Friday Finals 01-06-12

Friday Finals are here again! I am looking forward to all of your savings this week. Be sure to visit other site so you can learn of other great deals out there. If you are new to Extreme Couponing, one of the best ways to learn how to save money on your grocery bill every week is to look at how others do it.


I went to Tom Thumb right when we got back home New Years Eve to get some milk and a couple of other items. I spent around $11. But I can’t find the receipt. I know I got Martha White Muffin Mix FREE using $0.35/1 tripled RP 11/13/11.

Walmart 01/02/12

1 10 lbs bag of Potatoes $3.77

1 1lb Great Value Mozzarella Cheese - $3.22 – WOW! Great deal with no coupons

1 Baking Soda $0.58

2 Minute Maid Berry Juice Box $2.98 – 2 $1/1 Minute Maid Juice Boxes Printable, NLA

            -Final $1.98 each

2 Carmex Lip Balm $0.98 – 2 $1/2 Carmex, RP 10/30/11

            -Final $0.48 Each

2 Eight O’Clock Coffee $4.88 – 2 $1/1 Eight O’Clock Coffee Campbells Booklet

            -Final $3.88

1 Ovaltine Malt $3.48 - $1/1 Ovaltine printable- Little face loves this

            -Final $2.48

12 Cans Allen’s Trappey’s Beans $0.78 each – 4 $0.50/3 Allen’s products SS 12/11/11

            -Final $0.61 each – Cheaper than GV brand

4 Cans Libby’s Corn $0.75 each - $1/4 Libby’s vegetables RP 11/13/11

            -Final $0.50 each

I spent $35.54 and saved $9.00 on $44.54 worth of groceries this trip. Little face loves warm Ovaltine in the morning. He drinks the Ovaltine Malt with no chocolate. Poor guy is allergic to chocolate just like I was when I was little. I grew out of it, thank goodness. Walmart is the only one who carries it around here.

Tom Thumb 01/03/12

2 Clorox Wipes 35 count $3.79 – B1G1, and $1/2 Clorox Wipes

            -Final $1.40 each

1 Oscar Mayer lunch meat $4.99 – Store Coupon $2.49

            -Final $2.49

I spent $5.51 and saved $7.30 using coupons and store discount on $12.81 worth of products. Just found out you can print the Scotch Bright B1G1 coupons for Walmart. They are $1.60 at Walmart. That makes them $0.80 each. Great deal Print to stock up now!

CVS 01/03/12

1^st Transaction

2 Oral B Powered Toothbrushes $5.99 each

2 Oral B Satin Floss $2.99 each

1 Theraflu Warming $6.49

1 Ribbon ½ price $1.49

Used:

2 $3/1 Oral B Toothbrush

1 $3/1 Theraflu Warming Liquid

1 $5/$20 purchase

2 $3 ECBs

1 $2 ECB

1 $2.50 ECB

1 $1 ECB

Received:

$4.00 – For Oral B Toothbrushes

$2.00 – For Oral B Floss

$1.00 – Bag Tag

OOP:

$0.63

2^nd Transaction:

4 Nivea Lip balm $2.50 each

Used:

2 $3/2 Nivea Lip care

$4 ECB from previous transaction

Received:

$5 ECB for $10 Nivea Purchase

OOP:

$0.00 + $1.00 Money Maker

I went to my regular CVS and they did not have any Nivea lip balm anywhere. They had several displays completely picked clean. I had to take my son to the dr. later in the week and stopped by a different CVS on our way home to pick up his medicine (not listed since it was a prescription.) I noticed they had the Nivea luckily I brought my coupons with me and my CVS bucks from the previous transaction.  So altogether I spent $0.63 for all the items pictured above. This could have been all free if the first CVS had the Nivea to begin with. The two older kids were excited I gave them the Nivea to put in their backpacks to take to school.

Altogether this week I spent $52.68 for food and necessary items and saved $48.80 on $101.48 worth of groceries and necessary items for my family. Please note I chronicle all food purchases, toiletries and cleaning products I purchase for my family. This goes to show you how to still buy great food and household items on a small budget and save a ton of money.

Stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook or join me at Pounds4Pennies on BlogFrog community for more great savings. 

