Deal Alert: $15 for 2 Movie Passes to Metro Theaters + Popcorn and a Drink

The Groupon deal today is $15 for 2 movie passes, plus a large popcorn and large drink at any of the Metro Theaters in Santa Barbara or Goleta. I snatched this up as soon as I saw it (not that we get to the movies very often with a 1 year-old, but this will be a good motivator)! I'm hoping to see one of the movies up for Best Picture at the Oscars. Click here to score this awesome deal!

Who wants to go on a double date??

Local Happenings 1/27-1/29

Here are some great free or low-cost activities in the SB area this weekend! With the awesome weather expected, it's a perfect opportunity to get outside. Enjoy!

• SBIFF "Applebox" Free Movie screening for families - Saturday 1/28, 9:30 am - Noon. Arlington Theater. K-9 Pals volunteers will be participating in and bringing out adoptable pups to the 2012 edition of the S.B. International Film Festival (SBIFF) children-centric screening program called AppleBox. AppleBox celebrates the families of the local S.B. community by allowing children the opportunity to be exposed to and intrigued by film.
  This rare opportunity includes free admission, pre-movie entertainment, and popcorn for attendees.
  The first installment of AppleBox features a 9:30 am red carpet walk, followed by events including face painting, arts and crafts, photo opportunities, live music, and stage performances by--of course--dogs.
  The event concludes with a screening of the independent Australian film, Red Dog. Based on a true story, this family film features an irresistibly lovable wandering dog that jumps in the front seat of a young couple's car on their way to work. It will capture the hearts of kids and parents alike.
  For more information, contact K-9 Pals president, Janelle Ward, 805-570-0415 or info@K-9PALS.org.
  
  
• Family Fun Concert w/Renee and Jeremy to benefit Romania - Sunday 1/29, 2:30-4:30. First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave. Join Kindie (Kids' Indie) music favorites, Renee and Jeremy, and S.B.'s Ukulele Jim for a family fun concert to benefit Romania's largest youth movement. Crafts, cupcakes, and more. Cost: $10-$25 (it's a benefit!)
  
  
• Gaucho Baseball Open House - Sunday 1/29, 1-3 PM. Cesar Uyesaka Stadium, UCSB. Gauchos Baseball is hosting an "Open House" at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium to conclude the Baseball Alumni Reunion Weekend. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public. There will be an intrasquad game between the 2012 Gauchos and it will give fans a chance to interact with players and the new coaching staff, led by new head coach Andrew Checketts. Click here for more info.

Phone: 805-440-6340

Deal Alert: Bargain Book Blowout

Better World Books is an awesome organization that sells both new and used books of all types, and their profits go toward funding literacy worldwide. They also have a "book for book" program, matching every single book purchased on their site with a book donation to someone in need. AND they offer FREE SHIPPING worldwide, all the time!

Right now they are having a "Bargain Bin blowout" - 30% off all books in their bargain bin. They have some great children's books for under $4!

Frugal Mama Deal: Matching Baby Sling & Diaper Pod for $26

There is a great deal from Hot Slings right now on Plum District, which is a group discount site for Moms. Right now the deal they are offering is $26 for an adjustable baby sling and matching diaper pod. I love these slings because they are adjustable and they have the most stylish designs to choose from!

Check out this deal over on Plum District!

Deal Alert: $10 for $20 worth of Food & Beverages at Killer B BBQ

Do you have a Santa Barbara Axxess Card? If not, you need to get one! There are so many great deals available at local businesses. Mine has already paid for itself about 2 times over because I use it all the time. Find out how to get an Axxess card here!

If you have SB Axxess, are you signed up for Daily Deals? This is a lot like Groupon or Living Social, but for SB locals! If you have an Axxess card already, sign up to receive Daily Deals here.

Today's Daily Deal is $10 for $20 worth of food and beverages at Killer B BBQ for lunch . I have not checked out Killer B's yet, but I've heard great things about it.

