Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The End of Arizona Savings

Wowza. How do I even start this?

After 6 weeks of searching for a job, I have bittersweet news... I found a job in Southern California, which means my family will have income again, but also means our family is relocating to Southern California. My beloved little blog, Arizona Savings is coming to an end.

This blog has served so many purposes for me. It has kept a record of the grocery savings I work so hard to get, a way to find deals, a conduit to share those deals with all of you, etc. But I also have gained friendships through this online hobby of mine. So many of you have offered encouragement and love through these past tough 6 weeks for my family as we searched for work. I appreciate all of you so much. In the future, I hope to launch a similar blog for the shoppers of Southern California. Heaven knows with their inflated prices, they need deals more than anyone!

I am already sad thinking about leaving my favorite grocery stores and this competitive grocery market. I will have Vons (which is a sister store of Safeway) and Albie's, but I have to say goodbye to Fry's & Bashas. I'll also still be able to shop at Target, Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart, and I am adding Rite Aid! As sad as we are to leave our good friends here in Arizona, we are excited to be moving back near family and where both my husband and I grew up.

I will leave this blog open because I feel like couponers can still benefit from the information I've posted. Plus, when I am ready to launch my new California coupon site, I will post that here as well, so you can follow my shopping adventures on the west coast. If you want to keep in touch with me, stay friends on Facebook and I'll let you all know when the new site is ready.

Okay, the sad news is over... now let's blow out the end of Arizona Savings with some give aways!

There are three give aways I'll be running at the same time. You can enter none of them or all of them - its totally up to you!

Here's how to enter:
Leave a comment letting me know what you enjoyed most about this blog. Whether it was a specific deal, a feature I did weekly, or anything else you enjoyed.

So, to recap, in your comment, let me know...
1. Which give away you are entering
2. What you enjoyed most about Arizona Savings
3. Your email address

The Rules...
1. One comment/entry per give away per person, so three comments total per person.
2. Give aways are open to US and Canadian residents ONLY.
3. Give aways will close on Saturday, October 30th, 2010 at 12pm AZ time.
4. The winners will be selected via random.org and the winners will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Give Away #1
Old El Paso Family Taco Night
The winner of give away #1 will receive an Old El Paso “Family Taco Night” prize pack which includes a packet of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, a Cactus Chip & Dip Serving dish, a set of 3 Fiesta Chili Pepper serving dishes and a $10 gift card to purchase your taco fixings.

Disclosure: I was given an Old El Paso prize pack including a $10 gift card to facilitate the review of this product. Thanks to Old El Paso through MyBlogSpark for providing the products/gift card for the review and sponsoring the giveaway for one Arizona Savings reader.  All opinions expressed are my own and no other compensation was received.

Give Away #2
Pillsbury Sweet Moments Prize Pack

The winner of give away #2 will receive a “Sweet Moments” prize pack that includes 1 VIP coupon for Sweet Moments Brownies, along with a Sweet Moments t-shirt, magnet and necklace.

Even if you aren't the lucky reader who wins this give away, you can still snag an awesome high value coupon for Pillsbury's Sweet Moments products. During the month of October, if you send a Pillsbury e-card through Pillsbury's website or their Facebook page, you can send a $1.50/1 Sweet Moments coupon to a friend, plus you get one too!

Disclosure: I was given a Pillsbury Sweet Moments prize pack including VIP coupons to facilitate the review of this product. Thanks to Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark for providing the products/coupons for the review and sponsoring the giveaway for one Arizona Savings reader.  All opinions expressed are my own and no other compensation was received.

Give Away #3
9 Month Supply of Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin with DHA

The winner of give away #3 will receive a 9 month supply of Nature Made Prenatal Multi-Vitamins with DHA. Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamins with DHA is the only OTC Prenatal Multivitamin + DHA in one single softgel per day. I personally LOVE that these prenatal vitamins are softgel. Any pregnant woman knows how awful prenatal vitamins taste, which does not help with nausea.

Disclosure: I was given a 9 month supply of Nature Made Prenatal Multi-Vitamins with DHA to facilitate the review of this product. Thanks to Nature Made through Ignite Social Media for providing the products for the review and sponsoring the giveaway for one Arizona Savings reader.  All opinions expressed are my own and no other compensation was received.

I look forward to reading your comments as I start this new adventure with my family. Thank you all again for your support, readership, and friendship. I look forward to linking all you readers up to my new California site as soon as we are settled. Until then, keep rockin' those deals at the stores! I'm cheering you on from California!

67 comments:

  1. I'm entering #1 and my favorite thing about your blog is your favorite grocery store deals for the week!
    sbphair@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm also entering #2 because I love those brownies! I also like the links to all the coupon sites and your list of blogs you follow. I'm going to miss your blog so much! I really like myfrugaladventures and thefrugalfind blogs also and I believe they are both in CA. Thanks for everything!