How did you do this week? Did you have any fabulous shopping trips you would like to share? LINK UP your savings here. The best way to learn how to save is to see how others do it. I get a lot of tips by visiting my followers who link up here.

Friday Finals 12-23-11

It has been a crazy shopping week this week. I probably have done twice as much shopping as I normally do trying to finish up all my Christmas shopping for everyone and shopping for food deals. I will post them as soon as I can find my receipts. Funny how I managed to keep up with my Christmas purchases and kept the receipts for those, but I can't find my receipts for groceries. I have a few more place I can look, but I wanted to get the linky up soon.

Stop by to check out the awesome savings for top three most viewed links from last week here at Pounds4Pennies:

Frugality is Free

Coupon Counselor

Homemaking Mom

Tom Thumb I spent around $24.00

Tom Thumb round 2 I spent $20.00

CVS

2 Honey Maid Graham Crackers $2.50 each - $1/2

            -$2.00 each

Walgreens 


1 12pack Toilet Paper $5.00

Sprouts $10.00

Total I spent around $63.00. A little over, but I am not blowing the budget. 

Stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook or join my Pounds4Pennies on BlogFrog community for more savings.

Link up your savings/shopping results for the week here. Be sure to visit others site so you can learn how to save more. I know I always find other deals I missed. It is the best way to learn.

Money Saving Monday - Grocery Budget

Some of you are wondering how I can have such a small budget of $60 for a family of five and still eat healthy and good food. Here are a few things I do to keep my budget down.

I have a ridiculously low budget for all my toiletries per week. Since I have started learning the basics of extreme couponing, I have found I can budget around $5.00 each week on items such as toilet paper, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, makeup, hairspray, soap ect... This is my budget for all of my toiletries for a family of five. That is $1.00 per person per week.

How is this even possible? I usually buy these items at the drugstores near me CVS or Walgreens. I am always amazed how many items I can get for free or close to free by using the drugstores reward program. Read my Extreme Couponing at the Drugstore post to learn more. Since I get most of my toiletries for free, this really helps stretch my $5.00 budget pretty far. Most toiletry items are used and then thrown away in the trash such as toilet paper and razors. I hate spending my money on things that get thrown away. I might as well just take my money and throw it in the trash too. Boo on that.

Here is how I can get most of these items for FREE or close to free. I LOVE FREE. I scan the ad for the drugstores to see if there are any FREE items for the week. Usually there are one or two items for free each week when combined with their reward program. I will always pick these items up. Especially if it is a food item. If we will not eat, I can always donate it. Then I look to see if there are any items we use. It doesn’t matter if we need it or not right now. If it is something I know I can use and it is at a rock bottom price and I have a coupon for it, I will pick it up. I will then have this item when I need it and I got it at the lowest price possible.

This is different way of thinking and shopping from how I normally used to shop. If I can stock up while the item is at its lowest price, then I will not have to spend more money when I actually need it. I can shop from my stockpile instead of going to the store and paying full price. I always dreaded having to add deodorant and toothpaste to my shopping list for the week. There was my $5 right there. And I only got two items for that $5. I hated knowing this would take money away from my extremely limited grocery budget. Basically this was taking food out of our mouths for things we needed, but could not eat.

We don't need razors every week, so if I get a razor for free I still have five dollars in my budget to spend on other things we may need. This is how I maximize my saving on my very limited budget to buy necessity items for us. I can't stand having to spend money on items I have to throw away. If I can get them for free, it makes me happy! I love free! Then I can spend money on nutritious food for my wonderful family.


Stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook or join my BlogFrog community for more savings.

Money Saving Monday - How to Save With a Kroger Plus Card

How to Save More With a Kroger Plus Card

Even though Kroger has taken away the double and triple couponing you can still save at Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card. Some people have even decided to give up on couponing altogether. Let’s face it we no longer really shop, we are shopping to save. I want to show you how to get the most savings from shopping for groceries and things you need even without using coupons. First go to Kroger and get your Kroger Plus card. You need to make one small purchase to take advantage of the online e-Coupons. Buy a gift card.

