missourimommy
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Joined: Dec 19, 2010 14:16:08 GMT -5
Posts: 224
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Post by missourimommy on Jan 1, 2012 19:36:23 GMT -5
The St. Louis Post Dispatch had 4 inserts....and the Nivea and Finish were part of it. I haven't had a chance to really sit down and look at what is included, but those two I do remember for sure. I bought 6 papers, plus the one I have delivered and the set of inserts I "borrowed" from my in-laws. Hopefully I'll wake up enough to sit down and go thru the inserts and see what is really included. My niece was married last night and the reception was at a local Marriott hotel...We didn't get up to our room until close to 1am...then the kids swam from 9:30am until 2 pm. We're all kind of dragging, to say the least!: )
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 14:15:24 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2012 19:40:38 GMT -5
I have (2) $2.15/1 FINISH COUPON for anyone who wants them.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Jan 1, 2012 19:48:41 GMT -5
A few questions, if you gals don't mind: 1. For those who buy coupons - how do you know it's worth it? Do you factor the cost into figuring out the total end price of the product? 2. Someone mentioned saving xxx amt in 2011 - how did you figure that? I want to be super diligent this year about our food budget, but am not sure how will I be able to determine regular savings from simply not buying as much vs savings due to coupons/watching prices, etc etc Thanks Lena Lena I don't buy coupons so I can speak to that and I can only explain the way I calculate my savings. I strictly us a cash basis for calculating my saving, never accrual! I averaged out what we spent on groceries the year before and came up with a $150 average spent for anything I bought at the grocery store. I took that amount out every week cash, al la the envelope method of budeting. I used the GC method to buy whatever we needed as cheaply as possible and ANYTHING left over that week was deposited into the savings account. I took the $150 out every week even if we didn't need one thing! That amount I put into the savings account is what I consider to be my savings. It is clearly off since I now pay for all HBA type stuff out of that grocery money when I didn't before, but it is still the way I measure our savings. My savings last year finally totalled $4389.55 that I put into that savings account. And truthfully I probably got more stuff last year than ever before not less.
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973beachbum
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Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:12:13 GMT -5
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Post by 973beachbum on Jan 1, 2012 19:49:37 GMT -5
I have (2) $2.15/1 FINISH COUPON for anyone who wants them. Please, please, please!!! You have a PM.
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misspt
Well-Known Member
Saving for my boys!
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 20:05:33 GMT -5
Posts: 1,211
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Post by misspt on Jan 1, 2012 19:51:18 GMT -5
A few questions, if you gals don't mind: 1. For those who buy coupons - how do you know it's worth it? Do you factor the cost into figuring out the total end price of the product? 2. Someone mentioned saving xxx amt in 2011 - how did you figure that? I want to be super diligent this year about our food budget, but am not sure how will I be able to determine regular savings from simply not buying as much vs savings due to coupons/watching prices, etc etc Thanks Lena Lena I don't buy coupons so I can speak to that and I can only explain the way I calculate my savings. I strictly us a cash basis for calculating my saving, never accrual! I averaged out what we spent on groceries the year before and came up with a $150 average spent for anything I bought at the grocery store. I took that amount out every week cash, al la the envelope method of budeting. I used the GC method to buy whatever we needed as cheaply as possible and ANYTHING left over that week was deposited into the savings account. I took the $150 out every week even if we didn't need one thing! That amount I put into the savings account is what I consider to be my savings. It is clearly off since I now pay for all HBA type stuff out of that grocery money when I didn't before, but it is still the way I measure our savings. My savings last year finally totalled $4389.55 that I put into that savings account. And truthfully I probably got more stuff last year than ever before not less. Very nice!! For such an awesome testimonial!
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 14:15:24 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2012 19:59:01 GMT -5
I have (2) $2.15/1 FINISH COUPON for anyone who wants them. Please, please, please!!! You have a PM. Back at you!
