Betty Crocker Fun Da Middles Giveaway Winner!

WINNER UPDATE:  Congratulations linsabeth@gmail....   -   Have fun with these awesome cupcakes on your child's 1st birthday!

Please email me your name and address so I can get your prize mailed out to you!

And don't forget this *HOT* $0.85/1 Fun Da Middles Coupon!!!!

The Corporate Downsizing of America - Every Ounce Counts!

The shelf tag still reads 11 oz.  
but is suddenly a 9 oz. bottle!

The latest in corporate downsizing has just hit the market!  That's right, Gain Dish Liquid is now wanting shoppers to forget that they used to sell 11 oz bottles of Gain at Walmart but now magically, just days later, the bottle has mysteriously lost 2 ounces.  Well, it is on sale for less money of course - NOT!  That's right - the new and unimproved 9 oz Gain Dish Liquid, is still selling for the original asking price as the 11 ounce bottle.  WHAT THE................. ?

Last week Gain Dish 
Liquid was 11 oz!

This is why brand loyalty can cost shoppers more than they imagine!  I think manufacturers, and retailers alike, are hoping repeat brand loyal customers will carelessly grab their trusted favorite brand right off the shelf without even noticing the shrinkage.  Now, I understand the market isn't so great right and that manufacturers and stores need to drive revenue to survive.  I just think they ought to both be up front about it.  I still won't be happy (Netflix), but at least I won't feel lied to!

I thought I'd share a past column I wrote regarding this issue that you might find interesting:

I was reminded this week as I was rotating my food storage how much every ounce counts.  As I put my groceries away after a great week of shopping, specifically some Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner, I noticed that my 25-ounce can had mysteriously shrunken to only 22 ounces.  Where did my extra 3 ounces go?  No, it wasn’t a specially marked can with an extra 15% included for free and it wasn’t any type of special buy – it was just gone!  My 3 ounces had vanished without a word from SC Johnson or anyone else. 

Package sizes are becoming smaller, but prices aren’t and The Great Shrink, as I call it, has actually been happening for years.  Manufacturers, faced with a difficult economy have two choices, raise prices or reduce package sizes.  Both money-saving methods are in practice today, but smaller package sizes aren’t readily noticed by consumers.

You may recall the Dreyers ice cream fiasco of 2008, when cartons dropped from 1.75 to 1.5 ounces, much to consumers’ chagrin. "Downsizing is nothing but a sneaky price increase," says Edgar Dworsky, former Massachusetts assistant attorney general in the Consumer Protection Division. "I'm waiting to open a carton of eggs and see only 11."  

Image Source: http://www.eatmedaily.com

Everything from Dial bar soap to Rice A Roni, Country Crock spread to Lays potato chips has seen size reductions in the past few years.  And check out the “dimple” under your Skippy Peanut Butter jar; somehow it’s growing!

Many shoppers cringe at the thought of computing, either by calculator or brainpower, the cost per ounce on their grocery purchases each week.  While these calculations may bring a slight increase in shopping time — size matters. More than ever shoppers need to know what they’re purchasing and at what cost.

One thing to consider in deciding whether or not you have the time to bother with price-per-ounce costs is that nowadays many major grocer and retailers often do the work for you.  Shelf tags today often list ounce costs for shoppers; no calculating required.  If unit costs aren’t already listed, a small calculator tucked in your purse or coupon organization system will do the trick. And practically every cell phone on the market has a calculator application.  I keep my phone in calculator mode during every shopping trip for some easy math.  Plus, there’s the added benefit of becoming a math whiz for all the adding, subtracting and multiplication you’re doing in your head.  In reality, price-per-ounce cost computing takes only seconds but can equal real savings. 

Lastly, remember, bigger isn’t always better.  The bigger the box doesn’t necessarily mean bigger savings.  Just because you can buy cereal in 10-pound boxes at warehouse stores doesn’t mean your price-per-ounce costs are any kind of real savings.  And, if you’re planning on using coupons to reduce your out-of-pocket expense, your savings will best be applied to the smallest packages allowable. In fact smaller boxes are almost always the bigger savings when using coupons.

So now I’m faced with the choice to clean only 85 percent of my bathtub in protest or buy more Scrubbing Bubbles.  And while I’d definitely like less housework, like the rest of America I’ll just have to buy more – as I echo in a loud and bellowing voice with hands clenched, “Curse you, scum!” (That is unless my husband wouldn’t notice that his half of the tub still has a ring?). America may have to endure The Great Shrink for a while yet, but arming ourselves with per-unit costs can help shoppers make wiser purchases and smarter buys for their money.

