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!!

3/16 Drug Store Shopping: Combined $32.57 Out of Pocket with $10 Cash Back and $20 in rewards for next week!

All 3 drug stores have Purex on sale this week as Buy 1, Get 2 free.  Rite Aid has the best base price and does not limit the deal!

12 Purex Paid $5.99 for 4 of them, the others are free.  $23.96 - 6 coupons I printed last week from the internet for $1.50/2 ($9 off total) AND a $1/1 Purex coupon from the Video Values on Rite Aid's website = $13.96   Savingstar is offering $5 cash back when you buy $20 worth of Purex products.  Final cost will be $8.96 or $0.75 per pouch!!

4 Marshmellow Eggs $1 each (Buy 2, get $1 UP reward.. like getting them for $0.50)
4 Stayfree 2/$5 - 4 $1 off newspaper coupons = $6 (Buy 2, get $2 UP reward.. like getting them for $0.50)
Mucinex Allegry 5ct $7.50 - $5 coupon in today's paper = $2.50 (there is a $2.50 MIL too)
Stride Gum 2/$2 - $0.25 Video Value Coupon = $1.75 (Buy 2, get $1 UP Reward)

I also used a $10 UP reward from last week.

Total Before Coupons and Sales:  $105.03
After Sales and before coupons:  $47.62

Final out of pocket:  $18.37, plus I have $5 Savingstar and a $2.50 MIR coming back and earned $7 in UPs for next week :)

CVS Transaction #1
2 Windex Touch Ups $3.50 each - B1, G1 free coupon in today's paper = $3.50
2 Pledge Multi Surface $3.50 each - B1, G1 free coupon from last month's paper $3.50
(Get $4 ECB when you buy $14 worth of above product, plus $1.50 windex rebate from Checkout 51 and $1 back from checkout 51 for buying any Pledge product)

2 Crest ProHealth $2.99 each - $0.75 coupon from P&G insert = $2.24 each (Get $2 ECB, limit 2)
2 Crest Sensi-Relief $4.99 each - $1.00 coupon from last week's paper = $3.99 each (Get $4 ECB, limit 2)

I also used $10 in ECB from last week:

Total before sales and coupons:  $44.30
Total after sales, before coupons:  $32.14
Total out of pocket:  $11.64, plus $2.50 from Checkout 51 and $12 in ECB

CVS Transaction #2

4 Planter's peanuts $3 each - $1 printable coupon from coupons.com
1 Triscuit cracker $3 - $1 printable coupon
7 Wet n Wild nail polishes $0.99, B1, get 1 50% off - newspaper coupons for $1/1

Plus I used $8 in ECB from transaction #1

Total before coupons and sales:  $31.08
Total after sales, before coupons:  $20.43

Total out of pocket:  $1.83, plus $5 back in ECB

Family Dollar
5 Vidal Sassoon Shampoo/Conditioner $2 each - $2 coupons from P&G insert = FREE, just pay tax
Total out of pocket $0.73

A few more budget tips and what is an emergency fund?

By now, you've written your budget and hopefully had your first "cash only" grocery store trip!  Are you still struggling?  Feeling deprived because you actually have to think about what you are spending money on instead of just going to by whatever, whenever?  If so, you are on the right track.  I promise it will NOT always feel like this!

Here are some additional tips that may make budgeting a bit more pleasant!

1.  You must budget for every single dollar that comes into your house!  Every dollar must have a place or it will vanish into thin air.  Don't believe me?  How many times have you gone shopping only to come home and really freak out when you are adding up your receipts?  Have you ever had $50 in cash on you only to come home with next to nothing?  Have you ever looked in your purse or wallet and actually asked yourself where your money went?  THIS is why you must assign every dollar to a category!

2.  Allot yourself and your significant other a small amount of money each pay to spend however you wish.  Obviously, if your budget is super tight, this might only be $5 per pay!  It's not the amount that matters, it's the freedom of having a little bit of cash to splurge!  This will help you feel less deprived on a budget!  I use my "free money" for magazines or eating out with the girls!

3.  We have already talked about groceries being a "cash only" budget category.  You need to think of some other categories that you have trouble with that could go to a cash only budget.  In my house, I take out cash for groceries, pet expenses, date night, and free money every pay.  Each chunk of money is put in their separate places and only spent on the category it is meant for!  I know you don't want me to throw this out there, but if your budget is really tight, you don't get a date night budget.  Am I saying you can't have a date night?  Absolutely NOT!  Date night is very important to healthy relationships.  What I am saying is that until your budget has some extra freed up, your date nights need to be at home and simple.  Movie & popcorn, walks, etc.  Have young kids?  See if you and another couple can do some overnight babysitting for each other to give both couples much needed alone time!

