Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Target & Walgreens 6/23/10

Was ready for work a little early today so I stopped by Walgreen's on my way to work this morning. I have gone by three of them in the last week or so looking for the $0.99 Reach toothbrushes. They never seem to have any, or they have one and my coupon says you have to buy 2. Finally, this morning the one I stopped by had them, 7 of them. But I found out that they only let you use two of the same coupons in the same transaction. So I bought four (4) using 2 of my $2 off 2 coupons. Paid $0.24 (sales tax) for 4 toothbrushes. I'll go back again another day and use the other 2 coupons I have.

Target -

Was able to print 2 more $2 off Glade Fabric & Air coupons from Target.com, so I used those with two more of the newspaper $1 off coupons = $3.49 - $2 - $1 = $0.49 each, bought 2.

Printed one more $1 off any Ziploc product coupon at Target.com and used another $0.40 newspaper coupon and bought one Ziploc Evolve 50ct Sandwich bags = $1.77 - $1 - $0.40 = $0.37

Nivea Q10 Shaving Cream, had two Target.com coupons and a printed Nivea coupon, but the printed mfr. coupon didn't say shave gel on it, but I went ahead and bought two and used the Target coupons = $3.47 - $2 = $1.47...still not a bad deal, just not the best deal.

Vaseline Aloe Touch lotion - $2.50 - $1 Target coupon - $0.75 newspaper coupon = $0.75

I also got a trial size Axe deodorant and a trial size Dove hair spray using $1 off coupons from Target.com. They didn't exclude the trial size. These are nice to have around to throw in the gym or soccer bags. So, these were $0.97 and the cashier only took the $0.97 off, not the whole $1, boo! But still FREE any way you look at it.

Target Total: $20.51 - 15.09 (coupons) = $5.42 74% Savings

The other day I was browsing some blogs and found that SC Johnson had $5 rebate offers for items such as Raid, Glade, Ziploc, etc. I have bought so many of these things lately, I thought I'd check it out. It is good on purchases from October 2009 to June 30, 2010. You have to buy three of the items. Glad I hang on to my receipts. Each household qualifies for up to three rebates, that's $15...Jackpot! I will be sending mine off in the mail tomorrow!

I also just realized that I didn't post anything about my Kroger and Meijer purchases over the weekend. I will try to do that first thing in the morning.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Day 2 - AllYou.com Grocery Challenge

Monday, June 22, 2010

I have still not purchased any new groceries, so we are (for all intensive purposes) eating for free and probably will for at least all of this week. But, I am including the cost of the items I use (if I can remember it) and the price is for the complete package. I am not breaking down by serving.

Breakfast:
Pop-Tarts (1.49)
Cereal (1.50)

Lunch:
Turkey Sandwich (Free item)
Bread (0.49)
Lean Cuisine (1.38)
Easy Mac Bowl (0.45)

Snacks:
Craisin Trail Mix (1.00)
Yogurt (Activia) (0.50)

Dinner:
Leftover fried chicken from Sunday - added garlic, cilantro & lime sauce I made
Salad (0.50)
Croutons ($.45)
Green beans (left over from last week)

Dessert:
Ice Cream (opened on Sunday)
Goldfish (0.50)

Total for the day: $13.82

Monday, June 21, 2010

Sunday, June 20, 2010 - Day 1

Sunday was Father's day and it is the first day of the AllYou.com Grocery Challenge. I have been stockpiling for a while now so I have a lot of pantry and freezer items already. I am going to try to include those costs in my weekly total. This week my youngest is out of town, so I am not going to include his $25. I will try to post all the prices in my posts. Usually the price will be for the whole item, so later in the week/month, when used again, I won't count it. Make sense??

Since Sunday was Father's day, we started the day with donuts from Jeff's Bakery. My one splurge for the week @ $10.50 for a dozen. (No receipt.) We don't do this very often, but I felt like my wonderful husband deserved them.

For lunch my husband and I had Jose Ole Taquitos ($2) and my daughter had leftover wings from BW3's on Friday night. She also opened some ice cream (yes before dinner) ($1.49). And I had some yogurt ($1).

