I could have brought them to my workplace, but then I’d have to let my coworkers laugh at me forever.

Pulling and pushing yourself along the counter is pretty hard, even without running your feet into each other and the counter. The alternative is to let go of the counter and fall straight onto your behind though, and that didn’t sound too appealing. I tried having my husband pull me, but that was kind of even scarier…since he was giggling the entire time about me being a weenie about using the wheels. After a bit of this I can say I felt a bit better about it, but my attempts to do it on my own didn’t go as well. I might progress enough to manage to go a couple feet without help, but I’m not so sure. Its hard to get your brain to regress to the point where you were as a kid. Back when you felt invincible and didn’t worry about things like hurting yourself and trying to work or walk the dog or paying for a cast if you break something without having health insurance….

…maybe I’ve just been too tired as of late with the new job and odd hours. I wanted to film me trying them out, but my attempts didn’t come out well, and I’ve yet to find a better space to retape them. I want to beat myself and get it down though. So watch for a video update in a week or so once I’ve made it through the other side of Black Friday….until then don’t let yourself stand in the way of purchasing these for the kids in your life who will undoubtedly love them. But don’t force them on your kid if they don’t want them or they haven’t tried to be a superhero a time or two.

For those of you inspired by my review, Heely’s is having a Black Friday sale! If you buy a pair of Heely’s between November 25 and 28th you can get a second pair for 50% off. You can also purchase a Nano and get a pair of shoes for 50% off. Either offer includes free ground shipping. I don’t know about you, but videos of the kids trying to learn to use their Heely’s will beat Uncle Bob knocking back the eggnog and burping any day…

*I received the lovely pair of Heely’s featured in the article in return for my candid and honest review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post, and receive no other kickbacks for posting it. All thoughts, mishaps and information not linked to directly from the Heely’s website is my own.

The Catalina gives you $1 back for each four items you purchase up to $10 in one order. That means you can buy forty items and get back a $10 CAT. Variable weight meat, produce, seafood, bakery and deli items were not included in the eligible items, but everything else qualified.

The quick and dirty list of cheap/free items includes:
single can of soda .25
single can of cat food .35-.37
can of veggies .50-.59 and up
box of mac&cheese .59
cup of yogurt .39
can of beans .75
jar of gravy .89
2lb bag of sugar (light brown, dark brown or confectioners) 1.50
jar of stuffed olives 1.19
lasagna noodles .99
evaporated milk .89
pudding mix box .89
can of cranberry sauce .79

Just remember that all of their other brands: Home 360, Home 360 Pets, and Taste of Inspirations do not count for this Catalina although they did the last time. Some of these items may have changed from Hannaford brand to other variations, which could effect your catalina from printing.

I know I will be running out one last time before work to grab some more goodies for the holidays, especially the canned veggies and beans. This is also a great way to donate more over the holidays when food pantries need more. Items like cranberry sauce, gravy and veggies are perfect and there are donation bins right in the store if you don’t know where your local pantry are.

Toy Story Operation $1
*pricematched to Toys-r-us ad
Starbucks 8oz ground coffee 3.99
*pricematched to Christmas Tree Shop ad
Stove Top Stuffing .89
-$1/2 stovetop tearpad
-B4G1 free stovetop tearpad
=as low as .29 each
Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes .89 each
-.50/2 or $1/4 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, any (except Potato Buds and Betty Crocker Pouch) – 10-02-11 GM
=.55 each
Purina ONE Beyond Dog Food 6.16 TPC
-$4/1 Purina One Brand BeyOnd Dry Dog Food, any – 10-09-11 SS
=2.16 or .62/lb
Heinz Dip&Squeeze 1.99
-$1/1 Heinz MQ IP
-.75/1 Heinz Dip&Squeeze TQ from target.com
=.24
Maybelline baby Lips 3.49
-$2/1 maybelline TQ from target.com
-$1/1 or $2/1 maybelline MQ from 9/11 RP
=FREE
NYC Nail Polish 1.97
-$1/1 NYC Cosmetic TQ from target.com
=.97 each
*polish is pictured on TQ
Philadelphia Cooking Creme 2.49
-$1/1 cooking creme TQ from target.com
-$1/1 coking creme MQ IP
=.49 each
Clearance sleepwear
-$3/1 sleepwear (excluding slippers) TQ from target.com
=as low as FREE
Bullseye Plush $14.99
*100% of purchase price goes to St. Jude’s

As always I will also be looking for meat deals with coupon peelies to stock the freezer as well as produce TPCs for items that are close to date or overstocked in the store. Clearance endcaps are well stocked by sitting at 30% for lots of stuff.

Pepsi 2ltrs 10/$10
Near East Couscous or Rice Pilaf 10/$10
-$1/1 NE Couscous from Shaws or Stop&Shop booklets
-$1/2 NE Couscous products IP
=as low as free
Thomas’ English Muffins B1G2 free
*I want to say these are 3.99 or 4.99 each so 3/$4 or 3/$5 each
Green Mountain Coffee K-cup 12ct 6.99
-$1/1 K-Cup Portion Packs, any 12 ct boxes (DND5) – 11-06-11 SS
=5.99/12 or .50 a cup
*hoping they have Pumpkin Spice
Whole turkey 10-30lbs, Grade A .49/lb
*said to be Shaws or assorted other brands as usual
BOGO Hormel Bacon
*I think black label was 5.99 last I looked which makes it $3 a pack
GM Buy Ten Products Save $5 and get 20 and 10 boxtops
BC Boxed Potatoes 1.25
-.50/2 or $1/4 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, any (except Potato Buds and Betty Crocker Pouch) – 10-02-11 GM
BC Cake Mix or Fudge Brownie Mix 1.25
-$1/2 or .75/2 Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix AND Betty Crocker Ready to Spread Frosting, any – 10-02-11 GM
Progresso Rich&Hearty or Traditional Soup 4/$5 (must buy 4)
-$1/4 Progresso Soups, any – 10-02-11 GM or 10-23-11 SS
Betty Crocker Fundamiddles 2.50
-.50/1 Betty Crocker Fun-da-Middles Cupcake Mix, Any – SmartSource.com
Totino’s Pizza Snacks 1.50
-.35/1 Totino’s Rolls Snacks, any – 10-02-11 GM
Betty Crocker Frosting or Original Supreme Brownie Mix 2/$4
.75/2 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Or Desser Bar Mixes, Any – SmartSource.com
Yoplait Splitz and Trix yogurt 2/$5
-.75/2 or $1/2 Yoplait Go-GURT Yogurt, Yoplait Kids Cup Yogurt, Yoplait Trix Multipack Yogurt or Yoplait Splitz Yogurt, any (Void in LA, NJ, NV, ND & TN) – 11-06-11 SS
Yoplait Gogurt 2/$6
-.75/2 or $1/2 Yoplait Go-GURT Yogurt, Yoplait Kids Cup Yogurt, Yoplait Trix Multipack Yogurt or Yoplait Splitz Yogurt, any (Void in LA, NJ, NV, ND & TN) – 11-06-11 SS

Just remember that no more than 4 like coupons will double so single item runs will not work for doubling a bunch of coupons. There is also a $5/25 available out there which does not specify after coupons, etc.