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  3. #1.

    This is so sad. I check your blog daily, lately I have been checking it because its the easiest blog to navigate to other blogs from. Good luck in California, at least its better weather!

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  4. #1

    I also love your bloge and the weekly Matchups and Freebie Items. We all have to do what is best for our Family and I am sure you will find super great Deals in Cali as well.We will miss you!
    Soccermomatheart@hotmail.com

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  5. Giveaway #1, This is awesome. Thanks for the chance to win. What I loved about your blog was "My favorite the weekly deals". It helped me so much with being new to using coupons.

    Lynn

    Propertysourcerealty@gmail.com

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  6. Giveaway #2, I love brownies and that is a cute shirt. I found your blog so helpful. I want to wish you and your family good luck in CA.

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  7. #1. I liked your weekly favorite deals posts - they were short and to the point!! ncable21@hotmail.com Good luck in CA!

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  8. #2. Love your giveaways! ncable21@hotmail.com

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  9. #3. I like the "Whats free this week" section! ncable21@hotmail.com
    Enjoy CA and being closer to family!!

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  10. giveaway #3 please.

    Yours was the very first coupon blog that I started reading when I started this whole coupon thing a few months ago. So, it is because of you that I learned how to do this and am able to save my family so much money. Thank you for all the time you put into your weekly deals and good luck in Cali!

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh, and my email is freemanjk@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm entering for give away number 2..
    First of all, congratulations on finding a job in this economy..it must have been so hard.. i've been a reader for quite a while, but never really posted anything.. until today.. I've enjoyed all the freebies, coupon links, and alos the links to other blogs.. I wish you and your family the best in CA.. and thank you for teaching me how to save..
    wesleykorea@hotmail.com

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  13. First of all, I'm so sad you're leaving but so happy you found employment! Thanks be to God.

    1. I am entering giveaway #3,
    2. I loved your Favorite Deals this Week section. You did such a great job explaining everything. I have only been following you for maybe 2-3 months so I'm so sad I didn't know about this site before!
    3. thien.an@gmail.com

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  14. Congrats to you for finding a job! Sad for us but you get to spread the free (or cheaper because of coupons) love to Cali. :)

    I am interested in giveaway #3 - These suckers are delish and come in the perfect size.

    I've loved reading your Weekly Deals section as a new couponer because it helped me get started on this new obsession of mine!

    rwhitfield4@cox.net

    Good luck in Cali!
    Beca

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am also entering giveaway #3 because I am on my way to becoming a new mom.

    Your freebie section was great too and I loved all the free (or moneymakers) tips you gave.

    rwhitfield4@cox.net

    Thanks!
    Beca

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  16. This is my entry for #1. The best part of your blog was watching the AMAZING DEALS you were able to get.

    Aleesa Engquist

    aengquist@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is my entry for #2

    Besides the great deals you posted, I also enjoyed your links to other blogs. Through those, I enjoyed additional info from Arizona and around the country.

    Aleesa Engquist aengquist@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am entering giveaway#2. I will miss your shopping trip pictures and the breakdown of the purchases. You are brilliant at getting items for little or nothing. I always try to duplicate your purchases, since I am not gifted at it like you are, you will be missed :(
    Good Luck in CA!

    brninaz@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am entering for #3 since I just found out that I am expecting! I have LOVED following your blog, I was a coupon newby when i came to your site and you got me hooked! My favorite part was that Deals of the week and how easy you made it to duplicate!

    You will be missed! Good luck in Cali and visit the beach for the rest of us! :)

    Email: kmbram@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Giveaway #1-I love all of your updated deals and weekly posts :) maceycoupon (at) yahoo

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  21. Giveaway #2 Thrifty Tidbits always caught my attention maceycoupon (at) yahoo

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  22. Giveaway #3-Mail call was always fun because sometimes I had some of the same items :) maceycoupon (at) yahoo

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  23. I want to win giveaway #1! i love their products. perfect for taco sundays!
    I love your favorite deals you post on wednesdays. i will miss them dearly.

    Email: jessica10e@hotmail.com

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  24. Entry for #1. I already miss the weekly matchups. :(

    janessa.john(at)gmail.com

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  25. Entry for #2 (I could really use some chocolate to make me feel better about you moving). I also miss you shopping trip breakdowns that I could then copycat.

    janessa.john(at)gmail.com

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  26. Entry for #3. There will probably be another kid after this one...once I forget how I currently feel.

    janessa.john(at)gmail.com

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  27. I have to say this is my favorite of all the savings blogs that I have found. You inspire me every week to search out those deals. Because you are moving who would you recommend me to follow for those great savings specific to AZ. Where do you find your deals or are you just that amazing that you pull them from the adds and match everything up yourself? Thanks for all the time you have put into this blog. Good Luck and Have FUN!

