We went to the local farmer’s market this weekend and were able to pick up a few things from a local farmer. It was towards closing time for the market, and he had a HUGE box of dried corn cobs leftover. I asked what they were for, and he said they were for popcorn! We bought cucumbers and potatoes, and he threw in some popcorn cobs for our kids for free. We went home and made homemade microwave popcorn and were very pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to make and how good it tasted.

Here’s what you’ll need:



– paper lunch sack
– stapler (trust me on this one)
– popcorn cob OR 1/4 cup loose popcorn
– butter or olive oil (2 tsp if using loose popcorn)
– salt

If using a popcorn cob, slather it with butter just like you would an ear of corn on the cob. Place buttered cob in sack.

If using loose popcorn, add popcorn and butter or olive oil to sack and shake to coat.

Fold sack over at top and staple (once or twice). STAPLES WILL NOT HARM YOUR MICROWAVE. No sparks involved folks – I promise.

Place sack in microwave and set timer for 2-3 minutes. Listen as corn pops, and pull the sack out when kernal pops begin to slow down (several seconds between pops). (I pulled mine out at about 1 minute 50 seconds, and it was a tiny tiny bit burnt.) Trust me, you do not want to let the popcorn go too long or it will burn, and NO ONE likes burnt popcorn (plus it takes weeks to get the smell out of your house)…

Remove sack from microwave, open carefully, add salt and shake to coat.

Pour popcorn into a serving bowl or enjoy it right out of the sack!

You can also add other seasonings if you like (seasoned salt, garlic salt, cajun spice mix, etc.). What are YOUR favorite popcorn toppings?


Target has 12ct Ortega taco shells on price cut to 1.50, now through August 6. There were three varieties available when I went yesterday – yellow corn, white corn and whole grain corn.

Use: Ortega Taco Shells, any variety $1/1 (8-31-11) SS-6/26
Final: .50 per package

Here are a few of the deals available at Target this week:


Schick Hyrdo 5 razors, on sale 6.49 + Free $5 gift card wyb 2
Use: (2) Schick Hydro Razor $4/1 (7-24-11) SS-6/12
Final: FREE after factoring in gift card


Scotch Magic tape 300yd, 1.79 reg price
Use: (1) .50/1 Scotch Magic Tape item, Target web coupon
Also use: (1) 1.00/1 Scotch Magic Tape item
Final: .29


Cottonelle Fresh Wipes 42ct, on sale 2.01
Use: (1) 1.25/2 Cottonelle Wipes 36 or 42ct, Target web coupon
Also use: (1) 1.00/2 Cottonelle wipes tub or refill
Final: .88 ea wyb 2


Kellogg’s PopTarts 12ct, on sale 2.65 ea
Use: (1) 1.00/2 Kellogg’s PopTarts, Target web coupon
Also use: (1) 2.00/3 Kellogg’s PopTarts and/or Mini Crips
Final: 1.65 ea wyb 3


Olay Regenerist MicroDerm cleansing cloths 30ct, clearanced to 5.08
Use: (1) 2.00/1 Olay Regenerist facial care item, Target mobile coupon (can only use once)
Also use: (1) Olay Regenerist Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser, excludes trial size $3/1 (7-31-11) PG-6/5
Final: .08

Reminder: Prices, coupons and availability will vary by region/location.

Here are two more good deals at Target this week. (Not all stores will carry these items – I had to go to a Target SuperCenter to get the Bull’s Eye bbq sauce as it was not carried at my local regular Target. And I grabbed the Kool-Aid there, too, since they were all out at the regular Target but there was literally a wall full of them at the SuperCenter!)

