I'm still here!

Due the the holidays and my stockpile, I haven't been shopping as much or as carefully and sort of fell off the wagon a bit. With sales and decent coupons having slim pickings, it did not help my enthusiasm. After the new year, I will start tracking my yearly savings. (Excluding gatorade.) Hopefully the new year brings some good deals my way. The disadvantage of living off your stockpile is having to replenish it, but I am thankful that is has been there when I haven't felt like shopping. It is also a sense of security to me when uncertain times are on the horizon.

I have tons of expireds to clean out of my binder, as well as several inserts to cut, sort and file. A fresh start for the new year. See you in 2009!

Shopping trips from 11/03

As you can see, I've been behind on the blogging lately. I just haven't been feeling well.

Kmart -
2 tshirts, 1 pair of shorts for DD for next summer. $2.97 for all

Joann Fabrics -
1/8 inch hole punch $2.09 (needed to finish making some Christmas gifts)
mini alphabet flashcards - .50c
halloween pez dispenser - .99c
3 inch sponge roller with damaged packaging - .20c
4 sheets damaged scrapbook paper - .12c each
small painting canvas - .50c
book for DD - $1
Spent $6.05 (including tax)

Price Chopper - Spent $72.35- Saved 34.65 (Including about $35 of mom's stuff.)

Deals include -
Stroeman's bread - B1G1 sale, used 2 55./1 coupons (doubled)
free gallon chocolate milk (used free milk cat)
Spiral ham - $1.99/lb - $13.41 for the smallest one I could find (Christmas dinner)
4 packs starkist pouch tuna, $1.59 sale, used 4 $1/1 coupons
2 PC brick cheese - $1.99 each

Redner's -
7 gatorade at $3.29 each - $23.03 total
2 halloween tubs - .75c each
1 kids bandage - .99

Spent - $2.58 excluding gatorade

Walgreen's - A rather expensive trip!
Spent $20.66 Saved $11.62

6 wriglys gum - B1G1 sale, used B1G1 coupons - free
5pc bag of hair accessories - $2
2 dawn dish soap - sale .99c , used1 .50/1 coupon
2 wet and wild cosmetics , B1G1 sale
can opener $4 (my old one kicked the bucket!)
elvis beanie baby $6 (Christmas gift)
Disney Princess tumbler - $3.99, Mercedes chose to buy this with her own $$

My mom also got some of the swanson broth and celestial tea that was on sale and shared 3 of each with me.

Price Chopper from 10/30

Spent - $62.03 Saved $22.89 Gatorade - $4.79

Not a great trip, to be honest.

Deals include -
2 Fanstaskic all purpose - sale $2, used 2 $1.50/1 coupons
2 loaves arnold's bread - sale B1G1 used 2 55/1 coupons
I also got large boxes of washing soda ($2.99) and borax ($3.79) for making my own laundry detergent. It does not seem like a great price, but they will last a very long time.

Oopsie.. bad redner's trip

Just keeping it real. Trip to Redner's from 10/27

Spent - $51.55 Saved , $2.00 in Qs (no store card here) Gatorade - 4 @ $3.29 ($13.16)

Got :
4- lipton 1.5liters sale $1 each
2 hidden valley ranch dressing - $3.25 each
3 bags hershey kisses, sale for $2.99 used $1/3 coupon
3 cans cambel's gravy -two rang up $1.25 and one rang up .50c - used $1/3 Q
1 lb turkey breast - $4.30
pringles - .89c
Gatorade - 4 @ $3.29 ($13.16)
Lemon juice - .99c
Pepper - $1.75
38 count box of coffee singles $6.99 (ouch! cheaper then buying 2 small boxes tho.)
juice boxes - $1

Juice boxes and pringles were for DD who wasn't feeling well and chose to hang out in the car with my mom. Gravy and hershey kisses are for thanksgiving/christmas. I've got almost everything now (other then perishables) for thanksgiving cooking and baking. I will probably pick up the rest in the next week or two. The lemon juice and pepper, well it's the cheapest place around here I've seen them and I have none in my stockpile.

Lazy blogger!

Stopped at Aldi's the other day to pick up a few things. Spent $56.30

Some of the things I got..
5- 2lb boxes of spaghetti - $1.69 each
2 boxes boxes popcorn shrimp - $1.89 each
size 6 snow pants - $9.99 (yeahhhh! These should also fit for 2 years.)
2 5lb bags of sugar - $2.14 each
2 5lb bags of flour - $1.99 each
3 lb bag of onions $1.49

Christmas apparently comes early around these parts. Yesterday, my washer came! No more dragging stuff to the laundromat and wasting all my quarters! (Except blankets as there is no way they'd fit in my itty bitty washer.) Last night I used 1/4 cup of liquid detergent and the clothes came out great. They also did not dry stiff, except for one pair of Mercedes jeans. I will start adding some vinegar as a fabric softener when I wash jeans. I have a bottle or two of laundry detergent left and then I will be making my own using the following recipe. I will probably continue using 1/4 cup of detergent.

2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax
1 bar grated fels-napa laundry soap


Now.. I've never liked laundry, and I've always got baskets of clothes around the house that never seem to be put away. I'm going to try and change this habit. I now have no excuse, other then room for things to dry, not to be keeping up with laundry. The small load size is perfect for being able to wash every day. I can also fit about two loads of clothing from the washer onto the drying rack I have. I'm going to get another rack so it will be easier when big things like sheets or towels get washed.

