Author: Kerry

Super-Easy Home Made Bread Recipe

Homemaking, Recipes, Crafts & More
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homemade bread loaves cooling on a wire rack

If you have ever wanted to make homemade bread but thought it might be too much work, then you might want to check out the Easy Bread recipe Keri Lyn posted. Her recipe really is super easy, and most of the time is spent letting the bread rise and bake.

There is nothing like the aroma of fresh baking homemade bread to bring the family running to the dinner table! Plus home made bread makes incredible sandwiches and French Toast the next day. You can check out Keri Lyn’s recipe along with instructions on her post HERE.

– Thanks Keri Lyn at She Saved!

Target Refund/Exchange Policy Know-How

FAQs & Basics
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I thought it might be a good idea to take a look at Target’s Return Policy and try and give you a few pointers on how you can try and make the process go smoother. Target says they want your return experience to be as hassle-free as possible, but, there are certain stipulations you need to follow, otherwise you may be out of luck. Most unopened items in new condition returned within 90 days will receive a full refund or exchange, especially when accompanied by a store receipt. However, some items have a modified return policy that gives you less time to return. Your best bet is to check your receipt for a “return by” date, listed under the item on your receipt or packing slip, and in the “item details, shipping” tab if purchased on Target.com.

Return Options
For in-store returns, there are 3 ways Target can attempt to process a return for you: 1) scan your receipt or packing slip, 2) do a receipt look-up if you have the credit card that was used to make the purchase, or 3) do a return or exchange with a valid form of identification if you don’t have the receipt with you. Option #3 in some cases, can be the most difficult to pursue, and on Target’s website, they recommend going online to process the return.

Target Packing Slip
Pictured at top right is an example of Target’s packing slip. There are 2 important numbers that help Target identify your purchase: #1 – the Order ID code found in the top right corner. This number is also included in the confirmation email you received when you placed your order. #2 – the Release ID number which is also in the top right corner. Your packing slip will also outline the available Return Method for your purchase.

Target’s Receipt Look-Up
In most cases, Target stores can verify purchases made in Stores and on Target.com within the last 90 days on a credit or debit card, check or GiftCard using their Refund Look-up System.

TIP: Whenever I make a purchase from Target that I think I may need to return, ie., an appliance that may not work, or a piece of furniture that may not fit my home decor, I write at the top of the receipt, “Keep” and file it away in an envelope in my purse or in a drawer in my desk. That way, I know where to find it when I need it. Now of course, I’m not always so organized. That’s when I rely on Target’s receipt look-up policy. I only use 2 debit cards so if the purchase is not on one, I know its on the other one. Do you have a clever way of keeping your receipts organized? If so, please share it with us in the comments below.

Online Returns
You can also choose to return your item online at Target.com, but, keep in mind that shipping and handling fees will be deducted from the value of your refund unless the return is a result of Target’s error. So you may want to look at the cost of postage before deciding to return online. If you do decide to mail in your return, you can go HERE and follow the instructions provided to process your return and print the prepaid Target.com return label.

Gift Registry Returns
Whenever you receive a gift, remember to keep your PACKING SLIP or GIFT RECEIPT. With it, you can return the item to your local Target store or ship it back to Target with relative ease. If you do not have the Gift Receipt but have a Gift Registry at Target, you can print out your “Gift Purchase Log” anytime from Target.com or at a store Kiosk and use it just like a receipt. You can read more about Target’s Gift Registry Return Policy HERE.

NOTE: Customers do not always let Target know when they are purchasing a gift registry item, in which case, there will not be a record of it on the Gift Purchase Log. You can print a gift receipt but you will need both the Order Number and Release ID to do so.

So a word to all Target gift givers… Please remember to include a gift receipt or packing slip whenever you purchase a gift. They do not display any price information and make returns much easier. You can obtain a gift receipt during checkout at any Target store. If you ever forget to ask for a Gift receipt, bring in your original receipt and Target Guest Services can print as many as you’d like. Or you can print online following the instructions HERE. Just scroll down to where it says, “printing a gift receipt”.

Return Exceptions
There are exceptions to the Target Return Policy in terms of what can be returned or not returned, or only exchanged. For example, did you know that all Halloween costumes and accessories must be returned by 10/31? Or that cameras must be returned within 30 days for a refund or exchange? You can go HERE and scroll down to where it says, “exceptions” to learn more.

Refund Payment
Target’s policy is to issue refunds in the same form as payment originally used for purchase but there are exceptions. You can go HERE and read under “refunds” for more details on how refunds are issued. Included in this list are check purchases, coupon purchases, discounts and promotions and more.

Target Wedding and Baby Registry Know-How

FAQs & Basics
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If you are having a baby or getting married, or even know someone who is, then be sure and check out Target’s Wedding & Baby Registries. You can register online or at one of the kiosks in your store. When you register, Target usually gives out a welcome kit with information, ideas and sometimes even coupons so you may want to check with Guest Services. I recently got an email from Kim who registered at Target for a Baby Registry.