For dinner we went to my In-Law's and I took fried chicken from Jay C's. 24 pieces for $16.99. Brought the left overs home (about half) along with 4 pieces of corn on the cob and dessert. So there is at least one full meal and will use any left over chicken in something else this week or freeze it.

allyou.com Grocery Challenge

Well, yesterday was the first day of the allyou.com Grocery Challenge. Today, I finally found a Q&A so I had a lot of questions answered. The basis is to only spend $25 per person per week for groceries. Since I stockpile anyway and had a big shopping day Saturday, I don't have to count those items I use during the challenge. Though I may try to include those to see if I would still be under the $100 per week for my family of 4. It really should be no problem at all. I don't think I come even close to that most weeks.

Besides staying under budget, I have to come up with new and interesting recipes. This is really my challenge. I try to do this, but now I have a better reason to really get creative! So, here it goes....

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Another couple Wal-Mart deals

*Dentyne 0.97 use SS 6/13 $1 - FREE
*Skinny Cow Ice Cream [indiv. cups] 1.22, use printable from facebook fan page $1 - $0.22

Deals For Week of 6/13/10

(Item, Sale Price, Coupon From, Coupon Amt., New Price) Coupon codes are to the right of the blog.

Meijer
Aunt Millies Bread $1, 6/13 RP, 0.55/1 = $0.45 each
Aunt Millies Buns $1, 6/13 RP, 0.55/1 = $0.45 each
Grapes, $0.99 per pound
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal $1.99, CC, 0.55/1 = $1.44
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal $1.99, PSS & CC, $1.00/2 = $1.49


Wal-Mart
Scotch Brite Products $0.88, 6/6 SS, $.75/2 = $0.50 (buy 2)


Walgreens
Reach Toothbrushes $0.99, CC, $2/2 = FREE (probably will have to pay sales tax??)


Target
Nivea Q Revitalizing shave gel (Men's) $3.64, CC, $4/2 + (2) TG $2/1 = FREE, plus overage (buy 2)
Clean & Clear Moisturizing Scrub $2, CC, $2/1 = FREE
Ziploc Steam Bags $2.33, 6/6 SS $1 + TG $1 = $0.33
Vanish Drop Ins (2 pk) $2.12, TG B1G1F + CC B1G1F = FREE (buy 2) Some Targets will not accept this deal. May have to buy 3, but still a great deal.



Kroger
Kroger Fresh Express Salad $1.00, CK, $1.00 = Free
Kroger Fresh Express Salad $1.00, KM, $0.50 = $0.50
Fresh Green beans $0.99/#
Fresh Gourmet Croutons $1.00
Ocean Spray Craisins $1.00
Rotisserie Chicken (From deli) $4.99, KM $1 = $3.99
Coca-Cola 2 liters = $1.00
A&W 2 liters $1.25, KC, $0.60 = $0.65
Amp Energy Drinks $1.25, KC, $5/10 = $0.75 (buy 10)
Sobe Life Water $0.88, KC, $2/10 = $0.68 (buy 10)
Nabisco Wheat Thins/Triscuits $1.88, SS 5/16, $1.00/2 = $1.38 (buy 2)
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, $1.25, CC, $0.35 = $0.55
Oreo Cookies - FB Buy 1 Gal milk + any other size milk, + Oreo, Get another Oreo Free (I buy 2 gal of milk anyway and will go faster with the Oreos!
Cheetos Mighty Zingers $1.68, SS 5/9, $1 = $0.68
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta $1.00
Ronzoni SmartTaste Pasta $1, CC $0.75 = $0.25
Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad $1.50, SS 6/6 or 5/23, $0.50/2 + KC, $0.35/1 = $0.83 (buy 2)
Handi-Foil Disposable Lasagna Pan $1, CK, $1 = FREE
Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Peaches $1.50
Pine-Sol Cleaner $1.99, RP 6/6, $0.50 = $0.99
Gillette Odor Shield Body Wash $2.25, CK, $1.50 = $0.74
Stridex Pads (Sensitive Skin) $2.39, SS 6/13 $1 = $1.39
Prevacid 24 hr (14 ct) $10.99, KC $6 + SS 5/23 $4 = $#0.99
Green Giant Steamers 3/$5, CC $0.50, = $0.67
Green Giant Boxed Vegetables $1, CC $0.50/2 = $0.50 (buy 2)
Lean Cuisine Panini, flatbread, pizza $1.88, CC $1/2 = $1.38 (buy 2)
Kroger Dips $1
Dannon Dan-o-Nino Yogurt $2, SS 6/6, $1.50 = $0.50
Activia Yogurt $2, SS 5/2, $1 = $1
Oscar Mayer Bologna $1.25, SS 5/26, $1/2 = $0.75 (buy 2)
Fishers Bologna B1G1F $2.99, RP 6/13, $0.40 = $0.70 (buy 2, with 2 coupons)
Lloyds BBQ Tubs $3.99, SS 5/16, $1 = $2.99

Remember Kroger will double any Manufacture's coupon that is $0.50 or under.