GIFT CARDS

Right now is a great time to buy gift cards at Kroger. You can receive 4 times fuel points you spend on gift cards towards gas purchases. If you buy one $25.00 gift card, that is 100 point or $0.10 off per gallon of gas. Kroger has a wide selection of gift cards you can purchase. I do all my gift card shopping at Kroger in order to save big on gas.

GAS

I usually fill up our SUV at Kroger, since I get such a great savings on gas. Gas is one area that is very difficult to save in a budget. We all use gas and it is not going away or going down in cost real soon. I might as well get as much savings as possible whenever I can on gas. I do this buy shopping at Kroger.

e-COUPONS

Not only does Kroger have e-coupons online, but they also have and app you can download to load coupons directly onto your Kroger card. Each week Kroger adds new coupons you can add to your card, so check back often. They have coupons for store brand items too. You can’t go wrong with adding coupons to your card. This applies to all Kroger affiliate companies too. I traveled to Arizona this summer where they have Fry’s stores and my e-coupons worked there too. This is great especially for someone who doesn’t want to clip and use coupons. However, Kroger will not allow you to use a digital coupon and a paper coupon together. If you have a better paper coupons, just remove that ecoupon from your card.

There are other e-coupon sites where you can load coupons to your cards too. Take a moment to sign up for UPromise and  Savings Star and easily load digital coupons to your card. Come back here after you finish.

Savings Star is great site, since these coupons are tied to your card, but they are not loaded to your card. You can load as many coupons as you want. You register your Kroger Plus card  and when you use it the savings will sit in an account until you reach the limit to redeem a FREE gift card. I LOVE FREE!


BUYING NECESSITIES

I like to purchase things like milk, eggs and my papers at Kroger. I need to buy these things nearly every week why not get the benefit of extra saving on purchasing them here. Milk is the same price at Walmart, Kroger and Tom Thumb. There may be a sale here and there and I will take advantage of those, but for the most part milk is the same price. Kroger usually has a better price on eggs than Tom Thumb, so I buy my eggs at Kroger. I spend around $10.00 to purchase 4 papers every week. So I will get 10 Kroger fuel points for just purchasing my papers there.

CREDIT CARD SAVINGS

Credit Cards are a good way to get additional savings. This sounds crazy right. How can you get savings from a credit card? This will only work if your credit card is paid in full at the end of every month by not carrying over a balance that will earn you additional interest. However, some credit cards offer a percentage cash back for all purchases made on that card or you could have a card that accumulates airline miles for each purchase you make with that card. Therefore you are making money by purchasing things you already need. This is a good way to replace your debit card for making purchases. This does take a little getting used to using your card this way, but you have to remember you are going to pay this off at the end of the month this is not a loan.

RECAP

Let’s have a little recap of way to get the most out of using your Kroger Plus Card:

1. Gift Cards - 4 Times Dollar Amount for fuel Points right now

2. Gas – savings from Fuel Points

3. e-Coupons – Just click and load

4. Buy Necessities – Milk, Eggs, Papers, ect…

5. Credit Cards - + 2% or more additional savings on Cash Back Credit Cards or FREE miles

Now go out there and start saving! 

Friday Finals 12-09-11

I did quite a bit of shopping this week. Since I did so much shopping when it was freezing outside, my cold got worse. I was on the couch all day Wednesday and went to bed early that night. I drank a lot of hot tea with lemon and honey, since I had laryngitis for three days this week. Good thing this is not a video blog, no one could hear me. I am still sick, but feeling much better. If you would like to find more deals be sure to like Pounds4Pennies on FACEBOOK or join me in my Blog Frog Community. If you want to show a little love vote for Pounds4Pennies at TOP MOMMY BLOGS.

Visit last weeks most viewed for more inspiration:


Homemaking Mom
Blessings Multiplied
My Road to Savings

Kroger – 12/06/11

4 Barrilla Pasta $1 each - $1/2 Barrilla coupons Printable emailed coupon

            -Final $0.50 each

I spent $2.00 and saved $3.52 on $5.52 worth of Pasta. The savings reflects the stores normal price of $1.38.

