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.

Purex Triple Action Laundry Detergent

I had never heard of Purex laundry detergent until I started extreme couponing. I had always just used the store brand. As I have said before I hate to spend money on something that is just going to go down the drain, but I am not going to let us wear stinky clothes either. I had acquired a coupon for Purex and thought I would give it a try. I was extremely please after I purchased and used my first bottle of Purex.

I recently received a bottle of Purex Triple Action liquid detergent in the mail to try. It couldn’t have come at a better time, since I was on my last bottle of Purex. The scent was Mountain Breeze. I love a clean fresh smelling laundry detergent and Mountain Breeze smelled great. Not only do I want my clothes clean, but I want them to smell clean too.

Purex laundry detergent is very thick liquid detergent. I like a detergent that doesn’t have a lot of  extra water. I used the new triple action formula on my sons white sheet he uses for nap time at his daycare. There were a couple of stains on his sheet, since he drools a lot while sleeping. After the wash was complete, I pulled this piece out first. I was amazed there were no longer any drool marks on the sheet. I was able to smell Purex Triple Action as soon as I opened the washer. Not overpowering, but a clean fresh scent from my washer. I love the smell of clean, fresh clothes.


Overall I liked the way Purex Triple Action laundry detergent cleaned my clothes and my clothes  smelled so fresh. 

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This article was written as a review for Purex Triple Actionlaundry detergent. Purex provided me with a free sample to test and review. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own.

25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 22

Join Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

December 18, 2011

Featured Blog - Parga's Junkyard

After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in addition to Fibromyalgia I finally understood why as much as I love the Christmas Holiday Season it always seems to wear me down and almost always would bring on a month long flare! Just how does one enjoy the season and not feel guilty about using the word "No" or "I just can't do that" when family and friends invite you to all those Holiday outings and parties?

Demands and expectations around the holidays can really affect and show in people whose invisible illnesses were hardly noticeable the rest of the year. Those of us that deal daily with what are known as "invisible illnesses" spend so much of our energy working and handling the daily chores of living throughout the rest of the year that we have little time left for socializing. Because of this we are often seen by others as "lazy" or as "homebodies" or worse yet those that don't know better accuse us of being "reclusive". Come the holidays however we are all expected to show up and contribute somehow to holiday doings....and usually not just one family party but the office parties, as well as other church and social obligations. The demands of all this makes enjoying the "happiest time of the year" so often miserable and painful for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Crones Disease or other Auto Immune Disease, or any one of the huge variety of "invisible illnesses" that are out there. Join Parga's Junkyard here for a few tips and tricks to making your holidays a little more bearable, a little less painful and a whole lot more enjoyable when dealing with any chronic illness.

Do you have a Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up on our linky below to share your posts! Or if you are one of our readers just click on the Linky to see more Christmas posts to check out!

Whatever Wednesday - Amy's Awesome Sausage Casserole

I wanted to share with you my family’s favorite casserole. This breakfast sausage casserole also happens to be a great meal you can cook from your stockpile. There are not really any special ingredients for this dish. I am one of those cooks who can look in the cupboard or refrigerator and whip something up that tastes pretty good on a whim. I get this from my dad and watching a lot of Rachel Ray. It is about finding flavor profiles of dishes and sticking to that. 


One day I was watching a food network show about casserole winners. I watch a lot of Food Network. I saw a lady prepare a casserole and she said the basics are just a few ingredients Cream of Chicken or Mushroom Soup, pasta, a meat and cheese. I said I can do that. So I ran to my pantry and refrigerator to see what I had along those lines. This is the recipe I came up with. I typically measure with my hands for this recipe, so I had to throw the ingredients into a container to see how much it came out to be. Feel free to make adjustments as you think your family will like it.

Amy’s Awesome Breakfast Sausage Casserole

Ingredients:

1lb Breakfast sausage

1 lg onion (optional) this is my secret veggie I add to the dish

1 package bow tie pasta (you can use any pasta, I used bow tie because it looks fancy)

1 can cream of mushroom

1 can cream of chicken

½ can of milk

8oz cheese

2.8 oz Fried onions or small can of fried onions

Preheat your oven to 350.

First put your pot on to boil for the pasta. Once it is boiling pour in the pasta to cook.