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 20:49:45 GMT -5
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 1, 2012 20:04:25 GMT -5
A few questions, if you gals don't mind: 1. For those who buy coupons - how do you know it's worth it? Do you factor the cost into figuring out the total end price of the product? 2. Someone mentioned saving xxx amt in 2011 - how did you figure that? I want to be super diligent this year about our food budget, but am not sure how will I be able to determine regular savings from simply not buying as much vs savings due to coupons/watching prices, etc etc Thanks Lena You are absolutely right. If I have to pay $5 to buy (10) Finish "for free", then the Finish is actually costing $.50/ea.; however, that would be much less than regular price, so the savings from using the coupons would still be substantial compared to regular or sale prices. Some gals purchase entire inserts regularly, some purchase individual coupons occasionally when their stockpile needs to be replenished and the coupon is of a really high value, and some rarely, if ever, purchase coupons. If you have friends, family, etc. that you can get inserts from so that you have 3-6 sets each week, you should be able to slowly build adequate stockpiles with just those (if that is your goal). Purchasing coupons is not a necessity. If your goal is to decrease what you spend on food, then take whatever measures you have available to achieve those goals. It sounds to me like there will be no way to prove to yourself that the savings came from using coupons or any other method of savings unless you keep track of them. If that it important to you, then take the time to do it for a while. That is what a lot of gals do when they start using coupons, just "to convince themselves" that it is worth the time and effort.
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 1, 2012 20:15:48 GMT -5
A few questions, if you gals don't mind: 1. For those who buy coupons - how do you know it's worth it? Do you factor the cost into figuring out the total end price of the product? 2. Someone mentioned saving xxx amt in 2011 - how did you figure that? I want to be super diligent this year about our food budget, but am not sure how will I be able to determine regular savings from simply not buying as much vs savings due to coupons/watching prices, etc etc Thanks Lena Lena I don't buy coupons so I can speak to that and I can only explain the way I calculate my savings. I strictly us a cash basis for calculating my saving, never accrual! I averaged out what we spent on groceries the year before and came up with a $150 average spent for anything I bought at the grocery store. I took that amount out every week cash, al la the envelope method of budeting. I used the GC method to buy whatever we needed as cheaply as possible and ANYTHING left over that week was deposited into the savings account. I took the $150 out every week even if we didn't need one thing! That amount I put into the savings account is what I consider to be my savings. It is clearly off since I now pay for all HBA type stuff out of that grocery money when I didn't before, but it is still the way I measure our savings. My savings last year finally totalled $4389.55 that I put into that savings account. And truthfully I probably got more stuff last year than ever before not less. beachbum: That is MOST EXCELLENT!! Great job.
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frugalsuz
Established Member
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 22:23:20 GMT -5
Posts: 389
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Post by frugalsuz on Jan 1, 2012 20:43:38 GMT -5
They are staples rebates. Most of the time they come back as a check, but some of them may come back as a visa/mc gift card or even a staples gift card. If the option is visa/mc, you may be able to request a check instead. They will give you that information up front though, and most of the rebates can also be submitted online, which is helpful. I was happy about the staples rewards being available to print online until people started stealing them. I had two separate occasions last year where someone printed the rewards from my account and used them. The first time it happened, staples cancelled my account, set me up with a new one and sent me replacement reward certificates. The second time they sent a replacement as well, but the whole thing was extremely annoying. I don't have any rewards available right now because I'm afraid they'll get stolen and at some point staples will probably stop believing me. I think it's employees that are doing it; I'm not sure how anyone else would be able to access my account, especially two different people in different states. Now they offer an option where you can get your rewards online, or request that they be mailed. I'm going to have them mailed from here on out. Wow emhalf, I'm so sorry that happened to you! I've never heard of rewards being stolen electronically before. I hope having them mailed fixes that problem for you, but what a pain.
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on Jan 1, 2012 21:09:49 GMT -5
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! My papers were a mixed bag. There were 4 inserts this weekend. I got the RP, P&G plus 2 SS's. But I only got 2 different ones tops per paper plus the RP that was mailed. The strangest part is even the same inserts don't have the same coupons in them. One papers coupons is even crappier than the others. In all three papers I didn't get even one of the Finish or Nivea coupons. I am thinking of sitting this week out at CVS. I only have the pantene coupons. The only thing we need is the heat protetection but CVS doesn't seem to sell it. It just doesn't seem worth is since I would have to pay $16+tax to get 8 shampoos I don't need to get a $10 GC. I really wanted to do the Finish deal next week but I didn't get any coupons for it in any of my papers so that is probably out too. > I guess I should stop whining and be thankful for everything I already have. Beachbum, Do you want to get the Nivea lip balm at CVS? I don't have CVS and I have (1) $3/2 mq and (3) $1/1 IPs for the Nivea lip balm. You can have them if you want. If you don't I'll offer them to anyone else on the board.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 1, 2012 21:16:31 GMT -5
My coupon round-up tonight was a bust. One set between the two liquor stores.....which is better than none. It could be couponers, but more likely it is sports fans. I'm thinking it might be this way until the local team is out of it for the Super Bowl....unless they go all the way. Ya, I'll be bummed when I don't have enough of a coupon that I need to do a deal, but it's all good. I wanted to do the Finish deal at CVS, but there are worse things than missing a deal or two or three. Seriously, though, it's not the end of the world.
