I bought this model about six weeks ago for a couple of bucks more and frankly, I am so pleased with it I don’t even mind…well, just a bit. The ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Thermometer can scan air temperature, meat, Thanksgiving turkey – anything. Push the little button on and off for light if you need it, otherwise the unit shuts off by itself. Magnet on back keeps it out on my range hood, so easy to grab. Only $11.89 now on Amazon.
Best Buy: TVs, TVs & more TVs
Savings on a multi cooker, personal blender, toaster and TVs, TVs & more TVs, not just Sony ones, either on the Best Buy Deal of the Day page.
Pumpkin Bread on the cheap
Had to research the purchase date of the case of organic pumpkin puree I found on a basement shelf – two years ago and still in code (like that’s ever a factor). At that time I was thinking of making dog food since it’s so healthy. Yup, see how that turned out. Paid a quarter a can for pumpkin, 50¢ clearance 5 lb bags of flour from Jewel (when they clear out their odd name brands, stock up), sweetened with raw sugar from DT and clearance Torani pumpkin spice syrup plus cinnamon and other spices tossed in. Major cost was four expensive eggs since I won’t buy cheap deals any more. Added most of a bag of Craisins in place of nuts although both were available.
I really am a crap photographer, ’cause it looks (and tastes) way more appetizing in person. Gonna wrap one loaf to freeze.
Bye-bye Bucatini and why now
From a GrubStreet article – if you’re wondering why we might not be seeing favorite products during the pandemic. On a side note, I love Bucatini so when I saw a clearance cart of La Molisana bronze cut Bucatini made in Italy a few months ago for a quarter a 16 oz package, I took them all (dates 2023). sometimes the gods really do smile down.
Part I: The Mystery
Things first began to feel off in March. While this sentiment applies to everything in the known and unknown universe, I mean it specifically in regard to America’s supply of dry, store-bought bucatini. At first, the evidence was purely anecdotal. My boyfriend and I would bravely venture to both our local Italian grocer and our local chain groceries, masked beyond recognition, searching in vain for the bucatini that, in my opinion, not to be dramatic, is the only noodle worth eating; all other dry pastas might as well be firewood. But where there had once been abundance, there was now only lack. Being educated noodle consumers, we knew that there was, more generally, a pasta shortage due to the pandemic, but we were still able to find spaghetti and penne and orecchiette — shapes which, again, insult me even in concept. The missing bucatini felt different. It was specific. Frightening. Why bucatini? Why now? Why us?
Sunday Inserts: Biggest Day of the Year
The first Sunday of the year we traditionally get the most inserts with the greatest number of coupons. This week (1/3) we are supposed to get four inserts: two SmartSource and two RetailMeNot. Not all papers will carry the same coupons or have the same values.
RetailMeNot #1
Advil 72ct+ $3/1 (1/10)
Advil Children’s Product $3/1 (1/10)
Advil or Advil PM 18ct+ $1/1 (1/31)
Advil PM 40ct+ $3/1 (1/10)
Advil Respiratory Product $2/1 (1/10)
Alli Refill Pack 120ct $10/1 (1/17)
Alli Starter Pack 60ct $5/1 (1/31)
Amberen Menopause Relief $7/1 (2/15)
Amberen Perimenopause Relief $7/1 (2/15)