Kool-Aid drink mix canisters, on sale 1.97
Use: 1.00/2 Country Time or Kool-Aid drink mixes 8-12qt, Target WEB coupon
Also use: 1.00/2 Kool-Aid drink mix canisters
Final: .97 ea wyb 2

Bull’s-Eye barbecue sauce, on sale 1.37
Use: 1.00/2 Bull’s-Eye barbecue sauces 18- or 28-oz sizes, Target WEB coupon
Also use: (2) Bulls-Eye BBQ Sauce, any variety bottle .50/1 (7-10-11) SS-6/12
Final: .37 ea wyb 2

There are some great deals to be had at Target this week! Sorry it has taken me so long in the week to post these, but if you hurry you can still catch them while there are still a few more days in the sale. Here is just a sampling of what is available:



Up & Up ibuprofen 24ct, .99
Use: .50/1 Up & Up pain relief, Target WEB coupon
Final: .49

Up & Up hair detangler spray, 1.34
Use: .50/1 Up & Up hair care item, Target WEB coupon
Final: .84

Ritz Crackfuls crackers, on sale 2.40
Use: 1.00/1 Ritz Crackerfuls 6ct, Target WEB coupon
Also use: Ritz Crackerfuls Filled Crackers, any variety 6 oz. $1/1 (7-10-11) SafeKidsSS-4/17
Final: .40

A1 steak sauce, 3.19
Use: 1.00/1 A1 steak sauce 10oz or larger, Target WEB coupon
Also use: A1 Steak Sauce or Marinade, 10 oz. or larger bottle $1/1 (7-3-11) SS-6/5
Final: 1.19

Dannon Danimals Smoothies 6ct, 2.69
Use: 1.00/1 Dannon Danimals yogurt smoothies 6ct, Target WEB coupon
Also use: Dannon Danimals pack, any $1/1 (7-31-11) SS-6/5
Final: .69

Crayola ColorWonder items, on sale 3.23 – 12.00
(These all ranged from 3.30 to 6.00)
Use: Crayola Color Wonder product, any $1/1 (6-30-11) SS-4/3
Final: 2.30 – 5.00

Market Pantry pasta sauce (1.34) and pasta (1.09)
Use: 1.00/2 Market Pantry 26oz pasta sauce AND any dry pasta, Target WEB coupon
Final: 1.43 for both (.72 ea)

Oscar Mayer Lunchables with fruit, 2.69
Use: 1.00/2 Oscar Mayer Lunchables with Fruit, Target WEB coupon
Also use: (2) Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combinations with fruit, any $1/1 (7-10-11) SS-5/15
Final: 1.19 ea wyb 2

*Remember, prices, coupons and availability may vary by location/region.

Here are highlights of some of the great deals you can find at Target this week:

(You don’t have much time to get these, though – several of the coupons expire TUESDAY, MAY 31, so you’ll need to make it in to your store by Tuesday night.)

Iams ProActive, Healthy Naturals or Premium Protection dry cat food, 5.0 – 6.8lb
On sale, 11.99 + buy 2 and get $5 gift card

Buy: (2) cat food for $23.98
Use: (2) 1.00/1 Iams cat or dog food, any 2.2lb or larger TARGET store coupon, TargetP&G-5/1 (6-30-2011)
Also use: (2) Iams ProActive Health dry dog food or cat food $1/1 (5-31-11) HoneyBakedRP-4/17
or Iams Premium Protection dry dog food or cat food $1/1 (5-31-11) HoneyBakedRP-4/17
or Iams Healthy Naturals dry dog or cat food $1/1 (5-31-11) HoneyBakedRP-4/17

= 2 for $19.98 + $5 gift card (makes it 7.49 ea after factoring in coupons and gift card)

PLUS you can submit a rebate for a free bag of Iams cat food (expires 6-30-2011)

*There is also a similar deal available for the Iams dog food.

Tide Stain Release, 34ct or 68oz
On price cut to 10.99 (varies by location) and part of the Buy 2 Get $5 Gift Card P&G promo

Buy: (2) Tide Stain Release, 34ct or 68oz for $21.98
Use: (2) Target STORE Coupon Tide Stain Release laundry care item, excludes trial/travel size $1/1 (6-18-11) SS-5/8
Also use: (2) Tide Stain Release, 26-50 oz. Powder, 15-34 ct. Duo Pac or 36-68 oz. Liquid $3/1 (5-31-11) PG-5/1
= 2 for $13.98 + $5 gift card (makes it 4.49 ea after factoring in coupons and gift card)

Pantene shampoo or conditioner 12.6 oz
Special Purchase $3.79 each, plus Buy 2 Get 1 Free Styler item

