Guest Post by Kyle at Rather-Be-Shopping

It's Tuesday, which means more great ideas and coupon codes from Kyle, the mastermind behind Rather-Be-Shopping. If you're an online shopper, bookmark his site; he's bound to have a coupon code you'll need!

And before you point-click-buy, remember: it's only a great deal if you actually need it!

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I really enjoyed Marianne's post last week Going Frugal: Investing in High $$ Items. I too am a firm believer that you will actually save money in the long run by investing in certain high quality items. So I wanted to take this opportunity to do a sequel to Marianne's post and add my 2 cents.

~ KitchenAid Stand Mixer - I asked for my wife's opinion on this topic and she immediately said her KitchenAid electric stand mixer. She uses it all the time for baking and cooking and she says the controls are simple, she loves the attachments, it is very well made, and should last her the rest of her life! Cost was close to $300 but she does not regret a penny of it. The savings comes from making, not buying, cookies, pie crust, breads, and much more.

~ Britax Car Seat - Before our first child was born, over 6 years ago, we did our research and everything we read kept pointing us back to the Britax Roundabout car seat. Unfortunately, it was also the most expensive one on the market. But my wife and I wanted the safest car seat available and the safety reviews, and usability, were hard to argue with so we made the purchase. At the time, we paid around $220. I think they are a bit cheaper now. It was one of the best purchases we ever made. It is very easy to install and it is so well built that all three of our kids used it. As a Dad, I loved the safety features and the kids were all very comfortable sitting in it. A couple of times we used other brand car seats on vacation and it made me really appreciate our Britax! A great investment for our family.

~ Tools - I have to agree with Marianne on this one! Every time I have skimped on a tool purchase it has come back to haunt me. This has been my experience with both power tools and hand tools. This does not mean that I buy professional grade, top of the line only, but it does mean that I do my research before I buy and make sure I am getting something that will last and not drive me crazy trying to use! Definitely worth the extra money. Quality tools will shave costs by allowing you to do your own home repairs and improvement projects.

What would you add to the list? Looking forward to your comments!

Here are some online coupons that can help you save money on the 3 things I mentioned.

Baby Center.com
Free Shipping on your $49+Online Order
Coupon Code: FREESHIP49
Expiration: 5/31/08
See All: Coupons For Baby Center

Baby Age.com
Free Shipping on your $99+Online Order
Coupon Code: MAY99
Expiration: 5/31/08
See All: Coupons For Baby Age

Baby Universe.com
Free Shipping on your Britax order thru this Link
Coupon Code: None Needed
Expiration: 6/02/08
See All: Coupons For Baby Universe

Target.com
Save $5 Off your $50+ order thru this Link
Coupon Code: None Needed
Expiration: 6/30/08
See All: Coupons For Target

Overstock.com
Save $15 Off your $200+ Online Order thru this Link
Coupon Code: None Needed
Expiration: 5/15/08
See All: Coupons For Overstock

Smart Bargains.com
Save 12% Off your Entire Online Order (New customers only)
Coupon Code: None Needed
Expiration: 5/31/08
See All: Coupons For Smart Bargains

Tool King.com
Save $10 Off your $250+ order, or $20 Off your $300+ order
Coupon Code: STELLAR
Expiration: 5/14/08
See All: Coupons For Tool King

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I want to note that you might be one of those lucky souls who can find a great deal on these larger $$ items on eBay or through Craigslist or Freecycle. But you do need to exhibit a good bit of Buyer Beware know-how; there's nothing more disappointing than finding out the great deal you scored is just a lemon in disguise.

If the price of some of these items seems a bit out of reach, get creative! Do you have a close friend or family member who'd benefit from the item, too? Maybe you can buy one together, split the cost, and split the usage.

Thanks to all who've commented and shared their fave high $$ frugal investments! Please jump in and share yours if you haven't already!

Happy Savings!

Kroger Deals, 5/12 - 5/18

I'm part of the Grocery Gathering over at BeCentsAble. Be sure to check here to find the best deals each week at your local grocery store.

As always, I'm highlighting the best deals for Kroger in Greater Cincinnati; most of these may also match up to your local Kroger as well. Check here for your local Kroger's weekly ad.

My Kroger doubles coupons up to $0.50 (doubling to $1.00); my final price reflects that doubled amount.

It's a better week at Kroger than last week. There are many great 10/$10 or $1.00 each items on sale along with some good B1G1Free deals. I'm still hopeful that next week at Kroger will be a coupon blowout with the approach of end of month graduations and Memorial Day Weekend.

Here goes!

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Buy a Kroger Gift Card for $300, $600, or $1200, get and additional 10% value added ($30, $60, or $120) FREE! (Limit one offer per household, exp. July 31)

*Kroger is trying to grab your Tax Stimulus dollars with this offer; it's a great idea if you have the cash on-hand to buy one of these cards and the discipline to use it within your budget guidelines. Don't we all just love FREE money?

Buy $20.00 of Horizon Organic Products, Receive a coupon for $5.00 off your next order! (This deal good through 05/24/08!)

