Just one of the awesome tools here at PYP…ready-made shopping lists.  We scour grocery ads to find the best deals at many of your favorite stores, and match them with available coupons.   Check the list below and see if you find your favorite store!

In celebration of Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, the beloved and award-winning BBC Earth series Planet Earth is now available on iTunes with a special, one-time free episode download (“Pole to Pole”) from April 12 – 26, 2010.

This jaw-dropping, 11-part series from the BBC’s Natural History Unit presents the epic story of life on Earth. Series producer Alastair Fothergill and his team spent four years in production, over 2000 days in the field, using 71 cameramen filming across 204 locations in 62 countries to capture the ultimate portrait of our planet. It has garnered legions of fans and universal critical acclaim with Oprah Magazine saying “It is the most beautiful, wondrous and truly majestic series – the best thing I’ve ever seen on TV.” Using a budget of unprecedented proportions and captured on HD cameras, Planet Earth is among the highest rated and best selling HD programs ever made. It offers stunning visuals perfect for any HD television or HD handheld device like the Apple iPad which launched on April 3rd.

The BBC Natural History Unit has been producing extraordinary programming for over 50 years, and continues to take viewers to new and exciting parts of our Earth. Planet Earth, a BBC/Discovery co-production, aired on the Discovery Channel in 2007. It is the must-see precursor to the highly anticipated BBC nature series Life, currently airing on the Discovery Channel and releasing on DVD June 1, 2010 from BBC Video.

Link to iTunes.com
Search for “Planet Earth From Pole to Pole.”

The following links can be used to access the GrocerySmarts CVS lists in the designated areas. This list is made using the Arizona ad. Some sale prices may differ slightly from area to area, but all coupon information is specific for your area.
CHECK THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR MORE PRINTABLE COUPONS

Arizona
*Arizona CVS PREVIEW List*
Arizona CVS CURRENT List

California – North
*California North CVS PREVIEW List*
California North CVS CURRENT List

California – South
*Californa South CVS PREVIEW List*
California South CVS CURRENT List

Idaho
*Idaho CVS PREVIEW List* (check valid dates)
Idaho CVS CURRENT List (check valid dates)

Nevada
*Nevada CVS PREVIEW List*
Nevada CVS CURRENT List

**************************************************
ADDITIONAL PRINTABLE COUPONS TO USE:

-U by Kotex Products $1/1 HERE (FINAL PRICE: 2.99 AFTER PROMO)
-Benefiber $2/1 HERE
-John Frieda $2.50/1 HERE (FINAL PRICE: $1.52 and up after promo)

Pretzelmaker®/Pretzel Time® will once again host a day-long National Pretzel Day celebration on April 26 at participating stores across the country. This year the company is putting a new “twist” on the holiday by asking customers to “Sing for Your Snack.” Visit your local Pretzelmaker on National Pretzel Day, sing a snippet from a song of your choice and receive a FREE pretzel (with or without salt). Patrons who prefer not to sing won’t go hungry – they can simply mention “National Pretzel Day” and receive their free snack.

Put Us To The Test! Get $20 Worth Of FREE Plants – Just Pay Shipping. Once You’ve Tried Us, We Know You’ll Be Back!

Limit One Offer Per Household.

Hurry – Offer Expires Shortly!

Code:
$20 off $20+ order 414217

SpringHillNurseries.com LINK

This collection of simple Mexican recipes includes party appetizers, simple and delicious Mexican desserts, our always-popular Mexican chicken casseroles, and more. The recipes in this eCookbook are nice and easy, so no matter your skill level, you’ll be able to cook up some of the most fantastic Mexican recipes for your family and friends. Gather everyone around, and enjoy these delicious recipes together.
Whether you’re hosting a Mexican fiesta to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or just feeding a crowd of Mexican food fans, this eCookbook has something for you. These Mexican recipes are simple to prepare, but still provide a complex flavor profile that will please even the pickiest eaters. Includes 42 pages of great recipes.

Link to Mexican Recipe eCookbook

You can get 2 cases of HammerMill® Copy Plus Copy Paper, 8 1/2″ x 11″ for $5.61 each. It might be slightly a little more if your state sales tax rate is higher than 6%.

