Friday Finals - Kroger Mega Event & Tom Thumb

It has been announced that we are officially out of the drought here in North Texas. This is really good news for us, since our lake is now only 5 feet under normal levels. At the end of summer we were 16 feet and falling. If we did not get rain this winter, we were going to be restricted to only drinking and bathing water. I was trying to explain this to my daughter, she said we could just drink milk. I love the way a child’s mind works. She is 10 and I want her to have an understanding of the world and how each thing is connected. So I had to tell her without water the cows won’t have anything to drink or eat either. Then I saw her little light bulb go off right above her head.

*   *   *

Now on to shopping. We had an awesome Link party last week with 26 entries. Stop by these sites to be inspired to save. Here are the top Links from last week:

Homemaking Mom

Frugality is Free

Coupoing Away Debt

To find out when the new Friday Finals are posted Like Pounds4Pennies on Facebook.

Here are my shopping trips for this week:

Tom Thumb 02/02/12

3 Wolf Brand Chili $0.99 each - $0.75/3 Wolf Brand

            -Final $0.75 each

2 Mission flour tortillas $0.99 each Store coupon

1 Starkist Tuna Pouch $1.19 - $0.50/1 doubled Tuna Pouch RP 01/01/12

            -Final $0.19

I spent $4.39 and saved $10.27 on $14.39 worth of groceries this trip.

Tom Thumb 01/31/12

1 Pillsbury Frosting $1.99 - $0.35/1 tripled Pillsbury frosting or Brownie mix expired

            -Final $0.94

1 Starkist Tuna Pouch $1.19 - $0.50/1 doubled Tuna Pouch RP 01/01/12

            -Final $0.19

2 Bear Creek Soup mix B1G1 $4.49 - $1/1 Bear Creek Soup mix SS 10/23/11

            -Final $1.75 each

2 18 count eggs store coupon $1.99 each

2 Clorox wipes $1.99 each - $1/2 Clorox wipes expired

            -Final $1.50 each

2 Mrs. Bairds Bread B1G1 $3.19 - $0.55/1 Mrs. Bairds bread SS 01/22/12

            -Final $1.32 each

I spent $14.47 and saved $17.89 on $32.36 worth of Groceries this trip.

Kroger Mega Event 1/31/12

            MEI = Mega Event Item $0.50 off

2 Garden of Eatin Chips $2.19 each – MEI

            -Final $1.69 each – I forgot my coupon for $1/2

4 Goldfish crackers $1.49 – MEI

            -Final $0.99 each

2 Welch’s Essentials Juice $2.49 each – MEI, 2 $1/1 Welch’s Essential Juice SS 11/06/11

            -Final $0.99 each

1 Pullups $9.49 - $3.00/1 Kroger ecoupon

            -Final $6.49

2 Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers $2.49 each – MEI, $1 Ritz Crackers Printable NLA

            -Final $1.49 each

10 Cans Hunts Tomatoes $0.98 – MEI, 2 $0.40/2, 2 $0.60/3 Hunts Printable coupons

            -Final $0.28 each * Stockpile item

1 Hummus Clearance Section $0.99

1 Millstone K-Cup Coffee $7.99 - $2/1 Millstone K-Cup RP 12/11/11

            -Final $5.99

I spent $29.27 and saved $28.08 on $57.35 worth of Groceries this trip. I bought organic chips, whole wheat crackers, all natural juice and all natural hummus using coupons and sales.

I spent $48.13 and saved $56.24 worth of groceries and necessities this week. I love to save more than I spend.

Want to reduce your grocery budget checkout my

How to Start Couponing Beginners Guide

Find more great deals join Pounds4Pennies BlogFrog community or stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook  for MUCH MORE great savings and deals and steals.

One of the best ways to learn how to coupon is to read others posts and you will also find more deals. If you stop by leave them a comment. Link up your savings trips here, or leave a comment so we can see how you did this week. How did your saving trips go this week?