Trying Something New!

I'm going to try to post the deals now before I go to the store. Don't know how this will work. My plan is to post what I am after and then let you know how I did afterwards. I am so trying to cut down on my trips to the stores too. I would love to make one complete trip to all stores at once, per week, but that is near impossible with my schedule. But I am going to only go to each store once during the week.

By Wednesday I will try to post what deals I am after and then by Sunday I will post how I did. Make sense? I just figure if you are following me, you want to know the deals ahead of time to so you can get them to. I will post where I found the coupons, etc. I will, at times, post additional finds I might come across and also links to other blogs. Let's see how it goes. This blogging thing is a work in progress and maybe I will figure it out sometime. Until then just bare with me! :)

Remember, I am a Kroger and Target shopper, but if I find some really good deals at Meijer and other stores, I will post those as well.

Wal-Mart 6/15/10

Suave Deodorant: $0.97
Newspaper coupon $0.50
$0.47 each

STP Carburetor Cleaner $.1.87
Printed Coupon $2.00
Made Money: $0.13

Good deals on both!

Target 6/15/10

Glade Fabric & Air Freshener $3.49
Target Coupon $2.00/1
Newspaper Coupon $1.00/1
$0.49

Raid Max Bug Barrier $8.89
Newspaper Coupon $3
$5.89 (not the best deal, but Wal-Mart has been out forever and there was $1 difference)

Kellogg's Eggo Waffles/Pancakes $ 1.75
Target Coupon $1.00/1
$0.75

Ziploc Evolve Sandwich Bags $1.77
Target Coupon $1
Newspaper Coupon $0.40
$0.37

Dove Deodorant $3.99 (2-pack)
Target Coupon $1.50
Printed Coupon $1
Target special Free Body Mist w/purchase ($3.49 value)
$1.49 for 2 pk of deodorant ($0.75)
Plus the Free Body Mist

Found Classico Spaghetti Sauce (Sweet Basil flavor) on Clearance Reg. $2.14
Marked down to $1.07 (wish I had a coupon here!)

Total: $39.79
Savings: $21.50
Total Spent: $18.29
Savings: 54%

Kroger 6/12/10 - Actual Shopping for the week

I am running behind on my posts, so they will be shortened a little, especially since this was my regular shopping trip. I will spare you all the details and just tell about the main deals I got!

Nexcare Bandages Reg. $2.99, Sale $1.49
Printed Mfr. Coupon $1
$0.49

Jello Pudding & Gelatin Reg. $1.59, Sale $1
Mfr. Coupon $0.50/2
$0.50

Smart Balance Butter $3.02
Kroger Plus Card (won on the Summer of Savings promotion) FREE
Free

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Reg. $2.33, Sale $1.49
Mfr. Coupon $0.50
$0.49

Lean Cuisine $2.95, Sale $1.88
Shortcuts Digital Coupon $1/1
Mfr. Coupons $1/2
1 @ $0.88 & 2 @ $1.38

There were many other deals, but I'm gonna move on. My savings for this shopping trip:

Total $120.74
Mfg Cpns: 21.75
Bonus Cpns: 2.90
Kroger Plus Savings: 41.23
Total Savings: $65.88
Spent: $54.86
Savings: 55%

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Kroger 06/09/10

I was in need of milk (How'd I run out of that??). Anyway, made a quick trip through Kroger last night, not in the mood to do complete shopping for the week. So, here's the deals I got. Saved 72%, $60 on my $25 purchase.

