I’m calling it that because we walked ~ 7 miles between the East and West sides of the Southern Illinois University campus – I can only estimate between the buildings visited and the walking tour. Providing trams or golf carts or even tickets for the free-to-students campus shuttle buses would have been a nice touch, especially since the cold winds were fierce enough that Pita was glad of her winter coat and I had a zipped jacket and hood pulled up.  I’ve unofficially gotten in my steps for the next few years I believe – maybe I should list them on Marketplace 🙂

Being sent to eat at a dining hall (each campus has almost identical ones) on the opposite side of our next appointment is a hard fail imo, especially since a 1 pm slot for lunch at Trueblood dining hall (no joke on the name!) meant we had to walk the 1.2 miles there and back for the 2 pm slot…then back for the 3 pm dorm tour. And this wasn’t even the dorm Pita would be applying for, since most of her classes would be on the other side.  Should also point out that after the first campus tour of about 15 people, these were self-guided, following a highlighted map provided, not a large group needing special transportation.

So today I just want to be home.  If it’s gonna be cold and partly sunny, I’d prefer Dr. Who in the living room with my pets.  Not to say this isn’t a very nice hotel, because it is and my vents will be pared down “somewhat” for the email survey that’s already been sent us 🙂  Pita was very happy with our meeting at Horticulture and that’s the most important part.

Pita graduated – finally! – from COD with an Associate Degree in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, but we didn’t get the mailed paperwork until December (Canadian wild fires interrupted a summer internship, certain classes were only offered once a year at conflicting times, advisor had a series of strokes/heart attacks and was in a coma, etc.), so even though we originally thought Spring might be a good transfer time, reality rapped sharply on our heads and we changed the start date for Fall semester at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.  Hence the road trip, which we planned to coincide with the COD Spring Break week.  Hence the drive yesterday through hail, heavy thunderstorms with almost-zero visibility.  Yeah, we know how to plan things for maximum amusement.

At times the downpour was so heavy we joined fellow smart drivers under overpasses while future organ donors sped past.  Seriously, if you can’t see at 40 mph, is it smart to double that?  One break came about 200 miles into the drive, when we stopped for gas (using a gas pump was one of the things I had to relearn after years of electric) amid a blue sky; bathroom break and a hot dog later and it started getting dark again, so back on the road.  Here are a couple of photos: the two fallen semis are self-explanatory, but the car was a shock: MAJOR parts were missing (you can’t tell from photo) from possible run-in  with semi parked on right shoulder, but I’ve never seen every air bag inflated like this – looked like the Amazon box where your 2-inch item is in a giant box filled with air bladders!  Two ambulances on the right shoulder and another coming from the opposite direction, but there was no attempt to stop traffic, so who knows?  And I know the pictures aren’t great, but it turns out yelling “Take a picture” at Pita doesn’t improve photo quality – who know?

I had her take the cross picture just because it looked so weird out there on the highway – I’d have chosen the wind turbine model myself, but what do I know 🙂

In a move that has taken way too long a time to come to fruition, Dollar Tree’s CEO announced it was selling Family Dollar to a couple of private equity firms – good luck with that one – for $1B, or only $7.7B less than they paid a decade ago.  I’ve only been in a couple of their stores and the older ones were dirty and seemed staffed and shopped by some very sketchy people.  Never saw the sense of the purchase in the first place, especially when the word synergy gets tossed around like a golden orb – more like a Magic Eight Ball in terms of future profits!  Here’s the article from Coupons in the News.

No inserts in this week’s paper (3/23), but here’s a 3/30 Save preview.  Not all papers carry the same coupons or values, so this national list might show coupons not found in the Chicago Tribune.

