Let’s play a little game, answer this question:

Fact or Fiction: Brand names are more expensive than store brands.

If you answered Fiction, you are correct.

If you answered Fact, you are not alone, stores have spent years and millions convincing you their brands are always the best value.  But that isn’t always the case.  For many items throughout the store you will find that the shelf prices for store brands appear lower than that of their name brand counterparts.  But if you’ve ever dated a pretty narcissist you know that appearances can be deceiving.  Let’s take a look at the two different brands of Sweet Pickle Relish above.  The short squatty jar of name brand Vlasic runs $1.48 while the taller jar of Store Brand runs $1.58.  To the naked eye the larger jar of Store Brand seems like a better deal, you’re only paying $0.10 more for all that extra relish right?  Too bad the “smaller” jar of Vlasic actually holds 10 ounces while the “larger” Store Brand jar holds only 8 ounces.  So while you’d pay about $0.15 per ounce for the name brand relish you’d be paying a whopping $0.20 per ounce for the generic.  

The second problem with store brands is this: Coupons

Rarely do you find coupons for store brand items, they exist, but are very few and far between.  When you combine a coupon with a name brand item at a comparable price to the store brand you can really up your savings.  But how do you know which is a better value?  The name brand with a coupon or the store brand without a coupon?  I have the formula to help you figure out the Price Per Ounce of a product when there is a coupon in the equation.

Here’s how to check price per ounce with a coupon:

Item Price less the coupon value divided by the number of ounces in the package.

Example:

Item Price: $3.49

Coupon Value: $1.00 Off

Ounces in the package: 16

3.49-1.00= 2.49÷16=$0.16 per ounce

Example if you have a $ off multiples of an item:

Item Price: $3.49

Coupon Value: $1.00 off two items

Now that your head is hurting from all that math, sit back, eat some relish, and curse those grocery store fat cats who’ve been swindling you out of your hard-earned cash for the last X amount of years!

X* Insert years you’ve been buying your own groceries here

Ounces in the package: 16

(3.49×2)-1.00÷16=$0.37 per ounce 

The post Why You’re Paying Too Much For Groceries: Part Two appeared first on The Discount Dame.

It’s time to start my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem.  I’ll be checking in each week with my progress, food reviews, frugal workout tips, motivation, how to lose for less and a side of snark.  I know why you’re reading this post though, you’re hoping to find some seriously unflattering before and after pics…well you’ve come to the right place!  Below are the less than flattering pictures taken solely for your amusement along with my weight loss back story and some info about getting started on Nutrisystem and becoming part of the #NSNation yourself.  You’ll also find a link to The Discount Dame Weight Loss Challenge contest!

I would like to say that The Discount Dame is just as svelte as her logo and always makes the healthiest food choices…but I’m not a liar. I guess I have to start this weight loss journey at the beginning  so here goes. I have not always been heavy, although I’ve always thought of myself as overweight. Even as a high school cheerleader I would drink slim fast for lunch and complain about my “big” thighs. When I left for college I became very comfortable with my body realizing in a bigger pound that I was not one of the “bigger” fish. I actually remember standing in front of my full length mirror and thinking to myself, “how do girls even get love handles?” I was living on fast food, ramen noodles and the more than occasional frappucino and never gained an ounce. I now dream about hopping in my DeLorean and gunning it to 88 with Doc Brown, pulling up to my college apartment, knocking on the door, and slapping that silly girl silly.

I could blame my weight gain on my best friend’s passing, my hormone injections I had to take to be able to have my son, pregnancy, at least that is what I did until I lost almost 100lbs in a year and a half. Yup, you read that right, I lost about 100lbs in a year and a half because of a medical condition called Achalasia which made it hard for me to swallow food. I had surgery two summers ago to destroy the muscle at the top of my stomach that would close off my tummy and block my food. I was able to actually eat a full meal, and it was amazing. Looking svelte and feeling great I kept the weight off for the first six months without a problem. I even had my wedding rings sized down to fit my new slimmed down digits. But after a year and a half of malnourishment I found myself “treating” myself more and more often. Then my son started preschool, and I started swinging by McDonald’s for Sweet Tea and a McChicken Sandwich every other day or going to Starbucks to write and drinking three or four tall coffees while I was there with lots of sweetener and heavy cream.

Long story short I have gained back 50lbs. I am not proud of the way I let myself slide, but I am proud to be partnering with Nutrisystem to lose the weight in a healthy, convenient  and affordable way.