Jose Ole Taquitos Reg. $4.99 - bought (1)
Sale: $3
Coupon on card: $1
Mfr coupon: $1
Final Cost $1

Sobe Juice Reg. $1.59 - bought (10)
Sale: $0.88
Coupon on card: $2/10
Mfr coupons: Buy 1 Get 1 Free (5 coupons)
Final Cost $0.24 each

A&W 2 Liter Reg. $1.59 - bought (1)
Sale: $1.25
Coupon on card: $0.60
Final Cost $0.65

Gillette Odor Shield Deodorant Reg. $4.68 - bought (3)
Sale: $2.99
Mfr Coupon: $2
Final Cost $0.99 each

Gillette Odor Shield Body Wash Reg. $4.49 - bought (3)
Sale: $2.24 (Buy 1 Get 1 Free, or 50%)
Mfr Coupon: Buy 1 deodorant above, get body wash free
Final Cost: FREE

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Reg. $2.45 - bought (2)
Sale: $1.67
Mfr Coupon: $0.50 (doubles)
Final Cost: $0.67 each

Dannon Activia yogurt 4 pack Reg. 2.39 - bought (3)
Sale: $2.00
Mfr Coupon: $0.50 (doubles)
Final Cost: $1.00 each

Lean Cuisine Frozen dinner Reg. $2.95 - bought (1)
Sale: $1.88
Mfr Coupon: $1.00
Final Cost: $0.88

Milk $2.39, Sale $1.98
Bread $1.79, Sale 1.49 (Don't normally buy here, but was out)
I can't believe it's not butter $2.39, Sale 1.49 (bought 2)

Total before savings: $85.35
Total savings: $60.06
Spent: $25.29

Savings of 72%

Monday, June 7, 2010

Target 06/07/10 - 78%

Here's my list from today's Target trip. Plan to go back later in the week...found even more great bargins . . .

John Freida Frizz Ease Shampoo/Conditioner - Qty 4
Sale Price: $4.53 each
Mfr Coupon: $2.00/1
Target.com Coupon: $3/2
New Price: $1.03 each

Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer & Refill - Qty 1 each
Starter Kit: $8.69
Mfr Coupon: $5/1
Target Coupon: $3/1
New Price: $0.69
Refill: $3.99
Mfr Coupon: Buy Starter Kit get the Refill Free - $3.99
New Price: FREE

Benadryl Itch Pens - Qty. 2
$2.29
Mfr Coupon: $5/2 (any Benadryl product)
Final Price: MADE $0.42 on the purchase

Lysol Wipes - Qty 2 (not the greatest deal, but needed them)
Sale: $1.89
Mfr Coupon $1/2
Final Price: $1.39 each

Overall Savings: 78%
$41.27 worth of products
Coupons, Savings: $31.99
Cash Spent (incl. sales tax) $9.28

Walmart 6/7/10 - 79%

Rolaids 4-roll packs $2.23
Coupon $4/2,
$0.23 each - Bought 8

Airwick i-motion Compact $7.97
Coupon $4/1
$3.97 - Bought 1
(not the best deal, but needed one)

Pampers 72 ct $1.97
Coupon $2
FREE- Bought 1 (Gave all my other coupons to a friend with an actual baby)

Normal Retail: $27.78
Spent: $5.78
Savings of 79%

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Walgreen's 06/03/10 - Better than I expected!

I got an unexpected coupon from my purchase tonight at Walgreen's which when you add up the savings, made my purchases almost completely free.

Purchases:
FREE - Reach Crystal Toothbrushes $0.99 ea. - $1 newspaper - bought 2
$2.49 - Kotex Ultimate $3.49 - $2/2 newspaper - bought 2
Walgreen's Register Rewards $2.50 for (1) Kotex
Unexpected coupon printout received: FREE ALWAYS 18ct. retail about $3 (low side)

Total: $9.59
Coupons: $4.00
Cash Spent: $5.59

Savings: 42%, counting the RR and Freebie: 99%

Take the $2.50 RR + $3 freebie = $0.09

I will use the Register Rewards tomorrow when I finish up the rest of the shopping at Walgreen's. Just ran in to get these couple things tonight...dog ate one of the kids toothbrushes...Good timing uh?

