Time flies....

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. Time really does fly!!

I'm back!  Currently in the midst of the famous pantry challenge where you try to use up what you have on hand. I thought it was time I got back to posting, as I do believe it helps me stay on track.

So, kick back and enjoy the ride to living on a budget and loving every minute of it!

Jen

4/6/2014 Drug stores and more

Walgreens
Caress Body Wash B1, G1 Free $4.39  - 2 $2 off newspaper coupons = $0.39/2 (I bought 6 and had to do 3 separate transactions because the coupon said limit 2 identical coupons per transaction.)
1 Starbucks coffee drink $0.99 (Rang this up in first transaction because there was a $0.99 RR)
2 Garnier Fructis Gels $2/6 - 2  $2 newspaper coupons = $2.00 total
2 Garnier Fructis Mousse $2/6 - 2  $2 newspaper coupons = $2.00 total
2 72ct Rolaids 2/$8 - B1, G1 Free coupon from today's paper = $4 for both
2 bags of Easter grass 2/$1.00

Total before sales and coupons:  $59.77
Total before coupons, after sales: $37.64
Total out of pocket: $7.60, plus I earned 3000 points on the Rolaids and 2000 points on the Garnier.  (5000 points equals $5!)

CVS
2 boxes of Cocoa Krispies $1.89 each - 2 $1 printed coupons from kelloggrewards = $0.89 each
1 Sunkist Orange $0.99 - $0.30 from red coupon machine = $0.69
2 Crest Pro Health Toothpaste $2.99 each - $1/2 coupon from P&G = $4.98 total
1 Gillette Venus $7.29 - $4 coupon from P&G insert = $3.29
1 Glade Plug In Customizable $5 - $2 coupon from today's paper = $3.00

I also used $9 in ECB.  ($5 from last week and a $4 printed today for my quarterly spending!)

Total before sales and coupons: $40.19
Total before coupons, after sales: $24.20
Total out of pocket:  $5.90, Plus I got a $4 ECB from the razor, $4 for the Crest toothpaste.  I will be getting $1.75 from Shopmium an $2 from Checkout 51 for the Glade!

Rite Aid

2 Peeps $1.99 B1, G1 free - $1/2 printed coupon from Rite Aid Facebook : $0.99/2
6 Tressemme Mousse and Gels $4.00 each = $24 - 6 $2 off newspaper coupons = $12
2 Tressemme Shampoo and Conditioners $4 each - 2 $2 off newspaper coupons = $4
3 Whoppers Robin Eggs 3/$5 - $2/3 coupon from today's paper = $3
2 Smart Start Cereals $5.29 - B1, G1 free - 2 printed coupons for $0.70/1 = $3.89

Also used $20 in UPs from last week.

Total before sales and coupons:  $70.70
Total before coupons, after sales $46.60
Total Out of Pocket: $6.20, plus I got $12 in UPs from the Tressemme, $1 UPs on the Robin Eggs, and $1.00 back from Checkout51 for my Smart Start.  (I know this wasn't a super deal on this cereal, but I have been craving it and it's been a while since it's been on sale!)

Buehler's
4 boxes PB Cheerios $10 - 4 $0.75 newspaper coupons, doubled to $1.50 each = $4.00 for all 4
1 gallon of milk FREE for buying 4 Cheerios
1 1lb box Domino light brown sugar $1.19
12 Yoplait yogurts $5.00 - 2 internet coupons for $0.40/6 doubled to $0.80 each = $3.40
2 Jumbo Bags of candy $2.99 each - $0.75 peelies on bags doubled to $1.50 each= $1.49 each

Total before coupons and sales:  $42.82
Total after sale, before coupons:  $22.17
Total out of pocket:  $13.07, Plus I have $1.19 for the Domino Sugar, $0.40 for the Yogurts and $0.75 for one box of Cheerios coming back via SavingStar.  I also have $0.50 coming back from Ibotta for the FREE milk!  lol

Aldi - (Nothing on sale here, per say.  Aldi does not take coupons, however, I wanted to post what I bought in hopes that some of you who do not shop there will start shopping there!!)