CVS 12/06/11

2 Garnier Fructis Hair Gel $3.99 each

1 Listerine Mouthwash $3.69

1 Luvs Diapers $6.99

2 CVS MultiViatmins B1G1 $7.29 each

1 Candy Canes $1.27

3 Cards $10.27 – these are not in my grocery budget

USED:

2 $1/1 Garnier Fructis Hair item RP 10/30/11

1 $1/3 American Greeting Cards – RED BOX Coupon

1 $1/1 Listerine MouthWash RP 01/09/11

$1 ECB

$10 ECB

Received ECBs:

$3.00 for Garnier Fructis items

$3.00 for Cards

$1.27 for Candy Canes

$2.00 Diapers

$1.00 Listerine mouthwash

I paid $22.49 and saved $15.00 on $37.49 worth of items at CVS this week. I got one jar of vitamins, 1 card and 1box of candy canes for free this week.

SPROUTS 12/06/11

0.94 lbs Dried Cranberries @ $2.99 lb

            -Final $2.81

1 Jar Sunbutter $5.99

1 Jar Texas Honey $3.99 – Used up the rest drinking honey and lemon for my throat.

I spent $12.79 at Sprouts this week. I have two children that cannot eat peanut butter. I buy them sunbutter made from sunflower seeds. So far this one tastes the best. My daughter didn’t like the soybutter and I like that the sunbutter is more natural and tastes better. It is expensive, so I use it sparingly to try to stay within budget.

Tom Thumb 12/06/11

2 Nature Valley Granola Bars $2.99 each – Store Coupon $1.11

            -Final $1.88 each

4 Krusteaz Cookie Mixes $2.69 -  B1G1, 2 $1/2 peelie coupon right below box!

            -Final $0.85 each

2 Gallons of Milk $2.99 – On Sale $1.99 each

I paid $11.12 and saved $11.61 on $22.73 worth of groceries. This is pretty good, since I also bought milk this trip.

Walmart – Can’t find receipt

1 Package Walmart Pull ups $8.49 – Not feeling well, forgot coupons

1 Dishwashing gel $2.49 – I think

I spent around $10.98 this shopping trip.

Overall I spent $59.38 minus cards $53.11 for family budget this week. I saved $28.61. Still under budget and bought diapers twice this week. I didn’t buy a lot of food, but did get some pantry staples for my house. How did you do? I love seeing how all my readers did. Sometimes I find great deals too! Looking at how others shop helps others learn how to use coupons.

Friday Finals 12-2-11

I am taking part of a Blog Share Exchange were we all feature one article on our site each day about Christmas until Dec. 25th. Please stop by and visit these awesome blogs. Each has a thought or craft idea for Christmas. I will be featured next Friday. I can't wait to share my craft with you and all my new readers.


Please take a moment and vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs. One click = One Vote. I would love to try to get five votes today. Thanks in advance for voting for me. 


Stop by these wonderful blogs to see how they shop. Here are the clickiest views from last week:


Saving A Bundle
The Intentional Momma
Coupon Story

I seemed to do a lot of shopping for not really needing anything. Goes to show you should NEVER shop while you are hungry. I will usually grab one or two free cookies or snacks they have out to help curb my appetite while I am there.

I took one big picture of everything I got instead of individual pics of each store. I will update throughout the day a breakdown of each store. So stop back by.


Kroger


2 French Style breads $0.50 each Manger Special
2 Kroger Tortilla Chips $1.00 each
1 Carnation Dried Milk $2.00 - $0.50/1 Carnation Dry Milk RP 09/25/11
1 Whole Wheat Bakery Bread $1.00 Manager Special
2 Whole Wheat Tortilla $1.50 each - I love these whole wheat tortillas
2 Nutrigrain Bread Whole Wheat BOGO $4.09
     -Final $2.05 each


I spent $12.59 and saved $4.59. I mainly purchased discounted manger's special bread and tortillas, so my savings is much greater, but it is not listed on the receipt. I have been going lately and they have not had as much bread in the discount area. I was surprised. That is probably why I bought so much. Most Kroger purchases are on the right hand side of the picture.