Benefiber Product $2/1 (1/17)
Caltrate Calcium & Vitamin D3 Supplement 50ct+ $4/1 (1/31)
Centrum MultiGummies 50+ 50ct+ (ETS) $4/1 (1/31)
Centrum or Centrum Silver Multivitamin 50ct+ or Centrum Multi+Probiotics 30ct (ETS) $4/1 (1/31)
Centrum Silver Multivitamin 50ct+ (ETS) $4/1 (1/31)
CeraVe Product (exc. Cleanser Bar 1pk, ETS and Items Sold at Club Retailers) $3/1 (1/24)
CeraVe Skin Renewing Product $3/1 (1/24)
CeraVe Baby Product $4/1 (1/24)
CeraVe Healing Ointment Product (exc. 0.35oz) $3/1 (1/24)
Clear Care or Clear Care Plus Solution 12oz+ $3/1 (2/13)
Clear Care or Clear Care Plus Solution Twin Pack $6/1 (2/13)
Emergen-C Dietary Supplement 8ct+ $1/1 (1/30)
Garnier Green Labs Serum Cream Product $4/1 (1/30)
Garnier Nutrisse, Color Reviver or Olia Haircolor Products $4/2 (1/30)
Garnier SkinActive or Green Labs Product (exc. Green Labs Serum Cream, Sheet Masks and ETS) $2/1 (1/30)
Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, Treatment or Styling Products (exc. 1oz, 2oz, 2.9oz, 3oz, Twin Packs and Value Packs) $3/2 (1/17)
Garnier Whole Blends or Sulfate Free Remedy Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment Products (exc. 3oz, Twin Packs, Value Packs and ETS) $4/2 (1/17)
Gas-X 18ct+ $1/1 (1/31)
Gaviscon Product $1.50/1 (1/31)
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Products $1/2 (1/31)
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Vegan Spread Product .75/1 (1/31)
Kellogg’s Eggo Waffles, Pancakes and/or French Toast Frozen Products 8.4oz+ $1/3 (2/14)
Kellogg’s Special K Cereals 10.5oz+ $1.50/3 (2/14)
L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference, Excellence or Feria Haircolor Product $2/1 (1/16)
L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference, Excellence or Feria Haircolor Products $5/2 (1/16)
L’Oreal Paris Skincare Product (ETS) $2/1 (1/16)
L’Oreal Paris Mascara $2.50/1 (1/16)
L’Oreal Paris Cosmetic Face Product (exc. Makeup Remover and ETS) $2/1 (1/16)
L’Oreal Paris Root Precision or Magic Root Cover Up Product $2/1 (1/16)
Maybelline New York Eyeshadow, Eyeliner or Brow Product $1/1 (1/30)
Maybelline New York Face Product $2/1 (1/30)
Maybelline New York Mascara Product (exc. Mini and ETS) $2/1 (1/30)
Nexium 24HR Product 28ct+ $5/1 (1/17)
Nexium 24HR Product $2/1 (1/31)
NicoDerm CQ Product 14ct+ $15/1 (1/31)
Nicorette Product 20ct to 24ct $2/1 (1/31)
Nicorette Product 72ct+ $15/1 (1/31)
Opti-Free Puremoist, Opti-Free Replenish or Opti-Free Express Solution 10oz+ $3/1 (2/13)
Opti-Free Puremoist, Opti-Free Replenish or Opti-Free Express Solution Twin Pack $6/1 (2/13)
Parodontax Toothpaste (ETS) $1/1 (2/2)
Preparation H Product $1/1 (1/17)
Pronamel Toothpaste (ETS) $1/1 (2/2)
Robitussin Product $2/1 (1/10)
Sensodyne Toothpaste (ETS) $1/1 (2/2)
SlowMag Mg Product $2.50/1 (2/3)
Splenda Stevia Products $2/1 (2/28)
Splenda Sweetener Items $4/2 (2/28)
Systane iCaps Eye Vitamins $5/1 (1/30)
Systane Lubricant Eye Drops 8ml+ $3/1 (1/30)
Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Twin Pack 10ml $6/1 (1/30)
Theraflu Product $2/1 (1/10)
ThermaCare Product (exc. 1ct) $3/1 (1/17)
Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel 1.76oz $1/1 (2/14)
Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel 3.53oz+ $2/1 (2/14)
RetailMeNot #2
All Mighty Pacs Laundry Detergent (ETS) $2/1 (1/17)
All Product (ETS) $1/1 (1/17)
Axe Deodorant Product (exc. Twin Packs and ETS) $1/1 (1/16)