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  28. Give away # 1
    I love that your blog was a local blog, it was nice to see stores and places I recongizned I'm glad you got a job

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  29. I'm entering #2, I loved the coupon matchups for Safeway and frys

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  30. I am entering giveaway #1. I will miss your giveaways :)
    Good luck in CA

    brninaz@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. good luck! You should have Ralph's in So Cal which I believe is Kroger (Fry's) :)
    I found your website before we moved from CO a few months back...I appreciate all your posts :)
    I am entering #2...can't go wrong with chocolate!
    jennifer p
    petersen10700 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am sorry you have to move out of AZ. My hubby is looking for a better job too & we were considering San Jose. I've lived in AZ all my life so I hope we don't have to move. Best of luck to you on your new job & relocation.

    I would like to enter giveaway #2 because I LOOOOVE the Sweet Moments refrigerated desserts.

    ebaymama85204@yahoo.com

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  33. Yes, as Anonymous said Ralph's is Fry's sister store, and you can even use your Fry's card phone number. I do it all the time when I go up there. GL to you and your family.

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  34. Best luck! So glad you found a job and will be closer to family. We will miss you! I have been using coupons for over 2 years but you have still taught me so much and got me excited about e-coupons (until SW took away that excitement!) Hope you know that what you have done with your blog is valuable and appreciated because I know it takes a lot of time away from your family.

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  35. Can I start by begging you to stay! I love your blog. Its straight to the point. I love the weekly deals. You write everything in a way that my mind understands. I'm new to couponing and you have changed my whole mindset on grocery spending and budgeting. Thanks you so much. You will be missed! I want to enter give a way number 1. theholloffame@gmail.com

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  36. get OUT!!! my heart kinda broke when i read this post, not gonna lie. :) BUT...i'm very happy for you and your family...and RITE AID BABY!! :) your blog was 100% HONESTLY, my favorite savings blog in the universe. thank you SO much for showing us it is POSSIBLE! my favorite things...man where to start...the savings you list on the right, the az blogs on the left, the my fave deals, the diamondback link...omgosh. :) so, i'm entering for the brownies. sorry this is the longest post ever. ps, any way to leave us with any of your secrets? like how do you know all the product sites with coupons...and which blogs do YOU follow that help you find YOUR deals? best blessings. :) thanks SO much. :)

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  37. I would love to enter giveaway #3!
    My favorite things about your blog was the my favorite deals this week' post. I would always reference this post when I started my shopping lists. Such great information!
    amanda.hall85@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love to enter giveaway #2!
    My favorite things about your blog was the my favorite deals this week' post. I would always reference this post when I started my shopping lists. Such great information!
    amanda.hall85@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would love to enter giveaway #1!
    My favorite things about your blog was the my favorite deals this week' post. I would always reference this post when I started my shopping lists. Such great information!
    amanda.hall85@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hey Sweethear! Sorry It took me so long to get this news :( I've been crazy busy and haven't been doing much blogging this past week or so. I'm so happy to hear that you have new employment, but so sad that it's in CA. Let us know if you are needing help pulling things together for the big move. I'll miss you and I SO appreciate how much you have helped me become a better couponer. Most of my best idea's started with you and your tips. You're the best & I'll miss having you here in Az. I'm keeping this blog on my bloglist until you start the CA chapter and then I'll add that blog ;)

    Giveaway #1 - I love you weekly favorite deals list (that's a given)
    qpncrazy@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Giveaway#2 - I also loved watching your bloglists. You were always adding new deal blogs and I enjoy discovering new deal bloggers. You even inspired me to add a blog list to my own blog. It's so helpful! Thx!
    qpncrazy@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Giveaway#3 - Another thing that I've loved about ArizonaSavings is that I could check in each day and you would have something new posted! It was always worth my time to check in. You're awesome girl! I hope your next blog does just as well, if not better & I hope the stores in CA have enough freebies to keep you busy ;)
    qpncrazy@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Good luck in California! I like the basic layout of your blog
    Giveaway #1

    brenna25ck at yahoo dot com

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  44. Giveaway #1. I love how you love to help others on this site!

    jessmilloy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Giveaway #2 I love how easy to follow and FULL of information/deals your site is! I hope you enjoy California!!

    jessmilloy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. #1
    Yours is the only blog I bookmark! It is easy to use and I love your weekly deals. I also like the links to the other blogs because I can see if they have a topic that interests me. I am so sad that you are leaving AZ but am looking forward to your So Cal savings because my family lives there and I have been searching for a great blog for them. Good luck in this next chapter of your lives and congrats on finding a job.
    Kim Nelson sziebl@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Congratulations on your job! I know how stressful it can be to be unemployed, it must feel great to have that weight off your shoulders. I hope you and your family have the best and brightest times ahead of you when you start your new life in California.
    Have you considered having someone take over your blog? It is such a valuable asset to Arizona shoppers. I know no one could run it quite like you, but maybe someone is willing to try to keep it going?
    What I like about your blog: Everything, especially the pictures. I also loved going to a store in Mesa, seeing the shelves cleared out and wondering if you had been there before me, lol.
    I'm entering for #2

    My address is dana at azdana.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Giveaway #2, Sweet Moments.
    I am really going to miss the "what's free this week" section at the top of your blog! Best of luck to you and your family in California.
    Christie B
    christiebarnard@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. #3

    I have enjoyed reading your perspective on couponing. I am in Florida and I too wish I had a Rite Aid.. you lucky fart! Can you ask them to open one here for me!?!?