Sprouts 


.48 lbs Cherry Vanilla Granola @ $1.99lb
     -Final $0.96
.80 lbs Dried Cranberries @ 2.99lb 
     -Final $2.39
1.28 lbs Whole Wheat Flour @0.69lb
     -Final $0.88
1 Package Rosemary - $1.25
1 Arrowhead Mills Buckwheat Pancake Mix $3.00 - $1/1 Arrowhead Mills product Printable
     -Final $2.00
1 Arrowhead Mills MultiGrain Pancake Mix $3.00 - $1/1 Arrowhead Mills Product Printable
     -Final $2.00
4 Packages Black berries @ $0.69 each
1 Celery Stalk $0.89
5 Hass Avocado @ $0.69 each
2.67 lbs Zucchini @ $0.77 each
3.81 lbs Tomatoes @ 0.69 lb
2.61 lbs Sweet Potatoes @ $0.69 lb
3.28 lbs Yellow Onions @ $0.49 lb


I spent $24.68 and saved $2.00. I purchased a lot of fruits and veggies. I plan on making some soups and freeze them this weekend. I might have the crock pot and the stove going all weekend. The cold has set in here in Texas. I like to cook and bake to keep the house warm. I make multigrain pancakes and I mix different pancake mixes together to provide higher protein pancakes so the kids don't have a carb crash at school after eating the pancakes. I am making sun dried tomatoes in the dehydrator this weekend. YUM!


Tom Thumb
1 Hershey Cocoa Powder $1.54 (Manager Special) Nothing wrong with package
2 Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies $2 each - $0.50/2 doubled SS 11/13/11
     -Final $1.50 each
1 Sea Pack Fish Sticks $4.99 - $2/1 WYB Birds eye Veggies Store Coupon
     -Final $2.99
2 Grands Biscuits $0.99 each - $0.30/2 tripled GM 11/13/11, $0.99 Price Store Q
     -Final $0.54 each
1 Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh meat $2.49 - $2.49 Store Q


I spent $11.10 and saved $13.46 on Groceries. I even picked up some Cocoa on Managers Special. I didn't see any thing wrong with the cocoa. I inspected it and Exp is in 2013. I plan on making some homemade cocoa for gifts this year.


Walmart


1 Pull Ups Huggies $9.47 - $2/1 Walmart 11/06/11
     -Final $6.47
1 Benadryl Cream $3.88 - $2/1 Any Benadryl Product RP 06/19/11
     -Final $1.88


I spent $10.17 and saved $4.00. I purchased diapers on this visit. This will soon be my last purchase of diapers we are ALMOST there. Little face has #2 down and will tell me when he needs to go. We are working on #1. He always goes when I sit on the potty, but he just doesn't tell me when he needs to go. Someday soon he will make the connection. I just know it! Any words of encouragement are greatly appreciate here.


I spent $58.54 Under Budget!


So how did you do this week? I can't wait to see what others have purchased this week. Be sure to come back to visit someone else's shopping trip to see if you can learn something new too!

Money Saving Monday - Cyber Monday Shopping

This is cyber Monday today. I have listed several sites I recommend to get some great deals today. I love all my readers and to show me how much you care if you could take take one second and support me at Top Mommy Blogs that would be wonderful. It is very easy. One click = One vote. Thanks for taking the time to vote for me here. 


Coupons
New week = New Coupons be sure to print yours now. HOT $0.75/1 International Delight Coupon. PRINT NOW. This one won't last long.


Guys - Hard to Shop for
I find it is so hard to buy for guys in my family. I found this company last year and they have great deals going on right now on hundreds of items even for guys. I just Love, Love, LOVE this place.  I find buying something personalized for a guy is a great gift to give. Especially if it is something they are going  to use. My husband frequently travels, so I got him a small travel bag with his initials on it. He loves it and enjoys using it on all his trips. They have so many neat things to shop for here. I know you will find something for at least one person on your list. They have gifts for everyone. It looks like nearly everything is on sale, too!

 

Coupon Codes for Today ONLY! Order now!

PMALL5D - $5 Off Orders of $25 or More

PMALLSHIP75 - On-Site Deals - Today Only!

