New eBay $5.00 Coupon Code Expires Today! Got Fun Freebies! YMMV

A new eBay coupon code [PERKMEUP] was released the other day. It's good for $5.00 OFF almost any order and was apparently intended for accounts that have not placed an order in more than 12 months --- I didn't see the small print myself, I only saw the coupon code on the eBay front page. But the code seems to be working for nearly everyone, so whether it was programmed into the system incorrectly or eBay simply decided to allow it to function as first come, fist served I cannot say. YMMV. Code is scheduled to expire at the end of the day.

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy (Original Flavors)

As finding this coupon was a totally unexpected boon, I just grabbed a couple of cheap items which totaled $5.45 and thus, were free for me as I have a random eBay GC with a few odd cents left on it that I use to cover coupon overages, tax and such and this GC had enough to cover the 45-cents left post coupon application.

What did I get? Well, I picked up a bag of Jolly Rancher hard candy and a tiny pair of swim goggles for 18" Dolls. Both items included free shipping. This was a fun get!

18" Dolls Swim Goggles

Did you try the coupon? Did it work?

Fun Deals From Last Week's Shopping @Kroger

During last week's grocery sales (most of which ended Tuesday), I was able to score a moneymaker on quick pasta and also some cheap candy!

First, Kroger had Barilla Ready Made Pasta Pouch (microwavable, ready in 60 seconds) on sale for $1.79. There was a $1.00 digital manufacturer's coupon available to load, so after coupon, one pouch cost a mere $0.79 (plus tax). But there was also, a Savingstar coupon/rebate for $1.00, which gives your money back (eventually, when you cashout) plus overage. Nice! Personally, I seldom eat pasta as I greatly prefer rice, but a moneymaker is difficult to resist. (Besides, I have family members who love pasta.)

Also, on sale at Kroger last week were M&M's and Snickers Bars (singles) for $0.50/ea. There was a Save $0.50/2 Snickers Bar Singles digital manufacturer's coupon and an M&M's digital manufacturer's BOGO coupon (Buy One M&M's Singles, Get One Malteser's Candy Singles Free). Thus, I was able to get a pack of M&M's Peanut, a pack of Malteser's Candy and two Snickers Bars for $1.00 (plus tax) total. You don't often find $0.25 candy bars any longer. So this was a sweet (pun intended) score!

These were my best deals last week. Still plotting this week's deals and will probably go out on the weekend due to the various deals available for National Coffee Day on Saturday. What have you found lately? Any good deals?

Happy hunting! -- Ed.

Sierra Mist Is Back, Now With Real #Sugar #Soda #Beverages #PepsiCo @Kroger

A few days ago, I received an email from Kroger announcing that Sierra Mist (a PepsiCo brand Lemon-Lime soda) was making a return to store shelves and that the soda was now made with real sugar. To thank me for being a "Best Customer" the email also included a link to a digital coupon for a Free 2L of the reformulated soda so that I could try it for myself. Looks like I'll be sipping on Sierra Mist this weekend. Thanks, Kroger and PepsiCo!

NEW Sierra Mist with Real Sugar

I've noticed that a lot of beverage companies are (re)introducing "pure cane sugar" or real sugar versions of their sodas in a bid to capitalize on the current consumer market trend of preferring "natural" products (or at least products with more natural ingredients rather than additives or preservatives). Here's a callout from the email:

"Customers asked for it, and now it’s back! Experience Sierra Mist,^® made with real sugar. The light, crisp taste of lemon lime, plus the sweetness from real sugar is a perfect way to invigorate your day. We hope this special offer helps you enjoy the crisp, refreshing taste!"

NOTE: Have you given up soda? It's true that soda is generally unhealthy (compared to some other beverage choices), but so is living. I look at it this way: We are mortal beings and all will die eventually. The "Sweet Spot" is in how you live. I enjoy soda. I drink it. I drink other beverages, too. Moderation is key. I don't "diet" or deny myself any food that I desire. (I don't crave meat, so being vegetarian was a natural progression for me, not specifically an exception. It also synced with my youthful environmental awareness.) I'm a realist. I simply hope to make sound choices (in all things), but being Human don't always succeed. I keep trying.

Help Spark A Movement #BiteBackHunger #FoodNews #Philanthropy #SmallBatch #MightySparkFood

Mighty Spark Food Co. sticker

Recently Publix featured several ecoupons for at least three free Mighty Spark Food Co. products. This new company began as a "farmers market food booth" specializing in hand-crafted "small batch" meat products. While I don't eat meat, both my dog (a prey-focused hound and natural hunter) and members of my extended family do. Thus, I sometimes purchase meat. I loaded the Mighty Spark Food Co. ecoupons that I saw onto my Publix account and redeemed them for the freebie items. I gave the meat to a carnivorous sibling who it turn brought back to me the company's logo sticker which was included inside the carton. (I like stickers.) By the way, my sister gave the products a good review when I asked what she thought, as did our other sister's husband. (I'd informed our other sister about the freebie ecoupons so that she could load them for her own household.)

I had not heard of Mighty Spark Food Co. prior to this Publix digital coupon promotion. I'd searched for and visited their website after I noticed the ecoupons in order to check their product list. But after receiving the sticker which had a message to "Become a Mighty Spark" printed on its peel-away paper backing, I returned to the website to read about the company's philanthropic efforts working to #bitebackhunger: "For every Mighty Spark item purchased, the company donates a meal to those in need." Mighty Spark also helps sponsor community events that feed those in need --- all causes behind which I can certainly rally! I subscribed to the company's newsletter to find out about potential volunteer opportunities.

I may not personally consume their products, but I actively support organizations that work to better this world. If you're curious to know more and want to become a "Mighty Spark" opt-in at mightysparkfood.com. (Of interest to carnivores... the back of the sticker also mentioned a possibility of receiving freebies in addition to the newsletter.)

Choose to do good. It is a choice.

My #Tester Philosophy #AlphaTester #TryB4UBuy #GotItFree #Couponer

I'm a curious sort. I enjoy trying news things and while I may not go out of my way to grab the "new-new" merely to say I've tried it, I do tend to be aware of new products and consumer trends --- so if I find a good deal that allows me to try something new or updated for free (or very cheap) then all the better.

A lot of new products and services don't rate a mention unless it's in complaint, but when you find something wonderful, you've got to share the information. We're all searching for things that work as they should (and we hope to be warned off when they don't).

I guess you could say I'm an adventurous consumer and an early adopter, but I will call companies out when they drop the ball. This is what makes me great at Quality Assurance and highly proficient as a tester/reviewer. I also like to break things to see how they work, then piece them together again.