I was also recently gifted with a lot of craft materials for free. This will definitely help the Christmas budget this year as I should be able to make at least a few more things. Not that I have any idea what to make! Later tonight I plan on working on two calendar kits I bought on clearence at Joann's awhile back. I paid less then $2 each for them and it will make a nice little gift for my mom and MIL. I've got both of them about half finished. I'm also knitting a scarf for SIL, but I'm really not liking the way it's comming out. I may start over, I just can't find the time to knit lately. I am also planning on making a few throw pillows for Mercedes' room. I should be able to get 2 or 3 out of the material I purchased for a few bucks in the remanant bin.

Price Chopper, Walgreens, Redners

I went back out today to pick of some of this week's sale items. I'm running out of room to put my goodies!

Walgreens -
Spent 20.96 Saved 36.43

8 country crock margarine - sale 2/$3 used $1/2 coupons
4 rolls bounty basic - .39 each after Qs
Purse - $2.50 clearance
2 rolls wax paper was supposed to be .89c ea but she never took off the in ad coupon.
2 wag paper plates - .99c each
4 bottles pert plus - .51c overage each after Qs and ESR Q
2 Jane makeup B1G1 - used $2 Q, $1.49 for both

It really annoys me when there are mistakes on my receipt! It is always super busy in there and it happens all the time. (Unless my friend checks me out, 'cause she usually notices if something rings up wrong.) I'm not happy to have to go back and deal with the managers over $2, but I will because it's $2 I shouldn't have spent in the first place.

Price Chopper - Why do I spend so much money here? :(
Spent $55.78, Saved 20.73

Worth mentioning:
Ragu B1G1 + some coupons (I had a few different ones.)
Swanson Broth B1G1 and used $1/6 Q
Crystal light $1.99, used 50c Q (doubled)
squash, .69c lb

Redners
Spent - $48.19 Saved $5.72 (Qs only) Gatorade - $16.45 (5 gallons)

Worth Mentioning:
Cascade rise- used free item coupon
Swiss miss hot chocolate - 10/$10 sale
4 boxes of poptarts - .75c each after sale and Qs
nearly 5lb apples, .68c/lb

Price Chopper and Redners, doing some stocking up

Price Chopper -

Spent - $72.09 Saved $53.19

The loot worth mentioning -
14 green giant boxed veggies - $1 a box after coupon
18 knorr lipton sides - 66c each after coupon
1 roll marcel tp (used free item Q)
3 bags green giant steamers - 79c a bag after coupon
2 Top care alcohol wipes .29c each after store coupon
3 packages reduced produce, 2 of bananas 1 of green peppers about $3.30 for all
3 whole chickens 88c/lb
box of whiskas cat food pouches - $1.99 after doubled pet Q

Redners

Spent - $65.31 Saved - $8 (Qs only) Gatorade - $13.16 (four gallon)

Deals worth mentioning

Yesterdays News Litter - .59 (used free item Q, but they only take up to $5 at this store)
cooking onions -69c/lb
2 gallons vinegar $1.89 each
2 large pumpkins at $3.98 each
smuckers uncrustables - used free item Q
turkey breast $4.98/lb

Now, I'll explain about the gatorade. I buy mass quantities of it unfortunately. I've decided to stop counting it with my spending/savings unless for some reason I find more coupons for it. I feel it really makes my savings inacurate. From now on I will be listing when, how much and the total price for all gatorade purchased.

Kmart and Price Chopper from last week

Yes, I'm a little behind. These were from Oct. 3rd.

Price Chopper
2 boxes of gogurt - used 2 $1/1 store Q (close to sell by date), 1 $1/2 Man Q
6 boxes stove top stuffing - b1g1
I can't believe its not butter - used free item Q
2 fruit cups, used 2 55c/1 Qs ( doubled up to $1) so free
something else for $1.77 that I can't remember what it was..

Spend $9.43, saved $13.54

Kmart

circular knitting needles - marked down to $2.50
sneakers for DD (in a couple years) $3

1 tank for me, 2 shirts, 1 dress and a pair of shorts for DD - all $1.99 each from the summer clearance. I love fitting in kid's sizes, they are cheaper. :)

Spent $15.60 including tax

The clothes should fit her next summer, but it will be several years on the sneakers. I didn't realize they were 4 sizes bigger until I got home and actually thought about it.

I took some non-food stockpile pics tonight and will be posting those soon.

Walgreens and Redners

Walgreens -
6 Blue diamond Almonds, b1g1, used 3 $1/2 Qs
domino sugar $1.99, used 55c Q

Clearance stuff - 2 pair slippers $1.99 each
5 t-shirts - they were all marked 62c!
2 packs of large die-cuts 80c each
large sticker book 80c

Spent 18.56, saved $18.59. I should get some money back from the almonds if MIL wants em.

Redners - spend $43.23, saved $23 in Qs. (No store card here.)
4 gallons of gatorade, used $3/1 Q. 29cents each! Sadly now I am out of gatorade Qs.. :(
3 whole chickens, on sale for 88c/lb.
purina yesterday's news litter - used free item Q, but they only take frees up to $5, so it was 59c
2 boxes whiskas pouches - used $2/1 Qs

Two days ago, Ryan's computer broke. :( This means we're sharing until we find out the cause of the problem. I will be very limited in online time until it's fixed.

Price Chopper and Redners from yesterday

Unfortunately for the blog, I have cut down on shopping a little.