PMXMAS10 - 10% Off Holiday Orders

Gift Card Ideas


Here is a great site where you can shop for many different Gift cards at the same time and location. They will send you a bill and you can pay securely through your bank. You are not giving your account information to several different retailers risking your personal financial information getting stolen. This is a more safe and secure way to shop this holiday season. You can even earn up to 10% cash back on each gift card purchase. Then you can do a little shopping for yourself. Happy Holidays to you!

Money Saving Monday - Stockpiling

I wanted to write about stockpiling today, since we are in another season where it is good to stockpile items. If you have noticed all the baking supplies in the stores have gone on sale. It is baking season and it is time to stockpile on all your baking supplies. Each season has different items you want to stockpile.

Here are a few items that are on sale right now at most stores and have great coupons to match:

Yeast

Sugar

Canned Soup

French Fried Onions

Corn Starch

Flour

Chocolate chips

The time you want to stockpile and item is when it is FREE or 70% off retail price. I will be making a list and publish it soon of what I found to be my rock bottom or stockpile price for an item. I started my extreme couponing hobby in Feb. of this year and I have now seen all four seasons and I am more familiar when to stockpile an item and when to wait. I used coupons before, but I would only clip the ones I was going to use and when I went to the store the next time I would buy that item. I shopped at Walmart so the prices didn’t change. Or so I thought. Walmart does change their pricing and they do have sales on items. Especially this time of year. Walmart will change prices about once a month or once a quarter depending on the season and the item.

At first this is difficult creating a stockpile. You need to manage having enough food for your family to eat each week and create a stockpile. You may wind up spending more in the first month, but once you acquire a lot of coupons and a lot of variety of items and learn the sales cycles, you will be a pro in no time. If I can learn how to do this, so can you. After the second and third month you should start to see a significant savings in your grocery budget. You will find your list of items you need will decrease, and you spend more money on less expensive items. Saving you money all around.

In order to stockpile you will need a large number of coupons to combine them with the sales. The more coupons you have the easier it is to match up with the items on sale. The general rule of thumb is to purchase as many papers as there are members in your family. I purchase 4 papers and clip the coupons from those in order to match them with the sales when they come along. I print additional coupons on items I really think my family will eat. But normally four papers will do it for us. I can then purchase four of the sale item and create my stockpile when that item is at its rockbottom price and this will be enough to last me through the next time this item will go on sale. You don’t need to clear a shelf of an item. That item will go on sale again and it will have a coupon to match.

I am now at a point where I have a great variety of food to where I can buy at the rockbottom price and still have enough to eat. This takes around four to six months before you have a wide variety of food in order to do this. Stockpiling takes time. If you are like me trying to stockpile and are on a very strict budget it is difficult to accomplish both, but I like a challenge.

Here is what my stockpile looks like.

My pantry

Canned and Baking goods

Boxed items, cereal, breakfast items, Boxes meals, Pasta

My laundry room shelf with juice, Paper towels, a few other items

A shelf in my closet with my bathroom items

Friday Finals Kroger- Mega Event, Tom Thumb, Walmart 11/18/11

It has been a busy week for me. I have done two weeks worth of shopping this week. I will not be shopping next week, but I will still have a shopping linky. I might have two, one for grocery deals and any Black Friday deals you want to share. Let me know if you would like to see two to see other deals people have gotten.

Visit these ladies sites to see other great savings trips. TOP Three Visited Sites Last Week:

Family Fun on a Small Budget

Grocery Shop for FREE at the MART

HomeMaking Mom

If you are still new to couponing, now is the time to stock up on all your baking needs for the year. This is when you will find your lowest prices and great coupon matchups on items like sugar, corn starch, baking powder, yeast and more. Be sure to check expiration dates when stocking up for a long time. There is no sense in buying something to last a year even if you have a coupon, only find the expiration date is 6 months out. However, items like sugar never expire, so grab what you can to stock up now. I was so excited when I saw Tom Thumb had really great store coupons for the month of November that matched with a lot of regular coupons I had for baking items making them FREE or really cheap. Remember Tom Thumb will double or triple one coupon. So I had to make a couple of trips. This store is on my way to take my son to school, so I didn’t feel like I was wasting any gas making the extra trips. I am trying to stock up for the rest of the year for all my baking needs now and stay within budget. This is challenging.