A Savvy How To: Recycled T-Shirt Bibs

Cayden and his favorite t-shirt bib!  It's time for a new one!

I think bib makers must be delusional when they make them so stinking small! Maybe babies drool directly under their chins, but toddlers skip that whole neck region and go straight for spilling down their round and protruding little bellies! Yep, my little 3 year old has perfected the art of spilling most anything red down the front of his white Sunday shirt and into his lap whenever possible and all while avoiding the little bibs meant to protect his clothes and mother's sanity.

So at our house we use recycled t-shirt bibs (when we remember to put them on before Sweet Cayden gets to the food that is!) These bibs were actually my Macgyver husband's idea so kudos to you sweetheart! All it takes to make these is some sharp scissors and an old men's t-shirt.

Recycled T-Shirt Bib:

Step 1: Trim front sides of t-shirt to desired width. I usually leave 4-5 inches to cover my kids shoulders as well as their bellies!  Don't worry about cutting super straight lines as the edges of the shirt will curl once cut and washed.

Step 2: Cut away the excess back and arms of the shirt, rounding the back collar approximately 2-3 inches long.

Step 3:  Trim bottom of t-shirt to desired length.

Step 4:  Cut remaining t-shirt into household rags.

The pictures above make the t-shirt look pink.  It's really maroon :)

I can make these bibs to perfectly fit each of my children and I'm simply utilizing things I already have in my home.  They may not be elegant dinner party ware, but they do the job day to day and save me laundry headaches every time we use them PLUS Free cleaning rags!

Betty Crocker Fun Da Middles Prize Pack Giveaway!

WINNER UPDATE:  linsabeth@gmail....   - Have fun with these awesome cupcakes on your child's 1st birthday!  Please email me your name and address so I can get your prize mailed out to you!
 

This week I had the opportunity to try a new and exciting product on the market - Betty Crocker Fun Da Middles.  I'd been wanting to make these innovative treats and was thrilled when I was sent a free mix, muffin pan, cupcake liners, hot pad and cupcake liner notes to try! 

To say these ooey gooey cupcakes were a hit with my kiddos is an understatement for sure, and so easy to make.  My cupcakes turned out EXACTLY like the ones pictured on the box - gotta love it!

Baking Betty Crocker Fun Da Middles is a breeze!  Just prepare the batter, like any other cake mix, and fill 12 muffin liners 1/3 full.  Next, squeeze filling mixture 20 times (the kids though this was fun!) and then cut open the corner of the package and divide between the cupcakes.





Make sure to not let the filling touch the sides of the liners.  (It's ok if the filling sticks up a little bit.)




  




Then top the cupcakes with the remaining batter, making sure to cover the filling.

Bake as directed and voila - perfect Fun Da Middles!

And check out this *HOT* $0.85/1 Fun Da Middles Coupon or the Fun Da Middles Facebook Page!  And guess what?  I have another prize pack just like mine to give away!!! Wanna win?

Just fill out the form below and tell me where you'd serve Betty Crocker Fun Da Middles - An upcoming birthday party, family gathering or just for fun?  I will randomly draw one winner on Monday, 9/26 at 10 am.  For up to 3 extra entries:

Like Savvy Shopper on Facebook (1 Extra Entry)

Friend Amy TheSavvyShopper on Facebook (1 Extra Entry)

Follow Savvy Shopper on Twitter (1 Extra Entry)

Disclosure: The Betty Crocker Fun da-middles product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.  All opinions written are my own.

FREE Crest Complete Toothpaste Sample - Vocal Point Members

It pays to be an active participant on websites like Vocal Point or Kraft First Taste!  These promotional marketing sites send full size and travel size freebies PLUS free product coupons for members to sample and then ask them to complete brief surveys about their product likes and dislikes.

What you may not know is that the more samples you receive and answer surveys for, the more samples will be offered you!  If you receive a free sample or coupon offer, make sure you answer the SUPER brief survey after trying the product or you won't be offered any more free samples in the future.  I was just offered a "secret" Free Crest Sample for being one of Vocal Point's most engaged members!

If you are an active Vocal Point member check your email for this free Crest Complete Sample!

Not signed up with Vocal Point or Kraft First Taste yet?  What are you waiting for - it's FREE!