Redners -
Spend $47.93, saved $8.99 in Qs (no store card here) most of this was gatorade and a gallon of vegtable oil at $8.99

worth mentioning-
Ziploc baggies - used free item Q
Gatorade - used $3/1 Q so one of them was only 29cents!! yeah!!!
shakey cheese - $1.99

Price Chopper
Spent $44.78, saved $12.81

worth mentioning -
butter $1.88 for 1lb
i cant believe its not butter spread - use free item Q
breakfast breaks - unmarked but rang up $1.31 , used B1G1 Q

Shopping hard or Hardly shopping?

Today I hit 5 stores , plus the post office, dentist and lunch.

Walgreens:
zipper binder: $3.24
wag rubbing alcohol .99c
flipflops (for me) .49c
3 colgate toothpaste 2.99 used wag Q that brought them to .99c, used 3 $1/1 = 3c overage
crest prohealth $3.79 used $1/1 Q
Used $4.50 RR from last week's mouthwash deal.

Paid $3.71 on a gift card and will get $3.79 back from rebate on the crest.

Dollar Tree:
2pk cooling rack, 3 packs of foam stickers, googley eyes, pipe cleaners, 6 kindy /1st grade workbooks , sponge mop and package of oatmeal cookies.

Spend $14.78

Aldi's

So, I actually haven't been in Aldi's in quite a while until today. Definately not since I started "hardcore couponing" in January. They don't take coupons and the one closer to me is kind of dirty/messy. However, the other one, which is a bit further away is super clean and I will definately be going back there. I need to get some more reusable grocery bags so I don't have to buy bags there. They are only 10c and much more durable then a regular plastic grocery bag atleast. I also need to start remembering to take the two fabric bags I *do* have and start using them. Most stores around here give a small bag credit. Every bit counts right? Anyway..

My mom got some things too, but I ended up paying for them since she took DD out to the car. I spent $33.08.

Some of the things I got:
maraschino cherries - 99c (yummmy)
2 cans water chestnuts -55c ea (ew, but for MIL and I've never seen them for less then $1.50)
3 plastic aldi bags -10c ea
Powdered Sugar - 99c
2 brown sugar - 99c ea
4 tomato sauce 23c ea
4 tomato paste 35c ea
Flour - $2.23
Granulated Sugar - $2.14
Poptarts - $1.69 (This was a large box for less then the small generic box at PC!)
3 8oz blocks of cheese - $1.99 (not a great price IMO but I have none.)

Redner's
2 goodlife catfood bags - $4.50 each used two $2/1
10 packs purrfectly fish cat food 55c ea used 5B1G1 Qs
2 jars chopped garlic - $1.98 ea
8pk scott paper towels $4.59, used $1 Q
some other things, not nessisarly great deals, including $17 of gatorade

Spent $49.00 saved $7.75 in Qs (no club card for this store)

Price Chopper
Spent $75.66 Saved $21.36

Everytime I post a PC blog, I think about how I need to be more picky at Price Chopper. I seem to always spend the most in this store.

The highlights:

B1G1 Ravioli (usually the only time I buy it.
3 bags of limes (2lbs each) 80c
London Broil B1G1 (it was about $8 for two)
5lbs rice for winter stockpile
Fun clearence items. Some for me, some for a friend. But... she reads my blog.. and they're for Christmas.


My messup:
$15 (after coupons) worth of fruit snacks. I got my brands messed up and was thinking I was going to get an additonal CAT for $3.50 off. I'm actually considering taking these back, but DD loves them and I know she would be upset. Don't know what to do about this. I need to be more careful. (And let MIL buy the fruit snacks from Sam's Club.. They're frickin free that way!)

Overall spend about $160 today. If you're wondering what I intend to do 6lbs of limes.. I cut them in half and use them to clean my garbage disposal between using the cleansing tablets. Actually, I usually use lemons but any citrus fruit would work. So I'll freeze them and have a nice clean smelling garbage disposal for a long time.

Foodtown Run

Sorry no pictures. Spent $62.77 (ouch wasnt planning on spending that much) Saved $33.65

Deals worth mentioning:

10 boxes of cereal (lucky charms, kix and cheerios) $11.25 or about $1.12/box
used 3 $1/3 Qs, and you got an extra $3 off when you bought 10 GM items.
4 Canned whole tomatoes 49c, there was a limit of 4 or I would have gotten more.
3 Eggplant for .68c/lb
2 yellow squash on reduced produce rack for $1
Tastycake cupcakes on half price sale (Practically the only time I ever buy them!) DD picked out 3 boxes.

I also got a bottle of lime juice and a gallon of vinegar to put towards my winter stockpile.

Price Chopper and Redner's

Not pictured : three bags of chips (wouldn't fit in the picture) and two drinks (we drank 'em) one small bag of cat food (I forgot to put it in.. ) and $15 of stuff my friend took home. Oh and one box of pizza bites she took home by accident.

Redners -
Spent $57.12 Saved $19.50 in coupons. They don't do a store card at this store.