I have decided I am not going shopping in the grocery stores next week. It will be way too crowded, so I doubled my budget for this week to make up for it. Since I am still working on growing my stockpile, I am a tinsy bit over budget. But I did a lot of shopping this week. Here are the results:

SPROUTS 11/15/11

1.71 lbs Whole Wheat Flour @ $0.69 lb - $1.18

1.11 lbs Broccoli @ $0.77 lb - $0.85

1 32 oz Stonyfield Yogurt $2.50 - $1/1 Sprouts magazine

            -Final $1.50

1 32oz Stonyfield Yogurt Vanilla $2.50 - $1/1 Sprouts magazine

I spent $4.98 and saved $2.05 on $7.03 worth of produce and yogurt this week. If you use your own bags at Sprouts you get a $0.05 credit for each bag you use.

Tom Thumb 11/14/11

1 Safeway Mac and Beef $0.99 – Catalina Print FREE Safeway MAC and BEEF

            -Final FREE – I LOVE FREE

1 Wesson Best Blend oil $3.99 – Store Q $0.75/1, $0.30/1 tripled

            -Final $2.34

2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.99 – B1G1 Store coupon

            -Final $0.99 each

1 Wheat Bread $1.50

I spent $5.83 and saved $6.74 on $12.57 worth of food. I went because the mac and beef coupon was about to expire. I will probably donate this when my daughter has a canned food drive this Feb. at school. We have enough Chef already at our house.

Tom Thumb 11/15/11

1 Crisco Shortening Sticks $3.39 – Store Q $0.50/1, $0.50/1 Doubled

            -Final $1.89

1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix $1.79 – Store Q $.50/1, $0.75/ Cake and Frosting purchase

            -Final $0.92

1 Betty Crocker Frosting $1.69 - $0.75/ Cake and Frosting purchase

            -Final $1.32

2 Kraft Parmesan Cheese Tubs $2.50 – 2 $1/1 Peelies found at store

            -Final $1.50 each

2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.99 – B1G1 Store Coupon

            -Final $0.99 each

1 Mission Tortillas $2.19 – Store Q $1/1

            -Final $1.19

2 Dole Tropical Fruit $1.25 – Store Q $0.99 each, $0.50/2 Doubled

            -Final $0.49 each

1 Argo Corn Starch $1.39 – Store Q $0.50/1, $0.30/1 tripled

            -Final FREE – I LOVE FREE

1 Safeway Marshmallows $1.09 – Store Q $0.50/1

            -Final $0.59

1 Fleischman’s Yeast $1.79 – Store Q $0.50/1, $0.30/1 Tripled

            -Final $0.39

2 Bisquick 40oz $2.99 – Store Q $1.00/2, 2 $0.50/1 Printable 1^st Doubled

            -Final $1.99 each

1 McCormick Vanilla 1oz. $3.39 – Store Q $1.50/1

            -Final $1.89

I spent $19.46 and saved $25.97 on $45.43 worth of retail groceries this week. The receipt printed all weird and different on this transaction, so I did my best trying to make it all match up. The regular price for the item printed all at once, then the Reward Card savings printed, then the Store Q, then the Manufacturer Q’s. It was hard to read, but it looked like every transaction took. I went back to the same Tom Thumb later in the week and it printed fine.

Tom Thumb 11/17/11

1 Marshmallows $1.09 – Store  Q $0.50/1

            -Final $0.59

2 Cans Pineapple $1.25 – Store Q $0.52/2, $0.50/2 Dole Pineapple

            -Final $0.49 each

1 Fleischman’s Yeast $1.79 – Store Q $0.50/1, She missed my coupon here $0.40

            -Final $1.29

1 Crisco Stick Shortening $3.39 – Store Q $0.50/1, $0.50/1 Crisco Product Doubled

            -Final $1.89

1 McCormick Vanilla 1oz $3.39 – Store Q $1.50/1

            -Final $1.89

1 Argo Corn Starch $1.39 – Store Q $0.50/1, $0.30/1 Argo corn Starch tripled

            -Final FREE

I spent $6.63 and saved $8.76 on $15.39 worth of groceries. I am stocking up for the holidays and on baking items for the rest of the year. I may do one more small trip to Tom Thumb this week to get the free or close to free items.

