Sunday Savings

COLORADO TIPS - SAVE AT GROCERY AND DRUG STORES
I'm vacationing this weekend in Breckenridge, where, despite some early snow, the Aspens are still thriving and beautiful. Since I don't have access to my newspaper, I can't give my full Sunday Savings report, but here's what I do know:

• There should be three coupon inserts in your paper. Click here to see an alphabetical listing of the coupons included in that insert. Thanks My City Mommy for putting this together. Tip: Print and save these listings. It's a quick way to check if you do have a particular coupon when you are looking at ads.
• King Soopers still has $5 off when you buy 10 Nestle or Kraft products. Lots of these items have coupons and with King Soopers double coupons, you can really snag some steals. I shopped the 10 item mega event last week and got four $5 instant savings rewards. In all, I bought $140 of groceries for $68 ($72 in savings!). My sister also reported great savings from her trip to King Soopers.
• Walgreens has some great Register Rewards deals, including FREE Emergen-C, Oral-B toothbrush, Robitussin, Vaseline lotion, Chapstick, TheraFlu and more. Check out My City Mommy's report here (remembering there may be some regional differences so always check your ad or online).
• Rite Aid has a $5 of $25 printable coupon here. Rite Aid is also offering money back on your purchases made between Sept. 13 and Oct. 17, as reported in last week's Sunday Savings. This week you can pick up a FREE Gillette Fusion razor, Crest toothpaste, and Nivea lip care with rebates and coupons. The Freebie Blogger has the weekly ad details here. Tip: Don't be afraid of the rebate program. You can complete your rebate request online for all your rebate items in the month and it is easy! You enter some information from your receipt (the date, register number, etc.) and it automatically detects what items you're owed rebates on. Then a few weeks later, you get a check in the mail. You do not need to send in proofs of purchases.

The photo shows my freebies for the week. This is a pretty good haul considering this pic only reflects Sunday through Wednesday since I left town Thursday. I look forward to returning home and seeing what else came in the mail!
Please leave a comment below to share your Sunday Savings tips.

What to do this Weekend in Colorado

COLORADO TIPS - WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN COLORADO

• Visit a museum! Many Colorado museums, including Boulder History Museum, Luther Bean Museum and Miramont Castle are offering FREE admission, thanks to Smithsonian magazine's Museum Day. Click here to find participating museums and here to request the required free admission card.
• Paonia is hosting the Mountain Harvest Festival featuring live music and local vendors including handmade arts and crafts, food, beer and wine. There's also a chili cook-off today and a farmer's market on Sunday.

COLORADO TIPS - WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN DENVER

• As I mentioned last week, this is the last -- and by last, I mean last time ever -- chance to go to Oktoberfest Denver. If you want to stay inside, head to the Denver Museum of Art or the Molly Brown House. Both are FREE as part of the Smithsonian magazine Museum Day.

COLORADO TIPS - WHAT TO DO IN DENVER THIS WEEKEND WITH KIDS

• Yes, it's FREE museum day for the kids too. Museum Day includes the Denver Botanic Gardens, so go see Jurassic Gardens with life-sized dinosaurs, prehistoric plants and fossil digs today for FREE before the exhibit closes on Sept. 30. Or, visit the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.

What are you doing this weekend? Please share by leaving a comment below.

FREE Ice Cream!

FREE ICE CREAM AT COLORADO COLD STONE CREAMERY LOCATIONS

Usually I give you tips, but today I am giving you the "scoop!" Head out to a Colorado Cold Stone Creamery location between 5 p.m.-8 p.m. tonight and get a FREE three-ounce sample of Jack's Creation. Jack is a child with a life-threatening illness who has received a wish from the Make-A-Wish chapter in NY. Jack was also asked to concoct a special treat for tonight's "8th Annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social." He combined Sweet Cream ice cream, brownies and caramel, then topped it off with sprinkles. Way to go, Jack!

