Wednesday Deals

Just a reminder, Macy's Friends & Family which kicks off today, April 29th and goes through May 4th 2009. Use the coupon for an extra 25% off regular, sale and clearance women's, men's and kids' apparel and accessories and more. Extra 10% off regular, sale and clearance electrics, electronics, area rugs, mattresses and furniture.

Check out your current Midweek for a Jack in the Box insert. Four coupons for offers on their Mini Sirloin Burgers and Tropical Smoothies. Just in time as the weather starts warming up!

This week's Time's ad in your Midweek has a coupon on the front page for free reusuable shopping bag. There is no purchase necessary but check out the ad for great savings. Use your new bag to get $.03 off your purchase and help the environment.

Time for ice cream! Tonight from 5-10 pm, you can get a 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream for 31 cents. Find a participating BaskinRobbins.

Are you a friend of Zippy's? If you are, get 20% off the entire menu during May 4-7, 2009 with the coupon. They will also have a new promotion in May...Mini Zip Pac and Grab n' Go Breakfast Bento. Check them out on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Ready, Get Set, Sunday!

I always look forward to lazy Sunday mornings and of course reading through my Sunday edition of the Honolulu Advertiser. The newspaper of course is my bread and butter for couponing and sale searching. This week consisted of two coupon inserts as well as two special coupons. On the top left corner of the cover page was a sticky coupon for $1 off any Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf beverage. Will be using it to treat myself to a small Iced Blended drink. Not sure when they added the 12 oz. size but it works for me. The other coupon can be found in the USA Weekend section. Inside you will find a coupon for one free piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken at KFC. The website also offers a free piece on April 27 at participating restaurants. Another food freebie!
Let me know what you think of the grilled version.

Just a quick recap of my weekend shopping adventure. As an avid reader of other savings blogs I am astounded by the saving scenarios being posted. Unfortunately we here in Hawaii don't have double or triple coupon days or next to nothing prices like the mainland but there are ways to save. Currently, Safeway has a promotion called, "Living Well. Feeling Great." Purchase $30 worth of groceries (before manufacturer's coupon) and get a $10 coupon at checkout for your next visit. Check out the website to see which brands are participating and remember this offer ends May 5! Okay this brings me back to my shopping trip. After reading expert shopper blogs, in order to get the most of this deal you should try to spend exactly $30 before manufacturer's coupons. The logic being you spend $30 get $10 back or saving 33% of your grocery bill. If you spend $40 get $10 back your savings drops to 25%. So with that in mind I tried to plan accordingly and searched the store for items with the white tags and hoped I had a coupon. Luckily, I had time to spare as it turned out to be much more of an effort than I imagined. I was able to put together $30.46 worth of participating items and got the following items using the corresponding coupon shown in parenthesis; OreIda Steam n' Mash Sweet Potato ($1), Kashi frozen dinner ($4.09), Paul Newman pizza ($1.00), 2 Yoplait Yo Plus ($3.00), Haagen Daaz ice cream ($4.25) and Starbucks ice cream ($1.00.) I also ended up buying two products that weren't part of the promotion but were on sale on Saturday; Ground beef 80% Lean @ $1.99/lb. and Wishbone dressing for $1.99 ($.75). After $14 worth of coupons, I spent $17 on "Living Well" products and got my $10 coupon.

Planning for the Weekend

If you're ever in the mood for pancakes, now would be the time to indulge! IHOP locations in Hawaii are offering a $4.99 "all you can eat" pancake special. If eating just pancakes doesn't quite satisfy you, they also offer the "all you can eat" deal for free if you order a regular entree. No coupon necessary from a friendly staff member at the Pearl City location, just ask for the Ohana Special. To be notified of monthly offers join the Ohana Club Membership.

"I LOVE KAILUA " Town Party will be happening on Sunday, April 26. This afternoon block party will be held in the center of town with live entertainment, food, arts, crafts and plant sale. Proceeds benefit the continued beautification effort by its loving community. Admission is $3 and parking is available in the structure behind Longs Drugs.

34th Annual New Product Show will kick off from 5-10 p.m tonight at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall and continue over the weekend. Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $3 but go to Times and ask for $1 off coupon.

Last chance to get your free sample Mini Sirloin Burger from Jack in the Box, offer ends tomorrow 4/25. Use the link to get $1 off their Mini Sirloin Burger. Dinner for my better half was just $3.13 for 4 sliders along with a homemade salad.

Happy Earth Day!

Savings Alert!! We've all seen national fast food chains advertise with incredible deals only to find out that it doesn't apply to our 50th state. After watching the commerical for Popeye's 8 pieces for $4.99 deal on Earth Day, I decided to call one franchise here on the island and just as I suspected...the 8 piece deal will be $7.50 on April 22. Still a good bargain. You gotta "Love that chicken from Popeyes."