She received a welcome gift bag from Guest Services with a booklet inside filled with coupons. All 16 coupons had an expiration date of 12/31 and I’ve listed them below to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re expecting ;-). Target Registries are active within a few minutes of registering until 90 days after the event date you give in the registry. And remember, all registry items are 5% off when bought with a REDCard and there’s FREE shipping too. Here’s a list of the coupons from the baby booklet (-Thanks Kim!)….

– $20/1 Lansinoh Affinity Double Electric Breast Pump
– $2/2 Pampers 13 ct+ Diapers or Training Pants AND Pampers Baby Wipes 180 ct+
– $1/1 Johnson’s Baby or Johnson’s Natural Toiletry item ETS, Johnson Buddies and On-The-Go items
– $2/1 Johnson’s Baby Gift Set excl Johnson’s Take Along Pack
– 20% off Eddie Bauer Baby Travel system, Highchair, Play yard or Car Seat
– $10/1 Chicco Fun Travel Activity Nest or  i-Gym Activity Center
– FREE 6-pk Enfamil Premium Newborn formula ready-to-use bottles
– $5/1 Gerber Good Start Powder Formula 12 oz+
– $2/1 Gerber Onesies 3 pack+
– 20% off Liz Lange for Target Apparel Item
– 10% off Gilligan & O’Malley Nursing Bra or Cami
– 10% off Basics by Bravado Designs! Nursing Bra or Cami

When it comes to managing your registry, Target’s digital catalog makes it fast and easy to manage either from your home computer or you can download the app to your smartphone or tablet. Just mark your favorites as you browse the catalog and when you’re done, you’ll be able to print, share or add them to your registry. For more information on downloading the Target app to your phone, you can go HERE and click on your device in the left-hand column or text “APP” to 827438 (TARGET) to receive a download link. Message and data rates may apply. Once you have the app, the registries are under “Lists”.

After your big day or shower, you can pick a day to shop online or visit your local Target and get 10% off everything left on your registry. Remember your manufacturer’s coupons as well – stacking coupons at Target means you can find some great deals not only for yourself but for a friend who’s registered. You may also want to check out the Target Coupon page for photo related coupons. Here are some previous coupon examples…. –$5/1 Select Photo Gift Item or –$5/50 4×6 inch Digital Prints.

For more detailed information about Target’s Baby Registry, you can go HERE. This link will take you to a more detailed layout of how Target’s Baby Registry works including a link to a helpful FAQs page detailing Target’s Return & Exchange Policy. For more details about creating and managing a Wedding Registry, you can go HERE.

One final note: an important detail to consider in both registries is the Gift Purchase Log. This is a list of all the gifts your friends and family told Target about when they made their purchases. It can be printed anytime from Target.com or at a Target store kiosk and used like a receipt. Just be sure to have your password you created when you set up your registry. This log will help you when doing any returns and exchanges.

If any of you have had experience with creating a Target Wedding or Baby Registry, please feel free to share any tips or advice in the comments that may be helpful to other readers.

Don’t Water Your Plants Without Your Glasses…

Odds & Ends
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I am not the best with plants, in fact- I have unfortunately probably been the sole reason for the demise of around 100 plants in my lifetime, but I do have one success story- a Pineapple Plant that I have been growing for about 3 years now. It may as well be a cactus, because despite neglecting it from time to time- it still continues to grow. Since it has been 3 years, I am anxious for the pineapple to finally start growing out of the top of it.

In the past 6 months, it has really started to get BIG, so I watch it closely- and keep glancing into the middle of the leaves, just waiting for that little pineapple to make an appearance. Anyway- this morning I filled up my watering can and went outside to water it. As always, I peeked over the top of the plant but was shocked when I saw a little green bump in the middle! Gosh, I was so excited I started jumping up and down.

I stuck my finger in there to feel it and check out what I thought was the beginning of the pineapple. It was very soft and not what I expected it to feel like. “Hmmm, why is it so soft and mushy?” I thought to myself. But I just figured that’s what baby pineapples felt like & took the watering can and gave it a good dose- so pleased with myself that I was finally seeing the start of a pineapple!

My sister Kelley is visiting right now- so I yelled to her- “Hey Kelley! Guess What?!” and she came out on the porch and I proceeded to tell her about my new pineapple bud that was finally starting to grow. I said “feel it Kel- it’s very soft!” So she peeks over into the middle of the pineapple plant and yelps and jumps back about 3 feet. I say “what’s the matter?!” She says- “Kerry, that’s no pineapple in there-  go get your glasses!” SO I get my glasses and I peek into the middle of the plant and this is what I see….

So the moral of the story is- don’t water your plants without your glasses or you might end up petting a frog! 🙂

You Are Not a Jedi & I Can’t Accept Your Coupons…

FAQs & Basics
76 Comments

Reading the comments on my post yesterday about the changes in the Target Coupon Policy, I see that many of you feel it is fair and others not so much. Personally I can live with the changes and understand why they are happening.