The social is happening in Colorado, throughout the U.S. and beyond to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Donations are strongly encouraged in exchanged for your taste of Jack's Creation. Monies donated at Colorado locations tonight benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado so your donation stays local.

I'm heading to Breckenridge tonight for vacation and will be visiting the location there.

Will you attend? Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you are and where you'll be going.

Win a $50 Target Gift Card from STL Mommy

Giveaway!
My husband is sometimes jealous of the relationship I have with my sisters so please don't tell him that my real love is Target! Now that my secret is out, I'll share how excited I am to see that My St. Louis Mommy (founder of the My City Mommy sites) is hosting a giveaway for a $50 Target gift card. My blogging about this helps my chance of winning. But, if I can't be the winner, I hope one of my readers will be. You can enter for yourself here. Good luck.

Sunday Savings

COLORADO TIPS ON THE HOTTEST SHOPPING DEALS

King Soopers: It's 10 item event time - buy 10 mix and match items and get $5 off instantly. There are tons of products to choose from, but here is what I am going for (please note price shown is only when you buy 10): 5 Lean Cuisine entrees at 1.67, plus a $1 off 5 coupon from one of last Sunday's Red Plum inserts, 1 Hot Pocket Pizzeria line item for $1.49 with $.50 coupon doubled from the same Red Plum insert, 1 Nestle Tollhouse Morsels for $1.99 with $.50 coupon doubled from that same great Red Plum insert, 1 Velveeta cheese for $3.99 with a $1 off coupon I had in my coupon organizer (sorry, I don't know where this one came from), and 2 Kraft Philadelphia cream cheeses for .$99 each, with another coupon I had for $1 off 2. This makes my grand total for the 10 items $12.96!

• Office Depot: Awesome! Printer paper is $.99 after a rebate that will give you a $5 visa prepaid gift card. I'll be getting the limit of two on this. I have three reams right now (I stocked up on another $.99 sale), but between printable coupons and other things I print, I burn through paper. Don't worry, I recycle every piece when done!
• Rite Aid: Here's an exciting new deal from Rite Aid. Save your receipts between now and Oct. 17, enter your info at riteaid.com (or on the form found at the store) and get money back! It's $5 back on $25-$50, $10 back on $51-$100, or $20 back when you spend over $100. This is really a good deal because I am assuming they look at what you paid on your receipt, not counting other rebates. So, if you pay $5 for an item and later get $5 back through Rite Aid's existing Single Check Rebate program, I still think the $5 you actually paid will count toward your total even though you are getting that money back. Ok, that sounds really confusing, but what I'm trying to say is if you shop right you could make money on this deal. Their best deal this week is 2 4-packs of GE lightbulbs for $1 (on sale 2 for $4 with $3 off 2 in ad coupon).
• Sunflower Market: 2 cantaloupes are $1, but I'm going because Hansen's soda is on sale for $1.89 and I have a $1 coupon and Mission wraps are $1.99 and I also have a $1 coupon. I think I'll pick up a rotisserie chicken for $4.99 as well -- I have a recipe I'm making this week that calls for cubed or shredded chicken and think I'll take the easy way out with the rotisserie.
• Walgreens: Cream of whatever soup is a fall cooking staple (lots of my Croc-Pot recipes call for it). You can stock up now with Walgreens' in-ad coupon making the cream-of-soups .$89. But wait, there's more: here's a printable for $1 of 2, making 2 just $.78! There are also two $.25 coupons off of 4 Campbell's condensed soups in the Smart Source coupon insert in today's Denver Post. The trial size of ThermaCare Heat Wraps are FREE with a sale price of $2.49 and $2.49 in Register Rewards. Plus you could make money with this printable coupon for $1. Bic Soleil disposable razors are $4.99 with $1 in Register Rewards, plus $3 coupon in today's Smart Source insert for a final price of $.99. (The razors are also on sale for $3.99 at Target.) A gallon of milk is $1.99, limit 2.