1. Go to Staples.com and click on “Order by Catalog Item #” near the top of the page.
2. Enter 122374-QJ for item number and 2 for Qty.
3. Add a filler item to get the total over $50. (Example: Staples cap erasers 12 pack .79 Item #771352) All orders over $50 ship for free.
4. At checkout, apply promo code 47617 to take $10 off.
5. Go to stapleseasyrebates.com to submit the rebate. For Staple Rebates FAQs, click here.

Subtotal = $50.77
Coupon = -$10
Tax = $2.45
Total = $43.22
Rebate = -$32 (2 $16 Prepaid Visa cards)
Out-of-pocket total = $11.22

Heres a few transaction scenarios for you, you can also check out the walgreens thread for more great ideas.

Transaction #1
Sale: Natures Bounty Vitamin D-1000 IU 120 ct Tablets $5
Buy: 1x Natures Bounty Vitamin D-1000 IU 120 ct Tablets
Use: -Natures Bounty HERE (gave me a $2/1 just for signing up! And it let me print 4)
Pay: $3 +tax
Get: $5 Register Reward

Transaction #2
Buy:1x Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength Toothpaste 4 oz or Wave Toothbrush $2.99
1x Kotex U Ultra Thin Pads 14 to 18 pk, Pantiliners 50 or 60 pk or Tampons 18 pk $3.49 (2.5rr)
1 filler item equaling at least .27 (a filler item is just a cheap item to either bring your total after coupons up so you can use a register reward, or to make it so you have as many items as coupons)
Use: There are a few coupon options out there-
Colgate: Colgate Total Toothpaste .75/1 HERE
Kotex: Kotex U Products $1/1 HERE
Kotex U Liners, Any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18
Kotex U Pads, any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18
Kotex U Tampons, Any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18
Use Register Rewards: $5 from Transaction #1
Pay: Tax
Get: $2 register reward for Colgate and $2.50 register reward for the Kotex.

I plan on rolling into another Transaction #1. Useing the $2 coupon for signing up with Natures Bounty and the $2.50 register reward from Transation #2 I’ll just pay .50 +tax and get $5 back! If you dont want a zillion Vitamin D tablets you could roll between the toothpaste and Kotex. Heres how:

Alternate Transaction #1
Buy:1x Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength Toothpaste 4 oz or Wave Toothbrush $2.99 (2rr)
Use: Colgate Total Toothpaste .75/1 HERE
Pay: $2.24 +tax
Get: $2 Register Reward

Alternate Transaction #2
Buy: 1x Kotex U Ultra Thin Pads 14 to 18 pk, Pantiliners 50 or 60 pk or Tampons 18 pk $3.49 (2.5rr)
Use: Kotex: Kotex U Products $1/1 HERE OR
Kotex U Liners, Any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18 OR
Kotex U Pads, any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18 OR
Kotex U Tampons, Any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18
Use Register Rewards: $2 from Transaction #1
Pay: .49 + tax
Get: $2.50 Register Reward

Questions about how Register Rewards work? Go here for the answers.

If you are new to shopping at Rite Aid, check out my Navigating Rite Aid posts to help you along you way! Remember, you can use a Rite Aid in-ad manufacturer coupon with a manufacturer coupon from the newspaper or online. Read the Rite Aid coupon policy HERE.

Also, this list was made with the Idaho ad. Please verify prices in your area before shopping.

I am only listing best deals at Rite Aid this week here. If you want to see the complete list or sale items this week, head on over to the PYP Rite Aid forum thread. You will also find helpful discussion on this weeks sale items.

Additionally, you can use this $5/$25 printable coupon or use the $5/$20 coupon from Rite Aid Video Values to save you more this week!

U by Kotex $3.49
Use any of the following:
Kotex U Liners, Any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18
Kotex U Pads, any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18
Kotex U Tampons, Any $1/1 (5-30-10) SS-4/18
Get a $3.49 Single Check Rebate
Final Price: FREE plus overage after coupon and rebate!

GE Reveal Light Bulbs 2 for $2
Use (2) GE Energy Smart, GE Reveal, or GE Edison halogen product, any $1/1 (5-5-10) SS-3/7
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate on two
Final Price: FREE after coupon and rebate!

Sea Breeze Astringent $4.99
Use Sea Breeze Product, any $1/1 (5-31-10) SS-4/11
Get a $3 Single Check Rebate
Final Price: $.99 cents after coupon and rebate!