4.  Make it a game!  When I first started my budget, I kept in constant competition with myself to lower the categories I could control!  Seeing it as a contest will help put you in a positive mind set and help you reach your goals.

5.  Finding some extra money in your budget?  How about starting a gift category? Or auto maintenance fund?  Home repairs?

***What happens on the rare occasion where you actually have money left over and all your categories are sufficiently funded?  Start your emergency fund of course!  A what??

An emergency fund is exactly what it sounds like, a pot of money set aside for emergency purposes only and you should start this even if you currently have credit card debt!  (Just make sure you are paying your minimum payments while pulling this together!)   Stay with me on this!  How many times has an unexpected expense made you lose your mind and filled you with panic?  You know, the broken down car, the broken furnace, etc?  Do you know most families have at least one such emergency each year?  And what happens in your life when one of these unexpected events occurs?  Panic?  Trying to figure out which bill you won't pay this month to free up the needed money?  Dropping by your local cash-advance store?  Borrowing from family?  Using credit cards that are already screaming for mercy?

Think of the same things going wrong, but now imagine you have $500 or $1000 in quickly accessible cash just waiting to handle this emergency for you and save you stress!  Think of the difference this would make for your personal well being and sense of security!  That is A LOT of money!   How do you get that money??

1.  Sell things you are not using.  In the day of Facebook Auctions, ebay, Craigslist and consignment shops, this is an easy task!  A side perk of getting rid of unused things is that is clears clutter out of your house too!

2.  Remember that $10 you had left at the end of the money after your bought groceries?  Put it in your emergency fund!

3.  Throw your loose change in a jug and watch it pile up quickly!

Great!  You managed to get $100 just this week!  Now what?  Save it for an EMERGENCY!  Do NOT touch it for anything that is not truly an emergency!  Seriously, this will get very tempting!  It's hard to have $100 or $500 just sitting there doing nothing.  But that's the point!  An emergency fund needs to be where you can get to it NOW, but where you won't completely blow it!  Some financial experts recommend setting up a savings account with ATM only access at a bank other than the bank that has your checking so you will not be tempted to transfer it to your checking!

Having my emergency fund saved my sanity when the catalytic converter went out in the van unexpectedly!  It saved me again when a few weeks after that converter went out (and the day before we were leaving for vacation), the radiator busted!  I was able to fix both without skipping a beat and used the leftover cash when we got back from vacation to help rebuild the fund!  (More on when and how you get to go on vacation later this year!)

Keep plugging away at socking away a full $1000 emergency fund.  Even adding $1 is progress!  It will take time!  It will be very hard to stay out of it, but you MUST!  You only get to spend this money in the case of a true emergency!  Eating out, buying gifts, getting a mani/pedi,  or going on vacation are NOT emergencies!

I know it may seem impossible now.  I remember feeling like it might has well be a million dollars!   Keep adding what you can, no matter how small the amount is!  Once you get your first $100, you will start to relax a little.  As it grows, you will feel calmer and calmer.  You still will need to stay on top of your budget and keep your paws out of this emergency fund money, but there is a sense of peace and calm that comes with having this stash that I cannot even begin to describe and I cannot wait for you to feel that too!

Keep pushing!  YOU GOT THIS!  I have faith in you!!

How I love Kroger ... $44.53 total, with $10.39 in cash back apps and $6 in Catalina Savings!

Total before sales and coupons:  $204.07
Total after sales, without coupons: $143.62


Ok, first, Kroger is still running their sale on 3/$6 cereals and buy 3 cereals, get a free Gallon of milk.
2 Apple Jacks $4 - 2 $0.50/1 coupons printed at Kellogg.com, doubled to $1 each = $2 total
2 Fruit Loops $4 - $1/2 coupon printed from Kellogg.com email newsletter = $3 total
2 Fruity Pebbles $2 - $1/2 coupon from newspaper = $3 total