Beyond the weekly sales and newspaper inserts, here a few hot printable deals that are out there:

• $10 of $10 or more on a Sears Junior's item
• $10 of $10 or more at Great Indoors for "soft bath" (I'm guessing things like towels), windows or bedding
• $.75 off (or $1 off at Kings Soopers or Safeway with double coupon savings at the $1 doubling maximum) a Wishbone salad dressing, including their Spritzers, which I think are cool, but haven't tried yet
• BYGO Dentyne gum

As always, the photo shows my freebies for the week. From greeting cards to lotion and cereal samples to a "The Magic School Bus" kids' book, everything shown was free through samples, other online offers or smart shopping.
What great deals did you find? Please share with other readers by leaving a comment below.

What to Do This Weekend in Colorado

WHAT TO DO IN DENVER

• Eight lucky Tip's Colorado readers and their guests are off the the Colorado Fall Home Show. You can join them today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for just $10 if you bring a nonperishable food donation ($12 otherwise). Children under 12 are FREE. Held at the Colorado Convention Center, the show has 300 exhibitors and two demonstration stages, primed to get you inspired to tackle those fall home improvement projects.


• While you're downtown, head over to the Ballpark neighborhood for Ocktoberfest Denver. There's German food, music, dancing, and, you guessed it, beer. There are also fun events such as a Mr. Ocktoberfest contest today at 1:30 and Haute Dog contest tomorrow at noon. Be sure to check out all the fun either this weekend or next as 2009, after 40 years, will be the last year of fest. They say you're not supposed to cry over spilt milk, but what about a shelved steins? I'm not even a beer drinker and it makes me sad.

WHAT TO DO IN DENVER WITH KIDS

• Today is a FREE day at the Denver Botanic Gardens. My sister took her boys through the Jurassic Gardens exhibit recently and reported a good time was had by all. Even better when it's FREE. Thanks SCFD! Denver Botanic Gardens closes today at 5 p.m.

WHAT TO DO IN COLORADO

• The Colorado Mountain Winefest continues in Palisade through Sunday. There are winery tours, grape stomps, jazz concerts and wine and food pairings, including a wine and Enstrom's chocolate pairings -- yummy! If you haven't been to Colorado Wine Country, you are in for a real treat.
• If you prefer beets to grapes, check out Sterling's Sugar Beet Days today or tomorrow. Sugar Beet Days offers homemade craft items, food, fun and FREE entertainment.

Colorado Wine Country Trip - Palisade

COLORADO TIPS - PALISADE WINERIES
As I mentioned in an earlier post, we went to Palisade last month for the Palisade Peach Festival. While we had fun at the festival, especially seeing the alpacas, the real treat was discovering the heart of Colorado Wine Country. We had such a great time in Palisade, we decided to hit wineries in Grand Junction, Cedaredge, Eckert and Paonia. And, we can't wait to go back.
I had originally thought I could do one post about Colorado Wine Country, but there are just too many wonderful things to share. So, I'm going to give some attention to each city we stopped through and perhaps to some of the sites and attractions along the way. First of course is Palisade.
We started at Grande River Vineyards and tasted their rarely produced ice wine. It is rare because it is only made after growing seasons that include a freeze during the day. It was a little sweet for our tastes, but we were happy we tasted a wine that comes along so infrequently.
Next we went to St. Kathryn Cellars. We enjoyed the staff and wine there. Pat educated us about the Talon Winery group (newly owns St. Kathryns, as well as Confre Cellars and Meadery of the Rockies, along with the Colorado Wine Room in Fruita). Evelyn joked with us that "Sweet Scarlet," which I had to try because of the wonderful name, was the perfect hot tub wine. We agreed. Confre Cellars is attached to St. Kathryns so we stopped in and tried both wine and fudge there. Yum!
A later stop was Plum Creek Cellars, said to be one of Colorado's oldest wineries. Their experience was evident as we enjoyed many of the wines they produced.
Our next and final Palisade stop was Meadery of the Rockies. The Meadery is known for its world-class honey wine known as mead. It was nice to try the mead as it was new to us, but, like the ice wine, this runs a little sweet for our tastes.
There are several other wineries we didn't get a chance to visit. We were sad about that, but it helps give us an excuse for another visit!