Here is our dinner or what is left of it. We scored! Normally they give you 4 thighs and 4 drumsticks but today there was 5 thighs and 3 drumsticks! I guess it makes up for yesterday's smaller portion. Check out other deals and Hawaii locations information for Popeye's.

Walgreen's also celebrated Earth Day with a special printable coupon for 15% off and a free reusable bag. When you combine the discount with the weekly sale for 7up (3/$11) and use 3 printable internet coupon ($1 each) after registering at 7-up...it results in a great deal!! I ended up with three 12 pack for $2.12 each, that is before the HI-5 deposit, bottle fee and sales tax. To top off this bargain you get a $5 coupon with your purchase for your next Walgreen trip! Just a few more hours left to get in on this deal.

Cloudy Tuesday

Every Tuesday and Friday you will find the Fort Street Open Market bustling with business from the early morning hours till about 2 pm. Fresh fruit and produce, prepared food and baked goods, crafts and jewelry, orchids and plants are on display along the Fort Street. Come early for best selection. There are various open markets around the island during the week sponsored by City and County of Honolulu.

The sun began to shine in the afternoon and combined with my plan to pick up dinner at Sugoi's, I was anxious to get off work. Thanks to another Hawaii Blog site, Wow Grinds, I was able to use the following Sugoi coupon. With my 15% off coupon in my hand, I scanned their menu board and decided on the Yakisoba with Garlic Chicken ($7.16.) I watched as the cook fried up my noodles and topped it with their signature dish. While I was tempted to just open up my styrofoam container when I got to the car, I fought through my cravings, the afternoon traffic and waited till I got home. My meal was still nice and warm and as I anticipated, it was enough for two. Splitting it with my better half, we both enjoyed the sweet, garlicky fried chicken and the shiny, chewy fried noodles with its slightly sweet and hint of dashi flavor.

The yakisoba contained char siu, kamaboko, cabbage, onions and green onions. There were three pieces of chicken on top although initially I thought it was four. Turned out it was a piece of skin, a bonus for my other half. This was definitely a great deal and I plan to print another coupon before it expires at the end of the month.

Happy Monday

A mini sirloin burger is being offered for free this week till Saturday, April 25 at locations in Hawaii however, if just one small slider isn't enough for you there is also a coupon for $1.00 off the ala carte or combo. This one expires May 20, 2009.

P.F. Chang's located in the Hokua Building (1288 Ala Moana Blvd.) and the Royal Hawaiian Center (2001 Kalakaua Avenue) also has special promotions. Use the following link to sign up for their Lucky Cat Club. Current subscribers were sent an e-mail coupon for a buy one, get one free Traditional Lunch Bowl.

Sunday Shopping

In celebration of Earth Day Target is giving away a reusable shopping bag with any purchase. The cashier should offer it to you at the checkstands. Got mine!

My shopping list:

There is still some shelves filled with Easter clearance items (90% off.)

Pop Tarts are $2.50 for 12 count. Buy 2 and get a free 8 count!

Pine-Sol 48 oz., Clorox Clean-up 32 oz., Tilex 32 oz. or Fomula 409 oz.
all $2.89 each.

Oreos are $2.75 and Chips Ahoy are $2.33.


Home Depot is also commerating Earth Day by giving away CFL light bulbs from today, April 19 and available till supplies last. Ask for your free bulb at checkout. Picked up one today!

Saturday Savings

Before I set out to run around town I thought I would share a meal deal I found in the newspaper yesterday.

A plate lunch icon in Hawaii, L & L is now offering a Super Value Bowl. Your choice of Chicken Katsu, Hawaiian BBQ Beef or Hawaiian BBQ Chicken for $2.99 with any Pepsi fountain drink. Sound like a great lunch to me! Promotion end date unknown.

Target has all of it's Easter candy and novelties on clearance for 90% off! Hershey's Kisses, M&M's, Reese's were all $.27 each.

Free to Do

Friday-Sunday, April 17, 18 and 19

The Garden Club of Honolulu Presents Na Pua Ali‘i – Reflections on Hawai‘i's Royal Legacy at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Admission is free to this flower and horticulture show. Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Call Academy of Arts at 532-8700 for more information.


Wednesday, April 22 (10am-4:30pm)
Honolulu Weekly's Green Market

Booths will be lined up on Fort Street Mall between Beretania and King Street. Food, art, cultural and energy exhibits as well as demonstrations throughout the day.