Click here to register and print coupons for Lactose-Free Milk and Milk + Omega-3 DHA.

Buy (4) Post Cereals at 4/$10, get instant $4.00 off at checkout.

I am at a loss to locate any coupons for Post that haven't expired; if anyone out there has any, please comment with dates or links to printables.

And when Kroger has run this deal in the past, I've noticed that the Chocolate Cluster Honey Bunches of Oats DO NOT count. I mention that because there are still some good $2.00/1 printables out for those here.

Final Price: 4/$6.00 or $1.50 ea

Dole and Fresh Express Premium Salad, B1G1Free, $2.99

$0.50/1 Dole Salad, SS 3/9 (not sure if this has expired as I used mine already - anyone know?)

$0.50/1 Fresh Express Salad, SS 3/9 (not sure if this has expired as I used mine already - anyone know?)

Final Price: 2/$0.99 with (2) coupons

Nesquik Milk or Milkshakes, 13.5 - 16 oz, $1.00

$0.50/1, RP 4/27

Final Price: FREE

SoftSoap Elements Liquid Hand Soap, $1.00

$0.35/1, SS 4/27

Final Price: $0.30

Quaker Quakes Rice Cakes, $1.00

$1.00/2, SS 4/20

Final Price, 2/$1.00

Duncan Hines Cake Mix, $1.00

$1.00/1 DH Cake Mix and 1 DH Frosting

Final Price: varies

Barilla Pasta, 12-16 oz, $1.00

$0.50/2 Barilla Picolinni, SS 5/11 (I'm not sure if the Picolinni will be a participating item for this deal; wanted to list it just in case)

Final Price: 2/$1.00

Coke, Pepsi, 7Up and RC 2 Liters, 4/$5.00

Instant $1.00/4 at checkout

Final Price: 4/$4.00

Sunchips, $2.48

Instant $1.00/2 at checkout

Final Price: 2/$3.96

Pure Protein Bars, $1.00 ea

$1.50/2, SS 3/2

Final Price: 2/$0.50

Oscar Meyer Deli Shaved Meats, 2/$6.00

$0.55/1, SS 5/11

Final Price: 1/$2.00

Buy $20 in Huggies Diapers (including Little Swimmers and Pull Ups), get instant $4.00 at checkout

$1.00/1 Little Swimmers (priced at $6.99), SS 4/20

$2.00/1 Pull Ups (priced at $9.49), SS 4/20

$1.00/1 Huggies Diapers (priced at $9.49), SS 4/20

~~~Huggies Big Box, sizes 3-5, 88-144 ct, priced at $27.99~~

Final Price: varies

Revlon and Almay Cosmetics Full Line Sale, 50% off

$1.00/1 Almay, SS 3/9

$1.00/1 Revlon Mineral, SS 4/6

$1.00/1 Revlon Luster Lipgloss or Lipstick, SS 4/6

$1.00/1 Revlon Beauty Tool, SS 4/6 and SS 4/13

Final Price: varies

Colgate Toothpaste, 8.2 oz, 2/$4.00

$1.00/1 Sensitive, SS 5/11

Final Price: $1.00

SlimFast Ready to Drink Shakes 6 pk, 2/$12.00

$1.50/1 multi-pack, RP 3/2

$1.40/1 multi-pack, RP 5/4

Final Price: $4.50/1 or $4.60/1

Zyrtec, 30 ct, $18.99

$4.00/1 Adult Zyrtec, SS 3/30

Final Price: $14.99

Other Good Deals at Kroger this week:

Milk, 1/2 Gallon, $1.25 ea

Disney Magic, full line, 33% off

~~Many 10/$10.00 or $1.00 each items; if you have coupons for these, please email or comment with locations. Thanks!~~

Pictsweet Steamers

Little Debbies

LandOLakes Spreadable Butter or Margarine

Dannon Smoothies

Ben and Jerry Ice Cream Cups

Aunt Jemima Entrees

Banquet Brown and Serve Sausage

RediServe Chicken

Banquet/Michelina Frozen Entrees

Gatorade, Sobe, Propel Fitness Water

Pringles (cans)

ACT II Popcorn

Clorox Bleach/Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix

Starkist Tuna Pouches

BumbleBee/Chicken of the Sea Tuna Cans

Rice-a-Roni and PastaRoni

Clif Bars

Vitamin Water/Smart Water

Earth's Best Baby Food

B1G1Free Deals:

Tyson Boneless, Skinless Breasts or Tenderloin, Frozen 2-2.5 lb

Eggo Waffles or Pancakes, 8-10 ct

Tyson Split Chicken Breasts, $2.69/lb

Eckrich Bologna, 16 oz, up to $2.99 ea

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, 14-16 oz Link or Rope, up to $3.99 ea

Ball Park Franks, 12.8-16 oz, up to $4.19 ea

Flexamin Joint Supplement 60-180 ct

Nature's Bounty Vitamins, 30-25 ct

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That's the best I see! Please comment if you've got some great deals or coupons that I missed!

Happy Savings!