Steals and Deals -
mint tea bags 2/$5 (better then full price and these will last awhile)
red onions .78c/lb
success rice .85c/ea (50c/1 coupons)
ramen noodles 6/$1
Totino's pizza rolls .50c/ea ($1/2 coupons)
ronzoni pasta .25c/ea ($1/1 coupons)
Kraft easy mac cups .25c/ea ($1/2 Qs)


Price Chopper
Spent $32.75 saved $24.11

Steals and Deals -
success rice .69c/ea (.50c Qs, this store doubles)
kraft easy mac cups .50c/ea ($1/2 Qs)
bananas .38c/lb
package of plum tomatoes on reduced produce .67c
tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes .68c/ea
crossants on reduced bakery rack $1.60
meow mix wet cat food FREE! (free item Q)
3 rolls marcel tp FREE! (3 free item Qs)


I really think I could do better with food shopping, but I'll take the deals I can get for stuff we actually eat. I now have 28 (1lb) boxes of pasta in my stockpile closet. This doesn't include open boxes in the kitchen or any pasta in bags. I think I am at my limit on that before I run out of space. (Remember I live in a small 2br apartment.) Anyone want to come over for a spaghetti dinner?

I love Walgreens.

I headed to walgreen's today and did 5 transactions. I am now definately full to the brim on a cleaning supply stockpile, besides laundry detergent. Most of the time I clean with vinegar and baking soda other then the toilet, but when I can get good prices I do stock up on cleaning products. A note on the robotussin: The printable coupons are one per household. I printed one per household (MIL, myself and my mom.) Please use these coupons correctly.

Transaction 1
3 Robotussin DM - Sale $3.99 used 3 $3/1 Qs
Total $2.97 (paid on gift card from rebates) Got $10 Register Reward for buying 3.

Transaction 2
2 shout laundry spray Sale $2.49, used $1/2 Q
3 scrubbing bubbles wipes Sale $2.49, used 3 $1/1Qs
2 windex wipes Sale $2.49, used 2 $1/1Q
plastic serving plate, 25¢ clearence (filler)
Used $10RR from trans 1.
$2.75 paid on gift card

Trans 3
crest prohealth mouthwash $4.49 used $1Q
3 glade fabric and air $1.99 sale with ESR Q, used 3 $1.50/1 Qs
2 votive holders 99¢ each
2 dozen votives 6/$1 sale
candy for DD 79¢
pack of 5 dishcloths $3 (Going to cut and hem these into 4 cloth napkins per towel.)
plastic serving plate 50¢ clearance
Used $10RR from trans 2
$6.43 paid on gift card. Got $4.50RR from the mouthwash.

Trans 4 (mom's)
2 windex spray $2.49 sale, used 2 $1/1Qs
5 scrubbing bubbles spray $2.49 sale used 5 $1/1Qs
Total $11.48 paid on gift card

Trans 5 (more of mom's stuff)
4 taper candles 2/$1
bundle of forks $1
2 plates, 25¢ and 50¢ clearance
bubbles 79¢
Crest mouthwash $4.49, used $1/1Q
2 Glade fabric and air $1.99 sale with ESR Q, used 2 $1.50/1 Qs
24ct crayola crayons 99¢ (closest cheapest thing to the register to bump the total over $10 lol)
used $10RR from Trans 4
Paid $1.90 on giftcard, got $4.50 RR from mouthwash.


Total Saved for all transactions was $103.20
My total OOP - $12.15
Mom's total OOP -$13.38
Left with $9 register rewards.

I must admit it was a really good trip, but I could have done better. We had planned to get the pro-health toothpaste and lypsl chapstick that were both FAR this month but they were out of stock. That is why there was a bunch of random things added in so the totals would be enough to roll the register rewards. The votive candles and holders are going to be part of a Christmas gift, and I couldn't pass up the dish towels. I do not think I could have gotten 20 cloth napkins for much cheaper anywhere else. Plus I need practice with my sewing and it should only take a few minutes to hem the edges.

A whole 'lotta shoppin'

Walgreen's, Redner's and Big Lots

Walgreen's
2 -3lb epsom salts sale $1.50 each
1 excedrin migrane 24 ct - 99cents
2 boxes tuf trash bags - $3.99/B1G1

The Excedrin was supposed to be $1.99 with $1 RR, but it did not print so I was refunded $1.
They also did not have the satincare shaving cream that was $1.99 with $3RR WYB 3, so I got a raincheck for it after the RR price. Better for me since they will be free the next time the Qs come out.

OOP - $8.22
Saved - $9.97

Redner's

5 gatorade - $3.29 each
1 large bottle lemon juice - 99 cents (winter stock up)
whiskas cat food 12pk -$5.29 (YIKES! This was full price!)
Magazine - $1.99
pack of cup hooks 99cents

OOP - $25.32

Big Lots

Napkins $1
Men's shorts $4
2pk girls tank top $2
Hello Kitty DVD - $3
Strawberry shortcake DVD -$4
2 chow mein noodle meals -80c each (not pictured, picked these up for a friend)
2 shelf stable milks $1 each
candy for DD 50c

OOP - $18.58

The DVDs are for Christmas for Mercedes. Ryan had been asking me to look for deals on elastic waist shorts for around the house. To bad they only had 1 pair in his size.



Price Chopper - I'm almost to embarrased to post this because it wasn't a very frugal trip. I desperately need cat litter and it was on sale.

PC brand cat litter - $4.99
gallon of chocolate milk - $3.60
garbage disposal cleaner - $2.69 (will last several months)
2 quarts superskim milk - $1.39 each
package of pork chops - $3.51 (not on sale but was asked to get them)
mint tea bags - $3.29 (I am sooo addicted to these. )

Spent - $20.86, saved 70 cents.