Click here to view more photos from Palisade wineries.
Click here for Peach Festival photos.

Have you been to Palisade? If so, please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

Sunday Savings

COLORADO TIPS: GROCERY & DRUGSTORE DEALS
This is a great week for coupons! There are five inserts in today's Denver Post. Here are the other deals about town:

• Albertsons: Betty Crocker Potatoes are $.75 when you buy 6. Print a $.40 BC Potatoes coupon here, plus one for $.25 from the Smart Source insert and you can get 6 for $3.85. This offer can be combined with El Paso products that have a coupon for $.60 off 2. Buy 2 El Paso products and 4 potatoes and you can get all 6 items for $3.25. Betty Crocker cake mix, frosting etc., Chex Mix, Steamers and some other brand/products are on sale $1 when you buy 6. Buy two Chex Mix products with the coupon found here for $1 off 2, a Warm Delights with $.50 off in the Smart Source insert, two tubs of frosting with a $1 off 2 coupon found here, and the $.50 off Steamers found here and your total for the 6 items is $3. Jennie-O Deli Style Turkey Breast is buy one pound for $5.99, get another FREE. If you knew how much turkey much husband eats, you'd know I am getting this deal for sure! (Note: My Alberstons is an "LLC," which is different than other Alberstons. Check your ad before going out for these deals.)
• King Soopers: Healthy Choice frozen entrees are on sale 5 for $10. Pair one of each $2 coupons you can print through this link and you get 5 for $6. I know what I'm having for lunch this week! Simply Potatoes are $.99 ($2 off). I think their Red Potato Wedges make a great and easy side dish, but my freezer is too full from the last time they were $.99. Mentos gum is 10 for $10 with a .50 coupon in this week's Smart Source coupon circular. The coupon says do not double, but I think King Soopers might anyway so you're looking at FREE or $.50. Del Monte Fruit Naturals are 10 for $10 as well with a $1 off 3 coupon available here (final price 3 for $2).
• Kmart: There's a $10 gift card coupon in the ad for a new prescription, valid through Oct. 10. As I mentioned in another post, most pharmacy deals are for transferred prescriptions only.
• Rite Aid: I am so happy. I actually received the Rite Aid circular in my newspaper this week. Of course, it would happen on a week with just decent deals, not screamin' deals. The best deal is the $.99 Suave products. Add your $.50 Body Wash coupon from this Sunday's Red Plum insert and your final price for the Body Wash is $.49.
• Walgreens: Progresso soup with in-ad coupon is 4 for $5. Add $1 off 3 found here, plus $.50 off 2 in the Smart Source insert and you get 4 for $3.50. True North Nut Crisps or Clusters are $3 with $3 in Register Rewards. I'm not sure what these are, but will I try them for FREE? Absolutely! A jumbo 2-pack of Lysol wipes are $5.49 (a 10.98 value). Add the $1 of 2 from the Smart Source insert and you pay $4.49.
  

My "freebies" photo shows a few splurges again this week. Each ream of paper was $.99, the optical mouse was was $.99, the photo paper was $.99, and each CD-R pack was $.99. Still, not a bad haul for under $7 considering it would be a decent deal to get the two reams of paper for that price.
Did I miss anything? Please leave a comment below and let me know.