Friday Finals - Kroger, Tom Thumb, CVS and Sprouts

I have been super busy this week. I am planning my stepson’s birthday party. We are hosting a Wii party this year at our house. I can’t wait to share the pictures of all the things I have made to make this a great birthday for him. There was not a lot of stuff out there for Wii party ideas, so I had to come up with a few of my own. I will take lots of pictures and share on Wednesday.

I am also a team coach for my daughters DI team. DI is a great organization where the kids put on a skit based on criteria provided and also have an instant challenge. It teaches leadership and developing new skills. Any and all schools can participate, even homeschooled children. You just need to get a team together. We are in our build phase for our set and I have been having girls over at my house painting, sawing, drilling. Whatever it takes to get the job done. Needless to say I am exhausted.

With these two events going on this week, my life has been a little chaotic to say the least. I did manage to get some shopping in. My grocery bill is a little over budget, but some of these items are for the party. As you may also see, it is mainly snacks. We had run out of just about everything except crackers. So I made sure we stocked up. We will see how long this holds us over.

Tom Thumb 01/23/12

3 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers $1.00 each

            -Final $1.00 each

1 Pepperidge Farm Naturals crackers $2.50 - $0.50/1 Pepperidge Farms Natural doubled

            -Final $1.50

4 Boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.77 – 2 $0.75/2 Nature Valley Granola Bars

            -Final $1.40 each average – WE LOVE THESE

4 Betty Crocker Simply Fruit roll ups $0.99 must by 4 – 2 $0.50/1 Betty Crocker Fruit Roll ups, one doubled, one did not

            -Final $0.62 each average

1 Package Black Beans $0.99

2 Pace Picante sauce $1.99 - $0.50/2 doubled Pace Picante Sauce

            -Final $1.49 each

2 V8 Fruit Fusion $1.99 - $1/2 V8 Fruit Fusion Printable

            -Final $1.49 each

1 V8 Fruit Smoothie $1.99 - $1/1 V8 Fruit Smoothie

            -Final $0.99

1 Pillsbury Frosting $1.99 - $0.35/1 Pillsbury Brownie or frosting

            -Final $0.94 – This is for the party

2 7 Ups $0.88 each – This is for the party

1 Starkist Tuna $1.19 - $0.50/1 Starkist Tuna pouch

            -Final $0.19 – Great Deal! STOCK UP!

2 Bear Creek Soup B1G1 $4.49 - $1/1 Bear Creek Soup

            -Final $1.75 each – Unadvertised deal

3 Kleenex Tissues $0.85 each - $0.50/3 doubled Kleenex tissues

            -Final $0.52 each

1 Loaf French Bread $1.99

I spent $32.68 and saved $51.06 on $83.74 worth of groceries and products for my family. I found several unadvertised deals at Tom Thumb this week. Some are good until the end of February.

Kroger 1/24/12

5 Boxes Barilla pasta $1 each – 5 $0.55/1 Barilla Whole Grain Pasta

            -Final $0.45 each

2 lbs. Kroger Cheese $2.99 each

2 Bags Tortilla Chips $1.00 each – One for the party

4 Progresso Soups $1.00 - $1/4 Progresso Soups

            -Final $0.75 each

4 Brawny Paper Towels $1 each – 2 $1/1 Brawny Printable, 2 $0.55/1 Brawny Printable

            -Final $0.23 each

4 Angel Soft Bath tissue $1 each – 4 $0.45/1 Angel Soft Bath Tissue

            -Final $0.55 each

I spent $16.59 and saved $18.71 on $35.30 worth of groceries and products at Kroger.

Tom Thumb 01/24/12

1 Pepperidge Farm Naturals crackers $2.50 - $0.50/1 Pepperidge Farms Natural doubled

            -Final $1.50

1 Starkist Tuna $1.19 - $0.50/1 Starkist Tuna pouch

            -Final $0.19

1 Whonu cookies $2.50 - $1/1 Whonu cookies

            -Final $1.50

4 Mrs. Bairds Natural Bread B1G1 $3.19 - $0.55/1 Mrs. Bairds Bread

            -Final $1.32 each

I paid $8.47 and saved $13.07 on $21.54 worth on retail groceries. I am able to make two Tom Thumb trips each week, since this is on the way home from my taking my son to his Mommy’s day out program at my church.