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leanna
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Post by leanna on Jan 1, 2012 21:22:16 GMT -5
A few questions, if you gals don't mind: 1. For those who buy coupons - how do you know it's worth it? Do you factor the cost into figuring out the total end price of the product? 2. Someone mentioned saving xxx amt in 2011 - how did you figure that? I want to be super diligent this year about our food budget, but am not sure how will I be able to determine regular savings from simply not buying as much vs savings due to coupons/watching prices, etc etc Thanks Lena I do a really simple break-even analysis in terms of purchasing my Sunday papers. Now, you may only be referring to purchasing individual coupons. But to me, any time you pay for coupons you are purchasing them. So, here's what I do. The Sunday paper where I live costs $2. I look through the inserts and see what coupons are in them. If I find that there are coupons in them for things I would buy no-matter-what that total $2 (break-even) or more, I buy the paper. Let me give you an example. I drink Celestial Seasonings tea. No other kind. That's all I drink. So, coupon or not, I will be buying Celestial Seasonings Tea. My husband eat Totino's pizza. And we buy Cottonelle Toilet paper. So, let's say the Sunday paper has a $1/1 Celestial Seasonings mq, a .50/1 Cottenelle mq and a .50/3 Totino's pizza mq. That totals $2 on items I would buy regardless of whether I had a coupon or not.So I go ahead & buy a paper, because I know I would have spent that $2 anyway. (Does that make sense?) Any additional coupons I use from that paper is where I actually save money. And, from experience, I also know that certain items/brands tend to be able to be gotten for free with using coupons, plus a sale and store rewards. So, this weekend, I bought 3 newspapers and my neighbor will probably give me hers, so I'll have a total of 4 sets of inserts. I already have used (2) $3/2 Nivea lip mq's and tomorrow I plan to use about an additional $26 worth of mqs (depending on store stock) from this same paper. So that means I paid $6 for coupons and will be saving $29 towards my purchases. As you do this, you'll find that you'll get to know which brands get special deals and so which coupon inserts are worth having more of.
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misspt
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Saving for my boys!
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 20:05:33 GMT -5
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Post by misspt on Jan 1, 2012 21:40:00 GMT -5
Anybody having trouble getting to the swagbucks coupon page?
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FreeSalsa
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Joined: Dec 27, 2010 18:43:26 GMT -5
Posts: 1,013
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Post by FreeSalsa on Jan 1, 2012 21:53:36 GMT -5
A few questions, if you gals don't mind: 1. For those who buy coupons - how do you know it's worth it? Do you factor the cost into figuring out the total end price of the product? 2. Someone mentioned saving xxx amt in 2011 - how did you figure that? I want to be super diligent this year about our food budget, but am not sure how will I be able to determine regular savings from simply not buying as much vs savings due to coupons/watching prices, etc etc Thanks Lena I subscribe to the weekly paper, and that's usually the only thing I buy. For extra coupons, I usually print them (not at home so there's no cost there) or trade. You could try that for a while before you decide if you need to buy more. I rarely buy extra copies, but usually the first of the year inserts have great coupons, so I was ready to buy extras. Instead of the metro paper which is $1.50, I bought the local paper for $1. I bought three copies, giving me a total of 4 of each coupon, in case there are any 2/$x sales. I mostly wanted the Finish coupons. I was able to print some and get some free on Black Friday, so with these 4 I should be set for the year with only $3 output, not to mention all the other coupons I got. I was surprised to find Mentos coupons in the local paper so with the right sale I should have 6 free packs of gum coming up. Btw, the only bummer was that one of the papers had some Q's missing. I checked to see that the inserts were there before I bought it but someone had torn out some of the Q's and even whole pages and then put it back for me to buy. I could have taken it back but I didn't feel like it. Luckily they hadn't taken the ones I wanted most.
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ohiositter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 18:21:31 GMT -5
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Post by ohiositter on Jan 1, 2012 21:55:07 GMT -5
Anybody having trouble getting to the swagbucks coupon page? I am been trying, but no dice
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misspt
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Saving for my boys!