    I started taking Prenatals 1 year before trying to get pregnant with my son, and BAM! First try! He is now 7 months old and I still take them for my nursing health, I had no idea that Nature's Made made gel caps!!! YAY! I plan to continue to take prenatals as we hope to have another baby in the next year or two and I want my body ready and full of good stuff!

    Can't wait to follow your new blog! Best Wishes!

    Heather
    beadandelion at gmail dot com

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  50. I like you blog so much. I like your coupon matchups. Thanks and Good Luck!!! I would like #1. ckstone5(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  51. I also like the what's free this week. Thanks!!! I would also like #2. ckstone5(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  52. I'm entering giveaway #1 (Old El Paso)

    I liked the breakdown of the weekly sales and the coupon match-ups. It saved a lot of time and was very convenient.

    Nick
    nbazscu at gmail dot com

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  53. I would like to be entered in the prenatal vitamin contest. One of my favorite features of, Arizona Savings, was your blog listings. My email address is huntx6@aol.com.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'm so sad you are leaving - I got one week with you before you "left". Now I must move on alone and find another site. But I appreciated ALL the Getting Started info! It took away some of the fear! I really liked the way you listed your favorite weekly deals.
    Good luck in CA!
    Giveaway #1
    aztoonfamily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. #2 Giveaway
    Thank you for all the links for me to follow now that you are leaving (sniff, sniff)! I really liked your site and will surely visit even after you have gone.
    Send some of your employment good luck our way now!
    aztoonfamily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm entering giveaway #1.
    One thing that I think that really sets you apart from other couponers is how you use a variety of coupons. For example, in this post, http://arizonasavings.blogspot.com/2010/09/tuesday-shopping-12-cents-at-frys.html , you've used coupons from La Voz, Peelies, competitor coupons, printables... you used everything you could to save as much as you can. Kudos to you for your creativity!!!
    My email address is dana at azdana com.

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  57. Giveaway #3 please!
    Your blog is amazing. Best of luck to you in CA!
    marilysmith at cox dot net

    ReplyDelete
  58. #1 is my choice!
    Have fun in California. You will be missed.
    Julie
    Hudy3569@aol.com

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  59. No. 1 love love love spicy!
    Julie
    Hudy3569@aol.com

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  60. No. 2 yummmmmy chocolate.
    Have fun in California.
    Julie
    Hudy3569@aol.com

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  61. No. 3 yepers
    Julie
    Hudy3569@aol.com

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  62. I want those prenatal vitamins! (#3). I will greatly miss your 'my favorite deals'
    aliajunk@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. GIVEAWAY # 3
    I loved your "My Favorite Deals of the Week" post every week! You are so awesome and will totally be missed! I know I don't think I ever commented, but I did take a peek at your blog quite a bit. You are so organized and amazing!

    Thanks for everything!
    Cami
    familyharding@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I'll enter #2, since who can resist those brownies!?!?

    I'm fairly new to AZ bargain blogging (6 months) and have loved checking in on local blogs form time to time for inspiration and to see what I was missing out on. I remember being amazed at your goal for your grocery budget. I don't spend much, but WOW!!

    I wish you success and enjoyment at your new job. I'll be waiting to hear when a new blog is starting since my sister is in Long Beach and wanted me to point her to a great blog. I love to drag her to Rite Aid when I'm out there, such deals! Focus on the bargain gain instead of the grocery store losses. :)

    ReplyDelete
  65. I'll also enter #1! :)

    This is kind of an odd comment, but I like your logo, button, whatever it is!! I have been trying to come up with something for my website (Bargain Believer) and I just can't do it! It's torturing me and about time I settle on something other than what I have . . . basically nothing! Yours is simple, yet appealing, and says what it is! Anyway, like it a a lot. I'll press on and find something eventually! :)

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  66. Oops ... guess I'll enter #2 for my sister-in-law since I forget to give my email in the other entries. :)

    I like "What's Free this Week." Great idea!

    juli@bargainbeliever.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Entering Giveaway #1. I have really enjoyed your blog! You always seem to find great deals that no one else did and did a great job at the match ups!! I hope all goes well in Cali!!!
    Thanks!!
    bshipley16 at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete

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