Doesn't this look yummy??

My Albertson's Shopping Trip 1/15/12

I thought I would give my readers (the few of you there are!) an idea of what I buy on a typical shopping trip. I usually shop at Albertson's for most of my coupon shopping because it is just around the corner from my house, and Vons is about 10 minutes away (although Vons doubles coupons, so if there is a great deal, I'll go there too). I also shop at Trader Joe's every week to buy anything I can't buy with coupons at another store. Sometimes things are still cheaper at TJ's than another store even with a coupon, so I always comparison shop. TJ's DOES take coupons, although it's rare to find a coupon that you can use there because most of the products are their own TJ brand.

Here's what I bought at Albertson's this week:

• 2 boxes Multigrain Peanut Butter Cheerios (on sale $2.50 each, used a $1 off 2 coupon). Cost = $2 per box
• 1 box Dulce de Leche Cheerios (on sale $2.50, used a .75 off coupon) Cost = $1.75 per box
• 3 boxes Barilla Pasta (on sale B2G1 free, used a $1 off 2 coupon) Cost = .66 per box
• 2 Classico pasta sauces (on sale 2/$4 - no coupon but still cheaper than the ones I had coupons for) Cost = $2 each
• 2 Ken's Italian salad dressing (on sale $2 each, used 2 $1 off coupons) Cost = $1 per bottle
• 2 Sun Bird Asian seasoning packets (on sale $1 each, used BOGO Free coupon) Cost = .50 per packet
• 2 boxes Skinny Cow Candy (on sale 2/$7. No coupons for this, so it was a splurge, but at least it was on sale!) Cost = $7 for 2
• 2 Yoplait Greek Yogurts (used $1 off 2 coupon) Cost = $1.20 each
• 2 boxes Boca Frozen Chik'n Patties (on sale 2/$7, used $1 off 2 coupon) Cost = $3 per box
• 1 Large pack of blueberries (on sale $2.99) Cost = $2.99
• 1 Aveeno Baby Wash (on sale $5.99, used $1 off coupon) Cost = $4.99

I also used one Albertson's Doubler Coupon which deducted $1 from my total (you can only use one per transaction).

Total Paid: $37.22
Total Coupon Savings: $8.50
Total Store Sale Savings: $26.84
Total Savings: $35.34 or 49%

I paid a little more than half the full price value of these items! On "Extreme Couponing," they often have over a 90% savings. Keep in mind though that most of the stores they visit have more lax coupon policies, including doubling every coupon no matter the value. Stores in California rarely do this. And the "extreme couponers" are buying the cheapest things in the store, no matter what they are. I'll write another post about the myths and facts of Extreme Couponing later! But hopefully this gives you an idea of how I do my "moderately extreme" coupon shopping!

Local Happenings 1/13/12

Starting today, I'm going to include a special "local happenings" topic into my repertoire of posts! My goal is to have one local-focused post every Thursday or Friday, specifically focusing on events or happenings on the cheap around the area for the coming weekend. And of course I will continue to post other types of local deals throughout the week as I become aware of them. Local Happenings this Weekend:

• Los Padres National Forest "Fee Free Weekend" Jan 14-16. - in all areas of the LP National Forest where an Adventure Pass is normally required, (such as Red Rock ), the fee is being waived in recognition of MLK Jr. Day. With the beautiful weather expected this weekend, now is a great time to take advantage of what our National Forest has to offer, and it's free!
  
  
• ONE Children & Maternity Overstock Sale - Saturday 1/14, 10 AM-2 PM. - If you are a mom or expecting, you need to check out ONE in Buellton! Trust me, it's worth the drive when they have a sale! This weekend they are having an overstock sale - 20% off storewide, 40% jackets, gloves, and hats, and only $2 for certain items.
  