1 whole chicken (a little under 5lbs) $4.82
4 Frozen pizzas at $1.99 each
2 bags of French Fries $1.79 each
1 bag of tater tots $1.89
2 bags of potato chips @ $1.49 each
1 lb black forest ham $3.29
1lb turkey $3.29
1lb bologna $0.99
2 packages hamburger buns @ $0.89 each
1 package hot dog buns $0.89
1 loaf wheat bread $0.99
2 loaves white bread $0.89 each
2 packages flour tortillas $1.19 each
2 bags of salad mix $0.99 each
1 pack Cheese hot dogs $1.99
1 box Saltine crackers $0.95
1 box instant mashed potatoes $1.29
2 packages of strawberries $1.29 each
1 5# bag of large baking potatoes $2.49

Total spent at Aldi:  $47.70


Down to only $279.37 for the month, however, I did get several items today I needed to complete meals! :)

Back to CVS and Rite Aid

Rite Aid - (Buy $30+ in select P&G products, get $10 UPs)
14 Rolls of Bounty Basic Paper Towels @ $1 each (reg $1.49)
16 bottles of Dawn Dish Soap @ $1 each (reg $1.99)

Total before sales and coupons=  $58.86
Total after sales and before coupons = $32.18

Coupons used were $1 off any Bounty multipack OR 2 any size package AND $1/2 Dawn products.  These coupons were on some Puff multipacks that a friend got and he gave me the coupons.  I also used $5 of my RR from Sunday.  I left the other $10 on my table :(

Total out of pocket:  $12.18, plus I got $10 in UP for spending $30 pre-coupon on select P&G products.  I also had a code for a free magazine subscription printed on the bottom of my receipt for spending $24+ on P&G products.

CVS (Buy $20+ in selected products, get $5 ECB)
Hubby needed some Dt. Dew...
4 Diet Mt. Dew 12packs $12
1 9pk Charmin TP $5.99
3 Dawn $0.99 each

Total before sales and coupons= $37.18
Total after sales, before coupons= $22.48

Coupons used were again from the Puffs multipacks a friend gave me.  I used $1/1 Charmin, $1/2 Dawn and a $0.25/1 Dawn from the P&G insert.  I also used my $2 ECB from last week's shopping.

Total out of pocket:  18.48, plus I earned $5 in ECB.  Not too shabby for a transaction including pop, which is rarely a good deal :)

I can confidently say that I am full up on dish soap!  However, I have been known to share my stash with those I <3 (yes, Brandi, that means YOU!  lol).

Sunday runnings... only starting with $6.06 plus some rewards in the grocery envelope :O

Walgreens
1 Butterball Turkey Bacon $1.29 - $1 facebook coupon = $0.29

Rite Aid
1 Broadway Kiss Fantasy Nails $7.99 -$1 internet coupon - $2 Video Value coupon
1 Revlon Flirty Eye Lashes $5.49 - $1 internet coupon for signing up at Revlon lashes
1 FreshGuard soak $5.99 - $1 internet coupon

I also saved $1.35 by having Silver Status on my Rite Aid Wellness card :) and used $9 in UP+ rewards

Total before coupons and sales:    $21.95
Total after sales, before coupons:  $19.60
Total out of pocket:  $2.78, plus I got $15 in UPS rewards.  I got paid to buy everything! :)

CVS - Transaction #1
2 Reese Eggs $0.75 (Buy 1, Get 1 Free) Plus, this was the Friday Freebie from Savingstar!
1 Nexcare first aid taper $4.29 - $1 peelie coupon = $3.29

Total before coupons and sales:  $6.58
Total after sales, before coupons:  $5.35
I used $4 in ECB from last week
Total out of pocket:  $0.36, plus I'm getting $0.75 back from SavingStar

CVS - Transaction #2
2 Roc Cleansers $9.99 each (On sale, Buy 1, get 1 half off) = $14.98
Used 2 internet printed coupons for $3/1 any ROC products
Also used $8.98 in ECB from last week and transaction #1

Total before coupons and sales:  $21.43
Total after sales, before coupons:  $16.43
Total Out of Pocket:  $1.09, plus $10 back from Checkout 51 :)

At the end of my trip, I still have $1.54 left and have $15 in UPs Rewards and $2 left in ECB!  Awesome day of shopping!!