Sprouts

4 Voskos Green Yogurt $2.00 each

           

I spent $8.00 on my favorite yogurt this week at Sprouts.

CVS

2 Gallons Milk $3.29 – 2 $1/1 Oak Farms Milk, $1 ECB

            -Final $1.79 each, Received $2 ECBs

I spent $3.58 on really good milk at CVS this week and saved $3.00.

This is everything for the week. I spent $69.32 and saved $85.84 on $155.16 worth of groceries and necessary items my family needed this week. I am over budget, but I did buy several things for the party this week. It doesn’t look like there is much I want for next week.

Want to find more great deals? Join Pounds4Pennies BlogFrog community or stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook  for MUCH MORE great savings and deals and steals.

How did your shopping trips go this week? Leave a linkup below and share a comment.

Friday Finals - 01-20-12

I am still recovering this week from my nasty cold and trying to get caught up on the loads of housework that needs to be done. But I feel so much better. Did more shopping this week and more savings. I scored FREE theraflu this week at CVS see below. I could have used this last week. 


Here are the links that were the clickiest from last week. Stop by to see their awesome savings and say Hi:

My Road To Savings

Couponaholic

Saving Myself Silly 

Kroger

10 Bush Beans $0.57 each average (they were $0.54 & $0.59 each)

1Gallon Milk $2.38

4 Libby’s Veggies $0.62 each - $1/4 Libby canned Vegetables RP 11/13/11

            -Final $0.37 each

1 Package 12 K cup coffee $7.69 - $2/1 Millstone K-Cup RP 10/23/11

            -Final $5.69

Total spent $15.25 and saved $12.23 on $27.48 worth of groceries this week. I bought more beans for pantry stock up items. This was mainly a pantry stock up trip.

Tom Thumb 1^st trip 01/15/12

1 Fritos Scoops $1.99 sale – We had Fritos pies for dinner. YUM

2 18 Count Eggs $1.99 each

1 Sweet Potato fries $2.19

1 Potatoes O’Brian $2.19

1 Milk $2.38

2 Hormel Lunch Meat $2.49 – 2 $0.50/1 (One doubled) Hormel Lunchmeat SS 01/08/12

            -Final $1.74 each average

3 Hunts Snack Packs $0.99 sale – $0.45/3 doubled Hunts Snack Pack SS 01/01/12

            -Final $0.69 each

2 Quaker Oatmeal instant $3.39 B1G1

            -Final $1.70 each

1 Pillsbury Brownie Mix $0.99 sale - $0.35/1 tripled Pillsbury Brownie or Frosting RP 11/06/11

            -Final FREE – I LOVE FREE

4 Chef Boyardee $0.89 sale - $0.50/4 doubled Chef Boyardee SS 01/01/12

            -Final $0.64 each

I used $2.00 off my next purchase and a $1.00 off my next purchase catalinas that printed last time. So I basically got my milk for free this week.

I spent $20.92 and saved $22.88 on $43.80 worth of groceries this trip. I have been going to Tom Thumb more, since I can use double and triple coupons. I have been finding better deals at Tom Thumb vs. Kroger.

Tom Thumb 2^nd Trip 01/17/12

3 Sliced cheese $2.00 each

1 Imperial Margarine $0.69

1 Hormel Lunch meat $2.49 - $0.50/1 doubled Hormel Lunchmeat SS 01/08/12

            -Final $1.49

1 Pillsbury Brownie mix $0.99 sale - $0.35/1 tripled Pillsbury Brownie Mix or Frosting RP 11/06/11

            -Final FREE – I LOVE FREE and I got two boxes

I paid $8.19 and saved $7.19 on $15.38 worth of food retail this trip. I went back mainly for the lunch meat and brownie mix.

SPROUTS

2 Bell Peppers @ $0.49 each

5.23 lbs Onions @ $0.49 lb.

            -Final $2.56

I spent $3.54 on produce this week.