Be sure to get a large frying pan or start this in a big pot. You need to fit all the ingredients listed above in one pot. You can use several, but I don’t like cleaning more than I have to.

If using onion, fry onion in a little butter or oil until translucent. 

Then add breakfast sausage and brown the meat and drain.

Open the Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken soup and put them in the pot. Pour milk into one of the cans about half way and add that to the pot. You can get a measuring cup and add about half a cup. But again I don’t like to dirty something I am going to have to clean. Stir this until it looks smooth and starts to simmer. Add ½ the package of cheese and ½ the container of French fried Onions.

Test the pasta for aldente, it is ok if it is a little under cooked it will cook more in the oven. Drain the pasta and add that to your big pot. Stir all the ingredients together.

Spray a 9X13 in pan with cooking spray. Pour all of the ingredients in your casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and fried onions on top. This makes the top crunchy. I think this is why everyone in my family loves this recipe. Place in the oven for 30 minutes. It should be bubbling around the edges when you take it out. As my two year old would say yuuuummmmy!

~   ~   ~

It is a little difficult for me to write this recipe for Breakfast Sausage Casserole, since I just use a couple of handfuls of this and a couple of handful of that. So if you use the exact recipe and want more or less please do so. That is how to become a better cook, by making small adjustments to your tastes.

I would love to know if you try this recipe. I haven’t really shared it with anyone and would love to know if your family enjoys this Breakfast Sausage Casserole recipe. I know my family loves it!

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25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 21

Join Parga's Junkyard as we share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of Christmas

December 21, 2011 Features It's Not Over til You Quit

Do you have a favorite Christmas book? Has it changed since you were little? The books I read at Christmas have changed but I still love the idea of have specific books for Christmas. Right now my favorite Christmas book to read with my nephews is the Hawaiian version of the night before Christmas. It's nice to bring that piece of my childhood alive when I live so far away and remember reading books about snowy Christmas' on Christmas eve wishing I could experience that!

Come on over to It's Not Over Til You Quit to see how reading this Christmas book goes in my house and hear how you can enjoy Christmas no matter where you are!

Do you have a Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up on our linky below to share your posts! Or if you are one of our readers just click on the Linky to see more Christmas posts to check out!

25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 20

Join Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of Christmas

December 20th, 2011

Featured Blog - Allergy Free Vintage Cookery

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the chance to share special meals with friends and family... but what can you do if some of your loved ones are allergic to your favorite traditional foods? It can be tricky to avoid gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, fish and nuts... the most common food allergens. But take hope! I've searched the internet to find delicious recipes that are free of the top 8 allergens, and I've collected them here with photos and links to inspire your own holiday feast! (click for more).

 

Do you have a Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up on our linky below to share your posts! Or if you are one of our readers just click on the Linky to see more Christmas posts to check out!

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.


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25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 19

Coupons For Wisconsin has joined up with Parga's Junkyard and many other holiday-lovin' blogs to bring you tips to get you through the craziness of this season!

25 Days of Christmas

December 19, 2011

Featured Blog - Coupons For Wisconsin

Even with everyone looking for a little more help in tight economic times, individuals seem to be feeling extra charitable over the last year. I am not going to go into all the details, but to make a it short, dollars donated have increased 1.3% from 2010 to 2011. Surprising, right? But as more is being donated, more is also needed. Holidays tend to bring more awareness to charities, and donation opportunities are presented at almost every retailer you visit. How do you react to these opportunities?

Do you donate every chance you get?

Do you throw a handful of coins into the Salvation Army's red bucket once or twice?

Do you do whatever you can to avoid contact with the donation seekers because you literally don't even have a penny to give?

Just last year, I was in the last category. In a way, I still am in that last category! But I have discovered alternative, more creative ways to give to others besides pulling cash out of my pocket. Join me in the joy of helping strangers celebrate this magical season, and explore how you too can donate on a dime.

Do you have a Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up on our linky below to share your posts! Or if you are one of our readers just click on the Linky to see more Christmas posts to check out!

25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 18

Join Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of Christmas

December 18, 2011

Featured Blog - Larissa Hill Designs

Christmas is about traditions, old and new. Whether it is the sweet smell of holiday delights originating from the kitchen, the treasured Christmas ornaments, everlasting Christmas movies or the simple stockings hung over the fire with care, each and every holiday tradition, reminds us of the Christmas spirit in our hearts. Here are a few of my favorite traditions that I look forward to every holiday season....