Kroger 11/15/11 MEGA EVENT

MEI = Mega Event Item $0.50 off of item

2 Gallons Milk $1.99 each

2 18count Eggs $1.88 each

1 Turkey Bacon $2.00

1 Bananas $1.18

10 Del Monte canned Veggies $1.00 – MEI

            -Final $0.50 each

3 International Delight Creamer 32oz $2.49 – MEI, 1 $0.75/1 Kroger E-Q, $1/2 Int’l Delight creamer

            -Final average $1.40 each

2 I Can’t Believe it’s not Butter $2.49 – MEI, 2 $1/1 ICBNB Q

            -Final $0.99 each

4 Hormel Turkey Pepperoni $2.99 – MEI, $0.55/2 Hormel Pepperoni Products

            -Final $2.22 each

4 Pringles Cans $1.49 – MEI, $1/4 Pringles Q

            -Final $0.74 each

1 Cool Whip $1.49 – MEI

            -Final $0.99

1 Hillshire Farms Lunch Meat $3.49 – MEI, $0.35/1 Hillshire Lunch Meat

            -Final $2.64

3 Kleenex Tissue $1.49 – MEI, $0.50/3 Kleenex boxes

            -Final $0.82 each

2 Honey Grahams $2.97 – MEI, $1/2 Nabisco Products

            -Final $1.97 each

2 Ritz Crakers $2.00 - $1/2 Nabisco Products

            -Final $1.50 each

2 Kroger Tuna $0.69 - $0.40/2 Kroger E-Q

            -Final $0.49 each

1 Heluva Dips $1.50 - $0.75/1 Heluva Dips

            -Final $0.75 each

1 Carnation Dry Milk $2.00 - $0.50/1 Carnation Dry Milk

            -Final $1.50

2 Nutri Grain Bread B1G1 $4.09

            -Final $2.05 each

I spent $55.50 and Saved $48.45 on $103.95 worth of groceries retail. This should have been more.  As I was reviewing my receipt I noticed a few price discrepancies that should have made it more like 50% savings. I am now stocked up for the winter on baking and canned goods, which is something my pantry was lacking. I can’t wait until the frozen veggies go on sale in a few months. I really would rather buy frozen, but canned it good when you need something fast.

Walmart 11/17/11

2 Huggies Slip on diapers $9.47 – 2 $3/1 Slip on diapers

            -Final $6.47 each

1 Millstone coffee $11.88 - $2/1 Millstone K-cup

            -Final $9.88 each

1 Celestial seasonings Chai Tea $2.28 - $1/1 Celestial Seasonings Tea

            -Final $1.28

1 Eight o Clock Coffee $4.88 - $0.75/1 All You

            -Final $4.13

1 White Chicken Chili Pack $1.08

2 Minute Maid Juice $2.98 – 2 $2/1 Minute Maid Boxes Printable

            -Final $0.98 each

2 lbs Sweet Potatoes $0.65 - $0.33 lb. TIME TO STOCK UP. You can cook these and freeze them

1 Marzetti Pepperocini $1.72 - $0.50/1 ALL You

            -Final $1.22

1 Ovaltine Malt $3.48 - $1/1 Ovaltine

            -Final $2.48

4 Libby’s Veggies $0.75 - $1/4 Libby’s Veggies

            -Final $0.50 each

2 Nestle Cocoa 6 pack $1.00 - $0.55/1 Printable

            -Final $0.45 each

I spent $40.02 and saved $17.35 with coupons for $57.37 items at Walmart. There were a few coupons on items that I wanted and didn’t want to wait to try to fit them into the budget, so I just got them without having to keep coming back and work them into the budget each week. Some of the coupons were close to expiring, so I used them instead of wasting that coupon.

GRAND Totals for the week. I spent $132.42 and saved $109.32 on $241.74 worth of grocery and household items this week for two weeks worth of shopping. I am a little over, but I can make that up in the next weeks.

How did you do this week? Did you stock up on baking items? Share your results below, so others can learn from your savings trips.