Get $10 back when you buy Raisin Bran! Credit: GoodNCrazy/Flickr

Linda read my shelf-clearing Raisin Bran escapade and sent in a hot tip!

Be sure & send in for the $10 gas card from Kellogg’s for the Raisin Bran cereal. Go to www.2.kelloggs.com/AARP/rewards, then click on the rewards tab.

All you need is 10 upc’s off of certain Kellogg’s cereals, including Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Crispix, Corn Flakes & more. You don’t even have to have the receipts. You are allowed 5 per household & you get it in a pre-paid Mastercard that can be used towards gas. Expires 12-31-11 Enjoy!!!!!!!!!   Linda

I checked it out and this is a hot deal! The rules are quite simple:

• Save 10 UPC codes from Kellogg’s cereals (participating list below, you CAN mix and match)
• Fill out this easy rebate form
• Postmark the letter with completed rebate form and UPCs no later than Dec. 31, 2011.
• You can send in five separate rebate forms (that’s 50 boxes of cereal)
• For each rebate form you’ll get a $10 debit Mastercard

Participating cereals include Kellogg’s All-Bran Original cereal, Kellogg’s All-Bran Bran Buds cereal, Kellogg’s All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes cereal, Kellogg’s Smart Start Strong Heart Antioxidant cereal, Kellogg’s Smart Start Strong Heart Toasted Oat cereal, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Touch of Honey cereal, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran cereal, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch cereal, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Extra! cereal, Kellogg’s Crispix cereal, Kellogg’s Product 19 cereal, Kellogg’s Mueslix cereal, Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal, Kellogg’s Lowfat Granola with Raisins cereal, Kellogg’s Fruit Harvest Strawberry/Blueberry cereal, and Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal.

Thanks so much for the great tip, Linda! Got a hot deal to share like this one? Email me.

I cleared the shelf!

I needed potatoes. So on our way home, my husband and I stopped by Stop & Shop to grab the one ingredient I needed to make my mom’s beef stew.

$102 later we walked out of the store.

“You should do the grocery shopping more,” my husband said. “You’re a better shopper.”

“Are you kidding? We just spent $102,” I said. “You would have come home with a $3 bag of potatoes.”

He nodded.

No matter who is the “better” shopper, we did score some amazing deals to the tune of 33% off our total bill. I’m proudest of the 20-ounce boxes of Raisin Bran we snagged for $1 each. Here’s how we did it.

$2.99 per box of Stop & Shop brand Raisin Brand (20 ounces each)

Save $1 per box as part of a weekly sale

Save $5 for every five boxes we bought (which works out to $1 off per box)

We bought 10 boxes for $1 each! There were only 10 boxes on the shelf so we took them all. They expire in July 2012 so we have PLENTY of time to eat everything.

Having cleared the shelf, I sympathized with Extreme Couponers who have been maligned for doing the same thing. I really got a thrill getting so much cereal that I love to eat for a great price!

The best part was seeing my husband’s face at checkout.

“This is so embarrassing,” he said, loading our cache of cereal onto the counter.

I laughed. “You mean because we are getting a great deal?”

Forget-you-not to enter this giveaway! Credit: lo4u/Flickr

Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win “Saving Savvy.” So far there are only 13 comments, so that’s darn good odds!

“Saving Savvy” is chock full of tips to stop paying full prices for everyday items, trim your grocery budget, coupon, and meal plan. You’ll also find food for thought in the form of bible verses throughout the book and tips on living generously. Not religious? This book will help you set goals and meet them.

To win our review copy, let us know how you have benefited from others’ generosity by Sept. 11, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST. If you can’t wait to read more about Hancock’s suggestions, purchase a new copy on Amazon for $11.55 (orig. $16.99).

Your address on a label - FREE! Credit: ezioman/Flickr

There are 20 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase through Ebates or Shortcuts. It’s free to join!

Free Smurfs screening - Sign up to see the new Smurfs movie for free. Space in the free movie screenings are limited and only in about a dozen cities. Sign up quick! Thanks, The Freebie Blogger!

Free shampoo - Garnier is (again) offering free samples of its dandruff-fighting shampoo when you “like” its Facebook page.

Free Bridal mag - Get a 2-year subscription to Bridal Guide free through ValueMags. No payment required!

Ends today! Free TGIF’s - Get a free order at TGIF’s of crispy green bean fries today, July 26, 2011 to celebrate the end of the NFL lockout. Details are scant, but I’m assuming you’ve got to purchase an entree to get the free appetizer.