Buy: (2) Pantene shampoo or conditioner + (1) Pantene styler (on sale 3.99 but will ring up FREE) for $7.58
Use: (1) 1.50/2 Pantene hair care items TARGET store coupon, TargetP&G-5/1 (6-30-2011)
Also use: (1) Pantene products $3/2 (5-31-11) PG-5/1
= 3 for $3.08 (making them 1.03 ea after coupons and free item)

Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic sun care items, various sizes and varieties
On sale this week and also part of Buy 2 Get $5 gift card promo

Buy: (1) Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic sun care item (I purchased Banana Boat After Sun aloe lotion for 4.99) + (1) Banana Boat SPF 50 lip balm at 1.79, as low as 6.78
Use: (1) Banana Boat Sun Care product, any 4 oz. or larger excluding lip balm $1/1 (6-25-11) SS-5/22
or (1) Hawaiian Tropic Sun Care product, any 4 oz. or larger excluding lip balm $1/1 (6-25-11) SS-5/22
= as low as 5.78 + $5 gift card (making it as low as .78 for BOTH after factoring in coupon and gift card, depending on which items you purchase)

[NOTE: The coupons both specifically exclude the lip balm, so you can only use 1 coupon for this deal. AND you cannot buy just 2 lip balms because it will not generate a gift card (the two items must equal at least $5 pre-coupon in order to trigger the gift card).]

Johnson & Johnson First Aid items, various
Special Purchase with FREE hanging bag or storage box wyb 3 participating items

My store had these on an end-cap near the pharmacy. You can get a free bag or storage box (valued at 4.89) when you purchase 3 items from the display. The cheapest option was a 10ct gauze pads for 1.69. (The sign does say that the total purchase must exceed 4.89 – I do not know whether that is pre-coupon or not since I didn’t have my coupon with me.)

Buy: (3) J&J 10ct gauze pads for $5.07
Use: (1) Johnson and Johnsons Red Cross products, any $1/2 (5-31-11) RP-3/13
= 3 for 4.07 + storage bag or box (making it 1.02 ea for 4 items after factoring in coupons)

OR Buy: (6) J&J 10ct gauze pads for $10.14
Use: (3) Johnson and Johnsons Red Cross products, any $1/2 (5-31-11) RP-3/13
= 6 for $7.14 + (2) free items (making it about .90 ea for 8 items after factoring in coupons)

UPDATE: You may also be able to send in for an additional FREE first-aid kit by mail! Information and form HERE.

Here are highlights of some of the deals you might be able to find at Target this week. (Prices and coupons vary by regions, so check your local inserts and local stores for more details. Clearance deals can also differ by region and may not be available in all locations.)



First Response pregnancy tests 2pk, 8.79 (reg price)
Use: $2/1 First Response Pregnancy or Ovulation test (Target web coupon) [exp 6-18-2011]
Also use: $2/1 First Response product, any (manufacturer coupon)
Also look for packages with MIR for B1G1 Free (when you buy 2 packages)
= 4.79 for 2 packages (4 tests total) wyb 2 and use MIR

Old Spice body wash bonus packs, 3.40 (clearance price)
Use: (2) $1/1 TARGET coupon: Old Spice or Gillette body wash item, any excluding trial/travel size (6-30-11) TargetP&G-5/1
Also use: (1) Old Spice Body Wash, Buy 1 Get 1 of equal or lesser value FREE up to $5.99 (5-31-11) PG-5/1
= .70 ea wyb 2

GE Energy Smart CFL lightbulb, 5.00 (sale price)
Use: $1.50/1 GE Halogen, LED, Energy Smart or Reveal CFL (Target web coupon) [exp 5-24-2011]
Also use: I had a Catalina coupon from a previous visit good for $1/1 GE Energy Smart bulb
= 3.50 (or less)

Burt’s Bees lotion + toothpaste bonus sample, 3.48 (clearance price)
Use: $1/1 Burt’s Bees lotion item (Target web coupon)
= 2.48

AcneFree Terminator spot treatment, 4.99 + $5 gift card wyb 2 (sale price – other AcneFree items also on sale)
Use: 15% one AcneFree product (Target web coupon)
Also use: 20% one AcneFree product (Target mobile coupon – sign up HERE)
= 1.62 ea wyb 2 (after factoring in gift card)