How to be a Student Savvy Shopper - Shopping On a College Budget

As an avid deal seeker for families throughout Utah I am frequently asked if it’s equally possible for student shoppers to save money on their grocery and retail purchases.  “Absolutely” is my immediate response! Regardless of your marital or even educational status, saving money is easily attainable for every walk of life.  Of course, there are unique challenges for any demographic, but getting around these issues just takes a few considerations.

The first decision a student shopper must consider is storage space.  College/apartment living space is considerably smaller than a rental home.  When you’re sharing 4 cupboards with 6 roommates, who’s eating what and who actually paid for it becomes cloudy at times.  Consider buying in group purchases for the entire apartment.  Assigning one shopper for all the roommates can actually save the group significantly more money when you’re able to buy in bulk or case lot sales.  It doesn’t even have to be that big of a roommate grocery co-op.  Consider sharing pantry staples like block cheese, milk, bread, boxed cereal, flour, sugar etc…  One roommate won’t likely be able to eat a 2 lb block of cheese before the mold creeps in, but per ounce it’s 50% less than buying an 8 oz block. Divide equal roommate amounts into reusable storage containers for portion control. Sharing food and shopping skills can pay off for everyone, as long as you’re willing and able to share!

The next consideration is budget. Students, like families can add savings and stretch their budget using coupons.  If you’re buying as a group, multiple Sunday newspaper subscriptions are great for shaving  a couple hundred dollars off your monthly grocery bills.  If you are buying for one, consider printable coupon websites like Coupons.com and Smartsource.com.  These websites offer free multiple printable coupons for everyday products, including milk, cheese, cleaning products and personal hygiene items.  Users are allowed to print 2 of each identical coupon per website.  And don’t forget manufacturer Facebook pages and websites as a great resource for printable coupons!  These online and in-print savings really add up!

Lastly, student shoppers definitely need to consider shopping the ads.  That means buying items when they go on sale at stock up prices.  You may only eat ramen noodles and mac and cheese, but both of these items go on sale for 60% off retail price at multiple times throughout the year.  When you see a case lot sale on your favorite Asian noodles or cheesy pasta, buy a case and store it under your bed.  The next time you need a pack, just shop your “under the bed store” where everything is always on sale and never go hungry again (just don’t store your stinky gym shoes there too!).  Don’t know what  to buy or when an advertised “Stock up” deal is really a deal?  It’s easy – just shop the front page any grocery or retail ad.  These items are called “loss leaders”.  In other words, the store is leading you in to shop at their store by displaying their hottest prices (lowest revenue products) on page 1.  Of course, the goal is to have you buy your entire grocery list as well, not just front page items, while you’re there, but that’s up to you.  Page 1 is a great place to start.

Being a student and savvy shopper can be synonymous.  Implement these simple shopping strategies and educate yourself to save!  For more ideas on how to save money at the grocery store and for customizable, free shopping lists for your favorite grocer or retailer, visit www.savvyshopperdeals.com, your source for savings.

Extreme Couponing Arrests on the Rise

With the rise in Extreme Couponing, Extreme Coupon Theft was bound to follow...

I read a complaint just yesterday from a woman in Utah who has had their assisted living facility coupon copies stolen right out of the lobby!  I can't even tell you how many times I've heard of shoppers detailing brazen thefts from their own driveways and front porches.

I'm not sure how someone justifies taking coupons out of elderly care homes or even off of someone's front porch for that matter.  As you may know the Daily Herald has removed all copies, save 1, from vending racks across Utah County due to theft.  Many newspaper companies are having to move vending racks inside convenience stores to protect them from would-be coupon nappers.

I was glad to hear that arrests are increasing in response to these violations.  Believe me, I understand the value of coupons and what using them can do for every family that chooses to implement them in their shopping strategies, but stealing them?

I came across this article just this morning.

"Police, supermarkets and newspapers have reported thefts of newspapers and weekly inserts in Arkansas, Idaho, Texas, Alabama, Florida and California. They have attributed the thefts to extreme couponing, as coined by the TLC reality show. The program, which debuted in April, shows people cutting their grocery bills by hundreds of dollars through the strategic use of coupons. 

Most recently, a 34-year old woman in Arkansas stole 185 copies of the Springfield Morning News that were left outside of a grocery store for pick-up. The woman, who is a member of a coupon club, claims she didn't know she was doing anything wrong. 

In Alabama, the Cullman Timess has also seen an increase in the number of newspapers and inserts stolen. Sam Mazarra, the newspaper's circulation manager, said, "Over my 31-year career as circulation director, it has never been this bad." The newspaper has issued a $500 cash reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of someone stealing newspapers"  The Huffington Post

WOW -  rewards for coupon thieves!  Now that's one I didn't see coming.