Axe Hair Product (exc. Twin Packs and ETS) $1.50/1 (1/16)
Axe Personal Wash Product (exc. Twin Packs and ETS) $1/1 (1/16)
Boost Drink Multipacks or Canisters $5/2 (2/28)
Dove Amplified Textures Product $2/1 (1/16)
Dove Hair Care Products (exc. Dove Men+Care and ETS) $3/2 (1/16)
Dove, Dove Men+Care, Degree or Degree Men Dry Spray Antiperspirant Products (ETS) $4/2 (1/16)
Equal Product $1.50/1 (2/28)
Equal Plus Product – Buy ONE, Get ONE FREE up to $5.49 B1G1 (2/28)
Ester-C Tablet 60ct or less $2/1 (1/31)
Ester-C Tablet 90ct+ $3/1 (1/31)
Eucerin Body or Baby Product 8oz+ (ETS) $3/1 (1/16)
Eucerin Body Product 2oz to 6.8oz (ETS) $1/1 (1/16)
Eucerin Cream Product 16oz (ETS) $3/1 (1/16)
Hellmann’s Product 9oz+ .50/1 (1/16)
Nature’s Bounty Stress Comfort Gummy or Sleep 3 Item (exc. 15ct) $3/1 (1/31)
Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions Vitamin or Supplement $2/1 (1/31)
Nature’s Bounty Vitamin or Supplement $2/1 (1/31)
Nature’s Bounty Co Q-10, Fish Oil or Probiotic $2/1 (1/31)
Nature’s Bounty Immune 24 Hour+ Supplement $3/1 (1/31)
Osteo Bi-Flex Ease Product 28ct $7/1 (1/17)
Osteo Bi-Flex Liquid Joint Soother $1/1 (1/17)
Osteo Bi-Flex Tablets 70ct+ $10/1 (1/17)
Purina Friskies Warm’d & Serv’d or Stuf’d & Sauc’d Wet Cat Food Individual Pouches or Cans 3.5oz to 5.5oz $4/10 (3/3)
Purina Friskies Farm Favorites or Friskies Ocean Favorites Wet Cat Food Cans 5.5oz $1/6 (3/3)
Purina Friskies Farm Favorites Bag 3.15lb+ or Friskies Ocean Favorites Dry Cat Food $2/1 (3/3)
Purina $5 Target Gift Card wyb $25 worth of Pet Food, Treats and/or Litter $5/$25 (1/23)
Purina Fancy Feast Broths Wet Cat Complement Individual Pouches 1.4oz $2.25/12 (3/3)
Purina Fancy Feast Appetizers Wet Cat Complement Trays 1.1oz $2/12 (3/3)
Purina Friskies Cat Complements Individual Packages 1.2oz to 1.55oz $3/10 (3/3)
Renuzit Adjustable Air Fresher Cones 3pk or Renuzit Snuggle Oil or Oil Diffuser $1/1 (1/17)
Renuzit Adjustables Air Freshener Cones – Buy FOUR, Get TWO FREE up to $2.20 B4G2 (1/17)
Right Guard Xtreme Defense and/or Dry Idea Antiperspirants and/or Deodorants $4/2 (1/18)
SheaMoisture Face Care Products (exc. Single-Use Packets, 0.5oz, Sheet Masks and ETS) $3/1 (1/16)
Snuggle Product (ETS) $1/1 (1/24)
Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes 6pk $5/1 (4/30)
St.Ives Simple, Noxzema or Pond’s Face Care Products (ETS) $3/2 (1/16)
Sundown Gummy Product $3/1 (1/31)
Sundown Product $3/1 (1/31)
TRESemme Shampoo or Conditioner Products 28oz (exc. ProPure and Pro Collection Products and ETS) $4/2 (1/16)
Vaseline Lotion 6.8oz+ (ETS) $2/1 (1/16)
SmartSource #1
Air Wick Essential Mist Refill $1.50/1
Air Wick Essential Mist Starter Kit $3/1
Air Wick Freshmatic Automatic Spray Product $2/1
Air Wick Scented Oil Starter Kit $1.50/1
Air Wick Scented Oil Twin Refill $1.50/1
Almay Lip Product $1/1
Almay Makeup Product $3/1
Almay Eye Product $3/1
Almay Face Product $3/1
Cheerios Cereal Boxes $1/2 (2/13)
Colgate 360 or Colgate Floss-Tip Manual Toothbrush (exc. Colgate Plus, Colgate Triple Action, Colgate Extra Clean or Colgate Classic Clean) $1/1
Colgate Mouthwash or Mouth Rinse 400ml+ $1/1
Colgate Total, Optic White, Enamel Health, Sensitive, Zero, With Charcoal or Hemp Seed Oil Toothpaste 3oz+ $1/1
Del Monte Oats To Go .50/1
Dentek Products $2.49+ $2.25/2 (2/13)
Dentek Dental Guard $5/1 (2/13)
Dentek Floss Picks $1.74+ $1.25/1 (2/13)
