ASHLAND — Finally, we have some good coupons: Proctor & Gamble are out today.

Buy several newspapers, so that you can buy more than one item if it’s a great deal. Paying way below retail for items is what we want. I usually buy seven sets of newspapers on P&G day. Does it pay me to do this? Yes, many times. I stock in at that low, low price and save the items until we need them. This is your stockpile.

Which season is it?

We are coming into the New Year’s resolution phase of couponing. Our coupons to come will represent the number one New Year’s resolution: Losing weight.

Already, Walmart’s ad is on this. Notice the front page of their ad. You will see “Skinny Cow,” Special K Flatbread (new item, and will probably have a great coupons soon to lure you into buying it) and Lean Cuisine.  There will be items for New Year’s Eve parties, and possible coupon matchups. Remember the coupon itself is also an advertisement. But, to the couponer, we are only interested in getting quality items for way below cost.

Sabra’s next coupon meeting will be Jan. 7 at King’s Daughters Medical Center (thank you to KDMC for having us). It’s at 5 p.m. Bring unused coupons to trade, and we help anyone who wants to learn to coupon.

New apps for your Android we recommend: Grocery Smarts Coupon Shopper. This app matches store circulars with manufacturer coupons so you can see where you’ll save the most. Also, check out Bathroom Scout and locate the nearest bathroom when shopping. One more is CardStar. Store all of your loyalty cards on one app. It gives you in-store discounts when you show your phone to the cashier.

Free Items

Get free product samples at:

‰Freebies 4Mom.com

‰FreeFlys.com

‰Heyitsfree.net

‰Huntforfreebies.com

‰MoneySavingMom.com

Some might take 11 weeks to start coming, but when they do great coupons will be attached, too.

Some nuggets

‰Can we shop smarter with a smartphone? You bet. I would be the world’s worst to say so. I’m still learning on mine. There are coupons for everything on these phones.

‰Did you get a new cell phone for Christmas? Trade outdated electronics for groceries or gift cards. Target gives gift cards in return for iPhones up to $150 if it’s in good condition. Best Buy and Radio Shack also take trade-ins for store credit. Best Buy offers $220 for that iPhone.

‰Time to put the Christmas tree away and all the ornaments. K-Mart now has ornament organizers called “SnapWare.” At $7.99 each and 50 percent off, it’s a great deal. Each box holds 32 ornaments safely. There are large holiday totes for trees or wreaths. This makes it so much easier and keeps everything in the best condition for next year.

CVS

$10 EB when you spend $30 on P&G items.

‰This is a great time to buy Tide at $5.94, -$1.50 mnfr. coupon = $4.44.

‰Dawn Dish Liquid -99 cents -25 cent coupon or 50 cent coupon on Hand Renewal =74 cents or 49 cents.

‰Pantene shampoo or conditioner 2/$7 -$3 coupon =2/$4

‰Crest Pro Health toothpaste, rinse, toothbrush or Glide floss. Spend $10 get $5 EB. I would buy the Crest Rinse. Use $1.50 coupon on each one.

At this point, you could have $15 in EB bucks for a second transaction.

‰Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide or Venus Embrace — Use $5 coupon on cartridge and also a razor. With $10 EB on $30, this should be a great deal.

‰Covergirl Buy 1 Get 1 50 percent off. Buy 2 Outlast Nail Use coupon $3 off 2 Covergirl products, and $1 off one Outlast nail.

‰Mars Chocolate Singles 75 cents-75 cents EB = FREE

‰GE Energy Smart Light Bulbs -$2.99 - $2 EB = 99 cents. Limit one.

If you notice the icon on page 11, top left corner, you can scan your smartphone, and exchange unused gift cards for a CVS Gift Card.

CVS has been putting scanners in its ads for several weeks now. Watch for them. They are valuable to you.

Yummy cabbage

Many cook cabbage on New Years for good luck. This recipe brings back a good memory to me from my friend Joyce. She made this dish at her cabin for us in the country many years ago. It smelled so good, that we were instantly hungry.

New Years Cabbage

8 bacon slices

½ sweet onion

1 small cabbage, washed and drained

Salt and pepper to taste

Use a large iron skillet that has been greased. Cut up the cabbage in small portions, and cut up the bacon in pieces. Salt and pepper as you go. Keep turning, until done. Bacon should be thoroughly cooked.

Happy New Year! My New Year’s resolution? Learn to use my new phone.