So, I paid $8 for 6 boxes of cereal and 2 gallons of milk.  BUT, Checkout 51 is currently offering $1 back when you buy 2 Apple Jacks AND $1 back when you buy 2 boxes of Froot Loops.  Kroger is also offering a $3 Catalina coupon when you buy 4 Kroger Cereals.  $8.00 spent - $2 cash back - $3 catalina is like paying $3 total :)

Yoplait Greek Yogurt is on sale for $1 each.  I found printable coupons online for $0.50/1, which doubled to $1 (making them free).  I have 2 computers, so I was able to print 4 coupons.  Kroger is running a special that if you buy 6+ of these yogurts, you get $1 Catalina coupon.  Savingstar is running an offer to give you $1.00 cash back if you buy 5 or more.  $6 - $4 in printable coupons = $2 - $1 SavingStar - $1 catalina is like getting 6 FREE YOGURTS!

Bic had a $3 off coupon in last week's paper.  Razors were on sale for $2.49.  In an extremely add turn of events, the cashier didn't listen to me when I told her the coupons were beeping because the coupon exceeded the cost of them, so she pushed through all 3 coupons, giving me FREE RAZORS and a $1.53 overage!

Candy Bars were on sale for $0.50 each.  I had coupons for $0.50/2 Twix and $0.75/2 PB Snickers.  That made all 14 candy bars FREE!

Uber Bars were on sale for $1.00 each.  I subscribed to their newsletter and was able to print off 4 $0.50/1 coupons, which doubled to $1.00 each making them FREE.  However, SavingStar was offering $0.75 back when you bought 3, so I got PAID to get these :)

Aquafina water $1 - $1 coupon from mail request = FREE

So delicious yogurt = $1.29  I used a $0.55/1 printable coupon to make it $0.19.  Ibotta is again offering $1.00 back when you buy any So Delicious product.  I got PAID $0.81 to buy this!

Bird's Eye Recipe Starters $1.25 each on sale.  Used 4 coupons for $0.75/1, which doubled to $1.25 making them FREE.  SavingStar is offering $1.00 back when you buy one, so I got PAID $1.00 to get these! :)

1 Renuizit Cone Air Freshener $1.49, this is SavingStar's Freebie Friday deal, so I'm getting the $1.49 back making this FREE

Sunbelt Cereal $2.78 - $0.55/1 newspaper coupon (doubled to $1.10) = $1.68.  Savingstar is offering $1 back on any Sunbelt bakery cereal and $0.75 back on any Sunbelt product, meaning I got PAID to buy this too!

1 Liberte Greek Yogurt $1 - $0.30/1 newspaper coupon = $0.40, but SavingStar is offering $0.40 when you buy 1, so this was FREE too!

El Monterey breakfast burritos are $0.99.  I had 4 coupons for $0.50/1 making them FREE.  The coupons scanned as $1, giving me a $0.04 OVERAGE!  I bought 12 more of them using $1/2 coupons from the newspaper.  Total for 16 Burritos, $5.84.

Stacy's bake shop crisps $3.99 each - B1, G1 free coupons I printed last month = $3.99 for both.  However, the girl peeled off $1/1 coupons from each box.  I told her I already had a coupon for those, but she scanned them anyway.  Making these $1.99 for 2 boxes!

Gortons Fish $2.99 - $0.75/1 coupons = $1.49 each * 4 = $5.96, but I got a $2 Catalina back for spending $10+ on Fish or frozen potatoes (those amounts always refer to the before coupon total!)

2 organic Muir Gold Fire Roasted Diced tomatoes $1.69 ea - 2 $0.50/1 internet coupons = $0.69 each

2 Healthy Life half loaves of bread $1 - $0.35/1 newspaper coupons = $0.30 each

6 Pillsbury French Breads $1.50 each - $0.50/1 coupons, doubled to $1 each = $0.50 each

6 P3 snack packs $1.79 each - $0.75 internet coupon, doubled to $1.50 = $0.29 each

5 Hot Pockets $2 each - Kroger digital coupon for $3/5 and 2 printable coupons for $1 off = $1 each

9 bags of Cascadian Farms veggies $2 each, used 2 internet coupons for $0.85 each and 7 coupons (newspaper and printed) for $0.75/1.  This made 2 bags only $0.30 each and the others $0.50 each.