Everything changed Monday May 13th when this arrived:

Nutrisystem Order

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling  1-888-853-4689 or by visiting nutrisystem.com/nsblog

The post Dame Meets Diet: Before Pictures, My First Nutrisystem Order, and My Story appeared first on The Discount Dame.

Weight loss is always easier with a buddy, or two, or two thousand!  Sign up below to enter and win The Discount Dame Weight Loss Challenge for your chance to win a Discount Dame Weight Loss Prize Pack filled with lots of weight loss goodies and rewards for all of your hard work!

[contact-form]

The post The Discount Dame Weight Loss Challenge & Giveaway appeared first on The Discount Dame.

It’s Freebie Time!  Here are 20 free things to help end your week right.

The post Friday Freebies! appeared first on The Discount Dame.

The post Coupons Decoded! How to Read Manufacturer, Catalina, Store, and Printable Coupons appeared first on The Discount Dame.

The post Daily Deal: Inexpensive Unisex Cowboy Hat $8.25 Shipped! appeared first on The Discount Dame.

COUPONS.COM

$0.75 off Any One DOLE Fruit Smoothie Shakers
$1.00 off your favorite magazine
$1.00 off any Dramamine Product
$2.00 off any Lotrimin product
$2.00 off any Tinactin product
$2.00 off Phillips Colon Health or Fiber Gummy
$1.00 off one Colgate Toothpaste

COUPON NETWORK

$1.10 off when you buy any ONE (1) Hawaiian Punch Aloha Morning 10oz 6-pack or Gallon sizes

SMART SOURCE

Save 75˘ On any ONE (1) Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce

REDPLUM

SAVE $2.00 on any ONE (1) Garnier® Olia™ Oil Powered Haircolor.
SAVE $1.00 on any ONE (1) MAYBELLINE® NEW YORK Color Show Nail Lacquer
SAVE $0.50 on ANY Whole Fruit® product

Sincerely,

Ray Serrano

The post New Coupon Round Up 5/16/13 appeared first on The Discount Dame.

Okay, that is an awful picture of the Teacher Appreciation Card I made for my sons teacher.  In my defence it was late at night when I took the picture and I was sugar-drunk from eating the “spare” candy bars I had left over…I only ate them to save my husband from himself…  Anyhow it turned out very cute.  I love the idea of the candy card, it’s yummy, it’s clever, it’s unique.  I wrote a fun little poem to go along with it and his teacher seemed to like it very much.

What You’ll Need:

• Poster Board
• Candy:  Reese’s Pieces, Take 5, Extra gum, Nerds, Snickers, U-No bar, Orbit gum, Skor, Milky Way, 100 Grand, Good & Plenty and Now & Laters
• Strong Tape
• Marker or Felt Tip Pen in Dark Color

Here is the poem, the words you seen in capitals are the titles of candy bars, instead of writing them just tape a candy bar down in their place.

Dear Teacher,

U-NO  I think your worth 100GRAND!  I couldn’t have found a better teacher if I had ORBIT’ed around and searched the whole MILKYWAY!  You SKOR an A+ with me!  Thanks for teaching me things I need to know NOW&LATER, I learned GOOD&PLENTY.  Thanks for holding back SNICKERS even when the class acted like NERDS!  You’re an EXTRA special teacher so be sure and TAKE5 and enjoy your summer break!

Love You to REESE”S PIECES, *insert child’s name here*

This would also make a great birthday candy card, or Valentine’s Day candy card!

Just get creative with your wording and the candy you have on hand!

Also note that you’ll want to keep this in a cool place until you present it…Hot car + candy card = poopy gift.

The post DIY Teacher Appreciation Candy Card appeared first on The Discount Dame.

Bridesmaids, that group of gals who have your back no matter what, the girls who like you at your best and love you at your worst.  You’ve got to grab them a special little trinket to say thank you for being a part of your special day, but you don’t have to break the bank.  This group of 10 pairs of classy, timeless earrings retails for $499.99 dollars, but you can scoop them up for $12.99…that’s the price for all ten pairs not per pair!  To check them out CLICK HERE.

For other great money-saving tips check out these great DIY wedding ideas!

The post Inexpensive Bridesmaid Gifts! Just $1.20 Per Pair!!! appeared first on The Discount Dame.