While I think the majority of couponers are looking to save on their grocery bill and household expenses and build a modest stockpile while playing by the rules, there are those who completely stop at nothing and commit coupon fraud as a way of life. They are out there, and stores have to do what they see as fit to try and stop the losses they are experiencing.

It makes me think of a story a friend of mine told me. She was shocked when a cashier friend of hers had told her about a woman who put eggs, milk & bread up on the belt at checkout and proceeded to hand her coupons for toothpaste, shampoo and crackers. When the cashier told her she could not take her coupons, the woman waved her hand slowly and said “just take the coupons”. The cashier told her- “Ma’am I cannot take your coupons, you did not buy any of these items.” So the woman slowly waved her hand again and quietly told her to “just take the coupons”. Finally exasperated, the cashier said to her- “Look lady, you are not a Jedi and I cannot accept your coupons!”.

Now while I certainly got a chuckle at the Star Wars reference, the sad fact is that it is not funny because it’s true, and sadder still that things like this happen every day. I think the changes are necessary to try and dissuade the dishonest and protect Target from Fraud and also try and prevent customers from finding a cleared shelf. So anyway, I thought I would take  a minute to go over the new items in the policy and throw my two cents out there…

1. Limit of 4 identical coupons per household, per day (unless otherwise noted on coupon)

The limit stated is for a maximum amount of like coupons per day unless your coupon states otherwise. So, if your coupon says one per customer, then it’s just one. If the coupon has no limits on it, then you are allowed to use four. Is it tougher for a large family to stock up at Target? Yes, but they have to set the limit somewhere and personally I can live with this. I am thankful it is at 4 and not two and it seems reasonable to me. Unilever for example now limits their coupons to 2 per customer per day- so it could be worse and I believe more and more manufacturers will be setting limits on their coupons in the near future. So the way I look at it is Target is just jumping on the bandwagon along with P&G, Unilever and other manufacturers sooner than later.

2. Returns of items purchased using Manufacturer coupons may receive coupon value returned in the form of a Target GiftCard.

I think many of you feel like if you use a .50 cent coupon on an item you are returning you will absolutely be given the coupon value back on a Gift Card instead of cash or your original method of payment. While I cannot say for sure, I really don’t think this is an absolute. If you note the word “may” – I think this will be done at their discretion. I believe that this new point in the policy is to try and deter those who are deliberately buying something with a high $ coupon and returning it to pocket the value of the coupon.

Retailers are required to give you back the value of manufacturers’ coupons because they will be in turn submitting it for reimbursement regardless of whether you return an item. The value of Target coupons are not to be refunded, because the store is not collecting any money for them.

3. We reserve the right to accept, refuse or limit the use of any coupon.

I will admit that this point in the policy sounds a little frightening, but I again believe it is there to protect Target,  and for the majority of us, it will have no bearing. Counterfeit coupons are abound- and it absolutely boils my blood, but it’s a problem. If a counterfeit coupon can manage to be scanned, consider the losses for a store. The right to refuse a coupon has always been an unwritten rule for any store- but now if something looks funny to them but scans anyway- they have it in black and white and it may save them some arguments should they feel a coupon is not valid for some reason.

For those of you who feel it will be an excuse for your store to refuse to accept any of your coupons- my best advice is to try and have a pow-wow with the Team leader on duty. Try and get to the bottom of why you have such a hard time using coupons at your stores. If you are using coupons as per the wording, you have nothing to fear or hide and perhaps a calm, rational conversation may help. You can take it up with corporate if need be if you are unable to reach some clear set of reasonable rules you can follow. I cannot say you will make headway or improve the situation, but if you like shopping at Target- it is certainly worth a try and make an effort to stay as calm as possible despite how frustrated you may be.

A few last thoughts…

Coupons are meant to be used as per the wording on them. Taking advantage just because something scans or works or is accepted doesn’t make it right and will only lead to further scrutiny from stores and the manufacturers tightening their belts even more. Do your best to read your coupons, follow what they say and follow your gut. I think deep down we all know what is right and wrong  and don’t let the temptation of possibly getting another $1 Off cloud your judgement. Coupons aren’ t meant to just be tried for the heck of it to see if it works, they are meant to be used as stated in their terms.

While I certainly enjoy being able to find super-cheap & FREE stuff with coupons- the intention of TT has never been to only focus on that. You certainly can’t feed a family toothpaste for dinner or give them dental floss for dessert, and my aim has always been to help others realistically save as much money as they can on groceries & household needs. In my opinion if you can save as close to 50% or better on any of your needs- you’ve had a good day and it allows the surplus to be saved, put toward other family necessities and so on.

I am very grateful for coupons, as I know many of you are too, and I know that despite policy revisions and other changes to the couponing way of life- saving money using coupons and smart shopping will continue to help my family stay on a budget. Hopefully for a long time to come.