I actually did not use *any* coupons today. I am shocked, but really it was things I needed or walgreen's brand items that did obviously not have Manufactor Qs. I am out of shopping budget until next paydate (other then my planned Wag's trip next week) so I do not plan to be shopping until then. Hopefully I will be posting some other things between now and then to my poor neglected blog.

Redner's , Price Chopper and Walgreen's

Usual excuse for no pictures. :(

Redners - OOP 13.37

3 gallons gatorade $3.29 each
Kosher Salt - $1.61
Black Pepper - $1.89

Price Chopper - Spent $40.25, Saved $41.42

Deals worth mentioning..

10 boxes sani-hands wipes - sale $1.28, used 10 $1/1 coupons
PC brand noodles - 88¢
Bic twin plus razors B1G2 $3.99 (these are for a friend. I have *enough* razors)
Kraft BBQ sauce - sale 88¢


Walgreens

I intended to do 2 separate transactions, but it was really busy while we were there so I just rang it up all together.

Mom's stuff -
9 foldger's coffee on sale for $2.99, used 3 $1/3 coupons ($23.91)
can of cashews $6.99 (Yikes!)
2 cans almonds, B1G1 $3.49
1 wag ultra brand TP 6-pack $1.99
OOP - $36.38 (including tax)

6 glade oil warmers, b1g1 sale, b1g1 coupons -- FREE!
6 boxes puffs tissues, sale 89¢ , used 2 $1/3 Qs - $3.34
6 reach toothbrushes, $1 sale, used 6 $1/1 coupons -- FREE!
2 cans almonds, B1G1, used $1/2 coupon - $2.49
1 wag TP 6 pack $1.99
10 dawn dish soap, sale 99¢ , used 5 $1/2 coupons $4.90
6 rolls scotch tape, sale 3/$1 - $2.00

Total $14.72, used $8 worth of RR from last week
OOP - $6.72

My total savings were $96.87. I think that's the closest I've ever came to $100 in savings at walgreens.

Walgreen's and Price Chopper - August 22

Walgreen's

6 Ragu pasta sauce , used two $1/3 Qs

OOP - $8.00
Got $4 RR.

Exchanged the wrong foundations for the FAR ones and got ~$4back.

Price Chopper.

Spent $45.95
Saved $17.83

Highlights-
12 hunt's snack 4pk pack puddings used 3 $1/4 Qs - paid 75c per pack
Perfectly fish cat food - $4.99 , used $1.50/1 Q (PC catalina)


I rarely go twice in one week, but I accidentally forgot my pudding coupons.

Shopping, oh wonderful shopping!

Yesterday, I hit Walgreen's, Price Chopper, Joann's and the dollar store.

Walgreen's.. in 4 transactions

First-

6 Skippy peanut butter - $8, used two $1/2 coupons
Got a $4 RR back

OOP -$8.00

Second-

2 Queen Helene cholesterol hair treatment B1G1free - $2.99
1 Pert plus shampoo $3.79 - used $3 coupon - .79¢
2 Dove shampoo and conditioner (1 of each) B1G1free $4.99, used two $2/1 Qs - .99¢
3 wag brand peroxide - .39¢ each with in-ad coupon - $1.17
5 3pk gluesticks - on sale .39¢ each - $1.95
1 Jane mineral powder makeup - $6.99
2 packages of jello mix .39¢ each with in-ad Q used $1/2 Q - .22¢ overage

OOP - $15.91 ($1.25 tax)

Third - (These were my mom's purchases, but she gave me the hair treatment.)

1 box Lucky Charms - $1.99
Queen Helene mask and hair treatment (one of each) B1G1 - $2.99
Jane powder - $6.99
Shout stain remover - $3.49
3 wag brand peroxide - $1.17
Pert plus w/ $3 Q - 79¢

OOP $18.46 ($1.04 tax)

Fourth - (These were for Ry's gram.)
6 packs of poise pads ($3.99 each) - $23.94
used 3 $1.50/2 coupons

OOP - $19.44

I will get rebates on the pert and the jane. (Both FAR.) Unfortunately, I bought the wrong makeup, so I will need to go back and exchange both mine and my mom's for the right ones. My mom also will get a rebate on the shout for $1.00.


Price Chopper

Spend $109.63, saved $45.44

Deals to note..

O-cel-o sponges (1/2 price sale) I would have gotten all the singles (since it would have been cheaper) but, they did not have many in stock and I wanted to leave some on the shelf for others to be able to take advantage of the sale.
4 3pks - $7.56 used 2 $1/2Qs - $5.58 (about 46¢ per sponge)
8 single packs - $7.12 - used 4 $1/2Qs - $3.12 (about 39¢ per sponge)

Price Chopper brand pasta, 89¢ a box, I bought 8 boxes.
4 single rolls of Marcel TP - used free item Qs - free

reduced produce - $5.89 for 4 packages. It included about a dozen tomatoes, a dozen apples, a peach and an avacado. The tomatoes alone would have likely cost atleast twice that full price.