Well this leaking ads is becoming a bit of a habit…

Smart Source #1 5/19

Activia $1/1 4pk (7/13/13)

Alouette $.55/1 crumbled cheese dnd (7/31/13)

Alouette $1/1 cheese portions dnd (7/31/13)

Alouette $1/1 spreadable cheese dnd (7/21/13)

Bisquick $.50/1 40oz+ Original or Heart Smart baking mix (7/13/13)

Chavrie $1/1 goat cheese dnd (7/31/13)

Chock full o’Nuts $1/1 package (6/30/13)

Colgate $1/1 mouthwash 8oz+ (6/16/13)

Coppertone/Coca-Cola $3 off 1 Coppertone 4oz+ product and 2 Coca-Cola 12pks or 1 Coca Cola 20/24pk (6/30/13)

Crystal Light $1/1 liquid drink mix (6/23/13)

Dole $.75/2 canned mandarins (7/31/13)

Dr. Scholl’s $3/1 Active Series insoles (7/13/13)

Dr. Scholl’s $3/1 For Her insoles (7/13/13)

Dr. Scholl’s $3/1 Freeze Away wart products (7/13/13)

Dr. Scholl’s $3/1 Massaging Gel insoles or pain relief orthotic inserts (7/13/13)

Dromedary $.35/1 Pimiento product (9/2/13)

Edge $.55/1 shave gel or cream 7oz+ (6/30/13)

Energizer $.50/1 batteries, flashlight or USB wall or car charger (6/29/13)

Foster Farms $1/1 oven ready chicken breasts dnd (8/28/13)

Foster Farms $1/1 panko crusted chicken breasts dnd (8/28/13)

Goodnites $2/1 bed mats jumbo pk+ (6/15/13)

Hidden Valley $1/1 Farmhouse Originals dressing (8/19/13)

Hormel $.50/1 Natural Choice deli sandwich meat or chicken strips (7/15/13)

Hormel $.55/12 chili (7/15/13)

Hormel $1/1 Always Tender (7/15/13)

Hormel $1/2 pepperoni (7/15/13)

Hormel $1/2 premium chicken breast (7/15/13)

Huggies $1.50/1 diapers (6/15/13)

Huggies $2/1 Little Movers Slip-On diapers (6/15/13)

Irish Spring $.50/1 multi-bar pack 6pk+ (6/8/13)

Irish Spring $1/1 body wash excludes 2.5oz (6/8/13)

Johnsonville $2/1 Grillers (6/30/13)

Kleenex $.50/1 hand towels (6/29/13)

La Victoria $1/1 tortillas (7/28/13)

La Victoria $1/2 products 12oz+ (7/28/13)

L’Oreal $1/1 Advanced Haircare shampoo or conditioner (7/13/13)

L’Oreal $2/1 Advanced Haircare treatment (7/13/13)

Lunchables $1/1 Uploaded lunch combinations (7/14/13)

Nabisco $.75/2 cookie or cracker products 6.5oz+ dnd (7/14/13)

Nescafe $.55/1 Taster’s Choice single serve stick pack carton (7/14/13)

Nescafe $1/1 Taster’s Choice coffee canister 7oz+ (7/14/13)

OxiClean $.50/1 pre-treater (7/31/13)

OxiClean $.50/1 versatile stain remover or power paks (7/31/13)

OxiClean $.75/1 dishwashing booster (7/31/13)

OxiClean $1.50/1 in-wash liquid (7/31/13)

Palmolive $.50/1 dish liquid 14oz+ (6/8/13)

Pillsbury $1/2 refrigerated baked goods products (7/13/13)

Planters $1/1 NUT-rition sustaining energy mix multi-pack dnd (7/31/13)

Playtex $4/1 Fresh+Sexy wipes (6/30/13) (2 coupons)

Refresh $3/2 products (7/31/13)

Refresh $4/1 Optive Advanced product (6/30/13)

Sargento $.50/2 natural slices (6/30/13)

Schick $2/1 Quattro disposables pack (6/30/13)

Schick $2/1 Quattro titanium razor or trimmer (6/30/13)

Schick $2/1 Quattro titanium refill (6/30/13)

Schick $3/1 3 or 4ct Quattro for Women disposable razors TARGET COUPON (7/14/13)

Schick $3/1 8ct Xtreme3 disposable razors TARGET COUPON (7/14/13)

Scotch-Brite $.75/2 scouring products (7/31/13)

Scotch-Brite $.75/2 scrub sponge or dishwands (6/30/13)

Scotch-Brite $1/2 bathroom solutions cleaning tools (6/30/13)