Free address labels - Get 140 free address labels from Vistaprint through July 29, 2011 only when you pay shipping, which starts at $3.03. Not too shabby!

Baskin Robbins coupon - Buy one scoop of ice cream and get a second ice cream free at Baskin Robbins. Valid on frozen yogurt, too. Expires Aug. 8, 2011.

Flight sale - Virgin America has cheap fares from Boston to SF and LA (one way as low as $139) when you book by Friday, July 29, 2011 and travel Aug. 30 – Nov. 16, 2011. Lowest prices are when you fly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Taxes and fees apply.

Parenting mag cheap - Get a $20 2-year cheap subscription to Parenting Early Years or Parenting School Years for $9 through the deal site familyFinds.com.

Salmon sale - This Friday, July 29, 2011 Whole Foods is having wild Alaskan Coho salmon filets on sale for $8.99/lb. This recipe for salmon and avocado salad sounds yummy!

Land’s End clearance - The warehouse clearance sale with items by price – $10, $15, or $20 – is ending at Land’s End.

Oriental Trading coupon - Get free shipping with $49 or more and Oriental Trading coupon code WCE2098. Expires Aug. 2, 2011.

Mag deals - Best Deal Magazines has a bunch of super cheap magazine deals – $4.39 for a year subscription – this week. Each deal is valid for one day only.

Harbor Freight sale - Use 44 coupons for Harbor Freight at its sale this weekend, where prices are up to 60% off.

Home Depot offers - Home Depot is again sending special offers and deals to folks who sign up for its email list.

Restaurant.com coupon - Pay $2 for a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate with coupon code SAVE through July 31, 2011. Got questions about how Restaurant.com works?

Groupon travel deals - Find hot travel deals leaving from your city.

Grocery coupons - CouponNetwork.com has many high value grocery coupons.

More grocery coupons - Get the latest grocery coupons from Coupons.com.

Mobile coupons - Get grocery coupons on your smartphone with Cellfire.

Redplum coupons - More coupons for groceries and toiletries from Redplum.

Clicking on these links supports BargainBabe.com.

Check out the free Festival bags!

Swag bags for Frugal Festival Food! on June 25 just arrived!!! Man, these Envirosax reusable bags are niiiiiice. I’m surprised they only sell for $9. You get one free with admission!

Plus, here’s where to park for free at the Festival.

Frugal Festival Food!
Canoga Park High School
6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
June 25, 11am-2pm

Get your tickets now!

A soda display at Ralphs. jeff_soffer / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Ralphs is closest to my home so when I forget something from Trader Joe’s, Ralphs it is. Here are my six secrets to saving money at Ralphs.

Clearance rack – This is one of the best kept secrets at Ralphs and other grocers. When food nears its “sell by date,” employees move it to a special clearance rack that is often hard to find. But it’s worth seeking out, because items are 50% off or more! At my local Ralphs, the rack is all the way in the back near the refrigerator section. It tends to have a lot of bread and a few blemished produce. Last time I found whole wheat dinner rolls for $.99. We ate them that night with pasta and they where yummy.

Meat sale – You don’t have to stick to

cheap cuts of meat to save money on groceries. Ralphs also reduces the price of meat when it is close to its “sell by date.” These items won’t be moved to a special section. They’ll be marked with a red sticker that reads reduced. Don’t worry about the taste. As long as the meat is not expired, it should be good. If you don’t intend to eat the meat that same day, freeze it immediately to extend it’s shelf life.

Ralphs Rewards card – The Ralphs rewards card gives you 1 point for every dollar you spend. You can also earn 5 points if you bring your own bags. You’ll earn $5 in reward certificates for the first 500 points and $1 for every $100 after that. Remember to swipe your card to get your points and remind the cashier to give you your bag points. Recently, I earned a $2 coupon for Haagen Dazs ice cream.

Coupons – In L.A., Ralphs doubles coupons up to $1 (check the coupon policy in your area). Every Wednesday we share the best grocery coupon deals at Ralphs so you can get food stuffs for pennies on the dollar – sometimes even for free!

Digital coupons – If you haven’t already, sign up to receive e-coupons tied to your rewards card. These coupons are loaded directly onto your rewards card so all you have to do is remember to swipe your loyalty card at the register. When you buy an item that has a coupon, the dollar off savings automatically ring up. You can load up to 150 coupons at once. Digital coupons cannot be doubled and you are limited to one digital coupon per transaction. These coupons are digital versions of the manufacturer’s coupons that come in the Sunday newspaper, so you cannot combine them with newspaper coupons.