Price Chopper cotton balls b1g1 free - $1.89 (purchased for winter stockpiling)

Joann's --
I needed thread to hem a work shirt for my mom. I checked out the clearance while I was there.

package of felt cupcake shapes .50¢
package of felt butterfly shapes .50¢
1 yard felt ribbon, flower print .25¢
1 sheet 12x12 paper, marked damaged for a small tear .04¢
(All above for DD's craft box once school starts.)
2 calenders for next year $1 each - $2.00
yellow thread - $2.59

OOP - $6.23 (.35¢ tax)

Dollar Store

plastic basket, 3 shoebox size plastic boxes with lids, 2 packages foam stickers, calculator, 1 fabric placemat, 1 generic oxyclean

OOP - $9.54 (.54¢ tax

The foam stickers are for DD's craft box, along with one of the shoeboxes. The other shoeboxes are for stockpile storage for small items. The placemat I will be making my mom a new plastic bag holder with since her other one ripped beyond repair.

Winter Stock Up plans..

Yesterday, I sat down and made a list of several things that do not go on sale regularly (or that I do not have enough of) that I would like to stock up on for winter. I live in an area that often has plenty of bad weather in the cold month, and to boot I live atop a huge hill. This means I likely won't be able to get shopping as often and take part in alot of the good deals.

Here is my list:
bullion cubes - chicken and beef
onions (to dice and freeze)
cans of diced tomatoes
baking soda (I clean with this as well as for the kitty box, always run out!)
vinegar
cat food - wet and dry
cat litter
flour
cooking oil
olive oil
shelf stable milk
pretzels
laundry detergent
napkins
wax paper (I only use this for holiday baking)
Baggies, quart and gallon
AA batteries
Rice/Noodle Mixes
Toilet Paper (you can never have enough TP!)
Paper towels
Ketchup
Pepper
Shake Cheese
Cotton Balls and Qtips
Bleach
Spagetti Sauce
Noodles
bottled lemon and lime juice
snow pants - size 7 (DD)
undies - size 6 (DD)
socks (DD and myself)
luvs diapers, if can get some more of the $5/1 coupons. She wears these at night.

I have already purchased the olive oil and some bullion cubes. I found them both on sale at Price Chopper. The food items I plan on picking up a few each time I go to the grocery store. The others I am hoping to pick up with any extra money I have this fall.

Walgreen's and Price Chopper Aug 14

I'm sorry to say no pictures again. It seems like every time I go shopping with my mom, as soon as we bring in the bags, she's in a hurry to put everything away. Not complaining that she wants to put away my stuff, but I didn't have time to drag it all out again for pictures.

Walgreen's

8 bags of M and Ms - 75¢ each after store Q (it scanned twice by accident), used 4 $1.50/2 Qs
coffee filters - .50¢ (supposed to be 99¢ but they didn't have the right size pkg)
paper lunch bags .99¢
4pk bic soleil razor blades - $3.99 sale after store Q, used 4 $3/1 Qs
6 packs Bic stick pens sale $2/1 - Used 3 $1/2 Qs - FREE!
6 bic highlighter 6pks - 39¢ each, used $1/2 Qs -
package of 4 rubber duckies - clearence $1.00
Disney Princess Backpack Activity kit clearance $2.00
6 Splenda (for mom) - $18 after store Q (forgot my man Qs grr)

Also used two $5 Register Rewards from last week's special K deal.

I had a raincheck for the bic highlighter 6 packs from a few weeks ago because my store had not gotten them in during the sale.

Total - 20.34 ($1.55 tax)
Mom's OOP - $18
My OOP - $2.34

Price Chopper

Total Spent - $94.34 Total Saved - $39.48

Highlights -
8 Totinos Pizza Rolls sale $1.25/box used 4 $1/2 coupons - 75¢ a box!
(SO loves these and can usually get 2 meals/snacks per box. I don't usually buy
them because they are usually $2+ per box.)
Pumpernickel bread B1G1 - $3.29
4 Nexcare Bandages B1G1 @ $3.49/2 used 4 $1/1 Qs - about 75¢ a box
2 medium size packages of steak - $2.34 for one, $2.77 for the other
(Of course, this is one day after telling SO I was not buying more meat until the
freezer was empty! I just couldn't pass up the price.)

I also got 2 cases of water ($8.00) and 6 boxes of granola bars ($12) that I will be selling at my yardsale tomorrow to try and get some extra cash. I always buy from people selling water or kiddo's having a bake sale at yardsales. It is nice for a cold drink and a little snack on a hot day. Hopefully other people will have this mentality too.

Quick trip to Redner's

3 packs luv's jumbo - $7.59 each , used $5/1 Qs on each
50 packs of koolaid - sale 10 cents each
3 friskies cat treats - used free item Q
3 gallons gatorade $3.29 each

OOP - $24.31 + tax

Huge Shopping Trip

*Preschooler not included. A better picture of the loot can be found here and here



Walgreens -
3 3pack puff's tissues used 3 $1/1 Qs
2 binder tab dividers (2/$1)
2 school glue (2/$1.. and kicking myself cause they had it 4/$1 at walmart)
2 glade oil candle refills used $2Q
1 walgreen's lightbulb (FAR this month)
m and m's for DD
used $10 worth of RR

OOP - $4.27 ($1.05 tax)
Noticed I was charged twice for the lightbulbs, so I will have to take my receipt back. Then my OOP should be about $2.25

Walmart
I did buy some other things, such as food but here are the highlights.
6 1 subject notebooks -5¢ each
6 huggies clean team, $1.64 each, used 3/$2 Qs
4 cascade rise agent - used free item Qs
4 glade scented oil warmers - $3.37 each used $4 Qs
5 capri sun - sale $1.75, this is the cheapest I have seen it in my area.