Aveda Salon will recycle your bottle caps that are not accepted by bottle recyclers. Be a little greener and save your caps too. Click the site for more information. http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp.

Free Things and BYOB

Being that I love to shop for cheap, getting stuff for free is even better. Walmart.com showcases new products by offering samples and trial sizes. The offers change periodically so keep checking back. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx

Rachael Ray magazine has an offer for a free reusable bag in the upcoming month of May. Purchase an eligible Kraft product and send in your original cash register receipt, name/address by 5/31/09 for your free tote. Click on the link for the fine print and details. http://www.rachaelraymag.com/marketing/offers/kraft/index.html

Roman Meal also will give you a free reusable grocery bag if you purchase (4) Roman Meal products. Send in the UPC symbols along with your name/address. Not sure when the offer expires but check the link for yourself to read the details.
http://www.romanmeal.com/Rewards/rules.aspx#GroceryBag

See my previous post for grocers that pay you to use your own bag.

7 more days till Earth Day!

D & D...DVD rentals & Deals

Happy Monday!

My newest money saver is renting DVDs from DVD Xpress. I used to subscribe to Blockbuster Total Access paying $11.99 for unlimited 1 at-a-time mailings and 2 in-store exchanges. I had averaged about 7 DVDs a month, which I thought was good but they slowly put more restrictions and I have finally said enough. Initially you could return your mailer DVD to the store in exchange for a store DVD rental and your next DVD would be sent by mail. Recently, they changed the terms and now you are only entitled to having one DVD out at anytime. I also noticed that there is a longer processing time when returning DVDs and sending new DVDs.

Yesterday was my first experience with renting from the DVD kiosk. I went to one located just inside the entrance to Foodland Supermarket. After reading the instructions provided on the machine I selected my DVD (Marley & Me) and swiped my credit card. It requested my e-mail address to send a receipt (optional) and showed me my DVD title and total due, $1.04. A few whirly noises and out popped the movie in its DVD case.

I checked my e-mail and there in my inbox was the receipt for the rental along with a coupon code for "Rent 1 get 1 free" which expires on 4/14. The $1/day rental fee requires that you return it by 7pm the following day. This morning before work I returned to the Foodland and inserted my disk into the machine where it scanned my case and confirmed the return. I also received another confirmation e-mail. So far so good. You can also reserve DVDs at the kiosk of your choice at the website.

In addition to the one time rentals, you can also sign up for membership for $12.99/month with unlimited, one at a time, rentals. For more information check out DVD Express.

I know there are other DVD rental programs available like Netflix which may be better and I have also seen another kiosk, DVD Play inside of Safeway stores which is the same concept as DVD Xpress. I suppose it is trial and error... and hopefully it doesn't cost you much in the end.

Received an e-mail coupon from Burger King for "One Free Upsize on a Small Value Meal Order." You can sign up to get promotions BK online.

Attention all Macy's shoppers!!! It is "Macy's Friends and Family Sale." Going on from 4/29-5/4. Sorry, I can't figure out how to attach the .pdf file. Help a gal out or e-mail me for the coupon.

Just passed by Jamba Juice and saw their in-store promotion. Get a 12 oz. steel-cut oatmeal (choice of three real fruit toppings: fresh bananas, apple cinnamon or blueberry and blackberry) and a 12 oz. juice (orange or carrot) for $4.95. Offer good everyday till 11 a.m.

Happy Shopping

After reading through my Sunday Honolulu Advertiser here are some sale items on my shopping list.

Walgreen's (4/12-4/18)

• Breyers All Natural Ice Cream 1/2 gallon $3.00


• Dairyland Milk 1/2 gallon $2.19


• Walgreen Aluminum Foil 20 sq. ft. w/ Walgreen coupon $.69 (note the foil is thin and not the best for baking.)


• Colgate Max White or Max Fresh Toothbrush $3.29 less printable $1.00 coupon and get $3.30 Register Reward for next purchase. Sign up using the link for the coupon.

http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/SpecialOffers.cvsp?Section=OralCare


Don Quijote (4/12-4/18)

• Frozen Bone In Pork Butt Roast $.99/lb (great for making kalua pork/roast pork)


• Boneless Chuck Eye Steak $4.29/lb (just like Rib Eye Steak, tender and great for grilling or braised.)


• Grape Tomatoes (10 oz.) $1.99 (flavorful and fun to eat)


• Salux Nylon Wash Cloth $1.99 (better than a puff in my opinion)


• Mrs. Miwako Kitchen Towel $1.99 (for easy kitchen spill clean-up and durable.) When it gets dirty, I just add some bleach and water in a bowl, soak my towel for half a day and it's white again.