CVS

5 Theraflu 8count $1.99 each

1 Pediacare Fever reducer $4.99

1 CVS Double Pack Womens Multi-Vitamin -$8.99

Used:

5 $2/1 Any Theraflu product SS 12/04/11

1 $1/1 Pediacare Product Printable

1 $2 ECB

1 $1 ECB

20% off my order $1.91

Received $2 ECB

OOP:

I spent $8.02 and saved $15.91 on drug store products this week. I got 5 packages of Theraflu for FREE this week. A total of 40 pills for free!

Altogether I spent $55.92 for the week and saved $58.21 for the week on $114.31 worth of food and health care needs. I am little over budget, but I didn’t get out much last week due to being sick. So it will all work out in the end. I still had more saving than half this week.

I feel my pantry is pretty stocked right now. In February it will be a year since I have started extreme couponing and my pantry is stocked more now than it ever has been. I like that I have food to cook at any time. I can also make just about any meal or snack, since I already have most of the ingredients for anything I may want to cook. Even if the kids suggest something I usually have the ingredients to make whatever they want. This has allowed me to stay at home and still cook nutritious meals and snacks for the kids.

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

How did you do this week? The best way to learn is to visit others sites to see how they save. Please leave a comment if you don’t have a blog to share or just leave a comment. I love to hear from you.

Friday Finals 01-13-12

I still have this nasty cold, I think maybe it has turned into a sinus infection. I am very stuffy at times and other times I can breathe fine. Everyone had been really good, since I have been sick. I have had to let quite a few mommy duties go this week. The clothes are washed, but they are in a big pile in my room. So if anyone needs anything they can rummage through the pile to get it. I hope to get that done today. I went to pick something up for dinner on Wednesday night. I didn’t even feel like making a freezer meal and the hubby was out of town. We made it cheap and ate at a Taco place. The kids loved it. I got my favorite thing, but I could not taste it. With me being sick I am way under budget this week. I went shopping twice and that’s it.

Top Three Clickest last week. Stop by and say hi to these fabulous shoppers:

Savings is Free

Homemaking Mom

Shopaholic Savers

Walmart 01/07/12

1 White Frosting Mix $1.28

1 Cilantro $0.44

2 Great Value Chick Peas $0.68 each

1 Lime Juice $0.88

1 Golden Butter Cake Mix $1.25

2 Hillshire Farms Cocktail Sausage $2.50 each - $1/2 Hillshire Farms Cocktails Sag. Printable NLA

            -Final $2.00 each

I spent $9.21 and saved $1.00 for $10.21 worth of groceries here. Doesn’t sound like much, but I forgot to get a few things I wanted. I was trying to make it a quick trip.

Tom Thumb 01/10/12

3 Boxes Rice a Roni $0.89 each

1 Fiber One Granola Bars $1.99 - $0.40/1 doubled Fiber One Granola Bars Printable

            -Final $1.19

1Fiber One 90 Cal Bars $1.99 - $0.40/1 doubled Fiber One Chewy Bars Printable

            -Final $1.19

4 Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.79 each – 1 $0.75/2 GM 01/08/12

1 Frosted Toast Crunch $1.99 - $0.50/1 doubled Cinnamon Toast Crunch Printable

            -Final $0.99

3 Kikkoman Soy Sauce $1.89 each - $1/1 Kikkoman Soy Sauce Found under Product

            -Final $0.89 each

4 Cans Chef Boyardee $1 each - $0.50/4 doubled Chef Boyardee

            -Final $0.75 each (ON SALE $0.89 Fri, Sat, Sun, at TOM THUMB)

1 Pie crust $2.99

2 International Delight Creamers marked 50% off $3.28 - $0.55/1 Int’l Delight Creamer 12/11/11

            -Final $0.27 each (The receipt took off an additional $0.82, I don’t know why)

6 Yoplait Yogurts $0.60 each - $0.40/6 doubled Yoplait Yogurt Printable

            -Final $0.47 each

I spent $24.85 and saved 25.02 on $49.87 worth of groceries at Tom Thumb. The receipt printed differently than it normally does and some coupons were hard to find on the receipt. It seems every time I go to that Tom Thumb I get a different type of receipt and it is difficult to decipher.