Before coupons $68.83
After Coupons - $36.44 (including $35 of food I did not have coupons for.)
Over $3 overage for the glade!

Price Chopper -

A friend was looking for some of the deals on the mustard and cat food I posted the other day. They were out of stock, but we did hit some reduced bakery. Two loafs pumpernickel bread, a loaf of garlic bread, a package of dinner rolls and and a loaf of english muffin bread for $7.75.

Thrift store -
shelf (see in pic above) $1.91
Anne Geddes teddy bear doll $1.91
two plastic containers - $1.21

There are not words for how ecstatic I am over finding that deal on the shelf. This fall, I am beginning to homeschool my daughter and was really needing something to organize her school supplies. Below is a picture of the shelf after I organized it. The blue bins on the bottom shelf are the ones I purchased from the thrift store. If you are wondering, the white container to the right is cat food, I forgot to move it.

Cooking on the cheap.

First off, I love my crockpot. It was a gift last Christmas from MIL. My previous one, was from about 1975. It worked fine, but it was rather small and had seen better days. However, the new one is HUGE. There is a 6lb+ whole chicken under the veggies. This recipie should serve atleast 2-3 meals for my family of two adults and one three year old.

Crockpot roast chicken with vegetables.
(measurements are estimated)

1 whole chicken (mine was about 6lbs)
8 or so potatoes, cubed
1/3 bag baby carrots, cut in half
3 chicken bullion cubes or about 3 tablespoons powdered chicken base
butter, I personally used two sticks.
salt and pepper to taste
any other seasonings you'd like (I used some garlic and some McCormick lemon herb seasoning.)

Stick all in crockpot and cook on low 8+ hours or high 4+ hours, depending on the size of the chicken. You could also use chicken legs or breasts if you're crockpot isn't large enough.

When I saw whole chickens on sale for 59 cents a pound, I bought six and stocked up my large freezer.

Noodles with Sauce and eggplant and zucchini.
serves 3-4

1/2 box pasta
1 jar/can spaghetti sauce
1 small to medium eggplant, peeled and cubed
1 small to medium zucchini, peeled and cubed
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

While pasta is boiling, heat a large skillet and add some olive oil. Add vegetables and and stir occasionally until tender. (About 10 minutes.) Drain pasta and add in sauce and cooked vegetables. Mix well and heat through.

The best part of this recipe is the eggplant and zucchini were free! A friend's coworker shared a bunch with her and the other day she brought me a small eggplant, medium zuchinni and 3 cucumbers.

Cucumber Salad - With this recipe you can make as much or as little as you need. It tastes much better the next day.

cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
vinegar
salt
sugar
water

After slicing the cucumbers place them in a large bowl and sprinkle generously with salt. Let stand about 15 minutes until it looks like most of the water has been brought out. Rinse cucumbers. Wring them out and place in a clean bowl. Mix equal parts vinegar, sugar and water. You can adjust to taste. It shouldn't be to sweet or to sour.

Walgreen's and Price Chopper.

Sorry for no photos again, it was late when I got home and I just wanted to get everything put away.

Price Chopper -
10 glade aerosols - sale 99¢ each used 1 $2/2 glade and 5 b1g1 free coupons
7 French's mustard - sale $1 each , used 6 50¢ coupons (doubled) and one $1 coupon
1 spongebob bandaid - $1.50 sale , used $1 coupon
2 smuckers dark chocolate with mint ice cream topping marked down to $1.06 each
Kraft singles cheese - used free cheese wyb 3 kraft products (3 packets of koolaid 39¢ ea)
3 Purina healthful life cat chow 16oz bags - Sale $1.50 each, used $1 coupons

No coupons for these but still a pretty good deal!

3 small bottles gatorade - grocery markdown 50¢ each
Keebler cookies - b1g1 free sale
2 delmonte spaghetti sauce - $1 each
Play make up set , sale $1.99 (putting this aside for Christmas for DD)

I did buy a few other things I needed but were not on sale. Overall I saved $38.65 and spent $33.95. ($1.04 tax)

Walgreens

4 glade scented oil refills sale - $4.49
2 glade scented oil candle refills sale -$1.99
scrubbing bubbles action scrubber starter kit - $5.79
4pk expo dry erase markers -sale $1.99
4 special k bars - sale $2.50 each
1 toy horse - clearance $1.49

I used $12.25 in coupons, tho I can't remember right now which coupon amounts went with what. I will also get nearly $15 back in rebates. Walgreen's ESR has rebates for the glade and the action scrubber. The action scrubber had a try me free rebate too. I used a $2.75 coupon on this so it makes it a money maker of about $4.25, not including the extra 10% that is added for loading my Walgreen's rebates onto a gift card. In addition to this, I got two $5 register rewards for the special k promo. I should have only gotten one, but the machine printed two and I wasn't arguing. The toy horse will be put away for Christmas for DD. My mom (who usually shops with me) also bought the other horse that was on clearence. For under $5 I already have 3 gifts for her.

Coupon Organization.

Over the course of the time I've been couponing, I have tried several different ways to keep them sorted and organized. I started out with one of those little accordion files. Then, I moved to a photo album. Then, I moved to two 6qt shoebox size storage containers. Inside the categories were separated by envelopes. (One food items and one non-food.) Today I decided to move on to a binder. Inside there are full page sheet protectors, labeled by category. Inside each page, the multiple Qs are stapled together. Hopefully this will make it easier and faster to find what I am looking for.