Save

Allegra Product (excluding 5ct or 8ct), any $5.00 4/26/2025
Allegra product 60ct Gelcaps or 70-110ct Tablets, any $10.00 4/12/2025
Axe Body Spray, Deodorant, Body Wash or Hair Product – BOGO Axe Body Spray or Deodorant (max value $8.50)(excluding trial/travel size) 4/12/2025
Ban Antiperspirant Roll-Ons (excluding trial/travel sizes), any TWO $3.00 4/30/2025
Ban Roll-On or Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant (excluding trial/travel size), any $1.00 4/30/2025
Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs Dishwashing Detergent 7-9ct (excluding trial/travel size), any $4.00 4/12/2025
Cetaphil Body Moisturizer (DND)(excluding 4oz or less – Moisturizing Lotion or Cream, Cetaphil Sheer Mineral; Baby; Body Wash; Bars and Kits), any $3.00 4/26/2025
Cetaphil Facial Cleanser (DND)(excluding 4oz or less – Daily Facial Cleanser, Gentle Skin Cleanser, Cetaphil Baby; Single Bars; 25ct or less Gentle Skin Cleansing Clothes; and Kits), any $3.00 4/26/2025
Cetaphil Product (DND)(excluding 4oz or less – Daily Facial Cleanser, Gentle Skin Cleanser, Moisturizing Lotion or Cream; 10oz or less Cetaphil Baby; Single Bars; 25ct or less Gentle Skin Cleansing Clothes; and Kits), any $3.00 4/26/2025
Cetaphil Products (DND)(excluding 4oz or less – Daily Facial Cleanser, Gentle Skin Cleanser, Moisturizing Lotion or Cream; 10oz or less Cetaphil Baby; Single Bars; 25ct or less Gentle Skin Cleansing Clothes; and Kits), any TWO $6.00 4/26/2025
Clairol ColorStrong Hair Color Product, any $5.00 4/27/2025
Covergirl Eye Product (excluding 1-Kit shadows, accessories, trial/travel size), any $3.00 4/12/2025
Covergirl Face Product (excluding Cheekers, accessories, trial/travel size), any $3.00 4/12/2025
Ensure Products valid on 4ct packs or larger, any TWO $6.50 5/10/2025
Febreze Plug Warmer Refill (excluding trial/travel size), any $2.50 4/12/2025
Flonase 120ct Sprays or larger, any $8.00 4/6/2025
Flonase 60ct Sprays or larger, any $5.00 4/13/2025
Glucerna Products, any TWO $6.50 5/10/2025
Motrin Adult Dual Action with Tylenol Product, any $3.00 4/26/2025
Motrin Adult Product (excluding trial/travel size), any $2.00 4/26/2025
Nasacort or Xyzal product (excluding Xyzal 10ct), any $5.00 4/26/2025
ThermaCare Heatwrap (excluding ThermaCare 2ct Neck), any $3.00 4/30/2025
Xyzal 80ct or Nasacort 240 Sprays, any $10.00 4/12/2025
Zyrtec Adult 24-60ct product or Children’s Zyrtec allergy 24-48ct or 8oz product (excluding trial/travel sizes), any $4.00 4/26/2025
Zyrtec Adult 90ct product, any $10.00 4/5/2025

We’ve been celebrating Free Cone Day since 1979 as a way to thank our incredible fans (that’s you!) for being, well, so incredible. This year, visit your nearest Scoop Shop on April 8 for a FREE cup or cone of your favorite flavor. No fine print, no strings attached — just free ice cream and good vibes. We can’t wait to see you there! Learn more and find your nearest Scoop Shop now.  The nearest one around here in in downtown Naperville.

Pita just texted Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire because she’s at the one in Naperville right now, and that’s participating.

We’ve been celebrating Free Cone Day since 1979 as a way to thank our incredible fans (that’s you!) for being, well, so incredible. This year, visit your nearest Scoop Shop on April 8 for a FREE cup or cone of your favorite flavor. No fine print, no strings attached — just free ice cream and good vibes. We can’t wait to see you there! Learn more and find your nearest Scoop Shop now.