Scotch-Brite $1/2 botanical disinfecting wipes (6/30/13)

Scotch-Brite $1/2 dishwands or dishwand refills (6/30/13)

Seagram’s $.55/1 ginger ale 12pk 12oz cans or 8pk 7.5oz cans (8/24/13)

Silk $.60/1 iced latte (6/20/13)

Simple Buy 1 cleanser or moisturizer, get one cleansing wipes free ets up to $6.99 (6/2/13)

Skintimate $.55/1 shave gel or shave creme excludes 2.75oz cans (6/30/13)

Stride/Dentyne/Trident/ID $1/3 single packs dnd (7/14/13)

Sweet Baby Ray’s $1/2 barbecue sauce (6/30/13)

Swiss Premium $.50/1 tea or lemonade gallon (6/30/13)

Smart Source #2 5/19

Apple & Eve $.55/1 Sesame Street juice beverage (6/29/13)

Barilla $.55/2 blue box pasta (7/13/13)

EasyLiner $2/2+ rolls (6/30/13)

Gillette $1/1 body wash or anti-perspirant/deodorant ets (6/30/13)

Heinz $.25/1 ketchup (6/16/13)

Heinz $.30/1 homestyle beans (6/16/13)

Heinz $1/1 57 Sauce 10oz+ (7/28/13)

Infusium 23 $2/1 shampoo, conditioner or leave in treatment 6oz+ excludes 1.7oz and trial (6/19/13)

Lamisil $2/1 product (9/30/13)

Lea & Perrins $1/1 10oz+ (7/28/13)

Lea & Perrins $1/1 marinade in-a-bag product (7/28/13)

Maruchan $.50/1 bowl or Yakisoba (7/15/13)

Morton $.55 off 1 26oz plain or iodized salt and 1 salt & pepper shakers (7/14/13)

Morton $.55/1 kosher salt or coarse or fine sea salt excludes 4.4oz fine sea salt (7/14/13)

Old Spice $3/2 deodorant twin packs ets (6/30/13)

Ore-Ida $1/1 Grillers (6/16/13)

Pert Plus $1/1 2-in-1 product 13.5oz+ excludes 1.7oz and trial (6/19/13)

Post $.75/1 Sesame Street cereal (6/29/13)

Reynolds Wrap $.75/1 foil 35sqft+ excludes Wrappers (7/31/13)

Rubbermaid/Kool-Aid/Country Time/Crystal Light $1.50 off 1 Rubbermaid beverage container and 1 Kool-Aid, Country Time or Crystal Light drink mix product excluding envelopes (6/29/13)

Secret $3/1 Clinical excludes .5oz and trial (6/30/13)

Secret $3/1 Outlast or Scent Expressions twin pack excludes .5oz and trial (6/30/13)

Snyder’s $1/1 flavored pieces or pretzel sandwiches 8oz+ (7/31/13)

Star $1/1 olive oil 16oz+ (8/31/13)

Sunsweet $.75/1 dried fruit dnd (8/30/14)
Jolly Time $.50/1 microwave popcorn (6/30/13)

Tyson $1/1 Any-tizers snacks (8/19/13)

Ultimate Flora $3/1 probiotic (9/30/13)

Vlasic $.75/1 regular or Farmer’s Garden pickle variety (7/31/13)

Wonderful $.50/1 Almonds 6.3oz+ (7/19/13)

Red Plum 5/19

Advil $1/1 20ct+ (7/18/13)

Advil Children’s $1/1 product (7/18/13)

Advil PM $1/1 16ct+ (7/18/13)

Banana Boat $1/1 sun care product 3oz+ excludes lip balm (6/29/13)

Banana Boat $3/2 sun care products 3oz+ excludes lip balm (6/29/13)

Ben & Jerry’s $1/1 pint frozen yogurt or ice creams (6/16/13)

Best Foods $1/1 product 22oz+ (6/16/13)

Caress $.75/1 body wash 12oz+ or 6 bar pk+ (6/16/13)

Clear Buy 1 Men Scalp Therapy, get 1 Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy free ets (6/2/13)

Clear Buy 1 Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy shampoo, get 1 conditioner or mask free ets up to $5.99 (6/2/13)

DermaSilk $5/1 full size product (6/1/13)

Dove $.50/1 beauty bar 6 bar pk+ excludes trial and M+C (6/16/13)

Dove $.75/1 body wash 12oz+ excludes trial and M+C (6/16/13)

