ASHLAND — The season for coupons continues for healthy lifestyles and losing weight. Now, we are getting ready for a new cycle of coupons for Valentine’s Day. It will be for candy. From low-fat eating to candy. Each couponing season comes and then goes.

Dine out for less

on Valentine’s Day

If money is tight, consider a romantic dinner at home. But, lots of restaurants offer special deals on and around Feb. 14, including LongHorn Steakhouse and Olive Garden. Check opentable.com for deals. “Like” eateries on Facebook, and buy restaurant.com coupons. This is good advice for year round.

There are already sales on candy. Rite Aid has some really great deals this week on boxed candy.

RITE AID

Whitman’s Sampler: 7 to 12 ounces $5.99; $2 UP. Watch for coupons.

Hershey Drops, Pieces or Mini’s: $2.99 minus $1 coupon equals $1.99

School valentines: 88 cents (cheaper than dollar stores)

Other deals:

Colgate Optic White: $2.99 minus $2 coupon equals 99 cents

Gillette disposable razors: $7.49 minus $2 UP minus $2 coupon

Purex Crystals Fabric Softener: $3.99 minus $2 UP (great for adding to homemade detergent)

Quaker Oats: $2.49 minus coupon (75 cents off two)

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Take advantage of preventives for the flu. Use Dial Soap coupons and wash hands often. I had the flu last week, and I feel a need to tell you how dangerous this particular strain is. Try to avoid the flu by using sanitizer wipes and anti-bacterial cleaners and soaps. At the first sign of illness, seek out your doctor or an emergency-care center. TamiFlu given early knocks it down.

Inexpensive anti-bacterial cleaner: 1 tsp. Borax (left from last week’s detergent-making)

2 Tbs. white vinegar

Put in a squirt bottle and fill with hot water. You now have a powerful germ killer for nearly nothing. Use on countertops and sinks. Clean up after yourself if you are sick so others in the family have a better chance at not getting sick.

Most doctors in the Ashland area are giving Tamiflu to the entire family, even if only one has actually taken the flu. They are desperately trying to get this virus under control.

I can’t say enough about my stockpile. There were plenty of tissues, wet wipes, paper towels and Borax detergent I made. I believe Borax, along with bleach, sanitized the towels and sheets well. The cough syrups and Advil I bought earlier served me well during a trying time.

CVS

Cough and cold remedies are still on sale.

DayQuil/Nyquil: Buy two, get $3 ExtraBucks and use two $1.50 coupons

Free $10 Cash Card when you spend $30 on specially marked items. This is what it adds up to, not what you bring it down to with coupons.

Coca-Cola: four for $10, $2.50 a pack equals 20 cents a can; a very good deal

Bounty 12-roll: $9.99 minus 25-cent coupon equals 81 cents a roll

Raisin Bran: $1.99 coupon; buy four and get a free gallon of milk

The Coupon Machine will give you a coupon for $2 off Gain Detergent, which is stackable with another manufacturer’s coupon. Also, it will give you a stackable store coupon for Cheerios. Also use manufacturer’s coupon for $1 off three boxes of Cheerios, along with the $1 coupon from the machine.

Palmolive Dish Liquid: 99 cents minus 25-cent coupon equals 74 cents

Crest Pro Health: Limit two; $2.99, $2 EB. Use $1.50 coupon on each bottle. This is a money-maker.

Listerine: Limit two; spend $10, get $5 EB, use $1 coupon on each bottle. Save $7 out of $10.

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TIPS: Stock up on items your family will use. If you don’t think you will use it, don’t buy it.

Check your receipts. According to a recent study, 13 percent of customers are overcharged. Check the receipt before leaving the store.

Using coupons will save you $4,600 per year.