Have you noticed that we now go weeks without any inserts?  It’s turned into monthly ones.  The March P&G insert teased about in an earlier post seems to have disappeared – at least there’s no mention of it anywhere.

One SmartSource and one Save insert in the March 2nd paper.  Not all papers carry the same coupons or values, so this national list might show coupons not found in the Chicago Tribune.

Smart Source

Bubly Burst 16.9oz bottles B2G1 FREE 4/30/2025
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil 17oz or larger, any $2.00 12/31/2025
Colavita Vinegar 17oz or larger, any $0.75 12/31/2025
Emerald 100-calorie Snack Packs 7ct, any $1.00 5/31/2025
JonnyPops Item, any $1.00 4/30/2025
Kauai Coffee products, any TWO $2.00 4/30/2025
Kodiak Item (excluding cups), any $1.00 4/30/2025
La Famiglia DelGrosso 26oz Pasta Sauce, or 15oz Alfredo Sauce (DND), any $2.00 4/30/2025
Lemon Perfect Bottles, any THREE $1.00 4/30/2025
Mission Zero Net Carbs or Carb Balance Item, any $1.00 4/30/2025
O Olive Oil & Vinegar, any $1.00 12/31/2025
Optimum Nutrition GOLD STANDARD 100% Whey Protein Powder or any Optimum Nutrition GOLD STANDARD Plant Protein Powder, any $5.00 4/30/2025
Zephyrhills 700mL 12-pk B1G1 FREE 4/30/2025

Save

Absorbine Jr Pro Product, any $5.00 3/31/2025
Advil 144ct or larger, or Advil Targeted Relief, any $3.00 3/23/2025
Advil, Advil PM product or Advil Targeted Relief, any $2.00 3/23/2025
Allegra product (excluding 5ct or 6ct), any $5.00 3/29/2025
Allegra product 60ct Gelcaps or 70-110ct Tablets, any $10.00 3/15/2025
Aspercreme Product (excluding 125oz Cream, 1ct Patch, Trial/Travel size), any $2.00 3/15/2025
Astepro Allergy or Children’s Astepro Allergy Product 60 sprays or larger, any $5.00 3/16/2025
Astepro Allergy Product 120 Sprays or larger, any $8.00 3/16/2025
Centrum Menopause 25ct or larger, any $6.00 3/15/2025
Centrum MultiGummies 60ct or larger, any $4.00 3/15/2025
Centrum or Centrum Silver 50ct or larger, any $3.00 3/15/2025
CeraVe Facial Moisturizer (excluding trial size and 1oz cleanser bar), any $3.00 3/23/2025
CeraVe Hair Product (excluding trial size), any $2.00 3/23/2025
CeraVe Product (excluding trial size and 1oz cleanser bar), any $3.00 3/23/2025
CeraVe Sun Product (excluding trial size and 1oz cleanser bar), any $3.00 3/23/2025
Cetaphil Body Moisturizer (DND), any $2.00 3/26/2025
Cetaphil Facial Cleanser (DND), any $2.00 3/26/2025
Cetaphil Products (DND), any $2.00 3/26/2025
Cetaphil Products (DND), any TWO $6.00 3/26/2025
Citrucel Product, any $2.00 TBA
Clairol ColorStrong Hair Color Product (excluding Professional), any $5.00 3/31/2025
Clairol Nice’n Easy, Natural Instincts, Root Touch-up, Bold & Bright or Textures & Tones Hair Color Products (excluding Professional), any $6.00 3/31/2025
Covergirl Eye Product (excluding 1-kit shadows, accessories, and trial/travel size), any $3.00 3/15/2025
Covergirl Face Product (excluding Cheekers, accessories, and trial/travel size), any $3.00 3/15/2025
Covergirl Lip Product (excluding Continuous Color Lipstick, accessories, and trial/travel size), any $1.00 3/15/2025
Dove Hand Wash Product B1B1 (max Value $6.30)(exclusions TBA) 3/15/2025
Ensure Complete, Max Protein, High Protein, or Plant-Based Protein Multipack 4ct or larger, any $5.00 4/12/2025
Ensure Products 4ct packs or higher, any $5.00 4/12/2025
Flonase 120ct Sprays or larger, any $8.00 3/9/2025
Flonase 60ct Sprays or larger, any $5.00 3/23/2025
Gaviscon Product, any $1.50 TBA
Glucerna Product, any $5.00 4/12/2025
Lipo Flavonoid Ear Health Product, any $5.00 3/31/2025
Nasacort or Xyzal product (excluding Xyzal 10ct), any $5.00 3/29/2025
Nature’s Truth Vitamin or Supplement, any $1.00 TBA
Nature’s Truth Vitamins or Supplements, any TWO $3.00 TBA
Nexium 24HR product, any $5.00 TBA
Pronamel (details TBA), any $2.50 TBA
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel (Base Color and Top Coat) Nail Color, any $3.00 TBA
Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips and Perfect Press-On, any $2.00 TBA
Secret Clinical Products, any THREE $5.00 TBA
Secret Clinical Products, any TWO $4.00 TBA
Sensodyne or Pronamel, any $1.00 TBA
Sensodyne or Pronamel, any TWO $3.50 TBA
Vaseline Body Care Products (excluding lip products and trial/travel size), any TWO $4.00 3/15/2025
Voltaren 50g or larger, any $3.00 3/23/2025
Xyzal 80ct or Nazacort 240 Sprays, any $10.00 3/15/2025
Zyrtec Adult 24-60ct product or Children’s Zyrtec Allergy 24-48ct or 8oz product (excluding Zyrtec-D, trial/travel sizes), any $4.00 3/29/2025
Zyrtec Adult 90ct product, any $10.00 3/8/2025