Dove $1.50/2 go sleeveless, go fresh, ClearTone or any Clinical Protection excludes trial and M+C (6/16/13)

Dove $1/1 hair care product excludes trial and M+C (6/2/13)

Febreze $1.50/1 Air Effects ets (6/30/13)

Folgers $.25/1 coffee product (6/23/13)

Hand Perfection $5/1 anti-aging hand care (6/30/13)

Hawaiian Tropic $1/1 sun care product 4oz+ excludes lip balm (6/29/13)

Hawaiian Tropic $3/2 sun care products 4oz+ excludes lip balm (6/29/13)

Hot Shot $1/1 product (8/31/13)

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter/Country Crock $.30/1 product excludes Country Crock pumpkin spice, cinnamon and honey flavored spreads (6/16/13)

Jack’s $.75/1 pizza 15-30.5oz (6/30/13)

Land O’Frost $.55/1 Bistro Favorites, Premium, DeliShaved or Canadian Bacon (6/19/13)

Land O’Frost $1/1 sub sandwich kit or wrap kit (6/19/13)

Lever 2000 $.50/1 2 bar pk+ ets (6/16/13)

Lever 2000 $1.50/1 body wash ets (6/16/13)

Lipton $.40/1 tea bags, tea & honey to-go or pitcher size or any iced tea mix ets (6/16/13)

L’Oreal $1/1 Paris skincare product (7/13/13)

L’Oreal $2/1 Excellence shade or Excellence Richesse (7/13/13)

L’Oreal $2/1 Paris cosmetic face product excludes Magic Perfecting Base .17floz mini size (7/13/13)

L’Oreal $2/1 Youth Code product ets (7/13/13)

Nalley $.75/1 pickles 16oz+ (6/23/13)

Nature’s Bounty $1/1 vitamin or supplement (6/18/13)

Nature’s Bounty $2/1 fish oil or Co Q-10 (6/18/13)

Nature’s Bounty $2/1 Optimal Solutions supplement (6/18/13)

Nature’s Bounty $3/1 Optimal Solutions protein & vitamin shake mix (6/18/13)

NeilMed $2/1 Sinus Rinse refill packets or SinuFLO Ready Rinse (6/10/13)

Pringles $.50/1 snack stacks ets or Stix 70ct or 8pk (6/30/13)

Pringles $1/4 full size cans 160g+ (6/30/13)

Purina $5/2 items; 40oz+ dog treats, 11lb+ dry dog food, 13lb+ dry cat food or 35lb+ cat litter TARGET COUPON (6/30/13)

Q-tips $.25/1 cotton swabs product 170ct+ ets (6/16/13)

Sarna $2/1 anti-itch lotion (7/31/13)

Slim-Fast $1/1 bar or snack bites (6/16/13)

Slim-Fast $1/1 shake multi-pack or shake mix (6/16/13)

Snuggle $.50/1 fabric softener liquid or dryer sheets (6/30/13)

Suave $.50/1 deodorant product excludes men’s and trial (6/16/13)

Suave Buy 2 Naturals body wash products, get 1 body lotion free ets up to $3 (6/2/13)

Suave Professionals $.50/2 Men products ets (6/2/13)

Suave Professionals $.50/2 Moroccan Infusion shampoos or conditioners ets (6/2/13)

Suave Professionals $1/1 Moroccan Infusion styling oil ets (6/2/13)

Sunlight $1/1 dish detergent (6/30/13)

ThermaCare $1/1 cold wrap 1ct or heat wrap 2ct+ (8/25/13)

ThermaCare $3/1 cold wrap 1ct (5/26/13)

Venus $5/1 razor and 1 refill excludes disposables and trial (6/30/13)

Welch’s $.75/1 100% juice bottle or multi-pack (8/31/13)

Wet n Wild/Fergie $1/1 eye, lip & nail product (6/1/13)

Wish-Bone/Western $.50/1 dressing product (6/16/13)

Wisk $1/1 laundry detergent 45oz or 24 loads+ (6/30/13)

Wonderful $.50/1 pistachios 5oz+ (7/19/13)

Xenadrine $5/1 product (8/31/13)

Zyrtec $10/1 70ct+ (6/26/13)

Zyrtec $4/1 regular or D 24ct+ (7/31/13)

Zyrtec $7/1 regular or D 24ct+ (5/26/13)

www.yeswecoupon.com thanks for helping

The post California Coupon Preview for Sunday 5/19 appeared first on The Discount Dame.