Depend Real Fit Silhouette or Night Defense Product Package $3/1 (1/30)
Depend Products Packages 8ct+ $5/2 (1/30)
Efferdent 90ct+ $2/1 (2/13)
Effergrip 2.5oz $1.50/1 (2/13)
Egg-Land’s Best Cage Free Eggs .50/1
Egg-Land’s Best Eggs .50/1
Egg-Land’s Best Hard-Cooked & Peeled Eggs or Cage Free or Organic Hard-Cooked & Peeled Eggs .35/1
Egg-Land’s Best Organic Eggs .50/1
Energizer Batteries Pack or Energizer Flashlight $1/1 (2/13)
Energizer Hearing Aid Batteries Pack .50/1 (1/30)
Ensure Max Protein Multipacks $3/1 (1/31)
Ensure Plant-Based Protein, Ensure Enlive, Ensure High Protein or Ensure Max Protein Multipacks $7/2 (1/31)
Fiber One, Protein One Snack Product or General Mills Cereal Treat Bars Boxes .50/2 (2/21)
Finish Dishwasher-Cleaner $1/1 (1/31)
Finish Jet-Dry Rinse Aid $1/1 (1/31)
Finish Quantum or Finish Max-in-1 or Finish Deep-Clean Automatic Dishwasher Detergent $1/1 (1/31)
General Mills Cereal Boxes $1/2 (2/13)
General Mills Cereal Boxes $1/2 (2/13)
Glucerna Products $7/2
Gold Bond Ultimate Products (ETS) $2/1 (1/31)
Gold Bond Ultimate Products (ETS) $3/2 (1/31)
Good Thins Snacks 3.5oz+ $1/2 (3/13)
Huggies Diapers Package (exc. 9ct or less) or Pull-Ups Training Underwear (exc. 6ct or less) $2/1 (1/21)
Jergens Body Butters or Skin $3/2 (1/30)
Jergens Product $1.50/1 (1/30)
Ken’s Dressings 16oz+ $1/2 (1/31)
Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette $1/1 (1/31)
Listerine Mouthwash 500ml to 1L or Listerine Ready! Tabs 8ct+ $1/1 (1/30)
Mitchum Antiperspirant & Deodorant (ETS) $1/1
Motrin Adult or Bengay Product (ETS) $1/1
Mucinex/Delsym Product $5/1 (1/31)
Nature Made $2/1 (2/28)
Nature Made Gummies $2/1 (2/28)
Nature Valley Granola Bars, Biscuits, Cups, Wafers, Snack, Soft-Baked Squares or Sustained Energy Bars Boxes 4ct+ .50/2 (2/21)
Poise Active Collection 12ct to 36ct or Ultra Thin Pads Package (exc. other Poise, Liners or Impressa Products or Pads 10ct) $3/1 (1/30)
Poise Product Pads or Liners Packages (exc. Liners 14ct to 26ct or Pads 10ct) $5/2 (1/30)
Pull-Ups Training Underwear Package (exc. 6ct or less) $3/1 (1/31)
Refresh Digital or Digital PF Product $3/1 (2/28)
Refresh Product Packages $8/2 (2/28)
Revlon Eye Cosmetic $3/1 (1/16)
Revlon Eye Tool $1/1 (1/16)
Revlon Face Cosmetic $4/1 (1/16)
Revlon Lip Cosmetic $2/1 (1/16)
Ricola Cough Drops Bags 10ct to 14ct $1/2 (2/20)
Ricola Cough Drops Family Size Bag $1/1 (2/20)
Tagamet HB 200 30ct $3/1 (2/13)
Tagamet HB 200 30ct to 50ct+ $2/1 (2/13)
Triscuit Crackers 8oz+ $1/2 (3/13)
Truvia Sweetener Bag $2/1 (2/14)
Truvia Sweetener Package $1.50/1 (2/14)
Tylenol Children’s or Tylenol Infants’ or Motrin Children’s or Motrin Infants’ Product (ETS) $2/1
U by Kotex Product $3/1
U by Kotex Product $3/1
Welch’s Fruit Snacks Products Bag 8oz+ or Box 8ct+ $1/2 (2/20)
Welch’s Juicefuls Juicy Fruit Snacks, Fruit ‘n Yogurt Snacks or Fruit Rolls Bag 8oz+ or Box 8ct+ .50/1 (2/20)
SmartSource #2
Afrin Product $2/1 (1/31)
Aleve Product 40ct+ $1.50/1 (1/10)
Aleve Product $4/1 (1/10)
Alka-Seltzer Plus PowerMax 8ct and Effervescents Product 10ct+ (exc. Sparkling Original 20ct) $2/1 (1/31)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Product (exc. Sparkling Original Effervescent 4ct) $1/1 (1/31)
Atkins Bar 5pk, Treat 5pk or Shake 4pk $1/1 (3/31)
Atkins Frozen Entrée $1/1 (3/31)
Bausch+Lomb Soothe Product (ETS) $4/1 (1/13)
Bausch+Lomb Soothe Nighttime Product (ETS) $3/1 (1/13)
Bausch+Lomb Renu Twin Pack $6/1 (1/13)