• Keoki's Lau Lau 3pk. $6.49 (fast and easy meal)

Longs Drugs (4/12-4/18)

• Farmer John Bacon $2.59 less $1 coupon


• Pounce Cat Treats $.99 less $1/2 coupon (yes, I have a cat. :))

Not the greatest sale weekend especially since there were no coupon inserts today. :(

Another tip when grocery shopping, bring your own reusable bag and get savings from the following stores:



Safeway $.03 off

Times $.03 off

Foodland $.05 off

Down To Earth $.05 off


If you are new to couponing, here is the schedule for insert in the Sunday paper through May 2009.

4/19 — Smart Source & Red Plum
4/26 — Smart Source & Red Plum
5/3 — Smart Source & Red Plum
5/10 – Smart Source & Red Plum
5/17 — 2 Smart Source & Red Plum
5/24 — No Inserts scheduled
5/31 — Smart Source & Red Plum

For those of you interested in 3-day home delivery (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) from the Honolulu Advertiser, their current promotion is — $27.60 for 12 weeks. Plus you receive 2 free Blockbuster video or game rental coupons. You can sign up online using the following link. It comes out to $2.30 each weekend delivered. https://ssl.honoluluadvertiser.com/subscribe/blockbuster09.php

Happy Easter

It's Easter weekend...hopefully you have gotten your $1 bottle of white vinegar from Target and $.99 for large mainland eggs from Times. The prices for Easter decorating and candies are pretty comparable all around. Can't wait for the deep discounts on candies after Easter. :)

The Midweek and TGIF didn't have anything to my interest this week but I did note that Zippy's is currently running a $4.99 Spaghetti w/ Garlic Bread plate promotion. It is good through 4/30/09 and no coupon necessary. Yummy savings! However if you are in the mood for burgers, Jack in the Box has a new product, Mini Sirloin Burgers. The three slider a la carte are $3.99. I dowloaded the following $1 off coupon last week and tried it and printed out another coupon to use this coming week. I would recommend them, sirloin makes a difference in a good burger. This offer expires 4/19/09. http://www.jackinthebox.com/coupon/msb1/ In other JITB deal news, they are still offering their 2/$4 Fish burgers. It is filling but not really fulfilling. :(

Sipping Savings...

This week brings a few beverage saving opportunities. If you are a Bank of Hawaii customer you may have received a coupon in your statement. The flyer has a "Buy One get One Free" smoothie/breakfast drink for Jamba Juice . I believe it run through the end of May 2009 but don't quote me since I already used my coupon. Wonder where I can get more?? Also Bank of Hawaii ATMs located in select JJ stores will have $1 off coupons on the back of the receipt. I haven't gone to a JJ with the BOH ATM yet so I can't confirm it and don't know when this promotion will end.

Starbucks recently e-mailed me a coupon as well. "Go Green with Starbucks and Receive a Complimentary Beverage" is the promotion. Just have to print your e-mail and "all orders will receive a coupon for a complimentary tall (12 fl. oz.) beverage of your choice from any participating Starbucks. " The offer expires 6/30/09. Again, I haven't tried to use the coupon yet however, most of the previous offers through e-mail from Starbucks have been honored.

Starbucks newest promotion is "Pairings for $4.95."

Tall Brewed Coffee (12 fl oz) plus your choice of:
New Artisan Bacon Sandwich
New Artisan Ham Sandwich
Reduced-Fat Turkey Bacon Sandwich
Sausage Sandwich

Tall Caffè Latte (12 fl oz) plus your choice of:
Reduced-Fat Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake
Perfect Oatmeal

The Foodland ad (4/8-4/14) also has a The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coupon on the bottom of page 5. Good for $1.00 off Large Thai Hot or Iced Latte. I personally haven't tried it yet but with the discount it looks like I just might.

***Foodland currently has the best deal on large mainland eggs, 18 pk for $1.88!! Cheaper than Kmart or Target which sells them for about $1.50/12 pk. Just in time for coloring!!!***

My First Blog

Happy Aloha Friday!!

I have created this blog to share the savings that I find from week to week. I hope to pass on the knowledge to you so we can enjoy life more and worry about finances a little less. As we all know, the cost of living here is much higher than the rest of the U.S. therefore we need to work a little harder to find ways to cut costs and save money. I am no expert saver but I hope that I can provide some ideas and hope to hear from you as well. Being that I love to shop and eat, most of my blogs will consist of upcoming/ongoing sales as well restaurant/food promotions that I come across. I am not much of a cook so don't expect to see recipes or cooking tips although you are free to post them.

Additionally, I am not very savvy when it comes to designing a website so it will be pretty plain and simple for a while.

Char