If you’re tired of being ignored as a consumer, tomorrow is the first of many economic boycott days planned – Friday involves making no purchases (gas, food, take-out, etc.), but if you must, buy local.  Here’s a gift article from the Washington Post – you do have to give ’em your email, but there are no charges incurred and no credit card info.

Have you noticed that we now go weeks without any inserts?  Here’s a preview of what is supposed to show up on March 2 plus a March P&G insert without a release date.

One SmartSource and one Save insert in the March 2nd paper; we’ll see if they put the P&G in the same one.  Not all papers carry the same coupons or values, so this national list might show coupons not found in the Chicago Tribune.

Smart Source

Bubly Burst 16.9oz bottles B2G1 FREE 4/30/2025
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil 17oz or larger, any $2.00 12/31/2025
Colavita Vinegar 17oz or larger, any $0.75 12/31/2025
Emerald 100-calorie Snack Packs 7ct, any $1.00 5/31/2025
JonnyPops Item, any $1.00 4/30/2025
Kauai Coffee products, any TWO $2.00 4/30/2025
Kodiak Item (excluding cups), any $1.00 4/30/2025
La Famiglia DelGrosso 26oz Pasta Sauce, or 15oz Alfredo Sauce (DND), any $2.00 4/30/2025
Lemon Perfect Bottles, any THREE $1.00 4/30/2025
Mission Zero Net Carbs or Carb Balance Item, any $1.00 4/30/2025
O Olive Oil & Vinegar, any $1.00 12/31/2025
Optimum Nutrition GOLD STANDARD 100% Whey Protein Powder or any Optimum Nutrition GOLD STANDARD Plant Protein Powder, any $5.00 4/30/2025
Zephyrhills 700mL 12-pk B1G1 FREE 4/30/2025