Bausch+Lomb Renu 12oz+ $3/1 (1/13)
Bausch+Lomb Ocuvite Product 30ct+ $11/1 (1/17)
Bausch+Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution Twin Pack 10oz $6/1 (1/13)
Bausch+Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution 10oz+ $3/1 (1/13)
Bausch+Lomb Ocuvite Product $5/1 (3/5)
Bayer Aspirin Product 200ct+ $2/1 (1/13)
Blue Dry Food Bag $3/1 (2/28)
Blue Treats Bag $1/1 (2/28)
Blue Wet Food Cans $1/3 (2/28)
Carefree Breathe Liners or Carefree Breathe Pads (exc. Liners 16ct) $1.50/1 (1/13)
Chloraseptic Spray $2/1 (2/13)
Chloraseptic Lozenges $1.50/1 (2/13)
Chobani Product $1/1
Citracal Product (exc. Petities 100ct) $4/1 (1/31)
Claritin Non-Drowsy 24ct+ (exc. Claritin-D) $3/1 (1/31)
Claritin Non-Drowsy 60ct+ (exc. Claritin-D) $9.99/1 (1/10)
Claritin-D Non-Drowsy Product $8/1 (1/10)
Claritin-D Non-Drowsy Product $3/1
Coricidin HBP Product $2/1 (1/31)
CoverGirl Eye Product (exc. Shadows 1-Kit, Accessories and ETS) $2/1 (1/30)
CoverGirl Face Product (exc. Cheekers, Accessories and ETS) $2/1 (1/30)
CoverGirl Lip Product (exc. Continuous Color Lipstick, Accessories and ETS) $1/1 (1/30)
Curel Product 13oz+ (ETS) $2/1 (1/31)
Del Monte Veggieful Pocket Pies $1/1 (1/5)
Flintstones or One A Day Kids Multivitamin Product $4/1 (1/13)
Luden’s Products .75/2 (2/13)
MiraLax Product 10ct+ $2/1 (1/31)
MiraLax Product 20ct+ $5/1 (1/10)
One A Day Multivitamins Product 60ct+ or One A Day Prenatal Product $4/1 (1/13)
One A Day or Flintstones Product $4/1 (1/13)
Phillips’ Laxative or Fiber Gummies Product $1/1 (1/31)
Phillips’ Probiotic Product $8/1 (1/10)
Playtex Sport or Playtex Simply Gentle Glide Tampons $2/1 (1/13)
SkinnyPop Ready To Eat Popcorn Bag $1/1 (3/31)
Stayfree or Carefree Product $2/1 (1/13)
Sucrets Product $1/1 (2/13)
Tena Products $5/2
Zegerid OTC Product $6/1 (1/31)
Slow cooker, BuddyPhones & heaters
Savings on pink buddyPhones (cute!), ceramic whole room heaters, stick vacs & more today on the Best Buy Deal of the Day page. Like that triple slow cooker for only $29.99.
eBooks from $1.99-$4.99 today
Kindle reads from $1.99 today. Don’t have a Kindle? No problem, just download the free APP and read on any device of your own choosing. I read Unorthodox when it first came out – weird and scary to live like that.
KIPOZI Hair Appliances
Charmin Essentials at Dollar Tree

First I’d seen of them (maybe I’ve been too focused on Puffs), but this is a pretty good price for a Charmin Essentials Mega Roll, especially since they had lots on the shelf. Forget Amazon, while Target is only slightly cheaper for a six-pack, but out of stock most locations, and who knows if they’d even ship or cancel. There’s a 25¢ Charmin coupon in the January P&G, but those never scan at DT, so it’s up to your store’s discretion. I used the new $1/4 Puffs coupon today and they manually entered them. I don’t recall one ever scanning now that I think about it …
Blizzard shopping – ain’t nothing like ’67!
Picked up another five boxes of Rice Krispies ’cause Pita had 80¢ back on Ibotta – I feel cheated! Still looking for canned pumpkin, it’s now dropped to 25¢, while 32 pks of SB Holiday k-cups are $14.99 – they also had these little SB cans for half a carafe, first time I’ve ever seen that. Natural Bliss Pumpkin Flavor was $1.25 (skim milk plus heavy cream, where is the logic there?), while sugar cookies in all forms were super cheap, as you can see.