Mrs. Dash seasoning packets $1.29 each - $0.50 newspaper coupons, doubled to $1 = $0.29 each

Recipe Starter pouch $1.69 - $0.50/1 internet coupon = $0.69

Total out of pocket: $44.53
Cash Back coming: $10.39
Catalinas earned $6.00

**A catalina is a long red coupon that prints out at the register that gives you money off your next trip.  I earned a $3 on last week on the cereal deal, but often if you redeem it and are getting the same offer again, it will not print another catalina coupon

Walmart:
2 Belvita breakfast cookies $2.98 each - newspaper coupon for $1/2 = $4.96
Fiber One Fruit Snacks $2 - $0.50 newspaper coupon = $1.50
Campbell Skillet Sauces $1.98 - $1 newspaper coupon = $0.98

Total paid: $7.44
Cash back from Ibotta:  $0.75/1 Belvita, $0.75/1 Fiber One Fruit Snack and $1 back on Skillet Sauce
Cash back from Checkout 51:  $0.50/1 Belvita and $0.75 on Fruit Snacks (making fruit snacks free)

Total after cash back:  $3.69

Rite Aid
3 Reese Eggs $2.50 each
1 Sour Patch Stride gum $1.16

Total:  $8.66
- $2/3 Reese coupon from newspaper
- $2/$6 Reese chocolate purchase at Rite Aid coupon from their Facebook page
-$1/1 Sour Patch Stride gum from Rite Aid Facebook page

Total spent $3.66


Last week, I also stopped by Aldi to get a cheesy hot dog dinner requested by my youngest son and went to Family Dollar to get pop and snacks.  After the above trips, I still have $296.69 left in my grocery envelope!  Just bring it!!

3/9/2014 Walgreens and CVS trips = $17.84 out of pocket and $26.24 back in various rewards :)

CVS
3 bags of Reese's eggs $2.50 each - $2/3 newspaper coupon = $5.50/3 (Plus get $1 ECB back)
1 bag of Strawberry and Creme heart pops on clearance for $0.19
1 Clearasil Refreshing SuperFruit Scrub $7.99 - $0.75 today's paper = $7.24 (Mail in Rebate for $7.24)
1 Clearasil Adult Acne Care $6.49 - $0.75 today's paper= $5.74 (Get $5 ECB back wyb 2 Clearasil)
1 Nature Made Adult Gummies $5.99 - $3/1 today's paper - $2 from red coupon machine last week =                  $0.99 (Plus, get $5 ECB back when you buy 1... so they PAID ME $4.01 to get these :)
1 Lancaster candies $3.99 - $2 red coupon machine today - $1.50 newspaper coupon = $0.49

I also used a $10 Gift Certificate that I got FREE from having the Neilson Mobile Rewards app on my phone, so I used it and my $9.97 in ECB from last week.


Total before coupons and sales:  $47.66
Total after sales, but before coupons:  $34.89
After coupons:  $1.52, plus I got $10 in ECB and am mailing in a rebate for $7.24 on the Clearasil



Walgreens
4 packages of Razors $3.79 each (On Sale, B1, G1 50% off) total of $11.36 - 3 coupons from today's
           paper for $3/1 package
3 bags SweeTart jelly beans $2 each -$1.50 coupon from March booklet -$2/3 internet coupon = $2.50
2 Banana Boat Sunscreen $6.49 each - 2 $1/1 coupons from Facebook= $10.98 Plus 4000 points
1 Colgate toothpaste $3 - $1 coupon from today's paper = $2 Plus get $2 RR FREE
 There was also a coupon from today's paper to get 5000 points when you spent $25
My $2 Colgate printed out as we were ringing up, so she let me use it now and I had $1.50 RR from last week.

Total before sales and coupons: $47.61
Total after sales, but before coupons: $35.32
After coupons: $16.32, plus I earned 9000 points today (which is $9).  I can also submit the sunscreen to my FSA to be reimbursed. :)

Let's go Krogering... 3/7/2014

Kroger is having a great deal on cereal and more this week!  Selected cereal are buy 3/$6, get a FREE gallon of milk.  No limit!  Also, when you buy 4 Kellogg cereal, you get a $3 Catalina coupon off your next purchase!  (You still get a $2 one if you buy 3!)