Save

Absorbine Jr Pro Product, any $5.00 3/31/2025
Advil 144ct or larger, or Advil Targeted Relief, any $3.00 3/23/2025
Advil, Advil PM product or Advil Targeted Relief, any $2.00 3/23/2025
Allegra product (excluding 5ct or 6ct), any $5.00 3/29/2025
Allegra product 60ct Gelcaps or 70-110ct Tablets, any $10.00 3/15/2025
Aspercreme Product (excluding 125oz Cream, 1ct Patch, Trial/Travel size), any $2.00 3/15/2025
Astepro Allergy or Children’s Astepro Allergy Product 60 sprays or larger, any $5.00 3/16/2025
Astepro Allergy Product 120 Sprays or larger, any $8.00 3/16/2025
Centrum Menopause 25ct or larger, any $6.00 3/15/2025
Centrum MultiGummies 60ct or larger, any $4.00 3/15/2025
Centrum or Centrum Silver 50ct or larger, any $3.00 3/15/2025
CeraVe Facial Moisturizer (excluding trial size and 1oz cleanser bar), any $3.00 3/23/2025
CeraVe Hair Product (excluding trial size), any $2.00 3/23/2025
CeraVe Product (excluding trial size and 1oz cleanser bar), any $3.00 3/23/2025
CeraVe Sun Product (excluding trial size and 1oz cleanser bar), any $3.00 3/23/2025
Cetaphil Body Moisturizer (DND), any $2.00 3/26/2025
Cetaphil Facial Cleanser (DND), any $2.00 3/26/2025
Cetaphil Products (DND), any $2.00 3/26/2025
Cetaphil Products (DND), any TWO $6.00 3/26/2025
Citrucel Product, any $2.00 TBA
Clairol ColorStrong Hair Color Product (excluding Professional), any $5.00 3/31/2025
Clairol Nice’n Easy, Natural Instincts, Root Touch-up, Bold & Bright or Textures & Tones Hair Color Products (excluding Professional), any $6.00 3/31/2025
Covergirl Eye Product (excluding 1-kit shadows, accessories, and trial/travel size), any $3.00 3/15/2025
Covergirl Face Product (excluding Cheekers, accessories, and trial/travel size), any $3.00 3/15/2025
Covergirl Lip Product (excluding Continuous Color Lipstick, accessories, and trial/travel size), any $1.00 3/15/2025
Dove Hand Wash Product B1B1 (max Value $6.30)(exclusions TBA) 3/15/2025
Ensure Complete, Max Protein, High Protein, or Plant-Based Protein Multipack 4ct or larger, any $5.00 4/12/2025
Ensure Products 4ct packs or higher, any $5.00 4/12/2025
Flonase 120ct Sprays or larger, any $8.00 3/9/2025
Flonase 60ct Sprays or larger, any $5.00 3/23/2025
Gaviscon Product, any $1.50 TBA
Glucerna Product, any $5.00 4/12/2025
Lipo Flavonoid Ear Health Product, any $5.00 3/31/2025
Nasacort or Xyzal product (excluding Xyzal 10ct), any $5.00 3/29/2025
Nature’s Truth Vitamin or Supplement, any $1.00 TBA
Nature’s Truth Vitamins or Supplements, any TWO $3.00 TBA
Nexium 24HR product, any $5.00 TBA
Pronamel (details TBA), any $2.50 TBA
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel (Base Color and Top Coat) Nail Color, any $3.00 TBA
Sally Hensen Salon Effects Nail Strips and Perfect Press-On, any $2.00 TBA
Secret Clinical Products, any THREE $5.00 TBA
Secret Clinical Products, any TWO $4.00 TBA
Sensodyne or Pronamel, any $1.00 TBA
Sensodyne or Pronamel, any TWO $3.50 TBA
Vaseline Body Care Products (excluding lip products and trial/travel size), any TWO $4.00 3/15/2025
Voltaren 50g or larger, any $3.00 3/23/2025
Xyzal 80ct or Nazacort 240 Sprays, any $10.00 3/15/2025
Zyrtec Adult 24-60ct product or Children’s Zyrtec Allergy 24-48ct or 8oz product (excluding Zyrtec-D, trial/travel sizes), any $4.00 3/29/2025
Zyrtec Adult 90ct product, any $10.00 3/8/2025