Some of your are probably wondering where else I've been shopping since my total is less than last posted.  I bought Diet Coke and a few things at Walmart this week.  Not exciting deals, so I didn't post details.

Sunday drug store runs....$18.42 Out of pocket, $1.50 Savingstar coming back and $16 in rewards to use next week!

Rite Aid

2 Dove Shampoo $3.50 each

2 Axe Shampoo/Body Wash/Conditioner $4 each

3 Clean and Clear Shampoo/Conditioner $5 each

Used the following coupons (ALL from today's Red Plum, except Video Value coupons)

2 $2.50/1 Axe Hair product

3 $2.50/1 Clean and Clear product

2 $2.50/1 Dove men product

1 Video Value for $2/1 Clean and Clear

1 Video Value for $1/1 Dove for Men product

Used $7 in Ups rewards from last week's shopping

Total Out of Pocket:  $2.50, Plus I got $9 back in UPs rewards for next week!

CVS
**Be sure to scan your card at the red coupon machine for your $0.79/1 paper towel coupon!

2 boxes of cereal 2/$5.00 - $1/2 newspaper coupon from 2 weeks ago= $4.00, get $2 ECB back when you buy 2 AND SavingStar has $0.50 back on Cinnamon Toast Crunch!
1 snack size Cheez-It crackers $1.00 , this was SavingStar's Freebie Friday, so $1 back from them!
1 Just Basic papertowel roll $0.79 - $0.79 coupon from red machine = FREE

I also used $5 ECB from last weekl

Total out of pocket:  $0.06.  Plus I have $1.50 cash back coming from SavingStar  and got $2 ECB to use next week!

Walgreens
Diet Coke 3/$10 * 6 = $20 (Earn 3000 balance reward points WYB $15+)
4 Snicker's Bites.  $2/6 - 2  $3/2 printable coupons - $2/4 Wags March coupon book= $4 total, or $1 each
Valprino A-D $5 (plus get $5 RR back)
Mucinex $7.50 (Raincheck price) - $5 newspaper coupon from last week
2 boxes of Triskets 2/$4 - 2 $1/1 coupons printed from internet = $2 total or $1 each

I also used $20 in Balance rewards points to pay (18,000 points)

I paid $15.86 Out of Pocket and earned 3,000 points and got $5 in RR.  My plan is to go in later this week and buy 6 more Diet Coke for $20, use the $5 RR to pay for it and earn another 3000 balance reward points, which will give me enough points to get $5 off my next trip in there.

Saturday shopping... and there is MEAT! lol

As I mentioned in my last post, people are emailing me about meat and the lack of it in most of my shopping trips.  The secret to meat it to buy it on sale and buy enough to hopefully last you until it goes on sale again.  The freezer is your friend!  Also, shout out to my friend Brandi who got a cow butchered and gifted me with a ton of beef!  That's why many of my trips are toiletries, household items, side dishes, desserts, beverages, snacks and lunch items.

The above pic is my purchase from a local store called Baker's.
Pork Loin $1.98/pound * about 23 pounds for $43.13, plus I had 2 coupons for $1 off fresh pork that I printed online a month or so ago.  The key to this sale is you had to buy the entire loin, which average about 10 pounds each.  If you kindly ask the butcher, they will cut it for you free of charge.  I had mine cut into 4 pork roasts and 28 pork chops.  This is enough for at least 8 meals, with some left overs for lunches!  :)

Tropicana 60 Orange Juice $2.48 each, minus 2 coupons for B1, G1 free I printed on the internet last month.

Total for above trip:  $46.09

Walmart
Diet Coke $3 each
Mt. Dew $6.98 each - $1/1 coupons found on the package
Fruit Snacks $2 - $0.50 internet coupon (Plus get $0.75 ibotta and $0.75 Checkout 51.. making them FREE)
Pork Coating for pork chops $1.46 each
Blue Bonnet $2.98
VO5 shampoo/conditioner $1.98 each - $1 internet coupon= $0.98/each (plus $0.75 each from ibotta!)
Qtips $3.17

Total Spent:  $38.89, plus $3 cash back from various apps


I also popped back by Buehler's to get some more PowerAdes.  I'm down to $75.70 in the grocery fund with about a week to go!