Old Spice deodorant bonus pack with free body spray, 3.40 (clearance price)
Use: (2) $1/1 TARGET coupon: Old Spice or Gillette deodorant item, any excluding trial/travel size (6-30-11) TargetP&G-5/1
Also use: Old Spice products, 1.7 oz. or larger $1/2 (5-31-11) PG-5/1
= 1.90 ea wyb 2
*I also had a coupon for free Old Spice body spray wyb deodorant from some product packaging that I was able to use (this one is definitely a YMMV thing however, depending on how your particular store interprets coupon policy)

Pond’s wet cleansing towelettes 30ct, 4.49 (sale price)
Use: $1.50/1 Pond’s skin care item (Target web coupon) [exp 6-7-2011]
Also use: $1.50/1 Pond’s cream, towelette or cleansing item (manufacturer coupon)
= 1.49

up & up Hydrogen Peroxide 16oz, .52 (sale price)
Use: $.50/1 up & up First Aid item (Target web coupon)
= .02

up & up Isopropyl Alcohol 70%, 1.02 (sale price)
Use: $.50/1 up & up First Aid item (Target web coupon)
= .52

up & up Ibuprofen 200mg 24ct, .99 (reg price)
Use: $1/1 up & up Pain Relief item (Target web coupon)
= FREE

Today at Target I found the Nivea Happy Sensation lotion for $5.04 (regular price).

There is a $3/1 manufacturer coupon for Nivea Happy Sensation lotion in this Sunday’s Red Plum insert (5/15).

Stack that with a $1/1 Target store coupon for Nivea lotion, and you’ll pay only $1.04 (plus tax).

Kroger stores nationwide (Smith’s here in Utah) are having another Mega Event sale – Buy 10 items, save $5 instantly. This mega event will go on for one more week (depending on your regional ad cycle), so if you’re like me and you haven’t had a chance to shop the sale before now, no need to panic – you’ll have one more week to grab some of these great deals.

There are actually several FREE items for this sale – free pasta, free Propel, free potato chips, free toothbrushes and free Nivea body wash. The toothbrushes, potato chips and body wash have been VERY hard to find in stock here in Utah. But my store was fully stocked on all of the pastas today, except for the American Beauty Quick Cook.

And if you don’t do coupons, it’s STILL a great time to stock up on pasta. The Ronzoni and American Beauty brands are on sale for .99. When you buy 10, or as part of a group of 10 other participating items, you’ll get the pasta for only .49!! It has a long shelf-life, and is a great item to donate for food drives. And don’t be afraid to give the Ronzoni Garden Delight stuff a try – my family actually really likes it (and I have some very picky eaters)!

Here’s what I ended up with this morning:


(3) Freschetta frozen pizza, on sale 4.99 (4.49 after promo, 3.49 after coupon, 1.82 after Catalina coupon)
(17) Quaker Cap’n Crunch cereal, on sale 1.99 (1.49 after promo, .82-.94 after coupon)
(4) Oscar Mayer Lunchables, on sale 2.49 (1.99 after promo, 1.75 after coupon)
(2) Ritz Munchables crackers, on sale 2.49 (1.99 after promo, .99 after coupon)
(8) Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta, on sale .99 (.49 after promo, FREE after coupon)
(8) Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta, on sale .99 (.49 after promo, FREE after coupon)
(8) Ronzoni Healthy Harvest pasta, on sale .99 (.49 after promo, FREE after coupon)
(4) Jello Temptations 3ct, on sale 2.49 (1.99 after promo, .99 after coupon)
(5) Gillette Odor Shield body wash, on sale 3.49 (2.99 after promo, .99 after coupon)
(5) Gillette deodorant, on sale 4.99 or 4.66 (4.49-4.16 after promo, FREE after coupon)
(2) Sunny D, on sale 1.29 (.79 after promo, .24 after coupon)
(4) Silk PureAlmond milk, on sale 2.99 (2.49 after promo, 1.49 after coupon)
(1) Mountain Dairy whole milk, on sale 2.33
(6) Sierra Mist 2-liter, on sale 1.25 (.83 after Buy 4 Get 2 FREE promo)