Total before sales and coupons: $69.95
Total after sales, but before coupons: $46.33

So:
2 Corn Pops $4 (-$1/2 coupon from Kellogg email + get $1 back from Checkout 51 wyb 2)
2 boxes Apple Jacks $4 (- 2 coupons from Kellogg website for $0.50/1, which double to $1 each)
2 boxes Fruity Pebbles $4 (- $1/2 coupon from the newspaper)
2 Gallons of milk $2.89 each (Free for buying the 6 boxes of cereal above, plus $0.50 from ibotta!)
4 Activa yogurts $2.00 each (- $1/1 coupons from last week's paper)
1 Aquafina flavored water $1 (- FREE coupon from facebook promotion)
2 OM Protein snack packs $1.79 each (-$0.75/1 printables from coupons.com, doubled to $1.50)
5 Hungry Jack cheesy hashbrowns $1.39 each (-$0.50/1 newspaper coupons, doubled to $1)
1 Mueller yogurt $1 (-$1 Kroger Friday Freebie ecoupon)
1 4pk King Hawaiian rolls $1.29 ( Savingstar Friday Freebie.. will reimburse the entire $1.29)
2 Snickers PB bars 2/$1 (- $0.75/2 printable, doubled to $1 to make them FREE)
Kraft Shredded Cheese $2.99 (-$0.75/1 coupons.com printed coupon, doubled to $1.50)
Old El Paso Taco Kit $3 (- $0.75/1 newspaper coupon doubled to $1.50, plus $1 ibotta offer)
Halo Clementines $3.49 (- $0.50/1 newspaper coupon, doubled to $1, plus $0.75 ibotta offer)
1 So Delicious yogurt $1.29 (-$1/1 coupons.com printable coupon, plus $1 ibotta offer)
1 Recipe Starters pouch $1.79 (-$0.50/1 coupon from newspaper, plus $0.50 SavingStar)

After coupons: $22.33, plus I got an extra $0.50 from ibotta on the milk bonus for a total of $3.75 in Ibotta rewards, $1 from Checkout 51 and $1.79 from Savingstar.  I also got a catalina coupon for $3 off my next order!


Next, off to Walmart.  I am in love with the Belvita cookies!! And almost all my apps have a deal on them right now!!

2 boxes Belvita breakfast cookies $2.98 each
1 Campbell's Skillet Sensations $1.98 (-$1/1 newspaper coupon)

Total out of pocket:  $6.94 PLUS $0.75 ibotta on the Skillet Sensations and $0.75 on the Belvita ($1.50 total from ibotta), $1 from Checkout51 for the Belvita AND $1.00 from Shopmium for the Belvita.  A grand total of $3.50 back in all!!


On the way out of Kroger, I bought 2 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for $8.00 and then headed to Aldi to buy a pound of jumbo raw shrimp to make hubby for dinner :)  I still have $396.10 left this month because I had so much left from January and February :)

First shopping of March

CVS
4 bags of M&Ms 4/$12
3 cans of Glade Air Freshener $1 each
1 Reese egg $0.89
1 bag of sour jelly beans $0.99
2 boxes Fixadent $4.99 each (I have a friend who uses this and after the ECB and coupon, it was FREE)

Total before sales and coupons:  $37.24
Total before coupons: $26.24

Coupons used:
2 coupons from today's P&G for $2.50/1 Fixadent
2 coupons from today's paper for $1.50/2 M&Ms
1 internet coupon for $2/3 Glade products
1 coupon from the red coupon machine for $1/3 Glade products

Total out of pocket:  $16.91, and I got $9.97 back in ECB for next trip. (Sadly, I didn't have any to use this trip!)

Rite Aid
St. Ives Lotions $6.49 each (Buy 1, get 1 half off)
St. Ives Spray lotion $7.99 (Buy 1, get 1 half off)
2 bags gummy bears 2/$3

Total before sales and coupons:  $31.26
Total before coupons:  $24.18

Coupons used:
1 internet coupon for $2/1 Spray lotion
1 internet coupon for $3.75/$12 in St. Ives
1 Video Value coupon for $1.50 spray lotion
2 coupons for $0.30/1 gummy bear
1 Video Value coupon for $1/2 gummy bears
$15 UPs reward from last week

Total paid out of pocket:  $0.33, plus I am getting $4 back from Savings Star and got $6 back in UP rewards.


Walgreens

Lindt Chocolate bar $2.99
Kellogg Special K Protein coffee drink $1.49

I actually had NO coupons for this, other than a $2 RR from last week.  However, the new app Shopmium wanted to rebate me the cost of the candy bar, and the drink got a $1.50 RR back.  So, I spent $2.59 and am getting $2.99 in cash back and got a $1.50 RR.