Huggies Jumbo pack diapers $8.99
Use $3/1 printable coupon AND
the $1/1 Video Values coupons from March (no longer available to print)
Final Price: $4.99 if you have all the coupons!

Neutrogena Cosmetics 40% off
Use $3/1 Neutrogena Cosmetics Product, exp. 5-14-10 from ALL YOU April 2010

Neutrogena skin and bath products B1G1 50% off
Use possible printables HERE

**Spend $20 in Neutrogena products get a $5 SCR (offer #53)**

Starts Monday! To celebrate Customer Appreciation Week, you can buy one Blizzard at participating Dairy Queen locations, and get the second for only .25! Valid only the week of April 19-25. Valid only at participating locations.  No coupon required.

Store Locations

Today only! Buy 1 Get FREE on all 3″ to 5″ potted vegetables and herbs at Home Depot.
Limit 10 per customer. While Supplies Last.

All week long – April 18-24th – Buy 1 Get FREE on all Vegetable, Herb, and Flower seed packets.

Today only! FREE water-saving faucet aerator! In-store only, limit 1 per customer while supplies last. Minimum 200 available per store.

Home Depot sends out some fantastic newsletters with coupons and in-store savings. You can sign up for them at these links:

Home Depot Pro newsletter for Pros and DIY’ers

Free crochet patterns can be really fun to make whether it’s a summer pattern or winter pattern. Use up the rest of your yarn that’s been laying around the house for so long. The Editorial team at All Free Crochet has put together an eBook for your enjoyment. Learn up to 13 crochet stitches in this free crochet patterns eBook. You can also find 10 free crochet patterns you can make for you or a friend. Download this eBook for free.

Free Crochet Patterns and Ideas

Get the hottest travel deals delivered to you by email! You’ll get exclusive savings and deals!

Sign up for the Hotwire travel deals email!

One way that I have found to save a bit of money is to cook more from scratch. It takes a little extra time, but the money is worth it. Plus, food made from scratch are usually better for you.

Here are some average cost breakdowns:

Rolls: 40-46 cents per dozen for homemade vs. $2.50 per dozen from the bakery

Brownies: 95 cents a dozen for homemade vs. $4.00 for nine from the bakery

French Bread: 33 cents per loaf homemade vs. $1.50 per loaf from the bakery

Peanut Butter Bars: 96 cents per dozen homemade vs. $4.50 for nine bars from the bakery

Chocolate Chip Cookies: $1.00 per dozen homemade vs. $3.-4.00 per dozen from the bakery

Cake: made from a mix and homemade frosting $1.50 vs. $14-16.00 from the bakery

Another thing that I have done ever since I got married, 15 years ago, is making my own baking mix. Someone gave me a gallon bucket full and of homemade mix and I have kept it full!

Here is the recipe that I am currently using:

Homemade “Bisquick” for Biscuits and Pancakes

• 8 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/3 c. baking powder
• 2 tsp. salt
• 8 tsp. sugar (optional)
• 1 c. shortening

Directions: Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal. Store sealed in pantry or refrigerator.

To use with:

• BISCUITS – add 1/3 cup milk to cup of mix.
• PANCAKES – 3/4 cup milk to a cup of mix, and I like to add an egg also but the original recipe didn’t do that.

I actually add 3/4 cup powdered milk to the whole batch as I make up the mix; and then I just add water when I use it.

Here also is a muffin mix recipe, found on Taste of Home:

Ingredients

• 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup baking powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 
  ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 
  FOR CHEDDAR MUFFINS:
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 2 tablespoons minced chives
• 
  FOR CINNAMON-RAISIN MUFFINS:
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store in airtight containers in a cool dry place or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Yield: 4 batches (10 cups).
• To prepare plain muffins: Place 2-1/2 cups muffin mix in a bowl. Whisk egg and milk; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
• To prepare cheddar muffins: In a bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups muffin mix, cheese, bacon and chives. Whisk egg and milk; stir into cheese mixture just until moistened. Fill muffin cups and bake as directed for plain muffins.
• To prepare cinnamon-raisin muffins: In a bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups muffin mix, raisins and cinnamon. Whisk egg and milk; stir into raisin mixture just until moistened. Fill muffin cups and bake as directed for plain muffins. Yield: 1 dozen per batch.