To Read Entire Post Go to Larissa Hill Designs...

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25 Day of Christmas - Day 17

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25 Days of Christmas

December 15, 2011

Featured Blog - Childhood Myths

Finding Joy and Happiness in Family Traditions

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness, right? Now don't get all "Bah! Humbug!" on me! Concentrating on what makes the holiday special for your family does take some work - mostly mental!! Do you know what traditions are important in your family? Can you find and share your own joy and happiness with those closest to you?

Here are some of the things that our family has come to value and love over time.....

Read Complete Blogpost HERE!

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25 Days of Christmas - Day 16

Join Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of Christmas

December 16, 2011

Featured Blog - ClipperGirl's Saving Spot

The Christmas season can be stressful if we feel that we have to spend lots of money on gifts for friends and relatives. My family has decided to eliminate some of that stress by including hand made gifts this year. I will show you how to use the items below to make a gift that any grandparent, parent, aunt or uncle will cherish more than all the electronics that money can buy.

Click Here to Continue Reading Post...

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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.

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25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 15

In just 10 days it will be Christmas! Please come join me over at My Simple Walk, for a countdown. I will have my family's top 10 all-time favorite Christmas movies, the 10 best songs of the holiday season, and 10 last minute, make in less than a day, gift ideas with patterns and instructions for each! Shhhhh....There may be a few other surprises as well.
Grab a warm mug of cocoa, turn on those Christmas tunes, and sit a spell with me on December 15th, for the 10 Day Christmas Countdown!

25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 14

 It's a pleasure to be sharing in this special blog share, The 25 Days of Christmas,  started by the Parga's Junkyard Blog. I hope you check out the other blog posts sharing the holiday season with 24 bloggers who have joined forces to make this season a bit more magical..

25 Days of Christmas

 The Bunnies of Christmas...

 Often the Holidays can be a difficult or lonely time for those who have no family or friends nearby, or are left behind because it is difficult to manage having one come to visit for a holiday visit-perhaps due to constraints of illness.  Or sadder still, whether through ill family relations or neglectful family, the elderly or disabled family member is left behind.

It is usually difficult for an elderly or sick person in a nursing home, hospital, or assisted living facility, who receives few or no visits, to watch others receive visits or go out during the holiday season.  I have seen this first hand, having worked in nursing homes, a rehab hospital and mental health facility for about 18 years. Even the smallest gesture is appreciated by these people and can mean a lot.

Go to Rabbit Slippers to read more...

25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 13

Join Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of Christmas

We are celebrating Christmas with "Cowboy Style" this year. Stop by The Freshman Cook and see what we have rustled up, as we prepare 5 different food gifts "For the Cowboy in all of Us "!!

Do you have a Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up on our linky below to share your posts! Or if you are one of our readers just click on the Linky to see more Christmas posts to check out!

 

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! 

25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 12

Join Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of Christmas

December 12, 2011

Featured Blog - Tiara's and Bowties, Think Smink!

Shimmery Christmas Ornament

So I had planned on knocking your socks off with an amazing tutorial for a wintery glitzy lamp shade for Christmas decorating. You know how it is, you have this idea in your head and it's going to be simply stunning... then you set out to recreate your vision and... big fat fail! Ended up looking like a big white glittery blob! What's one to do when they get oh so stressed out over not one but 3 failed attempts?

Move on! So move on I did!

I bring you the glitz in another wonderful little trinket anyone can do, even got the kids involved to make one too!

Click Here to Continue Reading Post...

Do you have a Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up on our linky below to share your posts! If you are one of our readers and would like to see more Christmas posts click on the Linky below!

       

25 Days of Christmas Blog Share - Day 11

Join Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of Christmas

December 10, 2011

Featured Blog - Empty Nest

Having an empty nest can make the holiday season not quite as festive as it was when the kids were growing up. It has now become an annual event that is not only a low-country tradition but also assures the nest won't be empty during the holidays!

 

Join me at Empty Nest for a Christmas celebration that began once our nest became empty three years ago.

Do you have a Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up on our linky below to share your posts! Or if you are one of our readers just click on the Linky to see more Christmas posts to check out!

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.