I still need to finish my other binder for food coupons. I definitely enjoyed getting everything organized this afternoon. I wonder why I had not decided to go with this system sooner. I think, compared to ways I've tried in the past, that this system will be much easier keeping up with filing and purging expired.

Frugal baby gifts.

Since my mom and I were invited to a baby shower for her co-worker, and Walgreen's recently had a diaper deal, I decided to make the mom-to-be a diaper cake. I'd never made anything like that before, but with the cheap diapers, what a better time to try it out.




















Here's what I used:
(almost) 2 packages of size 3 diapers - about $5
6pr baby socks - $2
1 trial size pack of baby wipes - free after Q
2 rolls of purple ribbon - 97¢ each
1 0-3m tshirt - $1
piglet ice pack - $1
decorative baby rattles - 6/$1
stickers - 50¢
baby spoons - 2/$1

The white ribbon, decorative pins and trial size products MIL gave me. I already had the rubber bands, straws, yarn, pink ribbon and platter at home.

I'm so excited that for about $12 I could make up such a nice gift.

I also did a nice little basket of "mom" goodies for her, all from my stockpile.
The basket contained:
shampoo
conditioner
body wash
bar of face soap
lotion
facial moisturizer
pack of feminine pads
deodorant
toothbrush
toothpaste
small pack of tissues
razor
shaving cream

Since all these items were from my stockpile, I am not sure on the cost. I will estimate $10. The basket, bow and tulle I all had at home.

Walgreen's, Price Chopper, and JoAnn Fabrics.

Sorry for the delay in posted, but I have been out of town.

Earlier this week I purchased a few things at walgreen's. I apologize for the lack of photo.

2 tuff trash bags B1G1 free @ $3.99
3 skintimate trial size - 99¢ each , free after 3 $1/1 man Qs
starbucks fraps - 4/$5 (after IVC Q) (Didn't need them, but oh so yummy!)
2 2pk white out - B1G1 @ $1.99
4 96sheet construction paper B1G1 @ $1.99
3 24pk paint set, 1 10pk paintbrush B1G1 @ $1.99
1/2 gallon milk $2.79

OOP - $22.72, $1.02 which was tax
Total Savings - $23.53


My Price Chopper trip was pretty awful, coupon wise. Unfortunately there were alot of things that I needed that I could not wait for a sale. I did, however get some colgate toothbrushes and softsoap handsoap B1G2 free. The toothbrushes were about 75¢ each and the soap 50¢ each.

No coupons at JoAnn's but alot of good deals.




Monkey coat hook - $1
2 purple ribbion - 97¢ each
Princess wall hanging - $1
fairy wing kit - 97¢
princess picture frame kit - 97¢
foam flowers - $1
2 fabric remnants 49¢ each
pink glitter flower stickers 97¢
baby stickers 50¢
2 toddler books $1 each ( DD got those for sitting in the cart the whole trip.)
2 calender making kits $1.97 each

OOP $16.19 (92¢ tax)

Most of this will be put away for preschool craft projects for DD, or in the case of the calender kits, assembled as Christmas gifts.

Walgreens Back to School Sales

First, let me say, I love school supplies. I could spend hours just browsing office supply stores. This year, I will begin homeschooling my daughter for preschool. Hopefully, the supplies I have purchased this far will get us through the year so I don't end up paying $3+ for a package of crayons or markers later. Onto the deals, shall we?

Walgreens 7/21


Not all items pictured, as my mom took some home before I remembered to photograph it.

(10) white posterboard 10¢
(4) boxes of paperclips 19¢
(2) 5pack mechanical pencils 5¢
(4) highlighters 5¢
(8) mini composition books 5¢
(2) G2 pilot pen $1
(2) 30pack sheet protectors $2.99 (B1G1)
(6) pencil boxes 50¢
(3) 24pk crayons $3/1
(3) 8pk jumbo crayons) $3/1
(6) Crayola colored pencil 99¢
(2) Crayola 8pk markers $2
(3) wooden rulers 19¢
(5) 2pk pink erasers 19¢
(1o) 20 foot Reynold's wrap foil 89¢
(1) 4pk expo dry erase markers $1.99
(2) pantene beautiful lengths shampoo $4.00
(3) pantene beautiful lengths conditoner $4.00
(1) My little pony board book $1.99
(1) Hello kitty marshmellow pop 99¢

Coupons -
(5)$2/1 pantene beautiful lengths
(5) $1.50/2 Reynold's foil
several 7day walgreen's coupons found in sale flyer
(1) $2 off wyb (when you buy) any crayola (walgreen's catalina)

OOP (out of pocket) =49.64
Total Savings = 91.06

Additionally, I will send in rebates ($14) for the pantene, Crayola markers and G2 pilot pens. This will make 4 bottles of the pantene free as well as the makers and pens. I need to take my recipt back as it seems I was charged incorrectly for the colored pencils and they rang up 3/$5.98 instead of 3/$2.97.

Welcome to the Blog.

I'm starting this blog as way I can boast about my deals and couponing without driving my friends and family crazy. I started seriously couponing and stockpiling in January 2008. I am currently a stay at home mom to my 3 year old daughter. In June of this year my boyfriend was diagnosed with gastroparesis, after being very ill since December 2006. He is unable to work, thus we have a very small budget. I strive to stretch it as far as possible and couponing allows me to do just that. I frequently get items for free or close to free. As time allows, I will also be posting pictures of my current stockpile.