This list now includes grocery deals at Trader Joe’s!

Ralphs - The Ralphs prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. Get all the Ralphs coupons later today.

Safeway/Vons - Get all the Safeway/Vons coupons and deals later today.

Albertsons - Get the full list of Albertsons coupons, including chicken leg quarters for $.59/lb when you buy a 10lb bag, limes 4/$1, plus Yoplait yogurt cups as low as $.48 with coupon.

Whole Foods - Get Whole Foods coupons later today.

Publix – Southern Savers posted this week’s Publix grocery coupons. Highlights include Tyson meat products for $2 with coupon, El Paso dinner kit for $.89 with coupon, and Hunt’s tomatoes for $.34 with coupons.

ShopRite - Living Rich With Coupons posted this week’s ShopRite coupons. Highlights include Italian Village ravioli for $.88 cents (stock up price), Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauce as low as free after coupons, and Earth’s best baby food for $.20 each when you buy 15 with coupons.

Fresh n Easy - The Deal Fanatic posts this week’s Fresh n Easy grocery coupons later today.

Winn Dixie – My Baton Rouge Mommy shares Winn Dixie grocery deals Highlights include a 3lb bag of yellow onions for $1.50 each when you buy two, pork chops for $1.85/lb, and Ken’s Salad Dressing for $.75 each.

Stop & Shop – Look for this week’s Stop & Shop coupons on Friday, the beginning of their sale cycle. Or shop by Thursday for this week’s sale, including Ronzoni pasta as low as free with coupons, Lay’s potato chips as low as $.90 with coupon, and Uncle Ben’s long grain, whole grain, or ready rice for $.16 with coupons.

Kroger - Faithful Provisions shares this week’s Kroger grocery coupons, including organic Braeburn apples for $.88/lb, Perdue split chicken breasts for $.99/lb (great price), McCormick Grill Mate Seasoning for free with coupon, plus free Crest toothpaste and free Ivory soap.

Wegman’s - This week’s Wegmans coupons and deals include Stonyfield Greek Yogurt for $.75 with coupon, Uncle Ben’s ready rice for as low as $.09 with coupons, plus a free Oral-B Advantage toothbrush with coupon.

Harris Teeter – This week’s Harris Teeter grocery coupons include McCormick spices for free with coupon, Breakstone’s sour cream for $.09 with coupon, and Nestle refrigerated cookie dough for $.50 with coupons.

Trader Joe’s - The Thrifty Mama shares this week’s Trader Joe’s deals later today.

New source of grocery coupons - CouponNetwork.com has many high value grocery coupons.

Grocery coupons - Get the latest grocery coupons from Coupons.com.

Redplum coupons - Get the latest coupons from Redplum.

New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here�s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.

Win one of these stylish reusable bags!

Don’t forget to enter the contest to win one of 10 reusable bags donated by Albertsons. The bag giveaway is in honor of two Albertsons stores in California (Alpine and Carpinteria) that will no longer offer paper or plastic bags at checkout starting on Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2011. The change is tied to Earth Day, which was Apr. 22, 2011. These two Albertsons stores will sell a variety of reusable bags for $.30-$6. Shoppers can also leave plastic bags for others to use.

We are giving away four cloth bags with the Albertsons logo, two of the $.30 bags, and four of the glossy, designer bags pictured above.

To win one of 10 reusable bags, comment on this post with your favorite use for a reusable bag. Contest ends Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced Monday May 2.

JOE MARINARO/Flickr

I like to share updates on what produce is in season produce because it helps me reduce my grocery bill. In season veggies and fruit are some of the cheapest foodstuffs you will find in your grocery store! Watch for rising prices on summer produce.

This list comes from FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.org, which has more info and recipes for each of the items below. My favorite fall foods are pears, Brussels sprouts (recipe here), and pomegranates.

Acorn Squash
Asian Pear
Belgian Endive
Black Salsify
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Butter Lettuce
Butternut Squash
Cape Gooseberries
Cauliflower
Chayote Squash
Cranberries
Diakon Radish
Endive
Garlic
Ginger
Grapes
Guava
Huckleberries
Jalapeno Peppers
Jerusalem Artichoke
Kohlrabi
Kumquats
Mushrooms
Passion Fruit
Pear
Persimmons
Pineapple
Pomegranate
Pumpkin
Quince
Radicchio
Sweet Potatoes
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Winter Squash

Sign up for the BargainBabe.com email list to receive more strategies, coupons, and inspiration to save money everyday.