March P&G

Align Probiotic Supplement Product (excluding trial/travel size), any $3.00 3/15/2025
Always Radiant, Infinity, Pure Cotton or Ultra Thin Pads 10ct or higher or ZZZs Disposable Underwear 7ct (excluding Always Maxi, Always Liners, Always Discreet and trial/travel size), any $2.00 3/29/2025
Cascade B1 Platinum Plus 47ct or larger, Platinum 59ct or larger or Complete 78ct or larger ActionPacs Dishwashing Detergent and G1 Cascade Rinse Aid 16oz (up to $6.70)(excluding trial/travel size) 3/15/2025
Dawn Powerwash Starter Kit or PowerSuds 13.6-51.1oz B1G1 Powerwash Refill or PowerSuds 13.6-51.1oz (up to $3.99)(excluding Bundles and trial/travel size) 3/15/2025
Downy In-Wash Scent Boosters 5.0oz or larger including Downy Light, Unstopables, April Fresh, Cool Cotton, Infusions, Comfy Cozy, and Blends, any $1.00 3/29/2025
Downy Rinse & Refresh, Tide Clean Boost, Gain Rinse & Renew or Dreft Fabric Rinse Product 16oz or larger (excluding trial/travel size), any $1.00 3/29/2025
Febreze Product B1G1 (up to $3.30)(excluding Febreze Unstopables, Heavy Duty, Kitchen, Forest, Ocean, Wood, Ember & Mountain Scents and trial/travel size) 3/15/2025
Gain Rinse & Renew 16oz, Flings 14-16ct, In-Wash Scent Boosters 5.0-6.5oz, Sheets 105-120ct, Mega Sheets 60ct (excluding Gain Liquid/Powder Laundry Detergent, Ultra Flings, Essential Oils, trial/travel size), any $1.25 3/29/2025
Gain Rinse & Renew 16oz, Flings 14-16ct, In-Wash Scent Boosters 5.0-6.5oz, Sheets 105-120ct, Mega Sheets 60ct (excluding Gain Liquid/Powder Laundry Detergent, Ultra Flings, Essential Oils, trial/travel size), any $2.00 3/29/2025
Metamucil Product (excluding 30ct Singles, 30 dose Powders, 48 dose Powders, 100ct Capsules and trial/travel size), any $3.00 3/15/2025
Olay BUY Facial Moisturizer, Eyes or Serum and GET Olay Cleansing Melts 12ct FREE (up to $5.00)(excluding Minis) 3/15/2025
Olay Cleansing Melts 32ct (excluding trial/travel size), any $2.00 3/15/2025
Olay Facial Moisturizer, Eyes or Serum Products (excluding Super Serum, Super Eyes, Complete, Active Hydrating, Total Effects, Age Defying, Minis, and trial/travel size), any TWO $10.00 3/15/2025
Olay Super Serum, Super Cream or Super Eyes (excluding Minis and trial/travel size), any $5.00 3/15/2025
Spruce BUY Weed & Grass Killer Snap & Spray Manual Starter Kit 64oz or Powered Starter Kit 64oz and GET Weed & Grass Killer EZ Aim 10oz FREE (Up to $10)(excluding Bundles and trial/travel size) 3/29/2025
Tampax Tampons 14ct or higher (excluding trial/travel size), any $3.00 3/29/2025
Tide Laundry Detergent 34oz or larger, PODS 12ct or larger, Power PODS 9ct or larger (excluding Tide Rinse, Purclean, Rescue, Studio by Tide, Simply Laundry Detergent, Simply PODS, Detergent 10oz and trial/travel size), any $1.00 3/29/2025
Zevo Flying Insect Trap, any $5.00 3/29/2025