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 20:05:33 GMT -5
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Post by misspt on Jan 1, 2012 21:58:56 GMT -5
Anybody having trouble getting to the swagbucks coupon page? I am been trying, but no dice Thanks, I'm glad to know it's not just me.
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whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jan 1, 2012 21:59:57 GMT -5
Thanks so much ladies.
CVS question - are "extrabucks" different from Free CVS cash? If yes, how so?
thanks again!!
Lena
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misspt
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Saving for my boys!
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 20:05:33 GMT -5
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Post by misspt on Jan 1, 2012 22:04:39 GMT -5
Free CVS cash is loaded onto a CVS gift card and can be used for any CVS card you might have, where EBs are card specific.
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Sam_2.0
Senior Associate
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jan 1, 2012 22:21:02 GMT -5
I am wondering, are they tracking this CVS cash on the gc's? Is this maybe a way to find out who has multiple cards? Like I earn the reward off of my card, but then use it to buy things with DH's card?
Also, for those who have done the gc deals, can I get them to load it onto the same gc each time? I really don't want to end up with a TON of extras.
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misspt
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Saving for my boys!
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 20:05:33 GMT -5
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Post by misspt on Jan 1, 2012 22:25:21 GMT -5
I am wondering, are they tracking this CVS cash on the gc's? Is this maybe a way to find out who has multiple cards? Like I earn the reward off of my card, but then use it to buy things with DH's card? Also, for those who have done the gc deals, can I get them to load it onto the same gc each time? I really don't want to end up with a TON of extras. With the previous GCs, I have had them loaded onto the same GC. I don't know for sure about this new CVS cash thing, but we loaded it onto a GC I already had, and the receipt looked exactly the same as the receipts I received from the previous GCs...
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midjd
Administrator
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Post by midjd on Jan 1, 2012 22:46:33 GMT -5
What is the CVS Finish deal? Is it next week? I didn't see anything in this week's circular.
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misspt
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Saving for my boys!
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 20:05:33 GMT -5
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Post by misspt on Jan 1, 2012 22:48:56 GMT -5
What is the CVS Finish deal? Is it next week? I didn't see anything in this week's circular. Starts 1/8 ETA: The deal is buy $30 get a $10 GC, and the Finish will be priced at $3.50
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jan 1, 2012 22:50:23 GMT -5
Thanks!
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 1, 2012 22:57:43 GMT -5
I am wondering, are they tracking this CVS cash on the gc's? Is this maybe a way to find out who has multiple cards? Like I earn the reward off of my card, but then use it to buy things with DH's card? sam: I don't think so. You could easily give the GCs away as a gift or, like me, you could have received GCs yourself from someone else.
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suziq38
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I love to save
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 21:11:27 GMT -5
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Post by suziq38 on Jan 1, 2012 23:22:21 GMT -5
As far as buying newspapers, I haven't done so in a few months. There haven't been any great deals lately, but I haven't focused on the ones that have been good.
I have 3 sets of inserts from the "throw-away" papers from the neighbors, and My DH and I have our set...so 4 total so far. Not bad. I will also get several sets from Aunt Clara, my 2 sisters, my mother, and a few cousins, but I have to wait for those. It takes about 2 weeks for me to get the "extras" from my family, as they live in other cities.
If there is something good for FREE that I really, really need or want, I will order the coupons from the internet.
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suziq38
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I love to save
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 21:11:27 GMT -5
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Post by suziq38 on Jan 1, 2012 23:25:03 GMT -5
Thank you Dancinmama, for setting up this month's GCT.
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suziq38
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I love to save
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 21:11:27 GMT -5
Posts: 1,160
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Post by suziq38 on Jan 1, 2012 23:26:24 GMT -5
Suziq: It's good hearing from you again Thanks, Rubyslippers!
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 1, 2012 23:39:14 GMT -5
HAPPY NEW YEAR SuziQ!! ;D
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misspt
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Saving for my boys!
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Post by misspt on Jan 2, 2012 8:58:21 GMT -5
I would love to know if anyone buys the Vanilla Visa at RA today, and gets the $20 UP. TIA
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Jan 2, 2012 9:12:39 GMT -5
I would love to know if anyone buys the Vanilla Visa at RA today, and gets the $20 UP. TIA Frugalsuz has a picture on her blog of the one that is giving the Up.
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