1. Become a freezer diva. Stock up on thick plastic freezer bags and bring your best packing skills to the, er, table. Bread, meat, liquids, fruit, stews, soups, and many other food products freeze extremely well. The trick is to wrap everything tightly to avoid freezer burn. Keep a list handy of everything in your fridge so you don’t lose track and start to feel like a freezer landlord.

2. Know what�s in season. No matter where you shop, in season produce is almost always cheaper than out of season. If you cannot remember what is in season price is a good indicator. Also look for country of origin stickers. If fruit is flown in from Ecuador, it’s not in season.�

3. Go to farmer’s market’s and chat up the farmers. Befriending the people selling you food is a good way to get information about how the food is grown, if there are any bulk discounts, and what will be on sale in coming weeks. Becoming a loyal customer may earn you a discount.

4. Compare unit prices. Bigger is not always cheaper. Sales on smaller quantities may bring down the unit price and be a savvier purchase than bulk. Look for the unit price calculation in small font next to or below the actual price. The unit price tells you how much an item costs per unit, be it pound, quart, or other measurement. Carry a calculator with you to spend less or use the one built into your smart phone.

5. Read blogs that publish coupon matches for your local grocery store. A coupon match is when you redeem a coupon for an item that is on sale, bringing the price down to a fraction of retail. Google �Vons coupon matches� or wherever you shop plus coupon matches. Coupon matching requires you to save each week�s coupon inserts and file them by name and date, such as Red Plum 8/7/10.

6. Shop at ethnic grocers � If you live in a diverse area, there are likely markets that cater to various immigrant communities. The shopping experience is anything like mainstream grocers, and the prices are fantastic, especially on produce and staple items like rice, oil, and flour.

7. Seek out the about-to-expire bread rack. I bought a 6-pack of day-old poppy seed deli bagels for $2. I cut them in half that night and stashed them in the freezer. I�ve seen artisan loafs on the day old bread rack for $.99. Just make sure to eat within 24 hours or freeze to avoid a mold takeover.

8. Buy coupons from TheCouponMaster.com for about $.10 for a $1 off coupon. Technically you are paying a service fee because buying and selling coupons is illegal. Note the coupon�s expiration date while checking out. If the coupon expires within two weeks, a sale may not come up before it goes bad.

9. Buy a whole chicken on sale and ask the butcher to cut it into 8 pieces for you. You�ll pay a lot less per pound (as low as $.59/lb) and get smaller pieces that you can cook in more dishes than if you roast one bird. Butchers are often happy to do this, though it�s best to ask when the counter is not busy.

10. Look high, look low. Manufacturers pay to get their products placed at eye level, which can boost prices. Items on the top and bottom shelf are often just as good for a bit less.

Bonus tip: Stock up when prices are low so you can ride out the high prices!

Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com

Ralphs - Highlights include DiGiorno Pizza for $3.99 with coupon, Dannon Activia Yogurt or Danimals Crush Cups for $.88 with coupon, Energizer Max Batteries for $1 with coupon, and a half-gallon of Silk Soymilk� for $1.50 with coupons. The Ralphs prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. Get the full list of this week’s Ralphs coupon match ups.

Safeway/Vons - Highlights include Grapes, Red, Green or Black Seedless for $.99 lb (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only) and Ball Park Meat Franks, 12.8-16 oz for $.99 ea (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only), and a 10lb bag of Russet Potatoes for $1.99. Get this week’s Safeway/Vons coupons and deals.

Albertsons - Highlights include Albertsons Fresh Spilt Chicken Breasts for $.99/lb, Avocados 2/$1, and Campbells Chicken Noodle, Tomato soup or Canned Pasta for as low as $.25 each. Get all this week’s Albertsons coupons deals.

Whole Foods - The Thrifty Mama already posted this week’s Whole Foods coupons and deals.

Publix – Southern Savers posted various penny deals, and coupon matchups at Publix this week.

ShopRite - Living Rich With Coupons posts this week’s ShopRite coupon deals as individual posts, some of which have already been used up!

Fresh n Easy - Money Saving Mom posted this week’s Fresh n Easy coupons deals already.

Food 4 Less - Christian Clippers shares the current Food 4 Less grocery deals later today.

Winn Dixie – A Few Shortcuts shares Winn Dixie grocery deals for this week later today.

New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here�s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.

Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com

If there are additional grocery stores you would like to see featured, please leave a comment.

Ralphs - Highlights include Frigo String Cheese for $2.99 with coupons, YoCrunch 4-packs for $1.50 with coupons, Coffee-mate Flavored Creamer for $1 with coupons, and Quaker Instant Oatmeal for $.98 with coupons. The Ralphs prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. Get more Ralphs coupon match ups and deals.

Safeway/Vons - Highlights include London Broil Boneless Steak on sale for $1.99/lb, Welchs Healthy Start 59 oz chilled $.49 with coupons, Pepsi or 7-UP 2 liter products for $0.77 each (limit 4, Saturday, Sunday and Monday Only). Get Safeway/Vons coupon deals and match ups.

Albertsons - Highlights include Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, regular, thin or tender is buy one get on free, Cantaloupe for $.49/lb, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Lucky Charms for $.99 after coupons. Get Albertsons coupon match ups and more deals.

Whole Foods - The Thrifty Mama shares Whole Foods coupon match ups and more deals later today.

Publix – Southern Savers posted this week’s Publix grocery deals.

ShopRite - Living Rich With Coupons posted the latest ShopRite deals here.

Fresh n Easy - Money Saving Mom posts this week’s Fresh n Easy coupons deals already.

Food 4 Less - Christian Clippers shares the current Food 4 Less grocery deals here.

Winn Dixie – A Few Shortcuts shares Winn Dixie grocery deals for this week.

New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here�s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.

Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com

As requested by readers I’ve expanded this list to include grocery deals at Ralphs, Safeway/Vons, Albertsons, Whole Foods, Publix, ShopRite, Fresh N Easy, and Food 4 Less. I’m still looking for coupon matchups for Henry’s and Smart N Final. What other grocery stores do you want to see featured?

Ralphs - Cathy at Chief Family Officer shared four great grocery deals at Ralph’s this week. Highlights include Hostess Snack Cakes for $1.09 after coupon, Better Oats Revolution! Oatmeal for $.50 each with coupon, Country Crock Spread for $.20 after coupon, and Palmolive Liquid Dish Detergent for $.50 after coupon. The Ralphs prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. Get Ralphs coupon match ups and more deals.

Safeway/Vons - Highlights include Lucerne Large Eggs 18 ct $1.49 ea with in-ad Safeway store coupon and additional $10 Purchase (limit 2), Pepsi or 7-UP 2 liter $0.88 ea, and General Mills Cereals select varieties for $1.49 after coupon. Get Safeway/Vons coupon match ups and more deals at Saving Cents with Sense.

Albertsons - Save at Home Mommy posts Albertsons coupon match ups later today.

Whole Foods - The Thrifty Mama posts Whole Foods grocery deals later today.

Publix - Southern Savers posted this week’s Public coupons here. Highlights include Fresh Express Salad Blend 4.5-12 oz. for $.99, Lipton Tea 24 ct. for $.27, and Campbell�s Condensed Soup 10.5-11.5 oz. for $.60 each.

ShopRite - Living Rich With Coupons posted this week’s ShopRite deals here.

Fresh n Easy - Money Saving Mom posts this week’s Fresh n Easy coupons deals later today.

Food 4 Less - Christian Clippers shares the current Food 4 Less grocery deals later today.

New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here�s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.

Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com

Cathy at Chief Family Officer shared four great grocery deals at Ralph’s this week. These prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here�s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.

Yoplait Yogurt Cups on sale for $0.50
Buy 6 and use $0.40 off 6 from 7/11 or 7/25 Smart Source coupon insert
or use $0.40 off 6 printable coupon
Pay: $0.37 each

Dannon Yogurt Cups on sale for $0.50
Buy 6 and use $0.40 off 6 Dannon Yogurt from 7/25 Red Plum coupon insert
or use $0.40 off 6 Dannon Single Serve Yogurt Cups from 6/13 Smart Source (exp 8/8)
Pay: $0.37 each

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage on sale for $1.97
Use $0.55 off 1 Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage Links from 7/11 Red Plum coupon insert
Pay: $0.97

Vitaminwater on sale for $1
Buy 2 and use $1 off 2 VitaminWater Zero 20 ounce from August All You magazine
Pay: $0.50 each

Keep reading Cathy’s Ralphs grocery deals.

Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com

Cathy at Chief Family Officer shared four great grocery deals at Ralph’s this week. These prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here�s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.

And a few highlights:

Keep reading Cathy’s grocery deals at Ralphs.