What to Do This Weekend in Colorado

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN COLORADO
It really is sad the devastation the pine beetle is bringing to the trees in our beautiful state. Frisco is taking a stand with the 2nd Annual Beetle Fest. Walking Main Street Frisco is a fun time in itself and the festival adds live entertainment, a bug petting zoo and more.
If you are thinking beer not beetles, try the Vail Ocktoberfest. There will be live bands, keg bowling and of course beer and brats. Vail's Mountain Haus is offering rooms at 40% off.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN DENVER
Check out the 7th Annual Sunnyside Music Festival Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Many Northwest Denver eateries including Gaetano's and Red Trolley Ice Cream will be there if you want to fill your belly. Breckenridge Brewery, Tastes Wine Bar and Bonacquisti will be there too.
HandleBar & Grill has a great September weekend breakfast special: $4.95 gets you eggs, hash browns, choice of meat and pancakes. Yum.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN DENVER WITH KIDS
Denver Museum of Nature and Science is FREE this Sunday!
Rocky Mountain PBS Kids is hosting Fun Fest 2009 on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is FREE and activities include a petting zoo, climbing wall and bounces houses, plus a chance for your kids to meet their favorite PBS Kids characters. Another option is the Washington Park Community Fair.
What are you doing this weekend? Please leave a comment below and let me know.

Free Food Monday through Thursday

COLORADO TIPS DISHES ON FREE FOOD
FREE food is everywhere this week. Here's what you can get and when:

• Sept. 7 (tomorrow): FREE small flavored brewed coffee at Seattle's Best Coffee inside Borders. Click here to print coupon.
• Sept. 7: FREE Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich -- just wear any sports team apparel.
  
• Sept. 7: FREE beer for old jeans at the Old Man Pub in Broomfield from 6-8 p.m.
• Sept. 8: FREE entrees for first 500 people at Qdoba's 500th location at 6703 S. University Blvd. in Centennial. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
  
• Sept. 9: FREE regular roast beef sandwich with any soft drink purchase.
• Sept. 9: FREE flowers at Bloomfield Florist in Denver, Greenwood Village and Thornton. This is an FTD promotion celebrating Good Neighbor Day. (Yes, I know this isn't food, but it's cool so I wanted to include it anyway. Consider it food for the soul.)
  
• Sept. 10: Panera Bread is having a sampling day with free tastes of its Breakfast Power, BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Napa Chicken Salad Sandwich and Macadamia Nut Blondie. If you have your heart set on this as your reason to head to Panera, it's probably a good idea to call first to confirm participation.
  

Which item gets your mouth watering? Please leave a comment below to let me know.

Sunday Savings

COLORADO TIPS: GROCERY, DRUGSTORE AND OFFICE SUPPLY DEALS
I'm actually home this weekend and have the newspaper and coupon-cutting scissors in hand! Here are the deals I've found:

• King Soopers: Mix and match Coke and Pepsi 12-packs and get 5 for $12. Betty Crocker cake mix is on sale 10 for $10. Coupons.com has a .50 off cake mix (King Soopers should double this so your cake mix would be free) when you buy a frosting.
• Safeway: Lucerne 2-gallon milk is $.99 with in-ad coupon (stores should have them if you don't get the paper) through Tuesday only. Another in-ad coupon expiring Tuesday is $.99 Kraft singles. Safeway brand 24-pack water is $2.78.
• Walgreens: Chex Mix is $.99. Add Coupons.com $.50 coupon and you get them for $.49. General Mills cereals are on sale for $1.99, with bonus coupons.com coupons available ranging from $.50-$1. The Windex Outdoor All-in-One window cleaner is on sale for $9.99 with a $3 Register Rewards coupon. Click here for an additional $2.50 off and it's like paying $4.49. I've wanted to try this outdoor window cleaner, but have been waiting for the right sale. I'm excited! (It doesn't take much, apparently.)
  
• Rite Aid: Once again, the ad didn't come in my paper. I looked at it online, but didn't seeing any deals worth making a special trip. However, there seemed to be some in-ad coupons that could make for better deals (e.g. $2 Swiffer refills coupon on top of the $3.99 sale price?). I can't read the coupon fine print well enough though to say for sure. Hopefully you did receive the ad and can check it out.
• Target: Be sure to clip the $10 FREE gift card with for a new or transferred prescription. This is great because most other pharmacy offers are only for transferred prescriptions.
• Kmart: In-ad coupon for $5 off $50.
• Office Depot: There are some great deals on the back page of their ad that are available today and tomorrow only: $.99 5-pack CD-R; $.99 USB optical mouse after mail-in $9 savings, $.99 photo paper after instant and mail-in savings; $.99 printer paper after $5 mail-in savings; $1.99 10-pack CD-R; and a $7.99 4G USB drive after $17 instant savings. I need a USB drive so am on my way to Office Depot after I post this!