Well I spent $34.06 and saved $26.02 on $60.08 worth of groceries this week. I am way under budget due to my cold.

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

How did you do this week? Share your savings trips below. It is great to see how others save, so you can learn how to save too. Stop by and leave a comment if you visit someone shopping trip.

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 Final 12-16-11

I see the sun! I see the sun! It has been nearly a week here in Texas with no sun and raining for three days. While we need the rain due the drought, we are all going a little stir crazy. I have been trying to find some creative things for me and little face to do. I think he is more than ready to get outside today.

I am trying to still stay within my grocery budget while shopping for additional food Christmas gifts. This has been an amazing challenge. As I have said before, I love challenges. I am still under budget again this week. Can I get a woot woot!

I also wanted to say I document all my food and family necessity purchases here. I have noticed some coupon sites only document what they spend at a certain store or just what they bought with coupons. I document all my fruit and produce, milk, eggs, diapers, vitamins and ect… I want to show you how to buy real food for your family for a small budget and how to save money while using coupons to save even more money. I want to share my tips with you to stay connected join Pounds4Pennies on Facebook.

A quick click below for a vote at TOP Mommy Blogs would be an easy and nice gift for me.

KROGER 12/15/11

3 Chex Cereal $2.00 each - $1/2 eCoupon from Kroger – I want to make some Chex Mix

            -Final average $1.66

1 MillStone Coffee $7.69 - $2/1 K-cup RP 10/23/11

            -Final $5.69

1 Carnation Instant Dry Milk $2.00 - $0.50/1 Carnation Dry Milk RP 09/25/11

            -Final $1.50

1 Butterscotch Chips Kroger $1.79 - Needed these for some cookies I want to make

1 Whole Wheat Artisan Bread $1.00 Managers Special

1 Huggies Diapers $4.89 Managers Special!

2 18 count Eggs $1.88 each

I spent $24.03 and saved $8.62 on $32.65 worth of groceries. It is more around $16.00 in savings since the diapers and bread were managers special they do not reflect in the savings.

WALMART 12/10/11

2 Wolf Brand Chili $2.00

8 Cans Libby’s Veggies $0.75 – 2 $1/4 Libby’s Canned Veggies 08/28/11

            -Final $0.50 each

1 Carmex Lip Balm $0.98 - $1/1 Carmex RP 10/30/11

            -Final FREE + $0.02 overage

4 Johnson RED + First aid Kits $0.97 each - $1/1 Johnson Red + item SS 11/06/11

            -Final FREE + $0.21 Total Overage

2 Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa $1.28 each - $0.50/2 Swiss miss Hot CoCoa SS 11/13/11

            -Final $1.03 each

1 Can GV Tomato Paste - $0.44 – For yummy chili

1Benadryl Itch Pen $2.28 - $2/1 Benedryl Product RP 06/19/11

            -Final $0.28

2 Arm and Hammer Washing Powder $3.24 each - $1/2 A&H Washing product

            -Final $2.74 each

I spent $15.20 and $9.50 coupon saving on $24.70 of household items. I am planning on making my own clothes washing soap soon.

SPROUTS 12/10/11 

Picture with Walmart Items above.

.91 Lbs Rolled Oats @ $0.74/lb - $0.67

2 Stoneyfield Yogurt $2.79 – 2 $1/1 Stoneyfield Yogurt coupons Sprouts Magazine

            -Final $1.79 each

I spent $4.25 and saved $2.00 plus more, since there was a sale on all bulk items.

TOM THUMB 12/10/11

8 Progresso Soups $1.11 – 2 $1/4 Coupons

            -Final $0.86 each

I spent $6.88 and saved $12.24 from sale and coupons on $19.12 worth of soup.

I spent $50.36 this week and saved $32.36 on $82.72 worth of family necessities this week.

Stay connected to Pounds4Pennies on Facebook.

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.