  
• Star Parties at the SB Natural History Museum - Saturday 1/14, 7:30-10 PM - On the second Saturday of every month, the Museum offers public observations at the Museum's Palmer Observatory. These Star Parties are hosted by members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, who provide telescopes and their expert knowledge of the night sky. Star Parties are held in conjunction with Evening Exclusive planetarium shows. FREE for members. Non-members: $2/adult and $1/child.

Have a great weekend!

Deal Alert: Bed in a Bag for $26.99

Right now, you can get a complete Essential Home Bed in a Bag at KMart for $26.99. Kmart has reduced the price of these sets from 49.99 to 29.99, and with a coupon code for 10% off, it ends up at $26.99 and shipping is free!

There aren't a ton of choices, but it's a great deal for a backup bedding set or spare room. I'm ordering one for our guest bedroom!

Get this 10% off coupon code from Retailmenot first to enter at checkout, and then head to the KMart website to find the one(s) you like!

Happy shopping!

Frugal Mama Deal: FREE pack of Huggies Slip-On Diapers!

Huggies is offering a free pack of Little Movers Slip-On Diapers if you upload a video of your "squirmy baby" to their website! Check it out here.

Frugal Mama Deals: Printable Coupons for Moms 1/8/11

Here are some of the great printable coupons available online this week:

Coupons.com:

• Save $1 on 2 Big G Cereals (Cheerios, etc)
• Save $1 on Pediacare products
• $1 off Similac
• Save $1.10 on 4 Beech-nut baby food jars
• Save $5 on an Evenflow exersaucer

Smart Source:

• $1 off Johnson's Baby or Johnson's Natural product
• $1 off Aveeno Baby product
• 75 cents off 2 Yoplait Kids yogurts

Deal Alert: 52 Weeks of the LA Times Sunday Edition for $10!

Groupon is offering a deal of 52 weeks of the LA Times Sunday edition for only $10! This is an awesome deal, considering that buying it weekly would cost you over $100 per year. That's some crazy savings! And it's delivered right to your door. LA Times definitely has more and higher value coupons than the Santa Barbara News-Press, so I highly recommend using it as your main coupon source. Hurry! Grab this deal while you can!

Thanks, Southern Cali Saver!

Deal Alert: American Apparel Friends & Family Discount

American Apparel is offering a 30% Friends & Family Discount right now. My code can be used by up to 5 additional people. I'm posting it here, but if it doesn't work you, let me know and I will email it to you through the American Apparel website.

Discount code: USFF30SPE29245Y

Discount is valid through January 7th.

PS: American Apparel has baby and kids clothes!! Really cute styles for reasonable prices.

Deal Alert: Skinny Cow Candy - 2 for $1.50 at CVS!

Right now at CVS, Skinny Cow Candy is on sale BOGO Free (Buy one, get one free). There is a printable coupon available for BOGO Free for this item, so the two deals together should get you two free! The catch is that the price at the local CVS is $4.99 each, and the printable coupon says "maximum value $3.48". Still, $1.50 for 2 boxes of candy is a great deal! And if you're trying to start the new year eating healthier like I am, this is a good item to satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt.

Printable BOGO Skinny Cow Coupon - click on "Get Nestle Coupons" in the upper right hand corner.

I just bought these, and I had $5 extra bucks expiring today so I paid just $1.50 for 4 boxes! AND I got $8.50 in extra bucks back for my Fall quarter spending. So my net for this purchase was a $7 moneymaker! This is couponing at its best, and I left the store with a great feeling!

Thanks to Southern Cali Saver for the info on this deal!

frugal mama deals: great printable coupons for moms this week!

There are some great printable coupons available this week. Here are some the coupons available on coupons.com right now:

• $5 off Enfamil Powdered Newborn Formula
• $5 off Enfagrow Toddler Formula
• Several coupons for Kashi products (GoLean cereals & Chewy bars)
• $1 off any A&D product (for diaper rash)
• $1 off 2 Cheerios Cereals
• $1 off any Pediacare product

And lots more! These coupons change every so often (I think it's once a week, but I'm not sure), so print them ASAP!