Why Couponers Cheat

 I've been seriously disturbed lately at what I perceive to be an increase of deal seekers using coupons to rip off grocers and retailers.  It makes me sick to see shoppers purposely profiling checkers they think will not "look too closely" at the bad coupon match ups or won't haggle with a shopper at what they know to be unethical coupon use.  I have heard of shoppers driving to stores 25 minutes out of their way (from Orem to Payson) just for these reasons.

So why do couponers cheat?  Why, in essence, steal from a store for personal gain?  I have a couple guesses:

#1.  They don't know any better.  Though I think this is the least likely of all unethical coupon use instances, I'm sure there are shoppers out there who have been told that reading bar codes or lying about ad matching prices is ok to do.  Um, it's not.  You may have seen a television show recently or even read a blog detailing how to read bar codes for the purpose of cheating a store.  Some teach these practices and claim it's to help shoppers know what products they can use their coupons on.  Baloney!  It is my personal belief that there is no legitimate need for any person to understand how to read a bar code other that to cheat and ultimately steal potential revenue from a store.  All a shopper has to do is read the wording on a coupon to know what products they can apply it to - period!  If a coupon says "Save $3.00 on Huggies 60 ct diapers"  you buy 60 ct diapers, not a smaller pack, not wipes, not any other baby product.  To use that coupon in any other manner is unethical and fraudulent!

#2.  They feel entitled.  We live in a day and age when people feel entitled.  They deserve to be given whatever they've set their minds to.  I've heard of shoppers who felt like they were overcharged at a store on a previous shopping trip so the deserve the extra (and unethical) savings on their current shopping trip.  If you were over charged it's your responsibility alone to correct the situation once you've noticed the error.  Don't pad your next bill with savings to compensate.

#3.  They think it doesn't hurt anyone.  Wrong!  Cheating stores by using incorrect coupons or lying about pricing is theft - plain and simple.  Ask your local grocery manager, the next time you shop, how many coupons they had rejected last month and what the total dollar value was and you'll be amazed at their coupon losses.  Couponers say all the time, well they get an extra $0.08 every time I give them a coupon so they're making money on the deal.  Not necessarily true.  That extra $0.08 goes towards redemption costs, mailing cost etc...  The coupons aren't redeemed for free.  Stores have to hire companies to manage the redemption process for them and guess what - they have to pay for those services.

#4.  Addiction.  I'm the 1st one to admit that shopping with coupons and saving the kind of money that couponing provides is addicting.  It's like a drug free coupon high!  You walk in to a store and walk out saving 60%-90% on your bill and you're grinning ear to ear at what you've accomplished.  Bravo!!  But that rush can sometimes be akin to gambling fever, when you'll do anything to save that much money again. (Seriously, I'm likely never going to use those Shout Wipes that are Free after double coupons but I did indeed buy them simply because they were free.  FYI - I'm not buying any more even if we get more coupons!)

#5.  Their Family is more important that any one person or retailer.  Hey, I love my family as well, but I also try to keep in mind that I should only buy what we really need.  In Utah County, Walmart doubles coupons every Tuesday.  But just go into the store on Monday at 5pm and you'll see lines of shoppers willing to wait 7+ hours to empty their overflowing 5 carts onto the conveyor belt.  Why clear shelves of products you won't use?  I think it's a combination of some of the reasons above, but I also think we try so hard to give our family the best that we forget everyone else in the picture.  They have to be first, and fast, so that if they beat someone else to the store and can get all the goods, they've won some sort of prize.  Not a great prize to win, IMO.  Using coupons unethically to obtain these savings shouldn't make anyone's family proud.

#6.  They're just thieves with no moral code.  No explanation required.

Why be so harsh about coupon cheaters?  Why not just let them be?  First, I hate that shoppers are using my name and website to provide justification for their unethical tactics.  I have heard from multiple cashiers claiming that shoppers will say, "Amy/SavvyShopperDeals.com, said we could.  I went to her class."  Fortunately most cashiers know me or the site and know that's a lie and one you will called to the mat for!  Cashiers have told countless shoppers to email me if they think they're right.  I've yet to receive one of those emails.  Why? Because they know they've lied.

