I ate dinner over 2 hours ago, but I am still stuffed. Our plan was to go to Aspen Creek, a restaurant about 10 miles away, and then stop at Starbucks on the way home (I got my birthday postcard for a free drink). Well, we didn’t make it to Starbucks because I ate too much.

I purchased the Groupon back in May. It was $7, for a $15 off coupon. I have purchased about 4 now and this was the 2nd one that I used. I see a few a month that I am interested in, but think- do I really need it? Or would I buy the product even if it wasn’t such a good deal? I still have a kayak/canoe trip and Great Harvest bread. I got the massage for after running the mini marathon.

We used call-ahead seating and it was sooooo worth it. We got there and had to drive around to try to find a parking spot. Once inside, we waited less than 5 minutes. We were promptly attended to (unlike last Friday’s meal at Buca de Bepo- worst service EVER).

We got chips and queso- and he (Austin) even brought extra chips when we got low. We both ordered the 8 oz. sirlion, medium. I had so many chips, along with my mashed potatoes and green beans, that I could hardly eat but a few bites of my steak. I planned to bring home left overs, so that was fine!  Our service was awesome. A manager came over and welcomed us, because as we were seated, we were asked if it was our first time.   Now that I think about it, I know why- this restuarant is owned by Texas Roadhouse and I think they do that there. This is the first time I had been asked if it was my first time and it actually was.

The food was good, and I think the price was well worth it, even without the Groupon discount. It was $10 for the sirloin and 2 sides. This isn’t a plug about Groupon, as there are several other services in our area now, especially with Try It Local (I know the person behind it)- so try them out! I get their daily email and you should too!

Found the deal here.

From June 29 to October 4, if you make any purchase before 2pm, then you can get any Grande cold beverage for just $2 after 2pm the same day at participating U.S. stores.

Just bring your receipt! I remember this last year. Even the Starbucks at the KY International Convention Center downtown that hardly ever does promotions or takes gift cards has participated, so it is likely to be wide spread.

Here are the details from Starbucks.com

I spent less than $6, even after tax! The Deal was $5 off when you buy 10 items from their list of promotions. Combining that with their sale prices and coupons, I think I did well.

The only thing I didn’t have a coupon on was the Brownie Mix (.89 after the deal)

Soft Soap Hand Soap: 1.50 -.40 off printable coupon doubled= .20 after the deal
4 Sobe Lifewaters- Had 2 BOGO Free coupons, Paid .49 each for 2.
Kellogg’s Mini Wheats, on sale for 2.79, had a $1 off coupon, and paid 1.29 after the deal.
Keebler Fudge Cookies, on sale for 1.99, had a $1 off coupon, and paid .49 after the deal.
SmartBalance Butter, on sale for 1.99, had a $1 off coupon, and paid .49 after the deal.
2 Listerines 500ML, on sale for 3.00 each, had 2 $2 off coupons, and paid .50 each after the deal.
Cheerios Snack Mix, on sale for 1.99, had a $0.50 off coupon that double, and paid .49 after the deal.

Listerine–> I paid $2.50 for 2 bottles

Listerine is on sale for $4 each
In-Ad coupon, is $4 off 2.
$1 off coupon Listerine Whitening Prebrush Rinse coupon
$0.50 off coupon Listerine Cool Mint

Electrasol/Finish Quantum Tabs –> FREE after Rebate (or close to free)

On sale for $4.49
Used $2.50 coupon for Finish/Electrasol, exp. 5-17-09 (SS 4/19/09)
Submit for $2.00- SCR#14(limit 1)

I used Deal Seeking Mom for ideas.

Glade Soy Candle: $5.99.  I used $4.00 Internet Coupon that someone posted a few weeks ago, and also used the $2 Walgreens Easy Saver Catalog coupon- So I made a penny and got a candle.  I was disappointed when I saw the candle. It was tiny and didn’t smell as nice as I would have imagined. I don’t think these candles will stick around for long and will be discontinued.

Halls Cough Drops: $2.59. I used the weekly ad coupon from Walgreens and saved $1.20, and also used the $1 off coupon from the paper recently- so I paid 39 cents.

Chapstick Lip Balm 100% Natural: $1.99. I paid full price, but received a $2 off coupon (called Register Reward) for my next Walgreens purchase- So I made a penny and got chapstick.

Total- paid 2.93, got $2 off coupon: Net .93 paid for candle, cough drops, and chapstick- Not too bad.  I do have to say that I had a few other things on my “list of deals” but didn’t see the products I wanted to get.

Here are some of the places I found that listed Walgreens deals for this week:

Money Saving Mom

Bargain Briana

Common Sense with Money

There are several loyalty programs (and/or e-mail newsletters) that I am enrolled in. For example, Hallmark Gold Crown, Kroger, CVS, Borders, Buca di Beppo.

Today, I got an e-mail from Borders with 40% coupon. This is a decent coupon, as they normally only include 10% or 20% off. All you need to do is sign-up for their free Borders Reward Program and then print out the e-mail coupon. They will typically send our their e-mail newsletter about 2-4 times a month and announce specials and sales.

Since this is a free program, it’s a good deal- just need to take the time to sign-up and look at their e-mails when they come across. For me, the main benefit from the program are the e-mail coupons they send, as opposed to the Borders Rewards Points (spend $150, get $5 off) since I don’t spend much when I shop there.

Here’s another description of the program/coupon from Common Sense with Money.

Let’s see what I can get tomorrow for 40%!