Today's photo shows my free or nearly free things for last week (Aug. 30-Sept. 5). I splurged and spent $5 total for all the 9 candle/air freshener products shown -- not bad considering the Sense and Spray alone retails for $7 or so! Click here to see the previous week -- everything in this photo was FREE. Since I was back from multiple vacations, I did grocery shop to fill the bare cupboards. I purchased $239 worth of groceries at King Soopers for $127!
What's your best recent deal? Please leave a comment below and let me know.

WIN Tickets to the Colorado Fall Home Show

FIRST GIVEAWAY FOR TIP'S COLORADO
One of my blogging goals has been to offer great contests for my readers. Thanks to the wonderful people at the Colorado Fall Home Show and GroundFloor Media, Tip's Colorado is now giving you several chances to win tickets to the Colorado Fall Home Show.
The Colorado Fall Home Show unites more than 300 companies to create a one-stop home improvement marketplace. The focus is renovation, remodeling and sustainable living. There will also be two demonstration stages where experts will show us non-handy types how it is done. The best part is that a portion of the show's proceeds are given back to Colorado's horticulture industry in the form of grants and scholarships.
Attend the show at the Colorado Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., or Sunday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, free for children under 12. But here's how you and a friend can attend for FREE (enter just one way or all five!):

• Send me an email (look for email link in the sidebar after you click) and tell me why you want to go the Colorado Fall Home Show.
• For a bonus entry, follow me on Twitter (@coloradotip), then send me an email letting me know you're a follower. Please include your Twitter address.
• For a third chance to win, follow one of my favorite charitable organizations, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado, on Twitter (@wishcolorado) and send me an email letting me know. Again, please include your Twitter address.
  
• For a fourth entry, fan Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado on Facebook and send me an email letting me know. Please let me know your Facebook name.
  
• Finally, tweet or mention this contest on Facebook and get two bonus entries (four if you tweet AND Facebook). Be sure to send me an email letting me know.

All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14. You can enter one way or all five to increase your chances to win. You don't need to include your phone number or address. Winners will be notified by email; tickets will be held for you at will call. Winners will be chosen through a random drawing. Winners may only win once. Eight pairs of tickets will be awarded.
Good luck!

What to Do This Weekend in Colorado

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN DENVER

Great food, live music, carnival rides, children's activities, shopping.... Yep, A Taste of Colorado has it all. If you go, be sure that one of the food items you "taste" is from Maggiano's Little Italy. Maggiano's is donating all of its proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado. Yummy and charitable! Taste runs today through Monday so you have many opportunities to attend. Do consider alternate transportation options like the light rail to save yourself parking headaches and money.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN DENVER WITH KIDS

A Taste of Colorado is certainly a family friendly event, but if you don't want to fight the crowds with a toddler in tow, you can go more low key with a FREE game of bowling. In honor of National Bowling Day (who knew?!), many bowling alleys are offering a FREE game on Saturday, Sept. 5. You can request your coupon for a FREE game here. To find a participating bowling alley, click here. If bowling is not your family's game, also consider the Colorado Balloon Classic and Boulder Creek Hometown Festival (see below for more information).

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN COLORADO

Colorado Springs is hosting the 33rd annual Colorado Balloon Classic. While there are events Saturday through Monday, I recommend going on Saturday or Sunday as there will be balloon glows those evenings. Lots of people have hot air balloon rides on their "bucket list." I think seeing a balloon glow should also be on the list -- they are beautiful and unique experience worth enjoying. Last but not least, Boulder is hosting the Boulder Creek Hometown Fair. Activities include live performances, a food court and beer garden, a chili cook-off and much, much more.

How are you celebrating the last weekend of summer? Please leave a comment below and let me know.