I used (3) 1.00/1 coupons for the pizzas [see SS-4/10], (2) .55/1 coupons for the cereal [see RP-4/17], (5) 2.00/3 coupons for the cereal [see Moments-5/1], (1) 1.00/2 peelie for the Lunchables, (2) 1.00/1 printable coupons for the crackers [was at GroupB – no longer available], (4) 1.00/2 printable coupons for the Garden Delight [see itpaystoeatpasta.com], (4) 1.00/2 printable coupons for the Smart Taste [see link above], (4) 1.00/2 printable coupons for the Heathly Harvest [see link above], (4) 1.00/1 printable coupons for the Jello [see link], (5) 2.00/1 coupons for the body wash [from inside some product packaging several months ago], (5) B1G1FREE coupons for the deodorant [see P&G-5/1, buy body wash get deodorant free], (2) .55/1 printable coupons for the SunnyD [no longer available] and (4) 1.00/1 coupons for the almond milk [see SS-4/10].

I also used my double points coupon from my Smith’s Rewards gold envelope received last week, as well as my $8 rewards certificate.

Total: $54.01 + $5 Catalina coupon good of floral department purchase

Here are the details for a few more of the great deals available at Target this week! For all of the various deal possibilities, check out our Target thread HERE.



These are all deals that involve stacking a Target store coupon with an available manufacturer coupon.



Nature Valley granola bars, 4ct – Available in the Dollar Spot section, 1.00 ea
Use: 1.00/2 Target printable store coupon (HERE)
ALSO use ONE of the following: Nature Valley boxed Granola Bars or Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters, any flavor/variety excluding Granola Thins .75/2 (4-30-11) SS-3/6 or (5-21-11) Mi0SS-3/27
Total: .25 for 2 boxes


Olay Regenerist facial cleanser, 5oz – 5.99 (regular price)
Use: Target STORE Coupon Olay pro-X or Regenerist skin care item $2/1 (5-15-11) SS-3/13
ALSO use ONE of the following: Olay Regenerist Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser, excludes trial size $3/1 (4-30-11) RP-3/13 or (5-31-11) HoneyBakedRP-4/17
Total: .99


Aveeno ActiveNaturals items, various – 2.89-2.99 (regular prices)
Use: (2) 1.00/1 Target printable store coupon for Aveeno item (HERE)
ALSO use ONE of the following: Aveeno Active Naturals product, any excluding trial sizes $3/2 (5-15-11) Mi0SS-3/27 or (5-31-11) SafeKidsSS-4/17
Total: .88 for both
[Note that the store coupon says “Limit one coupon or offer per transaction.” When I went last night, the cashier said I was allowed to use two together in the same transaction without a problem, but this will probably vary by store, so please check with your location first to see if they will allow this.]


[As always, prices and availability of coupons will vary depending on location. Check your local store for specific details.]

I know I’m probably the last person to get around to this deal, as evidenced by the lack of Nivea body wash at any Target or Walmart store within 30 miles of me this week, BUT…

For anyone who may not have heard about this deal yet, here goes! I did this particular deal at Target.

Target has Nivea body washes for 3.04 – 3.99, regular price.
Use: Nivea Body Wash for Women, any 8.4 – 16.9 oz. $3/1 (5-14-11) HoneyBakedRP-4/17
OR Nivea FOR MEN Body Wash, any 8.4 – 16.9 oz. $3/1 (5-14-11) HoneyBakedRP-4/17

Total: .04 (+ tax)

Target also has Degree deodorant starting at 1.97.
Use a Target printable store coupon, 1.00/1 Degree deodorant (HERE)
You can stack one store coupon with one manufacturer coupon (use ONE of the options below):
Degree Men Anti-Perspirant or Deodorant, any $1/1 (4-24-11) RP-3/27
Degree Men or Women Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant, any $1/1 (5-15-11) HoneyBakedRP-4/17

Total: -.03 overage

Do the two items together and you’ll pay just 1 penny for BOTH (+tax)!!

[For locations that will not allow overage, you’ll still only pay .04 for both – not too shabby a deal!]

If you don’t have a Target near you, Walmart has Nivea body wash for 3.00, so FREE after coupon!

[Prices may vary by location – check your local stores for details.]