Krogering and Buehler's Trip

Kroger is running their March Madness sale, where you save $5 when you buy 5 participating products!

5 Krusteaz Molten Cookie Mix 2.50- $1 Kroger sale - coupons for $.55 each, doubled to $1.10 each.  Made each box $0.40

6 Gogurts $2.49 each -  $1 Kroger sale - $.75/2 coupons, doubled to $1.50 ea = $0.74 each

4 boxes of Crackers $2.99 each - $4 Kroger sale - 2 internet coupons for $0.50 off, doubled to $1.00 and 1 newspaper coupon for $1.00/2 = $1.24 per box, plus I submitted $1.00 back via Shopmium for the Ritz Bitz crackers... final cost $0.99/box.

1 Frigo string cheese $3.99 - $1 Kroger Sale - $0.35/1 newspaper coupon, doubled to $0.70 = $2.29

1 Miracle Whip $3.49 - $1 Kroger sale - $0.75 internet printed coupon, doubled to $1.50 = $0.99

7 Kraft shredded cheese $2.99 each - $7 Kroger sale $0.75/1 internet coupons, doubled to $1.50=$0.49 each

2 Belvita Cookies $3.49 - $1 Kroger sale - $1/2 newspaper coupon = $1.99 each - $0.50 from Checkout 51 - $1.74 per box

4 Helluva Dips $2.49 each - $1 Kroger Sale - $0.55/1 newspaper coupons = $0.39 each

Total Before Sales and Coupons: $104.26
Total after sales, before coupons:  $52.31
I used my $9 in Catalina coupons from the last 2 weeks.

Total after coupons:  $14.21, plus $1 back from Shopmium and $0.50 from Checkout 51.

Onto Buehler's, where they are running a buy 5 Kellogg products, get a free Gallon of milk.  They actually had a lot of cereals on sale that I wanted to try, vs all the kid's cereal!!

5 boxes Krave S'Mores Cereal $2.49 each - $0.70/1 newspaper coupons = $1.09 each
5 boxes Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory cereal $2.49 - $0.70/1 newspaper coupons = $1.09
5 boxes Special K Chocolate Almond $2.49 - $0.70/1 newspaper coupons = $1.09 each
3 gallons of milk FREE, plus $1.00 back from ibotta
2 Thomas' english muffins B1, G1 free $3.99, plus 2 coupons for $0.55/1, doubled to $1.10= $.90
1 Halo clementines $4.99 - $.50/1 newspaper coupon = $3.99 - $0.75 ibotta = $3.24
6 Kraft Singles $2.49 each - $0.50 Buy 6, save $3 sale - $0.75/1 printed coupons = $0.49 each

Total Before sales and Coupons: $113.43
Total after sales and before coupons: $58.37
Total out of pocket:  $25.07, plus I have $3.50 coming in cash back! ($0.75 on Chocolate Almond Special K, $0.75 on clementines and $1 on milk from Ibotta AND $1.00 from Checkout 51 for the 2 Kraves!)

Also at Buehler's, but in a separate transaction and not really photo worthy, I bought 45 bottles of PowerAid for $32.18.  My youngest son is playing baseball and I refuse to pay $2 per bottle per game. I may actually go buy a few more for the day I have to provide the whole team lunches.  This is the lowest price I find these for, as they are $0.80 at Walmart and this makes them $0.67/each.

**Also on a side note, I got a few emails asking what the heck we are eating, as meat hasn't been purchased much lately.  The answer?  My freezer is full of meat!  When Baker's had pork chops and roasts on sale under $2.00/lb (as they do this week!), I stock up!  I have a food saver machine.  A dear friend just got an entire cow butchered and was sweet enough to gift me over 50lbs of beef.  I bought that bacon last month and have many 1lb sausage rolls and frozen chicken breasts.  With all the meat in the freezer, I really just need to purchase items for side dishes, breakfasts, snacks and lunches.  Of course, we still need toiletries, etc and if I find another killer meat sale, no doubt I will purchase it.

As you coupon and shop sales, you will develop your own personal price points for items and paying above that price will be depressing for you.  They key is to stock up on items you use the most, in quantities that will not spoil before you can use them and do so at the price you set.

Keep the questions coming and let me know how YOUR shopping is going!!