People often assume that a couponer’s world revolves around the word FREE. The average couponer knows they can save a lot of money on their monthly grocery bill and sometimes, maybe even very often are some couponers able to pay next to nothing for their purchases. I would know because I am a proud couponer.
I have been couponing for my family to save on our monthly grocery household bill for nearly 6 years now. If dedicated to the concept and you simply need it enough, then I can certainly attest to how couponing can work and eventually be able to live off your savings for up to 6-12 months of necessity items for your whole family if you budget it right.
On the rare occasion I can also say that when deals and savings are in order I can sometimes end up buying something I don’t personally use (for little or nothing) in order to get something I do use at a low cost or possibly even free. What this does on the flip is creates a space on a shelf of stuff I don’t or won’t actually use, maybe even some items I don’t even like.
We all have our favorite products. That favorite laundry soap, razor, shave gel, shampoo and conditioner, household cleaners, toilet paper, even makeup. When you first start couponing you wonder if you will be able to save enough to actually buy things you actually like rather than simply “making due” with what you have.
Believe it or not, The largest savings I have ever had was getting high cost brand name items when ONLY on sale for next to nothing. Instead of store brand, I will get my favorite Proctor & Gamble, Colgate/Palmolive, Rickett Benkiser and Unilever Products by simply using the coupons from my Sunday Paper and matching them with current or upcoming sales.
The reality is I don’t just get ONE paper at all. Instead of buying things every month, I will buy at least one item for what would last my family several months. Being organized is a must, sometimes it can even get annoying. But again, what to do with that section of items I am not quite sure about.
So today I am doing a New Product Release Item Review. Why? Many couponers this week at Kroger stores Nationwide are benefiting from a buy5 Save $5 Mega Sale. I love these sales because these are when the mosy savings occur. This weeks special find is Dove and Caress Shower Foam.
Dove Shower Foam has been out for several months. When it came out, I certainly loved the gentle smells matching the body wash fragrances that matched. Walgreens had such a great deal that I got both regular body washes AND foams for both men and women for next to nothing for several months to come without wiping any shelves. Upon comparison of wash to foam, I really found only one difference: the wash has a little more moisture infused to the skin after getting out of the shower, leaving skin softer but still fresh. The foam was a little drying but felt clean. A little moisturizer goes a long way with the foam. I am still partial to the Deep Moisture and Exfoliating Body washes by far and not so much the items with Shea Butter infused. Some people actually are allergic to Shea Butter for their skin, myself included and I am not much of a fan of the fragrance with it either. Deep and Exfoliating Washes take the Cake.
In comparison, those couponers who like Dove may also be scoring with the deals that are mix and match and they end up buying TWO foam of both Dove AND the New product line Foam from Caress seen to the Right
Review on the visual says the manufacturer is sticking with clean and sleek for packing in the foam bottles. Simple and fun technology that works even for the kiddos.
Caress was always not really my favorite because my skin always felt like it had a residue left behind. However, I do have family that would say just the opposite and some really like it. The consensus was clear on fragrance. They both had a smell that was very unpleasant. The scents on the labels were pretty deceiving and not so gentle on the nose. For someone not usually allergic to fragrances on soaps, these certainly triggered a sneezing spell that took several minutes to stop and even left my nose itchy just from the lingering fragrance.
With Caress Foam, I must say that I was thoroughly disappointed and will not be purchasing this deal. Unless someone I know decides they like the Caress Foam Fragrances, I won’t be getting it at all, even if it means getting them next to free.
THEY STINK. That’s me being nice by the way because I am pretty easy when it comes to products. The general phrase feels clean and smells clean are my home mantras. It bugs me when something bothers my nose. Sad to say, these products Beyond the couponer world I don’t think will have a long life of sales on shelves. I will be sharing my thoughts with the manufacturer.
I’ve seen better: the New line of IVORY Body Washes seen below are very pleasingly surprising. I was always a fan of Lever 2000 body wash and was actually disappointed when they were discontinued. Ironically, I never was much of an Ivory Soap fan. Clean fragrance but too strong was always my thought. I am pleased to report that with the new formulas of body wash and the selection of fragrances, two seen here in the picture, these are by far my favorites so far. The Blue Clean label is my absolute best choice rating on Ivory. Very little in one pump goes a long way on a loofah. No residue and has this interesting affect on the skin where after a few uses, your pores will feel fresh, cleansed and even exfoliated- but without any gritty material to the wash- how can that be, right? The formula almost seems to be a cross between both the Old Ivory and the Old Lever 2000 to make this new line of product.
I absolutely love the new Ivory Wash product line and for having two children with sensitive skin conditions, this mom approves even for children of all ages. It actually was favored more by the youngest than Johnson & Johnson’s Lavender Baby Bath Set. Now that is a huge deal in my family because lavender Johnsons was always the bedtime go to solution. Not anymore!
So the next time you see a random product on the store shelf, be mindful of your likes and dislikes. Don’t make the couponers mistake of cheap means great. That is not aways the case. From a couponer perspective- actually smell your products before you buy. If you are a couponer, consider getting rid of the stinky items and instead trade or upgrade for the better of the options.
Caress shower Foam: FAIL!
Dove Shower Foam AND Dove Body Wash- EXCELLENT- Wash is better
IVORY Body Wash (New Line)- EXCELLENT
From this Mom to your home- Choose Wisely
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