I feel like I have now been assigned to be the Utah coupon police, a job I don't want!  But it seems that now, along with my weekly email to Walmart stores of the hot double coupon items that they need to stock up on for Tuesday double coupons, I'm going to start sending them out a cheater list as well.  Ie... coupons which shoppers will try to use on incorrect ounce sizes etc.  FYI - I've already been asked to take in Sunday Ads asap to try and prevent all the cheating with Rite Aid and Walgreens Up or Register Reward price match attempts.  I'd like to just go shopping and not have to worry about all the cheaters out there, but I guess that's not going to happen.  And, FYI I'm already hearing rumors about double coupons ending due to theft and cheating.  Keep it up and we'll all suffer.

Bring on the comments.....

Help - I Can't Print Coupons! Part 2

If you have been struggling to print Coupons.com coupons or Brick coupons, never fear!!  As I mentioned in a previous blog, you can always have 2 copies of the Bricks coupons mailed to you, which is a decent solution to not being able to print and save any money at all.  Honestly, I've been frustrated with the response I've received from Coupons.com in regards to the inability to print.  Now I know they are likely certainly overwhelmed with daily emails about the same issue, but I still wanted an answer of some sort or at least an acknowledgement of the issue (so that I wouldn't think I was simply insane and alone in being unable to print).  I was thrilled when they responded to my query today on Facebook:

Hallelujah!  Crossing my fingers for a quick fix.

Help - I Can't Print Coupons!

Except my coupon didn't actually print!

 For some shoppers printing coupons is as easy as point and click.  For the rest of us, (including me from time to time), it's a frustrating web of installing and uninstalling coupon printers, changing web browsers, reading printing error messages and receiving the standard formatted response email from coupons.com.

Unfortunately, printable coupon sites don't always respond well to web browser security updates for Firefox, Safari, IE etc. and sometimes they just can't seem to catch up at all!  Currently, I can only print Smart Source Coupons using Safari on my Mac - Firefox just won't cut it.  Switching browsers is one way to print coupons if you just can't seem to get them to print on your current browser.  I often switch back and forth from Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari in an attempt to reign triumphant over coupons.com.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  Right now I'm getting a Cups Filter error for Coupons.com and it's only something they can fix so no matter how many browsers I try, I can't win and I hate losing!

But there is a way to win some of these coupon printing battles and that is to get the coupons mailed to me!  Yes that's right, you can get some printable coupons mailed to you!  These coupons are called Bricks coupons (they have the word Bricks in the web address).  If you have struggled with printing coupons or have never been able to print them successfully, keep an eye out for bricks coupons and you can still save money!

If you click on a "bricks" coupon and it just won't print, look down in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and you'll see a help button (most coupons have this option, but not all).  Click the help button and fill out the form to have to coupon mailed to you!

Make sure to use your back arrow to request a second copy!  You can get 2 coupons mailed to you, just like some folks can print two copies of the coupon!  You might not be able to get the coupons right away, but at least you can still get them!

Best Coupon Practices - CIC Release

The CIC (Coupon Information Corporation) is a not-for-profit association of consumer product manufacturers dedicated to fighting coupon misredemption and fraud.  They have just released a voluntary best coupon practice policy for all retailers with whom they work. 

Suggested Voluntary Best Practices:
Retailer Coupon Acceptance Policy

As a customer friendly retailer, we encourage the use of coupons by our guests in our retail stores, in accordance with the following guidelines.

GENERAL

1. All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.
2. We accept only coupons that scan accurately at the register.
3. We do not accept expired coupons.
4. Coupons cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.
5. We do not accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.
6. The number of manufacturer coupons may not exceed the number of items in the transaction.
7. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction.
8. Use of 40 or more coupons per transaction, a transaction involving more than $100 in coupons, or coupons totaling more than 20% of the gross sales price will require approval by a Manager.
9. Any applicable sales tax must be paid by the consumer.
10. We reserve the right to reject any coupon or to limit the number of coupons being used in a transaction.

FREE PRODUCT COUPONS

We check for the CIC Hologram when a free product coupon with no separate purchase requirements is presented (i.e., Buy One, Get One Free coupons generally don’t feature the CIC Hologram).

SALE ITEMS

We will accept a manufacturer coupon for an item that is on sale.

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE COUPONS (BOGO)

1. BOGO coupons cannot be “chained” (i.e., two BOGO coupons cannot be used to on two items to get both for free). Unless stated otherwise on the coupon, the use of one BOGO coupon requires that two of the valid items are presented at checkout; one item will be charged to the consumer and the second item will be discounted by its full retail price.
2. In a BOGO transaction, a second cents-off coupon cannot be counted towards the purchase price of the first (buy one) product.