Kroger & Target 06/03/10

I am going to Walgreen's also, but it will be later tonight. So here's my Kroger and Target trips:

KROGER (Reg $, Sale $, Coupon $)
$0.67 Suave Shampoo/Conditioner $1.99, $1.67, $1.00 newspaper - bought 3
$0.99 Prevacid 24 $11.49, $10.99, $4 newspaper, $6 Kroger card - bought 1
$0.49 Lawry's Marinade $3.15, $1.49, $0.50 (doubles) newspaper - bought 3

Total before sales & coupons: $27.93 (includes tax)
Savings from sale: $6.44
Coupons, plus bonus (doubles): $16.00
Total Spent: $5.49

Savings of 83%

TARGET (unsure about the Reg. $) Sale $, Coupon $
$0.99 Wishbone Italian Dressing $1.49, $.50 newspaper - bought 1
$0.42 Shout Stain Remover $1.97, $1.00 Target printable, $0.55 peelie on bottle - bought 1
$0.66 Dannon Activia Yogurt $1.66, $1.00 printable - bought 2
$0.57 Band aid bandages 20ct (kids) $1.82, $.75 Target printable, $0.50 newspaper - bought 1
$0.39 Nexcare bandages 20ct (kids) $1.39, $1.00 Target printable - bought 1
$0.50 Sobe 0 Calorie drink $1, $0.50 Target printable - bought 1
$1.97 Armor-all car wash $5.49, $2.00 Facebook printable, $3/2 Target printable - bought 1
$0.49 Armor-all tire shine $3.79, $2.00 Facebook printable, other 1/2 of $3/2, bought 1

Total before sales & coupons: $22.94 (includes tax)
Coupons: $15.33
Total Spent: $7.16

Savings of 69%

So far for today a 75% savings, $50.89 worth of groceries for $12.65! It was a good day!

Commited to Blogs and Savings!!!

I have made a few commitments to myself lately...

The first one is...I am going to blog my shopping trips and the savings. All of them! It doesn't matter if anyone is reading them or not. It is a great way for me to keep track of all my savings and keep me motivated! So starting this evening I will be blogging every shopping trip. Three stores today and will hit them again before weeks end.

The others are to do more freezer cooking (explain later) and then starting June 20th I have joined allyou.com in their Grocery Challenge. You have to stay under a grocery budget of $25 per person each week for four weeks. That's not too awful hard, but it is to include breakfast, lunches and dinners. The hard part is coming up with recipes that are creative and healthy. That will be my part of the challenge. My goal is to not repeat any dinners...Sound impossible? Nah! I can do this!

Freezer cooking is just bulk prep and cooking. I have done this before and will probably do this every two weeks or do. It takes some planning (my specialty), but will be worth it to enjoy my evenings and weekends, not worried about what I am going to fix for dinner.

You think I can get the kids and husband to commit to very little take out, if any at all?? How much can I save? How much time will I save? Can wait to see.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

May 16-22, 2010

Listed by shopping trip - Items listed are some of the better deals, other items may have been purchased.

5/20/10 Target Shopping Trip
Merona Flip Flops = FREE
Reg. $9.99 Clearance $2.48, $3.00 Coupon from Target.com
They wouldn't give me the whole $3, but free is free
(4) Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs = $1.20 ea.
Reg $2.39 ea, BOGOF Coupon from coupon.com
I had a Target.com Buy 3 get 1 free, but they wouldn't accept it either.

Bill before any savings = $19.55
Coupons = $7.26
Sale (Clearance markdown) = $7.51 total saved = $14.77
Total Paid = $4.78
Savings of 76%

5/19/10 Kroger Shopping Trip
Pepsi buy 4 get 2 free = $0.84 ea
No Coupon, Kroger sale
BONUS Free Red Box Rental Coupon printed
Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad = $0.10
Orig. $2.49 Sale $1.25, less .35 Shortcuts.com (on card), less .40 coupon from redplum.com (doubled)
McCormick Grill Mates = $0.25
Orig. $ 2.65 Sale $1.25 less .50 newspaper coupon (doubled)
Yoplait GoGurt = $1.25
Orig. $2.95 Sale $2, less .35 newspaper coupon (doubled), less .55/2 on box, less .80/2 shortcuts.com (on card)
Oscar Mayer Bologna = $0.48
Orig. $2.99 Sale $0.98, less $.50/2 newspaper coupon (doubled)
Oscar Mayer Hot dogs = $1.00
Orig. $ 3.49 Sale $1.50, less $.50/2 newspaper coupon (doubled)

Other various items purchased.

Bill before any savings = $136.53
Kroger Plus Savings = 64.56
Bonus (dbl) Coupon = 3.25
Coupons = 20.15 total saved: $87.96
Total Paid = $48.57
Savings of 64%