February wrap up

Total Before Coupons & Savings			$1,093.85
Total Sale Discount			$383.08
Total Coupons Used			$235.97
Total Savings			$731.80
Total Amount Paid			$374.25
Total % Saved			66.90%
Total Cashback from apps			$33.29
Total Savings with Apps			69.94%

The above is the top of the spreadsheet I use to track my spending.  Keep in mind on this spreadsheet, that it only tracks measurable savings.. meaning, I know I save money by shopping at Aldi, but there is really no way to track exactly how much.  Therefore, Aldi trips show 0% savings.  My splurges also had a 0% savings rate, yet I still ended with almost 70% in savings!

This month, we splurged a lot!  Some of you just did a lol, but let me tell you what I bought out of the $374.25 I spent:

-$24 on Girl Scout Cookies

-$36 on a bacon order

-$32 on Crazy Bread from a school fundraiser

-$20+ in candy for my classroom

-$15 on items needed to donate shredded chicken and buns to a biddy basketball tournament

-$38 in steaks for a special Valentine's dinner

-Lots of candy for the Easter Baskets

Obviously, most people aren't geeky enough to want to track every cent they spend.  Personally, I find it very motivating and believe it helps me keep going because I can see the value in the time I spend doing this.  I saved $731.80 + got $33.29 in cash back this month.  What kind of part time job would you need to see that type of money?  I probably spend 2-4 hours per week clipping, sorting, making my shopping list and actually doing my shopping!

I also helps me keep my grocery pouch money balance.  Every once in a while, the boys will ask me for $5 or $10 and I "borrow" from the grocery pouch.  As soon as I see the money in the pouch doesn't match my spreadsheet, I usually remember what I took out and why.

Check out my other blog posts for recommendations for FREE spreadsheets to track your spending!

Kroger 2/28/14 Shopping trip

6 So Delicious Yogurts $1.00 each
2 boxes Pop Tarts $1.99 each
5 Romen Noodle Bowls 4/$3
9 packages Pillsbury cookie dough $2.49 each
2 bags of Halls cough Drops $1.49 each
3 Boxes Hamburger Helper $1.49 each
M&M $0.79
Snickers $0.79
Minute Maid OJ $2.49
2 boxes Velveeta Shells & cheese $2.49
Trix yogurt $1.99
South Beach Diet Meal Bars $5.99
Cascadian Farms cereal $2.50
Chocolate Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal $2.38
1 Premier Protein bar $1.25
6 bags of Rice Cakes $1.00 each
1 Pillsbury Grands biscuits $1.49
2 cans progresso soup $1 each
8 packages of Hormel pepperoni $1.00 each
5 packages sugardale hotdogs $1.00 each
1 Aquafina water $1.00
1 grapefruit cup $1.50
1 can Blue Diamond Almonds $3.99
3 Speed Stick $1.39
1 OrTega taco seasoning $0.89
1 Nutella spread $2.99
1 Thomas' english muffins

Total before savings/coupons:  $137.69
Total before coupons, but after store sales:  $85.47

Coupons used:
6 $1/1 off any SoDelicious Product (FREE Yogurt)
5 $0.50/1 Sugardale product, doubled to $1.00 each for FREE hotdogs
3 $1 off Speed Stick = FREE
1 $0.50/1 OrTega product -= FREE taco seasoning
3 coupons for $0.75/2 rice cakes, doubled to $1.50 ($0.25 each)
1 facebook coupon for free almonds $3.99 off
4 coupons for $1.00/2 pepperoni
2 coupons for $0.50/1 Nutty poptarts, doubled to $1.00
5 coupons for $0.50/1 Romen Noodle bowl = FREE
9 coupons for $1/1 Pillsbury Cookie Dough
1 coupon for $1/2 Halls
1 coupon for $0.50/2 Progresso soups
1 coupon for $0.75/1 Chocolate Cinnamon Toast Crunch
1 coupon for $0.75/2 Hamburger Helper
1 coupon for $0.75/1 Cascadian Farms product
2 internet printed $0.75/1 Velveeta Shells and cheese
1 Internet coupon for $1/1 Trix yogurt
1 Internet Coupon for $0.50/1 Grands biscuits
1 coupon for $0.55/1 Thomas' product

Kroger Ecoupons for FREE SouthBeach bars, Protein bar, Aquafina and Grapefruit cup from their Friday freebies.

Total After Coupons: $30.71, PLUS I have a total of $11.33 in various Phone cash back apps coming back :)