INTERNET/PRINT-AT-HOME COUPONS

1. We accept valid Internet/Print-at-Home coupons. Note: There are currently no valid Internet Print-at- Home coupons that provide a 100% discount or free product.
2. Internet Print-at-Home coupons feature unique serial numbers (often referred to as Pin Numbers) printed on them and follow an industry-standard format. Coupons printed on home or office equipment without these features will NOT be accepted.
3. We do not accept Internet Print-at-Home coupons valued in excess of 75% of the sale price of the product.

COUNTERFEIT COUPONS

1. We will reject coupons if they appear to be copied, distorted, blurry, or altered.
2. We monitor the CIC web site for announcements of new counterfeit coupons.
3. We will work with law enforcement authorities to prosecute individuals using counterfeit coupons.

RETURNS

If a consumer returns a product purchased with a coupon, the value of the coupon will be retained by store so the funds can be refunded to the manufacturer. The coupon will not be returned to the consumer. The cash refund to the consumer will be the consumer’s out-of-pocket cost, taking the coupon into account.

MY OPINION:

I have always supported the BOGO coupon policy and have no problem with it as I think it is the proper way to use BOGO coupons.  However, there are two points that I don't fully understand:

#1. We do not accept Internet Print-at-Home coupons valued in excess of 75% of the sale price of the product.  I have never heard this before in my life.  If a newspaper mfr. cpn can make a product free then why can't a printable coupon make a product free?

#2. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction.  I take this to mean no overage.  While I am more than happy to simply get a product for free, it has always been my understanding that the retailers will always get the full face value of the coupon back regardless of the purchase price.  Therefore I would imagine that the overage should be due a customer. 

I plan on contacting the CIC for a response to these two points and I'll let you know what I hear back.  What are your thoughts about these new policies? 

Of course these are voluntary practices so whether you choose to support them or not is up to you at this point.  In saying that, I believe many retailers will also move to support these policies as well.

A Savvy Craft - Cheap Glitter Toes

Now that I'm Girl's Camp director I need to come up with a craft for each day I'm in charge of 32 girls this July.  Trying to come up with something fun to do, but also working in a tight budget, was a great challenge and I've had fun imaging what we can do "on the cheap".  My first thought was painting fingernails, as I learned how to skillfully paint images and designs using the addition of acrylic paint not long ago.  But alas, I've done this one already.  Next step - bling it up!

I love Glitter Toes, but not the outrageous cost or the inability to easily remove them once the gel has set.  I googled around trying to find an inexpensive way to make my own glitter toes and found some less expensive alternatives.  I found a few ideas I liked, but they were still way too expensive for 32 girls.  Then I found NoBiggie's DIY Glitter toes and had an idea!  What if instead of buying all kinds of colored glitter I could just use my 1/2 pound bag of Ultra Fine Prisma Glitter that I bought about 10 years ago (and I'm sure I used a 50% off coupon to buy it!) and used the nail polish to create the color instead?

Guess what?  It works!!!  No need to buy 10 different colors of glitter,  just use"transparent" glitter and paint your toes with the nail color of your choosing for ultra cheap, ultra easy Glitter Toes!

Glitter Toes Recipe:

• Finger Nail Polish (Desired Color)
• Quality Top Coat Polish
• "Transparent" Prism Glitter
• 1 Sheet of Cardstock - folded in half
• A stiff acrylic paint brush

Step #1:  Clean and File Toes.  Place foot on open cardstock with crease in the middle to easily collect and save any excess glitter.

Step #2:  Paint toes with desired toenail polish, one toe at a time (You can use cheap polish or expensive.  I used different colors on my daughter's toes, one with covergirl polish and one with Sally Hansen - I got it cheap - and they both worked great!)  After painting each toe, while polish is still wet, sprinkle a generous amount of glitter over the toe and press glitter gently into polish.  Let toes dry for 5 minutes

Step #3: Gently remove excess glitter around the toes (tap toes to remove excess from toenail) with brush and cover with a clear top coat.  Wait 5 minutes and apply another clear coat.

I did one foot with Sally Hansen and one foot with Covergirl.
Both worked out great, but now my daughter has multi colored feet!

On a side note - make sure that if you have little children - oh, let's say a 2 year old, that you remember to put all the polish away when you're done or they just might find it and paint their own toes while you're not looking! But hey, on a good note, he didn't get any on the floor and painted all 10 toes like a pro!  He didn't even go out of the lines - pretty good I think!